Justice Department, ICE, and the FBI Recognize International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC), including the Justice Departments Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBIs International Human Rights Unit (IHRU), will join U.S. and international law enforcement partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others this Sunday, Feb. 6 in recognizing the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). There will be no tolerance today or any other day for this harmful and traumatic practice, said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. The Department of Justice is dedicated to the enforcement of the STOP FGM Act to protect young women from this traumatic experience. The FBI stands with our partners in acknowledging this International Day of Zero Tolerance in support of the victims of this horrendous crime, said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBIs Criminal Investigative Division. We reaffirm our commitment to protecting young women and girls by bringing to justice those who violate this vulnerable group. The International Day of Zero Tolerance provides us the opportunity to raise awareness of this issue and remember the women and girls who have suffered from this human rights abuse, including those who have died or live with the health complications from this practice, said ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Director for National Security Andre R. Watson. Federal agencies have engaged in a variety of initiatives aimed at protecting women and girls in the United States who have been subjected to or who may be at risk of FGM. For example: To help raise awareness, HSI special agents regularly conduct outreach at U.S. international airports to inform travelers of the dangers of FGM and the consequences for those who commit this horrific abuse. In December, HSI special agents conducted outreach at international airports in Dulles, Virginia, and Dallas, Texas, under an initiative called Operation Limelight USA. Operation Limelight USA was initiated in 2017 by ICEs HRVWCC, and modeled after the U.K.s Operation Limelight, a joint initiative by the U.K.s Border Force and police services. The Justice Departments Office for Victims of Crime awarded over five million dollars in three-year grants to support community projects around the country designed to increase direct services, education, and community partner engagement to stop the victimization of women and girls through FGM. For more info, see press release: Justice Department announces nearly $3 million to address female genital mutilation and cutting. Justice Department, DHS, and FBI conducted a variety of trainings for local, state and federal law enforcement (prosecutors, local and state police, child protective services professionals, and others) to raise awareness about the applicability of federal and state laws barring FGM, best practices for interactions with FGM survivors, and where to find support services. Similar trainings and meetings were held for educators, immigrant and refugee service providers, and medical professionals. FGM is a serious human rights violation and a federal crime. In 2013, Congress amended the federal FGM statute to add section 116(d), which prohibits the transportation of a person from the United States to another country for purposes of having FGM performed upon them. On Jan. 5, 2021, the STOP FGM Act 2020 was signed into law, further aligning the U.S. definition of FGM with the World Health Organizations definition. Violations of this law may result in imprisonment and potential removal from the United States. Individuals suspected of FGM, including sending girls overseas to be harmed, may be investigated by the HRVWCC and prosecuted by the Department of Justice accordingly. On Jan. 13, 2021, the Department of Justice indicted a Texas woman for allegedly transporting a minor out of the United States for FGM, the first time that charges were brought under the provision of the law which prohibits taking a girl out of the United States for the purpose of FGM. The FBIs Houston Field Office investigated the case with support from the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. According to UNICEF, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, which refers to procedures that injure the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. While primarily concentrated in north, west and central Africa, as well as parts of the Middle East and Asia, FGM also occurs in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately 500,000 women and girls in the United States are either victims of FGM or are at risk of being subjected to it. The practice is global in scope and found in multiple geographies, religions and socioeconomic classes. ICEs HRVWCC is focused on investigating global atrocities and the perpetrators of human rights violations and war crimes. Initiated by ICEs HSI in 2008, the HRVWCC leverages the knowledge and expertise of a select group of special agents, attorneys, intelligence analysts, criminal research specialists and historians who are charged with preventing the United States from becoming a safe haven to individuals who engage in the commission of war crimes, genocide, torture and other forms of serious human rights abuses from conflicts around the globe. The center also brings together other DHS components and federal partners, to include the FBI and the Department of Justice, who work collaboratively alongside HSI to investigate human rights violators and to pursue war crimes investigations and prosecutions. Anyone with information about victims or perpetrators of FGM is encouraged to call the toll-free ICE tip line at (866) 347-2423 or the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324). To submit a tip online, complete the ICE online tip form , or the FBI online tip form at tips.fbi.gov. The FBIs call center and online portal are available anytime, and tips may be provided anonymously. For more information about FGM visit the United Nations' Zero Tolerance Day website. This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: End of State of Disaster in sight for SA President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that government plans to scrap the National State of Disaster as the country enters a new phase in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is our intention to end the National State of Disaster as soon as we have finalised other measures under the National Health Act and other legislation to contain the pandemic, said the President on Thursday. On 15 March 2020, President Ramaphosa declared the National State of Disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act and announced a range of measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Speaking during the televised 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA) from the Cape Town City Hall, the First Citizen said nearly all restrictions on economic and social activity have already been lifted, which is largely thanks to the vaccination rollout programme. Citing the latest data, he said South Africa has administered over 30 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, while nearly 42% of all adults and 16% of everyone over the age of 50 is fully jabbed. This is the real achievement that many countries on our continent have not been able to reach. He reminded citizens that vaccines are the best defence against illness, death and COVID-19, which has claimed close to 100 000 lives locally. I've always said from a personal point of view, had I have not been vaccinated in December when I contracted COVID-19, I probably will not be standing here, he reflected. The President took the time to urge South Africans to take the life-saving jab and continue to observe basic health measures and remain vigilant. We will be able to get on with our lives, even with the virus in our midst, he said, adding that the pandemic has exacerbated the divide between those who are employed and those who are jobless. Solidarity Fund President Ramaphosa announced that the Solidarity Fund has raised R3.4 billion from more than 300 000 South Africans and companies, while more than 400 individuals and 100 companies volunteered their time and services. The fund has played a pivotal role in supporting the national health response and alleviating the humanitarian crisis that confronted our country and our people. He thanked everyone who contributed to the fund, including some Members of Parliament and other initiatives to support those affected by the pandemic. The President also paid tribute to the many healthcare and frontline workers who play a key role in the fight against Coronavirus. The nation owes a great debt of gratitude to the dedicated health workers and to other frontline staff who put their own health and lives at risk to care for the ill and the vulnerable during this period, he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. ARCADIA Ashley for the Arts has announced the recipient of their 2021 Ashley for the Arts Community Cares Grant; the $10,000 donation will be awarded to the Rainbow Community Club. Based out of Independence, Wis., the Rainbow Community Club is a women-led organization with the mission of promoting family life and the betterment of our community. The awarded project includes the expansion of the Independence City Hall Park with musical playground equipment and improvements to the accessibility of the current playground. Last summer we saw over 600 people at the events we hosted in City Hall Park. Were so excited to be able to incorporate this musical playground equipment into the activities the library hosts for local children and families, said Kayla Mathson, member of Rainbow Community Club, This equipment will give kids a fun and unique way to learn about rhythm, practice recognizing patterns, and explore their interests. The current playground equipment has zero entrance for children with mobility needs but improvements are needed to increase interactive play for children with varying abilities. The addition of musical playground equipment would offer cognitive growth, sensory input, motor skill development, motor planning, endurance, and muscle strength for the enhancement for overall child development, stated Doreen Olson, member of Rainbow Community Club. Members of the Rainbow Community Club also pledged to volunteer with the Independence Public Library to develop and incorporate the musical playground equipment into the summer reading program. This project has a tentative completion date of September 2022. The Ashley for the Arts Community Cares Grant was open to eligible non-profit organizations, within a 60-mile radius of Arcadia, WI, looking for assistance with a project that was community focused in art, music and/or cultural activities. The 2021 Ashley for the Arts event raised a record-breaking $635,000 in support of more than 65 participating schools and non-profit organizations. Over the past several months, the Ashley for the Arts committee presented these participating organizations with their donation. Donations are awarded based on each participating organizations involvement in the annual event, including onsite performances and volunteer hours. Special acknowledgement made to organizations who were new to the event last year: Berean Christian School, Glencoe 4-H, Mondovi Library, Sparta High School, Tomah High School, Troop 148 and the University of La Crosse. We are extremely grateful for all of the wonderful volunteers that take part in this event. We know summer can be a busy time for everyone, especially with school-aged children; we are thrilled to offer a fun way to spend time with family and friends all while supporting these amazing organizations, said Cole Bawek, event director, Ashley for the Arts. This is a great example of what community is all about. Ashley for the Arts is set to return August 11-13 in Arcadia for their 13th annual music and art festival. Brooks & Dunn is set to headline the main stage on Saturday along with additional performers announced and more coming Night Ranger, Danielle Bradbery and Morgan Wade. Tickets are available online, at the early bird rate of $25 for the entire weekend, at www.AshleyfortheArts.com. To stay up to date with entertainer and attraction announcements, visit www.AshleyfortheArts.com, or follow Ashley for the Arts on Facebook and @AshleyfortheArts on Instagram. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The state is still reporting critically high COVID levels in most counties including La Crosse though cases continue to decline. Wisconsin as of Wednesday had a seven-day average of 2,864 new cases per day for a 12.8% positivity rate. A total of 11,483 deaths were confirmed as of Feb. 9 including 156 in La Crosse County. Statewide, confirmed cases total 1,360,503, with 33,395 among La Crosse County residents. The states case burden for the two-week period ending was Feb. 8 was 1,082.6 per 100,000, with a 44% drop in trajectory. La Crosse County had a burden of 1,609.3 per 100,000 and shrinking trajectory. Per DHS data, in December infections among the fully vaccinated were at a rate of 1,573.2 per 100,000, with hospitalizations 18.5 per 100,000 and deaths 3.6 per 100,000. For those unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, those rates were 4,746.4 per 100,000; 176.4 per 100,000; and 50.8 per 100,000, respectively. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported current 1,207 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Feb. 8, including 228 ICU patients. In the Western region, those numbers were 52 and four, respectively, with six ICU beds immediately available in the region. For the two-week period ending Feb. 8, DHS reported a decrease in overall hospitalizations but no significant change in Western Wisconsin. Statewide of 52.4% hospitals had their ICUS at peak capacity. Mayo Clinic Health System sites in Southwest Wisconsin have around 21 COVID patients in their hospitals, according to a Mayo spokesperson, with the majority of those in the ICU unvaccinated. Mayo hospitals in Minnesota and Wisconsin are seeing a downward trend in COVID inpatients overall, with some fluctuations, and Gundersen Health System has reported a decrease in COVID hospitalizations. COVID-19 continues to be a public health threat and even as cases trend downward, its not time to let our guard down with safety measures. The best line of defense is getting a COVID-19 vaccination and booster, if a person is eligible, Mayo states. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness and related hospitalizations and death. In Wisconsin, 59.7% of residents were fully vaccinated as of Wednesday, as were 65.1% of La Crosse County residents. La Crosse County youth coronavirus ratesThe School District of La Crosse reported for the week ending Feb. 1 a case rate of 132.4 per 100,000 per day, a decline from early January. In total from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 99 cases were confirmed among staff and students, with cumulative 1,387 cases this school year. The district currently has PCR tests and a limited supply of antigen tests available at the Hogan Administrative Center. Rapid tests will only be available to students and staff, while family members of students and staff qualify for PCR testing at the site. State receives FEMA FundsThe U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) announced Wednesday that Wisconsin would receive $91.8 million in COVID response funding. Over $85.6 million will be allocated to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and more than $6.2 million to the Wisconsin Department of Administration. The grant to DHS will reimburse costs used to provide emergency medical care for diagnostic testing. The funding to WDA reimburses costs to provide emergency and inpatient clinical care for COVID-19 patients through staff augmentation in primary care medical facilities. We are very appreciative of this funding and also want to thank FEMA for our ongoing partnership, said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. This assistance ensures people can continue to access the important testing resources and medical care that are essential to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The following people have been charged with felonies in La Crosse County Circuit Court: Taylor S. Pataska, 26, Holmen, has been charged with burglary to a residence and theft. According to the criminal complaint, Pataska broke into a town of Holland residence Jan. 22 and stole tools and two firearms. He is free on a $500 signature bond and has a preliminary hearing set for Feb. 16. Sean A. Jensen, 51, Onalaska, has been charged with hit-and-run/injury. According to the criminal complaint, Jensen failed to stop after his truck collided with another vehicle Nov. 10 on Hwy. ZB in the town of Onalaska. The other driver was transported from the scene via ambulance. Jensen is free on a $1,000 signature bond. His next court appearance is a Feb. 25 pre-trial conference. Brittany C. Scholler, 27, La Crosse, has been charged with battery to a law enforcement officer. According to the criminal complaint, Scholler kicked two different officers Dec. 29 as they were investigating her role in a traffic crash on Farnam Street in La Crosse. She is free on a $1,000 signature bond. Her next court appearance is a March 3 calendar call. A criminal complaint has been filed against the following person: Rafael Tolentino Rosas, 30, Tomah, is accused of strangulation/suffocation and stalking. According to the criminal complaint, a woman told police Tolentino Rosas placed both hands around her neck and restricted her breathing during a July 26 assault in La Crosse. She also told police she has received dozens of unwanted text messages from Tolentino Rosas. Police have been unable to contact him, and a warrant for his arrest was issued Jan. 7. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 7 Sad 3 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The CDC reports over 37 million Americans have diabetes, with some 90% inflicted with type 2. A chronic, lifelong condition, proper management is imperative, and Gundersen Health System is offering support with an upcoming workshop. Health Living with Diabetes will run virtually from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays starting Feb. 16 through March 23. The program is open to individuals with type 2 diabetes or their caregivers. While those with the disease should be seeing their healthcare provider regularly, the sessions will help patients take control of their health during the time between appointments on a supportive platform. The online sessions will cover blood sugar monitoring, hyper and hypoglycemia, medication, nutrition, exercise and symptom management, and Help people feel more confident in their ability to communicate with their physician and feel more confident in self managing their diabetes, says Shayna Schertz, wellness education specialist at Gundersen. The program, Schertz stresses, is not a replacement for medical care and oversight, but rather a complement to the persons health plan. In addition to their physician, Schertz also encourages patients to work with a diabetes educator. Sessions of Healthy Living with Diabetes are free of any judgment, and ground rules include keeping conversations had during the classes confidential. In what weve seen, people really feel comfortable and confident and learn from one another and dont feel so alone, Schertz says. People often feel like they are the only one but there are so many people out there in their same shoes who are dealing with this, and its a good opportunity to get together and know they are not alone. Registration for the program is requested by Feb. 15. To enroll, visit shorturl.at/nCSUV or call 608-775-6870. The cost is $30 and includes a workbook to keep. Reduced fees are available for members of the same household participating, and scholarships may be available call 608-775-6870 for more information. Healthy Living with Diabetes will be offered again later during the year. Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Annika Dome of La Crosse, a student at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, is semi-finalist in the 2022-23 Fulbright Scholarship Competition. Dome, Class of 22, is serving an English Teaching Assistantship in Germany. Operating in 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program is the largest and most esteemed exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. In all, four students at Luther College have received the news that they are semi-finalists in the competition. In addition to Dome, the others are: Soren Gloege Torp 21English Teaching Assistantship in Germany Sophia Rodriguez 22English Teaching Assistantship in Mexico Siri St. Louis 22English Teaching Assistantship in Luxembourg These students were approved by the National Steering Committee and selected among the nearly 10,000 applicants on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program places recent college graduates and young professionals abroad as assistant English teachers in classrooms from primary through university level. The finalists will be announced this spring. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Military students from throughout the Midwest and beyond will be in La Crosse this weekend to take part in a growing challenge that tests endurance and strength. The Eagle Battalion at UW-La Crosse will host the annual Northern Warfare Challenge Saturday. This years event features a record 40 teams, including squads from Massachusetts to Arizona. The 40 teams will march 16 miles through Hixon Forest with soldiers carrying a 35-pound pack and taking part in knot-tying, fire-starting and marksmanship competitions, along with being evaluated on evacuating a simulated casualty. Participants must also complete a written test. After reaching the top of Grandads bluff, each finishing team will rappel off Georges Bluff, just down the road from the finish line. The Northern Warfare Challenge has become known as the Hardest Race in ROTC and is unique from other ROTC competitions because of the areas driftless terrain. The event is split over two days with technical lanes on Friday, Feb. 11, separate from Saturdays race. The UWL Eagle Battalion is the reigning champions of the competition and will striving to repeat. Theres nothing like this in ROTC and our students plan and execute the entire thing, says Lt. Col. Erik Archer, chair of the UWL Military Science Department. They begin planning in October and at this point hold daily meetings to confirm plans and finalize efforts. They are incredible. Archer says the events professionalism, challenge and design is gaining attention. The event is largely planned and executed by students in the Eagle Battalion, which includes students from UWL, Viterbo University and Winona State University. Medical stations for the event will be staffed by nurses from Viterbo, while checkpoints, stations, scoring, and the Tactical Operations Center will be run by others in the battalion. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Richard Rick Trietley has been named the 10th president of Viterbo University. Trietley has served as the interim president of Viterbo since June 25, 2021. It is truly an honor and privilege to be the president of Viterbo University, said Trietley. The opportunity to lead the university into the next phase of its proud history is both exciting and humbling for my wife, Michele, and me. Through a steadfast focus on ethical leadership, faithful service, and our time-tested core values, Viterbo will continue the legacy of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who came before us and set such an inspiring example. I am confident that our students and employees will embrace the possibilities and challenges awaiting us as we join the thousands of alumni in making a positive impact on a world that so desperately needs our gifts, talents, and passions. I wish to thank the Board of Trustees and Viterbo Ministries for their faith and trust in selecting me for this prestigious position. Trietley began at Viterbo in 2017 as the vice president for student affairs. He went on to serve as interim provost and executive vice president for student success before assuming the interim president position. He was the vice president for student affairs at St. Bonaventure University in New York for nine years before arriving at Viterbo. Prior to his career in higher education, Trietley served 22 years in the U.S. Army, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan where he served as Brigade Executive Officer of 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division and was second-in-charge of 3,200 soldiers. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and Combat Infantrymans Badge. In his final assignment in the military, Trietley served as the Professor of Military Science for the St. Bonaventure University Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Trietley earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from St. Bonaventure University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Webster University. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Maryville University in St. Louis, from which he is scheduled to graduate with a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership in April. Originally from Olean, N.Y., Trietley and his wife Michele have two adult sons, Richard III and Kyle. The members of the Board of Trustees and the Viterbo Ministries sponsoring entity were unanimous in their selection of Trietley to lead Viterbo University. Viterbo has been very fortunate to have Rick Trietley serve as interim president the last seven months, said John McHugh, chair of the Board of Trustees. He is a servant leader, well versed in Catholic and Franciscan values, and has provided strong and stable direction for the university. After determining the required critical characteristics of the next president and interviewing Rick, the Board of Trustees and Viterbo Ministries are very pleased to name him as Viterbos president. Trietley has supported and led a wide range of initiatives at Viterbo. He has helped lead the establishment of five new academic programs, implemented the new international and intercultural department, and oversaw a 19% increase in student-athlete recruitment from 2018 to 2020. He also guided the creation of the Military Aligned Students Program and served as co-leader of the COVID-19 response team that coordinated the universitys planning, preparation, and response to maintain operations and implement safety measures in 2020. As interim president, Trietley led the search for the universitys first vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion and was instrumental in the creation and associated fundraising to name the Sr. Thea Bowman Center on campus. Viterbo Ministries is pleased to appoint Richard Trietley as president of Viterbo University, said Margaret Grenisen, MD, chair of Viterbo Ministries. He is a student-centered leader who is a strong advocate for the Catholic, Franciscan mission of Viterbo. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A judge restored federal protections for gray wolves across much of the U.S. on Thursday after they were removed in the waning days of the Trump administration, casting uncertainty on the future of Wisconsins contentious hunt. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in Oakland, California, said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had failed to show wolf populations could be sustained in the Midwest and portions of the West without protection under the Endangered Species Act. Wildlife advocates had argued state-sponsored hunting threatened to reverse the gray wolfs recovery over the past several decades. Attorneys for the Biden administration defended the Trump rule that removed protections, arguing wolves were resilient enough to bounce back even if their numbers dropped sharply due to intensive hunting. At stake is the future of a species whose recovery from near-extinction has been heralded as a historic conservation success. That recovery also has brought bitter blowback from hunters and farmers angered over wolf attacks on big game herds and livestock. They contend protections are no longer warranted. Interior Department spokesperson Melissa Schwartz said the agency was reviewing the decision and offered no further comment. A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources spokesperson also declined to comment until the agency has had a chance to absorb the ruling. None of the Great Lakes states with established wolf populations Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin had scheduled additional wolf hunts prior to the judges ruling. All three were updating their wolf management programs, and officials said that work would continue. Wildlife advocacy groups said the judges order would most immediately put a stop to hunting in the region, where Wisconsin officials had come under criticism after state-licensed hunters blew through state and tribal quotas last year. Wolves in the Great Lakes region have a stay of execution, said John Horning with the environmental group WildEarth Guardians. Paul Collins, state director of Animal Wellness Action, one of the groups that sued the DNR to stop Wisconsins hunt, applauded Thursdays ruling as a correction to a rushed and political rule implemented to appease anti-wolf factions in states like Wisconsin. Once again a federal court, and a Republican-appointed judge at that, saw through the unscientific attempts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to wash their hands of gray wolves, Collins said. Hunter Nation Inc., a Kansas-based group whose lawsuit resulted in a court-ordered hunt in the final days of February 2021, issued a statement labeling White, appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush, an activist judge and calling on the Biden administration to appeal the ruling. We prefer to trust local experts and conservation and hunting partners to come up with predator management programs that make sense for them rather than putting our faith in bureaucrats who dont spend time in the woods or never have to deal with the negative consequences of an uncontrolled wolf population, CEO Luke Higemann said. Contingent season Wisconsin law requires the DNR to hold a hunting season from November through February whenever the wolf is not listed as endangered. This winters hunt was put on hold this fall by a Dane County judge who ruled the DNR must first update its 15-year-old management plan and adopt rules for setting quotas and issuing licenses. Wisconsin is facing a separate federal lawsuit over wolf hunting from six Native American tribes that accuse the DNR of violating treaty rights and endangering an animal they consider sacred. The DNR is expected to issue a draft plan later this month that will guide management for the next decade. The ruling does not directly affect wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and portions of several adjacent states that remain under state jurisdiction. The Fish and Wildlife Service since September has been separately reviewing if protections should be restored for the predators in the northern Rockies, after Republican lawmakers passed laws last year intended to drive down wolf numbers by making it easier to kill them. Traps, poison Wolves once ranged most of the U.S. but were wiped out in most places by the 1930s under government-sponsored poisoning and trapping campaigns. A remnant population in the western Great Lakes region has since expanded to some 4,400 wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. And more than 2,000 wolves occupy six states in the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest. The DNR estimates there were 1,195 wolves in the state as of April 2020, but the agency has not completed a population survey since hunters killed at least 218 wolves last winter. An updated estimate is expected this summer. Yet wolves remain absent across most of their historical range. Wildlife advocates argue that continued protections are needed so they can continue to expand in California, Colorado, Oregon and other states. Democratic and Republican administrations alike, going back to former President George W. Bush, have sought to remove or scale back federal wolf protections first enacted in 1974. State Journal reporter Chris Hubbuch contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. There's plenty to do in Lancaster County this weekend. Events range from a Taylor Swift-themed dance party to an Irish-themed festival, to free soul food. Because of the ever-changing nature of COVID-19, be sure to check with each respective venue before attending to make sure that the event is still happening. Here are five things to do this weekend. Soulful Thursdays For Black History Month, Crispus Attucks Community Center will host a soul food lunch every Thursday. This Thursday includes jambalaya, fried cabbage and corn bread. More information: Thursday, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. to noon | Crispus Attucks Community Center, 407 Howard Ave., Lancaster | Cost: Free | More info 'Changing Channels' The Fulton Theatre's newest studio production, "Changing Channels," tells a story about TV broadcasting during McCarthyism in the 1950s. More information: Thursday and Friday, Feb. 10 to 11, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 12 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. | The Fulton Theatre, 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Cost: $36 for general admission | More info Snow slime The North Museum will host a family-friendly event that teaches kids and parents alike how to make snow slime, or, slime that looks like snow but won't melt. More information: Saturday, Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | North Museum, 400 College Avenue, Lancaster | Cost: $3 for North Museum members, $5 for non-members | More info Rose & Shamrock Celtic Festival The Rose & Shamrock Celtic Festival returns for 2022 in a limited capacity compared to previous years. This year, the focus will be on competitions, including dancing, music, baking, art and bagpipes competitions. Charlie Zahm and Tad Marks will perform a concert at the Celtic Center of Lancaster Saturday evening, but all other events will take place at the Wyndham Lancaster Convention Center. Read more about the event here. More information: Saturday, Feb. 12 from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Wyndham Lancaster Convention Center, 2300 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster | Cost: Free admission | More info Taylor Swift dance party Phantom Power will host a Taylor Swift-themed dance party, playing hits from the pop star and her friends. More information: Saturday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. | Phantom Power, 121 W. Frederick St., Millersville | Cost: $15 in advance, $20 day-of | 21+ | More info The YWCA Lancaster is offering a series of curated events in February to celebrate Black History Month. We are proud to offer these experiences for Lancaster County residents to hear from local Black voices, and build collective understanding around Black history, present, and future all 365 days of the year, said a representative from the YWCA in a news release. Heres whats on the schedule: High on the Hog This hybrid culinary and storytelling event features two Lancaster County-based chefs, Oliver Saye of Homage and Patience Buckwalter of Grape Leaf Cafe, discussing their approach to cuisine and how it ties to their upbringing and Black culture. Participants are encouraged to watch the 2021 Netflix docuseries High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America before this event to add some context to the discussion. The in-person meal pick-up component of this event has sold out, but the virtual program is still open. The virtual discussion takes place on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Register here. Reclaiming Our Time A collective space to recognize systematic inequalities that Black and Brown people endure while celebrating joy is hosted by the YWCA Lancasters Center for Racial and Gender Equality. This is a recurring event. The space takes place virtually on Zoom this month on Feb. 20 from 5-6:30 p.m. Find more information and a Zoom link here. Black History Month Quiz Bowl The YWCA Lancaster partners up with Millersville University and the Crispus Attucks Community Center for a fun virtual competition to test your knowledge of Black History on Feb. 27 from 5-7 p.m. The prize for the student division is a Nintendo Switch and the prize for the adult division is $500 to the charity of their choice. Register to compete by sending an email to vsmith@caplanc.org. Listen, Learn, Lead As part of their mission to celebrate Black culture and empower the community the YWCA Lancaster continues their work beyond Black History Month with events like this one on March 3 at 7 p.m. Bail and Pretrial Detention: Michelle Batt of the Lancaster Bail Fund hosts an informational, interactive virtual learning session about pretrial detention and bail and ways to take action against unjust imprisonment. Find more information and how to register here. HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The Millersville Area Historical Society will present a slideshow on Lancaster architect James H. Warner (1865-1913) at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, in Millersvilles municipal building, 100 Municipal Drive, Millersville. Speaker will be Gregory J. Scott. A Q&A session will conclude the presentation. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and lock by 9:15 a.m. All attendees are required to wear face masks. Free admission; however, donations appreciated. For more information, contact Phil Gerber at 717-872-8837 before 5 p.m. or email pge8507@aol.com. WOMANS CLUB: The Millersville Womans Club will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 222 N. George St., Millersville. The club will present a presentation on early postcard views of the trolley that ran along the Pequea Creek from Millersville to Pequea, presented by Mark W. Arbogast. Area women can learn more about the club, and the scholarships and awards it provides to Penn Manor High School seniors. For more information call, 717-872-4834 or 717-284-4588. Community Calendar runs as space is available. Three weeks notice of an event is appreciated. Please place the date of the event or the deadline date to register at the top of the press release. Email your information to news@lnpnews.com. Lancaster County received nearly $1.6 million in federal funding to support two behavioral health programs, the lions share of which will go to hire additional staff for crisis intervention. Announced by the Gov. Tom Wolf administration earlier this month, Lancaster was one of 30 counties across the state to receive the additional federal funding, which totaled roughly $28 million. Itll open up the door to families, said Julie Holtry, director of the countys Behavioral Health Services. The county received $1.5 million to hire crisis and peer support workers. With the county last year joining the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline so calls are fielded locally rather than by someone outside the state, Holtry said the additional staff will help with the expected workload increase. The national Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-273-8255. We had always wanted to expand, Holtry said. Funds are always an issue. Lancaster County Behavioral Health Services has experienced a nearly 20% increase in demand for services since 2019, according to the crisis contact data provided by the county. Lancaster County also received $90,000 for its warmline, which is a peer-run hotline staffed by volunteers offering emotional support. The countys warmline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-971-0016. The one-time funding is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us, and our lives have undergone a lot of change over the past two years that may bring about new or exacerbate existing mental health challenges, Wolf said in a statement when announcing the funding on Feb. 1. This enhanced federal funding for mental health resources will allow more of our fellow Pennsylvanians including our family members, friends, and neighbors to get the behavioral and mental health support they need. The grants target specific statewide priorities, which include mobile crisis mental health services, telehealth, student assistance programs and start-up funding for residential treatment services and assisted outpatient treatment, among others. Editor's note: This story was updated at 5:10 p.m. on February 10 following confirmation that the student died in an accident that occurred in East Hempfield Township. A fifth-grader at John R. Bonfield Elementary School died in a crash Wednesday evening, according to a statement by Warwick School District Superintendent April Hershey. The girl, Libby Miller "passed away as a result of a car accident," the statement said. "The family requests privacy at this time. Our entire Warwick family stands together in support of this family." Hershey said that counselors will be available at each school to talk with students and staff. Stephen Diamantoni, the county coroner, confirmed on Thursday that Miller was the girl who died in a collision at Lititz and Lancaster roads (Route 72) on Wednesday evening. She died of multiple traumatic injuries and her death was ruled accidental, Diamantoni said. The crash happened just over a mile south of the Manheim Auto Auction and a third of a mile northeast of Root's Country Market and Auction. Miller was pronounced dead on the scene and another person was trapped inside the car and was not breathing or responsive. The crash occurred just under two miles away from where a Mount Joy brother and sister were killed May 22 after they were struck by a car carrier tractor trailer. The siblings' father later called for changes to be made on that stretch of road, saying it needed a longer traffic light. Wednesday's crash also happened less than half a mile from an October 2021 crash that killed a motorcyclist. A Warwick Township public works vehicle was stopped at a stop sign at Quarry and Lancaster roads (Route 72), just north of East Petersburg, when it was struck by the motorcycle and another vehicle at 12:29 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25, police said at the time. The 21-year-old male motorcyclist, of Columbia, was pronounced dead at the scene. Support for students Kayla Cook, a Warwick parent and organizer of Warwick United, created a plan Thursday afternoon to support the family and Warwick community. Cook started a sign-up for community members interested in writing messages on the sidewalk of both the Warwick Middle School and Bonfield Elementary between 5 and 6 p.m. Thursday. Additionally, she and other parents plan to deliver a breakfast to Bonfield tomorrow morning. Parents are encouraged to donate funds to pay for simple breakfast items including donuts, muffins, yogurt and fruit. If more funds are donated than necessary for tomorrow's breakfast, the money will be used to send an additional gift, such as a cookie tray or snack basket, in a few weeks. Elaine Ostrum, an adult services coordinator at Hospice and Community Cares Pathways Center for Grief & Loss, said a common reaction to a sudden death in the community is a heightened anxiety. The news of a death of a classmate could be particularly difficult for a student who has already experienced trauma in their life as it could stir up and tap into those trauma reactions and heightened anxiety, Ostrum said. Those would be the children to be alert to that might need extra support, she said. They might not have even known this child or been closely connected with this child but now theyre aware of what has happened and it can tap into pre-existing struggles with trauma and anxiety. Pathways is a free service to help individuals cope with grief, counseling and resources like an online video library. In a letter to the Warwick community, Superintendent April Hershey provided a link and phone number for the service should families need assistance. Ostrum said parents and teachers need to promote a feeling of safety and reassurance for children during this time. And, when a family requests privacy, as the Miller and Lobaugh family has, Ostrum said the community should take a long range view of the situation. Too often we want to be able to do something that helps alleviate that sense of helplessness, Ostrum said. The important thing to emphasize is that the needs are going to be long term of how this family might be impacted, of how students in our community might be impacted. East Earl Township police THEFT EAST EARL TWP.: Two unidentified men stole $1,272.50 in merchandise from a local business, then fled in a GMC U-Haul van shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 8, police said. East Lampeter Township police DRUG VIOLATION EAST LAMPETER TWP.: Scott Allen Risser, 29, of Lancaster, was charged with a felony drug violation after selling multiple packets of heroin to an undercover detective in the 2100 block of New Holland Pike on numerous occasions of the course of several months before Jan. 13, police said. Ephrata police VEHICLE CRASH WEST COCALICO TWP.: A propane truck failed to stop at Peartown and Texter Mountain roads and skidded out of control, overturning and striking an SUV and utility pole around 7 a.m. on Feb. 8, police said. No propane was spilled, but the driver of the SUV, a 68-year-old Reinhold woman, was hospitalized with an arm injury, police said. Lititz Borough police ASSAULT LITITZ: Kevin Ossowski, 59, of Elkton, Maryland, was charged with simple assault, defiant trespass and criminal mischief after grabbing a woman by the shoulders, slapping her across the face and throwing her during an argument at her residence in the first block of East Front Street around 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 27, police said. Ossowski, who also damaged the womans phone when he slammed it on a table, was arrested in Maryland on Jan. 31, police said. STRANGULATION LITITZ: John Anthony Shober Jr., 37, of Lititz, was charged with strangulation and simple assault after pushing and throwing a woman to the ground, grabbing her by the hair, pinning her down on a bed and strangling her during an argument in the 500 block of East Front Street at 2:38 a.m. on Feb. 4, police said. The woman was able to get away and ran out of the room, police said. Manheim Township police INDECENT EXPOSURE MANHEIM TWP.: Tyler Gregory Yarbrough, 20, address unknown, was charged with indecent exposure after he was seen on security footage walking through the aisles of a Target store at 1589 Fruitville Pike while masturbating at 11:24 a.m. on Jan. 7, police said. A concerned onlooker reported Yarbrough after seeing him masturbating in the parking lot, police said. THEFT LANCASTER TWP.: Jimmy Omar Green, 35, of Lancaster, was charged with theft by unlawful taking and access device fraud after stealing two purses from a shopping cart and a car trunk at a Giant grocery store at 1360 Columbia Avenue on Jan. 27 and 31, police said. Green then used credit cards from inside the stolen purses to purchase a combined $1,704.45 worth of items from nearby stores, police said. New Holland police INDECENT ASSAULT EARL TWP.: Felix Orlando Marrero Santini, 29, of Lancaster, was charged with indecent assault after touching a 22-year-old woman inappropriately during a car ride to an unknown location on North Shirk Road at 8:29 p.m. on Jan. 16, police said. The woman, who had met Santini on social media, texted police for help but didnt know her exact location, instead texting the color and make of vehicle to 911, helping officers track the vehicle down, police said. Northern Lancaster County Regional police HARASSMENT CLAY TWP.: Roxann Lee Refi, 35, of Ephrata, was charged with harassment after subjecting another person to unwanted physical contact during an argument in the 2100 block of West Main Street at 7:22 p.m. on Feb. 2, police said. West Earl Township police VEHICLE CRASH WEST EARL TWP.: Barbara Anita Keenan, 57, of Ephrata, was charged with accidents involving damage to an unattended vehicle, a drug violation and two summary traffic violations after leaving the road and striking a guardrail and three parked vehicles in the 4300 block of Oregon Pike at 5:19 a.m. on Jan. 25, police said. Keenan, who was found to have active arrest warrants, texted a friend to pick her up after the crash 80 minutes before she ever spoke with police, police said. THE ISSUE Lancaster County has a new county commissioner: John Trescot, a 63-year-old retired engineer and executive who lives in Lancaster Township, LNP | LancasterOnline reported last week. Trescot was the unanimous pick of the countys 13 Court of Common Pleas judges following a three-hour session in which the judges interviewed the 12 applicants hoping to fill the remaining 23 months of former county Commissioner Craig Lehmans term. Lehman resigned effective Jan. 7 after 14 years in the role. Trescot is now the lone Democrat on the three-member board of commissioners, serving alongside Republicans Ray DAgostino and Josh Parsons. We have questions. Sally Lyall, the former chair of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee, vouched for the character of the newly appointed commissioner. She said hes a good centrist Democrat and just a really good guy. That comes through in a Q-and-A with Trescot that was published in Wednesdays LNP, in which he said: Im not very much on self-promotion or anything like that. I try to be a good citizen, I dont prejudge. I find that from living around the world, 99.9% of the people are good. From Chile to Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Malaysia, Australia, Muslim countries, Ive never been to a place where 99.9% of the people arent good people. Theyre looking out for their families, for friendship, looking for connections. This is a very fine sentiment. We also were glad to read that Trescots decision to apply for the open seat on the county commissioners board was spurred by our Jan. 16 editorial, in which we urged Democrats to throw their names into the hat for consideration. Perhaps, however, we should have focused on the judges who would be doing the considering. Because its not at all clear to us what criteria they used, other than insisting that candidates pledge not to run for a full four-year term in 2023. And wed like to see a fuller explanation of those criteria. Lancaster County President Judge David Ashworth told LNP | LancasterOnline that he was looking for a candidate who would work across political ideologies. Im interested in someone who is going to be conscientious and a hard worker who can keep an open mind and collaborate for the benefit of everybody in Lancaster County, Ashworth said. Somebody who can speak the truth, be transparent and get the work done. After the county judges announced their decision, Ashworth said Trescot gave an excellent presentation and showed he was eminently qualified. How, exactly, did he show this in a way that stood out from the other applicants? Trescot has an impressive resume for a job in his field, which is the mining industry, not government. His experience in reading large budgets will undoubtedly be a plus. Still, a corporate budget is not the same as a county government budget. Taxpayers are not shareholders taxpayers benefit from local government services and pay for those services. And sometimes, they require services for which theyre unable to pay. Its the responsibility of county government officials to figure how to meet needs that private entities and individuals cannot. What were getting at here is not meant to be a reflection on Trescot. The reality is, we dont know who he is what policies he stands for, what his priorities are (these are the kind of things we learn during a political campaign). Were guessing that what the judges found appealing about Trescot was that he seems to have no interest in partisan politics. He says he wants to ask questions and see if I can give another viewpoint. He doesnt seem likely to rock the boat being steered by DAgostino and Parsons. In the LNP | LancasterOnline Q-and-A, Trescot expressed his determination to stay out of the politics of his new position. Which is how it should be weve been pleading for bipartisanship in government but DAgostino and Parsons want compliance, not a true partnership for the common good. On COVID-19 mitigation measures, on federal relief spending, theyve consistently put political ideology first. Compared with some of the other candidates who interviewed for the open commissioners seat, Trescot must have seemed to the judges to be an unlikely threat to the status quo. He hasnt publicly advocated for a county public health department, as have Randy Gockley, the countys respected former director of emergency management, and former Manheim Township commissioners Thomas OBrien and Sam Mecum all three of whom have a great deal of experience in local government. He did not pointedly identify homelessness and mental health funding as priorities along with the need for a county health department on his application, as did Luis Morales, a family resource specialist for a youth care agency. He isnt likely to be outspoken on good-government issues, as Amy Ruffo, a volunteer with the anti-gerrymandering group Fair Districts PA, has been. We have faith that the panel of 13 county judges all Republicans set aside their partisan leanings in making this decision, just as they do in civil and criminal trials. And we appreciate that Ashworth chose to follow past practice by going with a majority vote of his colleagues, rather than appointing a new commissioner on his own, as state law would have allowed him to do. But the fact remains that former Commissioner Lehman was elected with the votes of Lancaster County Democrats. It doesnt seem very small-d democratic to allow a panel of Republican judges to replace him for such a lengthy term. To fill a vacancy in an office of county commissioners, state law requires an appointment by a countys common pleas court, rather than, say, a special election. There just ought to be a better way one that at least would have given county voters an opportunity to ask their own questions of the applicants seeking to fill Lehmans seat. Instead, the applicants each were asked the same eight questions. While the interviews were livestreamed, the questioning was left to 13 of the countys most elite and well-paid residents, whose concerns likely are distant from those of many other county residents. We wish the new commissioner luck in his new role. We also wish the public had a better idea about why he was chosen. As an older (76), cisgender, straight, white male Christian, may I applaud New York Times columnist Charles Blow for his clearly reasoned op-ed regarding the aforementioned attributes and societys all too common and often unspoken assumptions of whom should exercise power (Power must be disentangled from maleness, whiteness, Feb. 2 LNP)? Over the years, I have become ever more cognizant of how persons who do not neatly fit all or most of these characteristics frequently and repeatedly find themselves passed over for consideration to fill positions of leadership and power. Blow does not say so, but I wonder if many white men are simply blind to their relative higher social status, in comparison to those who are not white or male. Or perhaps even more troubling they may be fearful that life is a zero-sum game, in which, if they were to admit to having such privilege, they may lose whatever bit of power they feel is theirs by right. D. Michael Byler Lititz During the past few weeks, more revealing information about the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and its causes has continued to emerge. Former President Donald Trump admitted that he wanted then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election (his own words). Pence declared Trump was wrong that Pence could have overruled the choice of the voters. Trump promised pardons for the rioters if he is reelected in 2024. Trump destroyed some documents that, by federal law, were supposed to go to the National Archives and Records Administration. A year ago, the Republican National Committee strongly condemned the violence of the insurrection as an attack on our country and its founding principles. Now, the RNC has declared the Jan. 6 events to be legitimate political discourse! All Republicans need to decide which choice they want to make. The choice is: To pledge allegiance to the Trump party, which condones a coup, censures those who try to discover the roots of the insurrection and believes laws can be selective for politicians in power. Or to support democratic principles, the rule of law, traditional conservative values and the non-demonization of those with opposing viewpoints. Lets start by hearing what our U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker thinks of the legitimate political discourse, the stolen election, the promised pardons for those who threatened our legislators and trashed the U.S. Capitol, and a former president who simply flouts the law. Lets hear real answers, instead of Smuckers usual strategic creation of fog regarding Pennsylvanias mail-in ballots being unconstitutional in 2020. Fred Albright Lancaster Community Mourns Passing of Frederick Douglass Parrott, Jr. Frederick Douglass Parrott, Jr., MD, transitioned into eternity on January 14, 2022. He was 94 years of age. Dr. Parrott or as he introduced himself after retirement, Dr. Fred was a man who believed in hard work, positivity, community and making intentional and significant efforts to improve the health and lives of disadvantaged communities and individuals. Dr. Parrott was born on December 22, 1927 in Houston, Texas to Mollie Carroll Parrott and Frederick Douglass Parrott, Sr. Fred attended Howard University where he completed his undergraduate studies in Psychology by age 19. He subsequently moved to Los Angeles and earned a graduate degree in Microbiology from UCLA. ADVERTISEMENT During the early 1950s, Dr. Parrott entered the Medical Service Corps of the United States Army, where he was stationed in Tokyo, Japan for two years while he worked as a bacteriologist. After leaving the military, he became a sales representative for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. He then attended Meharry Medical College. After graduating from Meharry with his Doctor of Medicine in 1958, he returned to Los Angeles to serve as an intern at the Los Angeles County Hospital before becoming a Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Dr. Parrott then returned to Los Angeles for the third, and final time, to practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology for over thirty years. Dr. Parrott was a member of the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association, the Los Angeles County Medical Association and the Charles R. Drew Medical Society. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a founding member of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition. Dr. Parrott received the Black Heritage Award and Presidents Medal of Honor from Howard University and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Meharry Medical College. Dr. Parrott was also a member of the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles and a supporter of the organizations Young Black Scholars program. Dr. Parrott founded the Real Men Cook Foundation in 1986. The foundation raised money for the four Historically African American medical schools in the country Meharry Medical College, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Howard University College of Medicine. The Real Men Cook Foundation hosted standing-room only events for 10 years where amateur chefs would cook, participants would pay to attend, and organizations would provide sponsorship support. Dr. Parrott was directly responsible for raising over $3 million for these medical schools during his lifetime. ADVERTISEMENT In 1994, after his prostate cancer diagnosis, Dr. Parrott shifted his focus and founded the Real Men Cook Foundation Center for Early Detection of Prostate Cancer, with a goal of increasing awareness of prostate cancer and the need for preventive services among men in communities of color. By joining forces with urologists and local community leaders in Los Angeles and elsewhere, the Foundation provided free education and screening for 50,000 men in underserved communities. Dr. Parrott was a 30-year prostate cancer survivor, and he credited early detection for his longevity. Dr. Parrotts was just as passionate about helping people when no one was looking. He was critical in helping many individuals launch their own imagination of what they could achieve by exposing them to what was possible. In essence, giving back was a core part of Dr. Parrotts being which he sought to instill in others. His journey took him far and wide. For example, during his academic pursuits in Los Angeles, he worked for Marilyn Monroes manager, owned a mens boutique that sold tailored suits while he served in the military in Japan, and was a very successful real estate entrepreneur in Los Angeles. He was, at times, understated, but never boring or inert. In addition to his parents, Dr. Parrott was preceded in death by his sister, Carroll Parrott Blue, who was a well accomplished filmmaker and community advocate in her own right. He is survived by numerous cousins, including Dr. Natalie Carroll Dailey, Cheryl Dotson, Andrea Dotson Alexander, Hughdell Gatewood, Brigitte Gatewood Wilson, and Gene E. Parrott. How Teachers Honor Martin Luther King Jr.s Legacy in 2022 Hill, assistant principal and creative writing teacher at Holly Ridge Elementary School in Richland Parish, said he is launching the Ernest Hill Great Read on the holiday as part of his role as the 2022 Louisiana Middle School Teacher of the Year. For the pilot of the program, various schools across the state will get a copy of his book, A Life for a Life to encourage reading while also exposing children to more stories where they can see themselves. While literacy is an issue statewide in Louisiana, Hill said the illiteracy is especially prominent among Black middle school students, as about 90% of Black middle schoolers are not proficient when it comes to reading. Through this program, Hill hopes to change that. Its sort of a continuation of everything that King talked about, Hill said. I believe in movements; I believe in doing things in a large way in order to create a winning culture or mindset among the masses so that we move in one step towards an ultimate goal of success and thats education. ADVERTISEMENT In addition to the launch of the project, Hill has his annual lesson about King planned for his students at Holly Ridge. He will show his students a video about King followed by a period of self-reflection to think about how to apply his actions to their lives today. He also emphasizes to his students that the holiday is best celebrated with action. I often tell them that if we live our lives the correct way and if we put ourselves in a position to to be successful, that at some point we have to become the answer to peoples prayers, Hill said. I just try to make sure that they understand the overall message of King and then how we can apply it to our lives in terms of the opportunity that we have in this country to be whatever we want to be _ and the obligation we have to give our best effort to make sure that sacrifices of people like King were not in vain. Xiomara Bell, world history teacher at Madison High School in Madison Parish, has already conducted her lesson about King with her students. She focused it on the nuances surrounding his work, helping move away from a single point of view about the civil rights movement. When youre thinking about the history curriculum in the state of Louisiana, particularly because thats where Im teaching, its oftentimes from a very Euro-centric lens, Bell said. It is incumbent upon me to have these conversations with my students so they can see a reflection of themselves in history. For example, the fight for desegregation ultimately minimized the power of the Black community, Bell said. As members of the Black community gained the power to spend their dollars in other communities, Black-owned businesses had less financial support. This later contributed to there being fewer Black business owners, Bell said. Furthermore, as Black community members moved out of segregated neighborhoods, the safe spaces that were built over time waned. ADVERTISEMENT You dont necessarily have a grounded space to be, to feel comfortable and relax, Bell said. Youve got to think about the atrocities that Black people had to endure once they desegregated these places because they were harassed; they were dehumanized. They no longer had a solid, grounded voice, which was their way to counteract the power the systems that were put in place to continue to oppress people. Bell said this information didnt necessarily shock her students, seeing as how 80% of Tallulah is Black, meaning that many history teachers are also Black. She said that even with it being her first year teaching, there is an understanding among the Black history teachers in Madison Parish to tell their own stories because the history books wont. However, Bell said education about the history of civil rights and the enslavement of Black people cannot stop at the classroom door. Rather, she said there is an entire history to be acknowledged even about Madison Parish and the 12,000 enslaved people who lived there in 1860. This history contributed to Black people not owning their own land, not owning businesses where they are in the majority, she said. Thats a problem that history has affected owners, and we dont even talk about it in this area, Bell said. People are hushed thinking, OK, I want to join these races. We need to desegregate these places, yet, we dont acknowledge how we even got here. Thats what Dr. King would like people to know. In the same parish, LaKiesha Frazier, sixth grade science and social studies teacher for Madison Middle School, wants her students to show off their creative side while learning about King. After a discussion about the civil rights movement, Frazier plans for her students to trace their feet as part of a display inspired by a quote from King: If you cant fly then run, if you cant run then walk, if you cant walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. Students will take the outlines of their feet and write in each of them. On one foot, students will write down something that shows how King helped them to keep moving forward. In the other, students will elaborate on the importance of continuing to move forward themselves. Once done, all the drawings will be displayed down the halls. I think this will impact them more because we have had things going on, movements, and the kids see it now, Frazier said. In past years, they werent able to really truly see it, but with everything is going on, with all the movements that they had, they understand more why they have to keep moving on, why they have to keep doing this and why its so important. Institute of contemporary Art, Los Angeles Host First Time Exhibitions: Presenting Black Identity and The Effects of Marketing The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA) held an exhibition that highlighted self-awareness and the celebration of Black History on Sunday, February 5. Art created by Jamal Cyrus and Sara Cwynar was on display; vivid color, bold energy, and the physical body sprawled across different mediums, one artist using hair as an artistic material. Jamal Cyrus: The End of My Beginning, and Sara Cwynar: Apple Red/Grass Green/Sky Blue, collections shared a space that defined their reality. Visiting from the Blaffer Art Museum at the University of Houston is the Jamal Cyrus: The End of My Beginning, collection from the multidisciplinary artist Jamal Cyrus. This series has been forged over two decades; Cyrus used many mediums to capture his message. The exhibition included approximately 50 pieces created over the previous sixteen years. Cyrus selected art from his early development as an artist. Throughout the series, Cyrus explores the evolution of African American identity within Black political movements and the African diaspora. His art carried a torch towards the range in African American culture, ranging from Ancient Egypt, sixteenth-century slave trade, the Harlem Renaissance Era and the 1960s civil rights movements. ADVERTISEMENT The work of Cyrus investigates self-identity within the Black community. The contents embody significant political moments and African diaspora. Cyrus transcribed cross-pollination and hybridity within his art. His collection captures time and the evolution of Black culture. Using spears, books, vinyl records, conch shells, drum kits, muslin, wax, papyrus, and denim to record the details of Black people through art. Cyrus created a piece that included human hair that covered a field and the top of a cottage home. From Ancient Egypt to the transatlantic slave trade in the sixteenth century, Cyrus modified his technique to display contemporary artifacts showcasing Iconic people and historical events. The installations included a lineage that shared a string of cumulative consequences. The series carried fully illustrated color catalogues designed and co-published by Inventory Press. Jamal Cyrus: The End of My Beginning, attached itself to featured works of exhibitions curator, and interviewed Dr. Alvia Wardlaw. Others that contributed to the construction of the viewing include Director and Curator, University Museum at Texas Southern University, Houston; Steven Matijcio, Director and Chief Curator, Blaffer Art Museum; Grace Deveney, Associate Curator of Photography, Art Institute of Chicago; Ciaran Finlayson, writer and editor; Jamillah James, Senior Curator, ICA LA; Ana Tuazon, writer and independent curator. Sharing space at ICA LA was the art collection was Sara Cwynar: Apple Red/Grass Green/Sky Blue, the work Canadian artist Sara Cwynar traveled to Los Angeles from New York for the first time. Cwynar is known for her development in photography and films. She explores the spirit of advertising, design, and popular images and their effect on the human mind. Cwynar used visual methods as an invasion. Videos on display on Saturday included the trilogy Soft Filmm (2016), Rose Gold, (2017), and Red Film, (2018), with the newly released installation, Glass Life,(2021). Soft Film, (2016) starts with the symbol of a velveteen jewelry box and evolves to presentation of thrifted items to reveal the lens of consumerism. This media shown the relationship between people and objects will become progressively flattened and transactional. Rose Gold, (2017) explores the wanting, not the having. The video reflects on the methods behind the fabrication of desire by capturing advertising language with its use of color as a selling point. Red Film, (2018) concentrates on the color red as a symbol of beauty. Cwynar illustrates how popularity in culture misconstrues value with concepts of truth and attraction. Through her work, Cwynar took images of red lipstick, convertible cars, and paired them with scenes out of classical Western paintings and footage from an anonymous makeup factory, highlighting products by the popular Japanese cosmetics company Cezanne. Glass Life, (2021), takes its title from philosopher Shoshana Zuboffs graphic novel The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. The term glass life refers to the collapse of the boundaries between both the public and private realms. The six-channel work utilizes overlapping narration and images that identify the blurred lines between truthfulness and its simulation even though mediated by technology and capitalism. The multidisciplinary composer Jamal Cyrus created Jamal Cyrus: The End of My Beginning collection. On loan from the Blaffer Art Museum at the University of Houston, this show was produced over a two-decade period. Cyrus used a range of media to express his ideas. ADVERTISEMENT Sara Cwynar: Apple Red/Grass Green/Sky Blue, showcased art by Cwynar. Her work traveling from New York to be seen in Los Angeles for the first time. Sharing space at the ICA LA, the Canadian artist is well-known for her career in photography and film. She examined the essence of marketing, style, and prominent images, but also pulled their impact on the human mind to the forefront. On Sunday, the ICA LA organized an exhibition that stressed identity and the joyous celebration of Black History. Jamal Cyrus and Sara Cwynars art showcased vivid color, courageous mental energy, and also the different languages of the body stretching across various mediums. The collections Jamal Cyrus: The End of My Beginning and Sara Cwynar: Apple Red/Grass Green/Sky Blue conveyed a space that defined their truth. L.A. City Council Votes To Seek Law Banning Bicycle Assembly On Sidewalks The Los Angeles City Council voted on Feb. 8 to instruct the City Attorneys Office to draft an ordinance that would prohibit people from assembling or disassembling their bicycles in the public right-of-way. The motion, introduced by Councilman Joe Buscaino, passed 10-4, with council members Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Nithya Raman, Curren Price and Mike Bonin opposed. Harris-Dawson said the potential law could have gotten himarrested as a child. The motion calls on the city attorney to prepare an ordinance similar to one already in effect in Long Beach to prohibit the assembly, disassembly, sale, offer of sale, distribution of bicycles and bicycle parts on public property or within the public right-of-way. ADVERTISEMENT Buscaino said it would prevent bicycle chop shops, in which people allegedly disassemble stolen bikes and sell the parts on sidewalks. Harris-Dawson said before the vote that if this ordinance existed when he was growing up in Los Angeles, he would have been arrested four, or five, or eight times. Growing up in this city I never had a new bicycle. Never. It was always a hand-me-down bicycle, so I never had a receipt, he said. I dont remember how many times my bicycle broke and I had to fix it, or me and my brother had to fix our bikes, or me and a friend on my block had to fix our bikes, he added. This wide swath that says anybody fixing a bike on a street that cant prove its theirs, somehow, is moved into the category of a criminal. Raman noted that the actions being alleged as justification for the ordinance including bicycle theft and blocking the sidewalk are already illegal. Buscaino, however, said the ordinance would give the Los Angeles Police Department a necessary tool to reduce the number of bicycle thefts in Los Angeles. His motion called for the citys ordinance draft to be modeled after a similar ordinance in Long Beach, which he said describes a chop shop as: three or more bicycles; a bicycle frame with the gear cables or brake cables cut; two or more bicycles with missing parts; five or more bicycle parts. Buscaino said his district, which borders Long Beach, has seen a proliferation of bicycle chop shops. ADVERTISEMENT Councilman Paul Koretz spoke before the vote in support of the motion, alleging theres a lot of criminal activity in some homeless encampments, including bicycle theft operations. L.A. County Looks to Enforce COVID Vaccine Mandate in Sheriffs Department With Sheriff Alex Villanueva declining to enforce the countys COVID-19 vaccine mandate among his deputies, the Board of Supervisors today will consider a proposal that would give the county personnel director overriding authority to discipline any employees who fail to comply with the requirement. Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Holly Mitchell introduced the motion, saying countywide compliance with the employee vaccine mandate remains a challenge four months after its issuance. They noted that as of Feb. 1, 81.5% of the countys 100,000 employees were fully vaccinated as required by the mandate. But in the sheriffs department, less than 60% of employees were in compliance with the vaccine mandate. ADVERTISEMENT Unsurprisingly, approximately 74% of the more than 5,000 COVID-19-related workers compensation claims filed by county employees as of Jan. 29, 2022, have been filed by employees in the sheriffs department, according to the motion. This data illustrates vaccinations vital role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and thus, the urgent need to increase vaccination rates across the entire county workforce. The motion, if approved, would direct county attorneys to work with the CEO and personnel director to develop proposed amendments to county Civil Service rules, giving the personnel director overriding authority to discipline the employees of any county department for noncompliance with the countys policy or directives related to the policy. Those proposed amendments would be reviewed by the board at its March 15 meeting for final consideration. The authority to discipline or terminate employees who violate the mandate currently rests with individual department heads, such as the sheriff. The motion states that such an arrangement has allowed for inconsistent application and enforcement of the policy and wide variety from department to department. Villanueva, who has encouraged people to consider getting vaccinated, has spoken out against the countys vaccine mandate, saying it would decimate the ranks of what he calls an already depleted department. He said deputies should have the option of undergoing regular testing rather than being forced to get vaccinated. The sheriff spoke via telephone at the beginning of the Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 8, and called the proposed shift in disciplinary authority a death blow to public safety in Los Angeles County that would have little impact. He said 9,881 department members are fully vaccinated, and in the last 30 days, 342 have tested positive, for a 3.46% positivity rate. Among the 5,766 unvaccinated members, 221 tested positive in the last 30 days, for a 3.83% positivity rate. ADVERTISEMENT Your motion is going to seek to basically cause us to actually lose 4,000 employees, for a grand total of 0.4% improvement in positivity rate, he said. (That) is not exactly benefit to public safety. Were coming off two years of a historically high 94% increase in homicide rate, 64% increase in grand theft auto. And this is just not sustainable. The current situation is not sustainable. The hiring freeze is not sustainable. This is ill-advised, illogical and probably in the long run illegal, Villanueva said. And by the time we figure out the legality of it, were going to be past the pandemic, which will make the result irrelevant. I urge you to deescalate, dial back the rhetoric and find some common ground testing or vaccination, and were doing that right now. On Feb. 7, an attorney for the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association sent a letter to the board objecting to the proposal, saying it would violate the county charter and amount to an overstepping of the boards authority. Any attempt to take over the sheriffs ability to oversee the disciplinary process for his employees, it is submitted, would certainly not survive legal scrutiny by the courts who would likely fine the BOS exceeded their authority under well-established legal principals, attorney James Cunningham wrote. Citing a 1977 court ruling, Cunningham added, Such supervisory control by the BOS would directly conflict with the admonition that `the board has no power to perform county officers statutory duties for them or direct the manner in which duties are performed. LA Mayoral Candidate Rep. Karen Bass Calls for Increase in LAPD Patrol Levels Saying that Angelenos dont feel safe, Rep. Karen Bass called for an increase in Los Angeles Police Department patrolpersonnel to reach already-authorized levels as part of her campaign for mayor. Bass public safety plan, which she revealed on Feb. 8, calls for the hiring of civilian personnel to move desk officers to patrol, bringing the department to its authorized force of 9,700. She added that she would also focus on recruitment of officers who are invested in reform and increase the police chiefs and police commissions accountability around a shared community safety vision. The departments personnel number stands at 9,521 sworn members, 185 less than the departments authorized deployment for the fiscal year of 9,706, Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief Beatrice Girmala said. ADVERTISEMENT The LAPD is already seeking additional funding in the next fiscal year that would restore staffing levels to 9,800 sworn officers. Two other candidates for mayor, Councilman Joe Buscaino and City Attorney Mike Feuer, have also called for an increase in police personnel as part of their campaigns. Buscaino called for the department to increase its deployment to 11,000 officers, while Feuer called for the LAPD to expand to at least 10,000 officers. Such moves would fly in the face of many vocal community activists who have called for a vast scaling back of law enforcement nationally in response to much-publicized incidents of police brutality, most notably the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Many Los Angeles activists calling for a reimagining of public safety have noted the Los Angeles Police Departments budget of $1.761 billion, higher than any other city department. Bass, D-Los Angeles, said her public safety plan is driven by keeping Angelenos safe, saying it is the mayors most important responsibility. But people dont feel safe today. Whether youve had your car broken into, your backpack stolen, your property damaged or youve seen news coverage of home robberies, or violent assaults more and more Angelenos I speak with tell me crime has touched them personally, and they feel scared. Thats not right, Bass said. All Angelenos deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. I know that can only happen by throwing out the old, failed approach of the status quo which is why my community safety plan starts with a focus on effective and responsive policing, preventing homicides, and getting guns off our streets. ADVERTISEMENT Bass plan also calls for a crackdown on illegal firearm possession, an investment in specialized detectives and investigators tasked with solving shootings and murders, citing that only 55% of 2020s murders were solved, andimproving officers training in de-escalation tactics, accountability and transparency. She also said she would expand the citys Community Safety Partnership program, in which officers work with intervention workers, who have relationships with the community members they serve, in order to build trust with residents. Bass, who has been an advocate for police reform, also said she would work to end harmful policing practices at the LAPD. Use of excessive force, including deadly shootings of unarmed civilians, undermine the integrity of, and public trust in, the police. Violence and brutality of any kind, particularly at the hands of the police meant to protect and serve our communities, must not be tolerated, her plan states. The plan also seeks to prevent crime from occurring by addressing its root causes, including through addiction recovery, mental health services, resources to low-income areas and programs that keep kids off the streets. Bass public safety plan comes amid an increase in violent crime experienced in Los Angeles and major cities across the U.S. L.A. had a nearly 12% year-over-year climb in homicides in 2021, bringing it to levels not seen since 2006. Violent crime increased 3.9% and property crimes rose by 4.2%. The number of people shot rose by 9%. Leimert Park Walking Exhibit Chronicles Black Cinema Movie lovers will have an opportunity to tour a walking exhibit chronicling the history of Black film now on display in Leimert Park. Blacks in Cinema, sponsored by Community Build Inc. is part of the commemoration of African American Heritage Month and features over 100 photographs, posters, newspaper articles and documents recognizes the contributions of filmmakers, actors, stunt men and woman and pays tribute to the Pan African Film Festival. The free outdoor self-guided walking exhibit is currently on display at the corner of Degnan Avenue and 43rd street and in the courtyard adjacent to Community Build Inc., 4305 Degnan Avenue, in Los Angeles. The role Blacks played in American cinema is a very important part of our history, said Community Build Inc. President Robert Sausedo. I remember watching movies with my mom and her sisters. Seeing Blacks on screen was powerful and gave me an image that has stayed with me. This exhibit is a reminder of where we came from and shows the foundation of how Blacks are portrayed in films today. Blacks in Cinema covers over a century of Black film. Highlights of the exhibit includes recognition of Oscar Micheaux, considered the first major African-American feature filmmaker in 1919; Pioneering black films, Car Wash (1976) and Black Panther (2018); Pan African Film Festival and co-founders Ja Net Bu Bois (Good Times), Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon) and Ayuko Babu (Executive Director) ; Academy Award Winners Ruth Carter (best costume design) and Hannah Beachler (best production design) for their work in Black Panther; 1970s television and film actors including Marla Gibbs (227, The Jeffersons), Glen Turman (Cooley High) Ted Lange (Love Boat, Thats My Mama), Rudolph Frank Moore (Dolomite), Dwan Smith-Fortier (Sparkle, House Party IV, General Hospital) and many more. ADVERTISEMENT A major part of Blacks in Cinema covers the Blaxploitation films of the 1970s. According to the Separate Cinema Archive, a key resource for the exhibit, the late 1960s and early 1970s ushered in a new trend of Black action films. Violent and racially motivated films such as Shaft and Superfly emphasized rebellion against authority, the films created a black hero on screen that, in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement, African-American audiences needed and welcomed. These films featured former professional athletes like Fred Williamson, Carl Weathers and Bernie Casey and launched the career of actress Pam Grier (Coffy, Foxy Brown) who became known as the queen of black action genre. The exhibit also spotlights the rise of Black stunt men and woman. Prior to the 1967 establishment of the Black Stuntmen and Womens Association, stunts for Black actors were done by White men painted down to a darker complexion. Change occurred when the organization filed lawsuits against several major movie studios and Black actors refused to have white stunt doubles. Some of the early television shows and films that featured Black stuntmen include Mission Impossible, The Mod Squad, Dirty Harry, I Spy and Across 110th Street. Whats interesting is in 2019, the number one movie, Black Panther, was almost a mirror image of the films from the 70s, said Albert Lord, vice president of Government Relations and Arts Programs for Community Build Inc., who is responsible for the exhibit. The 70s recognized Black power, the Vietnam War, the hippy generation, the fight for gender equality and of course, the [Black] Panther Party, all the general themes of Black Panther. I thought it would interesting to highlight both in the exhibit. Blacks in Cinema is the second Leimert Park Village walking exhibit written, curated and installed by Lord in honor of African American Heritage Month. Lord served as L.A. City Council President Emeritus Herb Wessons deputy for 16 years. From 2006 to 2020, in his capacity as deputy, Lord produced Los Angeles City Halls African American Heritage Month exhibitions which were displayed each February along the bridge leading to the Council Chambers. The AAHM exhibitions reflected social, cultural and political occurrences in American society and were the brainchild of Wesson, who was seeking a way to commemorate Black History Month. The AAHM Legacy Project shines a light on Black history, and showcases the City of Los Angeles recognition of the incredible achievements African Americans and the role Black culture has played in shaping America, said Lord. ADVERTISEMENT In addition to L.A. City Council President Emeritus Herb Wesson District 10, special thanks for the Blacks in Cinema exhibit goes to Curren Price Councilmember District 9, Marqueece Harris-Dawson Councilmember District 8, Eric Garcetti Los Angeles City Mayor, Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles Association of Black Personnel, Our Authors Study Club, and Los Angeles Association of Professional Black Managers Association. For more information on Community Build Inc. and the Blacks in Cinema visit Communitybuildinc.org or call (323) 290-6560. PAFF Hosts Black History Month Retrospective Series Virtual retrospective celebrates 30 years of the Pan African Film Festival with Best of PAFF from Feb. 15-28 The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF), one of the largest Black History Month events in America and the largest Black film festival, will kick off its yearlong 30th celebration in February with the first of several specially curated blocks of the festivals most fascinating, complex and most liked films over the past three decades. Throughout the festivals 30-year history, PAFF has celebrated Black filmmakers and actors whose work has pushed the envelope in cinema in the U.S. and abroad in Africa and other parts of the world. The Best of PAFF Retrospective Series kicks off with a Black History Month exhibition featuring nearly two dozen cinematic groundbreaking foreign and domestic films. The series will take place virtually Feb. 15-28, 2022. Film listings, tickets, and passes are available at paff.org. To celebrate PAFFs 30-year milestone, the festival will continue its retrospective series in March highlighting Black female filmmakers and their films. In addition, the 30th annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival is slated for April 19 through May 1 after being postponed due to the rise of COVID cases in Los Angeles County. The hybrid festival of in-person and virtual screenings will take place in Los Angeles at its flagship venues the Directors Guild of America, Cinemark Baldwin Hills, and XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The Best of PAFF Retrospective Series is sponsored in part by the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson (8th District), Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price (9th District); the 10th Los Angeles City Council District; the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, L.A. Arts COVID-19 Relief Fund with the California Community Foundation, and the L.A. County COVID-19 Arts Relief Fund administered by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture. Established in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late JaNet DuBois (Good Times), and Ayuko Babu (Executive Director), the Pan African Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression. PAFF is one of the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. In addition, it is an Oscar qualifying festival for animation and live-action films, and one of the largest Black History Month events in America. ADVERTISEMENT Preserve 211 LA the Countys Community Service Hotline Operator Essential services for our community are at risk, and its up to us to save them. When times get tough or when our neighbors need a helping hand, Los Angeles County residents can dial 2-1-1 to get connected to essential community services like emergency housing assistance, meal delivery or transportation. ADVERTISEMENT But heres the deal: county staff officials want to fundamentally change the way 2-1-1 works by taking it out of the hands of our community and instead putting big corporations in control. For the last 40 years, the 2-1-1 hotline here in LA County has been run by a non-profit organization, 211 LA, that understands our community because they are our community. The staff at 211 LA is majority female and majority people of color. Thats important because low-income women of color with school-aged children are the most likely individuals to call 2-1-1. As a board member at 211 LA, I can tell you how special this organization is and how many people in our community theyve helped. Every year, 211 LA connects 400,000 people with the services they need related to homelessness, food insecurity, health and mental health challenges, legal issues and more. And during COVID, 211 LA nearly doubled that number, ramping up quickly to provide critical public health information, program enrollments, appointment scheduling and more. All of this is possible because when you call 2-1-1, you talk to a real human being in Los Angeles. Under the countys current proposed changes, however, a significant portion of 2-1-1 services could become automated by a giant, faceless corporation. That means someone calling 2-1-1 would be far more likely to get stuck in an automated menu, pressing button after button without ever getting the services they actually need. And even when someone does get through, having a big corporation running 2-1-1 means that the person on the other line likely wont understand their needs because they dont understand our community. 211 LA, the current organization running 2-1-1, has roots here. Every staff member at 211 L A cares about each caller as if they know them on a personal basis. 211 LA operates from a place of love and empathy, not from a place of profit and greed. ADVERTISEMENT Ultimately, you have to ask: when times are hard, who really cares about you? A corporation or the community? Now more than ever, we need strong community services to help us out when we need it. Between the rising cost of housing, the COVID-19 pandemic, violence in our streets and so much uncertainty, the last thing we need is to put a big corporation in charge of our safety net. LA County still has time to reverse this mistake and keep 211 LA as the sole operator of the countys 2-1-1 services. Our community needs 211 LA. Valerie Lynne Shaw is a former president of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works. She recently served on the L.A. City council Redistricting Commission, and currently serves on the Board of Governors for the California Community College System. Rhambo Emerges as Top Challenger To Villanueva, Outraising All Opposition Continuing to demonstrate his status as the top challenger to incumbent L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, LAX Police Chief Cecil Rhambos campaign announced that he had raised $212,993 in the fundraising quarter ending December 31, the most of any candidate running against Villanueva during that period. The sum, raised in just six months since launching his campaign, is more than Villanueva raised in his 2018 bid for Sheriff. Upon announcing these fundraising figures, Rhambo released the following statement: Im deeply grateful for the support that our campaign has received from people all throughout L.A. County who are eager for change at the Sheriffs Department. These strong numbers show that our message of progress is resonating with people all across the county. Theres so much at stake in this election and thats why its an incredible honor to have the confidence and early support of so many Angelinos this early in the campaign. I look forward to continuing to make the case far and wide across L.A. County for why Im the best candidate to take on Alex and deliver real reform to the Sheriffs Department. ADVERTISEMENT The fundraising achievement follows the recent notice by the Rhambo for Sheriff campaign that it had topped over 100 endorsements from a wide-ranging, countywide coalition. Also, the candidate was just featured in an op-ed in LA Magazine blasting top cops who are fighting vaccine mandates as being a clear and direct threat to the public safety they claim to be dedicated to protecting. Rhambos campaign recently released a new online ad titled, Stop This Injustice, which draws a contrast between Rhambo and Sheriff Villanueva, highlighting the incumbents refusal to stop deputy gangs, secret police and corruption, along with his war against the countys vaccine mandate, the Inspector General and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The Essence of the Black Church: Spiritual Resistance & Moral Reimagination The news of the L.A. City Councils unanimous vote that advances phasing out oil and gas extraction across the city was a joy for frontline communities affected by environmental racism! We arrived at this long delayed action after over ten years of fighting by frontline communities to protect the health and safety of low-income Black and Brown residents living in close proximity to toxicity emanating from the inherently dangerous practice of neighborhood oil drilling. Though delayed, justice was not denied!! At the heart of this decade-long grassroots movement of community organizing and courageous advocacy in a city built on the worlds largest oil field was both reparative and restorative justice with a framework for just-transition for community and economic development. ADVERTISEMENT With Gods help, people-power for righteous causes will always bring about win-win victories for some of the most marginalized and disenfranchised communities. Such is the essence of the Black Church when it makes a commitment to seek the welfare of the community and city that God assigned them to. As the senior pastor at Holman United Methodist between July 2012 through June 2018, I can remember when Holman got involved in this transformational shalom-seeking work, prompted by an impromptu meeting with a concerned neighbor, Joanne Kim. She came by to welcome the new pastor and took it upon herself to educate me on the dangerous oil and extraction operations in the West Adams community. My awareness of its impact on the health and safety of the community and congregation increased exponentially. This conversation sensitized me for the numerous conversations that followed between myself and several Holman members, especially Gail Swan. Synergy was unleashed through my conscientization of the issue and expansion of vocabulary, the exploitive and destructive activities by oil and gas companies in Los Angeles and our congregational and denominational theology articulated in the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. It was also during this time that the Council of Bishops released their updated theological paper entitled, In Defense of Creation. In this paper, the Council presented a holistic understanding of holiness by connecting the dots between personal holiness, social holiness, and environmental holiness. This was a recipe for deep reflection and deliberate action from the pulpit to the pews and from the sanctuary to the streets. Grounded in the social gospel, the bells went off spiritually and socially, prophetically, and morally! ADVERTISEMENT The essence of the Black Church is an intentional co-journ between congregation and community. Our followship of Jesus leads us from the shoreline of familiarity into the deep ocean of possibility. Gail was so concerned about the fracking in her View Park neighborhood and the damage she was witnessing to the infrastructure of her home. This happened to be the same community where Holmans residence was located for the senior pastor! She had done her own reaching out to local elected leaders, without getting any results. In collaboration with residents in the West Adams, Jefferson Park, View Park and Windsor Hills communities, we started organizing teach-in opportunities with church and community members to raise awareness about the dangerous health and safety consequences of the neighborhood oil drilling and gas extraction operations. A letter-writing campaign ensued to both the Los Angeles Planning Department and then-Councilman Herb Wesson. With expanded research and analysis with additional community partners, Redeemer Community Partnership and Physicians for Social Responsibility LA, we discovered that there were three neighborhood drilling sites within a five-mile radius of Holman Church. Two of these sites were actively causing destructive respiratory challenges to neighbors and destabilizing infrastructure to homes. We further learned that while fracking was no longer the method of extraction, the updated method for drilling in Los Angeles was underground sideway drilling through a method called acidification. The three drilling sites within five miles of Holman Church had different addresses above ground, yet these sites connected underground. Hence, an accident at one site could unleash destruction at all three sites and endanger the lives and homes of over 50,000 people, schools, businesses, churches, convalescent homes, daycare centers, parks, and recreational facilities, etc. In seeking the welfare of the community, the faith professed by any faith community does not become spiritually moribund. Instead, such a spirituality practiced by a faith community affirms the ministry of mutuality in advancing beloved community. This is essence of the Black Church! Following several months of meetings with members, neighbors, the Neighborhood Council and then-Councilmember Wesson, and then-Assemblymember Holly Mitchell, facts and faith, conversations and reflections resulted in my sermon, In Defense of Beloved Community: From West Adams to Wilmington. Utilizing a contextualized Black Methodist theological framework, this sermon was a rallying for the church and community to come together, stand together and fight together to resist destructive and exploitive oil drilling and gas extraction. Moreover, this sermon was a clarion call to reimagine a reparative and restorative framework for healthy, safe, and thriving communities. In collaboration with our neighbors and several organizations, we organized a Community Forum with our local, state, and federal elected leaders to present our research, provide testimony and engage in strategic conversation about how we intend to mobilize people power to engage in spiritual resistance and moral reimagination. Holman was the site for this Community Hall with 300 neighbors, and elected official Wesson, Mitchell and Congresswoman Karen Bass. This deliberate organizing and strategic mobilizing catalyzed the birth of the movement, Standing Together Against Neighborhood Drilling in Los Angeles (STAND-LA) an environmental coalition of community groups that seeks to end neighborhood drilling to protect the health and safety of Angelenos on the front lines of urban oil extraction. The essence of the Black Church is to build courageous coalitions with progressive and prophetic grassroots partners, including philanthropy, to realize planetary liberation. With Holman Church as a founding member of STAND-LA, we were able to collaborate and contribute to the moral leadership emanating from a deeply yet expanded intersectional analysis and theological framework around environmental racism and racial capitalism. The focus of such leadership and analysis were social justice, racial justice, and economic justice. This multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-lingual, multi-generational and multi-regional movement expanded through its incorporation in Holmans Freedom School Summer Program. In collaboration with Read Lead and the Childrens Defense Fund, this socially conscious literacy focused educational and cultural experience enabled us to hold space for the education of our young scholars on how fracking and acidification put the health and safety of residents at risk. Such a risk is exacerbated by the proximity of homes, apartment complexes, schools, or even convalescent homes to these drilling sites. We informed the young scholars that one such an active site was located less than half mile from Holman Church and around from Redeemer Community Church in Jefferson Park. Enraged by their understanding of the cumulative impact of these drilling operations, they were ready to do something about the dangerous and poisonous acts of injustice. In collaboration with our STAND-LA partners, we organized two marches to the drilling these two drilling sites. Dressed as canaries in their bright yellow t-shirts and orange shoe covers, the young scholars marched up on West Adams and down on Jefferson Avenue chanting slogans and singing songs in defense of the health and safety of our neighbors and communities. We made the evening news!! The essence of the Black Church is to always pursue updated and upgraded methodologies to let our nets down in new ways, new places, with new people, so that we can achieve new results. Determined and driven by our vision and fight for our beloved community, STAND-LA grew from strength to strength with the resolute demand for a city ordinance that prohibits new oil and gas extraction operations and make existing extraction activities nonconforming land use in all areas of Los Angeles. In our quest to seek the shalom of the City of Angels, the essence of the Black Church is to continue praying with opened eyes and mobilize our feet to resist social and economic preying practices!! Though delayed, the God of our ancestors has proven that arc of history will always bend towards beloved community. Our ancestral cloud of witness joins us in celebrating the motion passed by Los Angeles City Council and made official by Mayor Eric Garcetti during Black History month in 2022. The drafting of an ordinance by the Department of City Planning in collaboration with the Office of the City Attorney will finally end neighborhood drilling and the immoral and racist cumulative impact of sever and lasting structural drivers of health disparities and economic inequities. Reparative and restorative sustainable justice can now begin for future generations as we face the rising sun of a new day begun. The essence of the Black Church in its willingness to listen to new voices for vision, its openness to learn new ways of being, and its readiness to leverage new ways of becoming liberative good news to advance holistic holiness towards racial, social, economic, and environmental justice. With God on Her Side, Ozie Bell Gonzaque Renders Volunteer Service to L.A. Stanley O. Williford, author of the book, To Protect and Serve: The Volunteer World of Ozie Bell Gonzaque, revealed to The Sentinel that he knew nothing of Mrs. Gonzaque before his boss, Mrs. Angela M. Evans, the CEO of Crenshaw Christian Center, introduced him to her as a potential subject for a book. Apparently, many of her friends and important officials in Los Angeles not only knew of her work but also had been singing her praises for years. Mr. Williford agreed to interview her because she was a friend of Mrs. Evans. Mr. Williford handles the publication of books written by Mrs. Evans dad, Apostle Frederick K.C. Price, who passed away at 89 in February last year. Mr. Williford has also ghost-written several books for other people, almost all Christians. ADVERTISEMENT His background, however, is in newspaper work. He is a retiree from the Los Angeles Times, where he had been a reporter and copy editor. He has also worked as a copy editor for the Herald-Examiner, the Orange County Register, and has been a reporter for The Sentinel, an editor for Our Weekly and several other publications. Mrs. Gonzaque had been retired for more than 17 years when Mr. Williford met her. She was 95-years-old, so there was an element of urgency in getting her book done. However, being totally unfamiliar with her and her background, he began his questioning from the ground up, so to speak, or from her birth in Fordyce, Arkansas, and her youth in Monroe, Louisiana. He was feeling out the reason for the book. Complicating the work is the fact that he lived 40 miles away from Mrs. Gonzaque, but he drove to her residence just outside of Watts on many occasions to familiarize himself with her background. He didnt begin to realize the breadth of her volunteering until their second or third meeting. Those meetings, Mr. Williford said, were often three hours or longer recorded sessions, after which he would drive home, often in heavy traffic. At home, he was usually too tired to do more than type two or three pages of notes after having dinner. Then he would take in a little television and retire for the evening. Around that third session he began to grasp Mrs. Gonzaques importance. He began to notice the history on the walls of her home photos of several former mayors, including Tom Bradley, Richard Riordan and James Hahn, each of whom, he would learn, adored her. There were plaques and awards from police chiefs, attorney generals and various others. There were letters from county sheriffs and judges. There were acknowledgements from such local representatives such as Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Assemblyman Mike Gipson. There she was in pictures shaking hands with dignitaries and politicians. As he dug deeper into her past, Mr. Williford became aware of her impact on the city and, ultimately, the nation, almost always as an unsung volunteer. ADVERTISEMENT Knowing her volunteer background, Bradley named her to the important Housing Authority Board of Commissioners of Los Angeles (HACLA) where she served for 18 years, the last eight as president. It was at HACLA that some of her greatest work was done. Few people outside of city government knew this, but Mrs. Gonzaque is responsible for some of the major changes in public housing in Watts, East Los Angeles and around the nation. For those who are not aware, she is the major reason why public housing has begun to rid itself of its horrible history. Mrs. Gonzaque came up with the concept of tearing down the old, dilapidated, gang-infested public housing and mixing the rebuilds with owner-purchased housing. The gist is that both the public housing and the owner-purchased housing are built with the same integrity. One cant tell who lives in the owner-purchased housing from those who live in publicly funded housing. She gave public housing dignity. It began when she fought with HUD to tear down a housing project called Normont Terrace and to have it rebuilt as Harbor Village. Such a project had never been done before. There were people who bought into the rebuild even though they were well-off enough to have purchased property in almost any other part of the city. Harbor Village was just that nice. Heres a quote from Mr. Willifords book about Mrs. Gonzaque: Ultimately, or perhaps inevitably, Ozie got a development in her name. Formerly called Hacienda Village, it is now named Gonzaque Village, the brainchild of former Mayor Riordan and former Los Angeles City Councilman Rudy Svorinich, who were determined to name the project after the woman who revolutionized a large portion of the public housing industry. Later, Mayor Hahn would not let her retire from HACLA until after the dedication of Pueblo del Sol, another rebuild with mixed public housing and owner-purchased housing in East Los Angeles. Hahn wanted her to be acknowledged for her work. According to Mr. Williford, what also is not generally known is that Mrs. Gonzaque was one of the main people subpoenaed to testify before the McCone Commission after the Watts Riot. As she entered, the building to testify, an official outside the hearing room asked her what the LAPD meant to her. She told him the police departments duty was to protect and serve. He told her to write the words in a note and put the note into a suggestion box. All this is detailed in the book Mr. Williford wrote on her entitled, To Protect and Serve: The Volunteer World of Ozie Bell Gonzaque. About six months after her testimony before the McCone Commission the words to protect and to serve were on the police cars. The LAPD website gives credit for the slogan to an officer named Joseph S. Dorobek, but Mrs. Gonzaque says she was the first to come up with the wording except for the second word to. Mr. Williford reveals that almost all the work Mrs. Gonzaque did for and around the city was volunteer work. Her then-husband, Roy Gonzaque, knew she had a heart for volunteering, so early-on he encouraged her to leave her job and become a full-time volunteer. Roy then took on the full support of the family. Much of her work was done for Watts and its residents and for many of the disenfranchised in other parts of the city because Roy gave her the freedom to do it. None of it was done for personal glory. In addition, she devoted 25 years as a rater for the Los Angeles Police Department. Being such a longtime volunteer, Mrs. Gonzaque rarely benefited from her work, which lasted more than 30 years. Other than her volunteering for the city, she spent eight years in a paid position on the police departments board of rights. Mrs. Gonzaque still lives in the house near Watts that she found for her family eighty years ago. I might also add that Mrs. Gonzaque is no withering rose. She is feisty, and she will tell anyone who thinks he or she can pull something over on her where to get off. She might even sprinkle in a few salty words. At 96, she has an excellent memory. She knows a lot of inside information on some of the top people in the city. She is one of the few Black people maybe the only one who were able to get an audience with former police chief William H. Parker, who was much despised in the minority communities. While he had few-to-no admirers in the Black community, he seemed to welcome Mrs. Gonzaques input. Mr. Williford feels that everyone in the city needs to know of her volunteerism. People in Watts need to know of her battles on Watts behalf. This is a book that those who are disenfranchised might enjoy, and a book that those who are privileged might learn from. Her book needs to be in libraries, and she should be interviewed on TV. To Protect and Serve: The Volunteer World of Ozie Bell Gonzaque is available on Amazon. Your 2021 Taxes: 7 Things the IRS Wants You to Know As the 2022 tax season kicks off, the IRS is reaching out to the public, encouraging people to file their taxes online and early. This was the main takeaway from a recent news briefing featuring IRS officers that Ethnic Media Servicesorganized. During the virtual meeting, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig and Ken Corbin, Wage and Investment Division Commissioner and Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer at the IRS, stressed the importance of filing via the internet and making sure all information submitted is accurate. That way, they said, taxpayers can avoid delays and seamlessly receive their returns into their bank accounts by direct deposit. It is our intent that filing is as smooth and easy as possible. We want to make certain that consumers are getting all the credits and refunds they are eligible to receive, said Rettig. ADVERTISEMENT Paper returns have an inherent delay in processing, he emphasized. During the presentation, Rettig and Corbin shared several updates and pointers they said everyone filing taxes this year should know. Here are seven important ones: The Tax Deadline Filing Deadline This Year Is April 18 Unlike the last two years of the pandemic when the IRS moved the tax filing deadline to July (2020) and May (2021), this years deadline to file your taxes is April 18. That is much closer to the April 15 date we all know and have become accustomed to over the years. You Can File Your Taxes Online for Free The IRS is providing the option for you to file your taxes online at no coast via the IRS Free File Program. The IRS also provides a service to taxpayers called Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program (VITA). The program allows taxpayers to get in-person tax filing assistance from certified tax professionals in their community for free. This year, due to the pandemic, some of the VITA professionals are offering virtual tax preparation sessions. ADVERTISEMENT For customer support, Rettig is also discouraging taxpayers from contacting the agency via telephone. He said they should use the website instead. The IRS gets about 1 million calls a day and it only employs about 15,000 people to service the phone lines. The service is mainly for people who dont have access to broadband or the internet, the Commissioner said. Mistakes Could Delay Your Return Corbin said it is important for people to be accurate when filing their taxes. Inaccurate filings mean the IRS has to schedule an employee to contact the filer, which will cause a delay. We urge taxpayers to take care, particularly for those who received a third economic impact payment or an Advanced Child Tax Credits in 2021, he said. Taxpayers should ensure the amounts they receive are entered correctly on the tax return. This slows down the return process, Rettig added, explaining that the automated system pushes filings with incorrect figures. Last year we had 10 million returns that didnt match. To get ahead of the problem this year, the IRS issued letters to taxpayers indicating the total amount received in 2021 by filers that were eligible for Advanced Child Tax Credits. Taxpayers can also create an account at IRS.Gov to verify the amount they received. Rettig said the IRS still owes people who received the Advanced Child Tax Credits between July and December 2021, but they have to make sure all the information they include in their tax returns is correct. Know that was only half, of the advance tax credit they should receive, he said. To receive the other half, they must file a tax return with us. More Married Couples and Singles Qualify for Earn Income Credit This year, Corbin says more families qualify for Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), which is federal tax relief for filers with low to moderate annual incomes. Workers with qualifying dependents may be eligible for EITC if their earned income was less than $57,414, he said. The maximum EITC for those with no dependents is $1,502. Thats up from over $500 in 2020. The annual income requirement to qualify for EITC for taxpayers without dependents is $21,430 for single filers, and $27,380 for those filing joint returns. In the past, EITC for those with no dependents was only available to people ages 25 to 64, he added. You also dont need to be under the age of 65 any longer to qualify for EITC without a qualifying dependent, and individuals and families who received investment income up to $10,000 may also qualify. Homeless and Former Foster Youth Qualify for EITC Homeless and former foster youth who are at least 18 years old also quality for EITC this year. The minimum age is 19 for most taxpayers and 18 for former foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness. Beware of Scams Corbin says tax filers should beware of scams. The IRS will not call you by phone without a notice in advance. Dont accept a text, a call, especially if they ask for bank info or to pay with a gift card. That is a scam, he said. Those are the things we are seeing this season. The IRS Is Hiring Rettig said the IRS, which is still processing a backlog of about 6 million tax returns from the last two years, is currently hiring. We want to be reflective of the people we proudly serve, the Commissioner said, touting the agencys commitment to diversity. He said the IRS wants to employ people, including those who speak more than one language, who are able to communicate with taxpayers from all backgrounds. For more information, visit USAJobs.Gov. Scientists from Argentina are working to understand more about microorganisms found in Antarctica that may be able to help clean up pollutants like plastic and diesel fuel. The scientists believe the very small organisms eat pollution left behind by fuel and possibly plastic waste. The study results could be useful for wider environmental issues. The scientists are working to find out if the organisms bacteria and fungi native to Antarctica can also work in warmer climates. The scientists found that the microorganisms can digest the waste created by diesel fuel, which is a common source of heat and electricity at research bases in Antarctica. Scientists have a reason for wanting to reduce pollution in Antarctica. The continent is protected by a rule created in 1961 that says it can be used for research only if it is left in good condition. Dr. Lucas Ruberto is a biochemist working on the study. He said the organisms that live in the Antarctic soil can eat and break apart hydrocarbon pollution. Ruberto and other scientists went to the Carlini research base in December. The team carried out tasks related to bioremediation or returning something back to its natural state. They cleaned soil affected by diesel fuel by using native microorganisms and plants. The scientists found that the process, which can be used during Antarcticas warm season, removed 60 to 80 percent of pollutants in soil. Ruberto said the team helped the microbes by adding nitrogen, humidity and air flow to improve soil conditions. "Basically with that we get the microorganisms to biologically reduce, with a very low environmental impact, the level of contaminants," Ruberto told Reuters reporters. A contaminant is something that makes a substance no longer suitable for use. The scientists are now trying to research how the microbes could help clean up plastic waste in other places. Both fuels and plastics are polymers molecules made up of mainly carbon and hydrogen. The researchers are looking into whether the microorganisms native to Antarctica can eat plastic waste. They are collecting pieces of plastic from Antarctic waters and looking to see if the microbes are degrading or breaking down -- the plastic. Nathalie Bernard is an expert in plastic biodegradation. She said, If we find that it is indeed degrading plastic, the next step would be to understand how it does that. The long-term goal, she added, is to create a process in which microorganisms can help clean up plastic and fuel pollution in other parts of the world. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by Reuters. Will the organisms be used in other parts of the world? Write to us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. Words in This Story diesel n. a type of fuel used in engines humidity n. a measure of moisture in the air impact n. an influence or effect on something The pressure is on Biden to come up with a new virus plan as states are dropping their mask mandates one-by-one. Plus, can you get long COVID after an omicron infection? Here's more virus-related news. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. A final independent audit of the Northern Branch Jail construction found the current amount spent on the project, from its inception Jan. 15, 2013, to completion Dec. 7, 2021, was just under $118.6 million. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The Botanist Social is a worthy successor to The Icon tapas bar and a creative, whimsical addition to State Street. When a friend and I arrived at 6 p.m. one Saturday without a reservation, the restaurant and gin joint was hopping. Luckily, we got the last open table in the 70-seat restaurant and had good luck with the cocktails, the food and a friendly server. The look is warm and intimate, with an exposed brick wall, attractive tile work, green botanical trim and tall plants at the entrance. Valbon Beqiri, 33, who has two restaurants in Fort Atkinson, opened The Botanist Social on Nov. 8. A stylish wall behind the bar with 30 compartments to house the gin is a focal point and conversation piece. Each cubby has two bottles, with the rail liquor and the most requested labels on the lower level. Beqiri, in a recent phone conversation, said hes up to 64 types of gin, which get their own section of the menu. Bartenders roll a ladder across the wall and climb up to get the less commonly ordered gins. During two visits, Ive had three cocktails and all were fantastic. The prices, however, are on the steep side, but in line with higher-end bars and restaurants Downtown. Proprietary Knowledge ($12) with vodka, blackberry, lemon, lime, rosemary, Campari and soda water, had so much going on, it seemed like a reasonable splurge. The Classic Type ($11), with vodka or gin, lime and cucumber syrup, was simple by comparison, with the cucumber flavor wonderfully intense. This was a drink to put on repeat. Death on a G5 ($12) with gin, lemon, creme de cassis and bitters, was served in a dainty glass and also enjoyable. Beqiri said his bar manager named it and theres no significant meaning behind it. The food was mostly excellent, too, starting with the flatbread, dramatically presented on a long wooden board. We went with the chefs choice ($16), which that night had poblano peppers and thick-cut bacon, cilantro, a hint of greens, pickled red onion and sea salt. The cheese was particularly flavorful and applied generously as were the toppings. Equally impressive was the seafood mac and cheese ($22) made with rotini pasta. It had lobster or shrimp in almost every bite. The menu description mentioned crab, but I didnt notice any. Beqiri wasnt sure if there was crab the night we ordered it, but said, seafoods so expensive right now, we cant put too much in there. I found a fair amount at the expense of my friend, who ate from the other side of the plate and didnt seem to get as much. The seafood bechamel with gruyere and fontina cheeses stood out, and was elevated by a finely ground herbed crumb topping. Potato lovers will want to try the patata bravas ($11), fingerling potatoes in a thick, spicy marinara and drizzled with garlic aioli. The house salad ($12) was unconventional, with mixed greens separated on the plate from beets and cubes of butternut squash that could have been cooked more thoroughly. The dish had almonds and a wonderful goat cheese fritter as the centerpiece. The shrimp on the rosemary shrimp skewer ($14) were grilled to the point of dryness, but were perfectly seasoned and served over an interesting fregola salad with tiny balls of pasta in a sherry vinaigrette. The lobster roll ($22) was a fine rendition of a New England classic you dont find much in Madison. A buttery, toasted roll was stuffed with lobster that benefitted from mayo and herbs. My friend deemed the bun-to-lobster ratio poor especially at the sandwichs ends, but I thought it was fine. We appreciated how the accompanying fries were subtly dusted with garlic salt and served with a truffle aioli. For dessert, the chocolate budino ($10) wont let you down. An impeccable crust held a delicious chocolate custard-like interior. Olive oil gelato on top was sprinkled with pistachio pieces and sea salt. Our main criticism had nothing to do with food or drink. It was that both visits were punctuated by bursts of cold air. Beqiri is trying to make due with heavy curtains at the entrance when, in February, he needs a double door. He said before he put up the curtains it would get even colder. Also, tall, lighted candles on all the tables and down the bar seemed risky and unsafe. Usually in restaurants that favor candles, theyre small and protected inside candle holders. Beqiri said the candles with melted wax down the sides, and their vintage candlestick holders, have a certain Goth appeal. Theres been no problems with them, he said. Curious, I looked into Madison Fire Department regulations and found that the holder needs to be taller than the flame, so Im guessing Beqiri wont be able to do it for long. The green, leather-bound menu booklets, meanwhile, are attractive. Checks have QR codes so customers can pay on their phones. On our Saturday visit, the crowd was young, say 20s and 30s, and the music was loud. During our second trip, on a Thursday night, there were also a few tables of older folks, probably in their 50s and 60s, and the music was a bit more mellow. Many of the earlier tables cleared out in time for an 8 p.m. performance of Dancing With the Stars, live on tour, at the Overture Center across the street. The Botanist Social is uniquely positioned for Overture crowds. And for anybody, really, who wants a fun new experience in dining. Diner's scorecard Restaurant: The Botanist Social Location: 206 State St. Phone: No phone Website: thebotanistsocial.com Dinner hours: Tuesday through Sunday 4 to 10 p.m. Late-night food hours: 10 p.m. to close Brunch: Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prices: Starters $11 to $22, entrees $24 to $38. Noise level: Loud Credit cards: Accepted Accessibility: Yes Outdoor dining: Plan to apply for sidewalk seating in warmer weather Delivery: No Drinks: Full bar Gluten-free: Five items identified on menu as GF Vegetarian offerings: Many Kids menu: No Reservations: Yes Parking: Street and nearby ramp Service: Excellent Bottom line: This State Street newcomer with its wall of gin and lush atmosphere is the perfect escape on a February night. Read restaurant news at go.madison.com/restaurantnews Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Cambridge man whose drinking, driving and eluding police was called a series of bad choices by a Dane County judge, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison for a 2020 crash in Sun Prairie that killed two passengers in his car and injured a third person. Dane County Circuit Judge Josann Reynolds said she believes Lonzo J. Simmons, 29, is sincerely remorseful for the June 26, 2020, crash in Sun Prairie that killed Kara J. Cloud, 28, of Madison, and Clinton W.G. Harvey, 27, of Sun Prairie, which happened after Simmons sped away from a traffic stop in Sun Prairie. While she noted that Simmons has an extensive criminal record, of mostly minor offenses, he has no prior drunken driving conviction. But what she said mitigated Simmons case in her mind is the serious cognitive issues that Mr. Simmons suffers. Simmons attorney, Assistant State Public Defender Guy Cardamone, said Simmons IQ has been measured at 67, which is below even the point at which some capital punishment states will carry out an execution because of an intellectual disability. Cardamone said Simmons has been classified as disabled for the past 10 years. I dont believe the intention was to take lives, Reynolds said. I believe he has poor decision-making skills. The sentence is made up of one five-year prison sentence each for Cloud and Harvey. The injury conviction is to be served concurrently. Simmons will be on extended supervision for 10 years after his release from prison. Simmons pleaded guilty in November to two counts of homicide by driving with a prohibited alcohol concentration, along with causing great bodily harm to a third passenger in his car by driving with a prohibited alcohol concentration. Cardamone said Simmons entered the guilty pleas because he wanted to take responsibility for what he had done. Simmons told him, I did this, I need to take responsibility, lets go, Cardamone said. A criminal complaint states Simmons had been pulled over on Beech Street in Sun Prairie. He initially stopped but decided to drive away. Data retrieved from his car after the crash indicated he was going 61 mph one second before the crash near the Kwik Trip store at 1252 W. Main St. in Sun Prairie. His blood alcohol concentration was 0.21 percent, nearly three times the limit for Wisconsin drivers. Cloud and Harvey both died at the scene. Harveys sister, Felicia Clark, told Reynolds that as the oldest of six children, Harvey as the youngest was her baby brother, born when she was in eighth grade. She said her family was angered to see that after the crash, Simmons was posting on Facebook and living his best life, while she and the rest of her family mourned her brothers loss. Another sister of Harvey, Gabrielle Brown, said it was mind-boggling that Simmons didnt think of the others in his car before he decided to speed away from the officer. She called it a selfish act, because the others in the car had no reason to be involved in that. My brother was in the back seat of the car, she said. You cost the other womans life. You still havent apologized. Harveys mother, Alice Bennett, said her son is terribly missed. I wake up every day with him not being there, she said. Its terrible. When Simmons spoke, he was brief. I just want to say Im sorry and I take full responsibility and I wish this never would have happened, he said. Deputy District Attorney William Brown asked for a 16-year prison sentence, made up of two eight-year sentences served consecutively. He said it would be Simmons first time in prison, after getting deferred prosecution, probation and short jail sentences in previous cases. But he said Simmons behavior now makes him too great a risk to be in the community. The decision he made had these horrific consequences, Brown said. People should be able to go about their lives with the expectation that someone will not be driving drunk fleeing police. Cardamone asked for five-year sentences on the homicide convictions, to be served concurrently. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A former Sun Prairie electrical contractor pled guilty and was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in federal prison for not paying $622,702 in taxes, the office of U.S. Attorney Timothy M. OShea said. Joseph Kott, 44, was sentenced by Judge James D. Peterson for willfully failing to pay income tax and employment tax withholdings to the Internal Revenue Service from 2014 to 2018, OShea said. Peterson also ordered Kott to serve two years of supervised release after he is released from prison and pay restitution of $622,702.08 to the IRS, OShea said. According to the indictment, Kott, a licensed master electrician, had owned and operated Alpha Electric LLC, an electrical installation and service contracting business in Sun Prairie since 2002. He was responsible for all aspects of Alphas business operations, including accounting, finance, banking, payroll, hiring and firing of employees, paying bills, paying employees, and issuing Forms W-2, OShea said. Kott for 2014-18 failed to pay more than $428,966 in withheld income taxes and employment taxes, and failed to pay the employers matching share of FICA and Medicare taxes totaling another $193,739, OShea said. Peterson at sentencing said the biggest driver for the significant sentence was the need to send a general deterrence message to the public, and especially other employers, to not cheat on paying taxes to the IRS, OShea said. The judge rejected the defense argument that Kott should not be imprisoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic, OShea said, ordering Kott to report to prison on April 7. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Madison man who was speeding and, a judge said, likely drunk when the car he was driving smashed into the back of another vehicle and killed its driver, was sentenced Wednesday to 17 years in prison. Circuit Judge Josann Reynolds said the crash on East Washington Avenue was not an accident because of the way Jason Natcone, 46, was driving on Aug. 8, 2019, when he killed Frederick Majer, 71, of Chicago, and injured Majers 69-year-old wife. She called it one of the most egregious cases Ive ever been assigned. Reynolds noted that another judge in 2013, at Natcones sentencing hearing for his seventh drunken driving offense, had said it was only a matter of time before Natcones driving killed someone. Truer words were never spoken, Reynolds said of the remarks by Circuit Judge Ellen Berz. Natcone pleaded no contest in August to first-degree reckless homicide under an agreement in which all other counts against him were dismissed but could be considered by Reynolds for sentencing purposes. The 17-year prison sentence will begin after Natcone finishes serving the sentence for his seventh OWI, for which his extended supervision was revoked by the state Department of Corrections. The prison sentence will be followed, Reynolds said, by 20 years of extended supervision, during which he is barred from drinking and from owning or driving a vehicle. No blood or breath samples were taken from Natcone after the crash because he fled the scene. Another man who was a passenger in Natcones car was first arrested for the crime until police learned the driver was Natcone. That man and another passenger were injured in the crash. Natcone, speaking haltingly, told Reynolds that it was difficult for him to articulate everything he was feeling. He apologized several times for being unable to find the words he wanted to say, and at times pounded his fist on the table in front of him in frustration. Its my fault were here, he said, unequivocally. He said he wrote letters to each of the victims, but theyre not enough. Before breaking into sobs, Natcone said, I shouldnt have been there. I should have been home. I affected so many lives. Letters written on Natcones behalf by family members, friends and by fellow jail inmates say he has changed since he was jailed after the crash. Dane County Jail Chaplain Todd Marcotte told Reynolds in court that Natcone has made a 180-degree change in his life, has become a devoted Christian and has helped provide religious services to others in jail. Natcones father, Michael Cone, told Reynolds his son has become committed to helping people. Frederick Majers wife, whose first name does not appear in full in court records, was not in court Wednesday. But she wrote in a victim impact statement submitted in November that her life was totally altered forever by Natcones behavior. My life will never be the same, she wrote, asking that Natcone receive the maximum sentence, which is 60 years of combined prison and extended supervision. She and her husband, she wrote, were life partners, soul mates and best friends for 40 years. My grief, anger and loneliness tell me to insist upon a maximum sentence under the law, she wrote. The contemptuous, blatant disregard for the lost life of my beloved, should be paid for by that maximum sentence and atoned for by the offender with lifelong sobriety monitored frequently as his life sentence, to help protect all other innocents, as I must endure my life sentence. Absolute menace Deputy District Attorney William Brown argued for a 20-year prison sentence, followed by a lengthy period of extended supervision. He told Reynolds that even though many have told her Natcone is a changed man, its hard to say whether those changes will stick once hes back in the community. Numerous judges have stood in your shoes and heard some of the same things you have heard, Brown said. While incarcerated, he said, Natcone typically appears to make great strides, only to re-offend once back in public. In the community hes a menace, an absolute menace, Brown said. Reynolds agreed, noting Natcone has been labeled by some a master manipulator, but said she hoped Natcones changes would be permanent. Natcones lawyer, Michael Shannon Murphy, who asked for a seven-year prison sentence, took issue with assertions that Natcone was driving drunk. The only proof that Natcone was intoxicated that night, he said, came from a statement made by a passenger in the car Natcone was driving, and from security video at bars Natcone had visited that showed, at best, circumstantial evidence of intoxication. Fled the scene Reynolds said she also saw Natcones decision to flee the crash scene as evidence he had been drinking. The only reason we dont know (your blood alcohol concentration) is because you ran and hid, she said. Murphy also pushed back on an assertion, made by one of Natcones passengers, that Natcone had intentionally caused the crash in a suicidal gesture. The crash may have been caused by a slight rise in the road in that area, he said, which makes it momentarily difficult to see vehicles in front of a driver who is going as fast as Natcone was. While reckless, the crash was not intentional, he said. I think he is just someone who was driving like a maniac, your honor, Murphy said. He also added the crash was an isolated incident despite Natcones long criminal record, because it was the first crime he had committed since 2011. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The family of Quadren Wilson called for him to be returned to the hospital from the Dane County Jail during a demonstration Wednesday at the Far East Side intersection where they said Wilson was shot last week by agents with the state Department of Justices Division of Criminal Investigation. The familys demands come after the Wisconsin State Journal on Tuesday published traffic camera footage of the immediate aftermath of Wilsons arrest, which shows bullet holes in his vehicle and a swarm of law enforcement officers descending on the scene of the Feb. 3 shooting in unmarked vehicles. Attorney General Josh Kaul on Wednesday declined to comment on the shooting, which is being investigated by the Dane County Sheriffs Office. Independent investigations into officer-involved critical incidents help ensure that everyone involved in those incidents and the public can have confidence in the results of those investigations, Kaul said in a statement. While the DOJ typically investigates police shootings, which under state law must be investigated by an outside agency, the Sheriffs Office is handling the probe into Wilsons shooting because of the Division of Criminal Investigations involvement in the incident. Madison police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer has said Madison officers were assisting agents with the Division of Criminal Investigation with an investigation when the shooting happened and that no Madison officers fired their weapons. DOJ spokesperson Gillian Drummond did not respond to questions about how and under what circumstances its agents typically conduct arrests. Wilson was wanted on a state Department of Corrections warrant, but its not clear why authorities employed so much force; his family says he was unarmed, was wearing an ankle monitor and was due to meet with his probation officer the next day. They ambushed my brother. They blocked my brother in. They didnt give him no chance to even think, Mane Morris, Wilsons brother, said at the protest. They jumped out with their guns. They smashed his window out, another police official yelled, Gun. They begin shooting my brother multiple times. He said he heard over 20 gunshots. He luckily was only shot five times in his back. Everything they asked him to do he did. In a statement Tuesday, the Sheriffs Office said only that federal, state and local law enforcement were working together to arrest Wilson, shots were fired it didnt say by whom and that Wilson received non-life threatening injuries. Wilson was taken to jail on Sunday afternoon on a probation violation the day after undergoing surgery for what his family said was five bullet wounds in his back. The Sheriffs Office did not respond to questions about why Wilson was transferred to the jail so soon after his surgery. At Wednesdays protest, Wilsons family voiced concern about his medical treatment at the jail, saying they were worried he was at an increased risk for developing an infection. My brother is pain, Morris said. He was literally calling my mom in tears. Hes not asking to be released. He just wants medical help. Dozens of protesters marched from a nearby gas station to the site of Wilsons shooting just after noon, shouting No justice, no peace and Justice for Quadren. Wilsons mother, Stacy Morris, held a photo of her son as she cried for much of the protest. She declined to speak with reporters. The shooting happened at the intersection of Eastpark Boulevard and American Parkway about 8:20 a.m. on Feb. 3. Madison police officers were not involved in the shooting and did not see it, but were at the scene assisting in the outer perimeter of the DCI investigation, a police spokesperson has said. Questions over video The video of the aftermath of Wilsons shooting published on Tuesday led some family members to question whether the video had been edited or manipulated by authorities. At the start of the video, the camera is pointed away from the shooting, but then is turned by someone operating it remotely toward the scene after Wilson is shot and while hes being removed from his vehicle. Some suspected the camera had been intentionally directed away at the time of the shooting. Madisons traffic cameras can be programmed to behave in a number ways, permanently locking onto one direction or rotating at a fixed interval, said Tom Mohr, a city traffic engineer. Law enforcement agencies like the Madison Police Department are given differing levels of access to the cameras via the citys IT department, which can include controlling them remotely, Mohr said. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Madison police were called to respond to a lunchtime fight between East High School students Wednesday off campus, but students began to dissipate just before officers arrived, according to the schools interim principal. While only a few students were involved in the physical altercation near the parking lot of Milios Sandwiches, 2202 E. Johnson St., roughly 30 students were actively watching, East High School interim Principal Mikki Smith said in an email to parents. It is critical for students to understand how, being a bystander or goading on participants, is unsafe, unhelpful and can cause the situation to become more volatile, Smith said. A district spokesperson had not responded to questions about whether anyone was seriously injured in the fight and what consequences participants faced. As soon as school staff learned of the fight, they requested police respond to the area, Smith said. School security staff secured entrances to East High School, and students returning from lunch had to enter through the schools welcome center. Staff intercepted the students involved in the fight and required that they be supervised before entering the school, Smith said. Staff contacted the students families to discuss their involvement in the fight. Smith said some of the students made serious verbal threats on campus before the fight. She said students would face consequences for making those threats, but did not specify what. Smith noted that some students were simply ordering food, not watching or goading others into fighting. The vast majority of (students) are not involved in these events, Smith said. Some were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time today and that is unfortunate and unfair. The fight follows several weeks of calm at East High School, Smith said, noting Wednesdays incident left her disappointed. Police have responded to fights inside and outside East High School this school year, including one in which police deployed pepper spray to break it up. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As Wisconsin moves closer to regulating toxic forever chemicals, Madisons water utility has applied for a share of federal funding to offset the cost of testing city wells. Gov. Tony Evers this week announced the state would release more than $600,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help communities test municipal water supplies for fluorinated compounds known as PFAS. Evers said the money part of more than $143 million sent to the state through last years Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a great opportunity for communities to learn if their water is contaminated and work with state agencies to clean it up. GOP bill would give industry more control over environmental regulation in Wisconsin Under the bill, businesses could use external peer review panels to stall and modify proposed rules and block state of Wisconsin scientists from even recommending health-based groundwater standards. But environmental groups say testing should not be voluntary. Wisconsinites deserve full transparency about what is in their water, said Tony Wilkin Gibart, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates. The state has the authority to make testing mandatory for all utilities and should do so especially now this funding is available. Last year the Madison Water Utility found PFAS present in all 22 of its active wells, though none above the states proposed safe drinking water limits. Testing done this fall found detectable levels in only 14 wells. The utility board voted last month to authorize two rounds of testing per year, which water quality manager Joe Grande said would cost roughly $20,000. Grande said more frequent testing can provide clarity on the range of results at a given source and any seasonal variation there might be and would match federal testing requirements set to take effect next year. Madison shut down one well on East Washington Avenue in 2019 after tests revealed two compounds, PFOA and PFOS, at levels more than half of the proposed state standards. The utility is exploring treatment options, which it estimates would cost between $136,000 and $300,000 per year. While the EPA has not regulated PFAS, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is finalizing standards to limit two compounds, PFOA and PFOS, in drinking, ground and surface water. The DNRs policy board is expected to vote later this month on those standards, which have broad public support but are opposed by industry, utility and municipal government organizations. Though its trade association has fought them, the Madison water utility says it supports the regulations. If approved by the Natural Resources Board, the standards would be sent on to the governor and the Legislatures rules committee for final approval. Have your say Wisconsin's Natural Resources Board is set to vote later this month on the state's first proposed standards for certain PFAS compounds in drinking, ground and surface waters. Members of the public can submit written comments or register to testify on any of the proposed rules by contacting the board liaison, Laurie Ross, by 11 a.m. Feb. 16. For information on how to participate visit go.madison.com/nrb. PFAS is a term for thousands of largely unregulated synthetic compounds used for years in firefighting foam, stain-resistant fabrics, nonstick cookware and other products. Some have been shown to increase the risk of cancer and other ailments. PFAS have been found in drinking water, groundwater, surface water, soil, fish and wildlife throughout Wisconsin, including in Madisons chain of lakes, resulting in fish consumption advisories. Wausau officials this week revealed that all the citys municipal wells tested positive for two PFAS compounds at levels above the proposed state standards. Last year, the city of Eau Claire shut down nearly half its wells because of PFAS contamination. Conservation groups wary of bill to ease sale of Wisconsin public lands Since its creation in 1989, the Knowles-Nelson stewardship fund has been used to preserve more than 800,000 acres throughout the state, including places like the Pheasant Branch Conservancy and Cherokee Marsh. About $15 million of the $143 million in federal infrastructure funds is earmarked for emerging contaminants such as PFAS. Another $48 million is set aside to help replace lead pipes that connect homes to water mains. More than half of the funding is allocated to programs that provide low-interest loans and grants to help communities with traditional drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure projects. Jim Ritchie, director of the DNRs community financial assistance bureau, said that will roughly double the programs federal funding for each of the next five years. The agency is waiting for guidance on whether those funds can be used to address PFAS. Its an exciting time, Ritchie said. Its really an opportunity to address some real needs throughout the state. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Republican state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, who proposed a resolution aimed at reclaiming the states 10 electoral college votes, appears to have launched a campaign for governor this fall promising that he will call for an independent full forensic physical cyber audit for the November 2022 election, beginning with my race regardless of its outcome. The Campbellsport Republican, who has gained a following among far-right conservatives for his unfounded claims of widespread election fraud in the 2020 election, launched a campaign website indicating his plan to run for governor in the upcoming midterm election. The website was later taken down Wednesday evening. His entry into the race adds to an already crowded GOP primary that some conservatives worry may divide Republicans looking to unseat Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is seeking a second term this fall. Ramthun, who has falsely claimed that former President Donald Trump won Wisconsins 2020 election, has drawn praise from Trump, who called the state lawmaker in early December to thank him for his efforts to overturn the election, Rolling Stone reported over the weekend. Trump also issued a statement that month praising Ramthuns proposal to take back the states 10 electoral college votes something legislative attorneys have said is impossible and Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, called illegal and just plain unconstitutional. Timothy Ramthun understands we can no longer sit idle as things continue to worsen, according to the website. By calling for an audit on his own election, we can resolve the issues and restore confidence in the elections process in Wisconsin. Lets get to the truth together. Let there be light. Recounts and court decisions affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated Trump in the battleground state by almost 21,000 votes. Ramthun has become a divisive member of the states Republican caucus, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, disciplining the lawmaker by removing his lone staff member following Ramthuns false accusations that Vos had signed a deal with attorneys for former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to authorize absentee ballot drop boxes, Vos office said. Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, who has also called for a full forensic audit of the states 2020 election, issued a statement Wednesday asking that leadership restore Ramthuns staff position. Republican Sen. Kathy Bernier, a former elections clerk who chairs the Senate elections committee, recently described Ramthuns ongoing push to decertify the 2020 election, which has been accepted and counted by Congress, as the dumbest thing I have ever heard of in my life. Despite that, MyPillow executive Mike Lindell, who has also promoted baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen, confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Wednesday that he has endorsed Ramthun for governor. Ramthun, who plans to make a special announcement Saturday at Kewaskum High School, has not filed formal campaign paperwork with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Ramthun did not return multiple requests for comment this week. He would join an already crowded field of Republicans that includes former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and Marine veteran and self-proclaimed anti-establishment candidate Kevin Nicholson. The winner of the August primary will go on to face Evers in the November general election. While Trump has not formally endorsed any of the Republicans currently in the race, the former presidents backing could provide a pivotal boost among Republican voters. Trump called on retired U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy to enter Wisconsins 2022 gubernatorial race last October, but the former lumberjack athlete later said he will not be running for governor. Vos said on Friday the significance of Trumps endorsement will really depend on the candidate and their record. Vos had previously encouraged Nicholson not to run for governor and said Kleefisch offers the best chance to defeat Evers, but has not made a formal endorsement. I think for an unknown candidate like Tim Ramthun, (Trumps endorsement) would definitely give a boost but I think if you have somebody who has been through as much as Rebecca Kleefisch I dont think it matters as much, Vos said. Of course it would be helpful, theres no doubt about that, but she has her own record, Tim Ramthun does not. Mark Jefferson, executive director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said earlier this week the state Republican Party plans to hold endorsement votes in late May, but will ultimately get behind whoever voters choose in the Aug. 9 primary. Both he and Vos have cautioned against Republican infighting leading up to the primary. I dont think we need to shy away from a competitive primary, but we will ask our candidates to talk positively about their message and we know they will be drawing contrasts with each other, but we also want to see a clean race, Jefferson said. A heated GOP primary also presents the possibility that Republicans will push each other further to the right, which could invigorate primary voters, but could also alienate the eventual victor as they try to pivot back toward more moderate general election voters. No one in the Republican primary is trying to stake out the commonsense lane that actually resonates with Wisconsin voters, Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler said. Theyre in an arms race to be the most extreme and incendiary and that might be a good recipe for their primary strategy but its a terrible way to try to compete in a Wisconsin general election. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Best for Permanent Life Insurance Policies While term life insurance can be appealing due to its low cost, the hallmark of term coverage is that its temporary. If youre more risk-averse and want lifelong protection, permanent life insurance may be a better choice. New York Life is our choice for the best provider of permanent life insurance. It offers many permanent-life options whole, universal and variable universal life policies, along with ample insurance riders to customize your coverage. The company also earns praise in customer reviews and high scores for financial stability, handling complaints and customer service from agencies that gather that data. Find peace of mind with a Life Insurance Policy from Bestow Life Insurance can be a powerful tool to make sure your family doesn't have to carry any financial burden. Get a quotes in seconds by clicking on your state to day! New York Life Insurance Pros and Cons Pros Potential for dividends Multiple permanent life insurance options Several optional riders available Cons No online quotes or pricing Policies must be purchased through an agent Limited details about policies Pros explained Potential for dividends New York Life is a mutual company, and policyholders may qualify for dividend payments. In fact, the company announced that it declared a dividend of $1.9 billion to eligible policyowners in 2022. Multiple permanent life insurance options Rather than offering just one type of permanent coverage, New York Life sells whole, universal and variable universal policies. Within those categories, New York Life has eight different plans available. Several optional riders available There are some life insurance companies that dont allow you to add riders to your policy. However, New York Life has a lengthy list of optional riders, including accidental death benefits, chronic care riders and disability waiver of premium. Cons explained No online quotes or pricing With most life insurance companies, you can usually get a quote for coverage online for at least one policy option. Unfortunately, New York Life doesnt have an online quote tool, nor does it give any indication of its rates on its site. Instead, you must contact an agent to get details on premiums. Policies must be purchased through an agent Some insurers allow you to apply for coverage online. If approved, you could be covered within minutes. With New York Life, that isnt possible. You can only purchase policies through one of the companys agents, which are paid on commission. Limited details about policies New York Life provides minimal information about its policies online. To get details on age limitations, death benefit maximums or cost, you have to consult with an agent. While doing your research, that drawback can make it difficult to compare New York Life to other companies. New York Life Insurance Products New York Life sells term, whole, universal and variable universal life insurance products. All of its policies are fully underwritten, meaning applicants have to get medical exams and bloodwork. Available Life Insurance Plans New York Life issues eight policies: Term The least expensive form of life insurance, term life insurance gives you temporary coverage, so your beneficiaries only receive a death benefit if you die within the policys term. New York Life has three term life options: Level Premium Convertible Term : This option allows you to lock in a rate for 10 or 20 years. After the level premium period ends, premiums increase every year. : This option allows you to lock in a rate for 10 or 20 years. After the level premium period ends, premiums increase every year. Million Plus Level Term 10 : If you need $1 million or more of coverage, this plan gives you 10 years of level premiums. After that, premiums increase annually. : If you need $1 million or more of coverage, this plan gives you 10 years of level premiums. After that, premiums increase annually. Yearly Convertible: This policy is for those who want a lower initial premium and may want to convert to permanent coverage later on. Under this plan, your premiums increase every year. Whole Unlike term life insurance, whole life coverage is permanent. Some people prefer it despite its significantly higher cost because it gives them peace of mind and lifelong protection. Along with a death benefit, whole life policies can also build cash value. Policyholders that have whole life coverage through New York Life are eligible to receive dividends. There are two options available: Whole Life : This policy combines a guaranteed death benefit with cash value accumulation. : This policy combines a guaranteed death benefit with cash value accumulation. Custom Whole Life: The Custom Whole Life plan allows you to decide how long you want to make premiums. You can decide to pay premiums for as little as five years, but your policy will remain active for your lifetime. Universal Although universal life insurance is permanent, its more flexible than whole life insurance. It doesnt have a guaranteed death benefit. Instead, the death benefit and premiums are adjustable, so you can increase or decrease them as your needs change. There are three universal life Policies from New York Life: Basic Universal Life : For those that want long-term protection but are less concerned with growing cash value the Basic Universal Life option may be a good choice. You can customize the death benefit amount, length of coverage and your premiums. : For those that want long-term protection but are less concerned with growing cash value the Basic Universal Life option may be a good choice. You can customize the death benefit amount, length of coverage and your premiums. Custom Guarantee: This plan provides a guaranteed death benefit, but you can pay a set premium for only as long as you need the policy. Protection Up to Age 90: If you need a significant amount of coverage for a specific length of time, this option gives $1 million of coverage or more up to age 90. Protection Up to Age 90: If you need a significant amount of coverage for a specific length of time, this option gives $1 million of coverage or more up to age 90. Variable Universal: Variable universal life insurance is permanent, and it combines life insurance with tax-deferred investments to potentially grow your cash value. Some people opt for these policies to supplement their retirement savings or to aid their estate planning. New York Life has just one variable universal life policy available in all states: the Variable Universal Life Accumulator II. With this plan, you can choose your own investments, or you can use a model-based portfolio to invest in combinations selected by investing experts. Insurance Riders New York Life, like other major life insurance companies, allows policyholders to customize their coverage through optional riders. Available at an additional cost, riders can provide extra coverage for you or your family members. New York Life has several available riders, but what options you have is dependent on your selected policy type and location. For details about possible options, contact an agent. Accidental Death : If you are killed in a qualifying accident, your beneficiaries will receive an additional death benefit. This rider expires when you turn 70. : If you are killed in a qualifying accident, your beneficiaries will receive an additional death benefit. This rider expires when you turn 70. Disability Waiver of Premium : If you become totally disabled as defined by your policy, New York Life will waive your premiums and your policy will remain in force. : If you become totally disabled as defined by your policy, New York Life will waive your premiums and your policy will remain in force. Chronic Care : If you are diagnosed with a chronic illness, you can use a portion of your base policy benefit while youre living. : If you are diagnosed with a chronic illness, you can use a portion of your base policy benefit while youre living. Living Benefit : Policyholders that are diagnosed with a terminal illness can use this benefit to use some of their death benefit to pay for their care and treatments. This benefit does have an additional charge if used. : Policyholders that are diagnosed with a terminal illness can use this benefit to use some of their death benefit to pay for their care and treatments. This benefit does have an additional charge if used. Spouses Paid-Up Insurance: If you have term life coverage and pass away, your spouse can use the proceeds from your policy to purchase paid-up coverage without a medical exam. Limitations All of New York Lifes policies are fully underwritten; the company does not sell guaranteed or simplified issue plans. To apply for coverage, you must undergo an interview, a review of your prescription history, a medical exam and bloodwork. No-Exam Life Insurance allows you to get the coverage you need without leaving the comfort of your own home. Getting quality term life insurance shouldn't be a hassle. Skip the doctor's appointment and get the coverage you need today! Just click below to get a free quote. New York Life Credentials New York Life is the second-largest life insurance company in the U.S., based on direct premiums written. In 2020, its premiums totaled over $8 billion and made up 6.0% of the total market. New York Life is licensed to issue life insurance policies in all 50 states, and it stands at # 67 on Fortunes ranking of Fortune 500 companies. Financial Stability If youre buying life insurance particularly if you plan on purchasing permanent coverage you need to know that the company issuing your policy will be around for the long haul. To research a companys financial stability, its smart to look up its ratings with the major credit rating agencies: AM Best, Moodys and S&P Global. New York Life has outstanding ratings for financial strength. It has AM Bests highest rating, A++ (Superior). It was the fourth-highest rated company in the S&P Global ranking of North American life and health insurance companies. Credit Rating Agency Rating Rating Range Moodys AAA C to AAA AM Best A++ D to A++ S&P Global AA+ D to AAA Third-Party Ratings New York Life is a well-regarded company. It was ranked 9th out of 21 companies in the 2021 J.D. Power U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study, which evaluates insurers on life insurance policy options, communication and pricing. New York Life had a score of 777, slightly higher than the industry average of 776. Regulatory Actions New York Life is the target of a class-action lawsuit that alleges it violated the terms of certain policies by challenging their validity before rescinding the policies. Its not unusual, however, for a large insurance company to deal with lawsuits or regulatory actions. Cost of New York Life Insurance Although other life insurance companies have detailed online quote tools, New York Life doesnt have a rate tool or pricing information on its site. The only way to find out about premiums and cost is to work with a New York Life agent. How much your policy will cost is dependent on a range of factors, including your age, location, gender, medical history and the coverage amount you desire. Its a good idea to compare insurance quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. If youre not sure where to start, check out our selections for the best life insurance companies of 2022. New York Life Insurance Accessibility For most inquiries such as details about available policies or support for an existing life insurance policy youll need to contact your insurance agent. If you dont have an agent yet, you can submit a request and New York Life will connect you with one. Contact Information For questions about claims or your application status, you can contact New York Lifes customer support team by calling 800-225-5695. Its available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. ET. User Experience If you have a New York Life policy, you can use its online account center to manage your policy, make payments or download forms. If you also have an annuity, disability or long-term care insurance or use New York Life for retirement planning or investing, all of your accounts will show up on your platform. To help you navigate the customer portal, New York Life has multiple video tutorials that provide step-by-step assistance. New York Life Insurance Customer Satisfaction New York Life has a good reputation for providing quality customer service. It has a better-than-expected complaint ratio with independent agencies that track such data, and garners generally positive customer reviews. Customer Reviews There are just a handful of reviews of New York Life on TrustPilot. It had a great rating and a TrustScore of 4.0 out of five based on only five reviews. New York Life insurance reviews highlight specific agents and the companys advisory services. Complaint Index The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) can be an invaluable resource. Every year, the NAIC releases complaint ratios based on the number of complaints it received about specific companies relative to the companies shares of the insurance market. The higher the ratio, the more complaints that were submitted. In 2020, New York Lifes complaint ratio for its individual life insurance segment was 0.24, significantly better than the industry standard of 1.0. Such a low ratio indicates that New York Life was the subject of fewer complaints than is expected for a company of its size. What term lengths does New York Life offer? While some companies offer terms as long as 30 years, New York Life term life policies only have terms of 10 or 20 years. Does New York Life sell other types of insurance? Besides life insurance, New York Life sells individual and . It also offers annuities, estate planning and wealth management services. How long has New York Life been in business? New York Life has a long history in the U.S. It was founded in 1845 and has been in its current headquarters in New York City since 1928. Today, the company has over $572 billion in total assets under management and a workforce of over 23,000 financial specialists and employees. Who is eligible for dividends from New York Life? At New York Life, individuals that have whole life policies or mutual income annuities are eligible for dividends. Other policyholders -- such as those with term life coverage -- aren't eligible. How We Evaluated New York Life Insurance In our evaluation of New York Life and other life insurance companies, we looked at the following factors: Available plans and terms Insurance riders Policy exclusions Underwriting process Cost Financial stability Customer service Customer reviews Third-party ratings Summary of Moneys Bestow Life Insurance Review Although term life coverage is typically recommended due its low cost, some people simply find term life insurance to be too risky. For those individuals that want the security that permanent life insurance offers, New York Life could be an excellent choice. New York Life is a highly-regarded insurer that sells multiple forms of permanent life insurance, including whole and universal life policies. However, New York Life doesnt sell life insurance directly to consumers, and there is limited information about its policies and pricing online. If you dont want to have to work with a commission-based insurance agent, youll need to get quotes from life insurance companies that sell policies online. Protect your loved ones from the unexpected with Bestow Life Insurance No time like the present to get on the estate planning path. Do it right with life insurance and take care of your family. Click below for more information. Copyright 2021 Ad Practitioners, LLC. All Rights Reserved. This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Moneys full disclaimer. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 For those who prefer a classroom experience, hunter education courses led by an instructor provide valuable, hands-on training and classroom interaction. Idaho Fish and Games hunter education program is resuming classroom courses throughout the state. These courses are led by a certified hunter education instructor who teaches the course material, answers questions and allows students to have hands-on training with non-firing guns, as well as some opportunities for shooting actual firearms. Anyone who successfully completes the course will earn his/her hunter education certification and can buy a hunting license. Weve heard from students and parents who want the classroom experience, and we have taken measures to make sure that we can provide these courses safely, said Hunter and Angler Recruitment Manager, Brenda Beckley. I think that everyone is recognizing they spend a lot of time online, and having this hands-on learning again really fits with what people want right now. While online hunter education courses have increased in popularity because of their flexibility, classroom courses are recommended for those new to hunting, firearms handling and anyone looking to become a safe, legal and effective hunter. To see a full list of courses being offered, check out Fish and Games upcoming hunter education events page. If you do not see a class in your area, please call your local Fish and Game regional office. If a class is full, wait list options are also available. If a seat becomes available, students have the opportunity to register. If students have already signed up for an online hunter education course, but have not completed it, they can still sign up and participate in an instructor-led course. Successfully completing hunter education is required for Idaho hunters who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1975. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 JEROME The economic outlook for the year ahead calls for more housing to keep up with jobs in Jerome, Mayor Dave Davis said during his State of the City speech Wednesday. Davis highlighted areas of growth and the outlook for new housing, new businesses, and new infrastructure improvements during a luncheon hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at Canyonside Christian School in Jerome. Davis also discussed financial position of the city, and even said that conditions could be favorable for lower levy rates. Noting that several businesses were creating or expanding operations in the city and nearby, Davis said that a significant increase in jobs meant having adequate housing in the city would be important in the next year. Jerome has had a substantial increase in residential building permits over the past three years, and Davis said that 48 permits were issued in 2019 for new homes, and that number went up to 60 new homes in 2020 and 77 new homes in 2021. Davis said the current subdivisions in the vicinity had 114 lots ready to be built on, and another 118 lots are currently under construction. In addition, Davis said, 572 more building lots were in planning stages. Several multifamily or rental units were also under development. One of those developments still in the planning stage is Lincoln Commons. Just north of downtown on North Lincoln on an empty lot where the elementary school once was, Lincoln Commons will have 31 residential units and two commercial anchors. Were excited about this project, Davis said. We think its really going to enhance downtown. A plan for the multi-use residential and commercial development is expected to go through Planning and Zoning be presented to City Council for approval in March. Concerning commercial growth, Davis highlighted a number of new businesses that were coming to Jerome or expanding their current operations. Businesses already under construction include a new 200,000 square foot regional headquarters for Western Dairy Transport, the largest liquid foods trucking company in the country. Another business expanding its facilities named was Rich Thompson Trucking, who is building a new facility in the old Cinema building on West Main, Davis said. Other businesses that have announced plans to build in Jerome include Nelson Jameson Dairy Supply, Smiles for Kids and Tommys Car Wash. One company coming to Jerome County that will likely have an impact on the citys economy is the new True West Beef facility in Jerome County at U.S. Highway 93 and Interstate 84. That facility is expected to create 350 jobs. Though it is outside the city, Davis said the impact of the new facility will be felt by the city. Its critical on the residential side of things that we look at how are we going to house these people, Davis said. Not all of them are going to live in Jerome, and we understand that, but theres going to be maybe a good number of them probably will, if we have the housing built. Davis discussed several different elements of the citys infrastructure enhancements. He said the citys efforts to add sidewalks to some high-traffic areas enhance safety for kids walking to school. Water infrastructure is also scheduled for some improvements, and Davis said the city has been saving for a couple key upgrades to continue to improve water services. Davis said the city had been saving a portion of revenues for eight years to be able to replace the water tank and booster station on 10th Street. That project is now ready for funding, and will begin in the summer. Additional wastewater improvements are scheduled for coming seasons to solve existing issues and to accommodate expected growth. Davis said the city budgeted for these projects many years ago, and has been saving up for them as well. Davis gave an update on the new police station, something outgoing Chief of Police Dan Hall has asked for for 18 years. This is a project we are really excited about, Davis said. If any of you have been in the police department in the city, youre wondering what in the world are these guys doing in this place. It really wasnt made for a police department. Like the other infrastructure projects, Jerome has been setting aside funds for a new police station for the last eight years. The city saved about $3.5 million and last year moved ahead with the purchase of a building on East First Street. This spring a bid will go out for a builder to perform the renovations. This is going to be a good project for the community, Davis said. We expect that this police facility is going to last us 50 years. Davis concluded with a look at the citys fiscal picture, saying that levy rates have been steady over the last several years. But, Davis said, the levy rate could soon drop. The Urban Renewal Authority anticipates closing urban renewal area number two earlier than scheduled. The area, located at the Southeast Industrial Park, is only 12 years in to its 20-year plan, and in that time value has appreciated from about $1 million to over $120 million. If closed, Davis said, that could put about about $80 million back in to all the other taxing districts, with 20% savings passed on to the taxpayers. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BOISE Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, is sponsoring a new bill in the Idaho Legislature that would cut the amount of time that candidates have to file for office in half, potentially giving short notice to political challengers for this primary election. Cranes bill applies to the official declaration of candidacy forms that all candidates for precinct, state, district or county offices must file before the primary election. Crane wants the change to become effective immediately if the bill is signed into law, meaning it would apply to candidates running in this years primary elections on May 17 If House Bill 567 becomes law, the filing time window would open at the same time, on the 12th Monday preceding a primary election, which is Feb. 28 this year. But under Cranes bill, the filing window would close on the 11th Friday before the primary, not the 10th Friday as is the case in current law. That would close the filing period on March 4, instead of March 11 this year. That would only give candidates five days to file for office instead of 12 days under current law. I have been here now, Mr. Chairman, 16 years and every two years when this comes up we in the legislative process delay the difficult issues, we push stuff back and it slows this process down all because we are waiting for that filing period, Crane said during the bills introductory hearing Tuesday. I just happened to notice this year the amount of people that have declared early that they are running. People that are running for office or planning to run for office know they are running for office, so instead of two weeks of time to get your paperwork together and get your candidacy filed, you would have one week should it become law. Crane said, its not something I feel passionate about, but I want to have the policy discussion. Cranes bill sets up the potential for the filing deadline to change on incredibly short notice, perhaps with just a day or two for notice if you figure it takes about two weeks for a bill to become law. Under that scenario, every incumbent legislator would know of the change in time because they would be debating and voting on the bill. Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, expressed concern about how that could affect Idahoans who may decide to challenge an incumbent. People that are running or thinking about running this year are maybe not watching the legislation as closely, maybe they are out campaigning, Scott told Crane. Im just wondering if you would be opposed to introducing this without the emergency clause? Lifting the emergency clause would make it so the bill takes effect on July 1 and therefore would not apply to this years primary elections. But Crane said the emergency clause needs to stay. He said that people who are already campaigning should have already filed the paperwork to run for office. However, at this time, candidates can only file initial paperwork appointing a campaign treasurer in order to accept and spend campaign contributions. Candidates cannot officially declare and file for office until the candidate filing window that Cranes bill would shorten opens. Crane also added that notice of any changes would be publicized on the Idaho Secretary of States website and in paperwork candidates pickup when they file. Scott then made the motion to introduce House Bill 567 as is, with the emergency clause in place. The House State Affairs Committee then voted to introduce the bill, which clears the way for the bill to return to the same committee for a full public hearing. This is the latest in a series of bills that would change procedures surrounding the 2022 elections and voting. On Monday, the same House State Affairs Committee voted to introduce a bill that would eliminate the same-day registration for Idaho voters at the polls on Election Day. That bill would also eliminate the ability for Idahoans to sign an affidavit verifying their identity and make it so a student ID is no longer an acceptable form of identification to vote. However, that bill would add an Idaho license to carry a concealed weapon as a new acceptable form of ID for voting. This year, all 105 seats in the Legislature expire and are up for election. There are also new legislative district boundaries in place for the first time due to the redistricting process. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Some 13,000 Japanese Americans were removed from their homes in Oregon, Washington and Alaska during World War II and were incarcerated at the Minidoka Relocation Center, known locally as the Hunt Camp, north of Eden in Jerome County. But not all the prisoners were residents at the same time. The internment camp reached a peak population of 9,397 on March 1, 1943. The camp which was designated as Hunt, Idaho, by the U.S. Postal Service lost numerous residents to natural causes before the end of the war. Other prisoners died of accidents or suicide, as noted below by the Densho organization at its website, densho.org: Sept. 29, 1942: Itsusaburo Mita, 62, of Portland, Oregon, took his life by drinking rubbing alcohol. His death was the first suicide at Minidoka. Dec. 3, 1942: Takaji Edward Abe, 55, of Seattle died of exposure after getting lost while searching for greasewood outside the camp. June 21, 1943: Nobor u Roy Tada, 11, Seattle, drowned in the North Side Canal while playing with friends. The canal borders the camp to the south. In all, a total of 193 residents of the camp died between 1942 and 1945. They were buried in a small cemetery outside the fenced boundaries of the Hunt Camp, with native basalt rock as grave markers. After the war, families had their loved ones remains reinterred elsewhere, according to Kurt Ikeda, director of interpretation and education at the Minidoka National Historic Site. Mychel Matthews is the senior reporter for the Times-News. The Hidden History feature runs every Thursday in the Times-News and at Magicvalley.com. If you have a question about something that may have historical significance, email Matthews at mmatthews@magicvalley.com or call her at 208-735-3233. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 JEROME Four people are in jail on multiple drug and firearm charges, the sheriffs office said Thursday. Jerome County Sheriff George Oppedyk said his deputies found 8 pounds of methamphetamine, an ounce of marijuana and four firearms Wednesday when they executed a search warrant at a home on West C Street in Jerome. The methamphetamine has a street value of $64,000, Oppedyk told the Times-News. Deputies made the following arrests: Jonna C. Fernandez, 47, of Jerome was charged with methamphetamine trafficking, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony injury to a child. Adrian D. Fernandez, 40, of Jerome was charged with methamphetamine trafficking, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony injury to a child and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also had an active felony warrant for similar drug crimes and for carrying a concealed weapon while intoxicated. Anthony Monge, 70, of Jerome was charged with methamphetamine trafficking, injury to a child and possession of marijuana. Richard Ramirez-Ramon, 30, of Jerome was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, felony injury to a child and possession of drug paraphernalia. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare assisted with children in the home, Oppedyk said. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 2 Ive knocked on nearly 30,000 doors and spoken with thousands of people from across the political spectrum in my district. This experience has taught me that good ideas and good people come from all directions. It also helps me define the difference between a politician and a statesman. A politician tends to only represent the people who vote for them. A statesman strives to represent everyone in their constituency whether they voted for them or not. This doesnt mean you agree with everyone on every issue all the time. It does mean you respect those good ideas no matter where they come from by incorporating them into the work you do. Its much easier to be a politician than a statesman: Its much easier to inflame emotions with false and misleading messages to win votes. Its much easier to make decisions based on what you want to believe is true, instead of doing the due diligence to know what is true. Its much easier to tell voters what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. A statesman, however, works to bring people together and listens for points of agreement, instead of arguing about where they disagree. With agreement, you can establish trust and respect, which is the first step toward working together to solve problems. A statesman builds a consensus among colleagues to tackle difficult issues. It takes patience and good listening skills to resolve major issues that require the agreement of at least 36 representatives, 18 senators, and 1 governor. A statesman has the courage to make decisions that may not be popular in the short term, but necessary to secure a beneficial long-term outcome. A statesman is more concerned about achieving results than getting the credit. The road toward becoming a statesman starts by knocking on doors and talking one-on-one with a broad spectrum of ones constituency. You learn the issues that really affect peoples daily lives. You learn to respect people of all political affiliations and treat them with civility in both word and deed. You become a better public servant and a better person. This is why I choose the road that leads to being a statesman. Unfortunately, this road is less traveled by too many incumbents and candidates these days. To be clear, several of my legislative colleagues on both sides of the aisle are statesmen. We listen and learn from each other to our mutual benefit, even if we disagree at times. However, too many choose to be politicians. It is discouraging to see bills promoting ideological purity that divide communities and punish those who disagree. It is dangerous when legislators give credibility to false and misleading information in an effort to curry favor with voters. If we continue traveling down this increasingly rancorous road, we wind up with a government that rejects accountability after being elected; that doesnt care about those that disagree with them; that believes the ends justify the means which leads to operating without a moral or ethical compass. We wind up with a state without statesmen. There is a path forward. Voters need to know who the people on their ballot really are. Ask yourself: Is the candidate taking your vote for granted? Do they make it easy to contact them? Have they knocked on your door? Do they want to talk with you or at you? If you want more statesmen and fewer politicians in the Idaho state legislature, vote for the person not a letter or a color. Rep. Steve Berch is serving his second term in the Idaho House, representing District 15. Berch sits on the education, business, and local government committees. Love 6 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 After the last two years, you would think wed all be health experts. Weve trained ourselves to spot symptoms and methods to keep ourselves safe and healthy, but even amid a health crisis, we are forgetting to talk about mental health. While a recent resolution in the legislature highlights the impact of child trauma, investments in the mental health system are needed to improve Idahoans access to care. The mental healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and the pandemic has only made it worse. Idahoans trying to access mental health services face limited availability of services, backlogs and delays in treatment. For children, the stakes are even higher. I began working as a doctor during the pandemic, and in that time, I have seen that Idaho kids have not been faring well. In fact, the trends are alarming. I have witnessed the rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for depression, aggressive behavior, and suicidal ideation increase since the beginning of the pandemic. Nearly one in five Idaho teens experienced major depression in the last year, and two-thirds of those teens received no treatment at all. We are also seeing patients harming themselves or complaining of depression at a younger age. For kids over 5, a mental health diagnosis or complaint is one of the most common reasons for hospitalization. Weve seen kids overdosing on household items such as windshield wiper fluid, Drain-O, and Tylenol. The pandemic has increased child depression as their social interaction is more limited. One story that comes to mind is Laceys, a 12-year-old who recently moved and started attending a new school. She only had the opportunity to go to class in person a handful of times because of the pandemic. Lacey barely knew her classmates and had only become friends with a couple of other kids. Weeks later, Lacey was admitted to the childrens hospital after an intentional overdose on Tylenol to hurt herself. She was depressed about her school situation and was experiencing cyberbullying from these new friends. She didnt know where to turn. Laceys story not only shows the importance of ensuring kids access to care but also the value of investing in our mental healthcare system. Without a well-funded and responsive mental health system, Idaho kids arent getting the shot at a bright future that they deserve. Idaho legislators introduced a resolution encouraging state agencies to educate themselves on the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and investigate policies that promote resiliency in children. This is a first step to what needs to be a deeper discussion about childrens mental health. This legislative session, lawmakers can make it easier for Idaho kids to get the treatment they need by addressing healthcare workforce shortages, service delays, and low service reimbursement rates. We need Idaho lawmakers to make investments in our childrens future by investing in their mental health. Dr. Megan Haughton, a native of the Northwest, recently moved to the Treasure Valley for her family medicine residency program. She served as a maternal and child health volunteer for the Peace Corps in Guatemala before starting medical school at Pacific Northwest University in Yakima, Washington. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Today is Thursday, Feb. 10, the 41st day of 2022. There are 324 days left in the year. 100 years ago in the Henry Bulletin: M. Marks store was entirely destroyed by fire this morning at about 3 oclock. It looked for some time as if the entire block on the east side of public square was doomed, but effective work by the fire company under the directions of Chief P.S. Ford finally brought the finer under control. Considerable smoke damage was done to the stocks of A. Globman and T.E. Gravely in the adjoining store rooms. 75 years ago: H. Grady Moore was awarded a Silver Beaver, the highest area award to be given for meritorious Scout service, at the annual dinner of the Roanoke Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, at the Hotel Roanoke last night. 50 years ago: A Chamber of Commerce survey here indicates that at least one group in Martinsville and Henry County favors rewriting the blue law, allowing peri-mutual betting and authorizing liquor by-the-drink. This is the gist of only part of a survey conducted by the Chamber. Questionnaires were mailed to 342 members, and 192 responded. 25 years ago: U.S. Sen. John Warner is expected to introduce legislation today that could mean additional funds for Interestate-73, helping to pay for a projected $800 million. The legislation, known as STEP 21 (Streamlined Transportation Efficiency Program for the 21st Century), would increase Virginias rate of return to 95 cents on contributions to the Highway Trust Fund. Currently, Virginia receives only about 80 cents for every $1 Virginians pay at the gas pump. Also 1997: The timing is not right for a study of merging Henry County and Martinsville, County Administrator Sid Clower said last week. I do not see a lot of support on the board for that, Clower said. Community leader and activist Alex Alpo Portelli was honored Thursday for his avenues of service to McDowell County, the Rotary Club of Marion and Rotary District 7670. Past District Governor G. David Waechter presented the Rotary International (RI) Avenues of Service Award to Portelli at the Rotary Club of Marions regular meeting. Portelli is the immediate past president of the Marion Rotary Club. The award recognizes individual Rotarians and Rotaractors who have received recognition in all five Avenues of Service: club service, vocational service, community service, international service and youth service, according to a news release. Portelli not only succeeded during his year as club president, he thrived. Under his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, his club understood that Rotarians must be flexible to be successful. He was one of the early adopters of conducting online meetings via Zoom and even gained five new members to the Marion club in the middle of the pandemic. Portellis effective use of public media informed his community of the good work being conducted by Rotary Club of Marion, which in turn attracted new members who also choose to make a positive impact. Portelli, a retired colonel in the U.S. Army, lives up to Rotarys Four-Way Test with high ethical standards while valuing the ideas and contributions of all people. He was even knighted by the king of Norway during his military career. McDowell County and the city of Marion benefited from Portellis leadership. Working with the Foothills Food Hub, 52,000 meals were packed and distributed to those in need and are food insecure. He was also the district coordinator for Rotarys 10 Million Meal Challenge, according to the news release. The club also partnered with McDowell County elementary schools with a Read Across America program. In the midst of COVID-19, his club volunteered 500 hours of support with McDowell Emergency Management assisting with vaccine operations. Internationally, the Rotary Club of Marion advanced goodwill by fostering acquaintance with people from other countries and cultures including residents in the city of Roatan and Bay Islands, Honduras. Rotary International loves being an inspiration to our youth, reads the news release. Portelli and his club organized a childrens Christmas party, sponsored two Rotary Youth Leadership Awards scholarships, created Rotaract Clubs at McDowell Technical Community College and McDowell Early College as well as an Interact Club at McDowell High School. These clubs are instrumental in helping young folks learn the importance of giving back to their communities. These are only a few examples of the great achievements by Portelli and Rotary Club of Marion. Alpo Portelli has a true heart for service and we are honored to have him in Rotary District 7670. During Thursdays meeting, Portelli said this award to him was a total surprise. Throughout his long and distinguished military career, he and his wife Gail lived in many countries around the world but did not find a place to call their permanent home until they settled in the community of Dysartsville. Since then, Portelli has worked to do his part to make McDowell County an even better place. When he took over as Rotary president, he was confronted by challenges unlike any before. The first COVID year was a hard year to do but it gave us opportunities of service, he said to the club. This group here is my family and will be my family until I die. Rotary International is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotarys people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end. Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our worlds most persistent issues. Our more than 46,000 clubs around the world work together to: promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, save mothers and children, support education, grow local economies, and protect the environment. Rotarys mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders, according to the news release. A jail inmate accused of murder has died in custody, the McDowell County Sheriff's Office said Thursday. Jose Jovanny Camarena, 26, of Nebo, was found unresponsive Wednesday morning during a routine check at the detention center. Camarena was being held at the McDowell County Detention Center after his arrest on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 on an outstanding warrant for second degree murder. Detention staff found Camarena unresponsive in his cell Wednesday morning and immediately began administering life saving measures and EMS was called to the scene, the sheriff's office said in a news release, Camarena was transported by EMS to the McDowell Hospital where Camarena was declared deceased. Per request of the McDowell County Sheriffs Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was called to investigate Camarenas death. The investigation is ongoing at this time. According to the arrest warrant served Monday, authorities said Camarena did "kill and murder Jonathan Kaleb Collins." According to an obituary in The McDowell News, Collins, 23, died on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. Sources in the legal community said Collins died of a drug overdose. Camarena had previous convictions for selling and delivering drugs, disclosure of private images, domestic criminal trespass and probation violations, according to the NC Department of Public Safety offender site. The McDowell News will have more details as they become available. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced that the reconstruction of Al-Hadba Minaret and Al-Saaa and Al-Tahera Churches in the city of Mosul in Iraq is ready to start in March, after three years of intensive preparatory work. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay will make a special trip to Mosul to start reconstruction work, the UN organization said in a statement. Due to the occupation of Mosul by the Islamic State terror group until 2017, 80% of the old city of Mosul was destroyed. After the city was liberated in 2018, UNESCO launched an ambitious international initiative to revive the spirit of Mosul. This reconstruction and reconciliation initiative aims to restore its former glory to this rich and diverse city, whose plural history is located at the crossroads of cultures and religions of the Middle East. To achieve this, UNESCO wanted to rely on the inhabitants as agents of change and that they be associated with the process of rebuilding their city through three main axes: heritage, education and cultural life. The United Arab Emirates was the first partner to join this UNESCO initiative to restore and reconstruct historical sites in Mosul, including the Al-Nouri Mosque and the Al-Hadba Minaret. The project was later extended to Al-Saaa and Al-Tahera churches. The European Union has also partnered with UNESCO to rebuild 122 historic houses. This week, UNESCOs Assistant Director-General for Culture, Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, visited the old city of Mosul to see first-hand the progress made. The Spanish police has arrested three people for financing terrorism in Libya, the oil-rich country still witnessing a sporadic attacks from the Islamic state group, ISIS. The three people according to the police were arrested In Valencia, Barcelona and Girona last Thursday, Al Wasat news outlet reports. Police carried out search operations in Barcelona, and Sant Adri del Besos, along with a commercial establishment in Badalona. The three arrestees had been under investigation for two years after specialists in the fight against terrorism detected the presence in Spain of a person related to the leadership of a Libyan militia, linked to ISIS. The investigation also revealed the existence of a complex business network at the international level working to transfer and provide funds to groups linked to the ISIS organization. ISIS, stamped out of an oil-rich country, is still carrying sporadic attacks. In January, the interior ministry indicated that the southern town of Qatroun, came under attack by armed groups affiliated to ISIS. Egyptian digital investment start-up Thndr has raised $20 million in Series A funding round to develop products and expand across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Zawya reports. Tiger Global, BECO Capital and Prosus Ventures with Base Capital led the round. Other investors include Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Raba Partnerships and JIMCO. The support from leading global investors is a significant endorsement to our strategy and the very clear market opportunity in the region, said Ahmad Hammouda, Co-Founder and CEO of Thndr. Thndr is a digital investment platform for stocks, bonds and funds in the region on a mobile-based brokerage launched in late 2020. The company argues that the regions population of 370 million amasses $500 billion in annual savings, 62 percent have smartphones and half the population is aged 14 and 45, adding that 87 percent of its users are first time investors, with 40 percent from rural areas, Zawya notes. The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), the UN panel set up in 1991 to manage financial compensation owed by Iraq to Kuwait, has submitted its final reports Wednesday in Geneva after Iraq paid $52.4 billion reparation to the Gulf country. The UN in a statement said around 1.5 million successful claims were awarded, out of a total of around 2.7 million lodged with the Commission. If all the claims had been found legitimate, that would have meant a total pay-out of $352.5 billion. Iraq according made the final payment on January 13. The $52.4 billion that has gone to successful plaintiffs, was paid out from the UN Compensation Fund, which received a percentage of the proceeds generated over the years by the export sales of Iraqi petroleum and petroleum products, the UN said in a statement. Saddam Hussein, former and late Iraqi President, ordered his troops to invade Kuwait and seize what he described as Iraqs 19th province on August 2, 1990, before being pushed back seven months later by a US-led coalition. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has appointed a major general blacklisted by the U.S. tax authorities to head the national police. General Abel Kandiho had been appointed in late January as special envoy to Sudan for security affairs, after several years as head of the Ugandan armys intelligence services. General Kandiho has been appointed chief of staff of the national police, Ugandan army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Kakurungu said in a statement. As head of military intelligence, General Kandiho had faced multiple accusations of human rights violations. The U.S. Treasury blacklisted him in December and froze his assets in the United States. According to Ugandan analyst Charles Rwomushana, Kandihos appointment illustrates President Musevenis desire to keep control of the police. Kandiho is expected to be firm enough to make tough decisions in the service of the government. Five forest rangers and a soldier were killed and ten people wounded in an ambush Tuesday in a transboundary nature park managed by Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, a conservation organization announced Wednesday. Yesterday () a team of rangers was ambushed in Benins W National Park. () The provisional toll is six dead, including five rangers and a soldier of the Armed Forces of Benin (FAB), ten other people were injured, said African Parks, an environmental NGO, in a statement. The attack has not yet been claimed, but a jihadist insurgency originating in the Sahel has spread to parts of coastal West Africa, including northern Benin. Authorities had not yet commented on the incident as of Wednesday evening. According to African Parks, additional military reinforcements and rangers have been deployed to the area. A recent series of border raids in countries south of the Sahel has confirmed suspicions that jihadist groups in the region are seeking to advance toward the coast. Benins military has increased its presence in the north of the country after the first two officially recognized jihadist attacks late last year. Last month, two Beninese soldiers were killed when their vehicle was the victim of an improvised explosive device attack in the Atakora department in the north of the country. Prime Minister Felix Moloua, who took office on Wednesday, February 9, has named his government. While a reconstitution was expected, Felix Moloua has reappointed all the ministers of the outgoing government. Felix Moloua is very familiar with donors, who are reassured by his technocrat profile, and he should have no difficulty in obtaining the expected disbursements in the face of economic challenges. As for the political tensions within the ruling party, this founding member of the MCU is not a direct competitor to the caciques: he is described rather as a discreet executor. So there is little upheaval to be expected with this new government, which will continue with exactly the same team, at least until the results of the Republican dialogue, according to one observer. This dialogue, which is supposed to put an end to the crisis and was promised long ago by the head of state, has still not begun. The head of government also holds the position of Minister of State for Planning and the Economy. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UNs highest court, has ruled in the dispute between Uganda and the DRC. The DRC had claimed $11 billion in reparations for damages caused during the second Congo war, between 1998 and 2003, during which Uganda invaded eastern DRC. The ICJ set the amount of reparations that Kampala must pay to Kinshasa at $325 million. The amount set by the ICJ is therefore 325 million dollars, a sum that is divided into several tranches. First, $225 million for damages to individuals, as the judges estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 people died as a result of the occupation of Uganda. In addition, there were rapes, sexual violence and the recruitment of child soldiers. The judges said they had struggled to find detailed evidence 20 years after the end of the conflict, relying heavily on the UNs Mapping Report. The DRC also sought an order requiring Kampala to try Ugandan officials responsible for the occupation of Ituri. The judges concluded that they did not need to order this, as Uganda has an obligation to do so. There is also the payment of $40 million for property that was destroyed in Ituri province, that area in eastern Congo, which was occupied by Uganda. And $60 million is for the looting of natural resources such as gold, coltan, diamonds and timber. In these claims, Kinshasa also claimed $25 million to promote reconciliation between the Hemas and Lendus. The court nevertheless rejected this request, but asked the two capitals to take the initiative. If Uganda nevertheless refused to pay, the DRC could no doubt turn to the Court again and request that the case be reopened, which Kinshasa had already done in 2015: Uganda had been found guilty of violating international law in 2005, and at that time the judges had asked the states to negotiate together to set the reparations. However, due to a lack of agreement, Kinshasa returned to the Court, which ruled today. Uganda must pay the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) $325 million in reparations related to the brutal conflict between the two nations from 1998 to 2003, the UNs highest court ruled on Wednesday. The Ugandan government has however rejected the ruling, with Ugandas Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka saying in a statement the decision did not meet the standard of fairness. We challenge and reject the findings of wrongdoings on the part of the UPDF which was singled out notwithstanding the acknowledgment by the court of the existence of so many belligerents in the conflict, Kiwanuka said. In its ruling, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) broke down the compensation, awarding the DRC $225 million for damage to persons, which includes loss of life, rape, recruitment of child soldiers and displacement of civilians. The country will also receive $40 million for damage to property, and $60 million for damage to natural resources, including the looting and plundering of gold, diamonds and timber. The Court notes that the reparation awarded to the DRC for damage to persons and to property reflects the harm suffered by individuals and communities as a result of Ugandas breach of its international obligations, said Judge Joan Donoghue, the ICJ President. The DRC initially filed the case with the ICJ in June 1999, citing acts of armed aggression perpetrated by Uganda on its territory in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity. The Hague-based Court ruled in December 2005 that Uganda had to make reparation to the DRC, and ordered the two countries to negotiate reparations, but in 2015 the DR Congo returned to the tribunal saying there had been no progress in the talks. Kiwanuka however in his statement said the Ugandan government would continue engaging the DR Congo government to resolve the matter. As it turns out, the courts decision is yet another failure to understand or appreciate African matters and makes no contribution to current efforts at resolving, on our own, the security issues that persist, he noted. Under the ICJ ruling, Uganda is ordered to pay the $325 million in five annual instalments of $65 million, starting in September. The ICJ rules in disputes between countries, and its decisions are final and cannot be appealed. A nurse prepares to administer an AstraZeneca vaccination against COVID-19, at a district health center giving first, second, and booster doses to eligible people, in the low-income Kibera neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 20, 2022. The World Health Organization's Africa director Matshidiso Moeti says Africa is moving to the "control phase" of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased vaccination rates will be crucial in helping the continent live with the disease. Credit: AP Photo/Brian Inganga, File Africa is moving to the "control phase" of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased vaccination rates will be crucial in helping the continent live with the disease, the World Health Organization's Africa director Matshidiso Moeti said Thursday. "Although COVID-19 will be with us for the long term, there is light at the end of the tunnel," Moeti said. "This year we can end the disruption and destruction the virus has left in its path, and gain back control over our lives." Africa is heading toward "what might become a kind of endemic, living with the virus ... I believe that we are transitioning from the pandemic phase and we will now need to manage the presence of this virus," she said, addressing reporters at a virtual media briefing. "Over the past two years, the African continent has gotten smarter, faster and better at responding to each new surge in cases of COVID-19," said Moeti. "Against the odds, including huge inequities in access to vaccinations, we've weathered the COVID-19 storm with resilience and determination ... But COVID-19 has cost us dearly, with more than 242,000 lives lost and tremendous damage to our economies." Moeti's optimism contrasts sharply with the warnings from WHO Geneva's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has said repeatedly the pandemic is not over and that it is premature for countries to think that the end might be imminent. "Wherever you live, COVID isn't finished with us," Tedros said this week. He has cautioned that new coronavirus variants are likely and could undo the progress made so far, saying populations in Africa are among the most at-risk. A boy receives a vaccination against COVID-19 at a site near Johannesburg, Dec. 8, 2021. The World Health Organization's Africa director Matshidiso Moeti says Africa is moving to the "control phase" of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased vaccination rates will be crucial in helping the continent live with the disease. Credit: AP Photo/Denis Farrell, File According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to have pushed up to 40 million people into extreme poverty on the continent, and every month of delay in lifting containment measures is estimated to cost Africa US$ 13.8 billion in lost gross domestic product, Moeti said. It is worrying that only 11% of Africa's adult population has been vaccinated despite the continent receiving more than 670 million vaccine doses, said Moeti. According to WHO's figures, Africa is among the least-affected continents by COVID, although cases and deaths have been undercounted, as they have been elsewhere. Some experts attribute that to the continent's younger demographic and tendency to spend more time outdoors, among other factors. "While many (rich) countries are considering booster shots, 85% of Africans have yet to receive a single shot," she said. "To reach the levels of immunity achieved in other parts of the world, vaccine uptake needs to be significantly accelerated across the region, urgently. A steady supply of (COVID-19 vaccine) doses is reaching our shores, so the focus needs to be on translating those into actual shots in people's arms." She said Africa's 54 countries must implement lessons learned during the previous waves of the virus to deal with possible future waves or variants. "When we move into the next so-called control phase of COVID-19, or living with COVID-19, the capacity of countries to reduce and control incidents of infections will be key," said Moeti. "The ability to promptly prevent, diagnose and treat cases is what will mitigate the long-term consequences of future infections," said Moeti. She said the continent needs to maintain political will and support for the local manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutic medicines and diagnostic tools. 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The FDA will consider authorizing two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for kids under five on an emergency basis, with the possibility for a third. It's anticipated that a third dose may be needed because the antibody response with two doses in some of these youngest kids was not as robust as that seen in children in age groups where the vaccine is already authorizedwhich is the usual standard for authorization of the vaccine in a new age group. Jason Pogue, clinical professor at the College of Pharmacy at University of Michigan, discusses what happens next. There have been conflicting and confusing reports about the efficacy and plan for the vaccine in kids under five years old. Can you help us understand how the clinical trial process works for pediatric vaccines? Pediatric vaccine trials really start to move forward after the vaccine has been proven efficacious in older age groups. Then, a moderate size clinical trial (in the case of children under 5, roughly 4,500 children were enrolled) is performed comparing children who receive the vaccine to those who receive a placebo injection. These studies are designed to assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the vaccine. The safety and tolerability analysis ensures no unique or potentially serious adverse events specific to this age group are present. Pfizer reported that the two-dose vaccine (a lower dose of 3 micrograms) was well tolerated in kids under 5. Since these studies are relatively small, they may not be able to show efficacy of the vaccine at preventing COVID-19, because the number of children getting infected over the study period may be too small to allow a robust comparison. Therefore, "efficacy" in these trials is primarily assessed by a process called "immunobridging"assessing antibody responses in children receiving the vaccine and comparing them to antibody responses in another age group where the vaccine was demonstrated to be effective. For the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, this comparison arm is 16- to 25-year-olds. If the antibody response in the children in this trial is similar to those 16 to 25 in the other trial, then the expectation is that it will be equally effective in kids. What did those results show so far? In December, Pfizer reported that while the results of the immunobridging analyses were positive in kids six months to two years of age, the antibody response appeared inferior in kids 2 to 4 years old. Therefore, Pfizer decided to assess a third dose in kids six months to less than five years old, given at least two months after the second dose. Since then, omicron surged. Given the large number of children being infected, researchers have the ability to assess the efficacy of preventing COVID-19 in this clinical trial, after receipt of two doses. For this reason, the FDA encouraged Pfizer to submit what they had to date, so that the FDA could begin reviewing the application while awaiting more data about the immunogenicity and clinical efficacy with the third dose. We have not seen the immunogenicity data, the safety data, nor the clinical efficacy data yet, so it is impossible to truly comment on where we are with this vaccine. This package has been submitted to the FDA, which will review all of this and determine the path forward. However, this assessment and subsequent recommendations will follow the same process as other vaccines in the pandemic. The data will be presented to an external panel of experts, which will make recommendations to the FDA. If the FDA ultimately allows an emergency use authorization in children under 5, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will then independently review the data and make recommendations to the CDC on whether or not vaccination should be recommended for kids of this age group. The CDC director has final say on the recommendation, but usually follows the advice of ACIP. What does it mean that the vaccine had a less robust antibody response in kids 2 to 4 years old? I think we need to keep in mind that while antibody responses/levels are important, they are just one part of an impressive and complex immune response to vaccination. Though the antibody response may have been lower in an age group (we haven't seen that data to know how much lower), remember that we just use that as a surrogate for clinical efficacy, and ultimately the most important piece of information is how well it fared in preventing COVID-19. Because of how intense the omicron surge has been, we may be better suited to answer that question. You mentioned that omicron causing so many infections helps assess the efficacy of the vaccine. Anything else we should consider as we see results emerge during the omicron wave? We need to keep in mind that the efficacy of two doses of the vaccine against symptomatic COVID-19 in adults against omicron appears to be lower than that of previous variants. Therefore, if the vaccine has a lower but still substantial (greater than or equal to 50%) efficacy against preventing COVID-19 during the omicron wave, this would not necessarily mean that it is inferior to the clinical efficacy (greater than or equal to 90%) seen with two doses of the vaccine in the trials in adults against the ancestral strain of SARS CoV-2careful analysis and consideration needs to be given to the interpretation of those data. There are many complexities to these data and the subsequent analyses and we are extremely fortunate in this country to have a robust process of expert analyses prior to any recommendations being set forth. If authorized, will the vaccine become compulsory, like other school vaccines? Who makes this decision? Mandatory vaccines for school children are made at the state level by the government. Given how mandates have been handled in this country to date, I would not anticipate this occurring anytime soon and certainly not before full FDA approval was given. Will vaccinating this age group hasten herd immunity? Or, is that not the right question to ask anymore? I feel very comfortable saying that vaccinating these children will protect them directly by decreasing the chance of infection. Further, by decreasing the number of infections in children, vaccination will help limit the spread of SARS CoV-2 and subsequently help protect other vulnerable individuals. However, given what we have seen with delta and omicron, I do not think herd immunity is a realistic expectation. We will need to live with this virus moving forward. One of the best ways we can live with this virus is by vaccinating as many eligible people as possible. How should parents decide if they should get a child vaccinated? I encourage parents to speak with their pediatricians and listen to health care experts. At this point, it's impossible to recommend the vaccine for kids under five both because it is not authorized for use, but also because we haven't seen any of the safety or efficacy data. Once those things occur, I would encourage parents to speak with their trusted sources of health care information and, importantly, their child's pediatrician. I will say this thoughthe Pfizer vaccine has shown remarkable effectiveness in children five and up. While it is completely true that severe outcomes are rare in children, they do happen, including long COVID, hospitalization, multisystem inflammatory syndrome, and even death. What the real-world data in children 5 to 18 years of age have shown us is you can almost eliminate these risks with vaccination. If the data in children under five follows this same trend, I would recommend that all parents (barring legitimate medical contraindication to the vaccine) vaccinate their children. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting African companies to make a COVID vaccine. But today, in an article co-published with German newspaper Die Welt, The BMJ can reveal that a foundation representing vaccine maker BioNtech has been accused of seeking to undermine this initiative. The move threatens the pan-African venture backed by WHO that seeks to scale up African production of life-saving vaccines from 1% to 60% by 2040, as part of a drive to tackle the vast global inequities in the distribution of COVID vaccines. In a special report published today, investigations editor Madlen Davies describes how the kENUP Foundation, a consultancy hired by BioNtech, has claimed the WHO's hub, which is creating a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine that can be manufactured by African companies, is unlikely to be successful and will infringe on patents. Documents obtained by The BMJ instead show kENUP promoting BioNtech's plan to ship mRNA factories housed in sea containers from Europe to Africa, and suggesting a new regulatory pathway to approve vaccines made in these factories. Davies explains that the WHO's technology transfer hub, launched in June 2021 and based in South Africa, uses publicly available information to re-create Moderna's vaccine, in order to teach companies and scientists from across the continent how to use mRNA technology. It will then develop a comparable vaccine, which, if successful in clinical trials and approved by regulators, it will manufacture industrially. Developing life-saving vaccines in this way is permitted under South African law, and it was hoped that Pfizer/BioNtech or Moderna would share its technology and know-how with the hub to help speed up the process. But in a document sent to South African government officials, following a visit to the country in August last year, the kENUP Foundation said the hub's activity should be stopped over concerns that it will infringe patents. The Medicines Patent Pool, which is responsible for the intellectual property and licensing elements of the hub, said this claim is untrue, while Ellen 't Hoen, a lawyer and public health advocate, said BioNtech should be accountable for the kENUP Foundation's actions. The kENUP Foundation did not directly address the allegations or answer The BMJ's questions, but in a statement said it is "committed to global collaboration in the fight against infectious diseases". It added that it "has always coordinated with important intergovernmental organizations, such as WHO and Africa CDC". In a statement, BioNtech also said its plans to establish mRNA based vaccines manufacturing on the African continent "will be done in close alignment with the WHO, the African Union and the African CDC". But in October 2021, five months after the hub was formally announced, both Moderna and BioNtech announced their own plans to build vaccine production facilities in Africa. BioNtech's plans include shipping mRNA sea container factories from Europe to Africa, initially staffed with BioNtech workers, and licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) rather than local regulators. This new regulatory pathway has been described as paternalistic and unworkable by some experts as it appears to bypass local regulators. One of these experts is Margareth Sigonda-Ndomondo, who is leading on regulation for Partners for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM). She welcomed plans to build mRNA factories on the continent, but rejects the idea that the African regulatory system doesn't have capacity and another route for approval is needed. The African Medicines Agency was ratified in 2021 and will harmonise regulation across the continent. South Africa has a laboratory able to carry out the necessary tests, which has been inspected by the WHO, hopefully allowing its regulator to approve vaccines by the end of the year, Dr. Sigonda-Ndomondo said. Once it does, it could act as a centre for excellence, supporting other regulators. Others are waiting with interest for more granular details on kENUP and BioNtech's proposal. "The real proof of the pudding is going to be 'will this vaccine made in Rwanda approved through this novel regulatory process be accepted in Europe?'" said Patrick Tippoo, executive director of African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative and head of science and innovation at Biovac. "And if the answer to that is yes, then I would say, well, then maybe it could be accepted in Africa as well." Explore further Germany's BioNTech to build Africa vaccine plant from 2022 More information: Investigation Covid-19: WHO efforts to bring vaccine manufacturing to Africa undermined by pharma, show documents, BMJ (2022). Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) Investigation Covid-19: WHO efforts to bring vaccine manufacturing to Africa undermined by pharma, show documents,(2022). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.o304 (HealthDay)Fertility treatment is associated with an increased risk for preterm birth, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in JAMA Network Open. Ran Wang, M.D., from the National Children's Medical Center in Shanghai, and colleagues examined the association between fertility treatment and preterm birth (<37 weeks) using data from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System (2016 through 2019). The analysis included 14,370,920 mothers with singleton live births. The researchers found that the prevalence of preterm birth was 7.6 percent in natural conception, 10.7 percent in assisted reproductive technology (ART), and 9.3 percent in non-ART groups. There was a significantly higher risk observed for preterm birth among newborns who were conceived with ART (adjusted risk difference, 3.10 percent; adjusted odds ratio, 1.49) and non-ART treatment (adjusted risk difference, 2.22 percent; adjusted odds ratio, 1.35) compared with neonates who were naturally conceived. "The potential mechanisms of the association between ART or non-ART treatment and preterm birth need to be elucidated," the authors write. "Understanding this risk is essential for individuals who are considering using fertility treatment to conceive and for physicians who provide prepregnancy and postpregnancy advice and care to these individuals." Explore further Exposure to prenatal antipsychotics seems safe More information: Ran Wang et al, Association of Preterm Singleton Birth With Fertility Treatment in the US, JAMA Network Open (2022). Journal information: JAMA Network Open Ran Wang et al, Association of Preterm Singleton Birth With Fertility Treatment in the US,(2022). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.47782 Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Fig. 1: Study outline and cell clustering results. Eighteen PBMC samples from ten COVID-19 patients were included in this study, as well as 13 control samples. All COVID-19 patients had PBMC samples analyzed at two time points, except for two progressive patients who were only sampled after tocilizumab treatment. a Flowchart of the sample preparation methods and single-cell library types used in this study. Each COVID-19 PBMC sample was split into two after thawing and processed in parallel by two methods: conventional and CITE-seq. Control PBMC samples were only processed with the conventional sample preparation method, without CITE-seq. b Matrix representation of all 18 COVID-19 samples used, according to disease progression, tocilizumab treatment, and timing of blood draw. c A guide to patient codes and colors used throughout this manuscript. d A scheme depicting the timing of symptoms, hospitalization, blood draws, and tocilizumab treatment for each of the 10 COVID-19 patients. e UMAP embedding of single-cell transcriptomes from 153,554 cells from 18 COVID-19 and 13 control PBMC samples, annotated by cell types. Dashed box shows the two clusters of classical monocytes, HLADRhi (#7) and S100Ahi/HLADRlo (#1). f Comparison of differential cell counts (as % of all PBMCs) between patient groups for each of the annotated cell types shown in e. The results are depicted in boxplots, in which the value for each sample is represented by a dot, the upper and lower bounds represent the 75% and 25% percentiles, respectively. The center bars indicate the medians, and the whiskers denote values up to 1.5 interquartile ranges above the 75% or below the 25% percentiles. The number of patients (n) is indicated for each group in the figure. *p-value < 0.05; **p-value < 0.01; ***p-value < 0.001, as determined by two-tailed Wilcoxon rank-sum test. DC dendritic cells, IM intermediate, IFN interferon, MAIT mucosal-associated invariant T cells, NC non-classical, NK natural killer. Source data are provided as a Source Data file. Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27716-4 A new study by Yale researchers adds to our knowledge of how the body's immune system fights the virus that causes COVID-19. The exaggerated immune responses characterizing severe COVID-19 infection are not well understood. In response to injury or infection, the immune system exhibits a coordinated response between its different components that eliminates the infection without harming the infected person. Yale researchers discovered that in patients with severe COVID-19, this coordination is lost, leading to uncontrolled amplification of the immune system. The research was published Jan. 21 in Nature Communications. They made their discoveries using blood cells obtained from patients throughout disease progression, at early and late points of time in the disease in patients who were hospitalized but recovered, and in those with progressive COVID-19 who required hospitalization and eventually succumbed to the disease. The researchers applied novel technologies called single-cell multi-omics, that dramatically increase the resolution of molecular analysis and allow characterization of all of the genes, and many of the proteins, in every single cell. "This allows accurate definition of the immune cells, the pathways and mechanisms that are activated in them, and the signals they send to other cells," explained the paper's co-first author, Avraham Unterman, MD, MBA, formerly of Yale's Kaminski Lab who is currently the head of the pulmonary fibrosis service at the Pulmonary Institute at Tel Aviv Medical Center. Naftali Kaminski, MD, is the Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine and a senior author on the study. The technique is called single-cell multi-omic technologies. The adaptive immune system, which attacks pathogens, and the innate immune system, which initially recognizes the infection, are supposed to be coordinated, added Charles Dela Cruz, MD, Ph.D., also a senior author on the paper. "When they are not coordinated, the clearance of the virus is delayed, the infection is amplified, and the host immune response to the virus becomes dysregulated, which can be very dangerous for patients." The paper's co-first author, Tomokazu S. Sumida, MD, Ph.D., assistant professor (neurology), added, "This was an amazing effort. We collected the samples, and applied the most novel technologies to profile the immune system with results that provide true insight into the disease process driven by the virus." David A. Hafler, MD, William S. and Lois Stiles Edgerly Professor of Neurology and Professor of Immunobiology is a senior author on the study. "To develop therapies for severe COVID-19, we need to understand the immune response," said Dela Cruz. "While there are now anti-inflammatory interventions, they are not specific. The findings from this study may allow identification of new novel therapies. This work was really a testament of the collaborative efforts of many individuals who responded to the pandemic." Clinical samples were obtained through the efforts of the Yale IMPACT team who recruited patients with COVID-19. Having an interdisciplinary research team was a key to the study's success, said contributor Xiting Yan, Ph.D. "The fusion created when immunologists, physicians, and biologists work with computational biologists and bioinformaticians is very powerful and was essential for the study," Yan said. More information: Avraham Unterman et al, Single-cell multi-omics reveals dyssynchrony of the innate and adaptive immune system in progressive COVID-19, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Avraham Unterman et al, Single-cell multi-omics reveals dyssynchrony of the innate and adaptive immune system in progressive COVID-19,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27716-4 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new Dartmouth-led study, published in the journal Environmental International, reveals how prenatal exposure to mixtures of commonly found metals can adversely affect fetal growth. Fetal growth is linked to future healthinfants who are born small for their gestational age experience greater rates of neonatal mortality and are at a higher risk of developing neurocognitive impairment in childhood and cardiometabolic disease later in life. A growing number of studies have established that toxic metals, coming from sources such as contaminated food and drinking water and polluted air and dust, are prevalent in the environment, and many of these metals can cross the placenta or alter placental function, contributing to reduced fetal growth. But prior research looking at metal impacts on fetal growth have typically looked at one metal at a time and within an individual population. "The limitation of that is usually we're exposed to a complex mixture of multiple metals simultaneously that might interact with each other, and exposure ranges can be narrow in just one population for a given metal," explains lead author Caitlin Howe, Ph.D., an assistant professor of epidemiology at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine whose research focuses on toxic metal exposures and their impacts on maternal and child health. "So, our goal was to look across multiple diverse populations with different types of exposures, so we could get a better sense of the full dose response relationship for some of these chemicals in the context of the larger mixture," she says. To accomplish this, the researchers conducted an environmental mixture analysis of metal impacts on fetal growth, pooling data from three geographically and demographically diverse groups in the U.S. The groups, located in New Hampshire, Los Angeles, and Puerto Rico, participate in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Programa nationwide research program supported by the NIH that studies the effects of a broad range of early environmental influences on child health and development. Using a novel statistical approach that can account for complex mixtures of pollutants, the investigators examined associations between seven commonly found metals (antimony, cadmium, cobalt, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, and tin) measured in 1,002 maternal urine samples that were collected during pregnancy, and birthweight for gestational age. They also investigated potential differences between groups and the sex of the infants. "Our most consistent finding was that antimony, an understudied metal, was associated with lower birthweight for gestational age across all three of the groups and in both males and females, suggesting that it may adversely impact fetal growth," says Howe. "So, that's an element where we would want to identify what the main sources of exposure are so that we can help reduce that exposure to prevent harmful effects on fetal growth in these different populations." For example, the higher antimony concentrations observed in the Los Angeles and Puerto Rico groups may be due to their urban locations, as traffic-related air pollution from brake wear and tear is known to be an important source of antimony exposure, as are smelting and coal-fired plants and waste incinerators. In contrast, bottled water may be a relevant source of antimony exposure for all three groups. While the researchers did identify some group- and/or sex-dependent associations for many of the other metals studied, says Howe, they lacked the consistency that was seen for the antimony results and therefore merit further investigation. "Our hope is that we can do a larger study in the future that includes more cohorts, so that we can look further into what's driving those inconsistencies and better understand the potential differences due to geography or other population characteristics," says Howe. Explore further Metals and metalloids may alter prenatal hormone concentrations during pregnancy: study More information: Caitlin G. Howe et al, Prenatal metal(loid) mixtures and birth weight for gestational age: A pooled analysis of three cohorts participating in the ECHO program, Environment International (2022). Journal information: Environment International Caitlin G. Howe et al, Prenatal metal(loid) mixtures and birth weight for gestational age: A pooled analysis of three cohorts participating in the ECHO program,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107102 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In the spring of 2020, Universite de Montreal biochemistry professor Christian Baron had an idea: Why not evaluate the inhibition capacity of a commercially available molecule called VE607 on the virus causing COVID-19? VE607 was first identified in 2004 to fight SARS, a close cousin of SARS-CoV-2. Given the rapid end of SARS infections, its development was prematurely abandoned. Seeing an opportunity to bring it back to life in the fight against a new pandemic, Baron spoke to his UdeM colleague Andres Finzi, a virologist at the university's teaching hospital research center, the CRCHUM. "I must admit that I didn't believe in it at first," recalled Finzi, holder of the Canada Research Chair in Retroviral Entry and professor at UdeM in the Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology. "We had already tried to reuse other existing molecules and the results were mixed. But since then we discovered that VE607 works very well with all the SARS-CoV-2 variantsAlpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron, all of them were inhibited." In a new, non-peer-reviewed study posted on the bioRxiv prepublication server, Baron, Finzi and collaborators demonstrated that VE607 attaches to the virus spike (S protein), the "key to entry of the virus," freezing it in a particular conformation and thus preventing it from unlocking the door of healthy cells and infecting them. Tests on humans at least a year away In their study, done in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Ottawa and four U.S. universities, the two co-authors and their lab teams also found that VE607 stabilizes the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in its "up" conformation. That's important, they said, because it could explain why the variants were inhibited, as RBD is a key component of the virus that allows it to dock with the body's receptors to enter cells. "Bringing to light the efficacy of this new coronavirus inhibitor opens the way to the development of new drugs for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19-related infections," said Baron. "It should take at least one year to optimize the inhibition capacity and to do tests on humans." Explore further COVID-19 antibodies remain in the body 10 months after infection More information: Shilei Ding et al, VE607 Stabilizes SARS-CoV-2 Spike In the "RBD-up" Conformation and Inhibits Viral Entry, (2022). Shilei Ding et al, VE607 Stabilizes SARS-CoV-2 Spike In the "RBD-up" Conformation and Inhibits Viral Entry,(2022). DOI: 10.1101/2022.02.03.479007 Kyle Nguyen, left, Maca Franco and Lydia Bastian. Credit: Hannah O'Leary, Oregon State University Oregon State University scientists have discovered a new class of potential drug targets for people suffering from neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's disease. The possible targets are oxidized proteins, and researchers in the OSU College of Science are now in pursuit of the best way to attack them. A drug target is any molecule critical to the process a disease follows, meaning its disruption can prevent or slow illness progression. Findings were published in Redox Biology. Neurodegenerative diseases happen because nerve cells lose function over time and ultimately perish. The diseases affect millions of people worldwide, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are the most common ones, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Alzheimer's Disease Association estimates more than 6 million Americans suffer from that condition, and another 1 million have Parkinson's, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. Any individual's risk of developing a neurological disease increases with age, which means that with people living longer, a growing number of cases is likely coming over the next few decades, the NIH says. Franco, assistant professor of biochemistry and biophysics, explains that with medical conditions involving inflammation, including neurogenerative disorders, diseased cells produce peroxynitritethe most powerful oxidant a cell can make. An oxidant, also referred to as an oxidizing agent or oxidizer, is anything able to oxidize other substancesi.e., take electrons from them in chemical reactions. Oxidative stress brought on by inflammation results in the production of oxidants and free radicals that can damage cellular molecules such as DNA, lipids and proteins and cause a range of health problems. Franco and collaborators at Oregon State, the University of Central Florida and Rollins College found that when peroxynitrite oxidizes Hsp90short for heat shock protein 90it triggers the activation of signals inside of the cells that lead them to die by "suicide" in a process called apoptosis, Franco said. "We had earlier found that oxidation of specific molecules by peroxynitrite leads to the death of motor neurons, the cells that carry signals from the brain to the muscles to coordinate muscle movement," said OSU's Maria Clara Franco. "Now we know that the oxidation of different parts of Hsp90 can elicit different toxic functions in the protein." The normal function of Hsp90 is to support healthy cellular processes, but oxidation can have profound effects on the three-dimensional structure of a protein such as Hsp90, altering its function, Franco said. "By understanding the ways that oxidation modifies the Hsp90 structure, and how the oxidized protein works in the cells, we can look for drugs that bind to the modified structure of Hsp90 and stop its toxic function without affecting the activity of normal Hsp90 in healthy tissues," she said. "That means such drugs should have minimal to no side effects." Oregon State undergraduate student Asra Noor helped Franco lead the study along with Megan Jandy and Pascal Nelson, researchers at the University of Central Florida. Collaborators also included Carrie Marean-Reardon, Ryan Mehl and Alvaro Estevez of OSU. Explore further Protein may trigger cancer cell's metabolism More information: Megan Jandy et al, Peroxynitrite nitration of Tyr 56 in Hsp90 induces PC12 cell death through P2X7R-dependent PTEN activation, Redox Biology (2022). Megan Jandy et al, Peroxynitrite nitration of Tyr 56 in Hsp90 induces PC12 cell death through P2X7R-dependent PTEN activation,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102247 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain COVID-19 infections in Ontario are disproportionately concentrated in areas with lower-income and racialized groups. A new study shows the devastating impact that inequity poses for schools, students and families in those communities. A research team led by Western University global education expert Prachi Srivastava found socio-economic characteristics, like ethnic concentration, residential instability and basic need deprivation of the geographic location of schools were more strongly associated with the number of elementary school student infections than individual school characteristics. "To borrow a phrase from real estate: It's about location, location, location," said Srivastava. "Where schools were located really mattered, far more than the socio-economic characteristics of individual school populations." The study, co-authored by Western psychologists Daniel Ansari and Nathan Lau and Dr. Nisha Thampi from CHEO, a pediatric health-care and research center in Ottawa, is available now in pre-print via medRxiv. "Publicly funded schools account for 94 percent of all enrolment in Ontario, which makes the fact that the province endured the longest period of school closures in the country, at an average of 26 weeks between March 2020 and June 2021, even more devastating for the two million students in Ontario," said Srivastava, education professor at Western. Upon investigation, Srivastava and her collaborators discovered elementary schools in marginalized areas in Ontario were more negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic than other areas of the province. Schools with a higher proportion of students from lower-income households had a higher cumulative incidence of COVID-19 student infections in the 202021 school year. This relationship was significant but not as strong as characteristics of the geographic location of the school. Srivastava says based on these findings, the province must prioritize schools in these communities when developing education and learning recovery plans. "We can reasonably assume there likely would have been more students isolating, more classes sent home, and potentially, more school closures in those areas. While we don't have those specific data, we know COVID-19 did not affect schools across different areas in the same ways." From a policy perspective, these findings actually minimize some of the decision-making when it comes to implementing recovery plans, says Srivastava. "Governments should prioritize schools in more marginalized areas for infection prevention and mitigation measures, and in education continuity and recovery plans en masse," said Srivastava. "Additionally, targeted resources should be allocated to schools with disadvantaged school populations." In November 2020, Srivastava and her collaborators launched the COVID-19 School Dashboard, which proved critical in visualizing school infections, the basis for this new study. The interactive tool reports and maps confirmed school-related cases of COVID-19 in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario, Canada, and connects this to school-level social background characteristics and demographic data. "Until now, we assumed socio-economic conditions were a factor. Our results confirm this," said Srivastava. "Knowing the geographic distribution of all school cases for the 202021 school year, we were able to investigate the effects of school- and area-based socio-economic factors on elementary school student COVID-19 infections." The Ontario government ceased school infection data collection in January, leaving a critical gap in available information to continue this kind of research even though the pandemic is ongoing, said Srivastava. Explore further Education professor outlines measures for meaningful education reform post-COVID More information: Prachi Srivastava et al, Effects of socio-economic factors on elementary school student COVID-19 infections in Ontario, Canada (2022). Prachi Srivastava et al, Effects of socio-economic factors on elementary school student COVID-19 infections in Ontario, Canada (2022). DOI: 10.1101/2022.02.04.22270413 Credit: National Institutes of Health When Atlanta resident Blaze Eppinger has a sickle cell pain crisis bad enough to need emergency room care, he sometimes has to wait hours for treatment. That's despite 2014 guidelines from the National Institutes of Health that state medical personnel should "rapidly initiate analgesic therapy within 30 minutes of triage or within 60 minutes of registration." Sickle cell gets its name from the way some of a victim's red blood cells are shaped like crescent moons, or sickles, instead of being round. The rigid, sticky sickle cells become stuck in small blood vessels, slowing or blocking blood flow and oxygen, and causing pain in the chest, joints and bones. These pain episodes can sometimes be so severe the sufferer has to go to the emergency room for a blood transplant and pain medications. But, Eppinger said, "As far as adult care, you go into the emergency room, and you wait hours and hours on end. The NIH guideline, that's not a reality for people living with sickle cell. Somehow, once you turn into an adult, you just turn into this junkie who just shows up for the pain meds. It's crazy." Eppinger, whose job is advocacy and transition assistance at the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, has started a petition to change that. The Change.org petition seeks consistency in treatment that follows the NIH guides. Marketing consultant Alexis Lott said she's had the same experience Eppinger described. Although both say care for pediatric sickle cell patients is excellent, "once I transitioned at 18 years old, everything changed," Lott said. "One of the first things that happens if you go into the emergency room as (an adult) sickle cell patient is, are you a drug addict? Are you here for the medication? Are you here to, you know, basically get high?" said Lott, who splits her time between Atlanta and Columbus. "That sort of thing is what you get from the not necessarily nurses, but the doctors." "That's everywhere," Eppinger added. "Advocacy is a big part of what I do here at the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, so I have a lot of friends across the United States who have sickle cell, and it's everywhere. You know, it's a stigma that they go through." Eppinger's petition reads, in part: "What I hope to achieve with this petition is one word, protocol. ... Sadly the consensus from the Sickle cell community does not reflect the data NIH published. Doctors are hesitant to administer certain medications, triage can take hours, and bedside manner can leave patients feeling unheard. I ask with these signatures that we receive consistency. Someone in pain should not dread the treatment they may receive when visiting the local ER room. You would like to feel a sense of relief when visiting the hospital, as you know your pain will soon be alleviated. This is a real problem, If you don't believe us, believe the National Institutes of Health." Explore further Understanding sickle cell disease 2022 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. South Africa: President: No room for error in State security President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will immediately fill critical vacancies and address positions affected by suspensions in the State Security Agency and Crime Intelligence. This follows the release of the report of the expert panel on the civil unrest which occurred in July 2021, which gripped parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Delivering the State of the Nation Address in Cape Town on Thursday evening, President Ramaphosa said the report paints a deeply disturbing picture of the capabilities of security services and the structures that exist to coordinate their work. The expert panel said that if the violence has exposed anything, it was the poverty and inequality that is the root cause of the desperation of the people of South Africa. We are taking steps to safeguard our democracy, protect our economic infrastructure and build safer communities for all. The report concludes that governments initial handling of the July 2021 events was inept, police operational planning was poor, there was poor coordination between the State security and intelligence services, and police are not always embedded in the communities they serve, the President said. The expert panel found that Cabinet must take overall responsibility for the events of July 2021. The panel was mandated to examine all aspects of the security response to the unrest, and to make recommendations on how to strengthen security capabilities. President Ramaphosa said as part of implementing the panels recommendations, government will begin to immediately fill critical vacancies and address positions affected by suspensions in the State Security Agency and Crime Intelligence. We will soon be announcing leadership changes in a number of security agencies to strengthen our security structures. The staffing of the Public Order Policing Unit of the South African Police Service will be brought to an appropriate level, with appropriate training courses in place. The ongoing damage to and theft of economic infrastructure has damaged confidence and severely constrained economic growth, investment and job creation. At the same time, we need to confront the criminal gangs that invade construction sites and other business places to extort money from companies, President Ramaphosa said. The First Citizen said government will take on board the recommendations of the panel, and develop and drive a national response plan to address the weaknesses that the panel has identified. Government released the report of the panel into last years civil unrest earlier this week. Meeting security issues head-on President Ramaphosa said government has established specialised multi-disciplinary units to address economic sabotage, extortion at construction sites and vandalism of infrastructure. We will make resources available to recruit and train an additional 12 000 new police personnel to ensure that the SAPS urgently gets the capacity it needs, the President said. President Ramaphosa said another area of immediate attention will be the re-establishment of community policing forums to improve relations and coordination between local police and residents of the areas they serve. It is clear from the observations of the expert panel that we need to take a more inclusive approach to assessing the threats to our countrys security and determining the necessary responses. I am calling on all South Africans through their various formations to participate in developing our National Security Strategy, President Ramaphosa said. A total of R1.5 billion was approved to support businesses affected by the looting and unrest in July last year. Security services have been tasked by the National Security Council to urgently develop implementation plans that address the range of recommendations made by the expert panel. The members of the panel include Prof Sandy Africa as chair, Advocate Mojanku Gumbi and Silumko Sokupa. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Many have been surprised by the slower-than-expected uptake of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines by U.S. adults. While politics and misinformation contribute, particularly in some populations, language barriers to information and vaccine scheduling tools also may play a role. In a study published January 21, 2022, in Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Chicago Medicine examined Hispanic vaccination rates in the 10 most populous U.S. cities, alongside an assessment of the availability of Spanish language COVID-19 vaccine resources in those regions. They found that the majority of the eight "big box" retailers they assessed did not have their main COVID-19 vaccine information page available in Spanish, and half did not offer vaccine scheduling in Spanish. Concurrently in the same cities, the Hispanic vaccination rates ranged from 29 percent to 49 percent, in comparison to 64 percent for the overall U.S. population. "We know that the pandemic has hit Latinx communities disproportionately," said co-author Diana Marino-Nunez, a second-year student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. "What would you do if you were Spanish-speaking and wanted access to a vaccine? We found that it's not straightforwardthere are multiple pages, multiple links you have to go through, where there are inconsistencies in language access. When we think about these public health issues of access, information distribution, and resourceswe rely on these big retailers, but many of them don't even have information available in Spanish. How can we change these things so they don't perpetuate the health disparities that we see in our communities?" The researchers pointed out that Hispanic populations often already face other forms of inequity, such as fewer internet and technology resources. More clicks may present additional barriers to accessing critical information needed for getting a vaccinationparticularly if the Spanish language information is only accessible via English language websites. "When we roll out policies, we need to think about health equity," said senior author Arshiya Baig, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine at UChicago Medicine. "It has to be part of the way that we provide access to testing, to vaccines, to care and follow-upand now, how we're providing at-home tests. Who are we excluding, and who are we including? By providing only four at-home tests per household, does this neglect the need of multigenerational homes? There may be some thought paid to equity when rolling out these policies but there is still a lot of inequity, even if it's unintentional." The researchers recommend that retailers increase the visibility of Spanish language resources on their websites, placing links to vaccine registration front and center. They say incorporating non-English resources into the planning and execution of public health strategies is critical for encouraging eligible individuals to register for and receive their vaccines. "Imagine navigating these resources, not as someone who is a member of the English-speaking community who is very tech-literate, but rather as someone whose primary language is not English who may not know much about computers and the internet," said Marino-Nunez. "We need resources that are very visible and very clear and not hidden behind English language pages. There needs to be a consideration for non-English speakersnot as an exception, an alternative or an afterthoughtbut rather as part of the main audience for these resources." The study, "Spanish Language Access to COVID-19 Vaccination Information and Registration in the 10 Most Populous Cities in the U.S.," included the additional authors Maria Isabel Paz and Vineet Arora, MD, MAPP, of the University of Chicago. Explore further Using a different language can reduce vaccine hesitancy More information: Maria Isabel Paz et al, Spanish Language Access to COVID-19 Vaccination Information and Registration in the 10 Most Populous Cities in the USA, Journal of General Internal Medicine (2022). Journal information: Journal of General Internal Medicine Maria Isabel Paz et al, Spanish Language Access to COVID-19 Vaccination Information and Registration in the 10 Most Populous Cities in the USA,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07325-z Mental health as a public health issue extends beyond COVID-19. Mental health is public health. The psychological fallout from COVID-19 is simply the latest illustration of that. Bernadette Boden-Albala, director, UCI Program in Public Health. Credit: Steve Zylius/UCI While the pandemic has brought mental health into sharper focus for many, 1 in 5 adults were receiving mental health treatment before the arrival of COVID-19. Addressing mental healthand unraveling the mysterious ways in which the brain drives our behaviors and emotionsrequires the collective work of scientists with expertise ranging from genetics to pharmacology and biomedical engineering to public health. "The most exciting scientific discoveries take place at that interface between different disciplines," says Dr. Steve Goldstein, UCI vice chancellor for health affairs. "Clinician scientists studying cognitive function is one classic example of mental health research. But at UCI, our cross-disciplinary focus, bringing together expertise and resources, allows us to make even greater leaps of knowledge." While older adults were hit hardest by the COVID-19 virus, the pandemic exacted the greatest mental health toll among young people. In December 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a rare public health advisory warning about the rise in mental health problems among children, adolescents and young adults. "It would be a tragedy if we beat back one public health crisis only to allow another to grow in its place," he wrote. For at least a decade prior to the pandemic, rates of childhood mental health issues had been rising steadily, with suicide the second-leading cause of death for 10- to 24-year-olds, after accidental injury. During the first six months of the pandemic, when most children were largely sheltering at home, emergency visits for mental health problems jumped 24 percent for children five to 11 and 31 percent for those 12 to 17. "The surgeon general's recent advisory is unfortunate but unsurprising," says Bernadette Boden-Albala, director of UCI's Program in Public Health. "On its own, adolescence is a critical time for many young adults, who are still forming their identities and navigating the challenges that come with development. Add a global pandemic with long bouts of social isolation on top of that, and it's no wonder our youth are struggling with mental health." Doctors at UCI Medical Center say they're treating young patients in greater numbers, and with more acute symptoms, than ever before. "What we hear from our patients is that they feel as if they're in a pressure cooker at home," says Dr. Paramjit Joshi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist who serves as interim chair of psychiatry & human behavior at the UCI School of Medicine. "The parents are equally stressed out handling their own work and providing child care at the same time, and there is often no space and breathing room for some families." For children who were already anxious or on the autism spectrum, the interruption in their social and emotional development may have created significant setbacks, says Jessica Borelli, UCI associate professor of psychological science, who runs a therapy center in Newport Beach. And school reopenings generated an entirely new crop of issues, ranging from teen angst about returning to class to toddlers experiencing severe separation anxiety because they'd never been away from their parents. "Without a doubt, we're facing a huge increase in demand for mental health services like nothing I've ever seen in my career before," Borelli says. Even as society moves back to a greater sense of normalcy, experts warn that the mental health challenges will take longer to return to pre-pandemic levels. "The kids in this country and around the world have lost a year, and in a child's life, there's so much growth in a yearnot just academic but also social and emotional," Joshi says. "I don't think this is going to subside anytime soon. The mental health pandemic continues alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, and the psychological effects might last much longer." On the frontlines The first healthcare worker to encounter a patient grappling with a mental health problem is usually not a psychiatrist like Joshi or psychologist like Borelli. It's often a nurse, family physician or emergency room doctor. "People with mental health challenges present to every part of the healthcare ecosystem," Goldstein says. "So we need to have people cross-trained to communicate well, recognize various aspects of mental health, and know how to embrace and help someone in need." To that end, more than 500 primary care doctors from across the country have been taught to better recognize and treat behavioral health issues through the UCI School of Medicine's Train New Trainers fellowship. After completing the yearlong program, participants receive ongoing mentorship from UCI faculty and are expected to help educate other professionals in their communities to improve mental healthcare. "Sixty-five percent of mental healthcare is delivered in the primary care setting," says Dr. Robert McCarron, who directs the TNT program and serves as assistant dean of continuing medical education. "These primary care doctors are finding themselves spending a big part of every day working with patients who have substance abuse or psychiatric issues, but they often get suboptimal psychiatry training during their residencies." The fellowship recently received $10 million from the state to train more than 600 seasoned primary care doctors, mostly from California, over the next five years. Understanding Early Roots Because three-quarters of adults with mental illness began experiencing symptoms before the age of 24, understanding the early-life origins of mental disorders is key. One of the most tantalizing questions researchers are pursuing: What factors help protect young people from or make them more susceptible to future mental health problems? Dr. Tallie Z. Baram, the Danette Shepard Professor of Neurological Sciences, oversees $25 million in research funding from the National Institute of Mental Health as director of the Conte Center @ UCI. Described by those who work there as an "intellectual playhouse," the center brings together neurobiologists, epigeneticists, psychologists, molecular biologists and clinicians, as well as biostatisticians and computer scientists, to study how the brain evolves and changes as a result of adverse early-life experiencesbeginning inside the womb and throughout childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. "Genetics plays a major role in who we are and how we function, but genetics is not fate," Baram says. "What happens to us early in life is profound because this time is an especially sensitive period for the brain." Certain childhood experiences are widely recognized as negatively affecting mental healthneglect, abuse, an incarcerated parent. But Baram focuses on a lesser known and more subtle factor: predictability from parents and the environment. "What the developing brain sees as adversity is not necessarily what we see as adversity," she explains. Baram's research has shown that the complex circuitry of a child's brain is affected by unpredictable signalswhich could mean not having a stable routine, a parent frequently interrupting interactions with the child to check the phone, or a parent having volatile outbursts. In addition to studying infants and children, Conte Center researchers use sophisticated imaging tools to look into the brains of mice and ratswhose genetics and environmental factors can be controlled in a laband then corroborate their findings in people. In this way, they found that unpredictable parenting impacts a baby's brain circuitry. As the neuroscience saying goes, "Neurons that fire together wire together," and for babies, predictable environments allow the neurons of pleasure to fuse together. Think, for example, of how a smile sweeps across a baby's face when an adult repeatedly brings out a familiar toy, puts it in the same place, and repeats the same silly sounds and motions with it. Later in life, strong and well-wired pleasure circuits that the baby's brain built play a role in resilience to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and, potentially, addiction. The upheaval that COVID-19 creates within families has provided a rare opportunity to see the effects of predictability on children's mental health within a short period of time. In a study cited in the U.S. surgeon general's mental health advisory, Baram's team found that maintaining structured, predictable family routines amid the turmoil of working from home and the stress of the pandemic significantly protected preschool-age children from the negative mental health effects of the pandemic. The state of California recently granted Baram $2.9 million to launch a study of the mental health effects of unpredictability in 100,000 Orange County children, in collaboration with CHOC Children's Hospital and Chapman University. The researchers will also look for biomarkers that could predict how resilient or vulnerable a child may be to adversity. An ever-changing brain Early life is highly impactful, but the brain is ever-changing and susceptible to significant stressors. For example, living in a pandemic has left many people feeling mentally fuzzyand it isn't a figment of their imagination. "Our brains are really, really good at dealing with acute stressors such as a deadline or test. But chronic levels of stress may have long-lasting effects on the brain," says Michael Yassa, UCI professor of neurobiology & behavior and director of UCI's Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. When the brain is exposed to stress over long periods of time, cortisolthe hormone that famously fuels our flight-or-fight responsecan rewire the brain's circuitry, decreasing interaction among brain cells and lessening plasticity, making it harder for us to communicate and learn new things. "All of this leads to people feeling like their cognition is impaired, including memory loss and attention deficitall those things we're hearing people experience during the pandemic," Yassa says. "Raising our baseline anxiety has real and serious consequences for the brain." The good news is that as the stress of the pandemic gradually recedes and many people hit reset on their work and life priorities, this mental fog will lift, he says. But in extreme circumstances, the adult brain can be rewired in more lasting ways. New research by Yassa and Baram focuses on the changes in brains of mothers who have lost a child. The team members identified, for the first time, what they believe is the biological basis of maternal grief that persists for months and years after a child's death and impacts hundreds of thousands of mothers in the U.S. and millions around the world. They found that the brain circuitry of grieving mothers was forever changed, especially in networks involving a less understood area of the brain called the paraventricular thalamus. This region may play a role in the persistence of stress in both adults and children. "The PVT seems to hold onto memories of an adverse experience," Yassa says. "And in the case of maternal grief, it can rewire the adult brain in an enduring fashion." Anxiety and Alzheimer's A surprise was how well many older adults have fared emotionally during the pandemic, despite isolation and the physical health threat that COVID-19 poses for the elderly. "Older adults were able to fit the pandemic into their more global world view, mobilizing their compassion and resilience, and perhaps adapt in a way that younger adults may be less able to," says Dr. David Sultzer, director of the clinical core at the federally designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Center housed at UCI's Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders. Sultzer and colleagues are exploring mental health in later life, untangling the connection between Alzheimer's disease and mood disorders. While it's common for people with dementia to feel depressed or anxious, those states may also be early signs of the disease. "Late-life symptoms like apathy, anxiety and depression appear to be related to the development of Alzheimer's and are probably a fundamental part of the illness process," Sultzer says. While this doesn't mean that anyone who feels depressed or anxious in later life will go on to develop Alzheimer's, the relationship intrigues him. Unraveling the link between mood disorders and Alzheimer's may provide additional opportunities to intervene in the disease, which 12.7 million Americans will be living with by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Hopeful horizons The driving hope behind this wide-ranging mental health research is that it will prevent and alleviate suffering. Baram and colleagues are studying thousands of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to look for patterns in early-life experiences that could predict which soldiers are most vulnerable to PTSD. Someday, those at highest risk for developing the disorder could be identified before being deployed to combat situations. Additionally, Conte Center researchers have successfully rewired neural networks in mice, using a benign virus carrying a special gene that's sensitive to light and then shining a light to activate or deactivate the cells. Baram envisions a future in which it might be possible to employ such a technique to safely repair the pleasure circuits in people's brains, relieving many symptoms of common mental illnesses. Peering inside brains to understand the mechanisms of mental health at the neural level opens new opportunities for treatment and also to destigmatize disorders. "We need to educate our parents, community and students that not only is mental illness treatable, but there's a biology behind it that makes it on par with any other physical condition," Yassa says. "It's all in your head? Yes, those are brain cells and connections, and that's physical, just like diabetes, arthritis or anything else." As anyone who has persevered through the challenges of the early 2020s can attest, mental health is essential to overall well-being. "We can't separate the head from the rest of the body," Joshi says. "Taking care of the whole patient means truly valuing their mental health as well as their physical health." A therapist's advice for parents Jessica Borelli is an associate professor of psychological science at UCI and a clinical psychologist with a practice in Newport Beach. As advocacy groups and the U.S. surgeon general sound the alarm about the rise in mental health problems among children and adolescents, Borelli offers advice for parents. "The worst thing is a kid who's struggling on their own, and the parent knows nothing about it," she says. "There can be years of hurt and pain that could have been addressed earlier, but the child just didn't realize the parent was available to help them." Kids are inherently afraid of violating their parents' expectations. Borelli encourages parents to tell their children explicitly, "There is nothing you could feel, think or do that would make me not love you. You can tell me anything." Don't assume your kids know you're there for them, she says; they need to be reminded frequently, "I'm here to listen." Borelli urges parents to create space in their busy lives to talk about feelings openlywhen no one is on their phone. When your child expresses something difficult, she says, reinforce that they did the right thing by telling you, perhaps by responding, "I'm so glad you shared this with me. There's no feeling that's too big to handle together." Parents can help their children navigate most of the challenges of growing up, but if you suspect serious mental health issues, seek professional assistance. Borelli says, "The kids who are at greatest risk are the ones who are suffering in silence, whose parents have no insight into what's going on with them." 1 in 9 adults experience regular feelings of worry, nervousness or anxiety. 1 in 5 adults receive mental health treatment annually. Almost half of the 8.2 million adults with schizophrenia or severe bipolar disorder are untreated. 61% of people with mood disorders say others treat them differently after learning of their diagnosis Black and Hispanic adults are half as likely to receive mental health treatment as white adults. 1 in 13 adults have a substance abuse disorder. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The highly contagious omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 became the dominant strain in the United States in mid-December 2021, coinciding with a rise in hospitalizations of patients with COVID-19. Among those admitted during the omicron surge, vaccinated adults had less severe illness compared with unvaccinated adults and were less likely to land in intensive care, according to a new study by Cedars-Sinai and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Overall, the omicron-period group had a lower likelihood of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and were also less likely to require invasive mechanical ventilation compared with the delta-period group," said Matthew Modes, MD, a pulmonologist at Cedars-Sinai and co-first author of the paper. Investigators also found that during the omicron period fewer patients died while hospitalized (4.0%), compared with those admitted when the delta variant was dominant (8.3%). In a single-hospital study published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, scientists looked at the characteristics of 339 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, from July to September of 2021, when the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 was dominant. They compared that group with 737 patients admitted with COVID-19 during December 2021-January 2022, when the omicron variant was most prevalent. Clinical information was gathered from the electronic health records of the patients in the study and then analyzed by a team of investigators led by Sharon Isonaka, MD, MS, chief value officer and vice president for Clinical Efficiency and Value at Cedars-Sinai. The analysis revealed that a greater portion of the patients hospitalized during omicron were vaccinated as compared to patients hospitalized during the summer of 2021 when the delta variant predominated, likely reflecting the higher percentage of the populations that were vaccinated during omicron. "In addition to the protection that vaccination offered people admitted to the hospital when omicron dominated, we saw that the addition of a booster dose appeared to be particularly important in reducing the severity of illness, especially among older adults," said Peter Chen, MD, senior author of the study and director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Cedars-Sinai. "Unvaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the omicron variant dominance still had a higher chance of being admitted with serious complications and appeared to be at higher risk for the development of respiratory failure, compared with vaccinated patients," said Chen, who holds the Medallion Chair in Molecular Medicine and is a professor of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Large numbers of hospitalizations during the pandemic have strained health systems throughout the country. Vaccination, including a booster dose for those who are fully vaccinated, remains critical for mitigating the risk of severe illness associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. "A clear pattern emerges if you take just the omicron-period patients and compare their vaccination status against the percentage of them who ended up in the ICU. The more vaccinated someone isfrom unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, fully vaccinated without a booster dose to fully vaccinated with a booster dosethe better the outcome for the patient," said Michael Melgar, MD, a co-first author of the study and a medical officer with the CDC. More information: Matthew E Modes et al, Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes Among Adults Hospitalized with Laboratory-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Periods of B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant PredominanceOne Hospital, California, July 15September 23, 2021, and December 21, 2021January 27, 2022, MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2022). Journal information: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Matthew E Modes et al, Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes Among Adults Hospitalized with Laboratory-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Periods of B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant PredominanceOne Hospital, California, July 15September 23, 2021, and December 21, 2021January 27, 2022,(2022). DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7106e2 THURSDAY, Feb. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The fossilized bones of a young dinosaur show evidence of a respiratory infection that may have caused familiar flu-like symptoms fever, coughing and trouble breathing. Dolly, as she's been dubbed by researchers, was an immature diplodocid a large, long-necked plant-eating sauropod. Her remains were found in southwest Montana and date back about 150 million years to the late Jurassic period. Close examination of three of Dolly's neck bones revealed never-before-seen protrusions with an unusual shape and texture. The abnormal growths were in an area that would have been penetrated by air-filled sacs connected to Dollys lungs. CT imaging revealed the protrusions were made of abnormal bone that most likely formed in response to a respiratory infection. "Given the likely symptoms this animal suffered from, holding these infected bones in your hands, you can't help but feel sorry for Dolly," said Cary Woodruff, director of paleontology at the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum in Malta, Montana. "We've all experienced these same symptoms coughing, trouble breathing, a fever, etc. and here's a 150-million-year-old dinosaur that likely felt as miserable as we all do when we're sick," Woodruff said in a news release from Ohio University. The discovery, possibly the first evidence of a unique respiratory infection in a dinosaur, adds to understanding of the illnesses that occurred in dinosaurs, according to the authors of the study, which was published Feb. 10 in the journal Scientific Reports. The researchers speculate that Dolly's illness could have been caused by a fungal infection similar to aspergillosis. It's a common respiratory disease that affects modern-day birds and reptiles. It can cause bone infections. If untreated, aspergillosis can be fatal in birds, so it's possible that a similar infection in Dolly could have ultimately caused her death, Woodruff and his colleagues suggested. Aspergillosis can also affect humans. "This fossil infection in Dolly not only helps us trace the evolutionary history of respiratory-related diseases back in time, but gives us a better understanding of what kinds of diseases dinosaurs were susceptible to," Woodruff explained. More information There's more on aspergillosis at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SOURCE: Ohio University, news release, Feb. 10, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. THURSDAY, Feb. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- An indoor mask mandate in New York State will end on Thursday, but masks will still be required in schools and for everyone using public transit. For the last two months, customers and workers statewide have been required to cover their faces or show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in most indoor settings. But the statewide indoor business mask-or-vaccine requirement will be lifted starting Thursday. The move is not mandatory: It remains optional for businesses, local governments and counties to enforce, state officials said in a news release. "As we begin a new phase in our response to this pandemic, my top priority is making sure we keep New York safe, open and moving forward," Governor Kathy Hochul said in the release. "I want to thank the health care workers, business owners and everyday New Yorkers who acted responsibly during the Omicron surge by masking up and getting vaccinated. But make no mistake: while we're moving in the right direction, this pandemic isn't over and our new Winter Toolkit shows us the path forward." Masks will still be required in schools, which will send test kits home with students when they begin their upcoming break. The masking mandate for schools will be reassessed in early March. New York's move to drop indoor mask mandates follows similar actions by a growing number of states, including California, which will ditch mask requirements for the vaccinated on Feb. 15. However, as reported earlier this week by CNN, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said her agency still "recommends that people mask in public indoor settings in areas of high or substantial transmission." Masking in schools is also still recommended by the CDC, regardless of vaccination status. "I am fully confident that it will be safe to have kids take off masks in school, particularly in schools with high vaccination rates," Dr. Megan Ranney, of Brown University School of Public Health, in Providence, R.I., told CBS News. "My worry is that we're not quite there yet." More information For more on masks, head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SOURCE: CBS News, CNN, New York State Governor's office news release You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. THURSDAY, Feb. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Combined use of opioids and stimulant drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine can be deadly, and in the United States Black communities have been hit especially hard by this lethal combo, new research indicates. Over a 12-year period, Black Americans have had much larger increases in overdose deaths from opioids and stimulant drugs than other racial groups, an analysis of federal government data found. Driving this alarming trend is the growing contamination of non-opioid drugs by fentanyl, an extremely potent synthetic opioid, New York University researchers said. Between 2007 and 2019, there was a 575% increase in the rate of Black Americans dying from opioid and cocaine overdoses, compared to a 184% increase among white Americans, according to the study. In 2019, overdose death rates from methamphetamines and other stimulants (MOS) were lower than from cocaine/opioids. But in recent years, researchers saw that MOS/opioid overdose death rates rose 16,200% among Black people, compared with 3,200% among white people. "While all racial and ethnic groups we examined are dying in greater numbers from opioids combined with stimulants, we are alarmed to see these trends worsening so much faster in marginalized communities that have historically been less affected by the current epidemic," said study lead author Tarlise Townsend. She is a postdoctoral researcher in population health at NYU Langone, in New York City. "We need to be targeting harm reduction and treatment strategies to those who are being hardest hit," Townsend said in an NYU news release. The analysis found that overdose deaths from opioids and stimulants rose in all racial groups and across the country, but increased more than three times faster among Black Americans than among white Americans, particularly in eastern states. The researchers also found a significant increase in opioid and stimulant overdose deaths among Hispanic and Asian Americans versus whites. "Our findings bolster the argument that overdose prevention efforts should target not only people who use opioids, but also those who primarily use cocaine, methamphetamine, and other stimulants," said study co-author Magdalena Cerda, professor and director of the hospital's Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy. "Because of structural and systemic racism, adequate access to harm reduction and evidence-based substance use disorder treatment services is lacking in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. More state and federal funding for these programs are needed," according to Cerda. When the research team looked at state by state data, the largest Black/white disparity was in MOS/opioid deaths in the Midwest, according to the study. By 2019, rates of cocaine/opioid deaths among Black Americans were considerably higher in 47 states than among white Americans. In the South, deaths from cocaine and opioids rose 26% a year in Black people, 27% a year in Hispanic people and 12% a year in white people. Among Black Americans, death rates from opioids plus meth or other stimulants increased 66% per year in the Northeast, 72% per year in the Midwest, and 57% per year in the South, the researchers reported. The findings were published online Feb. 7 in the American Journal of Epidemiology. More information For more on overdose death rates, go to the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse. SOURCE: NYU Langone Health/NYU Grossman School of Medicine, news release, Feb. 8, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. THURSDAY, Feb. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly all men see their hairline recede or a bald spot emerge at some point in their life. For those looking to slow the march of time, a new study helps sort out which hair-loss medications work best. The analysis, of 23 previous studies, ranks the available hair-loss medications, from most effective to least. Experts said the list is helpful. The medications dutasteride, finasteride and minoxidil have long been used, but there has been little information on how they stack up against each other in effectiveness. "We don't have trials comparing these medications head-to-head," said Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist who was not involved in the research. That has left doctors without a solid answer to the inevitable question, which option works best? The new research will help fill that gap, according to Rossi, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, both in New York City. The top-ranking treatment was dutasteride (Avodart) capsules, at a dose of 0.5 milligrams a day. On average, it produced the biggest increase in total hair count after six months of use. That means men who use it can expect more hair to crop up where there was none, though that includes smaller, "peach fuzz" hairs. Next came finasteride (Propecia) pills, taken at a 5-mg dose each day, followed by the same dose of oral minoxidil (Rogaine). Not surprisingly, dose and administration mattered, the analysis found. A lower dose of finasteride (1 mg a day) ranked fourth, followed by two topical formulations of minoxidil, with the higher dose (5%) performing better than the lower (2%). At the bottom was low-dose oral minoxidil, taken as 0.25 mg per day. Effectiveness, however, is only part of the story, Rossi pointed out. "Dutasteride may outperform the others, but it may also have more side effects," he said. "And we have to counsel patients on that." Dutasteride can cause loss of libido, erectile dysfunction and breast tenderness, as well as a form of low blood pressure called orthostatic hypotension. In rare cases, men can have serious reactions to the drug that require medical attention, including skin peeling, face swelling and difficulty breathing. Finasteride can also dampen libido or cause breast tenderness, but only in a minority of patients, said Dr. Amy McMichael, a professor of dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. Whenever a healthy person has hair loss, the goal is to boost hair density while maintaining that good health, said McMichael, who was not involved in the study. "In general, topical minoxidil, oral finasteride and oral minoxidil are well tolerated by most patients and cause no side effects," she said. But any oral drug can cause issues like diarrhea or rash, McMichael noted, and even topical minoxidil has downsides: It can be burdensome to apply daily, and sometimes irritates the scalp, causing scaling or flaking. In the end, both doctors said, men need to discuss the pros and cons of each option with their dermatologist. The findings were published online Feb. 2 in JAMA Dermatology. They are based on 23 clinical trials, most of which compared medication against a placebo (an inactive substance). All three drugs were originally developed for purposes other than hair loss. Oral minoxidil was first used as a blood pressure drug; the topical formulation was created after doctors realized men taking the medication showed increased hair growth, according to Dr. Kathie Huang, who wrote an editorial published with the study. Meanwhile, both dutasteride and finasteride were first used to treat urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. The drugs block an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone the main hormonal contributor to male-pattern baldness, according to Huang, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Finasteride is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat men's hair loss; dutasteride is not, but doctors are allowed to prescribe it "off-label" for that purpose. In the real world, most patients with hair loss end up needing a combination of treatments. "Most often, the backbone of treatment is the combination of finasteride and topical minoxidil 5%," McMichael said. "But patients often get the best results with even more added to this backbone." That might include low-level laser light or platelet-rich plasma injected into the scalp. That plasma (the liquid portion of blood) is taken from the patient's own blood sample. Rossi agreed that finding the best treatment can be a process. "It's important to be realistic," he said. "Often, you won't hit a home run with a single option." He also recommended that men seeking help for hair loss see a dermatologist for a "full workup." That is, in part, to find out whether there is an underlying condition causing the hair loss, like a thyroid disorder or nutritional issue. More information The American Academy of Dermatology has more on male-pattern hair loss. SOURCES: Anthony Rossi, MD, assistant attending, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and assistant professor, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City; Amy McMichael, MD, professor and chair, dermatology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C.; JAMA Dermatology, Feb. 2, 2022, online You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. The skinny strip of Highway 93 between St. Ignatius and Ronan has some big changes in its future. Montana Department of Transportation officials are reaching the final planning stages of an expansion of the roadway, which crosses the wildlife-rich, waterlogged edge of the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. A feasibility study for the stretch is underway, but funding sources and preliminary engineering work haven't been finalized. Im sure none of you are surprised that thereve been a number of unexpected challenges to constructability, impacts and cost, MDT preconstruction engineer Jacquelyn Smith said during a public Zoom session about the project on Monday. Were still working on a design for Post Creek Hill. It is a very complex area. The two-lane highway from 7.6 miles north of St. Ignatius to 1.25 miles south of Ronan often has just 100 feet of right-of-way, when the usual road width for that kind of road is 160 feet. In addition to passing close by numerous pothole lakes and ponds, the ground underneath is riddled with water features and other unstable formations. Plus there are numerous side roads branching off, adding to the traffic complexity. An average 7,000 to 8,000 vehicles a day pass that section. The total grows about 35% during the summer season as tourists head for Flathead Lake, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Bison Range, and Glacier National Park. We see almost near-misses constantly, said Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana executive director Jo Cheff, whose parking lot abuts one of the skinniest stretches. Its the main artery between Missoula, Kalispell, Whitefish and Canada. The traffic is up, even in winter. And on top of it being narrow and skinny, there are all these side roads coming on and off with no turn lanes. That stretch has logged 84 vehicle crashes in the past five years, including five serious injuries and three fatalities. About a third of the wrecks involved a wild animal. Expansion plans also include a separate bike-pedestrian path alongside the highway. The current design does not involve increasing to four lanes, due to ecological concerns. At least five wildlife underpasses are in consideration. The wetlands see everything from painted turtles to grizzly bears attempting to cross the road. Costs for the project havent been finalized yet, although MDT officials said it would likely qualify for federal infrastructure bill funding. More information on the Highway 93 Ninepipes project can be found at mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/us93ninepipe. Public comments are still being accepted before the design is finalized. Submit questions and comments online at mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml or by email to Vicki Crnich (vcrnich@mt.gov) or Scott Randall (srandall@rpa-hln.com). Submissions should note that comments are for the US 93 Ninepipe Corridor Study. Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated project work was set to begin in late 2022. No date has been set for the highway work at this time. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 8 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Federal Building in downtown Missoula is a little closer to landing in local government hands for use as administrative office space. On Wednesday, Missoula City Councils Administration and Finance Committee voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with Missoula County to obtain the building. The referral will go to full city council next week for a public hearing and the Missoula County Commissioners will consider the proposal on Feb. 22. The citys population has nearly tripled since city hall was built, said John Adams, Missoulas strategic projects administrator. As the city increases in population, the demand for government services also increases. We have more streets to plow, more need for social services and more people in court. Its no surprise we need more employees and more space. If both local government entities agree, they will share the 120,000-square-foot historic building and get it from the United States government for free. The building is worth around $15 million and would likely take around $40 million to upgrade, city officials have said. The U.S. Postal service has an office in the three-story building at 200 East Broadway; it could potentially stay there and lease its space from the city and county. The building would be obtained under the National Park Services historic surplus property program. If all goes as planned, the title could be in local government hands by this fall. Current timelines have renovations done in 2024. Much of the building has been vacant since 2015, when U.S. Forest Service employees moved out to Fort Missoula. The Federal Building was constructed, in stages, beginning in 1911 and is on the National Register of Historical Places. Missoula and Missoula County would like the space to expand and have argued that it will be cheaper to redevelop the Federal Building than to build new or continue to lease space around downtown Missoula. The city alone spends around $180,000 per year leasing office space. A city hall addition and renovation would cost around $28 million. A new city hall building and a new county administrative building could combine to reach over $60 million, according to the projects Engage Missoula page. Its one of the five or six most important buildings downtown due to its age and beauty, Adams said. It should house about 400 (full-time employees) ultimately and thats a substantial portion of the workforce. In addition to office space, the renovation would include new courtrooms and city council chambers that would also be used for commissioners meetings. A number of administrative offices for the city and county would be housed in the building. The county clerk and treasurer may also be based there. Councilor Mirtha Becerra also asked if a child-care facility would be included as part of the plans for a renovated Federal Building. Adams told her much has yet to be decided about what will be included in the final plans. However, there are some things that are clear priorities. We anticipate putting all four municipal courts in the federal building, said Adams. We probably want to vacate city hall ... I want to leave a little caveat there. Its going to take a community process and thinking about the Missoula Police Departments needs as well. The police department is looking into its own questions about space and would not be housed in the Federal Building, a city report stated. Additionally, the Parks Department is headquartered at McCormick Park and will remain at that location. The interlocal agreement that shares costs, such as heating or HVAC systems, would be split equally between the two. However, it also says that if one entity is using a shared system more than the other, the entity using more will incur increased expenses. Project managers are allowed to resolve disagreements for expenses less than $25,000 and anything more than that will be discussed by the projects oversight team. There will be six project managers, three from each local government entity, the agreement says. In any project with a third party, the other (either the city or county) has to be involved, the agreement states. 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 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Going forward, Missoula city officials have agreed not to hire a controversial group that advocates for police violence. Earlier this week, city councilors approved about $8,000 for two recent police training sessions with a company, Killology Research Group, which is mired in controversy surrounding comments made by its director, former Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. In a video that surfaced online last year of a presentation by Killology in 2015, Grossman implies that sexual pleasure of police officers is amplified following a violent confrontation with a suspect. On Wednesday, Mayor John Engen sent a statement saying that he and Police Chief Jaeson White agree the videos of Grossman dont reflect the values or standards of our community and the department sworn to protect and serve Missoula. In light of what we now know, we wont be engaging Mr. Grossman or his associated company, Killology, again, Engen wrote. White that the two training sessions for Missoula police officers, held on Jan. 12 and Jan. 26, were focused on resiliency, were not fear-based and did not promote police violence. The chief also met with command staff to establish protocol for vetting trainers prior to using them in the department, which wasnt previously in place. (This is) to ensure that our officers receive the best professional support possible, which includes hiring vendors whose values align with the department and city as a whole, the statement said. The mayor reiterated his trust for the chief to move forward with the best interest of Missoulians. When asked why protocol for vetting potential police trainers was not already in place, the mayor said the city is a work in progress. "Often we dont develop policy or protocol unless theres a catalytic event," he said. "This case was a problem we never anticipated and are now solving for it." Engen also noted that feedback from the attending officers was positive. "All that aside, well be more diligent as we move forward and remain committed to creating an environment for professional development that meets the unique needs of Missoulas officers as they continue to serve our community," he said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Montana Supreme Court has upheld a Flathead District Court decision that evidence obtained during a warrantless search of a Missoula mans apartment in 2018 did not violate his constitutional rights. Arthur Peoples filed an appeal to the state Supreme Court in January 2019. The opinion was delivered Jan. 11 and was written by Justice Dirk Sandefur. Peoples was detained on his bed, naked, for 30 minutes while officials passed through and searched his apartment. He was convicted in 2003 in Flathead County of operating a methamphetamine laboratory and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. He was given a 20-year prison sentence with five of those years suspended. He was released to the custody of probation officers in February 2017. In the following months, he admitted to his probation officers that he had used meth on multiple occasions. In March 2018, probation officers went to Peoples apartment in Missoula to check on him for suspected drug use after his wife had tipped officials off the day prior. The officers said they knocked repeatedly and didnt receive an answer. When they gained entry, they found Peoples sitting on his bed with no clothing on with a bag of what looked like meth near him. One of the officers handcuffed Peoples who was still naked and left him there for about half an hour while other officers performed a protective sweep of the apartment. When Missoula police arrived, Peoples was still handcuffed without clothing on his bed. At the prompting of the MPD officer, the PO allowed Peoples to get dressed and the police officer later took him into custody regarding his suspected methamphetamine possession, the opinion reads. Peoples was calm and compliant throughout the process, the probation officer said in his testimony. A dissenting opinion from Justice Ingrid Gustafson notes that Peoples probation officer, Sam Stricker, said there was no concern for officer safety as there were no reports that Peoples had a weapon or was acting erratically. At the time of the search, local officials were investigating a possible homicide in the area. There was short-lived suspicion by law enforcement of Peoples, who is Black, potentially being involved in the homicide that was not based on any reliable information, that was likely related to his race, Assistant Appellate Defender Kathryn Hutchison said. Peoples was placed into custody and taken out of his apartment. Peoples retained counsel and answered not true to the alleged violations and subsequently filed a motion to suppress the drug evidence found at this apartment, saying law enforcement lacked sufficient justification for the search. In his appeal, Peoples asked the high court to determine if the Flathead County District Court erroneously denied the motion to suppress based on the search being conducted without a warrant. In the high courts majority opinion, Justice Sandefur writes that Peoples apartment was a constitutionally protected area in which he had reasonable expectation of privacy to the extent undiminished by his probation status. However, the court cites a Montana Constitution exception that stipulates that a probation officer can search a probationers home without a warrant or probable cause for evidence of violation of a probation condition or the criminal law. In Peoples case, his probation conditions required him to submit to a warrantless search of his person, vehicle, place of residence, and place of employment by his supervising officer whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that he has violated the law or any condition of his sentence. The court argues that the suspected methamphetamine use was sufficient cause for a warrantless search. Peoples does not dispute this, the opinion says. We hold that the District Court correctly found and concluded that the warrantless entry and search of his home for evidence of methamphetamine possession and use on March 16, 2018, was lawful under the probation search exception recognized under Article II, Sections 10-11 of the Montana Constitution, Justice Sandefur writes. Turning to the issue of Peoples 30-minute detainment while he was unclothed, the opinion says the state didnt articulate any reasonable justification for requiring Peoples to sit handcuffed naked on his bed for 30 minutes in the presence of several officers. However, the majority argued that 30-minute detainment would not be sufficient cause to exclude evidence turned up during the search (in this case, meth) because it wasnt until after they found the drugs that they handcuffed Peoples. In Gustafson's dissent, she says the way officers conducted themselves and treated Peoples during the search was unconstitutional and showed neglect for his welfare. Peoples probation officer, Stricker, followed up on Peoples wifes tip about a possible overdose over 24 hours after the call came in. When they entered his apartment, Peoples was conscious, alert, and cooperative with the officers, Justice Gustafsons opinion said. She points to the scope of the search in Peoples apartment. Body camera footage shows multiple officers from multiple agencies involved, combing through his apartment, all without a search warrant. This was a pre-planned forced entry search that required staffing with a supervisor for clearance to perform a forced entry and coordination with the U.S. Marshals to bring in someone with expertise in forced entry. The officers entered with guns drawn, Justice Gustafsons opinion says. She argues the probation officers violated Peoples constitutional rights with the way they detained him. Such conduct showed either callous disregard for human dignity or an intent to harass and intimidate Peoples, she writes. Our state constitution holds government actors to a higher standard than the actions taken by the officers in this case. Because of the baseless implication that Peoples might have been involved in a homicide, he faced judgment from his community and lost his apartment lease and business, Justice Gustafson added. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Officials from the Crow Nation on Wednesday asked state lawmakers to loosen up the restrictions specific to tribal cannabis enterprise, seeking a more level playing field in the new recreational market. The Crow Tribe was the first Indigenous nation in Montana to embrace cannabis, voting last year to enter the industry with its own ordinance in the same month the 2021 Legislature passed its regulatory framework. The state bill granted one marijuana business license to each tribal government, but the eight tribal governments within Montana have hardly engaged as hurdles emerged from the law's fine print. Montana recreational cannabis sales topped $12.8 million in its first month, and $1.5 million in its first weekend alone. The Crow Nation has 14,000 members, and officials from the tribal government's executive and legislative branches on Wednesday told the state Economic Affairs Interim Committee they seek to benefit from the new market to support their communities. "The intention is there to help the tribes, but the follow-through failed," Frank White Clay, chairman of the Crow Tribe, told the committee. While a non-tribal business can move and expand its footprint through much of the state, tribal marijuana business licenses are far more constricted. The idea during the Legislature was to allow tribal governments to operate a single cultivation and retail dispensary site within 150 air miles of the reservation's boundaries. Operating outside the reservation would mean, in theory, that tribes would not risk contracts with the federal government, which still considers marijuana an illegal drug. The 150-mile reach allows them to enter the market in more populated areas of the state. The legislative committee and the Department of Revenue's Cannabis Control Division have already ironed out one wrinkle in the law that appeared to limit the tribes' potential operations. House Bill 701, the legalization law passed by the Legislature, issued tribes a Tier 1 license, the smallest growing capacity level, but said nothing about tribes' ability to scale up to expand capacity, as other license holders can. The department issued an administrative rule that interpreted the law to mean tribes could not increase their growing capacity. In December the economic affairs committee rejected that rule and later approved a revised rule specifying tribes could expand their growing capacity. But Crow officials on Wednesday asked lawmakers to further revise those rules to allow them to operate same as any marijuana business, and for the state to be able to sign compacts with the tribe so that the Crow can operate a marijuana business on its own terms, not just be the state rules. Under the current arrangement, the state has no authority to strike a compact with the tribe over marijuana business, as they have with tobacco and alcohol, said Crow legislator Cody Meeks. Levi Black Eagle, secretary for the Crow Tribe, pointed out that Interstate 90 and Highway 212 intersect at the center of the reservation, and the lion's share of traffic comes through during the summer tourist season. "If we're unable to take advantage of an economic opportunity such as that, it would be wrong," he told lawmakers. Lawmakers, in past tangles with tribes' place in the new market allowed by HB 701, have criticized the Department of Revenue, claiming the agency is straying from legislative intent with its rules. Department of Revenue Director Brendan Beatty pushed sternly back against any such allegation on Wednesday, stating the department is legally bound to writing rules within the intent of the law, and the intent has to be considered by how legislators approved the law. "If words are clear in that statute, I'm stuck with it," Beatty told lawmakers. " If we need to change your intent, please change your language." The tribe's plea comes as the legislative committee is undertaking a study of recreational marijuana implementation. Several other marijuana providers on Wednesday spoke as a panel to describe the first 40 days of the market. Several praised the department for their responsiveness to the industry's feedback. Others urged the committee and the department to lower the fees imposed by the state so not to drive up prices and drive consumers back to their dealers. Recreational cannabis is already taxed at 20%, while some local jurisdictions have opted to add on a 3% local-option tax, as well. "The biggest challenge is going to be the black market," said Jerry Spurlock, owner of Firefly, a dispensary in Missoula. "It is not an inconsequential speculation. It is real, it is relentless it is a powerhouse in our market." You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Missoula man who used an ax to break down a door and threaten people inside a home near Stevensville last April pleaded guilty Wednesday to two felony charges of assault with a weapon. Jacob Gilly Walles, 30, faces a 10-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections with five years suspended as part of a plea agreement on the felony charges. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of partner or family member assault. The plea bargain agreement calls for a one-year sentence in the Ravalli County Detention with all but one month suspended to run concurrent with the felony sentence. Ravalli County District Judge Howard Recht set sentencing for April 6. Should the judge choose not to accept the terms of the plea agreement, Walles could face up to 41 years of prison and $101,000 in fines. The proposed plea agreement dropped three felony charges including aggravated burglary and intimidation. It also dropped a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief. According to the charging documents, law enforcement responded to a disturbance on Kootenai Creek Road northwest of Stevensville at 9:15 p.m. on April 11. A woman at the residence told a sheriffs deputy that she had been in a dating relationship with Walles and had recently moved out of the home they shared. At the hearing Wednesday, Walles told the judge an argumentative exchange of text messages over him having contact with a child the couple shared led to the altercation. Court documents said the woman shared threatening text messages with law enforcement from Walles that included statements like I am the mother (expletive) Grim Reaper and If you dont answer my phone call, Im going to come out there and kill everyone. When Walles arrived at the Kootenai Creek home, he used a double-bladed ax that he found outside to break through a locked door. He then entered a kitchen, with the ax in his hands, where a man, two women and several children were located. A fight broke out between the two men as the women retreated to a back bedroom where they locked the door and called 911. The man was able to disarm Walles. The affidavit said a deputy found an ax lying in the middle of the kitchen floor near fresh bloodstains. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. I deployed to Afghanistan in 2012. My unit was tasked with training members of the Afghan National Army and National Police. Day and night, we lived together, worked together, and ate together. I quickly learned there were so many Afghan people caught up in turmoil but yearning to be free. These Afghans were our partners. They fought alongside Americans, gave us valuable information, interpreted language and customs, and provided resources we needed to do our jobs. The best word I have for these allies is indispensable. As I watched the chaotic military evacuation from Afghanistan last year, my mind weighed heavy with thoughts of our Afghan allies who were now in grave danger. Three interpreters I know are still stuck in Afghanistan, hiding for fear of retribution. Because they helped U.S. troops, they and other allies face certain death at the hands of the Taliban. The disturbing images of desperate Afghans clinging to the sides of moving airplanes tells you all you need to know about the fear many were and still are facing on the ground. As Afghan refugees and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants are resettling here in Montana, it is my duty, and the duty of this state with a love for freedom, to assist in resettlement efforts for those who risked so much to help us. I know that statement is met with some trepidation. But the fears about vetting and potential danger linked to refugees are overstated. Refugees, especially SIV applicants, are the most heavily vetted immigrant group to enter this country. They go through rigorous background checks, and their information is run through multiple U.S. agency databases. SIVs must have documented history of working with the U.S. and must have recommendations from service members or embassy officials. Overall, research finds no relationship between U.S. refugee resettlement and increased crime. The instances where a resettled refugee does commit a crime are the exception, not the rule. Any Afghans who do commit crimes after arriving here should of course be held accountable like anyone else. But they shouldnt dictate how we view Afghan refugees as a whole. Fellow Afghanistan veterans and I served alongside some of the most incredible Afghan people. They came to our aid, they helped us accomplish our missions, and in some cases, they saved our lives. In return, we promised wed protect them and their families. Caring for the Afghan refugees here in Montana is how we honor that promise. My organization, Concerned Veterans for America Foundation, has led donation drives to ensure those being housed on nearby bases had the resources they needed food, clothing, toiletries, housing, and even toys for their children. Every day we partner up with other nonprofits doing resettlement work to maximize our efforts. I encourage you to connect with CVA Foundation or another nonprofit to get involved in our work. Helping those who helped us is our responsibility. That is who we are as veterans and who we are as Americans. I hope you will join me in welcoming our Afghan allies and their families to Montana. Chris Enget is a grassroots engagement director with Concerned Veterans for America Foundation and a U.S. Army veteran. He lives in Billings. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has mocked her Republican colleague Marjorie Taylor Greene for confusing the Nazi secret police Gestapo and a cold soup known as gazpacho. At least she leads by example. She clearly banned all books from her house years ago, the New York Congresswoman said in a tweet. For real though when you see how the GOP openly embrace and leverage fascist members of their party vs how much some Dems run away and frame their own base mobilizers as just as extreme its not hard to see how that asymmetry/false equivalence has contributed to where we are Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 9, 2022 For real though when you see how the GOP openly embrace and leverage fascist members of their party vs how much some Dems run away and frame their own base mobilisers as just as extreme its not hard to see how that asymmetry/false equivalence has contributed to where we are. The comments from Ms Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC, came after the Georgia representative confused the soup and the German secret police while hitting out at the House Select committee probing the Capitol Hill insurrection. Speaking on Real America with Dan Ball, a show of the right-wing channel OAN, Ms Greene said on Wednesday: Not only do we have the DC jail, which is the DC Gulag, but now we have Nancy Pelosis gazpacho police spying on members of Congress. Spying on the legislative work that we do, spying on our staff, and spying on American citizens that want to come talk to their representatives. The Republican Accountability Project, which tracks right wing media misinformation, noted in a tweet: Gazpacho: a vegetable-based Spanish cold soup. Just to clear things up, @RepMTG Gazpacho: a vegetable-based Spanish cold soup Gestapo: Nazi Germany's secret police pic.twitter.com/T9q76r706G The Republican Accountability Project (@AccountableGOP) February 9, 2022 Ms Greene was widely mocked on social media for not knowing the difference between the two. Story continues No soup for those who illegally spy on Members of Congress, but they will be thrown in the goulash, she said in a self-depricating tweet, referring to gulag as goulash. Ms Greene is known for spreading baseless Covid conspiracy and QAnon theories and misinformation about the 2020 elections among others. Last month, she was banned by both Facebook and Twitter over Covid misinformation. Her official Congressional Twitter account remains active. French far-right polemist and candidate for presidential election Eric Zemmour delivers a speech on January 14, 2022. Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images France's far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour said he is closest to Boris Johnson. Zemmour said he was 'culturally, intellectually' more similar to prime minister than other leaders. Zemmour has run an openly nationalist presidential campaign promising 'zero immigration' to France. France's far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour says he has more in common with Boris Johnson than any other world leader. Zemmour has become prominent in France for his anti-Islam and anti-immigration views and has been prosecuted for hate speech three times, most recently in January for describing migrant children as "thieves," "rapists," and "murderers." During an interview with radio station France Inter, Zemmour was asked which leader he had most in common with. "You have not mentioned Boris Johnson and I am astonished because he is without doubt the leader I feel I am closest to, culturally, intellectually," he said. Like Johnson, Zemmour is a former journalist who has written popular history books. Both have campaigned on populist agendas which promised to control immigration: Johnson promised an Australian points-based style system to control immigration when he was elected in 2019. Zemmour, meanwhile, has promised to introduce a "zero-immigration" policy if he wins the presidency. Zemmour has praised Brexit and suggested that France lacked the courage to follow the UK in leaving the EU. Both politicians have drawn comparisons to former US President Donald Trump, with President Joe Biden memorably having branded Johnson a "physical and emotional clone" of his predecessor in the White House. Johnson also drew extensive criticism last week for invoking what experts said was a far-right Trumpian slur against Labour leader Keir Starmer. Johnson accused Starmer in the House of Commons of failing to prosecute the late pedophile Jimmy Saville when he was Director of Public Prosecutions a widely discredited conspiracy theory for which he has refused to apologise. Story continues This is not the first time he has made the comparison. Zemmour insisted in November he was more like Johnson than Trump, telling Bloomberg News: "I'm not upset that I'm compared to Donald Trump but always makes me laugh because you should always compare me to Boris Johnson." Read the original article on Business Insider A barn sits in floodwaters in Pacific Junction, Iowa, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. PACIFIC JUNCTION Census data shows that in the three years since devastating 2019 floods submerged Pacific Junction in southwest Iowa, the town's population has shrunk from 475 to less than 100. Now the question is whether it will remain a town. Pacific Junction Mayor Andy Young recently told Omaha, Nebraska, television station KETV he's hopeful the town will see families coming back. "I hope to see that we thrive and move on," he said. "I don't think we'll ever be as big as what we were before. But even if we get, you know, over half of where we were, that's pretty good accomplishment." Dozens of empty lots around the town are the result of federal buyouts, which stipulate a new home cannot be built on the property once the old one comes down. Heavy rains and snowmelt in March 2019 saw 200 miles of levees either breached or overtopped in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas and saw hundreds of homes and businesses flooded. Pacific Junction was among the communities hardest hit and had to be evacuated. The town is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, which serves four counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie and Mills counties in Iowa along the Missouri River, on the buyout program. Young said he hopes the buyout phase will be completed by this spring. Ninety-two Pacific Junction homes will likely come down as part of federal buyouts, according to MAPA. The agency said there are still about 34 homes that have yet to be acquired. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa town Pacific Junction faces uncertain future in wake of 2019 flooding James Murdoch and Uday Shankar have launched a new venture called Bodhi Tree with a $1.5 billion backing from Qatar Investment Authority as the duo looks to double down on their investment in Southeast Asia and India, the two said on Thursday. The duo most recently worked at investment firm Lupa Systems after Murdoch's departure as chief executive of 21st Century Fox. Shankar previously served as the chair and chief executive of Star India, which was owned by Fox prior to the giant's acquisition by Disney for $71.3 billion. Lupa Systems was looking to raise $345 million in a SPAC last year. Lupa Systems made a number of investments, including in media outfit Vice and Indian edtech startup DoubtNut and news aggregator and short video platform DailyHunt. "We are very pleased to announce Bodhi Tree," the two said in a joint statement on Wednesday. "Opportunities abound to scale exciting businesses in India and the broader Southeast Asia region. Our continued focus on investing and building relationships in these regions comes from our deep conviction in the long-term growth of these economies and the incredible power of these consumers, as these sectors are transformed by technology." Through the new venture, the duo plans to invest in "deep consumer engagement" firms with a focus on media, education and healthcare. The goal with the investments is to "positively impact millions of consumers across the region," the venture said in a statement. Bodhi Tree, which has yet to announce any investment, did not disclose whether it will have any other LPs. (It's rare for an investment firm to have just one giant LP.) "QIA is proud to play a key role in bringing Bodhi Tree to reality. QIA is investing in the technology and media space and India is a key market for us. QIA looks forward to backing Bodhi Tree as they drive forward their growth plans in the future," said Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, chief executive of QIA, in a statement. Members of Congress, despite disagreeing on policy, generally treat each other with a baseline level of respect, even with members of another party. Generally. According to a series of tweets, Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, 71, a Democrat and the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, asked Kentucky Rep. Hal Rogers, 84, a Republican currently serving his 21st term, to put on a mask before boarding the train that shuttles people to and from the House floor. Instead, Rogers allegedly poked Beatty in the back before hurling an expletive at her. He then poked my back, demanding I get on the train. When I asked him not to touch me, he responded, kiss my a--, Beatty wrote. This is the kind of disrespect we have been fighting for years, and indicative of the larger issue we have with GOP members flaunting health and safety mandates designed to keep us and our staff safe. She capped her thread asking for an apology. .@RepHalRogers, when you are ready to grow up and apologize for your behavior, you know where to find me. A request for comment from Rep. Rogers office was not immediately returned, but he reportedly confirmed his outburst occurred and apologized to Beatty Tuesday evening. My words were not acceptable, he told CNNs Manu Raju. The Kentucky Republican Party also did not return the Daily News request for comment. ______ WASHINGTON He has been hiding from the Taliban ever since Kabul fell in August, nearly starving to death at one point during Afghanistan's bitterly cold winter. In the weeks after the U.S. ended 20 years of military occupation in Afghanistan, the former Afghan Armed Forces commander lost several fellow soldiers who put up one last fight against the Taliban takeover. His brother, shot in the kidney, almost died earlier in combat. Now, the former commander is fighting to keep himself and his family alive amid a deadly retribution campaign by Taliban fighters. "Right now, they are looking for us to kill us and to kill others who are like us," the Afghan veteran told USA TODAY during a phone interview facilitated by an interpreter. He asked that his name be withheld to protect his identity. "It's a very tough situation for us. We're just trying to survive, and we don't have a gun to fight," he said. More: Staying could mean death. The escape nearly killed her. How one woman fled Afghanistan for freedom. The day after the Taliban seized control, the new regime stormed his parents' house looking for information on his whereabouts. He's secured lodging, but nowhere is truly safe. If the Taliban come bursting through his door, he says his only escape will be to jump out his window. He is one of tens of thousands of U.S.-allied Afghans in hiding, according to veterans groups, as the Taliban seek retribution against those who led the country during U.S. occupation. Taliban fighters watch the sunset on a tower, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) ORG XMIT: XHM105 A report from the United Nations released last week found more than 100 members of the former Afghan government, its security forces and others who worked with the U.S. have been killed since the Taliban's Aug. 15 takeover. Two-thirds were killed at the hands of the Taliban, despite the militant Islamic group's promise of "amnesty" for Afghans who allied themselves with the U.S. during the war. The U.N. report cited credible evidence that other Afghan allies have disappeared, their fates unknown. Story continues More: Exclusive: 82 lawmakers call on White House to evacuate more Afghans who helped US The U.N.'s findings just confirmed what many American veterans already knew: Their former friends and fighting partners remain in grave danger, particularly as Afghanistan spirals deeper into a horrific humanitarian crisis. The economy has essentially collapsed amid widespread famine, a freezing winter and the return of the Taliban's brutal rule. Starvation now threatens to kill more Afghans than 20 years of war did, David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, told lawmakers on Capitol Hill during a hearing Wednesday. A failure to act, he said, will lead to a "catastrophe-of-choice imposed on the Afghan people and a catastrophe-of-reputation" for the U.S. and its allies. Afghans wait to receive food rations organized by the World Food Program (WFP) in Pul-e-Alam, the capital of Logar province. eastern of Afghanistan, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. The Taliban's sweep to power in Afghanistan in August drove billions of dollars in international assistance out of the country and sent an already dirt-poor poor nation, ravaged by war, drought and floods, spiralling toward a humanitarian catastrophe. 'We can't go out from our home' The White House insists the evacuation of Afghan allies including interpreters, former Afghan government workers, soldiers and others remains a priority. But a coalition of veterans and humanitarian groups working to aid Afghan allies, as well as a growing number of members of Congress, are demanding a stronger effort by the White House to expedite evacuations as the situation worsens. "We can't go out from our home. We're scared of the Taliban," said a 23-year old woman whose mother, a judge in the former Afghan government, is now in hiding with 11 of her family members. The woman, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, recently completed medical school, but she isn't working out of fear for her safety and after new Taliban restrictions placed on women doctors. More: 'Girls are going to be forgotten,' as Taliban replace ministry for women with one restricting them She and her family, with legal assistance from the International Association of Women Judges, are trying desperately to leave the country. "Before this, I had a job and I could go out from my home and take the salary from the government," said the judge, whose identity USA TODAY is also not disclosing. "I had money to support my family. But now I don't have anything." A nurse checks the weight of a child in a makeshift clinic organized by World Vision at a settlement near Herat, Afghanistan, Dec. 16, 2021. Malnutrition stalks the most vulnerable, and aid groups say more than half the population faces acute food shortages. The ex-Afghan commander said he has contemplated leaving for Iran or Pakistan, like many other Afghans have done, but fleeing across the border also involves risks. So he is stuck in his war-torn homeland, unable to break through the bureaucratic maze of the U.S. visa and refugee systems nearly six months after President Joe Biden's chaotic U.S. withdrawal. "You can breathe, but you're like a dead person," he said. "Anytime that the door gets a knock, we just assume that the Taliban is at the door." He said he just wants his family out of Afghanistan. "I don't want them to die in front of my eyes. I ask the United States government to help me and thousands of other families that are left behind in Afghanistan in the middle of a war zone." More: Afghan refugees needed help. Americans stepped up to say, 'Welcome to your new home.' Thousands of Afghan allies have applied for a special immigrant visa with the U.S. State Department, overloading a system already notorious for being backlogged and slow. Yet many of the Afghans in danger don't meet the visa requirements. They must have been employed for at least one year with the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force as an interpreter or in other positions for the U.S. military. That's left other Afghan allies including members of the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command, judges, subcontractors and human rights advocates seeking refugee status through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. But to be approved, they need a referral from the U.S. agency or individuals who supported their work, a hurdle that many Afghans have not been able to clear. "Our concern is that these people who've served alongside of us for 20 years are just going to be left by the wayside," said Daniel Elkins, a former Green Beret who served in Afghanistan and founder of the Special Operations Association of America, an advocacy group for the U.S. special operations community. U.S. Army Green Beret Mike McElhiney, center, was part of a special operations team sent to Afghanistan in 2001 to help oust the Taliban. US veterans band together for Afghans: 'They're counting on us' U.S. veterans of America's longest war have banded together to help Afghan allies evacuate, providing food, water and wood, helping them secure safe housing and delivering other aid. Sixteen veterans and other humanitarian groups make up the Moral Compass Federation, which which is working to protect and evacuate Afghan partners. "What people in Afghanistan need more than anything right now is for us as a collective group to maintain that focus and not lose speed despite the fact that maybe it's died out of the media cycle," Elkins said. "They're counting on us." Biden hailed the frantic evacuation efforts out of Afghanistan prior to the U.S.'s exit as one of the largest airlifts in U.S. history, resulting in the relocation of around 124,000 individuals. But the chaotic withdrawal produced one of the biggest political setbacks of his presidency, undercutting his pledge to restore competency in the White House and helping to sink approval ratings that haven't recovered. Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va., on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. More than 75,000 Afghan evacuees have been brought to the U.S. as part of the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program, according to the Department of Homeland Security. "We will continue our efforts to facilitate the safe and orderly travel of U.S. citizens, (legal permanent residents), and Afghan allies and their eligible family members who wish to leave Afghanistan," a State Department spokeswoman said in a statement to USA TODAY. "We will not be sharing details of these efforts due to safety and operational considerations." More: For Biden, fallout from the Afghanistan withdrawal abroad complicates agenda at home White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the White House is "still committed" to the evacuation of Afghan partners. As a positive sign, she noted that charter flights out of Afghanistan resumed in January, after halting in the fall. She said it was also a topic of discussion during last month's meeting between Biden and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, where an estimated 60,000 Afghans have relocated before resettlement. "We are not naive about the challenges, nor are we naive about the conditions on the ground, which is why we are so focused on getting humanitarian assistance to the people in Afghanistan through trusted and reliable sources," Psaki said. A 'moral injury' after America's longest war Elkins estimated that around 3,000 to 5,000 highly trained elite Afghan forces as well as their families remain in the country and at grave risk. The Moral Compass Federation is tracking around 30,000 former Afghan special operations members who remain in all. The number balloons to 90,000 when including Afghans who worked for women's rights, civil society and other humanitarian causes. Scott Mann, senior adviser of Task Force Pineapple, another veterans group helping Afghan allies, said their top priority has been to keep at-risk Afghan safe until an opportunity to leave presents itself. But groups like his are quickly burning through their personal funds, leaving a toll on the veterans themselves. The lasting trauma of leaving their Afghan comrades behind has produced what's known in the military community as a "moral injury." Mann, who completed three tours in Afghanistan as part of a Special Forces officer, questioned the "political will" of the Biden administration to ensure the evacuation of the Afghans and said officials are "just hoping this will go away." "Five years following Vietnam, there were horrific atrocities when nobody was looking. Nobody cared," Mann said. "And that's our biggest fear now. If we don't get the international community engaged here, particularly in light of this administration doing really nothing, this is going to get worse. "If they're not going to do something, we need Congress to." More: A timeline of the US withdrawal and Taliban recapture of Afghanistan In a letter to Biden last week, 82 Eighty-two members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans in a letter to Biden last week, called on the administration to "do more to evacuate those remaining as quickly and safely as possible" and resettle them in the U.S. The lawmakers recommended the administration accelerate and expand the processing of visa applicants at so-called "lily pads" U.S. military bases abroad where Afghans are brought after evacuation and work closely with nongovernmental organizations to streamline the process. A bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., are pushing for a broaderlegislation to introduced introduced the Honor Our Commitment Act. It would require strategy to support Afghans applying for special immigrant visas or refugee status, but their legislation has not advanced. maybe we can cut this? Sarah Verardo, a co-founder of Save Our Allies, which has also worked to assist Afghan allies, said her group is hearing from "hundreds of people every single day, begging for help, begging to be evacuated." She said the U.S. government seems to be operating in "receiving mode" for information but is not being proactive. "What is the plan to get our allies out?" asked Verardo, whose husband, Michael Verardo, a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, received two Purple Hearts after being wounded twice in Afghanistan. The injuries took his left leg, much of his left arm and have resulted in 120 surgeries post-Afghanistan. "It made me realize that I had to do whatever I could to finish a fight that I knew was deeply important to him," Verardo said, "and that would be honoring the moral commitment to our wartime allies." People wait in lines to receive cash at a money distribution organized by the World Food Program (WFP) in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. Matthew Brown contributed to this report. Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Afghanistan: U.S. allies in hiding amid Taliban retribution, killings Ive been watching the progress of a group of Irish fishermen who plan a peaceful disruption of the Russian ship threatening to invade their traditional fishing waters and conduct actual war games. Im writing this a few days prior to the trawlers going out to catch prawn. The latest news was that Patrick Murphy, head of the Irish South & West Fishing Organisation, met with Irelands Russian ambassador and the outcome favored the fishermen. When Murphy announced the Russians had blinked and promised to conduct their military exercises away from Irish fishing waters, it wasnt surprising the Russians denied any such agreement. However, regardless of what they say, the fishermen will not back down. This is a case of David taking on Goliath. Sharon Kennedy, a local columnist who is often featured in the Sault News and Cheboygan Daily Tribune. The righteous outrage voiced by the fishermen is indicative of their strength of character, sense of worth and absolute intolerance of a hostile ship southwest of coastal Cork. Last August, the appearance of the spy ship, Yantar, near the Donegal coast, caused anxiety but no obvious action. Apparently the ship was equipped with submersibles that do two things: They snap the undersea cables or attach listening devices to them as they transmit information between Europe and North America. Thats an excellent way for Putin to garner info, but its not exactly ethical or legal. Ethics and legalities tend to go out the window when it comes to matters pertaining to espionage and perhaps preparation for war. Some readers will know what Im talking about. Others wont have a clue. Id belong to the latter if I hadnt chanced upon a video of Irish trawlers determined to force the Russian ship off their fishing waters. Ive been focused on the Ukraine situation and wondering if war is brewing. Now that were officially out of Afghanistan, its time to get involved in another conflict. Gotta keep the military industrial complex well oiled and operating. Thanks for the warning, Ike, but war is a way of life for us. Forget that democracy at home is crumbling. Thats a mere bump in the road. Its been threatened before and survived. In 1933, the late Marine Major General Smedley Butler wouldnt go along with a proposed coup to oust FDR. The Business Plot was a flop. Story continues Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage I wish members of Congress were as brave as a handful of Irish fishermen. It wasnt seasoned government officials who met with the Russian ambassador skilled in the art of diplomacy. It was Murphy and another fisherman who make their living fishing not for lobbyists who line their pockets but for actual prawns for the plates of customers. Can you imagine how different our senators and congressmen would be if they actually worked for us instead of lobbyists? Compare the fishermens courage to that of Ivy League-educated politicians who quake at the thought of taking on a former president. Pathetic is the word that comes to my mind. What comes to yours? I suppose when most people think of fishermen, they see poorly educated men, easily intimated and shaking in their boots. Thats not the picture of the men who took on Russia. They accepted the invitation of the Russian ambassador and discussed a solution to the invasion of their waters. By the time you read this, well know if they were successful. Wouldnt it be amazing if these Irish fishermen set an example for diplomatic solutions instead of jumping into another war? To contact Sharon Kennedy, send her an email at sharonkennedy1947@gmail.com. Kennedy's latest book, The SideRoad Kids: Tales from Chippewa County, is available from her, Amazon, or Audible. This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sharon Kennedy: The Irish fishermen and the Russians, a David-Goliath tale Adrian Wojnarowski: The Pacers are finalizing a trade to send F Torrey Craig to the Suns for Jalen Smith and a future second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Source: Twitter @wojespn Whats the buzz on Twitter? Kellan Olson @KellanOlson Will have words this afternoon but thats a no brainer. It is literally the Torrey Craig role being filled by Torrey Craig. 2:05 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid Heres Torrey Craig holding his follow through at #Pacers practice like an hour ago. Now hes headed back to the #Suns. Just goes to show how crazy the #NBA trade deadline is. by me pic.twitter.com/6FAQ2GQS8A 2:05 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet I hope Jalen Smith gets his opportunity in Indy. Hes a good kid who wasnt ready to contribute on a contender right away, but he was often playing at the wrong position and clearly showed potential. Wish Stix nothing but the best (which is as a 5) 2:02 PM Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA Between getting Haliburton and a free look at a great redraft candidate in Jalen Smith, Indiana are doing this losing thing properly. 2:02 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles Thats all it took for Jalen Smith? 2:00 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet Will have updated thoughts on the Torrey Craig here soon but for now, heres what I wrote about potential Craig trades for the Suns back in December: bit.ly/3lI1Q9h 2:00 PM Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn The Pacers are finalizing a trade to send F Torrey Craig to the Suns for Jalen Smith and a future second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. 1:58 PM Tony East @TEastNBA In his 20th game with the Pacers this year, Lance Stephenson is getting his first start. He will open the game alongside Keifer Sykes, Chris Duarte, Torrey Craig, and Goga Bitadze. Oshae Brissett, Duane Washington, and Terry Taylor available off the bench. 7:22 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid #Pacers starters tonight: Lance Stephenson (his first start since rejoining the team) Keifer Sykes Chris Duarte Torrey Craig Goga Bitadze Indiana super shorthanded against the Hawks as the franchise begins a rebuild. indystar.com/story/sports/n 7:20 PM Story continues Tony East @TEastNBA Malcolm Brogdon and Isaiah Jackson are OUT tonight for the Pacers. Only 8 available players. Keifer Sykes, Lance Stephenson, Chris Duarte, Torrey Craig, Goga Bitadze, Duane Washington, Oshae Brissett, and Terry Taylor. 6:14 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin Jalen Smith in for Bridges, moves Johnson to the 3. #Suns 8:31 PM More on this storyline I also should note I wouldnt be surprised at Torrey Craig gets moved. Thats another player Ive heard a lot about here at the trade deadline. Maybe he goes back to Phoenix, where he finished the season last year. -via Spotify / February 10, 2022 Pacers forwards Torrey Craig and TJ Warren are also available on the trade market, league sources told HoopsHype. -via HoopsHype / February 9, 2022 Caris LeVert has known suitors in Cleveland and New York, but so far Indiana has requested multiple first-round picks for the 27-year-old guard as well, sources said. The Pacers have also placed calls assessing the value of Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and Torrey Craig. -via Bleacher Report / January 13, 2022 PANAMA CITY Two fugitives wanted in connection to a bank robbery in Alabama and four others were apprehended in Bay County on Thursday. According to Bay County Sheriff Office officials, arrested were: Freddy Lee Thomas, 45, charged with fugitive from justice: armed robbery and possession of cocaine Arlisha Mitchell Thomas, 42, charged with fugitive from justice: armed robbery Andre Evans, 45, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia Ashley Marie Bryant, 32, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia Christopher Dewayne Lawler, 56, charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and failure to register as a convicted felon Martineze Larry, 49, charged with possession of a schedule II hallucinogen with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with Intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Road repairs: No more sinkhole at last! Repairs begin on collapsed road at 23rd Street Plaza in Panama City Internet scam: Bay County woman scammed out of thousands of dollars in Bitcoin; California suspect arrested The multi-agency investigation began when two suspects allegedly committed armed robbery of a bank in Opp, Alabama, on Monday. The BCSO was alerted after the Covington County Sheriff's Office and the Opp Alabama Police Department developed information that the couple might be headed to Bay County, BCSO officials said. Multiple agencies, including the BCSO, the FBI, the Lynn Haven Police Department, the Panama City Police Department and the Panama City Beach Police Department, began using surveillance to gather information. Based on the investigation, search warrants were obtained for a residence in Lynn Haven and one in Panama City, officials said. On Thursday morning, the BCSO SWAT team and K9 unit assisted the multi-agency investigation and executed the warrants for the two armed robbery suspects. Freddy Thomas and Arlisha Thomas were taken into custody at a residence in the East 10th Street area of Panama City. Also arrested at the residence were Evans, Bryant, and Lawler. Larry was taken into custody at a residence on Iowa Avenue in Lynn Haven, BCSO officials said. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City lawmen help arrest Alabama bank robbery suspects New coronavirus cases leaped in Oregon in the week ending Sunday, rising 39.7% as 53,691 cases were reported. The previous week had 38,437 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. Oregon ranked 10th among the states where coronavirus was spreading the slowest on a per-person basis, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the latest week, coronavirus cases in the United States increased 5.8% from the week before, with 5,438,242 cases reported. With 1.27% of the country's population, Oregon had 0.99% of the country's cases in the last week. Across the country, 39 states had more cases in the latest week than they did in the week before. Many counties did not report during data during the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, disrupting the latest week's statistics. That data is being compared to a week with backlogged cases and deaths from the New Year's holiday weekend. Week-to-week comparisons are skewed and these numbers will be unreliable even as they're accurate to what states reported. Lane County reported 3,876 cases and six deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 2,842 cases and seven deaths. Throughout the pandemic, it has reported 38,991 cases and 396 deaths. Within Oregon, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Deschutes County with 2,224 cases per 100,000 per week; Jefferson County with 2,133; and Benton County with 1,843. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says high levels of community transmission begin at 100 cases per 100,000 per week. Adding the most new cases overall were Multnomah County, with 10,721 cases; Washington County, with 8,736 cases; and Clackamas County, with 5,253. Weekly case counts rose in 33 counties from the previous week. The worst increases from the prior week's pace were in Multnomah, Washington and Marion counties. >> See how Lane County compares to Oregon Oregon ranked 20th among states in share of people receiving at least one shot, with 74.7% of its residents at least partially vaccinated. The national rate is 74.6%, a USA TODAY analysis of CDC data shows. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are the most used in the United States, require two doses administered a few weeks apart. Story continues In the week ending Wednesday, Oregon reported administering another 120,130 vaccine doses, including 21,581 first doses. In the previous week, the state administered 40,096 vaccine doses, including 8,794 first doses. In all, Oregon reported it has administered 6,991,922 total doses. Across Oregon, cases fell in three counties, with the best declines in Gilliam County, with 8 cases from 17 a week earlier; in Grant County, with 54 cases from 57; and in Harney County, with 13 cases from 16. In Oregon, 122 people were reported dead of COVID-19 in the week ending Sunday. In the week before that, 106 people were reported dead. A total of 513,391 people in Oregon have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 5,883 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States 65,699,947 people have tested positive and 850,605 people have died. >> Track coronavirus cases across the United States Oregon's COVID-19 hospital admissions rising USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, Jan. 16. Likely COVID patients admitted in the state: Last week: 1,395 The week before that: 1,180 Four weeks ago: 693 Likely COVID patients admitted in the nation: Last week: 203,221 The week before that: 185,954 Four weeks ago: 90,739 Hospitals in 41 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 35 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 43 states admitted more COVID-19 patients in the latest week than a week prior, the USA TODAY analysis of U.S. Health and Human Services data shows. The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control. If you have questions about the data or the story, contact Mike Stucka at mstucka@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Lane County COVID cases increased by 3,876 and deaths by six this week It could be argued that bad pizza is better than no pizza at all, but you can make a great pie from scratch at home with a few simple ingredients. Whether you make your dough and sauce from scratch, or you pick up a ball of dough and a jar of sauce from the grocery store, you can still have a delicious pie for dinner, made in under an hour. Expert pizzaiolo Rocco DeFazio, of DeFazios import store and pizzeria in Troy, N.Y., has been making award-winning pizza for decades. His parents started the import store in 1951, and in 1989, Rocco added the pizzeria, which quickly became known for its chewy crust and perfectly seasoned sauce. DeFazio still makes the sauce daily on a small four-burner stove in a kitchen behind the import store, though his sons have taken over most day-to-day responsibilities. Celebrities and politicians rank DeFazios among their favorite pizzerias and Hillary Clinton was a regular during her U.S. Senate tenure and presidential campaigns. Even with all the accolades, DeFazio is magnanimous and encourages people to try making pizza at home. DeFazio said hell never give the secret to his sauce, but dough is little more than flour, water, yeast, salt and a little olive oil. Below, DeFazios tips for making pizza at home. Tips for making dough Feel free to use a machine, DeFazio says, adding that a bread machine or stand mixer is a great way to make dough from scratch, but if you want to make dough by hand, use a heavy wooden spoon or another utensil with heft, which will help your shaggy dough transform into a smooth, supple ball. Kneading is important: Pizza dough can turn into a chewy crust when the gluten is properly developed, which happens in part from kneading. Whether using a machine or kneading by hand, DeFazio said the dough is ready when it yields to gentle pressure, then bounces back. Another trick to make sure the gluten is well worked is to tear a small piece of dough off the ball and stretch it until light can be seen through the dough; if the dough does not tear, its ready to rest. To knead by hand, repeat a pattern of holding one end of the dough with one hand, then using the palm of your other hand to press the dough away from you. Fold the dough back on itself, give it a quarter turn and repeat. Use force and pressure. Flour is important, too, DeFazio notes; with so few ingredients in dough, it is crucial that all ingredients are the best quality you can find. A high-gluten flour (12% gluten content or higher) is a good option for pizza dough. Its very basic. Its just yeast that you mix with warm water and a pinch of sugar, olive oil, salt and flour, DeFazio says. Add flour a bit at a time when you are kneading your dough. DeFazio warns not to add too much flour to your countertop which can result in a dry, tough dough. Let the dough sleep in the fridge: Pizza dough reacts best (both texturally and from a flavor perspective) when it ferments slowly, adding a slight sourdough flavor and allowing the flour to fully hydrate and help develop the gluten. This will give you pizza crust with better taste, a craveable chew and enough structural integrity to hold up to the heaviest toppings. Allow it to rise slowly in the refrigerator for several hours, up to overnight. You cannot rush dough! DeFazio notes. If in a rush, let the dough rise in a warm spot, but know the texture will not be quite the same. Let it sit at room temperature for 45 minutes before you form the pizza. Cant make your own dough? Buy some from a local pizza shop; most pizzerias will sell you a ball of dough, usually charged by the pound, DeFazio says. Buy a few portions of dough that can be wrapped and placed in a sealed bag and frozen for future pizza nights. Tips for making sauce Forget the sugar: DeFazio says pizza sauce should never have sugar, but you can add a little carrot to your sauce to balance acidity. Saute finely chopped carrots with onions first or consider using a carrot puree. Making a Neapolitan-style pie? DeFazio suggests opting for a raw sauce. Deep dish? A hearty cooked sauce is the right choice. Much like certain pastas require certain sauces, so do pizzas. Whole tomatoes make the best sauce: DeFazio said using whole canned tomatoes and crushing them with your hands gives the best texture for sauce. Tips for forming and baking pies DeFazio encourages slowness while making and forming pies. The number one mistake people make at home is they work the dough too fast, he says. After letting the dough rest and warm, slowly press the dough into a flat round, then use a rolling pin to get the size you need. Try your hand at hand-stretching, but start by sliding your hands under the center of the dough (so some of the dough is still touching the counter) and stretch towards the outer edge, leaving some bulk at the edge for the crust. Dont forget the cheese Pecorino Romano cheese is DeFazios favorite on pizza (he calls it white gold), and he says the secret to a great-tasting pizza is to sprinkle some on before adding mozzarella. Once the pizza comes out of the oven, add a little more white gold before serving. Details matter: DeFazio said pizza night should be an event at home. Put on some tunes (he suggests the music of Dean Martin or Louis Prima), wear a red scarf like a professional pizzaiolo in Italy, and most importantly, he notes, Smile. Youre about to eat pizza. Antarctica's so-called Doomsday Glacier, nicknamed because it is huge and coming apart, is mostly thwarting an international effort to figure out how dangerously vulnerable it is. A large iceberg broke off the deteriorating Thwaites glacier and, along with sea ice, it is blocking two research ships with dozens of scientists from examining how fast its crucial ice shelf is falling apart. Scientists from around the world are part of a multi-year $50 million international effort to study the Florida-sized glacier by land, sea and below for the brief time the remote ice is reachable during the Antarctic summer. Plans to examine the glacier's crucial ice shelf haven't been stopped but are sidetracked a bit, officials said. This was the last of three international scientific expeditions aimed at the vulnerable ice shelf, said British Antarctic Survey geophysicist Rob Larter, chief scientist of the first research mission. New York University environmental scientist David Holland, who planned to drill deep through the Thwaites ice shelf to measure the water's warmth below it, is achingly close but not quite there. Improvising, Holland decamped at the nearby Dotson ice shelf to do his research where no human had been before. He's hoping that along that blinding white ice and its rugged frozen cliffs he can learn about the unseen warm ocean water nibbling away at both Dotson and Thwaites from below. The smaller Dotson ice shelf is about 87 miles (140 kilometers) west of the Thwaites ice shelf. The ice shelf "is the most important part of Thwaites and it's protecting itself and hiding from us," Holland said in a first video interview from the Dotson ice shelf. He called Dotson's ice shelf "this beautiful white desert-like landscape, brilliantly white actually. And it will all be gone and replaced by the Pacific Ocean in due course." "Nobody can get to Thwaites this year," Holland told The Associated Press. "We tried to cut through it for a week. Couldn't do it. So we're next to it." Thwaites is spawning more icebergs as it's falling apart, Holland said. This iceberg used to be the tongue or leading edge of Thwaites until it broke off about 20 years ago, Larter said. It measures about 43 miles by 28 miles (70 kilometers by 44 kilometers), almost the size of Rhode Island, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Much of the problem is that loads of sea ice have gravitated around the huge iceberg. And that's ironic and troublesome for researchers because overall Antarctic sea ice is unusually low for this time of year, Larter said. While parts of Thwaites' edges have fast-spreading cracks like a car windshield, safety mountaineers inspected where researchers set up camp on Dotson, and Holland isn't worried much about danger. As he spoke, a red helicopter landed to evacuate one of his eight-member team because of a sprained ankle. The key to the future of Thwaites is the ice shelf and its tongue. These edges with warm water underneath border the ocean and provide "back support" that holds the rest of the glacier in place, Holland said. What worries scientists is that leading edge of the huge glacier is breaking apart in many places. Even though total collapse of the glacier could take hundreds or thousands of years, the edge is falling apart much sooner. "I think the ice shelf will be gone in a matter of years to decades," Holland said via Zoom on a computer set up on an outdoor table in the 24-hour sun, where the morning temperature was -4 (-20 Celsius). "But the actual inland ice, that's the really unknown question." If all of Thwaites collapses, it could raise seas around the globe more than two feet (65 centimeters) but that could take hundreds of years, scientists say. "Ultimately, over time it's going to rewrite the global coastline," Holland said. While places like Greenland where in 2019 Holland studied the melting Helheim Glacier are melting from warm air above, Thwaites and its neighboring glaciers have it worse because they are melting from the warm water below the ice, which acts faster, Holland said. Part of that is natural weather variations, but on top of that climate change is playing a role, he said. Computer models show that greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels "are tilting the winds in a way that's bringing more warm water south," Holland said. That warm underground ocean water is what Holland came to study with plans to drill hundreds of feet down and put sensors below the ice in the pools of warm water. Warm is relative it's about 32 to 34 degrees (0 to 1 degree Celsius), which is still liquid because salt water needs a lower temperature to freeze. University of Washington ice scientist Ian Joughin, who isn't part of the research consortium, cautioned that while Thwaites is a big concern, especially the collapse of giant ice cliffs, the earliest his computer simulations show that happening is 200 years from now. "We need to take these glaciers seriously without sounding like Chicken Little," Joughin said in an email. But if Thwaites goes, neighboring glaciers could follow, said U.S. National Science Foundation glaciology program director Paul Cutler. The South Korean icebreaker ship Araon that Holland traveled on has a helicopter so they've been able to improvise a landing at Dotson. But the U.S. National Science Foundation research ship the Nathaniel B. Palmer, which has about 35 scientists and two underwater drone ships, has been unable to make it to Thwaites yet and doesn't have helicopters. So the researchers on the Palmer are studying Dotson and hoping to wait out the berg, said NSF's Cutler. Earlier, researchers coming on land from other parts of Antarctica did put measuring devices on Thwaites, he noted. For Holland, there's an appreciation for nature, even its monotone whiteness, where the only sounds are wind and an occasional seagull. "It's kind of a lonely place, but in a beautiful way," he said. "It's very serene. and it's kind of unfortunate that it will all be gone." Moore, a Georgia native splashed into the mainstream with the double-Platinum Somethin Bout a Truck in 2012, then followed up with three more best-selling No. 1 hits (Hey Pretty Girl, Beer Money and More Girls Like You), a trio of ambitious, critically acclaimed albums and two gritty EPs. Moore released his fourth studio album titled Wild World in 2020. He has toured the world headlining his own shows, earning acclaim and fierce following as an all-in performer in each setting, the press release said. Two men charged in the shooting death of a Butte man during a botched bounty hunt for someone else pleaded not guilty Wednesday to deliberate homicide and aggravated burglary. District Judge Robert Whelan accepted the pleas from Jay Steven Hubber and Nicholas Jaeger, both 32 and from Butte, and set the next hearing for March 16. Hubber previously posted $250,000 bond but Jaeger remains jailed with bail set at $250,000. They were charged in the Dec. 19 shooting death of 42-year-old William Harris of Butte. Deliberate homicide is punishable by death, life in prison or 100 years, and aggravated burglary has a maximum of 40 years. But during separate arraignments Wednesday, prosecutor Samm Cox said the state would not seek the death penalty. Although allowed under state law, prosecutors rarely seek the death penalty in Montana. According to prosecutors, Hubber and Jaeger barged into Harris house on South Main Street unannounced on Dec. 19. Hubber is a bondsman who was trying to nab alleged bail-jumper David Sandoval, and Jaeger, a convicted felon, joined him to assist in the apprehension. Hubber tased Sandoval and they began wrestling, according to witness accounts, but there were several others inside the house too, including Harris. At some point, prosecutors say, Jaeger grabbed a gun from Hubber and shot Harris. Prosecutors say Hubber and Jaeger were in the house unlawfully and are both responsible for what occurred. Hubber is being represented by attorney Palmer Hoovestal. David Maldonado is Jaegers attorney. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 8 Angry 13 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A judge on Wednesday ordered a Butte woman to pay tens of thousands of dollars in restitution for manipulating receipts from gaming machines and cashing them at McGraths Tavern where she had worked for a decade. Prosecutors say 49-year-old Heather Merrick stole $63,200 through fraudulent payouts from September 2018 to September 2019. She was charged in November 2019 and ultimately pleaded guilty to felony theft by embezzlement, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. District Judge Robert Whelan agreed with a plea deal and gave Merrick a six-year deferred sentence, meaning she can avoid jail time and ultimately have the matter removed from her record if she meets other conditions and probation terms. But Whelan said the only reason he agreed to the deferred sentence was so Merrick could pay back the tavern owners for the money she stole. Part of the plea deal called on Merrick to pay $20,000 of the $63,200 on the day of sentencing. Prosecutor Samm Cox said she paid the $20,000 earlier Wednesday and is to make monthly payments of more than $500 until the rest is paid off. Cox said he discussed the plea agreement with the tavern owners and they do believe this is a way to hold her accountable for her actions. Merrick appeared for Wednesdays sentencing hearing via Zoom from the office of her Butte attorney, David Vicevich, and said, I just want to say Im sorry. According to prosecutors, police first learned of the thefts on Sept. 19, 2019 and talked with the owner of McGraths bar and its adjoining Christinas Cocina Cafe on Silver Bow Boulevard. They spoke with the manager, too. Police were shown a winning ticket from a gaming machine that had been photocopied and used for $375 in cash payouts four times for a total of $1,500. During all the dates and times the ticket was cashed out after the original winning, the bartender Heather Merrick was working, prosecutors said in charging documents. She was working alone in the bar during those times, police were told, and the till in the bar is the only till that will print paid out receipts. Video surveillance showed Merrick walking to the till, cashing out the tickets, counting the cash and placing the money somewhere near the till where it could be retrieved later. Computer reports from the bar and the licensed gaming machine vendor were compared and it was determined that Merrick had $63,624 in payouts from September 2018 to September 2019 that were unaccounted for on the actual machines. The total amount of payouts authorized and unauthorized by her was $123,568, which would indicate that almost half of her payouts are allegedly fraudulent, prosecutors said. Cox noted if Merrick does not follow through on restitution, the deferred sentence could be revoked and she could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison the maximum allowed in the case. Whelan said he was very concerned about the crime but the most important thing now is making restitution to the victims. This matter will be pending over the defendants head for some time, he said. Love 3 Funny 7 Wow 6 Sad 5 Angry 19 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. On Wednesday a subcommittee of the Board of Public Education voted to update its code of ethics for educators in a process that normally draws little attention but this time around received scrutiny for the inclusion of the word equity. For the educators on the Certification Standards and Practices Advisory Council that unanimously approved the updated code, using the word means encouraging teachers to help every student get the resources they need to do their best. For them, equity is the concept that not all students start out on equal footing, so some may need additional help to succeed. But opponents levied accusations during Wednesdays meeting that adding equity" to the non-binding Professional Educators of Montana Code of Ethics is a pathway for teaching the college-level legal concept known as critical race theory to Montana's K-12 students, amounts to Marxism or would have teachers be racist toward minority students. They view equity as treating kids differently based on their socio-economic status or race. Amanda Curtis, the head of the union that represents most of the educators in the state, said those supporting and those objecting to the update shared the same desire to make sure students in Montana get the best possible education, but that the discussion had been swayed by political divisions. We are all in agreement with the folks in this room on several different items, Curtis said on behalf of members of the Montana Federation of Public Employees. We love our kids. We are so deeply concerned for their future and their well-being. We are so, so sad about the politicization around simple words like equity and diversity. We want what's best for kids. Wednesday's vote also prompted Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte to issue a statement saying the council's decision puts an extreme political agenda ahead of Montana students. Montana schools should promote equality in education, the idea that every student should enjoy equal opportunity to learn, thrive and reach his or her full potential. CSPACs decision undermines students equality of opportunity, Gianforte said in a statement after the vote. In an email following the meeting, a spokesperson for Gianforte wrote that the governor believes the council acted outside of its authority. Gianforte's statement called on the Board of Public Education to "right this politically motivated wrong and put Montana students first." CSPAC today revised a policy that, by its very description, sets out ... fundamental principles which guide their (teachers') behavior. It is clearly a policy that guides teachers, wrote spokesperson Brooke Stroyke. The code of ethics is a non-binding document, meaning that it is meant to inspire teachers but isnt something they must agree to comply with. The code has existed since CSPAC was formed, around 1990. The responsibility to revise and authority to approve has always lived with CSPAC, said McCall Flynn, the executive director of the Board of Public Education, after the vote. The code of ethics is an aspirational document. It is not policy and is not being used as a requirement for licensure in Montana. Educators are not bound legally by the information, rather (it) encourages educators to aspire to be better personally, professionally, in our classrooms and in our communities, Flynn wrote. To the councils knowledge, there has never been a challenge to the code of ethics before. It is reviewed and updated on a five-year cycle. Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen, also a Republican, appeared at Wednesdays meeting and echoed Gianfortes concerns about the councils authority. Arntzen said the code is not referenced in state law or administrative rule. I cautioned you when you opened this up in the summer, and I'm cautioning you again, because there is no authority that you have at this point to be able to put (the) code of ethics with any process regarding licensing, Arntzen told the council. Council members, at several points, pushed back on the governor and superintendents statements. CSPAC, the Certification Standards Advisory Council, is just that. Were an advisory council, said Kelly Elder, the council chairperson and a teacher in Helena. We don't deal with education policy matters. And as such, the code of ethics is purely aspirational. It's a goal. It's a vision of what a professional is. Arntzens office said in response to a follow-up question that she also believes changes to the code should be made by the Board of Public Education, which is appointed by the governor. Rob Watson, who served on the subcommittee that helped draft the updated language and is superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools, pointed to administrative rules that grant the council power to study and advise the board on professional practices and ethical conduct. The same rules prohibit the council from setting policy. I believe this document lies within this committee because it is a professional code for our profession. And we are the professionals that have been tasked with revising this document, Watson said. In an email after the vote, a spokesperson for Arntzen wrote that the vote didnt change anything. The current licensing process is not altered by CSPACs vote today, as CSPACs role is only to advise the Board of Public Education, wrote Brian OLeary. Therefore, at this time, nothing is changed in OPIs licensing process set forward by (Administrative Rules of Montana) or (Montana Code Annotated). O'Leary also pointed to the teaching license application that requires applicants to swear an oath before a notary to support the state and U.S. constitutions. They must also acknowledge they have read the code of ethics, though they are not required to follow it. Watson said he understood that having a code of ethics is not stipulated in state law or rules and that Arntzen said she does not have to include it in the licensure process. If she decides or if the Office of Public Instruction decides not to include this document, I would be disappointed but I would continue to pass this document out to the 800 teachers that work for Missoula County Public Schools, Watson said. Whats the change? The update to the code that drew the most fire is the sentence suggesting an educator demonstrates an understanding of educational equity and inclusion, and respects human diversity. The previous language, which lies in a section about an educators commitment to the community, said an ethical educator is one who understands and respects diversity. Watson said the subcommittee felt the past wording was too vague and needed an update. Educational equity is not about standards or lowering standards. It's about getting all students up to a higher standard and closing the achievement gaps, Watson said. He pointed to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which required schools to report student performance at a detailed level and for the first time illustrated achievement gaps driven by things like income, disability and race. But several of the people who gave public comment Wednesday saw something more in the wording. Let's be honest, this principle here is a component of critical race theory, said Dennison Rivera, a GOP legislative candidate from Helena and chairperson of the Montana Young Republicans. Rivera is also the communications director for Arntzen, though he said before his testimony Wednesday he was not speaking in that capacity. Darin Gaub, another former legislative candidate from Helena, told the council he believed diversity, inclusion and equity are masks for teachings of critical race theory within school across the nation. A man named Joshua from Great Falls, who didn't give his last name, called the language a "Trojan horse for California values and for critical race theory, gender theory and that whole smorgasbord that I'll just call a mess." Other comments echoed those. Elder, however, said critical race theory, a college-level economic and legal theory, is not taught in Montanas K-12 schools. I have not seen a shred of evidence that there is such thing as critical race theory being taught in our public school system in the state of Montana, Elder said. Tom Cubbage, the president of the Great Falls Education Association and member of the subcommittee that worked on the update to the code, said educators have long used the word equity to work toward achieving better education outcomes, which those who testified against the language update also said they wanted to see. When we chose the word equity, we were using an educational definition, which means freedom from bias and favoritism, which I think everyone in the room would agree educators should be free from bias and favoritism, Cubbage said. In a letter to the council sent before the vote, Gianforte said he believed the wording had a political agenda. I dont wish to see Montanas public schools fall into the traps of promoting a political agenda, in the name of equity, that jeopardizes our students opportunities, he wrote. This would do a grave disservice to the students who should, and must, come first. Their interests must come before any politically motivated interests that will compromise their education. How to define equity? Equity is not clearly defined in state law or administrative rules. It is included in the Montana Constitution, which requires districts to be funded in an equitable manner. The idea of equity was also part of a landmark lawsuit over how the Legislature allocates money to schools. The same section of the state Constitution calls for equality for educational opportunities, and says the goal of the people was to establish a system of education which will develop the full educational potential of each person. Educators have pointed to the words, develop the full educational potential of each person, as a call for equity, said Lance Melton, the CEO of the Montana School Boards Association, after the vote. Equity really suggests what you do is you personalize learning, you personalize education, to reach the peoples goal of developing the full potential of each of them, said Melton, who echoed council members in adding those on both sides of the issue shared in the goal of making sure students receive the best education possible. I think whats happened is the polarized times in which were living and the flashpoints associated with terms of art have the potential to pit us against one another when theres really something that we have in common. Were after the same results, Melton said. The word equity is already in administrative code when it comes to requirements for people like school counselors and superintendents, who must demonstrate they safeguard the values of democracy, equity and diversity. School counselors must demonstrate the promotion of student success including equity in academic achievement. Gianforte defined the term as the idea that all students end up in the same place or with equal results and said that jeopardizes students educational opportunities. A spokesperson for the governor pointed to a tweet by Vice President Kamala Harris as an example of where that definition came from. But council members repeatedly pushed back on Gianfortes interpretation of the intent of the change. The word equity (is) being defined as the quality of being fair and impartial. I think when I come into a classroom, I really hope I am fair and impartial to my students, Elder said. This story has been changed to say that Dennison Rivera is a current legislative candidate and to correct a quote contained in the governor's letter. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ARCHIVED - Novavax vaccine will be manufactured in Spain for whole of Europe The Public Health Commission gives the go-ahead for the new US serum to be produced in Spain The Public Health Commission has agreed the use of the Novavax vaccine for people who have not yet been fully immunised or who have allergies to any of the components of the other four vaccines on the market. And the vaccine will be manufactured in Spain for the whole of the European Union following an agreement by the body made up of general directors of public health within the Ministry of Health. But what is new about the Novavax vaccine and how does it work? Novavax is the first protein-based vaccine against Covid and, unlike Pfizer and Moderna (which are messenger RNA vaccines) and AstraZeneca and Janssen (which are adenovirus vaccines), it has distinctive advantages. The main advtantage is that it does not require special cold storage conditions and with a small refrigerator, the doses can be transported in a perfect state of preservation. In addition, Novavax does not introduce a genetic code into human cells so that they respond by generating the virus protein. Also read: EU backs Novavax vaccine Instead, it directly injects a purified version of a virus protein, and when the immune system recognises it as a foreign agent, it produces natural defences: antibodies and T-cells. From that point on, should someone injected with Novavax become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the immune system will recognise the protein and respond to the infection in the same way other vaccines do. Also of interest: Spain buys 2.2 million Novavax vaccines as third dose of Covid jab is anticipated The vaccine, of US origin, will be produced in Spain for the European Union by the biopharmaceutical group Zendal, through its subsidiary Biofabri, based in Porrino, Pontevedra). Who will get the new vaccine? During the meeting of the general directors, it was agreed Novavax will be administered to people over 18 years of age who have not yet been immunised, with severe immunosuppression, people with allergies to various components in other atlernatives, and those who are at very high risk of severe complications following SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, the Public Health Commission has updated the vaccination strategy by adding the already agreed recommendations on vaccination intervals after recovery from infection. Image: article_detail MUSCATINE A West Liberty Middle School counselor has been arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and witness tampering in connection with an ongoing investigation regarding sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist, or school employee. According to court documents, Emily Erin Resendiz, 27, of West Liberty, was arrested Sunday, Feb. 6. Resendiz waived an initial appearance and preliminary hearing. A no-contact order has been issued barring Resendiz from contacting two people who were unnamed in the documents. Resendiz has been released on a $2,300 bond. According to the West Liberty School District website, Resendiz was employed in the district in the fall of 2020. A call to the West Liberty superintendent to inquire about Resendizs employment status with the district was not returned before press time. The arrest sheets for the charges said that on Jan. 28, the West Liberty Police Department interviewed a juvenile girl who is a witness in an ongoing investigation regarding sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist or school employee. The report did not say if Resendiz is the one being investigated. The girl shared messages with the officer in which the defendant had asked her to contact someone identified in the report as the victim to find out what the victim told officers regarding the investigation. In the messages, Resendiz allegedly also mentioned the undocumented status of the victims father, which the report stressed is in no way relevant to the investigation. In the message, Resendiz allegedly acknowledged she had been advised by officers to cease all contact with the victim. The girl reportedly contacted the victim at a sporting event after receiving the messages and questioned the victim about what he told investigating officers. The girl claims she was not manipulated and that she questioned the victim out of her own curiosity. The girl's mother requested the no-contact order and expressed she was concerned Resendiz would continue to manipulate the girl to learn more about the investigation. Love 5 Funny 3 Wow 3 Sad 9 Angry 7 MUSCATINE Erik Reader, president and CEO of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry will step down at the end of the month. Reader has held the job for two years, starting three months before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Since then, Reader has helped launch new initiatives, programs and local events for the Muscatine business community. Even with the pandemic, we were still able to double down on the services that we provide to our members here at the Chamber, and we kind of opened up the door for new partnerships and collaborations, Reader said. The silver lining with (the pandemic) was that it allowed us to take a few steps forward with the organization here. Reader said he was proud the Chamber staff was able to get things back on track," despite the pandemic and get a lot of work done in a short time. I think they complemented the community well, and Im excited to see these programs and initiatives continue to move forward in the years to come, even in my absence, he said. Reader said he'd enjoyed the relationships he had made with people of all different varieties, which he couldnt have gotten in bigger cities like Chicago. Given the fact that we cover a lot of ground with Chamber economic development and tourism-related stuff, every day you get to work on a wide variety of things, which for me is pretty exciting, he said. Weve got a great team here working behind the scenes, and while those new initiatives are a challenge to get up running, we got to see a lot of that come to fruition. That, to me, was kind of the pride and joy of what weve been working on. Reader will take a new job in Peoria, Ill., but declined to say more than it was involved in small-business lending and being a resource to business communities. The Chamber board will begin a search for his replacement. More information will be posted on the Chambers website later this month. He's the second Chamber leader to announce a departure this week. Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Rumler announced Monday he would leave in mid-March for a job in Chicago. I thank everyone for their support. This has been a great business community, especially in a time of crisis or challenge as it has been during (the pandemic). They really banded together, and to their credit we havent had any mass closures or a lot of issues, so theyre a really resilient bunch, and thats a testament to all the people that are here, Reader said, adding that he would look back fondly on his time in Muscatine. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Editor Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com Apple said it would not be releasing its Private Relay feature in several countries, including South Africa, but experts suspect that the decision was made by the company internally rather than by a local regulator. Private Relay is a privacy feature from Apple included with premium iCloud subscriptions. It was unveiled during Apples Worldwide Developer Conference on 7 June 2021 and launched towards the end of the year. While using Apples Safari browser, Private Relay will encrypt all your outgoing traffic so no one other than you and the website you are visiting can read it. Apple explained that all requests would be sent through two independent Internet relays while using Private Relay. The first assigns you an anonymous IP address that maps to your region but not your actual location. The second relay decrypts the web address you want to visit and forwards you to their destination. Neither your Internet service provider nor Apple itself will be able to link you to your browsing history. Shortly after Apple announced the feature, the company told MyBroadband that regulatory reasons prevented it from launching in the country. However, Apple could not immediately indicate which regulations in South Africa were blocking the launch. MyBroadband reached out to Ellipsis Regulatory Solutions for further insight. Given that Apple themselves dont seem to be able to point to the regulations, we can only guess we suspect this is more Apples internal decision than being told by any local regulator that they cannot, Dominic Cull, owner of Ellipsis Regulatory Solutions, said. Looking at where the service is and is not allowed, there is no clear distinction in SA law that jumps out as justifying Apples decision. Cull also explained that Ellipsis view was that the service doesnt require local licensing, meaning it would not be of concern to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. Cull outlined several possible explanations for why Apple hasnt launched its Private Relay feature in the country. He said that it could relate to Apple not having a large enough presence in South Africa to allow the company to provide Private Relay. In terms of smartphone market share, Apple holds 15.89% in South Africa compared to 59.87% in the US, as per Statcounter Global Stats. Cull also explained that Apple could have concerns about RICA the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act of 2002. Apples concerns could align with those expressed in the amaBhungane case, which was finalised in February 2021. RICA is currently being redrafted as per the Constitutional Court judgement. Cull also explained that Apple has indicated they have concerns about heavy censorship, but he also stated that it shouldnt be an issue for South Africa. Apple doesnt offer Private Relay in South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, the Philippines and China. While concerns of heavy censorship are understandable for nations such as China, the same doesnt apply to South Africa. Now read: RICA is a joke BP South Africa and Shell Downstream South Africa have announced they will pause operations at South African Petroleum Refineries (Sapref) in Durban by the end of March 2022. The two shareholders of the refinery will implement a spending freeze and pause refinery operations at Sapref no later than the end of March 2022 as they will attempt to find a buyer for the refinery. The decision comes after consultation with the government, unions, and Sapref employees. This will be for an indefinite period but with a restart possible in the future, including in the event of any future sale, the companies stated. The companies said the process would allow for an informed finalisation on the various options available to the shareholders, including a sale of the refinery. Until decisions about the future of the plant have been made including a possible change of ownership the Sapref shareholders are unable to commit to further investment in the refinery, the companies said. They added the pause of refinery operations currently had no impact on full-time employees. According to Shell Downstream South Africa country chair Hloniphizwe Mtolo, the decision to pause the refinery was difficult for both shareholders. The companies said they would use other existing assets and trading arrangements to ensure the ongoing security of fuel supply to the country and consumers. Shell remains committed to the security of supply to our customers over this production pause, Mtolo stated. Leading up to the refining pause, we have put contingencies in place to ensure that this decision does not impact our customer-facing businesses in South Africa or our fuel supply obligations, said BP SA CEO Taelo Mojapelo. With 35% of South Africas crude oil refining capacity producing 2.7 billion litres of petrol per year, Sapref is the countrys largest refinery. It was previously forced to temporarily shut down operations during July 2021s riots. The unrest had led to a shortage of critical materials reaching the refinery. In the wake of the chaos, motorists were seen forming long queues at petrol stations out of fear that the countrys pumps would run dry. At the time, the energy department was concerned that the shutdown would lead to shortages and announced regulations limiting the sale of petroleum products in portable containers. After receiving relatively little public input throughout the months-long redistricting process, the Napa City Council decided Tuesday that sticking with the current district map is the best option. That map, created during the citys 2020 transition to district elections and designed using 2010 Census data, will set in place council voting districts for roughly the next decade. Its been used once so far, in the 2020 City Council election. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. The redistricting process is scheduled to officially end with a second reading of the map approval on March 8, slightly over a month before the April 17 deadline. The process of transitioning to district elections received considerable community participation, including 44 proposed maps and 58 Community of Interest worksheets, according to Napa City Clerk Tiffany Carranza. But redistricting, a process required once 2020 Census data came out, received much less participation. (The city so far has received three Community of Interest worksheets and six proposed maps, according to the citys DistrictR mapping website.) Carranza has previously attributed the lack of participation in redistricting to the success the city had with switching to district elections in 2020. Elizabeth Stitt, the citys demographer from Redistricting Partners, noted that the current map follows all legal requirements and is designed to fit with several guidelines. The guidelines include that each district is about the same size, that theyre compact, contiguous, and follow easily-identifiable lines. The city did a huge outreach effort back in 2020, Stitt said. This was a collaborative process to create this map and we didnt want to create a map just for the sake of creating a map. Additionally, the largest and smallest districts deviate in population by 7.6%, which is below a 10% deviation threshold that wouldve required the city to establish a new district map. Napa City Councilmembers on Tuesday attributed the lack of participation to how recently the current map was approved. Councilmember Mary Luros said outreach to the public from the citys redistricting team staff has been substantial. Outreach efforts included four community workshops, four public hearings so far, press releases, television ads, targeted outreach, and a dedicated web page. We just did this so recently and our demographics havent changed drastically, Luros said. It isnt surprising we ended up with the same map because of low public participation. But, again, thats not for lack of trying from our redistricting team. The Napa County Progressive Alliance has, at past meetings, called for a new map to consider annexation of the West Pueblo-Linda Vista neighborhood, which is the largest of the unincorporated islands scattered around the city and contains roughly 1,800 people. Councilmember Beth Painter said shed walked around the neighborhood on Tuesday to consider whether the island should be separated out so it doesnt by default become incorporated into District 2 the largest district, which largely consists of Browns Valley when the annexation of the island happens. But because West Pueblo-Linda Vista felt like a neighborhood to her, Painter said, and because pairing it with another district would require drawing boundaries crossing Highway 29, she felt like supporting the current map was the best option. Over the next decade I think were going to track and continue to see how populations change in each of the districts, whether its because of new housing thats built or population thats added through any of the island annexations, Painter said. We look forward to that as a separate and distinct process. You can reach Edward Booth at (707) 256-2213. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. What if we could capture the suns energy not once, but twice? We have a golden opportunity to energize our wine industry, reduce carbon emissions, produce clean electricity, and decrease water use we can do it all by investing in the new, cutting-edge technology of agrivoltaics. On the surface, agrivoltaics seems simple: just install solar panels on a farm. However, achieving optimal crop yield and energy production while reducing water use gets more complicated in practice. Agrivoltaics is such a revolutionary technology because plants are limited in the maximum amount of sunlight that they can absorb. After reaching that point, additional light neither boosts photosynthesis nor assists the plants development. Instead, the plant starts to sweat, wasting water. Plant type and local climate are the major factors dictating the point at which additional sunlight becomes obsolete for crops, and thus more useful for energy production. We can position solar panels to provide just the right amount of sunlight to plants, allowing the extra light to be captured for electricity and preventing crops from wasting water as they sweat. Because the plants keep the solar panels cool, they end up producing more electricity than they would without the crops in close proximity. According to research done by Oregon State University, solar panels placed near crops produce up to 10% more electricity than they would otherwise. Other research has shown that agrivoltaics could even increase overall crop yield in warmer climates, in spite of the quantity of crops planted being reduced to make space for solar panels. There are various configurations for placing solar panels depending on the type of crops. However, the principle remains the same: agrivoltaics allow farmers to produce green energy, reduce emissions, and decrease water use, while potentially increasing their overall crop yield in warmer, drier climates like Californias. When it comes to Californias agriculture, our wine industry is one of the largest in the sector. It is, however, in dire need of some help, of new, innovative ways to boost its economic viability. The 2022 State of the Wine Industry Report stated that The U.S. wine industry had pockets of success in 2021, but is probably entering a phase of negative volume growth. Furthermore, for wineries in the western United States, the impact of the drought will likely become a focal point of industry discussions and planning in 2022 with increasing climate impacts from drought, fire, low soil moisture, and record low reservoir levels, there will be even more pressure for agriculture and residential users to share limited water. Agrivoltaics presents us with an opportunity to address a number of these problems. Adding solar panels to our vineyards properly could reduce water use, decrease the energy cost of operating a vineyard, boost soil moisture, and curtail the impact of drought. Large-scale experiments in France show that agrivoltaics work quite well for viticulture. However, the upfront cost of such an upgrade is large, making this technology inaccessible for many vineyards operating on the slim margins of the last few years. To make agrivoltaics accessible to the industry, the state should create a new program to provide grants for farmers and vineyards who wish to deploy this technology. In 2018, representing UC Davis students in my role in the student government (ASUCD), I sponsored Assesmblymember Bauer-Kahans AB 1086, which would have expanded the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), reforming it to better serve small and family farmers. The program helps farmers upgrade and modernize their irrigation infrastructure by providing grants to pay for upgrades. The bill was later taken up by the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN), which saw the effort to the finish line this past year, reforming the program through the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and securing funding for it through the budget. I believed then, as I do now, that investing in upgrading irrigation and energy infrastructure in the agriculture sector is critical for fulfilling Californias promise of a green future, and for increasing our water resilience as we deal with droughts. Similar to how SWEEP helps farmers upgrade their irrigation systems, a new program needs to provide the upfront funds necessary to make agrivoltaics viable for the wine industry and other small and family farmers. The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) predicts a $31 billion surplus in the upcoming fiscal year. We must urge our lawmakers to invest in Californias wine industry and to invest in the future of Californias winemakers. We must urge our lawmakers to address the challenges that the industry faces by funding the deployment of this cutting-edge technology. California must invest in the wine industry and its small and family farmers by funding a grant program to deploy agrivolatics all across the state. Adam Hatefi Citrus Heights According to a PR published by the USGC on February 8, 2022, Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, received its second HC-130J long-range surveillance aircraft, CGNR 2014. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link HC-130J long-range surveillance aircraft (Picture source: U.S. Coast Guard) The advanced capabilities of the HC-130J especially the 40 percent increase in range over the HC-130H aircraft it is replacing are critical in serving the vast area of the Pacific covered by the air station, including Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. The increase in range comes from the HC-130Js more advanced engines and propellers, which also provide a 20 percent increase in speed and altitude over the legacy aircraft. Another notable difference is the liquid oxygen system, which allows crews to fly at higher altitudes, providing a better vantage point for many missions. The HC-130J have a modernized glass cockpit, the capability to execute GPS approaches, and are outfitted with the Minotaur Mission System Suite, which provides increased capabilities for use of the sensors, radar, and intelligence-gathering equipment. To put the increased capabilities into perspective: Air Station Barbers Point recently completed a maritime surveillance patrol in Oceania at the request of a partner nation concerned about illegal activity in its exclusive economic zone. With an HC-130J, the crew was able to make it to and from Guam in one leg each way, while the HC-130H range necessitates an overnight stop while en route to Guam. Air Station Barbers Point is scheduled to receive two additional HC-130J Super Hercules to complete its transition, which is anticipated by the end of 2022. Air stations Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and Kodiak, Alaska, have already transitioned to the HC-130J. The Lockheed HC-130 is an extended-range, search and rescue (SAR)/combat search and rescue (CSAR) version of the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft, with two different versions operated by two separate services in the U.S. armed forces. The HC-130H Hercules and HC-130J Super Hercules versions are operated by the United States Coast Guard in a SAR and maritime reconnaissance role. Norfolks Julian Bryant to speak on Zimbabwe Norfolks Julian Bryant to speak on Zimbabwe To prepare for Christian Aid Week, Julian Bryant will be helping to lead an online session for supporters highlighting the charitys work in Zimbabwe. Every May, churches, individuals and groups in Norfolk join together to make a huge difference to people living in poverty whom they have never met by taking part in Christian Aid Week. Julian Bryant (Christian Aids Norfolk Church Engagement Worker) and Alex Cassidy (Cambridgeshire and Essex Church Engagement Worker) are hosting the online session which will give people the opportunity to find out how Christian Aid is making a difference in Zimbabwe and to hear what local churches and groups did last year to raise vital funds. There will be an opportunity to meet fellow supporters from Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex and to find out what is happening this year. Julian says, Every year I am deeply grateful and often moved that individuals and churches, who are often facing their own challenges, join in to make a difference to people facing poverty whom they have never met. I have attended fundraising lunches, coffee mornings, breakfasts, cake sales, pop up jumble sales, sponsored events, poetry readings and concerts and more over the years. Many churches take collections on Sundays and many people still deliver envelopes. Seeing the difference this makes with my own eyes and hearing how lives have been changed from the people themselves makes me realise just what a difference churches make in our world. The focus this year is on Zimbabwe, where Christian Aid is helping people like Janet Zirugo. Janet her family are receiving support from the Christian Aid led ZRBF-BRACT Programme to build their resilience capacities to climate change and other shocks. Mutoko District where Janet comes from experiences harsh climatic condition with extended dry spells in recent years. This session is part of Christian Aids Supporter Conference which has a wide variety of sessions covering Christian Aid Week fundraising, campaigning and more. The session will take place on Tuesday February 22 at 7.30pm. You can book into the session (amongst others) here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/change-makers And find out more about the different sessions here (just scroll down). If you have any queries, please contact Julian at jbryant@christian-aid.org Pictured above are Janet Zirugo and her daughter Nyarai preparing land at their farm located just close to their home in Zimbabwe. Image: David Brazier / Christian Aid Eldred Willey, 10/02/2022 Japan is offering Europe some of its liquefied natural gas imports amid fears that supplies will be disrupted by tensions over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, said Minister of Commerce Koichi Hagiuda, AFP reported. Several shipments of gas are already being sent to Europe by private Japanese firms and will arrive this month, he said. He said that more ships will leave for Europe in March, but deliveries will be strictly dependent on meeting domestic demand. Fears are growing that the conflict in Ukraine could spark an energy crisis in Europe, which is heavily dependent on supplies from Russia. Analysts say it's unlikely that Russia will completely cut off supplies to Europe in the event of a conflict, and Japan's stockpiles are likely to be insufficient to make up the difference if Moscow does. Tokyo's proposal is accompanied by frantic diplomatic maneuvering in an attempt to ease tensions with Russia over Ukraine. Hagiuda told reporters that he had received requests from US and EU ambassadors to meet the need for fuel in Europe. Japan was the world's largest LNG importer until last year and is highly dependent on the fuel. According to a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, Japanese gas companies will receive fuel at the market price. The US Embassy said the move shows that Japan strongly supports the United States and our European partners and opposes the use of brute force. The Dutch Central Bank (DNB) has said it deeply regrets the important role that many of its early directors played in the slave trade in the 19th century, an independent investigation into the bank's early years has revealed. The Dutch were involved in global slavery from the 17th century until the transatlantic slave trade was abolished by the Netherlands in 1814 when the DNB was founded. The investigation showed that the majority of the Amsterdam financial elite who provided the start-up capital for the bank were directly involved in the slave trade. DNB played an active role in the preservation of slavery. More than others at the time, the directors of the DNB were personally and politically involved in colonial slavery, said central bank governor at the presentation of the report. Eleven of the original 17 private investors either owned plantations in overseas colonies in the Caribbean and South America where slaves were forced to work, financed these plantations, or traded in commodities produced there, such as sugar, coffee, cotton, and tobacco. The investigation also revealed that the directors of the DNB actively campaigned against the abolition of slavery, despite the rising tide of resistance in the Netherlands, and for compensation to slave owners. Three of the six directors of the DNB were themselves compensated when slavery was finally abolished in the Netherlands in 1863. The central bank will try to establish whether an apology or some kind of compensation will be justified. Eurozone economic sentiment falls much more than expected in April Apple faces big fine Armenia ex-president joins discussion in France Square Symptoms and prevention of avian influenza: is it dangerous for humans? 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 Russian national team excluded from League of Nations New James Bond might be Jacob Elordi from Euphoria Ann Linde says Finland will almost certainly apply for NATO membership 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 UEFA suspends Russian clubs from participation in European competitions 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 Edinson Cavani wants to return to South America 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 Mkhitaryan among contenders for Roma's best player in April Blinken and Armenia FM sign memorandum on strategic cooperation in nuclear energy Avril Lavigne tests positive for Covid-19 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 Why Justin Lin exits Fast and Furious 10 as director? Cavusoglu claims there is agreement to clarify Armenia-Turkey border Azerbaijan president receives Brice Roquefeuil How does climate change affect human health? Spain national team midfielder to join Barcelona 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 Netflix cancels shooting of Meghan Markle's animated series The Pearl ATP No change in top 10 Yerevan Police apprehend opposition MP One in five people in England gets skin cancer All Kardashians invited to Met Gala for the first time Police: 199 people apprehended in Yerevan as of noon Armenia defense ministry refutes Azerbaijan MOD statement Simone Inzaghi Let's believe in victory until the end Resistance Movement coordinator says they will assemble at France Square in downtown Yerevan at 6pm Armenia parliament opposition faction leader: More than 200 people apprehended The Azeri Times: Azerbaijan closes airspace for Russia military aircraft to disrupt transportation to Armenia Bill Gates warns of more fertile' COVID-19 variant Police: 3 dozen intersections in Yerevan were closed off by citizens since morning Scientists identify mechanism of immune response formation leading to severe COVID-19 Armenia PM congratulates several Arab countries leaders on Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr 3 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Journalist falls ill during scuffle at civil disobedience action in Yerevan Armenia ex-ruling party official: I assess these actions of disobedience very positively Pete Davidson tattoos names of Kim Kardashian's children Armenia FM to head for US, will meet with Blinken Armenia Police: 189 people apprehended so far in Yerevan UN announces blocking of millions of tons of grain in Ukraine ports Xavi congratulates Real Madrid for winning the title Small plane crashes in Canada, 4 dead 125 people taken to Yerevan police stations Erdogan says will hold talks with Putin this week Over 48,000 people in Armenia already get booster shot against Covid Liverpool to sell Salah in summer Eurovision 2022: Armenias Rosa Linn holds first rehearsal in Italy (PHOTOS) Quake hits Armenia-Georgia border zone One person falls ill during oppositions peaceful disobedience action in downtown Yerevan Resistance Movement coordinator says 14 streets currently blocked by citizens in Yerevan Peaceful civil disobedience actions kick off in Yerevan early morning La Liga: Barca defeat Mallorca Serie A: Roma play goalless draw at home with Bologna Hungary says 10 European countries opened bank accounts in Russia to pay for natural gas in rubles Finland to build fences along Russia border Armenia ex-President Serzh Sargsyan: For 10 years international community said Artsakh should self-determine Putin signs decree on measures to ensure Russia information security 3rd President Serzh Sargsyan is at Yerevans France Square Opposition continues to keep France Square in downtown Yerevan closed Europe asks Russia natural gas giant to increase supplies Clashes break out between police and anarchists in Paris The Jerusalem Post: Time for Israel to not fear Turkey and to recognize Armenian Genocide Armenia opposition lawmaker: People are constantly approaching ex-president Kocharyan (VIDEO) Putin bans foreign investors from organizing regular transfers on public-private, city-private partnership basis Ex-defense minister: Prior to 44-day war it was possible to negotiate in such way that Armenia will not be at war Police dispatching additional forces to Yerevans France Square Opposition to set up tents at France Square in downtown Yerevan (PHOTOS) Armenia opposition MP: How did US, France, Russia talk about Karabakh status after war? Kim Kardashian, Pete Davidson attend White House Correspondents' Dinner together (PHOTOS) Resistance Movement coordinator: Armenian people told whole world that they are masters of their destiny, future Huge opposition rally kicks off in downtown Yerevan Armenia former ruling party official says ex-President Serzh Sargsyan will attend today's opposition rally I went to the premiere: Is it the end?' Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' (NO SPOILERS) Russia to impose $101M fine on Google YEREVAN. Past daily writes of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: According to Past newspapers information, during the last 2-3 months the Ministry of Justice has been working intensively on a large package envisaging changes in the entire RA judicial system, whereby several key codes are likely to undergo radical changes at once. According to our source, such an initiative is being implemented on the specific instruction of [PM] Nikol Pashinyan, so that all loopholes which have gaps and contain "loopholes" in the laws and codes are shut and adapted to the demands of the government. By the way, according to the information we have, several representatives of well-known Western-funded NGOs, as well as lawyers generating obvious pro-government theses in the domestic political arena, are involved in this working group as an advisory-expert "body." We were also informed that the work of the group is planned to be completed by the end of the work of the constitutional amendments committee, so that no problem will arise with the general legal regulations ahead of the Constitutional referendum. YEREVAN. Zhoghovurd daily of Armenia writes: For days, representatives of the opposition arena, political analysts, and just citizens are discussing and angry over the statement of President Lukashenko of Belarus. He, let us remind, speaking about the inevitability of Armenia becoming a part of the "Union Country" [with Russia and Belarus], had stressed, "Armenia has no place to escape. What? Do you think anyone needs them? [Armenian PM] Nikol Vovayevich [Pashinyan] knows about it well." Nikol Vovayevich, however, does not react in any way to his Belarusian counterpart, leaving it to the shoulders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs [(MFA)] or the parliamentary [ruling majority] "Civil Contract" [(CC)] Faction. The CC MPs, who, as soon as they heard Lukashenko's statement, had hurried to attack the country's number one political tribune and give him an "adequate answer," had changed their attitude yesterday, and became friendlier. "Such incidents happen, both we and the MFA have responded. So, lets consider the topic closed," said one of the CC MPs in a conversation with us. It seems that "the situation has changed" for Pashinyan. If he now avoids giving an adequate response to his Belarusian counterpart, in 2018 he was surprised and angry from the fact that after the closed-door meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council, the President of Belarus had told the Azerbaijani ambassador to Belarus what happened in the closed-door format. About the incident, let us remind, Pashinyan had said that he is surprised that a person who had been in the status of the head of state for 30 years can allow himself such a step. "Of course, I shall demand clarifications from the President of Belarusand not only from the President of Belarus," he had stressed. Later, Pashinyan, referring to his own inquiry, had said that "What I said, I shall do, everything is done"in fact without specifying what explanation he received from the President of Belarus. The head of our country, in fact, needs neither to say nor to receive clarifications regarding the recent controversial statement Lukashenko made about Armenia. The launch of the TRUTH Social social network, developed at the initiative of former US President Donald Trump, will take place no earlier than the end of March this year, Fox Business reported, citing sources. The servers responsible for the operation of the social network have already been launched, and the application itself is undergoing beta testing. It is currently available for pre-order in the US. The TRUTH Social, the creation of which Trump announced at the end of October last year, was supposed to be launched on February 21, when the United States celebrates a federal holiday - President's Day (the third Monday in February). However, as Fox Business sources clarify, now its launch is expected no earlier than the end of March. In the last weeks of his tenure as President of the United States, Trump was prevented from posting on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. This happened shortly after, on January 6, 2021, supporters of the Republican, who was then the head of the American administration, tried to prevent the US Congress from approving the results of the November 3 presidential elections the year before last. Democrat Joe Biden won. In connection with the incident, the Democrats initiated the impeachment proceedings against Trump. However, the Senate of Congress acquitted him. The authorities of the US state of California have filed a lawsuit against electric car manufacturer Tesla for racial segregation and discrimination at one of the enterprises, according to local TV channel KTVU FOX 2. The application was filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) in the Alameda County Court. After receiving hundreds of complaints from workers, DFEH found evidence that the Tesla Fremont plant is a racially segregated workplace where black workers are subjected to racial harassment and discrimination in job assignments, penalties for plant discipline, pay and promotion, which creates an unfavorable working environment, the authorities said in a statement quoted by the TV channel. In turn, before reports of the lawsuit surfaced, Tesla released its statement. The company noted that the California authorities intend to file a complaint about "systematic racial discrimination and harassment." The Department is said to have conducted a three-year investigation and during that time has "never expressed concern" about the situation in the workplace. The lawsuit primarily addresses what appears to be alleged misconduct by manufacturing partners at the Fremont plant that took place between 2015 and 2019, Tesla said. The company called the lawsuit unfounded and said it opposes discrimination. The automaker also accused the California department of deciding to file a complaint instead of constructive cooperation. We have stated many times that until the issue of Artsakh's [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] status is decided, the [Russian] peacekeepers should be there. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, stated this at a press briefing Thursday. "As long as there is no decision on the status, the peacekeepers activity there is a necessity. The Armenian side will work so that the peacekeepers stay there until the issue is resolved," Grigoryan said. The Armenian Security Council chief stressed the respective position of the Armenian side that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Groupand in a peaceful way. As for the strengthening of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey, according to Grigoryan, "Any process that may impede a peaceful solution is worrying." Moreover, the secretary of the Security Council of Armenia believes that the Minsk Group countries have all the levers to stopby showing activenessany attempt at military development. STEPANAKERT. President Arayik Harutyunyan on Thursday signed a decree on dismissing Armen Tovmasyan from the post of the Minister of Economy and Agriculture of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)and in connection with his transfer to another job, Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned from the Office of the Artsakh President. By another presidential decree, Norayr Musayelyan was appointed Minister of Agriculture. Also, the president approved the governments decisions, according to which: Armen Ghahramanyan was dismissed from the post of the head of the administration of the Askeran regionand according to his respective application. Hamlet Apresyan has been appointed head of the administration of Askeran region, resigning from the post of deputy chairman of the Water Committee. And Vahram Ghahramanyan has been appointed chairman of the Artsakh Committee on Material Damages. The excitement fanned by the West around allegations of an imminent Russian aggression in Ukraine is dealing a blow to Ukraine, including the economy of this country, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the air of the TRT Haber TV channel. According to him, Turkey in its mediation efforts is aware that there will be no quick solution to the problem. At this stage, steps are important to reduce the level of escalation and create an atmosphere of trust. The situation is not as horrifying as it is being portrayed in the West, but it is also serious, he noted. The Turkish minister noted that Ankara's position is extremely open and clear: Turkey, as a country that has good relations with both Ukraine and Russia, opposes a new round of confrontation in a region where there are already so many conflicts. We are taking steps to de-escalate the situation. Contacts with the parties continue. The public is informed about some of these contacts. Efforts are being made through diplomatic channels. Cavusoglu noted the last visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Kiev. "First, we need to reduce the intensity of tension, and then take steps to ensure long-term stability," the Turkish minister said. The head of the department expressed confidence that the path to peace in the region lies through a balanced position of all parties. Ukraine agrees to mediation. Russia also did not close the doors. We asked the Russian side to make public the date of the Russian leader's visit. Anyone who wants peace and tranquility, economic development in the region, must adhere to a balanced policy, he added. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov promises not to hinder the work of the UNESCO mission. Azerbaijan does not impose any restrictions on the UNESCO mission, Bayramov said in response to reporters' questions. According to Azerbaijani media reports, the FM said that Azerbaijan had petitioned to UNESCO back in June last year to send a mission. "We [i.e., Azerbaijan] do not impose any restrictions on the mission of the organization. UNESCO can study both Muslim and Christian monuments," he said. Also, Bayramov "stressed the fact that Armenia has not allowedfor decadesUNESCO representatives to visit the occupied Azerbaijani territories. After the 44-day war [in the fall of 2020], Bayramov said, Azerbaijan and UNESCO have started collaborating in carrying out research work in Karabakh," Azerbaijani media added. To note, however, Azerbaijan's claims about its readiness to collaborate with UNESCO are blatantly false. Before the eyes of the international community, the Azerbaijani authorities had leveled to the ground the Armenian cross-stones in Nakhichevan with bulldozers, and had not allowed UNESCO representatives to approach them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a meeting with representatives of the European Business Association that the accumulation of Russian troops near the borders is psychological pressure from Russia, his press service quoted him as saying. "We believe that the accumulation of troops near the borders is psychological pressure from our neighbors. We see nothing new in this. As for the risks - there are risks and they have not ended since 2014. The question is the degree of those risks and how we react to them,' said the President. Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine does everything to strengthen its defense and to be able to react to any development of events. In particular, planned exercises are being conducted, activities aimed at improving the supply of troops are being carried out. He assured that they have enough forces and weapons to defend the state with dignity without involving anyone else but the military. At the same time, the president noted, that international partners and allies have also intensified their activities to support Ukraine and stabilize the situation. "Many countries of the world are our friends. I believe that uniting efforts of the European Union countries, the United States, uniting a stable position to support Ukraine is a very important signal," Zelensky said. The Head of State noted the security issue must not affect the life of the country, adding that the economic situation in Ukraine is stable. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned of a dangerous moment for Europe as Russia builds up troops near Ukraine and conducts joint military exercises in Belarus, Reuters reports. Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Stoltenberg said he had sent a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggesting that more transparency be discussed on the exercise as well as nuclear arms control. This is a dangerous moment for European security, Stoltenberg said at a press conference with Johnson. According to him, the number of Russian forces is increasing. The warning time for a possible attack is being reduced. NATO does not pose a threat to Russia, but we must prepare for the worst while remaining firmly committed to finding a political solution, Stoltenberg said. According to him, Russia must choose between a diplomatic solution to the crisis over Ukraine or face economic sanctions from the West and increased military presence of NATO forces in the eastern countries of the alliance. Russia has a choice: either a diplomatic solution and we are ready to sit down at the negotiating table but if they choose confrontation, they will pay a higher price, he said. There will be economic sanctions. NATO's military presence in the eastern part of the alliance will be increased, and the UK is indeed playing an important role in this, the NATO chief added. Foreign Ministry spokesman Vahan Hunanyan commented on the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture statement, saying that it is a priority to implement the fact-finding mission in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone proposed by UNESCO Secretary-General Audrey Azoulay after the 44-day war. "Armenia supports the early implementation of this mission in accordance with the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two protocols," Hunanyan said. The need for immediate implementation of a UNESCO fact-finding mission has arisen to protect Armenian cultural and religious heritage from the imminent danger of destruction in territories that have come under Azerbaijani control as a result of war. "Already noted cases of vandalism against Armenian monuments, as well as the announcement by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture of the creation of a working group aimed at distorting the identity of Armenian historical and cultural heritage, indicate that such a danger is more than real. We consider the proposal for a UNESCO delegation to visit Yerevan and Baku solely within the framework of the above-mentioned mission proposed by the UNESCO Secretary-General," Foreign Ministry spokesman said. Nuclear talks with Iran enter final phase, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at a joint press conference in Tel Aviv with her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid during an official visit to Israel. Despite Israel's reservations, a return to the nuclear deal would make the region safer, she said. Lapid noted that during the meeting, Iranian nuclear talks were discussed, and he presented Israel's position that a nuclear Iran threatens not only Israel, but the whole world. He said Iran is an exporter of terror from Yemen to Buenos Aires and the agreement must take into account its regional aggression. Annalena Baerbock noted that she is convinced that the full restoration of the Iranian nuclear deal will make the region more secure, including Israel, otherwise we would not have these negotiations. According to her, negotiations with Iran have reached a very critical point and that it is important for Iran to return to the negotiating table with a willingness to compromise and without maximum demands. Previously Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan told that 108 remains of the killed in the first war were handed over to Azerbaijan, but the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry managed to twist even the humanitarian step of the Armenian side. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry pretended to hear about it for the first time and tried to use the humanitarian step of the Armenian side to escalate anti-Armenian sentiment. It is interesting why Armenia was waiting 30 years to provide any information about 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing during the first Armenia-Azerbaijan Karabakh war, spokeswoman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva said. Although the Armenian government has not made any statements yet in this regard, among the reasons for the transfer of the remains of only 108 of thousands of missing Azerbaijanis after 30 years, of course, is the discovery of mass graves of Azerbaijanis in the liberated territories and the provision of the international community with evidence, Abdullayeva said. The spokeswoman added that proceeding from the principles of humanism, Azerbaijan handed over the remains of more than 1,700 Armenian servicemen to the opposite side immediately after the 44-day second Karabakh war without expecting any reciprocal step and without any information from the Armenian side about thousands of Azerbaijanis who went missing in the first Armenia-Azerbaijan Karabakh war. I would like to stress that the Azerbaijani side keeps the issue of missing people on the agenda as a priority and will not allow the Armenian side, which is directly responsible for this issue, to remain silent for 30 more years about the fate of more than 3,700 missing Azerbaijanis and the location of their mass burial places, Abdullayeva said. The head of the Foreign Ministry's press service is not only misrepresenting the humanitarian step taken by the Armenian side, but also deceiving it, to say the least. It was the Azerbaijani side which all these years refused to cooperate with the commissions for search of prisoners, hostages and missing people, and it was the Azerbaijani side which refused any contact with the state commission of the Nagorno-Karabakh, the graves are in the territory of the NKR, and it was the Azerbaijani side which refused to provide any information about the burial of about thousand Armenians from Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh missing after the first war. At the same time, the Azerbaijani side has been manipulating the data all these years - the data of the Azerbaijan State Commission on the missing people has varied in different years for political reasons, reaching up to 5,000. South Africa: Government intensifies fight against gender-based violence Government is intensifying the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) this year, through implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBV and other measures to promote the empowerment of women, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. The National Strategic Plan (NSP) provides a cohesive framework that will guide the national response to the GBVF crisis. The plan outlines a comprehensive strategic response to GBVF with a specific focus on violence against all women across age, physical location, disability, sexual orientation, sexual and gender identity and national identity as well as violence against children, and how these serve to reinforce each other. In strengthening the plan, earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa approved the amendment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill; the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill, and the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill. Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday evening, President Ramaphosa said the enacted legislation, which is a deliverable from the NSP on GBVF, has strengthened the criminal justice system, promoting accountability across the state and supporting survivors. The implementation of this legislation will go a long way to ensuring that cases are successfully prosecuted, that survivors are protected and that there are more effective deterrents in place. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill expands the scope of the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) to include the particulars of all sex offenders and not only sex offenders against children and persons who are mentally disabled. The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill aims to address gender-based violence (GBV) and offences committed against vulnerable persons, and provides for additional procedures to reduce secondary victimisation of vulnerable persons in court proceedings. The Domestic Violence Amendment Bill amends the Domestic Violence Act to address practical challenges, gaps and anomalies which have manifested since the Act came into operation in December 1999. We have made significant progress in reducing the backlog in DNA [paternity testing] processing, reducing it from 210,000 exhibits in April 2021 to around 58,000 at present, President Ramaphosa said. However, the President warned that the fight against GBV will never be won, unless as a society, we mobilise all formations and all citizens behind a sustained programme of social action. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Commenting on the appointment, Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, Sundaram-Clayton Ltd., said, "On behalf of the Board, I'm delighted to welcome K. Gopala Desikan as Director & Group CFO of Sundaram-Clayton Limited. He is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in several Corporate Finance functions. I am sure he will continue to play a pivotal role in our transformation journey while keeping financial discipline to help fulfil our ambition of sustainable growth in the future." Desikan, continues to be the Group Chief Financial Officer of TVS Motor Company. Desikan has been with TVS for the last 32 years. He has handled various functions, including Direct Taxation, Treasury & Risk Management, M&A activities, Corporate Finance, and various accounting functions both at the Corporate and Plant level. He is also involved in the Group's International Business and Long Range Planning strategic initiatives. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA from UK. 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], February 10 (ANI/PNN): Increasing share of supply of coal produced in Chhattisgarh to industries in other states is adversely impacting power projects and industries in the state, according to the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), which has demanded that priority should be given to local industries in coal supplies. Chhattisgarh has coal reserves of an estimated 56 billion tonnes and accounts for 18% of the national coal reserves, but is facing an unprecedented coal crisis. The South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) produces over 165 million tonnes of coal annually, which is supplied to industries in Chhattisgarh as well as outside. More than 250 industries in Chhattisgarh have set up captive power projects to meet their power needs. These units produce around 4,000 MW of electricity and require around 32 million tonnes of coal a year, which is 19% of SECL's overall production. SECL is failing to supply adequate quantity of coal to these units in breach of existing agreements. Even Independent Power Producers in the state are struggling to ensure 15-20 days of buffer coal reserve because of the crisis, even as coal supplies continue outside the state. "For the past one year, SECL has increased the share of coal supplies to power projects and industries outside the state at the cost of industries in Chhattisgarh. Even though the coal is mined in Chhattisgarh, the share of coal supplied locally is shrinking, leading to a coal crisis and huge financial losses to industries in the state," said Sanjay Singh, National General Secretary of INTUC. Singh, who is also President of INTUC's Chhattisgarh unit, has written to the Prime Minister, Coal Minister, Labour Minister, Coal India's CMD, SECL's CMD, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, and others demanding immediate remedial attention to ensure coal demands of industrial units in the state are met on a priority basis. The INTUC official warned that the coal crisis can lead to the closure of industrial units in the state, creating unemployment which could lead to social unrest. He said the central government is responsible for creating the crisis in non-BJP ruled states. He also warned that INTUC would launch an agitation and block the movement of coal vehicles to other states if adequate coal supplies are not ensured to Chhattisgarh. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 10 (ANI/NewsVoir): There has been a rising interest in India in ethically sourced, natural, and organic skincare, which is safe and effective. Consumers have become increasingly aware of the importance of tested and organic products that are scientifically sound and thoroughly researched. This has made it more difficult for companies to deliver on this long list of consumer demands while still keeping prices reasonably low. AG Industries has emerged as the supplier for the modern consumer's demands and needs. It is rising as the new face of skincare by launching effective, ethical, and genuine skincare products fit for the modern consumer. They provide complete solutions and raw materials to cosmetic companies and have continued on the path of growth and expansion through modern marketing and strategic practices that expand their presence and product portfolio. With the rising demand for skincare that is economical yet exceptionally effective, AG Industries has risen to the occasion and built a reputation as a progressive entity with a large client base of conscious and discerning consumers. AG Industries invests heavily into its Research and Development division to keep creating new and innovative products that meet the changing needs of the consumer. The story of AG Industries is one of perseverance and commitment. It began as a tiny mint product maker and has now grown to become a major player. Anil Gupta, the company's creator, and a financial prodigy was the driving force behind the company's quick expansion. He stated the original vision that started the journey, "We had the single-minded vision of manufacturing skincare products that would constitute a breakthrough in the industry in terms of being efficacious and beneficial. We made quite a splash when we entered the skincare industry due to this commitment to excellence." His son Arpit Gupta, CEO of AG Industries, elaborated on this, "Over the years we have built upon the strong foundations of the company, and moved the firm into the modern era by incorporating technological breakthroughs and innovations which transformed our product line." Achin Gupta, the founder's youngest son, and AG Industries' president, significantly expanded the company's wings. He spoke about AG Organica, founded by him and Arpit, "AG Organica, like AG Industries, is focused on manufacturing high-quality skincare products. The focus is on delivering 100% organic, ayurvedic, and herbal products that are safe and effective." The company creates a product line that includes foamy Face Wash, Rose Water, Body wash, Body lotion, Ayurvedic cream, Hair oil, Scrubs, Aloe Vera gel, cleansers, masks, and more, all of which are made with natural ingredients and provide brilliant results. AG Industries has achieved national recognition and its goal to make India proud by setting and sustaining high standards of trust, delivering high-quality products and solutions designed for holistic well-being. When a company's trademark is quality and brilliance, honors and recognition are certain to follow. Silicon India's '10 Most Promising Brands 2019-2020' and Forbes India's 'India's Best Employers 2020-2021' are some of the accolades AG Industries is proud to call its own. Insightful icons of fortune India January 2020 edition published an article naming them "The new face of the skincare industry in India." The Skincare Industry has been going through a revolution in India wherein eco-friendly, non-toxic and natural products are in high demand. AG Industries has positioned itself as a leader in this revolution through its innovative product line which solves a myriad of skin concerns. Their motto of always putting the customer's needs above all else has been successful in transforming the skincare industry for the better. For more information, please visit: www.pureoilsindia.com www.pureoilsindia.com/cosmetics-skincare-in-private-labels/ www.pureoilsindia.com/cosmetics-manufacturer/ This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "I have never been in favour of Hijab or Burqa. I still stand by that but at the same time, I have nothing but deep contempt for these mobs of hooligans who are trying to intimidate a small group of girls and that too unsuccessfully. Is this their idea of 'MANLINESS'. What a pity." Akhtar's tweet comes days after several women in Karnataka were heckled by protestors for wearing a hijab. The whole controversy erupted after the Karnataka government on February 5 issued an order mandating a dress code in all schools and colleges, with a ban on clothes that "disturb equality, integrity and public law and order". The issue reached the Karnataka High Court this week, but the court declined to pass any interim order Wednesday and referred the case to a larger bench. (ANI) Oscar-winning actor and humanitarian Angelina Jolie appeared in a press conference held at Capitol Hill and urged the US Senate to renew the Violence Against Women Act. As per Deadline, the 46-year-old actor made a plea for lawmakers to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which she said was essential to offer basic protections to survivors of abuse. Jolie was accompanied by her 17-year-old daughter Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt. Speaking at a press appearance at the Capitol along with a group of senators, Jolie also called out Congress for letting the law lapse. The law was first passed in 1994 and included provisions for federal level prosecution of interstate domestic violence and sexual assault crimes, as well as support for shelters, rape crisis centres and community organizations. It was last reauthorized in 2013 but expired in 2019, and has since languished, reported Deadline. "The reason that many people struggle to leave abusive situations is that they've been made to feel worthless. When there is silence from a Congress too busy to renew the Violence Against Women Act for a decade, it reinforces that sense of worthlessness. You think, 'I guess my abuser is right. I guess I'm not worth very much,'" Jolie said. She added that passing the law "is one of the most important votes senators will cast this year." Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on Wednesday that a bipartisan agreement had been reached on renewing the law, that came after a provision was dropped that would have restricted unmarried partners from having guns if they were found guilty of domestic violence, as per Deadline. Jolie had a series of visits to Washington DC last year, including a meeting at the White House with Press Secretary Jen Psaki, where the passage of the law was a central topic. While interacting with the media, Jolie singled out several provisions in the law, including funding for "non-racially-biased forensic evidence collection," and the "jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indian perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse and sex trafficking on tribal land." The three-time Golden Globe Award winning-actor also cited Kayden's Law, which restricts certain alleged and convicted abusers from having unsupervised parenting time with their children. Deadline reported that Jolie even choked up at the end of her remarks, as she acknowledged the children "who are terrified and suffering at this moment." She went on to recognized "the many people for whom this legislation comes too late, the women who have suffered through the system with little or no support, who still carry the pain and trauma of their abuse, the young adults who have survived abuse and have emerged stronger, not because of the child protective system but despite it, and the women and children who have died who could have been saved." Jolie also met with EPA Administrator Michael Regan to discuss environmental stressors and children's health. "We know these issues are interconnected, and that's why our @EPA team is taking a holistic approach on environmental justice to protect ALL children and ALL communities," Regan wrote on Twitter. (ANI) Celebs who arrived in Tadepalli, Guntur district, to meet the CM included megastar Chiranjeevi, 'Bahubali' actor Prabhas, Mahesh Babu, directors SS Rajamouli and Koratala Siva. They came from Hyderabad on a special flight to Vijayawada. From there, the government invited them with a full protocol and police protection. They had reached the CM camp office and discussions are currently in progress. In this meeting, the film industry people expect that the CM would consider their request and give freedom to them in deciding ticket prices of the movies. Earlier, director Ram Gopal Varma and Chiranjeevi also held discussions with the government in January. (ANI) Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green have finalised their divorce. On Tuesday, a judge signed off on the final divorce settlement between the 'Jennifer's Body' star, who recently announced her engagement to Machine Gun Kelly, and Green, according to TMZ. Fox, 35, and Green, 48, met in 2004. They first got engaged in November 2006, and later called it off in February 2009. They soon got back together and wed in Hawaii in June 2010, reported People magazine. Five years after their nuptials, the couple hit another bump, separating after Fox initially filed for divorce. At the time, the two announced they were having a third baby together -- and they reconciled the following year. Fox and Green share three children: sons Journey River, 5, Bodhi Ransom, 7, and Noah Shannon, 9. Green confirmed in May 2020 that they had separated after Fox was spotted spending time with rapper Kelly, whom she met filming 'Midnight in the Switchgrass'. The 'Transformers' actor then officially filed for divorce one day before Thanksgiving that year and three days after she made her red carpet debut with Kelly at the 2020 American Music Awards. The two announced their engagement on January 12. Following news of her engagement to Kelly, a source close to Fox told People magazine that she was "thrilled" and "ready to move on completely" from Green after the two reached a "divorce agreement last fall." Fox and Green filed their divorce judgement on October 15, 2021. Additionally, Green has since moved on with 'Dancing with the Stars' pro Sharna Burgess, whom he also coupled up with for a stint on the show. The couple recently announced that they are expecting their first child together. Marking their first anniversary in October, Green wrote on Instagram that it was "1 year of accepting me in a way I've never been loved before," adding to Burgess, 36, "I love you baby. So many more years to come." Green spoke out in July to say on Instagram, "For people that need or want clarification, Megan and I get along great. Neither of us are sending petty digs to each other. We both work really hard to get along and coparent well for our kids." (ANI) Prince Charles has once again tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and is self-isolating, his office revealed on Thursday. A message on his official Twitter page said Charles had tested positive on Thursday morning and was "deeply disappointed" on not being able to attend a scheduled visit in Winchester, England. It read, "This morning The Prince of Wales has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating. HRH is deeply disappointed not to be able to attend today's events in Winchester and will look to reschedule his visit as soon as possible." 73-year-old Charles met dozens of people during a large reception at London's British Museum on Wednesday evening. He was accompanied by his wife Camilla and was in close contact with Britain's Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, among others. Charles' office, Clarence House, confirmed that he is triple vaccinated. It was not immediately clear what his condition was or whether Charles had recently met with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The queen had marked her Platinum Jubilee on Sunday by expressing her wish for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort when Charles becomes king. Charles previously tested positive for the coronavirus in March 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic. Back then officials said he had mild COVID-19 symptoms. Charles and Camilla were isolated at Queen Elizabeth II's Balmoral estate in Scotland at the time, as per The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI) With the people lining up for the first phase of polling, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday urged voters to cast their votes to strengthen the resolution of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) for a "crime-free, fear-free, riot-free" state. Adityanath also complimented the role of the voters, saying that the ritual of polling will be incomplete without their contribution, and requested them to "vote first" before taking up any other work for the day. "Today is the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh. This ritual of polling will be incomplete without your (voters) contribution. Your one vote will strengthen our resolution of a crime-free, fear-free, riot-free Uttar Pradesh. That's why 'vote first' then do any other work," the Chief Minister tweeted. Voting for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections for 58 Assembly seats covering 11 districts of the state began today at 7 am. The voting will conclude at 6 pm today. The first phase will cover the 'Jat-dominant belt' of the western part of the state.The districts that are going to the polling today include Mathura, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Hapur, Shamli, Baghpat, Aligarh, Agra, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. As many as 623 candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the assembly polls while nearly 2.27 crore voters will decide the fate of these candidates. Nearly 50,000 paramilitary personnel from 412 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed at different locations to maintain law and order as the election campaign for the first phase of Assembly polls in western Uttar Pradesh ended on Tuesday evening. The police have sealed the borders of the state and strict security drills are underway to maintain peace in 58 Assembly constituencies which will go to the polls today. The 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3, and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary appealed to people to come out in large numbers to cast their votes to elect a government to fulfil their aspirations with the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh commencing on Thursday morning in 11 districts. "I request each and every one of you to step out of your houses and utilize your right to vote. Elect a government that cares about you. Please also inspire the people around you to do the same," he said. He urged people to elect a responsible government that works for the betterment of everyone in society. "Before casting votes, do recall what happened in the last five years in the state ...elect a government which care about you, talks about your rights, keep the society united, provide opportunities to youth, respect and protect the women and turn diversity into our strength to work for the development of state and the country," he said. Chaudhury shared his video appeal on the RLD's Twitter handle. Voting for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections for 58 Assembly seats, covering 11 districts of the state, began on Thursday at 7 am. The voting will conclude at 6 pm today. The first phase will cover the 'Jat-dominant belt' of the western part of the state. The districts going to the polling today include Mathura, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Hapur, Shamli, Baghpat, Aligarh, Agra and Gautam Buddha Nagar. As many as 623 candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the assembly polls while there're 2.27 crore voters. Nearly 50,000 paramilitary personnel from 412 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed at different locations to maintain law and order as the election campaign for the first phase of Assembly polls in western Uttar Pradesh ended on Tuesday evening. The police have sealed the borders of the State and strict security drills are underway to maintain peace in all the 58 assembly constituencies going to the polls today. The 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3, and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) As people queue up to cast their votes for Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections phase 1 on Thursday, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Agra rural Baby Rani Maurya also reached the polling booth to participate in the polling. Baby Rani Maurya also expressed confidence in the citizens that they will vote for BJP for good governance in the State. "I am confident that the citizens will vote in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party for good governance in the State," the BJP leader told ANI at the polling booth in Agra. Voting for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections for 58 Assembly seats covering 11 districts of the state began today at 7 am. The voting will conclude at 6 pm today. The first phase will cover the 'Jat-dominant belt' of the western part of the state. The districts that are going to the polling today include Mathura, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Hapur, Shamli, Baghpat, Aligarh, Agra, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. As many as 623 candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the assembly polls while nearly 2.27 crore voters will decide the fate of these candidates. Nearly 50,000 paramilitary personnel from 412 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed at different locations to maintain law and order as the election campaign for the first phase of Assembly polls in western Uttar Pradesh ended on Tuesday evening. The police have sealed the borders of the state and strict security drills are underway to maintain peace in 58 Assembly constituencies which will go to the polls today. The 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3, and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) The state government in its order released on Wednesday under which cinemas, spas and gyms will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity. The state government has introduced fresh guidelines which said that people (up to 50 percent capacity) are allowed in closed spaces. The order stated that restaurants are allowed to open till 10 pm with 50 per cent. "All government and non-government offices shall operate at 100 per cent attendance. The aggressive COVID-19 appropriate behaviour has to be followed by officials and staff of all categories," the order read. "All officers and staff have to ensure strict compliance with COVID appropriate behaviour viz. frequent washing of hands, sanitization, wearing a mask/face cover, observing social distancing etc. at all times," it added. Meanwhile, India reported 71,365 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday. (ANI) Voters reached the polling booths in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh city to cast their votes amid foggy and cold weather on Thursday morning. Voting for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections on 58 Assembly seats, covering 11 districts of the state, began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm today. People at Aligarh's Subhash Inter College expressed enthusiasm about choosing their government for the next five years. Speaking to ANI, a voter said, "We have reached here at 6.30 am despite foggy weather. I urge people to cast their votes first then do any other thing in the day." "We want a good government, so I would request every eligible voter to cast their vote. We have come here to vote despite the cold weather," another voter said. Another voter said, "I was very excited to vote this time because I am a 'first-time voter'. My father also encouraged me to participate in polling. I appeal to the UP government for the development of the state." The first phase of voting will cover the 'Jat-dominant belt' of the western parts of the state. The districts going to the polls on Thursday are Mathura, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Hapur, Shamli, Baghpat, Aligarh, Agra, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. As many as 623 candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the assembly polls while nearly 2.27 crore voters will decide their fate. Nearly 50,000 paramilitary personnel from 412 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed at different locations to maintain law and order as the election campaign for the first phase of Assembly polls in western Uttar Pradesh ended on Tuesday evening. The police have sealed the borders of the State and strict vigilance is underway to maintain peace in 58 Assembly constituencies. The 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3, and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) As per the statement, the recovered heroin is worth about Rs 3 crore (3,00,48,000). Assam Rifles also informed that the drug was recovered by the battalion in a search operation conducted on Tuesday. (ANI) "To discuss the incident in Karnataka of replacing the National Flag to hoist RSS/ABVP flag in an educational institution and thus insult our National Flag and to direct the Government to take strict action against the violators," the Congress MP said in his notice. Earlier on Tuesday, a video surfaced on social media platforms showing a boy at a college in Shimoga climbing up a pole and hoisting a saffron flag. The 2022 Budget Session of the Parliament commenced on January 31 with President Ram Nath Kovind's address. The first part of the budget session is being held from January 31 to February 11 and the second part will take place from March 14 to April 8. (ANI) Former Lok Sabha MP and BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Thursday urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to review his security arrangements on the grounds that he was allegedly being attacked by Shiv Sena workers despite being under "Z plus" security of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). In a letter to the MHA, Somaiya said that there should be a review of the security system so that the Pune type incident, which allegedly took place on February 5, could be avoided in future. "Shiv Sena activists attacked me at Pune Municipal Corporation on February 5, 2022. They attacked me at Washim on August 20, 2021, also. They tried to gherao me at Pimpri-Chinchwad on November 21, 2021. The Shiv Sena activists had attacked me during a black flag demonstration at Thane and Mumbai, while also attacking me at Mulund in 2016," he said. The BJP leader charged that he has become a target for the Shiv Sena activists after he sought to expose the Uddhav Thackeray government in the state and its various scams. "It is felt that the gundas of Shiv Sena have increased their activities to harass and assault me," he said. He further said that the February 5 incident at Pune seems to have been well planned, supported by the Pune Police and also the security staff of Pune Municipal Corporation. "A question is being asked/discussed in spite of Z Category security, in spite of the presence of half a dozen CISF personnel, if such thing happened to Kirit Somaiya, then what would be the status of common man," he said. Somaiya in his letter also alleged that "the Maharashtra police is directed to ignore attacks on Kirit Somaiya and that is why the police is not doing anything for his security". "After the Washim attack and the Pune attack, the Home Ministry, the CISF, and Maharashtra Police must become visible and active. It seems that the Police in Maharashtra is informally informed by the ruling leaders to ignore the complaints of harassment and assault on me," he alleged. The BJP leader further slammed the Pune Police Commissioner for "providing illegal cover to Rakesh Wadhawan an accused in illegal PMC Bank Scam in 2020". "Pune Police Commissioner, Amitabh Gupta, is the same person who provided illegal cover to Rakesh Wadhawan, an accused in an illegal PMC Bank Scam in 2020. In spite of notices of ED, Gupta arranged transportation to Wadhawan in 2020 to run away from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar," he added. The BJP MPs from Mumbai and Pune regions have also written to the secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs on Somaiya's security concerns. Meanwhile, an FIR was filed against eight Shiv Sena leaders, including the party's Pune district President Sanjay More, for allegedly assaulting Somaiya. The leader had on February 5 alleged that he was beaten by Shiv Sena leaders inside the premises of Pune Municipal Corporation. (ANI) Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday appealed people to use the power of a vote for the better future of the state. "My dear sisters and brothers of western Uttar Pradesh, use the power of votes for your issues and for building a better future of the state," Vadra tweeted in Hindi. She also tweeted a 'shloka' from the Bhagavad Gita, which means that a person should do Karma and should not focus on results i.e. a person only has a right to do karma and not to the fruits of your karma. Do not become a person who constantly meditates upon (gets attached to) the results of one's karma. Do not get attached to inactivity (no karma). In a bid to boost the morale of party workers, the general secretary said that UP Congress workers should feel proud that the party is contesting all the 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh polls after nearly three decades without being in alliance with any political party." "Best wishes to all my colleagues, workers and candidates of UP Congress - You should be proud that after 30 years we are fighting alone with our strength on all the seats," the tweet added. Voting for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections on 58 assembly seats covering 11 districts of the state began on Thursday at 7 am. The voting will conclude at 6 pm today. The first phase will cover the 'Jat-dominant belt' of the western part of the state. The districts that are going to the polling today include Mathura, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Hapur, Shamli, Baghpat, Aligarh, Agra and Gautam Buddha Nagar. As many as 623 candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the assembly polls while nearly 2.27 crore voters will decide the fate of these candidates. Nearly 50,000 paramilitary personnel from 412 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed at different locations to maintain law and order as the election campaign for the first phase of assembly polls in western Uttar Pradesh ended on Tuesday evening. The police have sealed the borders of the State and strict vigilance is underway to maintain peace in 58 assembly constituencies which will go to the polls today. The 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3, and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Indrani Mukerjea, the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, on Thursday filed a bail plea in the Supreme Court. A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao posted the matter for hearing to February 14 as the apex court did not receive the order copy. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Mukerjea. Mukerjea is in judicial custody of Special CBI court in connection with Sheena Bora murder case. Earlier on Monday, a special court accepted the application of Mukerjea stating that one Asha Korke had met Bora in Kashmir and it directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a reply over the matter. The application was moved in the Court by Mukerjea's lawyer Sana R Khan. Earlier on December 16, the prime accused Indrani Mukherjea had also written to the CBI and said that she will move the CBI court to record a statement of a jail inmate who claimed to have met Sheena in Kashmir. Indrani Mukherjea, the mother of Sheena Bora, in her letter to the investigating agency stated that an inmate in Byculla prison at present had told her that she had spotted Sheena in Kashmir some time ago. In her letter, Indrani has requested the CBI to look into the possibility of Sheena being alive. Indrani has always maintained that Sheena has not been murdered and is alive and had gone abroad for her education in 2012, although Indrani could never prove her claims in any way. Indrani Mukherjea, who is currently lodged in Byculla jail of Mumbai had also sent a letter from the jail to CBI stating that Sheena Bora is alive. A source close to Indrani confirmed that the letter was written based on input given by another jail inmate. The CBI has been investigating the Sheena Bora case since 2015, after taking over the case from Mumbai Police. According to the case registered by Mumbai Police, Sheena Bora was kidnapped and murdered by strangulation in April 2012. This case first came to light after the arrest of Indrani's driver, Shyamvar Rai in another case in August 2015. During the investigation, he confessed to having murdered Sheena Bora in April 2012 and said that he dumped her body in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. He also told Mumbai Police that Sheena's mother, Indrani Mukerjea and Sanjeev Khanna (ex-husband of Indrani) were also involved in this murder. According to CBI's case before the court, Indrani Mukerjea killed Sheena Bora because she was furious over the relationship between Sheena Bora, whom she introduced as her sister to everyone, and Rahul Mukerjea, son of Peter Mukerjea (third husband of Indrani Mukerjea) from his first marriage. According to the CBI, Indrani killed Sheena Bora as Sheena was threatening to expose her in public over the fact that she was not her sister, but her daughter, CBI said. Driver Shyamvar Rai turned approver in this case. Peter Mukerjea was given bail by a special CBI court in March 2020. During the trial of the case, Indrani and Peter decided to end their relationship too. They were given divorce by a family court in Mumbai in October 2019. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that electing a BJP government in Lucknow is key for the welfare of farmers, saying that the double-engine government has in the past five years ensured all-round development of Uttar Pradesh along with several benefits for the people. Addressing a rally in Saharanpur, Prime Minister said that the vote for a BJP government will ensure that small farmers keep on availing benefits of PM Kisan Yojana, and the poor get free ration. PM Modi said complimented voters for turning up in a large number in the first phase of polling in the state on Thursday. "Some constituencies in western UP are voting for the 1st phase. I'm glad that on such winter mornings, people are going to vote in huge numbers. I appreciate all these voters. The BJP UP's 'ghoshna patra' is a resolution for welfare," said Prime Minister. He also apologised to the people of western Uttar Pradesh for not meeting them physically before the Assembly elections. "I am sorry that I couldn't meet the voters in the constituencies which are polling in the first phase. I virtually met them, but I am with you here in Saharanpur today to start a campaign for the second phase," said PM Modi. PM Modi reiterated the BJP poll plank of a double-engine government. "It is important to ensure small farmers keep on availing benefits of PM Kisan Yojana. The poor are being provided with free ration during this pandemic without facing any problem, while the free vaccination drive against the Covid-19 was executed without hassles. Vaccines may have been sold in the market if there hadn't been a BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. 'Teen Talaq' ban ensured justice for Muslim women," he said. He exuded confidence that the people of Uttar Pradesh will vote for the BJP so that the state remains riot-free, and the women can live in the state without fear, while criminals are sent to jail. "The people of the Saharanpur region have decided to vote for the one who will take Uttar Pradesh to new heights of development," he added. The Prime Minister hailed the work done by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and said that he is connecting different districts of Uttar Pradesh with good roads, increasing connectivity. "Ganga Expressway, Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, Delhi-Yamunotri Highway, Delhi-Saharanpur four-lane, Saharanpur Airport...never before there had been such big projects completed in UP in a short span of time," said PM Modi. Voting for the first phase of state assembly elections on 58 seats is underway, and 623 candidates are in the fray. (ANI) "With Mission Indradhanush 4.0, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is reaching every child, every single mother for vaccinations," Mandaviya tweeted in Hindi. Earlier on February 7, Union Health Minister launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0. On the occasion, Mandaviya said, "Prime Minister wants the vaccination coverage to be 90 per cent. States and the Centre have to put collective efforts into it." "Prime Minister visioned the Indradhanush for a universal vaccination which is accessible and received justifiably by all," he added. (ANI) Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Chandrakant Patil on Thursday targeted Shiv Sena and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government for not taking action on the attack at BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. "MVA government is creating a fear atmosphere like in West Bengal and Kerala where they (ruling government) kill BJP workers for opposing their wrongdoings but we are not frightened by their attacks," Patil said. The BJP chief wrote a letter to the Union Home Minister and has requested his intervention in the matter as Kirit Somaiya was attacked by Shivsena workers despite being a Z plus security protectee with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security personnel. Patil slammed the MVA government for converting the state into West Bengal and Kerala where they (ruling government) attacked BJP workers and killed them. "We didn't stop there and we will not be frightened here too," he said. "I have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought his intervention in the matter as there are so many incidents in the past two years," Patil said. He further criticised the government for misusing police machinery against BJP workers. "Shiv Sena could go to court and seek legal protection but they are threatening us and not letting us live in the state," Patil said. Earlier in the day, former Lok Sabha MP and BJP leader Kirit Somaiya urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to review his security arrangements on the grounds that he was allegedly being attacked by Shiv Sena workers despite being under "Z plus" security of the CISF. In a letter to the MHA, Somaiya said that there should be a review of the security system so that the Pune type incident, which allegedly took place on February 5, could be avoided in future. (ANI) Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MLC Kalavakuntla Kavitha on Thursday penned down a poem to lend support to girls participating in the Karnataka Hijab protest. The TRS leader took to her official Twitter handle today and posted a poem with the caption "Let women decide what they are comfortable in embracing and wearing". "Wearing and applying Sindoor is my conscious choice Wearing Hijab is Muskan's choice. Let women decide what they are comfortable in embracing and wearing. #DontTeachUs," the TRS leader tweeted. In her poem, the former MP also said that despite the actions of divisive forces, "We are all one - we are Indians". She also said that the choice of lifestyle and choice of clothing is a personal choice and the idea of India cannot be evaluated with the notion of how a certain section of the society expects women and religions to behave. The Hijab protests began on February 4 at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in Karnataka when some students alleged that they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students were allegedly denied entry to college wearing hijab by Muslim women earlier this month. On Monday, students of different colleges arrived that Shanteshwar Education Trust in Vijayapura wearing saffron stoles amid the Hijab row in Karnataka. The pre-University education board had released a circular stating that the students can only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious practices will be allowed in colleges. Following these protests, a three-day holiday from February 9 to 11 has been declared in all the universities under the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE). Karnataka High Court on Tuesday also appealed student community and the public at large to maintain peace and tranquillity while hearing various pleas challenging a ban on hijab in the state. (ANI) BJP MPs along with party leader Kirit Somaiya on Thursday met Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla over an alleged attack on Somaiya in Pune by Shiv Sena workers. Four BJP MP Manoj Kotak, Gopal Shetty, Girish Bapat, Raksha Khadse met Union Home Secretary. Speaking to ANI, Somaiya alleged that when he went to file a complaint in Pune 100 of Shiv Sena workers attacked him but Pune police vanished from the spot. "The national disaster management authority has declared a medical emergency in the time of COVID. Under it, the Maharashtra government, Mumbai Municipal Corporation, gave contracts for seven COVID centres to a company that does not exist worth Rs 100 crore. And that company was fake, it has been proved. It was blacklisted in a few days. So why was the contract given to such a company? We have requested to investigate this," he said. "I went to file a complaint in Pune and there 100 Shiv Sena goons attacked me. All policemen of Pune police vanished. Only 2-3 policemen are shown in the video who were helping the Shiv Sena goans who were pelting stones. We have requested that the answer should be taken from the Pune Police Commissioner. Union Home Secretary has assured us that on both the issues suitable investigation will take place," the BJP leader added. BJP MP Manoj Kotak said that Kirit Somaiya has been given protection from the central security force, but the local police administration was negligent and lapses have taken place by the local police administration. "The way COVID centre allotment has been ripped inside Maharashtra, Kirit Somaiya stood against it and when he went to file a complaint in Pune Municipal office. He has been given protection from the central security force, but the local police administration was negligent and lapses have taken place by the local police administration. The kind of protection local police should've been given, it wasn't given. Amitabh Gupta is the commissioner of Pune Police. The accountability is made against him by the government and the government should call for an answer. That is what we have demanded. Union home secretary has given us assurance that certainly he will ask for the answer," he said. BJP MP Gopal Shetty said that the Union Home Secretary was given all the information about the attack on Kirit Somaiya in Pune and the kind of incidents that happen in Mumbai and Maharashtra these days. "Elected public representative like Sanjay Raut who is also an MP in Rajya Sabha and he made such an official statement that 'hum Mumbai ke dada hain'. At least these 'Dadas' are at least scared of the police, but Sanjay Raut and company has crossed the limit. So there is a big threat to democracy. When such activities happen in Maharashtra, it becomes a matter of concern. That is why we went to meet Union Home Secretary to investigate this matter and who so ever will be found guilty, strict action must be taken against them," said Shetty. Certainly, Union Home Secretary has said that an investigation will take place and whosoever will be found guilty, action will be taken against them, Shetty added. Somaiya has urged MHA that there should be a review of the security system so that the Pune-type incident, which allegedly took place on February 5, could be avoided in future. Earlier today, Gopal Shetty wrote a letter to the Union Home Secretary seeking immediate action for a plan to attack /assault on Somaiya, former Member of Parliament against persons for causing grievous hurt and No action taken by the Pune Police Commissioner. (ANI) Karnataka High Court, after the hearing of petitions challenging the ban on hijab in colleges, on Thursday asked students not to wear 'religious things' till the disposal of the matter. A bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi of the High Court said that it will pass an order directing the reopening of colleges and asked students not to insist on wearing religious things till the disposal of the matter. "Peace and tranquillity must be restored," the court said while adjourning the matter for Monday. Yesterday, a single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit of High Court had referred the petitions filed by Muslim girl students to a larger bench while observing that important questions relating to Constitutional rights and personal law are involved. The Hijab protests in the state began in January this year when some students at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in Karnataka alleged that they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students claimed they were denied entry into the college for wearing hijab. Following this incident, students of different colleges arrived at Shanteshwar Education Trust in Vijayapura wearing saffron stoles. The situation was the same in several colleges in the Udipi district. The pre-University education board had released a circular stating that students can wear only the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious practices will be allowed in colleges. Following these protests, a three-day holiday from February 9 has been declared in all the universities under the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE). On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court also appealed to the student community and the public at large to maintain peace and tranquillity while hearing various pleas challenging a ban on hijab in the state. (ANI) Delhi police on Thursday detained All India Students Association (AISA) workers marching towards Karnataka Bhawan in the national capital to protest against the Karnataka government's rule on dress code in schools. Meanwhile today, Karnataka High Court, after the hearing of petitions challenging the ban on hijab in colleges, asked students not to wear 'religious things' till the disposal of the matter. The Hijab protests in the state began in January this year when some students at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in Karnataka alleged that they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students claimed they were denied entry into the college for wearing hijab. Following this incident, students of different colleges arrived at Shanteshwar Education Trust in Vijayapura wearing saffron stoles. The situation was the same in several colleges in the Udipi district. The pre-University education board had released a circular stating that students can wear only the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious practices will be allowed in colleges. Following these protests, a three-day holiday from February 9 has been declared in all the universities under the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE). On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court also appealed to the student community and the public at large to maintain peace and tranquillity while hearing various pleas challenging a ban on hijab in the state. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Enforcement Directorate to rely on the court-appointed forensic auditors' report in its chargesheet which is to be filed against Unitech's former promoters Sanjay Chandra, Ajay Chandra and others. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah granted the permission to ED to rely on the Grant Thornton report after the investigating agency told the apex court that it will file chargesheet next week in a money laundering case against them. Forensic and Investigation Service of M/s Grant Thornton India conducted a forensic audit by the order of the top court in 2018 on Unitech Ltd and its sister companies and subsidiaries. The forensic auditors had submitted their report which said that Unitech Ltd received around Rs 14,270 crore from 29,800 home buyers from 2006-2014 and around Rs 1,805 crore from six financial institutions for the construction of 74 projects. Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan, appearing for the ED, said the report will make the case stronger against the Chandras. She submitted that the agency is going to file the chargesheet next week in the money laundering case. The top court also allowed Unitech's founder Ramesh Chandra to approach the special PMLA court at Patiala House Court in Delhi to seek bail in a recent case lodged against him by the ED. It further allowed Sanjay and Ajay Chandra, currently lodged in Mumbai jails, to have video conference meetings once every fortnight and said that their family members can talk to them as per the jail manual. On October 6, the apex court had directed suspension of Tihar Jail officials, registration of case against them and full-fledged probe into their collusion with Chandra brothers, based on Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana's report. On August 26 last year, the top court had directed that the Chandra brothers be shifted from Tihar Jail in Delhi to Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail and Taloja prison in Maharashtra after the ED had said that they were conducting business from the premises in connivance with the staff. The apex court had directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to personally hold inquiry forthwith about the conduct of the Tihar Jail staff with regard to the Chandras and submit the report to the court. Chandra brothers, who are in jail since August 2017, are accused of allegedly siphoning home buyers' money. Earlier, the apex court had said that there was an urgent need for prison reforms and enhanced prison management while observing that it is a "sorry state of affairs in Tihar Jail" which has become a den of criminals. The apex court was hearing case relating to the connivance of prison officials with the realty firm Unitech's imprisoned ex-promoters Sanjay and Ajay Chandra. The Delhi Police had told the top court that it has registered an FIR under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC against 37 persons with regard to collusion with Chandra brothers. (ANI) The Division Bench of Kerala High Court on Thursday reserved its order in an appeal filed by Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited, a parental company of Malayalam news channel 'Media One' against the High Court's Single Bench order which upheld the order of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to revoke the license of the channel from the list of permitted news channels citing security reasons. After the appellant informed the Court that they prefer final judgement than the interim order, the Division Bench decided to reserve its order and not to give any interim stay. The bench comprises Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly considered the matter. Dushyant Dave, senior advocate appeared on behalf of the channel while Additional Solicitor General of India Aman Lekhi represented the Central government. On Tuesday, the Single Bench of Justice N Nagaresh dismissed petitions filed by the employees of the news channel against the government order. In the appeal, Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited said, "Under the camouflage of national security, the Ministry has prohibited the broadcasting of a news channel that has been in existence for more than a decade. The order revoking its license is not preceded by any communication, which alleges threat of national security, and hence it is without any genuine cause. Such a move has put the lives of 350 employees of the channel in turmoil." "It is the anguish of the appellant that the Central Government was rather in a haste to cancel the license as if there was some pre-scripted agenda motivated by some ill-will. It is added that being a news channel, it may not be possible to appease the state every time and it is a strong feeling of the appellant that it is victimised for its fair and genuine news reporting. Yesteryears the government was tolerant to fair criticism, but the recent trend is alarming as it chokes the freedom of the press and right to speech." "Hereinafter no news channel will dare to broadcast any program against the sweet will of the government as it may not be inconvenient for the government to forbid the channel by managing Intelligence reports and other materials. It is in this context relevant to note that the reliability of the referred to intelligence report is also suspected and the so-called consideration by the committee, without even affording any opportunity of hearing to the appellant is unconstitutional. The reliance placed by the single Judge on 'Atrisamhitha' is improper as the issue involved should have been adjudicated strictly in tune with the Constitutional parameters; not by quoting archaic Vedic verses." (ANI) As per a press release issued by Goa Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a day before the campaign ends for poll-bound Goa, the Prime Minister will address a mega public meeting at Bodgeshwar Maidan. All arrangements have been made for the dignitaries on the dais and off the dais, the release stated. "The beautiful lighting and the huge pandal at the venue have become a major attraction for the people. Welcome boards are erected all over Mapusa," it stated." The BJP informed that the party has taken all the measures in adherence to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India. Goa will go to the Assembly polls on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Amid the hijab controversy, the Karnataka government on Thursday extended the closure of schools and colleges till the end of this week. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said that schools in the state will reopen on Monday for classes up to class X. However, the reopening date of colleges has not been announced. "The last two days have been very peaceful. Adjourning the matter for Monday, a three-member bench of the High Court today has appealed to all the schools to reopen but no religious dress codes should be followed by both sides," the chief minister told mediapersons. "I appeal to everyone to work together and see that there is peace in the colleges. Schools will reopen from Monday for classes up to the 10th standard. Degree colleges will reopen later," added Bommai. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday ordered the closure of schools and colleges in the state for the next three days. Karnataka High Court, after the hearing of petitions challenging the ban on hijab in colleges, on Thursday asked students not to wear 'religious things' till the disposal of the matter. A bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi of the High Court said that it will pass an order directing the reopening of colleges and asked students not to insist on wearing religious things till the disposal of the matter. "Peace and tranquillity must be restored," the court said while adjourning the matter for Monday. The Hijab protests began on February 4 at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in Karnataka when some students alleged that they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students were allegedly denied entry to college wearing hijab by Muslim women earlier this month. (ANI) The tenure of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, which consists of 60 members, is scheduled to end on March 19, 2022. "Election campaigning has begun in Manipur and candidates have been nominated. BJP will form a government in Manipur with the majority," Sarma told ANI in Guwahati. Sarma, who is a prominent face of the BJP in the Northeast, was in Imphal on Wednesday and held a meeting with party workers of Manipur to discuss strategies of campaigning. His cabinet colleague Ashok Singhal was also present at the meeting. Further, Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik, BJP in-charge for Manipur Sambit Patra, state party president Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi also attended the meeting. Later on Wednesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma participated at a people outreach event in Imphal and said that the Prime Minister Development initiative for North-East (PM-DevINE) scheme announced by the Centre in the Union Budget 2022-23 is a testimony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on the North-East. Appreciating Budget 2022-23, Sarma said that the Centre's commitment toward the Northeastern states is "not just words, but deeds too". With the filing of nominations for the first phase of the Manipur Assembly Elections concluding on Tuesday, altogether 56 candidates from different political parties have filed their nominations from the 13 Assembly Constituencies in Manipur's Imphal West district for which polling will be held on February 27. The filing of nominations began on February 1 and concluded on Tuesday. Voting in Manipur will be held in two phases on February 28 and March 5 and the results will be declared on March 10. (ANI) As per the BSF's statement, intrusion of Pakistani fishing boats and fishermen was detected on February 9 in the general area of Harami Nalla. "During overnight search operations, eleven Pakistani fishing boats were seized," they said. The BSF also added that three groups of commandos have been airdropped by the Air Force helicopter from three different directions. "Commandos are closing in where the Pakistanis are hiding," they said. Further, the security forces informed that the extreme marshy area, mangroves and tidal waters have made the task of the troops challenging. A search operation is underway. (ANI) 72-year-old Gurbak Singh, who had come from Jalalabad to visit Bhagat Singh's memorial in Punjab's Hussainiwala on Thursday rued how all the political parties speak of making Punjab what Bhagat Singh had dreamt of but no one ever did. Gurbak Singh further added, "This is the freedom fighters' land, but this land could not be what the freedom fighters had dreamt it to be. All the political parties speak of following their path but no one ever did." Hussainiwala in Punjab's Firozpur district is no less than a pilgrimage site in India. This was the place where Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were cremated on the banks of river Sutlej. After India's Independence and partition, Hussainiwala became a part of Pakistan. Later the Indian government made an agreement with the Pakistan government under which Hussainiwala became a part of Indian territory. The traces of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War can also be seen here. 72-year-old Gurbak Singh had come from Jalalabad with his family to visit the freedom fighters' memorial site here. While speaking to ANI, he said, "Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged before the scheduled time in Lahore jail and their bodies were brought here secretly. Later his comrades performed his last rites and his samadhi has been built at the same place." Divyanshu Chaurasia, a local said, "Pakistan is only a few kilometres from here. Earlier the train used to go there." While showing the bullet marks on the old railway station building here, Divyanshu said that in the 1971 war, there was a lot of damage to this place. "This place was destroyed by the Pakistani Army in the 1971 war, it was rebuilt again in 1973", he informed. Chaurasia said, "The Pakistan border can be seen from this place-people are both thrilled and scared about it. In the upcoming elections, the people of Hussainiwala are ready to vote in the hope of a good government. The people of Ferozepur urban want a Punjab which Bhagat Singh had dreamt of. He said that the biggest problem in Hussainiwala is alcohol. Jagir Singh of Hussainiwala village said, "Narcotics are sold in plenty in this area. Bhagat Singh never wants drugs to be sold. In so many years we have seen so many governments but nothing has changed. So this time we will vote for change and want Bhagat Singh's dream of Punjab to fructify." Kulwant Singh said, "In the last 75 years we have seen all the parties' governments and this time people want some change. Politicians come and leave with promises but they never got any work done. Drug addiction can also end if the government wants it, but governments do not seem to want it." Hussainiwala youth are facing problems in employment and education. 18-year-old Amarendra Singh, who will cast his vote for the first time this time said that due to poverty and household responsibilities, he could study only till class 10 and then started working. "Till now all the parties and governments talk about making Punjab Bhagat Singh's dream state, but no one does anything. They come only once to ask for the vote but never get back to know about the people." Punjab will go to the polls on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday adressing a public meeting in poll-bound Goa said that the BJP government had given the mantra of a 'Swayampurna' or a 'self-sufficient' Goa. Addressing the gathering here he said that Goa, for the BJP stood for 'Governance, Opportunities, Aspirations' and hoped that people of the state would vote the party to power for the next five years. "From this land of Goa, phrases like 'Congress-Mukt Bharat' unexpectedly came out of my mouth. Today these phrases have become the resolution of many citizens of the country. For us, GOA mean Governance, Opportunities and Aspirations," the prime minister said. PM Modi also took a veiled dig at the Congress and said that the opposition party remembered Goa only when its leaders wanted to come to the state for tourism and not for development purposes. "Goa is useful for India and can come in handy in the progress of the country. If we have to increase tourism in India, then it can be done from Goa. But such things did not cross the minds of the earlier governments. They ruled for five decades in Delhi. They remembered Goa only when they wanted to pay a visit here for tourism purposes. But our government has introduced projects like Sagar Mala, under which the investment of nearly Rs 5,000 crore is being done," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi further said that under the Congress rule in the state in 2011, nearly 25 lakh tourists visited Goa yearly, but by 2019 the number of tourists increased to more than 80 lakh because of the promotion of tourism by the BJP government in the state. "The number of tourists visiting here is a perfect example of what the BJP has done for the development of Goa. Earlier, only seasonal tourism was more in Goa, but the BJP government promoted tourism here, increased the facilities and now tourists come here throughout the year. In 2011, when the Congress government was in Goa, there were about 25 lakh tourists a year. But by the time of 2019, this number has reached more than 80 lakhs," he said. "If good roads were not constricted here, new facilities were not provided here, the tourists would not have liked to come here. That is why the BJP government has launched an infrastructure development Abhiyan here," the Prime Minister added. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Dev Bodgeshwar Temple in Mapusa. Goa will go to the Assembly polls on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Sparking a controversy, Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday said that in the future, the saffron flag could become the national flag and it will be unfurled at the Red Fort. "Not today but someday in the future maybe after 100, 200 or 500 years, the saffron flag may become the national flag. People used to laugh over the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Are we not building the temple now? Now Hindutva is being discussed in the country," Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa told mediapersons. "The tricolour has been constitutionally accepted as the national flag and it should be respected. Those who do not respect it will be anti-nationals. 'Hindu dharma' will prevail in the country sometime in the future. Then we will hoist the saffron flag at Red Fort," he added. Eshwarappa's remarks came at a time when there is a ruckus in Karnataka over the issue of wearing a Hijab in colleges. Amid the hijab controversy, the Karnataka government on Thursday extended the closure of schools and colleges till the end of this week. The Hijab protests began on February 4 at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in Karnataka when some students alleged that they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students were allegedly denied entry to college wearing hijab by Muslim women earlier this month. (ANI) A Special CBI Court for coal matters on Thursday granted bail to Prakash Industries Ltd directors Ved Prakash Agarwal, Ashok Kumar Chaturvedi, Harish Chandra Gupta (former coal secretary) and Kuljeet Singh Kropha (former joint secretary of coal Ministry) in CBI case in relation to the allocation of Fatehpur coal block case. While granting bail to several accused, Special CBI Judge Arun Bhardwaj on Thursday said, "Considering the submissions made, accused persons namely Ved Prakash Agarwal, Ashok Kumar Chaturvedi, Harish Chandra Gupta and Kuljeet Singh Kropha are admitted to bail, on furnishing a personal bond and surety bond for a sum of Rs 50,000 with a further condition that they will not try to influence prosecution witnesses or tamper with the evidence." The Court also allowed travel abroad application and directed that accused persons will give two days prior intimation to the Investigation Officer and this court before leaving the Country and after furnishing FDR of Rs 50 lakhs each. Last month, the special court said cognizance of an offence under section 120 B, 120 B read with section 420 read with 13 (1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 is taken against all the five accused. Cognizance of an offence under section 420 read with 511 IPC is also taken against all three private persons and also under section 15 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against the two public servants HC Gupta and KS Kropha. Advocate Vijay Aggarwal Counsel for Ved Prakash Agarwal, Ashok Kumar Chaturvedi and G.L. Mohta submitted that the accused were not arrested during the investigation and cooperated throughout the probe including appearing before the Investigation officer whenever called. He further submitted that G.L. Mohta is presently in the USA as his son living there was not well and is likely to return to India sometime in March 2022. Advocate V.K. Sharma appeared for CBI submitted that bail be not granted to G.L. Mohta and he be only exempted from personal appearance till he returns to India. His bail be considered only when he returns to India, Sharma said. On the issue of G.L. Mohta is concerned, he is admitted to interim bail and his application will be decided on merits after his return to India, the court said. Counsel Atul Guleria, who appeared for former public servants, submitted that the accused persons have not been arrested during investigation and trial of the instant case will take considerable time to conclude and accused persons have cooperated throughout the investigation and there is no chance of their fleeing from justice. According to the investigation agency, the case is related to Prakash Industries Limited which allegedly made irregularities in the application filed for the allotment of the coal block. (ANI) Amid the ongoing hijab controversy in the country, RSS leader Indresh Kumar on Thursday condemned the "hidden vote bank politics", and "misuse" of Muskan Khan, a girl whose video of being heckled by a group of miscreants went viral and cautioned the Muslim girls to be aware of the hardliners. Speaking to ANI over the phone, Kumar said, "The cruel and disgusting face of the hijab row in Karnataka came to the fore. Some hardliners have misused a Muslim daughter Muskan Khan who always wears Jeans and made it a business to shame India and malign the name of Islam." "I condemn the hidden vote bank politics and the hardliners behind the hijab controversy. I caution the daughters to beware of such people. Be it Congress, or any other political party, they are playing anti-democratic, anti-Constitution and anti-India roles," he added. Calling the hijab row a "conspiracy", the RSS leader demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. "The emergence of this hijab controversy is a conspiracy. In the name of the hijab, there is a conspiracy to divide the country. The reality is in front of us. This proves that on one side, the hardliners are drawing the daughters away from education, on the other hand, they are also playing with their future. I would say that there should be a thorough investigation so that the truth can come to the fore at the soonest," he said. Kumar further appealed to the Muslim community to abide by the laws of the country and said to "live according to the laws of the country." Noting that lakhs of Muslim daughters wear jeans every day, Kumar said that the hardliners want to use them to break the unity and brotherhood of the country. "Hijab controversy is a conspiracy, these daughters wore jeans daily and they still continue to do so. Lakhs of Muslim daughters are seen wearing jeans in the country. The hardliners want to use the Muslim daughters to break the unity and brotherhood of India. Muskan Khan's photo has also emerged where she is seen wearing jeans and sitting in front of her house," he said. "I urge the Muslim population to maintain India's unity. The political parties which try to stain Islam and shame the Muslims should be exposed and taught a lesson," the RSS leader said. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will visit the poll-bound Uttarakhand on Friday. During his day-long visit to Uttarakhand, Sarma will kick start his poll campaign for BJP candidates in the state. He will take part in a door-to-door campaign at Dehradun tomorrow. According to the Assam Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Himanta Biswa Sarma will visit Uttarakhand tomorrow. Uttarakhand is scheduled for polls on February 14. The counting of votes will be announced on March 10. Earlier on Wednesday, the Chief Minister visited poll-bound Manipur and took part in a series of meetings with the party leaders for BJP's poll strategy for the Assembly elections. Himanta Biswa Sarma has played a key role in the expansion of the BJP in the North East. He is also the convenor of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). (ANI) The police while investigating the case found the constable Sumer Singh Meena involved with the criminals. They are now looking for more people who are part of the gang that smuggled cigarettes and gold. Police said that the police of Chandni Mahal police station got information and in the complaint, where a person was kidnapped and a ransom was demanded in return. As per the Police, the kidnapped person ordered imported cigarettes from Saudi which he sold someone else for more profit instead of giving to the kidnappers. Angered by this, the three including the constable kidnapped him and started demanding money in lieu of releasing the victim. The family informed the police about the kidnapping after which the three were arrested. The two arrested people were identified as Mohammad Sadiq and Mohammad Hashim. In this case, action can also be taken against the victim for smuggling cigarettes. (ANI) Ahead of Assembly polls, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that his party will give land rights to the people of Goa within six months of forming the government in the state. Kejriwal addressed public meetings in the Poriem, Mayem and St Cruz constituencies as a part of election campaigning in the state. "We will give Goans land rights within six months after forming the government. We will repair all the roads in the state," said Kejriwal while addressing a gathering. Kejriwal also said that free treatment, education, electricity, water will be provided to the people in the state, due to which every household in the state will get the benefit of Rs 2 lakh per year. "There are two crore people in Delhi and we have made a plan for free treatment of each one of them. In Goa as well, 15 lakh people will receive free treatment, be it a Crocin tablet or a Kidney transplant worth Rs 80 lakhs," he added. Kejriwal pointed out that there is a debt of Rs 24,000 crores in Goa but not a single penny is spent on building schools and hospitals. "Where does the money go? It goes to minister's pockets. AAP will make the most honest and corruption-free government in Goa. The 24,000 crore rupees that go into Swiss banks will be used for the public," he added. Kejriwal said that the guarantee made is based on the track record of the AAP's Delhi government, where its own minister was sacked on allegations of seeking a bribe from a shopkeeper. He assured people that Ministers and MLAs will not be spared if they are caught taking bribes. He said that just like Delhi, government services will come at people's doorsteps in Goa and they would not need to come to offices, preventing corruption. "We will also stop petty level corruption by introducing doorstep delivery of services. In Delhi, government officers visit an applicant's residence to collect the documents, and a similar system will be introduced in Goa. Right from your panchayat work to the assistance from the chief minister, everything will be at your doorstep," he said. Regarding the mining sector in the state, he said there are a lot of vested interests and once the party comes to power, it will resume mining within six months. "Till then, every dependant family would be provided a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000," added Kejriwal. Kejriwal further added that his party had provided 10 lakh jobs to the youth in Delhi and asserted that AAP is the only party that can create jobs in Goa. "Until one finds employment, we will provide a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 3000," he added. Every female above 18 will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 and Griha Aadhar allowance will be increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000, promised Kejriwal to audience. Goa will go to the Assembly polls on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday launched a massive search operation in the Harami Nala area along the India-Pakistan border and deployed its specialized unit of 'Creek Crocodile Comandos'. In continuation of the search operation started on Wednesday afternoon in the Harami Nalla area of Bhuj in Gujarat where eight Pakistani boats were seized, three more boats were seized on Thursday. The Pakistani boats were spotted during drone surveillance of the area by BSF. A senior BSF officer said that it has been more than 30 hours and the operation is still underway. "There is no chance of Pakistani fishermen could escape from the area," added the officer. "We have deployed our 'Creek Crocodile Comandos' from an Indian Air Force helicopter to search hiding fishermen in the creek area of Bhuj. The commandos are part of a specialised unit of the BSF for patrolling and operational duties in the creek areas of the Rann of Kutch," the officer said. He added that on Wednesday afternoon during routine aerial surveillance of the Harami Nala area through drone, eight Pakistani boats were spotted. Immediately a team sent through fast attack crafts to detains suspected persons but intruders sensed the situation and jumped off from their boats. "They are still hiding in the area because the entire area is under the strict watch of BSF since then," he said. "Extreme marshy area, mangroves and tidal waters are making the task of the troops challenging. The operation is in progress," he added. DIG BSF Bhuj immediately launched a massive search operation in the area spread over almost 300 square kilometres. GS Malik, IPS, IG BSF Gujarat Frontier reached Kutch early in the morning from Gandhinagar and is personally monitoring the massive search operation. BSF has so far seized 11 Pakistani Fishing Boats and three groups of commandos have been airdropped by Air Force helicopters from three different directions, commandos are closing in where the Pakistanis are hiding. (ANI) Appealing to people to elect a BJP government in Goa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attacked the Congress and said it "did not liberate" the state for almost 15 years after Independence and the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru did not send armed forces to the state which was under Portuguese rule at that time. Addressing a rally here, the Prime Minister said people of Goa could not gain independence for almost 15 years after the country's Independence though the task could have been accomplished in a few hours due to the capability of India's armed forces. "Congress government didn't liberate Goa for 15 years after Independence. People of Goa kept fighting but the Congress government didn't help. From the ramparts of Red Fort, India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had said that he won't send forces for the liberation of Goa," the Prime Minister said. He said Satyagraha was also carried out for the liberation of Goa but the then government did not help them. Referring to the work of "double-engine" government in the state, the Prime Minister said Goa was the first state to inoculate 100 per cent of its population with COVID-19 vaccine. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, if the work had been done in a way like the previous governments, would the country be able to create a record of inoculation of more than 150 crore vaccine doses to the people? If there were not the double-engine government in the state, could Goa be the first state in the country to have inoculated 100 per cent of its population?" PM Modi asked. "Goa has completed 100 per cent coverage in vaccination, Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, electricity supply. When the government moves forward with a 100 per cent coverage target then all possibilities of discrimination on the basis of caste, religion are eliminated," he added. Goa will go to the Assembly polls on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief OP Rajbhar on Thursday claimed that the prime accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, Ashish Mishra, has been granted bail because the BJP wanted to secure Brahmin votes in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and also because he is the son of Union Minister of State (MoS) Home Ajay Mishra Teni. Speaking to ANI, Rajbhar said, "Ashish Mishra was given bail only because he is the son of a minister. BJP knows that it is losing the polls. They are trying to garner Brahmin votes by securing bail in order to send a message to the community that this bail is the result of their efforts." "MoS Home Ajay Mishra Teni's son was given bail but farmers who died on Ghazipur border and Lakhimpur have not got justice. Wherever BJP has a personal interest, that person gets bail and when their interest isn't fulfilled there's no bail," he further added. The Allahabad High Court on Thursday granted bail to Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni's son Ashish Mishra in the Lakhimpur violence case. The chargesheet of the Special Investigation Team investigating the Lakhimpur violence case had named Ashish Mishra as an accused. On October 3, eight people, including four protesting farmers, died after being mowed down by an SUV allegedly belonging to Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni's son Ashish Mishra. Local farmers had blamed Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra 'Teni' and his son Ashish Mishra for the violence that left eight dead, including four farmers, a local journalist, and three others. (ANI) Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai said, "We demand a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into this incident. The guilty should be booked and punished. Law and order deteriorating in our state. NIA is the only solution to this incident where truth and conspiracy will come out." The Tamil Nadu BJP chief suspects a larger conspiracy in the bomb case which they think needs to be unearthed. "We seek NIA investigation because we think there is a larger conspiracy behind this petrol bomb. This should come out", said Annamalai. Earlier, BJP leader Karate Thiagarajan blamed the Tamil Nadu government for the alleged bomb attack at the state party office today. Speaking to ANI, the BJP leader said, "A petrol bomb was hurled at our office around 1:30 am. A similar incident had taken place 15 years ago with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)'s role in it. We condemn the Tamil Nadu government's role in this incident." "We have also informed the police...BJP cadre doesn't get intimidated with such attacks," Thyagarajan noted. Earlier in the day, an unidentified person allegedly threw a petrol bomb at the BJP office at around 1 am. (ANI) "I see this grand statue of Swami Ramanuja as his reincarnation. Ramanujacharya was the voice of equality thousand years ago," said the Defence Minister. He offered prayers to saint Ramanujacharya in Hyderabad on the occasion of Ramanujacharya's birth centenary ceremony. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 216-feet tall 'Statue of Equality' commemorating 11th-century Bhakti Saint Sri Ramanujacharya in Hyderabad on February 6. (ANI) Launching a scathing attack at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that "real Hinduism is being forgotten and efforts are being made to change the history". Speaking to mediapersons here, Mamata Banerjee said "BJP is destroying everything. They are changing history. Women, Dalits and Adivasis are being tortured. Real Hinduism is being forgotten. When elections come, he becomes 'sadhu' (saint) and presents himself as 'sant'. The first Amar Jawan Jyoti was removed in Delhi and they installed a hologram of Netaji. Now the hologram is also missing. They remember the name of the icons only when there are elections." Referring to farmers' protests, the chief minister said, "Farmers were protesting for long but they did not get the MSP (Minimum Support Price)." She further attacked the government over the National Register of Citizen (NRC) and disinvestments. "If the country is sold out, how will people survive. They snatch the rights of the people by introducing NRC but we protect the rights of the people," she said. Speaking on the reopening of primary schools in West Bengal, the chief minister said the primary schools will be reopened only after a detailed review of the COVID situation and if there is no threat of any other Variant of Concern of coronavirus. "If other COVID variants do not hit West Bengal, then we can think of reopening schools for primary classes on alternate days," said Banerjee. Notably, the West Bengal government reopened schools for classes VIII to XII on February 3. Further, the project "Paraye Paraye Shikshalay" (neighbourhood schools), an open air learning session for students up to class VII, was initiated earlier this week. (ANI) Visiting 'Statue of Equality' here on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said it is his belief that the statue will propagate ideals and values of 11th-century Bhakti Saint Swami Ramanujacharya in future. The Minister made the statement while addressing a gathering near the temple of the 216-feet tall 'Statue of Equality', a statue of Saint Ramanujacharya, which is one of the tallest metallic sitting statues in the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the statue on February 6 as part of the 12-day Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroham, the ongoing 1,000th birth anniversary celebrations of the saint. "I see this grand and colossal statue of Swami Ramanujacharya, the Statue of Equality, as his reincarnation. It is my belief that in future, through this statue, his teachings, ideals and values will be propagated for ages and ages," Singh said. "It is a matter of great pride for me, that in the millennium year celebrations of the incarnation of one of the great personalities of human history, Swami Ramanujacharya ji, I have got the opportunity to be present amongst all of you great personalities," he added. Addressing a gathering after praying at the temple, the Minister said the culture of our country has been full of diversity from the very beginning due to caste system in our society. He said Ramanujacharya was the first saint to give the message of equality by removing caste inequality from Hinduism. "The saint freed religion and Hindu saint tradition from the clutches of caste," said Singh. Terming Swami Ramanujacharya a great 'setupurush', Singh said the saint balanced variations in the society then. "After Aadi Shankara, the Mahatma who had the greatest impact on Sanatan Dharma was Ramanujacharya. Acharya Shankar, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya were three such personalities who gave a consolidated basis to Hindu spiritual life," said the Defence Minister. "Thousand years ago, Ramanujacharyaji broke the inequality by waving the flag of equality. He opened the Vaishnava sect to all castes. He opened doors of religion, devotion and worship for untouchables and backward castes also," added the Minister. Singh said, "We wish to be free from caste today and take a pledge to break castes and make a harmonious India". "Imagine a thousand years ago Ramanujacharya proclaimed equality in devotion while living within the periphery of the then social order," the Minister said, adding "that is why Ramanujacharya is relevant even today." Even today there is inequality in the society, said Singh, mentioning how the teachings of the saint are very useful. "We see the solution related to the challenges being faced by government and society these days in the teachings of Ramanujacharya ji," said the Minister. "The principle of equality which we adopted 72 years ago in our constitution, Ramanujacharya started that voice a thousand years ago. He gave a liberal humanistic social base to the Vaishnava community," Singh added. Born in 1017 in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu to mother Kanthimathi and father Asuri Kesava Somayaji, Saint Ramanujacharya was revered as a Vedic philosopher who revived the Bhakti Movement. Considered to be one of the timeless icons of equality and social reformists around the world, his teachings are known to have inspired ancient poets like Annamacharya, Bhakt Ramdas, Thyagaraja, Kabir, and Meerabai. Saint Ramanujacharya is known for his regard for all human and being against practices that differentiated between people. He was responsible for opening temple doors to all people 1,000 years ago, even to those marginalized and discriminated against in society. (ANI) Raising the issue in Lok Sabha, he said in September 2015, Tapor Pullom and his associate had gone for harvest collection and hunting. "But while hunting near a pass, the Chinese PLA took Tapor Pullom with them." He said the family has been running from "pillar to post" seeking help. "I have full faith in our government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modiji to bring him back just like the six abductees who have returned home in the last two years," the MP said. The MP from Arunachal-East said the government should deploy all agencies for his release. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) had last month handed over 19-year-old Miram Taron to the Indian Army, a week after the teenager went missing from an area close to LAC in Arunachal Pradesh. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a review meeting with senior officials of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad on Thursday. BDL Chairman and Managing Director, Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd), apprised the Defence Minister about the progress of various ongoing projects of the company. Mishra in his briefing, also explained about initiatives being taken by the company towards achieving 'Atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in defence. BDL Director (Technical) NP Diwakar, Director (Production) P Radhakrishna were also present in the meeting. As per an official statement from Defence Ministry, BDL has an order book position of Rs 11,400 crore net including the Konkurs-M contract signed earlier this month. "The company is expecting more orders to come, as approvals are at various stages in the Ministry of Defence. BDL, in addition to the domestic market, is also looking up to foreign customers to consolidate its order book and become a global exporter of weapon system. The company has a well-established infrastructure and expertise to execute the orders from domestic and export market and meet the delivery schedule," read the statement. It further stated that BDL has built up strong in-house R&D division with talent drawn from premier institutions. The Division is leveraging emerging technologies like AI to develop state-of-the-art weapons for the Armed Forces. The missile development group set up within the in-house R&D Division is working on next-generation missile programmes. BDL has also signed MoUs and agreements with foreign OEMs and start-up companies to develop weapons of the next generation. The Defence Minister, during his visit to the state, also visited the Statue of Equality and offered prayers to saint Ramanujacharya in Hyderabad. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday launched a QR code-based mechanism for certification and labelling of handmade carpets of the union territory. With the QR-based application, which is the first of its kind in the country, customers can check and verify the authenticity and other requisite details of carpets produced in Jammu and Kashmir, read an official statement from the administration. The Lieutenant Governor observed that Jammu and Kashmir handicrafts are repository of India's creative traditions that is serving as a cultural expression for centuries. "This creative tradition is strikingly visible in handmade carpets with intricate designs and subtle shades," he stated. "With the help of modern technology, we will be able to standardize uniqueness of handmade carpets and boost exports of Jammu and Kashmir's carpet industry in the international market," he added. On the occasion, Sinha also felicitated union territory's awardees of handicrafts and handloom. "I truly admire the painstaking work of all the craftsmen and carpet weavers. Government is providing training and financial support to strengthen the priceless artistic and cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir", he said. The Lieutenant Governor said that Jammu and Kashmir has a unique identity in the global market for handloom and handicraft products. He noted that the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology has taken several important steps for GI certification, testing, labeling and training to promote Kashmiri carpets. "Government of Jammu and Kashmir has introduced Export Incentive Scheme. Under this scheme, incentive of 10 per cent of the total volume of GI certified handicrafts and handloom products exported to any country, with maximum reimbursement upto Rs 5 crores, shall be provided to eligible exporters registered with the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom," he added. The Department of Handicrafts and Handloom and Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), Srinagar shall launch a massive awareness and promotional campaign within and outside the UT to popularize GI of hand-knotted carpets so that its demand gains popularity across the globe, Sinha said. It was informed that a project has also been completed in association with NIFT Srinagar on innovative and economical packaging of handicraft products. The Lt Governor further observed that presently carpets are being exported from Jammu and Kashmir to at least 25 countries. In 2020-21, carpets worth Rs 115 crore were exported to Germany, Rs 34 crore worth to USA, Rs 36 Crore to UAE and Rs 22 crore to Netherlands. Earlier, Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary to J-K Government, Industries and Commerce Department briefed the chair about the key features of the QR code based GI application. Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director, Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir gave a powerpoint presentation on the background and present scenario of the handmade carpet industry of Jammu and Kashmir, and latest initiatives made by the UT administration to promote it. (ANI) School bands will now perform at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on a regular rotation basis, Defence Ministry said on Thursday. A decision to this effect has been jointly taken by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education. The tentative date to begin performances by the school bands at the war memorial is from February 22, ahead of the third anniversary of its dedication to the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dedicated the National War Memorial to the nation on February 25, 2019. As per an official statement issued by the Defence Ministry, the Ministry of Education has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to prepare a schedule of school bands in consultation with the Ministry of Education and Government of NCT of Delhi so that schools bands can perform at the National War Memorial. The place, themes, tunes etc of the band can be decided in coordination with the Directorate of National War Memorial and Museum, Headquarter Integrated Defence Staff keeping in view the sanctity of the memorial. The Defence Ministry in a statement said that the Ministry of Education has also requested the Education Departments of all states and union territories to select one band from the schools of their respective states to perform in coordination with National War Memorial and Museum as a part of regular schedule. The CBSE will coordinate with all the schools in coordination with the Ministry of Defence. "The objective of this initiative is to inculcate the values of patriotism, devotion to duty, courage and sacrifice among the school children and increase the participation of people, especially the youth so that they experience the various facets associated with the iconic war memorial," the ministry said. "It carries forward the vision of the Veer Gatha project which was jointly organised by Ministries of Defence and Culture to raise awareness among children about the gallant stories of the war heroes and instil the feeling of nationalism in their formative years through enhanced exposure," it added. (ANI) Addressing people in Amritsar East, Sidhu said, "I went to Church, Masjid, Gurudwara, and recently visited Vaishno Devi because there is only one universal law. As long as I'm alive, I assure you that no one can cast an evil eye on Christianity." Sidhu's statement comes just days ahead of Assembly polls in the state. Notably, taking part in the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address a few days ago, the Congress had hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government in Rajya Sabha on "attack on Christianity". Speaking on behalf of his party, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Upper House, Mallikarjun Kharge had condemned the Modi government's recent action against Mother Teresa and other Christian Missionaries under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Meanwhile, for the upcoming assembly polls in Punjab, Congress has announced incumbent Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as its chief ministerial candidate. 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. Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress Party is contesting the election in alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt). In the 2017 Assembly polls in the state, Congress won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats and ousted the SAD-BJP government which had been in power for 10 years. (ANI) In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Foreign Office said that the Indian Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was conveyed the government's "grave concern and condemnation on the deeply reprehensible act" of banning Muslim students from wearing hijab in Karnataka, Daily Pakistan reported on Thursday. "The charge d' affaires was urged to convey to the Government of India, Pakistan's extreme concern over the anti-hijab campaign, being spearheaded by RSS-BJP combine in Karnataka, which is part of its larger exclusionist and majoritarian agenda aimed at dehumanizing and demonizing Muslim women," FO spokesperson said in a statement, ARY News reported. The Hijab protests began on February 4 at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in Karnataka when some students alleged that they had been barred from attending classes wearing hijab (a headscarf worn by Muslim women). On Monday, students of different colleges arrived that Shanteshwar Education Trust in Vijayapura wearing saffron stoles amid the Hijab row in Karnataka. The pre-University education board had released a circular stating that the students can only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious practices will be allowed in colleges. Following these protests, a three-day holiday from February 9 to 11 has been declared in all the universities under the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE). (ANI) Washington [US], February 10 (ANI/Sputnik): US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed security cooperation and threats posed by North Korea's weapons programs during a call with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a readout. "Secretary of Defence Lloyd. J. Austin III spoke with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defence Suh Wook and Japanese Defence Minister Kishi Nobuo today to reaffirm the importance of trilateral security cooperation in addressing global security challenges and threats posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) weapons of mass destruction and missile programs," Kirby said on Wednesday. The three leaders during their discussion committed to conduct an in-person Trilateral Defense Ministerial at a future date to work towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and address recent North Korean missile launches, Kirby also said. The US commitment to the defence of Japan and South Korea is "ironclad", Kirby added. (ANI/Sputnik) The border official is allowing people only those with legal documents to enter the country, according to American broadcaster. "New restrictions imposed by Pakistani authorities at the Chaman border with Afghanistan has adversely effected the movement of ordinary people between the two countries, residents say. Pakistani border officials say only those with legal documents are allowed to cross the border," said Voice of America (VOA) DEEWA in a tweet on Tuesday. Chaman is one of two main border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the second crossing present in the north at Torkham. Earlier, Pakistan had closed its border with Afghanistan citing security concerns. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated drastically since the Taliban took control of Kabul last year in mid-August. A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the Taliban, have plunged the country, already suffering from high poverty levels, into a full-blown economic crisis. (ANI) The Punjab police department has barred all cops from using TikTok during duty hours, ARY News reported. The police department has warned that if a video of any officer goes viral on a social media app, strict departmental action will be taken. The new rules were communicated in a letter issued by AIG Operations to all RPOs, ARY News reported. According to the letter, posting videos on the social media app TikTok and going viral presents a negative image of the department. The Pakistani media reported that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had several times placed a ban on Chinese short-video app in the country. The first time TikTok was banned in Pakistan was in October 2020, However, the ban was lifted 10-day later after the company assured that it would block accounts "spreading obscenity". (ANI) According to the Trust, the temple is being opened as per the order of the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, on February 7, which states that worship, meditation or prayer can be done in places like monasteries, temples, mosques, monasteries and churches by observing public health standards. The revered Hindu holy shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva was closed for three weeks in wake of the third wave of the COVID-19 infection. Pashupatinath Temple, along with other shrines in the premises such as Guhyeshwari and Chandrabinayak among others were drawing large gatherings of the devotees which as per the authorities posed a threat of transmission of COVID-19. The regular worship, aarti among others were continued in these shrines during the period adhering to health safety measures. (ANI) An opposition party lawmaker from Karnali Province has demanded Nepal's federal Government publicize a report on the border issue with China at the earliest during a parliament session here on Wednesday. Dal Rawal, Province Assembly representative of CPN-UML from Humla District demanded the Federal Government release the report submitted earlier in September without further delay. "Regarding border issue with our neighbouring nation China in the Humla District, the Government of Nepal had formed an investigating committee. Earlier committee formed in 2073 (2016/17) had ruled out any problems in the border but the last one (2020) had pointed out some issues regarding border (with China) especially in the Kit area, which lies near Hilsawhere a canal was built unilaterally. Later after increased surveillance from Nepal Police they dismantled the structure, issues as such has been pointed out in the report stating there are issues about border which has been reported in BBC Nepali Service," the provincial lawmaker said. He also claimed that the government study about such issues falls under the right of every citizen to know about it and further requested the central government to publicize it. "From honorable Province House Speaker this Assembly and Karnali Government, I want to question Federal Government why has the report been kept confidential after making expenses for study. The report should be publicized at its earliest so that sovereign Nepali citizens and locals of Karnaliand people of Humla would get to know the findings. If there are any issues then it should be dealt diplomatically," he added. A leaked Nepal government report commissioned last September has accused China of encroaching into Western Nepal along their shared border. The government's report was commissioned in September last year after reports emerged that China has been trespassing in the district of Humla. The committee was formed under the Home Ministry Joint Secretary to study the dispute over the Nepal-China border. The team studied border pillars, especially in the Limi valley, and initial findings confirmed that there were some serious border issues between Nepal and China. Despite all evidence on the ground, the report is now pending with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The committee has already submitted the report to the Home Ministry. The report noted that the Chinese side had crossed the border and suggested that the two sides work together to resolve the issue. On Tuesday, the Government spokesperson, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki reacted to the recent UK media report stating the issue should be dealt with on the basis of reality, not on reports, adding that Kathmandu would study the matter and bring out an official statement thereafter. "Regarding the query about the border dispute with China which has been raised, we should deal it not on the basis of reports but on the basis of reality, at appropriate times. The reality should be studied promptly and the government would publicize official statement thereafter only," Karki had said in response to a question by ANI at a regular press conference on Tuesday. "Our borders whether it is with India or China, if there are any issues about the borders then we are ready to solve those through diplomatic ways and these problems should not arise and the government would work diligently on it," Karki added. It was reported that the border encroachment was intensified in Humla during the then KP Oli-led government. But then-Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, referring to a study done in 2016, said the structures were built on Chinese soil. Similarly, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu had clarified that the structures were constructed in its own territory and there was no border dispute between Nepal and China. However, the then main opposition party, the Nepali Congress had issued a statement accusing the government of trying to cover up the border issue despite the evidence. (ANI) The Bangladesh government has introduced regulations, similar to the one brought by India's IT rules, for social and digital media, including Over-the-top (OTT) platforms. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Regulation (BTRC), 2021 was drafted so as to provide a complaint mechanism wherein users of digital platforms can register their complaints and get them addressed within a defined timeline, according to MediaNama. This aims to "tackle content or activity that harms individual users or threatens our way of life in Bangladesh." Earlier this month, a more elaborate draft containing the rules was published, which has sought opinions from the public and stakeholders. The regulator explains several terms in the draft rules to provide context on what will be covered by the rules once they are notified by the government. It further lays down a provision for a Code of Ethics to be drafted by the Bangladesh Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The rules will require OTT platforms to register after gaining security clearance and they will also have to abide by rules on obscenity, defamation, and hurting religious sentiment, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported. Bangladesh's secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mokbul Hossain said that the draft guideline would be placed at an inter-ministerial meeting after the public and stakeholders had given their opinions. "Hopefully, we will finalize it by this month or the next," Hossain told Dhaka Tribune. Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said OTT platforms were growing in demand, but there was currently no regulatory system for their content. "It is easy to censor cinemas as just 50 to 100 films are released every year, but it is very tough to censor the hundreds of programs on OTT platforms through the censor board," Mahmud was quoted as saying by the Tribune. Last February, the Indian government had introduced new IT Rules. According to these rules, the social media companies are required to appoint India based grievance redressal officer, compliance officer and nodal officer to enable the users of social media, who have a grievance to have recourse for its redressal. (ANI) Amid the recent surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) has released a fresh video featuring about a dozen sniper attacks against Pakistani troops in South Waziristan and Bajaur districts. Reportedly, the attacks were carried out using the advanced thermal night vision mounted on long-range rifles. This video is released a few days after at least five Pakistani soldiers have been killed at a border post by firing from neighbouring Afghanistan. This was a second such attack since the Taliban seized power in August last year. "TTP has released a fresh video featuring about a dozen sniper attacks against Pakistani troops in South Waziristan and Bajaur districts. In the video, troops seem naive to cope with such attacks being carried out with the advanced thermal night vision mounted on long-range rifles," Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud, a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan based journalist said in a tweet. The TTP has stepped up attacks since the outfit unilaterally broke a ceasefire agreement in December last year, accusing Islamabad of not fulfilling its promises. Stressing that both Pakistan and Taliban are playing a double game, senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir said Afghan Taliban doesn't trust Pakistan and refuses to acknowledge Pakistan's many years of tacit and not-so-tacit support for the group's fight. Writing an opinion piece for The Washington Post, Mir said the Taliban wants official diplomatic recognition and it wants other countries to unfreeze Afghan its funds, however, it also doesn't want to meet the international community's conditions on issues like human rights and women's education. "The bottom line is that the Afghan Taliban doesn't trust Pakistan. Both have played double games with each other in the past. Now the Taliban is opening channels with India and Iran. It wants official diplomatic recognition for its new state, and it wants other countries to unfreeze Afghan funds that are held in foreign banks -- but it also doesn't want to meet the international community's conditions," Mir wrote for the Washington based newspaper. (ANI) "Without urgent action, 1 million #children could die from severe acute malnutrition. @UNICEFAfg is providing high energy peanut paste to children to support their recovery," UNICEF Afghanistan tweeted. "Having recently recovered from acute watery diarrhea, two years old Soria is back in hospital, this time suffering from edema and wasting. Her mother has been by her bedside for the past 2 weeks anxiously waiting for Soria to recover," UNICEF Afghanistan said in another tweet. Despite the rising numbers of children affected by malnutrition, the Ministry of Public Health said no malnutrition care centers are active in Afghanistan, Tolo News reported. It further reported that according to the Ministry of Public Health, the number of children suffering from malnutrition is around 4.4. million in Afghanistan. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated drastically since the Taliban took control of Kabul last year in mid-August. A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the Taliban, have plunged the country, already suffering from high poverty levels, into a full-blown economic crisis. (ANI) Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne is set to host her counterparts from India, Japan and the United States for the fourth Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Melbourne on Friday. "I look forward to welcoming Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa, and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss our positive and ambitious agenda in support of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific," Payne was quoted as saying in the Australian government press release. The Quad is a partnership with three of Australia's closest partners and friends, each of whom share a commitment to openness and transparency. "Together we are a vital network of liberal democracies committed to practical cooperation and to ensuring all Indo-Pacific nations, large and small, are able to make their own strategic decisions, free from coercion," the release said "We will continue to work to deepen this practical cooperation, including to support our region's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We will discuss our work together on vaccine distribution in our region, cyber and critical technology, countering disinformation, counterterrorism, maritime security, humanitarian and disaster response, and climate change," it added. Payne said that Quad partners will continue to champion ASEAN's centrality for the region's stability and prosperity, including by supporting the practical implementation of ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. This is the third in-person meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers, following Tokyo in October 2020 and the inaugural meeting in New York City in September 2019. Ministers last met virtually in February 2021. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will participate in the 4th Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting on February 11 in Melbourne. Jaishankar will be paying an official visit to Australia from February 10-13 at the invitation of his Australian counterpart Marise Payne, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a release. The MEA said that this will be his first visit as External Affairs Minister to Australia. (ANI) Underlining that the purchase of S-400 defence system is in New Delhi's security interest, newly appointed Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said threats of US sanctions against India will not affect the military-technical cooperation between the two countries. Russia and India signed a USD 5.43 billion contract for the supply of S-400 in October 2018. The US has repeatedly asked India to withdraw from the deal, indicating that the Russian S-400 systems may trigger Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions. "So far, they (the US sanctions threats against India) have not had any effect. I guess they will not affect," Alipov said in an interview with Sputnik, the Russian News Agency, commenting on the military-technical cooperation between Russia and India. Last month, India had 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. US State Department, in response, said that Washington is in contact with the Indian authorities on the possibility of imposing sanctions over the air defense systems, Sputnik reported. Russian Ambassador to India recalled that New Delhi had repeatedly said that the S-400 purchase deal with Russia is in the interests of its security, that India pursues an independent foreign policy and negatively perceives the pressure that is being put on it. "The S-400 deal is the business of our two countries and no one else. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that the Indian position will change in the future. This project is being implemented. Deliveries are carried out," Alipov added. The CAATSA is a United States federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act CAATSA authorises the US administration to impose sanctions on countries that purchase major defence hardware from Russia in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections. (ANI) Nepal is falling into the Chinese debt trap through vaccine diplomacy amid COVID-19 as Beijing is exploiting Kathmandu's helplessness to have control over its natural resources and even on its foreign policy. Nepal joined a long list of countries that have been promised the Chinese "Magic Bullet" in the fight against COVID-19 after the world's power nation started developing the vaccines. With vaccines coming from countries like India, the USA, Japan and the UK, China has surpassed them with large differences providing as many as six million doses of the vaccine, Nepal's Pardafas News reported. With vaccine diplomacy, China is trying to gain a foothold in the political and economic spheres in Nepal and also nudging its way into Nepal by claiming Nepalese territory as Chinese on one hand and is trying to cower down the protests by dangling the carrot of the vaccine, Pardafas News reported. Nepal, a landlocked country dependent on tourism has seen a fall in its economy owing to the COVID-19 related restrictions and travel bans. The government, which saw inoculation as an elixir of all the miseries, started an inoculation drive to bring the economy back on track. According to Pardafas News, China's vaccine diplomacy has also kicked in at a time when there are widespread protests in Nepal over the interventionist Chinese policies. Experts believe that these actions rose after China started unnecessary interference on our internal politics, economy and culture. In a meantime, after Nepal signed a framework agreement on its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Nepal in 2017 Chinese investment has skyrocketed. It has promised to support nine large projects in Nepal. However, none of the projects has taken off yet. According to Pardafas News, many opine that delays and cost overruns in the China-backed projects due to various reasons will make Nepal fall in its debt trap. This will help China to realize its strategic goal and exploit Nepal's helplessness to have control over its natural resources and even on its foreign policy. Moreover, the Chinese side has been turning deaf ears to various protests being organized on a regular basis outside the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Among them, most of them are worried about China for not allowing the students to roll back in the colleges after the COVID-19. Some others are worried about their imported goods being stuck in the border while some of them are angered by land encroachment in the country. Many also see these actions rose after China started unnecessary interference on our internal politics, economy and culture, the report added. Dozens of civil society members joined the protests fearing a 'conspiracy' that they have tried to influence Nepal's politics and culture through interference in all sectors. (ANI) Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), which oversees the country's cyberspace security and internet content control, is planning to integrate blockchain in 15 regions and 164 organizations in the country. China is eyeing to further boost the technological application and industrial development of blockchain over the next decade, according to a guideline released by industrial development and cyberspace affairs authorities, as cited by Xinhua news agency. By 2025, the country aims to take the comprehensive strength of its blockchain industry to the most advanced level in the world, said a document jointly released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission. The document noted that China's blockchain industry and its industrial standard system shall begin to take shape by 2025, with blockchain technology applied to multiple economic and social fields. In the next five years, China shall support the establishment of three to five backbone enterprises with international competitiveness, as well as a number of innovation-driven enterprises and three to five blockchain industrial clusters. By 2030, the blockchain industry shall see further expansion in both comprehensive strength and industrial scale, and deepen integration with next-generation information technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence, the document added. The HK Post said the Chinese government has a centralized blockchain technology structure means. According to The HK Post, introducing blockchain-based channelling technology for exploring trade finance and cross-border finance would also result in an exchange of data. Additionally, it will also pay the way for embracing digital yuan transactions globally. (ANI) China has suspended imports of beef from Lithuania, a document released by the Chinese General Administration of Customs said on Thursday. The relations between China and Lithuania deteriorated after Taiwan opened its official representative office in Vilnius last November. Beijing lodged a protest to Lithuania and later downgraded the bilateral relations to the level of charges d'affaires. "Starting February 9, 2022 (inclusive), the acceptance of import declarations for beef from Lithuania is suspended," the document read, as cited by Sputnik news agency. China appears to be the largest beef importer in the world. According to Chinese media, the suspension of beef imports from Lithuania will not affect the domestic market since the volume of supplies is insignificant. Only one Lithuanian company has permission to supply beef to China. The European Union the last month had launched a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China over its discriminatory trade practices against Lithuania, which it says are also hitting other exports from the EU's Single Market. The 27 member bloc in a statement had said that these actions are harming exporters both in Lithuania and elsewhere in the EU, as they also target products with Lithuanian content exported from other EU countries.As attempts to resolve this bilaterally have failed, the EU has resorted to initiating dispute settlement proceedings against China, the statement added. The European Commission said it has built up evidence of the various types of Chinese restrictions. "These include a refusal to clear Lithuanian goods through customs, rejection of import applications from Lithuania, and pressuring EU companies operating out of other EU Member States to remove Lithuanian inputs from their supply chains when exporting to China," the commission said. Responding to the WTO case, Beijing had said that claims of China's "coercion" of Lithuania is groundless and distorts facts. "The problem between China and Lithuania is a political not an economic one. They were caused by Lithuania's acts in bad faith that hurt China's interests, not China's pressure on Lithuania," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian at a press conference. (ANI) "It is official: Indonesia has ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets. Our strategic partnership will benefit from our defence relationship. France is proud to contribute to the modernization of the armed forces of our partner, which plays a key role within ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region," Parly tweeted in French. In the Indo-Pacific, Indonesia is the second country to acquire the Rafale, after India. "France has a role to play in this region," Parly said. She further added that France's strategic partnership will benefit from the deepening of its defence relations. "France is proud to contribute to the modernization of the armed forces of our partner, which plays a key role within ASEAN and in the Indo-Pacific." French Defense Minister further said Indonesia is also "engaging in cooperation with our industry in the field of submarines." (ANI) Kamal Raj Singh Suwal just had started his restaurant in Thamel, one of the major tourist hubs in the Nepali capital when the COVID-19 pandemic was slowly spreading globally in 2019. With the onset of the pandemic, his business came to a complete halt. His shop which earlier use to be filled with foodies, craving for street foods, now has turned into go-down, and Suwal comes to the place every morning to check if any mouse has entered the vicinity, adding on to the losses. "I started my business sometime before the COVID-19 pandemic. I managed to pass many obstacles, but the lack of activity in Thamel makes me restless. Not only mine, but all the businesses in Thamel, whether it is shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and others, have been impacted. There is not a single business, which hasn't been impacted," Suwal told ANI. There used to be big crowds at the tourism hotspot for refreshment and recreation until the enforcement of lockdown last year, with Fridays and Saturdays being the busiest days for the businesses in Thamel. With tourists off the Himalayan Nation, the streets of Thamel, which earlier used to be abuzz with foreigners, now wears a deserted look. Many of the businesses have already have bid adieu to the tourist hotspot searching for opportunities elsewhere, and those left behind are struggling to remain afloat. "It actually is a season favourable for tourism; the months of February and March actually used to have an increasing influx of tourists but now it has nosedived and tourists' presence in the market is almost zero due to the Corona virus pandemic. It is really hitting us hard," GC, a trekking gear shop owner, told ANI. As per a survey made by Kathmandu Living Labs in partnership with organizations, about 17 per cent of the tourism enterprises in Nepal has permanently shut down since March 2020. Former CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board Deepak Raj Joshi had led the survey which stated that most of these businesses were operating in the Thamel area. "The aviation sector, big hotels and other industries with a bigger investment are still in the wait-and-see mode. But small entrepreneurs have already reached the stage of disappearance," the report highlighted. The survey has found that six per cent of the businesses were never shut notwithstanding the pandemic whereas 77 per cent were temporarily shut. Likewise, 65 per cent of the employees dependent on the tourism industry have been left unemployed by the pandemic. A shattered Tourism Year campaign: With COVID-19 just surfacing in Wuhan of China at the end of 2019, Nepal on January 1, 2020 with great pump and gaiety, had started the "Visit Nepal Year" campaign. With an aim to bring millions of tourists into the Himalayan Nation, many of the businesses such as Suwal, had entered the Thamel area narrowing their focus on the tourism hotspot. "I am left behind with the credits only, no income is there. As we lack any other skills, the option of shifting to the other business or place also is not viable for us. I have spent most of my times here in Thamel only doing the business that's why I am still pondering how to work in the coming days," Suwal said in despair. With mounting expenses and zero income, Suwal now has become anxious about the days to come and have been counting on the days that lie ahead. The total business turnover of the Thamel comprises 80 per cent from foreign tourists and 20 per cent from domestic visitors. As per the record of Thamel Tourism Development Council, about 6,000 businesses are registered in Thamel. "This usually is the time when the Thamel would have received a large influx of tourists. The occupancy used to be 100 per cent by March/ April starting off from February. But the condition has reversed now, you won't be able to spot a single tourist here," Binod Bhusal, one of the suppliers of textiles at a major tourist hub told ANI. "We had welcomed the year 2020 with great pump and gaiety marking it as Tourism Year, the celebratory event also was held in the same scale and it indeed had given us the hope that tourists would start flowing in. The flow of tourists in between 2017/18 was the strong base in which our expectation stood on and if the same kind of environment is created then we can expect the flow of tourist as earlier which indeed would be good for us," Bhusal added. Light at the end of tunnel: Amid the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the influx of foreign tourists to Nepal has increased over 91 per cent, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Over 16,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in January, 2022 as opposed to 8,874 during the same period in the previous year. The growth in the tourist inflow is 91.3 per cent, while all the incoming tourists used the air route for arrival. During the same period, 17,984 Nepali people left the country for foreign countries. The tourists who visited Nepal in January, 2022 included 5,505 from SAARC countries, including 3,916 and 1,231 from neighbouring India and Bangladesh respectively. Others were from Europe, Asia and other countries. In 2021, a total of 150,962 foreign tourists visited Nepal and in 2020 the figure stood at 230,000, according to the NTB. In order to lure the tourists to enter Himalayan nation, the Government also has resumed the visa on arrival scheme which was kept on hold in wake of the rising COVID-19 infection fueled by Omicron variant. (ANI) Tokyo [Japan], February 10 (ANI/Xinhua): The Japanese government's advisory panel on COVID-19 measures has approved the extension of quasi-emergency restrictions currently in place in 13 prefectures that are set to expire on Sunday amid concerns over a new virus sub-variant. Daishiro Yamagiwa, who is in charge of the government's COVID-19 response taskforce, told a panel of medical and other experts on Thursday about the government's plans to extend by three weeks through March 6 the quasi-state of emergency. "We need to continue with our efforts to reduce the burden on the health care system," Yamagiwa, who also serves as the country's economic revitalization minister, told the panel meeting. "Our focus with the measure should be on preventing a halt to social and economic activities as much as we can," he added. The government also plans to place the western prefecture of Kochi under emergency measures from Saturday until March 6, as the nation continues to grapple with the rampant spread of the Omicron variant-driven COVID-19 crisis. The addition of Kochi Prefecture comes as cases surge nationwide, including the capital, and threaten to overwhelm hospitals, and the government's vaccination campaign has once again come under fire for the sluggish rollout of its booster shots. Once the extension comes into effect, 36 of the nation's 47 prefectures will be under virus emergency measures. As to the extension of the emergency measures in other regions and whether they will be extended, as yet, the government has not made this clear. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will formalize the decision later in the day. He has said that the pace of increase in new cases had been "clearly slowing," however, the Japanese government has been warned by virologists that Japan's sixth wave of infections has not yet peaked. The country is now likely facing a surge in cases as hay fever season will soon kick in, meaning many more people will be prone to coughing and sneezing in public places, increasing the probability of the virus being transmitted, infectious diseases experts have said. Japan is now also contending with a sub-variant of the highly-transmissible Omicron variant, currently known as the BA.2 version, Takaji Wakita, an expert who sits on a health ministry's advisory panel said the previous day. Wakita said that the BA.2 sub-variant is more transmissible than Omicron, but is "not dominant" for the time being in Japan. However, with the slow rollout of booster shots, if the sub-variant begins to spread, Japan would be facing yet another escalation in new infections nationwide and the probability of restrictions being extended or toughened or both, sources with knowledge of the matter said Thursday. As for the days ahead, the regions facing an extension beyond Saturday of quasi-emergency measures include hard-hit Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Gunma, Niigata, Gifu, Aichi, Mie, Kagawa, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Miyazaki. The extension is based on requests by prefectural governments to be placed under the emergency measures by the central government. The local governors are then empowered to request stricter antiviral measures be followed such as asking restaurants and bars to curtail operating hours and refrain from serving alcohol and citizens traveling across prefectures' borders can also be urged not to do so in non-essential situations. (ANI/Xinhua) The recent revelation on how China kept secret the real casualties of Galwan Valley clash indicates that the Chinese government has kept up with its old practice of hiding crucial information from the public, a media report said. In a shocking revelation about China hiding its losses in the Galwan Valley clash with India in June 2020, new research has shown that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) lost at least nine times more soldiers than its official count of four. At least 38 PLA troops drowned while crossing a fast-flowing, sub-zero river in darkness, according to an article in the Australian newspaper 'The Klaxon' which cited a report prepared by a group of social media researchers after a year-long investigation. Of the four soldiers China has confirmed died, only one - Junior Sergeant Wang Zhuoran - is reported as having drowned, the investigative newspaper said. The report cited a year-long investigation involving discussions with mainland Chinese bloggers, information obtained from mainland-based Chinese citizens and media reports that have since been deleted by Chinese authorities. The HK Post reported that this revelation comes as a great shock to people in China since the Beijing government had reported just four deaths in the fierce dogfight in the high-altitude Galwan Valley. Analysts say that now Chinese President Xi Jinping's government will have to face a public backlash, though this kind of behaviour from the Chinese government is not unusual. China has a history of downplaying the number of casualties whenever the country is struck by disasters or accidents or resorts to suppression of its people. "Many even doubted China's declared number of COVID-19 casualties. The communist government in Beijing is often blamed for blocking communication and silencing critics and whistle-blowers in order to withhold sensitive information that its citizens have every right to know," the report added. According to The HK Post, Chinese authorities are to be blamed for hiding the actual number of people who died in the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the COVID-19 originated in China, forcing Beijing to impose heavy lockdowns, the official number of deaths has been just 4,636 in the country with a population of 1.6 billion. Many independent analysts and researchers don't agree with this number. These recent developments indicate that the Chinese Communist Party-led government in Beijing has kept up with its old practice of hiding crucial information from its own people. (ANI) He also urged the Taliban to ensure the safety of the "disappeared" activists. "I am increasingly concerned about the well-being of missing women activists in Afghanistan. Several have 'disappeared', some not heard from in weeks," UN Sec-Gen, Antonio Guterres said in a tweet. "I strongly urge the Taliban to ensure their safety so that they can return home," added the UN chief. There has been global outrage over the fate of missing Afghan women activists who were participating in protests to demand fundamental rights for women from the Taliban. Tamana Zaryab Paryani, Parwana Ibrahimkhil, Mursal Ayar, and Zahra Mohammadi have been allegedly detained during the past month for taking part in protests for women's rights. The top UN envoy in Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons met top Taliban leadership on Wednesday and expressed concern over the missing Afghan women activists. "Global outrage over the fate of missing Afghan women activists conveyed today to Taliban de facto @MoFA_Afg Muttaqi. He assured Deborah Lyons of efforts to resolve the issue. His constructive approach was welcomed. UN continues to engage Taliban to support welfare and rights of all Afghans," the UN Mission in Afghanistan tweeted. The UN representatives are continuously engaging with the Taliban to voice concerns about women's safety issues in the country. On Tuesday, the UN envoy in Afghanistan had urged the Taliban to take all possible steps to secure the liberty of women. US Special Envoy Rina Amiri also had asked the Taliban to stop unjust detentions of Afghans' human rights if the outfit wishes to seek legitimacy from the Afghan people and the world. According to media reports, the Taliban members continue to threaten and harass women activists to intimidate them after arresting some women activists recently. Even as the Taliban tries to persuade the world to recognize and financially support its government, it has embarked on a violent crackdown on dissent. (ANI) Raising concern over the Taliban freeing Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS) prisoners, the nominee to head the US Central Command, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla on Wednesday warned that the foreign terrorist groups are "reconstituting" in Afghanistan. "One of the challenges is the threat to the homeland from al-Qaeda and ISIS-K. They are reconstituting. The Taliban has not renounced al-Qaeda. ISIS-K, with the release of the prisoners both from the Bagram prison and Pul-e-Charkhi--are in a process of reconstituting," he said, reported Tolo News. The UN Security Council had in a recent report raised concerns over the reconstitution of foreign "terrorist groups" in Afghanistan. Kurilla also told the US Senate Armed Services Committee that there are some opportunities to help tackle the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the region, reported Tolo News. "We have the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. I believe there are opportunities in the future of ways that we can work with perhaps the World Food Program and others in the region to help alleviate some of that burden on the humanitarian crisis," Kurilla added. Meanwhile, the Taliban denied the remarks made by the top US military official. "The allegations and propaganda that are being spread- there is no evidence or documentation. We hope instead of spreading propaganda and allegations without evidence, the world will come forward and engage and cooperate with the Islamic Emirate," said Billal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate. (ANI) Russian Foreign Ministry Department Director Alexander Sternik has said that there is a serious threat of drug trafficking from Afghanistan to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and further to the Russian territory and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is taking preventive measures to contain it, reported Sputnik. "Such a threat is quite real. The CSTO measures aimed at reducing tension on the Tajik-Afghan border counteract it. Joint exercises are being conducted at the joint base of the CSTO forces in Kyrgyzstan," Sputnik quoted Sternik as saying on Thursday. "The strike elements of the Russian 201st military base in Tajikistan have been intensified. Russia is providing assistance with special equipment supplies for the security departments of its allies," Sternik added. The diplomat also informed that Moscow is cooperating at the counter-drug track with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the CIS platform, primarily at a meeting of heads of security forces and intelligence services. It came after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in December said that the destabilization of the situation in Afghanistan creates the risks of exporting terrorism and drugs to the territory of the CSTO states. (ANI) Australia is set to host India, Japan and the United States for the fourth Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Melbourne on Friday and the top diplomats are seeking to bolster cooperation in areas including economy, security, coronavirus pandemic and free and open Indo-Pacific. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is a partnership of Australia, India, Japan and the US, each of whom shares a commitment to openness and transparency and challenges posed by China and the situation in Ukraine This is the first time Quad Foreign Ministers are meeting since the two Quad Summits last year. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne will be joining Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa, and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the positive and ambitious agenda of the Quad. They will be discussing ongoing Quad cooperation in their bilateral phone calls and meetings. Since there is a robust bilateral cooperation between the four countries, they are building on their institutional linkages to further Quad cooperation in areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, space, education etc. Further, bilateral agencies such as India's Development Partnership Administration; Japan International Cooperation Agency; Japan Bank for International Cooperation US Development Finance Corporation; USAID etc. will be actively involved in the implementation of these initiatives. Meanwhile, Quad partners have achieved many targets in flagship projects. The Quad Vaccine Partnership, announced in March 2021 by the Leaders, to deliver one billion doses of Quad vaccines to the Indo-Pacific region by the end of 2022 has witnessed good progress under this initiative. The Quad Partnership COVID-19 Dashboard was launched by Leaders at the September 2021 Summit to coordinate and monitor our collective assistance to the Indo-Pacific. Following the launch of the Quad Working Group on Critical and Emerging Technologies in March 2021, four subgroups or Line of Effort was established, with each country leading on one group. The group drafted the Quad Principles on Technology Design, Development, Governance and Use, which was adopted by the Leaders at the Quad Summit in September. The group is pursuing work on 5G and Vendor Diversification to maintain a diverse, open and interoperable telecommunication ecosystem. Quad's work on climate change acquired relevance with the COP26 held in November 2021. After the Leaders announced the Climate Working Group in March 2021, the Quad Climate Change Working Group is looking at assisting clean energy transitions of Indo-Pacific members and helping chart their strategies for the energy transition to meet their mid-century net-zero commitments. The Quad WG on Climate Change is working on strengthening climate actions through mitigation, adaptation, resilience, technology, capacity-building, and climate finance and has organized its work under three pillars- Climate Ambition; Clean Energy Innovation and Deployment; and Adaptation, Resilience and Preparedness. One of the most promising areas Quad is working on is the Quad Green Shipping Network. Under this, Los Angeles, Mumbai Port Trust, Sydney (Botany), and Yokohama have formed a network dedicated to greening and decarbonizing the shipping value chain. Quad is also looking at establishing two to three Quad low-emission or zero-emission shipping corridors by 2030. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the Quad Green Hydrogen Partnership at the September Quad Leaders' Summit to strengthen and reduce costs across all elements of the clean-hydrogen value chain, leveraging existing bilateral and multilateral hydrogen initiatives in other fora. Moreover, Quad partners have provided more than USD 48 billion in official finance for infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad Infrastructure Coordination Group (QICG) announced by the Leaders in September 2021 is meeting regularly to share assessments of regional infrastructure needs and coordinate respective approaches to deliver transparent, high-standard infrastructure. The Quad Space Working Group, announced by Leaders in September 2021, is discussing the exchange of Earth observation satellite data and analysis to help Indo-Pacific countries better adapt to climate change, prepare for natural disasters and better manage marine resources. The group will also consult on norms and guidelines for the sustainable use of outer space. The Quad Senior Cyber Officials group, announced by Leaders in September 2021, is strengthening inter-agency cooperation and exchanging best practices to secure critical cyber infrastructure and build resilience against cyber threats. Regarding, the High availability disaster recovery (HADR), the Quad first came together to respond to the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. Since then, Quad countries have responded to many natural disasters in the region. India has proposed strengthening cooperation in this area to deliver timely and effective relief and assistance during disasters and humanitarian crises such as the recent volcano in Tongo and the COVID pandemic. Further, India has proposed Quad cooperation in the field of higher education to discuss opportunities for student exchanges, joint research and collaboration in priority areas and mutual recognition of documents etc. The Quad STEM Fellowships, announced by Leaders in September 2021, is one of the elements of Quad cooperation in education. The Fellowships would provide 25 graduate/doctoral students from STEM fields from each Quad country scholarships to study in leading US universities. (ANI) The Prime Minister will address at around 2:30 PM through a video message. The high-level segment of the Summit will also be addressed by several Heads of States and Governments including Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Canada, among others, said a press release by the Prime Minister's Office. One Ocean Summit is being organised by France from February 9-11, in Brest, France, in cooperation with the United Nations and the World Bank. The objective of the Summit is to mobilise the international community to take tangible action towards preserving and supporting healthy and sustainable ocean ecosystems. (ANI) The issue was raised at the 4th India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue that was held virtually and it covered a wide range of issues including homeland security, cyber security, extradition cases, migration and mobility, etc. The Indian side communicated concerns on the anti-India activities of certain extremists and radical elements in the UK. The UK side was urged to maintain vigil over the activities of such elements and take appropriate proactive action. It was agreed to maintain enhanced security cooperation between the two countries, read the Ministry of Home Affairs release. The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and the UK delegation was led by Permanent Secretary, Home Office, Mathew Rycroft. India impressed upon the UK authorities the need to expedite the pending extradition cases. Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya is in London and his extradition is still pending. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the proceedings for extradition of Mallya to India from the United Kingdom has attained finality but certain "confidential proceedings" are pending in the UK, details of which are not known. Mallya is accused of a bank loan default case of over Rs 9,000 crore involving his defunct Kingfisher Airlines and is presently in the United Kingdom. The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to deepen security-related bilateral engagement, added the release. (ANI) The requirement was aimed at "enhancing civil servants' understanding of the nation's development and the special administrative region's constitutional order," Hong Kong Free Press quoted Patrick Nip as saying on Wednesday during policy briefing at the Legislative Council's Panel on Public Service. The Secretary found that the courses on "one country, two systems" the nation's development and Hong Kong's national security law, among other topics, were "very basic" and "very important". In the basic law test -- a part of the civil servant recruitment process -- the national security law will be included, according to Hong Kong Free Press. It came as the West and rights groups have accused Beijing of silencing critics, activists and targetting journalists and media houses in Hong Kong through the national security law. By the use of the national security law, Hong Kong's authorities arbitrarily detain and arrest activists, whom it sees as a threat to Chinese rule. (ANI) 12 civilians of various nationalities were wounded with debris and shrapnel when the drone was shot down over the airport in Saudi Arabia, reported Sputnik citing Saudi broadcaster Al-Ekhbariya Saudi led coalition earlier in the day said that four people were injured during the attack. The coalition has also vowed to take decisive action in response to the attack. Yemen has been engulfed in an armed conflict between the government forces and the Houthi rebels for several years. Since March 2015, the Saudi-led Arab coalition has been providing military support to Yemen by conducting air, land and sea operations against the rebels, who control the capital of Sanaa and large areas in northern and western Yemen. Abha airport, located in close proximity to Yemen, has been repeatedly targeted by Houthi rebels, according to Sputnik. (ANI) Both of them discussed prospects for future collaboration for improving sub-regional connectivity and economic integration. "Asst. High Commissioner of India Dr Rajeev Ranjan paid a courtesy visit today to Rear Admiral M. Shahjahan, Chairman, Chittagong Port Authority & discussed prospects for future collaboration for improving sub-regional connectivity and economic integration," tweeted Assistant High Commission of India, Chittagong. India's prime interest is developing North-East India, better connectivity to South-East Asian Countries and exploring the Indo-Pacific region. (ANI) Hundreds of farmers blocked Narowal-Sialkot Road in Punjab province for traffic on Wednesday and chanted slogans against the government and the district administration over the non-availability of urea and sale of the fertiliser in the black market, reported Dawn. Traffic at Qila Ahmadabad Chowk was blocked by a large number of farmers as a result passengers travelling from Narowal to Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and other cities had to face a great deal of inconvenience. Many farmers in the country have alleged the crisis emanated after the dealers started selling urea in the black market. "There is no crisis of urea fertiliser in Narowal district. Farmers are not getting fertiliser at the government rate of PKR 1,765 but when you pay the extra money, you can get as much urea as you want," Dawn quoted Nawaz Malik, a farmer, as saying. Owing to the 'incompetence' of the district administration, locals Arif Najmi and Atif Sheikh said that urea was being sold to farmers of Qila Ahmadabad Town at Rs3,000 per bag, according to Dawn. Farmers are being humiliated on the pretext of identity cards and land records, said locals. Saba Asghar, Narowal Deputy Commissioner, said 700 bags of urea had been given to farmers at government rate in Qila Ahmadabad Town. (ANI) Scores of students in Pakistan participated in a march on Wednesday to mark the 38th anniversary of the ban on student unions imposed by former president General Ziaul Haq, reported local media. The protesters asked all political parties to unanimously pass legislation in parliament to decriminalise student politics, reported Dawn. Criminalising politics in university campuses has had a devastating effect on the democratic process and particularly the development of youth said the Pakistani publication. The students also urged all mainstream political parties to act towards the restoration of student unions in colleges and universities. On Wednesday, students took part in a march to mark the 38th anniversary of the ban on student unions. This was highlighted by scores of students who participated in a march on Wednesday to mark the 38th anniversary of the ban on student unions imposed by former president General Ziaul Haq. Under the platform of the Progressive Students Federation (PrSF), members of various left-wing and ethnic national organisations gathered at the National Press Club (NPC) from where they proceeded towards F-6 Supermarket. Trade unionists, intellectuals, progressive political workers and ordinary citizens were part of the march, according to Dawn. In the past four decades, the criminalisation of politics on college and university campuses has had a devastating effect on the democratic process in general and the development of youth in particular said the students. The rally demanded the removal of the ban on student unions and immediate conduction of nationwide student union elections, an end to the privatisation of educational institutions, reimbursement of the fee taken after increments and free education for all, reversal of cuts in the education budget levied by Higher Education Commission (HEC) and freedom to conduct political activities on campus, according to Dawn. (ANI) Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Taliban are turning hostile over the issue of Durand Line and cross-border "terror activities" of groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against Islamabad. The Washington-based group Global Strat View said that there are signs of growing uneasiness among the Afghan population and the interim Taliban cabinet over Pakistan's high-handedness. The TTP claimed responsibility for a recent attack launched from Afghanistan, which killed five Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan's National Security Advisor, Moeed Yusuf, warned the Taliban government that Islamabad would strike inside Afghanistan unless the TTP stops cross-border attacks. Moreover, the Taliban has not accepted the Durand Line as the 'official' boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan. There have been frequent skirmishes between Taliban and Pak security forces along the border after the fall of Kabul in August 2021. Pakistan has tried to downplay border altercations as "local-level issues." However, the Taliban defence ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khwarazmi stated that the Taliban forces had stopped the Pakistani military from erecting an "illegal" border fence along with the eastern Nangarhar province in Afghanistan, reported Global Strat View. Several videos of the local Taliban commanders threatening Pakistani border forces have surfaced on social media websites, questioning Islamabad's attempts to downplay the matter. Although Pakistan continues to back its proxy ally in Afghanistan, the Taliban's military takeover and subsequent diplomatic and economic isolation have led to some perceiving it as a burden rather than an asset for Islamabad in the long term. With the inability of Islamabad to convince the other nations to recognize the Taliban regime and lift sanctions, frustration is also mounting in Kabul over Pakistan's convening power, reported Global Strat View. Pakistan fears that the Taliban's inaction against anti-Pakistan militants in Afghanistan could prove fatal to the country's internal security and may also fuel the fire to secessionist sentiments among the Pashtun population. Meanwhile, all the unresolved issues such as the border fencing, reconciliation process with TTP, and alleged cross-border terror attacks against Pakistan is negatively impacting the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. (ANI) The Imran Khan government is unable to shape its clear strategy towards the Afghan Taliban as differences between the two have widened in recent days after terrorists belonging to Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- an affiliate of the Taliban -- from across the border in Afghanistan, killed five Pakistani soldiers recently, according to a media report. When the Imran Khan government is busy garnering support for the Taliban across the world, the PTI is unable to figure out its massive loss caused by the new rulers in Kabul. Despite repeated calls and efforts by Islamabad, the Afghan Taliban have not been able to press the TTP for not attacking the Pakistan soldiers. TTP, which is directly affiliated with the Afghan Taliban, operates in Pakistan and has staged massive attacks including the Peshwar Army School attack in 2014, which had killed over 100 students. After the Pakistan government's talks with the TTP failed recently, Pakistan has seen a surge in the attacks countrywide. And these attacks are not limited to one place or province, sending a clear message to the Imran Khan government that their demands to the Afghan Taliban have gone in vain. The rise in the violence has also forced Islamabad to reconsider its supportive actions to the Taliban as the Pakistan government has been continuously demanding the countries to recognise the interim government in Kabul. But the recent surge in violence by an affiliate of the Taliban all seems to have failed. Currently, the Imran Khan government does not know how to react or prevent such attacks. The beleaguered Pakistan Prime Minister is losing patience but is unable to convey the sentiment explicitly for fear of alienating the Taliban and thus find himself in deeper trouble. Adding to his miseries is the reality that Islamabad cannot publicly ask Kabul to curb attacks inside Pakistan as the Afghans might not find it amusing, according to the Policy Research Group. It is possible that Islamabad's diplomatic outreach on its behalf has not impressed the Taliban rulers. Firstly, Pakistan itself has shown no interest in recognizing the Kabul regime. Secondly, the Pakistan campaign has not to pump primed even its iron friend, China to go beyond lip service, according to POREG. With the Afghan Taliban not renouncing TTP getting aligned with al Qaeda and ISIS, Pakistan can hope for terrorism nirvana only if it returns to the drawing board to find ways to exit from its decades-old terrorist centric foreign policy that has led the country to terrorist mayhem, said POREG. (ANI) The letter seeks details regarding whether the departments and institutes established in their respective universities were established after getting approval from relevant authorities, reported The Express Tribune. All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association's (FAPUASA), an organisation of teachers' representatives, a day earlier announced a boycott of classes in all public universities across the province indefinitely. The letter also asked for details about the student-teacher ratio, retired employees and transferred employees of their respective institutions, according to The Express Tribune. Meanwhile, from February, 3 the Karachi University Teachers' Association had announced an indefinite boycott of classes until their demand of holding the selection board was met. Mureed Rahimo, Universities and Boards Secretary, had postponed the selection board meeting without seeking prior permission. The board had been called for the appointment of associate professors. The teacher's association has been protesting against the attitude of secretary Boards and Universities of Sindh and over the failure of the Sindh government to take action and the issue of appointment, promotions. (ANI) Cissy Zhou, writing in Nikkei Asia said that Chinese online video streaming service Bilibili has decided to increase the content monitoring team by 40 per cent. A 25-year-old member, nicknamed Muse Muxin, died due to a sudden brain aneurysm last Friday, Bibibili said in a statement on the Weibo social network late Tuesday. He was deputy team leader of the graphics and text censoring team at Bilibili's office in the central city of Wuhan. The death comes amid a growing rejection of the technology sector's ingrained culture of overwork -- nicknamed "996" in reference to 9 am to 9 pm working hours six days a week -- among young people who are instead embracing a laid-back philosophy of "laying flat," reported Nikkei Asia. Meanwhile, Bilibili in its statement on Muse denied that he put in overtime or worked night shifts. Bilibili said he had "worked 8 hours a day" and "had two days off" per week during the recent Lunar New Year holiday period, said Cissy. Meanwhile, the Chinese authorities demand that internet platforms take primary responsibility for censoring user-generated content. As a result, the largest ones have hired tens of thousands of censors to monitor posted materials while also often deploying artificial intelligence to try to catch forbidden terms and references. A Weibo user who said he had been a content censor at another company commented, "You can never complete the amount of daily censoring work assigned to you, so you would have to work overtime voluntarily without overtime pay. My previous employer only provided free snacks." (ANI) Beijing's new data security laws that are in force for three months now, is another layer of regulatory complexity for businesses operating in China. Foreign Policy in its review of the law said that these new restrictions paint a complicated picture for the future of data governance, continuing a trend toward more complex regulatory regimes, competing for legal frameworks, and increased restrictions on international data flow, reported The HK Post. According to the American news publication, the addition of new data classifications, legal jurisdictions, and data storage requirements imposes "another layer of regulatory complexity for businesses operating in China". Moreover, the foreign companies the world over are still trying to comprehend the nuances and hidden meanings of new data security laws, reported The HK Post. The Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) lays out ground rules around how data is collected, used, and stored. Companies based outside of China have to get security clearance for their data processing requirements. What the foreign companies are wary of is the fact that while PIPL can help stop unauthorised data trading and data theft in China, it is closely linked to the government's national security priorities. The foreign companies do not want to get caught in any security rigmarole. The PIPL rules clearly state that foreign companies can be blacklisted if they do not comply with the rules or "harm" China's national security. The companies can even be banned from processing Chinese personal data at colossal losses to business, reported The HK Post. The PIPL which came into force on November 1 is China's first comprehensive data privacy law to fully protect hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers. Another issue that concerns foreign companies and human rights organisations is that the new data law cannot stop the Chinese State from accessing the personal data of its citizens. China is already considered among the most surveilled countries in the world. On top of that unbridled power to access data will mean a greater threat to personal privacy. There is an array of monetary fines the new law can make foreign companies pay for violating rules. Companies in the breach may be issued an order for rectification or warnings. Chinese authorities also may confiscate any "unlawful income". (ANI) "We will launch a program of new nuclear reactors from today... I would like six EPR2 [reactors] to be built and we will start research on building eight additional EPR2 [reactors]," Macron said when giving a speech in the Belfort commune. The French president added that the construction will begin in 2028, and the first new reactor should be launched by 2035. (ANI/Sputnik) Court papers related to the National Crime Agency's money-laundering investigation into PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif and his son Suleman Sharif have revealed that Aneel Mussarat, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) donor and a friend of Prime Minister Imran Khan, bought a property in London on behalf of Sharif and also helped him buy two others while they were close friends, according to a media report. Lawyers of the PML-N chief told the NCA that Mussarat purchased Flat 2, 30 Upper Berkeley Street, London, in 2005 on behalf of their client. The NCA was also told that Mussarat bought the Berkeley Street property in an auction for Sharif and made the payment in order to meet the strict time limits that apply in the case of an auctioned property, reported The News International. According to the Pakistani publication, the agency was acting on the suspicions that both Zulfikar Ahmed and Aneel Mussarat were front men for Sharifs' money laundering scheme. The NCA had alleged that Shehbaz sold his flat and shifted money to Suleman's account, which represented money-laundering and criminal misconduct in public office as it was believed that, based on ARU's allegations, the funds in the UK were proceeds of criminal conduct in Pakistan by the Sharifs. Mussarat deposited euro 2,35,000 on April 20, 2005, for Shehbaz Sharif and also gave a loan to him of euro 59,993, said Sharif's lawyers. Asma Dar, a niece of Shehbaz Sharif, through a business based in UAE, paid an amount of euro 59,993 on June 13, 2005. NCA was also told that euro 60,000 was paid to Aneel Mussarat's Letting Account by way of partial repayment. On June 2, 2005, Sharif received euro 160,000 from Barclays and repaid euro 155,007 to Aneel Mussarat, the lawyer told the NCA, also attaching the evidence, according to The News International. Mussarat made a payment of euro 40,000 in 2007 for the purchases of Shehbaz Sharif's Richbourne Court flat on Edgware Road, which is currently under the use of Suleman and his family. (ANI) Comoros Foreign Minister Dhoihir Dhoulkamal visited India in February 2021 to participate n the Aero India 2021 and IOR Defence minister conclave in Bengaluru. India last year also trained 12 diplomats from the country during the 1st Special Course for diplomats from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) organized by Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), Delhi. Recently INS Kesari visited Comoros in January 2022 to help repair a Comorian ship. India remains committed to further strengthening its development partnership with Comoros that aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of SAGAR which stands for Security And Growth for All in the Indian Ocean Region, according to the official statement. In 2019, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu visited Comoros. It was the first-ever visit by a high political dignitary from India to Comoros. During the visit, six agreements were signed including an agreement on defence cooperation. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar had a telephonic conversation with his Comorian counterpart in 2020 and a medical team from India was sent to Comoros to help them fight dengue and Covid-19. India sent 1000 metric tonnes of rice to Comoros in March 2021. (ANI) Amid the rise in demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products in African countries has sparked fear for poaching of endangered species. Mai Xiaotian, writing in Radio Free Asia (RFA) said that the body parts of endangered species are used to make certain ingredients. According to a report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), the rise in exports of Chinese medicine products comes amid Xi Jinping's global 'Belt and Road' drive. "The aggressive expansion of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in many African countries is posing a direct threat to the future of some endangered species," the group said in a statement. EIA campaigner Ceres Kam said traditional medicine is integral to many cultures and plays an important role in global healthcare, reported RFA. "Some pharmaceutical companies continue to source ingredients from threatened animals, aggravating the pressure on the survival of these species," Kam said. "Our very real concern is that such a huge expansion of TCM in Africa, as is happening under China's Belt and Road Initiative, will have the knock-on effect of drastically increasing demand for treatments containing wildlife and, in turn, cause more species to become threatened or extinct," she said. "Any utilization of threatened species in TCM could potentially stimulate further demand, incentivize wildlife crime and ultimately lead to over-exploitation," Kam warned. Hong Kong writer and activist Riki Ueda, who has volunteered in wildlife conservation in South Africa, agreed, reported RFA. "The demand for traditional Chinese medicine will increase, and the pressure on these animals will definitely increase," she said, citing a recent rise in ivory poaching following the legalization of trade in existing ivory. "Is the legal trade contributing to the illegal trade? Both seem to be growing in parallel ... and the [legal trade] is bound to have a negative impact on the species and the illegal wildlife trade alike." "Since 2008, 5,940 rhinos have been recorded as hunted and killed in Africa," TCM doctor and former Taiwan health ministry official Huang Lin-huang told RFA. "Scientists believe this number is an underestimate." Huang said he has never believed in the efficacy of powdered rhino horn, which was banned in China, before being made legal again in 2018, said Mai. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in South Africa, poachers killed 394 rhinos in the whole of 2020. But the number rose to 249 in the first half of 2021 alone. In Botswana, at least 100 rhinos have been killed by poachers in the last three years, since President Mokgweetsi Masisi took office in 2018 and disarmed anti-poaching squads, taking away their right to kill poachers on sight, reported Mia. (ANI) "MPD is currently investigating threats at the following schools: H.D. Woodson High School, McKinley Tech High School, IDEA Public Charter School, Cesar Chavez Public Charter School," the police department said via Twitter. The news comes amid a surge in bomb threats made via telephone in the US capital this week. On Wednesday, MPD said it was responding to eight bomb threats and was evacuating public and charter schools. The eight schools that received security threats on Wednesday included Dunbar High School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Ron Brown High School, KIPP DC College Preparatory, IDEA Public Charter School and Seed Public Charter School, according to the MPD. Dunbar High School received a bomb threat on Tuesday as well. Vice President Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, was visiting the school during the time of the security threat, had to be escorted out by the US Secret Service. (ANI/Sputnik) London [UK], February 11 (ANI/Sputnik): UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday confirmed that a further 350 British troops have landed in Poland as tensions around Ukraine continue to escalate. "Earlier today the UK's 45 Commando Unit touched down in Poland," Johnson said after meeting with his Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Warsaw. On Monday, UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace had announced that the UK will send 350 troops to Poland that will add to the 150 British military engineers that were deployed last year during the migrant crisis at the Polish-Belarussian border. According to Johnson, the newly-arrived forces will also join the 150 British military who contribute to NATO's enhance Forward Presence in Poland. "The reason I'm here is because Poland is absolutely critical to our collective European security and the lesson of the last 100 years is that when Poland is threatened with instability, or aggression on the borders of Poland, then we are all threatened and we're all affected," the prime minister said. Johnson travelled to Warsaw from Brussels, where he discussed the situation around Ukraine with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The situation regarding Ukraine have worsened in recent weeks with Washington, London and other NATO allies raising concerns about Russia's military build-up at the Ukraine border, saying Moscow is preparing an invasion. The European Union has also expressed concerns about possible disruption of Russia's energy supplies to Europe in the event of escalation. Russia has said it has no plans to attack any country, including Ukraine, but has warned that NATO's plans to expand further eastward represent a threat to its national security. Russia has also said it reserves the right to move troops on its sovereign territory as it sees fit. (ANI/Sputnik) Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia's air force shot down a drone launched by the Houthis over Abha International Airport, which resulted in the injuries of 12 civilians caused by shrapnel. "Yemen's army hit the target in Abha's airport precisely, which is used to launch strikes against Yemen. Abha's airport is a military object and our target, so we urge civilians to stay away from military objects," Al Masirah said, citing Houthis' army command. On February 8, the commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said the United States would deploy a squadron of F-22 fighters to the United Arab Emirates to thwart drone attacks launched by Houthis. Houthis resumed attacks on the UAE in January, in what they said was a response to Emirati involvement in hostilities against the movement in Yemen, locked in an armed conflict between the government forces led by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and the Houthi rebels for several years. Since March 2015, the Saudi-led Arab alliance, working in cooperation with Hadi's forces, has been conducting air, land, and sea operations against the rebels, who control the capital of Sanaa and large areas in northern and western Yemen. (ANI/Sputnik) Pakistan's Supreme Court has suspended the verdict of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), postponing the second phase of local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa scheduled for March 27, local media reported. A two-member bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Ayesha A Malik, admitted for regular hearing the appeal of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the decision of the Peshawar High Court. The order was issued in the wake of the verdict of the Peshawar High Court, Abbottabad circuit bench the other day that directed the ECP to postpone the second phase of the local government elections slated for March 27 in view of the snowfall and cold weather in the hilly areas. The Supreme Court's bench had issued the order on the petitions jointly filed by Malik Aurangzeb, a resident of Kohistan and Sardar Nasir Aslam, a lawyer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and others. The petitioners had argued before the court that it would be difficult to hold the polling in March in the hilly areas due to extreme cold and snowfall in these places. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), however, filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the PHC order. In view of the verdict of the PHC, you are requested not to issue public notices to this effect till further orders, a circular issued to the returning officers and cited by The News International said. The PHC's Abbottabad bench issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by a citizen who contended that various districts in the province would be shut by heavy snow in March, following which the voters would struggle to reach polling stations under severe cold and through snow-covered roads, Dawn reported. The ECP had on January 20 announced the schedule and a code of conduct for the second phase of local government elections in 18 districts of the province. The first phase of elections was held in 17 districts on December 19. (ANI) "Canada has requested to join consultations as part of the EU's dispute with China at the WTO, in our interest in promoting and defending the multilateral trading system," Canada's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday, according to Sputnik News Agency. Furthermore, Global Affairs Canada noted that Ottawa is concerned by China's trade action, opposes economic coercion, and stands with like-minded countries. From December last year, China began to heavily restrict or de facto block imports from and exports to Lithuania, or linked to Lithuania. The Commission has repeatedly raised the matter with the Chinese authorities. The European Commission said it has built up evidence of the various types of Chinese restrictions. "These include a refusal to clear Lithuanian goods through customs, rejection of import applications from Lithuania, and pressuring EU companies operating out of other EU Member States to remove Lithuanian inputs from their supply chains when exporting to China," the commission said. Responding to the WTO case, Beijing said so-called China's "coercion" of Lithuania is groundless and distorts facts. "The problem between China and Lithuania is a political, not an economic one. They were caused by Lithuania's acts in bad faith that hurt China's interests, not China's pressure on Lithuania," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian at a press conference. (ANI) Citing sources in the Taliban, the media reported that the meeting in Turkey will be held in Istanbul. From January 23 to January 25, this year the Taliban delegation headed by the Foreign Minister of the Taliban, Amir Khan Muttaqi, paid an official visit to the Norwegian capital at the invitation of the kingdom, Sputnik reported. The delegation met with special representatives and envoys from the US, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, and the UK. Muttaqi described the visit as successful, and the delegation thanked the Norwegian government for its hospitality and contribution to the strengthening of trust. Qatar and Turkey are seeking a mandate to manage the Kabul airport, shattered during chaotic mass evacuations and withdrawal of foreign troops last year after the Taliban came to power. The radical movement has agreed to accept technical assistance from Qatar and Turkey but wants to be in charge of the airport's management alone. The talks have continued since August, Sputnik reported. Taliban took control of Kabul last year in mid-August. (ANI) (Adds quotes, background, details) WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - The White House publicly pressured Iran on Wednesday to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement quickly, saying that it will be impossible to return to the accord if a deal is not struck within weeks. "Our talks with Iran have reached an urgent point," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters, noting that the U.S. special envoy for Iran, Rob Malley, has returned to Vienna for indirect talks with Iran on both sides resuming compliance with the pact. "A deal that addresses the core concerns of all sides is in sight, but if it's not reached in the coming weeks Iran's ongoing nuclear advances will make it impossible for us to return to the JCPOA," she said, referring to the deal by the acronym for its official name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Psaki's comments echoed those of a senior U.S. State Department official who told reporters on Jan. 31 that "we only have a handful of weeks left" to revive the agreement. Under the accord, Iran restricted its nuclear program to make it harder to obtain the fissile material to make a bomb, an ambition that Tehran denies. In return, the United States and other nations eased sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. Former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned the deal in 2018, arguing that it had failed to stop Iran's support for regional proxies and gave Tehran too much sanctions relief for the nuclear restrictions. He then restored U.S. sanctions, prompting Iran to begin violating the deal's nuclear limits a year later. (Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw and Steve Holland; Writing by Arshad Mohammed Editing by Chris Reese and Leslie Adler) VoterGA Refutes Raffensperger's Letter to Members of Congress New information shines light on deceptive statements NEWS PROVIDED BY VoterGA Feb. 10, 2022 ATLANTA, Feb. 10, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- VoterGA announced today that it has released a 42-point report refuting Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's 10-page letter to the Georgia Congressional members and the Georgia General Assembly. The report contends the letter contained false information and was inconsistent with the Georgia General Assembly findings. The letter, sent on January 6, 2021, claimed that then President Donald J. Trump and his attorneys, made false statements about the integrity of Georgia's 2020 Presidential election. Details in the VoterGA report are based on original General Assembly testimony from December of 2020 and new corroborating information revealed during the last year through: Additional legal evidence that has been made available through court cases; The General Assembly's passage of a new law to make ballot images public; Georgia Open Records Requests that have either been fulfilled or denied; Extensive independent research that has been conducted into the election. The report cites several false or deceptive statements in each section of Secretary Raffensperger's original letter including allegations involving: Dominion voting machines; Absentee ballots; Poll watcher accessibility; Ineligible voters voting. The 17-page VoterGA report also contains dozens of references to source documents that support its conclusions. These include affidavits, studies, hearing testimony, videos and a variety of investigative research regarding the November 2020 election. The report was presented by Garland Favorito, Bob Coovert and Bryan Geels during a 10am VoterGA press conference held in Roswell. Legislators, county election officials and the Secretary of State were invited to attend in-person or on-line and encouraged to ask questions. VoterGA co-founder Garland Favorito, who authored the report, explained its purpose: "We must have an undistorted, precise understanding of facts about improprieties of the November 2020 election to make the changes necessary to ensure the integrity of the 2022 elections." VoterGA is a non-partisan, 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization created by a coalition of citizens working to restore election integrity in Georgia. We advocate for independently verifiable, auditable, recount capable and transparent elections. SOURCE VoterGA CONTACT: Sheryl Sellaway, 404-695-5564, sheryl@righteouspragency.com After postponing its return to work indefinitely over the holidays, Wells Fargo has set a date for its employees to come back to the office. Most of the banks workers will begin to return to a hybrid flexible work model beginning March 14, according to an internal memo from Chief Operating Officer Scott Powell. The date marks just about two years since the bank first sent workers home during the initial COVID outbreak. Eligible employees could voluntarily return to the office beginning Wednesday, Feb. 9, Powell said in the Wednesday memo. That includes fully vaccinated workers in client-facing and enterprise roles. Those employees can also resume business meetings, travel and client visits, according to Powell. Wells Fargo is San Francisco-based but has its largest employment hub here in Charlotte, with more than 27,000 employees here. The bank employs more than 260,000 total workers. Mask requirements Vaccinated and unvaccinated employees will be subject to different policies when they return to work, the bank memo said. Employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will only have to wear a mask at work if local mandates require it. Workers who havent gotten their coronavirus vaccine shots will be subject to testing requirements and must wear a mask at all times unless eating, drinking or working in an enclosed room. That doesnt include a cubicle, the memo added. Those employees in customer-facing retail locations such as branches are still required to wear a mask at all times. Spending time together in the office Wells Fargo employees will be expected to return to the office on-schedule regardless of their vaccination status, the memo said. Powell said the banks hybrid flexible model emphasizes spending time together in the office while introducing hybrid work options for employees in most jobs. We strongly believe in the benefits of seeing our colleagues on a regular basis, Powell wrote in the memo. Other banks return to work plans Story continues Charlottes biggest banks some of the citys largest employers have taken different approaches to bringing workers back to in-person work after the initial COVID outbreak cleared out uptown office buildings two years ago. Truist invited more employees back to the office on a voluntary basis last month, but those who can work remotely werent required to come back to their cubicles. The Charlotte-based combination of BB&T and SunTrust launched its return to the office plans in October. Most of the banks office workers are still working remotely, Truist told the Observer in January. Bank of America invited all vaccinated employees back to the office in July. But amid the omicron spike, it asked employees that had been coming in to work to stay home. The Recount Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) sounded off during a press conference about Trevor Noahs jabs at him and the state of Florida during the White House Correspondents dinner on Saturday. The Florida governor and possible 2024 presidential candidate who did not attend the dinner said he never would have and had no interest in it. During his monologue, Noah roasted politicians from both parties. An affordable housing plan was nixed in Yellow Springs, Ohio, after resident and comedian Dave Chapelle said that he would pull his businesses out of the town should the plan go through. The council vote of four members was tied 2-2, ensuring that the ordinance would not move forward, according to the Dayton Daily News. During a village council meeting, Chapelle called the members of the body "clowns," stating that he would pull his restaurant and comedy club out of Yellow Springs if they passed a zoning ordinance that included dozens of affordable housing units. "I cannot believe you would make me audition for you. You look like clowns," Chappelle said, according to council video shared on YouTube. "I am not bluffing, I will take it all off the table. That's all. Thank you." The comedian did not explain the reasoning for his ultimatum. In September, Chappelle got the OK to move forward with his businesses in his home town, which has a population of less than 4,000 people. The comedian had submitted plans to the Yellow Springs Planning Commission for his restaurant, Firehouse Eatery, and his comedy club, Live from YS, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The Dayton Daily News previously reported that Chappelle's company bought the Miami Twp. Fire Station in December of 2020 for the eatery. This is also not the first time that Chappelle has objected to the zoning ordinance. In December, he told the council that he was "adamantly opposed" to the measure, according to NBC News. The Hill has reached out to a spokesperson for Chappelle for additional comment. By Alexander Cornwell DUBAI (Reuters) - Hundreds of Afghans have launched a rare protest at a United Arab Emirates facility where they have been housed since fleeing their homeland last year, holding banners pleading for freedom and demanding to be sent to the United States to be resettled. Thousands of Afghans were last year evacuated to the Gulf Arab state on behalf of the United States and other Western countries amid the chaotic U.S.-led withdrawal from Afghanistan and return to power of the hardline Islamist Taliban movement. The UAE, a close U.S. partner, agreed to provide Afghans with temporary housing as they waited to be resettled elsewhere. Six months later, however, many are still in the UAE, living in tightly controlled facilities. Protests started on Wednesday and continued on Thursday, two demonstrators told Reuters on the condition of anonymity, fearing retribution from authorities for speaking out. Videos sent to Reuters showed men, women and children calling on Washington to welcome them to their second home. Similar videos and images were widely shared on social media. The two protesters, one of whom shared the videos, said the rally was triggered by the persistent lack of information on when the Afghans would be resettled. One of the protesters said conditions in the facilities were prison-like, and that as protests broke out some Afghans had been detained by Emirati authorities. A U.S. embassy official visited the facility on Thursday after the protests had started, and said there was no clear timeline for all to be processed and that it was unlikely all would ever go to the United States, one protester said. The UAE government and the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi had no immediate comment on the protests. Shawn VanDiver, a U.S. Navy veteran and president of #AfghanEvac, a coalition of volunteer groups, said the Afghans were understandably frustrated and that there was a shared, global responsibility of being open and honest with them. Story continues "The coalition is going to do everything they can to hold the U.S. government and others to clear, concise and accurate communications," he said. It is unclear how many Afghans are being housed in the UAE, which last September said it had evacuated 9,000 Afghan nationals who were on their way third countries. Advocates and protesters estimate there are 12,000 housed across two facilities in Abu Dhabi. The United States is prioritising those who had visas or applications to go the United States but two sources familiar with the Abu Dhabi facilities said many there had neither. Along with individuals who worked with the U.S. and the Afghan armed forces, the facility includes people who have no clear pathway to be resettled in the United States or a third country. A protest sign at one of the Abu Dhabi facilities read: "When we were evacuated, the (U.S.) dept (department) of defence had the control of the (Kabul) airport. No one came by themselves." Ahmad Mohibi, a former U.S. counter-terrorism adviser in Afghanistan who has assisted those fleeing Afghanistan, said U.S. flights carrying Afghans from the UAE stopped in November. Some Afghans had threatened to go on a hunger strike in protest as they wait for resettlement, while a small group had asked to return to Afghanistan, he said. "There is no transparency," Mohibi said, criticising the U.S. resettlement process for the Afghans in the UAE facilities. (Editing by Aziz El Yaakoubi, Mark Heinrich, Barbara Lewis and Raju Gopalakrishnan) Julia Mills (left) and Avery Palmer, DECA students at Airport High School, will be recognized at DECAs International Career Development Conference in March in Atlanta, Ga. Provided by Teresa Millican The Locker, Airport High School's school store, sells spirit wear and accessories. Provided by Teresa Millican CARLETON -- Some Airport High School DECA students are going to Georgia in March. The students, including Avery Palmer and Julia Mills, will be recognized during DECAs International Career Development Conference in Atlanta. Airport DECA students run The Locker school store, a school-based enterprise (SBE) at AHS. The Locker is among 461 school-based enterprises to achieve Gold Level Certification for the 2021-2022 school year. The Locker has been run by Airports DECA and marketing classes for more than eight years. Its open a few hours each school day and during all three lunch periods. Three students work each hour. The store sells spirit wear and accessories, Teresa Millican, DECA adviser for the last 16 years, said. The Locker is located in the cafeteria and is considered a school-based enterprise. A school-based enterprise is an entrepreneurial operation in a school setting that provides goods and services to meet the needs of the market, DECA said. SBEs are managed and operated by students as hands-on learning laboratories that integrate National Curriculum Standards in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA advisors have utilized this effective educational tool for over four decades to provide their students with realistic and practical learning experiences that reinforce classroom instruction, enhance 21st-century skill development and prepare students for college and careers." Certification of SBEs must be updated every five years. Avery and Julia, with the assistance of Millican, submitted a 55-page document that outlined the store and its features. DECAs School-based Enterprise Certification Program is a rigorous process designed to help DECA members demonstrate their classroom learning in a practical, learning laboratory, and then translate that into meaningful outcomes, Christopher Young, CAE, Chief Program Officer at DECA Inc., said. These DECA members are practicing important workplace readiness skills while preparing for college and careers. Story continues The Locker earned the highest level, gold. DECAs School-based Enterprise Certification Program provides recognition for outstanding achievement by school-based enterprises and to motivate SBEs to strive for excellence and growth, Young said. SBEs can be certified at three levels: bronze, silver or gold. In order to apply for the certification, SBEs must submit extensive documentation that explains how the SBE demonstrates the practice of various marketing and retail standards. A review committee evaluates the documentation to determine which level of certification has been achieved. DECA is a career and technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs who are interested in careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with more than 225,000 members in 4,000 high school and college chapters in all 50 United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and Germany. On the Net: visit http://www.deca.org. This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Airport High School store earns honors; DECA students going to Georgia Friday marked 50 years since protesters fought back against a police raid of New York's Stonewall Inn and catalyzed the modern gay rights movement. But despite decades of progress, members of the LGBTQ community across the country are experiencing targeted acts of violence. Hate crimes against LGBTQ people have been on a slight rise over the past three years, according to FBI data. While most hate crimes in the U.S. are motivated by bias toward race and religion, the number of crimes based on sexual orientation rose each year from 2014 to 2017, when 1,130 incidents were reported. Of those crimes, a majority targeted gay men. Crimes motivated by a bias toward gender identity against transgender and non-binary individuals have generally risen since 2013, when the FBI first began recording them. At least 11 transgender people have been fatally shot or killed by other violent means in 2019, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Recent media reports suggest that crimes against black transgender women, in particular, have spiked this year. The FBI data, however, likely dramatically underestimates the true number of hate crimes against the LGBTQ community, experts, say, given flaws in the current data collection process and massive discrepancies with the much larger number of self-reported incidents. A better gauge of hate crime trends in the U.S. may be the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), a household-based survey administered by the U.S. Census Bureau. This self-reported data suggests that Americans experience closer to 200,000 hate crimes each year a far cry from the FBIs estimate of approximately 7,500. The NCVS data also suggests that a greater percentage of all hate crimes are motivated by a bias against sexual orientation than the FBI data. Many people who experience hate crimes do not report the incidents to law enforcement, for various reasons. To the extent that we dont have universal protections from discrimination on the basis of employment, housing, and public accommodations, if someone comes forward to report a hate crime, they could also be officially outing themselves as LGBTQ. In a smaller or rural community, that outing could result in an eviction or loss of a job, said Robin Maril, Human Rights Campaign Associate Legal Director. Story continues Are the young really the most tolerant? Results of this LGBTQ survey are 'alarming' Some advocates point to the Trump administrations policies and rhetoric as potential catalysts for the increasing violence in recent years. After Trumps' election, the Southern Poverty Law Center counted 201 incidents of election-related harassment and intimidation across the country, including incidents targeting the LGBTQ community and people of color. In 2017, the president announced on Twitter that he would be banning transgender people from the military. At an annual National Prayer Breakfast this past February, Trump defended a state-funded Michigan adoption agencys efforts to ban gay and lesbian couples from adopting children. The level of discourse that we are getting from the Trump administration and leadership only hurts our community, only hurts trans people, Maril said. It gives a sense of impunity and a license to harm folks. Under the Obama administration, the average number of anti-gay hate crime incidents reported to the FBI each year was higher than the number of incidents reported in 2017. In 2008, the FBI reported 1,297 anti-gay hate crime. That number fluctuated but eventually fell to 1,135 in 2012 and 1076 in 2016. Flaws in available data The Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990 requires attorneys general to report incidents submitted from state and local law enforcement agencies to the FBI, which publishes an annual Hate Crime Statistics report. Some high-profile cases, however such as the murder of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville have been historically omitted from these annual reports, raising questions about the accuracy of federal hate crime data. Hate crimes motivated by bias against sexual orientation and gender identity are illegal under the 2009 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. But state laws aren't so clear cut. An estimated 53% of LGBTQ adults in the U.S. live in states that dont have hate crime laws covering sexual orientation and gender identity, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit think tank. Local and state law enforcement agencies are not required to report hate crimes. However, the number of agencies participating in hate crime data collection has risen over the last two decades, from 11,354 agencies in 1996 to 16,149 agencies in 2017. As more agencies have begun to participate in the FBI program, the percentage of agencies reporting that any hate crime incidents took place has declined. In 2017, only 12.6% of agencies reported any hate crimes at all. All others reported zero hate crimes. But media reports and self-reported data from the NCVS say otherwise. "There are entire cities that dont report any hate crimes. Cities like Miami might report zero hate crimes, but a hate crime does occur in Miami at least once a year," Maril said. The data is embarrassingly bad for a country that supposedly takes public safety so seriously. One would think that we would do a better job of collecting crime data. And none of our crime data is worse than our hate crime data, said Roy L. Austin, who was Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division under the Obama administration. Theres a serious disconnect, and everyone knows this disconnect exists. But no one with the power to do anything about it seems willing to do what is necessary to get this right. Triple homicide targeting LGBTQ: 2 gay men, 1 transgender woman murdered Attacks leave black trans women 'constantly feeling on edge' In this Friday, April 20, 2019 photo, Muhlaysia Booker speaks during a rally in Dallas. Booker, a transgender woman seen on a widely circulated video being beaten on April 12 in front of a crowd of people, was found dead Saturday, May 18 in a Dallas shooting. This past Pride Month witnessed a slew of violent anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. For trans women of color in Texas, recent months have brought terror. Dallas resident Muhlaysia Booker, 23, was assaulted in April in an attack that went viral on social media, then fatally shot in May. Just weeks later, on the first day of Pride, Chynal Lindsey, 26, was found dead the third black trans woman murdered in Dallas in less than a year. Dee Dee Watters, a black trans activist and president of Black Trans Women Inc., had just left Bookers wake when she heard about Lindseys death. We were en route back to Houston, and we got word that there was a young lady that they fished out of the lake in Dallas, Watters said, adding, We weren't even able to complete the mourning of the loss of this young lady then to get hit with another individual that was murdered." Naomi Green, a black trans woman and program coordinator at Abounding Prosperity Inc., an organization that supports Dallas's black LGBTQ community, said shes now learning to shoot a gun and is organizing self-defense classes. Its very traumatizing, Green said. Youre constantly feeling on edge and looking over your shoulder. A photo of Muhlasyia Booker, a trans woman who was murdered in Dallas in June, sits on the office desk of Naomi Green, program coordinator at Abounding Prosperity, Dallas. Booker's image is "the face of change for a community," Green said. For some black trans women, daily experiences of bias are not unusual. Kaye Ingram, 29, moved to Dallas in 2016 but was rejected from various jobs for many months. She stayed with friends until she was finally able to secure housing through a program in Dallas an apartment in the same neighborhood where Muhlaysia Booker was killed. Last year, Ingram was leaving a convenience store in her neighborhood when a man hurled slurs at her, then punched her in the eye. I remember the trauma of actually being hit and having slurs thrown on you as people watch and ... laugh," Ingram said. When I saw the Muhlaysia story, that just made me remember how I felt in that moment how afraid I was. I don't have any family here, and I was afraid to retaliate because it's an open carry state." Ingram told USA TODAY that she has been targeted based on her gender identity several times in the past two years: a co-worker verbally degraded her, a man yelling from his balcony called her "an abomination," and boys riding by on bikes threw rocks at her. She said that she has been raped three times. A survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality found that nearly half of transgender people experience sexual assault in their lifetime. That percentage increases among transgender people of color: American Indian (65%), multiracial (59%), Middle Eastern (58%), and black (53%). Were at the bottom of the totem pole being black, then being trans, then being a woman, Ingram said. "I'm scared. I'm trying to hurry up and leave." SARAH MCBRIDE: She was sexually assaulted within months of coming out. She isn't alone The lifetime prevalence of rape is also higher for bisexual women (46%) compared to heterosexual women (17%), according to the CDC. The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence other than rape is 46% for lesbians, 75% for bisexual women and 43% for heterosexual women. The vast majority report male perpetrators. 'We need the stories about what's happening' Available hate crime data may be imperfect, but some believe that there is hope for the reporting process. The single most important thing is to link any federal funding on crime prevention on providing accurate and regular numbers. The second thing to do is to change the way the national incident-based reporting system is done so that the national numbers are produced more frequently and in a way that is more user friendly, Austin said. Others advocate making hate crime reporting mandatory under federal law, instituting stronger protections against hate crimes at the federal and state level, and passing legislation that prevents discrimination across the board. But not everyone supports giving law enforcement more power over communities that have been historically mistreated by police. 'Wrong, plain and simple': 50 years later, NYPD apologizes for Stonewall riots Im not a data wonk, but I know what data means to our elected officials," said Lou Weaver, Transgender Programs Coordinator for the advocacy group Equality Texas. "We need the data. We need the stories about whats happening. The 2018 edition of the annual report Hate Crime Statistics is tentatively scheduled for release in the fall of 2019. If you've experienced or witnessed anti-LGBTQ violence, or are concerned about someone who has, you can call the Anti-Violence Project hotline 24/7 at 212-714-1141. All calls are confidential. You can also report violence anonymously or ask for a counselor to reach out to you online. Follow Grace Hauck on Twitter @grace_hauck. Banning pride flags at US embassies: Mike Pence says it's 'the right decision' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anti-gay hate crimes on the rise, FBI says, and they likely undercount Feb. 10HARLINGEN With an execution date set for April 27, supporters of Melissa Lucio set up in the parking lot of a Harlingen barbecue spot late Wednesday afternoon hoping to win the attention of Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott was in the city to participate in a private political event at Smoke: Texas BBQ and Watering Hole on Harrison Avenue. Lucio was convicted by a Cameron County jury of capital murder in 2008 in connection with the death of her daughter, Mariah Alvarez, who authorities said had been beaten. But her family and supporters, including the Innocence Project, want the governor to grant Lucio clemency or be given a new trial. The prosecutor at her trial, Armando Villalobos, was later convicted in a bribery and extortion case and was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Lucio's defenders point to a documentary film now airing on the Hulu network and Amazon Prime, "The State of Texas vs. Melissa," which they say reveals new evidence in the case that should result in clemency or at least a new trial. "We hope to get our message across, and our message is to please give my sister clemency," said Sonya Alvarez on Wednesday at the rally. "Please watch the documentary, there's a lot of doubts. "We're hoping for a new trial, we're begging for a new trial, but we're also begging for clemency," Alvarez added. "We believe in my sister's innocence. She was wrongfully convicted by Cameron County. The district attorney was Armando Villalobos, who served time for bribery, conspiracy and many other charges." This week Lucio's attorneys filed a motion requesting that her execution date be withdrawn due to "innocence and other factors." The motion was filed with the 138th state District Court in Cameron County seeking to have her execution date withdrawn or modified in order to schedule additional court hearings to present new evidence in the case. Outside the restaurant in the parking lot, dozens of signs were erected in support of those attorneys' efforts to obtain clemency from the governor or to be granted a new trial. Story continues "Free Melissa Lucio," one read, and on the back, "Watch the Film." "End the death penalty now" read another, along with "What if we got it wrong?" Yet another sign read, "Do you trust the government?" "We're trying to have Greg Abbott take a deeper investigation into my mother's case, and look at all the evidence that was left out," said John Lucio. "There was an abundance of evidence left out. And that's what these signs are for, they say watch the film. Because the film has a lot of the evidence that was left out ... all of these are now documented." John Lucio urged the governor to act in time. "He is the one that's going to be the one to look into it and stop this death penalty, either by clemency or acquittal or what-not," John Lucio added. "But we ask him to look deeper into this case of an innocent woman. She's innocent. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing for her if she wasn't innocent." Organizers plan a statewide public education tour this month featuring the director of the film on the case, Sabrina Van Tassel, who will travel with Melissa Lucio's family members and supporters across the state. Melissa Lucio's supporters also are working with Death Penalty Action, which is helping them to raise awareness and has created a web page to allow people to sign a petition seeking clemency or a new trial at https://freemelissalucio.org The Innocence Project also has launched its own petition at its website, https://innocenceproject.org ------ To see more photos of the rally, view Brownsville Herald photojournalist Denise Cathey's full photo gallery here: missing cat of seven years reunited and sitting on chair in the back yard Denise Cilley It was a little mystifying last month when Denise Cilley received a call from a Florida veterinarian informing her they'd found her lost cat. The Chesterville, Maine, resident hadn't lost a cat, and she certainly hadn't lost one some 1,400 miles away in Longwood, Fla. She wondered if they had the wrong number. Then the vet described the feline in question: a gray tabby who, according to her microchip, was adopted from the Franklin County Animal Shelter. "Oh my goodness, it's Ashes," Cilley tells Daily Paws of her realization. Yup, the young cat with a squeaky meow who'd escaped Cilley's home in August 2015on her daughter Katie's 10th birthday no lesshad somehow made it all the way down to Florida. She was scheduled to return to her original home Wednesday afternoon after a successful fundraising effort paid for some of her vet bills. At first, Cilley wondered if it would be easier to find Ashes a new home in Florida, but she decided, "No, I want my baby back." Cilley adopted Ashes as a kitten in 2014, and just under a year later she disappeared. She'd accompanied her brother, a black, panther-like cat named Rex, outside. He came back while she didn't. Cilley and her daughter were incredibly saddened. missing cat sitting in front of hamster cage Denise Cilley Young Ashes before she went missing. The family searched the surrounding areaexactly what you're supposed to dofor weeks but turned up nothing. They figured a predator, maybe a fisher or fox, had gotten her, Cilley says. They grieved. Then, about six-and-a-half years later, Cilley gets the phone call. Ashes, now missing a tooth, was in Florida. Who knows how she got down there. "Has she been in Florida six months or six years?" Cilley wonders. RELATED: Thanks To Microchip, Arkansas Man To Reunite With Cat He Thought Was Dead All she knows is the couple who found Ashes had seen her in their area for about six months before catching her in January. They fostered her for awhile and reported back that she still has her squeaky meow and likes to curl up on a good nap. Now, she's up to date on her vaccines and was set to fly home Wednesday, arriving at the Portland, Maine, airport at 4:30 p.m. via Frontier Airlines. Story continues Cilley has bought kitten food, Ashes' preference, for her homecoming while Katie knitted the cat a crocheted toy that can be filled with catnip. Cilley has nine other catsincluding the now-senior Rexso Ashes will likely be sequestered for several days so she can again get used to her home. Beside her rescuers, the MVP of this story is Ashes' microchip. Cilley encouraged everyone, even indoor cat owners, to get their cats chipped and keep the information updated. You never know when your cat might get outor when and where they might be found. "[It's] good Plan B," Cilley says. The GoFundMe for Ashes smashed its goal, so Cilley plans to donate the rest to the Franklin County Animal Shelter and PAWS, a shelter in her hometown of Calais, to help the shelters' microchipping efforts. (Bloomberg) -- ASML Holding NV has warned that an affiliate of a China company it previously accused of stealing its trade secrets has begun marketing products that could infringe on its intellectual property rights. Most Read from Bloomberg Early in 2021, we became aware of reports that a company associated with XTAL Inc., against which ASML had obtained a damage award for trade secret misappropriation in 2019 in the USA, was actively marketing products in China that could potentially infringe on ASMLs IP rights, the Dutch company said in its latest annual report released on Wednesday. ASML has requested certain customers not to aid the associated firm Dongfang Jingyuan Electron Ltd. -- a corporation that has received Beijings stamp of approval under a program known as little giants -- and informed the Chinese authorities of its concerns. The company said it is monitoring the situation closely and is ready to take legal action if appropriate. An inquiry sent to the official email listed on XTALs website could not be delivered, and calls to Dongfang Jingyuans headquarters in Beijing went unanswered. ASML occupies a pivotal role in the global chip supply chain. It has a monopoly on advanced extreme ultraviolet, or EUV, lithography systems that are indispensable to producing the most cutting-edge chips in the world, and it also supplies deep ultraviolet lithography machines needed to make more mature semiconductors. The intellectual property allegedly stolen was related to software and not ASMLs core lithography technology, a spokesperson for the company said. China is reliant on ASMLs technology as it tries to build a domestic chip ecosystem that will reduce its dependence on foreign imports. But that effort has been thwarted, with the U.S. government reportedly pressuring Dutch officials not to allow ASML to sell its EUV systems to China in 2019. Story continues To this day, ASML still has not obtained an export license to ship its most advanced machines to China. Chinese companies racing to build up their technological prowess have often been accused of stealing trade secrets from foreign firms. While Beijing has categorically denied such practices, IP theft has long been a sticking point in Chinas relations with other countries, particularly with the U.S. In 2019, a U.S. court awarded ASML $845 million in damages in a trade secrets theft lawsuit against XTAL, although the Dutch company denied it was a victim of Chinese espionage. The suggestion that we were somehow victim of a national conspiracy is wrong, ASML Chief Executive Officer Peter Wennink said then. In May 2021, Dongfang Jingyuan received the title of little giant, a designation for startups that have been selected under an ambitious government program aimed at fostering a tech industry that can compete with Silicon Valley. The little giants label has become a valued measure of government endorsement, a signal for investors and employees that the companies are insulated from regulatory punishment. President Xi Jinping has given his personal blessing to the program. (Updates with ASMLs comment on nature of IP involved in the fifth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. ZHANGJIAKOU, China Here is a non-comprehensive list of objects I have observed hazmat-suited Chinese Olympics workers disinfecting in an effort to halt the spread of COVID: The top of doorframes. The outside walls of buildings. The inside walls of buildings. The base of poles that hold retractable rope lines. The massage chairs that some blessed soul installed in the local media center. Restaurant tables, and the partitions between them. The floors, walls and buttons of elevators. Bus seats. Bus tires. Bus parking lots. Here is a comprehensive list of the locations where I have observed hazmat-suited Chinese Olympic workers: Everywhere. Every-freaking-where. More than 12,000 athletes, journalists and Olympic officials are now living inside Chinas closed loop system, a total lockdown enforced by fences, bars, concertina wire and security guards. Every single one of the individuals now in the bubble tested twice before he or she arrived in China, underwent an agonizing and rigorous test at the airport, and every single one of us now lives in a state of morning swabs and perpetual uncertainty. China declared from the start that its intention was to isolate, contain and stamp out COVID outbreaks at the Olympics. The goal was not to keep individual athletes or others happy and comfortable; the goal was to keep the Games moving, no matter how many parking lots had to be pointlessly sprayed with disinfectant. No matter what the cost. So far, Chinas plan is working. Every day brings fewer and fewer positive tests, fewer individuals getting pulled from the closed loop and cordoned off into their own isolation rooms. But the cost is a heavy one. Kiosks are set up inside the Beijing Olympics "closed loop" for daily COVID testing. (Yahoo Sports) Your morning throat swab Each morning, everyone within the bubble gets up, gets ready to leave his room, sighs as they put on the mask theyll wear for the next 12 or 15 or 18 hours, and opens the door. Before visitors leave their building, theyll stop by a station to do their daily throat swab. Story continues Some of the stations are set up in hotel lobbies. Other more dystopian ones are outdoor kiosks, where hazmat-suited technicians reach out to you with thick rubber gloves that extend through holes in a glass wall. Sometimes the swabs are a gentle swipe across your throat. Sometimes youll gag a bit. Sometimes it feels like the technician is carving their initials into your tonsils. However it goes down, it generally goes down quickly, and youre on your way. You spend the rest of the day hoping that you dont get a phone call that says your test results came back the wrong way. For the rest of the day, youll wear your mask, except for when youre eating, and so will everyone else. And these arent wispy little thin paper masks or kitschy Baby Yoda Etsy masks; everyone is wearing the full-strength N95 or KN95 surgical masks. I have not yet won a gold medal at the Olympics, but Ive got to imagine it feels almost as good as pulling off the mask at the end of the day when Im back in my hotel room. People walk outside a fence that is a barrier for the closed-loop bubble that protects against the spread of COVID-19 in the area where a number of venues are for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Park. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Little interaction The closed loop is working with brutal, relentless effectiveness. But along the way, its crushed one of the finest elements of the Olympics: the cross-cultural connectedness that arises when you bring the entire world together in one place. Those living inside the loop have little chance to interact with each other youre limited to your own hotel, the venues, and thats it. Many of those working for the Olympics inside the loop are swathed head-to-toe in plastic and face shields cover the only part of their body thats visible: their eyes. Those outside the loop have no chance to interact with anyone inside. So we all do our best to get by, with lots of genial waves no one can see you smile under that mask, remember and other mimed expressions of greeting and gratitude, bowing heads and putting hands on hearts, and so on. This is the Olympics, after all, and were all damn lucky to be here, regardless of the chaos. Every day, the Olympic workers wave merrily and graciously acknowledge my woeful Western attempt at saying xiexie [thank you]" and the bus drivers, deep in their plexiglass-enclosed cocoons, often nod as you climb off your 14th shuttle bus of the day. The workers inside the loop are unfailingly polite, a lot more polite than Id be if the world showed up in my country, and I had to swaddle head to toe while they wore only a mask. Everyones making the best of it, despite the circumstances its what humans do but its a damn shame the circumstances are so dispiriting. This is an Olympics where Chinese politics and policy are literally inescapable, where questions about the host nations woeful human rights record collide with the perpetual scandals that laugh in the face of the flailing IOC. All the while, athletes who werent fortunate enough to test their way to (relative) freedom are in agony in isolation, watching their dreams evaporate as they pick through sub-hospital-grade food, meal after meal. We all make peace with it as best we can. Some of you back home have tuned out what they call the Genocide Games altogether, and thats your right. Some focus only on the exploits of the athletes though, as the skating scandal has shown, even thats no refuge from the ugly politics of the real world. Some bear up as best they can, mask on, looking for whatever sparks of joy they can find in these Games. Soon enough, itll all be over, and well all head back to our home countries, remembering what we went through and wondering what could have been. For China, an Olympics that ends on time, with little COVID disruption, will be a complete political and public relations success. For the rest of us, it feels like a lifes opportunity missed. The 22-year-old was beaten to death on the Greek island of Zakynthos in 2017, due to an argument over a selfie The parents of Bakari Henderson are speaking out in their first interview with Gayle King before they return to Greece for a retrial in their sons murder case. Henderson, 22, was reportedly beaten to death on the Greek island of Zakynthos in 2017, due to an argument over a selfie, according to witnesses. Phil and Jill Henderson, the parents of Bakari Henderson (Credit: CBS Mornings) Somebody getting beaten to death? Over a selfie? It just makes no sense, said Bakaris mother, Jill Henderson, in an interview with King that aired Thursday on CBS Mornings. Its very hard to imagine that people would have that much hate to do something to another human being. Henderson was at a bar on the island and wanted to take a selfie with one of the waitresses, which reportedly angered the bouncer, theGrio previously reported. The woman told investigators that when she posed with the young entrepreneur, a man nearby said, There are a lot of Serbs in the bar. Why are you talking to a Black guy? The man assaulted reportedly assaulted Henderson before Henderson defended himself by striking the man back. The brawl moved outside, where a mob of men chased him down the street and beat him to death. Henderson was left unconscious in the street. He died from severe head injuries. The entire incident was caught on surveillance video. The trial for the nine men accused of beating Bakari was held in Greece and all were found not guilty of murder. The prosecutor ordered a retrial on the same charges and it has been delayed for more than two years. The retrial is scheduled to begin on Feb. 21. Their life is in limbo, King said of the victims parents. Because they dont have closure. Bakari loved to travel, he loved meeting people, King said to PEOPLE of the Texas native. His life was taken away in 30 seconds in 30 seconds! she added. That just doesnt make any sense to me. This kid who had always done all the right things. Story continues King is bringing attention to the case that has largely been ignored by mainstream media in America. Its been a lot of highs, but mostly lows, trying to process the grief, Jill Henderson said. I would say the hardest thing has been feeling like Im not always doing the best that I can by my other two children because I spend so much time focused on Bakari, and the retrial, and just trying to keep his legacy alive because I miss him so much. Bakari Henderson (Credit: YouTube screenshot) During the first trial, the couple sat behind the men accused of killing their son five Serbian nationals and a British man of Serbian descent. It was rough, said Phil Henderson, the victims father. They were there to have a good time just like he was there to have a good time. I just kept saying to myself, If they only would have gotten to know him, they would have loved him.' Jill Henderson noted that the men had no real respect for the fact that we were there, grieving, as they were allowed to hug their families in the courtroom. And Im like, Really? Youre doing that in front of us? And well never get to do that with our son?' Next week, the couple will return to Greece for the fifth time for the retrial of seven of the nine men who fatally beat their son. The accused are being retried for murder, according to the report. I just truly hope that, this time, that they really view Bakari as a child of God and the human that he is, and view him as somebody that could be their brother, their son, their grandson, their nephew, their friend, said Jill. So, I mean, I really want them to be able to understand that when theyre doing the sentencing this time. Phil Henderson added, I dont think they view us Black people the same as they do white people over there. And I felt that in the trial, and the results of the trial, is that they treated and felt like he was less than a man. Have you subscribed to theGrio podcasts Dear Culture or Acting Up? TheGrio is now on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Bakari Hendersons parents speak out about sons killing as second murder trial approaches appeared first on TheGrio. Belarusian cross-country skier Darya Dolidovich poses in this picture taken in Kirovsk, Russia, November, 2021 (Sergei Dolidovich via REUTERS) A Belarusian cross-country skier has fled to Poland with her relatives because they feared reprisals by authorities after she was barred from competition over the familys political views. Darya Dolidovich said on Wednesday that she hopes to keep training in Poland, where she is now based along with her father and trainer Sergei Dolidovich, a seven-time Olympian cross-country skier. The 17-year-old skiier had been barred from competing for what father and daughter believe were his participation in street protests against the 2020 re-election of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that opponents said was fraudulent. Mr Lukashenko has denied rigging the vote. Darya has been stripped of her right to take part in competitions, Mr Dolidovich told Reuters. I dont see the possibility of her continuing her career in Belarus. We could be accused of staging a demonstration and shouting (opposition) slogans, then just be sent to prison, he said. Three months ago, I couldnt have imagined, even in a nightmare, that I would end up leaving my country. The Dolidovich familys departure comes a few days into the Beijing Winter Olympics, where the Belarusian national team is under scrutiny following the defection of sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya at the Tokyo Games last year. Darya, one of the countrys most promising junior cross-country skiers, said last month that the Belarus Ski Union deactivated her FIS code, an individual identifying number required for athletes to take part in competitions run by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The Belarus Ski Union told Daryas coaching staff that it deactivated her FIS code in December in response to a decision by the Belarus Cross-Country Skiing Federation, according to a 31 January letter. It did not say why that decision was made. In response to questions from Reuters, the FIS said it had not heard back from Belarusian ski officials since requesting further information last month on the deactivation of Daryas FIS code. Story continues The Belarus Cross-Country Skiing Federation and the Belarus Ski Union did not respond to requests for comment. Darya was supposed to graduate from secondary school this year, but it is unclear how she will pursue her studies in Poland. I had planned to finish school in Belarus, but my parents said that we were moving, she said. Im upset, of course. It would have been simpler to stay a few months and finish school. Belarusian cross-country skier Darya Dolidovich poses in this picture taken in Kirovsk, Russia, November 2021 (Sergei Dolidovich via REUTERS) Darya said she was keen to continue skiing in the hopes of keeping her Olympic dream alive. Several elite Belarusian athletes have been jailed or kicked off national teams for voicing opposition views and joining protests that erupted in 2020 over Mr Lukashenkos re-election. The repression of Belarusian athletes, including the attempt to forcibly repatriate Ms Tsimanouskaya during the Tokyo Olympics last year, has drawn international condemnation. Last week, the United States announced it was imposing visa restrictions on several Belarusian nationals, citing Ms Tsimanouskayas case and other instances of what it called extraterritorial counter-dissident activity. Another Belarusian cross-country skier, Sviatlana Andryiuk, was also stripped of her FIS code, a decision that prevented her from taking part in a qualifying event that could have earned her a berth at the Beijing Olympics. Ms Andryiuk, who said last month that she had been accused of being an opposition supporter, described her political views as neutral. Reuters The Biden administration has announced a $5 billion plan to help states build half a million EV charging stations by 2030 five times the current number. The goal is to allow EV owners to find a charging port anywhere within 50 miles of their location across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. "Its going to help ensure that America leads the world on electric vehicles," Biden said. The idea is to build on the "Alternative Fuel Corridor" created by 40 states along interstate highways across the country. To oversee the effort, the White House recently unveiled a new agency called the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. The $5 billion will come from the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which will also distribute an additional $2.5 billion in discretionary grants later on. A total of $615 million will be distributed this year alone, with states having until August 1 to apply. The money can only be used for battery-electric vehicles only, not hydrogen or other alternative energy vehicles. States can team up with private enterprises to build and maintain the stations. Americans need to know that they can purchase an electric vehicle and find convenient charging stations when they are using Interstates and other major highways. The aim with the charging network is to reassure potential EV buyers that they'll be able to charge their cars while travelling. "Americans need to know that they can purchase an electric vehicle and find convenient charging stations when they are using Interstates and other major highways," said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack in a statement. The White House is also pushing for the charging stations to be built domestically. To that end, it touted a company called Tritium that plans to produce up to 30,000 DC fast chargers per year in Tennessee, creating 500 local jobs. The government will also direct 40 percent of funding to underserved and rural areas. The agency released a state-by-state disbursement plan that shows the largest funding levels going to Texas, California and Florida the three most populous states. It's all part of a larger plan to reduce US carbon emissions, as the transportation sector is responsible for a third of greenhouse gas pollution. To that end, the Biden administration wants half the vehicles sold in the US to be EVs or plug-in hybrids by 2030. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden's puppy Commander will make his TV debut on Super Bowl Sunday. The German shepherd will appear with Biden's wife, Jill, in a video message about pet love during Sunday's broadcast of Puppy Bowl XVIII on Animal Planet. The first lady's office tweeted the video Thursday. Both contests will be held on the day before Valentine's Day, which is Monday. Hi there. I'm Jill Biden, here at the White House with our new puppy Commander, the first lady says. You know, Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because it's all about love. The first lady, wearing a gray turtleneck sweater with AMOUR in pink letters across the front, is seated in the White House movie theater with Commander by her side. What's so wonderful about having pets is they bring us unconditional love, joy and comfort every day, she adds. All of us are wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day. Other footage shows the two playing in a White House hallway. Last year, Jill Biden filmed a public service announcement focused on mask-wearing in a pandemic to air during Puppy Bowl XVII. She was surrounded in that ad by the family's German shepherds, Champ and Major. Champ died last year; Major now lives in Delaware after behaving aggressively at the White House. The Bidens recently welcomed a cat named Willow to the White House. By Nandita Bose and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday he had done a thorough check on about four potential nominees for the Supreme Court and that he expects whomever he chooses will get some Republican support in the U.S. Senate. "What I've done is I've taken about four people and done the deep dive on them, meaning ... thorough background checks," Biden told NBC News before meeting at the White House with 10 of the 11 Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Committee Chairman Dick Durbin said the lawmakers shared some of their recommendations with Biden, but conveyed their trust in his judgment. Biden told them he expected to begin meeting with potential nominees soon, Durbin told reporters. "We understand we're making history here. His decision to appoint a Black woman to the Supreme Court is literally going to change the face of the court for the future, for our history in the United States," he said. "We're anxious to get started." Biden, who heads to the presidential retreat of Camp David this weekend, has also spoken with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and is seeking the advice of other Republican lawmakers, the White House said. Biden has said he will announce his choice to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer by the end of February and has promised to name the first Black woman to the high court. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate. "I'm not looking to make an ideological choice," Biden told NBC News. "I'm looking for someone to replace Judge Breyer with the same kind of capacity Judge Breyer had, with an open mind who understands the Constitution, interprets it in a way that is consistent with the mainstream interpretation of the Constitution," he said. Durbin and the other Democrats who met with Biden vowed to work hard to ensure that whomever Biden picked was confirmed by the Senate as quickly as possible. Story continues Senator Patrick Leahy, a long-time member of the Judiciary Committee, said he has voted on 21 Supreme Court nominations but told reporters this one was "the historic one." "This is going to affect our country, our image abroad," he said. "It is going to do so much for young people, older people, white and black. I know the reaction has been in my family, 'Thank God. At last, at last, at last.'" Fourteen Black female lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Thursday urged Biden to pick a candidate with "an established record of working to advance racial justice and eradicating entrenched white supremacy." "It is long past time for a Black woman to be on the Supreme Court, and we commend your unwavering commitment to correcting this long-standing injustice on the nations highest court," the group, led by Representative Cori Bush, told Biden in a letter. They noted that there was not a single Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate who could vote to confirm his nominee. Senator Mazie Hirono told reporters that Biden's pledge to nominate a Black woman to the court was resonated strongly with people of color. Senator Richard Blumenthal said the goal was to ensure bipartisan support for the nominee, and added his hope that the new justice could help bring together the deeply divided body. Republican Senator Mitt Romney, asked about the issue on Wednesday, said he would like to see a nominee "who could represent the mainstream of judicial thought." Potential nominees include Ketanji Brown Jackson, a former Breyer law clerk confirmed by the Senate last June to serve on an influential U.S. appellate court, and Leondra Kruger, who serves on the California Supreme Court. Another potential contender is Michelle Childs, a federal district court judge in South Carolina who Biden already has nominated to the U.S. appeals court in Washington. Biden's selection will not shift the court's ideological balance. It has six conservative justices, three of whom were named by former President Donald Trump, and three liberal justices. Biden's fellow Democrats control the Senate by a razor-thin margin. They can confirm a nominee without a single Republican vote because Republicans in 2017 changed the Senate rules to no longer require 60 of the 100 senators to allow Supreme Court nominations to move forward. (Reporting by Nandita Bose and Andrea Shalal in Washington; additional reporting by Eric Beech in Washington; Editing by Diane Craft and Lincoln Feast.) President Joe Biden issued a warning Thursday to any Americans who remain in Ukraine as Russia continues to threaten an invasion: Leave. "American citizens should leave now," Biden said in an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt. Its not like were dealing with a terrorist organization. Were dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. Its a very different situation, and things could go crazy quickly, he said. Holt asked Biden what scenario could prompt him to send troops to rescue Americans fleeing the country. Biden replied: Theres not. That's a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another. "Were in a very different world than weve ever been," he added. Separately on Thursday, the State Department issued an advisory warning that the U.S. will not be able to evacuate U.S. citizens in the event of Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine. It warned that regular consulate service including aiding citizens trying to leave the country would be severely impacted. According to a U.S. military and intelligence assessment, the Russian military could launch a full-scale invasion, with tanks that potentially could reach Kyiv, the capital, within 48 hours. Biden argued that if Russian President Vladimir Putin is "foolish enough to go in, hes smart enough not to, in fact, do anything that would negatively impact on American citizens." "Have you ever told him that?" Holt asked. "Yes," Biden responded. "Youve told him that, that Americans will be a line that they cant cross?" Holt asked. "I didnt have to tell him that. Ive spoken about that. He knows that," Biden said. A senior administration official said Friday that Biden would host a virtual meeting on Ukraine with the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, the European Union, NATO, Italy, Romania and Poland in the morning. The White House said the leaders would "discuss our shared concerns about Russias continued buildup of military forces around Ukraine and continued coordination on both diplomacy and deterrence." Story continues Indoor mask mandates On the issue of lifting indoor mask mandates, Biden signaled that it may be too soon to end the requirements that apply to federal government offices and public buildings. California, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Oregon all states led by Democratic governors announced this week that they were easing or ending mask mandates. "I've committed that I would follow the science as put forward by the CDC and federal people, and I think its probably premature, but its, you know, its a tough call," Biden said, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. President Joe Biden during his interview with Lester Holt. (NBC News) Asked whether children should have to wear masks in schools, another debate raging at the state level, Biden pointed to schools that are being reopened. The CDC suggests wearing masks in places where the new case rate is higher than 50 cases per 100,000 people or the testing positivity rate exceeds 8 percent, a recommendation that still covers most of the country. "When I got in office, only 46 percent of schools were opened. Now 98 percent of them are open, and they're wearing masks," Biden said. "Whats happening is every day that goes by, children are more protected. Were now on the verge of being able to have shots for children under the age of 7 and young children, and so the more protection they have, probably youre going to see less and less requirement to have the mask." Supreme Court Biden said there has been a "deep dive" on four candidates for his pending nomination to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who announced last month that he will step down from the Supreme Court at the end of the current term. "The shortlist are nominees who are incredibly well-qualified and documented," he said. "They were the honor students. They have come from the best universities. They have experience, some on the bench, some on the practice of law." Breyer is one of three liberal justices on the court serving alongside six conservatives, and his decision to retire after more than 27 years will not change the political leanings of the court. Biden has said he will fulfill his campaign promise to select a Black woman, which some Republicans have criticized. Biden predicted that whoever he picks will find some support among Republicans. "I'm not looking to make an ideological choice," he said. "I'm looking for someone that replaces Judge Breyer with the same kind of capacity Judge Breyer has, with an open mind, who understands the Constitution, interprets it in a way that is consistent with the mainstream interpretation of the Constitution." Build Back Better Biden also addressed the failure of Democrats to advance his social safety net bill and attributed that partly to a messaging problem. "I think I haven't sold it well," Biden said, adding that he thinks people are now realizing what the proposal would provide. Negotiations on the legislation collapsed at the end of last year after centrist Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he would not support the bill. Manchin has since said he's open to restarting talks, but that negotiators would be "starting from scratch." Democrats are discussing sweetening the deal for Manchin by adding deficit-reduction provisions, a source familiar with the talks said. Bry Sims cuts hair out of her mobile barbershop on South High Street on May 11. With one chair, running water and a shampoo sink, it's all she needs to be independent. If location is one of the pillars to survive in business, Bry Sims has the perfect corner anywhere she wants. Traffic Trims, her mobile barber salon, can operate at a busy intersection, back alley, remote parking lot or park. Even at her home in Hungarian Village on the South Side. A stylist for 15 years, Sims, 31, has worked in conventional shops. But she wasn't thrilled about the routine, sharing profits or staying in one place. "I just haven't been able to find home," she said. "Here, I can maximize my profit, maximize my time and have freedom to do what I want." Bry Sims cuts James Goldsmith's hair out of Traffic Trims, her mobile barber salon, on May 11. She's been licensed to operate on wheels for almost a year, and she loves the freedom. There are 18 licensed mobile styling operations in Ohio, said Margie Rolf, executive director of the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. Five are exclusively nail salons. A two-year license requires periodic inspections and operating standards including, of course, no cutting while moving. "There aren't a lot of them," Rolf said. "They tend to be in highly populated areas." Columbus has licensed three in the past two years. It was not clear, beside Sims', how many still operate. Sims had been looking for a trailer for months last year when she found an older couple who had outgrown theirs and agreed to sell it for $7,000. Renovations removing a stove and installing a barber's chair and shampoo station added about $5,000 in expenses. The state requires separate water reservoirs one for shampooing, the other for the small bathroom. A generator in her pickup powers lights and equipment. Bry Sims cuts Kevin Evan's hair out of her mobile barber shop. She's been licensed to operate on wheels for almost a year, and she loves the freedom. Being mobile has been great, she said, but establishing a presence has been a challenge. So catching the attention of customers is important. Flashing lights lure passing motorists; a "stop for a haircut" sign in the shape of a stop sign helps to reel them in. "I always get a lot of head turns, people honking their horns. A lot of people don't know what's going on in here. ... They're expecting to see a food truck," she said. Story continues "One guy said, 'I wasn't sure if you were selling ribs or haircuts in this thing. But either way, I was stopping.' And he didn't want to get out of the chair when we were done. He was so happy," Sims recalled. Beauticians who visit your home styling hair and makeup for weddings or proms are similar. Their websites gleam with makeover promises and dreamy romance. Sims' is more about everyday cuts for real people. "When it comes to chemical services and all that girly stuff, we just don't have the capacity for that," she said. James Goldsmith, receiving a haircut from Bry Sims at her mobile barber shop, learned about Sims shortly after she became licensed to operate on wheels in June. He's been a regular since. James Goldsmith, 56, of the South Side, learned about Sims shortly after Traffic Trims became licensed in June. And he's been a regular since, visiting her shop wherever it is weekly. "I like the experience," he said of hot towels and detailed styling. "She's precise. She cares how it looks and constantly tries to improve." Strength in tragedy: Her mother was a Columbus beautician, too until her murder Sims' ambition and quest for independence was spurred, in part, by tragedy. Her mother, Arlene Boles, was a longtime beautician herself, operating from a North Side shop where the teenaged Sims earned allowance by sweeping floors and cleaning salon towels. But 15 years ago, Sims, then 16 and a recent graduate of Northland High School, learned that her father had broken into the family home and killed her mother following escalating domestic violence episodes. Gerry Boles pleaded guilty to reduced charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated burglary after Arlene Boles was found stabbed to death on Oct. 6, 2006. He is serving a 16-year prison sentence. "If I could go home and move back in with my parents, I would. I don't technically have that. And that gave me more motivation to keep me busy and be independent," Bry (pronounced Bree) Sims said. Sims still uses her mom's curling irons, describing them as "very special, sentimental, comforting." A part of her has considered leaving Ohio altogether and starting over. "I've thought about this ever since I bought the camper," she said. "I would go someplace south and warm. I can see that there are better opportunities in other places ... where they just wake up and spend money." A single mom of twin seventh graders, she has considered moving to Georgia, near where the kids' father lives. Just as she has been flexible enough to visit customers anywhere, she's also open to picking up and living wherever she wants to. "If I'm already hitched, my takeoff is just unplugging the generator and securing the things inside so they're not flying around when I'm driving." Her responsibility is now to her kids and customers, not a boss. "I don't feel any pressure," she said. "I do work for my customers. I have to find balance to be there for them. But I also have the flexibility to be with my kids." Bry Sims bought a trailer for $7,000 to turn into her mobile barbershop, then removed a stove and installed a barber's chair and shampoo station so she could serve customers such as James Goldsmith. dnarciso@gannett.com @DeanNarciso This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mobile barbershop Traffic Trims gives entrepreneur a life of freedom Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) Over a dozen Black women lawmakers penned a letter to President Biden on Thursday, commending him for his commitment to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court but asked that "the nominee reflect a deep and abiding commitment to adjudicate with moral and legal clarity." In their letter to Biden, the lawmakers said that nominating a Black woman to the country's highest court was not "mere symbolism," but "an essential step for our country's promise of justice for all." The lawmakers urged, however, that the candidate chosen will have shown a track record of pushing for civil and constitutional rights. "It is therefore of utmost importance that the Administration appoints a Black woman with a strong track record of advancing civil and constitutionally protected rights and whose work has shown dedication to affirming the rights of our country's most marginalized communities," the lawmakers wrote. The letter was signed by Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (D-Fla.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.). The letter comes as President Biden weighs potential picks for a Supreme Court nominee to replace outgoing Justice Stephen Breyer. So far, the White House has only publicly confirmed one name under consideration - J. Michelle Childs, a federal district judge in South Carolina, though the administration noted she is among several contenders. Other names reportedly under consideration include California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger and Ketanji Brown Jackson, who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Bush, in an interview with Punchbowl News published on Wednesday, declined to name who she wanted to be the nominee, but she underscored that they had to meet certain criteria. "Getting a Black woman in the seat is necessary, but we want to make sure that it's a Black woman who's strong on criminal justice reform, has that type of history, strong on worker protections," the progressive Democrat told the news outlet. "I don't have a name. I want the person who has those qualifications to rise to the top." The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. Youve probably heard that the N.C. Supreme Court voted to reject the proposed district maps for our Congressional and General Assembly districts. The Republican-controlled legislature adopted the maps, but the courts Democratic majority ruled that they violate our states constitution. This conflict can look like a power struggle between Republicans and Democrats, but its really about your power. Heres why. Opinion: Social, civic pressures help lock Black men out of voting in North Carolina The state constitution authorizes the legislature to redraw districts after each U.S. Census, but the constitution also says, All political power is vested in and derived from the people; all government . . . is founded upon their will only, and All elections shall be free. If politicians redraw their districts in a way that guarantees their continued victory, then they are effectively sabotaging the power of people to freely choose their representatives. Thats the central problem with the proposed maps and why they violate the North Carolina constitution. Opinion: Liberals and conservatives can agree on NC's voting successes and a path forward Importantly, Republican judges have also said the proposed maps are extreme and discriminate against certain voters. Before the state Supreme Court even acted, a bipartisan panel of judges, with a Republican majority, reviewed all the evidence and unanimously ruled that Republican legislators intentionally drew the new district maps to undermine the power of Democratic voters. The bipartisan judges said the legislators plan is an extreme outlier that subordinates the Adopted Criteria and traditional redistricting criteria for partisan advantage. Translation: Instead of following their own guidelines, legislators chose an extreme set of maps that divided (cracked and packed) you and your neighbors into elections districts to guarantee more Republicans will win. Voters get valued differently. Black voters, who mostly register as Democrats, are especially harmed; they will lose substantial political influence along with their allies. Significantly, the districts of several Black legislators are redrawn to make it virtually impossible for them to win reelection. Story continues The bipartisan panel of judges concluded that the statewide redistricting plan consistently denies Democrats majorities [in the General Assembly] even when voters clearly prefer Democratic candidates. The rigged maps overrule the will of the people. Justices with conflicts Given the evidence of systematic and extreme gerrymandering, the state Supreme Court predictably ruled the maps are unconstitutional. In an effort to prevent that outcome, Republican legislators called for Democratic Justice Anita Earls to remove (recuse) herself from the case. They claim she has an insurmountable conflict because her election was heavily financed by a national political committee with a partisan interest in redistricting. Ironically, Republican Justice Paul Newby faced and rejected a nearly identical charge in a previous redistricting lawsuit because his election was heavily financed by a national political committee with a partisan interest in the case. Rather than step aside, Newby wrote a decision upholding the challenged maps. Republican Justice Phil Berger Jr. has also refused to recuse himself in the current dispute, even though a chief defendant is his father, state Senate leader Phil Berger Sr. Phil Jr. dismissed the obvious conflict of a son judging a case involving his daddy. Thats strange enough, but theres a major campaign financing conflict for Justice Berger, too. Phil Berger Sr. is often a featured guest at his sons campaign fundraisers. In fact, the vast majority of money Phil Jr. has raised for his judicial elections has come from the Republican Party and donors tied to political appointees and lobbyists who seek favorable treatment from Phil Sr., the Senate boss and states most powerful Republican. How can the son impartially rule in a redistricting case involving the political fate of his biggest benefactor? Bob Hall It seems hypocritical for Sen. Berger Sr. and others to tell Justice Anita Earls to recuse herself when Justices Newby and Berger Jr. have not. As a distinguished Black woman attorney with extensive expertise in racial and partisan gerrymandering, Justice Earls will play an important role in the final ruling and next steps of this case. Thats the real reason GOP legislators wanted her removed. Partisan strife will continue, but please remember that Republican and Democratic judges agree that the district maps are extreme and unfair. They diminish your vote and disrespect your voice. Our constitutions protection of equal rights and peoples power expressed through free elections means the maps are illegal. Bob Hall is the former executive director of Democracy North Carolina, a nonpartisan voting rights organization. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Hall: NCs gerrymandered voting maps overruled will of the voters Actor and comedian Bob Saget died from accidental head trauma, a Florida medical examiner said Thursday. Saget was 65 when he died last month. No illicit drugs or toxins were found in his system, Dr. Joshua Stephany, chief medical examiner for Orange and Osceola counties, said in a statement. Stephany said Saget died from "blunt head trauma" and was an accident. "His injuries were most likely incurred from an unwitnessed fall," Stephany said. An autopsy report released later Thursday showed that Saget had an abrasion on his scalp, a fracture at the base of his skull, fractures around his eye sockets, bleeding between the brain and tissue covering the brain as well as bruises to the brain, according to the Associated Press. In a statement to Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday, the "Full House" star's family said he "accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep." "In the weeks since Bob's passing, we have been overwhelmed with the incredible outpouring of love from Bob's fans, which has been a great comfort to us and for which we are eternally grateful," the family said. "Now that we have the final conclusions from the authorities' investigation, we felt it only proper that the fans hear those conclusions directly from us." Bob Saget arrives at the People's Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. / Credit: Jordan Strauss E! News was the first to report his cause of death. Saget was found in his Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes hotel room by hotel security on January 9. He was pronounced dead at the scene. "His left arm was across his chest while his right arm was resting on the bed. No signs of trauma were seen," the incident report said. Saget had just begun a standup comedy tour at the time of his death. He had performed in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on January 8 and tweeted early Sunday morning about the show. "I had no idea I did a 2 hr set tonight," he wrote. "I'm happily addicted again to this s***." Story continues Loved tonights show @PV_ConcertHall in Jacksonville. Appreciative audience. Thanks again to @RealTimWilkins for opening. I had no idea I did a 2 hr set tonight. Im happily addicted again to this shit. Check https://t.co/nqJyTiiezU for my dates in 2022. pic.twitter.com/pEgFuXxLd3 bob saget (@bobsaget) January 9, 2022 In the hours and days after his death was announced, his fans, friends and former co-stars expressed their devastation. Jordan Freiman and Alex Sundby contributed reporting. Democratic state senator applauds end of New York mask mandates Controversy swirls over Trump's handling of White House documents 11-year-old asks Biden to consider her for Supreme Court Bob Saget. Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Bob Saget's cause of death has been revealed by his family in a new statement released Wednesday. An investigation showed he died from "head trauma" and there were "no drugs or alcohol involved." They said he "accidentally hit the back of his head [...] thought nothing of it and went to sleep." The family of Bob Saget released new details about the actor's cause of death, providing a statement to Entertainment Tonight that said Saget died from "head trauma." "Now that we have the final conclusions from the authorities' investigation, we felt it only proper that the fans hear those conclusions directly from us," the statement said. "The authorities have determined that Bob passed from head trauma. They have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep. No drugs or alcohol were involved." Saget died on January 9, 2022. He was found in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida. A preliminary autopsy report released the day after his death said a medical examiner had found "no evidence of drug use or foul play." At the time, the chief medical examiner said "the cause and manner of death are pending further studies and investigation." Saget is survived by his wife, Kelly Rizzo, and three daughters from his previous marriage. Last month, Rizzo spoke with the hosts of the Today Show about the final conversation she had with her husband. He had been traveling for a stand-up show, but was set to return home the following day. "I think I said, 'I love you dearly,' and he said, 'I love you endlessly,'" she recalled of their last moment. "I said, 'I can't wait to see you tomorrow.' And then, you know, it was just all very it was just all love." Read the original article on Insider A judge denied bond Wednesday for former "American Idol" contestant Caleb Kennedy, who faces a felony DUI charge resulting in the death Tuesday of a Pacolet, South Carolina, man. "He took away a husband, son, daddy, a brother and a best friend," said Tammy Pridmore, a cousin of the man killed, Larry Duane Parris. "He can't come back." Parris, a 54-year-old boat repairman, died after being run over by Kennedy's Ford pickup truck in his private driveway, according to 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette. The momentum carried Parris underneath the truck, which struck the garage and came to rest, he said. Parris was pronounced dead at Spartanburg Medical Center Tuesday afternoon. The incident happened around 12:41 p.m. Tuesday on West Murph Road. Kennedy was under the influence of marijuana at the time, according to the arrest warrant by the S.C. Highway Patrol. Kennedy, 17, of Green Acres Road in Roebuck, was charged with felony DUI resulting in death. He faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of $10,100 to $25,100 if convicted as charged.. Magistrate Daniel Burns denied bond for Kennedy on Wednesday. What We Know: Former "American Idol" contestant Caleb Kennedy charged after fatal wreck. Kennedy remained at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. The Highway Patrol and Coroner's Office are continuing to investigate the crash. Kennedy apologizes through attorney Caleb Kennedy is shown at his bond hearing Wednesday morning after being arrested and charged for DUI resulting in death after a fatal wreck near Pacolet, South Carolina, on Tuesday afternoon. At Wednesday's bond hearing, Kennedy wore gray pants and a dark gray T-shirt and sat next to his attorney in front of the magistrate. At times, he bowed his head. He appeared to cry when his attorney told the judge Kennedy had expressed remorse over what had happened. "He is absolutely so sorry for what happened," Greenville attorney Ryan Beasley said. "He's not a flight risk." Kennedy received national fame while competing on "American Idol" and became one of the favorites of the judges. But he left the show just two performances away from finale night after a controversial video surfaced online. Story continues A half-dozen family members of Parris attended Kennedy's bond hearing Wednesday, including Pridmore, who asked that bond be denied. Members of Kennedy's family also attended and watched from behind a tinted window in the small courtroom at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. Chain of events Barnette said the incident started Tuesday at the Walmart in Roebuck where Kennedy met a friend and "took a deep hit" from a vape pen. Kennedy then drove down Southport Road, apparently heading to his girlfriend's house in Union, when he drove about 175 yards down a remote road, Murph Road, and into Parris' driveway, where Parris was talking on a phone, Barnette said. "He hit (him) in the driveway and ran on top (of him) and into the garage," Barnette said. "He was working in front of the garage he went underneath the garage door." 911 recording Barnette played a 911 recording in court of a call from Parris' daughter. "Please hurry, I think he's hurt bad. Please hurry," the daughter said during the call. "He ran your dad over?" the dispatcher asked. The daughter could then be heard tending to her father. "Daddy, please talk to me," she could be heard saying in the recording. She would add that her father was unable to talk. After the dispatcher said help was on the way, Barnette said Kennedy's voice could be heard in the background saying he's sorry. "I know he's sorry, but he did this," Barnette said. Barnette said alcohol was not involved, but whatever was inhaled by Kennedy with a vape pen combined with medications he had been taking made him unable to think clearly. He said he is awaiting results from toxicology tests. 'Innocent man' killed Barnette said Parris was well-known in the community for repairing boats. He said it wasn't clear why Kennedy drove down West Murph Road. Larry Parris Kimbrell Cockrell, victim services manager of Mothers Against Drunk Driving South Carolina, and Sarah Roe, victim advocate for the S.C. Highway Patrol, both asked that bail be denied. "He's a clear danger to society, driving 175 yards down a driveway ... killed an innocent man," Roe said. Cockrell said Parris was married for 35 years, was a fisherman and hunter and "would do anything for anybody, no questions asked. (Kennedy) made a choice, an unfortunate choice." Beasley, in asking for bond, called the incident "a terrible, terrible accident." "He was on his way to see his girlfriend in Union ... had a bad reaction," Beasley said. "We're talking about a freak situation in the middle of the day. It makes no sense." Beasley said he's seen worse felony by DUI cases where bond was granted. "Unfortunately, he's on Idol. That's why everybody's here," Beasley said. Barnette responded, saying he would be present regardless of the accused's fame. Burns denied bond, and set an April 14 court date for Kennedy's next court appearance. Burns said Kennedy could request an earlier hearing. Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: 'American Idol' alum Caleb Kenndy denied bond in fatal SC crash Boris Johnson broke lockdown laws and has shredded the UKs reputation over the Partygate scandal, John Major has warned telling The Independent that Tory MPs may have to rise up to oust him. In a blistering attack, the prime minister was accused of inventing unbelievable excuses to obscure his clear flouting of Covid rules, shattering trust in British democracy at home and abroad. Sir John insisted deliberate lies to parliament have been fatal to political careers and must always be so, making clear Mr Johnson must quit or be forced out, if he misled the Commons. And he put Tory MPs on notice to put country before party, if necessary, even to the extent of joining forces with opposition MPs if the crisis ends in a Commons vote of confidence. The warning of a shredded reputation dogged Mr Johnson on a trip to Poland to warn of Russias threat to Ukraine where he called it demonstrably untrue, while ducking questions about the police probe into No 10 parties. In further evidence of his inability to escape the scandal, a cabinet minister admitted more damaging photos of parties are likely to be leaked in the coming days as Dominic Cummings has predicted. Speaking in London, Sir John attacked Mr Johnson over the parties and both weak cabinet ministers and the cabinet secretary for failing to stand up to his rule-breaking. At No 10, the prime minister and officials broke lockdown laws. Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day the public was asked to believe the unbelievable, he said. The lack of trust in the elected portion of our democracy cannot be brushed aside. Parliament has a duty to correct this. If it does not, and trust is lost at home, our politics is broken. Questioned by The Independent, the former Conservative prime minister said Tory MPs may have to side with opposition parties, if Mr Johnson is found to have lied but has survived a confidence vote of his own MPs. I hope Conservative MPs would always put country before party, in all circumstances, he said, when asked about a confidence vote on the Commons floor. Story continues The intervention came as Tory MPs still await the full Sue Gray report and the conclusion of the Met investigation, before deciding whether to demand a party no-confidence vote. The prime ministers problems deepened when the police sent out 50 questionnaires to individuals believed to have broken rules at the parties including to him, it is believed. A flustered Mr Johnson refused to say whether he had received a letter, or whether he will resign if he is fined by police, in a series of difficult interviews in Brussels and Warsaw. You are going to hear all in due time on that matter, the prime minister said, on receiving a Met questionnaire, adding: I will have more to say on all that when the process is complete. Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, told Times Radio: Yes, there could be a photograph tomorrow, the next day or the day after thats clearly whats behind some of the peoples motives. In a wide-ranging attack, speaking to the Institute for Government, Sir John also: * Appeared to blame Mr Johnson for the hounding of Keir Starmer over the Jimmy Savile smear saying: Lies can become accepted as fact, as the speaker has pointed out. * Attacked the Borders Bill for introducing four-year jail terms for asylum seekers reaching the UK by an unsanctioned route calling it punishment without compassion. * Attacked moves to allow the police to impose conditions on protest marches likely to be noisy. * Warned that undermining [the BBC] and starving it of funds is self-defeating for UK interests. Asked if he had shredded the UKs reputation abroad, Mr Johnson replied: That is demonstrably untrue. Pointing to the UKs efforts to counter the Russian threat in eastern Europe, he added: You can see that, actually, it is the United Kingdom that has been working for months to warn people about what was happening. SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Lawmakers in Bosnia's autonomous Serb Republic (RS) voted on Thursday to form their own body that will choose judges and prosecutors, effectively pulling the region out of the state's top judicial institution as part of their leaders' separatist agenda. Western diplomats based with the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), the body overseeing the restoration of peace in Bosnia after its war in the 1990s, said the move violated the country's constitution and legal order. Bosnia has been going through its worst political crisis since the end of the war, with Bosnian Serbs challenging state institutions as part of their longtime bid to secede and eventually join neighbouring Serbia. The draft law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) was approved with 45 votes for out of 63 votes cast in the 83-seat parliament, and will now pass to legal experts and institutions for their comments during a 90-day period before it is adopted. "The implementation of the RS Law on HJPC would create an unconstitutional body, jeopardizing the fundamental legal rights of all Bosnia-Herzegovina citizens, especially those who live in the RS," the PIC said in a statement. It said the region's move attempted to unilaterally assume the constitutional responsibilities of the state, "constituting an unacceptable interference in the independence of the judiciary and signalling a backsliding of the whole country on European standards in rule of law". The Serb Republic parliament, dominated by the SNSD party of Bosnian Serb nationalist leader Milorad Dodik, has already passed a non-binding motion to withdraw the region from Bosnia's armed forces, judiciary and tax system. The three institutions represent key pillars of joint security, rule of law and the economic system in the Balkan country which was divided into two autonomous regions - the Serb Republic and the Federation dominated by Croats and Bosniaks - after its 1992-1995 war in which 100,000 had been killed. Story continues Most opposition MPs abstained from voting, with some saying the law was part of pre-election campaigning by Dodik and others casting doubt about the efficiency of a new institution and its functioning in parallel with the existing state HJPC. Transparency International corruption watchdog has warned the law would be a "dangerous precedent", attempting to overthrow the legal order and establish additional capture of judicial institutions through the appointment of eligible judges and prosecutors. (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) MOUNT HOLLY - A Browns Mills man has received an 11-year prison term for causing the fiery deaths of his elderly mother and her companion in October 2018. Kurt Smith, 63, allegedly ignited flammable material in the garage of his home, then was unable to stop the flames from spreading into his house on the 500 block of Willow Boulevard, said the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office. The fire killed his mother, Lore Smith, and her companion, George Pikunis. The victims, both 92, died from smoke and soot inhalation, as well as burns, the prosecutor's office said. Smith was convicted in October 2021 on two counts of reckless manslaughter. A jury was unable to resolve an arson charge. Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Garrenger sentenced Smith to 11 years on each count, to run concurrently, the prosecutor's office said. Smith must serve more than nine years before parole eligibility. "It was noted during todays proceeding that Smith has been arrested 187 times and has 16 felony convictions," the prosecutor's office said in announcing the sentence Thursday. Smith's record includes convictions for theft in 1991, resisting arrest in 2003 and obstruction in 2018, court records show. Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Support local journalism with a subscription. This article originally appeared on Burlington County Times: Browns Mills NJ fire: Man sentenced in deaths of mother, companion By Marine Strauss BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Brussels authorities have banned a pan-European "freedom convoy" of motorists protesting COVID-19 restrictions from entering the Belgian capital, the regional government said in a statement on Thursday. The convoy was expected to arrive at the home of European Union institutions and NATO on Monday. Authorities in Paris had earlier banned the convoy. Protesters set out from southern France on Wednesday in what they called a "freedom convoy" that will converge on Paris and Brussels to demand an end to COVID-19 restrictions, inspired by demonstrators who have gridlocked the Canadian capital Ottawa. "The Federal Police will control motorised vehicles on the main roads to Brussels that come to demonstrate in Belgium. The Region and the City of Brussels will issue decrees banning demonstrations with trucks on their territory," a statement from the Brussels region said, adding they had not received yet any request to protest. In Canada, horn-blaring demonstrations demanding an end to Canadian COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers have gridlocked capital Ottawa for weeks and have now spilled over to key Canada-United States border crossings. (Reporting by Marine Strauss; Editing by Bernadette Baum) By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - Canada will seek to join the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia to be included in consultations as part of the European Union's dispute with China at the World Trade Organization over Beijing's alleged trade curbs on Lithuania. "Canada is concerned by China's recent trade actions taken against Lithuania and European Union goods and services with Lithuanian content, which could undermine the rules-based international trading system and its institutions", Global Affairs Canada said in a statement on Thursday. The EU launched a challenge at the Geneva-based trade body in January, accusing China of discriminatory trade practices against Lithuania that it says threaten the integrity of the EU's single market. China has downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania and pressured multi-nationals to sever links with the Baltic nation of 2.8 million people after it allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in Vilnius. Canada said it opposed "economic coercion" and stood with "like-minded partners in supporting rules-based international trade" with the WTO. China, which has said the dispute was political rather than economic and labeled Lithuania's actions an attempt to "hijack" EU-Beijing relations, regards the self-governed island of Taiwan as its own territory. The challenge at the WTO allows 60 days for the parties to confer in order to reach a settlement. If none is reached, the EU may choose to launch a formal dispute that would set up a WTO panel to study its claims against China. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Chris Reese and Diane Craft) BROOKFIELD, WI The 2022 election is heating up in Wisconsin and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Voters will also decide the outcome of state representative, senate seats and local government and school boards. Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near. Name Glen R. Allgaier Age (as of Election Day) 81 Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable) Elmbrook School Board Party Affiliation Family Cindy (wife, deceased), Nine adult children. The youngest five graduated from Brookfield Central high school after we moved to Brookfield in 1987. Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No. Education Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Princeton University), Ph. D. in Electrical Engineering (University of Arizona) Occupation Executive Director of Research (Retired), Eaton Corporation Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office School Board, School District of Elmbrook (15 years) Campaign website GlenAllgaier.com Why are you seeking elective office? As I have studied the data, I have come to believe that we can do even better for our students. I am a long-term, strategic thinker, and enjoy using this strength to solve problems and make things better. There are many good and important things in the educational sphere, but we cannot forget that the primary purpose of schools is to prepare students academically. I believe I can apply many of the practices from my executive experience in the private sector to bring focus to the best opportunities for improvement. The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it. I feel the most pressing issue facing our School Board is recovering from the learning loss experienced from COVID. We need to get back to normal, minimizing mitigation practices, as early as possible. Our strong financial position means that we can and should utilize the federal funds in creative ways, providing skills and interventions to those students who have been most greatly impacted. In Elmbrook, these are the students with disabilities and students in a low socioeconomic status. Story continues What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I have fifteen years of experience on the Board. That experience has given me a good understanding of all aspects (Financial, Teaching & Learning, Personnel) of the District. Characterized by a senior Administration person as a "maximizer," I am never satisfied with the status quo and am looking for opportunities to improve. If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency) I am an incumbent. Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? During my fifteen years on the Board we have developed a long-range financial plan that includes a "Rainy Day" fund that has allowed us to complete over $40 million of major capital projects without increasing the taxpayer burden. Now retired I have been able to visit over 100 classrooms every year and have a good understanding of the classroom environment. I have played a significant role in establishing a data driven decision-making process that enables the District to identify opportunities for improvement. The state ranking of Elmbrook academic results speaks for itself: # 3 on the state report card, #2 on ACT scores, #1 by Niche.com. The best advice ever shared with me was: *"There is no limit to what a person can accomplish as long as they don't care who gets the credit." (Chinese proverb) What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I love this country and feel the U. S. Constitution and public education are what make it great. I am concerned about the polarization that has spilled over into our community. I feel that "both" sides have legitimate concerns and solutions can be found if we start listening to and talking with each other. This article originally appeared on the Brookfield Patch A Seattle man who punched two police officers during last year's riot at the U.S. Capitol was sentenced to six months imprisonment on Thursday, as the Justice Department reached a milestone in one of the largest federal investigations in American history. Mark Leffingwell, a 52-year-old military veteran who was wounded in Iraq, is at least the 100th person to be sentenced after pleading guilty to a Capitol riot-related charge, according to an Associated Press review of court records. The judge who sentenced Leffingwell pushed back on a recent Republican National Committee resolution that accused the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack of leading a persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson also lamented that mainstream news outlets are still amplifying the lie that the 2020 presidential election was illegitimate and stolen from former President Donald Trump. "And, worse, it has become heresy for a member of the former presidents party to say otherwise, the judge said. It needs to be crystal clear that it is not patriotism, it is not standing up for America, it is not legitimate political discourse and it is not justified to descend on the nations capital at the direction of a disappointed candidate and disrupt the electoral process. More than 730 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Over 210 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors with a maximum sentence of 6 months imprisonment. Leffingwell is the fifth rioter to be sentenced for assaulting police at the Capitol. The other four received prison sentences ranging from 41 to 63 months in prison. Leffingwell told Jackson that he was embarrassed and ashamed. It was not something I planned to do, he said. Looking back on it, it was like a nightmare. Jackson also sentenced Leffingwell to two years of supervised release and ordered him to perform 200 hours of community service. Story continues The judge sentenced Leffingwell to a significantly shorter prison term than other rioters who assaulted police officers. Jackson said she considered the possibility that Veterans Affairs disability compensation payments can be reduced if a veteran is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days. The judge said it appears that Leffingwell's benefits could be restored once he is released. But she said she is willing to reconsider Leffingwell's sentence if his defense attorney demonstrates that she is wrong. The judge told Leffingwell that he wasn't just carried along by the crowd or acting impulsively that day. You chose this battle, and you patted yourself on the back for your bravery, she told him. Leffingwell, who didn't have a criminal history before this case, pleaded guilty to an assault charge in October. Police had been battling rioters at the Senate Wing doors for nearly two hours before Leffingwell arrived there on Jan. 6. As he stood at the front of the crowd of rioters, Leffingwell chanted Stop the steal! and yelled "Shame! and Join us! at a line of police officers near the entrance, prosecutors said. Leffingwell admitted that he punched two Capitol officers in the head as they tried to repel him and other rioters. Neither officer was seriously injured by Leffingwell, who was arrested before he could escape into the crowd. One of the officers assaulted by Leffingwell said the rioter apologized to him after he was apprehended. Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of two years and three months for Leffingwell. Sentencing guidelines calculated by the court's probation department called for a prison sentence ranging from two years to two years and six months, but Jackson wasn't bound by the recommendations. Leffingwell served in U.S. Marines before joining the U.S. Army National Guard. He was wounded on duty in Iraq in 2008, according to prosecutors. "Leffingwell, a military veteran who once defended the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, willingly betrayed his nation and became an enemy of the United States on January 6," prosecutors wrote. Rioters injured more than 100 officers at the Capitol on Jan. 6. The Justice Department says more than 225 riot defendants have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, but few have pleaded guilty. Most of the sentenced defendants entered the Capitol but weren't accused of engaging in violent or destructive behavior. Resolving low-level cases tends to be easier and quicker for prosecutors. Of the 100 people sentenced so far, 41 have received terms of imprisonment ranging from 10 days to 63 months. That includes two rioters who were sentenced to jail time already served. Just eight defendants have been sentenced to more than one year in prison. Thirty-two others were sentenced to periods of home detention ranging from one to three months. At least 54 riot defendants have been ordered to perform between 40 and 250 hours of community service as a condition of probation or supervised release. Collectively, the defendants have been ordered to pay fines totaling nearly $65,000 and nearly $58,000 in restitution. Fixing damage caused by the rioters cost nearly $1.5 million. Dozens of defendants have trial dates. The first trial for a rioter is scheduled to start on Feb. 28. Chicago and Cook County may be planning to lift their indoor mask mandates at the same time the state does, but many people say they'll be keeping theirs on. Chris Whitty has so far not commented on the decision to scrap all COVID restrictions at the end of February. (Getty) A Sage member has called on the governments leading scientific advisers to comment on Boris Johnson's decision to lift the final coronavirus restrictions in England within weeks. Englands chief medical officer Sir Prof Chris Whitty, chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and outgoing deputy chief medical officer Sir Prof Jonathan Van-Tam have so far not spoken out publicly about the prime ministers announcement. Susan Michie, a member of Sage and Independent Sage, questioned Prof Whittys lack of statement, tweeting: Is absence the appropriate response for a chief medical officer in the current circumstances? On Wednesday, the PM announced his intention to scrap remaining domestic COVID rules later this month, as long as encouraging trends in the data continue. Among the rules set to go are the ability for councils to order the closure of premises where the virus could be spreading, as well as the legal duty to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus. The PM said he will present his plan for living with COVID when parliament returns from a short recess on 21 February, with an aim of lifting the requirement to self-isolate within days of that. The move will see COVID treated in a similar way to other infectious diseases such as flu, with people encouraged to stay at home if they were ill. Watch: Johnson signals early end to COVID self-isolation laws However, some scientists and campaigners raised fears about the impact the change could have on clinically vulnerable groups. Phillip Anderson, head of policy at the MS Society, said ending the restrictions will heap yet more worry and confusion on thousands of immunocompromised people. James Taylor from disability equality charity Scope, added: Scrapping self-isolation will mean that some disabled people will be feeling very anxious and could potentially be placed in situations that could prove deadly. Chief medical officer Sir Prof Chris Whitty, left, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, centre, have yet to say what they think of the scrapping of COVID rules in England. (Getty) The governments plan is expected to set out further information for vulnerable groups but officials also believe cutting edge treatments will also mitigate some of the risks. Story continues Sage member John Edmunds said there were dangers in lifting restrictions and told ITVs Peston on Wednesday that Sage had not discussed the decision to remove the final restrictions a month early. However, Edmunds conceded that Johnson was right to say that we are at the end of the pandemic, adding: I think we are just about through the pandemic phase. Christina Pagel, a member of Independent Sage, said that dropping isolation makes work and socialising riskier. She said the decision was not science based, adding: Basically govt plans that we will all get COVID several times like a cold but with a much more dangerous disease. Pagel also tweeted that it was quite telling that we've not heard anything from Chris Whitty or Patrick Vallance for weeks and weeks. Professor Tim Spector, who runs the Zoe app COVID study at Kings College London, said Johnsons announcement was an act of irresponsibility. He said hospital admissions and deaths are down but the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Zoe data show the UK is still at more than 200,000 cases a day and were still close to where we were on 1 January and that peak we had. COVID cases in the UK continue to drop. (PA) Carl Heneghan, the director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in Oxford, supported the PMs announcement, telling Talk Radio on Thursday morning: "Eight weeks ago modellers were producing scenarios saying it would be a very bad winter. Actually the exact opposite happened. In reality viruses will take care of themselves." The scrapping of COVID rules in England follows other European countries including Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the Czech Republic of putting an end to restrictions in an effort to live with the disease. Figures published on Wednesday show COVID infection levels have risen in three of the four UK nations, with only Wales showing a fall. Katie Richard (Billy Little) A US Coast Guard mother has been found guilty of murdering her five month old daughter at home in Alaska two years ago. An eight-person jury reached a decision in the case against the petty officer Katie Richard, who a judge said had a troubling internet search history. That included, What do I do if I feel like I want to hurt my baby? and What do I do if I hate being a mom? according to evidence presented in court last month. Its jarring, Coast Guard Lt Cmdr Allison Murray, who was the prosecutor, told the court on Tuesday, to hear this indifference, this callousness. Prosecutors said Richard told investigators she might have suffocated the baby in April 2020. The 25-year-old petty officer originally claimed the child had died of natural causes in her sleep, The Washington Post reported. Her former husband and fellow US Coast Guard officer Gustavo Flores-Guerra had been out with friends on the day of their daughters death. Around three hours after she was put to sleep by Richard, the baby was found unresponsive, it was alleged in court. The couples friends also told police they heard screams coming from the home. Although the mother later retracted her comments to investigators, an autopsy found the baby had died of suffocation and images used in court included a blood-stained pacifier. That and other items were not retrieved by investigators for the US Coast Guard, who received criticism for their handling of the two-year-long probe. They should have called in some folks, you know, [Naval Criminal Investigative Service], with more experience, or even the FBI, said Chris McDonough, a retired homicide detective who testified for the defence in the case, to The Washington Post. Richards attorney told the court at an Alaskan facility for the US Coast Guard to ignore the mothers first interview with investigators. The mother did not speak during the trial, and is expected to appeal her conviction. It was the first murder at a US Coast Guard facility for more than a decade. The force is the second smallest in the US military, and operates a base out of the Alaskan island of Kodiak, roughly 400 miles south of Anchorage. Jonathan Allen (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) Jonathan Allen apologized on Wednesday for a tweet about Hitler. The Washington Commanders defensive lineman issued his apology on Twitter, describing the earlier tweet as "dumb." Early I tweeted something that probably hurt people and I apologize about what I said. I didnt express properly what I was trying to say and I realize it was dumb! Jonathan Allen (@jonallen93_) February 9, 2022 So what did Allen write? Early Wednesday, he invited his followers to "ask me anything?" Ask me anything Jonathan Allen (@jonallen93_) February 9, 2022 This prompted a question about his thoughts on team owner Daniel Snyder. "Hes always been good to me so I have no reasons to dislike him," Allen responded. Allen's troublesome tweet He also was asked the conversation starter: "If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who are you inviting?" To which Allen responded: "My grandad, hitler and Michael Jackson." That tweet no longer exists on Allen's timeline. But this is social media, where everything controversial can be and usually is preserved via screenshot. Allen's Hitler tweet was. As was his since-deleted followup explaining said Hitler tweet. "Hes a military genius and I love military tactics but honestly I would want to pick his brain as to why he did what he did," Allen wrote when asked to explain his answer. "Im also assuming that the people Ive chosen have to answer all my questions honestly." Another tweet addressing criticism for giving Hitler "props" remained live late Wednesday. "Not props, I probably should have used a different term but I was asked and I was giving my reason as to why I think it would be interesting to have a convo with him," Allen wrote. "Hes easily one if not the most evil persons to have ever lived but this was a hypothetical question." Story continues Allen also responded to a Jewish follower who wrote that Allen's tweet was "unbelievably hurtful." "Im sorry I offended you that definitely was not my attention, I was just answering a question," Allen responded. Washington named Allen as its nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for a second time in December. Here's guessing he'd like to have this early morning tweet back. Donald Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) Last week nervous Republican politicos censured two of their own for taking part in a U.S. House committee investigating an attempted overthrow of our government by a mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Sadly, the Republican National Committee condemned Reps. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., for doing their patriotic duty. In part, the RNC resolution accused the two lawmakers of participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens who engaged in legitimate political discourse. The resolution defies logic for anyone who has seen the photos and videos of the Capitol insurrection and followed national news coverage of the attacks aftermath. What we are learning from the House committee investigation is that the insurrection and related plotting to overturn the election were hatched by allies of former President Donald Trump, encouraged by rhetoric from Trump and others, and carried out by Trump supporters who swallowed the lies that he was the victim of a stolen election. No doubt we will learn much more in coming weeks and months about who was involved and the nature of their involvement. No wonder the RNC is nervous. The insurrection itself was anything but legitimate political discourse. Rioters caused millions of dollars in damage to the Capitol and injured 140 law enforcement officers. At least five people died in connection with the attack. Authorities have charged more than 760 persons with crimes to date. More than 170 already have pleaded guilty. Many of them said they stormed the Capitol at the behest of Trump because they believed his false allegations about election fraud. Mounting evidence shows the insurrection was an insidious attack by a mob largely comprised of longtime Trump backers, including far-right militants, white supremacists, and conspiracy peddlers. No amount of truth twisting by right-wing misinformation mongers like Fox News will change those facts. Early on, Trump and his supporters, including the far-right media, blamed anti-fascists, called antifa, for the riot. Then they found new targets in the FBI and the deep state of federal bureaucrats. They kept throwing lies against the wall of public opinion to see if any would stick. They used the lies to confuse and distract the public. Unfortunately, millions of people have fallen for those lies rather than accept the overwhelming evidence and video footage right before their eyes. Story continues Attention-seeking Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who is not new to conspiracy theories, recently raised the half-baked theory about FBI involvement in the riot at a recent Senate hearing. He also used it in a fundraising email in which he suggested FBI wrongdoing by asking questions rather than offering facts. Media fact-checkers, including PolitiFact, have repeatedly debunked false allegations about antifa and the FBI. Last month Trump muddied the waters again by suggesting he would pardon persons jailed in the Jan. 6 attack if elected president in 2024. Meanwhile, Politico and other news outlets recently reported that Trump seriously considered a blanket pardon of riot participants even before leaving office. These rioters are the same people who Trump at different times called patriots and antifa. Now we have the RNC calling the whole debacle legitimate political discourse. Get your stories straight, folks. Would Trump really want to pardon rioters if they were antifa or rogue FBI agents? Also, remember that a pardon is an admission of guilt. Were they innocent patriots doing Gods work for Trump? Or did they commit crimes at the Capitol? At a minimum, those participating in the Capitol riot are guilty of ignorance. They are guilty of believing and carrying out the wishes of a proven liar, bully and conman, who cares only about his own self-interest, his own bottom line, and his own skin. McCann is a contributing columnist for the Advertiser. He is a retired journalist and may be reached at Easywriter12345@yahoo.com. Bill McCann is a contributing columnist for the Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Opinion: Misinformation agents distort U.S. Capitol riot narrative fizkes / Getty Images/iStockphoto Salary is an important consideration for job seekers, but its not something youll see advertised on a lot of online job postings. The vast majority of postings dont include salary ranges, which has become a major gripe for those searching for work. See: Top 9 Highest Paying Bank Jobs Find: You Dont Need a 4-Year Degree To Land These 10 Remote Jobs That might change as more state and local governments require companies to disclose pay ranges on job listings, CNN reported and as more companies use salary listings as a way to lure workers in a tight labor market. For now, only about 12% of postings from U.S. online job sites include salary ranges, according to CNN, which cited comments from Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter. A separate survey from Joblist found that while 43% of hiring managers believe disclosing salary information in job postings attracts better candidates, only 35% of companies regularly include salary information in such postings. Why Employers Avoid Posting Salary Ranges Online Why dont more employers put salary info in job listings? One reason has to do with competition companies dont want their rivals knowing how much they pay. But a bigger reason is that employers figure they can hire job candidates for less money if they dont disclose a pay range ahead of time. Employers dont want informed consumers, Katie Donovan, founder of consulting firm Equal Pay Negotiations, told CNN. The more informed the consumer is, the harder it is to negotiate a savings of any kind, Donovan added. Theres definitely a mindset that the job of recruiting and hiring is to bring in the best person at not a penny more than needed. Discover: Employment Trends: Wage Hikes at These Jobs Are Outpacing Inflation, But There Arent Many But employers in some parts of the country wont have that luxury much longer. In New York City a new law requiring employers to include salary ranges on job listings will go into effect in May. The law applies to organizations with four or more employees, but excludes temporary staffing firms. Story continues Our new law shines a light on pay inequity, Helen Rosenthal, a former city council member and sponsor of the bill, told CNN last month. Including pay ranges in job postings allows job seekers to determine whether they will be able to support themselves and their family when they apply for a job. A similar law in Colorado has been on the books since Jan. 2021. Several other states, including Rhode Island and Maryland, are considering legislation that requires employers to provide salary ranges upon request. Disclosing pay ranges on job listings can actually be beneficial to both employers and employees. For example, employers can attract more and better job applicants by putting their pay ranges out there for all to see. When people are searching for work, [compensation] is the most salient concern typically, Pollak said. If they dont find the [salary] information they need, they may not waste the time going through the process at all. That means employers might be missing out on good candidates at a time when just about every sector of the economy is understaffed to begin with. Learn: OK, Boomers: Youre to Blame for the Labor Market Shortage Explore: January Jobs Report: Above Analysts Expectations at 467,000, Despite Omicron and Tight Labor Market For employees, seeing salaries listed in job postings gives them a better sense of their monetary worth in the current job market. If you have the ability to know what salary is being offered and know what others are earning, then you are in a position to advocate for yourself, Laurie Berke-Weiss, principal attorney at New York labor and employment law firm Berke-Weiss, told CNN. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Companies Really Hide by Not Providing Salary Information Nothing about a college campus suddenly renders those with concealed carry permits, who already safely carry in shopping malls and movie theaters, irresponsible. For decades, Arizona has empowered citizens to carry concealed firearms for self-defense. Obtaining a permit requires being over 21 years of age and clearing criminal and mental health background checks and training requirements. Once cleared, the law recognizes their right to protect themselves in their homes and travels. A new bill that would extend the same protections to college campuses is getting the usual condescending objections that students are irresponsible and unqualified, endangering themselves, others or democracy more than any would-be assailant. Here are the facts. Other states safely allow campus carry First, the status quo isnt working. For years, colleges have hung bright red gun free signs and stickers on their campuses under the absurd and dangerous delusion that this will ward off violent offenders. Such signs have proven to be instruments of futility for the simple reason that stickers dont stop armed psychopaths. In fact, its the opposite: gun-free zones create a uniquely welcoming invitation to criminals by guaranteeing their victims are defenseless. Broad, sprawling campuses are difficult to secure, and guns can easily be carried into a classroom by hostile offenders. (Source: Every college shooting ever.) Cameras, text alerts and emergency phones are reactive at best and ultimately ineffective at preventing crime. Without realistic methods of enforcement, students are left utterly unprotected and vulnerable. Campus carry may not seem an obvious solution, but its been in effect in roughly a dozen states for years. These laws passed over the vociferous protests of critics claiming campus carry would lead to increased shootings, suicides and would chill speech on campus. Few if any of these negative effects have been observed. Anyone claiming guns on campus will make students less safe must contend with hundreds of campuses and years of data to the contrary. Permit holders are not dangerous people Story continues Characterizations that college students are fraught with mental illness, alcoholism and general immaturity are not only harmful and offensive, but suspiciously contrary to the recruiting pitches those same colleges (and the military) use to attract top-tier talent. But even if students were as bad as critics insist, campus carry applicants are subject to a rigorous application process that would weed out dangerous applicants. Permits are only available to persons over 21, and include state and federal criminal background checks, mental health background checks, residency and citizenship verifications, training requirements and identification/fingerprinting. In practice, campus carry is a sensible, narrowly tailored provision to comply with existing licensing laws, affecting only a small minority of campus patrons who have demonstrated clean records. These permit-holders already carry in the rest of the state, including restaurants, banks, shopping malls and movie theaters. Nothing about a college suddenly renders these same professors, seniors or graduate students irresponsible. Bearing arms is a fundamental, individual and natural right codified not just by the U.S. Constitution, but by the state constitution, state law, federal and state court cases, common law jurisprudence and political theory as ancient as Aristotle. We want consistency and a sensible set of rules State lawmakers take certain authorities to regulate these rights, and private institutions have discretion to set their own rules (some of whom have invited campus carry), but as the recipients of state and federal funds, public colleges shouldnt. The regulation of fundamental rights cannot be delegated to or usurped by the whims of unelected college bureaucrats with known, partisan biases against those individual rights, especially when they wont be with us in the classroom when the psychos open fire. All were asking is consistency with a sensible set of rules the government has already approved. Trust law-abiding citizens, not violent offenders. Trust veterans with combat experience, graduate students studying late at night, or victims of sexual violence whose assailants are still on the loose. Whether the next threat is a mass shooter, rapist or robber, its only a matter of time until they emerge. Which would give them greater pause a sign warning that guns arent allowed, or a sign warning one or two of their intended victims are also armed? Until colleges can guarantee our safety on campus, its time they stop threatening to penalize us for protecting ourselves. David Burnett is a writer, former intensive care nurse and attorney. He currently serves as director of public relations for Students for Concealed Carry. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Concealed carry should be allowed on Arizona college campuses A push to ban stock trading by members of Congress is gathering momentum, with prominent lawmakers including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer seeking to curb the controversial practice. Those who oppose Congressional stock trading say lawmakers have access to non-public information that could give them an unfair advantage when trading individual stocks. But the details in the fine print of any ban will likely raise complications a point that an increasing number of lawmakers are making. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) joined Yahoo Finance Live Wednesday and laid out some of the problems he sees with banning lawmakers from trading stocks. Congress should suffer under the same laws as every other American suffers under if they're bad or gets the benefit of if they're good, he said. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) during a hearing with Bank CEOs in 2019. (REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein) While McHenry doesn't oppose a ban outright, he expressed clear skepticism, pointing to a scenario where a child of a member of Congress wants to trade. If you have children that are in their 20s and they're doing things like day trading because they have a couple of bucks, or they're investing in GameStop, what the hell does that have to do with what their parents do? he asks. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) joined Yahoo Finance Live on Friday and added additional concern, especially on the family trading provisions. Perlmutter faced criticism for disclosing trades his wife made a couple days later than required, but he says she should have the right to trade stocks. "My wife ought to be able to trade her $50,000 that she got after a lifetime of teaching," he said, noting it was traded as a part of her pension. Overall, Perlmutter says he is reviewing bills but argues that Congress-specific transparency provisions in place are working and insider trading laws also apply to members of Congress. "I guess I'm going to be a tougher sell on it than some others are," he said. "I don't know that [more restrictions] improves things any." Story continues McHenry and Perlmutter are far from the lawmakers concerned about a ban. Lawmakers of both parties have raised both colorful objections as well as real concerns about how it could be implemented. This whole concept is bulls**t The criticisms come as a bipartisan group of lawmakers push for a bill banning or curbing Congressional trading. Sen. Mark Kelly, who co-sponsored an outright ban, recently came on Yahoo Finance to say the trading happening right now in Congress is not right. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) added in another interview that the perception of corruption is an unacceptable diminution of the trust that [voters] could have in this institution. And a host of Republican lawmakers from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) have also pushed for a ban. Leading the charge when it comes to colorful responses opposing a ban is Elaine Luria (D-VA), who offered her take to Punchbowl News this week. So my thoughts on it, you know, I think this whole concept is bulls**t because I think that, why would you assume that members of Congress are going to be inherently bad or corrupt? she said. Luria notes that the STOCK Act is already on the books and requires lawmakers to disclose their trades in a timely manner. (An investigation from Insider found 55 members of Congress have violated provisions in the bill, however. ) I'm very strongly opposed to any legislation that would ban trades outright, she said. Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) talks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington in 2021. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz) Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has also weighed in to The Independent. I think it's ridiculous. They might as well start sending robots up here, he told the paper, noting that a ban would really cut back on the amount of people that would want to come up here and serve. Tuberville, a former football coach for Auburn University, has violated the timely transparency provisions in the STOCK Act a whopping 132 times, according to Insider. Others have made a similar point. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) has said of the efforts: "I think its a solution in search of a problem, and one more thing that makes it unattractive for some people to serve in Congress. Current law is apparently not sufficient Others support the efforts but with deep caveats. Much attention was paid this week to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who retreated from her previous position. But looking in full at how she discussed the issue during her weekly press conference Wednesday shows she's wary of an outright ban. We have to tighten the fines on those who violate the STOCK Act, she said. It's apparently not sufficient to deter behavior. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill. (REUTERS/Tom Brenner) Her comments suggest she might tend towards something like an idea pushed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) dubbed the STOCK Act 2.0, which notably doesnt ban trading but strengthens transparency provisions and increases restrictions. Pelosi also strongly wants any limits to be government-wide and apply to the judicial system, as well. There's another consideration: as you know, in the Executive branch, when they divest of their stock, they don't pay capital gains, Pelosi said. That's an interesting feature. Comments from another lawmaker this week, Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA), point to yet another level of detail still to be worked out. She worried that a ban would make it harder for members of Congress to hold something like a 529 account, which includes stocks inside it. This story has been updated with additional comments from lawmakers. Ben Werschkul is a writer and producer for Yahoo Finance in Washington, DC. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. The Rosa Parks bust on the Alabama State University campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday February 9, 2022. This story is being offered free to readers throughout February in honor of Black History Month. Your subscription makes our exclusive content possible. Please support local news at https://cm.montgomeryadvertiser.com/specialoffer Editor's Note: This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Mary Fair Burk's name. At the center of Alabama State University's campus there's an equinox with plaques on four pillars dedicated to founders and civil rights activists. The statues paid homage to the activists who have walked Alabama State University's campus without drawing the ire of white legislators. Alabama State University historian and archivist Howard Robinson said most of the people on campus probably don't know the landmark is there. A Montgomery Bus Boycott historic marker on the Alabama State University campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday February 9, 2022. ASU is one of the oldest state-sponsored HBCUs, or Historically Black College or Universities. "The university's history the journey mirrors that of African American in Alabama during this time period," said Dr. Joseph D. Caver, author of From Marion to Montgomery: The Early Years of Alabama State University, 1867-1925. Alabama State University's roots Alabama State University was created in one of the phases that Robinson sees in the longer civil rights movement: the aftermath of the Civil War. Alabama State University historian and archivist Howard Robinson. Robinson said that rather than treating the civil rights movement as a discrete period of time, some people, including himself, see it as a much longer movement. An attempt on the part of Black people particularly, for people of color, to engage and to enjoy the full citizenship rights of other Americans, said Robinson. Education, being able to understand the voting process and to write, was seen as equivalent to freedom, said Robinson. Alabama State University was founded in 1867 as "Lincoln Normal School of Marion" in Marion, Alabama, until the white citizens of the town demanded the school be moved. A photo on Lincoln Normal School of Marion. The school was founded in 1867 and was moved to Montgomery as Alabama State University in 1887. I mean, they didn't just threaten the school, they burned the school down, said Robinson. When I say they, white supremacy burned the school down. And so, this idea of education, Black education, particularly, helping to facilitate Black people's entry into the fabric of America. That idea is a long-standing idea. And it's had detractors and it's been attacked the whole of American history. OK, so then, so it's not surprising, you shouldn't be surprised that you see some of the civil rights movement really spring from these couches. Story continues Black residents of Montgomery funded the schools move to Montgomery. Alabama State University relocates to Montgomery When the school relocated to Montgomery in 1887, it faced many of the same issues that it left in Marion. White residents of Montgomery sued the government to keep the school from achieving university status. ASU's move to Montgomery was directed by William Burns Paterson. Robinson explained that Alabama State University was born from the efforts of Black people to become first-class citizens as white people opposed Black people from becoming citizens. The move had been under the direction William Burns Paterson, according to Caver. Paterson, who presided over the university at this time was born Feb. 9, 1850. Since 1901, ASU's Founders' Day has been celebrated around his birthday. This year, the 122nd celebration was held Feb. 4. Alabama State University home to 'Black intelligentsia,' famous faces Marion, old building in June 2017 Robinson explained that, over the years, Alabama State University had become the center of Black literature, art and intelligence a destination for the Black intelligentsia. By the time of what is considered the modern civil rights movement, Alabama State University had become one of the centers of Black life in Montgomery, said Robinson. The first Black officers of the United States military had been graduates of Alabama State University, according to Dr. Derryn Moten, department head of History at Alabama State University. The Fred Shuttlesworth Dining Hall on the Alabama State University campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday February 9, 2022. The class of 1951 included F.D. Reese, Fred Shuttlesworth and Fred Gray. According to Robinson, Gray has talked about the encouragement he received from Alabama State University at the time. He referred to F.D. Reese as a giant of a leader and called Shuttlesworth the most courageous man of the movement. I would like to say it's coincidental, but maybe it's not that they all come out of that same class," said Robinson. "And they are all connected; Fred Gray is going to represent Shuttlesworth and Reeves. So, they all are going to maintain those connections. After Martin Luther King, Jr.'s house was bombed, he and his family moved on the campus and King used the library to complete his dissertation on Gandhi, according to Caver. The Rev. Ralph David Abernathy Ralph David Abernathy had also been a graduate of Alabama State University, according to Caver. ASU's civil rights pioneers In response to the personal defiance of Rosa Parks, an Alabama State University English professor, Jo Ann Robinson, used the opportunity to work on a structural level. Before Parks was arrested, Jo Ann Robinson had tried to organize a bus boycott several times. She was a member of the local Womens Political Council. She had been threatened by a bus driver after sitting in the seat behind the seats reserved for white people, according to Robinson. She got off the bus and called for a ride. The Womens Political Council had been founded by Mary Fair Burks in 1946, after she had not been allowed to join the League of Women Voters. Fair Burks had been arrested after nearly hitting a white pedestrian with her car. So, there was all these ways that Black people were disenfranchised and discriminated, said Robinson. It's legally, by law in Montgomery, and, so the Women's Political Council starts taking issue with that and to complain to the city commissioners. Civil Rights Attorney Fred Gray is a 1951 graduate of Alabama State University. After Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, the Black men of Montgomery supported Jo Ann Robinsons plans for a bus boycott. Let me be clear what Rosa Parks does is an act of personal defiance, said Robinson. She is defying the septic system of segregation. What Jo Ann Robinson does is intentional, and it's organizational. And so she starts a bus boycott in response to Rosa Parks' arrest. So, and she plans it. After Parks arrest, the Black women took action, according to Robinson, and then conferred with the men. The bus boycott had been planned that night. Thousands of flyers were put up. They had participation of 50,000 people by Monday, said Robinson While Black men led the bus boycott, Black women had initiated and conceptualized it, said Robinson. After a demonstration by students downtown, Jo Ann Robinson, along with other professors, had been forced to leave the university, according to Moten. When the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights for African American Culture, including Dr. Robinson, were asked to look at the names of buildings of Alabama State University, they recommended they change the name of the building named for Bibb Graves, former Alabama governor and member of the Ku Klux Klan. The Bibb Graves building on the campus of Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday June 17, 2020. Jo Ann Robinson was decided on as the most appropriate new name for the building. The President, just like me, we always detested that we had a building on campus and named after the Grand Cyclops of the Montgomery Klan of the Ku Klux Klan, said Robinson. That was always offensive to us. Alabama State's campus a monument to civil rights Alabama State University understands its role in the context of the civil rights movement, according to Robinson. The center of campus is a monument to the civil rights movement. In the past, Alabama State University had to be more clandestine in the civil rights movement, due to state legislature, which led to the National Centers creation in the 1990s. ASU practice teachers in classroom with students Exhibits were put up in the library one exhibit dedicated entirely to the civil rights movement. Earlier in the week, HBCUs had received bombing threats, which according to Dr. Robinson is not surprising. More: FBI launches hate crime investigation after HBCUs targeted in 'nationwide series of bomb threats' Robinson explained that he has become accustomed to the intentional threats toward Black people, particularly those in education. You know, I think about Montgomery, you know, the mayor of Montgomery is a Black college graduate, said Robinson. The mayor of Atlanta is a Black college graduate, the Vice President of the United States is a Black college graduate. Yeah, if I was a white supremacist, I would want to threaten these institutions. They produced the nation's Black leadership. And, so, yeah, I'm not surprised. Jemma Stephenson is the children and education reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. She can be reached at jstephenson@gannett.com or 334-261-1569. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama State University's history is intertwined with civil rights Only about 20% of children between the ages of 5-11 in the U.S. are fully vaccinated despite COVID-19 vaccines being approved for this age group three months ago. For kids between the ages of 12-17, roughly half are vaccinated while just 20% are boosted. In other words, there are still millions of children vulnerable to COVID-19. I think more of us need to be really frank with the American people that [vaccines] are safe, they are effective, that COVID is massively affecting kids, especially during this Omicron surge, Dr. Anand Swaminathan, a New Jersey-based emergency medicine physician, said on Yahoo Finance Live (video above). And these [cases] are preventable. These are preventable hospitalizations. They are preventable deaths in kids. 'Their lives are being affected by their long-term symptoms' COVID cases among children have risen steadily over the last several months, largely due to the virulence of the Omicron variant. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there have been nearly 4.2 million cases reported since the beginning of January and nearly 632,000 cases for the week ending Feb. 3. That more than doubles the Delta variant peak in 2021. The American Academy of Pediatrics and really every pediatrician that Ive had the good fortune to meet has been very strong on the side of vaccinating children, Fairbrother said. It is true that COVID is not a huge risk to children. There are very few children who got super sick with COVID, and an even smaller percentage of them who died of COVID. Since COVID first hit the U.S., over 12 million children have tested positive for the virus, according to AAP. Less than 1% of the COVID cases among children have resulted in death. Children wearing protective masks toss snow at each other as they skate at Bryant Park in New York City, January 14, 2022. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri Its not a huge number but still, seven died in January from COVID, Swaminathan said. Those are preventable deaths. We dont need to have any kids dying of this. Vaccines can help to protect the group where theyre approved. Story continues At the same time, children infected with the coronavirus are at risk for developing multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), which the CDC defines as "a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs." There have been more than 6,800 cases of MIS-C in the U.S. and 59 deaths tied to the issue. Their lives are being affected by their long-term symptoms, Dr. Hilary Fairbrother, a Houston-based emergency medicine physician, said recently on Yahoo Finance Live. And thats 10-15% of children who get COVID. All of these things are mitigated by the vaccine. MIS-C is essentially gone. 95% reduction of MIS-C. The long-term COVID symptoms, essentially gone, and essentially zero ability to have COVID kill a child who is vaccinated." 'These are the safest vaccines we have ever seen' Pfizer (PFE) recently announced that it would be seeking FDA approval and emergency use authorization for its COVID vaccine for children six months and older, which Fairbrother described as very exciting. Fairbrother emphasized the safety and efficacy of the vaccines and encouraged parents who may be unsure about vaccinating their children to speak with their pediatrician. I know that parents are very caring and very loving about their children, Fairbrother said. And they want to make sure something is safe before they give their children a new product. I want to come out and be very clear that in our modern medical history, these are the safest vaccines we have ever seen or really, frankly, even imagined. Brayden Burton, 3, sits with his father, Grant Burton, while he is treated for COVID at the Children's Hospital of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia, January 14, 2022. REUTERS/Hannah Beier Though Pfizers recent news is a promising development in the fight against COVID, Swaminathan cautioned against only focusing on the new shiny toy when there are already things in place that have proven to be effective, like vaccinations for the population at large. Currently, 64.1% of the overall U.S. population is fully vaccinated while 75.7% have received at least one dose and 42.3% have been boosted, according to the latest CDC data. Vaccinating more young people and the spread of different COVID strains may be key to developing immunity in the overall population, according to Dr. Asha Shah, director of infectious disease at Stamford Health. That will help contribute to the shift from pandemic to endemic and not thinking about COVID first thing when youre making social plans or making travel plans, that this becomes like many of the other coronaviruses that circulate in the community, Shah recently said on Yahoo Finance Live. That will likely take some time, but this may be a shift in that direction. Shah described vaccines as our most important tool that can help the population adjust to new variants that could potentially emerge. I think the fact that technology exists and that these companies are working on new formulations is a smart way to move forward, she said. And I do think were going to get to a point where perhaps we get a COVID booster at a regular interval that perhaps contains the most predominant variants from the last COVID season, similar to what we do for influenza. Shaw stressed that a larger part of the population needs to be up-to-date on their COVID vaccines, whether they need first or second doses or are in need of a booster. Theres still a lot of people that have not received a single dose of a COVID vaccine, and thats a problem, she said. And thats what we saw was overwhelming the hospitals through this last surge. We have to get everyone vaccinated with this very effective tool. Thats the way we move forward. Adriana Belmonte is a reporter and editor covering politics and health care policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow her on Twitter @adrianambells and reach her at adriana@yahoofinance.com. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Flipboard, and LinkedIn WASHINGTON Elana Banin is counting down the seconds until she can get her baby and toddler vaccinated a moment she is hoping will finally lift a weight that has continued to bear down on her and similar parents nearly two years into the pandemic. There isnt a day or a minute that goes by that we arent acutely aware that our kids are at risk and all of our decisions are calculated accordingly, Banin, who lives in New York City, said. Our lives revolve around the fact that they arent vaccinated, which in a way I hope desperately will change the second the vaccine is available for their age group. We will be first in line. While much of the country has started to return to some semblance of normalcy with the protection they feel from the vaccines, Banin and other parents of children too young to be vaccinated under current rules have felt stuck in pre-vaccine times as they continue to make calculations about how much risk they are willing to take with their unvaccinated children as they juggle preschool closures, skip holiday gatherings and fret over indoor dining and play dates. Moms are feeling like they are at a breaking point, Elaina Preston, who also lives in New York with her two young children, said. We see family infrequently. We dont do the classes and the play dates. I cant bring them out of our 950-square-foot apartment to the library. It is very frustrating. I feel trapped. It is harder to plan my day. It is harder to plan weekends. It is harder to find downtime. Vaccines are available for people over the age of 5. But with the prospect of the vaccines being authorized for kids as young as 6 months old by the end of the month, parents with young kids could soon get a mood boost that could translate into an improved outlook for a key group of Democratic voters who have shown lackluster enthusiasm for the president and the direction the country is heading in since cases began to surge again in the summer. Story continues These are fairly high-turnout voters, but they might skip [the election], they might decide late, they might slip into undecided. Theyre really softening in their support and their enthusiasm, said Celinda Lake, a top Democratic pollster who worked for President Joe Bidens 2020 campaign. The vaccine for kids under 5 will have a huge impact. If the trend that began with older children holds for which younger kids get vaccinated, those first in line will be more likely to have parents who vote Democratic, have a college education and live in a state Biden won in 2020. While those parents already lean Democratic, its a group Biden and Democrats need to shore up ahead of Novembers midterm elections. What they are looking for is things that will make a real difference for their family, and the vaccine for kids under 5 is something that will have an immediate impact, Lake said. It also gives them a better sense of control, and these women are really upset about the instability. Bidens approval rating among women fell 10 percentage points during his first year in office, according to the latest NBC News poll, while other surveys show him struggling with support from younger Democratic women in particular. Just 32 percent said they strongly approve of the job Biden is doing, compared to half of older Democratic women, according to a Morning Consult survey published in October. Republicans have been courting this group aggressively too and are counting on parental frustration to power them to victory this fall, just as it did for Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in November. K-12 parents are a key voting bloc this election, and they are going to turn out in droves for Republicans, said Liesl Hickey, a Republican strategist who co-founded N2 America, a center-right group focused on winning back the suburbs. There are a lot of moms who have become single-issue voters on whats best for their kids. Much of the lack of enthusiasm among Democratic women is coming from the strain they have felt during the pandemic, with women more likely to have lost or left their job, often as a result of child care issues, said Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director of MomsRising, a political advocacy group that supports many of the policies the Biden administration has been trying to push through Congress. Moms that have younger children are definitely struggling in an increased way, Rowe-Finkbeiner said. The child care system was hanging by a thread when we were coming into the pandemic, with a tremendous amount of child care deserts, and that has only expanded during the pandemic. People are getting pushed out of slots. Child care centers are opening and closing in ways that make it hard to maintain a work schedule. Women made up a smaller share of the job gains in January, accounting for 40 percent of the more than 467,000 jobs added, and there are still 1 million fewer women in the labor force since the start of the pandemic, while male employment is back to its pre-pandemic levels, according to a National Womens Law Center analysis. A quarter of parents last month said their child had to quarantine due to a Covid-19 infection or exposure, and nearly half reported some type of school disruption, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Preston, a New York City physician assistant who specializes in treating children undergoing bone marrow transplants, has chosen to stay in her job throughout the pandemic even though her work with Covid patients has meant she could bring the virus back to her unvaccinated children. Her life has drastically changed in other ways, though. She said her family canceled their holiday plans with family because she was concerned one of her relatives could infect her children, her children have never had an indoor play date or gone to enrichment classes and she rarely dines out with them. "I call it Covid depressed," Preston said. "I see a lot of my friends and colleagues opening up and moving on with life a little more with young children who arent yet vaccinated, and I keep thinking, 'What if my kid is one of the unlucky ones, if my child gets Covid?'" Not all parents show the same enthusiasm for getting their children vaccinated, though the numbers have been picking up in recent months, according to surveys by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Among parents with children ages 12 to 17, 61 percent said their child is vaccinated, up from 49 percent in November. For parents of children ages 5 to 11, a third said their child has gotten at least their first dose since it was authorized for that age group in late October. Among parents with children under 5, about a third said they would get their child vaccinated as soon as possible, and a similar share said they would want to wait and see, while another quarter said they would definitely not get their kids inoculated. A Harris poll of parents with kids under 5 found that about three-quarters of vaccinated parents said they would likely get their kids inoculated, while just 35 percent of unvaccinated parents said the same. Overall, parents are a bit more cautious when it comes to kids, even among parents who themselves are vaccinated, Lunna Lopes, a senior survey analyst with the Kaiser Family Foundation, said. Virginia Republican state Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, an OB-GYN who worked with Democrats to pass a bill Tuesday that would allow parents to choose whether or not their kids wear masks in school, said while the omicron wave showed the value of vaccines, mandating them for babies and toddlers would face blowback and further politicize the issue in unproductive ways. For parents that are reassured by the vaccine, its going to be great peace of mind. But its going to be really dangerous for people to try and mandate vaccines for that population, she said. In addition to the birthday parties, classes and trips she hopes her kids can soon enjoy, Banin is hopeful that the vaccine will open up a wider community of moms with young kids for her. I have been a mom almost completely alone for the entirety of both my kids lives. That has a tremendous effect on our happiness, Banin said. I would like for my kids to be surrounded by other human beings, and right now we are so isolated. Feb. 10HENDERSON A proud tradition of basketball for the Gladieux family is set to continue at the collegiate level in the fall. Crossroads Christian men's basketball player Mason Gladieux, who is the oldest son of former Stetson University player Ryan Gladieux, signed his letter of intent to play at Trine University in front of his family and teammates on Wednesday afternoon. The path to Trine in Angola, Indiana has been one filled with many twists and turns for Mason but he expressed his gratitude towards his family and everyone at Crossroads for enabling him to persevere through adversity and earn an opportunity to play at the collegiate level. "This feels incredible," Mason said. "I've been knocked down a lot in my life but I've also had a lot of overwhelming support. To finally be able to sign to Trine University is truly a special moment." Basketball has been a part of the Gladieux family for generations. Mason's great grandfather Bud Gladieux was a standout player for Toledo University during the 1940s while his son and Mason's grandfather Bill Gladieux enjoyed his own success competing at St. Joseph's University. The Gladieux family's love for basketball carried on into the 1990s through Bill's sons in Ryan, Matt and Adam. As Ryan carved out his own role at Stetson, Adam served as a leader for High Point University's team while Matt started out at his grandfather's school in Toledo before later transferring to Coastal Carolina University. For Ryan, seeing his own son become a fourth-generation collegiate basketball player is a great source of pride for and knows that Mason is going to use all of the knowledge obtained from the three previous generations to fit right in under Trine head coach Brooks Miller. "I've tried to pass down the concepts of effort and intent," Ryan said. "Anybody can shoot a basketball but putting in the effort and intent to get rebounds, box out, dive on the floor, take charges and do the dirty stuff is so important. Those are the tough things but they're also the lessons I want to see Mason take with him to Trine." Story continues Ryan added that Mason signing any letter of intent would have faced more substantial hurdles without the assistance of Crossroads Christian athletic director Scottie Richardson. Mason was fighting for a role on Cardinal Gibbons' varsity team when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in March, 2020. The ensuing limitations placed on Cardinal Gibbons convinced Mason's family to search for another school, where they ultimately came across Crossroads Christian. When Richardson first met Mason, he knew that his composure and mentality would make him a valuable member of Crossroads basketball and said that the last two years have only served to prove that initial hypothesis correct. "[Mason] is a very likable kid," Richardson said. "When you come in humble and wanting to learn, that's half of our battle as coaches. He came to practice every day ready to work and he's become a great leader for us. It took Mason a while to learn the system but he worked really hard over the offseason and I'm so proud of him." As the sixth man for Crossroads, Mason has excelled as a plug-and-play athlete under Richardson's position-less system of basketball. Although Mason has not put up the same scoring numbers as some of his teammates, he did reach a career high of 15 points in an 85-59 loss to Grace Christian earlier this year. Being a leading scorer has never been a top priority for Mason, who said that playing under Richardson at Crossroads has emphasized the importance of selfless play on the court and motivating others to reach their potential in every aspect of the game. "I've come a really long way," Mason said. "All of my trainers, coaches and teammates have made me such a better basketball player. All of the hard work that we put in together during the offseason, over the summer and during the season has definitely changed things for the better." Although Mason has thoroughly enjoyed building Crossroads into a championship-caliber program, he admitted that his favorite memory at the school came away from the basketball court. In Crossroads' first year of fielding a cross country team since 2015, Mason emerged as the best runner on the program despite not having competed in the sport in two years and helped Crossroads claim the NCISAA 1A title while simultaneously taking home individual state championship honors. The versatility and leadership that Mason displayed on both cross country and basketball at Crossroads are qualities that Richardson said will benefit him at Trine, which is coming off a 69-55 loss to Randolph-Macon College in a de facto NCAA Division III national championship game the year before. Preparing his players for the next level of basketball has been a key philosophy for Richardson since arriving at Crossroads four years ago and said that Mason is going to proudly represent the school and those values over the next four years. "This is a testament to our program," Richardson said. "We're starting to see the fruits of our labor with Taylor Bell, Zach Murphy and some other guys that have gone on to college. We even have Colby Taylor who is currently on the staff at High Point University under Tubby Smith, so I'm very excited for Mason." Since Mason is still 17 years old and only 6-2, Richardson said there is still plenty of room for him to get better and contribute for Trine in ways that he was not able to at Crossroads. Ryan also believes that Mason will be a key focal point for Trine on both ends of the floor but said that Mason needs to discover his own interests while at the school so he can put himself in the best possible position to succeed once his playing career is over. "I want Mason to [go to Trine and] be a man," Ryan said. "I want Mason to grow into his own and chart his own path. He needs to pick a major that he will love and get a college degree while having fun playing basketball in the meantime. I don't think he'll go to the NBA, so the goal for him is to focus on what he will do the rest of his life." Mason intends to pursue a business major during his time at Trine but is currently focused on finishing out his final few games at Crossroads strong with the hope of adding another championship banner inside the gymnasium. A busy offseason lies ahead for Mason even before graduating from Crossroads but he is ready to embark on the challenge in front of him so he can add another chapter to the successful basketball legacy of the Gladieux family. "I'm going to stay level-headed and continue getting good grades," Mason said. "I need to recover from this ankle injury I suffered a couple of weeks ago but my spring is slated with a bunch of basketball workouts and a lot of opportunities to get ready for my time at Trine." Mecklenburg Countys only death penalty case is no more due to COVID-19. On Thursday, the District Attorneys Office dropped its capital murder charge against Curtis Atkinson Jr., who is accused of the grisly 2017 shooting and stabbing deaths of his parents, Ruby and Curtis Sr. By the time the Atkinsons were found in their east Charlotte home, they had been dead for days. Curtis Atkinson Jr. Atkinson Jr., a 41-year-old Charlotte man, will now be tried in May on a first-degree murder charge. If convicted, he faces a mandatory life sentence, not death row. The change in murder charges, which comes almost five years after the killings, has nothing to do with the details of the case or the discovery of new evidence that might mitigate the shocking nature of the crimes. Instead, Assistant District Attorney Jodi Anderson blamed the pandemic. She told Superior Court Judge Lou Trosch that because death-penalty trials routinely run on for months, theres an increasing likelihood of COVID-related delays. Any outbreaks of the disease during the trial could indefinitely delay a verdict for Atkinson. Anderson says the surviving family and friends of Atkinsons victims have waited long enough. As the Omicron wave wanes, we once again find ourselves at the precipice of hope that courts may soon resume normal operations. But if the last two years have taught us anything, it is that hope is often just that, Anderson said in a statement to the judge. The victims family and this community deserve more than just hope. They deserve justice. And the state believes our decision to proceed non-capitally is the best way to timely deliver justice to this family and this community. As such, we will not be seeking the death penalty in this case. COVID-19 has disrupted courts around the country. It shut down the North Carolina system for much of 2020. Because of pandemic-driven staff shortages and health safety protocols, the Mecklenburg courthouse continues to operate at a lower gear, leading to long backlogs of homicides and other crimes awaiting trials. Story continues The pandemic has also caused chaos in capital-murder cases nationwide disrupting trials, delaying executions, even blocking the release of an exonerated Pennsylvania death row inmate who was kept in custody after he showed symptoms of COVID-19, the Marshall Project reported in 2020. In the Atkinson case, a capital-murder trial, which can take weeks simply to pick a jury, would place undue strain on a courthouse still trying to get back on its feet, Anderson said. A capital case is a significant undertaking, taking months instead of days or weeks to complete; requiring significantly more witnesses, more experts, an additional phase, and hundreds of potential jurors, she said. The likelihood of pandemic-related delays, interruptions, and uncertainty exponentially increases. Atkinsons attorneys, Terry Sherrill and Johneric Emehel, left the courtroom by a side door and could not be reached for comment. Police investigate a double homicide in the 7500 block of Glencannon Drive in Charlotte, NC, on April 2, 2017. Inmates on death row County prosecutors traditionally have reserved capital murder charges for crimes that shock the conscience of the community. That said, death penalty trials in Mecklenburg County have become increasingly rare. Atkinsons was the last one on the current trial docket. Mecklenburg, home to the states largest local criminal justice system, has four inmates on death row. The most recent went there in 1998. North Carolina last put someone to death in August 2006. The last Mecklenburg County inmate executed, Elias Syriani of Charlotte, died by lethal injection in 2005. He was accused of stabbing his wife with a screwdriver almost 30 times while the couples 10-year-old son watched. Nationwide manhunt The allegations against Atkinson are hauntingly similar to those against Syriani. Atkinson is accused of stabbing his father 69 times in April 2017 while forcing his 11-year-old niece to watch. Prosecutors say Atkinson and his girlfriend, Nikkia Cooper, now 30, fatally stabbed and shot the parents after an argument. Ruby and Curtis Sr. had welcomed the younger couple into their home after they were evicted, Anderson said. After killing them, according to the prosecutor, Atkinson and Cooper covered the bodies with blankets and old rugs and stepped around them for days. Nikkia Cooper When Cooper triggered a fire alarm inside the home, the couple fled with the niece, setting off a nationwide manhunt. The child was found in Washington, after Atkinson crashed his car later that day near the Washington Monument after a police chase. Cooper also was in the vehicle and is believed to have called 911 as part of a plan to use the niece to barter food and gasoline. In a deal with prosecutors, Cooper pleaded guilty in 2019 to two counts of second degree murder and is serving a 56-year sentence in Anson Correctional Institution. Atkinson also was expected to plead guilty to first-degree murder to avoid a possible death penalty. He changed his mind on the day of his 2020 hearing and pleaded not guilty, leaving the capital murder charge in place until now. WASHINGTON A Republican deputy attorney general in Virginia resigned from her position Thursday after Facebook posts surfaced showing she had applauded Jan. 6 rioters and falsely claimed that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election. The Virginia attorney general's office became aware of these posts by Monique Miles Thursday when The Washington Post shared screenshots it obtained of her previous comments. Victoria LaCivita, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Jason Miyares, told NBC News that Miles has resigned. This information was unknown to the Office of the Attorney General prior to this morning. Ms. Miles has resigned from her position at the Office of the Attorney General," LaCivita said. Miles started her role as deputy attorney general of government transactions and operations last month after working at Old Towne Associates, a local law firm. The Attorney General has been very clear Joe Biden won the election and he has condemned the January 6th attack," LaCivita added. The Facebook posts in question aren't accessible to the public, but one screenshot obtained by the Post read: "News Flash: Patriots have stormed the Capitol. No surprise. The deep state has awoken the sleeping giant. Patriots are not taking this lying down. We are awake, ready and will fight for our rights by any means necessary." Miles has been active on Twitter and while she didn't post anything on Jan. 6., the platform shows that she did "like" a tweet from that day in which a person suggested that the rioters were members of antifa disguised as Trump supporters. Government officials have repeatedly said there is no evidence of their participation in the attack on the Capitol. In the days following the riot, Miles retweeted a number of pro-Trump posts, including one shared a day before the House impeached Trump for inciting the attack. "Can someone please post the part of President Trump's speech where he incited violence? I listened to the whole thing and can't seem to find it," read one post by conservative commentator Tomi Lahren, in reference to Trump's speech at the White House Ellipse. Story continues Miles also retweeted posts about audits of the 2020 election and efforts to uncover evidence of voter fraud. The Post's report said that Miles had also posted articles on Facebook that supported baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. Miles did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday. The Democratic Attorneys General Association, which supports about two dozen Democratic attorneys general, highlighted the Post's reporting in a statement. Jason Miyares needs to come clean: is he lying or incompetent? said Geoff Burgan, the association's communications director. "This raises even more questions about Republican AGs dangerous embrace of debunked conspiracy theories." A month after Bob Saget was found dead in an Orlando hotel room, his family revealed that the late comedian died from an accidental head injury. The authorities have determined that Bob passed from head trauma, Sagets family said in a statement to NBC News. They have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep. No drugs or alcohol were involved. While no further details have been released about the exact type of head trauma Saget suffered, this tragedy highlights the importance of taking head injuries seriously, and knowing when to seek medical help. Dr. John Torres, NBCs senior medical correspondent, spoke with TODAY about warning signs to look for after hitting your head, and how to tell whether that simple bump may actually be more serious. How do you know if a head injury is serious? Almost everyone has bumped their head on a door frame or a kitchen cabinet at some point, but how do you know if the injury is bad enough to go to the hospital? According to Torres, the below symptoms are telltale signs of a more serious issue: A headache that continues after the injury or gets worse. Visual disturbances, or pupils looking a little off." Dizziness, nausea or vomiting, particularly projectile vomiting. Confusion. If someone experiences any of the above symptoms persistently, that signals to Torres that they should be closely monitored. Theyre probably going to need a CAT scan of their head to make sure there isnt any bleeding inside there, he said, because there can be subtle signs that build up over time and get to the point where they cant really be taken care of. Will symptoms always show up right away after a head trauma? After hitting your head, you may experience some initial symptoms such as a headache or confusion. These symptoms may soon subside, and you may think you are fine. However, this does not mean the head injury isnt serious, Torres warns. After a head trauma, you may experience an initial lucid period before things take a dangerous and possibly fatal turn. Story continues This may be what happened with Saget, who, according to his familys statement, thought nothing of his head injury and went to sleep. What happened here with Bob Saget is very typical of what happens with what we call an epidural hematoma, which is a high-pressure bleeding inside the brain, Torres said. Typically they can hit their head and then they have whats called a lucid period. Initially they have a few symptoms, usually a headache, maybe vision disturbances, maybe a bit of confusion, then they have a lucid period that can be minutes or hours where they feel like theyre normal. However, then they start coming back with these heavy symptoms, and thats when they usually end up having issues like this, and unfortunately in cases like this, they can die from it. Torres compared Sagets case to the death of the late actor Natasha Richardson, who died in 2009 following a skiing accident. After hitting her head on the slopes, she initially felt fine, but she then died two days later from bleeding between the skull and the brain. She hit her head on the snow, on the ice, had some headaches, had some issues like that, cleared up, and then ended up having this epidural hematoma, he said. Can even a light bump be dangerous? Not all bumps to the head will lead to serious head trauma. With this kind of outcome (in cases like Saget's), typically it is a hard hit, Torres said. This is not a simple head injury. This is not bumping your head on the cabinet when you walk by something in the kitchen. This is usually falling, often car accidents, and sometimes assaults to the head. Those are typically the reasons somebody has something like this. That said, when in any doubt, if you are at all concerned about your head injury and especially if you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above such as a headache, visual disturbances, dizziness, vomiting or confusion always stay on the safe side and seek medical attention, Torres said. Related: Feb. 9The dump truck driver who barreled through a tax office and a coffee stand last summer, and sent seven people to the hospital, was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Wednesday. Attorneys on both sides Wednesday called it a miracle that the crash wasn't worse. "It is essentially a miracle that no one else was injured more severely, including Mr. Medrain," said Kyle Zeller, the attorney representing the driver, McGavin Medrain. Medrain, donning a blue Spokane County Jail jumpsuit, pleaded guilty to vehicular assault Wednesday in Spokane County Superior Court. Judge Rachelle Anderson sentenced Medrain to 15 months in prison, the joint recommendation from Zeller and Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Joseph Edwards. Anderson credited Medrain for time served, which was about five and a half months. The standard sentence range was 15 to 20 months of incarceration. Medrain faced a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Medrain will also serve 18 months of community custody when he is released from prison. Witnesses said Medrain was traveling north on Freya Street at a "high rate of speed" and weaving in and out of traffic on Aug. 20, according to court documents. Just past Fifth Avenue, the truck struck several vehicles before veering west across the street and driving through Liberty Tax Service and the Dutch Bros. coffee stand, destroying both structures. Medrain told The Spokesman-Review in a September jail interview that his brakes failed. Zeller told the court Wednesday he believes a further investigation would discover an issue with the brakes. Medrain declined at the time to name the company for which he had been trucking, and court documents didn't specify it. A state trooper conducted a field sobriety test after the crash and determined Medrain was intoxicated on an unknown substance, court documents said. Medrain said in September he used methamphetamine the night before the incident but was sober at the time of the crash. vHe said he has struggled with addiction for at least two decades. Story continues One of the seven people taken to the hospital was a Dutch Bros. employee who sustained a fractured hip, according to court documents. "I'm so thankful no one got killed in that accident," Medrain said Wednesday. Anderson said Medrain will lose his commercial driver's license, which Medrain said he obtained in 2009. Zeller said Medrain is remorseful about the crash and that it has given him nightmares. Meanwhile, Dutch Bros. and Liberty Tax Service will rebuild at the same location. Mark Mahaffey, co-owner of the Liberty Tax Service branches in Spokane, said last month he hopes to open the tax preparation office in November or December. Kevin Parker, who owns the Dutch Bros. franchise in Spokane, said in a text message Saturday that he hopes to open by April 1. "I am deeply grateful no lives were lost as a result of the accident, including my daughter who was working in the stand when the accident took place," Parker wrote in a text Wednesday. "The accident happened on a Friday, and although I was angry over the weekend, when I woke up Monday morning, I experienced a deep sense of gratitude I was not planning my daughter's funeral or attending a funeral for one of my employees." On first glance, it's hard to argue with the premise of Senate Bill 117, which would protect records and personal information for minors under the age of 18 who are alleged victims of crimes. The bill would "exempt the records and personal identifying information of minors on police logs for any public access," the bill's author, Sen. Kyle Walker, R-Lawrence, said, noting that it's "supported by a wide variety of cities and towns across the state, many law enforcement professionals. SB 117 received a hearing and an 11-0 vote of support from the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. But despite the honorable intentions cited by its supporters, the bill could have some unintended consequences, which legislators said they will address. The Hoosier State Press Association, which represents Indiana newspapers, expressed its concerns at Tuesday's hearing. Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, said he is concerned the bill could limit reporting on court proceedings, where names of minors may need to be redacted from public records. And Key cites the example of the police showing up at a scene where a mother is dead, with a father and son missing. Would this bill prevent the police from putting out a photo of the child, asking the public if they've seen him or her? "I don't think the intent was to tie the hands of law enforcement," he said. Committee chair Rep. Randy Frye asked that Walker, Rep. Steve Bartels, the bill's House sponsor, legislative services staff and Key work to fix any issues with the bill. Key hopes for modifications that will give police some discretion on whether minors names are included in police logs. SB 117 has a local connection: A Tribune story has been named as an example of the problem of allowing police to identify crime victims who are juveniles. The April 13, 2021, story named a 16-year-old who was one of three people shot. He later died from his injuries in the hospital. The name was listed on the police log a list of incidents that is critical in ensuring police are accountable to the public and that suspected crimes are docketed. Story continues The Tribune received no complaints about the story after it was published. Virtually all news organizations have standards on naming children involved in crimes, generally naming defendants only in cases where their cases are moved to adult court. When it comes to victims, The Tribune and other newspapers take into account a variety of considerations before printing names. Victims of sexual crimes, for example, are not named. Names will also be withheld if there are safety considerations, such as further danger to the victim. We believe SB 117 is not needed, that the status quo protects the rights of victims and the public alike. But as the bill looks likely to win approval, we hope that changes are made to address the valid concerns raised. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Fix valid concerns in Indiana police log bill By Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former National Guard member who served in Iraq on Thursday received a six-month prison sentence for punching two police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in the District of Columbia imposed the punishment on Mark Leffingwell of Seattle, who pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge. Prosecutors had asked Jackson to sentence Leffingwell, 52, to a much longer sentence of 27 months in prison. But the judge said she was imposing a lighter sentence, citing factors including Leffingwell's remorse and lack of criminal history. Jackson is one of several federal judges in the District of Columbia who have sharply criticized the Jan. 6 riot, calling it "the definition of tyranny" during Thursday's court hearing. "It is not legitimate political discourse to descend on the nation's Capitol on behalf of a disappointed former president and disrupt the electoral process," Jackson said, an apparent reference to a Republican Party resolution https://www.reuters.com/world/us/loyal-trump-republican-party-moves-censure-us-reps-cheney-kinzinger-2022-02-04 that used the term to criticize the congressional investigation into the Jan. 6 attack. Related video: Guilty plea for Ark. man accused of beating Capitol police officer "I'm embarrassed and ashamed of myself," Leffingwell said during the hearing. "I wish I could go back and make it not happen." The Justice Department said last month that more than 225 people have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or government employees during the Jan. 6 attack. Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted that day, the Justice Department said. Four officers died by suicide in the aftermath of the attack. (Reporting by Jan Wolfe, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) By Anshuman Daga SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Activist investor Quarz Capital Management said it is opposed to the terms of a proposed S$4.2 billion ($3.1 billion) merger of two Temasek-linked Singapore real estate investment trusts, saying the target firm was significantly undervalued. It is urging Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust (MNACT) to negotiate an improved offer from Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT), according to a Feb. 9 open letter reviewed by Reuters. Quarz, which has previously been successful in blocking a Singapore REIT deal, says it and its affiliates hold stakes that rank them among the top 10 unitholders of MNACT . In a report published on research platform Smartkarma on Friday, analyst Travis Lundy said Quarz had provided many statements in its letter about how things would change on the MNACT side once the COVID-19 pandemic ended but had not addressed the impact on MCT . MNACT's main portfolio includes one commercial property in Hong Kong and two in China, while MCT is a Singapore-focused REIT. On Thursday, MNACT's units were down 1.8% before the Reuters story and ended up 0.9% on the day at S$1.12. On Friday, MNACT's units traded 1.8% lower. "We note that Quarz acknowledges the deal rationale...and sees value in MNACT," MCT's manager said in a response to Reuters, but did not elaborate. MNACT's manager said it continued to believe that the rationale and terms of the proposed merger were beneficial to unitholders from a strategic and financial perspective. Singapore state investor Temasek declined comment. Its Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd, a global real estate conglomerate, is the single largest unitholder in both real estate investment trusts (REITs), owning 32.6% of MCT and 38.1% of MNACT as of Dec. 29. On Dec. 31, MCT had announced plans to buy MNACT, seeking to create the seventh-largest REIT in Asia with an expected market valuation of about S$10.5 billion. "We have received a substantial number of positive responses from MNACT unitholders who are institutional investors, family offices and retail investors since the open letter," Jan Moermann, chief investment officer at Quarz, said in a response to Reuters. Story continues Quarz said in the letter that it supports the deal rationale but objects to the merger ratio and price. "We agree that the offer is value destructive to unitholders and significantly undervalues MNACT," Moermann and Havard Chi, Quarz's Singapore-based research head, said in the letter. MCT offered to acquire all units of MNACT in exchange for MCT units, or a combination of both cash and MCT units that gave the target's unitholders S$1.1949 per unit. This represented a 7.6% premium to MNACT's Dec. 27 closing price of S$1.11 and was based on MCT's unitprice of S$2. The companies said the offer was in line with MNACT's net asset value (NAV) per unit. Since then, MCT's units have fallen 9% to trade at S$1.82 on Friday. "It appears that many Singaporean holders of MCT are thinking that a merger with MNACT would be a quality downgrade," said Lundy. Quarz said "MNACT's board and management should initiate a transparent and robust process to sell the assets above NAV of S$1.23 instead of recommending the suboptimal offer of S$1.08-S$1.10 from MCT." It added it was confident MNACT would stage a strong recovery from the second half of 2022, citing rising global COVID-19 vaccination rates. Singapore's REIT market is dominated by retail investors who are attracted to the high dividends paid by trusts as the firms are mandated to pay out 90% of their rental income. Quarz mustered support to block a merger in 2020 between two Singapore REITs, whose managers are owned by a unit of Asian logistics giant ESR Cayman Ltd. ($1 = 1.3425 Singapore dollars) (Reporting by Anshuman Daga; Editing by Edwina Gibbs, Kim Coghill and Frances Kerry) A failed coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau was planned by drug traffickers that were previously convicted in the U.S., according to President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. The president announced Wednesday three men were behind an assassination attempt against him last week, Reuters reported. Former navy admiral Bubo Na Tchuto and his companions Tchamy Yala and Papis Djeme were arrested in 2013 and convicted of conspiring to ship cocaine to the U.S. The three were arrested off the West African coast in a yacht during a U.S. sting operation, according to Reuters. They were released after serving time in prison. "During the coup, I see them. I see them with my eyes. They want to make a coup and kill me and the prime minister and all the government," Embalo said. "When the shots were being fired in the government palace, Bubo was at the Marine Corps headquarters ... and I heard the assailants say we are going to call him to send us reinforcements." Last week, a group of people stormed a government building with machine guns and AK-47s. The attack on the government palace occurred during a government meeting. Eleven people were killed during the attack. Embalo said Na Tchuto was not at the building while his companions stormed the palace. It is the same group of people who killed former president Joao Bernardo, according to Embalo, Reuters noted. The country has dealt with multiple attempted and successful coups in its history. The area was known as a drug transit point in the 2000s. Feb. 9FAIRMONT Fairmont State University attorneys and lobbyists have drafted a bill that uses language that would dissolve Pierpont Community and Technical College Wednesday afternoon, Pierpont faculty received a draft of a legislative bill that would dissolve Pierpont and create it as a college under Fairmont State University. The bill has yet to be filed or introduced. The Times West Virginian was provided a copy of the draft legislation. "Effective July 1, 2023, Pierpont Community and Technical College is a fully integrated division of Fairmont State University," the draft reads. "The fully integrated division is named the Pierpont College of Community and Technical Education." It goes on to say that all faculty, and staff of Pierpont would become employees of Fairmont State. "Fairmont State University shall deliver community and technical college education through the Pierpont College of Community and Technical Education..." The draft reads. Pierpont's Board of Governors is meeting later today, where further information will likely be provided. This is a developing story. Reach David Kirk at 304-367-2522 or by email at dkirk@timeswv.com. BEIJING (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday it was up to the International Ski Federation (FIS) to decide whether to take action in the case of a Belarusian cross-country skier who was barred from competition over what her family said were its political views. Belarusian cross-country skier Darya Dolidovich told Reuters on Tuesday that she and her family had left Belarus because of fears of reprisals by authorities after she was banned from competition, a move her family saw as retribution for their support of the political opposition. Darya Dolidovich is the daughter of Sergei Dolidovich, a seven-time Olympic cross-country skier who took part in street protests against the 2020 re-election of leader Alexander Lukashenko that opponents said was fraudulent. Lukashenko has denied rigging the vote. "It was initially a disciplinary action between the national federation and the athlete for some breach," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said in a briefing at the Beijing Games. "If FIS want to look into it further then they obviously will do. We've reiterated our call to the NOC and all IFs (international federations) to make sure that Belarusian athletes can compete safely without any discrimination." In December, the Belarus Ski Union deactivated Dolidovich's FIS code, an individual identifying number required for athletes to take part in competitions run by the International Ski Federation (FIS). In a letter seen by Reuters, the Belarus Ski Union told Dolidovich's coaching staff it had deactivated her FIS code in response to a decision by the Belarus Cross-Country Skiing Federation. It did not say on what basis that decision was made. Several Belarusian athletes have been jailed or kicked off national teams for voicing opposition views and joining protests that erupted in the wake of the 2020 election. The repression of Belarusian athletes, including the attempt to forcibly repatriate sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya during the Tokyo Olympics last year, has drawn international condemnation. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Writing by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Ken Ferris) Police executing a search warrant at a Merriman Valley apartment last September knew they had a suspect when they found the Akron man wearing latex gloves and a respirator. This vial contains 2 mg of fentanyl, which can be lethal depending on a persons body size, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The protection was needed because, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can kill a person and the man was busy trying to flush evidence down a toilet, police said. Police said the search of his apartment and several other homes in the city yielded 16.6 kilograms more than 35 pounds of fentanyl, along with almost 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and other drugs. Searches yield cash, drugs: Akron police raid two homes, seizing a pound of cocaine and more than $87,000 cash A federal grand jury recently indicted 13 individuals as part of the alleged citywide drug distribution operation and nine people were arrested Thursday morning after the indictment was unsealed in federal court. Three members of the suspected conspiracy had been arrested as part of the investigation in September, and one member was previously arrested in a separate case. Named in the indictment are 10 Akron residents, a Cleveland man, and two West Virginia residents. The Akron residents are: Damien Roger Marcel Stafford, 41; Chezerae D. Floyd, 44; Lucian D. Blackwell, 41; Craig L. Johnstone, 49; Rausheeda L. Hyshaw, 41; Antwain D. Stewart, 41; Ricky Lynn Vaughn, 60; Clifford E. Stafford, 44; Dorshaun R. Tucker, 41; and Marian Ripley, 21. Also charged are Alexander Prieto, 41, of Cleveland, and Travis Blankenship, 31, and Jessica McClanahan, 31, of Charleston, West Virginia. Cash seized in search: Akron police arrest 30-year-old on drug trafficking charges, seize $103,000 cash They are all charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, valeryl fentanyl and cocaine. Some are also charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, maintaining a drug premises and using a communication facility to facilitate a drug offense. Story continues Drugs found in multiple homes in Akron According to the indictment, Damien Stafford is accused of purchasing fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from drug suppliers, including Prieto, in Cleveland. Hyshaw, Floyd, Blankenship, McClanahan, Clifford Stafford, Tucker, Blackwell and Riley allegedly stored the drugs at multiple residences in the Akron area. Vaughn, Johnstone, Floyd, Blackwell and Stewart are accused of distributing the drugs from the residences. Conspiracy members allegedly used drug testers to evaluate the strength and quality of a controlled substance intended for sale. FBI, ATF, Akron police execute warrants in city Officers with the FBI, ATF, Greater Akron Safe Streets Task Force and Akron Police Department executed search warrants at residences connected to the conspiracy on Sept. 23. Police said they found Damien Stafford at his Weathervane Lane apartment wearing latex gloves and a mask and found multiple bags of drugs that were later confirmed to contain fentanyl on the bathroom floor and inside the toilet. In addition to the fentanyl and methamphetamine, police also seized one kilogram of valeryl fentanyl, 400 grams of cocaine (about 14 ounces), one semi-automatic rifle and four semi-automatic pistols. Damien Stafford, Vaughn and Hyshaw were also arrested during the execution of the warrants. Akron police Lt. Michael Miller said the investigation is ongoing, but noted the amount of narcotics that were seized was a significant amount of drugs. "Obviously, that's a huge and dangerous amount of product," he said. Eric Marotta can be reached at 330-541-9433, or emarotta@recordpub.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarottaEric. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 13 people indicted in drug bust; fentanyl, other drugs seized in Akron HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland's police has stepped up its readiness due to a possible threat towards the police forces, the national police board said in a statement on Thursday. The board would not specify the nature of the threat or how the organisation has prepared for, saying that information is classified. Several police departments around the country have increased surveillance and are conducting security checks on people entering police stations, local media reported. (Reporting by Essi Lehto; Editing by Catherine Evans) Fins Ale House is stepping into some big (maybe green and pointed?) shoes. After longtime local favorite Smitty McGees announced its closure on Feb. 5, Fins Hospitality Group which includes Fins Ale House and Raw Bar, Big Oyster Brewery and Claws Seafood House revealed its plans for the beloved establishment. The hospitality group will be opening its sixth restaurant at this iconic spot on Route 54 near Fenwick Island. Owner Jeff Hamer said the group purchased Smitty McGees lease and fit-out, or the way the restaurant is laid out. But the business and its name still belongs to the restaurants owner Dawn McGee. He said he recognizes how special it is to move into Smitty McGees where so many loyal customers have made lasting memories. SMITTY MCGEES: Loyal customers bid farewell to Smitty McGee's after more than 30 years in West Fenwick Island Its an opportunity that we really cherish to be able to go down there and move in where an institution was for some 30 [plus] years, Hamer said. Hopefully we can bring over some loyal Smitty McGees fans to the Fins Ale House brand and theyll become Fins Ale House fans. The 260-seat restaurant will be a Fins Ale House and Raw Bar, adding to three other existing locations in Rehoboth and Bethany Beach. A favorite among seafood fanatics, Fins Ale House has become popular for its fresh oysters, fish boards featuring as many as eight different types of fish, as well as signature sauces. When people walk into the restaurant, which Hamer said he hopes to open by mid- or late April, they will recognize the layout of Smitty McGees with a bar on one side and a big dining area on the other. Fins is doing some minor demolition and renovations right now, such as replacing the flooring or repainting. The major delay, Hamer said, will be waiting on the transfer of the liquor license. RESTAURANT NEWS: Delaware restaurants still struggling, but lifting mask mandate could help bring back patrons Story continues With many people still looking for outdoor dining options, Hamer said the new restaurant will also feature a more formal outdoor patio with 30 to 40 seats. Customers can look forward to frequent happy-hour specials including lots of wings, which will hopefully make some Smitty McGees fans smile and some of their favorite craft beers from the related Big Oyster Brewing in Lewes. Fins Ale House had been looking to move into the Fenwick area on Route 54, but with limited options for commercial development in that area, Hamer said the best move was to purchase another businesss lease and fit-out. The new restaurant plans to hire around 40 year-round employees and bring that up to as many as 90 staff members during the summer. People can visit www.finshospitality.com and contact the restaurant group for more information on employment. NEW: Craft breweries, hotels, restaurants: What businesses are coming to the beach in 2022 This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Fins Ale House to open where Smitty McGee's closed on Route 54 Ratings agency Fitch has downgraded El Salvadors long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR) to CCC from B- weeks before the country starts issuing its bitcoin bond. The downgrade reflects heightened risk stemming from increased reliance on short-term debt, limited scope for additional local market financing, uncertain access to additional multilateral funding and external market financing given high borrowing costs, Fitch said in a report on Wednesday. The Central American nation faces close to $1.2 billion in external debt amortizations in 2023, with $800 million due in January, Fitch noted. Fitch also said that the country faces a financing gap of $1.2 billion in 2022, which will rise to $2.5 billion in 2023. There is a high degree of uncertainty surrounding other sources of external financing, such as additional multilateral funding, given doubts surrounding an IMF program, as well as the capacity to issue bitcoin-backed bonds," the rating agency said, referring to the International Monetary Fund. El Salvadors bitcoin-denominated Volcano Bonds offer a 6.5% coupon, compared with the 13% benchmark 10-year yield on El Salvadors outstanding government bonds. Analysts previously told CoinDesk that the bonds are effectively a giant long on bitcoin rather than an expression of confidence in the financial prudence of President Nayib Bukeles government. Anyone buying this bitcoin-backed bond is betting on the cryptocurrency in a very big way, ignoring the credit market currently signaling that El Salvador is very much facing a distressed-debt situation, Marc Ostwald, chief economist and global strategist at ADM Investor Services International (ADMISI), previously told CoinDesk. At the same time, proponents of the bond program, such as Samson Mow, the founder of Blockstream, the company that developed the bond, said that bitcoin is a way to disintermediate the sovereign debt market and give El Salvador access to cheaper capital. El Salvadors bitcoin bond program is expected to be implemented by March 15, according to its finance minister. Moodys lowered the countrys foreign-currency issuer and senior unsecured ratings to Caa1 from B3 last July, citing El Salvadors adoption of bitcoin as legal tender. Bukele had previously tweeted, colorfully, that he doesn't care about the opinions of ratings agencies, renaming the country 'El Hodlador' in a meme. CORRECTED (Feb. 10, 6:55 UTC): Corrects second bullet to say "Central American" nation not "South American." FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried said Wednesday that Florida Democrats should nominate a female candidate for every statewide office this year, arguing it would help her party win each of the four contests. What power that would show if we had an all-female ticket and all three of the other candidates [were women]. Whew! she said during a roundtable discussion with Black community activists and business owners in Oakland Park. So far, the Democrats have a highly competitive race for governor featuring two women and one man, but no top-tier candidates have come forward to run for attorney general, chief financial officer or agriculture commissioner. Fried told the Black leaders, most of whom were women, that shes been recruiting candidates for all three offices. She has one Ive got an attorney general. I know who shes going to be but hasnt succeeded in finding candidates for CFO or agriculture commissioner. Later, Fried said she expected the A.G. candidate to announce soon, but declined to identify her. Fried said she sought to keep a clear path for the Democratic nomination for governor, and wanted her two main competitors to stay out of the race. She said supporters of hers tried to keep Congressman Charlie Crist and state Sen. Annette Taddeo from entering, to no avail. During the question-and-answer part of the roundtable, Narnike Grant, secretary of the Democratic Haitian American Caucus of Florida, told Fried that someone from her campaign should get with someone from the Crist campaign to let him know his time has passed. Frieds response: I tried. I tried before, and not just me. There are a lot of people who have tried, she said, adding that those conversations were held with Charlie before he got in and certainly tried to keep Annette out. Democratic field Crist announced his candidacy in May 2021, Fried announced in June, and Taddeo announced in October. All had spent months running unofficially before formally entering the race. Story continues A major downside of primaries, Fried said, is that many people who are able to provide major financial support have told her they dont want to get involved until the Democrats pick a nominee in the August primary, allowing Gov. Ron DeSantis more time to build his campaign war chest. Fried, the current state agriculture commissioner and only statewide elected Democrat; Crist, a congressman from St. Petersburg, and Taddeo, a state senator from Miami-Dade county are all seeking the states top job instead of running for re-election. Democrats havent won a major statewide Florida election since 2012. In the 31 statewide elections from 2002 through 2020, Democrats have won just six, with female candidates winning and losing. Some political strategists believe this time could be different, with a large turnout of women inclined to vote for Democrats if the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis enact a new law limiting access to abortion, and especially if the U.S. Supreme Court eliminates or scales back abortion rights. Crist competition Besides expressing a wish that Crist hadnt entered the race, Fried portrayed herself as someone who has new and fresh ideas, but always espoused Democratic ideals. She contrasted herself with Crist, whos held a range of elected offices for decades mostly when he used to be a Republican. While not mentioning Crist, Fried criticized his decades in elected office. I am not a career politician If we are talking in another 30 years and I am [running for office], shoot me, she said, adding, I do not want to be doing this for life. She was more direct when asked how shes different from Crist. Lets start with the fact that Im a lifelong Democrat, she said. Lets start with the fact that Im not going to come here today and tell you what you want to hear and then go and do something different. What you see is who you get. I have been consistent on these issues literally my entire life. Crist, a three-term Democratic member of Congress, was the 2014 Democratic nominee for governor. He was the states Republican governor from 2007 until 2011, after serving as a Republican state senator, education commissioner and attorney general. Challenge Several people at the roundtable were blunt with Fried in describing a key challenge. Though shes the only statewide elected Democrat, and has fashioned herself as an outspoken critic of DeSantis and the Republican Legislature since taking office in 2019, many people have no idea who she is. Sandra Cherfrere, president of the Democratic Womens Club of Greater Broward County and an associate professor of criminal justice at Broward College, cited students. They dont know you. They dont know your name. They dont know who you are, she said. College students are a voting bloc that you can have. Twana Brown and Demetria Plummer, the chef-owners of the Pots & Pans Cafe in Oakland Park where the event was held, said they always vote in Democratic primaries. Neither had heard of Fried until a call came to book the restaurant for the candidates roundtable. Roundtable Tonya Edwards, a Fried supporter and the host, invited the small group to the Oakland Park restaurant. Some supported Fried; some hadnt made up their minds. Participants said they were gratified that Fried showed up condemned what they said is a tendency of politicians to visit the Black community at election time when they need votes, then fail to return until theyre looking for support in the next election. A lot of us are not happy with whats going on and we want a candidate who is willing to listen and willing to understand where the [community] is coming from, said Narnike Grant, warning candidates who do that: We wont be so nice. To Fried, she said: Dont leave and not come back and dont leave and not seek feedback. Thats what we notice from a lot of candidates. They dont really get down in the trenches with people. Sharon Alexander, who lives in Fort Lauderdale but described herself as living in the 33311 Zip code, a phrasing used by many Black residents of central Broward, said the community needs to be heard and Black residents need a voice at the table when decisions are made. We see a lot of that in the community with a lot of politicians who come in because they need a vote to get into office, but when they get into office they forget you, she said. They cant win without us. They need to understand us. Alexander said she walked into the gathering undecided about the governors race. She convinced me today to be a supporter. She convinced me to go and share with my community that we need to support her. Alexander said she liked that Fried listened to a range of issues and didnt just talk about herself. Not the typical run of the mill candidate that gives you fluff and talks to you and not listen to you. Monalisa Weber, a former probation officer, helps people navigate the criminal justice system in South Florida and has started a series of community gardens. She said she was glad she was invited. I wouldnt have thought that Id have been sitting here with someone running for governor, she said. Im kind of like, holy damn, I was invited to this. Weber said she liked a lot of what she heard from Fried. I saw her passion when she was speaking. She caught my attention. Still, she said, she doesnt know who shell support. I dont know yet. I really dont. ____ A Florida couple was arrested after they allegedly locked up their 14-year-old son in a small structure in the garage, where he was monitored with a camera and had a bucket to use as a bathroom, police said. The parents, Tracy and Timothy Ferriter, both 46, were charged with aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment, the Jupiter Police Department announced Wednesday in a news release. Authorities learned of the living conditions the boy was allegedly subjected to on Jan. 30, when detectives visited the Ferriter residence in Egret Landing after the boy was reported as a runaway. Tracy allowed one detective into the home, who found an 8-foot-by-8-foot structure in the garage that the mother said was used "as an office or for storage space," police said. It had a doorknob and a deadbolt, "both locking from the outside, as well as a light switch only on the exterior," according to authorities. There was a camera, mattress and a bucket in the structure, police said. The boy was found the next day at school and interviewed by detectives. He told officers he ran away because I feel like no one loves me, according to a criminal probable cause affidavit. The boy told detectives he did not want to return to his family, pleaded to be arrested and stated "he would rather be in prison than be back home, the document states. He said the longest occasion he remembered being locked in the room was 16 to 18 hours, according to the affidavit. The teen also told police he had a room similar to the structure in the garage when his family lived in Arizona. Police also interviewed one of the boys siblings who said the victim was locked in the structure when he was misbehaving or in trouble before adding he is in trouble a lot. Police later determined the boy has been physically abused and forcibly confined to live within the garage structure since at least 2017. He was allowed to attend school but was forced to stay in the structure the rest of the day, police said. Story continues Meals were brought to the child and the bucket was provided for bathroom use, police said in the news release. Police got a search warrant to search the Ring camera in the room and found thousands of videos showing the child being repeatedly locked inside of his room daily. One video showed him being locked in the room after being found to have stolen chocolate and cookies from the kitchen despite being told he was not allowed to have them," according to the affidavit. It also states that the police department received a call in December 2021 from a man who said he was contacted to build an office in the garage of the home and he found the specific instructions to be "very strange." His description of the structure matched the description provided by police in the news release. The man told police "if someone were inside the office they would not be able to exit unless someone opened the door for them from the outside," according to the affidavit. He also said "the entire project was to be completed within two days." It was not clear Thursday what authorities did after the man went to police with that information. The couple had three other children living in the home. They have been removed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, police said. Police said the boy had been adopted by the Ferriters; they did not mention the status of the other three children. The investigation is ongoing. The Ferriters appeared in court Wednesday and were ordered to be held on $50,000 bail and to have no contact with their kids unless given permission by the state Department of Children and Families, NBC affiliate WPTV of West Palm Beach, reported. They were later released on bond, according to the news station. The couples attorney, Nellie King, told NBC News Thursday that she presented "critical evidence" in the case to police that was "ignored." "Law enforcement has an obligation to conduct investigations in an objective and thorough manner. I made information known to the police in order to assist them in the factfinding process, including evidence from Arizona where this family had lived up until a month ago. This critical evidence was ignored," she said. "In the criminal legal system, the temptation for a community to rush to judge is tempered by the judicial process, a presumption of innocence, and the facts," she added. "What Tim and Tracy have lived through the past many years will therefore be presented in court." Michael Ortiz and his family at a Feb. 7, 2022, news conference led by Attorney Ben Crump. Carline Jean/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Florida police say that an officer who shot a man in the back mistook his gun for a Taser. Michael Ortiz was left paralyzed by the encounter, which started when he called 911 in distress. Police say he was "combative," but Ortiz' lawyer, Ben Crump, says he "posed no threat." A Florida man paralyzed during a police callout was shot in the back after an officer mistook his gun for a Taser, multiple reports cite police as saying. Michael Ortiz now uses a wheelchair and "needs round-the-clock care," his lawyers, Hunter Shkolnik and famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump, told a Monday news conference. Crump called on the police department in Hollywood, Florida a city around 17 miles north of Miami to release the full footage of the callout. In a statement seen by Insider, he said the shooting was "no accident." On July 3, 2021, Ortiz, a resident of Hollywood, called 911 in distress, NBC News reported. Ortiz reported chest pains, made suicidal comments, and said that he had taken drugs, NBC reported police as saying in a statement released Wednesday. As officers arrived, Ortiz went onto his sixth-floor balcony "naked, combative with the paramedics and visibly agitated," and threatening to jump, police said, per NBC. Crump told Monday's news conference that Ortiz was naked as he had just taken a shower. The police statement said there was a struggle, in which an officer tased Ortiz and restrained him, NBC reported. As they tried to move him to the elevator, police said Ortiz resisted, at which point an officer opened fire, shooting Ortiz in the back. "An initial review suggests the officer intended to deploy his Taser, but instead discharged his firearm," the police statement said, per NBC. In his statement, Crump said that Ortiz "was handcuffed, naked, on the ground, and posed no threat to the officer when he was shot in the back." The bullet pierced Ortiz' spine and pancreas, according to Local10 News. Story continues "Why? Why did you have the need to shoot me?" asked Ortiz, addressing the officer during Monday's news conference. The officer, who has not been named, has been placed on leave pending an investigation, NBC reported. Crump added that Ortiz had been left with $1.4 million of medical bills, Local10 News reported. "He was having a crisis," Crump said. "He needed a helping hand. He didn't need a bullet in his spine," Crump said. Hollywood Police Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider PARIS (Reuters) -France opened a terrorism investigation on Thursday into an attack on park rangers in northern Benin in which a French national was among eight people killed, while the African country reported the death of another person in a fresh attack. The French government condemned the ambush in which five rangers along with their French instructor, a civilian park employee and a soldier were killed and 12 others wounded while on an anti-poaching mission in W National Park on Tuesday. "The national anti-terrorist prosecutor's office has opened a probe with a charge of murder in connection with a terrorist undertaking after having been informed of the passing of a 50-year-old French national following a terrorist attack in the W park, north Benin", French prosecutors said in a statement. Benin authorities reported a new attack on Thursday in which one civilian park employee was killed when a reconnaissance patrol hit an improvised explosive device. Tuesday's incident was the deadliest in a string of attacks since December in northern Benin, where groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have spilled over from Burkina Faso and Niger. Recent attacks in Benin, Togo and Ivory Coast have highlighted the expansion of Islamist violence from the landlocked Sahelian countries, where an insurgency has raged for much of the last decade, to West African coastal nations. Former French military members have trained park rangers and accompanied them on patrols in Benin, where South African non-profit African Parks manages the W and Pendjari National Parks. (Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Additional reporting by Nellie Peyton in Dakar; Editing by Leslie Adler and Stephen Coates) DAKAR (Reuters) - A French national was among six people killed during an ambush on park rangers in northern Benin on Tuesday, according to three security sources with knowledge of the attack. Five rangers and a soldier were killed and 10 others wounded when unknown militants raided the patrol in W National Park, the South African non-profit that manages the park, African Parks, said on Wednesday. It was the deadliest in a string of attacks since December in northern Benin, where groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have spilled over from Burkina Faso and Niger. Recent attacks in Benin, Togo and Ivory Coast have highlighted the expansion of Islamist violence from the landlocked Sahelian countries, where an insurgency has raged for much of the last decade, to West African coastal nations. The identity of the French national was not immediately known. African Parks said it had no information available at the moment. Former French military members have trained park rangers and accompanied them on patrols in Benin, where African Parks manages W and Pendjari National Parks. Benin's government planned to hold an emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday to address the rising violence. (Reporting by Aaron Ross and David Lewis; Writing by Cooper Inveen; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Gabin Villiere, left, and Mack Hansen go head to head this weekend (PA) France and Ireland will lock horns on Saturday in Paris in a mouth-watering contest which could have a major bearing on the destination of the Guinness Six Nations title. Here, the PA news agency examines an intriguing battle between two of the star men from the opening weekend of the championship. Gabin Villiere Toulon and France Pour toi mon Mich pic.twitter.com/8vSuXNqfR8 Gabin Villiere (@gabinvilliere) February 6, 2022 Position: WingAge: 26Caps: 9Debut: v Italy, 2020Height: 511Weight: 14st 9lbsPoints: 30 (Tries 6) Hailed as a warrior by France team manager Raphael Ibanez following last weekends hat-trick against Italy, Villiere was playing amateur rugby with Rouen as recently as three years ago. He honed his skills in the sevens game and eventually found his niche as a flying finisher having failed to fully convince at scrum-half or centre during the less illustrious days of his career. A hand injury curtailed his maiden Six Nations campaign in 2021 but he holds an enviable Test strike-rate and has remained central to the plans of Les Bleus coach Fabien Galthie moving towards next years home World Cup. Mack Hansen Connacht and Ireland Position: WingAge: 23Caps: 1Debut: v Wales, 2022Height: 62Weight: 14stPoints: 0 Thrust into Irelands starting XV for the tournament opener against Wales on the back of outstanding form for his province and an injury to James Lowe, the native Australian did not disappoint. Hansen, whose mother hails from Cork, delivered a fine assist for Bundee Akis opening try and went on to be named man of the match and the championships player of round one. The 23-year-old only moved to Ireland from Canberra-based club Brumbies last year. His instant Test impact came as little surprise to head coach Andy Farrell who has described Hansen as a smart rugby player who makes things happen. President Donald Trump waves as he boards Marine One at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2021. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Image The January 6 committee is struggling to recreate what Trump did on the day of the insurrection. The New York Times reports that there are gaps in Trump's official call logs from the day. There is not yet evidence that official logs were deleted or tampered with, per The Times Lawmakers are struggling to piece together who President Donald Trump talked to on the day of the insurrection after discovering gaps in the official White House call logs, The New York Times reports. The House January 6 Committee has not found evidence "that any official records were tampered with or deleted," the Times reports, but Trump had a well-documented habit of using his personal cell phone and his aides' phones to make calls. Per the Times, "at least one person who tried to call Trump on his cellphone" had their call picked up by an aide. Recreating what Trump did and who he talked to remains one of the lawmakers' key tasks as they continue to investigate the Capitol riot. Rep. Liz Cheney, the top Republican on the panel, has argued that Trump's failure to more forcefully respond while rioters ransacked the Capitol amounts to a dereliction of duty and could result in a criminal referral. The Times reports that the committee is still waiting to receive White House records after Trump failed to block them from doing so. The panel has also subpoenaed telecommunications companies for the call records of Donald Trump Jr. and other close aides. So far, the panel has received testimony that Trump watched the riot on TV as it unfolded, long before he posted on Twitter that those attacking the Capitol should go home. During his Senate impeachment trial, House Democrats also claimed that Trump briefly spoke to GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville before lawmakers were removed from the chamber as a security precaution. Trump also had what some have described as a heated conversation with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. "Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are," Trump reportedly told McCarthy as the exasperated lawmaker pleaded with the president to call off the mob. Chairman Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, has said that the panel still intends to hold public hearings soon. A spokesperson for the committee declined to comment on the report. Read the original article on Business Insider A 9-year-old girl was in critical condition after a gunman opened fire on her family's car while they were driving to the grocery, authorities said Tuesday. In a statement, the Houston Police Department said the shooting occurred on a freeway southwest of the city's downtown shortly after 9 p.m. The family had been driving to the grocery when the gunfire erupted, NBC affiliate KPRC of Houston reported. Inside their black SUV was a man, woman, the 9-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, the station reported. Police did not say if anyone else was injured. According to the police statement, a white GMC Denali truck cut the family off several times on the freeway. When the truck maneuvered behind the family's SUV, someone inside the truck shot at the SUV, striking the girl. Surveillance video obtained by KPRC shows the family pulling over at a gas station and a woman running from the car and screaming. The girl was taken to a local hospital and listed in critical condition, police said. Were going to do everything we can to find these individuals, Houston Police Lt. R. Willkens told KPRC. Just another tragic incident that has occurred, and so prayers for this family and that little girl. Shes in surgery now. Praying that she does make it. Authorities have not identified a possible motive in the shooting. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed executive orders granting medical clemency to three incarcerated people, the first time he's done so during his more than five years in office. Charles Calhoun, Alphonzo Griffin and Jerome Maclin all will be released to nursing homes under the supervision of the Indiana Parole Board, after the unanimous recommendation by the board, according to a news release. Holcomb said in the news release the three are bed ridden, diagnosed with terminal illnesses and require 24-hour care. Access counselor: Lawmaker violated Open Door Law during hearing on transgender sports bill "I granted the medical clemencies after a great deal of research and consideration," Holcomb said. "These men are no longer a threat to society, and its been determined they are better cared for at a skilled-nursing home." According to the executive orders, Calhoun, an 83-year-old who now has dementia, was convicted of murder in 1982, and had a projected release date of Nov. 23, 2022. Griffin, 67, was convicted of robbery causing serious bodily injury in 2003 and had a projected release date of 2029, according to the executive order. He suffered a stroke in 2014 which made him bed-ridden and non-verbal. Maclin, 70, was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in 1978 of rape and kidnapping, according to the executive order. Maclin has paralysis from a 1985 gunshot wound and also suffers from "cognitive deficits and other comorbid conditions." The Indiana Constitution gives Holcomb the power to grant clemency, including both pardons and a reduction of one's sentence. He made headlines in 2017 for pardoning Keith Cooper, during his first couple months in office, a move his predecessor former Gov. Mike Pence declined to make before leaving office. Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at 317-432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana governor grants medical clemency to 3 jailed people Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called on the State Board of Education on Thursday to stop requiring face coverings in schools. Hogan cited the state's improving health metrics, a well as the widespread availability of vaccines for school-age children. A growing number of medical professionals, parents, and bipartisan state officials throughout the nation are calling for an end to school mask requirements, the Republican governor wrote in a letter to Clarence Crawford, the board's president. In light of dramatic improvements to our health metrics and the widespread availability of vaccines, I am calling on you to take action to rescind this policy. More: Gov. Larry Hogan won't run for Senate, despite GOP push More: Gov. Larry Hogan announces $2 million VaxCash lottery to promote booster shots More: Maryland passes off ramps for school masking | How local districts can unmask Lora Rakowski, a board spokeswoman, said the board appreciates the governors input and is in the process of responding. Earlier this week, the board released a statement saying it was watching with optimism as COVID-19 metrics improve in the State because our goal has been and continues to be to provide safe in person instruction for our children and staff with minimal disruptions. Gov. Larry Hogan The statement added that the board will continue its practice of reviewing current COVID-19 metrics in the State to assess the need for the continuation of the regulation. Our commitment has not changed, the board said in its statement. The emergency regulation does provide research-based off-ramps for local school systems and schools based on vaccination and transmission rates. Hogan sent the letter on the same day he announced that COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maryland have fallen below 1,000. The governor noted that hospitalizations have dropped by 71% since peaking last month just below 3,500. While the pandemic has presented challenges for everyone, the governor wrote that 'it has been perhaps most difficult and disruptive for children." Story continues The consequences include failing grades, regressed social development, and increased mental health challenges," Hogan wrote. "If these trends are not reversed quickly, we face the unthinkable prospect of a generation left behind, both academically and socially. Hogan also pointed out that Maryland ended the state's indoor mask mandate in May. While he praised Crawford for supporting in-person instruction and emphasizing social-emotional health, the governor wrote that now, it is critical to move toward normalcy for students and families by rescinding the school masking policy. The policy was adopted by the State Board of Education in Dec. 2021, and enacted by the Maryland General Assemblys Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee. We must all learn to live with this virus, not in fear of it, Hogan wrote. This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Gov. Hogan urges end to Maryland schools' face mask requirements Feb. 10Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, whose priorities for the 30-day legislative session have been met with resistance by Democrats and Republicans alike, said Wednesday "it defies explanation" why the Legislature has been unable to reach consensus on bills meant to fight crime in New Mexico. "It's easy to couch this as an untenable political situation," she said during a brief telephone interview with statehouse reporters. "Frankly, in today's political environment, everything seems stark, incredibly divided. Name an issue, and I will tell [you] that there doesn't seem to be any common sense about it whatsoever." Lujan Grisham said every New Mexican has the constitutional right to be safe in their community. "It defies explanation, and we have a responsibility," she said. "I don't understand why they don't want to tackle it head on, but I'm going to stay the course for as long as it takes because we all have a responsibility to our families and our communities to do everything we can about it." Lujan Grisham, who is running for reelection this year, said she hopes "there's not just politics as the underpinning" reason. Lujan Grisham also said she would keep "putting pressure" on lawmakers to pass crime bills. "No matter what happens in the legislative session ... we're going to keep finding ways to address the violent crime problem, and I do expect the criminal penalty enhancement to get up there," she said. While the governor has suffered setbacks on some of her other priorities, she isn't ready to throw in the towel with only eight days of the session left. "I focus on every 24-hour period," she said. "On one hand, it feels like it's too short to get a ton of work done, and on the other hand feels like it's a very long time to get all the things that we believe will make a difference for New Mexicans. But I'm actually very confident that we get a tax package that has the kinds of tax relief that I think are most valuable and important to New Mexicans." Story continues Lujan Grisham said she feels "very confident" two key tax proposals a push to eliminate New Mexico's income tax on Social Security benefits and a reduction of the gross receipts tax will come together. Lujan Grisham also said no one should be surprised if legislation dealing with hydrogen production makes its way to her desk, though she acknowledged her initial proposal to turn New Mexico into a hydrogen hub, which she has called her "signature piece of legislation," had faltered. "I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see nods to hydrogen opportunities for businesses in one of the many budget bills that will also make their way upstairs," she said. "You'll see some nods, won't see our exact bill, so I count that as a win." This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates. Follow Daniel J. Chacon on Twitter @danieljchacon. Helena Wild Montana today announced the winners of the 13th annual Picture Wild Montana photo and video contest. This year Wild Montana received 350 submissions and selected a winner in three categories: best candid video of people or wildlife on public lands, best photo of people or wildlife in a Montana state park, and best photo that illustrates the wild. First place, photo that illustrates "the wild: Craig Duff of Great Falls for his photo of Devils Glen on the Dearborn River First place, photo of a Montana state park: Kevin League of Helena for his photo of Makoshika State Park Runner-up: Roland Taylor of Great Falls for his photo of Sluice Boxes State Park First place, candid video of people or wildlife on public lands: Kevin Gilligan of Washington D.C. Submissions were judged by a panel of Wild Montana staff, as well as by Luke Duran, art director of Montana Outdoors magazine. The judges based their decision on composition, technique, and subject matter. In regards to Duffs photo of Devils Glen, Wild Montana Creative Services Manager Chris Sawicki says, This photograph almost has the quality of a 19th century painting depicting the romanticized American West, especially if you squint a little bit. The photographer did a great job of capturing the feeling of a vast, unspoiled wild landscape. In regards to the winning and runner-up photos of state parks, Duran says, Technically, these are both outstanding photos, with beautiful light, perspective, and composition. They lead the viewers eye into the grand state park spaces and invite the viewer to share in the wonders these parks have to offer And both images show a visitor happy and contemplative in an incredible natural space. They remind us of very special spaces set aside in Montana for enjoyment, exploration, recreation, and serenity. Since 2009, thousands of amateur and professional photographers from across the state have participated in the Picture Wild Montana photo and video contest. High-resolution versions of the winning media and captions are available here. If youd like to interview the winners of the contest or share a gallery of the top images on your website, contact Keely Kiewiet at kkiewiet@wildmontana.org. This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Winners announced for Picture Wild Montana photo, video contest BRANTREE In an open field behind South Middle School, residents are making a major investment in the town's future. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Wednesday for a new South Middle School, where town and state officials, as well as some grade 6 students at South, dug into a pile of sand with shovels to symbolize the start of the $66.7 million project. It is the first all-new school to be built in the town since Braintree High School opened a half-century ago. Mayor Charles Kokoros said much of the credit for the project belongs to Braintree residents, who agreed to the town's first-ever temporary tax increase to help pay for it. With education listed as one of his top priorities as mayor, Kokoros said he wants the school buildings to match the high level of learning in the system's classrooms. "As we look back on this day, we want it remembered as new beginning," the mayor said. Newsmaker: Joe Driscoll leaves a legacy at Braintree High School Another star turn for Braintree: 'Kevin Can F*** Himself' films at Ashley's restaurant Jack McCarthy, the executive director of the state School Building Authority, said the project got its start in 2015 when he met with former Mayor Joseph Sullivan and former School Superintendent Frank Hackett at town hall. The meeting led to a plan to expand the town's two middle schools, move grade 5 into the middle school and free up classrooms in the overcrowded elementary schools. A groundbreaking for the new South Middle School in Braintree was held Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. After the ceremony, Sullivan said, "It's been quite a journey." Braintree's East Middle School was recently renovated and expanded, but the school committee decided to construct an entirely new building for South after finding out it would be cheaper than renovating the existing building. South Middle School in Braintree, which is more than 50 years old, on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. The state School Building Authority is contributing a total of $71 million to the two middle school projects. "We at the school building authority are proud to be part of Braintree's tomorrows," McCarthy said. Story continues Nicole Taub, Kokoros' chief of staff and chair of the town's school building committee, said the new South will be "a state-of-the-art facility with countless benefits" for students and faculty. Students help celebrate the groundbreaking for the new South Middle School on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. State Rep. Mark Cusack, D-Braintree, graduated from South in 1999. He said the expanded middle school plan was the best solution for the town. "This will provide the environment for students, faculty and staff to excel," Cusack said. State Sen. Walter Timilty, D-Milton, said the new school will be "an A+ facility for an A+ town." The South Middle School band performed "Look to the Skies" at the ceremony. A groundbreaking for the new South Middle School in Braintree was held Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. The Bacon Construction Co. of East Providence, Rhode Island, is the general contractor. Site work began last month. The school is scheduled to open at the start of the 2023-24 school year. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Groundbreaking held for new South Middle School in Braintree This past weekend during the Florida Redfish Series, Team of Tori & Nick Allen crushed it, winning first place with this pair of beautiful redfish totaling 14.25lbs. Can you smell it? Step outside and take a deep breath Ah! Could it be spring. Not quite yet but the past couple sun filled days have us all smiling. Fishermen and women come in all shapes and sizes, ages, walks of life and physical ability. Great thing about fishing, almost everyone can do it in some way or another. Outdoors with the family is the ultimate, regardless if at the ballpark, lake, backyard or bike trail. Both Leon and Wakulla counties offer miles of paved and off-road trails for the whole family to enjoy. Regardless of skill level, theres something for everyone. Here are a couple to try. Both have websites and will have information leading to others. Look them up or give them a visit for future fun, exercise and enjoyment. Munson Hills Off Road Bike Trailhead, 5140 Woodville Highway Tallahassee-St.Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, 4778 Woodville Highway. For the few, the proud, the brave, those that have ventured out during the past couple weeks of winter weather god bless you. Hope you had excellent luck. For the rest like me, well its been a busy time getting everything ready if the weather breaks. No new limits, size or creel that Ive been informed of. Thats if youre chasing redfish, seatrout or flounder. In our immediate area, all the aforementioned are in season. Watercraft of all kinds will soon be flooding to area rivers, lakes and saltwater destinations. As the waters warm, fish begin to feed heavily and its time to fill the freezer. By late January my freezer was empty. Being fortunate to go fishing often, Ive never been one to stock a freezer for fear of waste. Probably should have re-thought that in early January but oh well. Like most, Im just waitin on the change! Syndi Booth of Port St. Joe caught this nice top of slot Red Fish. APALACHEE BAY Otto Hough (myhometownfishing.com) says, "Let's start the saltwater chat talking a little about this past week when Mother Nature was truly fickle when it came to fishing for trout and reds. Damp, dreary and somewhat windy conditions Monday and Tuesday made for some tough fishing but the river bite was on with fish being caught. It was challenging to find a good spot out of the wind when fishing the rivers at the first of the week. Things got much better with light northeast winds, albeit some cold mornings starts by midweek. Still, in spite of the cold starts diehard anglers found trout and reds when fishing the deeper holes and river runs along the ledges. There were some good stringers brought back to the hill, along with some real monster catch and release oversize reds. Trout in the rivers are beginning to be caught in the overslot range too. Story continues " Those anglers utilizing Mirrolure 18MR Heavy Dines or Paul Brown Soft Dines are managing to round up a limit or two of quality fish in deeper water. Slow trolling the Bomber Long A's in the gold/orange bellied and bone color schemes are producing some fine catches for those anglers using the slow trolling technique. "Fortunately, conditions have improved considerably through the week. Friday and most of Saturday ought to make for comfortable fishing conditions. Those anglers fishing the morning rising tides into lunchtime should find actively feeding trout and reds during the early major solunar feed period. Sunday will be questionable with another wet cold front pushing across Apalachee Bay, elevating northwest winds towards NWS Small Craft Advisory levels outside. That will likely have the wind howling down the rivers. "Anglers who opt to utilize live baiting techniques with shrimp should find hungry fish in the deep holes and cuts during the major and minor solunar feed periods over these next three days. "Currently, with the water temps across the flats are still down in the mid 50s, the reds and trout are continuing to hang well up the St. Marks, Aucilla and Econfina rivers in the deeper holes and cuts. Until the nearshore skinny water temps creeps back into the low-to-mid 60 degree range, expect the best trout and red action to be found well up the rivers and well back in the creeks. "When planning the best fishing times to have the greatest chance for success, take time to note that the major solunar feed periods that are closely aligned to the last few hours of the rising tides. After those tides turn, minor feed periods will be happening. Targeting the mouths of the creek drains that open out into the main rivers have the potential to produce well during the minor afternoon feed periods with the tide falling. "Over the coming weekend, be aware that northerly breezes are predicted to be increasing late Saturday. Always take time to check the latest NWS Marine Forecast before heading out blindly. And as always, wear an auto-inflatable PFD for safety's sake. Just FISH!" ST GEORGE ISLAND Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) reports, After a miserable few days to start the week, we are going to have a break until Saturday night when a strong cold front is scheduled to make its appearance. As of this time, Wednesday evening. Saturday looks great with seas at 1 foot or less and winds of 5 to 10 miles knots from the North. Sunday, on the other hand looks to be a write off with winds NW 15 to 20 knots, seas running 2 to 4 feet, the bay choppy and colder temperatures. Weather is a fluid situation so as always recheck the forecast before you head out. "Fishing in the bay is in winter pattern and frankly with nobody going out last weekend or the first few days of the week we don't have any first hand reports. That said, it's always worth your time to stop by the Cut with some fresh shrimp and see who in the fish world is hanging around and hungry. Sheepshead aren't going anywhere and should be found around the bridge pilings, in the before mentioned Cut and in deep cuts on the ends of the oyster bays. Fiddler crabs are a Sheepshead delicacy but a small bit of fresh shrimp will do the trick too. Low tide at the Cut is at 6:44 AM on Saturday and is forecast to bottom out at minus 0.4 feet, while the afternoon high is going to be 1.1 ft at 3:05pm followed by a 1.1 low at 6:55pm. On the you never know what you're going to see front, there was a video on Facebook of a 3-to-4-foot Goliath Grouper swimming around the docks near the Cut this week. Offshore , things are pretty much in wait for Spring mode in our area. "Tip of the week. There is a grass roots organization called Captains for Clean Water.org, which is trying to stop further damage to the Everglades and repair the massive damage already done. Some of the local S.W. Florida Charter Captains started this organization and they need our help badly and remember what happens in South Florida affects all of us even up here. I suggest Goggle them and at least get set up for their newsletter and if you like them join up for $30 per year." Local inshore expert Michael Aman holds up one of many trout caught on artificial bait while fishing the flats near Aucilla. MEXICO BEACH Captain Kevin Lanier, (KC Sportfishing 850-933-8804) reports, This week is like a carbon copy of last week with the focus here being on the inshore fishery. With the bitter cold here in the Panhandle the fishing seemed to really slow down but, there are still good fish to be caught if you are willing to put in the time and be patient. "There is still a variety of fish to be caught, but the general consensus is that Redfish are the main attraction in our area. Live or fresh bait will out fish artificial but do not give up on those tried-and-true baits like the DOA shrimp We continue to do boat maintenance on our offshore boat between trips which should cut down on any issues during the summer months. Spending time on these things will give you a much more enjoyable time on the water." FRESHWATER Otto Hough, (myhometownfishing.com on FB) reports The speckled perch, aka black crappie bite was on fire this past week in Lake Iamonia. Anglers fishing the frontside of the coming full moon while using small Road Runner type spinnerbaits in the deeper spots east of the St. Road 12 landing were catching lots of upper size specks. Many of the veteran Lake Iamonia old timers were doing quite well using live Minnows. "Prior to the current stretch of colder nighttime temps, the bass were beginning to get into the spawning mode in Iamonia. As daytime air temps began to increase midweek, the buck bass once again have begun to stir, though another cold snap Sunday may put a speed bump into the spawning instincts. Still, in a shallow lake like Iamonia the bass will beginning spawning heavily after Valentines day as the water warms next week. "Over on Jackson, things are real good as the sinkhole reopened to draw the lake back down. Until the Florida Aquifer gets fully recharged, it's going to be a good long while before Lake Jackson stabilizes." Julie Happersett of Tallahassee holds up the "Double", pair of over-slot trout caught on the last cast of the day while fishing on the "Boatsticks" skiff. Both were released. LAKE SEMINOLE Capt. Paul Tyre reports, Winter has finally arrived in North Florida and South Georgia and the water temperatures have dropped down to the upper 40s to low 50s! The Flint and Chattahoochee River arms of the lake have a heavy stain while parts of Spring Creek remains relatively clear. Februarys on Lake Seminole are legendary for catching BIG pre-spawn Bass! The cold fronts we had last week dropped the water temperature down into the upper 40s but, with the warming trend we are having this week, the water temperatures on the lake have risen into the mid 50s, which puts the Bass on the move! "The big Crappie have been biting this week on Lake Seminole! The Crappie have been suspended from 10 to 15 of water and are hitting jigs, casting or trolling. As we enter into February, the Specs will start to move into their spawning areas. "For an exciting Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure for Crappie and or Bass fishing, email us @lakeseminolefishingadventures@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram @Capt.paultyrefishing and Facebook @lakeseminolefishingadventures! Give us a call at 850-264-7534 to check availability!" This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Happy Fishing! Here is this weekend's Big Bend fishing report The universal kindergarten through 12th grade masking mandate for public schools in the Health Department of Northwest Michigan's four-county jurisdiction of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties could soon be lifted. According to Lisa Peacock, health officer with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, discussions regarding lifting the mask mandate for schools which was established just before the start of the 2021-22 school year is something the department has talked about frequently as of late. "Yes, we are looking at the circumstances that we need to remove the mask mandate," Peacock said. "When you already have a mandate in place and you're in the middle of a surge and hospital systems are very fragile ... that has been a situation where it hasn't been appropriate or safe to remove a protective measure. Lisa Peacock "However, as we see those circumstances changing we are talking about that." Peacock said because of a number of factors related to COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths and with more school aged children now eligible to receive vaccinations, a potential lifting of the mandate is "in the very near future." "I imagine at the the end of of the week we'll know what direction we're taking and hopefully we'll be able to make an announcement we'll be lifting it about a week later or so," Peacock said. "That's what we're looking at." Peacock said the mask mandate, which requires all students, faculty, staff and visitors to wear masks inside school settings, was always intended to be temporary. "It was always intended to be utilized when we had epidemic conditions which require that safety measure to be in place," Peacock said. Peacock said the department and health officials are looking at a variety of circumstances regarding potentially lifting the mandate, including daily case rates, hospitalizations and deaths. "Hospitalizations did not peak as high as cases did, so that's great news," Peacock said. "We are probably about a week out from being comfortable knowing the trend that deaths are going to take following those hospitalizations, it's a little bit more of a lagging indicator, so we're taking this week just to watch and see what is happening with deaths." Story continues Peacock added other points regarding a potential mask mandate lifting includes working with area school superintendents to prepare students, staff, school boards and parents, as well as realizing parents have now had ample opportunity for their children to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. "Our school superintendents who have been operating under this mask mandate for their entire school year so far have asked us for a little bit of notice for when we would be lifting it," Peacock said. "Not much, maybe a week, so they could be able to prepare their staff and families and boards and make their policy changes that need to be made related to the mask mandate." Peacock said vaccination eligibility, which now includes anyone age 5 and above, is another large part. At the beginning of the school year, students aged 5-11 were not yet eligible to receive the vaccine. "That was a big part of the picture when we first issued the mask mandate was the large group of students who were largely unprotected and not able to be vaccinated yet," Peacock said. Currently, there are 10 Michigan counties which remain under local health department mask mandates, and those include Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Ingham, Leelanau, Oakland, Otsego, Washtenaw and Wayne. Mandates requiring masks have expired or been removed in at least 10 other counties, including Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Eaton, Genesee, Kalamazoo, Kent, Marquette, Ottawa and Clair. At the beginning of the school year, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state health officials chose to leave masking decisions up to local health departments, districts and school boards. According to Health Department of Northwest Michigan data, 22.4% of individuals aged 5-11 in the four-county jurisdiction of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties have received their initial dose, while 44.9% of those aged 12-15 and 57.5% of individuals aged 16-19 have received their initial dose. While vaccines are now available to all children age 5 years and older, demand for the vaccine has remained low. According to state data, as of Feb. 1 about 25.6% of children age 5-11 had gotten their first shot, and 20.4% were fully vaccinated. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Health official: 'We are looking at the circumstances' to removing school mask mandate By Jessie Pang and Farah Master HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong reported 986 new coronavirus infections on Thursday as authorities scramble to contain an outbreak which medical experts warn could see 28,000 daily cases by the end of March, with the unvaccinated elderly a particular worry. The rise in cases, up 10-fold since Feb. 1, is proving to be the biggest test for the global financial hub's "dynamic zero" policy of virus suppression, which has turned it into one of the world's most isolated cities. Following mainland China, Hong Kong is trying to curb outbreaks as soon as possible, in contrast with many other places that are trying to "live with COVID", relying on high vaccination rates to bring protection while easing restrictions. The fast-spreading Omicron variant is testing both approaches, though experts have said https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/whack-a-mole-experts-call-hong-kongs-zero-covid-policy-unsustainable-2022-01-28 Hong Kong's strategy looks increasingly unsustainable with cases ballooning. Leader Carrie Lam said she was "deeply sorry and anxious" as residents, including elderly and children, queued for hours at testing centres and to enter isolation facilities after daily infections doubled to a record 1,161 cases on Wednesday. Writing on her official Facebook page, Lam said the government was working hard to enhance capacity and that the fast-spreading infections, hitting places like elderly care homes, were the last thing she wanted to see. "Citizens have to wait for a long time to receive testing and a large number of people who have tested positive have been waiting for a long time for isolation facilities," she said. "I am deeply sorry and anxious." Lam said the city was not able to try to live with the virus because more than 50% of the elderly have not been vaccinated. About 82% of the city's residents have had at least one vaccine shot but many elderly people have been hesitant. Three elderly have died this week from coronavirus, authorities said on Thursday. Story continues However, vaccination rates have finally started to surge in recent days, particularly among older folk, as infections climb and even tougher anti-virus measures like vaccine passports are being put in place. TEST CENTRES Hong Kong has reported more than 4,000 infections over the past two weeks, versus just two in December, taking its tally to more than 18,000 since the outbreak began in 2020, with 216 deaths, figures that are much lower than those seen in other major cities around the world. The city could see 28,000 new cases a day by the end of March, with its tally of deaths rising to 1,000 by June, health experts from the University of Hong Kong said this week. The experts modelled scenarios that they said indicated Hong Kong could only return to a "zero-covid" state if the entire city was locked down for two to three months. The government declined to comment directly on speculation of a lockdown, reiterating that people needed to take all measures to contain the virus and limit social activities. They have responded to the latest surge with the toughest suppression measures yet, despite an increasing social and economic toll on the city's 7.5 million residents. Public gatherings of more than two people are banned from Thursday while gatherings in homes have also been restricted. The rules add to already strict measures that have forced restaurants to close from 6. p.m. and shut most churches to schools, gyms and cinemas. About 200,000 people in the Discovery Bay residential area, where many foreigners live, have been ordered to get tested after the government said it detected coronavirus in sewage. Typically, people are mandated to test if they have been in an area where infections are detected, and tens of thousands have thronged testing centres across the city in recent days with queues stretching hundreds of metres. Ching Tang, a 50-year old resident waiting to get vaccinated, said the pandemic has greatly affected many aspects of life. "Some older people don't even dare to go out. They stockpile food for many days. Everyone is worried...I hope the government can do better." (Additional reporting by Twinnie Siu and Marius Zaharia; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Robert Birsel and Kim Coghill) In New Delhi, police detained some students, while women wearing burqas held a protest in eastern Kolkata city with Indian national flags and posters bearing slogans like "hijab is our right". The government of Karnataka, where 12% of the population is Muslim and which is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has said in an order that students should follow dress codes set by schools. Local media reported last week that several schools in Karnataka had denied entry to Muslim girls wearing the hijab citing an education ministry order, prompting protests from parents and students. Hindu students mounted counter-protests, flocking to schools in recent days in support of the ban, forcing the Karnataka state government to shut schools and colleges for three days to ease tensions between the two communities. Feb. 9SOUTHERN INDIANA A bill that was passed by the Senate on Feb. 1 comes highly criticized by a coalition composed of 97 groups across the state. Senate Bill 352 aims to make changes to Indiana's Uniform Consumer Credit Code regarding supervised consumer loans. The changes have various stakeholders concerned about the effect on low-income individuals in the state. According to the bill that is now headed to the House, loans made in compliance with the changes will be exempt from loansharking laws indicated in the Indiana Code. The code describes someone who commits loansharking as "a person who, in exchange for the loan of any property, knowingly or intentionally receives or contracts to receive from another person any consideration, at a rate greater than two times the rate specified." The offense is a level 6 felony in the state, and applies to all loans except for payday loans, according to Andy Nielsen, Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute's senior policy analyst. State Director of Habitat for Humanity Indiana Gina Leckron wondered how the state could justify the exemption from loansharking laws for these specific consumer loans. "We don't think it's necessary to change that existing law. Why can't they operate within the confines of the existing loansharking law? And if they can't then it makes a question: Should this be allowed if it's currently illegal?" she said. Nielsen said it's not surprising that lenders would want to be exempt from the law because it is easier than bringing down the rates and fees. "[The bill] sets a 36% interest rate, and sets a 13% interest rate on the original balance of the loan, and then it also imposes an up to $50 underwriting fee in excess of $400. On a 4-month, $400 loan, the APR [annual percentage rate] could be 315%," he said. Habitat for Humanity and Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute are two of 97 members making up the Hoosiers for Responsible Lending coalition opposing this bill. Story continues Habitat for Humanity clients could be greatly affected by this bill, according to Leckron. The nonprofit helps low-income individuals to build their own homes and make a 0% interest monthly mortgage payment. "We feel that this really threatens not just our existing homeowners but our applicant families. Because we are dealing with folks who are between 30% and 60% of the median income," she said, "This feels like it's directly targeted at our key clients," Leckron said. Before clients are moved into the new homes they do go through financial literacy classes, according to Leckron, where they are informed of the negatives of these types of loans. The executive director for New Albany Floyd County Habitat for Humanity, Jerry Leonard, said that they try to offer all of the necessary resources for their new homeowners to make responsible financial decisions. In the financial literacy classes, Leonard said they teach the clients how to create and follow a budget. Leonard tries to follow up with the clients once a month prior to them moving in to see how the budgeting has come along. For individuals living with a low income, however, one problem could set them back significantly in terms of their finances. Leonard gave several examples of individuals who could easily be put into the situation of making rent or mortgage payments or paying to have their car fixed. Leckron said it can feel like taboo or can be embarrassing for individuals to talk about their financial hardships with other people. "It seems easier to go to these outside folks, but then when you do that if you don't fully read what's in that contract it just ends up being a devastating decision," she said. One justification behind this bill that Nielsen has heard is that it will increase competition in the marketplace of installment loans, though he disagrees that this will be a result. "Subprime borrowers, they don't have a lot of options. It's not like they go out to the marketplace and shop around like people who maybe have better credit...Whatever is provided by the market and those prices that's really their only option," he said. When someone is desperate in a time of emergency or time of need, people do not think with the most reasonable set of assumptions, Nielsen said. Because these borrowers often do not have the means to look around for different loans, Nielsen said that often lenders are charging the maximum legally allowed. "When a buyer, or a borrower in this case, has only one option there's no expectation that competition will actually be fostered," he said, "[Lenders] will charge up to what is allowable in law, and we have some data to support that because that's exactly what the payday lenders are doing now." "On [an] average basis they are charging up to the legal limit, like to the penny," Nielsen said. The bill has been referred to the House's Financial Institution and Insurance Committee for review before it will be brought to the floor. Rep. Ed Clere of District 72 said that as the bill is now, he does not see himself voting in favor of it. "These products are targeted at people who are in financial distress and don't have good options," he said. "I'd like to see the discussion turn to looking at ways the state can help people get away from the cycle of high-interest debt and living paycheck to paycheck. I'd like to see a focus on financial literacy, household budgeting, self-sufficiency, saving and investing, reducing debt, things that would help people break the cycle," Clere continued. Nielsen also spoke to this cycle, noting that credit cannot be built without having credit. "If you're coming from a household that you've never had someone that's been able to co-sign a loan for you or co-sign a credit card, and you have generational issues as well, which we see because we know these loans are offered disproportionately in communities of color," he said, Because of the way these loans disproportionately affect communities of color, Nielsen said that there is a need for more racial equity in these policies. "It's a self-fulfilling cycle of well: Are borrowers risky because they don't have good credit or are they risky because the loans they are being offered are never affordable?" BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) The Indiana Hoosiers should be at full strength when they visit No. 17 Michigan State on Saturday. Coach Mike Woodson announced Thursday that the five players who were suspended for Tuesday night's loss at Northwestern will be reinstated this weekend. Starting guards Xavier Johnson and Parker Stewart were joined on the bench by backup guards Tamir Bates and Khristian Lander and center Michael Durr. All five are in Woodson's regular rotation but sat out after an apparent curfew violation. Indiana lost to the Wildcats, 59-51. Its important that all team rules are followed and a curfew applies to everyone in our program for a reason, Woodson said. It will be my decision to determine what role each one will have moving forward. STUTTGART, Germany The Indonesian and French defense ministries agreed on two major equipment contracts that will bring Dassault fighter jets and Naval Group attack submarines into Jakartas air force and navy. French Defense Minister Florence Parly announced Thursday Indonesia had ordered up to 42 new Rafale jets for its air force, becoming the seventh export nation to commit to the Dassault Aviation-made aircraft. The announcement comes as the minister concludes a visit with officials in Jakarta, and follows two years of discussions and months of negotiations. France is proud to contribute to the modernization of the armed forces of our partner, who plays a key role in ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] and in the Indo-Pacific, Parly said in a statement on Twitter. Later on Thursday, the U.S. government announced it also had approved a possible sale of up to 36 F-15ID fighters and related equipment to Indonesia. The French contract, which includes an initial six jets and a commitment to procure 36 more, is worth $8.1 billion, according to reporting by Reuters. The deal includes aircrew training, logistical support for several Indonesian air bases, and a training center with two full-mission simulators, per a Dassault statement. The jets will be produced in Dassaults French facilities. French companies Thales and Safran Aircraft Engines also help to build the aircraft. Three countries decided in 2021 to add the Rafale to their rosters. In January 2021, Greece announced its plans to acquire 18 jets, including six new aircraft and 12 secondhand models. In late November, Croatia chose to procure 12 secondhand aircraft; just a couple of weeks later the United Arab Emirates ordered 80 Rafale jets. Egypt, Qatar and India also operate the Dassault fighter jet. The two meaty Rafale deals with the UAE and Indonesia come at a notable time, as a long-awaited industry agreement for the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program seems stalled. The top industry contractors for the program are Dassault, representing France, along with Germanys Airbus and Spains Indra. Story continues Spanish industry officials said in November that the contract was in the final stages of fine-tuning. Observers noted at the end of the year that the UAE contract for Rafale jets could strengthen Dassaults hand in the ongoing FCAS negotiations regarding the development of the next-generation fighter jet. The potential U.S. fighter sale to Indonesia, which could be worth $13.9 billion, would also include up to 87 General Electric or Pratt & Whitney F110 engines, including 15 spares, as well as multiple other radars, targeting pods, weapons and other equipment. Boeing in St. Louis, Missouri, would be the principal contractor on the sale. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Thursday about that possible sale. This is not the first time in recent months the State Department has approved a weapons purchase for a nation that had already struck a similar deal with France. In December 2021, State approved two potential deals with Greece for frigate construction and modernization in its Hellenic Navy. That announcement came after a September deal France had struck with Greece, worth about $3.4 billion, to sell three frigates from Frances naval group, with an option for a fourth ship later. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Navy could eventually take ownership of two Scorpene-class, diesel-electric attack submarines. Officials from the France-based Naval Group which co-developed the submarine with Spains Navantia and Jakartas state-owned ship manufacturer PT PAL signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday to build the boats in Indonesia under a technology transfer agreement. A formal contract has not yet been signed, a Naval Group spokesperson told Defense News. The deal comes months after the news broke that Australia would pull out of a AUS$90 billion contract for Naval Group-built submarines, to instead join the United States and United Kingdom in a defense technology-sharing agreement that would include nuclear-powered attack submarines. French government and industry leaders were reportedly blindsided by the new AUKUS trinational partnership. An Oskaloosa man convicted of attempted murder for stabbing and strangling a woman has been sentenced to 55 years in prison. Robert Powell, 46, stabbed a woman multiple times and strangled her until she lost consciousness in the early hours of Jan. 23, 2020, according to a criminal complaint. He was charged that same day with attempted murder and two counts of willful injury, to which he pleaded guilty in December 2021. He was sentenced Feb. 4 to 25 years on the attempted murder charge and 15 years each on the willful injury charges. His sentences will run consecutively. Philip Joens covers breaking news for The Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-443-3347 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Oskaloosa man sentenced to 55 years for attempted murder The Republican members of Iowa's congressional delegation are largely deflecting questions about the Republican National Committee's recent framing of the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol as "legitimate political discourse." While the members condemned the violence and called for the prosecution of criminals, they did not directly address the RNC's language. The Republican National Committee passed a resolution late last week to censure U.S. House Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois for participating in Congress' Jan. 6 investigation, which they described as "a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse." Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters on Tuesday that the party organization overstepped its bounds with the censure, and he condemned the events of Jan. 6 as an "insurrection." It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent a peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election from one administration to the next," he said in a news conference. "Thats what it was." A November 2021 Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found that half of Iowans say that what happened Jan. 6 was an insurrection and a threat to democracy. That included 93% of Democrats, 50% of independents and 20% of Republicans. Another 22% of Iowans said the event was unfortunate, but it's in the past so theres no need to worry about it anymore. And 18% said what happened was a political protest protected under the First Amendment. Five percent of Iowans said none of the options best reflected their views, and 4% were not sure. Flash back: 'Sad day in our democracy,' lawmakers react, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley escorted out of Senate after Trump supporters breach Capitol Sen. Chuck Grassley says GOP should be a big tent In a call with Iowa reporters Wednesday, Grassley said he believes the Republican Party should be a "big tent party" where "anybody and everybody's welcome." Story continues He said the events of Jan. 6 should be treated "just like any crime committed." "Whether it's a capital or a courthouse or wherever it is, they should be prosecuted," he said. "People that break the law should be prosecuted. Pretty simple." Grassley, who was Senate president pro tempore and third in line to the presidency at the time, was presiding over the chamber as the attacks began to escalate on Jan. 6. He was escorted to a secure location by Capitol police to secure the presidential line of succession. More: What did members of Congress think of Jan. 6? USA TODAY asked your senators and House members He tweeted then that "the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol was an attack on American democracy itself. I condemn todays violence in the strongest terms & perpetrators deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." He would not say Wednesday whether he takes issue with the RNC's characterization of the events. Sen. Joni Ernst pivots to Biden and congressional Democrats Iowa's Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst stood behind McConnell as he addressed reporters Tuesday, though she did not answer questions about the censures or the RNC's language. In the days after the riots, hers was among the stronger rebukes of what transpired. Ernst wrote in a Jan. 11, 2021 column for The Des Moines Register that peaceful protest is a fundamental American freedom. And she called what transpired at the Capitol "anarchy and America and her people cannot stand for it in any form." Her spokesman, Brendan Conley, said in a statement Tuesday that Ernst continues to believe that those who broke the law should be prosecuted. "As Sen. Ernst has said, Jan. 6 was a dark day in American history and she believes those who broke the law should be held accountable," he said. "Iowans are facing skyrocketing inflation, a supply chain crisis, and rising crime and unlike President Biden and the Democrats in Congress, Sen. Ernst is focused on working to address those issues." More: Here's where the cases stand against 6 Iowans charged over participating in the U.S. Capitol riot Rep. Ashley Hinson wants to focus on kitchen table issues "Congresswoman Hinson has consistently and repeatedly called for anyone who broke the law or was violent on Jan. 6 to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," a spokeswoman said in a statement Wednesday. "Shes focused on solving the problems Iowans are talking about around their kitchen tables every night high prices, supply chain challenges, and drugs pouring into our communities from the southern border. The comments mirror those Hinson made in January 2021, though they stop short of contradicting the RNC. "I think we need a strong condemnation of the violence we saw here today from the president," Hinson said in a call with Iowa reporters just after the attacks. "This is not how our democracy functions. Violence is not the answer and we need the president to say so. Words matter." Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks points to Biden's 'self-made crises' "The congresswoman supports peaceful protests but does not support or condone violent mob protests and has always believed that individuals who committed criminal acts should be prosecuted," a spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday. "The congresswoman is focused on serving Iowans in the Second District and holding the administration accountable for their numerous self-made crises." Miller-Meeks voted to create the Jan. 6 investigation in Congress. She defended that vote when speaking to the Westside Conservative Club last June by describing the conversations she had with the National Guard about the attacks. "Some of them were beaten," she said. "Some of them were dragged across the pavement and sidewalks. Some of them were pepper-sprayed. Something happened, and it was traumatic to those individuals, and they were being blamed for a security breach. And I did not feel that that was appropriate without some investigation." More: Who is Doug Jensen? Tracing a QAnon believer's path to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot Rep. Randy Feenstra didn't answer Register's request Feenstra's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment. On Jan. 6, Feenstra tweeted: "It's every American's right to protest peacefully. Violence is never the answer." And in an interview with KCRG at the time, he said a "wonderful group" of protesters got "carried away." More: Iowa mother and son say fair trial impossible in DC, want Jan. 6 cases moved to Iowa Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How Iowa Republicans view Jan. 6, RNC 'legitimate political discourse' Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will not feature in Paris (Brian Lawless/PA) (PA Wire) Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has been ruled out of Saturdays Six Nations clash with France due to a hamstring strain. Head coach Andy Farrell was expected to name an unchanged starting XV for the visit to Paris before influential fly-half Sexton sustained the injury in training. Munsters Joey Carbery will deputise in the number 10 jersey, while Connachts Jack Carty will serve as back up at Stade de France. Leinster lock James Ryan will skipper the side in Sextons absence. British and Irish Lions Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw return to the Irish bench following injuries in the only other changes from last weekends bonus-point win over Wales in Dublin. Leinster second-row Ryan Baird and Ulster centre James Hume drop out of the matchday squad. Carbery impressed as understudy in the autumn after Sexton was injured in the 29-20 win over New Zealand. The 26-year-old who suffered a fractured elbow in December came off the bench to kick three crucial penalties against the All Blacks, before producing a man-of-the-match performance against Argentina a week later. (PA Wire) Ulster captain Henderson and Leinster centre Henshaw have each been restricted to limited game time this season. Lock Henderson has not played since sustaining an ankle injury in his provinces Heineken Champions Cup win over Northampton on December 17 his only outing since Ireland beat the Kiwis in November. Henshaw has made just four appearances this season and missed some of his countrys pre-tournament training camp in Portugal due to a groin issue. Despite the 2022 Six Nations being only one round old, this weekends clash in the French capital has already been billed as a potential title decider. Pre-tournament favourites France lead the early standings ahead of Ireland after overcoming a slow start to defeat Italy 37-10 on Sunday. Munsters Tadhg Beirne seemed the man most at risk following Hendersons return to fitness. He remains the only non-Leinster player in Farrells pack, partnering stand-in captain Ryan in the second row. Story continues Hooker Ronan Kelleher continues alongside loosehead prop Andrew Porter and tighthead Tadhg Furlong, with Caelan Doris and Josh Van Der Flier either side of Jack Conan in the back row. Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park will partner the incoming Carbery, with midfield duo Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose keeping Henshaw on the bench. Andrew Conway, who scored two tries against the Welsh, and Mack Hansen the championships player of round one following his impressive Test debut continue on the wings, with full-back Hugo Keenan starting his 18th consecutive international. Ireland team: 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Andrew Conway 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Bundee Aki 11. Mack Hansen 10. Joey Carbery 9. Jamison Gibson Park 8. Jack Conan 7. Josh van der Flier 6. Caelan Doris 5. James Ryan 4. Tadhg Beirne 3. Tadhg Furlong 2. Ronan Kelleher 1. Andrew Porter Replacements 16. Dan Sheehan 17. Cian Healy 18. Finlay Bealham 19. Iain Henderson 20. Peter OMahony 21. Conor Murray 22. Jack Carty 23. Robbie Henshaw Japanese ski jumper Sara Takanashi apologized to her Olympic teammates Wednesday for an equipment violation that led to her disqualification from Monday's mixed team event. Takanashi was one of five jumpers disqualified after officials deemed that their uniforms were too loose in violation of regulations. Officials ruled that Takanashi's uniform was 2 centimeters wider than allowed around her thighs. Material in excess of regulations could provide extra loft and give a jumper an unfair advantage in competition. Japan finished just off the podium in fourth place in part because of Takanashi's disqualification. She issued her apology on Instagram. "I am very sorry that the chance of winning a medal has been taken away from the Japanese team and that it has resulted in deep disappointment for everyone who has supported the team," her statements reads, via Google translate. "It's an undeniable fact that my disqualification has changed everyone's life. Even if I apologize, the medal will not be returned." Sara Takanashi was one of five Olympic competitors disqualified from Monday's mixed ski jumping competition. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) How others responded to DQs Takanashi's response stands in contrast to some other disqualified jumpers who were irate over the decision. Jumpers from Austria, Norway and Germany were also disqualified. German jumper Katharina Althaus, a three-time Olympian and 2018 silver medalist, ripped the International Ski Federation for her disqualification. The [ISF] destroyed everything with this operation," Althaus said. "I think they have destroyed womens ski jumping I have been checked so many times in 11 years of ski jumping, and I have never been disqualified once. I know my suit was compliant. Canadas Abigail Strate who won a medal applauded officials for enforcing regulations. Equipment is very important in sport and disqualifications happen, Strate said. It's a very common thing to happen in ski jumping, and the fact that it happened at the Olympics just goes to show that they were taking the rules pretty strictly and seriously because it is the absolute highest level of sport. Slovenia won gold in the event, the Russian Olympic Committee won silver and Canada bronze. The Johnson County district attorney lauded the local team that investigates police shootings as a national model this week, despite criticisms levied against it in the wake of the 2018 slaying of John Albers and months of public disclosures from the teams case files on that investigation last year. District Attorney Steve Howe told Overland Park leaders Wednesday night that the Johnson County Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team is the leading police shooting team in the region and sets the standard for best practices nationwide. The presentation served as Howes first public defense of the team and a de facto rebuttal to demands it be reformed after Steve and Sheila Albers, Johns parents, and other experts raised questions about its procedures when its files on Albers death were made public. No one says Well, weve got a perfect system, we dont ever have to fix it. To think you have a perfect system would be folly, Howe said. Its just like anything else, if you want an efficient and effective organization, you need to strive to be better and I think thats what the organization does. But the presentation infuriated Albers parents, who were not permitted to speak at the meeting but openly scoffed during parts of Howes presentation from across the room in city council chambers one of the first times they have been face to face with Howe in the four years since their sons death. They believe Howes decision not to criminally charge former Overland Park police officer Clayton Jenison, who contended he feared for his life when he shot and killed John Albers outside the familys home during a welfare check in January 2018, was a miscarriage of justice and they have been on a mission to force changes to the police shooting investigation team since. We were so upset at the end of that presentation that we drove home in silence, because it was like reliving Feb. 20, 2018, all over again but this time with a pat on the back from city council, Sheila Albers said after the presentation, referencing the day Howe announced Jenison would not be criminally charged. Story continues Disappointment would be an understatement, she continued. The questions were pointless, they were absolutely pointless. This was a dog and pony show for Steve Howe. Nobody was going to ask any tough questions. Sheila Albers continues to seek justice for her son, John Albers, 17, who was was shot and killed by Overland Park police officer Clayton Jenison during a welfare check at the familys home in Overland Park in 2018. Albers seeks an investigation of Police Chief Frank Donchez. A friend of Albers created the portrait of John from a photo taken at a family wedding. JoCo investigation team Howe and assistant district attorney Chris McMullin presented an overview of the police shooting investigation team, or OISIT, to the Overland Park Public Safety Committee as part of a running series of informational sessions with council members about the inner workings of the citys various police and fire department teams. The unique investigative team was set up around 2005 under the Johnson County Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Association and pulls together a roster of the cream of the crop investigators from almost every law enforcement agency across the county. Those investigators, crime lab officials and either Howe or McMullin all respond to the scene of a police shooting and work it full tilt until the investigation is complete. The ubiquity of mobile and security camera footage, plus police body and dashboard cameras, means investigators usually know the basic facts of the case within hours and frequently exhaust all of their investigative leads within a matter of days, Howe said. The meeting was not about the teams response to the Albers shooting and it was never mentioned explicitly during the presentation but it came against the backdrop of sharp criticism of the teams techniques in the Albers case and subpoenas issued last fall amid a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting, The Star has previously reported. But the Albers and experts who reviewed the investigation into their sons death have raised questions about whether that team, unique to Johnson County, is a better procedure than the Kansas Bureau of Investigations procedures throughout most of the rest of the state. They also have questioned how quickly the team closes its cases and why there are no outside reviews of the district attorneys charging decisions in such cases. Both Howe and McMullin dismissed those concerns, however, arguing their team is the best suited for the job. We handle it within the county and not to sound arrogant, but I think our officers and investigators are as good as anything youd see from any other jurisdiction, Howe said. They also emphasized that no review board has authority to review charging decisions in any criminal case, let alone police shootings, and that the team is accountable to the district attorney, an elected public official. The buck stops here, Howe said. Serious flaws Sheila Albers has become a vocal advocate for reform in the four years since her sons death, which sparked controversy throughout the community even before the high-profile deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police caused a wave of protests nationwide about police use of force in 2020. She raised a slew of questions about the investigation into their sons killing, from the operation of the team to the citys severance agreement that paid Jenison $70,000 to leave the department shortly after the incident. Controversy was further fueled after the city in April released OISITs investigative case file as a result of records requests and lawsuits. In May, The Star obtained a previously undisclosed laboratory report that revealed new details about the trajectory of the bullets Jenison fired through the Albers van and hundreds of photographs related to the investigation were released in June when they were reportedly discovered by city officials in an unlabeled folder. Even more documentation and video was released last fall including that city officials agreed to list Jenisons departure as a voluntary resignation under ordinary circumstances that led some experts to raise further questions about how the investigation was handled. The Alberses had hoped city leaders would probe Howe for more details this week and that it would prompt further debate about how to manage the police shootings team, but that did not happen Wednesday night. Council members asked few questions. The system has serious flaws and tonight we did not discuss those flaws, we just pretended like everything was okay, Sheila Albers said. If everything was okay, the FBI wouldnt be investigating Johns death and if everything was okay, [city manager] Bill Ebel wouldnt have had to pay Jenison $70,000 to go away. Kansas City FBI spokeswoman Bridget Patton declined to release any additional information about the federal investigation Thursday, but records obtained by The Star last fall revealed subpoenas were issued to several local police agencies seeking records on Jenisons police academy training. Howe declined to address the criticisms levied by the Albers parents after the presentation, saying he had answered all questions about the investigation, but he adamantly defended the team in his public remarks to city leaders during the meeting. I have to make tough decisions and sometimes people dont agree with those decisions, and thats okay, because thats part of the job, Howe said. But what I want them to know through communication is at least the reasons why I made the decision I made. Thats one of the things were very proud of, we made clear the reasons why we made that decision ... we think thats the type of transparency that should happen in the criminal justice system Unfortunately not every tragedy is a criminal case. There are lots of tragedies we have to deal with. We have to face people who are rightfully so distraught because they lost a loved one, but our job is to follow the law. Bank and financial services company JPMorgan Chase is providing a Miami-based collaborative of three nonprofits with $5 million over three years to support workers in the care economy. Nonprofits Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida, Miami Workers Center and Catalyst Miami are getting the money as a reward for winning AdvanceCities, a competition aimed at devising sustainable solutions for communities and professionals affected by COVID-19. The nonprofits intend to help people doing childcare, home health, cleaning and other similar work. They have begun accepting applications from care workers who want to start their own cooperatives or businesses. Kimberly T. Henderson, CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services, said the funding is an opportunity to help Black and Latina care workers start businesses and develop sustainable careers. Selected workers will gain training and education to help them grow their businesses. They will also have access to asset-building and investment opportunities, such as loans and lines of credit via the organizations community development financial institution. To nurture an inclusive economy, NHSSF and our partners Catalyst Miami and Miami Workers Center bring a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to connecting low-wealth employee owners to capital, Henderson said. Funding for that is crucial to empowering Black and Latina women that largely make up and propel Miamis care economy. NHSSF is honored to be a part of this innovative and much needed approach to supporting small, women-led businesses. Miami joins Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Minneapolis, New Orleans and Los Angeles as one of six U.S. cities to receive funding from the banking giant for care workers. REUTERS/NBC New York and Getty The financier famed for bankrolling some of Steve Bannons best-known ventures, as well as the far-right strategists jet-setting lifestyle, is in deep trouble for steering a $28 million yachtthe same boat where federal agents arrested Bannon in 2020out of American waters. A New York judge slapped Guo Wengui, who also uses the aliases Kwok Ho Wan and Miles Guo, with $134 million in contempt of court fines on Wednesday for violating multiple restraining orders barring him from selling or relocating the boat or any other property he controls. The high price tag results from nearly a year of the fugitive Chinese national defying the courts order that he return the craft to a U.S. portan order that carried a daily forfeiture of $500,000. Court documents filed in late January showed the 151-foot-long pleasure vessel blithely plying the western Mediterranean. Now, Guo has only until Monday to come up with the funds. His attorneys at BakerHostetlera firm with close ties to the Republican National Committeedeclined to comment for this story. However, in an appeal of the decision filed late Thursday, Guos lawyers lambasted the charges levied as disproportionate, excessive, unauthorized by law, an abuse of discretion, and in violation of Defendant-Appellants constitutional rights. The punishing penalties result from a case unrelated to Bannons maritime arrest a year and a half ago for allegedly looting a nonprofit, a charge for which he never faced prosecution thanks to a last-minute pardon from outgoing President Donald Trump. Rather, the fines are connected to a separate fight over Guos enigmatic yet ostentatious wealth. Nearly five years ago, an affiliate of the Hong Kong-based investment firm Pacific Alliance Group brought suit against Guo, alleging his companies had failed to repay tens of millions of dollars in loans made between 2008 and 2009 or deliver on promised property transactions. The opulent boat has emerged as a key asset in that fight over the allegedly unpaid tab. Story continues The Messy Money Drama Behind Steve Bannons Propaganda Machine Guo, a Shandong-born construction magnate, absconded from the Chinese mainland in 2014, fleeing charges ranging from corruption and money-laundering to rape (all of which he has denied). Since 2017, he has lived in luxury, setting up residence in a $68 million Central Park penthouse and underwriting numerous right-wing projects, from nonprofits with Bannon to dodgy media operations to bogus COVID-19 studies to would-be Twitter competitor GETTR. All the while, he has sought refugee status and attacked figures in both the Communist Chinese regime and in the dissident diaspora online. The yacht imbroglio is hardly the first time Guos activities have run afoul of U.S. authorities. In September 2021, his companies agreed to pay $500 million in Security and Exchange Commission fines for running a cryptocurrency scheme in violation of federal regulations. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Simple tasks like budgeting and working a job are some financial literacy skills that Coastal Georgia students will learn at the new Junior Achievement (JA) Discovery Center. The center, which is located on the Armstrong campus of Georgia Southern University, opened its door to the first group of students on Monday. The center will focus on two programs: learning how a business works and basic financial skills. More: Savannah-Chatham high schools to host graduations in newly-opened Enmarket Arena Junior Achievement Discovery Center will teach young students the importance of financial literacy. Junior Achievement Discovery Center The new center is one of five located throughout the state of Georgia with other locations in Atlanta and North Georgia. The building where the center is housed was the former student recreation center at the Armstrong campus. Camille Russo, vice president of Junior Achievement of Georgia, said the total cost of the project was $3.9 million and will have an operating cost of $500,000, adding that the center will serve about 100 to 150 students from Chatham, Bryan, Evans, Effingham, Bulloch and Liberty county school systems. More: Telfair Museums, Live Oak Libraries partner offering free passes to library cardholders Russo said the center will also serve students who attend private schools and are homeschooled. The goal of the center is to teach students about financial literacy and to give students the tools to make wise financial decisions before the become adults. Russo said another reason for the center was Junior Achievement found out that students are retaining information about finance if it's more hands-on. A Junior Achievement employee helps students at the Discovery Center. Walking into the center, students and visitors will see a mini-version of a Chick-fil-A, Enmarket, Publix and other businesses located in the Savannah-area. Russo said the goal of the mini-stores is to teach students about budget. When a student goes to a mini-store like Publix, they learn how to purchase groceries on a budget or when they go to the Chick-fil-A, they learn how to purchase food on a budget. Russo said the stores are kind of real world situations that are scaled downed in the discovery center. Story continues More: Savannah Classical Academy to offer new Pre-K program for 2022-23 school year Russo said various grades will participate in different programs at the center. Sixth, seventh and eighth graders will learn finances in the Finance Park as part of the Junior Achievement Biz Town program. So these are the things that we're really excited about in how this discovery center will help with teaching essential financial literacy skills, she said. She said the Junior Achievement education manager will work with each school district to set up field trips for students to come to the center. Russo said students are taught 20 lessons from the Junior Achievements curriculum at their respective schools before coming to the center. Lessons range from learning about savings, bank accounts and interest are taught by a school's social studies teacher during class. Camille Russo, vice president of Junior Achievement of Georgia a STEAM Academy at Bartlett at the Discovery Center on Monday. She said programs like the center are beneficial for younger students so they wont make decisions that could impact their finances once they become adults. More: Here's what Gov. Brian Kemp's budget covers for Georgia health care and what it doesnt Hopefully, we're allowing some kids to learn the easy way and at least get the idea of how the world works before they're actually having to sort of struggle through it." Students jump into action on day one Students at the STEM Academy at Bartlett spent the day learning about budgeting and how much money they have to spend based on the kind of the job they have. Seventh grader Jatara Royals said she is excited to learn about how she can save money. I think we should start learning about how to save, finance and balance our money now, so when we get older, we wont have so much financial problems." STEAM Academy at Bartlett enter the new Junior Achievement Discovery Center. Another student, seventh grader Karl Anderson-Trembly, said he didnt know what to expect as he arrived at the center but is ready to learn. This is pretty cool and Im excited to learn in what we have to do." Russo said the center provides students with a more hands-on experience than having someone with Junior Achievement coming to speak to a class. Whereas we used to send businesspeople into the classroom, weve made it much more interactive and I love that and that's what I think is the power of the center," she added. More: COVID cases for students, staff in Savannah-Chatham public schools drop by over 50% Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools System superintendent Ann Levett said the district for a long time has been wanting to offer an in-person simulation for students that will teach them about financial literacy. She said other middle schools in the district are scheduled to visit the center. Seventh grader Trinity Singleton and her classmates talk about budgeting during an activity at the Discovery Center. It does mean that our students will have a hands-on opportunity to learn and practice financial management skills, financial literacy skills and they are doing it right here in their own community," she said. A grand opening of the center will take place on Friday. Bianca Moorman is the education reporter. Reach her at BMoorman@gannett.com or 912-239-7706. Find her on Twitter @biancarmoorman. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah students learn about finances with Junior Achievement center Brenda Jackson remembers the long, frigid walk in winter to her bus stop in Huntertown, Kentucky. And the warmth that awaited. Neighbors at the end of the lane would open their doors, keeping the children cozy as they waited for the bus to the all-Black Simmons High School. Its among her cherished memories of Huntertown, a tightknit African American hamlet in Woodford County settled after the Civil War by former enslaved people. Today the small community no longer stands, its last residents having left nearly two decades ago and its buildings demolished. But thanks to Jackson, a metal sign identifies the empty land as Huntertown to all who visit the space, now a community interpretive park owned by local government. Hopefully itll mean something to someone one of these days, that history wasnt lost, that its being preserved, she said. The sign is one of some 2,500 in the Kentucky Historical Societys historical marker program, and it is one of a handful the 71-year-old Versailles resident has worked to secure. Brenda Jackson (center) stands between her sisters in a doorway of their home in the 1950s in Huntertown, Kentucky, an all-Black hamlet settled by formerly enslaved people after the Civil War. Jackson recently helped secure a historic marker for the site. But more signs have had to wait, as the program was paused to new applications for more than a year. The pause comes amid a national discussion on historical markers reignited by the racial justice movement in 2020. Besides exploring ways to sustain the repair or replacement of damaged signs in the statewide network, the Kentucky Historical Society is assessing whether some markers fall short of reflecting the history of the Bluegrass State, from outdated interpretations to exclusion of marginalized perspectives. Facing the past: In former 'sundown' town shadowed by racist past, advocates seek allies for racial justice Other states are walking a similar path. Idaho is working with Indigenous tribes to amend roadside markers. Pennsylvania recently revised certain Confederacy-focused monuments after a review spurred by the 2017 white supremacist car attack in Charlottesville, Virginia. Nebraskas marker stewards identified problematic markers and, with a legislative appropriation, will replace some and add others that tell histories of underrepresented groups. Story continues Kentucky's historical society is first performing a physical audit of the markers to survey their condition, followed by a content audit to examine the signs for historical accuracy, context and framing. We're anxious to see where the omissions are in the historical narrative, said Scott Alvey, executive director of the Kentucky Historical Society. We're not looking for places to go take down markers. What we're looking for is making sure that we have good, defendable, historical evidence to support the interpretation that's on them. And if not is there opportunity for revisions? Historical marker program in flux Since the first marker was installed in Lexington in 1936, their shape and size has changed, as has the programs structure and way of selecting what got memorialized in metal. When the Historical Markers Society formed in 1935, it was its membership of Lexington area historians and businesspeople who selected markers based on historical merit and potential to boost tourism. As the program evolved, individuals could apply for markers. The Kentucky Historical Society, now part of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, took over the initiative in 1962. Funding has changed, too. In 1992, when partial state financial support ceased and community sponsorship began. The historical society aims to restore state funding in its 2023-2024 fiscal year budget request, seeking $300,000 for the marker initiative. Alvey said part of the programs review examined marker funding, as theres concern over how markers will be maintained in the long term. Jefferson County is home to more than 200 markers in the Kentucky Historical Society's historical marker program, including this marker along Muhammad Ali Boulevard near Fifth Street in downtown Louisville. Even before the physical audit of markers, the historical society knew of at least 200 missing or damaged markers, with a restoration price tag of about $310,000. You could sponsor a marker, we can put it up and if it gets ran over by a vehicle then there's no money to replace it, Alvey said. For subscribers: How many Kentucky counties are named after someone who enslaved Black people? A lot Since the program paused in summer 2020 it has recently resumed welcoming applicants the society has been able to replace nearly 60 markers and refurbish about 25 more, clearing about 40% of the maintenance backlog using the societys general funds. Theres worry, too, about the unintentional consequences of requiring applicants to raise approximately $3,000 to make a marker a reality. Jennifer P. Brown, president of the historical societys governing board, said in an October 2020 board meeting that she was concerned about how the ability to pay is affecting the stories being told and an unintended bias against underrepresented voices. People who have financial resources or know how to get the support of people who have the financial resources for a few thousand dollars for a marker are not always going to be from the underrepresented communities, she told The Courier Journal. Closer to the truth On Louisvilles downtown waterfront stands marker No. 2119, dedicated to a member of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's famous expedition York. Updates planned for the sign illustrate what the review effort is looking to accomplish, Alvey said. While one side of the marker focuses on Clark, Yorks enslaver, updated wording puts York at the narrative center. It better reflects the uncertainty over the year York was freed. And it uses personifying language of enslaved. Honoring enslaved Kentuckians: (Un)known Project's new public art along the Ohio River honors the enslaved on Juneteenth One of the liabilities of having a program that actually casts history in metal is it creates this impression that history is never changing, Alvey said in a recent board meeting. In some cases, the review process may lead to a word being changed or sentences being dropped or added. In other instances, he said, there might need to be a discussion on moving or "retiring" a marker or determining if a marker still has community support. Society leadership is also developing a policy on how to handle markers in need of review, that is, signs that may have garnered complaints over their location or content. Our initial impression is going to be that most of this is going to maybe be minor changes, if any, Alvey told The Courier Journal in December. But I think the real question that it's starting to reveal is what historical narratives are not present in our marker program? Brown, a Hopkinsville journalist, pointed to Christian County as an example. Despite a historically large Black population for Kentucky currently about one in four residents there were no historic markers dedicated to African Americans. Thats until 2017, when she successfully applied for a marker dedicated to Black journalist Ted Poston in Hopkinsville. If you have 20 markers in a county with a large African American population and not one of them is about an African American person or institution, then something is off about the story were telling, she said. Honoring roots: Louisville's Black history museum owns a new space downtown. Why that's crucial for equity To be sure, there are many ways Kentucky history is remembered and celebrated beyond the marker program, from civic and religious group efforts to art installations to local historical societies and museums big and small. Still, the marker initiative enjoys wide brand recognition, has a nearly 90-year history and, with some 2,500 markers statewide, high visibility. Its worth the effort to attempt to have a fuller view of who has contributed to our states history, Brown said of the upcoming review process. Were always trying to get closer to the truth. Connecting past, present When Jackson began working on her first marker application some 15 years ago, long before Huntertown, she never imagined shed still be investigating history. More than a decade ago, after retiring, she secured markers for Black churches and schools in Woodford County, including a church that served as a Civil War recruitment office and another church that doubled as a school for African Americans that white people attacked in 1868. She felt herself drawn to the areas African American history, its people and places of the past, enthralled by the smallest details buried in courthouse paperwork and library microfiche. They came from, you realize, from a horrible situation in a lot of cases, and they were able to still overcome that and still become successful people, despite all the things that they went through, Jackson said. And you just want to kind of have a better understanding as to what they went through and how they came through it. Along the way, she researched her own genealogy, tracing both her and her late husbands families back generations to enslavement in Kentucky. Of Woodford Countys 39 markers, eight are dedicated to African American history, according to the historical societys website. Six of those eight were championed by Jackson. Jackson, for her part, isnt involved in the discussions on the future of the marker program. But she knows firsthand the importance they play to communities. She recalls the August 2021 dedication of the Huntertown marker, how hundreds gathered on that sunny day to usher in a new era for the neighborhood that began 150 years earlier. The land was again full of people, among them some former residents like herself, helping keep history alive. Find markers near you Search more than 2,000 markers across Kentucky at history.ky.gov and find extended narratives and curated sign tours at explorekyhistory.ky.gov. Reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Historical Society reviewing markers for accuracy, context Feb. 10King Soopers has donated $500,000 to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund. The fund, activated by the Community Foundation Boulder County in the wake of the Dec. 30 Marshall Fire, has provided millions in direct financial assistance to people who lost their homes and workers who lost wages. Grocery store officials announced the donation during a Wednesday morning ceremony held before the Table Mesa King Soopers officially reopened. "It's an honor to thank you for all that you do and your foundation continues to do for our friends, families and neighbors in this community as they work to recover from the devastation of the fire," spokesperson Jessica Trowbridge told CEO Tatiana Hernandez on Wednesday. "King Soopers believes in the work that you are doing." The Community Foundation also launched the Boulder County Crisis Fund in the aftermath of the King Soopers shooting. Hundreds of tonnes of fish available at HCM City Market for God of Wealth Day Around 300 tonnes of snakehead fish have been brought to Binh Dien wholesale market in HCM City to serve for the God of Wealth Day, which falls on the 10th day of the first lunar month (February 10 this year). Early yesterday morning, February 9, vehicles transported the fish to the market in District 8. The snakehead fish is among items for the worship on the God of Wealth Day in the southern region of Vietnam. Tran Duc Thinh, a market management board member, said that roughly 300 tonnes of snakehead fish were brought to the market on Wednesday, three times higher than usual days. Vo Thi Kim Phung, a trader, said that these days, the market is busier and lasts until 6 pm, instead of 4 pm as usual. Each kilogramme of snakehead fish is priced VND30,000-42000. Thuy Thuy said that the snakehead fish were mainly raised in the southern provinces of Tra Vinh and Soc Trang. Today, she sold around 150,000 tonnes of this kind of fish to traders. After being transported to the market by trucks, smaller vehicles were used to carry the fish to stalls. The fish prices are kept unchanged against ordinary days. KINGSTON An accomplice in the December 2020 murder of a 12-year-old Kingston girl was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in state prison. Ulster County Court Judge Bryan Rounds sentenced Kingston resident Robert "Nikki" James for his role in the fatal shooting of D'Janeira Mason in her home. James pleaded guilty on Oct. 20, 2021, to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies. His co-defendant, Gilbert Thomas, who pleaded guilty to a felony charge of second-degree murder in October, was sentenced last month to 20 years to life in prison. D'Janeira Mason Ulster County District Attorney David Clegg said James was present on Dec. 17, 2020, when Thomas used an AK-47 to fire nine shots into a home on Van Buren Street in Kingston, where five children were present. One of those bullets struck 12-year-old D'Janeira in the head, killing her instantly. Her 9-year-old brother was wounded in the left arm. Crime: Killer of 12-year-old Kingston girl sentenced to prison Kingston: Mom wants answers in daughter's fatal shooting Newburgh: Gang member accused of ordering 2016 murder Earlier on the night of the shooting, Thomas' brother was stabbed, and Thomas, a member of the Bloods, believed a member of a rival gang was responsible. Thomas went to D'Janeira's home on Van Buren Street and asked the children if the person he believed had stabbed his brother was there. When the children told him no adults were present, Thomas went across the street and pulled out the AK-47. James said he told Thomas not to shoot because the children were inside, but Thomas disregarded him and fired the nine shots. Officials later said there were no gang connections to the Van Buren Street house, and the children were the victims of a mistake. James was arrested and indicted for second-degree murder along with Thomas, but later reached a plea agreement that would have meant a total of 13 years in prison. Story continues However, Clegg said after James pleaded guilty, he provided false statements to the Ulster County Department of Probation about whether he knowingly possessed a weapon, which contradicted his guilty plea. At James' sentencing on Wednesday, Clegg said neither his office nor the court were bound by the plea agreement. James admitted to violating his plea agreement, Clegg said. Rounds then sentenced James to 15 years in prison on the weapon possession charge and five years in prison for the criminal possession of a controlled substance charge. The sentences will run consecutively, for a total of 20 years. Rounds also sentenced James to eight years of post-release supervision. James' attorney, MariAnn Connolly, could not immediately be reached for comment. This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Accomplice sentenced in murder of Kingston's D'Janeira Mason, 12 The New York Knicks are receiving calls for Julius Randle. Per SNYs Ian Begley, the Sacramento Kings were one of the potential suitors but are likely out after acquiring Domantas Sabonis from the Indiana Pacers. Source: Bleacher Report NBA Staff @ Bleacher Report Whats the buzz on Twitter? Eric Pincus @EricPincus Latest @BleacherReport Tracking Last-Minute Trade Deadline Rumors, Plus NBA Expert Predictions last rumors (and as the headline says, predictions) ahead of the deadline including Westbrook, Simmons, Harden Grant, Randle,, etc bleacherreport.com/articles/29533 10:07 PM Ian Begley @IanBegley From earlier: a few notes on Evan Fournier, Kings, Julius Randle (whose averaging 30 pts, 10.7 reb, 6.7 assists, 41% from 3 in last 3 games), Tom Thibodeau/Cam Reddish/front office: sny.tv/articles/knick 7:04 PM Trey Kerby @treykerby When you suggest trading Westbrook or Beal for a Randle/Fournier package. pic.twitter.com/1arb9xA6y4 1:50 PM Ian Begley @IanBegley A few notes on Evan Fournier, Kings, Julius Randle, Tom Thibodeau/Cam Reddish/front office: sny.tv/articles/knick 12:29 PM JD Shaw @JShawNBA NBAs best from February 8: Giannis: 44 pts, 14 reb, 17-20 fg D. Booker: 35 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast J. Embiid: 34 pts, 12 reb, 3 stl T. Young: 34 pts, 11 ast, +23 L. Doncic: 33 pts, 7 reb, 11 ast J. Randle: 28 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast J. Jackson Jr: 26 pts, 11 reb, 26 min 11:21 AM Ian Begley @IanBegley Tom Thibodeau explains rationale on RJ Barrett playing in final minute of NYKs 17-point loss in DEN; when asked about it after the game, Julius Randle explains why he has Thibodeaus back, 100 percent, via @alexmsmith720: on.sny.tv/XLaMMYF 8:07 AM Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN Asked Julius Randle about having starters play in blowouts: Ill let yall debate that. Like I said, the only thing that matters is whats in our locker room and what we think as players. I got Thibs back 100 percent. I trust him. And whatever he asks me to do, Im going to do 12:19 AM Story continues Fred Katz @FredKatz Julius Randle, when asked about Tom Thibodeau playing starters a bunch of minutes, says hes happy to play 48 minutes if thats what his coach wants: I got Thibs back 100 percent, he adds. 12:03 AM Fred Katz @FredKatz Final: Nuggets 132, Knicks 115. Knicks are 24-31, 12th in the East, heading into Thursdays trade deadline. Randle 28-10-6 Fournier 21 pts Jokic 21-11-7 Hyland 22-6-3 Gordon 19-8-4 11:22 PM Fred Katz @FredKatz Through three quarters, the Nuggets lead the Knicks 111-94. Randle 28-7-5 Fournier 21 & 5 Jokic 17-9-6 Gordon 19-8-4 Green 17 & 4 Nuggets shooting 64% from the field, 54% from deep. 10:51 PM Steve Popper @StevePopper Hard to credit someone playing hard when Knicks are losing big but Randle is on the verge of his third straight 30-plus game, has three steals, 5 assists, 1 turnover and is playing hard. 10:49 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs Julius Randle could hack a dudes arms off with a machete and still be shocked that a foul was called. 10:39 PM Fred Katz @FredKatz Halftime. Nuggets lead the Knicks 83-60. Randle: 16-5-4 Fournier: 14 pts Gibson: 10 & 4 Jokic: 14-7-5 Hyland: 14 pts My eyes: Burned to a crisp 10:08 PM Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov Julius Randle just caused a turnover off a double team on Jokic and caught him by surprise. Feel like thats worth like 10 points on Jokic because of how well he feels out doubles 10:05 PM Steve Popper @StevePopper One of those nightsagain. Randle with a nice read to steal a Jokic pass. Goes the length of the floor and misses the layup. Then Gordon hits a three on the other end. Its not close. 10:00 PM Fred Katz @FredKatz Through one quarter, the Nuggets lead the Knicks 40-36. Fournier 12 pts Randle 9-4-4 Walker 2 pts, 3 asts Jokic 8-3-4 9:35 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina As always, @Shaun Powell with a quality read. This time on Julius Randles ups and downs with the Knicks this season on.nba.com/3rBsVi4 4:34 PM Steve Popper @StevePopper Randles dispute with video coordinator dismissed as heat of the moment newsday.com/sports/basketb 9:04 AM Steve Popper @StevePopper Julius Randles dispute with Knicks video coordinator dismissed as heat of the moment Randle says its all from a good place. newsday.com/sports/basketb via @Newsday 1:07 AM Fred Katz @FredKatz I deleted a previous tweet with a quote from Julius Randle about the computer slapping video. I heard Its fun as part of the quote, but I listened back a couple times and he actually said Its fine. Posting the full, correct quote below. 1:03 AM Steve Popper @StevePopper Julius Randles dispute with Knicks video coordinator dismissed as heat of the moment newsday.com/sports/basketb via @Newsday 12:35 AM Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman Randle said the computer altercation with assistant Scott King happens lots during games. Said he slapped Kings computer tonight as a joke. 12:17 AM Kevin OConnor @KevinOConnorNBA Knicks should give Miles McBride a chance at PG. Hes averaging 30 & 10 in the G League but doesnt play for NYK. In loss tonight: RJ Barrett had 23 points on 25 shots, Julius Randle was good early but cant run offense late. The need for playmaking is obvious. Why not try Deuce? pic.twitter.com/9Z7fGTI23m 12:01 AM Eric Walden @tribjazz Quin, on Dok: I told him in the locker room, its not that he didnt do a good job the last 2 games, but tonight, playing against Robinson, Noel, and Randle, its a war down there. Loved that his competitiveness went up in 2H. 11:51 PM Fred Katz @FredKatz Final: Jazz 113, Knicks 104. Knicks fall to 24-30 on the season, 12th in the East. They have lost nine of their past 11 games. Randle 30-6-5 Robinson 19 & 21, 3 blks Barrett 23-7-6, 8-25 Fas Mitchell 32-7-6 Bogdanovic 20 & 4 Knicks shoot 38-24-69 from the field. 11:35 PM Fred Katz @FredKatz The Knicks halfcourt offense in the fourth quarter has been an extremely tough watch. Knicks have only 11 points in the fourth quarter. Really struggling to get middle. A lot of stagnation with Randle in the post. Missed FTs. Just a lot of struggles all around. 11:25 PM Michael Grange @michaelgrange The Knicks playing through Randle in crunch time like hes peak Barkley is a trip. Theyve paid the guy so now that have to iso him every trip? Total garbage. Knicks are toast. 11:24 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob epitome of the Knicks season right there: 1) Thibs cant even get the refs attention to call timeout 2) Elects to have team play out possession 3) Randle misses wide open layup with right hand 4) Mitch Rob gets rebound, fouled 5) Misses both free throws 11:21 PM Steve Popper @StevePopper Randle has 30 points now giving him 30-plus for two straight games for the first time this season. 11:16 PM Fred Katz @FredKatz Through three quarters, the Knicks lead the Jazz 86-82. Randle 28-4-2 Robinson 17 & 18, 3 blks Barrett 18-6-6 Mitchell 25 & 5 Bogdanovic 14 pts Knicks only 5-25 from deep, but Jazz only 8-36. 10:55 PM Eric Walden @tribjazz End 3Q: Knicks 86, Jazz 82. Despite some truly awful basketball, including zero passing, horrible shot selection, and ole defense, Utah is still in this thing. Randle has 28p, Robinson 17p/18r for Knicks. Don has 25p for Utah, which is 8-36 from 3. 10:55 PM Steve Popper @StevePopper Julius Randle was just totally the voice of reason as the quarter ended, trying to keep Nerlens Noel away from the official and then guiding multiple Knicks back to the bench. 10:55 PM Tommy Beer @TommyBeer Knicks up 12 and dominating the third quarter. This is the hardest Randle and the team have played in a really long time 10:45 PM Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba Mitchell Robinson has absolutely destroyed Whiteside and Dok tonight.meanwhile, this is a 22-2 run for the Knicks, the Jazz are down 82-70, Quin Snyder calls his second timeout of the third quarter and Julius randle is woofing at the Jazz 10:43 PM Ben Anderson @BensHoops Julius Randle is treating Bojan Bogdanovic like a laptop on defense right now. Zero respect. 10:37 PM Eric Walden @tribjazz HALFTIME: Jazz 59, Knicks 57. Pretty epic 1H for Donovan Mitchell, who abused Alec Burks for 21p on 8-14 shooting. Bogey and Conley also with 11p for Utah, which went just 5-21 from 3. Randle has 13p to lead New York, Barrett with 12, Robinson with 12/12r. Knicks 3-18 from 3. 10:08 PM Fred Katz @FredKatz Halftime. Jazz lead the Knicks 59-57. Robinson 12 & 12 Randle 13 pts, 2 asts Barrett 12 pts, 4 asts Mitchell 21-4-2 Knicks shooting only 3-of-18 from deep. 10:07 PM Fred Katz @FredKatz Through one quarter, the Knicks and Jazz are tied at 28. Robinson 10 & 7 Barrett 8 pts, 2 asts Randle 5 pts, 2 asts Bogdanovic, Mitchell 7 pts each 9:35 PM Tony Mejia @MejiaDinero The Knicks make their only trip into Utah this season, which means all media in the building needs to secure their laptops with technology hater Julius Randle in town. Those in attendance should also see points. From the @WagerTalk #NBA Tip-Off Show: pic.twitter.com/sRDkUqFrHy 7:44 PM Steve Popper @StevePopper Julius Randle goes viral again his dispute with Knicks video coordinator dismissed as heat of the moment newsday.com/sports/basketb via @Newsday 2:47 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA Knicks Julius Randle slaps video coordinators laptop in loss to Lakers; Tom Thibodeau downplays tense scene https://t.co/tHcjz3qjIZ pic.twitter.com/xQbmWldogj 2:28 PM Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman Thibodeau said the computer altercation between assistant Scott King and Julius Randle on bench was resolved. Computers are part of the NBA. Its heat of the moment. 12:55 PM More on this storyline The Kings were among the teams interested in Randle entering this week. Several teams had expressed a degree of interest in Randle ahead of the deadline. The Kings were under the impression that they could acquire Randle for the right return. -via SportsNet New York / February 9, 2022 Yet, Randle has fallen off so dramatically this season that the extension is intimidating to other teams. And its not so much the dollars as it is the years. The contract runs through 2026 I dont see anyone giving up anything of value for him, one rival executive said. And its hard to imagine the Knicks dealing him without a decent return. -via The Athletic / February 8, 2022 Julius Randle considers recent trade rumors surrounding him as flimsy as tinsel. After Fridays practice at UCLA, Randle interrogated this reporter on the authors of an alleged push by Knicks management to trade him by the Feb. 10 deadline. Who reported it? Who reported it? Randle repeatedly said. The Post reported after last months Cam Reddish trade that management considers everything on the table after stockpiling another asset. An SNY report confirmed the Knicks are open to trading the former Lakers lottery pick, but only for a significant package. -via New York Post / February 7, 2022 Feb. 10A Hayden Lake woman faces a $1,000 fine after she was accused of handing out pamphlets about critical race theory while working as a poll worker during November's election. Laura L. Van Voorhees, 67, pleaded not guilty Jan. 31 to the charge of electioneering, which carries a maximum penalty of $1,000. She is scheduled for a jury trial May 2 in Kootenai County Magistrate Court. Van Voorhees has been a vocal critic of Coeur d'Alene Public Schools, accusing it of promoting critical race theory. She is also a well-known member of last year's indoctrination task force headed by Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin. The school district says it does not teach critical race theory, which is an academic concept that says racism is ingrained in policies and legal systems, not just the product of individual prejudice. The theory is a hot-button political issue that has divided school districts across the country and became a prominent theme in fall school board campaigns nationwide, including in Coeur d'Alene. David Eubanks, a retired teacher of 43 years who spent five years on the Coeur d'Alene School Board, told Kootenai County Sheriff's Office deputies that he voted Nov. 2, Election Day, at Maple Street Community Church in Hayden, according to a sheriff's office incident report. While he was there, he heard Van Voorhees, one of the poll workers that day, speaking to a voter about critical race theory. Eubanks said in the report that Van Voorhees asked a voter if she wanted a critical race theory brochure, but the voter refused. Eubanks reportedly told Van Voorhees she was not allowed to hand out brochures, and Van Voorhees told him she could hand out the brochures because the topics were not related to the elections being voted on that day. Eubanks told Van Voorhees it did not matter whether the brochures had information pertaining to the election. It was still unlawful to hand them out, he said. The two reportedly continued to dispute whether her actions were lawful, the report stated. Story continues Eubanks told The Spokesman-Review that he yelled at her in front of everyone before leaving. "If we can't protect the sanctity of the polling booth, we may as well throw in the towel and give up on our democracy," said Eubanks, who reported the incident to the sheriff's office. He said he hopes "justice prevails" when it comes to Van Voorhees' trial, and that the sanctity and integrity of elections are protected. Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh said he couldn't recall another electioneering case during his 13 years in office. Idaho code states no one may "do any electioneering" or "circulate cards or handbills of any kind" at or within 100 feet of a polling place on the day of an election. Denise Makinson, who was presiding over the poll workers that November day at Precinct 19, said she told Van Voorhees multiple times to stop handing out the pamphlets but she continued, according to the incident report. Cathy Hudson, a Precinct 19 poll worker, said in the report she witnessed Van Voorhees give a pamphlet to a voter. She said Van Voorhees told the voter to hide it in her sweater. Van Voorhees, who declined to comment for this story, told deputies her attorney directed her not to provide a statement without him present. When asked whether she had the pamphlets she was handing out at the poll station, she reportedly told deputies she did but would only provide them to law enforcement if her attorney allowed. Asa Gray, Kootenai County elections manager, told deputies all poll workers are required to attend training prior to working the polls. Gray said in the report that poll workers are told they are not allowed to hand out any paperwork and must remain neutral while working the polls. He said Van Voorhees attended the training. Gray told deputies he had a copy of the pamphlet he believed Van Voorhees handed out that day. It was titled "Practicing Critical Race Theory in Coeur d'Alene." It contained information regarding critical race theory being taught in schools, the incident report said. The pamphlet reportedly had a Coeur d'Alene School District logo on it. Scott Maben, director of communications at the district, said Van Voorhees also handed out critical race theory flyers to attendees at a fall board meeting. He said the district's logo was on the flyer and district officials asked her to stop distributing the flyers with the district's logo on them because the district was not affiliated with the papers. "She kind of just blew us off," Maben said. Maben said Van Voorhees addressed the school board at several board meetings in recent months. He said she has spoken about critical race theory, but has transitioned to speaking about things like social and emotional learning and equity. Maben said the district's position on critical race theory has been pretty consistent since the issue flared up last year. "We don't teach it, we don't embrace it, we don't train our staff on it," Maben said. "It's not embedded in our curriculum." SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korean President Moon Jae-in, in his final months in office, has expressed concern over North Korea's expanding weapons program and the possibility it could resume nuclear and long-range missile tests that would revive fears of war in the region. Renewed tensions between Washington and Pyongyang have been a major setback for Moon, a dovish liberal and son of northern war refugees who staked his single presidential term on his ambitions for inter-Korean rapprochement. His written comments on North Korea and other topics were provided Thursday to The Associated Press and other news agencies. South Koreas presidential election is in March, and Moon leaves office in May after serving a five-year term. He called for a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Joe Biden to resolve deep disagreements in exchanging the release of crippling U.S.-led sanctions against the North and the Norths disarmament steps. If North Koreas repeated missile launches go as far as to breach (Kim's self-imposed) moratorium, that would instantly bring the Korean Peninsula back to the crisis situation of five years ago when there were concerns of war, Moon said. The political leaders of related nations should engage in persistent dialogue and diplomacy to prevent a similar crisis. Kim orchestrated a highly provocative run of nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests in 2017 that triggered a verbal exchange of war threats between him and then-President Donald Trump, before he initiated diplomacy with Seoul and Washington in 2018. Moon met Kim three times in 2018 and lobbied hard to help set up Kim's meetings with Trump. But the diplomacy never recovered from the collapse of the second Kim-Trump meeting in 2019 in Vietnam, where the Americans rejected North Koreas demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for dismantling an aging nuclear facility, which would have amounted to a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities. Story continues North Korea has also severed all cooperation with Moons government while expressing anger over U.S.-South Korea military exercises and Seouls inability to wrest concessions from Washington on its behalf. Asked whats left of his foreign policy legacy, Moon said he remained proud about his role in converting the tensions of 2017 into high-stakes diplomacy between the Koreas and the United States, which at least stabilized the situation on the peninsula. He regretted the outcome of the Hanoi meeting and said Washington and Pyongyang should have kept the diplomatic momentum alive by pursing a smaller interim deal rather than allowing negotiations to entirely fall through. While Biden had accused Trump of chasing the spectacle of summits rather than meaningful curbs on the Norths nuclear capabilities, Moon still urged a return to top-down diplomacy, saying it would hopefully be only a matter of time before Biden and Kim meet. He called for South Koreas next government to push for a political declaration between the Koreas, the United States and possibly China to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War, which stopped on an armistice, not a peace treaty. If the North Korea-U.S. talks resume and the leaders of North Korea and the United States historically meet once again, I hope they could reach substantial progress in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the implementation of a peace process and the normalization of U.S.-North Korea relations, Moon said. Reviving an old pattern of brinkmanship, North Korea kicked off 2022 with a flurry of missile tests before apparently pausing the displays during the Winter Olympics in China, its main ally. Analysts believe North Korea will dramatically increase its weapons testing after the Olympics to try to move the needle with Biden, whose administration has offered open-ended talks but has shown no willingness to ease sanctions without meaningful cuts to North Korea's nuclear program. Moon is spending his last days in office grappling with an unprecedented wave in coronavirus infections driven by fast-moving omicron variant, which has stretched worn-out health workers. The surge has come after a delta-driven spread that spiked hospitalizations and deaths in December and early January, which erased the country's earlier epidemiological gains Moon had touted as a major accomplishment. Unlike in those earlier speeches, Moon did not boast about gains made against the virus in his latest comments. He noted that COVID-19 left many people struggling for an extended period, which he said was more regrettable than anything else. Moons government has also been criticized over soaring house prices and decaying job markets while his party has been accused of partisan politics that critics say stoked public division along the lines of ideology, generation and gender. The real estate issue was the heaviest burden through my term, Moon said, acknowledging policy failures. He said his government will work until the end to stabilize the housing market by increasing supplies and suppressing speculative buying. As for his life after leaving office, Moon said he hasn't had time to think about it really, but that he had no plans to stay involved in politics and was not even planning to do social activities as a former president. An all-hands meeting to introduce Peloton's new CEO was cut short after angry laid-off workers crashed the event. Scott Heins/Getty Images Peloton held an all-hands meeting on Wednesday, one day after it started laying off 2,800 employees. Laid-off workers crashed the meeting, CNBC reported. A chat between new CEO Barry McCarthy and his predecessor John Foley was cut short, per CNBC. Laid-off employees crashed Peloton's first virtual all-hands meeting with the company's new CEO on Wednesday, CNBC reported. The meeting took place a day after Peloton started laying off 2,800 workers on the back of falling demand for the company's home-fitness products as consumers return to gyms. The event was meant to introduce new CEO Barry McCarthy, but was hit by a barrage of angry comments from current and laid-off staffers in the chat section, CNBC reported. They accused the company of mismanagement, according to outlet, who cited three people familiar with the details of the meeting. "I'm selling all my Peloton apparel to pay my bills!!!" said one person, according to the news outlet, citing messages it obtained. "This is awfully tone deaf," wrote another. Watch: Peloton hits reset with CEO change resulting in job cuts A conversation between McCarthy and former CEO John Foley was unexpectedly cut short, the outlet reported. Foley will become the company's executive chair, Peloton said on Tuesday. He had emailed all Peloton staff late Tuesday afternoon to motivate them, telling employees he's at the company for the "comeback story," according to a leaked memo, as reported by Insider's Becky Peterson. In the email, he also acknowledged the "bitter pill" of laying off about 20% of the company's 14,000-person corporate workforce. The job cuts are expected to contribute to savings of at least $800 million a year, the company said in its news release. Instructors are not affected by the job cuts. Peloton said it will be offering a "meaningful cash severance allotment" and extending equity-vesting periods for laid-off employees. It is also offering them a free one-year Peloton subscription, per a message Foley posted on the company website. Peloton did not immediately reply to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON Donald Trump's months-long withholding of presidential documents from the National Archives he stored up to 15 boxes at his Mar-a-Lago estate for nearly a year could spark yet another investigation of the ex-president. The National Archives and Records Administration is being pushed to investigate whether Trump improperly took classified information with him when he moved out of the White House on Jan. 20, 2021. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform has requested information related to the probe. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the oversight committee, said Trump apparently violated the Presidential Records Act by keeping some records and destroying or trying to destroy other documents from his presidency. "I am deeply concerned that these records were not provided to NARA promptly at the end of the Trump Administration and that they appear to have been removed from the White House in violation of the Presidential Records Act," Maloney said in a letter to the National Archives. Trump and aides have provided no explanation for why it took him months to turn over the documents to the Archives as required by the Presidential Records Act. Boxes and boxes: National Archives obtained 15 boxes of presidential records from Mar-a-Lago Hillary Clinton: The 'but Hillarys emails' crowd goes silent about Trumps document destruction In a written statement, Trump said he had "collaborative and respectful discussions" with the National Archives over the 15 boxes of documents that he said "contained letters, records, newspapers, magazines, and various articles." The National Archives declined to respond to questions from USA TODAY. We do not comment on potential or ongoing investigations, the agency said in a statement. The Justice Department also declined comment. In her letter, Maloney asked for an explanation of the delay in document production, details of the contents of the boxes, whether classified material is included and a description of records that Trump destroyed or tried to destroy. Story continues The letter requested a response by Feb. 18. Maloney noted that Trump accused Hillary Clinton, his 2016 election opponent, of breaking the law through her use of personal email to conduct government business while she was secretary of State. President Donald Trump signs pandemic relief documents at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Aug. 8, 2020. The National Archives asked the Department of Justice for guidance on Trump's handling of documents, said a person briefed on the matter. The DOJ in turn said the Inspector General at the National Archives should examine the material first. It's unclear what the status of any potential investigation is. Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich said the president has done nothing wrong: The Fake News machine, powered by anonymous and politically-motivated sources, is running in overdrive this week, and the leftist media is complicit in spreading these lies. These reports are all missing one key component: evidence. Trump has been fighting with the government over presidential documents since leaving office, especially the special committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in which a mob stormed the Capitolto try and overturn his election loss to President Joe Biden. Trump went to court seeking to block the National Archives from releasing documents to the committee, calling it a politically motivated fishing expedition. The Supreme Court disagreed and cleared the way for the Archives to provide the documents to the Jan. 6 committee. The Archives' attempts to secure Trump's 15 boxes of documents appears to be a separate matter, one shrouded in secrecy. In his statement, Trump said media accounts portraying a contentious back-and-forth with the National Archives and Records Administration are false, and that "it was a great honor" to work with officials there. "The papers were given easily and without conflict and on a very friendly basis," Trump said. Previous presidents have argued with the Archives about what items are personal and what are required to be disclosed under the Presidential Records Act, though no cases involved the volume of records that Trump hauled off. Officials from the Trump White House, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid Trump's wrath, said the president had a habit of ripping up documents. Aides had to tape them back together. One former official said Trump also had a habit of taking work with him back to the residence of the White House, and some of those documents could well have wound up in Mar-a-Lago. Trump also disputed news reports that he had papers and documents flushed down toilets at the White House. New book: Trump White House staff found papers blocking a toilet Jan. 6 committee: Trump documents will prompt 'very targeted, very specific questions' from House panel probing Jan. 6 attack on Capitol The former president is facing a gantlet of investigations in addition to the the Jan. 6 committee probe. Prosecutors in New York are investigating the Trump Organization's past financial dealings, while a grand jury in Atlanta is planning to examine the pressure that Trump put on Georgia election officials to change that state's election results. The National Archives said in a statement that it arranged for "the transport of 15 Trump boxes from Mar-a-Lago in mid-January." The Archives said Trump's representatives have informed the agency "that they are continuing to search for additional Presidential records that belong to the National Archives." David S. Ferriero, archivist of the United States, said the records should have been turned over when Trump left the White House and said it is important that presidents follow the law with respect to record keeping. The Presidential Records Act is critical to our democracy, in which the government is held accountable by the people, Ferriero said. Jeffrey Engel, director of Southern Methodist Universitys Center for Presidential History, said that not since Richard Nixon has such a dispute raged over access to an ex-presidents White House records. Self-preservation, Engel said, is the driving force shared by both Nixon and Trump in their quest to shield documents from public view. Even if Trump violated the Presidential Records Act, the remedies are unclear. Robert David Johnson, a history professor at Brooklyn College who has studied the issue, said the law is more civil in nature than criminal. It would be difficult to pursue a criminal case against a president because he or she could claim that the documents are personal property and not subject to the law. Johnson also compared Trump's actions to those of Nixon, whose efforts to withhold documents and tapes from the Archives led to passage of the presidential records act of 1978. The problem, he said, is "it's hard to enforce." Contributing: Kevin Johnson This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lawmakers ask Archives to probe if Trump took White House documents Danielle Zaborski Gassman, left, portrays Briggs, in the play Heart Problems. She is speaking with Zac Robison, playing Wally. Gassman wrote the play, which is being presented by the Licking County Players. The Licking County Players premiered Heart Problems this past weekend, a play written locally that the author hopes can teach some lessons about love and friendship. Licking County Players is a Newark-based performing arts group that "has been putting on plays to delight a wide variety of audiences" for over fifty years, according to their website. Heart Problems, written by Danielle Z. Gassman, is a play that tells the story of a woman named Alisa Briggs. Briggs struggles to express feelings of intimacy to her longtime best friend, Wally, all while dealing with heart complications and healthcare-related financial issues that threaten to prevent her from accepting a teaching job in Kosova, a small country in southeastern Europe. Gassman drew inspiration for the story's setting from one of her own personal experiences. "I had a teaching job in Kosova, and I had to do a doctor's appointment like (the one in the play). After it was finished I was like, 'I wonder what would happen (if something went wrong),'" she said in an interview with the Newark Advocate. "There was no backup plan if I couldn't go." Gassman believes that her play can teach Licking County residents some valuable lessons about the sometimes-complex natures of close friendships. "My hope is that this play is a testament to love that is messy and hard, but well worth having," wrote Gassman in an introductory pamphlet given to all theater guests. "I really wanted to show that a relationship doesn't always have to be romantic to be valuable," Gassman said. "Sometimes you have to wait through those difficult conversations, and it's not going to be comfortable and it's not going to be fun, but it's going to be worth having those conversations." Danielle Zaborski Gassman, left, portrays Briggs in Heart Problems, a play she wrote for the Licking County Players. Also in the scene are Kacper Owens, middle, as the desk clerk speaking with Zac Robison, portraying Wally. No stranger to working with Licking County Players, Gassman also acts in the play's lead role, as Briggs. "My first play with (Licking County Players) was six years ago. I think this is my eighth play with them," she said. Story continues LCP team members prided the production as one that was made possible exclusively by Licking County residents. "This came entirely from us as a community," said Zac Robison, who presides the LCP board and also acted as Wally in Heart Problems. "Everybody in our production lives in Licking County." Director Emily Hare said the group is cherishing the opportunity to "show the world a premiere that was written by a Licking County resident." The play, which runs for roughly two-and-a-half hours, consists of an eight-person cast. As is the case in typical LCP productions, that cast included "a mix" of long-experienced actors and people looking to try something new, according to Hare. Four showings of Heart Problems remain: Thursday, February 10th at 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 11th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 12th at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, February 13th at 3:00 p.m. For tickets, visit https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/lickingcountyplayers/6513. For more information about LCP, visit https://www.lickingcountyplayers.org/. The Licking County Players theater is located at 131 W Main St in Newark. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County Players premieres locally-written Heart Problems Boris Johnson said it is demonstrably untrue that partygate has damaged the UKs reputation on the international stage. It follows claims by former prime minister Sir John Major that reports of parties held in Downing Street during lockdown had shredded Britains diplomatic reputation. Asked by reporters in Poland what he made of Sir Johns criticism, Mr Johnson said: That is demonstrably untrue. Pressed on whether he had broken lockdown rules, the Tory Party leader said: Im going to have plenty to say on that in due course. In a scathing attack on the prime minister on Thursday, Sir John said that Mr Johnson had broken lockdown laws and that trust in politics had hit a low ebb, eroded by foolish behaviour. He said that too often, ministers have been evasive, and the truth has been optional. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is expected to be among some 50 people set to receive an email and questionnaire from detectives working on Operation Hillman the Mets investigation into at least 12 parties and gatherings in Downing Street between May 2020 and April 2021. 22:14 , Matt Watts That ends our politics live coverage for the day. Please check in again tomorrow for more! Met Police commissioner to step down 19:55 , Daniel Keane Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick will step down from her role after saying Mayor of London Sadiq Khan no longer had sufficient confidence in her leadership. In a statement, Dame Cressida said she would move on from the role leading the force after a short period to ensure the stability of the Met. It follows a series of scandals involving the force, including the murder of Sarah Everard by former Met officer Wayne Couzens and the publication of racist and misogynistic messages sent by officers working at a branch in Charing Cross. Dame Cressida wrote: Undertaking this role as a servant of the people of London and the UK has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life. Story continues Throughout my career I have sought to protect the people of this wonderful thriving and diverse city. Sinn Fein leader congratulates Queen on lifetime of service 18:42 , Daniel Keane Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has passed on her congratulations to the Queen on a lifetime of service on her Platinum Jubilee. Mrs McDonald was reacting to the news that a tree is to be planted in the grounds of Parliament Buildings at Stormont to mark the jubilee. The republican party leader said: I think it is important that we are respectful of the identity of our citizens who are British. I think that is entirely appropriate and I welcome that decision. For those who will celebrate the jubilee, I wish them well and a good jubilee and for those of us that dont I believe we are now big enough, bold enough, generous enough to acknowledge the identity of others. She added: Can I also extend to the British Queen a word of congratulations because 70 years is quite some record. That is what you call a lifetime of service. Watch: Lavrov mocks Truss following Ukraine talks 18:22 , Daniel Keane Here is the clip of Sergei Lavrov dismissing talks with Ms Truss earlier this afternoon. Russian minister mocks deaf Truss as Ukraine talks stall in Moscow 17:54 , Daniel Keane Russias foreign minister claimed speaking to British foreign secretary Liz Truss is like the deaf talking to the blind as talks over the Ukraine crisis stalled in Moscow. Sergei Lavrov said he was disappointed with the lack of progress in the negotiations as Ms Truss urged Russia to de-escalate amid growing fears it could invade Ukraine. Ms Truss trip to Moscow was the first such visit by a foreign secretary in more than four years and comes as the UK government seeks a path of diplomacy to help defuse tensions on the Ukrainian border. The latest estimates suggest Moscow has 130,000 troops massed in the border region and in neighbouring Belarus, close to the strength some analysts believe would be needed to mount a full-scale invasion. Speaking at a joint press conference, Mr Lavrov claimed the UK continued to be dismissive of Russias security concerns. Im rather disappointed that it was a bit like talking to a deaf person, he said. Its like theyre listening to us but not hearing. Senior British diplomats meet Taliban to discuss humanitarian situation 17:34 , Daniel Keane Senior British diplomats have met leading Taliban figures to discuss the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The UK does not recognise the Taliban regime which swept to power in 2020 amid chaotic scenes as Western forces pulled out of Kabul. Nick Dyer, the UKs special envoy for famine prevention, Hugo Shorter, the charge daffaires ad interim of the UK mission to Afghanistan and Hester Waddams, the deputy head of mission held talks with senior Taliban officials. UK representatives returned to Afghanistan today for talks on how to respond to the countrys deepening humanitarian crisis, a Government spokesman said. They met Taliban figures including foreign affairs chief Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and intelligence director Abdul Haq Wasiq. Starmer attacks Stop The War coalition 17:10 , Daniel Keane Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the Stop the War coalition are naive and give succour to authoritarian leaders who directly threaten democracies. In an opinion article for the Guardian, Sir Keir said Russian President Vladimir Putin would see the campaign group as virtue signallers. He wrote: At best they are naive, at worst they actively give succour to authoritarian leaders who directly threaten democracies. There is nothing progressive in showing solidarity with the aggressor when our allies need our solidarity and crucially our practical assistance now more than ever. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is deputy leader of the group, which will hold an online rally on Thursday evening titled No War in Ukraine: Stop Nato Expansion. Mr Corbyn will speak at the event. Scotland to ditch face masks in schools 16:45 , Daniel Keane Students and teachers in Scotlands secondary schools will no longer need to wear face masks in the classroom from the end of this month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. She said the change - from February 28 when all schools have returned from the half-term break - is a further step in allowing children and young people a return to a more normal experience in school after many, many months of sacrifice. Face coverings will still be required in other communal, indoor areas within high schools, the First Minister added, but this will be kept under regular review. The announcement came 24 hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the last domestic restrictions in England - including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive - are likely to be lifted later this month, a full month early. Downing St wishes Prince Charles swift recovery from Covid 16:16 , Daniel Keane Downing Street said Boris Johnson hopes the Prince of Wales will make a swift recovery after he tested positive for Covid-19. A No 10 spokesman said: The Prime Minister would like to wish the Prince of Wales a speedy recovery. UK wont intervene militarily if Ukraine is attacked, says PM 15:54 , Daniel Keane Boris Johnson has said Britain is sending military support to Ukraine but made clear it could not intervene militarily if it was attacked. Both Poland and the UK are offering direct military support to our Ukrainian friends. We both believe in a sovereign independent Ukraine, he said in a pooled clip for broadcasters. The UK has been supplying some defensive weaponry in the form of anti-tank missiles, we have been training Ukrainian troops. That is as far as we can go at the moment, he said. Ukraine is not part of Nato. What we are sticking up for is the right of Ukraine like any other sovereign independent country to aspire to that. PM: Demonstrably untrue partygate has damaged UKs reputation 15:25 , Elly Blake Boris Johnson said it was demonstrably untrue that partygate had damaged the UKs reputation on the international stage, following criticism levelled by former prime minister Sir John Major. Ben Wallace: Defensive equipment being sent to Ukraine 14:35 , Elly Blake Body armour, helmets and combat boots are among the latest equipment Britain has sent to Ukraine, the Defence Secretary has said. Ben Wallace, in a written statement to MPs, said: I can today announce that, in response to a request from the Ukrainian government, we are providing additional defensive equipment including body armour, helmets and combat boots. The first shipments arrived in Kyiv this week. They are a purely defensive capability and pose no threat to Russia. This package, requested by the Ukrainians, complements the training and capabilities that Ukraine already has and those that are also being provided by the UK and other allies in Europe and the United States. PM: We wont accept a world in which a powerful neighbour can bully or attack their neighbours 14:00 , Elly Blake Prime minister Boris Johnson is speaking in Warsw with his Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki. He told a news conference that the UK wont accept a world in which a powerful neighbour can bully or attack their neighbours, in reference to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis. He said: We need to work together now to achieve de-escalation, to persuade Vladimir Putin to de-escalate and to disengage. We wont accept, Poland and the UK, wont accept a world in which a powerful neighbour can bully or attack their neighbours. It comes as 30,000 Russian troops have been undertaking military exercises with Belarus. British politicans are stepping up diplomacy efforts as Liz Truss met with her Russian counterpart in Moscow. Waless First Minister Mark Drakeford tests positive for Covid-19 13:36 , Elly Blake Waless First Minister Mark Drakeford has tested positive for Covid-19, a spokesperson has confirmed. A statement issued on Thursday said: The First Minister of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus after taking a PCR test. He is self-isolating and working remotely. The countrys economy minister Vaughan Gething will host the three-weekly coronavirus regulations review due to take place at midday on Friday in Mr Drakefords place. House of Lords committee to probe BBC future funding 13:21 , Josh Salisbury A House of Lords committee will explore how the BBC should be funded after the Government suggested a shift away from the licence fee from 2027. The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee inquiry will explore how new technologies and consumer habits has affected the BBC, said Baroness Stowell of Beeston, chair of the committee. The BBC licence fee is being frozen for the next two years and the Government has said it wants to find a new funding model for the broadcaster after the current licence fee funding deal expires in 2027. BBC bosses have warned that the licence fee freeze will leave them with an annual 285 million shortfall by 2027-28. "Our inquiry will look at this changing media landscape and examine how the BBC should be funded in the future to deliver what is needed from a national public service broadcaster, said Baroness Beeston. Law for tougher sanctions against Russia in force this afternoon - minister 12:43 , Josh Salisbury Powers which will allow the Government to toughen sanctions on Russia will come into force this afternoon, a minister has said. Foreign Office minister James Cleverly told the Commons that the new law would be in place by the end of Thursday as Foreign Secretary Liz Truss visits Moscow. Ms Truss had promised MPs that a new sanctions law would be in place by Thursday, but Labour questioned why MPs had not been given a chance to scrutinise the proposals as the deadline rolled around. Foreign Office minister, James Cleverly, told the Commons: We are toughening and expanding our sanctions regime in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. This legislation will significantly broaden the range of people, businesses and other entities that we can sanction in response to any further Russian aggression." John Major: Ministers not telling Boris Johnson he cant behave like he does 12:36 , Josh Salisbury Sir John Major said previous prime ministers would not have been allowed by their senior ministers and officials to behave in the way Boris Johnson does. Speaking during a question and answer session at the Institute for Government, the former prime minister said the apparent unwillingness to confront Mr Johnson was a "weakness" in No 10. "If Mrs Thatcher in her time had been seen to behave in the way the present Prime Minister has, I can tell you what would have happened," he said. "The cabinet secretary would have been around straight away to tell her she couldn't do it and so would Mr (William) Whitelaw, Lord Carrington, Sir Geoffrey Howe and many other senior and weighty member of the cabinet. "If I had done it I would have had Douglas Hurd, Ken Clarke, Michael Heseltine, never mind others in No 10, telling me, 'You just cannot do that'. "Nobody in Cabinet, nor indeed the Cabinet Secretary, seems to be saying that to the present Prime Minister and that is a weakness in No 10." PM has not been contacted by the Met Police, says No 10 12:13 , Elly Blake The Prime Ministers official spokesman said Boris Johnson has not been contacted by Metropolitan Police officers investigating partygate allegations. We would look to confirm contact of this sort as relates to the Prime Minister given the significant public interest, he added. Responding to John Majors allegation that Boris Johnson and No 10 staff had broken lockdown laws, No 10 said: Theres a Met investigation under way on these events, I simply wouldnt seek to comment. Breaking: Prince of Wales tests positive for Covid-19 12:05 , Elly Blake The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating, Clarence House has said on Twitter. This morning The Prince of Wales has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating. HRH is deeply disappointed not to be able to attend today's events in Winchester and will look to reschedule his visit as soon as possible. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) February 10, 2022 Zahawi: People rightly angry over partygate 12:01 , Elly Blake Nadhim Zahawi said people are rightly angry about allegations of lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street. There is no doubt that the stories around parties have cut through people were rightly angry to see that those who were making the rules have allegations put against them that theyre not obeying the rules, he told Sky News. I think the police are looking at all those allegations that Sue Gray has given them, I think theyve got a ream-and-a-half of hundreds of pages of reports and pictures, he said, adding it was only right they should do so. Dame Cressida Dick: Some of 50 people contacted over Downing Street parties may very well be fined 11:59 , Elly Blake Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said some of the 50 people being contacted about Downing Street lockdown parties may very well be handed fixed penalty notices. Speaking to BBC Radio London, she said she recognised the scandal of parties at No 10 has hugely disgusted members of the public. Dame Cressida said: You may be aware that we are currently investigating, and I announced that a couple of weeks ago at the Police and Crime Committee. And you will also, perhaps, be aware that although I said we wouldnt be giving a running commentary we would at significant moments update the public and yesterday, my investigators did put out an update to say that we will be writing with a questionnaire to over 50 people as as part of that investigation to ask them to account for what they were doing. And clearly, some, but probably not all, of those people may very well end up with a ticket. Sir John Mayor on PM as a journalist: His reporting was often widely mistaken and short of fact 11:46 , Elly Blake Boris Johnsons reporting was often widely mistaken and short of fact, Sir John Major told a Q&A session. Mr Johnson was a journalist prior to entering the world of politics. Sir John was asked about Brexit by the BBC journalist Nick Watt. Answering whether the prime ministers claim the UK would be 350m better off a week if it left the EU, he responded that he had not seen evidence of that. He also said the Northern Ireland protocol was arguably one of the worst pieces of negotiating in recent history. Sir John Mayor: Those surrounding the PM should be held accountable if lockdown rules broken 11:41 , Elly Blake During a Q&A after his speech at the Institute for Government, Sir John Major has said those surrounding the prime minister must be culpable. But, shying away from saying whether Boris Johnson should resign if fined by the Metropolitan Police, he said: Im not here to pronounce on the fate of any individual this morning. He repeatedly refued to answer questions about Mr Johnsons fate if he were to be found to have broken lockdown rules. Sir John Mayor: PMQs like a circus' 11:38 , Elly Blake Sir John Major has said he thinks reforms to Parliament are necessary. He said he sometimes tunes in to prime ministers questions every Wednesday at 12pm and thinks it is like a circus. The former prime minister refused to make any comment on if the voting system should be changed. Dame Cressida Dick has no intention of resigning over Charing Cross incident 11:35 , Elly Blake Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she has no intention of going when asked if she should step down following the revelation that officers sent racist and sexist messages to each other. Speaking on BBC Radio London, she said: I have absolutely no intention of going and I believe that I am and have been, actually for the last five years, leading a real transformation in the Met. We have a service now which is, Im absolutely certain, more professional, fairer, more transparent, more accountable and closer to its communities and more effective in, for example, reducing violent crime, which has been going down year on year on year in almost every category, bucking the national trends. John Major launches scathing attack on the PM 11:29 , Elly Blake Sir John Major has accused Boris Johnson of undermining trust in government and politics. The former Conservative leader, who was prime minister for seven years from 1990 to 1997, warned that attempts to excuse the breaking of lockdown laws by No 10 is undermining trust in government and politics. He said: The Prime Minister and our present Government not only challenge the law, but also seem to believe that they and they alone need not obey the rules, traditions, conventions call them what you will of public life. The charge that there is one law for the Government and one for everyone else is politically deadly and it has struck home. Sir John Major gives stark warning about trust in politics 11:05 , Elly Blake Former prime minister Sir John Major is using a speech at the Institute for Government to issue a stark warning about trust in politics. He accused the prime minister of dreaming up brazen excuses for alleged rule-breaking over the pandemic. He said: At No10, the Prime Minister and officials broke lockdown laws. Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day the public was asked to believe the unbelievable. Ministers were sent out to defend the indefensible making themselves look gullible or foolish. Collectively, this has made the Government look distinctly shifty, which has consequences that go far beyond political unpopularity. No Government can function properly if its every word is treated with suspicion. Read the full story by deputy political editor David Ellis here. Future peace and stability of Europe at stake, says Liz Truss 10:31 , Elly Blake Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, at a joint press conference with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, said the future peace and stability of Europe was at stake. There is still time for Russia to end its aggression towards Ukraine and pursue the path of diplomacy, she said. But Nato is very clear that if that path is not chosen there will be severe consequences for Russia, Ukraine and the whole of Europe. PM refuses to say whether he will resign if fined over partygate 10:25 , Elly Blake Boris Johnson has refused to say whether he will resign if he is fined for breaching lockdown restrictions. Asked at a press conference with Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the Prime Minister said: On your point about whats going on at home, that process must be completed and Im looking forward to it being completed, and thats the time to say more on that. Nato secretary-general writes to Russian foreign minister 10:16 , Elly Blake Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said he has written to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov to offer more talks. At a joint press conference with Boris Johnson at Nato HQ in Brussels, Mr Stoltenberg said: This morning I have sent a letter to foreign minister Lavrov reiterating my invitation to Russia to continue our dialogue in a series of meetings in the Nato-Russia council to find a diplomatic way forward. We are prepared to listen to Russias concerns and ready to discuss ways to uphold and strengthen the fundamental principles of European security that we all have signed up to. But he added: Nato will not compromise on core principles the right of each nation to choose its own path and Natos ability to protect and defend all allies. Hospital waiting times at record high 09:48 , Elly Blake The number of people in England waiting to start routine hospital treatment has risen to a new record high. A total of 6.1 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of December 2021, NHS England said. This is the highest number since records began in August 2007. The number of people having to wait more than 52 weeks to start treatment stood at 310,813 in December 2021, up from 306,996 in the previous month and 39% higher than the number in December 2020. The Government and NHS England have set the ambition of eliminating all waits of more than a year by March 2025. Nadhim Zahawi: If I didnt have the vaccine I would have been in big trouble when I had Covid 09:14 , Elly Blake Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi has said he would have been in big trouble if he had not had the Covid-19 vaccine when he contracted the virus. Mr Zahawi opened up about his experience of having Covid-19 on Sky News. He told how he was struggling to breathe and saw his temperature shoot up to 39.5 degrees. If I hadnt had the vaccine I would have been in big trouble, he said. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi says his doctor told him he would've been "in big trouble" if he didn't have the vaccine after contracting #COVID19. He adds his temperature went up to 39.5C.#AskTheEducationSecretary https://t.co/RcIQV0QY4O Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 pic.twitter.com/Vfb9f4wSyd Sky News (@SkyNews) February 10, 2022 Zoe app lead: Totally wrong to say the UK has beaten Covid' 09:05 , Elly Blake Professor Tim Spector, who runs the Zoe app Covid study at Kings College London, said other countries will stick with four or five days of isolation. They wont be saying to everyone Dont bother, just go and infect your workmates, which seems crazy, he told Times Radio. Asked if Boris Johnsons announcement was an act of irresponsibility, he said: I think it is giving the impression that Britain, that the UK, has beaten Covid, I think its totally the wrong way to do it. Liz Truss: I urge Russia to take the path of diplomacy 08:24 , Elly Blake Foreign secretary Liz Truss has urged Russia to take the path of diplomacy during a meeting in Moscow with her counterpart Sergei Lavrov. She also said a war in Ukraine would be distastrous for Russia, Ukraine and the rest of Europe. Ms Lavrov responded saying the Kremlin is ready to normalise its relations with the UK but this must be based on the principle of mutual respect. British troops being sent to Ukraine to prove Nato is not flaky, says Ben Wallace 08:14 , Elly Blake Britain is sending 1,000 troops to eastern Europe to prove to Russia that Nato is not flaky, defence secretary Ben Wallace has said. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: What this is really about is saying to President Putin, Nato is not flaky. Nato will stand by its members, big or small. The cabinet minister added: We want a dialogue, we want a way through this, but also Russia is now deploying over half its combat troops of a whole nation of Russia on the borders of Ukraine and in Belarus, and were not just going to let that happen without Nato having a response to defend its own members. Mr Wallace said the troops could end up in any Nato country where there are consequences of an invasion of Ukraine including the Baltic states, Poland, Romania and Nordic nations. Should Russia invade Ukraine I think we can expect very large movements of people as refugees and that in itself can be very destabilising to small and medium-sized states, he said. PM headed for Brussels where he will meet Nato secretary-general 07:59 , Elly Blake The Prime Minister has boarded his flight to Brussels where he is due to meet with Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg. Boris Johnson is expected to reiterate an offer to strengthen the alliances defences should Russian aggression in eastern Europe increase. Following the meeting, he is scheduled to fly to Warsaw in Poland for talks with the countrys leaders and to meet British troops stationed there, amid fears over a Russian invasion into neighbouring Ukraine. Defence secretary: More photos of Downing Street parties could emerge 07:52 , Elly Blake Ben Wallace has acknowledged more pictures of alleged rule-breaking events in Downing Street could emerge at any time. He told Times Radio: The constant leaking is clearly designed for a purpose. Yes, there could be a photograph tomorrow, the next day or the day after, thats clearly whats behind some of the peoples motives. How accurate they are, how much they are put in the right context, thats what the police will find out. AstraZeneca records loss despite manufacturing Covid-19 vaccine 07:46 , Elly Blake Covid-19 vaccine maker AstraZeneca has swung to a loss for 2021 despite making 4 billion dollars (3 billion) in sales from its coronavirus jab. The drugs giant, which is not making a profit from the vaccine, posted a pre-tax loss of 265 million dollars (196 million) for last year, against profits of 3.92 billion dollars (2.9 billion) in 2020. Pascal Soriot, chief executive of AstraZeneca, said: AstraZeneca continued on its strong growth trajectory in 2021, with industry-leading R&D (research and development) productivity, five of our medicines crossing new blockbuster thresholds, and the acquisition and integration of Alexion. We also delivered on our promise of broad and equitable access to our Covid-19 vaccine with 2.5 billion doses released for supply around the world, and we made good progress on reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. He added: After a landmark year in 2021, we are increasing the dividend for our shareholders. Human rights barrister: PM could be fined thousands of pounds for attending lockdown parties 07:39 , Elly Blake A human rights barrister has said the Prime Minister could face thousands of pounds worth of fixed penalty notices for attending lockdown parties in No 10. Adam Wagner, an expert on Covid-19 rules, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the most likely form of penalty to be issued by police investigating the gatherings is fixed penalty notices, which can be issued when the police reasonably believe a person has committed a criminal offence. He said: There were 12 gatherings being investigated; the person we know was probably at six was the Prime Minister. So if he was given a fixed penalty notice for each and every one those, I think that he would be given those sort of cumulative amounts until eventually the final one would be 6,400. So overall, and assuming there isnt a big 10,000 one for hosting a gathering in the flat of over 30 people, he could still be in line for over 10,000 worth of fixed penalty notices if they accumulate. Liz Truss to meet her counterpart in Moscow 07:29 , Elly Blake Foreign secretary Liz Truss is visiting Moscow today, where she will meet with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. She will ask the Kremlin to withdraw its troops from Ukraines border. Whats happening today? 06:50 , Elly Blake The prime minister is flying to Belgium and Poland today amid concerns the ongoing crisis in Ukraine turns into a full-scale war. Defence minister Ben Wallace is doing the media rounds this morning, with Ukraine and partygate no doubt dominating the conversation. Former prime minister Sir John Major is due to deliver a speech to the Institute for Government later this morning. Stay tuned, we will be bringing you live updates from the heart of Westminster and across the world. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed last January, Daniel Rojas decided to take advantage of a benefit Starbucks often touts for its employees around the country: free therapy through Lyra Health, a mental health startup that provides counseling services for some of the biggest companies in the world. Rojas, a 25-year-old shift supervisor in Buffalo, New York, had been dealing with gender dysphoria and body image problems, two issues he says compound each other like a snake eating its tail. So Rojas jumped at the coffee giants offer of 20 free counseling sessions from Lyra, a Silicon Valley darling cofounded and led by former Facebook CFO David Ebersman. But four sessions in, Rojas, who uses he/they pronouns, felt frustrated with the progress of their treatment. He said he had to constantly re-explain things hed gone over in previous sessions, which made him relive the same traumas every time he had to repeat them. So they decided to end treatment with that counselor and find another one on Lyras platform. When they attempted to find someone else, though, they said a Lyra rep told them in a video call that their issues were too advanced for the companys care. The rep suggested he seek long-term treatment elsewhere and left him to figure it out on his own. I work really hard at Starbucks and I want to get every benefit I possibly can, Rojas said. I felt alienated. I felt like I was being cheated. Starbucks did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Rojass situation, and Lyra declined to address it. The tech industrys growth-at-all-costs outlook may not translate well to a field as delicate as mental health. Starbucks bills its Lyra benefit as mental healthcare for a wide-range of needs, from mild to complex. But Rojass experience reveals one way patients can feel underserved by a startup aiming to be a model for modern mental healthcare. In interviews with BuzzFeed News, 18 users, therapists, and former Lyra employees voiced concerns about some of the companys business practices, including its productivity-based bonus structure for therapists and its use of patient data. Some of the people who spoke to BuzzFeed News for this story did so under the condition of anonymity because they feared repercussions from their employers or former employers. Story continues Lyra whose juggernaut slate of corporate clients also includes Google, Facebook parent Meta, and Morgan Stanley is one of the leaders in a wave of startups focusing on mental health, applying Silicon Valleys data-absorbed ethos to the discipline of therapy. Tech giants like Facebook and Google often weather criticism for taking liberties with peoples personal information, but the business model behind startups such as Lyra has received less scrutiny. The company, which has raised $700 million in funding to date, generates revenue through deals with high-profile companies, using anonymized patient data to prove it provides worthwhile benefits. Better access to therapy, of course, is a good thing. Lyras supporters cite good wages for therapists, a well-built software platform, and the awareness the company has brought to people who might not have otherwise sought therapy. Other mental health companies, including Ginger, Modern Health, and Cerebral, have also become workplace staples, especially throughout a global pandemic. (BuzzFeed has a relationship with Ginger to offer mental health benefits to employees.) As more people entrust this burgeoning class of therapy apps with their well-being, the tech industrys growth-at-all-costs outlook may not translate well to a field as delicate as mental health. Lyras prominence raises questions about whether a high-flying Silicon Valley startups need to justify its reported $4.6 billion valuation conflicts with its ability to provide quality mental health services. Lyra spokesperson Dyani Vanderhorst said in a statement, Our approach makes it easy for millions of people to access high-quality mental healthcare. As demand accelerates, we remain committed to delivering clinically proven, outcomes-based mental healthcare for employees and their dependents across all facets of mental health. It Can Get Dicey In Terms Of Ethics Ebersman founded Lyra Health seven years ago in Burlingame, California, about 20 miles south of San Francisco. The former Facebook executive, who was previously the financial chief at Genentech before arriving at Mark Zuckerbergs social network, said he decided to start Lyra after having a difficult experience finding care for a family member. (Lyra declined to make Ebersman available for an interview.) The startup employs its own therapists while also tapping into a network of contractors. When a company hires Lyra to be an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), its employees are typically given a set number of free sessions per year to see a counselor. The original plan was to offer users unlimited therapy sessions, two former early employees said, though that policy was later changed. The clinicians on Lyras platform specialize in evidence-based blended care therapy, a mix of in-person or live-video sessions and digital lessons and other content. After employees use all of their free sessions, they can continue seeing their Lyra therapist by paying out of pocket or through health insurance. When it comes to clinical work, the company puts an emphasis on efficiency. The startups in-house therapists are entitled to bonuses based on productivity, two former Lyra staff therapists told BuzzFeed News, which is measured through a range of goals, including symptoms improving over time based on patient surveys. You cant just throw people in and expect them to see results. One of the former therapists, Megha Reddy, said the bonus model can push therapists into churning out patients quickly. Reddy, who worked at Lyra until 2019, said the system can encourage questionable behavior, and could incentivize therapists to not see a patient for more than a certain number of sessions. This isnt an assembly line. This is actually people, Reddy said. You cant just throw people in and expect them to see results. Vanderhorst, the Lyra spokesperson, didnt answer specific questions about the bonus system or what changes may have been made to it, but said in a statement, We take great care in creating a supportive and dynamic work experience for our providers as well as offering them fair compensation. As a part-time employee working 20 hours a week at Lyra, Reddy said she was expected to see 12 to 20 patients a week with the goal of having a whole new slate of patients every six to 10 weeks. The financial incentives create the potential for abuse, she said. Her discomfort with the bonus system was her main reason for leaving Lyra. It can get dicey in terms of ethics, Reddy said. Youre not going to dictate to me when a patient is supposed to feel better based on numbers. Thats going to be based on the patient and my discretion. Vanderhorst said providers are the ones that determine how many sessions a patient needs. Arthur Caplan, head of the Division of Medical Ethics at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said a bonus system like the one used by Lyra makes him nervous. It could be a conflict of interest, he said. Turnover as a measure of success is certainly dubious in mental healthcare. "We set the tone. We basically started an industry." Facebook, Google, and Morgan Stanley declined to comment on Lyras bonus structure, and Starbucks did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Other mental health startups have also reportedly incentivized productivity from therapists. In December, Forbes reported that Cerebral had reclassified salaried therapists as contractors, making access to medical, vision, and dental benefits contingent on meeting quotas. This was done so that our best and most productive therapists have the opportunity to earn more, CEO Kyle Robertson said in response. Cerebral did not respond to a request for comment. But while other apps engage in similar practices when it comes to data policies and productivity incentives, Lyra Health bears some of the responsibility because it was a pioneer in the space, two former employees said. We set the tone, said one of them. We basically started an industry. Outcome Health Ebersman has said he wants to bring some of Facebooks data-centric approach to mental health. One of the things thats so magical about Facebook is how the experience is completely personalized, Ebersman said when Lyra launched in 2015. And that is generally absent from your experience in healthcare. To collect data on the progress of treatment, Lyra periodically sends patients outcomes surveys. The questionnaires inquire, for example, about things like anxiety or irritability over the last two weeks, asking patients to rank their intensity from 0 to 3, according to surveys viewed by BuzzFeed News. The surveys, which use clinically accepted and standardized questions, are optional. But patients may feel compelled to complete them because the automated emails look like they are coming from their therapist. Clinicians can use the data to help shape their treatment, but theres another reason Lyra pushes the surveys: The company shares aggregated and anonymized data about patient outcomes with employers to illustrate the effectiveness of its services. In one version of the survey viewed by BuzzFeed News that is hosted on research.net, a disclosure that explains how Lyra shares aggregated and anonymous outcomes data with employers appears on page three of five. Another version of the survey accessed through Googles internal Lyra portal and viewed by BuzzFeed News does not explicitly say that outcomes data will be shared. Instead, it reads: Your responses are confidential and are not shared with the employer sponsoring your Lyra benefit. Lyra declined to answer questions about how it currently discloses to patients that it shares outcomes data with employers. Google and Starbucks confirmed they receive data from Lyra in order to judge the services value to employees. Google does not access the medical records of people using Lyra Health, and we have no special access, Google spokesperson Jennifer Rodstrom said in a statement. Facebook and Morgan Stanley declined to comment. The bottom line is, this is a business. So the bottom line is money. Outcomes data is so central to Lyras philosophy that the companys previous name was Outcome Health, according to an internal document viewed by BuzzFeed News. The name was changed to Lyra Health prior to the companys launch. The bottom line is, this is a business. So the bottom line is money, said one former Lyra employee who worked on the companys clinical team. And how can you get money? By data. By saying, Look how successful we are. Please invest in us. BuzzFeed News spoke to seven current and former Google, Facebook, and Starbucks employees who saw Lyra therapists and were upset about the sharing of outcomes data. One former Facebook employee, who worked on privacy initiatives at the tech giant, was concerned the data could be abused even if aggregated and anonymized. I understand that employers want to measure the efficacy of their programs, the former employee said, but its completely inappropriate to share such sensitive data. Aside from the disclosure on some surveys, Lyra has laid out its data practices in a privacy policy, a more than 5,000-word document that lives at the bottom of its website. The company says the data sharing complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which regulates the use of health information. The companys HIPAA notice, also found at the bottom of its website, says Lyra shares patient data to support our business operations. Vanderhorst said new users must acknowledge both the privacy policy and HIPAA notice while setting up their accounts. Still, some patients had not known about the data sharing. Of the seven current and former Google, Facebook, and Starbucks employees who spoke to BuzzFeed News, all but one of them said they did not know the data from these surveys could be shared with employers in any form. Its shocking to me, said a former Google employee, who said she didnt remember a data disclosure while filling out the surveys. I had no idea they were doing that. Lyra defended how it communicates its privacy practices to patients. Lyra follows all U.S. regulations regarding privacy, Vanderhorst said in a statement. Our privacy policy is standard format and provides detailed information about our practices. Jennifer King, privacy and data policy fellow at the Stanford University Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, said theres the legal process of gathering consent, and then theres the moral question of making sure people fully understand. The added layer of sharing information with an employer makes it even more problematic. People tend to feel somewhat better with aggregation, but in the workplace is different, she said. Lyra isnt the only company in the mental health space facing questions about what its doing with anonymous user data. Loris.ai, the partner company to the nonprofit Crisis Text Line, is contending with criticism after Politico reported that it uses anonymous but sensitive data drawn from conversations on the text-based suicide hotline for business purposes. Some Lyra therapists were not aware Lyra shares outcomes data with employers, either. BuzzFeed News interviewed eight current and former Lyra therapists, and six of them said they did not know about the data sharing. The therapists said meaningful consent from patients is crucial, even though their names are not attached to the data. Some patients and therapists didnt mind the data being shared anonymously, since it might be valuable for a company to know if its workforce is depressed or riddled with anxiety. But one former Lyra therapist says patients should get to choose what they want shared. They should be able to select whether they're willing for their outcomes to be reported, she said. Data collection was a key issue for some therapists during the early days of the company, according to three former Lyra employees. They said concerns about data sharing made it difficult to recruit therapists to work with Lyra when the company was getting started. When company leadership was told about those hesitations, they were dismissive of the concerns, the former employees said. Lyra has tremendous respect for the clinical knowledge, experience, and expertise of our providers, Vanderhorst said in a statement. Provider recruitment and retention are essential to the care we provide members and the success of our organization. The company has also had a history of its clinicians feeling overlooked, two former employees said. While engineering and data teams were valued for their input, people on the clinical team were treated like second-class citizens, one of the former employees said. That employee said that culture was instilled as Ebersman began to bring in people who used to work at Facebook. Lyra did not address these allegations and Facebook declined to comment. A Big Brother Kind Of Approach Chelsey Glasson, a former Google and Facebook employee, has recently sounded the alarm on EAPs like Lyra and the potential conflict of interest that could occur when your employer pays for your therapist. In an October op-ed for Insider, she called for more transparency in the relationship between third-party mental health providers and employers. Glasson, who is suing Google after alleged pregnancy discrimination, had sought session notes from her Lyra therapist as part of the lawsuit. Google then demanded and received the notes as well. After that, Glasson said, her therapist called and indicated she was no longer comfortable seeing her. Google declined to comment. Glassons former therapist didnt respond to multiple requests for comment. In Lyras privacy policy, the company says it can use personal information to comply with our legal obligations. Its all inappropriate and unethical, Glasson said of Lyras business practices. People have no idea this is happening. Glasson, who is based in Seattle, filed a complaint against her therapist, and the situation is now under investigation by the Washington State Department of Health, according to emails viewed by BuzzFeed News. Its all inappropriate and unethical, Glasson said of Lyras business practices. People have no idea this is happening. After consulting with Glasson, Washington State Sen. Karen Keiser sent a letter in November to the states secretary of health about the potential conflict between employees and employers that participate in EAPs, according to a copy of the letter viewed by BuzzFeed News. Then, in December, Keiser pre-filed legislation that aims to give workers more rights when it comes to EAPs. The bill, called SB 5564, would prohibit employers from disciplining workers based on their decision to see or not see a therapist through an EAP. It would also make it illegal for an employer to obtain individually identifiable information about an employee. A state senate committee discussed the bill at a hearing last month. Our huge technology companies don't hold personal privacy with the same regard that I think they should, Keiser told BuzzFeed News. Theyve been data mining personal privacy information for years and for their own bottom line. But when they use it on their employees, thats a whole different thing. Its really a big brother kind of approach. Lyras policies have at least some people wary about seeking therapy through their employers. After Glassons experience with her therapist was reported by the New York Times in July, some Google workers became less likely to use the EAP services provided by Lyra, said the Alphabet Workers Union, which represents workers for Google and its parent company. Google declined to comment. I was surprised when I heard about her story, said a former Google employee. It really shed a lot of light on the relationship that the counselor has with the company. Katharine Schwab contributed reporting. A suspected drunken driver charged with shooting a stranger in Tacoma and crashing his pickup as he fled the scene, pinning a pedestrian between two vehicles, is being held on $2 million bail. Jeffrey Poland, 47, of Port Orchard, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, vehicular assault with DUI and two counts of second-degree assault. A judge ordered an ignition interlock device be placed on any vehicles driven by Poland because the offense involved alcohol. Police also suspect Poland was involved in two other incidents Saturday where he allegedly waved around a gun at a bar and a hookah lounge. Both cases remain under investigation and prosecutors said Poland might face additional charges. A probable cause statement gives this account of Polands actions: Around 1:35 a.m., surveillance video allegedly shows Poland pull up next to a 32-year-old womans Jeep at South 35th Street and Union Avenue and fire four shots. The woman was hit in the neck and torso by all four bullets. A man in her passenger seat was not injured. Its unknown why he shot at the Jeep. The woman sought help from a nearby security guard and called 911. She was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. Poland fled but crashed about a mile away near South 52nd Street and South Tacoma Way. The victim in that case was a 24-year-old man who held open the passenger door of his vehicle for a woman, then walked around the back of his truck toward the drivers side. It was about then that Polands pickup swerved and struck a parked Chevy Impala, pushing the car into the victims truck and pinning him between the vehicles. A witness ran to help the victim but Poland got out of his truck and allegedly pointed a gun at them. The witness retreated to a nearby clubhouse, and the victim tried unsuccessfully to crawl away from Poland, who eventually got back into his truck. When an officer arrived, Poland was slightly dazed and obviously intoxicated, prosecutors wrote in charging papers. Story continues After hearing that Poland had pointed a gun at the victims, the officer held Poland at gunpoint until he threw the pistol out of the truck. Poland ignored other police commands and grabbed another handgun from inside the truck. He eventually threw that weapon at the officers feet and was taken into custody. The defendants actions post-collision prevented witnesses and the officer from providing immediate medical aid to the victim, records say. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where doctors amputated one leg and reattached the other. It wasnt long before detectives connected Poland to the shooting and identified him through surveillance video at the scene of the shooting. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan urged the State Board of Education to rescind its school masking policy in light of recent improving health metrics following a COVID-19 surge tied to the omicron variant. In a letter delivered Thursday, the Republican governor cited the widespread availability of vaccines and improvements in the states COVID-19 health metrics this month. The states 7-day positivity rate was 5.12%, with 986 people hospitalized by the virus. The state Board of Education approved an emergency regulation in December that creates an off ramp to a statewide mask mandate for school systems to allow students to go without masks. Mandates may be lifted if a countys community spread of COVID-19 is moderate or if vaccination rates are above 80% in the school or the surrounding community. Community transmission is high in every Maryland county, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hogan said it was critical to move toward normalcy for students and families. We have seen the harmful effects of prolonged school closures on the education, health, and emotional well-being of Maryland students, he said in the letter. The consequences include failing grades, regressed social development, and increased mental health challenges. If these trends are not reversed quickly, we face the unthinkable prospect of a generation left behind, both academically and socially. Student performance nationwide has suffered since the pandemic disrupted three consecutive academic years. In Maryland, failure rates were found to have doubled or tripled in some school systems last year. Hogans letter comes a day after he said he would ask the State Board of Education to revisit the school masking policy at its meeting later this month. The Maryland State Board of Education did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday, but said earlier in the week that its members are watching with optimism as Covid-19 metrics improve in the State because our goal has been and continues to be to provide safe in person instruction for our children and staff with minimal disruptions. Story continues The board reviews COVID-19 metrics at its meetings each month in order to assess the need for such regulations, according to the statement. Our commitment has not changed, the board said in the statement. The emergency regulation does provide research-based off-ramps for local school systems and schools based on vaccination and transmission rates. Other states including Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon announced in recent days they would end school mask mandates some time in March. Connecticut plans to end its school mandate by the end of February. All four states will allow local school districts to maintain mandates if they choose. This article will be updated. A long stagnant development in Pace may finally be moving forward, which is causing concerns for neighbors worried the project may disrupt their rural lifestyle. A preliminary plat for the first phase of the Jubilee project in the Pace area has made its way to the county's hands. The phase's plan includes about 260 homes on 260 acres. This is just one segment of the 2,700 acres included in the entire Jubilee project, which sits between Willard Norris Road and Luther Fowler Road. A preliminary plat for the first phase of the Jubilee project in Pace includes about 260 homes on 260 acres. Plans for Jubilee began taking shape in the mid to late 2000s but were derailed by the tumultuous times of the Great Recession. Then plans popped up in about 2016 to potentially donate the land to the county but never came to fruition. Now, county Planning and Zoning Director Shawn Ward said he is working closely with the project managers for Jubilee on the logistics of moving forward on the other phases, which include community assets like schools, shopping and dining areas, and a medical park. Meanwhile, nearby residents are pushing back on the project, with many citing the fact that the area is zoned for agriculture. Plans to donate land to county: Legal dispute delays land donation to Santa Rosa Background on the project: What happened to the Jubilee development in Santa Rosa County? | In The Know "Traffic is bad. We get a lot of cut-through coming up our road and our parallel road coming off Luther Fowler (Road). So I'm very concerned about more density, more traffic and more flooding issues," nearby resident Dave Lear told the News Journal. "Those different types of establishments need to be zoned in areas appropriate for that," said April Andrews, another area resident. According to the residents, a large factor in their pushback is also the point that the project is being classified as an alternative subdivision, meaning that the homes here could sit on lots smaller than one acre. A preliminary plat for the first phase of the Jubilee project in Pace includes about 260 homes on 260 acres. "So that land development code allows for what we call an alternative subdivision. It basically says that if you have 260 acres, you can put 260 homes on that 260 acres. It does not regulate the lot sizes," Ward said. Story continues Right now, the phase one proposal is with the county's Planning and Zoning Department, and Engineering Department. Those departments are reviewing the preliminary plat and will give feedback to the project's engineer in a couple of weeks. Clearing the land and setting infrastructure can only take place once the construction plans are OK'd by the engineering department. Ryan Fowler lives near the project's site and moved to the Pace area from Gulf Breeze with the intent to live away from congested subdivisions and live on a larger, and quieter piece of property. "So, it just makes it easy for a developer to buy (agriculture) land and build without setbacks or any kind of minimum lot size," Fowler said, adding that even though plans are in the works he does not feel like it is a lost cause to fight against the project's future. Ward said because the project is so large, there is consideration among county officials right now to hold both a Board of County Commissioners meeting and a Zoning Board Meeting for projects exclusively attached to Jubilee. "So, they have a large variety of different uses. So, what that means is we will have public hearings in order for them to utilize that property with those proposed uses," Ward said. "And those public hearings will have to go to the Zoning Board and to the Board of County Commissioners." A preliminary plat for the first phase of the Jubilee project in Pace includes about 260 homes on 260 acres. And Ward compared the project to others in Florida like Seaside in Walton County, and Celebration near Orlando. "The thought is that this would be a location for living and work where you did not have to leave your neighborhood, basically," Ward said. However, the residents here want their commissioners to fight for their rural lifestyle. "We need our Board of County Commissioners to advocate on our behalf and request that (the plans are) changed," Andrews said. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pace Jubilee development phase one under review by Santa Rosa County A new state report says the yearlong staffing shortage at the Mecklenburg jail has made the uptown facility unsafe and gives the county 60 days to fix it. In a Feb. 9 letter to Sheriff Garry McFadden obtained by the Observer, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services cites the jail for major safety violations each of them tied to a pandemic-driven exodus of personnel that has left the states largest local detention facility too poorly staffed to ensure the safety of inmates or jail personnel. In a previous Dec. 23 letter, DHHS Chief Jail Inspector Chris Wood warned that the staffing shortage posed an imminent threat to the safety of the inmates and staff. Staffing issues continue to plague the Mecklenburg jail. Is a shutdown possible? Wood recommended that McFadden, given his staffing at the time, should cut the jail population to below 1,000 inmates. At the time, the jail held more than 1,400, meaning a cut of almost 30%. Despite more than six weeks of efforts by McFadden, judges, prosecutors and public defenders to cut the numbers, the decreases have been incremental at best. As of Thursday morning, the jail population was 1,348 still hundreds short of the state target. The staffing vacancies, which totaled 159 just before Christmas, has inched down to 157 as of Monday. On Wednesday, the state gave notice that the status quo wont do. Wood gave McFadden 30 days to inform the state on how his office would correct the violations, and 60 days to fix them entirely. The Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to an email and phone call seeking comment from McFadden. But in a statement released at 6 p.m., the office said it has been addressing the problem areas by reallocating personnel and creating a special tactical unit to tamp down jail violence. While the job vacancies still exist, the statement said a new overtime policy has ensured that the jail is adequately staffed without forcing officers to work onerously long shifts, as they had up until a few weeks ago. Story continues We are continuing to proactively address all of the issues in the detention center, and Im really proud of the efforts being made by my staff and the collaborative approach by other key criminal justice stakeholders as we work through our staffing challenges, McFadden said in the statement. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has 30 days to submit a plan to fix staffing and safety concerns at the uptown detention center raised in a final state report dated Feb. 9, 2022. The states findings could trigger a process in which McFadden and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners either correct the violations or risk having the jail closed. According to state law, when NCDHHS determines that jail conditions jeopardize the safe custody, safety, health, or welfare of persons confined in the facility or violate several other standards, department Secretary Kody Kinsley can order corrections or close the facility altogether. Report: Jail violated primary duty In his 15-page report this week, Wood left no doubt that the personnel vacancies have left the jail inadequately supervised and a danger to inmates and staff alike. His report found the jail in violation of its primary duty, namely: No person may be confined in a facility unless there are adequate personnel to provide continuous supervision and to ensure inmate safety in case of an emergency. The report detailed dozens of violations in which Mecklenburg jailers failed to make the required twice-an-hour inspections of every inmate. Wood also tied multiple outbreaks of violence to the lack of adequate staffing. At full capacity, the day and night shifts at the jail each operate with 80 employees: On Dec. 5, when a jail staff member was assaulted, the day and night shifts both were almost two dozen detention workers short. Similar shortages were in place on Nov. 2, when multiple staff members were assaulted and weapons found, according to the report. On Sept. 4, when an inmate riot with weapons found erupted in one jail pod, the day shift had 23 vacancies, the night shift almost 30. In all, the jail reported 454 incidents between Jan. 1 to Dec. 9 last year. Many of the incidents were considered serious, Wood wrote, including assaults on staff, assaults on staff with weapons, inmate on inmate fights, and searches that resulted in discovery of homemade weapons. A phone call and email to Wood on Thursday were not immediately returned. A request to DHHS to talk with Kinsley did not draw an immediate response. McFadden is scheduled to hold a press conference Friday afternoon to detail depopulation efforts. The Mecklenburg County jail reported 454 incidents between Jan. 1 to Dec. 9 in 2021. Many of the incidents were considered serious, according to a report filed by Chris Wood, the states chief jail inspector, on Feb. 9, 2022. Next move on sheriff, county According to state law, Woods report now puts the onus on McFadden and eventually county commissioners to address the staffing problem. Commissioners, as the countys presiding body, can challenge any state order. If they lose, they can appeal. That would send the matter to Carla Archie, who, as the countys senior resident Superior Court judge, has been actively involved in efforts to lower the jail population this year. After holding a public hearing, Archie may affirm, modify, or reverse the Secretarys order, the law says. The Observer requested an interview with Archie on Wednesday. The judge declined, saying she could not comment on a situation that might come before her in court. Mecklenburg jail violated regulations in deaths of 2 inmates, state documents show Board of commissioners Chairman George Dunlap did not respond to Observer emails and phone calls this week seeking comment. Emails to County Manager Dena Diorio and County Attorney Tyrone Ward about the jail problems and the commissioners role in addressing them also went unanswered. In an email to commissioners Thursday morning obtained by the Observer, Diorio said that at this point, its McFaddens job to fix the jail problems, not the countys. The county manager wrote she has been assured by Kinsley that this is a corrective action, not an enforcement action. The latter would require the Board to take specific actions to assure minimum standards at the detention center are met. Up to now, Diorio wrote, We have been working with Sheriff McFadden and his staff on strategies to solve the deficiencies ... and we will work closely with him on the corrective action plan. Last week, a county spokesperson confirmed that Diorio offered to work with the Sheriff to develop a sign-on bonus program to improve hiring. To improve retention, commissioners also approved additional bonuses for some existing employees. Its not clear if the Sheriffs Office has put the bonus plans in place. As of Feb. 1, 2022, the population inside the Mecklenburg County jail in uptown Charlotte, NC, stood at 1,406. About a week later, the total had fallen to 1,350 -- still above what a state jail inspector recommended out of safety concerns. The likelihood of a jail closure remains unclear. The Observer has not found a recent instance in North Carolina where a jail was shut down for safety reasons. If it were to happen in Mecklenburg County, the impact would be enormous on the state and federal courts. As of Thursday morning, the jail held more than 1,020 state inmates, including more than 900 accused of felonies awaiting trial. The facility also housed 341 federal inmates, part of contract with the federal courts that pays the county some $30 million a year. The pandemic has siphoned away personnel from all sides of Mecklenburg criminal justice system. The district attorneys office and the clerk of court are operating well below full capacity. The courthouse is still operating on a reduce schedule, meaning inmates awaiting trial face longer jail stays. File: Parler says it has entered into a special arrangement for Melania Trumps social media communications (Getty Images) Former first lady Melania Trump will use Parler, a platform popular with the right wing in the US, exclusively for her social media communications. In a statement on Wednesday, the company announced that it had entered into a special arrangement for Ms Trumps social media communications. I am excited and inspired by free speech platforms that give direct communication to people worldwide, Ms Trump was quoted as saying by the companys press statement. Parler has been on the forefront of utilising Web3 technology and empowers its users to foster productive discourse. As part of the synergistic relationship, Mrs Trump will share exclusive communications on Parler, the statement said. The platform had also launched the former first ladys NFTs in December. The companys chief executive George Farmer said the brand had developed a partnership with her over time. In the time that Parler and Mrs Trump have been working together, we have found a new level of productivity and engagement with both her, her team, and her brand, Mr Farmer said. Parler returned last May after it was cut off by major service providers last year for failing to flag violent content that led to the 6 January attack on Capitol Hill by supporters of former president Donald Trump. Parler is excited to take this step forward with her and continues to build out its product offering to support her professional evolution as one of the worlds leading icons, Mr Farmer added. Ms Trumps move to tie up with Parler has raised questions about her engagement with her husbands upcoming social media website Truth Social. After his ban from Twitter and Facebook in the aftermath of the 6 January riots, Mr Trump had promised to launch his own website. Truth Social, which is due to launch on 22 February (Presidents Day), promises to be a platform for free speech that will stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech, according to Mr Trump. Amid Facebook reporting a decline in users last week, Mr Trump said people were already tired of Mark Zuckerberg and were leaving Facebook for Truth Social. A handful of Michigan Republican lawmakers support creating new regulations that would ban large, private social media platforms from removing the accounts of political candidates that violate their terms of service. The measure comes about one year after Facebook and Twitter banned former President Donald Trump, suggesting some of his posts after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol could incite further violence. A Twitter logo is displayed on a mobile phone with former President Donald Trump's photograph. It's unclear that the proposal is enforceable and it may be unconstitutional: A federal judge in Florida blocked the implementation of a similar bill in that state, saying it likely violated free speech protections enshrined in the First Amendment among other issues. The Michigan bill would also establish new government restrictions on businesses, something conservatives frequently oppose. More: Twitter locks Donald Trump's account for 12 hours, threatens permanent suspension More: Jan. 6 attacks haven't proved a setback to Republicans. Here's why But it will certainly garner attention and potentially some support among Republicans and Trump supporters frustrated that their favorite politicians may be banned from social media platforms after sharing information deemed inaccurate or dangerous by the companies. State Rep. Beau LaFave, an Iron Mountain Republican and GOP candidate for Michigan secretary of state, is the bill's lead sponsor. "It is un-American to shut down debate that you don't like, or speech that you don't like," LaFave said in a phone interview. "We have a First Amendment in the United States to make sure that all ideas are debated, and the best ideas at the end of the day win. When you're shutting down one side of the ideological coin, we have a real problem." LaFave is joined by state Rep. Matt Maddock, a Milford Republican and husband of Michigan GOP party co-chair Meshawn Maddock, and a cadre of other Trump-supporting Republicans in championing the measure. Story continues They're calling the bill the "justice-abolishing, corporate-kneecapping act," or the JACK act, an apparent swipe at former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. The Michigan bill would ban social media companies with more than 1,000 employees from "deplatforming" defined as temporarily or permanently removing an account or profile someone who is a politician or candidate. That person would need to qualify as a political candidate under Michigan election law. If a company did deplatform a candidate, that person could file a civil lawsuit and potentially win $10,000 for every day the candidate was banned from the social media site. The bill would ban any deplatforming, for any reason. LaFave said he would support removing someone trying to incite violence, though. "The bill isn't about Donald Trump. He's a big boy; he'll be fine," LaFave said. "This is about protecting the little guy in local school board elections." The measure is up for discussion Wednesday in the House Communications and Technology Committee. A spokesman for House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, did not say whether the chamber leader supports the measure. "He is going to let the committee do its work and vet the proposal before weighing in, " said Gideon D'Assandro. More: Draft Trump order suggested seizing voting machines based on Antrim irregularities More: GOP candidates for Michigan governor jockey for endorsement from former President Trump Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a similar bill into law. That measure allowed the Florida election commission to fine social media companies up to $250,000 a day for deplatforming candidates for statewide office. Several private companies sued the state, challenging the constitutionality of the law. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle agreed with their arguments, issuing a preliminary injunction in June 2021 that blocked the law from taking effect. "The legislation compels providers to host speech that violates their standards speech they otherwise would not host and forbids providers from speaking as they otherwise would," Hinkle wrote. "Whatever else may be said of the providers actions, they do not violate the First Amendment. ... Like prior First Amendment restrictions, this is an instance of burning the house to roast a pig." The state of Florida appealed that ruling to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. That case is still pending, but the law is not in effect. Contact Dave Boucher: dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan GOP bill: Ban social media from removing politician accounts WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday called on Canada to reopen a key bridge to traffic that has been snarled by large protests by truckers. Whitmer urged Canada to take steps to restore traffic on the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor that is crucial to the flow of auto parts and other goods. "It is imperative that Canadian local, provincial, and national governments de-escalate this economic blockade. They must take all necessary and appropriate steps to immediately and safely reopen traffic," Whitmer said, noting the protests are already impacting Michigan auto production. (Reporting by David Shepardson) Activision Microsoft is in the process of acquiring "Call of Duty" publisher Activision for $68.7 billion. The deal must be approved by regulators, and Microsoft is trying to get ahead of some big questions. "Call of Duty" games will keep coming to PlayStation consoles "into the future," Microsoft promised. Microsoft made a huge announcement in mid January: It plans to buy "Call of Duty" and "Diablo" publisher Activision for an estimated $68.7 billion in an all-cash deal. It's Microsoft's largest-ever acquisition and the largest acquisition of a video-game company in history. But before Microsoft is able to absorb Activision into its already large portfolio of video game studios, the deal must pass regulatory muster with the Federal Trade Commission and the US Department of Justice. That process could take anywhere from 12 to 18 months, Microsoft said. In the meantime, it's trying to get out ahead of one of the biggest questions regulators might have: Whether or not it will make Activision's major games exclusive to the Xbox, unable to be played on other consoles like Sony's PlayStation. "Microsoft will continue to make Call of Duty and other popular Activision Blizzard titles available on PlayStation through the term of any existing agreement with Activision," Microsoft president Brad Smith wrote in a blog post published on Wednesday. "And we have committed to Sony that we will also make them available on PlayStation beyond the existing agreement." Other Microsoft leaders, including Xbox head Phil Spencer, have said as much previously. "Had good calls this week with leaders at Sony," Spencer said two days after the acquisition was announced. "I confirmed our intent to honor all existing agreements upon acquisition of Activision Blizzard and our desire to keep 'Call of Duty' on PlayStation. Sony is an important part of our industry, and we value our relationship." Story continues But these messages, while confirmation that future "Call of Duty" games will come to PlayStation, are missing critical context: Every upcoming "Call of Duty" game will come to Xbox's Netflix-like video game subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, at launch. The many game studios that make up Microsoft's first-party video game production group. Games from every studio launch on Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft "Upon close, we will offer as many Activision Blizzard games as we can within Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, both new titles and games from Activision Blizzard's incredible catalog," Spencer said in a blog post published the same day the acquisition was announced. Instead of putting the games exclusively on Xbox consoles, Microsoft is putting those games on Xbox Game Pass at launch you could pay $60 or more for the game on PlayStation, or you could pay $10 for a month of Game Pass on Xbox. And Microsoft is logically betting you'll choose the latter. Xbox Game Pass is already a behemoth, earning Microsoft billions in revenue every year: It has over 25 million monthly subscribers as of mid-January, up 7 million from the year prior. With a minimum subscription price of $10 per month, Microsoft is pulling in roughly $250 million every month from its video game subscription service. Xbox Game Pass subscriptions are positioned to make approximately $4 billion between now and January 2023, which could help to explain why Microsoft was willing to shell out tens of billions of dollars on major game publishers like Zenimax Media and Activision. Got a tip? Contact Insider senior correspondent Ben Gilbert via email (bgilbert@insider.com), or Twitter DM (@realbengilbert). We can keep sources anonymous. Use a non-work device to reach out. PR pitches by email only, please. Read the original article on Business Insider Happy Thursday, neighbors! Here's everything going on today in Oceanside-Camp Pendleton. First, today's weather: Very warm. High: 86 Low: 42. Attention, top law firms! We're now offering sponsorship opportunities for local firms interested in building lasting connections with clients in Oceanside-Camp Pendleton. Click here to learn more. Here are the top five stories today in Oceanside-Camp Pendleton: Missing person: 28-year-old Sara Otero was last seen on January 28 in Oceanside. On Tuesday, February 8, the Oceanside Police Department found Sara Otero's vehicle located near a rest stop off of the 5 Freeway at a Vista View Point. After an extensive search of the area, Otero was located deceased at the bottom of cliffs nearby.Foul play is not suspected. (Oceanside-Camp Pendleton Patch) The Red Cross issued its first-ever blood crisis in January, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and severe winter weather. About 600 blood drives have been canceled since the start of the year. The organization is urging people to schedule the earliest-available blood or platelet donation appointments in their community. Anyone who donates in February will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. (Oceanside-Camp Pendleton Patch) A Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton was charged with cyberstalking women and threatening to post explicit online photos or videos of them unless they sent him nude pictures, prosecutors said. Johao Miguel Chavarri, 25, of Oceanside, was arrested Tuesday and could face up to five years in federal prison if convicted. (Fairfield Citizen) An Oceanside widow said she received sticker shock when she returned from visiting family in Europe over the holidays. In November, she left for Vienna and was gone for six weeks and when she returned, she had a $115 SDG&E bill. That was after her 30% CARE discount.As they say in England, I was totally gobsmacked, said Julie Bannon. (CBS News 8) The Star Theatre is celebrating the reopening of live theatre on February 11th with The Play That Goes Wrong. This Olivier Award-winning comedy is a hilarious hybrid of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes. Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. (Oceanside-Camp Pendleton Patch) Story continues From our sponsor: Hey Oceanside-Camp Pendleton, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs! Today in Oceanside-Camp Pendleton: From my notebook: City of Oceanside Parks and Recreation: "The teens from the Joe Balderrama Recreation Center learned to fish this weekend at the Oceanside Pier! The teen program at Joe Balderrama is a free program designed to provide teens with a safe and fun structured environment and oppo..." (Facebook) City of Oceanside Parks and Recreation: "We are excited to welcome back the IRONKIDS Oceanside event this Spring! This year's race supports the Oceanside Parks & Recreation Youth Scholarship program by giving $5 of each registration to fund youth recreation programs. Ages 1-17 ..." (Facebook) Nextdoor Neighbor, Whelan Lake: "How about some Creativity and Art to cheer up? - Studio ACE and iur Instructor Andrea is offering a acrylic fluid painting Workshop for every skill level with ALL materials included for $20/person!Ages 13-18+ Feb 12 from 10-11:30 at our..." (Nextdoor) More from our sponsors thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Institute of Healthcare - Become an EMT in just 4 - 8 weeks (Visit Website) Oceanside Adventures - Daily, Year-Round Whale and Dolphin Tours (Visit website) Flourish + Live Well - Get 20% off CBD gummies (Visit website) Add your business here Events: Other classifieds: Loving the Oceanside-Camp Pendleton Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Get your local business featured in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at lisa.frost@patch.com That's it for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update! Lisa Frost About me: I am the Community Publisher for the Oceanside-Camp Pendleton Patch and love sharing all things Oceanside. It's a privilege to help locals and those visiting our incredible and diverse city stay informed about local news, people, and the stories that shape our community. Explore all that Patch has to offer Oceansider's: Questions? Concerns? Comments? You have my full attention at lisa.frost@patch.com. This article originally appeared on the Oceanside-Camp Pendleton Patch New Zealand police arrested more than 50 people on Thursday during an anti-vaccine protest outside Parliament inspired by the Canadian trucker convoy. On the third day of the protests, police brought in 100 additional officers to evict protesters from the grounds, ripping up tents and dispelling people, The Guardian reported. Anti-vaccine protesters had pitched tents and parked cars on the grounds of the New Zealand Parliament building, inspired by the standoff in Canada, where truckers protesting vaccine mandates have parked their trucks in the capital city of Ottawa, disrupting traffic and aggravating politicians. The protest has come to symbolize taking a stand against governmental mandates, and officials warn that a similar protest is forming in the U.S. In New Zealand, which fully vaccinated 90 percent of its population in December, some citizens have for months protested coronavirus restrictions, including a vaccine mandate for teachers, police officers and health care workers, Reuters reported. BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO's secretary general warned on Thursday of a "dangerous moment" for Europe as Russia builds up troops near Ukraine and holds joint military drills in Belarus, but reiterated an offer of talks with Moscow. Jens Stoltenberg, speaking alongside British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said he had sent a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offering to discuss more transparency around exercises, as well as nuclear arms control. "This is a dangerous moment for European security," Stoltenberg told a news conference with Johnson. "The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down." "NATO is not a threat to Russia, but we must be prepared for the worst while remaining strongly committed to finding a political solution," Stoltenberg said. He said Russia must choose between a diplomatic solution to the crisis over Ukraine or face economic sanctions from the West and an increased military presence of NATO forces in the alliance's eastern countries. "Russia has a choice: they can either choose a diplomatic solution - and we're ready to sit down - but if they choose confrontation, they will pay a higher price," he said. "There will be economic sanctions. There will be an increased NATO military presence in the eastern part of the alliance, and the UK is really an important part of that." (The story has been refiled to correct typo in first paragraph) (Reporting by Robin Emmott and John Chalmers, Editing by Timothy Heritage) New York is the widely recognized fashion capital of the United States, and it may soon use that influence to combat climate change. A bill, which has been introduced in both houses of the state legislature, would require large clothing companies to disclose and reduce their environmental footprints. The latest push comes amid the ongoing rollout of top designers latest outfits at New York City Fashion Week, which wraps next Wednesday. The Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act, known as the Fashion Act for short, would force clothing and apparel manufacturers with more than $100 million in annual sales to disclose on their websites the amount of energy, water, plastics and other chemicals they use, as well as their emission levels of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. It also contains standards to include fair labor practices. This requirement would be applied to the entire supply chain, including the farms where the raw materials such as cotton are grown and the process of shipping those materials. After disclosing this information, the companies would then be required to begin reducing their ecological footprint. Models, photographers, attendees and others gather between fashion shows in New York City in September 2021. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images) For greenhouse gases, the emissions reduction targets will be determined by independent energy auditors who, following the guidance of the Science Based Targets Initiative, set a pathway to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Its really important that you find some of the greatest contributors [to climate change] and address those, because weve run out of time, Assembly Member Anna Kelles, who co-sponsored the bill with state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, told Yahoo News. One typically doesnt think of clothing among the top contributors to climate change, especially compared to industries like energy, transportation or agriculture. But the process of growing cotton is very energy- and water-intensive. Then there is the globalized and very wasteful process of shipping raw materials to energy-hungry factories and the finished products to markets. A 2018 study by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) estimated that fashion is responsible for 2 to 8 percent of global carbon emissions. Story continues That is a really big chunk of all greenhouse gas emissions, said Kelles. If we can change that impact, it is a big step. The fashion industry has other significant environmental impacts, according to the UNEP: Dyeing fabrics is the second-largest polluter of water globally, and textiles cause approximately 9 percent of annual microplastic ocean pollution. Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or burned, the UNEP says. Its a very unregulated industry, Rich Schrader, the New York legislative and policy director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which is part of the coalition supporting the proposal, told Yahoo News. Climate change protesters gather outside the New York governor's office. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Companies that refuse to comply would be barred from selling their products in New York state, one of the largest markets and easily the most high-profile market in the country for the fashion industry. Companies that continue selling in New York but dont meet their targets will be publicly named and shamed by the state attorney general and fined if they dont shape up. High-fashion designers like Louis Vuitton and mass-market brands like Old Navy and Levis all would have to comply. The bills supporters say that many in the industry welcome the proposal. There are people in the industry itself that are asking for regulations, Kelles said, citing designer Stella McCartney and the high-end garment manufacturer Ferrara. Kelles argues that even companies that arent covered in the New York law whether because theyre too small or theyre not present in the New York market could have their carbon footprints reduced by the bill because they rely on the same supply chain as companies that would be regulated. This will hit 200 or 300 companies; obviously their supply chains are much bigger, Kelles said. No clothing labels have come out yet in opposition to the bill, nor have any of the industry trade groups. USFIA does not have a position on the NY bill, at least not yet, United States Fashion Industry Association President Julia Hughes, wrote in an email to Yahoo News. We are still reviewing the details of the legislation. The clothing industry isnt the only one that may soon be facing new climate regulations at the state level. The New York state legislature and officials in other states such as Connecticut are mulling new climate-focused regulation of the insurance industry, requiring them to disclose the climate risks in their portfolios. Schrader says banks should also be required to disclose their loans to fossil fuel projects a move the Securities and Exchange Commission is currently contemplating. And Kelles introduced a bill last year that would put a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining, pending an environmental review. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) Whether the bill will actually pass in this legislative session is largely up to the three people who decide most of what happens in the New York state government: Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Gov. Kathy Hochul. All are, like Biaggi and Kelles, Democrats who enthusiastically support the state Climate Act, which requires emissions reductions and which this bill is meant to complement. However, none have taken a stance on the bill publicly or privately, according to supporters. And if it does pass, whether consumers will actually choose lower-carbon clothes when they learn of a companys emissions is unknown. Schrader, who previously served as New York Citys commissioner of consumer affairs, conceded that requiring restaurants to post calorie counts hasnt been demonstrated to have any effect on what people eat. But, he noted, smoking rates went down after cigarettes were required to add warning labels, and some consumers do choose cleaning products without chemical agents. It doesnt always work, but it has worked, Schrader said. This will be a meaningful piece of information. PORTSMOUTH The New Hampshire Art Association will be holding an auction of 75 pieces from its permanent collection from over the past 40 years, with bidding starting Friday, Feb. 18. Most of the works are from former members of NHAA, and some current members works are also included. It is a fundraiser for the organization, the oldest art association in the state founded in 1940. Untitled, a painting by Susan Stetson, will be auctioned in the New Hampshire Art Association's Art Auction, which begins Friday, Feb. 18. Auction pieces will be viewable in the NHAAs Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, starting Wednesday, Feb. 16, with auction bidding starting Friday, Feb. 18. All bidding will be done online through Autrica. There will be a link to the online auction on the NHAA websites homepage at www.nhartassociation.org. Over the years NHAA has been home to some very talented artists and we are pleased to be able to offer some of their pieces to the public at very reasonable prices, said NHAA Board President Renee Giffroy. The funds raised will help NHAA continue to offer support to artists now and as they grow their careers in the future. Two notable artists featured in the auction are Sigmund Abeles and Susan Stetson. #42 YuJi, a charcoal drawing by Sigmund Abeles, is one of the works that will be auctioned in the New Hampshire Art Association auction where bidding begins Feb. 18. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Abeles received a scholarship in 1957 to study at Columbia University where he received his Master of Fine Art in Painting in just one year. During his first 20 years as an artist, Abeles mostly worked in black and white etchings, drawings and sculpture. Color was reintroduced into his works when he discovered pastel which was an extension of his drawings beginning in 1979. The year 1965 was Abeles' strongest New York art world year as a recognized artist there. He was included in that years Whitney Annual which was devoted to his prints and sculpture. Then the Museum of Modern Art bought his etching, Self Portrait with Cats. That same year, the National Institute of Arts and Letters awarded Abeles a grant and honor. Stetson, a longtime NHAA member artist, studied art at the University of New Hampshire and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rivier College. She has studied with numerous artists in the Seacoast area and at the Maine College of Art. Story continues Stetson used oil and pastel to paint in an impressionist, realist manner. Her plein air coastal landscapes reflect her view of the contrast in light and shadow, shapes and angles of reflection found in the coastal environment that provided the inspiration for her compositions. Subway Morning, a painting by John Odborne, will be auctioned in the New Hampshire Art Association Art Auction, which begins Feb. 18. Stetson continued to paint from her studio in New Castle until her passing in 2021. All pieces will be sold as is. Bidding closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. Purchased pieces must be picked up on Sunday, Feb. 27 or Monday, Feb. 28 at the latest. There will also be a buy now price if a person wants to purchase the piece immediately. We encourage the public to come take a look at the pieces in person in the gallery, then place their bids online, Giffroy said. The beauty of our online system is that a bidder will be notified online if they are outbid, providing them an opportunity to place another bid without coming back into the gallery. GO & DO What: N.H. Art Associations Permanent Collection Auction Where: Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth When: Pieces will be on view beginning Wednesday, Feb. 16, and the online bidding opens Friday, Feb. 18, and closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. There will be a link to the online auction on the NHAA websites homepage at www.nhartassociation.org. Gallery hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. (Note: The City of Portsmouth has an indoor mask protocol in effect.) This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH Art Association art auction begins Feb. 18 Abd al Rahim al Nashiri is accused of plotting the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000. A powerful explosion ripped a hole in the Navy destroyer, killing at least 17 U.S. sailors. (Dimitri Messinis / Associated Press) Remember when the George W. Bush administration began sweeping up suspected terrorists and whisking them off, hooded and shackled, to offshore CIA black sites around the world where they were tortured into confessing to all sorts of crimes? So many moral crises have come and gone since then, it is beginning to feel like the distant past. These days, Bush has retired into the comfortable role of elder statesman. John Yoo, who prepared the legal justification for the torture program, is a tenured law professor at UC Berkeley. Gina Haspel, who oversaw the agencys black site in Thailand, was promoted to CIA director under President Trump. No criminal charges were pursued against the torturers themselves. But though some of the actors in the drama have moved on, others are still immersed in it. One is Abd al Rahim al Nashiri, who, two decades later, remains incarcerated in Guantanamo Bays Camp 5 awaiting his day in court. It is generally accepted that the CIA subjected Nashiri to some of the harshest torture of any suspected Al Qaeda terrorist detained during the war on terrorism. Arrested in October 2002 a year after the Sept. 11 attacks and accused of helping plot the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, a Navy destroyer, he was shuttled among half a dozen black sites. According to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, he was was hooded, shackled, slammed against walls, denied sleep for days at a time and locked in a tiny, coffin-like confinement box. He was held without food, waterboarded, threatened with a pistol to his head at one point and with a cordless power drill at another. He was fed rectally when he went on a hunger strike; he was scrubbed around the anus and scrotum with a stiff-bristled brush, and then around the mouth. Interrogators threatened to sexually abuse his mother. The goal of this treatment, officials said, was to eliminate his sense of control and predictability and establish a desired level of helplessness. Story continues When it was all over, one assessment concluded that Nashiri had provided essentially no actionable information to foil future terrorist plots. Videotapes of his interrogations were destroyed by the CIA. President Obama stopped the torture program in 2009, but the story didnt come to an end for Nashiri or for those seeking to prosecute him. The U.S. still hopes to try Nashiri before a military commission, as it should, to determine his role and culpability in the Cole bombing, in which 17 American sailors were killed, and other terrorist activities. If hes guilty, he deserves to be punished, obviously. But lawyers have been mired for years in pretrial proceedings to address the legal consequences of the years of abuse he suffered, according to Michel Paradis, a human rights lawyer who is representing Nashiri. Evidence obtained by torture is inadmissible in a military commission trial. As a result, prosecutors have been trying for more than a decade to sift the torture-tainted evidence from whatever clean evidence is available. Nashiris lawyers, for their part, cant yet put together their defense, because theyre still fighting with the government over which details of the torture program are too secret to be divulged in court. Last week, Nashiri won a legal victory, putting him briefly back in the news. Twenty years after his arrest, it seems the Biden administration has agreed to not use evidence obtained by torture in his pretrial proceedings. Thats a small step forward, but it seems like it should have been obvious from the start. If such evidence is too tainted and untrustworthy to use at trial, why should it be admissible in pretrial arguments? Today, Nashiri is 57 years old, a middle-aged man who has lived more than a third of his life in detention without trial. A psychologist who is an expert on torture described him as one of the most damaged people she has ever treated. For years, he had dreams about being naked, chained and waterboarded, declassified documents showed. It was 20 years ago this week, in the turbulent aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, that President Bush set the torture process in motion. He issued a memo stating that neither Al Qaeda nor Taliban detainees qualified as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention and that the rules on humane treatment therefore did not apply to them. What happened next to Nashiri and dozens of others was not just cruel, inhuman, degrading and a violation of international law, but the information it yielded also was both untrustworthy and unusable. As the Senate Intelligence Committee ultimately determined, torture is not an effective means of acquiring intelligence. The actions hidden by a grotesque euphemism "enhanced interrogation techniques" damaged the United States standing in the world, perhaps irreparably. Dont let the time that has passed, the official reports or Washington's current chastened condemnations of torture lull you into thinking we've finally closed the book on this ugly chapter of our history. Were still feeling the aftershocks and paying the price for having lost our moral bearings. @Nick_Goldberg This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. FARMINGTON Northern Navajo Medical Center will have an event for teens to catch up on missed immunizations. Staff from the hospital's teen life program is offering the service because there are minors who have missed recommended vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the hospital's news release. "These shots are required by schools, especially when moving from the sixth grade to the seventh grade," the release states. "Colleges may ask that students be fully vaccinated before starting school on campus." The teen vaccine clinic is open to individuals ages 11 to 18 and will take place at Shiprock High School from noon to 3 p.m. on Feb. 13. Vaccines that will be available during the clinic are meningococcal conjugate, Tdap and HPV, according to the teen life program. If parents are not sure which vaccines their teen is missing, that information can be checked at the event. The clinic is being held in conjunction with the service to provide COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots and flu shots to eligible adults and children. Noel Lyn Smith covers the Navajo Nation for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4636 or by email at nsmith@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to The Daily Times. This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Northern Navajo Medical Center to host teen vaccination clinic You can now buy french fry-scented perfume, thanks to the Idaho Potato Commission. Frites by Idaho might be Valentines Days hottest beauty item that is, if you like smelling like french fries. The very real, very french fry-scented perfume comes courtesy of the Idaho Potato Commission, the states official marketing board for potato growers. The agency announced its bizarre new product in early February, and naturally, social media immediately went crazy. Some seemed incredibly excited by the concept. I want this, one Instagram commenter wrote. Others, meanwhile, were a bit more negative. Hmm I love potatoes, but I never thought Id see this lol, another Instagram commenter added (Reuters) - Nuix Ltd said on Thursday that Australia's corporate regulator will take no further action against the software maker, backed by conglomerate Macquarie Group Ltd, over prospectus forecasts filed ahead of its 2020 listing. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), however, will continue with its investigation into the company's public disclosures made after it was listed, Nuix said. In an e-mailed response to Reuters, ASIC corroborated the announcement from Nuix, but declined to comment further. ASIC had suspected Nuix of lying in its prospectus ahead of the A$953 million ($684 million) initial public offering, according to a Reuters report last June citing court documents. Two months later, the company posted a worse-than-expected half-yearly loss. Last year, Nuix's shares also fell below half their IPO price of A$5.31 a share. The regulator has completed its probe into the company's pre-IPO financial statements and prospectus, Nuix said in a statement on Thursday. Macquarie, which owns 30% of Nuix, has said it regretted the impact of the forecasts on shareholders and that it had no reason to believe the company could not meet them. Macquarie did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Nuix shares rose 11.6% to A$1.685 in early trading, against a 0.5% gain in the broader Australian market. ($1 = 1.3931 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Harish Sridharan in Bengaluru; Editing by Byron Kaye, Richard Chang and Sherry Jacob-Phillips) Jayme Kelly. American Heart Association Go Red for Women Jayme Kelly, a nurse, thought she'd slept on her limbs wrong when she woke up numb at age 29. Kelly'd had a stroke, and she has spent the past couple of years in different types of rehab. She's raising awareness of stroke signs and symptoms as an American Heart Association volunteer. Jayme Kelly thought she could sleep it off. The then-29-year-old nurse living near Boston had woken up numb in her right arm and leg, unable to walk to the bathroom or unlock her phone. But she figured she'd just slept on her limbs wrong and that everything would be back to normal after a little more rest. After all, Kelly was young, ate healthy, and did CrossFit regularly. But when Kelly's roommate found her a few hours later unable to speak, the roommate called 911. "Now I'm freaking out," Kelly said, "like, what's wrong with me?" She later learned she'd had a stroke, and she's spent the past couple of years out of work and in rehab. Now a volunteer for the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign, Kelly is speaking out to raise awareness that strokes can happen to anyone and that time is of the essence when it comes to getting help. "Time lost is brain lost," she told Insider. Kelly discovered she had a blood-clotting disorder She immediately underwent an MRI at the hospital. Hearing the word "stroke" was surreal. "I had every emotion running through my mind at the same time: scared, sad, anxious, angry, like, 'Why me?'" she said. "It's hard to come to terms with: I had a stroke." Testing revealed Kelly had factor V Leiden, a blood disorder that increases the risk of blood clots. She was also on hormonal birth control, which increases the risk of blood clots and strokes. The stroke caused weakness on her right side and numbness in her right hand, as well as trouble speaking, writing, and understanding language, Kelly said. She improved steadily with therapy but couldn't say more than a handful of phrases for six months. Story continues Kelly said she otherwise relied on body language and some sign language, which her sister taught her, to communicate. Her one outlet was CrossFit, which emphasizes the types of big functional movements not small motor skills she could still perform. "It gave me a release," Kelly said. "I was really critical of myself that I can't speak well, but I pushed everything down because I didn't want everyone to know how depressed I was." Kelly's emotional recovery has been the hardest Now, 2 1/2 years later, Kelly takes blood thinners and continues to undergo speech therapy, occupational therapy, and music therapy. She joined a book club to improve her reading skills. Her work in psychotherapy, including eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing, which helps process traumatic memories, has been most impactful, she said. "The more I talked about it, the better I felt," Kelly said. "It's OK to cry. It's OK to be sad and anxious, but you need to talk about it." Kelly hasn't been able to return to her job at Boston Children's Hospital, but she did take up an independent nurse role for a 4-year-old with cerebral palsy. "I'm getting better every day," she said. Jayme Kelly swings with Emma, whom she helps with different therapies. American Heart Association Go Red for Women Knowing the signs in yourself and others According to the American Heart Association, one in five women has a stroke in her lifetime. Smoking, pregnancy, preeclampsia, birth-control pills, and migraines with aura can increase the risk. (Kelly stopped her birth control but can safely go on another type that doesn't have estrogen, her doctor told her.) Kelly wants people, and especially women, to know the signs of stroke, like numbness, confusion, blurred vision, and poor coordination. "I think women only focus on other people their kids, their parents, their husbands, their friends," she said. "Sometimes we need to focus on ourselves more and then we can focus on everyone else. And if I can have a stroke, so can all of you." Read the original article on Insider Authorities in Oregon found a man with a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday after he had called to say he fatally shot his brother while attempting to shoot a bear. A man called the Josephine County Sheriff's Office just before 7 a.m. to report "he had accidentally shot his brother while loading a gun because there was a bear on their property," according to a statement from the sheriff's office. Deputies who responded to the home in Sunny Valley found a man who had died from an apparent gunshot wound, the statement said. They also found another dead man who appeared to have suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. "Based upon the investigation, it is believed the caller took his own life after calling 911 to report the accidental shooting," the statement said. Neither of the men have been identified, and the case is still under investigation. The rural property where the shootings happened is about 125 miles south of Eugene. Police in the Canadian capital Ottawa warned that those participating in the "Freedom Convoy" protests blocking the city's streets "could be arrested without a warrant," the department said in a press release issued Wednesday. "The unlawful act of blocking streets in the downtown core is resulting in people being denied the lawful use, enjoyment and operation of their property," the department wrote. "We are providing you notice that anyone blocking streets or assisting others in the blocking of streets may be committing a criminal offence." "You could be arrested without a warrant for this offense if you are a party to the offense or assisting others in the direct or indirect commission in this offence," it continued. The ongoing protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Canada, which started last month, have led to multiple road closures, including Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Canada, preventing traffic from passing over the bridge. A number of auto manufacturers have also had to scale back or halt operations due to related complications. The police warning comes after the city declared a state of emergency on Sunday in response to the second week of protests. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that the protest in Ottawa "has to stop," saying that the protesters "don't have the right to blockade our economy, or our democracy, or our fellow citizens' daily lives." Other protests have surfaced globally, including in Australia and New Zealand. Police in Paris recently have banned protesters from entering the city. U.S. authorities on Wednesday warned of kindred protests that could begin in California as soon as Super Bowl Sunday. Welcome to Wednesday's Overnight Health Care, where we're following the latest moves on policy and news affecting your health. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup. It was inevitable that internet influencers would bring together two of the biggest cultural events of the past year: COVID-19 and Encanto. The White House and CDC think it's too soon to lift mask requirements, but risk being left behind as Democratic-run states do it anyway. For The Hill, we're Peter Sullivan (psullivan@thehill.com) and Nathaniel Weixel (nweixel@thehill.com). Write to us with tips and feedback, and follow us on Twitter: @PeterSullivan4 and @NateWeixel Let's get started. Officials face new pressure to lift mask rules The White House is facing pressure to revise its position on wearing masks, as declining COVID-19 cases and pandemic fatigue among voters leads an increasing number of Democratic states to lift requirements on public masking. Some governors and local health officials are calling for the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to release guidance for an off-ramp for mask usage. Mask requirements are one of the only remaining COVID-19 restrictions in place in many areas of the country. But agency director Rochelle Walensky is insistent that it's not yet time to lift mask requirements anywhere. The consequences: Public health experts said the administration risks losing credibility as more and more states go at it alone. "No one is expecting the CDC to say that mask mandates need to end overnight. But where are the metrics for when restrictions can be lifted? With each passing day, the CDC is making itself less relevant, not only for COVID-19, but for other public health matters as well," said Leana Wen, a professor of health policy and management at George Washington University. Politics too: The decisions states are making are just as political as they are scientific, and Democratic strategists said the Biden administration should recognize that. For example, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy barely won reelection in November against Republican Jack Ciattarelli, as many voters in the state disapproved of his COVID policies during the pandemic. Story continues Murphy this week said the state's mask mandate in schools will be ended next month. Read more here. CDC advises against ending mask mandates Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arrives to a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the agency is still not ready to make recommendations on relaxing mask requirements, even as more governors announce their intentions to do so. "We are working on that guidance," Rochelle Walensky told reporters during a White House briefing, but "our hospitalizations are still high, our death rates are still high. So as we work towards that and as we are encouraged by the current trends, we are not there yet." Her comments come as a growing number of states, like California, Delaware and New York announced this week their intentions to drop indoor mask mandates in the coming days. Some others, like Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey, are eliminating mask mandates in schools. Walensky noted that decisions on masks should be made at the local level based on local metrics, like hospital capacity, transmission rate and vaccinations. While numbers are trending downward, she said there's still too much viral transmission. "At this time, we continue to recommend masking in areas of high-end substantial transmission. That's much of the country right now in public indoor settings," Walensky said. According to the CDC, 99 percent of U.S. counties still have high levels of coronavirus transmission. Read more here. NEW YORK LIFTING INDOOR MASK MANDATE New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced at a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday that the state's indoor mask mandate and vaccine requirements will be lifted, but mask mandates in schools will remain. Hochul said decisions whether to keep indoor mask mandates or vaccine requirements will now be up to local governments. On a state level, restaurants and other venues will not have to require masks or check a person's vaccination status. Hochul said the mandate will end on Thursday when the emergency order was set to expire anyway. However, Hochul said after discussions with local leaders and considering the lower vaccination rates among children, the mask mandate for schools will remain in effect for now. Hochul's move follows a huge drop in COVID-19 cases in the state after the omicron variant wave hit New York in December and January. Read more here. Fauci: US exiting 'full-blown' pandemic phase Anthony Fauci responds to reporters' questions at the White House The U.S. is exiting the "full-blown" pandemic phase of the years-long COVID-19 crisis that began in 2020, the Biden administration's chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci told the Financial Times on Tuesday. Fauci, who is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that new developments that limit COVID-19, including vaccinations, medical treatments and prior infection, will alter the pandemic situation significantly in the coming months. "As we get out of the full-blown pandemic phase of COVID-19," Fauci said to the Times. "Which we are certainly heading out of, these decisions will increasingly be made on a local level rather than centrally decided or mandated. There will also be more people making their own decisions on how they want to deal with the virus." Fauci said that he hopes all COVID-19 restrictions will be halted in the coming months as well, citing mandatory mask-wearing as one of the restrictions he expects to end. He agreed that restrictions might end in 2022. Nonetheless, Fauci warned that local health departments might bring back certain restrictions if regional outbreaks occur. "There is no way we are going to eradicate this virus," said Fauci, according to the Times. "But I hope we are looking at a time when we have enough people vaccinated and enough people with protection from previous infection that the COVID restrictions will soon be a thing of the past." Read more here. COVID-19 'ISN'T FINISHED WITH US' Despite declining daily case rates around the world, the World Health Organization's (WHO) leader encouraged people on Wednesday to remember that "COVID isn't finished with us." "Depending on where you live, it might feel like the COVID-19 pandemic is almost over, or, it might feel like it is at its worst," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday. "But wherever you live, COVID isn't finished with us," he added. Tedros also said that "diseases know no borders," noting that the rapid uptick in infections that the omicron variant brought showed how "any feeling of safety can change in a moment." "We know this virus will continue to evolve, but we are not defenseless," the WHO leader noted. "We have the tools to prevent this disease, test for it and to treat it. When people have access to those tools, this virus can be brought under control." The comments came during opening remarks for the launch of the WHO's ACT-Accelerator campaign for global equity in COVID-19 tests, treatments, vaccines and personal protective equipment. They followed the release on Tuesday of the agency's weekly epidemiological report, which showed that COVID-19 cases across the world declined by 17 percent in the week between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6 when compared with the prior week. During that time period, the agency reported 19 million new cases of COVID-19 and just under 68,000 new deaths. Read more here. WHAT WE'RE READING Pop-up COVID-19 test sites and labs capitalize on lax regulations, prey on vulnerable Americans (USA Today) I'm vaxxed, boosted, and just had Covid-19. Can I relax now? (Vox.com) Key U.S.-Canada border crossing blocked by truckers as Covid protest spreads (NBC) STATE BY STATE After four COVID-19 surges, will North Texas' health care system recover? (Dallas Morning News) GOP plan to gut Medicaid advances to floor of Missouri House (St. Louis Post Dispatch) 'Somebody is gonna die': Medi-Cal patients struggle to fill prescriptions (Kaiser Health News) OP-EDS IN THE HILL Why personal choices about COVID-19 vaccines are not always that personal Omicron's relentless spread increases the urgency to fund vaccine equity That's it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hill's health care page for the latest news and coverage. See you Thursday. Latitude Five25 The owners of two Near East Side high-rise residential towers where hundreds of people reside are under court order to beef up security and ensure that staff are equipped to promptly respond to maintenance issues at the long-troubled property. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein's office announced on Wednesday that it had obtained an injunction order against the owners of Latitude Five25, located on Sawyer Boulevard south of Interstate 670. The property has been the scene of a 2020 homicide and other crimes, and has been plagued by code violations for years, Klein said in a written statement. Gun violence at Latitude Five25: Gunman pleads to lesser charges after fatal shooting on Near East Side found justified Columbus residents entering into a lease agreement should not have to worry if their landlords will complete routine maintenance and ensure safe, sanitary living conditions," Klein said in a written statement. Residents of Latitude Five25 have suffered for too long. Thats why were taking aggressive action to target violent crime and ensure safety and sanitary conditions to improve the quality of life for every resident." The buildings, once a public-housing complex known as Sawyer Towers, even once faced demolition when they were purchased by a private real-estate company in 2009 and renovated as Skyview Towers. Ownership of the apartment buildings now known as Latitude Five25 changed hands again in 2016 and then again in October 2021, when Paxe Latitude limited partnership purchased the residential rental property. Read more: Former Columbus public-housing complexes fetch 7 times original selling price But the change of ownership has not resulted in safer living conditions for residents, the city maintains in court documents. Columbus have responded to about 1,000 police calls for service and dozens of code violations at the property in recent years, according to court records. Between Jan. 7, 2020 and Jan. 6, 2022, officers were called to the property for reports of shootings, shots fired, overdoses, narcotics complaints, fights, and domestic violence and assault complaints, court documents show. Columbus Code Enforcement has received a number of complaints from residents for unsafe and unsanitary conditions, including unclean common areas, insect infestations, and staff failing to respond to maintenance requests. Story continues During multiple inspections of the premises between October 2021 and January 2022, Code Enforcement officers identified violations in common areas, stairwells and in more than a dozen units, court records show. Under the order issued Wednesday by Franklin County Environmental Court Judge Stephanie Mingo, Paxe Latitude agreed to provide 24/7 security services at the property. The owners will further be required to ensure that residents are provided information on property maintenance, that staff are on-site during regular business hours, and that maintenance requests are addressed within 24 hours. Paxe Latitude also agreed to address emergency code violations in unit and common areas within 36 hours and non-emergency violations within 14 days. Another hearing on the matter is scheduled for April 14. The apartment complex is among several beleaguered rental properties across Columbus that Klein's office has recently taken legal action against because of a slew of long-documented criminal activity or unremedied code violations. About six miles southeast of Latitude Five 25 on the city's East Side, residents at the Colonial Village apartment complex have endured years of unsanitary conditions and and rampant crime as the city seeks to oust the site's owners. And on the other side of the city, Klein's office shut down in November a four-unit rental house in the Hilltop neighborhood whose tenants were alleged to be conducting drug deals and where police had been dispatched more than 80 times in about two years. How do I report a code violation in Columbus? The City of Columbus says the best way to report a violation is to contact the 311 Call Center by dialing 614-645-3111 or go to the 311 website at https://311.columbus.gov/, click on the link to the right and a window will open to file a complaint. For a list of common violations or frequently asked questions about code enforcement, go to: https://www.columbus.gov/bzs/code-enforcement/Code-Enforcement-Frequently-Asked-Questions/ Eric Lagatta is a reporter at the Columbus Dispatch covering public safety, breaking news and social justice issues. Reach him at elagatta@dispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Near East Side towers face court order over crime, maintenance issues The Pardee UNC Health Care Cancer Program invites cancer patients and caregivers alike to join Between Friends at Pardee, a cancer support group that has been in existence for eight years. The support group offers a space and time for participants to speak freely in a supportive setting as they deal with the sometimes-overwhelming emotions that a cancer diagnosis brings, according to a news release from Pardee. Between Friends meets on the third Thursday of every month from 3-5 p.m. Currently, the meetings are being held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. Patients and/or caregivers interested in participating in the support group should call or email Cancer Care Navigator Leann Noakes at 828-698-7317 or leann.noakes@unchealth.unc.edu. Many cancer patients and caregivers will likely be familiar with Between Friends leader and facilitator, Leann Noakes, a registered nurse and cancer care navigator at Pardee Cancer Center, the release continues. Our group provides a safe environment for patients to talk to each other and discuss sensitive issues and to know they are not alone on this journey, said Noakes. Being able to talk to others whove been diagnosed with cancer and are going through similar treatments is invaluable. Noakes also notes that the group welcomes caregivers as they can often bear the burden of worry and stress as they navigate a cancer diagnosis for their loved ones. Talking and sharing with people who are going through a similar situation has really helped me both mentally and emotionally, said Ted Lizotte, 60, of Maggie Valley. Lizotte, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in June 2020, participates in Between Friends at Pardee. Lizotte, who described himself as an active person, said that chemotherapy, radiation and surgery took a toll on him. By the time I finished treatment, I could hardly walk up the stairs, Lizotte said. I was physically and mentally exhausted and I was to the point that I didnt want to do anything with anyone. Story continues After starting immunotherapy, Lizotte said he was finally able to begin to make peace with his diagnosis. You accept the fact you have this crazy disease and you make the best of every day that you feel good, he said. I started to focus on the things I could do, rather than what I couldnt. It was at this point that Lizotte joined Between Friends at Pardee and met others who were experiencing much of what hed been through. The group has helped me to relate to someone who is also going through a hard time, he said. Cancer can be so isolating and this group has helped me feel like I am not alone. Lizotte said joining the group has gotten him beyond the woe is me stage of his journey and helped him realize there are a lot of people out there who are dealing with cancer. The group sessions are structured in a variety of ways. Sometimes a featured speaker discusses a specific topic about cancer diagnosis and treatment or a representative from a local organization will share information about their services. Some meetings include hands-on educational sessions that highlight coping exercises like Tia Chi or yoga. This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Pardee cancer program offers patients, caregiver to join support group PARIS (Reuters) -French "freedom convoy" motorists protesting against COVID-19 restrictions will be blocked from entering Paris, the French capital's police authority said on Thursday. Protesters set out from southern France on Wednesday in what they call a "freedom convoy" that will converge on Paris and Brussels to demand an end to COVID-19 restrictions, inspired by demonstrators who have gridlocked the Canadian capital Ottawa. Departures are expected from more cities across France on Thursday. The Paris prefecture said the protesters would be prohibited from entering the capital from Feb. 11-14, citing the risk of public disorder. In Canada, horn-blaring demonstrations demanding an end to Canadian COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers are now spilling to key Canada-United States border crossings. Copycat protests https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/how-ottawas-anti-vaccine-mandate-protests-are-spreading-globally-2022-02-09 have also sprung up in Australia and New Zealand. Protesters waved the Canadian flag as France's "freedom convoy" got underway https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/waving-canadian-flags-french-freedom-convoy-gets-underway-2022-02-09. Motorists who violated the order not to protest within Paris risked two years in prison, a 4,500 euro fine and suspended driver's license, the prefecture cautioned. (Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Writing by Richard LoughEditing by Tassilo Hummel and Toby Chopra) PARIS (AP) Authorities in Paris and Belgium on Thursday banned road blockades threatened by groups organizing online against COVID-19 restrictions, in part inspired by protesters in Canada. Citing risks of trouble to public order, the Paris police department banned protests aimed at blocking the capital from Friday through Monday. Police will put measures in place to protect roads and detain violators. Blocking traffic can lead to two years in prison, 4,500 euros (more than $5,000) in fines and a suspended driver's license, the police department said in a statement. Online chat groups in France have been calling for drivers to converge on Paris starting Friday night, and to continue on to Brussels on Monday. There have been calls to action in Belgium for truckers to converge on the capital, which houses European Union institutions. Authorities in Belgium banned Monday's threatened blockade and said they would prepare to keep a convoy from cutting off access to the capital. A wide perimeter around the city of 1.1 million would be set up to keep an excess of trucks out of the center of Brussels. Brussels Mayor Philippe Close said in a Twitter message that officials decided to ban the Freedom Convoy protest because organizers failed to seek permission to hold the event. A similar freedom convoy is planned in Vienna on Friday. The protests would mirror those of truckers in Canada who have blockaded border crossings and paralyzed downtown Ottawa. In France, small groups of drivers set out Wednesday from Bayonne on Frances Atlantic coast and Nice on the French Riviera, with stickers on their cars reading Freedom Convoy. Departures were also reported or planned in about a dozen other cities, with groups calling for them to converge on Paris on Friday evening and to protest there on Saturday. Those looking to take part in the convoy appear to represent a mix of causes, and vehicles, from trucks to motorcycles and cars. Story continues FranceBleu radio in the Vaucluse quoted the head of a transport company as saying he and three employees would rally to Paris in separate vehicles. Its truly a peaceful convoy, FranceBleu quoted the man identified only as Sylvain, who was leaving from the town of Sorgues. The idea is to make ourselves seen, heard. We have to end this health pass, he was quoted as saying, referring to a COVID-19 pass France requires to get into restaurants and other public venues. With a presidential election in two months, he said, our governors are abandoning a bit the people. France has seen weekly protests against vaccine rules and virus-related restrictions for several months, notably by far-right groups. Participation in the protests has waned recently. The vast majority of French adults are vaccinated against COVID-19. The French convoys do not appear to have a single organizer or rallying cry. Some of the online groups include people who were active in the yellow vest protest movement against economic injustice, which largely fizzled in 2019 after the government responded to some of the participants' concerns. The French protesters have been sharing images of truckers in Canada who have blockaded border crossings and paralyzed downtown Ottawa. They want an end to Canadas COVID-19 restrictions, including a rule for all truckers entering the country to be fully vaccinated. Some are also calling for gatherings elsewhere in Europe, but it's not clear whether the different actions in different countries are coordinated. A couple of Telegram groups in Spain are calling for gatherings and trying to organize logistics and food donations. ___ Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic Pandemic rules over masks and vaccination disclosures ended a planned Pennsylvania middle school field trip to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, sparking controversy online this week. Tamanend Middle School 9th graders were originally planned to head to the nations capital on March 31, but the motion failed approval in a 7-1 school board vote Tuesday night. Director Karen Smith was the lone vote for the trip. A Twitter post from Diana Leygerman, a former school board candidate and Philadelphia teacher, lambasted the vote, saying one board members stance on vaccinations robbed students of an important opportunity. Central Bucks School District is the largest in Bucks County. Our SB just cancelled a field trip to DC where students were supposed to visit the Holocaust Museum because a School Board Member's kid isn't vaccinated. An important educational trip cancelled because she made a choice but isn't willing to accept the consequences of that choice, Leygerman wrote. The post, which was seen by nearly 90,000 users by 2 p.m. on Wednesday and shared several hundred times, is referring to director Lisa Sciscios objections raised prior to this weeks vote. Sciscio said she couldnt support a trip to Washington, D.C., in large part because the city requires proof of vaccination to enter some businesses. Assistant Superintendent Charles Malone said the planned visits, which included the Holocaust Museum, were specifically chosen because they wouldnt require disclosure of vaccination status. While museums can be included in Washingtons list of businesses affected by the vaccine mandate, there is no requirement that patrons show proof of vaccination if attending a special event at that museum. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museums website says it requires visitors wear a face covering and answer coronavirus symptom screening questions, but there does not appear to be a rule that vaccination status must be disclosed. The section on screening questions specifically tells visitors not to volunteer any additional medical information, like pre-existing conditions. Story continues Sciscios problem didnt seem to be with the museum and other potential memorial sites on the trip, but rather that eventually the students may have to use a business that does have those requirements. I mean, it's six in the morning till eight at night There's kids who will have to use restrooms. There's kids who may want to get something to eat I have a ninth-grader at Tamanend. I have a problem with this, Sciscio said. Although the vote canceled the field trip, other places for an alternative visit, like New York City, were suggested for future consideration. Leygermans tweet and other social media posts drew comments accusing the change of being anti-Semitic because of the now canceled visit to the Holocaust Museum. Smith said Wednesday she believed the issues raised by Sciscio this week were purely about vaccines, masks and the pandemic. Smith didnt comment on the vote Tuesday but reiterated a statement she made on Facebook earlier the following day. Just to be clear, I voted yes for field trips that require vaccines and/or masks. If families made a choice not to be vaccinated, then that choice has a consequence. I dont think all our student body should (lose) the opportunity to visit valuable learning experiences because of the choice of others, Smith wrote. Smith said the vote on the Tamanend trip has already caused administrators at Tohickon Middle School to cancel their planned trip to Washington even though the board approved it several months in advance. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania school board canceling trip to DC over COVID restrictions PETERSBURG Police say a woman was shot early Wednesday night in the area of Halifax and Patterson streets. Not many details have been released, but Petersburg Police said in a tweet that the victim was taken to a local hospital "with a serious injury." @PBurgPolice are investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of Halifax St and Patterson St. Currently that intersection is closed along with Halifax and Cool Springs Dr. The female victim has been transported to the hospital with a serious injury. Petersburg Police (@PBurgPolice) February 10, 2022 Police have closed off two intersections Halifax at Patterson, and Halifax at West Clara Drive while the investigation continues. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg Police say a woman was shot Wednesday night Credit - Much has been said, and rightly so, about what a heartbreaking time this period has been for so many kids around the world. The Lost Year, we called it in a TIME cover story about how COVID-19 affected a generation of students. This years TIME Kid of the Year, 11-year-old Orion Jean from Mansfield, Texas, has turned that script on its headfinding, and sharing, positivity in hardship: You have to find something that breaks your heart for you to really get out there and make a difference, the sixth-grader tells TIME contributing editor Angelina Jolie in an interview. Photograph by Justin J Wee for TIME Choosing the Person of the Year, something weve done here at TIME for nearly a century, is always a daunting and heady endeavor. Choosing the Kid of the Year, now in its second year, is sheer inspiration. And Orion personifies it. When he was just 9 years old, he won a student kindness contest and donated his $500 prize to a local childrens hospital. Since then, hes collected and donated hundreds of thousands of books, meals, and toys to those in need. Orion not only launches big efforts to fix problems he sees in everyday life, like food insecurity and lack of access to education. He also inspires others to join him, bringing local communities and governments together to help the neediest among us. Read More: TIMEs 2020 Kid of the Year Gitanjali Rao on Research Goals and Mentoring Youth Kid of the Year begins with a nationwide searchthis year saw thousands of submissionsin which parents, teachers, and friends can nominate a kid age 8 to 16 who is helping to make the world a better place. In partnership with Nickelodeon, which broadcasts the result as part of a television special, we also look across social media and school districts, at actions big and small by kids from around the country. Panelists including representatives from the Special Olympics and Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA form an advisory committee to help judge the candidates on the positive impact theyve had this past year and on the signs that theyll continue to lead in the future. A committee of kidsincluding Nickelodeon stars Alaya High, better known as That Girl Lay Lay; Dylan Gilmer of Tyler Perrys Young Dylan; and Wolfgang Schaeffer from the Loud Houseweighs in as well. We then work with host Trevor Noah to narrow down the finalists and select the ultimate Kid of the Year. Story continues This years finalists include Orion as well as environmental activist Cash Daniels, 12, from Chattanooga, Tenn.; Mina Fedor, 13, from Oakland, Calif., who organized a rally to raise awareness about anti-Asian hate during the pandemic; DJ and antibullying advocate Samirah Horton, 13, from Brooklyn; and inventor Lino Marrero, 15, from Frisco, Texas. Each of them will be designated a TIME for Kids Kid Reporter, with opportunities through the year to contribute to TIME, and will receive a cash award from ViacomCBS, Nickelodeons owner. We looked for the attributes we want to see more of in the worlddetermination, passion, kindness, bravery, and innovation, says TIME for Kids editor in chief Andrea Delbanco. In addition to Andrea, the TIME team supporting the project included senior editor Emma Barker, who edited the stories in the package, and Mike Beck, Maria Perez-Brown, Rebecca Gitlitz, Ian Orefice, and Jeff Smith, who produced the one-hour TV special highlighting the finalists. The special was simulcast across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, and Nicktoons on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT). Beginning Thursday, Feb. 10, the special will also be available to watch on Nick.com, Nick App, and Nick on Demand. Kindness is a choice, and while we cant force others to be kind, we can be kind ourselves and hope to inspire other people, Orion tells Angelina Jolie. I want others to know that they can start today. An oppressive blizzard tore through Boone, North Carolina on the night of 3 February, 1972, covering the landscape in a layer of treacherous white. It was not the most cold thing to occur that night. On the west side of Boone, Virginia Durham was making a phone call. She and her family had only been in Boone for about a year, moving the previous year from Mount Airy, the inspiration for The Andy Griffith Show's idyllic town Mayberry. Her call that night was to her son-in-law, Troy Hall. Ms Durham's message was direct. Help. Twenty minutes later, he found Ms Durham, her husband Bryce, and their 18-year-old son Bobby, dead inside of a bathtub. The men had been drowned. Ms Durham had been suffocated. As the Charlotte Observer reports, the unsolved case of the Durham family murder has fueled speculation in the public for nearly half a century. Without solid leads, the case went cold. Some people theorised that the family got caught up in a car dealership scam gone bad. Others speculated that Green Berets in town for a ski demonstration unleashed their pent-up bloodlust on the innocent family. After decades of guesswork, investigators are now confident they know who killed the Durhams thanks to a single conversation that happened 200 miles away. According to the WCSD, the culprits were members of the Dixie Mafia, which the FBI describes as a loose confederation of thugs and crooks operating out of the Southeastern US. While the group has no formal connection to La Cosa Nostra the Italian Mafia in the US it has similarities in tactics and aims. Four men all believed to be Dixie Mafia members allegedly carried out the killings. Law enforcement believes the four men were hired killers. It is still unclear who ordered the murders. One of the four suspects is still living. Billy Wayne Davis, 81, is believed to have been involved in the triple murder. He is currently serving out a life sentence for murder in Augusta State Medical Prison in Georgia. Story continues The break in the case began in 2019, when Shane Birt, the son of one of the four accused Dixie Mafia member, Billy Sunday Birt, visited his father at a Georgia prison. His father was considered one of the leaders of the Dixie Mafia in Georgia, and had a long history of criminal activity. The younger Mr Birt was working on a book about crime in Georgia at the time, and often visited his father. During one visit, the elder Mr Birt described killing three people in the North Carolina mountains during a heavy snowstorm, remembering that they almost got caught, according to the White County Sheriff's Office. After the younger Mr Birt told them the story, White County realised the information could be very important to the Durham case and contacted Watauga County. We immediately began to investigate the new leads, and conducted in-person interviews with Billy Wayne Davis in September 2019, October 2020, and August 2021, Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman said. It was these interviews that ultimately helped us determine who was responsible through the corroboration of evidence. We are confident that we now know who committed these crimes. Mr Davis, the only living member of the group as of 2022, corroborated the story with the sheriff's office. He said they were paid to kill the family on a night when a blizzard was raging. He also agreed that they had almost been caught. He claimed he was the getaway driver while the elder Mr Birt, and two others carried out the murders. It is still unclear why the family was targeted and who ordered the hit. Law enforcement informed the remaining living members of the Durham family in November of the discovery. Ginny Sue Hall the wife of Mr Hall, the pair who discovered the bodies was among the remaining family. I would like to thank all of the people who worked for decades on my familys case, she said in the news release. I know that they sacrificed many days and weekends in order to work on solving this case since 1972. Feb. 9A prosecutor called a 47-year-old Concord man a "serial predator" who used social media to groom young girls and had inappropriate sexual contact with at least four underage females. Joshua Pincoske, who until recently volunteered as an assistant men's basketball coach at Colby-Sawyer College, was arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault and 51 counts of manufacturing child sexual abuse images. The charges came after detectives obtained warrants to search two cell phones and a laptop, where they found hundreds of images and videos dating to 2017, according to an affidavit. A search warrant was executed at Pincoske's North Spring Street residence on Feb. 2. "I can only refer to this defendant as a serial predator," said prosecutor George Waldron. Pincoske pleaded not guilty to all charges during a brief hearing Wednesday afternoon. The most serious charges carry prison sentences up to 30 years. Judge Andrew Schulman, who called the patterns of abuse outlined in the affidavit "overwhelming," ordered Pincoske held without bail. According to court documents the abuse continued over a period of years up until recently. Pincoske also faces a one count of possession of a child sexual abuse image and one misdemeanor count of sexual assault. Deputy Police Chief John Thomas said more charges likely will be filed. During the hearing, defense attorney Peter McGrath said police overcharged Pincoske. "Obviously, it is a serious allegation," McGrath said. "There are many charges that are one event." He argued Pincoske should have been released with conditions, including a tracking device and home confinement. Pincoske has lived and worked in Concord for 20 years and has no criminal record, McGrath said. According to the affidavit, Pincoske had 11 images of a 14-year-old girl, who was involved in a "specific youth basketball group in Concord," taken in 2017. Thomas was unable to say if or how Pincoske was involved in the program. Story continues "There is a pattern here of all these young girls having family troubles," Waldron said. "This defendant befriended her." Data recovered from a smartphone showed 16 separate sexual acts involving Pincoske and another teenage girl between January 2019 and November 2019, according to court documents. The girl, who is now 17, was 14 and 15 at the time. Police also observed a Snapchat conversation between August 2018 through January 2022 involving a 16-year-old girl. "This conversation appeared to document Joshua 'grooming' (the girl) over a period of several months, with early conversations generally being benign in nature and discussing (the girl's) activities at a local middle school she was known to attend, " the affidavit reads. "At one point, Joshua told (the girl) that he wanted to see her in a bathing suit and reminded her that 'I have seen u before with less, right???'" the affidavit reads. In one chat, the girl asked Pincoske to buy her a pregnancy test, according to the affidavit. Further conversation suggests she was pregnant, but no indication of who the father might be. "(The girl) is known to Concord PD from prior contacts and can be described as a 'high risk' teenager struggling with personal issues," the affidavit reads. "There are no charges sought in this affidavit related to (the girl)." The charges follow an investigation begun by Farmington police in December 2020 after two 17-year-old girls there reported inappropriate sexual contact with Pincoske, according to an affidavit. Pincoske paid the girls for explicit sexual images transmitted online and as well as in-person sexual activity inside his vehicle, the affidavit reads. Pincoske faces trafficking charges in Strafford County, Waldron said. The case is still being investigated. Waldron also mentioned a conversation on Kik Messenger from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1 of this year in which he sent images of a young female 15 to 20 years old to a man. "Joshua and the man discussed their attraction to the female and to females ages 12-16 in general," the affidavit reads. Pincoske spoke with detectives and said he broke things off with the two girls from Farmington after finding out they were underage. He admitted to having an extramarital affair with an adult woman but denied other relationships with anyone under 18, according to the affidavit. A profile of Pincoske on the Colby-Sawyer College website has been removed. The college said he is no longer part of the basketball team. "During his time as volunteer and employee at the college, no complaints involving Mr. Pincoske were filed, nor did he exhibit signs that would suggest involvement in the type of behavior that led to his arrest," the college wrote in a statement. Concord police assisted members of the Farmington Police Department, Merrimack County Sheriff's Office and members of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force with the execution of a search warrant. jphelps@unionleader.com Hundreds of trucks have ground to a halt in northern Sudan after protesters blockaded a main export route into Egypt. Further south the capital Khartoum has seen months of protests against an October coup. But as protester Rashid Abuzeid explains, opposition to the military has reverberated to the border. "These are the fruits of our country passing through this road, this is why the Sudanese people must unite and hold a position so we can achieve the demands of this state and the Sudanese protesters WHO are dying in Khartoum." The protest began last month after economically-struggling Sudan sharply raised electricity prices for farmers. And that's not the only grievance. For example traders complain about the dominance of Egyptian truckers in the country and of internal restrictions they say hamper livestock exports, particularly around camels which can be a lucrative business. Barricades of the so-called Northern Artery were then expanded by Sudan's resistance committees - that have rallied protesters nationwide since the October 25 coup. By late January some 1,500 Egyptian truckers were stuck, according to data from a trucking union. This Egyptian driver says some have been at the border for more than three weeks. "We don't have any issues with them, their problem is with their government, not with us." Sudan's military-led Sovereign Council has promised to address the electricity price rise, without noting other issues. And the protests show no sign of waning. They also follows weeks of demonstrations that stopped shipping at Port Sudan, the country's main trade hub, late last year. Another example of how Sudan's fragile economy is vulnerable to its political turmoil. PROVIDENCE A gunmans overnight standoff with Providence police erupted into a lengthy exchange of automatic gunfire Thursday morning in the Charles neighborhood, with each side firing hundreds of rounds of ammunition, authorities said. Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare and other police leaders say the firefight, which ended in the mans death, involved more bullets and carried greater risk for police officers and residents than any gunfight theyve encountered. The shooting started around 6 a.m., about three hours into an initial standoff that had brought uniformed officers to the Denison Street home of a 61-year-old man, identified as Scott Maclean, embroiled in a domestic dispute. It was clear that he wasnt coming out, said Pare. We knew there was weapons in the home, so the officers retreated. Police investigate the area around the house at 25 Denison St. in Providence where a man barricaded himself and fired on police with several weapons Thursday morning. A fire broke out in one of the bedrooms from which he shot at police in what officials called the largest-scale gunfight they had encountered in Providence. The unprecedented gunfight that unfolded was fought in a compact urban area with military-grade guns and other equipment, including a state police armored vehicle and even a robot at one point. The angles often advantaged Maclean, who held higher ground. In one instance recounted by Pare, the margin of safety for police officers was about 6 inches. He and police Cmdr. Thomas Verdi, both veterans with decades of experience, say theyd not before seen an exchange of gunfire on anywhere near the same scale. "In my nearly 40 years, I've never seen something like this," Pare told reporters. "It was a very scary, very frightening scene," Mayor Jorge Elorza said from the scene. "This could have easily been much worse." A domestic disturbance What appeared initially to be a typical domestic-violence incident, considered among the most dangerous types of incidents for police, brought uniformed police officers to Denison Street, just off Commodore Street near Branch Avenue, around 2:30 a.m. They were told that Maclean, who was intoxicated, had committed an assault, either punching or slapping a person, in the house, Pare said. Story continues Police learned that Maclean was heavily armed, with 15 guns, and they succeeded in moving everyone other than Maclean, including some grandchildren, out of the house. They also evacuated some nearby homes. "We didn't know what he was going to do," Pare said. Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare on the scene early Thursday. With 15 guns in the house and children present, police got everyone but the gunman out of the house and evacuated some nearby homes. "We didn't know what he was going to do," Pare said. Tactical teams armed with automatic rifles were called in. First to the scene was Providences Special Response Unit, led by Lt. Patrick Potter, at about 3:15 a.m. The special-response tactical officers wear body armor and carry automatic weapons, which can include M-4 assault rifles. Two negotiators, Sgt. Charles Viera and Officer Shane Ramono, tried unsuccessfully to establish dialogue with Maclean, who did not answer a cellphone, Verdi said. Getting eyes on Maclean By around 3:30 a.m., a state police tactical team was on the scene with its armored vehicle. In it, Providence and state police moved closer to the house. A state police armored vehicle on Commodore Street early Thursday. Not long before, a 61-year-old man in a firefight with police fired from a second-floor window directly at the armored vehicle, with bullets ricocheting off. We did everything we could to get him to surrender, Pare said. One of those tactics, he said, was an attempt to flush him out with a pepper-type spray. The police also deployed a robot that provided a view of Maclean, including his movement from a second-floor bedroom to a bathroom and his movements around a safe in the bedroom, thought to hold guns and ammunition. It must have been getting to him, Pare said, referring to the spray. Around 6 a.m., Maclean opened fire on police, according to both Pare and Verdi, who emphasized that the shooting is under investigation by state police and the attorney generals office, as is required under state law. "Multiple shots" fired, the police tweeted around 6:30 a.m. Maclean fired hundreds of rounds at police at a high rate, Pare said, adding that it appeared the gunfire was automatic. The tactical team returned fire with its automatic weapons. We dont know if he was hit at all, Pare said, We know he continued. Occasionally, he said, Maclean appeared in the window, which was the best shot, but mostly he stayed away. We had to shoot into the side of the house more than at the window, Pare said. At one point, Maclean shot into a gutter, with police officers down below behind cover but by a margin of only about 6 inches, Pare said. At another point, Maclean fired directly at the armored vehicle, with bullets ricocheting off. Police could see him firing and moving back to the safe at times, Pare said. He fired at police from multiple positions on the second floor of the house, but mostly he fought from a bedroom, said Verdi. The only police officers to return fire were among 18 members of Providence's tactical team, said Verdi. Police cruisers from state and Providence police are lined up in the area of Denison Street in Providence's Charles neighborhood Thursday morning. 'We are fortunate. So fortunate' Before all the shooting began, Michelle Bucci arrived long before dawn at Jeannette's Bakery on Branch Avenue. Bucci walked into the bakery at 3:45 a.m., made her dough, and heard some commotion when she took her headphones off. A police officer told her to close the door and stay inside. "Of course I didn't listen," she said later in a reflective tone. "I went in the back that's when I started to film (with her cellphone) because I heard a lot more shots," she said, adding that she did worry that the gunman would see the light from her phone. Her video captured police telling Maclean to put a gun down. "Two minutes later," she said, "I got brave, opened the door and started to film again." We had evacuated some of the buildings and housings in close proximity, Pare said. But we were also concerned that some other homes might be occupied. We asked everyone to shelter. I was half a block away listening to gunfire as it erupted, and as it continued, and its amazing that none of our police officers were hit, Pare said. Said Verdi: "We are fortunate. So fortunate." A blaze in the bedroom The nature of the battle took on a different complexion when the bedroom where Maclean had holed up erupted in flames, Pare said. We werent sure if he was still there, he said. Jason Lopes captured video of the blaze from his apartment window a block away. Carefully and slowly, police and firefighters moved in. After firefighters knocked down the fire, Macleans body was found on the second floor. Police were told that Maclean had been abusing alcohol over a span of at least four days before the incident, Pare said, adding that Maclean had also been dealing with some mental-health issues. Maclean had no previous criminal record, he said. Smoke wafts over neighborhood In the hours after the shooting police expanded their cordon and kept a heavy presence in the neighborhood. The scent of smoke wafted on the air. A teenager, Migzendeleidyz Pizarro, stood in the backyard of an apartment house on Branch Avenue, adjacent to the site of the gunfight. Pizarro said she had been sleeping in a room with a window that looks out on the rear yard. She said she saw three police officers in the yard with rifles, all of them focused on the neighboring house. Police knocked on the front door and moved the occupants of her house into the street, she said. She was in the street when she heard the gunfire. As she spoke, investigators arrived on the property. Talking about casings, they cordoned off the yard with yellow tape. Police have cleared the building, firefighters are checking for hotspots and overhauling. https://t.co/aTQMzh9nQi Providence Fire Fighters (@ProvFirefighter) February 10, 2022 We have a lone gunman inside 25 Denison St. SRU is on scene negotiating. No one has been injured. Avoid the area, expect delays. People in the immediate area are to shelter in place. Follow us for updates. TAV Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) February 10, 2022 This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Scott Maclean died in standoff with Providence police on Denison Street Lacey police are looking for three men suspected of robbing a cannabis dispensary last month. The alleged armed robbery occurred on Jan. 3 at Forbidden Cannabis Club on Martin Way East. Police released pictures of two men on Thursday, but indicated a third, not pictured person also took part. The images show men wearing dark hoodies and face masks that only reveal their eyes. Police advise residents not to approach the individuals if they are spotted because they are considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with more information on the people pictured can call Thurston County dispatch at 360-704-2740 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Callers can reference Lacey case number 2022-0040. Forbidden Cannabis Club is a family-owned chain of marijuana dispensaries with multiple locations across Washington. VANCOUVER, BC and HONG KONG / ACCESSWIRE / February 10, 2022 / Reyna Gold Corp. (TSXV:REYG) ("Reyna") is pleased to announce that drilling has started on its 24,215 hectares Flagship La Gloria Property in Sonora, Mexico. A total of 10,000m of drilling has been approved by the Reyna Board as Phase 1 drilling at La Gloria with the first 22 holes, approximately 3,000m detailed in this press release. Over 20,000m of drill targets have already been identified by the geological team at Main Zone, El Sombrero, Las Quintas, Las Quintas West and San Pedro targets. The intention of Reyna is to confirm additional targets pending ongoing geochemical sampling, geological mapping and initial drill results. Figure 1: Initial Drill Holes at La Gloria Property "Following on from our excellent initial surface and trench sampling program we are exciting to start drilling at La Gloria. The initial drilling is focused on the Main Zone and El Sombrero targets, a 2,000 hectares/20 km sq area. The aim of the program is to explore for extensions of known mineralization from the Main Zone into El Sombrero, a part of the property never previously drilled, and gain greater knowledge within the Main Zone of the known mineralization and geological structures." said Michael Wood, CEO of Reyna Gold. Figure 2: Initial 22 Drill Holes at Main Zone and El Sombrero "We have identified a strong correlation between arsenic levels and gold, with arsenic appearing to be a geochemical pathfinder of gold in the system at both Main Zone and El Sombrero. El Sombrero has some very promising historic surface sampling results and has never been drilled. We have identified multiple lineaments running on the NW-SE trend in the El Sombrero area, parallel to El Carneros regional fault. These lineaments are believed to host possible extensions of mineralization to N and NE into El Sombrero from the Main Zone and our drilling is intended to test this thesis. We also plan to explore a series of NW trending structures in Placeres, Main Zone target, which could link to the Big Pit, Main Zone target." Commented Ariel Navarro VP Exploration of Reyna Gold. Story continues Drilling is starting at the Shear zone at Big Pit within the Main Zone with 6 planned holes; then will move down to Pique Viejo for 3 holes focused on the steep-dipping high-grade quartz veining recently identified in sampling, including drilling a steeply dipping vein where a channel sample returned 93.9 g/t gold. The drill rig will then move to Placeres, Main Zone for an additional 3 holes, with the aim of drilling a series of mineralized structures along a strike length NW, with a trend towards the Big Pit target area, before moving to El Sombrero for 10 holes to target at depth the high-grade mineralized structures. The intention is by the end of the initial 3,000m of drilling, the company will immediately move into the next stage of this 10,000m drilling at La Gloria. Further details will be announced on the follow-up targets once they have been finalized. Click here to watch the video Michael Wood Chief Executive Officer For Further Information, Please Contact: Reyna Gold Corp. Michael Wood, Chief Executive Officer info@reynagold.com www.reynagold.com About Reyna Gold Corp. Reyna Gold Corp. is a gold exploration company focused on district-scale exploration on two major gold belts in Mexico. The Company has a portfolio of assets on the Mojave-Sonora Megashear and the Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Belt consisting of over 57,000 hectares/ 570 sq km. The Company has an experienced management team with a proven track record of wealth creation in Mexico through project discovery, advancement and monetization. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Qualified Person Steve Robertson has acted as the Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 for this disclosure and supervised the preparation of the technical information in this release. Mr. Robertson has a B.Sc. in Geology and more than 30 years of relevant experience exploring in the North American Cordillera. He is a Registered Professional Geoscientist (Reg. 21201) with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. Mr. Robertson is not independent as he is on the board of directors of Reyna Gold Corp. Mr. Robertson is satisfied that the results are verified based on a review of the field program details, imagery data, a review of the sampling procedures, sample results, the credentials of the professionals completing the work and the nature of the gold mineralization in a well-known district for the style of mineralization. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to anticipated timing and results of the Company's drill programs. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, but not limited to, the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's final long form non-offering prospectus dated December 6, 2021 available for review on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. SOURCE: Reyna Gold Corp. Robert Pattinson said he felt "so glorious" after taking Valium before his "Twilight" audition. Pattinson said that he went into the audition "spacey" and "detached." The actor said it "must have worked for the character," since he landed the role of Edward Cullen. Robert Pattinson said that taking Valium before his "Twilight" audition may have helped him land the role of Edward Cullen. "I'd started to develop this absolute terror of auditions, which I'm sure a lot of actors have," Pattinson said while discussing his most iconic roles in a new video for GQ that coincided with his March 2022 cover story. "I could be so enthusiastic about something and then the day of the audition, my confidence would just entirely collapse. The same thing happened on the morning of the 'Twilight' audition." Pattinson, who was living on his agent's couch at the time, recalled an email exchange between them in which he said that he was "freaking out" and thinking of backing out of the audition. The actor said that in response, he was told to locate Valium a prescription medicine used to treat a range of symptoms, including those caused by anxiety in the bathroom. "I had never taken a Valium before," he told GQ. "I just remember feeling so glorious in the back of the taxi with the window open and just being like, 'Wow, this is what I've been missing.' I think I had this quite spacey, detached kind of thing in the audition, which must have worked for the character." Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Twilight." Summit Entertainment Pattinson was 21 when he auditioned for the role of a vampire named Edward Cullen in Catherine Hardwicke's 2008 film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's fantasy novel of the same name. He previously spoke about taking "a quarter of a Valium" in a cover story for GQ in 2009. "I tried to do it for another audition, and it just completely backfired I was passing out," he said. Story continues Pattinson's oft-told audition story involved him meeting with Hardwicke at her home in Venice, California the following day for "Twilight," which was in the screen test stage. The actors contending for the role of Edward auditioned with Kristen Stewart, who had already been cast as an ordinary teen named Bella Swan who falls in love with the vampire. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in "Twilight." Summit Entertainment Hardwicke previously told Vulture that she had the actors work on three scenes with Stewart: the biology scene, the meadow scene, and the kissing scene. She told the publication that Pattinson and Stewart had "sexual chemistry." "With Robert, it was abundantly apparent that they had sexual chemistry," the director told the publication. "It was like the first moment they met, you could just feel it." For her part, Stewart told GQ in the aforementioned feature that Pattinson stood out because he took the role seriously and wasn't "doing something empty and shallow and thoughtless" like the others who had auditioned. She was confident that he was the right actor for the role and Pattinson was cast after Hardwicke reviewed his audition tape. Pattinson previously told Jennifer Lopez during an interview for Variety's Actors on Actors series that he thought "Twilight" would be a small, indie movie because of the involvement of Hardwicke, who directed "Thirteen" and "Lords of Dogtown," and Stewart, who starred in "Into the Wild." Instead, the movie became a global phenomenon that's still referenced in pop culture more than a decade later. Pattinson and Stewart went on to star in four more sequels released between 2009 and 2012, based on Meyer's novels: "New Moon," "Eclipse," "Breaking Dawn: Part 1," and "Breaking Dawn: Part 2." Read the original article on Insider When Roger Dubuis opened its now-closed Midtown Manhattan location in 2015, the company debuted Hommage Millesime pocket watch at the store. But a lot can change in seven years. And the celebratory timepiece for its downtown pop-up shop in Soho looks entirely different from the more stately high-complication piece that dropped for its previous Madison Avenue location. The new Excalibur Soho Edition MB, of which only eight will be made, showcases the brands efforts to appeal to a decidedly younger, more sartorially street-savvy clientele. The 42 mm watch is crafted from a milky-white mineral composite fiber and displays a skeletonized dial. Its red star-shaped bridge and minute counters create a bold contrast that sets it apart from the wide range of other horological wonders in the watchmakers iconic series that debuted in 2005. The figures white rubber straps also don graffiti-style writing in a red font that features the Swiss watchmakers mantra of No Rules, Our Game. More from Robb Report The Excalibur collection is known for its high-end complications that boast avant-garde designsall manufactured in Geneva, of course. Knowing that, the Excalibur Soho Edition MB watch reveals itself as a suitably outlandish addition to the series. But while the watchs design speaks to a street-style aesthetic, the inside is still pretty buttoned up. The timepiece is powered by the companys RD820SQ self-winding movement that is certified by the Poincon de Geneve. Its one of the most acclaimed certifications in the world of haute horology. The movement provides the watch with a 60-hour power reserve and a water resistance of up to 50 meters (or 5 ATM). Roger Dubois is not alone in heading downtown. Watch companies have been flocking to Soho. The neighborhood is home to Watches of Switzerlands most successful Manhattan location (the multi-brand retailer also has a boutique in Hudson Yards) and even more traditional high-end watchmakers like F.P. Journe have decamped from Madisonthe brand has secured a retail space on Mercer Street, although its opening date is still to be determined. Story continues To order one of the eight Excalibur Soho Edition MBs available (price upon request), visit Roger Dubuis online or head to the residency on 134 Wooster Street. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Trump attorney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Alex Wong/Getty Images Rudy Giuliani asked a Michigan prosecutor to turn over voting machines to the Trump team, The Washington Post reported. Antrim County prosecutor James Rossiter said he declined the request, which he "never expected" to get. "We don't have that magical power to just demand things as prosecutors," he said. Rudy Giuliani asked a county prosecutor in northern Michigan to turn over voting machines to the Trump team in the weeks after the 2020 election, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. Antrim County Prosecutor James Rossiter told The Post that Giuliani and other members of Trump's legal team called him in late November 2020 after the county initially misreported its election results, appearing to give then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 3,000 more votes than former President Donald Trump, according to The Post report. Rossiter said he denied the request from Giuliani and Trump's legal team, saying he "never expected in my life I'd get a call like this." "I said, 'I can't just say: give them here,'" the local prosecutor told The Post, adding that even if the Trump team had legal grounds to seize the machines, he couldn't have given the machines to parties with an interest in the matter. "We don't have that magical power to just demand things as prosecutors," he continued. "You need probable cause." Representatives for Giuliani and Antrim County respectively did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. The clerical error by the county became a focal point for the Trump camp's unproven claims of a rigged election, The Post reported. An Associated Press fact check of the issue explained that the miscount "was caused by a clerk's failure to update media drives for certain tabulators to reflect the correct ballot content. It was not a machine problem." In the days that followed the miscount, Antrim County officials determined through a hand recount of paper ballots that Trump had won the Republican stronghold by more than 3,000 votes. Story continues "It's a horrible mistake," county clerk Sheryl Guy told the county's attorneys, per a report by TIME. "I own it." The news of the Trump legal team's request of the Michigan county comes after The New York Times reported that Trump told Giuliani to call the Department of Homeland Security to ask the agency to seize voting machines following the 2020 election. The DHS was among the other federal entities including the military and the Justice Department that Trump weighed the prospect of using in his efforts to overturn the election results. Read the original article on Business Insider Rudy Giuliani reportedly called a Michigan prosecutor in the weeks after the 2020 presidential election to demand he seize voting machines from a county that became the unlikely focus of former President Donald Trumps campaign to overturn his election loss. The presidential lawyer sought to get Antrim County Prosecuting Attorney James Rossiter to hand over the machines to Trumps team so they could search for supposed signs of fraud, the prosecutor told the Washington Post. Rossiter, a Republican, said he flatly refused the demand from the ex-mayor, which he considered improper. I never expected in my life Id get a call like this, Rossiter told the paper. Antrim became a focus of Trumps election lies when the heavily Republican county mistakenly reported on Election Night that President Joe Biden had beaten Trump by 3,000 votes. Later, a county elections official said human error and clerical mistakes resulted in a miscount. Trump won by 3,000 votes, a tally confirmed by a hand recount. Biden won Michigan by more than 150,000 votes. But Trumps allies sought to ferret out evidence that the relatively small error in Antrim County was actually the tip of a massive iceberg of voting machine fraud that could have tipped the entire election. Thats why Giuliani called Rossiter around Nov. 20, 2020, in hopes of getting him to allow the Trump team to examine the machines. Around the same time, Trump considered signing a draft executive order that would have ordered the National Guard to seize voting machines across the country as part of his effort to stay in power despite losing to Biden, as first reported by Politico. The former president infamously was caught on tape asking a Georgia elections official to find enough votes to overturn his narrow loss in the Peach State. Experts say there is no evidence of any widespread fraud or errors that could have changed the results of Bidens win. ------- Lavrov added that "relations can be normalized only through mutually respectful dialogue, an equal dialogue, and dialogue based on recognition of each other's legitimate interests, a search for mutually acceptable solutions." Liz Truss told her Russian counterpart at the meeting in Moscow that "Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people and for European security and together NATO has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs". Russia started the active phase of military drills in Belarus on Thursday (February 10) as Britain launched new diplomacy in a standoff over Ukraine. U.S. officials have warned that Russia may attack Ukraine after massing troops near its borders, and have accused Moscow of raising tensions further by holding joint military exercises in Belarus with what NATO says is Russia's biggest deployment to the country since the Cold War. Russia denies planning an attack, and says it has the right to move its troops as it sees fit across its own territory, and that of its allies with their agreement saying its military exercises are defensive in nature. By Vladimir Soldatkin MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's foreign minister accused his British counterpart on Thursday of grandstanding and refusing to listen, at a rancorous encounter that highlighted the gulf between them over the Ukraine crisis. Sergei Lavrov told a joint news conference with Britain's Liz Truss that their meeting had felt like a conversation between mute and deaf people. "They say Russia is waiting until the ground freezes like a stone so its tanks can easily cross into Ukrainian territory," he said. "I think the ground was like that today with our British colleagues, from which numerous facts that we produced bounced off." Truss challenged Lavrov directly over his assertion that Russia is not threatening anyone with its build-up of troops and weaponry near Ukraine's borders. "I can't see any other reason for having 100,000 troops stationed on the border, apart from to threaten Ukraine. And if Russia is serious about diplomacy, they need to remove those troops and desist from the threats," she said. Lavrov said it was regrettable that Russia was being asked to withdraw troops from its own territory. Russia's Kommersant newspaper quoted two diplomatic sources as saying that during their earlier closed-door meeting Lavrov had asked Truss if she recognised Russian sovereignty over Rostov and Voronezh - two regions in the south of the country where Russia has been building up its forces. Kommersant said Truss replied that Britain would never recognise them as Russian, and had to be corrected by her ambassador. In a later interview with another Russian paper, RBC, Truss said she had mistakenly thought Lavrov was referring to areas of Ukraine. Russia has presented the West with a series of demands to guarantee its security, complaining it feels threatened by repeated waves of NATO enlargement and the refusal of the alliance to rule out membership for its neighbour Ukraine, a fellow former Soviet republic. Story continues "No one is undermining Russia's security - that is simply not true," Truss said, adding that it was "perfectly proper" for Ukraine to defend itself and seek alliances. Russia and Britain have had dire relations for years, hitting low points with the fatal 2006 poisoning of former Russian security officer Alexander Litvinenko in London and the attempted killing of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent in the English city of Salisbury in 2018. Lavrov said London had never presented any facts to support its accusations of Russian involvement in both cases, or in the attempted poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in 2020. He said Truss had not varied her tone throughout their two-hour meeting, and had ignored his explanations while repeating statements and demands that Britain had made before. (Additional reporting by Tom Balmforth; Writing by Mark Trevelyan) A Russian figure skater who won gold has tested positive for a banned drug, according to the country's media. 15-year-old Kamila Valieva is a member of the Russian group that won the figure skating team event on Monday ahead of the United States and Japan. She delivered one of the highlights of the Games so far when she landed the first quadruple jumps by a woman in an Olympic competition. However the ceremony to present her and her team mates with their Olympic gold medals was postponed for unexplained legal reasons. On Wednesday, Russian newspapers RBC reported that Valieva had tested positive for Trimetazidine. The drug is typically used to treat chest pain and works by increasing blood flow to the heart and limiting rapid swings in blood pressure. It has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances since 2014. Figure skating is a prestige sport for Russia, in which it has an outstanding record at Olympic and world championships. Any move to penalize Valieva or strip the team of their medals would likely cause a national outcry. The International Olympic Committee said a need for "legal consultation" had forced the postponement of the medal ceremony. Valieva showed up for her scheduled practice at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday Feb. 9Thanks to Gov. Ned Lamont's decision Monday to put the onus on school face masks on school systems, local districts are faced with a big decision come month's end. Lamont announced this at a news conference Monday, saying he's lifting the state's mask mandate in schools Feb. 28. By that time, it will be up to school leaders to decide whether to require masking in child care centers and school sites. The day after the announcement, local town and school officials in multiple municipalities deferred any definitive decisions, saying they're waiting to see how the matter plays out. One thing local officials said is certain for an uncertain situation is this will not be a decision made quickly. SCHOOL LEADERS, Page 4 Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson is joined, from left, by Sens. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) as she speaks after the Senate approval of the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) The Senate on Thursday voted to approve bipartisan legislation that would ban private companies from forcing employees and customers into arbitration to resolve sexual harassment and assault allegations, a victory for advocates and victims who have long complained that such legal agreements have enabled powerful men to evade accountability. The legislation, which passed in a voice vote, goes to President Biden, who is expected to sign it. Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed the bill in a 335-97 vote, with 113 Republicans joining all Democrats in approving the measure. An estimated 60 million workers have contracts that contain provisions requiring anyone alleging sexual harassment or assault by bosses or co-workers to enter arbitration to resolve the claims. The law will nullify those contract clauses. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement that the bill is "momentous" and "painfully overdue." "For decades, arbitration clauses have been routinely tucked into the fine print of employment contracts," his statement said. "Today they impact about sixty million Americans, and many people may not even realize such clauses affect them until it is too late." Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, with fellow Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, speaks at a news conference after the bill's passage. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, who was among the first after the #MeToo movement emerged to publicly speak on the workplace harassment she faced, was a driving force behind the legislation. She learned that her contract had such an arbitration clause only as she was going to sue 21st Century Fox over harassment she says she endured from Roger Ailes, then the network's chief executive. "I had no idea signing on the dotted line meant that," Carlson said in an interview. Carlson overcame the arbitration clause by naming Ailes, not the network, in her lawsuit. Fox News' parent company, which indemnified Ailes, ultimately settled the suit by paying Carlson a reported $20 million. Ailes died in 2017. Story continues The former Fox host has spent the last five years lobbying Congress to pass a law banning such clauses. She found a champion in Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) and later Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). "After covering politics for 30 years, I have come to know that unless legislation is bipartisan it's not going to pass," Carlson said. Graham said Thursday that he believes arbitration is generally good for businesses because it's cheaper and less time-consuming than resolving disputes in court. "But most people have no idea what they're doing when they sign an employment contract," the Republican said. "This is not bad for business. This is good for America." Graham said the bill would make it easier for alleged victims "to get justice without gaming the system" and said it was limited to sexual misconduct and would not remove unrelated claims in contracts. Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson speaks with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a sponsor of legislation that bans arbitration in cases of sexual harassment and assault. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Gillibrand said in a statement that the bill will give "survivors their day in court" while allowing them to publicly discuss their cases and "end the days of institutional protection for harassers. The #MeToo movement gained momentum after the revelation of abuse by Hollywood titan Harvey Weinstein, who is expected to spend two decades in prison for sexual assault. His case and others prompted people on social media and in podcasts to publicly disclose abuses they suffered. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Gary Chambers, a U.S. Senate candidate in Louisiana who went viral last month for smoking a blunt in a campaign ad, burned a Confederate flag while decrying restrictive voting laws in his latest video released on Wednesday. In a one-minute video titled "Scars and Bars," Chambers is seen wearing a camo jacket as he pins a Confederate flag on a clothesline and ignites it with a lighter - right after he cites the famous Declaration of Independence line "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." As the flag burns, the Louisiana Democrat argues that inequality lingers and "remnants of the Confederacy remain" in the South. The candidate mentions gerrymandered districts and restrictive voting laws as "byproducts" of the Confederacy. "The attacks against Black people, our right to vote and participate in this democracy, are methodical," he said. "Our system isn't broken. It's designed to do exactly what it's doing, which is producing measurable inequity." According to the Brennan Center, 19 states passed 34 restrictive voting laws in response to a conservative push to tighten up elections following former President Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Earlier this year, Congressional Democrats attempted to push through a voting rights package to address the restrictive voting laws but failed to secure enough votes in the Senate. Chambers is running to unseat Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) in the upcoming midterm election. He gained national attention last month with the release of a campaign ad in which he puffs on a blunt while arguing for the legalization of cannabis, the criminalization of which disproportionately affects Black people. The candidate is a co-founder of a media outlet called The Rouge Collection and ran unsuccessfully for a U.S. House seat last year in Louisiana. In Wednesday's video, Chambers mentioned other issues that affect Black Americans, including access to health care, which has been highlighted during the pandemic, as minorities have had higher rates of severe illness and death from COVID-19. Chambers said 1 in 9 Black Americans do not have health insurance and 1 in 3 Black children live in poverty. "It's time to burn what remains of the Confederacy down," he said in the video. "I do believe the South will rise again, but this time it will be on our terms." Feb. 10Maryland state Sen. Michael Hough, a Republican running for Frederick County executive, blamed county officials Wednesday for their handling of a failed $30 billion proposal for Amazon Web Services to build data centers in multiple parts of the county. Talks between Amazon and Frederick County ended last year, in part because Amazon and county government couldn't reach an agreement on the project's timeline. While one county official said the proposal was aggressive but feasible, several referred to Amazon's terms as "close to impossible" and "impractical." "Ultimately, business announcements and the decision of a business to locate here is made by the business itself to achieve its goals," County Executive Jan Gardner (D) said in a prepared statement. Hough (R-Frederick and Carroll counties) wasn't convinced. "Frederick County blew a historic business deal which would have allowed the county to make massive investments," the senator said in a news release Wednesday. Hough said that millions in tax revenue from data centers would have allowed the county to put funding toward preserving farmland and boosting funding for the public education system, among other things. He mentioned reporting from the News-Post in his release stating that neighboring Loudoun County, Virginia, expects more than $500 million in tax revenues from its data centers this year, with Amazon's 70 facilities there contributing much of that total. "I have already met with Amazon and will engage other businesses to bring jobs and tax revenue to Frederick County," Hough said. But Gardner, who is term-limited, said in a statement that Hough "seems unaware that counties in Northern Virginia gain the majority of their tax revenue from data centers through the assessment of a business personal property tax that Frederick County does not assess." "Senator Hough demonstrates that he is a political opportunist and is not aware of what is actually happening in Frederick County," Gardner said. Follow Jack Hogan on Twitter: @jckhogan Brandon Brady The Etowah County Sheriff's Office did a general search Wednesday around the residence of an Etowah County man reported missing this week, according to Sheriff Jonathon Horton. Timothy Brandon Brady has been missing since Feb. 3. The sheriff's office received a missing person report Tuesday, and investigators are following leads to his whereabouts. Capt. Josh Morgan said the search would continue Thursday in the wooded area around Brady's home in the 1000 block of Fords Valley Road, near Hokes Bluff. He said deputies and investigators will be doing a canvass of the wooded area as they did Wednesday, and have had some dogs to assist in the search. "We know he liked to walk in the woods," Morgan said. Anyone with information about Brady's location is asked to contact the sheriff's office Investigation Division at 256-549-2825, or submit a tip at tipline@etowahcounty.org. Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com. This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Missing person: Have you seen Brandon Brady? RED BANK - A divided Borough Council voted 3-2 to pick Angela Mirandi as the new council member to take over the vacant seat left by Erik Yngstrom, who resigned in January, after rejecting the mayor's suggested candidate. During Wednesday nights council meeting, council members Michael Ballard, Jacqueline Sturdivant and Edward Zipprich voted for Mirandi to join the council, while Councilwoman Kathy Horgan voted no and Councilwoman Kate Triggiano abstained from voting. Both said they were not informed of any of the nominated candidates backgrounds until after the vote took place. All six members of the council are Democrats, but the party has been split, with Zipprich, Ballard and Sturdivant forming one faction and Triggiano, Horgan and Yngstrom often opposing them. Yngstrom, who was up for reelection, resigned three weeks ago citing toxicity in the town's politics. In his resignation letter, he wrote, I tried to set an example for others that hard work and civility can get things done in this town. However, I believe we have strayed far from this collaborative mindset and seem more focused on political gains and people trying to keep their perceived political power. I am not sure where we went wrong but this divisiveness needs to stop, and the best interests of Red Bank need to be put first. Red Bank: Planners, residents wary of turning century-old home into parking lot A view of the Red Bank train station and the surrounding neighborhood. Yngstrom also wrote that he understood that his resignation will allow the local Democratic chair, Zipprich, to handpick his replacement. Rather than working together and bringing people together, the Democratic Chair is likely to use this situation to make town politics and council even more divisive, he wrote. According to Mayor Pasquale "Pat" Menna, in the event of a resignation, New Jersey law states that the chairman of the party to which the resigning council member belonged has to put forth three recommendations to the mayor. The mayor will then nominate one of the recommended people and the council will then vote to accept or reject the nominee. Story continues Menna chose Stephen Hecht, a staple at borough meetings and a member of the Red Bank Library Board of Trustees. However, since Horgan made a motion and no one seconded the motion, the nomination failed. How we got here: Red Bank rival Democrats win, voters OK commission to look at new government Red Bank Councilwoman Kathleen Horgan I dont understand. The municipal chair gave three names to the mayor and hes not supporting his nominations, Horgan said referencing Zipprich. Ballard, who had interjected three times to put forth Mirandis name, said he chose to nominate Mirandi because of her financial background. Mirandi will have to take over Yngstroms position on the finance committee. After the vote, Horgan said she has not been provided with any information about any of the candidates. She said she supported Hecht because she knew him and his work. Triggiano said she abstained because, At the end of the day, I really dont have a say in who was nominated and we all know that. Red Bank: Charter School saved for five more years after local district, council fought it Councilman Edward Zipprich, a Democrat, won re-election. Zipprich said the local Democratic Party assembled an ad hoc committee to find candidates that was chaired by the former Red Bank Mayor Ed McKenna and former and current members of the county and local Democratic committees. Under the bylaws, I fully thought that it would be best to have multiple people involved in the Democratic Party review the candidates so that nobody could say that I am controlling who or what is being instituted in this replacement for the absence that we are entertaining right now, Zipprich said. So in all fairness, I removed myself from the process and I think the committee did an outstanding job. After being asked by Horgan about Mirandis background, Zipprich read a long prepared statement about her work experience. Mirandi works at Buckeye Partners and, according to Zipprich, has experience developing and implementing programs such as marine accidents reduction and analyzing financial reports. Shes got a background in accounting and auditing supply operations. And as a program manager of software design and program implementation, I think that she is an outstanding candidate (and) will be a tremendous asset to the Borough of Red Bank and an exquisite representative of the people of Red Bank going forward, Zipprich said. Well thats very impressive. Maybe she might want to be our CFO with that background, Horgan said. The thing is though I do feel that Kate and I should have had some kind of information on all of these candidates prior to this. We are part of the Democratic Party. Were supposed to be part of the Democratic Party and you as a municipal chair, you are the leader. Im very disappointed in you. I dont think that shows leadership. You are trying to exclude us. Menna said Mirandi could be sworn in as soon as Thursday. Olivia Liu is a reporter covering transportation, Red Bank and western Monmouth County. She can be reached at oliu@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Split Red Bank NJ council rejects mayor's choice for new member CAIRO (AP) Sudanese activists have taken to social media to appeal for help for a neglected, government-run orphanage in the capital, Khartoum, where local authorities said 54 children have died over the past three months. The high death toll, reported earlier this week, has caused outrage in this African country wracked by turmoil and economic downslide since an October military coup upended its transition to democratic rule. The orphanage in Khartoum had housed more than 320 children, including 80 with disabilities, who a government statement described as living in tragic conditions, sometimes with up to 26 children in a single room. The orphanage authorities have not given any cause of death. Volunteer Afkar Omar Moustafa said most of the children had suffered from malnutrition but also various diseases amid shortages in staff and medical services. Children need special medical care and other services, which are currently unavailable, she said. The orphanage needs a quick assistance ... to prevent a catastrophe. An official with the Ministry of Social Affairs, which oversees orphanage facilities, said that sustained funding is also urgently needed because donations have drastically declined in recent months amid dire economic condition across the county. The official said prosecutors have opened a probe and ordered autopsies of the deceased. She spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to talk to the media. A military statement on Wednesday said the army has provided food aid and other assistance to the orphanage, without elaborating. Sudan has for years struggled with an array of economic woes, including widespread shortages of essential goods and soaring prices of bread and other staples. Since 2020, Sudan embarked on a reform program meant to transform the economy and have the nation rejoin the international community after over two decades of isolation during the rule of autocrat Omar al-Bashir. The economic hardships accelerated since the military takeover in October, removing the transitional government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Western governments have halted their economic assistance over the coup while unabated street protests against the military rulers have paralyzed the county. Summer Beck-Griffith Springfield native Summer Beck-Griffith has been named acting director for Lincoln Library, Mayor Jim Langfelder announced Thursday afternoon. The library's board of trustees was informed Wednesday afternoon. Beck-Griffith joined the library as the community engagement manager in 2020 after working in Kansas City, Missouri. More headlines: Robert Blackwell receives Dr. Alonzo Homer Kenniebrew Trailblazer Award from SIU The library's former director, Rochelle Hartman, was fired Jan. 20 after two and a half years. "I felt the strongest direction to move the library forward was hiring from within, Langfelder said in a press release. Summer has vast experience in community and partnership engagement, program management and operations, people development and communications. As the library works to advance its services beyond its four walls, I felt her experience as a manager, along with outreach and communications is critical for the library and its leadership team. Beck-Griffith has helped the library partner with various local organizations to reach the community including the Springfield Housing Authority, Downtown Springfield, Inc. and the Springfield Art Association. Additionally, she has been involved in creating Saturday's Lincolns4Lincoln Read-A-Thon along with managing the librarys social media presence. I am deeply committed to building on the incredible legacy of Lincoln Library and looking forward to addressing the needs of the Springfield community now and in the future," Beck-Griffith said. Beck-Griffith is trained in trauma informed care and de-escalation. She has a Master of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree, both in communications, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Lincoln Library in Springfield, IL, names acting director Sundale Union Elementary school board members penned a letter voicing support for local control and concern surrounding mask and vaccination mandates during a meeting late January. Sundale Union Elementary school board members wrote a letter of support for local control and concern surrounding mask and vaccination mandates. School board members stated in the letter they have seen a "growing mental health crisis among children" and are asking for staff and parent choice when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations and "other health decisions." "Parents, including those who are COVID-19 vaccinated, pro-vaccination and anti-vaccination have expressly shared that [sic] they are uncomfortable subjecting children to a vaccination for which there is no longitudinal data," a portion of the letter reads. "Therefore, we believe that parent/guardian choice in vaccination and other health decisions is crucial." The letter, signed by trustees Johanna Weerheim, Fred Brown, Ralph Walton, Greg Fernandes and Judy Jameson on Jan. 24, was sent to the California State Senate, California State Assembly and State Capitol. "We support staff and families maintaining the choice and freedom to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine for themselves and their children," the letter continues, "but believe the Governors proposed vaccination mandate removes choice from the equation by forcing individuals to submit to the mandate or lose access to in-person instruction (if they are students) and their jobs (if they are staff)." The request was sent prior to Gov. Gavin Newsoms announcement Monday confirming the states indoor mask mandate would expire on Feb. 15. NEW: CAs case rate has decreased by 65% since our Omicron peak. Our hospitalizations have stabilized across the state. Our statewide indoor mask requirement will expire on 2/15. Unvaccinated people will still need to wear masks indoors. Get vaccinated. Get boosted. Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 7, 2022 "CAs case rate has decreased by 65% since our Omicron peak. Our hospitalizations have stabilized across the state," the tweet from Newsom reads. "Our statewide indoor mask requirement will expire on 2/15. Unvaccinated people will still need to wear masks indoors. Get vaccinated. Get boosted." Story continues Newsom's announcement did not include any direction for schools; however, unvaccinated individuals will still be required to wear masks in indoor settings. Los Angeles County confirmed it will not be lifting its indoor mask mandates until a certain criterion is met, the LA Times reported Tuesday. "Our children have carried this burden for too long. Statewide masking, testing and vaccine mandates are not the answer," the Sundale Union letter continues. "We are asking for your support [sic] to allow us to have the authority to decide how and when to return normalcy to our schools. Our students, educators and families need your support." Lauren Jennings covers education and news for the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register. Follow her on Twitter @lolojennings. 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: Sundale Union trustees pen letter asking for vaccine reconsideration Northampton, MA --News Direct-- CNH Industrial Aussie Helpers at work in regional Queensland Australian farmers have been through a roller-coaster of fortunes in the past few years drought, fire and flooding and Case IH Australia/New Zealand is keen to help with the ongoing recovery of rural and regional communities. Case IH is a brand of CNH Industrial. The brand has announced $45,000 (AUD) in donations for Aussie Helpers and Angel Flight, two charities at the forefront of helping these communities, although in very different ways. Angel Flight coordinates non-emergency transport to assist country people access specialist medical treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them because of vast distance and high travel costs, while Aussie Helpers is dedicated to helping farmers, farm families and farming communities through the tough times by providing financial assistance, counselling, educational assistance, livestock feed and essentials like fuel, groceries and medicines. "These charities are there for rural and regional people at some of the hardest times of their lives, doing what they can to ease some of the burden. We appreciate their commitment to country Australia, and this donation is a way of showing our appreciation. Our staff, our dealers and our customers call these regions home and we want to do what we can to assist, where it's needed most," said Pete McCann, General Manager Case IH Australia/New Zealand. Aussie Helpers CEO Tash Kocks said the donation was welcome in the aftermath of a number of significant natural disasters, including the most recent flooding in December. "Most Aussies know that when natural disasters happen, it is our farmers who are hit the hardest. What they don't realise is that the financial hit is still present even after drought and flooding has passed. So, it is our aim at Aussie Helpers to stick with our rural and regional families and communities, even after the dust has settled," she said. "Thanks to the generosity of Case IH we are able to continue our work, assisting farmers in crisis and families in need." Story continues Angel Flight CEO Marjorie Pagani said the organisation's volunteer pilots had flown more than 17 million km across more than 3,100 different routes, while their volunteer drivers had covered almost 2 million km getting country people to and from their medical appointments and accommodation, so the donation would be put to very good use. "Angel Flight is honoured to receive this donation from Case IH. We achieve our goals by coordinating private flights and ground transport provided by volunteer pilots and drivers using their own aircraft and vehicles. Volunteers are reimbursed for fuel costs, but their greatest reward is the satisfaction of helping fellow Australians in times of need," she said. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/support-from-case-ih-for-hardworking-australian-charities-helping-farming-communities-491164485 Feb. 10A Tahlequah physician charged with murder is expected to go in front of jury this summer in Arkansas. Tyler Edward Tait entered a plea of not guilty to first-degree murder charges in the death of local nurse, Moria Kinsey. According to online court reports, Tait demanded a jury trial. Tait was a physician with Cherokee Nation Health Services. Kinsey had also been employed there at one time. An affidavit filed in Chicot County, Arkansas, alleges Tait called authorities Oct. 11 and advised them Kinsey was having a seizure. Kinsey was reportedly lying outside of a vehicle parked alongside the roadway. Investigators arrived at the emergency room and were told Kinsey had died. Bruises were visible around the base of her neck. Surveillance footage from a gasoline station showed Tait and Kinsey pull up to one of the pumps at 12:27 p.m. The two talked and hugged before entering the store and then leaving, headed south toward Greenville. Tait called 911 at 1:12 p.m. Tait surrendered his Oklahoma Osteopathic Medical License on Nov. 4, 2021, due to the first-degree murder charge. The jury trial is slated for June 28-July 1 at 9 a.m. in Lake Village, Arkansas. Pre-trial hearings on any motions are scheduled for June 6, at 9 a.m. Tait is also set to appear for an omnibus hearing in Lake Village, Arkansas, on April 25, at 9 a.m. Wisconsin's U.S. senators Tammy Baldwin (left), a Democrat, and Ron Johnson (right), a Republican. Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said Thursday that Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson should want to create high-paying jobs in Wisconsin as she sought to keep up pressure in her efforts to get Oshkosh Corp. to reverse course and bring more than 1,000 new jobs to the state. "I'm very disappointed that Senator Johnson doesn't support creating jobs in his own hometown instead of South Carolina. And I want the trucks built in Oshkosh with Wisconsin workers," Baldwin said during a media briefing arranged by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. On Saturday, the Oshkosh Republican said he supported having more manufacturing jobs in the state but added he wouldn't insert insert himself into the company's decision to build vehicles for the U.S. Postal Service at a new facility in South Carolina. Subscribe to our On Wisconsin Politics newsletter for the week's political news explained. During a radio interview Thursday with WIND-AM in Chicago, Johnson contended he was "bushwhacked" by a reporter Saturday, and yet doubled down on his comments: "I said, 'listen, it's not like we don't have enough jobs in Wisconsin. The number one problem for employers in Wisconsin is they can't find enough workers. So I also am concerned about ... efficiently and effectively using taxpayer money, and that's what Oshkosh Corp. has done." Johnson said the firm didn't have the production capacity in Wisconsin, got a building in South Carolina that it can outfit and thus produce the vehicles on time. "We're not shipping any jobs out of Wisconsin," he said. "These are all new jobs on a new contract." Johnson accused the Biden administration and the United Auto Workers union of trying to "tank the contract, to take it away from Oshkosh Truck, because it may not use union labor." Johnson, who is running for reelection in a nationally watched race, added that he would have "loved" to have the trucks made in the state but "it just wasn't possible." Story continues Bob Lynk, president of the United Auto Workers Local 578, and Tim Jacobson, a chief steward, said they were eager to meet with Johnson and denied that the local union was working to try to blow up the deal. "We want Oshkosh to have the work," Lynk said during the media availability arranged by the state Democrats. "This is Oshkosh. We believe we deserve that work," Jacobson said. "We have the facilities to do that work." More: Ron Johnson refuses to weigh in on the RNC censure of U.S. Reps. Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger More: Ron Johnson participated in a Jan. 4, 2021, session at a Trump hotel on the potential delay of the election certification In February, 2021, Oshkosh Corporation's Oshkosh Defense division won a contract with the U.S. Postal Service to produce up to 165,000 Next Generation Delivery Vehicles. The firm later announced its decision to manufacture the vehicles at a new facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where it planned to hire more than 1,000 employees. The Next Generation Delivery Vehicle Technical Center in Oshkosh will employ more than 100 people in engineering and program support, under the plan. Last week, the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency sent letters to USPS asking it to reconsider its plans to buy primarily gas-powered vehicles. Oshkosh Defense said it could make adjustments to meet new requirements for all-electric vehicles if the contract changes. Oshkosh Defense President John Bryant said this week that production of the new vehicles would require a minimum of 825,000 square feet of space, more than its largest Oshkosh facility. "Our existing facilities in Oshkosh are fully occupied and set up to execute Defense programs," Bryant said. Baldwin said she was hopeful that the company would be open to reversing its decision. "We want to look closely at the contract which was based upon an assumption there would be use of existing facilities for production of these trucks," she said. "And we also have some other questions on whether the environmental impact properly anticipated the move to South Carolina." More: U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson discusses federal funded childcare programs More: U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson has 'hard time believing' he'll vote for anyone President Joe Biden picks to Supreme Court Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tammy Baldwin keeps up pressure on Oshkosh Defense, Ron Johnson Protesters outside Supreme Court as justices hear arguments in high-profile abortion case Abortions in Texas dropped nearly 60 percent in the first month the most restrictive abortion law in the nation was in effect, according to state data. The number of abortions performed in the state fell from 5,404 in August to just 2,197 in September. The Texas heartbeat law, S.B. 8, bans all abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks of pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant. The figures from the Texas Health Department, which were released earlier this month, show the dramatic impact of the law just one month after it took effect. Data has not been released for the rest of 2021 beyond September. The law authorizes citizens to file private lawsuits against those who perform, aid or abet an abortion after six weeks. Successful suits under S.B. 8, which contains no exceptions for rape or incest, fetch at least $10,000. So far, no lawsuits have been filed, but several clinics ceased providing abortions. The ban conflicts with Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that recognized a constitutional right to abortion before a fetus is viable, typically around 24 weeks of pregnancy. But the law was deliberately written to circumvent the ruling. So despite challenges, the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to block the law. The high court remanded the case to the conservative 5th Circuit, which then sent the lawsuit to the Texas Supreme Court, which is controlled entirely by Republicans. Abortions in 2021 peaked highest in March at just over 5,600, when the law was first introduced, and again in August, just before it took effect on September 1. Notably, only two abortions in September occurred after eight weeks. Advocates say the impact of S.B. 8 has fallen hardest on poor people, as well as Black and brown communities, and neighboring states have reported an influx of Texas residents seeking abortions, according to abortion rights advocates. Abortion clinics in 11 other states and the District of Columbia reported to the Guttmacher Institute that they had performed abortions on Texas residents since the law took effect. Story continues The data consistently showed slightly more medication abortions performed throughout 2021, but in September the gap widened dramatically, as there were more than twice as many nonsurgical abortions. In contrast to a surgical abortion, which takes place in a clinic, a medication abortion involves two pills, taken 48 hours apart, to end a pregnancy. But Texas is also cracking down on abortion drugs. A law passed in December bans prescribing abortion-inducing medication to anyone more than seven weeks pregnant, and made it a felony to prescribe those medications through the mail or telehealth. McALLEN, Texas Nancy Trevino, a fifth grade teacher here in southern Texas, began suffering debilitating migraines after contracting the coronavirus for a second time a few weeks ago. Still sickly five days after testing positive, Trevino says she was pressured to return to work without a negative test result. Then, this week, she says she developed hives, a skin condition she believes is a nervous response to stress. I told myself OK, my body is telling me slow down, take a breather, Trevino said. Yes, I love what I do. I love teaching, Ive been doing this for 10 years. I have a masters degree and I want to stay, but my body is telling me otherwise. So Trevino, 32, quit her dream job at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School and doesnt know if shell ever return to teaching. Although she cant be certain she contracted the virus on the job, Trevino says the school, until recently, wasnt providing the necessary protective gear to staff, specifically high-quality N95 masks. While the McAllen Independent School District says it did provide a mix of three-ply and KN95 masks, the tensions illustrate an emerging national debate over how billions in taxpayer funds are being used. While some districts provided N95 masks, many others spent funds that were meant to be used to safely reopen schools on other things, like student enrichment activities. The teachers union in Chicago, for instance, has also complained about lacking protective gear. Further, Trevino's district does not offer sick days because of Covid. The lack of available protective supplies persisted, she said, even after McAllen was given almost $50 million in federal funds as part of the first two Covid funding bills dedicated explicitly to helping children and teachers safely return to school through protective gear, facility improvements and mitigating learning loss. The bulk of the spending, roughly $37 million, was tagged for student learning and student needs, according to the districts spending plan given to NBC. Story continues About $475,588 went toward personal protective equipment for staff and students, sanitation materials and related supplies necessary to maintain school operations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Stories like Trevinos are emerging from Texas, where teachers and educators say billions in U.S. taxpayer funds allocated to make schools safe during Covid are not being used to prioritize safety. As parents, teachers and taxpayers look at how the billions in federal funds were spent, there are likely to be plenty of grievances without a clear path to resolution. Congress attached few conditions to the funds. In total, Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has tried to bar schools from requiring masks, was given $2.4 billion in the first two federal emergency Covid relief installments intended to help states and school districts safely reopen schools, measure and effectively address significant learning loss and take other actions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, according to the U.S. Dept. of Education. Voices featured in a new survey by the Texas American Federation of Teachers include a special education teacher who spent $100 of her own money to buy N95 masks to keep herself safe at work, as well as bus drivers and nurses who were not given protective equipment during the January Covid surge. Theyre asking to be provided with N95 masks and rapid tests, to be able to take leave when theyre sick, said Zeph Capo, president of the Texas chapter of the American Federation of Teachers. This is basic stuff, he said, and it was taxpayer money they received for the purposes of mitigating these Covid issues. Mark May, a spokesman for the McAllen ISD, said in a statement that the district cares deeply about the health and safety of staff and students and has steadfastly followed appropriate health protocols in a multi-tiered approach. The school district ordered more than 6,000 KN95 masks after the CDC updated its guidance on masks in January to include the use of N95 and KN95 masks for the general public, May said. The union said it had been requesting such masks since last August. All schools now have them, and they are available for any of our 3,300 employees, May said. He said the school district has never experienced a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Any staff member seeking PPE should obtain one at their school. This helps ensure PPE will be available for those who are in need. The union is compiling a list of districts that failed to supply protective gear as up to half of educators in some schools were out sick or in quarantine due to Covid in January, said Sylvia Tanguma, president of the federations McAllen chapter. The most egregious examples are likely to lead to formal complaints with school boards, Tanguma said. As Covid ripped through the McAllen district, the school board also rebuffed teachers asking for dedicated paid time off if they missed work due to Covid sickness or quarantines, said Tanguma. While the federal government required school districts to provide Covid-specific time off in 2020, that is now a district-level decision. McAllen School District also said the board is expected to take action on paid time off on Feb. 14 It makes everyone feel disrespected and uncared for. Like our lives dont matter, Tanguma told NBC. All we have are three-ply masks, cloth masks and thats it. Why dont our nurses, bus drivers and custodial workers have N-95 masks? NBC reached out to additional staff, including food service workers and bus drivers in the McAllen area whom the union said struggled to obtain protective gear during the omicron surge; they declined to speak on the record. While low pay and a general lack of respect weighed into Trevinos decision to leave teaching, so did the school districts failure to protect her, she said. One of the things that saddens me the most is the way that money is distributed in my school district, Trevino said. The McAllen district, where 72 percent of children qualify for free lunch, is also spending $12 million for a Mariachi Center, performance theater black boxes, $4 million to expand a nature park and $2 million on an art and science museum. They are budgeted as part of Covid emergency funds given to schools in 2020. May, the McAllen ISD spokesman, said the funds the district received have been spent or earmarked appropriately with the focus on students and staff. But Bree Dusseault, principal at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, an Arizona State University research center that studies learning during the pandemic, said the situation in McAllen highlights an emerging issue two years into the pandemic. While McAllen gave NBC a detailed plan of its spending, in many cases, there is little transparency around how school districts are spending millions in federal funds intended to help schools reopen safely, Dusseault, who is tracking the spending and how Covid is affecting student learning, said. Since the first two rounds of funding, school districts have received an even larger pot of federal funds under the American Rescue Plan, a historic investment signed into law by President Joe Biden intended to address steep learning loss and innovate the nations aging public schools, which have been chronically underfunded for decades. In total, schools have been given $189.5 billion over two years of the pandemic by Congress and the White House. This is a huge federal infusion of dollars, and its really difficult in many states and districts to even see their plans for how they spend it, said Dusseault. Little more than half the districts she examined had a process to obtain detailed expenditures, she said. Districts are really being tested. Will the federal government ever want to give them this money again? It depends on how they spend it, said Dusseault. Congress required districts to submit spending plans, which were approved by individual states. Capo said the health crisis in schools is contributing to a staffing crisis. The new poll of Texas educators finds low wages, workload stress and now concerns about health and safety are driving a potentially devastating exodus from the profession. According to the Texas AFT survey released Monday, 66 percent of educators throughout Texas said they have recently considered leaving their jobs. Just 12 percent said they felt safe on the job during the omicron surge. Shana Pawlowski, a fifth grade math teacher in New Caney ISD outside Houston, is one the teachers who said they felt unsafe in the classroom in the video created by the Texas AFT. Their concerns extend beyond the spending of federal Covid dollars. Its an almost complete abandonment of the safety issues and those things that were put in place to make teachers and students feel safe, Pawlowski said. A lot of teachers, myself included, just dont feel safe. Nicolette Balogh, an elementary teacher featured in the union video, says she, too, is quitting because of health and safety concerns. As she made her way out of the school after quitting, Trevino said she stopped to say goodbye to colleagues. A lot of them hugged me and they said, Nancy, Im so happy for you. I wish I could leave. ' Read the full article on Motorious This design is a mashup of American and Japanese sensibilities. We here at Motorious are well aware of how popular the Plymouth Cuda is among fans of classic muscle cars, as well as the Mopar faithful. We also understand everyone might not be a fan of this rendering posted on Instagram by Sad Machines. The knee-jerk reaction might be disgust at the modifications to such a beautiful, unique, and timeless design beloved by many. Image source: Instagram This rendering incorporates elements from some Japanese classics as well as some of the design sensibilities prominent in the island nation, hence why Sad Machines calls it an All American Kaido Racer. Its an interesting mix of American and Japanese car culture. There are headlights from a TA40 Toyota Celica, taillights from a C210 Nissan Skyline, custom TRD Tosco wheels, and of course the towering Takeyari pipes towering out the of the rear like the spears of an invading foreign army. Image source: Instagram As you look more closely, this Cuda has some pretty large fender flares and a pretty large whale tail with a wing. Then theres the externally-mounted front intercooler, something which is questionable in both its aesthetics and practicality. Image source: Instagram Of course, one of the other details which really jumps out at you is the Japanese characters on the top of the windshield, making it obvious to just about anyone the origin of the crazy design. Image source: Instagram Even with all the Japanese car culture elements present on this Plymouth, you might recognize the livery as being inspired by Dan Gurneys #42 Plymouth AAR Cuda which terrorized the competition in Trans-Am racing. Its a nice call-out and shows Sad Machines understands a thing or two about Mopar heritage. Its expected that a fair amount of our readers wont like this rendering at all, and thats ok. Were not entirely sure about it ourselves, but thought it interesting enough to post for everyone to see. If nothing else this car is unique, although actually doing this to a 70 Plymouth Cuda could spark some serious outrage. Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A massive commercial fire that started Tuesday evening destroyed the $65 million Canton apartment complex being built in Oklahoma Citys Classen Curve area. Shortly after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, emergency crews responded to reports of a fire in the 1100 block of NW 63, where firefighters saw smoke emanating from the rooftop of The Canton. It wasnt really big at first, said Krystal Hayes, a cashier at the neighboring Torchys Tacos restaurant. It was slow, but then it was a really fast spread in a really short amount of time, maybe 30 minutes. The night of the fire: See photos and videos of the massive Canton apartments fire Firefighters fought the flames overnight, but the fire spread from the roof to the apartment complexs fifth and fourth floors, and interior portions of the building collapsed. I think they had it contained for a little bit, but next thing you know, we just looked up and it was really crazy and really big, said Amanda Nickels, a server at the nearby Flower Child restaurant. It looked like it started in multiple different places. It was very random. Fire crews battle a fire at The Canton apartment complex located 6161 N. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. By 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, firefighters estimated they had already spent 2 million gallons of water attempting to extinguish the blaze, but the fire still burned. The problem is, were just not able to get inside and commit crews to the interior because its structurally unsound, said Chief Benny Fulkerson with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. Theres a bunch of the deep-seated fire and hotspots that we just cant access, so ... its just going to be a long, drawn-out effort to try to get everything completely extinguished. 'An integral part of Midtown': Old-fashioned soda shop still serving OKC after a century Fulkerson said the fire spread quickly because of a thick, foamy rubberized material on the buildings rooftop that was resistant to water. But because the apartment complex was vacant, no rescues were needed and no injuries were reported. Story continues The fire was treated by officials as a high rise, five-alarm fire, with at least 80 personnel on scene and major support resources expended. Fulkerson said the complex, valued at more than $65 million dollars, was a total loss. History of OKC's Canton luxury apartments Construction for the 325-unit Canton apartments had started nearly two years ago, and a website indicates leasing was also underway. The five-story apartments had been promoted as an upscale development with luxury amenities, including private outdoor courtyards, a heated swimming pool, fitness center, club room, library, outdoor dog space and bicycle storage. The apartments were being developed in a joint venture by Hines, an international real estate firm, and Humphreys Capital, an investment company in Oklahoma City. Hines had previously developed Oklahoma City's Devon Energy Center and the BOK Park Plaza skyscraper. We would like to thank the Oklahoma City Fire Department and other agencies for their rapid actions, Hines and Humphreys Capital said in a joint statement Wednesday. We are grateful no injuries have been reported. Our general contractor, CMSWillowbrook, is responsible for the site and coordinating with local responders. We will fully cooperate with authorities during their investigation into the cause of the fire, the developers said. More: Restaurant owner says OKC apartment fire is 'devastating' for nearby businesses CMSWillowbrook thanked first responders and firefighters in a statement Wednesday, but said the construction company was devastated at the loss of the Canton At Classen Curve project. At this time, we do not know how the fire started, CMSWillowbrook said. The building was 369,200 (square feet) along with a 175,000 (square-foot) parking garage. The building was not occupied since the project was under construction. To our knowledge, no reports of injuries have been reported. Investigators began gathering information onsite. They discovered the standpipe system which was supposed to deliver water to the top floors of the building and assist firefighting efforts was not yet operational. Fire officials said they expected to be battling the blaze throughout the day Wednesday. Emergency vehicles and equipment occupied much of the parking lot, but the crews otherwise anticipated nearby businesses could operate as usual. Smoke fills the area along N. Western Ave. near the Chesapeake Energy Campus as Oklahoma City firefighters continue to work to contain a fire that started Tuesday night at The Canton at Classen Curve apartment complex that was still under construction on NW 63rd Street between N. Western and NW Grand Boulevard Wednesday morning, February 9, 2022. There may be a little bit of smoke to deal with, because of all of the smoke thats blowing east, but those people just need to monitor that, Fulkerson said. And if they feel like thats too much, then make a good, wise judgment call. Firefighters said they consulted the Department of Environmental Quality out of concern for air quality in the area, but ultimately no evacuations were made. Fire officials also requested assistance from city storm water staff in managing water runoff at the scene. Engineers and other representatives of apartment developers have worked with firefighters on a plan to move forward, officials say. Beginning Wednesday and throughout the next three days, the majority of the building will be demolished, with officials closely monitoring the structure. The fire department will leave three aerial ladders, three engines and other support resources staged nearby, with crews rotating schedules as they deal with the fires aftermath. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC luxury apartments destroyed by fire before construction ends Comedian Dave Chappelle threatened to pull millions of dollars from the Ohio town he lives in if an affordable housing proposal passed city council. The proposal failed. I am not bluffing, Chappelle told city council members before a vote. I will take it all off the table. Yellow Springs City Council voted 2-2 on Monday against its own planned proposal that would have expanded affordable housing, the Dayton Daily News reported. The proposed development on the 53-acre area would have included 64 single-family homes, 52 duplexes and 24 townhomes and almost two acres for future affordable housing. Instead, the area will feature 143 single-family homes with a starting price of $300,000, according to the Dayton Daily News. Though the city council appeared in agreement with the proposed plan last July, opposition from residents in Yellow Springs led to Mondays decision to scrap the affordable housing. Among the most vocal in opposition was multimillionaire Chappelle, who has plans to open a restaurant and comedy club in the Yellow Springs area. Chappelle also has an office downtown. I cannot believe you would make me audition for you, Chappelle told city council members before Monday nights vote. You look like clowns. I am not bluffing, I will take it all off the table. Thats all, thank you. Chappelle previously threatened to pull his businesses back in December if the proposal went forward. I just want to say I am adamantly opposed to it, Chappelle told city council members over video chat. I have invested millions of dollars in town. If you push this thing through, what Im investing in is no longer applicable. Chappelle never specified what, exactly, he didnt like about the new housing plan in his public complaints to city council. The comedians publicist, Carla Sims, told HuffPost in a Thursday statement that he isnt against affordable housing, but against a poorly vetted, cookie-cutter, sprawl-style development deal which has little regard for the community, culture and infrastructure of the Village. Story continues Marianne MacQueen has been on the city council for nine years and voted in favor of the new proposal. MacQueen told HuffPost she asked Chappelle specifically about his complaints, but didnt get an answer. I have asked him at the last two council meetings to please tell us, how is this development negatively impacting your business interests? MacQueen said in a Thursday phone call. Please tell us that. But he hasnt. MacQueen added she doesnt think Chappelle is against affordable housing in general, and that he may have raised concerns in invitation-only meetings that she wasnt a part of. MacQueen does, however, believe the proposal failed because of Chappelles influence on the town. There are younger people, and especially people whove moved in more recently, who are pretty enamored of Dave and dont want him to pull [his business] out and are apparently willing to do his bidding, she said. Asked why she thinks Chappelle called her and her city council colleagues clowns, MacQueen said the mostly liberal town has seen the same sort of divisiveness that has seeped into the national discourse. There are very few Republicans in Yellow Spring, but nonetheless, we have become so divisive that we engage by fighting with each other and ... the role of social media has exacerbated it, MacQueen said. And then we have a powerful, wealthy person whos able to pull strings and impact that divisiveness and the democratic decision-making, and its eroding our representative democracy, mirroring whats happening in the country at large. This story has been updated to include comment from Chappelles publicist, as well as an interview with Yellow Springs City Council member Marianne MacQueen. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. The Biden administration, mindful that it may soon face a similar problem, is urging the government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to use its federal powers to end the border blockade by truck drivers opposed to Canada's vaccine mandate and coronavirus mitigation measures. The White House said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg encouraged their Canadian counterparts to help resolve the standoff. Truckers calling themselves the Freedom Convoy are opposing a Canadian requirement that drivers entering the country be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or face testing and possible quarantine. The protest at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, which carries 25% of all trade between the U.S. and Canada, has already stopped or hampered work at auto plants in both countries. The movement could spill over into the U.S. in a much larger and disruptive way, according to a Feb. 8 bulletin sent to state and local authorities by the Department of Homeland Security, which warned of "truck drivers planning to potentially block roads in major metropolitan cities'' in a similar anti-mandate demonstration. The report says a convoy of truckers may try to disrupt Sunday's Super Bowl and President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on March 1, among other activities. The blockade has raised concerns about its economic effects while adding pressure and wait times at another international bridge, the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan, where traffic is backing up. Both Detroit and Windsor have significant auto operations, and the standstill is a major issue for businesses that already have been suffering from global supply chain and local staffing issues. Ford said late Wednesday that parts shortages forced it to shut down its engine plant in Windsor and to run an assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario, on a reduced schedule. General Motors canceled two shifts at a Lansing factory and has been rerouting trucks to keep a Flint plant running. Story continues Also in the news: The U.S. has bought 600,000 treatment courses of a new monoclonal antibody drug that's effective against the omicron variant, the Department of Health and Human Services announced. The medication, made by Eli Lilly, has yet to receive FDA authorization. A federal appeals court in New Orleans has declined, for now, to allow the Biden administration to require COVID-19 vaccinations for federal employees, maintaining a block on the mandate that a Texas-based federal judge had issued on Jan. 21. Nevada joined the growing ranks of states discarding mask mandates at indoor public settings Thursday but will continue to require face coverings in airports, on airplanes and on public and school buses. Prince Charles tested positive for COVID-19 and is in self-isolation, a Twitter account for The Prince of Wales and Duchess Camilla said Thursday. Charles, who is next in line to succeed his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the throne in the United Kingdom, previously contracted the virus in March 2020. In anticipation of a potential French protest inspired by the truckers in Canada, Paris police banned road blockades Thursday, putting in place extra measures to protect highways and detain violators. Today's numbers: The U.S. has recorded more than 77.4 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 915,300 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Global totals: More than 405.6 million cases and over 5.7 million deaths. More than 213 million Americans 64.3% are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What we're reading: Moms are at war over COVID. Who's to blame? Keep refreshing this page for the latest news. Want more? Sign up for USA TODAY's free Coronavirus Watch newsletter to receive updates directly to your inbox and join our Facebook group. Delta variant infected twice as many per capita in rural areas, study says Despite the wide expanses of rural America, the delta variant spread widely and quickly in those areas last summer. The reason? Low vaccination rates. In fact, rural counties registered 2.4 more infections per 100,000 residents than urban areas from July 1 to Aug. 31 of last year, according to a new study by the University of Cincinnati and Augusta University that was published Thursday in JAMA Network Open. The study cited CDC data indicating 82% of rural America had a vaccination rate below 30%, with 369 of 449 areas designated by the researchers under that threshold. "Rural areas in the U.S. face many challenges in responding to the pandemic, including lower health care resources, compared with urban communities,'' researchers wrote. "These areas have been characterized by vaccination hesitancy, limited vaccine availability and hospital staff shortages that can be associated with the successful distribution of vaccines and hence the vaccination campaigns overall outcome.'' Mask mandates are lifting, but should you keep yours on? The string of states suddenly lifting mask mandates for indoor public places is at odds with the CDC's recommendation that people in areas of high virus transmission -- most of the country -- keep face coverings on. Amid these mixed signals, it's understandable the public would be confused and uncertain about how to stay safe. Wear a mask or show your face to the world again? Experts say an individual's willingness to accept risk, the specific setting and the rate of COVID-19 in the community should be key factors in making that call. "People are going to have to make their own decision about what risk they're personally willing to tolerate," said Dr. Susan Kline, an epidemiologist and professor of infectious diseases at the University of Minnesota medical school. "Masks aren't perfect, but they substantially lower your chance of getting COVID-19." Elizabeth Weise and Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY Infected mothers risk stillborn deliveries, study finds Expectant mothers who contract the coronavirus are at risk of stillborn deliveries because COVID-19 can lead to placental failure, according to a new study that supports the CDC's conclusion that the virus enhances the chances of adverse perinatal outcomes. A 44-member international research team studied 64 stillbirth cases and four early neonatal deaths from 12 countries to determine how COVID-19 caused perinatal deaths. All the expectant mothers were unvaccinated. The researchers concluded the COVID-19 infection destroyed the placenta, depriving the fetus of oxygen. According to their report, published Thursday in Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, the virus reaches the placenta and causes it to fail by passing through the mothers bloodstream, a process known as viremia. "We found that in all cases the placentas from infected mothers had a severe abnormality known as SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, said Dr. David Schwartz, the pathologist who led the study. "Among the 68 cases, an average of 77% of the placenta had been destroyed and rendered useless for supporting critical fetal needs, resulting in stillbirth or early neonatal death. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY Vaccine contender promises safety and effectiveness in teenagers The Maryland biotech firm Novavax, which has applied to the Food and Drug Administration for authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine, said Thursday the vaccine is safe and effective for adolescents. In a study of 2,200 adolescents ages 12-17, the company found its vaccine produced the same or better immune response as in adults. Six volunteers who received the active vaccine developed COVID-19, compared to 14 who received the placebo. All the infections, most of which were with the delta variant, were mild. There were no major safety concerns raised by the study, with side effects like pain, tenderness, redness and swelling common, particularly after the second dose. Novavax previously studied its vaccine in nearly 30,000 adults in the U.S. and Mexico, half of whom received a placebo, and found over 90% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19. The company, which says it can produce 2 billion doses of vaccine this year and has already been delivering shots in Indonesia and Australia, said it has presented the FDA with all the information it needs to consider emergency use authorization. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY US seeing fewer new virus cases but more than 100 deaths an hour The U.S. is reporting fewer new coronavirus infections, but case counts remain high nearly everywhere, on par with some of the highest weeks of previous waves. The nation as a whole is experiencing about 4.6 times what the CDC says is a high level of community transmission. American death counts from COVID-19 remain high at about 2,500 per day, or more than 100 every hour. Worldwide, case counts have fallen by more than a quarter from their peak just a couple of weeks ago, with about 17.9 million new infections a week. The pace of global deaths continues to rise: About 76,400 deaths were reported in the week ending Wednesday or about 450 every hour. Mike Stucka, USA TODAY Kansas woman died of allergic reaction to COVID vaccine, autopsy shows Jeanie Evans died of "anaphylaxis due to COVID-19 vaccination," according to her autopsy report. The Effingham, Kansas, resident died March 24, 2021, a day after the Moderna vaccine was administered to her in Jefferson County. The Topeka Capital-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, acquired the autopsy report Tuesday from the Shawnee County coroner's office after submitting a Kansas Open Records Act request. Evans, 68, had a medical history of hypertension, environmental allergies, allergic disorder and reactive airway disease which wasn't asthma and had experienced previous anaphylactic reaction to the drug Albuterol, the autopsy report said. It said Evans began to complain that her airway felt blocked about 15 to 20 minutes after she received her first COVID vaccination on March 23, 2021. Evans was taken by ground ambulance and died the next day. Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal Contributing: Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US-Canada border protest over COVID vaccine mandate heightens worries Photograph: John Bazemore/AP A Republican candidate for governor in Georgia has said he would not let any of the left run elections in his state, adding repeatedly that it would happen over my dead body and underscoring the violent tone that has come to shape discourse around democracy in America. Former Senator David Perdue railed against his Democratic opponent, Stacey Abrams, in a video of a speech given on 4 February in Fayette county. Abrams, a voting rights activist, would be the first Black governor in the states history if elected. Perdue, who has been endorsed by Donald Trump, told his supporters: My vision for Georgia is this: over my dead body would I ever, ever turn an election process over to Stacey Abrams or any of that woke mob ever again. At another campaign event in Alpharetta, Georgia, Perdue repeated the over my dead body line,saying: Over my dead body will we ever turn over an election to any of the left that we saw happening in 2020. The Purdue campaign did not respond to a Guardian request for comment. The Georgia governors race is among the most closely-watched elections this year and a likely key battleground in the upcoming 2024 election. It played a vital role in president Joe Bidens 2020 victory as he flipped the state, and it was also crucial to winning Democratic control of the senate when the party won two run-off elections there. That outsized role has seen Georgia become a ground zero for the national fight over voting rights and for Republicans baseless claims that the states election process was somehow fraudulent. It has also sparked a fierce fight for the office of the secretary of state, which helps run Georgias elections. The seat is currently held by Republican Brad Raffensperger. Perdue is one of 51 election deniers running for governor in 24 states, according to tracking by the States United Action , a non-partisan organization that monitors elections. Perdue lost his Senate seat in a runoff to Democrat John Ossoff last January. Now Perdue is running in the Republican primary against the incumbent Republican governor, Brian Kemp, who earned Trumps ire after certifying Georgias election results, a process he was legally bound to uphold as governor. Story continues Perdue has earned Trumps endorsement by expressing fierce loyalty and echoing the former presidents baseless claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election. In December Perdue went further and told Axios he wouldnt have certified the states 2020 election results if he had been governor at the time. The same month, Perdue joined a lawsuit in Fulton county, Georgia, reviving unfounded allegations of voter fraud and seeking to review absentee ballots that he claimed would prove Trump won the 2020 election. Several recounts of the presidential vote affirmed Bidens victory in Georgia. Raffensperger had also resisted pressure by Trump in an hour-long phone call in 2020 to find enough votes to overturn the election. Trump has now endorsed Raffenspergers Republican opponent for secretary of state. Perdue is promising voters that if elected he will create an election law enforcement division of the Georgia bureau of investigation, the states criminal investigation agency, to ensure that only legal votes are counted. Trump falsely claimed 5,000 dead people voted in 2020 in Georgia, but a state review found only four cases of dead people voting. Perdue is already outlining how he would change the way elections are certified if he was elected. I believe that before you can certify an election, whether its a president or a US senator, or a statewide basis, you have to have an outside third-party entity audit the results. Not the secretary of state, Perdue told voters in Fayette, adding that he believed allowing the secretary of state to certify and audit elections was sort of like you grading your own homework. Perdues use of violent rhetoric comes on the heels of an unprecedented campaign of intimidation against election officials. A Reuters investigation found more 100 threats of death or violence to US election workers. It also comes as the Republican party increasingly embraces Trumps big lie of a fraudulent election. In a recent poll only 21% of Republicans said they believed Joe Bidens election was legitimate.Last week the RNC voted to declare the January 6 attack legitimate political discourse and censured the Republican representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for participating in the Houses investigation into the attack. Former President Donald Trump. Scott Olson/Getty Images Trump denied Maggie Haberman's report that he would clog toilets by trying to flush documents. He said he was "told I was under no obligation" to turn over records, despite legal requirements. There are at least four ways in which Trump is accused of trying to destroy documents. Former President Donald Trump on Thursday denied a claim that he flushed documents down a White House toilet and said he was told he was under "no obligation" to turn over his administration's records, which flies in the face of presidential-records law. "Also, another fake story, that I flushed papers and documents down a White House toilet, is categorically untrue and simply made up by a reporter in order to get publicity for a mostly fictitious book," Trump said in a statement released by his Save America PAC after Axios reported on excerpts of the New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman's upcoming book, "Confidence Man." Jennifer Jacobs, a Bloomberg White House reporter, said Haberman's reporting about the documents in toilets was "100% accurate" and that sources at the time confirmed staff found torn up pieces of papers in toilets and thought that Trump was behind it. Trump has faced days of questions and reports over his apparent flouting of the Presidential Records Act, which requires every White House to preserve memos, documents, and other memorabilia considered the property of the American people. "In actuality, I have been told I was under no obligation to give this material based on various legal rulings that have been made over the years," Trump said in his statement. The National Archives and Records Administration, which collects, sorts through, and later releases presidential records, has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether Trump broke the law when he took documents to Mar-a-Lago, The Washington Post reported. In another sign of the seriousness of the situation, The Times reported that officials found what could be classified information in the documents Trump handed over belatedly. Story continues There are now at least four ways in which Trump is accused of trying to destroy documents while in the White House: He ripped them up, Politico reported in 2018. He ate them, Omarosa Manigault Newman, a former White House advisor, writes in her 2018 memoir. He dropped them on the floor, the National Archives said. He flushed them down the toilet, Haberman's book says. According to Axios, Haberman's book says White House staffers sometimes found toilets clogged with printed paper. She adds that they thought Trump was the culprit. Historians and experts have pointed out that the Presidential Records Act is relatively toothless in punishing those who fail to comply with it. But The Daily Beast reported one federal law dealing with the mutilation or destruction of documents carried the possibility of Trump being barred from ever holding office again. Read the original article on Business Insider Donald Trump remains in contact with Kim Jong-un even as staff at the National Archives are in the process of obtaining love letters the two exchanged while he was president. The New York Timess Maggie Haberman revealed to Axios on Thursday that the ex-president has told people that since leaving office, he has remained in contact with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. You know, what he says and what's actually happening are not always in concert ... but he has been telling people that he has maintained some kind of a either correspondence or discussion with Kim Jong-Un, she added in an interview with CNN on Thursday. The revelation is part of her upcoming book, Confidence Man, which explores the life and career of the former president from the perspective of Ms Haberman, a veteran Times reporter who has followed Mr Trump since his days in New York. Correspondence with a foreign leader is not illegal, however, it raises the possibility of Logan Act violations. The Logan Act prevents any unauthorised private American citizen from negotiating with a hostile foreign government. It comes as the National Archives is in the process of obtaining documents from Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort that were improperly kept by the former presidents team long after he left the White House. By law, such records should have been turned over to the Archives after Mr Trump left the White House last January. It was also reported by Ms Haberman in her book (and revealed in an interview with Axios) that the presidents team suspected he may have flushed some documents down the toilet (or tried to, at least) as well. Among the documents being returned to the Archives are other letters between Mr Trump and Mr Kim, who developed an on-again-off-again relationship during Mr Trumps tenure in the presidency and engaged in several rounds of high-level talks that ultimately failed to end in an agreement. That failure is why the news of Mr Trumps continued correspondence with North Koreas leader is so surprising, given that he represents one of the most public failures of the Trump presidency. The National Archives and the former president have become the source of a new wave of headlines this week as it has been revealed that the Trump team is still procuring boxes of documents for the agency including many that are described as torn up or otherwise personally destroyed by Mr Trump himself. The situation has led to the agency requesting that the Justice Department consider an investigation to determine if federal law was violated. The Washington Post has previously reported that the former president, ever prone to bragging, personally described his correspondence with the North Korean leader as love letters, referring to the effusive praise Mr Kim would heap on him in his statements, and would often show the letters to visiting guests. MASSSILLON A Killed In Action flag presentation honoring the late Sgt. Nick Casey will be held Feb. 19 at noon at American Legion Post 122 at 437 Lincoln Way E. The native of Canton was a graduate of the former Timken High School. He was killed in action in Afghanistan on Oct. 27, 2008, by a suicide bomber. He left behind a wife and two sons. Meanwhile, at 5 p.m. Saturday Feb. 12, a father and son who are veterans and worked as Louisville police officers will receive their Quilts of Valor at Mission BBQ, 4490 Everhard Road NW in Jackson Township. The Quilt of Valor is presented to service members and veterans touched by war. They are handmade. Retired Louisville Police Chief Ross Riggs served in the Air Force from 1975 to 1987, and is a cofounder of the Legacy of Honor. Officer Daniel Riggs served in the Army from 2011 to 2014, and is a cofounder of the Legacy of Honor. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Veterans events to honor Nick Casey with KIA flag UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council expressed "serious concern about the unconstitutional change of government" in Burkina Faso in a statement more than two weeks after a military coup deposed President Roch Kabore. The 15-member council met behind closed doors on Tuesday to discuss the Jan. 24 coup. In a statement, agreed by consensus late on Wednesday, the Security Council called for the release and protection of Kabore and other government officials. The coup in Burkina Faso was the latest in a series of military takeovers in Myanmar, Mali, Sudan and Guinea and attempted coups in several other countries. U.N. chief Antonio Guterres assailed in October what he called "an epidemic of coup d'etats" and urged the Security Council to act to deter them. Guterres condemned any attempted takeover in Burkina Faso as the coup was underway on Jan. 24. "The members of the Security Council expressed concern over the negative impact of unconstitutional changes of government in the region, increase in terrorist activities and the dire socio-economic situation," the council said in Wednesday's statement. The Security Council -- which has the ability to impose sanctions or authorize military action -- has long been split on how to approach various conflicts, with the United States and other Western council members pitted against Russia and China. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Government committed to ensuring petroleum supply Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure petroleum supply for domestic demand. On Tuesday, Thanh chaired a meeting on the petroleum production and supply for the local market. At the event, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said that the countrys supply sources can meet 79 percent of the domestic market demand, while the remainder is from imported sources. A petrol station in Soc Trang has temporarily closed Nghi Son Oil Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, the largest of its kind in Vietnam that makes up approximately a third of the countrys total petrol demand, has cut its production capacity, resulting in a decrease in petrol supply in the domestic market. After that many petrol stations in several localities have suspended operations or have been forced to cut working hours over the past few days, reasoning that they have either faced losses or only received a limited supply of fuel. Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to manage petroleum product prices to avoid speculation. Lots of petrol stations in the southern province of An Giangs districts of Thoai Son, Phu Tan, Chau Phu and An Phu have temporarily closed. The same situation has been reported in Soc Trang Provinces districts of My Xuyen and Ke Sach as local petrol stations have suspended sales as they had run out of fuel. Meanwhile, some petrol stations in HCM City have also shut because of the limited fuel supply for other reasons, including fire prevention and control system repair. Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical LLC has cut the output of its refinery from 105 percent of design capacity to 80 percent and may suspend refinery operations from mid-February due to financial difficulties, according to the companys announcement. WARSAW (Reuters) - American F-15 jets landed at a Polish air base on Thursday, Warsaw's defence minister said, as NATO beefs up the military presence on its eastern flank amid tensions over a standoff between Ukraine and Russia. The jets arrived as further U.S. and British troops were deployed in Poland, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also visiting the country in a show of solidarity. "Today, American F15 fighters have arrived at the air base in Lask, they will support the eastern flank as part of the NATO Air Policing mission," Mariusz Blaszczak wrote on Twitter. The defence minister did not say how many F-15s landed at the base. American F-15 jets have also been sent to the Baltics. British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday that London may send further troops to help support its allies in eastern Europe if required, after announcing the deployment of 350 troops to Poland on Monday. (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Karol Badohal; editing by Jonathan Oatis) By Susan Heavey WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. congressional committee is investigating former President Donald Trump's handling of White House records after 15 boxes of documents were transferred from his Florida resort to a federal agency, including whether the material included classified information, the panel's chairwoman said on Thursday. House of Representatives Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney said in a statement she was "deeply concerned" that the records were not promptly turned over to the National Archives when Trump's term ended in January 2021 and "that they appear to have been removed from the White House in violation of the Presidential Records Act." Maloney, a Democrat, also expressed concern over U.S. media reports that Trump "repeatedly attempted to destroy presidential records, which could constitute additional serious violations" of that law, which requires the preservation of written communications related to a president's official duties. An upcoming book written by New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman said staffers found documents clogging Trump's toilet in the White House during his tenure - an account that the Republican former president in a statement called "categorically false." "Staff in the White House would periodically find the toilet clogged" and would then find "wads of clumped up, wet printed paper ... either notes or some other piece of paper that they believe he had thrown down the toilet" in his bathroom, Haberman told CNN, adding it was unclear what types of documents were found. In his statement, Trump acknowledged the boxes of records were sent to the Archives after discussions he called collaborative. Trump said he had been told he "was under no obligation" to hand over any White House materials, though he did not say who gave him that directive, which was at odds with the law. Story continues "The papers were given easily and without conflict and on a very friendly basis," Trump said. The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the National Archives and Records Administration, the federal agency responsible for preserving government records, has asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate Trump's handling of White House records. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment on whether it would investigate. The National Archives said it would not comment on potential or ongoing investigations. In a report on Thursday, the Post, citing two unnamed people familiar with the matter, said some of the documents Trump took to his Florida resort were clearly marked as classified, including documents at the "top secret" level. The Archives in a statement on Monday said it had arranged for the transfer of 15 boxes of memos, letters and other documents from Trump's private resort in Florida in mid-January, a month after a Trump representative reporting locating them. The Archives also said it had worked with Trump representatives throughout last year to locate presidential records that had not been transferred to the agency. Maloney said she asked the Archives whether it checked for and found any classified documents in the 15 boxes, whether it was aware of any other missing records from Trump's administration and whether it had notified the U.S. attorney general. She also asked if the Archives was aware of any records destroyed by Trump without its approval, and any actions to recover or preserve them, giving the agency until Feb. 18 to respond. (Reporting by Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Will Dunham, Chizu Nomiyama, Nick Zieminski and Raju Gopalakrishnan) KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine will receive Stinger anti-aircraft missiles from Lithuania within days, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said on a visit to Kyiv on Thursday. Ukraine has received planeloads of military aid from NATO country allies in recent weeks to shore up its defences after Russia massed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders. "We are increasing the number of military instructors in the country and providing Ukraine with additional weapons and equipment," Simonyte said. "... Stinger anti-aircraft missiles from Lithuania will reach Ukraine in the coming days. I hope and sincerely wish that Ukraine never has to use them." (Reporting by Matthias Williams and Natalia Zinets; Editing by Catherine Evans) WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration on Thursday approved a nearly $14 billion arms sale to Indonesia, as the U.S. presses ahead with steps it believes will help counter Chinas increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. The State Department announced the $13.9 billion sale of advanced fighter jets while Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Australia on a visit also intended to underscore the U.S. determination not to allow China free rein in the Pacific, even as developments between Russia and Ukraine demand attention. The sale to Indonesia of up to 36 F-15 fighter jets, engines and related equipment, including munitions and communications systems, follows a mid-December trip to Jakarta by Blinken, who at the time lauded close U.S.-Indonesia ties despite human rights concerns that have delayed previous arms sales to the country. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of an important regional partner that is a force for political stability, and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region, the department said in a statement. It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Indonesia in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability," it said. The statement made no mention of China but successive U.S. administrations have sought to enlist Indonesia, the world's largest predominantly Muslim democracy, in its campaign to ward off Chinese attempts to boost its influence in the South China Sea and elsewhere in the Pacific. Indonesia hosts the headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, some members of which are struggling to deal with Chinese moves into disputed areas of the South China Sea, which is a major international shipping route. U.S. military sales to Indonesia have, however, come under scrutiny and been delayed before over human rights issues. There was no mention of those issues in the State Department statement. Two Dallas Police Department officers who shot civilians during Black Lives Matter protests in May 2020 have been issued arrest warrants by the Dallas County District Attorneys Office. Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot announced Wednesday he was filing multiple criminal charges against one current and one former Dallas police senior corporal. Former Senior Corporal Melvin Williams was employed by the police department during the 2020 protests, but was fired last month for violating the departments use of force policy on a separate incident, the Dallas Police Department said on Facebook. The other officer, Senior Corporal Ryan Mabry, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs administrative investigation, according to police. Mabry is facing three felony charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a public servant and three misdemeanor charges of official oppression for shooting three different individuals with a 40-millimeter launcher on May 30, 2020, during protests following the death of George Floyd, the District Attorney's office said. One of the people Mabry shot that night was Brandon Saenz, who lost his left eye and suffered severe injuries to his mouth and head as a result, his attorney Daryl Washington said. Washington said Saenz has undergone several surgeries due to his injuries. Obviously we are very happy that the district attorneys office stuck with this case, Washington told USA TODAY. POLICING THE USA: I've seen enough police abuse in my career to know qualified immunity harms good cops 'IT'S JUST APPALLING': Louisiana State Police trooper fired for speaking out about a Black man's death in custody and cover-up Brandon Saenz (seated), who lost his eye as a result of being shot by a Dallas Police Department officer in May 2020, pictured with his attorneys Daryl Washington (left) and Jasmine Crockett, and his father Andre Ray (center). The charges will give Saenz and his family some kind of relief, his attorney said, but Justice for Brandon would be able to see out of both of his eyes. He expressed frustration at the many hoops he had to jump through to find the officer who shot Saenz. Police officers cannot remain silent when they know a crime has been committed, Washington said. Story continues Williams, the former officer, was charged Wednesday with similar crimes as Mabry: two felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a public servant, and four misdemeanor counts of official oppression. The former officer shot three people with a 40-millimeter launcher on May 30, 2020, including a man that Mabry also shot that night, according to the District Attorney's office. Vincent Doyle, who was shot by Williams, suffered a shattered cheek and was left with 40% visibility in his left eye, according to a lawsuit filed against the city of Dallas in June 2020. One of Williams' misdemeanor charges of official oppression stems from the assault of a man on July 18, 2021 the incident that resulted in his firing on Jan. 25, CBS reported. An 85-page report released by the Dallas Police Department in August 2020 analyzing protests and police response during Black Lives Matter protests earlier that year detailed the "errors, miscalculations and shortcomings" of the police response to protests in late May and early June, according to ABC. People were simply exercising their first amendment right when these officers basically terrorized them, Washington told USA TODAY. 200 miles away in Austin, Texas, a Travis County grand jury is considering charges against as many as 18 Austin Police Department officers for their actions during the May 2020 George Floyd protests, according to the Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network. According to the Dallas Police Department, Mabry and Williams are both expected to turn themselves into the Dallas County Sheriffs Department. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dallas officers accused of assault during 2020 George Floyd protests (Reuters) -Most of Wells Fargo & Co's employees, including those in customer-facing roles, will return to their offices on March 14 and work under a hybrid flexible model, according to a company memo seen by Reuters on Wednesday. The bank had delayed plans https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/wells-fargo-will-announce-new-plans-full-employee-return-new-year-statement-2021-12-21 to bring its staff back to the office in December, citing "changing external environment" amid the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. At the time, it had said it would announce plans for a full return in the new year. The San Francisco-based bank's announcement comes a little over a week after Goldman Sachs Group Inc ushered its U.S.-based staff back to the office https://www.reuters.com/business/goldman-sachs-leads-us-banks-return-office-2022-02-01, with several of its rivals set to follow a similar return this month as the number of COVID-19 cases drop. Contact center employees and those in operations will return shortly after staff employees resume work from office, the memo said, adding that there is no change to the work schedules for essential employees. The bank allowed voluntary early return for U.S. staff starting on Wednesday, as well as to resume business meetings, client visits and travel, provided they are fully vaccinated. While Wells Fargo is encouraging vaccinations including booster shots, it has not made it mandatory. Fully vaccinated staff can choose not to wear a mask, subject to local restrictions, while the unvaccinated employees are subject to testing requirements and must wear a mask at all times. The bank had 254,000 employees, as of September-end, and about 100,000 of them have been reporting to the workplace throughout the pandemic. (Reporting by Sohini Podder in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Sherry Jacob-Phillips) WESTFIELD, NJ Westfield High School band director Christopher Vitale was recognized among 40 "outstanding music directors" all under the age of 40 for his achievements in enhancing the school's music program by Yamaha. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. "I did not see this coming at all." The band director, who is in his tenth year at Westfield High School, was named to the "40 Under 40" Music Advocacy Program after several of his colleagues and students sent in letters of support of his nomination. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. According to Yamaha, they received hundreds of nominations from students, parents, teachers and local instrument dealers and mentors, highlighting the music educators impacting their community and students in a positive direction. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth." Vitale went to school for music education where he learned to play a variety of instruments, as well as upper level musical concepts that he now teaches to his students. Besides directing the many ensembles at WHS which include three concert bands, two jazz bands, two percussion ensembles, two winter color guards and the marching band Vitale also co-founded the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association in 2020. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. He described Vitale as an extremely dedicated teacher who is invested in the success of his students. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know. Story continues During COVID, Vitale said he dealt with a number of challenges as band director and that he had to get creative when it came to teaching music online. "I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the kids connected," Vitale said. "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids." Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. "If anything, COVID has taught us that the arts in general, not just music, provides such an important part of a well-rounded education," Vitale said. "We found that coming out of this, students are dealing with all kinds of things and stress levels are higher than we've ever seen them. And I think music and art have proven to be a way for students to kind of just step away from that." Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. He said students learn skills in classes, like band or orchestra, that can carry over into their professional lives, such as working with people at a company toward a common goal. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. "If I can teach that and foster a love and appreciation for music along the way, then I think Im doing everything I set out to do as an educator. Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe This article originally appeared on the Westfield Patch In July 2020 a group of concerned parents organized Let Nashville Parents Choose (LNPC) to push Metro Nashville Public Schools to fully reopen. Our first focus was letting parents choose between in-person and virtual learning. Now that vaccines have been available for a year, and now that its clear that COVID isnt going away, its time to focus mitigation efforts on the most vulnerable while allowing childhood to become normal again. It is time for MNPS to announce a serious and speedy plan to unwind the remaining COVID restrictions including mandating masks and prohibiting parents from school buildings. At the same time MNPS must step up its efforts to recover learning loss and provide a high-quality education for every child. Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns. COVID school closures gravely affected children LNPC has earnestly followed the science and avoided making school reopening political or a culture war issue. By summer 2020 we had seen enough encouraging data from early reopening in Europe and New York City (where childcare for health workers was always open) to feel confident schools could reopen safely. We feared the academic, social, and emotional costs of keeping schools closed would outweigh the marginal safety benefits of closure. Sadly, we were right. There is a preponderance of data showing COVID transmission in schools is typically lower than or equal to spread in the community. Now we are coming to terms with the immense costs of prolonged closures in terms of learning loss, school disengagement, and the youth mental health crisis. Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee. A two-prong solution to a return to normalcy What can we do about this? We propose a two-pronged approach. The first is aligned with a new national campaign called Urgency of Normal. The second is aligned with Nashvilles own long-standing parent advocacy organization, PROPEL. Essentially, there are some things that must return to normal as quickly as possible; and there are some things that should never return to normal. Story continues In terms of normalcy and supporting the social and emotional health of children, let kids and teachers smile at each other. Let parents back into school buildings for meetings, conferences, performances, or just to say hello. At a time when parent engagement and school enrollment are plummeting, it is not helping that parents are still banned from entering public schools. Let students go to clubs, dances and all extra-curriculars. Stop making kids feel like they must bear the burden of protecting the unvaccinated elderly. Its neither scientific nor healthy for children to think of themselves as disease vectors. Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee. Why MNPS should lift the mask rule Public health experts increasingly are saying that it is time to remove mask requirements in favor of optional use of respirator masks. MNPS recently purchased one million of these masks, meaning anyone who is concerned may choose to wear an effective mask. Mask-wearing is not without costs. Younger children and English Language Learners need to see mouths move to grasp the phonemes of language; hearing impaired people often read lips and everyone learns from learning to read facial emotions. A recent story in The Atlantic highlighted that differing mask rules between Davidson (masks required) and Williamson (de-facto optional) have not led to any differences in COVID case counts between these two equally vaccinated counties. If respirators can offer good one-way protection, why not lift the mask rule that contributes to anxiety, stress, and social isolation? Your state. Your stories. Support more reporting like this. A subscription gives you unlimited access to stories across Tennessee that make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. Click here to become a subscriber. PROPEL's personal learning plans could help students As parents we just cant contemplate going through a third year of seeing our childrens lives disrupted and filled with fear. For the last eight months since Davidson County ended most COVID restrictions, schools have been the only place where masks are required, and school children the only segment of the population (other than medical workers) required to bear the burden of mitigation efforts. If we do not end these restrictions now, will we ever? Will children ever learn to socialize normally or smile at classmates? Will children with speech and language delays ever catch up? When schools were closed all children lost out on a quality education. For some children, particularly lower income children and many Black children, this learning loss will have devastating lifelong consequences if not remediated. Last summer, Nashville PROPEL provided MNPS with a detailed and research-based proposal to create Personal Learning Plans (PLP) for all students and to provide high-intensity tutoring. MNPS has yet to launch a successful tutoring program and has ignored the PLP proposal. Its time to act with urgency on both. PROPEL has reminded us all that the state of many MNPS schools was a health, safety and educational emergency long before COVID. We stand with them in their advocacy to urgently improve schools and make it easier for parents to choose better schools through expanded choice programs. This was important before COVID; it is even more important now that all of us have fully woken up to injustice of education inequity. Every dollar of relief money that MNPS spends moving forward should be targeted to meet the most urgent learning and mental health needs of students. We need to make childhood normal again. And we can never normalize allowing vulnerable children to be failed by schools. Nicole Corey, Jennifer Claxton, Amy Pate and Morgan Barth of Let Nashville Parents Choose wrote this essay. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: COVID restrictions: Time to end mandates in Nashville public schools Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell and his Republican primary opponent Ryan Gallagher agree that property taxes need to be controlled, but differ on the other main issues facing the county. Gravell said maintaining public safety is one of the top issues that voters care about while Gallagher says that fixing the local election process is a priority for voters. The winner of the March 1 election will face Democratic opponent Blane Conklin in the November election. The county judge serves a four-year term. Gravell, 57, is serving his first term as county judge. He previously served one term as justice of the peace for Precinct 3 and also spent 22 years as a youth pastor. He said voters have told him the main issues they are concerned about in the county are maintaining public safety, lowering the property tax rate and making good jobs available locally. "Folks want a good quality of life but they also want to feel safe," said Gravell. "I understand that taxes are a burden and it is really the appraised value that is socking it to us." Read more: Abbott takes aim at Harris County in support of 'election integrity' bills Gallagher, 44, is the plant manager for a large manufacturing facility where he has worked for 19 years. He has never run for office before. Gallagher said voters are concerned that "our constitutional liberties have been taken from us during the pandemic and people are not happy that the government was able to shut down their businesses and churches." After Gov. Greg Abbott issued a "stay home stay safe" order in March 24, 2020, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Williamson County issued the same order. It allowed only essential businesses to stay open and was extended until April 30, 2020. Gallagher said voters also want to see lower property taxes. Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell is running in the Republican primary for his second term in office. Another issue that Gallagher says county voters mention to him are "catastrophic failures" with the election systems. "Our leadership did issue a corrective action to the issues that may have impacted our election results," he said of the November 2020 election. Story continues Read more: Williamson County finds glitch in early voting system that will not affect results During the November 2020 election, the Williamson County Elections Department discovered the early voting results could not be separated by voting precinct because of a computer programming issue. The precinct breakdowns give political parties and candidates data to show how they fared in each precinct. Gallagher also said the county did not submit the precinct by precinct results on Nov. 16 of the election as required by a judge but instead issued a report on the precinct breakdown in June 2021. The county also violated other requirements of the judge's order, including not securing ballots properly during the precinct recount, he said. Many voters also were given the wrong style of ballots during the November 2020 election, Gallagher said. Ryan Gallagher is running for Williamson County Judge in the Republican primary. Gravell said the county was able to retabulate the votes and to generate reports that "reflected the accuracy of our early voting numbers." The precinct by precinct report is more than 5,000 pages and is available on the county's website at bit.ly/3HAHvvI. County officials said a vendor's error caused the problem. Gravell said his goals if reelected include "continuing to protect the people of Williamson County." From Gravell: You can help prevent one more COVID death. It might be your own. The Commissioners Court has added 15 new employees in the sheriff's office, 13 new paramedics and 10 new prosecutors during Gravell's term in office, he said. The county has also added $8 million in law enforcement raises, he said. Gravell also said he "led the charge" on an expansion of the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center, which is an estimated $9.8 million project. The center helps children who are victims of crimes. "The Children's Advocacy Center is the most important thing in Williamson County,, said Gravell. "It's where kids go and discuss the horrors they've been through and were we begin the healing process for them." Gallagher said his goals if elected include restoring the confidence of voters in the integrity of county elections. "We simply cannot move past the 2020 election failures until we revisit them and make the proper corrective actions," he said. If elected county judge, Gallagher would order a "full forensic audit" of the county election, according to his campaign website. Gravell said the county judge does not have the power to call for an election audit under Texas law. Gallagher said his goals also would include reducing property taxes and not accepting federal dollars "without consulting the public." "Our constitutional liberties were exchanged for Cares Act dollars," he said. "We witnessed our churches being closed while major businesses remained open. Many small businesses were destroyed as a result." Read more: Williamson County issues more than $30.4 million in grants for small businesses Gravell disagreed, saying the county issued millions of dollars in federal CARES Act money to help 3,876 small businesses stay open during the pandemic. "It was during the global pandemic we allowed commercial and residential construction to continue and our businesses have succeeded," he said. Gravell said he is the best candidate for the job because he is a "consensus builder." "I know how to bring people together to solve problems," he said. His greatest job as county judge in the past year, he said, was building a team that helped bring the $17 billion Samsung semiconductor factory to the county. Samsung chose the city of Taylor as the site of its factory in November. The factory is among the largest direct foreign investments in U.S. history. Gallagher said he is the best fit for the county judge position because he has 20 years of experience in managing business, people and departments. "I have a successful track record and a wide range of experience in sales, program management, quality systems, engineering, engineering management, purchasing, warehouse operations and production management," he said. About the candidates Bill Gravell Education: Bachelor's degree in theology from the university of Mary Hardin-Baylor Community involvement: Served on board of Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties, a nonprofit that offers emergency assistance, meals to seniors and child development programs. Served as victim services advocate. Serves on the Texas Judicial Council, which studies and reports on the state's judicial organization and practices. Ryan Gallagher Education: Bachelor's degree in business from Marymount University in Virginia. Community involvement: Volunteered for pro-life groups, performed missionary work in Panama. Opened up a drive-thru market at the beginning of the pandemic and provided free food for needy families with the proceeds. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Primary election: Williamson County Judge faces Republican opponent Zeeland West's Grace Caywood signed with Muskegon Community College for soccer. Zeeland West's Grace Caywood worked her way to one of the most athletic goalkeepers in West Michigan. The Dux senior will continue that momentum in the college ranks next year. Caywood signed a national letter-of-intent to accept a soccer scholarship at Muskegon Community College, one of the powerhouse teams in the junior college circuit. "I chose Muskegon Community College because of their strong, successful soccer program. I admire the program atmosphere, their hard work and dedication, and the bond that everyone shares. Im very excited to be apart of MCCs soccer team on and off the field. I went back and forth on whether or not college was the right decision for me and I decided that a two year school is the best fit for me right now," Caywood said. More: Holland Sentinel All-Area Girls Soccer Team As a junior, Caywood had two shutouts and was all-conference in the OK Green. "I chose Muskegon Community College because of their strong, successful soccer program. I admire the team/program atmosphere, their hard work and dedication, and the bond that everyone shares. Im very excited to be apart of MCCs soccer team on and off the field," she said. "I went back and forth on whether or not college was the right decision for me and I decided that a two year school is the best fit for me right now." Contact Sports Editor Dan D'Addona at Dan.D'Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona and Facebook @Holland Sentinel Sports. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland West goalie Grace Caywood signs to Muskegon Community College In a request pending in Virginias courts, previous Attorney General Mark Herring sided with two men seeking to prove their innocence in the 1998 killing of a Waverly police officer that a federal jury acquitted them of. But new Attorney General Jason Miyares sent a letter to the Virginia Court of Appeals on Friday saying he doesnt agree. That prompted a lawyer for the two men to ask the court for representatives of Herrings team to appear alongside those of the new attorney general when the case is argued. Miyares letter comes in the case of Terrence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne, two Black men who have long claimed innocence in the 1998 shooting death of Waverly police officer Allen W. Gibson, who was white and was shot with his own handgun that was recovered at the scene. A former Waverly police chief has said he has great doubt about their guilt, and the officers daughter has previously said she wants the case reopened and the men freed from prison if they are indeed innocent, although she said Wednesday that she believes they are guilty and supports Miyares action. Although the men were acquitted of murder by a federal jury, they had entered guilty pleas in state court to lesser charges in connection with the killing, later saying they did so to avoid a possible death sentence. Even though a federal jury acquitted them in the killing, prosecutors used those state convictions to land life sentences in federal prison for the men on a drug conviction. As part of their attempt to prove their innocence, Richardson and Claiborne filed a request for a writ of actual innocence from the Court of Appeals. Herrings administration investigated and on Nov. 1, filed a brief joining the request, which had been scheduled for oral argument on Tuesday. But Herring, a Democrat, lost his November re-election bid to Miyares, a Republican, who fired the offices four-person conviction-integrity unit and installed his own team. In the Friday letter, Brandon Wrobleski, a special assistant to Miyares for investigations, says Miyares doesnt adhere to some of Herrings arguments in the case and says the state is no longer on board with the request. Jarrett Adams, the New York attorney representing the two men, wrote to the court on Sunday asking it to deny Miyares request. But if hes allowed to file a new brief, the court should order Herring or his representatives to attend oral arguments to argue the states previous position as well, Adams wrote. Adams said in an interview that even if Miyares files a new brief changing course, the court should still consider what Herrings team filed after a year of investigation. Miyares action is a political posture move that is unfortunately threatening my clients freedom ... and it is also not allowing the Gibson family to have closure for officer Gibson, Adams said in a phone interview, calling his clients a thousand percent innocent. Victoria LaCivita, a spokesperson for Miyares, said in a statement that the mens claim doesnt prove innocence. The Attorney Generals Office, including an internal working group of former Commonwealths Attorneys with over 76 years of combined prosecution experience, has carefully reviewed the petition for a writ of actual innocence and former Attorney General Herrings position in the case, the statement said. We are now of the view that both Virginia law and the facts of this case do not support the claim for a writ of actual innocence. On Wednesday, Miyares office released a statement from the officers daughter saying she has always believed the two men killed her father. She was 8 years old at the time of his death and around 10 or 11 when the case was heard in federal court. Crissanna Gibson said in the statement she was shocked and hurt that Herrings office supported the writ of actual innocence without first consulting her. She said she supports Miyares reversing course, and believes the men pleaded guilty in state court because they are guilty, and they should remain guilty in the eyes of the law. In a phone interview Wednesday arranged by Miyares office, she said she was pushed into believing that maybe they didnt do it but I knew deep down that Terrence and Ferrone were guilty. Ive felt that from the very beginning, just in my heart and in my soul. The Richmond Times-Dispatch and WRIC-TV have both reported on questions surrounding the case. Gibson was killed April 25, 1998, in a wooded area behind an apartment complex. Still alive when a state trooper arrived at the scene, he said he had been shot with his own gun after struggling with two men, one of whom he said had dreadlocks. Neither Richardson nor Claiborne had dreadlocks. They were arrested and Richardson was allowed to plead guilty in Sussex County Circuit Court to involuntary manslaughter and Claiborne to misdemeanor accessory. The men were initially charged with capital murder which could have resulted in the death penalty and later told a judge they pleaded guilty to avoid that charge. But the U.S. Attorneys Office then decided to prosecute them, too, arguing the killing was part of a drug conspiracy. A federal jury acquitted both men of murder in 2001 after a weeklong trial. But they were convicted in federal court of conspiracy to distribute drugs. And because of the state-court guilty pleas, Adams said, the federal prosecutors were able to obtain life sentences for both men on the drug conviction. Richardson and Claiborne have exhausted their federal appeals and were rejected in a presidential clemency bid. Adams said he is seeking the writ of actual innocence in Virginia in hopes of wiping out the conduct the federal government used for the life sentences on the drug conviction. The state court guilty plea and the actual innocence petition is the key to unlock the federal bars that hold them right now, Adams said. In the filing supporting the innocence claim, Herrings office wrote: It is clear from the record that some information and evidence presented in Mr. Richardsons federal trial was unavailable to him when he pled guilty in state court, including information that a key witness lied to state investigators and lied during the preliminary hearing. Oral argument at the Virginia Court of Appeals has been reset for Feb. 22. The court can grant the request for a writ of actual innocence, deny it, or order an evidentiary hearing to get more facts. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Though the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to drop statewide, the number of long-term care facilities reporting coronavirus outbreaks remains in the triple digits this week. The latest virus numbers released Wednesday come as Gov. Kim Reynolds prepares to end the public health disaster proclamation she first put into effect in March 2020. We need to move on, Reynolds told reporters at the Iowa State Capitol on Wednesday. I think Iowans know what they need to do. Theyve demonstrated that, so its time to move on and treat this like we do other viruses. The shift, she said this past week, moves the state from an emergency pandemic response to managing the coronavirus as part of normal daily business. The emergency proclamation, signed by the Republican governor on March 17, 2020, shifted state resources and staff to respond to the public health emergency and provide support to local health entities on the front lines of the pandemic. The proclamation will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday. State officials will continue to encourage Iowans to stay home when sick, Reynolds said, but added the state saw a significant decline in coronavirus-related hospitalizations in recent weeks. The governor said state officials are seeing an increase in patients admitted to hospitals for reasons besides COVID-19. At the height of our hospitalizations in November 2020, for 75% of hospitalizations, the primary reason was COVID-19, she said. Today, the number of hospitalizations primarily because of COVID-19 are under 50%. She said the state public health department will continue to monitor COVID-19 but will treat the coronavirus like it does with other viruses, such as influenza. With this shift, the state is pulling the plug on two state-managed pandemic websites: the vaccine finder tool vaccinate.iowa.gov and the COVID-19 data hub coronavirus.iowa.gov. Statistics used to measure the pandemics impact including new cases, positivity rates and deaths still will be available on an Iowa Department of Public Health website, according to Interim Director Kelly Garcia. The state will no longer report COVID-19 hospitalizations and the number of long-term care facilities with outbreaks. That data will be available from federal officials, Garcia said last week. Should Iowa see another uptick in virus activity, Reynolds said the state will evaluate and decide on mitigation steps at that point. LONG-TERM CARE This week, 114 long-term care facilities were reporting coronavirus outbreaks three or more cases among patients and staff a slight increase from the 109 reported last week, according to weekly totals released Wednesday by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Its the highest number of facilities with outbreaks since Dec. 29, 2020. This weeks total roughly a quarter of Iowas 445 nursing homes is also four times greater than the 25 facilities reporting outbreaks four weeks ago. NEW CASES Iowa reported 12,833 new COVID-19 cases in the past week, with a seven-day positivity rate of 13%. Thats down more than 40% from last weeks total of 22,730 new cases. The positivity rate last week was 18.5%. Pottawattamie Countys seven-day positivity rate was 19.9%. The county reported 308 cases for the week ending Feb. 7, compared to 819 cases the previous week, according to state data. In total, 735,422 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Iowa since the virus arrived in Iowa in March 2020. But even as new cases continue to fall statewide, all 99 counties in Iowa remain at the maximum rate of community transmission of the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HOSPITALIZATIONS The number of patients hospitalized in Iowa this past week with COVID-19 dropped to 617, compared to the 794 reported last week. The number of patients in intensive care totaled 96, down from 109 the week before. And the number of patients on ventilators dropped to 42, compared to 51 the previous week. Of those hospitalized this past week, 55.2% were not fully vaccinated, compared to 54.1% last week. Of those in intensive care, 65.6% were not fully vaccinated. Six weeks ago, the percentage of patients hospitalized who were not fully vaccinated was 80.6%. DEATHS An additional 172 deaths as a result of COVID-19 were reported in the past week, an increase from the 156 reported by the state public health department last week. The statewide coronavirus death toll since March 2020 now stands at 8,829. There have been 282 deaths in Pottawattamie County. VACCINATIONS Another 6,930 Iowans became fully vaccinated in the past week, for a total of 1,810,465 Iowans. Thats 57.38 percent of the states total population and 61.18 percent of those aged 5 and older. An additional 13,063 residents received a booster dose, bringing the total number of boosted individuals to 969,524. Pottawattamie Countys vaccination rate is 56.1%. Nonpareil Managing Editor Mike Brownlee contributed. Results from Council Bluffs Community Schools students fall 2021 and winter 2022 Measures of Academic Progress tests indicate that scores have stabilized after sinking to a low point in spring 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have finally stopped the slide, said Chief Academic Officer Corey Vorthmann as he presented data during a Board of Education meeting Tuesday. We have stabilized. The school districts goal of improving academic achievement includes the following objectives: By 2024, 80% of students will score in the average, high average or high band on MAP math and reading By 2024, 60% of students will achieve individual growth targets on MAP math and reading (this objective was originally 50% but was raised because of early success) By 2014, 100% of students will demonstrate growth as measured by the MAP in math and reading Local students did far better than the national average on maintaining or improving scores from spring 2021 to fall 2021 on the MAP assessment, Vorthmann said. We certainly did not see the 3% to 7% decrease in reading seen in the national average, he said. Instead, the average declined by less than 1%, depending on the grade level. The local average in math was up slightly, in contrast with the national average, which fell from 9% to 11%. From fall 2021 to winter 2022, the percentage of Council Bluffs students scoring in the average, high average or high band on the MAP mathematics test increased by 0.78%, according to information Vorthmann presented. We see just a slight uptick, he said. Kindergarten continued to be one of our highest performing grade levels. The percentage of students meeting their individual growth targets was highest in second grade, where almost 60% of the students achieved that, according to a graph Vorthmann displayed. About 57% of students in grades K-5 met their individual goals. A little more than 40% of sixth- and seventh-graders reached their targets, and 48% to 52% of students in grades 8-11 achieved their goals for growth. We have some work to do in middle school, Vorthmann said. The percentage of students showing growth in math ranged from 88% to 92% for K-3 students, from 80% to 82% for grades 4-5, from the upper 50s to lower 60s for grades 6-10 and barely 50% for 11th grade. Among subgroups, Asian students scored the highest in math, with about 67% earning marks in the average, high average or high band. About 60% of white students scored in one of those three bands, as did 50% of low social-emotional students. From 41% to 48% of African American, Hispanic, Native American and multiracial students averaged in the top three bands, and 20% to 30% of English language learners and students with IEPs reached that level. The percentage of students scoring in the average, high average or high band on the MAP reading test decreased by 0.34% from fall 2021 to winter 2022. A district-high 80% of kindergartners scored in the average, high average or high band. In most other grades, 60% or slightly more of the students earned marks in one of the top three bands, as did 51% to 55% of the second-, third-, seventh- and eighth-graders. The percentage meeting their individual growth targets ranged from 40% of seventh-graders to 67% of kindergartners. When it came to making progress, 90% or slightly more students in grades K-2 chalked up growth. From 70% to 76% of students in grades 3-5 racked up growth. From 45% of ninth- and 11th-graders and 50% to near 60% of students in grades 6-8 and 10 did likewise. Among subgroups, about 69% of Asian students and 62% of white students scored in the average, high average or high band on reading. About 61% of African American and Hispanic students earned marks in one of the top three bands, and 53% to 55% of multiracial and low social-emotional students did likewise. About 41% of Native American students scored in the top three bands, and 24% to 30% of English language learners and students with IEPs achieved that level. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Education awarded a contract Tuesday for grading and site prep at the future site of the Early Learning Center at North Eighth Street and Avenue G. The contract was awarded to Leick Construction of Glenwood, which submitted a bid of $297,800 the lowest of four and the closest to the engineers estimate of $286,000. The property is the former site of the Tinley Building, which was torn down in 2020. A house that was located at 619 N. Ninth St. was torn down last month, according to Jared Olson of HGM Associates, who gave a presentation on the project at the Board meeting Tuesday. The work will include clearing and grubbing existing trees and bushes and over-excavation below footings to ensure rubble is removed and subgrade is compacted, Olson said. The company will need to add fill dirt to 3 feet above existing grade to allow surcharge prior to the building project, he said. The site will have to be raised above the 100-year flood elevation. Depending on the weather, the work should be finished by the end of March, Olson said. School district officials hope to award a contract for construction of the Early Learning Center by mid-April, according to Chris LaFerla, president of the Board of Education and executive director of the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, which is raising money for the facility. We hope to begin construction in May or June and open in August 2023, he said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An Omaha man hit another man with a bottle and punched him repeatedly after the Omahan's girlfriend told him the other man had brushed up against her, a prosecutor said Wednesday. Douglas County Judge Stephanie Shearer ordered the Omahan, 22-year-old Nolan King, to be held on no bail on charges of second-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony. King is accused of fatally assaulting Rodney Pettit, 41, of Lawton, Oklahoma, on Saturday night at the Parliament Pub, 12th and Harney streets. First responders found Pettit unconscious inside the bar about 11:45 p.m. Saturday. They took him to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he died Monday. A prosecutor said Wednesday in court that Pettit had gone to the VIP room in the bar, and footage from a surveillance camera showed King waiting outside the room for Pettit to come out. When he did, the prosecutor said, King hit him in the head with a bottle, knocking him down. King then jumped on Pettit and pummeled him with his fists, the prosecutor said. King's public defender said King had just started working at a bottling company warehouse and lives with his grandparents and girlfriend. The attorney unsuccessfully argued that King should be released on bail, noting that he had turned himself in to police. King faces up to life in prison on the second-degree murder charge. King also was involved in a fatal stabbing on Sept. 28, 2019, near 33rd and Howard streets. King initially was taken into police custody after the stabbing of 31-year-old Shane E. Inks, 31, who died of his injuries at the Nebraska Medical Center. But King was released after police determined that he was the victim of an assault by Inks and a then-21-year-old woman. A court affidavit said that the woman had been in a relationship with both King and Inks and that she and Inks had lured King to the area intending to harm him. King was found at the scene with blunt-force trauma to the head and body, according to the affidavit. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) is due next August 27-28 in Tunisia, announced the Japanese Foreign ministry in a press release. The format of the meeting will be determined in due course while taking into account a number of factors, such as the COVID-19 situation, the press release said, adding that a TICAD Ministerial Meeting will be held online on March 26-27 As the COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable socio-economic impact also on Africa, Japan deems it is time to engage in international action and to work together. Through the TICAD8, Japan will strongly support African-led development and aims at setting out a pathway for African development looking ahead to the post-COVID-19 era. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced on February 2 the launch of a special website for TICAD. The move is designed to present the highlights of cooperation with Africa, including efforts made since the last TICAD conference in 2019, projects underway in each country and future contribution. The website also sheds light on events to be organized by the JICA during TICAD8. Tunisia is the second African country to play host to TICAD after Kenya in 2016. The conference, launched by Japan in 1993, is meant to foster political dialogue between African leaders and development partners on challenges facing the continent. This multilateral forum also includes international organizations, development partners, private sector enterprises, and civil society NGOs. The European Union will invest 1.6 billion in Morocco to promote the green and digital transition. This investment is part of the new European strategy, called Global Gateway, launched last December. The European Union will invest 1.6 billion (more than 17 billion dirhams) in Morocco. The announcement was made this Wednesday, February 9, 2022, by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during her visit to Rabat. The EU is investing 1.6 billion euros in Morocco. This is a great opportunity for the green and digital transition. I hope that we will carry out major projects together, for the benefit of Moroccans, said the European official in her Twitter account. The European Commission President had announced earlier Wednesday at a joint news conference with Head of the Moroccan Government Aziz Akhannouch that the two sides are working on the development of a green partnership. This will allow us to engage together in the development of greener energy, she said. This 1.6 billion investment is part of the new European strategy named Global gateway, launched on December 1, 2021. According to the official website of the European Commission, this strategy aims to develop smart, clean and secure links in the digital domains, energy, and transport and to strengthen health, education and research systems worldwide. This European model consists in investing, throughout the world and in particular in Africa, in both tangible and intangible infrastructures, in sustainable investments in the fields of digital technology, climate and energy, transport, health, education and research. Global Gateway has set itself the goal of mobilizing up to 300 billion of investments between 2021 and 2027 to support a sustainable global recovery, taking into account the interests of the EU and the needs of its partners, explains the Brussels Commission. It should be noted that Morocco is the first country to receive funding under this infrastructure program. During her visit to Rabat, Ursula von der Leyen conferred with head of the Government Aziz Akhannouch and with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on means to strengthen the EU-Morocco strategic partnership, the global challenges facing Morocco and Europe as well as the new agenda for the Mediterranean. At the joint press briefing with Aziz Akhannouch, the European Commission chief reaffirmed the will of the EU to continue to deepen the strategic, close and solid partnership with Morocco, recalling that the Kingdom is the first economic and commercial partner of the EU in Africa. I reaffirm our desire to continue to deepen our relations as neighbors, as partners, as friends, she stressed, affirming that the two partners can build a common and ambitious vision of their partnership. President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine has commended Moroccos role and honorable history in supporting the Palestinian cause and serving peace issues worldwide, under the wise leadership of King Mohammed VI, and his predecessors, the late Mohammed V and the late Hassan II. President Abbas who made the remarks while receiving in Ramallah, on Wednesday, Moroccos new ambassador to Palestine, Abderrahim Meziane, welcomed the unique ties that bind him to King Mohammed VI, to whom he expressed his distinguished greetings and wishes for good health and long life. The Palestinian President underlined the depth of the historic relations between the Moroccan and Palestinian peoples, embodied, he said, by many Palestinian families of Moroccan origin in Al-Quds and throughout Palestine. The Palestinian leader hailed the pioneering and historic role played by the late Mohammed V, as Commander of the Faithful, in protecting Moroccan Jews against the Vichy regime and his firm refusal to hand them over to the Nazis, noting that this historic position reflects a rare courage of a Muslim leader, the effects of which are still visible today. The Palestinian President also recalled the leadership and pioneering role played by late Hassan II in favor of the Palestinian cause. Mr. Abbas seized this opportunity to express his deep condolences following the tragic death of the Moroccan child Rayan, praising the professionalism of the Moroccan rescue teams in handling this painful incident. The Moroccan diplomat for his part conveyed to the Palestinian President the greetings of King Mohammed VI, and the Sovereigns determination to boost further relations between the two brotherly countries. He also reaffirmed the Kingdoms steady positions regarding the Palestinian cause and the support provided by the King to the Palestinian people and their resistance, through the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency. Libyas Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah Wednesday escaped an alleged attempt assassination after gun shots were fired at his car in capital Tripoli, reports say. A source close to Dbeibah who asked not to be named, told Al Wasat news outlet, the Prime Minister had been returning home when shots were fired from another vehicle that fled. He was not hurt, the source indicated, adding that the case was referred to the prosecutor. The alleged assassination attempt, comes amid wrangle between him and the countrys state legislature House of Representative (HoR). Dbeiba, installed in February last year, is resisting HoRs attempt to replace him. The HoR Monday shortlisted former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha and businessman Khaled Al-Bibas as the only two candidates meeting conditions for the post of Prime Minister, in replace of Dbeibah. The house argued that Dbeibahs mandate expired on Dec. 24 after the UN-backed presidential elections failed to take place due to several issues. Dbeibah also vowed to stay in his position until the holding of elections after it had paved the way for all needed electoral process measures. Posted by North Africa Post North Africa Post's news desk is composed of journalists and editors, who are constantly working to provide new and accurate stories to NAP readers. The prospect of seeing almost all South Platte River water stay in Colorado raised near-universal alarm at Wednesdays Unicameral hearing on reviving the aborted 1894 Perkins County Canal. Misgivings at the Natural Resources Committee session centered on the notions $500 million price tag, along with environmental groups worries that endangered species would lose the most. Itd be preferable, two Omaha committee members said, to push Colorado to renegotiate the 1923 South Platte River Compact to secure its unclaimed Nebraska water right without building a canal. But Sens. Justin Wayne and John Cavanaugh also agreed that Omaha and Lincoln share in the statewide peril if Nebraska does nothing and Colorado sends unclaimed South Platte water back toward the thirsty Front Range. Under the compact, we have a right, clearly, to go with the canal route, Wayne said. I think that puts us in a unique and powerful position with Colorado. Speaker Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, who introduced Legislative Bill 1015 for Gov. Pete Ricketts, said moving to build the canal even if its later called off offers the state its best defense. It seems to me that going all-out on the project puts us in the best position to renegotiate, he said in closing the two-hour-plus hearing. LB 1015 would empower the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to plan and build the irrigation canal, which the compact says would have to leave the South Platte just south of Ovid, Colorado. Its Nebraska route is unclear but would involve Keith County and possibly Lincoln County. The compact requires it to stay on or near the 1894 survey line in Colorados Sedgwick County. Hilgers said Ricketts $500 million funding request appears in separate budget bills. The first $100 million would come from federal COVID-19 aid and the rest from the states cash reserve. If it doesnt take $500 million to build the canal, Ricketts said, the leftover amount would go back to the states general fund. DNR Director Tom Riley said he based the estimate on his 35 years of experience and a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation study tied to failed 1980s plans to invoke the compact. He said it probably would take 10 years starting with 18 months to three years of planning to build and open the canal if nothing else holds it up. But if the project is not built, Colorado can simply cut off the supply, Riley said. And if you read some of the recent stories in the newspapers, thats exactly what theyre saying theyre going to do. Ricketts announced his plan to revive the Perkins canal Jan. 10, citing efforts by Colorado leaders and regional water groups to claim South Platte water not already tapped by upstream ditches and groundwater wells. A 2017 study for the Colorado Legislature said South Platte water crossing the Nebraska line had averaged 331,000 acre-feet a year between 1996 and 2015. About 90% of that was in excess of the compact, it said, meaning it wasnt needed to meet Colorados mandate to send Nebraska up to 120 cubic feet per second from April 1 to Oct. 15. Eight Colorado lawmakers introduced a bill Friday to give top priority among their states water projects to those storing water in the South Platte basin. Ricketts told the committee that careful groundwater management by farmers and ranchers, the state and its 23 Natural Resources Districts has kept Nebraskas part of the Ogallala Aquifer within 1 foot of its 1950s level. The canal almost lost to time In 1894, Perkins County residents began work on an ill-fated South Platte River canal from Ovid, Colorado, into Nebraska, the remnants of which can be seen today, if you know where to look. But Colorados portion is nearly 14 feet below where it was in the 1950s, he said. And therein lies our problem: Colorado is looking to take our water. If Nebraska revives the canal also known as the South Divide Canal the compact says Colorado would have to supply it up to 500 cfs from Oct. 15 to April 1. But Colorado isnt obligated to do so until and unless Nebraska builds the canal, said Ricketts, Hilgers and LB 1015s backers. A procession of statewide water officials and agricultural groups backed the bill, even while acknowledging that legal conflict with Colorado is all but inevitable. Throughout his 49-year career, I have been observing the developments occurring in the Front Range of Colorado and their desperate need for water, said Kent Miller of North Platte, general manager of the Twin Platte NRD. Further opportunities for Colorado to pipe water from the Colorado River basin across the Rockies are going away or theyre gone, he said. Nebraska cannot wait any longer. Miller, whose four-county NRD includes most of the South Plattes Nebraska run, said he has urged his statewide peers to invoke the compact for 40 years. Folks just laughed at me and said we dont need to worry about this, he said. The time has come. We need to worry about this. Supporters said Platte Valley farmers, cattle growers and cities, Omaha and Lincoln residents and even the central Plattes endangered species depend greatly on the water Colorado now wants to claim. Leaders of the two public power districts most involved with Lake McConaughy said it would be drawn down faster and more frequently to meet state and federal environmental obligations downstream. The water Colorado proposes to take would fill Lake Mac over a six-year period, said Mike Drain, natural resources and compliance manager of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District. Make no mistake about it: As large as it is, Lake McConaughy does not provide enough water to satisfy all of Nebraskas downstream water needs, he said. Though Lake Mac stores North Platte River water north of Ogallala, Centrals Tri-County Project and Nebraska Public Power Districts interlinked Sutherland Project tap both Platte branches. Joseph Citta, NPPDs director of corporate environmental and water resources, said the canals Nebraska route could end at the Sutherland Projects Korty Canal. The Korty, which crosses Interstate 80 between Roscoe and Paxton, sends North Platte and South Platte water to Sutherland Reservoir and cools turbines at NPPDs Gerald Gentleman Station en route. Water diverted at Ovid into a completed canal would return to the South Platte via the NPPD Canal and Lake Maloney. Riley said the DNR expects to build several small reservoirs in southern Keith County to store water from the new canal. That idea dates to an Ogallala-based 1921 revival plan that helped bring Colorado to the compact table a century ago. Lexington-area farmer Don Batie said the ability to time releases from the canals reservoirs could boost Nebraskas ability to serve ag producers and meet state and federal environmental obligations like the three-state Platte River Recovery Implementation plan of 1997. Usually were short (on supply) some times of the year and long at other times of the year, said Batie, vice chairman of the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission. The South Platte wouldnt necessarily be entirely dry at the Nebraska line even if the canal is built, Riley said. Besides imposing the 120-cfs summertime requirement on Colorado, the 1923 compact also awards Nebraska the water from the Panhandles Lodgepole Creek. That stream runs almost entirely in Nebraska but dumps into the South Platte just southeast of Ovid. Thats no more than a mile below where some 600 early Perkins County residents pierced the South Platte for their canal in fall 1894. They dug 16 miles, to a point east of Julesburgs Interstate 76 interchange, before their financing collapsed. Remnants of their work remain visible. Nebraskas Sierra Club chapter offered the lone formal opposition to LB 1015, with lobbyist Al Davis saying farmers would benefit at endangered species expense. Also, we must make investments in our children and our seniors, said Davis, a former state senator from Hyannis. There are too many unanswered questions to tie up $500 million for decades when that money could be used for the betterment of Nebraska. Committee member Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus challenged Davis assertions. So if we dont exercise our rights to protect this water and the Platte River dries up more frequently, is the Sierra Club OK with that? Moser asked. No, Davis replied. But I wouldnt think that any federal agency would look kindly on Colorado saying, Well, were just going to dry up the river and theres nothing that Nebraska can do. The Nebraska chapters of Audubon and The Nature Conservancy took neutral stances, saying they hope to work with their Colorado affiliates to persuade both states to negotiate a solution. Compact water should be left in the river to provide ecosystem benefits by our view, said state Nature Conservancy climate and energy policy lead staffer Katie Torpy. More by Todd von Kampen Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sustainable Beef LLCs worthiness for state help to build its North Platte meatpacking plant wasnt at issue in a Wednesday legislative hearing in Lincoln. Appropriations Committee members questions for North Platte state Sen. Mike Groene centered instead on whether strings attached to Nebraskas $1.04 billion in COVID-19 aid limit what they can do. Groenes Legislative Bill 783 proposes putting $75 million of that money toward Sustainable Beefs $325 million financing package to build its 875-employee plant atop a retired city sewer lagoon. The past two years supply shortages and soaring grocery prices for beef, he said, ought to demonstrate the connection to the pandemic that Congress required for using American Rescue Plan Act funds. This is going to help agriculture all the way down to the implement dealer, Groene said. The moneys going to stay here, and the margins are going to stay here. Nobodys going to get rich, but they will make a living. Gov. Pete Ricketts proposed budget for state COVID-19 funds, however, proposes just $15 million in ARP money to be applied toward the costs of Sustainable Beefs onsite wastewater treatment system. Ricketts, testifying in another State Capitol hearing room on his bill to revive the 1894 Perkins County Canal, didnt testify on LB 783 Wednesday. Neither did his staff. The governor said at a Jan. 14 North Platte stop that the ARP explicitly cites aid tied to water and sewer needs as allowed uses. Groene agreed but said the plants wastewater systems cost would be about $37 million. He cited that figure in a letter to Ricketts before the legislative session, he said. But confusion led to a clerical error that led the governors staff to subtract the city of North Plattes $22 million aid package, almost all of it in tax increment financing. U.S. Treasury guidelines, Groene added, say uses of ARP funds must be related in reasonable proportion to COVID-19s public health or economic impact and reasonably designed to benefit the impacted population or class. Sustainable Beef doesnt qualify for pandemic aid related to an impacted industry, Groene said. But were asking for the funds to respond to the harm done to the population of beef producers who are personally harmed by the pandemic. The best way to do that, he said, is to help create new processing facilities and relieve the bottleneck and lack of excess capacity that we found out did not exist in the processing industry. Nebraskans also have been harmed by empty grocery shelves and excessive beef prices that have essentially made beef unaffordable to many consumers, Groene added. While Sustainable Beef will rely on major investors to get started, 25 Nebraska cattle producers have signed agreements to supply the plants cattle, said CEO David Briggs of Alliance. The North Platte plants projected construction cost has risen $90 million since organizers started work in 2020, he said. The pandemic funds would help us bring this important project to fruition. Sustainable Beef didnt lack for friends at the hearing, with five other people joining Briggs in backing LB 783. No one testified against Groenes bill. Nebraska needs it, but more than anything our communities and our ranching and farming neighbors need it to sustain their way of life into future generations, said Gary Person, president and CEO of the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp. Sustainable Beef co-organizer Trey Wasserburger of North Platte, Lincoln County Board Chairman Chris Bruns and Nebraska Cattlemen Executive Vice President Pete McClymont spoke in favor of LB 783. So did Carrie Lapaseotes, a partner with her father, Pete, in their familys four-generation farmer-feeder operation at Bridgeport. COVID-19 challenged them not only to find an answer to the challenges we have been facing but also be a part of the solution, she said. Pete Lapaseotes also is among Sustainable Beefs organizers. The 7-11 outlet at 58 Seng Poh Road. (PHOTO: Google Street View) SINGAPORE Over three months, a man kept stealing newspapers from a 7-Eleven outlet, stuffing them into his pants and covering them with his shirt. By the time he was caught, he had stolen more than 24 sets of newspapers and sold them to a rag-and-bone man. When police officers arrived to arrest him, they saw him stuffing 10 sets of newspapers into his pants. Albert Pang Tze Kaan, 50, was jail for nine weeks on Thursday (10 February) after he pleaded guilty to an amalgamated charge of theft. Stole 4 sets of newspaper each time On 10 November last year, Pang entered the 7-Eleven outlet at Seng Poh Road after 8.30pm. He took from the store shelf four sets of Lianhe Wanbao newspapers, valued at $1 each, and left without making payment. The cashier witnessed his actions and and approached him outside the store to confront him, but Pang scolded him and left. Pang returned five more times over December and January, stealing four sets of newspapers each time. He would enter the store between 8pm and 10pm to commit the theft. CCTV cameras caught Pang stealing on five occasions: 26, 28, 30, and 31 December, as well as 3 January. Each time, Pang would stuff the newspapers in his pants and cover them with his shirt. The cashier on duty did not dare to confront Pang as she was afraid of him, but informed her colleague. On 17 January, the colleague was in the store when he spotted Pang, and called the police. When police officers arrived, they observed Pang from outside the store and spotted him taking 10 sets of newspaper, slipping them into his pants and covering the loot with his shirt. Pang then headed to the cashier to pay for only one set of newspapers. Upon seeing the police officers, he left and disposed all the newspapers in a shopping basket. He was then placed under arrest, and all 10 sets of newspapers were recovered. Sold newspapers to rag-and-bone man Pang confessed that he had sold the newspapers to a rag-and-bone man for an unknown amount of money and did not make restitution. He had stolen 34 sets of newspapers worth $33.20 on seven occasions. Story continues The prosecution sought 10 weeks jail for Pang, whom it said had committed the current offences just about six months after his last conviction, also for stealing newspapers. In mitigation, Pang said in person that he wished to plead guilty and pass through this process as soon as possible. He told the court that he was on financial assistance. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore U.S. Department of Labor Urges Healthcare Facilities and Providers to Employ Safety and Health Programs as Worker Illness and Injury Rates Skyrocket National Caregivers Day is a reminder of the importance of protecting those who protect us. Throughout the pandemic, U.S. healthcare workers experienced a 249 percent increase in injury and illness rates in 2020 while serving those in need. Workers in the healthcare and social assistance industries suffered more injuries and illnesses than workers in any other industry in the nation. According to a press release, as the nation prepares to observe National Caregivers Day on February 18, OSHA calls on healthcare employers and those in related industries to take immediate actions to help make 2022 less hazardous and reduce worker injuries and illnesses. Healthcare workers routinely face the risks associated with exposures to bloodborne pathogens, drug residue, X-ray machines, respiratory illness and ergonomic injuries related to lifting patients and repetitive tasks, said OSHAs acting Regional Administrator Ryan Hodge in Kansas City, Missouri. Our nations caregivers have made extraordinary sacrifices in recent years putting themselves on the frontline in a pandemic and we owe it to them to ensure their employers are doing all they can to protect their employees. An effective way to protect against workplace injury and illness is to create and use a proactive safety and health program to address hazards and implement training and preventive measures to keep workers safe. Community Hospital Onaga, a part of Community HealthCare System Inc.s nonprofit healthcare system, succeeded in improving the safety and health of its workers. In 2000, the hospital in rural northeast Kansas contacted OSHAs On-Site Consultation Program about enhancing workplace safety. Visits by the Kansas Department of Labors On-Site Consultation program soon began. New utility-scale renewables capacity is set to break records in 2022, hitting an all-time high of 220 gigawatts (GW) globally with investments surpassing $300 billion for solar and wind combined, Rystad Energy research indicates. However, a slowdown of capacity additions could be around the corner as construction start-ups of large-scale projects are expected to stall. Utility-scale renewable capacity additions are expected to increase by 38 GW in 2022 compared with last year, boosted by the array of government targets and policies announced in the wake of the COP26 climate summit in November. Annual investments in solar and wind additions will rise to more than $300 billion, up 20% compared to last years total of $240 billion. The annual growth is primarily driven by surging solar PV investments, which are set to rise by 18%, from $117 billion to $138 billion. As a result, solar PV and wind dominate the expected capacity additions, contributing 85% of the 220 GW to be installed this year. The remaining 15% is split between pumped hydro, battery, solar thermal and storage. Although battery additions in 2022 will amount to only 12 GW, or 6% of total new renewable capacity, this represents a huge jump for the sector as worldwide battery installations are projected to reach a total of 24.6 GW by the end of 2022, a 96% increase over 2021 capacity. The hydrogen pipeline is also set for a large increase this year, with more than 400 megawatts (MW) of capacity additions, a 70% growth on last year. Out of the 220 GW of renewable energy capacity expected to be installed this year, 195 GW, or 88%, is already under construction, with the remaining 12% in various development stages. Solar PV accounts for 46% of the total under-construction capacity, followed by onshore wind (34%). Almost 50% of the under-construction capacity is in Asia, mainly in China and India. Despite record capacity additions in 2022, the outlook is not all positive. Projects expected to start construction this year will face challenging economics, delays and even cancellation risks. For instance, rising steel prices are already having an impact on onshore wind projects, and utility-scale solar PV developers are concerned about surging commodity prices, signaling a potential downturn at least for the first half of the year, says Gero Farruggio, head of renewables research with Rystad Energy. The first sign of dark clouds on the horizon is the projected fall in large-scale renewable capacity breaking ground in 2022 versus 2021. A decrease in project start-ups is expected in 2022, mainly due to rising steel prices that have constrained onshore wind projects, as the cost of steel accounts for almost 70% of the final price of wind installations. The utility PV industry may also come under pressure, at least during the first half of the year, with developers keeping a close eye on commodity price spikes. However, increased polysilicon?manufacturing capacity projected to?surpass 1 million tonnes per year in 2022 will provide some respite to prices following a 300% spike in 2021. Regional trends: China leads Asia will account for 103 GW or 46% of the total new capacity added in 2022, followed by North America with 49 GW (22%). In Asia, most of the capacity additions will come from China, which is set to account for 64 GW around 62% of the total Asian capacity gains and 29% of the total global capacity additions. Despite the fact that China phased out national subsidies for onshore wind and solar PV at the start of this year, plans for large-scale renewable energy projects continue to be announced in the country. China also continues to be the leading developer of offshore wind, with over 14 GW of capacity added last year. While this year is expected to see only 11.5 GW added, 2022 will become the second consecutive year with capacity additions of more than 10 GW. China is expected to be the largest contributor to new capacity again in 2022, accounting for 40% of additions, followed by Europe and particularly the UK, which is forecast to add more than 3 GW of capacity. Total worldwide battery installations are estimated to reach 24.6 GW by the end of the year, constituting a 96% increase compared to 2021. Forecasts show battery capacity will surge to 52.4 GW by 2025, representing a 42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2021 and four times higher than current levels. While all regions in the world are waking up to the benefits of battery storage, nowhere is this more apparent than in the US, where 53% of the worlds battery capacity will be located by 2025, totaling 28 GW. By Rystad Energy More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The EIA raised its production forecast once again on Tuesday, with U.S. production set to hit a record high in 2023. The Permian basin is still leading U.S. shale production growth but basins in North Dakota, Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming are also growing. The U.S. shale patch is experiencing its best-ever economics this year thanks to a combination of disciplined spending and high oil prices. The Permian has led U.S. shale production growth in recent months and will continue to do so in the coming months, but the oil price rally so far in 2022 has also driven increased drilling activity in other shale basins with higher breakeven prices. $90 oil is incentivizing more drilling activity in the Bakken in North Dakota, the Eagle Ford in Texas, Colorados DJ Basin, and in Wyoming, as the drilling economics at these high oil pricesthe highest since 2014are too attractive to pass up. In fact, the economics are the best since the start of the shale revolution, some oilfield service firms say, as oil prices are high while many producers are disciplined in spending. Drilling economics today are better than theyve ever been since the shale revolution started, Chris Wright, chief executive officer at Liberty Oilfield Services, told Reuters. Like the biggest oilfield service providers, Schlumberger and Halliburton, Liberty Oilfield Services also sees an upcycle driven by rapidly tightening markets for oil & gas in the U.S. industry, Liberty said in its 2021 earnings release on Tuesday. E&P operators are responding to oil and gas price signals. The public operators are maintaining discipline and will show only modest production growth this year, while the private operators are reacting more robustly to strong commodity prices, Liberty Oilfield Services said in its outlook for this year. Public supermajors ExxonMobil and Chevron plan a 25-percent and 10-percent increase in their Permian production this year, respectively. Many other public and private operators will also boost their oil and gas production in the Permian, where output hit a record high in recent weeks and is set to continue to grow. The other, costlier basins are also seeing increased activity, albeit at a smaller scale than in the Permian. The basins in North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado that were slower to recover from the COVID-inflicted downturn are already seeing increased activity and production. It is encouraging that both the states industry and economy appear to be recovering from the pandemic- and market-induced downturn of 2020 sooner than anticipated. The number of rigs operating in the state continues to increase, with a reported 18 rigs as of December 2021, the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) said in a January report on Wyomings oil and natural gas resources. In fact, in the October 2021 report by the Wyoming Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, the oil production estimate for 2021 improved by 31 percent compared to predictions made a year ago, wrote Erin Campbell, state geologist and WSGS director. Recent forward-thinking projects have improved the outlook for Wyomings oil and gas industry into 2022 and beyond, Campbell said in a statement carried by Wyoming-based news outlet County 17. We have seen a rebound in oil production in the state thats not to where it was pre-pandemic but definitely on that course again, Rob Godby, an energy expert at the University of Wyoming, told Wyoming Public Radio at the end of January. Oil production in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Colorado may not return to the pre-pandemic peaks, but it is definitely on the rise as high oil prices make drilling and project economics great again. Supply chain challenges and higher labor and equipment costs could be stumbling blocks for U.S. shale, especially for the basins with higher breakeven prices. Still, U.S. crude oil production is set to hit a new record of 12.4 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2023, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in the January Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). On Tuesday the EIA raised its production forecast, expecting U.S. crude oil production to rise to an average of 12.0 million bpd in 2022 and 12.6 million bpd in 2023an annual record high and 200,000 bpd above last months estimate. The previous annual average record of 12.3 million bpd was set in 2019. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Nevertheless, despite those hazards and the risks they pose to Colombia, there are signs that the outlook for the countrys petroleum industry is improving. The last two years, since the COVID-19 pandemic commenced, have been particularly tumultuous for the strife-torn Latin American nation of Colombia. The fallout from the pandemic, along with civil unrest erupting across Colombia during late April 2021 and worsening rural security, are weighing on the Andean countrys economically crucial oil industry. The uncertainty created by those events is magnified by the apprehension regarding the outlook for extractive industries in Colombia, particularly for oil drilling and coal mining, after leading presidential candidate senator Gustavo Petro stated he intended to end oil exploration in the country. A marked decline in foreign energy investment, dwindling proven crude oil reserves and weak production are all threatening Colombias economic outlook. There are signs that the future for the conflict-riven countrys petroleum industry is in doubt. A leading indicator of the poor outlook for Colombias petroleum industry is weak production, which is not growing significantly and is well below pre-pandemic levels. For November 2021, data from (Spanish) Colombias Ministry of Mines and Energy shows the country only pumped an average of 746,845 barrels of crude per day. While oil output was nearly 1% higher month over month it was 2% less than the same period a year earlier and a very worrying 15% less than the 880,211 barrels of petroleum pumped during November 2019. Source: Colombia Ministry of Mines and Energy, U.S. EIA. Natural gas production growth remains weak even though President Ivan Duque, on entering office in August 2018, prioritized the development of the fossil fuel. During November 2021 Colombia pumped 1.1 million cubic feet of natural gas per day which was 2.3% lower than a month prior and was flat year over year, although it was 4% greater than for November 2019. Source: Colombia Ministry of Mines and Energy, Colombia National Hydrocarbons Agency. Of even greater concern are Colombias diminishing proven oil reserves. Despite being Latin Americas third-largest petroleum producer, after Brazil and Mexico which have reserves of 12.7 billion and 5.8 billion barrels respectively, at the end of 2020 Colombias proven reserves (Spanish) were a meager 1.8 billion barrels of crude oil. That was a worrying 11% less than a year earlier and represents a staggering 26% lower than the decade peak of 2.445 billion barrels at the end of 2013. Source: Colombia National Hydrocarbons Agency. At the current rate of production, which averaged around 736,000 barrels per day for 2021, Colombia only has sufficient proven crude oil reserves for 6.3 years. Natural gas reserves are also in decline falling by 6.8% year over year to 2.949 trillion cubic feet, which is nearly half of the 10-year high of 5.727 trillion cubic feet announced at the end of 2012. Source: Colombia National Hydrocarbons Agency. Those reserves will provide a further 7.7 years of production at the current output, which averaged 1.1 million cubic feet per day during 2021. Colombias dire hydrocarbons shortage is weighing heavily on the Andean nations petroleum-dependent economy. Crude oil is Colombias largest legal export (Spanish) by value, accounting for $12 billion or 33% of all exports for the first 11 months of 2021, earns roughly a fifth of government revenue, and generates 3% (Spanish) of gross domestic product. Soaring natural gas demand, coupled with declining production and Bogotas plans to expand gas-fired electricity production, sparked a domestic energy crisis which forced Colombia to commence bulk imports of liquified petroleum gas in late-2017. Despite the national government implementing a domestic natural gas price to attract investment, which was more than 60% higher than the Hendry Hub benchmark, Colombias gas reserves and production have failed to grow as envisaged. Soaring international natural gas prices, because of the energy crisis in Europe which see the Henry Hub price at over $4.609 per MCF will divert foreign investment from Colombias hydrocarbon sector to more attractive jurisdictions. Related: Will OPEC+ Actually Deliver The Extra Barrels It Promised? A lack of foreign capital and energy investment in hydrocarbon exploration and development is a key reason for Colombias declining crude oil reserves and weak production. For 2019, prior to the pandemic, $4.03 billion was invested in Colombias hydrocarbon sector. That amount plunged to almost half, $2.05 billion, during 2020 crippling exploration and development activities causing a sharp decline in crude oil output which only averaged 781,300 barrels per day, the lowest level since 2009. Despite industry investment rebounding to $3 billion during 2021 Colombias crude oil and natural gas production weakened further. During May and June 2021, as anti-government protests raged across Colombia, crude oil production plunged to multi-year lows of 703,478 barrels and 694,151 barrels per day. This development coupled with Colombias deteriorating security environment, primarily fueled by rising poverty and soaring cocaine production, caused 2021 annual output to fall by an estimated 6% year over year to an average of 736,000 barrels per day. Bogotas inability to reactivate Colombias hydrocarbon sector and have it return to pre-pandemic levels is highlighted by the oil-dependent South American countrys rig count. Data from Baker Hughes shows that there were 29 active drill rigs in Colombia at the end of December 2021. Source: Baker Hughes and U.S. EIA. That number, while six greater than a month earlier and just over double the 14 rigs at the end of December 2020, is still less than the 33 operational drill rigs for that month in 2019. The 29 operational rigs at the end of December 2022 are significantly less than the 74 rigs recorded in July 2011 at the peak of Colombias last oil boom where the countrys proven oil reserves grew 8% to a record of 2.445 billion barrels at the end of 2013. That extremely low reserves growth, despite the considerable investment in rigs and drilling activity, points to the possibility that Colombia does not possess the oil potential the government believes that it has. Even the 2016 peace accord with the largest guerilla group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC Spanish initials) failed to deliver the expected increase in proven oil reserves and production, further supporting that assertion. Nevertheless, despite those hazards and the risks they pose to Colombias oil-dependent economy and energy self-sufficiency, there are signs that the outlook for the countrys petroleum industry is improving. Peak oil industry body the Colombian Petroleum and Gas Association (ACP Spanish initials) estimates 2022 investment (Spanish) in hydrocarbon operations will reach $4.4 billion, which is 47% greater than a year prior and more than double 2020. While that investment is equivalent to 2019 the ACP anticipates that 2022 exploration spending will exceed $1.1 billion which, if that eventuates, will be the largest amount spent on oil and gas exploration in Colombia since 2014. In January 2022, the energy ministry announced that it had awarded (Spanish) 30 areas to six energy companies as part of Colombias 2021 bid round. The contracts, which are in the process of being signed, are expected to generate an investment of at least $148 million. Those latest developments point to an improving outlook for Colombias hydrocarbon sector, although proven reserve and production growth will remain weak for the immediate future. There are also doubts as to the petroleum industrys long-term viability because Colombia has not had a major oil discovery since 2009. Exploration is constrained not only by rising conflict in oil-rich regions but also because of growing signs that Colombia may not possess the oil potential of its neighbors such as Venezuela and Ecuador. This poses a significant risk for the Andean countrys oil-dependent economy and continued energy self-sufficiency. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: OPEC raised its crude oil production by just 64,000 barrels per day (bpd) in January 2022, well below the 254,000-bpd increase in output allowed under the OPEC+ deal, as OPEC and its allies in the OPEC+ group continue to undershoot quotas and supply fewer barrels to the market than promised. All 13 members of OPECincluding the three producers exempted from the OPEC+ quotas Iran, Libya, and Nigeriapumped 27.981 million bpd in January, up by 64,000 bpd from December, according to secondary sources, OPEC's Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) showed on Thursday. The biggest increases in crude oil production came from Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait, while output declined in OPEC's second-largest producer Iraq, as well as in Venezuela and Libya. According to the secondary sources that OPEC uses to track its members' production, even top producer Saudi Arabia failed to deliver its 110,000-bpd monthly increase. The Kingdom raised its oil production in January by 54,000 bpd to 9.999 million, below its 10.122 billion bpd quota for January per the OPEC+ deal. However, Saudi Arabia self-reported a much higher production increase last month. Based on direct communication from members, Saudi Arabia boosted its production by 123,000 bpd to 10.145 million, OPEC's monthly report showed. OPEC and OPEC+ have not been pumping as much as the OPEC+ pact calls for, essentially tightening the market and distorting analyst assumptions about market balances. For half a year now, OPEC+ has actually added lower volumes to the market each month than the 400,000 bpd nominal monthly increase announced in each of the OPEC+ meetings since August 2021. OPEC+ was a massive 800,000 bpd behind its overall production quota in January, as the producers in the pact increased output by 260,000 bpd last month, an Argus survey showed on Wednesday. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Nearly five years ago, Puerto Rico declared bankruptcy. Or rather, it declared the closest thing to bankruptcy that a state or territory can declare when it announced in 2017 that it would not be able to repay its debts on the heels of a devastating hurricane that left the island in desperate condition. Now, just last week, a United States federal judge finally approved a deal to get Puerto Rico out of bankruptcy and help the territory to take significant steps toward becoming financially solvent. The restructuring plan will reduce the largest portion of the Puerto Rico governments debt some $33 billion by about 80 percent, to $7.4 billion, the New York Times reported last week. The deal will also save the government more than $50 billion in debt payments. While the deal is an enormous boon to cash-strapped Puerto Rico, the territory is still facing some serious challenges. The government itself may have gotten a bailout, but other public companies, including the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), remain bankrupt. One of the many catastrophic effects of 2017s Category 5 Hurricane Maria marked the complete and utter destruction of the islands aging and vulnerable power grid. After the storm, many of Puerto Ricos residents were left without power for nearly a full calendar year as part of the worlds second-longest blackout. Even today, almost five years after the fact, Puerto Rico is still plagued with frequent blackouts, power shortages, and grid failures due to the woefully inadequate and outdated infrastructure. In light of this ongoing crisis, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated nearly $10 billion to PREPA to repair the damage. The federal funding is targeted to repair and replace thousands of miles of transmission and distribution lines, electrical substations, power generation systems, and other grid improvements, The American Public Power Association reported in 2020, at the time of the aid packages approval. In 2022, Puerto Ricos struggles with reliable energy structure continue. Just this month, three U.S. federal agencies have pledged to work with local Puerto Rican policymakers to bring the islands power grid into the 21st century and to speed up the efforts to stabilize the islands energy security. As part of this initiative, these three agencies the Departments of Energy, Homeland Security and Housing and Urban Development have officially signed an agreement to begin a clean energy transition in Puerto Rico by 2025, with the aim of reaching a 100% renewable grid by mid-century. The goal is both admirable and ambitious and possibly overly so. At present, less than 3% of the U.S. island territorys energy comes from renewable resources. As part of the United States, Puerto Rico is necessarily a part of the Biden administrations clean energy goals, which include reaching net-zero carbon emissions economy-wide by 2050. In Puerto Rico, building toward this goal will include a community-driven study known as PR100, to be carried out by the Department of Energy and Funded by FEMA, in order to determine feasible pathways for Puerto Rico to reach 100 percent renewable energy by just 2050. The final results of this study are projected to be ready by 2024. PR100 is modeled off of LA100, Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study, which determined that the city can reach 100% renewable electricity by 2045, or even 2035 on an accelerated track. The study also determined that not only are these goals feasible, they will benefit air quality and public health if coupled with electrification of other sectors. In Puerto Rico, the federal government hopes that in addition to these benefits, a clean energy transition will provide improved resilience to the islands ailing power grid. This administration is making unprecedented investments in communities to help them adapt and become more resilient," U.S. Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. "We will continue to provide the necessary resources to achieve these goals. The necessary revamp of Puerto Ricos energy system puts the island in a unique and ideal position to be the nations 100% clean energy guinea pig. If the Biden administration makes good on its on-island pledges, Puerto Rico could find itself at the vanguard of the global clean energy movement. At least 138 energy-related projects are expected to begin construction in Puerto Rico this year. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: While plenty of companies are still focused on electric planes, the lack of a significant breakthrough in that area and the infrastructure challenges it faces makes sustainable fuels more attractive. Huge companies are battling it out to produce low-carbon jet fuel as several of the worlds biggest multinationals and energy companies race to decarbonize their operations. With increasing pressure from governments and international organizations to reduce the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions being released, companies are looking for new jet fuel options to help reduce their impact. Lanzajet appears to be the answer for some. The Chicago-based company, established in 2020, is attempting to produce an alternative jet fuel that is not reliant on fossil fuels. While the company is yet to generate any revenue, it has received a significant amount of funding in recent months. This January, Microsoft provided the company with a $50 million investment, on top of already substantial funding from airlines and energy companies, such as Shell. The U.S. government also appears to be supporting Lanzajet, with the U.S. Department of Energy offering $14 million in funds to a subsidiary of the firm to build its first plant in Georgia. Lanzajet hopes to be producing tens of millions of gallons of its new sustainable jet and diesel fuels by as early as 2023. The move to develop low or zero-carbon jet fuel arose following years of failed attempts at electrifying the aviation industry. While electric planes have come a long way, they still face significant limitations, such as short battery life and heavy equipment restricting flight distance. In contrast, alternative fuels could offer aviation companies the same flight capabilities as traditional fuels, allowing them to maintain traditional flight practices as well as avoiding investment in a huge infrastructure overhaul. Many that are looking for an alternative to electric planes say that hydrogen fuel cells may offer the answer. Several companies have been developing hydrogen-powered planes in recent years, modifying existing plane engines to work with the new types of cells. Airbus expects to have its first zero-emissions, commercial hydrogen plane up and running by 2035, using liquid hydrogen tanks as fuel. However, many argue that clean hydrogen production is still much more expensive than its fossil fuel alternatives, making it an unpopular option. In comparison, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offers a power source that can be used with existing plane engines, without the need to construct a new plane framework to fit with the power source. In addition, until enough SAF is being produced to run zero-emissions flights, it can be blended with traditional jet fuel to decrease the emissions and bridge the gap. Lanzajets CEO Jimmy Samartzis explains For us, its about the urgency of needing to take action today. And SAF is the best solution for the coming years and likely two-plus decades. The race to zero-carbon jet fuel has been gaining momentum since the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced in October its plan for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This follows similar moves by several major airlines in the U.S. and Europe. With an anticipated 10 billion people flying annually by 2050, the introduction of SAF and other renewable energy sources is vital to the future of low-carbon flying. Following the COP26 climate summit last November, British Airways debuted its first SAF flight, using recycled cooking oil to power its plane. Although the company did not achieve carbon neutrality with its flight, it was a step in the right direction and an important public move to show its dedication to the development of SAF. In a similar move, 50 airlines, including Delta and Boeing, pledged to replace 20 percent of the global jet fuel with SAF by 2030, a figure that currently only equates to 0.1 percent of the industrys fuel. It seems that its not only major companies investing in the future of low-carbon aviation as state governments are also supporting the development of SAF. The U.K. government is now launching a consultation for the development of low-carbon fuels (LCFs). At present, most of LCFs are used for road transport fuels or blended with petrol and diesel. However, in the future the government expects them to be used in the aviation and maritime sectors. The U.K. anticipates an increase in SAF demand, with production equating to between 4 and 8 percent of global aviation use by 2030. Meanwhile, in India, the Air Force has approved the use of bio-jet fuel in its fleet. This follows recent interest from Indias commercial aviation industry for the adoption of SAF. However, industry experts suggest that the government needs to incentivize the adoption of SAF and ease policy restrictions for widespread adoption to take place. In Denmark, the Danish Power-to-X project Green Fuels for Denmark is expecting to complete part of its project two years earlier than originally planned. It hopes to bring 100MW of the 250MW electrolysis phase-two project forward to 2025, as well as capturing sustainable carbon dioxide that same year. This acceleration will allow for the production of 50,000 tonnes of sustainable fuel in 2025, mainly e-methanol for shipping. It marks the start of the countrys green aviation future through its Green Fuels for Denmark scheme, which it expects to also bring forward to 2025. As major companies from around the globe as well as many world governments invest heavily in the development of sustainable aviation fuel, we can expect to see low-carbon flights becoming more commonplace within the next decade. As electric and hydrogen alternatives lag behind, due to high costs and infrastructure limitations, the race is on to develop SAF that can be used across commercial operations. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Ed Morse believes the current undersupply is a seasonal phenomenon and sees the global oil balance moving back to a surplus in the second quarter. While plenty of analysts are calling for $100 oil, Citigroup sees oil prices falling to an average of $65 this year. The head of commodity analysis at Citigroup believes that there has been a colossal failure when it comes to analyzing the fundamentals of today's oil markets. Bullishness across commodity markets is overwhelming. Goldmans Jeffrey Currie summed it up earlier this week by saying This is a molecule crisis. Were out of everything, I dont care if its oil, gas, coal, copper, aluminum, you name it were out of it. Yet there is the occasional bear - and in oil, one bear is arguing that oil will fall in just a few months. Citis head of commodity analysis Ed Morse is a rare contrarian voice in a sea of commodity analysts predicting oil at $100. For a while now, Morse has argued that instead of rising much further, oil will actually fall this year, potentially averaging $65 per barrel by the end of the year. I think theres been a colossal failure of the analytical community to look at whats happening on the ground, to look at projects that have been reaching final investment decisions, to look at where the efficiency of capital is, to be blindsided by a prejudice, which says not enough capital is being spent, and decline rates are going up, Morse told Barrons in a recent interview. According to Morses teams projections for this year, global oil supply should increase by 5.5 million bpd, and this is excluding Iran, which seems to be nearing a chance to return to global oil markets if the ongoing talks about its nuclear program with the United States end with an agreement. As Bloombergs Xavier Blas noted in a recent column, Iran may already be exporting oil illicitly, and the lifting of U.S. sanctions may not change the amounts much, but the very news will be bearish for oil prices. Citis Morse is placing a specific focus on non-OPEC supply and specifically U.S. supply. Despite drillers continued financial discipline, Morse expects that U.S. crude oil production this year will rise by at least 800,000 bpd and further by more than a million barrels daily in 2023. That would bring it to a record of 13.9 million bpd, Barrons notes in the interview with the Citi commodity expert. On this, Morse agrees with the Energy Information Administration. The agency wrote in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook that it expected U.S. oil production to reach an average of 12 million bpd this year and 12.6 million bpd in 2023, a record high on an annual-average basis, the EIA noted. At the same time, however, the EIA revised up its oil price predictions for this year, suggesting demand will match increased supply if not continue exceeding it. For now, most analysts seem to think that there is a big threat of global undersupply of crude oil. Spare production capacity is the biggest problem fundamentally: it is frequently cited as a major reason for bullish oil price predictions. The global head of market analysis at Vitol, for example, recently said the commodity trader expected OPECs spare capacity to thin further this year until the only untapped spare capacity in the cartel remains in Saudi Arabia while global demand continues rising. Demand is 100 million barrels a day with a spare capacity of 2.5 million, Gunvor chief executive Torbjorn Tornqvist told Bloomberg recently. That doesnt sound like an oversupplied market, does it? To Citis Morse, however, the undersupply is a temporary affair brought about by seasonal factors. We see the near-term tightness as a winter phenomenon, and see global oil balances moving back to surplus in the second quarter, he said as quoted by Bloomberg earlier this month. To say that Morse is a rare voice among analysts would be correct. But he is not exactly alone. ConocoPhillips Ryan Lance said he was worried about the rate of production growth in the Permian. Per a Bloomberg report, Lance told investors that Im absolutely concerned about it. If youre not worried about it, you should be. Lance expects the Permian to add some 900,000 bpd this year, which, according to him, is cause for worry. Yet, according to other industry executives, such an increase would be unsustainable: the shale patch is running out of sweet spots. You just cant keep growing 15% to 20% a year, Pioneer Natural Resources Scott Sheffield told the Wall Street Journal. Youll drill up your inventories. Even the good companies. Predicting oil prices for any future moment is a tough undertaking because of the multiple factors constantly at play. Bloombergs Blas reviewed these recently in the context of Morses contrarian stance and noted that some of the Citi experts arguments that lower prices were coming instead of higher prices sound kind of far-fetched at this point. But, Blas also wrote, when everyone is bullish, I get twitchy. I imagine someone, somewhere, quietly selling and that contrarian strategy proving to be prescient in some dramatic way. Call it the oil version of The Big Short, the book and the movie about the 2008 financial crisis. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Libyas Parliament based in the east named on Thursday a new prime minister, while the incumbent refuses to step down and was reportedly a target of an assassination attempt earlier today, in yet another political rift in the OPEC oil producer. The renewed political chaos, after a failed election scheduled for end-December 2021, threatens to bring back chaos to Libyas divided institutions and raises the prospect of renewed conflict and blockades of oil ports and other energy infrastructure. The east-based Parliament on Thursday named former interior minister Fathi Bashagha to serve as a new interim prime minister. But Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, the prime minister leading the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNU), refuses to step down and to recognize the Parliaments choice. The Parliament said that al-Dbeibah and his government are no longer valid. The Libyan National Army (LNA) of eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar welcomed the appointment of Bashagha. It was LNA troopswith help from affiliated groupsthat had blockaded Libyas oil ports for nearly eight months in 2020, when Libya was barely producing and exporting any oil. Meanwhile, al-Dbeibah reportedly survived an assassination attempt earlier on Thursday, a source close to the interim government he heads told Reuters. So far, none of Libyas authorities has made any comment on the issue. After a blockade of several Libyan oilfields in December and early January, Libya managed to restore its oil production to 1.2 million bpd by the middle of last month. A pipeline shutdown for urgent repairs and a blockade of several fields, including the countrys largest oilfield, Sharara, plunged Libyas oil production to below 800,000 bpd in early January. The blockade by the Petroleum Facilities Guard had forced Libyas National Oil Corporation (NOC) to declare force majeure on exports from several ports. The return of chaos in Libya doesnt bode well for its oil production, and another major supply outage could push oil prices higher. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russia could get an additional $65 billion for its state coffers this year if higher oil prices remain resilient, Bloomberg reported this week, citing estimates made by economists. For the windfall to realize, prices need to remain around $90 per barrel of Brent for the rest of the year, according to the estimates. Yet with many forecasters expecting even higher prices later in the year, topping $100 and more, Russia may gain a lot more, up to $73 billion in additional oil revenues. With gas prices high, too, Russian fossil fuel revenues are set to go even higher in total. Russias fiscal position is so super-stable that even with more modest oil prices, its hard to compromise it in the current situation, Bloomberg quoted Renaissance Capital analyst Donets as saying. This years energy windfall looks set to be staggeringly large. Thats swelling Russias fiscal reserves at just the right time for the Kremlin, providing a bigger buffer against crisis in the event of sanctions. Geopolitics aside, it also means more flexibility to boost spending and invest in the economy, Bloomberg economist Scott Johnson told the news agency. Forecasts about oil reaching and topping $100 this year have been multiplying recently as bullish factors strengthen, led by continued strong demand coupled with the relaxation of Covid-related restrictions. Tight supply remains in the spotlight as well, despite recent forecasts about a strong rebound in U.S. oil production this year. It seems everyone is watching OPEC rather than the U.S. right now, with the cartels capacity being cited by most analysts as a big reason for their bullish forecasts. There are also geopolitical factors: on the tailwind side, there is the situation around Ukraine that, in case of escalation, could push oil prices significantly higher, and on the headwind side, there are the Iranian-U.S. nuclear talks that just might end with a deal this time. A deal would mean more Iranian barrels coming into international markets legally, but, according to analysts, this has already been factored into prices. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Despite its efforts to boost renewable energy generation at the expense of fossil fuels, the UK is facing a higher natural gas import dependency in the coming years as local production declines. The Financial Times reported it had conducted an analysis on the UK's energy needs that showed that its dependence on imported gas will deepen from about 50 percent at the moment to as much as 70 percent by 2030. A decade later, in 2040, the UK will be importing 80 percent of the natural gas it consumes, and by 2050, domestic production will only account for a modest 15 percent. The UK is among the most ambitious countries in the energy transition effort, not least because of substantial pressure on decision-makers from environmentalist organizations. New oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, as well as onshore, has been a priority for environmentalists, and it is bearing fruit. The current government, however, recently decided to approve new drilling despite the opposition. According to energy minister Greg Hands, "Flicking a switch and turning off our domestic source of gas overnight would put energy security, British jobs and industries at risk and we would be even more dependent on foreign imports," the FT wrote. The UK government is set to approve drilling at six new oil and gas fields in the North Sea, which prompted environmentalists to accuse Downing Street of "torpedoing climate action" and "disregarding science," The Independent reported earlier this week. Last week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said that more drilling in the North Sea would support more jobs for Britons and that "We have resources in the North Sea, and we want to encourage investment in that because we're going to need natural gas as part of our transition to getting to net zero," as quoted by The Independent. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Amazon Air has launched daily cargo service out of Eppley Airfield. Amazons air network helps with delivering packages across longer distances. The company has gateway operations and regional hubs scattered across the country. This is the companys first regional gateway in Nebraska. The first flight arrived shortly after 2:40 a.m. Thursday. Silver Airways will operate daily flights for Amazon Air between Omaha and Forth Worth Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, using an ATR72-500 aircraft. Amazon officials said in a statement that customers in Nebraska, western Iowa and the surrounding region have shown an increased demand in orders. We are excited to expand Amazon Air to provide greater capacity for shipping packages, said Chris Preston, director of Amazon Air Gateway Operations. Amazon has invested more than $250 million in Nebraska over the past decade, officials said, including infrastructure and compensation to employees. Amazon Air will work out of the airports cargo area, which also includes operators like FedEx, UPS and DHL, said Steve McCoy, chief information and development officer for the Omaha Airport Authority. The Amazon Air flight will arrive and depart in the early morning hours, McCoy said. Passenger airlines also carry cargo and mail in the belly of the planes, McCoy said. Moving cargo in and out of the airport is part of what makes Eppley Airfield a transportation hub in the region, he said. Omaha World-Herald: Afternoon Update The latest headlines sent at 4:45 p.m. daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An Omaha software company has fired an employee after its workers disrupted a Delta flight and one of them reportedly used the N-word. Buildertrend CEO Dan Houghton said Wednesday that based on actions that do not align with Buildertrends values and standards of conduct, one employee has been terminated. Houghton also apologized and said the investigation into the incident continues with internal and external parties to learn as much as possible so that we can take appropriate action. We sincerely apologize to the passengers and employees of Delta Air Lines; to our employees and customers; our partners in business and philanthropy; and to the communities we serve, Houghton said in a statement. According to passengers on the Monday flight, a group of people who had been drinking in an airport bar boarded the Delta Air Lines flight from Eppley Airfield to New York City and continued to be loud from the back of the plane. A number of those in the group were wearing masks with the Buildertrend logo. Laura Austin, a Creighton University graduate who was on the flight, said a Black flight attendant went to the back of the plane to talk with the passengers and came back very shaken. She told us that she asked some people to put their masks on, and someone called her the N-word, Austin said. Houghtons statement did not directly address the use of a racial slur, but did say he shared the frustration, disgust and concern that many have expressed in the wake of this incident. This behavior does not reflect our values we hold as a company, Houghton said. In the Monday incident, the plane, which had begun to taxi for takeoff, returned to the gate, Austin said, and everyone on board was told to get off. After airport police investigated, she said, noticeably fewer people from the Buildertrend group got back on the plane. Austin said someone from Delta then came onto the plane to talk to the flight attendant, who was upset because two of the four people who she said had been causing problems earlier were back on the plane. Austin said the flight attendant told the Delta official that she did not want to fly with those two on the plane, so they were escorted off. Delta Flight 5593 originally was scheduled to take off at 1:10 p.m., but issues with the weather and the passengers delayed the flight until 3:40 p.m. According to Eppley Police Chief Tim Conahan, Delta officials told airport police that the group wasnt complying with mask rules and regulations. Members of the group who Conahan said may have been intoxicated became loud and vocal. He said one flight attendant told officials that she thought one of the passengers had used a racial slur toward her. Four members of the group were removed from the flight, and no charges were filed, Conahan said. Buildertrend, an Omaha-based company located near 118th and I Streets, designs software for the construction industry and has enjoyed rapid growth since its founders started in an Omaha basement. According to a 2019 World-Herald story, the companys workplace has a competitive but informal atmosphere. The office had pool tables, video games, a putting green and four kinds of beer on tap that were free to workers at the end of the day. Houghton said in the statement Wednesday that the company takes these accounts of unacceptable behavior extremely seriously. ... (We) are working diligently to determine all requisite next steps. It is our promise to continue being outstanding stewards of the community and our employees. We will learn from this experience and continue to grow as a company, Houghton said. Omaha World-Herald: Afternoon Update The latest headlines sent at 4:45 p.m. daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two women were arrested in a Kearney trailer park Wednesday afternoon following a high-speed chase in central Nebraska. The Nebraska State Patrol provided the following account in a statement Wednesday evening: At about 3 p.m. Wednesday, a state trooper saw a Chevrolet Malibu speeding on U.S. Highway 30 near Shelton. The trooper attempted to pull the car over but it sped off and the trooper gave chase. The Malibu left Highway 30 and sped along rural roads before returning to the highway, where it reached speeds of 100 mph. At this point, the car was heading east on U.S. 30. The car entered Gibbon and the trooper backed off. A second trooper on the other side of Gibbon picked up the pursuit and the car continued fleeing, reaching speeds of 120 mph. As the car approached Kearney, the patrol discontinued the pursuit out of a concern for public safety. However, in Kearney, local police officers aided by deputies from the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office located the Malibu. It had been abandoned and the two occupants had fled into Valley View Mobile Home Park, where both were arrested. The entire incident lasted less than an hour. The driver was a 22-year-old woman from Omaha and companion was a 28-year-old woman from Kearney. They were taken to Buffalo County Jail and booked on various charges. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts proposal to build a canal and reservoir system to preserve water Nebraska gets from the South Platte River that enters from Colorado attracted a wave of support at a public hearing Wednesday. Supporters of the plan told the Legislatures Natural Resources Committee that the project would be vital to maintaining flows and benefit the state as more people move to Colorados Front Range. If we dont protect our water, we are undermining the very foundation of what our state economy is, Ricketts testified. There will be no prosperity if we dont manage our water for the future. Along with the governor, supporters Wednesday included natural resources districts, agricultural groups, Nebraska Public Power District and Lincoln Transportation and Utilities. However, environmental groups werent as keen on the project. Legislative Bill 1015 would give the states Department of Natural Resources the authority it needs to build and maintain a canal and reservoir system to divert water from the South Platte in Colorado a project officials say would allow Nebraska to claim water in winter months under the 1923 South Platte River Compact. The compact already ensures Nebraska 120 cubic feet per second between April 1 and Oct. 15. The canal would also allow the state to claim 500 cfs of water for irrigation outside that growing season. Initial construction efforts of such a canal launched in 1891 but were abandoned because of financial troubles. Another pursuit in the 1980s faltered for not complying with the requirements of the Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. Potential routes for a canal and locations for reservoirs havent been shared, and theres a long line of hurdles to clear before they could become a reality. And water experts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have pointed out that its uncertain how much water Nebraska could actually get out of such a canal, an especially pertinent fact given the price tag. Ricketts proposed budget includes a $400 million transfer from the states Cash Reserve Fund, along with $100 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, to pay for the project. According to a fiscal note, costs to complete the project would likely surpass that initial $500 million.Ricketts called it a bargain compared to what Colorado seems ready to spend on water projects. But LB 1015 doesnt specify the funding sources, which are detailed in separate bills. It gets specific about what the department would be able to do, allowing it to contract, get permits, acquire and own property, employ people and manage a new fund dedicated to the project. It also specifically authorizes the department to acquire real estate using eminent domain, as is allowed under the compact, and to resolve any disputes that come up. When pitching the canal, state officials often cite projects in Colorado they say could deplete flows by 90%. However, Colorado officials have disputed those claims. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has previously said Ricketts comments seemed to reflect a misunderstanding of the states local roundtable process, and that the ideas shouldnt be interpreted as formally approved projects that will come to fruition. Ricketts and others on Wednesday also mentioned a bill recently introduced in the Colorado Legislature that would require the states water conservation board to prioritize funding water storage in the South Platte River basin. State Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, speaker of the Legislature and sponsor of the bill, said that whether the 90% forecast is accurate is an open question. Whether thats precise, I cant say, he said. But whats inevitable is that growth will continue to up the demand on the Platte River unless we do something. The canal would serve as insurance, he said, so that the state continues to get the water its entitled to under the compact. Tom Riley, the director of the state Department of Natural Resources, called the project central to water security in the state. He said the estimated economic impact of losing just a portion of the water would be over $1 billion. In my 35 years as a water resources engineer practicing in the field Ive never seen a more important water project for Nebraska, he said. Without it, if Colorado were to drastically deplete the water coming over the state line, he said Nebraska would have to make up for those losses which today would mean using water from Lake McConaughy or the North Platte River system. That means lake levels would be lower, impacting hydropower production and water supply for farmers and cities, he said. Riley estimated that construction on the project could start as soon as 2025 and that the state could be using the canal within a decade. Don Batie, a farmer who testified on behalf of the Nebraska Farm Bureau and other agricultural organizations, called the project a bold move thats needed to protect water supply. Joseph Citta with Nebraska Public Power District detailed the river flows journey across Nebraska, and how along with power production it contributes to recreation, groundwater recharge, the environment and irrigation supply. With few exceptions, waters required for NPPD to provide low-cost and reliable power for the people of Nebraska, he said. John Winkler with the Omaha-based Papio Missouri River Natural Resources District said the effort would help Omaha and Lincoln, which rely partially or completely on the Platte River basin for water. Similarly, Elizabeth Elliott, director of Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, testified that the 2012 drought offered a look at water shortage issues that would be ahead if flows were reduced. After reviewing the data, we believe the canal will assist in keeping water flow at its current level and offer some protection for the state in times of drought, she said. However, Al Davis, a lobbyist for the Nebraska chapter of the Sierra Club, listed several reasons the organization is opposed to the idea. The river, he said, is a fragile ecosystem, which has already been dramatically altered by the interference of mankind. Wildlife will pay the price for a frivolous and unnecessary project designed to produce more corn and more soybeans, he said. He also questioned the price, and said unanswered questions include whether the project is viable and realistic, how long lawsuits could delay construction, federal rules and regulations to be cleared, and more. There are far too many unanswered questions to tie up $500 million for decades when that money could be used for the immediate benefit of Nebraskans, Davis said. Representatives with Audubon Nebraska and the Nature Conservancy testified as neutral, also raising questions and concerns theyd like considered. Throughout the hearing, Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha raised questions regarding whether Nebraska could accomplish the same goal without spending $500 million on the canal project. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha said hes not opposed to the project, but he had concerns about liabilities that could be associated with the canal in the future. And, he said, he has a problem when he looks at the community he represents thats seeking the same kind of investment but its not being treated the same. Wayne has proposed spending $450 million of federal COVID-19 relief in North Omaha. My communitys telling me, Youre going to spend $500 million on a canal for western Nebraska but were only getting $12 million in North Omaha? he said, referencing spending in the governors proposal thats devoted to improvements along North 24th Street. Thats the struggle that Im dealing with. Near the end of the hearing, Wayne asked Hilgers if hed be willing to consider allocating less money to the project and trying to negotiate with Colorado before triggering actual construction. Hilgers resisted that idea: I view this as a real ask for a real project that requires $500 million. If the goal, though, is to renegotiate, which I dont think thats the goal the goal is to get this project done it seems to me that the best way to do that is to put your strongest foot forward and then see what Colorado comes back with. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A bill creating a series of public databases of police officers whose credibility has been questioned by prosecutors ran into a hard line of opposition from law enforcement groups Wednesday. State Sen. Terrell McKinneys Legislative Bill 882 would require law enforcement agencies to create and maintain a public list of officers who would be subject to a Brady disclosure in court. The U.S. Supreme Court determined in the 1963 case Brady v. Maryland that prosecutors must disclose potentially exculpatory evidence in a criminal case to the defense. Such evidence includes cases in which an officer involved in a case has a confirmed record of lying in their official capacity or some other misconduct that could impact their credibility in court. A do not call list of the so-called Brady cops is often maintained by prosecuting attorneys. McKinney said making those lists open to the public would improve transparency of law enforcement and hold those agencies accountable. Its not the publics fault an officer lands on this list, McKinney told the Legislatures Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. That said, the public should be aware of who is on this list. Opponents of public disclosure, the Omaha lawmaker said, wanted business as usual from law enforcement. The bill had the support of Media of Nebraska, an organization of print and broadcast outlets from across the state, which said publishing the list would make information already compiled by law enforcement agencies available to the public. Any claim that the list would infringe on privacy is outweighed in the publics interest in law enforcement accountability, said Korby Gilbertson, an attorney representing the states media outlets. Spike Eickholt of ACLU of Nebraska said making the Brady list public would also hold accountable prosecutors who have an obligation to provide those officers names to the defendants attorneys. Law enforcement agencies, however, said making the Brady list public served no purpose but to damage the reputation of police officers, and called into question the process for determining which officers had credibility problems. Anthony Conner, president of the Omaha police union, said there is no standard for prosecutors to follow in putting officers on a Brady list, explaining to the committee that some are put on the list after an internal affairs investigation, while others are placed on the list for different reasons. Conner said one officer in Altoona, Iowa, was put on a Brady list after it was discovered he had taken part in a fraternity prank that involved stealing firewood before becoming a police officer. Conner also said the Brady list had been used to retaliate against officers who had become whistleblowers within their department, or to punish officers who may have supported a different political candidate. This bill does absolutely nothing to enhance public safety, Conner said. The clear purpose of (LB 882), in our view, is to publicly and punitively jeopardize the reputations and careers of those who serve in law enforcement. Lincoln police union President Jeff Sorensen said an officers name appearing on a public Brady list would follow them even if they left law enforcement. Sorensen and others who testified Wednesday also said officers have little to no recourse to have their Brady designations removed, and would not be able to challenge having their identities broadcast publicly under McKinneys proposal. The bill was also opposed by the Nebraska County Attorneys Association and the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police. Jim Maguire, president of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police, said a bill passed last year, LB 51, already created a public database of law enforcement officers convicted of a crime or who resign as a result of an investigation. The Judiciary Committee did not take any action on LB 882 on Wednesday. LINCOLN Nebraska lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday that would allow employees to claim health or religious exemptions from employer-mandated COVID-19 vaccines. An amended version of Legislative Bill 906, introduced by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, cleared the first of three rounds of debate on a 33-0 vote. Hansen said he introduced the measure out of concern about Nebraskans being forced to choose between their jobs and the COVID-19 vaccine. He said individuals have the right to make decisions that affect their future and employers should recognize that right. He said he worked with a number of interested parties, including business and health care groups, to find a compromise. He settled on a version that mirrors federal guidelines for vaccine exemptions. We had to run a very fine line to make this work for all, Hansen said. However, some senators raised concerns that the bill didnt go far enough to protect employees who object to COVID vaccinations, while others said it went too far in catering to such employees. Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte called the bill anti-science for not taking into account immunity gained from COVID infections. He also argued that requiring unvaccinated people to mask and get tested amounted to discrimination. Another critic, Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson, said he supported the bills concept but wished it would do more, including protecting college students. I was hoping it would be a little bit, not as watered down, he said. On the other side, Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha criticized the bill for getting the government involved in relations between employer and employee. She said vaccination is a choice and that people who dont want to get vaccinated can find other jobs. What about the right to work in a safe environment? she asked. Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, whose father died of COVID-19, said it was difficult to listen to people objecting to vaccines that could prevent severe illness. I wish to God my dad were alive and he could get a vaccination, he said. As introduced, LB 906 would have allowed employees to be exempted from a workplace vaccine mandate by filling out a state-produced form and declaring that they were refusing the vaccine because of their strong moral, ethical or philosophical belief or conviction. The amended version would apply only to the COVID-19 vaccine, not all vaccine mandates. It would provide for medical exemptions, with a written statement from a doctor or other health care provider. It also would require that employers provide exemptions to people who declare on a state form that the vaccine conflicts with their sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance. Employers could require unvaccinated workers to be tested regularly and to wear masks or other protective equipment. The bill also would make clear that the proposed Nebraska exemptions would not conflict with federal requirements for hospitals and other entities covered by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services standards. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal vaccine mandate for health care providers that participate in the federal Medicare or Medicaid programs. Nebraska was one of two dozen states that challenged the mandate, which effectively delayed the enforcement date, the Associated Press reported. The deadline to receive the first dose of the vaccine in those states is Monday. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Pillen support Just a few comments on Rebecca Shusters letter (Pulse, Feb. 3). If she will watch the Pillen ad again, she may find at least part of it a little less disgusting. Note that when he pumps or, in Shusters words, cocks the gun, it signals his dog to take off hunting for a pheasant or quail. Im almost certain the dog is not hunting for Dr. Fauci. As to Pillens attack on Dr. Fauci, his comments are pretty reserved, considering how this "renowned expert" confused the American public with so much contradictory information relating to COVID-19. Amen to Shusters closing sentence God help Nebraska if he is our next governor. However, I would quickly add that a whole lot more Nebraskans will be asking for Gods help if Pillen is not our next governor. Anthony Schieffer, Columbus, Neb. Government censorship LB 1077 is a dangerous proposal that projects a future of autocratic government censorship. To make it a punishable offense to teach about systemic racism or sexism is a blow to the heart of our democracy. Its astounding how anyone could believe that there has never been systemic racism or sexism in our state and national history, or that these two problems are not still with us today. At the heart of these, and other proposals like it, is conservative, white Christian peoples fears about losing the power that they have held for most of the history of our country, most often through violence and/oppression. As we continue to try to build a more equitable society for ourselves and our children, we must strongly reject these oppressive legislative attacks on our democracy. Kevin Lawler, Omaha LB1077 thoughts LB1077 was recently introduced to the Unicameral. The text of the bill states its goal as, Prohibit public schools, public postsecondary institutions, and governmental entities from training or teaching certain concepts relating to race and sex and provide for withholding of state funds. This bill has the potential to seriously harm Nebraskas students. Would a government teacher get in trouble for using the civil rights movement to encourage civic participation? Would a U.S. history teacher be banned from teaching about the damage done by Jim Crow? Would a world history teacher be fired for teaching the horrors of the slave trade? Would a school lose funding because a health teacher taught about safe sex for LGBTQ students? Nebraska is a diverse state and all kids deserve the best education possible. Do we really want to be the state that censors teachers and takes away funding from Nebraskas kids? I hope not. Josh Jablonski, Omaha Prison coverage The series of articles on Nebraskas prison overcrowding/staffing problems has been excellent. The scope of the reporting has been invaluable. It is my hope that our legislators and administrators will use the information and perspective that the articles provide to make informed decisions regarding this longstanding problem. Thank you for this important contribution to finding a solution. Jude Lessmann, Omaha Mask mandate Thank you to the governor, attorney general, and several city council and county board members for opposing the city mask mandate initiated by the county health director. This pandemic is now nothing more than an endemic and its time to move on and allow life, work, and school activities to return to pre-2020 levels. If youre at risk and you believe the mask protects you, keep wearing it; if your trusted medical professional advises you to get the vaccine, then make that choice. Medical mandates as conditions of existence, in society and employment, are an overreach. Brian Parizek, Omaha Hospital visit Dr. Dan Johnson, UNMCs division chief of critical care, has invited any public figure who opposes non-pharmaceutical interventions to help slow the pandemic, such as mask requirements, to visit UNMCs COVID wards. Will Gov. Ricketts, Attorney General Peterson, Mayor Stothert and council members Brinker Harding, Aimee Melton, and Don Rowe, who oppose mask mandate, accept the invitation? I, and many others, hope they will and await their decision. Theresa Shepard, Omaha URBANA A Clarence resident on Wednesday pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to domestic terrorism spanning from October 2017 to March 2018. Emily C. Hari, formerly known as Michael B. Hari, 50, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats and violence, attempted arson, unlawful possession of a machinegun and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Prosecutors said Hari formed and became the leader of a militia group called Patriot Freedom Fighters, also nicknamed White Rabbits, in late 2017 and began committing violent crimes, including planting a pipe bomb at the Womens Health Practice in Champaign Nov. 7, 2017. A different pipe bomb also was planted in February 2018 on a Clarence residents home who Hari was accused of assaulting a year earlier, according to court documents. In December 2017, Hari and co-conspirators traveled armed to Ambia, Indiana, pretending to be law enforcement officers executing a search warrant on a Hispanic person they thought was involved in drug trafficking. Hari and co-defendants tied up the residents and left the home after searching for drugs and money, prosecutors said. They also entered two Walmart stores in Watseka and Mount Vernon in December 2017 armed in attempt to take money, court documents said. Hari and two co-conspirators also used an incendiary device to try to sabotage railroad tracks owned by the Canadian National Railway in January 2018. They then demanded $190,000 in cryptocurrency from the Canadian National Railway through an anonymous email, prosecutors said. The FBI later seized weapons, including machineguns, at a member of the militias residence in Clarence, prosecutors said. Hari remains in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 13 at the U.S. courthouse in Urbana. A federal judge in Minnesota previously sentenced Hari to 53 years in prison for charges related to an August 2017 firebombing at a mosque there. Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Correction: Previous versions of this article had an incorrect employment for Dusty Carey and misspelled Mark Weaver's name. This version has been corrected. BLOOMINGTON Parents are pushing back against the Bloomington District 87 school board's continued enforcement of the mask mandate in school buildings. The district has held to the mandates despite a ruling last week by a Sangamon County judge. District 87 was not a party to the lawsuit so says the ruling does not apply to it, while many other districts in the state, including within McLean County, have decided to rescind their mandates. During the Wednesday school board meeting, parent Mark Weaver said one of this daughters has been attempting to attend school without a mask and has been either sent home or isolated in a principals office when she tries to do so. He has two daughters, both of whom attend Bent Elementary. I understand your hands were tied before, but this court ruling means you can stop enforcing these illegal mandates () tonight," he said. "It is disappointing to see you are choosing to ignore and interpret the ruling differently than the majority of schools in our county. He encouraged District 87 to follow the majority of districts in the county and stop enforcing the mandate. District 87, McLean County Unit 5 and Illinois State Laboratory Schools have all told The Pantagraph they intend to continue enforcing the mandate. After the meeting, District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly said that there had been a few instances of students not wearing masks, but they were few in number compared to the overall enrollment of the school. He hopes that an appeal to the judges ruling, which was filed by the Illinois Attorney Generals office, will provide a clear answer on the mandates for all schools in the state, not just those named in the initial lawsuit. On Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he planned to lift most of the statewide indoor mask mandate on Feb. 28. However, he plans to keep it in place in schools pending the appeal decision. On the topic of masks, the board also heard from Dusty Carey and Nick Riordan. Carey, a former employee of the district who works with special needs students, talked about the difficulties students with hearing disabilities have with learning while those around them are wearing masks. It is important for these students that they can see their teachers mouths to be able to read lips. Riordan also encouraged the board to eliminate the districts COVID mandates. By all means, this should be an individual choice between a person and their doctor, he said. In his report, Reilly said that staffing continues to be a struggle for the district but things are showing signs of improvement. Earlier in the semester the district was seeing around 100 teacher absences a day. On Wednesday that was down below 60. The lack of substitutes is also being felt. Around 70% of classes with absent teachers were covered by a substitute on Wednesday, he said. Earlier in the semester that number had been below 50%. When substitutes are not available, often other teachers are the ones who cover the class, cutting into their planning time. While thats promising, thats still a lot of classes that teachers are covering, he said. In its actions, the board approved a new math curriculum for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Illustrative Mathematics, from the Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, provides materials in both English and Spanish and meets other district requirements for standards and technology. The change will require $149,000 this spring in start-up costs, including purchasing teacher guides, manuals, student journals and the other tools and teaching aides. Purchasing the yearly required materials will cost around $60,000 a year going forward. The board also approved its yearly letter of understanding with the Bloomington Education Association on any end of school year reduction in force. The 2022-2023 school year will start on Aug. 18 for District 87 students, with classes scheduled to end May 25, 2023. There are five emergency days includes after the end of classes, should the district need to close during an instruction day. District 87 will have to use four emergency days this year, pushing the last day for students back to June 1. Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. NORMAL More than 20 Illinois State University students showed off their research in a creative way by condensing their work into a single still image. Depictions varied from photos of flowers to microscope images to diagrams in the third annual Images of Research display. The event included submissions from both graduate and undergraduate students. This year, I think our submissions are the best weve ever had, said Gina Hunter, organizer and director of the Office of Student Research. Along with their image, students submitted a short explanation of how their image represented their research. Students came from across many academic disciplines, including STEM, humanities and arts. Thats what I love about the competition, it really is open to any research, Hunter said. I just think it inspires creativity. The works were judged by two guest judges who spoke at ISU this school year: Cecil McDonald Jr., a Chicago-based artist, and Kandace Rusnak, the national director of The New York Times Education B2B program which sells The Times to educational institutions around the world. The winners were announced at an event on Wednesday evening at University Galleries in Uptown Normal. Along with McDonald and Rusnaks selections, two peoples choice awards were also given out, based on voting throughout the day by visitors to the galleries. Katelyn Tenuto took home first place for the undergraduate division. Her work, Unraveling the Consequence of Human Longevity, showed he sorority little in a composite image showing one half of her face as she is now and one half aged up digitally. Tenuto wanted to highlight the importance of genetic testing, especially as people are living longer and diseases like cancer who up more in older people. Its supposed to give off kind of a solemn (feeling), she said. Graduate fine arts student Cooper Gibson submitted a photo called What Miss Piggy and fried bologna have taught me, which is a still from a larger film project. Its important that art gets represented in research, Gibson said. Anthropology student Sarah Pattersons image, Complete Evidence, received an honorable mention in the undergraduate category. It showed a deer bone which had been cut with a handsaw. The work is focused on using deer bones as an analogue for human bones, to represent dismemberment. Imagine every episode of Forensic Files, thats basically what I do every day, Patterson said. The work she is doing is especially important because it may not only be used in academics but also in court, Patterson said. To be accurate, the bones not just be bones but also include the other tissues that would be present. Other honorable mention award winners for undergraduates were Joseph Hoberg from Geology and Madison Steines from Conservation Biology. Shaniya Barnett from Molecular and Cellular Biology took second place and Steines also won peoples choice. Among graduate entries, the honorable mentions went to Rochele Gloor from Create Technologies, Elyse McCormick from Biology and Trevor Rickerd from Molecular Biology. Agriscience student Bethany Wohrley won second place with her pennycress image and Elliot Lusk won first for a biology image titled Psychedelic Songbird Cerebellum. McCormick also won people's choice. All of the images can be seen on the event's page on the Office of Student Research website. Correction: An earlier version of this article had an incorrect spelling of Shaniya Barrett's name. This version has been corrected. Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. That means a two-week public comment period has opened for the proposal, which was presented Wednesday in a virtual meeting from the McLean County Emergency Management Agency headquarters. A survey is at mcleancountyil.gov. Andrea Bostwick-Campbell, emergency management services manager with the American Environmental Corporation, at the meeting went over the planning process from the past year, explained how people can access the draft of the plan and reviewed potential funding sources for mitigation projects. Hazards included in the draft range from severe summer storms with winds, hail, lightning and heavy rain, to severe winter storms with snow and ice, plus, tornadoes, floods, excessive heat and cold, drought, earthquakes, dam failures, mine subsidence and artificial hazards. Bostwick defined mitigations as any sustained action that reduces the long term risk to people and property from natural and manmade hazards. Examples she cited would be warming and cooling centers, adopting flood plain ordinances, and building community shelters. Bostwick said mitigation is an important component of building hazard-resilient communities. While we know that natural hazards can't be avoided, their impacts can be reduced through effective mitigation planning and implementation of those projects, she said. Bostwick said following the public comment period, the plan will be sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which could give its approval by July. The countys mitigation plan committee would then be able to adopt it. She also clarified that the mitigation plan differs from a county's Emergency Operations Plan in that mitigation actions to be taken before a disaster strikes are proposed, whereas the EOP describes how jurisdictions respond during and immediately after an event occurs. Cathy Beck, Acting Director of McLean County EMA, said getting the plan ready to submit for FEMA's review has been a long process. In total, 166 mitigation projects and actions are included in the draft. The complete document ranges 530 pages in length. Reaction to Illinois dropping mask rule The following statements were released regarding Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state mask mandate. This story will be updated. Thirteen villages, towns and cities in the county are submitting proposals in the draft, plus McLean County, Bloomington Public Schools District No. 87, McLean County Schools Unit No. 5, six firefighting agencies, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Heartland Community College and the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District. Bostwick said the biggest reason for the plan is access to federal mitigation assistance, adding that certain types of funding requires jurisdictions to be part of a FEMA-approved mitigation plan. Across the country, she said, FEMA is encouraging counties to update or develop mitigation plans. What FEMA found, Bostwick said, is that for every dollar spent on mitigation, they can reach $6 in savings. Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON Thirty-three years after he stepped into The Pantagraph, Barry Winterland is retiring from his role as regional finance director at Lee Enterprises, including properties in southeastern Wisconsin, and general manager of Lees Central and Southern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin properties. It has been an amazing 41-year career, with 33 of those 41 coming in this industry working with some of the finest people on the planet, he said in an announcement to Lee employees. Winterland earned a bachelors degree and Master of Business Administration at Illinois State University before beginning his career that led him to Growmark, IAA and IAA Credit Union. March 27 will mark 33 years since he joined The Pantagraph as business manager. Over the years, his responsibilities grew to include Lees other Central Illinois properties the Herald & Review in Decatur, JG-TC in Mattoon and Woodford County Journal and beyond to the Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale as well as the Racine Journal Times, Kenosha News and Lake Geneva Regional News in Wisconsin, among others. "Barry is a great believer in The Pantagraph and our mission, and his dedication is unmatched," said Chris Coates, the Central Illinois editor for Lee Enterprises. "He deserves a huge thanks from all of us." In his time with Lee Enterprises, Winterland has overseen finance, advertising, circulation, human resources and other elements of the organization. Its an amazing business, he said. The thing that keeps me going and keeps, I think, most of us going is how important local journalism is. I try to run the business side of it so that we can have strong local journalism, whether it be print or digital. If you lose strong local journalism, youve lost a lot. Thats a core value in our community, I believe. Winterland said watching the transformation from a solely print news model to an enhanced digital and multimedia product has been the biggest change in his time working with the media company. Weve always been a 24/7 news operation, but now not only are we a 24/7 news operation, we deliver the news 24/7, whereas before it was only one time every morning, he said. Now theres no limit to how many times we update a story and no limit to when the story can go up. For his final months with Lee, Winterland will work more closely with the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star in Nebraska before his retirement on June 30. Winterland said he will miss the people he has worked with over the years, but looking ahead to his retirement day feels great actually. Im looking forward to spending a lot more time with my family and friends, for sure, and just basically being able to have the freedom to do what I want to do when I want to do it, he said. He and his wife, Laura, are excited to travel more and theyre probably going to try to stay away from the cold weather in the winter time. Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The following statements were released regarding Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state mask mandate. This story will be updated. "Illinois kids and parents go into day five of J.B. Pritzkers mask mandate mess. Today, he will compound the chaos by beginning to lift the mandate for the general public but keep it in place for schools. Other states, including those with Democratic Governors, have figured this out. But when politics, not people, are your main concern as Governor, this is what happens. COVID chaos and a crime epidemic are Pritzkers legacy. Its time to take our state back." Gary Rabine, GOP governor candidate It is now abundantly clear that JB Pritzkers scientists are actually the Governors of NY, NJ, CT and California. What a joke. And now he is saying that kids in school are different than adults at the workplace and all because he cant keep his own bruised ego in check. Everyday more and more school districts, parents, and children are walking away from him in outright revolt! How dare a parent make a decision in their own childs best interest - not JB Pritzkers political interest. But, boy, is he ever going to show them how smart he is moving to punish all those who defy him. Well, I say, give it a rest man, get your ego in check, and realize what the scientists, err, I mean the Governors of NY, NJ, CT, and California have already figured out (oops, looks like the cool kid group of governors apparently forgot to include you in the memo). Never mind that the rest of the country never punished children and their parents in the first place. State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet One has to wonder if this is just about winning a lawsuit and maintaining his ability to exercise power over the people of this state. The Governors continued piecemeal approach isnt working and leads to confusion and frustration. Its time to get back to living in a sense of normalcy and that begins with empowering individuals to be responsible for themselves. Learning to live with COVID-19 means getting to the point where we trust individuals and families to make the best decisions for their own health and safety. Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 With Illinois schools blocked from Gov. J.B. Pritzkers plan to lift the statewide mask mandate, frustrated educators and parents said escalating tensions and plunging virus rates heighten the need for a pandemic exit strategy for beleaguered school districts. Pritzker announced Wednesday that the indoor mask mandate for most public places would end Feb. 28, and suggested details about the future of masking at schools will be revealed in the coming weeks. But the change for the general public arrives as Illinois school districts continue to struggle with unrest and uncertainty in the wake of an Illinois judges decision that the governors mask mandate for schools was authorized illegally. At Elgin-based Unit School District 46, Superintendent Tony Sanders said Wednesday that while virus numbers are declining, the district is proceeding with caution and still enforcing the mask requirement with the exception of a handful of students whose parents are plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed against 146 school districts, including District 46. But Sanders said with the governors announcement that the general public will be allowed to unmask by the end of the month, schools do need an exit strategy. Its too soon right now to remove masks for students and staff, as our cases locally are still higher from what they were last year, but at the same time, it would be great to have metrics or know what target we are aiming for to ease some of the restrictions on schools, Sanders said. John Burkey, executive director of the Large Unit District Association, and a former school district superintendent, said Illinois school districts that are still requiring masks are having an increasingly tough time enforcing the mandate, especially with no end in sight to the virus mitigation rules. Its really important that our school leaders, teachers and parents know what the off ramp for the mitigations looks like, Burkey said. They have to know when it might end, even if its not today, and it would really help if the state took the lead in providing that information. Officials with the Archdiocese of Chicagos Catholic schools told parents Wednesday that they determined COVID-19 case numbers in their schools and communities are low enough to make masks optional, but they will still be required in schools where lawful local health department orders mandate them. That means masks will be optional beginning Thursday at archdiocese schools in Lake County and most of suburban Cook County, but still required at schools in Chicago, Oak Park and Evanston, Superintendent Greg Richmond said. Richmond said the school system currently has no classrooms in quarantine anywhere in our archdiocese and we have no schools that have more than 3% of their students currently testing positive, and nearly half of our schools are reporting no cases at all. Archdiocese schools are complying with local health department orders that still require masking and will lift the mask mandate when we can, Richmond said. For Andrew Tourville, whose daughter is a kindergartner at Queen of Martyrs Catholic School in Evergreen Park, news of the archdioceses sudden change of heart on mandatory masking was bittersweet. My daughter will be able to be maskless tomorrow, but unfortunately, the children who go to school a half mile away in Chicago will still have to wear masks, Tourville said. While a growing number of public schools have shifted this week from mandatory masking to mask recommended or mask optional, the governors plans to lift the mandate for the general public has prompted more parents to demand plans for a virus mitigation departure for their local schools. With steep declines in COVID-19 case counts in Cook County and ample access to vaccinations for children and adults, it is time for our local school district to reassess the policies put in place months ago, said Chris Beer, a parent from Wilmette. Parents should have our rights to choose what we believe is safest for ourselves or our children, Beer said. Still, the mask optional movement sweeping school districts this week has been difficult for some parents, including Robyn Swanson, a mother of three from Arlington Heights. Swansons 13-year-old twin sons had liver transplants as toddlers and are immunocompromised, placing them at heightened risk of illness if they were to contract the virus. The school is being as helpful as they can be, and they sent an email out to the parents with students in my sons classes, letting them know that immunocompromised students are in the classroom, and encouraging them to mask, but they cant make it a requirement, Swanson said. While many parents heeded the call to mask their children, several did not, leaving Swanson worried, and without options. The judges ruling was kind of murky and unclear to say the least, but many school districts choose the path of least litigation, Swanson said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Global Media Alliance, organizers of the prestigious Ghana Beverage Awards (GBA), have officially announced the close of nominations for the 6th edition of the awards scheduled for March this year. The nominations which were open from the 15th of December 2021 to February 7, 2022, provided the general public and beverage companies the avenue to select their favourite beverages from 18 competitive categories encompassing both local and foreign beverages. In all, over 500 nominations were received comprising both brand nominations and public nominations. Commenting Chief Executive Officer for Global Media Alliance, Ernest Boateng, expressed his appreciation to Ghanaians and the beverage companies for support and patronage over the years and for constantly availing themselves to partake in the nomination phase which contributed significantly towards a successful climax. Over the years, we have seen a growth in the number of entries for this phase. This is a clear indication that Ghanaians and beverage companies in Ghana have embraced the awards scheme. As organizers, we are very grateful for their immense support and for the confidence reposed in us and we pledge our commitment to the growth of the beverage industry through this means. Feedback from you, our patrons, has been phenomenal in the successes GBA has chalked in its six-year journey and for this we are most grateful. As always, we are open to your input all in the spirit of transforming the awards scheme for the better, he added. An industry first and is organized under the theme, Inspiring Excellence in Ghanas Beverage Industry, GBA seeks to promote both local and foreign beverages as well as the participation of small-scale beverage enterprises in the awards scheme. With time, the award scheme has proven itself a tool for the promotion of best practices within the beverage industry whiles cementing its position as the benchmark for identifying beverage companies that are in touch with their markets and contributing significantly to the Ghanaian economy. In a lead up to this years awards, a beverage industry tour will be organized in February for the GBA board to visit all nominated industries to familiarize with their work and practices. Also, there would be the institution of Beverage Segments across selected media platforms as a way of exciting the public ahead of the main event whiles promoting our local beverages & enhancing the knowledge of the public about their favourite beverages. Ghana Beverage Awards (GBA is proudly supported by the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG), Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), Food Research Institute (FRI) under CSI, Perception Management International (PMI), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ministry of Trade & Industry and Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture. It is partnered by Neesim FM Bolga, Neesim FM Tamale Akonoba FM, Citi FM, Happy FM, YFM, and e.TV, Ghanaweb, Daily Guide and Business and Financial Times on the media front. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video SIC Insurance PLC, Ghanas largest general insurance company has inaugurated a five-member audit committee to help strengthen the companys Enterprise Risk Management strategies and ensure a high level of corporate governance. Nana Professor J.B Ato Ghartey of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a former Controller and Accountant-General chairs the five-member committee. Other members are Mr. Kwabena Hemeng Ntiamoah, Internal Audit Agency; Ms. Pamela Osei Agyekum, Internal Audit Agency; Mr. Christian Tettey Sottie, Board Member of the company and a former Controller and Accountant-General; and Mr. Nicholas Oteng, a seasoned Banker and a Board Member of the company. The Director-General, Internal Audit Agency, Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, who swore members into office, congratulated and urged them to bring their rich experience to bear on the companys operations and performance with particular emphasis on enterprise risk management, good corporate governance and global best practices. Dr. Osae also reminded members that the functions of the Audit Committee as provided by the Public Financial Management (PFM) 2016 (Act 921) are mandatory, advisory and supportive roles. He added that he is convinced the Committee would guide the company to minimize risks which is the primary responsibility of the members as well as help SIC Insurance to deliver and submit its reports on time as required by the law. Dr. Jimmy Ben Heymann, Chairman of Board of SIC Insurance, who chaired the event, thanked the members for availing themselves to serve Ghanas largest insurance company. He expressed the hope that the profiles and experience of the members gives him the assurance that they would work assiduously to support the efforts of the Board of Directors and Management to see a vibrant SIC Insurance in the long term. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The African Education Watch (EduWatch), an Education Think Tank, has advised that universities should be closed until the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) issues with the government are resolved. According to EduWatch, the industrial action, which began on January 10, 2022, has disrupted academic activities for about 22 working days. It said, five weeks of industrial action is yet to achieve any significant progress in negotiating a settlement to the issue. A statement to the Ghana News Agency signed by Mr. Kofi Asare Executive Director of Eduwatch stated that many of the students on campus were new students, who were yet to be matriculated and had no academic directions and supervision since the lecturers and counselors were on strike. It said the persistent stay of students on the campuses without any academic activities had affected the students and their families socially and economically. EduWatch, therefore, called on all Vice-Chancellors to close the universities until the strike is over. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The government spent about GH662.5 million to address issues relating to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in 2021. An additional $305 million out of the $430 million received from the World Bank was expended on COVID-19-related issues. The funds were used to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning materials, sanitiser and paper towels, vehicles, infection prevention control commodities, drugs, among others, for agencies and during the reopening of schools. Also, the expenditure covered the government's provision of free water and electricity, the establishment of 15 World Bank treatment centres across the country, ventilators, oxygen equipment, aprons, isolation centres, quarantine units, public education and advertisements in the media. The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, gave this breakdown in Accra yesterday when he took his turn at the ministers press briefing to highlight activities regarding health service delivery in the country. He indicated that other ministries, departments and agencies were also involved in helping to fight the pandemic, just like the private health sector, which supported with personnel to deliver quality services in the face of the threatening pandemic. Ready for Auditors queries Mr Agyeman-Manu said the interventions rolled out when the pandemic broke out were huge, stressing that the ministry would be ready to answer any queries which would be raised by auditors. If the auditors report come out and there are questions, we will answer them because I don't think anybody will be found culpable for having spent recklessly. We were moving up and down trying to resolve the issues emanating from the outbreak of the pandemic, he explained. Vaccines administered Giving an update on the vaccines administered to people in the country, Mr Agyeman-Manu said about 4.5 million people, representing 22.4 per cent of the targeted 20 million Ghanaians, had been fully vaccinated as of February 7, 2022. Furthermore, 11,835,359 vaccines had been administered within the period, he added. Sixty-seven thousand, one hundred and four people had received the first booster, while 8,325,791 people, representing 41.6 per cent of the targeted 20 million people, had received at least one single dose of vaccine. He gave a breakdown of the vaccines administered as 7,742,767 doses of AstraZeneca, 17,982 doses of Sputnik-V, 1,056,759 doses of Moderna, 1,055,063 doses of Janssen, as well as 1,962,788 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech. For the booster, so far 67,104 doses had been administered, he said. Vaccines received, distributed Mr Agyeman-Manu indicated that the total number of vaccines received as of February 7, 2022 was 27,413,400, with the details as follows: AstraZeneca: 12,005,970, Janssen: 8,788,850, Moderna: 1,229,620, Pfizer-BioNTech: 5,367,960 and Sputnik-V: 21,000. He explained that so far, 19,333,760 doses had been distributed, with 8,079,640 doses available. COVID-19 cases updated Giving an update on the case situation in the country, the Minister of Health said as of February 5, 2022, there were five severe and two critical cases, with 1,426 deaths. Five hundred and twenty-seven had been recorded as active cases, he added. He said between March 2020 and February this year, 2,272,998 people had been tested under routine surveillance, enhanced contact tracing and international travellers (Kotoka International Airport) category. He therefore all Ghanaians to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and discard any myths about the vaccination. Success The Health Minister intimated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had acknowledged Ghana and South Korea as the two countries that had managed the pandemic appreciably well globally. Testing, tracing, treatment and vaccination have been carried out successfully, leading to the effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic, he pointed out. Mr Agyeman-Manu noted that about 6,000 teams had been deployed nationwide as part of the COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment and Vaccination Plan for 2021 to vaccinate the entire population, including pregnant women and children. We are trying to vaccinate as many people as we can within a very short time. Last week, we started the vaccination day, where we dedicated five days which we have expanded to try and make sure that people get vaccinated, he further stated. All these interventions, he noted, incurred huge expenditure, adding that the pandemic equally impacted negatively on trade, industry and tourism. Health Infrastructure On his update on health infrastructure, Mr Agyeman-Manu said the ministry had completed projects started by the previous government, as well as upgraded some hospitals and polyclinics nationwide, with others still on going. He explained that they included phase one of the 597-bed capacity at the University of Ghana Hospital at Legon which has been completed with phase two almost completed. Some of the completed projects included the 15 polyclinics in Central and Greater Accra Regions as well as five out of the eight Regional and District hospitals in the Upper West Regions. The rest included the construction of 15 new Community Health Planning and Services(CHPS) compounds which are all at various levels of completion as well as the completion of Bekwai District Hospital. There are a number of ongoing Regional and District hospital projects located in the Ashanti, Western, Upper East, Eastern, and Greater Accra and Savannah Regions. Work on a proposed Diabetes Management, Research and Training Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is also ongoing. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has revealed that Government has secured funding for the construction of the second phase of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital known as Ridge. Upgraded and commissioned by former President John Dramani Mahama in 2016, the first phase of the hospital now has a bed capacity of 420 prior to which was 192. However, according to the Director of the health facility, Dr. Emmanuel Srofenyoh, demand for health services have remained increasingly high forcing authorities of the hospital to discharge patients who have received some level of attention in order to make room for new patients, a phenomenon which has been the bane of the health sector. The demand for healthcare services in the region is increasing rapidly and so even though we have a 420-bed capacity hospital, the demand is still high and we still have patients who come and we do not have a bed, sometimes we have to discharge someone in order to get a bed for a new patient, said the Director. Dr. Emmanuel Srofenyoh made this observation in July 2021 when he called for the completion of phase two, during the celebration of the fifth anniversary since the operationalization of the first phase. This concern has instigated the need to construct the second phase to augment the support services provided by the health facility, for which reason the government has been sourcing funding. At a press briefing held at the Ministry of Informations conference room on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, Mr. Agyemang-Manu indicated that a fund has been sourced and processed in relation to the project, which would soon be effected. We have found somebody who is bringing the money and I believe not long well get the regulatory processes done for us to do the Ridge hospital [phase 2], he said, adding that the government has not abandoned the hospital. The second phase, if completed, would increase the capacity from 420 to 620-bed capacity together with other ancillary services to be provided by the facility. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr Daniel Botwe, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), has paid a courtesy call on Ya-Na Abukari (II), Overlord of Dagbon, to update him about the activities of the Ministry and efforts being made to improve local governance in the country. Mr Botwe, who was accompanied by the three Deputy Ministers of the MLGDRD on the visit to the Gbewaa Palace at Yendi on Wednesday, expressed gratitude to the Ya-Na for his continued counsel and direction to the government. They were led to the palace by Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern Regional Minister. Mr Botwe and his Deputies are in the region as part of a three-day zonal refresher course for MMDCEs drawn from the Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West and Bono East Regions The course, which opened yesterday, Tuesday, was to enhance MMDCEs competencies and leadership skills to enable them to deliver on their mandate. Mr Botwe mentioned traditional authorities as major stakeholders in local governance and charged all MMDCEs to regularly consult traditional leaders for advice and brief them on their development programmes. So that together with our revered leaders, we can support citizens and follow government programmes for the development of all of us. He told the Ya-Na that The President has directed that every three months, all MMDCEs will let us know the interactions they have had with the citizens, first with the traditional rulers; how many traditional rulers they have met, how many religious leaders they have met, other stakeholders; market women, drivers unions, teacher unions; what their demands and opinions on governments projects are so that when President is in Accra, he is in touch with all that is happening throughout the whole country. He noted that The central government is strong only when all the 261 local governments are also strong and are interacting with the people. That will bring development to the doorsteps of the people and we can get their cooperation once you are always interacting with them. Ya-Na Abukari (II) spoke about the Yendi Water project and electrification initiative in the area appealing to the government to double up efforts to address the situation to ameliorate the plight of the people of the area. Meanwhile, Mr Botwe assured the Ya-Na that he would reach out to the Ministers in-charge of water and rural electrification to address the issues of water and electricity in the area. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has given its seal of approval for Ghanas National Identity Card, the Ghana Card to be recognized globally as a valid e-passport Thus, holders of the Ghana Card as well as its future biometric equivalents can present it as official documentation at all 197 (ICAO) compliant countries and 44,000 airports worldwide and board flights to Ghana. This follows a Key Ceremony on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at the headquarters of ICAO in Montreal, Canada, during which Ghana, represented by the High Commissioner to Canada, H.E Ransford Sowah, received the key to symbolically indicate the countrys entry into the ICAO family. The ICAO declaration follows an earlier hint, given in November 2021 by the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, that Ghanaians anywhere in the world would soon be able to travel back home using their Ghana cards. Delivering a public lecture at the Ashesi University on the role digitization is playing in transforming the Ghanaian economy, Dr. Bawumia indicated that apart from acting as the major source of proof of identity, the Ghana Card will be used as an e-passport for Ghanaian citizens, all things being equal, by the end of the first quarter of 2022. "It is not widely known that the Ghana card is also an electronic passport (e-passport) that contains the biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity of travellers," Dr. Bawumia said. He continued, "We have been working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) this year to globally activate the e-passport function of the Ghana card and I am happy to announce that on 13th October 2021, Ghana officially became the 79th member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) community. The ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD) is a central repository for exchanging the information required to authenticate e-passports." This announcement was dismissed by a section of the public, especially members of the NDC, as Impossible and at best a figment of his imagination. Senior media personality, Kwesi Pratt Jnr went as far as describing it as a lie. Officials of the National Identification Authority (NIA) say, however, that with the Key Ceremony in Montreal over, the Card can now be verified internationally and border control authorities will be able to confirm in less than 10 seconds that a Ghanaian biometric e-passport (booklet), as well as the Ghanacard/e-passport, were issued by the right authority, have not been altered, and are not copies or cloned documents. A statement issued by the Authority read in part, In practical terms, this means that it will now be faster and more effective for border control authorities to verify the identity of holders of Ghanas passports. The Key Ceremony is the final stage of the implementation of Ghanas e-passport project. In brief remarks, H.E Ransford Sowah explained that the Ghana Card contains the biometric information of the holder with a cryptographic digital signature stored on a chip that can be used to authenticate the identity of travellers. This makes Ghana one of the few countries in the world where the national ID card also has an e-passport capability, he emphasized. He continued, This means that with this Key Ceremony, all holders of the Ghana Card have an ICAO compliant e-passport that can be read and verified at all ICAO compliant airports/border posts across the world. It can be used for international travel; the subject of course to visa restrictions and bilateral agreements. Indeed, the Ghana Card is already valid for travel in all ECOWAS countries. For Ghanaians living or born in the diaspora, holders of the Ghana Card can be allowed to board any flight to Ghana without any visa requirement as we seek to give an inclusive Akwaaba experience to all children and descendants of our motherland. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, has handed over 91 vehicles and one motorcycle to agencies under his ministry. The beneficiary agencies are the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Registrar-Generals Department, the Council for Law Reporting, the Law Reform Commission, the Copyright Office, the Legal Aid Commission and the Ghana School of Law. Additionally, all regional offices of the Office of the A-G have also received their share of the vehicles, which include 39 saloon cars, 42 Toyota pick-ups, four Toyota Fortuners, three Toyota V8s, one 32-seater Toyota bus, two Toyota Mini buses and a motorcycle. Present at the presentation ceremony in Accra yesterday were the two Deputy A-Gs, Mr Alfred Tuah-Yeboah and Ms Diana Asonaba Dapaah; the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa; the Solicitor-General, Mrs Helen Akpene Awo Ziwu, and the Director of the Legislative Drafting Division, Mrs Mavis Amoa. Challenges Mr Dame said his office, together with the agencies, were bedeviled by many challenges, such as insufficient funding, lack of vehicles and poor infrastructure. According to him, when he assumed office in 2021, he made a commitment to tackle the challenges as part of his vision of building a modern public legal service that would live up to its onerous constitutional and statutory duties to the Republic of Ghana. He said the ministry subsequently got funding from the Ministry of Finance for the provision of office equipment. Some of the vehicles presented to the agencies. Todays presentation of 91 vehicles follows a special appeal I made to Cabinet in June last year, in consequence of which President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo directed the Finance Minister to ensure satisfaction of all the needs, for which we are profoundly grateful to the President and the minister, he added. Significance Mr Dame said the provision of the vehicles would have a positive impact on the work of state attorneys and the various agencies, which would ultimately improve the justice delivery system in the country. He, however, said there was more work to be done, and that work on a 12-storey building to accommodate the A-Gs Office, which commenced about 20 years ago, is steadily progressing and on course to be completed by the end of this year. The minister further said that technology was an integral part of his vision of building a modern public legal service and, therefore, he had taken steps to secure the requisite funding for an integrated information management system for the ministry. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has given the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration a week to verify and report to the committee how a firm that was paid $60,000 as consultancy services fee for the construction of a residency at Ghana's Mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was incorporated. The firm, Glinco Construction Engineering Limited, was paid the said amount by then Ghanas Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Said Sinare, and a former Head of Chancery, Mr Martin Adu Ago, on January 3, 2017. The committee also gave the ministry one month to get in touch with Ghana's former Ambassador to India, Mr Sam P. Yalley, to find out how an amount of $3,900 given to him as imprest was dispensed in 2018 and report same to the committee. At the committee's sitting at Parliament House in Accra yesterday, the issue of when Glinco Construction was registered with the Registrar-Generals Department became a bone of contention. While the Auditor-Generals (A-Gs) report of 2018 said the company was incorporated on January 7, 2017, three days after the said amount had been paid, a memo written by the ministry and shown to the auditors at the sitting indicated that the company was registered in 2013, hence the directive by the Chairman of the committee, Dr James Klutse Avedzi. He gave the directive when the ministry appeared before the committee to respond to some infractions cited against it in the 2018 A-Gs report. The acting Chief Director of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mr Ramses Joseph Cleland, later told the media that once his outfit had been directed to verify the issue, he could not comment on the matter. A-Gs report A soft copy of the 2018 A-G's report, titled: "Riyadh mission fictitious payment to Glinco Construction Limited" obtained by the Daily Graphic indicates that Alhaji Sinare and Mr Ago paid $60,000, with payment voucher (PV) number 0591921 in January 3, 2017, into account number 0850415167915 at the Royal Bank Limited in Accra. The payment, the report said, was in favour of Glinco Construction Engineering Ltd for consultancy services in respect to the construction of the residency. "Our further checks revealed that although there was no evidence of work done, the mission paid the amount to the company, it added. According to the report, a follow-up to the Registrar-Generals Department, Accra, revealed that the construction company was incorporated on January 7, 2017, three days after the payment. It further said the mission was neither aware of such a project nor any record of the consultant. The report, therefore, recommended to the ministry to recover the $60,000 from Alhaji Sinare and Mr Ago, failure of which it would be surcharged, describing the payment as fictitious. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team, Lawyer Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe has described as complete falsehood the alleged assault of a Court bailiff, Joshua Baming, by the bodyguards of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Assin North Constituency, James Gyakye Quayson. The Justices of the apex court, headed by Justice Jones Dotse, were informed that following the failure of both the Clerk to Parliament and the Office of the Speaker's refusal to accept service of the court action, the bailiff, Joshua Banning was sent to serve the writ of summons directly to the MPs office. Joshua Baming, was allegedly manhandled by bodyguards of the NDC MP.. That was the narration of the courts registrar, Matthew Antiaye, to the Supreme Court. But the private legal practitioner strongly disputed the account of events by the court registrar and asserted that the Assin North MP is even without police protection, neither does he have a personal bodyguard. He said he is okay walking alone. So, for anybody to come out and say that Honourable Quayson assaulted him is a complete lie, he said in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show, Ghana Montie. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has expressed readiness to probe the alleged assault of the Court bailiff. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Abuakwa South lawmaker, Samuel Atta Akyea, has proposed to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to consider embossing the image of Paa Grant on the local currencies as a way of celebrating his contribution to the building of Ghana. George Alfred Grant, popularly known as Paa Grant was a merchant and politician in the Gold Coast who has been called the father of Gold Coast politics. As a political activist, he was a founder and the first president of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in August 1947. He was also one of Ghanas Founding Fathers. He paid for Kwame Nkrumah to return to Ghana from the United States. Recounting the contributions of Paa Grant to the building of Ghana, Mr Atta Akyea who is a historian and a private legal practitioner said on the floor of Parliament Wednesday February 9, that he must be celebrated. Nkrumah who became our first Prime Minister, they all came from the same group, UGCC, so I am amazed how Paa Grant was able to bring this mix together and then eventually he pioneered the Aborigines Right Society. Today, I was just looking at my 200 note and I was wondering whether Paa Grants picture is part of it. I am not sure. One of these days when I meet the Governor of the Bank of Ghana I will strongly recommend that his name or picture is embossed on our currency which is the symbol and the soul of the the nation. Source: 3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Aseidu Nketia, says his party will abolish the Electronic Transfer Levy, popularly known as E-levy, if they win power. He said this when he joined Members of the Coalition of Concerned Ghanaians during the Yentua demonstration to express their displeasure over attempts by the government to get Parliament to approve the controversial E-levy. Addressing the media, Mr. Nketiah noted that the NDC is not opposed to taxation, only that it views the E-levy as an attempt by the government to rob the ordinary Ghanaians of their source of livelihood amidst the hardship. We are not against taxation. Taxation is for value addition. But we will not sit and watch the government to keep robbing us. The E-levy is not taxation, it is daylight robbery. The alternatives are there. Who in his right senses in this country asked the Minister for Roads to argue that we abolish the road tolls and convert the toll booths to toilets and washrooms? The fire will keep burning so long as we have a government that operates with impunity, he added. He noted the opposition party will repeal the E-Levy in an unlikely event that E-levy is passed. We will abolish it within the first 100 days we assume power. It is not taxation. It is daylight robbery. Taking peoples capital from their pockets, he added. The NDC has waged strong opposition to the l.75% levy on transactions, including mobile money and bank transfer. The government has in response held series of town hall meetings to get the buy-in of Ghanaians. Source: citinewsroom Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Hungarian FM: Russian, Chinese COVID-19 vaccines effective and safe Xinhua) 08:06, February 10, 2022 A doctor shows a box of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine in Varoslod, Hungary, Feb. 24, 2021. Hungary has started to administer China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine on that day. (Tamas Vasvari/MTI via Xinhua) Hungary was the first EU member to recognize and use Chinese vaccines. Hungarian President Janos Ader and Prime Minister Viktor Orban have both received Chinese jabs. BUDAPEST, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russian and Chinese vaccines against COVID-19 are effective and safe, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday. "It is crystal clear that the eastern vaccines used in Hungary are working well, they are safe and effective," Szijjarto said in a video posted on his Facebook page. "Therefore, it is time for international organizations to make a professional and not a political decision on this issue," he said in the video, which was recorded at Budapest airport, before the minister left for Lyon, France. Szijjarto hinted that he was referring to Russia's Sputnik V, and China's Sinopharm vaccines. Both are widely used in Hungary, but still not recognized by many other European Union (EU) member-states. The Hungarian top diplomat was due in Lyon to attend a meeting of EU foreign and health ministers. They were gathering to discuss the global fight against the pandemic, with a special focus on helping developing countries. This photo from Facebook page of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shows him receiving a dose of China's Sinopharm vaccine against COVID-19 in Budapest, Hungary, on Feb. 28, 2021.(Viktor Orban Facebook via Xinhua) "Now, it is time for the world to finally realize that choosing a vaccine is not a political commitment. When the whole world is trying to get as many vaccines as possible, the approval of a vaccine should not be a political question," Szijjarto added. New variants of coronavirus can only emerge as long as the inoculation rate is low in several countries, the minister said. This echoes the World Health Organization's (WHO) standpoint that vaccine production is only a matter of capacity. The construction of Hungary's National Vaccine Factory is underway, and will enable the country to participate in global vaccine production from the end of this year. Hungary was the first EU member to recognize and use Chinese vaccines. Hungarian President Janos Ader and Prime Minister Viktor Orban have both received Chinese jabs. Szijjarto was also visiting France to inaugurate a Hungarian consulate in Lyon. The city is home to some 20,000 Hungarians. Staff members transfer the first batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine purchased by Hungary at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 16, 2021. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) The Supreme Court will on Tuesday, March 01, hear the motion seeking to restrain James Gyekye Quayson, Member of Parliament for Assin North, from holding himself as a legislator. The court also directed the Registrar to submit a report on an alleged assault of the bailiff of the court, who attempted serving the MP at his office in Parliament. The said report is to be forwarded to the Chief Justice for further investigation. Quayson was, however, absent in court. The court turned down an invitation of Mr Tsatsu Tsikata who decided to act as an amicus curia -a friend of the court in the motion for an injunction. "We don't think we need an amicus curia at this stage, the seven-panel presided over by Justice Victor Jones Dotse, said. Tsikata had informed the court he could be of assistance to the court after hearing that Quayson had not been served after several attempts were made. He told the court Quayson was in chambers attending to some urgent matters, hence he could not be in court. When sitting resumed at the apex court of the land, the Registrar of the court informed the seven-member panel that officials of the court had made two attempts to serve the embattled MP but same had proved futile. According to the Registrar, the Bailiff on February 1, this year, went to the MP's office in Parliament House and soon after the bailiff had introduced himself and started his mission, he was informed that the MP had indicated that he did not want to see him so he should leave his office. The Registrar, Mr Mathew Antiaye, said the bailiff informed him that the Personal Assistant of the MP then allegedly called the bodyguard of the MP to throw him out after manhandling him. The second service was done through the High Court in Assin Fosu on February 3, this year, the Registrar told the court. He said the bailiff of the Assin Fosu, Francis Kumi, went to the house of the MP in Assin Breku and met the caretaker of the house. The Registrar said the caretaker informed the bailiff of Assin Fosu that the MP had travelled to Accra, and he could not tell when he would return. Mr Frank Davies, who represented the Plaintiff, Mr. Michael Ankomah Nimfah, said Quayson had still not been served and that they were going to advise themselves. Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney General, indicated that the accused, based on constitutional provisions, could be served anywhere in the country. The Attorney General, therefore, prayed the court to apply the provisions under Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution. The seven-member panel, therefore, entreated the parties to exercise restraint because there was an appeal pending at the Court of Appeal and the privileges of the MP. A Cape Coast High Court had earlier ruled that Mr Quayson was not eligible to contest the December 7, 2020, Parliamentary Election because he held dual citizenship before picking nomination form from the Electoral Commission of Ghana. The Court further ordered the MP to stop holding himself as MP for the area and directed that fresh elections be held. The MP, however, filed a stay of execution at the Court of Appeal. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Akufo-Addo has left Ghana for a ten-day working visit to France, Guyana, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. A statement from the presidency indicated his first port of call will be Brest, France, where, at the invitation of French President, Emmanuel Macron, he will participate in the One Ocean Summit, to be held on Friday, 11th February, 2022. Up to 40 world leaders are due to make ambitious and concrete commitments towards combating illegal fishing, decarbonising shipping and reducing plastic pollution at what is billed as the first high-level summit dedicated to the ocean. He will also at the invitation of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali, travel to Georgetown, Guyana to participate as a keynote speaker at the maiden International Energy Conference and Expo by Guyana to be held from 15th to 18th February, 2022. Ghana and Guyana are developing close working relations in the oil and gas sector. From there, the President will proceed to Marburg, Germany, at the invitation of KENUP Foundation, to participate, together with Presidents Macky Sall and Paul Kagame of the Republics of Senegal and Rwanda respectively, at the presentation of the BioNtech modular production facility for MRNA vaccines on Wednesday, 16th February, 2022, towards a pan-African Project for the establishment of a vaccine manufacturing plant in Africa. President Akufo-Addo will then travel to Paris, France, to meet with President Emmanuel Macron, together with other African Heads of State, on the security situation in the Sahel and Africa, in general, in the evening of 16th February, 2022. He will also participate in a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron and some Heads of State from the ECOWAS Region in the morning of 17th February 2022, to discuss the security situation in ECOWAS. After this meeting, he will travel to Brussels, Belgium, to participate in the Africa Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit to be held from 17th to 18th February, 2022, and then travel to the United Kingdom for a private visit. The President was accompanied on the trip by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah; the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Kwaku Afriyie; and officials of the Presidency and Foreign Ministry. He is expected back home in Ghana on Sunday, 20th February, 2022. In his absence, Vice President Bawumia will act as President in accordance with the provisions of Article 60(8) of Ghanas Constitution. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Bagno Kusowo peatland - one of best-preserved Baltic raised bogs in N Poland. The site possesses an exceptional multi-proxy record of fires frequency and vegetation change in the last millennium. Credit: Mariusz Lamentowicz The black death, which plagued Europe, West Asia and North Africa from 1347 to 1352, is the most infamous pandemic in history. Historians have estimated that up to 50 percent of Europe's population died during the pandemic and credit the black death with transforming religious and political structures, even precipitating major cultural and economic transformations such as the Renaissance. Although ancient DNA research has identified Yersinia pestis as the plague's causative agent and even traced its evolution across millennia, data on the plague's demographic impacts is still underexplored and little understood. Now, a new study in Nature Ecology and Evolution demonstrates that the plague's mortality in Europe was not as universal or as widespread as long thought. An international team of researchers, led by the Palaeo-Science and History group at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, analyzed pollen samples from 261 sites in 19 modern-day European countries to determine how landscapes and agricultural activity changed between 1250 and 1450 CEroughly 100 years before to 100 years after the pandemic. Their analysis supports the devastation experienced by some European regions, but also shows that the black death did not impact all regions equally. Landscapes tell a surprising story Palynology, or the study of fossil plant spores and pollen, is a powerful tool for uncovering the demographic impacts of the black death. This is because human pressures on the landscape in pre-industrial times, such as farming or clearing native plants for building, were heavily dependent on the availability of rural workers. Using a new approach called big-data paleoecology (BDP), the researchers analyzed 1,634 pollen samples from sites all over Europe to see which plants were growing in which quantities, and thereby determine whether agricultural activities in each region continued or halted, or if wild plants regrew while human pressure is reduced. Their results show that the plague's mortality varied widely, with some areas suffering the devastation the pandemic has become known for and others experiencing a much lighter touch. Sharp agricultural declines in Scandinavia, France, southwestern Germany, Greece and central Italy support the high mortality rates attested to in medieval sources. Meanwhile many regions, including much of Central and Eastern Europe and parts of Western Europe including Ireland and Iberia, show evidence for continuity or uninterrupted growth. "The significant variability in mortality that our BDP approach identifies remains to be explained, but local cultural, demographic, economic, environmental and societal contexts would have influenced Y. pestis prevalence, morbidity and mortality," says Alessia Masi from the MPI SHH and La Sapienza University in Rome. Stazki river valley - the complex of rich fens having an origin in the medieval period. Palaeoecological signal of deforestations, agriculture and then forestry development was inferred in high resolution from this peat archive. Credit: Mariusz Lamentowicz No single model of the pandemic One reason these results come as a surprise is that many of the quantitative sources that have been used to construct black death case studies come from urban areas, which, despite their ability to collect information and keep records, were also characterized by crowding and poor sanitation. However, in the mid-14th century, upward of 75 percent of the population of every European region was rural. The current study shows that to understand the mortality of a particular region, data must be reconstructed from local sources, including BDP as a method for measuring the change in cultural landscapes. "There is no single model of 'the pandemic' or a 'plague outbreak' that can be applied to any place at any time regardless of the context," says Adam Izdebski, the leader of the Palaeo-Science and History group at the MPI SHH. "Pandemics are complex phenomena that have regional, local histories. We have seen this with COVID-19; now, we have now shown it for the black death." The differences in the plague's mortality across Europe demonstrates that the plague was a dynamic disease, with cultural, ecological, economic and climatic factors mediating its dissemination and impact. Moving forward, the researchers hope that more studies will use palaeoecological data to understand how these variables interact to shape pastand presentpandemics. Explore further Ancient genomes provide insight into the genetic history of the second plague pandemic More information: Alessia Masi, Palaeoecological data indicates land-use changes across Europe linked to spatial heterogeneity in mortality during the Black Death pandemic, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41559-021-01652-4 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution Alessia Masi, Palaeoecological data indicates land-use changes across Europe linked to spatial heterogeneity in mortality during the Black Death pandemic,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01652-4 A key question in SARS-CoV-2 infection is why viral loads and patient outcomes are so different across individuals. Because its difficult to see how the virus spreads in the lungs of infected people, researchers developed SIMCoV, a computational model that simulates hundreds of millions of cells, including lung cells and immune cells. Credit: Steve Hofmeyr/Berkeley Lab Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) computational research scientist Steve Hofmeyr and a team at the University of New Mexico and Arizona State University have succeeded in modeling how COVID-19 and other viral infections spread in the lungs, capturing a cell-by-cell process as it's never been captured before. Their new computational model, Spatial Immune Model of Coronavirus (SIMCoV), was developed using the Cori supercomputer at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), a U.S. Department of Energy user facility located at Berkeley Lab. SIMCoV offers a 3D simulation of a portion of the lung and shows how viral infections can spread at the cellular level. Specifically, it shows how T-cellswhich fight viruses inside our cells at the same time that B-cells, or antibodies, fight viruses between the cellsinteract with viral load and other variables to influence the progression of an infection. The model treats each of the billions of epithelial cells lining the lungs and the hundreds of millions of T-cells defending them as an individual agent, a level of detail made possible by using significant computing resources. "We feel this model has a lot of potential to explain various aspects of [COVID-19], and computational modeling in this case is very powerful because it's extremely difficult to image and understand what's going on at this level of the immune system response," said Hofmeyr, a co-author on a paper outlining this work published in PLOS Computational Biology in December. "Even measuring levels of T-cells is not easy; we can measure levels of T-cells in the blood, but that doesn't necessarily indicate how many T-cells have gone into the lungs themselves to fight infections. This model includes a lot of scope for understanding that." Previous models based on differential equations portray the lungs as uniform and assume that the growth of viral infections is also distributed evenly within the lungs. This new cell-by-cell model offers much more spatial detail, showing that infections may be active in some areas and dormant in others, as well as how different areas might flare up and then recede over time as the virus and the immune system interact. According to Hofmeyr, this model also takes into account the spatial distribution of the virus. "We've done experiments that show that, for example, you have a certain number of virions, or encapsulated viruses, in the initial infection," he said. "If you take a fixed number of them and concentrate them in one location compared with taking that same number and distributing them through the lungs, the second case is much, much worse. And the reason it's much, much worse is that the immune system has to find the different infections, and the T-cells have to be distributed to find the infection in the different locations, which is a much more challenging problem." Hofmeyr and his colleagues developed the model using UPC++, a distributed memory library for C++ developed by the Pagoda Project at Berkeley Lab, an Exascale Computing Project-funded endeavor that researches and develops cutting-edge software for implementing high-performance applications and software infrastructure using the Partitioned Global Address model. UPC++ supports physically distributed global memory, allowing it to scale effectively to large numbers of processors, including a possible future SIMCoV model of the complete lung. "I've been using UPC++ a lot lately and finding that it's an awesome programming model. It's very nicely done and very simple to parallelize things," Hofmeyr said. "It has some really powerful features." One possible extension of SIMCoV is as a method of modeling the mechanism by which the virus actually spreads deep within the lungs, whether it's spread from one part of the lobe to another through air circulation with each inhalation and exhalation, or spreads repeatedly to the lower lung from an infection in the upper respiratory tract. The same model may also be of use in understanding the mechanism behind "long COVID," in which those infected with COVID continue to experience symptoms for a longer-than-normal period of time. The SIMCoV model was developed in the context of COVID-19, but its findings can be applied to other viral lung infections as well. Hofmeyr hopes that, in the future, the model might be applied to influenza, which kills hundreds of thousands of people around the world each year. The model may also be of use in steering research on interventions for viral lung infections; by experimenting with different interventions and their effects at different times in a disease's progression, scientists may be able to identify courses of treatment that are likely to succeed. Hofmeyr compares the size and power of the SIMCoV model in its current form to those typically applied to less human-scaled situations: "These high-powered models are similar to the kind of modeling you would do for physical systems or chemical systems," he said, "where you can't really do the experiments you really need to do because they're just too massive, and you don't know how to answer all the questions. You can't measure everything; maybe you're doing experiments in fusion science or something. This kind of model provides a similar sort of assistance." More information: Melanie E. Moses et al, Spatially distributed infection increases viral load in a computational model of SARS-CoV-2 lung infection, PLOS Computational Biology (2021). Journal information: PLoS Computational Biology Melanie E. Moses et al, Spatially distributed infection increases viral load in a computational model of SARS-CoV-2 lung infection,(2021). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009735 NatA substrates are destabilised in plants if their intrinsic N-degron is not masked by acetylation. Credit: Linster et al., Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28414-5 (CC-BY 4.0) Plants are tied to one location and need to adjust to their environment, including adverse conditions. Adaptive responses include synthesizing new proteins and breaking down those that are no longer needed. For this task, plants use a considerable amount of energy. Thus, regulation of protein turnover in the plant cell has to be appropriately thorough. Researchers at the Centre for Organismal Studies of Heidelberg University led by Dr. Markus Wirtz and Prof. Dr. Rudiger Hell have now identified a cellular mechanism that stabilizes proteins by preventing their breakdown. Plants contain numerous proteins that are needed to adapt to environmental conditions like drought stress. Because their production takes a lot of energyabout half of their energy requirementplants must precisely regulate protein turnover. To understand how this occurs, the Heidelberg researchers, in collaboration with partners from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried and Sapienza University in Rome (Italy), studied thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana). Thale cress belongs to the family of Brassicaceae and serves as a reference plant due to its short lifetime and simple genome. According to the researchers, plants tag proteins while they are synthesized by attaching an acetic acid residue at the beginning of the protein. This process affects more than 80 percent of all plant proteins and is known as N-terminal acetylation. Despite its prevalence, the impact of acetylation was unclear for a long time. The Heidelberg researchers were now able to demonstrate that it protects a majority of the proteins from breaking down through the so-called proteasome, hence prolonging their life. "The proteasome is a molecular shredder that degrades damaged or no longer needed proteins into their building blocks for re-use," explains Prof. Hell. In genetically altered plants with a reduced protein acetylation rate, Dr. Wirtz's team verified substantially increased proteasome activity, accompanied by accelerated protein degradation. To the astonishment of the researchers, however, the total quantity of proteins within the plant cells remained unchanged. Markus Wirtz: "Plants compensate for the loss of non-acetylated proteins by synthesizing new proteins, probably to dynamically adapt the protein composition in response to environmental stimuli." The plant researchers' findings may be applicable to human cells. They also have a very similar mechanism to chemically modify and acetylate numerous proteins. "Acetylation appears to be an ancient mechanism that arose several billion years ago in the earliest ancestors of all eukaryotic organismsorganisms which have a true nucleus and a high degree of sub-cellular compartmentalisation," says Prof. Hell. The German Research Foundation is funding the basic research on protein acetylation in Heidelberg. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Communications. Explore further Enzymes as double agents: New mechanism discovered in protein modification More information: Eric Linster et al, Cotranslational N-degron masking by acetylation promotes proteome stability in plants, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Eric Linster et al, Cotranslational N-degron masking by acetylation promotes proteome stability in plants,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28414-5 Apartment buildings in London, Ont. Credit: Scott Webb for Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain New research from Western University shows the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the struggles Syrian refugees in Canada face in finding adequate housing, and highlights the need for policies to keep up with reality Nursing Ph.D. student Fawziah Rabiah-Mohammed led the study, alongside Western graduate, Leah Hamilton, Ph.D. '11, asking government-assisted Syrian refugees how the pandemic has affected their efforts to find housing and settle in Canada. Their findings come from a subgroup analysis as part of a five-year longitudinal study (20182023), led by Rabiah-Mohammed's supervisor, nursing professor Abe Oudshoorn. The study, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, is investigating the barriers and facilitators influencing Syrian government-assisted refugees' ability to achieve housing stability. "When the pandemic hit in 2020, we were already collecting data," Rabiah-Mohammed said. "We were interested in seeing how the pandemic affected the process." The analysis involved in-depth interviews with 38 government-assisted refugee families living in Calgary, Fredericton, and London, Ontario. The interviews were conducted in Arabic by telephone or by Zoom during the first summer of the pandemic by team members across the three sites. 'Back to zero' "Overall, the pandemic revealed and exacerbated the existing structural inequalities the refugees face," Hamilton said, with interviewees also reporting increased isolation, further economic loss and a new set of anxieties brought on by COVID-19. "Any progress they were making in language and housing acquisition, employment, and in forming social connections halted," Hamilton said. Government-assisted refugees were already financially vulnerable before the pandemic. Most arrive in Canada with lower education (or with unrecognized credentials), and lacking language skills in English and French. These barriers limit their employment options to low-paying jobs. "Those same low-paying jobs were most adversely affected by the pandemic," Rabiah-Mohammed said. "Most of the people we spoke with were laid off. They had been employed with some income, although it wasn't enough, or they were on social assistance, or emergency benefits. (Losing their jobs) took them back to where they started from when they arrived in Canada five years ago. They felt like they were going backwards to point zero and it disturbed them psychologically." Those who kept their jobs were often employed in unsafe, overcrowded workplaces, such as meat processing plants or warehouses, where they were unable to social distance and at an increased risk of contracting the virus. Unlike many Canadians who adjusted to the "new normal" by working from home, "these are essential workers facing both health and financial challenges who weren't doing work that brought the privilege of being protected from COVID," Rabiah-Mohammed said. Keeping up with reality Syrians within the government-assisted refugee program are supported by the Canadian government for one year through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), which provides income support and immediate essential services. "The idea is that after 12 months they will have found employment or will transfer to provincial assistance," Hamilton said. "However, we know that COVID-19 really impacted or delayed people's ability to learn the language and led to job losses. Yet, the assumptions around the length of time it takes to acquire skills and find a job have not changed. The policies really haven't kept up with the realities and challenges this cohort of refugees has had to face." While social and emergency assistance, and the child benefit program allowed families to keep paying their rent during the pandemic, Rabiah-Mohammed noted, "it doesn't aim to improve their housing situation." Finding suitable, affordable housing remains one of the main challenges refugees face upon arriving in Canada. Rabiah-Mohammed hopes findings from the study will underscore the need for increased housing and financial assistance programs beyond the pandemic, so refugees can acquire more suitable homes, and integrate into communities where they can access businesses, schools, parks and community centers. Currently, most of them live in spaces too small for their families, with limited or no access to green space. Before the pandemic, many families went to neighboring parks for what one mother described as "the luxury of fresh air," but that was no longer an option when lockdown restrictions were required. "A lot of these families live in apartments without balconies," Hamilton said. "Initially, when parks and playgrounds closed, it affected everyone. If you have a house and backyard, your kids can still go outside and play. But if you live in an apartment building, and don't even have a balcony, you have no access to fresh air or green space at all." Most government-assisted Syrian refugees come as nuclear families, leaving extended family behind. The pandemic meant any social connections forged with friends or neighbors who could help with childcare were put on hold. And without extended family support, it was impossible for parents to look for work, improve their language skills and mind children who were learning remotely. "Allowing extended family members to migrate to Canada would not only improve (the refugees') mental health but would add more income to the family budget and provide help with childcare," Rabiah-Mohammed said. Enduring gratitude, hope Despite the challenges exacerbated by COVID-19, the Syrian refugees shared a sense of gratitude to be living in Canada, viewing it as a sanctuary both before and during the pandemic. "People still felt determined to pursue their dreams of home ownership and suitable employment. Those dreams didn't go away," Hamilton said. Rabiah-Mohammed found those sentiments to be a source of empowerment and hope. "They would talk about how ambitious they are and how lucky they felt to be living in Canada," she said. "An important part of their experience is their connection to their families back home. It's not only that they are reading the news about what is going on there, but they feel and live it every day being in contact with their family and friends. "They compare these two lives and where they are at now. Although the pandemic has brought them back to zero after five years, the one thing they haven't lost is Canada." A volunteer helps set up snacks at a cooling center established to help vulnerable residents ride out a dangerous heat wave on Aug. 11, 2021. The historic heat wave, which toppled all-time temperature records, killed more than 200 people in Oregon and Washington. Now, lawmakers in the Pacific Northwest are eyeing several emergency heat relief bills aimed at helping vulnerable populations. The proposed measures would provide millions in funding for cooling systems and weather shelters during future extreme weather events. Credit: AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus, File As Oregon's capital city sweltered under a deadly June heat wave, Bryleigh O'Neil and three roommates were unable to afford or find air conditioners. They spent their days seeking relief from 117-degree (47 C) temperatures in grocery stores and college classrooms. At night, the Salem housemates slept downstairs next to fans blowing over bowls of ice. "While none of us had to go to the hospital due to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, many other Oregonians were not this lucky," O'Neil said in written testimony to the state's Legislature. The historic heat wave killed at least 200 people in Oregon and Washington. Now, lawmakers in the Pacific Northwest are eyeing several emergency heat relief bills aimed at helping vulnerable people. The measures would provide millions in funding for cooling systems and weather shelters during future extreme weather events. Three consecutive days of extraordinary temperatures in the region sent public health officials scrambling between June 25 and June 28. Temperatures in Portland reached triple digits for three days, peaking at 116 F (46.7 C). In Seattle, temperatures reached a record of 108 F (42 C). An initial scientific analysis by World Weather Attribution found that the deadly heat wave would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change that added a few extra degrees to the record-smashing temperatures. In the western portion of the Pacific Northwest, summers are usually mild and air conditioning units are not as common as they are in other parts of the country. Nationwide, about 91% of U.S. homes have primary air conditioning installed, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 American Housing Survey. By comparison, that figure was 78% for Portland and just 44% for Seattle. "Most people who passed away had no access to lifesaving cooling devices such as air conditioning or heating and cooling pumps in their homes," Oriana Magnera, a manager with the environmental justice nonprofit Verde, said to Oregon lawmakers during a public hearing during the ongoing legislative session last week. The first of Oregon's two proposed heat relief bills, both of which have received bipartisan support, would direct $5 million to the Oregon Health Authority to create an emergency distribution program that would deliver air conditioners and air filters to low-income families. It would also allocate $10 million to create an incentive program to make it easier for vulnerable households to purchase energy-efficient heat pump cooling systems. In addition, the bill directs the Oregon Public Utility Commission to find ways of "alleviating spikes" in energy bills during extreme weather events. During the heat wave, hospital emergency department visits for heat illness surged to more than 30 times above normal levels in Multnomah Countyhome to Portland. Despite this, county officials received reports of residents who opted not to operate air conditioning units due to worry about the additional cost. "As the frequency and severity of extreme weather increases, fear of bill spikes should not prevent people from relying on the energy they need to stay safe in place," said John Wasiutynski, the director of the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability Director. Oregon's second heat relief bill would remove barriers for renters to install portable air conditioning units in their apartments and would require cooling systems in newly constructed rental units. The bill would also allocate $2 million for local and tribal government to create extreme weather relief centers. Lawmakers in two other states have also passed bills focused on expanding and opening cooling shelters in the past three years. In 2019, California lawmakers passed a bill that allows the adjutant general to utilize vacant armories as temporary cooling shelters for homeless people. In 2021, lawmakers in Illinois passed a measure calling for space to be set aside in communities for use as cooling shelters in extreme heat emergencies. In Washington, lawmakers explored a bill that would have expanded the use of air conditioning in senior care homes. However, the measure didn't make a legislative cutoff and likely won't proceed this session unless lawmakers decide to add it as an element to the state budget in the coming weeks. Washington's proposed bill would have allocated $5 million to establish a grant program in the Department of Social and Health Services to ensure air conditioning is provided in adult family homes. "I know lots of homes here in the Pacific Northwest don't have air conditioning, and most of the year we don't need it," Sen. Mark Mullet, a Democrat from Issaquah who sponsored the bill, said in a written statement introducing the bill. "But our swings in weather are getting more extreme, and nowadays a lack of air conditioning can be fatal." Explore further Northwest sizzles as heat wave hits many parts of US 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Ultracold atomic cloud of rubidium atoms used in this experiment: You can see the fluorescence that occurs during laser cooling. Credit: AG Ott/TUK The energy transport between atoms and molecules is the basis of all life. Such transport is based on interatomic forces known as the dipole-dipole interaction. Prof. Dr. Herwig Ott's research group at Technische Universitat Kaiserslautern (TUK) has now succeeded in reproducing such a transport mechanism in a disordered system. For this purpose, the researchers experimentally observed the quantum mechanical interaction between different Rydberg atoms. This allowed them to understand the influence of disorder on the distribution and mobility of the excitation energy between the atoms. The scientific journal Nature Communications has published the results. The transport of energy between atoms and molecules is illustrated by photosynthesis, for example: When light arrives at a cell, its energy is first absorbed by a molecule and then transported between many other, disordered molecules. Once this energy package finally arrives at the so-called reaction center, it is permanently stored in the form of a chemical conversion. To better understand such transport mechanisms, the research team chose a special experimental approach and advanced into the quantum regime: "In the process, we have overcome several technological challenges," explains Carsten Lippe, lead author of the study. "This becomes clear just by looking at the necessary framework conditions: At an ambient pressure about 1000 times lower than in space around the ISS and at temperatures close to absolute zero, some atoms are excited by irradiation with lasers and put into a so-called Rydberg state. When an electron is in this state, placed in a distant orbit around the atomic nucleus, the atom is about 10000 times larger than in the normal state." This gigantic size makes an atom in the Rydberg state very sensitive to other such atoms and thus allows interactions between atoms to be studied experimentally that would otherwise take place on much smaller length scales. As part of their experiment, the researchers have now used different laser systems to create two different types of Rydberg atoms in sequence and investigated the energy transport between them. In the process, they discovered quantum physical effects that contradict our everyday imagination. "You can think of such a transport process conventionally as a bouncing or hooping process. The energy or excitation jumps back and forth between the molecules. But in quantum physics it is different because of the so-called superposition principle: For example, the excitation can also hop to several molecules at the same time and thus be transported much more efficiently in the system. This is called coherent transport," says Ott. The researchers were able to demonstrate that the proportion of classical hopping and coherent transport can be adjusted in a controlled manner in the experiment. This is achieved by tiny modifications to the wavelength of the excitation lasers used. "Quantum physical effects are normally fragile and disappear as soon as disturbances are present, such as those caused by the atomic disorder in the gas in the present system," says Thomas Niederprum, who led the project together with Ott. "The observation of these effects in the study can help us to better understand other complex systems. The interaction between the Rydberg atoms can be transferred to other areas of current research, for example to the absorption and transport of light in molecules during photosynthesis. Recent studies have shown that quantum mechanical effects also play an important role in photosynthesis and that the energy transport takes place surprisingly loss-free despite the disorder. The work on this study took place as part of the collaborative research center OSCAR ("Open System Control of Atomic and Photonic Matter"), in which both TUK and the University of Bonn are funded by the German Research Foundation. The results of the measurements and simulations as well as a description of the experimental setup have been published in Nature Communications. Explore further Physicists identify energy states of individual atoms following a collision More information: Carsten Lippe et al, Experimental realization of a 3D random hopping model, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Carsten Lippe et al, Experimental realization of a 3D random hopping model,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27243-2 Provided by Technische Universitat Kaiserslautern The researchers recommended future sexual consent education programs also need to be inclusive, interactive, and participatory. Credit: University of New South Wales In early 2021, former high school student Chanel Contos launched a petition calling for sexual consent education to be taught earlier. The petition came about because of an Instagram Story poll she conducted, asking her followers whether they had encountered sexual assault during their high school years. The poll received 1,500 views and 300 responses, and 205 people responded 'yes' to the question. The petition elicited more revelations of disturbing incidents of sexual assault, with over 6,600 individuals sharing their testimonials. Since its launch, the petition has been signed by more than 44,000 Australians. So how do we educate young people about sexual consent effectively? A recent study conducted by researchers at the Kirby Institute and the School of Population Health at UNSW Medicine & Health identified several themes that reflected the complexities of sexual consent and issues in global sex and relationships education. By conducting a systemic review of studies examining sexual consent education programs among young people, the researchers identified several issues with current sexual consent education, including: Many programs were short, one-off, 12-hour sessions, and in university settings. They often framed consent within the context of risks and potential negative, impacts of sexual activity, as opposed to healthy relationships. Programs rarely involved young people in co-design, which is critical to meeting their needs. Many programs were not inclusive enough and lacked diversity. A sex-positive approach Senior author of the study, Dr. Allie Carter from the Kirby Institute, said sex-negativity is common in fear-based school sex education. "It's perhaps not surprising that we found many sexual consent education programs framed consent within the context of risks and potential negative impacts of sexual activity. This approach creates stigma and shame and can make it challenging for young people to ask questions and talk about sex and healthy relationships." Dr. Carter, who is also an Associate of the Australian Human Rights Institute, said sexual consent education programs should be sex-positive, meaning discussions should be open, honest, and non-judgmental, and should acknowledge the benefits of consensual, pleasurable sex and healthy relationships. "Bearing in mind age appropriateness, examples of topics include not only what consent is and what sexual assault is, but also things like developing a positive relationship with your body; identifying your personal values surrounding sex; understanding your right to have autonomy in decisions involving your body; setting healthy sexual boundaries with yourself and others, and being open and communicating with your partner about your wants and needs including what you do not want," explained Dr. Carter. She said programs should also prioritize critical analysis of the range of factors that can influence how we negotiate sexual encounters with one another. "This includes unequal power relationships, violence-supportive attitudes, gender role expectations, male-controlled party culture and heavy alcohol consumption. These factors, among others, can create environments that enable not only sexual assault but also consensual sexual experiences that may feel painful, unwanted, uncomfortable, or pressured." When to teach sexual consent education On average, Australians are sexually active by ages 16 -17. Dr. Carter said sexual consent education should be taught in an age-appropriate way from primary school to ensure young people understandbefore they are sexually activethat each human being has a right to autonomy and self-determination over their own body. "It's important to teach young people, including little kids, about consent and their bodies as young as possiblelong before it has anything to do with sexscaffolding into more complex issues with each year," said Dr. Carter. "For example, early education can center around learning the correct names for body parts, respecting a child's choices about touch, teaching children to respect other people's boundaries, asking for consent, and identifying and expressing feelings." Dr. Carter said this can lay the foundation for open, frank, and informative discussions about sexual consent with teenagers, from helping them develop empathy for others to building positive relationship skills. The researchers also recommended a whole-school approach to sexual consent education. This approach advocates that a consistent set of policies, principles and values pertaining to consent and respectful relationships is promoted and embodied across a school or college setting. "A whole-school approach involves both formal and informal practices and conversations in and outside of the classroom, involving multiple audiences across the school that includes parents, teachers and students," said first author of the study, Olivia Burton from the School of Population Health. She said this approach should be more widely utilized in future programs, as reducing violence requires not just educating students, but changing culture. "Education needs to move beyond the individual and interpersonal levelwhere one person assaults anotherand include a critical discussion of the structural and institutional environments that enable or allow this behavior." Involve young people in program development Ms Burton said it's important to involve young people in the design and delivery of consent education to ensure the program content and outcomes are acceptable, appropriate, and responsive to young people's unique needs and social environments. "A recent example where inclusion and representation of young people's voices were missing was the federal government's milkshake consent video, which included confusing metaphors and patronized young people, causing significant backlash." Consent Labs CEO and co-founder Angie Wan said it makes sense for young people to be involved in sexual consent program development and facilitation, as young people are the audience they are targeting. "We developed Consent Labs because we felt there were huge gaps in the way sex education was being presented. There was a complete lack of focus on consent and communication. Often, it was a complete skirting around anything sex-related, or lessons were laden with euphemisms, misinformation, and awkwardness. "There is a misconception that if we don't talk about sex, we're 'preserving the innocence' of young people but that is not true at all. Statistics show that young people in high school are engaging in sexual acts and in sexting. If there's no proactive education, then young people aren't able to make informed choices for themselves that is grounded in evidence and with the backing of experts," said Ms Wan. Ms Wan explained they wanted to develop a realistic program that addressed experiences young people had and didn't gloss over the surface, considering diverse perspectives. Programs should be interactive and inclusive The researchers recommended future sexual consent education programs also need to be inclusive, interactive, and participatory. Ms Burton said this means facilitating discussion between students to learn and engage with each other in and out of the classroom. She said it's also recommended for programs to engage young people through multiple learning styles and methods, such as using presentations, drawing, theater, and problem-solving games. "This is based on best practice research that interactive education is more effective for young people to understand and personally engage in what they are learning," explained Ms Burton. A program that is inclusive means ensuring that diverse communitieson the basis of sexuality, ethnicity, disability and classare included in program development and implementation, she said. "Research indicates there are higher rates of violence against communities that are socially, politically, and economically marginalized, usually by men. Our research also highlighted that many consent programsat least those that we found in the peer-reviewed literaturewere predominately targeted toward white heterosexual women. "Young women cannot be held solely responsible for changing consent culture. It is important for all people to be included in consent education and for wider social, political, and cultural shifts about consent. Programs must also better prioritize social justice issues by including discussion of sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism and their impact on sexual health inequities." Addressing the root cause at a societal level The researchers said changing sexual consent culture needs to be more than relying on schools to implement programs. "It needs an intersectoral approach to ensure that governments invest in progressive programming and policies to address the root causes of sexual violence at the institutional and societal level and promote social justice, sexual agency, and health." Explore further Making sexual consent matterone-off courses are unlikely to help More information: Olivia Burton et al, Teaching sexual consent to young people in education settings: a narrative systematic review, Sex Education (2021). Olivia Burton et al, Teaching sexual consent to young people in education settings: a narrative systematic review,(2021). DOI: 10.1080/14681811.2021.2018676 Fig. 1: Complexityentropy diagram for Earth time series. Statistical complexity as a function of Shannon entropy rate averaged across all wavelength bands for the original and synthetic Earth data. Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s41550-021-01559-x A team of researchers from the California Institute of Technology and Sony Computer Science Laboratories has begun to search for life on other planets using a tool that analyzes statistical complexity. In their paper published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the group describes using epsilon machines to search for life on alien worlds. To date, space scientists have mostly relied on data characteristics of Earth as they search for life on other planets. The problem with doing so, the researchers note, is that life elsewhere could be completely different from that on Earth. So they sought other ways to analyze signals from other planets. As part of that effort, they noted that epsilon machines might help. Epsilon machines are not hardware devices, as their name implies; they are algorithms designed to calculate complexity by analyzing associated data. Such algorithms have been used to study bird flocks, for example, or how individual brain cells might give rise to human consciousness. They note that looking at Earth from a distance suggests something different from other planets in our solar system. It is clearly more complex, and much of that complexity is likely due to the presence of life. Thus, the researchers contend, it seems that instead of looking for oxygen signatures on other planets, or the presence of carbon, space scientists might want to look at the complexity of a given planetand one way to do that is by using epsilon machines. To that end, they trained an epsilon machine on images of Earth taken from a distance. They then did the same for several of the other planets in the solar system to show the machine what lifeless planets look like. They also used other data meant to depict Earth as if there were no life on the planet. They data revealed that Earth is approximately 50 percent more complex than the other planets in the solar system. They also found that extra-solar planets known to have more surface types and complex atmospheric conditions scored higher as well. The researchers suggest that the use of epsilon machines could be a new tool for space scientists looking for life in other places. Explore further Simulations suggest an Earth or Mars size planet may be lurking out beyond Neptune More information: Stuart Bartlett et al, Assessing planetary complexity and potential agnostic biosignatures using epsilon machines, Nature Astronomy (2022). Journal information: Nature Astronomy Stuart Bartlett et al, Assessing planetary complexity and potential agnostic biosignatures using epsilon machines,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-021-01559-x 2022 Science X Network Brian Diers, surrounded by soybean plants in a University of Illinois greenhouse, started his search for the Glyma.20G85100 gene 30 years ago as a graduate student. Credit: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Soybeans outmatch all other legumes as the protein powerhouses of the plant kingdom, providing a key protein source for humans and livestock around the world. And now, after 30 years, University of Illinois scientists have identified the gene with the largest impact on seed protein in soybean. "Soybeans are around 40% protein, and this gene increases that about 2%. It doesn't sound like a lot, but compared to any other seed-protein gene that's been mapped for soybean, it's at least double," says Brian Diers, the Charles Adlai Ewing Chair of Soybean Genetics and Breeding in the Department of Crop Sciences and co-author of the study in The Plant Journal. Co-author Matt Hudson, Professor of Bioinformatics in Crop Sciences, adds, "If we could put the high protein form of the gene into commercially grown varieties, we would be looking at a significant increase in protein for livestock and humans worldwide as even a single percentage point increase in protein concentration would represent millions of tons of protein. That's quite significant." In 1992, then-graduate-student Diers published the first seed protein map for soybean. Although he identified the region of the genome where the gene might be located, it took three decades, many technological advances, and the publication of two soybean genomes to nail down the specific gene: Glyma.20G85100, a gene without a known function but closely related to "clock and circadian timing" genes. "It's satisfying to make the journey from being an eager young grad student, all excited about this finding, to finally determining what the gene is," Diers says. "But if I go back to myself 30 years ago, I could never have imagined it would have taken this long. But better late than never." Pinpointing a gene like this is complicated because it's one of many quantitative trait loci: Locations within the genome contributing to continuous traits like plant height, yield, or in this case, protein content. Researchers have to grow the plants, measure protein content, and then drill down into the genome to find correlated genetic differences among plants with different amounts of protein. Those genetic differences might not be detectible, or they might only be traceable to large sections of the genome. Diers says he originally mapped the gene to a section of a chromosome several million base pairs of DNA long. But by testing generation after generation of plants carrying the gene within smaller genetic regions, he slowly narrowed it down. "We had to screen thousands and thousands of plants and then evaluate them with markers to see if we found an association. It was very laborious, and we had many students and postdocs working on this over the years," Diers says. Like most genes, Glyma.20G85100 comes in multiple forms, or alleles. Depending on the allele found in a particular soybean line, seed protein content can be high or low. And, as it turns out, most commercial soybean lines contain the low-protein allele. "Unfortunately, we found the high-protein allele has a deleterious effect on yield. So elite varieties, which are bred for high yield, generally have the low-protein form," Diers says. The discovery of the gene is complicated by a murky link between the gene and its role in increasing protein content. "We were hoping that when we finally found the gene, it was going to be involved in something obvious, for example, nitrogen fixation or nitrogen metabolism," Diers says. "But it turns out it really isn't what you would expect for a gene controlling a protein." Instead, the gene appears to be part of the soybean plant's circadian machinery; the way the plant keeps track of time to maximize photosynthesis during the day, figure out when to flower and set seed, and many other processes. "It's absolutely a standard part of the circadian clock that's conserved between nearly all plants. It looks like a transposon, or a jumping gene, landed in that circadian clock gene and inserted a whole bunch of new amino acids in the middle of the conserved domain," Hudson says. "It could be that the gene is involved in moving photosynthesis products into the seed or it could be some completely unrelated pathway. It's weird, and we really don't know." Regardless of how it works, identifying the gene with the biggest single contribution to soybean protein content could have major consequences for global food security. "If we can understand the mechanism, that should give us some clues as to how we can increase protein without decreasing yield," Diers says. Hudson adds, "There are significant issues with protein deficiency in many parts of the world. Even a modest increase in protein could go a long way." Explore further High yield, protein with soybean gene More information: Christina Fliege et al, Fine Mapping and Cloning of the Major Seed Protein QTL on Soybean Chromosome 20, The Plant Journal (2022). Journal information: The Plant Journal Christina Fliege et al, Fine Mapping and Cloning of the Major Seed Protein QTL on Soybean Chromosome 20,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15658 TESS target pixel file of GJ 3929. Credit: Kemmer et al., 2022. Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an international team of astronomers has discovered a new Earth-sized planet orbiting a nearby star. The newly found alien world, designated GJ 3929 b, is slightly larger and more massive than the Earth, however much hotter than our home planet. The finding was presented in a paper published February 2 on the arXiv pre-print server. TESS is conducting a survey of about 200,000 of the brightest stars near the sun with the aim of searching for transiting exoplanets. So far, it has identified over 5,200 candidate exoplanets (TESS Objects of Interest, or TOI), of which 180 have been confirmed so far. A team of astronomers led by Jonas Kemmer of the Heidelberg University in Germany has recently confirmed another TOI monitored by TESS. They report that a transit signal has been identified in the light curve of an M dwarf star known as GJ 3929 (other designations: G 18018, TOI-2013). The planetary nature of this signal was confirmed by follow-up observations, using mainly the CARMENES spectrograph. "In this study, we present the discovery of a hot Earth-sized planet orbiting the M3.5 V-dwarf star, GJ 3929. Based on transit signals observed by TESS, we performed an intensive RV follow-up campaign with CARMENES to confirm its planetary origin," the researchers wrote in the paper. GJ 3929 b has a radius of about 1.15 Earth radii and its mass is approximately 1.21 Earth masses, thus the planet's density is calculated to be 4.4 g/cm3. The exoworld orbits its parent star every 2.61 days, at a distance of about 0.0026 AU from it. The equilibrium temperature of this planet is estimated to be 569 K. The astronomers noted that the high equilibrium temperature of GJ 3929 b makes it a prime target for atmospheric follow-up observations. Such studies, using instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) could deliver important information regarding the composition and, thus, formation and evolution of small and rocky planets. The host star GJ 3929 has a spectral type M3.5 V and is about three times smaller and less massive than our sun. It has a rotation period of about 122 days, luminosity at a level of approximately 0.011 solar luminosities, and its effective temperature was measured to be around 3,369 K. The star is located some 51.6 light years away from the Earth. The researchers assume that at least one more planet may be orbiting GJ 3929 (most likely every 14.3 days), however further studies of this system are required in order to confirm this. "Moreover, the RV [radial velocity] measurements showed evidence for a second sub-Neptunian-mass planet candidate, namely GJ 3929 [c]. Its period is far from the rotation period of the star that we determined from archival photometry, and, therefore, it is not likely linked to stellar activity," the authors of the paper assume. Explore further Astronomers discover a sub-Neptune exoplanet orbiting nearby star More information: J. Kemmer et al, Discovery and mass measurement of the hot, transiting, Earth-sized planet GJ 3929 b, arXiv:2202.00970v1 [astro-ph.EP] J. Kemmer et al, Discovery and mass measurement of the hot, transiting, Earth-sized planet GJ 3929 b, arXiv:2202.00970v1 [astro-ph.EP] arxiv.org/abs/2202.00970 2022 Science X Network Credit: CC0 Public Domain Alarmed by damage caused by a major oil spill off the Huntington Beach coast in October, an Orange County legislator on Wednesday introduced a bill to end offshore oil production from rigs in California-controlled waters by 2024, a proposal sure to face fierce opposition and potential legal challenges from the petroleum industry. The legislation would affect 11 oil leases, all off the Orange and Ventura county coastlines. It would also allow the State Lands Commission, the agency with oversight of those contracts, to negotiate a voluntary relinquishment of the leases by oil companies before the state takes action. The cost of buying out or rescinding those leases is unclear, though the size of the industry suggests that the price tag could possibly cost the state tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars. State Sen. Dave Min, an Irvine Democrat, said the action is necessary to protect the California coastline from another catastrophic oil spill similar to the one in October, which caused widespread environmental damage and led to beach closures that hurt the economies of Orange County coastal communities. The oil rigs off the coast and their aging infrastructure continue to pose a serious threat to California's coast, he said. "It is clear to me, and I think clear to anyone who looks at the sort of status of these rigs, that it's a ticking time bomb," Min said Wednesday. "You're asking for more and more spills, and we know that this is just horrific for our coastlines, for our coastal tourism economies, for our marine ecosystems." Kevin Slagle, a spokesperson for the Western States Petroleum Association, said the proposal would decrease California's local oil supply and burden California taxpayers. Eliminating the oil leases amounts to a government "taking," which would require those companies to be compensated, he said. "Eliminating existing offshore production will lead to importing even more of the energy we need from foreign sources and putting California at significant risk for takings claims," Slagle said. The president of the State Building and Constructions Trades Council of California, a labor organization that represents oil workers and has tremendous influence in Sacramento, also expressed concerns about the potential impact of the legislation. Reducing local oil production could require the state to import more oil by tanker ships, adding more stress to California's already crowded ports, said council President Andrew Meredith. "There's a constant drumbeat to cease oil and gas production in California with no corresponding responsible plan to power our state," he said. "Nearly half of the oil coming out of the Amazon is already coming to California. Should we really be tanking more oil into California, greatly increasing carbon emissions as hundreds of tankers idle in our ports waiting to offload?" Min promised to file the legislation just after a submerged oil pipeline spilled an estimated 25,000 gallons into the ocean off Huntington Beach in October. The cause of the spill remains under investigation, but authorities believe an anchor of a container ship had dragged and damaged the pipeline. Min's bill would not affect the 23 oil platforms in federal waters, which are located beyond a three-mile buffer from the coast, or the pipelines that run from those facilities to the shoreline. That includes the oil platform and pipeline involved in the recent oil spill. Oil wells operating on the artificial islands off the coast of Long Beach, which are owned by the city, also would not be affected by the legislation. Min said that his legislation would, in reality, affect only three active oil platforms off the Orange County coast that are operated by two leaseholders, the California Resources Corp. and DCOR oil companies. Neither company could be reached for comment. If passed, the legislation would require the State Lands Commission to terminate all existing oil and gas leases in state waters by Dec. 31, 2023. Because this would be considered a government taking, since those are legal state leases granted, the state would be required to compensate the oil companies for the value of those holdings. Those companies still would be required to pay the cost of decommissioning those rigs, including capping all wells, Min said. Min did not provide an estimate for the state's costs to shut down those oil operations, saying that is still being assessed, but he believes it would be could be between $25 million to $50 million per oil rig. He said that would be a manageable cost given the state's projected $31 billion budget surplus, and an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars given the threat the offshore rigs pose to California's $44 billion coastal economies. During recent legislative hearings on the Orange County oil spill, Jennifer Lucchesi, executive director of the State Lands Commission, said the 11 oil and gas leases in state waters were issued between 1938 and 1968. Those leases have no end date and will continue as long as it is "economical" for the oil companies to continue production, she said. Min and other lawmakers have expressed concern that the current operators of those offshore facilities may eventually abandon the platforms once the oil deposits are gone. If they do, and then file for bankruptcy protection, state taxpayers may have to pay the cost of removing the rigs, they said. Explore further Failures of California's first plan to stop offshore oil drilling cast shadow over new efforts 2022 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Fourteen external morphological measurements (113, plus length of genital slit) taken from long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas edwardii) stranded on the New Zealand coast: (1) total body length (total length; TBL); (2) tip of upper jaw to tip of dorsal fin (Ujaw dorsal), (3) tip of upper jaw to anus (Ujaw anus); (4) tip of upper jaw to genital slit (Ujaw genital); (5) tip of upper jaw to forward insertion of pectoral fin (Ujaw pectoral); (6) tip of upper jaw to blowhole (Ujaw blowhole); (7) length of pectoral fin external (Pectoral length); (8) greatest width of pectoral fin (Pectoral width); (9) greatest width of tail flukes (Fluke width); (10) length of rostrum (Snout length); (11) tip lower jaw to corner of mouth (Ujaw gape); (12) height of dorsal fin (Height dorsal); (13) axillary girth (Axill girth); (14) length of genital slit (Genital slit). Credit: DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab165 Each year New Zealand experiences mass strandings of long-finned pilot whales along its shoreline. Exactly why these whales strand remains unclear. However, new biological insights into these phenomenal events has just been published in an international peer-reviewed journal. New research which examined more than 1500 pilot whales post mortem over an 80-year period has now revealed unique characteristics of Southern Hemisphere long -finned pilot whales. Estimates of length-at-birth, maximum ages, and sexual shape dimorphism (differences between male and female form) all differ significantly to those previously reported for the North Atlantic subspecies, indicating important subspecies differences in morphology (branch of biology that deals with form and structure of animals), longevity, and sociality. Maximum ages of 31 and 38 years were estimated for males and females, respectively. The study also reported pronounced sexual dimorphism with respect to shape, with males having proportionally longer pectoral fins, wider tail flukes, and taller dorsal fins compared to their female counterparts. The study, published in the Journal of Mammalogy, was undertaken by a team of scientists based at Massey University, Auckland University of Technology, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland and The Institute of Zoology, London. Lead author Dr. Emma Betty from Massey University's Cetacean Ecology Research Group, says the value of long-term datasets and tissue archives collected during mass stranding events cannot be underestimated. "Knowledge of population biological parameters can contribute to assessing the resilience of a population in the face of increasing anthropogenic [human induced] pressures," she says. Research Director for the Cetacean Ecology Research Group Professor Karen Stockin says the ongoing, long-term whale stranding research in New Zealand is really starting to bear fruit. "New Zealand's international reputation for mass whale strandings is globally recognized. However, it's the decades of data and samples collected in partnership with iwi and the Department of Conservation that is most exceptional." Explore further Scores of pilot whales dead in New Zealand stranding More information: Emma L Betty et al, Age, growth, and sexual dimorphism of the Southern Hemisphere long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas edwardii), Journal of Mammalogy (2021). Journal information: Journal of Mammalogy Emma L Betty et al, Age, growth, and sexual dimorphism of the Southern Hemisphere long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas edwardii),(2021). DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab165 The Grotte Mandrin rock shelter saw repeated use by Neanderthals and modern humans over millennia. Credit: Ludovic Slimak, CC BY-ND Perched about 325 feet (100 meters) up the slopes of the Prealps in southern France, a humble rock shelter looks out over the Rhone River Valley. It's a strategic point on the landscape, as here the Rhone flows through a narrows between two mountain ranges. For millennia, inhabitants of the rock shelter would have had commanding views of herds of animals migrating between the Mediterranean region and the plains of northern Europe, today replaced by TGV trains and up to 180,000 vehicles per day on one of the busiest highways on the continent. The site, recognized in the 1960s and named Grotte Mandrin after French folk hero Louis Mandrin, has been a valued location for over 100,000 years. The stone artifacts and animal bones left behind by ancient hunter-gatherers from the Paleolithic period were quickly covered by the glacial dust that blew from the north on the famous mistral winds, keeping the remains well preserved. Since 1990, our research team has been carefully investigating the uppermost 10 feet (3 meters) of sediment on the cave floor. Based on artifacts and tooth fossils, we believe that Mandrin rewrites the consensus story about when modern humans first made their way to Europe. Human origins researchers have generally agreed that between 300,000 and 40,000 years ago, Neanderthals and their ancestors occupied Europe. From time to time during that period, they had contact with modern humans in the Levant and parts of Asia. Then around 48,000 to 45,000 years ago, modern humansessentially usexpanded throughout the rest of the world, and Neanderthals and all other archaic humans disappeared. In the journal Science Advances, we describe our discovery of evidence that modern humans lived 54,000 years ago at Mandrin. That's some 10 millennia earlier than our species was previously thought to be in Europe and over a thousand miles west (1,700 kilometers) from the next-oldest known site, in Bulgaria. And fascinatingly, Neanderthals appear to have used the cave both before and after the modern human occupation. Grotte Mandrin is somewhat camouflaged as a rock outcropping when viewed from a distance. Credit: Ludovic Slimak Clues from tiny stone points and a tooth The first curious finding to emerge during the initial decade of Grotte Mandrin excavations were 1,500 tiny triangular stone points identified in what we labeled Layer E. Some less than half an inch (1 cm) in length, these points resemble arrowheads. They have no technological precursors or successors in the 11 surrounding archaeological layers of Neanderthal artifacts in the cave. Who made them? A handful of other sites in the middle Rhone Valley also contain these tiny points. But those sites were excavated long ago with pickaxes, making it hard to tell whether the points showed up abruptly or gradually over time, perhaps with Neanderthals having developed the methods to make them. In 2004, one of us, Ludovic Slimak, named this distinctive tradition "Neronian" after the nearby site where such tiny points were first excavated. Without more local sites for comparison, two of us, Laure Metz and Slimak, looked to a region where modern humans were definitely living by 54,000 years ago: the Eastern Mediterranean. In particular, the site of Ksar Akil near Beirut preserves what may be the longest and richest Paleolithic record in all Eurasia. View of the excavations at the entrance of Grotte Mandrin. Credit: Ludovic Slimak Our analyses of the stone artifacts from Ksar Akil show a similarly aged sediment layer with tiny points of the same size and made in the same technical traditions as those of Mandrin. This similarity strongly suggested that the Neronian artifacts were made not by Neanderthals, but rather by a group of modern human explorers who entered the region much earlier than we had expected. The final piece of the puzzle came in 2018, when one of us, Clement Zanolli, analyzed the nine hominin teeth we'd found throughout the different layers during excavation. Through painstaking analyses using CT scans and comparisons with hundreds of other fossils, we were able to determine that the Mandrin E tooth, a single baby tooth from a child between two and six years of age, came from an early modern human and cannot be from a Neanderthal. Based on the stone point technologies and their contexts in other sites, along with this fossil evidence, we conclude that the makers of the Neronian points in Grotte Mandrin were modern humans. These Neronian points have no equivalent technology among the Neanderthal groups that lived before and after the arrival of the first modern humans in Grotte Mandrin. Credit: Laure Metz and Ludovic Slimak, CC BY-ND Reading campfire soot layers like treerings But the discoveries from Mandrin don't stop there. Throughout the site's layers there are fragments of the shelter walls and roof that have fallen off and been buried with the fossils and artifacts. When Neanderthals and modern humans made fires in the site, the smoke would leave a layer of soot on those surfaces. Then the following season a thin layer of calcium carbonate called speleothem would cover it over. This cycle was repeated over and over. We first discovered these sooted vault fragments in 2006, and the team recovered thousands, year after year, in every archaeological layer of Mandrin. A decade of work by team member Segolene Vandevelde has shown that these patterns can be read like tree rings to tell us with what frequency and duration the groups visited the site, demonstrating that human groups came to Mandrin some 500 times over 80,000 years. On opposite sides of the Mediterranean, similar stone points were made by Homo sapiens around the same time. Credit: Laure Metz and Ludovic Slimak, CC BY-ND Vandevelde was then able to determine how much time separated the last Neanderthal fire from the first modern human fire in the cave, showing that it was only a maximum of a year between Neanderthals using Grotte Mandrin and modern humans moving in. After the modern humans occupied Mandrin annually for some 40 years, one or two generations, they disappeared just as quickly and mysteriously as they had appeared. Neanderthals then regularly reoccupied Mandrin over the following 12,000 years. Multiple human species sharing the landscape How did these modern humans arrive so early in Western Europe? Archaeological evidence from Australia shows that modern humans reached that continent by as early as 65,000 years ago. Of course they would have needed a boat to cross the open ocean to get there. It therefore isn't a stretch to assume that people in the Mediterranean had access to boat technologies 54,000 years ago and used them to explore along the coastlines of this contained sea. Cultural and anthropological evidence in Grotte Mandrin show the arrival of Homo sapiens in the heart of Neanderthal territories. Credit: Ludovic Slimak, CC BY-ND We know from the source locations of the flint used to make the artifacts in Grotte Mandrin that both Neanderthals and modern humans roamed widely, about 60 miles (100 km) in all directions around the site. How did the modern humans learn about all these stone resources over such a large, varied landscape in such a short time? Did they have relationships with the Neanderthals, who could have exchanged information or acted as guides? Was this a moment when the two groups interbred? Our ongoing work at Mandrin will shed light on these and other questions about our earliest ancestors in Europe. Explore further Study places Homo sapiens in Europe earlier than thought This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The James Webb Space Telescope hanging in space after separating from the Ariane launch vehicle over the Gulf of Aden, between Yemen and Somalia. Credit: NASA/ESA Since its launch on Christmas day, astronomers have eagerly followed the complex deployment and unfurling of NASA's James Webb Space Telescopethe largest to ever take to the skies. Right around the time this article is published, it's expected Webb will have reached a place called the Earth-Sun second Lagrange point, or L2. This is a point in space about 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth (in the opposite direction from the Sun) where the gravity from both the Sun and Earth help to keep an orbiting satellite balanced in motion. Now the astronomical communityincluding my team of Swinburne University astronomersis preparing for a new epoch of major discoveries. 30 years and US$10 billion In 2012, I wrote an article for The Conversation looking forward to the launch of Webb, and reminiscing about the amazing early days of its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope. Back then, Webb's planned launch date was in 2018. And when the project was originally conceived in the 1990s, the goal was to launch before 2010. Why did it take nearly 30 years, and more than US$10 billion (roughly A$14 billion), to get Webb off the ground? First, it's the largest telescope ever put into space, with a gold-coated mirror 6.5m in diameter (compared with Hubble's 2.4m mirror). With size comes complexity, as the entire structure needed to be folded to fit inside the nose cone of an Ariane rocket. This is an approximation of the path Webb will take at the L2 point, as it orbits around the Sun and Earth. Second, there were two major engineering marvels to accomplish with Webb. For a large telescope to produce the sharpest images possible, the mirror's surface needs to be aligned along a curve with extreme precision. For Webb this means unfolding and positioning the 18 hexagonal segments of the primary mirror, plus a secondary mirror, to a precision of 25 billionths of a meter. Also, Webb will be observing infrared light, so it must be kept incredibly cold (roughly -233) to maximize its sensitivity. This means it must be kept far away from Earth, which is a source of heat and light. It must also be completely protected from the Sunachieved by a 20m multilayered reflective sunshield. All of Webb's major spacecraft deployments, including the unfurling of the primary mirror and sunshield, were completed on January 8. The entire process involved more than 300 single points of failure (mechanisms that had only once chance to work). The remaining tiny motions will take place over the next few months. The main mission Webb's primary mission will be to witness the birth of the first stars and galaxies in the early Universe. As the light from these very faint galaxies travels across the vast gulf of space, and 13.8 billion years of time, it gets stretched by the overall expansion of the Universe in a process we call "cosmological redshift". Deployment sequence of the James Webb Space Telescope. Credit: NASA This stretching means what started out as extremely energetic ultraviolet radiation from young, hot and massive stars will be received by Webb as infrared light. This is why its mirrors are coated in gold: compared with silver or aluminum, gold is a better reflector of infrared light and red light. Webb will see much farther into the infrared than Hubble could. It's also up to 1 million times more sensitive than ground-based telescopes, where the light from distant galaxies is drowned out by the infrared emission of Earth's own hot atmosphere. Because of these previous technological limitations, the first billion years of cosmic history has barely been explored. We don't know when or how the first stars formed. This is a complex question as stars produce heavy elements when they die. These elements pollute the interstellar gas in galaxies and change how this gas behaves and collapses to form later generations of stars. All current star formation we can observe, such as in the Milky Way, is from enriched interstellar gas. We haven't yet seen how stars form in pristine gas, which is without any heavy elementsas such a state hasn't existed for more than 13 billion years. But we think formation from pristine gas likely had a large effect on the properties of the first stellar populations. Compared to these Hubble images, Webb will provide a much clearer view of the first billion years after the big bang (bottom row), wherein Hubble could barely detect the most luminous objects from this time. Credit: NASA/ESA A deep space observatory In addition to studying the early Universe, Webb will be a NASA "Great Observatory" and will support a diversity of other projects. It will allow scientists to peer into regions obscured by dust, such as the centers of galaxies where supermassive black holes lurk, or regions of intense star formation in our galaxy and others. Webb will also be sensitive to the coldest objects, including very low mass stars, and planets orbiting other stars within the Milky Way. One big improvement on Hubble is that Webb will be well-equipped for spectroscopy, dissecting light into its component wavelengths. This will let us measure the cosmic redshift of galaxies precisely, and figure out what elements they're made of. Closer to home, Webb will help us find molecules such as water, ammonia, carbon dioxide (and many others) within the solar system, the Milky Way and nearby galaxies. It will be able to see these in the atmospheres of planets around nearby stars, which is particularly exciting for the search for extraterrestrial life. The launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. Credit: NASA Astronomers await with anticipation for the first data to be collected in the next few months. While the most dramatic and risky mechanical motions have been completed, the telescope continues to move, and the mirror segments are making tiny nanometre-sized motions to bring it into a focus. This will take many weeks as the telescope cools to its operating temperature. For myself, perhaps the most exciting aspect to look forward to is the completely unknown. With Webb, we'll be observing a previously murky cosmic era, when physical conditions were very different to those in the modern Universe. The history of astronomy suggests we can expect paradigm-shifting discoveries. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Examples of coherent sources of GWs. Credit: Nancy Aggarwal Electromagnetic (EM) waves and gravitational waves are the only available means to study the Universe on a large scale. For millennia, only the former could be used, in naked-eye astronomical observations by the ancients based on the reception of visible light, or present-day super telescopes operating in various bands of the EM spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays. Gravitational effects can be inferred from the relative movements of celestial bodies. The first direct measurement of gravitational waves occurred only in 2015. It was effected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO in the United States and by the Virgo detector in Italy. As the media emphasized at the time, the feat opened up a totally new window for investigation of the Universe. The window has so far been explored only in a relatively narrow band of frequencies ranging from 10 hertz (10 Hz) to 10 kilohertz (104 Hz). The challenges and opportunities of detecting gravitational waves at much higher frequencies, from megahertz (106 Hz) to gigahertz (109 Hz), were the focus for an in-person meeting held at Trieste, Italy, in 2019, before the pandemic. A commentary on the workshop discussion there and a review of the literature on the topic have now been published in an article in the journal Living Reviews in Relativity. One of the authors is Odylio Denys de Aguiar, a senior researcher at the National Space Research Institute (INPE) in Brazil.The initiative was supported by FAPESP via a Regular Research Grant and a Thematic Project for which Aguiar was principal investigator. "To emit in the spectrum band considered, highly compact matter must oscillate at extremely high frequencies. This could happen, for example, with mini black holes, with diameters of less than a kilometer, and masses smaller than the mass of the Sun or even the mass of Earth," Aguiar said. As noted by the researchers in the article, "there are no known astrophysical objects which are small and dense enough to emit at frequencies beyond 10 kHz. Any discovery of gravitational waves at higher frequencies would thus indicate new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics, linked e.g., to exotic astrophysical objects (such as primordial black holes or boson stars) or to cosmological events in the early Universe such as phase transitions, [] cosmic strings, thermal fluctuations after reheating, etc." Any detections will confirm, correct or rule out these theoretical formulations regarding new physics. Astronomy and cosmology were notably advanced when observations based on electromagnetic waves surpassed the visible light part of the spectrum to reach higher frequency bands. Analogously, the detection of gravitational waves at frequencies above 10 kilohertz (kHz) would open up a new window on the Universe. "In particular, it would enable us to obtain information on the period between the Big Bang and the emission of background cosmic radiation, now captured in the form of microwaves," Aguiar said. "During that period, which lasted almost 400,000 years, electromagnetic radiation was so strongly coupled to matter that it couldn't propagate freely. Gravitational waves, however, could travel without hindrance and now form a background that might be detected." The main obstacle is technological. "The higher the frequency, the smaller the wave's amplitude. This is because, like the EM spectrum, the gravitational-wave spectrum also follows a power law as a function of frequency with a negative exponent," Aguiar explained. "In other words, nature is more generous at low frequencies, as can be seen from the graphs on the website showing the expected amplitudes of astrophysical and cosmological sources in the Universe and the sensitivity of the main projects to detect gravitational waves with frequencies below 10 kHz." None of the various proposals reviewed in the article would reach the required sensitivity. At most, they could achieve levels of sensitivity six orders of magnitude lower. However, the authors recall that less than 50 years ago laser interferometers were believed to have such low sensitivity that they were "of little experimental interest," according to Kip Thorne, one of the great precursors of the study of gravitational waves, with fellow-student Charles Misner, and John Archibald Wheeler, their doctoral advisor. Thorne won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics after the first detection of gravitation waves by the LIGO laser interferometer. According to Aguiar, the technological solution to detect high-frequency gravitational waves will not necessarily require projects costing billions but will have to be groundbreakingly innovative. Explore further Future gravitational wave detector in space could uncover secrets of the universe More information: Nancy Aggarwal et al, Challenges and opportunities of gravitational-wave searches at MHz to GHz frequencies, Living Reviews in Relativity (2021). Nancy Aggarwal et al, Challenges and opportunities of gravitational-wave searches at MHz to GHz frequencies,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s41114-021-00032-5 Credit: Saunak Shah/Pexels Urban warming results from cities creating and capturing heat. Now, new international research involving Western University is shedding light on how much of that is directly related to human activity. Researchers have known about urban heat islands since the mid-19th century, as urban areas can have a difference in temperature of more than a degree compared to their surroundings. Pinpointing the exact cause of urban heat islands is a bit more difficult. When COVID-19 led to a shutdown in cities around the world, it provided an opportunity for researchers to measure the effects of human activities. Heat generated by human activities in urban areassuch as heating and cooling buildings, traffic, the use of electricity and industrial processesare called anthropogenic heat fluxes. "The contribution of anthropogenic heat fluxes to urban warming is typically mixed with warming from other factors, and these heat fluxes themselves are very difficult to measure accurately," said James Voogt, a professor in the department of geography and environment and co-author of the new study that measured urban heat islands published in Geophysical Research Letters. "The COVID shutdown provided the unusual opportunity to directly measure the impact on temperatures that are associated with the change in only one factor: anthropogenic heat fluxes." Relying on a system of sensors monitoring air temperatures in more than 300 megacities in China, as well as remotely sensed surface temperatures from satellite imagery, the researchers compared temperatures in urban settings from January to April 2017, to those of January to April 2020. The results showed the reduction of human activity caused by COVID-related shutdowns led to a decrease in air temperatures of around half a degree Celsius, with surface temperature decreases about half that amount. Normally, it is difficult to attribute how much of the heat difference in cities is due to anthropogenic heat flux. The study showed the heat island decreased by over a third during this periodwhich indicates a large relative contribution from urban activities to the overall urban warming for that time period. The heat changes in cities, Voogt said, are different, and above, the heat changes caused by climate change. The extra heat, however, may make it more difficult for people in cities to adjust to changes, particularly in locations where summer temperatures go up beyond the human comfort range. "In many cities, heat is already becoming a major issue," said Voogt. "Heat events are already the most likely severe weather event to kill people, although until recently, people often weren't categorized as dying from heat." With more than half the world's population already living in cities, and this proportion increasing, this issue will become increasingly important. When cities are built, roads and buildings replace vegetation and water-absorbing surfaces are replaced with more impervious surfaces that dry and heat up faster. Cities will also have more differences in height, creating a 'rougher' surface, which will trap more sunlight and slow cooling at night. The materials that make up roads and buildings also generally hold more heat than the natural landscape. These changes all contribute to cities having different climates than their surrounding areas, often, but not always, being warmer. The concentration of human population also contributes to these differences. The impact of anthropogenic heat flux is spatially variable, depending on population density and land use, as well as climatically and seasonally variable, said Voogt. There are even differences within a day, with anthropogenic heat fluxes peaking in the morning and evening and decreasing overnight. "Changing human behavior is different than changing design and structure of a city," said Voogt. The challenges of responding to urban heat also reflects equity and racial issues, including access to cooling, which parts of the cities have trees, and who is exposed to more heat, said Voogt. The research, he said, underscores the importance of cities as an environment to study. "Human activity is generating heat at multiple scales," said Voogt. "Cities are receptors of these factors. They are sensitive environments and are home to a lot of people. Urban areas are already warmer than their surroundings, and cities will have large-scale climate change on top of that." Explore further Anthropogenic heat flux increases frequency of extreme heat events More information: Zihan Liu et al, Urban Heat Islands Significantly Reduced by COVID19 Lockdown, Geophysical Research Letters (2022). Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters Zihan Liu et al, Urban Heat Islands Significantly Reduced by COVID19 Lockdown,(2022). DOI: 10.1029/2021GL096842 Where fossilised pollen was gathered in Anglesey, North Wales. Credit: Matt Pound, Author provided Climate change is a global phenomenon and can often appear to be a bigger issue in places where it is already very hot and humid. But what will the climate crisis mean for the relatively mild UK? To find out, we reconstructed the climate at a specific point in the distant past, an era when volcanoes had pumped about as much carbon into the atmosphere as exists today. We knew it would have been hotbut we didn't expect it to have been so rainy. Future changes in climate and their consequences for the UK are difficult to predict, but we do know that humans have already caused an increase in temperature of nearly 1C in the UK and about a 6% increase in rainfall. Climate models predict a future with more extreme weather, with more rainfall, warmer summers and milder winters. While many might not object to milder winters and some might relish hotter summers, fewer people would want more rain and harsher storms. To find out how likely these doomsday scenarios are, we can use the past as a natural laboratory. We know that climates have changed throughout Earth's 4.5 billion year existence (though not at today's speed) and by reconstructing and studying these changes we can explore climates never experienced by people. We recently published results of one such experiment that looked at the UK. Back to the Pliocene One era we looked at is the Pliocene, around 2.6 million to 5.3 million years ago. This was the most recent period when the UK was significantly warmer than it is today, when its landscape resembled the warm and humid forests found in modern south-east China. About the width of a human hair, this is 12 million year old pollen the authors found fossilised in the Peak District. Credit: Matt Pound, Author provided Climate modeling studies suggest the world may begin to experience Pliocene climates by the 2030s. To see what this would mean in the UK, we used fossilized pollen from Essex and Suffolk. The type of pollen can tell us what sorts of plants were growing at the time, and these plants can tell us about the climate as a whole. This, combined with more sophisticated computational techniques for reconstructing past climates from plant remains, meant we were able to get a sense of the climate millions of years ago. Our work reveals that Pliocene Britain would have had slightly warmer winters, but about 25% more rainfall with much of this extra rain coming in the winter. Further back to the Miocene If CO emissions do not stabilize in the coming decade, we will be back to climates not experienced since an even earlier period known as the Miocene (between 5 million and 23 million years ago). Back then, atmospheric CO concentrations were somewhere between 400 and 600 parts per million (ppm), very similar to present-day levels of 419ppm and the 500ppm-650ppm predicted by 2070. No wonder this hot era, with its smaller Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, has recently been identified by the IPCC as an "interval of interest" that may contain some clues about future anthropogenic warming. So what would the UK have looked like at that point? Fossil pollen from the Peak District and Anglesey provides insight into climate if CO emissions peak between 2040 and 2080. The pollen from the Peak District is 12 million years old, slightly younger than that from Anglesey (by about 2 million years). It gives us an indication of climates similar to that potentially coming in the mid-21st century, with winter temperature increases of 3C and summers 2C warmer. The fossil pollen from Anglesey was the oldest we studied and reconstructs a remarkably different climate from the present day: winters and summers 6C warmer than today and a 61% increase in annual rainfall. More frequent heavy rainfall would raise the risk of floods. Floods are already the most common type of natural disaster in the UK, and extreme flooding is set to cause wide-ranging damage in future to everything from roads and rail, to homes, livelihoods and natural ecosystems. Higher flood risk combined with rising sea levels will also make storm surges bigger and more likely to breach coastal defenses. Indeed, one study cited in the IPCC's latest report shows how warming of 3.5C4.8C by 2080 could increase the cost of flooding in the UK almost 15-fold under high CO emission scenarios. Explore further Humanity is compressing millions of years of natural change into just a few centuries This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Fig. 1 The range of the central Tibetan Valley (white shaded area). The Lunpola basin is indicated as yellow star. Credit: ITP A new study led by Prof. Ding Lin from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed the evolution of the Central Tibetan Valley, which may shed light on the formation of Tibetan Plateau. The findings were published in Science Advances on Feb. 10. The growth of Tibetan Plateau has attracted much attention since the 19th century for its influences on the regional and global climate and biodiversity. Previous researches indicate that around 60 million years ago (mya), before the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, a wet and low elevation Valley system existed between the high Gangdese Mountains on the southern margin of Eurasia and the Central Watershed Mountains in the north. Therefore, the uplifting history of the Central Tibetan Valley has become the key to reveal when and how Tibet started the transition from "low and wet valley" to "high and dry" plateau we know today. Since 1997, Prof. Ding has led several field investigations with his team in the Lunpola Basin within the center of the Valley, now at an elevation of almost 5,000 m, and collected a large number of samples for radiometric dating and clumped isotope analysis in order to document changes in surface height and climate over time in the Valley. Fig. 2 Block models illustrating the topographic evolution of the Central Tibetan Valley and underlying geodynamic processes. Credit: ITP The researchers found nine layers of volcanic tuffs in the Niubao and Dingqing formations. They determined the radiometric age of these volcanic tuffs to establish the absolute age framework across Eocene and Oligocene sediments in the Lunpola Basin, which is critical for pinpointing the exact point of transition from valley to plateau. The depositional age of the Niubao Formation was constrained to 5029 mya, and the depositional age of the overlying Dingqing Formation to 2920 mya. To obtain ancient land surface heights, Ding's team first used modeling parameters (including soil moisture, precipitation, evaporation and surface temperature) to determine when in the year the paleosol nodules were likely to have formed. Then, they transferred clumped isotope temperature of paleosol nodules into wet-bulb air temperatures that decline with increasing height. Wet-bulb temperatures incorporate changes in humidity as air travels over land surfaces; thus, it is far more reliable for reconstructing past elevations. They used wet-bulb air temperatures derived from clumped isotopes, simulated sea-level wet-bulb temperatures, and wet-bulb surface temperature lapse rates during which the paleosol nodules formed to reconstruct the history of surface height changes in the Lunpola Basin. These results show that the Central Tibetan Valley was at a relatively low elevation of 1,700 m between 5038 mya and confirm a subtropical "Shangri-La" diverse ecosystem inside Tibet. Between 3829 mya, the Central Tibetan Valley rose rapidly to become a part of what is now the Tibetan Plateau, at an elevation over 4,000 m. Fig. 3 Present alpine ecosystem in the Lunpola Basin, Central Tibet, China, with alpine meadow, yaks, and sheep. Credit: Su Tao With the rise of the Central Tibetan Valley and the cooling of the global climate through the Oligocene, temperature and precipitation in the central plateau decreased significantly, and the influence of the monsoon was more strengthened. Climate change further led to the transformation of the central Tibet from one that hosted a warm-humid, low-elevation subtropical ecosystem and served as an incubator for today's exceptional Asian biodiversity, to a high, cold-dry alpine ecosystem. Based on various evidence of paleo-elevation, tectonics, and magmatism in the region, Prof. Ding and his team suggest a new model of Tibetan Plateau formation. In this model, the subducting Lhasa mantle fell away and/or was thermally eroded, allowing upwelling of the asthenosphere. This softened the crust above and facilitated shortening driven by the relentless northward movement of India. Explore further Newly discovered fossils prove "Shangri-La"-like ecosystem in central Tibet More information: Zhongyu Xiong et al, The rise and demise of the Paleogene Central Tibetan Valley, Science Advances (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abj0944 Journal information: Science Advances Zhongyu Xiong et al, The rise and demise of the Paleogene Central Tibetan Valley,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj0944 Researchers at University College Cork (UCC) examined the views of 120 households with low disposable income who are clients of the North Dublin Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) to ascertain if they could engage with Government supports to retrofit homes. The analysis, conducted prior to the recent Government announcement on retrofitting, found: Over a third of those surveyed did not qualify for free upgrades and were already financially squeezed with no scope to engage in upgrades. Inadequate disposable income emerges strongly as a key barrier to engagement with retrofitting schemes for these households. A little under two thirds of those surveyed qualified for free upgrades but a mere 8% had availed of the supports, mostly in the form of lagging jackets, low energy light bulbs and attic insulation. Less than a third of all low disposable income households were aware of the availability of retrofit grants. Promisingly, almost all households had changed aspects of household energy consumption behaviour, such as turning off the heating, turning off lights, taking shorter showers and switching off unused devices, showing a strong awareness of strategies to reduce energy consumption and a willingness to engage. "Our findings strongly suggest that financial incentives alone, or indeed, free retrofitting, will not be enough. A wider range of tailored measures will be necessary to reach and support low disposable income households to transition to energy upgrades" commented Dr. Olive McCarthy, a senior lecturer and director of the Centre for Co-operative Studies at Cork University Business School at UCC. Recent retrofit announcement won't be enough "While the revised measures announced yesterday (8th February) are welcome and extend the eligibility criteria for free upgrades somewhat" she said, "this won't be enough support for some. More emphasis needs to be placed on one-to-one advice and assistance to help people to engage. It is also highly likely that the cost will continue to be out of reach for those with low disposable income, including those who are overindebted." Commenting Gwen Harris, North Dublin MABS regional manager, said, "As the climate change conversation continues, MABS is increasingly concerned that there may be a new cohort of people considered energy poor. Promoting energy-efficient practices with our clients supports MABS's holistic approach and sustainable budgeting responsibilities. Not all MABS clients can afford to participate in the climate action agenda and therefore may find themselves paying more for energy in their home." Explore further Disabled people risk being left in the cold in a sustainable energy future Hypothetical life restoration of MOR 7029. Note that the pulmonary disease infecting this animal would not have been externally evident, but the probable pneumonia-like outward symptoms would have included coughing, labored breathing, nasal discharge, fever, and weight loss, among others. Credit: Woodruff, et al. (2022) and Corbin Rainbolt. The fossilized remains of an immature diplodocida large, long-necked herbivorous sauropod dinosaur, like Brontosaurusmay provide the first evidence of a unique respiratory infection in a dinosaur, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. The findings increase our understanding of the illnesses that affected dinosaurs. The specimen, nicknamed "Dolly," was discovered in southwest Montana, U.S., and dates back to the Late Jurassic Period of the Mesozoic Era (approximately 150 million years ago). Cary Woodruff of the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum in Malta, along with his colleagues, examined three of the cervical vertebrae (the bones from the neck) from Dolly and identified never-before-seen abnormal bony protrusions that had an unusual shape and texture. These protrusions were located in an area of each bone where they would have been penetrated by air-filled sacs. These air sacs would have ultimately connected to Dolly's lungs and formed part of the dinosaur's complex respiratory system. CT imaging of the irregular protrusions revealed that they were made of abnormal bone that most likely formed in response to an infection. "Given the likely symptoms this animal suffered from, holding these infected bones in your hands, you can't help but feel sorry for Dolly," Woodruff said. "We've all experienced these same symptomscoughing, trouble breathing, a fever, etc. and here's a 150-million-year-old dinosaur that likely felt as miserable as we all do when we're sick." CT scans of infected vertebra from Dolly. Photograph and scan model of the infected vertebra (A & B respectively). The colored lines in (B) correspond to the scan slices (and scan interpretative drawings below). White arrows point to the externally visibly abnormal bone growth, while black arrows denote the internal irregularities. (C) Comparison of the abnormal tissue composition of Dolly (left), compared to that of a 'normal' sauropod (right). Credit: Woodruff, et al. Based on the location of these abnormal bony protrusions, the researchers suggest that they formed in response to a respiratory infection in Dolly, which ultimately spread into these neck vertebrae via the air sacs and caused the irregular bone growths. The authors speculate that this respiratory infection could have been caused by a fungal infection similar to aspergillosis, a common respiratory illness that affects birds and reptiles today and can lead to bone infections. In addition to documenting the first occurrence of such a respiratory infection in a dinosaur, this fossilized infection also has important anatomical implications for the respiratory system of sauropod dinosaurs. "This fossil infection in Dolly not only helps us trace the evolutionary history of respiratory-related diseases back in time, but gives us a better understanding of what kinds of diseases dinosaurs were susceptible to," Woodruff said. Abnormal bony growth in MOR 7029. (A) Schematic map of the neck of Diplodocus, with the abnormal bone growth denoted in red. (B) Neck vertebra of MOR 7029 with a red box highlighting the abnormal structure; close up in (C) with interpretative drawing in (D) (abnormal structure in red). Credit: Woodruff, et al. The researchers suggest that if Dolly had been infected with an aspergillosis-like respiratory infection, it likely experienced flu or pneumonia-like symptoms such as weight loss, coughing, fever, and breathing difficulties. As aspergillosis can be fatal in birds if untreated, a potentially similar infection in Dolly could have ultimately caused the death of the animal, they add. The elaborate and circuitous pulmonary complex of the sauropod, with the hypothetical route of infectious pathway in MOR 7029. Human scale bar is the profile of a man standing 170cm tall. Credit: Woodruff, et al., and Francisco Brunen Alfaro. In addition to Woodruff, the research team included a paleopathologist/veterinarian, Ewan Wolff (University of New Mexico); a veterinarian, Sophie Dennison (TeleVet Imaging Solutions, Oakton, Va.); and two paleontologists who are also medical anatomists, Mathew Wedel (Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, Calif.) and Lawrence Witmer (Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio). Explore further Researchers show high-performance breathing in bones More information: Cary Woodruff, The first occurrence of an avian-style respiratory infection in a non-avian dinosaur, Scientific Reports (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-05761-3 Journal information: Scientific Reports Cary Woodruff, The first occurrence of an avian-style respiratory infection in a non-avian dinosaur,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05761-3 At the very centre of the simulation (and our own Universe) is the Milky Way galaxy, and our nearest massive neighbour, the Andromeda galaxy (known as M31). Credit: Dr Stuart McAlpine Scientists have produced the largest and most accurate virtual representation of the universe to date. An international team of researchers, led by the University of Helsinki, and including members from Durham University, in the U.K., used supercomputer simulations to recreate the entire evolution of the cosmos, from the Big Bang to the present. The findings are published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The simulation, named SIBELIUS-DARK, is part of the Simulations Beyond the Local universe (SIBELIUS) project, and is the largest and most comprehensive constrained realization simulation to date. The team meticulously compared the virtual universe to a series of observational surveys to find the correct locations and properties for the virtual analogies of the familiar structures. It was found that our local patch of the universe may be somewhat unusual as the simulation predicted a lower number of galaxies on average due to a local large-scale 'underdensity' of matter. While the level of this underdensity is not considered to be a challenge to the standard model of cosmology, it could have consequences for how we interpret information from observed galaxy surveys. The simulation covers a volume up to a distance of 600 million lightyears from Earth and is represented by over 130 billion simulated particles, requiring many thousands of computers working in tandem over several weeks and producing large amounts of data. The simulation was performed on the DiRAC COSmology MAchine (COSMA) operated by the Institute for Computational Cosmology at Durham University. These cosmological simulations developed by the team used relevant physics equations to describe how dark matter and cosmic gas evolve throughout the universe's lifetime. Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter thought to account for a large amount of all matter in the universe. First, the dark matter coalesces into small clumps, called haloes, and the surrounding gas is gravitationally attracted towards these clumps, eventually fragmenting into stars to form galaxies. Over time, haloes grow large enough to host galaxies like our own Milky Way. Over the past 20 years, cosmologists have developed a standard model of cosmologythe cold dark matter modelwhich can explain much observed astronomical data, including the properties of heat left over from the big bang and the number and spatial distribution of galaxies observed today. When simulating a virtual cold dark matter universe, most cosmologists follow a typical, or random, patch, one that is similar to our own observed universe, yet only in a statistical sense. The simulations carried out in this study are different. By using advanced generative algorithms (models how the data was generated in order to categorize a signal), the simulations are conditioned to reproduce our specific patch of universe, thus containing the present day structures in the vicinity of our own galaxy that astronomers have observed over decades. This means that the familiar structures within our local universe, such as the Virgo, Coma and Perseus clusters of galaxies, the Great Wall and the Local Voidour cosmic habitatare reproduced in the simulation. At the center of the simulation is perhaps the most important structure, a pair of galaxies, the virtual counterparts of our own Milky Way and our nearby massive neighbor, the Andromeda galaxy. Professor Carlos Frenk, Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics at the Institute for Computational Cosmology, at Durham University, said: "It is immensely exciting to see the familiar structures that we know exist around us emerge from a computer calculation. The simulations simply reveal the consequences of the laws of physics acting on the dark matter and cosmic gas throughout the 13.7 billion years that our universe has been around. The fact that we have been able to reproduce these familiar structures provides impressive support for the standard Cold Dark Matter model and tells us that we are on the right track to understand the evolution of the entire universe." Dr. Matthieu Schaller from Leiden University added: "This project is truly ground-breaking. These simulations demonstrate that the standard Cold Dark Matter Model can produce all the galaxies we see in our neighborhood. This is a very important test for the model to pass." Former Durham PHD student Dr. Stuart McAlpine, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, said: "By simulating our universe, as we see it, we are one step closer to understanding the nature of our cosmos. This project provides an important bridge between decades of theory and astronomical observations." The international research team will further analyze the simulation created with the hope of providing further stringent tests of the standard model of cosmology. More information: Stuart McAlpine et al, SIBELIUS-DARK: a galaxy catalogue of the Local Volume from a constrained realisation simulation, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2022). Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Stuart McAlpine et al, SIBELIUS-DARK: a galaxy catalogue of the Local Volume from a constrained realisation simulation,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stac295 James Dahlman and Phil Santangelo. Credit: Georgia Tech / Rob Felt James Dahlman and Phil Santangelo are helping to define an evolving era in medicine, one in which messenger ribonucleic acidmRNAcan be delivered directly to cells to fight against disease. And their latest groundbreaking study could clear the way to faster therapeutic discoveries. Long before the COVID-19 pandemic put a global spotlight on mRNA-based vaccines, these two researchers in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University were combining their distinct skillsets to leverage the clinical potential of mRNA. "Our work is very compatible," said Dahlman, associate professor and McCamish Foundation Early Career Professor. "Phil's lab designs and manufactures really high-quality mRNA, and my lab develops the lipid nanoparticles to deliver it." Therapeutics made from mRNA or DNA hold promise in addressing lots of diseases, explained Santangelo, a professor in Coulter BME, "but they're not much good if they can't get where they need to go. If you make cargo, which is essentially what we do in my lab, you need delivery, so James and I have a very natural collaboration." Their partnership, which began when Dahlman arrived at Georgia Tech in 2016, consistently yields results published in high-impact journals and garners generous research grants from federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). That includes a recent flood of cutting-edge papers: two in Nature Biomedical Engineering (from October 2021, and a forthcoming study) as well as their latest publication, released Feb. 7 in Nature Nanotechnology. "We're reporting an improved barcoding system that would make animal pre-clinical nanoparticle studies more predictive, speeding up the development of RNA therapies," Dahlman said. Several years ago, Dahlman and collaborators developed a technique called "DNA barcoding," which allows for the rapid, simultaneous screening of many of his custom-made delivery vehicleswhat are called lipid nanoparticles, or LNPs. Scientists insert unique snippets of DNA into different LNPs, which are injected into mice. Genetic sequencing is then used to determine which barcodes have reached which specific targets. The new system described in Nature Nanotechnology takes the screening process a step further. "Lipid nanoparticles are usually developed in mice, but when you move them into another species, like a non-human primatebecause that's the natural progression, a primate is more like a humanthey frequently don't work as well," Santangelo said. "When they don't, you have to go back and make adjustments." But what if you could streamline the process? The genes that affect LNP delivery vary between pre-clinical species and humans, though the extent of those differences is unknown because studies comparing nanoparticle delivery across species have been very difficult to perform. Until now. To speed that process, the researchers developed a new testing system they're calling Species Agnostic Nanoparticle Delivery Screening, or SANDS. Using SANDS, the team compared nanoparticle delivery simultaneously in mouse, primate, and living human cells, all within specially engineered mice. "We can actually put the same group of nanoparticles in all three and compare delivery across species," Dahlman said. "We found what you might expect: delivery in the primate cells predicted really well how delivery in the human cells would go, whereas the mouse cells were less predictive." Unlike the previous barcoding system, which worked well in mouse cells, SANDS needed a different kind of marker for screening, a molecule called reporter mRNA. Santangelo's lab developed one, "and it basically gets around the limitations of the old system," he said. "Now we can screen new lipid nanoparticles in mice with primate and human cells." SANDS already is facilitating further studies for the research team. Going forward, Dahlman and Santangelo believe that deeper understanding of the different mechanisms driving delivery in mouse cells and other cells will result in a more efficient selection process for LNPs, making pre-clinical nanoparticle studies more predictive and accelerating the development of RNA therapies. That sense of building momentum has been kind of a theme for the Dahlman-Santangelo partnership since it began. Dahlman remembered interviewing at Georgia Tech and Emory and being immediately impressed when he met Santangelo. "I explained to him my vision for barcoding, and he immediately got it; he explained to me his vision for improving payloads, and I immediately got that," Dahlman said. "You could have the world's best nanoparticle, but if you don't put optimized mRNA in it, that's not going to be any good." They immediately recognized the value and the necessity for collaboration, especially because, as Santangelo put it, "This is a wildly competitive time in mRNA research." The pace of their work reflects that, too. Their October study in Nature Biomedical Engineering reported development of an LNP designed specifically to be delivered by a nebulizer into the lungs. In their experiments, it successfully delivered therapeutic mRNA and protected mice from a lethal flu. They've got several more papers nearing publication. And there's work soon to be funded by the Wellcome Leap program that includes a project focused on mRNA-encoded antibodies for the lung. They're also developing what could be another game-changer in vaccinationswhat Santangelo described as "a new type of approach that has a lot of potential: The basic idea is to have the ability to vaccinate against many pathogens at once." Ultimately, though, it comes back to having the best vehicle to deliver the potent payload; you can't really have one without the other. The Dahlman-Santangelo research partnership is complementary in other ways as well, with Dahlman's lab doing a lot of the sequencing and Santangelo's lab doing a lot of the imaging. "It means that we can write papers that are much more complete," Santangelo said. "It includes all of the data, and it can have sequencing, it can have imaging, it has fancy cargoes, it has cool delivery. You put together all of those pieces, and you have a nice package." Explore further Flu virus shells could improve delivery of mRNA into cells More information: Marine Z. C. Hatit et al, Species-dependent in vivo mRNA delivery and cellular responses to nanoparticles, Nature Nanotechnology (2022). Marine Z. C. Hatit et al, Species-dependent in vivo mRNA delivery and cellular responses to nanoparticles,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-021-01030-y Melissa P. Lokugamage et al, Optimization of lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of nebulized therapeutic mRNA to the lungs, Nature Biomedical Engineering (2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00786-x Journal information: Nature Nanotechnology , Nature Biomedical Engineering Credit: CC0 Public Domain Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the early precursors of the eggs (oocytes) and sperm that are necessary to keep humankind alive and reproducing. Medical researchers attempt to study their function and development using models of these cells called human primordial germ-cell-like cells (PGCLCs). Human PGCLCs have been developed in several research centers, including the laboratory headed by Toshi Shioda, MD, Ph.D., in the Center for Cancer Research at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School. Natural PGCs exist only in embryos. The models were created to overcome the ethical and technical barriers surrounding the use of human embryonic tissues in experiments. "My primary interest is the use of PGCLCs for toxicological research to understand how exposure to chemicals or prescription drugs might affect human reproduction," Shioda says. He and his colleagues are using the cells to study in the lab how exposure of women to chemicals such as general anesthetic could introduce heritable changes that can then be passed on to future generations without creating DNA mutations. This process is known as epigenetic inheritance. They are also using this model to investigate how PGCs become testicular cancer, the most common malignancy in boys and young men. The catch is that hPGCLCs don't survive long in the laboratory and quickly lose their germ-cell-like features unless they are carefully and painstakingly nursed along with the use of blood serum or added chemicals. And even when these special cells survive and grow in laboratory dishes, they tend to drift away from their germ-cell-like identity and become other types of cells. But as Shioda and colleagues explain in the journal Stem Cell Reports, they have developed a method for maintaining hPGCLCs and their germ-cell-like functions in cell culture without the need for special handling, with the cells surviving and continuing to replicate for at least five months without losing their primordial germ-cell-like features. Using these cells, they have successfully generated hPGCLCs that carry various genetic mutations linked to testicular cancer, and are working to create the first synthetic tumor model of human testicular cancer with defined genetic mutations to aid in research into cancer prevention and treatment. Explore further Sperm development linked to testicular cancer More information: Mutsumi Kobayashi et al, Expanding homogeneous culture of human primordial germ cell-like cells maintaining germline features without serum or feeder layers, Stem Cell Reports (2022). Journal information: Stem Cell Reports Mutsumi Kobayashi et al, Expanding homogeneous culture of human primordial germ cell-like cells maintaining germline features without serum or feeder layers,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.01.012 Correlation between age (years) and the effects of spatial training on mathematics outcomes. This is a zero-order correlation between the average effect size of spatial training on mathematics outcomes per study. This correlation is not based on the RVE moderator analysis; instead if an individual study included three math outcomes, the average effect across all three outcomes was calculated. Credit: DOI: 10.1037/dev0001281 A sustained focus on spatial reasoning training could turn the UK into a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) powerhouse by improving young people's mathematics skills, according to new research from the University of Surrey. The Surrey study found that teaching spatial skillsparticularly with the use of blocks, puzzles and other physical manipulativesis highly effective at improving mathematics performance. The team also found that physical spatial reasoning training was far more effective than digital sessions. Dr. Katie Lee-Gilligan, co-author of the study and lecturer in developmental psychology at the University of Surrey, said: "Our research confirms that when children learn the relationship between space and shapes through tangible physical tools such as puzzles, their mathematics performance improves. This is critical information for us all, particularly parents, teachers and decision-makers, at a time when the UK is lagging behind its international competitors when it comes to STEM skills." Spatial reasoning is defined as a person's ability to think about shapes and space in two and three dimensions, and previous research has shown that spatial reasoning is crucial for daily living, for example, navigating to work, filling the dishwasher, and putting on your shoes. The research, which was conducted in partnership with the University of Toronto and the University of Maryland, also highlights the importance of not restricting the teaching of spatial reasoning to young children as they found evidence of mathematical gains in older groups past the age of seven. Dr. Zack Hawes, co-author of the study and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, commented: "Despite these and other findings that demonstrate the fundamental importance of spatial thinking for STEM learning and performance, spatial thinking remains a neglected aspect of educational practice and policy. We hope the current findings inspire new research, professional practice, and insights into the ways in which spatial thinking may be used to make learning more engaging, accessible, and equitable." The research has been published by the American Psychological Association and details a meta-analysis on how spatial reasoning training impacted the mathematical abilities of 3,700 participants aged between three to 20 years old. In a 2021 open letter to the UK Government, the Institute of Engineering and Technology estimated a shortfall of over 173,000 workers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors, with an average of 10 unfilled roles per business in the UK. The letter, signed by 150 of the UK's top firms, warned that if the country did not plug this skills gap, it would cost the economy 1.5bn per year. This research suggests that spatial skill training could be a novel, untapped avenue for improving STEM skills. Explore further Study confirms link between spatial and math skills More information: Zachary C. K. Hawes et al, Effects of spatial training on mathematics performance: A meta-analysis., Developmental Psychology (2022). Journal information: Developmental Psychology Zachary C. K. Hawes et al, Effects of spatial training on mathematics performance: A meta-analysis.,(2022). DOI: 10.1037/dev0001281 In 2017 a court in Argentina granted this female chimpanzee Cecilia the right not to be imprisoned without trial, under habeas corpus. A northern Swiss region will vote Sunday on whether non-human primates should enjoy some of the same basic fundamental rights as their human cousins. The vote in the Basel-Stadt canton, which is home to the city of the same name and to one of Europe's best-known zoos, is being keenly followed by animal rights activists. Giving primates 'integrity' Triggered by the campaign group Sentience under Switzerland's direct democracy system, the regional vote concerns whether to give primates the right to life and the right to "mental and physical integrity". "This will mark the first time worldwide that people can vote on fundamental rights for non-human animals," the group claims. Basel-based Sentience says primates are highly intelligent and maintain an active social life, and feel pain, grief and compassion. However, they cannot defend themselves against interventions in their livesso humans need to take responsibility and grant them rights, says Sentience. The group says some 150 primates live in the canton, which borders France and Germany. Legal challenge In 2020, Switzerland's Supreme Court deemed a public vote on the topic was valid, rejecting an appeal. It found that the proposal would not extend fundamental rights to animalsbut instead introduce specific rights for non-human primates. However, it said the proposal would only bind the cantonal and municipal authorities in Switzerland's third-biggest city, and "not directly private persons". The impact on private research institutions, and on Basel Zooin the hands of family shareholderswould therefore be limited. And, according to the court, the local authorities and their public bodies do not have any primates. Establishing the law The vote is "a statement of intent so that primates live in better conditions," said Pedro Pozas, the Spanish director of the Great Apes Project, an international movement which demands a set of rights. Animal defenders say the vote is highly symbolic. Its scope could be very wide, said Steven Wise, a US lawyer specialising in animal rights. The vote "would give certain rights to primates, which would have to be litigated out as to what rights those are", he told AFP. Wise said the proposal raises several questions, including who would plead a primate's case in court if its rights were violated? If the vote goes through, Swiss courts would meanwhile not be the first to hear such cases. In 2017 in Argentina, a court granted a female chimpanzee the right not to be imprisoned without trial, under habeas corpus. It was the first chimpanzee in the world to benefit from this right. Wise said the animal rights movement was trying to "break through the barrier" limiting the extent to which rights can be applied. He compared the situation to previous battles to extend rights among humans, citing children, women or racial minorities. Pozas said the United Nations should also make a declaration on the rights of great apes. Euthanasia question While the proposed new law would only concern primates kept by public bodies, Basel Zoo board member Olivier Pagan fears a spillover effect on their primates. "If the initiative was adopted, the scrutiny of their well-being and safety would no longer be the responsibility of experienced biologists, veterinarians and experienced caregivers, but of a mediator... or even unqualified lawyers," he said. When a primate is in serious pain, it might not be possible to end its suffering, under the right to life clause. Zoo veterinarian Fabia Wyss said: "If the initiative is adopted and if I decide to put the animal to sleep, I put myself beyond the law." "But by letting an animal suffer unnecessarily, I am also equally culpable." 2022 AFP Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday gave North Country U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik his complete and total endorsement in her bid for reelection in New Yorks 21st Congressional District. Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, is the House Republican Conference Chair. She became a staunch supporter of Trump in the second half of his presidency during his first impeachment trial. She defended him against inquiries into his dealings with Ukraine ahead of the 2020 election. She also defended him in his second impeachment when he was accused of inciting an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. In Stefaniks reaction to the endorsement, she referred to Trump as President Trump, omitting the former in his title. Trump praised Stefanik for her loyalty to him. Elise will continue to fiercely defend our movement and expose the Radical Lefts lies, Trump said in a statement. Trump said Stefanik is one of the America First movements greatest warriors. She destroyed Adam Shifty Schiff, Corrupt Cuomo and Wacky Liz Cheney, he said, referring to a California congressman who was one of the leaders of Trumps first impeachment trial, the former New York governor who resigned last year amid a string of sexual harassment and ethics controversies and the former House Republican Conference chair who was ousted by her own party and replaced by Stefanik. Trump said Stefanik is strong on issues like election integrity, the Second Amendment, veterans, farmers, military and law enforcement. Stefanik said she was humbled and honored to get Trumps endorsement and called him a good friend. She said her goal, if reelected, is to flip the House, fire Nancy Pelosi and save America. By fire Pelosi, shes referring to returning the House to Republican control, which would remove Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Shes been using Trumps catchphrase from a television show Youre fired to describe this process. Last month, Stefanik joined Trump at a fundraiser at one of his resorts, bringing in $3.2 million at the event for Republican candidates. While fundraising, Stefanik voted by proxy, citing the ongoing public health emergency of the coronavirus pandemic as her reason. This method of voting, while commonly used by members of both major political parties, brought criticism from her Democratic opponents in the upcoming Nov. 8 election. Democrats Bridie Farrell, Matt Castelli, Matt Putorti and Ezra Watson are running for Stefaniks seat. At this fundraiser Trump predicted Stefanik would be elected president in 2028. New Yorks new congressional district map increases the square mileage of NY-21, cutting out population centers like Fort Drum, stretching further down into the Mohawk Valley and adding counties all along the states border with Vermont. Watson, who lives in Wilton, is the only candidate whose residency in the district would be impacted by the redistricting. He has said he plans to continue running and if he wins, will move into the new district. Though Stefanik said the Democrats illegally gerrymandered the states lines in their redistricting process, she stands to benefit from the changes. Stefanik Campaign Executive Director Alex DeGrasse said the expanded NY-21 district brings in new Trump voters. He said that Trump won the district with about 10.5 percentage points over Biden in the 2020 election. With the new district lines, hes calculated that advantage to be 19 percentage points nearly double. Love 9 Funny 11 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 17 How much of an impact will the lifting of the mask mandate have on local businesses? According to some Glens Falls-based owners, there wont be much of a difference at all. Thats not to say that many in the area arent relieved that customers and owners alike will not have to wear them anymore. While some local community leaders are happy, others including the mayor of Glens Falls will continue to wear masks in business and public settings. Gov. Kathy Hochul is making decisions based off of data she gets from health officials, and Warren County will follow the states lead as they always do, Mayor Bill Collins of Glens Falls said Wednesday. In the last seven days weve had less than 10% infection rate, but I would strongly encourage people to keep wearing masks, the mayor said. According to the governor, as of Tuesday of this week, the COVID infection rate in New York stood at about 3.2%, a significant drop from 23% in January. When the state hit its peak infection rate during the omicron wave, New York had the second-highest infection rate in the nation, at about 381.7 new cases every 100,000 tested. As of February, that number has decreased to 32.3. How are some of the local businesses responding to the mandate lift? I would say its time. The numbers were really rising when she (Hochul) instituted the mandate and now theyre coming down, and were in a much better place now, , said Robin Barkenhagen, owner of 42 Degrees. As far as my business is concerned, were definitely ready for it people are ready for it. I dont think its had an effect one way or another. Since the last mandate, weve had maybe two to three customers who refused to wear masks, but we would give masks away. Even people who dont like to wear masks will take the free mask. Ive only had one guy screaming about the government taking over. But other than that, I dont think its going to increase or decrease business, I just think well be able to breathe better. Some government representatives in the area have issued statements claiming that the mask mandate was detrimental to businesses and students in the classrooms alike. State Sen. Daphne Jordan, R-Halfmoon, representing the 43rd Senate District, which includes parts of Washington and Saratoga counties, stated: Reports that Gov. Hochul is finally lifting her indoor mask mandate imposed on businesses is long overdue and welcome news for countless small businesses that have struggled under the weight of the governors unconstitutional, costly edict. While the mandate has been lifted, cities, counties and businesses still have the option to require residents to wear masks. Overall, I think people should have the choice to wear a mask, the manager for the Colvin building in Glens Falls said. For some businesses, masks have become useful in maintaining overall sanitation standards. Well still be wearing masks in the kitchen and at the front of the store. Were still going to have to taste things in the kitchen, which means removing our masks from time to time, Muhammad Saud, the owner of Alif Cafe in Glens Falls, said. Honestly, I think wearing masks, especially in a kitchen, is better. Its better if you have a mask on if you sneeze, for example. Im not going to penalize people for not wearing it, but my staff knows better, he added. Maura Forcier is a mother as well as the owner of Minky Mink, a business on Glen Street. If customers dont have to wear a mask, great, but I dont think its really affected my business in general, she said Wednesday. I think some people will still be a little bit wary if theyre still afraid of the pandemic. I think businesses should have a choice in general though. She continued: My daughter is 2, and she is technically supposed to wear a mask. As a 2-year-old, I dont think its beneficial for her to wear a mask because shes too little and she rarely keeps it on, but if she sees me wearing it, she wants to wear it. Schools and day care centers statewide will still have the mask mandate in effect until at least March. The state will reassess the mask mandate for schools during the first week of March. We know theres a break coming up. Most of the public school students will be back the week after Feb. 28, some might be travelling to other states, Hochul said in a Wednesday news conference. Lets make sure theres test kits, and were giving them out right now, Hochul said. According to the governor, New York state has amassed the most amount of COVID test kits in the country. And what are we doing with them? Giving them out to schools, giving them to parents, putting them into the hands of people who can find out whos positive before they (the kids) come back, she said. By that Friday, just a few days after the kids come back, well be able to look at those numbers but not just those numbers. We are going to be looking at everything weve looked at throughout this entire process. State Sen. Dan Stecs office issued a news release supporting Hochuls decision to lift the mandate. The decision by Gov. Hochul to lift the mask mandate on small businesses was long overdue, Stec, R-Queensbury, said. Stec also called for Hochul to not wait to lift the mask mandate for students. Numerous studies have shown the detrimental effects masks have had on students social, emotional and intellectual development. Rather than postpone a decision on this for another month, we must move forward and repeal this mandate on our students and teachers, Stec added. Love 4 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 GLENS FALLS The Glens Falls Common Council decided to leave the public comment period open following a public hearing regarding a local lighting law on Tuesday night. A number of citizens stood in front of the council and spoke in favor of the proposed law, including Glens Falls 3rd Ward Supervisor Claudia Braymer. She said she feels that the law is a step in the right direction for the city. I think its a reasonable measure to allow the city to be able to take some action if residents and neighbors arent able to come to an agreement on their own, Braymer said. The proposed law would create Chapter 129 in the city code, setting minimum standards and responsibilities for property owners and residents. If the law passes and there is lighting that is not in compliance, it will need to be replaced, changed or removed by the resident. Melissa Verburg, resident of the 3rd Ward, said the law would help with the quality of life in the city. I think controlling the level of light across plot lines helps privacy. It also helps light pollution in general, she said. I just think it would be really beneficial for people who have exhausted every option without government. In total, six residents spoke in approval of the law. Michael Borgos, a resident of the 3rd Ward, was the sole voice in opposition during the public hearing. He said that the creation of the law is unnecessary. I think a local law should be something as a last resort when there are no other options available, he said. Borgos said that if a neighbor is causing an issue with their exterior lighting, it would result in a civil matter. In terms of policy, he said he doesnt feel the council shouldnt legislate whenever there is an issue between neighbors. He said there are local laws in effect now that the city doesnt have the staffing to enforce. He cited snow removal as an example. This is the snow and ice season, and if you travel around town there are many sidewalks that are not being fully maintained according to the law, Borgos said. I would like to see a focus on that. If we distract from the enforcement of the laws we already have by creating new ones, I think we are taking away from the overall quality of life. According to the citys website, during winter months property owners are required to remove snow from sidewalks on their property within five hours of the end of a snowstorm. If the storm ends overnight, then property owners have until 1 p.m. the following day. Borgos said he was curious why the lighting law would only be applicable to residential areas and not commercial or municipal buildings. He cited school buildings that are directly next to residential areas and the citys streetlights as a concern. Borgos said something should be done concerning the egregious examples of lighting issues, but feels that the city should not be the entity dealing with those concerns. Bob Landry, 2nd Ward councilman, said the council wants to do what is in the best interest of the city and its residents. What were trying to accomplish here is to make sure that if we move ahead with a law that we move ahead with a law that is very well thoughtout and does whats best for the city, he said. Mayor Bill Collins told Borgos that there have been many people reaching out to him and the other council members asking for help with issues regarding exterior lighting. He told Borgos that he wished he would have reached out with his concerns prior to the public hearing because there are reasons why some of his concerns were left out of the law. Collins said the council looked at other municipalities with similar laws as a reference. Borgos said he only became aware of the law being up for discussion the day prior to the public hearing. Diana Palmer, 3rd Ward councilwoman, informed Borgos that the law was discussed during Building and Codes Committee meetings, and the notice for the public hearing was posted with the agenda for the previous Common Council meeting. Borgos said he wants to see laws up for discussion to be more easily available to locate on the citys website. Its better government when we do that, he said. Collins made the decision to leave the public comment period open to allow residents time to reach out to the council before the next scheduled Common Council meeting on Feb. 22. Palmer made the suggestion prior to the decision being made, saying it would be beneficial for the process. We can meet in committee, consider all of the comments. If we feel we need to make adjustments we can do that, and we will post the amended law, she said. Jay Mullen is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls, Warren County and crime and courts. You can reach him at (518) 742-3224 or jmullen@poststar.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Saturday night fire in Kingsbury was accidentalKINGSBURY A late night fire on Route 196 over the weekend displaced four residents and destroyed their home. The county fire coordinator said this week that the fire was accidental. Washington County Fire Coordinator Glenn Bristol said the Kingsbury Volunteer Hose Company responded to reports of a structure fire at 1671 Route 196 in the town of Kingsbury on Saturday night. One adult and three teenagers, 13, 15, and 17, were provided immediate emergency aid and financial assistance from volunteers, according to a news release from the Northeastern Chapter of the American Red Cross. Bristol said firefighters were able to control the blaze within an hour, but unable to salvage the home. A section of Route 196 was closed while the crew battled the blaze. The fire resulted in a complete loss and required extensive overhaul because the roof of the home collapsed, he stated on Wednesday. A news item in Mondays Post-Star incorrectly referred to the location of the home as being in Fort Edward. JANA DECAMILLA JANA DECAMILLA Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. QUEENSBURY The Warren County Board of Supervisors announced that it is seeking a new community member for its Board of Ethics following the resignation of the boards chair. The Board of Ethics consists of three members and three alternates that are appointed by the Board of Supervisors by way of resolution. Those members include an officer or employee of Warren County, an elected or appointed officer or employee of a local municipality, and a member of the public. The community member may not be an elected or appointed officer or employee of a municipality or the county. Any interested county residents should email a letter of interest to warrencountystrong@warrencountyny.gov. The process of choosing the initial members of the Board of Ethics last summer followed a similar process. The Personnel Committee handled interviews in executive session, according to the Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore. Kevin Gereghty, Warrensburg supervisor and chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, said that Connie Bosse announced her resignation on Feb. 2. She resigned from her position on the board because of a recent injury. Life is challenging on a good day, she said of dealing with a broken bone. Bosse was playing ball with her puppy and took a fall. As a result, she fractured her wrist in two places. Ive been really good about having a puppy and not falling over her, but we were out in the back yard and I threw the ball and took a misstep and down I went, she said. She said that dealing with her broken wrist wouldnt allow for her to give 100% to the board. She knows that the board will continue to do good things in her absence. I was really excited about being on the Ethics Board, Bosse said. I was looking forward to it but this has really set me back a ways. Participating and driving and doing all of that stuff just wasnt going to happen. Moore said that it is hard to pinpoint how long the process of finding a new member will take. We just put the feeler out to members of the public so well see what we get back. It depends on the level of interest as to how we proceed from here, he said. Stony Creek Supervisor Frank Thomas, who is also the chairman of the countys Personnel Committee, said the process will look similar to the previous search. Well see who the applicants are and decide who were going to interview, and the Personnel Committee or a sub-committee will interview them, he said. Thomas said that the county plans to leave the notice posted for around a month for people to show interest. He said it could take a couple of months before the position is filled. The Board of Ethics meets periodically as complaints are received. The board serves the Board of Supervisors and reviews complaints and renders advisory opinions in accordance with the Warren County Ethics and Disclosure Law. Robert Iusi, Warren County director of probation, is the county officer or employee member of the board. Prior to the resignation, he served as the boards vice chair. Moore said Iusi will take over the duties of chairman for future meetings, and alternate public member Martin Deslauriers will serve until a new member is chosen. Ash Anand of the Warrensburg Board of Education is the other member. The boards next scheduled meeting is Thursday at 2 p.m. and will proceed as scheduled. Thats why we have the alternate, Moore said. In case one of the members has a conflict themselves within analyzing a situation or if theyre not available, then the alternate steps up. Jay Mullen is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls, Warren County and crime and courts. You can reach him at (518) 742-3224 or jmullen@poststar.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Washington County Public Health Services on Wednesday reported the COVID-related death of an 83-year-old resident. The person, who was vaccinated, had recently been hospitalized. Health Services offered its thoughts and prayers to the friends, family and caregivers of the victim. This is the countys 83rd death since the start of the pandemic. The county reported 122 new COVID-19 cases and a seven-day positivity average of 9.2%. There are 10 people in the hospital, which is one less than the previous report. On Thursday, there is a vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Washington County Public Health building at 415 Lower Main St. in Hudson Falls. People can register by phone at 518-746-2400. Walk-ins will be accepted based on the availability of the vaccine. There is also a clinic taking place at Whitehall Central School on Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit washingtoncountyny.gov/coronavirus. According to the New York state vaccine tracker on Wednesday, 41,042 residents have received one dose of the vaccine and 38,687 county residents are fully vaccinated. Warren County Warren County Health Services reported 36 new COVID cases on Wednesday. The county reported one less resident in the hospital, bringing the total to 14 patients, with 10 vaccinated and four in critical condition. The seven-day rolling positivity rate continues to decrease and is now at 9.4%. According to the report, 243 positive cases have been identified in the past five days. According to the New York state vaccine tracker, on Wednesday, 51,262 Warren County residents have received one dose of the vaccine and 47,997 county residents are fully vaccinated. Warren County Health Services released a statement regarding Gov. Kathy Hochuls mask mandate announcement on Wednesday. New York states mask mandate for public spaces will be lifted as of Thursday, but masks will still be required in schools, health care facilities, nursing homes and mass transit, among other locations, as well as required per New York COVID-19 quarantine/isolation protocols, the news release read. Saratoga County The Saratoga County Department of Public Health Services updated the COVID data found on the county website, indicating a total of 492 active COVID cases as of Tuesday. The county recorded 827 new positive cases over the past seven days. According to state data, 110 residents tested positive for COVID on Tuesday out of the 1,201 tests conducted. Currently, 34 residents are hospitalized, with 15 unvaccinated patients, 12 vaccinated and eligible for, but have not received a booster shot, and seven fully vaccinated and boosted patients. Saratoga County has reported 244 deaths of unvaccinated residents, 20 deaths of individuals vaccinated but not yet eligible for the booster shot, 46 deaths of fully vaccinated residents whom did not receive a booster shot but were eligible, and three deaths of fully vaccinated and boosted residents. According to the New York state vaccine tracker on Wednesday, 183,365 Saratoga County residents have received one dose of the vaccine and 170,585 residents are fully vaccinated. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CAPE MAY There are probably not many people who stay in public service for a half-century, but Mike Voll has continued to find himself in positions in municipal government from working as a beat cop in Wildwood, to serving as mayor of Middle Township, and most recently, serving as the Cape May City Manager. For Voll, the concept of public service began prior to taking a municipal job he learned from his father the concept of helping people even if it came with a personal cost. Voll was born in 1950 in Cooper Hospital, Camden, the son of Michael and Maria Voll, and grew up in Oaklyn along with three sisters. Sometimes an only son will end up pampered, but that was not the case with Voll. He worked with his father while attending the Camden County Vocational Technical High School. My dad was a huckster, Voll said, referring to his fathers business of selling fruit and vegetables door to door. As part of his fathers regular route, they used to go into Camden driving a long step-van. Voll once asked his dad why they would go into bad neighborhoods, and his father told him the people were poor and needed what they were selling. To do this, his father would wake him at 1 a.m. to get the truck to the food distribution center in Philadelphia before the gate opened at 2 a.m. Generally, they would return home by 6 a.m., and Voll would eat breakfast and get ready for school. On the weekends, he had to wash the step-van. Voll was only paid in tips he received from people for carrying the produce to their door, but he said the values he learned have stayed with him till today. My father used to carry a notebook where he would write down what people owed him. Sometimes people would move owing him money, but he never seemed to mind, Voll said. His fathers attitude was not lost on the community. One winter the step-van became stuck in the snow, and a man in the neighborhood pushed him out with his Cadillac. After high school in 1967, Voll enlisted in the U.S. Army, and he was assigned to a trucking unit at Fort Dix. He was honorably discharged before he could be sent to Vietnam. Some of those he served with did ship out overseas and didnt make it home. Out of the army, Voll joined the Wildwood Police Department, saying it was something he always wanted to do and was single at the time. He was familiar with Wildwood from vacationing there with his parents. The WPD hired him in May 1971 and the following February he was sent to the State of New Jersey Police Academy in Seagirt for eight weeks. Voll spent about a dozen years with the Wildwood Police Department, working in traffic safety, as a court liaison, and as an undercover narcotics agent with the Cape May County Narcotics Strike Force. During this time, he also earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice. However, in 1981, at age 31, Voll was elected to the Middle Township Committee and was named Director of Public Safety in Middle Township, while still serving as a patrolman in Wildwood. He remained on the police force for just one more year, becoming mayor in Middle Township; an office he would hold for 16 consecutive years. During this time, he received certification in Public Management through Rutgers University. After getting married, Voll said, giving up law enforcement seemed to be a better option for him and his wife. He also had other opportunities to fall back on, including rental properties and a printing sales business. He also owned the Green Creek Campground for a year in 1978. While mayor, Voll became the president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, and in 1994 was named Mayor of the Year by the NJCOM. He did not run for reelection when his term ended in 1999, Voll worked in the administration of Democratic Gov. James Florio as an assistant deputy commissioner in the Department of Corrections, interacting with wardens and unions related to four facilities. Later, he was asked to be an executive to the South Jersey Transportation Authority and help establish the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization. After working in the Florio administration, Voll accepted a job with Schoor DePalma Engineering doing business development for its South Jersey office. He also worked with the SJTA under Republican Gov. Christine Todd Whitman. I retired a few times after that, Voll said. Retirement was not in the cards for Voll, however, as he was asked to serve as township manager in Lower Township beginning in 2010, and he held the position for four years. During that time, Voll attempted to consolidate the Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority with the Department of Public Works. He said he took the idea to the NJ Department of Community Affairs Local Finance Board, and all five commissioners said it would be a good idea. It could have saved more than $1 million per year, he said. Ultimately, the elected body decided not to move forward with merging the two entities. During his term as Lower Township manager, Voll obtained a New Jersey automobile dealers license and turned a hobby into a business. With a short stint at running a buy here/pay here operation, he found himself doing as his father had done; providing something people needed, and in part, funding their ability to own an automobile. After finding it too much of a burden to take on, Voll has been content to lease the former car lot to a car rental agency but feels blessed that he was able to help people out. I thank God I have always had the ability to help people less fortunate than me, he said. After leaving public office in Lower Township, Voll was only thinking about vacation plans when he was contacted by the City of Cape May, which urgently needed to fill its city manager position. He was hired in January 2021, and over the first year had to negotiate about six labor contracts, set up Convention Hall with new staff, and deal with COVID-related issues all year. Voll, who was reappointed for another year beginning January 2022, said he knows he doesnt hit a homerun every day, but finds Cape May a great place to work and he gives the credit for that to the people he works with. We have good people, and a dedicated staff. As City Manager, he is the director of public safety and takes it 24/7 to heart! The police and fire department do a professional job, along with our public Works, lifeguards, and city hall workers. I feel proud that all our employees provide a clean, safe, caring community that they care about what they are doing for the community and that each of the council people are involved in working on their committees for the benefit of the community, he said. GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Stockton University Art Gallery will host the the exhibit Wood Engravers Network: 4th Triennial, through April 5 in the upper L-wing art gallery. Professor Michael McGarvey will give a walking tour of the exhibition from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The exhibit, sponsored by the Wood Engravers Network, features 65 contemporary relief engravings representing an international group of artists from Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, England, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Taiwan, Ukraine and the United States. Wood engraving is a unique mash-up of metal engraving and relief printing where an original drawing is cut into the surface of an endgrain wood block with the same tools that metal engravers use, called burins. The cut block is inked and pressure is applied to transfer ink to paper as a mirror reflected image. The prints are multiple originals created in limited editions, not reproductions or digital creations, offering an affordable entry into collecting original and unique works of art. The Wood Engravers Network is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to the advancement of wood engraving arts and committed to furthering public recognition and appreciation of the art of wood engraving, its practice and history as art, illustration, graphic design and printing. Its goals are to provide educational and exhibition opportunities and increased public access to this historic process. Art gallery hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. A virtual parking permit is required weekdays before 3:30 p.m. Visit stockton.edu/parking. Masks are mandatory inside the buildings. Note: the university is closed March 12-20 for spring break. ATLANTIC CITY Mayor Marty Small Sr. and members of the local NAACP chapter held a news conference Thursday to congratulate the national NAACP on its 113th anniversary. The national NAACP was founded Feb. 12, 1909, in New York City, said Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, who is also the president of the Atlantic City chapter. I wish I could report there is no need for the NAACP to fight for civil rights but that is not the America we live in, Shabazz said. We still have to fight for these things, and the NAACP is still a leader in this fight. Feb. 12 was chosen as the founding date because it is President Abraham Lincolns birthday, to acknowledge Lincolns role in ending slavery in the nation, Shabazz said. Lincoln was born on that date exactly 100 years earlier, in 1809. Shabazz asked the community to join the local NAACP and to attend the national NAACP convention, which will be held July 14 to 21 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. He also asked for locals to attend the Atlantic City NAACPs Freedom Breakfast at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on April 30. Small thanked Sandi Harvey of Meet AC for her hard work, along with a team of others, to book the national convention. This is an incredible opportunity for the city to play host, Small said. We believe it is a springboard to us to hosting more national conventions. The economic benefits of hosting the NAACP convention are expected to be substantial, according to Larry Sieg, executive director of Meet AC. Not only is it going to garner national and international media attention, we are looking at over 8,000 attendees 7,700-plus room nights for hotel properties, $9.3 million in economic impact, Sieg has said. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ATLANTIC CITY City Council voted 4-3 to remove Municipal Utilities Authority Chairman John Devlin from his paid position on the authority board after a second meeting that lasted for more than five hours. The votes to remove Devlin came from Council President George Tibbitt, Vice President Kaleem Shabazz, Councilwoman Stephanie Marshall, and Councilman Mohammad Zia. Voting against removal were Councilman Jesse Kurtz, who nominated Devlin to the ACMUA board, Councilwoman La'Toya Dunston and Councilman Bruce Weekes. Tuesday nights hearing went on for 5 acrimonious hours, and the Wednesday hearing started out more civil but got much less so by the vote almost 6 hours later. Both nights the hearings were held during special City Council meetings. Devlins attorney, David Castellani, began his case in defense of Devlin on Wednesday with testimony from an insurance broker to the board, and a fellow board member, both of whom described Devlin as an organized board leader and spirited debater, but denied his manner was bullying or inappropriate. Devlin himself began his testimony at about 8:15 p.m. In the Tuesday night hearing George Frino, the attorney arguing for removal, put on his case. Frino said Devlin had attempted to undermine the efficiency and orderly operation of the authority through improper influence on the selection of vendors and other means. It was directed at three prominent members of the community who served as executive director. The only remedy is removal of the chair, Frino said. Also Tuesday, lawyers arguing for and against removing Devlin, a retired Atlantic City police officer, often accused each other of using unfair and unethical tactics. Devlin misconduct hearing set for Feb. 8-9 ATLANTIC CITY A hearing to determine whether Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority b Council is charged with appointing ACMUA members and is the only body that can remove board members for cause. The Tuesday hearing quickly disintegrated into sniping and sometimes hollering by attorneys, with city attorney Robert Tarver occasionally muting another attorneys microphone. The first witness Tuesday was former ACMUA Executive Director Bruce Ward, who retired almost two years ago. He accused Devlin of improperly interfering with ACMUA business and hindering Wards plans to install a solar facility Ward said would save the utility $1 million a year. Castellani objected repeatedly as Ward brought up issues Castellani said were never raised in complaint letters to the state Department of Community Affairs or shared with Devlin and Castellani. Give us notice so we can prepare an adequate defense, Castellani said at one point. Judge postpones Devlin hearing on Atlantic City MUA removal ATLANTIC CITY A judge on Tuesday morning refused to stop City Council from holding a heari Frino said the letters broadly addressed issues, without specifically laying out some of the specific cases. Ward also said Devlin tried to force the ACMUA to hire a private security firm, while Ward felt the assistance it got from the Office of Homeland Security was sufficient. But Ward never said how Devlin ended the solar plans, and seemed to say the private security firm was never hired. Castellani said Devlin was not a rubber stamp for whatever the staff wanted to do at the ACMUA, and was simply doing his job by engaging in debate about how the ACMUA should conduct its business. These allegations on their best day do not constitute neglect or acting against the interest of the ACMUA, Castellani said. Instead, they are a result of executive directors seeking not only to chill Mr. Devlin but other board members from questioning ... seeking to chill their debating issues rather than serving as rubber stamp to the executive director. Also testifying Tuesday were interim ACMUA Executive Director Claude Smith, who served for about a year until early 2021, and current Executive Director Michael Armstrong. Smith accused Devlin of bullying and harassing Smith and other staff, and Armstrong described what he called ways in which Devlin improperly interfered with ACMUA staff and business. Devlin sues to stop A.C. City Council hearing to remove him ATLANTIC CITY The chairman of the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority has sued to In December, Devlin almost kept the authority from enacting a contract with Fairview Insurance of Verona, Essex County which could have left the authority without insurance coverage for a time because he favored using a local insurance broker, Siracusa-Kaufman Insurance Agency, Armstrong said. According to the web site Open Secrets, Fairview is a big Democratic political donor in New Jersey, giving $182,000 to national and state candidates and groups in 2020 through its PACs and employees. Siracusa has been the broker for the ACMUA for 25 years but failed to bid for the 2022 contract, Castellani said. Gene Siracusa of the Siracusa insurance firm said Wednesday night the Fairview quote was $30,000 more expensive than the quote he had prepared, but Siracusa didnt submit because he is a broker not a consultant. Siracusa said he called repeatedly to ask for clarification on the RFP but never got a response from Armstrong. I felt during the whole process I was being iced out of it, Siracusa said. They were not giving me information purposely, to have me not put a bid in. Castellani said the language was confusing, but Armstrong said the terms consultant and broker are interchangeable. Devlin has alleged the move against him is politically motivated by his criticism of Mayor Marty Small Sr., and that he cannot get a fair hearing from council members who are allied with Small. Last month, Superior Court Judge James P. Savio, in response to a lawsuit by Devlin, refused to stop council from holding a hearing to potentially remove Devlin but did postpone it from its originally scheduled date of Jan. 25. In another special meeting Jan. 7, council voted 5-3 to hold the hearing to potentially remove Devlin. Devlin, a longtime school board member, has criticized the districts handling of a child pornography case involving a substitute teacher who is a cousin of Smalls wife, LaQuetta. LaQuetta Small is now superintendent of the citys schools. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. HAMILTON TOWNSHIP Representatives from the Atlantic County Department of Regional Planning, Hamilton Township Committee and WSP USA, the countys design consultant, held two public meetings at Township Hall on Tuesday to explain improvements to the Lake Lenape Dam and answer questions from residents. The project includes improvements to the dams powerhouse and rehabilitation of the dam that was built in the mid-1800s and used by the adjoining cotton mill. The dam was acquired by the township in 1978. The county became a co-owner several years later to share the financial burden with the township. Matt Lunemann, lead geotechnical engineer department manager for WSP USA, explained the project to the gathering of about 50 people. The project includes five segments, the renovation of the powerhouse that was built in 1920, reconstruction of the spillway, improvements to the east and west embankments, and temporary relocation of a portion of the fish ladder, Lunemann said. We have the powerhouse on an accelerated schedule because the gates are in poor condition. Our goal is to maintain lake level during construction. The new spillway will be constructed in a labyrinth style that will provide for more water to leave the site. This will alleviate flooding at Dry Run. Lunemann also said animal burrows on the embankments will be filled in. He added that when complete, the fish ladder will be back in place, a flagpole will be relocated and it is possible that lighting will be added to the spillway to enhance its aesthetics. No new properties will flood as a result of these improvements, he said. It will result in over a foot of water decrease at Dry Run that would reduce the risk of flooding for about 100 properties. Officials plan meeting on proposed Lake Lenape Dam repairs MAYS LANDING The public will have the chance to learn more about plans for the Lake Lenape Numerous residents asked questions following the presentations Tuesday. Former township Committeeman Jim Link asked about the tax implications of the project for residents. The entire project is expected to cost $6 million, said Doug DiMeo, the supervising engineer of bridges in Atlantic County. We have applied for federal funds in the amount of $4.6 million and await an answer on that application on Feb. 18. John Houck, another former governing body member, lives near the dam. I have never had a flooding problem, he said. What kind of guarantee do we have that the firm chosen to do the work wont do as bad a job as the previous one? Houck was referring to a previous contractor who worked on the dam that resulted in litigation when the township and county refused to pay for work they felt was not done properly. We will diligently scrutinize those who bid on the project, county Engineer Mark Shourds said. That contractor has not submitted any bids for county projects since the litigation. Van Drew inspects Lake Lenape dam with local officials HAMILTON TOWNSHIP U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew met with local and county officials Friday for a The county and the township did very well in that litigation, township Solicitor Robert Sandman said. I am confident that a situation like that wont happen again. I have never seen a more cooperative project, and I have great confidence in WSP. While the project has garnered support from the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office, Lunemann said numerous other authorizations from various agencies still need to be obtained to accommodate the project. If all agencies agree, the estimated construction timeline will be spring 2023 to spring 2025. For more information, or to submit comments, interested parties can contact DiMeo at dimeo.douglas@aclink.org or Lunemann at matthew.lunemann@wsp.com. Longtime neighbors Christina Bartnikowski and Jamie Gordon could hear the trees being cut down, one after another. It was hard living here while the trees were hitting the ground, Gordon said. Listening to that was so depressing, Bartnikowski said. Along with other residents of Cherry Hills Kressonshire neighborhood, the two women are still stunned that the heart of a densely wooded 14-acre tract along Kresson Road just east of I-295 has been cut down and carted away, creating a gap in what had long been a cherished landscape, even in winter. Now it looks like a moonscape, said Randy Acorcey, who lives nearby and documented the tree-cutting with photographs over six months in 2021. Locals are particularly perplexed that so many large, seemingly healthy trees were taken down despite the Cherry Hill planning boards call after considerable pressure from the community for a more judicious culling of the woods as a condition for approving construction of 16 single-family houses on the site. There was a clear understanding both in writing and verbally that (the developer) was not going to clear-cut the property, said Steve Weinberg, who has lived in Kressonshire since 1984. Rather than just taking trees out for the new road and the utilities, they took out everything, he said. To me it looks like they cleared the building lots. They werent supposed to do that until the lots were sold, and they had building permits. Weinberg wants the township to explain how the scope of tree-cutting so dramatically exceeded expectations and determine what we can do so this doesnt happen again. The developer, MiPro, a subsidiary of Procacci Homes, is marketing the new neighborhood as Kresson Estates. After repeated calls, a MiPro representative invited a reporter to submit questions by email, but the company did not respond. Although the township, after looking into neighbors complaints, imposed a moratorium on further tree cutting at the site Nov. 15, what the developer proposed, and probably, what theyve done, is completely in line with our ordinance, said Erin Gill, Cherry Hills business administrator. The township is still reviewing the matter. Home to nearly 75,000 people, the 24-square-mile township has few remaining sizable parcels that could be developed into single-family houses certainly nothing on the scale of the dozens in the 1950s and 60s that transformed a community of farms and rural hamlets into South Jerseys signature suburb. In recent years, much of the major development in Cherry Hill has involved the often-controversial repurposing of older commercial properties, including a portion of the Barclay Farms Shopping Center, as well as the construction of large rental complexes on underused sites such as the former Victory Refrigeration facility in the Woodcrest section. The township also has used some of the $400,000 it collects annually as a dedicated open space tax to help purchase and preserve a number of privately owned parcels, including the Kingston Swim Club and a former Masonic Lodge property near Haddonfield-Berlin Road in 2020. Kressonshire residents said Cherry Hills efforts to conserve open space, as well as regional concerns about ongoing tree loss due to disease, extreme weather, and invasive pests, render what occurred along Kresson Road even more difficult to fathom. So does the fact that the scope of the site preparation work was readily apparent to anyone traveling that stretch of Kresson Road for months before township officials said they were made fully aware of concerns about the impact of the tree removal in November. Gill described open-space preservation as one of Cherry Hills top priorities. If there is a space that is open or [poised to undergo] a significant change in use, we do our best to step in, she said. If its a private sale and its zoned residential, we will negotiate to get as much open space in the form of easements, buffers, and storm water drainage areas, as possible. The location of Kresson Estates adjacent to Woodcrests 75-acre Magic Forest conservation area would seem to have made it a good candidate for preservation. But township officials said there are limits to what a municipality can expect, let alone, extract, in the way of concessions from an owner seeking to build what the property has been zoned for. Man arrested in fatal shooting of woman in Pennsauken home invasion An 18-year-old man wanted in the fatal shooting of a 62-year-old woman during a home invasio In 2018, the planning board did negotiate with MiPro to reduce the number of proposed houses from 27 to 16, to set aside two lots as storm water drainage basins, and to earmark a third as additional open space. The board also required that the developer impose deed restrictions to preserve the woods that border the rear of the building lots on both the east and west sides of Kresson Estates. Michael Procacci, the firms vice president, told Sun Newspapers in 2018 that the prices of the new homes would likely range from $500,000 to $650,000 but could rise depending on the options and modifications preferred by the buyer. The planning board went above and beyond, Michelle Caffrey, the townships director of communications, said during an interview with Gill and Cosmas Diamantis, director of community development, at town hall. Cherry Hill has a pretty robust program to preserve and replace trees, said Diamantis, who noted that the township does not prohibit removing trees that are dead, diseased, too close to, or within the footprint of a proposed home. He also said Cherry Hills municipal code requirements governing trees will be reviewed. Grading home sites is often essential for drainage or other purposes and can necessitate unanticipated tree-cutting, Diamantis said. And according to Gill, it may turn out that trees removed from building lots before construction permits were issued would have been removed in any case. The Kresson Road site was (already) a very oddly graded property, and a very tough property to work with, Diamantis said. They did move some dirt around, which can expose tree roots, and that is something [the township] also has to take into consideration. The township hasnt confirmed that trees were removed improperly, Caffrey said. We dont have all the facts yet. In later emails, she said Cherry Hills engineering department was aware that site work had commenced and did have engineering inspectors on-site as construction began. Caffrey also said a consulting engineer would review the tree removal, after which the township would assess the process involved and how it can be improved. If it is found that trees were removed prematurely, the next conversation will be with the developer as to how we will remedy the situation, including but not limited to additional re-plantings. Said Diamantis: We still have a long way to go to see what this site will actually look like. But no abundance of new trees or lavish landscaping can make up for the loss, at least in the short term, said Acorcey, a member of Cherry Hills historical commission. Its going to take many, many years, he said. I am not a tree hugger by any stretch. But I do appreciate what woods and wooded areas do for us. Im just glad I made a pictorial record of what it was like. PRAGUE - Radio Europa Libera Moldova, Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys (RFE/RL) Moldovan Service, is today launching a new project in collaboration with Teleradio-Moldova, the countrys public broadcaster. Moldova 1, Teleradio-Moldova's main channel, will co-produce and broadcast Thursdays with Liliana Barbarosie, a live weekly talk show moderated by RFE/RLs Liliana Barbarosie. Rooted in RFE/RLs editorial independence and professionalism, Thursdays with Liliana Barbarosie will provide Moldovan audiences with uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate. Alexandru Eftode, Acting Director of RFE/RLs Moldovan Service, welcomed the launch. Said Eftode, We are pleased to announce this collaboration with Teleradio-Moldova and are excited to connect with new audiences in Moldova through our programming, which focuses on the events and developments that impact peoples lives. The show debuts at 19:30 EET today with a discussion on Moldovas relations with Romania ahead of a joint meeting of the Moldovan and Romanian governments in Chisinau scheduled for February 11. Barbarosies guest is Victor Chirila, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Romania. Liliana Barbarosie, a correspondent with RFE/RLs Moldovan Service since 2007, is a three-time recipient of the journalist of the year award presented by Moldovas Center for Independent Journalism and the Committee for Press Freedom. Covering political, security and economic news, Barbarosie has also pioneered several innovations at the Moldovan Service, including the launch of an elections podcast. Moldova 1, one of the countrys most watched TV channels, already carries RFE/RL content. Current Times news and commentary show Newsday airs Monday to Friday at 22:15 EET and the Moldovan Services Clear and Simple documentaries air on the first Wednesday of every month at 21:30 EET, moving to every Thursday as of March. About RFE/RL RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 37 million people every week in 27 languages and 23 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed 7 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram/IGTV in FY2021. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. ---- FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Martins Zvaners in Washington (zvanersm@rferl.org, +1.202.457.6948) Karin Maree in Prague (mareek@rferl.org, +420.221.122.074) That means a two-week public comment period has opened for the proposal, which was presented Wednesday in a virtual meeting from the McLean County Emergency Management Agency headquarters. A survey is at mcleancountyil.gov. Andrea Bostwick-Campbell, emergency management services manager with the American Environmental Corporation, at the meeting went over the planning process from the past year, explained how people can access the draft of the plan and reviewed potential funding sources for mitigation projects. Hazards included in the draft range from severe summer storms with winds, hail, lightning and heavy rain, to severe winter storms with snow and ice, plus, tornadoes, floods, excessive heat and cold, drought, earthquakes, dam failures, mine subsidence and artificial hazards. Bostwick defined mitigations as any sustained action that reduces the long term risk to people and property from natural and manmade hazards. Examples she cited would be warming and cooling centers, adopting flood plain ordinances, and building community shelters. Bostwick said mitigation is an important component of building hazard-resilient communities. While we know that natural hazards can't be avoided, their impacts can be reduced through effective mitigation planning and implementation of those projects, she said. Bostwick said following the public comment period, the plan will be sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which could give its approval by July. The countys mitigation plan committee would then be able to adopt it. She also clarified that the mitigation plan differs from a county's Emergency Operations Plan in that mitigation actions to be taken before a disaster strikes are proposed, whereas the EOP describes how jurisdictions respond during and immediately after an event occurs. Cathy Beck, Acting Director of McLean County EMA, said getting the plan ready to submit for FEMA's review has been a long process. In total, 166 mitigation projects and actions are included in the draft. The complete document ranges 530 pages in length. Thirteen villages, towns and cities in the county are submitting proposals in the draft, plus McLean County, Bloomington Public Schools District No. 87, McLean County Schools Unit No. 5, six firefighting agencies, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Heartland Community College and the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District. Bostwick said the biggest reason for the plan is access to federal mitigation assistance, adding that certain types of funding requires jurisdictions to be part of a FEMA-approved mitigation plan. Across the country, she said, FEMA is encouraging counties to update or develop mitigation plans. What FEMA found, Bostwick said, is that for every dollar spent on mitigation, they can reach $6 in savings. Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 It's been more than seven years since two masked gunmen broke into a Venice home between Christmas and New Year's and robbed, shot and killed its 41-year-old owner. The family of the late Calvin L. Tally has been waiting for closure and justice ever since that violent night in 2014. "I'm disgusted by how long it's taken, and it's still not over," said his sister, Tracie Bryant, 52, of St. Louis County, maintaining that the process may have moved faster if the victim hadn't been a Black resident of a poor community. Lamarcus D. Jackson, 35, the man accused of pulling the trigger, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder in October, 2018, in Madison County Circuit Court. Under his plea agreement, five other charges including two murder counts and one count each of armed robbery, home invasion and possession/use of a firearm by a felon were dismissed. Judge Kyle Napp sentenced Jackson to 35 years in prison. A second suspect, Byron J. Holton, 33, was scheduled to go to trial next week. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 1 to home invasion. Under his plea agreement, five other charges including three murder counts and one count each of armed robbery and possession/use of a firearm by a felon were dismissed. Prosecutors will recommend a 27.5-year sentence to Judge Napp on a sentencing date to be determined, according to Philip Lasseigne, spokesman for State's Attorney Tom Haine's office. Bryant plans to make a victim's impact statement. "It's torn our family apart," she said this week. A third suspect, Undray C. Webb, 32, was charged only with home invasion due to authorities determining that he wasn't with the others when Tally was shot. He's still awaiting trial. His next hearing is set for March 7. Bryant noted that it took less than two years for Timothy Banowetz's trial to begin in the Jan. 4, 2020, murder of prominent white Edwardsville attorney Randy Gori, even with the COVID shutdown. Banowetz pleaded guilty on the first day. Bryant said county prosecutors have blamed delays in the Tally case primarily on the fact that the defendants were being tried in federal court for armed robberies of three Cahokia grocery stores and, after their convictions in 2016, they were sent to federal prison, making it more complicated and expensive to arrange for appearances at Madison County hearings. The bigger problem, according to Bryant, is that the cases have been handled by at least three different assistant state's attorneys and two judges, requiring each to essentially "start from scratch." "It's changed hands so many times, there's been no continuity to the case," Bryant said. Democrat Tom Gibbons was the Madison County state's attorney who filed charges against Jackson, Holton and Webb in August, 2015. He assigned the cases to assistant Jennifer Mudge, who later became a statewide special prosecutor. Republican Haine took over the office in November, 2020. Lasseigne said it's true that federal cases generally take precedence over local cases, that COVID has presented challenges in the past two years and that the Tally case has involved more than one prosecutor. "State's Attorney Haine remains focused on bringing criminal cases to conclusion that were inherited from his predecessors in the state's attorney's office," he said. Calvin Tally grew up in East St. Louis, the youngest of five siblings. He had been disabled since being robbed and shot in the leg as a younger man, according to his sister. He had five daughters and twin sons, who are now grown, and three grandchildren. "My brother was the apple of my mother's eye," Bryant said. "She didn't last six months after (his murder)." Doris Tally, 71, of Belleville, died of an aneurysm on July 5, 2015. Bryant partially linked Calvin and Doris Tally's deaths to the depression and apparent suicide of her sister, Melanie Tally, whose body was found in her car at the bottom of a lake at Frank Holton State Recreation Area in 2017. She was 49. Bryant described Calvin Tally as a sharp dresser who liked to wear hats, a well-liked member of his community and a father close to his seven children. "He had what they used to call 'the gift of gab,'" his sister said. Venice police responded to a 911 call from Tally's home in the 1200 block of Oriole Street about 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2014, and found him dead of a gunshot wound to the chest. Two witnesses, including a 21-year-old female relative and 23-year-old male acquaintance, reportedly told police that two masked men kicked in the door to the home, forced Tally upstairs at gunpoint, shot him, stole cash and marijuana and fled the scene. The crime remained unsolved until seven months later, when charges were filed in Madison County against Jackson, Holton and Webb, who were all in their 20s. "The two witnesses were not harmed," according to a statement from Gibbons' office on Aug. 5, 2015. "It is unknown whether or not the victim, or the witnesses, knew the gunmen." Jackson, Holton and Webb also were part of a group of five men facing federal charges in connection with three armed robberies at Cahokia grocery stores, one on Nov. 21, 2014, at Qmart, one on Dec. 11, 2014, at Alps Supermarket and one on Jan. 11, 2015, at Shop 'n Save. Jackson pleaded guilty to five charges related to the Alps and Shop 'n Save robberies in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. He's serving a 44.5-year federal sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary Terre Haute in Indiana, concurrent with the 35-year sentence handed down in Madison County. "It's almost like he really didn't get anything for the murder," Bryant said. A federal jury convicted Holton of three charges including conspiracy related to all three robberies and armed robbery and weapons charges related to the Shop 'n Save robbery and acquitted him of four charges related to the other two robberies. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Webb is serving a 21-year sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Greenville. Like Jackson, he pleaded guilty in federal court to five charges related to the armed robberies at Alps and Shop 'n Save. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD Natural gas utilities in Illinois warned of job losses and possible risks to public safety if state lawmakers repeal a law allowing them to add a surcharge on customer bills that consumer advocates say is being used to gouge customers. This provides around 500 good jobs annually and creates opportunity for diverse contractors, Eric Kozak, vice president of gas operations for Ameren Illinois, told a House committee Wednesday. And modernizing the system sets the stage for the state of Illinois to become a leader at utilizing renewable natural gas, synthetic natural gas, and even hydrogen, which can attract new businesses and retain industry. At issue is a 2013 amendment to the Public Utilities Act that allows large natural gas utilities those serving more than 700,000 customers to add a surcharge onto customer bills to recover costs associated with investments in qualifying infrastructure plant, or QIP. Those include a return on investment and depreciation allowances related to things like replacing old, leaky gas lines and meters. Those surcharges are subject to review by the Illinois Commerce Commission, but only to determine whether they qualify under the statute. The commission also has authority to review a companys actual expenses to determine whether customers were overcharged and are owed a refund. That law is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2023, but House Bill 3941 would move that date up one year, to Dec. 31, 2022. Over the past decade, through formula rates and QIP, Illinois has stripped away regulatory protections, supercharging the utility incentive to spend money to make money and raise rates as fast as they can, said Abe Scarr, director of the consumer advocacy group Illinois PIRG. The utilities have responded to these incentives with billions of dollars of wasteful spending. This is not surprising. It's exactly what we should expect. The question now is how will the General Assembly respond? As an example, Scarr pointed to the Naperville-based Nicor Gas, the states largest natural gas distribution company, which he said has raised its rates 77 percent in the last four years. That came after Nicors rates had risen only 28 percent over the previous 37 years. Rate increases and utility profits are largely driven by capital spending, he said. Nicor's capital spending sharply increased since it began using QIP in 2015. Since then, QIP has accounted for half of Nicors capital spending, making it a major contributor to the company's massive rate hikes. Consumer advocacy groups like Illinois PIRG have pushed for its repeal for years, to no avail. But this year, with rising natural gas prices across the board, and amid a global push to move away from fossil fuels to combat climate change, advocates think they have a better chance. Unless the General Assembly ends this unnecessary surcharge now, ratepayers will be stuck paying for stranded assets of a gas delivery system that will eventually become obsolete and not a part of the clean energy future that this legislature envisioned when it passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act and asked ratepayers and utility companies to move away from carbon- and methane-producing energy, said Karen Lusson, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. Utility executives, however, argued that rising global prices for natural gas, not the surcharges, are the primary source of rising customer bills. Ninety percent of the current high prices are being driven by global demand and prices, not this act, Kozak told the committee. Patrick Evans, president of the Illinois Energy Association, recalled that the surcharges came about partially in response to a natural gas pipe explosion in San Bruno, California, in 2010 that killed eight people, left 58 injured and destroyed 38 homes. At the time, Illinois' own (former Congressman) Ray LaHood was Secretary of Transportation, Evans said. And in response to this tragic incident, he actually issued a formal call to action, requesting that all natural gas utilities in the country begin to accelerate their pipeline replacement program to ensure that these incidents are minimized in the future. He said that led to negotiations between the industry and lawmakers which resulted in an agreement to end what he called the regulatory lag between the time a company invests money for system improvements and the time when it recovers those investments. That term simply means that we get to recover our investments quicker than the traditional method, which requires us to go to the (Illinois Commerce) Commission first, he said. It does not eliminate commission oversight. We will always have to prove up our investments at the commission. The standards have not been changed. Patrick Whiteside, senior vice president of operations for Nicor Gas, said the surcharge has enabled the company to improve the safety and reliability of its entire system. Nicor Gas' system was able to support our customers and communities through the polar vortex of 2019, the single largest delivery of energy ever recorded on our system, without interruption to service or pressure situations for our customers, he said. By replacing poorly performing materials, we are driving the rate trends down and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the overall system. But J.C. Kibbey, a clean energy advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council, noted that his own personal gas bill from Peoples Gas in January had a $15 surcharge, more than the company had previously said it would cost in a year, and that it had more than $95 in total infrastructure charges. These big charges are worrying and so is what they pay for, he said. They're building out a gas system to burn methane gas, fossil fuel, much of it in our homes. To be clear, this gas is no more natural than coal. Burning gas harms are health by releasing carbon monoxide and other pollutants in the air and our homes. This pollution disproportionately hurts underserved communities and people of color. The committee did not take action on the bill, which was on the agenda for discussion only. In a separate email, Illinois PIRGs Abe Scarr conceded that getting the bill through the General Assembly was a long shot. But he said he hopes the concerns that his group and other advocates are raising will deter lawmakers from extending the surcharge past its current 2023 expiration date. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As a frightening new virus began spreading around the world in early 2020, a few lawmakers made some very well-timed stock trades. Republican Sen. Richard M. Burr of North Carolina sold shares in hotel companies that would lose value as travel dropped amid the rising pandemic. Then-Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a Georgia Republican, and her husband bought stock in a company that makes teleworking software, which gained value as millions of people began working from home weeks later. The wife of GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky bought stock in Gilead Sciences, which went on to develop an antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19. All of this was before the coronavirus upended normal life in the U.S., sickened millions of people and caused wild changes in stock prices. But it was after senators were privately briefed in late January on the emerging threat the new virus posed to the nation. The Justice Department closed its insider trading investigations of Loeffler and Burr without filing charges, as well as of California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose husband sold stock unrelated to the pandemic; she said she did not attend the private briefing. But the prospect that public officials might have personally benefited from their access to sensitive information about COVID-19 triggered a wave of ethical concerns still rippling through the country. A poll last month found that 63% of voters including majorities of both Democrats and Republicans say members of Congress should be banned from trading stock. We agree. It is important that elected officials behave ethically but also that people perceive that ethics are foundational in our government. Restricting the ability of lawmakers to trade stock can build trust that they are working in the public interest and have no financial motive when they vote on legislation affecting companies and industries. Bipartisan proposals to limit lawmakers from trading stock have been introduced in the House and Senate. The bills take slightly different approaches one would require lawmakers to sell their stock before they take office; another would allow stocks to be placed in a blind trust. They also vary on whether lawmakers spouses would be allowed to own individual stocks. None would bar lawmakers from investing in mutual funds. This ought to be a political slam dunk at a time when populist energy is surging on both the left and the right. Besides, most members of Congress dont report trading any stock, and their image is tarnished by those who do. At least 113 lawmakers disclosed stock transactions made by themselves or family members in 2021, according to a MarketWatch report trades worth an estimated $355 million. What really stinks: Many of these lawmakers are buying and selling stock in companies that routinely lobby Congress. Their decisions on how to regulate tech, healthcare and energy companies could play a role in how much the stock is worth. Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, reported that his family members made an estimated $52.7 million in stock trades in 2021, including buying shares in Microsoft, Apple and Facebook parent company Meta. The assets belong to his wife and are not held in a joint account, Khannas spokesperson told MarketWatch. Similarly, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi does not personally own stock, but her husband is a frequent trader. He bought an estimated $12 million worth of stock in 2021, according to MarketWatch. Those included shares in Google parent company Alphabet, as well as in software giant Salesforce and video game platform Roblox. Pelosis husband is such a successful trader that someone developed a blog to help retail investors learn from his moves. There is no evidence that he has inside information, but thats clearly the perception. Khanna and Pelosi are not typical theyre among the lawmakers who report the most stock trading. More common are smaller transactions, like Democratic Rep. Adam B. Schiff selling an estimated $25,000 in stock in the AbbVie biopharmaceutical company in two transactions last year, or Republican Rep. Mike Garcia buying an estimated $65,000 in Tesla stock last April and selling it in October. (Its not clear if he made a profit or took a loss because the amounts are reported in ranges.) Pelosi initially rebuffed the idea of limiting stock trading by members of Congress, saying they should be able to participate in the free market. More recently she said shes open to restrictions and assigned a committee to review the proposals. Perception is reality in politics, the adage goes. Lawmakers must get behind a robust plan to limit their colleagues stock trading so that the perception and the reality is that theyre doing the peoples business. This was written by the Los Angeles Times Editorial Board. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 He was, among many things, a man with a genius for connecting people to one another. Though one of the Quad-Cities most successful businessmen, Robert "Bob" Ontiveros is being remembered for his generosity and kindness. The 83-year-old died Tuesday in Moline, with his beloved wife, Blenda, at his side. Bob was the longtime president of Milan-based Group O, which he and Blenda founded in 1974. The pair met at what is now Black Hawk College and together started Group O. In the early days, they used their family station wagon as the company's delivery vehicle. Now one of the top Latino-owned companies in the United States, Group O employs more than 1,000 people and has an annual revenue of more than $500 million. The business thrived in the 80s and 90s, and Ontiveros appointed his son, Gregg Ontiveros, as president in 1999 as Bob stayed on as chairman. Since then, the company has continued to flourish and has several Fortune 500 companies as its customers. But the seemingly endless number of people who knew him spoke much more of Bob's kindness than of his success in business. He donated money, yes. But he also gave generously of his time and his expertise. He mentored, nurtured and constantly checked in to see what people needed. His obituary reflects his long list of leadership roles and the community organizations and assets he either supported or created. Those who knew him say Bob was a constant source of all means of support, whose devotion to his heritage and his community will have an impact for decades to come. Son Gregg Ontiveros said his dad truly stepped away from the business when he handed it over to him in 1999. The reason: He had other things to do. "One of the things that always was so interesting to me is that the company has never, ever lost money, but he never was focused on that," he said of his father. "The money was just a byproduct of working really hard. "Don't get me wrong: He loved doing deals. But he never was focused on being the richest guy or the biggest guy. He understood better than anybody that nobody gets there alone." And that is why Bob was so eager to help others, his son said. "Talent in this country is equally distributed," he said. "Opportunity is not. That's where he was passionate." Bob's other son, Chris Ontiveros, said his father also was passionate about his family, especially his wife of 61 years, Blenda. He found others to adore, too. When the boys were growing up, Chris said, their dad was busy building a business. Weekends were their best shot at spending time with him. That changed with the birth of Bob's first grandchild, Maria, who is Chris's daughter. "He loved his grandkids more than anything in the world the grandkids and Blenda," Chris said. "Everything changed when Maria showed up. They're both genuinely loving people who really care about others; it's something Dad and Maria have in common. "He loved to see other people succeed. A lot of guys, when they succeed, it's all about them. He always wanted to see other people win." Chris Ontiveros was not surprised to hear that so many others spoke of his father's ability to connect people. "He prided himself on that, and he showed me how to connect people without expecting anything in return," he said. "When you see how something is supposed to be, you work toward that. He didn't like looking back. We celebrated victories, but they wouldn't last more than a minute. "You get over it and move on. We heard that a lot. He connected people, because he knew they got stuck; sometimes people get stuck in fear. He helped them along." His sons learned they need not fear their father. "He was never angry with us," Chris said. "Our mother's threat of, 'Wait 'til your dad gets home' wasn't really very threatening." To Maria Ontiveros, the considerable time she spent with her grandfather has impacted her life greatly. "He put me to work with Mercado (the outdoor Moline market that had long been a goal of Bob's), and he built a team around me to make sure I was successful," she said. "That's how he built Group O. He found a team and inspired everyone to work hard. "That's why people gush over him not because of his accomplishments but because of the way he made them feel. I just love how he keeps in touch with everyone and makes sure they are seen and heard. "That's why he's my role model. That's why I want to be like him. I don't know where I'd be without him. He has influenced my life more than anyone else." The family asked for understanding in plans to postpone a public celebration of Bob's life until May. They expect a large crowd and do not wish to risk an indoor gathering at this time, Chris said. Others who worked with and learned from Bob shared their thoughts about his contributions to the Quad-Cities. Matt Pappas, a board president for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley: "To me, he's been like a father. I lost my dad when I was 17, and Bob was someone I always respected and was inspired by. "I think the best way to describe the way he was is simply altruistic generosity. "He's done so much for the Boys and Girls Club and for so many people. I have a lot of love for him. He is just a wonderful person." Mike Reyes, LULAC Council 10, Davenport: "Bob has been a pillar to our community mainstream and Latino. The impact he has had on our community is immeasurable. "I'm not sure people realize how much he's done for us. The community is going to miss him. I know I am." Tom Bowman, CEO of Community Health Care Inc.: "Bob has been a great supporter of CHC. He was a great partner to us and always available for a call, always a resource. "He told me all the time that he was about connecting people in the community. He and Chris were so willing to help us acquire our property in Moline, financially and in other ways. When he had it in his mind that something needed to be done, he beat the streets. "He put his efforts behind whatever the priority was; he'd roll up his sleeves. And he was always checking in, just seeing how we were doing." Juanita Zertuche, president of LULAC Council 5285 in Moline: "My husband and I met Mr. Ontiveros in 2009, and he right away gave support to the event we were sponsoring. He treated us with respect always. "He was always checking in with us, and he was always making connections a great unifier. He asked us every year, 'How are you doing? How can I help?' "He was always, always wanting to help. He started the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Mercado on Fifth was his vision for a very long time. He never forgot where he came from. He was always proud of his heritage, and he was there to support it. "Humble and sincere is how I'll always remember him. He didn't have to go to every meeting and festival, but he always did, and he treated everyone with the same dignity and respect. "The lives he has touched in this community is unreal. We were very, very lucky to have him." Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 22 Angry 7 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The man accused of the 2020 kidnapping and murder of Breasia Terrell will appear in court Thursday to ask for a new attorney. Henry Dinkins is scheduled to be in Scott County Court at 8:30 a.m. Thursday for a hearing with Scott County District Judge Henry Latham to review the written request Dinkins made for a new attorney in late January. Dinkins' letter to Latham was stamped Jan. 25 the same day Latham moved the start of the trial to May 9, with a final pretrial hearing set for May 4. Before the change, Dinkins' trial was slated to start Feb. 14. In the letter Dinkins said he had not seen public defender Miguel Puentes "but once in eight months." Dinkins also claims Puentes gave him false phone numbers and that he could not contact the attorney. It was Puentes who filed the Jan. 20 motion to have the case continued, stating in his motion that an assessment of our defense case indicates we are admittedly unprepared to proceed as currently scheduled; therefore, necessitating this filing. Dinkins concluded his request for a new attorney with the following words: "I'm asking the courts to give me someone that's willing to help me fight this case." Dinkins is being held in the Clinton County jail, the same county where human remains were discovered near a small farm pond three miles north of DeWitt on March 22, 2021. Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski announced "heart-breaking news" on March 31, 2021 and confirmed the remains found by a pair of fishermen were those of Breasia. On May 5, 2021, Scott County Attorney Mike Walton announced Dinkins was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. Breasia was missing for almost a year. She was last seen alive late Thursday, July 9, or in the early hours of Friday, July 10, 2020, in the 2700 block of East 53rd Street, where she and her brother were visiting Dinkins. The Davenport Police Department searched Credit Island and Dinkins was taken into custody. By July 12, 2020, he was in Scott County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond for a sex offender violation, a class D felony. The charge later expanded to three charges was not related to Breasia's disappearance. Two days after his formal arrest, police named Dinkins "a person of interest" in Breasia's disappearance. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON A Heyworth man is charged with harassing jurors in a trial against him on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge from last year. Steve M. Abdullah, 31, is charged with two counts of harassment of jurors, Class 2 felonies, 11 counts of communication with jurors, Class 4 felonies, and one count of attempted communication with a juror, a Class A misdemeanor. His wife, Rosa Toledo, 32, also was charged with two counts of harassment of jurors, 11 counts of communication with jurors and one count of attempted communication with a juror. The trial began Monday and it entered a recess overnight, but jurors informed the court that they may be deadlocked on a verdict, which Abdullah became aware of, prosecutors said. When jurors returned to the courthouse, Abdullah and the victim in the domestic battery case stood in a hallway with signs and made statements to the jurors, according to a probable cause statement. Abdullah began yelling loudly at the jurors, stating he has a business and that hes "a good guy, prosecutors said. The victim in the domestic battery case also held signs reading He is innocent and I hit him first, prosecutors said. Abdullah was later found in possession of pieces of paper that read Please help me, I am innocent, I am not a bad guy, and other statements that he is employed and has a child. He later attempted to distribute his business cards to a juror, prosecutors said. A mistrial was declared in the domestic battery case. Abdullah remains jailed in lieu of posting $15,035. An arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 25. Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Rock Island man wanted in connection with a December 2020 shooting in Davenport while he was out on bond has been returned from Texas where he had fled. Brian Tyrone Brand, 31, was booked into the Scott County Jail on Tuesday. Brand had waived extradition from Collin County, Texas, where he was arrested by the Collin County Sheriffs Department on Jan. 31. According to Collin County electronic records, Brand had been living in Sherman, Texas. Brand is charged with one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon in connection with the shooting incident. The charge is a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years. He also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years, and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years. According to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police Sgt. Ann Sievert, at 7:09 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, Davenport police were sent to the 1500 block of Mound Street to investigate a call of shots fired. Brand is accused of firing a gun at a vehicle carrying four people. One of the victims, a male, was struck. The shooting occurred while Brand was out on bond awaiting trials for allegedly trafficking meth in Rock Island County and crack cocaine in Scott County The victim left the scene but walked into Genesis Medical Center West, Davenport. According to the affidavit, the victim was seriously injured and required immediate surgery. During a first appearance Wednesday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Christine Frederick scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for Feb. 18. Frederick also set Brands bond in the shooting case at $10,000 cash only. Brand was also being held Wednesday night on a cash-only bond of $10,000 for the outstanding drug case in Scott County and on a cash-only bond of $100,000 for the Rock Island County case. On July 26, 2019, Brand was arrested on a charge out of Davenport of possession with the intent to deliver no more than 40 grams of cocaine base, also known as crack. The charge is a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years. Brand was released from the Scott County Jail after posting 10% of a $10,000 bond through a bonding company. While out on the Scott County bond, Brand was arrested in Rock Island County. According to Rock Island County Circuit Court electronic records, Brand made a first court appearance on Aug. 16, 2019, on drug charges. Brand is accused of possession with the intent to deliver at least 15 grams but less than 100 grams of methamphetamine. The charge is a Class X felony under Illinois law that carries a prison sentence of six to 30 years. He also is charged with possession with the intent to deliver least 1 gram but less than 15 grams of heroin. That charge is a Class 1 felony that carries a prison sentence of four to 15 years. Brand is also facing two counts of aggravated fleeing, each of which is a Class 3 felony that carries a prison sentence of 2-5 years. Brand had been in the Rock Island County Jail on a bond of $150,000, 10%. He was able to post the $15,000 and be released from the jail on March 9, 2020. After leaving the Rock Island County Jail he was taken into custody in Scott County to appear on the previous drug trafficking charge. On March 27, 2020, he was released from the Scott County jail after a $5,000 cash-only bond was posted for him. On July 24, 2020, Brand appeared in Scott County District Court where a trial date of April 12, 2021, was set in his drug case. On Aug. 20, 2020, Brand appeared in Rock Island County Circuit Court where a trial date was set for Nov. 2, 2020. From that time forward, Brands attorney, Katherine Drummond, appeared in circuit court for him. Drummond asked for continuances seven times, according to circuit court electronic records. The eighth motion to continue the case was filed on Aug. 13, 2021. A pretrial conference in Drummonds drug case in Scott County is scheduled for Friday in Scott County District Court. Love 0 Funny 4 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Members of Quad Cities Interfaith held signs at Wednesday's Davenport City Council meeting with messages stating "No more stalling" and "We need relief now." The group of roughly 10 immigrant workers urged Davenport aldermen to provide pandemic relief funds for undocumented workers excluded from federal stimulus checks. The group made a similar request last week of the Scott County Board of Supervisors to assist low-wage essential workers excluded from previous relief programs. While millions of Americans received stimulus checks during the pandemic, thousands of immigrant workers in Iowa did not, according to the group. Based on U.S. Census Bureau data, Quad Cities Interfaith estimates at least 1,700 essential workers within Davenport were excluded from stimulus checks, child care payments, hazard pay and unemployment insurance. "As essential workers, we risk our health and safety every day to keep society running and to make sure everyone receives the things they need to survive like food, shelter, education, transportation and health care," the group wrote in a letter delivered to the Davenport City Council. "But in the last two years, too many value-producing front-line workers have been excluded from" federal assistance, slowing down economic recovery. Among those front-line workers excluded from stimulus checks is Davenport resident Gilberto Torres. Torres, who works in construction, contracted COVID-19 but was told to keep going to work. "For four weeks I was sick to the point where I couldn't even get out of bed," he said during the meeting, speaking in Spanish with an interpreter. "Even though my health was compromised, I still managed to make it out." Laura Monica Castel of Davenport works as a house cleaner. She said she got COVID-19 and had to be hospitalized. Once out of the hospital, while not still fully recovered, she went back to work in order to pay rent and bills. Emil Santiago, who lives in Rock Island and works in Bettendorf, stressed many people working jobs deemed essential during the COVID-19 pandemic have varying immigration statuses. And while they may not be U.S. citizens, they still suffer financially, emotionally and physically from the pandemic. "I pay taxes like any American citizen ... but was excluded and not eligible to receive the federal pandemic relief stimulus checks," despite working in person throughout the entire pandemic, Santiago said in Spanish through an interpreter. The group requested Davenport aldermen allocate $11 million in COVID-19 relief money to provide assistance to workers who were ineligible for previous relief programs, including undocumented workers. Of those funds, the groups requested $5.5 million in direct cash assistance in the form of stimulus checks in the amount of $3,200 for every low-wage worker in Davenport excluded from previous rounds of pandemic relief. The group also requested $5.5 million in funding to local businesses to provide premium pay to essential workers making less than $75,000 per individual. Quad Cities Interfaith claims the $11 million investment would produce $13.2 million in economic stimulus to the local economy, plus $704,000 in sales tax revenue, based on analysis by the Economic Policy Institute and Common Good Iowa. Since last year, essential and excluded immigrant workers have been organizing into core teams at their Hispanic Catholic parishes in Iowa City, West Liberty, Muscatine, Columbus Junction and Washington. The teams formed a new regional organization called Escucha Mi Voz, a spin-off of the Iowa City Catholic Worker. LULAC and Catholic Worker House of Iowa City, a nonprofit that houses undocumented immigrants, are two of the 16 groups that lobbied for the Excluded Workers Fund. Iowa City and Johnson County have contributed $1.5 million to $2 million to such a fund. And other states, like California and New York, have passed similar measures that allow workers excluded from federal funds to receive direct payments from the state and municipalities. No decision on the group's request has been made by either Davenport aldermen or the Scott County Board of Supervisors. The Davenport City Council adopted a spending plan in July of last year outlining strategic projects and priorities to be funded by the nearly $41 million in ARPA funds awarded to the city. The plan includes funding for transitional housing, neighborhood revitalization, youth and family support, flood mitigation, violence intervention and prevention, sewer connectivity, and library and park enhancements. "I listened and certainly understand the issue, but from a standpoint from the city's perspective last summer we sat down and compiled a list of 58 different options and projects," Alderwoman Marion Meginnis, Ward 3, said after the meeting. "We ranked those and picked what we thought were the most important ones. And I don't see us changing that at this point," said Meginnis, whose ward includes some of the poorest areas of the city. "This council voted for project-based things, and I don't see that changing." Meginnis said she was "pleased with the list of the people" who would benefit from the list of city projects funded by federal COVID-19 rescue dollars, noting much of the investment would be targeted to low- to moderate-income census tracts. Davenport Mayor Mike Matson thanked the group after the meeting for sharing their comments with city officials. Matson did not immediately return a message Thursday morning seeking further comment on the group's request. -- Dave Hotle of the Muscatine Journal contributed to this article Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The city of Davenport would increase assistance to new and current homeowners utilizing federal COVID-19 rescue dollars under a proposal aimed at increasing homeownership and investment in the city's core neighborhoods. City staff on Tuesday outlined plans to expand funding for home restoration projects and to acquire and rehab more vacant and abandoned homes to be sold to new homebuyers. Aldermen last year budgeted $4 million of the nearly $41 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the city to assist homeowners and developers with the purchase and rehab of vacant and abandoned homes and lots into single-family, owner-occupied houses in low-income areas of the city. Here's how the Quad-Cities plans to use ARPA funding State and local governments from across the country reported more than $117 billion of reven City administrators propose using the federal dollars to leverage and build off the success of existing city programs that have sought to revitalize neighborhoods south of Locust Street that have been starved of investment for decades. Expanded assistance for home restoration Under the proposal, Davenport would invest an additional $2 million over the next three years to expand assistance to targeted homeowners under the city's DREAM Project. Launched in 2019, the project provides eligible homeowners in the city's older, historic neighborhoods up to $20,000 for exterior home restoration projects and to fix outstanding code violations. About $2.75 million has been awarded to date, with 135 projects completed or underway. The $2 million would be in addition to the $900,000 the city spends each year on the DREAM Project, using a mix of city and federal grant dollars. Under the proposal, the city would increase assistance to homeowners to restore properties along Gaines Street, from West Locust to West 5th streets and Scott to Warren streets. The city would provide up to $40,000 for exterior repairs as well $10,000 for interior renovations. Homeowners would need to make exterior improvements to tap into assistance for interior improvements. The scope of exterior improvement eligible for assistance would also be expanded to include garages, fences and landscaping. "We know that as we're looking, this area, which has its own specific challenges, it likely take extra inducement for some of these homeowners as we're looking to really make a broad impact in this neighborhood to revitalize it," city Chief Strategy Officer Sarah Ott said. Of the 40 applications the city has received seeking assistance through the DREAM program from homeowners along the Gaines Street corridor, 10 have been approved. As a result, staff has recommended easing some of the eligibility criteria. "Our current DREAM program is highly competitive," Ott said. "Each year we receive hundreds of applications for a limited amount of funding. And we know there is a lot of need in this area, but we wanted to make it as accessible to people as possible." Assistance for rental properties Of the $2 million, $500,000 would be set aside to assist landlords in making repairs to rental properties along the corridor. Rental property owners are currently excluded from applying for assistance through the DREAM Project. Under the proposal, landlords could apply for up to $20,000 for exterior repairs through a competitive application process. Repairs would be limited to replacing windows, siding, porches and doors, the same as under the current DREAM program. To receive funding, rental property owners would need to have active rental licenses for those properties and be in good standing with the city. "We want to make sure that the rental properties that we are investing in through this new DREAM-plus program have responsible owners, have responsible tenants," Ott said. "But we want to make sure they are not left behind as we work to revitalize this area." Home and rental property owners as well could qualify for a 10-year tax exemption on the increase in property taxes resulting from improvements funded with the city's assistance. "That is a heck of a deal," Mayor Mike Matson said. If approved by aldermen, the city would begin accepting applications for assistance in late spring. Applications would be reviewed in May with money awarded in early summer. Aldermen would then receive an update on the program in the fall. Fixing vacant and abandoned homes The city would also invest $2.1 million over the next three years to reduce the number of vacant and abandoned properties along the Gaines Street corridor through acquisition, rehabilitation or new construction. City staff have identified 36 properties presumed vacant and 66 properties likely vacant throughout the corridor. The program would be similar to the city's Urban Homestead program, which utilizes federal grant dollars administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families through the acquisition, rehabilitation and sale of vacant and abandoned homes. Like new: Davenport looking to sell rehabbed house under Urban Homestead program Built in 1901, the two-story house near Fejervary Park in Davenport had been in and out of f Under the proposal, the city would send letters of interest to identified owners of vacant and abandoned parcels to see if they're willing to sell to the city. Oswald said the city may also seek legal remedies to acquire vacant and abandoned properties, either by petitioning a district court judge for title to the property or by acquiring the tax sale certificates of abandoned property or vacant lots with delinquent taxes. "Hopefully, people say, 'Yes, we want to work with you,' and get this property into the hands of somebody who knows what to do with it," Oswald said. "Some families are sitting on properties they inherited and they really don't know what to do with it." Once properties have been acquired, Oswald said city staff would solicit proposals from local developers, be it a company, individual or group of individuals. "What can you do with properties? What do you need from the city? How can we help you turn these vacant and abandoned properties into rehabbed, owner-occupied properties?" Oswald said. "How can we get you to come to this area and fix these properties?" Staff would then identify necessary incentives for council approval based on the proposals received. "After that, construction and rehab starts," Oswald said, followed by the sale of the properties to new homebuyers, who be required to live in the homes for at least five years. Staff said the investment would create new quality housing options and increase both the assessed value and vibrancy of the area reducing vacancies through reoccupation, rather than demolition, and attracting new residents. "We're not seeing people coming in and building houses here and putting money into this neighborhood," Rich Oswald, director of neighborhood services for the city of Davenport, said. "We're seeing a lot of these properties become rentals, and sometimes not great rentals. So we want to encourage people to fix up these homes and then turn around and say these are now owner-occupied properties ... that are now giving further investment into this area." Reaction Tim Huey with Rejuvenate Housing lauded the proposal. "It's exactly the program we have put together for our nonprofit," Huey said. "And that is identify properties that we can acquire that are redeemable. Find the funding to fix them up and then find the families of low- to moderate-income to put into them." He said the city's acquisition of vacant and abandoned properties would be a boon for area nonprofits looking to further affordable housing options and revitalize neighborhoods in Davenport. Huey, who worked as a tax deed administrator for Scott County, said it was often a frustrating process for nonprofits to acquire tax-delinquent properties, one that could take three to five years. Whereas City Attorney Tom Warner said the process could take the city anywhere from six to nine months. "We all know that a house that is abandoned and not well-maintained doesn't improve over the course of five years," Huey said. "You've got to get in there and stabilize the property. And six months is a better timeframe for that." City officials said the Gaines Street corridor was chosen due to its high concentration of vacant properties, police calls, city code violations and low-income households. Fifty percent or more of households in the area make less than 60% of the median gross income in Davenport. The area also contains the lowest average assessed property values in the city, at about $53,000. Staff, too, noted the area's proximity to downtown, the Hilltop Campus Village and St. Ambrose University campus, as well as sidewalks, transit routes, youth outreach programs, parks, schools and other amenities to help entice and leverage neighborhood investment. "You don't want to find that neighborhood where no amount of investment is going to make a significant impact, or it will take years and years and years," Community and Economic Development Director Bruce Berger said. "Yet, you also want to use your resources wisely to address where the need is." Assistant City Administrator Mallory Merrit said the intention is to pilot the programs along the Gaines Street corridor in the hopes of "building something that works" that can be replicated in other areas of Davenport. Aldermen seemed largely supportive of the proposal, though some had reservations. "We don't want to end up taking on being a landlord of a bunch of properties that we can't get rid of," Alderman Kyle Gripp, at-large, said. "Part of this is trying to figure out the right amount to execute so we can find partners to turn these vacant and abandoned properties around." Gripp said he was supportive of providing assistance to landlords to improve rental properties. "When you look at building a strong neighborhood, it's an ecosystem and you have to have balance ... between owner-occupied and rental homes," Gripp said. "What I'm really excited about is taking this next step ... to get new homes built in our core neighborhoods." Alderman JJ Condon, at-large, called the proposal "tremendous." "I look forward to continuing the conversation and see where it goes," Condon said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MetroLINK has been awarded a $5 million Rebuild Illinois grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The funds will be used for on-street, overhead vehicle charging equipment at Metro passenger terminals and for the expansion of charging systems at Metros Operations and Maintenance Center to support their growing fleet of battery electric buses. The overhead pantograph chargers will be located at the downtown terminals at East Pointe in East Moline, Centre Station in Moline, and District Station in Rock Island. MetroLINK also will use the funds to expand its current depot charging system at the Operations and Maintenance Center, making it possible to charge up to 20 buses simultaneously. Rebuild Illinois is the state's capital improvement plan, which will provide up to $33.2 billion in funding for infrastructure improvements throughout the state. "With 30% of our fleet soon running on battery electric, these funds come at an especially critical time as we look to increase our battery electric bus footprint in an effort to promote environmental responsibility," said MetroLINK Board of Trustees Chairwoman Berlinda Tyler-Jamison in a news release. "Sustainability has been a strategic priority for our board of trustees for over two decades, and I am thankful to Governor Pritzker, Transportation Secretary Osman and our local elected officials for recognizing the importance of supporting electric vehicle fleets in public transit." MetroLINK began transitioning its fleet to compressed natural gas in 2002 and currently, 70% of the fleet runs on compressed natural gas. In 2018, MetroLINK introduced battery electric buses to the Illinois Quad Cities, with the current fleet of eight expanding to 17 this April. "This Rebuild Illinois grant will help keep MetroLINK on the cutting edge of sustainable transit technology," State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, said in a news release. "Public transportation in the Illinois Quad Cities is well-served by increasing our use of electric vehicles. The easier it is to charge and keep these buses on the streets, the more efficiently we can get our residents to work, to school or to the grocery store. "I'm proud to make sure the state of Illinois continues to invest in us here in the Quad Cities." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. FREMONT, Neb. At first glance, the box containing Rudolph Henry Cooks work doesnt look like much. Tattered and worn, it looks to be about as old as the 1,000 photo negatives that lay inside it. But when Mollie Anderson found the box at an online auction in June 2019, Anderson said she knew she had to have it. It sat around for a long time, she said. And the more that I looked at them, the more I got attached to his story. Cook, who served in World War I for two years, documented the lives of his fellow soldiers through the photographs he took, which have been featured in books detailing the war. They had so much alone time in just miserable conditions, and yet they looked for some beauty in it, Anderson said. And so in some way, his photos are a way of really capturing what went on. Although never credited, Cooks work will now receive recognition with an exhibit at the Fremont Area Art Association (FAA) this November after the photos framing and matting by local photographer Ken Shuster. To have people from Fremont who are passionate about a story that connects back here and to have people who are willing to share that with our organization so that we can share it with the community at large is a really, really neat and important thing, FAAA Executive Director Lindi Janulewicz said. Additionally, the exhibit will be sponsored by the Deb Durham Family Foundation Growing up in Fremont and now living in Omaha, Anderson said shes always loved history. Like her family, shes collected old and antique items, which led her to the online auction of Cooks box. I looked in the box and saw that it was a bunch of negatives, and I saw somebody else that was interested in the box, too, Anderson said. And of course when youre at an auction, if somebody else wants it, then you want it more. Anderson purchased the box for $170 from an estate sale of someone who came in possession of Cooks work. Looking at Cooks signature and the dates provided on the photographs, Anderson said the work began to pique her interest. I could tell that they told the story of when he came and when they set up camp and when they fought a war and when they met people and when they moved around, she said. And I thought, This has got to correlate to history. Through her research, Anderson found that Cook was born on May 21, 1896, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It didnt look like their family was wealthy by any means. I think they were poor, Anderson said. Like other men his age at the time, Anderson said Cook was drawn to service during WWI. I dont think that it was really that he understood war. I dont think it was really something he really thought of himself as a military person, she said. He just thought hed go and see some part of the world that he couldnt see any other way. Cook enlisted on June 5, 1917, and served until June 10, 1919. A member of the 88th Infantry Division, he trained at Camp Dodge in Iowa, until his deployment to France in late 1917. He went and he documented the history of the camp, and then he documented the fact that his troop then was finally called to France to go to war, Anderson said. Upon his arrival home, Cook lived in Iowa before getting married and moving to Omaha at the beginning of the Great Depression. He continued work as a photographer for the local newspaper and was a commander of the VFW Post 2503 before his death in 1976 at age 80. He came back in one piece and healthy, and he just watched it all, took it all in his head, and then never had any children, never did anything remarkable after that, Anderson said. So this is his remarkable work right here. Researching Cooks life, Anderson visited Camp Dodge and learned more about WWI and the conditions he and his fellow soldiers lived in. It was a nasty war, she said. If you look at the numbers, as many died of dysentery as they did from injuries. To help with her research, Anderson read from The 88th Division in the World War of 1914-1918 by William Weigel, which featured a large number of Cooks photos. Then I could put the towns to the places that he had been and I was able to kind of put that period of his life together, figuring out, Heres where hes at, heres where he went next, she said. Finding a new piece of information about Cooks life, Anderson said she would excitedly tell Shuster. Id call Ken and say, I found this today, she said. So thats been kind of fun. Its been like a puzzle. Shuster, a member of the FAAA Board of Directors, approached the board about producing the exhibit in November for Veterans Day. Were delighted to have our members and their talent that they can produce something of this caliber and this quality, Janulewicz said. And I think to be able to do it and to time it to honor these veterans and all of the veterans is a really, really important thing. Having seen the effects of war on her classmates who went to Vietnam, Anderson said she wanted to tell the story of not only the soldiers photographed, but of Cook as well. This guy told it himself, she said. He told of every personal story, and I think thats what made it very real to me, is that it was an individual person who carried around this box and kept it his whole life. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Iowa Senate Ethics Committee unanimously dismissed an ethics complaint alleging Sen. Dan Zumbach used his position to pressure state employees to approve a cattle feedlot owned by his son-in-law. Committee members agreed the 20-page complaint, filed by the Committee to Save Bloody Run Creek, did not prove Zumbach got preferential treatment after talking with state officials. Did Sen. Zumbach meet with DNR? Yeah, said Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City. Hes perfectly within his rights to meet with the DNR. What we have before us (in the complaint) is because the DNR made the decision they did, somehow Sen. Zumbach must have done something improper. This is not a door we want to open. The complaint, filed last month, alleged Zumbach, a Ryan Republican who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, met with Iowa Department of Natural Resources officials at least twice about the proposed feedlot between 2017 and 2020, despite neither the feedlot nor the owners being in his district. ALLEGATIONS According to the complaint, Zumbach weighed in with the DNR before critical decisions about the project. These included: The DNRs 2017 decision to allow an earthen manure storage basin to be classified as an industrial wastewater treatment lagoon. Earthen basins are not allowed in the porous, karst terrain of northeast Iowa. When the DNR in 2017 was considering issuance of a federal stormwater permit for construction at the site near Monona. Feedlot owners got the permit after two face-to-face meetings including Zumbach and DNR staff, the complaint states. The DNR legal staff argued in 2018 stormwater permit violations at the feedlot should be handled the Iowa Attorney Generals Office, which may pursue higher penalties. The state Environmental Protection Commission in July 2018 failed to vote on the recommendation, leaving the matter with the DNR. The DNRs 2020 decision to approve a nutrient management plan for the feedlot. ZUMBACH RESPONSE Zumbach told The Gazette last spring he had a phone conversation with DNR Director Kayla Lyon on Oct. 2, 2020, about Supreme Beef, owned by Mike Walz, Dean Walz and Jared Walz. Jared Walz is the husband of Zumbachs daughter, Chelsea, and father of Zumbachs grandchildren. Since I sit on the Natural Resources Committee, Im in communication with the DNR, and I simply asked Kayla to get the right folks in contact with Supreme Beef so they could continue working through the permitting process, Zumbach told The Gazette last year. I dont know the players at all, he said. Thats not part of my concern or my responsibility. I simply asked the director if she could help this constituent get to the right folks. A few days after that Oct. 2, 2020, meeting, the DNR approved Supreme Beef having 2,750 cows. A revised nutrient management plan, approved by the DNR on April 2, bumped up the operation to 11,600 head of cattle. DEMOCRATIC CONCERN Two Democrats on the committee said some of the allegations against Zumbach caused them concern, but those allegations are too old to be considered under the Senates three-year statute of limitations. Ive read through this 20-page complaint and several times my eyebrows raised, and I felt a little unnerved myself about conversations that occurred before 2020, said Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque. She and Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, encouraged the complainants to file a new complaint if there were other more recent contacts Zumbach had with the DNR. The complaint charged that Zumbach broke the Senate Code of Ethics, which says members should strive to avoid both unethical and illegal conduct and the appearance of unethical and illegal conduct. Further, the code says: Whenever a senator appears before a governmental agency or board, the senator shall carefully avoid all conduct which might in any way lead members of the general public to conclude that the senator is using the senators official position to further the senators professional success or personal financial interest. NO FINANCIAL STAKE The complaint did not allege Zumbach had any financial stake in the feedlot, a point Zumbach reiterated in a response to The Gazette last month. Im really saddened by this organizations thoughts they need to personally attack legislators, he said in a voicemail. I have no ability to influence the DNR, and I have no financial interest in that facility. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The end of the states indoor mask mandate was foreshadowed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier this week. Stay tuned, Pritzker told reporters Tuesday in Springfield, where he was holding an event at a grocery store to promote the holiday on the 1% grocery tax in his fiscal year 2023 budget proposal. Within hours, news leaked that Pritzker planned to join a fast-growing list of Democratic governors who have dropped their states mask mandates in the past few days. Pritzker made it official Wednesday, announcing that the states indoor mask mandate would expire Feb. 28 if the downward trend in cases and hospitalizations continues. "Vaccines work. Masks work," Pritzker said. "And as a result of them and the tremendous commitment of our state's residents, we are on track to come out on the other side of this latest COVID storm in better shape than even the doctors expected." There are some exceptions, most notably schools but also congregate settings like long term care facilities and prisons. And folks will still have to mask up wherever federal regulations still require it, such as airports and on public transportation. But for the vast majority of Illinoisans, a trip to the grocery store or a day in the office will no longer necessitate the covering of their face. This is not happening in a vacuum. Pritzkers decision comes as cases and hospitalizations, driven to record highs just weeks ago by the Omicron variant, drop precipitously across the country. Nationally, average daily new cases are down 63% and hospitalizations typically a lagging indicator are down 28% from two weeks ago, according to data compiled by The New York Times. And Illinois is "now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began," Pritzker said, dropping from a high of more than 7,300 to under 2,500, a 66% drop. Pritzker credited the mask mandate with Illinois relatively good performance in comparison with states that did not implement one. The data appears to support that notion. Though nearly all states have registered a dramatic drop in daily cases, Illinois and other states with higher vaccination rates and mask mandates in place saw the largest decrease in hospitalizations. Whereas states without mask mandates and with lower vaccination rates saw more modest drops in hospitalizations. As a result, Pritzker and several other blue state governors have moved to end their state's mandates. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced the ending of his state's mandate on Monday and was soon followed by the governors of California, Connecticut, Delaware and Oregon. Along with Pritzker, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced the dropping of their mandates on Wednesday. Most, like Pritzker, will leave mandates in place for schools, at least for the time being. It comes as Pritzker and his fellow Democratic governors face pandemic-weary voters later this year who are eager to return to some semblance of normalcy after years of on-and-off mandates and restrictions. Pritzker, however, dismissed the notion that the decision was more about politics than science, deeming critics of his pandemic response a "loud minority of voices who have used this emergency to naysay, bicker, polarize and divide." The governor also said he did not consult with governors of other states before making the decision to roll back the mandate. But it seems to mark a noteworthy shift in the country's pandemic response. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor, indicated Tuesday that the "full-blown pandemic phase was almost over." As we get out of the full-blown pandemic phase, which we are certainly heading out of, these decisions will increasingly be made on a local level rather than centrally decided or mandated, Fauci told the Financial Times. There will also be more people making their own decisions on how they want to deal with the virus. Pritzker said that once the mandate is lifted, it will be up to local governments and businesses on whether to require masking indoors. And it will be up to individuals to assess their own risk. Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the state would still recommend masks "as we move forward in a world where we will coexist with COVID." Though most polling has shown Illinois voters giving Pritzker high marks for his pandemic response the past few years, there is a general feeling of weariness entering year three with the virus. While denying any coordination with his counterparts in other states, there's certainly 'safety in numbers' and no doubt they would like to have COVID in the rear-view mirror by the time their constituents go to the polls in November. It remains to be seen if that will be possible. Pritzker dropped the mask mandate once, last May, which was in line with CDC recommendations at the time. But he was among the first governors to reimpose the mandate later that summer as the country dealt with the Delta wave. With vaccination rates climbing, though, the hope is, as Fauci said, that the country has made it past the phase of broad government mandates. The next big test for Pritzker will be the school mask mandate. His administration is currently appealing a decision from Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow that temporarily halted the his executive orders on masking and quarantining for schools. As evidenced by some recent election results, education is a third rail. How Pritzker navigates that issue will be something to watch over the next few weeks and months. Legitimate political discourse Republicans have been caught in a circular firing squad this past week over a Republican National Committee resolution censuring Reps. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill. and Liz Cheney, R-Wy. for their work on the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Representatives Cheney and Kinzinger are participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse, and they are both utilizing their past professed political affiliation to mask Democrat abuse of prosecutorial power for partisan purposes, the resolution reads in part. The line legitimate political discourse has received the most intention for, at best, downplaying the events of that day, when a violent mob of President Donald Trumps most fervent supporters stormed the Capitol seeking to stop the certification of President Joe Bidens Electoral College victory. Of course, it has been uniformly condemned by Democrats. But several Republicans are also speaking out against the resolution, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. And a group of about 140 Republican leaders and former elected officials signed a statement condemning the censure, calling it an affront to the rule of law, peaceful self-government, and the constitutional order. It also accused the RNC of ceding control of the party to grifters and extremists. Among the signatories was former Rep. Ray LaHood, a Peoria Republican who represented Central Illinois in Washington for 14 years. His son, Rep. Darin LaHood, also a Peoria Republican, currently holds the seat. "As Rep. Darin LaHood said repeatedly since 1/6/21, the violence on that day was wrong and shameful," said LaHood spokesman John Rauber. "Rep. LaHood believes that individuals who committed violent acts and broke the law on 1/6 should be prosecuted and held accountable under the law." Lee Enterprises also reached out to Reps. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro; Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville; and Mary Miller, R-Oakland, to ask if they believed the events of Jan. 6 to be legitimate political discourse. I dont speak for the RNC," Davis said. "Ive already said those who broke the law should face the consequences of their actions." However, he preceded to say that "the Jan. 6 Select Committee is a political sham thats being used to target political opponents of the Democrats and Americans who werent even in Washington that day." Bost said "those who broke the law on the 6th should be held accountable. There's no question about it." "However, Speaker Pelosi's hand-picked committee is more interested in going after political opponents and doubling down on the partisan rhetoric. This country faces serious challenges, and I am doing all I can to keep focused on finding solutions that will help working families in my district." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Illinois indoor mask mandate will be lifted on Feb. 28, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday, a change that comes as the states largest coronavirus surge to date continues to subside and Democratic governors across the country have begun loosening rules in response to improving data and an increasingly pandemic-weary public. Pritzker is not dropping masking rules for schools, however, as his administration seeks to overturn last weeks court ruling that called into question his legal authority for mandating face coverings, quarantines, and, for school staff, vaccinations or testing. All of us are getting tired of wearing masks, thats for sure, Pritzker said during a Wednesday morning appearance in Champaign. I have to say an enormous compliment to the people of Illinois. We have done such a good job you have done such a good job of keeping each other safe. He said a change in mask mandates for schools will come in weeks hence. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike told lawmakers during a briefing Wednesday that the administration would assess the effect of lifting the mask mandate in indoor public places other than schools before making a decision on masks in schools. State health officials also told lawmakers that mask rules would continue to apply in health care settings, congregate facilities such as prisons and group homes, and on public transportation. Chicago and other municipalities will be able to continue enforcing stricter rules. The change in course is a calculated risk for the first-term Democrat, who has made his handling of the pandemic a central focus of his reelection bid this year. Since declaring the coronavirus pandemic a statewide disaster nearly two years ago, Pritzker has argued that his decisions have been driven not by political expedience but by the latest science and the advice of doctors and other experts. Pritzker will have to explain to those whove supported his efforts and those whove opposed them why now is the right time to allow people to remove masks in many setting while at the same time arguing in a state appellate court that he should be allowed to continue requiring them in schools. Republicans in the state legislature have repeatedly characterized Pritzkers mask mandate as an overreach of his executive authority, saying such a policy needs to be decided on by the legislature. He has not invited Republicans to participate in any meaningful discussion, whether its in a closed meeting of leaders but also on the floor of the House of Representatives and chambers, House GOP leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs said Wednesday during an unrelated news conference. The governor has taken this going-alone approach too long. Durkin also called for an end to masking in schools. Lets let parents and children go back to schools without having to deal with this mask situation, he said. All five Republicans seeking to challenge Pritzker in November have opposed the governors pandemic mitigation efforts, specifically masking and vaccine mandates, and several were quick to renew their criticism Wednesday. Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, who in March praised Pritzkers handling of COVID-19 by calling him a great leader who has guided our state with professionalism and compassion throughout this entire pandemic, on Wednesday criticized Pritzker for allowing everyone to remove their masks except the lowest risk population. Illinois is being led by a governor who puts politics and special interests ahead of parents and their children. Enough is enough, Irvin said in a statement. Bull Valley businessman Gary Rabine, who has spread pandemic misinformation including questioning the efficacy of the vaccines, said Pritzkers announcement will compound the chaos by beginning to lift the mandate for the general public but keep it in place for schools. In a message on Twitter, Petersburg cryptocurrency venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan questioned Pritzkers decision, saying, So Illinois kids dont have to wear masks in restaurants, stores, museums or church but they do in schools. This isnt real science its political science, Sullivan tweeted. That masking issue has been complicated by a Sangamon County Circuit Court judges Friday decision to block the state and school districts named in a set of lawsuits from enforcing the mask requirement for students and teachers named as plaintiffs in the case. The state is seeking an appellate court order reversing the lower court ruling. The statewide mask mandate for all indoor public places, regardless of vaccination status, has been in effect since Aug. 30, when it was reinstated after a two-month pause due to a late summer surge driven by the highly contagious and virulent delta variant of the coronavirus. Pritzker in October raised the idea of lifting some portion of the mandate in time for the holidays, but that possibility was quickly dashed by another surge that began soon after and was later supercharged by the arrival of the even more contagious omicron variant. The change in Illinois comes in concert with recent moves by Democratic governors on both coasts. On Monday, the Democratic governors of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon announced plans to roll back their mask requirements for schools over the next two months. In California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced masks will no longer be required for fully vaccinated people beginning Feb. 16, though the rule will remain in place for schools, hospitals and certain other settings. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday also is expected to announce the end of the states mandate. The governors announcements come at a time there remains no clear, universally accepted public health metrics for when indoor mask mandates should be lifted in the few states that still have had them. As Pritzker was announcing the move, the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the agency is working on updated guidelines on when states should end mitigations and doesnt begrudge states already taking steps. Weve always said that these decisions are going to have to be made at the local level, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky said. But she said the CDC itself wasnt ready nationally to call for relaxed mitigations: Our hospitalizations are still high. Our death rates are still high. So, as we work towards that and as we are encouraged by the current trends, we are not there yet. At most, well before the omicron surge and proliferation of at-home testing, the CDC set up guidelines based on known infections, triggered with either higher rates of new cases or a higher percentage of tests coming back positive. Illinois has been able to keep the latter metric test positivity close to or below its CDC threshold. But Illinois was well above the CDC threshold for new cases before Pritzker reimposed the mask mandate in late August when Illinois had nearly four times the CDC threshold of 50 new cases a week per 100,000 residents. Illinois rate of new cases exploded with omicron, with the states weekly rate peaking at nearly 40 times more than the CDC threshold. The rate has since dropped fast, but is still about nine times more than what the CDC has said should be the minimum rate before people shed masks indoors. When pressed by reporters Wednesday, Walensky said the agency was not yet ready to abandon that guidance, but was taking a close look at this in real-time, and were evaluating rates of transmission as well as rates of severe outcomes as we look at updating and reviewing our guidance. That follows comments a week earlier from Walensky that she was focusing on a different metric: hospitalizations. Omicron has been shown to be milder, albeit still dangerous, particularly to the unvaccinated. But in a society thats mostly vaccinated, and already with some levels of natural immunity built in, the massive case spike didnt translate into nearly as massive of a hospitalization spike. Still, thats cold comfort to the hospital system, which has seen a drain of workers while at the same time dealing with an even higher number of patients seeking care. The Tribune has previously reported how patient loads have jumped not only for COVID-19 but for the bevy of other ailments that sent people to the hospital before the pandemic, from heart disease to strokes, with some sicker from delaying care earlier in the pandemic. But COVID-19 hospitalization figures have dropped dramatically in recent weeks. As of Tuesday night, Illinois hospitals reported about 2,500 hospitalized with the virus, far less than the peak four weeks earlier of 7,380, but still above the weekly averages of 1,650 last May when Pritzker loosened emergency orders to allow vaccinated people to go maskless indoors in public, and the 760 average when he lifted the mandate for everyone else last June. If hospitalization rates continue dropping as they have been in the past week, the state could see weekly average hospitalization rates drop below 1,650 in 1 weeks and below 760 by early March. Last summer, when ending the first mask mandate, Pritzker initially ended it for the vaccinated in May but insisted the unvaccinated had to keep wearing masks indoors, making the order even harder to enforce. After infections continued dropping, the governor lifted the mandate for everyone in June, though the unvaccinated were still encouraged to mask up. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The city of Sturgis has withdrawn its request for a declaratory ruling on the validity of an election petition seeking to remove the city manager position from city government. At Monday's Sturgis City Council meeting, City Attorney Mark Marshall notified the council that he withdrew the request, which he filed on behalf of the city with the South Dakota Board of Elections. The city was seeking a declaratory ruling on the legality of a citizen petition received calling for an election on changing the municipal government from one with a city manager to one without. The petition was filed in December from a group of citizens calling for an election to be held to change from an aldermanic government with a city manager to one without a city manager. The validity of the petition was questioned by the city attorney and the City Council voted Jan. 3 to authorize the city attorney to seek a declaratory judgment from the South Dakota Election Board. However, the petitioners filed a lawsuit in the 4th Circuit Court requesting a writ of mandamus, asking the court to compel the City Finance Officer to certify the election petition. City Finance Officer Fay Bueno issued a letter on Jan. 13, declining to certify the petition. The hearing before the Circuit Court is scheduled for Monday. Marshall said the declaratory request before the state Board of Elections is now moot because the petitioners filed the mandamus request in court. On Jan. 18, the Sturgis City Council unanimously passed a resolution to show the council's support for the office of city manager. In the resolution, the council outlined several accomplishments that the city has met since voters approved creating the position in 2007. The resolution also called for the creation of a sub-committee to evaluate the effectiveness of having a city manager. At Monday's City Council meeting, the council voted to form the Subcommittee of the Office of City Manager. Mayor Mark Carstensen, Ward 1 Councilor Mike Bachand, Ward 3 Councilor Aaron Jordan and Ward 4 Councilor Dean Sigman were appointed to the subcommittee. The motion to approve the subcommittee was amended by Ward 4 Councilor Kevin Forrester setting a time frame of one year to make recommendations on the city manager position. If a City Council member is no longer in office while the subcommittee is meeting, Carstensen said another member would be appointed by the council. Contact Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PIERRE | When daycare owner Heidi Fink checked her email Thursday morning, she was shocked to find a message from South Dakotas Department of Social Services informing her that the facility was receiving a $217,000 grant. The award for Blue Dragons Academy childcare in Garretson was part of Gov. Kristi Noem's $100 million plan to send federal money received under the American Rescue Plan Act to childcare centers. The money which was more than triple what she was expecting would be used for bonuses and raises for her employees, as well as supplies. Fink said the boost in pay was well-deserved for staff that worked all through COVID and got very little in return. Growing demand for childcare and the stresses they were placed under during the pandemic has placed those childcare centers licensed by the state among the list of recipients of over $1 billion in federal funds lawmakers are deciding how to spend this year. Finks daycare, which already cares for over 100 children who come from surrounding towns, is hoping to expand in the coming months. There definitely is a childcare crisis, she said, adding that she has tried to stress the importance of early childcare education to lawmakers as well as the need to ensure employees gain adequate compensation. But getting the money out the door of the state Capitol had also turned into a political fight this week as House lawmakers asserted that the governor needed the Legislature's authorization before sending out the grants. The House was set to consider a pair of bills Monday that would do just that, but the governor did not wait for the House's permission. She authorized the payment to be sent out Wednesday Those bills arent necessary. I already have the authority, Noem said during a news conference Thursday, adding that the Senate had Wednesday passed a resolution opining that she had legal authority to use federal funds. The governor added she didn't think she needed the Senate's resolution, but it showed they wanted to send a clear message that they agree with me. The Department of Social Services had delayed sending out the grants amid the political grappling. Fink said she initially expected Blue Dragons Academy to get the grant last week on Friday, but is now expecting the funds to be deposited in the coming days. While the delay did not cause any major problems, she said, It made me a little nervous whether we were going to get them or not. The last-minute scramble on the decision to send the grants this week left some lawmakers suggesting Noem's office had not communicated with House lawmakers who are ironing out the state budget. When you have a big sum of dollars that come into the state, before they can go out they need to go through the legislative process to get it appropriated, said Republican Rep. Chris Karr, chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Karr said he had received a preliminary memo from the attorney general on the issue, but said he was still reviewing it and declined to share its contents. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Jamie Smith, who is running for governor, said that the childcare providers had got stuck in the middle of the dispute between the governor and the House. It was sad that we were using such an important population in our state, the daycare providers, as a political pawn, he said. Currently, only childcare centers licensed with the state are eligible for the grants, leaving out providers only licensed through cities or those who are unlicensed. Noem said she was streamlining how daycares can get registered while making sure they meet the state's safety requirements. We have safe daycare centers and have more than [enough] available in some of our communities, she said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 TYNDALL | A South Dakota man has pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge after his mother unknowingly served his marijuana-laced brownies to a group of seniors at the Tabor Community Center. Michael Koranda, 46, appeared at the Bon Homme County Courthouse on Tuesday where he waived his preliminary hearing and entered the plea. As part of a plea deal, both the prosecution and defense jointly recommended Koranda receive a suspended imposition of sentence, which would allow the judge to place him on probation for a period of time. A report from Bon Homme County Sheriffs Office says dispatchers received several calls about possible poisonings on Jan. 4. All the calls involved seniors who had earlier been at a community center card game. An investigation into the incident led authorities to believe the patients were all under the influence of THC, the compound in cannabis that produces the high sensation and that the THC came from a batch of brownies brought by a woman to the community center, the Yankton Press and Dakotan reported. Seniors who ate the brownies identified the woman who brought them. She said her son had baked the brownies she brought to the card game. The plea agreement also calls for Koranda to pay any medical bills that aren't covered by insurance for those who ate the brownies. He would also pay any fines and court costs. Koranda is to be sentenced March 15. The drug charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. Professor Anna Dilger had never thought of using gene editing to create a green cow that could photosynthesize to feed itself, but her students did when she asked them to brainstorm what they would create if they could. The Daly Mansion is hosting its adults-only Roaring 20s Gatsby Gala on Feb. 26. Events Coordinator Courtney Hartelius said the interactive event will be the best yet. Its one of the favorite fundraising events we hold for the mansion, Hartelius said. It appeals to different ages, demographics and gives us all a reason to dress up. She said the mansion will create an atmosphere of Gatsby glamour with 1920s elegance. Joan Zen Jazz is the featured musician and there will be a dance lesson, a dance contest, a cork pull, a new casino area and plenty of games and prizes. In previous years we only had one race-horse game, but because of its popularity, weve built another one, Haretelius said. She called the Cork-Pull a fun, no-risk adventure. We have wine bottles ranging in value from $10 to $50 that will be covered in bags, Hartelius said. Everyone will get to pull a cork and whatever number is on the cork that is the bottle they get. No matter what, you get your moneys worth. The appetizers will be provided by chef Bobby Coza and the no-host bar service will be provided by the Rainbow Bar. The last Roaring 20s event held at the mansion was March of 2020, right before the lockdown due to the coronavirus. That was the best one wed had yet, we werent able to host one in 2021 but that gave us more time to up the ante even more, Hartelius said. The committee and I have been working really hard to make the 2022 event a gala to remember. The committee is Judy Folz, Pauline Gary, Lori Meyer, Gail Schulz and Hartelius. Were hoping to have our tarot card reader back, Hartelius said. It is a unique type of fundraiser in that instead of auctions or raffles, we raise funds by selling tickets to participate in games. We have a lot of generous sponsors and that is one of the reasons why we can make this Roaring 20s even more special for our guests that are attending. Sponsors for the 2022 Roaring 20s event include Exit Realty Montana (casino area sponsor), Big Sky Eye Care, Catalyst Physical Therapy, Grizzly Broadband, St. Francis' Pet Hospital, Ravalli Republic and Bitterroot Community Federal Credit Union. Hartelius noted that the casino area is a fundraising area, not actually gambling. In that area, there will be three different styles of poker games Texas hold em, let it ride, and three-card draw or three-card poker. The mansion will have 20 volunteers including someone to provide a shuttle service from the parking lot to the mansion. Were worried about the cold weather, or if it is slippery or windy, we dont want people to have to walk through that in their high heels, Hartelius said. Upon entry, everybody gets a glass of bubbly, thats a perk we like to gift to our attendees. Plus, Ill be emailing the password. She said the Daly Mansion Roaring 20s event is unique because it appeals to all ages. It is one of my favorite events, it appeals to a variety of ages and interests, she said. Ive seen people here from age 21 to age 85 and everyone has a good time. The Daly Mansion Roaring 20s Gatsby Gala will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26, doors open at 7 p.m. and the event ends at 11 p.m., 251 Eastside Hwy, Hamilton. Tickets cost $55 single or $100 for two, reserve tickets by calling 406-363-6004 or visit dalymansion.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. To mark the end of another chapter in the long saga of public access on the remote Hughes Creek Road, a Missoula District Judge dismissed an access groups lawsuit against Ravalli County this week. Judge Leslie Halligan found Public Land/Water Access Associations lawsuit moot after the county had removed the latest gate and encouraged landowners to move an excavator that served as the latest bulwark to public travel on the remote roadway. The access association had argued their lawsuit should move forward to ensure the county took its responsibility for keeping the controversial road cleared of obstructions seriously and force it to move faster the next time around. The county countered that its intention had always been to follow the law, but wanted to do so in such a way that protected taxpayers from further lawsuits and its employees from a potentially dangerous situation. Last summer, a landowner placed a third gate across the road the county had already removed two that included a sign that threatened to shoot trespassers. The county removed that obstacle last month. The PLWAA filed suit in October, saying state law required the county to remove road encroachments and obstructions without delay and immediately remove the encroachment and the county had been slow to move. The organization also asked the court to award it attorney fees. After the county removed the third gate, the access group filed a motion asking the court for a declaration that defined the terms immediate and without delay to require the county to move at a quicker pace the next time an obstacle appears. Halligans order to dismiss said the court cannot determine an arbitrary deadline on which the county must act. How the County must immediately remove obstructions to a public road depends on too many factors to identify here, Halligan wrote. Resources are limited, and not everything is a priority. The Court has no reason to doubt that the County takes its obligations to remove obstructions blocking the last few miles of Hughes Creek as seriously as the law and the circumstances warrant. Halligan said its likely that some rebellious landowner will build another illegal gate or otherwise block the road, but a court order mandating its removal would probably not make a difference. It would only re-shuffle priorities and require re-allocation of limited resources to accomplish something that will only have a transient effect and thus little public benefit, Halligan wrote. A longer-term solution is clearly needed here, and it is for the elected representatives of the people of Ravalli County to provide it, not the Court. Since the county never opposed removing the obstructions but just operated on its own timeline, Halligan said the county was not responsible for paying the access groups attorney fees. The controversy dates back to 1970, when the first gate appeared on the historic road that was originally built in 1900 to access mining claims. Landowners have taken their arguments to close the road to the Montana Supreme Court twice and lost. Love 5 Funny 5 Wow 1 Sad 3 Angry 3 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Her Indian name was Stands by the Banks of Water. Admirers remembered Michaelynn Hawk this week as a woman who resolutely stood by fellow Native Americans and others who suffered from injustice, discrimination and the specter of environmental degradation. She garnered tributes this week for her work as a community organizer in Butte and as a fierce advocate for Native American rights throughout Montana and the West. Hawk died Feb. 3 in Tulalip, Washington. She was 61 years old and had been in treatment for cancer. She was an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe. Michaelynn really came from the heart, said Marian Jensen of Butte. She was a person who felt deeply the injustices that affected so many people. She had a broad understanding of what it meant to have a culture that was fair and just for everyone. Hawk was the longtime executive director of the organization Indian Peoples Action. According to the Social Justice Fund Northwest, Indian Peoples Action focused on empowering Native American families to tackle the racial, economic and environmental inequities in Montanas reservations and border towns. Hawk focused also on exposing inequities in the criminal justice systems treatment of Native Americans. Mijo Lee, former executive director for the Social Justice Fund Northwest, said Hawk was a consistent source of inspiration. I knew her as a fierce, unwavering fighter for her people, Lee said. Through her honest feedback about how we could better understand, build relationships with, and truly support Native organizers, she helped SJF become a better funder. Hawk ran the First Peoples Market in Butte as part of the Montana Folk Festival and helped establish Native Youth Art in Action. Hawk received a number of awards. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Montana Environmental Information Centers MEIC Conservationist of the Year Award, the organizations highest honor. Among other activities, Indian Peoples Action worked to oppose the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines. Molly Moody met Hawk when the two women traveled to Washington D.C. during the first 100 days of the Obama administration to advocate for health care reform. "Michaelynn dedicated her life to the health and well-being of Indigenous people everywhere and for all people," Moody said. "She never left a stone unturned when organizing and involved all in the fight, no matter age, ability or race." Moody described Hawk as a "social justice warrior, close friend and proud mother and grandmother." "Michaelynn will be dearly missed and she is loved by so many," she added. In 2015, Hawk received the Jeannette Rankin Award from the Social Justice Fund for her longtime activism and extraordinary service in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon and Washington. Born in Crow Agency, Hawk attended elementary school in Coos Bay, Oregon, and in Lodge Grass. She attended a Catholic boarding school and Indian School in Oklahoma but graduated from Lodge Grass High School. She later attended Rapid City Business College, Rocky Mountain College and Montana Tech. Hawk had six sons. One, Donavon Hawk, raised in Butte, was elected in 2020 to the Montana Legislature, serving House District 76. On Wednesday, Donavon Hawk said he believes his mother will be remembered for many things, including the impact she had on voting rights in Indian Country. She was a very strong advocate for voting rights, he said. She also helped identify healthcare disparities affecting Native Americans, he said. She was not afraid to let people know what she was thinking, he said. She was one of my biggest inspirations. I would not be where I am today without her. Jensen said she anticipates Donavon Hawks own activism will help ease the absence of his mother from causes she championed. Theres going to be a big gap in the community because she is gone, Jensen said. Services in Butte will be held at a later date. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 With their keen predictive powers, ancient astrologers dutifully warned of this very weekend eons ago: when Valentines Day surreptitiously fell flat on the other side of the Big Game. Dont fret, romantics and weekend warriors; with careful planning, Cupids arrows will sail true through flying pigskins and microwaved potato skins to meet their mark. Katt Williams at Altria Theater Friday We looked it up: Couples heckled by a comic in front of thousands of strangers go on to share long, fruitful relationships. And unlike scorned exes, Google doesnt lie. Emmy Award-winner Katt Williams has landed dizzying punchlines on every platform, from the big screen (Friday After Next) to the small screen (Atlanta) to streaming services (Katt Williams: Great America) and stages of all sizes. Prepare for another knockout performance with his World War III tour. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show begins at 8 p.m. $65-$256. 6 N. Laurel St. www.altriatheater.com or (800) 514-3849. Pet Expo Saturday If the one making puppy-dog eyes at you is in fact a puppy, then leash up and head on over to the 21st annual Pet Expo. Follow your nose to Richmond Raceway Complex for demos, contests and more. And dont forget the adoptions; you can leave with your perfect match without swiping left or right. 10 a.m. 600 E. Laburnum Ave. $8 (online); $10 (at the door). www.henricohumane.org/events/petexpo or (804) 262-6634. River City Spirits Festival Saturday Not sure whether to wrap up a gift or share a special experience with your significant other? Do both. Step out to Stony Point Fashion Park where central Virginias finest distilleries, wineries, breweries and eateries invite you to sip and savor while you shop. Now the ideal Valentines Day date is in the bag. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 9200 Stony Point Parkway. $45 (in advance); $55 (at the door) for unlimited sampling. www.shopstonypoint.com or (804) 560-7467. Bugs Bunny at Richmond Symphony Sunday With todays over-the-top, computer-aided animation, sometimes you just want to spend time with a blast from the past. Thanks to live music from the Richmond Symphony and big-screen projections of classic Looney Tunes including Whats Opera, Doc? and The Rabbit of Seville its easy to fall back in love with Bugs, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and Co. Doors open at 2 p.m.; performance begins at 3 p.m. $10-$82. Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. www.richmondsymphony.com or (804) 788-1212. Galentines Day Market Sunday The lasting legacy of the underrated show Parks and Recreation will likely be a holiday made up by Leslie Knope and her gal pals. Come get crafty with your besties, artisans, makers and more at Hardywoods Brew House & Tap Room. Save room for brunch from the Hardywood Pizza Kitchen. Noon-5 p.m. 2410 Ownby Lane. Pay as you go. hardywood.com or (804) 420-2420. Mike Ward A Richmond patrol officer has pleaded no contest to felony animal cruelty stemming from an October incident in which he fatally shot his fiancees dog at a home they shared in Powhatan County. He then fabricated a story claiming he accidentally killed the dog while trying to stop a bear attack. Richard R. Chinappi III, 27, also pleaded guilty to giving a false report to police about how the dog, a 27-pound beagle-hound mix, was killed on Oct. 19 at his home in the 6100 block of Walnut Tree Drive. He will be sentenced on March 11. According to a summary of evidence by Powhatan Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Rob Cerullo, the Powhatan Sheriffs Office received a call from the father of Chinappis fiancee about an alleged bear attack at the home his daughter shared with Chinappi. Upon arrival, officers located Chinappi, who showed signs of intoxication. Inside the house, they discovered blood spatter on the kitchen island, pantry and refrigerator, along with blood smeared on the floor, which appeared to be semi-cleaned up. They also found bloody Clorox wipes and a bottle of Clorox bleach. In a police interview, Chinappi initially reported he was in the bathroom when he heard footsteps coming from the back deck. He said that when his dog began barking and acting crazy, he soon realized a bear had entered his house. He said he grabbed a shotgun he kept in the bathroom and fired at the bear. When asked what happened to the dog, Chinappi said the bear carried if off. He claimed the bear wandered inside through a back door he left open while grilling steaks the prior evening. However, deputies could find no evidence such as footprints or markings suggesting a bear had been inside or even near the home. They did, however, find signs a weapon had been fired inside the house. After a police supervisor pressed Chinappi, insisting his version of events didnt add up, Chinappi changed his story, saying he accidentally shot the dog while firing at the bear. He said the one shotgun blast he fired went through the bear and struck the dog. Chinappi said he buried the dog in the woods near his home. Deputies recovered the remains, which were sent to a veterinarian for examination. A necropsy determined the dog had been shot at close range. There was a huge hole in the dogs body along with remnants of shotgun pellets. Mark Bong, Chinappis attorney, could not immediately be reached for comment. Chinappi was hired by Richmond police in October 2016 and assigned to uniform patrol. He was placed on administrative leave after his arrest. He will remain on leave for the duration of his court case. Once concluded, the department will continue with our internal administrative process, said Richmond police spokeswoman Tracy Walker. Cerullo said Chinappis attorney has written a letter to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to notify it of his clients intention to voluntarily surrender his law enforcement certification. Andrew Wheeler delivered home-made brownies to the wrong majority leader. Gov. Glenn Youngkins imperiled pick for secretary of natural and historic resources, Wheeler dropped off the dainties the other day at the office of House Republican chief Terry Kilgore of Scott County. The brownies comfort food for Kilgore after the death of his dad, John were described as excellent; that they were chunky and extra-chocolatey. But if theres anyone with whom Wheeler should be getting sweet, its Dick Saslaw of Fairfax County, the Senate Democratic boss. Saslaw is using his 21 votes in the Senate they make up Democrats remaining redoubt of power at the state Capitol to sink, perhaps permanently, Wheelers nomination to the Youngkin Cabinet. The Democratic bill of complaint against Wheeler: He is a former lobbyist for the coal industry who, as President Donald Trumps head of the Environmental Protection Agency, discarded air, soil and water protections put in place during the Barack Obama administration. Those credentials endear Wheeler to pols such as Kilgore, whose deep-red, far Southwest Virginia district is home to what little remains of the coal business, once a giant employer and a source of giant political contributions long since dwarfed by those of financiers, real estate developers and info-tech barons. With Democrats, its an article of faith that Wheeler should be blocked. Republicans feel similarly strongly that he should be approved. Both sides can use the nomination win or lose to their advantage, riling the grassroots, perhaps generating a buck or two in the process. Within hours of Wheelers selection last month, Democrats were speculating on social media that Youngkin knew Wheeler was doomed and would wave his rejection as a bloody shirt which with to stir up the GOP base. Chris Saxman, a former Republican delegate from Staunton advising Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears when he isnt running a bipartisan business advocacy group, Virginia FREE, put it this way: What would have gotten you un-elected or roundly criticized ... is now a badge of honor. And you get to raise money on it. That Wheelers nomination is in trouble is a reminder that Washington-like politics increasingly is the norm in Richmond, where over the past 15 years seemingly untouchable candidates for the Cabinet, the Virginia Supreme Court and the State Corporation Commission have been torpedoed by both parties with all the subtlety of a mob hit. LAffaire Wheeler, unfolding in a divided legislature, could augur impasse over filling two seats on the Supreme Court, perhaps tossing the appointment to Youngkin. And possibly ensuring both would be booted by Senate Democrats. Even before Senate Democrats, in effect, denied Wheeler confirmation by blocking Republicans from restoring his name to a list of Youngkin appointments requiring General Assembly consent, the new GOP majority in the House all but killed a Democratic pick for the SCC, the agency that polices business, without bothering to vote. Rather, Republicans allowed Angela Navarros term to expire at the end of January. A former environmental and economic adviser to Gov. Ralph Northam, Navarro was serving the final year of the term of a Republican commissioner, Mark Christie, whod taken an appointment in the Trump administration. Navarros installation followed the unceremonious refusal of Democrats - having taken back the legislature in 2019 to retain Republican Patricia West as a commissioner. She filled the last year of the term of a Democrat, Jimmy Dimitri, who retired. Selections for the Cabinet created by a GOP governor, Linwood Holton, in the early 1970s with the consent of a Democratic General Assembly were sacrosanct. That changed in 2006, when House Republicans rejected Danny LeBlanc, former head of the Virginia AFL-CIO, as Gov. Tim Kaines patronage-dispensing secretary of the commonwealth. Republicans wouldnt stand for someone in the Cabinet who favored repeal of the states ban on union membership as a condition for a job. Ergo, they did a job on LeBlanc, even ignoring pleas from secretaries to Republican governors who warned blocking otherwise-qualified Cabinet picks would lead us to where we are today: ever-escalating, often-personal partisanship that needlessly complicates the already-complex relationship between part-time lawmakers and a full-time executive. Kaine and LeBlanc got the last laugh. LeBlanc joined the governors personal staff as an adviser on job issues, a position that did not require confirmation. Some of the Republicans who had opposed LeBlanc would have to turn to him not just for help in meeting the employment needs of industrial prospects but assisting workers idled by plant closings. In 2010, Bob Sledd, a corporate CEO selected by Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell as commerce and trade secretary, withdrew because of criticism over a perceived conflict of interest in refusing to resign as a director of several publicly traded companies. Sledd become an unpaid adviser to McDonnell on economic development. LeBlancs trajectory might offer a face-saving path for Wheeler, should his nomination ultimately fail, never mind that among those arguing Wheeler deserves a chance is Kaines natural resources secretary, Preston Bryant, an ex-GOP delegate from Lynchburg and lobbyist who lauded his testimony before House and Senate committees. Lots of questions to him, Bryant said on Twitter on Jan. 26. Mr. Wheeler has acquitted himself quite well. Impressive. Hes highly qualified. He should be confirmed. Because they are high-profile, Cabinet nominations there are now roughly 15, three times as many as in Holtons term generate considerable attention, though some secretaries are more equal than others, given the breadth of their authority and the combined budgets and symbolism of the agencies they oversee. The natural resources secretariat isnt a financial powerhouse, compared to transportation and public safety, but it usually prospers when Democrats are in charge. And one of its agencies, the Department of Environmental Quality, reflects the constant tension between protecting natural resources and accommodating the corpocracy. Indeed, its just-fired director, Dave Paylor, was recommended for reappointment by Youngkin by Republicans and Democrats, both of whom credited Paylor with more than 40 years in government for balancing the needs of the environment and business. He was replaced by Michael Rolband, an environmental consultant. Though Youngkin has yet to announce all agency appointees some are holdovers serving no more than 120 days to minimize disruption, gauge their ability and test their loyalty transition advisers anticipate that seven in 10 agencies, if not more, will have new leadership. There are more than 100 agencies in the executive branch. How these agencies mesh with the Cabinet secretaries who oversee them will speak to Youngkins management style, a data-centric approach fashioned over years in high finance but untested in Virginia government. The institutional knowledge of the commonwealth is in the agencies and the strategic vision is within the secretariats, said Eva Hardy, who served in both roles under two Democratic governors and is lobbying for energy and health care companies. Usually it blends well. On the other hand, sometimes it doesnt. The governor has the final say. If a landlord doesnt maintain an apartment, then tries to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent, should that renter be able to use the landlords negligence as a court defense for falling behind? Tenant advocates say yes. Lobbyists representing landlords and property managers say no. On a 12-2 vote Wednesday, the Senate General Laws and Technology committee punted a bill that would have empowered tenants to do so until next years legislative session. Lawmakers said they wanted the Virginia Housing Commission to study the issue. When a landlord violates the contract by refusing to provide a safe and habitable property, while still demanding the rent in full, tenants should be able to provide that violation as evidence in court without facing the high barrier of paying full rent into escrow with the court, said Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, who proposed the change. Twenty-five states have similar laws, including Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Ebbin said. In 2020, the committee had advanced a similar measure with bipartisan support, but the full Senate didnt ultimately approve it at the time. Ebbins measure, SB 284, also would have allowed a court to order local authorities to investigate the property at issue and report back with their findings. Some on the committee said that would produce lengthy delays and ultimately keep landlords from collecting rent they are owed. The Virginia Apartment Management Association, the Apartment and Office Building Association and the Virginia Realtors opposed it at Wednesdays meeting. This bill would allow a tenant to stop paying rent in response to what the tenant believes is a breach of contract by the landlord, with no requirement that the tenant pay that rent into court until a judge determines if the landlord is actually at fault, said Erin Barton, a lobbyist representing the Virginia Realtors. Ebbin disagreed. This in no way removes the tenants obligation to pay rent; it merely allows the court to reduce it in an uninhabitable situation. Under current state law, a tenant must pay full rent into escrow in order to raise legal objections about the living conditions in the unit. Supporters said the measure would level the playing field for renters. Dangerous conditions that go unaddressed force tenants to pay costs they wouldnt have otherwise, advocates said, like hotel stays because heating is broken or eating out because of faulty appliances. Those unplanned expenses can ultimately cause a tenant to fall behind, and therefore are relevant to the court proceedings, supporters said. Many tenants fall behind on their rent in these situations because they have to take emergency measures to keep their families safe, said Isabel McLain, a research and policy analyst with nonprofit Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia. Tenants would not incur these costs if not for their landlords negligence. In other business Wednesday, the committee struck a bill that would have directed the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to create and implement a new statewide housing subsidy by next January. The bill was tied to a key recommendation from a recently released statewide housing report. Researchers found more than 27,700 low-income households in Virginia relied on the federal Housing Choice Voucher program to pay a portion of their rent, but twice as many households who qualified for the subsidy were waiting for one. A state program modeled after the federal one would help close the gap, at an initial cost of $73 million, according to the report. The vote, without discussion, came at the request of the bills patron, Sen. John Bell, D-Loudoun. Bells office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. A bill that would allow Richmonds police, firefighters, utility workers, librarians and others to negotiate union contracts is gaining steam with three more City Council members signing on as patrons. City leaders say they are supportive of allowing city workers to unionize, but some administration officials and council members are unsure of how to shape it, with Mayor Levar Stoney seeking to initially limit it to employees in the Department of Public Works and Department of Public Utilities. The council on Monday voted unanimously to continue both bills to allow for further discussion later this month, but councilmembers Ellen Robertson, Ann-Frances Lambert and Kristen Nye have signed on to support a broader version of the legislation originally introduced by colleague Reva Trammell. Itll take some time, but the goal is to make our employees feel valued and help us as a city attract and retain the best and brightest, Nye said. We have an opportunity to make our workforce the best in the Commonwealth. ... We just need to open the door to make sure everyone has a seat at the table. While council is still considering the legislation, the Richmond School Board last month passed an ordinance enabling teachers to negotiate union contracts. Several employee interest groups and labor organizations are now advocating for the council legislation, with some requesting tweaks in hopes of gaining the ability to negotiate better pay, benefits and working conditions. For example, SEIU Virginia 512, which has been advocating for the legislation with city workers, is calling for the creation of three separate bargaining units for police, firefighters and general employees to reduce costs to the city and limit division. Fire and police employees have separate concerns from general city employees and generally have their own bargaining units and their own unions, Rachel Mann, a spokesperson for the organization, said in an email Wednesday. We believe that all general city employees from the Department of Public Utilities and the Department of Public Works to social services, libraries, and Parks and Recreation should be part of the same unit. General city employees ... share many of the same concerns regarding pay, benefits, workplace health and safety, and dignity and respect on the job. [They] do not want to be divided into several bargaining units; we are stronger together. Public safety workers have also vigorously advocated for the right to negotiate union contracts, citing frustration with their wages, benefits and other issues they said have led to high turnover in the past year. Andre Guevara, a city police officer, said he and others have felt rebuffed by the administration in past years when officers have lobbied for raises. He said the exclusion of police in the mayors version of the bill feels like another slight. If your job treated you that way, would you be pumped to give 110%? Would you come in at all? Thats what is happening here, he said at Mondays council meeting. Please just let us have a voice to speak for ourselves in the future. Thats all were asking. While most councilmembers say they are generally supportive of public sector unions, a few have raised concerns about whether allowing police to unionize could make it more difficult to implement police reforms or hold officers accountable when allegations of abuse or misconduct arise. Questions also remain about how collective bargaining could impact the citys finances, officials said. Robertson said shes supportive of the legislation, particularly after a recent study found that a majority of city employees cannot afford to live and raise a family in the city. Still, she said the city must proceed with caution before adopting union legislation. This isnt a small undertaking. Im very concerned about the cost and impact, Robertson said. Its also my understanding that theres parameters in this paper ... that perhaps we havent had as much of a dialogue on. The council is tentatively scheduled to discuss the two bills again at a meeting on Feb. 28. Gerald P. Kinney, 74, of Dalton, New Hampshire, was injured last month when the 2011 Hyundai Tucson he was driving ran off the left side of the ramp at Exit 94, state police said. Kinney was heading south on I-81 when he turned onto the ramp, went off the side of it, overturned, and hit a tree. An aviation services company has reached a legal agreement with a former executive who it had accused in a lawsuit of leaking its trade secrets to officials at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport. The controversy led to the departure of two top airport officials. A consent order approved by a federal judge this week resolves a dispute between Signature Flight Support and Catherine Carroll, who had worked as a station manager for the company, which handled a variety of airfield services including fuel sales and maintenance. Signature had claimed in a lawsuit filed in December 2020 that Carroll gave internal company figures and reports to airport officials in violation of a non-disclosure agreement. At the time, the airport was preparing to seek bids from companies to provide airfield services. A contract with Signature, a Florida-based company that has done business with the airport for decades, was due to expire in November 2021. Signature planned to make a bid to retain its job, but was surprised to see that confidential information about its Roanoke operations including financial results, an estimate of company profits and customer names had been made public as part of the airports request for proposals. Carroll was fired at about the time her employer learned that she had supplied the information, according to a lawsuit Signature later filed against her in Roanokes federal court. The lawsuit said that Signature suffered financial losses caused by its competitors ability to view its confidential business data. In January 2021, U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Dillon ordered Carroll to return to Signature all of the internal documents that she had, and to promise not to further disclose the information contained in them. Both sides then struck an agreement on Monday and asked Dillon to approve a consent order ending the lawsuit. Dillon signed the order Tuesday. In its lawsuit, Signature had sought punitive damages against Carroll in an amount to be determined at trial. The consent order makes no mention of damages, other than to say that each side will bear its own attorney fees and expenses. Publication of the information leaked by Carroll led the commission that owns and operates the airport to place its executive director Tim Bradshaw and director of planning and engineering Richard Osborne on paid leave. Bradshaw and Osborne, who were not sued by Signature, later resigned. Efforts were unsuccessful Thursday to reach an attorney for Carroll, who had worked for Signature for more than 35 years. Signatures attorney also could not be reached. Following the incident, the airport withdrew its request for proposals. Signature continues to provide airfield services until a new bidding process can be completed, according to Brad Boettcher, the airports director of marketing and air service development. Court records do not indicate what motive Carroll may have had to divulge her employers trade secrets. But emails between Bradshaw and Osborne, contained in the lawsuit, suggest they believed that Signature was not disadvantaged by the disclosure. Signature was at an advantage from the beginning, one of the emails reads. This levels the playing field. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RICHMOND Shopping for the right college could become easier if a bill in the House of Delegates becomes law. Sponsored by Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, the bill requires state colleges to publish student data on their websites tracking costs, standardized test scores of prospective students, postgraduate success and more. The House's education committee unanimously approved HB355 on Wednesday. It's the second year the General Assembly has called for greater transparency from state colleges. In 2021, the body passed a provision that requires greater transparency from a college's board of visitors. Universities now must provide real-time electronic access to board meetings, and board members must be made aware of public comments before the meeting begins. In 2020, the Richmond Times-Dispatch found that James Madison University's Board of Visitors didn't receive more than 650 comments about its decision to reopen until 12 days after the board voted on the matter. Freitas' bill calls for public colleges to publish their graduation rate, retention rate, average increase in tuition and fees the past 10 years and information about the school's budget. Universities would have to update the information each summer. It also calls for college websites to link to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, which compares colleges' cost, average SAT and ACT test scores, acceptance rates, average debt, percentage of students receiving Pell grants and average wages after graduation. SCHEV will make minor revisions to its web page to present the information in accordance with the bill, a spokesperson for the council said. Some schools already publish a portion of this information. Virginia Commonwealth University prominently displays its enrollment, student-faculty ratio, its best rankings from U.S. News & World Report and its tuition, fees and room and board. But its average standardized test scores, student debt and postgraduate wages aren't easily found. There's already a way to compare colleges from across the country -- the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, which tracks schools in numerous categories, including financial aid, standardized test scores and graduation rates. Both IPEDS and the Department of Education's College Scorecard compare schools on a number of factors, including median earnings for graduates, socio-economic diversity, retention and more. Originally, Freitas' bill called for colleges to compare themselves to out-of-state peer colleges, but that clause was removed. "At this point, I think we have peace in the valley," Freitas said. The transportation secretary has spoken, illuminating why, early in this third pandemic year, Americans by the many millions are ignoring governments supervision. Zero, Pete Buttigieg recently proclaimed, is the only acceptable number of deaths and serious injuries on our roadways. He embellished this stupidity with dollops of the usual rhetorical fat that greases governmental grandstanding references to the unacceptable status quo, the wonders that will be worked in conjunction with our stakeholders hither and yon, through sustained, urgent, yet lasting commitment, etc. Buttigieg actually is going to have to accept many vehicular deaths and injuries because the road to zero is paved with pipe dreams: Banning vehicles that move faster than 5 mph might not suffice, so vehicles must be banned. His policy applesauce is harmless. The implications of George W. Bushs second inaugural address remember the commitment to ending tyranny in our world? were not. And neither is the excessive pursuit of safety from lifes dangers, of which viruses and their permutations are just one of many categories. In government, every serious mistake is, at bottom, a matter of disproportion. Furthermore, risk assessment is a basic test of rationality, as is weighing the trade-offs when responding to risks. For example: Anthony Fauci, who rarely gives what would be the proper response to many questions he is asked (Thats none of my business), has said vaccination requirements for domestic airline passengers should not be imposed right now but should be seriously considered. Is he aware that burdening the exercise of what the Supreme Court terms a fundamental right of national citizenship travel is not a mere public health measure? The sound you hear today is the clicking of progressivisms ratchet: X (having a carbon footprint, taking a shower, eating cheeseburgers, whatever) affects others, so X should be regulated. When Fauci was asked whether we could ever return to unmasked air travel, he answered, I dont think so, because even in a closed space with excellent air filtration, it is prudent to go that extra step. Click goes the ratchet. The phrase zero tolerance (of a virus, or violence, or something) is favored by people who are allergic to making judgments and distinctions: i.e., thinking. So, stories abound, such as that of a Pennsylvania first-grader who accidentally brought a toy gun to school in his backpack, gave it to his teacher and was suspended under the schools zero tolerance of threats. Similarly, the trite remark life is priceless is less a thought than an evasion of thinking. We constantly price life through cost-benefit analyses, as when setting speed limits. Putting masks on 5-year-olds teaching them that life is more hazardous than it really is, and to regard other human beings as vectors of disease, like biting insects is not an optional arrow that public health officials should feel free to pluck from their quivers. Besides, the idea that health and longevity are values superior to all others is crude biological materialism. Jeffrey H. Anderson of the American Main Street Initiative, writing in the Claremont Review of Books, says doctors naturally focus on the body in lieu of higher concerns. This, however, is transforming risk aversion into a supreme virtue. Anderson says an impoverished understanding of human existence is imbedded in the celebration of masking as social solidarity. For progressive celebrators, the risk of stifling, enervating, or devitalizing human society is not even part of their calculation. For some public health obsessives, a virus serves the purpose that carbon serves for the most excitable environmentalists: It is an excuse for the minute supervision of lifes daily activities progressivisms constant impulse. Remember the jest: Progressives do not care what people do as long as it is mandatory. There must, however, be limits to preventive measures against even clear and present dangers. Otherwise, public health officials will meet no resistance to the primal urge of all government agencies: the urge to maximize their missions. As happened during Prohibition, increasing swaths of the nation are ignoring meddlesomeness that is not plausibly related to a proportionate public good, and that is clearly related to social bossiness. Prohibition interfered with only one activity, and only with adults who consumed alcohol (a substantial minority did not). Todays public health imperium threatens to envelop everybody and everything, forever. When Buttigieg identifies as the only acceptable social outcome something that is unattainable, we see how government forfeits the publics trust. Americans are hitting the mute button on government that calls lifes elemental realities and painful trade-offs unacceptable. When Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) was told that the New England transcendentalist Margaret Fuller had exclaimed I accept the universe!, he remarked: Shed better. Will is a columnist for The Washington Post Writers Group. There is a bright spot to celebrate in this time of discouraging setbacks. Kudos to Del. Sam Rasoul and the other patrons of House Bill 105 under consideration. This is a bipartisan effort to bring significant resources to our region to strengthen the continuum of care for persons struggling with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders. I find it heartening to learn about our elected officials joining forces across the aisle to address critical needs amongst our regions residents. Full disclosure: I work in a psychiatric outpatient setting, in particular with individuals working to achieve recovery in the face of their opioid use disorder. I also serve on the volunteer-driven Roanoke Valley Collective Response. The need to strengthen our continuum of care is evident: too many individuals lack housing transitional and permanent residences that can foster recovery, wellness and the pursuit of employment and family stability. Transitions in care are especially challenging as patients need to be able to move from one level to another (acute stabilization to inpatient intensive care to step down levels of services that can integrate medical, psychiatric and addiction treatment services). A workforce is needed who can provide evidence-based quality care wrapped around with social services and bolstered by peer navigators. Creating an ecosystem that fosters recovery is comparable to growing life in a habitat that allows for breathing and healthy choices and chances. The vision of HB 105 is to reimagine a Catawba campus that brings together the public and private sectors and coordinates a comprehensive continuum of care connecting services like sober living and transitional housing, access to workforce development linked with community-based opportunities. Success would take a community-backed effort with all sectors playing a role so that families could be reunited, employment could be pursued, lives could be rebuilt with a meaningful future in recovery. Missing in our region are the full range of residential and outpatient facilities and services needed to offer bridges across highly vulnerable junctures between incarceration and reentry, hospitalization and community-based secure housing, losing ones family and job and regaining the basic elements for building a life. A Blueprint for Action to create a recovery ecosystem has been constructed by the Roanoke Valley Collective Response. More than 200 Roanoke Valley residents from every sector of our community have come together in this collaborative planning effort to identify these points of vulnerability, the key missing linkages and types of supports and services to more effectively and sustainably address the addiction crisis plaguing our community. The Blueprint for Action recognizes the key role of peer recovery specialists, who can be the most effective pathway builders for individuals struggling to again find their footing. As evident in the RV Collective Response, this community is willing to work together across jurisdictions, roles in society, backgrounds and experiences to find solutions. This willingness to collaborate within our Roanoke Valley makes it an especially promising region for investing state resources toward the goal of solving complex problems. Public-private partnerships, working together to provide services across the continuum in a thoughtful mix of residential and community-based programs, have so much potential for moving the needle in addressing health care priorities, as identified in local studies of what our community most direly needs. For additional reasons, our Roanoke Valley region is particularly well suited for leveraging a state investment to strengthen mental health and addiction treatment services. I admit to some bias, but I believe we have excellent psychiatric and addiction treatment capacity, a top-notch Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine training ever more future doctors, an internationally renowned Fralin Biomedical Research Institute on the leading edge of brain and addiction research. HB 105 could tap into these impressive assets in the Roanoke Valley to provide excellence in care. Again, thank you to those elected officials who see this potential in proposing HB 105. Witnessing bipartisan efforts to improve the quality of life for all is just the type of good news to help offset the discouraging, discordant diatribes so often filling our newsfeeds. Our challenges certainly are many and are heartbreaking, but when we are willing to work together to find common ground, there indeed is so much that can be accomplished. Hartman is a 40-year resident of Roanoke. She is program manager of Carilion Clinics office-based opioid treatment program, principal investigator on the Virginia Emergency Department Bridge to Treatment Replication Project, and Steering Committee member of the Roanoke Valley Collective Response. The late gonzo journalist Hunter Thompson wrote that when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. While the going has certainly gotten weird in 2022, in the age of social media, what constitutes pro and amateur gets a bit blurred. Perhaps this helps to explain why in the past couple of weeks weve seen the Virginia governors campaign launch an attack on a 17-year-old and a Democratic leader accuse a reporter of harassment for trying to do his job. Politics can make for a combative environment, but really, elected officials and their henchpeople should know better than to step in muck for the sake of winning some ephemeral internet victory such victories often turn out to be Pyrrhic. In the first instance, Ethan Lynne, a Democratic activist who also happens to be a 17-year-old Hanover County high school student, publicly criticized Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration for apparently driving out archeologist Kelley Fanto Deetz, who resigned Feb. 4 as the director of historic interpretation and education for Virginias Executive Mansion. Deetz had been overseeing a project that would share the history of enslaved people who labored in the mansion. In response to Lynnes criticism, the Team Youngkin Twitter account posted a photo of Lynne with former Gov. Ralph Northam alongside the infamous picture from Northams 1984 medical school yearbook that shows a person in blackface and another person in a KKK costume. Heres a picture of Ethan with a man that had a Blackface/KKK photo in his yearbook, Team Youngkins tweet read. Talk about a divisive concept. Team Youngkin deleted the tweet a day later. Though he did not apologize to Lynne, Youngkin on Monday morning called this message from his campaign unauthorized and seemed to recognize a need to turn down the temperature, expressing general regret in a message that read in part, We must continue to work to bring Virginians together. There is so much more that unites us than divides us. Yet Youngkin no longer presides over a boardroom at corporate headquarters. His loftily intentioned message immediately earned this retort from Democratic activist Tim Fullerton: Can you name one thing youve done in your first month in office that helps bring people together? As a New Yorker, Fullerton isnt one of Youngkins constituents but given the new governors choice to immediately lean into culture war issues, the barb does have a point, underscored by the viral video of one of Youngkins actual constituents berating the governor in a grocery store for not taking virus precautions. That happened Feb. 3, as Youngkin made a planned stop in a Safeway store in Alexandria to promote his plan to eliminate the grocery tax. As captured by a television reporter in a video viewed more than 4 million times, as Youngkin walked among the cash registers, a woman hollered, Governor, wheres your mask? Youngkin, to his credit, did not respond defensively, simply saying, Were all making choices today. This did not placate his heckler, who gestured to the other mask-wearing customers around her. Youre in Alexandria! Read the room, buddy! As a man attempted to run interference, she objected. Hes my governor, too. I get to say what I want. I paid for my groceries, did I not? Those chuckling over that brief, awkward moment might not be laughing now, as on Tuesday, 10 Democrats in the Senate, including Roanokes John Edwards, crossed the aisle to get behind an amendment to Senate Bill 793, which will codify in law what Youngkin attempted via executive order: a ban on mask mandates in schools. Specifically, it makes the issue of whether a child wears a mask in school a parents choice, no questions asked. The original version of the bill did not contain this provision; it was added by Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, who has pointed out that Democrat-controlled states like New Jersey are dropping mask mandates. Though the odds look very, very good for Youngkins anti-mask mandate push, expect more division over this matter in the coming days. Meanwhile, one of the Democratic officials who called for Youngkin to apologize to Lynne and who voted against Petersens amendment had some online adventures of her own in the days prior. Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, the president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate, quickly accumulated tens of thousands of new liberal-sympathetic social media fans after Youngkins Jan. 17 address to the General Assembly, during which she quietly protested against a number of his statements by remaining seated and withholding applause. However, on Feb. 1, Lucas complained on Twitter that Virginia Mercury reporter Ned Oliver rudely harassed me in the hallway, asking questions for a story that, according to her, he had not cleared with her office first which by the way is an expectation no politician should have of any journalist. Groups such as the Society of Professional Journalists and the Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association called Lucas out, rather gently, for portraying run-of-the-mill interview tactics as harassment and making Oliver a potential target for real online harassment, not unlike what Team Youngkin did to Lynne. Lucas was unapologetic. She later told the Richmond-Times Dispatch that she didnt like the questions Oliver was asking. Im upset that theyre doing this story at all. Oliver turned out to be asking questions about the Cannabis Outlet, a store in Portsmouth that Lucas co-owns, a fact shes made no secret of. Im a 78-year grandma who legalized pot and now has her own cannibis [sic] store, she wrote in a feisty tweet. And Im the last thing standing between The GOP and total control of Virginia. The story noted that there are products for sale in the store that technically qualify as illegal to sell under Virginia law, and that Lucas is in position to cast deciding votes on legislation that directly affects her business. That would seem to explain why she didnt like the questions. Arguably this is all still pretty civilized compared to the discourse around, say, the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack, but that is a low bar to leap. Lets hope were not headed for a limbo dance in Richmond. " " Research has found that blues are among the most popular colors because people associate them with positive things like clean water and blue skies. Flashpop/Getty Images In 2003, one of our most beloved movie heroes, Buddy the Elf, jovially answered his father's business phone call with a question: "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?" and audiences found it endearing (Buddy's dad, not so much). What better way to break the ice than discovering your new friend's best-loved color? But why do we care what someone's favorite color is? Why do we have favorite colors at all? Historically, it's been difficult to empirically explain why we have favorite colors. Research has shown that people often associate colors with feelings, and it was easy to prove that people liked certain colors. However, because there was no standardization of colors, or a smaller subset of colors for scientists to work with, no one could explain why we like certain colors. Advertisement Ecological Valence Theory Enter Karen Schloss. As a child, her favorite activity was to organize her crayons. It comes as no surprise that today, Schloss is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has conducted critical studies on color preference. "I certainly have very strong color preferences that changed over time," she says. "These preferences influence a ton of decisions that we make from the clothes that we wear, to the way we color our environments, and to the products we buy." Knowing how colors impact our daily lives, she wanted to find out why. Through a series of lab studies between 2010 and 2017, she and her collaborator, Stephen Palmer Ph.D., a researcher at UC Berkeley, set out to find out why we like certain colors more than others. Schloss and Palmer hypothesized the Ecological Valence Theory (EVT), which they describe in their 2017 paper as the theory that "...people like/dislike a given color to the degree that they like/dislike all of the objects and entities that they associate with that color." For example, people often like blue hues because it reminds them of clear skies and clean water. On the other hand, people tend to shy away from brown hues because they remind us of feces or rotting food that was their hypothesis. Were they right? " " The graphic here shows the results of the WAVE hypothesis: The object preference is indicated by the size of the circles (the larger the circle, the more study participants preferred it) and object-color match is indicated by the distance between the circle and the central square (shorter connections show stronger matches). Karen B. Schloss Advertisement Color WAVE To explore EVT, Schloss and Palmer conducted a series of lab studies with several separate groups of participants who ranked color preferences, what colors made them think of certain objects, and if those objects represented positive or negative things. The result: Weighted Affected Valence Estimates, aka WAVE. "We found the correlation was .893," explains Schloss. This means that 80 percent of the change in average color preferences from one group of people to another was based on how much other people like objects related to those colors. "That's really cool," Schloss continues. "That's our first evidence that these patterns of color preferences ... can be explained by those objects associated with those colors." With this data, the pair could explore different topics of color preferences like individual preferences, changes over time or even cultural preferences. However, WAVE from the original study was only correlational; it didn't explicitly explain what causes someone to like a certain color or why that would change over time. Advertisement Lesions Versus Strawberries: A Color Study Schloss and Palmer hypothesized that color preference is caused by how someone feels about objects of that color. "The idea is that if we bring to mind for you particular objects that are, say positive and associated a particular color or negative, we should be able to change your color preferences over the course of even a laboratory experiment." To test this, they presented participants with objects associated with the colors red and green. One group saw positive red images like strawberries and roses, but also negative green images like vomit and mucous. The second group saw the opposite: negative red images such as lesions and positive green images like forests and kiwis. "What we found is that we were able to significantly increase people's preferences for the colors that were associated with the positive things they saw," Schloss explains. "If you saw positive red things, you could significantly increase your preference for the red colors, then if you saw positive green things." For most people, Schloss says, the negative red things like lesions, are gross. However, she continues to say that some of the participants could have been pre-med. So things like lesions might be fascinating to this subset of people. Their next step was to see if they could predict how much a person's preference would change based on how much that person liked the images they saw. Turns out, they could. "If you activate the associations of particular objects, that can have a larger influence on your preference for the color," says Schloss. By activating, she means reminding you that an object exists, basically bringing it to the top of your mind. "Those [objects] are going to have more weight than the ones that I didn't activate," Schloss explains. For example, if participants saw positive images of red strawberries and not lesions, they were more likely to have a positive association with the color red. This explains why a person may have positive or negative feelings about certain colors. It comes down to your experience with objects of those colors over time. " " This graphic visualizes why one person might have a positive or negative reaction to the color red depending on their association of particular objects. The study was able to prove that over time, someone might change their preference for the color red depending on whether the strawberry image or the lesion image was activated. Karen B. Schloss Young girls tend to gravitate toward pink and purple colors because they are often exposed to clothes, toys and television shows they enjoy that use these colors. On the flip side, when they see vomit and other disgusting substances in the yellowish-greenish hues, they'll be more apt to turn the other when they see those colors. In fact, yellowish-greenish colors are the least liked across the world, Schloss says. Turns out, vomit is pretty much the same color for everyone, and equally repulsive. Advertisement An Evolutionary Drive to Be Happy Scientists like Schloss have explored the idea that color preference may be part of our evolutionary design. "I can say that the idea is that color preferences act as a steering function that guides us toward things that are positive for our general health and well-being and away from things that are negative," Schloss explains. It's like why humans typically don't like very bitter tastes because evolutionarily that taste is associated with poisonous foods. Color preference can be understood in a similar framework, Schloss says. However, she points out that objects don't always have a rhyme or reason for their color. For humans today, choosing a color we like for our loveseat helps us thrive (i.e., be happy) and avoid colors that cause us to fail, i.e., be unhappy, as Schloss describes in her 2015 paper published in the journal Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics. "I can choose the color the of the case of my cellphone any color that I want ... and so, there are those arbitrary aspects of it," says Schloss. "But the idea is that we have this learning mechanism to learn associations between colors and objects or concepts, and then use those to inform our judgments about colors. This could have been something that may have been adaptive for us to have." So, while having a favorite color isn't a life-or-death choice for modern humans, answering Buddy's ice breaker question, "What's your favorite color?" can offer us more useful into our likes and dislikes than we previously thought. " " According to the scientific research, someone might love the color orange because they associate it with their favorite fruit. Ian Ross Pettigrew/Getty Images Now That's Interesting Blue hues are the most popular, even cross-culturally. Research, like Schloss' explains this because blue is nearly always associated with universally positive things, like clean water and blue skies. In fact, in her studies, blue was the only color for which participants never listed a negative object. FLORENCE, S.C. Florence-Darlington Technical College faculty and staff members have spoken and chosen three of their colleagues for 2021 Outstanding Employees of the Year honors. A college selection committee sifted through employee nominations and selected the top people in three categories. Outstanding Administrator of the Year is Dr. Andre Boyd, who serves as the director of the RUSH (Removing Underserved Student Hurdles) program. Outstanding Faculty of the Year is Angela Edwards, an instructor of history and the Humanities Department coordinator. Help Desk technician Debra Lee a graduate of the school was named the Outstanding Staff Member of the Year. Boyd grew up in Darlington, and education runs in the family. His wife, Kandy, is an educator. He is the son of Dr. Bill and Patricia Boyd, both retired educators with the Darlington County School District. Andre Boyd is a graduate of Mayo High School and the University of South Carolina and has served as the director of RUSH for five years. He completed his postgraduate work at Cambridge College and serves on the Genesis Healthcare Foundation Board. Boyd and his wife live in Darlington County. Edwards, also calls Darlington County home. She and her family live near Lamar. Edwards is the Humanities Department coordinator at FDTC and is an instructor of history and has taught since 2001. Before that, she was an adjunct instructor for the college. Originally from Florence, Edwards graduated from South Florence High School and earned her bachelor of arts from Queens College. She completed her masters degrees from Marshall University. Edwards was named National Academic Advising Association Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year for 2013. Mullins native Lee graduated from Mullins High School and is a self-described proud FDTC graduate, who earned an associate degree in telecommunications systems management. She said she loves helping students, faculty and staff get the most from their computers and she has worked for the colleges information technology department as a help desk technician for more than six years. Lee still calls Mullins home. The three will compete against the 15 other technical colleges top employees at the annual South Carolina Technical Education Association Conference. The Florence Darlington County Commission for Technical Education also honored the 2020 Employees of the Year and the Faculty Emeritus honoree. President Jermaine Ford and Florence Darlington County Commission for Technical Education Chairman Paul Seward honored the four 2020 Employees of the Year at the beginning of the commissioners meeting for the New Year. Recognized were Shelanda Deas, Bob Garand and JoAnn Mack. Deas was Outstanding Staff Member of the Year for 2020. Garand is the director of the Online College and was named 2020s Outstanding Administrator of the Year. Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year for 2020 was computer technology instructor JoAnn Mack. Also honored was 2020 Faculty Emeritus Winfield Brown. He is a retired human services instructor and was nominated for the honor by the colleges faculty senate. The title is awarded to an outstanding retired faculty member. Brown is as an adjunct instructor for the college. CHARLESTON, S.C. Francis Marion Universitys membership application to the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium was unanimously approved by the consortiums board in November. On behalf of the consortiums Board of Directors and staff, I welcome Francis Marion University as our ninth member institution, said Dr. Robert H. Jones, board chairman of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and provost at Clemson University. We look forward to working with FMU to advance vital coastal research, education and outreach, and to continue the 41-year legacy of the consortiums service to the state of South Carolina. FMUs biology department is among its most popular programs, and includes the newly opened Freshwater Ecology Center near the main campus. The 146-acre facility includes a research facility and conference center and fronts a 20-acre spring-fed lake. It is here that the Pee Dee regions next generation of natural resource professionals will conduct research and study fishery science, water quality, flooding, biodiversity, invasive species and other areas of interest. Francis Marion University is proud to join our institutional partners in the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, said Dr. Fred Carter, president of Francis Marion University. Since its founding, FMU has worked to serve the people of this region of South Carolina in a variety of ways. Maintaining and improving the natural beauty and resources this area has to offer has been an important part of that mission, and grows in importance with each passing year. Francis Marion University looks forward to working with our Consortium partners in this endeavor to ensure the future of this area for years to come. Through the new Freshwater Ecology Center and other programs, Francis Marion Universitys watershed perspective from upland freshwater through estuarine transition to the coastaligns well with our Sea Grant mission, said Dr. Susan Lovelace, executive director of S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. Their work with water quality, anadromous fish, coastal conservation forestry and environmental science and policy will provide innovative solutions to environmental challenges as they educate the next generation of scientists. Francis Marion Universitys focus on the hydrologically complex Pee Dee region is important to the understanding of our coast and ocean. The consortiums member institutions are Clemson University; Coastal Carolina University; College of Charleston; Francis Marion University; Medical University of South Carolina; S.C. Department of Natural Resources; South Carolina State University; The Citadel; and University of South Carolina. DARLINGTON, S.C. The Darlington County Board of Education recently accepted the resignation of Dr. Arlene Wallace, principal of Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology. Wallace will retire as principal at the end of the school year. Wallace spent most of her 38 years in Darlington County School District at Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology. She began her career as a science teacher at Mullins High School. She also worked at Dillon High School before she moved to Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology as an administrative assistant. In 1997, she joined the schools leadership team as assistant principal, and in 2000 she became the schools principal. Dr. Wallace is the epitome of professionalism, said Dr. Tim Newman, superintendent. She has built an incredible culture at Mayo that students, staff, and parents want to continuously be a part of. It has been a privilege to work alongside Dr. Wallace for the past four years and she will be greatly missed. During her career at Mayo, Wallace earned the following commendations: the Iota Omicron Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Lady of Distinction award, the Alpha Beta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Citizen of the Year, the Darlington County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year, the Darlington County Principal of the Year, the S.C. Competitive Spirit Squads Official of the Year, and, most recently, the South Carolina Principal of the Year finalist. Under her leadership, Mayo High School won several Palmetto Gold Awards from the S.C. Department of Education, achieved a 100 percent graduation rate, became a National Blue Ribbon School twice (2013 and 2021), and earned the Palmettos Finest Award from the S.C. Association of School Administrators. The school has been included in Newsweeks Americas Top High Schools and the US News & World Reports Americas Best High School, where it was most recently ranked No. 4 in South Carolina. US Sentencing Commission releases big new report on "Recidivism of Federal Violent Offenders Released in 2010" | Main | "Narrowing Death Eligibility in Idaho: An Empirical and Constitutional Analysis" February 10, 2022 Prison Policy Initiative provides latest update on incarceration populations two years into the COVID pandemic The folks at the Prison Policy Initiative always impress me with cutting-edge research and analysis in the form of "Briefings," and the latest report here provides a particularly interesting account what we know about prison and jail populations in the US two years into the pandemic. The full briefing should be read in full, and the full title provide a bit of a summary of the themes: "State prisons and local jails appear indifferent to COVID outbreaks, refuse to depopulate dangerous facilities; While some prison systems and local jails have maintained historically low populations, others have returned to pre-pandemic levels, despite the ongoing dangers of COVID-19 and new, more transmissible variants." I cannot readily summarize all the insights and data covered in this new PPI report, but here are excerpts (with links from the original): February 10, 2022 at 12:19 PM | Permalink Comments Vaccines work, and it's a disgrace that every prisoner or long-term jail inmate has not been offered vaccination (including a booster). But most of the stuff about deincarceration sounds like using COVID as a rationalization for a policy the authors supported anyway. I happen to support much of their preferred policy, but the risk of serious adverse outcomes to the vast majority of boosted individuals is pretty minimal. Posted by: Jason | Feb 11, 2022 11:28:09 AM Post a comment Richard Ratcliffe and his daughter Gabriella hold signs in Parliament Square, London (PA Wire) A 400million debt to Iran linked to the imprisonment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe should be settled, a cabinet minister has said, after it emerged a deal to secure the London womans release had collapsed. It was revealed this week that an agreement to make the payment and secure Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe freedom was finalised last summer, but later fell through. On Thursday, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said international sanctions on Iran made it challenging to make the payment. He told Times Radio that Britain should stand by its obligations, adding: But we also have international law obligations around sanctions and that makes how we hand back that money very difficult while Iran is in breach of all sorts of obligations, and indeed engaged in malign activity around the Middle East. So we are trying to navigate a route through, were trying to navigate that. Dual citizen Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, from Hampstead, was arrested on charges of plotting against the regime while visiting her family in Tehran in 2016. The charity worker was jailed for five years and then sentenced to another years confinement last April after being accused of spreading propaganda. Iranian authorities have suggested she will be released, along with other dual nationals Anoosheh Ashoori and Morad Tahbaz, when the UK pays the 400million it owes for a defence equipment deal dating back to the 1970s. The government had previously denied the historical debts link to the case and refused to confirm that any settlement was ever reached. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes husband Richard Ratcliffe went on hunger strike and camped outside the Foreign Office in Whitehall for 21 days last year in a bid to draw more attention to his wifes case. The couples MP Tulip Siddiq on Wednesday urged the prime minister to personally intervene and revive the deal after revealing it fell through last summer in Parliament. Boris Johnson admitted it was difficult to settle for reasons to do with sanctions but said: We will continue to work on it. Mr Wallace added: No one has abandoned the efforts, its just absolutely not as straightforward as people would think, theres a sense of urgency, were trying to resolve this but its difficult in the face of an Iran which is effectively taking hostages. Bulgarian alpine skier Eva Vukadinova got a do-over in the womens first slalom run at the Winter Olympics on Wednesday after a course worker got in her way. But on Instagram, she furiously groused that it was not the same and said she was beyond disappointed. I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TODAY, Vukadinova, 20, wrote after she was forced off the course by an Olympics worker whod left a tool attached to a gate that marks the course. (Watch the video here.) Eva Vukadinova of Team Bulgaria skis her run while a course worker is still repairing a broken gate. (Photo: Alex Pantling via Getty Images) Her subsequent rerun was not the same, she said. Not when you have to ski down to the chair lift, go up, go down the start (with my race ski) and start almost immediately. Sure, I may be not a top level skier or fighting for the podium, but I also worked a lot to get here!!! Dont I at least deserve the same CHANCE like everyone else? Vukadinova, who fractured a bone in her hand during Mondays giant slalom, suggested Tuesdays bungle happened for a reason and expressed gratitude that she hadnt been injured. One thing is to be on course to fix something, other thing is to leave a heavy metal like that on the gate. And on top of that to pretend that its completely normal, she wrote. I am sad, really sad, but also happy and proud of myself that i was fighting till the end. I will also never get rid of the smile on my face, cause nothing can bring me down. See Vukadinovas Instagram post here: This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... SIOUX CITY -- Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach- Woodbury County will host a Slow Cooker Meals program from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Woodbury County Extension office in Sioux City. The Slow Cooker Meals program focuses on practical aspects of planning for healthy eating, cooking and saving time and money using the slow cooker. Recipes, tasting, and hands-on activities are included. The cost for the class is $10. Register online for the Slow Cooker Meals program: https://go.iastate.edu/8JSJWF For more information on the program or for help registering, contact Renee Sweers, 712-276-2157, rsweers@iastate.edu. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SIOUX CITY -- New COVID-19 cases in Woodbury County tumbled again last week, as the omicron variant seemed to wane, according to Siouxland District Health's latest report. The county reported 410 new cases of the virus for the week beginning Jan. 31, less than half of the 914 new cases tallied the week before. Home tests are not included in the reports. Amid the omicron surge, the highest number of new cases, 2,412, was reported the week beginning Jan. 10. "Things are looking much better in Woodbury County in terms of case counts, percentage positive and hospitalizations," District Health said in a Facebook post. "But case counts are still high. Preventing serious illness is still important and vaccine is our best tool to do that." The county's 14-day positivity rate dropped from 24.2% to 15.1%. Health officials have said anything above 5% is a concern. The number of people hospitalized with the virus at Sioux City's two hospitals decreased from 53 to 40 over that one-week time period. Eighteen of those patients are hospitalized due to the virus. According to the report, 50.9% of Woodbury County residents have completed single- or two-dose vaccinations and 21,193 booster doses have been given in the county. District Health said in Facebook post last week that its final COVID-19 data report will be released on March 2. The move to end reports is tied to Gov. Kim Reynolds' decision to not to extend the state's Public Health Disaster Emergency, which now expires on Feb. 16. District Health will continue to distribute its normal weekly report through Feb. 16. On Feb. 23 and March 2, it will only be reporting positive case numbers. "We all understand that COVID is not gone. New variants and occasional outbreaks are likely. And we will certainly change our data reporting when necessary and when we have accurate data available to us," District Health said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Melroy Johnson Sr., 66, was guilty at trial in July in U.S. District Court of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, evidence showed that in 2017 and 2018, Johnson had two co-conspirators travel to California, obtain large quantities of meth and deliver it to him in Sioux City for further distribution. Johnson also arranged for 2-5 pounds of meth, plus cocaine and marijuana, to be mailed from California to Sioux City for distribution. SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man charged with having sexual contact with a minor female on numerous occasions during the past year has pleaded not guilty. Ronnie Reynolds, 43, entered his written plea Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court to three counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. All are Class C felonies that carry 10-year prison sentences. According to court documents, the Iowa Department of Human Resources reported a possible sexual abuse case to Sioux City police on Jan. 14. A police investigation revealed that Reynolds had sexual contact with the minor in her bedroom from June 27-July 6, and more than 20 encounters were discovered. Reynolds is accused of repeated inappropriate touching of the minor. China rebukes U.S. for cobbling together cliques by drawing ideological line Xinhua) 08:08, February 10, 2022 The White House is shrouded in fog in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Oct. 22, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday said that the United States forces other countries to accept its democratic standards and cobbles together cliques by drawing the ideological line, which is sheer betrayal to democracy. According to reports, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is going to attend the fourth ministerial-level meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) foreign ministers in Australia. At a press briefing via teleconference, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink said that part of that discussion will relate to the challenges that China poses to democratic values and the international order. "Democracy is a common value of the mankind, not a monopoly of a few countries. It's up to the people of a country to decide whether this country is democratic or not," spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily press briefing. Zhao pointed out that despite its ruined democratic brand, the United States still forces other countries to accept its democratic standards and cobbles together cliques by drawing the ideological line, which is sheer betrayal to democracy. Noting that China presents a boon for the regional order, Zhao said that China pursues peace, development and cooperation. China promotes the building of an equitable, open and inclusive security system in the Asia-Pacific region that is not directed against any third country, and rejects creating exclusive cliques and inciting bloc confrontation. Like most countries, China recognizes and supports the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, rather than the so-called "order" unilaterally defined by a single or a handful of countries, the spokesperson added. Zhao said that any multilateral mechanism should conform to the overriding trend of peace and development and be conducive to enhancing mutual trust and cooperation between countries. It's hoped that the United States and other countries concerned will grasp the trend of the times, adopt a proper mindset and discard the Cold War mentality, Zhao said, urging those countries to contribute more to regional peace, stability and prosperity instead of putting a strain on the relations between regional countries. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Anthony Martin, 30, pleaded guilty in September in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to one count of receipt of child pornography. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Martin admitted in a plea agreement that he received and possessed at least 13 videos and approximately 162 images containing child pornography. He was previously convicted in Iowa of lascivious acts with a child. LINCOLN, Neb. -- Sioux City public schools superintendent Paul Gausman has a plan outlining what he would do in his first 90 days if chosen as Lincoln Public Schools' next superintendent. But if you were to boil those goals down into one word, it would be relationships, said Gausman, one of the four finalists for LPS' top job. "I'm not going to come into this district and say, 'We're all moving in a different direction now because I somehow know better than all of these experts that are here,'" Gausman said during a news conference Friday. "I need to become a student of the Lincoln community, a student of the district." It's a community the Fremont native is familiar with: he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he played drums in the Cornhusker Marching Band, and student-taught at Lincoln Southeast High School. He went on to teach at Northeast High, where he served as the associate band director. So, when the LPS superintendent position opened, Gausman naturally was interested. "I have always kept my eyes on Lincoln Public Schools," said Gausman, who spent Friday touring the district and meeting with staff, parents and students before interviewing with the Lincoln Board of Education. "Lincoln's special because it's one town, one school district, and that's just not heard of as much anymore." Gausman, Sioux City's superintendent since 2008, previously led the West Central School District in Hartford, South Dakota, for three years. He also has an extensive background in music, having served as a band instructor at UNL, where he earned his bachelor's degree in music education. After his time at LPS, he went on to be the band director at Wisner-Pilger Public Schools and Millard West High School. Those positions segued into a four-year stint as coordinator of fine and performing arts at the Sioux Falls School District in South Dakota, where Gausman later served as coordinator of middle school education. Gausman, 55, earned his master's in educational administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and doctorate in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Last December, he was elected president of the Urban Superintendents Association of America, a national group of more than 150 public school superintendents who work in mid-size urban districts. Gausman was previously a finalist for superintendent at Omaha Public Schools in 2017, before he and another candidate withdrew from consideration because they felt they garnered little support from board members. During Friday's news conference, Gausman outlined his priorities if he is hired in Lincoln, including: addressing workforce shortages, engaging the community and policy-makers, advancing equity, keeping schools open, ensuring all students graduate and developing the district's next strategic plan. "Those are things that I have been able to do in my current district and would be so honored to be able to do with the team here in Lincoln." Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 SIOUX CITY -- Following a nearly hour-long standoff, police detained a man with a handgun walled inside a law enforcement vehicle parked next to the Bishop Heelan Catholic High School campus. The standoff came as U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra was touring the Sioux City Catholic school. According to Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller, officers were in the process of transporting 36-year-old Sioux City resident Emanuel Pleitez to be interviewed and during that Pleitez, who was in custody in the back of the car, indicated he had a firearm. From there, the officers backed up and began negotiating with the suspect who was threatening to do harm to himself. Then, negotiators responded to the scene. Sioux City Police Sgt. Jeremy McClure said negotiators spent a lot of time talking to Pleitez, trying to bring him down and get him to cooperate and drop the micro-compact weapon. Per McClure, police even went so far as to reach out to family members of Pleitez for help. However, those approaches didn't work and the suspect only became more agitated according to McClure. At about 1:05 p.m. police responded by using a gas irritant, similar to a pepper spray after Mueller said Pleitez let off several shots and then broke a window and attempted to climb out. Pleitez, a suspect in an armed robbery from more than a week prior, according to police, was detained shortly afterwards and taken to an area hospital to be examined. According to Mueller: Some officers did receive minor injuries including exposure to the gas. This was a successful resolutionAnd thats not any small effort," Mueller said during a 3 p.m. press conference about the incident. When asked whether or not more thorough search methods could have found the gun and prevented a standoff, Mueller said: "Our search protocols have always been very thorough." Mueller couldn't say where the gun was hidden on Pleitez and would not confirm the specific model of micro-compact handgun. As for charges, Mueller told reporters a number of options were on the table. Heelan officials immediately locked down the school just after noon when multiple law enforcement officers responded to a report of an armed individual in the vicinity of the Heelan campus at 1231 Grandview Blvd. Feenstra, a first-term Republican from Hull, was scheduled to tour the school from 11:30-12:30 p.m. Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools Director of Communications Janet Flanagan said he was not initially able to leave the building and that some students ate lunch in the fieldhouse away from the windows. "What was amazing is that everything was very orderly inside the high school," Flanagan said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 Let's get caught up on COVID-19 news for Feb. 9, 2022. Facing growing pressure to ease up on pandemic restrictions, the White House insisted Wednesday it is making plans for a less-disruptive phase of the national virus response. But impatient states, including even Democratic New York, made clear they arent waiting for Washington as public frustration grows. Earlier this week, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware all disclosed plans to join states that have lifted or never had mask requirements for their schools, and Massachusetts will follow suit at the end of the month. Biden, who has long promised to follow to follow the science in confronting the pandemic, is hemmed in, waiting for fresh guidance from federal health officials. But, as some of the last statewide mask mandates in the U.S. near an end, decisions about whether students and teachers should continue to wear masks in school are shifting to local leaders, who are caught in the middle of one of the most combustible issues of the pandemic. Unfortunately, this is an issue where you are not going to make everybody happy, said Jeffrey Solan, school superintendent in Cheshire, Connecticut. We cant allow those individual passions to decide the debate. In other countries: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday announced plans to keep COVID-19 restrictions for Tokyo and 12 other areas for three more weeks until early March, as omicron infections show little signs of slowing and most Japanese still lack booster shots. The current measures covering Tokyo and neighboring areas, Aichi in central Japan and Nagasaki in the south were initially scheduled to end Sunday but will remain until March 6, Kishida said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood firm against an easing of the countrys COVID-19 restrictions Wednesday in the face of mounting pressure from protesters using trucks to blockade the capital and U.S. border crossings, including the economically vital bridge to Detroit. A growing number of Canadian provinces have moved to lift some of their precautions as the omicron surge levels off, but Trudeau defended the measures the federal government is responsible for, including the one that has angered many truck drivers: a rule that took effect Jan. 15 requiring truckers entering Canada to be fully vaccinated. The head of the World Health Organization insisted Wednesday that COVID isn't finished with us, appealing for more support to fight the pandemic after his agency reported that new infections fell but virus deaths rose worldwide over the past week. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, launching a new $23 billion campaign to fund WHO's efforts to lead a fair rollout of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines around the world, cautioned that diseases know no borders and the highly-transmissible omicron variant has shown that any feeling of safety can change in a moment. Check out more COVID-19 news: Four teens members of two rival gangs identified a 16-year-old boy as the gunman who fired 10 shots into a car, striking and killing a 14-year-old girl, an Omaha police detective testified Tuesday. Assistant Public Defender Abbi Romshek asked whether police were able to get a statement from Isabella Santiago, the only person hit she was struck by one bullet to her heart and lung. Omaha Police Detective Sergio Gutierrez said Santiago was unable to speak before she died on Dec. 22, shortly after being shot. Christian X. Hernandez of Omaha will stand trial as an adult on first-degree murder and three firearm charges, Douglas County Judge Sheryl Lohaus ruled. The suspected driver of the car that Hernandez was in, Samuel Lopez, 16, who faces a felony accessory charge, is scheduled to have a hearing next month. Santiago was in the backseat of a blue Ford Focus with her stepbrother driving and another teen boy in the front seat, Gutierrez said. Just after 9 p.m., the car arrived at the Omaha fire station at 25th and L streets, about a mile and a half from where Santiago was shot near 37th and P streets. She died shortly after being taken to the Nebraska Medical Center. The Focus had six apparent gunshot defects all on the drivers side and one that caused a window to shatter. Police found 10 shell casings fired from a 9 mm gun. Santiagos stepbrother and the other boy in the Focus first told police that they only saw shots being fired from a black sedan. Two days later, they returned to police headquarters to provide more information. Santiagos stepbrother said he initially believed that an Omaha police undercover gang unit car was following him about 39th and Q streets, Gutierrez said, but when he turned to head north on 37th Street, he recognized Hernandez in the black BMW sedan when it pulled up on the drivers side. The stepbrother told police that Hernandez was sitting in the backseat on the passengers side with the window open. Soon after seeing Hernandez, the stepbrother said, he heard shots. The stepbrother and other teen said they knew Hernandez because he was a member of GMS or Get Money Squad, while they belonged to Mafios Locos. The two groups were rivals, and various members had gotten into fist fights previously, Gutierrez testified. Santiago was not affiliated with a gang, police have said. The stepbrother and the other teen told police that they had recently been driving by a home near 39th and R streets where the Get Money Squad hung out, playing loud Christmas music and honking in order to agitate or instigate a fight with Hernandez, Gutierrez said. Officers then spoke to Lopez and the front-seat passenger of the BMW, who said Hernandez was directing how and when to follow the Focus. Hernandez also forced down the BMWs inoperable car window in order to shoot evidence of premeditation, prosecutor John Alagaban said. Police later found the BMW near 37th and I streets but have not recovered the firearm used in the shooting, Gutierrez said. Stephanie Meadows, Santiagos mother, said after the hearing that shes pleased that the case is moving forward. (Hernandez) deserves everything he gets; all the evidence shows it, Meadows said. Hell never know what he took away from us, ever. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A bill creating a series of public databases of police officers who have had their credibility questioned by prosecutors ran into a hard line of opposition from law enforcement groups Wednesday. Sen. Terrell McKinney's bill (LB882) would require law enforcement agencies to create and maintain a public list of officers who would be subject to a Brady disclosure in court. The U.S. Supreme Court determined in 1963 that prosecutors withholding material evidence favorable to a defendant was a violation of the defendant's due process rights under the 14th Amendment. Along with other potentially exculpatory evidence, prosecutors also notify defense attorneys whenever an officer involved in a case has a confirmed record of lying in their official capacity, which could impact their credibility in court. A "do not call" list of the so-called "Brady" cops is often maintained by prosecuting attorneys. McKinney said making those lists open to the public would improve transparency of law enforcement and hold those agencies accountable. "It's not the public's fault an officer lands on this list," McKinney told the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. "That said, the public should be aware of who is on this list." Opponents of public disclosure, the Omaha senator contended, wanted "business as usual from law enforcement." The bill had the support of Media of Nebraska, an organization of print and broadcast outlets from across the state, which argued publishing the list would make information already compiled by law enforcement agencies available to the public. "Any claim that the list would infringe on privacy is outweighed in the public's interest in law enforcement accountability," said Korby Gilbertson, an attorney representing the state's media outlets. Spike Eickholt of ACLU of Nebraska said making the Brady list public would also hold accountable prosecutors who have an obligation to provide those officers' names to the defendant's attorneys. But law enforcement agencies said making the Brady list public served no purpose but to damage the reputation of police officers, and called into question the process for determining which officers had credibility problems. Anthony Conner, president of the Omaha Police Officers Association, said there is no standard for prosecutors to follow in putting officers on a Brady list, explaining to the committee some are put on the list after an internal affairs investigation, while others have been given Brady letters for more spurious reasons. Conner pointed to a story from Altoona, Iowa, where an officer was put on a Brady list after it was discovered he had taken part in a fraternity prank that involved stealing firewood before becoming a police officer. The head of Omaha's police union also said the Brady list had been used to retaliate against officers who had become whistleblowers within their department, or to punish officers who may have supported a different political candidate. "This bill does absolutely nothing to enhance public safety," Conner said. "The clear purpose of (LB882), in our view, is to publicly and punitively jeopardize the reputations and careers of those who serve in law enforcement." Lincoln Police Union President Jeff Sorensen said an officer's name appearing on a public-facing Brady list would follow them even if they left law enforcement. Sorensen and others who testified Wednesday also said officers have little-to-no recourse to have their Brady designations removed, and would not be able to challenge having their identities broadcast publicly under McKinney's proposal. The bill was also opposed by the Nebraska County Attorneys Association and the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police. Jim Maguire, president of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police, said a bill (LB51) passed last year already created a public database of law enforcement officers convicted of a crime or who resign as a result of an investigation. The Judiciary Committee did not take any action on LB882 on Wednesday. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 His proposal didnt get a formal hearing, but an Iowa lawmaker believes he was successful in sparking a conversation about increasing parental awareness of what their children are being taught in the classroom. A proposal by Rep. Norlin Mommsen, R-DeWitt, House File 2217, that called for live streaming K-12 classes to give parents access to watch their children in class was pulled from the Iowa House calendar Wednesday and appears dead for the rest of the session. Im a little disappointed because I think its important that the conversation takes place, Mommsen said. Thats why the process works here, he said. You bring your idea and you show its flaws, and we at the end of the day, we end up with a better product. Its a big meat grinder and who knows what comes out the other end. He said he believes parental interest in their childrens education increased when they were engaged in remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic. That's what I was trying to nurture and continue, he told reporters. To take what we learned or what happened and expand upon it. We need parents involved. The bill did lead to a discussion by the DeWitt Central school board and implementation of what Mommsen called a transparency and collaboration program between the school and the parents. But his bill touched off a firestorm of criticism. The Iowa State Education Association, which represents teachers, called it outrageous and dangerous The inappropriateness of belief that there should be continual videotaping in a classroom is something that should not even be considered, said ISEA President Mike Beranek. Some critics said Mommsens bill was part of a GOP effort to impose tighter control on what is taught in Iowa schools and how it is taught. Some people connected it to the sinister agenda Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman, R-Adel, talked about in the opening days of the session. He has proposed jailing teachers and librarians if they made inappropriate books and materials available to students. Mommsen insisted his intent wasnt to punish anyone. However, his bill did include penalties if a classroom camera intentionally was turned off or the online feed was disrupted. The first offense would be a written reprimand. Subsequent offenses would increase from a fine equal to 1 percent of the employees salary to 5 percent. Mommsen also dismissed privacy concerns, explaining the cameras would be pointed to the front of classrooms, not at students. I would not want anybody's children to be shown on camera, he said. The livestream would be similar to remote learning that schools conducted in response to the pandemic, which Mommsen said didnt seem to create privacy issues. There were eight groups registered to lobby on the bill. Five were opposed. None were in favor. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PIERRE South Dakota House lawmakers on Wednesday put their mark on a proposal from Gov. Kristi Noem, recommending that the state bar universities from requiring students and employees to attend trainings that teach so-called divisive concepts about race, religion and national origin. The Republican governor has touted the proposal as a way to protect students from critical race theory the lighting rod concept that has become a political rallying cry on the right. She said last week that a pair of bills, which would apply separately to universities and K-12 public schools, would ensure our students are not taught that they are responsible for (the) different actions of our ancestors. But Republican lawmakers, who control the House Education committee, made significant revisions to the bill Wednesday before giving it their recommendation, including stipulating that the proposed law doesn't apply to what is taught in university classes. Noem's office supported the changes. The Board of Regents also supported the bill, arguing that it would not change how it already operates. Still, university students worried it would have a chilling effect on campus free speech and keep difficult historical truths from being fully explored in classrooms. The bill names a list of divisive concepts," which include ideas that any race, national origin or religion is inherently superior or inferior and that individuals are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. Even the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, an organization that has supported past efforts from South Dakota conservative lawmakers to promote "intellectual diversity" on campuses, opposed the bill. Tyler Coward, an attorney with the organization, told lawmakers that such lists of divisive concepts can create an unintended chilling effect on free speech. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. Scholars developed it during the 1970s and 1980s in response to what they viewed as a lack of racial progress following the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. It centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nations institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society. The House Education committee is also considering a separate bill from Noem to bar the list of divisive concepts from being taught in public elementary and high schools. It faced opposition from organizations representing teachers, school administrators and school districts. The committee was set to move on that bill later Wednesday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In a newly released stand-up clip, Dave Chappelle has once again upended the conventions of bourgeois morality. In this case the standing up occurred at a Monday night town meeting in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where the comedian did something some people found a little unseemly: He threatened to pull the plug on his investments in the city, which include a planned restaurant and comedy club, if officials approved a zoning change to permit town houses and affordable housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Offended? Youre not alone. This is simply not how affordable housing gets rejected in polite society. Youre supposed to declare your town a mountain lion habitat or defend the sacred views from the highway. You say you werent consulted, or that the housing is too ugly, too affordable, or not affordable enough. Just complaining about the parking shortage is plenty good enough for most of us. Then again, thats why we love Dave Chappelle: because hes not afraid to break down the euphemisms, the conventions, the tired cliches, and say what hes really thinking. Like in Mondays Yellow Springs city meeting, when he reiterated that he was serious about withdrawing the millions of dollars he had invested in the town. I cannot believe you would make me audition for you, he told city leaders. You look like clowns. And then: I am not bluffing. I will take it all off the table. Advertisement Advertisement The Village Council chose not to rezone the land. There would be no affordable housing in Yellow Springs that day. But it would be a mistake to read this as a story about a local business magnate throwing his weight around. Behind Chappelle stood a much more typical local uprising that, in reality, is far more representative of the roadblocks to building more housing in prosperous places than the comedians threats. Advertisement For almost two decades, Chappelle has lived on the outskirts of this quaint college town east of Dayton. He talks a lot about how much he loves Yellow Springs, where he attended middle school and spent childhood summers with his father, the dean of students at Antioch College. This place hasnt changed in 100 years. Its aesthetically almost identical, he told David Letterman a few years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yellow Springs isnt some Trumpy suburb where you can get up and say you dont want poor people living nearby. Its a deep-blue island of Democrats in red Greene County, a handsome hippie village with a 140-year-old newspaper and the kind of lively little main street that counts as a regional attraction. And its not being forced to build affordable housing by a lawsuit or a mandate. In 2017, the village (population 3,697) commissioned a 444-page housing needs assessment that concluded that many housing choices in the village were not affordable, which left local employers and the community itself at a competitive disadvantage. Survey respondents overwhelmingly said housing in Yellow Springs was a problem because it was too expensive. Yellow Springs was a hard place for seniors to downsize and stay in the community. And its schools had space for more students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enter Oberer Land Developers, an Ohio-based company that purchased a 52-acre plot on the villages southern edge. It was a site that Yellow Springs had eyed for multifamily housing since 1977, and planners worked out a deal with Oberer to upzone part of the property for denser development of town houses and duplexes in exchange for a park and a plot for affordable housing. Some residents have spoken eloquently in favor of the project, extolling it as a benefit for the villages current residents. But some squeaky wheels didnt like it, for all the reasons you would suspect. Over the past couple of months, for example, the village has heard from: A wetland biologist worried about mosquitoes. A nearby homeowner worried about traffic. Neighbors worried about gentrification, overdevelopment, a closed and opaque planning process. At a town meeting in January, Max Crome, an architect who has a house nearby and a practice in the Bay Area, browbeat the city manager into letting him screen-share a presentation in which he accused the volunteer government of spreading misinformation and combed through historical, black-and-white satellite photos in an attempt to conclusively demonstrate that there had been a dump on the property in the 1970s. Whats the point in having duplex and town homes if theyre not affordable? he went on. This whole process has been a process of affordability-washing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, from Cromes computer, a well-known comedian who had retained him to design some new projects in town gave a rousing plea for Yellow Springs to dream bigger. The average age in the village is 49 years old. Without its school, the city will not live beyond the retirees who decided to settle here, Chappelle said. These changes are inevitable, but we do have a decision about what they are or could be. Lets use more of a visionary eye, instead of a reactionary one, because the potential of this place is immenseand Oberer is not the only solution. I couldnt find a more substantive explanation of Chappelles opposition, but I dont necessarily conclude from his speeches that hes against affordable housing per se so much as he thinks the village can and should stop the entire development in its tracks. After all, this place hasnt changed in 100 years. Advertisement Now its set to get more of the same. As city planners have reiterated again and again, Oberer owns the land. It has the right to build six single-family homes an acre. Some project opponents want the city to yank the zoning permission away at the last minutea move the Village Council president, who supported the project, thinks is illegal. Another option is to attempt to purchase the land from the developer, which could cost tens of millions of dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to totally discount the weight of Chappelles threats, but the consensus among project opponentsincluding the council member who cast the decisive vote against rezoningwas far more typical of your average prosperous, liberal enclave than being blackmailed by a big investor. The main problem, Council Member Carmen Brown said, was that the upzoned project wouldnt be affordable enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now there will be no affordable housing, and no multifamily housing either. Your zoning does not require any affordable housing, George Oberer reminded opponents of the zoning change. And Council President Brian Housh was more explicit: If it goes straight subdivision, you dont have any say at all! Since the rezoning failed, the Oberer subdivision will include a couple hundred single-family, market-rate homes instead of a denser development. In a kind of housing-politics edition of the trolley problem, Oberers opponents will be left wondering if they bear responsibility for the lousy, suburban, as-of-right project that was slated to occur before the city tried to flip the zoning switch. This same misguided sense of political possibility guides well-meaning civic activists everywhere, who let the perfect be the enemy of the good and wind up with neither. Perhaps Chappelle, Crome, and the other opponents will find a way to scuttle the subdivision and build a more visionary development, if thats really what they want. Maybe Chappelle will buy the whole thing himself. For now, their purported pursuit of a better project has left their village with a worse one. In the fourth episode of Hulus Pam & Tommy, the couples idyllic life of sex, drugs (for him), rock n roll, and constant renovations is shattered when they realize their safe is gone and with it the tape of their most intimate moments. Meanwhile, carpenter and sometime porn actor Rand Gauthier finds himself dodging a furious Tommy Lees investigators-cum-heavies who are determined to retrieve the tape. We look at whats fact and whats fiction. Advertisement [Read: Whats Fact and Whats Fiction in Pam & Tommy Episodes 13] Did Pam Suffer a Miscarriage in the Middle of All This? When Tommy goes to put the first scan of their baby in the safe, he discovers it isnt there. Pam immediately grasps the significance of the missing video and becomes increasingly frustrated at Tommys inability to, leading to trouble in paradise. After a big fight, she gets cramps and has to go to the hospital, where the couple learn she has had a miscarriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for the Slate Culture Newsletter The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. This is partially correct, but the chronology is all mixed up for dramatic purposes. Anderson did suffer a miscarriage, but it was in late June 1995. The robbery didnt take place until November 1995 and the vanished safe wasnt discovered until January 1996, by which time Anderson was pregnant again. She gave birth to their first son, Brandon, in June 1996. Advertisement Advertisement In fact, the show has Lee and Anderson getting together on her birthday (which would have been in July 1995), but they actually met on New Years Eve 1994 and were married in February 1995. Lee did not discover the safe had been removed when he went to put a baby scan in it. According to the Telegraph, Lee only became aware of the theft in January 1996 when the garage studio was being stripped for renovations. However, the Rolling Stone article on which the show is based says that as early as December 1995 a Daily Mail article mentioned that a video of the couple having sex on a yacht was supposedly on sale in Los Angeles, and it was at this point that the Lees investigated, found the safe was missing, and filed a police report. Advertisement Advertisement Also, a journalist who accompanied the couple during their weeklong Christmas 1995 visit to London and Scotland (where they had gone to get away fromwhat else?renovations) recently wrote that at the time Pam was devastated heartbroken and embarrassed. Tommy was furious. Already pregnant with their first child, Pam said: I dont ever want our kids to see it. Why would anyone ever willingly release something like that? This suggests Anderson was aware the tape had been stolen by the end of 1995. Lee was not quite so oblivious as to not notice a giant safe against the wall was missing until two months after its disappearance. In fact, he said, the safe was hidden underneath a carpet in my studio control room in the garage, so its absence would not have been immediately apparent unless you took up the carpet. Did Tommy Employ Hells Angels to Get the Tape Back? Rand comes to the office of his partner in crime, anal specialist porn producer Milton Ingley (Nick Offerman), to find Ingley has hired a gormless hippie to assume Rands duties of mailing out the videos. This turns out to be a stroke of luck for Rand when two Hells Angels, whom Tommy has engaged to track down the tape, show up at the office and beat up the hapless temp in a case of mistaken identity. Eventually realizing their mistake, the gang members set off in pursuit of the real Rand. Even before this, Rand has run into trouble with their new venture: He comes across a guy peddling discount bootleg copies of the Pam and Tommy tape out of the trunk of a car in a Tower Records parking lot. Rand is outraged as he sees his price point being undercut, but of course he is hardly in a position to go to the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee and Motley Crue bandmate Nikki Sixx, both Harley-Davidson owners, had hung out with the Angels since the 1980s and sometimes called on them to provide security for the band. According to the Rolling Stone article, when some Hells Angels burst into Ingleys office, they did indeed find not Gauthier but another Ingley Studios employeeSteve. Steve, however, wasnt mailing out the sex tape; he was assisting a porn director. He confirmed that the bikers started dropping by frequently in the hope of catching Gauthier on the premises, at which point, as the show depicts, the carpenter would run out of the building to evade capture. (Gauthier also recollected that bikers were after him, but maintained they were part of a Mexican gang called the Bandidos.) And Gauthier did encounter bootlegs of the tape being sold out of the trunk of a carby Steve. Far from being abashed, Steve advised Gauthier to do the same in case Ingley screwed him over (Steve maintains he made some $75,000 from selling almost 500 bootlegs). Was Anthony Pellicano Really Such a Tough Guy? Advertisement Tommy and Pam hire private investigator Anthony Pellicano (Don Harvey) to search for the tape. The first thing he does is declare the motive for the theft must be money or revenge and asks, Who has beef with you, Tommy?prompting a long list of just about everybody in the metal world. But the PIs ears really perk up when Tommy mentions the surveillance camera was destroyed. Pellicanos top suspect immediately becomes the person who installed it, namely Gauthier. He heads over to Gauthiers studio in search of the tape, adding some forceful punches when the carpenter isnt forthcoming. Advertisement Advertisement Pellicano did not identify Gauthier as the culprit quite so quickly. For one thing, Lee was not convinced moving the safe was a one-person job, and the first people he and Pam suspected were Troy Tompkins, the general contractor he had held at gunpoint along with Gauthier, and Tompkins wife, Dominique, because Tompkins had admired Lees guns while Dominique pointedly advised Anderson to keep her jewelry in the safe. Advertisement Pellicanowhose celebrity clients included Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Cruise, Courtney Love, and Roseanne Barrwas well known for employing unorthodox methods that could cross the line into illegality. When FBI agents raided Pellicanos offices in 2002, they found thousands of hours of encrypted, illegally recorded conversations; the PI eventually received a 15-year prison sentence on 78 counts of wiretapping, racketeering, wire fraud, and other charges. However, we were unable to find an accusation of him personally using physical violence against Gauthier. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. In addition to our traditional advice, every Thursday we feature an assortment of teachers from across the country answering your education questions. Have a question for our teachers? Email askateacher@slate.com or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. My seventh grader was recently suspended from school for getting mad and destroying a projector screen valued at $183. He has issues with PTSD and emotional dysregulation due to early childhood trauma we adopted him at the age of 7. Were working on these destructive impulses in therapy. I was shocked to find out that the school administrators offered us two options for the length of suspension: if we paid to replace the destroyed item, my son would receive a half-day suspension; if not, he would be suspended for the full day. To me, it is screamingly obvious that this is a discriminatory policy that penalizes poverty, since a child from a family that could not afford to pay would receive a harsher punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We chose to pay for the projector screen but accepted a full-day suspension. The school administrators told us in response they would record this as a half-day suspension, and a half-day absence from school at parents request. I dont think they understand the problem with their policy. I would like to explain it to them, but do not believe they will receive it well. We have already been having issues with this principal and vice principal, who both are from an older generation and do not seem to have evolved with the times. I am sure that anything I say to them that could be construed as criticism would offend them, and they already seem to hate my kid as it is. What can I do to address this? Write a carefully worded email to school admin? Or go over their heads to talk to someone working for the district? Is there any possible way for me to address this inequity? Advertisement Advertisement Privileged Parent Dear Privileged Parent, Youre right, this is a discriminatory practice and as far as I know illegal. Im not a lawyer, and I cant speak to the specific laws in your state, but I spoke to administrators at my school and at a friends school in another state, and both validated my perspective: Where they work and live, it is illegal to tie discipline to a financial restitution. It sounds like your son may qualify for certain protections afforded to ESE students, which potentially opens a whole other legal path for you. Advertisement Ill leave it to you to decide whether to seek out a lawyer who specializes in education issuesit doesnt sound like this is where your interest lies in this particular instance. But what you can (and should!) do is report this unfair practice. Your school district should have a procedure for receiving grievances against faculty members. In addition, dont be afraid to reach out directly to a school board member or your superintendent if you have concerns that reporting this unfair practice may further damage your sons relationship with the administration at his school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That relationship is what is really important here. As frustrating as these administrators are, once youve gone through the process of reporting this misconduct, I encourage an earnest meeting with them about how you feel their approach is more focused on punishment than growth. While they have the unenviable job of conducting discipline, as educators it should be their focus to help your sons development. Particularly as a student with recurring emotional issues, he needs to supported by them, not policed. As counterintuitive as it might seem, the students who are most often in trouble on my campus tend to have the strongest relationships with the administrators. Good administrators show students that they are helping them to create better habits, set boundaries, and manage their own behavior. It should not be adversarial and it should not be punitive. Your son deserves that. If this doesnt seem like a possibility or he continues to struggle with this administration, its worth talking to him about who at the school he trusts. Maybe its a guidance counselor, maybe its a favorite teacher. Help him suss out who that person might behe needs to feel like he has someone at school on his side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Vona (high school teacher, Florida) Slate needs your support right now. Sign up for Slate Plus to keep reading the advice you crave every week. Ill be retiring from a career as a college math teacher this year (yay!). I am a pretty good teacher, and have been teaching largely freshman and sophomore level classes, so my students are close to high school age. Ive always thought that K-12 teachers are the ones that do the most important work, and I would like to work part time as a substitute teacher in our public school district next year. Since I have a Ph.D. in math, I have a suspicion that I can be hired easily in our state. Advertisement Advertisement If I had a choice, I would like to work somewhere around fourth grade through middle school. Thats where students start to fall behind in their math, and so Id really like to make a difference in that area. Im a single woman, with no children of my own, and very little experience with children in general. Am I totally off base here or do you think I can be of use? Would middle schoolers eat me alive? And if I can be of use, then what sorts of things should I be doing, studying, and thinking about to help me prepare to be an excellent teacher? I have taught math for future elementary teachers, and so I have worked with math manipulatives, and Im a member of NCTM, although I have rarely had time to read any of their periodicals. Advertisement Advertisement Wannabe Dear Wannabe, Congratulations! Its noble that youd like to use your retirement this way. Of course you can be of use. In the current climate, substitutes are nearly impossible to come by. Many districts are requiring non-teaching personnelbus drivers and cafeteria workers, evento cover classes when teachers are quarantining. New Mexico is requesting the National Guard to step in. Plus, with your teaching experience, I have no doubt you can help students of any age learn math. That being said, might middle schoolers eat you alive? Yes. I taught middle school for a decade, and they are a species of their own. If I were in your shoes, I would prepare by (1) reading A Sympathetic Understanding of the Child by David Elkind to get a sense of what to expect from kids at each age, and (2) practicing not taking anything personally. A class whose teacher is out is, by nature, off its rhythm. Familiarity is gone; routines are upended. Those kids are in no way inclined to respect you, listen to you, or do what you tell them to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I also suggest you get there early and familiarize yourself with the lesson plans. Ask other teachers, front-desk personnel, or administration any questions that pop up. Then, make an effort to get to know the kids before you do anything else. A little goes a long way. An icebreaker game or a short conversation with each kid can do wonders for getting them on your side. Lastly, act like youve been there before. They dont know you from a Fortune 500 CEO, so give off the confidence of one. However it ends up going, leave the teacher notes. I often bring in treats the day after Im out for students or classes that get a special mention in the sub notes. And I definitely have conversations with the ones who made poor choices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thing I wonder most after reading your letter, though, is whether substituting is the best use of your talents. Even during the best of times, substitutes are usually expected to do little more than babysit. And unless youre doing a long-term sub gig, your assignments will be fragmentedthis grade one day, that grade anotherto the point where making an academic difference might be an unreasonable goal. What about tutoring? If income was part of your calculation, there are plenty of tutoring services who are in perpetual hiring mode. You could also take on private clients. I have a friend who matches her full-time teaching salary with her part-time tutoring schedule. If making money is not a concern, ask a nearby school if they need help. Maybe you could host a lunch bunch a couple times a week or volunteer in a specific classroomthat way, you could create a deeper relationship with the students and address their needs as they come up. Advertisement Advertisement Dont get me wrongyou are exactly the kind of sub every teacher wants, i.e., one who wants to make a difference. But Im just wondering if substituting will fulfill that desire for you. Good on you, either way. Ms. Scott (high school teacher, North Carolina) My youngest child is a happy, self-motivated first grader attending a charter school. Last fall, his teacher and the school principal approached us about doing a hybrid model for his educationhe would stay in first grade but go to a second grade classroom for math and ELA. They created this opportunity after reviewing his outstanding test scores and watching his independent learning. He has become a peer mentor in both the first and the second grades and is well-liked by both staff and classmates. Advertisement The school has now approached us about what to do with him next year. He has mastered the first and second grade curriculums and continues to show growth on his exceedingly high test scores. They have watched him interact with both classes, where he moves fluidly among friends and is a leader. He loves school! The school is offering the opportunity to skip second grade. The principal knows our children well and said she has promoted a child once in her 30-year career. She said she has spoken to the teachers and believes he meets the strict criteria necessary to skip. He has the maturity, emotional IQ, social skills, and academic ability to make a successful transition. Advertisement Advertisement I do not want him to skip for many reasons including the fact that childhood is brief so why rush it? My husband believes it would be better for him to stay challenged. The school likely wont offer a hybrid model for him next year. He will sit through the same curriculum but possibly have opportunities to extend himself in small groups. Advertisement Advertisement What do you think? Skipping Through Childhood Dear Skipping, My answer is always the same in situations like these: Childhood is too short. Dont shorten it any more than necessary. If your husband is worried about your son being challenged next year, there are a multitude of ways, both in school and outside of school, to challenge him without taking a year of childhood away. Teachers are highly adept at differentiating instruction to meet the needs of students, so it shouldnt be hard for them to design an engaging school day for your son. And there are lots of ways to expand your childs horizons and offer new learning opportunities outside of school, including classes in art, music, sports, and technology, as well as organizations like the Cub Scouts, the YMCA, and more. Advertisement Not only do I recommend preserving childhood for the sake of your son, but do it for yourself, too. Hes going to grow up quickly. Give yourself that precious year of childhood, too. Mr. Dicks (fifth grade teacher, Connecticut) Im a community college professor at an extremely large metropolitan community college for the last two decades. I typically teach older students, and most of the traditional classroom population at our institution is older, so Im very accustomed to teaching folks in their late 20s and olderI usually have a fair distribution across ages, including students in their 60s and 70s. These students are typically independent, busy, and autonomous. They are great students, but I recognize that balancing school, a job, family, and the rest of life means they approach school a lot differently than someone who is in the 18-22 age range. I have good relationships with my students, in general, and I often get good reviews for respecting students autonomy and time. Advertisement Advertisement Very occasionally, I get a student who is dual enrolled and still in high school. Usually, its a good mentorship opportunity because I was that student when I was younger. And, no matter how bright and talented the student is, being in an environment where one is the only one under 20 can be intimidating, so mentoring helps build their confidence and awareness as they mature into college at a rapid pace. Advertisement Advertisement However, this semester is unusual in that I have practically an entire cohort of these students in my only on-campus class. (Every other class is off campus.) Like me, some of these students are queer/non-binary (I use they/them pronouns) and it seems that this is the reason they signed up for my class. Advertisement I also perform in drag in my city, though Ive not done so since 2020 due to the pandemic. (For full-time drag performers, this isnt an option, but since I am more of a casual/hobby performer, I feel like I should be leaving the open bookings for folks who need to earn their living, plus the obvious Covid precautions.) For the sake of keeping things smooth at work, I keep my drag life and my work life separateits not a secret, some of my colleagues know, but I recognize a professor doing drag isnt received the same way as, say, a music professor or art professor who may have an entire creative career outside work, being accepted much more smoothly. Advertisement We have optional workshop days on Fridays, where students bring their laptops and work on that weeks assignments, and ask for help when they need it or to go over material they find challenging. Most of the older students dont attendthey feel comfortable doing their assignments on their own time. The only students who show up are these high school students. They come mostly to talk to me about stuff other than school, and there is a lot of mentoring happening around college transfers and career goals, which is great. Advertisement Advertisement They keep bringing up the citys drag scene. Im pretty sure theyve found me out (its not hard), and I can understand that they want mentorship from an older queer person. The problem is Im just coming out myselfI have only recently starting broadcasting my non-binary identity, and as someone with CPTSD, its not an easy process. I dont think Im truly ready to be a queer elder to these kids as Im only just figuring out my own queerness. They seem pretty out and proud, and I absolutely love that. But Im not there yet, despite the two-decade age gap. And keeping drag and my academic life separated is an important feature of safety for me as I ease into being out at work. Advertisement Any advice or guidance? I dont want to invalidate or otherwise send any negative vibes to these young queer teensand it honestly makes me so happy to see that younger people are getting space to be their true selves. In many ways, I have been mentored and guided by many people younger than myself as Ive navigated the waters of gender exploration. I want them to know I am here for them in whatever ways I can be, but talking about drag at work isnt it for me just yet. How can I do that while still being supportive and providing the kind of mentorship I know I can give? Advertisement Advertisement Dont Drag Me at Work Advertisement Dear Dont Drag Me at Work, You have come to the right lady! I love boundaries. While not queer myself, I do empathize with your competing desires to be the supportive adult these teens are seeking and to also maintain healthy boundaries. Advertisement I think one of the best ways to mentor is to be a good listener. Are you comfortable listening to your students discuss the city drag scene? If so, you can sit back, listen, smile and nod without contributing your personal experience. However, if listening is uncomfortable or even triggering for you, you may need to take a more direct approach. The next time they bring this up, you can say something like, I do appreciate our local drag scene as much as you do. However, this isnt something I am able to discuss at work. I need to keep my personal life and work separate. Thank you for understanding. Most students wont push past a limit like that. Advertisement Dont feel bad about maintaining boundaries, Dont Drag Me at Work. Healthy boundaries are one of the keys to longevity in education. Sometimes students may behave as if they are seeking friendship from a teacher, but in truth they dont need their professors to be their friends; they need them to be educators. You can have positive, supportive relationships with these young people and protect your personal life at the same time. Simply being a nonbinary professor makes you a powerful role model for them. As you probably know, many queer students dont feel welcome in schools, even in college. The fact that they regularly come to your optional workshops is a sign that you have made your classroom a welcoming, safe space. As you give them academic and career guidance, you are mentoring them. Caring for yourself is a way to ensure that you can continue to mentor future students for years to come. Ms. Holbrook (high school teacher, Texas) More Advice From Slate My daughter is a freshman in high school, and she recently got an assignment in life sciences that seems inappropriate. The assignment is for the kids to identify someone in their family who died of cancer, and then students are supposed to research that kind of cancer and create a poster presentation to display for the entire school. This seems like a terrible idea, and an invasion of privacy. Should I talk to the teacher? On Wednesday night, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld one of the most egregious abuses of the federal judiciary in memory. By a 21 vote, the court refused to halt a Trump judges nationwide injunction barring President Joe Biden from requiring his own workforce to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The majority rewarded anti-vaxxers for gaming the system by asking 12 different federal judges for an injunction before finding one lawless enough to grant one. Advertisement The 5th Circuit was already the most radical appeals court in the country. Now it is complicit in anti-vaxxers corrupt quest to transfer a core executive power from the president to a single unelected judge. Its important to understand at the outset that this case, Feds for Medical Freedom v. Biden, is fundamentally different from other vaccine-related lawsuits. Previous cases tested the limits of the executive branchs authority to compel private companiesincluding federal contractors and recipients of government fundingto impose a vaccine mandate (or a vaccinate-or-test policy) on their workers. Feds for Medical Freedom involves a very different workforce: the executive branch of the United States government. The president, of course, is the head of the executive branch, and according to the Supreme Court, he holds all executive power. Although the chief executive often delegates oversight of his roughly 2.1 million employees, he is, as a constitutional matter, their boss. Congress has acknowledged this fact in a sweeping law that allows the president to prescribe regulations for the conduct of employees in the executive branch. And the Supreme Court has recognized that, under both this statute and his inherent constitutional authority, the president bears responsibility for the efficient operation of the executive branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Presidents have exercised this power in too many ways to count. For instance, it forms the basis of the governments drug testing program for federal employees. And it authorizes a labyrinth of ethics rules that strictly limit current and former employees of the executive branch from lobbying the government. Biden relied on this power in mandating vaccines for his own employees on Sept. 14, 2021. Ensuring the health and safety of the federal workforce and the efficiency of the civil service, he explained, requires all available steps to avoid the spread of COVID-19. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that the best way to do so is to be vaccinated. Anti-vaxxers across the country promptly pummeled federal courts with requests for an injunction to halt this order. There were several profound flaws in their arguments, beyond the obvious fact that the chief executivenot an unelected judgecalls the shots for executive branch employees. Most notably, a thicket of statutes and precedents forbid these workers from filing lawsuits before going through lengthy administrative proceduresa process these plaintiffs sought to skip over. One by one, these lawsuits failed; in total, 12 different district court judges across the ideological spectrum shot them down. The plaintiffs lost in Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Maryland, Texas, Washington state, Florida (before two different judges), and the District of Columbia (before three different judges). By any standard, the litigation was a total wipeout, a refutation of every argument put forth against Biden. The matter seemed settled. Advertisement Advertisement Then came U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown. A Donald Trump nominee, Brown is a Federalist Society stalwart who gained notoriety for attempting to overturn marriage equality in Texas from his perch as a state court judge. When an anti-vax group called Feds for Medical Freedom asked Brown for an injunction, he looked at the hundreds of pages of reasoning produced by 12 of his colleagues and thought: I know better. On Jan. 21, in a threadbare 20-page decision, the judge declared Bidens mandate unconstitutional and issued a nationwide injunction barring its enforcement. He provided one sentence of justification for freezing the policy in every state, including those where judges had upheld it: A narrower injunction, he asserted, would prove unwieldy and would only cause more confusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Browns decision was not just laughably wrong, radical, and arrogant; it was, itself, unconstitutionala staggering violation of the separation of powers. Never before in U.S. history has a single federal judge attempted to seize the presidents authority over his own employees to such a brazen and extreme degree. The Justice Department swiftly appealed to the 5th Circuit, pointing out that Brown had essentially nullified a dozen other district court decisions. Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, however, a split panel of judges refused to overturn Browns injunction without bothering to explain its reasoning. The two judges in the majority were Jerry Smith, a Ronald Reagan nominee, and Don Willett, a Trump nominee. Judge Stephen A. Higginson, a moderate Barack Obama nominee, penned a dissent that reflected a kind of stunned outrage. The public interest is not served, Higginson wrote, by a single Article III district judge, lacking public health expertise and made unaccountable through life tenure, telling the President of the United States, in his capacity as CEO of the federal workforce, that he cannot take the same lifesaving workplace safety measures as these private sector CEOs. Advertisement Smiths vote against the Biden administration is no surprise: In January, he infamously compelled an attorney to remove his mask during arguments, even though the attorney had pleaded to conduct the argument remotely because omicron was surging and his young children could not yet be vaccinated. But Willett should know better. He has, in the past, displayed real principle and independence, suggesting that he is not just another of Trumps robed hacks. Such backbone was missing on Wednesday. Willett did not even have the decency to explain his position. Advertisement Under Trump, progressive litigants sometimes filed lawsuits in a handful of courts seeking nationwide injunctions. In 2020, Justice Neil Gorsuch expressed his dismay that plaintiffs had challenged an immigration restriction in a whopping five different courts. (How naive we were back then.) He declared that nationwide injunctions were a (likely illegal) abuse of the judicial system, sowing chaos and encouraging gamesmanship. Justice Clarence Thomas agreed. Yet over the last year, conservative judges have been flinging out nationwide injunctions against the Biden administrationand these two justices mysteriously have gone silent. Advertisement Advertisement If there were ever a time for the Supreme Court to rein in this exploitation of judicial power, it is now. Browns nullification of 12 previous court orders is not an act of judging and hardly pretends to be. It is, instead, an aggressive attempt by one rogue judge to steal a fundamental executive power. If the Supreme Court lets Brown and the 5th Circuit get away with this theft, it will embolden countless other Trump judges to shift control over the executive branch to the Republican-dominated judiciary. This case is not just about vaccines. It is about who governs this country: a democratically elected president or an unelected, life-tenured juristocrat. When California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for gun legislation modeled on the Texas abortion law, S.B. 8, allowing individuals to sue people who put illegal guns on the streets, many progressive pundits saw Newsoms move as little more than a clever attempt at baiting the Supreme Court to reconsider the implications of its decision to let the Texas law stand. Many of the pundits take issue with the use of bounties in enforcing the Texas law. (Abortion providers, as well as anyone suspected of aiding or abetting an abortion, can be sued for $10,000.) Advertisement But we shouldnt conflate the odiousness of the Texas law with its mechanism of enforcement. The Texas abortion law is a misogynist attack on womens rightsthe misogyny is the problem. Indeed, there are many circumstances in which private enforcement is needed because police and regulators routinely fail. Newsoms bill is hardly the first law to use private lawsuits to enforce policy: Progressives promote bounties in many other areas of the law. And in several other areas, such as anti-discrimination law, wage theft, and corporate corruption laws, which are underenforced by prosecutors, progressive lawmakers should use this enforcement mechanism more often. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allowing private lawsuits to enforce laws has a long history. In the 90s, progressives cheered when the Violence Against Women Act created a private right of action to sue sexual assault perpetrators in federal court when state governments refused to prosecute rapists (and cursed when the Supreme Court took it away on federalism grounds). Anti-discrimination law, in general, has been built on private lawsuits. Labor law has failed workers partly because there is no right of workers to privately sue their employers who violate the law. Just last year, House Democrats attempted to remedy this situation by passing the PRO Act, which included a private right to sue. Advertisement Advertisement Private suits have also been instrumental in holding abusive cops accountable. A large part of Black Lives Matters protests in 2020 was over the failure of prosecutors across the country to indict police who kill or brutalize citizens. Qualified immunity and the general reluctance of law enforcement to indict one of their own has meant that private lawsuits, brought by the victims or their families, have consistently offered some degree of accountability. These lawsuits are based on the only remaining shards of Reconstruction-era civil rights laws passed in the 1870s, which gave newly freed slaves a chance to take legal action in federal court when state officials refused to enforce the law fairly. Advertisement The danger with liberals decrying private bounties is that it feeds a decadeslong core goal of the conservative legal movement to discredit and restrict private lawsuits. Even in cases where Congress specifically gives individuals the right to sue over illegal activity, the Supreme Court has moved to close the courtroom door by blocking class-action lawsuits and denying many plaintiffs the right to sue at all. Just this past June, in the case TransUnion v. Ramirez, the court declared that Congress could not give plaintiffs the statutory right to sue over false information in their credit reports if the court itself determines they have not suffered concrete harm. As conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the majority in condemning private enforcement of the law: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The choice of how to prioritize and how aggressively to pursue legal actions against defendants who violate the law falls within the discretion of the Executive Branch, not within the purview of private plaintiffs. Taken to the extreme (and this court looks to go to the extreme), this statement of executive power could nullify most enacted laws, especially those with diffuse harms, where any president or local prosecutor refuses to enforce those laws. Legislators would be largely powerless to create alternative enforcement mechanisms through private litigation. Advertisement Advertisement This trend is particularly disruptive to attempts at holding economic elites accountable for financial or tax crimes. Even when the executive branch wants to enforce the law, Congress or state legislatures influenced by corporate interests can and have crippled the executive branchs ability by reducing funding to enforcement agencies. Notably, after the GOP took control of Congress in 2010, Republicans cut the IRS staff by a third. The U.S. Department of Labor has fewer investigators than it did in 1948, when the workforce was one-seventh the size it is today. And state agencies have far fewer staff, with many states having no investigators for most areas of corporate crime. Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Many corporations have taken advantage of this lack of enforcement power. As the gig economy grows, it has become even harder to determine who is the right employer and, therefore, who can be held accountable when employees are harmed, straining what limited government resources are left. Business lobbyists want everything to only be enforceable by state agencies because they know that the agencies just do not have the ability to fight them with the same kind of financial firepower, said Caitlin Vega, who led legislative advocacy efforts for the California Labor Federation for 16 years. Advertisement Its worth emphasizing that bounties come in at least three major varieties. Advertisement The first category, also known as moiety acts, gives compensation to those providing information to prosecutors but leaves control of litigation in the hands of the government. For example, the IRS is mandated to pay between 15 and 30 percent of any tax penalties assessed to informants, although only in cases where the disputed amount is more than $2 million owed to the IRS. In the wake of insider trading scandals in the 1980s, the Securities and Exchange Commission now awards bounties to those providing information leading to the successful prosecution of an insider trader. The SEC paid out $500 million in awards in fiscal year 2021 alone. Whistleblower awards can range from 10 to 30 percent of the money collected when the monetary sanctions exceed $1 million. Advertisement The second category are direct individual lawsuits by victims of crimes seeking financial compensation. Whether brought by victims of unsafe products, wage theft, racial discrimination, or sexual harassment, such lawsuits have been the main lever of legal enforcement in multiple areas of the law. Highlighting the importance of private litigation, the top 10 private settlements in various employment-related workplace class actions totaled $1.58 billion in 2020, compared with just $241 million for all government-initiated workplace-enforcement litigation. Beyond compensating victims, many of these lawsuits award punitive damages to deter future criminal activity, which the Supreme Court has required judicial review of because of their public, quasicriminal enforcement aspect. Advertisement Advertisement The last category of private enforcement allows individuals to sue lawbreakers in the name of the state itself, also called qui tam laws, where individuals winning lawsuits receive a portion of civil fines specified in law as a reward. Whistleblower laws and the False Claims Acts have been some of the most successful laws giving private individuals the ability to help punish billions of dollars worth of fraud against the government. States have their own versions of the False Claims Act and the D.C. City Council, following New York state, has extended private lawsuits to punish illegal tax fraud as well as contractor fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the more innovative versions of a qui tam law is Californias Private Attorneys General Act, which allows workers to sue their employers for violations of state labor laws and collect a share of civil fines assessed in court. The state collected more than $88 million from lawbreaking corporations in 2019, thanks to workers using PAGA and sharing in the fines assessed. Multiple states are now looking to emulate Californias PAGA. One argument often made against expanding qui tamstyle enforcement measures is that individuals should only be able to sue for the direct harm they suffer, not to substitute themselves for prosecutors. Advertisement The problem with this is that victims of corporate harm are increasingly losing their own ability to get a day in court due to mandatory arbitration clauses imposed on employees and consumers, which cover 70 percent of workplaces in California. Because of Supreme Court decisions from two decades ago, states cant bar such mandatory arbitration clauses, so workers in particular increasingly find any legal complaint shunted into private, employer-chosen arbitrationwhere employees inevitably lose. In California, Due to widespread use of forced arbitration, especially in the lowest wage, highest risk jobs, Caitlin Vega notes, PAGA has become the only option for many workers. It is illegal for employers to block employees from using PAGA under state law, but employers have appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which will hear arguments this spring about the merits of the law. Advertisement As direct victims of corporate abuses increasingly lose their rights because of forced mandatory arbitration, states giving third parties status to sue may be the only option available to hold companies accountable. Opening the door to more third-party lawsuits does not have to mean emulating the reckless approach of the Texas abortion law. As Siri Nelson, executive director of the National Whistleblowers Center, argues, qui tam third-party lawsuits like the False Claims Act have a tradition of strong government oversight to avoid any hint of vigilantism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tradition of qui tam is bringing the case on behalf of the government but also bringing it to the government. The government then assesses and decides whether it wants to join the case, Nelson said. Only when the government decides it does not want to join the case can the relator proceed independently. Courts take that government decision seriously and will often dismiss a case the government deems unworthy, a similar process that PAGA lawsuits face in California courts. Notably, the Texas abortion law lacks any government agency review of lawsuits precisely because of its Rube Goldberg attempt to avoid judicial review. Progressives should aggressively challenge the Texas abortion law on its substanceand for its lack of that basic review processbut should not fall into the political trap of disparaging private enforcement mechanisms. Far better to double down on their own bounty policies in ways that discomfit conservatives, such as the Illinois representative who proposed a $10,000 award for those suing men getting women pregnant against their will. This law is a far better political rejoinder to conservative attempts to restrict womens freedom. Gulchehra Hoja isnt watching the Beijing Olympics. Shes a Uyghur journalist who left her homeland, the Xinjiang region of northwest China, 20 years ago and may never be able to go back. This Olympic is about our dignity, so we reject to watch it, she says. But of course, she heard about that moment in the opening ceremony when one of the final Chinese torchbearers was revealed to be a Uyghur athlete. We all see the Chinese government using this girl to cover up the Uyghur genocide, Hoja says. Advertisement If you know much of anything about Chinas repression of the Uyghur minority, its because of the journalism of people like Hoja, who works for Radio Free Asia. On Thursdays episode of What Next, I spoke to her about life in exile. Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Harris: Do you worry that some people might see the Uyghur athlete at the opening ceremony and think it was a message of unity, like everythings OK? Gulchehra Hoja: I dont think world is that naive, no. Anybody who knows China, who knows the situation in Uyghur region, they will never see that way, I think. The Chinese name for the region where you grew up is Xinjiang, or New Frontier. But for Uyghurs, this frontier is not new at allits your homeland. You call it East Turkestan. And growing up in the late 80s, early 90s, you had this sense of Uyghur pride. Back then, the region was in transition. The Chinese Communist Party was incentivizing Han Chinese to move there, but they werent violently forcing Uyghurs to assimilate, the way they are now. Advertisement Advertisement I think we are the lucky generation born after 70s, 80s, the relaxed couple of decades. We can use our own language to study in the school and we can read some Uyghur books. We dont have really religious freedom over there, but still our elderly grandpa, grandmas, can pray, we can learn our own tradition, lifestyle. Thats totally different from now. Advertisement So eventually you grew up, you went to university. You decided to go into broadcasting. Why did you want to be on TV? I studied in Normal University, Uyghur language and literature. And in the last year before the graduation, we practice in the schoolsbecome a teacher, of course. And I feel like I should have more kids to teach. I feel I really want to share all my knowledge with Uyghur kids. Let them know who they are beyond the books. Advertisement I read that in your first television appearance, you wore a floral hat and your hair in two ponytails. It was like this iconic Uyghur image. Advertisement Advertisement Yes. I want followers whos watching my TV to look like Uyghur, speak like Uyghur, think like Uyghur. Thats why I was preparing myself, even my look, my language, all. And thats why my program was so loved by not only childrenteachers, even the grandparents, parents, all love that show. Was that a big deal, for you to go on TV and present as just completely Uyghur? Yeah, because we feel the pressure, that time. We feel more Han Chinese people coming, and also the policy toward Uyghurs more have assimilation and the propaganda. So that time we were fighting for keep our identity. Of course, sometimes I get trouble and warnings as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You became a household name after appearing on Xinjiang TV, hosting the first childrens program in the region. You were a presenter on Chinese state media and were even in commercials and music videos. But youve described a trip you took to Europe in 2001 as a turning point for you, a moment where you literally never went back. Its so dramatic. How did it even happen? When I come to Europe, I have freedom to see all the internet, you know, whats happening outside of Uyghur region, what does the Uyghur movement look like, what kind of contribution they doing, the outside Uyghurs. So I watch all. In Europe I had the chance to listening Radio Free Asia, and I listened whole year. Its like half-an-hour show that time every day. Its totally different from what we are producing to people, of course. And I feel guilty. I feel shame. You know, I was so proud to be a TV host, to be a journalist, to be famous in Uyghur region. But that shows what Im doing is just like the propagandanot enough for proud to be broadcast or journalist. Its no freedom over there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what should I do? Whats my parents wish? I think very deep, and I change my mind that time. I feel like I cannot go back and continue what I was doing. And I was thinking what you can see freely, think freely, speak freelythats called happiness. Thats called freedom. Thats why I chose that, you know? And I make decision. So you show up to the offices of Radio Free Asia and ask for a job. It was a gutsy moveRFA is funded by the U.S. government, and the Chinese consider its work propaganda. But RFA welcomed you. You were a familiar face to some of the staffers, a bit of a celebrity. Some colleagues were giddy to have such a high-profile defector from the Chinese Communist Party. Advertisement They were so proud. Even a director of RFA, he was saying, we win, CCP, we got you. Immediately, next day, I start giving my 100 percent energy to the work, and I didnt pay attention what Chinas government doing. When did you know you wouldnt be able to go back? After first call to my father and my parents. After two weeks, I called them after I came to U.S. I choose to come to U.S. and work for RFA. I couldnt tell them, because if I tell, I am the only daughter in the familyof course, they dont want me to just disappear like that. They will not bear that separation. Thats my first-ever decision without my fathers guide. And I dont regret it. If I had 100 times to have the decision, I will choose the same, because freedom is everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After I came, Chinese government seized my videos, movies, commercials, everything, and put me in some kind of red notice, accusing me as separatist in that time in 2001. Advertisement Advertisement The red notice meant you were technically a fugitive, and your parents were forced into early retirement because of your work. Only one word my father was saying, Oh, my brave girl, Nozugum. Nozugum was a very heroic woman in Uyghur history who stood up [against] the Chinese regime and died. So he giving me that name, I feel he is proud of my decision, even its so hard and so painful for him. My mother says, Please be careful what youre saying, and we miss you. Were proud of you. And live happily. Live proudly. Advertisement When was the last time you spoke to her? One and a half months ago. But it has several conditions. After I call first time, she has to hang up and let the neighborhood police know I am calling. Then after 15 minutes, I call them again, and I only can ask about their house and life. We cannot talk any other sensitive subject. Even I cannot ask other relatives whos been arrested. Advertisement Shes OK, shes OK. Shes very strong. Actually, she is the most strong human being and woman I know. Im wondering if you can tell the story of how you began reporting on what was happening in your region. In 2016, I believe, we find out theres many, many camps called reeducation camps, Chinese government saying. But we heard horrible stories from the camp survivors. They describe there is like crime against humanity. At first, the international media was questioning so much and couldnt believe, because of the very low knowledge about where is the Uyghur region, who are the Uyghurs. So we have to give information about all your background and take so much time. Advertisement And then, 2018, major media start watching the Uyghur region, whats going on. And then Chinese government couldnt hide well, and first they deny, we dont have concentration camp. And second, they were announcing, oh, those are not concentration camps, those are reeducation camps. Then they denied that againthey are like training camps for providing jobs to Uyghurs and other minorities. So they changing their tones, of course. After we spoke out, many stories come out and then the whole world believing us whats going on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who was the first victim you interviewed where you thought, oh, I know whats happening? Omir Bekali was born in Uyghur region. He married and moved to Kazakhstan. Actually, he has dual citizenship, Chinese and Kazakh. He was working in travel companies between Kazakh and Uyghur region. He went to Uyghur region in 2016 and get arrested. And the questioningyou know, did you participate any terrorist group, any kind of threat? And he has more than one year experience in several camps and tortured. After he get out from China because of family members fight for him, he reunite with his family in Kazakhstan. Advertisement I was reading the Holocaust Memorial Museums report about whats happening to the Uyghur people, and a few things stood out to me. One was something youve been getting at in this conversation, which is this slowly heating up situation where you grew up in a region and were able to have a Uyghur identity and slowly, slowly, it was like a vise tightening, and all of the sudden it seemed like things got much worse, but really groundwork had been laid for a long time. Like the Chinese government, yes, has camps that people have probably heard about, has done really atrocious things, and then also has put in place these incentives for Han Chinese to not just move to the Uyghur region, but do things like marry Uyghur women and your children. If youre in a family thats Han and Uyghur, they may get a preferential slot at university. So all of these ways that incentivize Uyghur culture breakdownI just hadnt understood the sheer breadth of what was happening. Advertisement Advertisement Some call it genocide, with justification, including U.S. government. Chinas crimes are genocide or crimes against humanity. Right now, many, many more countries recognize it. So Chinese government sees us like the enemies, because we are the first news outlet covered the issues in our homeland, whats going on in the Uyghur region. Thats why Chinese government targeted our families back home trying to silence us. For example, my family members, 24 of them, just in one night, Chinese government sent them to camp in 2018, February. Advertisement Do you feel lucky that you left? I cannot describe that as lucky. Being a human, when your loved ones suffering, you wish, you want to be with them, of course. This burden, like burning outside of this fire, I feel its really hurt. Thats why only release for me is work harder. To do something for them. But I feel never enough, never enough doing to help them. Physically, Im here, yeah. But mentally, I am suffering with them together, because I cannot say Im lucky, Im happy, without them. Advertisement I read that you couldnt bring your kids to visit their grandparents, but your husband was able to? Advertisement Advertisement Only my oldest one. It was in 2008 Olympic time. We picked that time because we believe that specific time is international media have eye on China and spot also Uyghur region, so we strongly believe they cannot do anything to harm. So me and my husband was decided. Maybe we should try to go there and make grandpa, grandma proud and see their own grandchildren, smell her, kiss her, have that feeling. So my husband was bravely say, yes, we have to do it. This is the moment, we could try. And we try. But in two weeks, my husband says, immediately they sending police to watch him every day. Every morning they call and they write down the plans, what he is going to do that day, daily routine. But what we bring to our family is hope, the love, how much I miss them. So they see my daughter and see me. Thats the happiest moment for them. Advertisement You mentioned how the one time your parents have seen one of your children was the last Olympics, and that youve last spoken to your mother six weeks ago. So I wonder, this Olympics, are you going to give her a call during this time? No. Anything Chinese government established, have some big meeting or some holidays coming, thats the most dangerous moment for Uyghurs. Tension. The Chinese government will spend more to control Uyghurs. So youre saying now is the most dangerous time. Yes, most dangerous time. They dont want anybody giving information about Uyghur region to the outside, what kind of pressure theyre facing. I dont want to put them in more danger, so I decide not to call. I just pray. It sounds like your work has come at a tremendous cost. I believe, just like me right now, any Uyghur, and if you ask any Uyghur abroad, they have some family members, friends, loved ones, still in concentration camps. Nobodys happy. Nobody. But Uyghurs, we say, is it harder to burn [in the] middle of the fire or around the fire? We all suffer. Even you are not in the Uyghur homeland, not in the concentration camps. Mentally, we are suffering. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday. This week, the federal hate crimes case against the men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 began with jury selection. Travis McMichael, his father Gregory, and their neighbor William Roddie Bryan were all sentenced to life in prison without parole after being convicted last year of chasing down and murdering Arbery while he went for a run. Even though the outcome of the federal case wont change their fates, the trials stakes are still high. The prosecutors hope to prove that the McMichaels and Bryan were motivated by racial animus in the killing, evidence of which has been reported in the news, but was studiously avoided by prosecutors in the state murder trial. Advertisement That vindication, criminal justice experts say, isnt just important for the family. The federal hate crime case has become a proving ground, testing the criminal justice systems ability to recognize and address the role racism played in Arberys murder. The harms in this case are personalthe Arbery family lost a sonbut they are also political. People across the country watched the McMichaels walk free, with the help of the officials tasked with investigating the crime, for months after the murder. Indeed, many have called the murder a modern-day lynching, drawing parallels to an era in which white violence against Black people went largely ignored and unpunished by the state. In this light, a hate crime conviction and appropriate punishment of Bryan and the McMichaels are seen as a corrective to not only the Arbery familys loss, but also decades of racial violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Such a vindication wont come easy. The family and the federal judge overseeing the hate crime case have already rejected a plea deal that prosecutors struck with the McMichaels, they say after consulting the familys attorneys. Under the deal, the McMichaels would have confessed to their own racist motives for the murder in exchange for 30 years of confinement in a federal prison. The family objected, arguing that federal prison is the McMichaels preferred place of incarceration due to a belief that state prisons in Georgia would offer harsher conditions. At first blush, its easy to read the controversy as another example of the justice system again failing Black victims of crime and offering undeserved leniency to killers who are white. But the case is actually much more complex and revealing about the limits and purported aims of the justice system. Advertisement For starters, several criminal justice experts pointed out that leaving key decisions, such as the relative harshness of confinement conditions, to grieving family members is not only incredibly fraught, but also has the potential to distort the course of justice. Over the last several decades, crime victims and their families have increasingly played a much larger role in criminal court cases. The victims rights movement has worked over the last 30 years to create an independent participatory role for crime victims in criminal justice proceedings, according to the National Crime Victim Law Institute. In 2004, for example, Congress passed the Crime Victims Rights Act, which afforded victims and their families the right to confer with the prosecutor and requires the prosecutor to obtain the victims views on potential plea deals. These efforts also gave rise to victim impact statements at sentencing hearings, which fueled an appetite for harsh punishments and paved the way for federal mandatory minimum sentences and limited judicial discretion. Harshness in sentencing became a way to soothe the pain of grief-stricken families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arbery familys desire for harshness or retribution, while understandable, multiple criminal justice experts said, is not supposed to inform a judges decision-making, nor is it the ostensible goal of the justice system. Its the fact that youre locked up thats the punishment. The conditions of confinement are not supposed to be part of the punishment, said Georgetown law professor and former federal prosecutor Paul Butler. The family may want the McMichaels and Mr. Bryan to suffer and I understand that, and I would feel the same way if I were a family member. But that also underscores why its not the family members who have the final say in matters related to prosecution. Advertisement With a plea deal off the table, the judge will ultimately decide Bryan and the McMichaels sentence, should a jury find them guilty of a hate crime. Though criminal justice experts expressed an understanding of the Arbery familys desire to address the role hate played in the murder, they say it would not be appropriate for a judge to make a decision about the ultimate place of imprisonment based on the desire to see the killers suffer under the harshest possible conditions. Advertisement Advertisement You do want to respect the familys desire for vindication that it was a hate crime. Its a lot trickier to say that you want to respect the familys desire that the prison conditions be as harsh as possible, said Robert Weisberg, co-director of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center and a former consulting attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the California Appellate Project on death penalty cases. Thats a very, very dangerous idea, I think, because relative degree of harshness of the conditions of prison [is] not normally a legitimate basis for a judge in deciding the nature of punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Part of what makes this case so thorny is the way the countrys long history of racial violence informs the stakes, as well as the familys desire for justice. Months after Bryan and the McMichaels were sentenced to life in prison, Arberys father praised the judges decision in an interview with a local news outlet. I thank God for that judge. He let people know that you will go to jail for the rest of your life when you kill someone because of their race, Marcus Arbery said. This isnt the 1800s anymore. This is 2022. Its a new day and a new time, and this world isnt going to tolerate that. He showed that. Yet the justice system is not designed to ameliorate these historical wrongs. And, as many criminal justice experts pointed out, the purported goals of the justice system are deterrence of future crimes and rehabilitation of those who have erred. Advertisement Advertisement As a result, achieving racial justice by sentencing the McMichaels and Bryan to the harshest possible conditions is illusory. Criminal law isnt about trying to repair an injury or compensate someone who suffered damages, Butler noted. Criminal law and punishment is designed to deter both the defendant and others from committing criminal acts in the future. Still, the case does offer an opportunity for progress. Too often, hate crimes against people of color and other minorities go unpunished. As the Washington Post reported last week, Federal prosecutors declined to prosecute 82 percent of hate-crime suspects investigated from 2005 to 2019, according to a Justice Department report last summer. During that time, the U.S. government secured hate crimes convictions, on average, in just 19 cases per year. Part of the difficulty is the high burden of proof in hate crime cases. These cases tend to hinge on intention, showing what is going on in someones mind while they committed their crime. Its not enough to prove that the person is a racist. You also have to prove that the criminal act hes accused of doing was a product of that racism, Butler said. What prosecutors have to prove is in a sense whats going on in someones mind. Proving that motive beyond a reasonable doubt is challenging, even when there is evidence that the perpetrator is a racist, particularly since even people with deeply racist views in todays America will deny their own racism, Butler noted. Securing a guilty plea in this hate crimes case, and forcing Arberys killers to admit their own racist views, would have shown these kinds of rare convictions are possible and may encourage prosecutors to bring charges in future racially motivated cases. Now it will be up to the hard work of a trial to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But intention aside, hate crimes can be complicated to prosecute for the reasons we saw play out in this case: Once a conviction and maximum punishment have been achieved, from a practical standpoint there tends not to be much more beyond symbolic reasonswhich can be incredibly strong, as they are in the case of Arberys murderto go forward with a hate crime prosecution. As in the case of Arberys killers, a separate hate crime prosecution can even sometimes be seen to complicate the results of the initial trial. His killers are already sentenced to life in prison. Now, thanks to the federal case, a new argument has erupted over where they will serve their sentences. These tensions only underscore why hate crimes statutes are so rarely used. Advertisement What this case makes most clear, Butler notes, is that the hard work of achieving some semblance of racial justice should be the domain of the political branches that make the law and not the judicial ones that enforce it. After Arberys murder, the Georgia legislature passed a hate crimes law, and has taken steps to amend the racist citizens arrest statute that the McMichaels and Bryan claimed authorized their pursuit of the slain jogger. That very statute is a relic of the countrys racist history. It was based on a law that was passed to help private white citizens catch runaway enslaved people, so that was a law that desperately needed to be revised, Butler said. Most states still have versions of these laws on the books, which sets the stage for future tragedy. Preventing another racially motivated killing under the guise of a citizens arrest or amending the hate crimes law in order to add an additional censureand punishmentin cases of racially motivated crimes are legislative efforts, not judicial ones. While it is easy to sympathize with the Arbery familys aims, part of the kind of justice they ultimately seekensuring that no more Black people are killed under the guise of the lawrequires an entirely different campaign. Its important that the defendants in the case be brought to justice, Butler said. But thats a separate issue from advancing civil rights or racial justice. Several blue states are planning to drop mask mandates for kids and teachers in schools. As the debate over whether this is prudent or reckless has flared back up, people on both sides have marshalled evidence, statistics, charts to make their case for or against masks in the era of omicron. At the beating heart of this debate is a statement presented as a truism: follow the science. For two long years, its been an all-around favorite mantra of public health officials, pundits, and politicians, invoked to argue for lockdowns (or against them), for masks (or against them), for boosters (or against them), and so on. Joe Biden successfully campaigned on following the sciencewhich, admittedly, had a melodious ring to it after the Trump administrations anti-science bluster (remember that reality-bending moment when the president of one of historys most technologically advanced countries suggested its residents inject bleach?). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as satisfying as it might be to retort follow the science, in all but the most extreme cases, the tag line obscures the true nature of decision-making in a public health crisis. Its time to drop it from the discourse. This is not a new insight. As far back as 1739, philosopher David Hume articulated what is called the isought problem: Its conceptually flawed to arrive at prescriptive statements solely from factual statements. Over the past two years, several commentators have pointed out the fallacy of following the science. And yet, the phrase is still deployed, particularly by liberals, as if its the ultimate argument ender. The arguments have, of course, kept going, as polarized as ever (here is another problem with pleading that people follow the science: We dont typically become convinced of things by having more facts piled up on us). That follow the science is reductive at best and harmful at worsta kind of insult, meant to shame your opponentfeels worth repeating as we close in on two full years of this pandemic and a future in which we will have to grapple collectively with the virus in one way or another. And I hope it will bring some peace to any parent who is confused over, or swept up in, the masks-and-kids debate to know that the path forward isnt as clear-cut as simply adhering to evidence, or else peddling misinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not so to say were trapped in a postmodern dystopia where facts are meaningless. In some instances, science can help clarify our policy choices by suggesting an uncontroversial path forward. This might be called the weak version of the follow-the-science rhetoric. For example, at the beginning of the pandemic, New York City shut down the subways for four hours every night to a deep clean at a price tag of $500 million. Once science showed that coronavirus spreads through the air and not on surfaces, the city eventually abandoned the practiceit became clear that deep cleaning was not a good use of resources. Follow the science! Advertisement Advertisement And then, there are the harebrained policies that never made much scientific sense in the first place. New York closed bars at 10 p.m. as if the coronavirus were a vampire that only feeds at night. South Africa banned the sale of open-toed shoes. A Nevada school district required Valentines Day cards be quarantined for a week. In those cases, abandoning policies in the name of following the science doesnt cause a stir because adjusting the practices at stake doesnt conflict with anyones values. There are no complex trade-offs at play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What might be called the strong version of the follow-the-science rhetoric is something else entirely. The strong version clearly stretches science beyond its limits by implying that a policy option can be fully determined by the science itself. Take vaccine mandates. Theres an overwhelming amount of evidence that vaccines are safe and effective. From a strictly utilitarian perspective, the best thing the United States government could do is mandate that every American get a shot. This policy would lead to the least suffering, death, and societal disruption due to COVID. But a blanket federal government vaccine mandate would violate bodily sovereigntya dealbreaker for many people. Its the isought problem: Even if we all agreed on how indisputably good the vaccines are, its a values question as to whether we decide to maximize collective benefit by forcing vaccination, or whether we accept more deaths and loss because overriding bodily autonomy is a red line we shouldnt cross. Whether you agree with it or not, its a coherent position to be pro-vaccine but anti-mandate. Theres no amount of data that can close the gap because whether you should support vaccine mandates is not a scientific question. Thats why its nonsensicaland needlessly divisiveto argue that vaccine mandates follow the science. Yes, of course proposals for vaccine mandates should be based on data, including how well the vaccine works to prevent severe illness and spread. But whetherand howmandates are implemented is ultimately a clash of values, not facts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a rhetorical maneuver, the strong version of follow the science is effective because people piggyback on the uncontroversial-ness of the weak versionwhich is why youll see it everywhere from quotidian Twitter spats to statements from officials in the highest levels of government. Just this December, as omicron loomed, Anthony Fauci told the Atlantic that the Biden administration is fully committed to letting science be the sole guide of what we do. Thats a meaningless statementscience can inform, but policies are ultimately determined by values. Fauci could just own itif we value achieving X goal, then scientific evidence suggests doing Ybut its a bit more effective to muddle together science and policy. When Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky later deviated from this script and noted that the agency didnt take science in a vacuum when designing shortened isolation guidelines, the agency faced intense backlash because they valued having a functional society. Innocent-sounding turns of phrase like were just following the science give vexing moral judgments and political decisions an air of neutrality, co-opting the authority of science to make a particular policy decision seem not just well-reasoned and based on facts, but inevitable. Admitting the unavoidable truththat science has not been your sole guidemakes you rather vulnerable to attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The controversy du jour, masking schoolchildren, has elements of both the weak version (subway cleaning) and the strong version (vaccine mandate). Those in favor of ditching masks say that children are a relatively low-risk population and that masks may interfere with learning and social development. Those who want to keep children masked up argue that masks are harmless and masking children could have a meaningful impact on community spread, which would in turn save lives, reduce the racial and socioeconomic disparities of COVIDs impact, and just generally reduce societal disruptionincluding disruption of school itself. The question here is: Do the individual risks to children outweigh the collective benefit to society? Advertisement Advertisement The weak version of following the science is of limited help because the evidence is just mixed enough that both sides can plausibly marshal studies to support their argument (they do, after all, have more than 200,000 COVID studies to choose from). As for the collective benefit to society, the totality of the evidence leans in favor of masks on schoolchildren reducing transmission, but its difficult to say by exactly how much (real-world studies in schoolchildren are maddeningly hard to parse). Does masking a citys kids all day prevent tens, hundreds, or thousands of cases? How much suffering, death, and disruption would these cases have led to? No one can say. As for the individual benefit of unmasking children, theres very preliminary evidence that masking may impede word and emotion recognition, but its a leap to say masks affect learning and development. Some doctors attribute the ongoing mental health crisis in youth to the lack of normality brought on by the pandemic, but to say that masks themselves are major culprits is, at this point, a bit of an overreach. If masking schoolchildren obviously prevented millions of deaths, then it would be an easier call. If masking children obviously resulted in widespread severe mental illness, it would also be an easier call. The evidence may changescience is a process, not an answer keybut for now were left with ambiguities. And yet, a decision must be made. Advertisement Whats left then is whether to err on the side of decreasing an unknown individual risk to children due to masks versus erring on the side of decreasing an unknown collective risk to society (including the risk to kids who may get very ill from the virus, or the impact on kids who may lose caregivers to the virus). And where you stand on this spectrum depends far less on science than on deeply held values. Many who argue against school masks emphasize personal choice and individual risk. If children are relatively safe from serious COVID outcomes, theyd say, and their healthy vaccinated families are relatively safe, then people should be free to choose which precautions to take rather than focus myopically on COVID, one of the many small risks taken every day. After all, high-quality masks and vaccines are available for those who choose to take advantage of them. On the other hand, many who argue in favor of masks emphasize social equity and collective risk. Why should community risk levels be set by the most vocal and often most privileged among us? Why should we actively work to widen health disparities? Yes, millions are unvaccinated by choice, but millions are also unvaccinated because they still struggle with vaccine access, and many of the vaccinated remain vulnerable because of medical conditions or age, and many childrenparticularly from lower-income families, live in crowded multigenerational households where the virus spreads prolifically. From this perspective, theres a moral responsibility to reduce community risk as much as humanly possible when 2,500 people are still dying per day. Anything less, so the argument goes, is social Darwinism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heated debate over evidence obscures whats in large part a conflict about values. And because any particular study has its flaws, its easy to cherry-pick or overinterpret the data to support a value-based argument. In the process, science is cheapened because it is necessarily twisted to fit a political agenda. And politics is cheapened because it pretends difficult questions can be answered by science. How much collective responsibility do we owe to one another? How much power should government agencies or companies have over bodily autonomy and movement? How long can we go on like this? Tackling these questions head-on is uncomfortable. It not only means admitting that our knowledge is incomplete and our tools imperfect, but also that our values are unshared. And yet, its the only way forward. Welcome to State of Mind, a new section from Slate and Arizona State University dedicated to exploring mental health. Follow us on Twitter. I didnt have therapy as a kid, but sometimes I wonder if I should have. I had a happy childhood, but I was one of those anxious kidsI was terrified of flash photography, fireworks, and cats, among other things. (I stand by that last one as 100 percent rational.) As an adult, its easy to forget that childhood, though devoid of heavy responsibilities, often isnt easy, and many kids need extra help and support. Mental health disorders are the most common diseases of childhood, afflicting some 17 million youth. According to the National Survey of Childrens Health, nearly one in 10 kids received treatment or counseling from a mental health professional in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But just how helpful is childhood therapy, and what kinds of factors shape its usefulness? I talked with seven adults who underwent therapy as children and dug into the research literature to find out. As you might guess, child therapy is a bit of a mixed bag. Its effects depend on many things, including why children are there and what they are experiencing. Theres one major difference between child and adult therapy: Kids often arent there by choice. They may have no interest in changing their behavior or their beliefs, and they may also resent the therapy or the therapist. EricIll refer to most sources by their first names to protect their privacystarted therapy at the age of 12 for exhibiting problems with authority. (Among other things, he once told his science teacher to go fuck himself.) Now 47, he tells me he considered his psychiatrist weak and feckless. He recalls, It was just one more grown-up trying to say something to me. Research involving both kids and adults suggests that when a client and therapist do not have a strong therapeutic alliancewhen they dont have empathy, congruence and positive regard for each othertherapy just isnt going to succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When an adult is the impetus for a kid to go into therapyas is so often the casethat adults relationships with both the child and the therapist can also shape how things go. Adults are often the ones communicating with the therapist about the childs problems, and they may not be reliable narrators. Theyre often the ones setting treatment goals, too, since theyre footing the bill. Their relationship with the child may affect progress as well. Cheryl recalls that when she went to therapy as a child, she knew she couldnt talk to her therapist about the real cause of her depression: Her father was sexually abusing her. My family wanted me to go to therapy, but I also knew it wasnt OK to talk about what went on, she says. If a child doesnt feel she can open up to her therapist, she wont get very farand if a child is in a toxic environment she cant escape from, therapy isnt going to solve her problems, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If kids welcome therapy, trust their therapists, and are no longer experiencing trauma, however, the experience can be positive. Keri was sexually and physically abused by a babysitters son over the course of a year, and when her parents found out, they sent her to an immersive therapeutic preschool, where she had individual therapy sessions throughout the day. At the time, she didnt realize what the school was, but shes confident the experience helped her heal. What I remember is constantly being asked How does that make you feel? How did that make you feel? and being asked to understand what it was I was feeling in a given moment, and what other peoples interactions meant to me, she says. I think they wanted to re-train us into not being victims, to understand that what we feel matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, too, therapys benefits can be shaped more by external than internal factors. When Josh, who is now 38 but went into therapy as a child to treat his anxiety, told his therapist about the ways his brothers teased him, his therapist told his mother about the situation. His mom promptly told his brothers to ease up, lest they screw their little brother up for lifeand they did. Other adults who underwent therapy as kids dont have strong feelings about the experience either way. After Slate staffer Ruth Grahams parents separated when she was 8, she saw a therapist, with whom she did art projects and talked about her feelings. I found it uncomfortable, she says, but it was at least a space to think about that stuff every week, and so that was good. Matt was sent to a psychologist because of his sharp temper, and although he enjoyed talking with his therapist, he thinks the experience benefited his mother more than him. I think it helped my mom to know that my behavior wasnt unusual and that this was something to work on, rather than a symptom of a more serious problem or evidence that she had failed as a parent, he told me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clearly, then, child therapy can have varying outcomesbut if you average its effects, research suggests that overall, it does help. According to a 2017 meta-analysis of 447 studies, kids who undergo therapy fare better than 46 percent of similar kids who dont. Its most helpful for anxiety (particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, which involves teaching kids to recognize and change counterproductive thinking habits) and is much less useful for treating depression, conduct problems, and ADHD. Chris, an old friend of mine who saw a therapist because he was disruptive at school, felt annoyed by the fact that his therapists always tried to tie his behavior back to family issueswhen really, he says, he was just was bored at school and had ADHD, which wasnt diagnosed until he was much older. (Chris name has been changed.) As for how the effects of child therapy compare with those of adult therapy, its hard to say: No studies have directly compared the two. But research suggests that, as with child therapy, adult therapy can ease symptoms of anxiety, and that it can also help with depression. Advertisement Everyone I interviewed for this article underwent therapy decades ago, so I also couldnt help but wonder: Has it gotten more beneficial since? In a 2019 paper, researchers at Harvard University and other institutions analyzed results from 453 clinical trials conducted over the course of 53 years, controlling for improvements in study design that may have occurred over time. They found that child therapy is working about as well as it used to for treating anxiety, but that there has been a downward trend in how well it works for depression and conduct problems. Although no one knows why therapy for these conditions may have gotten less effective over time, one possibility is that kids are being bombarded with more stress than they used to: Increased school pressures and the advent of social media, among other things, could be making childhood more challenging, and therapy may not be able to keep up. As the authors of the 2019 paper wrote, social and technological change are continually altering and expanding the range of ways young people may experience anxiety, depression, ADHD, and conduct problems, generating a need for corresponding change in interventions, but at a pace treatment developers may find difficult to match. Still, as the mother of two somewhat anxious kids (because of course they are), my take is that if your child is struggling and youve got the means, therapy may be worth trying. Yes, that sounds a bit wishy-washybut as is so often the case with therapy, whether its necessary, and whether it works, varies wildly depending on your family and your child. The key? Find someone your child can trust. State of Mind is a partnership of Slate and Arizona State University that offers a practical look at our mental health systemand how to make it better. German settlers established the village in the Prievidza District in 1393. Tuzina, a village in the Trencin Region, was founded by German settlers in the late 14th century. (Source: Radovan Stoklasa for TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Newly discovered relics and archaeological finds from the Mala Magura hills have confirmed what experts only assumed to be true gold mining in the village of Tuzina in the Trencin Region. Unlike the neighbouring villages of Malinova, Chvojnica and Nitrianske Pravno, where gold was long known to have been mined, experts have recently learnt about terrain anomalies in Tuzina resulting from mining activity. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement There were at least two large mining complexes in the Tuzina area, Hornonitrianske Museum in Prievidza reported on its website. Their remnants are located on a slope above Tuzina Stream. A part of a metal lamp found in the village of Tuzina, Prievidza District, Trencin Region. (Source: Alexandra Mostkova for TASR) The gold rush peaked in this part of the Trencin Region, which is known as the Upper Nitra region, in the late 14th century, when German settlers also established Tuzina. Tuzina mining areas The larger mining area consists of two mining tunnels and a vast field of exploration pits, which have changed the landscape, experts from the museum said. A quiet coniferous forest covers dozens of these pits today. Miners used the surface mining technique to verify the presence of a gold vein and check the subsequent profitability of digging a tunnel. Mining irons, simple tools, also evidence the work of miners here, the museum said. Read also: Read also: Mammoths were the first to discover Piestany's thermal springs Read more However, the smaller mining area with a tunnel and a pit that provided archaeologists with more finds. Mining irons, a mining wedge, as well as a metal lamp have recently been discovered in the area. Someone dug out the finds using a metal detector, which is illegal in Slovakia, and they handed them over to the museum through an intermediary. Rare metal lamp A small house for miners, a kramik, used to stand on the slope, experts added. Miners stayed all spring and autumn and stored everything they needed in it, from food supplies to tools. The lamp is a rarity because it shows that miners entered the underground area in Tuzina, archaeologist Dominika Andreanska from the museum told the TASR newswire, It complements the overall picture of gold mining in Upper Nitra. Mining wedges found in Tuzina. (Source: Alexandra Mostkova for TASR) The mining of stream bed deposits has been confirmed in Malinova. The mining tunnels are typical for Chvojnica, and miners worked both on the surface and under the ground in Tuzina. But when exactly the Tuzina mining areas were created is hard to date as mining tools did not follow any trends. The metal lamp remains the most accurate means of setting the areas into a period, the museum said. Metal lamps were replaced with clay variants in the mid-16th century. German settlers wrong The gold rush occurred in the region because nobody knew how much gold there actually was, Hornonitrianske Museum expert Jan Vingarik told TASR. Read also: Read also: The River Vah reveals a rare Bronze Age weapon Read more There was enough of it, given the findings of golden grains in streams flowing from the hills, he argued. Germans settled in the area and expected a huge boom to continue for years to come but they were wrong, he added. It later turned out the available gold reserves were not as extensive as in volcanic areas. She did it on the same day as it was approved in parliament. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled President Zuzana Caputova ratified the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Slovakia and the US on February 9. Parliament greenlighted the agreement on the same day, 79 MPs out of 140 present MPs voted for it, 60 were against and one abstained. The President reminded the public that the text of the agreement had been negotiated by the current and also previous government. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Today, all the conditions for the entry into force of the agreement on defence cooperation on the part of the Slovak Republic were met, just as 23 other member states of the Alliance did so without losing sovereignty before us, Caputova said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Including all our neighbours on the Alliance's border, including Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and the Baltic States. Slovak parliament approves defence agreement with US Read more The approval of the agreement was accompanied by the spread of disinformation as well as natural fears that needed to be explained, she added. If someone compares the deal to the occupational contract after 1968, when the Soviet Union-led Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia, this is not an understanding of facts, according to the president. The treaty does not undermine Slovak sovereignty, does not establish the presence of foreign soldiers or even bases in our territory without a decision of the government or parliament, as is still the case, and does not change Slovakia's current international obligations regarding nuclear possession, Caputova said. Experts warn changes could create populism problems Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The Association of Towns and Villages in Slovakia (ZMOS) has launched a petition calling for a referendum. They would like to see more electoral wards in Slovakia at the next general election, due to be held in 2024. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The association says that they want citizens who vote in parliamentary elections to be able to elect MPs from regions, who they know and would be able to deal with the problems affecting that specific part of the country. ZMOS said Slovakia needs more significant interconnection between regions. The Interior Ministry responded by saying it is prepared for expert discussions on the matter but pointed out that attempts to change Slovakias electoral wards in the past were not successful. Experts have cited the example of Hungary as a warning that having several electoral wards could cause problems. More than one electoral ward A Detroit restaurant has posted a warning on social media urging potential customers not to ignore its "business casual" dress code, and for anyone who reeks of weed to steer clear of the venue, even though smoking cannabis is legal in Michigan. Strong odors are unacceptable, the Facebook post by the owner of Caucus Club Detroit reads. The message also reminds customers that wearing hoodies, jerseys, ball caps and sneakers will be frowned upon. https://sputniknews.com/20220209/doctors-ignored-a-24-year-old-womans-cries-for-help-for-years-misdiagnosed-her-cancer-as-stress-1092895144.html Doctors Ignored a 24 Year-Old Womans Cries for Help for Years, Misdiagnosed Her Cancer as Stress Doctors Ignored a 24 Year-Old Womans Cries for Help for Years, Misdiagnosed Her Cancer as Stress In the health world, female patients are often subject to gaslighting by medical professionals. Hannah Catton suffered when almost a dozen physicians excused... 09.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-09T23:41+0000 2022-02-09T23:41+0000 2022-02-09T23:39+0000 cancer ovarian cancer /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102405/07/1024050719_0:2418:7200:6468_1920x0_80_0_0_8fa5f06daceb1145a5133faf21fe6480.jpg Cattons symptoms began in late 2018 with frequent urinary tract infections, symptoms that were quickly dismissed by doctors. When she later returned to tell them about her irregular periods, and complaints about bloating, constipation, diarrhea and extreme pain, she was once more ignored.After being disregarded by almost a dozen doctors over the course of three years, Catton eventually succumbed to the extreme pain shed been experiencing and collapsed in October 2021, forcing her to go to the emergency room. She would later find out her symptoms were the result of ovarian cancer.At the hospital, surgeons pulled a large cancerous mass from one of her ovaries. The mass was almost the size of a volleyball, weighing 4.5 pounds.About three days after the tumor was removed and tested, doctors found that the cancer hadnt spread in Catton; however, because the tumor had gone unchecked for so long, it ruptured. She eventually underwent chemotherapy treatment in case residual cancer remained.Catton had moved to Australia from England, making the call back home to her parents difficult. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australias travel restrictions meant the 24 year-old had to undergo surgery and medical treatment alone, without her parents by her side.After researching ovarian cancer Catton discovered that it is difficult to detect because of its vague symptoms, and unlike other gynecologic cancers, there are no reliable screening tests.After finally getting a diagnosis, as well as some answers, she went back to the doctors who dismissed her to tell them they got it wrong - this time, they didnt ignore her. The physicians told her they would go through ovarian cancer awareness training to help them spot symptoms in the future. Now, Catton wants to use her experience to advocate for other women, so no one has to suffer the way she did.Serious health issues faced by women are usually reduced to insignificant diagnosis, such as stress, anxiety, or normal period pain, when what women are facing could be as serious as cancer, heart disease, or any other life-threatening illnesses.A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that women who went to the emergency room with severe stomach pain had to wait 33% longer than men with the same symptoms.When asked about this disparity in an article published by Katz Institute for Womens Health, Dr. Stephanie McNally said, Its no accident that the word hysteria originates from the Greek word for uterus. Theres still this pervasive belief in the medical community that anytime a woman complains about her health, its either related to her hormones or all in her head.Unfortunately, these sorts of beliefs still carry on today, she added. https://sputniknews.com/20220202/biden-administration-aims-to-reduce-cancer-death-rate-by-50-over-next-25-years-1092694899.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg cancer, ovarian cancer https://sputniknews.com/20220209/pentagon-holds-trilateral-meeting-with-south-korea-japan-defense-chiefs-over-dprk-missile-tests-1092895399.html Pentagon Holds Trilateral Meeting with South Korea, Japan Defense Chiefs Over DPRK Missile Tests Pentagon Holds Trilateral Meeting with South Korea, Japan Defense Chiefs Over DPRK Missile Tests On Tuesday, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Foreign Ministry published a statement declaring that North Korea was the only county that can "shake... 09.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-09T23:49+0000 2022-02-09T23:49+0000 2022-02-10T01:34+0000 dprk ballistic missile icbm intercontinental ballistic missiles north korea pyongyang us washington japan tokyo /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/1f/1092639969_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_5588ab2b9daf9c8726d3a3709f9c0638.jpg The US, South Korea, and Japan met on Wednesday to reaffirm their trilateral security cooperation against North Korea's "weapons of mass destruction and missile programs," according to a same-day release issued by Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby. Attendees included US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, South Korean Minister of National Defense Duh Wook and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. During the meeting, leaders discussed the DPRK's recent series of ballistic missile tests, including the record seven launches observed in January. The Pentagon memo detailed that the launches have not only destabilized regional security, but also come as "a clear violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions." The group plans to hold an in-person Trilateral Defense Ministerial to "close trilateral coordination in the face of the DPRK's missile launches." No date has been set for the meeting. The Pentagon's vague issuance comes hours after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian called on the US to cease imposing sanctions and pressure on the DPRK and its people. Washington and Seoul officials have expressed fears about Pyongyang's Hwasong-12 launch on January 30, arguing that it could serve as a precursor to the DPRK resuming tests of its intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons. https://sputniknews.com/20220209/china-calls-on-us-to-stop-sanctioning-north-korea-1092877090.html pyongyang us washington japan tokyo south korea seoul Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead dprk, ballistic missile, icbm, intercontinental ballistic missiles, north korea, pyongyang, us, washington, japan, tokyo, south korea, seoul, trilateral talks https://sputniknews.com/20220209/trump-lawyer-giuliani-allegedly-asked-michigan-prosecutor-for-voting-machines-after-2020-election-1092894457.html Trump Lawyer Giuliani Allegedly Asked Michigan Prosecutor for Voting Machines After 2020 Election Trump Lawyer Giuliani Allegedly Asked Michigan Prosecutor for Voting Machines After 2020 Election A December 2020 audit conducted by Michigan officials and Democratic and Republican representatives found that then-US President Donald Trump won Antrim... 09.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-09T22:36+0000 2022-02-09T22:36+0000 2022-02-09T22:34+0000 donald trump rudy giuliani 2020 united states presidential election /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/03/06/1082273384_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_754feb054dc17e2f5fc6d59680ad0925.jpg Rudy Giuliani, a former personal lawyer to Trump, and other legal advisers to the then-US president, attempted to obtain Antrim County's voting machines after Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential election, according to a Republican prosecutor in Michigan. James Rossiter, the prosecuting attorney for Antrim County in northern Michigan, told the Washington Post in a recent interview that Giuliani, along with several other collaborators, asked for the machines to be turned over after the county misreported that then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden appeared to have beaten Trump by 3,000 votes, despite the county being historically Republican. Rossiter reportedly declined their request, which was initially made during a November 20, 2020, phone call. Even if he did have grounds to secure the voting machines as evidence, the items could not be released to outsiders, or those lacking legal authority. Election officials claimed that the inaccurate resultwhich showed Biden ahead of Trump by 3,000 votes, with 98% of ballots countedwas due to a human error. Dominion Voting Systems, which has been cited in several election conspiracy theories, also said the "issue with election results reporting in Antrim County was due to user-error." Trump ultimately won the county, but lost the state.A day before Giuliani's reported phone call, Antrim County Clerk Sheryl Guy, a Republican working with the office for more than four decades, asserted to state legislators that "human error did not in any way, shape or form affect the official election results of Antrim County." She went on to claim that the error would have ultimately been caught by the tabulator machines, which provide receipts of the votes. Details about the unusual request come alongside the US House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol probe into the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol building. Giuliani, who has not represented Trump in legal matters for about a year, was one of several subpoenaed by the group last month over their respective roles in attempts to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. https://sputniknews.com/20220118/us-house-select-committee-subpoenas-former-trump-lawyers-giuliani-powell-1092353632.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead donald trump, rudy giuliani, 2020 united states presidential election https://sputniknews.com/20220210/1-million-painting-vandalized-by-bored-museum-security-guard-officials-reveal-1092898099.html $1 Million Painting Vandalized by Bored Museum Security Guard, Officials Reveal $1 Million Painting Vandalized by Bored Museum Security Guard, Officials Reveal After two months, it has come out that the vandalizing culprit of Anna Leporskaya's Three Figures painting was a bored security guard. The exact value of... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T03:56+0000 2022-02-10T03:56+0000 2022-02-10T03:55+0000 art vandalism russia yekaterinburg /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092898073_0:0:951:535_1920x0_80_0_0_b000a56049ae21cf7ac065c41e4f3a8e.jpg The Three Figures painting depicts three featureless figures. That was, until a bored security guard decided to add some realism to the painting. According to reports, the guard used a ballpoint pen to add a set of eyes to two of the figures.The artistic additions were spotted on December 7, 2021, by two visitors to the Yeltsin Center in Yekaterinburg, Russia, where the painting was part of their The World as Non-Objectivity. The Birth of a New Art exhibit. The painting was on loan from the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.The modification by the guard has been deemed an act of vandalism and has spurred an investigation. On Tuesday, the Yeltsin Center released a statement as a result of their investigation.The security guard was allegedly a 60-year-old man who has since been fired. Police in Yekaterinburg have opened a vandalism investigation. If found guilty, the perpetrator could face a 395 (40,058 RUB) fine and a one-year correctional labor sentence. The identity of the security guard has not been released.The damage was not deemed to have ruined the painting.The damage to the painting was reported to be 2,470 (RUB 250,000). The security firm has paid for the damages.Anna Leporskaya was born in 1900 during the Russian Empire, and studied under the famed avant-garde Russian artist Kazimir Malevich. She is most famous for her work with artistic porcelain. The Three Figures painting was produced over a three-year period between 1932-34. yekaterinburg Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Nevin Brown Nevin Brown News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Nevin Brown art, vandalism, russia, yekaterinburg https://sputniknews.com/20220210/2002-gujarat-riots-uk-mp-demands-bodies-of-three-victims-to-be-repatriated-from-india-1092903281.html 2002 Gujarat Riots: UK MP Demands Bodies of Three Victims to be Repatriated From India 2002 Gujarat Riots: UK MP Demands Bodies of Three Victims to be Repatriated From India The 2002 Gujarat state riots left more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, dead. The riots erupted after 58 Hindu pilgrims were charred to death when their... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T13:29+0000 2022-02-10T13:29+0000 2022-02-10T13:29+0000 india india united united kingdom united states gujarat gujarat massacre narendra modi narendra modi /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092913310_0:104:2000:1229_1920x0_80_0_0_218482f9587d9d877de7d679cc5d8c03.jpg British MP Kim Leadbeater has demanded that three dead bodies who were victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots be repatriated from India.The Labour MP was speaking in a Westminster committee room on Wednesday where a few Members of Parliament (MPs) were observing the 20th anniversary of the Gujarat riots. Foreign Office Minister Amanda Milling said the British government would support the demand for the bodies to be returned.Even now, as we approach the 20th anniversary of [the Gujarat Riots], there is no agreement on the facts of what happened ... All we can say with certainty is that, at the very least, 1,000 people lost their life and that the majority of them were Muslims," said Leadbeater. She also demanded that a coroner from the United Kingdom be allowed to carry out an inquest into their deaths.The family members of the three victims - Shakeel, Said Dawood, and Mohammed Assad - are British citizens and live in the MPs West Yorkshire constituency of Batley and Spen.So I ask the minister to investigate with the Indian authorities, whether the repatriation of the remains is possible, she added.India's High Commission in London told the India Today news outlet that it is apprised of the discussion which was held relating to the tragic sequence of events that took place in India 20 years ago. "However, the families of the victims have not yet approached the Indian mission," it added.As has been abundantly acknowledged by speakers in todays discussion, since 2002 due process of law has been followed, closely supervised by the Supreme Court of India, the High Commission added.Gujarat is mostly populated by Hindus, with Muslims constituting a minority. In 2002, more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed during religious riots. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the state chief of Gujarat at that time. india united kingdom gujarat Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 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 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg india, india, united, united kingdom, united states, gujarat, gujarat massacre, narendra modi, narendra modi https://sputniknews.com/20220210/bjp-politician-stokes-controversy-as-he-says-saffron-flag-may-one-day-replace-indias-tricolor-1092899217.html BJP Politician Stokes Controversy as He Says Saffron Flag May One Day Replace India's Tricolor BJP Politician Stokes Controversy as He Says Saffron Flag May One Day Replace India's Tricolor The remarks come amid reports that Indian students in a Karnataka government school hoisted a saffron flag, deemed to be a symbol of Hindus, instead of the... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T07:07+0000 2022-02-10T07:07+0000 2022-02-10T07:07+0000 india india karnataka state karnataka bharatiya janata party (bjp) muslims muslims muslim the hindu /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/106985/91/1069859116_0:616:6017:4000_1920x0_80_0_0_8f4a420638e7964277b57e679fc2e8ed.jpg A Bharatiaya Janata Party politician and minister in India's Karnataka state, Raj K.S. Eshwarappa, has stoked controversy by saying Bhagwa Dhwaj (Hindus' saffron flag) may become country's national flag in the future.Answering journalists' question on whether the saffron flag can be hoisted on Delhi's Red Fort, Eshwarappa said: "Not today, someday in the future"."People used to laugh at one point when we said Ram Mandir (Lord Ram's temple) will be constructed in Ayodhya (a city in Uttar Pradesh state). Aren't we constructing it now? In the same way, sometime in the future after 100 or 200 or 500 years, Bhagwa Dhwaj (the Hindus' saffron coloured flag) may become the national flag. I don't know," Karnataka's state minister explained.However, the State Minister also added that the Indian national flag is the tricolour at present, and everyone should respect it.Eshwarappa's remark came amid allegations that students in the Government-run First Grade College in Shivamogga District removed the tricolour and hoisted a saffron flag on the school premises during an anti-hijab protest on Tuesday. Some reports also claimed that a saffron flag was hoisted, replacing the national flag. However, police refuted those reports.The incident triggered violence in the area, and police were deployed amidst the chaos. In addition, stone-pelting and a baton charge incident also reportedly took place. Police detained 20 students as a precautionary measure and imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which restricts the assembly of four or more people in a public area, for 8 February and 9 February.Karnataka, a state in southern India, is witnessing protest after Muslim girls were barred from entering the classroom wearing Muslim headscarf or 'Hijab' in Karnataka's Udupi district. The protest has now spread in many cities across the country. india karnataka state karnataka Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 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 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg india, india, karnataka state, karnataka, bharatiya janata party (bjp), muslims, muslims, muslim, the hindu https://sputniknews.com/20220210/bojo-plans-to-lift-covid-rules-in-england-as-police-set-to-question-50-over-lockdown-parties-1092899097.html BoJo Plans to Lift Covid Rules in England as Police Set to Question 50 Over No 10 Lockdown Parties BoJo Plans to Lift Covid Rules in England as Police Set to Question 50 Over No 10 Lockdown Parties The coronavirus restrictions that are currently in place in England are due to expire in late March. Among these curbs are requirements that face masks be worn... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T05:55+0000 2022-02-10T05:55+0000 2022-02-10T08:42+0000 uk boris johnson covid-19 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092901567_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_dddd10f775e82dc2ac8d0bb07ecb50e1.jpg UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told Parliament that he expects the remaining coronavirus restrictions in the country to be lifted by the end of the month.The current self-isolation rules require people who tested positive to isolate for five days, with this and other remaining COVID restrictions to expire on 24 March. The move to possibly put an end to coronavirus rules a month earlier comes as Boris Johnson and Downing Street remain in hot water over allegedly breaching them while partying during the lockdown. Due to new photos emerging from the alleged parties, the police investigation into the so-called "partygate" row has received a new spin.'Operation Hillman'By the end of this week, detectives from Greater London's Metropolitan Police will begin contacting people who are believed to have taken part in Downing Street gatherings between 2020 and 2021 - Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie possibly among them.In what the police have dubbed "Operation Hillman", more than 50 people are set to receive "formal questionnaires" that ask for "account and explanation of the recipient's participation in the event". The responses must be submitted within seven days.It was a new photo of the prime minister holding an open Prosecco bottle at a quiz held in No 10 in December 2020 that prompted the Met Police to reassess its views on this gathering. Johnson is also alleged to have attended several other gatherings, for which he now faces massive criticism and even calls to resign. Previously, Johnson said he would "comply with the law" in the event of being handed a fixed penalty notice by the police. The embattled prime minister, however, denies breaching the law, saying that the Met adding the No 10 quiz into the slew of events they are investigating was completely in error.Police are already probing 12 Downing Street events, at least three of which the prime minister is said to have attended. Met's Special Enquiry Team continues to examine more than 500 documents and 300 images that have been provided as evidence. Under "Operation Hillman", contacts are being made with regards to eight events: six from 2020, and two from 2021.UK COVID Rules NowJohnson's government dropped most of the coronavirus restrictions last month: the requirement to wear face masks has been scrapped from the majority of public places in England except London's transport, as was the demand for NHS COVID passports for entering nightclubs and large-scale events. The official advice to work from home has also been rescinded. Those who test positive for COVID in England must self-isolate for 10 days (or five full days following two negative lateral flow test results).In Scotland, face masks are still compulsory on public transport and in most indoor spaces, including shops and secondary schools, and venues such as nightclubs still require Covid passports. Social distancing requirements are still in place for healthcare facilities.In Northern Ireland, no more than 30 people can meet in a home, while masks are mandatory in shops, indoor-seated venues, public transport and some other places. To attend nightclubs, indoor unseated and partially-seated events with 500 or more people, one must show proof of their COVID status.Wales requires COVID passports for entry to cinemas, theatres and concert halls, and the majority of events. Face masks are required on public transport and in schools, hospitals and shops.According to Boris Johnson, the government will outline its new strategy and make a decision regarding the possible end of all domestic COVID restrictions after the Parliament returns from recess on 21 February. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Daria Bedenko Daria Bedenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Daria Bedenko uk, boris johnson, covid-19 https://sputniknews.com/20220210/canadas-freedom-convoy-threatens-to-spread-to-us-dhs-warns-1092920624.html Canadas Freedom Convoy Threatens to Spread to US, DHS Warns Canadas Freedom Convoy Threatens to Spread to US, DHS Warns Thousands of truckers and tens of thousands of their supporters descended on Ottawa starting late last month to protest Covid vaccination mandates. Police have... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T19:15+0000 2022-02-10T19:15+0000 2022-02-10T19:23+0000 truckers canada /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/07/1092831334_0:0:3089:1739_1920x0_80_0_0_dcc03a5f0728c666ff6f2a65f9dd680c.jpg The Department of Homeland Security has issued a memo warning law enforcement agencies across the United States that Canada-style trucker protests may be coming south as soon as Super Bowl Weekend starting February 12-13, and that truckers may seek to disrupt President Bidens State of the Union address on 1 March.At this time, we have no indication that individuals discussing participating in these activities in the United States are engaged in anything other than First Amendment-protected activity, the memo noted, referring to US Constitutional protections on the freedom of speech and assembly. Nonetheless, DHS remains concerned that these events could have significant public safety implications or potentially be exploited by ideologically motivated actors to potentially act or encourage others to act violently, the agency added.Citing social media chatter, the memo suggested that Canadian truckers could join the US convoy on its journey from California eastward to Washington.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family were whisked away to an undisclosed location late last month as thousands of truckers and their supporters descended on Ottawa to demand an end to Covid vacation mandates, including a requirement that drivers get jabbed or face a two-week quarantine period after cross-border travel to the US.Trudeau went into self-imposed isolation after contacting someone with Covid in late January, later prolonging the isolation period after announcing that he himself had contracted Covid. The prime minister returned to parliament on Monday night, repeating his hardline stance about the protesting truckers status as a small, marginal minority whose concerns would not be accommodated in Canadas anti-Covid policy.Candice Bergen, newly-appointed interim leader of the opposition Conservative Party, blasted Trudeau and expressed support for the truckers who are protesting peacefully. Does he regret calling people names who didnt take the vaccine? Does he regret calling people misogynist and racist and just escalating and poking sticks at them and being so divisive to individual Canadians? she asked.The Canadian truckers protest, dubbed the Freedom Convoy or the Convoi de la Liberte, began on 22 January, with up to 18,000 people descending on Ottawa for protests in front of Parliament Hill, and tens of thousands more carrying out smaller protests throughout the country, from Vancouver in the west to Halifax, Nova Scotia in the east.Last week, online fundraising platform GoFundMe froze millions of dollars in donations to the truckers, citing alleged evidence from law enforcement that the previously peaceful demonstration has become an occupation, with police reports of violence and other unlawful activity.Bouncy Castle-fueled ChaosLaw enforcement and anti-convoy politicians and media have been hard-pressed to find evidence of violence referred to in official statements, with Ottawa mayor Jim Watson declaring a state of emergency this week and saying that the situation has gone completely out of control, describing a scene outside parliament of unauthorized barbeques and fire pits, bouncy castles on the street for the kids, truck horns and diesel fumes.Four people out protesting were injured on Friday in a violent incident in Winnipeg, capital of Manitoba. However, they appear to have been hit by a hit-and-run driver opposed to the protesters.After spending a week merely observing protesters and maintaining order, Ottawa police began making pinpoint arrests late last week on charges of mischief, seizing individual trucks, and seizing fuel supplies crucial to keep protesters trucks warm in frigid northern temperatures. Police issued over 1,300 tickets as of Wednesday night for things ranging from excessive noise to the illegal use of fireworks.On Thursday, Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra warned that truckers blocking the Ambassador Bridge connecting the US and Canadian cities of Detroit and Windsor by parking trucks at the border area constituted an illegal economic blockade against the people of Ontario and against all Canadians. Local authorities have asked for additional police assistance from other cities. https://sputniknews.com/20220208/canadas-trudeau-in-speech-to-parliament-says-trucker-protest-has-to-stop-1092837093.html https://sputniknews.com/20220208/ottawa-police-arrest-23-issue-1300-tickets-during-freedom-convoy-stay---statement-1092863286.html canada Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov truckers, canada https://sputniknews.com/20220210/cops-bust-florida-man-who-picked-fights-while-drunk--claimed-to-be-mick-jagger-1092910364.html Cops Bust Florida Man Who Picked Fights While Drunk & Claimed to Be Mick Jagger Cops Bust Florida Man Who Picked Fights While Drunk & Claimed to Be Mick Jagger The suspect attempted to charge into one of the cops while the officers were trying to stop him, and later threw up in the back of a patrol car while en route... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T11:59+0000 2022-02-10T11:59+0000 2022-02-10T11:59+0000 us florida drunk man arrest /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107386/62/1073866232_0:91:2136:1293_1920x0_80_0_0_93fea52c1dd6df6585b2dc28e0d0e47b.jpg A 59-year old resident of Floridas Collier County named Eugene Bingham ended up in lockup this week after drunkenly picking fights at Ocean Prime restaurant in Naples while claiming to be none other than rock legend Mick Jagger, NBC2 reports. According to the media outlet, police became aware of Binghams drunken antics on Monday night when a woman in Naples flagged an officer and told him that a drunk male in a red shirt is yelling at people claiming he is Mick Jagger.While Bingham told the officer Dont f*ck with me, leave me the f*ck alone, the cops did not heed his request and arrested him for disorderly intoxication and battery on a member of law enforcement; while en route to the jail, the arrested man also threw up in the back of the patrol car.The media outlet also notes that a manager of another restaurant, Yabba, contacted local police after Binghams arrest and told them that the man had to be kicked out three times, also on Monday night, for being drunk and disruptive. https://sputniknews.com/20211124/not-by-florida-man-alone-couple-busted-in-sunshine-state-after-oral-sex-in-cop-car-1090987632.html florida Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Andrei Dergalin Andrei Dergalin News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Andrei Dergalin us, florida, drunk, man, arrest https://sputniknews.com/20220210/denmark-confirms-new-defence-deal-talks-with-us-that-could-see-american-troops-on-danish-soil-1092915125.html New Denmark-US Defence Deal Could See American Troops on Danish Soil New Denmark-US Defence Deal Could See American Troops on Danish Soil According to Danish Prime Minister Mettle Frederiksen, the talks were requested by Washington and come on the heels of the US strengthening its military... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T14:03+0000 2022-02-10T14:03+0000 2022-02-10T15:17+0000 denmark us defence russia-nato row on european security /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092916176_0:142:3315:2007_1920x0_80_0_0_4100a466d2d3dd92ae3d50aa5afbbd0e.jpg Denmark and the US have started negotiating a new defence deal that could see American troops and military equipment on Danish soil, the country's Prime Minister Mettle Frederiksen said.According to Reuters, Frederiksen said that the new agreement is not linked to the situation in Ukraine. Danish Defence Minister Morten Bodskov said Denmark will contribute to strengthening the US engagement in Europe."Denmark and the US open negotiations on a defence cooperation agreement. A new chapter in our strong transatlantic relations. Denmark will contribute to a strengthening of US engagement in Europe. This is about defending our shared values," Boskov said, as quoted by the ministrys Twitter.The United States has welcomed the Danish prime ministers offer to negotiate a new defenve cooperation agreement with a view to boosting transatlantic security and interaction in NATO operations, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Thursday.These statements come amid continuing tensions over Ukraine, with the US, UK and NATO pledging financial and technical support to Kiev so that it is prepared to repel "Russian aggression." Moscow has repeatedly rejected allegations that it is plotting to "invade" Ukraine as groundless, stressing that NATO's increased military activity close to Russia's borders presents a threat to the country's national security. denmark Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sofia Chegodaeva Sofia Chegodaeva News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sofia Chegodaeva denmark, us, defence https://sputniknews.com/20220210/diaspora-group-warns-sanctions-bill-advanced-to-house-floor-will-destroy-ethiopian-us-relations--1092922689.html Diaspora Group Warns Sanctions Bill Advanced to House Floor Will Destroy Ethiopian-US Relations Diaspora Group Warns Sanctions Bill Advanced to House Floor Will Destroy Ethiopian-US Relations When the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) announced a complete withdrawal to Tigray in mid-December, the Ethiopian government began a national dialogue... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T21:53+0000 2022-02-10T21:53+0000 2022-02-10T21:51+0000 ethiopia eritrea us sanctions tplf (tigray people's liberation front) africa /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0b/08/1090576130_0:0:2047:1151_1920x0_80_0_0_0eb45318351907b225fa959af26788a5.jpg On Tuesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted to advance to the House floor a bill that lawmakers say is aimed at ending the 15-month-long war in Ethiopia, where the TPLF has launched an uprising against the government after having its longtime-leading role in Ethiopian politics diminished.The war in Ethiopia has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, and all the combatants, along with their foreign backers, are responsible for horrific abuses of basic human rights, Malinowski said in the release. Today, Congress is coming together to say that the conflict must end, and to hold accountable all those responsible for perpetuating it.Separately on Tuesday, the US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published new regulations outlining how sanctions against Ethiopia issued by US President Joe Biden in September 2021 operate on a practical level.US Agenda Is Alien to PeaceHowever, according to many Ethiopians, Washington is targeting the wrong people.Put quite simply, this will bring about the end of the Ethiopia-US relationship as we know it, Mesfin Tegenu, chairman of the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee, a diaspora group, said in a statement following the bills advancement.The AEPAC said it has advanced an alternative proposal to US lawmakers, which would demand the TPLF end its latest offensive into neighboring Afar state and disarm; recognize that the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia includes Amhara and Afar, where the TPLF invaded and occupied last year; and support the Abiy governments efforts for an inclusive national dialogue.Above all else, peace is the most important outcome. An end to the conflict brings safety, recovery, and growth for the people of Ethiopia, the group tweeted.According to the UN World Food Program, 9.4 million Ethiopians need food aid in Tigray, Amhara and Afar. Unrelatedly, another roughly 7 million Ethiopians in the Afar lowlands and Somali State require food aid due to persistent drought that has plagued the entire Horn of Africa.The AEPAC also called on the US to readmit Ethiopia into the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US law that gives certain African countries preferential trade rights with the US. Ethiopia was punished at the start of the year by being removed from it, which as BreakThrough News documented, endangers critical parts of Ethiopias industrial sector and the workers employed there.Yemane called the bill an affront to a recent resolution adopted by the African Union that condemned the continued unilateral application and enforcement by certain countries of such measures as tools of pressure, including political and economic pressure, against any country, particularly against African Union Member States, with a view to preventing these countries from exercising their right to self-determination.The US hit Eritrea with sanctions in November 2021, claiming its involvement in the anti-TPLF struggle was exacerbating the conflict and undermining the integrity of the Ethiopian state. When Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Asmara in early January, he issued a joint statement saying Beijing firmly supports Eritrea in opposing external interference.Despite Washingtons posturing as a neutral actor interested only in peace, in reality it has supported the TPLFs efforts from the beginning, including advising them on forming a post-Abiy provisional government after his anticipated overthrow, as Sputnik reported at the time.15 Months of WarThe TPLF ruled Ethiopia for 27 years, but amid mass protests against its rule, the groups coalition of ethnic groups fell apart in 2018 and for the first time selected Abiy, an Oromo, to lead the coalition instead of a Tigrayan. After becoming prime minister, Abiy quickly ended a 20-year war with Eritrea and set about reducing the domineering power of the TPLF over Ethiopian politics, including by combining the political coalition into a single centralized party and attempting to move central military assets out of Tigray.A quick counteroffensive in November and December 2021 repulsed the TPLF, forcing them back into the Tigrayan borders, but they left behind looted cities and towns, including emptied food warehouses used by United Nations aid groups. The group has continued to refuse the peace terms offered by Abiy, which include disarming and acknowledging his governments sovereignty over Tigray state. In January, they launched a new attack into Afar that interrupted a large UN World Food Program convoy, which was forced to return to Djibouti.According to UN data, more than 70,000 people have fled the violence, heading across the border into neighboring Sudan, and an estimated 4 million more have been internally displaced. There is no reliable death toll for the conflict. ethiopia eritrea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg ethiopia, eritrea, us sanctions, tplf (tigray people's liberation front), africa https://sputniknews.com/20220210/europe-might-pay-price-for-encouraging-kiev-against-implementing-minsk-accords-observers-say-1092919306.html Europe Might Pay Price for Encouraging Kiev Against Implementing Minsk Accords, Observers Say Europe Might Pay Price for Encouraging Kiev Against Implementing Minsk Accords, Observers Say A day after French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine is willing to implement the Minsk Agreements, Kiev went back to square one by refusing to hold... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T18:51+0000 2022-02-10T18:51+0000 2022-02-10T18:51+0000 us uk europe russia ukraine minsk agreements donbass france germany nato /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107824/95/1078249512_0:115:2808:1695_1920x0_80_0_0_e2c7b03617074a34c702024c6d24e313.jpg "Providing military supplies, military trainers, 'moral' and political support, and generally sabre-rattling all such Western actions are encouraging the Kiev regime to think that it can continue to threaten and confront the eastern republics and Russia," says Nick Griffin, a British politician a member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2014. "The Western powers don't want to see Kiev implement Minsk they want to see Ukrainians and Russians killing each other."On 9 February, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that Kiev would not adhere to the Minsk agreements on "Moscow's conditions," and would not engage in direct talks with the breakaway Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, which constitutes one of the core provisions of the Minsk deal.There's no doubt that the countries of Western Europe and the US could have forced the Ukrainian leadership to implement the Minsk Agreements signed in 2014 and 2015 long ago, according to the former MEP. The hypocrisy of the Western states is amplified by the fact that they either signed or formally endorsed the Minsk accords, according to Dan Kovalik, adjunct professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh. The professor explains that since the agreements have been approved by the UN Security Council, they are international law. While Germany and France endorsed the accords as Normandy Four guarantors of the Minsk deal along with Russia, the US and the UK approved the agreement as permanent members of the UNSC, according to the academic.Meanwhile, both Kiev and Western European countries have shot themselves in the foot by snubbing the Minsk deal for so long, according to Alexander lackson, the founder of Global Political Insight, a UK-based think tank. Firstly, the ongoing Ukrainian crisis which stems from Kiev's long-standing sabotage of the Minsk accords has already had a very negative effect on the nation's economy. Secondly, Europe faces a risk of a prolonged military escalation in Ukraine that could spill out into the EU, warns lackson.One of the Minsk Agreement's provisions stipulates the withdrawal of foreign armed formations, military equipment, and mercenaries from the territory of eastern Ukraine. Still, there are about 10,000 foreign military specialists permanently situated in Ukraine, and 4,000 of them are from the US, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.Under the Biden administration, the US and its European allies have stepped up arms deliveries to Ukraine with Washington and NATO vowing to admit Ukraine to the military bloc. Over the last few months, the Ukrainian leadership has been amassing troops and military equipment on the line of contact with Donbass in a clear act of defiance against the Minsk accords. In mid-December 2021, Moscow submitted draft security agreements to the US and NATO referring to Ukraine's NATO membership and continuous military build-up on Russia's doorstep as its "red lines" and reserving the right to resort to a military-technical response.Why is the UK Pouring Gasoline on Fire?While French President Macron and Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz have signalled willingness to address Russia's security concerns, the UK is continuing to ramp up tensions with Moscow. During her Thursday visit to Moscow, UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss yet again made warmongering statements with no attempt to reach a consensus.The Johnson government has at least two reasons for peddling the Russian scare, according to Alexander lackson. On the one hand, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is using the Ukrainian crisis to raise his political profile at home amid a series of scandals tarnishing his cabinet. On the other hand, the UK has been one of the biggest suppliers of weapons to Ukraine, and in this regard, it should be noted that there may be a commercial element as well.However, No 10's efforts also have a geopolitical dimension, according to Nick Griffin. The UK is probably acting on behalf of the US, whose core aims appear to be threefold, he explains:Firstly, the US and the UK are trying to drag Russia into a messy and eventually unpopular flat and chilly "new Afghanistan" scenario.Secondly, Washington and London are seeking to force Germany to reject the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, providing a lucrative market for US liquified natural gas, and so helping the US to put off the looming new subprime financial disaster threatened by the debt-burdened and unprofitable shale gas industry.Thirdly, in the long term, Washington is clearly desperate to prevent a rapprochement and Eurasian partnership between Germany, Russia and China. russia ukraine donbass france germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova us, uk, europe, russia, ukraine, minsk agreements, donbass, france, germany, nato, nato expansion https://sputniknews.com/20220210/ex-aide-to-kohl-reveals-what-he-said-when-gorbachev-questioned-germanys-need-for-nato-membership-1092917193.html Ex-Aide to Kohl Reveals What He Said When Gorbachev Questioned Germanys Need for NATO Membership Ex-Aide to Kohl Reveals What He Said When Gorbachev Questioned Germanys Need for NATO Membership In February 1990, US Secretary of State James Baker famously promised the Soviet Union that NATO would not move one inch eastward of a reunified Germany... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T16:15+0000 2022-02-10T16:15+0000 2022-02-11T11:57+0000 mikhail gorbachev helmut kohl /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/03/1080653539_0:156:3087:1892_1920x0_80_0_0_96bdd3d139ac29114b3c6e43cf52ad92.jpg In 1990, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev queried the West German leadership about a future reunified Germanys status in NATO, with Bonn offering an clever response, Horst Teltschik, a former advisor to West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl has revealed.It seems to me that the Russian leadership fears that NATOs eastward expansion will be directed against the Russian Federation. In this context, I am reminded of a confidential conversation I had with President Mikhail Gorbachev in early May 1990 on behalf of Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Teltschik told Sputnik in an interview.Judging by the events which followed, Gorbachev did not question Bonns logic, and acceded to West Germanys annexation of Soviet-allied East Germany in October 1990 with the Federal Republics NATO status intact.During talks on German reunification, James Baker, George H.W. Bushs secretary of state, famously talked Moscow out of the need for a neutral Germany. If Germany is neutral it does not mean it will not be militaristic. Quite the opposite, it could very well decide to create its own nuclear potential instead of relying on American nuclear deterrent forces. All our Western European allies and a number of East European countries have made it known to us that they would like the United States to keep its military presence in Europe, Baker told his Soviet counterpart Eduard Shevardnadze in February 1990.Characterizing NATO as a mechanism for securing the US presence in Europe, Baker promised that if the United States keeps its presence in Germany within the framework of NATO, not an inch of NATOs present military will spread in an eastern direction after the countrys reunification.In the three-plus decades since those discussions, NATO has incorporated all six countries of the former Soviet-led Warsaw Pact alliance, plus three former Soviet republics, Albania and four republics of the former Yugoslavia.In his home country, Gorbachev has received immense criticism for his laissez-faire approach to German reunification, particularly over the lack of written guarantees from the West not to continue NATO expansion. Former Soviet ambassador to Germany Valentin Falin would later recall that Gorbachev requested only 4.5 billion deutschmarks from Bonne for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from eastern Germany, despite upwards of one trillion deutschmarks worth of Soviet infrastructure built in the country. US troops never left the country after the Soviet withdrawal and disintegration, and remain stationed in Germany to this day.Last year, Gorbachev told Sputnik in an interview that he believed the United States had been struck by a sense of arrogance after the Soviet collapse. They were struck by arrogance and self-confidence. They declared victory in the Cold War, even though we pulled the world out of confrontation out of a nuclear race, together. But no, the winners decided to build a new empire. It was from this that the idea of expanding NATO came, Gorbachev said. https://sputniknews.com/20210530/how-story-of-broken-nato-non-enlargement-pledge-upends-wests-effort-to-depict-russia-as-aggressor-1083035472.html https://sputniknews.com/20211226/putin-on-red-lines-west-has-pinned-russia-into-a-position-where-it-has-nowhere-to-fall-back-to-1091813306.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov mikhail gorbachev, helmut kohl https://sputniknews.com/20220210/how-sarah-palin-may-save-defamation-law-1092918248.html How Sarah Palin May Save Defamation Law How Sarah Palin May Save Defamation Law How easy should it be to sue a newspaper or any news outlet for defamation? Thanks to a 1964 Supreme Court decision and the proliferation of... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T20:01+0000 2022-02-10T20:01+0000 2022-02-10T19:59+0000 sarah palin first amendment us news /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/1b/1092554715_0:0:3011:1694_1920x0_80_0_0_da1014e86d1efd7fb69df8d18f22e169.jpg Even if you can prove that your local paper smeared you, the truth is, theres not much you can do about it.Sarah Palins lawsuit against the New York Times poses the first threat in years to the ability of the American press to print whatever it sees fit to print. Opening statements in her trial began last week, and the fact that a public figure is getting a day in court against a major newspaper is a news story in and of itself.The 1964 case New York Times v. Sullivan set a high standard for a public figure like the former Alaska governor, or even a limited public figure like an editorial cartoonist, to prevail in a libel or defamation claim. Being convicted of publishing an untruth isnt enough. Under Sullivan, the false statement must be demonstrably damaging to a victims reputation and must result from provable actual malice. Actual malice, the court ruled, means that the publisher either knew that a smear was false before it was published, or that a publisher demonstrated a reckless disregard for the truth.It is unusual for a publication to knowingly print a falsehood with a view toward damaging someones reputation, as The Los Angeles Times did to me as a favor to the LAPD in 2015, which owned the newspaper at the time, and was a political ally of the then-publisher, and allegedly wanted me destroyed in retaliation for criticizing police misconduct. As with most libel cases, Palin v. New York Times comes down to the second half of the definition of actual malice.On its face, the Times actions with regard to Palin could embody reckless disregard for the truth. In 2017, the paper published an editorial, Americas Lethal Politics, that pinned the blame for the shooting of a congressman on a Palin political TV ad. The link to political incitement was clear, the paper claimed.It was anything but.As the Times put it, in a correction posted several hours later, the Times editorial incorrectly stated that a link existed between [Palinsthough the paper didnt mention her by name] political rhetoric and the 2011 shooting of Representative Gabby Giffords. In fact, no such link was established. The editorial also incorrectly described a map distributed by a political action committee before that shooting. It depicted electoral districts, not individual Democratic lawmakers, beneath stylized cross hairs.In recent years, however, most judges have been strongly biased against plaintiffs in defamation and libel cases, and have turned a blind eye to the reckless-disregard portion of the actual malice definition under Sullivan. Newspapers and other media defendants have largely been able to get away with what I might characterize as rhetorical murder using a my bad defense.Adding to the medias ability to wield the First Amendment as a cudgel to destroy reputations are anti-SLAPP statutes. Thirty-one states, including many of the most populous, have anti-SLAPP laws whose main effect is to make it next to impossible to sue for defamation or libel. In order to get to trial, defamation plaintiffs must convince a judge that they would be likely to convince a jury at trialbut they arent allowed to subpoena evidence or depose witnesses to build their case. Many lawsuits end there.If a plaintiff fails, which they usually do because judges routinely ignore or dont understand the convoluted language of anti-SLAPP statutes, not only do they not get their day in court, they have to pay bloated legal expenses to the deep-pocketed corporate media defendant who allegedly libeled them. Thats what happened to me in my five-year fight against the LA Times. Anti-SLAPP laws are a nightmare but they arent going anywhere because they are supported by both pro-corporate conservatives and what I have come to regard as misguided liberals.Among some recent victims of anti-SLAPP are fitness icon Richard Simmons, who was ordered to pay $130,000 to the National Enquirer after he sued the tabloid for brazenly lying that he was transitioning to become a woman, and Stormy Daniels, who was ordered to pay Donald Trump $293,000 after she sued him for calling her a liar. In these and many similar cases, the law turned reality on its head and re-victimized the aggrieved party. But even the ACLU wont stand up for them because the group supports anti-SLAPP, and the Constitution be damned.If a New York jury, which is likely to be made up primarily of Democrats, overlooks its political distaste for Palin and rules against the Times, the case may head to a US Supreme Court that, according to some observers, seems more open to the possibility of scaling back Sullivan.How do you balance free speech rights with the right to your individual reputation, and in the context of public officials who have volunteered for public service and do need to be held to account? asks former Palin attorney Elizabeth Locke. Redrawing that balance does not mean that we lock up journalists or that any falsehood should result in a huge jury verdict. But imposing the potential for legal liability, which is virtually nonexistent with the Sullivan standard in place, would create self-restraint.No one wants to strip media companies of the First Amendment protections they need in order to do their work on a day-to-day basis. But its also time to stop screwing defamation plaintiffs with meritorious cases, not to mention protecting lazy journalists. An artful and legally correct remedy would be for a high court to declare Sullivan (and the anti-SLAPP laws that rely upon it) unconstitutional as applied rather than throw it out entirely. To restore sanity to defamation law and start to hold media companies accountable, lower courts should be directed to establish two common-sense propositions.First, defamation claims should be allowed to proceed unless there isnt the barest possibility of prevailing at trial, in which case they should be tossed during an early-stage motion for summary judgment to dismiss. Thats what anti-SLAPP case law says in states like California, where my case was litigated, but judges routinely hold defamation claims to a much higher standard.Second, the Supreme Court should clarify that, while Sullivan indemnifies a defendant from being sued over an honest mistake that is quickly corrected, ignoring basic journalistic due diligence clearly constitutes reckless disregard for the truth.I never expected to write the following words but here goes: Good luck, Sarah Palin.(Ted Rall (Twitter: @tedrall), the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, co-hosts the weekly DMZ America podcast with conservative fellow cartoonist Scott Stantis. You can support Teds hard-hitting political cartoons and columns and see his work first by sponsoring his work on Patreon.) us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ted Rall https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg Ted Rall https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ted Rall https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg sarah palin, first amendment, us, news https://sputniknews.com/20220210/hungary-rules-out-hosting-additional-troops-amid-ukraine-crisis-top-diplomat-says-1092902889.html Hungary Rules Out Hosting Additional Troops Amid Ukraine Crisis, Top Diplomat Says Hungary Rules Out Hosting Additional Troops Amid Ukraine Crisis, Top Diplomat Says MOSCOW (Sputnik) Hungary will not allow the deployment of additional forces on its territory as the national army is capable of providing national security... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T07:23+0000 2022-02-10T07:23+0000 2022-02-10T07:23+0000 world hungary us troops /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107955/66/1079556647_0:0:2399:1350_1920x0_80_0_0_0197034e1534fb8cd00bf51ae55feb3b.jpg "No, we have not agreed to that and we will not agree because we have already NATO's troops on the territory of the country, which is the Hungarian army and the Hungarian armed forces, [they] are in the proper shape to guarantee the security of the country. So we don't need additional troops on the territory of Hungary," Szijjarto told the Euronews media outlet late on Wednesday.Earlier this month, US Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby said that Washington will temporarily deploy additional US troops in Eastern Europe due to the Ukrainian crisis.In particular, a 1,000-member squadron would be moved from Germany to Romania to join the 900 US soldiers already present in the country. The first 100 US soldiers have already arrived in Romania as part of the deployment on Tuesday. Another 1,700 troops are due to be stationed in Poland.Moscow has repeatedly dismissed Western allegations of its intention to invade Ukraine with troops it has allegedly been amassing near the common border, adding that Western information "hysteria" seems to be a cover for Kievs plans to sabotage the Minsk agreements on the conflict in the breakaway region of Donbas.In addition, Russia has expressed concern over NATOs activities near its borders, which it deems to be a threat to national security, as well as military assistance to Ukraine by Western nations. hungary us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 world, hungary, us, troops https://sputniknews.com/20220210/india-uae-trade-deal-will-help-solve-unemployment-problem-emirati-envoy-says-1092912630.html India-UAE Trade Deal Will Help Solve Unemployment Problem, Emirati Envoy Says India-UAE Trade Deal Will Help Solve Unemployment Problem, Emirati Envoy Says According to official data, the UAE is at present Indias third largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at nearly $60 billion in 2020-21. The UAE is... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T15:15+0000 2022-02-10T15:15+0000 2022-02-10T15:15+0000 uae india crude oil adnoc fta unemployment uk /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092915092_0:71:3072:1799_1920x0_80_0_0_7870929625344de4421e07e12de95a0c.jpg The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said that the recently concluded Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi will boost investment, trade, and create employment opportunities across different sectors.It will affect the flow of investments positively The effects will be immense, he added.A trade deal with the UAE is among three agreements that Prime Minister Narendra Modis governments wanted to unveil to the Indian public in 2022 to boost exports to a $500 billion-mark from around $300 billion at present, and create manufacturing jobs in the process for Indias bulging youth population.Indias unemployment rate rose to 6.1 per cent in 2017-18, the highest since 1972. The joblessness worsened during the COVID-pandemic lockdown in 2020, with nearly 100 million public sector jobs lost during the phase. India also entered its first technical recession during the same year. The economic situation only started to improve partially in January 2022.Besides the UAE, New Delhi is also negotiating interim Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with the United Kingdom and Australia.In the case of the UAE, the negotiations for a trade deal kicked off in September last year and the officials from both the countries chalked out the agreement by December.That shows the immense interest from both sides in reaching an agreement, which will benefit the economies of both India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in different sectors, including the manufacturing sector, said the Emirati ambassador.We are just waiting for signals from the leaders on both sides to approve and sign the agreement, he added.AlBanna said that both the countries hoped to increase the bilateral trade level to the $100 billion mark once the CEPA was ratified.The two-way trade is heavily reliant on energy, with the UAE exporting crude oil to India and New Delhi in turn exporting processed petroleum products.While acknowledging the reliance on energy in their economic partnership, the UAE ambassador expressed confidence that the countries would be able to diversify their cooperation to sectors as diverse as defence, cybersecurity, healthcare, and blockchain technology. https://sputniknews.com/20220206/unemployment-farmers-protest-becomes-a-major-headache-for-bjp-in-indias-uttar-pradesh-pundits-1092570557.html https://sputniknews.com/20220117/houthis-threaten-to-undermine-uaes-economy-following-abu-dhabi-oil-depot-drone-attack-1092325723.html uae india Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Dhairya Maheshwari Dhairya Maheshwari News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Dhairya Maheshwari uae, india, crude oil, adnoc, fta, unemployment, uk https://sputniknews.com/20220210/indias-top-diplomat-in-islamabad-slams-pakistani-officials-amid-karnataka-hijab-row-1092904286.html India's Top Diplomat in Islamabad Slams Pakistani Officials Amid Karnataka Hijab Row India's Top Diplomat in Islamabad Slams Pakistani Officials Amid Karnataka Hijab Row On 5 February, India's Karnataka state issued a law making uniforms mandatory at pre-university colleges. The authorities argue that banning hijabs in... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T10:06+0000 2022-02-10T10:06+0000 2022-02-10T10:06+0000 hijab india karnataka shah mahmood qureshi pakistan bharatiya janata party (bjp) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092905524_0:189:3173:1974_1920x0_80_0_0_d716bb823b1428ad4ef7f4ce79506396.jpg India's top diplomat at the High Commission in Islamabad has rejected allegations of religious intolerance levelled by the Pakistani government. He denied the accusations after being summoned to Pakistan's Foreign Office on Wednesday over the ongoing row over the banning of hijabs at pre-university educational institutions in Karnataka.India often blasts Pakistan for not giving adequate protection to its Hindus, Sikhs, and other minorities who are targeted by radical Islamists in the country.Kumar also conveyed to the Pakistani authorities that India is a secular country."A press release by Pakistans Foreign Ministry on Wednesday stated that the Indian CdA was told about Islamabads grave concern and condemnation on the deeply reprehensible act of banning Muslim girl students from wearing hijab (headscarf) in Karnataka.The release squarely blamed the majoritarian agenda of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent Rashtriya Swayawsevak Sangh (RSS) for the hijab row. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP is in power in the southern state of Karnataka as well.The controversy has also polarised Indian politics, with the federal opposition Congress Party coming out in support of Muslim girl students right to choose what they wear.The diplomatic spat between New Delhi and Islamabad broke out hours after Pakistans Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called the hijab controversy part of Indian state plan of ghettoisation of Muslims."On 8 February, Pakistani Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousufzai also expressed her solidarity with the Muslim girl students, terming the controversy as horrifying."Although Indian opposition politicians have expressed solidarity with the Muslim students, they have urged Yousufzai and the Pakistani leadership to mind their own business. https://sputniknews.com/20210727/you-have-spread-dirt-in-pakistan-hindu-boy-forced-to-abuse-own-religion-in-sindh-province-1083469437.html https://sputniknews.com/20220209/nobel-laureate-malala-faces-backlash-after-intervening-in-karnataka-hijab-row-1092868663.html india karnataka Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Dhairya Maheshwari Dhairya Maheshwari News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Dhairya Maheshwari hijab, india, karnataka, shah mahmood qureshi, pakistan, bharatiya janata party (bjp) https://sputniknews.com/20220210/iran-just-weeks-from-having-enough-material-for-nuclear-breakout-us-senate-told-1092919081.html Iran Just Weeks From Having Enough Material for Nuclear Breakout, US Senate Told Iran Just Weeks From Having Enough Material for Nuclear Breakout, US Senate Told Iran, other signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, and the United States resumed talks in Vienna on Tuesday on... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T18:04+0000 2022-02-10T18:04+0000 2022-02-10T19:04+0000 iran united states nuclear talks nuclear bomb /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092908984_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_711644ba3a39052af2147771bc8fed07.jpg Iran could produce enough highly-enriched material to build a nuclear bomb within weeks, senior US officials have told senators in a closed-door briefing.Senators have expressed contradictory conclusions regarding the briefings implications, with some Democrats seeing it as a sign of the significance of the Vienna talks for restoring the JCPOA, while Republicans continue to maintain that the agreement with Iran is a "bad deal" that should not be returned to.The assessment of where the programme where Irans nuclear programme is right now is downright scary, Murphy said in a separate interview with Jewish Insider, adding that the US assessment of the Islamic Republics nuclear breakout time is about eight weeks.I think a deal is within site, but only if you really squint, the senator noted. There are significant gaps between the two sides. Its not [that] they cant be closed, but every day that goes by and theyre not is not great for the chances of success, he added.The presidents party appears to be increasingly divided on the matter, with New Jersey Democrat and Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez expressing uncertainty over the JCPOAs future.The Biden administration has also come up against pressure from Senate Republicans, who control half of the chambers 100 seats, to scrap negotiations.On Wednesday, a group of 33 Senate Republicans led by Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Texas Senator Ted Cruz wrote a letter to Biden, insisting that the president would be required to submit any Iran deal to Congress for approval.Speaking to JT, Rubio said he didnt believe that a good deal was in sight because the only deal with Iranappears to be one that would freeze in place the gains theyve already made, and that would be dangerous for the world.Negotiations on the USs possible return to the JCPOA began last year, three years after the Trump administration unilaterally pulled out of the landmark international agreement following intense Israeli lobbying. Iranian officials have demanded that the US scrap sanctions, and have brushed off efforts to include amendments to the original deal to include Irans missile programme or its regional security policy. Washington has insisted publicly that it will return to the deal only if Iran first reduces its uranium enrichment and stockpiling activities to those prescribed under the JCPOA.Israeli officials have warned that they will not be bound by any Iran nuclear agreement and threatened to carry out strikes, unilaterally if necessary, to stop the Islamic Republic from building a nuclear bomb. Late last year, former Israeli national security advisor Chuck Freilich called for cooler heads in Tel Aviv, saying that even if Israel could destroy Irans nuclear facilities, the Iranians would be able to quickly rebuild, and be certain to carry out devastating retaliatory attacks together with their regional allies.Freilich stressed that Iran has been observing the nuclear agreement, and emphasized that Iran has never actually demonstrated that it is pursuing nuclear weapons, despite being listed as being just months or weeks from nuclear weapons capability for at least the past 15 years. https://sputniknews.com/20220210/watch-iran-unveil-new-castle-buster-missile-capable-of-hitting-israel-us-bases-across-middle-east-1092911711.html https://sputniknews.com/20220208/irans-supreme-leader-names-two-main-problems-of-us-1092854132.html iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov iran, united states, nuclear talks, nuclear bomb https://sputniknews.com/20220210/is-germany-a-us-occupied-state-is-the-ned-price-effect-weakening-the-wall-of-western-propaganda-1092896239.html Is Germany a US Occupied State? Is the Ned Price Effect Weakening the Wall of Western Propaganda? Is Germany a US Occupied State? Is the Ned Price Effect Weakening the Wall of Western Propaganda? President Biden revealed that he is in full control of Germany's economic policy when he declared that he has the power to shut down the Nord Stream 2 pipeline... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T11:27+0000 2022-02-10T11:27+0000 2022-02-10T11:27+0000 radio sputnik the critical hour ned price jcpoa yemen nord stream 2 pakistan minsk agreement /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092896214_48:0:1292:700_1920x0_80_0_0_c0d8e8c172a9442a4dae46999bd939c4.png Is Germany a US Occupied State? Is the Ned Price Effect Weakening the Wall of Western Propaganda? President Biden revealed that he is in full control of Germany's economic policy when he declared that he has the power to shut down the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "The Velvet Coup: The Constitution, the Supreme Court and the Decline of American Democracy," joins us to discuss US-German relations. President Biden revealed that he is in full control of Germany's economic policy when he declared that he has the power to shut down the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.Dr. Ken Hammond, professor of East Asian and global history at New Mexico State University, joins us to discuss Asia. North Korea says they can shake the world with missiles that can strike the US. Also, China's Belt and Road Initiative will improve the Pakistan economy, according to some experts.Robert Fantina, journalist and Palestine activist, joins us to discuss Iran. Senate Republicans vow to block the Iran deal if President Biden skips Congressional review. Also, the US is again saying that they believe a deal with the Islamic republic is in sight.Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CodePink, joins us to discuss the Minsk agreement. Medea joins us to review her latest article in which she argues that the Minsk agreement is the key to resolving the Ukraine issue.Andrew Korybko, Moscow-based American journalist and analyst, joins us to discuss South Asia. Andrew argues that relations between Russia and India are countering the US empire's divide-and-rule ploy. Also, we discuss Russia's relations in South Asia, including Pakistan and India.National Director for Code Pink Ariel Gold joins us to discuss Israel. The Amnesty International report that named Israel as an apartheid state has sent shockwaves throughout the US empire and its Middle East protectorate states.Dr. Aisha Jumaan, founder and president of the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation, joins us to discuss Yemen. The US military is joining the Saudi military in attacking the Ansarullah fighters in Yemen.Dan Kovalik, writer, author, and lawyer, joins us to discuss propaganda. Patrick Lawrence's latest Consortium News article examines the infamous Ned Price press conference debacle and argues that it is a sign that the wall of propaganda in the US empire is weakening.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com yemen pakistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg radio sputnik, the critical hour, ned price, jcpoa, yemen, nord stream 2, pakistan, minsk agreement, https://sputniknews.com/20220210/london-met-police-commissioner-cressida-dick-resigns-amid-mounting-backlash-1092920519.html London Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick Resigns Amid Mounting Backlash London Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick Resigns Amid Mounting Backlash Earlier Thursday, Dame Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis, expressed that she had "absolutely no intention of going" and argued that... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T19:08+0000 2022-02-10T19:08+0000 2022-02-10T19:49+0000 cressida dick london metropolitan police resignation sadiq khan mayor of london /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092921094_0:0:3005:1691_1920x0_80_0_0_44828e443257f8a115fb1f64a385a4d6.jpg Commissioner Cressida Dick, 61, announced in late Thursday memo that she has decided to step down from her post after finding out that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, "no longer has sufficient confidence" in her leadership. The outgoing commissioner detailed that she will honor Khan's request to remain with the Met "for a short period to ensure the stability" of the force. Khan, in his own statement on the matter, asserted that the only way the Met can rebuild its trust with the immediate community is by replacing the force's leadership. "In particular, I commend her for the recent work in helping us to bring down violent crime in London although of course there is more to do." The Mayor of London also reiterated his calls for the Met to "root out the racism sexism homophobia, bullying discrimination and misogyny that still exists." Earlier in the day, Dick pushed back against assertions that she was "complacent" with the current state of the Met, which has faced backlash from Khan since it was revealed that officers at Charing Cross police station were issuing racist and Islamophobic messages, as well bragging about violent acts against women. "I have been leading the Met very well," Dick said earlier. The commissioner also expressed that there was "no place in the Met for racism and sexism and for bullying." Moving forward, an independent and far-reaching review of the Met's standards is set to be conducted by Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock. The review, which comes in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder, will examine the force's recruitment, vetting, and training procedures. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead cressida dick, london metropolitan police, resignation, sadiq khan, mayor of london https://sputniknews.com/20220210/moscow-has-no-plans-to-mediate-india-china-talks-on-ladakh-russian-ambassador-says-1092902460.html Moscow Has No Plans to Mediate India-China Talks on Ladakh, Russian Ambassador Says Moscow Has No Plans to Mediate India-China Talks on Ladakh, Russian Ambassador Says MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow has no plans to mediate between India and China over the longstanding border conflict in the Ladakh region, new Russian Ambassador to... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T07:08+0000 2022-02-10T07:08+0000 2022-02-10T07:08+0000 ladakh region india china asia & pacific /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/15/1082142834_0:90:960:630_1920x0_80_0_0_c17138a35c5fcb471e8dc71ac293b399.jpg "No. We have no such plans [to be an intermediary]. But if such a wish is expressed on both sides, then, of course, we will consider it most carefully. We have no mediation plans for a simple reason: both sides view the territorial dispute between them as a purely bilateral matter," Alipov said.Moscow respects this position and is not going to interfere, the diplomat said, expressing hope that the territorial problem will be resolved as soon as possible by purely diplomatic means.Earlier, China and India have started the 14th round of corps commander-level negotiations to resolve the 20-month border conflict in the Ladakh region.The previous round of talks took place in October 2021 and did not bring any results. The Indian defence ministry said Chinese negotiators rejected its call for restoring peace in the area of the de facto border, referred to as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).Shortly before the negotiation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that the situation on the border was generally stable and the parties were maintaining dialogue through diplomatic and military channels.The lack of a marked border between India and China has long been a source of tensions between the countries. Tensions escalated in May 2020 as a series of clashes between border forces led to multiple fatalities.In a bid to settle the conflict, the two nations launched disengagement consultations in early June 2020, with the first phase of disengagement on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Lake completed last February. The situation once again escalated in September 2021 prompting both countries to resume troop deployment near the LAC. Since then, China has repeatedly accused India of provocations, which it dismissed as groundless. ladakh region china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 ladakh region, india, china, asia & pacific https://sputniknews.com/20220210/national-archives-reportedly-asks-justice-dept-to-investigate-trump-over-white-house-records--1092897071.html National Archives Reportedly Asks Justice Dept. to Investigate Trump Over White House Records National Archives Reportedly Asks Justice Dept. to Investigate Trump Over White House Records The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has requested the Justice Department (DOJ) examine former US President Donald Trumps handling of White... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T02:07+0000 2022-02-10T02:07+0000 2022-02-10T02:05+0000 donald trump national archives and records administration (nara) department of justice /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/14/1092381513_0:15:2048:1167_1920x0_80_0_0_dc65b0aa9d67ddcb62d9e54b6c733df7.jpg The NARA referral to the DOJ is in response to the discovery of 15 boxes of documents retrieved from Trumps Mar-a-Lago, Florida, mansion, that were not returned to the government after the former Republican president left office. There are also concerns that many of the documents were torn up.According to sources, officials suspect Trump to have violated laws pertaining to the handling of government documents. It is possible some were classified documents.The discussions remain preliminary and it is uncertain whether the Justice Department will take up the matter.The Presidential Records Act (PRA), passed in 1978, mandates the preservation of all presidential records and makes their legal ownership public. The act also places the responsibility of adhering to the statutes on the incumbent president. The act was a direct response to the Watergate scandal and former US President Richard Nixons attempt to destroy Oval Office records.A report from 2018 claimed that Trump habitually ripped up documents, causing aides to tape them back together so as not to violate the PRA.Anne Weismann, chief counsel for Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility, believes the US Justice Department should investigate the matter.Trump, throughout his single term and during his post-presidency, claims that he is not in violation of any US laws.On Wednesday, Trump released a statement suggesting that his discussion with NARA was collaborative and respectful and that he had arranged for the transport of boxes that contained Presidential Records in compliance with the Presidential Records Act.NARA is without a real enforcement mechanism for violations of the PRA, according to legal experts. Federal law states that it is only a crime to destroy a document if someone does so knowing they are breaking the law.The contents of the documents retrieved from Mar-a-Lago have not been revealed. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Nevin Brown Nevin Brown News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Nevin Brown donald trump, national archives and records administration (nara), department of justice https://sputniknews.com/20220210/pentagon-under-fire-after-stating-diversity-equity--inclusion-are-necessities-in-us-army-1092910123.html Pentagon Under Fire After Stating 'Diversity, Equity & Inclusion' Are 'Necessities' in US Army Pentagon Under Fire After Stating 'Diversity, Equity & Inclusion' Are 'Necessities' in US Army Many in the US are concerned that "woke" tendencies are taking over the American military: among them are increased attention to pronouns, identity, sexual... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T12:51+0000 2022-02-10T12:51+0000 2022-02-10T12:51+0000 us pentagon department of defense diversity viral /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/06/1083320993_0:46:3477:2002_1920x0_80_0_0_43e029dba9d2d4053d0b0d47dafd9a08.jpg The US Department of Defense has rolled out what it views as new "necessities" for the US military: diversity, equity, and inclusion, sparking an immediate backlash. In a Wednesday statement, the Pentagon revealed that "some 41 percent of the military identify as members of minority groups, and that number will grow larger." The data was shared by Bishop Garrison, the senior advisor to the secretary of defence for human capital and diversity, equity, and inclusion.While his sentiment echoes Kirby's comments, it has already triggered a wave of backlash on social media. After the Defense Department shared the controversial statement on Twitter, it garnered over 3,000 comments, but only around 350 users "liked" the tweet.This is not the first time when the "woke" tendencies in the US military have prompted concern among conservatives, but, according to Kirby, such innovations can make the American military better.Speaking to Fox News last month, the Pentagon spokesman suggested that diversity and inclusion "brings to the fore in the decisionmaking, operational decisionmaking that we conduct, better ideas, more unique perspectives, somebody else's lived experiences which might actually make us smarter on the battlefield."The "woke" initiatives of the US Army include providing gender pronouns in professional emails and even offers to recruit new troops with the use of astrology. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Daria Bedenko Daria Bedenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Daria Bedenko us, pentagon, department of defense, diversity, viral https://sputniknews.com/20220210/putin-underlines-need-to-urge-nato-to-provide-comprehensive-legal-security-guarantees-to-russia-1092900828.html Putin Calls for 'Persistent Efforts' to Get NATO & US to Provide Legal Security Guarantees to Russia Putin Calls for 'Persistent Efforts' to Get NATO & US to Provide Legal Security Guarantees to Russia Russia has been demanding that NATO and the United States take Moscow's security concerns into consideration, and has rolled out security proposals to the West... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T06:18+0000 2022-02-10T06:18+0000 2022-02-10T07:11+0000 russia nato security /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/0d/1082883114_0:111:2887:1735_1920x0_80_0_0_2a6125e988d783141623944d96510d87.jpg Persisent efforts are needed to ensure that the US and NATO provide comprehensive legal guarantees of Russia's security, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address marking Diplomat's Day.The president pointed at the "turbulent and tense" situation in the world, that calls for additional efforts in responding to emerging threats and challenges. Aside from the need for legal security guarantees, Putin underlined the importance of the United Nations' role.Putin praised the work of the Russian Foreign Ministry in the field of protecting national security interests, pointing at how the efforts of Russian diplomats help to solve regional conflicts and crises while also broadening contacts between Moscow and different international partners from all continents.The issue of Russian security concerns remains one of the most acute for the national diplomats, with their efforts to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine and reach an understanding on Moscow's security "red lines" still ongoing despite the West continuing to roll out accusations and threats of sanctions.Over the past several weeks, the narrative of the alleged "Russian invasion of Ukraine" has been fuelled by Western diplomats and media outlets. According to the allegations, Russia is "amassing troops" on the border with Ukraine while plotting to "invade" the neighbouring country - claims that Moscow has dismissed numerous times as groundless provocations.In December, Russia rolled out its security proposals to the West, making specific demands that NATO refrain from expanding eastwards or deploying offensive weapons in countries neighbouring Russia. The response from the US and NATO took a while; in the end they rejected Moscow's core demands.The security negotiations are still far from over. Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations office in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, has told Sputnik that Moscow is "morally and organisationally ready to hold new rounds if they are required", although it is unclear when Russia and the US will meet face-to-face in Geneva again.Earlier in the week, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Moscow to hold extensive talks with his Russian counterpart. The talks, according to Macron, were wrapped up with the two sides managing to find common ground concerning Ukraine. Later, on 15 February, Putin is also expected to hold talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the situation around Ukraine.While many observers (both from Russia and from the West) have praised the efforts by Macron and Scholz to engage in the de-escalation of tensions, there was less enthusiasm from Washington. According to NBC News, US President Joe Biden has already taken jabs at his EU allies for trying to reach an understanding with Russia. The American president reportedly said that Scholz is no Angela Merkel, and Macron wants to be Charles de Gaulle; Russian President Putin, in his turn, was purportedly described by Biden as "a guy with nukes and no friends". Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Daria Bedenko Daria Bedenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Daria Bedenko russia, nato, security https://sputniknews.com/20220210/russian-foreign-minister-lavrov-and-his-uk-counterpart-truss-meet-in-moscow-1092901126.html Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and His UK Counterpart Truss Meet in Moscow Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and His UK Counterpart Truss Meet in Moscow The UK foreign secretary is currently on an official two-day trip to Russia. The top British diplomat is set to discuss international security issues amid the... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T08:10+0000 2022-02-10T08:10+0000 2022-02-10T10:39+0000 world uk sergei lavrov liz truss /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/1c/1092580026_0:0:1350:759_1920x0_80_0_0_197717a2c1e4e14fdbaccb9e86f9476e.jpg Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his British counterpart Elizabeth Truss are meeting on Thursday in Moscow to discuss the state of Moscow-London ties as well as the precarious security situation in Europe.The top diplomats are set to answer reporters' questions in a joint press conference after the talks.The Russia-West tensions over Ukraine have spiked over the past several months after Moscow was accused of amassing troops near the Ukrainian border and allegedly preparing for an invasion. Moscow has denied the accusations, pointing to NATO's military activity near Russia's borders, which it has deemed a threat to its national security. The United States and its European partners have threatened to impose sanctions on Russia's financial system should tensions escalate in Eastern Europe.Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More! Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 world, uk, sergei lavrov, liz truss https://sputniknews.com/20220210/saudi-led-coalition-says-four-injured-after-shrapnels-fell-near-abha-airport-reports-say-1092906482.html Saudi-Led Coalition Says 12 Injured After Shrapnels Fell Near Abha Airport, Reports Say Saudi-Led Coalition Says 12 Injured After Shrapnels Fell Near Abha Airport, Reports Say Earlier, the Saudi-led coalition announced a new operation against Yemen's Shia Houthi movement. 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T09:28+0000 2022-02-10T09:28+0000 2022-02-10T10:54+0000 middle east saudi arabia houthi militants /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0c/1080436190_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_62f4e885e790393e376cd0f8da92cd5e.jpg The Saudi-led coalition said that 12 civilians at Abha airport were lightly injured by shrapnel from a destroyed drone launched by Yemen's Houthis, which fell nearby.Saudi air defence forces intercepted and downed a drone launched towards the airport, according to Saudi Arabia's state-run Ekhbariya channel.The conflict between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis has continued for over six years. The situation was further aggravated after a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and UAE joined the conflict on the Yemeni government's side in 2015 and began conducting occasional air, land, and sea operations against the Islamist rebel movement. Despite the fact that the UAE previously announced the end of participation in military operations in Yemen, they left their military personnel at the bases they established at Yemeni ports. saudi arabia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 middle east, saudi arabia, houthi militants https://sputniknews.com/20220210/scientists-discover-third-planet-orbiting-proxima-centauri-the-nearest-star-to-solar-system-1092916973.html Scientists Discover Third Planet Orbiting Proxima Centauri, the Nearest Star to Solar System Scientists Discover Third Planet Orbiting Proxima Centauri, the Nearest Star to Solar System Proxima Centauri is the closest star to our Sun, lying just over four light-years away (1 light year being nearly 9.5 trillion kilometres). It is a small, red... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T17:18+0000 2022-02-10T17:18+0000 2022-02-10T17:18+0000 sun earth solar system proxima centauri proxima-b science tech european southern observatory's (eso) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/106203/45/1062034516_0:40:1281:760_1920x0_80_0_0_242d0eebb0702906aa549ac3faca002c.jpg Astronomers have found evidence of another planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, the nearest neighbouring star of the Sun.Proxima d, as the newly discovered exoplanet has been christened, is the third to have been detected in Proxima Centauri's orbit since 2016. Exoplanets are planets lying outside our solar system.The effect of Proxima ds gravity is so small that it only causes Proxima Centauri to move back and forth at around 40 centimetres per second (1.44 kilometres per hour), the release explains.Proxima d orbits the star at a distance of about four million kilometres. To put this in context, four million kilometres is less than one-tenth the distance between the Sun and its nearest planet, Mercury.The discovery has been made using ESPRESSO (Echelle Spectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets and Stable Spectroscopic Observations), installed on the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESOs VLT) in Cerro Paranal in northern Chile. The findings of the study were published in peer-reviewed journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.The other two planets orbiting Proxima Centauri - Proxima b and Proxima c - have orbits of 11 Earth days and five Earth years respectively. Proxima b is the first to have been discovered and lies in the habitable zone of the star whereas Proxima c is believed to be too cold to sustain life as humans know it.The mass of Proxima b is comparable with that of Earth.Among the three exoplanets, the presence of Proxima b has so far been conclusively established by follow-up observations in 2020.This result clearly shows what ESPRESSO is capable of and makes me wonder about what it will be able to find in the future, Faria added. https://sputniknews.com/20180227/bad-day-for-sunbathing-1062041656.html proxima centauri Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Dhairya Maheshwari Dhairya Maheshwari News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Dhairya Maheshwari sun, earth, solar system, proxima centauri, proxima-b, science, tech, european southern observatory's (eso) https://sputniknews.com/20220210/stoltenberg-nato-considers-deploying-battle-groups-in-romania-1092909734.html Stoltenberg: NATO Considering Deploying Battle Groups in Romania Stoltenberg: NATO Considering Deploying Battle Groups in Romania MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO is considering the possibility of deploying battle groups in Romania near the Black Sea, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T10:58+0000 2022-02-10T10:58+0000 2022-02-10T11:54+0000 nato jens stoltenberg romania russia-nato row on european security ukraine uk us arctic /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092911057_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_e984e66cad7490bc2f44d7b0b07a7bf5.jpg "We are also now looking into whether we should have a more long-term change in our posture in the eastern part of the alliance. Today we have battle groups in the Baltic countries and Poland. The UK is leading the battle group in Estonia but also increasing its presence in Poland but now we are considering to have similar battle groups for instance in the Black Sea region in Romania," Stoltenberg said during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.Earlier in the day, Downing Street said the UK would put at readiness additional 1,000 servicemen to support the NATO eastern flank for humanitarian response in case of such a need.Stoltenberg added that NATO defence ministers will discuss the strengthening of the alliance and deployment of additional battle groups in southeastern Europe on 16-17 February. At the same time, Stoltenberg said that he has sent a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov inviting him to continue talks in the Russia-NATO Council in order to "to find a diplomatic way forward." This comes after earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his speech marking Diplomat's Day that Moscow expects NATO and the US to take Russia's security concerns into consideration, including those related to NATO's eastward expansion and plans to deploy offensive weapons in the countries close to Russia. Persistent efforts are needed to ensure that the US and NATO provide comprehensive legal guarantees of Russia's security, Putin said.In a separate development, Moscow has also voiced its concerns about NATO Cold Response military drills in the Arctic scheduled for early March, saying that they will increase tensions and risks of incidents. Some 35,000 troops from 28 countries are expected to participate in these drills. Russia proposes to resume meetings between chiefs of general staffs of Arctic Council countries, he added.In December 2021, Russia put forward its security proposals to the West in order to de-escalate tensions with NATO over the situation in Eastern Ukraine. The proposals state that NATO will not allow Ukraine and other former Soviet republics to join the bloc, that it would limit the number of weapons and troops deployed in NATO countries that joined the alliance after 1997, and that the parties would not send troops or place missile systems, aircraft, and warships in areas where they could be viewed as a threat to the other side. NATO and the US responded to Russia's security proposals but ignored the aforementioned demands. According to Gennady Gatilov, Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations office in Geneva, Moscow is ready to hold further talks with the US if needed, although no information about a possible new round of negotiations in Geneva can be provided yet. https://sputniknews.com/20220210/uk-will-send-more-troops-to-eastern-europe-if-needed-defence-secretary-says-1092906075.html https://sputniknews.com/20220210/borrell-says-he-responded-to-lavrovs-letter-on-indivisibility-of-security-on-eus-behalf-1092910600.html romania ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 nato, jens stoltenberg, romania, ukraine, uk, us, arctic https://sputniknews.com/20220210/taliban-reportedly-digging-for-ancient-treasure-under-unesco-site-they-destroyed-in-2001-1092914138.html Taliban Reportedly Digging for Ancient Treasure Under UNESCO Site They Destroyed in 2001 Taliban Reportedly Digging for Ancient Treasure Under UNESCO Site They Destroyed in 2001 The Taliban* shocked and horrified archeologists and historians the world over in 2001 when they demolished the Buddhas of Bamiyan, a pair of monumental... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T13:30+0000 2022-02-10T13:30+0000 2022-02-10T13:50+0000 taliban archeology treasure /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092912039_0:25:987:580_1920x0_80_0_0_f3c50488df1d4deb03a06b91b51a9ac4.jpg Mullah Abdullah Sarhadi, the recently-appointed Taliban governor of Bamiyan, Afghanistan, has reportedly closed off the area surrounding the remnants of the Buddhas of Bamiyan to tourists and set up a dig in search of mythical treasures rumoured to be buried there.Local residents have informed the art market newswire Artnet News that the archaeological site previously accessible to visitors for $5 a pop, has been closed off since mid-January, with Sarhadi reportedly ignoring orders from Taliban authorities in Kabul to stop digging.Hamid Naweed, a local art historian, told the outlet that Sarhadi may be looking for ancient gold treasure like the kind found in the tombs of Tillya Tepe in the late 1970s.Naweed is confident that the treasure-hunters will come up empty. We have no idea who put this idea of buried treasure in the mind of the governor, but he does not have the right nor the archaeological knowledge on his own and in a very unprofessional manner to do excavations in a place that is under the cover of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the art historian said.Governor Sarhadi is a senior Taliban figure in Bamiyan province, with his authority stretching back to the first reign of the militant group over Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, when he served as a commander of Taliban special forces. Sarhadi was detained at the illegal US detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba between 2006 and 2012, and released despite suspicions of engaging in war crimes. He was appointed governor of Bamiyan province in November 2021.Since that time, media have reported on the vandalism of the site, posting footage of Taliban fighters who are supposed to protect the site instead using the remains of the UNESCO site as target practice.Naweed and other Afghan scholars have penned letters to UNESCO urging them to take action to stop the further plunder of the ruins of the irreplaceable archaeological site.The Talibans local information and culture directorate has assured that all digging in and around the sites has been halted, with the historical sites under control and protected. However, other reports suggest that Taliban officials from Kabul have been denied access to the area.The Buddhas of Bamiyan were destroyed by the Taliban in March of 2001, who saw them as idols and the gods of infidels. Their destruction left only the cavities where the monumental statues, built between the 6th and 7th centuries CE, once stood. Their destruction sparked international condemnation.* An organisation under United Nations sanctions for terrorist activities. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov taliban, archeology, treasure https://sputniknews.com/20220210/uk-will-send-more-troops-to-eastern-europe-if-needed-defence-secretary-says-1092906075.html Britain Threatens to Send More Troops to Eastern Europe as Foreign Secretary Holds Talks in Moscow Britain Threatens to Send More Troops to Eastern Europe as Foreign Secretary Holds Talks in Moscow Britain has been at the forefront among NATO nations when it comes to deploying lethal weapons, trainers and the provision of "moral support" to Ukraine amid... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T09:13+0000 2022-02-10T09:13+0000 2022-02-10T17:38+0000 uk /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092907128_0:0:1536:864_1920x0_80_0_0_68fb34756d0c761e934f02c581a4cf61.jpg The UK will send additional troops to Eastern and Southern Europe if necessary to support its allies, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced.Wallace noted that progress aimed at easing Ukraine-related tensions with Russia was "slow," and reiterated the NATO position on the right of other countries to join the alliance. "What we're really all trying to do, whether you're in NATO or not in NATO, is protect the sovereign right of countries to choose their security alliances," he said.Also on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosted UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in Moscow for talks. "Relations can be normalised exclusively through...dialogue, which is based on the recognition of one another's legitimate interests and a search for mutually acceptable solutions," Lavrov said before the start of negotiations.For her part, Truss repeated months-old claims made by Western officials and media about a "buildup" of Russian troops near Ukraine and alleged Russian "attempts to undermines Ukrainian sovereignty.""There is an alternative route, a diplomatic route that avoids conflict and bloodshed. I am here to urge Russia to take that path," she said. Truss also warned that Russia would face "massive consequences" and be forced to pay "severe costs" if it did invade Ukraine.Truss's visit to Russia was the first of its kind since 2017.Also Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson -who continues to face domestic pressure over the partygate scandal, told officials at NATO headquarters in Brussels that the UK "remains unwavering in our commitment to European security.""As an alliance we must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise. That includes the security of every NATO ally and the right of every European democracy to aspire to NATO membership," he said.Wallace is expected to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Friday.While some NATO allies such as Germany have expressed growing apprehension about sending military equipment to Ukraine, London has shown no such qualms, deploying large quantities of lethal arms, as well as trainers, to the Eastern European country in recent months. Britain has also reportedly been tapped by the United States in negotiations on a new "coalition of the willing" looking to deploy thousands more NATO troops in Eastern European countries including Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.Late last year, a former officer of the Security Service of Ukraine revealed that in addition to official weapons contracts and training operations, British mercenaries are also operating in the Eastern European country.British officials have been among the loudest within NATO when it comes to claims that Russia is preparing to "invade" Ukraine. At the same time, Britain has openly provoked Russia in the Black Sea, deliberately sailing a Navy destroyer into Russian waters off Crimea last year and sending relations between Moscow and London spiralling.In December, Russia's Foreign Ministry sent NATO and the US a pair of security proposals aimed at dramatically easing tensions in Europe, with the proposed security pacts setting limits on the deployment of troops, missiles, aircraft and warships in areas where they might be considered a threat to the other party, and requesting that the Western alliance halt its eastward expansion plans. NATO and Washington rejected the Russian proposals, all the while insisting their willingness to continue talking with Moscow. Russian officials have warned that a system of "counter-threats" may be established to account for the strategic imbalances caused by the Western bloc's expansionist policy. https://sputniknews.com/20220210/russian-foreign-minister-lavrov-and-his-uk-counterpart-truss-meet-in-moscow-1092901126.html https://sputniknews.com/20220210/putin-underlines-need-to-urge-nato-to-provide-comprehensive-legal-security-guarantees-to-russia-1092900828.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov uk https://sputniknews.com/20220210/us-congress-passes-landmark-metoo-legislation-with-bipartisan-support-1092922997.html US Congress Passes Landmark #MeToo Legislation With Bipartisan Support US Congress Passes Landmark #MeToo Legislation With Bipartisan Support The US Senate passed on Thursday a landmark workplace legislation that forbids clauses in employee contracts that force victims of sexual assault and... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T22:08+0000 2022-02-10T22:08+0000 2022-02-10T22:06+0000 metoo us congress joe biden sexual harassment legislation arbitration /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/03/14/1082405204_0:124:3201:1925_1920x0_80_0_0_67c3b7e15be63bca601619f10887e22a.jpg The bill was first introduced in 2017 by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and previously cleared the House of Representatives on Monday with a sweeping 335-97 vote. At the time, 113 Republicans joined all Democrats in support of the legislation and approximately 97 Republicans voted against the measure, which now heads to US President Joe Bidens desk. A signature could take place as soon as sometime this week.The bill is considered to be a major stepping stone in the #MeToo era, with one individual in particular who is receiving much of its credit: former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. She is being seen as the bridge between the two divisive parties who have, in a rarely seen bipartisan move, agreed on the bill which will protect some 60 million US workers.Carlson and Graham have been working together to produce the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act since 2017. "Gretchen Carlson sat down with Lindsay [Graham] to tell him about her experience at Fox News, and I think that was something very important to him," Gillibrand, who sponsored the bill, told Axios.In 2016, Carlson attempted to file a sexual harrassment suit against Fox News, but was shocked to learn that the move could be so easily blocked by the company due to an arbitration clause in her contract. Ultimately, Carlson and her lawyers were able to sue former network president Roger Ailes directly, in a case that was settled for an estimated $20 million. While Carlson was able to walk away with the whopping sum, she is still tied to a nondisclosure agreement that silences her from ever publicly discussing any details related to the case.White House officials have said the bill could be a model for other issues often resolved by forced arbitration in the workplace, as it is still used to quietly resolve disputes brought up by workers concerning discrimination and pay disparity. The bill will also apply to consumers who are asked to sign terms of agreements when using a companys product or service.From employment paperwork and lease agreements to the terms and conditions for apps and services, the majority of Americans have unknowingly signed their rights away, said Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), another co-sponsor of the bill. Nullifying these forced arbitration clauses for sexual assault and harassment claims will let survivors voices be heard.After the bill is signed into law, workers will still have the option of going the arbitration route, if they choose to do so. Bustos explained that was a possibility in the event that survivors of sexual assault or harassment prefer to avoid the public attention of a court of law. https://sputniknews.com/20160906/gretchen-carlson-settlement-fox-1045033308.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg metoo, us congress, joe biden, sexual harassment, legislation, arbitration https://sputniknews.com/20220210/us-senate-mulls-sanctions-against-russia-for-alleged-cyberattacks-on-ukraine-reports-say-1092903478.html US Senate Mulls Sanctions Against Russia for Alleged Cyberattacks on Ukraine, Reports Say US Senate Mulls Sanctions Against Russia for Alleged Cyberattacks on Ukraine, Reports Say MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee is contemplating introducing sanctions against Russia for alleged cyberattacks against Ukraine amid... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T07:34+0000 2022-02-10T07:34+0000 2022-02-10T07:35+0000 world us ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105359/80/1053598016_0:189:3501:2158_1920x0_80_0_0_c8b313fd4d38e182bc21f4b2e1c56ea6.jpg According to Politico, the US Senate is convinced that Russia perpetuated several cyberattacks against Ukraine, including last month hacking, which halted nearly 70 Ukrainian government websites. As Senate Foreign Relations Chair Bob Menendez stated, retaliatory measures against Moscow for cyberattacks on Ukraine are currently on the agenda.Meanwhile, the positions of the senators diverged, with some lawmakers believing that sanctions for cyberattacks should be included in the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022, which entails sanctions against Russia in the event of an incursion into Ukraine, while others argue that new sanctions be introduced irrespective of an invasion.The Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022 was introduced by the White House to the Congress in mid-January and is currently under scrutiny in the US Senate. The bill provides for the Unites States military assistance for Ukraine to contain an alleged Russian aggression and enlists possible deterrence measures to be imposed against Russian officials, financial institutions, and economic operations. Restrictions may also target Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.The tensions around Ukraine have flared up in recent weeks with the US and European Union raising concerns over Russian military buildup at the Ukrainian border, and NATO urging allies to boost their military support for Kiev. So far, the US, UK, Canada, Poland and Baltic states have supplied several batches of arms to Ukraine, mainly handguns, ammunition and anti-tank weapons, with Washington dispatching additional forces to neighbouring Poland and Romania.Russia in turn has on many occasions denied intentions of invading any country, while pointing out that NATO's military activity near Russian borders poses a threat to its national security, in addition to hampering a peaceful resolution in Ukrainian Donbass. us ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 world, us, ukraine https://sputniknews.com/20220210/washington-police-arrest-16-year-old-for-making-bomb-threats-to-schools-1092916553.html Washington Police Arrest 16-Year-Old for Making Bomb Threats to Schools Washington Police Arrest 16-Year-Old for Making Bomb Threats to Schools WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged for making threats to several schools in the US capital this week, the Washington... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T15:19+0000 2022-02-10T15:19+0000 2022-02-10T15:19+0000 us arrest bomb threat washington police /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107688/94/1076889494_0:95:1921:1175_1920x0_80_0_0_167f5f8030730774dced9086fd28d8ea.jpg "Update: a 16-year old juvenile male, of Southeast, DC, has been arrested and charged with Terroristic Threats in connection to multiple bomb threats yesterday," MPD said via Twitter. "MPD continues to investigate these incidents with our federal partners."On Wednesday, MPD said it was responding to several bomb threats in Washington and was evacuating public and charter schoolsThe six schools that received security threats include Dunbar High School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Ron Brown High School, KIPP DC College Preparatory, IDEA Public Charter School and Seed Public Charter School, according to MPD.Dunbar High School received a bomb threat on Tuesday as well. Vice President Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, was visiting the school during the time of the security threat, had to be escorted out by the US Secret Service. https://sputniknews.com/20220209/multiple-washington-dc-schools-evacuated-amid-bomb-threats-1092891408.html us washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 us, arrest, bomb threat, washington, police https://sputniknews.com/20220210/watch-iran-unveil-new-castle-buster-missile-capable-of-hitting-israel-us-bases-across-middle-east-1092911711.html Watch Iran Fire Off Castle Buster Missile Capable of Hitting Israel, US Bases Across Middle East Watch Iran Fire Off Castle Buster Missile Capable of Hitting Israel, US Bases Across Middle East The missiles debut comes amid longstanding tensions between the Islamic Republic and the Jewish State as Israeli officials continue to warn that they will not... 10.02.2022, Sputnik International 2022-02-10T11:59+0000 2022-02-10T11:59+0000 2022-02-11T12:00+0000 israel iran missile /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/02/0a/1092909195_105:0:1330:689_1920x0_80_0_0_2df7b5c1bd02924c4fb50ade78d7142e.jpg Iranian media have released footage of the Kheibarshekan (lit Castle Buster/Kheibar Buster) a new type of long-range ballistic missile. Video provided by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shows the weapons launch, and the destruction of a mock target at a firing range.The missile, unveiled Wednesday at an IRGC Aerospace Force event, is said to have a range of 1,450 km, within striking distance of any point in Israel Irans main regional adversary, as well as virtually any US military base in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East in general.Message to IsraelThe Kheibarshekan joins the ranks of the longest-range missiles in Irans arsenal, surpassed only the Shahab-3, Ghadr-110 and Emad liquid-propelled medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and the Meshkat cruise missile (all of of which have ranges of up to 2,000 km).PeacemakerThe missiles unveiling comes following the resumption of talks in Vienna Wednesday aimed at saving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal a landmark international nuclear agreement committing Iran to limiting its uranium enrichment and stockpiling activities in exchange for an easing of international sanctions. The Trump administration dropped out of the deal in 2018, with the Biden White House resuming indirect talks with Tehran last year.Israeli officials have warned repeatedly that Tel Aviv will not be bound by the terms any Iran nuclear deal. Last week, Israeli media reported that the countrys air forces had held large-scale drills simulating a massive attack on Irans nuclear facilities.Late last year, Israel set aside a special $1.5 billion fund from its $19.2 billion defence budget to prepare for a possible attack against Iran.Iranian officials have warned Israel repeatedly not to move forward with any strike plans, threatening to inflict tens of thousands of billions of dollars in damage on the Jewish State in the event of aggression, and holding a drill in December simulating a precision drone and missile strike against the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center the suspected birthplace of Israels nukes.Israel neither confirms nor denies possessing nuclear weapons, but has granted itself the unilateral authority to attack militarily any regional adversary it suspects of building or planning to build such arms. Iran vocally denies pursuing nukes or any other weapons of mass destruction, with each of its successive supreme leaders declaring them incompatible with the tenets of Islam. https://sputniknews.com/20220111/israels-bennett-boasts-of-biggest-rearmament-effort-in-years-amid-iran-tensions-1092176241.html https://sputniknews.com/20220104/israeli-ex-official-points-to-mammoth-frightening-tool-iran-has-to-answer-attack-on-nuclear-sites-1092017791.html iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov israel, iran, missile The center of downtown Culpeper is just 70 miles from the White House. So its not that uncommon for a U.S. president to visit, as President Joe Bidenthe nations 46th commander in chiefwill do on Thursday. The Democrat, who was vice president for the two terms of President Barack Obama, is slated to speak about prescription drug prices and healthcare costs at an open press event in Culpeper with U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger. Biden is no favorite among a majority of local residents, having lost by 20 points in Culpeper County to Donald Trump in the 2020 election. He received more than 10,000 votes from local Democratic supporters. In honor of the POTUS, heres a look back at other commanders in chief who visited, slept here or dropped by Culpeper, going back to Colonial times. Clinton Arkansas Democrat William Jefferson Clinton visited Culpeper in 1993 as the 42nd president-elect, as well as 15 years later in 2008. The first time, Clinton attended church with first lady Hillary Clinton at Culpeper Baptist Church, along with Vice President-elect Al Gore and his wife. More recently, Bubba Bill Clinton, campaigning for Hillary for president, dropped by impromptu at Frenchmans Corner on East Davis Street in downtown Culpeper for Belgian chocolates. The former president also went across the street to Thyme Market. Roosevelt One hundred and 20 years ago, 26th President Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican from New York, visited the Civil War battlefield at Cedar Mountain in southern Culpeper. Most Interesting Event Thus Far of the Presidents Southern Tour, The Scranton Tribune of Scranton, Pa., reported Nov. 3, 1902, carrying an exclusive wire story from The Associated Press. Accompanied by Secretary Root, Secretary Cortelyou and Dr. Rixey, the president drove to the side of the Sanguinary struggle and there received from an eye witness and participant an account of the fighting The President, accompanied by Judge D. A. Grimsley and two or three ladies, arrived at the battlefield shortly after 3 oclock. They were followed by a procession of carriages containing people from Culpepper [sic] and surrounding country, the newspaper reported. Subsequently, the president was given a shell which had been dug up on the battlefield, as a memento of his visit. Roosevelt also attended services at Culpeper Baptist Church and had luncheon at the residence of S. Russell Smith, brother-in-law of Dr. Rixey, the Culpeper County treasurer. Bush Sr. Near the end of the 20th century in 1997, 41st President George H.W. Bush spent an hour or so at the Culpeper railroad depot and ran into Police Chief Chris Jenkins, then a sergeant. The Texas Republican was on a stopover, en route by train to White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Colonial era The nations third president Thomas Jefferson of Albemarle traveled through Culpeper often on the Old Carolina Road through Stevensburg on his way to the White House, and likely slept in the villages Zimmermans Tavern. The first president, Virginian George Washington, as a 17-year-old surveyor, drew the lines that formed Culpeper County, and spent more than three years here. The fourth president, James Madison of Orange County also had ties here and reason to come to Culpeper, as did the fifth president, James Monroe of Virginian, who lived at Highland, his home near Charlottesville. Grant Ulysses S. Grant, who later became the nations 18th president, took the train to Brandy Station in early spring 1864 and spent about six weeks in Culpeper as commander of all the Union armies. The Unions Army of the Potomac spent its 1863-64 winter encampment, 120,000 men strong, in Culpeper before Lt. Gen. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade launched their Overland Campaign. Grant left Culpeper on May 4, 1864, embarking on the highly consequential campaign when the army departed Culpeper by crossing the Rapidan River and entering the primeval forest of The Wilderness. Johnson 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson also stopped at the Culpeper depot, in 1960, on a whistle-stop campaign tour from Washington, D.C., through eight states. The Texas Democrat was running for vice president on the ticket with 35th President John F. Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat. As a congressman, LBJ was known to regularly visit his mistress at Longlea, a palatial mansion in Boston, Va., in Culpeper County. Their affair lasted until early into his presidency when the two disagreed over the Vietnam War, according to accounts. No nursing home resident should ever have to settle for poor quality care. But thats whats happening at many nursing homes in Virginia. Long before the pandemic delivered a grim reminder of the chronic issues residents and staff face in nursing homes, many were cited frequently for problems related to understaffing, such as pressure wounds and resident falls. Nearly 30,000 people live in Virginias 287 nursing homes. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 170 Virginia facilities are rated on a five-star scale as much below average (1 star) and below average (2 stars) in staffing. More than 100 Virginia nursing homes have overall quality ratings of 1 or 2 stars, and 117 received 1 or 2 stars due to poor health inspections. Since the start of the pandemic, AARP has heard from thousands of people nationwide concerned about their loved ones living in nursing homes. AARP Virginia staff recently spoke to a resident of a Virginia nursing home, who told us about having to go three days without her medication and 44 patients sharing one nurse. If one person has an emergency, everybody has an emergency, she said, pointing out that if the nurse is busy tending to a resident with an urgent need, no one else on the unit gets their medication or other skilled nursing care. She also noted that 30 of her fellow residents died from COVID-19, highlighting that this is truly a life or death issue. Everyone should have a minimum amount of time with their CNA (certified nurse aide), whether they are ambulatory or not, said the nursing home resident, whose identity we are keeping private due to fear of retaliation. Just because I can walk doesnt mean I dont need help. My colleague, Ginger Thompson, transferred her mother from a nursing home after she found her in night clothes and still in bed at noon on Mothers Day, with a dirty bedpan sitting on top of a pile of clothes on the guest chair. Gingers mother now resides in facility that is being more responsive, but she still witnesses the dangers of understaffing, such as her mother being moved with a mechanical lift by only one staff person. Two people should perform this task to prevent falls. It is disappointing that Virginia is one of only 18 states without any nursing home direct care minimum staffing requirement. Its past time to hold Virginias nursing homes accountable for providing high quality care and safe environments for our loved ones. The Virginia General Assembly is considering legislation that would do just that. House Bill 646 will require minimum hourly staffing standards for Virginias nursing homes. The bill will be voted on in a subcommittee on Tuesday, Feb. 8. The members of that subcommittee will decide if the legislation moves forward. Del. Chris Head (R-Botetourt) is the chairperson of that subcommittee. AARP is fighting for HB 646 because it would require the following minimum staffing ratios: A minimum of 2.8 direct care hours must be provided by a certified nurse aide (CNA) per resident, per day. A minimum of 1.3 direct care hours must be provided by a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) per resident, per day. A minimum of 0.75 hours of the total direct care hour requirements above (4.1 hours) must be provided by a RN per resident, per day. Virginia has no established standards, so staffing ratios are left up to individual care facilities. Some nursing homes perform well in this area, but others do not. This legislation would establish statewide standards. This legislation also establishes quarterly training for nursing home staff on the following items: First aid. Medication administration. Compliance with nursing home policies and procedures. Virginia voters like it, too. A recent survey by AARP of registered voters age 18+ in Virginia showed overwhelming support for a variety of measures to hold nursing homes accountable. About 71% of all voters support the establishment of minimum hourly staffing thresholds, with support consistent across genders, age groups, and regions. This proposal is supported by 78% moderate voters and 62% of conservative voters. Support is even stronger in southwest Virginia, where 75% of voters support the measure. The Nursing Homes Abuse Advocate (NHAA) tracks problems in nursing homes and maintains a watchlist of facilities where harm has occurred to residents. Currently 117 Virginia facilities are on the list. We know that most people who need long-term care services prefer to receive that care at home. But for those in nursing homes, we must ensure they are getting the best possible care. Virginias seniors confront an outdated long-term care system badly in need of attention. Some of our most vulnerable residents live in nursing homes. They deserve better. AARP urges state leaders to support HB 646. The time for action is now. Natalie Snider is AARP Virginias state advocacy director. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and resides in Richmond. The Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association (NDBGA) held its annual Bean Day event Feb. 8 at the Gering Civic Center. Last years Bean Day was held virtually; this year, it was an in-person event with a virtual option for those who could not attend. Bean Day is an opportunity for growers and industry representatives to hear and discuss the latest bean-related research and topics. Five years ago, the organization began choosing a community food bank in the Panhandle for Bean Day attendees to donate their dry bean products to. Farmers that registered or anyone coming in (to attend Bean Day) may leave a can of beans. We take those beans and give them back to the communities, Paul Pieper, NDBGA board member said. Pieper explained that, since Bean Day was held virtually in 2021, no food banks were chosen last year. This year was different. Its just a way of driving growers that produce beans to give that back to the communities that we live in, (the) communities that give to us, he said. The NDBGA board picked the Community Table in Alliance to receive the Bean Day donations this year. The Community Table currently provides lunches to roughly 50 people in the Alliance area. The meals are served from Mon. Thurs. at the Masonic Center. An additional sack lunch is given out on Thursday to account for the Friday meal. The organization has been actively providing meals in the Alliance community for the last three years. Volunteer coordinator Whitney Baldwin and board member Nancy Reiber attended Bean Day to accept the gift on behalf of Community Table. Baldwin said the organization is completely volunteer-based and all food items are donated. Meals and camaraderie are provided to all ages without any kind of registration process. We dont get any federal money or anything else like that, Baldwin said. Everything is just by the goodness of the community. Reiber and Baldwin said the Community Table initially fed about 20 people per day but numbers quickly increased when the pandemic started. At one point, the organization was making up to 300 meals a day. It was kind of crazy for about a year, year and a half when our numbers shot up, Baldwin said. Our volunteers stepped up and took care of it. They are really great. The 2022 Bean Day food donations were matched in pounds of beans from Kelley Bean Company, Trinidad Benham, Northern Feed and Bean and New Alliance Bean and Grain Company. Anyone wishing to donate, volunteer or learn more about the Community Table can contact Whitney Baldwin at: 308-455-9175 or P.O. Box 5, Alliance, NE 69301. Beans go very far because they keep people full for a long time so we really appreciate what was donated today to help us make a free meal for anybody that walks through the door, Baldwin said. Nicole Heldt is a reporter with the Star-Herald, covering agriculture. She can be reached at 308-632-9044 or by email at nheldt@starherald.com. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. NORTH PLATTE Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested multiple people following separate pursuits near Ogallala. At approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, a trooper observed a westbound Hyundai Accent speeding on Interstate 80 near mile marker 150. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield and accelerated to over 110 miles per hour. The trooper initiated a pursuit. The vehicle continued westbound for several miles, weaving through traffic, with speeds reaching 115 miles per hour. The driver then voluntarily stopped the vehicle at the Ogallala exit, at mile marker 126. The driver and passenger were both taken into custody without further incident. The driver, Ashley Passolt, 35, of Bennington, Nebraska, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving under the influence, refusal of a chemical test, and traffic violations. The passenger, Marc Wigle, 40, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Passolt and Wigle are both being held in Keith County Jail. Later that day, around 11:10 p.m., a trooper observed an eastbound Chevrolet Silverado speeding on Interstate 80 near Ogallala, at mile marker 124. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver did not yield so the trooper initiated a pursuit. The vehicle exited I-80 at the Roscoe interchange and began traveling southbound on county roads. After approximately 20 minutes, the vehicle lost control on a dirt road near Madrid and rolled into the ditch. Troopers were then able to take the driver into custody without further incident. The driver was not injured. The pickup was discovered to be stolen out of Colorado. The driver, William Klingenfuss, 30, of La Marida, California, is being held in Keith County Jail for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, possession of stolen property, operating without a license and for causing traffic violations. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A dark comedy will be gracing the stage at Chadron State College this month as theater students tell the story of Lenny, Meg and Babe Magraths journeys to finding their own identities according to themselves in the play Crimes of the Heart, by Beth Henly. David Craven, the plays director and interim director of theatrical performances at CSC, described the play as a dark comedy because it addresses serious topics in a not-so-serious way. There are themes in the play that are dark. The script makes fun of them in its own way; it doesnt take them seriously. Its not a melodrama, Craven said. Even though its dark, there are some good messages like were not alone, and its okay to be who we are. So theyre good takeaways, but it also just kind of lets us go, maybe life isnt that serious. The play will be led by Halle Smith of Wheatland, Wyoming, who will play Lenny, Bruk Binyam of Chadron, who will play Meg and Olivia Freeze of Bridgeport, who will play Babe. While the play is a comedy, its still one that many can relate to, Freeze, a sophomore vocal music education major, said. Im excited to just tell a story that everyone can relate to, because it really is a story about family and finding your place within your family, she said. Theres just a lot of ideas of times can be hard but as long as you push through, your family will always be there for you, and its instability in the chaos that is life, really learning to work through difficult times together. Craven said even he could relate to the story, despite it having three female leads and a female playwright. As a man directing this, I feel like theres a bit of a conflict in me directing this, but then its about three sisters growing up in the South, and I was raised in the South, and Im the youngest of four, and I had three older sisters so I feel like I watched this, he said. It may not have been my life, but I lived with these women. I grew up with these women. My whole childhood was spent with women like these women. Since the play is strongly female-led, Craven said he has been working with his sound designer to take it a step further. I was talking to the sound designer the other day, and we were just talking about the fact that he has to be more attuned to the fact that this is a play written by a woman about women, so we need to be looking into women artists for some of the pre-show music and intermission/post-show music to honor that this is about women. The sound designer is just one of eight crew members, and the cast is only six characters strong. However, the small cast and crew has made for intimate rehearsals, which Freeze said makes the show that much better. We have a really good cast, and I think that theres a lot of chemistry between us, which definitely helps to make a story about sisters, she said. I think its really important that your cast has that connection to make the story believable. Crimes of the Heart will take the stage in the Black Box Theatre on Feb. 17-19 at 7 p.m., Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. and Feb. 25-26 at 7 p.m. Free tickets can be reserved at www.csc.edu/theatre. Crimes of the Heart is the first of three shows that will be put on by the CSC Theatre Department this semester. The other two will be The Lion in Winter and Vanities, the latter being performed by Cravens directing class. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. State Rep. Frank Iler, middle, presents to Brunswick Community College President Dr. Gene Smith, left, a $15 million check for capital improvements at BCC. With them is Thomas Stith III, president of the North Carolina Community College System. Every day, across all the schools in Iredell County, there are parents of school children that are unable to pack a meal for their child to enjoy during the school day. While the school system does provide meals for children, the psychological toll of not being able to provide for their child could be very tough on the parents. Because of this ongoing, and unfortunately, growing issue in the community, FeedNC, a nonprofit hunger relief and education charity based out of Mooresville, is teaming up with the United Way of Iredell County as a part of the 2022 Love United Iredell campaign. For the collaboration, FeedNC has developed a new program to help combat hunger among school children in the form of providing those in need with lunch boxes full of healthy food options. Some parents dont have the ability to be able to pack lunch boxes for their kids, Brittany Holbert, program director for FeedNC, said. We just want to be able to add a little bit of dignity for those parents that are trying. The program will be providing lunch boxes to the children of families that are already part of FeedNCs Grocery and Food Movers programs and allowing their parents to pick out healthy snacks to be put into the lunch boxes every week. The Grocery and Food Mover programs provide between $150 and $200 in supplementary groceries every week to families that are in the greatest need. While FeedNC has never done this specific program before, they do provide their services for more than 700 children in the area. During the month of February, the donation goal for FeedNC is 2,000 pounds of food and $2,500 in monetary donations as well as a goal of 650 lunch boxes to be given out. To help meet these goals, they have been partnered with Lake Norman High School. The students there are super excited to start this project, Holbert said. They really want to be able to help kids in the community. Over the next couple of weeks, the students at Lake Norman will not only be bringing in healthy snacks and lunch boxes to be donated to FeedNC, they will also be writing notes of encouragement to the children that will receive the lunch boxes. They are going to be very involved, Holbert added. Even after the Love United Iredell program ends, FeedNC hopes to continue the program they are calling Lunch boxes of Love as a year-round addition to their meal assistance programs. We would love to continue it, Holbert said. As we get new members to our grocery program, it could be a way to continue to provide children with school day snacks. Being able to do this for kids is just the best thing in the world, Holbert continued. I feel truly honored and blessed to be able to work with everyone in the community to help provide for children and families that might be less fortunate. For more information about FeedNCs new lunchbox program, or to donate, visit https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/2022LUI/team/FeedNC. Donations are also accepted in person at their location at 275 S. Broad St. in Downtown Mooresville. Their most pressing needs can be found here: www.feednc.org/immediate-needs. BRUSSELS (AP) Belgian police searching for drugs in a Brussels apartment have discovered 37 cannabis plants as well as a collection of dozens of poisonous spiders, scorpions and desert-dwelling lizards. Prosecutors said Friday that two men arrested in the apartment during the raid are being investigated for animal welfare violations, in addition to facing drug-related charges. Police made the unexpected discovery Wednesday after they were told a strong cannabis smell was coming from a building in a northeast neighborhood of Belgium's capital. Officers searched an apartment where a father and his adult son were arrested. In addition to the cannabis plants and 228 grams of marijuana they seized, police found 52 tarantulas, a python, three scorpions, four turtles, two lizards in the Pogona family also known as bearded dragons and 16 beetles. More of this week's weirdest news: The Woodland City Council approved the contract for a new police lieutenant Monday night in a vote that divided the council and was opposed by the Woodland police union over how the hiring process was handled. Mayor Will Finn cast the deciding vote in favor of hiring Jennifer Ortiz as the lieutenant after the council members deadlocked in a 3-3 tie. Council member Dave Plaza did not attend the meeting. Police officers and some council members had questions about the limited awareness of the job, which left current Woodland officers largely unaware of the plan. Other concerns were raised about the optics of the hire because Ortiz and Finn both work for District 5 of the Washington State Patrol. Woodland Police Detective Terry Casey said during public comment at Mondays meeting that the existence of the position and the plan to hire Ortiz took the Woodland Police Officers Association by surprise when it appeared on the agenda. This was a complete lack of transparency on the citys part, in my opinion, Casey told the City Council. Finn and the council members who supported the hire said there is no question about Ortizs qualifications for the position, which should be the only criteria used by the council when voting to approve the contract. Sergeant Ortiz has worked for the Washington State Patrol since 2006, with nearly all of her time being spent in Southwest Washington. A public LinkedIn profile for Ortiz notes she received WSP Detective of the Year awards in 2014 and 2016. Finn said Ortiz initially applied for a lower-ranking position with the Woodland police but was encouraged to apply for the lieutenant job when it posted. She had already been vetted and determined good enough for an officer. Why wouldnt I grab this person and put them in the position that would better fit their skill set? Finn told The Daily News on Wednesday. The lieutenant is a nonunion leadership position that assists Police Chief Jim Kelly on programs within the department and communication with law enforcement agencies in Clark and Cowlitz counties. Funding for the position was not included when the levy lid was lifted in 2019 and only became available in November when the City Council approved it as part of the budgeting process. City Council split on the hire Monte Smith, Carol Rounds and Jennifer Rowland voted in favor of hiring Ortiz. Smith and Rowland interviewed Ortiz as part of the hiring process and both came away impressed with her resume. Talking to her really assured me that she comes from a place of compassion, of empathy. She explained processes to me that I had always been curious about, Rowland said. The three council members and Mayor Finn shared concerns that, if the city tabled the hire beyond Mondays meeting, Ortiz would back out and the city would see the same level of opposition from the police union for the next proposed lieutenant. John Burke, Karl Chapman and DeeAnna Holland voted against the hire. Burke had the most skepticism of the council members about the fairness of the hiring search. Chapman and Holland said they were sure Ortiz was a qualified fit, but worried about the optics and the volume of public skepticism that emerged over the weekend. If council chooses to move forward with this contract, what I fear would happen is we are setting the candidate up for a disadvantage, of walking into kind of a hostile situation, Holland said. As the regional spokesman for the State Patrol, Finn has worked occasionally with Ortiz and nearly every other WSP trooper in the region. Finn told The Daily News he never socialized with her outside of work. Similar complaints about favoritism had been made in 2017 when Kelly, a former state patrolman, was selected as the Woodland Police Chief. The hiring contract approved by the council contained inconsistencies when it came to the specifics of Ortizs pay and compensation. City Administrator Peter Boyce had to specify during the council meeting that in places where multiple different dollar figures were listed, the numeric values were correct. Later in Monday nights meeting, the Woodland City Council approved a change order for irrigation system improvements at the Scott Hill Booster Station and passed an ordinance expanding the radius for how far public works employees could live outside city limits. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WhatsApp has launched an online safety campaign called #TakeCharge. Its aim is to help users to avoid dangers of digital payments like phishing scams, UPI ID spoofing. Starting February 8, WhatsApp has launched a week long online safety campaign called #TakeCharge, in partnership with Yuvaa, the youth-focused media company. Its launch coincides with Safer Internet Day and the campaign aims to raise awareness about online safety, encouraging people to understand the various safety tools and resources that can be used to stay in control online. Today, on February 10, WhatsApp released fresh guidelines on the dangers that exist in digital payments such as phishing scams, UPI ID spoofing and other fraudulent activities as well as the best practices that can help users circumvent them. Today, we all participate in digital transactions through e-wallets, UPI and net banking. However, with the rise of digital commerce, one has to be careful about the various scams that plague this space. With all your financial data packed onto your smartphone, it means any hacker or scammer can gain access to this sensitive data and steal all your money if you are not careful. Many malicious apps are capable of sneakily extracting your financial information. In a world like this, it is more and more important to not only be aware of the dangers that exist, but also know the best ways to protect yourself from them. UPI continues to remain one of the safest, convenient and interoperable modes of making payments. However, Indias growing acceptance of online payments has also seen an increase in digital payment frauds. This can be remedied by raising user awareness and education about staying safe, informed and vigilant while using digital payments to prevent misuse by bad actors, said the official press release. What are some common online scams you should be aware of Phishing Scams: WhatsApp says that these are online scams in the form of email or text messages and pretend to be from well-known sources such as UPI providers, banks, and e-wallet providers, requesting personal information. Once you share it with them, they use the information to steal your money. Fake Customer Care Frauds: According to WhatsApp, these are usually done over a phone call or through voice messages, such fake customer care numbers of UPI apps request information such as an OTP or a UPI pin, pretending to solve an issue. They can be very malicious and pressurize you to share the details and if you dont they might even threaten to close your account. Never fall for this. Collect Request Frauds and QR Code-Related Scams: Collect request links lure users with cashback or lottery wins with just a click, resulting in money being deducted from the users account, instead of them receiving money. Scammers convince users to accept the collect request and enter the UPI PIN, to receive money. They might sometimes also ask users to scan QR codes to receive money, according to WhatsApp. UPI ID Spoofing: WhatsApp warns that scammers can also create deceptive UPI handles by changing a few letters in UPI IDs of genuine businesses in an attempt to divert money to themselves. Users should be alert and must thoroughly check a UPI ID before starting any transaction. Not stopping at that, WhatsApp also shared the best practices that you should follow while making a digital transaction to keep yourself safe. Credit: CC0 Public Domain In the past few weeks, Apple has posted a flurry of jobs for its planned outpost in North Carolina's Research Triangle, a review of the company's jobs board shows. The dozens of job postings are the latest sign of the iPhone maker's looming ramp-up in the Triangle, where it plans to hire thousands of workers in the next few years. The company has so far kept mostly quiet about its strategic plans for its future Research Triangle Park office. Last April, Apple announced it would build a corporate campus in RTP that would eventually be home to 3,000 employees. The announcement came after the state agreed to give the company the largest incentive package in the history of the stateworth nearly $1 billion, The News & Observer previously reported. State records show that Apple is expected to reach those 3,000 jobs over a 10-year period from 2023 to 2033. The RTP jobs are expected to pay on average $187,000 a year. Apple's office in RTP likely won't be completed for years, though, and plans submitted to the Town of Cary last year showed the company will likely open a temporary office there. The company submitted plans last summer to renovate around 200,000 square feet of space in one of the MetLife towers off Weston Parkway, The N&O previously reported. A majority of the postings now online are for roles within the company's Apple Pay team, which is looking for software engineers, data engineers, marketing specialists and vendor relationship managers. Apple Pay is a service that lets iPhone users create digital wallets on their phones, send money and make contactless purchases at stores. Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment. But the company is investing heavily in improving its Apple Pay services. On Tuesday, the company announced a new feature that would let iPhone accept payments for the first time, essentially turning iPhones into mobile payment terminals that small businesses and entrepreneurs could use. Many small businesses currently use companies like Square, which make payment terminals that plug into iPhones and iPads or connect via Bluetooth to accept payments. Some of the job postings note the opportunities will be a hybrid of in-office or remote work and give applicants a choice between Raleigh and Austin, Texas, where Apple employs thousands of workers. Other postings do not give the option of working in Austin. In December, Apple delayed its return to the office indefinitely because of rising COVID-19 cases around the country, CNBC reported. It had previously planned to reopen offices in February. Outside the Apple Pay team, other roles posted for the Raleigh office include real estate positions, a construction manager, a university relations coordinator and Apple Cloud engineering. Google, Amazon and Microsoft are growing too In addition to Apple, Google is opening a cloud computing hub in Durham, where it hopes to have 1,000 employees in the coming years, The N&O reported. Google has already hired its site lead for the Durham officeN.C. State University alum Kamala Subramaniamand has more than 100 jobs posted across the Triangle, according to its own jobs board. Amazon, which notably considered the Triangle during its HQ2 search, has also posted dozens of software development and solutions architect opportunities in recent weeks that mention Raleigh or Durham. Most of the jobs are considered remote positions, but a few of the postings note that Amazon is "in process of locating office space in the area of North Carolina, Research Triangle Park." The Triangle Business Journal first reported those Amazon job descriptions. Amazon declined to comment about the job postings. Fellow Washington state tech giant Microsoft is also growing its presence here at an office near Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The company has nearly 200 job postings in the Triangle, though a large majority of them give applicants the chance to select from multiple office locations. In 2019, Microsoft said it would eventually employ 500 people in Wake County, after the state gave it incentives worth more than $14.8 million, The N&O previously reported. The growth of these tech giants in the Triangle has been greeted with both celebration and anxiety. Economic developers have lauded the arrival of jobs that pay well over the local average as well as their potential to attract more talented workers to the state. But many residents have expressed concern that those high salaries will make the region unaffordable for many. The growth is also creating more competition for existing tech companies in the region. In January, Todd Olson, the CEO of Raleigh software startup Pendo, told the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce that the local labor market is at a boiling point because of the pandemic and competing offers from the likes of Apple and Google. "We have to compete with Apple and Google, day in and day out," Olson said at the conference. Olson added that many local workers are also choosing to take remote jobs with companies based in California and New York. "The reality is that a lot ... of people want the flexibility of working remotely," he said. It could end up taking a while for that dynamic to work itself out in the Triangle. "There is no doubt that in the short term it could be painful" for local tech companies, Ted Zoller, a professor of entrepreneurship at UNC's Kenan-Flagler School of Business, told The N&O last year. "But in the long term, it could be the best thing to happen. We are no longer a flyover city anymore. This will make us a major player." Explore further Apple says iPhone to accept tap-to-pay without more hardware 2022 The News & Observer. Distributed at Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Black workers at the factory were regularly subjected to deeply offensive racial slurs and racist jokes by co-workers and managers, the agency said. California has sued Telsa alleging discrimination and harassment against Black workers at the electric carmaker's San Francisco area factory, which the complaint called a "racially segregated workplace." This is the latest accusation of prejudice at Tesla's Fremont production site, where a series of female workers filed lawsuits last year alleging sexual harassment and a Black worker was awarded $137 million in a racism case. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which enforces the state's civil rights laws and filed its suit Wednesday, said it had received hundreds of complaints from workers. The agency "found evidence that Tesla's Fremont factory is a racially segregated workplace where Black workers are subjected to racial slurs and discriminated against in job assignments, discipline, pay and promotion," DFEH Director Kevin Kish said in a statement. Black workers at the plant were regularly subjected to deeply offensive racial slurs and jokes by co-workers and managers, the complaint said. Ahead of the filing, Tesla released a statement Wednesday saying it "opposes all forms of discrimination and harassment" and that it is committed to providing "a workplace that is safe, respectful, fair and inclusive." But excerpts of the complaint, released by the agency and filed in a California court late Wednesday, paint a very different picture. Non-Black workers were frequently given preferential treatment at Tesla's Fremont plant, according to the filing. The agency said non-Black workers would regularly refer to areas where many Black workers were stationed with racist names, including "the plantation," a reference to the enslavement of African Americans. Workers at the Tesla factory would commonly be "taunted by racial slurs and then baited into verbal and physical confrontations" by non-Black workers and would subsequently face disciplinary action, the complaint said. Non-Black workers were frequently given preferential treatment at the plant, according to the filing, including being handed easier jobs and given greater leniency in disciplinary proceedings compared to their Black colleagues. Troubled Fremont factory The United States has a deeply troubled history with racism, slavery and racial injustice and protests in recent years have seen millions confront that legacy after several high-profile police killings of African-Americans. The details in the DFEH complaint are particularly serious because they alleged a widespread culture of racial abuse at the Fremont factory. One employee "heard these racial slurs as often as 50-100 times a day" and workers with racially incendiary tattoos of the Confederate flag would make them visible to intimidate Black employees, the DFEH said. The company, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been hit with several lawsuits alleging discrimination at the California factory in recent months. Other racist graffiti included Nazi swastikas, the N word, "KKK" in reference to the white supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan, and "go back to Africa." Racist language directed at Black workers included "porch monkey" and jokes saying they were "out of the hood" and "from the ghetto." The company said Wednesday that "Tesla has always taken disciplinary action and terminated employees for professional misconduct, including those who utter racial slurs or harass others in various ways." The company, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been hit with several lawsuits alleging discrimination at the California factory in recent months. In December, six women sued the company, alleging a culture of sexual harassment at the plant and other facilities. The suit came after a California jury ruled in October that Tesla should pay a Black ex-employee $137 million in damages for turning a blind eye to racism the man encountered at the Fremont plant. Last year, Musk feuded with authorities over the re-opening of the factory amid coronavirus restrictions and threatened to move his headquarters out of the state. Subsequently, Musk told investors in October that the leading electric vehicle maker is relocating its headquarters to Texas, where it is building a plant. Explore further Tesla hit by string of US sex harassment lawsuits 2022 AFP In this July 29, 2019 photo an AT&T logo sits above an entrance to a building, in Boston. U.S. antitrust regulators have cleared the $43 billion combination of Discovery and AT&T's WarnerMedia, according to corporate securities filings, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Discovery says it and AT&T have not gotten objections from the Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne, File U.S. antitrust regulators have not challenged the $43 billion combination of Discovery and AT&T's WarnerMedia during a key review period, according to corporate securities filings, easing the way for the deal to close in the next few months. In a big retreat for wireless giant AT&T, the company last year decided to separate WarnerMedia, which it bought in 2018 for $81 billion after a protracted antitrust battle with the Trump-era Justice Department. WarnerMedia, home to CNN, HBO and HBO Max, would then combine with Discovery, the parent of networks like HGTV and its own streaming service, Discovery+. Discovery Inc. said in a Wednesday filing that it and AT&T Inc. have not gotten objections from the Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission during a key review period that has ended. U.S. antitrust authorities could still decide to file suit, but that is uncommon. European antitrust regulators have already signed off, and the deal is expected to close in the second quarter. Discovery shareholders still have to approve it. FTC spokesperson Betsy Lordan said the the FTC only announces when it is issuing a complaint. DOJ spokesperson Arlen Morales declined to comment. AT&T referred questions to Discovery. The deal had not gone without criticism. Democratic lawmakers in December asked DOJ to take a hard look at the merger, saying it raises "significant antitrust concerns" and could threaten the industry's workplace diversity efforts. The Biden administration has called for a tougher version of antitrust enforcement and sued to stop a proposed $2.2 billion acquisition of Simon & Schuster by German media giant Bertelsmann's Penguin Random House, while also pursuing an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook, now known as Meta, that could result in spinoffs of some of its businesses. Explore further US regulators aiming at illegal and anticompetitive mergers 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Low-cost nuclear power has been a mainstay of the French economy since the 1970s. French President Emmanuel Macron called Thursday for a "renaissance" for the country's nuclear industry, saying he wanted up to 14 new reactors to power the country's transition away from fossil fuels. Acknowledging that France had hesitated on whether to continue investing in its atomic sector after the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan, he called for a bold new bet on the technology alongside renewables. "We are going towards an electrification of all our tasks, our way of manufacturing, of moving around," Macron said in a speech at a turbine plant in eastern France, just two months ahead of presidential elections. "We are going to need to produce a lot more electricity," he said. As well as calling for new investments in solar, wind and hydrogen power, his headline announcement was a plan to order six new-generation EPR2 reactors from state-controlled giant EDF, while launching studies for eight more. "What we have to build today is the renaissance of the French nuclear industry because it's the right moment, because it's the right thing for our nation, because everything is in place," he added. Low-cost nuclear power has been a mainstay of the French economy since the 1970s, but recent attempts to build French-designed reactors at home, in Britain and in Finland have become mired in cost over-runs and delays. Opponents of nuclear power, who worry about its safety and highly toxic radioactive waste, immediately criticised Macron's announcements. "The EPRs he's promising are at best for 2040-2045," Greens presidential candidate Yannick Jadot said during a trip to southern France on Thursday, meaning France would be condemned to a "century of nuclear power." Whether Macron's announcements amount to anything will depend on the outcome of presidential elections on April 10 and 24. Most presidential candidates have vowed to continue investing in the industry, however, with the exception of hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon and Greens contender Jadot. French-German split The 44-year-old centrist argued that nuclear energy was required to help advanced economies transition to a low-carbon future because renewables were not yet a reliable energy source, nor able to produce the amount of electricity needed. "Some nations made radical choices to turn their backs on nuclear," Macron said, referring to the Fukushima accident. "France did not make this choice. We resisted. But we did not invest because we had doubts." Germany decided to phase out nuclear industry by the end of 2022 following the Fukushima disaster, but the decision has been criticised for increasing Berlin's reliance on carbon-emitting gas and raising power prices. Calling French nuclear regulators "unequalled" in their strictness, Macron termed the decision to build new nuclear power plants a "choice of progress, a choice of confidence in science and technology." He also announced that he would seek to extend the lives of all existing French nuclear plants where it was safe to do so, and said one billion euros in funding would be made available to develop innovative new small reactors. The French government lobbied hardand successfullyto have nuclear power labelled as "green" by the European Commission this month in a landmark energy review which means it can attract funding as a climate-friendly power source. Turbines The new French programmes comes as heavily indebted EDF faces difficulties in trying to build its latest-generation EPR reactors. Its flagship French project, in Flamanville in northern France, is expected to cost around four times the initial budget of 3.3 billion euros ($3.8 billion) and will not be loaded with fuel until next year at the earliest11 years later than expected. The group has also faced shutdowns at three plants this year after France's IRSN nuclear regulator warned of possible problems with corroded welds on the pipes of their emergency cooling systems. Macron chose to speak from a turbine manufacturing factory in Belfort on the day the complex was brought back under French ownership. The site was sold by industrial giant Alstom to American rival General Electric in 2015 in a widely criticised deal associated with Macron who was economy minister in the Socialist government at the time. The dealbetween two private companies but which Macron could have blocked as ministerled to more than a thousand job cuts and fears about the loss of a strategic industry to a foreign investor. Under pressure from the French government, EDF announced Thursday that it had agreed a deal to buy back the unit at a cost of $200 million. 2022 AFP Professor Guoxiu Wang is director of the UTS Centre for Clean Energy Technology. Credit: University of Technology, Sydney Motorists going slow on the uptake of electric vehicles cite anxiety about the distance they can travel between charges as a key concern. Researchers at UTS are working on battery technology to help match the driving range of an EV with a petrol-fuelled car. Clean energy researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have designed a molecule to boost the performance of lithium-oxygen batteries to give electric vehicles the same driving range as petrol-fuelled cars. Lithium-oxygen batteries employ cutting-edge technology aimed to deliver maximum energy density through breathing air to generate electricity. To date, however, they have been beset by challenges, including low discharge capacity, poor energy efficiency and severe parasitic reactions. This new all-in-one molecule can simultaneously tackle those issues. UTS Professor Guoxiu Wang, who led the research team in the UTS Centre for Clean Energy Technology, said the exciting discovery resolved several existing obstacles and created the possibility of developing a long-life, energy-dense lithium-oxygen battery that was highly efficient. "Batteries are changing fundamentally," Professor Wang said. "They will facilitate the transition towards a climate-neutral society and open up new industry opportunities for a country like Australia that is rich in the fundamental elements for building batteries. "They will also help utilities improve power quality and reliability and help governments around the world achieve net zero carbon emissions." Professor Wang said his team's study details an Li-O 2 battery operated via a new quenching/mediating mechanism that relies on the direct chemical reactions between a versatile molecule and superoxide radical/Li 2 O 2 . The battery exhibits a 46-fold increase in discharge capacity, a low charge overpotential of 0.7 V, and an ultralong cycle life greater than 1400 cycles. "Our rationally designed and synthesized PDI-TEMPO molecule opens a new avenue for developing high-performance Li-O 2 batteries," Professor Wang said. "The capacity of next-generation lithium-oxygen batteries to extend the driving range between charges would be a significant leap forward for the electric vehicle industry. "We are confident our all-in-one molecule can dramatically improve the performances of lithium-oxygen batteries and enable new generation lithium-oxygen batteries to be practical." Professor Wang said the "outstanding outcome" was the result of more than three years of hard work, in particular by his colleague Dr. Jinqiang Zhang, now at the University of Toronto. The research is published in the journal Science Advances. Explore further Team develops lithium-air battery with an energy density higher than current lithium ion batteries More information: Jinqiang Zhang et al, A long-life lithium-oxygen battery via a molecular quenching/mediating mechanism, Science Advances (2022). Journal information: Science Advances Jinqiang Zhang et al, A long-life lithium-oxygen battery via a molecular quenching/mediating mechanism,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm1899 The sign outside the National Security Administration (NSA) campus in Fort Meade, Md., June 6, 2013. A new report says cyber criminal gangs are getting increasingly adept at hacking and becoming more professional. The report by the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom paints a bleak picture of ransomware trends in 2021, with ransomware operators even setting up an arbitration system to resolve payment disputes among themselves. Credit: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File Cyber criminal gangs are getting increasingly adept at hacking and becoming more professional, even setting up an arbitration system to resolve payment disputes among themselves, according to a new report by the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom that paints a bleak picture of ransomware trends. Ransomware gangs, which hack targets and hold their data hostage through encryption, caused widespread havoc last year with high-profile attacks on the world's largest meat-packing company, the biggest U.S. fuel pipeline and other targets. Western governments have pledged to crack down on the cyber criminals, who operate largely in and around Russia, but have little to show in the way of progress. The new report on 2021 ransomware trends highlights the growing maturity and specialization of the ransomware market, with independent operators filling a lucrative niche market. Specialists now range from the hackers who can break into networks or develop ransomware to the nontechnical operators who negotiate payments with victims. The United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre said it's seen some ransomware gangs offer a 24/7 help center to victims to expedite ransom payments and restore encrypted data. There's even money to be made by arbitrators who can settle payment disputes among the various ransomware criminals, according to the report. "The criminal marketplace is incredibly, incredibly efficient and constantly evolving," said John Hultquist, vice president of intelligence analysis at the cybersecurity firm Mandiant. "The fact that they can operate like this, it's evidence of our failure to get a good grip on this problem." The report also describes the growing technical skills of ransomware gangs, which have been able to target cloud infrastructureoften touted as a safer alternative to storing data locallyand developed code to stop industrial processes. U.S. authorities said they'd seen ransomware attacks involving 14 out of 16 designated critical infrastructure sectors, including the defense industrial base, agriculture and information technology sectors. "When critical infrastructure is held at risk by foreign hackers operating from a safe haven in an adversary country, that's a national security problem," National Security Agency Cybersecurity Director Rob Joyce said in a statement, adding that addressing ransomware is a "significant focus" of the NSA. The joint report was issued Wednesday by the FBI, the NSA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the U.S. as well as the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. The report said that after major highly disruptive hacks on the Colonial Pipeline in the U.S. in May and on Brazilian meat processor JBS SA in June, "ransomware groups suffered disruptions from U.S. authorities in mid-2021" and have targeted midsize victims to reduce scrutiny. But the UK and Australian authorities said they'd not seen any similar trend in their countries. Kaspersky Labs reported in December that ransomware-related incidents in 2021 accounted for 47% of its global response, up from 38% the previous year. In the U.S., however, targeted ransomware attacks that its intelligence network detected were down 33% in 2021 compared with the previous years. That compares with a 30% rise globally. In the past month, ransomware victims have included operators of maritime fuel depots in Belgium and Germany and media outlets in Portugal. A cyberattack on the wireless provider Vodafone in Portugal this week had all the hallmarks of ransomware, though the company's CEO for Portugal said it received no ransomware demand. Explore further European oil port terminals hit by cyberattack 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Up to 60,000 people are expected to attend the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this month, organisers said Thursday, hoping it would resemble its pre-pandemic days despite the absence of several heavyweights. "We're expecting somewhere between 40,000 and 60,000 people," said John Hoffman, executive director of the GSMA industry association which stages the annual telecoms show, which is the biggest in the world. Speaking to reporters, he said there would be "more than 1,500 exhibitors" from 150 countries at the four-day event in the Catalan capital which this year runs from February 28 to March 3. "The whole (mobile telecoms) ecosystem is again coming to MWC here in Barcelona, we're on track to meet and hopefully exceed all of our expectations," he said ahead of the show's 16th edition which will take up seven of the eight pavilions at the city's main exhibition hall. The show, a key event for showcasing new technologies, had been cancelled at the last minute in 2020 after multiple companies withdrew as the global pandemic took hold. Last year, the congress did take place although it was in June instead of February and included a mixture of in-person and online events, drawing just 20,000 visitors compared with 100,000 in normal times. Tight health restrictions also meant delegates needed to be tested at the venue's gates in order to gain entry, but this year they only need to show proof of vaccination. And this year, 95 percent of the 1,000 speakers will be there in person, said Mats Granryd, GSMA's director general. "It's important for our industry, it's important for society and for business to come together physically," he said. In recent weeks, several industry heavyweights have said they would not be attending, among them Sony, which did not participate last year, and China's Lenovo which said it would only be present online. South Korea's Samsung, the world's biggest smartphone maker, said it would be physically attending alongside other industry giants such as Ericsson, Nokia, Verizon Google, Qualcomm, Cisco and Huawei. The show will take place as Spain recovers from the pandemic's sixth wave in which the highly-contagious Omicron variant sent cases soaring; although the numbers are falling, cases remain high, particularly in the northeastern Catalonia region. With infections falling, Spain on Thursday lifted the requirement to wear masks outdoors, and Catalonia also decided to reopen nightlife venues after also dropping a requirement to show a COVID vaccine passport to enter bars and restaurants. Explore further Global mobile congress to return with over 30,000 people 2022 AFP Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain At the heart of much Buddhist practice is the notion that meeting with other people and practicing together in real life are the most beneficial approaches. However, individually art can be used for mindfulness and meditation. Indeed, paintings and sculptures have helped individuals and in the modern era digital media and technology can offer something to practitioners too. Writing in the International Journal of Arts and Technology, a team from Silpakorn University, Thailand discuss how virtual reality might be a useful and innovative tool in Buddhist teaching. Gomesh Karnchanapayap and Atithep Chaetnalao explain how they have developed what they refer to as a ground-breaking tool by bringing together artworks and virtual reality. They suggest that this approach to teaching enables a multi-level learning experience for students. The team explains that the experience within a virtual reality environment can encourage better memory in students. Moreover, it allows the user to "experience" an environment in safety allowing them to "know" events indirectly but with greater authenticity than is possible with conventional photographs or movies. They add that by purposefully creating an appropriate virtual world it might be possible to imbue a better understanding of the core philosophy of the given artworks. "This learning innovation is not only an effective learning tool but also suitable for new generations as a new medium to pass on the faith of Buddhism," the team writes. Indeed, the researchers have evaluated their new VR tool with student evaluation of their learning undertaken with the system and found it to provide a positive experience in terms of test scores. Test results before students were offered the VR experience were commonly around 50 percent but rose to almost 80 percent in some cases after training with the VR system. Of course, it is important to recognize that virtual reality is, like any other technology or indeed more traditional teaching approaches that rely on imagery, simply a tool. It should form part of a broader learning experience in this context for the students just as it would in any other realm. It is the teaching and the learning, not the technology that is the important part of the process. Explore further VR more engaging than video and textbooks when it comes to the classroom More information: Gomesh Karnchanapayap et al, Virtual reality art as an innovative Buddhist learning tool, International Journal of Arts and Technology (2022). Gomesh Karnchanapayap et al, Virtual reality art as an innovative Buddhist learning tool,(2022). DOI: 10.1504/IJART.2021.120763 Travis Paynes family and friends gathered in Jekyll Square in downtown Brunswick Thursday to mourn and remember the impact he had on everyone he met. WASHINGTON A strained Border Patrol is getting increased attention from the Biden administration after tense meetings between senior officials and the rank and file while the agency deals with one of the largest spikes in migration along the U.S.-Mexico border in decades. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who oversees the Border Patrol, laid out 19 ways to address working conditions after frosty receptions by agents, said Chris Magnus, the new commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. Mayorkas also pledged in a memo to push for more prosecutions of people accused of assaulting CBP personnel in the course of their duties, an issue raised at a recent meeting in Laredo, Texas, and elsewhere, Magnus said Tuesday. Thats something that agents in the field want to hear because assaults are on the uptick, Magnus told The Associated Press. We are not just seeing folks who are fleeing to the U.S. to get away from conditions. We are seeing smugglers, members of cartels and drug organizations that are actively engaged in doing harm. Efforts to deal with working conditions for agents come as President Joe Biden has been criticized across the political spectrum over immigration. He has sought to reverse many policies of his predecessor but has come under fire over the situation at the border that could cause trouble for Democrats in the midterm elections. CBP encountered migrants from all over the world about 1.7 million times along the U.S.-Mexico border last year. The total, among the highest in decades, is inflated by repeated apprehensions of people who were turned away, without being given a chance to seek asylum, under a public health order issued at the start of the pandemic. Immigration advocates have condemned the administration for not repealing the public health order, known as Title 42, while critics, including many Border Patrol agents, say a Biden policy of allowing children and families to stay in the country and pursue asylum has encouraged irregular migration. Magnus said the agents, and the administration, are just trying to manage a complicated situation. Were seeing folks that are encountering political conditions and violence, unsafe conditions to live and work, at unprecedented levels, the former police chief of Tucson, Arizona, said in an interview, the first since he was sworn in Friday. Weve seen, for example, in places, earthquakes or other environmental conditions. Were seeing unprecedented levels of poverty. All of these are things that are in many ways, you know, pushing migrants again at high levels to this country. The administration has sought to address the cause of migration, including by increasing aid to Central America and re-starting a visa program that was ended under President Donald Trump. It also has sought assistance from other countries, including Mexico, to do more to stop or take in migrants. As the overall numbers have increased, and the administration has decided to allow many families to stay and seek asylum in a process that can take years, some Border Patrol agents have grown disenchanted as they spend their shifts processing and transporting people, not out in the field. That frustration boiled over in Laredo as agents met late last month with Mayorkas and Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz, who acknowledged morale was at an all-time low, according to a leaked video published by the Washington Examiner. One agent complained about doing nothing except releasing people into the United States, referring to the practice of allowing migrants to remain free while their cases wind through immigration court. At another meeting, in Yuma, Arizona, Mayorkas told agents he understood that apprehending families and children is not what you signed up to do and that their jobs were becoming more challenging amid an influx of Cubans, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, according to video published by the conservative website Townhall. One of the agents turned his back on the secretary. Magnus has heard similar concerns raised in meetings. I think it has been difficult for many of them who spent most of their careers or anticipated that their careers would be largely working in the field, on the border, he said. The commissioner declined to specify the 19 areas where Mayorkas wants to see improvement, because they have not been publicly released. But another official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans, said they include expanding the role of a new class of civilian employees to add tasks such as transporting migrants to medical facilities so agents can return to other duties. Counterfeit $100 bills were passed successfully in at least five Grand Island businesses during the weekend, and the Grand Island Police expect to hear reports of more. The forged bills were used either Saturday or Sunday at Caseys General Store, 4150 W. Highway 30; Pump and Pantry, 1235 Allen Drive; Pumpers, 1904 N. Diers Ave.; Advanced Auto Parts, 1227 N. Diers, and GameStop, 2390 N. Diers. GameStop also reported receiving a counterfeit $100 bill on Jan. 20. These are relatively high-quality bills, said Capt. Jim Duering of the Grand Island Police Department. Most of the phony bills were detected when businesses deposited their money, meaning they were not noticed in the stores. The majority, if not all, have the same serial number: D39519245A. Police expect to hear reports of more weekend counterfeiting, partly because the businesses hit were in the citys Northwest corridor. When a series of crimes is committed close to Highway 281, its usually the result of transient criminal activity someone who comes to town and then leaves, Duering said. The $100 bill being copied is from the 1990 to 1996 series of currency. So this is an older series of bills. And they do that because it is easier to replicate, he said. Those bills have fewer security features than 21st-century currency. The date of the currency is the first tip-off for anyone who receives a $100 bill. If you get a crisp, clean $100 bill thats 30 years old, that by itself is probably a clue, Duering said. Pens that businesses use to check bills are fine, but theyre not 100% reliable, Duering said. Police encourage businesses to use a simple magnifying glass to inspect money because the microprinting is of such a high detail on a real bill that almost no printer or scanner is going to be able to replicate that, Duering said. The print is almost 3D so under a magnifying glass you can see that the ink stands up off of the paper, he said. Another way to tell is an internal security strip, which is invisible to the naked eye. But if you hold a bill up to the light and look at the front of it, on the left-hand side, about halfway between the portrait and the edge, youll see the strip, which indicates the denomination of the bill. That strip is hard to duplicate, Duering said. Some convenience stores dont accept $100 bills. But that policy is getting harder to adhere to because of rising gas prices, Duering said. A year ago, you could fill up just about any vehicle for less than $100. But now, filling up many pickup trucks will cost more than $100, he said. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Nebraska Extension will host several in-person Land Application Trainings this winter across the state emphasizing Applying Manure Management Concepts On-Farm. This educational program will focus on field selection, the value of manure, soil health, and protecting water quality when making applications. Sessions are very applied and interactive for participants so they get hands-on experience making decisions about which fields would benefit from a manure application. Participants will learn updates on regulations and have open discussions on how to best use manure on your operation. This program is open to all producers that intend to utilize manure on their operations. Farm staff and advisors implementing the farms permit or nutrient plan are also encouraged to attend. Several dates and locations across the state for both initial and recertifying applicators are available. Initial applicators are required to attend the entire training day while recertifying applicators are welcome to attend the entire day but are only required to participate in the afternoon session. Those participating in both the morning and afternoon session will receive NDEE Land Application Training Certification. Training is required every five years for permitted operations. The schedule includes: Lexington: Tuesday, Feb. 8, Dawson County Extension Office, 1002 Plum Creek Parkway; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (initial), 1 to 3:30 p.m. (recertification). Columbus: Thursday, Feb. 10, Platte County Extension Office, 2715 13th St. Columbus; 3 to 9 p.m. (initial), 6:30 to 9 p.m. (recertification). North Platte: Friday, Feb. 11, West Central Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (initial), 1 to 3:30 p.m. (recertification). Geneva: Tuesday, Feb. 15, Fillmore County Fairgrounds, 641 N. Fifth St; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (initial), 1 to 3:30 p.m. (recertification). Additional trainings, locations, times and registration information can be found online (https://water.unl.edu/lat) or by contacting Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or leslie.johnson@unl.edu. A reminder: The Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference is planned for Feb. 24-25 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Kearney. The two-day conference will offer a variety of topics with more than 20 workshop sessions. By participating in these workshop sessions, attendees will learn how to better manage risk, improve their farms and ranches and become more successful operators and business partners. Keynote speakers include Katie Dilse, Carey Portell and Maggie Holub. Registration for the two-day event is open on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website (https://wia.unl.edu). Early bird registration ends Wednesday, Feb. 9, and increases after this time, but participants are welcome to register at any time. Scholarships are available for students, and more information about applying can be found on the Nebraska Women in Ag website (https://wia.unl.edu) or contacting Jessica Groskopf at 308-632-1247 or (jgroskopf2@unl.edu. Sarah Sivits is the Dawson County Extension educator in crops and water, and serves Dawson, Buffalo and Hall counties. Contact her at 308-324-5501 or by email at ssivits@unl.edu. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Vietnamese military receives 2nd batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines from PLA Xinhua) 09:07, February 10, 2022 Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo (3rd L) and Hoang Xuan Chien (4th R), Vietnam's deputy minister of national defense, attend a handover ceremony of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 8, 2022. (Chinese Embassy to Vietnam/Handout via Xinhua) HANOI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense has received the second batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine presented by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China. A PLA transport aircraft carrying the vaccine doses arrived late Tuesday at Noi Bai International Airport in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. At the handover ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo said cooperating to combat COVID-19 is currently a priority in China-Vietnam cooperation, and that China has by far provided Vietnam with a total of 52 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, contributing to Vietnam's master plan for both epidemic control and socio-economic development. The vaccine aid once again demonstrated the warm friendship between the two countries and two militaries to help each other and fight against the pandemic together, Xiong said, adding that the Chinese side is willing to continue to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to support Vietnam's anti-epidemic efforts within its capacity. Thanking the Chinese side for providing the vaccine aid, Hoang Xuan Chien, Vietnam's deputy minister of national defense, said the vaccine aid reflects the friendship of "comrades and brothers" between his country and China. He said the Vietnamese side will do a good work of distributing and administering the vaccines, better serving disease prevention and control as well as economic recovery. In August 2021, the Vietnamese military received the first batch of Sinopharm vaccines sent by the Chinese PLA. According to Vietnam's Ministry of Health, as of Wednesday, the Southeast Asian country had registered over 2.4 million COVID-19 cases, mostly in the current wave of infections which started in late April last year. Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo (L) and Hoang Xuan Chien, Vietnam's deputy minister of national defense, attend a handover ceremony of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 8, 2022. (Chinese Embassy to Vietnam/Handout via Xinhua) (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) The south side of Grand Island will get Dollar Tree and Jimmy Johns when the two businesses open soon in Southeast Commons. The neighborhood shopping center, formerly known as Fonner View Center, is at the intersection of South Locust Street and Fonner Park Road. The sign is already up for Dollar Tree, which is expected to open in early March. Jimmy Johns, which will have a drive-thru window, will be in the former home of Burger King, alongside Fonner Park Road. Ray OConnor, who owns Southeast Commons, has commitments for nine of the 10 units. Four of the units have been sold. Five are being rented. OConnor has the remaining unit, No. 6, which he will rent or sell. OConnor has made dramatic changes since buying the center from a California company. The place was really in poor shape, he said. OConnor replaced the roof. The roof was terrible. It was leaking, he said. He gave the mall its first sprinkler system. He elevated the structure to make three of the units three stories tall on each end and the one in the middle. The latter is occupied by Ace Rent-to-Own. OConnor installed light poles in the parking lot and a string of lights along the top of the structure. He resurfaced a large portion of the parking lot, patching the rest. He gave the mall a distinctive sign, built around two poles that were curved by a Houston company. The electronic message center is used by each of the tenants as part of its leasing package. OConnor divided the property into business condominiums, which tenants can either rent or buy. Things are going well because of the location and because of the improvements, OConnor said. Due to the malls previous state, no one wanted to be there, and anybody that was there moved out because of the condition of the property, he said. The new interest in the mall shows the importance of revitalizing a property, OConnor said. In some cases, you have to clean up a property and make it modern-looking to make it attractive to national, regional and local businesses, he said. When OConnor contacted a Dollar Tree broker a couple of months after buying the mall, the company had no interest. But when he sent drawings of the improvements he planned, they got very interested, he said. OConnor didnt go looking to buy the mall. The previous owners, based in San Diego, contacted him in 2019. They negotiated a deal. He took on the project to improve the looks of the area. Thats the only reason I did it, he said. OConnor is leasing three of the units to Dollar Tree, which will occupy the old Texas T-Bone location. The three units Nos. 7, 8 and 9 total 9,600 square feet. Junior Roebuck has three of the malls units, including the Jimmy Johns location. Ace Rent-to-Own is the only carryover from the malls previous incarnation. Theyre a great tenant. Its the No. 1 store in their chain, OConnor said. OConnor gives a lot of credit to Chief Construction, the projects general contractor. They are the ones that are responsible for redoing the whole face of that shopping center, he said. Southeast Commons is also home to Advance Services and Pathfinder Support Services. In addition, the mall includes a U.S. Bank drive-up teller. OConnor is looking for a tenant for Unit 6, which covers 2,625 square feet. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Paris, TX (75460) Today Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low 62F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low 62F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Ange Dixon doesnt know what she saw, but she knows shes not crazy. I cant tell you what exactly what it was, she said, recalling a time nearly 20 years ago she, her daughter and now-ex-husband were driving near Makanda in the small hours of one February morning. It was around 2 a.m. Snow was falling. Dixon said she was driving with her then-10-year-old daughter to pick up her husband from his brothers house. On the way back, she was driving near Makanda when she saw what she thought were mailbox reflectors. She got closer, and thought it was a mountain lion. At about 25 feet away, she realized she was wrong, again. I realized that it wasnt a cougar, that it was actually crouched down in the middle of the road holding something, Dixon remembered. We just sat there and was watching it and it just stood up and it was huge. Dixon described it as completely black with defined muscles. All I could focus on was his eyes, she said. Red, yellow glowing eyes. Then, Dixon said, it took off and was gone. Dixons daughter was among the first to speak up. She was like, Was that a Bigfoot, mom? Dixon recalled. Dixon admitted her sighting doesnt always make her popular. I get laughed at all the time, Dixon said. Its like, Im not fibbing. Im not lying. Im not saying what it is because I dont know what it was, I have no clue. But thats what I seen, she said. Shes not alone. Far from it. Monster sightings are woven into the fabric of Southern Illinois. The Tuttle Bottoms Monster in Saline County, the Big Muddy Monster in Jackson County, big black cats, giant snakes and little red men are all familiar folktales. For some, they are more than folklore. We are knee-deep in it, Zach Starrick said. He is the chief member of the Southern Illinois Monster Hunter group. He investigates reports of unexplained sightings, in Southern Illinois and throughout the U.S. Starrick, a Williamson County native, said he feels like Illinois is a particularly special place when it comes to cryptozoology, which is the study of mysterious beasts and entities from folklore. Illinois is a creepy place and its also a very haunted place, he recalled. In fact, he said, in 2017, Illinois ranked second out of all 50 states for Bigfoot sightings. Creatures of our own Southern Illinois in particular has its own vivid collection of folktales and mysterious creatures, the most famous likely being the Big Muddy Monster the regions version of Bigfoot. Sightings of the monster peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, even garnering attention from the New York Times. Carbondale attorney Christian Barils anecdote of seeing the beast made it into that report. Baril in an interview last year recalled that incident from 1973. He said he was 3 years old, playing in a sandbox with his neighbor. It was getting toward dusk in his Westwood Hills neighborhood. After his buddy went home, Baril said he stayed outside. As I was out there I saw something. I dont really remember the actual seeing of it, Baril said. He said he turned around and looked up at his house. The lights were all on as night set in, and the windows glowed. Baril said he had one thought. Mommy. While the monster itself isnt clear in his head, some parts of the memory are. To this day I have a really clear picture of being really afraid and turning around and looking at that house, Baril said. When he went inside to tell his parents what he had seen, they werent too concerned. His dad, still dressed from work, was on the kitchen floor replacing a hinge on the refrigerator. OK, thats fine. Its time to go to bed, is what Baril remembers being told when he announced his encounter. It wasnt until later that evening that his parents took it a bit more seriously. He said a neighbor called his mother to say that one of her children had seen something in the neighborhood. The neighbor who called, Baril said, was a very conservative woman and not prone to exaggeration. Barils mother told the neighbor to call the police. The police came out and they brought tracking dogs, Baril said though he admitted he was in bed at the time. The neighborhood was out listening to something crashing through the bushes back there. Baril said the story goes that the police chased it all the way to a barn in the woods. But, Baril said, the dogs were too scared to go in. Eventually, the dogs were tossed, but found nothing. And it gets away, Baril said. Looking back, Baril knows he felt fear and believes something had to be out there. But the certainty stops there. In my mind, I dont know what it was, he said. The monster cropped up again about 15 years later in Murphysboro, according to stories published in The Southern at the time. Bob Reiman told reporters that he encountered the beast, which he said smelled terrible, at his salvage yard in 1988. Reiman described it as 10 feet tall, with red eyes and yellow teeth. His mother told The Southern it smelled like "a skunk that fell in a sewer." At the time, he provided sketches to the newspaper. When investigating these types of claims, embracing certainty of the uncertain is part of it. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, Starrick said. Virgil Smith has spent a considerable amount of time and money looking into strange sightings and weird happenings for people in Southern Illinois. Hes been at it for more than two decades, and estimates hes spent about a quarter of a million dollars. He said there is one rule when talking with witnesses. Dont ever discredit anyone when you talk to them for any reason. Because the first time you do it, your research is over, Smith said. There is intense stigma attached to these sightings and stories for the witnesses, he said, and someone willing to come forward with an experience should be listened to. Just the facts Loren Coleman, one of the country's most noted and respected cryptozoologists, approaches everything with a scientific mind. In fact, Coleman studied science at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. "I had a very scientific and critical thinking approach and would not come out with crazy theories, Coleman said. He has never ventured so far as to surmise that Bigfoot had been dropped to earth by a UFO, he said. I try to keep in the middle, I just want the data, I just want the information, Coleman said. Smith said he is of a similar mind. Ive gotta be able to pinch it, smell it, feel it, he said, noting that he tries to steer away from the paranormal and stays with things that could be rooted in science. Take for example his work investigating Saline Countys Tuttle Bottoms Monster. Sightings of the hairy, long-snouted creature began in the 1960s. Smith said he was asked to look into the matter about eight to 10 years ago. What he found was not a creature out of mythology, but was, he believes, to be a known animal seen out of context. Smith said in his research he discovered that a zoo in Mount Vernon had been forced to shut down around the time of the sightings of the Tuttle Bottoms Monster. The guy that owned the zoo did not maintain his animals, Smith said. Through his investigation, Smith said, he learned that the man had been visited by federal investigators, who gave him 48 hours to find new homes for the animals or they would come and take them. His family and friends said he took them down through, scattered them throughout Southern Illinois, and released them, he said. One of the animals he released was a giant anteater from Africa, Smith said. The description of the anteater lined up quite well with the description witnesses provided of the Tuttle Bottoms Monster. Smith said the other animals the zoo owner allegedly released match descriptions of other beasts reported in the southeastern part of the state around the same time, including a hairy primate seen in Massac County. He said an old orangutan was among the animals he set loose, which likely explained this sighting. Not everything lines up that neatly, though. Coleman said there is always room for the unknown in this type of research, but he said he tends to try to offer concrete explanations when he can. If I know its something thats explainable and Im not going to hurt somebodys feelings, I think it helps the science, he said. Coleman said the science of cryptozoology is something he finds particularly satisfying. I think a lot of new science comes from there, he said, pointing to what he called the classic animals of discovery. The giant squid is an example of this, he said. Until about 2006, the creature existed only in sailors' tales. But, theres a conundrum here, too. Coleman admitted that cryptozoology is always left holding on to a list of unknown, potentially unbelievable hypotheses. The giant squid rested firmly in cryptozoology until it was confirmed and taken away from that field, and brought into conventional science. That might fuel some of the intense skepticism crypto-researchers experience, Coleman said. The search for the new can be all-consuming for some. But this is something Starrick said needs to be tempered. Not finding Bigfoot shouldnt always be seen as a failure. He said finding a new waterfall or other geographic landmark shouldnt be discounted. He said part of the search should be about being out in the wild and letting what happens, happen. Dont go in the woods looking for Bigfoot. Bigfoot will find you, he said. Questions Science aside, Coleman, Starrick and Smith all agreed that these stories can build part of the fabric of a culture, from Southern Illinois to the mountains of Nepal. It is remarkable to me how these stories can kind of take hold and decades later become extremely important, Coleman said. Thinking back on his time in Southern Illinois, Coleman said there is a lot that makes the region unique for his research. Little Egypt is a very distinctive biological space, Coleman said. He also said the lower half of the state has a lot in common culturally with the South. Its Southern nature lends itself to believing and sharing the stories, he said, adding that theres more sharing in the South. Smith said this is changing, though. With the internet, research has shifted. There are fewer and fewer mom-and-pop places to go and ask about local lore as the conversation shifts online. Baril said he has seen a welcome shift in the way people view these monsters and their stories. Growing up, he said it was not cool to talk about seeing Bigfoot. People dont want there to be something unexplained, and they ridicule you, Baril said. However, now the Big Muddy Monster and other cryptids have been embraced as lovable mascots. As for their veracity, Baril, who has his own very real experience with the unknown, asked whats the harm in wondering, in having an open mind. Its OK to not know, he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Holly Hill woman tried to protect the children in her home on July 15, 2015, but she was no match for the men who forced their way inside, prosecutors claim. They were coming for dope and they didnt even care, 1st Circuit Assistant Solicitor David Osborne said during opening arguments Wednesday. Four people were killed that day and an 8-year-old was injured. Four Eutawville men are accused of four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder: Antley Jermaine Jackie Man Scott, Robert Lee Pockets Bailey, Luther Joseph Smith and Derrick Warren Coleman. The trial for Scott, Bailey and Smith started Wednesday. Coleman is listed as a potential witness who may testify during the trial. Osborne claims the men went to the house to get drugs after Bailey said he didnt have any. The violence that these men brought into that house was horrific, Osborne said. The four people shot and killed were Tamara Alexia Perry, 14; Shamekia Tyjuana Sanders, 17; Krystal Hutto, 28, and Jerome Butler, 50. Also, Dreamzz Nelson was injured at the 7050 Old State Road residence. Nelson is now 14. Osborne described Hutto as addicted to drugs. The children in the home were half-siblings, but werent Huttos children, Osborne said. He noted, When the chips were down, she did everything she could to save their lives. Hutto was engaged to the childrens father, Christopher Dean Wright, who started his testimony late on Monday. Wright testified that he used to sell crack cocaine out of the house to people he knew personally. Osborne described Butler as a drug addict who was homeless but harmless. He noted that Butler was shot twice while sitting in a Camaro parked in the driveway. After that, someone then shot Butler in the head, he said. When Perry heard an intruder kicking the back door of the home, she rushed to the kids bedroom and barricaded herself inside. Nelson hid in a closet, but a shooter found him, Osborne said. Osborne noted Perry, Sanders and Nelson were each shot in the head while they were on the floor. For six long hours, Dreamzz fought for his life covered in blood and his sisters blood, Osborne said. Osborne claims Coleman drove the getaway car for Scott, Bailey and Smith. For weeks after the shooting, Bailey allegedly texted a relative multiple times daily, asking, What does Dreamzz remember? Osborne said. Nelsons grandmothers home was behind Baileys, so the two knew each other, Osborne said. Those men thought there would be no one left to tell what they did, Osborne said. Smiths attorney, Aimee Zmroczek, said in opening arguments that the sheriffs offices investigation was ignorance covered up with lies and incompetence. She said Smith has been waiting six years, six months and 26 days to have his day in court. She alleges Smith wasnt at Huttos house when the shooting took place. She noted that Smith was self-medicating with illegal drugs to cope with the emotional pain he experienced when his wife left him. Joe looks a lot different today. Being clean for five years will do that to you, she said. She also noted that both Smith and Coleman are easily manipulated. Smith made 12 confessions to the crime, she said, but they changed over time, she added. Zmroczek accused Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office Lt. James Shumpert of, creating this narrative when they couldnt figure it out. She said Shumpert, knew he could take these weak-minded individuals and make them confess. The story Shumpert builds doesnt line up with any of the objective evidence, she said. Zmroczek alleges Wright, the childrens drug-dealer father engaged to two women at the same time, set this ball in motion. Zmroczek said if the accused men were going to the home to buy drugs, then they wouldnt have left the drugs behind. During his testimony Tuesday, Wright said that photos taken inside the house showed drug paraphernalia and crack cocaine. Wright also testified that hed gotten a call from Bailey the day before the shootings. Wright said he hadnt heard from Bailey in months, but Bailey wanted to negotiate the sale of one of Wrights motorcycles to someone Bailey knew. Bailey and the motorcycle buyer went to Huttos home where they met Wright to work out the deal. At the end of the deal, Bailey got a red motorcycle, Wright got a motorcycle motor and a dirt bike, and Baileys friend got an orange motorcycle. Wright rode with a friend who had a truck and transported the motorcycles to Baileys house. Wright said a burned-up guy gave him a ride back to Huttos home. Wright said that was the first time he met him. Attorneys explained the burned-up guy referred to Coleman, whod sustained significant burn injuries and scarring in an accident several years prior. Wright noted that Coleman didnt have any trouble driving, despite considerable scarring on his hands. Wright testified that Sanders, Perry, Nelson and Hutto were at the home when he returned. After a little while, he drove to his other fiances home in Summerton. He and the woman recently began renting a home there and decided to visit the Walmart in Manning to buy a microwave and table for the home. Wright spent the night at the womans house. When he woke up the next day, he saw a missed call on his phone. It was from Hutto. He said it was unusual for her to call during the middle of the night. Wright decided he needed to return to Huttos home to check on things since she didnt answer the phone when he tried to call her back. He, along with one of his Summerton fiances male relatives, headed to Holly Hill, but first stopped at the BP gas station so Wright could purchase a blunt cigar and a drink. When Wright arrived, he saw Butler on the driveway. I tapped his foot, Wright said. Butler didnt respond. The front door of the home was open and someone had kicked open the back door. Wright said he went into the threshold of the door, but quickly backed away, deciding to call 911. He told deputies he thought family members were inside of the home. Osborne asked Wright if he ever asked Nelson what he remembered of the shootings. No sir, Wright said. The trial will resume Thursday with defense attorneys asking Wright questions. Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 21 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. NORWAY Police Chief Edgar Williams was absent during the recent Facebook live Norway Town Council meeting and was absent the entire week in which the meeting occurred because of attending a death and homicide investigation training in Georgia. Mayor Tracie Clemons said Williams requested surveillance from the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office for the town during his absence. The T&D will include a police report in a future council report. Council went into executive session toward the end of the meeting. Clemons did not state what the executive session was for before going into session or returning from session. However, a photo of an agenda posted publicly on the Town of Norway Facebook page did show that they were going into executive session to discuss a legal matter. No decisions were made upon return to open session. Clemons made committee chair appointments during the regular session. Councilman Kelvin Crosby, who was also named mayor pro tem, will continue as the Parks and Recreation chair. Councilman Gregg Covington will continue as streets and sanitation chair. Clemons asked that he send a photo and the name of a cross street if he sees a leak in the water system. Clemons will continue as the water/wastewater chair and finance chair. Newly elected and recently sworn-in Councilwoman Almanda Holiday was appointed as chair for event planning and fundraising. Clemons asked that all council members assist Holiday with the work involved in this particular committee. She also stated she had been discussing another possible appointment with newly elected and recently sworn-in Councilwoman Sally Spires. This possible appointment was not disclosed. As seen by The T&D during Facebook live meeting coverage, the Town of Norway has been recognizing current and past individual African American citizens on their Facebook page each day in February for Black History Month. Biographies and photos for these individuals have been posted on the Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/Town-of-Norway-SC-1013716612050884. In other business: S.C. STAY will be at the Old Willow School at 2750 Cope Road in Norway from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. accepting applications for rental and electric assistance from citizens in the area. The Town of Norway will resume the Norwegian Vendors Day April 2, depending on the amount of COVID-19 cases. Depending on those cases, they will have a town yard sale on Saturday, April 16. If there is a spike in cases, these events may be canceled. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 For 15 days in June of 1971, a federal court barred The New York Times from publishing the Pentagon Papers, a damning account of how the United States had blundered into the Vietnam War. That egregious edict was overturned by six Supreme Court justices, and today their ruling sets the legal standard regarding press freedom. As Justice Hugo Black wrote, the lower court's injunction amounted "to a flagrant, indefensible, and continuing violation of the First Amendment." He added that "only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government." Black's words remain true more than 50 years later, but his admonition is under assault in two current cases, both involving the Times. And given today's political climate, those threats have to be taken very seriously. After years of unrelenting attacks on the media by Donald Trump and his right-wing allies -- branding journalists as "the scum of the earth" and the "enemies of the people" -- it's not surprising that public confidence in the press has plummeted. A Gallup survey found that only 21% had "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in newspapers, while only 16% had the same view of television news. Moreover, federal judges appointed by Republican presidents have expressed growing skepticism toward the media's mission. As a result, political strategist Elizabeth Spiers told the Washington Post, "You can't take it for granted these days that members of a jury, or even judges, believe that we need a robust free press." The first case involves a long-running feud between the Times and Project Veritas, a right-wing organization devoted to discrediting its perceived enemies on the left. Veritas is suing the Times for libel, and the paper obtained communications between the organization and its lawyers that bore on the dispute. A New York state judge, Charles Wood, ruled that the Times could not publish the communications because they were protected by lawyer-client privilege. In fact, he ordered the Times to destroy the documents they had collected. A higher court quickly overruled Wood, and said the Times could retain the documents, but the judges kept the restraining order in place. So today, for one of the few times in American history, a news organization is legally barred from publishing certain information. Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger denounced Wood for ruling with "no apparent precedent." But even if his decision is eventually reversed, the chilling effect is real. As Sulzberger put it, "This ruling should raise alarms not just for advocates of press freedoms, but for anyone concerned about the dangers of government overreach into what the public can and cannot know." The second case involves Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and vice-presidential candidate. In 2010, her political action committee had targeted a list of Democratic House members for defeat, including Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona. In 2011, Giffords was shot and almost killed by a gunman, and in 2017, the Times published an editorial implying that Palin was responsible for the attack -- saying "the link to political incitement was clear." Wrong. A link between Palin and the shooter has never been demonstrated. Palin sued for libel, and her complaint alleges that James Bennet, the Times editorial page editor who wrote the piece, "had a preconceived storyline for the defamatory article" and as a result, avoided "information that contradicted it." I teach media ethics, and I agree with Palin's complaint. Bennet was apparently infected by a case of confirmation bias -- a particularly dangerous ethical pitfall that causes writers to want a story to be true. But did the editorial qualify under the law as defamatory? Just because a story is unethical doesn't make it illegal. In the 1964 case, New York Times Company vs. Sullivan, the high court unanimously set out a very high standard. To win a libel judgment, a public figure has to prove that a publication knew the story was false and printed it anyway. Most legal experts believe that the Times' behavior in the Palin case does not meet the Sullivan standard. For one thing, the paper corrected the mistake immediately. For another, it's very hard to demonstrate that Bennet deliberately published an untruth. In fact, in an email early the next morning, he confessed to a colleague, "I don't know what the truth is here," and added, "I just moved too fast." Still, these two cases cast a dark shadow over the bright precedents that have protected press freedoms for more than half a century. Hugo Black's fervent support for "a free and unrestrained press" is now in danger. Steven Roberts teaches politics and journalism at George Washington University. His new book is "Cokie: A Life Well Lived." He can be contacted by email at stevecokie@gmail.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 If you've been involved in boating in South Carolina for any length of time, you'll know that the state's waterways are crowded. There are more boats than ever. South Carolina is seventh in the nation per capita with more than 500,000 boats. If you compare the number of registered boats to the Palmetto States population, it computes to a 1-in-10 ratio. South Carolina has 3,000 miles of coastline in an area less than 200 miles from border to border. There there are more than 8,000 miles of rivers and 460,000 acres of lakes. As the state's population grows, with major growth in coastal areas, more and more boaters are on the waterways. Safety should be at the forefront. Boaters under age 16 are required by law to pass an approved boater education course before operating a personal watercraft or a boat powered by a 15-horsepower motor or more without adult supervision. But a boating license or any kind of training is not required of adults. You just get your boat, put it in the water and go. Perhaps once that was OK, but the busy waterways are making learning the rules of the road on the water necessary. Randall and Karen Smith lost their 11-year-old son Drew when a drunk boater slammed into his boat while Drew was fishing with his dad on Lake Murray. The Smiths have worked to strengthen boating laws since their son's death. In 1999, state lawmakers passed Drew's Law, but Randall Smith believes more needs to be done, "We have all of these requirements for all modes of transportation except for boats. Why?" The Smiths are working to get S.C. Senate bill S. 497 passed. The boating safety bill is aimed at educating younger boaters. It would require anyone born after July 1, 2006, to get a boating safety certificate before operating any boat with 10 horsepower or more. According to DNR, 203 people were killed in boating accidents in South Carolina between 2009 and 2018. The Smiths believe this new bill could help bring the number down. Randall Smith is working hard for the new legislation, urging in a letter to members of the S.C. House Judiciary Committee that they act on the bill: "Many first-time boat owners have never operated a boat or a jet ski. No one taught them how. All other types of motorized travel require proof you can safely operate them by completing some type of training requirement. ... "Just this past summer, a young woman was killed on Lake Keowee. The operator of the boat that hit her was inexperienced at operating a boat. Unfortunately, this happens far too often, just ask SCDNR. "The US Coast Guard stated in its most recent yearly report from 2020 that nationally, ' 77% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Only 12% of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator was known to have received a nationally-approved boating safety education certificate.' "Would you let your teenage son or daughter drive your new Corvette on the Interstate without either of them having the proper training? Would you fly if ANYONE could pilot the plane? Would you feel safe driving if there were no requirement for truckers to get a CDL license? What do you think would happen if we just gave our children the car keys and said have at it?" He further states: "When I wrote the Boating Safety and Reform Act of 1999, also known as Drews Law, I heard the same arguments that it wont work, no law will stop the drunks and we dont need any more laws. We proved our critics wrong. The first year after Drews Law went into effect, boating deaths in South Carolina were cut in half. This trend continued for many years. Many lives were saved. So dont tell me it wont work now. "As a father, I ask you to please support Boater Education Bill S.497." The proposed legislation is needed. It will not require many operating boats today to take any action, though a training course is recommended for all operating a boat. Yet it will over time mean more and more people will have training, and with the number of boats continuing to grow, such training will be increasingly necessary. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 By John Cassim (Anadolu Agency) HARARE, Zimbabwe Rising awareness in Zimbabwe about COVID-19 complications has prompted smokers of tobacco and other substances to quit, health experts in the Southern African nation confirm. With the advent of COVID-19 and the health awareness that was broadcast, it became clearer that there are certain people who are at more risk of succumbing to COVID-19, Dr. Anesu Chinoperekwei, a Harare-based psychiatrist, told Anadolu Agency on World Smoking Cessation Day on Feb. 9. Among those are people with chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, said Chinoperekwei. - Advertisement - Those who smoke are also at risk, she said, noting that many smokers are worried about the future consequences of their habit in relation to the coronavirus. Jacob Mushowe, 40, from Harare stopped smoking tobacco in August 2020 when he learned that smokers faced a 40-50% higher risk of developing severe symptoms or dying from the virus. He started smoking at age 17 and had never come across any strong anti-smoking messages until the coronavirus was declared a pandemic. I lost an uncle during the first wave of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe in 2020. He used to drink and smoke a lot. I took some personal interest in understanding how risky it was to smoke in this COVID-19 era and decided to quit, though gradually, he told Anadolu Agency. Pearson Mudungwe, a 49-year-old Harare-based vendor, said that he too was in the process of quitting, though he lacks support during cravings. I was diagnosed with tuberculosis in February 2020, and that was the time when COVID-19 had just started ravaging most countries globally. Owing to TB and COVID-19, smoking placed me at greater risk of dying from the virus, he said. Support system for quitting According to Chinoperekwei, when people smoke, they take in nicotine, a stimulant and drug that have effects on the brain and can cause euphoria and mood changes, as well as shifts in behavior, when a person is lacking it. Usually, smoking tobacco is used as a gateway to drinking alcohol or the use of other substances, although some just smoke tobacco alone. Mostly, its anxiety or depressive disorders which we deal with when one decides to quit smoking, she added. Health experts say cravings and anxiety leading to mood changes such as anger are very common when a person quits smoking. Hence, there is a need for support mechanisms at health facilities. I dont know of any tobacco-targeted support system. But, we do have drug abuse facilities at both public and private health institutions, she said. Meanwhile, Dr. Alex Gasasira, Zimbabwes country representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), urged countries to coordinate their activities. Countries should coordinate the activities of their health, trade, and finance ministries in order to ensure that they dont undertake trade and investment obligations that unduly conflict with their health goals, including their capacity to effectively regulate tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food products, he told Anadolu Agency. As part of a smoking cessation campaign, Commit to Quit, the WHO is partnering with messaging apps Viber, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, and AI company Soul Machines to reach billions with free ads promoting quitting tobacco, he added . Gasasira explained that Zimbabwes 2018 Public Health Act includes provisions to take action to increase public awareness about the risk conditions of non-communicable diseases and to promote action to minimize these risk factors. Smoking during COVID-19 pandemic Gasasira also warned that smoking is a risk factor not only for COVID-19 but non-communicable diseases, too. Smokers face a 40-50% higher risk of developing severe diseases and death from COVID-19, he told Anadolu Agency. Tobacco kills up to half of its users, kills more than 8 million people each year and more than 7 million of these deaths are the results of direct tobacco use while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to secondhand smoke, the local WHO chief said. Over 80% of the worlds 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries, such as Zimbabwe. The country has signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCTC is a legally binding treaty that requires countries to implement evidence-based measures to reduce tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. Meanwhile, some analysts say Zimbabwe is dragging its feet as it is one of Africas leading tobacco producers and pockets nearly a billion dollars annually through tobacco exports. Like this: Like Loading... Another company is eyeing pumped storage hydropower in Wyoming. This one is a household name. Rocky Mountain Power, the states largest utility, applied in October for preliminary permits from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a form of agency approval that can fast-track the licensing process but doesnt authorize construction to study the feasibility of two pumped storage projects near Glenrock. The utilitys parent company, PacifiCorp, submitted 11 different applications for pumped storage projects across its six-state service territory. According to its filings, the two Glenrock facilities would have a combined eight-hour storage capacity of approximately 1,000 megawatts. PacifiCorp has looked into pumped storage before, but hasnt used it in the past, according to company spokesman Dave Eskelsen. The intermittent electricity production from increasingly affordable wind and solar, along with the impending retirements of many of the regions coal plants, have raised the appeal of using water to store power. Hydroelectricity is the original dispatchable resource, Eskelsen said. Pumped storage, particularly, can be responsive to the daily peak demand in energy. In each of the two closed-loop systems Rocky Mountain Power hopes to study near Glenrock, water would be pumped from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir using surplus electricity. It would then be allowed to run back down, spinning turbines to generate electricity, as needed. Water for both would be sourced from the North Platte River. FERC announced on Jan. 18 that it had accepted one of the Glenrock proposals, the Rocky Ridge Pumped Storage Project, and would take public comment, motions to intervene and competing applications through mid-March. It had already issued similar notices for projects in Oregon, Idaho and Washington. The agency has not yet publicly accepted the Box Elder Pumped Storage Project, Rocky Mountain Powers other Glenrock proposal. The utilitys 2021 Integrated Resource Plan, published in September, focused heavily on boosting storage capacity. It included thousands of megawatts of solar-plus-storage and standalone battery, but just 500 megawatts of pumped storage. The Glenrock projects alone would be double that. Converse County Commissioner Jim Willox said plenty of people have explored building pumped storage in the area over the last couple of decades, but the community didnt know until very recently that Rocky Mountain Power was interested. I think the thing thats most surprising to us is it wasnt in the IRP that they just got done with, he said. According to Eskelsen, the pumped storage if built would be installed in addition to the battery storage outlined in the utilitys plan. A handful of other questions have emerged locally, Willox said, including about the visual impact of the facilities. But there hasnt been much discussion yet. I dont think theres enough detail yet for anybody to really dive too deep into it, other than we want to stay engaged, he said. PacifiCorp publishes a new IRP every other year. Details about the pumped storage projects could be several iterations away: Feasibility studies like these, Eskelsen said, can take up to four years to complete. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. A pregnant mother and her family affected by the Quarry Street New Years Day fire say they felt pressured to accept an Oropune Gardens apartment as a permanent home after their years long efforts to find secure housing. The family, who had previously spent months surrounded by debris and without electricity, told the Express they felt as though they were being pushed to mortgage the apartment as a quick fix to their problem. Those with authority over others often become wolves because the people under their charge Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. PHOENIX Calling it a matter of parental rights, a House panel voted Wednesday to override mask mandates that exist in some public schools around the state. HB 2616 says schools can require youngsters to wear mask only if they have express consent of the persons parent or guardian. Its not just schools. The measure approved by the Committee on Government and Elections also would impose the same parental mandate before a minor can be forced to mask up on any government property. But there were limits on what lawmakers were willing to mandate. Before approving the measure on a 7-6 party-line vote, the Republican-controlled committee removed a provision that also would have extended the measures coverage to private businesses. It was the issue of schools, however, that provoked the biggest debate on the proposal by Rep. Joseph Chaplik, R-Scottsdale. He told colleagues that, as far as he sees it, masks are medical devices. Parents should have the rights to make medical decisions for their children, Chaplik said. He said its no different than schools having to ask parental consent for everything from giving a child an aspirin to going on a field trip. Parents want to have control over their children, Chaplik said. He said nothing in his legislation precludes parents from having their kids wear masks. So, Chaplik said, if a parent buys a mask for a child and sends it with him or her to school, that would be considered express consent. Similarly, he said, schools could come up with a form to send to parents. Rep. Sarah Liguori, D-Phoenix, said the legislation ignores the guidance of national and global health officials who say that masks are effective at preventing the spread of COVID. And the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, in its own recommendations updated last month, says students, teachers and visitors to K-12 schools should wear face coverings while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Liguori also said she is not buying the idea that parents have absolute control over health decisions affecting their children. Arizona requires anyone younger than 16 to wear a seat belt while in a vehicle. And child restraint seats are required for those younger than 8 years old, if they are less than 4 feet 10 inches tall. I dont want to argue that seat belts should be a parental choice when we have data that it saves peoples lives, Liguori said. This is about parental consent for minors, Chaplik responded, not addressing the seat belt issue. Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, said its wrong to say that mandatory masks are a health issue. The only one here following the science is the bill sponsor, he said. As the CDC has said, cloth masks and regular masks, they dont do anything, Hoffman said. They do absolutely nothing in terms of blocking disease, slowing the spread, stopping the spread. Thats not what theyre designed for. And he said that schools are not providing N95 masks those designed to stop the spread of virus to children. The reality is, the science is on the side that kids should not be forced to wear masks, Hoffman continued. This is not a political argument, he said. This is a medical science argument. The CDC does say that some masks and respirators offer higher levels of protection to others. The agency also says that some type of masks may be harder to tolerate or wear consistently than others. But the CDC also calls masks a critical public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID. And it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask, the agency says. Hoffman, however, said he relies on health professionals at the highest levels, especially medical doctors who support the idea that kids should not be forced to wear masks. Theres a very big difference between an actual medical doctor and a public health professional, he said, saying there are adverse health officials for kids when theyre forced to wear masks. This is as common-sense as you can possibly get, Hoffman said. The measure needs a vote of the full House before going to the Senate. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Covid-19 hospitalizations are dropping quickly in the United States, but a heavy burden persists, and the nation's health care workers are exhausted under the strain. For the first time in more than a month, there are fewer than 100,000 hospital beds in use for patients with Covid-19 nationwide, according to data from the US Department of Health and Human Services. That's a 38% drop from a few weeks ago, when Covid-19 hospitalizations reached a peak of more than 160,000 beds in use at one time. No 'magic number' Despite the promising trends, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, says it's still too soon to change guidance and loosen Covid-19 prevention restrictions. Hospitalizations are an important barometer, especially at the local level where decisions are made, she said at a White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing on Wednesday. "Cases and hospitalizations are falling. This is, of course, encouraging. And that leads us, of course, to have us look at all of our guidance based on the latest data and the science and what we know about the virus," she said. "We're, of course, taking a close look at this in real time, and we're evaluating rates of transmission as well as rates of severe outcomes as we look at updating and reviewing our guidance." But there's no "magic number," Walensky said. "Are hospitals able to, you know, take care of the car accidents, the heart attacks and strokes that routinely walk in the door because they are not at capacity taking care of patients with Covid-19? And right now across the country, our hospitals are still in crunch mode. They still have real challenges with capacity," she said in a radio interview with WYPR's Tom Hall on Tuesday's edition of the show "Midday." Current hospitalizations have now dipped below the peak from the Delta surge and the first winter surge, but they're still higher than they've been throughout the vast majority of the pandemic. "Notwithstanding the downtick that you do see in certain areas, it's kind of like we're going from a crisis that was almost catastrophic in certain cases to just a serious emergency. So we're still in a very difficult situation," Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, told CNN. Hospitalization rates are highest right now in West Virginia, with 61 Covid-19 hospitalizations for every 100,000 residents. That's double the national average and four times higher than in Vermont, where there are fewer than 15 Covid-19 hospitalizations for every 100,000 residents. It's too soon to be too hopeful, Jim Kaufman, president and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association, told CNN. "There's a feeling of cautious optimism, but we don't know what's coming," he said. "We don't know if there's another variant. We know there's a lot of patients who need care that have been deferred that we need to also take care of, and we know our staff are exhausted. I think that's the critical balance: How do you take care of your staff mentally, physically and emotionally, while still taking care of the needs of your community?" Overall, about 1 in 7 inpatient beds is currently in use for Covid-19, and there are about 18,000 Covid-19 patients in ICUs across the country, according to HHS data. And in the past week, more than a quarter of hospitals in the US reported a critical staffing shortage. Although strains on the supply of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves have lessened and vaccines have helped improve outcomes, there's a different set of problems now than a year ago -- including staff burnout and low blood supply, Pollack said. "The work force is stretched incredibly thin, and that is taking its toll," he said. "It's been frustrating and exhausting and heartbreaking for those that are on the front lines." A growing share among children Seniors 65 and older have consistently represented a disproportionate share of Covid-19 hospitalizations, accounting for about 17% of the US population but more than 40% of hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic. But a growing share of Covid-19 hospitalizations are among children. Nearly 6% of all hospitalizations in the last week of January were among children, according to preliminary data from the CDC, a larger share than any other point in the pandemic. Children younger than 5 are not eligible to be vaccinated, and vaccination rates among children lag behind those of adults. Less than a quarter (23%) of children ages 5 to 11 and 56% of those ages 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated, compared with nearly three-quarters (74%) of adults 18 and older. And unvaccinated people are at especially high risk for hospitalization. In December, hospitalization rates were 16 times higher among unvaccinated adults than they were among fully vaccinated adults, CDC data shows. Among seniors 65 and older, hospitalization rates were 51 times higher among the unvaccinated than among those who were fully vaccinated and boosted. Federal Covid-19 hospitalization data has been scrutinized because it doesn't distinguish between those patients who are being treated for Covid-19 and those who test positive after being admitted for a different reason, especially amid the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. A CDC study that involved a detailed clinical review of patient records at one hospital in Los Angeles found that about 20% of patients hospitalized with Covid-19 during a period of Omicron prevalence were admitted for other reasons. The study did not compare the share of patients admitted for vs. with Covid-19 to other periods to know how it may have changed. But the study's authors note that any patient who tests positive for Covid-19 still requires the use of isolation rooms and personal protective equipment and poses transmission risk to staff, potentially exacerbating staff shortages and hospital strain. "The pandemic health care burden is not limited to hospitalizations for symptomatic Covid-19," they wrote. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been about 4.4 million total Covid-19 hospital admissions, according to CDC data. In the first week of February, there were about 13,000 new Covid-19 admissions each day, about 25% less than a week earlier. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. BILLINGS, Mont (AP) A judge restored federal protections for gray wolves across much of the U.S. on Thursday, after their removal in the waning days of the Trump administration exposed the predators to hunting that critics said would undermine their rebound from widespread extermination early last century. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in Oakland, California, said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had failed to show wolf populations could be sustained in the Midwest and portions of the West without protection under the Endangered Species Act. Wildlife advocates had sued the agency last year. The ruling does not directly impact wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming and portions of several adjacent states. Those animals remain under state jurisdiction after federal protections in that region were lifted by Congress last decade. Attorneys for the Biden administration defended the Trump rule that removed protections, arguing wolves were resilient enough to bounce back even if their numbers dropped sharply due to intensive hunting. At stake is the future of a species whose recovery from near-extinction has been heralded as a historic conservation success. That recovery has brought bitter blowback from hunters and farmers angered over wolf attacks on big game herds and livestock. They contend protections are no longer warranted. Interior Department spokesperson Melissa Schwartz said the agency was reviewing Thursday's decision and offered no further comment. Wildlife advocacy groups said the judge's order would most immediately put a stop to hunting in the Great Lakes region, where Wisconsin officials had come under criticism after a wolf hunt last year blew past the state's quotas, killing 218 wolves in four days. Wolves in the Great Lakes region have a stay of execution, said John Horning with the environmental group WildEarth Guardians. Wolf attacks on livestock are uncommon but can cause significant economic damage to farmers when their cows or sheep are killed. And wolves in some places have reduced the size of elk and deer herds, their natural prey. That has stirred anger among hunters who target the big game animals. The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Rifle Association and other industry groups had urged Judge White not to restore federal protection, keeping the wolves under the control of state officials who allow wolf hunting. None of the Great Lakes states with established wolf populations Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin -- had scheduled additional wolf hunts prior to the judges ruling. All three were updating their wolf management programs and officials said that work would continue. A state judge in Wisconsin in October had blocked a hunt two weeks before it was to begin, responding to a lawsuit that claimed it was illegally scheduled. In Michigan, where the wolf population numbers about 700, Republican legislators introduced pro-hunting resolutions but no formal proposal was before the wildlife commission that sets hunting seasons. Before hunting is considered, Michigan officials want their legal status more permanently settled "given the long history of legal challenges to delisting decisions and the resulting shifting status of wolves, said Ed Golder with the state Department of Natural Resources. The status of northern Rockies wolves was not challenged in the lawsuit decided Thursday. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in September began a separate review of whether protections should be restored for the region's wolves, after Republican state lawmakers in Montana and Idaho passed laws last year intended to drive down wolf numbers by making it easier to kill them. Under the loosened rules, hunters and trappers primarily in Montana have killed a record 23 wolves that wandered outside Yellowstone National Park this winter. That's sparked public outrage due to the popularity of Yellowstone's wolf packs among tourists who visit from around the world. Following the killings, Interior Sec. Deb Haaland published an op-ed this week saying federal officials could give northern Rockies wolves emergency protection if the species is put at significant risk. Recent laws passed in some Western states undermine state wildlife managers by promoting precipitous reductions in wolf populations, such as removing bag limits, baiting, snaring, night hunting and pursuit by dogs the same kind of practices that nearly wiped out wolves during the last century, Haaland wrote. Wolves once ranged most of the U.S. but were wiped out in most places by the 1930s under government-sponsored poisoning and trapping campaigns. A remnant population in the western Great Lakes region has since expanded to some 4,400 wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. And more than 2,000 wolves occupy six states in the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest. Yet wolves remain absent across most of their historical range. Wildlife advocates argue that continued protections are needed so they can continue to expand in California, Colorado, Oregon and other states. Democratic and Republican administrations alike, going back to former President George W. Bush, have sought to remove or scale back federal wolf protections first enacted in 1974. ___ Flesher reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Follow Matthew Brown on Twitter: @MatthewBrownAP Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. PHOENIX A House committee voted to make routine declawing of cats illegal in Arizona after its chairman called the procedure gruesome and unnecessary. The 10-3 vote Wednesday came after the testimony of several veterinarians who also told the Government and Elections Committee the practice is unnecessary. More to the point, they provided some graphic detail that this is more than removing a nail. Instead, they noted, it involves amputating part of each of the fingers on a cats paws. The majority of lawmakers on the committee said they were unconvinced by claims that sometimes it is in the interest of the cat and an owners ability to keep that cat to allow the procedure. The proposal, House Bill 2224, written by Rep. Amish Shah, D-Phoenix, now requires a vote of the full House. It is being advanced by some animal rights groups. Dr. Steve Hansen, president of the Arizona Humane Society and a veterinarian, said when he first graduated from medical school, he declawed cats when asked to by owners. But he told lawmakers that was before he got to see the effect it had on the animals. Hansen said the reason the declawing process involves amputation of the last third of the finger at the joint is that the alternative of removing the claw itself is largely ineffective. Its likely to regrow in many circumstances and cause the cat great discomfort walking and great pain. Colleen Bell, a Phoenix resident, provided a different perspective, however. She told committee members about Salem, who belonged to her mother. Bell said the cat would jump on her mothers lap and scratch her, not out of meanness but just because she wouldnt retract her claws quickly enough for the landing. Bell said it was a doctor treating her mom for a cut who suggested having the cat declawed to avoid future injuries. Taking away the declaw option would have been an emotional nightmare for numerous families as well as my own, Bell said. The alternative would be having to surrender the animal, she said. I saw the comfort Salem gave her in the last days of her life, Bell said of her mother. And it was priceless. Hansen, however, said that some cats, reacting to not having claws to use to defend themselves, will instead turn to biting. And cat bites are much more serious than cat scratches, he said. Anyway, Hansen said, there are other options, such as trimming the cats nails. Its actually very easy to do, he said. And by blunting the nails they cannot do nearly as much destructive activity. The measure also got support from Dr. Jennifer Conrad, a veterinarian and founder of The Paws Project, which she describes as the worlds largest nonprofit organization dedicated to ending declawing. Cats no longer have to suffer the 10 to 18 or more amputations that are totally unnecessary to manage a cat, Conrad said. She said a majority of people support a ban. I would argue thats probably not true, countered Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek. Every cat owner that Ive ever known has gotten their cats declawed because they dont want to have to deal with scratches and things like that, he said. They dont want to deal with scratches on furniture, they dont want to deal with scratches on themselves. Wayne Anderson, who said he is a retired veterinarian, complained that the proposed law lacks needed exceptions. The only one in the bill is for therapeutic purposes, such as a specific medical need for claw removal. An absolute ban fails to acknowledge that some owners wont be able to handle their clawed cats to get them to the vet as needed for health care, Anderson said. He questioned the claim that cats need claws for self-defense. I dont know any house cat that needs to defend himself, except for other pets or dogs, Anderson said. He also said the procedure of amputating the end of the digit is not as traumatic as others have said, calling the language about cutting the toes off very inflammatory. They walk on the pads of their feet, Anderson said. They dont walk on their claws. The measure also drew opposition from Susie Stevens, who lobbies for the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. She said cat owners are informed of the risks and benefits of the procedure before agreeing to it. The clients decision is really what this needs to be about, she said. Rep. Frank Carroll, R-Sun City West, said that point is important. Cats are not citizens, he said. Theyre actually the property and responsibility of their owners. But Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said that doesnt preclude a need for the legislation. Gruesome and unnecessary, he said of the procedure. That really just sums it all up. He also noted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not advise declawing as a method of preventing cat scratch disease, a viral infection. Rep. Teresa Martinez, R-Casa Grande, said she shares Kavanaghs sentiment. Its cruel and inhumane, Martinez said. She said owners concerned about scratching should pursue other options even if it is a little more expensive, even if it is a little more difficult, with trainers and people who are able to help with the grooming. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Arizonans like voting by mail Arizona voters have been voting by mail for literally decades since 1991. According to the U.S. Elections Project, in November 2020 an average of almost 72% of all Arizonans used vote by mail. State Sen. David Gowan wants to do away with vote-by-mail with SB 1404, claiming voters might miss crucial information if they use their mail-in vote too soon. State Sen. Wendy Rogers supports him, claiming voter fraud, after a multitude of such legal challenges were thrown out of court, and the Maricopa Cyber Ninjas disappeared in disgrace and bankruptcy. Arizona voters are proud of their safe, secure, convenient vote-by-mail election system. Sen. Gowan should look at how many Republicans voted by mail: 1,238,488 requested ballots, 73.8% returned them. SB 1404 is simply another egregious effort at voter suppression. Voters: please call or email your senators, or use Request to Speak, and say no to SB 1404. Jennifer Dawson Midtown Scary season has already begun Dear editor, I know most of us, myself certainly included, are not looking forward to the upcoming political battles. Ads for candidates for Congress are already appearing on our TV screens. Its going to be a long and fractious nine months, and to be honest I am terrified at the possible outcome. As you listen and evaluate the candidates, I would just like you to be aware that billionaire Peter Thiel just announced that he is stepping down from the board of Meta, parent company of Facebook, and devoting his time and vast amount of money to electing Trump-aligned candidates. He is throwing his resources behind candidates who presumably share his beliefs, i.e. Trump-aligned candidates. I am very scared. I think you should be too. Beth Dingman Green Valley We must learn from our past Re: the Feb. 5 article AZ House votes to ban critical race theory. I read this article with alarm. I doubt that any of the legislators who voted on this issue have read The 1619 Project, which should be essential reading before having an opinion. I doubt that many understand what CRT actually is. It is confusingly named. Critical implies criticism but in fact it is critical that we all have a more complete understanding of our countrys checkered history. It is also critical in that it criticizes many policies and actions involving race relations in the past and how these have affected people of all races past, present and future. Every professional knows that if we dont recognize and learn from our mistakes and those of others we are likely to repeat them. Most of our forefathers were remarkable but imperfect human beings, and some also made some bad even unforgivable choices. This may diminish, but not erase, their greatness. CRT is not theoretical, its an expanded, more nuanced understanding of the complexities of race in America. Herschel Rosenzweig Foothills Ill clear every voting hurdle This ones for Sen. David Gowan and his cronies who are foolishly attempting to dilute our voting system in Arizona: Removing my right to vote early or by mail will not stop my vote. Removing the voting poll close to my house will not stop my vote. Changing the voting time schedule to one of inconvenience will not stop my vote. You can weaken my voting privileges but you cannot weaken my will and determination to vote. For I will rise early or stay up late. I will travel. Ill do what it takes. And I will vote. Alison Hughes Midtown Phony objections to early voting Thank you, Sen. David Gowan for your interest in protecting voters from making uninformed decisions by voting too early. Typically, Republicans get all excited when people try to meddle and tell them what to do, unless it suits them (think plastic grocery bags, for instance). The hypocrisy and condescension in your proposed law is amazing voters are too dumb to make their own decisions, so well help them by telling them when to vote! As to Sen. Wendy Rogers concerns that early voting encourages fraud show us! There has been and is no provable fraud arising from this practice. I, too, am an American and dont want my vote canceled, or made more difficult to cast by hypocritical state senators. Talk about fraud with our delusional former president, if you wish you are helping him perpetrate it. Artjur stables Midtown Clowns occupy the AZ Capitol Who opened the doors to the funny car in Phoenix and let out the clowns? Recent articles in this newspaper have indicated that our Legislature or individual members are contemplating several changes to our current legal system that seem rather absurd. One is the idea that since the necessary food and medications are exempt from sales tax, that guns are also a necessary in our daily lives and should be exempt from tax, too. Another suggested change by the fools is that guns should allowed on university and college campuses. According to the clowns, this will make the campuses a safer place. Finally, a recent article indicated that the Arizona tradition of mail-in voting is being challenged due to alleged fake ballots in the 2020 election even though a thorough audit by the Cyber Ninja Clown Crew found no irregularities. We, the voters, have to reopen the doors to the funny car, stuff the clowns back in and elect legislators that are in tune with the majority of Arizonans. Joseph Kane Oro Valley Gov. Ducey, hear my plea Gov. Doug Ducey, as I watch my grandson thriving in a public elementary school in Tucson, I am so concerned about the pending financial crisis facing our public schools throughout the state. Please work with legislators to ensure that legislation is passed lifting the aggregate expenditure limit for this year and repealing the limit in the future. A thriving Arizona economy depends on a thriving public school system. And my grandsons educational attainments depend in large part on the state of Arizona action on the funding of public education. Hear my plea! Kay Davis Southwest side COVID exposed our weaknesses Irresponsible lawmakers have made sure that we failed the test of COVID-19. We are approaching 1 million deaths, many unnecessary. Our enemies with biological weapons see a country where half of the population refuses to wear a mask or get vaccinated. This makes us an easy target. Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and domestic terrorists are watching how events unfold here. Vladimir Putin has a deadly arsenal at his disposal, including advanced biological weapons. We may soon have to confront him head-on if Ukraine is invaded. Weaponized anthrax, smallpox, mycotoxins and chemical agents can all be combined to make people ill with a confusing array of symptoms. Most physicians or citizens here might not recognize such an attack until many deaths have already occurred. Leaders who dismiss science, cripple public education and destroy public health need to be held accountable and voted out for our national security. Steven Oscherwitz, M.D. infectious disease Northeast side The Stars stars are appreciated Re: the Feb. 9 letter Fitz is crown jewel of Tucson. A letter writer complimented the Star for David Fitzsimmons. That was well-deserved. Fitz is fabulous. But she missed two other Star stars that I note here columnist Tim Steller and the amazing photographer Kelly Presnell. The three of them could operate their own Newspaper of the Stars. Jeffrey Dean Northwest side It was a riot, not discourse So the RNC has called the Jan. 6th riot/insurrection a legitimate political discourse. I cant wait to read their version of revisionist American history where they call slaves low-paid wage earners, the Civil War a glorified pillow fight and the attack on Pearl Harbor fun in the sun. And lets not forget the Nazi rampage in Europe in World War II which will probably be described as having good people on both sides. John Tadlock East side Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. An English teacher at Unions Eighth Grade Center, Kelsey McAfee gets to face something new and different every day at school. Wednesday was no exception, as she was named Union Public Schools Teacher of the Year. As a middle school teacher, we just kind of always feel like stepchildren, McAfee said. Were used to being that middle group. We dont have the cute little kids or the big kids with their Youre going to college moment. This is just such an awesome opportunity. This is the best job Ive ever had and to get this award in this role is just wild. Due to COVID-19 concerns, Union opted to have afternoon celebrations at each campus rather than one large gathering, with each of the districts 22 site-level Teachers of the Year recognized via a video ceremony. Drawing a loud roar of cheers from the Eighth Grade Center faculty, Superintendent Kirt Hartzler, Associate Superintendent Charlie Bushyhead, Assistant Superintendent Sandi Calvin and representatives of the Union Schools Education Foundation popped out into to the buildings Commons Area at the end of the video to congratulate a stunned McAfee as the districtwide winner. The winner was chosen by a committee of 10 people representing a cross-section of the district. Along with a gift bag, McAfee will receive a cash stipend from the Union Schools Education Foundation and will represent the district in next years Oklahoma Teacher of the Year competition. A two-time graduate of the University of Tulsa, McAfee started teaching in 2015 and joined the district during the 2018-2019 school year. She wants to eventually pursue a doctorate. Citing the emphasis on collaboration both within the English Department and across the campus, she thanked her colleagues for the award. I would not be the teacher I am today without every single one of you, she said. In addition to teaching English, McAfee and her husband own Eleanors Bookshop, a local independent bookstore that exclusively carries childrens and young adult titles. Acknowledging that while handling both is a challenge, she said that it has helped her both as a teacher and as a business owner. My jobs are very complimentary to one another so that benefits me in every way to know what good books are out there, how kids learn and how kids develop, she said. Featured video: Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As the snow piled up last week and warnings started going out about dangerous driving conditions, Oklahoma National Guard Specialist Cody Casey was basking in the glow of a recently completed mission close to a year of recovery that involved four surgeries and well more than 100 physical therapy sessions. But he was also undoubtedly thinking about the mission he was on 50 weeks earlier as part of the National Guards SMART or Stranded Motorist Assist Response Team program on Interstate 44 near Vinita. Casey, whose day job is as a Tulsa County deputy sheriff, was helping assist motorists during a winter storm about 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, when the Humvee he was driving was struck by a tractor-trailer rig, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Casey had volunteered for the assignment, and the National Guard and OHP crews had been staging at a Vinita hotel and awaiting orders. We had been assigned to follow OHP and assist with pulling vehicles out of snowbanks and/or get motorists to warmth and safety, he said last week. I got in line behind the trooper and got on I-44 (eastbound), and we were doing 50 to 65 mph, he said. The lane was pretty clear. The state trooper decided to make a U-turn to go back westbound, Casey said. He went through (the cut-through in the median) without incident. Casey said he saw nothing but snow in the rear-view mirror, so he made a wide turn to go through the cut-through. Im not sure exactly what happened next, he said. I feel like the tires slipped, but I dont know. I dont remember anything after that. The next thing I remember is there was a woman behind me in the Humvee holding my head and saying, Its going to be all right. Theyre going to cut you out, and its going to be all right. Dont move your head. I still dont think I knew what happened, he said. And then I went back out, losing consciousness. The next thing I remember is Afton and Vinita firefighters talking to me. Casey had a cervical collar on by that point but was still drifting in and out of consciousness. Someone thought he might want to talk to his wife, so they placed the call for him. Casey told his wife, Ariel: Well, I broke my leg. I think I broke my arm, too, but Ill be all right. While emergency responders were getting Casey to Mercy Hospital in Joplin, officers from his Guard unit picked up Ariel, who was at the couples home in Sand Springs, and took her to the hospital. Ariel Caseys mother, meanwhile, traveled from her home in Stroud to Sand Springs to care for the Caseys three children Loralie, Damien and Ophelia, now 11, 10 and 5, respectively and the familys pets. Cody Casey underwent surgery at the Joplin hospital to repair a tib-fib a compound fracture of both long bones in his lower left leg requiring a rod and six screws. His right hip also was fractured, but the Joplin hospital had to transfer him to a Level 1 hospital in Springfield for that surgery, in which doctors placed three plates and 12 screws in his hip. Caseys passenger in the Humvee was treated for various injuries at the Joplin hospital and released, and neither the truck driver nor his passenger was injured, state troopers reported at the time. Casey was in the two hospitals for 17 days combined. The severity of his injuries is daunting. Besides the broken left leg and right hip, he had three damaged lower vertebra, a lacerated spleen, five broken ribs, a broken right arm and a ruptured tendon in his hand. Ultimately, he required four operations to repair all the damage. Of course, in many respects, the surgeries were the beginning of his recovery, not the end. Casey used a wheelchair almost exclusively for three months. For an additional three months, he alternated between the wheelchair and a walker as he steadily regained his strength and abilities. I started physical therapy at home while I was still in the wheelchair, he said. After starting to use the walker, I started aquatic therapy at Select Physical Therapy in Jenks. Once I was in the pool with the walker and above waist-deep, I could stand of my own volition, he said. That was an interesting feeling. He shares credit with others for much of his progress. My wife has played a pivotal and key role in this entire event, he said. Without my friends and family, Im not exactly sure how recovery would have gone. Caseys last day of physical therapy was Jan. 26 just 20 days shy of a year since the accident. And he has what should be his final doctors appointment on Feb. 21. What I expect them to say is, You are as improved as you can be. There is nothing more we can do for you. Go back to work. I cant wait to hear those words, he said. I love my family, but I miss work and the people there. The obvious question, considering his significant injuries, is whether he still will be able to do the work. I feel like I am physically fully capable of returning to law enforcement, said Casey, who was a Tulsa County detention officer for six years before spending six years as a deputy. There are some minor mobility issues, but those issues are something that Im just going to have to remember that are there, he said. That way, they dont catch me by surprise. Similarly, he expects to be able to return to his Guard service, although he anticipates that he will first have to go before a medical review board that will assess his fitness. Casey, now 33, served a yearlong deployment three months stateside in training and nine months in Afghanistan as a combat engineer whose mission was to look for improvised explosive devices. Ive always felt the best thing for me to do is to help other people, he said. And the Guard as well as Tulsa County are my ways or my outlets to help people. And he said he would volunteer for the same stranded-motorist mission today if needed. After all, he knows what its like to rely on the kindness of strangers. A GoFundMe account started by a family friend in the aftermath of the accident raised more than $9,000 from 119 donors. That account is still accessible at bit.ly/CodyCasey. State workers comp is doing their best to take care of me, Casey said. And I havent had any issues on the medical billing side. That has definitely helped, along with the GoFundMe and some other donations. It is all so very much appreciated. Casey said that despite the severity of his injuries, he never really doubted that he would pull through. The light was always there, he said. It was dim at times. I felt like it was really, really far away at times. But I knew that I was going to be close to what I previously was. I just didnt know how long it was going to take to get there. Featured video: Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Tulsa police have identified two people who were arrested Monday during a demonstration at the federal courthouse calling for the release of federal prisoner Leonard Peltier. Jacob Nokusece Wind and Sandy "Redbear" Williams, both Native Americans, were arrested on federal complaints on allegations that they assaulted a Tulsa police officer after the officer asked the protesters to remove a car that was blocking Fourth Street, police said in a Facebook post. Police said they are searching for a third suspect involved in the alleged assault. Several protesters told the officer, video from the scene shows, that he is not a Muscogee Nation Lighthorse police officer. Police said the protesters claimed they did not have to follow the officers' instructions, citing the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on tribal jurisdiction, but that the protesters were wrong in this claim. "They were incorrect in this assumption and were, in fact, violating City of Tulsa Ordinances by parking illegally and interfering with the flow of traffic," police said. Police said the officer was surrounded by several protesters; the officer put his hand on a protester twice to "create some distance between (himself) and the group," and a scuffle ensued. The video shows the officer putting his hand on a protester, but how the altercation started is unclear. The officer ended up on the ground at some point, the video shows, and police said he was injured, having a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and meniscus in his knee as well as a fracture to the top of his tibia. The Tulsa Police Department released a photo from courthouse security footage. Police said in the comments on their Facebook post that they cannot release the actual video, however, because it is "federal evidence." Wind and Williams reportedly were booked into the Tulsa County jail, but jail records do not show them there. A jail operator told Tulsa World on Monday night that Wind was booked into the jail on an assault complaint at 5:18 p.m. Monday. Police said any charges filed will go through federal court. Peltier, an Anishinaabe and Dakota man who was convicted by a federal jury in 1977 in the shooting deaths of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, has been in federal prison since his conviction. Many people consider Peltier a political prisoner and say he was wrongfully convicted. Calls for Peltiers release or for the overturning of his conviction have been heard from Peltiers first appeal in 1978 through President Barack Obamas denial of his clemency request in 2017, but those calls for release have increased in urgency since Peltier, now 77, tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 28. Anyone with information about the third suspect is asked to call Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-2677. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OKLAHOMA CITY An investigative audit released Wednesday found significant problems with how the state purchased items during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prepayments were made in violation of the Oklahoma Constitution, according to State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrds investigative audit covering the period of September 2019 through February 2021. Goods still have not been received for more than $5.4 million paid by the state, according to the audit. The Oklahoma State Department of Health did not have a comprehensive emergency procurement policy or procedure in place prior to the COVID-19 emergency, greatly increasing the states risk for fraud, waste, and loss of funds, the audit said. The audit found supporting documentation for the purchases in disarray. Supporting documentation could not be provided to indicate that PPE (personal protective equipment) was received, the audit said. Certain legal requirements of the Central Purchasing Act were lifted based on executive orders from Gov. Kevin Stitt, the audit notes. But prepayment for goods is not allowed, the audit report says. Therefore, it appears that advancing payments for PPE violates (the) Oklahoma Constitution which prohibits the credit of the State from being given, pledged, or loaned to any individual, company, corporation, or association, according to the audit. The audit found other problems. In our review of the Executive Orders issued by the Governor, there was no authority for the Secretary of Health to be the designated purchaser nor did the orders give the Secretary the authority to approve purchases, the audit says. Overall purchasing and decision-making responsibilities should have remained with the state health commissioner, according to the audit. The audit also found inadequate controls for the PPE inventory system. In addition, the state made $80,000 in payments for finders fees while lacking legal authority in the Public Health Code to do so, according to the audit, although it notes that nothing in that code or in the Central Purchasing Act would prohibit it. The audit also questioned a sole-source contract with a payment of $750,000 to Shyft Partners LLC. The company was formed in 2020. Although Shyft Partners LLC provided project management and strategic transformation to the Office of Management Enterprise Services and established tracking tools for managing COVID-19 Relief Bill funding, it may seem questionable for OSDH to rely on that as their justification for sole source, the audit says. Sole-source contracts are not competitively bid. The uniqueness of the contractor appears to be that they had established a rapport with the leadership team, the audit says. Stitts former chief operating officer and secretary of agency accountability, John Budd, was interviewed by the Tulsa World about the contract last year. Budd resigned in July 2021. Budd said he knew key personnel in Shyft Partners because they had all worked for Sonic. Budd started working for Stitt after he left Sonic. Budd said he reached out to one of the companys founders to see if she was interested in helping in a contract role. I will start by saying unfortunately some great companies in Oklahoma have downsized and so there are some really talented people available for other companies or state government, and we brought on board some world-class resources on a temporary basis, Budd told the World in the 2021 interview. Former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter requested the audit in April 2020 after reports of questionable spending were raised. Hunter resigned the post in May. Stitt appointed John OConnor as Hunters replacement. Last week, OConnors office told The Frontier, an online news outlet, that it would not release the audit. The Tulsa World last week requested the audit from Byrd under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. I believe all public records should be open and easily accessible to taxpayers, Byrd said. After receiving an Open Records request and consulting with outside legal counsel, I have concluded there is no Oklahoma statute that gives any state official the authority to withhold this information. This audit is an inspection of existing public records. Consequently, my final audit report is neither confidential nor immune from the Open Records Act. I feel compelled, both legally and ethically, to release the full audit report to the public. Oklahoma taxpayers paid for it they should get to see it. Stitt said the COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented crisis. To keep hospitals open and our frontline workers safe, I issued executive orders to get PPE to our state as quickly as possible, Stitt said. Looking back today, we can acknowledge that there were technical errors while still knowing we did everything we could to protect citizens of this state during an unimaginable time. During the onset of the pandemic, Stitt created the CARES Forward team to pick spending priorities and projects after a federal aid bill was passed. This is not the first time the state has been criticized for how it handled more than $1 billion in federal dollars to deal with COVID-19. In February 2021, the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, dubbed LOFT, issued a report that was critical of how the funds were handled. The report says the state failed to provide documentation to justify spending. In addition, a significant component of the relief funds were used for preexisting needs and government modernization, according to the LOFT report. Featured video from April 2020: State announces PPE purchases Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two years have passed since the U.S. Supreme Court strengthened tribal sovereignty in Oklahoma by ruling that the reservation for the Muscogee Nation was never de-established by Congress. Since then, state efforts to overturn the ruling have failed, and scare tactics have proven untrue. The only viable recourse is congressional action, and thats unlikely to happen. In the new post-McGirt era, its time for state leaders and law enforcement to face this new reality. In Mondays State of the State address, Gov. Kevin Stitt took another shot at the McGirt decision, saying it jeopardizes justice. Previously, he called it the states greatest threat, over the ongoing pandemic that has taken nearly 14,000 Oklahoma lives. Other leaders have portrayed it with exaggerations or falsehoods. In truth, it overturned less than 1% of the prison population. Of the 235 cases affected, at least 71% had charges re-filed in U.S. or tribal courts. Half of the remaining were serving sentences for nonviolent drug crimes. The remainder, about 35 cases, face issues of federal statute of limitations. This is the situation Stitt highlighted in the address with the case of an 11-year-old Wagoner boy killed in 2013 by a drunken driver, who was sentenced to 19 years. But the Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals overturned the decision because the boy was a tribal citizen and his death occurred in Indian Country. Left unsaid was that the driver remains in prison pending a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill, attending the address at the invitation of House Speaker Charles McCall, said in response: I have no tolerance for his continued ignorance of the facts and his sowing of false fear. Just a week prior, Hill offered a reset in his State of the Nation: To those who have refused to collaborate and have instead sought to sow chaos, fear and misunderstanding, I would extend yet another invitation to join us. It is not too late for us to begin anew. If youre willing to put your past rhetoric behind you, so are we. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. struck a similar tone in a Tulsa World op-ed on Sunday: The state of Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation may not always agree. But let us negotiate at the table in good faith and find common ground. Let us coexist as sovereigns. After Stitts address, Hoskin said cooperation would catch cases like the one cited, the way to resolve these matters is to bring everyone togethertribes, state leaders, law enforcement, Congress, and local officialsto develop real solutions, not to seek endless litigation that creates headlines but not much else. The chilled relationship between tribal and state leaders have only caused harm. But, many tribal officials have indicated an openness to forge new beginning, an opportunity worth taking. We urge Stitt to take a different, more conciliatory approach that acknowledges McGirt. The state is strongest with partnerships with our sovereign neighbors. Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The recently released investigative audit of the state Health Department produced a damning picture of corners being cut, wasted funds and an overall disregard for state laws and procedures on how public funds are spent. But there is a silver lining for Oklahomans: Transparency won the day. The State Auditor and Inspectors Office, which conducted a probe covering the period of September 2019 to February 2021, found that the Health Department wrongly prepaid for goods associated with protecting Oklahomans during the COVID-19 pandemic, a violation of the state constitution. Furthermore, the state has yet to receive $5.4 million of the items it bought a glaring lack of controls concerning purchases made at the pandemics onset. Auditors also criticized the state for keeping sloppy records on those purchases, and noted that the state health commissioner, not the secretary of health, should have been given the authority to oversee those purchases. Auditors noted that the Health Department didnt have adequate safeguards in place to handle procurement issues during an emergency, greatly increasing the states risk for fraud, waste, and loss of funds. Other payments and actions drew scrutiny: $80,000 in payments for finders fees, despite lacking legal authority to do so, and a $750,000 sole-source contract being awarded instead of seeking a competitive bid. In the latter case, the reasoning for that action leaned more on the vendors personal rapport with the leadership team than justifiable expedienceharkening to images of backroom dealings and a good ol boy network. Last week, the Tulsa World requested the audit findings from the state auditor. Earlier, state Attorney General John OConnor told The Frontier his office would not release the audit after the online news site requested it under the Open Records Act. State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd whose office conducted the probe chose transparency. Oklahoma taxpayers paid for it they should get to see it, Byrd said. Byrd didnt just make the report available to the media; she had it published online for anyone to see. The audit exposed missteps and costly errors that occurred at the Health Department. We applaud Byrd not only for her offices work in revealing those deficiencies, but also for making sure Oklahomans were told the truth about what happened. To his credit, Gov. Kevin Stitt acknowledged the problems detailed in the audit. Looking back today, we can acknowledge that there were technical errors while still knowing we did everything we could to protect citizens of this state during an unimaginable time, Stitt said. That said, it is critical that he and his leadership team look back on these findings and conclude that state procurement procedures are in place for a reason: to spend public funds wisely and to guard against abuse. Furthermore, our elected officials should embrace transparency, even if doing so causes temporary embarrassment. Its much better to come clean quickly and fix the problems than hide from the accountability that state law and Oklahoma taxpayers demand. Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is set to embark on a solo overseas trip. Kensington Palace has revealed that Catherine will pay a two-day visit to the Danish capital Copenhagen without her husband Prince William on February 22 and 23 in celebration of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. During the trip, the duchess will pay tribute to the historic ties between Britain and Denmark and will be received by the nation's monarch Queen Margrethe II who is celebrating her Golden Jubilee this year. The 40-year-old royal - who was known as Kate Middleton before marrying Prince William - will also join Crown Princess Mary of Denmark to visit a project which works to protect vulnerable women and children from domestic violence and use the trip as a fact-finding mission for her Royal Foundation for Early Childhood. It marks the first time that Catherine will bring the initiative onto the international stage and she hopes to learn from Denmark which is widely recognised as a global leader in its approach and investment in early childhood development. Kensington Palace said: "During her visit, Her Royal Highness will spend time learning about how Denmark has created an enabling culture for early childhood development, specifically how it has promoted infant mental wellbeing alongside physical health, and how it harnesses the power of nature, relationships and playful learning in the first five years of life. "Her programme will focus on innovative initiatives and projects which support children in their growth, particularly their social and emotional development, as well as their parents and wider communities surrounding them." In a personal tweet from her and William's Kensington Royal account, Catherine said: "Looking forward to learning from experts, parents and practitioners about Denmark's approach to early childhood later this month. "Denmark is a beacon of best practice in its approach to the early years, with a culture which prioritises the best start in life." The duchess ended the message with the Danish words 'Pa snarligt gensyn', which translates as 'See you soon' and the letter 'C' to denote a personal tweet. Originally published on celebretainment.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. Vietnams An Phat Holdings Group has begun construction of a US$120 million compostable resin plant, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, in the northern part of the country. An Phat Holdings, a private company headquartered in Hanoi, launched a ground-breaking ceremony for the plant at Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park in Hai Phong City on Wednesday in the presence of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and other officials. The factory will be the first and largest polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) compostable resin factory in Southeast Asia, the group said on its website. The plant, which is on the list of high-tech investment priority projects, will be built in just 24 months and feature an annual capacity of 30,000 metric tons. Equipped with modern technology and machinery, the plants operating efficiency is highly optimized, with an average operating time of 8,400 hours, equivalent to 350 days a year. Upon its launch, the factory will create jobs for about 200 skilled workers and its products will not only meet the groups demand for materials but also serve exportation. An Phat Holdings will represent Vietnam on the global map of green materials and become a pioneer in implementing Vietnams commitment to achieve zero emissions by 2050," Pham Anh Duong, chairman of An Phat Holdings, said at the ceremony. Duong emphasized that the plant will be the best and most reasonable solution to An Phat Holdings material sourcing needs as it will help the group find a sustainable raw material supply, reduce prices to get closer to consumers, and move toward to replacing traditional plastic products. The prices of the green products used by the group will decrease by 20 to 30 percent when the factory comes into operation, the chairman said. Through this project, An Phat Holdings will complete the green circular ecosystem, become the first Vietnamese enterprise to produce bio-degradable plastic materials/products, and officially become a participant in the worlds green material sphere, the groups leader stated. By producing 30,000 metric tons of PBAT a year, the factory will cut 33,000 metric tons of CO 2 per year, equivalent to the ability to absorb CO 2 of 165,000 hectares of forest, contributing to implementing Vietnams goal to reduce its net emissions to zero by 2050 as committed at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), said Le Anh Quan, deputy chairman of Hai Phong. This project is in line with the goal of developing Hai Phongs high-tech pillar in 2022, Quan said, adding that local authorities will assist the investor in the projects construction and development. Established in 2002, An Phat Holdings is one of the leading companies in advanced technology and environmental friendliness plastic production in Southeast Asia, the group said on its website. The firm has exported its products to the U.S., Europe, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines, among others, it added. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! While there are many ancient villages in Vietnam that specialize in a single profession, there is just one village that is famous for something unique: catching the 'king of the jungle.' The village of Thuy Ba is located in what is now the central province of Quang Tri. The villagers are so proud of their ancestors that they point out their past to visitors right at the main gate leading into Vinh Thuy Commune in Vinh Linh District. "Thuy Ba is famous for catching tigers - Vinh Thuy is known as a hero community," reads the saying on the gate. Indeed, stories about wild tigers were popular throughout Vietnam in the twentieth century. While in the northern area the phrase 'Bao Ha tigers, Trai Hut spirits' refers to two places in Lao Cai Province, in the south-central region it says 'Khanh Hoa tigers, Binh Thuan spirits' and in Quang Tri it is 'Thuy Ba tigers, Tro Ro spirits.' The last fight between an elephant and a tiger in Ho Quyen under the Thanh Thai Dynasty was recorded in a provided 1904 drawing. Centenary nets made from Gnetaceae tree The stories of Thuy Ba villagers who caught wild tigers are well documented. They were told by the remaining tiger hunters many years ago. Unfortunately, Nguyen Dinh Hap, the last surviving tiger hunter of Thuy Ba, died about six months ago. Although it is called 'a village,' Thuy Ba is the name of a vast area in the southwest of Vinh Linh District, which now includes Vinh Lam, Vinh Son, and Vinh Thuy Communes. According to its history, the village was founded in the eleventh century by soldiers who took part in the conquest of the southern area by Ly Thuong Kiet's troops. Ly Thuong Kiet of the Ly Dynasty was one of the greatest generals in Vietnamese history who helped the country defeat the Chinese Song Dynasty in the 11th century. Thanks to the many dense jungles and swampy areas, Thuy Ba was also a haven for tigers. At first, the tigers only caught the villagers' livestock such as water buffaloes and cows. Later, they started hunting around houses to catch pigs, dogs, and then humans. It was time for Thuy Ba villagers to organize hunters to catch the 'king of the jungle.' Visitors to Thuy Ba Village today can see the nets and tridents that villagers used to catch tigers. The nets were made from Gnetaceae plants, whose fruits are the tigers' favorite. "There are no climbing plants as soft and flexible as Gnetaceae," explained Nguyen Quang Chien, head of Vinh Thuy Commune. "It would be impossible for tigers to tear the net with their teeth," he continued, adding that because of this property, the climbing plant was often used to weave nets for catching tigers in the past. To make the net, tiger hunters would cut down the climbers, shred them, and soak them in lime water for several weeks to get rid of the wood fibers. The remaining fibers were collected into finger-thick threads and then woven into nets along with ratan plants. Each net is about 8-12 meters long and 3-4 meters wide. Thuy Ba Village was first divided into two hamlets: Thuy Ba Thuong and Thuy Ba Ha. Later, Thuy Ba Thuong was further divided into two parts: Thuy Ba Dong and Thuy Ba Tay, and then there were three hamlets in total, namely Ha - Dong - Tay. In each hamlet, there were 20 teams of ten to a dozen people who prepared to catch tigers with 4-6 nets. All male adults 17 years old and above were required to participate in tiger catching except children from wealthy families who excelled at learning. Ho Quyen in the early years of the twentieth century in a provided photo How to catch a wild tiger Anyone who finds tiger tracks reports to the head of the hunting ward as soon as possible. When the news arrives, the leader of a team calls the members together and designates one person to be responsible for tracking the tiger. Not just anyone can be assigned to this task. They must be highly experienced tiger hunters who have a good sense of where the tiger might be and the specific areas that need to be covered to catch it. In fact, the ability to track the tiger is a special skill that would often be passed down from generation to generation in a family. This is not surprising, as a person who is good at it can tell many things from the tiger's remaining tracks. They can tell exactly how big the tiger is, whether it is dangerous or friendly, and how far away it might still be. Once the tracker figures out where the tiger is, the village holds a sacrificial ritual in which a male chicken is killed and its legs are taken to predict whether or not the plan to capture the tiger might succeed. After the ritual ceremony, the community leader assigns teams to set nets in specific areas identified by the tracker. Such areas are sometimes as large as two hectares, leaving about a quarter of the circle as a 'gate.' A cold steel weapon with two sharp points, a necessary weapon when hunting wild tigers. Photo: Le Duc Duc / Tuoi Tre Most of the trees in the area are later cut down, including the tall ones, to prevent the tiger from climbing the tree to free itself while trapped in the net. While the team surrounds the big cat, another team stands by outside the net to be prepared for any unexpected situation. At the same time, other members, who are considered the bravest, face the tiger directly inside the area covered by the nets. Amid the noise of bells and drums beaten by villagers, the leader of the division shouts loudly, "Thuy Ba alll stand up! Our shouts cause the tiger to wake up!" The statement is echoed by many shouts from the surrounding villagers. Along with the loud shouts, the tiger hunters will shrink the circle to get closer to the animal. Cornered, the tiger becomes more and more aggressive and dangerous. Often, the big cat remains still in a bush and then lunges at the hunters in surprise. In the final phase of the hunt, the members of the hunting ward are no longer afraid of the tiger. They shout and beat the drum and the bell to break the tiger. The 'king of the jungle' finally gives up although his disappointing cries can make anyone's hair stand on end. After the tiger has been left alone in the nets for four to five days, it becomes hungry and loses strength so the tiger hunters take it to a large cage made of rattan. When they successfully catch the tiger, the village officials perform another sacrificial ritual with a male chicken to thank their ancestors for helping them catch the animal. The village went down in history The fame of Thuy Ba spread to Hue City, where the central government was located at that time. When tigers devastated the western part of the city, the king asked the tiger hunters of the village for help. In 1830, Emperor Minh Mang built Ho Quyen, a colosseum where elephants and tigers could fight each other. Thuy Ba Village became one of the few sources that supplied tigers for this facility. Today, Ho Quyen is a historical site that belongs to the Hue Monuments Complex, a World Heritage Site recognized as tangible heritage by UNESCO in 1993. In recent years, the number of wild tigers in Vietnam has declined rapidly and there are currently none left in the wild. Accordingly, the nets and tridents used to catch tigers in the past are displayed in the community's traditional house to remind younger generations of their ancestors' heroic feats in subduing the 'king of the jungle.' Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Vietnam and Australia have officially taken over the role of co-chairs of the Southeast Asia Regional Program (SEARP) under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for the 2022-25 term from Thailand and South Korea, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Society -- A woman and her daughter were hospitalized with serious injuries after being hit by a falling tree while traveling on a street in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday evening. There was neither rain nor wind at the time of the incident. -- Police in northern Thai Binh Province confirmed on Wednesday that a 38-year-old man was found dead inside a car that local residents had spotted in a river on Tuesday. -- Health workers at 36 vaccination sites in Ho Chi Minh City administered COVID-19 vaccine to about 13,000 people during the Lunar New Year holiday from January 29 to February 6, according to the municipal Department of Health. -- The Hanoi Department of Health has appointed Truong Quang Viet, deputy director of the citys Center for Disease Control, as director of this agency after the post had been vacant for nearly two years. -- Police in northern Dien Bien Province have initiated legal proceedings against two brothers for attacking officers at the police station in Pa Thom Commune on February 4. Business -- FLC Group has proposed developing a project in an urban area complex which covers nearly 1,200 hectares and costs about VND80 trillion (US$3.5 billion) in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. -- Vietnams Consumer Price Index (CPI) in January posted a year-on-year rise of 1.94 percent and inched up by 0.19 percent compared to the previous month, according to the General Statistics Office. -- Many shops in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City began preparing grilled snakehead fish on Wednesday night to sell to local residents on the occasion of the God of Wealth Day, which falls on February 10 this year. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Authorities on Wednesday completed their inspection of an eatery in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam following reports that its owner allegedly assaulted diners during the recent Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, said Nguyen Thi Hong Hai, vice-chairwoman of the Ninh Hoa Town People's Committee. Upon receiving a report from the diners involved in the incident, the Ninh Hoa Town People's Committee deployed functional units to examine Com Ga, a restaurant at the foot of the Ro Tuong Pass in Ninh Hoa Commune, Khanh Hoa Province, located along the south-central coast. According to a preliminary investigation, as a group of diners arrived at the restaurant on February 6, the owner offered them a rice dish for VND50,000 (US$2.2) and a combo including rice and toppings for VND90,000 ($4). The diners later decided to order four rice dishes and three soft drinks. When the staff asked whether the eaters wanted canh chua ca ngu (southern Vietnamese tuna sour soup) or canh rau (vegetable soup), they picked the sour soup. After finishing the meals, the customers were asked to pay VND200,000 ($8.8) for four rice dishes, VND60,000 ($2.6) for the drinks, and VND150,000 ($6.6) for the side dish, which was the tuna sour soup. The diners refused to pay for the soup as they supposed it was included in their order. During the discussion, the eatery owner became furious and threatened to throw the soup on the customers. VND150,000 for a bowl of tuna sour soup is a reasonable price, especially during the Tet holiday, said Hai. Hai also noted that the restaurateur was able to present a business permit during the inspection, which prompted authorities to merely issue an administrative violation notice for her misbehavior. The restaurant was also told to publish fixed-price menus in the future. One of the diners took to Facebook to complain, claiming they did not see the restaurants menu anywhere and tried to have a friendly conversation about the misunderstanding before the owner became irate and showed aggressive behavior and assaulting words to them. They threatened to hit us and throw the soup on us unless we paid the bill in full, the diner recounted. "I agreed to pay and then left for the sake of our safety. While we were leaving, they threw stones at our car, which was both rude and disappointing. The Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism said it found out about the case via Facebook, but had yet to receive a report from the customers. Following the incident, the department encouraged customers to give feedback and report similar cases via the hotline number 0947528000. The Tet break lasted from January 29 to February 6, during which Vietnamese gravitated to tourist attractions en masse. Fleecing is an issue on any holiday in Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A woman and her daughter were injured and hospitalized after a tree fell on them in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday evening. Initial information showed that 39-year-old V.T.H. and her 19-year-old daughter, T., were riding a motorbike on Chu Manh Trinh Street in Thu Duc City at around 6:30 pm on Wednesday when a ten-meter-tall, 50-centimeter-wide tree collapsed on them. Both the mother and daughter suffered several injuries and were knocked unconscious during the incident. Police officers and people gather at the scene of a fallen tree incident in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, February 9, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre Passers-by found the pair and rushed them to the hospital. Their motorbike was partially damaged. Functional forces later arrived at the scene to collect information and regulate traffic in the area. There was no inclement weather reported in the area during the incident. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Good news, everyone! Futurama has been revived for 20 new episodes, with original cast members Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman all returning. The revival hails from David X. Cohen and Matt Groening for Hulu. Update: Now confirmed as a Disney+ title in Australia. John DiMaggio, who voiced Bender and several minor characters, is not yet attached, but producers are hopeful he will return. DiMaggio has thanked fans on social media for messages, promising to keep them posted on his potential involvement. Im thrilled to have another chance to think about the future or really anything other than the present, said Cohen. Its a true honor to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get canceled abruptly again, added Groening. Production will begin later this month with an expected 2023 premiere. This marks the second time the show has been brought back since it originally launched in 1999. Source: Variety Nashelle Gonzales, patient advocate, affixes a lantern to the skywalk window at UT Health Tyler on March 17, 2021. Each paper lantern contains the initials of a patient treated for COVID-19 at hospitals across the division. Hospitalizations in Tyler have decreased over the last week. Ukraine will receive a delivery of Stinger air defense missile systems from Lithuania within the next few days as part of extended military assistance, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said. "We are increasing the number of military instructors in Ukraine and will provide Ukraine with additional weapons and military hardware. I have told Mr. Prime Minister that Stinger air defense missile systems will likely arrive in Ukraine in the coming days. I hope and sincerely wish that Ukraine will never have to use them," Simonyte said at a press conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv on Thursday. One thousand British troops are being put on standby in case of a humanitarian crisis in eastern Europe if the current Russian military build-up leads to war, Downing Street has announced. Boris Johnson flies to Poland on Thursday in a further show of support for a key Nato ally amid continuing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is in Moscow for talks with her counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, as Western powers continue to urge President Vladimir Putin to draw back from conflict. British officials warned that any further Russian incursion into Ukraine would be a humanitarian disaster leading to a mass displacement of people, which would particularly affect countries like Poland and Lithuania. Additional troops are being placed on readiness to provide a humanitarian response if required, although they could also be used to provide further support to allies in the region. Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv (Peter Nicholls/PA) Meanwhile, 350 Royal Marines from 45 Commando are to begin deploying to Poland as part of a further strengthening of UK support to the country announced earlier this week. In December the UK sent 100 Royal Engineers to the country after Moscows ally, Belarus, engineered a refugee crisis on the border. Ahead of his visit to Warsaw, Mr Johnson insisted the West must stand firm in the face of Mr Putins coercive diplomacy. He made clear that Nato could not accept a key Kremlin demand that there should be no further enlargement of the alliance. When Nato was founded, allies made an historic undertaking to safeguard the freedom of every member state. The UK remains unwavering in our commitment to European security, he said. What we need to see is real diplomacy, not coercive diplomacy. As an alliance we must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise. That includes the security of every Nato ally and the right of every European democracy to aspire to Nato membership. Story continues Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also meeting Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg (Justin Tallis/PA) Mr Johnson will also visit the alliance headquarters in Brussels, where he is expected to reiterate an offer to strengthen its defences when he meets Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg. It includes doubling the number of UK troops in Estonia, deploying more RAF jets to create a squadron in southern Europe, and dispatching a Type 45 destroyer and HMS Trent, an offshore patrol vessel, to the eastern Mediterranean. Sir Keir Starmer will also meet Mr Stoltenberg on Thursday as the Labour leader strives to break with the partys perceived weak stance on defence under his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn. In an interview with The Times, Sir Keir said we are firm and united in our support for Nato and argued that Mr Johnsons standing on the world stage has been weakened by the scandals in No 10. His authority has been diminished because of the various activities over the last few months, he said. Russia currently has an estimated 130,000 troops massed along the border with Ukraine, prompting fears that it is preparing for a full-scale invasion. Foreign Secretary Secretary Liz Truss said Russia must respect Ukraines sovereignty or face severe consequences (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) French President Emmanuel Macron, who met Mr Putin in Moscow earlier this week, said the Russian president had told him he is not seeking to escalate the situation. However, with large-scale Russian military exercises about to begin in Belarus, which also borders Ukraine, there are fears they could be cover for an attack. While there is no appetite among Western powers for direct military intervention in Ukraine, which is not a Nato member, they have warned of crippling sanctions in the event of any Russian incursion. After touching down in Moscow, Ms Truss said Russia must immediately withdraw its forces and respect Ukraines sovereignty or face severe consequences. Any incursion would be a huge mistake. Diplomacy is the only way forward and Russia must pursue that path, she added. SAN DIEGO, February 10, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dalrada Corporation (OTCQB: DFCO, "Dalrada") proudly announces Aboo Nasar, MD, MPH, MBA, as its new Medical Director of subsidiary Dalrada Healths Solas Rejuvenation + Wellness ("Solas") center. Dr. Nasar's vast experience of more than 22 years includes being a Fellowship-trained Geriatrician and Internal Medicine Physician who holds Board certifications in Holistic and Anti-Aging Functional Regenerative Medicine through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). Dr. Nasar's commitment to improving lives has benefited the Greater San Diego Region for more than 16-years. He states, "With experience founding three successful medical spas in San Diego, it is a great privilege to be the Medical Director of Solas." Solas flagship health and wellness center in San Diego hosts advanced medical-based practices, customized anti-aging & regenerative therapies, and traditional aesthetic procedures that empower people in life. The Solas facility features private, tailored, state-of-the-art services where its guests can select from a wide range of therapies that currently include: Aesthetics Regenerative Therapy Healthy Habits IV Therapy Lounge Hormone Rebalancing Men's Health & Wellness Women's Health & Wellness Customized Services Wellness Products Dr. Nasar's ultimate passion is Holistic and Integrative Medicine, the driving force behind the anti-aging regenerative clinics he oversees. Improving his clients health and motivating lifestyle practices beyond pharmacotherapy is one of his specialties, with established protocols that optimize brain health. A precision medicine market report reveals that ailments of the central nervous system (CNS) catalyzed growth in North America, where nearly 5.8 million people aged 65 years and above were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2020. By 2060, individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's' could reach 14 million. Story continues Overall, the North America Precision Medicine Market size surpassed USD 23.2 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to grow at 11.5% CAGR from 2021 to 2027. (Source: Graphical Research) Precision health and wellness contrasts a one-size-fits-all approach, lending more significant consideration to an individual's genetic factors. These unique factors align with precision therapies and targeted treatments at Solas, optimizing care in the region. Dr. Nasar's background in healthcare particularly long-term care as a professional and business leader expanded his vision and medical direction of healthcare entities, especially at senior living facilities. His experience also includes: Hospital Boards Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) Medical Director of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) & Hospice Palliative Care Services Overseeing Senior Medical Associates 100+ Healthcare Providers National and international public speaker - Integrative and Functional Regenerative Medicine Additional specialties of Dr. Nasar include Geriatrics, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Psychiatry, regular Psychiatry, and Wound-Care Services. Dr. Nasar concludes, "Providing personalized, precision healthcare services with the team of talented professionals at Solas is a natural fit." Solas Rejuvenation + Wellness takes a dedicated approach to prioritizing health and providing individualized, quality client service. For additional details on advanced rejuvenation techniques and specialized wellness programs, visit www.solasrejuvenation.com. Continuously building on its core life sciences, technology, and engineering practices, Dalrada operates under the tenet of bringing innovative products and services to a complex new world. As consumers, businesses, and governments seek alternative solutions, Dalrada's subsidiaries respond with affordable, available, accessible, and impactful innovations. Visit www.dalrada.com and www.dalradahealth.com for more information. About Dalrada Health A wholly-owned subsidiary of Dalrada Corporation, Dalrada Health is focused on solving health problems around the world. The Company develops products and services that address the unmet needs of consumers due to accessibility, affordability, or availability. With operations in the U.S., Malaysia, and India, Dalrada Health can reach underserved markets through strong partnerships and the development of efficient supply chains. Dalrada Health is committed to solving universal health problems through improved methodologies resulting in products and services that benefit the global marketplace. For details, visit www.dalradahealth.com. About Dalrada (DFCO) With perseverance, valor, dedication, and vision, Dalrada Corporation is dedicated to tackling worldwide challenges of today and tomorrow. Dalrada is a global company that operates under the tenet of creating impactful innovations that matter for the world. The Company works continually to produce disruptive solutions that bridge the gap of accessibility and accelerate positive change for current and future generations. Established in 1982, the Company has since grown its footprint to include the business divisions: Dalrada Health, Dalrada Precision, and Dalrada Technologies. Each of Dalrada's subsidiaries actively produces affordable and accessible world-class solutions to global problems. For more information, please visit www.dalrada.com. Disclaimer Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding future revenues and sales projections, plans for future financing, the ability to meet operational milestones, marketing arrangements and plans, and shipments to and regulatory approvals in international markets. Such statements reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors and will be dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain additional financing that will allow us to continue our current and future operations and whether demand for our products and services in domestic and international markets will continue to expand. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that may impact the Company's success are more fully disclosed in the Company's most recent public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including its annual report on Form 10-K. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005389/en/ Contacts Denise Mahaffey 858.283.1253 inquiries@dalrada.com Sophia Taylor Ali, Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg Based on the best-selling video game series, Uncharted is a voyage of discovery, as Danielle de Wolfe learns from stars Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland. Tom Holland is a gamer. Tapping the X button furiously between takes on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming, the actor could often be found in his trailer, surrounded by a state-of-the-art gaming set-up - "one of the benefits of working with Sony," he says. Fully immersed in the multi-million selling game Uncharted 4, little did Holland know that a handful of years later, he'd find himself portraying the very character he was controlling - albeit on a much larger screen. A tale of trust, truth and treasure, forthcoming feature-length film Uncharted sees Holland ditch the lycra in favour of street-smart charmer Nathan Drake. Recruited by veteran treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan, played by The Fighter and Ted star Mark Wahlberg, it's an action-packed adventure that's every inch the prequel to the best-selling video game series. Walking straight off Spider-Man: No Way Home and onto the set of Uncharted, Holland, 25, describes the need to switch-up his mindset, approaching stunt sequences in an entirely "different way". With two stunt doubles on hand - a pair Holland describes as "the best in the business" - the film's fights, falls and fatal action sequences are meticulously tailored to suit Holland's physical abilities. "When you're playing Spider-Man, there are two parts to every stunt; you do the practical part, and then there would more than likely be a digital takeover," says Holland, describing how CGI artists go on to create elaborate stunts digitally. "With Nathan Drake, you need to think about the first part of the stunt and the second part of the stunt [as] one continuous motion - which is tricky." In basic terms, it's a story about "finding the puzzle pieces and completing the journey" according to Holland, with Uncharted laying the groundwork for future gaming events. Packed to the rafters with villains, hair-raising stunts and a flying galleon or two for good measure, it's a film that sees Zombieland and Venom director Ruben Fleischer take the helm. Story continues "I've dreamed of making a treasure-hunting, globe-trotting adventure since I was a kid," says Fleischer, 47. "That kind of movie gave me a passion for history and antiquity - I even went to college thinking I was going to be an archaeologist. As soon as I read this script, it captured that magical quality of escapist adventure." As Nathan joins forces with Sully, the pair follow a treasure map as they travel from Barcelona to the Philippines in search of the fortune lost at sea by the House of Moncada. They're not alone, however, as treasure hunter Chloe Frazer (Sophia Ali) and Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas) are both out for gold, with the latter on a mission to reclaim the treasure his family once lost. "The way Antonio plays him, he has a chip on his shoulder and a lot of daddy issues. He wants to prove that he's not just a spoiled kid - that he can contribute to his family's history," adds Fleischer. But with Nathan and Sully harbouring very different motivations - Sully's selfish attitude and fixation on gold stands in contrast to Nathan's yearning for a reunion with his missing brother, a fellow treasure hunter - it's a journey that tests the pair's bond. "The thing that elevates the material and really separates it and differentiates it from everything else, is the chemistry between the two guys," says Wahlberg, 50. Describing how the film "really lives and dies" by the pair's interactions, Uncharted depicts Nathan and Sully's journey as they "earn each other's respect". "You kind of have this older mentor - everything is about his own self-serving interest. But you know, he really falls in love with Tom as a father figure or a big brother," says Wahlberg. It's a guiding relationship that extends off screen. With Holland describing himself as "a big fan" who found himself "star struck" upon meeting Wahlberg for the first time, the actor labels his co-star "the OG" and someone who has "been doing this longer than I've been alive". Having made his television acting debut at the age of 22 in the television movie The Substitute, two-time Academy Award nominee Wahlberg is keen to press the importance of mentorship among actors in today's film industry. "I always look to people that I admired and wanted to work with and was fortunate enough to work with - the Denzel Washingtons of the world, the Robert Duvalls, James Caan, Jack Nicholson and Dustin Hoffman," says Wahlberg. "I've worked with some of the greats and I've always wanted to just be a student, watching them and picking their brains. And they've always been very kind and appreciative of my interest in looking up to them, so I want to always do the same." Attempting to outmanoeuvre Banderas' character Santiago - and with Ali's character Chloe switching allegiances at a rate of knots, Uncharted changes course at a rapid pace. There was, however, one key element missing for Holland upon reading through the script for the first time. "I remember reading the script and realising that I didn't have any scenes with Antonio," says the Spider-Man actor. "I said to Ruben, 'You can't bring this guy in and not have me work with him!' I've been a huge fan of his and I thought it was very important that the quote-unquote 'hero' of the story should meet with the villain of the story." Putting in a special request to Fleischer, the actor noted the necessity for Bandera and Holland's characters to unite early on. It's an amendment which gave birth to a tense, action-packed sequence set in an auction house - one that seamlessly paves the way for future events, with Holland's character realising "he's not in the kiddie park anymore". "For Mark and I, it was a real privilege and a pleasure to get to tell this part of the story because I think the fans are very excited to see how it started," notes Holland of the project. "We're excited to try and catch up - and hopefully, one day, end up in a position where it finishes." Uncharted arrives in cinemas on Friday, February 11. "The choice Indonesia is making is one of sovereignty and technical excellence," French Defence Minister Florence Parly said after Indonesia signed a deal on Thursday to buy six Rafale warplanes as part of an anticipated total order of 42. France is rethinking its alliances in the Asia-Pacific region after a lucrative submarine deal with Australia was scuppered.T The agreement was announced as Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto met his French counterpart Florence Parly in Jakarta. "We agreed on the purchase of 42 Rafale. The contract signed today is for the first six, which will be followed by 36 others," said Subianto. "It's an aircraft that that demonstrated its operational capabilities on many occasions," Parly told journalists. It is the latest sign of warming ties between Jakarta and Paris, as France rethinks its alliances in the region following the collapse in September of a multibillion-dollar Australian submarine deal. Paris was left furious by the debacle, saying it had been given no warning that Canberra was negotiating a new defence pact with the United States and Britain. Australia is now buying nuclear-powered submarines as part of the new defence alliance, named AUKUS, with Washington and London to counter a rising China. Rising US-China tensions In November, France and Indonesia strengthened a strategic partnership agreement during a two-day visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to the vast Southeast Asian archipelago. Indonesia's first order for French warplanes comes as Jakarta replaces an ageing fleet - consisting mainly of American F-16s and Russian Sukhois - as concerns grow about rising US-China tensions in Asia. In Jakarta, Parly told reporters that Indonesia had chosen a warplane known for its "technical excellence", which had demonstrated its "operational capabilities on numerous occasions". Indonesia is also reportedly in negotiations to buy about 30 American F-15s, and is participating in a South Korean programme to develop a warplane. Story continues Since the Australian submarine deal collapsed, France has been bolstering ties with long-time partners including Japan and India, as well as turning to Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia. Indonesia is one of several Asian countries that expressed concerns about the AUKUS pact, with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi warning it could trigger a nuclear arms race in the region. The Dassault Aviation Rafale aircraft, which entered service in 2004, has proved popular in the international market despite competition from American and other European manufacturers. The United Arab Emirates signed the biggest ever order for the jets in December, with a deal to buy 80 for 14 billion euros. Other foreign clients include Qatar, India, Egypt, Greece and Croatia. (With wires) Russias foreign minister claimed speaking to British foreign secretary Liz Truss is like the deaf talking to the blind as talks over the Ukraine crisis stalled in Moscow. Sergei Lavrov said he was disappointed with the lack of progress in the negotiations as Ms Truss urged Russia to de-escalate amid growing fears it could invade Ukraine. Ms Truss trip to Moscow was the first such visit by a foreign secretary in more than four years. It came as the UK government seeks a path of diplomacy to help defuse tensions on the Ukrainian border. But Mr Lavrovs insulting remarks are a sign that diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis appear to be proving fruitless. The latest estimates suggest Moscow has 130,000 troops massed in the border region and in neighbouring Belarus, close to the strength some analysts believe would be needed to mount a full-scale invasion. Speaking at a joint press conference, Mr Lavrov claimed the UK continued to be dismissive of Russias security concerns. Im rather disappointed that it was a bit like talking to a deaf person, he said. Its like theyre listening to us but not hearing. Mr Lavrov claimed that UK-Russia relations had plunged to their lowest point in many years, saying Ms Truss was following the Wests playbook. He denied suggestions that Russia would invade Ukraine. But Ms Truss responded: I cant see any other reason for 100,000 troops stationed on the Ukrainian border apart from threatening Ukraine, and if Russia is serious about diplomacy, they need to move those troops and desist from the threats. "Fundamentally a war in Ukraine will be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people for European security." Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, praised Ms Truss for standing up to her Russian counterpart tweeting: While were trying to bring peace and stability, Russia is playing games. Good to see a@trussliza standing up to Lavrov. Story continues The talks came as Boris Johnson warned that Vladimir Putin must not be allowed to bully eastern Europe. The prime minister said further military support could be offered to Ukraine if Russia invades as he carried out engagements at Nato headquarters in Brussels and alongside his Polish counterpart in Warsaw. But Mr Johnson made clear that Britain could not intervene militarily if Ukraine was attacked. Meanwhile, 350 Royal Marines from 45 Commando are to begin deploying to Poland as part of a further strengthening of UK support to the country announced earlier this week. In December the UK sent 100 Royal Engineers to the country after Moscows ally, Belarus, engineered a refugee crisis on the border. A Canadian teenager who met her boyfriend through an online dating app and travelled to the UK late last year died of stab wounds to the chest, an inquest has heard. Ashley Wadsworth, 19, was pronounced dead at an address in Tennyson Road in Chelmsford, Essex, on 1 February. The hearing was told that the teenager was found unresponsive and paramedics confirmed life extinct at 4.38pm. A post-mortem recorded her provisional medical cause of death as "stab wounds to the chest", the coroner's officer said. Essex's senior coroner, Lincoln Brookes, suspended the inquest proceedings pending the outcome of crown court proceedings. Her boyfriend, Jack Sepple, has been charged with her murder. The 23-year-old, of Tennyson Road, Chelmsford, was not asked to enter pleas at an earlier hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court and was remanded in custody until a further hearing at the court on 7 March. Ms Wadsworth, originally from Vernon, British Colombia, moved to Chelmsford in November 2021, she wrote on Facebook. Earlier this year, she posted photos online of her "amazing trip to London", where she had been sightseeing. COVID-19 infection levels have risen in three of the four UK nations. (Getty) COVID-19 infection levels have risen in three of the four UK nations as Boris Johnson announced plans to scrap the remaining restrictions early. Scotland and Northern Ireland both saw an increase last week in the number of people in private households likely to have coronavirus, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). England also saw a rise, though the trend here is uncertain, the ONS said. It comes after the prime minister revealed his intention to end the final coronavirus restrictions in England later this month, as long as encouraging trends in the data continue. It would mean people are no longer required to isolate even if they test positive for COVID-19. Watch: Boris Johnson signals early end to COVID self-isolation laws The figures show there is still a high prevalence of the virus across the country, with infections remaining well above pre-Christmas levels. About one in 19 people in private households in England had COVID-19 in the week to 5 February, or 2.8 million people up from one in 20, or 2.6 million people, in the week to 29 January. In Scotland, around one in 25 were likely to have COVID-19 last week, or 211,300 people, up week-on-week from one in 30, or 185,100. Northern Ireland also saw an increase, up from one in 15 people (or 136,300) to one in 13 (145,600) the highest level since the ONS began estimating infections for this part of the UK in autumn 2020. But infections have fallen in Wales, down from an estimated one in 20 people (or 139,000) to one in 25 (121,200). Across the UK as a whole, 3.3 million people were likely to have had COVID-19 last week, up from 3.1 million the previous week. Read more: Moment Boris Johnson ambushed after new Xmas lockdown picture of PM with booze and tinsel People not going to hospital during COVID behind huge NHS waiting list, says UK minister NHS COVID backlog will keep getting worse 'for a while' On Wednesday, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned the pandemic was not over. Story continues He said: "Depending on where you live, it might feel like the COVID-19 pandemic is almost over, or, it might feel like it is at its worst. "But wherever you live, COVID isn't finished with us." Tedros added: "We know this virus will continue to evolve, but we are not defenceless. "We have the tools to prevent this disease, test for it and to treat it." COVID infections have fallen in Wales. (Getty) Johnson said he would present his plan for living with COVID when parliament returns from a short recess on 21 February, with the aim of lifting the requirement to self-isolate within days of that. The current self-isolation regulations expire on 24 March but Johnson told MPs at Prime Ministers Questions that provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive a full month early. Experts have criticised the end to the legal obligation to isolate in England. Dr James Gill, honorary clinical lecturer at Warwick Medical School, said: Frankly I see no justifiable reason for the scrapping of this law, certainly not from the perspective of patients, nor from a business case either as the omicron variant is highly contagious, and thus more likely to spread through a staff group if people feel compelled to come to work with a mild COVID 19 infection. Professor Lawrence Young, virologist and professor of molecular oncology and the University of Warwick, added: Removing the requirement for isolation in the face of high infection levels will inevitably result in increased spread of the virus." By Stephanie Nebehay BELLINZONA, Switzerland (Reuters) - A former Credit Suisse employee testified on Thursday that she kept the bank's management fully informed of outflows from Bulgarian customers' accounts after authorities in Sofia asked Switzerland for judicial assistance. In the first criminal trial of a major bank in Switzerland, Credit Suisse and the former employee face charges of allowing an alleged Bulgarian cocaine trafficking gang to launder millions of euros, some of it stuffed into suitcases. The former employee, who cannot be named under Swiss privacy laws, denies wrongdoing. Credit Suisse has rejected all the allegations and said it is convinced its former employee is innocent, and that it plans to "defend itself vigorously". Swiss prosecutors allege that Credit Suisse and the former relationship manager did too little to prevent the alleged drug traffickers hiding and laundering cash between 2004 and 2008, despite indications that the funds could be of criminal origin. The indictment runs to more than 500 pages, and centres on relationships that Credit Suisse, Switzerland's second-largest bank, and its ex-employee had with former Bulgarian wrestler Evelin Banev and several of his associates. "I was informing, I was so stressed with the situation, I was so afraid of making a mistake just because I am not experienced, I was not competent. So that I was going on reporting, reporting, maybe even more than necessary," the former employee told the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona on Thursday, speaking in English. "I KEPT INFORMING" Prosecutors allege that the defendant, who left Credit Suisse in 2010, helped to launder dirty money by carrying out more than 146 million Swiss francs in transactions. Documents at the trial showed that she had informed a designated Credit Suisse legal official of transactions after the Swiss attorney general in June 2007 informed the bank about Bulgaria's probe into five people with accounts alleged to hold illicit funds derived from drug trafficking. Story continues "There was a procedure in place," she said, adding that she had to notify the bank's legal department of any flow of funds. "I repeat again. I kept informing of every single step, the line managers, kept them informed of everything going on." Regarding transfers from the accounts of the Bulgarians involved in the case, she said: "I was not in a position to authorise payments above 200,000 (Swiss francs). Never. Even if wanted, I could not." After the prosecution finished questioning her, she became visibly upset, calling the charges against her a "scandal". "All this, what has been discussed this morning, have been in front of them for 13 years of my life," she said, before requesting a break to calm herself. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS Banev does not face charges in Switzerland but was convicted in Italy of drug trafficking in 2017, and then in Bulgaria in 2018, for money laundering. Two of his associates are charged in the Swiss case. Banev was arrested in September in Ukraine as countries including Bulgaria and Romania sought his arrest. In Sofia, his attorney said Banev denied any involvement in money laundering through Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse disputes the illegal origin of the money, a source familiar with its thinking has told Reuters, saying the alleged traffickers operated legitimate businesses in construction, leasing and hotels, and that it had performed extensive checks. The presiding judge has ruled that a 15-year statute of limitations for aggravated money laundering means only events that occurred after Feb. 7, 2007, may be considered in the case. Switzerland had a staunch culture of bank secrecy before a U.S.-led crackdown began eroding its protection of foreign clients' information in 2008. Swiss private banks have had to change their business models since the introduction of new rules aimed at ensuring that offshore accounts are known to authorities in the country where the account-holder pays tax. At the time of the alleged offences, however, while there were rules requiring anti-money laundering checks, it was common practice for wealthy clients to bring money into Switzerland that was not declared to authorities, the former employee said - an opinion shared by Credit Suisse, according to a source familiar with its thinking. (This story was refiled to restore dropped words "statute of limitations" in paragraph 20) (Reporting and writing by Stephanie Nebehay in Bellinzona; additional reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi in Zurich and by Tsvetelia Tsolova in Sofia; editing by Michael Shields and Kevin Liffey) Indonesia signed a deal with France Thursday to buy six Rafale warplanes as part of an anticipated total order of 42, Jakarta's defence minister said, as Paris bolsters military ties in the Asia-Pacific. The agreement was announced as Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto met his French counterpart Florence Parly in Jakarta. "We agreed on the purchase of 42 Rafale. The contract signed today is for the first six, which will be followed by 36 others," said Subianto. It is the latest sign of warming ties between Jakarta and Paris, as France rethinks its alliances in the region following the collapse in September of a multibillion-dollar Australian submarine deal. Paris was left furious by the debacle, saying it had been given no warning that Canberra was negotiating a new defence pact with the United States and Britain. Australia is now obtaining nuclear-powered submarines as part of the new defence alliance, named AUKUS, with Washington and London to counter a rising China. In November, France and Indonesia strengthened a strategic partnership agreement during a two-day visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to the vast Southeast Asian archipelago. In this tweet, France's foreign defence minister says that France and Indonesia's "strategic partnership will benefit from deepening defence ties. France is proud to contribute to the modernisation of our partner's armed forces, which plays a key role in ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region." Indonesia's first order for French warplanes comes as Jakarta replaces an ageing fleet consisting mainly of American F-16s and Russian Sukhois as concerns grow about rising US-China tensions in Asia. 'Technical excellence' In Jakarta, Parly told reporters that Indonesia had chosen a warplane known for its "technical excellence", which had demonstrated its "operational capabilities on numerous occasions". Indonesia is also reportedly in negotiations to buy about 30 American F-15s, and is participating in a South Korean programme to develop a warplane. Story continues Since the Australian submarine deal collapsed, France has been bolstering ties with long-time partners including Japan and India, as well as turning to Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia. Indonesia is one of several Asian countries that expressed concerns about the AUKUS pact, with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi warning it could trigger a nuclear arms race in the region. The Dassault Aviation Rafale aircraft, which entered service in 2004, has proved popular in the international market despite competition from American and other European manufacturers. The United Arab Emirates signed the biggest ever order for the jets in December, with a deal to buy 80 for 14 billion euros. Other foreign clients include Qatar, India, Egypt, Greece and Croatia. (AFP) Andy Farrell has announced his Ireland squad that will travel to Paris to take on France, with Johnny Sexton ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Ireland captain Sexton sustained the injury in training on Wednesday, which means Joey Carbery starts at fly-half and is partnered by Jamison Gibson-Park at half-back. The centre partnership of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose continues in midfield. The back three is made up of Hugo Keenan at full-back, with Mack Hansen and Andrew Conway on the wings. James Ryan takes over the captaincy James Ryan will captain the side and is joined at lock by Tadhg Beirne. The back-row sees Caelan Doris at six, Josh van der Flier at seven and Jack Conan at number eight with Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong making up the front-row. Iain Henderson, Robbie Henshaw and Jack Carty are added to the replacements for the France clash joining Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Peter OMahony and Conor Murray. British and Irish Lions Henderson and Henshaw return to the Irish bench following injuries in the only other changes from last weekends bonus-point win over Wales in Dublin. Leinster second-row Ryan Baird and Ulster centre James Hume drop out of the matchday squad. Carbery impressed as understudy in the autumn after Sexton was injured in the 29-20 win over New Zealand. The 26-year-old who suffered a fractured elbow in December came off the bench to kick three crucial penalties against the All Blacks, before producing a man-of-the-match performance against Argentina a week later. Ulster captain Henderson and Leinster centre Henshaw have each been restricted to limited game time this season. Lock Henderson has not played since sustaining an ankle injury in his provinces Champions Cup win over Northampton on December 17 his only outing since Ireland beat the Kiwis in November. Henshaw has made just four appearances this season and missed some of his countrys pre-tournament training camp in Portugal due to a groin issue. Story continues Despite the 2022 Six Nations being only one round old, this weekends clash in the French capital has already been billed as a potential title decider. Pre-tournament favourites France lead the early standings ahead of Ireland after overcoming a slow start to defeat Italy 37-10 on Sunday. Munsters Beirne seemed the man most at risk following Hendersons return to fitness. He remains the only non-Leinster player in Farrells pack, partnering stand-in captain Ryan in the second-row. Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 James Ryan (c), 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter OMahony, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Robbie Henshaw Date: Saturday, February 12 Venue: Stade de France Kick-off: 17:45 local (16:45 GMT) Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia) Assistant Referees: Ben OKeeffe (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales) TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales) READ MORE: Irelands Tadhg Furlong ready to deliver at scrum time The article Ireland: Johnny Sexton ruled out of Six Nations clash with France as Joey Carbery starts appeared first on Planetrugby.com. FILE PHOTO: Lithuania launches a camp for the U.S. soldiers deployed on its soil By Andrius Sytas RUKLA, Lithuania (Reuters) - Lithuania will ask the United States to permanently station troops in the country to help boost security, the Baltic nation's president said on Wednesday. Gitanas Nauseda spoke after welcoming new rotation of German-led international NATO battle group, deployed in 2017 and soon to include 350 additional German troops in response to Russia massing its troops near Ukraine. Since 2019 the United States has deployed non-overlapping rotations of its own groups of about 500 troops and equipment in Lithuania, adding to the alliance's efforts to deter Russia from its vulnerable flank. "Of course we will be talking to the U.S. to make sure that the rotational U.S. forces would be in Lithuania permanently," Nauseda told a news conference in Rukla military base. "That would be the best boost to security and deterrence that NATO could provide not only to Lithuania but to the whole region," Nauseda said. Moscow denies plans to invade its neighbour, but is seeking sweeping concessions from the West and has deployed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, including Belarus. Washington and Brussels have threatened Russia with sanctions if it attacks Ukraine and the United States is sending 3,000 troops to Poland and Romania. NATO's military committee chair said on Monday the alliance will move more troops to the Baltics and Poland if Russian forces do not leave Belarus after the planned military exercise. The Netherlands said on Wednesday it will increase its contribution to the NATO battle group in Lithuania from 270 to 350 troops. The group and three similar NATO units in Estonia, Latvia and Poland, were deployed by the alliance in response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The first NATO deployments in the eastern part of the alliance total almost 5,000 troops from 20 out of 30 NATO nations, said NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana. Story continues "Strong deterrence and defence, combined with dialog and diplomacy, is key to keeping our nations safe in a more contested world, as we again face Russia's aggressive rhetoric and force posture", he said at the ceremony in Rukla. (This story corrects para 7 to show U.S. sends troops to Romania, not Belarus.) (Reporting by Andrius Sytas, writing by Andrius Sytas and Terje Solsvik, editing by Gwladys Fouche and Tomasz Janowski) Held for the first time in Singapore, the conference will bring together industry champions such as Axie Infinity, BitMEX, and Crypto.com SINGAPORE, February 10, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TOKEN2049, the premier crypto conference, announced today the return of its Asia edition. Making its debut in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands, TOKEN2049 is returning on 28-29 September 2022 in conjunction with the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2022, ahead of the race weekend. As the flagship event of Asia Crypto Week, a week of independently organised events around TOKEN2049, the conference will bring together key decision-makers and thought leaders within the crypto and blockchain space. Connecting crypto experts and enthusiasts, TOKEN2049 is expected to welcome over 3,000 attendees. The Asia edition of TOKEN2049 takes attendees to the forefront of the industry, discussing a variety of topics from Web3, the future of DeFi, NFTs and the metaverse, crypto regulation and the institutional landscape, among others. Keeping pace with the rapidly evolving crypto space, TOKEN2049 Singapore features in-depth presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities charting the latest milestones in digital assets and the future of the crypto industry at large. Celebrating the events return to Asia, Raphael Strauch, Founder of TOKEN2049 said, "From a renowned financial hub, Singapore has rapidly evolved to a leader in emerging technologies, making it a fitting destination for TOKEN2049. Throughout the event, we look forward to spotlighting influential entrepreneurs and impactful projects across the ecosystem." TOKEN2049 Singapore boasts an impressive speaker lineup including Three Arrows Capital CEO Su Zhu, BitMEX CEO Alexander Hoptner, Ava Labs Founder and CEO Emin Gun Sirer, Web3 Investor Santiago R Santos, Axie Infinity Co-founder and COO Aleksander Leonard Larsen, and Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek, with more to come. Further commenting on the upcoming conference, Raphael Strauch added, "After an incredible event in London, were looking forward to returning to Asiathe first home of TOKEN2049. Returning to our roots alongside the F1 Singapore Grand Prix, theres a huge cause for celebration. The countdown to September 2022 is on." Story continues For more information on TOKEN2049, visit: https://www.asia.token2049.com/. Raphael Strauch, Founder of TOKEN2049 is available for interview. About TOKEN2049: TOKEN2049 is a premier crypto event, organised annually in Singapore and London, where decision-makers in the global crypto ecosystem connect to exchange ideas, network, and shape the industry. TOKEN2049 is a global meeting place for entrepreneurs, institutions, industry insiders, investors, and those with a strong interest in the crypto and blockchain industry. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220209006202/en/ Contacts Media: Nadia Yeo nadia.yeo@wachsman.com Boris Johnson has warned Europe is facing a very dangerous moment as he met with Nato chiefs to discuss the crisis in Ukraine. Britain was sending a strong triple warning to Vladimir Putin on Thursday not to invade Ukraine as Russia was starting a huge military exercise with Belarus. The message was being delivered by MrJohnson in Brussels for top-level talks with Nato , Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in Moscow and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace in London. The Prime Minister, who was also heading to Warsaw in a show of support to Poland, stressed the West must stand firm in the face of Mr Putins coercive diplomacy, with the UK having taken a tougher stance than some other European allies including Germany. He said: I believe that if we can keep a strong grip on the fundamentals, those fundamental principles that define our alliance and combine strong deterrents with diplomacy then we can find a way through this crisis. But the stakes are very high and this is a very dangerous moment and at stake are the rules that protect every nation, big and small. He added: Our intelligence, Im afraid to say, remains grim. Were seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine. This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades. Mr Johnson also emphasised that Nato must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise. Rejecting the Kremlins demand that Ukraine must not be able to join Nato, he added: That includes the security of every Nato ally and the right of every European democracy to aspire to Nato membership. Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg also warned this is a dangerous moment for European security as the pair held a joint press conference in Brussels. The Foreign Secretary pictured at Thursdays wreath-laying ceremony (REUTERS) Ms Truss told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that an invasion of Ukraine would be disastrous and urged Russia to abandon Cold War rhetoric and avoid war. Story continues Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr Lavrov, Ms Truss accused Russia of "attempting to destabilise Ukrainian democracy". "These acts have actually had the effect of strengthening Nato's resolve and turning the Ukrainian people further away from Russia," she said. She warned that a Russian invasion would result in a "prolonged and drawn-out conflict" and the UK would put in place "severe sanctions targeting individuals and institutions". Mr Lavrov denied that Russia was showing any aggression toward Ukraine and said their were no plans to invade. He said Russian was the one being threatened. Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey are also meeting with Mr Stoltenberg in Brussels this afternoon. The Labour leader is expected to say he is proud of the work Nato has done, is doing and will continue to do to protect our freedoms, promote peace and resist aggression, including as we see today in Ukraine. Mr Wallace, who is heading to Moscow in coming days, warned Russia that an invasion of Ukraine would be a lose-lose situation. He told Times Radio: No-one is going to win from an aggressive invasion of a sovereign state. He urged Moscow to recognise that the US, Britain and other allies were serious about consequences of a military incursion in terms of sanctions and other responses. However, he also pushed Cold War-style confidence-building moves between Russia and the West to defuse the crisis. Mr Johnson announced last night that 1,000 British troops are being put on standby in case of a humanitarian crisis in eastern Europe if the current Russian military build-up leads to war. British officials warned any further Russian incursion into Ukraine would be a humanitarian disaster leading to a mass displacement of people, which would particularly affect countries like Poland and Lithuania. Additional troops are being paced on readiness to provide a humanitarian response if required, although they could also be used to provide further support to allies in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron, who met Mr Putin in Moscow earlier this week, said the Russian president had told him he was not seeking to escalate the situation. Their talks raised hopes that a diplomatic solution could be reached to avoid conflict. However with large-scale Russian military exercises starting in Belarus, which also borders Ukraine, there are fears they could be cover for an attack. Russian Crusher Martirosian Makes it Three Super MILLION$ Titles February 10 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor Artur Martirosian made it a trio of Super MILLION$ victories on February 8 at GGPoker when he left a trail of talented tournament grinders in his wake. Martirosian becomes only the third GGPoker players to win this massive event three times, and is also one of three players to have won more than $4 million from this tournament alone! What a guy! Super MILLION$ Season 2 Episode 29 Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Artur Martirosian Russia $526,439 2 Markkos Ladev Estonia $405,940 3 Pandora-box Hong Kong $313,022 4 Samuel Vousden Finland $241,373 5 Daniel Dvoress Canada $186,124 6 Sylvain Loosli Andorra $143,521 7 Timothy Nuter Canada $110,670 8 Isaac Haxton Canada $85,338 9 Lev "LevMeAlone" Gottlieb Mexico $65,804 It took 30 minutes for the final table to lose its first star, and Lev "LevMeAlone" Gottlieb was that player. The hand started with Daniel Dvoress opening to 176,000 from under the gun during the 40,000/80,000/10,000a level, everyone folded to Gottlieb in the cutoff and he three-bet all-in for 1,339,071. Both blinds folded, but Dvoress snap-called. It was aces for Dvoress, kings for Gottlieb, and a jack-high board sent Gottlieb to the rail with the $65,804 ninth-place prize. Queens were not kind to Isaac Haxton Isaac Haxton's quest to secure his third Super MILLION$ title ended in an eighth-place finish worth $85,338. Haxton min-raised to 160,000 from under the gun with a pair of queens in the hole, which folded out everyone up to "Pandora-box" in the small blind, who made it 640,000 to go with ace-king. Haxton jammed for the 1,161,818 chips he had behind, and was instantly called. An ace on the flop was enough to send Haxton to the sidelines. Timothy Nuter was the next player heading for the exits, doing so with $110,670 to show for his efforts. Nuter was second in chips at the start of seven-handed play but an audacious bluff was his downfall. Samuel Vousden got the fateful hand underway with a raise to 264,000 from the cutoff with king-queen, and Nuter defended his 60,000 small blind with a call with king-jack. A nine-trey-queen flop with two hearts saw Nuter check-raised a 188,250 continuation-bet from Vousden to 540,000, which Vousden called. The four of spades turn was greeted by a bet worth 480,000 from Nuter, which Vousden called. The seven of diamond river completed the board, and Nuter moved all-in for 2,509,165, sending Vousden deep into the tank. Fedor Holz stated during the live stream commentary that he personally could not fold king-queen in this spot, and Vousden didn't fold. Vousden's two-minute tank ended with a call, which left Nuter with less than three big blinds. Nuter doubled on the next hand but his comeback ended when he pushed all-in with queen-deuce on the river having turned two pair against the ace-queen of Pandora-box. However, the river paired the board and counterfeited Nuter's hand. Sylvain Loosli started the final table with the chip lead Start-of-the-day chip leader Sylvain Loosli's impressive run ended in a sixth-place finish weighing in at $143,521. It took until the 125,000/250,000/30,000a level until Loosli busted. Loosli opened to 500,000 with pocket jacks under the gun, Estonia's Markkos Ladev three-bet to 1,250,000 in the cutoff with aces before calling when Loosli jammed for 3,595,902 in total. No help arrived on the community cards, and Loosli bowed out. Dvoress sat down at the final table as the short stack but managed to navigate his way to a fifth-place finish worth $186,124. Dvoress open-shoved from the cutoff for 2,028,830 with pocket nines, Ladev looked him up with king-jack in the big blind, and the race was on. Dvoress' nines remained best up to the king on the river. The final four became three when Vousden came unstuck and made his way to the cashier to collect $241,373 in prize money. Vousden pushed all-in for 12 big blinds on the button with ace-eight, but Ladev held the dominating ace-queen and made an easy call. Neither player improved their hand, but Ladev didn't need to. Good game, Vousden. COLOSSAL! Top 5 Hands from GGPoker's $2,000/$4,000 High Stakes Cash Game The final table laddering from Pandora-box ended at the hands of Ladev, the very next hand after Vousden crashed out. Pandora-box committed the last of their eight or so big blinds with ace-seven, only to be called by Ladev holding king-nine. Ladev flopped a nine, but Pandora-box turned an ace. However, the queen on the river put four spades on the board, and Ladev held the nine of spades. Pandora-box's third-place finish came with $313,022. Ladev held a 17,080,244 to 9,919,756 chip lead over Martirosian going into heads-up, and he looked likely to join Ottomar Ladva as an Estonia Super MILLION$ champion. Martirosian had other ideas, though. Neither player could make any headway in the one-on-one battle until Ladev bluffed all-in for twice the size of the pot with nine-five on a trey-eight-six-deuce-ace board only for Martirosian to snap-call with ace-six. That hand gave Martirosian a seven-to-one chip lead, and the tournament was over shortly afterward. Martirosian limped in for 350,000 before calling Ladev's 2,603,088 shove with pocket queens. The Russian's ladies needed to hold against his opponent's king-seven, which they more than did thanks to Martirosian flopped a set. Ladev netted $405,940 for his runner-up finish, while Martirosian bagged $526,439 and his third Super MILLION$ victory. Boris Johnson. Credit: PA Boris Johnson will fly to Poland on Thursday as 1000 UK troops are put on standby in Eastern Europe amid tensions with Russia. The troops will assist in the case of a humanitarian crisis in eastern Europe if the current Russian military build-up leads to war, Downing Street has announced. The Prime Minister is to fly to Poland to show further support for the key NATO ally amid continuing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is in Moscow for talks with her counterpart Sergei Lavrov as Western powers continue to urge President Vladimir Putin to draw back from any conflict. Dorset Echo: Vladimir Putin. Credit: PA Vladimir Putin. Credit: PA 1000 UK troops to go on standby in Eastern Europe, Downing Street says British officials have warned that any further Russian incursion into Ukraine would be a humanitarian disaster. A "disaster" that would lead to a mass displacement of people, which would particularly affect Eastern European countries like Poland and Lithuania. Additional troops will provide a humanitarian response if necessary but they could also be used to provide support to allies in the region too. Earlier this week, it was announced that 350 Royal Marines from 45 Commando are being deployed to Poland to help strengthen UK support to the country. Back in December, the UK sent 100 Royal Engineers to Poland after Moscows ally Belarus engineered a refugee crisis on the border. Ahead of his visit to Warsaw, Mr Johnson insisted the West must stand firm in the face of Mr Putins coercive diplomacy. Dorset Echo: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Credit: PA NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Credit: PA Mr Johnson made clear that NATO could not accept a key Kremlin demand and that there should be no further enlargement of the alliance. He said: When Nato was founded, allies made a historic undertaking to safeguard the freedom of every member state. The UK remains unwavering in our commitment to European security. What we need to see is real diplomacy, not coercive diplomacy. Story continues As an alliance we must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise. That includes the security of every NATO ally and the right of every European democracy to aspire to NATO membership. What is Boris Johnson offering NATO amid Russia tensions? The PM will also visit the alliance headquarters in Brussels where he is expected to repeat his offer to NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg about strengthening its defences. Mr Johnson's proposals to NATO include: Doubling the number of UK troops in Estonia Deploying more RAF jets to create a squadron in southern Europe Dispatching a Type 45 destroyer and HMS Trent which is an offshore patrol vessel, located to the eastern Mediterranean. Russia is estimated to have 130,000 troops massed along the border with Ukraine, prompting fears that the country is preparing for a full-scale invasion. Dorset Echo: Liz Truss. Credit: PA Liz Truss. Credit: PA French President Emmanuel Macron, who met Mr Putin in Moscow earlier this week, said the Russian president had told him he was not seeking to escalate the situation. There are large-scale Russian military exercises due to begin in Belarus, which borders Ukraine, sparking fears that this could be cover for an attack. While there is no appetite among Western powers for direct military intervention in Ukraine, which is not a NATO member, it has warned of crippling sanctions in the event of any Russian incursion. After touching down in Moscow, Ms Truss said Russia must immediately withdraw its forces and respect Ukraines sovereignty or face severe consequences. She added: Any incursion would be a huge mistake. Diplomacy is the only way forward and Russia must pursue that path. Family pays tribute to Canadian teenager at centre of Essex murder probe THE family of the Canadian teenager who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend in Essex have paid a heartfelt tribute to a kind and beautiful woman. Ashley Wadworth,19, has been named as the victim at the centre of the murder investigation. She died following an incident in Chelmsford last week and boyfriend Jack Sepple has since been charged with murder. Ashley had been visiting the UK from her home in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, at the time. In a statement, Ashleys family have celebrated her spontaneous, witty, kind personality whilst remembering her unforgettable laugh. They also described the teen as fiercely loving and loyal to her family and friends alike. Hailey said she will always treasure her little sister, Ashley, as her best friend. Paisley called her Aunty Ashley the best aunty ever and everyone appreciated how Ashley saved her own money to buy Paisley her first swing set. The Wadsworth family said they admired Ashleys sense of adventure having travelled extensively within Canada and further afield to Mexico, California and England. They said her traveling deepened her desire for life experience and encouraged her love of language as she spoke 3 languages (English, French, Spanish). Ashley had a dream of becoming a lawyer and strived for good grades, having been accepted to Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. Her family said in their statement: Ashley, you are beautiful to us, and we will miss you very, very, much. The Wadsworth family, who cannot be in Essex at present, wanted to express their gratitude for the support they have received from the people of Chelmsford and specifically to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Helen, the Taylor family who organized Ashleys vigil and who shared it with their family in Canada. It has touched us so deeply, there are truly no words to express our gratitude. They were able to do something for Ashley that we couldnt, and we will be forever thankful. Story continues How lucky are we to have people from across the world care so much about a family that they have never met? The tribute comes as an inquest into Ms Wadsworths death was opened in Chelmsford on Thursday. The hearing was told that the teenager was found unresponsive and paramedics confirmed life extinct at 4.38pm. A post-mortem examination recorded her provisional medical cause of death as stab wounds to the chest, the coroners officer said. Essexs senior coroner, Lincoln Brookes, suspended the inquest proceedings pending the outcome of crown court proceedings. Laurie Cummings after a training session in School Aycliffe. Picture: Peter Barron At 81, a County Durham grandad has been honoured for being the fastest octogenarian in the country and now hes setting his sights on being confirmed as the best in the world. PETER BARRON reports IT was only when he started a pit village paper round as a kid that Laurie Cummings first realised he was a better runner than most. The round took him a mile and a half from home in Easington Colliery to the neighbouring village of Grants Houses, and he ran all the way, with a sack crammed with copies of The Northern Echo and a few Daily Mirrors. Instead of bothering to open gates, hed hurdle every wall and fence that got in his way, then race home for a bit of breakfast before running another mile to school. I always knew I was a good runner it just came naturally and Ive never stopped since, smiles Laurie, who now lives in School Aycliffe. More than seven decades might have passed since his paper round days, but Laurie is delivering the fastest times for his age group in the UK. Last week, he was among the honours at the 46th Darlington Sports Winners Awards in recognition of a stellar 2021, in which he was the countrys number one for over 80s at a mile, 3,000 metres, and 10,000 metres, as well as the 5k Parkrun. Aye, Ive got to be pleased with that, havent I? says the 81-year-old Darlington Harrier. Im running well but theres more to come yet. There have been countless records and trophies since he reigned supreme as cross-country champion at Easington Secondary Modern, instilled with a toughness handed down from his hard as nails forefathers who all served down the pit. Young Laurie left school on a Friday, followed in his ancestors boot-prints on the Monday, and served his time as an electrician four miles out beneath the coal-black North Sea. After seven years underground, he joined Durham Police, rising from bobby to sergeant, with roles that included being a physical training instructor at the cadet school. Story continues But whether miner or copper, Laurie kept on running, averaging 90 miles a week at his peak, and he shows no signs of stopping 30 years after retirement. His times during a golden 2021 were more than anyone else of his vintage could match in the country: 7.41 for the mile; 14.52 for the 3,000 metres; 51.51 for the 10,000 metres; and 24.30 for the 5k parkrun, set in Darlington. There are more than 10,000 parkrunners aged over 80 in the UK and Lauries the best of the lot. Out of 164 parkruns, hes clocked up 82 records in age groups from 70 to 81, and his daily training regime would be enough to leave men half his age in need of a long lie down. It starts with 20 minutes of free-standing exercises at home, followed by an hour-long session in the gym including more exercises plus speed training on the treadmill. Laurie then subjects his body to a minute on the Power Plate vibration machine to gain extra strength, and finishes off with either six 200 metre sprints on his local track at the Oakleaf Sports Complex, or a 5k road run. I have Sundays off but running is such an important part of my life. If you have a problem, go for a run and theres a good chance youll find a solution because it gives you time to think and focus, he advises. Always there, urging him on stopwatch in hand is his wife, Judy. As a PE teacher at Staindrop Comprehensive School, she spent 30 years coaching youngsters, but is now totally committed to getting the best out of her 81-year-old husband. Judy or the Laurie driver, as she might be called plans every training schedule to the minute and plots all his events. Between the pair of them, they keep a record of every run Laurie does, so they can keep track of his times. They met through The Northern Echos Twos Company dating feature back in 1999 and Laurie did all his courting in typical fashion, running seven miles, twice a week, from his home in Bishop Auckland to see Judy in School Aycliffe. Theyd been together for 22 years before finally tying the knot last July. Covid restrictions allowing, they spend half their time in Egypt, where Laurie trains in the desert, as well as indulging in his other passion scuba diving. Hes completed 13,000 dives, all of them recorded, and is a qualified instructor. Mind you, scuba diving almost cost him his life last November when he cut his leg climbing out of the sea, and ended up in intensive care for three days with a dangerous infection called Erysipelas. They said Id have been dead if I hadnt been so fit, he says. Im still recovering now, and Im not quite back to my best times, but Im getting there. And Lauries far from finished with his ambitions. His aim for 2022 is to be confirmed as the worlds fastest man in his age group over four miles. Theres a fella up in Scotland who holds the record, but Ive gone two minutes quicker in training, so I just need to find a recognised event where I can get it confirmed officially. Ill let you know when I do it, he promises. From paper round to world-beater now thats a headline well worth delivering TO keep an awards scheme going for 46 years is a great achievement, so well done and thanks to the organisers of the Darlington Sports Winners. This years event again had to be held virtually due to the pandemic but it attracted more than 10,000 views as it went out on Facebook across last week. Organiser Brian Dobinson said: After 46 years, we continue to be overwhelmed by the quality of the nominations we receive, and this year was no exception. Its a joy to see so many great sporting achievements are coming through at the grass roots in the Darlington area. Lets just hope we can get back to holding the event in person next year. FULL ROLL OF HONOUR Abi Porter, for achievements in bowls: cross country runner Alex Boyer; Beth Davidson, for retaining her national veterans fencing title; Carmel Year 8 Football Team; athlete Catherine Anderson; Darlington Harriers Track and Field Seniors Team; Dave Bell, for his support of Darlington Harriers; swimmer Filip Wilczynski; Hilary Bevan for her support of Darlington Harriers and Darlington Parkrun; Hummersknott Academy Year 7 and 8 Boys Swimming Team; veteran athlete Ian Barnes; Tetrathlon champion James Wilcock; athlete John Clifford; Thai boxer Jordan Murphy; veteran athlete Laurie Cummings; athlete Lucy Erin Hunter; Maizie Wrangham, for her dedication to West Park Academy Energy Club; Mark Tallon, for services to Darlington Harriers; netball coach Millie Walker; diving coach Sheila Elliot; taekwondo champion Sonny Mason; weightlifting coach Ste Gordon; junior kickboxing champion Theo Spinks; Tom Addison, for providing IT support to Darlington Harriers; athletics timekeepers Trevor and Linda McDermot; junior rugby player Will Hopkins. Civil society, business leaders and policymakers are meeting in Brest for the One Ocean Summit from Wednesday, where issues such as sea levels, plastic pollution, economic development and education will take centre stage. Several initiatives are expected to be unveiled during a meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Covering more than 70 percent of the earth's surface, oceans provide not only nourishment but act as regulators in terms of the climate. The summit, which runs till Saturday, will look at the effects of climate change, conservation, tourism, fishing, pollution and how coastal cities can tackle rising sea levels. It comes as France settles in to its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. With the support of the United Nations, the event is made up of more than 30 events (workshops, forums, roundtables and other initiatives), bringing together parties interested in the improved governance of the oceans. Macron will host a small group of heads of State and Government and leaders of multilateral institutions on Friday. "Facing climate change, the ocean acts as a shield upon which the future of our planet greatly depends," says Francoise Gaill, who's in charge of science with the Ocean and Climate Platform, an organisation hosting one of the forums. "It is not sufficiently acknowledged that each day, the ocean absorbs a quarter of the CO2 produced by humankind. This is followed by a chemical modification of the sea water which results in the acidification of the ocean. "Ocean acidity has increased by 30 percent over two and a half centuries and this phenomenon continues to amplify, thus directly threatening marine species." Plastic disaster The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the international organisations hoping to draw attention to its latest report on the impacts of plastic pollution on the oceans, biodiversity and marine ecosystems. Story continues "The problem of plastic is everywhere, from the recesses of the largest oceans, the north and poles, to the most remote islands," the WWF said on Tuesday, referring to data from more than 2,000 separate scientific studies featured in the report. The organisation estimates that between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the planet's waterways each year, mostly in the sea. Single-use plastics account for 60 percent of ocean pollution, the group says but it estimates that the production of plastic across the world is expected to double by 2040, with ocean plastic pollution expected to triple during the same period. This despite moves by more countries, such as France, to ban their use. "Many places are reaching some kind of saturation point for marine ecosystems, where we're approaching levels that pose a significant threat," said Eirik Lindebjerg, Global Plastics Policy Manager at WWF. "This is threatening not only marine life but our overall ecosystem ... what we have shown in this report is that there is a limit to the amount of pollution our ecosystems can absorb," he says. Those limits have already been reached for microplastics in several parts of the world, according to WWF, particularly in the Mediterranean, the Yellow and East China Seas (between China, Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula) and in the Arctic sea ice. Trying to clean up the oceans is "extremely difficult and extremely expensive", Lindebjerg said, adding that it was better on all metrics not to pollute in the first place. Even if plastic pollution is eliminated moving forward, the problem of micro plastics is expected to double by 2050, as existing plastic gradually breaks down, becoming what is known as "nanoplastics", measuring a thousandth of a millimetre. WWF is hoping an international deal on plastics will be signed at the UN environment meeting, from February 28 to March 2 in Nairobi. There is no global agreement in place to address the problem. (with Wires) The Foreign Office has signed off tougher sanctions on Russia just hours ahead of a self-imposed deadline - and after Foreign Secretary Liz Truss held stormy talks with her counterpart in Moscow. New legislation was laid in parliament on Thursday that gives ministers the power to impose tough new sanctions on Russian oligarchs and businesses. The Foreign Office said the legislation would allow the UK to sanction those linked directly to Russia's agitation over Ukraine, as well as Kremlin-linked organisations and businesses of "economic and strategic significance" to the Russian government. This includes their owners, directors and trustees. 'A conversation between a dumb and a deaf person' Earlier on Thursday, Ms Truss was involved in testy exchanges with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov as they met in Moscow. He characterised the meeting as a "conversation between a dumb and a deaf person". "It seems like we listen but don't hear," he added. "At least, our most detailed explanations fell on unprepared soil. They say Russia is waiting until the ground freezes like a stone so its tanks can easily cross into Ukrainian territory. "I think the ground was like that today with our British colleagues - from which numerous facts that we produced bounced off." But, pushing back against Mr Lavrov's statement, Ms Truss said: "I certainly was not mute in our discussions earlier. "I put forward the UK's point of view on the current situation and the fact that, as well as seeking to deter Russia from an invasion into Ukraine, we are also very resolute in pursuing the diplomatic path." She added there were "further talks to be had" between Russia and the West over the Ukraine crisis. Foreign Office strives to meet self-imposed deadline The foreign secretary had previously said that new sanctions legislation aimed at Russia would be "in place" by 10 February. Story continues Critics questioned whether Thursday's announcement meant the Foreign Office had indeed met its own deadline. Labour MP Chris Bryant said the legislation would "require a vote" in the House of Commons before becoming law. He highlighted how MPs were now on recess for the next 10 days and without such a vote having taken place. However, a Whitehall source stressed that existing post-Brexit sanctions legislation allowed ministers to bring in further powers with immediate effect. Parliament will be asked whether to keep or scrap the new powers within the next 28 days, the source added. Commenting on the new powers, Ms Truss said: "The UK is resolute in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and right to self-determination. "We urge Russia to de-escalate and choose the path of diplomacy. If Russia persists with its aggression towards Ukraine the UK and its partners will not hesitate to act." The Foreign Office said the new Russia-focussed legislation would provide the framework for the strongest sanctions regime the UK has had against Russia. Targets could include the country's chemical, defence, mining, oil, gas, communications and financial services industries. A ban on Islamic veils in schools in a southern Indian state has sparked protests and counter-protests between Muslim and Hindu, raising religious identity issues that have long served the ruling Hindu nationalist partys electoral agenda as the countrys most populous state holds a critical election. On Tuesday morning, Muskan Khan parked her scooter and began making her way to her college building in the southern Indian state of Karnataka when the Muslim student suddenly turned into the latest symbol of the vitriolic legacy of the states Hindu extremist policies. What happened next was captured in a video clip that promptly went viral, underscoring the febrile, mediatised conditions under which Indias minority youths are being intimidated and forced to defend themselves while being denied basic rights and peace of mind. Clad in a burqa, Khan was approached by a crowd of shouting young men wearing saffron shawls and waving orange flags the colours of Hindu nationalist groups that have gained ascendance since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014. Protests have gripped schools and colleges in Karnataka, a BJP-run state, since an education ministry order banned Muslim girls from wearing the hijab in educational institutions. Tensions have since flared with Hindu students supporting the ban flocking to campuses and intimidating veiled Muslim students with chants praising Hindu gods. Thats precisely what happened to Khan as she tried to make her way to the college building. As the crowd of young men approached her, hollering, Jai Shri Ram! (Hail Lord Ram), the incensed young student raised her arm and screamed, Allahu Akbar! (God is great). Furious, she repeated it at the crowd and for the camera before walking into the premises as school security staff tried to control the Hindu demonstrators. The video clip with the protest hashtag #HijabIsOurRight began circulating widely on social media. But so did images of a backlash of saffron-clad demonstrators flocking to schools to mount counter-protests. As tensions across the state rose, the Karnataka state government shut down schools and colleges for three days this week in a bid to restore calm. Story continues A court case has been filed by one of the students, who said in her petition that wearing the hijab was a fundamental right to religion guaranteed by the Indian constitution. The Karnataka High Court has still to issue a ruling. The hijab controversy has drawn in Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who survived a 2012 Taliban attack in her native Pakistan for campaigning for girls' education. Refusing to let girls go to school in their hijabs is horrifying, tweeted Yousafzai. Objectification of women persists for wearing less or more. Indian leaders must stop the marginalisation of Muslim women. Raking up religion to garner votes The hijab protests come as Indias most populous state of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday starts a nearly month-long election that is widely viewed as a test of the Modi government. The states BJP chief minister, the hardline Hindu monk, Yogi Adityanath, is up for re-election in a race that will be carefully followed across the country. A strong win would put Adityanath in pole position to succeed Modi as prime minister a chilling prospect for Indias more than 200 million Muslims. The polls and electoral math put Adityanath in the lead with the monk-politician attempting to boost his margins on the campaign trail when he explicitly declared the election was a fight between "80 percent and 20 percent", referring to the state's demographic split on religion. The faultlines between Indias Hindu majority and minority Muslims, who make up around 14 percent of the countrys 1.4 billion people, have been widening, and has seeped into educational institutions, straining the fabric of Indias pluralist, secular democracy. While the Uttar Pradesh capital of Lucknow is nearly 2,000 kilometres away from Bangalore, the Karnataka capital, the hijab row in southern Indias only BJP-ruled state is linked to the Hindu right-wing partys national electoral strategy. This is part of a larger agenda. Certainly, at election time religion is raked up to garner votes. But its more than just an election gimmick, the BJP is picking issues to push the [Muslim] community to the wall and to move its agenda of a Hindu country, said Noorjehan Safia Niaz, cofounder of the Muslim womens group, the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, in an interview with FRANCE 24. They chose to pick and demonise a whole community as part of the regimes agenda to convert India into a religion-based country, she added. Using religion to veil economic, health failures The BJP has long employed Islamophobic populism as an election campaign strategy, using symbols to turbocharge its right-wing Hindu base. These include disputed religious sites, such as a 16th century mosque in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, that was demolished by a Hindu mob in 1992 since some Hindus believe it was the birthplace of Lord Ram. In the run-up to the 2022 Uttar Pradesh vote, Adityanath picked another disputed site, in the city of Mathura, where he promised supporters a project, similar to Ayodhya, was in progress. Using the religious card is particularly useful for the ruling party right now as India reels from economic disruptions from the pandemic, with rising unemployment and inflation sparking protests in some parts of the country. The governments handling of last years Delta virus wave, which brought the countrys healthcare system close to collapse as hospitals ran out of oxygen, is another issue the BJP would prefer the electorate simply forgets. The hijab row has impacted education, a particularly hard-hit sector, explained Niaz. Education has taken the biggest brunt of this pandemic, she said, referring to school closures and dropouts due to the crisis. Schools and colleges are places to get an education, not to communalise, otherise and impose exclusionary measures. The singling out of Muslim girls must stop immediately and they must be allowed to exercise their right to education without hindrance. Putting identity at the fore Womens rights activists are particularly dismayed by the instrumentalisation of the hijab in India, a constitutionally multi-religious country that has so far been spared the sort of divisive discourse on the Muslim veil that has embroiled France and some other European countries. Communal dress codes are tolerated in Indian society and are not a barrier to entrance into public institutions. Conservative Hindu women in some parts of India still use the ghungat, or veil, to cover their hair, for instance. Other minorities, such as Sikh men, continue to serve in the Indian military with religiously mandated turbans. As a Muslim woman, Niaz is dismayed by the effects of the BJPs majoritarian policies on her community. I am a Muslim woman and Ive never worn the hijab, my mother has never worn it, my grandmother has never worn it. Hijabs are not among the five tenets of Islam, it is patriarchy in the garb of religion, she maintained. But I also understand the freedom of choice, to dress as much, as or as little, as you chose, she added. Niaz believes there is a need for a discussion on these issues within the community. Am I less of a Muslim because I dont wear a hijab? This is a debate that must happen, but it must happen within the community. The problem is, when youre faced with such a fascist regime, then we dont want to debate it. Then we need to stand up collectively against this regime, and so identity comes out more forcefully and that is not healthy, she said. The communalisation of education was on stark display on the streets of Mandya, Karnataka, on Tuesday. When the burqa-clad Khan was trying to make her way to the college building, the chants of the saffron-clad young men harassing her had nothing to do with school rules, ministry orders or womens rights. They were blunt exultation of religious majoritarianism: Jai Shri Ram! The hapless teenager responded with a counter-chant that was also religious, putting identity at the fore in her desperate bid to access her universal right to an education. Allahu Akbar, she shouted, situating the confrontation exactly where communal vote-chasing BJP politicians want it. Hours later, after Khan had turned into a social media sensation, the teenager was interviewed by an Indian TV station. Our priority is our education, she maintained. Just for a piece of cloth, they are ruining our education. A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be disastrous, Liz Truss warned her counterpart in Moscow as diplomatic activity intensified to ease the crisis. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has flown to Brussels for talks with Natos chief before heading to Poland to offer support to eastern European allies. The UK has put 1,000 troops on standby in case of a humanitarian crisis in the east if the current Russian military build-up leads to war. The Foreign Secretary used a meeting with counterpart Sergei Lavrov to call on Russia to abandon Cold War rhetoric and avoid war. The reality is we cannot ignore the build-up of over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and the attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, she said. Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people, and for European security. And, together, Nato has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs. This week I am in Moscow to deliver a strong message that war in Ukraine would be disastrous for Russia, Ukraine and European security. Russia must pursue a diplomatic path and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/MKJQCprHxR Liz Truss (@trussliz) February 10, 2022 She urged Vladimir Putins administration to respect the Budapest memorandum signed in 1994, which committed the UK, US and Russia to respect and uphold Ukrainian independence. If these principles are respected, I believe that, in todays talks, we can make progress to strengthen security for all, she told Mr Lavrov. Mr Johnson was meeting Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg at the alliances headquarters in Brussels on Thursday morning before flying to Poland. British officials have warned that any further Russian incursion into Ukraine would be a humanitarian disaster leading to a mass displacement of people, which would particularly affect countries like Poland and Lithuania. Story continues Additional troops are being placed on readiness to provide a humanitarian response if required, although they could also be used to provide further support to allies in the region. Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv (Peter Nicholls/PA) Meanwhile, 350 Royal Marines from 45 Commando are to begin deploying to Poland as part of a further strengthening of UK support to the country announced earlier this week. In December the UK sent 100 Royal Engineers to the country after Moscows ally, Belarus, engineered a refugee crisis on the border. Ahead of his visit to Warsaw, Mr Johnson insisted the West must stand firm in the face of Mr Putins coercive diplomacy. He made clear that Nato could not accept a key Kremlin demand that there should be no further enlargement of the alliance. As an alliance we must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise, he said. That includes the security of every Nato ally and the right of every European democracy to aspire to Nato membership. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is meeting Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg (Justin Tallis/PA) Mr Johnson was expected to reiterate an offer to strengthen Natos defences. It includes doubling the number of UK troops in Estonia, deploying more RAF jets to create a squadron in southern Europe, and dispatching a Type 45 destroyer and HMS Trent, an offshore patrol vessel, to the eastern Mediterranean. Sir Keir Starmer will also meet Mr Stoltenberg on Thursday as the Labour leader strives to break with the partys perceived weak stance on defence under his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn. In an interview with The Times, Sir Keir said we are firm and united in our support for Nato, and he argued Mr Johnsons standing on the world stage has been weakened by the scandals in No 10. His authority has been diminished because of the various activities over the last few months, Sir Keir said. Russia currently has an estimated 130,000 troops massed along the border with Ukraine, prompting fears that it is preparing for a full-scale invasion. French President Emmanuel Macron, who met Mr Putin in Moscow earlier this week, said the Russian president had told him he is not seeking to escalate the situation. However, with large-scale Russian military exercises about to begin in Belarus, which also borders Ukraine, there are fears they could be cover for an attack. While there is no appetite among Western powers for direct military intervention in Ukraine, which is not a Nato member, they have warned of crippling sanctions in the event of any Russian incursion. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who is set to visit Moscow on Friday, said the 1,000 extra troops could be sent to any Nato country where there are consequences of an invasion of Ukraine, including the Baltic states, Poland, Romania and Nordic nations. Should Russia invade Ukraine I think we can expect very large movements of people as refugees and that in itself can be very destabilising to small and medium-sized states, he told BBC Radio 4s Today. Mr Wallace also rejected a claim by Sir Keir that Mr Johnsons domestic political problems had left the Prime Minister a diminished figure internationally. I think theres a danger that Labour is probably talking in their own echo chamber, he said. I visited 11 countries in the last two-and-a-half weeks, Ive visited and talked to nearly 20 international partners since December, and thats absolutely not the case. Whats absolutely the case is Britain is recognised as a serious player. Internet-based means become new highlight of this years local two sessions in China 09:20, February 10, 2022 By Zhou Renjie ( People's Daily Internet-based means are more and more frequently used by deputies to peoples congresses and members of committees of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Chinas legislative and political advisory bodies. The fifth plenary session of the 13th Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Shanghai committee seeks peoples opinions and advice online, Jan. 19, 2022. (Photo/Official website of the CPPCC Shanghai committee) The countrys local two sessions, the annual meetings of lawmakers and political advisors at various levels, recently kicked off across the country, bringing to the spotlight all kinds of applications of digital technologies that have brought new experiences and created new platforms for deputies to local peoples congresses and members of the CPPCC local committees in fulfilling their duties. Thanks to an upgraded digital proposal system, Shanghais municipal-level political advisors are able to get timely and accurate information about various industries and departments conveniently via a data-based digital platform. In east Chinas Zhejiang province, provincial-level lawmakers can now learn about the status of their proposals and suggestions in real time through an office automation app; and members of the CPPCC Zhejiang provincial committee are able to obtain information about government affairs, track the handling of proposals in real time, and later get feedback on their work on an online platform. The vigorous development of digital technologies in recent years has speeded up the informatization of local two sessions. Twenty-nine members of the Hubei provincial committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from Hong Kong and Macao, who couldnt attend this years session on the spot due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participate in discussions via video link, Jan. 20, 2022. (Photo/ hbtv.com.cn) In the past, people can only reach deputies to local peoples congresses via phone call or at local legislators liaison stations. Now in Xihu district, Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, residents can chat with local legislators online via mobile phones. Thirty-four members of the Hunan provincial committee of the CPPCC from Hong Kong and Macao, who couldnt attend this years session due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expressed their opinions about helping Hunan integrate into the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area online. From digital proposals to deliberation of state affairs online and remote consultation, it is evident that fulfilling duties via online means becomes increasingly prevalent among Chinas lawmakers and political advisors. Digital and information technologies help lawmakers and political advisors better fulfill their duties in accordance with the law and can comprehensively improve their competence. Topics concerning peoples wellbeing attract the most attention from deputies to peoples congresses and CPPCC members during this years local two sessions, whether online or offline. The peoples congress of Shapingba district in southwest Chinas Chongqing municipality has leveraged both online and offline means and used mini-programs to expand channels for seeking legislation advice from the public. Dongcheng district, Beijing, holds four press conferences during the annual meetings of its district-level lawmakers and political advisors and uses online channels for news release for the first time in January 2022. (Photo by Zhang Chuandong) Yang Zhaoxia, a member of the Beijing municipal committee of the CPPCC, considers good ideas from the people the golden key to her execution of duties. Her proposals for transforming manhole covers on sidewalks which can easily cause pedestrians to sprain their ankles and disposing abandoned bikes are both based on the suggestions from the people. As new technologies and old traditions converge on discussions about peoples concerns, difficulties and urgent needs, Chinas people-centered development philosophy is passed on by digital technologies and practiced through concrete endeavors. Digital technologies have been brought into full play by Chinas lawmakers and political advisors in maintaining close ties with the people, listening to their voices and responding to their expectations. East Chinas Shandong province launched a campaign to encourage residents from all walks of life to make suggestions for the provincial governments work under 22 topics, including employment and entrepreneurship, education, and health. Media outlets of southwest Chinas Guizhou province have invited netizens to interact with deputies to peoples congresses and CPPCC members online. Its believed in China that making the most of the Internet for the expression of peoples views, ideas, worries and concerns and promoting communication between the people and lawmakers and political advisors through both online and offline democratic channels so that work benefiting the people can actually proceed and yield fruits is a major task of democratic construction. The efforts of various regions across China to leverage Internet-based means to seek peoples advice during the local two sessions are the epitome of Chinas socialist democracy that covers all aspects of the democratic process and all sectors of societya true democracy that works. Chinas socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics is marching toward a brighter future as the country continuously increases its lawmakers and political advisors competence and the efficiency in their execution of duties via online means, integrates new technologies and models into democratic and scientific decision-making, smoothens the channels for the people to express their ideas, and forms a synergy for improving peoples well-being. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) UNI Track and Field at Iowa State University Harry Hoak Track, Lied Recreation Center | Ames, Iowa 12 p.m. Feb. 11 | 12 p.m. Feb. 12 WATCH: FloTrack RESULTS: PrimeTime Timing Panther Track and Field head down the road to compete in the Iowa State Classic. The Panthers regionally ranked eighth return to competition against the Cyclones, regionally ranked third for the men's team and eighth for the women. Competition will begin with field events noon Friday. The meet opens with the men's and women's weight throw, men's and women's long jump, men's pole vault and women's high jump. Preliminary heats for the both men and women will be in the 60-meter hurdles commencing on Friday afternoon with finals to follow. The men's and women's 5K, 3K, and 1K will commence in various sections with the men's and women's 600-yard dash, and 200-meter dash to finish the day. The Panthers return Saturday to finish competition at noon beginning with the women's 60-meter dash preliminary rounds and all remaining field events. Runners to keep an eye on this weekend include senior Isaiah Trousil , freshman Paishence Johnson and Sophia Jungling . Trousil took the 60-meter title at the Husker invitational with a time of 6.74 seconds. He currently sits second in the Missouri Valley with a personal best time of 6.72, set at the Hawkeye Invitational in January. Johnson finished third in the women's 60-meter dash with a time of 7.56 at the Husker Invitational only .01 seconds off her personal best of 7.55 seconds set at the Friday Knight Lights meet. Johnson also set a new personal best in the 200-meter dash at the Husker invitational with a time of 24.97 seconds. Jungling set a personal best in the 800-meter run at the Husker Invitational with a time of 2:11.69 seconds. Jungling sits third in the Missouri Valley by 1.45 seconds of second place. In the field events, Darius King , Matteo Capello , Morgan Nealey and Mari Shavers lead the Panthers. King set a season best throw in the shot put at the Husker Invitational with a toss of 19.67 meters. King remains first in the Missouri Valley and ninth in the NCAA. Matteo Capello also set a new season best jump in the pole vault with a jump of 5.36 meters making a .15 meter difference. Capello leads the Missouri Valley and is 15th in the NCAA. Nealey set a new personal best in the shot put with a toss of 15.35 meters, setting her third best in UNI history and fourth in the Missouri Valley. Shavers, a junior, set her personal best in the weight throw at 18.53 meters at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational and is currently eighth in the Missouri Valley. The Panthers are also set to compete against various schools including Big 12 schools such as Texas Christian University, the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. The Panthers will face a few Big 10 schools including the University of Iowa, the University of Minnesota, and Ohio State University. Conference rivals Bradley, Drake and Loyola also will be in attendance. Austin artist Ben Livingston plans on Waco ghosts supplying the invisible energy for his show debuting Friday at Art Center Waco, an energy powered by artifacts, images and memory. Livingstons exhibit Spirit Houses, Ghosts and Memory expands his earlier creations of neon-lit spirit houses to what spirits from Waco would show up if invited. Part of that invitation will come in gallery walls inspired by such Waco events, history and community touchstones as the citys Reservation district of legal prostitution, a Skip Ralls sculpture crafted from a chunk of steel cable from the Waco Suspension Bridge, the nearby 1896 Crash at Crush, storied East Waco barbershop the Jockey Club, a pistol owned by 19th century firebrand William Cowper Brann, an image of Waco founder Jacob De Cordova, St. Francis Catholic Church, former Hispanic neighborhood Sandtown, signage from a past Waco and more. Think of this as a funhouse mirror of a town, said Livingston, with an impish smile. I have the most fun as an amateur anthropologist. The artist hopes the local history and memory turn Art Center Waco into a spirit house of sorts, mirroring his artistic take on the spirit houses he encountered on trips to Thailand, Burma and Cambodia. There he noticed small wooden houses, usually built from wood and metal scraps in poorer neighborhoods, that residents meant to attract luck-bearing spirits to their homes. The spark that kicked off the 63-year-old artists work with spirit houses came several years ago when Livingston witnessed the destruction of old frame houses in Austin that once housed enslaved people. Others heard the noise of demolition; he heard something else. I literally heard this home screaming in agony. It was the sound of nails being pulled out and wood screeching, but it was kind of like a living thing, he recalled. He paired that with years of working in neon to interpret the idea of an invisible energy inside a seemingly empty structure, creating an artistic spirit house. On the outside, crafted from wood that once sheltered a family and witnessed its life, was a symbolic house. On the inside, glowing neon tubes made visible the energy that powered them. The five neon pieces in the show demonstrate Livingstons use of inserting phosphorescent materials into gas-filled tubes to create an opalescent effect, a technique that won him a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship to explore. Livingston is best known for his neon Spirit Antennae artworks, but the Victoria-born artist has spent much of his career crafting pieces in a wide variety of media. Hes heavily involved in performing arts, too, with experience as a musician, actor, storyteller and lecturer. With Livingstons neon pieces contained in two darkened rooms adjacent to the Waco displays, Spirit Houses, Ghosts and Memory represents a marked contrast to the expansive Kermit Oliver exhibit that the center opened with last fall, a show that filled each of the centers galleries and a large multi-use space fronting the centers outdoor patio. Doug McDurham, the centers chief executive officer, said the opening exhibit was a notable success, drawing an estimated 3,700 visitors over its three-month run, including some 700 visitors in its final week. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Saturday night finds Wild Imaginings founder Trent Sutton doing something familiar and new, familiar in the sense of intimate theater played in non-theatrical settings and new in the sense of, well, a new play that he wrote. Sutton will join actress Mackenzie Nelson in the two-person romantic comedy You Can Never Have Too Many, staged Saturday night as a dinner theater at downtown art space Cultivate 7twelve, 712 Austin Ave. Neighboring Portofinos of Waco Italian restaurant will cater the evenings meal. Tickets are $50 per person, $85 per couple, and available through Cultivate 7twelve and online. Its the first dinner theater for the Waco company created to champion new and different work and a different genre than other stage pieces that Sutton has written. Its the kind of theater I like best: two people onstage captivating an audience, he said. His play, directed by Wild Imaginings colleague Jamie Pecina, concerns a newlywed couple (Sutton and Nelson) together in their first apartment, then later as theyre unpacking gifts after a housewarming party. In classic rom-com fashion, things start to get out of control, he said. The work is the latest from Sutton, who co-authored Jesus and Valium presented this fall, and the adaptation of Dickens A Christmas Carol, told from the ghosts viewpoint, staged in the Stratton Building in December. It continues a busy February for the Waco company, which started the month with a reading of Topdog/Underdog followed by a March 1 reading of A Feminine Ending, both part of Wild Imaginings monthly play reading series at Rogue Media Studios. In between, Sutton will join Jubilee Theatre director Ramad Carter in co-directing Jackie Sibblies Drurys Pulitzer Prize-winning Fairview at the Jubilee Theatre. Wild Imaginings will tackle its first musical in April with its production of Stephen Sondheims Into the Woods, with its annual Epiphanies New Works Festival starting in late spring. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced the young company to go online for much of last year, its found that experience expanded and strengthened the new-work company and its audiences, too, its director said. Weve got the momentum to do the work, Sutton said, reporting a large amount of interest in the musicals auditions earlier this week. The company will kick off its 2022-23 season this summer with a Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo and Juliet. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday rejected a motion from Christopher Ray Grider to dismiss the most serious charge in the seven-count indictment against him for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Griders attorney, Brent Mayr, of Houston, was seeking to dismiss Count 4 of the indictment, which carries a maximum 20-year prison term. Mayr claimed the statute fails to state an offense, fails to provide adequate notice of what Grider is charged with and does not ensure that the grand jury has found sufficient evidence of the necessary elements of the offense. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the District of Columbia denied the dismissal motion Wednesday, as other judges faced with the same motion from others arrested in the Capitol riot have done. Were disappointed but not surprised, especially given that other judges have denied the motion, Mayr said by email. We still, however, believe that the law is on our side. The government has overcharged Mr. Grider with an inapplicable law and we look forward to appealing this decision to a higher court when and if the time comes. Prosecutors, who may have been waiting on the judges ruling, have not offered Grider a plea agreement, and no trial date has been set. Grider, 40, a Chilton resident and co-owner of Kissing Tree Vineyards in Bruceville-Eddy, faces a maximum of 33 years in federal prison if convicted on the two felony and five misdemeanor counts. He remains free on bond but is wearing an ankle monitor ordered by the court. Count 4 of the indictment alleges Grider attempted to, and did corruptly obstruct, influence, and impede an official proceeding, that is, a proceeding before Congress, by entering and remaining in the United States Capitol without authority and engaging in disorderly and disruptive conduct and destroying federal property. Mayr argued that the statute is unconstitutionally vague. The judge disagreed. The Court begins from the presumption that statutes are not automatically invalidated as vague simply because difficulty is found in determining whether certain marginal offenses fall within their language, Kollar-Kotellys order states. A law is unconstitutionally vague when it fails to give ordinary people fair notice of the conduct it punishes, or (is) so standardless that it invites arbitrary enforcement. Because the affidavit in support of the governments complaint alleges that Defendant knowingly, and with the intent to impede or disrupt used unlawful means to obstruct the certification of the Electoral College vote, it cannot be said that Defendant himself did not have fair notice that the statute criminalized the conduct alleged in the complaint, the judge wrote. The problem here for the government is that the only real applicable laws that Chris, and many others, possibly violated that day for their unlawful entry into the Capitol is punishable by only six months imprisonment, Mayr said. Under Texas state law, its criminal trespass, its a Class B misdemeanor, and likewise only punishable by a maximum of six months in jail. The government obviously wants a bigger pound of flesh so theyre trying to stretch it and claim that Chris obstructed justice when there was no justice being administered on January 6. The law hes accused of breaking in that count is titled, Tampering with a witness, victim, or informant. As we all know, there were no witnesses, alleged victims, or informants testifying before Congress on January 6. What will be truly unfortunate is if the government spends enormous time and resources trying Chris and hundreds of other defendants cases only to have them overturned later on appeal, Mayr said. After entering the Capitol, Grider and others made their way to the Speakers Lobby immediately outside the House Chamber. Grider can be seen on video handing a helmet to another man, who used it to break glass in the doorway after the other man had been punching the glass with his bare fist. On the other side of the doorway, members of Congress and their staffs were evacuating the House Chamber. Moments after the glass was broken, Ashli Babbitt, who tried to climb through the doorway, was shot and killed by a Capitol police lieutenant on the other side. Griders case was assigned to Kollar-Kotelly after the previous judge, Ketanji Brown Jackson, was appointed in June to replace U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Jackson has been named as a possible presidential appointee to replace the retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. I have a modest proposal. Well get to it in a moment but, first, lets talk about Maus. That, of course, is Art Spiegelmans two-part graphic novel of his fathers experience in the Holocaust, which was banned last month by the school board in McMinn County, Tennessee. Sadly, that in itself does not make Maus unique. To the contrary, book banners are having a field day ransacking school libraries for texts that violate their conceptions of decency. Everything from Toni Morrisons Beloved to Dav Pilkeys Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People is being consigned to the metaphorical fire. Somewhere, Josef Goebbels is smiling. But the McMinn County school boards unanimous decision to pull Spiegelmans Pulitzer Prize-winning work still struck me like a rock. You see, Maus is one of my favorite books. Its one of the best things Ive ever read. If youve read it, you know what I mean. In telling his story, Spiegelman uses animals as stand-ins for humans: the Nazis are cats, the Americans, dogs, the Jews, mice, etc. And if youre thinking, Well, that sounds cute it isnt. Within that deceptively anodyne framework, he erects worlds of emotional dynamism, particularly in exploring his own fraught relationship with a father left indelibly scarred by what he witnessed and endured. The McMinn school board somehow managed to reduce all of that to cuss words and nudity; i.e., cartoon mice without their clothes on. Journalist David Corn of Mother Jones reports that at least one board member admitted to having not even read the book. Hence, the modest proposal well discuss in a sec. Some of you will recognize the reference to a famous 1729 essay by Jonathan Swift; some wont, and a few may remember it vaguely for advocating that people eat the children of the poor, failing to realize (as often happens) that Swift was actually satirizing societys callousness toward those children. Which raises a question: Given that diversity of comprehension, how would you teach Swift in 2022? Would you even try, knowing how easily it could provoke a visit from some furious parent claiming her child was traumatized? Not so long ago, Swift was considered required reading for cultural literacy. People who read and thought about literature for a living had reached a consensus that his work, challenging though it was, was important. But nowadays, that consensus is supposed to also include school board members and parents, most of whom, we may safely assume, havent read the work. How are those interests supposed to align? The fact is, they cant. Thats how you get embarrassments like the one in Tennessee. Small wonder a graph of kids test scores looks like a ski slope. So, heres my modest proposal: How about we respect educators as the trained professionals they are? How about we trust their judgment? How about we stop requiring them to reach consensus with those who have not the first clue? If a parent feels their child cant handle some challenging material, fine: Empower that parent to opt the child out of the lesson not to deny the lesson to everyone else. And voters, vote. Purge school boards of the sort of bluenose martinet who thinks you should teach the Holocaust the Holocaust! without painful words and images. If we want to save American education, the first step should be obvious. Let teachers teach. Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for the Miami Herald. Readers may contact him via e-mail at lpitts@miamiherald.com. For Cawthon Matt Cawthon is the candidate who is best equipped to serve as Precinct 4 constable in McLennan County. With 32 years in law enforcement, most of that time as a Texas Ranger, he brings knowledge and skills that very few possess. But Cawthon offers so much more. I met Matt in 2006 during the darkest time of my life. My daughters death had been declared a suicide by the local police department in the community where she lived. Because he was a highly skilled and well-respected Texas Ranger, my husband and I were urged to talk to him. What I found was a man who listened intently, asked questions, provided honest feedback and cared deeply. He didnt make false promises, but he had an innate sense of duty that compelled him to fully investigate a possible crime. He followed this investigation with us for four years. He was methodical, he worked very well with other law enforcement personnel and agencies, and he was committed to seeking justice. In 2010 my daughters murderer was sentenced to 65 years in prison. A team of very qualified individuals walked with us on this very difficult journey, but Matt was with us from the early days and never left until justice was served. Matt will give you his best as Precinct 4 constable. You will not find a more qualified, dedicated peace officer to serve you. Vote in the Republican primary on March 1. Better yet, vote early from Feb. 14-25. Vote for Matt Cawthon. Linda Dulin, Waco Political trash I dont know Josh Tetens. I know Barry Johnson to speak to him, and I know members of his extended family well. They are good people. I recognize Barry was a very successful civil trial lawyer elsewhere before coming home to Waco, so he must be a skilled and effective lawyer in the courtroom. I choose to believe that Johnson didnt approve the content of the political trash mailing I received over the weekend criticizing Tetens for being a criminal defense lawyer. A lawyer who understands our criminal justice system would have never approved of the ad. I choose to believe the authors of the piece dont understand how the criminal justice system works, or they dont care and are willing to destroy someones reputation for political gain. An accused person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury of his or her peers. If the state through the district attorneys office cant prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant retains his or her liberty. Criminal defense lawyers who are more times than not appointed by the criminal court judge to represent the accused stand between citizens and the state to protect citizens from false accusations that might be made against them by the state. The piece I received today is a false narrative of the role of a defense lawyer meant to sway voters to vote against Tetens in the upcoming race for McLennan County district attorney. God forbid someone is wrongfully charged with a criminal offense, and there is not be a good lawyer willing to defend the accused and make the state prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Spike Pattillo, Waco A woman spent two days floating alone on an air mattress atop a frigid lake. A pair of watchful freight train workers came to her rescue on Thursday. Conductor Cristhian Sosa told CNN on Monday the BNSF southbound train was headed to Irving, Texas, from Madill, Oklahoma, in the afternoon. That was when Sosa and train engineer Justin Luster noticed her. The woman was stranded on rocks next to Lake Texoma, a large reservoir on the border of Oklahoma and Texas, about 85 miles north of Dallas. She was waving her arms and yelling for help, according to the two men. They stopped the train and Sosa said he walked to the woman. The woman, who told Sosa her name was Connie, had cuts on her hands and was bleeding. "She was wet, confused and had no recollection of time," Sosa told CNN. "She was either on the early stages of hypothermia or she already had it," Sosa added. The temperatures were below freezing, and it was slightly snowing, he said. Connie told the crew that she had been floating on an air mattress for days after attempting to use it as a raft to get to a boat on the other side of the lake, according to Sosa. Connie's fiance had been with her at first, Sosa said, and the couple had initially gone into the water to recover items that had fallen from that boat. Connie told Sosa she was separated from her fiance -- who was using a different flotation device -- earlier on. She then floated for two miles down the lake, coming to a stop when she ran into what Sosa described as a levee, he said. She climbed up and sat on the rocks, and this is where the train members saw her. "It was just kinda unexpected," Luster told CNN affiliate KXII. "With the weather we were having we were the only train out there at the time ... and I'm glad we could be there when we were." Connie's fiance eventually made it ashore, wet and freezing, and went to a nearby house to get help, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The man told the highway patrol his significant other had gotten swept away a day before, police said. Police received the call about the missing woman from her fiance an hour before the train crew called. They did not see the woman when they first responded to the call, the patrol's media operations director Sarah Stewart told CNN. Highway patrol officers arrived at the scene about 15 minutes after the train crew's report. Connie was then taken by EMS to the hospital, and the highway patrol said she is expected to survive. No information was immediately available on her fiance. Sosa told CNN he's glad Connie is safe and hope her recovery continues to go well. "I'm glad I was with Mr. Luster and the both of us together could help get her some help," he said. The highway patrol said since there was no crime committed, they are not conducting an official investigation. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. WATERLOO A Waterloo man has been sentenced to up to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing a girl. Chad Allen Staton, 41, was sentenced Monday to consecutive 25-, 10- and five-year prison terms for second- and third-degree sexual abuse and related charges. He will have to serve 17 years and six months before he is eligible for parole and will be on lifetime parole following release. He was also ordered to complete sex offender treatment. Authorities allege Staton had sexual contact with the girl in 2013 in Waterloo. The Butler County Sheriffs Office began the investigation, and the girl was interviewed at a child protection center. The investigation was handed over to Waterloo Police in January 2020, and Staton was arrested in March 2020. A jury found him guilty following an October 2021 trial. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WAVERLY With the debt on Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School nearly paid off, officials are turning their attention to the next bond issue. A pre-levy bond resolution for 2022-23 was approved Monday by the Board of Education. According to board documents, Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools plans to levy $1.69 million during the next fiscal year to finish paying off the middle school debt. However, a portion of the money wont be needed for that debt. It will be reserved to help repay bonds issued after ground is broken on two new elementary schools this spring. The pre-levy bond resolution is something we have been doing for several years now, Superintendent Ed Klamfoth said in an email. It allows us to levy the full amount approved by the taxpayers, and to place the excess into escrow to be used to pay the debt off early at some point down the road. That full amount is a levy of $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable property value. It was approved by district voters in a 2009 general obligation bond issue referendum providing up to $18.9 million to help fund construction of the $22 million middle school. Those proceeds were to be repaid over 20 years. But Klamfoth noted that the excess money collected due to a growing tax base has played a role in us being able to pay the middle school bond off six years early. That will be completed with the coming fiscal year, ending June 30, 2023, and saving over $1 million in interest payments. The early payoff means the $31 million bond issue approved by voters last year will maintain the existing levy without requiring a property tax increase. Along with the two new elementary schools, that will help fund improvements at Shell Rock Elementary and the high school. Klamfoth said the pre-levy resolution may be used in future years, as well, for further early repayment of the 20-year bond on those projects. He noted that we plan to do the same for our new debt for the elementary schools if the circumstances allow. In other business, the board approved: The 2022-23 school year calendar. Classes will start Aug. 23 and go through May 26, 2023. A $203,048 bid for two model year 2022 Blue Bird gasoline engine buses. Two higher bids were received for diesel engine buses. Proposed costs for those were $217,960 for two Thomas buses and $225,798 for two International buses. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items of interest for Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022: MANUFACTURED HOUSING: An Iowa House Judiciary subcommittee unanimously signed off on a proposal to address concerns about manufactured housing and the relationships between tenants and owners of manufactured home parks. An amendment to House File 833 represents a compromise that lawmakers said offers more protections to residents of manufactured home parks. Purchases of the parks by out-of-state investment firms have resulted in a number of problems, including large rent increases, according to tenants. Matt Chapman of Waukee said rent has nearly doubled in the three years the Legislature has been working on legislative solutions. Tenants, he said, are victims of a business model to exploit as much wealth as you can. The bill, with the amendment, is a good step forward, he said. The Iowa Attorney Generals Office didnt see it that way. The bill doesnt address some of the predatory practices that led to the legislation, Assistant Attorney General Nathan Blake said. The playing field is tilted against mobile homeowners, he said. Our evaluation is, this is worse than the status quo. Subcommittee members Republican Reps. Brian Lohse of Bondurant and Steve Holt of Denison and Democratic Rep. Ross Wilburn of Ames agreed the amendment was a move in the right direction and forwarded the bill to the full Judiciary Committee. Its not everything I want and some things I dont want, Lohse said. Im not going to say this is the greatest bill in the world, but Ive voted for a lot less. VOTER REGISTRATION: Iowa high schools are being encouraged to conduct voter registration drives Feb. 22, the birthday of President George Washington. Engaging young people in civics is a great way to inspire them to be active citizens throughout their lives, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said. State law allows 17-year-olds to register to vote, and there are more than 3,500 17-year-olds currently registered to vote. Those teens can participate in the upcoming June primary elections if they turn 18 by the time of the November general election, Pate said. LONG TRAINS: Trains in Iowa would be limited to about 127 cars under a bill approved by the House Transportation Committee on an 18-1 vote. House File 278 would prohibit trains longer than 8,500 feet, or 1.6 miles, Rep. David Maxwell, R-Gibson, said. Train length is an issue of safety versus efficiency, and the bill would improve safety, he said. Some people, he added, see it as a collective bargaining issue. Most railroad companies registered on the bill opposed it. A labor union representing rail workers supported it. NO-NAME PLATES: Legislation to remove county names from license plates was scaled back by the House Transportation Committee, which voted to approve generic plates only when cars are registered in a county other than the residence of the vehicle owner. House File 618, which is similar to Senate Study Bill 3045, originally called for doing away with county names on plates. A survey of sheriffs and deputies found that 77% supported keeping county names on license plates, but their lobbyist said it is a lower priority than requiring plates on the front and back of vehicles. The DOT estimates removing county names could save $242,000 over a 10-year cycle because universal plates would allow the DOT to send plates where needed when there are supply chain issues. As amended, county names would be continued, Rep. Jacob Bossman, R-Sioux City, said. However, if a vehicle was registered in a county other than the owners residence, the owner could opt for a generic plate rather than one with the name of that county. When dealers provide titling and registration as a service, the plates carry the name of the county where the vehicle was purchased rather than where the owner lives. Im old-school. I want the (county) numbers on the plate, but I dont think Im going to get that, Rep. Steve Hansen, D-Sioux City, said while encouraging support for the bill. PUBLIC HEARING: The Iowa House will have a public hearing on its flat tax proposal, House File 2317, at 5 p.m. Monday in Room 103 of the Capitol. Speaking time will be two minutes per person and will alternate between pro and con. Written comments are encouraged. People wishing to speak must be at the hearing. The meeting will be livestreamed on the legislative website. To sign up to speak or to leave comments, visit https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/publicHearings. ISRAEL BOYCOTT: The House State Government Committee approved a bill to expand the scope of an Iowa law restricting the investment of public funds in companies that refuse to engage in commerce with Israel, boycott Israel or people doing business there. House Study Bill 639 expands the definition of a business to apply to a wholly owned subsidiary, majority-owned subsidiary, parent company or affiliate of such company. In 2016, the Legislature stated it did not support boycotts and related tactics that have become a tool of economic warfare that threaten the sovereignty of United States allies, including Israel. VACCINE MANDATE LAWSUIT: Gov. Kim Reynolds said Iowa and the other eight states that sued the federal government over a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers are exploring their legal options and may soon announce their next legal steps. The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a ruling that allowed the COVID vaccine requirement for health care workers to remain in place, even as it struck down a similar requirement for large businesses. Were continuing to review our options and what our next steps are. And I think you will see shortly the direction that were moving, Reynolds told reporters. When asked if Reynolds would support legislation targeting vaccine mandates, she said her focus is on the states legal challenges. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: A proposal to reduce the duration of state unemployment benefits and require more work searches to earn benefits passed along party lines in the Senate labor and business committee, with Republicans supporting and Democrats opposing. Democrats warned against unintended consequences and the potential for making it harder for unemployed Iowans to receive benefits while trying to find a new job. Republicans said the changes would modernize Iowas unemployment system and help encourage and assist Iowans to find new work. SSB 3096 is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: Religious institutions would be treated the same as businesses and other entities during a public health emergency under legislation that advanced in the Senate. The motivation for Senate File 2170 came out of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered that people could not gather in-person for church services, but some types of businesses were allowed to remain open, albeit with social distancing requirements. Opponents of the bill, including multiple business groups, expressed the concern that some of the language in the bill could make it easier for an individual or business to discriminate against someone based on their religious beliefs. Supporters of the bill said the language matches whats in state law or legal precedence in 31 other states, as well as federal regulations. They said the language in those states has not been used to discriminate, and has in fact helped individuals from minority religions in the United States. Republican Sens. Julian Garrett and Craig Williams advanced the bill, making it eligible for consideration by the Senate committee on local government. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Riley Fisher lived in Erin Youngs head for a couple of years. It took a trip to the Cedar Valley to give the character her voice as lead protagonist in the English authors contemporary new crime thriller, The Fields, based in Iowa, specifically Black Hawk County, Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Young, who lives in Brighton on the south coast of England, is author of eight bestselling historical novels. Written under the name Robyn Young, those books include The Brethren Trilogy, set during the crusades and following the story of Knight Templar Will Campbell, the Insurrection Trilogy and the series, New World Rising. Young set her debut police procedural in Iowas cornfields after being inspired by an article about large agricultural conglomerates pitted against family farms. There are several horrific murders that Riley, as lead investigator for the sheriffs department, is responsible for solving, along with numerous twists and turns. One of the victims was Rileys childhood friend. I ended up settling on Black Hawk County as my main location simply because I liked the name. I chose points across the state to travel to, but had no idea whether or not Id chosen wisely. In the end, I was lucky Cedar Falls and Waterloo had everything I wanted for the novel, Young said. She fell in love with the landscape and atmosphere and was impressed by the hospitality she was shown by area residents. I got so much local color from talking to people there. But I was also interested in how this area, particularly Waterloo, shows the story of changes in the state since the agricultural recession in the 1980s. Young attended the 2018 Iowa State Fair where she ate her first-ever corn dog and struck up conversations with farmers, livestock exhibitors and fairgoers. While staying in Cedar Falls, she biked on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, parks, creeks and lakes and along woodland trails. Id expected the cornfields, but not how lush and green the area would be. Its much like where I live in Sussex, England, except for the animals and insects. The cicadas at sunset were incredible a wall of noise, she said. Later on her travels, Young attended a small-town city council meeting at a pizza restaurant and learned about the relationship between Iowa and China that provided the key to unlock the novel. Details she gleaned found their way into her novel. Riley Fisher is Youngs first female protagonist. Before I started writing The Fields, I read a lot of nonfiction from the perspective of female cops and special agents, and was really struck by how challenging the arena of law enforcement can still be for women particularly around being accepted into this traditionally male-dominated world, she said. I wanted Riley to have vulnerabilities that might be exposed by aspects of this investigation. I wanted it to be personal for her, sometimes intensely so. And gradually we see this woman who has learned to be strong, tough and, at times, rather aloof partly because of her past, partly because thats expected of her in this role start to come unstuck as things spiral out of her control, she explained. I wanted to explore who she was in that broken ground. At times even I wasnt sure how shed get out of some situations. Young familiarized herself with American law enforcement practices and spent time studying various U.S. policing websites, including the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Department. The writer connected with a retired detective from a sheriffs office in California who provided additional insight. Back home in England, Young wrote the first draft of her novel by Christmas 2019 and sent it to her agents. Then, of course, everything changed. I was working on the edits just as the world locked down. I caught COVID in the first wave and was ill for weeks. I couldnt write a word. The brain fog was the worst of it for me. I completely lost the ability to plot or understand anything. It was terrifying. Finally, I recovered and was able to edit the book. Young is hard at work on the second installment in the Riley Fisher series. Its due with my publishers in the next couple months, and I believe theyre hoping to publish next year. This one is also set in Iowa, but mostly in Des Moines, with Riley at the helm of another investigation. Not agriculture this time, but its definitely another topical story. The Fields, published by Flatiron Books, is available in hardcover through online book sellers and at bookstores. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. High heating bills are greeting thousands of MidAmerican Energy and Cedar Falls Utilities customers across the Cedar Valley this winter. While that reality may leave them feeling down, the utility companies point out there are ways to lessen the blow. Right now, most customers are paying 50% to 100% more compared with last years cold season. Thats largely due to factors they cant control. Natural gas demand is outpacing production and whats in storage, due to the extremely cold temperatures and the pandemic economic recovery. As a result, market prices are reaching highs not seen since 2008, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and more than double what they were a year ago. Mike Litterer, CFU director of customer service and business development, points out that January 2022, as compared with January 2021, had 23% more heating degree days. Heating degree days are a measure of how cold the temperature was on a given day or during a period of days. The more extreme the outside cold, the higher the number of degree days. Waterloo man killed in Bremer County crash A Waterloo man has died when his van and a semi collided in Bremer County on Tuesday morning. Hopefully, once it starts to warm up, the supply will catch up, said Litterer. CFU and MidAmerican representatives suggest customers turn down their thermostat at night or when not home, or lower the temperature of their water heater. Washing clothes with cold water is another idea. In addition, opening the blinds brings in natural sunlight. Try adding more attic insulation, or fix drafty windows and doors. Have a professional look at the furnace to make sure its operating most efficiently, and periodically change its filter. Assistance programs also are available in cases when customers still fall short on their bill. Operation Threshold received 8.5% more applications for its Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program from October 2021 through January 2022 than the same four month period last year, according to Executive Director Barbara Grant. She chalks it up to more households being eligible because of expanded criteria, but also the uptick in utility costs and overall living expenses. She noted many families are struggling financially due to the pandemic. When people see what they are paying to heat their home, its tough not to be reminded of the winter storm last February that left much of Texas without power for days and sent natural gas prices soaring. While natural gas spot prices this season have not exceeded what we saw during last Februarys spike, overall winter heating season prices this season have been much higher than last years, said Geoff Greenwood, a spokesperson for MidAmerican. Both utility companies emphasize theyre not turning a profit on the high market prices. Theyre simply passing the cost on to customers. What we pay is what we charge, said Greenwood. To shield customers from the impact of a volatile market, agreements are in place at both companies to purchase more gas at higher, more stable monthly market prices, rather than at daily ones. Also, after the February 2021 polar vortex, the two companies spread the impact of the price increases over a years time instead of having the customer take on one-time large increases to their bills. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Weather Alert ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. Locally stronger gusts in wind prone locations. Sierra ridge wind gusts near 100 mph. Waves 2 to 4 feet on Pyramid Lake and Lake Tahoe. * WHERE...Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Greater Reno-Carson City- Minden Area and Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake. * WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Choppy conditions for Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake with waves 2 to 4 feet expected. Travel restrictions for high profile vehicles are possible. Check with CalTrans and NDOT for the latest on road conditions. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Now is the time to secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture, holiday decorations, and trash cans before winds increase which could blow these items away. The best thing to do is prepare ahead of time by making sure you have extra food and water on hand, flashlights with spare batteries and/or candles in the event of a power outage. && Champagne adds sparkle to any special occasion, but we like it best on your average weekday, paired with potato chips and friends. Toast to the weekend, the holidays, or whatever you fancy at San Francisco's best spots for a pop, clink, and fizz. Leo's Oyster Bar The Hideaway at Leo's. (Courtesy of Leo's Oyster Bar) From restaurateur Anna Weinberg, Leo's Oyster Bar not only has some of the most Instagram-worthy decor in town thanks to team Ken Fulk, but the florally fabulous FiDi spot is also home to a dazzling list of sparklers. Wash your oysters down with Paul Laurent Cuvee du Fondateur or Tattinger brut in the leafy front dining room or the delightfully tropical Hideaway at back. // 568 Sacramento St. (Financial District), leossf.com Ungrafted (Courtesy of @ungrafted_sf) Popped open at the beginning of 2019, Ungrafted is a casual urban wine bar and restaurant from a couple of sommeliers with a passion for Champagne. This translates into an incredible wine and sparkling list made for drinking any day of the weekthink bottles of Pierre Moncuit grand cru and Chapuy blanc de blancs. There are three bubbles available by the glass, poured alongside dishes like grilled octopus and hangar steak, not to mention three different types of caviar. Reservations are recommended for drinking and dining in; if you're loving what you're sipping, grab a few bottles to go. PS: Go for a toast to Black History MonthUngrafted is a Black-owned biz. // 2419 3rd St. (Dogpatch), ungraftedsf.com The Bump Bar at California Caviar Co. California Caviar founder Deborah Keane with Bump Bar's chef Callan Smith. (Courtesy of @californiacaviar) Where there's caviar, there must be Champagne. Just over the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, find your way to The Bump Bar, a new spot from California Caviar Company that offers Champagne tasting flights as well as bottleslook for the likes of Pierre Gimonnet and Vilmart & Cie. Come hungry and enjoy a la carte and chef's tasting menus with Champagne pairings. // 1403 Bridgeway (Sausalito), californiacaviar.com High Treason (Courtesy of @hightreasonsf) This minimalist hi-fi bar in the Inner Richmond is a classy, cool place for an effervescent evening over glasses of bubbles and sweet vinyl tracks. High Treason has more than a dozen old and new world sparklers at surprisingly affordable prices, including Chateau Haut-Segottes Grand Cru and Krug Rose Brut Champagne. And because bubbles go with everything, the Caribbean eats from Unco Frank's Island Grindz pair perfectly. Join the Treasonous Wine Club to enjoy up to three bottles a month at home. // 443 Clement St (Inner Richmond), hightreasonsf.com San Francisco Champagne Society SFCS founder and director Bill Marci. (Courtesy of San Francisco Champagne Society) It almost sounds like a secret club, but the San Francisco Champagne Society is actually a reservation-only Champagne lounge where you can sample your way through different glasses of unique bubbly. Expect a private, guided experience from founder Bill Marci, who pours some of the rarest small-batch Champagnes produced (they specialize in small grower-producers who fill as few as 10,000 bottles each year). If you're limited on time, arrange for a Champagne pick up or delivery. // 1097 Howard St. (SoMa), sfchampagnesociety.com Avery (Courtesy of @avery_sf) If you're one to pair your bubbly with upscale eats, Avery is your spot. This fine dining restaurant in San Francisco offers a tasting menu each night focused on creative, seafood-centric American cuisine. For each meal, find a special menu of Champagne pairings available, thoughtfully curated to accentuate the food just so. // 1552 Fillmore St. (Fillmore), averysf.com Charmaine's (Courtesy of @sanfranciscoproper) We're pretty sure an amazing view automatically makes anything taste 100 times better, and Charmaine's has one of the city's best vantage points. On the rooftop of the Proper Hotel, the lounge also benefits from posh Kelly Wearstler design, as well as a selection of more than 10 sparklers including Dom Perignon and Veuve Clicquot Rose. // 1100 Market St. (Civic Center), properhotel.com Barbarossa Lounge (Courtesy of @barbarossa_lounge) Barbarossa is what many may remember as the Bubble Lounge. While the 1800s jailhouse turned cocktail bar has a new name (inspired by its criminal past), it still has all the sparkling delights of its predecessormore than two dozen bottles, Champagne tasting flights, and rare varietals. Sip a Dom Perignon 1996 Rose or Veuve Clicquot Rich. Oh yeah, and stop by for their $1 oysters, Champagne, and cocktails happy hour on Monday through Friday from 4pm to 7pm. // 714 Montgomery St. (Jackson Square), barbarossalounge.com Fool's Errand (Courtesy of @foolserrandsf) Fool's Errand checks all the boxes for what we want in a neighborhood wine bar. It's perfectly casual yet subtly sexy and the place can swing it for cozy meetups with friends or date nights. The wine list is tactfully curated, with bubblies like Domaine du Facteur Chenin Blanc and Marie-Courtin Blanc de Noir. // 639A Divisadero St. (NoPa), foolserrandsf.com Foreign Cinema (Courtesy of @foreigncinemasf) When you think of Foreign Cinema, you undoubtedly think of elegant Mediterranean-inspired food and the dreamy outdoor courtyard with movies quietly rolling each evening. Make sure you also file this under where to get your Champagne fix. You can choose from Champagnes by the glass, magnums (like Egly-Ouriet Brut), or one of their 40-plus bottles of sparkling including Salon Brut Blanc de Blancs or house-favorite Domaine Vouette et Sorbee Extra Brut. // 2534 Mission St. (Mission), foreigncinema.com Arlequin Wine Merchant (Courtesy of Arlequin Wine Merchant) Arlequin Wine Merchant is among Hayes Valley's most low-key gems. The well-rounded bottle shop always has a great selection of wine and Champagne. Purchase your bubbles and cozy up in a corner to enjoy them in-store, or pick up a bottle for a rainy day. Join their wine club to keep yourself in sparkling all year round. // 348A Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), arlequinwinemerchant.com Absinthe Brasserie & Bar (Courtesy of @absinthesf) Absinthe nails the French brasserie vibe, which means Champagne is a must. The mainstay restaurant offers French sparklers by the glass or bottleJ. Lassalle Premier Cru Brut and Maison Foucher Cremant Rose. Pair your bubbles with raw bar classics like oysters or Tsar Nicoulai white sturgeon caviar. // 398 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), absinthe.com Voters 50+ in Oklahoma overwhelmingly support a state income tax credit for family caregivers who use their own money to help a loved one. More than one in four (42%) voters in Oklahoma 50 and older have experience as a family caregiver, with 13% currently providing unpaid care to an adult loved one. And one in four (41%) of these caregivers are caring for someone suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia, or other forms of mental confusion, while 20% are caring for someone who has served in the US Armed Forces. Nearly half of these caregivers who are currently providing care have spent money to purchase medical equipment or to make modifications to their home or their loved one's home. For questions, please contact Terri Guengerich at tguengerich@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org. Methodology The survey was administered December 121 to 1,000 Oklahoma registered voters age 50-plus. Suggested citation: Guengerich, Terri. Oklahoma Voters Support a Family Caregiver Tax Credit. Washington, DC: AARP Research, February 2022. https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00517.001 Etherstack FY2021 Results Webinar Sydney, Feb 10, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Etherstack plc ( ASX:ESK ) is pleased to announce that David Deacon (CEO), David Carter (CFO) and Martin Duff (Corporate & Legal) will be hosting an investor webinar at 11:00am (AEDST) on Friday 18 February 2022 following the release of its results for the financial year ending 31 December 2021.Investors can register for the webinar via the following link:Investors can submit questions prior to the webinar via the Q&A function on Zoom, or view the release for contact details.To view the release, please visit:About Etherstack Plc Etherstack (ASX:ESK) is a wireless technology company specialising in developing, manufacturing and licensing mission critical radio technologies for wireless equipment manufacturers and network operators around the globe. With a particular focus in the public safety, defence, utilities, transportation and resource sectors, Etherstack's technology and solutions can be found in radio communications equipment used in the most demanding situations. The company has Research and Development facilities in London, Sydney, New York and Yokohama. loading......... Toronto, Feb 10, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In this segment of The Ellis Martin Report we speak with Dr. Paul West-Sells, the President and CEO of Western Copper and Gold Corporation, ( NYSE:WRN ) ( TSE:WRN ). Mr. Martin asks Dr. West-Sells why Rio Tinto made such a large financial commitment to further develop the company's Casino Project in Canada's Yukon Territory.To listen to the Interview, please visit:About Western Copper and Gold Corporation Western Copper and Gold Corporation (NYSE:WRN) (TSE:WRN) is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world. The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino project using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices. loading......... Malibu, CA, Feb 10, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In this segment of The Ellis Martin Report we join James Pettit the CEO of Aben Resources Ltd ( CVE:ABN )( OTCMKTS:ABNAF ). Mr. Pettit discusses the recent filing of a NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Justin Gold Project in Canada's Yukon Territory. The company is looking to JV or option out this 7000 hectare property with visible gold and high grade anomalies.To listen to the Interview, please visit:About Aben Resources Ltd Aben Resources (CVE:ABN) (OTCMKTS:ABNAF) (FRA:E2L2) is a Canadian gold exploration company developing gold-focused projects in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. Aben is a well-funded junior exploration company with over $1.5 million in the Company's treasury. For further information on Aben Resources Ltd. (CVE:ABN), visit our Company's web site at www.abenresources.com. SANTA FE Semi truck drivers hauling freight trailers would face fines if they failed to stay in the right-hand lane of interstate highways in New Mexico, under a bill approved Wednesday by the state Senate. The measure, Senate Bill 174, would allow such rigs to travel in the left-hand lane of traffic when passing through cities, overtaking other vehicles or approaching stationary emergency vehicles. But failure to drive in the right-hand lane in other situations could result in a $200 fine. Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, the bills sponsor, said semi trucks hauling heavy trailers frequently snarl traffic and cause lengthy delays on Interstate 40 that cuts east-west across New Mexico. However, some senators argued the requirement to stay in the right-hand lane should apply to all drivers not just semi trucks and questioned how the law would be enforced. A lot of these truck drivers get a bad rap, but they are just trying to do their jobs, said Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell. The bill ultimately passed the Senate on a 33-5 vote. It now advances to the House with just one week left in the 30-day legislative session. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal Detectives say a teenage boy and young man planned a robbery and homicide that left a 16-year-old shot to death on the Southwest Mesa last month. Both suspects, Elias Acuna-Whitley, 15, and Christopher Byers, 20, were shot in the days following the Jan. 23 death of Thomas Nunn, said Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Jayme Fuller. She said Acuna-Whitley was killed in a possible accidental shooting Jan. 25, while Byers was shot and injured Jan. 28 in an incident that is still under investigation. Fuller said it is unclear if the shooting of Byers was related to Nunns death. Byers, who is recovering in the hospital, has been charged with an open count of murder, armed robbery, tampering with evidence and conspiracy in connection with Nunns death. A third suspect referred to as Rico in court filings has not been identified. According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court: Deputies responded around 7:45 a.m. to the area of Gun Club and Lisa SW after a father and daughter found Nunns body during a walk near their home. Deputies found .45-caliber bullet casings by Nunns body but learned he had been shot by a .22-caliber. Nunns mother told deputies her son and another man had left the house the day before in his Ford Focus. On Jan. 26, Acuna-Whitley, who had been fatally shot by a .22-caliber bullet, was brought to the hospital in Nunns car by Byers and several others. Deputies tracked down Byers, who told them he was there when Nunn was killed but that Acuna-Whitley and Rico were responsible. He said the pair planned to rob Nunn for his car and, after leaving a party, the group went shooting on the mesa. Byers told deputies Nunn fired several rounds from his .45-caliber gun and handed it to Rico before Acuna-Whitley shot Nunn in the face several times with a .22-caliber revolver. He said the two bragged about the homicide afterward. Detectives seized Byers grandmothers phone, which he used often, and found audio messages of Byers and Acuna-Whitley planning to rob someone likely to be Nunn. In the messages, deputies said the two debate who will shoot the person and if they both will shoot him at the same time. Deputies said the two also talked about using full metal jackets to shoot him through the seat and making a mess in the car. Deputies found another video, posted three days after Nunns death, of Byers holding a .45-caliber with an extended magazine. After Byers was shot on Jan. 28, detectives interviewed him at the hospital and he told them he took Nunns gun and his uncle had taken it from him. Deputies searched Byers grandmothers house and found the .45-caliber with the extended clip inside. PHOENIX Qualifying initiatives for the ballot and getting them passed by voters would get harder under legislation advanced Wednesday in the Arizona House, the latest attempt by Republican lawmakers to rein in a procedure thats created laws the opposed by the GOP and business interests. A state House committee approved two measures asking voters to change the rules for citizen initiatives. One would require petition signatures to come from all 30 legislative districts and the other would require support from 60% of voters to pass. If approved by the full House and Senate, the two measures would appear on the 2022 ballot alongside two others that lawmakers referred to voters last year. Those would limit ballot measures to a single subject and water down the Voter Protection Act, which strictly limits the ability of lawmakers to alter initiatives approved by voters. Republicans have been frustrated by a series of successful initiatives pushed by progressive groups that would not have passed the GOP-dominated Legislature, including a minimum wage increase and a tax hike to pay for education. They say its virtually impossible for the Legislature to change them because of the Voter Protection Act and they often are backed by money from outside the state. The GOP has significantly tightened the rules in recent years to make it harder to get initiatives on the ballot and easier to kick them off, but 2022 will be the first time they have asked voters to change the rules themselves. Rep. Tim Dunn, a Yuma Republican who sponsored the proposed initiative changes, said require petition organizers to show they have broad support across the street and not just from populated areas of Maricopa and Pima counties. He said the 60% threshold to pass ballot measures ensures they are overwhelmingly popular since lawmakers are limited in how they can modify them down the road. This would actually allow us to have greater citizen input and to ensure that it really is something that matches the will of the voters, not just the will of those that are paid forby outside billionaires and activist groups, said Rep. Jake Hoffman, a Queen Creek Republican. Democrats and progressive groups say the changes would increase the costs and complexity for grassroots organizers to get their ideas in front of voters. Initiatives are often the only way to do things that are supported by a majority of voters but not a majority of lawmakers, they said. Rep. Reginald Bolding of Laveen, the top Democrat in the House, said the Republican lawmakers are looking to create new rules for citizen-driven lawmaking that wouldnt apply to candidates collecting signatures to run for office. How was that fair that Arizona voters have to now be held hostage to a Legislature that chooses one set of rules for themselves and another set of rules for Arizona voters? Bolding said. Both measures were approved in 7-6 party-line votes in the House Government and Elections Committee. The committee also voted to create new requirements for election officials to check voting rolls against various government databases and cancel registrations. And lawmakers voted to eliminate vote centers centralized polling places allowing voters to cast a ballot anywhere in their county rather than an assigned precinct. Both measures were approved by Republicans in party-line votes. Meanwhile, the Senate Republicans approved two election bills opposed by most Democrats. One would raise the threshold to trigger a recount in a close election. The other would allow the Legislature to hire an outside firm to analyze the list of voters who have not shown documentation to prove their citizenship. Those voters can vote only in federal races. Hugh Thompson wasnt familiar with the Lee Childs novels. That quickly changed as he was up for a role in the Amazon Prime Video series, Reacher. Lee has a way to smartly pack a lot of action in his words, Thompson says. I wasnt familiar with the books. I picked up one of the later ones and read it in a day. Its insane how good Lee is at moving the story along in an engaging way. Reacher follows Jack Reacher, played by Alan Ritchson, a veteran military police investigator who has just recently entered civilian life. Reacher is a drifter, carrying no phone and the barest of essentials as he travels the country and explores the nation he once served. When Reacher arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia, he finds a community grappling with its first homicide in 20 years. The cops immediately arrest him and eyewitnesses claim to place Reacher at the scene of the crime. While he works to prove his innocence, a deep-seated conspiracy begins to emerge, one that will require Reachers keen mind and hard-hitting fists to deal with. One thing above all is for sure: They picked the wrong guy to take the fall. The 8-episode series is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Amazon renewed the show for a second season. The first season of Reacher is based on Childs first Jack Reacher novel, Killing Floor. Writer Nick Santora wrote the script for TV and serves as showrunner and executive producer. The series also stars Thompson as Baker, Malcolm Goodwin as Oscar Finlay, Willa Fitzgerald as Roscoe Conklin, Chris Webster as KJ, Maria Sten as Frances Neagley, Harvey Guillen as Jasper, Kristin Kreuk as Charlie, Currie Graham as Kliner Sr., Marc Bendavid as Hubble, Willie C. Carpenter as Mosley, Maxwell Jenkins as Young Reacher, and Bruce McGill as Mayor Teale. Thompson won the role of Baker, though he originally read for a different character. Theyve done a great job in casting, he says. Willa is amazing. I enjoyed playing Baker because hes on the other side. Its like a cat and mouse game he has with Reacher. Alan is such a good actor and hes such a good scene partner. It was easy to enter that world. As soon as I was reading the script, its all laid out there for you to start that journey. Thompson was also challenged by the role. In this show, Reacher comes to town, he says. Youre off your base and immediately have to change your way of thinking. Thats the challenge. You have to maneuver around Reacher because hes always one step ahead. Thompson has played many roles over the course of his career and enjoys bringing each one to life. With Reacher he took some aspects from his life and brought them to his character. I think during this series, Baker is under pressure pretty quickly, he says. The one characteristic that we both share is that when were under pressure, something is going to happen. Its like a physical confrontation, hes going to defend himself. Thats one thing that we both carry. The idea of self preservation is strong in both of us. Thompson hopes audiences enjoy the ride. I also want them to notice the work that I put in and all of the cast, he says. Its been an amazing opportunity to jump in this fast-paced world. Who knows, maybe theyll do a spin-off that follows Baker. One could only hope. On TV The 8-episode first season of Reacher is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE A plan to automatically register eligible citizens to vote when they complete a transaction at the Motor Vehicle Division or other state offices was removed Wednesday from a broader voting proposal. The bill, however, still calls for establishing a permanent absentee voter list, making election day a school holiday, restoring the voting rights of felons when they leave custody rather than after they complete probation or parole, and creating a Native American voting rights act. The legislation, Senate Bill 8, was reshaped Wednesday in a package of amendments sponsored by Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The amended version heads next to the Senate Finance Committee, potentially its last stop before reaching the full Senate. Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said they remain optimistic about the bills passage in the final week. Toulouse Oliver opposed some of the amendments, but she said she respected the committees right to make changes. Im not willing to sacrifice this legislation for one particular provision, she said. The proposal is a priority of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and a coalition of groups urging New Mexico to expand and safeguard voting rights. SANTA FE With just seven days left in the session, House Republican leaders are calling for quick passage of legislation that would postpone New Mexicos plans to impose new limits on carbon emissions from large coal-fired power plants. House Minority Leader James Townsend, R-Artesia, said policymakers at the Capitol should make it a priority before the session ends Thursday to address the prospect for rolling blackouts this summer. Electricity disruptions, he said, could be a matter of life and death for people who rely on medical equipment for oxygen or other help. Businesses also face the prospect, Townsend said, of losing inventory that must be kept cool or is otherwise in danger of spoiling. Its going to get ugly, he said. But Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said its the responsibility of the Public Service Company of New Mexico, not the Legislature, to address the issue. This is a PNM problem, Lujan Grisham told reporters. They need to be responsible and ready. She said her administration has held meetings with PNM officials and expressed confidence the states largest utility would take the necessary steps to prevent widespread blackouts. Today, PNM has to make sure we have adequate electricity all summer, all fall and all winter, Lujan Grisham said. Townsend, however, suggested House Bill 138 not yet authorized for lawmakers to take up this session as a potential solution. It would postpone for three years certain emission limits that are set to go into effect Jan. 1. The bipartisan proposal is aimed at making it easier for the San Juan Generating Station to stay open the next few years. The plant is now expected to close in June. PNM has said keeping the plant open beyond this year isnt an option. They would need to negotiate a new contract for coal to supply the plant, and other utilities that share ownership of the plant are expected to balk at signing a new operating agreement. PNM has, however, suggested that delaying the shutdown until September might be an option. As for a legislative solution, it would take approval from Lujan Grisham to add House Bill 138 to lawmakers agenda this session. The bill would also have to pass both legislative chambers and their committees by noon Feb. 17. The measure is sponsored by Democratic Rep. Anthony Allison of Fruitland; House Minority Leader Rod Montoya, R-Farmington; and Republican Reps. James Strickler of Farmington and Ryan Lane of Aztec. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday blasted fellow Democrats for rejecting some crime-related bills, saying the handling of such issues during this years 30-day legislative session defies explanation. To not recognize we have a serious crime problem in the state and are on track for a record number of homicides in Albuquerque I cant explain their inability to address that issue, Lujan Grisham told reporters during a telephone call. The governor, who is seeking reelection this year to a second four-year term, met Wednesday in the Governors Office with two mothers from Albuquerque Nicole Chavez and Angel Alire both of whom lost sons to gun violence in recent years. Attorney General Hector Balderas also attended the meeting. With Albuquerque setting a record of 117 homicides last year, Lujan Grisham included several tough on crime bills on her agenda for this years 30-day session, including a proposal to make it easier to hold defendants accused of certain violent crimes behind bars until trial. But that bill has stalled amid questions about its constitutionality and whether it would actually lead to a drop in violent crime. Specifically, a legislative report released before the start of this years session found more arrests and convictions would do more to address violent crime rates than changing the states pretrial detention system. And some lawmakers have criticized the proposal and other crime-related bills as politically motivated in a key election year. Rep. Daymon Ely, D-Corrales, called the pretrial detention bill a hot mess in a committee hearing last month, and Sen. Bill Tallman, D-Albuquerque, said this week the pretrial detention proposals amounted to band aids until we get a handle on poverty. Other lawmakers have said the bill is legally misguided. The power this bill would give to prosecutors to me is terrifying if we really do believe in due process and being innocent until proven guilty, said Sen. Jacob Candelaria, an Albuquerque independent. However, Lujan Grisham, who served three terms in Congress before winning election as governor in 2018, said Wednesday there isnt a New Mexican I know who hasnt dealt with crime-related issues. She also said some of her family members have been crime victims, including burglaries at her fiances business and a grandson being held at gunpoint in an attempted carjacking. No one was injured in the incidents, she said. In past years, Lujan Grisham has signed legislation into law dealing with expanded background check requirements for firearm purchases and allowing guns to be seized from individuals deemed to pose a threat to themselves and others. She also supported a hotly debated bill last year allowing civil rights cases to be filed in state courts, which critics say has led to higher insurance costs for New Mexico cities and counties. But the governor said Wednesday she does not believe gun safety and crime prevention laws are mutually exclusive with stiffer criminal penalties for violent offenders. I dont understand why they dont want to tackle it head on, Lujan Grisham said, referring to lawmakers handling of this years crime bills. My job is to make New Mexicans as safe as I can and Im going to keep doing that every single day. The governor said she expects a bill enhancing criminal penalties including making unlawful possession of a firearm a felony to win legislative approval before the 30-day session ends Feb. 17. That measure, House Bill 68, has passed its first two assigned House committees, though it has already been amended and some provisions have been removed. But she made no predictions on other crime bills and acknowledged last week that the pretrial detention proposal faced long odds at the Roundhouse. Journal Capitol Bureau reporter Dan McKay contributed to this report. The Mayor Tim Keller administrations new negotiated contract with the police union is another lost opportunity to reform the Albuquerque Police Department and implement the DOJ reforms under the settlement. No doubt the union is ecstatic, given the fact that the Keller administration did exactly what it did four years ago: it caved into union demands, giving the union all the pay increases it demanded. The new negotiated contract makes APD the best-paid law enforcement agency in the region by increasing hourly pay by 8% and longevity pay by 5%, and creating a whole new category of incentive pay. There are no meaningful provisions to prevent overtime time abuse or fraud, which has plagued the department for 10 years. Under state labor law, management is not allowed to join unions. The new union contract again allows APD management positions of sergeants and lieutenants to be police union members, violating state law. The police union is a party to the federal settlement case. The union has obstructed the implementation of the mandated reforms. The federal monitor has repeatedly found it is sergeants and lieutenants who are resisting managements implementation of the DOJ reforms. Sergeants and lieutenants should have been removed from the bargaining unit and made at-will. The Keller administration failed to get concessions from the union on police misconduct accountability. Three provisions not included and opposed by the union were in the new contract: The contract provision barring the citys Civilian Police Oversight Agency (CPOA) board members from knowing the names of officers investigated by the agency. This provision undermines the purpose and intent of the CPOA to identify sworn officers who have a history of misconduct and who should be disciplined or terminated. The union contract requires that the name(s) of the person(s) who complained about them is/are disclosed to officers under investigation. This provision was in the old contract. Allowing identification of complainants who choose to remain anonymous discourages the filing of civilian complaints for fear of retaliation. Police oversight advocates, such as APD Forward, wanted to increase the amount of time for the city to complete police misconduct cases. Under the previous contract, 90 days for police misconduct investigations with an optional 30-day extension with the police chiefs approval, was provided. However, in practice, the 90 days is not sufficient. The police union bluntly said it was not interested at all in extending the timelines for investigations. The reason for that is that the union, and its minions of sergeants and lieutenants know that the shorter the time taken to investigate misconduct cases likely means there will be no disciplinary action. The union goal is to avoid any disciplinary action at all cost and ignore the truth of police misconduct. In his latest report, the federal monitor found 667 uninvestigated use-of-force cases. All non-force-related misconduct investigations completed by APD were found to be deficient. Approximately 83% of the cases were time-barred for discipline in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement should misconduct be found. Keller was given a second chance when he was reelected to reform APD and implement the APD settlement agreement reforms. With the new union contract, he has essentially capitulated and, once again, given in to all union demands, squandering an opportunity to reform APD. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Legislators pushing to reshape New Mexicos pretrial detention system abandoned their initial proposal Wednesday amid a barrage of legal questions and other skepticism. But they found success with a substitute measure intended to strengthen the supervision of felony defendants awaiting trial. Democratic Rep. Marian Matthews of Albuquerque who has led House efforts this session to hold more criminal defendants in jail before trial offered a new version of her proposal Wednesday that focuses instead on the ankle-monitor data of defendants released from custody as they await trial. The amended version of House Bill 5 would require the pretrial division of the judiciary to provide around-the-clock monitoring of the locations of people who have been charged with a felony and released before trial. The courts would have to alert law enforcement if the defendant removes the monitoring unit or visits a prohibited location, such as the home of an alleged victim. The bill also calls for the judiciary to provide the location data to law enforcement officers, prosecutors or public defenders, upon request. The measure recognizes the importance of giving our law enforcement agencies the tools they need to effectively combat crime and improve public safety, Matthews told her colleagues Wednesday in a hearing on the measure. The proposal cleared the House Judiciary Committee on a 10-2 vote and is now heading to the full House for consideration. If passed there, it would also have to make it through the Senate by noon Feb. 17 to reach the desk of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Matthews said she offered the revised proposal because it was clear there wasnt enough time to resolve legal and other questions raised by opponents of the earlier bill. The new version offers some common sense steps, she said, to deter crime and help law enforcement officers. The measure won bipartisan support in the hearing, but lawmakers suggested more amendments are on the way. Were truly trying to get this right, Rep. Gail Chasey, D-Albuquerque, said as she urged supporters of the measure to consider suggested changes. Rep. Daymon Ely, D-Corrales, supported the proposal Wednesday but said prosecutors and law enforcement agents should have to explain why they need location data or meet some standard before its turned over to them. The two no votes came from Democratic Reps. Christine Chandler of Los Alamos and Micaela Lara Cadena of Mesilla. They raised concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of the data if its shared beyond the judiciary. Chandler said law enforcement agents shouldnt be permitted to go on a fishing expedition without justification. The new proposal replaces a measure that had been a focus of the tough-on-crime package of bills promoted this session by Lujan Grisham and others. New Mexicos violent crime rate has been twice the national average for the last three years, according to legislative analysts. The initial version of House Bill 5 and a companion measure in the Senate would have created a rebuttable presumption of dangerousness for defendants charged with certain violent crimes, such as murder, child abuse and assault on a peace officer. Supporters said the presumption would have made it easier for prosecutors to get approval to hold a person in jail while they await trial. But the proposal ran into bipartisan skepticism in both chambers of the Legislature. A Senate panel flatly rejected the idea in a hearing Monday, making it almost certain the proposal couldnt make it through this session. Lawmakers are now focusing on other crime legislation, including proposals intended to stiffen penalties for some crimes and make it easier to prosecute chop shops that dismantle stolen vehicles. They also are weighing spending measures that would boost salaries nearly 16% for State Police officers and provide additional funding for pretrial monitoring. The state House on Wednesday also adopted legislation 61-1 to provide bonuses to law enforcement officers, sending it on to the Senate. The proposal, House Bill 86, calls for bonuses equal to 5% of an officers salary after four, nine, 14 and 19 years on the job. Theyd have to commit to staying an extra year on the job to get the bonus. The measure would establish a state fund to pay for the incentives, which are expected to cost $2.4 million to $3.7 million a year. State Rep. Meredith Dixon, D-Albuquerque, said the state budget proposal includes one-time funding for the bonuses but that shes hopeful ongoing funding will be set aside in future years to continue the program. She is one of seven Democratic and Republican sponsors of the bill. Its not surprising that a column about Nancy Grace, babies in dumpsters and the endless debate over when a teenager becomes an adult would elicit rigorous feedback. So, yes, Im not altogether surprised at the number of comments Ive been wading through since Saturday when I wrote about turning down an appearance on Graces show to discuss the case of a Hobbs high school senior who says she panicked when she unexpectedly gave birth Jan. 7 and made the horrific choice to toss the infant in a dumpster. Grace, I predicted and, as it turns out, rightly so would show Alexis Avila, 18, no mercy, have no care about what had brought the young woman to do such a thing, discuss no ideas about what should be done to prevent other unexpectedly expectant young mothers from committing the same travesty. But I saw Avila as confused, immature, ignorant, frightened and just 11 weeks into her 18th year and living in Lea County, which has the sixth-highest teen birth rate in the state and where the nearest Planned Parenthood is more than 100 miles away in Texas. I also saw Avilas case as a shocking admonition that we have not done a good job of educating the public, especially young people, about our states safe haven law. The law, variations of which are enacted in every state and on the books in New Mexico since 2006, would have allowed Avila to give up her newborn to a hospital, health care worker, law enforcement officer or first responder within 90 days of birth without fear of criminal prosecution. Many of you agreed with me. I just think its sad when a young girl has no place to turn. No one to tell her what to do when this happens, reader Jo wrote. I dont see her as a criminal. I see her as a desperate naive young woman. Not that this isnt a horrible act it is. But perhaps she saw this as her only option. I know my own parents would have literally killed me if I had gotten pregnant as a minor. I was always terrified of them. So I can understand how she may have been feeling. But some of you saw Avilas youth and presumed naivete as no excuse or explanation for what she did. Im sorry, but I do not feel bad for her, reader Jen wrote. A simple Google search would have prevented the situation she is in. Maybe. But shed have to know the term safe haven. I do, and searching wasnt as fruitful as you might think. The response that did surprise me came from members of an out-of-state organization that purports to have expertise on safe haven awareness among younger folks. From the start, they took me to task, apparently misreading Graces condemning tone on Avila as my own. Why are you using scorn and hatred on Albuquerque teen? was the subject line of their email. This, in spite of my columns headline Focus on Safe Haven laws, not scorn for teen. They insisted they had read the column three times, no less. Yet they had completely missed the point and mischaracterized Avila as an Albuquerque teen, not a Hobbs teen. Good luck with the next dozen newborn abandonments in NM, one particularly vicious email read. They also castigated Grace, which is understandable. Less understandable was their attack of Dr. Alan Blotcky, an Alabama psychologist who appeared on Graces show and felt her wrath when he attempted to explain that Avilas age should be factored in when discussing her behavior. The email writers also went after acting New Mexico Health Secretary Dr. David Scrase, whom I mentioned in my column for reminding New Mexicans about safe haven, calling it a rarely used but critical law. Why were the emailers so angry at us? Because were old. Too old, they raged, to reach Gen Zs and millennials about the safe haven law. You are promoting failure because you are not promoting Gen Z and millennial spokespeople, influencers and proper demographic marketing, they wrote. (People in their 60s) have NOTHING to do with safe haven laws. Nothing! On it went like that 16 emails from them in all, from sunrise Saturday to past noon Sunday. Had these bellicose, age-biased folks attempted to have a civil discussion with me they might have found that I agree with them, for the most part. In more diplomatic discourses I have read, they have said that to reach younger folks about safe haven laws the message has to come from younger folks and in venues they inhabit. We never let officials promote the law. No 16-year-old cares what legislators think, one of the organizers told a newspaper that is not the Journal. We get into the culture of 13-, 14-, 16- and 17-year-olds by using young people and making it normal to discuss the safe haven law. Its standard demographic marketing. The group recommends avoiding using old faces (ouch!), old voices, suits, uniforms and podiums and instead suggests employing teen influencers and radio DJs to promote the law in the media, online and music festivals. Avoiding images of babies is also key, the group says, because young women see it as a problem that needs to be solved, not as a baby. I dont know if these email writers think that caustic rhetoric is the way to influence old folks like me. (Hint: Its not.) But this seems more a case of right message, wrong messenger. Lets hope that what happened last month in Hobbs is what finally influences us old folks to educate and encourage young folks to connect with young folks to spread the word about safe haven laws. UpFront is a front-page news and opinion column. Reach Joline at 730-2793, jkrueger@abqjournal.com. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal A growing number of states this week announced plans to end or phase out mask mandates, but New Mexico wont be joining them at least for now. Acting Health Secretary Dr. David Scrase said Wednesday his email inbox is brimming with messages from people essentially demanding an end to the mask mandate. But he said the state plans to stay the course with its health orders and isnt ready to say if they will be extended again. The current orders which last week were extended through March 4 include a mask requirement in indoor public settings. We dont really make decisions in New Mexico, for New Mexicans, based on what other people are doing in other states. We use our own data, Scrase said during a briefing with reporters. Believe me, nobody wants to end this more than I do. Asked if she was considering relaxing the mask mandate, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Wednesday: New Mexicans should expect us to reevaluate based on the modeling and the cases going down in short order, and we will do that and announce at the appropriate time the changes to the public health order. Though COVID-19 cases are on the decline in the state, they remain high. On Wednesday, New Mexico reported 1,844 new cases and 36 deaths, pushing the statewide toll to 6,597. Wednesdays case count is about a third of the number the state was reporting per day last month during the peak of the surge of the highly contagious omicron variant. Getting past that peak has increased calls to lift mask mandates. In recent days, several states that deployed COVID policies, such as California, New York, Oregon, Illinois and Washington, announced dates when statewide mask mandates would end or be scaled back. Many New Mexico Republicans have used the mask mandates as a point of criticism of Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who is up for reelection this year. Scrase said there are factors that New Mexico health officials need to consider that other states dont. Many New Mexico hospitals continue to operate well above normal capacity, he said. Nine hospitals throughout the state, including four in the Albuquerque area, have declared they are in crisis standards of care, said Katy Diffendorfer, a spokeswoman for the Health Department. That designation means the facilities are stretched thin and it gives physicians the ability to work outside of their specialty areas and ultimately, if needed, to ration care. Vaccination rates for children in New Mexico lag behind adults, with 60% of 12- to 17-year-olds having completed their vaccination series and 26.2% of 5- to 11-year-olds fully vaccinated. Further, Scrase said the state saw a recent increase in the number of young children who were hospitalized with COVID. During omicrons peak, about 15 children up to 4 years old were hospitalized with COVID throughout the state per week. Thats about a threefold increase compared with the previous peak of hospitalized young people, which happened during the states initial coronavirus surge in late 2020, according to state pediatric hospitalization reports. Weve never seen anything quite like this throughout the whole rest of the pandemic, Scrase said. Its not an insignificant number of kids. About 87% of children who test positive for COVID develop symptoms, he said, which is more than earlier in the pandemic. As omicron came through, there were some early reports that maybe this is affecting kids more. And, I think, now we know it is, Scrase said. Is that creating a little bit of a pause on our part at the state to just ending a mask mandate in schools? Absolutely, yes. Colleen Heild contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal From home health care to behavioral health, rural communities in New Mexico have long been strapped for services, and smaller hospitals in the state say they cant afford the startup costs to meet the need. So its time, says Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, for the state of New Mexico to step in and provide some financial incentive to increase hospital beds statewide, and help providers offer services that often require a trip, or even a move, to the states bigger towns and cities. A Senate bill creating a $150 million fund to boost health care in rural areas was pending legislative committee approval on Wednesday. This fund puts counties, cities and communities, particularly in the rural areas, in a position where they can have the same end results that Santa Fe and Albuquerque have by the expansion of services, Lujan Grisham said in a Journal interview Wednesday. The legislation aims to help smaller providers in New Mexico mitigate the initial financial risks of adding new services or extra hospital beds, and could draw new providers to the underserved areas, she said. Grants from the fund would be limited to counties with a population of 100,000 residents or fewer, and would help pay for the loss incurred in the initial years of a startup or expansion as providers get their financial footing. For-profit facilities are not the intended recipient of funds from the Rural Hospital Services Fund as designed, said governors spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett in an email. One potential applicant could be the new Valencia County hospital, which received $50 million in state funds during Decembers special legislative session for construction of an acute care hospital. The project, which also relies on funds from a county mill levy, is a top priority for Lujan Grisham. Sen. Liz Stefanics, D-Cerrillos, a sponsor of Senate Bill 190, told the Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee last week that she encountered a man at a Corona senior center who said he and his wife were moving to Albuquerque because they couldnt get the health care services they needed in their Lincoln County community. He said were going to have to leave our family home, my wife has cancer, she needs home care, she needs cancer treatment and we dont have the transportation to take us to Albuquerque all the time, and theres no services within a few hours near us, she said. Stefanics said the fund could help rural providers establish such services as dialysis, home health, or rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery. Frank Corcoran, CEO of Sierra Vista Hospital in Truth or Consequences, said the top need in his community is behavioral health, particularly related to substance abuse. His hospital has been considering adding behavioral health beds for a program that would also offer outpatient services. But without financial support, its doomed from the beginning, he told the committee. Nicole Comeaux, New Mexico state medicaid director, told lawmakers the fund would be a critical building block in a much larger set of efforts we are trying to engage in. If COVID has showed us anything, its that our state does not have the (hospital) capacity to serve all New Mexicans, she added. With a surge in serious cases last October and limited hospital beds, the state enacted crisis standards of care to determine patient priority for hospital treatment. New Mexico has 17.7 hospital beds per 10,000 residents, she said, compared with the national average of 23.5 per 10,000. This will help us grow facilities in our own state, attract talent to New Mexico and have sustainable long-term infrastructure, Comeaux said. Troy Clark, president of the New Mexico Hospital Association, told the Journal that several of his hospital members are interested in the funds possibilities, but currently are trying to make sure they have an adequate workforce. But, given that startup operating losses can include the cost of trying to recruit providers, Clark said, thats where these funds could be a help in being able to do outreach. CAMP VERDE, Ariz. Residents of a Native American reservation in Arizona were told to stay inside their homes as authorities searched Thursday for a suspect who opened fire at tribal police officers, critically injuring one of them, authorities said. Officers had responded to reported gunfire Wednesday night on the Yavapai-Apache Nation in the Verde Valley region of north-central Arizona. The suspect got out of a vehicle and fled while shooting at officers, tribal officials said in a statement. Sergeant Preston Brogdon was shot and in critical but stable condition at a hospital, the Yavapai-Apache Police Department said. The five-year veteran is expected to undergo several more surgeries. Residents were told to stay in their homes until the suspect is caught, with bus service was canceled for two areas of the reservation. KTVK-TV showed officers walking through tall brush and reported that they were searching for the suspect. The subject is considered armed and dangerous and the public is asked to stay out of the area until the search has ended, the tribal statement said. The FBI is overseeing the investigation with the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office. Valentin Rodriguez, 39, was wanted for questioning in the shooting, FBI officials said in a statement. Yavapai Silent Witness offered a reward up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. The Yavapai-Apache tribe is headquartered in the town of Camp Verde, north of Phoenix. CHANDLER, Ariz. Three workers were injured after a partial construction collapse at Intels Ocotillo campus in Chandler, authorities said Wednesday. Chandler Fire Department officials said the three employees of a construction company had to be hoisted out of the site in a crane basket after the 4 p.m. incident. They said all three were hospitalized in stable condition with injuries not considered life-threatening. The partial collapse occurred about 25 feet below ground level in a construction area, according to authorities. It was unclear what caused the collapse at the construction site where Intels two new semiconductor fabrication facilities broke ground last year at the Chandler campus. MOSCOW British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday the Ukraine crisis has grown into the most dangerous moment for Europe in decades, while his top diplomat held icy talks with her Moscow counterpart who said the Kremlin wont accept lectures from the West. Amid the deadlock, Russian forces held sweeping maneuvers north of Ukraine in Belarus, part of a buildup of over 100,000 troops that has stoked Western fears of an invasion. NATO also has stepped up military deployments to bolster its eastern flank, with the U.S. sending troops to Poland and Romania. A British Royal Air Force jet carrying 350 troops landed Thursday in Poland in a move that followed London sending anti-tank missiles to Ukraine to help boost its defenses. This is probably the most dangerous moment, I would say in the course of the next few days, in what is the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades, and weve got to get it right, Johnson said at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Johnson, who later flew to Warsaw to meet with Polands prime minister, said he believes President Vladimir Putin has not yet decided what he might do with Ukraine, adding that the West must use sanctions and military resolve plus diplomacy. We stand on the edge of a precipice and things are as dangerous as I have seen them in Europe for a very, very long time, he said, adding that its up to Putin to disengage and de-escalate. In an interview Thursday with NBC News, U.S. President Joe Biden repeated his warning that any Americans still in Ukraine should leave as soon as possible. Its not like were dealing with a terrorist organization. Were dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. Its a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly, he said. Asked whether there were any scenarios that would prompt him to send U.S. troops to Ukraine to rescue Americans, the president said: Theres not. Thats a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another. Speaking in Moscow, Putin said Russia was continuing a series of talks with the U.S. and its allies and is working on a reply to Western security proposals. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he sent a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov repeating an invitation to a series of talks on improving European security. Lavrov set a stern tone for his talks in Moscow with U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who again warned Russia that attacking its neighbor would have massive consequences and carry severe costs. Lavrov rejected Western worries about the Russian troop buildup as sheer propaganda and noted that Moscow wont stand for lectures. Ideological approaches, ultimatums and moralizing is a road to nowhere, he said, noting that his talks with Truss marked the first meeting of the countries top diplomats in more than four years as Russia-U.K. ties have been ravaged by the 2018 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in England, along with other tensions. Russia says it has no plans to invade Ukraine but wants the West to keep Ukraine and other former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons there and roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe. The U.S. and NATO flatly reject these demands. Truss reaffirmed a call for Moscow to pull back its troops, while Lavrov rejected the demand as inappropriate and pointed to British and NATO military buildups in Eastern Europe. The daily Kommersant reported that as part of the tense exchange, Lavrov emphasized Moscows right to deploy its forces on its own territory and asked Truss if she recognizes the Voronezh and Rostov regions in southwestern Russia as part of the country, to which she answered, no. Asked about the gaffe, Truss told the Russian news outlet RBC that she thought Lavrov was referring to territories in Ukraine but then confirmed that the regions that he mentioned were part of Russia. At a frosty briefing afterward, Lavrov said he was disappointed with the meeting, which he described as a conversation between deaf and dumb. He said Truss ignored Russian arguments, reflecting what he described as an egoistic stand. He mocked claims that Russia was waiting for the ground to freeze to send tanks into Ukraine, saying the British side was as unreceptive to Moscows arguments as the frozen soil. Russias top diplomat alleged that Western politicians were fanning tensions over Ukraine for domestic political gain. Russia has always planned to move back its troops after the maneuvers, Lavrov said, and once it does, the West will raise an uproar and claim that it has forced Russia to de-escalate. Its selling hot air, he snapped. Russias buildup includes deploying troops on the territory of its ally Belarus for sweeping joint drills that entered a decisive phase Thursday and will run through Feb. 20. The Ukrainian capital is located about 75 kilometers (47 miles) south of the Belarus border. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke Thursday with his Belarusian counterpart about regional security. Milleys office said the call facilitated communication to reduce chances of miscalculation and gain perspectives on current European security. Ukraine on Thursday protested Russian naval drills in the Black and Azov seas as hampering commercial shipping. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov urged a strong Western response, tweeting that when (Russian) ships cant enter worlds ports, theyll understand the price of their impudence. The Kremlin responded that the exercises are in line with international maritime law. Amid the Wests invasion warnings, Ukraine has sought to project calm, concerned about destabilizing its fragile economy. We believe that the concentration of troops near the border is part of psychological pressure from our neighbor, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told business leaders. We have enough resources and weapons to protect our country. Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when a popular uprising drove Ukraines Kremlin-friendly leader from office. Moscow responded by annexing Crimea and then backing a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed over 14,000 people. A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany helped end full-scale hostilities, but frequent skirmishes continue, and efforts to negotiate a political settlement have stalled. The Kremlin has accused Kyiv of sabotaging the agreement, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it would hurt their country. Foreign policy advisers from Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine held nearly nine hours of talks in Berlin on Thursday to try to revive the stalled agreement but made no progress. Russian representative Dmitry Kozak said Ukraine firmly refused to commit to a dialogue with the rebels on a political settlement, blocking any further movement. Ukrainian envoy Andriy Yermak sounded a more positive note, noting that the parties agreed to continue their discussions and hailed the four-way talks as an effective and efficient platform. The Berlin talks were part of renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met Lavrov in Geneva, while French President Emmanuel Macron met Putin in Moscow before heading to Kyiv this week. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who discussed the standoff with Biden and plans to visit to Kyiv and Moscow on Feb. 14-15, noted Thursday that what is at stake right now is nothing less than preventing a war in Europe. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers said they were at an impasse over negotiations on new sanctions against Russia. Republicans have been pushing for tougher, more immediate moves such as measures against the newly built Nord Stream 2 Russian gas pipeline to Germany, while Democrats want to make new sanctions conditional on a Russian attack on Ukraine and try to spare U.S. allies any economic collateral damage. ___ Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels, Robert Burns, Ellen Knickmeyer and Darlene Superville in Washington, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jill Lawless in London, Monika Scislowska in Warsaw, Poland, and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. For years, Democratic Rep. Al Lawsons Florida district has stretched like a rubber band from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, scooping up as many Black voters as possible to comply with requirements that minority communities get grouped together so they can select their own leaders and flex their power in Washington. But the states Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, took the unusual step of asking Floridas Supreme Court whether Lawsons plurality-Black district can be broken up into whiter and more Republican districts. The court on Thursday declined to get involved. That type of request might typically face steep hurdles under state and federal laws that are meant to protect representation of marginalized communities in the nations politics. But the ground rules may be shifting after the U.S. Supreme Court sided this week with Republicans in Alabama to block efforts to ensure that Black voters are adequately represented in Congress by adding a second majority-Black district in the state. The ruling stunned civil rights groups, who have watched the courts conservative majority steadily eat away at the Voting Rights Act for decades. While the laws rules governing how to draw legislative lines based on race still stand, advocates worry the justices are prepared to act with renewed fervor to eliminate remaining protections in the landmark civil rights legislation. That, some worry, could embolden Republicans in places like Florida to take aim at districts like Lawsons and ultimately reduce Black voters influence on Capitol Hill. That has had an effect, as weve seen, on Black political power at all levels of government, Kathryn Sadasivan, an NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney who worked on the Alabama case, said of prior erosions of the Voting Rights Act. Republicans argue that the Alabama case is about providing clarity on redistricting rules. As it stands, mapmakers can be sued if they consider race too much but also if they fail to consider it the way the Voting Rights Act mandates and omit districts with certain shares of a minority population. In the last 15 years, the court has said if race predominates, your map is going to be struck down, but if you dont look at race properly, you violate the Voting Rights Act, Jason Torchinsky, general counsel to the National Republican Redistricting Trust, said on a call with reporters on Wednesday. The court has been very inconsistent with its guidance to legislators here, and we hope the Alabama decision brings some clarity. In contrast with Alabama, DeSantis did not succeed with his states top court, which declined to issue an opinion on the governors gambit, saying it was too complex an issue to rule on prospectively. The Florida case is becoming the latest test of how states court systems handle the politically charged redistricting battle. A decade ago, Floridas Supreme Court struck down maps drawn by the states GOP-controlled Legislature because they violated the states ban on partisan redistricting. This cycle, the state Senate proposed maps that mostly kept the status quo in the states current 27 congressional seats while adding a 28th district that should favor Republicans. But, with Democrats doing better than expected in redistricting nationwide, DeSantis, a possible 2024 presidential contender, pushed for a more aggressive approach that could net the GOP three seats. The states Supreme Court a decade ago was overwhelmingly Democratic. Now its dominated by Republican appointees. The question in Florida, said Dan Vicuna of the anti-gerrymandering group Common Cause, is will courts put aside whatever are their own personal party preferences and adhere to the law? Similar questions swirl around the nations highest court and its 6-3 conservative majority. Under the 1965 Voting Rights Act, mapmakers are required to draw districts with a plurality or majority of African Americans or other minority groups if theyre in a relatively compact area with a white population that votes starkly differently from them. For decades, the GOP went along with this approach because it led to states, particularly in the South, having a handful of districts packed with Democratic-leaning African American voters, leaving the remaining seats whiter and more Republican. But a series of adverse legal decisions over recent decades and increased Democratic aggressiveness have turned the tables. Now we see kind of a flipping of this, where Democrats and voting rights plaintiffs are saying, You have to create more majority-minority districts, and Republicans are saying, Then were taking race too much into account,' said Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California-Irvine. The issues came to a head in Alabama, where civil rights groups and Democrats joined forces to argue that the states GOP-drawn maps were unconstitutional because they packed most Black voters into only one of seven congressional districts. A three-judge panel agreed, potentially opening the door to similar new plurality-Black districts in states with similar demographics like Louisiana and South Carolina. But the Supreme Court on Monday stayed that order in a 5-4 decision, saying it would hear full arguments in its fall term and issue a ruling after that, presumably next year. Justice Elena Kagan, writing for two other dissenting liberal justices, warned that the court was already reinterpreting the Voting Rights Act by stopping the lower courts order. Civil rights attorneys, while hopeful they can persuade the courts six-justice conservative majority to maintain the standards theyve used for decades, acknowledge that the Voting Rights Act has been hollowed out over the years. In 2013, the court ruled the federal government could no longer use the VRA to require certain states with a history of discrimination to run voting and map changes by the Justice Department first to ensure theyre not discriminatory. Two of the states that were under that mandate, Georgia and North Carolina, recently approved GOP-drawn maps that reduced the share of Black voters in two African American Democratic congressmens seats, G.K. Butterfield and Sanford Bishop. Butterfield, of North Carolina, retired before the map was struck down by the Democratic majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court. In Florida, DeSantis proposal would not only dismantle Lawsons seat, it would also shrink the Black voter share of a majority-Black district in South Florida represented by Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. So now were going to go from four minority access seats down to two? In 2022? Democratic state Rep. Ramon Alexander, who is Black, said in an interview. It is the most egregious thing possible. ___ Riccardi reported from Denver. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the timespan of the districts shape as discussed was years, not decades. The Mesilla Valley continues its hot streak in the film industry. The New Mexico Film Office announced Squealer and Bad Hombres both are currently in production in Las Cruces. Squealer is directed by Andy Armstrong, who is directing in Las Cruces for the first time. I had never shot in Las Cruces before but had wanted to shoot here for many years based on several classic and personal favorite movies that have been made in the state, Armstrong said. I have had the good fortune to work several times on movies and television series shooting in other parts of New Mexico (Marvels, Thor and the television series, Wildfire). Each time I work in New Mexico I am reminded of the great beauty of the landscape and am amazed by the very experienced local crew, that without question, is in the very top tier of any crew I have ever had the good fortune with which to work, anywhere in the world. Squealer stars Ronnie Gene Blevins, Theo Rossi, Wes Chatham, Tyrese Gibson, Katherine Moennig and Danielle Burgiois. It tells the story of an overzealous social worker who follows clues on missing persons cases around town. Eventually discoveries are unearthed on a pig farm, where the town recluse has many hidden secrets. The production will be filming through mid-February. Rob Goodrich and Jason Armstrong are signed on as producers. Gibson is also filming Bad Hombres with Thomas Jane. The film tells the story of two undocumented immigrants who take a simple job of digging a hole in the middle of nowhere, but when their two employers reveal themselves to be psychopathic criminals, surviving the night will become a more difficult job. It is directed by John Stalberg and produced by David Frigerio. Its my second time back in New Mexico and Im excited to be back in the Land of Enchantment because the crews are fantastic, and the locations are wonderful. It is truly a joy being here, Frigerio said. According to the New Mexico Film Office, Squealer is employing 45 crew members, 3 New Mexico principal actors and 35 New Mexico background and extras. Bad Hombres will employ approximately 125 New Mexico crew members, 20 New Mexico principal actors, and 30 New Mexico background and extras. New Mexicos second largest city, Las Cruces, is quickly developing a reputation as the new film production hot spot in the state, said Amber Dodson, New Mexico Film Office director. Toward the end of 2021, four major notable feature films selected Las Cruces because of the stunning locations, the professionalism of the local film office, a supportive film office and community, and the competitive film incentive that New Mexico offers including an extra 5% for shooting in the uplift zone which includes Las Cruces. That trend is continuing in 2022 with two more feature films starting up now and more in the pipeline. SANTA FE New Mexico would send more of its extra revenue into a reserve fund thats easier to tap into under legislation advancing at the Legislature. The state Senate on Thursday voted 24-15 in favor of a bill that would when income is strong and reserves are high send more money into the states operating reserve fund, which can be accessed by a majority vote, rather than a tax stabilization reserve known as the states rainy day fund. It takes a two-thirds vote to get into the rainy day fund, unless the governor declares an emergency. Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, D-Silver City, said it doesnt make sense for the state to continue growing the size of one of its more restrictive reserve accounts when the balance is already high. Lawmakers need more flexibility, she said, to respond in a recession. Republicans blasted the proposal. They said the rainy day fund is a key part of the budget framework intended to ensure New Mexico has large enough reserves to weather downturns in the volatile oil and gas industry. There is projected to be nearly $1.8 billion in the rainy day fund when the current state budget year ends in June, or about 77% of total state cash reserves. The fund has grown rapidly under a 2017 law intended to set aside some revenue from oil and natural gas taxes in cash-flush years. The safeguards that limit access to the fund, such as a two-thirds vote, keep lawmakers from spending too much in good times, smoothing out the peaks and valleys in state revenue and spending. Democrats hold a majority but not two thirds in each chamber of the Legislature. Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, said its important to keep our greedy little paws off some of the extra money that flows into the state treasury during an oil and gas boom. Healthy reserves, he said, are essential to ensure the state doesnt have to slash agency budgets when revenue collapses. Sen. Bill Tallman, D-Albuquerque, joined Republicans in opposing the legislation. We dont have a history of spending wisely, he said. The proposal now goes to the House. Journal Capitol Bureau chief Dan Boyd contributed to this report. WENN Celebrity After claiming that she suffers 'irreparable financial damage' as the bank froze her account amid dementia rumors, the ailing TV hostess obtains a 'properly executed, witnessed, and notarized Power of Attorney and signed letter of representation.' Feb 10, 2022 AceShowbiz - Wendy Williams doesn't give up on her frozen bank account. "The Wendy Williams Show" host has officially obtained a Power of Attorney after urging Wells Fargo to unfreeze her account amid rumors she's battling dementia. On Wednesday, February 9, The Sun reported that the 57-year-old ailing host got Power of Attorney, though there's currently no further detail about who has been authorized to act on her behalf. Previously, the bank insisted that the daytime diva wouldn't be given any decision on the matter until she obtained a "properly executed, witnessed, and notarized Power of Attorney and signed letter of representation." Wendy first filed a petition asking a New York court to restore her access to a bank account containing "several million dollars" on Friday. In the legal documents, it's written that she has suffered "imminent and irreparable financial damage" as a result of the bank's action. "Wells Fargo's actions and the actions of its agents have impeded and unlawfully prevented [Williams] access to her property," the petition alleged. Wendy argued in the papers that the bank "repeatedly denied" her requests to access her financial assets. She wrote, "I have submitted multiple written requests to Wells Fargo and I have visited various Wells Fargo branches in the South Florida area in an effort to resolve this matter outside of the courtroom," stressing that she's currently "at risk of defaulting on several billing and financial obligations, including, but not limited to, mortgage payments and employee payroll." In its defense, the bank argued its agreement with Wendy allowed it to "pause or reject instructions for a proposed transaction" if the company suspects "financial exploitation, dementia, or undue influence," according to the petition. Wendy's former financial advisor also advised the bank that Wendy "was of unsound mind." Wendy has not hosted her talk show, "The Wendy Williams Show", since its season 13 premiered last October as she has been battling serious health issues. However, her brother Thomas Williams Jr. and her rep have denied reports that she's battling dementia. More recently, it's reported that "The Wendy Williams Show" has found a "permanent guest host" in fan-favorite Sherri Shepherd. Sources claimed that the former "The View" co-host "will take the reigns of the show beginning in September" as the deal "is almost locked and everyone involved expects it will be inked in the very near future." AMC/Michele K. Short Celebrity In a New York Times Magazine profile, the 59-year-old actor opens up about the horrifying experience during a filming back in July 2021 that he surprisingly has no recollection of. Feb 10, 2022 AceShowbiz - Bob Odenkirk once shocked fans with a health scare back in July 2021 when he was filming for "Better Call Saul" . In a New York Times Magazine profile, which will be published in print on Sunday, February 13, the actor opened up about the horrifying experience. "We were shooting a scene, we'd been shooting all day, and luckily I didn't go back to my trailer," he recently told the news outlet. He added that he was taking a break with co-stars Patrick Fabian and Rhea Seehorn at the time of the incident, though he claimed that he has no memory of the moment. The 59-year-old actor said, "I went to play the Cubs game and ride my workout bike, and I just went down." He continued, "Rhea said I started turning bluish-gray right away." As the production's medics were alerted, the AMC drama show's health safety supervisor, Rosa Estrada, and assistant director, Angie Meyer, did CPR on Bob before attaching him to a defibrillator. However, they only managed to restart his heart at the third attempt. "The third time, it got me that rhythm back," he shared. "That's its own weirdness," Rhea said of Bob's foggy recollection. "You didn't have a near-death experience -- you're told you had one." The cause of the incident was a plaque which was built up in his heart, though the "Nebraska" star decided to forgo treatment for the time being. The father of two said he was fine until last year - which was when "one of those pieces of plaque broke up." Thankfully, Bob was able to resume the filming of his show again in September 2021. "Back to work on Better Call Saul! So happy to be here and living this specific life surrounded by such good people," he tweeted at the time. Ashika Group, one of Indias leading diversified financial services conglomerates, has appointed Vishesh Sharma as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). The bolstering of companys leadership ranks is in line with its vision of fortifying the personal finance ecosystem and transforming how New India manages it's savings and investments with the newly-launched My Dhanush app. At Ashika Group, Vishesh will be responsible for brand building, content marketing, social media, and corporate communications for the retail business, which is stacked under the companys master brand, My Dhanush. He will be based in Mumbai and report directly to Ashika Group CEO Chirag Jain. A communications veteran, Vishesh joins Ashika Group with 13 years of extensive and diverse work experience across fields, including brand communication, content marketing, corporate communications, reputation management, internal communications, public affairs, and financial education. In his previous stint, Vishesh was the Head of Content Marketing, Corporate Communications, and Strategic Alliances at Angel One Ltd, where he successfully transformed the companys image from a traditional broker to a FinTech. He also led the retail communication for Angel Ones IPO. Earlier, Vishesh also served as the Chief Content Strategist for Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, where he helped set up the digital assets department. He has worked with some prominent brands like Dalal Street Investment Journal, Progressive Media Group, among others. In the last couple of years, he has been conferred with multiple marketing awards, including Corporate Communications Person of The Year, Marketing Leader of the Year (BFSI), and Content Marketing Professional of the Year. Extending a warm welcome to Vishesh, Chirag Jain, CEO, Ashika Group, said, For almost 25 years, we have established ourselves as a reliable brand that is trusted by customers. We are excited to welcome Vishesh, a passionate brand-builder, and are confident he will play a vital role in building a truly world-class FinTech brand. I believe under his able leadership and in-depth understanding of customer communication, we will strengthen Ashika further and drive growth across our portfolio. Commenting on his appointment, Vishesh Sharma, said, I am excited to join such a fast-growing organization and play a part in building one of Indias very first personal finance super app My Dhanush. Ashika has an excellent track record of helping its clients grow their wealth by helping them invest wisely. With a strong vision to build solutions that revolutionize the way new India invests, I look forward to helping Ashika strengthen its national leadership to be both a force for growth and a force for good." Social media was once again a battleground for the brands. This time it was for Kashmir Solidarity Day. Since 2004, Pakistan has commemorated Kashmir Solidarity Day as a national holiday. On 'Kashmir Solidarity Day,' the operations of quick service store chains in Pakistan displayed posters expressing support (February 5). Following in the footsteps of carmakers Hyundai and Kia, Twitter users have turned their attention to fast food giants Pizza Hut and KFC. Both restaurants' posts were seen and received reaction on Twitter, prompting Pizza Hut and KFC to remove their respective posts. While Pizza Hut has yet to respond to the social media gaffe, KFC issued a statement on Twitter apologising for the message shared via its Pakistani social media accounts. A series of clarifications and apologies have been also done by the brands who suffered backlashes in India due to the tweets. Technology today has become a way of life, making coding an extremely important skill to possess in order to thrive in this competitive era. Hindustan Times launched HT Code-a-thon 2021; the second edition of one of Indias biggest coding Olympiads, in August 2021. Hindustan Times Code-a-thon is an initiative imagined and executed end-to-end in the middle of the pandemic to build the next generation of coders, through a virtual platform. While India has no dearth of coders, coding for kids is still novel and nascent, although that is the age where the skills necessary for coding such as problem-solving & logical thinking need to be developed. Hindustan Times Code-a-thon won the award for Best in South Asia at the 2021 Global Media Awards, hosted by the International News Media Association (INMA) HT Code-a-thon is a platform that enables students to learn coding in a fun and engaging way, develop projects, and participate and win in a coding competition that rewards the toppers with exciting prizes like laptops, tablets and smartwatches. HT Code-a-thon 2021 saw massive participation from 2,200+ schools and 25,000+ students. The students learned programming languages such as Scratch, HTML, CSS and Python and built projects using these languages. Developing critical thinking, logic building and problem solving skills is where HT Code-a-thon plays an important role in a students learning journey. It goes without saying that coding is a very important skill set for students in the 21st century, says Rajeev Beotra, Executive Director, HT Media Limited. HT Code-a-thon is a one-of-a-kind program that encourages students to learn coding in a fun and competitive environment. Coding helps a student in multiple ways. It improves their problem solving skills, fosters creativity and helps in the enhancement of their logical thinking process. Therefore, HT Code-a-thon provides an opportunity to all the students to be future ready. Id like to wish all these bright, young students all the very best for their future endeavours. Id also like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners SpeEdLabs, IBM, Intel and Lufthansa for their contribution in making HT Code-a-thon 2021 a great success, he adds. This years edition of HT Code-a-thon saw its closure with a grand online felicitation ceremony where the winners were announced in the presence of an esteemed panel comprising of honourable representatives from the Government Of India and bureaucracy to stalwarts from leading private companies. Speaking at the event, Shri Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said, Two years ago weve launched the New Education Policy, which is simply the most important education reform since independence. It integrates vocational training into the educational curriculum. This helps build among our younger generation, the capability to address the emerging opportunities in the rapid digital transformation across the globe. Our youngsters can play a big role in filling the opportunities emerging across the digital transformation spectrum. In that context, coding skills are a very important part of the basket of abilities of our youngsters going into the future. So, Im glad that leading brands like Hindustan Times is conducting something like the HT Code-a-thon where youngsters are demonstrating capabilities that I could never imagine children of their age to do so. Those who have participated in the HT Code-a-thon are on the right track and have picked up on the right thing to do in terms of the future opportunities. Mr. Vinayak Garg, Comissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti also expressed his thoughts saying, Im happy that Navodaya Vidyalaya has participated in the HT Code-a-thon. It is a very good initiative taken by Hindustan Times to instil the skills of coding among the children. Coding has been identified as one of the most important skills in the NEP also and it is important to prepare the students for their future growth in the 21st century. Navodaya Vidyalaya is already preparing the students, especially from the rural and disadvantaged sections of the society, for the future growth of the nation. In this program, the Department of Science and Technology has also started the program of Vigyan Jyoti which is promoting the STEM education among 5,000 girls. This is a very good initiative by the Department of Science and Technology and were thankful to IBM and other partners for promoting STEM education among girls. Im hopeful that through the initiatives by Department of Science and Technology and with the support of programs like HT Code-a-thon, more and more girl students will learn about STEM and contribute to the growth of the nation. Mr. Vivek Varshney, Founder, SpeEdLabs emphasized on the importance of learning coding. Coding is going to be the language of the future. 5 years down the line, 90% of jobs will require some kind of computing skills. A basic understanding of coding is very important for each individual to perform and innovate. Coding is not just about writing codes; it is more about thinking how to solve a problem, asking the right questions and making the right assumptions, he said. He also noted how the vision of SpeEdLabs found a synergy with HT Code-a-thon and made the partnership a very natural one. SpeEdlabs vision is completely aligned with the vision of HT Code-a-thon, which is building the right learning habits at the right age. The teenage years have the highest impact on our life trajectory. It is the time when we can build a lot of right learning habits. So my advice to all the students who participated in HT Code-a-thon and also their parents is to encourage the students to build a sense of curiosity, ask the right questions, figure out how to solve a problem and then use coding to automate the solution and make it scalable, he added. Mr. Manoj Balachandran, Head, CSR, IBM India and South Asia explained how IBMs vision to enable students to prepare for the tech-driven future led to their partnership with HT Code-a-thon. Our association with Hindustan Times happened as a result of our long term vision of enabling kids to be prepared for the inevitable future of tech. Not everybody would need to know how to code but even for those professions that dont need to know coding, it is important to know how to utilize technology. This was demonstrated by how almost every profession adopted technology during the pandemic. Thats why programs like HT Code-a-thon make such a huge difference. We truly believe that such programs and interventions to address skill gaps go a long way to shape the nations Digital India and Skill India mission and can make Atmanirbhar Bharat a reality. I wish to really thank the Hindustan Times team for this partnership and for really making an impact at a scalable level, he said. Ms. Deepali Naair, Chief Marketing Officer, IBM India and South Asia elaborated upon IBMs STEM For Girls initiative. She said, STEM For Girls is one of IBMs largest CSR initiatives. It aims at driving young students towards technology and digital literacy. Our orpgram at IBM plans to prepare 2,00,000 girls across 12 states in India to pursue and understand their potential in New Collar careers. These girl students will be from 120 districts from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Im very happy to report that 1,80,000 girls are already a part of this program. Not just that, we even have 85,000 boys from these 12 states as part of this program. The program actually looks at holistic development of the girls ecosystem. Its not just the coding thats important and therefore weve also trained 8,000+ teachers. HT Code-a-thon 2021 provided a great learning opportunity for kids from the safety of their homes and helped them become ready for a tech-enabled future. Students of grades 4th to 9th were eligible for the program with a one-time registration fee of 499/- + GST only. The participating students were divided into three cohorts: Students of grades 4 th and 5 th could enrol for App Development module Students of grades 6 th and 7 th could enrol for Website Development module Students of grades 8 th and 9 th could enrol for Game Development module Post registration, students were provided with online learning modules that included video lectures, practice sets and quizzes. Online Qualifier and Finale were conducted in January to identify the winners who were given prizes like laptops, tablets and smartwatches. Indias leading cloud kitchen company, has announced its partnership with ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations and ITC Master Chef Creations. The partnership marks ITCs debut into the food service online space. Kitchens@ is a digital accelerator of power food brands providing end-to-end solutions to F&B businesses from asset light-cloud kitchens to a highly efficient last-mile delivery readiness. This partnership will enable ITC Foods to enter food service play at a city scale while operating from several cloud kitchen locations across Bengaluru. Kitchens@ will operate the day-to-day functions for ITC Foods, giving them ample bandwidth to focus on brand building, marketing, product development and quality systems. Kitchens@ will provide a comprehensive and efficient last mile readiness through its infrastructure, technology & procurement support, manpower & culinary operations support, and marketing aids assisted by and under the guidance of chefs from ITC. Speaking about the partnership, Saurabh Jha, CEO of Kitchens@, said "We are proud to partner with one of the biggest conglomerates in the world. We started working with ITC on a pilot project and were successful in helping it achieve significant growth in a short time span. We are thrilled that they entrusted us to support their new age online play. Junaiz Kizhakkayil, Founder of Kitchens@, said Getting into online food service was an important decision for ITC and them choosing us as preferred partner is a testimony to our differentiated hygienic cloud kitchens and quality services. We look forward to a successful partnership at scale. Kitchens@ is a digital accelerator of food brands with its comprehensive offering from infrastructure, technology integration, ingredient procurement, culinary operations, and demand management. It allows food brands to scale rapidly and realize success at scale. Kitchens@ is currently associated with 80 domestic and international brands, including Mainland China, Empire, Chai Point, A2B, Domino's, Taco Bell, and Barbeque Nation and is present in 12 high-demand locations in Bengaluru. American Watches brand Esprit has launched its new campaign "Redefine Time", with the Bollywood actor Ananya Panday, to establish the connection of brand Esprit with Indian youth. The brand is taking forward its journey with great enthusiasm while creating high-quality and premium, affordable fashion for millennials and Gen Z. As a brand, Esprit believes that every woman is unique, and they have tried to imbibe that spirit of uniqueness in their latest Spring Summer Collection. The campaign will be promoted through all desired media avenues. Campaign Message- Redefine Time The world has so many rules. But now it's time to flip it in reverse. Forget outdated conventions and norms. With This map Cleared, the road ahead seems filled with fresh opportunities and exhilarating freedom. A sense of power while you realize that you can write your own fate, map your own course. Commenting on the campaign, Adi Shroff, COO AP Group, Said, Esprit is a brand that creates a positive change. It adds a spark in everyday life through radical positivity: Life is more complicated and hectic than ever before. Most of the younger generation, have now different perspectives towards life. Through this campaign idea our customer will be able to relate herself and also the brand will get the right amount of push and edge to attract the retail partners to the new beginning of Esprit Watches in India. Commenting on the campaign, Ananya Panday, a Bollywood actor, added, I always want to be associated with brands that can resonate well with my personality. The brand campaign "Redefine Time" is so powerful and every woman can relate to it. Irrespective of the fact that you are working or a homemaker, you need to define your choices, your preferences, your style statement, and most importantly your time! The entire campaign shoot was planned in the most non-stereotype manner, matching the non-stereotyped outlook of the brand completely. The designs, the innovation, the bling, and the costing will surely drive a lot of attention of the GenZ and I am looking forward to adding a lot of value to the brand during our association. Zebpay, one of the earliest cryptocurrency exchanges of India, has appointed Lowe Lintas Bangalore to manage its creative duties. The scope of the agency primarily includes conceptualising the brands positioning and communication strategy across the digital and offline mediums. In the business of cryptocurrencies since the year 2014, Zebpay is one of India's earliest and most trusted crypto exchanges. The brand has achieved dizzying heights on the back of a growing userbase and increasing interest. The cryptocurrency space in India continues to expand and attract attention of investors and builders despite being underlined with fear, uncertainty and doubt. This is a testimony to the growth potential the industry has, especially in a country like India where there is dearth of neither talent nor capital. With many players in the space emerging so quickly, it will be imperative for the brand to establish itself as the most reliable, safe and investor-friendly cryptocurrency trading platform. Speaking on the onboarding, Rohit Machado, Vice President Marketing, Zebpaysaid: We are delighted to partner with Lowe Lintas as our mainline communication agency in our mission to make crypto accessible to millions of investors across India. Our combined capabilities will allow us to build meaningful relationships with our users, while allowing us to capitalise on exciting opportunities in this hyper-competitive market. With a target audience of digital and mobile-first users, cryptocurrency trading takes place 24X7, making it ideal for adoption by the digital-first, always-connected generation. While the industry navigates through various regulations and new challenges around advertising guidelines for this sector, Lowe Lintas will be responsible for crafting a robust communication strategy for Zebpay to navigate the brand in this highly competitive industry landscape. Commenting on the win, Sonali Khanna, Executive Director and Branch Head, Lowe Lintas Bangalore said, Cutting edge products deserve out-of-the-box communication solutions. Which is why we are so excited to be playing a critical role in Zebpay's journey. While the category presents unique challenges, we believe the Zebpay Lowe Lintas partnership has a distinct advantage with respect to product features and strategic thinking. As we've done with so many brands, we look forward to putting Zebpay ahead of the rest." The creative mandate will be handled by the Bangalore office of Lowe Lintas. Alton, IL (62002) Today Thunderstorms early giving way to steady, occasionally heavy rain after midnight. Low 57F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early giving way to steady, occasionally heavy rain after midnight. Low 57F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. -- Dairy heifers are an investment. Farmers can invest an average $2,505 per animal by the time she enters the milking herd. Grain farming is an unusual occupation in that the grower destroys the very thing he nurtures. We always joke that in a corn-on-corn setting, we do everything to make that plant as healthy as possible, then we want it to deteriorate and go away as fast as it can, said Bayer agronomist Chris Kallal. Its a little bit counter-productive. While the deterioration is necessary for harvest, whats left standing in the field can be a concern for farmers who must deal with it the following season. At issue is the strength of the stalks supporting the ears that make up the cash crop. Corn hybrids have been bred through the years to develop stronger stalks. And while that is an admirable trait, it can create some problems, especially on no-till operations. Brian Duncan likes the idea of plants that are able to withstand the storms that occasionally rage across his acreage. Were in northern Illinois, which is pretty prevalent for high winds and derechos, so I prefer a hybrid with good stands, he said. We are pretty aggressive on our residue management, with chopping heads. Duncan grows continuous corn on his farm near Polo, Illinois. While sturdy stalks can mean stubborn residue, the health of the plant during the growing season is of higher importance. If youre spraying fungicide, then the key is managing that residue ahead of next years corn crop, he said. Thats the path a lot of farmers have taken. The way the wind blows here, I like standing corn, and you just learn how to deal with the residue. Kallal has found the majority of farmers share Duncans view. The bigger concern is the current crop, he said. Theyll deal with the residue next year. Standability may not be front of mind for farmers choosing hybrids to plant in the spring, but the lack thereof can become important in the fall. People are always talking about yield with corn, but the easiest way to lose business is to have corn that falls over right at harvest time, said Pat Holloway, a Becks Hybrids agronomist based in southwest Iowa. It may not be the first thing a farmer will ask when youre selling them seed, but its the thing that will get you kicked off the farm. Kallal agrees. We always joke internally that the main things any corn breeder is looking for are yield, yield and yield, he said. Thats definitely No. 1. After that, its stalk lodging and disease tolerance. Those are high in importance. There is a greater need today than in the past for stalk strength, partly because corn plants are expected to stand for longer periods. Farms are large today and not everything can be harvested in a two-week period, Holloway said. In certain areas where corn dryers are more common, 28% stalk quality is less important. In Minnesota theyre used to harvesting wet corn. Farther south you want it to stand there until its under 20%. In that scenario, stalk quality is one of the key things. Strong stalks also factor into tillage choices. They may offer more resistance in a no-till operation, but there are also considerations in conventional tillage. I could argue in both directions, Kallal said. The conventional-till guy has to worry about it getting in the seed trench. If the stalks are big, their row cleaners are going to get it moved out of the way so it doesnt cause germination issues. The no-till or strip-till guy may worry about it more if the stalk is strong and continues to be intact and upright, making more trash they may potentially have to run through the head the following year. But theres a whole growing season of deterioration. Duncan generally sees stalk strength as a positive trait, though he has a healthy skepticism of seed company claims. None of them are going to admit they dont have strong stalks. No ones going to come out and say this corn doesnt stand worth a darn, but go ahead and plant it anyway, he said. Sometimes I think those stalk ratings are something like (fishermen exaggerating) fish size. But overall, I think stalk quality is a lot better than it was 15, 20 or 25 years ago. The GMO traits have helped with that. Some of the lodging weve seen recently has been root lodge. I run corn heads with a chopping attachment. We run a pretty aggressive fall tillage. We still want some residue there for erosion control, but it has to be manageable. Midwest Messenger Weekly Update Get the latest agriculture news delivered to your inbox from the Midwest Messenger. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DES MOINES, Iowa A crowd of farmers descended on Des Moines to open February, with high grain prices boosting the atmosphere at the Iowa Ag Expo. Equipment manufacturers were just as happy to greet them. At the annual show, new technology and equipment were on hand for those looking to see whats coming in agriculture, with companies focused on making life easier for farmers. While automation may not be at the point where it will allow farmers to simply watch from a hill as the equipment does the work, it aims to simplify the process for anyone rolling through a field. It makes it so there can be an inexperienced operator in the drivers seat of this combine and have the same performance as an experienced operator, said Ryan Husa with New Holland. If an owner has a large fleet, he cant necessarily be in the drivers seat anymore as much. Theres a lot going on. But they can have a hired hand run it and it allows them to operate it at peak performance. Husa said the recent difficulties finding qualified agricultural labor has made simplification even more important. That user-friendly mentality has driven John Deere as well, as Van Wall Equipment representative Scott Meldrum said. Once that is achieved, the focus is then on speed, particularly in planters. But he said that speed cant come at a cost of quality. The thing to remember is high-speed planting is an added benefit, but they need to be high-accuracy planters, Meldrum said. Everything we are talking about really goes toward accuracy and efficiency. The same is in combines we can get a lot of bushels per hour in the machine, but we dont want to lose bushels. We cant lose kernels from the header to the grain tank. Where things arent so simple is acquiring the actual equipment. Meldrum said one of the first questions he was getting from visitors at the show was about supply shortages that have been plaguing many industries. He said John Deere and other companies are working through these issues, and they havent let it stop technological advancements. When looking for new equipment, get it ordered now, Meldrum said. Dont come in and want to put all new field cultivator sweeps on April 1, he said. Figure out ahead of time what you are going to need. Inspect your combine now. We have nine months to get the parts, but if theres a failure in the field, there could be issues getting stuff on short notice. Husa said New Holland is exploring all avenues to cut down any shortages and delays. When waiting on parts, he understands it can be tough, but patience may be key this season. Everybodys dealing with the same problems, Husa said. If a customer is waiting on a machine for multiple months it can be frustrating, but its been crazy times. Part shortages and inventory shortages are tough for everybody. Meldrum said the major issues are seen in the large ag equipment, like combines, but smaller equipment such as tractors or equipment for livestock operations are often available in a much shorter timeframe. While we may not have access to all the large ag pieces we want, we can get them but it just takes a bit longer, he said. The technology shortage thats going to be an ongoing thing for the foreseeable future, but we are seeing parts availability improving. CropWatch Weekly Update Get the Iowa and Illinois CropWatchers report delivered to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Edwardsville, IL (62025) Today Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 59F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 59F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Chinese military-linked conglomerates and universities are sponsoring high-technology research centers at many universities in the UK. There have been more than 1,000 academic collaborations between British and Chinese academics, a number that has tripled in six years. The basic issue is that UK scientists and universities have been generating research or cooperating with Chinese researchers, that is sponsored by or is of use to Chinese military bodies. The facts of academic collaborations between Western, especially British scientists, and Chinese academics and government and commercial bodies are not new. The UK academic world was warned more than two years ago that hostile state actors were targeting UK universities to steal personal data, research data, and intellectual property, and that these could be valuable for military, commercial, and authoritarian purposes. In 2019, more than 600 Chinese military scientists, working on technology with military application, were attached to UK universities. Manchester University for a time had a contract with a Chinese company, Electronics Technology Group, that was used by the Chinese government to produce military aircraft, some used to deal with the Uighur Muslims, a treatment akin to genocide. Imperial College has worked with the Harbin Institute of Technology, a unit that worked for the PLA. The Henry Jackson Society reported in 2021 that 900 graduates of Chinese universities allegedly linked to the PLA were enrolled in studies at 33 British universities. Collaboration between China and UK has grown in recent years. British universities have since 2015 accepted 240 million pounds from Chinese institutions for research. Specifically, the Imperial College London has got 44 million, the University of Cambridge 46 million, the University of Oxford 24 million, the University of Manchester 19 million, and the University of Edinburgh 13 million. In addition, the universities also receive income from student recruitment and research grants. One calculation is that about 120,000 Chinese students account for 2 billion pounds in revenue for UK universities: nine of them depend on Chinese students for more than 20 percent of their revenue from tuition fees. Manchester University has more Chinese students than any other in Europe. It is meaningful that since 2007, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), has sponsored more than 2,500 military scientists and engineers to study abroad. The PLA slogan is picking flowers to gain expertise and training abroad to make honey. Reports, including one by Civitas, a think tank based in London, show that at least 20 UK universities have established relations with 29 militarily linked Chinese universities, as well as to nine weapons suppliers or other military-linked companies. The UK research sponsored by Chinese organizations could have both military as well as civilian uses. The UK research is likely to be of use to Chinese military bodies and may have helped China build weapons of mass destruction. Cambridge University has ties to a Chinese military installation blacklisted by the U.S. Nottingham University has a large deal with Chinas main supplier of military aircraft. The Chinese companies sponsoring UK research include manufacturers that produce rail guns, fighter engines, nuclear warheads, stealth aircraft, drones, tanks, and ships. There is particular concern in the UK about research in two fields: hypersonic technology at a time when China is developing hypersonic missiles and graphite research regarding material used in armed helicopters. This is occurring in a context when China is probably involved in superfast quantum computing and applications for artificial intelligence. Four questions arise; one is whether the UK has lost any comparative advantage by opening its doors to Chinese academics and handing over what might be considered secrets. Second, does the Chinese connection impinge on national security? Can China now be considered a greater threat to British interests and security than is Russia? Third, have the recipients in British universities which have got Chinese money lost their moral bearings? And is the collaboration undermining UK strategic interests if sensitive information is being exported to China? The research on technology to develop rail guns, weapons that use magnetic fields to fire projectiles, drones, fighter jets, and missiles, and other military technology and high-tech aerospace raises the fear is that the joint research between the two countries could be the basis of super weapons for Beijing. Of the total 240 million pounds, 60 million have come from sources sanctioned by the U.S. Of this amount, 40 million came from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. There is some awareness of the impact of these Chinese grants and connections. At Oxford University, the Wykeham chair of physics was renamed the Tencent-Wykeham in honor of Tencent, a Chinese software computing conglomerate, after it offered a 700,000-pound donation to Oxford. Tencent, founded in 1998, is worth 500 billion pounds and received money and support from Chinas ministry of state security, the main intelligence agency, when it was founded. It owns WeChat communications which, like TikTok, censors material that the Chinese Communist Party regards as politically sensitive and which keeps tabs on Chinese citizens living abroad. It is taken for granted that Chinese companies pass on information to Chinese security agencies on demand. The UK is aware of the issue, as the U.S. has been for some years when in June 2015 it found that hackers linked to China had gained access to sensitive information. The University of Manchester ended its research project with the China Electronics Technology Group after the conservative MP Tom Tugendhat revealed that the technology of that firm was being used against the Uighurs. The license of the China Global Telecommunications Network to broadcast in the UK was withdrawn because the firm was controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. In 2020 Boris Johnson, aware that Huawei was linked to the CCP and had gained access to government security, banned its 5G networks and ordered all its existing technology to be stripped from UK telecommunicators networks. The time for a reassessment of rules for scientific research and funding involving China is long overdue. That reassessment must consider the stated aim of China to equal the U.S. military by 2027, and to enhance its advanced military technology. Image: reinhold moller The subject of gerrymandered Congressional districts is once again front and center in American politics. But if you go back to one of the Founders original plans, the answer is obvious: decrease the ratio of constituents to congresspeople, making the House once again the representative branch of government. Currently, there are redistricting involving North Carolina, Alabama, and New York. This comes after weve spent the last year plus hearing about all how many people are voting from the cemetery or residing in a single Post Office box. Suddenly Democrats scream about Alabama Republicans creating districts that guarantee six Republican seats and only one Democrat seat in a state thats 27% Black. Is the Black community a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Democrat party, creating a property right for the political Left? Meanwhile, Jerry Nadlers New York district looks like the colors in partly mixed taffy. So, whats a mother to do? All these squabbling children are pointing fingers in every direction, with little concern for facts. Then, the Supreme Court does little but tell Alabama plaintiffs to wait because the election is too close for an equitable remedy. Back when Elbridge Gerry drew the salamander that packed his supporters into a single district, the number of voters was minuscule compared to today. Today, each Congress-Critter represents, on average, about 760 thousand people. The first US Census in 1790 showed a total of just under 4 million people total, of whom roughly 19% were slaves. It takes just five of todays Congress-Critters to represent that many people. Count-em. Five. Im sure that Virginians would have been just as upset about a Vermonter representing them as I was about being stuffed into Corrine Browns district that ran from Jacksonville to Orlando and is sometimes only fifty yards wide. But it was a safe seat for her, including Black communities in both areas. I had the bad luck to live a mile from one of those. The Supreme Court declined to intervene in Pennsylvania three years ago, noting that the districts were a state matter. So, their punt on the Alabama case may indicate that theyll ultimately stand clear, declaring the issue to be local, rather than federal. And that brings us back full circle. One unratified Constitutional Amendment points the way out of this mess. The original First Amendment laid out how many people could be in a single Congressional district. After a couple of steps, each Representative was targeted to have about 50 thousand constituents. If we did that, wed have 6,600 Congress-Critters. Thats a bunch. They wouldnt fit in the Capitol building. But with that many, each one would actually be connected to the home district. Unfortunately, that amendment is still unratified and wont ever be. But there are other options. Without an amendment, a 1911 statute fixed the number of Representatives at 435. With the US population then at 92 million, that meant that each Representative had about 211,000 constituents. If Congress were to expand to keep that degree of representation, then we would have 1,594 Congress-Critters. Thats not even four times as many as we have now. Image: House chamber in the Capitol. Public Domain. If we reduced the number of constituents per Representative, it might be difficult to get them all into the House chambers, but thats a tradition and architecture question. Our problem is representation. And that number can be increased by an Act of Congress, not a Constitutional Amendment. The target number of Representatives can be adjusted in a variety of ways for a variety of reasons. My preference would be to limit the size of districts to about one hundred thousand citizens. This seems to be a happy medium between actually representing the people and having an unwieldy House. Of course, there will be objections. The classic objection will be, Why change when things are working just fine? As any astute student of the obvious will note, things arent working so well. Jerry Nadlers district is Exhibit 1. There should be no need for such an abomination. The next excuse is another red herring. How do we handle hearing so many people? This is based on the same flimsy architecture argument. And at this point, the Imperial Senate scene from Revenge of the Sith comes to mind. A large array of members are seated in a large amphitheater, listening to selected speakers. They are in turn selected as spokespersons for various constituencies. That is the solution to the problem. To make it more interesting, perhaps we could arrange the House like the British House of Commons, where each party faces the other. The true objection is simple: Multiplying seats means diluting power and the power brokers dont want that. They cant keep track of that many skeletons in closets or unpaid favors. Party discipline will fade into actual representation. The current House Chamber could still be used for various ceremonial events such as the State of the Union. A bit of creative chair-arranging would allow for the appearance of the traditional event. If its not possible to get so many people in, then perhaps a creative lottery or another selection method could be used. Who cares? As for debate, how many are allowed to speak anyway? The House doesnt hear from 435 speakers...ever. It probably doesnt hear from more than a couple dozen because it doesnt have the unlimited debate rules of the Senate. Taking this a step further, most of the real persuasion happens in offices and committees. By the time something comes out of committee, it has pretty well been beaten around, and few votes remain to be whipped. But this would be an actual problem that the House could solve for itself. New rules for meetings and voting would make the old 435 seats look...well... ancient. Coming back to the gerrymander, having a sliced and diced House would mean that it would be very easy to draw simple districts with the requisite number of citizens. A little adjustment here or variant there might sway a handful of districts, but with so many districts, that effect would probably be swamped. Instead, wed see a lot more competitive campaigns. Of course, the Democrats wont like that, and neither will entrenched Republicans. But the people will love it. There wont be saturation campaigns funded by outside money because there will be simply too many campaigns to fund. Old-fashioned shoe-leather will become valuable again. Safe, inner-city Democrat districts arent likely to change much. Left-leaning people tend to concentrate far more than right-leaning people do. So, Ds will multiply their inner-city seats, but their practices extract their votes from other areas. Rs will see a bigger advantage in those places because they dont pack themselves together as tightly Ds. We dont trust the government. It has gotten too far away from the people, and we want some real say in whats happening. Gerrymandering is just one illustration of how politicians protect themselves at our expense. Multiplying the number of seats in the House would be one way of diluting that power and restoring the Houses representative role. Ted Noel MD is a retired Anesthesiologist/Intensivist who podcasts and posts on social media as DoctorTed and @vidzette. His DoctorTed podcasts are available on iHeart, Stitcher, Pandora and other channels. Amnesty International chose recently to throw its reputation, credibility, and honor into the gutter with a report that accuses Israel of being an "apartheid state" and guilty of "crimes against humanity." Amnesty has apparently embraced the purported intersectionality between the genuine oppression of black Americans prior to legal and social changes that made discrimination both unlawful and socially unacceptable and terrorists who have stated openly their intention to exterminate or drive out the region's Jews, implement genuine apartheid against Christians, and treat women and LGBT people like second-class citizens or worse. Terrorists are no bargain for peaceful Muslims, either, and an Amnesty International part-time worker named Hind Khoudary is alleged credibly to have set up an Arab peace activist to be arrested (he was), tortured, and possibly murdered by Hamas, as he was never heard from again. "Khoudary explained that she did not tag Hamas officials in her Facebook posts against Rami Aman to get him arrested but as a protest against normalization activities." She therefore stipulates that (1) she made sure terrorists learned that Rami Aman was communicating with Israelis, which Hamas regards as treason, and (2) she is against normalization activities. As for not wanting him arrested, what did she expect to happen to him? Amnesty's report also comes dangerously close to the line, and quite possibly on the wrong side of it, of denial of Israel's right to exist, which is anti-Semitic by definition. The report cites for example the "right" of Palestinians who fled their homes during the invasion of Israel by terrorists (I prefer "terrorists" to "Arabs" in this context, just as I would have blamed "Nazis" rather than "Germans" for the events of 1939 through 1945) to return to Israel and overwhelm Israel demographically to the extent that it becomes just one more dictatorship similar to Syria and also Gaza instead of a free nation with equal rights for all its citizens, including Muslims and Christians who share its ideals. The report adds, "For example, Palestinian citizens of Israel are denied a nationality, establishing a legal differentiation from Jewish Israelis." Arabs (and therefore presumably Palestinians) are well represented in the Knesset. Antisemite International's support (please feel free to use this new name for them) of the so-called Right of Return is but one example of perceived denial of Israel's right to exist. "Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has pursued a policy of establishing and then maintaining a Jewish demographic majority, and maximizing control over land and resources to benefit Jewish Israelis." Nobody apologizes for the fact that Israel was created deliberately by the United Nations as a Jewish state in 1948, noting also that land was put aside for Palestinian Arabs as well. The latter were driven from their homes, or encouraged to leave, by the terrorists who invaded Israel with the openly expressed intention of driving the Jews into the sea. If Amnesty International has a problem with Israel's defense of its population in 1948 and subsequently in 1967 and 1973, and against rocket attacks today, then it is fair to conclude that the organization has a problem with Jews. It also turns out that Amnesty International voted down a resolution to fight anti-Semitism in the U.K., which suggests that hatred of Jews has not just a home, but a mansion in Amnesty International. My perception is that the new name of Antisemite International is well deserved. See also this page on foreign policy bias, high staff salaries, and a toxic work environment at this organization. Who are the instigators? Why did Amnesty International throw away its good name by shilling for the agenda of Hamas? We can speculate reasonably that it is for the same reason that 501(c)(3) professional societies such as the American Studies Association and Middle East Studies Association, religious organizations like the Presbyterian Church USA and the United Church of Christ, and 501(c)(5) unions such as the Seattle Education Association and PSC-CUNY are putting their good names at risk by joining what I perceive as the Hamas-American Bund: dupes, stooges, and useful idiots for the agenda of terrorists. Legal Insurrection reports, in fact, that "Hamas 'views with great appreciation and respect the efforts of Amnesty International,'" just as I am sure Hitler viewed with great appreciation and respect the efforts of the German-American Bund during the late 1930s. It is reasonable to believe that, in most if not all cases, various cabals of instigators are manipulating the organizations in question the same way a virus infests a cell and forces it to make copies of the virus. That's good for the virus but bad for the cell. "Scientists discover tipping point for the spread of ideas" describes how a relatively small cabal of manipulators can take over an organization or a society. "[W]hen only ten percent of the public holds a firm opinion, the majority will always follow." This is how the Nazis took over one of Europe's most advanced and civilized nations during the 1930s and then led it to ruin. Dr. Paul Linebarger's Psychological Warfare contends, however, that the figure is closer to two percent, as proven by the communists. If your organization, whether it's Amnesty International, PCUSA, ASA, MESA, Seattle Education Association, PSC-CUNY, or whatever, has only two or three members out of every hundred who, whether through ignorance, hatred of Jews, hatred of Western civilization, or support for terrorism, can coordinate their efforts sufficiently well to put your organization into the Hamas-American Bund, that is exactly what will happen. These instigators and agents provocateurs believe that sacrifices must be made for the Cause, at least sacrifices by anybody but themselves. If your organization's reputation is left in ruins, as has happened to Ben & Jerry's, you get sued by your own members, as happened to the ASA and PSC-CUNY, or your tax exemption gets revoked for ultra vires activities or because the pro-Israel side found material on your website that could be construed reasonably as an attempt to influence an election and material of that nature has indeed been found and reported to the IRS via Form 13909 in a couple of cases it's just part of the price that must be paid, and not by the instigators. Remember that there is a difference between cancer and a virus. Cancer cannot outlive its host, but a virus kills its host and goes on living. The instigators who are dragging your business, 501(c)(3) organization, or 501(c)(5) union into the anti-Israel movement are quite likely to imitate a virus by ruining your organization, but they will simply write it off as a cost of serving the Cause and go on to wreak more havoc elsewhere. Businesses should therefore consider disciplinary action up to and including dismissal, and 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(5)s sanctions up to and including expulsion, for activity of this nature. This is not "cancel culture" that seeks to get somebody fired for opinions he expresses outside the organization and while not speaking on its behalf, but rather self-defense against instigators who bring these agendas under the organization's roof. Civis Americanus is the pen name of a contributor who remembers the lessons of history and wants to ensure that our country never needs to learn those lessons again the hard way. The author is remaining anonymous due to the likely prospect of being subjected to "cancel culture" for exposing the Big Lie behind Black Lives Matter. Image: Prachatai via Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Last week, the Washington Examiner reported that "no one appears to have been in charge at Black Lives Matter for months. The address it lists on tax forms is wrong, and the charity's two board members won't say who controls BLM's millions." The report also referred to "BLM's shocking lack of transparency surrounding its finances and operations," which "raises major legal and ethical red flags" according to "multiple charity experts." Back in April 2021, the New York Post reported that BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors, then its executive director, had spent $3.2 million on various real estate properties across the U.S. Last February, BLM had published an "impact report," which states that it closed out 2020 with $60 million in its bank accounts. The outfit failed to file taxes for 2020, the year it raised millions after George Floyd's death. Indiana's attorney general slammed BLM as a "scam" whose "house of cards may be falling" amid the growing legal attention. The states of Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Virginia have all revoked BLM's charitable registration, while California and Washington are threatening to hold the nonprofit's officers personally liable for its lack of financial transparency. So how did it all begin? BLM used the business model pioneered by veteran race-hustler Al Sharpton. Sharpton's functioned with the implicit message "support me or you are a racist," which also means "donate (to my charity) or you are a racist." Sharpton used his charity to enrich himself and his family. Sharpton was also a tax-dodger. In 2016, Sharpton personally owed over $3 million in federal taxes. BLM also used ploys frequently adapted by Obama operatives that criticism of Obama's presidency was motivated by racism. It was effective, causing Republicans and media personnel to hesitate to be critical of Obama, which enabled Obama to win a second term despite his myriad fiascos. BLM began as a trend on social media that evolved into a slogan chanted by "protesters." Next, they set the narrative that those who refused to say "Black Lives Matter" were racist. Cowardly politicians and media folks submitted. Then BLM convinced people in politics, showbiz, and business that they were the sole adjudicators in matters of race. While BLM was founded in 2013 following Trayvon Martin's death and raised funds following the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, and Michael Brown, it was the death of George Floyd in 2020 that took BLM to new depths with widespread riots and looting across the country. Celebrities posted photos of Floyd and logos of BLM on social media. Corporate houses, including Big Tech firms such as Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, supported BLM. Google committed $12 million, Facebook and Amazon donated $10 million, and Apple pledged a whopping $100 million. Walmart announced a contribution of $100 million, while Target announced $10 million and Home Depot announced $1 million. Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie, Steve Carell, Seth Rogen, Kate Beckinsale, and Ryan Reynolds donated handsomely to BLM. Perhaps corporations and stars didn't know or care about BLM and weren't keen on parting with their money. But the climate created was such that donating was the sole way to prove that they were the "good ones." It was also like protection money to prevent the vandals from banging at their doors. In addition to accepting donations, BLM also hawks merchandise on its website, which enables it to enhance its brand. BLM never concedes any improvements in matters of race because that could make the group irrelevant and hamper fundraising, which is usually based on lies and overstatements. BLM's branding strategy was clever, with sinister motives that caused its astronomical rise. It had a terse and catchy slogan and virtue attached to its brand, which implicitly meant that those who didn't donate were immoral. In a country such as the U.S., there will always be an instance of crime that can be magnified through the lens of race, which presents an opportunity for fundraising. When activism becomes a profession, the cause has to be kept alive. Despite the claims of being Marxist, the people running BLM conduct their business and enrich themselves like capitalists. However, unlike capitalists, theirs is not a free market. Their totalitarian "my way or the highway" proclivities are being used to establish a monopoly among donors for race issues. Like most big multi-national corporations, BLM has offices in the U.K. and Canada, where more funds can be raised. If this were just a scam that conned myriad wealthy corporations and celebrities, BLM could have been forgiven. But their influence has been damaging to the social fabric of the U.S. The rioting, looting, burning, and thefts by BLM thugs have caused losses of between $1 million to $2 million. The vandals almost always targeted working-class localities and even hurt businesses run by black people. The wealthy who had already paid their protection money were usually (but not always) spared. Perhaps BLM knows that if its thugs were to riot in affluent localities, the police would be empowered to take severe action. Much like their vandalism and rioting, these people's call to "defund the police" applies only to working-class localities. The powerful in Washington are permitted to have ample police protection from protests. The media are also culpable, since they frequently downplay the violence, describing it as protests. When BLM rioters were arrested, Hollywood stars bailed them out. Now that BLM has been caught committing fraud, expect it to play the race card again. The media and its donors who should question it will remain silent. So what is BLM's legacy? The money these people raised could have been invested to improve the lives of non-white people. If that had happened, the founders would have been pardoned for making some money on the side. Instead, it appears that the only non-white people who benefited from BLM were the founders. What makes it worse is the venom they spread. In addition to causing loss of property and lives, BLM's toxic rhetoric may have permanently damaged the social fabric of the country. Their relentless campaign may have convinced a section of black people that their country hates them. This may cause some to stay away from education and hard work because they think systemic racism will prevent them from being successful, irrespective of their qualifications or talents. Their prolonged despondency causes them to be destructive toward themselves and others. They see their own countrymen as their persecutors merely because of their skin color. The divide is permanent. They are brainwashed to think every law enforcement official is an enemy. Some day they may react badly, perhaps violently, to the most innocuous inquiry from a policeman, and in the worst case even end up with a bullet in their bodies. BLM turns up at the crime scene once again, using individual incidents to raise funds, and the ugly cycle continues. Perhaps many among these disillusioned youths could have been the next great inventors, writers, teachers, and leaders, but now their lives are wasted. What BLM has done is disgraceful. Like vultures, these people have enriched themselves on the corpses of black men. They must be stopped! Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License. On February 9, 2022, Andrew W. Coy asked, "What's the Deal with Mike Pence?" One thing is that former vice president Pence was always a weak leader. While he was governor, Indiana passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2015, which essentially clarified a federal law that Democrats overwhelmingly sponsored and President Clinton signed into law. Then-senator Barack Obama supported a similar state law in Illinois. Indiana's version simply stated that, in civil cases, courts could consider religious burdens that the conflict caused. The law never said religion would trump any other right. The left took this to mean that anytime a gay person came into conflict with a religious person e.g., baking an LGBT "wedding" cake Indiana courts would always decide in favor of the religious argument. The MSM went crazy and went out of their way to find a person in some tiny Indiana town who declared that her pizza place would never cater to a gay "wedding." The pizza place was canceled immediately by protesters from around the country. Our state was attacked from every direction as being full of racists. Companies like SalesForce threatened to leave the state altogether. Angie's List disingenuously claimed that, due to the RFRA, it was canceling a taxpayer-funded expansion (that was soon to be voted down anyway). Nonetheless, Pence and our lawmakers quickly wrote an amendment specifying that "the RFRA does not authorize a provider to refuse to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing to any member or members of the general public on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service." In other words, Pence and the legislators screwed up, first by creating a law we probably didn't even need in the first place, and then by creating a law to protect LGBT and other rights at the expense of religious rights. The truth of the matter is that Indiana did not pass a law targeting the LGBT community or anyone else. The law did nothing more than clarify existing federal and state laws that various circuit courts of appeals and even the U.S. Department of Justice under President Obama have ruled on. At the time, several courts had interpreted differently some of the nineteen then-existing state and federal RFRA laws. The basic question had always been whether the RFRA be used as a defense in lawsuits not involving the government. Indiana's original RFRA stated, "A person whose exercise of religion has been substantially burdened ... by a violation of this chapter may assert the violation ... as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding, regardless of whether the state or any other governmental entity is a party to the proceeding." It turns out that Indiana's law was directly in accordance with what four federal appellate courts and the Obama Justice Department under Attorney General Eric Holder had already recognized about the federal RFRA law. That is, defendants may in fact use religious beliefs as a defense in private lawsuits not involving the government. This did not mean that a religious defense would automatically apply in a given case. It meant only that the court could consider a religious defense if the defendant raised one. In our not always black-and-white world, when two codified principles of freedom come up against each other in a court of law, one should not automatically trump the other. This is as it should be. We must always try to determine what is the best outcome for each case. Indiana was simply making the RFRA law clearer as to how it should be interpreted in the courts of the State of Indiana...an interpretation already well established in case law by various federal appeals courts and by the Obama Justice Department. Unfortunately, then-governor Pence and other lawmakers did not have the courage to defend the merits of the RFRA. As to whether or not Pence could have done anything about the 2020 presidential election, I don't know but I fear he would not have...even if he could have. By the way, after the amendment, these door stickers began popping up everywhere: It is a safe assumption that few Americans know about the December 6, 2021 filing with the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing 16 high-ranking individuals of genocide and other related crimes against humanity due to their actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ICC filing is on behalf of the people of the United Kingdom (U.K.) who have suffered nearly 160,000 COVID-19 deaths and serious adverse reactions to mandated experimental vaccines. Among the accused 16 individuals are Dr. Anthony Fauci; Dr. Peter Daszak; Bill and Melinda Gates; Boris Johnson; and the chief executive officers of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson corporations. Among the seven individuals filing the ICC complaint is Dr. Michael Yeadon, former vice president and chief scientist of allergy and respiratory research at Pfizer. This article suggests that the UK ICC filing can serve as a precursor and precedent for American criminal indictments of several high-ranking individuals due to their COVID-19 pandemic-related activities. Rather than hope for the federal government to take action of any kind, the indictments could come from grand juries convened by one or more state attorneys general on behalf of the thousands of citizens (and their surviving loved ones) in their respective states who have died and/or suffered due to the COVID-19 virus and/or mandated experimental vaccinations. Background . The ICC investigates crimes that concern the international community. Its activities are governed by an international treaty called the Rome Statute, which has been ratified by over 120 countries including the United States. The ICC can "step in" when a member-state fails to take appropriate action to bring a criminal to justice. In theory, member-states are supposed to cooperate with the court. Among other things, the U.K. ICC filing accuses the 16 defendants of violating several of the medical research ethics principles prescribed in the 1947 Nuremberg Code. According to attorney Dr. Francis Boyle, professor of criminal and international law at the University of Illinois College of Law, the Rome Statute enables the Nuremberg Code to be enforced by the signatory countries The Nuremberg Code contains ten established medical ethical standards that must be followed when performing medical experiments on human subjects. Two of the most important are 1) gaining informed consent to participate in medical experiments and 2) first testing experimental drugs and vaccines on animals before administering them to humans. Neither of the above two important Nuremberg Code standards was adhered to when medical professionals, governmental officials, and other high-ranking individuals mandated that people receive COVID-19 experimental vaccines. Thus, criminal charges of genocide and other crimes against humanity have been brought against 16 high-ranking individuals who failed to abide by the above provisions of the Nuremberg Code. Investigation/Prosecution Strategy . Given the above U.K. ICC filing, one can ask: why not pursue a similar ICC filing by American citizens against essentially the same parties named in the U.K. filing (with the exception of Boris Johnson)? Additional defendants could be Dr. Francis Collins and certain other high-ranking American officials. Rather than rely on the federal government to take action, one or more state attorneys general could conceivably file a complaint with the ICC similar to the U.K. filing. But this action in and by itself would leave the process and outcome completely independent on and outside American jurisprudence not an acceptable or desirable alternative. Whether or not the U.K. ICC filing will be successful in prosecuting any of the named 16 defendants is unknown and uncertain. In lieu of an ICC filing, what can happen in the United States is for one or more state attorneys general to implement a different strategy using their own prosecutorial authority. The strategy would have at least one state attorney general do the following: 1) identify the key high-ranking individuals whose actions need investigation to ascertain if COVID-19-related crimes have been committed, and 2) if there is sufficient evidence of criminal activity, convene a grand jury to hear the evidence and move forward with indictments in accordance with state criminal statutes. It has been established that the gain-of-function COVID-19 research performed by the Chinese communist government at the Wuhan Laboratory was a reckless, clandestine activity authorized, sponsored, and funded by Drs. Fauci, Collins, Daszak, and other officials. The U.S. Department of Defense refused to perform this research as it was deemed unsafe and violated a moratorium on such research. The gain-of-function research led either directly or indirectly to the suffering and deaths of hundreds of thousands of American citizens and residents. Based on conclusive evidence being presented to a grand jury, it is suggested that at a minimum, such evidence will warrant charges of criminal negligence and/or involuntary manslaughter. Depending on the evidence produced and provisions in state criminal codes, charges of murder and/or conspiracy to commit murder may also ensue. In conclusion, millions of law-abiding Americans are sick and tired of high-ranking individuals committing crimes for which they somehow escape accountability and punishment. If evidence indicates that such individuals are guilty of COVID-19-related crimes as described herein, they most certainly need to be held accountable and punished. It is truly time to take action against those committing COVID-19 crimes! Paul S. Gardiner is a retired Army officer, Vietnam veteran, and lover of America. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, University of Alabama, and the United States Army War College. He is hopeful that accountability and justice soon will come to high-ranking individuals found guilty of COVID-19-related crimes. Image via Flickr, Public Domain. Mitch McConnell obviously has never met a conservative populist (AKA Trump-supporter) he liked. That clearly is indicated by his gratuitous defense of GOP turncoats Cheney and Kinzinger. Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, in what was an effective statement on McConnell's harsh words for the GOP base, indicated by her closing paragraphs, how egregious were McConnell's harsh words for the MAGA patriots. Via Townhall: I firmly believe we are the big tent party, and that disagreement amongst Republicans is welcome and can make us stronger. But what Cheney and Kinzinger are engaged in goes much further than any policy disagreement. These two have permitted their party affiliation to be weaponized to allow the Democrats gross overreach and abuse of power. In short, they never should have agreed to be part of a committee where Republicans were denied representation. As I have repeatedly stated, violence is not legitimate political discourse whether in the U.S. Capitol or in Democrat-run cities across the country and neither is abusing Congress' investigatory powers for political gain. Media outlets pretending that the RNC believes otherwise are doing so in bad faith, and their lies should be called out for the cheap political stunts they are. That is the statement that McConnell should have made. Instead, not unlike Cheney, his denunciation of the RNC's censure of Cheney and Kinzinger could have been based on a Pelosi handout, with talking points for anti-GOP propagandists. The Republican Senate leader had to know he would get favorable treatment in The New York Times for denouncing the RNC allowing for his possible disappointment that his anti-GOP statement got only the second lead, not the lead, in the February 9 print edition: Party Censures/Earn a Rebuke/By McConnell And underneath that headline was this subhead: Leader Calls Jan. 6 a/"Violent Insurrection." Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0 license. What more do the Democrats need for anti-Republican propaganda during the midterm congressional campaign than Cheney's attacks on congressional Republicans, bolstered by McConnell's attack on the RNC for censuring Cheney and Kinzinger? Here is the sentence containing the Democrat-propagated lie that the Capitol Hill intrusion, January 6, 2021, was a "violent insurrection" repeated mindlessly by the blundering Republican leader in the U.S. Senate for the New York Times to blare out: It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election, from one administration to the next. That's what it was. That's what it was not! No one tried to prevent "the peaceful transfer of power." The January 6 demonstrators by far most of them were concerned about the wrongful transfer of power. But it wasn't enough for McConnell to identify with the radical Democrats who are weaponizing "Jan. 6" in a desperate bid to hold Congress in next November's elections. He had to defend the vicious attacks by the turncoats on Republicans, declaring that Cheney and Kinzinger merely have different views from most GOP officials', and that it was not in the purview of the RNC to censure such views. What rot. Only an experienced pol paralyzed by hatred for Donald Trump could spout such nonsense. McConnell, if he were not unbalanced by his support for the swamp, should have expressed sentiments in accord with Ms. McDaniel's response to criticism of the RNC's reasonable action against Cheney and Kinzinger. One senses that Mitch McConnell has thrown down the gauntlet: "It's either Trump or me. If Trump remains the titular head of the GOP after the midterm elections, I'm out of here." In that case, the Trump base would have all the more reason to support the conservative-populist MAGA movement next November and beyond. As for leadership in the Senate, Rand Paul or Josh Hawley would be a welcome change from denizen-of-the-swamp McConnell. Over the past ten months, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has failed to comply with a number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests relating to the agency's role in a seventy-four-billion-dollar municipal bond Ponzi scheme. Government agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission are required by law to comply with FOIA requests. The SEC has repeatedly failed to comply with numerous FOIA requests relating to their role in the Puerto Rico municipal bond default the largest such default in American history. The SEC's failure to comply with the law has resulted in a federal lawsuit in the federal district court in Central California. In court documents, the SEC claims that it had either no knowledge or insufficient knowledge of securities fraud related to the Puerto Rico bond default. Unfortunately, in a FOIA request that the SEC complied with, the SEC is shown to have in its possession over 2,800 pages of information related to the Puerto Rico bonds detailing acts of securities fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, extortion, bribery, theft, and government payoffs. In all, the SEC had documents showing over sixty major felonies that caused the Puerto Rico bond default. What is more concerning is the fact that the SEC's rank and file wrote over 268,000 internal emails (see below) that have the words "Puerto Rico bonds" and words like fraud, Ponzi scheme, fraudulent, criminal, and illegal within the same email. So what is really going on, and what is the SEC trying to hide? It is clear from the SEC's own records that the SEC knew that all the Puerto Rico bonds were part of a huge Ponzi scheme, similar to what Bernie Madoff was sent to prison for. Their rank and file were begging the SEC leadership to let them act against this well-documented securities fraud but were stopped at every turn by the political appointees that run the SEC. The fraudulent Puerto Rico bonds were sold to the American public by America's largest banks Citibank, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America, along with a dozen more institutions. If the SEC were to act against the major Wall Street banks, they would be liable for tens of billions of dollars in losses taken by American citizens. According to the Federal Election Commission, in 2016 when this scheme appeared to be collapsing, the major Wall Street banks sent over one hundred and twenty million dollars to our United States senators. In return, the senators made sure that the people they appointed to run the Department of Justice and the SEC killed all investigations, prosecutions, and regulatory action that could hurt their Wall Street campaign contributors. By any standard, even that of the Washington D.C. swamp, this Ponzi scheme was one of the largest crimes in American history. The campaign contributions were bribes, and the senators' actions made them participants in this criminal enterprise. None of this is difficult to follow or prove. Everyone's actions are trackable and well documented. The reason the SEC is fighting these FOIA requests is that it would uncover the SEC's active role in aiding and abetting these crimes under the direction of United States politicians. The SEC has done and will continue to do whatever it can to deny access to these documents. In early March, the Federal District Court will almost certainly issue court orders forcing the SEC to provide the requested documents. The only question is, will the SEC comply with the courts? Regardless of the outcome of this lawsuit, the SEC is facing two additional lawsuits claiming financial damages for their arguably criminal participation in this scheme. With or without the SEC documents, the juries in these cases will be exposed to detailed information about the crimes, testimony from DoJ and SEC whistleblowers, and much more. The SEC's reluctance to comply with the law on FOIA requests will just be additional evidence of their likely guilt in this whole criminal enterprise. Richard Lawless is an investigative journalist who has written articles for America's largest media outlets on complex financial crimes and government corruption. Mr. Lawless is the author of Capitol Hill's Criminal Underground, a non-fiction book that details Washington's participation in this bond fraud. Mr. Lawless was a career banker and a graduate of Pepperdine University and holds a Master's degree in business and finance. Image: SEC. No more fitting song could have been chosen for the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony than John Lennon's "Imagine." This head-in-the-clouds hippie's laundry list of items necessary for a utopia actually doubles quite well as a communist dictator's manifesto. Let's start with the famous first line "imagine there's no heaven / It's easy if you try / No hell below us / Above us, only sky." In the communist ideology, there can be no heaven because the system must create a heaven on earth. Thus, the "opiate of the masses" should be replaced with material wealth (which is the sum of happiness and well-being) for all. A materialist will argue that belief in an afterlife not only is wrong, but inhibits the improvement of life on earth by placing the importance in this life below that of the next. The historian will argue that all attempts to make a heaven on earth through political systems have created something more akin to hell. The next bit of the song is a curious one coming from a well traveled individual who presumably had a deep appreciation for cultures other than his own "imagine there's no countries / it isn't hard to do / Nothing to kill or die for." You would think that a man who was married to a Japanese woman would in fact have a hard time imagining that the land mass called "Japan" and the land mass called "America" were one and the same culturally and politically. Perhaps this line was simply wishful thinking, written during Lennon's years-long struggle to get a green card that would allow him to move freely in and out of the country and ensure that he wouldn't be deported. Today's globalist held up at customs likely feels the same. During the opening ceremony, these lines especially read as the conquering dictator's dream "if only there could be no separate countries, just one world to rule over," thinks the one who wants to conquer the world and replace all cultures with his own. Meanwhile, this part of the song probably evokes dread from the Taiwanese. And that infamous next line "and no religion too," is also the dream of every Marxist. Freed from belief in a higher power and traditional morality, the world is able to fully embrace belief in the state as the highest power and its rules as the true morality. Beyond the communist dictator's dream, this song may also be the dream of a nihilist, since it essentially asks us to imagine if nothing mattered. While war is terrible, it also implies that there is something to die for our country, our loved ones, and our freedom. Even imagining a world without possessions is nihilistic in nature, not altruistic. What about your family heirlooms, your books, your land? To quote Gerald O'Hara, "[land] is the only thing worth fighting for, worth dying for, because it's the only thing that lasts." As an abbreviated version of all of this ran through my head during the song, the end was jarring: "you may say I'm a dreamer / But I'm not the only one / I hope someday you'll join us / And the world will live as one." The only way I'd say he's a dreamer is if his dream is a nightmare, and I definitely do not wish to "live as one" with those who commit serious human right violations. In our time of obsession with diversity and individual freedom, we are not at all protected against the movement towards homogenization and totalitarianism. If anything, the focus on the self exemplified by the portrayal of athletes as almost super-humans competing first for themselves and only second for their countries will lead to the world imagined for John Lennon by first creating isolation from one another, inevitable discord and chaos, and then one violently unifying revolution. Two odd little reports appeared in the past couple of days, both of which involve the federal government redefining things that, before the Biden administration, had mostly agreed-upon definitions that were not hostile to ordinary Americans and that recognized American sovereignty. One report concerns a changed terrorism definition from the Department of Homeland Security, while the other redefines the mission of the Department of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Department of Homeland Security promulgated a new National Terrorism Advisory Systems (NTAS) bulletin. The terrorists are no longer radical student groups seeking to blow up the government (groups such as the Weathermen, which Obama's mentor, Bill Ayers, founded) or Islamic fundamentalist groups seeking a new caliphate bathed in American blood. The new terrorist threat is...you. It's now official government policy that "misinformation" which means disagreeing with the Biden administration, the media, and tech tyrants is proto-terrorism. That's how we end up with this February 7, 2022, NTAS bulletin (emphasis mine): The United States remains in a heightened threat environment fueled by several factors, including an online environment filled with false or misleading narratives and conspiracy theories, and other forms of mis- dis- and mal-information (MDM) introduced and/or amplified by foreign and domestic threat actors. These threat actors seek to exacerbate societal friction to sow discord and undermine public trust in government institutions to encourage unrest, which could potentially inspire acts of violence. Mass casualty attacks and other acts of targeted violence conducted by lone offenders and small groups acting in furtherance of ideological beliefs and/or personal grievances pose an ongoing threat to the nation. While the conditions underlying the heightened threat landscape have not significantly changed over the last year, the convergence of the following factors has increased the volatility, unpredictability, and complexity of the threat environment: (1) the proliferation of false or misleading narratives, which sow discord or undermine public trust in U.S. government institutions[.] ... [snip] The proliferation of false or misleading narratives, which sow discord or undermine public trust in U.S. government institutions: For example, there is widespread online proliferation of false or misleading narratives regarding unsubstantiated widespread election fraud and COVID-19. Grievances associated with these themes inspired violent extremist attacks during 2021. As Thomas Lifson wrote yesterday, this "sounds precisely like a prelude to a totalitarian crackdown on political dissent." Regarding COVID, as Democrats are finally turning on masks (except for masking students, who are least at risk), we can confidently say that every single bit of "information" that the Biden administration pushed out was, in fact, misinformation: the administration (and its holdovers from the Trump presidency) were wrong about the virus's origins (or lied about them), about therapeutics, about masks, about lockdowns, and about the vaccines' efficacy. Everything they said was wrong. But if you doubted or still doubt them, you are a terror threat. Thomas Lifson adds: As my friend David Kahn emailed: The Administration claims that its withdrawal from Afghanistan was a "great success". That would make those who criticize the Presidents withdrawal as an inept disaster the promoters of misleading information who are undermining the government and its institutions and thus terrorist threats. And the President himself regularly criticizes our government institutions including most recently the United States Senate and its filibuster rule going so far as to call it a relic of the Jim Crow era. And he has likened members of the Senate to the infamous Bull Connor and other Jim Crow officials. Biden has proclaimed that the federal elections to be conducted in 2022 will be unreliable and unfair if his proposed election reform act is not enacted. But apparently he believes that when such criticisms are made by private citizens they are terrorist threats. Likewise, in the year since January 6, we've learned that it was anything but an insurrection, and certainly nothing near as bad as the BLM and Antifa riots in 2020. I won't beat that dead horse, but I urge you to check out this Revolver article. Image: Stop the mandate protest in St. Paul, August 28, 2021, by Hayley Tschetter (with added text). CC BY-SA 2.0. Do you feel intimated knowing that the government has effectively announced that, if you point out everything as to which it's been wrong and is continuing to be wrong, you will be viewed as a potential domestic terrorist? You're certainly meant to feel that way. And just yesterday, Townhall's Spencer Brown caught a significant change to the mission statement for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Full story on the USCIS mission change and how the agency is heralding the removal of lines about "lawful immigration" and "protecting Americans" as "a reflection" of the Biden admin's priorities.https://t.co/QpTKlA9g9E Spencer Brown (@itsSpencerBrown) February 9, 2022 The old version: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services administers the nation's lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values. That's straightforward enough: America is a nation of laws, some of which govern immigration, and the USCIS is responsible for enforcing those laws fairly and in a way that protects Americans and America. The new version is much shorter: USCIS upholds America's promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve. Suddenly, USCIS is unconcerned with the rule of law and unconcerned with protecting Americans. It is, instead, an organization that exists to make life easier for the millions of illegal aliens the Biden administration is encouraging to enter America and then, once they are in America, funding and resettling them in districts that willfully refuse to vote for Democrats. In other words, the Biden administration has stood America on its head: those who dare to disagree with the administration are potential terrorists and please, ignore the whole First Amendment "shtick" about the federal government being barred from "abridging the freedom of speech ... or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." In Biden's America, the Constitution has grown beyond such petty things as individual liberty. Meanwhile, even as the government is intimidating ordinary Americans into abandoning their right to protest their government, it's making it patently clear that its immigration agency exists for the benefit of illegal aliens, not American citizens. Never before in American history have we had an American government that is a mob-style enforcement agency against citizens and one, moreover, that happily fulfills that role because it so patently hates the citizens over whom it has this power. Michael E. Hensle Named Special Agent in Charge of the Milwaukee Field Office Director Christopher Wray has named Michael E. Hensle as the special agent in charge of the Milwaukee Field Office. Mr. Hensle most recently served as the deputy assistant director of the Inspection Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mr. Hensle joined the FBI as a special agent in 2003 and was assigned to the Albany Field Office in New York, where he worked white-collar violationsincluding financial institution fraud and health care fraudpublic corruption, and civil rights. In 2006, Mr. Hensle transferred to the Newark Field Office in New Jersey, where he continued to work public corruption and investigated organized crime, domestic terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction violations. In 2008, Mr. Hensle was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate at FBI Headquarters and worked in the Infrastructure Countermeasures Unit and Biological Countermeasures Unit. In 2011, he was promoted to unit chief of the Biological Countermeasures Unit, where he led the bioterrorism program and initiatives to prevent the acquisition, production, and use of biological agents as weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Mr. Hensle transferred to the Salt Lake City Field Office in 2012 for the first of several assignments. He initially led the domestic terrorism, WMD, and crisis management programs for Utah, Idaho, and Montana. In 2015, he was promoted to assistant special agent in charge over Salt Lake Citys counterterrorism, WMD, crisis management, and administrative programs and oversaw the eight resident agencies in Montana. In 2017, he led Salt Lake Citys counterintelligence, cyber, intelligence, and administrative programs and continued to oversee the resident agencies in Montana. In 2018, Mr. Hensle was promoted to inspector in the Inspection Division at FBI Headquarters. He was appointed to chief inspector in 2020, with oversight of eight inspectors and staff in the Office of Inspections who conducted inspections of the FBIs 56 field offices, agent-involved shooting reviews, and special investigations. Later in 2020, Mr. Hensle was selected as deputy assistant director in the Inspection Division, where he continued to lead the Office of Inspections and oversaw the FBIs internal affairs portfolio. He also coordinated audits and reviews of the FBI conducted by the Department of Justices Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office. Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Hensle worked in the Environmental Health and Safety Office of Emory University in Georgia, in conjunction with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. He earned a masters degree in public health from Emory University and a bachelors degree from Ithaca College in New York in applied psychology. This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Potential of Chinas domestic demand to be continuously unleashed 09:23, February 10, 2022 By Lu Yanan ( People's Daily China has maintained a leading position in the world in both economic development and epidemic prevention and control. Chinas advantage of a super-large market will continue to deliver benefits and the potential of Chinas domestic demand will continue to be unleashed, said an official with Chinas National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). A citizen in Nanjing city, capital of east Chinas Jiangsu province, shops for flowers for the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival, Jan. 27, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Gu Changwang) In 2021, China continued to be a frontrunner in terms of economic development and COVID-19 containment. To guarantee stable economic operation, various localities and competent departments across the country rolled out a series of policies and measures to stabilize investment, stimulate consumption, and facilitate the growth of the domestic market last year. These policies and measures have helped the country realize continuous recovery in its consumer market and sustain growth momentum in investment. Domestic consumption has remained a major driving force for Chinas economic development, contributing 79.1 percent to the countrys economic growth in 2021, up 4.4 percentage points from the previous year. In 2021, the giant vessel of the Chinese economy traveled steadily and far. During the journey, Chinas domestic market continued to expand, supply capacity constantly improved, reform and opening-up reached deeper levels and broader areas, and peoples living standards were further raised, said the official with the NDRC. A duty-free store in Riyue Plaza in Haikou city, capital of south Chinas Hainan province, is crowded with customers, Jan. 1, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Wang Chenglong) These achievements are all helpful for continuously creating favorable conditions and more space for the growth of domestic consumption in 2022, according to the official. Chinas domestic consumption still has huge potential for growth. In 2021, the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 8.1 percent year on year to more than 114 trillion yuan (about $18 trillion). Meanwhile, Chinas per capita GDP exceeded $12,000, which is projected to surpass the global average. Last year, China remained the worlds second-largest commodity consumption market. As its new urbanization strategy was further promoted, the percentage of permanent urban residents in the country reached 64.72 percent in 2021, up 0.83 percentage points from that at the end of 2020. Continuous improvement in the quality of supply has guaranteed a smoother virtuous cycle of supply and demand in China. In 2021, China deepened supply-side structural reform, promoted the development of industrial Internet, big data, smart manufacturing and reverse customization, and fostered new industries and new products at a faster pace. Citizens shop at Bicester Village in Shanghai, Feb. 5, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Wang Chu) China has built the worlds largest 5G standalone network. Last year, the countrys shipments of 5G phones amounted to 266 million units, an increase of 63.5 percent from the previous year. The year 2021 also witnessed fast growth of both the production and sales of new-energy vehicles (NEVs) in China, with the countrys NEV output and sales surging 159.5 percent and 157.5 percent respectively to around 3.55 million units and 3.52 million units. In 2022, Chinas advantages of full-fledged industrial system and stable production capacity and the continuously improving innovation capability of enterprises will play a greater role in leading and creating domestic consumption, said the official with the NDRC. As Chinese peoples living standards have been improved continuously, their consumption desire has gradually recovered. Last year, Chinas job market remained generally stable, while peoples income continued to rise. The country added a total of 12.69 million new urban jobs in 2021, 830,000 more than that created in 2020. At the same time, Chinas per capita disposable income generally grew in step with the countrys economic growth, rising 8.1 percent year on year in real terms. The countrys social security system continued to improve in 2021. The numbers of people covered by the countrys basic old-age insurance and basic medical insurance stood at 1.03 billion and 1.36 billion, with the coverage rates of the two types of insurances exceeding 90 percent and 95 percent, respectively. In 2021, Chinas Engels coefficient was 29.8 percent, 0.4 percentage points lower than that of 2020. Against the backdrop of sporadic resurgence of COVID-19 cases in multiple regions, China has well protected peoples lives and safeguarded peoples livelihoods, laying a sound foundation for further boosting the recovery of peoples consumption desire, according to the official with the NDRC. As China achieved continuous progress in reform and opening-up, the growth drivers of domestic consumption gathered greater momentum. In 2021, China pushed forward with the construction of a unified national market in an orderly manner, carried out a pilot comprehensive reform of market-based allocation of production factors, and made plans for building a modern distribution system, further nurturing the vitality of market entities. The country is home to 150 million market entities, and sees a business activity rate of around 70 percent. Thanks to the efforts made by various regions and departments across the country to earnestly implement policies and measures aimed at stabilizing foreign trade, continue to shorten negative lists for foreign investment, and facilitate cross-border foreign trade and investment, the country saw its total imports and exports surpass $6 trillion and actual use of foreign investment exceed $1.1 trillion last year, both representing new highs in history. The benefits of reform and opening-up will continue to be unlocked and inject more driving force into the growth of domestic consumption, said the official. China will continue to deepen the supply-side structural reform and remain steadfast in the implementation of the strategy of expanding domestic demand, according to the official. While ensuring strict implementation of science-based and targeted epidemic prevention and control measures, the country will endeavor to promote continuous recovery of consumption, actively expand effective investment, and strengthen the endogenous driving forces of economic development, so as to keep major economic indicators within an appropriate range, added the official. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Although we associate pyramids with Ancient Egypt, these four-sided structures with a tapering top are found all over the world, built by many different cultures, such as the ancient Kushite rulers of Nubia and the Andean cultures of South America. The Romans also built pyramids, and one of the best examples is located in Rome itself. The Pyramid of Cestius was built for Gaius Cestius Epulo, a politician, praetor and priest, whose wish was to be buried in a tomb built in the style of the Egyptians. And so it was. Photo: Dennis Jarvis/Flickr The pyramid was built sometime around 18 to 12 BC and was completed, also according to Cestiuss wish, in 330 days. The pyramid stood 125 Roman feet high (about 37 meters) and measured 100 Roman feet (about 29.6 meters) square at the base. It is covered by slabs of Lunense marble. At the time of its construction, the Pyramid of Cestius would have stood in open countryside as tombs were forbidden within the city walls. Rome grew enormously during the imperial period, and, by the 3rd century AD, the pyramid would have been surrounded by buildings. It originally stood in a low-walled enclosure, flanked by statues, columns and other tombs. Some of these were recovered during excavations in the 1660s. Inside the pyramid is a burial chamber, a simple barrel-vaulted rectangular cavity measuring 6 meters long, 4 meters wide and 5 meters high. The walls are decorated with frescoes of nymphs and winged Victories holding a crown and ribbon in their hands. The tomb had been sealed when it was built, but was plundered probably in the Middle Ages through a tunnel dug on the northern side, which resulted in the loss of the cinerary urn and significant portions of the decoration. An 18th century sketch of the Pyramid of Cestius by Giuseppe Vasi (17101782) The pyramid was built during a period when Rome was going through a fad for all things Egyptian. The Circus Maximus was adorned by Augustus with an Egyptian obelisk, and pyramids were built elsewhere in the Roman Empire around this time. The Meta Romuli is one that stood by the Tiber for 1,500 years before it was demolished in the 16th century. However, contrary to the popular belief, the design of the pyramid was not based on the pyramids of Egypt. The sharp angles of the sides, rising into a severe point at the top is strongly reminiscent of the pyramids of Nubia, in particular of the kingdom of Meroe, which had been attacked by Rome in 23 BC. Its possible that Cestius had served in the military campaign against the Nubian kingdom and was inspired by the pyramids he saw there. At the time the pyramid was constructed, there were sumptuary laws which regulated how one displayed their wealth through clothing, feasts, funerals and tombs. Because Cestiuss tomb was fabulous, it was banished from within the city walls. The pyramid was incorporated into the walls during the construction of the Aurelian Walls between 271 and 275 CE to form a triangular bastion. It was one of many structures in the city to be reused to form part of the new walls, probably to reduce the cost and enable the structure to be built more quickly. It still forms part of a well-preserved stretch of the walls, a short distance from the Porta San Paolo. Photo: Roger Ulrich/Flickr By the Middle Ages the origin of the pyramid was forgotten. Petrarch records that inhabitants of Rome believed that it was the tomb of Remus (Meta Remi) and that its counterpart near the Vatican was the tomb of Romulus. Its true provenance was clarified only after excavations in the 1660s, which cleared the vegetation that had overgrown the pyramid and uncovered the inscriptions on its faces. They also tunneled into the tomb's burial chamber and found the bases of two bronze statues that had stood alongside the pyramid. The pyramid was an essential sight for many who undertook the Grand Tour in the 18th and 19th centuries. Percy Bysshe Shelley described it as "one keen pyramid with wedge sublime" in Adonais, and poet Thomas Hardy saw the pyramid in 1887 and wrote a poem, Rome: At the Pyramid of Cestius near the Graves of Shelley and Keats, in which he wondered: Who, then was Cestius, / and what is he to me? (Image source from: Twitter.com/YSRCParty) Finally, Ticket Pricing Issue in AP is Resolved:- The government of Andhra Pradesh shocked the Telugu film industry after it slashed down the ticket prices in theatres all over. This left the exhibition industry in deep shock and some of the theatres are shut because of the low ticket pricing. Several Tollywood celebrities tried hard to meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy and discuss about the issue. AP Cinematography Minister Perni Nani and Megastar Chiranjeevi met several times and discussed about this. Chiranjeevi was granted an appointment last month and Megastar explained to YS Jagan how the film industry was suffering badly because of the slashed ticket prices. Today, Megastar Chiranjeevi, SS Rajamouli, Prabhas, Mahesh Babu, Koratala Siva, Ali, Posani Krishna Murali, R Narayana Murthy met AP Chief Minister YS Jagan in his Tadepalli residence and discussed about the issues of Telugu cinema. The ticket pricing GO will be revised soon promised YS Jagan. Discussions happened about the fifth show in the state and about the hike in the ticket prices for pan-Indian films. The celebrities arranged a press conference to reveal that all the issues are now resolved. Chiranjeevi announced that the new GO is expected to be out in the third week of February. Everyone thanked YS Jagan for understanding and for his support. Tollywood celebrities also thanked Cinematography Minister Perni Nani for his constant support. (Video Source: TV9 Telugu Live) (Image source from: twitter.com/KChiruTweets) Tollywood actors meet YS Jagan in Amaravati:- Megastar Chiranjeevi along with Prabhas and Mahesh Babu are on their way to meet AP Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy today in his Amaravati Camp office. Directors Rajamouli and Koratala Siva too are present for the meeting. They all reached Begumpet airport and flew to Vijayawada in a special chartered flight. They will discuss about the revised ticket pricing GO and the meeting will end up with a lunch program. All the four top actors will return back in a special chartered flight to Hyderabad by evening. The AP Government will also file a counter in the AP High Court today and the revised GO is expected to be announced on February 15th. The night curfews and 50 percent occupancy in AP theatres too will be lifted from 15th. This would be a huge relief for Telugu cinema. The exhibitors are waiting for the big announcement so that the exhibition industry will be back on track soon. A heap of films are heading for theatrical release in March, April and May. If the government of AP revises the GO, Telugu film industry will be back with a bang. Bheemla Nayak, Radhe Shyam, RRR, Acharya, Sarkaru Vaari Paata, Ghani, F3, Ramarao On Duty and others are the biggies that are planned for summer release this year. North Andover, MA (01845) Today Rain likely. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain likely. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. The Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup is finally here, and weve extensively covered the new trio of flagships in our reporting. Among the new features is a revamped night mode, which Samsung calls Nightography. The company is now announcing a partnership with Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok to bring some of the flagships camera features to the apps. Samsung said it is working with the three apps to bring features like the aforementioned night mode, smooth zoom, etc. Moreover, these social media apps will also allow the use of the Galaxy S22s telephoto lens to capture photos and videos within these apps. Samsung didnt say if it is bringing these features to other third-party apps Additionally, customers of the Galaxy S22 lineup can also shoot portrait videos directly from Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok. The portrait video feature is pretty nifty as it focuses on the subject while using advanced algorithms to blur the background effectively. Samsung said users can access Super HDR, digital image stabilization, and autofocus for videos from the in-app camera on the three social media apps. Advertisement This is big because such features are usually limited to Samsungs stock camera app. While users could always upload pictures and videos from Samsung Gallery, this makes the process somewhat easier. As XDA notes, Samsung hasnt mentioned any other apps besides the three mentioned above. This suggests that the partnership could be limited to the three most popular social media apps. In any case, this is a nifty feature to include with the flagship lineup. Its actually quite surprising that it took Samsung this long to come up with something like this. But its better late than never. Theres some hope that Samsung would eventually release APIs to enable developers to embed these features into their apps. However, this could end up being a pipe dream. The Galaxy S22 series brings a slew of changes from the predecessor. The manufacturer reserved the glass back panel for the Galaxy S21+ and the Galaxy S21 Ultra last year. However, the vanilla Galaxy S22 also features a glass back, bringing some parity with its higher-end siblings. Advertisement All three flagships also feature Cornings Gorilla Glass Victus+ glass with Samsungs proprietary Armor Aluminum construction. The latter first arrived with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Z Fold 3 last year and is known to be scratch-resistant. (ANSA) - ROME, FEB 10 - A Stidda (Star) Sicilian mafia boss who is one of Italy's 20 most dangerous fugitives is set to return to Italy from Spain Friday after a court there authorised the execution of a European arrest warrant against him Thursday. Gioacchino Gammino, 61, has been on the run since a jail break in Italy 20 years ago. The arrest warrant was issued by an Agrigento court in May 2014. The Italian justice minister thanked Spanish authorities for their cooperation in dealing quickly with the case of Gammino, who was detained at Galapagar on the outskirts of Madrid on December 17. For years he had been posing as a respectable businessman and restaurateur there. The Stidda is a Mafia-type criminal organization centered in the central-southern part of Sicily. Members are known as stiddari or stiddaroli. It is most active in the rural parts of southern Sicily and is partially a rival to Cosa Nostra. Some members have a star tattooed on their bodies. The celebrated late anti-mafia prosecutor Giovanni Falcone investigated Gammino over 20 years ago, before he was slain by Cosa Nostra in 1992. (ANSA). Libya: Bashagha rival denies withdrawing House speaker, elected by acclamation (ANSAmed) - ROMA, 10 FEB - The Libya Observer tweeted Thursday that prime minister candidate Khaled Bibas denied having withdrawn from the race and accused Parliament speaker Aqilah Saleh of having lied to parliamentarians by announcing his withdrawal. Saleh said "a message was been received from the State Council supporting Fathi Bashagha's acclamation vote and, about Mr. Khaled (al-Bibas), I am informed that he will withdraw his candidacy". After slight changes that above all eliminated the words "of the deputies present at the session", the parliament website published a new version of the proclamation: "The official spokesperson: Parliament unanimously votes to grant confidence to Mr. Fathi Bashagha as head of the government". Another tweet from Libya Observer said an MP, Ammar Lablaq, told local media that today's session of parliament was "a complete farce" and denounced that the election of Fathi Bashagha as new prime minister was made illegally. (ANSAmed). TUNISI - Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah escaped an attack in the early hours of Thursday, according to al Arabiya, citing Al-Hadath TV. It said a group of unknown people opened fire on the convoy including Dbeibah's car as it made its way to his home. It said some bullets hit Dbeibah's car, after which the suspects escaped in another car. Other Libyan media sources said the prime minister was unharmed. The failed attack against Dbeibah comes at a particularly difficult moment for Libya, on a day in which the House of Representatives, chaired by Aguila Saleh, is expected to choose a new interim prime minister. The two candidates who were admitted are Fathi Bashagha, the former interior minister in the Sarraj government, from Misrata; and Khaled Al-Bibas, who local media said isn't well known. The Tobruk parliament passed a no-confidence vote against Dbeibah, but he said in a recent speech to the nation that he "will continue to work until power is transferred to an elected authority" via elections he would like to see in June. Bashaga, who is the favoured candidate, will have one week to form a new government and have amendments to the constitutional declaration approved. The new government will be subjected to a vote of confidence. After that, according to the roadmap approved by the Tobruk parliament, the 14 months within which to hold the elections would start. Political observers noted that if Bashaga were to be voted in today, there would be a risk of having two parallel governments in Libya, one based in Tripoli and one in Sirte or Benghazi. There is also a very high risk of tensions given Dbeibah's attitude, as in the televised speech he appealed to his compatriots asking for their support. Tunisia: attorneys say magistrates' strike is illegal Conflict with the association following dissolution of SJC (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, 10 FEB - The Tunisian National Bar Association of Tunisia (ONAT) and the Tunisian Magistrates Association (AMT) are in conflict over the President Kais Saied's decision to dissolve the country's Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). On Wednesday and Thursday, the magistrates went on strike in all the country's courts. ONAT issued a statement in which it said the SJC didn't ensure the independence of justices and magistrates and did not ensure the correct functioning of the judiciary. "The SJC has been the object of strong criticism at every annual movement of magistrates and has not represented the judicial authority", ONAT said. It called the strikes "anarchist and illegal" and said they will "aggravate the judicial crisis and citizens' distrust of justice". ONAT said the strike is illegal according to international standards and "constitutes a denial of justice". "The SJC led to the revision of its organic law and the modification of its current structure due to its internal failure, caused by an excess of corporatism and because it allowed itself to be drawn into political tussles," ONAT said. "The SJC did not ensure any advantage to justice throughout its mandate, but contented itself with granting personal privileges to its members, as well as covering corruption, pulling along lawsuits and waivers of immunity, and committing formal vices in its decisions, causing their annulment". ONAT insisted on its constants in terms of judicial independence, and emphasised that "any reform must involve the order of attorneys, whose representation at the next SJC must be more effective". "The plan for the new SJC must go in the direction of consecrating this independence towards all powers and all centres of political and financial influence," the statement said. (ANSAmed). Tunisia: Saied, a provisional council will replace SJC For urgent matters, pending a new law (ANSA) - TUNISI, 10 FEB - Tunisian Justice Minister Leila Jaffel announced Tunisia will establish a provisional Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) pending the establishment of a new SJC that will be governed by a new law. Jaffel's announcement came following a meeting with Tunisian President Kais Saied that focused on problems in the judicial sector, in particular after Saied's decision to dissolve the SJC. A government statement said Saied expressed his commitment to the SJC as a constitutional institution that guarantees judicial independence. "The President of the Republic has assured that the process will be democratic and inclusive, allowing justice to be guaranteed," the statement said. "He also assured that the law on the SJC will be revised in order to preserve judges' rights". (ANSA). TUNIS - Tunisian President Kais Saied defended his decision to dissolve the country's Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in a statement to Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi, following recently expressed concerns by G7 ambassadors in Tunisia and the representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "We are a sovereign state; we are aware of international balances and we know international agreements and conventions better than they do," said Saied. "We are committed to respecting the principles of freedom, democracy and justice. So why this concern? Tunisia is neither a farm nor a meadow. They are fully aware of the trespassing and murders that have taken place, but none of them seem to be interested in this," he said in his statement. Saied then explained that the excesses committed by SJC members are serious. "We are not a wild people and we know perfectly well what we want. We do not accept playing the role of the student with them acting as teachers. Tunisia has its specific characteristics. Tunisia is not a farm, and therefore abroad they should pay attention to their positions and reactions," he said. "We are not savages. Our people know what they want. We don't have great resources, but we have ideas. We talk to everyone. We are a sovereign state that respects the law and we aspire not to what they call the rule of law, but to a society of law," he said. Mykonos presents plan on new sustainable tourism and environment 15 areas identified to protect island's uniqueness (ANSAmed) - NAPLES, 10 FEB - The mayor of the Greek island of Mykonos, Konstantinos Koukas, presented a study for sustainable tourism on the island to Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, with a central focus on 15 areas where strategies must be implemented to protect the island's unique environment. The website Greek Travel Pages said the study ensures good management of tourism arrivals with the overall goal of attracting increasingly higher-quality tourism. During the presentation, which was also attended by the island's tourism councillor and the head of the hotel association, Koukas stressed the importance of finding needed funds for the projects, which include: completion of the plan on the island's spaces, infrastructure improvement, integrated management of waste and water resources, checks on boat tourism, and traffic management. "Our common goal is to apply a sustainable tourism development model in Mykonos, focused on the comparative advantages for the island," said Kikilias. "Mykonos is a very popular destination and is at the heart of our decisions in turning Greece into a model for sustainable tourism development," the tourism minister said. Koukas and Kikilias agreed to present the full agenda of projects and priorities to the island's entrepreneurs at a special event in the coming weeks. The mayor stressed that as one of the world's leading destinations, Mykonos plays a significant part in maintaining Greece's image and also contributing to the country's revenue from the tourism sector. "We will be able to implement sustainable development for the island," Koukas said. "I am sure that with the government's help and the local community's support, we can encourage policies and actions on issues that we have been talking about for decades, such as improving existing infrastructure, protecting the environment and creating a better quality of life for residents and visitors," he said. (ANSAmed). University lecturers and students at one London university have said threatened 100% pay cuts for taking part in a strike are aggressive. Some universities, including Queen Mary University of London, have threatened staff with 100% pay reductions over strike action due to start next week. Some 68 UK universities will be affected by the University College Union (UCU) strikes from February 14 for up to 10 days, with a walkout over pensions, pay and working conditions. Its unusual, its unprecedented as far as Im aware, James Eastwood, the UCU representative at Queen Mary University of London said of 100% cuts for action short of a strike which includes refusing to provide cover for striking colleagues. He added that he had known employers reserve the right to deduct 100% pay for partial performance where employees carried out action short of a strike, but had never known them to say they would actually do it. They say openly in the materials theyve circulated about it this.. that when they do dock 100% each day that you refuse to reschedule classes that were cancelled during the strike, that anything you do do would be voluntary and unpaid, he added. So theyre effectively inviting staff to stop coming to work. It does say that even if you didnt participate in a strike, and you are asked to cover for someone or to teach a rescheduled version of a class that they refuse to reschedule, that you will also have 100% of your pay docked if you refuse, he said. Its a very aggressive strike-breaking, union-busting tactic, he said. In an email to staff, the university said: 100% of pay will be deducted from staff undertaking industrial action, including ASOS, if all planned activities are not undertaken. An email to students from Queen Mary said that relatively small numbers of staff were striking and that misinformation had been circulated to students. Students at Queen Mary University of London were told that misinformation had been sent to students (PA) It said that we know that a good pension is really important for our staff, that is affordable and sustainable. In relation to equality of pay: there have been claims that we pay women less than men, the email adds. This is simply not true: it is illegal to pay women less than men for the same work. Student campaign group QMUL Solidarity, who described the universitys response to the strike as shocking, said: On January 31st, an email was sent to staff members (including most notably, Phd students) threatening them with 100% pay deductions for any educational activities that do not go ahead as planned. This pay deduction will continue until these educational activities are completed- an action that would further increase the heavy workload for staff. An extremely similar email was sent to students filled with misinformation. The email, which referred to the gender pay gap as simply not true ignored findings that revealed women within the University were paid 14% less than male counterparts, a number that more than doubled to 31% for BAME women, they alleged. A Queen Mary University of London spokesperson said: Along with other universities, Queen Mary is very disappointed to be facing industrial action once again. We are particularly concerned for our students who have already faced considerable disruption as a result of the pandemic and previous sector-wide industrial action by staff in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Our first priority will always be to protect our students education and experience above all other activities carried out at the University. This is why we will reasonably ask staff undertaking ASOS that is not a breach of contract to prioritise all education activity above all other contractual activities, so that our students are not impacted. No deductions will be taken if staff prioritise and carry out, during normal working hours, their contractual duties in terms of all education activities in full. Queen Mary does not accept partial performance. A failure to reschedule and deliver all cancelled planned education activities will amount to a breach of contract and partial performance, and 100% of pay will be deducted until that education activity is rescheduled within acceptable timescales. Boris Johnson has been in Poland in a show of support for a key Nato ally amid fears Russia is preparing to mount an invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. What is the cause of the tension in the region? The current difficulties date back to the overthrow in 2014 of the pro-Moscow Ukrainian government of Viktor Yanukovych, prompting fears in the Kremlin that country was moving into the orbit of the West. President Putin responded by sending in troops to annex Crimea while Russian-backed separatist rebels seized territory in eastern Ukraine in bloody fighting with the Ukrainian military. Boris Johnson during a meeting with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg (Daniel Leal/PA) Why is the West so concerned now? For months, the US and other Nato allies have been warning of a massive Russian military build-up on the Ukrainian border, triggering fears that it is preparing another incursion against its southern neighbour. Latest estimates suggest Moscow has 130,000 troops massed in the border region and in neighbouring Belarus, close to the strength some analysts believe would be needed to mount a full-scale invasion. Russian and Belarus forces are embarking on large-scale military exercises which, some believe, could provide cover for an attack. Will the West intervene militarily if Russia does attack? Very unlikely. Ukraine is not a member of Nato and so there is no obligation on alliance members to come to its defence and there is little appetite in western capitals for a military conflict with Moscow. Russian president Vladimir Putin wants Nato to draw back forces from eastern Europe (Matt Cardy/PA) Some allies have been sending military support to Kyiv Britain has despatched 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers and a small group of military trainers. There have also been moves to bolster alliance forces in Natos eastern members with the UK sending additional troops to Poland and Estonia. However, the main response has been the threat of crippling economic sanctions including measures targeting the private wealth of President Putins cronies in the West. How has Moscow responded? President Putin has repeatedly insisted that Russia has no intention of carrying out an invasion. He has however issued a series of demands intended to curb the influence of the West in eastern Europe, in what Moscow traditionally regards as its sphere of influence. They include calls for guarantees Nato will not admit any new members including Ukraine and the drawback of alliance forces in the region. Boris Johnson in Kyiv last week for crisis talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (Peter Nicholls/PA) What is the reaction to that in West? Nato has been adamant it will not accept limits on the nations that it admits to the alliance. Boris Johnson has however said there is a conversation to be had about force dispositions in eastern Europe. More controversially, French President Emmanuel Macron, who held talks with Mr Putin in Moscow, has raised the idea of the Finlandisation of Ukraine with Kyiv becoming neutral in the way Finland was during the Cold War. So will there be war? Some analysts believe the Russian build-up has gone too far for there not to be some kind of military incursion. Ultimately, however, it comes down to President Putin and what he calculates are the potential risks and benefits as the West struggles to put on a united front. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi met with the exams regulator to discuss reports of private schools using grading arrangements in 2021 as an excuse to boost their proportion of top A-level grades. A report from the Sunday Times found one school saw its proportion of A*s at A-level jump from 33% to 90% in 2021, when teacher-assessed grades were awarded following the cancellation of full public exams. Mr Zahawi told Sky News he had met with the exams regulator Ofqual this week, after a viewer asked why private schools had used the system as an excuse for increasing their numbers of top grades. The minister said: Every allegation is investigated by the exam boards and all the records [of teacher assessment] have been kept so if there are any new allegations they will investigate them as well. They also reassured me that actually when you look at whether its independent schools or academies, the children who were expected to get high grades, A-grades, actually achieved those. He said every headteacher had to sign really stringent declarations that they had followed grading arrangements properly. Mr Zahawi added that grade inflation is why I want to go back to exams, and while there is no perfect system the best system is exams. He said advance information on topics covered in the 2022 exams released by Ofqual on Monday, and the grading arrangements for this year with pupils marked between 2021 and 2019 levels will help mitigate the impact of Covid on pupils results. Asked why private schools have charitable status, Mr Zahawi said he wants to see fee-paying schools do much more to open up to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. He suggested private schools could help run multi-academy trusts. Its also important that they play their part can we get our independent schools to join us on what the evidence suggests is the best way forward, which is a family of schools that are well-managed, tightly managed, really well-supported in a multi-academy trust thats high-performing we know the evidence suggests that delivers the best outcome for every child. Mr Zahawi said private schools such as Eton should do more to support disadvantaged students (Steve Parsons/PA) Mr Zahawi also said he will ask the Treasury for more money if pupils do not appear to have caught up on lost learning by the end of the Parliament, and added that he is writing to parents to urge they and their children take up tutoring. He urged a viewer who said their GCSE-age child had received no catch-up tutoring under the Governments flagship scheme to get in contact with your school. He added: Every school has the opportunity to take up the tutoring programme the first term of this year we have done as many tutoring hours as the whole of last year. He said reports by the Times Educational Supplement that the programme is only meeting 8% of its target only looked at one of the three pillars of the tutoring programme, with school-led tutoring the most successful. Asked why Sir Kevan Collins, the former Government catch-up tsar, called the programme feeble, Mr Zahawi said: My very strong view is you invest and then you evidence what you do were making a 5 billion investment in recovery. Now what I did is I looked at the evidence. I went to the Chancellor, I said I need 800 million for recovery for the 16 to 19-year-olds, he gave me that, and then I wanted more money for secondary and primary for disadvantaged children. And then making sure I monitor, have we caught up? If we havent, Ill go back to the Treasury and ask for more money because what I want to do by the end of this Parliament is make sure every child has had the opportunity to recover. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said he had met with exams regulator Ofqual on the issue (Ian West/PA) He told presenter Kay Burley that an education White Paper will be published next month and it will be tied in with the childrens social care review and Send (special educational needs and disability) review, saying we can knit the three together. A spokesperson for the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference, a group of leading UK private schools, said: Examination malpractice is taken extremely seriously by schools and can lead to substantial penalties for those involved. The accusation that independent schools and their teachers set out to take advantage of the pandemic by gaming A-level and GCSE grades in order to take advantage of a unique system designed to respond to the unique challenges in schools across the country, and the world, is unprecedented. They added that in both 2020 and 2021, when a form of teacher-assessed grades were awarded, Ofqual had endeavoured to provide effective oversight, although it was apparent that their regulation would always be much more challenging than the familiar and well-rehearsed system of standardised examinations. The spokesperson continued: The process was implemented no less robustly and with no less rigour in independent schools than in any other school. For now, rather than taking away from the achievements of young people and their teachers who, like everyone else, faced up to the challenges and pressures of the pandemic under ever-changing conditions, let us focus on the way ahead and ensuring the system is robust and fair for all. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has passed on her congratulations to the Queen on a lifetime of service on her Platinum Jubilee. Mrs McDonald was reacting to the news that a tree is to be planted in the grounds of Parliament Buildings at Stormont to mark the jubilee. The republican party leader said: I think it is important that we are respectful of the identity of our citizens who are British. I think that is entirely appropriate and I welcome that decision. For those who will celebrate the jubilee, I wish them well and a good jubilee and for those of us that dont I believe we are now big enough, bold enough, generous enough to acknowledge the identity of others. She added: Can I also extend to the British Queen a word of congratulations because 70 years is quite some record. That is what you call a lifetime of service. But referencing an earlier decision by a Sinn Fein minister to deny permission for a tree to be planted at Stormont, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said unionists were tired of the disrespect of their culture. He said: Well the Assembly Commission has taken this decision and it is regrettable that the Finance Minister (Conor Murphy) previously indicated that he was not prepared to agree to a tree being planted in the grounds of Stormont to mark Her Majestys Platinum Jubilee. I welcome the fact that the Assembly Commission has now decided that a tree may be planted, that is a good thing. But I think unionists are tired of the lack of respect for our tradition, our culture, our identity, and they want to see an end to this disrespect. Permission was granted by the Assembly Commission this week for the tree planting. The commission, made up of representatives of the main Stormont parties, has responsibility for Parliament Buildings. The Queen is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee (PA) Last month, Finance Minister Conor Murphy ordered a review of the policy of which events can be commemorated in the Stormont estate following a row over a decision to prevent the tree planting. The DUP had called for an equality investigation and accused Mr Murphy of intolerance and disrespect. DUP Assembly member Joanne Bunting had originally sought permission to plant the tree on the estate as part of the Queens Green Canopy project, an initiative that encourages people across the UK to Plant a Tree for the Jubilee. Mr Murphy, whose department has responsibility for the grounds of the Stormont estate, insisted that official policy dictated that only international events could be commemorated with physical structures or planting. He then decided to review that policy. Last year, Sinn Fein vetoed a proposal put to the Assembly Commission to place a commemorative stone in Stormonts Parliament Buildings to mark Northern Irelands centenary. Sinn Fein insisted the stone had been designed and commissioned by representatives of one tradition and accused unionists of failing to consult with other parties about their plan. Last year, Mr Murphy also turned down a DUP request to plant a commemorative rose bush to mark Northern Irelands centenary within the Stormont estate. Senior British diplomats have met leading Taliban figures to discuss the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The UK does not recognise the Taliban regime which swept to power in 2020 amid chaotic scenes as Western forces pulled out of Kabul. The United Nations World Food Programme has warned that 8.7 million people in Afghanistan are at risk of starvation. The UK withdrew its diplomats from Kabul last year, but officials returned to Afghanistan for talks on Thursday. UK aid (Stefan Wermuth/PA) Nick Dyer, the UKs special envoy for famine prevention, Hugo Shorter, the charge daffaires ad interim of the UK mission to Afghanistan and Hester Waddams, the deputy head of mission held talks with senior Taliban officials. UK representatives returned to Afghanistan today for talks on how to respond to the countrys deepening humanitarian crisis, a Government spokesman said. They met Taliban figures including foreign affairs chief Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and intelligence director Abdul Haq Wasiq. As well as discussing the dire humanitarian situation, officials made clear to the Taliban the UKs serious concerns about human rights, including those of women, girls and minorities, and the treatment of womens rights activists, the spokesman said. The Duke of Cambridge has warned change is not happening fast enough or at the scale we need to repair the planet and avert devastating planetary and humanitarian crises. William voiced his concerns in a speech at the Dubai Expo 2020 and said despite the gains made at the recent Cop26 UN climate change summit we are still in a race against time. The future king presented a possible solution four finalists and a category winner from his environmental Earthshot Prize, whose innovative ideas mitigate damage to the environment, find use for waste material and make solar power affordable for many. The Duke of Cambridge speaks to Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, during the Earthshot Prize Innovation Showcase at Expo2020 in Dubai (Chris Jackson/PA) William told delegates: If we do nothing, by 2030 we will be speeding towards increasingly devastating planetary and humanitarian crises as a result of our changing climate. Or, if we act now, we will be on a path towards a repaired and regenerated planet that will flourish for generations to come. The finalists had joined the duke at the Expo and later he introduced a Dragons Den-style event allowing the eco innovators to connect with investors and industry leaders who could scale up their ideas. William went on to say: While momentum is growing and the strides made at Cop26 in Glasgow are testament to that we are still in a race against time. That is why I founded the Earthshot Prize, a global prize and platform to discover, showcase, accelerate and scale groundbreaking solutions to repair our planet. William with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, during his visit to the UK Pavilion at Expo2020 in Dubai (Chris Jackson/PA) The duke held the inaugural presentation ceremony for his environmental awards in the autumn and the appeal has already been made for 2022 nominees. He said: We want to see solutions led by women and indigenous peoples, using cutting-edge technology and new financial models which value nature. And finally were always on the lookout for wild cards out of the box solutions that have transformative potential. Theyre my favourites. Earlier the royal began a day of engagements in the United Arab Emirates by learning about efforts to safeguard the wetlands in the region as he planted saplings with school children in Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi. Williams visit marked the launch of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, between the Zoological Society of London and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, to create a mangrove nursery as a centre of research, learning and outreach. The duke speaks to DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem during his visit to Jebel Ali Port (Henry Nicholls/PA) The duke also toured Dubais Jebel Ali Port, which is operated by DP World, a member of the Transport Taskforce of Williams United for Wildlife umbrella organisation, which is trying to tackle the illegal trade in items such as ivory and rhino horn and is working in the United Arab Emirates and other parts of the world. DP World, a founding partner of the Earthshot Prize, announced 1 million in funding to be divided equally between two Earthshot Prize innovations whose creators pitched their ideas at the Expo. They were Coral Vita, winner of the Revive Our Oceans Earthshot category for its coral farming process that restores dying reefs, and finalist Living Seawalls, which creates panels that mimic marine habitats such as rock pools and are fitted to coastal defences. William watched a showcase of music and dance celebrating his homeland as his day-long tour of the United Arab Emirates came to close. The future king also briefly took part in the Queens Commonwealth Games baton relay, taking the symbol of the friendly Games from one sporting great and passing it to another one leg on its 90,000-mile journey around the globe. The Duke of Cambridge receives the baton from triple Olympic champion cyclist Ed Clancy. Henry Nicholls/PA Triple Olympic champion cyclist Ed Clancy handed the baton to William who a few moments later passed it to former javelin competitor and Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson. Thursday was UK National Day at the Dubai Expo and William took a seat in the Al Wasl Plaza to watch popstar Tom Seals belt out Sir Elton John hits and later the Band of the Coldstream Guards perform a medley of James Bond theme tunes. Crowds had flocked to the sound of music coming from the arena and were greeted with a lightshow of famous British heroes and achievements. Pop star John Newman emerged onto the stage on a rising platform with a Union flag-decorated DJ set and was surrounded by cartwheeling dancers. FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2019, file photo, an American flag flies outside the Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif. A lawsuit on behalf of more than 3 million employers and individuals is seeking as much as $1.2 billion from Sutter Health in an antitrust class-action trial that gets underway, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) A lawsuit over high health care bills filed on behalf of more than 3 million employers and people seeks as much as $1.2 billion from a large Northern California health systems in an antitrust class-action trial getting underway Thursday. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege in court documents that Sutter Health abused its market power and caused enormous adverse economic impacts by discouraging patients from using lower-cost insurance and lower-cost hospitals. Sutter Health said in a statement Wednesday that it looks forward to demonstrating that in Northern Californias highly competitive market, Sutters integrated healthcare network provides high-quality care that creates efficiencies, drives down total cost of care and benefits the diverse communities we serve. The lawsuit claims Sutter used its market power for inpatient services in seven mostly rural Northern California areas where it is the only or dominant hospital to bind insurers in four other communities where it has competition. That allowed Sutter to overcharge for its own services, the lawsuit alleged, and caused nearly $400 million in insurance premium overcharges to the plaintiffs between 2011-2017. Five companies provided the health insurance: Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Health Net. The law allows triple damages if the plaintiffs win against Sutter Health, meaning a potential award of $1.2 billion. The named plaintiffs are four people who paid health insurance premiums and two companies that paid premiums for their employees since 2011, but the class includes any individuals or companies in the same position across much of Northern California. The plaintiffs attorneys estimate that includes 3 million patients and employers. The system operates 24 hospitals with more than 12,000 doctors and 16,000 nurses. It's the second round lawsuits against Sutter Health. The health system two years ago paid different plaintiffs $575 million to settle similar claims that it used anti-competitive practices to artificially increase patients costs and agreed then in a separate settlement with the state to accept a court-approved monitor for 10 years to make sure it no longer works through insurance companies to increase patients costs. California's attorney general alleged then that Sutter used its market power to block insurance companies from using incentives to steer patients to cheaper health care providers. Critics said that practice made it more difficult for patients to use Sutters lower-priced competitors, though the Sacramento-based nonprofit denied the allegations and did not admit wrongdoing. The 2019 settlement also prohibited Sutter from continuing what state officials called an all or nothing approach that required insurance companies to include all of the health system's hospitals in their provider networks even if it didnt make financial sense. And it increased pricing transparency while limiting what Sutter could charge for out-of-network procedures. In the current case, U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in San Francisco found in favor of the case going to trial, stating in part that the contracts were systemwide and required health plans to include Sutter inpatient services in the (noncompetitive) markets. A jury will decide if that was to force higher prices that were passed on to patients through higher premiums, the judge ruled. Sutter said there is no evidence that it worked to maintain its monopoly power in the seven communities where it dominates. And systemwide volume discounting in turn lowers prices, the company said. The indisputable evidence shows that Sutter did not violate the antitrust laws but sought only to properly give effect to a valid volume discount, Sutter said in court papers. State officials and consumer advocates largely blamed Sutter's previous practices for Northern California residents typically paying health insurance premiums that were $3,000 higher than in Southern California at the time. A typical inpatient procedure in the northern part of the state might have cost $90,000 more than in Southern California. Sutter has argued that insurance companies were to blame for bumping up costs and noted there were no allegations that its contracts affected patient care. Despite the antitrust claims, it said there is plenty of competition. About 1,400 self-funded employers and unions settled the lawsuit two years ago. They also initially sought damages that could have exceeded $1 billion. The trial getting underway in a San Francisco courtroom includes the far larger group of employers and individual patients, with an even bigger potential price tag for alleged damages. Jury selection was Wednesday in advance of Thursday's opening. The trial is expected to take four to six weeks. One thousand British troops are being put on standby in case of a humanitarian crisis in eastern Europe if the current Russian military build-up leads to war, Downing Street has announced. Boris Johnson flies to Poland on Thursday in a further show of support for a key Nato ally amid continuing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is in Moscow for talks with her counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, as Western powers continue to urge President Vladimir Putin to draw back from conflict. British officials warned that any further Russian incursion into Ukraine would be a humanitarian disaster leading to a mass displacement of people, which would particularly affect countries like Poland and Lithuania. Additional troops are being placed on readiness to provide a humanitarian response if required, although they could also be used to provide further support to allies in the region. Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv (Peter Nicholls/PA) Meanwhile, 350 Royal Marines from 45 Commando are to begin deploying to Poland as part of a further strengthening of UK support to the country announced earlier this week. In December the UK sent 100 Royal Engineers to the country after Moscows ally, Belarus, engineered a refugee crisis on the border. Ahead of his visit to Warsaw, Mr Johnson insisted the West must stand firm in the face of Mr Putins coercive diplomacy. He made clear that Nato could not accept a key Kremlin demand that there should be no further enlargement of the alliance. When Nato was founded, allies made an historic undertaking to safeguard the freedom of every member state. The UK remains unwavering in our commitment to European security, he said. What we need to see is real diplomacy, not coercive diplomacy. As an alliance we must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise. That includes the security of every Nato ally and the right of every European democracy to aspire to Nato membership. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also meeting Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg (Justin Tallis/PA) Mr Johnson will also visit the alliance headquarters in Brussels, where he is expected to reiterate an offer to strengthen its defences when he meets Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg. It includes doubling the number of UK troops in Estonia, deploying more RAF jets to create a squadron in southern Europe, and dispatching a Type 45 destroyer and HMS Trent, an offshore patrol vessel, to the eastern Mediterranean. Sir Keir Starmer will also meet Mr Stoltenberg on Thursday as the Labour leader strives to break with the partys perceived weak stance on defence under his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn. In an interview with The Times, Sir Keir said we are firm and united in our support for Nato and argued that Mr Johnsons standing on the world stage has been weakened by the scandals in No 10. His authority has been diminished because of the various activities over the last few months, he said. Russia currently has an estimated 130,000 troops massed along the border with Ukraine, prompting fears that it is preparing for a full-scale invasion. Foreign Secretary Secretary Liz Truss said Russia must respect Ukraines sovereignty or face severe consequences (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) French President Emmanuel Macron, who met Mr Putin in Moscow earlier this week, said the Russian president had told him he is not seeking to escalate the situation. However, with large-scale Russian military exercises about to begin in Belarus, which also borders Ukraine, there are fears they could be cover for an attack. While there is no appetite among Western powers for direct military intervention in Ukraine, which is not a Nato member, they have warned of crippling sanctions in the event of any Russian incursion. After touching down in Moscow, Ms Truss said Russia must immediately withdraw its forces and respect Ukraines sovereignty or face severe consequences. Any incursion would be a huge mistake. Diplomacy is the only way forward and Russia must pursue that path, she added. Europe is facing its biggest security crisis in decades, Boris Johnson said as he indicated further support could be offered to Ukraine if Russia invades. The Prime Minister said he was not ruling out extra military help for Ukraine as he warned a Russian invasion would result in serious bloodshed. Russia has insisted it has no plans to invade but the Nato alliance is alarmed by the build-up of more than 100,000 troops on the borders with Ukraine. Speaking alongside Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, at the alliances headquarters in Brussels, Mr Johnson called on Russia to engage in meaningful talks because it was far better to begin a discussion now than to have a catastrophe. The UK has already supplied about 2,000 anti-tank missiles to Ukraine and Mr Johnson indicated he could go further. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was visiting Belgium and Poland on Thursday (Daniel Leal/PA) Asked at the press conference in Brussels if he could authorise military support to an insurgency in Ukraine in the event of an invasion, he said: We will consider what more we can conceivably offer. The Ukrainians are well prepared, there are things weve offered that they, in fact, dont seem to need because they think they have them in enough numbers already. Its possible, I dont want to rule this out, but at the moment we think the package is the right one. But I want to stress it would be an absolute disaster if it was to come to that and if there was to be serious bloodshed on Ukrainian soil. He said the intelligence on the prospect of an invasion was grim but he did not believe Vladimir Putin had yet decided on whether to act. I honestly dont think a decision has yet been taken but that doesnt mean that its impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed, he said. Our intelligence, Im afraid to say, remains grim. Were seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine. This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades. The UK has put 1,000 troops on standby in case of a humanitarian crisis in the east if the current Russian military build-up leads to war. In Moscow, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss held talks with counterpart Sergei Lavrov although there appeared to be no diplomatic breakthrough. There is still time for Russia to end its aggression towards Ukraine and pursue the path of diplomacy, she said. But Nato is very clear that if that path is not chosen there will be severe consequences for Russia, Ukraine and the whole of Europe. Ms Truss called for Russia to pull its troops back from the border to ease tensions. There is no doubt that the stationing of over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border is directly put in place to threaten Ukraine, she said. There had also been cyber attacks and other attempts to undermine the activities of a sovereign nation. Ms Truss said: If Russia is serious about diplomacy they need to move those troops and desist from the threats. Liz Truss and Sergei Lavrov greet each other (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service/AP) The visit to Moscow was the first by a foreign secretary in four years, with the relationship between the UK and Russia severely strained by incidents including the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack. In a sign of the chilly atmosphere at the talks, Mr Lavrov said ideological approaches, ultimatums and moralising is a road to nowhere. Rejecting Ms Trusss call for forces to pull back, he said: The demands to remove the Russian troops from the Russian territory cause regret. We dont want to threaten anyone. Its us who are facing threats. But he indicated force levels would fall once military exercises had been completed, at which point the West will likely claim that it has forced Russia to de-escalate. Its selling hot air, he said. Mr Johnson was also heading to Poland, where an extra 350 Royal Marines are being sent to reassure Natos eastern European members of support. In December, the UK sent 100 Royal Engineers to the country after Moscows ally, Belarus, engineered a refugee crisis on the border. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California sued Tesla Inc. on Wednesday over allegations of discrimination and harassment of Black employees at its San Francisco Bay area factory. The suit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, was sparked by hundreds of worker complaints, said Kevin Kish, head of the state's Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The department, which enforces state civil rights laws, found evidence that Teslas Fremont factory is a racially segregated workplace where Black workers are subjected to racial slurs and discriminated against in job assignments, discipline, pay, and promotion creating a hostile work environment, Kish said in a statement reported by the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. Details of the lawsuit have yet to be released and Tesla didn't immediately issue a response to the lawsuit, which the electric carmaker had warned was coming several days earlier in an annual filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. However, in a blog post before the filing, Tesla called the suit misguided and said the agency has never once raised any concern about its workplace practices following a three-year investigation. The posting said the lawsuit appears to focus on accusations by production associates at the factory, who said misconduct took place between 2015 and 2019. The post also said it will ask the court to pause the case and take other steps to ensure that facts and evidence will be heard. Attacking a company like Tesla that has done so much good for California should not be the overriding aim of a state agency with prosecutorial authority," the blog said. Last October, a San Francisco jury awarded nearly $137 million to a Black contract worker who said that he faced daily racist epithets, including the N-word, at the plant in 2015 and 2016 before quitting. Owen Diaz said employees drew swastikas and left racist graffiti and drawings around the plant and that supervisors failed to stop the abuse. Tesla is appealing that verdict and has denied any knowledge of racist conduct that Diaz said took place at the plant, which has about 10,000 workers. Tesla's blog post said it has always disciplined and terminated employees who engage in misconduct, including those who use racial slurs or harass others." In recent years, Tesla has been hit with numerous allegations by former workers of sexual harassment and racial discrimination at the Fremont plant. However, many don't reach the courts because Tesla requires its full-time employees to agree to private arbitration of employment-related disputes. FILE PHOTO: Ford and Lincoln vehicles are parked outside the Oakville Assembly Plant, as workers with UNIFOR attended a ratification vote nearby, in Oakville By Paul Lienert DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co is stepping up plans to extensively electrify its Lincoln brand in North America, as it prepares to introduce at least five new battery-powered Lincoln sport utility vehicles through 2026, three people familiar with the plans told Reuters. Included are battery-electric models that will replace or supplement the Lincoln Corsair, Nautilus, Aviator and Navigator, said the sources, who asked not to be identified. The strategy to electrify Lincoln is a key element of Ford's planned $30 billion investment in EVs and batteries through 2030. Ford announced the $30 billion initiative in May 2021. The automaker has said it will have the annual capacity to build at least 600,000 electric vehicles globally within 24 months, when it aims to become "the clear No. 2 electric vehicle maker in North America" behind Tesla Inc. On Thursday, Lincoln spokeswoman Anika Salceda-Wycoco said it was "too early to talk about specific details around future vehicle or production plans." The first of the new Lincoln EVs, a large crossover about the size of the Aviator, is slated to begin production in late 2024 or early 2025 at Ford's Oakville, Ontario, plant, as part of a $1.5 billion changeover there from combustion-engine to battery electric vehicles, two of the sources said, citing the automaker's plans shared with suppliers. Several more Lincoln EV crossovers, including potential replacements for the compact Corsair and the mid-size Nautilus, could be built in Oakville in 2025-2026, said the two sources, who cited internal planning documents. Production plans for those models have not been finalized. Several of the smaller Lincoln EVs will share an improved version of the EV platform that underpins the Ford Mustang Mach E, the sources said. A larger Lincoln SUV, a battery-powered companion to the big Navigator, is scheduled to go into production in 2026, the sources said. It will share a new dedicated EV truck platform with the next-generation Ford F-150 Lightning, the sources said. Ford's plans to transform the Lincoln brand in North America into a mostly electric family of premium utility vehicles parallels an effort at General Motors Co, where the Cadillac brand has embarked on a similar makeover, starting this year with the mid-size Lyriq electric crossover. Eventually, Cadillac is expected to field a full portfolio of electric utility vehicles, GM executives have previously said, including a full-size Escalade EV that is expected to share its underpinnings with the Hummer and Silverado EVs. Cadillac also plans to introduce an ultra-luxury sedan called Celestiq in 2023. (Reporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit; Editing by Matthew Lewis) The Kansas state capitol building in downtown Topeka. (Getty Images) TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas legislators signed off Wednesday on the state's largest-ever taxpayer-funded incentives to attract thousands of new jobs even though most didn't know the name of the company or what it plans to make. The incentives would exceed $1 billion. The measure also cuts corporate income tax rates. The Republican-controlled state Senate approved a bill, 31-9, that would create a new incentives program so the state Department of Commerce could offer a single company hundreds of millions of dollars in breaks once this year and once in 2023. The GOP-controlled House approved the measure Tuesday, so it goes to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Kelly pushed for permission to offer tax credits, payroll subsidies and training funds in time to lure an unnamed company. Officials said the firm plans a $4 billion project and Kansas is competing against another state that some legislators said is Oklahoma. We want to buy these magic beans. We wont tell you where its going to be, what its going to be, just that its going to be great, said state Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Kansas City-area Republican who voted no. Officials who know the company's identity said they were required to sign an agreement not to name it or disclose project details. They said the company expects to make a decision within a few weeks. Backers of the measure argued that Kansas has lost out on other large projects because it can't offer generous enough incentives. This is a tool that will help us be competitive with other states, said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican. Ohio recently offered Intel Corp. incentives worth roughly $2 billion to secure a new $20 billion chipmaking factory. Michigan lawmakers in December approved $1 billion in incentives, two-thirds of it for General Motors for plants to assemble batteries for electric vehicles. Kansas Senate Majority Leader Larry Alley, left, confers with Senate President Ty Masterson following Senate approval of a business incentives bill, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. (AP) Electric vehicle maker Canoo has announced plans to open a factory in northeast Oklahoma next year that is expected to create 2,000 jobs. But Wisconsin scaled back incentives for electronics giant Foxconn. It was supposed to invest $10 billion there and create 13,000 jobs but the deal now is for about 1,450 jobs with an investment of $672 million by 2026. Kellys administration said the facility it's pursuing would be the largest economic development project in Kansas history. Theyve said the company will employ 4,000, and other firms supplying or supporting it would add several thousand more jobs. They said the company would pay an average of $50,000 when the per-person income in Kansas averages less than $32,000. I don't think there's a state in the country that wishes they were not in our position right now to create these kind of jobs with this kind of economic investment, said Sen. Rob Olson, a Kansas City-area Republican. Still, lawmakers in both parties scoffed at being pushed to commit without knowing more. Democratic state Rep. John Carmichael, of Wichita, mockingly suggested that Kansas was landing a pornographic film production studio" and jobs for adult-film actors and camera crews. The problem is, you don't know what kind of business you are betting your constituents' tax dollars and futures on, Carmichael told colleagues during the House's debate. The measure requires the state to cut its corporate tax rates by a half-percentage point for every big deal closed so that all businesses benefit. That would save companies roughly $100 million a year and drop the state's top rate to 6% from 7% if two deals close. Critics worried that the planned incentives are so rich that lawmakers wont have room to consider other proposed tax cuts. Spreadsheets from the House's GOP leaders showed that Kelly's proposed incentives could create a budget shortfall by mid-2026. The measure approved by lawmakers is a little less generous, spreads the incentives out over more years and requires legislative leaders to sign off on deals. Some lawmakers were not impressed by the gloomy projections. I've never seen a profile that didn't tank the budget in four or five years, said state Sen. Jeff Longbine, an eastern Kansas Republican. The Legislature is required to pass a balanced budget each year, and adjustments are made up and down. FILE - President Joe Biden, and first lady Jill Biden's new dog Commander, a purebred German shepherd puppy, arrives to meet virtually with service members around the world, Dec. 25, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus in Washington. Commander will make his TV debut on Super Bowl Sunday. The German shepherd and Jill Biden will appear in a commercial airing before the broadcast of Puppy Bowl XVIII. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden's puppy Commander will make his TV debut on Super Bowl Sunday. The German shepherd and Biden's wife, Jill, will appear in a commercial airing before Sunday's broadcast of Puppy Bowl XVIII. The first lady's office tweeted the video. Both contests will be held on the day before Valentine's Day, which is Monday. Hi there. I'm Jill Biden, here at the White House with our new puppy Commander, the first lady says. You know, Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because it's all about love. The first lady, wearing a gray turtleneck sweater with AMOUR in pink letters across the front, is seated in the White House movie theater with Commander by her side. What's so wonderful about having pets is they bring us unconditional love, joy and comfort every day, she adds. All of us are wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day. Other footage in the ad shows the two frolicking in a White House hallway. Last year, Jill Biden filmed a public service announcement focused on mask-wearing in a pandemic to air during Puppy Bowl XVII. She was surrounded in that ad by the family's German shepherds, Champ and Major. Champ died last year; Major now lives in Delaware after behaving aggressively at the White House. The Bidens recently welcomed a cat named Willow to the White House. Roza Barakat poses for a portrait in a safe house in Hassakeh, Syria, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. Barakat was 11 years old when she was taken by IS militants, along with thousands of others, when the extremists overran her hometown of Sinjar in northwestern Iraq. Eight years later, she is living in the shadows, afraid to go home and fearing her community won't accept her. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad) BARZAN, Syria (AP) Roza Barakat's tormentors have been defeated, but the horrors she endured still hold her captive. She was 11 years old when she was captured and enslaved by the Islamic State group, along with thousands of other Yazidi women and girls taken when the militants overran northern Iraq in their brutal 2014 campaign. Torn from her family in the town of Sinjar, the enclave of the ancient religious Yazidi minority, she was taken to Syria, sold multiple times and repeatedly raped. She bore a child, a boy she has since lost. Now, at 18, she speaks little of her native Kurdish dialect, Kurmanji. With the defeat of IS in 2019, Barakat slipped into the shadows, opting to hide in the turmoil that followed the worst of the battles. As IS fighters were arrested, their wives and children were packed into detention camps. Barakat was free, but she couldnt go home. I dont know how Ill face my community, she told The Associated Press, speaking in Arabic, as she nervously played with the ends of her long dark braid, the red polish on her dainty fingers fading. For years, her IS captors told her she would never be accepted if she returned. I believed them," she said. Barakats tale, corroborated by Yazidi and Syrian Kurdish officials, is a window into the complicated realities faced by many Yazidi women who came of age under the brutal rule of IS. Traumatized and lost, many struggle to come to terms with the past, while the Yazidi community is at odds over how to accept them. What do you expect from a child who was raped at 12, gave birth at 13?" said Faruk Tuzu, co-chair of Yazidi House, an umbrella of Yazidi organizations in northeastern Syria. After so much shock and abuse they dont believe in anything anymore, they dont belong anywhere. The AP does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission. Barakat spoke to the AP from a safe house run by Tuzu's group just a few days after the leader of the Islamic State group, believed to have played a key role in the enslavement of Yazidi women, was killed in a U.S. raid in northwestern Syria. She shrugged off the news, saying it doesn't make a difference. IS first sold Barakat to an Iraqi from Tal Afar, a man older than her father. She shudders as she recounts how he made me call his wife mother. After a few months she was sold to another man. Eventually, her IS captors gave her a choice: Convert to Islam and marry an IS fighter, or be sold again. She converted, she says, to avoid being sold. She married a Lebanese they chose for her, a man who ferried food and equipment for IS fighters. He was better than most, she said. At 13, she gave birth to a son, Hoodh. At the peak of the militants' self-proclaimed caliphate," they lived in the city of Raqqa, the IS capital. Once, she begged her husband to find out what happened to her older sisters who had been taken just like her. She had lost hope that her parents were still alive. Some weeks later, he told her he found one of her sisters, holding up a photo of a woman in Raqqas slave market where Yazidi girls were sold. How different she looks, Barakat remembers thinking. By early 2019 as IS rule was crumbling, Barakat fled with her husband first to the eastern Syrian city of Deir el-Zour, and then to the town of Baghouz, which became IS's last stand. As U.S.-backed Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces surrounded Baghouz, a safe passage was offered to women and children. At this point, Barakat could have stepped forward and identified herself as a Yazidi and sought safety. But instead, she clutched Hoodh in her arms and walked out of the town with other IS wives. Today, over 2,800 Yazidi women and children are still missing, said Tuzu. Some have cut ties and are building new lives outside the community, believing that if they return, they'd be killed. Others fear being separated from their children, fathered by IS members. Iraqs Yazidi community has forced women returning to Sinjar to give up their children as a condition to return. Many were told their children would be adopted by Syrian Kurdish families but dozens have ended up in an orphanage in northeastern Syria. The fate of the children has been at the center of an ongoing debate within the Yazidi community. In 2019, the Yazidi Spiritual Council, the highest authority among Yazidis, called on members to accept all Yazidi survivors of IS atrocities. Days later, the council clarified the decision excluded children born of IS rape. This is our mistake, and we recognize that we didnt allow the children to stay with their mothers, said Tuzu. He confirmed that some Yazidi women are still at al-Hol camp, which holds tens of thousands of women and children, mostly wives, widows and children of IS members. Many of the missing Yazidis scattered across Syria and Turkey, others live clandestine lives in the Syrian city of Aleppo and in Deir El-Zour. Tuzu expects the majority may have gone to the rebel province of Idlib, where al-Qaida is dominant but where IS also maintains a presence. After walking out of Baghouz with other IS women in March 2019, Barakat slipped away to a nearby village rather than end up in a camp. With the help of IS sympathizers, she took a smuggling route and ended up in Idlib, in northwesten Syria, in a home for IS widows. Her husband was killed in Baghouz. Here, Barakats story diverges from what she told officials. Initially, she told them she had left her son behind in Idlib to find work elsewhere. She told the AP that Hoodh died after an airstrike in Idlib. When pressed to clarify, she said: Its hard. I dont want to talk about it. With the help of a smuggler, she made her way to Deir el-Zour and eventually found work at a clothing market, saving up for a new life in Turkey. She still dreamed of making it to Turkey when Kurdish internal security forces caught her last month, waiting in a house in the town of al-Tweinah to be taken by smugglers across the Syria-Turkey border. She was held and interrogated for days. I did everything to hide that I was Yazidi, she said. She told the investigators she was from Deir el-Zour, and was hoping to get medical treatment in Turkey, but they didnt buy it. One held up an old photo found on her mobile phone a young Yazidi woman in an IS slave market and asked her to explain. The words just came out: That is my sister,' Barakat said. Once the truth was out, Barakat was taken to a safe house in the village of Barzan, in Syria's Hassakeh province, where the Yazidi community welcomed her. I was in shock to hear their kind words, and to be welcomed the way I was, she said. She isnt ready to go back to Sinjar just yet. Her entire family was either killed or is still unaccounted for. What is there to go back to, she wonders. I need time, for myself. Ex-National Guard member could get over two years for assaulting police in U.S. Capitol riot By Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former National Guard member who served in Iraq will on Thursday learn his punishment for punching two police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has scheduled a sentencing hearing at 2 p.m. ET (1900 GMT) for Mark Leffingwell of Seattle, who pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge. Jackson is one of several federal judges in the District of Columbia who have sharply criticized the Jan. 6 riot, calling it an "antidemocratic call for martial law" and "a crime against democracy itself" at a recent court hearing in an unrelated case. At the same hearing, Jackson blasted former President Donald Trump for his fiery speech before the deadly attack, saying he and others "stoked" the crowd. Prosecutors have asked Jackson to sentence Leffingwell, 52, to 27 months in prison. Jackson said at a court hearing in October that federal sentencing guidelines recommended Leffingwell serve a prison term of 24 to 30 months. "Leffingwell, a military veteran who once defended the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, willingly betrayed his nation and became an enemy of the United States on Jan. 6," federal prosecutors said in a court filing last month. Mark Carroll, a lawyer for Leffingwell, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. The Justice Department said last month that more than 225 people have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or government employees during the Jan. 6 attack. Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted that day, the Justice Department said. Four officers died by suicide in the aftermath of the attack. (Reporting by Jan Wolfe, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Rioters charge the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn election results before Congress finalized them. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Federal prosecutors are revising a plea deal for a Georgia man present at the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, citing new information that online sleuths attribute to video recently released by the Los Angeles Times. Glen Simon pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and faced up to six months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. But in early January, prosecutors asked the court to delay his sentencing, saying they had discovered new information that warranted further investigation. Department of Justice lawyers announced in a court filing Tuesday that they had offered Simon a new deal in which he would plead guilty to the more significant misdemeanor of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, punishable by up to one year imprisonment and a fine. Federal law changes the charge to a felony with a maximum punishment of up to 10 years in prison if it is determined a deadly weapon was used or serious harm was caused. The court documents do not reference any weapon. Prosecutors asked that Simon be given until mid-March to accept or reject the deal, according to their filing. They also requested Simons upcoming sentencing hearing be converted into a case status hearing. Simons attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prosecutors did not specify the new information, nor its source, in their Jan. 8 request to delay sentencing. A group of online sleuths working to identify people who were at the Capitol during the attack had posted several days before on Twitter that they found evidence in a Times video of Simon clashing with police outside the building. The 28-minute video was released for the first time to mark the one-year anniversary of the insurrection attempt. Times photographer Kent Nishimura captured the video while in the crowd Jan. 6, 2021, using a helmet- mounted GoPro camera. On Jan. 5, the group, which calls itself @capitolhunters, posted several clips pulled from the Times video. #SeditionHunters - as we near the 1-year anniversary of the Capitol attack, 2 resolutions: no more lies, & release all footage. LA Times just posted video that shows...Glen Simon (#PurplePantherPunk) of GA lied for his plea deal, hid assaults on police. (h/t @SometimesUsefu2) 1/ pic.twitter.com/geLOUK6qAi capitolhunters (@capitolhunters) January 5, 2022 The clips appear to show a person dressed like Simon among a group using a police barricade to push back Capitol Police officers on the buildings West Front shortly after the Capitol had first been breached. Some of the worst injuries to police that day occurred during the hours-long melee in the West Front plaza. Simon was quickly identified by online sleuths in 2021, who found video he posted on Facebook of himself inside the Capitol wearing the same clothing as the person identified in the Times video. He also posted an image of himself outside the Capitol with the caption, feel like I took about 50 bong rips of pepper spray today. Post victory picture after the ramming through of the Capitol building, according to the initial complaint. Court filings include photos of him walking around inside the Capitol. More than 725 people have been arrested for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 225 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. More than 165 have pleaded guilty to federal charges. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Defense attorney Robert Sanger, left, talks to Peter Chadwick at a pretrial hearing in 2019 in Santa Ana. Chadwick pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder in his wife's death. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) An Orange County multimillionaire who led investigators on a years-long manhunt after being charged with his wife's slaying pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison. Peter Chadwick, 57, strangled and drowned his wife 46-year-old Quee Choo Chadwick in the bathroom of their Newport Beach home on Oct. 10, 2012, according to prosecutors. Police said he wrapped her in a comforter and dumped her body in a trash bin in San Diego County. The couple had been fighting over a possible divorce and related financial issues. Chadwick choked up as he entered a guilty plea in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana. As part of the plea agreement with prosecutors, Chadwick will not receive any credit toward his prison sentence for time he has served in county jail while awaiting trial. Before the plea deal, he had faced 25 years to life in prison if convicted. "I just want to express that I am truly sorry," Chadwick said during the hearing. He added that he hoped his sons, who are now adults, and his wife's family can "somehow carry on remembering what kind of a person she was. Such a great person, so loving, and she cared for everyone." Chadwick's attorney, Robert Sanger, could not immediately be reached for comment. The investigation into Quee Choos death in 2012 started with a missing persons report from a neighbor, who noticed the couples sons standing at a bus stop waiting to be picked up after school. When investigators entered the family's home hours later, they found a decorative vase broken near the bathtub and tiny droplets of blood splattered on the bathroom wall. The homes safe had also been emptied, police said. A day later, Chadwick called 911 from a gas station in San Diego County to report that his wife had been killed. Chadwick claimed that someone else had killed his wife and forced him to load her body into a car and drive to the U.S.-Mexico border. He later admitted to investigators that he made up the story, authorities said. Chadwick was released on $1-million bail shortly after his arrest and agreed to live with his father in Santa Barbara as he awaited trial. He surrendered his British and American passports, and showed up to hearings for two years before authorities discovered he had vanished in January 2015. Authorities suspected that, even without passports, Chadwick probably had been able to leave the country. Investigators discovered several books in his home detailing how someone could change their identity and live on the run. Chadwick also emptied millions from his bank accounts and took cash advances on his credit cards before he disappeared, police said. His sons remained in the United States and were raised by family members. The years-long manhunt took investigators across the United States, Canada and Mexico and earned Chadwick a spot on the U.S. Marshals Service's 15 Most Wanted fugitive list. In 2018, Newport Beach police officials released a true-crime podcast, Countdown to Capture, and announced a reward that investigators hoped would drum up interest in the case and lead to Chadwicks arrest. Investigators got a break in the case when they learned Chadwick was receiving assistance from people close to his family. That led them to Mexico, where Chadwick was found in August 2019 in a residential duplex in a community of U.S. expatriates near Puebla. It took years of painstaking police work to track down this defendant in order to hold him accountable for the murder of his wife and the mother of his three sons," Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer wrote in a prepared statement. "In making the decision to accept a guilty plea, we carefully considered the wishes of Q.C.s family, especially her sons who have already suffered the loss not only of their mother but also of their father at such a young age." City News Service contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Denise Maupin and other community members protest outside John W. North High School in Riverside on Oct. 21 after a viral video showed a math teacher wearing a faux headdress and mimicking Native Americans during class. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A Riverside high school teacher who was recorded mocking Native Americans by wearing a faux headdress and chanting during a math lesson in October was fired last week after months of protest, Native American advocates said. Community members representing local tribes and some from out of state spoke at last week's Riverside school board meeting and cheered when the board announced that an unnamed employee had been fired after a 4-1 vote in closed session. Riverside Unified School District officials would not confirm the identity of the fired teacher. The teacher has the right to a hearing in front of a state commission and may appeal the decision, which could take up to three years, said district spokesperson Diana Meza. The district had previously said the teacher at John W. North High School was placed on leave while it investigated the incident. "It was a victory for us, because it does show our voices were heard," said Dee Dee Manzanares Ybarra, the director of the American Indian Movements Southern California chapter and chair of the Rumsen Am:a Tur:ataj Ohlone tribe, who attended school board meetings with other activists since the video became public. "It was important to not have this person around children anymore, because of what she's done," Ybarra said, calling the teacher's actions "a mockery of our people." The video of the teacher shows her chanting a mnemonic device sohcahtoa, often used to help students remember trigonometric functions while stomping around the classroom, standing on desks, making chopping motions and, at one point, pretending to pray. Native American activist Akalei Brown originally posted the video after receiving it from the student who recorded it. The video amassed more than 3 million views on Twitter and hundreds of thousands of interactions on Instagram. Immediately after the video went public, Native American community members organized protests at the school, demanding the firing of the teacher and an apology. Since then, district officials have met with local tribal councils and parents to make some curriculum and policy changes. "Personally, it's not about the individual teacher, whose behavior was clearly outrageous it's about these types of microaggressions that happen to Native and first peoples in this region that happen daily," said Mary Valdemar, co-chair of the Ethnic Studies Inland Empire Coalition. Any changes to a curriculum should be done with the involvement of tribes who first lived on the land, Valdemar said. Inspired by the classroom incident, Assembly Member James Ramos (D-Highland), a resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation and a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, said last month that he would introduce a bill to encourage school districts to collaborate with tribes in improving their curriculums. So few people understand the diversity of Californias first people, Ramos said. They speak different languages, use different musical instruments, practice different customs and traditions. Few know many tribes were wiped out or almost eliminated during the 1800s." After the school board vote was announced, Riverside schools Supt. Renee Hill said at the meeting that curriculums would change to "ensure proper representation of the region's first people and Native Americans," which drew further applause from the crowd. "Our leadership is working to ensure accountability," Hill said. In previous school board meetings, Hill said the district would begin work toward creating a land acknowledgment. Ybarra and Valdemar are still calling on the district and teacher to issue a formal apology for the incident. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. MADISON, Wis. (AP) A supporter of former President Donald Trump who said authorities should root out voter fraud is among five people who were charged Thursday with election fraud by a Republican district attorney who's running for Wisconsin attorney general. All five voters, including a homeless person, improperly listed a post office box number at a UPS store as their address, rather than a residential address as is required under Wisconsin law, said Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney. That brings the number of people charged with election fraud during the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin to 10, including seven in Fond du Lac County. Three of the five people charged cast ballots in the 2020 election. Toney said he hoped the charges would serve to educate voters about the law requiring them to list a residential address when registering to vote. In response to a question about whether this would fuel false claims of widespread election fraud, Toney said that was not the intent. It is clear that would have had no impact on any election results about who would have won the race," Toney said. It has nothing to do with that type of argument. In fact, one of the people charged indicated she had voted for Trump and told investigators to look into cheating because they took it away from Trump, according to the complaint. Another person charged who did not vote in 2020 appeared very apologetic upon learning that he could not register to vote with a PO Box, the complaint said. Another man who didn't vote said he was living out of his truck when he registered and used the post office box because he could use that on his driver's license. Voters in Wisconsin do not register by political party, so there is no way of knowing how many of those charged are Republicans or Democrats. President Joe Biden won Wisconsin by just under 21,000 votes out of more than 3.2 million cast. The outcome has withstood recounts, lawsuits and multiple reviews. An Associated Press review in battleground states also found no widespread fraud. The issue of voters listing post office boxes when registering to vote, rather than where they live, was also raised in La Crosse County following the 2020 election. However, the district attorney there decided not to press charges after determining the voters did not intend to break the law. But Toney, when explaining why he decided to bring charges, said ignorance of the law is no excuse. This is an important opportunity for education on this issue, Toney said. He said he hoped filing charges would lead to fewer criminal referrals that take time and resources away from police and district attorneys who should instead be focused on fighting violent crime. One of the people charged was homeless but should have listed any kind of address, like the location of a park bench, rather than a post office box number, Toney said. A married couple who were charged were traveling around the state in an RV and could have listed the address of a campground where they stay, he said. The five people were each charged with a Class I felony, which is punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Toney is running for attorney general and faces former state Rep. Adam Jarchow in the Aug. 9 Republican primary. The winner will advance to face Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul in November. Holding unruly airplane passengers accountable for their actions has become increasingly vital over the past two years as recorded incidents aboard aircraft have reached new highs. Delta Air Lines (DAL) wants to bar convicted passengers from future travel on any airline. The no-fly list will help prevent future incidents and serve as a strong symbol of the consequences of not complying with crew member instructions on commercial aircraft, Delta CEO Ed Bastian wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International, said the proposed no-fly list is incredibly important to ensure the safety of all travelers. A no-fly list should be on the table because there has to be very severe consequences for those who are acting out, Nelson told Yahoo Finance (video above). Its a relatively small number of people, but they have created incredible harm, incredible risk to the safety of everyone on board, and at the very least a major inconvenience to the rest of the passengers. For the week ending January 23, 2022, there were 4.9 incidents per 10,000 flights. There have been 73 total incidents so far this year. According to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the FAA is continuing to vigorously enforce and encourage referral, criminal referrals where appropriate, for this kind of behavior. In 2022, we should not even have to say that when you're on an airplane, you need to behave in a way that is safe and appropriate, Buttigieg said. But we still have far, far too many cases, far, far too many examples of flight crews being mistreated, or even other passengers being harmed by unruly passengers. It's got to stop, and we're going to continue doing everything that we can through enforcement and through just getting the message out there that we stand with flight crews. A timeline of incidents in 2021 that led to the no-fly list idea. (Chart: FAA) Nelson also noted that if unruly behavior by passengers isnt stopped, it could leave U.S. aircraft particularly vulnerable. What this also has done, if we accept this as a new normal and we dont get busy trying to get these incidents down, is that were also handing another tool to those who would like to use commercial airliners as a weapon against our country, like they have in the past, and that remains a threat that we are on the lookout for every single day, Nelson said. 'Why we're bringing alcohol back is a mystery to us' The main factors contributing to these incidents, according to flight attendants, are passenger mask requirements and alcohol. Last year, a passenger who was asked to wear her face mask properly punched a Southwest flight attendant in the face, knocking out two of her teeth. Following the incident, both Southwest Airlines (LUV) and American Airlines (AAL) banned the sale of alcohol on board. However, Southwest announced last Friday that its ban would end on Feb. 16. Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sara Nelson testifies before a Senate committee on December 15, 2021. Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERS This has been part of the efforts to keep down these violent events on the plane, Nelson said. And we haven't seen a decrease in those events. So why were bringing alcohol back is a mystery to us. Were totally opposed to that. We dont need to be introducing anything else that is a major contributor to these events. Nelson praised American Airlines approach, though, particularly for how theyve worked with unions and maintained their no-alcohol policy. She added that airports should also stop selling to-go alcohol, which passengers could bring aboard planes in violation of federal regulation. These are some of the things that we still need to work on, because these incidents are just way too frequent, a major risk to everyone who is flying, and were getting to a place where people are starting to think that this is what youre going to experience when you buy a ticket, and that has real economic consequences potentially, too, she said. Adriana Belmonte is a reporter and editor covering politics and health care policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow her on Twitter @adrianambells and reach her at adriana@yahoofinance.com. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Flipboard, and LinkedIn A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be disastrous, Liz Truss warned her counterpart in Moscow as diplomatic activity intensified to ease the crisis. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has flown to Brussels for talks with Natos chief before heading to Poland to offer support to eastern European allies. The UK has put 1,000 troops on standby in case of a humanitarian crisis in the east if the current Russian military build-up leads to war. The Foreign Secretary used a meeting with counterpart Sergei Lavrov to call on Russia to abandon Cold War rhetoric and avoid war. The reality is we cannot ignore the build-up of over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and the attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, she said. Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people, and for European security. And, together, Nato has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs. This week I am in Moscow to deliver a strong message that war in Ukraine would be disastrous for Russia, Ukraine and European security. Russia must pursue a diplomatic path and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/MKJQCprHxR Liz Truss (@trussliz) February 10, 2022 She urged Vladimir Putins administration to respect the Budapest memorandum signed in 1994, which committed the UK, US and Russia to respect and uphold Ukrainian independence. If these principles are respected, I believe that, in todays talks, we can make progress to strengthen security for all, she told Mr Lavrov. Mr Johnson was meeting Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg at the alliances headquarters in Brussels on Thursday morning before flying to Poland. British officials have warned that any further Russian incursion into Ukraine would be a humanitarian disaster leading to a mass displacement of people, which would particularly affect countries like Poland and Lithuania. Additional troops are being placed on readiness to provide a humanitarian response if required, although they could also be used to provide further support to allies in the region. Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv (Peter Nicholls/PA) Meanwhile, 350 Royal Marines from 45 Commando are to begin deploying to Poland as part of a further strengthening of UK support to the country announced earlier this week. In December the UK sent 100 Royal Engineers to the country after Moscows ally, Belarus, engineered a refugee crisis on the border. Ahead of his visit to Warsaw, Mr Johnson insisted the West must stand firm in the face of Mr Putins coercive diplomacy. He made clear that Nato could not accept a key Kremlin demand that there should be no further enlargement of the alliance. As an alliance we must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise, he said. That includes the security of every Nato ally and the right of every European democracy to aspire to Nato membership. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is meeting Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg (Justin Tallis/PA) Mr Johnson was expected to reiterate an offer to strengthen Natos defences. It includes doubling the number of UK troops in Estonia, deploying more RAF jets to create a squadron in southern Europe, and dispatching a Type 45 destroyer and HMS Trent, an offshore patrol vessel, to the eastern Mediterranean. Sir Keir Starmer will also meet Mr Stoltenberg on Thursday as the Labour leader strives to break with the partys perceived weak stance on defence under his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn. In an interview with The Times, Sir Keir said we are firm and united in our support for Nato, and he argued Mr Johnsons standing on the world stage has been weakened by the scandals in No 10. His authority has been diminished because of the various activities over the last few months, Sir Keir said. Russia currently has an estimated 130,000 troops massed along the border with Ukraine, prompting fears that it is preparing for a full-scale invasion. French President Emmanuel Macron, who met Mr Putin in Moscow earlier this week, said the Russian president had told him he is not seeking to escalate the situation. However, with large-scale Russian military exercises about to begin in Belarus, which also borders Ukraine, there are fears they could be cover for an attack. While there is no appetite among Western powers for direct military intervention in Ukraine, which is not a Nato member, they have warned of crippling sanctions in the event of any Russian incursion. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who is set to visit Moscow on Friday, said the 1,000 extra troops could be sent to any Nato country where there are consequences of an invasion of Ukraine, including the Baltic states, Poland, Romania and Nordic nations. Should Russia invade Ukraine I think we can expect very large movements of people as refugees and that in itself can be very destabilising to small and medium-sized states, he told BBC Radio 4s Today. Mr Wallace also rejected a claim by Sir Keir that Mr Johnsons domestic political problems had left the Prime Minister a diminished figure internationally. I think theres a danger that Labour is probably talking in their own echo chamber, he said. I visited 11 countries in the last two-and-a-half weeks, Ive visited and talked to nearly 20 international partners since December, and thats absolutely not the case. Whats absolutely the case is Britain is recognised as a serious player. The Duke of Cambridge has planted mangrove saplings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a group of children, and told them you are the future in the fight to save the planet. The future king, dressed in a suit, crouched down to give the young plants a start in life when he visited a nature reserve in Abu Dhabi. In a drive to help protect regional flora and fauna, environmental campaigner William went to learn about efforts to safeguard the wetlands with the son of Abu Dhabis Crown Prince, Sheikh Khaled. William and Sheikh Khaled planted mangrove saplings together at the Jubail Mangrove Park and were told mangroves capture four times more carbon than rain forests. The Duke of Cambridge talks to Sheikh Khaled (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) The duke chatted to Amaan Haider, 13, and Lily-Rose Mayall, 12, from the British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. He told the students: You are the future. Keep up the good work. Mark Leppard, the schools headmaster, said: The children who were introduced to the prince are part of out global leaders programme, who all volunteer, and follow the 20 global goals for sustainability. This initiative is part of improving the local environment. Theyve been excited and surprised and this came through (with them being) ecstatic about sharing their thoughts. Feature Your News Online $25.00 / for 30 days Highlight your business' news for just $25! We'll feature your content on our News From Local Business section & our Marketplace front page to give it maximum exposure for the next 30 days. Online Access for Print Subscribers. Do you have a print subscription with the Argus-Press? If yes, then click here to enjoy complimentary access to our Online Content! YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Iran are marking the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on February 9, 1992. The Armenian-Iranian relations have as much of potential and promising future as they have a rich history. This prospect is outlined not only by the close and friendly ties of the two countries and peoples, but also by the fact that Iran is among Armenias most trusted and key partners both regionally and internationally, as well as in energy, trade and transport relations. The dynamic growth in trade turnover in the last years is especially promising, and Iran has become Armenias 3rd largest trading partner with a $502 million dollar trade turnover. Now, Yerevan and Tehran plan to develop trade and reach $1 billion turnover. The development and enhancement of ties with Iran has always been among the priorities of the Armenian foreign policy. The Pashinyan Administrations 2021-2026 Government Program notes that the government will take steps to ensure the further development of the special relations with Iran. The Armenian and Iranian foreign ministers exchanged felicitations on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in the message that the Armenian-Iranian relations are marked with close and firm cooperation anchored on mutual respect and many centuries of history molded in difficult and hard paths of different trials, the foreign ministry said in a press release. The Armenian FM expressed conviction that through effective partnership the friendly relations of the two countries will be further strengthened for the benefit of the welfare of the peoples of the two countries and lasting peace in the region. In turn, Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in his message that Iran was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the Republic of Armenia and to establish official diplomatic relations. The Iranian foreign minister stressed the determination of the Islamic Republic of Iran to further bolster bilateral and regional cooperation with the Republic of Armenia. During the 30 years of diplomatic relations, Yerevan and Tehran implemented dozens of important projects in energy, transport and trade. A number of new projects are underway and are aimed at economic development of both countries. According to most recent official data, trade turnover between Armenia and Iran in 2021 totaled 502 million 842 thousand USD (exports from Armenia stood at 65 million USD, while imports stood at 437 million USD.) Trade grew more than 25%, or 101 million USD, compared to the previous year. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government approved new restrictions at the Cabinet meeting that will restrict the display of cigarette substitutes by retailers. In 2020, the Government of Armenia made a very serious political decision on the restrictions of tobacco and tobacco substitutes and the provisions are gradually taking effect, the Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said at the Cabinet meeting. He said the technical regulations for cigarette substitutes must be defined by the Law on Reducing and Preventing the Harmful Health Effects of Tobacco and Substitute Use. Kerobyan said the regulations are a highly important contribution for the health of Armenian citizens. The law banning retailers from displaying tobacco products entered into force on January 1. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. We consider the implementation of a fact-finding mission in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, proposed by the UNESCO Director-General after the end of the 2020 Karabakh War, a priority and urgent, Armenian Foreign Ministrys spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said in a statement released today. Armenia supports the implementation of this mission as quickly as possible in line with the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two protocols. The necessity of conducting urgently the UNESCO fact-finding mission arose for protecting the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories under the Azerbaijani control from the danger of elimination. The cases of vandalism against the Armenian monuments, as well as the recent announcement of the Azerbaijani culture ministry on creating a working group aimed at distorting the identity of the Armenian historical-cultural heritage prove that such danger is more than real. We view the proposal of the visit of the UNESCO delegation to Yerevan and Baku exclusively within the frames of the aforementioned mission proposed by the UNESCO Director-General, the spokesperson said. Though in central UP the ruling party had won nearly one-third of the total number of seats, party strategists are not taking any chances New Delhi: After getting reassurance from Jat leaders of western Uttar Pradesh that their community will "continue backing the ruling party," the BJPs election strategies will concentrate on central UP and Bundelkhand, the regions which will go to polls after the second phase. With key constituencies like Mainpuri, Kanpur, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur, Lucknow, Rae Bareili and Phulpur scheduled to go to polls in the third fourth and fifth phases, BJP poll managers are busy ironing out the kinks in those Assembly seats where Akhilesh Yadav-led SP is giving it a very tough fight. Though in central UP the ruling party had won nearly one-third of the total number of seats (around 130), party strategists are not taking any chances. The party leadership is also keeping a close watch on constituencies where rebels could dent their prospects. Once in news for lacking infrastructures and development, ruling BJP had strategically launched various projects in Bundelkhand. The BJP had gained immensely in the region since 2014 and is confident of winning more seats than it did in the last Assembly polls. Rohilkhand is another area that will witness polling in the coming phases and where the main Opposition, SP, is stronger in some Assembly seats. In Purvanchal, where polling will take place in the last two phases, the party has already sent a strong message as chief minister Yogi Adityanath is making his debut in Assembly polls from Gorakhpur. The region, which had been a stronghold of BSP and then SP, has been gradually shifting its affiliation towards the BJP. The BJP is not like other parties which wake up only during the poll season. We are in election mode 24x7 and our leadership is always in touch with party workers till the booth level. Though the Opposition parties try to spread lies and create confusion regarding us, people of the state will vote for us keeping in mind the work our government has done, said a senior BJP leader. TRS leader K.R. Suresh Reddy said 2022 was the year to double the farmers' income but the govt reduced Rs 10,000 crore for procurement New Delhi: Slamming the Modi government for leaving out the majority of the poor in the Union Budget 2022-23, most Opposition parties on Wednesday also accused the Centre of not doing enough for the farm sector that employs a large number of people in the country. Participating in the discussion on the Union Budget in Rajya Sabha, TRS leader K.R. Suresh Reddy lamented the "cut" in food subsidies and the "meagre" sum allocated for research in agriculture. "With a heavy heart, I must tell the finance minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) that a 90-minute (Budget) speech has left 90 crore Indians out of the Budget. This so-called progressive Budget has alienated the majority of the poor people I say this because agriculture is the backbone of our country and kisan, the ever burdened bearer, constitutes 60 per cent of the workforce in agriculture, contributing 18 per cent to the GDP. Out of which, in the entire agriculture, 82 per cent of them are small and marginal farmers having small holdings of one to five acres. This Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and entering into Amritkaal without tangible progressive opportunities to farmers is regressive and Raahukal for them," said Mr Reddy, who also asked for legal status for MSP. The TRS member said 2022 was the year to double the farmers' income but the government reduced Rs 10,000 crore for procurement (of agriculture produce)". "The policy of procurement (agriculture produce) is vague. Farmers sow crops in December and you assure them to tell them about the procurement plan in March. Growing crops is not a SWIGGY service. Farmers need time," he said. Mr Reddy said the agricultural sector's growth needs to be brought to a "reasonable high" in order to double farmers' income, else it will remain a mirage. CPIs Binoy Viswam alleged that the Budget was a "failure" and only intended to benefit "big corporate houses such as Tata, Birla, Ambani and Adani". "This Budget is not for the poor but the rich at the top," he said, adding there has been no attempt to provide succour to women, farmers and health sector as allocations have been slashed and subsidies reduced. by Mathias Hariyadi Tensions high in Purworejo district over a strategic project backed by the Indonesian government, but opposed by the people of the Wadas village, who will lose the land they have always farmed. Local NGOs have offered compensation, but no one has yet explained where they will be able to resettle once they are evicted. Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Demonstrations by local communities opposed to the construction of the Bener dam in Purworejo district, Central Java, a mega-project of the Indonesian government, have been forcibly repressed. Tensions erupted when on 8 February a team of technicians, escorted by a massive deployment of police and military, arrived in the area of the village of Wadas to carry out measurements in view of the opening of an andesite quarry, linked to the construction of the dam. The security forces responded to the inhabitants' protests by arresting at least 60 adults and four minors. It was only after this action became a national case that those arrested were sent home with apologies from the police chief and the governor of central java for the excessive use of force. The Bener dam project is dividing the local community. Announced in 2018, the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works intends to irrigate more than 15,000 hectares of rice fields by 2023, improve water supplies especially in the area of Yogyakarta's new international airport, become a source of hydroelectric power and reduce the risk of flooding that often affects the Purworejo and Kulon Progo districts. On the other hand, however, the quarry will have an impact on an agricultural area, which will see more than 150 hectares of land requisitioned for the quarry alone, to the detriment of the 1,800 or so inhabitants of Wadas village. Several local NGOs and human rights organisations are siding with the residents, claiming that they have not been given a choice and, although they have been guaranteed compensation, they have no idea where they will be able to settle when they lose the land that is currently their only source of livelihood. They are also concerned about the fate of 28 water sources in the area that would be turned into a quarry. Despite the protests, the public authorities say they will push ahead with the project. Although - in an attempt to ease tensions - the governor of Central Java Province has assured that due consideration will be given to legal rulings on the project. According to official data, the prison population rose by 1.5 per cent in 2020 over the previous year, with about 76 per cent of the inmates held pending trial. The only positive note is the drop in deaths in prison, down to 1,764 in 2020. New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) Indias prison population is growing, rising by 1.5 per cent in 2020 over the previous year, for a total of 488,511, this according to the India Justice Report, This is particularly worrisome since 2020 was also the first year of the pandemic and that the second COVID-19 wave in the first months of 2021 was particularly intense in prisons. The number of people arrested in 2020 increased by 900,000 over 2019. Overcrowding in prison is due to the number of people waiting to go to trial, whose share of the prison population rose from 69 per cent in December 2019 to 76 per cent in December 2021. The report also notes a drastic decline in the access of prisoners to the courts, down by 65 per cent, as well as hospital care, down by 24 per cent in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The only positive note is the decline in the number of people dying in prison, from 1,887 in 2019 to 1,764 in 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving civil war, children have not been able to go to school in the past two years. Loikaw is now a ghost town as a result of reprisals by government forcers against local ethnic militias; meanwhile, thousands of refugees are pouring into Shan State each week. The local Catholic Church is opening educational facilities thanks to the support of the Emergenza (Emergency) Myanmar Fund set up by the Fondazione PIME (Foundation). Yangon (AsiaNews) Children aged 6 to 18 displaced by the conflict in Kayah State can now attend a recently inaugurated primary school in Taunggyi, the capital of neighbouring Shan State. As a result of reprisals by Myanmars military against local ethnic militias, civilians have been displaced over the past few months, including tens of thousands of residents of the state capital of Loikaw. The new school is one of the initiatives supported by the Emergenza (Emergency) Myanmar Fund set up last week by the Fondazione PIME (Foundation) in order not to forget the victims of the tragedy that has struck the country over the past year. Internally displaced people, adults and children, wanted the school in Taunggyi, since the latter have not been able to attend classes for the past two years, due to the pandemic and the civil war. A total of 179 pupils will be welcomed at the new facility, which has two structures, divided into 10 classes based on age, from grades 1 to 10. The curriculum includes Burmese language, English, and mathematics. Pupils will also be able to take part in weekly workshops run by a psychologist, including a one-hour creative workshop, a one-hour fiction workshop, and shared reading. Ten trained teachers, mostly displaced women, will be in charge of the courses. Myanmars political crisis is now into its second year. In addition to creating a climate of insecurity, it is exacerbating poverty among the countrys population. The protests that followed the coup d'etat of 1 February 2021 have morphed into full civil war. In every state and region of the country, ethnic militias are fighting the ruling military junta that overthrew the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Last December, the military bombed Loikaw for a week, forcing about 60,000 of its 70,000 residents to flee the city for the nearby cities of Taunggyi and Taungoo, where the Catholic Church is present. Refugees are an emergency in other parts of Myanmar as well. According to UNHCR, the total number of people displaced in the last year has risen to over 400,000, with about 10,000 to 15,000 more added each week. According to some sources, Loikaw is now a ghost town. In view of the situation, the Fondazione PIME opened the S145 Emergenza Myanmar Fund (in Italian) to support initiatives by local parishes, many of which were founded by PIME missionaries before the expulsion of foreign missionaries in 1966. The campaigns goal is to provide immediate help to thousands of people by supporting the relief operations set up by the dioceses of Taungoo and Taunggyi. Many local church groups have responded to the emergency and are showing Myanmars most beautiful face, that of a people who, despite the many sufferings that have marked its history, chooses the path of solidarity. It is to them that we will send the aid, to meet first peoples basic needs, like shelter, food, and education for children no longer able to go to school. Donations can be made out to S145Emergenza Myanmar: - directly online at this link (in Italian) choosing S145Emergenza Myanmar among the projects (progetti); - by bank transfer payable to Fondazione Pime Onlus IBAN: IT 11 W 05216 01630 000000005733 (it is recommended that a copy of the transfer be sent by email to uam@pimemilano.com indicating name, address, place and date of birth, plus fiscal code if in Italy or equivalent social insurance number in other countries) - to the postal current account n. 39208202 made out to Fondazione Pime Onlus via Monte Rosa, 81 20149 Milan - in cash or check by going in person to the Centro PIME in Milan, via Monte Rosa 81 business hours Monday to Friday: from 9 am to 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm 5.30 pm) Greenpeace releases scathing report. Plastic from the EU is poisoning the ground in southern Turkey. In 2020 Turkey imported 660,000 tonnes of waste, up by 13 per cent compared to the previous year. For experts, this is causing irreversible damage to the environment. Istanbul (AsiaNews) I send vitamins to Europe, they send us poison, said Izzeddin Akman, a citrus grower in Adana, speaking to Greenpeace about the huge amount of toxic waste that arrives every day from the European Union and the United Kingdom. According to experts, the waste is irreparably polluting the ground with plastic and carcinogenic substances like dioxin and furan. Samples from some dumpsites reveal infinitely higher levels of pollution. In April 2021, the environmental group found that plastic waste imported from the EU and the United Kingdom were dumped and burnt in open air without concern for human health and possible effects on the environment. According to Bianet, an independent Turkish news agency, Greenpeace Research Laboratories and independent laboratories analysed soil, ash, water and sediment samples from mostly illegal dumpsites and found huge amounts of dioxin and furan, 400,000 times higher than in uncontaminated soil. This is a record. No other place in Turkey has such high levels of pollutants, many of which are carcinogenic and can be toxic to foetuses, trigger tumours and affect hormone and immune systems. Soil analyses also revealed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 18 different types of metals and metalloids and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The five dumpsites Greenpeace examined are located among the fertile agricultural, livestock and irrigated fields in Adana, a southern province overlooking the eastern Mediterranean. Illegal burning can cause cancer by mixing into soil, water, air and food chain. What is more such chemical pollutants are very resilient to degradation in the environment, said Dr Kevin Bridgen, a scientist who took part in the analysis. Nihan Temiz Atas, the biodiversity project leader of Greenpeace Mediterranean, said the plastic waste imported from European countries causes "irreversible damage" to the environment in Turkey. According to Eurostat and UK Office for National Statistics figures compiled by Greenpeace, Turkey imported 659,960 tonnes of plastic waste from EU countries and the UK in 2020, up by 13 per cent from the previous year. This is the equivalent of some 241 lorryloads of plastic waste coming to Turkey from those countries every day. Overall, about 28 per cent of the EU plastic waste exports went to Turkey in 2020. That same year, the countries that sent the most plastic waste to Turkey were the UK (209,642 tonnes), Belgium (137,071 tonnes), Germany (136,083 tonnes), and the Netherlands (49,496 tonnes). Turkey's plastic waste imports increased by 196 times between 2004 and 2020. by Arundathie Abeysinghe The Councils next session could hold Sri Lanka responsible for war crimes and other abuses. Trade concessions by the European Union are at risk. If they were lost, country's economic situation would worsen further. Colombo (AsiaNews) Sri Lanka is on the agenda of the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The HRC will meet from 22 February to 1 April 2022, providing the United States with a good opportunity to renew its commitment to the international protection of human rights. Speaking to AsiaNews, several political analysts said that during the UNHRC sessions, the spotlight will fall on allegations of war crimes as well as other abuses in Sri Lanka. On the second day of the session, the report by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, will be presented. Mandated by resolution 40/1 (2019), the high commissioner was required to evaluate the progress with regard to the execution of the HRC recommendations on reconciliation, accountability and respect for human rights in general. A draft of the report was recently released to the media. The paper was also shared with the Sri Lankan government which has the right to defend its position. Analysts are of the view that taking into account the report as well as the latest developments in the island nation, the HRC will undoubtedly generate a new resolution on Sri Lanka. In previous HRC sessions, Sri Lanka co-sponsored significant resolutions and said that it implemented a number of transitional justice mechanisms, accepting a range of such proposals as part of the Universal Periodic Review process. Sri Lanka will point out that a restructured Prevention of Terrorism (PTA) bill in accordance with international standards is under discussion. Yet, in 2019, Sri Lanka refused to support resolutions and the view that human rights situation in the country had worsened. Any HRC resolution in 2022 is expected to be contested, but the UK-led Sri Lanka Score Group is reportedly trying to work out a consensus resolution. Apart from the economic and political challenges, the possibility of continued censure at the 49th session of the UNHRC is a serious matter for Sri Lanka. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands are very critical of humanitarian issues in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka will certainly require Indian cooperation and is also putting pressure on governments with which he has strong ties, including China, Russia and Pakistan. Of special concern is the possibility of being excluded from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) of the European Union in case of censure by the HRC. The GSP is a preferential tariff system that provided incentives for development and good governance practices. If trade concessions are denied, millions of Sri Lankans could lose their livelihood. This will have adverse effects for the economy, worsening the countrys currency crisis and seriously affecting many sectors, especially the apparel industry. Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo, left, addresses the Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday about the increased risks associated with open fires and fireworks in unincorporated parts of the county. Also pictured are Valerie MacDonald, the countys emergency manager, and Parker Lathrop, chief deputy of operations. SUV We'll never forget the Land Rover Series, the Defender, and the Range Rover, but the company was also built on facts you may not know about. Here are 10 of them.The first Land Rover had a center-mounted steering wheelThe first Land Rover, the Series I , went into production in 1948. Designed to compete with the Willys Jeep, the prototype was actually built on a Jeep chassis.But unlike its American rival, it had the steering wheel mounted in the center. The distinctive feature proved impractical and was dropped before production. The central driving position was made popular almost 50 years later by the McLaren F1 supercar.Land Rover didn't exist as a company until 1978The Land Rover was born under the Rover Company, an automobile brand based in Solihull. Land Rover didn't become a separate entity until 1978, 30 years after the Series I debuted. Land Rover Ltd. was established by British Leyland.It offered tank tracks as a factory optionAs ridiculous as it may sound, this actually happened in the 1950s while the Series II was in production. It was originally developed by Cuthbertson, a Scottish manufacturer of rubber tracks.Created for farmers forced to work in an uneven landscape, the Cuthbertson conversion became a factory option. Only a few of these tracked utility vehicles survived to this day.The defender 110 was conceived to qualify as a bus to avoid taxesApparently, Land Rover didn't like paying taxes and went to great lengths to make sure its buyers didn't have to either. So it designed the Defender 110 to accommodate up to 12 people, which qualified it as a bus in Great Britain. Sure, buses didn't have tax-exempt status, but these were lower than a regular passenger vehicle.It built quite a few forward control vehiclesThis is a relatively unknown chapter in the company's history that started in 1962 with the Series IIA FC, which was used mostly as a fire and recovery truck. The second cab-over-engine vehicle was introduced in 1966 as the IIB FC.These civilian trucks were followed by the 101 Forward Control, a military-spec vehicle that remained in use for decades. Land Rover's final attempt came in the 1980s with the Llama , based on a Defender 110 chassis.The latter wasn't developed beyond prototype form as Land Rover failed to win a contract with the British Ministry of Defence.A Range Rover was the first car to be exhibited in the LouvreUpon its release in 1969, the first-generation Range Rover was exhibited in the Musee du Louvre as an "exemplary work of industrial design." It was the first-ever vehicle showcased in the world's most-visited museum, home to the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.The first Range Roverwas originally called VelarThe Velar made its commercial debut in 2017, but the nameplate was first used in the late 1960s when the very first Range Rover was developed. Derived from the Italian "velare," meaning "to veil" or "to cover," Rover used the name as a decoy for registering pre-production Range Rovers.Registered in London, the Velar company produced 26 development vehicles (some sources claim up to 40 SUVs were made).The guy who designed the Range Rover made jet enginesCharles Spencer King, the mastermind behind the Range Rover, joined Rover after a three-year stint at Rolls-Royce , where he worked on jet and gas turbine engines.He actually moved to Rover because the company wanted to experiment with a gas turbine car and in 1950 he successfully demonstrated the JET 1. In 1952, he drove the turbine-powered Rover to 152 mph (245 kph).The world's only pink military vehicle is based on a Land RoverLand Rovers were very popular as military vehicles. They were used by governments around the world since the early days and most designs soldiered on for decades with only small upgrades. The "Pink Panther," famous for its being painted almost entirely in pink, was based on the Land Rover Series IIA.Heavily modified by Marshall for the Special Air Service (SAS), the "Pink Panther" was used in the Persian Gulf area. The mauve-like pink may seem a strange color for desert camouflage , but at the time it was considered an easy hue to disguise in the sand, especially at dawn and dusk.It built the first monster truckPeople seem to think that the monster truck was born in the U.S., but Land Rover actually invented the concept in the 1950s. That's when the British Forestry Commission demanded a road-going vehicle that could easily tackle deep mud puddles and Land Rover answered by putting heavy-duty Studebaker axles and tractor tires on a Series IIA. The production of the 1954 Corvette, therefore, came down to just 3,640 units, and all of them were born as convertibles, given the coupe wasnt available at that time.Purchased new in California, this Corvette is obviously a very rough project car right now, but this doesnt necessarily mean its ready to give up without a fight. Not at all, as the Vette still hopes for a full restoration, though on the other hand, its pretty clear this isnt aimed at the faint of heart.There are lots of parts that are currently missing, and eBay seller mastersfred says the Corvette also needs to be wired. The engine inside is no longer the original unit but a 350 (5.7-liter) from a newer Corvette. Yet, we know nothing else about it, so its hard to tell if the engine starts, or at least, if it turns over.The car is said to come with a very solid body, according to the seller, as well as with a full exhaust system and a new aluminum radiator.In other words, the restoration has already been jumpstarted, though, given the new engine under the hood, this Corvette seems to rather qualify for a restomod.A 1954 Corvette isnt something thats very easy to find these days, so unsurprisingly, the car comes with a rather hefty price. The bidding is currently underway, and the top offer already gets close to $13,000, with 4 days left until the auction expires.The car has received nearly 30 bids, and theres no doubt the number will increase as more people come across it. If you want to see it live, its parked in Walker, Louisiana. The company says camera improvements have revolutionized new machine vision and consumer applications. But this progress opened the door for malicious applications. The carmaker argues theres a real need for devices that can help with the discovery of hidden electronics. In todays markets we have a lot of options. People that expect privacy everywhere can buy all sorts of detectors.But Ford s not happy with what is currently available on the market. The American automaker argues todays devices rely on heat signature, electronic interference, or network connectivity to discover a hidden device. To carry this around means people will have to pack heavier, pay more money and be more tech-savvy.Fords new apparatus will be able to detect the presence of a hidden object, or at least an area that may be likely to include a hidden object. If it does, then it will warn the owner about it. The carmaker believes this will be useful for ridesharing users especially, but the application of its new product can be broader.In the filling, the carmaker says the device will use infrared band radiation and other invisible portions of the light spectrum, a hot mirror, and a cut filter to detect more than just hidden cameras. The device will be able to sense infrared or near-infrared light also. Moreover, this new product can determine differences in spectral reflectance compared to a threshold or expected value, meaning it can be tweaked for various scenarios.Fords planning to help its customers achieve more privacy, but we can see this being used by companies too as a mean of protection from unwanted surveillance. For now, we have to wait and see how this is going to be used. HP The two companies announced this week they had selected Honeywell as the engine supplier for the Black Hawk replacement. Honeywell will be providing for future aircraft designed under the Defiant X moniker the HTS7500 turboshaft engine.The specs of the powerplant in this application point to a 7,500 shaftclass at 15,000 rpm, but we also know, as per the commitment made by the companies to the Armys search for a new helicopter, it should be capable of making the Defiant twice as far and fast as the Black Hawk. That one has a never exceed speed of 222 mph (357 kph).Defiant X is a transformational aircraft, and Honeywell is giving us a transformational engine to power it, said Paul Lemmo, president of Sikorsky. Defiant X is optimized for operational effectiveness, sustainment and interoperability with the enduring fleet, and will transform the Army.Last time when we heard anything about this helicopter was back in January, when a variant of it called SB-1 Defiant was tested in hard conditions. Back then, it flew at speeds of 272 mph (438 kph) and performed dangerous maneuvers by reducing thrust to rapidly decelerate.Previous tests have also confirmed the aircraft can navigate 60-degree banked turns, can lift a 5,300-pound (2.4 tons) external load, and hover like a pro as all worthwhile helicopters should do.As for the quest for the new Black Hawk, the Army initiated it back in 2019 as an offshoot of the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. The contract award for the entries is scheduled for later this year, and the military plans to have the new helicopters in service sometime in 2030. While Frontier Project 72X and Project Hardbody take their respective cues from the Datsun 720 and Nissan Hardbody pickups of the 70s and 80s, Project Adventure is a vision of what a Frontier would look like outfitted for overlanding.While theres no formal plan to offer these vehicles as specific packages, Nissan says many of the parts and accessories are available both from the factory and aftermarket suppliers. All three concepts were conceived by Nissan Design America, the Japanese automakers California design studio.In addition to paying homage to earlier Nissan trucks, the three concepts also start with different trim levelsS, SV, and Pro-4Xof the 2022 Frontier Crew Cab. Beneath the skin, all retain the standard 310-horspower 3.8-liter V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission.Truck culture is now very broad hard core off-roaders, overlanders, surfers and kayakers, environmentalists, fishing and hunting outdoor enthusiasts and more, said Hiren Patel, project lead designer for Nissan Design America. The common ground is that they all use their trucks as canvases for personalization. Were offering three styles to show how they could modify their own new Frontier.The Project 72X Frontier starts with the base model S trim of the Crew Cab with four-wheel-drive. Its rather bare bones approach is derived from the Datsun 720 pickup, also known as the Lil Hustler. This inexpensive compact pickup served essentially as an entry level vehicle for the Datsun brand.In its 2022 Nissan Frontier iteration, it employs a 2.5-inch lift kit with adjustable front suspension arms and a sport bar behind the cab on which auxiliary lights can be mounted. The gray paint scheme and white painted wheels (which are the same steel wheels used on Frontier spare tires) gives it the look of a basic no-frills pickup.Nissan makes no bones about the 2022 Frontier borrowing styling cues from the D21 Hardbody that debuted as the company first American designed and built pickup. The Hardbody name comes from that models double-walled cargo box and flared fenders that imbues the compact pickups muscular look.The Frontier Project Hardbody starts with an SV trim level Crew Cab 4x4 model and adds a 3-inch lift kit with adjustable upper control arms. It borrows the overfenders used on the off-road oriented Pro-4X trim and it rides on 33-inch tires mounted on wheels that have a block-style pattern similar to those used on the original Hardbody.Other touches include a cargo-bed-mounted spare carrier, 10-inch LED lights mounted on a sport bar aft of the cabin, and blacked out accents including the door handles, mirror caps and rear bumper. Special graphics use 80s-inspired shadow outlining.As the most modern interpretation of the 2022 Frontier, Project Adventure envisions Nissans midsize pickup outfitted for overlanding. This concept is designed for those who want to get away from it all. In order to do that, a vehicle must be capable of extreme off-roading while providing shelter for overnight excursions.Based on the Pro-4X trim, Project Adventure starts with a 5-inch lift kit, a carbon fiber snorkel to help the vehicle ford waterways and monstrous 34-inch mud terrain tires. As for creature comforts, the roof-mounted basket contains a sky tent for above ground camping, a Yakima bed rack system for gear and a Bluetooth audio system by Kicker to listen to your jams outside the vehicle.Adding to its outdoorsy look are the exterior graphics that includes a body wrap map of the U.S. Other exterior features include a 50-inch light bar, black Frontier lettering on the tailgate and off-road step rails with removable steps. Officially known as the German Democratic Republic, this new country was at the time transparently under Soviet control. After World War II, the laws of the land had changed. The new government wanted strict control and they had enacted a new rule: only Sachsenring and Wartburg could make cars. That did not bode well with Heinz Melkus. Born in Dresden, he often dreamed about racing and winning. These thoughts would not let go of him, so he decided to do something about it.He joined international events with extraordinarily little support from his country and had to work more than its peers just to arrive at a race. Entering one was a different story.Heinz Melkus overcame his anger and learned how to treat the Eastern officials. He, as Matthias Kierse points out, defined racing as a a socially important, useful and necessary activity. They listened to him!After careful planning and a lot of testing, he decided its time to join the big boys world and developed what was going to become East Germanys fist Formula Junior race car. It had a two-stroke engine, a deafening exhaust and managed to hold itself together at some international events.Unfortunately for Heinz Melkus, the gate to the West was closed in 1961 with the appearance of the Berlin Wall. He was only allowed to visit other countries from the Soviet bloc. He managed to participate in some races in former Yugoslavia, where he saw the Lotus Elan. Having nothing else to build on, Melkus chose the Wartburg 353 as his basis, but quickly gave up on it. At that time, Ford GT40s and Porsche 904s had started to emerge, so he planned on making yet another, more stylish, car.Together with his sons and help from Stefan Scheitler, Melkus built what was going to become the Melkus RS 1000 a statement of courage and passion. Design work was sloppy at first, but after some testing done as secretly as possible, Heinz Melkus and his team decided on installing roof-hinged gullwing doors on the model. The maximum height of the car was only about one meter, so these doors made the most sense for parking and accessing garages. This was also confirmed by the owner of the last car produced, as he drove it for a TV interview.The German got to the point where he was confident about mass production, so he requested the approval of the state, but official inspectors demanded changes. The team delivered everything they requested, and the production started in 1970 in what today is called Chemnitz. The car ended up as being four times more expensive than your average Trabant and owners were forced to register in an organization that told them to race at least twice per year. Nonetheless, people liked it.Even thought it looked like it came straight from the hands of Italians, the car had a rough suspension, there was no sound deadening, it was hard to control in unfriendly weather and spare parts were hard to find. It weighed a little over 680 kg (1,500 pounds). In its own way, it had character!The car had the looks, but it lacked any kind of performance or luxury. It was a two-stroke engine good-looking machine that had a lot of communist Wartburg parts under its skin. Nonetheless, some models were able to achieve speeds of up to 210 kph (130 mph). Owners took their cars and secretly swapped the engine with more potent ones. Even the founder tried to couple two Wartburg engines at one point! The team even considered using a Tatra V8 for a high-performance Melkus RS 1000.Unfortunately for the customers, a service network was never established. This meant they had to mend their cars themselves or send them to Chemnitz. After the selling of Melkus headquarters, a new BMW dealership kept servicing some of the cars. Sadly, today that dealership is closed too.It took Heinz Melkus nine whole years to build 101 cars. But he and his team did their best.There were attempts at keeping his legacy alive, but Heinz did not live to see them. Regretfully, after the Lotus Elise-based Melkus RS2000 didnt manage to attract much attention, any new investment stopped and bankruptcy took over. The company tried to make its upgraded and updated car popular, but the GT, GTS and Black Edition iterations of the RS2000 werent expansion catalysts. In 2012, it stopped operating.Now the Melkus RS 1000 the wannabe Ferrari of the East - will live on as a testament of courage and stubbornness. It is proof that when you want to do something for yourself and your peers, with enough determination and a good team, you will find a way. The other two Putin yachts are already in Russian ports, Olympia at Saint Petersburg and Chayka at Sochi. pic.twitter.com/pOhVp0R7ra Manu Gomez (@GDarkconrad) February 9, 2022 German publication Bild is reporting that one of Putins superyachts, the $100 million three-deck Graceful, has fled port at Hamburg and is now back on Russian territory, in Kaliningrad. The timing of the exit could be just a coincidence, but not when you consider the fact that Russia is facing sanctions if it invades Ukraine, which, according to the publication, would most likely include impounding the superyacht.Another reason why this couldnt be a coincidence is the fact that Graceful left Germany incomplete. Launched in 2014 after an extended and challenging build process, it arrived in Hamburg, at the Blohm and Voss shipyard, in September 2021, to undergo refits and modifications. These include the addition of balconies and an extension to the swimming platform.Commissioned in 2005 by a mysterious owner, Graceful was built at Blohm and Voss, on a design by H2 Yacht Design. Construction on it was initially undertaken at the Russian Sevmash shipyard, before it was sent to Germany to be completed. Boat International mentions that construction was significantly delayed when the hull fell off the transport vessel en route to the German shipyard.The brief for Graceful called for a timeless superyacht, with H2 founder Jonny Horsfield telling the same media outlet that the owner is a very confident person. He knows what he likes and hes not a slave to trends. Thats one way of describing Putin Graceful measures 270 feet (82 meters) in total length and offers accommodation for 12 guests and 14 crew members. Ownership and price were never officially confirmed, but it is known that Graceful offers lavish interiors furnished in varied textures, a saloon with a white Steinway piano, library, the mandatory spa and a wellness area with a gym, as well as a pool that converts into a dancefloor.According to reports, Putin has brought all three of his superyachts home. Production is set to kick off this month at the companys Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan, with an on-sale date scheduled for later this Spring. As for the price, it will retail from $46,625 plus $1,795 destination.Each of the three first responder service edition trucks will come with two specially selected low-volume exterior paint colors, which will evoke the spirit, mission and history of that service. This firefighter-themed Ram 1500 model is offered in Redline and Diamond Black exterior colors, to go with a black interior featuring orange accent stitching.All Ram 1500 Built to Serve trucks come with unique interior and exterior features, such as a United States flag and a Built to Serve decal on each rear quarter panel. They also get all-black grille and grille surrounds, black bumpers and bezels, plus 20-inch wheels with a unique Technical Gray finish.Other highlights include body-color wheel flares, black badges, black wheel-to-wheel side steps and dual four-inch black exhaust tips.Inside, they get a special instrument panel badge, optional lockable console storage, performance cloth and vinyl Sport seats, black Onyx Chrome trim and all-weather rubber slush mats. By the way, these Firefighter Edition models get a firefighter-inspired cabin with performance cloth and premium vinyl seats.Ram 1500 Built to Serve trucks will also offer plenty of off-roading features such as all-terrain tires, electronic-locking rear axle, Hill Descent Control, front suspension skid plate, steering gear skid plate, fuel tank skid plate, transfer case skid plate, tow hooks and heavy-duty off-road-calibrated front and rear shock absorbers.After honoring each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces with our initial Built to Serve models, we felt it would be equally important to also extend our gratitude to all first responders who serve or have served our communities, said Ram brand CEO, Mike Koval Jr. Whether a first responder or civilian, Ram truck owners are very familiar with this adage as its something we strive to build into every truck and van we produce. Our planet has seven main land divisions. We get the two Americas to the west, seemingly tied to each other by a thin thread of land, we get Australia isolated way down in the Pacific Ocean, Europe and Asia as a huge mass of land in the Northern Hemisphere, indistinguishable from each other that through human conventions, Africa, and, of course, Antarctica, the place very few live on.Each of these places has its own distinct position on the planet we live on, the maps we make, and, of course, in our minds. Trained to seem then as such ever since we are kids, we are sort of conditioned to recognize these familiar shapes anywhere we see them. And I, for one, sure see some of the above continents (the two Americas, Antarctica, Africa, and parts of Europe) in the image featured here, one the HiRISE camera sent back all the way from Mars.What were looking at is officially described as the contact line between low hills and smooth plains, somewhere in an undisclosed region of Mars. The features are caused by an unknown phenomenon, but what resulted is something that looks eerily similar to what we usually see on the maps of our planet.The image were looking now was captured by HiRISE back in 2014, from an altitude of 274 km (170 miles), but only now made public by NASA and the University of Arizona. They did so as this image is now the subject of study into how these features formed: was this caused by invasive lava effects or some sort of lava-water interaction or another as yet unknown process?There is, of course, no estimate on when we'll learn the answer to that question. In 2017, the E.C. decided that truck makers are overdue for an inspection. After some careful analysis over the span of four years, the authorities found out major European companies in this sector participated in something of a a cartel. It sounds awful, but it isnt really that bad. This just means manufacturers agreed to stop innovating and secretly vowed not to take any actions that might prove to be useful for customers or may provide a competitive advantage in the market.Initially, Scania agreed to admit its guilt and worked with the E.C. on a settlement. The lawyers somehow ended up advising the truck manufacturer to leave the talks and the European authorities continued their investigation. In the end, the findings were clear: Scania did in fact participate in a cartel from 1997 to 2011. Naturally, a huge fine was to come out of this. The Volkswagen-owned Swedish truck maker was ordered to pay 880,523,000 (approx $1 billion). Ouch!Understandably, Scania disagreed. It addressed the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the matter in 2018. They didnt argue their innocence, but rather said that the procedure the E.C. followed was not entirely legal. Scania lawyers said the presumption of innocence was ignored. Mind you, this was spoken after Scania agreed to participate in settlement talks.Furthermore, Scania did not deny that it had the opportunity to submit all the evidence to challenge the facts and evidence on which the Commission relied for applying the fine. They had one shot, one opportunity, but didnt seize what they wanted.After four long years, the judges confirmed the E.C. was right. The recently passed ruling forces Scania to finally pay what it owes for its crimes and also affirms yet again that the truck maker directly participated in all the relevant aspects of the cartel. One important reason scientists are looking for new materials to make batteries for EVs is the scarcity of Lithium. There is also a requirement to improve energy density per cell, as well as the need to reduce the cost of batteries. With so many factors at play, Assistant Professor Haesun Park of Chung-Ang University, Korea, has made a study on the matter with his colleagues.The team led by Haesun Park sought to discover the best option for a Calcium-based cathode material combination. The goal was to develop Ca-ion batteries instead of Lithium-ion ones , and the scientists claim that their research will help guide future experimental efforts.The team adopted a systematic approach, which involved running quantum mechanical simulations based on density functional theory. Instead of repeated practical tests with endless combinations of materials, the team predicted battery-relevant properties of various layered materials that involved Calcium and transition metal oxides.As the team of researchers noted, Lithium reserves represent as little as 0.002% of the Earth's crust, which makes it expensive and rare. Meanwhile, Calcium is 10,000 times more abundant than Lithium , which means it is commonplace in comparison.Calcium has proven to be promising as a Lithium replacement, scientists say. That is because it can yield a similar battery performance, at least in theory. In practice, it still needs some fine-tuning.Other teams of scientists are experimenting with various abundant alkaline metals to replace Lithium, so the race is on to find a suitable replacement. However, until that happens, the researchers in South Korea are looking for a suitable cathode for Calcium.Their best guess, for now, was Cobalt, but that is another metal that is difficult to obtain, while some mines out there are not operating in a sustainable manner . The team has made a list of 28 candidate cathodes, as well as four types of layered structures and seven transition metal ions. Not bad, right?In case your battery of knowledge is not fully charged, the cathode is the negative terminal. It is essential for the good operation of a battery to allow the reversible release of energy from the anode while also having the ability to store energy. Although it may fit the compact electric crossover well, it is not properly a creative name. The concept that preceded it was called Concept #1. According to Smart, it chose this name to connect with younger buyers. Apart from meaning number, the hashtag is also used to indicate the hottest topics in social media. Really. Wed prefer to believe that smart chose this name to reinforce that it is a no-frills, down-to-business brand, but thats not the case.The company made sure that people know this car was designed by Mercedes-Benz but developed in China, where it will be built. The electric crossover passed severe pre-market tests in the far north of the Asian country, at -40C (-40F) temperatures. Smart is proud of offering concealed door handles that help the car be more aerodynamic without preventing people from operating them.These door handles come with ice-breaking functions, and smart said they work well even when the car is covered with a thin layer of ice. Thats not something some carmakers can brag about, especially after skipping more severe cold testing.Regarding aerodynamics , the smart #1 was tested at the China Automotive Engineering Research Institutes wind tunnels in Chongqing. According to Smart, the electric crossover got a drag coefficient of 0.29. Thats similar to what some sedans presented in the early 1990s, which is not bad considering the crossover shape. Sedans have the most aerodynamically-favorable body shape. All smart #1 units will have AGS (Active Grille Shutter).According to smart , the plan is to reveal the production version of the #1 later this year. The company did not clarify if that means the car will be sold in 2022 or just presented so customers can reserve it for 2023. Expect all future smart cars to carry the hashtag in front of their numbers: the company promised that will give it a recognizable family name for its new generation of all-electric vehicles. The ability to deliver cargo from one side of the world to another in just two hours is a bold claim, but Swiss startup Destinus is determined to make it happen. Hyperexpress deliveries will revolutionize the way we move any type of goods, especially time-critical ones, and theyll be possible thanks to a new type of aerial vehicle that could become the worlds fastest means of transportation.The Destinus hyperplane is a unique rocket airplane that can travel to near-space heights at 15 times the speed of sound. This hybrid aircraft will be able to take off and land horizontally from any major airport, using a hydrogen-powered airbreathing jet engine. Once it gets to the required altitude and speed, it switches to a cryogenic hydrogen rocket engine, reaching hypersonic speed.The Destinus is also fully autonomous and 30 dB quieter than supersonic airplanes. It combines the technology of a spaceplane with that of a glider, and its capable of traveling between continents in just two hours while also not producing any harmful emissions. Its also a sustainable solution for deliveries, capable of thousands of re-entry cycles.The Swiss company, with a team made up of former aerospace experts from prestigious companies, has recently secured significant funding, adding up to $29 million (CHF 26.8 million). The funds will be used for advancing the development of hydrogen airbreathing and rocket engines. If things go well, the first test flights should kick off within the next 12 to 18 months.The combination of hypersonic speed and hybrid flight capabilities with liquid hydrogen-powered engines could turn out to be the Holy Grail of future deliveries. But until this happens, the Cupertino-based tech giant remains as focused as before on the thing it does best, and this is investing in the devices that bring home the bacon.Products like the iPhone, the iPad, the Apple Watch, and Mac computers continue to sell like crazy, and of course, Apple keeps refreshing them with new hardware and capabilities on an annual basis.But this still isnt enough to impress Teslas chief designer Franz von Holzhausen.Von Holzhausen has recently said during the Spikes Car Radio podcast that Apples products are nothing more than what he described as a continuation of the same thing. The company indeed rolls out slight refinements, he reckoned, but on the other hand, theres nothing exciting that we should look forward to.von Holzhausen went on to admit that he uses an Apple Watch thanks to its fitness tracking capabilities, but otherwise, he finds the device rather useless.Obviously, its not like the Apple Watch is the only (or the best) activity-tracking smartwatch currently on the market. Garmins lineup of devices, for example, is top-notch, and the latest models, including the fenix 7 and the Epix Gen2, are considered the undisputable leaders in terms of fitness monitoring.Nevertheless, the man who designed the Tesla Model S, the Cybertruck , and other models of the company clearly finds Apples products boring. And of course, hes not alone, as many other customers out there have previously blasted the company for no longer coming up with major innovations on its products.However, the iPhone makers biggest innovation after the iPhone could end up being a full car, obviously if the companys plans come to fruition. The vehicle could see the daylight in 2025, at the earliest, with a testing model to be ready in 2023. kW The closing of the deal is expected to happen this July, and Siemens will have a positive profit impact of around 300 million euros (ca. $342 million). Valeo has decided to acquire the other half of the joint venture it started with Siemens to accelerate its development in electric mobility solutions. According to the French company, more than 90 electric and plug-in hybrid models on the market by the end of this year will have the company's electric motors, inverters, or onboard charger technologies under their bodies.As usual with a deal of this magnitude, it will have to be approved by relevant antitrust authorities, but the plan is to fully integrate the business unit into the company after July 1, 2022. The shift of employees will also be handled in accordance with the representative bodies and corresponding laws.Valeo estimated that it would have an annual growth rate of more than 15 percent, on average, by 2025, for its Powertrain Systems business. The newly acquired division allows the company to have a better integration of high-voltage and low-voltage activities, which were previously separated because the eAutomotive division was a joint venture with another company.With this announcement, Christophe Perillat, Valeo's Chief Executive Officer, announced a deal with Renault to design, co-develop, and produce a one-of-a-kind type of electric motor.The new unit is meant for the next generation of electric vehicles, and it will offer more power with less energy. The best part about it is that it will be made without the use of rare-earth metals, which would be an industry first.The new motor is set to be mass-produced from 2027, and it is supposed to have an output of 200(268 horsepower) while also being completely free of rare earth metals.Renault is overseeing the design and production of the rotor, which is the spinning part of the motor, while the stator will be designed and made by Valeo along with Valeo eAutomotive. Nissan Motor Co. delivered some great news to its investors on Tuesday, February 8. The Japanese automaker raised its net profit outlook for the current fiscal year to March to 205 billion yen ($1.8 billion), as per The Mainichi. That is significantly higher than the company's earlier projection of 180 billion yen, with the weaker Japanese currency and a reduction in costs helping Nissan boost its profit outlook for FY 2021. Nissan now forecasts its operating profit at 210 billion yen, higher than the 180 billion yen the company projected in November of last year. The carmaker lowered its sales projection for the business year by 90 billion yen to 8.71 trillion yen. For the April to December period of 2021, Nissan reported a net profit of 201.34 billion yen, a massive turnaround from a loss of 367.72 billion yen the year before. Despite the ongoing supply chain issues brought upon by the semiconductor shortage and the COVID-19 pandemic, Nissan did not adjust its global sales target, maintaining its goal at 3.8 million vehicles. Gupta says Nissan approaching the future with cautious optimism Nissan Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta talked to the press in an online briefing about the company's positive results. He said they are approaching the next few months with cautious optimism, given the unpredictable environment surrounding them. He added that Nissan's main problem at the moment is not how many they want to sell but how many they can produce. Gupta noted that the more semiconductors the company can procure, the more growth Nissan will have this year, reported MarketWatch. Helping Nissan's cause and other Japanese automakers at present is the weaker yen. Nissan's overseas profits are boosted when repatriated to Japan because of the weaker currency back home. Gupta also updated Nissan's development of new internal combustion engines for the European market. He said that the Japanese firm has decided to halt those plans, given that stricter emission regulations are expected to take effect in Europe by the year 2025. Related Article: SEC Issues Another Subpoena to Tesla as Row on CEO Elon Musk's Tweets Intensifies Nissan puts premium on electrification in Europe According to Gupta, the company's decision to stop the development of combustion engines was based on the belief that it would cost less for European customers to acquire electrified vehicles once the emission regulations take effect in the continent. That being said, Nissan will instead focus its resources on electrifying its vehicles as global competition for greener cars intensifies. Gupta said, "For Nissan, electrification should be the consequence of the natural choice of customers." Nissan is making a hard push for electrification in Europe, with the Japanese automaker targeting to have 75 percent of its fleet made up of electric vehicles by the fiscal year 2026. Just Auto reported that Nissan strengthened its alliance with Mitsubishi Motors Corp and Renault SA last month. The three automakers announced that they will invest 23 billion euros ($26 billion) over the next five years to help launch 35 new EV models by the year 2030. READ MORE ON AWN: Million-Dollar Cars Help Barrett-Jackson Auction House Smash Sales Record in Scottsdale Event Bad Start for Ford as US Sales Go Flat in January 2022; Electrified Vehicles Buck Trend as Sales Grow Toyota Motor Corporation reports a record net profit of 2.32 trillion yen ($20.10 billion) for the period of April to December in 2021. (Photo : KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images) Toyota Motor Corporation delivered some outstanding news to its investors on Wednesday, February 9, with the Japanese automaker reporting a record net profit of 2.32 trillion yen ($20.10 billion) for the period of April to December in 2021, as per Kyodo News. That is 57.8 percent higher than the numbers Toyota posted during the same period the year before, with the company's profits boosted by the weaker yen. The operating profit of Toyota jumped 67.9 percent to 2.53 trillion yen during the first nine months of the fiscal year, which is also an all-time high for the carmaker. Toyota managed to post record profits despite facing an ongoing computer chip shortage and higher costs of materials. While other major Japanese carmakers have been slow with their recovery from the impact of COVID-19, Toyota managed to buck the trend with its sales increasing by 19.2 percent to 23.27 trillion yen. Toyota lowers global production plan due to supply chain issues It was not all good news for Toyota, though, with the Automotive News Europe reporting that the company pulled down its global production target through March 2022 to just 8.5 million vehicles, compared with the planned 9 million units it announced back in November of last year. Toyota had previously adjusted its output plan for this business year, lowering its production target globally due to supply chain issues. The Japanese auto giant had difficulty securing essential parts for its vehicles, with the COVID-19 pandemic hitting its suppliers badly in Southeast Asia. With Toyota lowering its production plan again, the company slashed its sales outlook for the fiscal year 2021 to 29.50 trillion yen, down from its previous projection of 30 trillion yen. Toyota will still be happy with those figures, though, as that revised sales outlook is 8.4 percent higher than the company's final numbers for the fiscal year 2020. Toyota maintained its operating profit outlook at 2.80 trillion yen, 27.4 percent higher than a year earlier. Helping Toyota in this regard is the favorable exchange rates brought upon by the weaker Japanese yen. That helped the company offset the effects of its smaller-than-expected vehicle production. Related Article: Nissan Lifts Net Profit Outlook for FY 2021 to $1.8 Billion; Weaker Yen Helps Automaker Boost Profits Weaker Japanese yen boost Toyota's profit The weaker Japanese currency has been a blessing for carmakers based in Japan as their profits from overseas are boosted when repatriated back home. Toyota put 111 yen as the assumed exchange rate for the U.S. dollar for its profit outlook. That is higher than the 110 yen the company estimated earlier for the exchange rate. Reuters reported that Toyota also kept the same net profit forecast for the fiscal year 2021, putting its value at 2.49 trillion yen. That is 10.9 percent higher than a year before. This business year, powering Toyota's recovery has been the robust sales of its Asian and North American markets. The Japanese marque sold 6.10 million vehicles worldwide in the first nine months, up from the 5.44 million units it sold during the same period last year. READ MORE ON AWN: SEC Issues Another Subpoena to Tesla as Row on CEO Elon Musk's Tweets Intensifies Million-Dollar Cars Help Barrett-Jackson Auction House Smash Sales Record in Scottsdale Event Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Ready or not, states across the U.S. have begun another great unmasking as they prepare to enter the post-Omicron phase of the pandemic. Why it matters: Reasonable experts don't exactly agree on whether it's the right time to start exposing our faces in public again, which makes it difficult to gauge how much of this broader shift is based in science versus changing risk tolerance. "We're starting to get to this place where there's almost a cultural shift in the pandemic, as well, where there's an acceptance around certain types of risk," Erica Johnson, chairwoman of the Infectious Disease Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine, told Axios. "That's very much entangled with what to do about masks and what masks represent." She and several other experts indicated that based on the trajectory of cases and hospitalizations as well as the presence of vaccines and effective treatments for COVID planning to end mask mandates was reasonable. Yes, but: There is by no means a consensus on this in the medical community. "Judging by the daily death counts and the stress on hospitals, I would say it's a little premature," Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told Axios. "The data I'm looking at shows we're still at the acute phase where we have historic levels of all-cause, increased mortality as compared to our usual norms. I define that as the definition of still being in the emergency part of the pandemic," he said. Between the lines: Among the fiercest debates is whether schools should be removing mask mandates, with teachers' unions urging for science, not politics, to guide these decisions. Parents and some doctors have raised concerns about the potential harms of learning loss and reduced social connection masks have caused in kids during developmental years. Others have said the data indicates it makes sense to loosen rules in schools. "There was and is a time and place for pandemic restrictions. But when they were put in, it was always with the understanding that they would be removed as soon as we can. And in this case, circumstances have changed," medical analyst Leana Wen told CNN. The big picture: This is still a nation very much in flux and clear communication from the top throughout this pandemic has proved ... challenging. "We've always said these decisions are going to have to be made at the local level," CDC director Rochelle Walensky said during a briefing. Hours later, however, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki was asked about the CDC's universal indoor masking recommendation in schools. "This is where we would advise any American to follow the CDC," she said. The bottom line: We've been here before where case counts dropped and masks came off. Fresh on the heels of getting the IRS to end a controversial use of facial recognition, politicians and civil liberties groups are trying to get other government agencies to drop their use of the technology. Why it matters: While a handful of cities have passed laws on government use of facial recognition, there are few limits on how the federal government can use such technology. Driving the news: Senators Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Ayanna Pressley are sending letters Wednesday to the heads of the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services. Department of Defense, and Department of Interior, urging the agencies to stop using Clearview AIs facial recognition technology. Fight for the Future has updated the DumpID.me effort to focus on other government agencies still using ID.me for online authentication, including the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Meanwhile, ID.me is looking to move forward as well. The company said Tuesday that it will offer government agency customers the option to allow people to verify their identity without having to submit a selfie to its automated system. Also, starting March 1, it says those using its system will be able to delete their photo or selfie from the company's database. The moves follow the IRS' decision to end use of ID.me's selfie-based identity verification system. The tax agency's reversal followed a backlash from regulators and civil liberties groups who raised concerns about facial recognition technology broadly, as well as specific issues related to ID.me. What they're saying: Republicans on the House Science Committee are asking President Biden to examine whether Jane Lubchenco, a marine scientist who serves as a senior White House science official, violated scientific integrity policies prior to joining the administration. Why it matters: Lubchenco, the first deputy director of climate and environment in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, is the co-chair of the White House's Scientific Integrity Task Force. The group issued its first report last month, outlining a framework for scientific integrity across federal agencies to help address political interference in science. The details: Lubchenco, a prominent researcher who served as the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during the Obama administration, is facing scrutiny for her role as an editor of a prominent scientific paper that was retracted. Before joining OSTP, Lubchenco edited a paper that was retracted from the journal PNAS in October 2021 because the data underlying the analysis was not the latest available, and because she has a personal relationship with one of the authors (her brother-in-law). Both are violations of the journal's editorial policies. The ranking members of the House Science Committee, as well as its subcommittees on the environment and the oversight and investigations panel, are calling for her participation in the scientific integrity effort to be reviewed. Fast forward: The White House's Scientific Integrity Task Force report says scientific integrity violations include matters of research integrity that encompass the violations noted in the retraction of the paper Lubchenco edited. In the letter to President Biden today, Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) and Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) say they "believe that [Lubchenco's] actions may violate the Administrations principles of scientific integrity." "Her violation of one of the core tenets of scientific integrity makes her current leadership role very troubling," the letter states. The letter also notes that another study Lubchenco had submitted to the scientific journal Nature on a similar topic relied on some of the same data to support its findings. The intrigue: The letter comes just two days after White House science adviser Eric Lander, to whom Lubchenco reported, announced his resignation after an investigation found he mistreated OSTP staff members. Once Lander leaves office on or before Feb. 18, Lubchenco will be one of the highest-ranking officials at OSTP. An OSTP official referred back to a previous statement that Lubchenco "agreed there was a conflict and the paper should be retracted, told OSTP, and it was a matter of public record at the time." The official defended the task force report's findings, noting it "clearly addresses situations where theres a close personal or professional relationship with a peer reviewer. So theres no evidence that Janes work with the task force resulted in any pulled punch on the topic." What's next: It's unclear what, if any, action the White House will take, since House Republicans are the minority party with limited investigative authority. Go deeper: White House scientific integrity panel draws its own scrutiny Opposition groups have demanded such an inquiry after a Russian-brokered ceasefire stopped the six-week war in November 2020. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians political team has been in no rush to launch it, saying that the matter could be politicized by its political opponents. The ruling Civil Contract partys parliamentary group announced on Thursday the establishment of an ad hoc commission that will examine the causes of Armenias defeat in the war, assess the Armenian governments and militarys actions and look into what had been done for national defense before the hostilities. The commission will have access to classified documents and be able to interview current and former Armenian officials. The mission of the commission is to give answers to questions preoccupying us and draw up our countrys future defense strategy accordingly, said Armen Khachatrian, a senior pro-government parliamentarian. The parliament majority wants to name seven of its eleven members. The four other commission seats are offered to the two parliamentary opposition blocs holding Pashinian primarily responsible for the outcome of the war that left at least 3,800 Armenian soldiers dead. One of the blocs, Pativ Unem, was quick to say that it will boycott the commission because it will be controlled by Pashinians loyalists. Our main concern is that the authorities will try to absolve the highest echelons of power of responsibility [for the defeat] and blame everything on the armed forces, other structures and anyone but the top officials, said Pativ Unems Tigran Abrahamian. The other, larger opposition force, Hayastan, did not immediately decide whether to participate in the probe. Its parliamentary leader, former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian, suggested that Pashinian will use the commission to whitewash his incompetence and mishandling of the disastrous conflict. We need to understand the objectives set for the investigative commission, Ohanian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. If they just want to look into what had been done in the past and blame everything on former authorities, that is unacceptable to us. It is the current state apparatus thats responsible for the war and its clear that this state apparatus has not investigated and evaluated itself in the past year, he said. Other Hayastan figures said earlier that the commission must be headed by an opposition lawmaker and that Civil Contract and the opposition must be equally represented in it. The ruling party wants to not only have a majority in the commission but also make sure that representatives of several other parties, not represented in the parliament and largely loyal to Pashinian, also participate in the probe. Civil Contracts Khachatrian said the commission will decide the format of their participation during its first meeting scheduled for Monday. As he faced angry street protests last year, Pashinian repeatedly blamed former Presidents Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sarkisian, who lead Hayastan and Pativ Unem respectively, for the defeat. He denied ordering in October 2020 an Armenian military counteroffensive in Karabakh that proved disastrous and greatly facilitated Azerbaijans subsequent victory. Pashinian has also held Sarkisian and Kocharian responsible for joint U.S., Russian and French peace plans which he claimed favored the Azerbaijani side. The ex-presidents and other opposition leaders have brushed aside these claims. We Are China People visit exhibition held to support small business owners in Gaza City Xinhua) 09:40, February 10, 2022 A Palestinian man participates in an exhibition held to support small business owners at a hotel in Gaza City, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian woman participates in an exhibition held to support small business owners at a hotel in Gaza City, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People visit an exhibition held to support small business owners at a hotel in Gaza City, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People visit an exhibition held to support small business owners at a hotel in Gaza City, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he disembarks from his plane upon arriving to attend the meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 9, 2022. American Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Melbourne, Australia, the first stop of a seven-day visit to the Indo-Pacific that, analysts say, is aimed at countering Chinas rising influence in the region. His trip, which goes through Feb. 13, includes stops in Fiji and Hawaii the first visit by the top U.S. diplomat to Fiji in nearly four decades. Its an effort to elevate American engagement with far-flung islands in the southern Pacific described by one analyst as a ground zero for strategic competition between the United States and China. But first, Blinken will meet on Friday with foreign ministers from the Quad, a quadrilateral strategic partnership that includes the U.S., Australia, India and Japan. There will be important discussions for furthering the Quad as a key organization for managing Indo-Pacific security issues, especially in the context of increasing challenges from a rising China, said Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a think-tank based in Canberra. While it is not a defense alliance like NATO but a diplomatic and political partnership, the Quad focuses on broad issues of international security, including managing the COVID pandemic, responding to the risks and opportunities of critical and emerging technologies, ensuring maritime security and stability, and other areas, Davis said. In September, Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. announced a new trilateral security pact for the Indo-Pacific region called AUKUS. China reacted strongly to the pact, calling it a product of cold-war mentality. I think the Quad, whilst not formally connected to AUKUS, sits nicely alongside AUKUS as strengthening multilateral security arrangements to promote and build a free and open Indo-Pacific region, Davis said. Last week, China and Russia unveiled a new sweeping agreement that covers multiple areas of cooperation including security, space, climate change, the Internet, and artificial intelligence. This new pact, generally considered to challenge America and the West, will no doubt be discussed at the Quad foreign ministers meeting. The meeting would also discuss the Pacific islands, how to ramp up vaccine distribution, tackle climate change and push back against aggression and coercion in the region. On Saturday, Blinken will visit Fiji, the first visit there by a U.S. secretary of state since 1985. Blinkens visit sends a strong message to Fiji, and more broadly to the Pacific island states of U.S. interests and attention, Davis said. In this file photo by Reuters, a man walks past a Chinese hospital ship moored in the harbor of Suva, the Fijian capital, Aug. 24, 2014. The U.S. is looking to step up its engagement with Pacific islands amid strategic competition with China. [Reuters] Reconnect with the Pacific The visit offers a chance for the U.S. to reconnect with countries in the region, said Jonathan Pryke, director of the Pacific Islands program at the Lowy Institute, a Sydney think-tank. Fiji was chosen because its a hub of the region, many multilateral and regional organizations are based there. As many other nations are either still not accepting foreign visitors or are fighting COVID outbreaks, its a natural pick for a country in the Pacific to visit, Pryke said. Eighteen Pacific island leaders have been invited to a video meeting with Blinken on Saturday to discuss the climate crisis, ending the COVID-19 pandemic, disaster assistance, and ways to further our shared commitment to democracy, regional solidarity, and prosperity in the Pacific, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. In recent years, China has been actively developing closer ties with the Pacific islands, wooing them with infrastructure loans and economic assistance, as well as military exchanges. Six Pacific governments the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu are indebted to China, according to a report by the Lowy Institute. All of them signed up to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, Beijings global infrastructure masterplan. The Pacific Islands have of late become a ground zero for the strategic competition between China on one side and the U.S., Australia, and to a lesser extent, Japan, on the other, said Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, a U.S. Department of Defense institute based in Honolulu. They matter to the major powers because of their strategic location, their large exclusive economic zones (EEZs), their relatively high number of votes in the United Nations, and their extreme susceptibility to major power influence, Vuving said. An EEZ is an area of the ocean, generally extending 200 nautical miles within which a coastal nation has jurisdiction over resources. Vuving described the Pacific islands as a key diplomatic battlefield between China and Taiwan for decades. Four Pacific nations including Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau have official ties with Taiwan while Kiribati and the Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019. Blinken will face the task of reassuring the Pacific island states of the commitment by the U.S. and its allies in helping them fight the COVID pandemic, providing more vaccines as well as tackling climate change and security challenges. Kurt Campbell, President Joe Bidens Indo-Pacific coordinator, said last month that the United States had enormous moral, strategic, historical interests in the Pacific but had not done enough to assist the region. Addressing Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies, Campbell said: And we have a very short amount of time, working with partners like Australia, like New Zealand, like Japan, like France, who have an interest in the Pacific, to step up our game across the board. Florence Parly, Frances minister of the armed forces, meets with Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta, Feb. 10, 2022. The competition between the United States and France for Indo-Pacific allies heated up on Thursday as both nations wooed Indonesia with fighter-jet sales, as Southeast Asias leading power looks to modernize its military arsenal. Indonesia signed a deal to acquire six of a potential 42 French Rafale fighter-jets, Jakarta said Thursday, as Paris, which has territory in the South Pacific, deepens its strategic defense alliances in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile late on Thursday, the State Department approved the possible sale of F-15ID aircraft and equipment to Jakarta in a potential U.S. $13.9 billion deal, the Pentagons Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in a statement. The agency said Indonesia had requested to buy 36 such aircraft. Indonesia also signed a preliminary agreement for joint production and assembly of French Scorpene submarines, five months after Australia infuriated Paris by canceling a large submarine deal upon joining a U.S.-U.K. security agreement. We are planning to acquire 42 Rafale aircraft, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo told reporters after meeting in Jakarta with French Minister for Armed Forces Florence Parly. We started this today with the signing of a contract for six aircraft, to be followed soon with another for 36 with necessary support and simulators, he added. The deal signed Thursday also includes satellite procurement, and the production of large-caliber ammunition. Neither Prabowo or Parly revealed the value of the entire deal or when the Rafales would be delivered. However, without citing a source, the Reuters news agency reported that the deal, including 42 Rafales, would be worth U.S. $8.1 billion. Reuters also said the contract for the six Rafale would be executed over the next months. In Washington, the DSCA said that it had delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale of F-15ID aircraft and related equipment to Indonesia. The notification does not imply that a sale agreement has been reached. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Indonesia of F-15ID Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $13.9 billion, the DSCA statement said. The Government of Indonesia has requested to buy up to thirty-six (36) F-15ID aircraft, spare engines, radar systems and related equipment, the statement added. "The proposed sale will improve Indonesias capability to meet current and future threats by enabling it to provide increased deterrence and air defense coverage across a very complex air and maritime domain," the DSCA said. A U.S. Air Force fighter F-15 is seen at the Amari military airfield in Estonia, Feb. 1, 2022. [Reuters] Deepening of our defense relations Parly, the visiting French minister, said Indonesia would be the second Indo-Pacific country to acquire the Rafale, after India. Our strategic partnership will benefit from the deepening of our defense relations, she said. France is proud to contribute to the modernization of the armed forces of our partner, which plays a key role within ASEAN and in the Indo-Pacific, she added, referring to the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations. The Indo-Pacific region is home to nearly 2 million French citizens and 9 million square kilometers (3.47 million square miles) of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Parly said. Frances island territories in the Indian and Pacific Oceans include Mayotte, La Reunion, New Caledonia and French Polynesia. Having been left out of two United States-led Indo-Pacific initiatives the Quad strategic dialogue group and the AUKUS defense pact France is looking to Southeast Asia to forge relationships. And Indonesia, Paris has said, is at the heart of Frances strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. France was also courting Indonesia after Paris lost a major contract to sell submarines to Australia, following the announcement of the AUKUS pact. Under AUKUS, the United States and the United Kingdom will share technology for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. Both the Quad and AUKUS are said to have been formed to counter Chinas growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the South China Sea where China holds sweeping claims that are disputed by its neighbors. Even though is not a territorial claimant in the South China Sea, Indonesias exclusive economic zone overlaps Chinas claims. China has demanded that Indonesia stop oil and gas drilling at sea, alleging in an unprecedented diplomatic note some months ago that these activities were occurring in South China Sea waters it claims, an Indonesian lawmaker said in December. Still, the announcement about AUKUS last September was of concern to Indonesia as well as France. Indonesia is very concerned about the continued arms race and projection of military power in the region, a foreign ministry statement said back then. Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo welcomed the deal during talks with Parly on Thursday, according to a statement released by his office. Jokowi and Parly discussed ways to contribute to peace in the Indo-Pacific, including through regular meetings between the two countries defense and foreign ministers under a forum called 2+2, the statement said. Our 2+2 dialogue mechanism will become a strategic forum to realize the vision of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Jokowi said. French Navy Rafale fighter jets are seen on the flight deck of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier moored at the port of Limassol, Cyprus, Feb. 21, 2020. [Reuters] Compensates for Frances loss Teguh Nasution, a security and military observer, said the deal was a win for France because it was trying to court Indo-Pacific countries following the AUKUS debacle. The Rafale deal compensates for Frances loss vis-a-vis Australia and at the same time also helps reestablish its standing in the Indo-Pacific region, Teguh told BenarNews. For Indonesia, which wants to upgrade and modernize its military arsenal, the Rafales will be a more than welcome addition. In December, Indonesias air force commander, Air Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, announced that Jakarta had abandoned a deal to purchase Sukhoi Su-35 fighter-jets from Russia, and instead set its sights on U.S.-made F-15s and Rafales. Tria Dianti in Jakarta contributed to this article. M. Khairuzzaman (right), a former army officer, arrives at a court in Dhaka during his trial on charges related to the jailhouse killings in November 1975 of four senior officials from Bangladeshs government that was deposed in a military coup, Sept. 7, 2004. He was acquitted of the charges. Malaysia on Thursday announced the arrest and pending extradition of a former Bangladeshi ambassador to Kuala Lumpur, who previously had been implicated back home for his alleged involvement in the 1975 jailhouse killings of four officials from a deposed government. M. Khairuzzaman, the former Bangladeshi high commissioner to Malaysia, is a retired military officer who has been living in the Kuala Lumpur area for more than a decade. We hope to bring him back soon, M. Shahriar Alam, Bangladeshs state minister for foreign affairs, told reporters at the foreign ministry in Dhaka on Thursday. The Home and Law ministries will jointly look into whether there is an opportunity to revive the [jail killings] case against him or what steps can be taken afterward. Shahriar said the Malaysian home ministry had issued a written notice to the Bangladesh government of Khairuzzamans arrest for violating immigration laws. Those who are arrested on Malaysian immigration issues are kept at deportation centers to be deported to their home countries. He is also held there, Shahriar said. As far as I know or understand, there is an opportunity to physically interrogate him again in relation to the jail killing case, he said. The Law Ministry would be better able to say. Khairuzzaman had previously been implicated in turmoil that followed a military coup in August 1975, when Bangladeshs founding leader, the father of the current prime minister, was assassinated. Twenty-nine years later, when Bangladesh was led by the party that is the main opposition party today, a court acquitted Khairuzzaman of those charges. Shahriar was asked if Khairuzzaman was being returned because of the case tied to the jailhouse killings back in 1975. If any expatriate commits a crime, if someone overstays in a country or falls into irregularities, we bring him back. That process will be followed in his case, he replied. Immigration law has been violated, the Malaysian government has told us, we are bringing back a citizen of Bangladesh, thats all. In Malaysia on Thursday, an official confirmed that local authorities had picked up Khairuzzaman, who holds a U.N. refugee card, from his home in Ampang, near Kuala Lumpur. Yes, he was arrested yesterday morning, and will be deported to Bangladesh. The immigration department assisted the Bangladeshi police in this arrest, the senior government source who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, told BenarNews. In Putrajaya, Malaysian Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin told reporters that Khairuzzamans arrest was lawful. Based on the rule of law, if there is an offense, we arrest, or if there is a request from the country of origin and if we found there is truth to it, Hamzah told reporters. All that was done, we did it according to procedure, he said without elaborating. Khairuzzaman and other military personnel were accused of killing four founding leaders of Bangladesh Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, M. Mansur Ali and A.H.M. Quamruzzaman inside the Dhaka Central Jail in November 1975. The killings followed the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the countrys founding father and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas father. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh (center), waves to supporters from a motorcade near Dhaka airport after spending more than nine months in a Pakistan jail, Jan. 10, 1972. Sheikh Mujibur was assassinated in a military coup in August 1975, and the two men standing to his immediate left, Tajuhuddin Ahmad, the countrys first prime minister (with flowers in his hand), and Mansur Ali, another senior official in the cabinet (with eyeglasses, standing behind man with gray cap) were murdered in the Dhaka Central Jail in November 1975. [AP] Three other defendants were convicted and sentenced to death in 2004 nearly three decades after the killings. Two years later, the High Court acquitted two of the defendants and upheld the death sentence for the third. Prosecutors appealed and in 2013 all three, who had absconded, were sentenced to death by the Appellate Division. Khairuzzaman, meanwhile, was acquitted of similar charges in 2004. He had been appointed director general of the Foreign Affairs Ministry one year earlier in a coalition government led by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Hasinas nemesis. Khairuzzaman had been serving as a diplomat in Kuala Lumpur when Hasina returned to power in 2009. Ordered back to Dhaka, he chose to stay in Malaysia and received a refugee card from UNHCR. No law or regulation should be enacted by the U.N. where a member-states interests are harmed or a legal process is hampered, Shahriar said when asked about the card. Its not supposed to happen. We will look into the matter. Malaysian human rights lawyer Sumitha Shaanthinni noted the country is not a signatory to the refugee convention so it has no obligation to provide any protection to refugees, adding UNHCRs presence in Malaysia is on humanitarian grounds. However, legal scholars argue that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its entirety including the right to seek asylum has become a part of customary international law. As such, no state should violate the customary international law principle of non-refoulment, she said. Pointing to Rohingya, she said Malaysia has violated the custom many times by deporting UNHCR card holders. UNHCR officials in Kuala Lumpur did not immediately respond to queries from BenarNews about Khairuzzamans case and his pending deportation. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh High Commission in the Malaysian capital declined to comment when contacted by BenarNews. The Malaysian immigration and police departments also did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Two foreign tourists arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila as the Philippines begins welcoming fully vaccinated international travelers, Feb. 10, 2022. The Philippines has reopened its borders to visitors from 157 countries who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, government officials announced Thursday, saying the move would help the pandemic-hit tourism sector bounce back after two years in the doldrums. The Southeast Asian country was to have reopened its frontiers in December but had delayed the moved because of a new public health scare caused by the Omicron variant, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat told reporters. The borders are now open to fully vaccinated visitors from 157 countries that have visa-free entry agreements with the Philippines, according to the Department of Tourism. These are exciting times for Philippine tourism. We have been ready since 2020, Romulo-Puyat said. With the significant dwindling of new COVID cases, the Department of Tourism can now push forward with our plans and programs for the full recovery of the Philippine tourism industry, she said. The Department of Health recorded 4,575 COVID-19 infections on Thursday, driving the pandemic total to about 3.6 million. The Philippines also recorded 94 deaths, bringing the overall toll to 54,783. Romulo-Puyat said tourism should be promoted in other countries after some hotel owners had called for a financial lifeline from the government following adjustments in quarantine protocols. I think there are only a few asking for financial assistance because hotel owners themselves told me that they are happy that the country is opening up and quarantine is no longer required, she said. For those planning to visit the Philippines, the government is requiring that travelers, with some exceptions, present the airlines with proof of full vaccination before they embark on flights to the country. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) recently passed a resolution that allows children and those who are not vaccinated for medical reasons to be allowed to travel, provided they can show certification from their doctors. Foreign diplomats and their dependents who are qualified visa holders are exempt as well. Presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens from 157 countries returning to the Philippines will no longer be required to carry return tickets, while others will face restrictions on the number of days they can spend in the country. Foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes may enter the Philippines without visas provided they have valid tickets for their return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination not later than 30 days from date of arrival in the Philippines, Nograles told reporters. Economic growth expected Karl Kendrick Chua, the socio-economic planning secretary, noted that the overall economy had grown by an average of 6 percent during the four years before the pandemic. While the Philippines initially suffered tremendously because of COVID-19 in 2020, its people managed to learn to live with the crisis. Chua has pushed for gradual openings of more sectors of the economy while establishing a set of travel requirement protocols. I believe the stage is now set for us to grow and accelerate to 7 to 9 percent in 2022. Despite the setback of the Omicron variant in the first month of this year, we have seen the virus go away fast and we were able to manage the risk and see a more responsive or more open economy in the latter part of January, he told business executives in Manila on Thursday At the same time, job indicators are closer to pre-pandemic levels as we open the economy and manage risk despite the spikes, he said. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (left) takes delivery of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk airplane from a United States Embassy official at the Naval Air Wing in Sangley Point, south of Manila, Feb. 10, 2022. The Philippines took delivery on Thursday of four American-made Cessna planes for training navy pilots to help safeguard Manilas maritime territories, the government said, amid tensions with Beijing in the disputed South China Sea. The United States handed over the U.S. $2.2-million package of Cessna 172 Skyhawk planes a day after China agreed to donate millions of dollars in military and other equipment to the Philippines despite a territorial dispute in the sea with Manila, as both superpowers ratchet up competition for allies in the Indo-Pacific. American embassy officials turned the four aircraft to Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at the Naval Air Wing in Sangley Point, south of Manila. These air assets will significantly improve the navys ability to prepare naval pilots for the crucial task of monitoring and safeguarding our maritime territories and domain, Lorenzana said. As we rejoice over this milestone, we also recognize the productive and enduring relationship between the United States and the Philippines, which is the key to the success of this acquisition program. We acknowledge our shared commitment to help preserve the peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Manila acquired the aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing Program, which allows Washingtons allies to buy excess American defense equipment at deep discounts. The Philippines and the U.S. have long been allies, and are bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which calls on them to aid each other in times of war, or external aggression by a third party. The treaty has never been used or tested, but Washington has assured Manila about its readiness to fulfill its duty in the face of an increasingly assertive China, which has ignored a 2016 international arbitral court ruling that threw out its claims to almost the entire South China Sea. The U.S. has delivered a number of pieces of equipment to aid the Philippine militarys modernization program, including two second-hand U.S. Coast Guard cutters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and weapons. Lorenzana said the ardent support of Washington in the Philippines military modernization program is very much appreciated and valued not only by the defense department but by the entire Filipino nation. [I] thank you for steadfastly holding the other end of our enduring partnership, that is helping us modernize our armed forces On our end, rest assured that we are committed more than ever to the alliance, he said. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass. Investigations editor Larry Parnass joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, CommonWealth Magazine and with the Reuters news service. PITTSFIELD Superintendent Joseph Curtis says Pittsfield Public Schools has no position on whether to continue masking requirements in city schools past the end of the month, after the state announced Wednesday that the mandate from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will lapse at that point. Under the districts current masking policy, Curtis is the sole decider on whether students and staff will be required to wear masks. Curtis told the School Committee on Wednesday night that he and other superintendents across the state were given only about an hours notice that a policy change was coming from the DESE before the public announcement was made and that he still is thoughtfully considering his options. The superintendent noted that the phasing out of masking at the return of the February school break likely will be a precarious moment for the districts response to the coronavirus. In every case, after vacations there has been a spike in cases, Curtis said. He said that if School Committee members wanted to understand the impact of a case spike on schools, they need only look to the return from winter break when the district had to close Taconic High School and Reid Middle School because of staff shortages from sick and quarantined staff members. Massachusetts lifts mask mandate in K-12 public schools effective Feb. 28 A statewide mandate requiring almost all K-12 students and staff to wear masks in schools will be lifted at the end of the month, the Baker administration announced Wednesday, marking a major transition nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. Melissa Campbell, a Herberg Middle School teacher and president of United Educators of Pittsfield, said that she would be discussing the change with the teachers union Executive Board and building representatives before commenting on masks. The Pittsfield Federation of School Employees did not respond for a request for comment by press time. The news of the policy change had only just started to reach parents as they waited in car pickup lines at local elementary schools Wednesday afternoon. Several parents said they would like Pittsfield schools to continue to require masking at least through the end of the school year. Chloe Francoeur said that when school started this year, she was thankful the district required masking. I just think its children, Francoeur said. Theyre germy already, so, the masks are necessary. Waiting at the pickup line at Crosby Elementary School, Francoeur said that her 9-year-old daughter probably would like to ditch the mask, but she knows that its for her own good, her own health. A few cars ahead, Sarah Edwards had similar thoughts about masking. COVIDs ramping up like crazy, Edwards said. I dont think its a cure-all, but I definitely think that it helps for them to wear masks. Edwards said that while she is hopeful that the district will make the decision to continue masking in schools, her 10-year-old and 12-year-old will be sent to school with a mask either way. Honestly, I think they wouldnt wear them if they were given the choice, but thats why I think it needs to be mandated they need to wear them, Edwards said. Other parents in line said they werent bothered by the current masking requirements and would follow the district decision on the issue. In a memo to school districts about the policy change, the DESE noted that students still will be required to wear masks on school buses as part of a federal mandate. Curtis also noted that masking still would be required in school nurse offices for the same reason. During the news conference announcing the change, DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley asked that schools help create a supportive environment that respects everyones choice to do what is most appropriate and comfortable for them. State officials said the decision to relax masking requirements was made in consultation with vaccination data and a desire to move back toward a pre-coronavirus pandemic normal in Massachusetts schools. During the last two years, the impact of COVID on children has caused a strain to their mental health, emotional well-being and academic success, Riley said. We are relieved to now be in a place where we can now provide young people additional relief from COVID-19 restrictions so they continue to work towards normalcy in the classroom. The commissioner touted the power of vaccines and Massachusetts place as a state with one of highest vaccination rates among you people in the country. Data from recent state vaccination reports does show an uptick in vaccinations, but vaccination rates among elementary-age children have not met the 80 percent vaccination rates that the DESE previously had required for schools to drop mask mandates. (Riley said that, as of Wednesday, about 40 schools had reached that vaccination benchmark.) In the commonwealth, 51 percent of 5- to 11-year-olds have received at least one shot. Those figures are better with students ages 12 to 15 and 16 to 19: One-shot vaccination rates are at 83 percent and 82 percent, respectively. In Pittsfield, those rates are lower. There are 7,044 children ages 5 to 19 in the city. About 70 percent have one shot of a coronavirus vaccine and about 58 percent are vaccinated fully. Those rates are much lower in children ages 5 to 11: 50 percent have received one shot and only about 41 percent are vaccinated fully, according to the Department of Public Healths Feb. 1 vaccination report. Pittsfield schools registered a large spike in case rates as the omicron variant surged through the country. More recently, daily case counts have improved, dropping near to the numbers seen in October. While the most recent district case count is promising, the accuracy of these counts has become more questionable in recent weeks. The district changed its testing protocols in late January and ended its test-and-stay and contact-tracing programs. Families that have opted in to the districts at-home testing program now have to self-report any positive COVID test results. Community News Editor / Librarian Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. A purple martin is one of the species that Edward Forbush in 1904 listed as in drastic decline in New England, and it's still a rare bird to spot in Berkshire County. At Arts in Recovery for Youth in Pittsfield, Marney Schorr flips through a book of collected poems and illustrations created by the participants of her art therapy program. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. I remember the day I brought home our first-born child from the hospital. While it felt completely natural to hold our daughter in my arms, I was a little overwhelmed that the doctors and nurses trusted my husband and I to know how to care for a tiny baby. After all, parenting is pretty much learned through on the job training. No matter how many books you read, blogs you follow, or advice you get, when a new baby arrives, you just have to dive in, even when you know youre in over your head. Imagine how the baby feels! He or she has been rudely uprooted from a cozy environment where their every need was met instantly, sounds were muted, and they were gently rocked to sleep by their mothers movements and the reassuring sound of her heartbeat. They have been thrust into the bright lights of a delivery room filled with strange noises, sharp smells and what probably feels like the North Pole after the warmth of the womb. Prodded and poked, their lungs fill with air for the first time, and they let out a loud cry to express their discomfort. A newborn infant is instantly called on to adjust to a completely new way of life, and it is the parents obligation and responsibility to help them navigate it successfully. The analogy of a newborn baby is a perfect illustration for what happens when a person comes to know Christ and experiences salvation. They are given a new life and they must be nurtured and cared for by mature believers (spiritual parents). They must be taught a new way to think and act, and new ways of responding to their thoughts, feelings, and desires. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in a new believer and leads them into truth, but having a mentor or teacher to walk alongside us in our spiritual journey is vital to a growing faith that will persevere and mature. Photo credit: Getty Images/Sneksy God Himself was their King, but that was not enough for the nation of Israel, resulting in them demanding an earthly king like all the other nations; which, like the human judges, quickly led to disappointment. But when they said, Give us a king to lead us, this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king (1 Samuel 8:6-7). Related - Why You Really Should Read 1 Samuel 2 Samuel God appointed David to reign as the second king over Israel and entered into a covenant with him (known as the Davidic Covenant), a significant moment in the narrative of the Bible, as Jesus Christ (the King of Kings) would come from the earthly line of King David. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever (2 Samuel 7:16). 1 Kings God required the kings of Israel to lead in obedience to His law but the majority of them did evil in the eyes of the Lord, encouraging idolatry (the worship of false gods) rather than confronting it, resulting in judgment and the division of the nation of Israel into two kingdoms (Israel and Judah). So the Lord said to Solomon, Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen (1 Kings 11:11-13). 2 Kings The rebellion of the kings of Israel and Judah resulted in God allowing His people to be taken captive, paved the way for the prophets, and foreshadowed the coming King (Jesus) who would live in complete obedience to the will of God. The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them until the Lord removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria (2 Kings 17:22-23). Photo credit: Pexels/Oladimeji Ajegbile 2. God Hates Pride Because It Always Deceives Us and Leads Us Astray Obadiah 1:3 The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, Who will bring me down to earth? The Hebrew word translated as deceived [nasa'] means to beguile, to lead astray, to mentally delude or morally seduce. Proverbs 16:18 warns that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. God hates pride (Proverbs 8:13). It is the original sin that caused Lucifer to fall from serving in the presence of God (Isaiah 14:12-14; Luke 10:18) and is at the root of unregenerate mans refusal to worship God. Edom made a critical mistake. They challenged God to a power struggle. Pride deceived their hearts just as it will always deceive us. How much better would it have been for Edom to lay down their pride and humbly accept Gods choice of Israel. Instead of judgment, they would have benefitted from the blessings of God as supporters of His people, just as God promised Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. 3. Gods Righteous Judgment Will Always Overcome Any Reliance on Physical Strength or Mental Craftiness Obadiah 1:4-9 If thieves came to you, if robbers by night O how you will be ruined! Would they not steal only until they had enough? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? O how Esau will be ransacked, and his hidden treasures searched out! All the men allied with you will send you forth to the border and the men at peace with you will deceive you and overpower you. They who eat your bread will set an ambush for you. (There is no understanding in him.) Will I not on that day, declares the Lord, destroy wise men from Edom and understanding from the mountain of Esau? Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman, so that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter. Edom mistakenly thought they had the upper hand in battle by their strategic location. Likely they had enjoyed victory over other armies, but they forgot that God was not like any other enemy they had faced. God reminds them that His judgment will be complete and that no human wisdom will be able to rescue them. In fact, Obadiah warns that God plans to use Edoms allies to carry out His sovereign judgment. We are foolish to try to outsmart God, and when we attempt it, we expose our wrong perspective and understanding of who God is. God speaks through the psalmist to remind us that His silence when we sin is not a sign of weakness or inability: These things you have done and I kept silence; you thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes. Now consider this you who forget God, or I will tear in you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver (Psalm 50:21-22). Arent we grateful for Gods mercy and patience which gives us time for repentance (Romans 2:4)? Unfortunately, Edom would not rely on Gods mercy, but would go headlong into destruction; their strategies and prideful schemes would fail. Photo credit: Unsplash/Daniel Jensen Bill appeared on Sean Hannity's radio show Tuesday to discuss Canadian truckers protest, Covid, and the Joe Rogan controversy. Sign up for our Premium Membership and get Killing the Mob free. Using genomic sequencing methods, scientists from top institutes, including IIT Jodhpur, identify variations in COVID-19 RNA and their implications A multi-institutional team, co-led by Dr Mitali Mukerji of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur, has used state-of-the-art genomic sequencing methods to identify variations in the RNA of the COVID-19 virus. The scientists have also studied the fixation of these intra-host variations into extra-host variations and mutations that lead to variants. The research team studied intra-host Single Nucleotide Variations (iSNV) using a sequencing platform called Illumina. The identification of iSNVs can help in the identification of key sites in the viral RNA that are important for its survival and spread. It also helps in the design of therapeutic protocols to treat COVID-19 infections, and to know the differences in individual and population responses to the infection. An important distinction of this research study is that it was conducted primarily by a team of computational graduates from across distant locations, proving that the pandemic has generated novel cooperation, sharing, and resource-sharing modes for innovative research. The research was initiated at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR IGIB, (Delhi), and was led by IIT Jodhpur and Institute of Life Sciences (Bhubaneswar). Other collaborating institutes are the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (Ghaziabad), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), (Hyderabad), and National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), (New Delhi). Cheapflights has analysed travel searches to identify the biggest destination trends in South African tourism for 2022. Broken down into the categories of Top Overall Trending Destinations, Solo Trips, Under-the-Radar and Wallet-Friendly, the data unveils some surprising insights about where South Africans are heading for exploration and leisure this year. Source: Moses Londo via Unsplash Top trending destinations Top destinations for people traveling alone Top under-the-radar destinations Top wallet-friendly destinations The top trending destinations are those that saw the largest rise in searches when compared to pre-pandemic 2019. Zanzibar in Tanzania and Male in the Maldives dominate the list followed by Maputo in Mozambique, Cairo in Egypt and Los Angeles in the United States.Solo travel has seen a surge and not just for business travellers. In 2022, those looking to travel alone are heading for beach-friendly destinations or noisy and vibrant cities, such as Zanzibar and London, United Kingdom.From the top 200 most-searched destinations, the density of hotels versus searches was analyzed to identify the places that may not be the first that comes to mind when planning a trip but should certainly not be missed. These include Shanghai, China and New Delhi, India while Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam also makes a surprise appearance.For those hoping to see the world without emptying their wallet, Cheapflights also reveals the destinations where the cost of flights and hotels are considerably less than most other places. This includes popular cities such as Bangkok, Thailand and more off-the-beaten yet still trendy places such as Istanbul, Turkey.As more countries ease travel restrictions for South African travellers, Cheapflights expects searches across a wider array of destinations. Illustrations of Mercedes Richards (left) and Asquith Xavier (right) by Trinidadian artist Esther Griffith. | Source: Supplied Briefly tell us about the Wiki Unseen project. The knowledge ecosystem has a visible problem. There are countless notable figures from the global majority Black, Indigenous, and people of color whose images are not on @wikipedia. It is time to change that. Discover #WikiUnseen: https://t.co/H1y41GSwvX pic.twitter.com/yawlMGy47I Wikipedia (@Wikipedia) February 9, 2022 How did the idea of this project come about? What is the main objective of this project? How important is it for people - especially Black, indigenous, and people of colour - to know about their history and iconic historical figures? You could have opted for other mediums of expression to showcase Black historical figures. Why art? What role does art play in influencing positive social change? How will Black artists featured in this project benefit from it? What are your thoughts on art in Africa? Do you have any other information to share about the project? The first iteration of the project, in collaboration with artists from Africa, North America and the Caribbean, will help to address the visual and written underrepresentation of several Black historical figures on Wikipedia and in media repository Wikimedia Commons.The commissioned artists include Enam Bosokah from Ghana, Esther Griffith from Trinidad and Tobago and Bukhtawar Malik from the United States. Among the first Wikipedia articles that will feature the new illustrations are Marian Ewurama Addy, William Greaves, Rose Dieng-Kuntz, May Miller, Mercedes Richards, and Asquith Xavier. These portraits will be published throughout the month of February.I spoke to Khanyi Mpumlwana, global creative director at the Wikimedia Foundation, to find out more about this project, its objectives and the role art plays in documenting history:The Wikimedia Foundation, the global non-profit that operates Wikipedia, is launching Wiki Unseen . In this first phase of the project, we are collaborating with artists from Africa, America and the Caribbean.The project is aimed at expanding the visual representation of black, indigenous, and people of color (Bipoc) in Wikimedia projects and advancing knowledge equity. Over the next few years, the Foundation will collaborate with volunteers and artists from around the world to redraw history, adding illustrations to biographies of those underrepresented on our projects.The media ecosystem has a problem - the stories, experiences and contexts of Black people, people of colour and indigenous people are not fully represented in the history and stories that we tell.This bias is also reflected in Wikimedia projects because projects like Wikipedia rely on secondary sources - news, academic, research and articles - for their content.As an example, of the 30+ articles in the African Royalty category on English Wikipedia, only three pages have imagery depicting those monarchs. The Wikimedia Foundation is working with global volunteers to close these gaps in order to achieve its vision of a world in which every human can share in the sum of all knowledge.Wiki Unseen is part of this work.There are two main objectives for this initiative. The first to increase awareness of the bias and visual knowledge gaps in the histories of Black people, indigenous people and people of colour, and the need to fill these gaps on Wikimedia projects.Secondly, to increase contributions, showing how artists and creatives can participate in knowledge creation by addressing its gaps.Marcus Garvey famously wrote: A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.We aim to use Wiki Unseen as a means to make our own contribution to strengthen the historical narratives around Black people, indigenous people and people of colour. This campaign is an opportunity to grow the Wikipedia audience to include those who have historically and systemically been left out of knowledge production.Art has an integral role in world history. We felt that having these pages receive visual representation through art was important. By collaborating with artists, we are highlighting the critical role visual illustrators play in documenting history.This should not end with Wiki Unseen but attract new players in this genre to help shape how the next generation will understand and see history. Research done by the Wikimedia Foundation shows that clicks on images occur in biographies of less well-known people. This means art has a crucial role to play to bring African history makers recognition. For as long as we have been sentient, communicating beings, art has been at the centre of how we create, shape and derive meaning.We remember more of what we have seen through pictures and heard through sound than what we have read. The line representation matters has been reworked and expressed in a multitude of ways. In this instance, for this project, it means that by deliberately and consistently working to ensure that those who have long been left out of how we picture history have just as much representation as those who were commonly heralded. Thus, ensuring current and future generations understand their histories differently.Its about opening up all spheres of knowledge not just the bits that serve the interests of some groups. Art is a powerful tool that allows us to redraw the history that has shaped who we are.For the inaugural Wiki Unseen, the artists who we have commissioned will get greater visibility around their work. Wikipedia is one of the top 10 most visited websites in the world. Through their work, we hope that as this initiative grows in importance and scale, more artists will be inspired to volunteer their time and effort to address the worlds knowledge gaps.As the global creative director of the Wikimedia Foundation, I have the privilege of working with creatives from across the world. What stands out about Africa is that we are a young continent, the art we produce is vibrant, engaging and tells the stories of our complexities, interconnectivities and social dynamics.There will be many iterations and explorations of this work and we look forward to a future where this creates a generation of Wikipedia contributors who lend their talents to building better, more comprehensive knowledge resources for all. This week we go behind the mask of Marius Greeff, founder and director of Turn Left Media. Marius Greeff, founder and director of Turn Left Media Could you briefly explain what your role entails? Whats really behind your mask - literally and figuratively speaking? Growing up, what did you want to be? How did you end up in the industry? When you founded Turn Left Media, what did you hope to achieve? What has the journey been like? What excites you most about your career? What has been the highlight of your career? When you're not busy working, what do you do? How do you socialise these days? What are you watching/reading/listening to at the moment? What does 2022 have in store for you? Im the founder and director of Turn Left Media. Were a very niche independent, boutique digital media sales house. Our mission is to help African brands connect to, and build, economic opportunities.We do this by making it easier for brands to engage with their key stakeholders, be it clients, employees, or stakeholders on key, niche digital platforms. Focused on representing only the best in digital platforms, Turn Left Media exclusively represents LinkedIn, the world's largest professional social network.Ive been working with the LinkedIn brand for the last 11 years, and in a business of our size, on most days I get to work with people, building marketing strategies, developing technology, writing content, helping out our teams and clients, and presenting opportunities.A big smile, and a big beard. Im normally the joker in the business, as we work hard, and play hard. So I try and never take life too seriously. I like innovating in whatever we do, asking why not, rather than why, and figuring out ways of doing things that have never been done. #Dadbod #FatherofTwo #AlwaysBeSmilingNot in media! I wanted to be a palaeontologist and later a marine biologist before settling closer to home as a CA through The University of Pretoria. We went to the Open Day and walked through the Business Sciences Faculty and my mother said Well, you can sell ice to an Eskimo, so if Accounting doesnt excite you, why not this? I started my degree in Marketing Management and later my Honours in Communication Management, and have never looked back.Its been a serendipitous journey, having worked in the financial services and retail industry before ending up in media. I worked for Exclusive Books and met the fantastic team from Habari Media, who represented Facebook, BBC, LinkedIn and several other brands as the pre-eminent sales house in Africa at the time.They spoke about the role of digital transformation in marketing, and it sounded like the perfect opportunity to approach as my next steps in my marketing career. I started as a commercial channel manager at Habari Media, responsible for the business monetization and evolutions of the business portfolio of brands we represented, including LinkedIn, BDFM, JustMoney and the BBC. I found a passion for delivering tailored digital solutions to niche, key brands to establish their footprints in Africa.Over time this evolved to include being the commercial director for Habari Media, and later Spark Media, and then founding Turn Left Media with my partner John BowlesWhen John I founded Turn Left Media, we came from a business that represented more than 150+ unique brands and offerings, a literal smorgasbord of opportunities for everything the client could want. In that equation, we lost the ability to provide focused, niched, tailored solutions on a granular level, and we wanted to renew this. Its something we call the Goldilocks formula, not too big, or too small, just right.We also wanted to build out the economic opportunity for our continent, bringing together the best brands and people with the opportunity to do great work, generate revenue and drive the continent forward. To do that, we partnered with brands such as LinkedIn, the worlds largest professional network, and over time brands such asand CNN.WOW! Its been a massive learning curve, becoming an owner and feeling the total weight of all of the responsibilities on your shoulders. It gives you a new sense of purpose and the freedom to dictate the tone and ethos of the business. Our company has been unique in our approach and values since the start of the business, and weve carried this through into everything we do.Since our first employee, weve always focused on hiring mature, self-starting individuals, who can run their own businesses, and saying we might not see you for 2-3 weeks, and we need to trust that youll be fine, so when Covid hit, our teams cracked on the next day as if nothing had happened. Weve grown from three employees to over 30 individuals, across three locations, so its been an amazing ride.Being able to co-create strategic opportunities with agencies and clients. Really getting immersed in the brand, their purpose and objectives, and then taking all of that and marrying it with my knowledge of B2B and LinkedIn. Im also crazy excited about the rapid advancements in technology, both in our industry and as a whole.Ive had a few highlights in my career, including meeting individuals like President Ramaphosa, John Smit and several others, but the moments that leave me blessed and humbled has been the opportunities weve been able to give our staff, through the business I helped create. Some of our staff have bought their first homes, cars, some of them have never been on an aeroplane before or been out of their provinces. This ability to give them these opportunities to better themselves and the lives of their families is the most inspiring thing in the world.Im also super proud of the work were doing with the SAME Foundation, as our NGO partner. Weve helped develop several computer and science labs in under-privileged communities across the country, the latest one is the state of the art science lab constructed at Lehlohonolo Primary School, situated in Gugulethu, Cape Town. The school educates a staggering 425 underprivileged pupils in a tough community with very few essential services. We aim to get them passionate about science, maths and IT.The project commenced In August 2021 and was successfully completed in October 2021. Helping kids acquire math, science and computer skills is a long-term investment into South Africa and Africa helping them participate in the future global economy. Next one, Soweto!Im married with two beautiful kids, who tend to keep me nice and busy when Im not working. Work-life balance in the pandemic has ironically enough not been easy, as the separation from business to personal remains challenging when its not separated by physical space anymore. When I do have time I spend it reading, anything from biographies, business books, fiction and fantasy. Im also learning how to code in my spare time, through Udemy learning C##, Java and a few others, and then socialising with a few very close friends.At the moment Im reading, by James Clear, which resonates with my iterate improvements focus on life, as well as Jordan Petersons 12 Rules for Life. Ones pretty weighty, as only Jordan can be, and the other has already helped me shift my approach to getting things done. Im also watchingon Amazon Prime, an epic fantasy series based on the books by one of my favourite authors, Robert Jordan (yes, another Jordan).When I have a few moments I also use LinkedIn Learning for audio growth, as the courses can be downloaded into super small bite-size pieces of 5-minutes or less, so it makes it easy to steal a few seconds in between meetings and work for self-improvement.Were always looking at how we can grow and improve, so look out for developments in tech through TLM, more insights and research opportunities through LinkedIn, as well as the access we have to tools like GWI. Im also crazy excited about our new business The Social Craft, with Sam Coom, which focuses on employer branding, pipelining and value creation through thought leadership. Its a bold new step for myself, and were already seeing how businesses are resonating with our approach. China's development banks provided $23bn in financing for infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa from 2007 to 2020, more than double the amount lent by such banks in the United States, Germany, Japan and France combined, a new study showed. A Chinese engineer and a local construction worker work on a section of the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway (SGR) in Emali, Kenya. Reuters/Noor Khamis Make African investment a priority Debt stress The Center for Global Development think tank said a review of 535 public-private infrastructure deals funded in the region in those years showed that China's investments dwarfed those of other governments and multilateral development banks.Nancy Lee, lead author of the paper and a senior policy fellow at the centre, said overall public funding for projects in sub-Saharan Africa remained stuck at around $9bn, well short of what the region needs for roads, dams and bridges."There is a lot of criticism of China," she said. "But if Western governments want to boost productive and sustainable investments to meaningful levels, they need to deploy their own development banks and press the multilateral development banks to make these investments a priority."Between 2007 and 2020, China Exim Bank and China Development Bank provided $23bn in financing, while all other major development finance institutions combined provided $9.1bn, the report found.It noted that the main US development finance agency, now known as the US International Development Finance Corp, lent just $1.9bn for infrastructure in the region during that period, less than a tenth of what China provided.Multilateral development banks like the World Bank provided just $1.4bn per year on average for public-private infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa from 2016-2020, the report found.China's lending to Africa has come under heightened scrutiny in recent years for lack of transparency and its use of collateralised loans, with economists at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank warning that many low-income countries are facing or already in debt distress.But Western countries have been slow to pump up investments despite "much rhetoric", Lee said.The administration of US President Joe Biden in July unveiled a new push to expand business ties between US companies and Africa, with a focus on clean energy, health, agribusiness and transportation infrastructure. But its ongoing review of trade policies has left the private sector skittish about committing funds.A top US trade official last week said Washington had been engaging in robust talks with Kenya as part of its drive to expand trade investment on the African continent, and would have more to say in coming weeks. The National Arts Festival has announced that it's returning to live format for 2022 after two years of online hosting. This year's National Arts Festival is happening in its home town of Makhanda in the Eastern Cape from 23 June-3 July and a call has gone out to artists to register their works on the Fringe. Image credit: Mark Wessels Aside from the importance of coming together again to collaborate, network and talk late into the night, this years Festival is an essential component in the reboot of the live arts ecosystem and we hope it will offer some healing and hope after this very hard time weve all had. We are looking forward to being together in Makhanda," says Monaheng. The Fringe is that part of the Festival programme that is not curated by the festivals artistic committee. It is open to all artists from anywhere in the world who want to bring a show or piece of work to perform or exhibit at the festival. This is done at their own cost but ticket revenue is also largely their own (90/10 in favour of the artists).The festival is also hosting an online programme so will welcome applications to present works made for the online environment.Fringe manager, Zikhona Monaheng, says: "As artists are slowly recovering from two devastating years of the pandemic, we would like to offer a 50% reduction of the normal R1,000 registration fee which this year will be R500. In addition, the venue fees have been reduced to accommodate artists tighter budgets. Online productions will pay a flat R150 registration fee."The festival will once again present a curated programme featuring highlights that include the original new works of the 2021 Standard Bank Young Artists, theatre, dance and music elements, comedy, visual art, illusion, artists in residence, workshops and experiences such as the Village Green and free Sundowner Concerts.Artists will also gain from several professional workshops and network opportunities at the festival.The Fringe programme plays an important role in launching artists and their works into the spotlight.It is here that countless South African artists have tested their range, experimented with form and debuted new work. A free space to express, play and create, its an essential element of the Festivals character. The European Union will invest 1.6bn in support of Morocco's energy and digital transition efforts, the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday, 9 February. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Virginia Mayo/Pool via Reuters This is a great opportunity for green and digital transition, Von der Leyen said on her Twitter account following talks in Rabat with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.Morocco targets a 45.5% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and has set a renewable energy goal of more than 52% in installed electricity capacity by 2025.The aid is part of an EU plan, dubbed Global Gateway, announced in September to mobilise up to 300bn over 2021-2027 in support of sustainable projects that boost connectivity between the EU and its partners, an EU source told Reuters. Registration is officially open for this year's Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment Challenge. High schools and tertiary institutions across the country are encouraged to participate in the the exchange's educational competition programme designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of investing on the JSE. Develop and test your trading skills Prizes Teams that participate in the competition are given R1m in virtual funds to invest in various portfolios, with the aim of outperforming the portfolios of other participating teams.Since the R1m is virtual, participants have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Take on the challenge, invest in yourself and learn how to make your money work for you so that you can build a financially secure future for yourself, says JSE director: Marketing and Corporate Affairs Vuyo Lee.High schools may enter one or more teams, with the challenge being open to all learners. A team must consist of four members from Grades 8 to 12 and a teacher must supervise each team.University students must form a team and all team members must be registered with the same institution. Each team must have a minimum of two and a maximum of four members. All students are eligible, regardless of their field of study.As in previous years, participating teams get to test their share trading skills through an ongoing simulated trading programme in which their performance is tracked and measured over six months. Teams can choose to manage one or more investment portfolios, says Lee. With the 2022 academic year kicking off and learners and students returning to normal learning schedules, we encourage them to take this opportunity to also learn about the principles of investing and the fundamentals of the stock market.As the continents biggest stock exchange and a responsible corporate citizen, the JSE would also like to play an active role in creating a financially literate society. What better way to do this than to allow South Africans to gain real life skills in investing and trading on the stock exchange while participating in an exciting game and stand a chance to win cash prizes? says Lee.Each month, the best performing teams and schools in each portfolio will win R500 per team member, R500 for the school and R500 for the supervising teacher. There are also five annual cash prizes per portfolio up for grabs, amounting to R60,000 per portfolio. Teams are eligible for a maximum of two monthly prizes for the duration of the competition. For university teams, there is a R3,000 monthly cash prize up for grabs for the top performing team, as well as three prizes to the value of R60,000 for overall winners of the annual prize and a trip to an international stock exchange for the first place winners.We are very excited to start this years JSE Investment Challenge and we look forward to bringing the competition to more South Africans. Trading begins in March and ends in September. Teams can register electronically at and https://university.jse.co.za and to stay updated, follow the competitions social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. By Kevin Samson Anyone who has been following Activist Post for any length of time knows that we continue to sound the alarm about how the military has been working on A.I. systems that will increasingly become fully autonomous its part of the Internet of Battlefield Things. The only area seemingly left up for debate is whether these machines will be unleashed without any human input whatsoever in the decision-making process. Now that we are seeing the rollout of robo-dogs on the border and tests of putting them on American streets, any advancement in A.I. war capabilities should be assumed to eventually trickle down from foreign lands into the United States. Remember, it used to be a conspiracy theory back in the early 2000s that standard drones would ever fly over America. Now Defense One is reporting that A.I.-infused Black Hawk helicopters have made an advancement to the extent where they can autonomously carry out a directive set by a commanding officer. This also raises the question of how many of these can be commanded by one human. We recently saw a demo of a drone swarm consisting of 130 separate drones being managed by a single human operator utilizing virtual reality. Indeed, the world is becoming Wired for War. By Patrick Tucker Going beyond previous unmanned helicopters that featured advanced autopilots or the beginning of autonomy, a new DARPA experiment showed off a pilotless Black Hawk rigged to carry out an entire mission based on a commanders goals. Officials said the demonstration would help the Army, and other services, better figure out how they want to incorporate heavy, self-driving drones into future battle plans. On Feb. 5, officials with the DARPA Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System, or ALIAS, program conducted two test flights with an UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter. The pilots shifted the knob to zero and we did our first uninhabited flight, Stuart Young, DARPAs ALIAS program manager, told reporters on Tuesday. The flight lasted about 10 minutes; maneuvering was largely limited to pedal turns. But a second, 30-minute flight took the aircraft cross-country over the range here at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Young said. That might not sound like a particularly important milestone, but previous attempts at helicopter autonomy were far more limited, Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations, told reporters. For example, two Kaman K-MAX helicopters flew hundreds of resupply missions for the Marine Corps in Afghanistan, but that was more like a kind of advanced autopilot, Cherepinsky said. And in a 2015 experiment by the Armys Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center, or TARDEC, an unmanned UH-60 demonstrated what he called kind of the beginning of autonomy. Here we automated the entire aircraft, including key pre-flight procedures such as power, secondary control, wind checks, and elements of adaptive flying, Cherepinsky said. On this aircraft that we flew, if we would have lost an engine, the system actually would have handled it. Had [we] lost both engines, the system would have used LIDAR [Light Detection and Ranging] to pick the landing zone and [put] the aircraft down. So this is a truly an autonomous vehicle. Its the difference between a pilot that can actually see and adapt to changing conditions versus an autopilot with neither of those features. The point here is if you look at the user interface, its really specifying goals and constraints of the mission, right? he said. Youre explaining to the aircraft what it is you want it to do. Youre having a conversation, right? The software, Cherepinsky, said, was conceived to serve the role of a digital copilot but has since evolved. Certainly it is and can be a digital copilot but with an operator on the ground. It really becomes a digital pilot and the human being on the ground becomes a mission commander. The ALIAS team is already getting interest in adapting the software for other types of aircraft, such as an F-16 for the Air Force This is already flying on a large cargo aircraft. Ill just say that, he said. The Army will be able to use the aircraft as part of its vertical-lift program to better understand what it wants future autonomous aircraft to do. That will inform not only future requirements but also the development of future tactics and techniques. Said Young, We have removed the safety net from our autonomous operations. We want to now provide that to the Army so that they can own it and use it on their own to develop autonomy requirements, more specifically how they would use autonomy on the future battlefield and enable them to have trust and develop that trust in operationally relevant environments. OCCUPIED JERUSALEM Losing the battle for hearts and minds abroad, Israel hopes injecting millions into a revamped government project will counter a changing global narrative. Last month, the Israeli cabinet approved 100 million shekels (about $30 million) in funding to boost government propaganda in Western countries. Under Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, the funding will restore a government initiative to combat the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and shift public discourse on Israel in the states favor. The plan is to revive a government project initially called Solomons Sling and now renamed Concert. Set up in 2015 by the defunct Ministry of Strategic Affairs, which closed in 2021, Solomons Sling was provided with an $80 million budget. Half of the funding would come from the government and the other half would rely on individual and organizational donations, mostly from the United States. U.S. law dictates those donating to governments must register as foreign agents. Solomons Sling was listed as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) run by government officials in an attempt to maintain appearances. The understanding was that it would be easier for them to appear as a PBC than as something that the Israeli government is behind, Ronen Menalis, the former director of the Strategic Affairs Ministry, said during a parliamentary debate. In the end, you see a bank transfer from a PBC and not a bank transfer from the Israeli government. Yet few were willing to register as foreign agents, thereby limiting Solomons Slings fundraising. The project was able to raise only $7 million of the expected $40 million, so it never came to fruition. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to MintPress News request for comment on the campaigns objectives or its strategy to turn foreign organizations into propaganda agents for the Israeli government. The new project is expected to last until the end of 2025. According to the campaigns government proposal, each year Concert will receive a budget of 25 million shekels ($8 million) conditioned upon its being able to raise the same amount privately. Targeting BDS The Sydney Festival a three-week-long arts event in Australia, funded by the Israeli embassy became a significant BDS victory after more than 100 artists and companies dropped out in solidarity with Palestine. Dr. Shir Hever, a political economist and author, described how Israelis often see the face of the BDS movement as concert cancellations likely the reason the relaunched campaign is called Concert. A lot of Israelis are thinking, How do you fight a movement that sends protest letters to artists? he said, noting that the trend of concert cancellations has declined recently. Its become clear that Israel is subsidizing these concerts to put pressure on the artists not to cancel, Hever told MintPress News. Hever explained that how the propaganda initiative will differ from its first iteration remains a secret, given the lack of transparency within Israeli civil society, but this name change may hint at how the relaunch will operate. Growing awareness Israel is committing apartheid Last week, human rights organization Amnesty International published a 280-page report accusing Israel of committing the crime of apartheid against Palestinians. Amnesty Internationals announcement joined several other rights groups (notably, Human Rights Watch and Israeli human rights organization BTselem) that have also declared Israel an apartheid state a claim Palestinians have made for decades. Nasim Ahmed, commentator and writer for Middle East Monitor, pointed to these apartheid reports and changing opinions on Israel within the Jewish community as the reasons behind the cabinets decision to funnel money into government propaganda. Theres a growing fear and anticipation that the campaign to what Israelis call delegitimize Israel is going to be turbocharged in 2022. And they want to have something to push back against that, Ahmed told MintPress News. Recent governmental discussions seem to corroborate this theory. A leaked cable from Israels Foreign Ministry suggested Concert aims to combat a United Nations report expected to be released in June calling Israel an apartheid state. And during the Israeli cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett used antisemitism as the prime motivator for anti-BDS funding. Contemporary antisemitism comes in many guises. Today, this energy of Jew-hatred is frequently directed at the state of the Jews. Our obligation as the State of Israel is to expose it, even when it is disguised, and fight it, Bennett said, when announcing the additional funding. While the most apparent reason to renew Solomons Sling under a new banner is to fight BDS, Hever suggested something more covert is at play, explaining: Theres a small but growing class of right-wing activists with influence over politics and especially influence over the right wing. I think they have access to the government, to Yair Lapid, for example. And they tell him, If you give us jobs, if you give us this project, were going to support you. But if you dont, were going to stick with the opposition, the Likud Party, and maybe support the return of Netanyahu. Hever detailed how organizations like non-profit NGO Monitor and settler association the Ir David Foundation have strong ties to the government, and by supporting politicians are able to secure funding for their Zionist projects and their salaries. The industry of hasbara In Hebrew, hasbara means explanation, but in the context of the Israeli government, this term translates to public diplomacy efforts meant to defend or justify Israels actions to the global community. Its Israels way of controlling the public narrative. Concert is just one of several hasbara initiatives. These propaganda efforts go beyond the Israeli government and encompass civil society organizations like Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA), StandWithUs, American Israel Affairs Public Action Committee (AIPAC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and Christians United for Israel. The government even encourages its own citizens to act as hasbara ambassadors when traveling abroad, by talking about Israel positively to their international peers. It also promotes hasbara training for diaspora Jews through programs like Hasbara Fellowships, an organization bringing students to Israel to teach them how to be effective at spreading Israeli propaganda on their college campuses. And hasbara has specifically utilized digital media to get its message out. Retired American diplomat Chas W. Freeman Jr. explained how Israel has successfully turned the internet into a tool of deception during his remarks at the 2012 Jubilee Conference of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy: The state of Israel has organized civilian government and military units to exploit this [digital media], including creating websites, social media accounts, and messages attributed to false identities. It has learned how to manipulate browser functions, search engine algorithms, and other automated mechanisms that control what information is presented to Internet users. This can be seen most recently in YouTubes content warning for Amnesty Internationals video on Israeli apartheid against Palestinians, as well as an Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs ad targeting Amnesty International appearing at the top of Googles results when searching Amnesty International. Searching for "Amnesty International" on Google? Some users are finding this sponsored ad result, which takes you to a webpage for Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs. @amnesty pic.twitter.com/j40n8CACbt Behind Israel's Troll Army (@AntiBDSApp) February 4, 2022 World waking up to occupation Both Hever and Ahmed stated that despite Israels various hasbara efforts, it isnt winning the information war. The fact that theyre having to launch and then relaunch and pump more money into Concert shows that it is not succeeding, Ahmed said. Hever illustrated how Israeli diplomacy has crumbled and its quick-fix solution to its foreign relations problem is negotiating arms and cyber deals with countries like India, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates. But this focus on those in power instead of the people may backfire. Theyre getting something from Israel and theyre giving something back, but it doesnt change public opinion in these countries, Hever said. And as soon as the government changes and a new generation of politicians come into power, they are not going to consider Israel to be a friendly country. From his perspective, Israel understands that the global public is becoming more aware of the states violence and corruption and less willing to tolerate it. Yet that doesnt mean theyll change their policies. The Israeli government knows that they cannot change the way that the world considers Israeli crimes without actually stopping the crimes, Hever said. While Israel has been able to manipulate social media, Ahmed argues information online cant always be controlled. More and more people are realizing that this is not simply a land dispute, as Israel would like to say, but really theres an entrenched system of occupation, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid thats been taking place, he said. According to Ahmed, even past Israel supporters are finding it more difficult to defend the state from a moral standpoint. More and more people know the truth about Israeli occupation and thats the real reason why the hasbara industry is failing, he concluded. Feature photo | With a seal on a podium in the foreground, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., meets with Israel Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 12, 2021. Andrew Harnik | AP Jessica Buxbaum is a Jerusalem-based journalist for MintPress News covering Palestine, Israel, and Syria. Her work has been featured in Middle East Eye, The New Arab and Gulf News. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Chinese mainland reports 7 new local COVID-19 cases Xinhua) 10:15, February 10, 2022 BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Wednesday recorded seven locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, all reported in Guangxi, the National Health Commission said on Thursday. Wednesday also saw six provincial-level regions reporting 22 imported COVID-19 cases, said the commission in its daily report. One suspected case that arrived from outside the mainland was reported in Shanghai, and no new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on the day, it added. A total of 28 asymptomatic cases were newly reported Wednesday, 27 of whom arrived from outside the mainland, according to the commission. As of Wednesday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, both local and imported, reported on the Chinese mainland had reached 106,663. There were 1,428 patients still under treatment on Wednesday, of whom four were in severe condition. A total of 4,636 patients had died of the virus on the Chinese mainland since the outbreak of the pandemic. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Help Our Community Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You! Take The Survey Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. The City of Brandon officially has more than 50,000 residents, a milestone local sources say could help spur continuing growth for the local population and economy. Advertisement Advertise With Us The City of Brandon officially has more than 50,000 residents, a milestone local sources say could help spur continuing growth for the local population and economy. Population data from last years census released by Statistics Canada Wednesday shows that from 2016 to 2021, the population of Brandons census subdivision increased from 48,883 to 51,313. Thats a boost of five per cent, almost on par with Canadas overall growth rate of 5.2 per cent. Additionally, the population for Brandon as a population centre increased from 48,345 in 2016 to 50,532 in 2021, an increase of 4.5 per cent. Brandon as a census metropolitan area, which includes a pair of neighbouring rural municipalities, had its population rise from 51,807 to 54,268. The reason for the Wheat Citys population increase may be attributed to the migration of people from rural to urban communities, a trend observed across Canada. "Weve got a major health centre here and many health services here, so health is certainly a consideration," Mayor Rick Chrest said Wednesday. "On the education front, weve got both a full-fledged university and a large community college, so thats a significant driver. As a result of being the service centre and the hub of western Manitoba, we tend to have a lot more retail and service providers here that are providing for well beyond Brandons population. "So then all of that helps us to continue to attract more people who want to settle in an area that has a significant number of services and you kinda get the best of both worlds. If I compare us to Winnipeg, we have almost everything Winnipeg has." Some grants offered by higher levels of government are based on population as defined by the census, so Chrest is hopeful that Brandon might qualify for more support going forward. Hes also optimistic that hitting the 50,000 mark will allow Brandon to attract more services and retailers for the benefit of local residents. The head of Economic Development Brandon, Sandy Trudel, said there are two common answers to what the benefits of reaching 50,000 people are. "If you talk to people who are in the economic world, they often refer to a population number of 50,000 as being the number in which the flywheel begins to turn itself," she said. Trudel, however, doesnt see it as a magic number that unlocks potential. Its a good sign, but hard work has to be done to maintain economic and population growth. Brandons growth isnt the most dramatic increase for a Westman municipality. Neepawa is No. 13 on the list of fastest-growing communities with a population of greater than 5,000 after the number of residents jumped from 4,609 in 2016 to 5,685 in 2021 an increase of 23.3 per cent. Only Niverville (29 per cent) and West St. Paul (24.5 per cent) had greater increases in population by percentage in Manitoba. "It confirms what weve always known: we are an extremely fast-growing community," Neepawa Mayor Blake McCutcheon said Wednesday. "The census is showing a 23 per cent growth during a pandemic, so thats pretty exciting. It brings challenges, but it also brings opportunities." Large employers like HyLife, which operates a pork-processing plant in Neepawa, are what McCutcheon would guess is an influential driver behind the towns growth in population. In an email sent Wednesday, the senior director of operations at HyLifes Neepawa plant wrote that more than 1,600 people are employed there. "We have grown tremendous partnerships in the community of Neepawa and the surrounding area," Lyle Loewen wrote. "We wouldnt have been able to build the synergies needed to achieve todays success without these relationships. We are committed to Neepawa and have been thrilled to partner with the community on numerous endeavours over the years." Last years announcement of a new health centre for the town as well as the development of businesses and amenities like a new Best Western Plus hotel will be additional significant contributors to the towns growth, he said. Asked if he felt the town could handle a continuation of this level of growth, McCutcheon said Neepawa has been working to develop its sewage lagoons and water treatment facilities to the point where they could handle 8,000 to 10,000 inhabitants. "Its a natural attraction," he said. "Growth brings growth." Something that caught the eye of Doug Ramsey, a Brandon University professor in the department of rural development and the acting director of the Rural Development Institute, was that for the first time since the 1940s, the population in the Canadian Maritimes grew at a quicker pace than in the Prairies. "Its the difference between 4.7 per cent and 4.6 per cent, but the point is that the Prairies, since the war years, had grown faster than the Maritimes and that just switched," he said. Factors contributing to that include people leaving the province due to the downturn in the oil and gas industries and people deciding to return or retire to the Maritimes because they have roots there. Another trend that Ramsey noted is that rural populations are decreasing across the Prairies. From 2016 to 2021, the rural populations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta decreased by 1.2 per cent, 1.7 per cent and 2.7 per cent, respectively. By comparison, the urban populations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta increased by 7.3 per cent, 5.5 per cent and 6.3 per cent, respectively. Rural communities, Ramsey said, are considered to be any community with fewer than 1,000 people with a population density of fewer than 400 people per square kilometre. That juxtaposition between rural and urban populations can be seen in the growth figures for the Brandon-Souris federal electoral district and the economic region of Southwest Manitoba compared to the City of Brandon itself. The citys population jumped by five per cent, but the electoral district which includes rural and urban communities only increased its population by 1.9 per cent and Southwestern Manitobas population went up by 3.4 per cent. "In the Maple Leaf years, we had a really high growth rate," Ramsey said about the rapid increase in Brandons population following the companys construction of a pork-processing plant in the city. "There was some concern that once that ended, wed go back to what we were. Brandon [had] 37,000 [people] for 20 years." If those were the Maple Leaf years in Brandon, Ramsey was asked if these might be the HyLife years in Neepawa. He said yes, but it also shows the importance of having an anchor because growth begets growth. "Just because [the population] went up by 23 per cent, it doesnt mean its all HyLife," he said. "If youve driven through Neepawa, youll see. Its very vibrant with businesses and schools and hospital upgrades and things like that. Theres just growth associated with having HyLife." The biggest loss of population percentage in Westman was in the Municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress, which dropped by 27.5 per cent to 1,123 residents from 1,550 residents. While thats a steep decline, Ramsey pointed out the village of Glenboro as a population centre only decreased by 12.8 per cent, showing the loss is coming more from the rural parts of the municipality. "Even though its an incorporated settlement that people tend to go to when they leave the countryside, theyre not going to Glenboro," he said. "Theyre leaving Glenboro and theyre leaving the countryside, which is quite troubling to me." There was a revision to Glenboro-South Cypresss population in 2016 but the reason isnt currently available to the public. According to Ramsey, while urban population centres were shown to have grown across the country in the census data, it also shows that the growth hasnt been as strong in those cities downtowns. This could be, in part, due to wanting to have bigger yards and less exposure to other people because of COVID-19 as well as the increasing price of housing in core areas. cslark@brandonsun.com Twitter: @ColinSlark YMCA Brandon is no longer running its school-age child-care program due to ongoing renovations at the Y Downtown Early Learning Centre. Advertisement Advertise With Us KYLE DARBYSON/THE BRANDON SUN The exterior of the YMCA Brandon's Y South Early Learning Centre. YMCA Brandon is no longer running its school-age child-care program due to ongoing renovations at the Y Downtown Early Learning Centre. While the school-age program is usually hosted at the Y South Early Learning Centre, those spots are being taken up by pre-school children who can no longer attend the YMCAs downtown location, which is undergoing construction to add 12 infant spaces and 36 pre-school spaces. The construction project officially began last month and is expected to wrap up by September 2023, according to a Jan. 26 letter signed by Brandon YMCA CEO Lon Cullen. "Although this is exciting news as it will create much needed child care spaces for the community, sadly we must close our school age program during the construction period," Y South director Deb Berry wrote in a Jan. 24 letter addressed to parents, explaining that Jan. 28 would be the final day for the program. In a followup conversation with the Sun, Cullen estimated the temporary shuttering of the school-age program will impact around 20 local families, who will need to find alternative accommodations for their kids during certain holidays or weekdays when they dont have to attend school. While Cullen admitted this is not an ideal situation for those families, he said the YMCA will still be able to supervise school-age children through their day camps that take place during the spring and summer holidays. "With the school-age program, we have an alternative where we can provide day camps. With pre-schoolers, we have no alternative," he said, explaining why the younger children were prioritized for those spaces at Y South. One local parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Sun the abrupt closure of the school-age program left him scrambling, since no other affordable child-care programs for his children were available in Brandon. With a professional development day scheduled for Friday, this parent said he and his wife are being forced to shuffle around their work schedules to make sure their children are properly supervised. "Thats kind of hard on businesses, too," he said Monday. There is a significant price difference between the YMCAs school-age program and its day camps, which adds another wrinkle for the affected families, he added. However, Cullen told the Sun the local YMCA also provides subsidies for families who are struggling to afford programs like day camps. While the temporary closure of the Brandon YMCA school-age program only impacts a small group of people, Manitoba Child Care Association executive director Jodie Kehl told the Sun it is part of a broader problem, where child-care spaces are becoming increasingly scarce. Even though the provinces online child-care registry is no longer operational, Kehl said around 16,000 children were on the waiting list in 2018. The list has only grown longer during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a variety of factors, including a continued lack of funding, according to Kehl. "In Manitoba, not-for-profit licensed programs get their revenue in two ways: they get an operating grant from the province of Manitoba, that grant has been frozen since 2016, and they get parent fees. And parent fees have actually been frozen since 2013," Kehl said Wednesday. "So essentially, this is starving the sector because all other expenses are rising dramatically right now." Although there are some reasons to be optimistic about the future, she said. Last week, federal and provincial government officials announced they are expanding eligibility for their child-care subsidy program, which will allow the average Manitoba family to save 30 per cent on out-of-pocket child-care expenses. While this announcement represents a continuation of the agreement signed last August where both levels of government swore to provide $10-a-day child care in Manitoba by March 2023 Kehl said certain shortcomings still need to be addressed. This is especially true for school-aged children, since the major reductions outlined in the bilateral agreement only apply to children up to the age of six. "So in order to address some of those systemic school-age specific problems, we would be calling upon the provincial government to ensure that they are off-setting and investing in that component of the system because the reality is that children dont stop being children at the age of six," she said. kdarbyson@brandonsun.com Twitter:@KyleDarbyson OTTAWA - The federal privacy commissioner says his offer to advise the government on the implications of collecting data from millions of mobile phones during the COVID-19 pandemic was rebuffed. Privacy Commissioner of Canada Daniel Therrien listens to a question during a news conference, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - The federal privacy commissioner says his offer to advise the government on the implications of collecting data from millions of mobile phones during the COVID-19 pandemic was rebuffed. Daniel Therrien told a House of Commons committee this week that he offered to review how the data was being anonymized, but the government consulted its own privacy advisers instead. Members of Parliament passed a motion on Tuesday that called on the government to suspend a plan to extend the collection of mobile-phone location data. The MPs wanted privacy concerns to be looked into first. NDP MP Matthew Green said there were "serious concerns" that the government has so far refused requests to pause the second phase of mobile data collection. "Canadians all expect a certain level of privacy, especially when it comes to their cellphones, and we need to take a closer look to see if our current laws and regulations are sufficient in our current age of big data," Green said. The Public Health Agency of Canada has said the data would be used to help the government understand travel patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The office of Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the data does not contain personal information that would identify anyone and it is committed to safeguarding privacy. A statement from the minister's office said its priority was keeping Canadians healthy and safe while upholding privacy standards. "Over the course of the pandemic, PHAC has used de-identified and aggregated data to inform our governments response to COVID-19 and to transparently provide Canadians with information on the pandemic," it said. "While the mobility data being used by PHAC does not contain personal information, we will continue collaborating with the ethics commissioner and remain committed to safeguarding the privacy of Canadians. The privacy commissioner said he is currently investigating complaints about the collection of mobile-phone data. He told the ethics committee that he plans to look at whether people could be identified from the anonymized mobile phone data. "Now that we have received complaints alleging violations of privacy, we will turn our attention to the means chosen for de-identification and whether they were appropriate to safeguard against re-identification," he said. "We offered to review the technical means used to de-identify data and to provide advice, which was declined. The government relied on other experts to that end, which is its prerogative." In December, the public health agency issued a new request for proposals to track countrywide cell tower-based location data between Jan. 1, 2019, and May 31, 2023. The notice said the data must be accurate, accessible and timely, as well as ensuring privacy and transparency. It must also be stripped of all identifying information. MPs on the Commons ethics committee, including Liberal MPs, voted after Parliament returned from its winter break to halt the new tender until it could explore the privacy implications of the plan. On Tuesday, Bloc Quebecois, Conservative and NDP MPs voted in the House to suspend the tender until the Commons ethics committee could report that the privacy of Canadians will not be affected by the mobile-phone data plans. Liberal MPs voted against the motion. The government can choose to ignore it, allowing the public health agency to push ahead. Opposition MPs, including Tory House Leader John Brassard, urged the government to halt the plans until MPs are satisfied personal privacy is being protected. Brassard said the privacy commissioner would have been the right person to have examined the issue. "The privacy commissioner is charged with ensuring privacy legislation is followed and the privacy rights of Canadians are protected," he said. "When he offers to provide advice, in almost all cases the government takes him up on his offer, but this time they said 'that's OK.' The whole situation, to me, is questionable." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2022. Ottawa police issued a long-awaited warning to the protesters clogging Canada's capital to clear the streets or risk criminal charges on Wednesday, while deep political divisions burst forward on Parliament Hill after nearly two weeks of anti-vaccine mandate protests. Police at a barricade in front of vehicles parked as part of the trucker protest, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Ottawas downtown core. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Ottawa police issued a long-awaited warning to the protesters clogging Canada's capital to clear the streets or risk criminal charges on Wednesday, while deep political divisions burst forward on Parliament Hill after nearly two weeks of anti-vaccine mandate protests. "The unlawful act of blocking streets in the downtown core is resulting in people being denied the lawful use, enjoyment and operation of their property," the police said in a written statement, which told demonstrators to stop blocking streets or face the possibility of being charged with mischief to property. "You could be arrested without a warrant for this offence if you are a party to the offence or assisting others in the direct or indirect commission in this offence." The police also warn that protesters' vehicles and other property may be seized and possibly forfeited, and that charges or convictions related to unlawful activity may lead to them being barred from travelling to the United States. After the warning was issued, those at the protest continued to walk around, sit in their trucks and eat food at the site, as well as listen to a speaker talk about COVID-19 vaccines from a stage assembled on a flatbed truck. As it grew dark, some huddled around a makeshift bonfire. With an injunction in place on the incessant honking from the protesting truckers, the streets, which appeared to have fewer vehicles than last week, were quiet of horns. The declaration from police comes after municipal officials in Ottawa spoke with the federal government to find solutions to end the protest that has sparked solidarity rallies, some of which have blocked traffic at border crossings in Coutts, Alta., and the busy Windsor-Detroit Ambassador Bridge crossing. Earlier Wednesday, Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair acknowledged the serious difficulties Ottawa residents have endured. Blair said he and Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino met Tuesday night with Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and his officials. "They've been subject to acts of thuggery and disrespect. Crimes have been committed," Blair said. "We are working very closely with our municipal partners to ensure that the Ottawa Police Service has the resources that they need to enforce the law to restore public order and to bring this unlawful protest to an end." The new law enforcement effort came as political divisions bubbled to the surface within the governing Liberals and the Conservative Opposition as two provinces began easing COVID-19 restrictions while the anti-vaccine mandate protests in Ottawa and elsewhere went on. The Trudeau government faced growing pressure Wednesday to provide a concrete pandemic endgame after a Quebec MP broke ranks and accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of trying to "demonize'' people who have legitimate criticisms of the way the pandemic is being managed. He also called for a clear road map detailing how federal pandemic restrictions will be lifted. The Conservative caucus also started showing new cracks whether it was time for the Ottawa protesters to move on. Conservative MP Kevin Waugh, who was criticized along with other Saskatchewan Conservative MPs and a senator last week for showing support to the protest by posing in a photo with a truck on Ottawa's streets, said it was time for them to leave. "They've made their statement,'' said Waugh. But he added one key caveat: "The Liberals need to move on. We've seen that out here. The convoy's done one thing: changed minds in this country.'' Not all of his colleagues agreed. "They should stay,'' said Conservative MP Rachael Thomas. Liberal ministers, including Trudeau, were forced to address the internal divisions that were exposed when Quebec Liberal MP Joel Lightbound broke ranks with his party, a move that cost him his position as the province's caucus chairman. The divisions emerging within the Liberal caucus were immediate fodder for the Conservatives, with interim Leader Candice Bergen saying if Trudeau wont listen to the science telling him he is wrong, will he at least listen to his MPs. "Why is the prime minister so offside, not only with the science, but it would seem, with a growing number of his caucus?" Trudeau said hed spoken to Lightbound and will continue to do so, but that science and public health guidance is what will get Canadians out of the pandemic. The debate in Ottawa is unfolding against the backdrop of decisions by the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan to end pandemic restrictions in the coming days. Alberta has just ended its COVID-19 vaccine passport program for non-essential businesses and events. It will also lift its mask mandate for children 12 and under and for all students in schools on Monday. Saskatchewan announced its proof of vaccination mandate will end on Monday, and indoor masking and self-isolation rules will stay in place until the end of the month. "It's not going to be going away entirely,'' said Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. "But now is not the time to be dropping those kinds of restrictions.'' Ontario Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski, a former emergency room doctor in Thunder Bay, said with Omicron waning now, it is time to start looking at lifting some restrictions. But he said the occupation in Ottawa makes it difficult to do anything without making it appear as if youre giving in to the convoy rather than following science. The divisions appear to have also extended to the protest movement in Ottawa. Earlier this week, some of the leaders involved in the demonstration suggested that if the prime minister would not meet with them, they would form a coalition with the federal New Democrats and Conservatives. Keith Wilson, the lawyer for the convoy's organizers, called those earlier statements "fairy dust," Wednesday, and that the convoy's objective is to get protesters' rights respected and to eliminate COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The NDP is calling on David Cohen, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, to testify before the House of Commons foreign affairs committee about American influence in funding the protests. "This is very clearly an attack on our democracy," New Democrat foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson said. "There is funding coming in from foreign countries that is funding a far-right protest." The Commons committee meets Thursday and would require unanimous consent of all parties to issue an invitation to Cohen. Earlier this week, an Ottawa judge granted a 10-day injunction that orders truckers to stop honking their loud horns, which has led to the downtown core being noticeably quieter in recent days. The injunction was the result of a court action brought by a group of private citizens, not the city. "It shouldn't be up to residents to seek this kind of protection from the court on clearly public danger and harms,'' Coun. Jeff Leiper said Wednesday. "I am very keen to see that the city begin seeking those injunctions." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2022. With files from Jim Bronskill, and Stephanie Taylor If we used this space to detail the different times the United States has meddled in the politics of other countries, we would be here for a while. If we used this space to detail the different times the United States has meddled in the politics of other countries, we would be here for a while. In their self-anointed western movie role as the heroic lawman in a white hat facing down an endless variety of scene-stealing villains in black hats, the United States has never been afraid of throwing its weight around. While the latest instance of this isnt official American policy and surely would disappoint President Joe Biden the intent is clear, and its aimed entirely at Canada. Backers of former president Donald Trump, most of whom immediately lose all credibility due to their fevered assertions that the last American election was fixed, have become huge financial backers of the truck convoy protests that have swept Canada. GoFundMe, the online website that gathers and releases donations to people or causes, quickly had an account set up for the "Freedom Convoy," and it raised $10 million before being shuttered by the site due to "reports of violence and other unlawful activity" that put them in violation of their own terms of service. Needless to say, eternally outraged American conservatives didnt take the news very well that they couldnt interfere in Canadian affairs. In fact, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton actually tweeted "Patriotic Texans donated to Canadian truckers worthy cause using GoFundMe. This BLM-backing company went woke, froze the funds, & failed to deliver Texans money. Today I assembled a team to investigate their potential fraud & deception. Texas donors will get Justice!" Lets explore one thought and then set it aside. What if it was "patriotic" Canadians contributing to Texas Democrats? Would Paxton view it any differently? And thats the prism that most activities should be viewed through in todays red-hot political atmosphere. Simply put, how would you feel if the other side did the slightly shady thing youre doing? GoFundMe has since said it will return all the donated money, something Paxton had to know was coming. This was simply another way to deliver red meat to right-wing voters. It will be the online issue of the hour and then disappear in the unceasing hullaballoo and worrisome tribalism that seem to infect everything even remotely controversial these days. But should Canada care about the tweets of an elected official in Texas? Should the folks who are active participants in or supporters of the convoy worry about foreign money being involved in their cause? They really should. While American politics has been utterly changed by so-called "dark money" contributions to political causes that dont have to be declared Canada has done a good job of clamping down. To review some Canadian history, the Election Expenses Act was passed in 1974. It traded financial support to the parties from government in exchange for their more in-depth regulation of their books. Spending limits were put in place for the parties and any donation over $100 had to be declared. That essentially changed the fundraising equation from hitting up corporations squarely to going hat in hand to voters looking for donations. That set up an inevitable showdown over third-party spending during elections, which was banned in 1983 but successfully challenged through the Charter of Rights and Freedoms a year later. In 2000, limits were set by Parliament, and they withstood another challenge in 2004. While thats slightly off topic, it illustrates how Canada has tried and largely succeeded in ensuring we pay for our elections. Company X or Billionaire Y cant tilt the scale. The power remains with the common people, which is as democratic as a system can get. The irony of Paxtons staged meltdown wasnt lost on Canadian Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino. He offered an unusually stern rebuke to a political figure in another country. "It is certainly not the concern of the Texas attorney general as to how we in Canada go about our daily lives in accordance with the rule of law," Mendicino said. "We need to be vigilant about potential foreign interference. Whatever statements may have been made by some foreign official are neither here nor there. Were Canadian. We have our own set of laws. We will follow them." And thats the crux of the matter. If the protesters are willing to take whatever foreign money comes their way to upset this nations political and societal norms, then maybe they arent the Canadian patriots they so desperately want us to believe. Maybe they just want their own way. Paranoid protesters Aside from the thoughtless and destructive actions by the protesters in Ottawa, or at least the condoning of it, what I object to is the waving of the Canadian flag. They dont care about Canada or Canadians. They only care about themselves, which is made obvious by their objections to wearing masks and being vaccinated. By basing their protests on rumours and unfounded conspiracy theories, to most Canadians they come across as paranoid, selfish and ignorant of the facts. Mandates make sense Do you remember when people could smoke inside restaurants, office buildings, planes and bars? It was determined that the smoke emitted from those cigarettes harmed non-smokers sitting nearby. Smoking indoors became obsolete. That mandate was put in place for the health and safety of everyone. Vaccine mandates are also put in place for the health and safety of everyone. Did I miss the "freedom convoy" of smokers travelling to Ottawa? Staying home If Manitoba reduces its restrictions on gatherings in restaurants without proof of vaccination, I will be enjoying meals at home. There is no way I am going to gather in a restaurant with those who are unvaccinated. The same goes for flying in an airplane; I will not be sharing the air space with the un-vaxxed. I will wait and watch what happens in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Maybe after the restrictions are reduced, we will see a reduction in the un-vaxxed, one way or the other. Griffin Evans, also known by his stage name Griff.ith, is a DJ with a growing presence in JMU, Harrisonburg and Washington, D.C. Over the past eight months, he's established himself in the area with a residency at Dukes Bar & Grill in downtown Harrisonburg and booking gigs with Relay for Life and JMU's University Program Board. Some JMU faculty have had to adjust to not only teaching during COVID-19. but also parenting school-age children at the same time. Married professors Tara Parsons and Lars Kristiansen; Leigh Nelson and Eric Fife; and one SCOM professor explained how they've grappled with pandemic changes and cancellations. In the wake of the Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 on-campus suicides at JMU and multiple shootings in Virginia, three friends decided to take matters into their own hands. Seeking to spread positivity and encouragement to the campus community, the Sticky Note Project was born. Sweatshirts can cost up to $75, and some T-shirts can cost upward of $50. A plain water bottle costs up to $20, and it can even cost $50 if you want a Hydro Flask bottle. AGL, the largest Australian power company, has pledged to bring forward the closures of its remaining coal-burning power stations in Victoria and New South Wales. As heavy emitters face intensifying pressure to curtail their use of planet-heating fossil fuels, AGL on Thursday said it would remove coal from its electricity generation mix entirely by 2045 at the latest three years earlier than previously planned and possibly by as early as 2040. AGLs power plants account for an estimated 8 per cent of Australias greenhouse gas emissions. Credit:Paul Jones The announcement disappointed climate advocates, who have been ramping up demands for the company to exit coal much earlier. The United Nations has called for developed countries to remove coal from their power networks by 2030 in order to avert catastrophic levels of climate change. Under AGLs new closure dates, its Bayswater coal plant in NSW, which had been scheduled to retire in 2035, would now shut within a window of 2030 to 2033. Its Loy Yang A generator in Victorias Latrobe Valley would have its 2048 closure date brought forward to between 2040-2045. The head of major renewables-powered bitcoin miner Iris Energy has flagged growing interest in the cryptocurrency from corporates and sovereign wealth funds as the once-obscure asset continues to gain legitimacy. Dan Roberts, Iris chief executive, told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald green bitcoin had begun to pique the interests of major companies and semi-government institutions as a potential investment. Daniel Roberts says sovereign wealth funds are increasingly interested in green Bitcoin. Credit:Janie Barrett Its something that will take three to six months to play out, he said. But specific things are being worked on with specific organisations and semi-government corporates who are now quite interested in procuring green sustainable bitcoin directly from a miner. Mr Roberts noted the government-linked organisations were largely offshore sovereign wealth funds. Australias sovereign wealth fund, the Future Fund, has shown no indication it is interested in the nascent and extremely volatile crypto space. Chinas trade sanctions on Australia have backfired, and by standing up to Beijing Australia set an incredibly powerful example for the world, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. I think China has lost more than Australia has in its efforts to squeeze Australia economically, Mr Blinken said. Beijing would be thinking twice about this in the future, he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in an interview. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Melbourne on Thursday. Credit:Eddie Jim The Biden administrations chief diplomat is in Melbourne for talks with his counterparts from the Quad nations Australia, India, Japan and the US while simultaneously negotiating to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine. His visit in the midst of the Ukraine crisis only reinforces the point that for us, as a Pacific nation ourselves, we see the future, we see it here and you have got to keep focus on the core thing even as you deal with the challenge of the moment, he said. The gender pay gap is narrowing but at a glacial pace closing by half a percentage point in 2020-21 though some companies are working to make the disparity between male and female workers less stark. Men are twice as likely to be in the top quarter of earners, at $120,000 and above, while women are 50 per cent more likely than men to sit in the lowest earnings bracket of $60,000 or less, according to data released by the national statutory monitoring body, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. Construction industry manager Rikki Toms is paid the same as her male colleagues at the engineering and construction company Laing ORourke but thats not the norm in her industry. Credit:Jason South Every industry has a gender pay gap in favour of men, the report said. Men are paid more than women, on average, by more than 85 per cent of Australian employers, and are also twice as likely to be highly paid than women, who earned $7.72 for every $10 men earned in 2020-21. The officer-in-charge of the Yuendumu police station has told the Northern Territory Supreme Court of the huge resource problem on the night Kumanjayi Walker was shot dead by Constable Zachary Rolfe. Health clinic staff had left earlier on November 9, 2019, because of a series of break-ins, and the handful of police officers stationed there were spread thin between Yuendumu and trouble at the community of Nyrippi, the court heard. Sergeant Julie Frost said it was also an expectation that her officers would accompany health staff from the community of Yuelamu, about 45 minutes away, if there happened to be a medical emergency in Yuendumu that evening. As it turned out, Kumanjayi Walker died of gunshot wounds to a kidney, spleen and right lung at 8.36pm inside her station. Corrupt detectives arranged for fights to break out in Brisbane nightclubs whose owners had refused to pay the crooked cops weekly protection money, a coronial inquest has been told. The accusations came from Antonio Bellino, the former owner of Brisbane nightclub and restaurant Pinocchios and a man who once portrayed himself as a mafia don. Antonio Tony Bellino leaves Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday. Credit:Toby Crockford The accusations were made during the coronial inquest into the arson attack on the Whiskey Au Go Go on March 8, 1973, that killed 15 people. Two barrels of petrol were set alight on the ground floor and smoke spread through the building, suffocating the victims. The fetching shade of pink displayed by pumice from an underwater volcano has led to scientists revealing it likely exploded with even more force than the recent Tongan volcanic eruption. The Havre seamount is a volcano sitting 900 metres below sea level in the south-west Pacific Ocean, and about 1200 kilometres south of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai, which spectacularly blew up in January. Pink pumice has given scientists insight into what must have been an enormous eruption of the Havre volcano in 2012. Credit:QUT The Havre volcano produced an enormous raft of pumice in 2012, and it had been thought that the pumice formed deep underwater and floated to the surface. But new research has discovered the colossal power of the explosion which formed it, with the key being its distinctive colour. Our news yesterday that firebrand defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou was in the employ of News Corp co-chair Lachlan Murdoch after helping to win Geoffrey Rushs record $2.9 million defamation win against Murdochs The Daily Telegraph got us thinking about the other players in the defamation case: where are they now? Actor Geoffrey Rush will star in Raised Eyebrows, a biopic about comedian Groucho Marx. Credit:Illustration: John Shakespeare Rush is back after what we can only politely refer to as a career hiatus since he won the 2018 case (bar one part in the small Australian film Storm Boy). And while Murdoch hiring Chrysanthou raised eyebrows, thats exactly what Rush will soon be doing. Cold Iron Pictures have hired the Oscar winner to star in Raised Eyebrows, a biopic about famed comedian Groucho Marx that will also feature American actor Sienna Miller. Actor Yael Stone was willing to tell her story about Rush in the witness stand, but the Federal Court would not allow it. So she told her story anyway on 7.30 and in The New York Times. Rush denied the allegations but did not sue. It begins with the implication that we humans are here on our own hes not offering the comfort of an afterlife nor the notion of a single controlling intelligence behind the universe. I liked that sobriety. Market fish at District Brasserie. Credit:Louie Douvis Carr took from Aurelius that the role of the wise man is to be serene and simple, a state he acknowledges he did not always achieve in office when worn down by lack of sleep or bad news. Thats a very high standard, but if you can sometimes reach it, with that quote coming to your mind when you are stressed, then its better than the alternative. They are traits he sees in federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese, whom Carr expects will bring cool-headed judgment to the prime ministership if, as I assume, he wins the election. There are reasons to think that, temperamentally, he could bring sound management of a governments business and politics. And that will be precisely because hes not flashy. We could have found the leader for the times. I dont think youd find him risk intolerant, escaping for a holiday in the middle of climate fires. Or departing from the script on diplomatic challenges. Or just flinging money in all directions, as if every $10,000 bought you a familys five votes. Maybe Ill send him a copy of Meditations with the best passages highlighted. Carr seems pleased to be meeting in person, but his body language tenses about halfway through the meal when an acquaintance arrives unannounced and declares we are living in interesting times, politically. Yes, I was just saying I think were headed for a change of government, Carr answers, pulling his mask back on. The disgruntled Liberal supporter and oldest agent in captivity makes some furious remarks about Prime Minister Scott Morrison; Carr suggests the party faithful are more indignant than most people. Bob Carr: I would hate to think we were providing a laboratory for right-wing billionaires and Sky blowhards to strut their stuff. Credit:Louie Douvis Carr introduces me. Michaels a reporter for the Herald, interviewing me about having lunch. The interloper is undeterred in his invective against Morrison, and Carr is happy to share some information. There are Canberra public servants getting excited about the prospect of [Peter] Dutton challenging him successfully before the election, Carr says. The bill. Credit:Louie Douvis A few days later, Carr made headlines for claiming on Twitter that Dutton leaked a text message in which Morrison was called a complete psycho and followed up by asking who else had the most to gain from undermining the Prime Minister. Dutton called the allegation baseless and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg suggested Carr was suffering relevance deprivation syndrome. But over lunch, the internal woes of the federal government are consigned to the periphery. The need for international action on climate change, the push to become a republic, Carrs horror at seeing reports of children starving in Afghanistan, his enthusiasm for putting books in the hands of students and his astonishment at the lack of interest in seeking a pardon for Julian Assange all get more attention. Asked if he had any advice for the incumbent in his old job as foreign minister, he promises to keep it to one sentence. Just remember Australias a sovereign country yes, an ally of the United States but not an American territory like Puerto Rico or Guam because thats certainly our international personality right now. Becoming a republic would change international perceptions, and Carr has long been a proponent of a minimalist model where the prime ministers choice of head of state was endorsed by Parliament instead of the monarch. The hybrid model proffered by the Australian Republic Movement, in which voters would choose from candidates selected by state and federal legislatures, concerns Carr, and he made his reservations clear to ARM chair Peter FitzSimons in a debate on Radio National. I expressed my reservations about his concept of a nationwide beauty pageant in an era of rampant right-wing populism, he says, pointing to the rise of ethno-nationalism in European politics. I would hate to think we were providing a laboratory for right-wing billionaires and Sky blowhards to strut their stuff. Carrs gravitation towards the concrete over the philosophical is shown in his work, in which he has been mentoring young women keen to enter politics, continues to advocate for conservation and other policies he believes in, and his willingness to grapple with global challenges. Make a contribution, I think, is the best advice. It is a privilege to be in Australia. I got up in the early hours of the morning a few nights ago and flicked on the BBC, saw an account of a hospital in Afghanistan where children were dying of infection and malnutrition. In a decent universe, every foreign minister in the developed world would push aside the files on their desk and say, today is devoted to getting food and medicine to the kids of Afghanistan, nothing for the moment rivals this. As the industry professor for business and climate change at the University of Technology Sydney, he is missing the free interaction enjoyed before the pandemic but is encouraged by the private sectors desire for decarbonisation. He wishes governments would do more. The happiest event for the world would be unrestrained, madcap, thrashing competition between the worlds great powers to bring forward decarbonisation. Hydrogen, electric vehicles, new solar, nuclear fusion all thrown into the mix. A brave new world, that would be fantastic. Thats the competition we want. A peaceful competition. Whose system is best at taking the heat-trapping gases out of the upper atmosphere and allow our old planet to continue to host ice and glaciers and species diversity. Carr tackles heavier topics too, and after reflecting on the imprisonment of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and likely torture of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, he appears a bit deflated while wrapped up in thought. But this is the exception. He is warm, engaging, has a wry sense of humour, and his eyes light up when he finds passages of great works in the books he brought. Sometimes he reads them to illustrate a point, sometimes for the pure joy of the words. And for someone who claims philosophical illiteracy, he pounces on David Humes influence on one question, is conversant in aspects of karma, and is open to tackling the big challenge, why does the world exist? Not that the two of us can solve it over ceviche. When I go out for a walk around home and see the sunlight on the waves, and the purity of the water reflecting the achievements of the Carr government in cleaning up stormwater in particular and happy people, listening to a gripping work of literature on Audible. Whats heaven going to offer thats better than this? Loading I think death is a very bad concept. I dont want to be told that our achievements live after us, I want to live forever. If Noah could live to be 900, and Abraham, thats a fair thing. Just a few hundred extra years would see me out. Enjoying the colour, the conviviality and the culture, thats how I put it. I dont think its a big ask. Unfortunately theres no one you can appeal to, theres no appeal tribunal where you can argue the case, he chuckles. Termination comes too early, just as youre getting warmed up. Bob Carr will talk at the inaugural Stoicon-x Melbourne, at the Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture in Melbourne, Saturday, February 26. www.stoiconxmelbourne.com.au THE BILL PLEASE District Brasserie, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney. (02) 9230 0900. Mon 6.30am-5pm; Tues-Fri 6.30am-11pm. Melbournes footpaths are becoming increasingly crowded, with the growing popularity of electric scooters leading to an increase in injuries. Police are investigating an incident where a young boy was injured after he was knocked over by an electric scooter riding illegally on the footpath when he stepped out of a Bayside store this week. Hundreds of e-scooters have been deployed to Melbournes streets over the past two weeks. Credit:Penny Stephens The rented electric scooter from Lime which hit the boy was part of a one-year electric scooter trial by the City of Melbourne, Port Phillip and Yarra which have deployed 1500 scooters onto Melbournes streets over the past two weeks. More than 60,000 trips have been made on the electric scooter share scheme so far. Our news on Wednesday that firebrand defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou was in the employ of News Corp cochairman Lachlan Murdoch, after helping to win Geoffrey Rushs record $2.9 million defamation win against Murdochs Daily Telegraph, got us thinking about the other players in the defamation case: where are they now? Credit:John Shakespeare Rush is back, after what we can only politely refer to as a career hiatus since he won the 2018 case (bar one part in the small Australian film, Storm Boy). And while Murdoch hiring Chrysanthou raised eyebrows, thats exactly what Rush will soon be doing. Cold Iron Pictures have hired the Oscar winner to star in Raised Eyebrows, a biopic about famed comedian Groucho Marx that will also feature Sienna Miller. Actor Yael Stone was willing to tell her story about Rush in the witness stand, but the Federal Court would not allow it. So she told her story anyway on 7.30 and in The New York Times. Rush denied the allegations but did not sue. Stones new action flick Blacklight, shot in Melbourne alongside Liam Neeson, is just out but alas has been garnering one-star reviews. Loading Meanwhile, Eryn Jean Norvill, the woman at the centre of The Daily Telegraph story and the defamation case, has been feted by the arts community. The Sydney Theatre Company, which had employed her and Rush in the production of King Lear at the centre of the case, handed Norvill the plum role in The Picture of Dorian Gray to ecstatic five-star reviews. The play, in which Norvill has 26 parts, will headline the Adelaide Festival on March 13. One of the Adelaide Festivals artistic directors is theatrical supremo Neil Armfield, who is also a long-standing friend of, yes, Geoffrey Rush. Funny old world. OUT TRAY Its been five minutes since Australia Post welcomed Tanny Mangos, as the utilitys new executive general manager, community, sustainability and stakeholder engagement. Mangos, formerly at the Bank of Queensland ( and spouse of former newsreader John Mangos) has a [passion for] driving positive change for organisations and industry, according to an AusPost press release. Presumably that passion has come in handy this month after the sudden departure of long-serving corporate affairs general manager Michelle Skehan who quit Australia Post suddenly in January after nine years. Skehan has been an unfailing presence as Post navigated the tumult of leadership change, a government inquiry and public opprobrium aimed at former chief executive Christine Holgate over those four Cartier watches she gifted to top-performing staff. Former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate Credit:Arsineh Houspian Neither party was prepared to comment on whether lawyers were called in. On Thursday, a Post spokesperson confirmed Skehans departure - and the hole that remains. Michelle Skehan left us last month after nine years of tremendous service at Australia Post and we wish her well in her future endeavours. A replacement is yet to be announced. Skehan made the news LinkedIn official, apparently uploading the post from a beach in Hawaii. Whether she pitches up at Toll Global Express with her old boss Holgate is anybodys guess. RISK STRATEGY Speaking of former Australia Post executives, theres a new chapter for former Victorian Labor frontbencher turned Post exec Philip Dalidakis. The well-dressed former MP swapped state politics for Post and then quit after seven months. Now he has joined forces with former Minerals Council of Australia climate and energy policy director Patrick Gibbons and public relations boss Vanessa Liell to launch Orizontas, a dedicated advisory outfit specialising in climate, market and political risk. Liell is best known for her tenure inside digital recruitment platform Commtract. Gibbons is a former senior energy adviser to the Bracks and Baillieu governments and served as a senior adviser to then environment minister Greg Hunt before the Minerals Council. The advisory board includes some familiar suspects including former Victorian premier Ted Baillieu, former Post executive Annette Carey who quit Team Holgate in June to take a new role heading Linfox Armaguard, and Australian Energy Market Operator director Kee Wong, who has also served as an adviser to the Victorian Government. Quite the reunion. PATCHING THINGS UP Given he blasted a new republican model as dangerous and a threat to the local brand of parliamentary democracy, one would have expected a burst of daytime fireworks on Sydney Harbour when former prime minister Paul Keating broke bread with chief republican cheerleader Peter FitzSimons. Then prime minister Paul Keating with the Queen at Parliament House, Canberra, in February 1992. Credit:Andrew Taylor Keating even raised the risk of an Aussie Donald Trump if the model passed into law. But the encounter at Keatings Potts Point pied-a-terre was entirely amicable, apparently. To do Mr Keating his due, he has been the primary moving force for the republic in the modern era and on that we had no disagreement, Fitz the chair of the Australian Republican Movement who is also a columnist at this masthead told CBD. Over the major portion of Victoria last night all lights were blanketed for an hour for the special blackout test ordered by the Commonwealth Government. The test was Australia-wide. Looking down Bourke Street from the roof of Parliament House during Melbournes brownout, an ARP measure where lighting was dimmed rather than total blackout. Credit:Argus Collection, The Age Archives As the blackout in Victoria applied to all areas within 100 miles of the coast line, major inland towns and strategic centres, very few places in even the most distant parts of the State were exempt. It was the second major test for Melbourne and Geelong areas, but other parts of the State had been ready for it as a result of the brownout, which had been in progress for weeks now. Traffic lights in front of Flinders Street Station. Credit:Argus Collection, The Age Archives Generally, there was wide public co-operation, but despite previous tests and recent warnings, many people were caught unprepared. Wardens reports were sent on to the Commissioner of Police, who is chief warden, and will be referred to the Commonwealth for action. Generally the test was officially described as very satisfactory. The prepare-for-raid signal was sounded on sirens at 9.28 p.m., and raid impending was sounded about eight minutes later, when all lights were assumed to be blacked out, and all traffic except for emergency purposes was stopped. Many people were stranded in the city for the duration of the raid. In the city proper most premises observed the blackout, although there were exceptions, particularly in Elizabeth-street. The intersection traffic lights also needed some attention. They were brilliant indicators of the city thoroughfares, and were vividly reflected from shop windows. The Victorian government has pushed back the deadline for key workers to receive their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by a month just days before the mandate was due to come into effect across the state. Victorians working in healthcare, aged care, disability support, emergency services, corrections, quarantine accommodation and food distribution who became eligible to receive a third dose by January 12, will now be required to get the shot by March 12 or risk being barred from their workplace. Victorians working in key sectors who became eligible to receive a third dose by January 12 will now be required to get the shot by March 12. Credit:Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg Those who were not eligible to receive their third dose on January 12 will have until March 29 to get their booster. Health authorities had previously set February 12 as the deadline for workers in those industries to get their booster, but announced they had extended the deadline by four weeks in a statement on Thursday afternoon. Retirees could work without having their government payments sharply reduced under a plan put to the federal government aimed at unleashing a grey army to fill staff shortages across the economy. As housing advocates called on the government to boost funding for social housing, lobby group National Seniors said axing the income test on the aged pension would be a powerful incentive for people in their 60s and 70s to stay in the workforce. Older Australians would not have their pension payments reduced if they earned more than $180 a fortnight under a plan aimed at boosting the number of older people in the workforce. Credit:Peter Braig An increasing number of businesses are reporting struggles to find workers, with the jobless rate at 4.2 per cent and forecast by the Reserve Bank to end 2022 around 3.75 per cent. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg noted this week the countrys labour participation rate was close to record highs, unlike countries such as the United States and Britain where the total workforce had fallen during the COVID-19 recession. Angry Liberals are blaming Prime Minister Scott Morrison for putting them through a shambles in Parliament after he shelved a draft law on religious freedom to avoid a Senate defeat amid a new leak from federal cabinet. Mr Morrison ended days of division on the Religious Discrimination Act by sending parts of the plan to a new inquiry after five Liberal MPs crossed the floor at 4am on Thursday to vote with Labor and the crossbench to prevent schools from discriminating against transgender students. Prime Minister Scott Morrison ended days of division on the Religious Discrimination Act by sending parts of the plan to a new inquiry. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The move came after a key Liberal, NSW senator Andrew Bragg, told the government he was prepared to cross the floor in the Senate to defend the changes made by the five MPs in the lower house despite intense efforts by Mr Morrison to restore his original package. Senator Bragg said he remained concerned students and teachers could be excluded from religious schools under existing law because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Defence Minister Peter Dutton has accused the five rebellious Liberal MPs who crossed the floor to support amendments to the religious discrimination bill package of misleading Prime Minister Scott Morrison, resulting in the bill being shelved after days of division. On Thursday, Mr Morrison ended the divide by sending parts of the plan to a new inquiry after Bridget Archer, Trent Zimmerman, Fiona Martin, Katie Allen and Dave Sharma rebelled to repeal section 38(3) of the Sex Discrimination Act 4am on Thursday to prevent schools from discriminating against transgender students. Defence Minister Peter Dutton has accused members of the Liberal party of misleading the Prime Minister on the Religious Discrimination Act. Credit:James Brickwood The government later shelved plans to push the legislation through the Senate after NSW senator Andrew Bragg made it clear he would also cross the floor if necessary to keep the protections for transgender students. A leak on Thursday revealed Mr Morrison had been rolled in a federal cabinet discussion on Monday night when ministers rejected his plan to link negotiations on religious freedom with a separate bill to create a Commonwealth integrity commission. Lithuanias Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis says Australia should impose tough sanctions on Russia and send resources to Ukraine if it invades the country, warning there would be consequences all over the world unless Moscow was punished. Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday, Mr Landsbergis said the Russians have what they need for a full-scale invasion, the likes that we havent seen since the Second World War. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said it was in Australias interests for Russia to not invade Ukraine. Credit:James Brickwood It came on the same day Defence Minister Peter Dutton said China and Russia were forming an unholy alliance that should cause great concern right across the world but in particular in our own region. There is growing concern that Russia will invade Ukraine in the coming weeks after it has amassed more than 100,000 troops near its border and sent warships towards the Black Sea. The NSW governments controversial $40 billion rail corporation wants NSW Treasury to stump up for new headquarters located in Sydneys CBD, as shock evidence to an inquiry threw the states finances into fresh doubt. The push by the Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE) to move out of Haymarket comes as the Auditor-General revealed she was alarmed at comments made by the head of the states transport agency that an agreement reached before Christmas wasnt binding. The agreement between Transport for NSW and Treasury had been critical to the Auditor-General signing off on the states finances on Christmas Eve, which had been delayed for months due to significant uncertainties with TAHE. About $40 billion of rail assets including trains are owned by the governments Transport Asset Holding Entity. Credit:Louise Kennerley Appearing before an inquiry into TAHE, Auditor-General Margaret Crawford revealed that her office would be forced to go back to Treasury to get it to reaffirm guarantees that she understood to have been made in the agreement which involves a $5.2 billion commitment. Paris: Salah Abdeslam, a self-avowed Islamic State combatant, has told a court that he had backed out of detonating his explosive vest during the jihadist rampage across Paris in November 2015 that killed 130 people. A French national of Moroccan origin, Abdeslam said he had pledged allegiance to the terror group 48 hours before the Paris attacks, the deadliest in post-war France, but that he had harmed no one. A courtroom sketch shows defendant Salah Abdeslam. Credit:AP I experienced a situation that not many people have experienced, people who took a step back, who changed their minds, Abdeslam, 32, told the court. Youre there in prison, you say to yourself, I should have triggered the thing. Thats what you think when youre in solitary confinement. London: Prince Andrews accuser will be interviewed under oath about her claim that she was raped and sexually abused by the prince when she was 17. The princes lawyer, Andrew Brettler, will in April question Virginia Roberts Giuffre in person either in the US or Australia, where she has a home. The date was agreed in the last 24 hours after Andrews legal team expressed frustration that she had not committed to a timeframe. Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre will both be interviewed under oath by opposing lawyers in the next two months. Credit:AP, BBC Giuffre, 38, has alleged that she was sexually abused or raped by Andrew on three occasions in 2001, when she was 17 and is seeking unspecified damages. Her civil claim is due to be heard in New York later this year. A Sydney mortgage broker has pleaded guilty to making a false statement to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Shiwei He, director of N V I Lending, trading as General Mortgage, lodged a credit licence annual compliance certificate with ASIC in February 2019, where he certified that he and the people under his Australian credit licence had not had their accreditation suspended or cancelled by a lender or their membership with an aggregator terminated. The certification was false, as He knew his accreditations with Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB, and Westpac had been suspended or cancelled between 2016 and 2018. He was also aware that his introducer agreement with the Beagle Finance aggregator service, trading as Loankit, had been terminated in 2018. The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the matter, with He facing a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment and/or a $12,600 maximum penalty. The sentence will be released on March 29, 2022. Parliament has passed new legislation that will help Australians get into their own home and drive investment. The bill, Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Superannuation Outcomes for Australians and Helping Australian Businesses Invest) Bill 2021, will support first-home buyers by increasing the maximum amount of voluntary contributions that could be released under the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) from $30,000 to $50,000. The bill will also reduce the eligibility age for making downsizer contributions into superannuation, from 65 to 60 years old. This will allow more older Australians to consider downsizing to homes that better meet their needs, increasing the supply of larger homes for young families. The bill also supports businesses to invest and grow by extending the governments temporary full expensing regime by 12 months to June 30, 2023. The measure allows businesses with aggregated turnover of less than $5 billion to claim an immediate deduction for the business portion of the cost of an asset in the year it is first used or installed ready for use for a taxable purpose. These business incentives will provide businesses more than $50 billion in tax relief and support around $320 billion worth of investment. This has resulted in a significant upgrade in the investment outlook, with new business investment forecast to jump 16% over the next two years at its fastest rate since 2011-12 during the height of the mining investment boom. The bill and explanatory material are available on the Parliament of Australia website. Bryan, OH (43506) Today Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies and light rain after midnight. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies and light rain after midnight. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. With an aim to bridge the gap between white and blue and grey collar workers, apna, Indias largest jobs and professional networking platform has unlocked another milestone by enabling more than 350 million interviews and professional conversations. Through these interviews and conversations, millions of professionals in the country not only connected with opportunities but also erased the divide between the professionals. Now, these professionals are doing what was earlier limited to the white-collar workers: become a part of the mainstream workforce through professional networking and have a defined career path. Through these 350 million interviews and professional conversations, the rising workforce of India has managed to break the glass ceiling for themselves to join the mainstream workforce and apna is happy to become the enablers for them, said Nirmit Parikh, CEO and founder, apna. We will continue supporting the rising workforce in India and across the globe. The 22 million candidates in 50-plus cities have helped apna identify key trends of the rising workforce in the country. The rising workforce that was earlier dependent upon immediate connections to find jobs, has now switched to a digital mode to connect with opportunities. These people have been spending more time than before scrolling through jobs, interviewing, building their professional identity and networking. apna witnessed over 200 million professional conversations and 170 million interviews till date. apnas data highlights 9x and 4x annual growth in professional conversations and interviews respectively. In the last two years, several job opportunities were created across sectors and industries. Work from home model, higher unit pay and flexibility, emerged as a top choice for users while applying for jobs. Telecaller was the most interviewed job on apna by both men and women, highlighting a huge demand for the role. In fact, apna enabled more than 26 million interviews for the role in the year gone by. This was followed by delivery persons, back office, accounts and finance, data entry, marketing, retail, and office assistant. Work from home jobs emerged as a key trend with 25 million applications, 44 per cent of these applications were from women. According to apna, most of the interviews happened in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad from metro cities. In the tier II markets, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Patna, and Ranchi witnessed the maximum number of interviews. While a majority of users downloaded the app with the intention to find or switch-to a job of choice, most of them continued engaging in communities on the app. Networking came to the fore as an important professional activity for the users. Out of 22 million users on the apna platform, 16 million are building networks either by posting in groups, commenting on the posts or 1-on-1 conversations. Professional networking has helped millions of users to achieve professional growth, upskill themselves, find opportunities and socialize with their peers. While professional networking was earlier limited to the white-collar workers, the data shared by apna highlights the impact of professional networking among the rising workforce. Users have been taking out time during the weekdays to focus on professional networking. Another data point added by apna highlights that users prefer Monday and Tuesday over weekends to engage in professional conversations. apnas job platform leverages a sophisticated algorithm that matches candidates with employers taking into account their skills, experience, and preferences. Government exams, business, learning languages, telecaller, back-office jobs, teacher, computer/data entry, beauticians, lab technician, and cooking were the communities with maximum engagement. apna said it is scaling at a rapid pace and has further expanded to over 20 cities in the last two months alone. Germany's has applied to cultivate its next generation of genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds in India, government sources said, reviving plans to bring the high-yielding, herbicide-tolerant variety to the country. In late 2016, Monsanto withdrew an application seeking approval from New Delhi for the GM variety Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (RRF), to protest a raft of government measures against the world's biggest seed maker. Bayer, which bought Monsanto in 2018 for $63 billion, has resubmitted the application for Bollgard II RRF, signalling reviving interest from foreign seed, agricultural chemicals and farm technology in India, the world's leading producer of cotton, rice, wheat and an array of other farm goods. After Monsanto's row with India over pricing and intellectual property rights, other global corporations in the agriculture industry decided to scale back investments and put off plans to introduce new seed varieties and farming technologies in India. resubmitted the application seeking cultivation of the Bollgard II RRF variety in December, said the sources, who asked not to be identified in line with official rules. "Bayer, through its local joint venture partner, has resubmitted the dossier for seeking regulatory approvals to introduce RRF in India," said one of the government sources familiar with the matter. "Once the regulatory approval process starts, it might take a few years for to get the final approval." It was not clear when the approval process would start, the sources said. "Our efforts are aimed at enhancing crop productivity, contributing towards doubling farmer incomes and making Indian agriculture sustainable and globally competitive," Bayer said in an emailed statement to Reuters. The seed variety could cut the cost of cultivation in India, boost crop yields and act as an antidote to the pink bollworm pest, farm policy experts said. The pink bollworm pest has of late become a major threat to India's cotton crop. The pest attack has also hit farmers' income, with nearly 20% to 30% of the country's 12 to 13 million hectares of the cotton area infested with pink ballworm, based on estimates from industry bodies and farmers. Dated Technology India first allowed cultivation in 2002 by approving Monsanto's single gene Bollgard I technology, and Monsanto's seed technology soon dominated 90% of India's cotton acreage. Apart from GM cotton, India has not approved any other transgenic crop. New Delhi approved Monsanto's double gene Bollgard II in 2006, helping to transform India into the world's No.1 cotton producer and second-largest exporter of the fibre as output jumped fourfold. India had previously been a net importer of cotton. But crop yields have stagnated since then and farmers say the existing variety is losing its effectiveness and becoming more vulnerable to pests such as pink bollworm. "In the absence of a new variety, Indian farmers are forced to rely on a dated technology," the head of a global seed company said requesting anonymity. "While India has dragged its feet, other producers have adopted newer cotton seed technologies over the past 15 years." The other major attraction for farmers is the convenience of weed management, said Bhagirath Choudhary, director of the South Asia Biotech Centre, an organisation for the promotion of biotechnology. Asia Biotech Society lists many government-run scientific research bodies and private companies, including Bayer as its research partners. "The RRF variety can significantly bring down the cost of cultivation for millions of India's poor, small farmers as the cost of labour for removing unwanted vegetation and picking weeds alone accounts for 65% of the total cost of cotton cultivation in the country," Choudhary said. (Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj. Editing by Jane Merriman) (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.) Cement maker Corp on Thursday, as part of its expansion plans, announced investment of Rs 1,950 crore, which includes Rs 1,500 for setting up a new project in Gulbarga, Maharashtra. The new facility will help it expand its footprints in the Western and Central India markets, said Corp, a Nirma Group company, in a statement. Besides, will invest Rs 400 crore on debottlenecking and upgradation of projects at its existing plants and Rs 50 crore to set up alternate fuel material handling facilities. As part of its growth strategy, Nuvoco Vistas will expand its 6,000 tonne per day (TPD) clinker capacity at Gulbarga in Phase - I with the architecture for higher capacity. The capital expenditure (CAPEX) for Phase-I of the project is approx Rs 1,500 crore. The ground-breaking for the expansion project is set in FY23, the company said. It already has an operational limestone mine at the site, Nuvoco Vistas Corp added. Commenting on these investments, Chairman Hiren Patel said the recent Budget has reemphasised India's growth story with a focus on infrastructure as a key enabler. Projects like Gati Shakti will lend much-needed power, speed and efficiency to mega infrastructure projects launching India on the path to economic success. India has also been on an affordable housing mission. Cement is an integral part of the infrastructure and housing sector, he said. Managing Director Jayakumar Krishnaswamy said cement demand in India is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6-7 per cent by FY26. We are well-placed for a growth trajectory in long run. Our investment towards alternate fuel material handling facilities is a testament to our untiring commitment towards a sustainable future. Our current growth investments will help us seize the opportunities predominantly in the northern and western parts of the country, while further strengthening our leadership position in the east, he added. Nuvoco Vistas, which started its operations in 1999, operates into three segments - Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMX) and Modern Building Materials (MBM). It acquired the cement business of LafargeHolcim in 2016 and NU Vista Limited (formerly Emami Cement) in 2020. Nuvoco Vistas operates 11 cement plants and is the largest cement company in East India in terms of capacity, offering cement under brands such as Concreto, Duraguard, Nirmax, Double Bull and Infracem. (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.) Ltd, the operator of the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal, will invest Rs 40,000 crore over next 4-5 years, including in overseas supply sources, its CEO A K Singh said on Thursday. plans to make foray into the petrochemical business by investing Rs 12,500 crore in a Propane Dehydrogenation Plant that will convert imported feedstock into propylene, as well as set up a floating import facility at Gopalpur in Odisha at a cost of Rs 1,600 crore, he told reporters here. The firm, which had last year allowed an initial non-binding agreement to invest USD 2.5 billion in US energy upstart Tellurian's project in Louisiana in return for gas supplies for 40 years lapse, will look at investing in overseas projects such as gas fields that feed into plants turning the fuel into liquid (LNG) and liquefaction plants. "We always evaluate good opportunities for overseas investment. If it is beneficial for the country (and) if we find it a better option, definitely we will go for it," Singh said without elaborating. LNG is natural gas cooled to -162 degrees Celsius to turn it into liquid for ease of transportation via ships. India's domestic natural gas production barely meets half the demand of power, fertilizer and CNG sector and the rest is imported in form of LNG. Singh said will invest Rs 17,000 crore in domestic LNG import capacity addition and petrochemical foray. The investment includes Rs 600 crore in raising the capacity of the Dahej LNG import terminal in Gujarat to 22.5 million tonne per annum from the current 17.5 million tonne, Rs 1,245 crore in building an additional storage tank and bays for truck loading of LNG. The Dahej import terminal is the largest in the world and the port will host a third jetty where propane, ethane and LNG can be imported, he said. Petronet, which operates a 5 million tonne a year import facility at Kochi in Kerala, will set up a 4 million tonne a year floating storage & regasification (FSRU)-based LNG import facility off the Gopalpur port that later will be turned into a land-based terminal with a higher 5 million tonne capacity, with scope for raising it in future, he said. The company had some years back planned to set up a terminal at Gangavaram in Andhra Pradesh for the import of supercooled gas in ships. The company management stopped pursuing that terminal in 2015-16 on grounds that there isn't enough demand to justify a 5 million tonne a year import facility. Gangavaram would have been the first terminal on the east coast. Soon after that, Adani Group began work to set up a 5 million tonne a year import terminal at Dhamra port in Odisha. Petronet now sees that there is demand for gas in the eastern region and despite the Dhamra LNG terminal, it is now looking for a facility at Gopalpur. Petrochemicals, made using crude and natural gas as feedstock, form raw material for plastics, packaging material, and personal care products. In terms of volume, the petrochemical market in India stood at 42.50 million tonne and is estimated to reach 49.62 million tonne by 2025, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.14 per cent between FY 2021 and FY 2025. Using ethane, plastics and detergents can be made; while propane can give plastic. Petronet is 50 per cent owned by state-owned refiners Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL), gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd and oil and gas producer ONGC. The four sit on the board of the company, which is headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. (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.) Sundaram-Clayton Ltd (SCL), a leading auto component manufacturing and distribution group and the holding company of TVS Motor Company, announced the elevation of R Gopalan, Non-Executive Independent Director of the company, as Chairman of the Board effective April 2022. The current chairman will continue to be the Managing Director of the company post April, and will be designated as Chairman Emeritus. Gopalan has rich experience in the economic and financial administration of the country with long stints in the Ministry of Commerce and Finance, and the Manufacturing and Service Sectors. On behalf of the Board, Im delighted to welcome R Gopalan as Chairman of Sundaram-Clayton effective April 01, 2022. Gopalan has held critical roles in key government bodies and boards. His long history of leadership coupled with vast experience will be helpful to chart a sustainable growth roadmap for SCL. I am confident he will provide invaluable guidance to the company going into the future, Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, Sundaram-Clayton. As an Officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Gopalan has held various responsible positions, including Member of Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) under the control of the Prime Minister till April 2016. Before his retirement, he has served as Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India till July 2012. He has handled matters related to Capital Markets, Infrastructure Finance, G-20, World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Asian Development Bank (ADB). He is also on the board of several other and brings a lot of advisory guidance to the board in its deliberation. In what is likely to lead to a permanent solution to a long-drawn share dispute between SpiceJet's Ajay Singh and the airline's former promoter Kalanithi Maran, the on Thursday asked Maran and his KAL Airways to consider the new settlement offer by . " has offered to pay Rs 600 crore in cash in the share transfer case with its former promoter and his firm KAL Airways for a full and final settlement of all disputes," the airline said in a statement on Thursday. The offer was made during the hearing in the . The Court has advised the Maran side to consider the proposal of and has listed the matter on February 14. "Out of the principal amount of Rs 578 crore awarded in arbitration, SpiceJet has already paid Rs 308 crore in cash and deposited a bank guarantee of Rs 270 crore," the company said. Mukul Rohatgi, Senior Counsel appearing for SpiceJet proposed to pay the bank guarantee equivalent amount of Rs 270 crore in cash and top it up with additional Rs 22 crore aggregating the total payout to Rs 600 crore as full and final settlement of all disputes between the Parties. According to the media reports, if the offer is not agreeable for Maran, the counsel proposed the disbursement of a reduced amount secured under a bank guarantee to him. The controversy kicked off in 2015 when Maran sold his 58.46 per cent stake or 50.4 million shares in SpiceJet to Singh for a nominal Rs 2 after the airline was hit by financial trouble. In 2016, Maran approached the court citing a breach of the agreement by Singh, not issuing him 189-million share warrants and preference shares, despite his Rs 679-crore infusion. He claimed Rs 1,300 crore from SpiceJet and Singh due to this. In July 2016, the High Court asked Maran and Singh to set up an arbitration tribunal. The arbitration tribunal consisting of three retired judges from the Supreme Court, Arijit Pasayat, Hemant Laxman Gokhale and KSP Radhakrishnan had rejected the damages claim of and Kal Airways against SpiceJet in 2018. In 2020, the High Court asked the airline to submit Rs 243 crore to Maran on the issue and that got a stay from the in November 2020. Maran was before the Apex Court it to lift the stay on a Delhi High Court order. In January, the Madras high had dismissed an appeal moved by airline challenging an order directing the winding up of the company and takeover of its assets by the official liquidator. This case is also before the Supreme Court now. Unilevers e-commerce sales grew 44 per cent and helped increase its contribution to overall turnover to 13 per cent in 2021, driven by growth in the US, India and China. E-commerce grew 44 per cent on the back of an exceptionally strong year of growth in 2020 and this growth came from all of the main sub channels of e-commerce. It was driven by growth ahead of the market in the US, India and China. In just five years the channel has gone from 2 per cent of Unilevers turnover to 13 per cent in 2021, Alan Jope, chief executive officer of Unilever, told its investors after its earnings call. In its earnings statement, said in its full-year highlights that it reported the fastest underlying sales growth in nine years of 4.5 per cent, with 2.9 per cent price growth and 1.6 per cent volume growth. India performed strongly by growing at 13 per cent, Jope told investors on the call, and also said that the company stepped up pricing in the country during the year, while maintaining positive volume. India and China grew well into double-digits, albeit versus weaker comparators, Jope said. In its earnings statement, Jope said that its priority markets of China, India, and the US grew at 14.3 per cent, 13.4 per cent, and 3.7 per cent respectively. The Indian business grew with a balanced split between price and volume. Pricing and savings actions remain important as commodity prices remain elevated, said in its statement. Coca Cola India also turned out to be a market of growth for Coca Cola. In its release, the company said, For both the quarter and the year, growth in developing and emerging markets was led by China, India, and Russia. In Asia Pacific, Coca Cola's unit case volume grew 11 per cent for the quarter, resulting in a low single-digit increase versus 2019. Growth was driven by China, India and the Philippines, it said in its statement. In its bottling investment, its unit case volume grew 13 per cent for the quarter, driven by strong growth in the key markets of India and the Philippines. Thums-Up, its local brand in the country, has crossed the $1 billion mark in India. Our local Thums-Up brand became $1 billion brand in India, driven by focused marketing and execution plans, James Quincey, Coca Colas chairman and CEO, told investors in an earnings call. Quincey also said that in India, marketing campaigns around key occasions and integrated execution drove a sequential increase in market share and nearly 30 per cent growth in transactions for the quarter. Meanwhile, PepsiCo beverage units volume grew 20 per cent, primarily reflecting double-digit growth in India and Pakistan. Amid unrest and violence over the wearing of by some students, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday ruled that no religious symbols are allowed for students until its final order, thus barring both and saffron shawls in school and college premises. "We want to make an interim order on the matter of row. Peace has to return to the state. Schools and colleges must open soon. This is not the final order. Until the final order is given, students must attend the schools in uniform without hijab or saffron shawls," Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, who is heading a three-judge bench hearing the matter held. The orders have been given orally and written orders are yet to issued. "We will hear the matter every day and issue orders soon," CJ Awasthi said. The bench, which also comprises Justice Krishna S. Dixit, and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin, declined, at this stage, the arguments of petitioners seeking orders to the government for allowing students to wear hijab to classrooms. Earlier, while hearing the arguments, the Chief Justice told Advocate General Prabhuling Navadagi to open schools in the state. "Closure of schools is not a good development. Take necessary action and conduct classes. See to it that no problem surfaces," he stated. Amid tensions, the state government on Tuesday announced a three-day holiday for schools and colleges. During the hearing, senior counsel Sanjay Hegde, appearing for a petitioner, submitted that the has no right to frame rules on uniform, as per the 1983 Karnataka Education Act. The rules on uniform could be framed by the the College Development Committee (CDC) and School Development and Management Committee (SDMC), he maintained. "How judicious it is to force prohibitions for the reason of hijab... if prohibitions are clamped for the public interest, it is tenable. The medical student was allowed to write examinations wearing hijab in 2015 as per the court orders. Wearing of dress comes under Article 19 (1) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court decision in the Divya Yadav case discussed the right to wear dresses of their choice," he said. As per Article 25 (1), wearing of hijab is a religious right. Sikhs are permitted to carry a dagger and are given exemptions from wearing helmets, he added. "The girl students can't be made to sit on roads. Karnataka state contributes highest taxes to the Central government. Most startups come up here and these developments will bring disrepute to the state. Discrimination should not be made on the basis of clothes, colour, and religion," the counsel argued. The petitioners arguing for hijab stated that there is no harm in students wearing it. Hijab is a fundamental right and it does not cause any problem to others, and so, they should be allowed to wear hijab of the same colour as their uniform, they said, arguing that the government has issued circular on uniform "hurriedly". The petitioners further stated that the bench should give an interim order on the issue in the students' interests as students are outside schools. They also argued that as per the Karnataka Education Act, uniform is not compulsory for students and they only be fined Rs 25 for violating the uniform rules. As Chief Justice Awasthi intervened here, asking whether the petitioner is saying uniform is not required, the petitioner submitted that as per act, it is not compulsory. It is okay for primary school students but uniforms for college students is being objected, he said. Navadagi, however, opposed issue of an interim order on the issue and stated that there are various developments surrounding the issue. Earlier, the single bench headed by Justice Dixit, which heard the matter, which has snowballed into a major crisis in the state and discussed at international levels, decided the matter to be heard by the larger bench. It directed the High Court Registrar to submit the documents and petitions immediately to the Chief Justice as the matter is of utmost importance and needs to be heard urgently. The hijab row started last month with few students of Udupi Government Pre-University College wearing hijab being denied permission to attend classes. The college authorities maintain that the students who used to come without hijabs have suddenly started coming in hijab. The students later went on protest refusing to attend classes without hijab. The issue became a controversy and spread to other districts, leading to tension and even violence. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has recorded 2,742 new cases of and six fatalities in the last 24 hours that raised the tally of infections to 10,18,749 and toll to 10,679, an official from the state health department said on Thursday. The positivity rate has come down to 3.67 per cent from 4.5 per cent recorded on Wednesday, he said. As many as 6,555 patients were discharged from hospitals, taking the count of recoveries to 9,78,505, leaving the state with 29,565 active cases, the official said. Bhopal and Indore, the two worst-hit cities of amid the pandemic, registered 531 and 351 cases respectively in the last 24 hours, he said. With the addition of 74,583 samples examined during the day, the number of tests carried out in the state went up to 2,66,75,708, the official said. As per a government release, 11,18,43,463 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the state so far, including 2,46,140 on Thursday. figures in MP are as follows: Total cases 10,18,749, new cases 2,742, death toll 10,679, recoveries 9,78,505, active cases 29,565, number of tests so far 2,66,75,708. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's first homegrown Messenger RNA (mRNA) Covid19 vaccine, being developed by Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, is currently under final clinical trials, NITI Aayog's Member, Health, Dr V.K. Paul, said on Thursday. Briefing the media, he said that they are hopeful that they will be able to use this soon. "We need mRNA platform because it has shown that vaccines developed on this platform, at least for Covid-19, have been effective worldwide," said Paul, adding that beyond Covid, this platform will continue to be important as an option for future for other diseases also for which vaccines have been elusive. He termed it as an great development. Indian Council of Medical Research Director General, Dr Balram Bhargava, said that this is another which really establishes that India is heading towards becoming a superpower. "Because large parts of the population are vaccinated, we are not seeing the disastrous third Covid surge in terms of hospitalisations and mortality," he said. About the ongoing pandemic situation, Dr Paul said that the world had learned a great deal about pandemic and the virus, but doesn't know everything. The world should remain united to fight this virus and should continue to use the tools that are at our disposal, he added. "Some states including Kerala, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh are still reporting a large number of cases. We cannot lower our guard," 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.) The has invited applications for the post managing director of the Rail Corporation (DMRC) as incumbent Mangu Singh's term comes to an end on March 31. The tenure of Singh as the MD was extended till March 31 in September last year. Singh had been given multiple extensions in the past. The MD is a nominee of the . The has 17 directors, including a chairman. It has five nominees, each of the Centre and the Delhi government, that have equal stakes in the DMRC. The managing director is designated by the . According to an advertisement issued by the Transport department of Delhi government, the applicant for the post of MD should have a minimum age of 45 years. The maximum age is 58 years for external candidate and 60 years for internal candidates, it said. The age of superannuation of MD is 65 years. The MD retires at the end of a five-year term or attaining 65 years age whichever is possible, it said. Singh's tenure as MD of DMRC began from January 1, 2012 after his predecessor E Sreedharan handed over charge to him on December 31, 2011. The last date of filing application is March 4. The selection committee of the Delhi government will finalise the name of new MD after interview of the shortlisted applicants. (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 Court Thursday reserved order on the bail plea of Sharjeel Imam in a case of criminal conspiracy related to the northeast violence in February 2020. Additional Session Judge Amitabh Rawat reserved the order after hearing arguments from the defence advocate as well as the public prosecutor. Advocate Tanveer Ahmed Mir, counsel for Imam, told the court that there cannot be an endless or perpetual conspiracy and post his arrest in January 2020, the accused had no role in the violence that broke out in some parts of in Fabruary 2020. He said, We cannot afford to have a system where conspiracies become endless and are rendered in perpetuity. Public prosecutor told the court that the accused was part of a larger conspiracy and that there was plenty of evidence to prove his involvement. Imam is accused of being the "mastermind" of the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots, which had left 53 people dead and over 700 injured. (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 (HC) hearing the Hijab issue on Thursday asked students not to insist on wearing any cloth on campuses of educational institutions which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved. Posting the matter to be heard on Monday, the full court also said the educational institutions can resume classes for the students. The three-judge full bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice J M Khazi and Justice Krishna S Dixit, which was formed on Wednesday, also said it wants the matter to be resolved at the earliest but till that time peace and tranquillity is to be maintained. "Till the disposal of the matter, you people should not insist on wearing all these religious things," CJ Awasthi said. "We will pass an order. Let the schools, colleges start. But till the matter is resolved, no student should insist on wearing religious dress", he said. However, the petitioners' lawyer Devadatt Kamat requested the court to consider his objection that such an order will amount to suspension of his client's constitutional rights under article 25. "That will be a total affront to their rights," Kamat contended. In response, Chief Justice Awasthi said the arrangement is only for a few days till the matter is resolved and asked him to cooperate. SC asks petitioner Sibal to wait for HCs decision Meanwhile, the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday said it would consider a submission seeking the listing of a plea for transferring a case on the hijab' row from the HC to itself. A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said the HC is seized of the case and should continue the hearing as also decide it. Seeking transfer of the case and hearing by a nine-judge bench at the apex court, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, The problem is that schools and colleges are closed. Girls are being stoned. It's spreading across the country. After being told by Sibal that he did not want any order and only listing of the plea, the CJI said, All right, we will see. At the outset, Sibal said the matter pertained to what is happening in and it is spreading all over and now children from all over the country are getting involved and in the meantime, the examinations are two months away. The bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and Hima Kohli, said, Please wait. We cannot do anything. Let the decide. Why should we look into it immediately. Let the hear the matter. Today (Thursday) also the matter is listed before a three-judge bench that is what the information is. The court said it is too early to interfere and some time may be given to the high court to see whether some interim relief is granted. Let us see. The problem is if we list the matter here, the high court will never hear, the CJI said, adding We are not on merits. Please understand. At least give one day's time. As Sibal insisted, the bench said that it would consider the request for listing the plea. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A total of 5,384 vehicles out of 8,47,544 vehicles that were in use by government agencies, including central and state governments and autonomous bodies, as of February 4, 2022, were electric vehicles, Parliament was informed on Thursday. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of Road Transport and Highways said the maximum number of used by local authorities (1,352), followed by government undertakings (1,273) and state governments (1,237). Replying to a separate question, Gadkari said out of the total length of 34,800 km including 10,000 km of residual Highways Development Project (NHDP) projects approved to be developed under Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I, projects for a length of about 19,363 km have been awarded up to January, 2022. To another question, he said for the fiscal year the government has allocated additional budgetary support of Rs 59,000 crore for Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The minister noted that the total length of NHs has been enhanced from about 91,287 km in 2014 to about 1,41,190 km at present. Replying to another question, Gadkari said 48,144 e-challan issued across the country for drunken driving cases. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A High Court three-judge bench, hearing pleas on the hijab row, on Thursday directed the government to reopen schools in the state. As the bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin began hearing the matter, the Chief Justice told Advocate General Prabhuling Navadagi to open schools in the state. "Closure of schools is not a good development. Take necessary action and conduct classes. See to it that no problem surfaces," he said. Amid tensions and even violence over the matter, the state government on Tuesday announced a three-day holiday for all schools and colleges in the state from Wednesday. The petitioners arguing for hijab stated that there is no harm in students wearing hijab. Hijab is a fundamental right and it does not cause any problem to others, and so, they should be allowed to wear hijab of the same color as their uniform, they said, arguing that the government has issued circular on uniform "hurriedly". The petitioner's further stated that the bench should give an interim order on the issue in the students' interests as students are outside schools in their interest. They also argued that as per the Education Act, uniform is not compulsory for students and they only be fined Rs 25 for violating the uniform rules. As Chief Justice Awasthi intervened here, asking whether the petitioner is saying uniform is not required, the petitioner submitted that as per act, it is not compulsory. It is okay for primary school students but uniforms for college students is being objected, he said. Navadagi, however, opposed issue of an interim order on the issue and stated that there are various developments surrounding the issue. Earlier, the single bench headed by Justice Dixit, which heard the matter, which has snowballed into a major crisis in the state and discussed at international levels, decided the matter to be heard by the larger bench. It directed the High Court Registrar to submit the documents and petitions immediately to the Chief Justice as the matter is of utmost importance and needs to be heard urgently. HC asks media not to report any oral observations and wait for the final orders. ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 The single bench opined that there are questions related to the Constitution, there are aspects related to personal laws, and half a dozen court verdicts have been discussed in connection with the case. "I have verified more than 12 verdicts in this regard. There are arguments and counter-arguments related to the case. Let, the Chief Justice decide on handing over the matter to an extended bench," Justice Dixit stated while referring the case to a larger bench. However, the bench refused to give an interim order even as petitioners pleaded to give a ruling on wearing of hijab to classes as only two months are left for this academic year. As many as seven petitions have been submitted to the court so far challenging the government circular of making uniform compulsory and upholding the decision taken by the college managements and development committee regarding wearing of hijab. Meanwhile, State Minority Education Institutions Association President Mohammad Imtiaz has submitted a complaint to the state police chief Praveen Sood regarding minorities being targeted in connection with hijab row. "The protests are targeting minorities. Few of them are trying to destroy the law and order situation. They are attempting to create unrest in the society and create a controversy. Raghupathy Bhat, BJP MLA who is also President of School Development Management Committee of Udupi Pre University Women's College, is responsible for the crisis," the complaint stated. The hijab row started last month with few students of Udupi Government Pre-University College wearing hijab being denied permission to attend classes. The college authorities maintain that the students who used to come without hijabs have suddenly started coming in hijab. The students later went on protest refusing to attend classes without hijab. The issue became a controversy and spread to other districts, leading to tension and even violence. (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.) Hiring demand was almost flat in January witnessing a one per cent fall compared to the previous month, reflecting the cautious approach of Indian employers due to Omicron conditions, according to a report. On account of the third COVID-19 wave, the retail sector saw of dip of 8 per cent in demand sequentially, travel and tourism also witnessed an 8 per cent fall, while home appliances slipped 5 per cent, according to the Monster Employment Index (MEI), a comprehensive monthly job analysis report by Monster India. While agro (5 per cent) and BFSI (4 per cent) sectors continued to grow on a monthly basis, according to the report. The fall of 5 per cent in home appliances was followed by a drop of 5 per cent in FMCG and food & packaged food, BPO/ITES (-3 per cent), production and manufacturing (2 per cent), and engineering, cement, construction, iron/ steel (2 per cent) industries that showed a negative trend. Further, education, telecom/ISP, and healthcare, biotech and life sciences, and pharmaceuticals have witnessed a slight fall with a one per cent decline in job postings during January 2022 compared to December 2021. On the other hand, agro-based industries (5 per cent), BFSI (4 per cent), automotive/ ancillaries/ tyres (3 per cent), government/ PSU/ defence (3 per cent), oil/ gas/ petroleum, power (2 per cent), logistics, courier/ freight/ transportation (1 per cent), and shipping/ marine (1 per cent) witnessed positive uptick in demand for talent on a month-on-month basis. It is anticipated that the optimistic growth trend in agro-based industries will continue with the promotion of chemical-free natural farming, 'Kisan Drones', and accommodation for agri-tech announced in the Union Budget 2022, said the report. Meanwhile, the overall hiring demand saw a 10 per cent year-on-year growth, indicating an encouraging outlook on jobs in the country, it said. "The third wave of the pandemic certainly took a toll on several recovering sectors such as travel and tourism and retail in January 2022. "However, it is important to consider that the Index has recorded a 10 per cent yearly uptick, indicating that this one per cent sequential dip is temporary, caused by the Omicron wave," said Sekhar Garisa, chief executive officer of Monster.com, a Quess company. Garisa added that the company is optimistic for job creation given the Union Budget 2022 announcement, which has highlighted several measures for the growth and support of Indian enterprises across sectors. The push for digitisation, increased skilling and education and the growth in capital investments will undoubtedly lead to a boost in employment generation, if executed well, he added. The report further showed that a majority of cities showed a slight uptick in last month due to festive demand, in January compared with the previous month. It, however, showed that cities such as Delhi (-8 per cent) projected the steepest de-growth in job posting activity, followed by Chandigarh (-6 per cent), Baroda (-5 per cent), Hyderabad (-3 per cent), Ahmedabad (-2 per cent), Kolkata (-1 per cent), Mumbai (-1 per cent), Jaipur (-1 per cent) and Chennai (-1 per cent). Locations that indicated a positive trend are Kochi (1 per cent) and Coimbatore (1 per cent) with a marginal increase in job posting activity, followed by Pune and Bengaluru which witnessed stabilised growth, it added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has criticised a report of the UN Secretary-General on terrorism for ignoring the (Let) and the (JeM) militant groups despite drawing attention to them. While silent on the terrorist groups like the JeM and the LeT that pose threats to India, the report mentions the anti-Beijing Uyghur separatist groups, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) in its sparse coverage of South Asia. India's Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti told the Security Council on Wednesday: "We have been reiterating the close links between proscribed terrorist entities under the 1267 Sanctions regime such as LeT and other terror groups including the JeM. "However inspite of repeatedly flagging these concerns, the SG's (Secretary-General's) report has failed to take notice of these linkages." Stressing the reason to pay attention to them, he said: "It is essential that we don't lose sight of the ease with which the proscribed Haqqani Network, with support from their patron state, have worked along with prominent terrorist organisations like Al Qaeda, IS-K, etc. in South Asia. "We hope that in future iterations of such reports, inputs from all member states would be treated on an equal footing and an evidence based and credible yardstick be applied by its authors." He was speaking after a Council briefing on "Threat to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts" by Vladimir Voronkov, the under-secretary-general heading the Office of Counter-Terrorism, and Weixiong Chen, the acting executive director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee's Executive Directorate. They presented the "14th report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by IS (Islamic State) to international peace and security and the range of UN efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat", which has only three paragraphs on South and Central Asia in which it faulted the Taliban for not acting against foreign terrorists. "There are no recent signs that the Taliban has taken steps to limit the activities of foreign terrorist fighters in the country. On the contrary, Member States are concerned that terrorist groups enjoy greater freedom in Afghanistan than at any time in recent history," it said. The report said that the IS in Afghanistan "is taking advantage of the turmoil in the country, including by recruiting fighters" from the ETIM and TIP. The UN has designated the two groups as terrorist organisations, like it has with LeT and JeM about which the report is silent. China's Permanent Representative Zhang Jun took note of the mention of the two anti-Beijing groups in the report and said Beijing was "deeply concerned" about the IS's attempts to recruit from them. Tirumurti drew attention to Pakistan's role in backing terrorist organisations without directly naming Islamabad. In a reference to a statement by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan about the founder of Al Qaeda, he said: "We should not forget the fact that, even after 20 years of September 11 attacks, we have leaders who, without any remorse, continue to defend Osama Bin Laden as a martyr." He also said that the proscribed Haqqani Network operated with ease "with support from their patron state". Tirumurti warned that the terrorist organisations are adapting technologies that "pose a dynamic threat for which most of the member states do not have adequate response". These include the social media, new digital payment methods, cryptocurrencies, crowdfunding platforms and drones, he said. "We need to work together to develop appropriate solutions and evolve global standards to address these threats," Tirumrti said. Addressing his briefing, Voronkov said: "Military counter-terrorism operations may be necessary, but comprehensive measures with a strong focus on prevention are required to address the dynamics that fuel the appeal of terrorism." He called the US attack in Syria that killed Islamic State leader Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Salbi "encouraging". But, he cautioned that the Islamic State "is known for its ability to re-group despite similar losses in the past, maintaining and intensifying its activities in conflict-afflicted regions across the world." He urged the Security Council and UN members to "to use every available tool at their disposal to sustain important gains against the threat posed by the IS to prevent its regional expansion, and curtail its capabilities to launch attacks and recruit new members to its ranks". (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) --IANS al/ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The controversy has reached the (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh. Students in AMU had called for a protest march in the campus on Wednesday but were denied permission in view of the Assembly elections taking place in the district on Thursday. Later, students gathered at Duck Point on the AMU campus over the controversy. They raised religious slogans and dispersed after deciding to gather on the campus on Friday to stage a protest march. Mohd Wasim Ali, the proctor of AMU, said: "Students had sought permission in writing for carrying out a march in solidarity with girl students in denied entry to college premises for wearing (headscarf). However, in view of the model code of conduct being in force because of the ongoing assembly elections, the permission was denied for (the march) today (Wednesday) as Aligarh goes to polls on Thursday. "The students were told that such a protest march on the eve of the assembly elections may cause a law-and-order situation. Because the message for the protest march had spread on social media, thus some students gathered at Duck Point on AMU campus on Wednesday but they, too, dispersed later," the proctor said. The students said that "the university administration has not denied permission for the protest march at AMU against the Karnataka hijab controversy, but has only delayed it because polling is to take place in Aligarh on Thursday". "Thus, we agreed to postpone the protest march on Friday, the day after polling." --IANS amita/ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Allahabad High Court on Thursday granted bail to Ashish Mishra, the son of Union minister Ajay Mishra, who was arrested in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that killed eight people including four farmers. The Bhartiya Kisan Union and the Rashtriya Lok Dal expressed displeasure over Mishra's bail. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra renewed her demand for the minister's resignation. The Lucknow bench of the court had reserved its order on January 18 on Ashish Mishra's plea after concluding the hearing through video-conferencing. On Thursday, Justice Rajeev Singh delivered the order, granting bail to Mishra who had spent four month in custody. The counsel appearing on behalf of the minister's son had told the court that his client was innocent and there was no evidence against him that he incited the driver of a vehicle to crush the farmers. Opposing the plea, Additional Advocate General V K Shahi had said that at the time of the incident, Ashish Mishra was in the car that mowed down the farmers. On October 3, eight people were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri during violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit to the area. Four farmers were moved down by an SUV. A driver and two workers were then allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence that triggered outrage among opposition parties and farmer groups agitating over the Centre's now-repealed agri laws. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary on Thursday hit out at the "system" that granted bail to Mishra. What a system! Mowed down four farmers, got bail in four months," Chaudhary tweeted in Hindi. BKU spokesperson Saurabh Upadhyay described the court order granting bail to the minister's son as an attack" on democracy. "Is it that easy for people charged with murder to get bail?" he asked, slamming the Modi government letting the minister continue on his post. "When will the farmers of the country get justice?" Upadhyay said, claiming that the government is yet to deliver on the promises made to the farmers who ended their year-long laws protest in December. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra renewed the opposition demand that the accused's father should resign. Everyone says our prime minister is a good man, then why did he not ask his minister to resign? Does he not have any moral responsibility towards the country?" she said at a poll meeting in Rampur. "Today that man has got bail and soon, he would be roaming around openly -- the man who mowed you down. But whom did the government save? Did it save the farmers? Where were the police and the administration when farmers were killed?" she asked. (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 Thursday gave a final opportunity to fugitive businessman to appear before it before it pronounces sentence in contempt case filed by banks, in which he was found guilty. A bench of Justices U.U. Lalit and S. Ravindra Bhat said the court has found Mallya guilty of contempt and punishment has to be imposed. Going by normal logic, the contemnor has to be heard, but he has not appeared before the court so far, it said. Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, who is amicus curiae, submitted that the matter may be adjourned for short time with an expression that this could be the final opportunity. Justice Bhat observed that Mallya has abstained from the hearing so far, and in the next hearing, the same thing will happen, and then the court would have to pronounce sentence in absentia. Justice Lalit added that he was given multiple opportunities. Justice Bhat said this cannot become a gateway for courts of first instance to adopt this method, and it has to be specifically mentioned that circumstances in the present case were extraordinary. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta clarified that it was not the Indian government stand that some confidential proceedings against him are pending in the UK, rather it was the stand of the UK government which was delaying his extradition. The bench agreed to take on record Mehta's submissions. The bench noted the amicus says that principles of natural justice were sufficiently complied with and adequate opportunity was given to the contemnor, the matter can be adjourned for a short time, and a final opportunity should be given. After hearing arguments, the top court scheduled the matter for further hearing in the last week of February. It also clarified that if Mallya is not present in the hearing, then the matter will be taken to its logical conclusion. According to a judgment delivered on July 14, 2017, Mallya was found guilty of contempt for not paying Rs 9,000 crore dues to the banks despite repeated directions. Additionally, he was also accused of not disclosing his assets and also secretly trying to dispose of the assets to defeat the purpose of recovery proceedings. On October 6, 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has told the that the UK Home Office has intimated that there is a further legal issue which needs to be resolved before Mallya's extradition takes place and this issue is outside and apart from the extradition process having effect under the UK law. The affidavit had said that Mallya's surrender to India should, in principle, have been completed within 28 days after he lost the appeal against extradition. However, the UK Home Office then intimated India of the further legal issue. On November 2 last year, the top court had asked the Centre to file a status report on extradition of the fugitive businessman within six weeks, and on November 30, it said it will begin hearing on sentencing of him in contempt of court, in which he was held guilty in July 2017. --IANS ss/vd (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. 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Digital Editor With Covid cases declining, the current picture is that of optimism and caution, the government said as it considerably relaxed the restrictions on international travellers on Thursday, including no mandatory seven-day isolation or compulsory RT-PCR testing for fully vaccinated. We are below the first surge level. Overall positivity is now below 5 per cent. Pandemic situation is optimisticbut then this is not yet the time to be less vigilant, we cannot lower our guard, V K Paul, member-health, NITI Aayog, and chairman of National Covid Task Force, said. International travellers would not have to mandatorily home quarantine for seven days or get an RT-PCR test done on the eighth day, according to the revised guidelines for international travel introduced by the health ministry. All travellers will self-monitor their health for the next 14 days after arrival, stated the new guidelines that come into effect on February 14. The government has also removed the demarcation of countries at-risk and other countries. With this, the requirement of giving samples on port of arrival and waiting till the result is obtained from countries at-risk is done away with. Travellers will also have the option of uploading a certificate of completing the full vaccination schedule, besides the RT-PCR report taken 72 hours before the journey. This facility is only available on a reciprocal basis to 82 countries, which includes the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong. While the UK has done away with the RT-PCR requirement for fully vaccinated Indian travellers, those travelling to the US or Canada will have to produce a negative test report before boarding the flight. Full vaccination is mandatory for all foreign travellers to the US and Canada. The health ministry said the new guidelines have been formulated taking a risk-based approach. While monitoring the nature and spread of infection in the country and across the globe, cognisance is also given to the fact that economic activities need to be taken up in an unhindered manner, the ministry said. It said international travellers have to be tracked in a softer way but vigilance cannot be down. The government will continue to do random sampling of 2 per cent of international travellers from all countries. However, travellers will be allowed to leave the airport after giving their sample. Such travellers in each flight will be identified by the airlines concerned. If such travellers are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network, the guidelines said. International travellers arriving through seaports or land ports will not be able to register online, but will have to submit a self-declaration on arrival. The new guidelines come at a time when globally there is an early trend of decline in cases. The health ministry said that 140 countries are showing a declining trend, including the US, Italy, France, and Spain. In India for the last four days, the daily new cases have been below the 100,000-mark. The world does not know everything about this virus. We have to continue with the tools at our disposal. Vigilance must go on, added Paul. He said that even though the country is passing through a transition to improvement, Covid-appropriate behaviour has to be a new normal. Further contraction is consistent, but there are districts of concern. Virus is still around, and it will try to emerge fitter, smarter to penetrate our defences, said Paul. One forty one districts in the country are reporting a test positivity rate of more than 10 per cent for the week ended February 9. Four states, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have more than 50,000 active cases and make up for over 60 per cent of the caseload in the country. The health ministry said that the global and Indian growth trajectory of the Covid-19 pandemic continues with regional variations. The need to monitor the continuously changing nature of virus and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern thus, must still remain in focus, the ministry said. Vax progress The government has also appealed to those above 60 years of age to come forward to take their booster dose. So far, 16 million precaution doses have been given to health, front line workers, and those above 60 years of age. Paul said that expanding the booster dose coverage to a wider age group is a decision which will be based on scientific need and epidemiology. Among adults, 96 per cent have received their first dose, while 76 per cent are fully jabbed. Around 69 per cent of 15-17 year olds have taken their first dose and only 14 per cent have taken both doses. The government said that the catchment of those who need to be vaccinated has come down since a large portion of the population has been covered but pace of vaccination went up since October last year from 5.5 million to almost 6.9 million per day. Around 5 million doses on an average per day in the last nine days of February have been given in the country, Lav Agarwal, joint secretary, health ministry, said. Prime Minister will address the high-level segment of the One Ocean Summit through a video message on Friday, his office said. The high-level segment of the summit will also be addressed by several other heads of states and governments including Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan and Canada, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement Modi will address the high-level segment of the One Ocean Summit at around 2:30 pm on Friday through a video message, it said. The summit is being organised by France from February 9-11 in Brest in cooperation with the and the . The objective of the summit is to mobilise the international community to take tangible action towards preserving and supporting healthy and sustainable ocean ecosystems. (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 Supreme Court on Thursday gave a final opportunity to fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, accused in bank loan default case of over Rs 9,000 crore involving his defunct Kingfisher Airlines, to appear before it personally or through his lawyer in a contempt case where he has been found guilty. The top court said it has given multiple opportunities to Mallya to appear either personally or through a lawyer and had even given specific directions in its last order dated November 30, 2021. A bench of justices U U Lalit, S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha posted the contempt case for further hearing after two weeks, saying that respondent contemnor (Mallya) is at liberty to act as per direction given in order dated November 30 last year, failing which the matter shall be taken to its "logical conclusion". At the outset, the bench told senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, who has been appointed amicus curiae in the matter, that it has found the contemnor guilty of contempt of court, and now, punishment has to be imposed. "Going by normal logic, the contemnor has to be heard but from that stage he has not appeared before the court. What course should the court adopt," the bench asked Gupta, adding that ministry officials say some proceedings are going on but the court does not know what. Gupta said that the contemnor does not need to be physically present, and he can appear through his counsel, and the court may clarify this further in its order. Justice Bhat said that the case has different colours, and the contemnor has abstained from the proceedings. "Next hearing, the same thing will happen. We will have to pronounce the sentence in absentia. In this situation, in other countries courts are not powerless. We want assistance in that regard," Justice Bhat said. The bench said this problem should not become a gateway for courts of first instance to adopt this course. "We will have to say that this is in extraordinary circumstances in which he has been found guilty and is on the run. We need to have appropriate safeguards," it said. Gupta said the court would have to make it clear what would happen and what consequences would follow, if Mallya does not appear either personally or through his lawyer. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the court has inherent jurisdiction in contempt cases and that it has given enough opportunity to Mallya, which he has not taken. He said it is not the government's stand that something confidential is going on, rather the government of India has been informed by UK officials that there is some confidential proceeding going on which cannot be shared. The bench asked Gupta, "What should the court do? Should we appoint an amicus for the contemnor or do we proceed ahead? Normally, in criminal matters, we appoint an amicus to represent the accused." Gupta said that if no lawyer appears for him or makes submissions on behalf of him, then the court should appoint an amicus curiae to represent the accused. The bench then noted in its order that responding to its request in the order dated November 30, 2021, senior advocate Jaideep Gupta has accepted to assist the court as amicus curiae and submits that on issue of sentence, this court had granted liberty to the contemnor to advance submissions as deemed appropriate. It said the amicus has submitted that in his opinion, the matter may be adjourned for short time while clarifying that this would be the final opportunity and in case he chooses to not remain personally present or advance submissions through his counsel, the court may proceed further with the matter. The bench said with regard to the solicitor general's submission that the court must clarify that it is not the government of India's stand that a confidential proceeding is going on, this matter does not require elaboration as the position is clear from the November 30, 2021, order. On November 30 last year, the top court had said it cannot wait any longer and the sentencing aspect in the contempt matter against Mallya would be dealt with finally. Noting that Mallya, who is presently in the United Kingdom (UK), was held guilty of contempt in 2017, and the matter was thereafter to be listed to hear him on the proposed punishment to be awarded to him, it had said that the apex court has waited sufficiently long. The top court had in 2020 dismissed Mallya's plea seeking a review of its 2017 verdict which held him guilty of contempt for transferring USD 40 million to his children in violation of court orders. The apex court noted that as per an office memorandum, under the signature of the deputy secretary (extradition) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the proceedings for extradition have attained finality and Mallya has exhausted all avenues for appeal in the UK. It had noted that the November 30, 2021 office memorandum also refers to proceedings pending in the UK which are stated to be confidential and as such no details are getting disclosed. The top court had requested senior advocate Jaideep Gupta to assist it as an amicus curiae in the matter. On January 18 last year, the Centre had told the top court that the government is making all efforts to extradite Mallya from the UK but the process is being delayed due to some legal issues involved in the matter. Mallya has been in the UK since March 2016. He is on bail on an extradition warrant executed three years ago by the Scotland Yard on April 18, 2017. (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.) Bihar Chief Minister on Thursday asked the departments concerned to make the solar-powered street lighting scheme functional in rural areas of the state from April 15. He said people should be encouraged to set up units for manufacturing plates and related accessories in the state in order to generate employment. street lights should be installed in all gram panchayats in the state. People in rural areas are very enthusiastic about this scheme. It must be made functional from April 15, Kumar said at a virtual meeting to review Mukhyamantri Gramin Street Light Scheme. The chief minister also asked the officials concerned to ensure that post-installation, the street lighting system is maintained properly. (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 has ordered an audit of all types of high-risk business premises in the capital by engaging a third-party audit agency, officials said on Thursday. High-risk business premises include those dealing in milk and dairy products, meat and such other items, sweet shops and slaughterhouses. The department of safety has a panel of third-party agencies that conduct an audit of such establishments, officials said. The food safety department's order, issued on Wednesday, directed audit of all types of high-risk food business premises by engaging third party audit agency and to promote all FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) initiatives in their respective districts under MOU (2021-22) with immediate effect. During the audit, the teams will visit these premises and inspect their kitchen and processing system, a department official said. If any shortcoming is noticed, the establishments are notified and given time for making amends. In the second round of visits, it is verified that all the laid down food safety norms and guidelines are followed, he added. If found lacking in observing these measures, a penalty will be imposed on the establishment concerned, he said. Another official said it would be a surprise audit, saying, No prior information will be given to the businesses. The department will have to ask the third-party auditing agency. It depends on the availability of the training partner and the time allocated by them. However, we have started and by the end of the week, the auditing will hopefully begin, he said. In 2019, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had issued an order mandating food safety audit of food businesses holding central licenses and falling under high-risk categories. These food companies are required to get safety audits done by a recognised audit agency at intervals specified by the authority, the order 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.) Cryptos don't have any underlying value, not even a tulip: Governor Governor on Thursday made it clear that private cryptocurrencies are a threat to macroeconomic and financial stability, and undermine its ability to deal with challenges on the two fronts. Cautioning investors, the governor said such assets have no underlying whatsoever, not even a tulip. The comments are a reiteration of institutional concerns on such assets expressed earlier but assume significance because they come days after the Union Budget put a 30 per cent tax on gains made on such assets. Read more here reports over two-fold increase in Q3 PAT at Rs 1,353 cr Homegrown auto major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Thursday reported over two-fold increase in its standalone profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 1,353 crore, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The Mumbai-based company had posted a standalone PAT of Rs 531 crore in the October-December period of previous fiscal, hit by an impairment provision of Rs 1,210 crore for its bankrupt South Korean subsidiary Ssangyong Motor. Read more here No more 7-day home quarantine for foreign travellers as govt eases rules International travellers would not have to mandatorily home quarantine for seven days or get an RT-PCR test done on the eight day, as per the revised guidelines for international travel introduced by the . The government has also removed the demarcation of countries at-risk and other countries. With this the requirement of giving samples on port of arrival and waiting till the result is obtained from countries at-risk has been dispensed with. Read more here to acquire MX's short-video app in deal valued at $700 mn: Report The parent company of India's will acquire local rival MX's short-video platform in an around $700 million deal, two sources told Reuters, as competition heats up in the sector where foreign investors have placed major bets. Indian short-video apps have become popular since New Delhi banned ByteDance's TikTok and some other Chinese apps in 2020 following an India-China border clash. Read more here UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has joined world leaders in calling for urgent investment to end the Covid-19 pandemic this year. The pandemic could be defeated this year but "only if vaccines, tests and treatments are made available to all people," Guterres said on Wednesday. The top UN official was among some world leaders calling for $23 billion to support the ACT-Accelerator, the landmark collaboration that makes these goods accessible to everyone globally, Xinhua news agency reported. "Vaccine inequity is the biggest moral failure of our times -- and people are paying the price," Guterres added, underlining the urgency to act now. "Until and unless we can ensure access to these tools, the pandemic will not go away, and the sense of insecurity of people will only deepen." The ACT-Accelerator was established in April 2020, just weeks after the pandemic was declared, to speed up development and access to Covid-19 tests, treatments and vaccines. The global vaccine solidarity initiative COVAX is one of its four pillars. The partnership brings together governments, scientists, philanthropists, businesses, civil society and global health organisations such as GAVI, the vaccine alliance; the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the UN's health agency, World Health Organisation (WHO). The campaign launched on Wednesday aims to meet a $16 billion financing gap, and nearly $7 billion for in-country delivery costs, in the bid to end the pandemic as a global emergency this year. The co-chairs of the ACT-Accelerator Facilitation Council, which provides high-level political leadership to advocate for resource mobilisation, recently wrote to more than 50 rich countries to encourage "fair share" contributions. The financing framework is calculated on the size of their national economies and what they would gain from a faster global economic and trade recovery. As the UN Secretary-General put it: "If we want to ensure vaccinations for everyone to end this pandemic, we must first inject fairness into the system." The funding will help to curb transmission, break the cycle of variants, relieve overburdened health workers and systems, and save lives, world leaders said, warning that with every month of delay, the global economy stands to lose nearly four times the investment the ACT-Accelerator needs. Financing will be used to procure and provide lifesaving tools, and personal protective equipment for health workers, to low and middle-income countries. It will support measures that include driving vaccine rollouts, creating a Pandemic Vaccine Pool of 600 million doses, purchasing 700 million tests, procuring treatments for 120 million patients, and 100 per cent of the oxygen needs of low-income countries. "The longer inequitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, tests and treatments persists, the longer the pandemic will persist," said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who co-chairs the Facilitation Council together with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. The UN and partners continue to warn against the dangers of inequity three years into the pandemic. Although more than 4.7 billion Covid-19 tests have been administered globally so far, WHO report only nearly 22 million, a paltry 0.4 per cent were administered in low-income countries. Furthermore, only 10 per cent of people in these nations have received at least one vaccine dose. Since its inception, the ACT-Accelerator has funded vital research and development of new therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics, and delivered more than a billion vaccine doses through COVAX, among other achievements. The mechanism has an overall budget of $23.4 billion and donors are urged to contribute $16.8 billion. They have already pledged $814 million, leaving the $16 billion funding gap. It is expected that the remaining $6.5 billion will be self-financed by middle-income countries. Separate to the budget, another $6.8 billion is required for in-country delivery of vaccines and diagnostics. WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the rapid spread of the Omicron variant has underlined the urgent need to ensure tests, treatments and vaccines are distributed equitably globally. "If higher-income countries pay their fair share of the ACT-Accelerator costs, the partnership can support low and middle-income countries to overcome low Covid-19 vaccination levels, weak testing and medicine shortages," he added. "Science gave us the tools to fight Covid-19; if they are shared globally in solidarity, we can end Covid-19 as a global health emergency this year." --IANS int/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US government is planning to roll out Covid-19 shots for children under the age of 5 as soon as February 21, according to a document from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The US Food and Drug Administrationmay authorise the use of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine in the age group even though it did not meet a key target in a clinical trial of two- to four-year-olds. The drugmakers said they submitted data supporting authorisation at the request of the FDA in order to address an urgent public health need in the age group. Outside advisors to the FDA are scheduled to meet on February 15 to discuss whether to recommend the regulator to authorise the vaccine. The roll out of the vaccine for children under the age of 5, the only age group not yet eligible for the shots, is set to begin less than a week after the meeting. According to the CDC document, the government is planning to ship an initial 10 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to states and other entities before the end of February, should the FDA authorise their use. India and have set up an 'aggressive 30-day timeline to finalise the early harvest agreement (EHA), before firming up a full-fledged free trade agreement between both countries, commerce and industry minister said on Thursday. I can assure you that we have a very strong partnership in the making, which we will finalise over the next 30 days. That's the kind of aggressive timelines that have been set for our teams today. I'm quite confident we will come up with some very exciting for businesses in both countries,Goyal said after a meeting with his Australian counterpart Dan Tehan, who is visiting the national capital to advance the trade negotiations between both nations. Both Goyal and Tehan said that education will be the centre stage of negotiation. We want to look at mutual recognition of educational qualifications between and India. Because if we can do that, with Australian students coming to India to study, what happens then is that their parents will want to come to visit them, Tehan said, pointing out that it will also boost tourism. It'll be one of the fastest negotiating free trade agreements that has ever been done by India or by to large economies, Goyal said. Australia looking at substantial opportunities across sectors like mining, pharma, education, renewables, textiles India and Australia had set a tight deadline of concluding an early harvest agreement a precursor to FTA or Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in this case by December 25, as more work needed to be done towards the deal. Sources said the meeting between the ministers was crucial as both nations were yet to agree on respective demand lists. Both countries will also ink a pact on Friday in the field of tourism to enhance cooperation and encourage the expansion of bilateral relations. Besides, Indias finance ministry and the treasurer are also aggressively trying to resolve a pending issue related to investment, which will also be a part of the agreement between both nations. Australia was Indias 15th largest trading partner in FY21. Petroleum products, medicines, polished diamonds, gold jewellery, apparels are the key items exported to Australia, while coal, alumina and non-monetary gold are key products exported to India. In services, major Indian exports relate to travel, telecom and computer, government and financial services, while Australian services exports were principally in education and personal related travel. In line with the Budget announcement, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said that central bank digital currency (CBDC) will be launched in the next fiscal year (FY23) but refrained from giving a specific timeline for the same. Once the government amends the RBI Act to enable issuance of CBDC, the central bank will carry out pilots for the same. In the post-policy meeting with the media, Das said, We should not hurry hence we are proceeding carefully and cautiously given the risks associated such as cyber security. This is a new product and all ... The Jat and farmers votes in western Uttar Pradesh, a part of which is polling on Thursday, are extremely crucial for Akhilesh Yadav, who is making a concerted attempt to return to power in these elections. Though jats have a population of over 2 per cent only, the community not only dominates the politics of western UP but also prevails over the farmers of other communities. Western has a total of 136 seats -- 58 are polling today -- and the BJP had won 109 seats in 2017. The BJP has been enlisting the support of Jats since 2014. The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots had driven a deep wedge between the Jats and Muslims in the region and the BJP benefitted the most due to communal polarisation. The year-long farmers' agitation, topped by the mowing down of four farmers by a SUV owned by a Union minister in Lakhimpur, has antagonised the farmers where the BJP is concerned. The Muslim-Jat divide has also filled up to an extent because a large number of farmers happen to be Muslims too. The Samajwadi Party had fared poorly in this region in 2017 and could win only two seats in the first phase. With the change in scenario, Akhilesh is now looking to make maximum gains -- which will lead to maximum losses for BJP -- in this region. He has teamed up with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which has also been working overtime to re-establish connect with farmers. The Samajwadi Party and RLD have been repeatedly reminding Jats of the agricultural distress to make them switch their vote. The absence of SP MP Mohd Azam Khan, who is in jail, has also come as a blessing in disguise for SP since he is believed to have openly protected the Muslims during the Muzaffarnagar riots. The tacit support of farmer leaders like Rakesh Tikait who have appealed to their community to 'defeat and punish BJP', is also helping the SP-RLD alliance. Akhilesh, in his speeches, has been promising sops to farmers -- from higher MSP to free power to compensation for farmers who died during the agitation and also a memorial for them. The BJP, on the other hand, has been raising the spectre of communal riots and deterioration in law and order if the SP returns to power. It has also played the 'Hindu First' card to alienate Jats from the Muslim farmers. Akhilesh knows that this phase of elections where Jats dominate is crucial because success here will give him a much-needed push in the race to reach the majority mark in the state assembly. Western UP has more than one-third of the total seats and Jats rule the political mood here. "It is the west where the sun sets and this time, the BJP's sun will set in the west. They took a lead last time in 2017 from here and then betrayed the farmers during the agitation. We have made promises and we will fulfil them," said Akhilesh. --IANS amita/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.) Ahead of assembly polls, Prime Minister will hold a grand rally in Mapusa on Thursday, said a press release issued by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A day before the campaign ends for poll-bound Goa, Prime Minister will address a mega public meeting at 5.00 pm at Bodgeshwar Maidan, added the release. As per the release, all arrangements have been made for the dignitaries on the dais and off the dais. "The beautiful lighting and the huge pandal at the venue have become a major attraction for the people. Welcome boards are erected all over Mapusa," it stated. "Prime Minister rally has caught the attention of the general public as well as the national and state media," it added. informed that the party has taken all the measures in adherence to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India. "While steps are taken for COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, we also urge everyone to follow the protocols to keep COVID-19 at bay," it said. will go to the Assembly polls on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly V D Satheesan on Thursday launched a scathing attack against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for his alleged disparaging comments against ahead of Assembly polls in the north Indian state. In a video message to the electorate ahead of the UP Assembly polls, Adityanath warned them that the north Indian state could soon become a "Kashmir, Bengal or Kerala" if they commit any mistakes in the election. Hitting back at Adityanath, Vijayan, who is also a senior CPI(M) leader, said if the north Indian state develops like Kerala, people will enjoy peace and better living conditions. "If UP turns into as @myogiadityanath fears, it will enjoy the best education, health services, social welfare, living standards and have a harmonious society in which people won't be murdered in the name of religion and caste. That's what the people of UP would want", the Kerala Chief Minister said in a tweet. The Chief Minister also tweeted the same in Hindi and tagged his UP counterpart. Slamming Adityanath for his remarks, Satheesan also urged the people of Uttar Pradesh to choose plurality, harmony, inclusive development to medieval bigotry. "Dear #UP, vote to be like Kerala. Choose plurality, harmony, inclusive development to medieval bigotry. Keralites, Bengalis and Kashmiris are also proud Indians. #kerala #democracy #religiousharmony #UPElections2022," Satheesan, a Congress leader, tweeted. In a video message on Twitter, on the eve of Thursday's polling for the first phase of the assembly elections in UP, Adityanath said he was concerned that rioters, whose activities were curbed by his government, are now feeling uneasy. Terrorists are making threats, he added. "Be alert. If you miss this time, the five-year effort will be washed away. And it will take no time for UP to become Kashmir, Kerala or Bengal," the UP CM had said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP's chief ministerial candidate Bhagwant Mann on Thursday launched his party's digital door-to-door campaign ahead of the state assembly elections. Mann said under the campaign, which was launched in Amritsar, people can give a call on the number 9882798827 or visit a web portal to ask questions on 11 important issues of Punjab directly from supremo Arvind Kejriwal. After giving a missed call, a message from the Aam Aadmi Party will be sent on people's mobiles. People can ask questions on Punjab's important 11 topics, including electricity, women's safety, law and order, agriculture, health, drug trafficking, unemployment, he said. He along with Kejriwal will answer their questions, Mann said in a statement here. Mann said the people of Punjab were fed up of the corrupt politics of traditional parties, hence they want a change now. He further said the Aam Aadmi Party is the only hope for the people of Punjab for change. Addressing gatherings at Khemkaran, Patti, Khadur Sahib in Tarn Taran, he said people of Punjab need an honest government. "Corruption and mafia are the roots of every problem of Punjab. Leaders of traditional parties have looted the state and filled their treasury with public money," he said. "The common people are becoming poor, but these leaders' wealth is increasing day by day. To save Punjab, we must eradicate corruption from the state and throw out these mafia leaders from power, said Mann as he targeted the rival political parties. No work can be done in government offices without giving money (bribe). Even after giving money, work isn't be done on time. The will change the entire corrupt system of government offices, 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.) Prime Minister accused the Congress on Thursday of abusing former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General when he was alive and using his cut-outs now for votes. Addressing a rally in Uttarakhand's Srinagar ahead of the February 14 state Assembly polls, Modi said it is the Congress that had asked for proof of surgical strikes against terror hideouts in Pakistan. "Its leaders in Delhi had asked for proof of the surgical strikes on television," he said. Reminding people that a Congress leader had even called General Rawat a "streetside hooligan", the prime minister said they are full of hatred for the armed forces. If that was not the case, they would not have "lied" to the armed forces on "One Rank One Pension" for decades, he said, adding that OROP could finally be implemented only when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power at the Centre. Describing the Congress as a party with a single-minded pursuit for power, Modi said it can never understand the price of "sacrifices". He also charged the Congress with indulging in politics when General Rawat was appointed as the country's first CDS. "The responsibility of giving the Congress a fitting reply in the coming polls for showing disrespect to General Rawat and using his name politically rests on the shoulders of the people of Uttarakhand. "Won't you give them a strong reply to deter them from repeating what they have done?" the prime minister asked the gathering. Praising General Rawat, Modi said his memories make him emotional. The former CDS showed that the people of Uttarakhand are not just as tough as the mountains but their thinking is also as high as the Himalayas, he noted. Accusing the Congress of being opposed to the very creation of Uttarakhand, the prime minister said by talking about establishing a Muslim University in the state, the opposition party is once again resorting to its vote-bank and appeasement politics. He appealed to people not to let the grand old party succeed in its "game plan" and to vote for the "double-engine" government that has started the process of development in the state. Modi urged the people of Uttarakhand to say no to the Congress's politics of appeasement for the development of the state and the future of youngsters. He said when former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee created Uttarakhand, he had big plans for the state's development, but the Congress government that came to power at the Centre after him blocked the process, which could be resumed only after a "double-engine" government was formed in 2017, referring to the BJP being in power both at the Centre and in the state. Modi alleged that the Congress governments of the past had not thought about the state's development and forced people to migrate from the hills in large numbers by denying them basic infrastructural, educational and health facilities. He said the BJP's Vision Document 2022 released on Wednesday will help make the decade that of Uttarakhand by improving the lot of farmers, women and youngsters. Steps such as multi-model cargo terminals and logistic parks, besides the big road, rail and air connectivity projects coming up in the state will give an unprecedented boost to tourism and employment opportunities, Modi added. The prime minister also spoke about his love for Uttarakhand, recalling that he came to Kedarnath when the last phase of the 2019 general election, including that of his own constituency Varanasi, was yet to be conducted in Uttar Pradesh. "Baba Kedar called me and I came," he said. Modi said though he met people through virtual rallies during the COVID-19 pandemic, he always yearned to meet them in person and take their blessings. (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.) Defence Minister on Thursday urged the people to cast their votes for "New Uttar Pradesh". He also exhorted the people to take part in the electoral exercise, saying casting votes is a greater duty for the electorate. "In a democracy, 'sabse bada dan matdan hota hai' (voting is a greater duty); the first phase of polling for the elections commences today... I request everyone to exercise their right to vote and become a partner in the creation of new Uttar Pradesh," he tweeted in Hindi. Voting for the first phase of the elections on 58 Assembly seats, covering 11 districts of the state, began on Thursday at 7 am. The voting will conclude at 6 pm today. The first phase will cover the 'Jat-dominant belt' of the western parts of the state. The districts going to the polls on Thursday are Mathura, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Hapur, Shamli, Baghpat, Aligarh, Agra and Gautam Buddha Nagar. As many as 623 candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the assembly polls while nearly 2.27 crore voters will decide their fates. Nearly 50,000 paramilitary personnel from 412 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed at different locations to maintain law and order as the election campaign for the first phase of Assembly polls in western ended on Tuesday evening. The police have sealed the borders of the State and strict vigilance is underway to maintain peace in 58 Assembly constituencies which will go to the polls today. The 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3, and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The has warned that 1 million children in may die of acute if urgent action wasn't taken, the media reported. Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, the UN agency referred to the case of a two year old child and said: "Having recently recovered from acute watery diarrhea, two years old Soria is back in hospital, this time suffering from edema and wasting. Her mother has been by her bedside for the past 2 weeks anxiously waiting for Soria to recover." In the following tweet, the added that "without urgent action, 1 million children could die from severe acute malnutrition". According to estimates, 24.4 million Afghans, including 13.1 children, will need humanitarian assistance in 2022. Of this number, 1.1 million are acutely malnourished children under the age of five years due to the food crisis and poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene services. Outbreaks of life-threatening diseases continue, with over 60,000 cases of measles reported in 2021. The Taliban's Ministry of Public Health has claimed that the number of children suffering from is around 4.4. million in . "To overcome in Afghanistan, there have been some measures enforced to enhance the health sector and also to recruit the international aid to support the Afghan health sector," said Javid Hajir, a spokesman for the Ministry. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A cocaine-smuggling Bulgarian wrestler and briefcases stuffed with banknotes are hampering scandal-weary Groups bid to return to boring banking. The Zurich bank, which has suffered a slew of bad headlines over the past two years, and a former client relationship manager went on trial on Monday accused of failing to prevent money laundering by customers working with the fighter-turned-criminal. The Bulgarian, later convicted for drug offenses, allegedly tapped his friends to use Zurich branches of to launder proceeds from his drug smuggling. Swiss prosecutors can press criminal charges against banks if they believe those institutions didnt do enough to screen clients and their cash for obvious ties to illicit activity. The woman ex- manager, who can only be named as E. under Swiss reporting restrictions, accepted deposits of used bank notes that regularly exceeded 500,000 euros ($564,000) at a time, according to the 515-page indictment. E. carried out the transactions despite strong indications as to the criminal origin of the funds, without clarifying or sufficiently clarifying the economic background of the transactions and without checking the plausibility of the explanations and supporting documents, said prosecutors. Credit Suisse said in a pre-trial statement that it unreservedly rejects as meritless all allegations in this legacy matter raised against it and is convinced that its former employee is innocent. Cocaine balls The case dates to 2008 when prosecutors opened a probe into a Bulgarian wrestler whose training funding had dried up after the collapse of the Iron Curtain, fell in with a mafia clan and had turned to drug trafficking to make cash. From 2002 to 2012, he organised the import of tens of tonnes of cocaine into Europe, using boats, planes and drug mules willing to swallow cocaine-packed rubber balls. He was sentenced to a 20-year prison sentence in Italy in 2017, and also convicted by courts in Romania and Bulgaria. Two of his associates are also on trial at the federal criminal court in Bellinzona, accused of participation in organized crime and aggravated money laundering. E. actively assisted the drug ring to launder 16 million francs and, overall, helped obscure the illicit origins of transactions worth more than 140 million Swiss francs, according to the prosecutors. If convicted E. could face up to five years in prison. But for Credit Suisse, any potential penalties would be lower in Switzerland than other jurisdictions such as the U.S. If found guilty, the bank risks a maximum fine of just 5 million francs. Historic precedent The trial comes as the 166-year-old bank has staggered from one setback to another. First there was a corporate spying scandal involving senior executives, then Credit Suisses involvement with doomed finance company Greensill Capital, and its billions of dollars of losses from the implosion of one of its trading customers, Archegos Capital Management. Last month brought the abrupt resignation of Chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio. For all the indictments tawdry details, the case stands out for another reason: its the first time that a Swiss bank faces a criminal trial in Switzerland. Falcon Bank was found guilty by the same court on similar charges in December and fined 3.5 million Swiss francs ($3.8 million). But now-defunct, Zurich-based Falcon was owned by Abu Dhabi investors. A top US official has claimed that the and (IS) terror groups were "reconstituting" in . Gen. Michael Michael Erik Kurilla, the nominee to head the US Central Command (CENTCOM), made the remarks while addressing the Senate Armed Services Committee, TOLO News reported. "One of the challenges is the threat to the homeland from and IS-K (Khorasan). They are reconstituting. The Taliban has not renounced . IS-K, with the release of the prisoners both from the Bagram prison and Pul-e-Charkhi are in a process of reconstituting," he said. CENTCOM's main headquarters is based in the US but has established a forward headquarters in Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. But Kurilla's claim has been rejected by the Taliban government in . In a statement on Wednesday, Taliban deputy spokesperson Billal Karimi, said: "The allegations and propaganda that are being spread- there is no evidence or documentation. We hope instead of spreading propaganda and allegations without evidence, the world will come forward and engage and cooperate with the Islamic Emirate." Kurilla's comments come after a report by the UN Security Council Monitoring Team said that the presence of foreign terror groups have increased in the war-torn nation after the collapse of the former administration in August last year. The report also questioned the Taliban's commitment under the 2020 Doha Agreement to preventing "international terrorist" threats from having a foothold in and expressed concerns that foreign groups might find safe haven in Afghanistan. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) U.S. President Joe Biden and King Salman of Saudi Arabia discussed energy supplies in the face of soaring and developments in the Middle East, including Iran and Yemen, in a telephone call on Wednesday. "The two leaders committed to ensuring the stability of global energy supplies," the White House said in a statement. Salman, head of the largest crude exporter in the OPEC oil production group, spoke about maintaining balance and stability in the petroleum markets, Saudi state news agency SPA said. He emphasized the need to maintain the supply agreement OPEC has with its allies including Russia, a group known as OPEC+. Last week, OPEC+ agreed to stick to moderate rises in its oil output, with the group struggling to meet existing targets and wary of responding to calls on its strained capacity for more crude from top consumers to cap surging prices. Global crude prices, which have rallied about 20% this year, are likely to surpass $100 a barrel because of a weaker-than- expected hit to demand from the Omicron variant of coronavirus, analysts have said. International Brent oil settled nearly 1% higher, at $91.55 a barrel, on Wednesday. High oil prices are a risk to the Biden administration ahead of November's congressional elections in which his fellow Democrats will defend slim majorities in the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Last year, the administration attempted to push down oil prices by organizing a drawdown of emergency oil reserves in concert with large consumers in Asia, including China, but prices chilled only temporarily. A U.S. source familiar with the call said, "Saudi Arabia has historically played a vital role in ensuring global energy markets are well supplied to support strong and resilient economies. "The president noted that it is especially important now, during this time of geopolitical instability and global recovery," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Oil has also been supported by the tension in Ukraine as Russia has put more than 100,000 troops on its borders. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this week the administration has been in coordination with allies and partners including on "how best to share energy reserves in the event that Russia turns off the spigot, or initiates a conflict that disrupts the flow of gas through Ukraine". That was an apparent reference to both the potential of oil and natural gas cutoffs in the aftermath of any invasion by Moscow. The White House said that on the call, Biden also repeated the commitment of the United States to support Saudi Arabia in defending itself against attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group, the White House said. Biden also briefed Salman on international talks to "re-establish constraints on Iran's nuclear program," the White House said. The conflict in Yemen is largely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthis, who ousted the government from the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014, say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression. Salman told Biden that Saudi Arabia wanted there to be a "political resolution" in Yemen, SPA said. Biden's last call with Salman was reported about a year ago around the time of the release of a U.S. assessment that said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the king's son, approved an operation to capture or kill murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh, Nayera Abdallah and Yomna Ehab, Timothy Gardner and Steve Holland; Editing by Grant McCool) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Thursday capped a scandal-ridden year with a $2.2 billion quarterly loss and said 2022 earnings would be weighed down by restructuring and compensation costs. Though Switzerland's second-biggest bank had flagged a large fourth-quarter loss, it was still steeper than expected with analysts pointing to slides in revenue across most of its business segments in addition to hefty legal costs for its investment bank. In contrast, many of its rivals have posted robust results. also flagged a decline in adjusted pretax income for the first quarter. The bank's shares, which have lost nearly a third of their value since the start of 2020, slid 4% in early trade. "We see no reason to recommend bets in securities," ZKB analyst Michael Kunz said after the results. Credit Suisse's horrendous 2021 was marked by the collapse of $10 billion in supply chain finance funds linked to insolvent British finance firm Greensill and a $5.5-billion trading loss from the implosion of investment fund Archegos. Net income attributable to shareholders for the year tumbled to a 1.6 billion franc loss which compares with a 2.7 billion franc profit in 2020. Credit Suisse Chief Executive Thomas Gottstein said the bank was actively working on resolving legacy issues, also noting a goodwill impairment charge relating to its acquisition of U.S. investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ) in 2000. "During the last three quarters of the year, we ran the bank with a constrained risk appetite across all divisions as we took decisive actions to strengthen our overall risk and controls foundation and continued our remediation efforts," he said in a statement. Last year's scandals, preceded by an executive spying scandal in 2019, have only been followed by more. It began 2022 with the abrupt departure last month of its chairman brought in just nine months earlier and has become the first major Swiss bank to be tried in a criminal court, charged with allowing an alleged Bulgarian cocaine trafficking gang to launder millions of euros. Credit Suisse has denied wrongdoing in the Bulgarian money laundering case. Tasked with reforming the bank's freewheeling corporate culture, Credit Suisse Chairman Axel Lehmann has said he wants to stick with his predecessor's strategy of focusing on wealth management, noting customer business remained excellent at the time of his appointment in January. During the final quarter of 2021, Credit Suisse's investment banking division posted a 2.1 billion-franc pretax loss. The goodwill impairment for DLJ came to $1.7 billion. Fixed income and sales & trading revenue tumbled 38% year on year while equity sales & trading revenues slid 26% as a result of the bank's exit from prime services announced in November. Capital markets revenue plunged 48%, while advisory revenue surged 51%. Credit Suisse's flagship wealth management business saw revenue fall 26%. It noted it had seen new net asset outflows of $3.2 billion in its separate Asia Pacific division, which it said were related to wealthy clients deleveraging as well as "de-risking measures" it had taken. Across the bank, assets under management rose 7% to 1.6 trillion Swiss francs, helped by a pickup in inflows for its asset management business. The bank maintained its dividend at 0.10 francs per share. In a surprise move, it said it did not plan to publish an internal report on the Greensill debacle. The results mark a sharp contrast to cross-town rival UBS in particular, which this month reported its best annual profit since the global financial crisis, emboldening it to hike share buybacks and set more ambitious profit goals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israel's Ministry of Transport and Road Safety has announced the country's first certification for unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) to operate in civilian airspace. The certification was issued on Wednesday by the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to the Hermes Starliner unmanned system, which was developed and manufactured by Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense electronics company. "I am proud that becomes the first country which allows UAVs to operate for the benefit of agriculture, environment, fight against crime, the people and the economy," said Israeli Transport and Road Safety Minister, Merav Michaeli. The approval will allow Elbit's drone to fly in civilian airspace like any other civilian airliner, rather than being restricted to unsegregated airspace, Xinhua news agency reported. The Hermes Starliner, which has a wingspan of 17 metres and weighs 1.6 ton, can fly for up to 36 hours at an altitude of about 7,600 metres, and can carry an additional 450 kg of electro-optical, thermal, radar and other payloads. It will be able to participate in border security and anti-terror operations, take part in securing mass public events, perform maritime search and rescue, commercial aviation and environmental inspection missions, as well as precision agriculture work. The CAA has supervised the design and manufacturing of the Hermes Starliner and led a rigorous six-year certification process that included extensive ground and flight tests. For safety reasons, international aviation regulations prohibit uncertified aircraft from flying in civilian airspace, limiting the operation of UAVs to unsegregated airspace. --IANS int/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mexico's populist, nationalist leader has engaged in periodic quarrels with Spain, but relations reached a new low Wednesday when President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the two countries' relations should be put on pause. Lopez Obrador made it sound sort of like a time-out for Spain, a country he had previously asked to apologize for the brutality of the 1521 Conquest of and centuries of colonial rule. never did, and some have accused Lopez Obrador of using the five-century-old issue to distract attention. Lopez Obrador didn't explain exactly what a pause' would mean, but the proposal came at the end of a diatribe against Spanish energy companies he said had taken unfair advantage of private-sector openings in . The president claimed they engaged in robbery" and treated like a conquered land. Right now the relationship is not good, Lopez Obrador said at his daily news briefing. I would like to put it on pause, until we can normalize it, that I think would be in the best interest of Mexicans and Spaniards. Let's give ourselves a little time, a pause," he said. Maybe relations will be re-established when the administration changes. Spain's Foreign Minister, Jos Manuel Albares, downplayed the Mexican president's remarks, noting they were made in an informal context, in answer to a journalist's question, and so do not constitute and official position or statement. You would have to ask President Lopez Obrador what he meant by this, Albares said. Spanish energy companies like Repsol and Iberdrola took advantage of openings in the last decade that allowed private and foreign companies to build electrical power plants in Mexico, a sector once dominated by Mexico's state-owned utility. Lopez Obrador is seeking to reverse those openings, because he said the state-owned company was put at a disadvantage with private firms. That proposed change has drawn concern about protecting the Spanish firms' investments. In a 2020 letter, Lopez Obrador wrote The Catholic Church, the Spanish monarchy and the Mexican government should make a public apology for the offensive atrocities that Indigenous people suffered." The letter came as Mexico marked the 500th anniversary of the 1519-1521 conquest, which resulted in the death of a large part of the country's pre-Hispanic population. In 2019, Lopez Obrador asked for an apology for the conquest. Spain's foreign minister at the time, Josep Borrell said his country will not issue these apologies that have been requested. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and the have agreed on all the elements of the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and it could be signed very soon, the ambassador of the Gulf nation Ahmed AlBanna said on Thursday. In an address at a think-tank, he also said that the agreement, once formalised and signed, would pave the way for significant expansion of ties in areas of trade and investment and technology. The ambassador said both sides are waiting for a final signal from their leadership to sign the pact. AlBanna said the UAE will continue to stand as a committed partner for India's energy needs and that the partnership between the two countries has strengthened in the last couple of years. He also said that the newly formed grouping comprising the UAE, India, Isreal and the US is an offspring of the Abraham Accords and of the trilateral UAE-India-Israel cooperation. AlBanna said the actual negotiations for the CEPA began in October last year and that the negotiators from the UAE and India agreed on all the elements of the proposed pact agreement by end of December. "Signing a CEPA, signing a major trade agreement usually takes countries months and months, if not years and years. Any CEPA agreement could not be concluded in less than a year or two years," he said. "We concluded a CEPA agreement with India in less than four months. That shows the immense interest from both sides in trying to reach a final agreement which will benefit the economies of the UAE and India in many different sectors," the envoy said. AlBanna said the past will have a positive effect on trade and flow of investment besides creating job opportunities. "What we are planning is very soon it will be signed and it will be implemented...we are just waiting for the final (signal from the) leadership from both sides to conclude and sign the agreement," he said. On air services between the two sides, AlBanna said major difficulties were faced during the coronavirus pandemic and even suggested that there were issues even before that. He said the UAE was favouring extra capacities adding if capacities of all carriers reach 85 per cent, then there was a need to renegotiate it to increase. The envoy indicated that the UAE is yet to receive a positive response from India on the matter. He said the air bubble agreement has opened up capacities to the level of what Indian carriers carry one-way from India to the UAE. He said it makes no sense to the UAE carriers with the demand being high and the number of seats limited. There has been an upward trajectory in the ties between India and the UAE following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to that country in 2015. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, visited India in 2016. He again visited India in January 2017 as the Chief Guest at the Republic day celebrations. It was during this visit that the bilateral relations were upgraded to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'. Prime Minister Modi visited UAE again in February 2018 for the 6th World Government Summit in Dubai, where India was the guest of honour He visited the UAE again in August 2019 to receive the UAE's highest civilian award, 'the Order of Zayed'. The UAE is also home to over 3.3 million Indians who have been playing a key role in overall cultural and people-to-people ties between the two sides. (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 Florence Tan SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Oil prices fell on Thursday, after rallying on an unexpected drop in U.S. crude inventories in the previous session, as investors await the outcome of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks that could add crude supplies quickly to global markets. Brent crude futures slid 28 cents, or 0.3%, to $91.27 a barrel at 0714 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $89.47 a barrel, down 19 cents. Robust demand recovery from the coronavirus pandemic has kept global oil supplies snug, with inventories at key fuel hubs globally hovering at multi-year lows. U.S. crude inventories fell 4.8 million barrels in the week to Feb. 4, dropping to 410.4 million barrels - their lowest for commercial inventories since October 2018, the Energy Information Administration said. Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast a 369,000-barrel rise. U.S. product supplied - the best proxy for demand - peaked at 21.9 million barrels per day (bpd) over the past four weeks due to strong economic activity nationwide, EIA data showed. "We are seeing some consolidation after a fairly constructive EIA report," said Warren Patterson, ING's head of commodities research. However, investors are closely watching the outcome of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks which resumed this week. A deal could lift U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil and ease global supply tightness. The White House publicly pressured Iran on Wednesday to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement quickly, saying that it will be impossible to return to the accord if a deal is not struck within weeks. "The core uncertainty remains whether Iran is willing to sign on the dotted line," Eurasia analyst Henry Rome said, adding that the consultancy was holding onto a 40% call on a return to the agreement. The restoration of sanction waivers to Iran to allow nuclear cooperation projects, which were announced last week, along with some positive comments from Russian diplomats, suggest that the parties are moving closer towards a deal, ING's Patterson said. "Any quick deal would likely put some further downward pressure on prices, as it would help alleviate some concerns over the lack of spare OPEC capacity," he added. Separately, U.S. President Joe Biden and King Salman of Saudi Arabia discussed energy supplies and developments in the Middle East, including in Iran and Yemen, during a phone call on Wednesday. Salman also spoke about maintaining balance and stability in the oil markets and emphasised the need to maintain the OPEC+ supply agreement, state news agency SPA said. In Europe, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will be meeting allies and partners in Munich next week seeking to deter Russian aggression in Ukraine. (Reporting by Florence Tan; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell and Raju Gopalakrishnan) (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.) were little changed on Wednesday, paring gains after spiking earlier on data showing U.S. inventories dropped by nearly 5 million barrels and demand rose to an all-time high. Brent crude futures gained 49 cents, or 0.5%, to $91.27 a barrel by 1:41 p.m. EST (1841 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 1 cent to $89.35 a barrel. U.S. crude stocks fell by 4.8 million barrels last week, including a sharp drawdown at the key Cushing hub, as overall product supplied, a proxy for demand, hit a record 21.9 million barrels per day over the past four weeks, government data showed on Wednesday. [EIA/S] The heavy activity and ramp-up in U.S. refinery processing suggest the market could be looking at tight supplies for coming months as well. "This is (refinery) turnaround season which makes this report even more surprising," said Robert Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho. "This could be runs to refineries, refiners trying to restock inventories. We're exporting a large amount of crude as well." The prospect of increased supply from Iran pressured the market this week, and the crude benchmarks slid about 2% on Tuesday as Washington resumed indirect talks with Iran to revive a nuclear deal. An agreement could lift U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil and quickly add supply to the market, although a number of vital issues need to be resolved. "If U.S.-Iran talks continue to progress, this (price) level should come under some pressure, while a collapse of negotiations could be the catalyst that drives the price towards triple-figure territory," said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA. Industry worries over political risks worldwide had ebbed a bit on Wednesday, several analysts said. "The concerns about a further escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict appear to have eased somewhat following the latest diplomatic efforts, which is reducing the risk premium on the oil price," said Commerzbank commodities analyst Carsten Fritsch. (Additional reporting by Florence Tan in Singapore and Rowena Edwards in London; Editing by Barbara Lewis and Bernadette Baum) (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.) Xi sends message of sympathy to Turkish president Xinhua) 13:24, February 10, 2022 BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a message of sympathy to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over his and his wife's infection with the COVID-19 virus. In his message, Xi said that learning about the infection of President Erdogan and his wife, Emine Erdogan, he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, extend the sincere sympathy to them and wish them a speedy recovery. The Chinese president said the Chinese side will continue to firmly support Turkey in its fight against the pandemic. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Turkey relations and stands ready to work with Erdogan to continuously lift the two countries' strategic cooperative relationship to new levels. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) said on Thursday world demand might rise even more steeply this year as the global posts a strong recovery from the pandemic, a development that would underpin prices already at a seven-year high. Tight supply has also given impetus to booming energy markets, and the report from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries also showed the group undershot a pledged oil-output rise in January under its pact with allies. In the report, said it expected world demand to rise by 4.15 million barrels per day (bpd) this year, unchanged from its forecast last month, following a steep rise of 5.7 million bpd in 2021. "Upside potential to the forecast prevails, based on an ongoing observed strong economic recovery with the GDP already reaching pre-pandemic levels," the report said in a commentary on the 2022 demand outlook. "As most world economies are expected to grow stronger, the near-term prospects for world are certainly on the bright side," OPEC said in a separate comment on 2022 demand. World consumption is expected to surpass the 100 million bpd mark in the third quarter, in line with last month's forecast. On an annual basis according to OPEC, the world last used more than 100 million bpd of oil in 2019. OPEC took an early view that the effect of the Omicron coronavirus variant would be mild, and the report said it has not had as negative an economic impact as previous Covid-19 waves. Oil rose after the report was issued, trading above $92 a barrel. On Monday it hit $94, its highest level since October 2014. OUTPUT UNDERSHOOT The report also showed higher output from OPEC as the group and allied non-members, known as OPEC+, gradually unwind record output cuts put in place in 2020. OPEC+ has aimed to raise output by 400,000 bpd a month, with about 254,000 bpd of that due from 10 participating OPEC members, but production has increased by less than this as some producers struggle to pump more. The report showed OPEC output in January rose by just 64,000 bpd to 27.98 million bpd. Seven of the 13 OPEC members had a drop in output, among them Venezuela, Libya and Iraq. Top exporter Saudi Arabia boosted output by 54,000 bpd according to the report, but Saudi Arabia told OPEC it made a larger increase of 123,000 bpd that brought its production to 10.145 million bpd. The growth forecast for overall non-OPEC supply in 2022 was left unchanged, as was that for production of U.S. tight oil, another term for shale. OPEC said it expects the world to need 28.9 million bpd from its members in 2022, up 100,000 bpd from last month and theoretically allowing further increases in output. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has summoned India's Charge d'Affaires here to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and conveyed the government's grave concern on the ban on Muslim girl students from wearing in Karnataka. The Foreign Office said in a statement late on Wednesday that the Indian diplomat was conveyed Pakistan's deep concern over alleged religious intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatisation and discrimination against Muslims in India. It was emphasised that the Indian government must hold the perpetrators of harassment against women in Karnataka to account and take adequate measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Muslim women, the statement said. The Foreign Office statement came after Pakistan's senior ministers waded into the ongoing row in Karnataka on Wednesday, with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi saying that depriving Muslim girls of education is a grave violation of fundamental human rights. Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Hussain said what was going on in India was worrying and emphasised that wearing is a personal choice just as any other dress and citizens must be given free choice. Reacting to the tweets of the Pakistani ministers, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in New Delhi on Wednesday that some people are giving "communal colour" to a decision on dress code and discipline of institutions as part of their "conspiracy to defame India's inclusive culture". Naqvi also shot back saying Pakistan, which is a "jungle of crime and cruelty" for minorities, is preaching India on tolerance and secularism. The reality is that the socio-educational-religious rights of minorities are being trampled brazenly in Pakistan, Naqvi told reporters in New Delhi. Equal rights, dignity and prosperity of the minorities, including Muslims, is a part of India's commitment to tolerance, harmony and inclusivity, he asserted. The hijab controversy first erupted in January at a government Pre-University College in Udupi, where six students who attended classes wearing headscarves in violation of the stipulated dress code were asked to leave the campus. It later spread to other parts of the state with Hindu students too responding by turning up in saffron shawls. (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.) Police in Pakistan's Punjab province have been banned from posting on TikTok, a Chinese short-video app, local media reported. The Punjab police department has barred all cops from using during duty hours, ARY News reported. The police department has warned that if a video of any officer goes viral on a app, strict departmental action will be taken. The new rules were communicated in a letter issued by AIG Operations to all RPOs, ARY News reported. According to the letter, posting videos on the app and going viral presents a negative image of the department. The Pakistani media reported that the Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had several times placed a ban on Chinese short-video app in the country. The first time was banned in was in October 2020, However, the ban was lifted 10-day later after the company assured that it would block accounts "spreading obscenity". (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.) South Korean President Moon Jae-in, in his final months in office, has expressed concern over North Korea's expanding weapons program and the possibility it could resume nuclear and long-range missile tests that would revive fears of war in the region. Renewed tensions between Washington and Pyongyang have been a major setback for Moon, a dovish liberal and son of northern war refugees who staked his single presidential term on his ambitions for inter-Korean rapprochement. His written comments on and other topics were provided Thursday to The Associated Press and other news agencies. South Korea's presidential election is in March, and Moon leaves office in May after serving a five-year term. He called for a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Joe Biden to resolve deep disagreements in exchanging the release of crippling U.S.-led sanctions against the North and the North's disarmament steps. If North Korea's repeated missile launches go as far as to breach (Kim's self-imposed) moratorium, that would instantly bring the Korean Peninsula back to the crisis situation of five years ago when there were concerns of war, Moon said. The political leaders of related nations should engage in persistent dialogue and diplomacy to prevent a similar crisis. Kim orchestrated a highly provocative run of nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests in 2017 that triggered a verbal exchange of war threats between him and then-President Donald Trump, before he initiated diplomacy with Seoul and Washington in 2018. Moon met Kim three times in 2018 and lobbied hard to help set up Kim's meetings with Trump. But the diplomacy never recovered from the collapse of the second Kim-Trump meeting in 2019 in Vietnam, where the Americans rejected North Korea's demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for dismantling an aging nuclear facility, which would have amounted to a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities. has also severed all cooperation with Moon's government while expressing anger over U.S.- military exercises and Seoul's inability to wrest concessions from Washington on its behalf. Asked what's left of his foreign policy legacy, Moon said he remained proud about his role in converting the tensions of 2017 into high-stakes diplomacy between the Koreas and the United States, which at least stabilized the situation on the peninsula. He regretted the outcome of the Hanoi meeting and said Washington and Pyongyang should have kept the diplomatic momentum alive by pursing a smaller interim deal rather than allowing negotiations to entirely fall through. While Biden had accused Trump of chasing the spectacle of summits rather than meaningful curbs on the North's nuclear capabilities, Moon still urged a return to top-down diplomacy, saying it would hopefully be only a matter of time before Biden and Kim meet. He called for South Korea's next government to push for a political declaration between the Koreas, the United States and possibly China to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War, which stopped on an armistice, not a peace treaty. If the North Korea-U.S. talks resume and the leaders of and the United States historically meet once again, I hope they could reach substantial progress in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the implementation of a peace process and the normalization of U.S.-North Korea relations, Moon said. Reviving an old pattern of brinkmanship, North Korea kicked off 2022 with a flurry of missile tests before apparently pausing the displays during the Winter Olympics in China, its main ally. Analysts believe North Korea will dramatically increase its weapons testing after the Olympics to try to move the needle with Biden, whose administration has offered open-ended talks but has shown no willingness to ease sanctions without meaningful cuts to North Korea's nuclear program. Moon is spending his last days in office grappling with an unprecedented wave in coronavirus infections driven by fast-moving omicron variant, which has stretched worn-out health workers. The surge has come after a delta-driven spread that spiked hospitalizations and deaths in December and early January, which erased the country's earlier epidemiological gains Moon had touted as a major accomplishment. Unlike in those earlier speeches, Moon did not boast about gains made against the virus in his latest comments. He noted that COVID-19 left many people struggling for an extended period, which he said was more regrettable than anything else. Moon's government has also been criticized over soaring house prices and decaying job markets while his party has been accused of partisan politics that critics say stoked public division along the lines of ideology, generation and gender. The real estate issue was the heaviest burden through my term, Moon said, acknowledging policy failures. He said his government will work until the end to stabilize the housing market by increasing supplies and suppressing speculative buying. As for his life after leaving office, Moon said he hasn't had time to think about it really, but that he had no plans to stay involved in politics and was not even planning to do social activities as a former president. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Medical advisor Antony Fauci hinted that there may be the need for the fourth-dose boost in the United States to battle with (COVID-19) variant Omicron, adding that the booster could be based on age, as well as underlying conditions of the individual. "There may be the need for yet again another boost -- in this case, a fourth-dose boost for an individual receiving the mRNA -- that could be based on age, as well as underlying conditions," Dr Fauci said that the briefing on Wednesday (local time). Responding to reporters over the data showing the need for a shot beyond the third dose, Dr Anthony Fauci said that that's obviously an issue that has been followed very closely. Earlier, President Biden's top medical adviser said that half a million people around the world have died of COVID-19 since the variant of the was first detected in November, terming it "the full-blown pandemic phase" of the crisis. On Tuesday World Health Organization said that about 1,00,000 of the deaths since was declared a "variant of concern" occurred in the United States. Speaking further, Dr Fauci said: "The data from the trials on children from six months to 24 months, as well as those from 21 months to -- up to the end of four years have been conducted by the pharmaceutical company, in this case, Pfizer." Meanwhile, some statewide COVID-19 mask mandates in the US are coming to an end. Previously, the maintained its adherence to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance encouraging mask usage in schools Monday (local time) as some states take steps toward lifting mask mandates in the classroom, CNN reported. The CDC recommends that those who are vaccinated should "wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission." According to The Washington Post, coronavirus deaths rose for the fifth consecutive week worldwide, with the 68,000 fatalities reported last week representing a 7 per cent jump from the previous week. Last week, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a news briefing that COVID deaths are increasing in many parts of the world. He warned it would be "premature for any country either to surrender or to declare victory" against the coronavirus. "We're concerned that a narrative has taken hold in some countries that because of vaccines, and because of omicron's high transmissibility and lower severity, preventing transmission is no longer possible, and no longer necessary," he said. "Nothing could be further from the truth. (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.) Ford and Toyota on Wednesday both said they were halting some production as anti-coronavirus mandate protesters blocked border crossings that have prompted warnings from Washington and Ottawa of economic damage. General Motors, joining the list of impacted automakers, said on Thursday it was forced to cancel two production shifts at a plant in Michigan. Many pandemic-weary Western countries will soon mark two years of restrictions as copycat protests spread to Australia, New Zealand and France now the highly infectious Omicron variant begins to ease in some places. The bumper-to-bumper demonstration entered its fourth day on Thursday at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, disrupting the flow of auto parts and other products back and forth across the border. The bridge is the busiest US-Canadian border crossing, carrying 25 per cent of all trade between the two countries. GM cancelled the second shift on Wednesday and the first shift Thursday at its midsize SUV factory outside Lansing, Michigan. Toyota said it will not be able to manufacture anything at three Canadian plants for the rest of this week because of parts shortages. Police arrest over 50 anti-vax protesters in New Zealand (Agencies) Police and anti-vaccine protesters clashed on the grounds of New Zealands parliament on Thursday, with more than 50 arrested after demonstrators who camped outside the legislature for three days were ordered to move on. Activists chanted the Maori haka and yelled hold the line as they scuffled with a line of police moving to clear a makeshift settlement from the lawns of parliament. Police moved in early Thursday after taking a hands-off approach to the first two days of protests, using loudhailers to warn a crowd of about 150 they faced arrest unless they left. Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, said all of its North American factories were running Thursday, but shortages because of the blockade forced it to shorten shifts at several plants. - British Prime Minister said Thursday the crisis has grown into the most dangerous moment for Europe in decades, while his top diplomat held icy talks with her Moscow counterpart who said the Kremlin won't accept lectures from the West. As they spoke, Russian forces held sweeping maneuvers north of in Belarus, part of a buildup of over 100,000 troops that has stoked Western fears of an invasion. NATO also has stepped up military deployments to bolster its eastern flank, with the US sending troops to Poland and Romania. A British Royal Air Force jet carrying 350 troops landed Thursday in Poland in a move that followed London sending anti-tank missiles to to help boost its defences. This is probably the most dangerous moment, I would say in the course of the next few days, in what is the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades, and we've got to get it right, Johnson said at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Johnson, who later arrived in Warsaw to meet with Poland's prime minister, said he believes President Vladimir Putin has not yet decided what he might do with Ukraine, but he added that the West must use sanctions and military resolve plus diplomacy". NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he sent a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov repeating an invitation to a series of talks on improving European security. Lavrov set a stern tone for his talks in Moscow with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who again warned Russia that attacking its neighbour would have massive consequences and carry severe costs. She urged the Kremlin to abide by agreements that commit it to respecting Ukraine's independence and sovereignty. Lavrov rejected Western worries about the Russian troop buildup as sheer propaganda and noted that Moscow won't stand for lectures. Ideological approaches, ultimatums and moralising is a road to nowhere, he said, noting that his talks with Truss marked the first meeting of the countries' top diplomats in more than four years. Russia-UK ties have been badly strained by the 2018 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in England and other tensions. Russia says it has no plans to invade Ukraine but wants the West to keep Ukraine and other former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons there and roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe. The US and NATO flatly reject these demands. Truss reaffirmed a call for Moscow to pull back its troops, while Lavrov rejected the demand as inappropriate and pointed to British and NATO military buildups in Eastern Europe. The demands to remove the Russian troops from the Russian territory cause regret, he said. We don't want to threaten anyone. It's us who are facing threats. Lavrov alleged that Western politicians were fanning tensions over Ukraine for domestic political gain. Russia has always planned to move back its troops after the maneuvers, Lavrov said, and once it does, the West will raise an uproar and claim that it has forced Russia to de-escalate." It's selling hot air, he snapped. Russia's buildup includes deploying troops on the territory of its ally Belarus for sweeping joint drills that entered a decisive phase Thursday. The Ukrainian capital is located about 75 km (47 miles) south of the border with Belarus. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry protested Russian naval drills in the Black and Azov seas, saying they have hampered commercial shipping. The Kremlin responded that the exercises are conducted in line with the maritime law. Amid the West's invasion warnings, Ukrainian officials have sought to project calm, concerned that fears over war will further destabilize the country's fragile economy. We believe that the concentration of troops near the border is part of psychological pressure from our neighbour, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a meeting of business leaders. We have enough resources and weapons to protect our country. Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when a popular uprising drove Ukraine's Kremlin-friendly leader from office. Moscow responded by annexing Crimea and then backing a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed over 14,000 people. A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany helped end full-scale hostilities, but frequent skirmishes have continued, and efforts to negotiate a political settlement have stalled. The Kremlin has accused Kyiv of sabotaging the peace agreement, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it would hurt their country. Foreign policy advisers from Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine are holding more talks Thursday in Berlin to try to reach a common interpretation of the 2015 agreement and plan further steps. The talks are part of renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met Lavrov in Geneva, while French President Emmanuel Macron met Putin in Moscow before heading to Kyiv this week. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to visit to Kyiv and Moscow on Feb 14-15. He met Monday with US President Joe Biden, who vowed that the Nord Stream 2 Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline would be blocked in the event of an invasion. Such a move against the pipeline, which has been completed but isn't yet operating, would hurt Russia economically but also cause energy supply problems for Germany. (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.) British Prime Minister couldn't escape his domestic woes during a trip to Belgium and Poland on Thursday aimed at increasing pressure on over its troop buildup near . Johnson was trying to show NATO's resolve in response to massing troops near its neighbour's borders. But he faced questions about a police investigation into lockdown-breaching government parties that has shaken his grip on power. And a previous Conservative Prime Minister, John Major, excoriated Johnson in a no-holds-barred speech, saying the government's disregard for rules and truth was corroding democracy and shredding the UK's reputation around the world. The prime minister and officials broke lockdown laws. Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day the public was asked to believe the unbelievable, Major said in London. He said Johnson and his government had treated the truth as optional and believed that they and they alone need not obey the rules. London's Metropolitan Police force is investigating a dozen parties held in the prime minister's 10 Downing St office and other government buildings when the UK was under coronavirus restrictions. The force is writing to about 50 people, including the prime minister and his wife Carrie Johnson, asking for them to account for their activities on the dates under investigation. Anyone found to have broken the rules faces a fine. Johnson's opponents say he should quit if police found he broke the rules. But he refused to say Thursday whether he would resign if that happened. That process must be completed and I am looking forward to it being completed and that's the time to say more on that, he said during a news conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. Johnson is fighting to extinguish a blaze of controversy over bring your own booze office parties, birthday celebrations and wine time Fridays held by his staff while millions in Britain were barred from meeting with friends and family because of his government's COVID-19 restrictions. In addition to the police probe, a total of 16 parties have been investigated by a senior civil servant, Sue Gray. In an interim report into the four parties not under criminal investigation, Gray found that failures of leadership and judgment enabled events to occur that should not have been allowed to take place and described a Downing Street operation marked by excessive drinking and dysfunctional dynamics. Johnson apologised - without admitting personal wrongdoing - and shook up his office team in attempt to reassert control. The staff moves are intended to reassure Conservative lawmakers who are debating whether to seek a no-confidence vote in the leader who won them a big parliamentary majority just over two years ago. Johnson wants the focus to be on the Russia- crisis and the UK's efforts to use a mix of deterrence and diplomacy to resolve it. The prime minister is also travelling Thursday to Poland, where he will meet President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and visit British troops serving as part of NATO's presence on its eastern flank. The UK has also sent hundreds of troops to Estonia and will deploy Royal Air Force jets to southern Europe and two Royal Navy vessels to the eastern Mediterranean. Johnson said the forces would help defend NATO from north to south. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US State Department has expressed concerns over the attacks on statues of and is asking law enforcement to investigate the incidents, according to a spokesperson. "The Department of State is in regular communication with law enforcement partners and encourages investigation into these incidents," the spokesperson said in an email to IANS. In the latest incident, the statue of in City's Union Square was defaced with black paint on Febryary 4 and it followed an attack on the Independence leader's statue in Washington on India's Republic Day, January 26. India's Consulate General in took up the defacement of the statue in the city with the State Department and local authorities. Commissioner for Affairs, Edward Mermelstein, called to express concern over the incident, according to the consulate. The police department has also been alerted by the consulate to the incident and was investigating. An official in New York City Mayor Eric Adam's office told IANS that they were "looking into this". The State Department spokesperson wrote: "We are aware of the recent defacement of several statues of Gandhi and have shared our concern regarding these incidents with our Indian counterparts. "The Department recognises the continued importance of Gandhi's message of non-violence, respect, and tolerance." The Consulate condemned the statue's defacement in a tweet and said that it had taken up the matter "with the local authorities and the State Department for immediate investigation and appropriate action against those responsible for the despicable act". The Chairman of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International, Thomas Abraham, said" "We Indian-Americans are deeply hurt by the disrespect shown to Gandhiji, especially when we are observing the Black History Month, celebrating the contribution of African-American leaders including the late Rev. Martin Luther King who was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent struggle against the British Empire to achieve freedom for India." GOPIO Manhattan Chapter President Shivender Sofat said that "the culprit must be apprehended and punished". Gandhi's statues across the US have come under attack in recent years. The statue in New York is located in an area around the New York University and has been the subject of a change.org petition for its removal started by persons described as "NYU Students". Although the petition has been up for at least two years, it has gathered only 38 signatures. The petition accused Gandhi of holding "anti-Black sentiments". However, civil rights leader Bayard Rustin was the keynote speaker at the dedication of the statue in 1986. Rustin had travelled to India in 1948 to study Gandhi's non-violent civil resistance movement and introduced it to civil rights leader Martin Luther King, who adopted it in his quest for the rights of African-Americans The statue by sculpted by Kantilal Patel joined a "quartet of works devoted to defenders of freedom" in the Union Square Park comprising statues of George Washington, the father of the US; Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the US War of Independence, and Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery across the US, according to the City's Parks Department. The statue in Washington had vile personal attacks on Gandhi and anti-India slogans painted on it during the anti-police excesses demonstration in June 2020 and was vandalised again in December that year by pro-Khalistani elements during a protest in support of the farmers' agitation in India. The recent Republic Day attack was carried out by Khalistan supporters. India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian government had asked US officials to take action against those vandalising it. In another incident, the statue of Gandhi was cut at its leg and toppled over and its head was cut in half in Davis in California in January last year. Reacting to the incident, President Joe Biden's spokesperson Jan Psaki said the administrtion would "condemn that desecration and watch it closely". The same statue had also been vandalised with slogans in June 2020. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) --IANS al/ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic in an Indiana turkey flock on Wednesday, the nation's first case in a commercial poultry operation since 2020. The outbreak brought swift reaction from importers seeking to limit the spread of the bird flu. China and Korea blocked non-heated poultry meat from Indiana, while Taiwan restricted poultry meat and egg products from the state, the USDA said on its website. Indiana said the strain of the virus was H5N1 and it was the state's first case of highly pathogenic bird flu in commercial poultry since 2016, when 400,000 birds were killed. The H5N1 strain has also been found in wild birds along the U.S. East Coast and has caused a wave of outbreaks in poultry across Europe and Asia. Canada confirmed H5N1 bird flu in a commercial poultry flock in Nova Scotia, triggering varying trade restrictions from importers, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said on Wednesday. The H5N1 strain "has been wreaking havoc on Asia and Europe," said Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, an industry group. China's ban on Indiana poultry will likely last 90 days, he said. Though limited, the trade restrictions and loss of poultry to the disease are a blow to the U.S. farm sector. The USDA said bird flu does not pose an immediate health concern to people. About 29,000 turkeys at the farm in Dubois County, Indiana, in the south of the state, are being culled to contain the outbreak, state officials said. The Indiana outbreak is significant because it indicates the strain has entered a migratory pathway for birds called the Mississippi Flyway that includes major U.S. poultry-producing states like Mississippi, Sumner said. Indiana is the third-largest U.S. turkey producing state, No. 1 in duck production and No. 2 in table eggs and egg-laying chickens, according to the state. Officials have quarantined the infected farm and said birds from the flock will not enter the food system. They are testing birds in the surrounding area for the disease. (Reporting by Tom Polansek, additional reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg. Editing by David Gregorio and Karishma Singh) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of were locked at 20 per cent lower circuit limit at Rs 775.05, also its 52-week low, on the BSE on Thursday after the company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 140 crore in December quarter (Q3FY22), due to lower revenue. The pharmaceutical company had posted a profit of Rs 65.78 crore in the year-ago quarter (Q3FY21). The stock has corrected 58 per cent from its 52-week high level of Rs 1,859.30 touched on May 19, 2021. Till 09:33 am, around 55,000 shares changed had hands and there were pending sell orders for 770,000 shares on the NSE and BSE. In Q3FY22, the company's revenue declined 74 per cent sequentially and 76 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 105 crore. It reported operating loss of Rs 81.7 crore as against profit of Rs 88.5 crore in Q3FY21. During the quarter, revenue from operations declined on account of continued demand softness of Ibuprofen & few other key products and delay in approval for Covld-19 products. Further, the Group also accounted for provision towards sales return to execute its strategy of shifting towards sales to direct customer by significantly limiting sales through channel. The management said besides this one-off impact, "Solara's Q3FY22 performance was muted mainly due to subdued regulated market demand and higher costs driven by volatile material pricing environment and increased logistics cost". That said, the management believes that the situation has bottomed out on the demand side, and the business would start seeing normalcy from the Q4FY22. "We remain committed to delivering our long-term goals on growth and profitability, and we expect to bounce back from the second half of next fiscal. In the near term, we expect the topline trajectory to be back to pre-Q3 FY22 levels," the management said. Meanwhile, Solara announced that Bharath R Sesha has tendered his resignation as managing director & chief executive officer and director (MD & CEO) of the company to pursue interests outside the company. Rajesh Salwan, who currently is the executive vice chairman of the company, has been given the additional responsibility of MD & CEO, the company said. The key benchmark indices are likely to take cues from the RBI policy meeting outcome for market direction. As of 07:55 AM, the SGX Nifty futures quoted at 17,516, indicating a marginal gain of 30-odd points at the opening bell. Meanwhile, here are the top for trade on Thursday. Earnings Watch: ABB, Aegis Logistics, Amara Raja Batteries, Bharat Forge, Bombay Dyeing, Cummins India, Esab India, GVK Power & Infra, Hero MotoCorp, Hindalco, Hindustan Motors, HP Adhesives, Indian Hume Pipes, Indo Rama Synthetics, Insecticides India, IRB Infrastructure, IRFC, KCP Sugar, Kesoram Industries, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Kirloskar Brothers, Lemon Tree Hotels, Mahindra & Mahindra, Mindspace Business Parks, Mirc Electronics, MRF, Novartis India, Page Industries, Piramal Enterprises, Quess Corp, RCF, Reliance Power, Schneider Electric Infrastructure, SJVN, Speciality Restaurants, Strides Pharma Science, Sunflag Iron, Sun Tv, Tata Chemicals, Trent, Trigyn Technologies, Titagarh Wagons, Universal Cables, Walchandnagar Industries, Welspun Corp, Whirlpool of India, Wonderla Holidays, Zee Media and Zomato are some of the companies to announce December quarter results today. SAIL: The steel majors Q3 consolidated net profit grew 4.3 per cent to Rs 1,528.54 crore in the quarter ended December 2021 when compared with Rs 1,466.20 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Total income jumped 27 per cent YoY to Rs 25,398.37 crore from Rs 19,997.31 crore. Tata Power: The power generating company registered a 71.6 per cent YoY increase in net profit during Q3FY22 to Rs 425.8 crore. Consolidated revenue grew 43.6 per cent YoY to Rs 10,913.1 crore. READ MORE Indiabulls Housing Finance: The companys consolidated net profit declined 7.9 per cent YoY to Rs 303 crore in third quarter ended December 2021 (Q3FY22) from Rs 329 crore a year ago (Q3FY21). Total retail disbursals stood at Rs 2,800 crore in Q3FY22. READ MORE The telecom majors chief executive officer Gopal Vittal hinted at another hike in tariff in 2022 as the telecom sector battles cost pressures and prepares for 5G service rollout. Vittal said he expects a tariff hike some time in 2022 and that could happen after 3-4 months depending upon subscriber growth and competitive dynamics and added that he was hoping average revenue per user (ARPU) to rise from the current Rs 163 to Rs 200. READ MORE The e-commerce company reported a 59 per cent YoY drop in Q3FY22 net at Rs 28 crore. Total revenue however increased 36 per cent YoY to Rs 1,098 crore. The companys consolidated gross merchandise value (GMV) grew 49 per cent YoY to Rs 2,044 crore. READ MORE The gas supplier has pre-poned the supply of gas from the US and is looking to contract more LNG next year as it doubles down efforts to secure affordable energy supplies, said chairman Manoj Jain. READ MORE. The companys Q3FY22 consolidated net declined 2.2 per cent to Rs 3,292.97 crore when compared with Rs 3,367.71 crore in Q3FY21. Total income rose 3.5 per cent YoY to Rs 10,723.61 crore. ACC: The cement major posted a 40.5 per cent YoY decline in Q3FY22 net at Rs 280.90 crore when compared with Rs 472.40 crore in Q3FY21. Total income however was up 1.9 per cent at Rs 4,225.80 crore. NDTV: The companys consolidated net profit surged 31.6 per cent to Rs 29.87 crore in Q3FY22 as against Rs 22.69 crore in Q3Fy21. Total income was up 6.8 per cent YoY at Rs 117.32 crore. Engineers India (EIL): The companys Q3 net more-than-halved to Rs 40.60 crore in the quarter ended December 2021 when compared with Rs 88 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Total income declined 18.1 per cent YoY to Rs 692.10 crore. STC India: The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 12.54 crore for the quarter ended December 2021 as against a net loss of Rs 3.16 crore in Q3FY21. Total income rose 4.7 per cent to Rs 30.40 crore from Rs 29.03 crore. Aurobindo Pharma: The company reported a steep 79.5 per cent fall in Q3 net profit for the quarter ended December 2021 at Rs 604.20 as against Rs 2,947.60 crore in the year ago period. Total income was down 5.7 per cent YoY to Rs 6,002.20 crore. Petronet LNG: The companys Q3FY22 net surged 38.9 per cent YoY to Rs 1,143.50 crore from Rs 823 crore in Q3FY21. Total income rose 16.5 per cent to Rs 12,597.20 crore. Prestige Estates: The companys net profit more-than-doubled to Rs 121.30 crore in Q3FY22 when compared with Rs 54.60 crore in Q3FY21. Total income, however, was down 2.6 per cent YoY at Rs 1,081.70 crore. Stocks in F&O ban: BHEL and Punjab National Bank (PNB) are the only two stocks in the F&O ban period on Thursday. Indiabulls Housing Finance reported an 8% fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 302.9 crore on a 9.4% decline in total income to Rs 2,277.8 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21. Consolidated profit before tax declined 3% to Rs 424.09 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21. Operating profit before provisions and contingencies declined 17.8% to Rs 497.93 crore in Q3 FY22 from Rs 605.58 crore posted in the same quarter last year. On the asset quality front, the housing finance company's gross non-performing assets (NPAs) stood at Rs 2,350 crore as on Q3 FY22 as against Rs 2,074 crore as on Q2 FY22 and Rs 2,268 crore as on Q1 FY22. The ratio of gross NPAs to gross advances stood at 3.18% as on Q3 FY22 as against 2.69% as on Q2 FY22 and 2.86% as on Q1 FY22. Indiabulls said marginal increase in NPA is technical in nature and will get rolled back over the next two to three quarters. Total provisions stood at Rs 2,774 crore which is at 4.5% of loan book, which is 3.1x times of the regulatory requirement and 118% of Gross NPAs. The NBFC total loan book as at the end of Q3 FY22 stood at Rs 60,979 crore as compared to Rs 64,062 crore posted in Q2 FY22. Going forward, Indiabulls expects strong capital adequacy, low gearing, high liquidity and robust provisioning to provide strong balance sheet foundation for growth from FY23. Indiabulls Housing Finance is a housing finance company, regulated by the National Housing Bank (NHB). The company offers competitively priced home loans in the affordable housing segment. Shares of Indiabulls Housing Finance were trading 0.22% lower at Rs 206.25 on BSE in morning trade. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Infosys Ltd is quoting at Rs 1756.9, up 1.13% on the day as on 12:54 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 35.91% in last one year as compared to a 16.04% spurt in NIFTY and a 35.11% spurt in the Nifty IT index. Infosys Ltd is up for a third straight session in a row. The stock is quoting at Rs 1756.9, up 1.13% on the day as on 12:54 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.82% on the day, quoting at 17607.35. The Sensex is at 58949.51, up 0.83%. Infosys Ltd has dropped around 5.32% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty IT index of which Infosys Ltd is a constituent, has dropped around 8.86% in last one month and is currently quoting at 34983.3, up 0.58% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 22.05 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 66.84 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark February futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 1757.2, up 1.27% on the day. Infosys Ltd is up 35.91% in last one year as compared to a 16.04% spurt in NIFTY and a 35.11% spurt in the Nifty IT index. The PE of the stock is 35.62 based on TTM earnings ending December 21. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FSN E-Commerce Ventures (Nykaa) fell 3.66% to Rs 1782.15 after the company's consolidated net profit fell 59.50% to Rs 27.93 crore in Q3 December 2021 as against net profit of Rs 68.97 crore in Q3 December 2020. Revenue from Operations grew 24% sequentially ("QoQ") and 36% Year on Year ("YoY") to Rs 1098.4 crore in Q3 FY22, led by growth in transacting customers and advertisement revenue. Gross profit grew 51% YoY to Rs 508.8 crore in Q3 FY22 at a margin of 46.3%, an improvement of 359 bps sequentially primarily led by increase in share of high margin products and higher marketing support revenue. EBITDA fell 36% to Rs 69 crore in Q3 FY22 at a margin of 6.3% (vs 3.3% in Q2 FY22 and 13.2% in Q3 FY21). Sequential improvement was driven by higher gross profit margin. During the quarter, the company's operating expense surged 91% to Rs 439.80 crore. Marketing and advertising expense stood at Rs 153.60 crore (up 155% YoY), fulfillment expense was at Rs 116.2 crore (up 72% YoY) and employee benefits expense stood at Rs 115.9 crore (up 56% YoY). Consolidated GMV (gross merchandise value) grew 26% QoQ and 49% YoY to Rs 2043.5 crore in Q3 FY22. Beauty and Personal Care (BPC) GMV grew 29% QoQ and 32% YoY to Rs 1533.3 crore in Q3 FY22. Fashion GMV grew 17% QoQ and 137% YoY to Rs 510.2 crore in Q3 FY22. Fashion GMV contribution 25% to consolidated GMV in Q3 FY22. Annual Unique Transacting Customers in BPC vertical grew 9% QoQ and 44% YoY to 7.9 million, and in Fashion vertical grew 23% QoQ and 278% YoY to 1.6 million in Q3 FY22. Order volume in BPC vertical grew 25% QoQ and 31% YoY to 7.6 million with sustained AOV, and in Fashion vertical grew 5% QoQ and 90% YoY to 1.4 million with an uptick in AOV in Q3 FY22. Nykaa has accelerated store expansion this quarter, with 12 new physical retail stores across the country including stores in Tier 2/3 cities such as Jodhpur, Rajkot, Trivandrum. Its total operational physical store count was 96 as of 31 December 2021 in 45 cities. Nykaa continues to ensure access and timely delivery for customers across the length and breadth of the country. It expanded warehouse storage space by 1.35 lakh square feet during Q3 FY22. Falguni Nayar, executive chairperson, MD, and CEO, said: "Our previous quarter was defined by a milestone moment in the company's journey with a successful IPO and listing on the stock exchanges. We continue to be on a steady growth trajectory across both Beauty and Fashion businesses, with an overall revenue growth of 65% for the nine-month period year-on-year. Growth in Beauty business accelerated in a relatively normalized Covid environment, with a strong revival in the cosmetics category. Our physical store network also experienced one of its strongest quarters ever and we continued opening new stores in line with our larger omnichannel vision. Marketing continues to be an area of investment for Nykaa, to reacquire as well as recruit new consumers as a means to ensure stronger organic growth. Fashion, while still an early-stage business in the Nykaa ecosystem, now contributes to 26% of the consolidated GMV year to date. It has witnessed robust growth across revenue metrics, boosted by the acquisition of new customers in the year so far. The overall Fashion portfolio grew with the launch of new international brands as well as the expansion of Nykaa's owned brands, Nykd and RSVP, through strategic collaborations." Nykaa (FSN E-Commerce) is a lifestyle focused consumer technologies platforms. It offers 4,078 brands and over 3.1 million product stock-keeping unit (SKU) through its website and mobile applications as of 31 August 2021. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Persistent Systems has entered into an Agreement with Data Glove IT Solutions ('Data Glove India') on 10 February 2022 to acquire its assets. Along with this transaction, the Company, through its wholly owned and step-down subsidiaries will acquire the assets of Data Glove Inc., USA and its affiliate entities based out of Australia, UK, Canada and Singapore. Persistent, through its German subsidiary will also acquire the equity of Data Glove's subsidiary in Costa Rica. Through this acquisition, Persistent will enhance its partnership with Microsoft, strengthen expertise in Azure-based digital transformation and other offerings in the Microsoft stack, as well as expand its geographic footprint and talent pool. The total purchase consideration payable for the acquisition of Data Glove Group is $90.50 M. Post-closing, Persistent, through its wholly owned subsidiaries and affiliates, will acquire the assets of Data Glove Inc., its Indian subsidiary and its affiliates in geographies mentioned above. Additionally, 100% ownership of Data Glove IT Solutions Limitada, Costa Rica will be acquired by Persistent Systems Germany GmbH. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Steel Ltd is quoting at Rs 1245.8, up 1.92% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 79.33% in last one year as compared to a 15.98% jump in NIFTY and a 70.93% jump in the Nifty Metal. Tata Steel Ltd is up for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 1245.8, up 1.92% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.77% on the day, quoting at 17598.1. The Sensex is at 58925.58, up 0.79%. Tata Steel Ltd has gained around 10.22% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty Metal index of which Tata Steel Ltd is a constituent, has gained around 8.06% in last one month and is currently quoting at 5985, up 1.29% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 57.71 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 87.58 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark February futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 1248.85, up 1.79% on the day. Tata Steel Ltd is up 79.33% in last one year as compared to a 15.98% jump in NIFTY and a 70.93% jump in the Nifty Metal index. The PE of the stock is 4.79 based on TTM earnings ending December 21. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indias Budget for FY22-23 has signalled that the government will proceed cautiously on privatisation. Would-be reformers will denounce the change of course as a huge setback to reforms. It is, in fact, a move that acknowledges the realities of Indias political economy. The Budget sets a modest target for privatisation of Rs 65,000 crore. This is way below the target of Rs 1.75 trillion for FY21-22. Receipts for FY 21-22 are expected to be Rs 78,000 crore, much of which will be accounted for by disinvestment in LIC. It will not come from privatisation or the transfer of ... Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attack on "dynastic" parties which swore by "socialism" on Thursday appeared to have got under the skin of leader . The former Bihar Deputy CM was also, understandably, sore over the praise showered on Nitish Kumar, his ex-boss and father Lalu Prasad's arch-rival, by the prime minister. "The BJP has succeeded in casting Nitish Kumar in its mould. has just certified that", Yadav told reporters here. The leader was asked about an interview of the Prime Minister in which he came down heavily on "parivaarvaad" and lauded socialist leaders like the Bihar chief minister for not making progeny the political successor. Yadav, who is now the leader of the opposition in the state assembly, was of the view that the talks on dynastic were meant to deflect public attention from "failures of the double engine government". The BJP shares power with Nitish Kumar's JD(U) in the state as well as the Centre. "The same coalition says in Delhi that funds have been allocated to the state. Here the government of the alliance says it has received no money. They are just trying to fool the people," Yadav said. He also said the people of Bihar are still waiting for "19 lakh jobs", promised ahead of the 2020 assembly polls, and special category status, an old demand which has been hanging fire. (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.) BJP MP Kirori Lal Meena on Thursday demanded a probe by the (ED) into the cash transactions in the Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) paper leak case. The Rajya Sabha MP visited the ED office here along with the widow of the truck driver who was killed when his vehicle carrying REET papers overturned in Jaipur in September last year a day before the exam. Meena handed over a representation to the ED officials and then sat on a dharna outside the agency's office, alleging that he and the woman were stopped by police from meeting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Due to the involvement of cash transactions in the paper leak case, the ED should conduct an inquiry and give a representation to the agency's officials in Jaipur. Manish Jat's husband Ramniwas was the driver of truck in which the REET papers were being transported. Meena said the woman suspects that it was not an accident and her husband was murdered. The state government has cancelled the level 2 exam of REET held in September last year. The BJP has demanded a CBI probe into the matter which is being investigated by the Special Operation Group of the Police. (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.) Condemning the behaviour of the BJP in the assembly on the REET issue, Rajasthan Chief Minister on Thursday asked the Saffron party why the paper leak cases in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana were not given to . The BJP is demanding the inquiry in the REET paper leak and kept creating an uproar in the House with the demand, leading to four adjournments. Later, four BJP MLAs were also suspended for the rest of the session due to the ruckus on Thursday. The chief minister said the BJP does not want discussion on development issues, therefore, creating disruption in the proceedings of the House. "BJP leaders of the state are constantly creating ruckus at the behest of someone so that timely recruitments are not done and they can defame the government. In this way, instead of discussing the issues of development of the state, the opposition is doing the work of tarnishing the dignity of the house," he tweeted in Hindi. The CM said the BJP instigated the youths and created a kind of violent atmosphere due to which the REET Level 2 exam was cancelled by the government. "I said earlier also that organized gangs of paper leaks, making fake degrees etc., in different states are causing problems in all examinations, " he said. Gehlot said papers of Police Constable exam in Haryana, SDO, RAEO and Nurse Recruitment Exam in Madhya Pradesh, Daroga Recruitment in UP, UPPCL Recruitment, UP Lower Subordinate Exam, Village Development Officer, UP PAT, UP TET Exam, UGC NET 2021, NEET conducted by Central Government, SSC-CGL recruitment, general duty recruitment in the Army, etc., were leaked and all the examinations had to be cancelled. "Only the agencies there investigated the paper leaks in the states. BJP should tell why the investigation of all these recruitments was not given to " he asked. The REET exam was held in September last year. After it came to light that the paper was leaked, the BJP raised the demand for the CBI inquiry, while alleging the involvement of some ministers and bureaucrats in the leak. Special Operation Group of Rajasthan Police is conducting the investigation in the case and has arrested around 38 persons so far. The state government recently cancelled level 2 of the REET -2021. Gehlot also said that the Non-Secretariat Clerk exam proposed on 13th February in Gujarat has been postponed today. He said this exam has been postponed thrice in four years. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All eyes are set on the three-judge bench of the High Court, which will hear on Thursday afternoon the petitions questioning the ban on wearing of 'hijabs' (headscarves) by students in colleges. Chief Justice of High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi on Wednesday had constituted a full bench comprising himself, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice Jaibunnisa M Khazi in view of the urgency to hear the matter. Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Dixit, who was hearing the case, referred the matter to Justice Awasthi's consideration with a view that a larger bench may look into the case. Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh on Thursday expressed his satisfaction over the formation of a full bench to hear the case. "The satisfying thing is that a full bench has been constituted immediately, which will start hearing from today. We expect a good judgement, which will put an end to this problem," the minister told reporters. Nagesh added that he along with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra and Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan have been regularly holding meetings ever since the row erupted. The row started in December end last year when a few students started coming to the government pre-university college in Udupi wearing . To protest against it, some Hindu students started coming to the college wearing saffron scarves. The row spread to other educational institutions in different parts of the state, and the protests took a violent turn at some places. The state government had on Tuesday ordered closure of all high schools and colleges in Karnataka for three days due to rising tensions over the issue. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], February 10 (ANI/NewsVoir): EdTech Tulna, an evaluation platform led by researchers from the Educational Technology department at IIT Bombay and Central Square Foundation, has rated Matific, the leading global edtech platform for K-6 mathematics, as an exemplary platform for young learners. Under the advisory group of renowned experts like Anil Swarup, Former Secretary, Govt. of India, Dr Asyia Kazmi, Global Education Policy Lead, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Dr Amina Charania, Associate Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, EdTech Tulna aims to reduce information asymmetry in the edtech ecosystem and focuses on bringing structure to the sector to further elevate the standards of education. The team members have expertise in research in educational technology, learning sciences, human-computer interaction, and discipline-based education. While being evaluated by EdTech Tulna, each product goes through a rigorous review process for four grade ranges K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-10. This further signifies the stringent parameters on which Matific was put to test on and how it qualified with an "exemplary" rating in most of the domains. The report states how Matific serves as the perfect platform for personalised and adaptive Math learning for grades K-5. It further reflects how Matific presents learners with play-based activities aligned with the national curriculum. Matific can be used independently by children as the learning activities adapt according to the level and the performance of the learner. Matific is also suitable for use by schools and teachers to supplement their classroom. Sahana Murthy, Professor at IIT Bombay and Partner at Central Square Foundation, said, "With the increasing reliance on edtech products, there is a need for quality benchmarks to evaluate the platforms and their impact. We provide expert evaluation reports of K-10 edtech learning products to help people choose the right solutions. We evaluated Matific across dimensions like pedagogical alignment, content quality design and technology and acknowledged it to be one of the best platforms for learning as well as teaching Mathematics. Helping students learn an analytical subject like Mathematics is not an easy task and requires personal attention. We encourage Matific to continue supporting young learners with building numerological capabilities which will add value to their life skills." 3 broad dimensions that were considered by EdTech Tulna during this evaluation were - Content Quality, Pedagogical Alignment and Technology & Design. Matific became the only EdTech brand under Personalized Adaptive Learning category to get Exemplary rating in all 3 dimensions. EdTech Tulna has highlighted these potential benefits of Matific for learners in their report: Engage with the content deeply due to exemplary cognitive engagement and motivational features Solve difficult mathematical problems due to exemplary constructivist pedagogy approach and learning scaffolding in the product Use the content for practice activities as the content is accurate and aligned with the NCERT curriculum The report further states that teachers will likely be able to: Use game-like activities as assignments to support classroom teaching or use it as an out-of-class component in a flipped-classroom model Assign game activities to learners based on their performance since the product has an exemplary dashboard Commenting on the recognition, Rajeev Krishnan, Vice-president, India at Matific says, "At Matific, our core vision is about ensuring equity and access to the world's leading mathematics resource for children across the globe. It's about providing an environment that doesn't just help children pass a test, but lays the foundation for a lifetime of mathematics. In the end, once a child is engaged with maths, the rest is easy. We are glad to receive this level of recognition; it is a strong statement about our dedication to making positive changes in the field of Primary Education especially in the field of Foundational Numeracy." Matific has been empowering teachers, students, and schools on a global level in over 60 countries and localised to 40 languages. The comprehensive ed-tech platform aims to substantially increase the students' engagement with math using game-based principles to encourage students to learn through discovery while, at the same time, being aligned with the local curriculum (IB/IGCSE/ICSE/CBSE/State Syllabus). It combines a repository of more than 2,000 interactive activities, worksheets, workshops, and assessments to keep students engaged, both at school and at home. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], February 10 (ANI/SRV): GM Test Series, one of the leading institutes for CA, CS and CMA preparation, is expecting another triumph at the ICAI results. Students associated with GM Test Series have secured ALL India Rank 1 for three previous exams. Essakiraj Arumugam secured the All India Rank 1 in CA Final examination held in November 2020, Chennai's BishalTimsina secured All India Rank 1 in January 2021 CA Final exams and Arjun Mehra achieved All India Rank 1 in July 2021 CA Intermediate results. Apart from All India Ranks, students have also benefited from GM Test Series by opting for their mock tests for professional courses. Students receive all the additional study material and resources that are required. GM Test Series, popularly known as the Rankers Factory of CA field, began operations in 2014, with an Online Test Series cum learning platform for students pursuing a career as Chartered Accountant (CA), Company Secretary (CS) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Following the latest pattern from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Institute of Company Secretaries of India, GM Test series has always incorporated all the latest amendments into their tests and other services, to make sure that students get proper study material and mock tests for preparation. GM Test Series is also the most affordable online test series portal that students can opt for because of all the additional benefits that a student can get including case studies, MCQs and summarized notes. The students are also offered guidance from a Chartered expert where they can discuss their doubts. Evaluation is the most important thing in an online CA test series. It helps students get an insight into how prepared they are and what they lack. This is why the mock tests are set and evaluated by Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries who are also faculty members to CA, CS and CMA students. (https://gmtestseries.com) GM Test Series provides CA Final Test Series, CA Inter Test Series, CA Foundation Test Series, CS Executive Test Series and CS Professional Test Series. The faculty at GM institute has an experience of more than 10 years in this education field. The mentorship program has been the most successful program from last year and has helped many students achieve their goals. In the Mentorship program students interact with a CA or CS professional to discuss the issues that they are facing in their preparation. They are given a preparation strategy and daily targets and if followed judiciously, it yields positive results. To join GM Test Series visit: (https://gmtestseries.com) This story is provided by SRV. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 10 (ANI/NewsVoir): HDFC ERGO General Insurance, India's leading private sector general insurance company in the private sector, announced its first-of-its-kind partnership with Visa, the global leader in digital payments to offer curated insurance covers for Visa's Platinum cardholders for select Public Sector banks. The usage of cards as a form of payment has witnessed an increase and seen tremendous acceptance as a preferred mode of payment during the pandemic. Banks, the issuers of cards, are at the forefront of driving usage by creating a network of merchants accepting cards and providing discounts and offers to incentivize increased spend. However, card usage often gives rise to concerns around payment safety and potential unauthorized/fraudulent transactions in the minds of consumers. RBI has mandated banks to offer Zero Liability to cardholders for frauds reported. Through this association with Visa, (https://www.hdfcergo.com) HDFC ERGO aims to insure the risk of fraudulent transactions and enable the issuing banks to offer Zero Liability to their cardholders. Speaking about the partnership Sanjay Kaw, President - Commercial Business, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company said, "This policy is applicable for Visa's Platinum cardholders and will provide security to Visa's partner banks. This in turn will give the card users peace of mind while performing any transaction. We are glad to have partnered with Visa to offer yet another first-of-its-kind cover to its consumers. According to RBI, fraudsters siphoned off Rs. 615.39 crore in more than 1.17 lakh cases of credit and debit card frauds over 10 years." "India has seen a rapidly increasing number of new consumers use their cards for digital payments in the past year and Visa is committed to providing them a secure payment experience. We are delighted to partner with HDFC ERGO to offer a complimentary fraud insurance cover for our Platinum Debit & Credit cardholders across participating issuers. The proposition is aimed at addressing consumer concerns around making payments with cards and ensures that our cardholders remain protected in the unlikely event of card fraud," said Sujai Raina, Head - Business Development, India, Visa. The policy will offer all Visa Platinum Credit & Debit Cards of participating issuers with fraud insurance cover for an amount up to Rs. 1 lac. For this program, Visa is the master policyholder and the insurance coverage is provided by HDFC ERGO General Insurance Co. Ltd., complimentary to Visa Platinum cardholders of participating banks. HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company is a joint venture between HDFC Ltd. and ERGO International AG; the primary insurance entity of the Munich RE Group of Germany. HDFC ERGO is one of India's largest non-life insurance company in the private sector. A digital-first company, transforming in to an AI-first company, HDFC ERGO is a leader in implementing technology to offer consumers the best-in-class service experience. The company has created a stream of innovative & new products as well as services using technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Processing Language (NLP), & Robotics. HDFC ERGO offers a range of general insurance products and has a completely digital sales process with ~93 per cent of retail policies issued digitally. The self-help tech platform developed by HDFC ERGO has empowered the customers to avail 58 per cent of the services virtually in a self-help mode on a 24x7 basis with ~40 per cent of the customer requested services digitally. The Company offers a complete range of General Insurance products including (https://www.hdfcergo.com/health-insurance) Health, (https://www.hdfcergo.com/motor-insurance) Motor, (https://www.hdfcergo.com/home-insurance) Home, (https://www.hdfcergo.com/travel-insurance) Travel, (https://www.hdfcergo.com/cyber-sachet-insurance) Cyber, Agriculture, Credit and Personal Accident in the retail space along with Property, Marine, Engineering, Marine Cargo, Group Health and Liability Insurance in the corporate space. Be it unique insurance products, integrated customer service models, top-in-class claim processes or a host of technologically innovative solutions, HDFC ERGO has been able to delight its customers at every touch-point and milestone to ensure consumers are serviced in real-time. Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at (https://www.visa.co.in). This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 10 (ANI/BusinessWire India): International financial institution World Bank has partnered with WorkIndia, India's largest technology-based recruitment ecosystem, to understand the recent migratory trends of the blue collared workforce. The Govt of India has mandated the World Bank to understand how the pandemic has affected the blue collared workers in the country. Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a shift in the migration pattern of blue-collar workers. subsequent lockdowns and pandemic waves led to workers going back to their hometowns due to the absence of employment. This collaboration with WorkIndia will enable the World Bank to get access to anonymized data of 22 million candidates, one of the largest in the country. WorkIndia has a database of 13 billion data instances of employer-employee activities on its platform related to hiring and employment in the Blue-Collar sector. Florence Kondylis, Program Manager and Senior Economist, Economic Transformation & Growth Research team of the Development Impact Evaluation Group at the World Bank in Washington DC, said: "The Development Impact Evaluation Group of the World Bank is excited to initiate a research partnership with WorkIndia, who has demonstrated to us the deep understanding of the Blue-Collar Worker. Their platform provides a useful setting for documenting the challenges that marginalised groups face when searching for jobs. This partnership will also help isolate ways in which we can facilitate the job-search process for these same groups." Nilesh Dungarwal, Co-founder, WorkIndia, said: "WorkIndia has been at the forefront when it comes to recruitment of the traditionally disadvantaged communities such as young workers, female applicants, and migrant blue-collar workers. Work India's historical data will be perfectly suitable for documenting labour market dynamics." This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In December last year, the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) shot off a letter to the Prime Minister claiming that the coal crisis was still prevailing, and was affecting the profitability of non-power industries. It came three months after several states were hit by power outages due to . And two months after finance secretary TV Somanathan assured the nation that the was temporary. Now, India is again seeing the emergence of a complex demand-supply mismatch in coal. Both the power generation and the non-power sectors are claiming that the supply is below optimum levels. They have also alleged that the national miner, Coal India Ltd, has been supplying bad quality coal. Non-power sector consists of a range of manufacturing units. Data available on the National Power Portal shows that at the national level, the current stock of coal at power generation units stands at an average of 9.8 days, which amounts to 38 per cent of the normative 24 days stock. The critical stock threshold is 7 days or less. Power units that are situated away from the mines, but close to high-consumption states in the north, west and south of the country, are facing a far more precarious situation. Industrial states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are the worst-hit since their state-owned units have an average of just 4-day worth of . For their part, independent power producers have also been crying foul over the low supply of coal. Sources told Business Standard that in the weekly meetings hosted by the ministry of coal, the private units have been complaining since November that they are not getting adequate coal supply. At present, the national average at NTPC units is 13 days and at independent power producers, it is nine days. It is not just the power generation sector that has been hit. Over the August-October period last year, most power plants in the country had reported critical stock levels and a severe shortage of coal. As a result, the Centre issued an order saying that coal supply to power units should be prioritised. Subsequently, the non-regulated sectors faced a situation where there was limited or even no-supply of coal to them. In fact, these sectors still claim to be reeling under a shortage of coal. For example, in its recent letter to the ministry of coal, the Aluminium Association of India has said that since August 2021, the non-regulated sectors are being supplied with just 40-50 per cent of their coal requirement. For its part, the ministry of coal has called this shortage a seasonal phenomenon and said that the Indian Railways is responsible for the drop in supply. The ministry cited the domestic coal supply to the power sector till January 2022, which was 552.65 million tonnes. A senior coal ministry official told Business Standard that this was 26.56 per cent higher than last year and 18.7 percent higher over the same period in 2019-20. Coal ministry officials also said that complaints from the non-regulated sectors were without any merit. Most experts blamed the heavy rains for last years crisis, as it hampered the movement of coal from mines to power generation units. The government and all the stakeholders should work together to avert any crisis as demand for electricity will see further rise in the months to come. Watch video Top headlines Sensex ends 460 pts up, Nifty tops 17,600 on dovish RBI policy slips 7.5% on 59% drop in Q3 net profit Mahindra Lifespaces rallies 20% on plan to buy land parcel from M&M Solara Active Pharma tanks 20% on weak Q3 results Govt likely weighing 5% stake sale in LIC mega IPOcheered the Reserve Bank of India's first monetary policy this calendar year where it kept key policy rates unchanged and continued with its accommodative stance to support growth. This was a tenth straight policy when the repo rate was left unchanged at 4% and the reverse repo rate at 3.35%. The central bank's dovish stance, against what was expected, resulted in bond and stock prices surging. The 10-year government bond yields were down 0.99% at 6.7%, cooling off from the 6.9% level seen earlier this week. In the equity market, the BSE benchmark Sensex surged 594 points to touch its intra-day high before ending 460 points higher than its previous at 58,926. On the NSE, the Nifty50 climbed 142 points, to settle at 17,606. Tata Steel, Infosys, HDFC Bank, HDFC, Kotak Bank, M&M, Power Grid, and NTPC were the top Sensex gainers today, all up between 1% and 2%. On the downside, Maruti Suzuki, Ultratech Cement, Nestle India, RIL, and Titan Company ended in the negative zone, all down by up to 1.7%. The broader indices, however, underperformed the frontline indices where the BSE MidCap and SmallCap indices closed 0.3% and 0.04% higher, respectively. Among midcaps, Page Industries, Varun Beverages, Bharat Forge, Crompton Greaves, Gujarat Gas and Gland Pharma were top losers, all closing between 2% and 4% lower. Sectorally, the Nifty Bank, Financial Services, IT, Metal, and Private Bank indices rose more than 1% each. The Nifty PSB and Auto indices were the only 2 indices that ended in the red, both down 0.05% each. Among stocks, Solara Active Pharma Sciences was locked in the 20% lower circuit, hitting its 52-week low on the BSE after the company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 140 crore in the December quarter due to lower revenue, against a profit of Rs 66 crore in the year-ago period. Similarly, recently-listed parent FSN-E commerce slipped 7.5% after reporting a 59% net profit fall to Rs 28 crore in the December quarter. Its operating profit margins also declined by 697 basis points to 6.3% from last year on the back of high marketing spends. On the flip side, Developers surged 20% after the company announced its plan to buy a land parcel in Mumbai from promoter Mahindra & Mahindra. The land purchase is for an aggregate consideration of Rs 365 crore to be paid in tranches over three years, with 7% annual interest payable on reducing unpaid principal balance. Lastly, reports suggested on Thursday that the government was considering selling about 5% of its stake in state insurer LIC as it prepared to file draft papers for the countrys biggest IPO this week. The government reportedly plans to offer 316 million of its 6.32 billion shares in LIC. There will be no fresh issue of shares. Texas State representatives and religious leaders prepare to deliver a petition to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer calling for the passage of the For The People Act and restoring the Voting Rights Act, at the U.S. Supreme Court last year. In what seems to be a regular occurrence at this point, Mazda has announced a product stoppage anew at their Japanese factories this May. Debris from a Rodanthe beach house that collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean has been seen over seven miles away. (Photo: National Park Service) Glen, NH (03838) Today A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 44F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 44F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 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. Press Release: Landmarks Light Up for Disease Awareness Seri village in Nigerias Plateau State marked World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2022 with a celebration that featured the lighting of hundreds of orange glow sticks. The village in Kanke Local Government Area (LGA) joined about 100 other locales around the world that illuminated buildings and landmarks in orange to raise awareness of the fight against NTDs. The Carter Centers work against NTDs in Seri and in Kanke LGA goes back a long way. Mass drug administration in Kanke LGA for river blindness, a parasitic disease transmitted by black flies, began in 1993. Carter Center-trained village volunteers administered doses of Mectizan (donated by Merck & Co. Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA) every year through 2017, when Plateau and Nasarawa State next door became the first two states in Nigeria to interrupt transmission of river blindness. Studies in 2019 and 2020 showed that this achievement persisted, and the two states became the first in Nigeria to eliminate river blindness altogether. Another NTD, lymphatic filariasis, also was a big problem in Kanke LGA. Blood assays in the early 2000s showed Seri village was one of the most endemic places in Nigeria for the mosquito-borne disease, which can cause immense swelling of the limbs and genitals. As many as 62% of residents and 11% of mosquitoes were at one time infected with the parasite that causes the disease, often called LF. LF can be eliminated through years of diligent mass drug administration and the use of bed nets to ward off mosquito bites. Assisted by The Carter Center, Nigerias Federal Ministry of Health began mass drug administration with Mectizan and albendazole (donated by GSK) in 2001. That work continued through 2012, when epidemiological studies showed that prevalence of LF in humans had dropped by 95%. After four years of surveillance, follow-up studies showed that LF infection was gone in both humans and mosquitoes in Seri. Thats part of a broader success story in Plateau State, where LF has been eliminated as a public health problem the first achievement of its kind in Nigeria, the worlds second-most at-risk country. The Carter Center, American Promise, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences (Academy), and the Partnership for American Democracy (PFAD) announce today that President Jimmy Carter has joined the majority of Americans across the political spectrum in his support for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment, proposed in the American Academy of Arts & Sciences Our Common Purpose report, would address the explosive rise in election spending, related issues of systemic corruption, and civic distrust and division. Like an overwhelming majority of Americans, I support a constitutional amendment to end the domination of high finance in politics and give voice to all Americans, President Carter said. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nations independence, ratifying this proposed constitutional amendment would renew and preserve the cherished democratic ideals of the founders. President Carters call for a constitutional amendment was welcomed by leaders across the political spectrum, including Republican former senators Olympia Snowe (ME) and Alan Simpson (WY). Senator Snowe said: As President Carter has expressed, we need to repair the Constitutional foundation for election spending reform so that all Americans may participate in self-government as equal citizens. I am glad to join President Carter and millions of Americans in the urgent, cross-partisan work to bring about this fundamental change. Senator Simpson said: I thank my friend President Carter for joining us in this great cause for America and our future. American Promise is uniting all Americans, regardless of our politics, to protect free speech, representation, and effective republican government for every American. We must swiftly ratify this For Our Freedom Amendment. President Carters support, based on his long-standing public leadership on the need for campaign finance reform, follows the inclusion of the amendment as one of several key and urgent recommendations from the bipartisan Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship convened by the Academy to strengthen American constitutional democracy. The Academy is committed to working to make significant progress on the Commissions recommendations. Last year, with the formation of the Partnership for American Democracya non-partisan organization galvanizing an ideologically diverse coalition of leaders, sectors, and networks in support of an inclusive, constitutional democracymany of the reports recommendations are also being advanced through a coalition of nearly 100 organizations and institutions driving measurable progress as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Academys bipartisan commission conducted nearly 50 listening sessions across the country and across the political spectrum to develop the recommendations in Our Common Purpose. One of the most consistent concerns expressed was about the role of money in politics and a sense that one person, one vote has become one dollar, one vote, said Academy President David Oxtoby. "President Carters support for a constitutional amendment to address money in politics helps us move toward a stronger democracy for America. The Partnership for American Democracy (PFAD) works closely with high-impact diverse sectors, institutions, networks, and leaders with the mission of facilitating our collective capacity to strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms, and values to secure a strong, resilient, and inclusive constitutional democracy in the United States. President Carter's leadership in endorsing a strategy to reduce the corrosive and out-sized influence of money in our democracy is an important validation of the bold reforms we need to reinvigorate American democracy and the power of citizens to drive that process, said PFAD CEO Diana Aviv. For the past five years, American Promise, a national non-partisan organization has worked with citizens across the political spectrum to build support for the amendment. So far 22 states including Illinois, Nevada, Virginia and more have passed resolutions calling for the amendment, and voters in six states Montana, Colorado, Alaska, California, Washington, and Massachusetts have approved citizen initiatives. American Promise President Jeff Clements said: At American Promise, were Americans with a lot of different political views, but were working together to win the next amendment to the U.S. Constitution. We thank President Carter for his leadership and faith in the continued ability of the American people to overcome obstacles and accomplish worthy and big goals together. None is more worthy than renewing the future of republican self-government and our constitutional democracy. American Promise Vice President-Outreach, Dr. Jessica Hare, said of President Carters support: No problem affects so many people and so many aspects of the social and emotional needs of Americans or wrongly concentrates power for the few than the concentration of massive money in our political system. We thank President Carter for standing by the American people, who overwhelmingly support this amendment regardless of political affiliation, and have demonstrated that support time and again, whether by voting on ballot measures, working to pass local and state legislation, or in surveys. ### Contacts: Carter Center: Soyia Ellison, (404) 420-5124, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org American Promise: Jeff Clements, (617) 281-5350, jeffc@americanpromise.net American Academy of Arts & Sciences: Alison Franklin, (617) 576-5043, afranklin@amacad.org Partnership for American Democracy: Mollie Bowman, mollie@pfad.us Photo: Contributed Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas This has been another unusual week here in Ottawa. The protest of the truckers in the Freedom Convoy remains a topic of serious concern here in Ottawa and is one I continue to hear about from local residents at home as well. On Tuesday an unusual event occurred when a Liberal MP, Joel Lightbound, a Quebec MP from the riding of Louis-Hebert, held a press conference. While it not uncommon for MPs to host media events, this one was highly unusual in that Lightbound raised some serious concerns he has about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A decision was made to wedge, to divide and to stigmatize" Canadians over the topic of vaccination and vaccine mandates by Trudeau and the Liberal Party, Lightbound told the media. The Liberal MP stated it was time to stop these divisive measures and it is time we stopped dividing people, pitting people against each other. As CBC reported, people who question existing policies should not be "demonized" by their prime minister. And it's becoming harder and harder to know when public health stops and where politics begins. Ultimately, by his own admission, Lightbound is concerned the prime minister, by continued politicizing vaccines and vaccine mandates, risks undermining public trust in our country's public health institutions. It is rare for a Liberal MP to publicly call out the actions of the prime minister and I would like to commend Lightbound for sharing his concerns with Canadians at considerable risk to his own standing within the Liberal caucus. From my own perspective, I think we should all be mindful of the words of Trudeau from two years ago when he said: There is always a place for Canadians to protest and express their frustrations. But we need to ensure that we also listen to each other. The reality of populism, and its siren song in our democracies these days, is a desire to listen only to ourselves and to people who agree with us and not to people of another perspective. My question this week: Do you think it is time for the prime minister to follow his own advice or is he right to continue to ignore the concerns of those who oppose policies such as the vaccine mandates? I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-665-8711. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. Photo: The Canadian Press The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward A lawyer for several people arrested for breaching an injunction during protests over old-growth logging on Vancouver Island wants the charges against her clients and others arrested to be stayed, alleging "systemic police misconduct." Lawyer Karen Mirsky told B.C. Supreme Court Justice Douglas Thompson in Nanaimo that allowing prosecutions to continue would be harmful to the integrity of justice and a stay is necessary to dissociate the court from police misconduct. The RCMP have made close to 1,200 arrests while enforcing the injunction first granted last April against blockades set up over the last 18 months in the area known as Fairy Creek on southwestern Vancouver Island. The protest group called the Rainforest Flying Squad filed an application last month asking that charges be stayed, claiming misconduct by RCMP officers amounts to an abuse of process. Mirsky told the court that police used unreasonable force during arrests, including using pepper spray and punching protesters, and they seized and destroyed personal property, such as vehicles, food and shelters, without due process. Lawyers for the Crown and logging company Teal Cedar Products Ltd. were expected to reply to the arguments in court later this week. Mirsky says her clients aim to prove that their arrests and those of hundreds of others were "tainted by ongoing and systemic police misconduct" starting last May. The original injunction expired last fall and Thompson had denied the forestry company's application to extend it by one year, but the B.C. Court of Appeal overturned the lower-court ruling in a decision last month. Teal Jones said in a statement at the time of the Appeal Court's decision that more than half of the old-growth forest in the area where it is logging is already protected. Photo: BC Gov Flickr Dr. Bonnie Henry says it is "reprehensible" that some health-care professionals are spreading coronavirus vaccine misinformation in February 2022. B.C.'s top doctor says it's "reprehensible" that some health-care professionals are spreading COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. Dr. Bonnie Henry made the comments Wednesday (Feb. 9) during her weekly press briefing, addressing recent incidents involving doctors who are spreading misinformation. "Does it disturb me? Absolutely. It does," she said. "I think it's reprehensible, to be honest, to spread." The health officer noted she's particularly concerned that individuals will turn to health-care professionals with legitimate concerns and questions. "I know there have been complaints," Henry acknowledged, noting that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia is addressing these concerns and that lies have resulted in people not taking preventative action. "That has led to serious illness and deaths and... I put that squarely at the hands of people who are spreading this type of misinformation," she underscored. "So as you can see... I think it is a very egregious breach of our responsibilities as health-care professionals." All B.C. health-care workers will be required to be vaccinated by March 24. They'll need at least one dose by March 24 and can continue working as long as they get their second dose 28 to 35 days after their first jab. Other health-care professionals, such as those working in community health settings, long-term care and acute care, have been required to be fully vaccinated since last fall. Photo: The Canadian Press A Quebec man who kidnapped his three-year-old son and was the subject of a manhunt over several days last summer has pleaded guilty to 14 charges. The province's prosecution service says the man pleaded guilty during an appearance today at the courthouse in Matane, Que., in the Gaspe region. The man, who was 36 years old when he was arrested Sept. 5, was charged with kidnapping, attempted murder using a prohibited weapon and attempting to murder peace officers using a firearm, as well as several other firearms-related charges. Audrey Roy-Cloutier, a spokeswoman for the prosecution service, says the Crown and the defence jointly recommended a 10-year sentence. An Amber Alert that lasted four days was issued on Aug. 31 after the man disappeared with his son. He was arrested in Ste-Paule, Que., roughly 400 kilometres northeast of Quebec City, after a 24-hour standoff with police. The three-year-old was recovered safe and returned to his mother. Photo: The Canadian Press The NDP is calling on the U.S. ambassador to testify before the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, saying American funding of the nearly two-week-long anti-vaccine mandate protest in Ottawa is an attack on Canada's democracy. A significant amount of the more than $10 million in donations to the demonstration came from U.S. donors. The Commons committee meets today and would need unanimous consent of all parties to issue an invitation to Ambassador David Cohen. Protesters have been warned by police that if they continue blocking streets they could be charged with mischief to property, have their vehicles and other property seized and possibly forfeited, and that charges or convictions may lead to them being barred from travelling to the United States. The declaration from police comes after municipal officials in Ottawa spoke with the federal government to find solutions to end the protest that has sparked solidarity rallies, some of which have blocked traffic at border crossings in Coutts, Alta., and the busy Windsor-Detroit Ambassador Bridge crossing. Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair says Ottawa residents have been subjected to "acts of thuggery and disrespect" by demonstrators, and the government is working to ensure Ottawa police have the "resources that they need to enforce the law to restore public order and to bring this unlawful protest to an end.'' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he spoke with Ontario Premier Doug Ford about the blockades in Windsor, Ont., and Ottawa on Wednesday evening, adding that the federal and provincial governments will be working to "get the situation under control." Photo: The Canadian Press As provinces begin lifting COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, psychology experts expect stress and anxiety to run high among those who remain wary of letting their guards down. It will take time for many to adjust, they say, but the quick approach some provinces are taking could make the transition more jarring. Alberta ended its vaccine certificate system on Wednesday, days before its mask requirements for students is set to drop, while Saskatchewan plans to do away with its vaccine mandate on Monday. Other provinces, including Ontario, have taken a more gradual approach to dismantling COVID-19 measures. Steve Joordens, a psychology professor at the University of Toronto, said it's natural for people to feel conflicted as restrictions ease. Though many are tired of the mandates aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, there's still some underlying fear. "In the back of our mind there's this niggling anxiety of: are we doing this too soon?" Joordens said. "Are we going to end up getting our butts kicked again (by a new variant)? And given all the division we're seeing right now, could this make things worse?" After two years of being told to avoid the virus, it will be hard for some people to switch their mindset, Joordens said. Limited PCR testing, which previously helped indicate how much COVID-19 was circulating, adds another complicated wrinkle by removing some of the information people used to weigh their own risk. Joordens expects the majority of people, even those who feel initial stress around reopening, will resume previous social interactions in public settings quite easily. But others, including people with conditions that make them more vulnerable, will have a harder time. For those who have linked certain scenarios like large crowds and unmasked individuals to threats of danger, Joordens said reopening could bring about conditions similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. "We really all need to understand that ... we're all weathering the same storm but we're doing so in very different boats," he said, adding that employers will need to be cognizant of that as work-from-home measures are relaxed. "Some of us, we're feeling it on a much more emotional level. And those people are going to have a bit more trouble. They're going to need a bit more understanding." Sarah Bara, a mother of two in Calgary, said she's feeling particularly anxious about her eight- and 11-year-old children going to class with unmasked peers next week. Bara, who had COVID-19 in December 2020, said she's still feeling long COVID symptoms including "crushing levels of fatigue," and worries about potential long-term impacts if her kids become infected. She also worries that many still don't understand how the virus can impact people beyond short-term symptoms, as long COVID remains a largely mysterious condition. "I have every intention of still sending them to school with masks," she said. "With Omicron not gone yet... it's terrifying." Raissa Zukowski, a 33-year-old Calgary resident who was born with spina bifida, feels the same way. Zukowski said she's anxious about Alberta's swift reopening approach, and often feels people don't understand her trepidations. "Basically the response I get from a lot of people when I tried to explain it is: 'Well, if you're scared, just stay home,'" said Zukowski, who had a friend die of COVID-19. "I just wish more people would understand where people like me are coming from." Dr. Scott Patten, a mood disorder and mental health expert with the University of Calgary, said anxiety can be heightened when people don't feel they have the information they need to assess their risk, or when they don't feel supported by those around them. That can be especially troubling for vulnerable groups, he said, adding that he expects them to experience "increasing anxiety through this transition." "And that has secondary effects," said Patten. "They may feel they need to take steps themselves to protect their safety, which could lead to greater isolation or withdrawal, which could also feed into the anxieties that they feel." Patten said anxiety sometimes serves adaptive purposes those anxious about getting COVID-19 were more likely to protect themselves by following public health guidelines. He said anxiety is maladaptive if it's sparked by a situation where danger isn't actually present. But COVID-19 has presented a real risk, especially for those more vulnerable to severe disease. "It's probably going to take time for people to do things that they haven't done in a while, and if those behaviors turn out to be safe, the anxieties will diminish over time," Patten said. "(But) on the other hand, there are all these unknowns ... so if people change their behaviours in ways that create actual danger and we have another big wave, there's going to be all these negative effects. "It's very difficult to predict what direction that's going to go." Photo: The Canadian Press Ottawa police say almost two dozen vehicles tied to an ongoing protest have left the city, just as a convoy disrupts traffic at the capital's airport. In a release this morning, police said a dozen trucks left an area outside the downtown core after negotiations with protesters who have used the parking lot as a staging and logistics ground. Police say 10 more trucks left streets near Parliament Hill, and another vehicle was towed for obstructing traffic. As part of the announcement, police reissued their call for remaining protesters who are calling for an end to COVID-19 measures to leave the national capital after immobilizing the core for almost two weeks. Demonstrators with large trucks have been warned by police that if they continue blocking streets they could be charged with mischief to property or have their vehicles and other property seized and possibly forfeited, and that charges or convictions might mean being barred from travelling to the United States. But just as police were signalling some movement today toward ending the encampment of trucks, another group of vehicles began causing traffic disruptions around the city's airport. A notice from the city says the disruptions are part of a demonstration, taking place on a day when many MPs in Ottawa would be flying home to their ridings. As the downtown blockages continue, MPs will once again be walking by protesters on their way into the parliamentary buildings. Some demonstrators were huddled in small groups this morning, while others lined up at a table with people giving away free coffee and collecting donations for truckers. With a temporary injunction in place on protesters honking their truck horns, none could be heard early today from the vehicles parked along Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill. The protest outside the doors of Parliament has dominated political debate expected to continue today with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slated to be in the House of Commons for the daily question period. The NDP is calling on the U.S. ambassador to testify before the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, saying American funding of the protest in Ottawa through online donations is an attack on Canada's democracy. The Commons committee meets today and would need unanimous consent of all parties to issue an invitation to Ambassador David Cohen. Municipal officials in Ottawa spoke with federal personnel to find solutions to the protest that has sparked solidarity rallies. Protesters have blocked traffic at border crossings at Coutts, Alta., and the busy Windsor-Detroit Ambassador Bridge. Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair says Ottawa residents have been subjected to "acts of thuggery and disrespect" by demonstrators, and the government is working to ensure city police have the "resources that they need to enforce the law to restore public order and to bring this unlawful protest to an end.'' Trudeau says he spoke with Ontario Premier Doug Ford about the blockades in Windsor, Ont., and Ottawa on Wednesday evening, adding that the federal and provincial governments will be working to "get the situation under control." Photo: Glacier Media The City of Delta is requesting that the federal government postpone or altogether deny approval of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project because of adverse effects it would have on the community and environment. Among these, a potential species-wide impact to migratory birds. Approved by Delta council during its Feb. 7 meeting, the report from Delta staff requests that Ottawa either postpone its decision until environmental and community impacts of the proposed GCT Deltaport Berth 4 project have been reviewed, or deny the project based on the Federal Review Panel Report and Environment and Climate Change Canadas concerns. Mayor George Harvie requested staff send a report to Delta MP Carla Qualtrough, Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon, Delta South MLA Ian Paton, the federal and provincial ministers of environment, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier John Horgan. Despite the Vancouver Fraser Port Authoritys list of proposed mitigation and offsetting measures for the project, Delta staff emphasized that, based on the conclusions from the Federal Review Panel Report and the ongoing concerns from ECCC, the additional measures cant substantially address some of the key environmental concerns identified through the assessment project. Most of these proposed measures from the port authority relate to biofilm and effects on birds, effects on marine mammals and fish, as well as consultation with Indigenous groups, which were explained in more than 2,500 pages of additional material. Pointing to the environmental assessment process for Deltaport Berth 4 still being years away from completion, the Delta staff report suggests that a comparative assessment of the two projects could then take place after the expected two to three years should the federal government choose to delay instead of deny. Given the magnitude of these proposed port expansions, planning timeframes in multiples of decades and billions of dollars in investment, this should be considered an unreasonable delay, especially if it results in the best option for the environment and the community, says the Delta staff report. This delay would also allow time for the federal and provincial government to respond to outstanding requests to undertake a regional assessment of the Fraser River estuary and Salish Sea, and develop a long-term plan to guide conservation efforts, climate change adaptation and future sustainable development. Photo: The Canadian Press A Vancouver Island First Nation says it has taken the first steps toward locating possible unmarked graves at the former site of the Alberni Indian Residential School. A statement posted Wednesday by the Tseshaht First Nation says "foundational work" to locate any graves at the site just outside Port Alberni has begun. Preparation to use ground-penetrating radar at the site is underway but the statement says work won't begin until soil conditions are ideal. Tseshaht leaders say cultural support will be provided and they urge those who attended the school to share their knowledge with the research and investigation teams. Senior levels of government have announced that $1 million is available over two years to help the Tseshaht work with survivors to locate and honour children who never returned home from the school. The Alberni Indian Residential School operated between 1900 and 1973. Similar investigations are being done at former residential schools around B.C. The work began after the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc in Kamloops announced last spring that ground-penetrating radar had identified what are believed to be more than 200 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school on its territory. Photo: Jon Manchester Representatives of crowdfunding site GoFundMe will speak to members of Parliament about what measures it has in place to prevent the funding of extremism. NDP MP Alistair MacGregor announced today representatives from the site have accepted a request to appear before the House of Commons standing committee on public safety and national security. MacGregor brought forward the motion and says they will appear March 3. It comes as a protest against vaccine mandates and COVID-19 health restrictions drags on well into its second week on Parliament Hill, clogging up surrounding streets. Donors raised more than $10 million for the protesters through GoFundMe, which announced last week it was pulling the plug on the fundraising campaign, saying the money would be refunded. The site said it initially believed the demonstration was going to be a peaceful event, but withdrew its support once it realized it had become an "occupation." Convoy organizers quickly set up a new campaign on Christian fundraising site GiveSendGo, which has raised US$8.2 million so far. Photo: CTV News The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is investigating the death of a Langley B.C. man. CTV News Vancouver is reporting that RCMP describes the death "as not a random act." RCMP were called to 224th Street north of 16th Avenue early Thursday morning after receiving a "report of a man down," they found the body of a man on the scene just before 1:30 a.m. "Based on the investigative theory in this initial phase, this does not appear to be a random act," the RCMP said in a news release issued about seven hours later. The identity of the victim has not been released and police have not indicated how the man died or a possible motive. The area is set to be cordoned off for some time and that 224th Street is closed between 16th and 24th Avenues. Police are also requesting anyone who might have dash-cam video from 224th Street between 16th and 40th avenues between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 1:30 a.m. Thursday to contact IHIT. -with files from CTV News Vancouver I was wondering when we might hear from (provincial health officer Dr.) Bonnie Henry and (B.C. Health Minister Adrian) Dix about what the plan would be for B.C. residents in removing Covid restrictions. Their silence, while other provinces began to announce their plans going forward was suspicious, to say the least. Knowing we live in a socialist governed province, I suspected they would likely move slower than any other province, and the writing appears to be on the wall for exactly that. The politics of (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau and (B.C. Premier John) Horgan are no doubt very much aligned, Then I glanced at the "Science not Fatigue" article t(Thursday) morning (on Castanet) and there was little doubt left. Let me guess, very minor modification for the next two months (aka: dimmer switch"), masks everywhere well into spring and a pace well behind the rest of the country and the world for that matter. Gee, thanks. We are however "following the science" and who doesn't love science? It is, however, unusual that science, which has been advertised throughout this pandemic as being the one true consistent undebatable thing we could cling to during this pandemic, is so darn inconsistent. Apparently now science is extremely variable, not only based on "changes" to the science, but also based on geography. How peculiar. Science now changes based on which province you live in and also where you live in the world. I guess the scientists in the U.S,. U.K., Sweden, etc are not quite up to par with the scientists in B.C. Thank God we have extra-especially smart scientists who have better science than the scientists in other countries and provinces to keep us protected. Or, is this about politics and the mismanagement of our health care system historically? If science is the one true constant we should be relying on, then there have to be other factors at play. If this is the case then fine, just tell us that our health care system is not capable and we are in worse shape than other provinces and countries in that regard. Stop treating us like idiots and expect us to believe that the science is somehow different here in B.C. If the reopening pace is being dictated by the capacity of the health care system, then admit it. But I guess that would not look very good for Henry, Dix or Horgan politically would it? Or better yet, try and fix it. (They) have had more than two years to improve the capacity issue, which would have undoubtedly led to a quicker removal of restrictions, but they did nothing but cross their fingers. So, hey, now worries. Just go at the pace that affords them job security and the hearts and minds of their loyal supporters. What's another few months at this point, right? The rest of us grown-ups will go at the pace of the science. We'll take it from here thanks. Carey Lucas Photo: Glacier Media Charges have been approved against three men after a sweeping police investigation that resulted in the seizure of $30 million in drugs, weapons and cash in 2020, including high-concentration fentanyl. The investigation, which brought together the Victoria Police Departments Strike Force and Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C., which targets gangs, began in June 2020, when Victoria police discovered an organized-crime group was trafficking fentanyl in Victoria. It was later discovered the group had ties to the Lower Mainland. During the investigation, dubbed Project Juliet, search warrants were executed in November 2020 on a vehicle, along with multi-unit residential buildings on Fisgard Street, View Street and Fairfield Road. Those led to the seizure of more than two kilograms each of fentanyl and methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, a replica assault rifle and $50,000 in cash. On the Lower Mainland, more than 1o kilograms of fentanyl, two kilograms of methamphetamine, a kilogram of ecstasy, three luxury vehicles and $335,390 in cash were seized. Those arrested include Brian James Balla, 34, who lives in Victoria and is originally from Calgary. He faces eight charges, five for possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled substance and three for trafficking in a controlled substance. Vu Bao Nguyen, a 34-year-old Surrey resident, faces 10 charges, seven for possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled substance and three for trafficking in a controlled substance, while 35-year-old Brent William Van Buskirk originally from Vancouver and currently in custody faces 13 charges that include eight counts of possession of a prohibited firearm without authorization, two counts of possession of a non-restricted firearm without a licence and three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. Victoria Police Chief Del Manak called the joint operation, which he said targeted the top of the fentanyl trafficking pyramid in B.C., a prime example of the effectiveness of agencies working together to prevent deadly and poisonous drugs like fentanyl from hitting the street. The tremendous outcome of this joint project is just one step in the targeted enforcement of drug traffickers harming our communities. We will continue to combat the unsafe supply of these toxic drugs, working to end the public health emergency and to save lives. Photo: The Canadian Press Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut near the "heli camp" in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C., Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward A lawyer for the Crown says a court application calling for a stay of proceedings against those arrested at old-growth logging protests in B.C. is flawed and has no chance of succeeding. Nick Melling says charges were never even recommended against the clients represented by one of the lawyers who is part of the application. Melling says only one of the six applicants who has been charged has alleged mistreatment by police. The RCMP have arrested people for allegedly violating an injunction against blockades in the Fairy Creek area of Vancouver Island. Lead Crown counsel Lorne Phipps says what lawyers for some of the applicants are proposing would be a "radical break" from any case that's come before the court because they're relying on allegations of police misconduct related to others who were arrested. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Douglas Thompson says he has not reached any conclusion on whether the application is frivolous or has no chance of success. Melling says over 1,000 people were arrested and more than 400 of them were charged with criminal contempt. Lawyers for logging company Teal Cedar Products Ltd. were also scheduled to make arguments on the application in court. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Millions of people saw local school teacher get MAJOR honor; Owners exploring possible solar facility; Danville Area Humane Society hopes reward money will solve animal cruelty case; And Martinsville is NOT throwing in the towel on reversion. A woman on Talley Road told police she started her car to let it warm up and it was stolen. Her camera has video of a young black male, wearing a black puffer jacket with red sleeves, walking up her driveway and stealing the vehicle. The woman said she had placed her wallet and her husbands lunch in the car. The suspect drove out of the driveway and turned right towards Brainerd Road. The car was entered into NCIC. * * * A man on Blackford Street told police he was in a disorder with one of his roommates over a phone. The officer spoke with the roommate who said the man had taken her phone by accident and they started arguing because they were both intoxicated. The woman had her phone returned to her without further incident and both agreed they no longer needed police assistance. * * * While traveling north on Highway 153, a man bumped the rear of a womans vehicle. The officer saw no damage to either vehicle. Both declined to have an accident report filed. * * * Police saw an unoccupied blue Jeep Cherokee at 701 North Germantown Road. Police ran the tag through NCIC and it returned as stolen. The Jeep was towed by S&S Wrecker. * * * An employee at Mapco at 200 Browns Ferry Road told police there was a white male walking in and out of the store several times and arguing with employees. This man had been told multiple time before he was not allowed in the Mapco and had been trespassed by management. He left before police arrived but the officer told the employee to call police again if he appeared. The officer waited outside the Mapco and looked for the man in the direction given by the employee, but was unable to locate him. * * * While on routine patrol on Williams Street an officer noticed a Kia Forte with what appeared to be a bullet hole in the rear drivers-side panel. Upon further inspection the officer found multiple bullet holes which were covered up by stickers. I checked for recent BOLO's but could not locate this vehicle as a vehicle of interest in any ongoing investigation. * * * A woman on 15th Avenue told police when she got home there was a young black male, wearing all black with blue boxers, standing at her shed in the backyard. She said he took off running south towards the Tennessee-Georgia Line. * * * An officer was flagged down by an anonymous person on South Willow Street and was told there was a man shaking and lying on the ground. The officer approached the man who said he was tired and cold. He said he was trying to make it to the Waffle House. The officer provided him with a blanket and transported him to the Waffle House. * * * Police have been asked to patrol streets due to vehicles blocking the roadway. On Hemingway Drive an officer found two vehicles with expired registration for Georgia. The officer placed orange stickers (unattended vehicle) on both vehicles. * * * A man on East 23rd Street told police about three days ago he had items stolen from his vehicle. He said his phone, vape and a prescription had been taken. The man had no suspect information but said the phone was still on. It is unknown how the suspect entered the vehicle. * * * Police were called to West Fairfax Drive for a suspicious vehicle covered in a tarp. It was believed to potentially be occupied by a man. When police arrived, the car was unoccupied and parked in an alley with tarps over it. The vehicle is said to belong to the owner of the address but no owner could be located. The vehicle was parked in an alley and not blocking anything and was left alone. * * * Police responded to a crash on Thelmeta Avenue. A woman said while she was asleep her dog started barking and she told it to be quiet and then heard a noise outside. The woman looked outside and her car was backed into the ditch in her front yard with the lights on and the door open. The woman said they parked their car in the yard last night and left the keys in it. There was damage to the rear of the vehicle and the drivers-side rear door. Police tried to pull a fingerprint from the car but were unsuccessful. The woman did not see anyone in her vehicle or leaving it. Some time ago, I was in a Christian bookstore remember those? and noticed a book entitled, Grace Is Not a Blue-Eyed Blonde. Curious about the title, I picked it up and scanned the back cover description. As promised, the book was not about someone named Grace, but about an indispensable element of biblical truth: Gods grace. Many distinctives make Christianity unique among the worlds myriad other belief systems, but in terms of importance, grace ranks near the top. As a friend of mine used to say, All other religions are spelled DO do this, do that. Christianity is spelled DONE Jesus Christ has done everything necessary for us to experience Gods forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life. At the heart of this is the biblical concept called grace, which literally means the Lords unmerited or undeserved favor His unconditional acceptance. The Bible teaches we cant earn Gods love, and if were His children, we cant do anything to lose it. This is hardly a new perspective. It was a driving force for the Christian Reformation, and over the years numerous books have been written to help us in fully understanding what the Bible teaches about grace. Philip Yanceys Whats So Amazing About Grace? and Chuck Swindolls The Grace Awakening are just two that Id recommend. We even have the classic hymn, Amazing Grace, thats been sung not only in church sanctuaries and chapels, but also in theaters, auditoriums and arenas around the world. However, when I hear people singing it, I sometimes wonder if theyve really let the lyrics sink in. Here are a few stanzas from a contemporary rendition of that soulful tune: Amazing grace How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I'm found Was blind, but now I see 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed My chains are gone I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood, His mercy rains Unending love, Amazing grace If anyone ever was a candidate to fully grasp the incredible, incomparable grace of God, it was the writer of Amazing Grace, John Newton. In his earlier life, Newton had served as a captain of slave ships, and even after retiring from life on the sea, continued to invest in the slave trade until 1754. However, after a dramatic spiritual encounter with Jesus Christ during a storm at sea, that all began to change. Time spent in Africa helped him to understand the plight of slaves in a very different light. Instead of being a participant in the reprehensible system, Newton became an advocate for abolishing slavery. Ultimately, he became an ally of William Wilberforce, leader of the British Parliamentary campaign to abolish the African slave trade, and lived to see the passage of anti-slavery legislation in 1807. In 1788, in a pamphlet called, Thoughts Upon the Slave Trade, Newton described the horrific conditions he had witnessed on the slave ships. Repenting of the deeds of his past life, Newton offered "a confession, which...comes too late.... It will always be a subject of humiliating reflection to me, that I was once an active instrument in a business at which my heart now shudders." Can you imagine? How could someone live with the guilt of having been engaged in such evil, inhumane practices? As Newton attested in his now-famous hymn, it was possible only through Gods redeeming and transforming grace. Centuries earlier, the apostle Paul had written about a similar, 180-degree change in his own life. Once a proud, enthusiastic adversary of the first-century Church, he turned into one of the most zealous ambassadors of Jesus Christ. He wrote: For I am the least of the apostles and do not deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). Christianity turns the faith-works debate on its head. While so many belief systems concentrate on how a person can become good enough to earn Gods acceptance, the Scriptures teach there is nothing we can do to establish ourselves worthy of His love. Our works, therefore, should be an outflow of our relationship with the Lord. As Ephesians 2:8-10 clearly declares: For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Because of this, we need not wallow in guilt and remorse over past sins. When we turn to God, seeking His forgiveness, He not only wipes our slates clean, but also begins the process of turning us into living testimonies of His grace. Like John Newton, we can experience the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17, which states, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! * * * Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly published, Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. A weekly business meditation he edits, Monday Manna, is translated into more than 20 languages and sent via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for his blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net. Michael "Mike" Connally was a young man who lived on my street here in the Belvoir area of Brainerd. His family had known my mother's family through a St. Elmo connection going back around 100 years. When he was approaching high school age he developed an interest in the field of Art, largely derived from his older sister, Shelia. Sheila had taken art classes at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, so could provide him with a lot of useful information about that subject. Mike also knew that I was working as a free-lance artist at the time and would take an occasional glance over my shoulder to see what I was working on. His mom, Nell, would bring him with her when she came to our house on an occasional visit. She had great hopes for him, and gave him free rein in all his educational choices. When he chose Art, it was no surprise, and his mom, dad, and entire family were in positive support. Once, in the 1970's, I was an "artist contributor" to the Merrill Chase Galleries in Chicago. Their main gallery was in Water Tower Place, on the famous "Loop", very near the Art Institute of Chicago with its stupendous collection of internationally famous artworks. I would be flying up (on a direct flight) on an early Saturday morning, and returning late the same night. "Could Mike go with me?", Nell asked - and it was a stunningly successful trip for us both! While I stood selling with my paintings at Merrill Chase Gallery, Mike was taking the Grand Tour of Chicago's Art Institute. This was undoubtedly a high point of his much too abbreviated career. I am sure he absorbed every good thing he saw there in just those few hours. Mike's career as an Art student at our University of Tennessee at Chattanooga blossomed forth. He moved into a Bluff View apartment near the university and devoted himself to painting several interesting canvasses, randomly choosing his own subjects, meaningful to him from his everyday environment. Always good at facial expressions and drawing from life, he accumulated a worthy backlog of these samples and he approached our local Channel 3, immediately landing a job as Courtroom Artist. This was a most enviable feather in his cap, going far beyond the scope and abilities of other artists of his age. His work was as good as, and sometimes better than, courtroom artwork on the big TV networks, always crisply drawn and recognizable. Channel 3 accorded him the opportunity to place his name on all the drawings shown on that station; his name was getting out. He had many other gifts as well as drawing and painting; he was the perfect Showman, for example. Mike could watch a well-known TV or movie actor for a few moments and assume all their characteristic looks and mannerisms in a really uncanny way. Once, he arranged an evening for invited guests at his sister's apartment in East Ridge. He had rented a black-and-white silent film of, "The General", which was to be the main feature of the evening, following hors d'ouevres, served by his sister, Shelia. Lead character of that film was Buster Keaton, famous actor of the silent-film era. Keaton's stock-in-trade was, "Dead Pan", and so Michael met all his guests at the door dressed exactly like Keaton's train-engineer character, with no trace of a smile all evening! Quite a feat of concentration and control for a normally cheerful and outgoing young man. I remember trying to make him laugh, but it was impossible - he WAS Keaton for that whole evening! Mike and his younger brother, "Krich" (short for "Krichbaum", his middle name, and pronounced, "Krish") were also very good at portraying Laurel and Hardie routines. I heard from Mike's family that he would sit up all night absorbing whatever good he could get out of such old movies on TV, long before there was ever an Internet, with a You Tube. It was also amazing to watch him perform those really arduous Russian dances which he did so easily. Once, being so good at theatrics and imitations, I asked him to model for the central figure in a mural I was designing for the then new quarters of the Mountain City Club of Chattanooga. (Fowler Bros., decorator for that building, had organized a closed competition made up of five local artists and I had won the honor). Mike's mom was an excellent seamstress with imagination and heart, and was able to whip up a suitable Confederate uniform for him to wear. We took some Polaroids of him in my side yard, shown here, which were very useful in the actual painting of that mural. He made a perfect Cannoneer, and, as such, was able to look down on the most elite businessmen of Chattanooga as they sat around in their plush chairs, while puffing their cigars, and discussing the future of Chattanooga. My mural remained in place for about 25 years until a thorough redecoration of the premises took it out. But by the time the mural was taken down Mike was also tragically gone. Word was that he had had the sensation of being pursued, or followed by, "something" intangible. This sensation lasted for a protracted period of time until one day he just suddenly disappeared from both his Bluff View apartment and from his work-area at Channel 3. All kinds of suspicions arose as to what might have happened to him, or as to his whereabouts, though the Tennessee River was ever suspect. His mother, Nell, quite distraught, had made several searches on her own along its banks for him, as had also the Chattanooga Police Department, without finding any clues. Then, one day there was a call from the police who needed her to make positive ID: this she did from an item of clothing - and the CPD ruled his death, "accidental". Mike had a truly beautiful and loyal girlfriend who was beyond heartbroken. She had recognized all his best qualities and was standing by him every step of the way. She eventually met and married another young man, and they moved to a distant city. But later, on the death of another member of Mike's family, she came back to Chattanooga, solely to attend that funeral; proof, I think, of her continuing love for, and esteem of, the Connally family. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga could not overlook such a great talent as Mike's, giving him a posthumous exhibition in the George Ayers Cress Gallery of Art at that institution. Every piece of his work that could be found was in the show: paintings and graphic art alike. I was most deeply affected when Nell Connally made the special request that at least one of my works be included in that exhibition, and my wife, Pat, made the selection. Nell soon went back to Channel 3 to find all she could of Mike's work, but it had all miraculously disappeared. Not one single sketch remained! YOU may see it as theft of property, but to an artist it is the greatest form of flattery! Nell gave Mike's major works (the paintings) away to close friends of his, and I know of one which was donated to, and remains on public view, at Chattanooga's No. 13 Fire Hall on Brainerd Road. It is of the original No. 13 Fire Hall, which was about two blocks west of Belvoir Avenue, also on Brainerd Road. His subjects chosen for painting were always highly eclectic - from the front steps of a neighbor's house to the slightly akimbo upper front board of the family piano (the part which held the music), to the piano's pedals themselves. Any of these rather obtuse subjects he could paint in a most interesting and compelling way. Definitely not "typical" subject matter. I am inclined to believe that Art professor George Cress, Head of UTC's Art Department, saw Michael Connally as being among his top two or three students ever; perhaps THE top. Sadly, Michael never graduated, and, even despite the tragically unfortunate ending, I am very happy to have played even a minor role in the development of this "boy genius". After selling out the Kennedy Center this past fall, PJ Morton is about to begin another year of "unforgettable performances". On April 29 he will deliver a special hometown set at New Orleans Jazz Fest, and this week he has announced the first leg of his My Peace Tour, which includes a stop in Chattanooga at Walker Theatre on March 20. Beginning next month, the 2022 Grammy nominee and three time Grammy-winner will head out for a run across the Southern US, including stops in Birmingham, Baton Rouge, Asheville, Athens and more. Find the full list of dates below, and tickets at pjmortonmusic.com/#shows. For a preview of what to expect from PJ Morton's latest live show, watch him and his eight-piece ensemble lay down an impeccable rendition of his current single, "Please Don't Walk Away," on Jimmy Kimmel Live! While PJ Morton has appeared on The Late Show, The Tonight Show, The Daily Show, TODAY, Kelly Clarkson and more in recent years, his performance on Kimmel marks the first time he's brought his entire band to the late night stage. Morton previously debuted a stripped back arrangement of "Please Don't Walk Away" in-studio on the Tamron Hall Show in late 2021, and just last week released a stirring music video starring his friend and fellow New Orleans native, Dawn Richard. PJ Morton also reconnected with longtime collaborator India.Arie recently, on a duet they contributed to Robert Glasper's forthcoming Black Radio III, and has been teasing something new with his "Say So" partner JoJo. Stay tuned for more soon. PJ Morton 2022 Tour Dates 3/11 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City 3/12 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall 3/13 - Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's Live 3/17 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel 3/18 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theater 3/20 - Chattanooga, TN - Walker Theatre 4/29 - New Orleans, LA - Jazz & Heritage Festival China policy bank's 2021 loan support for Yangtze River Belt reaches 876 bln yuan Xinhua) 13:35, February 10, 2022 Aerial photo taken on Oct. 27, 2021 shows a bend of the Jinsha River, the upper section of the Yangtze River, in southwest China. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The China Development Bank (CDB), one of the country's policy banks, provided 875.9 billion yuan (about 137.72 billion U.S. dollars) of loans in 2021 to support the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Of the total, 449.3 billion yuan was allocated to the protection and green development of the area, contributing to ecological restoration and pollution control along the Yangtze River. The CDB said it will continue to support the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt financially. The Yangtze River Economic Belt covers nine provinces and two municipalities, accounting for more than 40 percent of China's population and economic aggregate. Founded in 1994, the CDB was designed to provide finance to major national projects and development strategies. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) February is Black History Month. Dr. Carter G. Woodson originally established it as a one-week observance in 1926. He picked the second week of February in memory of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, the celebration was extended to the entire month. It highlights the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans that might otherwise go unrecognized. This month we celebrate the life and history of a remarkable man, Judge Wade Hampton McCree, Jr. Judge McCree was the first African American to serve on the federal district court in Detroit and the first to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, covering Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. Not only was he a trailblazer in the federal courts, but he also distinguished himself as a lawyer, public servant, and law school professor. Judge McCree was born in 1920 in Des Moines. His father was a college graduate and the first African American pharmacist and pharmacy owner in Iowa before being appointed to a position with the FDA in Boston. Judge McCree grew up in Boston, attending the prestigious Boston Latin School. He graduated summa cum laude from Fisk University in Nashville before beginning his legal studies at Harvard Law School in 1941. With the countrys entry into World War II, he left law school to serve for four years in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of Captain and earned the Bronze Star during two years of combat in the Mediterranean. Following his Army service, he returned to Harvard Law School where he graduated twelfth in his class. He then moved to his wifes hometown of Detroit to begin practicing law. His career in public service began when Michigans governor appointed him to the states Workmans Compensation Commission in 1952, and, two years later, to a trial judgeship on the Circuit Court for Wayne County. Judge McCree accepted the appointment despite the fact that he would face a retention election the next year and no African American had ever won a judicial election in Michigan at the time. In 1955, he changed that, winning the election due to the excellent reputation he earned on the bench. He continued blazing a trail with his nomination to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by President John F. Kennedy on September 18, 1961. He was the first African American to serve on that court. On Aug. 16, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Judge McCree to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He was the first African American to serve on that court, as well. While there, he added greatly to the collegiality of the [court], as remembered by Chief Judge Pierce Lively in 1987. Judge McCree was in fact known as the poet laureate of the Sixth Circuit, for both the quality of his written opinions and his habit of writing impromptu limericks to break the tension in difficult court conferences. Judge McCree resigned from the federal bench when President Jimmy Carter appointed him Solicitor General in 1977, becoming the second African American to hold that position. As Solicitor General, he was the nations top appellate lawyer, deciding the federal governments position in litigation before the United States Supreme Court, preparing the governments legal briefs, and presenting oral arguments before the Supreme Court. He personally argued 25 cases before the Court in his four years as Solicitor General. With President Carters defeat by Ronald Reagan, Judge McCree was to be replaced by a candidate of the new presidents choosing. But the Supreme Court held Judge McCree in such high esteem that Chief Justice Warren Burger is reported to have prevailed upon President Reagan to retain Judge McCree to the end of the Supreme Courts term in June 1981. Judge McCree declined numerous offers to join prestigious law firms in New York and Washington at the end of his government service. Instead, he chose to help train the next generation of lawyers. He returned to Michigan as the Lewis M. Simes Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, where he taught until his death on August 30, 1987. He was survived by his wife and two children. Judge McCree was a remarkable man who provided outstanding service to his country in so many capacitiesthrough military service, as a state and federal court judge, as a high executive branch official, and as a law school professor. As noted by the dean of the University of Michigan School of Law after his death, Judge McCree was one of the great figures in law of his time, and few people can match the genuine significance of his career. His life and legacy are an inspirational model for us all. Curtis L. Collier United States District Judge Chair, Eastern District of Tennessee Civics and Outreach Committee Carrie Brown Stefaniak Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier Past President, Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association Kristen A. Dupard Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier Eighth-grader Akhil Giddaluri came out victorious after 11 rounds and correctly spelling the word toreador at the Zone Spelling Bee. Akhil refers to a bullfighter, which was an apropos word choice for Akhil, having fought to compete in the Zone Spelling Bee for the last six years, beginning when he was a third-grader at Brainerd Baptist School. Akhil won the McCallie spelling bee in January, along with seventh-grader Vishnu Vardhana, and eighth-grader Joshua Kim. The McCallie spelling bee is organized by sixth-grade teacher Weesie Cook and with assistance from junior Connor Parks, who finished second Zone Spelling Bee as an eighth-grader in 2019 before going on to win the Tennessee Regional Spelling Bee and attending the Scripps National Spelling Bee later that year. Akhil said of preparing for the Zone Spelling Bee this year, Ive been quizzing myself on the words or having my mom quiz me. His English teacher, Tammy Barber, also said that there is an emphasis on vocabulary words in the eighth-grade curriculum that is normally tied to their required reading, including Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. They have learned 80 new vocabulary words just since school started back in January, she said. The next step for Akhil will be the Tennessee Regional Spelling Bee held on March 5 on the campus of UTC. Sarah Keeton Campbell is officially the newest justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court. Justice Campbell was confirmed on Thursday during a joint session of the Tennessee General Assembly, the final step in the appointment process, and took the oath of office. She was nominated by Governor Bill Lee on Jan. 12 after being one of three candidates out of 11 applicants recommended by the Governors Council for Judicial Appointments. Justice Campbell fills the vacancy created by the passing of Justice Cornelia A. Clark on Sept. 24, 2021. She is Governor Lees first Supreme Court appointment and the second justice to navigate the confirmation process that was enacted in 2016 after Tennessee voters approved a ballot initiative in 2014. Sarah has created a truly remarkable and unique career focused almost exclusively on appellate work with a strong passion for public service, Chief Justice Roger A. Page said. The Court is thrilled to welcome her to the bench as a colleague. She is accomplished and determined, yet humble and personable, and I am sure she will serve the citizens of Tennessee well. Justice Campbell was born in LaFollette in Campbell County. Her extended family still lives in Campbell County and Scott County, where her grandparents made their living working on farms, in factories, and on the railroad. Her father was the first in her family to attend college, and the family moved to Rogersville in Scott County when Justice Campbell was beginning middle school. She graduated from Cherokee High School in Rogersville, where her parents and brother, a local attorney and municipal judge, still reside. My parents and grandparents taught me to work hard, live with integrity, and treat everyone with fairness and respect, Justice Campbell said. I am proud of my rural East Tennessee roots. The values I learned there shaped who I am today. Justice Campbell attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on a full-tuition merit scholarship and was recognized as a Torchbearer, the universitys highest student honor. While a student at UT, she was elected president of the Student Government Association; served as chairperson of the Undergraduate Academic Council; and was a founding member of the Baker Scholars Program. She graduated from the College Scholars program with emphases in political science, educational policy, and Spanish. I did not have any lawyers in my family, but I was always drawn to public service, Justice Campbell said. I developed an interest in the law while at UT and decided to attend law school with the aim of using my legal education to improve my community. Justice Campbell was awarded a full-tuition merit scholarship to Duke University School of Law, where she served as managing editor of the Duke Law Journal, was a member of moot court, and participated in the Appellate Litigation Clinic. She graduated magna cum laude and in the top 10 percent of her class. While at Duke, she also earned a masters degree in Public Policy. Justice Campbell quickly realized the intense legal research, analysis and writing required when cases are appealed after trial or an initial court decision was her niche. After graduating from law school, she secured a federal clerkship with Judge William H. Pryor Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. That position was followed by a clerkship with Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. on the Supreme Court of the United States. There are approximately 36 U.S. Supreme Court clerkships each year, and obtaining a clerkship is extremely competitive with candidates with the highest credentials from the most prestigious law schools applying. My clerkships were formative experiences. I was fortunate to clerk for two of the finest jurists in the country. Those experiences allowed me to refine and strengthen my research and writing skills and gain an appreciation for the limited yet important role of a judge in our constitutional structure, Justice Campbell said. I found it very rewarding to work on the complicated legal issues that came before the appellate courts. It was then that I developed an interest in becoming a judge. After practicing in Washington D.C. at Williams & Connolly, LLP, Justice Campbell felt the time was right to come home to Tennessee. For the past six years, she has worked in the Tennessee Attorney Generals Office, most recently as the Associate Solicitor General and Special Assistant to the Attorney General. During that time, she has represented her home state in both federal and state appellate courts, handling a wide range of criminal, civil, and constitutional law issues. Serving on the Tennessee Supreme Court is the opportunity of a lifetime, Justice Campbell said. I thank Governor Lee for putting his trust in me to serve Tennesseans in this capacity, and I also thank the General Assembly for confirming me to the position. I do not take the task before me lightly. The job of a judge is to decide cases fairly and impartially by applying neutral, objective principles. That is how I will approach each case that comes before me. Justice Campbell met her husband Scott while they were students at the University of Tennessee. The couple currently resides in Nashville and have three children. Mr. Campbell has dedicated his career to public education, serving both as a teacher and principal. The family belongs to Christ Presbyterian Church. Justice Campbell is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, the TBA Leadership Law Alumni Association, the American Law Institute, and the Federalist Society. She has been an invited speaker to dozens of continuing legal education courses focused on updates and reviews on state and federal appellate law. A public investiture ceremony will be planned for the spring. Stanley Reynolds White, known to most as Mouse, 74, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on February 4, 2022. He succumbed to cancer most likely caused by contact with Agent Orange while proudly serving in Vietnam from 1967 through 1970. He served in the United States Navy with the SeaBees. He received National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Action Ribbon. He graduated from East Ridge High School in 1965. He was preceded in death by father, Gordan White, and mother, Beatrice Reynolds White, as well as his sister, Sandra White Pell. He is mourned and greatly missed by his wife of 33 years, Paula Strother White, nephew, Derik (Moon) Pell, grandnephew, Gabriel and niece Conner Pell, niece, Shawna (Karl) Lewis, niece, Lillian Mae and nephew, Harrison Lewis. Mouse was self-employed doing HVAC and electrical work. Mouse loved his Harley Davidson. He was associated with a national group of motorcycle enthusiasts known as the 2%ers. Mouse had a mischievous streak and enjoyed the camaraderie and banter it stimulated. He has ridden to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts including many points in between. He especially loved camping in the mountainous regions, riding the curvy mountain roads and time on the Tennessee River with close friends., He enjoyed wood working and riding quarter horses with his loving wife Paula. Family would like to extend special thanks to Barbara and Trina of Hearth Hospice. Words cannot express the gratitude we have for Sharon Sneed. Her kindness and loving are immeasurable. Visitation will be on Monday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m.1:30 p.m. at Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, Franklin Strickland Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors and Chaplain Allen Goolsby officiating. Pallbearers will be Van Smith, Tom Bowen, Warren Brady, Fred Carter, Pat McCallie and Karl Lewis. Arrangements are by Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services Franklin - Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404, 423 265-4414. Please visit the website to share your memories at www.advantagefranklin-strickland.com. Catoosa County Sheriff Gary Sisk announced that his detectives have arrested and charged Eddie Charles Ellis, 42, for the shooting death of 36-year-old Jarvious Brooks on Saturday. Ellis faces charges of murder, trafficking cocaine, possession of schedule II narcotics, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence, reckless conduct, discharge of a firearm near roadway, commercial gambling, gambling, sale of alcohol without a license, and possession of marijuana. Sheriff Sisk said deputies responded to a shots fired call about 4:30 a.m. on February 5 in the area of T. J. Arnold Circle and Three Notch Road. Deputies found a white car with bullet holes in it on Three Notch Road just north of Battlefield Parkway, with Brooks inside the vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. Detectives learned that there was a gathering of people at 31 T.J. Arnold Circle prior to the gunfire. This is an unfortunate story about alleged illegal activity resulting in violence and the loss of life, Sheriff Sisk said. Our investigation reveals there was a party with illegal drugs, alcohol and gambling when, for still unknown reasons, a fight erupted. We have also learned that several people at the party may be affiliated with, or associates of gangs and we are working with our law enforcement partners and other individuals to develop additional information. Anyone with information about the incidents should contact Detective Brittany Gilleland at 706 935-2424. An Atlanta man who authorities say Hood created a fake Facebook account and assumed the identity of a female victim pleaded guilty to one count of cyberstalking in Chattanooga Federal Court on Wednesday. Sentencing has been set for June 16 for 36-year-old Zachary Hood before Judge Charles E. Atchley, Jr. A federal cyberstalking charge carries a maximum of five years in prison, $250,000 in fines and supervised release for three years. As part of a plea agreement filed with the court on Dec. 27, 2021, Hood waived indictment by a Federal Grand Jury and agreed to plead guilty to the charge. Prosecutors said Hood admitted that, using the Facebook account, he sent intimate photographs of the victim to the victims friends and associates. For example, while claiming to be the victim, Hood sent photos featuring the victims breasts and buttocks to a friend of the victims husband, asking if the friend liked those photos. Hood also contacted the victims husband directly, sending the husband nude photographs of the victim and making lewd and sexually suggestive comments about the victims appearance. Hood also contacted eight other women, sending each woman intimate photographs of herself, sometimes accompanied by his own commentary. This prosecution is the result of a joint effort between the United States Attorneys Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation offices in the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of Tennessee. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Wilson, the Districts Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Crimes Coordinator, represented the United States in court. Crash Landing on You became Netflixs first successful Korean drama and a number one fan favorite. Its leading actors, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, displayed riveting and heartstopping chemistry on screen in a North-South Korea love story. From on-screen love interests to the real deal, Hyun Bin and Son announced their relationship that developed after the K-dramas end. After a few years of dating, the two actors announced their engagement and plans to marry. Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin in Crash Landing On You K-drama | via tvN Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin post heartfelt letters on social media about their marriage plans According to Soompi, Hyun Bin was the first to break the news of his engagement to Son through his agencys Instagram. In a handwritten letter, the actor thanks his fans, who have been by his side throughout his career. He admits fan speculations are true and plans to marry Son. I have made the important decision of marriage and am cautiously taking steps toward the second stage of my life. I have made this promise with the woman who always makes me laugh (Son Ye Jin): to always walk together in the days that lie ahead, wrote Hyun Bin. The Crash Landing on You actor knows how much his fans adore the on-screen K-drama couple and says, The Jung Hyuk and Se Ri who were together in the drama will take the first step together in that future. His post also includes a snapshot of Jung-hyuk and Se-ri holding hands in the K-drama finale. Son followed her fiance and posted a photo of a miniature wedding dress on her Instagram. I have a person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. Its true. Its the person youre all thinking of (Hyun Bin). Just being with him gives me a sense of warmth and dependability, wrote Son. They plan to marry in a private ceremony in March in Seoul. Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin has been friends for years before dating RELATED: Soundtrack #1: Watch Han So-hee and Park Hyung-sik Go From Friends to Lovers in New K-Drama As fans and fellow actors congratulate the couple, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin were a fated couple from the start. The South China Morning Post explains they first officially met in 2014 when they attended the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. The first time the two actors would work together on screen was in the 2017 movie The Negotiation. Sources claim Hyun Bin joined the project because of Son. The movie became well known for the actors on-screen chemistry. After the movie premiere in 2018, rumors started circulating of the two actors dating. They were spotted together multiple times, but the rumors were denied. Fast foward to December 2019 when Hyun Bin and Son became one of K-dramas beloved on-screen couples in Crash Landing on You. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, and the dramas closing scene had fans spark dating rumors again. On New Years Day 2021, Dispatch reported the two actors were officially a couple. According to Soompi, Hyun Bins agency then confirmed the news to be true, stating, Actors Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin met through their projects, and after the end of their drama, their positive feelings towards one another developed into a romantic relationship. Son, too confirmed the relationship on her Instagram. Crash Landing on You tells the complex and forbidden romance of a soldier and heiress RELATED: Friends to Lovers Story: How Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon Met Amid Marriage Announcement The romance K-drama that brought Hyun Bin and Son together became one of Netflixs most successful ventures. TvNs Crash Landing on You centers on Yoon Se-ri (Son), a businesswoman and chaebol heiress getting stuck in an unlikely situation. While paragliding, a storm pushes Se-ri off course and lands in a Korean Demilitarized Zone and into North Korea. Unable to locate her, her family declares her dead. In reality, she is found by Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin). Both Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri know the gravity of trespassing into North Korea. When intelligence authorities learn of an intruder, Jeong-hyeok does the unthinkable and helps keep Se-ri hidden. As Se-ri goes into hiding, she forms a bond with Jeong-hyeoks comrades and starts to fall in love with Jeong-hyeok. Their form a forbidden romance that is threatened by political turmoil. Fans will get to see Son in a new Netflix romance in 2022 titled Thirty Nine. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a prominent songwriter in the Disney universe and on Broadway. Even if his wife isnt a huge fan of musicals, one song from Encanto actually made her cry. Heres what Mirandas wife said about the best song featured in Disneys animated film. Lin-Manuel Miranda created the music for Disneys Encanto An Encanto step-and-repeat at the opening night fan event for Disneys Encanto | Michael Tullberg/Getty Images After starring in Disneys Mary Poppins Returns and co-writing the music for Moana, Miranda took the reigns for Disneys 2021 release, Encanto. The songwriter created original tracks The Family Madrigal, What Else Can I Do, and Waiting On A Miracle. The official Encanto soundtrack features a few tracks not performed by the voice actors. That includes Colombia, Mi Encanto sung by Carlos Vives. Dos Orugutias, sung by Sebastian Yatra, tells the love story between Abuela and Abuelo. This song earned the Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song and the Critics Choice Movie Award nomination for Best Song. It even became a favorite track of Mirandas wife. Lin-Manuel Mirandas wife called Dos Orugutias the best song from Disneys Encanto Miranda is a father and husband. As a result, he shares music from each project with his family. As the first layer of unofficial reviews, their opinions meant a lot while creating the music of Disneys Encanto. If they like it, Im good, and they are not shy about their opinions, Lin said during one interview with Fandango All Access. I also am married to a woman who doesnt like musicals that much, so Ive got the toughest bar to clear in my house. According to Buzzfeed, when Miranda played Dos Oruguitas for his wife Vanessa, she broke down in tears and said it was the best song he had ever written. Even cast members shared their appreciation for this song, including the voice of Mirabel, Stephanie Beatriz, during Disneys Encanto featurette titled A Journey Through Music. Lin-Manuel Mirandas family inspired other Encanto songs (and songs from Hamilton) Mirandas relationship with his family influenced many aspects of his songwriting. Luisas Surface Pressure from Encanto was inspired by Mirandas real-life older sister, who often took the extra emotional weight. Mirandas wife inspired That Would Be Enough from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton. This song described Hamiltons wife asking her husband to be present in their relationship instead of dedicating so much time to his work. Even the chart-topping Encanto hit We Dont Talk About Bruno was inspired by Mirandas family. The artist explained that for many families, there are topics that you just dont discuss with specific family members. For the rest of the family, though, that gossip is all they talk about. We Dont Talk About Bruno went on to be one of Disneys most successful songs to date, surpassing the popularity of Frozens Let It Go. It currently has over 120 million plays on the streaming platform Spotify. Encanto is now available on Disneys streaming platform, Disney+. RELATED: Disneys Encanto: Why It Was Important for Luisas Surface Pressure To Have a Cool Sound The much-anticipated Love Is Blind Season 2 is finally back this time in Chicago. Its been over two years since season 1 made its debut, and fans are eager to get to know the new cast. Heres what we know about the air date, the release schedule, and more. Shayne, Love Is Blind | Netflix Netflixs release schedule and time for Love Is Blind Season 2 Starting Feb. 11, Netflix will be rolling out new episodes of season 2 each Friday across ten episodes at 12 am PT / 3 am ET time. Week one, Netflix will drop episodes 1-5. These are the episodes where the cast members will get to know each other in the pods. Once engaged, they will see each other for the first time. Then, the couples will be whisked off to Mexico to experience each other physically. Pods on Love Is Blind Season 2 | Netflix Week two, Friday, Feb. 18, Netflix will drop episodes 6-9. This is where the cast members will be moving in together and meeting each others families. Week three is episode 10, the finale, which will be on Netflix on Friday, Feb. 25. This is when audiences will find out who made it down the aisle and who had cold feet. Then fans will be able to catch up with the couples during the Where are they now? special, which will drop on Friday, Mar. 4. 30 new Love Is Blind Season 2 cast members With two successful marriages resulting from season 1, this social experiment has proven to be a successful way to find true love. Now, 15 men and 15 women will meet up in the pods with the sole purpose of finding love without the influence of looks. Love Is Blind cast Season 2 | Netflix The 30 new Love Is Blind cast members ranging from 27-years-old to 39-years-old each have diverse cultural backgrounds, religions, and occupations. From hairstylists and construction workers to veterinarians and executives, Season 2 will feature people looking to find love from all walks of life. Everything we know about Love Is Blind Season 2 so far The Love Is Blind Season 2 trailer promises plenty of tears, engagements, and love triangles. Check out the official Netflix trailer below: In the trailer, Shaina says, You guys think youre compatible? That is comical. In another scene, Shake says, Im not feeling the animalistic attraction I want to feel. Will there be successful marriages from Love Is Blind Season 2? Fans will have to see if there will be another fan-favorite couple like Lauren Speed and Cameron Hamilton this season. Love Is Blind Season 2 premieres on Feb. 11 on Netflix. RELATED: Love Is Blind Seasons 2 and 3 Teased by Nick and Vanessa Lachey In 2006, Stevie Nicks likely stunned many of her former high school classmates by attending her fortieth high school reunion. At this point, Nicks had been famous for 30 years. As she reminisced with her old friends, one of them made a comment that made Nicks cry. She shared what the other woman said and why it made such an impact on her. Stevie Nicks | Ebet Roberts/Redferns) Stevie Nicks family moved around a lot when she was young Nicks was born in Arizona but moved around a lot as a child. Her father, Jess Nicks, was climbing the corporate ladder at Greyhound, and the job required frequent relocation. Before she turned 18, Nicks had also lived in New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and California. Well, we moved a lot, Nicks said, per 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. She attended her fortieth high school reunion When Nicks was in high school, her family was living in California. Nicks enrolled in a school that she described as very hoity-toity school, very cliquey, and a lot of rich people went there. Still, she settled in, and her memories of school were fond enough that she decided to attend her fortieth high school reunion. At this point, Nicks had spent 30 years as one of the biggest names in music, but her old friends didnt think of her that way. You know what? one of her friends told her. You havent changed one bit. Youre still our little Stevie girl! The comment brought Nicks to tears. She was happy to hear that decades of fame hadnt changed her for the worse. It was the nicest thing anybody had said to me, she explained, that Im still the same. Because I always tried very hard to stay who I was before I joined Fleetwood Mac, and not become a very arrogant and obnoxious, conceited, b****y chick which many do, and I think Ive been really successful. Stevie Nicks thinks people thought she was odd in high school When Nicks started high school, she had recently moved from Utah to California. She said that because of this, she dressed more conservatively than her classmates, preferring heavy skirts and dresses. She also wore thick glasses and lugged her books around in a straw basket. Nicks believes her classmates thought she was out there with her style and looks, but she was fairly popular in high school. In 1964, Nicks was a runner-up for homecoming queen, and she was nominated for the class vice president. She also began experimenting with her looks, hinting at the artist she would become. In 2019, Stevie Nicks will make history as the first female Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee to be inducted twice. pic.twitter.com/h8W5btRr8M Eric Alper (@ThatEricAlper) December 13, 2018 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. Forty years later, she did go back to her former high school, happy to hear that though many things had changed, she was still the same person at her core. RELATED: Stevie Nicks Wrote a Song for Dolly Parton: It Would Be Perfect for Her The Young and the Restless cast welcomes Robert Newman to the show. The former Guiding Light actor took over the role of Ashland Locke, replacing Richard Burgi. Newman made his debut on Feb. 9, and his performance is already generating a lot of attention. Robert Newman I Maury Phillips/WireImage The Young and the Restless fans love Robert Newman as Ashland Locke Newman had big shoes to fill in The Young and the Restless role. Viewers have come to love Burgi as the shady businessman and were skeptical of Newmans recast. However, Newman proved doubters wrong with his debut. RELATED: The Young and the Restless: Former Guiding Light Actor Robert Newman Recast as Ashland Locke The Guiding Light star proved hes still one of the best actors in daytime television. Fans immediately lit up Twitter with positive feedback on Newmans performance as Ashland. Robert Newman made the transition look easy. His scenes with Victor and Adam strong wrote one viewer. I thought he was great-Ill miss Richard Burgi, but I completely believed Robert Newman as Ashland too, another commenter replied. How the actor prepared for his new role? Its been 12 years since Newman was last on daytime television. His final soap opera appearance came in September 2009 during Guiding Lights final episode, where Josh and Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer) drove off into the sunset. Newman couldnt resist when the opportunity came for The Young and the Restless, Newman couldnt resist. Although Ashland is a departure from Newmans good guy characters, the actor prepared extensively for his role. One thing he didnt do was watch Burgis old performances as Ashland. In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, he spoke of his decision not to watch any Burgi scenes. I would prefer not to watch another actor play the role. I just think I need to figure this guy out in my body and my voice and my countenance. One thing Newman did want to know is Ashlands relationship with Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle). Newman and Heinle have already clicked, and he had kind words for his onscreen wife. I already adore her. Shes really terrific, and shes a professional through and through. Whats in store for Ashland Locke? Newmans The Young and the Restless debut comes at a pivotal time for his character. Ashland and Victoria are on top of the world as they become the new owners of Newman Media. However, their world will come crashing down as Ashlands past catches up with him. First Day Fun Get ready to see more of @RobertNewmanGL on #YR! pic.twitter.com/dRIApfLonk Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) February 9, 2022 RELATED: The Young and the Restless Fans Are Rooting for Adam in His Battle With Victoria Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) is suspicious of his son-in-laws illness and miraculous treatments. The Moustaches suspicions rise further after Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc) discovers Ashland is funding the Peru clinic where he receives his treatments. As many fans predicted, Ashland lied about his illness and is with Victoria for her money. The walls are closing in on Ashland, and theres no telling how far hell go to keep his secret. Many emerging technologies related to sustainable energy, such as grid-scale energy storage systems and electric cars, require high-performance rechargeable batteries. Unfortunately, conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have almost reached their theoretical limit, and need to be supplanted by batteries with higher theoretical capacity and energy density. Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are regarded as the potentially best option for next-generation rechargeable batteries, due not only to their much higher energy density than LIBs but also to relatively lower costs, thanks to their use of sulfur, a widely abundant material. However, Li-S batteries suffer from a few key issues that need to be solved before they can become commercially viable, with the most prominent one being the polysulfide shuttling effect. This phenomenon causes long chains of sulfur to leak from the cathode over time, permanently degrading the capacity of the battery with each chargedischarge cycle. Fortunately, in a recent study, a team of scientists from Pusan National University, South Korea, found an efficient way to mitigate the shuttling effect and improve the performance of Li-S batteries. This paper was made available online on September 29, 2021 and will be published in Volume 430 of Chemical Engineering Journal on February 15, 2022. Led by Professor Seung Geol Lee, Assistant Professor Jin Hong Lee, and Associate Professor Oi Lun Li, the team developed an innovative approach involving the use of a common organic dye called methylene blue as a precursor for a novel coating material for the separator of Li-S batteries. The procedure involved dissolving the dye in aniline, a carbon-containing solvent, and subjecting the mixture to plasma engineering followed by heat treatment. This created a porous carbon material doped with both nitrogen and sulfurtwo elements already present in methylene bluethat could be applied to the separator between the battery cathode and anode. Thanks to the high heteroelement (element other than carbon) content (10%) of the doped carbon material obtained through this process, the polysulfide shuttling effect could be greatly mitigated, as the scientists demonstrated in various experiments. This, in turn, allowed them to produce more durable Li-S batteries with better electrochemical performances. Our findings show that methylene blue, and possibly other dyes, can be useful in next-generation energy storage systems, remarks Prof. Lee. Overall, this study could motivate scientists worldwide to look into other potential applications of organic dyes outside textile dyeing. Prof. Lee speculates: We expect our results to greatly contribute to the manufacturing of not only lithium-sulfur batteries but also various other energy storage systems such as sodium-ion batteries, in which carbon materials can be used. Jack Baker and Krystan Moser, two experts on the history of the forced Cherokee removal, were guests on the Jan. 15 episode of Cherokee: Wherever We Are. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 If you had the joy of gathering with family over the recent holiday season, chances are high that stories from generations past made their way around the dinner table. Perhaps your grandfather spoke of his grandfather, or your mom recalled a Christmas spent with her great-aunt. You may have heard about Depression-era celebrations with few gifts and a sparse meal, or wartime observances characterized by gratitude for the gift of life itself. Around the world, many people groups embrace such an oral tradition in their day-to-day lives. The pastime of sharing stories of generations past isnt merely reserved for special occasions but is built into mundane afternoons and dinner dialogue. This is who you come from, these conversations explain. This is who we are. This is who you get to be a part of. This is your legacy. Some of the earliest Scriptural accounts encourage us to be faithful to remember, speak, and share what God has done for and in his people. Take Deuteronomy 6, for example. God issues a communal call to the Israelitesone that comes with shared responsibility. They are to impress Gods commandments upon their children and to talk about them continually (6:7): When you sit at home. When you walk along the road. When you lie down. When you get up. Later in the passage, God tells the Israelites that their children will ask them what Gods commandments mean. Rather than having them respond with lengthy explanations or lists of more rules, God commands the Israelites to tell their children stories. He tells them to share the account of God leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, and to strengthen their hearts with reminders of the God who makes and keeps his promises. Much of American culture tends to reserve this way of storytelling for special occasions. But Scripture offers Christians a different way of thinking about legacy and storyone that encourages us to tell the stories of our biological families and the story of God throughout history and around the world. Accounts of the church fathers, of desert saints, of brothers and sisters martyred even now arent just distant loretheyre threads in the tapestry of our shared legacy as the family of God. One such thread woven into our Christian story is that of the 21 men who were martyred in 2015. ISIS executed these men on a beach in Libya then released a video of their brutal murders for all of the world to see. As the seven-year anniversary of their martyrdom approaches, the ISIS video remains the only publicly available visual storytelling that features the courageous faith of these faithful believers. MORE Productions has partnered with the global Coptic community, Coptic iconographers, and a host of artists from around the world to address this deficit. Stories like that of the 21 Martyrs are not easy to read or recount. At times, it can feel as though they stand at odds with the triumphs of Gods goodness through the agesas though they are evidence that he is not protecting or providing. But if we remain faithful to draw our comfort from the person of Christ and to root our hearts in the story of Scripture, we will find that Gods promises not only remain intact but are, at times, fulfilled through the martyrdom of those who refuse to deny him. In choosing to read and share just one story of a brother or sister facing persecution for the cause of Christ, we can strengthen the unity of the family of God. These accounts are links in the chain of our legacy, bonding us to one another. Sharing these stories can happen around the dinner table, in Bible studies, from the pulpit, or the passengers seat of the family van. All we have to do is trust that Gods command to share the stories is one of purpose and powerand then we do as hes commanded. Church hosts conversation on Maus after book's removal from schools An Episcopal congregation in Tennessee hosted a community conversation about the recent decision of a local school board to remove the graphic novel Maus from its school curriculum in addition to discussing the lessons that the book and the Holocaust can teach Christians. At a Jan. 10 meeting, the Athens-based McMinn County School Board voted unanimously to remove Maus from its middle school curriculum due to concerns over graphic adult content in the book, specifically eight curse words and a picture of a naked woman committing suicide by cutting herself with a razor blade. The school board elaborated on the motivation behind its decision to remove the graphic novel centered on the Holocaust from the eighth-grade language arts curriculum in a Jan. 27 statement. One of the most important roles of an elected board of education is to reflect the values of the community it serves, the school board said. The McMinn County Board of Education voted to remove the graphic novel Maus from McMinn County Schools because of its unnecessary use of profanity and nudity and its depiction of violence and nudity. Taken as a whole, the Board felt this work was simply too adult-oriented for use in our schools. The book's removal garnered national outrage, leading many to buy the book as a form of protest and putting the graphic novel on the best-seller charts. In the wake of this backlash, St. Pauls Episcopal Church of Athens held an online conversation last week with nearly 100 local participants about the narrative of the popular Art Spiegelman book. The stated purpose of the discussion was to engage in a discussion about Maus, Holocaust education, visual storytelling, and how Christians might engage this text with attention to our own history, theology, and spiritual call. Participants included Dr. Jack Seitz of Tennessee Wesleyan University, graphic novelist Nate Powell and the Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner of Duke Divinity School. The Rev. Claire Brown, the rector of St. Pauls, told Episcopal News Service that she considered the community conversation to have been warm and curious and generous in its tone. We really wanted to protect the space to be focused in on our local county, Brown said, adding that she wanted those involved to know that they had a safe space to share and learn together. Throughout the event, speakers and community members made the case that Maus was a valuable tool to help students learn about the Holocaust and elaborated on the positive impact the graphic novel had on their lives. Winner provided suggestions on how Christians should take what they learn from Maus and apply it to their lives as Christians. What does Christianity have to say about our capacity for mass murder? she asked. One of the most fundamental damages produced by sin is a desire to dominate one another. Since one human being cant in fact ever manage to fully dominate another human being, what human beings sometimes do in the face of frustrated desire for domination is kill, she said. We see this in Scripture, as early as the story of Cain and Abel. Christian reflection on Maus might open up into reflection on the account that Christianity gives of human beings, from what kind of creatures human beings are and of what it is to be a human being," Winner continued. She encouraged Christians to reflect on the role of the Church and Christianity in the Holocaust, maintaining that Christians held anti-Jewish attitudes and committed crimes against Jews in the centuries leading up to the Holocaust. The Christian Post reached out to St. Pauls Episcopal Church for comment. The Rev. Claire Brown of St. Pauls replied that she was not available to comment. Kyle Smith of The National Review wrote a recent column in which he was critical of the coverage the Maus removal story got, especially how many outlets called it a ban. The book was not banned, wrote Smith. Students in McMinn Country are free to buy and read the book. It remains available in local public libraries. If not being on a curriculum means it is banned, then so is every other book not on any schools curriculum," he added. Smith also alleged hypocrisy on behalf of media members who criticized McMinn County Schools, as a left-leaning school board in Washington state that removed To Kill a Mockingbird due to concerns about racial sensitivity received little attention or criticism for their actions. Needless to say, almost nobody not CNN, not the Washington Post, not the New York Times reported the Washington school boards actions as a ban, he added. Instead, Smith reported, CNN media reporter Brian Stelter contended that Fox recently hyped a Washington state school districts action against To Kill a Mockingbird. Neither Stelter nor anyone else at the CNN site can be found explaining what that action was, much less explaining why it is less notable than the Tennessee school boards move against Maus, which has inspired at least five major stories on CNN.com and has been mentioned prominently in several others," Smith alleged. The removal of Maus from the middle school curriculum in McMinn County comes as parents across the U.S. have expressed outrage about the material their children are exposed to in school. Stacy Langton, a parent in Fairfax County, Virginia, attended a school board meeting in her county to express outrage about the presence of two books, Gender Queer and Lawn Boy, in the school districts libraries. Both books describe different acts, she explained. One book describes a fourth-grade boy performing oral sex on an adult male. The other book has detailed illustrations of a man having sex with a boy. Langton likened the books to pornography and contended that the school district was promoting pornography and pedophilia by allowing the books to remain in the school district libraries. The books were removed from the school district libraries for a time but were reinstated following a review. In addition to Langton, the mayor of Hudson, Ohio called on the school board in his city to resign for allowing a book containing sexually explicit writing prompts to be included in a college-level English class offered at the districts high school. Pope Francis condemns 'unacceptable drifts' towards euthanasia, assisted suicide Pope Francis is condemning the "unacceptable" drifts towards euthanasia, characterizing efforts to deprive the terminally ill of the necessities of life as "neither human nor Christian." The pontiff addressed the topic before a general audience Wednesday. He did not use the term directly but instead described it as "planning" or "accelerating the death of the elderly." He expressed support for the idea of "palliative care" that enables "every person who is preparing to live the last stretch of their life" to "do so in the most human way possible," according to an English translation of his remarks. But Francis insisted that "we must be careful not to confuse this help with unacceptable drifts towards killing." "We must accompany people towards death, but not promote death or facilitate any form of suicide," the leader of the Roman Catholic Church said. "I would point out that the right to care and treatment for all must be prioritised, so that the weakest, particularly the elderly and the sick, are never discarded," he added. "Life is a right, not death, which must be welcomed, not administered. And this ethical principle concerns everyone, not just Christians or believers." Pope Francis identified the phenomenon of "accelerating the death of the elderly" as a "real social problem." He lamented that "[v]ery often we see in a certain social class that the elderly, since they do not have means, are given fewer medicines than they need." "This is not helping them, it is driving them towards death earlier. This is neither human nor Christian. The elderly should be cared for as a treasure of humanity: they are our wisdom. And if they do not speak, or if they do not make sense, they are still the symbol of human wisdom." After praising the elderly as "those who went before us" who provided great memories and wisdom, Francis urged the general audience to not "isolate the elderly" or "accelerate the death of the elderly." He contended that caressing the elderly provides the "same hope as caressing a child." "Because the beginning of life and the end are always a mystery, a mystery that should be respected, accompanied, cared for. Loved," he said. A summary of the pope's remarks issued by the Vatican states that the Catholic Church has "always shown particular concern for the dying" by offering them "accompaniment and care" while "rejecting the ethically unacceptable practices of euthanasia or assisted suicide." Francis' remarks come as many countries and states have embraced physician-assisted suicide in recent years. ProCon reports that Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherland, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland have laws allowing assisted suicide. According to Death with Dignity, an advocacy group that favors the legalization of euthanasia, nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized physician-assisted suicide: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. The Catholic Church considers euthanasia a grave evil, with the Catechism of the Catholic Church reviling the practice of "putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick or dying persons" as "morally unacceptable." While the topic of euthanasia has received less attention in Catholic circles than the issue of abortion in recent years, church leadership has suggested that Catholic politicians who advocate for euthanasia should also refrain from communion. Specifically, a 2004 letter from then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would later become Pope Benedict XVI, quoted from the Encyclical letter Evangelium vitae, asserting that "in the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to 'take part in a propaganda campaign in favour of such a law or vote for it." "Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person's formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church's teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist," Ratzinger wrote. Ratzinger told Catholic Church leaders in the U.S. that when a Catholic politician who supports abortion or euthanasia continues to advocate for the policies even after their pastor has informed them about the Church's teaching on the matters and the person perseveres in presenting themselves for communion, "the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it." Supporters of withholding communion from Catholic politicians pointed to the aforementioned letter as well as the provision in the Church's Code of Canon Law stating that those "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion" as the reason for their position. Late last year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to approve a document called "The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church," which does not explicitly ban Catholic politicians who support abortion from receiving communion. However, the document declares that Catholics "who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to form their consciences in accord with the Church's faith and the moral law, and to serve the human family by upholding human life and dignity." The debate about giving communion to pro-abortion politicians has resurfaced in the past year after President Joe Biden, a Catholic who supports legal access to abortion, took office. Uyghur concentration camp survivor '100%' supportive of efforts to boycott Beijing Olympics This is part 5 of The Christian Post's series on China's human rights abuses under the spotlight of the Olympic Games and features the testimony of a Uyghur Muslim woman who was persecuted under the communist regime. Read part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 6 and part 7. The survivor of a Chinese concentration camp is expressing support for efforts to boycott the Beijing Olympics, joining a long list of public figures and human rights activists hoping to make this years Winter Games the least-watched Olympics in history. Mihrigul Tursun, a Uyghur Muslim woman who was detained in Chinese concentration camps on three different occasions, detailed her experiences in an interview with The Christian Post. Tursun was one of millions of Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority residing in the far-western Chinese province of Xinjiang. From the perspective of Uyghurs, Xinjiang constitutes occupied territory. The Uyghurs Uyghurs instead refer to their native homeland as East Turkistan and believe that China has illegally occupied the area since December 1949. Many residents of East Turkistan or Xinjiang now reside in the U.S. Several U.S.-based Uyghurs are part of the East Turkistan Government in Exile, the region's democratically elected leadership, and the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement, which seeks to officially restore East Turkistan as an independent republic. These groups frequently lobby the U.S. State Department to push for recognition and representation on the world stage. The Uyghurs have been subject to adverse treatment by the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to strip the group of their identity and culture and turn them into loyal servants of the state by detaining them into what critics describe as concentration camps. The CCP refers to these facilities as re-education camps and claims that they are necessary to root out extremism. At last summers inaugural International Religious Freedom Summit, concentration camp survivor Tursunay Ziyawudun recalled that she was raped and exposed to Chinese propaganda films during her detention. A video preceding her remarks explained that 1 [million] to 3 million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims have been detained in concentration camps since 2016. Additionally, detainees at Uyghur concentration camps are often subject to forced labor. A study by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute found that several prominent corporations are directly or indirectly benefitting from the use of Uyghur workers through potentially abusive labor transfer programs. The 83 companies singled out in the ASPI report include: Abercrombie & Fitch, Acer, Adidas, Amazon, Apple, Calvin Klein, Cisco, Dell, Gap, General Electric, General Motors, Google, Hewlett Packard, L.L. Bean, Lenovo, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, Nike, Nintendo, The North Face, Panasonic, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Samsung, Sharp, Skechers, Sony, Tommy Hilfiger, Toshiba, Victorias Secret and Volkswagon. Elected officials in Washington have made efforts to prevent businesses from taking advantage of forced labor. President Joe Biden signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which would ban goods made by Uyghurs subject to forced labor from entering the U.S. market. The measure unanimously passed the U.S. Senate, and all but one member of the House voted to approve the legislation. The belief that China has committed genocide against the Uyghurs cuts across party lines. The administration of former President Donald Trump, a Republican, classified the Chinese governments actions against Uyghurs as genocide shortly before leaving office last year, while the Biden administration imposed sanctions on top Chinese officials in response to what it also described as genocide. The Beijing Olympics The Chinese governments treatment of Uyghurs is one reason why many religious freedom advocates have expressed outrage that this years Winter Olympics is taking place in China's capital of Beijing. While the Biden administration has implemented a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics, meaning that no representatives from the U.S. government will attend, U.S. athletes are participating in this years Winter Games. The competition kicked off Friday and will last through Feb. 20. For many, including the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement and the East Turkistan Government in Exile, these diplomatic boycotts of what they refer to as the Genocide Games do not go far enough. Salih Hudayar, the Prime Minister of East Turkistan Government in Exile and founder of the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement, characterized the diplomatic boycotts as weak and launched the #LeastWatchedOlympics campaign. [We are] urging everyone across the world to join the Uyghurs in solidarity to protest Chinas ongoing genocide in East Turkistan and to make the Beijing Winter 2022 Olympics or the Genocide Games the least-watched Olympics, he said. The @Beijing2022#GenocideGames starts later this week & we urgently implore the public to stand in solidarity with the #Uyghurs/Turkic peoples of East Turkistan, who are facing genocide, by joining our campaign to make this #LeastWatchedOlympics. Please share/join the campaign. pic.twitter.com/Z0yjO1POYm Salih Hudayar (@SalihHudayar) February 1, 2022 The two groups held a rally at Lafayette Park in front of the White House Saturday, a day after the Olympics kicked off, to denounce the Beijing Olympics and to reiterate their repeated demands that the U.S. government and the international community take more decisive action against China. Attendees held signs advertising the #LeastWatchedOlympics campaign and recognized the 25th anniversary of the Ghulja Massacre that led to the deaths of hundreds of Uyghurs. Protesters directed several chants at the White House, including Dont support Genocide Games, Dont support Genocide Olympics, Dont watch Beijing Olympics, #LeastWatchedOlympics and Withdraw from Beijing 2022. In addition to elected officials, prominent public figures have asked their followers to take further action by boycotting the Beijing Olympics altogether because of Chinas record of human rights abuses. Last month, Fox News opinion host Laura Ingraham launched the Not One Minute campaign, asking her viewers to watch not one minute of NBCs Olympics coverage. Tursun indicated that she was 100% supportive of the effort. She also spoke favorably of the diplomatic boycotts. Like millions of other Uyghurs, Tursun has experienced the horrors of a concentration camp and detention firsthand. Born in Cherchen, Xinjiang, Tursun attended elementary school in her homeland before heading off to middle and high school in China. After attending Guangzhou University in China, she studied at British University in Egypt. Tursun married an Egyptian and gave birth to triplets in Egypt in early 2015. In May 2015, when her children were 3 months old, Tursun was detained for the first time at the airport in Xinjiangs capital city of Urumqi, as she returned to the region from Egypt. Tursuns children were taken away from her for the duration of her detention, which lasted about two months. When she went to pick up her children, she could only see two of them and was told that she could not see her third child, Muhammad, until the next day because he was in poor health. When she showed up the following day to see Muhammad, she was informed that he had died. Tursun believes that the negligence of the Chinese Communist Party caused her son to die. Tursun told CP that her two surviving children were in very bad condition when she saw them for the first time in two months. Both of the children had scars on their necks. Upon picking up her children at a childrens hospital, she encountered other children with injections in their [hands]. Nearly seven years later, both children continue to have lingering health problems, which Tursun attributed to their separation from her when they were 2 months old and their resultant inability to consume breastmilk. Specifically, her son has asthma and also his heart and [lungs] have [problems]. Her daughter, meanwhile, has very poor vision and has had eye surgery on two separate occasions. Additionally, Tursuns son is incontinent and has to wear a diaper. Medical officials believe that something happened to his head when he was little and have told her that he will require brain surgery when he is older. Right now, they see performing such a procedure as very difficult and dangerous. Both of Tursuns children are now enrolled in kindergarten. I dont know what they gave my children, she lamented. I dont know anything. Concentration camps: Physical and psychological torture After her release from detention in 2015, Tursun went to live with her parents in Cherchen, where she was subject to 24-hour surveillance from CCP officials. Tursun was detained on two additional occasions. In April 2017, she was forced into a camp where 60 women were crowded into a 430 square-foot room. She was detained in that camp for three months. During this detention, Tursun faced physical and psychological torture, including beating and electric shock. When she was detained a third time in 2018, Tursun wore different colored prison clothing than she had worn in her previous detentions because they regarded her as a dangerous prisoner. She wore blue clothes during her first two detentions and wore orange clothes in her third detention. At times, Tursun was separated from the main area where most prisoners slept and put in solitary confinement because of her status as a dangerous prisoner. Her third stint in a Chinese concentration camp lasted for more than six months. While Tursun was not forced to do labor, many other women in the camp were. She reported that many of these women hurt their hands from the strenuous labor, and at times, she saw a lot of blood coming from their hands. She elaborated on the harsh living conditions and sleeping arrangements imposed on the prisoners. According to Tursun, there were no beds in the camp. Instead, 60 women, referred to by numbers instead of their names, were given only blankets to sleep on and did not have pillows. Because of the cramped living conditions, all of the women could not sleep at the same time, and therefore, the women would take turns sleeping for shifts of about two hours. She likened the bathroom to a box, adding that everyone [can] see the women when they go to the bathroom. Women were limited to three bathroom trips a day and had to ask permission each time they sought to use what passed as the facilities. She recalled that when women had their request to use the bathroom denied, they would be forced to urinate or defecate in their pants. Upon her release from the third concentration camp, Tursun sought to return to Egypt to drop her children off with her husband, whom she thought was still residing there. The Chinese government allowed her to return to Egypt but not before forcing her to pledge allegiance to China. Additionally, she was instructed to come back to China after two months or risk the detention or death of her family members. After arriving in Egypt, Tursun learned that her husband had also been detained by Chinese authorities and determined that she was unsafe there. She subsequently informed U.S. diplomats about her situation, and they agreed to help her and her children move to the U.S. She now lives in Virginia, where she has resided since late 2018. Since then, she's traveled to other states where she recounted her harrowing testimony at universities and other events. Tursun has also shared her story with other media outlets, including CNN. In a previous interview with CNN, she vowed that when her children became older, she would tell them that the Chinese government had killed their brother. More than three years after the CNN interview, Tursun explained to CP that she has yet to tell her children the complete details about what happened to their brother. She has told her children that they once had a brother, whom they have seen a picture of. Whenever they ask where he is, she tells them that he is in China. She vowed that when they grow up and their mind is good, I will tell them everything in addition to impressing on them to never, ever forget [that the] Chinese government killed your brother. At the time of the CNN interview, which was published in early 2019, Tursun was working through the U.S. asylum process. She gave an update about her asylum status in her interview with CP, reporting, My asylum process until now is pending. She ultimately concluded that whether or not she receives asylum is not important because whatever happens, I am in this safe country, and I love this country. Tursun predicted that she would spend the rest of her life in the U.S., praising the country for providing her with a life of safety with my kids. Although she initially lived in fear of the CCP immediately after arriving in the U.S., she maintains that all concerns of retaliation have disappeared now that she has settled in: Because I am in one of the [strongest] countries in the world they cannot do anything [to] me and the U.S. government is behind me all the way. Abraham Accords are yielding concrete forward steps, more can follow For the first time ever, last week, Israels president made a visit to the United Arab Emirates. President Isaac Herzog traveled to the UAE and met with Abu Dhabis Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This is the direct result of the U.S.-negotiated Abraham Accords, which have been paving the way for previously improbable Israeli-Arab cooperation as well as increased trade and investment with the United States. The Abraham Accords, which President Donald Trump institutionalized in September 2020, have normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates as well as Israel and Bahrain. For instance, as Israel and the UAE work more closely together as the consequence of the accords, a major UAE sovereign wealth fund has invested about $100 million in venture capital into Israels technology sector, which will solidify pragmatic business and investment ties between the two countries. It is notable that according to the UAE-Israel Business Council, trade between Israel and the UAE is expected to reach $2 billion in 2022, up from about $250 million annually before the normalization. Israel and Bahrain also have been interacting with each other constructively since the signing of the accords. Israel began importing aluminum from Bahrain, and the two countries are planning to sign an agreement that allows the transshipment of goods arriving by sea in Bahrain onto planes heading to Israel. Indeed, as recently noted by the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit U.S. organization dedicated to supporting the implementation and expansion of the historic peace agreements: While the historic Abraham Accords have led to an exciting surge in economic ties between Israel and its new Arab partners, the Accords promise goes much deeper than bilateral business deals. The peace agreements have the potential to transform the region, creating a new Middle East corridor of prosperity, stability, and trade. The report further emphasizes, 2022 will be a critical year for realizing this potential. While the Abraham Accords have the potential to transform the region, such a transformation will not happen on its own. We must focus our time, energy and effort on those actions which serve to liberate the economic potential of the Accords, adopt a strategic approach which utilizes the unique contributions of each member, cut through bureaucratic red-tape, and account for integration with global markets. To that end, Washington can facilitate greater interaction with Bahrain, Israel, and the UAE as a forward-looking economic partner. The United States has already established a network of trade pacts through free trade agreements with Israel and Bahrain. In addition to better utilizing these existing agreements, Washington can consider connecting these trade agreements to its vibrant economic interaction with the UAE, which is the United States single largest export market in the Middle East and North Africa region, with 1,000 American firms operating in the country. Such an arrangement would create dynamic free trade and open investment linkages among the four nations, jointly benefiting their economies and increasing cooperation. Needless to say, their private sectors will be critical to the post-pandemic recovery of their respective countries. Washington can further support economic engagement by encouraging a high-level forum convening senior government and private-sector representatives from the U.S. and the Abraham Accords countries. In addition to bolstering private companies interest and participation, an Abraham Accords trade and investment forum can be a public way for Washington to demonstrate continuing commitment to the historic accords. On that note, the recent launch of the bipartisan, bicameral congressional Abraham Accords Caucus that intends to build on the ongoing success of the agreements is quite welcome as an additional platform for greater engagement through the pact, bolstering the United States commitment to peace and prosperity in the Middle East. As the report by the Abraham Accords Peace Institute pointed out, 2022 should be the year for the U.S., Bahrain, Israel and the UAE to stand steadfast and continue closer cooperation for advancing their shared interests. Originally published at The Daily Signal. What many women desperately need to hear from the pulpit It was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday at this church. I was a guest speaker for the morning worship. The pastor invited me to come and preach on the very controversial subject of abortion. The message I gave addressed not only the wanton destruction of human life, but also addressed any woman who might be considering an abortion, as well as any woman who may have already had one. Afterward, a woman came up to me and said with an expression of tremendous gratitude how glad she was my message spoke to women who had had an abortion. She never divulged whether she ever had an abortion or not, and I didnt ask. But she said to me with great emotion: "Thank you for telling women that God will forgive them for their abortion. Sometimes I think we give them the impression they are automatically damned to hell. They need to hear that Christ will forgive them of anything." Another lady who overheard our conversation then chimed in and interjected, Yes, but some women say they have no regrets and are happy they had an abortion. To which the first woman replied, You know, I think most of them are just projecting. The guilt can be profound. That short conversation impacted me like never before. Women who suffer the emotional pain of having destroyed the life in their womb need to hear there is healing and reconciliation. Too often, the blood-guiltiness of the willful destruction of human life in abortion is vilified (and rightly so), but without emphasizing Gods offer to be cleansed and forgiven. Abortion has two victims the child and the mother. According to Live Action, in June of 2020, a poll on the abortion pill demonstrated 77% of women regretted their abortions. The study found: 83% of the women said they were changed by their abortions, with 77% saying the change was negative. 77% said they regretted their abortions. 60% reported feelings of isolation and alienation. 38% reported problems with anxiety, depression, drug abuse, and/or suicidal thoughts as a result of the abortion. 50% said the babys father or other family members used negating language as a means to justify a womans need for an abortion. A few years ago, I was trying to recruit a woman to run for a seat in the North Carolina General Assembly. I knew her background well and thought she would make a sensational candidate. While we talked, she suddenly and unexpectedly burst into tears. The grief in her voice was severe and distressing. She said: Perhaps I should run for office. Because of what I did, I need to give back something of what I took away. She had had an abortion when she was younger and still bearing the anguish many years after. In a small and powerful 59-page book titled, Spiritual Reflections of a Pro-Life Pilgrim, Michael T. Mannion explains how critical it is for the pulpit to speak to this aspect of the abortion issue. Please forgive the long quote by Mannion, but its worth it. He most eloquently writes: "[M]any women who have had abortionsare presently suffering in a painful, lonely and silent world of guiltlooking for a way out. Each Sunday, they might listen intently for one word one phrase one motion of compassion that tells them that their church or congregation is open to help heal the pain that there is a way back. These women need to hear the words of Jeremiah being personally spoken to them: "There is hope for your future, says the Lord. (Jer. 31:17)" "The guilt and loneliness felt by a woman who has had an abortion are more often than not accompanied by a sense of worthlessness, inadequacy, and inability to help others, let alone herself. These feelings present a unique faith opportunity to the person in the pulpit. As we begin our homily or sermon, we can seek a spiritual and emotional affiliation with that woman in the pew. We can ask her to pray for us as we speak, that our words might help heal and console her, that our words might help prevent some of her sisters in distress from making the same tragic mistake. We can speak out with honesty and compassion, without betraying either [the mother or the unborn child], and show there is hope for the future for the woman who has had an abortion, for the woman facing the decision." "We can speak of our churchs desire to be an instrument of the Lords healing by welcoming her back to wholeness and reconciliation and of the need for her prayers for women facing the decision she once faced. We must speak out. The harvest of pain and the destruction of life will be too great if we dont." "We can tell her that we all, in one way or another, abort Gods will in our lives, perhaps not as dramatically as in a physical abortion but certainly spiritually through selfishness, greed, anger, pride, and resentment. For all these spiritual abortions, we all must seek forgiveness, for they have helped to create a world where the physical abortion is common and promoted." Yes, let us speak boldly from the pulpit against abortion, let the laity courageously speak out too. Abortion is a cruel practice in our culture, and it must be stopped. But let us also say with equal tenderness there is room at the Cross for anyone no matter how egregious the sin. If we confess our sins, he [Christ] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). Its a message from the pulpit many women desperately need to hear. Judge dismisses Duggar sisters' 'invasion of privacy' lawsuit against police, county officials A judge dismissed the 2017 lawsuit filed by Duggar sisters Jill, Jessa, Jinger and Joy-Anna stating that the reality TV stars failed to prove that police acted with bad intentions by leaking a report that allowed the sisters to be identified by media as having been molested by their older brother Josh Duggar. Arkansas U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks made his ruling on Wednesday, saying the Duggar sisters have not presented any direct proof or reasonable inference to prove their claims that authorities intended "to inflict emotional distress." The case was dismissed with prejudice just a day before the sisters Feb. 10 settlement conference was canceled, according to local newsoutlets. Brooks concluded that the Springdale Police Department didnt intentionally look to cause the Duggar sisters emotional distress by sharing the report after the information was requested by a Freedom of Information Act request filed by In Touch Magazine. Instead, they even attempted to conceal the girls identities by redacting their names from the police report before being released to the media. In 2017, Jill, Jessa, Jinger and Joy Duggar filed a lawsuit against officials with the Springdale Police Department and Washington County for releasing private documents in 2015 concerning claims they made as minors against their brother, who had been investigated for child molestation accusations. In December, Josh Duggar was found guilty by a federal jury in Arkansas of receiving and possessing child pornography and could face up to 20 years in prison. He allegedly had over 200 images of child porn on his electronic devices of children ranging from about 18 months of age to 12 years of age. In their separate lawsuit against authorities, the sisters argued that when they spoke to investigators in 2006 about the molestations, they were assured their statements were legally protected and would only be shared with police and child protective services officials because they were minors. As a result of the document leak, the Duggars lawsuit argued that In Touch was able to produce eight articles that revealed personal information about the sisters despite a state law barring the disclosure of information related to sexual misconduct involving children. The four sisters sued the police department and several other defendants for leaking their private documents. The sisters lawsuit was first filed on May 18, 2017, claiming that actions were hastily and improperly taken. The claims were made against the defendants, who were narrowed down and listed in the lawsuit as Maj. Rick Hoyt of the Washington County Sheriffs Office, Springdale City Attorney Ernest Cate and former Police Chief Kathy OKelley. A court filing shows that the defendants were accused under Arkansas law of outrage, invasion of privacy by intrusion upon seclusion and invasion of privacy by public disclosure of private facts. Judge Brooks found that the defendants were motivated by a belief that they were legally obligated to release these reports, and to do so quickly. By the time Chief OKelley from Springdale and Major Hoyt from Washington County discovered the existence of the FOIA requests, the three-day response deadline had already passed, Brooks stated in the dismissal, according to KNWA. Chief OKelley testified she was embarrassed that her department had missed the request and deadline, and Major Hoyt testified that his first glimpse at the request revealed we were over our limit of time. It is undisputed that Defendants actions were motivated by fear of possible legal consequences for a missed deadline. In other words, they worried exclusively about compliance with one part of the FOIA and failed to investigate the other parts (and other relevant state law). The judge reasoned that there is no evidence on which a jury could rely to show that Defendants believed that disclosing the reports would be illegal. Even though the judge admits that the Duggar sisters met their evidentiary burden to survive summary judgment, the claim was dismissed because the Court is skeptical that a state actor could intend to inflict emotional distress and at the same time believe he was complying with the law. African missionaries were about to be murdered until a simple act saved their lives, had an eternal impact "The Gospel really is all we need." That's the lesson Christian Post reporter Leah MarieAnn Klett took away from her recent coverage of an African ministry that shares biblical truth with unreached people groups. "It's extremely dangerous to be a Christian in these areas," Klett said. "And it's very dangerous to go into these areas and reach people with the Gospel." She specifically shared a harrowing story from Oscar Amaechina, president of Afri-Mission and Evangelism Network in Abuja, Nigeria, who revealed that he and other missionaries were once almost murdered by a group but that an act of simple love and compassion changed everything and had an eternal impact. Klett said, "This group of people who set out to kill him converted to Christianity because of kindness." Listen to the powerful conversation: "The Christian Post Podcast" takes you behind the headlines of the biggest faith, culture, and political headlines of the week. In 15 minutes or less, Christian Post staff writers and editors will help you navigate and understand whats driving each story, the issues at play and why it all matters. Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app and be sure to subscribe to the Christian Post Podcast on your favorite platforms: Canadian pastor says attacks on church services bring back memories of communism A Canadian pastor who kicked police out of his church after they tried to shut down a worship service during Holy Week said the actions of law enforcement bring back memories of communism under the Soviet Union. Pastor Artur Pawlowski, who was born in Poland and lived under Soviet rule during part of his childhood, received plaudits from people worldwide for his actions in forcefully ordering law enforcement officers including a police officer and public health officer off the church's property after they interrupted a Passover mass at Street Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A video documenting his encounter with the local law enforcement went viral, receiving more than 3 million views. Throughout the video, Pawlowski is seen telling law enforcement officials to get out. He also commanded that they dont come back without a warrant and called them Gestapo and Nazi psychopaths. About a minute after the video started, they began to depart from the property. Calgary Police Service released a statement suggesting that their presence at the church was justified because of a concern that people in attendance were not adhering to the governments COVID-19 public health orders, which are in place to ensure everyones safety. Pawlowski, who grew up in Poland when the country was under a communist dictatorship, appeared on Fox News Primetime Tuesday night to discuss the exchange. Host Mark Steyn noted that Pawlowski grew up behind the Iron Curtain, adding, What happened to you over Easter is exactly, I take it, why you didnt want to stay behind the Iron Curtain. I grew up under communist dictatorship behind the Iron Curtain, under the brute of the Soviets, and Im telling you thats no fun at all. It was a disaster, Pawlowski recalled. Police officers could break into your house, five in the morning, they could beat you up, torture you, they could arrest you for no matter what reason. It was like a flashback when those police officers showed up at my church. Everything kind of came back to life from my childhood, he said. And the only thing I could do is to fend off the wolves as a shepherd, and I used my voice to get rid of them. They were illegally encroaching on our rights during the most holy days during the Passover celebration. I was a little bit shaken. But I did what every shepherd, right now, on the planet Earth, should be doing: Fend off the wolves. We as lions should never bow before the hyenas, and thats what they are right now, Pawlowski added. Steyn noted that a lot of the things that have become accepted in the last year, for example, New York police kicking a woman to the ground because shes not wearing a mask (and) governors of American states and Canadian provinces telling you whether youre allowed to have your granny or your aunt over for Christmas or Thanksgiving are examples of the tight, 24/7 control that most communist countries lived under for half a century. He asked Pawlowski: Is it all beginning to look worryingly familiar to you, the way people accept it? Pawlowski answered in the affirmative: I have been warning Canadians for the past 16 years that thats whats coming. I could smell it; I could see it at every corner. The implementation of what we are seeing now, it started about 20 years ago. Growing up under communist dictatorship, I mean, thats a disaster, thats hell on Earth, and I see it already in our western democracies, he continued. The only way I know how to fight them is 1981 that I witnessed millions of Poles taking to the streets and saying to them No more. Get out of our country. Get out, stop. Millions of Poles took it to the streets during Solidarity, Lech Walesa, and they won their freedom. He suggested that a similar movement was needed in western democracies to ensure that politicians will give up the emergency powers they have enjoyed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Those people will never give up their new gained powers, Pawlowski predicted. Youve got to demand those rights back; you have to fight for your rights. Theyll never give it back to you freely. Pawlowski urged the residents of Canada, the United States, and other western democracies to get them out of your properties, out of your businesses, out of your churches. He then urged viewers to open up, open the churches. Clergymen should unite and start pushing this darkness away. We should come and take to the streets and say, No more lockdowns, no more restrictions. We will not put up with this anymore. We are fighting back. Christian CEO fired over views on marriage wins religious discrimination case A court in Scotland has ruled in favor of a Christian CEO who they said was unjustly fired by the countrys biggest grant-making trust because of his Christian views on marriage. Kenneth Ferguson was unlawfully discriminated against by The Robertson Trust and its Chairwoman Shonaig Macpherson for believing that marriage is exclusively between a man and woman, an Employment Tribunal has ruled. The Christian Institute, which supported Ferguson, announced the ruling in a statement on Friday. Ferguson is an elder of Stirling Free Church, which holds traditional views on marriage and abortion. The Christian CEO was dismissed from the Glasgow-based Trust last March after Macpherson objected to the church hiring the Barracks Conference Centre, a Trust property, for its Sunday services. But the Trust reportedly cited performance issues as the reason for his firing. I was told by two members of my senior management team that Shonaig Macpherson went ballistic and was almost unable to speak because she was so angry, Ferguson said previously, according to The Herald. She kept asking why the Trust had rented to the Stirling Free Church. One colleague told me that Shonaig had said definitely not the Free Church, anyone but the Free Church, they dont believe in same-sex marriage. They said she was incandescent with anger. The Tribunal observed that Macpherson appeared to be seeking to find reasons to justify firing Ferguson prior to March 2020. The issue of the beliefs of the claimant and Church with which he was associated had been on the mind of Macpherson throughout the whole procedure, the ruling said. It added that Fergusons beliefs on marriage were protected and that it was trite that it is lawful to hold such beliefs and to express them. Im just relieved this is over, Ferguson was quoted as saying after the ruling. Its been a very difficult time for me and my family. He added, I was treated by The Robertson Trust in a way I had never been treated before in my whole professional life. But Im satisfied that justice has been done. The Tribunal has ruled that they were wrong to behave that way and Im grateful. The Christian Institutes Deputy Director for Public Affairs Simon Calvert called the ruling a welcome re-statement of the principle, upheld again and again in the courts, that the Christian belief that marriage is between a man and a woman is a belief protected by equality law and worthy of respect in a democratic society. Calvert said it was a just outcome and one which sounds a warning to those who think they can mistreat Christians in the workplace. Although the church had hired the property in June 2019 for one year, it was asked to quit for not complying with the Trust policy. The court's next step is to hold a hearing to decide the amount of damages which The Robertson Trust will have to pay Ferguson. CVS defends policy after Christian nurse fired for refusing to prescribe contraception drugs A Christian nurse practitioner has filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging that CVS discriminated by not granting her a religious exemption from dispensing contraception and terminating her for refusing to do so. In response, the national drug store chain defended its policy to require nurses to perform "essential functions" of the job. The First Liberty Institute, a religious liberty legal nonprofit, wrote a letter to the EEOC on behalf of nurse Robyn Strader Tuesday. The document stated that Strader worked as a nurse practitioner at a CVS Pharmacy MinuteClinic in Keller, Texas, for 6.5 years until she was fired for refusing to prescribe contraception because doing so conflicted with her religious beliefs. Before her first day on the job, Ms. Strader asked for a religious accommodation not to prescribe contraception, and upon hiring her, CVS agreed to accommodate her religious beliefs, First Liberty Counsel Christine Pratt wrote in the letter. For the next 6.5 years, CVS accommodated Ms. Strader with no issues. On the rare occasions someone requested contraception, Ms. Strader referred them to the other nurse practitioner at her location or to another CVS MinuteClinic two miles away. Straders work experience changed dramatically on Aug. 26, 2021. That is the day CVS announced that all nurses must perform essential services related to pregnancy prevention, including contraception. Shortly after that, Straders manager informed her that CVS would no longer honor religious accommodations regarding pregnancy prevention services and that Ms. Strader had no religious accommodation on file with CVS. On September 23, 2021, Ms. Straders manager said that, if Ms. Strader did not change her beliefs about contraception, CVS would fire her on October 31, 2021, the letter adds. Ms. Straders manager repeatedly pressured Ms. Strader to change her beliefs. CVS failed to timely respond to the three letters Ms. Strader wrote requesting a religious accommodation, and on October 31, 2021, it terminated her. After firing Strader, Pratt said that CVS claimed that she never requested a religious accommodation and that accommodating her would cause CVS an undue hardship. The lawyer argues that CVS violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on religion. CVS discriminated against Ms. Strader on the basis of religion when it prospectively preempted all requests for religious accommodations related to contraception prescription, derided her religious beliefs and pressured her to abandon them, discontinued a six-year religious accommodation without cause, refused to consider her request for an ongoing religious accommodation, failed to engage with her about possible accommodations, and terminated her because of her religious beliefs, the letter states. Title VII declares that it shall be an unlawful practice for an employer to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individuals race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. I am a Christian and longtime member of a Baptist Church, Strader claimed in a discrimination charge signed Monday. I believe that all human life is created in Gods image and should be protected. For this reason, I cannot participate in facilitating an abortion or participate in facilitating contraceptive use that could prevent the implantation of an embryo, cause an abortion, or contribute to infertility. Strader accused her former manager of pressuring her to abandon her religious beliefs that motivated her steadfast opposition to contraception. Specifically, she reported that her former manager told her, you are doing this to yourself when speaking of her impending termination and took issue with her strong beliefs. In a statement to The Christian Post, CVS Executive Director of Corporate Communications Mike DeAngelis insisted that while the company couldnt comment on a specific complaint filed with EEOC, it has a well-defined process in place for employees to request and be granted a reasonable accommodation due to their religious beliefs, which in some cases can be an exemption from performing certain job functions. It is not possible, however, to grant an accommodation that exempts an employee from performing the essential functions of their job, he argued. We continue to enhance our MinuteClinic services, growing from providing urgent care to offering more holistic care. DeAngelis describes educating and treating patients regarding sexual health matters including pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infection perfection, and safer sex practices as essential job functions of our providers and nurses." DeAngelis maintained that [w]e cannot grant exemptions from these essential MinuteClinic functions. In a statement, Pratt cited Strader as an example of corporate canceling of faithful religious Americans, which she demanded must end. CVS accommodated Robyn for more than six years without any problems, Pratt said. Its bad medicine to force religious health care professionals to choose between their faith and their job, especially at a time when we need as many health care professionals as we can get. In recent weeks, other major corporations have reached settlements with religious employees after their refusals to accommodate their deeply held beliefs led to lawsuits. Last month, an Amazon delivery service provider paid $50,000 to a former Christian employee fired for refusing to work Sundays. Pastor Artur Pawlowski arrested before preaching at Canadian trucker convoy Pastor Artur Pawlowski, who has butted heads with Canadian authorities throughout the pandemic, was arrested again just before he was set to address a group of Canadian truckers opposed to vaccine mandates. Pawlowski of the Cave of Adallum Church and Street Church in Calgary, Alberta, was arrested at his home Tuesday as he was about to depart for a church service at a border blockade engineered by truckers protesting vaccine mandates and provincial leadership in Milk River, Alberta. Pawlowski has gained notoriety in Canada and the United States for his outspoken opposition to coronavirus worship restrictions and has been arrested multiple times over the past year for holding a church service in violation of worship restrictions and protesting outside the home of Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping. Videos documenting Pawlowskis tense exchanges with local law enforcement officials seeking to enforce coronavirus restrictions, where the pastor refers to them as Nazis and the Gestapo, have gone viral. Video footage of Pawlowskis most recent arrest was posted to the pastors YouTube channel Tuesday. A law enforcement official informed Pawlowski that he was under arrest for mischief. As with his previous arrests, Pawlowski refused to walk with law enforcement. The officers lamented that he refused to just stand up and elected to go dead fish before carrying him away to the police car. While Pawlowski remained quiet throughout most of the video, his brother Dawid confronted the officers, repeatedly referring to them as Nazis and criminals before urging them to treat him with respect. Pastor Pawlowski told the officers, I do not cooperate with Nazis. Ezra Levant of Rebel News, which has supported Pawlowski in his ongoing legal battles with local government, elaborated on the events leading up to the arrest based on information he received from the pastors son, Nathaniel. There was an undercover police van staked out surveilling the family home, Levant reported. They grabbed his dad, Artur Pawlowski, arrested him and took him off to jail, he added. According to Levant, the officers were stopping him from going to speak to the trucker blockade down in Coutts, Alberta. Levant cited the Calgary police literally arresting a Christian pastor who was planning on speaking to a peaceful protest as the latest example of how this is not the Canada that you thought that you were in. He contended that the country had transformed into an authoritarian Canada thats verging on a police state. This was clearly an attempt to stop him from expressing himself politically to these truckers, Levant concluded. Members of Pawlowskis family reacted to his arrest in a subsequent interview with Rebel News. Nathaniel Pawlowski told the news outlet that We were getting ready to head to Milk River; my dad was going to perform a church service for them there. Before they could depart, the pastor was arrested for causing mischief by blockading infrastructure in a previous appearance at the protest. He recalled that they were staking out our home for hours, waiting for him to leave the house and then they grabbed him ... right before he could go perform his duties as a clergyman. Dawid Pawlowski recounted that the arrest occurred after the pastors wife took their younger children to school. Artur and Dawid Pawlowski emigrated to Canada from Poland. The pastor went viral last year when he compared the actions of the provincial authorities to what he saw growing up behind the Iron Curtain. Pastor Pawlowski addressed his arrest in a phone call from prison, describing Calgary Chief of Police Mark Neufeld as a disgrace to the uniform and offering similar criticism of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Pawlowski accused Kenney of hypocrisy for not abiding by the coronavirus restrictions he imposed on the people of Alberta. Nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic, outrage over coronavirus restrictions and mandates in Canada extends far beyond Pawlowski. The Freedom Convoy, a group of truckers primarily concentrated in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, was established to protest the mandate requiring all truckers who travel across the U.S.-Canada border as part of their job to take the coronavirus vaccine or quarantine upon re-entry into the country. Truckers have walked off the job to participate in the weeks-long demonstration. Many truckers descended on Ottawa in late January to protest Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about their concerns, but truckers have spread out all across the U.S.-Canada border, in some cases, blocking border crossings, occupying roadways and clogging Ottowas downtown for days. The protests have also spread to other cities. Many Canadians and Americans donated to the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe to help cover the costs of the truckers expenses. However, the platform removed the fundraiser from its website because of multiple discussions with local law enforcement and police reports of violence and other unlawful activity. The Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo has become the new home for fundraising efforts on behalf of the truckers who are seeking donations to help with the cost of fuel first, and hopefully food and lodging to help ease the pressures of this arduous task. As of Thursday morning, the GiveSendGo fundraiser has raised just over $8 million. Government opposition to the Freedom Convoy is not limited to Alberta. Trudeau condemned the multiracial group of protesters for perpetuating antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, homophobia, and transphobia. Ottawa police officers and city officials have seized fuel from truckers and those seeking to provide fuel for the truckers because they believe it is helping contribute to the mischief the truckers are causing in the capital city. The Justice Centre, a legal organization that supports the Freedom Convoy, has criticized the seizure of fuel as illegal and unjustified. Justice Centre Counsel Nicholas Wansbutter described taking fuel from Canadian citizens in the downtown Ottawa area as an illegal seizure in a context where no crimes are being committed, and no charges were laid against truckers or anyone else. In my view, the truckers are not doing anything illegal by protesting peacefully against the 23 months of politicians restricting our Charter freedoms, he stated. Citizens have every right to bring food, water, fuel, and other necessities of life in the winter to other Canadians, including truckers. Canadian pastor arrested for holding outdoor service after church was seized by authorities A Canadian pastor has been arrested after his church held an outdoor worship service at an undisclosed location after the local government ordered the church building to be closed. Tim Stephens, who serves as pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta, was arrested Monday after refusing to abide by the order from Alberta Health Services to refrain from holding worship services that don't comply with the provincial COVID-19 rules. On Monday, Stephens shared on his Twitter account that I just got a tip that the police may be on their way to arrest me. I just got a tip that the police may be on their way to arrest me. Why? I continue to lead our church to worship Jesus as Lord over every earthly power. More to come... Pray brothers and sisters. Stand firm, keep the faith. Tim Stephens (@tim__stephens) June 14, 2021 Shortly after that, police showed up and arrested the pastor in front of his eight children, who tearfully told him goodbye. Video footage of the arrest was obtained by Rebel News. A reporter for the Canadian news outlet asked the police if they wanted to comment on why Jason Kenney gets a free pass and youre arresting pastors across the province." The comment was a reference to Alberta Premier Jason Kenneys June 1 dinner with cabinet members that did not comply with the provinces public health restrictions. Early Tuesday morning, Stephens wife, Raquel, posted an update announcing that Tim was arrested again for holding an outdoor service in violation of Albertas health orders." "He went before a Justice of the Peace [Monday] evening and refused the bail condition, so hell remain in custody until his next court date June 28," she wrote. Tim was arrested again for holding an outdoor service in violation of Albertas health orders. He went before a Justice of the Peace this evening and refused the bail condition so hell remain in custody until his next court date June 28.@tim__stephenshttps://t.co/MDAuLCfengpic.twitter.com/UCtPRjNohq Raquel Stephens (@RaquelAStephens) June 15, 2021 In a statement, Raquel Stephens explained that state authorities want "Tim to tell people what to wear, where to stand, and to forbid some people from being [in] the church." She noted that when she asked the police officers if they had ever broken the health orders, they answered in the affirmative. Tim was offered bail conditional upon his agreement to abide by all public health orders, she added. He couldnt agree because doing so would prevent him from faithfully shepherding the flock that has been entrusted to his care. He will remain in custody until his next court date on June 28. Mrs. Stephens predicted that Tims imprisonment will strengthen us in the faith and embolden us to love and obey Christ, no matter the cost. She asked for prayers that her husband would stand firm; that he would meditate on the love of Christ and his sacrifice for his sinners; that he would be comforted in his chains. The Calgary Police Service and Alberta Health Services confirmed Stephens was arrested for violating a court order. "Stephens acknowledged the injunction, but chose to move forward with an illegal outdoor service, ignoring requirements for social distancing and reduced capacity limits for attendees," the joint statement reads. The news outlet notes that a large crowd gathered at an undisclosed location to worship and hear Stephens preach on Sunday. The congregation was reportedly discovered by a police helicopter. Police vehicles were seen circling the location and waited until Monday to arrest Stephens. Stephens is represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms. On June 5, Pastor Stephens tweeted pictures of notices that were posted on the doors of his church proclaiming that Alberta Health Services Has Ordered This Premises Closed to the Public and Alberta Health Services has secured this building as per section 62.1 of the Public Health Act. The closure of Fairview Baptist Church will remain in effect until such time that this order is rescinded by an Executive Officer of Alberta Health Services. AHS seized our building! Fines, injunctions, imprisonment, and seizure of property will only demonstrate the folly of their actions and bring glory to Christ. Incredible that this happened in the same week our most senior officials were photo'd flouting health orders. pic.twitter.com/JCT8ToWjTP Tim Stephens (@tim__stephens) June 5, 2021 Stephens attempted to make the best of the situation by vowing that Fines, injunctions, imprisonment, and seizure of property will only demonstrate the folly of their actions and bring glory to Christ. He remarked that it was incredible that this happened in the same week our most senior officials were photod flouting health orders, referring to Kenney. Stephens was arrested last month for holding a church service that did not comply with public health orders, including masking, physical distancing and attendance limits. During his imprisonment, Stephens wrote a letter to his children asserting that I have been arrested because I am convinced by the word of God, reason, and science, that we must gather as a church and live our lives with freedom in Christ. Raquel Stephens shared an excerpt of that letter in her update Tuesday morning. According to Rebel News, Alberta authorities were forced to drop other charges against the pastor last month after discovering that Alberta Health Services never served Stephens with the court order he was said to have violated. Stephens is not the only Canadian pastor to face legal consequences for holding in-person worship services after his church building was ordered to close. The pastor of a church in Aylmer, Ontario, faces nearly $200,000 in fines for holding outdoor worship services after the local government shut down his church building. Artur Pawlowski, another pastor based in Calgary, has had multiple encounters with law enforcement over coronavirus worship restrictions. Pawlowski has angrily confronted local police and public health officials who showed up at his church in two viral videos and was eventually arrested for holding an illegal in-person gathering. Police search for gunman who killed woman, shot 2 pastors at Colorado church Authorities in Colorado have issued an arrest warrant for a man they believe entered a church and performed a mass shooting that left one woman dead and two pastors injured. The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit released a statement Sunday announcing an arrest warrant for 31-year-old Jose De Jesus Montoya Villa. Villa was identified as the suspect who entered Iglesia Faro De Luz on Friday evening and opened fire on the congregation, killing one and injuring two others. At the time, there were about 15 to 20 people inside the church, according to police. The church, pastored by Remigio Montes, is listed as being affiliated with the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination. The arrest warrant is for first-degree murder, with Aurora authorities promising a reward of as much as $2,000 for information that leads to Villas arrest. We are asking anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Jose to either contact your local law enforcement agency or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous, stated the police. On Friday night, police responded to reports of a shooting at Faro De Luz, with witnesses eventually identifying Villa as the man they believe committed the shooting. Agent Matthew Longshore, public information officer with the Aurora Police Department, said at a press conference Saturday that the two injured men were expected to survive. Authorities said that two men both pastors were shot during the attack, according to the Denver-based KDVR. Their identities have not been released. We do know right now that there is some sort of relationship between the suspect and one of the victims. That exact relationship is not going to be released at this point, said Longshore. Investigators are working hard to identify this suspect, track him down, and hopefully arrest him we have investigators from a major crimes homicide unit on scene. Longshore said that investigators believe that it was not just a random shooting and they are canvassing the neighboring businesses looking for any surveillance video. KDVR reports the victim was Villas ex-girlfriend, 36-year-old Adela Madrid. Madrid is remembered as a mother of two who was active in her church. Madrid was a frontline healthcare worker as well as a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder. Madrids teenage daughter, Adeya Vidales-Madrid, pleaded with Villa to surrender to authorities. I want them to know that I want him to turn himself in or for somebody to give information about him because he took my mom in very cruel way that she did not deserve to go through, stated the daughter, as quoted by KDVR. Healthcare provider pays $75K to Pentecostal nurse denied religious exemption not to wear scrub pants A Tennessee-based healthcare provider will pay $75,000 to a Pentecostal nurse to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit that says the company rescinded her job offer over her refusal to wear scrub pants while at work as her religious beliefs require her to dress modestly. Wellpath, LLC, a provider of health services in correctional facilities, will pay $75,000 and provide significant equitable relief to Malinda Babineaux, who is a practicing Apostolic Pentecostal Christian, to settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency said in a statement. According to the lawsuit, Wellpath hired the nurse to work in the GEO Central Texas Correctional Facility in downtown San Antonio, but she told a human resources employee of Wellpath that she would wear a scrub skirt instead of scrub pants at work due to her religious beliefs. Wellpath denied the request and revoked her job offer. The EEOC said the nurse had worn a scrub skirt for several years as she worked at other correctional facilities. Under federal law, when a workplace rule conflicts with an employees sincerely held religious practice, an employer must attempt to find a workable solution, Philip Moss, a trial attorney at the agencys San Antonio Field Office, said. This settlement should underscore the importance of employers taking affirmative steps to comply with their obligations under anti-discrimination laws. Title VII prohibits discrimination based on religion and requires employers to reasonably accommodate an applicants or employees sincerely held religious beliefs unless it would pose an undue hardship. The EEOC first sought to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process, but the efforts failed. The agency then filed a suit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, in September 2020. The settlement requires that the company pay back pay and compensatory damages of $75,000 to the former employee and provide for injunctive relief, including anti-discrimination training and distribution of a notice informing employees of their rights. The EEOC is pleased that in addition to a monetary settlement, Wellpath has agreed to training human resources employee at its headquarters and certain managers throughout Texas on anti-discrimination laws and providing accommodations, including matters related to dress and grooming based on religion, Regional Attorney Robert Canino said. Just loving America will never be enough I love America, but my hope for the future isnt wrapped up in the American flag. If our government imploded tomorrow and all of our freedoms were jerked from our grasp, I would mourn, but I would not throw in the towel. Some in the Christian community discuss politics as if our future depended on the outcome of every election. They say, Our Christian freedoms are being eroded. Many post scandalous, hateful, degrading memes about the opposition. Some advocate for a violent overthrow of the government. For me, Im a free man who was bought and paid for by the mercy of God. And since He owns me, I am here only to obey Him and glorify His name. When He bought me, I surrendered my old passport and voluntarily became a citizen of his kingdom. My citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20). Did Jesus or the apostles give a hint of obsession about worldly governments? I cant find it. The only thing Jesus said about government was, Give back to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is Gods (Matt. 22:21). Wasnt Caesar corrupt? Werent elections rigged? Werent babies killed and innocent people executed? Did the citizens of the Roman empire have a Bill of Rights? The United States cant hold a candle to the corruption of first-century Rome, but Jesus seemed to have no obsession with the quality of a government. This isnt to say we shouldnt get involved and do good when we can we should. But we are given specific instructions about how to be a leavening influence on culture, including politics. Paul wrote, I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Tim. 2:12). Hes talking about ushering in a revolution by praying and petitioning the Almighty to bring about political change. He wrote, Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves (Romans 13:12). In my opinion, theres no ambiguity here. This passage says what it says. God is in charge. Yes, work to change your culture, but if it becomes illegal to worship God again, should we just wait until we get the governments approval before we can praise him? No, the advancing borders of Gods kingdom do not wait on worldly systems. Sure, I openly speak about elections and social issues. I faithfully cast my vote. But all of my hope is in Jesus and His kingdom, not in any political system, including the United States of America. Jesus said, Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt. 6:33). I made the decision a long time ago to seek first Gods kingdom and His righteousness. Jesus promised that when I make his kingdom my number-one priority, God will supply all my needs, no matter how dire the political and social climate appears to be. So far, Jesus hasnt let me down. The writer of Hebrews said about the persecuted saints, They were foreigners and strangers on earth (11:13). Think about that. If I travel outside the United States, I dont have the same rights as the citizens of the countries I visit. I cant express my opinion about their government by voting in their elections. I cant take up residence without getting permission to become a permanent resident. I am completely at the mercy of the systems that govern those countries. As a stranger in a foreign land, I often long for my humble abode on the banks of the Ouachita River. Accepting that Im a stranger here means I am liberated from the obligation to put my trust in anything that offers no hope beyond the here and now. It also sparks a desire to be with God in his kingdom where He wipes away every tear (Rev. 21:4). Theres no more death, mourning, crying or pain. No corruption! No racism! No bigotry! No greed! And to top it off, our leader is a holy, righteous, perfect, all-powerful, and loving God. We will never see that in our worldly leaders. Never. This realm in which we live is chock-full of disappointments. Sure, I experience joy and happiness here on earth, but when I look around, I cant help but see pain and suffering: divorce, abuse, injustice, addictions, hatred, unrest, gossip, slander, discord, and other ugly sins. So, the promise to dwell with God where all that junk will be eradicated creates an intense longing to be there. Peter wrote, Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new Heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:1113). I love America. And yet, a better dwelling awaits. When I tell people to act like a kingdom-driven follower of Christ, I am saying to be liberated from the disappointing rules of worldly systems. Im saying not to let the temporary things of this world control your life. You will never regret when you turn control of your life over to the one who is eternal, the one who is good. One day, you will dance with joy that you did not give your allegiance to the systems of this world. Adapted from Uncanceled: Finding Meaning and Peace in a Culture of Accusations, Shame, and Condemnation. Copyright 2022 by Phil Robertson. Published by Thomas Nelson. Coming Feb. 8, 2022 wherever books are sold. 10 Christian converts forced to take Islamic re-education classes in Iran: report Intelligence agents in Irans Khuzestan Province have instructed 10 Christian converts who had been cleared of all charges to participate in re-education classes led by Islamic clerics, according to a watchdog report. Agents of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told the 10 Christians, including eight who were cleared last November of any crime in a court in Dezful, on Jan. 29 that they will have to attend 10 sessions with Islamic clerics to guide them back onto the right path, Article 18, a nonprofit that promotes religious freedom and tolerance for Christians in Iran, reported. The IRGC had summoned more converts, but they didnt appear. However, those who didnt appear were called and asked why they hadnt appeared. The IRGC arrested four converts in the southwestern city of Dezful last April and charged them with propaganda against the Islamic Republic because they participated in a house church, according to an earlier report from Article 18. The IRGC also summoned other Christian converts for interrogation at the time. The four arrested had personal property confiscated for nearly six months, including necessary items for their childrens schoolwork, laptops and mobile phones. The U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern states that the mandatory Islamic re-education classes directly conflict with the rulings of the Civil and Revolutionary Court of Dezful that said the group merely converted to a different religion. The court noted that this apostasy could be punished under Islamic Sharia law but was not criminalized in the laws of Iran, ICC noted in a statement. In reference to other charges that Iranian Christians often face, the courts also ruled they didnt carry out any propaganda against other groups, ICC added. In 2021, Revolutionary Guards were responsible for 12 of the 38 documented incidents of Christians being arrested or their homes and churches being raided, Article 18 noted. So-called re-education sessions have become much more common in recent years, even appearing in the list of corrective punishments on official court papers, Article 18 detailed. Converts from Islam to Christianity are most at risk of persecution in Iran, especially by the government and to a lesser extent by society and their families, Open Doors USA states in a fact sheet on Iran. The government sees the growth of the church in Iran as an attempt by Western countries to undermine Islam and the Islamic regime of Iran, the fact sheet states. "House groups made up of converts from Muslim backgrounds are often raided, and both their leaders and members have been arrested, prosecuted and given long prison sentences for crimes against national security. Iran is an Islamic republic, and Shia Islam is the official religion of the country. It is illegal for Muslim citizens to convert or renounce their religious beliefs. Conversion from Islam is considered a crime punishable by death. It is also unlawful for Christians to share the Gospel with Muslims. Proselytizing is also a criminal offense. Those who convert to Christianity usually practice their faith in secret. However, in 2020, a survey of about 50,000 Iranians over the age of 20 found that 1.5% of respondents identify as Christian. Applied across Irans population of more than 80 million, the number of Christians in Iran is without doubt in the order of magnitude of several hundreds of thousands and growing beyond a million, the Netherlands-based secular research group GAMAAN, stated after the study. Iran ranks as the 9th worst country globally when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2021 World Watch List. Iran is listed by the U.S. State Department as a "country of particular concern" for engaging in severe violations of religious freedom. For anyone who grew up with only the vague notion of tequila as what goes into margaritas, understanding the traditions and meaning behind tequila and its fellow agave-based spirits like mezcal opens up a new world of craft spirits, cocktail ingredients and deeply meaningful drinks. While those who've tasted both may note the distinct flavor difference between mezcal and tequila, the two spirits have a lot of overlap, including in regionality and ingredients. The two agave-based spirits share much of their history, both come from Mexico (including a few of the same states) and can be used in similar fashions. The Indigenous people of Mexico long used the sweet syrup of agave (or maguey), a succulent native to dry regions in Mexico, to make pulquealcoholic beverages made from the fermented sap. When distillation arrived in the region (possibly with the Spanish colonizers), they began to produce spirits from the plentiful plant. What is mezcal? Any distilled spirit made from agave qualifies casually as a mezcal (sometimes spelled mescal). Technically, that does not include tequila, though it was originally known as mezcal de tequila. It does include other types of agave spirits that are less well known outside of Mexico, including regional beverages such as raicilla and bacanora. RHJ/Getty Images/iStockphoto Mexico also has more specific regulations for spirits bottled and labeled as mezcal, including that its made from 100 percent mature agave, has the required ABV (35-55 percent) and that it must be made in one of ten specific states. Most mezcal is made by cooking the core (pina) of the plant, which gives the spirit its signature smokiness, but depending on how traditional or industrial the cooking, fermenting and distilling processes are, Mexico categorizes mezcals as ancestral, artisanal or simply as mezcal. What is tequila? Tequila was a specific subcategory of mezcal, though is now officially considered its own cateogry of spirit. It has the longest history of export, making it the most well-known of the agave spiritsand also the most specifically regulated. The production of commercial tequila originated in the eponymous town in the state of Jaliscoand stemming from that, must be produced in one of five specific states. (Three statesMichoacan, Tamaulipas and Guanajuatoproduce both mezcals labeled as such and tequila.) Tequila also must be made specifically from only blue agave, a specific variety of the plant. Rather than cooking in the wood-fired, earthen ovens that impart smokiness into mezcal, most tequila pinas get steamed in industrial ovens, though a few are still cooked in an oven or processed through alternative methods. mofles/Getty Images/iStockphoto Differences in aged tequila vs. mezcal Both mezcal and tequila come in unaged or barely aged (fewer than two months) varieties, often called blanco. Tequilas are also known as silver (plata) at that age, while those mezcals are also known as joven (which means young). Reposado literally means rested but is rendered as aged on English labels, and refers to tequilas or mezcals aged between two and 12 months. The Spanish word for aged, anejo, refers to any mezcal aged for more than a year or a tequila aged from one to three years. In English, those are called extra-aged. How to drink mezcal vs. tequila In the U.S., tequila is best known as something people take shots of, often with salt and lime, but in Mexico, it is usually sipped alone or with sangritaa mix of juices, usually including orange, lime and either pomegranate or tomato, plus some seasonings, such as hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Tequila also stars in the classic margarita with orange liqueur and lime juice, and in the paloma, with grapefruit soda. Greg Chapel / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm In Mexico, mezcal often comes with slices of oranges and sal de gusanosalt mixed with ground chile and the dried, ground larvae of red moths which live in the agave plants. It is served at room temperature, often in specific cups traditional to the spirit, including shallow jicaras made from gourds or the glass vasos veladoras, which are repurposed glass candle holders used in churches. While mezcal almost always works well in place of tequila in cocktails, it also works well in place of scotch, where the smokiness subs in for the peat. Lighter mezcals have a lot of versatility and can be used in spins of classic drinks like the old fashioned or negroni. By scooping up more than a ton of water and dropping it over wildfires, a Montana business says its seeking to combat climate change and on Wednesday had pilots train on one of its specialized aircraft on Lake Conroe. Bridger Aerospace, named after the Rocky Mountains range that overlooks the companys headquarters, chose the lake as part of its preseason training s for potential forest fire outbreaks in Texas and elsewhere. We gotta start engaging wildfires earlier and more aggressively. That means fighting them harder and sooner, said Bridger Aerospace CEO Tim Sheehy. I think our company is a symbol of that kind of renewed focus on wildfires as a reality of the climate change that were living in. Dubbed super scoopers, the aircraft extract water from nearby natural resources to release it over fires in the wild. They drop up to 130 loads of water a day compared to the standard-use firefighting tankers which only do about three or four dousings due to refilling needs. The super scooper, christened Lewis, used for the training, is part of a fleet of four $30 million CL-1415EAFs owned and operated by Bridger Aerospace. Part boat and part plane, and resembling World War II bombers, the red and yellow super scooper pulls a total 1,412 gallons of water in its two tanks in 12 seconds time. Bridger Aerospace has federal and state contracts and has had its super scoopers deployed in California, Nevada, Washington, and other states but not Texas. Facing the Landing at Seven Coves in Willis, Bridger Aerospace pilot Graham MacIver and co-pilot Max Dubbe lifted off Lake Conroes gleaming surface. Gliding across the blue sky, they circled back and discharged the super scoopers load from a couple of hundred feet above the lake. Originally built in Canada, they are the only purpose-built aircraft in aerial firefighting, according to Bridger Aerospace COO Darren Wilkins. Theres a lot of stresses on the aircraft designed and built into the aircraft, Wilkins said. Its a different environment than most aircraft operate in. Wilkins said the company expects two more super scoopers by years end. Working on a faster model to put out wildfires is essential to curb climate change, Sheehy said . Wildfires, he noted, emit more carbon than almost any other human-caused source and the destruction they cause kills off carbon-absorbing ecosystems. Regarded as a visionary by his team for foreseeing the effectiveness of using super scoopers for over-the-sky firefighting in the U.S., Sheehy, 36, thought up the idea of flying public safety missions while doing aerial surveillance as a U.S. Navy Seal. Upon leaving the force, he opened Bridger Aerospace in late 2014. Lake Conroe was picked for the companys winter training ahead of wildfire season, which typically runs June through October. This is preemptive action as there has been an uptick of wildfires in the state along with Oklahoma and Kansas, Sheehy mentioned. Its good for our guys to train in different locations, different water types, Sheehy said. The area has shown promise, assured Barrett Farrell, a Bridger Aerospace super scooper first officer pilot completing ground training at the Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport since Friday. Were trying to find a Southern home for us, so if all goes well, we might be back next year, Farrell said. jose.gonzalez@chron.com jrgzztx@gmail.com A man tried smuggling 21 migrants through the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 35, according to an arrest affidavit. Lurther Byrd was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport the migrants. A box truck arrived at about 5:45 p.m. Feb. 7 at the I-35 checkpoint. Identified as the driver, Byrd stated he was on his way home to San Antonio. He added he had six pallets to drop off before going home. Byrd allegedly allowed agents to X-ray his vehicle. Agents said the scan revealed anomalies indicating possible migrants hiding in the back of the box truck. Agents inspected the vehicle and discovered 21 migrants. The migrants were from the countries of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Byrd allegedly agreed to provide a post-arrest statement to special agents with Homeland Security Investigations special agents. Byrd accepted responsibility of the failed attempt to smuggle (21) non-citizens through the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. Byrd stated he was going to get paid and that he was going to take the non-citizens to San Antonio, Texas, states the affidavit. To report suspicious activity, call the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994. Transnational criminal organizations are using social media platforms to recruit minors for their smuggling operations, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection release, and authorities have arrested drivers as young as 13. "TCOs are luring minors to smuggle migrants across border towns in the Rio Grande Valley and into the U.S. interior with the promise of fast cash," reads a portion of the CBP press release issued on Feb. 9. "TCOs convince juvenile drivers that they will not face the same consequences as adults if apprehended or that law enforcement will disengage a pursuit if dangerous conditions are present." Overall, RGV agents have seen more than 137,000 migrants between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. of last year, a 163% increase over the same reporting period during the previous year, according to the release, and these agents have also seized more than 11,000 pounds of narcotics this fiscal year, which is approximately 43% of all narcotics seized by the U.S. Border Patrol across U.S. ports of entry. The trend is endangering lives, RGV Chief Patrol Agent Brian Hastings stated via Twitter. Hastings is encouraging parents to talk to their children and educate them on the consequences and dangers of the trend. "The result is an increase in erratic driving by inexperienced drivers, often observed exceeding posted speed limits, and driving against oncoming traffic," reads a portion of the release. "The use of social media has allowed local smugglers to expand their networks reach. New recruits are not only from the Rio Grande Valley. Authorities have arrested drivers from San Antonio, Houston, and other areas." This fiscal year, RGV agents have engaged in more than 99 vehicle pursuits during migrant and narcotic smuggling attempts, primarily on U.S. Highway 83, Hwy 281, and Hwy 77, according to the release. To address the ongoing trend, agents plan to continue to collaborate with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and take appropriate enforcement actions against those individuals involved in narcotics and migrant smuggling, according to the release. The CBP encourages the public to "take a stand against crime in their communities" and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382. EDWARDSVILLE As the only married couple residing at University Care Center, Patrick and Kay Miller have a special place in the hearts of the staff members that care for them. And with Valentines Day coming up on Monday, there is no doubt that they still have a special place in each others hearts. EDITORS NOTE: The Intelligencer requests briefs be submitted at least 10 days prior to the desired publication date. Due to the volume of community-submitted briefs, the content may be published within 10 days of submission. Holidays and weather forecasts may impact some events. The Intelligencer cannot guarantee that submission will be published. NAMI Meeting 7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net. Preschooler Story Time 10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 3-5. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Every week Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and bubbles. Registration Required. Chicken Dinner Every Thursday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774 EPL Book Club for Adults 6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. They will be discussing "Party of Two" by Jasmine Guillory. Good books. Good company. Good talk. Adult Zumba with Aimee 6-7 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. Join in for an evening workout with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Come in comfortable exercise clothing and bring a water bottle.Space is limited. Requires Registration. Friday, Feb. 11 Fish Fry Every Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774 Fish Fry 4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051 Glo-Bingo 6 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose Lodge, 7371 Marine Road (Rt. 143). $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Bring your own snacks. Register online at Glo-Bingo.com. Art with Greta 11 a.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. Each month different mediums will be explored including acrylics, watercolors, pastels, mixed media and more. Space is limited. Registration required. Call 288-1212, register at the Help Desk or register online at www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Saturday, Feb. 12 Galentine's Party 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at The Ink House, 117 North Second St., Edwardsville. Presented by Opal & Lace. Over 25 vendors, cash bar, photo mini shoots, music and makeup and eyebrow tint and waxing. Vendors interested in participating can email kemiller2014@gmail.com Preschool Valentines Dance Party 10:30 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 3-5. Its time for the Librarys Valentines Dance Party. Share sweet stories, sing along with fun songs and dance til you drop. Geek Con 1 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library. Save the date for their first-ever Comic-Con. See a performance by the EHS Drama Club, make a geeky craft, scour the library for hidden objects, and much more. Facemasks are required. Registration required. Registration opened Jan. 2. Call 288-1212, register at the Help Desk or register online at www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga 9:30 a.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join in for an energizing session of yoga. Space is limited. Requires Registration. Monday, Feb. 14 Coventry Crafters 6-7:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Enjoy crafts, snacks and lively conversation. Adult crafters bring portable crafts including needlework, quilting, scrapbooking, knitting, etc. Newcomers always welcome. Tuesday, Feb. 15 Cribbage Club 6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618) 978-1664 for more information. Toddler Time 10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 0-2. Theyve got the books, bops and bubbles. Bring your babies and toddlers to share stories and songs with Miss Kristen and all the Story Time friends. Registration Required. Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday 3-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774 Teen Game Night 6-7 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. Game Night is back every week. Go on a quest with fellow players in Dungeons & Dragons or choose from a variety of board games to play with friends. Take-Home Storytime Bundles 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Bring Storytime home with you. Grab a Storytime Bundle at the Library or request one for curbside and enjoy books, a craft and songs all in one place. Theyll also include a Hoopla recommendation with a brief Storytime guide for you and your family! Limited quantity available. Southern Illinois PAL 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Southern Illinois Parents of Addicted Loved Ones group meets each week to provide hope through education and support. For parents and loved ones over the age of 18 who have someone in their life who is struggling with or recovering from substance use. PAL respects anonymity and is free of charge. Contact Craig at 618-567-6095 to receive the link for the Zoom meeting or for questions. More information can be found at www.palgroup.org. Wednesday, Feb. 16 An Evening with Jasmine Guillory 7 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. Join for an evening with bestselling author Jasmine Guillory as she discusses her newest novel, While We Were Dating and the modern rom-com. Jasmine Guillory is a writer, lawyer and New York Times bestselling author of six romance novels including The Wedding Date, Royal Holiday and Party of Two. Register for this online program at: https://bit.ly/ILP_JasmineGuillory. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present. Lego Club 45 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages five-11. Theyll supply the Legos, just bring your imagination. In the Librarys Meeting Room. Thursday, Feb. 17 Adult Zumba with Aimee 6-7 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. Join in for an evening workout with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Come in comfortable exercise clothing and bring a water bottle.Space is limited. Requires Registration. NAMI Meeting 7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net. Preschooler Story Time 10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 3-5. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Every week Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and bubbles. Registration Required. Chicken Dinner Every Thursday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774 Friday, Feb. 18 Fish Fry Every Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774 Fish Fry 4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051 Saturday, Feb. 19 Goshen Winter Market 10-noon in the expansion parking lot on St. Louis Street. Outdoors. Coloring for Grown-Ups 1-3 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Join in for a relaxing and fun afternoon session of coloring. The library will provide colored pencils, adult coloring books and refreshments. Tri Township Library Book Sale 9-noon at the Tri Township Library, 209 South Main, Troy. Book donations are accepted during the book sale and on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. The book sale is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. In case of inclement weather contact Tri Township Library at 618-667-2133 after 9 a.m. Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga 9:30 a.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join in for an energizing session of yoga. Space is limited. Requires Registration. STEM Activity Kits 2 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Explore science, technology, engineering and math in fun and crafty ways. To-go STEM kits provide a project for the whole family. Registration required. Sunday, Feb. 20 Residential Solar Energy Ideas 1-3 p.m. at Maryville Community Center, 500 East Division St. Part of the Maryville Park & Rec Hybrid Discovery Sunday series. Presented by Elan McMillin from Day & Night Solar. In-person attendees are asked to social distance and wear masks. The Zoom session can be opened with Zoom ID: 850 8666 4733; Pass Code: 236771 or one tape mobile number: +131262667799. Check the Village of Maryville website for any changes. Monday, Feb. 21 Schools Out Movie Matinee 1 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Watch a feature film with free popcorn at Edwardsville Public Library. Contact the library for movie title. Woodlawn Cemetery Board 7 p.m. in the Woodlawn Chapel. All are invited to attend, whether you are a lot owner or have considered purchasing a lot. Take-Home Storytime Bundles 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Bring Storytime home with you with a Storytime Bundle. Pick up at the library or request one for curbside and enjoy books, a craft and songs all in one place. Theyll also include a Hoopla recommendation with a brief Storytime guide for you and your family. Limited quantity available. Medicare Q&A with Jon Bergmann 6-7 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. Bring your questions about Medicare including how to register and what is covered. Requires Registration. Tuesday, Feb. 22 True Crime Book Club 6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Join other armchair detectives in discussing "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote. Toddler Time 10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 0-2. Theyve got the books, bops and bubbles. Bring your babies and toddlers to share stories and songs with Miss Kristen and all the Story Time friends. Registration Required. Teen Game Night 6-7 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. Game Night is back every week. Go on a quest with fellow players in Dungeons & Dragons or choose from a variety of board games to play with friends. Southern Illinois PAL 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Southern Illinois Parents of Addicted Loved Ones group meets each week to provide hope through education and support. For parents and loved ones over the age of 18 who have someone in their life who is struggling with or recovering from substance use. PAL respects anonymity and is free of charge. Contact Craig at 618-567-6095 to receive the link for the Zoom meeting or for questions. More information can be found at www.palgroup.org. Wednesday, Feb. 23 Percy Jackson Book Club 4 p.m.5 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. This month, were reading Book 5, The Last Olympian. Once your register, stop by the Youth Desk to get your free copy of the book. Registration Required. Roxana HCE Meeting 12 p.m. at Rox-Arena in Roxana Park. HCE (formally Home Bureau) meeting. Light lunch is served. Open to the public. For more info contact Vi at 618-803-2795. Virtual Evening Flow Yoga with Anne 5:30-6:15 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening and stretching. Requires Registration. Thursday, Feb. 24 Movie Matinees for Adults 12 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Bring a brown bag lunch and they will provide drinks and popcorn. Call (618)692-7556 for details. Forest Park Owls: Hiding In Plain Sight 6-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Mark H.X. Glenshaw, award-winning naturalist, has documented the lives of Great Horned Owls in Forest Park since 2005. Marks talk will cover basic facts about the species using photos and videos to illustrate their behaviors. NAMI Meeting 7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net. Preschooler Story Time 10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 3-5. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Every week Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and bubbles. Registration Required. Chicken Dinner Every Thursday 4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774 Adult Zumba with Aimee 6-7 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. Join in for an evening workout with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Come in comfortable exercise clothing and bring a water bottle.Space is limited. Requires Registration. Ongoing Events Al-Anon For information call 618-463-2429. For more information, visit SIAFG.org and District-18.org. Youth Take Home Crafts Pick up a take-home craft bag at the Edwardsville Public Library with all the materials to make the project. A new craft will be available each month at the Youth Desk. Republican candidate for the Texas House of Representatives and former teacher Shelley Luther recently said transgender children make her uncomfortable and questioned why other kids should be punished for making fun of them, according to a report from the Houston Chronicle. At a candidate forum in northeast Texas on Saturday, February 5, Luther, a hairdresser and former school teacher who became a hero of the anti-lockdown movement during the coronavirus pandemic, brought up transgender children and shared her support for "school choice." "I am not comfortable with the transgenders," Luther told the audience of Republican voters. "The kids that they brought in my classroom, when they said that this kid is transgendering into a different sex, that I couldn't have kids laugh at them like, other kids got in trouble for having transgender kids in my class. Thats why I vote for school choice." According to her website, Luther believes parents should be allowed to choose "the most appropriate type of schooling (homeschool, public, charter or private) for their child without government intrusion." In an email to the Houston Chronicle, Luther said she "respected and supported all students" in her classroom, but added it became hard for her to teach because the topic of gender transition became the top discussion every day in her classroom. Luther's comments drew a rebuke from the state's leading LGBTQ advocates. Ricardo Martinez, CEO of LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Texas, wrote in a statement that allowing students to laugh at, bully and harass transgender kids isn't leadership. "It's cruelty plain and simple," Martinez. "All children in Texas are guaranteed a public education under the constitution, deserve privacy and the ability to learn in a safe environment." In January, Luther also received backlash after tweeting that Chinese students should not be allowed to attend Texas colleges, according to the Texas Tribune. "Chinese students should be BANNED from attending all Texas universities," Luther said in the now-deleted tweet. "No more Communists!" Im a self-proclaimed cemetery walker. So is my husband. We're of kindred spirit when it comes to visiting cemeteries, and we get especially excited when we locate an ancestor or missing piece to our family puzzle. My interest in genealogy began as a child when I would accompany my father to visit family cemetery plots. As we pulled weeds around headstones, my father would talk and share stories about relatives who had passed on. These times were always enjoyable, not just because of the time spent with my daddy but also because he helped me to better know my family members. As Ive grown older, Ive continued my cemetery walks. Find a Grave plays a major role in my ancestral journey. Find a Grave is an online website where you can search for burial sites. You can also suggest edits such as joining family members and adding pictures or an obituary. Discovering Find a Grave allowed me to expand my knowledge and locate burial sites of ancestors. The website is easy to navigate, and most cemeteries have GPS coordinates listed. The first time I actually used the GPS coordinate feature was to visit Niblick Cemetery in Illinois. Family members from the 1700s are buried there. My husband put the coordinates into his phone, and we hit the dirt roads. Excited and nervous, we finally came upon the small country cemetery. Crossing a small footbridge, we entered through a squeaky gate and were amazed at the manicured grounds. After all, most of the stones were from six generations before. The search was on to find my fifth-great-grandparents headstones, and it wasnt long before they were located. Or at least, what was left. At that moment, I felt very close to the people whose names were on the stone. I paused, looked around and realized that they had once been on the same grounds. Im sure they never thought that one day their great-great-great granddaughter would come for a visit! The next year, my mother and I made the trek to Niblick cemetery and had the best time talking about the generations past as if we actually knew them. There also is a Find a Grave app. Its free to download on your phone. This app is helpful when filling requests made by those unable to visit a cemetery. Using your phone camera, snapping and uploading a picture is simple. One great feature is that you can mark the GPS of the grave site using the Find a Grave app. Family sheets can also be expanded by using the information located on Find a Grave. Documenting burial sites is an important piece of the puzzle for family history. The use of Find a Grave makes it super easy! Become a cemetery walker and enjoy reading the stones. Look at the symbols that add to the persons history. And dont forget to count your steps! You may even walk a mile or two in your ancestors footsteps. Patty Taylor is a freelance columnist for The Beaumont Enterprise. Getty Gov. Greg Abbott appears to be ramping up campaign efforts against opponent Beto O'Rourke. The Democrat made a stop in Austin ahead of the March 1 primary for his "Keeping the Lights On" campaign tour, which focuses on honoring lives lost during the deadly 2021 winter storm and O'Rourke's plans to fix the state power grid. But before the former Texas Congressman began his speech in front of hundreds across the street from the governor's mansion, members of Abbott's re-election campaign distributed empty "fentanyl" pill bottles to those in attendance before being escorted from the event, according to Austin American-Statesman reporter Madlin Mekelburg. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Florida, US (34429) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. An overview of how Canada managed to achieve the highest immigration level in its history amid a challenging pandemic environment. How Canada landed 405,000 new immigrants in 2021 An overview of how Canada managed to achieve the highest immigration level in its history amid a challenging pandemic environment. How Canada landed 405,000 new immigrants in 2021 An overview of how Canada managed to achieve the highest immigration level in its history amid a challenging pandemic environment. How Canada landed 405,000 new immigrants in 2021 An overview of how Canada managed to achieve the highest immigration level in its history amid a challenging pandemic environment. Kareem El-Assal Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Canada exceeded its 2021 immigration target by landing 405,303 new permanent residents last year, according to new data obtained from IRCC by CIC News. Canada has only surpassed 400,000 newcomers one other time in its history, in 1913. The following year, the First World War broke out, and immigration levels plummeted. The Immigration Levels Plan 2021-2023 aimed to welcome 401,000 immigrants in 2021 to support Canadas post-pandemic economic recovery. In 2020, Canada only welcomed 184,000 new immigrants, and as a result the countrys population growth fell to the lowest level since the First World War. Prior to the pandemic, Canada was targeting the arrival of 341,000 new immigrants per year. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration In 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) focused on transitioning as many temporary residents who were already in Canada to permanent residents in order to meet its target. IRCC felt this was the most effective way to achieve its target amid COVID-19 travel restrictions and other pandemic related challenges. Among the measures it took to land more permanent residents from within Canada, IRCC held Express Entry draws that invited high totals of Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates from January until September. In May, IRCC launched six immigration streams (TR to PR) in an effort to land some additional 90,000 international students and temporary foreign workers living in Canada. Most of Canadas immigrants arrive under economic class programs. Prior to the pandemic, 30 per cent of new economic class landings were applicants from within Canada while 70 per cent were economic class arrivals from abroad. This was reversed in 2021, with 70 per cent landing from within Canada and 30 per cent coming from abroad. IRCCs large CEC invitation rounds and the launch of the six TR to PR streams help to explain why its landings increased significantly in the second half of 2021. IRCC welcomed a large number of new in-Canada applications in the first half of last year and then ramped up processing by June and concluded the year landing upwards of 40,000 permanent residents per month. Canadas new permanent resident landings by month in 2021 How did Canadas new immigrants land in 2021? A total of 252,975 permanent residents landed under the economic class. This works out to 62 per cent of all immigrants landed in 2021, which is higher than the 58 per cent figure that was targeted under the 2021 levels plan. In fact, Canada welcomed over 20,000 more economic class immigrants in 2021 than it had targeted. A total of 80,990 under family class landed in 2021, which was well short of the 103,500 family class immigrants Canada targeted under the 2021 levels plan. The family class accounted for 20 per cent of new landings last year, which was below the levels plan target of 26 per cent. In all, 60,115 permanent residents landed as refugees and protected persons in Canada, slightly below the levels plan target of 65,000 people. This was 15 per cent of all new landings, a fraction below the 16 per cent targeted under the levels plan. The remaining amount were classified by IRCC as falling under All Other Immigration. CEC leads the way accounting for almost one-third of new permanent residents The CEC was the leading pathway for new permanent residents with 130,555 people landing under the program, or 32 per cent of all immigrants landed in 2021. In 2019, the CEC accounted for roughly 30,000 people or about 9 per cent of all new landings. IRCC entered 2021 with the belief it would need to depend heavily on the CEC to achieve its 401,000 target. As an example of the great lengths it went to in order to land high levels of CEC candidates, the department invited all 27,332 CEC candidates in the Express Entry pool on February 13, 2021, by far the most exceptional draw in Express Entrys history. The draw was exceptional since it saw nearly five-times more invitations issued than the previous record, with the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement since Express Entry was launched in 2015, and every single CEC candidate in the pool on that date receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence. IRCC only landed 8,320 people under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) in 2021. Prior to the pandemic, the FSWP was the main program for new federal economic class landings. In 2019, Canada landed 58,760 immigrants under the FSWP. The decline last year was a function of IRCC prioritizing CEC and other applications submitted from within Canada. Newer IRCC data suggests that FSWP application processing has increased since December, with IRCC now finalizing an average of 800 FSWP applications per week. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) accounted for 53,960 landings last year. The PNP has been fully operational throughout the pandemic as IRCC and the provinces and territories have been holding regular invitation rounds, and in some cases, on a weekly basis. Some 23,885 people landed under the temporary TR to PR program. This suggests IRCC is yet to land the bulk of the some 90,000 people that applied for the program in 2021. Spouses and partners are the leading group of family class landings. They comprised 64,120 landings last year. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Where did Canadas new immigrants land? Ontario landed 49 per cent of all new immigrants last year, a higher share than the some 45 per cent it landed prior to the pandemic, in 2019. This can be explained in large part by IRCCs dependence on the CEC, given that most of these candidates reside in Ontario. BC was another major beneficiary of IRCCs dependence on the CEC. It landed 17 per cent of all new immigrants, compared with 15 per cent in 2019. Quebec came in third, at over 12 per cent of 2021 landings, followed by Alberta at almost 10 per cent. Quebecs share remained the same compared to 2019, whereas Albertas share fell from the 13 per cent it landed in 2019. Albertas lower share can be explained in large part to it not landing as many immigrants under the CEC as Ontario and BC. Manitoba and Saskatchewan saw their national shares also fall for the same reason. The Atlantic region as a whole also saw their national share decline, since they depend on the PNP and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot for their arrivals. On the other hand, Nova Scotia set a provincial record by landing over 9,000 immigrants last year. Province/Territory 2021 PRs % of all PRs Newfoundland and Labrador 2,060 0.5% Prince Edward Island 2,630 0.6% Nova Scotia 9,020 2.2% New Brunswick 5,315 1.3% Quebec 50,170 12.4% Ontario 198,085 48.9% Manitoba 16,560 4.1% Saskatchewan 10,935 2.7% Alberta 39,950 9.9% British Columbia 69,270 17.1% Yukon 595 0.1% Northwest Territories 295 0.1% Nunavut 40 0.0% Province not stated 410 0.1% Canada total 405,330 100% Where did Canadas immigrants come from? The top source countries of Canadas new immigrant landings are similar to those prior to the pandemic. India remains the leading source country, accounting for almost one-third of landings in 2021, compared with 25 per cent in 2019. This may potentially be explained by the high numbers of CEC landings. India is the main source of Canadas international students, and many of these students eventually gain permanent residence through the CEC. IRCCs January to November data shows us the top 10 countries are as follows: 1) India (32%) 2) China (8%) 3) Philippines (4.3%) 4) Nigeria (3.8%) 5) France (3.2%) 6) United States (3%) 7) Brazil (2.9%) 8) Iran (2.8%) 9) South Korea (2.1%) 10) Pakistan (2%) Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 Canada is targeting 411,000 landings in 2022, however this target could be updated when the federal government announces its new Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 by Monday February 14. The new plan will outline Canadas immigration targets over the next three years and the admission classes and programs they will be targeted under. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. Easy access to clean water sweetens bitter memories of rural Chinese families Xinhua) 14:10, February 10, 2022 BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Fu Shuming has made a habit of smiling conservatively due to the awkwardness he feels about his stained teeth, which he has had for decades due to a lack of access to clean water in his village in north China. "People in our village are often unwilling to smile from ear to ear because our teeth are stained yellow," said Fu, 83, from Kushuiying Village in Hebei Province. Kushuiying translates to "town of bitter water," named due to the high-fluoride groundwater in the area. The water in the village used to contain three times more fluoride than the standard for drinking water, which caused permanent damage to people's teeth and health. Like Fu, about 9.75 million residents in parts of rural China who used to wrestle with high-fluoride groundwater now have easy access to clean water. With tap water now accessible to 84 percent of rural households, the various hardships rural Chinese residents have been through to fight water shortages or substandard water quality over past decades are now history. BITTER NO LONGER When people from Fu's village travel to fairs out of town, others can often tell from their teeth that they are from Kushuiying, Fu said. Villagers had to pump water from wells and store it in tanks. And what's worse, the water in the wells was bitter in Fu's younger years. In October 2018, more than 2.76 million villagers were still drinking water with excessive levels of fluoride in Hebei Province. But with water from the South-to-North Water Diversion Project accessible in the village and new water sources ushered in, people in Fu's village have finally bid farewell to bitter water. "With drinkable tap water running, we don't need the tanks anymore," said Fu Xiwang, Fu Shuming's son. "It's a town of sweet water now." EASY ACCESS TO WATER Daling Village, located in the Dongxiang Autonomous County in northwest China's Gansu Province, had been suffering from drought for years. "When I was little, I used to take a donkey and two buckets to a nearby village to carry water home. I had to set off at 4 a.m. in order to wait in line to get it," villager Ma Maide said, recalling the hard times. But the county's rural drinking water problem has changed a great deal in recent years. After years of endeavors, a total of eight centralized water supply plants, 22 pump stations and a slew of supporting facilities were built in the county, delivering tap water to households in mountainous areas, said Ma Qiang, director of the county's water supply service center. Backed by newly supportive conditions, Ma has been able to start a breeding business. "I bought 20 sheep last year, and they gave birth to 30 lambs. I can make about 50,000 yuan (about 7,862 U.S. dollars) from them a year," Ma said. Last year, the country secured the supply of water for 42.63 million rural residents, data from the Ministry of Water Resources shows. This year, the ministry will further renovate and standardize the water facilities in rural areas, improve the quality of water, and strengthen related management and services. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) A year ago, SAP offered to simplify migrating to S/4HANA Cloud with its Rise with SAP all-in-one subscription-based service, meaning that enterprises dont need to separately manage the cost of software licenses, support, and cloud hosting. Customers have still had to deal with at least three partners, though: SAP, a systems integrator, and one of the big three hyperscalers. CIOs may soon be able to do away with one of those, as SAP is allowing IBM to offer cloud hosting alongside the consulting services it already delivers under the Rise with SAP umbrella. IBM is calling its combination of advisory, implementation, and application management services from IBM Consulting with technical managed services from IBM Cloud Breakthrough with IBM for Rise with SAP. SAP is naming IBM a premium supplier to Rise, for the companys provision of both hosting and consulting. Its a new designation, so far unique to IBM. Right now, IBM clearly is the leader in this space, said SAP President of Cloud Brian Duffy. There are very few players who can do that, and we as an organization are very selective in who we want to make that offer to. Duffy wouldnt say who else might qualify. Oracle has its own cloud platform and consulting services, but probably isnt interested. Potential challengers SAP does, in fact, have other partners that do consulting as well as deliver cloud, said Forrester Vice President and Principal Analyst Liz Herbert. She offered NTT and Fujitsu as examples and suggested that since Accenture already supports Rise with SAP and resells cloud services from the hyperscalers, it might one day qualify, as might some of its peers with cloud resale businesses. That would give SAPs customers greater choice, said Herbertbut choice brings its own problems. Customers feel they dont have enough clarity on the trade-offs between these different choices, she said. And there are a lot of trade-offs for CIOs to consider. Customers who already have existing agreements with IBM for consulting or infrastructure could be attracted by the new offeringbut equally, some might be trying to avoid overspending with a particular vendor, Herbert said. Charles King, president and principal analyst of Pund-IT, highlighted another trade-off: Putting all eggs in one basket vs spreading them around. IBM has tuned systems based on its own Power servers, in its own cloud, specifically for SAP workloads. But on the flip side, Since IBM Cloud also supports hybrid cloud services with all major public cloud platforms, customers can also integrate those services as part of their SAP environments if they choose. Obstacles to S/4HANA migration CIOs migrating to S/4HANA must jump a lot of hurdles, said Peter Rutten, a research vice-president within IDCs worldwide infrastructure practice. Cost is one: His research puts the average cost of third-party consulting on an S/4HANA migration at $1.5 million, with general business disruption costing about the same. If businesses need to move from a non-SAP database to HANA, that will average $4.9 million, he said. Time is another factor, Rutten said. Migration projects typically drag on for a year or two and completing them requires an astounding variety of services and tools, which only about half of businesses find effective: They need much more and much better help. Help is what IBM wants to offer, said IBM Cloud CTO Hillery Hunter: Its really about helping the enterprise client base move their estate in a modernized direction and move their estate to cloud and hybrid cloud environments. Hunter highlighted other hurdles that enterprises have encountered in their move to the cloud up to now: reliability, control over their environment, and security. Those are areas that IBM can do something about, she said. For reliability, IBM will be offering SAP S/4HANA Cloud private edition in the multizone regions (MZRs) of IBM Cloud as part of its support for Rise with SAP. The MZRs are each served by three or more independent data centers, such that if one fails the others can continue to support the application for clients in the region. IBM says this can increase availability from 99.9% to 99.99%. MZRs include Dallas, Washington DC, Sao Paolo, Toronto, Frankfurt, London, Sydney and Tokyo. For security, said Hunter, Weve implemented a lot of different types of services that enable industry-unique data privacy and use of secure enclaves, advanced cryptography, and other things like that, things that help create a structure for more sensitive data, for more sensitive workloads to move to the cloud. There are two aspects to giving customers more control. One is at the start of the project, customizing the implementation and choosing what data to load in. S/4HANA Cloud private edition, launched in 2021, distinguishes itself from the multi-tenant S/4HANA Cloud offering and the single-tenant S/4HANA Cloud extended edition by offering greater scope for configuration and modification and the possibility of selectively migrating legacy ERP data sets to S/4HANA rather than having to create a clean, greenfield ERP implementation. The other is its ongoing monitoring: We find that theres an intense need to get to a place of common logging and monitoring, the ability to view your whole estate, no matter where it is, in a consistent way, Hunter said. We have a strong focus on helping our clients have consistency across their hybrid cloud estate, meaning in the cloud, on premises, maybe also on other cloud environments. Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 24 Hour Access February 10, 2022 - Swiss Res Fort Wayne office is moving downtown. The global risk management firm today announced plans to relocate into The Riverfront at Promenade Park development by the end of 2022. The move reflects the company's commitment to its Fort Wayne location and its desire to create inspiring work environments that energize employees and bring the future of work forward. The company will invest about $4.9 million in its space and infrastructure by the end of 2029. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Swiss Re Group is one of the worlds leading providers of reinsurance, insurance, and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer. The company currently employs about 15,000 people worldwide, including nearly 200 at its regional office on Magnavox Way in southwest Fort Wayne. Plans call for the company to occupy commercial office space on the second and third floors of The Riverfront at Promenade Park, 124 W. Superior St. in Fort Wayne. The mixed-use development is currently under construction. Within walking distance of a variety of downtown amenities, the new space will be outfitted by Swiss Re to support its hybrid work model. Swiss Re pioneered this concept, with its "Own the Way You Work" philosophy, introducing flexible working arrangements long before the pandemic altered work routines. The office will feature flexible, non-dedicated desks and areas that can be adapted for multipurpose use and support work that requires collaboration or concentration. Swiss Re has been part of the Fort Wayne community since it acquired Lincoln Re in 2001 and since then has been a frequent host to national and international visitors. Its positions include actuaries, data analysts, reinsurance administrators, underwriters, accountants, client managers and more. Current job openings can be found at careers.swissre.com. "We're pleased to be able to offer such a premier space for our Fort Wayne employees and the location and surrounding amenities will also make our Fort Wayne office an attractive destination for the many visitors we host there. The move demonstrates our commitment not only to the city of Fort Wayne, but also to our very talented people who contribute a lot to our success," said Jonathan Isherwood, CEO Reinsurance Americas, Swiss Re. Swiss Re will be a tremendous tenant for The Riverfront at Promenade Park private development project. We welcome Swiss Re to downtown Fort Wayne and look forward to the positive impact the company will have in the heart of our city, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry said. Barrett & Stokely is making tremendous progress on the construction of the mixed-use development next to Promenade Park that will further advance our efforts to bring more private and public opportunities to the riverfront area. Having Swiss Re as part of this endeavor is great news for our community and region. The Riverfront at Promenade Park is a public-private partnership between the City of Fort Wayne and Barrett & Stokely, representing an investment of nearly $90 million. The six-story complex is expected to open in two phases: a 900-space parking garage is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2022. More than 200 apartments, seven townhomes, and 45,000 square feet of commercial space is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. We are excited to have Swiss Re be part of our Riverfront at Promenade Park development. Having such an exceptional company adding to the momentum of the Riverfront District is another positive indication of the success of the Riverfront Initiative, said Nick Barrett, principal of The Riverfront at Promenade Park. The City of Fort Wayne, the Mayor, City Council, the Department of Redevelopment, CIB, and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. have all been instrumental to the continued vibrance of downtown Fort Wayne and the creation of its Riverfront District. The Citys investment in Promenade Park, its urban trail, and its investments in the riverfront area have made the Riverfront District a regional destination that will continue to attract new business, restaurants, and residents. Centrul CONTACT prelungeste concursul de angajare expert/experta sau grup de experti in elaborarea si aplicarea metodologiei de evaluare a capacitatii in prestarea serviciilor In July 2020, employees of the Minneapolis Star Tribune sent a letter to the papers publisher and management. The recent murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by a white police officer had given staffers a renewed sense of clarity on how the Star Tribune can rise to this moment, they wrote. The letter outlined steps that staff described as vital to the survival of our organization. They included the appointment of a community editor to create a more equitable culture at the paper. Two months later, the Star Tribune named Kyndell Harkness its first assistant managing editor for diversity and community. Harknessa photo editor who had worked at the paper for twenty yearswas trusted by her colleagues and was optimistic about making a difference through her new position. In a conversation the following spring, Harkness compared her position to the conscience of the newsroomthe person responsible for asking tough questions about whether the Star Tribunes news coverage reflected the realities communities face. She also described responsibilities that extended beyond editorial work, from conflict mediation to shaping active recruitment strategies; her new work was complex, and reached across her organization. The boundaries of the job were ambiguous; Harkness had to determine the scope and structure of her own position. Im creating the ship while flying it, she told me at the time. I had to write down what my goals are for the year, but theres no job description for what Im doing. Im literally making it up as I go along. She suggested that structural change at the Star Tribune depended on her ability to do so: I need to be able to create a role and define that role so, if I leave it, I dont leave the newspaper in disaster, which is probably my biggest fear. Last year, a team of researchers at the University of Minnesotas Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass CommunicationTania Ganguli, a graduate student; Dr. Benjamin Toff, an assistant professor; and myselfbegan interviewing editorial staffers who, like Harkness, played central roles in facilitating their newsrooms new DEI efforts. Eleven people participated in interviews, typically spending an hour or more with us. Most of our interviewees held identities that have historically been excluded from positions of power in newsrooms. We offered them the opportunity to remain anonymous; some were more comfortable speaking candidly about their positions than others, and several raised concerns about retribution. We asked questions about the parameters of their jobs, their comfort with making change within their news outlets established systems, and their feelings about progress to date. Our conversations suggested that Harknesss experience, and her feelings about it, were common. Many said the reckonings around racial justice and equity that unfolded in 2020 created new opportunities to re-energize diversity efforts. Michael McCarter, who is the managing editor for standards, ethics, and inclusion at USA Today, set up an internal mentorship program; Greg Lee Jr., who is senior assistant managing editor for talent and community at the Boston Globe, planned more diverse event programming. Most felt that their colleagues were generally more open to acknowledging inequities in their workplaces and discussing diversity issues and corrective measures publicly, rather than behind closed doors. We were able to leverage that moment to speak and act and confront things extremely openly, one editor said. We were calling it what it was: systemic racism. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Like Harkness, interviewees also listed a complicated array of responsibilities that included content, personnel acquisition and retention, conflict resolution, and editorial oversight. And, as with Harkness, many of the newly created positions were informal in structure; in many instances, DEI managers didnt officially report to anyone, and had no clear benchmarks for evaluating their own performance. Many said they felt supported by newsroom colleagues, but recognized that changing institutional culture required broad buy-in and long-term effort. There is no hiring of one individual thats going to come and fix racism in any institution, Jameel Rush, who was appointed vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2020, said. That has to be the work of a collective. Harkness, after describing her own efforts to me, had a similar takeaway. Its too much, right? she said. I mean, its just not a one-person job. RECENTLY, the Local News Initiative at Northwestern University released findings from its Medill Media Industry Survey, designed by Dr. Stephanie Edgerly and myself. More than fifteen hundred journalists responded to the survey, which included several questions concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Our findings suggested that a majority of respondents believed that DEI efforts have positively affected the journalism industry; more than half said their news outlets have formal positions devoted to DEI and advocacy work. However, our results were based on a sample that was about 86 percent whitea response that may represent broad industry or newsroom demographics, but nevertheless limits broader understanding of how journalists from diverse backgrounds might be feeling about DEI efforts. Prior to that survey, I conducted another, focused exclusively on DEI efforts. This survey was smaller, but respondents were proportionally more diverse, and most had reported on race and race relations during their careers. While many in this survey felt their news organizations had made progress with DEI efforts, nearly half believed that DEI issues remained the most pressing challenges facing the journalism industry. Journalists of color were more likely to feel pessimistic about DEI-related progress than were their white colleagues. Twelveall but one of whom are people of colorsaid they felt no significant changes had been made. Several were concerned that much of the DEI work fell on the shoulders of just a few people. Theres a heavy burden placed on people of color, one journalist wrote. In one section of the survey, I asked respondents to assess their agreement or disagreement with this statement: I feel like my perspective matters when I engage in diversity, equity, inclusion, and advocacy work. Taken as a group, journalists of color were less likely to feel that their perspectives were influential, compared with white respondents. Many journalists said they still lacked confidence when covering communities they dont belong to. Several said they still had to convince their editors that stories about centering systemic racism and racial injustices were newsworthy, or that they had made appropriate decisions in their coverage. Editors dont even see it as a story, one journalist wrote, referring to the challenges they face when reporting about race and racial inequities. I have to persuade my editor that some things dont have both sides, wrote another. Taken alongside our interviews with DEI managers, those responses remind us of the scale of the task at hand. We went from two, maybe three people [of color] with a seat at the table to four, Tom Horgen, who was promoted to senior manager of audience strategy at the Star Tribune in 2020, told me. Thats not structural change. The leadership is still so white and so male. During my interviews, I spoke with Myron Medcalf, who worked for the Star Tribune early in his career before leaving for ESPN, and who recently returned as the papers first-ever Black metro columnist. Medcalf was certain that Harkness was working behind the scenes on his behalf. But he was more measured about how transformative the efforts of DEI managers could be in isolation. I think a lot of things that have happened over the last year arent real, and they wont last, unfortunately, he told me. Our industry has had a lot of opportunities to change. Its continued failure to do so takes a toll. The health disparities, and the trauma, and the mental fatigue, the emotional fatigue. So those are the risks for all of usall of us in this world who are trying to tell some of these stories. Last summer, a few months after I spoke with Harkness, the Star Tribune came under fire for an error in a breaking-news story about the police killing of Winston Smith Jr. The paper had wrongly identified Smith as a murder suspect, using false information that had been relayed over a police scanner. Ultimately, the paper issued a correction, deleted references on social media, then explained the source of the error. In December, in a year-end column, Harkness noted she and others at the Star Tribune had also met with Smiths family and apologized. In witnessing and participating in this moment, I finally felt like we had grown a bit, Harkness wrote. This meeting would never have happened without the work of this year. The constant discussions with each other and with community members led to this opening up, this chance at authenticity. Her paper had changed in tangible ways, she wrote, even if the work was slow with a capital S, and even if the public couldnt see it. Her columnthat reference to slowness, in particularreminded me of a moment from our conversation months before. The journalism industrys most recent DEI efforts had arrived with urgency: a rush of reckonings, a number of new appointments. But the work itself isnt quick; Harkness predicted it will take decades. The goal, always, is that we build structure so that I build myself out of a job, she said. However, she added, We are in AmericaI just dont think we, in my lifetime, will be able to be so woke that we wont need a person who is the conscience of the newsroom. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Danielle K. Brown is the Cowles Professor of Journalism, Diversity and Equality at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Her research investigates disparities, equity issues and ethics in news media. Follow her on Twitter. Each month, Covering Climate Now speaks with a different journalist about their experiences on the climate beat, their reporting tips, and their ideas for pushing our profession and craft forward. This month, we spoke with Giles Trendle, who is the managing director of Al Jazeera English. From Al Jazeeras offices in Doha, Qatar, Trendle oversees an editorial staff of more than 400 people, based in over 50 bureaus around the world. Trendle spoke with us about finding space for climate amid otherwise crammed news cycles, human-centered storytelling, and the imperative of collaboration when it comes to the climate story. The conversation has been edited for clarity. Follow Trendle on Twitter. Tell us a bit about your career and how you arrived in your position at Al Jazeera English. I studied in the UK, and then, in 1985, went to Beirut, Lebanon, to teach English. This was during the Lebanese civil war, and at the time I really didnt know anything about the Middle East. But I developed an interest and, after one year of teaching, thought I could become a journalist to report on everything I was seeing. Back then, there werent many Western journalists in Lebanonthere were kidnappings, the civil war was ongoingso I kind of got a break and started writing regularly for several British publications. Years later, I became a bit disillusioned with Western mediathere were important stories in the Middle East that I felt werent getting due attentionso in 2004 I joined Al Jazeera Arabic, to continue reporting on the Middle East. Then, when Al Jazeera English started in 2006, I joined as a commissioning producer. I worked my way up through the ranks and Ive been managing director since 2015. Sign up for CJR 's daily email When did you become especially interested in the climate story? I was a bit of a latecomer to covering climate change. Of course, I knew about climate change, I read about it sometimes, but for a long time the penny just hadnt fully dropped. For me, because of my background, the most important story that needed to be covered was always resolving the crisis in the Middle East, especially the Israel-Palestine conflict. In the 90s, certainly, I saw everything through that lens. Then, of course, 9/11 happened; you have the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and it all just confirmed for me that the Middle East story was the story of our time. Theres always so much happening in the Middle East of an immediate and existential nature for many peoplematters of life and death. To me, climate change just wasnt clamoring for the headlines in the same way. Then, a few years ago, while I was on a two-week holiday, I read a paper called What Lies Beneath: The Understatement of Existential Climate Risk, and it just hit me right in the face. This led to further reading, which included the landmark 2018 report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Words in these reports like irreversible and existential punched through in a way that climate change hadnt for me. I think being on holiday helped; I was away from the newsroom and the day-to-day hamster wheel of working in media, and so I had the mental space to think more deeply and analytically. How does your understanding of the urgency of climate change affect your approach to your job, and Al Jazeeras overall approach to the climate story? I think Al Jazeera is very well-placed to cover the climate story because we have a great network of bureaus and correspondents around the worldincluding in countries where other large media organizations might not, or where it might be out of the way to send someone. For example, we were very strong on the floods in Sudan last fall. Were in Senegal, where sea-level rise is swallowing entire neighborhoods. Similarly, we have boots on the ground in other parts of Africa and across Asia and Latin America. I would say its very important that we cover the Global South, in particular, because these are the countries that often are affected most immediately by climate change. Covering climate is also very much in line with our editorial mission, which is about giving voice to the voiceless and hearing from alternative, authentic sources that arent always featured in media. Its often the most marginalized communities that pay most immediately for the actions of the carbon emitting elites; climate injustice really lends itself to the kind of human-centric storytelling we strive for. As a leader, Im kind of pushing on an open door when it comes to climate. Many of our staff buy into this mission. I do encourage them. I send various emails and video messages to the staff about climate; in November, I wrote an article in an Al Jazeera publication celebrating our twenty-fifth anniversary, which ended in part saying: In covering [climate change] the role of the journalist is more important than ever. But, in fact, the staff are clamoring to do more climate-related stories as it is. Theyre finding the angles and finding ways to weave in climate, even for stories not primarily about climate change. How do you ensure the climate story gets strong placement in an otherwise busy news cycle? We have to judge on a day-to-day basis which stories are the most newsworthy, which is tricky, because clearly the climate emergency is a never-ending, incrementally developing story. Ive spoken of this problem the tyranny of the immediatea term which I picked up somewhere that says, basically, that breaking news tends to muscle out other scheduled programming. For example, we have a climate-related program called earthrise, a half-hour program filmed all over the world, where we find people on the frontlines of climate solutions. Last April, the first episode of a new season was set to go outwed spent a lot of money, wed promoted it throughout the weekbut then suddenly, in the US, the verdict was handed down in the Derek Chauvin trial. Which, of course, was a hugely important story. We ran with live coverage from the courtroom, and in turn earthrise got sort of shunted to the side. In that case, it was the right calland earthrise did run the next day, and repeatedly throughout the following weekbut it nevertheless went to show how everyday events, important and immediate ones, can often overtake the climate story. Thats partially how we address this problem at Al Jazeera. Our news reports get a number of runs throughout bulletins in the course of the day, and our documentaries get a number of different slots throughout each week. So, if one climate slot is missed due to breaking news, other slots are likely to broadcast it instead, and the schedule can be flexible enough to add additional runs. You mentioned the importance of covering climate in the Global South. Given Al Jazeeras international audience, how do you think about helping these stories connect with viewers everywhere? Many of our correspondents are actually from the countries they report on, or at least from the same region. Theyre not just parachuted in; they live there, they speak the language. So, immediately, theres a connection between the correspondents and the people theyre talking to on the ground. I think this lends a certain authenticity to our coverage. This goes back to our editorial ethos, which is that people are at the center of global stories. In our coverage, they need to have agency within their narratives. For example, they might be victims in some way, but theyre not only victims, and we shouldnt portray them that way. There might be a reporter in front of the camera, or it might be a documentary where theres no intermediary between the source and the viewer, but whatever we do its very important that we give people the honor and the dignity of telling their own stories. This results, I think, in universal themes coming to the fore. As a viewer, when you hear these kinds of authentic voices, I think wherever you areeven if youre a wealthy businessman in Doha or on Wall Streetyou recognize the humanity of the situation. Much of the reporting Al Jazeera is able to do on the climate story is a result of being well-resourced. In the past few years, are there lessons youve learned that would apply equally to small outlets with tighter budgets? Whichever aspect of the climate story youre covering, theres always a human element. Focus in on that human element. Give voice to what people are feeling and what theyre experiencing. We do this across the world, but it goes just the same if youre a small-town newspaper in Montana. When it comes to climate, yes, you can always bring in other sources like scientists and politiciansthey have important perspectives and roles to play in the storybut its the human story that will connect with audiences. Al Jazeera is funded in large part by the Qatari government, which draws a great deal of revenue from oil and gas. Were there challenges to carving out space for the network on the climate beat? Well, although we are state-funded, were not state-controlled. Were a public-service broadcaster, much like BBC, France 24, or Deutsche Welle, all of which also receive funding from state revenues or state coffers. We have complete editorial independence; we never get phone calls, for example, from officials saying, Youve got to do this, or, Dont do that. It just doesnt happen that way. And the same goes for Al Jazeera Arabic. Were completely separate channels, but we have the same editorial ethos. How has the location of Al Jazeeras main office shaped your approach to news? At Al Jazeera, weve had a long, tough history of being attacked in one way or another, of having our journalists assaulted, imprisoned, and even killed. Some of our offices have been shut down by governments. Some have been bombed. Were in a tough neighborhood, granted. But what I see in recent years is that the media in general are increasingly coming under fire around the world. You have the former United States president, the leader of the free world, calling the media the enemy of the people. Other leaders around the world picked up on statements like this. Thats dangerous not just for democracy, but also for the worlds ability to act on climate change. A lot of these leaders who are either undemocratic or authoritarian, who engage in spreading misinformation and disinformation, theyre often not very interested in dealing with the climate emergency. And so theres a nexus between healthy democracies and climate action. If good, credible, professional journalism comes under attackif its discredited or delegitimized, and we journalists are left to compete in a marketplace of misleading informationpeople wont necessarily believe what were telling them about the climate. I would say that attacks on the media are also bad news for planet earth. Within the Covering Climate Now partnership, Al Jazeera English has been a strong and consistent advocate for collaboration. Can you explain why this is important to you when it comes to climate coverage? I think this is a story thats particularly conducive to collaboration. The global nature of the climate storyand the fact that were affected by it, wherever we arelends itself to collaboration across borders, across newsrooms, and across platforms. Being a TV station and a digital platform, were very happy to collaborate with newspapers and radio stations, definitely, but also other TV stations, even ones that we might consider rivals. Its good for business, in terms of cost-effectiveness and creative cross-pollination, but it also makes a greater ethical sense. Thats why Al Jazeera English was one of the eight original signatories of the Covering Climate Now Climate Emergency statement. We recognized the importance of the media coming together and coalescing around the story. At Al Jazeera, weve seen before the power of collaboration and solidarity; when some of our journalists were imprisoned in Egypt, we ran a campaign called Journalism is Not a Crime. We were delighted that other media organizations joined us and stood behind that. We all have our audiences and our businesses to attend to, but there are certain stories where we can and should transcend differences and rivalries. This is one of those stories. Were all in this climate fight together, and weve got to find solutions together. RECENTLY: Getting personal about climate change made me a better reporter Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Covering Climate Now is a global journalism collaboration co-founded by CJR and The Nation, in partnership with The Guardian, strengthening coverage of the climate story. Follow CCNow on Twitter and visit coveringclimatenow.org. Excessive speed probably caused a bus crash that killed five and injured dozens during lightly falling snow on the Pennsylvania Turnpike two years ago, federal investigators said Tuesday. The National Transportation Safety Board said the driver lost control near Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, while traveling at 77 mph (124 kph) into a curve. The posted speed limit in the area is 70 mph, with a warning sign at the curve to keep below 55 mph (89 kph). NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said in a statement that the crash is a tragic reminder that speed kills. But its about more than driver behavior, which is why our recommendations take a comprehensive approach to promote safe speeds. The federal agency has concluded its investigation into the chain-reaction crash that occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 5, 2020, on a remote section of interstate about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh. The bus was operated by Z&D Tour Inc. and headed from the New York area to Cincinnati. The bus driver and two passengers, and the driver and a passenger in a truck that slammed into it, were all killed. An occupant of another truck and 49 bus passengers were hurt. The NTSB found that the westbound bus went off the right side of the highway, hit an embankment and overturned, blocking both lanes and the shoulder. Almost immediately two trucks that had been following the bus ran into it. A car and truck drove off the road to avoid the crash and ended up wedged beside each other. A lawyer for Z&D Tour said Tuesday she had not seen the NTSB findings and declined comment about the crash. The NTSB said the bus had slowed to about 60 mph (97 kph) when it struck the embankment. A FedEx truck was going about 21 mph (34 kph) when it struck the bus, the report said. The last recorded speed of the UPS truck in which both drivers died was 56 mph (90 kph), according to the boards findings. Federal investigators said variable speed limit signs may have prevented the crash or lessened its severity. The NTSB issued a set of recommendations to federal and state transportation agencies as well as trucking and bus industry-related organizations and businesses. Topics of the recommendations include excessive speed when pavement is wet, standards for commercial vehicle collision avoidance and mitigation systems and onboard video event recorder systems. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. RIO DE JANEIRO Vale and other Brazilian mining companies are set to miss a legal deadline in the state of Minas Gerais for the removal of all tailings dams built using a method linked to past collapses, and the industry is seeking to change it. The Feb. 25 deadline has been considered unrealistic by the mining industry ever since it was first set in early 2019, a month after the collapse of a tailings dam in Brumadinho that killed 270 people. The Minas Gerais law, which requires the removal of all dams constructed using the upstream method, in which the wall of the structure is formed using dried mining waste. The upstream design was used in Brumadinho and also on the Samarco dam that collapsed in the city of Mariana in 2015. Those in breach of the law could have their operating license suspended. Only 18 of the 48 upstream dams that existed in Minais Gerais in 2019 will be decommissioned by the deadline, according tong a survey by the Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (Fiemg). Another six in the state should be removed by the end of the year. Fiemg decided to appeal to the courts to avoid potential penalties linked to the deadline and find ways to make it more flexible depending on the scope of the work involved. It filed a lawsuit in court last week questioning the constitutionality of the state law and plans to legally request this week that the judiciary mediate to ensure decommissioning is carried out based on the needs of each project. We dont want it to be slower, one must do what is safest. Decommissioning in a hurry would also be a risk, Flavio Roscoe, Fiemgs president, told Reuters, emphasizing that the decommissioning process and the deadline should take into account individual structures and safety. A federal law published in September 2020 also sets the Feb. 25 date for elimination of upstream dams, but provides that the deadline may be extended by the entity that regulates and oversees the mining activity. Vale, owner of the largest number of dams related to iron ore production in the state, has eliminated four upstream dams in Minas Gerais since 2019 and another three it has in Para state, of the 30 it found across the company, according to a report by the miner. The company this week began decommissioning the first of five such structures that are scheduled to be decommissioned later this year in Minas Gerais, which produces much of Brazils iron ore and large amounts of other key metals. Vale, in a comment to Reuters, reiterated its commitment to decommission upstream dams in the South American nation and prevent new disasters. There are other upstream dams in the state owned by companies like CSN, Gerdau and ArcelorMittal, according to records of the regulator ANM and the Minas Gerais government. ANM, CSN, Gerdau and ArcelorMittal did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Today Windy this evening with scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Tonight Windy this evening with scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Tomorrow Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then cloudy skies late. High 69F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. We have had mobile technology in our lives since the early 1980s and like most of us, we could not see a world without having one and the convenience it brings us. The question we should ask ourselves is if you left your wallet at home or your cell phone which one would you absolutely go bac Days before Stephen H. Hoffman was due in Jerusalem for the 2003 General Assembly of United Jewish Communities, truck bombs detonated in front of two synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey. In a post-9/11 world, Hoffman was already concerned. He feared there might be a day when Middle East terrorism could make its way to North America. This spurred a conversation at King David Hotel in Jerusalem with Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Council of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. He and I talked about the security picture in the United States, which was basically nonexistent, Hoffman told the Cleveland Jewish News Jan. 26. I think the guard at the desk might have been armed at Cleveland for a long time and that the New York federation that you went through a magnetometer. The two discussed the need for a central security network that would be capable of sharing information with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The network, as the two envisioned it, would both inform and help safeguard the Jewish community across the continent and establish relationships with local law enforcement agencies. Hoffman, who was the president of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and was on loan to lead the national Jewish federation system in New York City, said he believed the federation system would be a good platform to build the network. There had previously been some troubling incidents, including a threat made in the Virginia Beach, Va., area. The FBI told communal leaders locally about it. Even without sophisticated social media at the time, there ensued widespread panic among Jews across the country. Events were canceled, Hoffman recalled. Extra security guards were hired across the country. And the threat didnt pan out. But people panicked. The FBI insisted that it did the right thing by only talking to the local community. Hoffman did not agree. There was no mechanism to discuss this at the national level and provide guidance to the Jewish community across the United States, he said. Hoenlein and Hoffman consulted with David Harris, CEO of American Jewish Committee (who will step down from AJC in May after 31 years), and the three approached the administration of President George W. Bush about sharing communication to a national Jewish security agency. We were able to arrange a meeting with the director of the FBI, who said, I share your concerns. But the way we work is all through local operations, Hoffman said. He said they persisted. At a second meeting with the director of the FBI, a deputy director of the FBI was appointed liaison to the Jewish community. Hoffmans vision of the new central security network, Secure Community Network, started in 2004 with a budget of $500,000 a year. Operationally, I ran it out of JFNA, he said. We ran the books. We did the hiring. Just last month, SCN was suddenly thrust into the spotlight based on the words of Congregation Beth Israels Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker who credited training he received through SCN for his ability to respond effectively during a hostage crisis, throwing a chair to distract the gunman and allowing the three hostages to escape. The Colleyville, Texas rabbi was one of 17,000 people who had gone through SCN trainings in 2021. In the beginning Paul Goldenberg was hired as the first CEO of SCN, shaping it into the first faith-based homeland security information sharing initiative in the country. Getting people to pay attention to security was a real challenge, Hoffman said. He said he spoke at the next General Assembly about the concept. The reaction, he said, was like, what are you talking about? Or we have it covered. Since there was no sense of urgency, there was also not a lot of interest in giving to the cause. We struggled to get the money year after year, Hoffman said. Hoffman credited fellow Clevelander Michael D. Siegal, now chair of The Jewish Agency for Israel, who assumed leadership of Jewish Federations of North America in the lay position of chairman, as a more able fundraiser for SCN in its fledgling years. When Hoffman returned to Cleveland in 2004 to resume the presidency of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, he turned his attention to security locally and statewide, hiring Jim Hartnett, an FBI veteran as director of community-wide security at the Federation. Jim, together with Oren Baratz (senior vice president of external affairs at the Federation) took the SCN concept and built the blueprint for how a local community security team fits into the equation, Erika B. Rudin-Luria, who succeeded Hoffman as president of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland when he retired Dec. 31, 2018, and was named president emeritus, told the CJN Feb. 4. Jim and Oren work collaboratively with other community security teams and the leadership of SCN. SCN taking shape Raising the profile of SCN in 2013, Goldenberg was appointed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council. In 2017, Michael G. Masters was named CEO of SCN under Harold Gernsbacher, who remains chair of SCN today. Gernsbacher is also treasurer of JFNA, highlighting the close ties between the two organizations. When Masters came aboard in 2017, there were 22 full-time security initiatives at Jewish communities across the country. SCN had assisted federations in recruiting and hiring about 70% of the security directors. At the time, the relationship with DHS and FBI was strong, Masters told the CJN. There was an intelligence sharing component. Other aspects, such as facilities assessments, also took place, but were limited by SCNs budget. Prior to taking his position in 2017, Masters began working with SCN to try to develop a standard set of best practices to secure the Jewish community across the country. And that would mean that the security may look different if you were in Miami versus Memphis, or Portland, Maine versus Portland, Oregon, but that there was a consistency and standardization that the community could be assured was best practice, Masters told the CJN Jan. 26. In December 2017, SCN created its intelligence duty desk, which has a 24/7 operation in Chicago where it monitors and shares information about national threats with Jewish communities and law enforcement agencies. And they coordinate with security directors and programs across the country, Masters said, including the Ohio Regional Intelligence Center, which was initiated a little more than a year ago. It is modeled after the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Community Security Initiative. Baratz and Hartnett worked with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati to create ORIC, which has become a statewide strategic program designed to seek out pertinent security-related information and provide timely and relevant alerts, warnings and notifications to Jewish community leaders throughout Ohio. SCNs budget was $1.2 million in December 2017. Today, it is $10.5 million. Part of that growth is in the build-out of the National Jewish Security Operations Command Center, which has a team of intelligence analysts. Today, SCN oversees security directors for more than half the federations in the country and is in the process of hiring regional directors to cover the entire country to include smaller communities that dont have dedicated security directors. What SCN does In addition to intelligence gathering and sharing, facility assessments, physical security support, training exercises and education, SCN also works with law enforcement and does incident crisis and management. When Masters took over, he said, There were examples of incredibly robust, well-funded, professionally-led and managed community supported initiatives, and of course, perhaps probably the greatest example of that leadership demonstrated from Cleveland with a comprehensive program that involves information sharing, coordination with law enforcement, training, physical security, applying for grants all of those things. But you would go to a different community, and even though they might have a professional, they might have a security program, it looked very different. In March 2018, Masters said there was a meeting in Cleveland of security directors from across the country. At that meeting, Masters learned they were conducting assessments of buildings and there was no standard tool used to do so. So, SCN created one. In addition, it has created training tools. What weve tried to do since 2017 is create a really strong network, ensure that intelligence information is flowing, ensure that theres consistency in best practice in the standards of physical security of the assessments, of the training and incident response, Masters said. And I think that is not only more akin to how law enforcement works, but in the best sense of how our collective Jewish system works. Masters said that after the Pittsburgh shootings at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, which killed 11 people and injured six, virtually every family in Pittsburgh with a child in Jewish day school, sent their child to school the following Monday. And of course, we saw that same sense of empowerment (last month) where the rabbi (Cytron-Walker) and Jeff Cohen (a hostage at Congregation Beth Israel) said we knew what to do, because we had this training. On Jan. 15, as a gunman held four hostages, SCN posted a flash report to its partners at 12:48 p.m. EST. According to open sources, at around 11:30 CST, police in Colleyville, Texas, responded to an unspecified incident at Congregation Beth Israel of Colleyville, the flash report opened. It was sent to SCN staff, SCN leadership, facility and security liaisons, law enforcement stakeholders, community wide security programs, safety liaisons, campus safety programs and national security partner organizations. Joel Marcovitch, CEO of JewishColumbus, got the alert. Within the space of like, I think, 40 minutes of when the news broke, we had a text message that went out to all of our rabbis, all of the directors, all of the board members and other people who need to be on that text, explaining the situation and for them to say theres no local threat, Marcovitch said. At 2:30 p.m. Jan. 15, SCN convened a call with security directors of Jewish communities across the country to brief them about what was known about the situation at that time. Meanwhile, the security director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas went to Colleyville to respond to the scene. The mobilization and intelligence sharing continued, Brad Orsini, senior national security adviser of SCN, told the CJN Jan. 26. And we were also communicating with the FBI at the highest levels, Orsini said. And really, at that point, now its a coordination of all our resources across the country, in all our communities because all the communities are saying, what do we do now? Is this a bigger threat just like any one of these attacks on the community. And so, were sifting through the information, you know, (in) constant communication with the FBI. The following day, at 12:30 p.m., SCN convened a national meeting for Jewish leaders, which was also attended by Paul Abbate, deputy director of the FBI, and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Everybody was asking, what do we do now? said Orsini, who had been chief security officer for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh prior to working at SCN. Referring to the April 27, 2019 shooting at Chabad of Poway in California, he said, What did we learn from this lesson that we might not have learned from Pittsburgh or Poway? During that call, we did a 15-minute segment of, these are the top six things that every synagogue should do right now, Orsini said. Nobody died, and no hostages died, which is, thank G-d for that. But now, what do we learn from this? And how do we secure ourselves even more with a potential threat? So now were doing community meetings across the country. Spotlight on SCN, Colleyville SCN offers four core trainings: situational awareness; countering active threat; facility security and Stop The Bleed. Truthfully, its been a game-changer in how we operate, Bonnie Deutsch Burdman, executive director, community relations/government affairs of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, told the CJN Jan. 28. The infrastructure for SCN and the ability to be in contact with people you need to be in contact with in real time is so important during a crisis. Referring to a July 11, 2019, incident in which the Youngstown Jewish Community Center was tagged in a violent video that was posted on social media, We had our own little situation with a young man who threatened our JCC, Deutsch Burdman said. And working with SCN was very, very important to be able to make sure we had all the appropriate information, our security team was able to liaise with local law enforcement authorities and that was really important as well. Reflecting on that incident, she said, The lesson there was having those connections and having open lines of communication between our federation security team and every local law enforcement entity is crucial. Following the Texas hostage crisis, JFNA accelerated the roll-out of its $54 million LiveSecure campaign, aimed at helping further safeguard 146 Jewish communities across the continent. Hoffman, who now chairs the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation in downtown Cleveland and who said it was initially a struggle to raise money for security has in recent years awarded two grants to JFNA for that initiative from the Mandel Foundation, the first of $9 million and a more recent $6 million match. JFNA CEO Eric Fingerhut, a former Cleveland resident, told the CJN Jan. 26 that SCNs most important work may never be reported. He credited Hoffman for his prescient decision to form SCN. Its certainly grown in its sophistication, said Fingerhut, thinking back to SCNs start. Its ability to track incidents and share the information, its relationships with FBI, Homeland Security, police associations, etc. ... thats what we needed it to do. It doesnt come into the spotlight until there is an incident like Colleyville. But I can assure you that the work that SCN does has been a major factor in preventing any number of incidents. Remember, we only make the news from the incidents that happen. We dont know about all the ones that are prevented. And thats really the work thats happening every day. Seeded oyster shells are dumped back into the bay, setting up the baby oysters, known as spat, to grow on the remnants of the old oyster shells, some of which are collected from area restaurants for use in oyster gardening projects. The 2020 Night to Shine event took place ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 version will be different, with a 'Shine-Thru' parade taking place at Ocean View Church of Christ and the rest of the event being a virtual one. Delaware's average SAT test scores are near the bottom nationwide, but officials note that nearly 100 percent of Delaware students take the test, while states that rank higher have test scores from as few as 1 percent of their students. Gustavo Nader, associate professor in Penn States department of kinesiology, has been researching muscle loss for over 20 years and is in the process of determining how those who can't build muscle through exercise can in a pharmacological way. One fundamental aging problem is muscle loss, and Nader as well as other Penn State researchers believe muscle loss is the primary reason senior citizens are often not able to get out of chairs or climb stairs, along with more serious problems like ones heart and diaphragm not being able to function. Nader said he is principal investigator of a $2 million research grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health to study how to make muscles grow without exercise. Older individuals who are not able to do exercises that build muscle tend to become dependent on external care, Nader said. Low muscle mass has become a diagnosable clinical condition, according to Nader, which allows for treatments to be implemented. In the past, muscle loss was not considered a treatable clinical condition, Nader said. To help these individuals, Nader said the team wants to determine the mechanisms by which muscles grow to be able to develop medicinal therapies for individuals who can't exercise. Most current muscle research centers around muscle atrophy, which is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass, according to the Cleveland Clinic, but Nader said he wants to focus his research on how to make muscles grow. Nader said there are currently not many other procedures to build muscle than lifting weights or other types of exercises generally focused on younger people. MORE NEWS COVERAGE If you're hospitalized and you have less muscle mass than the average, your hospitalization length is going to be higher, Nader said. Alternative forms of muscle growth could also benefit people with heart disease, diabetes and trauma, Nader said. For example, some members of the military suffer injuries that need an entire limb to be regenerated. According to Nader, the grant will focus primarily on the production of muscle ribosomes. Ribosomes are micro-molecular complexes made of protein and RNA that synthesize every protein in the cell, Nader said. Recent research has shown one of the first reactions of muscles when lifting weights is to produce more ribosomes, according to Nader. Therefore, finding out how ribosomes are made is the logical next step, Nader said. Researchers can now genetically manipulate mice to produce more ribosomes, Nader said, and the mice do grow larger muscles. Although genetic manipulation isnt a viable solution in humans, Nader said this discovery inspired him to further research ribosomes and other possible treatments to build muscles. We can now start to look at the smaller players in that process and see which ones can be targeted to drug development and therapies for clinical purposes, Nader said. Biologists can also grow muscle cell cultures in laboratories, Nader said, where they can then treat the cells with drugs and experiment with them in other ways. According to Nader, research can also be conducted on human muscle through muscle biopsies, where a small portion of muscle is removed from a person and analyzed. Nader said animals, cell cultures and human muscles will all be part of his research through the grant. MORE NEWS COVERAGE Penn State student arrested for alleged aggravated assault Seth Bolembach, a Penn State student and suspended member of the Acacia fraternity, was arre Its still a mystery to biologists how bears can hibernate for four to five months and lose very little muscle, Nader said. He said he believes if biologists can discover how, they might be able to apply the knowledge using biomimicry to help humans grow muscle. If you or I would spend five months in bed, we wouldnt be able to get up, Nader said. David Proctor, Penn State professor of kinesiology and physiology, said many factors can contribute to muscle atrophy. For example, older muscles tend to lose fast twitch fibers, which contract more powerfully and faster than slow twitch fibers, according to Proctor, and kinesiologists suspect fast twitch fibers even change into slow twitch fibers with age. As individuals age, Proctor said they produce less testosterone and estrogen both of which help to maintain a balance of protein in muscles. Additionally, Nader said his research will target cachexia, a muscle wasting syndrome often caused by cancer. Nader said because cachexia causes patients to lose large amounts of both muscle and fat, they appear to be all skin and bone. Proctor said Naders research around cachexia is especially important because scientists dont know as much about how degenerative diseases like cancer affect muscles. He described Naders research as cutting edge. David Waning, an associate professor in Penn States department of cellular and molecular physiology, said cachexia affects roughly 50-70% of Stage IV, or metastatic cancer, patients. Clinical treatments for cachexia are rare at the moment, according to Waning. Waning studies cachexia, which he described as a vicious cycle at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Cachexia can affect the heart and diaphragm, damaging the bodys ability to pump blood and breathe, Waning said. MORE NEWS COVERAGE Penn State international students recount moving to United States, acclimating to new culture Eunseo Jang had just finished her fifth-grade year at a primary school in South Korea when s Waning said he has known Nader for three or four years, and they have become closer in the last year as their research interests in cachexia overlapped. Naders work will be very important in years to come for cachexia research, Waning said. According to Nader, doctors did not realize until recently that drugs used to treat cancer, including ones used for chemotherapy, also can cause cachexia, becoming a double-edged sword. Waning said a longstanding problem in cancer biology is how to target cancer drugs like those in chemotherapy to attack the protein synthesis of the cancerous cells without attacking the synthesis of the muscles and other cells in the body. Some of Wanings recent research has focused on REDD1, a negative regulator of protein synthesis. If we get rid of REDD1, Waning said, were basically getting rid of one of the brakes [to protein synthesis]. Waning said this is how his collaboration with Nader began, as the two have traded samples of mice to analyze. A new field of exercise oncology has been developing, and Nader said the field creates exercises specifically made for cancer patients. Proctor said theres a long history of exercise rehabilitation for lung diseases, heart diseases and others, but cancer rehab is behind about 20 to 30 years. Resistance training, aerobic training and other exercises for cancer patients are getting off the ground. According to Proctor, the nitrate-rich beetroot juice is a potential supplement that could help muscles function better and for longer. While not highly practical, Proctor said muscles can be maintained, not built, by electrically stimulating them during long periods of inactivity. MORE NEWS COVERAGE Other non-traditional methods like massage might improve muscle health as well, Proctor said, and heat therapy with saunas can improve blood vessel condition. Anything that can preserve blood vessel health may preserve the ability to deliver nutrients and oxygen to muscles,'' Proctor said. However, as far as actually building muscles, you've got to produce some muscle tension, Proctor said. Thats a nonnegotiable as far as I know. Proctor said an alternative of high-intensity interval training for patients with disability is moderate-intensity interval training, which has already shown positive results in patients of cancer and heart disease. A problem with older populations, Proctor said, is that they sit too much, which is something nursing homes are trying to combat with various exercise programs. Proctor said astronauts use spinning human centrifuges that simulate additional gravity to maintain muscle, which could also be an option for humans on earth. Nader said via email that while some of the methods Proctor mentioned might have a small effect, they are not useful enough to use widely to prevent muscle wasting. While the $2 million grant will pay for about five years of research, Nader said he hopes to keep studying muscles as long as Im funded and excited about what I do it never ends. Nader said another five years could be added to his projection for biotech companies to test chemicals and develop drugs and treatments for muscle wasting. Although there will always be more questions to be answered, Nader said after the next five years, We will have a much better idea of how the system works. MORE NEWS COVERAGE Governor Wolf proposes increased funding for Penn State Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf proposed a 5% funding increase for Penn State at his annual b For Kerian Martinez Pitre, standardized tests put students in a box during the college admissions process, and she said she believes some institutions eliminating these entrance requirements is a step in the right direction. Various institutions, like Harvard and the University of California, recently made optional or completely eliminated standardized testing scores submissions from its admissions process. Theres a lot of diversity, Martinez Pitre (junior-anthropological science) said. There are students who are art majors and maybe dont do well in math and will do badly [on] the SAT, and that will affect them and their score at the end. CheRanda Hammond shared similar sentiments, saying she believes state tests already in place measure how much students are learning like the Keystone exams or Advanced Placement exams. To have to test to get into schools is a little bit crazy to me, Hammond (junior-broadcast journalism) said. I think it puts an unnecessary amount of stress on high school seniors and juniors who are trying to take it and get into a good school. Standardized tests are the least effective way to measure a students academic ability, Michael Douglas said. However, Douglas (freshman-computer engineering) said the lack of standardized test scores on college applications will make it more competitive to get into institutions. I know a lot of people get in solely off of their score and not over their extracurricular activities, he said. Penn States Schreyer Honors College Director of Admissions Deyo Olorunnisola said she sees standardized tests as one tool, which must be combined with others to assess a students ability to succeed. The SAT by itself is not adequate, I think, for predicting success, Olorunnisola said. Schreyer Honors College does not require test scores for admissions into the program, since it chooses its candidates from Penn States already-admitted pool of students, according to Olorunnisola. Schools should allow students to focus more on a well-rounded personality moving forward, Hammond said, since the stress of getting high SAT or ACT scores is eliminated at the aforementioned institutions. On the other hand, Dagmawi Samson said he believes not requiring standardized test scores could create a challenge in the extracurricular realm. It definitely helps getting into college easier with the SAT on your back, Samson (junior-political science) said. It doesnt have them look too deep into your past. Its kind of like a good cover for a book. MORE NEWS COVERAGE Steven Storm said a benefit of standardized tests is theyre made to assess what your school has taught you over the years. Its main purpose is to grasp everything you have learned, Storm (sophomore-marketing) said. For Martinez Pitre, she said she fought her scores by bringing to light other aspects of herself, since test-talking isnt her biggest strength. I had to vouch for myself with my personality rather than my [SAT scores], Martinez Pitre said. If I hadnt introduced myself to like everyone in the admissions department before I applied to Penn State, I feel like I wouldnt have gotten in. Hammond said she even avoided applying to certain schools because of her lack of confidence in her standardized test scores. I just automatically thought, Im not going to get in, so what [is] the point? Hammond said. Both Martinez Pitre and Hammond said the reason for their college admissions stress and not so great scores was the lack of resources they encountered in high school prior to taking standardized tests. However, not all students faced the same problem. Storm and Douglas said they had tutors and classes at their schools dedicated to help prepare students to take these assessments. Olorunnisola said she agreed with the existence of inequity created by this system. If you dont have access to test prep you are from a culture outside of the U.S. or inside the U.S. where test prep and test taking is not something you had familiarity with all of those things will suppress test scores, Olorunnisola said. One, I did not have a tutor like I didnt have anybody trying to help me and then, two, I had never taken a standardized test like that, Martinez Pitre said as a student who grew up in Puerto Rico where she said they dont use standardized tests. MORE NEWS COVERAGE The standardized testing system can present financial hardships for students and their families as well, according to Hammond. I know you can get [fee] waivers but I know that not all schools have them, Hammond said. So I feel like any kid who does want to go to college but needs an SAT score but may not have the money to pay for it [which] just puts more stress on them. Hammond and Martinez Pitre said they believe it can be an overall positive change for schools to opt out of requiring standardized testing, since these challenges prevent some students from being able to showcase their full potential on applications. However, Samson said even if a student is a well-rounded person, that might not be enough in all admission cases even with some institutions making standardized testing optional. Lets say you have an excellent 4.0 student, and he has all the extracurriculars and what not, but he does not take the SATs, Samson said. Then, lets say another guy, same thing, but with an SAT. Theyll take him over the non-SAT guy simply because he took the test. On the other hand, Olorunnisola said she believes test scores weigh less than a holistic review of a student who has both objective and subjective tools. Schools are looking more at a students motivation and drive as well as critical thinking, according to Olorunnisola. We can look at other things like interviews, we can look at things like essay questions and how a student writes, Olorunnisola said. Those are some of the tools that can be deployed to assess a students ability to be successful at an institution. Storm said a more personable alternative to the standardized testing scores could be more college essays. Although you may not be the best writer it still gave me a chance to kind of express who I am, what I have done in my life, he said. Its more personality rather than just a test score. Samson said he believes universities being more personable could lead to a decrease in student populations, though. It would be harder picking students [based on just extracurriculars], Samson said. The number of students would diminish because of that fact. Olorunnisola said she disagrees and said she believes it puts more pressure on the universities rather than the students. It is not about you building a full resume, Olorunnisola said. It is about seeing a connection between your passion and your interests and the things you choose to be involved in. We want to see depth of involvement more than we want to see breath of involvement. The bottom line, Martinez Pitre said, is not all students are fit to be measured solely by an academic test. We all have our forte, and standardized doesnt allow us to be able to demonstrate all of our abilities. MORE NEWS COVERAGE Penn State international students recount moving to United States, acclimating to new culture Eunseo Jang had just finished her fifth-grade year at a primary school in South Korea when s "Is it your view that there would be 1,000 counts of first-degree arson? And, if we had three people per home, 3,000 counts of fourth-degree arson because of the number of people endangered?" Justice Monica Marquez asked. "Why is that not absurd?" Legislators want to add the word consent to Colorados sexual assault statutes in an attempt to make the law clearer and more concise. Currently, sexual assault is defined as sexual intrusion when the actor causes submission of the victim by means sufficient to cause submission against the victim's will. If passed, House Bill 1169 would change the wording to when the accused causes sexual intrusion knowing the victim does not consent. Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Aurora, one of the bills sponsors, said the law's current language is archaic and confusing, making it difficult for juries when deciding whether a sexual assault was committed. The language that is given to juries in sexual assault trials is from the 70s and it hasnt been updated to include the word consent, Michaelson Jenet said. At the time the language was put into place, only women could be victims of sexual assault and you could not be assaulted by your spouse. Things are far different in understanding the landscape of sexual assault today. Michaelson Jenet said she hopes the bill will contribute to making sexual assault uninviting in Colorado. Last year, the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault reported that Colorados sexual violence rate is higher than the national average. The organization said 23.8% of women in Colorado had experienced sexual violence, compared to 18.3% nationally. This comes as conversations around consent and sexual assault have surged in recent years, largely sparked in 2017 by the #MeToo Movement and the beginning of the annual Womens March. Though reported incidents of sexual violence have fallen by half in the last 20 years, a sexual assault still occurs in the United States every 68 seconds, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. Less than one in three sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement, and, of those reported, only around 16% result in arrests and 9% result in felony convictions, the network says. If the proposed bills new language was implemented before, it may have resulted in convictions in previous sexual assault cases in Colorado, said Jessica Dotter, sexual assault resource prosecutor of the Colorado District Attorneys Council. There were situations where the victim was clear that they did not consent, but the jury put an additional burden on them to have fought back to show that they didnt submit, which we know is not common in sex assault, said Dotter, who has worked as a prosecutor for nine years and solely prosecuted sexual assaults for the last six years. Dotter said words in the current law, such as submission and sufficient consequence, are not legally defined, leaving their interpretation open to each individual juror. In contrast, the words knowing and consent used in the proposed bill are already defined under Colorado law. Its going to allow juries to get clearer information on how sex assault is committed in the way that we all talk about sex assault as a society, Dotter said. I dont think even one case in which jurors misunderstand the law and then give an incorrect verdict is something we should allow in the criminal justice system." The bill would maintain Colorados existing legal definition of consent for sexual activity, which is cooperating in a sexual act using free will and with knowledge of the nature of the act. The definition also specifies that a current or previous relationship does not constitute consent and consent cannot be given under the influence of fear. In addition to helping jurors understand the law, Dotter said the bill would clarify the definition of sexual assault for victims in the hopes of allowing them to feel more comfortable reporting their assaults to law enforcement. The bipartisan bill also sponsored by Delta Republican Rep. Matt Soper has received no formal opposition from legislators or stakeholders. The groups Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the Denver Health Hospital Authority and Violence Free Colorado have all spoken in support of the bill. The proposed bill is scheduled to be voted on by the House judiciary committee on Feb. 15. If enacted, the bill would go into effect on July 1 and apply to sexual assaults committed on or after the date. 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 What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-352-3334 or email legals@waverlynewspapers.com. An Apple employee who advocates for Safari developers got an eyeful after taking to Twitter to ask users for feedback on why the Safari browser is unpopular and to ask that they point out specific issues with it. Jen Simmons, an Apple evangelist and developer advocate on the Web Developer Experience team for Safari and WebKit, was clearly taken aback by the responses. Catching up with tech Twitter this morning and there seems to be an angry pocket of men who really want Safari to just go away, Simmons tweeted. Do we really want to live in a 95% Chromium browser world? That would be a horrible future for the web. We need more voices, not fewer. Twitter Jen Simmons, a developer advocate on the Web Developer Experience team for Safari, asked for user views on the Apple browser. Unlike some rival browsers, such as Mozilla's Firefox, Apple's updates to Safari are sparse, with major upgrades just once a year. So the bulk of new features are often rolled out in a single instance. While that may be appealing for some who dislike frequent browser updates, it also means upgrades and/or fixes for Safari dont come often. In recent years, however, Safari has borne a raft of complaints about the browser's bugs, user interface and experience, and website compatibility, according to MacRumors. Last June, Apple unveiled a substantial redesign for Safari at the company's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). Many of those changes, however, were met with quick criticism describing them as "counterintuitive." Apple went through several iterations of the browser during the summer both on mobile devices and desktops and allowed users to largely revert to the previous Safari design prior to the release of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey. The developer has also continued to work on privacy improvements in Safari as it seeks to gain market share in the enterprise. For example, in the current version of iOS 14.5 (in beta), Apple has been working on changing how Safari accesses Googles Safe Browsing service. The Safe Browsing service warns users when they visit a fraudulent website. Through that service, Apple issues "Fraudulent Website Warning alerts for iOS and iPadOS devices. While Safari, the native browser on Apple devices, has a significant number of users especially on the iPhone and iPad Googles Chrome has become the de facto browser for most with about 64% of the monthly user share, according to W3Counter, a web traffic tracking service. Safari comes in a distant second with 16.5% of web traffic. Internet Explorer/Edge comes in third with 6.1% of the traffic, and Firefox and Opera claimed 4% and 1.4%, respectively. Web traffic tracker Net MarketShare is more generous to Safari; it pegged Chromes user share at 56%, Safari at 38%, and Firefox at 5%. While Safari may be in second place for usage, it appeared at times to come in last place for likability based on responses to Simmons' query. "Everyone in my mentions [is] saying Safari is the worst, it's the new IE, Simmons tweeted. Hoping to get to the bottom of the anger, Simmons asked Twitter users to point to specific bugs and missing support that frustrate them or make it harder for them to create websites or apps. Bonus points for links to tickets, she wrote. Specifics we can fix. Vague hate is honestly super counterproductive, she added. While some, like @emoryzanef, espoused love for Safari, they also voiced frustration that it has become buggy. "I love [S]afari," wrote Emory Fierlinger, a web designer and developer. "Switched years ago. Unfortunately lately its become so buggy that Ive started searching for alternatives. I use @webflow a lot, and it just performs better in chromium based browsers. Not sure if its a fault of theirs or Safaris...." Fierlinger also complained that certain pop-ups were annoying, and scrolling while in Safari produces a jittery, janky screen. Another Twitter user, @epintobasto, complained Safari doesn't "support Metamask or any other crypto wallet. Hope the crypto community adopts Safari in MacOS and iOS." Simmons asked users who notice bugs that are several years old and have not been fixed to contact her using a bugs.webkit.org link or via feedbackassistant.Apple.com. Id like to look into it, she wrote. 60% Website avtorial.ru uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 293290 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 23863 bytes (23.30 kb uncompressed) and 5187 bytes (5.07 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2022-02-10, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. Corsicana, TX (75110) Today Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low near 70F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low near 70F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Continue Reading Below Advertisement M&M's are probably one of the most popular candies in the world but haven't always fared well on the most loving of days. That is, until 2017 when they took a page out of Sweetheart's book and started producing Cupid's Message M&M's. That brought them a little bit more market share on the holiday, but at least in the United States, boxed chocolates, Hershey's Kisses, and Sweethearts rule the landscape. Looking through the top-selling candy for each state on Valentine's Day in America seems to say a lot about the country, too. Alabama likes candy necklaces, for instance, while the fancypants in Iowa and Kansas like to add a little stank to their Valentine's baskets in the form of Ghirardelli gift boxes. Michigan likes Cupid Corn, whatever the heck that nasty mess is. Ohio has decided to get all kinds of sassy and added Wild Berry Skittles into their top 3 list. And Alaska? Poor, poor Alaska. We need to talk about Alaska. They really like cinnamon bears for their Valentines, in an apparent way to have something, anything that resembles warmth. Appalachian Encounters The actual animal cinnamon bear is also a popular Alaskan Valentine's option. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Not all countries celebrate the holiday like America, though, or even celebrate it on the same day. Argentina has theirs in July and a whole "week of sweetness." South Korea decided that loving someone more on one day of the year simply won't do, and celebrate it on the 14th of every month. Sad single folks get a day in April to eat black noodles and be lonely, so that's nice too. In Japan, February 14th is apparently Opposite Day, and women actually buy men candy and cards to celebrate their love in a monetary way. In the end, it all boils down, kind of like candy itself, to wanting to be sweet to someone you care about in more than just a metaphorical way. Giving someone a gift is the most personal way to give a piece of yourself, even if it cost you eight bucks at a Rite-Aid. But here's a little hint to the young folks in the audience: don't wait until the day you have to love someone to show them. Top image: Chrys Omori Crossville, TN (38555) Today A few showers early, followed by isolated thunderstorms late. Low 63F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight A few showers early, followed by isolated thunderstorms late. Low 63F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. HARTFORD A group of about a dozen suburban children and their parents held a small mask choice rally outside the State Capitol Wednesday morning as lawmakers arrived for the first day of the 12-week legislative session. A small footprint on the site of last years protest of thousands of people opposed to vaccine and mask mandates, the school students, who were joined by a few dozen adults, complained about being disrespected and disciplined by teachers in an atmosphere that has prevented them from learning, socializing and even seeing the facial expressions of their fellow students. The protest came as Gov. Ned Lamont announced this week that he is recommending the statewide school mask mandate end Feb. 28. As his emergency powers end Feb. 15, Lamont has asked the state legislature to extend the mandate until the end of the month before transitioning authority to local school leaders to set their own mask rules. The change occurs as the states COVID metrics have been trending downward. On Wednesday, the state reported a daily positivity rate of 5.16 percent with 1,048 new COVID infections found in 20,325 tests. Hospitalizations continued to decline with 55 fewer patients for a total of 552, the lowest patient tally in weeks. As the House of Representatives and the Senate are expected to vote in the coming days on school masks and other Lamont executive orders the governor is seeking to have extended, a group of students gathered Wednesday as lawmakers arrived for the legislative session. Alexios Selearis, 10, a Hamden fifth-grader, recalled that the greetings of teachers have changed since the start of the pandemic. Back then, I truly felt like they cared, Selearis shouted from a podium on the north steps of the Capitol. They cared about starting a childs day off with a warm smile in a friendly environment. Now, somebody else is there. Instead of a warm smile, Im greeted with, Youve gotta mask, or fix your mask, or sanitize your hands. I dont get asked about how Im doing anymore. I dont get any of those warm greetings. The eight students came from towns including West Hartford, Bristol, Montville and Killingly. Eight school children organized by Lucas Johnson, a Griswold High School senior, charged that the mental health of many students are being adversely affected by the continual mask requirement. The COVID mitigation tactics in school, particularly the mask mandate, have been detrimental and harmful to the mental health of students across the state, Johnson said, stressing that it was an independent protest. Kids are being hurt every day and it needs to end now. The mitigation tactics that we have in schools have stifled opportunity for students across the state. Annabelle Miner, a high school senior in Bristol, said that although she has a medical exemption allowing her not to wear a mask, she has often been confronted about not having one on. The U.S. Surgeon General last year reported that mental-health issues among youths rose sharply between 2009 and 2019. But there is little data available on the extent of stress that masks might create in school populations. The protest from students comes a day after a legislative forum on Lamonts request to extend a small number of executive orders was dominated by a discussion on school masks. Hundreds signed up to speak during the forum, many of whom were visibly angry parents who opposed the mask mandate for students and teachers. State officials have long defended the school mask mandate as a keystone of their effort to keep schools open during the pandemic, but with waning infections and hospitalizations, they said now is the time for a more focused effort led by local school boards. Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the Department of Public Health, said the agency will continue to provide guidance to school districts on best practices to keep children safe, but would no longer mandate certain protocols, including masking. When asked by lawmakers at the forum, Juthani said there were no concrete metrics the state would follow to change course with plans over school masking, but she said she was still closely following hospitalizations, which remain high from a recent surge brought on by the omicron variant. Juthani urged local leaders to monitor infections and the vaccination rate in their communities to determine if they should extend school masking. Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect the rally was about mask choice in Connecticut schools and to include that several dozen adults also attended the event. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT If we could rewrite anything in Gov. Ned Lamonts address to open the 2022 session of the General Assembly Wednesday, it would be to redact the phrase the Connecticut Difference, which aspires to be a slogan. Connecticut has never been good at slogans. Exhibit A: The Land of Steady Habits. Exhibit B: Connecticut. Full of surprises. Exhibit C: Still Revolutionary. Difference summons thoughts of subtraction as well as addition. Lamont was and rightfully so celebrating Connecticuts successes over the last 12 months, the second year of a pandemic that left most states on their heels. Two years ago, just before COVID-19 changed the worlds script, Lamont stood on the same stage and stressed optimism can be contagious. He sounded just as upbeat after 23 months of facing blowback from some quarters for shuttering schools and businesses when needed and making the tough calls on mask mandates and social distancing. Lamont was ever a cheerleader seeking to unite players from both benches. He seemed rusty at times in front of a live audience and took a while to address the issue of the pandemic that was right under (and over) everyones noses in the room. But he shouted out names of Connecticut towns like whistle stops: Shelton, Beacon Falls, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Naugatuck, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Hartford and Harwinton. He dispersed kudos to Democrats and Republicans as early Valentines Day cards. It was a stark enough contrast to the paralyzed U.S. Congress to suggest an alternate slogan: Connecticut, Were Not D.C. In an alternate universe, the governor could have been delivering a plea to residents to hang on after the cruel turn of the past 23 months. No, not everything has gone right in Connecticut, but we need to embrace possibilities of moving forward rather than striving to catch up with the past. Several of the governors proposals targeted needs that can make a difference in everyday lives: Enhance fiber-optic cable and Wi-Fi in the state. Reduce the costs of prescription drugs. Cut car taxes. Eliminate the income tax on pension and 401K income for most households. Lamont didnt ignore criticism about crime rates in the state, repeating his mantra that you cant be tough on crime if youre weak on guns. But critics of Connecticuts gun laws which Lamont hopes to make even tougher reliably lean on the alternate solution of mental health services. The governor made it clear he doesnt see it as an either-or remedy. We are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in education, workforce development and mental health ... Straying from his script, Lamont repeated mental health four times. Its a vital priority, because everyones mental health has been strained since March 2020. Its also one that can easily be shuffled out of the budget by lawmakers in the hectic days of a session. By the time they pass, state budgets usually become unrecognizable from their origins. But we appreciate that Lamont is striving to serve residents who desperately need to heal. The governor was immediately criticized by rivals and critics for not offering enough. A genuine bipartisan effort toward that goal would be novel. That would truly be a Connecticut Difference. OLD LYME Moses Williams had a gift for cutting silhouettes. Born in 1777, he learned the skill while growing up enslaved in the Philadelphia home of Charles Willson Peale, best known for his portraits of George Washington. With earnings from his silhouettes, he bought his freedom. Williams is among the figures that Mary Kordak, a professor of Art History at the University of New Haven, will feature in a virtual weekly course titled Black American Artists: From Subject Matter to Makers. The course, which will run in virtual format from Friday, Feb. 18 through Friday, March 18, is part of the Winter Studies 2022 program organized by the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme. A lot of Africans that were brought into this country as enslaved people were highly skilled, Kordak said. They were highly skilled carvers, they were skilled at leatherwork, metalwork. They were potters and weavers. As a result of their status, if any of those skilled artisans created something rising to the level of art, nothing was attributed to them, so there are probably many more artists than we know, she said. Moses Williams was one of the earliest artists whose name lives on, she said. The reason, it seems, is a combination of luck and talent. In addition to being a portrait artist, Charles Willson Peale founded a museum. To help in its running, Peale introduced the boy to the physiognotrace, a device . . . for producing a silhouette portrait, Karen Chernick writes in artsy.net. Such was his gift that his paper-cutting stand quickly became an attraction that boosted museum attendance. For each silhouette, Williams was paid eight cents, according to Chernick. With those earnings, he not only freed himself but was able to make a living as an artist, Kordak said. The same was true of Joshua Johnston, a portrait artist in the early part of the 19th century. He was very accomplished and very much sought-after by prominent Baltimore citizens, as well as members of the white middle-class, Kordak said. If Johnston didnt become wealthy, she said, were able to tell from records of his work, how he was paid, that he was able to support himself through his art. That Johnston, as well as Williams, were able to gain financial self-sufficiency by depicting the white, powerful elite no doubt satisfied Booker T. Washington, an educator, reformer, and dominant leader in the Black community between 1890 and 1915. He talked about Black people needing to learn how to take care of themselves, and how to learn basic skills, Kordak said. That view sharply contrasted with his contemporary, the intellectual and activist W.E.B. Du Bois. He talked about the The Talented Tenth, and these were people who aspired to being more, she said. Its perhaps no coincidence that Meta Warrick Fuller enjoyed a lifelong friendship with Du Bois from the time they met in 1899. Growing up as a member of a prominent family in Philadelphia African-American society, Fuller trained in art, music, and dance. Soon her gift for sculpture, and her groundbreaking style, emerged. An example is Fullers 1919 Mary Turner, Kordak said. The statuette, which shows a woman cradling an infant in her arms and leaning away from grasping hands, was created in response to the vicious lynching of a 19-year-old pregnant African American woman by a white mob one year earlier. Fuller made herself into one of the most effective chroniclers of the black experience within the context of the American experience, author Jessica Johnston writes. Another Black artist who sought to employ art in the struggle for social change was Charles White. Born in Chicago, he used printmaking as a way to communicate with a wider audience rather than concentrating on individual buyers. He made wonderful black and white lithographs and drawings, and he also made murals, Kordak said. An 18-foot by 12-foot example painted at Hampton University over three months in 1943 was part of a series celebrating African-American historical figures and highlighting the Black communitys struggle for equality in all facets of life, Wes Watson writes. Then theres Kara Walker, a contemporary African-American artist known for her panoramic friezes of cut-paper silhouettes, usually black figures against a white wall, which address the history of American slavery and racism through unsettling imagery. Pair the cut silhouettes of Moses Williams with Walkers work, which has gained international acclaim and a MacArthur genius grant. Does that represent progress in the larger publics appreciation for the work of Black American artists? Theres a lot of work to be done, but awareness of their experience, and their art, is a start, Kordak said. To sign up, visit https://bit.ly/3L89Ewn. For questions, contact Nathaniel@FloGris.org. Commentary: Devaluing China's zero-COVID approach disregards facts Xinhua) 15:32, February 10, 2022 BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- As the omicron strain still rages worldwide, lashing China's "dynamic zero-case policy" becomes the groupthink that is often hyped up by some Western media. Some media outlets and individuals argue that China's strict measures will not stop the highly transmissible omicron but only lead to economic disruptions, and the country should shift to living with the virus and lifting restrictions. The premise of devaluing China's zero-COVID approach is flawed in the first place, and China has every reason to chart its own path in the fight against the virus. Chinese health officials have noted that the goal of the "dynamic zero-case policy" was to prevent domestic flare-ups through timely interventions rather than achieve zero infections, with a focus to strike a balance between disease control and ensuring people's normal everyday lives. However, China's interpretation of its policies has fallen on deaf ears. Harboring deep insecurities about their own economic future, some Western countries, represented by the United States, are again accusing China groundlessly in an attempt to shift the blame from mistakes entirely of their own making. Last December, some countries scrambled to impose border and travel curbs after omicron made its viral debut following delta, which actually makes them lose ground by accusing China of sticking to its cautious approach. Some countries have downgraded the threat posed by the omicron strain. But a recent study published in China CDC Weekly shows that if population mobility had been restored to 2019 levels in countries and regions which take a similar COVID approach as China, more than 234 million infections would have been seen within a year, including 2 million deaths. Meanwhile, vaccines and drugs are yet to work like miracles, not to mention that many countries have not approved vaccinating children under 12, especially toddlers under 5. The already burdened health systems worldwide have been straining to survive delta and omicron, and health experts warned it is too early to let the guard down on the virus. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned that omicron should not be underestimated even though it looks to bring less severe illness than earlier strains, and it is premature for any country either to surrender or to declare victory. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, echoed that countries should chart their own paths in lifting the measures instead of following blindly what the other countries is doing. He said that "not every country is in the same situation." The situation in China is that the "dynamic zero-case policy" has been implemented effectively, with wide support from the public. The country will not seek economic recovery at the cost of the health and lives of its people, and taking care of the elderly and the weak is a common understanding and deeply-rooted social responsibility shared by its government and the people. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) 99 cent introductory offer Includes everything we offer online for 24-7 news. This option allows you to read unlimited stories at ctnewsonline.com, and access our e-Edition (digital replicate of the daily newspaper). $7.99 per month after the introductory offer. This service comes with a complimentary CT Select Card allowing for local discounts. Rates are subject to change. A Fairfield man had his financial planning certification temporarily suspended Monday after an incident at a Fairfield smoothie shop late last month went viral. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards imposed an interim suspension against James Iannazzos certification after the board learned of an incident from late January in which Iannazzo, 48, yelled at employees and threw a drink at a Robeks smoothie shop in Fairfield. A hearing panel of the boards Disciplinary and Ethics Commission determined there was a preponderance of evidence that Mr. Iannazzos conduct significantly impinges upon the reputation of the profession and the CFP certification marks, the board said Tuesday. The board could issue further disciplinary measures after it completes its investigation. The decision came the same day that a court ordered Iannazzo to stay away from the business and to not contact the victim. Iannazzo is charged with second-degree breach of peace, first-degree criminal trespass and intimidation based on bigotry or bias. He did not enter pleas to the charges Monday. Iannazzo was also fired from his job at Merrill Lynch after the incident. On Jan. 22, Iannazzo called 911, requesting emergency medical attention as his son was suffering from an allergic reaction. The child was later taken to the hospital, police said. Iannazzo returned to the store and confronted the employees, demanding to know who made the smoothie that contained peanuts and triggered his childs allergic reaction. Iannazzo started using expletives and threw a drink at an employee, hitting her right shoulder, according to police. He also made comments toward an employee referencing their immigration status, police said. Employees told police Iannazzo had not told them about the peanut allergy; he had only requested the drink not have peanut butter. An employee recorded the incident and later posted it to TikTok. 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 Corinth, MS (38834) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Ashland, KY (41101) Today Mostly clear this evening then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly clear this evening then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. The newly appointed Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency has agreed to answer all your most urgent questions on house-hold maintenance. Dear Jacob, I am planning to hit a nail on the head, and someone told me youre the man to ask how. Advice, please! J.C., York. JACOB SAYS: I trust I am breaching no confidences, Mr C, when I make so bold as to inform you that I am favoured, some might say blessed, with a far from minimal amount of knowledge vis-a-vis hitting the aforementioned nail on its head. 'The newly appointed Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency has agreed to answer all your most urgent questions on house-hold maintenance', writes CRAIG BROWN. Pictured: Jacob Rees-Mogg I am reliably informed that one can purchase a single nail from a hardware store. I very much doubt it would cost you more than a few pounds. At the same time, you might think of purchasing a hammer, which is, my trusty dictionary tells me, a hand tool consisting of a solid head set crosswise on a handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object, in this particular case your nail. The rest is, I might add, comparatively straightforward: one asks ones handyman to hit the thin, rigid piece of metal on its uppermost protuberance, and he obliges. Delighted to be of help, Mr C! Dear Jacob, Are you familiar with the expression Its as easy as falling off a log? Advice, please, on how to fall off a log. L.P., Ongar, Essex. JACOB SAYS: This is a problem I have been contemplating for a great many years. I have no desire to climb on to a log, let alone fall off one. Was it not Lord Melbourne who first suggested that the only right and proper place for a log is either in ones fire basket, or in ones fire? Without breaching any confidences, I might add that our Prime Minister is exceptionally gifted when it comes to falling off logs. In fact, I have yet to see him stand on a log without immediately falling off it. 'I might add that our Prime Minister (pictured) is exceptionally gifted when it comes to falling off logs. In fact, I have yet to see him stand on a log without immediately falling off it', writes CRAIG BROWN And Im delighted, once again, to have been given this opportunity to defend him. Dear Jacob, Im hoping to teach my grandmother to suck eggs. Whats the best way to do it? E.P. (Mrs), Swindon, Wilts. JACOB SAYS: Lets begin at the beginning, if I may. As those of us with an education already know, and others must surely suspect, an egg is an oval object laid by a female bird, enclosed in a chalky shell, by which one, of course, means that the oval object is enclosed in a chalky shell rather than the bird, for if the bird were to be enclosed in a chalky shell then its opportunities for free movement would, one regrets to say, be severely curtailed. I trust that clears up that aspect of your question. As to the other, in my, alas, now distant youth, I taught my grandmother to suck eggs on a daily basis. She was, I am delighted to say, hugely grateful for ones expert advice. But as to how you should go about teaching your own particular grandmother to suck one or more eggs, well, I recommend you consult your Bagehot. Dear Jacob, Whats the best way to deal with a dripping tap? W. R., Salford, Gtr Manchester. JACOB SAYS: As Minister for Brexit Opportunities, one can safely say that since we are now free from the monstrous yoke of Brussels, we are all suffering less from the insufferable scourge of the dripping tap. Left to itself, the British tap never drips. Should my own tap insist on dripping, I do not hesitate. I get someone to deal with it. And that remains my advice to you, Mr R. Its perfectly possible, of course, that, up there in Salford, your household staff does not extent to an employee with overall responsibility for taps, and the dripping thereof. We are not all of us wealthy, and life would be most unappealing if we were. No fault of yours, Mr R! The rich man in his castle, the poor man at the gate. I am all for levelling up, of course, but it should only go so far, and no further. Dear Jacob, I am struggling to put my own trousers on. Any suggestions? P.C., Totnes, Devon. JACOB SAYS: My advice to you is perfectly simple, Mr C. Ask Nanny to lend a hand. It works every time. Dirty Work by Eyal Press explores jobs which are not usually celebrated and which many may consider to be unpalatable or 'morally compromised', while remaining necessary to society From nurses to supermarket workers, since the beginning of the pandemic the people doing jobs who keep our society running have been revered more than ever before. And while a spotlight on these critical roles has allowed us to celebrate those who previously may have gone unnoticed, there are still groups of essential workers who remain under the radar. From prison staff to slaughterhouse workers and 'joystick warriors' who operate drones in war zones, an eye-opening new book has explored the world of 'dirty work'. In the book, American author Eyal Press explores jobs which are not typically celebrated and which many may consider to be unpalatable or 'morally compromised', while remaining necessary to society. Press is a journalist who received the James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism and has written for publications including The New York Times. His book tells the story of drone strike operators, who entered the profession thinking they were going to help save innocent lives, only to be left traumatised by watching a child attempt to put back together the body of their dead father. He details how in poultry processing plants, workers are forced to process 65 birds per minute, resulting in mental anguish and excruciating physical pain - with some staff wetting themselves on the production line due to excessive targets. Staff of prison psychiatric wards admitted they were too afraid to report abuse, even after witnessing guards physically abuse prisoners, verbally torment rape victims and tip a disabled man out of his wheelchair. A worker at a meat processing plant has described how her job role involved hanging sixty-five birds on the belt per minute, lifting the chickens up two at a time and then immediately reaching down to grab the next pair, and she was expected to process 65 birds a minute (stock image) Prison staff terrified to report abuse The book begins with the story of Harriet Krzykowski, a mental health counselor who joined the Dade Correctional Institution in Florida in 2010. Born in a small town in northwestern Missouri, she was raised by her mother after they fled from her abusive alcoholic father when Harriet was seven. Five years later she moved to Illinois, where her mother worked a clerk at a gas station before qualifying as a nurse and moving to Miami. After leaving high school she studied psychology at Florida International University, struggling to find a job before finally landing a position at Dade. Shortly after joining the prison, a patient took her aside and told her he was being starved. While she initially assumed the prisoner was experiencing schizophrenic hallucinations, she soon heard other reports of prisoners receiving empty food trays. When she reported the stories to her senior, Harriet claims her boss was unconcerned - brushing off the allegations as inmates lying for attention. Nor was she concerned when Harriet brought up soon after that security guards had been heckling prisoners, telling them to 'Go ahead and kill yourself - no one will miss you'. For weeks she says the security team wouldn't allow her to take her Transitional Care Unit patients into the facility's recreation yard, and eventually Harriet decided to report the team to her senior. As the result of her complaint, a few days later while she was running a 'psycho-educational group', Harriet says she was left alone, unguarded, with a roomful of prisoners. She says doors controlled by correctional officers began to 'open more slowly for Harriet', and soon after she was groped by a male prisoner while left unguarded in the recreational yard. 'He definitely could have overpowered me,' she said. 'I could have been assaulted, raped - anything.' She says solitary confinement was used routinely, rather than to punish serious disciplinary infractions, revealing: 'So many guys would be mobile and interactive when they first came in, and then a few months later they would be sleeping in their cells in their own waste.' Conditions in Harriet's unit were dire, with filthy unwashed floors, 'appalling' smells, ceilings which routinely sprang leaks and cockroaches running wild around the kitchen area. She witnessed a prisoner be reduced to tears by guard who taunted him with the nickname 'tampon', because he had been raped and needed to use sanitary products to stop the bleeding. Harriet alleged guards bullied a disabled man, who had previously been the victim of extreme childhood abuse and had lost his wife and two daughters in a car accident, by tipping him out of his wheelchair and calling him a 'loser'. In 2013, Harriet was promoted to staff counselor and began providing individual therapy to prisoners - including a man named Harold Hempstead. Hempstead, who had been convicted of burglary, had become preoccupied with the death of another inmate Darren Rainey, who was allegedly found dead with 'burns on 90 percent of his body'. A prison worker claimed to be too scared to report harrowing abuse at a Florida prison (stock image) Harriet already knew about the case, having heard from nurses that after the inmate defecated in his cell and smeared feces all over his body, he had been deliberately locked in the shower by guards. The nurses claimed guards directed a stream of scalding water at him through a hose they controlled from the outside. It would later be claimed Rainey had burns so severe his skin fell off at the touch. Harriet was too afraid of losing her job, or receiving backlash from the guards to report what the nurses, and her patient - who claimed to have heard Rainey scream for help from the cell above - had told her. 'I thought, somebody has to report it, and it has got to come from the inside, but it's not going to be me,' she said. In January 2016 the Miami-Dade medical examiner delivered a copy of Rainey's autopsy report to state prosecutors which concluded he died accidentally in part because of undiagnosed heart disease and suffered no burn injuries. An autopsy at the time did not record a cause of death and Rainey's body was cremated shortly after. However, the investigation found no evidence that officers at the Dade Correctional Institution regularly used the hot shower to punish or torture inmates, as some claimed after Rainey's death. A drone strike operator revealed the horrifying scenes they've had to witness, including the death of children. Pictured: The aftermath of an airstrike in Yemen Drone 'joystick warriors' witnessing brutal deaths Christopher Aaron began working at the Counterterrorism Airborne Analysis Center in Langley, Virginia, in the spring of 2006. He had grown up with former hippy parents who marched against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and had banned red-meat and video games at their home in Lexington, Massachusetts. As a child Chris was inspired by his grandad, a World War II veteran who took him hiking and camping, and at the College of William & Mary in Virginia he studied history. The 'joystick warriors' orchestrating drone strikes The second part of Dirty Work examines of violence carried out from a distance by intelligence analysts who help select targets for lethal drone strikes. These analysts carry out work from a desk and their jobs involves trailing high-level targets to help orchestrate missile strikes. In 2010, Philip Alston, the former UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary killings, warned that because drone operators 'are based thousands of miles away from the battlefield and undertake operations entirely through computer screens and remote audio-feed, there is a risk of developing a 'PlayStation' mentality to killing.' However other research highlighted in the book found these analysts experienced negative emotions including grief, sadness and remorse related to killing. The study, carried out Wayne Chappelle and Lillian Prince, researchers for the School of Aerospace Medicine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and bsaed on interviews with 141 intelligence analysts, found the subjects felt 'negative, disruptive emotions' for a long duration of time. Advertisement In the aftermath of 9/11, Chris wanted to do something to aid in the war on terror, and soon applied for a job at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a national-security agency that specialises in geographic and imagery analysis. Soon after starting his job, Chris was scouted to help work at a Department of Defense task force he says was specially created to determine how drones could help defeat Al-Qaeda. He spent twelve-hour shifts in a windowless room sat in front of a wall of flat-screen monitors that beamed live, classified video feeds from drones hovering over war zones. His job was to analyse images of suspected terrorists in Afghanistan and Syria and relay information back to his commander, revealing: 'sixty seconds later, depending on what we would report, you would either see a missile fired or not.' He spent 'more time doing surveillance and reconnaissance than coordinating strikes', and would witness intimate details of other people's lives, from coffins being carried through the streets to men defecating in fields, and an imam preaching to a group of teenagers in their school. At first Chris felt there were 'more good days than bad days' at the job, as well as a sense of camaraderie with his fellow operators, recalling joking with his peers that 'we sometimes didn't know if we were looking at children on the ground or chickens.' He admitted that on some occasions, when he was asked whether there were other people inside a compound under surveillance 'I'd just say no because they don't want to hear 'I don't know'. 'And then two days later, when they have the funeral procession in the streets that we could observe with the Predators, you'd see, as opposed to carrying one coffin through the streets, they're carrying three coffins through the streets.' Another former drone operator told Press he witnessed a child, who had been spared in the airstrike 'wall back to the pieces of his father and began to place the pieces back into human shape'. Chris spent a little over a year at the task force, including several months in Afghanistan, before working for a private military contractor and receiving an offer in 2010 to work as an imagery-and-intelligence analyst in the drone program. But as Chris mulled terms of the job, he began to fall apart physically, suffering headaches, night chills, joint pain and other flu-like symptoms before developing nausea, skin welts and chronic digestive problems. 'I could not sign the paperwork,' he said. Every time he sat down to try, 'my hands stopped workingI was feverish, sick, nauseous.' Chris went back to Lexington to live with his parents, soon finding himself in the midst of a total physical and mental breakdown at just twenty-nine. While his health began to improve after moving home, his mental state was in disarray, spending nights dreaming 'that he could see- up close, in real time -innocent people being maimed and killed, their bodies dismembered, their faces contorted in agony.' In the years that followed, Christopher continued to withdraw - refusing to see friends or family, avoiding romantic relationships and struggled with 'quasi-suicidal thoughts'. In 2013, when Chris met a Vietnam veteran from Minnesota at the the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in New York, that he began to address his trauma, soon joining the Boston chapter of Veterans for Peace. Reality of working on the slaughterhouse 'kill floors' Flor Martinez grew up in north-central Mexico with her grandmother and abusive grandfather before being smuggled to Texas to join her mother when she was fourteen. When she arrived, her stepfather was physically and sexually abusive, eventually kicking her out onto the street after she continually refused his advances. She was taken in by a Mexican family, eventually managing to meet up with her biological father and moving to Brazos County, where she gained employment at a poultry plant. History of the slaughterhouse: How meat workers have been viewed as 'dirty' around the world As noted by historian Wilson J. Warren, in Tokugawa-era Japan, butchers were considered eta, or unclean people. As members of the 'Burakumin' class, butchers and slaughterhouse workers were viewed at the bottom of the traditional social hierarchy and were forced to live and work in segregated parts of cities. Similarly, in India, those who worked with dead animals were considered part of 'the untouchable caste'. In Europe, while held in less contempt than other parts of the world, those who worked in slaughters were still viewed in a dim light . John Locke's Some Thoughts Concerning Education published in 1693, noted that butchers tended to be excluded from juries, on the grounds that 'they who delight in the suffering and destruction of inferior creatures, will not be apt to be very compassionate or benign to those of their own kind.' In America the first searing expose of the meat industry appeared in Upton Sinclair's The Jungle in 1906. Although it was a work of fiction, the book drew on real-life inspiration from the author's seven-weeks spent working in the meatpacking plants of the Chicago stockyards and described the mass slaughter of livestock in grisly detail. Advertisement She'd applied using a fake green card, but according to Press, the 'document raised no eyebrows' and she was hired instantly. 'A lot of the workers were undocumented at the time, a fact that was no secret to the plant's supervisors, who periodically warned the workers that if they complained, the supervisors would call immigration', writes Press. She worked in the 'evisceration depart' meaning she would slice the glands off the carcasses of chickens which were suspended on a rotating conveyor belt. 'The cavalcade of decapitated birds was unsightly', writes Press. 'Even worse was the smell, a foul blend of chicken excrement and raw viscera that filled the air. She wouldn't miss inhaling that stench for hours on end.' Flor had married a local man called, who had gained US citizenship, and after a few months quit the job to raise their three children. When her children were old enough to go to school, Flor found work at a fast food restaurant, but soon realised promotion without fluent English would be impossible and that she could earn more working at the poultry plant. She was assigned to 'live hang' birds, where employees fastened live chickens to a conveyor belt by hooking their feet onto metal shackles. Once attached the animals were where stunned using an electric current, passed through an automated throat slitter and tank of scalding water to loosen their feathers. According to Flor, if an animal survived - which they occasionally did - a member of staff would be waiting to slit their throat manually. Flor says she cried the first time she saw the process, but that the physical pain of the production line was often too all consuming to consider the animals they were killing. Her job role involved hanging sixty-five birds on the belt per minute, lifting the chickens up two at a time and then immediately reaching down to grab the next pair. The pain in her arms was so great she asked her supervisor to swap roles and was moved to the 'twin pack' where she would slide chickens into plastic bags on the other end of the line. However she continued to experience pain in her hands and fingers and begged to be transferred once again, moving to the debone department, where she removed bones from dead animals. She says the physical pain was matched with emotional distress caused by the verbal and emotional abuse from supervisors, who were under pressure from their own bosses to increase production. If Flor complained about the pain she was in, her bosses would allegedly berate her and tell her she was simply being lazy. The most humiliating ordeal of all was requesting to go to use the toilet, with employees required to ask their managers to step away from the production line every time they needed to relieve themselves. If staff asked to use toilet they were allegedly chastised by their bosses, with some of Flor's female co-workers resorting to wearing an extra pair of trousers underneath their uniforms so they could wet themselves on the production line. Eventually Flor was assigned to serve as a floor worker, a hybrid position of line work with some supervisory duties - which she tried her utmost to 'dispense with compassion'. While the approach made workers happier and helped Flor's co-workers break the record for the number of birds processed in a seven-hour shift on her third day, her bosses berated her for being too lenient. Eventually, she divorced her husband - a supervisor who she felt had become to embroiled in speeding up production lines to please managers and earn bonuses. When Press met her for the book, Flor had quit her job at the poultry plant and was earning nine dollars an hour working at a Taco Bell in College Station while supporting her two children. In her spare time, Flor holds workshops to educate poultry workers about their rights. Traumatised oil rig workers The last part of the book explores 'dirty energy' and sees Press meet Stephen Stone, who survived the Deepwater Horizon disaster, and his wife Sara. On April 20th, 2010 a BP oil rig exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the death of 11 workers and the largest spill of oil in the history of marine oil drilling operations. Stephen was scheduled to return home from his three-week stint on the rig on the day of the explosion, where the couple planned to meet with a real estate agent about buying a new house in their hometown of Katy, Texas. When Sara heard the news she began frantically calling the burn units of various hospitals in Alabama and Louisiana - terrified after hearing TV coverage reporting it was possible nobody on board had survived. Sara Stone offers words of support to her husband, Transocean employee and survivor of Deepwater Horizon explosion Stephen Stone before testifies to the House Judiciary Committee on May 27, 2010 Eventually, drilling contractor Transocean contacted her to tell her Stephen had managed to escape the burning rig and was being transported to a hotel in New Orleans. When she eventually saw her husband in the hotel corridor he looked 'shell-shocked and traumatised' with a 'blank' expression. 'When he walked in, from the look in his eyes, it was obvious that something horrible had happened,' she recalled. Stephen, who began working on the oil rig after leaving the navy in his late twenties, became withdrawn after returning home from the explosion, with memories of his co-workers screams keeping him up at night. He began to read about how warning signs on the Deepwater Horizon had been ignored, and within a year of the disaster quit his job after discovering Transocean had awarded bonuses to senior executives for overseeing the 'Best Year in Safety Performance' in the company's history. 'I quit,' he said. 'I was like, f**k you guys. I don't want to be a part of your company.' But in the years that followed Stephen struggled to adapt to normal life, avoiding social gatherings and struggling to hold down a job, self-medicating with large amounts of alcohol and medically prescribed cannabis. He became paranoid, with Sara once discovering a knife on the dashboard of their car after convincing himself another driver was following him. While alcohol helped him sleep it also fuelled erratic behaviour, and one day he fractured vertebrae in his neck and collapsed a lung after dink driving his car the wrong way down a one-way street and into a brick wall. Stephen was diagnosed with PTSD, he suffered panic attacks and was sensitive to loud noises - with sounds as innocuous as the rattle of ice in the freezer setting off his anxiety. Sara wipes away a tear as her husband Stephen testifies to the House Judiciary Committee about the Deepwater Horizon explosion on May 27, 2010 As time went on, the costs of the 'dirty work' Stephan had rose to the surface and he began to feel overwhelming guilt about the environmental impact of the oil industry. While the couple were eventually awarded compensation from Transocean, Sara claims the process took nearly five years - all of which were spent at home looking after her husband, relying on savings and the help of family. By the end of Press' time with the couple, their marriage had broken down - with Sara, who had began to 'experience a physical breakdown', no longer able to care for Stephen. According to Sara he had another car accident after drinking too much, and thought nobody was hurt, the accident terrified her 'causing her to wonder what might happen the next time she left his side.' 'The thought of living with this fear for as long as they were married frightened Sara, who had always valued her independence. A few weeks later, she told Stephen she wanted to split up', wrote Press. Sara is now a graduate student, enrolled in UCLA film school inspired by a documentary filmmaker named Margaret Brown who had reached out to her back in 2011, after coming across series of paintings she had done about the explosion. Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality by Eyal Press is published by Head of Zeus in hardback RRP 20 A Valentine's Day themed brainteaser promises to put your observation skills to the test. Created by Hungarian cartoonist Gergely Dudas, better known as Dudolf, the illustration shows loved-up animals embracing in a field of pink flowers. But somewhere in this vibrant image there is a single pink love heart. Do you have what it takes to find it? All loved up! Can you find the single pink heart in this Valentine's Day themed puzzle? In his typical fashion, Dudolf has made things trickier by adding plenty of little details that are designed to distract the eye. The canoodling owls, for example, have a single pink flower between them. Elsewhere a grey cat falls in love with his own reflection. If you're struggling to find the heart then try looking on the left-hand side of the image, near the owls and kissing bears. Still not having any luck? Then scroll down to check your answer. There it is! The tiny pink heart is tucked between some flowers, just above the canoodling owls It comes after players were challenged to find the only love-heart shaped balloon in a busy Valentine's Day scene. The baffling seek-and-find puzzle was created by British retailers 247 Blinds to celebrate the romantic holiday ahead of February 14. So, do you think you'll be able to find the hidden balloon ? Give it a try and put your observational skills to the test. Scroll down for the answer A tricky brainteaser is challenging players to find the only love-heart shaped balloon in a busy Valentine's Day scene (pictured) There are many hearts, Cupid's arrows and roses throughout the print, but hidden within the drawings is a love-heart-shaped balloon. If you're struggling to find the balloon, turn your attention to the middle section of the right hand side of the Valentine's Day scene. If you still haven't spotted the pesky object, scroll down to find the answer. There are many hearts, Cupid's arrows and roses throughout the print, but hidden within the drawings is a love-heart-shaped balloon (circled above) If you want some more, try your hand at these tricky brainteasers below. Designers have hidden a single open umbrella in this crowded street scene which is sure to leave you baffled. The extremely tough seek-and-find puzzle was created by hotel chain Premier Inn following a recent poll revealed that brollies are one of the nation's most lost items. There are many people featured in the crowded design, but only one of them is keeping dry under an umbrella. So, do you think you'll be able to find it or will you be left scratching your head? Give it a try and put your observational skills to the test. Hidden in the crowded street scene is a person holding an umbrella - but it's incredibly difficult to spot The hotel chain commissioned the brain teaser after research found umbrellas are one of the nation's most lost items: 10 per cent of Brits will lose or break 10 or more umbrellas in their lifetime. Almost a fifth of those polled (18 per cent) said they had broken or lost an umbrella after just one outing. The survey of 2,000 UK adults also showed 28 per cent have turned up to an important work meeting soaking wet as they didn't have a brolly. And despite almost a fifth of Brits owning three umbrellas, one in 10 have spent up to 50 on replacements. So, have you been able to spot the hidden brolly? If you're still struggling scroll down for the answer. So, have you been able to spot the hidden brolly? If you're still struggling take a look at the top left-hand corner of the scene Premier Inn commissioned the brain teaser to mark its new rental umbrellas trial in 30 of its hotels launched in partnership with DripDrop with a minimum of 15 percent of each borrowing fee going to the hotel chain's charity partner Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSH Charity). Elsewhere, an infuriating brainteaser challenges players to find a snowflake in an unlikely tropical scene. The seek-and-find puzzle, created by The French Bedroom Company in collaboration with wallpaper designer Elizabeth Ockford, features beautiful tropical birds and flittering butterflies, as well as palm fronds and ornate bird cages. But hidden among the tropical picture is a single snowflake, which is almost impossible to spot. The seek-and-find puzzle features beautiful tropical birds and flittering butterflies. Hidden among the tropical picture is a single snowflake, which is almost impossible to spot The creators claim it's so difficult that it takes players an average of 7 minutes and 23 seconds to find. The picture shows colourful budgies, butterflies, parrots and golden cages - but where is the snowflake? Nestled within elegant illustrations of botanical birds, leaves and butterflies, the snowflake has proved tricky for Brits to find. Focus your eye on the top corners of the painting - can you see it yet? The answer is below. Answer: The delicate snowflake can be seen in the top left hand coner of the picture beneath one of the palm leaves Can your brain handle more strain? Next up, this autumnal seek-and-find quiz challenges you to find the hidden hedgehog, but will you be up to the challenge? British blinds retailer 247 Blinds have created this challenging brainteaser with a seasonal theme to test your attention to detail. If you're looking for a clue, try focusing your attention on the bottom of the image and you might have more luck. Still struggling? Simply scroll down for the answer. Scroll down for reveal Can you find the tiny hedgehog hiding in this leafy scene for a brainteaser created by British blinds retailer 247 Blinds? To make it harder, the hedgehog is shaped to look like the items that surround him, so that you'll need to have a proper look at the picture to locate him. Struggling to find the little critter? Focus your attention on the bottom part of the picture. Giving up or want to check you got it right? You can scroll down to see the answer. The small hedgehog was hiding at the very bottom of the picture. It was hard to locate, because it was shaped like a pine cone Want to try your hand at other fiendishly difficult seek-and-finds? Look below for Femail's selection of some of the trickiest. To make things even trickier, Dudolf has made only the slightest changes between the mushrooms' markings so you'll really have to be eagle-eyed to spot the difference. The slight changes in colours patterns and shapes distracts the eye from the task. Struggling to find the one mushroom without a match? Try looking towards the lower half of the image. Still having difficulty? Then scroll down for the reveal. The odd mushroom out has a blue cap with red spots and is situated in the lower half of the image It comes after another puzzle challenged players to pick out the two safety pins hidden among vibrant sewing equipment. The brainteaser has been created by Dutch lingerie brand Hunkemoller, with puzzlers asked to spot the two tiny items in the sea of tools. But thanks to the brightly coloured products cluttering the graphic, it is almost impossible to notice the missing safety pins. According to the creators the puzzle takes an average of one minute and 23 seconds to solve, but with the mesmerizing colours, how quick can you spot the hidden items? This new seek-and-find puzzle challenges you to pick out the two safety pins hidden among vibrant sewing equipment (pictured) There's plenty of little details designed to distract the eye, so it's no wonder that some puzzlers struggle to stay on task and find the pins. If you're looking for a clue, try focusing your attention towards the centre of the image and you might have more luck. Still struggling? Don't worry, the answer is coming next so just scroll down to put yourself out of your misery. The biggest and most enduring trend in fashion now is not a particular heel size, dress cut or handbag shape. No. There is one thing that we are all looking for in every purchase sustainability. Unfortunately, some of our favourite clothes are very much not sustainable. Nearly half of the worlds clothing is made of polyester, which is typically made from crude oil. Greenpeace forecasts this amount to nearly double by 2030 thanks to the rise of the athleisure trend. Post lockdown, the market for activewear has grown by 80 per cent. Our favourite retailers, under pressure to be more green, have come up with an answer: recycled polyester. Coat, 69, and gilet, 45, both marksandspencer.com; leggings, 20, next.co.uk; trainers, 90, jdsports.co.uk Coat, 110, wearethought.com; jacket, 29.95, and joggers, 16.99, gap.co.uk; trainers, as before Gilet, 45, marksandspencer.com; jacket, 165, bamboo clothing.co.uk; leggings, 31.20, nobodyschild.com; trainers, 80, schuh.co.uk At first glance, recycled polyester seems like a great alternative. Its the same quality as regular polyester, but the manufacturing process generates 79 per cent less carbon dioxide. And now theres a stylish selection available on the High Street or from affordable online brands. All the clothing the model is wearing above is made from recycled polyester. Bam is an independent label whose insulated jackets are 100 per cent recycled and recyclable and look great. On the High Street, Marks & Spencers offerings are second to none. Their pale blue quilted coat is lightweight but brilliantly warm. I love the fact it stops well below the knee. As does their pink padded gilet. The bright pink puffer jacket may be a little loud for some but its fabulously practical with a concealed hood and adjustable waist. Puffer, 35, marksandspencer.com; jacket, 29.95, gap.co.uk; leggings, 20, next.co.uk; trainers as before Coat, 269, plumo.com; jacket, 165, bambooclothing.co.uk; leggings, 49.95, gap.co.uk; trainers as before Print coat, 119, plumo.com; jacket, 165, bamboo clothing.co.uk; leggings, 31.20, nobodyschild.com; trainers, 80, schuh.co.uk Thought is a brand which attempts to source all its raw materials sustainably. You can also find its concession in John Lewis stores. If youre looking for a warm winter number, Thoughts black padded coat is like wearing a duvet, one made from 150 recycled bottles. Plumo is an independent company based in London. It has its own sustainable brand, Plumo Studio, as well as stocking other brands with green credentials such as LF Markey and Ganni. I love the navy duvet coat, or the Chinoiserie print quilted jacket to make a real statement in. If you want to buy polyester then choose recycled outerwear which needs less washing so sheds fewer microfibres but still think twice about those gym leggings. A textile designer known for producing high quality bohemian picnic rugs with enchanting prints and a waterproof base has shared her 'heartache' after noticing almost identical designs being sold at Aldi stores. Byron Bay mum Sharnee Thorpe, who launched her brand Wandering Folk in December 2015, took to Instagram on Tuesday to outline why she thought the German supermarket had seemingly copied her $190 best-selling prints. 'After seven years of blood, sweat and tears this really does break my heart,' she said. 'Aldi has released a picnic rug that looks to be "inspired by" Wandering Folk. Sadly there is nothing we can do except educate everyone on always supporting creatives. Scroll down for video Byron Bay mum Sharnee Thorpe, who launched her brand Wandering Folk in December 2015, took to Instagram on Tuesday to outline why she thought the German supermarket had seemingly copied her $190 best-selling prints 'After seven years of blood, sweat and tears this really does break my heart,' she said (The Aldi and Wandering Folk rugs side by side) Which is which? 'Aldi has released a picnic rug that looks to be 'inspired by' Wandering Folk. Sadly there is nothing we can do except educate everyone on always supporting creatives,' she said 'Big retailers will always seek out boutique brands to follow and I just want to remind you all that the creatives behind brands work so hard to bring their idea to life and it really is like a stab to the heart when you see this happen.' Sharnee was alerted to the very similar rugs being sold in Aldi's Special Buys catalogue in December for a mere $49.99, complete with a leather-look carry strap and large tassels in each corner - just like Wandering Folk. In photos the designer posted in corresponding videos, shoppers could see side-by-side how her Arctic Folk, Pastel Forest and Emerald Forest prints had been 'reimagined' in the Aldi version, which was slightly bulkier than Sharnee's rugs. 'The worst feeling in the world. So sorry to hear this. We know how hard it is to build a brand. The long days, the hard decisions and sacrifices. Sadly for a small brand to pursue through the courts is so costly and takes years,' another business owner wrote on Sharnee's post. In photos the designer posted in corresponding videos, shoppers could see side-by-side how her Arctic Folk, Pastel Forest and Emerald Forest prints had been 'reimagined' in the Aldi version, which was slightly bulkier than Sharnee's rugs While picnic rugs were Sharnee's original product, Wandering Folk also now sells cooler bags, woven throws, a picnic basket and glassware 'I was so heartbroken for you when I saw these advertised,' said another. A third added: 'I am so sorry to see this. I absolutely love my Wandering Folk picnic rug! Just so wrong'. Before Sharnee began the journey of Wandering Folk she studied a Bachelor of Arts in Textile Design at RMIT Melbourne and has worked with many well known Australian fashion labels as a freelance designer creating one of a kind artworks. While picnic rugs were Sharnee's original product, Wandering Folk also now sells cooler bags, woven throws, a picnic basket and glassware. 'Our picnic rugs were developed out of necessity on a rainy camping trip when we found ourselves sitting on our swags trying to keep off the damp ground,' the website read. 'We wanted to create something that was great quality that would last a lifetime and was also aesthetically pleasing. The Wandering Folk and Aldi designs looked almost identical to the textile designer 'Everyone has an old rug in their car or their cupboard that gets dusted off over summer for beach hangs or picnics with friends. Why not have something you are proud to pull out at a picnic that is also very practical? 'Our rugs are more like a magic carpet than a picnic rug. We still use ours everyday and have travelled the world with them by our side, all our products are hand drawn and designed out of our Byron Bay studio.' Aldi, who hasn't responded to Sharnee's requests for answers despite her engaging an intellectual property lawyer, she claims, replied on Wednesday through a spokesperson. Aldi, who hasn't responded to Sharnee's requests for answers, replied on Wednesday through a spokesperson (Wandering Folk piece pictured) 'Allegations from this company in the press are the first correspondence we have on the matter,' they said. 'We will definitely review any correspondence that is shared with our business and will respond accordingly.' Australian consumer law has always allowed for comparative advertising, so brands can be mimicked in such a way that there are still significant points of difference in the packaging and trade marks. That way in a court of law there is no legal reason why supermarkets like Aldi can be sued because the products are not 'deceptively similar' to the brand name product they are re-producing. Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury is set to reveal her latest - and greatest -skincare product with proven anti-ageing results in just two months. The beauty mastermind will unveil The Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil ($100) on February 24, much to the excitement of customers who have already trialled the plumping and hydrating product in clinical trials. According to scientific tests conducted on 30 people over eight weeks skin looks 337 per cent more radiant and feels 310 per cent firmer after using the face oil, which has been designed with breakthrough ingredients to be non-greasy and non-comedogenic. Combining potent plump-effect collagen with powerhouse plant extracts and soothing essential oils, the 'miracle' elixir is being described as rehab for dry skin. The beauty mastermind will unveil The Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil ($100) on February 24, much to the excitement of customers who have already trialled the plumping and hydrating product in clinical trials It contains avocado oil, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E to nourish, moisturise and feed the skin without greasiness, and Babassu oil to create a natural looking glow It contains avocado oil, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E to nourish, moisturise and feed the skin without greasiness, and Babassu oil to create a natural looking glow. Earlier this week Charlotte's niece, Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury, shared her secrets to mastering your foundation application and achieve glowing skin. The British beauty guru gave her nod of approval for using your fingers to apply foundation and championed her aunt's mega-popular Beautiful Skin Foundation, which has taken the beauty world by storm with seven units sold every minute. In a live tutorial with Mecca Beauty on Instagram, Sofia gave her best tips and tricks for using the much-hyped foundation that comes in 30 different shades to give your skin a flawless finish. Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury, celebrity makeup artist and the niece of beauty icon Charlotte Tilbury, has shared her tips for applying flawless foundation during your makeup routine Before and after: In a live tutorial with Mecca Beauty on Instagram gave her best tips and tricks for achieving a flawless finish using Charlotte Tilbury's mega popular Beautiful Skin Foundation which has taken the beauty world by storm with seven sold every minute In the how-to clip, the 28-year-old makeup artist prepped her skin with a serum, eye cream and moisturiser and dabbed the Beautiful Skin Foundation on her cheek, chin and forehead with her fingers before blending with a brush. 'With applying foundation, I think it's very personal, a lot of the time I like to use my fingers when first applying it,' she said. 'I know there's a lot of women out there that like to just apply it with their fingers which is totally fine, but I think you can get a really smooth finish when using a brush.' She advised using a soft brush, nothing too stiff, to blend the foundation upwards in circular motions. In the how-to clip, the 28-year-old makeup artist prepped her skin with a serum, eye cream and moisturiser and dabbed the Beautiful Skin Foundation on her cheek, chin and forehead with her fingers before blending with a brush upwards in circular motions When it comes to concealer, Sofia said to use it sparingly and shared how to pick the right shade. 'I feel like makeup has changed recently and people really went for concealer and now I feel like you don't need as much to give that brightening, dewy glow effect,' she said. 'I tend to go two shades lighter to have a brightening effect.' She places it under the inner corner of the eye and the outer corner and blends it out with her finger and a small brush. When it comes to concealer, she places it under the inner corner of the eye and the outer corner and blends it out with her finger and a small brush Sofia finishes the skin with a blush to the apple of her cheeks and bronzer which she applies liberally to her face and neck Sofia then recommended a colour correcting powder for dark circles or under-eye pigmentation. 'I use the colour corrector on most celebrities just to kind of create more brightness underneath the eyes and even out skin tone,' she said. 'The way you can do it which I think is helpful for people who have never used them before is to use it underneath your concealer and build the concealer on top. I use the brush and then I also like to use my fingers.' For blemishes and 'really big annoying red spots', Sofia suggested applying concealer to the area and setting with a powder so it 'doesn't move or budge'. Sofia is one of beauty's biggest rising stars working with many A-list stars and supermodels including Salma Hayek, Minnie Driver, Irina Shayk and Candice Swanepoel and was backstage at the Paris Couture shows just last week Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury top five tips for perfect foundation 1. Use your fingers when you first apply the foundation 2. Then use a soft brush and blend upwards in circular motions 3. Always set your foundation with powder 4. Use concealer sparingly to brighten 5. Apply a colour corrector to get rid of dark circles or under eye pigmentation out even out skin tone Advertisement Sofia swears by using powder to set her makeup and once again was a cheerleader for her aunt's airbrush flawless finish powder, one of which is sold every minute. 'The way I would use this is with a sculpting brush and I would use it down the T-Zone - this is where you don't want to be oily or too shiny because you can end up looking a little sweaty,' she said. Sofia finishes the skin with a blush to the apple of her cheeks and bronzer which she applies liberally to her face and neck. 'There's different ways you can use bronzer but I kind of like to contour and then brush out, so, I'll use it underneath the cheekbone and then brush it outwards,' she said. 'To create a sun-kissed effect on the skin I like to bring it across the nose. I also like to use my neck to match it because you don't want to look too dark on the face and then have a really light neck.' Sofia is one of beauty's biggest rising stars working with many A-list stars and supermodels including Salma Hayek, Minnie Driver, Irina Shayk and Candice Swanepoel and was backstage at the Paris Couture shows just last week. Advertisement Prince William was greeted by crowds of flag-waving well-wishers as he rounded off a whirlwind day in the United Arab Emirates with a visit to Dubai Expo 2020. The Duke of Cambridge, 39, took part in a short walkabout on Thursday night to shake hands with dozens of people who had waited outside in the hope of catching a glimpse of the royal. Beaming William chatted with some of the royal fans, including a little girl who looked thrilled to be speaking to the prince. William's visit to Dubai - his first official trip to the UAE and his first major overseas visit in two years - was designed to celebrate British talent, promote ties between the UK and the UAE, and champion environmental causes close to his heart. During his whirlwind one-day visit it emerged his father Prince Charles has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time. Prince William was greeted by crowds of flag-waving well-wishers as he rounded off a whirlwind day in the United Arab Emirates with a visit to Dubai Expo 2020 Well-wishers whipped out their phones to snap a picture of William as he left the UK Pavilion at the Expo 2020 The Duke of Cambridge, 39, took part in a short walkabout on Thursday night to shake hands with dozens of people who had waited outside in the hope of catching a glimpse of the royal. Pictured, the excited crowd The Duke of Cambridge, 39, toured the $7billion grounds of the site alongside Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (pictured), the son of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum The Duke of Cambridge (pictured right), 39, who arrived in Dubai last night for his first major royal overseas visit in more than two years, toured Abu Dhabi's wetlands at the Jubail Magrove Park today Earlier today William toured the Expo 2020's $7billion grounds of the site alongside Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the son of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Mohammed's headline-grabbing divorce settlement and custody battle has played out in British courts over the past year. The landmark divorce between Sheikh Mohammed, 72, and Princess Haya, 47, was described as the biggest in British history, with a settlement of 550 million. Meanwhile in October, reports suggested the Queen would no longer play host to the ruler at the Royal Box at Ascot - despite years of previous engagements at the races - after a judge ruled he ordered phone hacking of his ex-wife and a Tory peer. William spoke with athletes as he toured the al-Wasl Dome during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai today The royal was treated to a breath-taking show at the expo, which was opened by a band in uniform The brass band kicked off the show in pure British fashion as the Prince looked on in Dubai today The Duke of Cambridge, who has had a day busy with engagements in Dubai, prepared to watch the show The Duke of Cambridge toured the al-Wasl Dome during his visit to Expo today during his visit of Dubai A royal ovation! The Duke gave the show a warm round of applause after they performed for him at the 2020 Expo The Prince wore a face covering and sat down to watch the show in Dubai tonight and watched a performance commemorating the United Kingdom A fan could not help but chance a quick picture of the Duke of Cambridge as he walked past him The Duke began his whirlwind visit today by planting a tree in Abu Dhabi, with the help of school children. William, who arrived in Dubai last night for his first major royal overseas visit in more than two years, toured Abu Dhabi's wetlands at the Jubail Magrove Park today. He was pictured planting a sapling alongside British School Al-Khubairat students after meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Executive Office. William visited the park to learn more about the UAE's efforts to protect the regional flora and fauna from human and environmental challenges, particularly as the country's urban centres continue to grow and develop. Photos from the visit were shared to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Instagram account today, with the caption: 'First stopthe Jubail Mangroves, a nature preserve and a haven for avian and marine species native to Abu Dhabi. Flags in hands, fans could not wait to catch a glimpse of the Duke of Cambridge on his official trip A little girls with a Union Jack and a teddy bear patiently waited for Prince William to arrive at the Expo A young fan wearing a face covering gathered and waved his Union Jack ahead of the performance at the Expo Royal fans waved their Union Jacks as they gathered ahead of the Duke of Cambridge's visit today 'The Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative will focus on sustainability and preserving the natural environment, providing vital research for supporting biodiversity - including the recovery, survival and development of more resilient varieties of the mangrove, which will in turn help protect the Abu Dhabi coastline. 'These parks also play a role in their communities, especially for the next generation and it's great to see programmes are in place to inspire young people to become the environmental leaders of tomorrow.' The UAE had required masks in all public places, however in September rules were eased so that masks could be removed when doing exercise in public places, on beaches and at poolsides, in hair salons and in medical centres when being treated. William and Sheikh Khaled planted mangrove saplings together at the Jubail Mangrove Park and were told mangroves capture four times more carbon than rain forests. The duke chatted to Amaan Haider, 13, and Lily-Rose Mayall, 12, from the British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. He told the students: You are the future. Keep up the good work. As William (pictured left) toured the UAE, news emerged that his 73-year-old father, Prince Charles, had tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating. It's the second time the heir to the throne has contracted the coronavirus Prince William (pictured centre) talks as he walks next to Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Sheikh Mohammed's headline-grabbing divorce settlement and custody battle has played out in British courts over the past year. Pictured, Prince William listens as he stands next to Dubai's Crown Prince The landmark divorce between Sheikh Mohammed, 72, and Princess Haya, 47, was described as the biggest in British history, with a settlement of 550 million. Pictured, the Duke of Cambridge and the Crown Prince of Dubai In October, reports suggested the Queen would no longer play host to the ruler at the Royal Box at Ascot - despite years of previous engagements at the races - after a judge ruled he ordered phone hacking of his ex-wife and a Tory peer. Pictured, William and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum The UAE was created in 1971 by the 'Trucial States' which had gained their independence from the UK. Pictured, The Duke of Cambridge with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mark Leppard, the school's headmaster, said: The children who were introduced to the prince are part of our global leaders programme, who all volunteer, and follow the 20 global goals for sustainability. 'This initiative is part of improving the local environment. They've been excited and surprised and this came through (with them being) ecstatic about sharing their thoughts. William's visit marked the launch of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, between the Zoological Society of London and the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, to create a mangrove nursery as a centre of research, learning and outreach. During the visit, the duke and Sheikh Khaled, who is chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, discussed their work on promoting sustainability. William has attempted to tackle the illegal trade in items like ivory and rhino horn through his umbrella body United for Wildlife (UFW) and staged the inaugural awards ceremony for his environmental Earthshot Prize last autumn. Prince William (pictured) has arrived in the United Arab Emirates and started his whirlwind one-day visit by planting a tree with the help of two school children William met with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Executive Office (pictured together) Elsewhere, the Duke Of Cambridge speaks with DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem during a visit to Jebel Ali Port He was pictured planting a sapling alongside British School Al-Khubairat students (above) William (pictured left) visited the park to learn more about the UAE's efforts to protect the regional flora and fauna from human and environmental challenges, particularly as the country's urban centres continue to grow and develop The prince (pictured centre) will also carry out engagements in Dubai today with the aim of celebrating British talent in the region and promoting conservation efforts William (pictured right) announced his arrival on Instagram on Wednesday night with a photo taken through an airplane window William with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Executive Office (pictured right) The visit marks the Duke of Cambridge's (pictured centre) first major overseas trip since a December 2019 tour of the Middle East. He and Kate also visited Ireland in 2020 The visit is being carried out at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Pictured, The Duke of Cambridge talks to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan For more than five years, UFW's Transport Taskforce has been working to foster collaborations between the transport sector and law enforcement to prevent wildlife trafficking, and UFW has also been working in the UAE to achieve this aim. Later, the duke toured Dubai's Jebel Ali Port, which is operated by DP World, a UFW taskforce member, and watched a demonstration of cargo being unloaded from container ships by crane, scanned for suspicious items and inspected by customs. In a room where the results from X-rays of shipping containers are displayed on screens, William was told about new technology including equipment which helps pick up discrepancies such as a container weighing more then its cargo suggests it should. The duke described the various developments as very exciting as he moved closer to the screens. Outside, the officials inspected a suspect container and opened a trap door leading to a hidden floor with a stash of ivory underneath. During the visit, Prince William (pictured left) will learn more about initiatives that provide protected areas for the unique flora and fauna of the region and take the opportunity to highlight two Royal Foundation programmes: United for Wildlife and The Earthshot Prize United for Wildlife, established by Prince William (pictured right) in 2014, has been working in the region to help facilitate efforts to counter the trade in illegal wildlife which poses an existential threat to the world's most iconic species The visit (pictured) also provides an opportunity to showcase The Earthshot Prize on the world stage at Expo 2020 Dubai Highlighting some of the remarkable innovators from the inaugural 2021 Earthshot Prize will help accelerate and scale their incredible solutions to repair the planet. Pictured, The Duke of Cambridge talks to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Britain has had strong ties with the UAE for almost 200 years - a relationship that endures to this day. The region's importance to the UK was down to its location close to the vital trade route to India via the waters of the Arabian and Red Seas. Pictured, William, right Wearing a hi-vis jacket and a hard hat, William watched as officials pulled out a large elephant tusk that had been seized in an earlier operation. Ayla Bajwa, group head of sustainability at DP World, said afterwards: His Royal Highness was saying that essentially we were on the same page, that there is an opportunity to leverage technology. She added: He said that he is blown away by the technologies out there that can help combat illegal wildlife trade. The royal's trip marks the Duke of Cambridge's first major overseas trip since a December 2019 tour of the Middle East. He and Kate also visited Ireland in 2020. The visit is being carried out at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and it comes in the 50th anniversary year of the UAE and will coincide with the UK National Day being held at Expo 2020 Dubai Britain has had strong ties with the UAE for almost 200 years - a relationship that endures to this day. The region's importance to the UK was down to its location close to the vital trade route to India via the waters of the Arabian and Red Seas. It was the discovery of 'black gold' in the 1950s that transformed the Gulf from a collection of sleepy harbours, where fishing and the declining pearl industry were the mainstays of the economy, to a global financial powerhouse. The Duke of Cambridge (second left) during his visit to Jebel Ali Port to learn more about efforts in the region to tackle the illegal wildlife trade, as part of his tour of the United Arab Emirates The Duke of Cambridge speaks with DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (pictured together) Jebel Ali Port is owned by DP World, the Principal Partner of United for Wildlife. DP World is headquartered in Dubai and handles around 10 per cent of global container traffic across its ports and terminals worldwide. Pictured, William (fourth right) During his visit to Jebel Ali, Prince William (pictured second right) was given a port tour to see the scale of operations at the Middle Easts largest port The National Day will see the UK take over the full site to showcase the extraordinary talent from across the UK. The UAE was created in 1971 by the 'Trucial States' which had gained their independence from the UK. It is formed of seven states - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain - which are governed by a supreme council of rulers made up of the seven emirs, who appoint the prime minister and the cabinet. Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya were involved in a messy High Court battle, with the Sheikh trying to have their children returned to Dubai after she had fled to the UK with them when he confronted her about an affair. Sheikh Mohammed, who oversaw the growth of Dubai as a global city and masterminded the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is an influential horse-racing owner as well ruler of Dubai and PM of the UAE. Princess Haya now lives in a 85million home in Kensington, London. In October, it was reported the Queen would no longer play host to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the Royal Box at Ascot - after a judge ruled he ordered phone hacking of his ex-wife and a Tory peer. While Buckingham Palace refused to comment to MailOnline, reports at the time suggested a decision had been made to distance the monarch from him following the scandal. It came after a clamour of calls for her to avoid being seen with him in future. Prince William (centre) was then shown a live demonstration of cargo being unloaded from ships The Duke of Cambridge was also shown the journey through customs, learning about how cutting-edge new technology can be deployed to identify trafficked wildlife items, and support enforcement investigations The Duke Of Cambridge arrives at the customs area of the Jebel Ali Port during his visit today A senior judge concluded that the Dubai ruler had committed a 'total abuse of trust and indeed an abuse of power'. Sir Andrew McFarlane's ruling said: 'It is more probable than not that the surveillance of the six phones ... was carried out by servants or agents of the father ... with [his] express or implied authority.' The sheikh has denied any knowledge of the hacking. The Queen is a longstanding friend of both the sheikh and Haya, the glamorous Oxford-educated daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan. Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said at the time: 'Despite the Queen's well-established equestrian links with the sheikh, in light of these findings it seems likely that she will distance herself from him, at least in public. The Queen has known Princess Haya since she was a child and is fond of her.' Haya's high-profile solicitor Baroness Shackleton, a Tory peer who acted for Prince Charles and Sir Paul McCartney in their divorces, was among those targeted in the astonishing cyber hacking mission. The Duke of Cambridge chatted with two athletes taking part in the Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay during his visit The Duke of Cambridge receives the baton from an athlete as he takes part in the Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay during his visit to Dubai BBC Three's flagship show 'The Fast and the Farmer-ish' has been slammed as 'cringe' and 'rubbish' amid a row on the channel being brought back only to air 'downmarket reality TV'. The channel, which targets viewers aged 15-35, was moved to an online-only offering on iPlayer in February 2016 in a bid to save 30million a year, with the budget redistributed to fund dramas on BBC One. But it returned to TV screens again at the start of the month - showing a mix of reality shows and competitions, including it's latest offering which sees British farmers race each other in 'souped-up' tractors. The title is a playful take on cult racing moving Fast & Furious and sees groups from across the UK compete 'spectacular, high-octane agricultural challenges'. However, the show has been criticised with one viewer branding it 'a load of absolute b*******'. BBC Three's flagship show 'The Fast and the Farmer-ish' has been slammed as 'cringe' and 'rubbish' amid a row on the channel being brought back only to air 'downmarket reality TV'. Each episode puts two teams of three young farmers head to head as they test their favourite tractors to determine which is best. It's hosted by real-life Lancashire farmer Tom Pemberton, who has become an Instagram sensation racking up 112,000 followers sharing snaps and tales about rural life in Lancashire. Programmes about farm life have become an unlikely ratings hit across traditional TV with shows like Our Yorkshire Farm and All Creatures Great and Small being widely viewed on Channel 5. It is thought BBC bosses hope to attract a young audience to the show. A spokesman previously told the i: 'With 11 million people living in rural areas of the UK and about a quarter of these under 30, The Fast And The Farmer(ish) provides a glimpse into the lives of young farmers, in an entertaining new competitive series which showcases tractor-driving talent.' And while some branded the show 'fun' and 'high octane tractor racing madness with the rather ace Tom Pemberton' others questioned if it was a waste of license payer's money. 'Defo not the best viewing, turned off after 10 minutes' said one. Each episode puts two teams of three young farmers head to head as they test their favourite tractors to determine which is best. It's hosted by real-life Lancashire farmer Tom Pemberton, who has become an Instagram sensation racking up 112,000 followers sharing snaps and tales about rural life in Lancashire. 'I'm having issues with the girls being s*** at it, and being so stereotypically squeaky' said another. 'They have to air cheap to make stuff like this as the funding to screen serious drama just isn't there, shame,' one said. 'The Fast and the Farmer-ish is giving me the cringes in a BIG way,' tweeted one fan. 'BBC Three have clearly asked these farmers to cut mullets and it doesn't sit right,' another wrote. The show has also got mixed reviews from critics. The Times gave it two stars, with reviewer Carol Midgey writing: 'It really is that basic, yet still quite therapeutic to watch. It looks like it was made on a budget of 3.50, which, given the BBC's finances, is a good thing.' The Guardian described it as a 'the antidote to University Challenge' in a four-star review, adding: 'two thirds of the team are made up of unacceptable mullet wearers'. However, the show has been criticised with one viewer branding it 'a load of absolute b*******'. The Telegraph also gave it two stars, noting: 'Judging by the first of seven episodes, it's essentially the silly stunts from the old, non-woke Top Gear only with tractors rather than Lamborghinis. And with mullet-sporting Gen-Zers instead of Jeremy Clarkson trapped in his dad jeans.... BBC Three is home to hits like Normal People, Fleabag and Killing Eve but in the past has been a hub for downmarket reality TV programming like Eating With My Ex, Don't Tell the Bride and Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents. The move to go back to 'linear TV' was described as a 'step backwards' by MP Julian Knight when it was first announced last year in an apparent bid to win back viewers, after figures showed that viewing of BBC Three content was down 72 per cent in the 12 months to November 2019. A return to screen: The fall and rise of BBC Three 2003: BBC Three launched and is charged with reflecting and stimulating the 'diversity of the UK' and creating programmes that covered a range of subjects, including science and international affairs March 2014: BBC announces plans to move the channel online, with initial reports saying it would be online by early 2016 Reports said the BBC would be saving around 30 million through the move. The news of the move to online sparked various reactions, notably a protest outside the BBC's Broadcasting House. More than 300,000 people signed a petition to save the channel on change.org. March 2016: BBC Three comes off air and moves online-only, with shows available to watch on the iPlayer platform. March 2021: BBC announces plans to bring back BBC Three as a TV channel, pending Ofcom approval. It says it is committed to doubling the investment on BBC Three commissions over the next two years, following the success of shows including Normal People and Fleabag. November 2021: Ofcom gives the plan the green light. The watchdog says the relaunch will help the BBC reach younger viewers, particularly those from lower-income homes and those living outside London and the South East It stipulates the BBC must ensure that at least '75 per cent of hours broadcast each year must be original programmes', as commissioned by the corporation for a UK viewing audience February 1, 2022: BBC Three will return to screens at 7pm. The channel will kick off with a BBC Three Launch Party, followed by a double bill of reality TV show Eating With My Ex and the premiere of RuPaul spin-off show RuPaul's Drag Race: UK Versus the World Advertisement Last week, Tory MP John Redwood criticised the return, tweeting: 'The BBC say they are short of money. So why are they re opening BBC 3? What can that offer that they cannot offer on all the current services?' Outraged licence fee-payers have questioned the wisdom of trying to attract young viewers when so many favour streaming services over live TV. A recent YouGov poll found just one in 20 people aged 18-30 watch any BBC television channels live every day. One critic tweeted: 'Total waste of money. Misuse of the license fee from the old and retired. Cancel this channel. We don't need this wasteful programming.' When it moved online in February 2016, the BBC Trust said 'independent evidence shows younger audiences are watching more online and watching less linear TV'. But BBC Three viewing figures have collapsed since it went online. In September 2020 research service Enders Analysis found viewing of BBC Three content, including BBC Three programmes shown on other BBC linear TV channels, was down 72 per cent in the 12 months to November 2019, compared to its last year on air. However iPlayer overall is growing. The BBC iPlayer delivered a record 6.1 billion programmes in the 12 months to April 2021, up 28 per cent from 4.8 billion the previous year. On average, 10.7 million accounts use the online service a week, up from 9.1 million the year before. The BBC hopes to attract more viewers to BBC Three by returning to live television, particularly those of lower socio-economic backgrounds or in parts of the UK where there is less internet connectivity and access to streaming services. When BBC Three first launched in 2003 it was charged with reflecting and stimulating the 'diversity of the UK' and creating programmes that covered a range of subjects, including science and international affairs. The channel won various accolades, among them Bafta awards, British Comedy Awards and Royal Television Society awards. It was home to hits such as Being Human and the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, as well as animated comedy Family Guy. But it also churned out trash social experiments featuring young people like Snog Marry Avoid?, Hotter Than My Daughter and Young, Dumb And Living Off Mum. The shows are no longer available to watch on iPlayer. In March 2014, the BBC announced it was planning to move the channel online. It noted young viewers had abandoned traditional linear viewing for on-demand streaming. Reports said the BBC would be saving around 30 million through the move. The announcement sparked various reactions, notably a protest outside the BBC's Broadcasting House. More than 300,000 people signed a petition to save the channel on change.org. Celebrities such as Daniel Radcliffe, Aidan Turner, Lena Headey, Olivia Colman and Richard E Grant also all signed a letter presented to the BBC Trust's Rona Fairhead and director general Lord Tony Hall, urging them not to move the channel online. However the move went ahead, with BBC Three coming off air in March 2016. BBC Three programmes remained available on BBC iPlayer. The digital channel, home to Killing Eve, had a massive lockdown hit with the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People. In March 2021, the BBC announced its intention to bring the channel back on air. At the time, the BBC said it was committed to doubling the investment on BBC Three commissions over the next two years, following the success of shows including Normal People and Fleabag. The decision was met with criticism from Mr Knight, chairman of the Commons digital, media, culture and sport committee, who accused the BBC of pouring money into programmes at a time when pensioners 'are being chased to pay up for their TV licences'. He said: 'The BBC's decision to bring back BBC Three to our TVs is an acknowledgement by the broadcaster that it is failing to reach young audiences. BBC Three's return was given the green light by broadcasting regulator Ofcom in November. The watchdog said the relaunch would help the BBC reach younger viewers, particularly those from lower-income homes and those living outside London and the South East. It also stipulated the BBC must ensure that at least '75 per cent of hours broadcast each year must be original programmes', as commissioned by the corporation for a UK viewing audience. Louis Theroux has defended 'platforming' controversial figures including white nationalists and an alleged sexual predator in his new series. The journalist's upcoming BBC2 series, Forbidden America, explores extreme voices in the US - with the first episode investigating inflammatory figures of the American far right. Among the activists given air time are a white nationalist who believes women should lose the right to vote, a Nazi-saluting influencer and an online troll involved in the Capitol riots. While Theroux considered the impact of amplifying these voices, he ultimately felt the series could help viewers understand these figures by 'shining a light on aspects of human psychology and society'. Writing for the Guardian, the 50-year-old broadcaster said: 'These troubled, sometimes dangerous people are legitimate subjects of journalistic inquiry.' Louis Theroux has defended 'platforming' controversial figures in his new series. Among those given airtime is 'troll and livestreamer' Tim Gionet, who uses the pseudonym Baked Alaska to push neo-Nazi conspiracy theories online The first episode of the series sees the broadcaster meet Nick Fuentes, an American far-right and white nationalist political commentator He says that while these figures should not be given platforms to discuss moral issues in a reductionist way - 'speaking to people who have done terrible things' if done correctly, can be valuable. '[It can be] revealing and ultimately life-affirming, shining a light on aspects of human psychology and society in a way that promotes understanding and cultivates empathy', he writes. The first episode of the series sees the broadcaster meet Nick Fuentes, an American far-right and white nationalist political commentator who was on Capitol grounds on January 6th last year. He gained famed among the far-right when he claimed he was forced to leave Boston University after death threats for participating in the 'Unite The Right' demonstrations in Charlottesville in 2017. Fuentes gained famed among the far-right when he claimed he was forced to leave Boston University after death threats for participating in the 'Unite The Right' demonstrations in Charlottesville in 2017 The white nationalist, who has expressed anti-Semitic views and has made Holocaust-denying remarks, was removed from YouTube in 2020 for repeated violations of hate speech policy. At one point in the series, he tells Theroux that he felt society would better function if women could not vote and said he views homosexuality as 'disgusting'. He met 'troll and livestreamer' Tim Gionet, who uses the pseudonym Baked Alaska to push neo-Nazi conspiracy theories online. Gionet livestreamed footage of himself among other Donald Trump supporters inside the Capitol last year and was arrested on two charges of breaking and entering and violent entry and disorderly conduct. The broadcaster speaks with far-right influencer Beardson Beardly, an online live streamer who belongs to the America First movement who has previously been filmed performing two Nazi salutes. When asked about the salutes in the series, he insists he is not a Nazi, claiming the offensive gesture was an 'accident' while 'just trying to wave' and threw the journalist out of his home. Theroux explained that he felt it was 'right to make a programme' about these controversial figures for various reasons In another episode of the series Theroux explores the world of online pornography and meets porn agent Derek Hay who has been accused by some former models of sexual misconduct. He has denied any wrongdoing. LA-based porn agent Hay, whose stage name is Ben English, was reportedly accused of sexual abuse by four female porn performers who claim he is linked to an illegal escort business. Theroux explained that he felt it was 'right to make a programme' about these controversial figures for various reasons. He says the nature of his documentaries, filmed over the course of months or years, means he's able to tap into the psyche of the figures and better understand their viewpoints. The journalist argued that while he could have simply ignored these views, these voices are already reaching audiences in 'bedrooms and living rooms around the world, in the millions.' 'So the choice we are faced with is whether to be curious about that phenomenon, try to figure out why it's growing, what it's feeding on, how it can be challenged, or whether to ignore it and hope it goes away'. Louis Theroux's Forbidden America premieres on Sunday, 13 February at 9pm on BBC2 An Instagram account claiming to be the 'Tinder Swindler' has branded three of his victims manipulators after they launched a fundraising page in a bid to cover the huge debts they've been left with. Cecilie Fjellhy, Ayleen Koeleman, and Pernilla Sjoholm set up the GoFundMe profile in the hopes of raising 600,000 after receiving a flood of support from sharing their story in the Netflix documentary, The Tinder Swindler. But an Instagram story from an account claiming to belong to Shimon Hayut - the serial fraudster who posed as the son of a billionaire Israeli diamond merchant to swindle women he dated out of thousands of pounds - has slammed the women's campaign. 'Go ahead and help real associations not these manipulators. This is what is called MARKETING,' the 30-year-old wrote on a since deleted social media profile on Wednesday, according to The Independent. The convicted conman - who would pose as 'Simon Leviev', son of the billionaire Russian-Israeli diamond mogul, Lev Leviev - would use the money he acquired from other victims to impress single women he met on Tinder with an expensive lifestyle and lavish gifts. Hayut scammed Cecilie, Ayleen and Pernilla by claiming that he needed to borrow money because using his own funds could lead him to be traced by his enemies. Cecilie Fjellhy (pictured left), Ayleen Koeleman, and Pernilla Sjoholm set up the GoFundMe profile in the hopes of raising 600,000 after receiving a flood of support from sharing their story in the Netflix documentary, The Tinder Swindler (pictured right) But an Instagram story (pictured) from an account claiming to belong to Shimon Hayut - the serial fraudster who posed as the son of a billionaire Israeli diamond merchant to swindle women he dated out of thousands of pounds - has slammed the women's campaign It is unclear how many other people fell for the scam but it is estimated that he conned his victims out of 7.4 million. He has never been charged for scamming Cecilie, Ayleen or Pernilla, but was jailed in Israel for use of a fake passport in 2019 in Greece. He was released after five months on good behaviour. Days after The Tinder Swindler was released, he reportedly issued a statement on his Instagram page. I will share my side of the story in the next few days when I have sorted out the best and most respectful way to tell it, both to the involved parties and myself, he apparently wrote before deleting that account. Cecilie, Ayleen and Pernilla raised more than 18,000 within 24 hours of launching their fundraising page and said that they are grateful for any help after being defrauded large sums. The trio's fundraiser read: 'You're probably here because you've heard about our story, and we appreciate you taking the time to search and find this page. The convicted conman (pictured) - who would pose as 'Simon Leviev', son of the billionaire Russian-Israeli diamond mogul, Lev Leviev - would use the money he acquired from other victims to impress single women he met on Tinder with an expensive lifestyle and lavish gifts 'The past few days have been a whirlwind, and we three (Ayleen, Pernilla and Cecilie) have been completely shocked and floored by the flood of compassion and support from everyone. The sheer love is more than we ever expected, and we appreciate you all so much. 'After careful consideration, and many chats, we have decided to start this GoFundMe fundraiser. So many people reached out to us asking if we had one, and it hadn't occurred to us to make one prior to this. 'However, we've spotted plenty of fakes, which makes us uneasy. We don't want more people getting defrauded. 'We realise there are a thousand other worthy causes to donate to, and remain forever grateful if you choose to donate to this one. All we want are our lives back.' Cecilie was a 29-year-old Norwegian graduate student living in London, when Hayut conned her out of more than 200,000. Hayut has never been charged for scamming Cecilie, Ayleen or Pernilla, who are now hoping to raise 600,000 using GoFundMe (pictured) The trio of victims were conned into giving Shimon Heyada Hayut money, while believing that he was hiding from his enemies. Pictured: Ayleen Koeleman She believed that she had finally met her Prince Charming, when she matched on Tinder with 'Simon Leviev' in 2019. He claimed to be a billionaire playboy and even took her on a trip using his private plane during their first date. Hayut has never been charged for scamming Cecilie, Ayleen or Pernilla, but was jailed in Israel for use of a fake passport in 2019. He was released after five months on good behaviour. The serial fraudster, who is no longer on Tinder, had 200,000 Instagram followers before deciding to close his account following backlash from the Netflix documentary. Hayut (pictured) has deleted his Instagram and is no longer on Tinder, following backlash from the Netflix documentary A stream of initial responses to the Netflix documentary were supportive of raising funds for the victims. One person wrote: 'Does Ayleen have a GoFundMe for that debt because I will happily add my coins for this MVP #TinderSwindler' Another said: 'Someone should set up a GoFundMe for the Tinder Swindler women who are still paying off their debts while the Swindler is back on Tinder!' However, others have been sceptical of fundraising, with one commenting: 'The GoFundMe from the victims of #TinderSwindler doesn't sit right with me? Don't they get paid for all the appearances they do?' 'Sorry how much debt is there please, did they all give 200k or? All that touring and Netflix etc didn't put a dent in the debt again all?,' another wrote. A third added: 'No way I'd donate to this. I wouldn't trust them with any sort of money after watching that.' Netflix viewers were quick to express their sympathy for Hayut's victims and suggested raising funds to pay off their debts Gayle King hosted CBS Mornings from the back of a van outside of the studio after she tested positive for COVID-19 alongside co-anchor Vlad Duthiers - but said she still hopes to go on vacation tomorrow following 'multiple negative tests.' Gayle, 67, said she fell to the floor when she tested positive for the virus on Thursday, and had to 'literally be picked up' off the ground by CBS executive producer Shawna Thomas. The talk show host explained that they take many tests throughout the week for the show, and when one PCR test came back positive, she was completely stunned - since she is 'so freaking careful.' But she wasn't going to to let the positive COVID test stop her from doing her job. Rather than going home to isolate - she decided to shoot her segment alone from the back of a van. The van in question is a type of mobile TV studio, which has a camera in the back of it and a green screen background, which was used to make Gayle's broadcast look as though it was taking place inside a real studio. The TV personality said she was determined to be on the show because her interview with the parents of Bakari Henderson, a 22-year-old who was beaten to death in 2017, was airing - something she said was 'so important to her.' Gayle has since received 'multiple' negative tests and she still hopes to head off on her 'long planned' vacation to Los Angeles, California, tomorrow. Gayle King hosted CBS Mornings from the back of a van outside of the studio after she tested positive for COVID-19 alongside co-anchor Vlad Duthiers Gayle, 67, said she fell to the floor when she tested positive for the virus on Thursday, and had to 'literally be picked up' off the ground by CBS executive producer Shawna Thomas Instead of isolating in her office, Gayle chose to continue her hosting duties from inside a mobile TV studio which is housed in the back of a van and has a single camera and a green screen background, which was used to make the host appear as if she was in a studio 'I'm supposed to be heading to Los Angeles tomorrow. I'm still hoping to do that,' she told co-host Tony Dokoupil from the van. Tony broadcasted from inside the studio alongside Dana Jacobson - who both tested negative. She continued: 'Let me just tell you something. When you get the diagnosis, it really does -- that primal scream you heard from the fourth floor was me because I've been so freaking careful. 'I just couldn't believe it. Shout out to Shawna who had to literally pick me off the floor and just guide me to the office because I had a positive PCR and a negative antigen.' Gayle called the whole experience 'jarring,' but Tony reminded her to 'stay calm and carry on.' 'We've since taken multiple [tests]. They've all been negative. Everybody on my team is negative,' said Gayle. 'I don't even know how to explain this. I just got off the phone with my doctor. She said, "Gayle, you're fine. Just put on your mask and carry on on." But it is very, very jarring, I have to say. The day before my vacation.' When the show first started on Thursday morning, Gayle explained that she had been exposed to the virus and was waiting on the results of her test. She decided to film from a van outside, out of an 'abundance of caution,' while introducing her interview with Bakari's parents. When the show first started, Vlad (right) - who was filling in for Nate Burleson - was in the studio with his co-hosts Tony Dokoupil and Dana Jacobson - who both tested negative Vlad then discovered that he too had been exposed to the virus, and suddenly disappeared from the studio mid-broadcast - leaving Tony and Dana to carry on without him Gayle (pictured in a pre-recorded interview) has since received 'multiple' negative tests and she still hopes to head off on her 'long planned' vacation to Los Angeles, California, tomorrow At the time, Vlad - who was filling in for Nate Burleson - was still in the studio with his co-hosts. Gayle revealed: 'I never expected to be sitting in a van. I came ready to go to work. There was an exposure, and now I've had a test, and we're waiting for the results of my test. 'So rather than take a chance that, you know, I could hurt anybody else or somebody else would be effected, you know, I'm down in the van.' Bakari was killed by any angry mob during a business trip to Zakynthos, Greece, following an altercation at a bar. None of the attackers were ever found guilty of murder - and his parents, Jill and Phil Henderson, are still fighting for justice for their son. Now, they spoke exclusively to Gayle for their first ever interview, before returning to Greece for a retrial in Bakari's murder case. 'You know, I was -- rather than isolating in my office, this story is so important to me, I did want to do it while we were waiting for my results,' said Gayle before airing the interview. Gayle was determined to be on the show because her interview with the parents of Bakari Henderson was airing - something she said was 'so important to her' Bakari was killed by any angry mob in Zakynthos, Greece, in 2017 following an altercation at a bar. His parents, Jill and Phil Henderson (pictured), spoke to Gayle for their first interview 'So I'm here in the van all by my lonesome. I'm glad to be here. I'll be back later in the show depending on my results. 'I'm sitting here waiting, Tony, fingers, eyes, legs, toes, everything crossed. I'm just waiting.' Vlad then discovered that he too had been exposed to the virus, and suddenly disappeared from the studio mid-broadcast - leaving Tony and Dana to carry on without him. They later confirmed that he and Gayle had both tested positive. Tony said, 'Gayle tested positive. Vlad also tested positive. But since then, we've had multiple negative tests - including us.' The host called it a 'different sort of morning' at the CBS studio, but said he was determined to 'carry on the show.' 'So it's been a different sort of morning around here at CBS Mornings,' he joked. 'You saw Gayle earlier. She is in a mobile van out of the an abundance of caution. 'And [me and Dana] are negative. We are together here. We're going to carry on the show.' Gayle continued to work from the van for the rest of the show - and she even interviewed business woman and fashion designer Tina Knowles over video conference from the makeshift studio. During her upcoming trip to LA, Gayle may have been hoping to see her best friend Oprah, but those plans are most likely going to be canceled due to Oprah's very strict COVID-19 rules. They are pictured together in December 2021 During her upcoming trip to LA, Gayle very well may have been hoping to see her best friend Oprah, but those plans are most likely going to be canceled due to Oprah's very strict COVID-19 rules. Back in December 2021, Oprah threw a party for Gayle's family to honor the birth of her grandson Luca - but revealed that everyone, including Gayle, would have to be tested and quarantined before attending. 'Everyone who is spending Christmas at my house has to be vaccinated, boosted, tested, and quarantined,' she said on Instagram at the time. 'Stedman [Graham] calls it "The Policy" cause I'm that serious about it. Due to the 'strict policy,' Gayle was actually forced to miss the first day of the Lion King-themed celebration - although it's unclear which part of 'the policy' she was unable to complete. 'We missed his grandma @gayleking but shell join us once she completes the policy!' Oprah added. NY Daily News suggested that Gayle's busy schedule with CBS Mornings didn't allow her enough time to quarantine, however, she hinted on Instagram that she didn't receive a negative test result in time. Thankfully, she was allowed to join the fun the next day, writing on Instagram: 'Followed all the protocols... Test results in! So [I'm] cleared to join the group So happy!' Advertisement The Duchess of Cornwall has said she is 'very honoured' to have been endorsed by the Queen as a future Queen Consort. During a tour of a west London community kitchen, Camilla was asked by a visitor, who gave his name as DJ, how she felt about the title. The duchess replied: 'I feel very honoured - very honoured and very touched.' Camilla, 74, was visiting the Nourish Hub kitchen in Notting Hill, west London, to mark its opening as the royal patron of Harvest UK, the charity which runs it. Earlier today, she met former Love Island star Zara McDermott and discussed her experience of revenge porn and assault on a visit to Padding Haven, a sexual assault referral centre in London. Her engagements have gone ahead despite Charles, 73, testing positive for Covid-19 for a second time on Thursday morning because close contacts who are fully vaccinated are not required to isolate under current rules. During a visit to a third charity group this afternoon, the Duchess admitted she was 'lucky' to test negative for Covid. Aides said the prince was found to be positive during a routine test - which suggested he was experiencing no strong symptoms - but they declined to go into further details on his medical condition. The Duchess of Cornwall with the chair of the National Sexual Abuse and Assault Services Laura Currer, reality TV star Zara McDermott and Nicola, a sexual assault surviver, during a visit at the clinic Paddington Haven, a sexual assault referral centre in West London Camilla, 74, was visiting the Nourish Hub kitchen in Notting Hill, west London, when she said she felt 'honoured' to have won the Queen's backing as future Queen Consort. Pictured, Camilla leaving the Nourish Hub kitchen today The Duchess of Cornwall shook hands with Sadiq Khan on arrival at the clinic Paddington Haven, a sexual assault referral centre in West London At the clinic the Duchess of Cornwall met Nicola, left, a sexual assault survivor, Chair of the National Sexual Abuse and Assault Services Laura Currer, background left and Zara McDermott, right The Duchess of Cornwall was asked about her thoughts on becoming the future Queen Consort by a man named DJ, pictured A message on the prince's official Twitter page read: 'This morning The Prince of Wales has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating. HRH is deeply disappointed not to be able to attend today's events in Winchester and will look to reschedule his visit as soon as possible.' A spokesman added: 'The Duchess of Cornwall has routinely tested negative today. She is on a separate series of engagements from the Prince of Wales.' The positive test came hours after the pair rubbed shoulders with VIPs including Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak at a British Asian Trust reception at the British Museum. This afternoon Camilla spoke with volunteers, and refugees from West London Welcome charity, who were cooking a rice-based Iranian dish called Loobia Polo for visitors. The duchess spoke with every guest and volunteer at the venue, and added a touch of saffron to the dish. Gianni, 59, a local resident who was visiting the kitchen, presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers, to which she replied: 'Grazie'. The Duchess of Cornwall also spoke publicly for the first time about the Queen's decision to give her formal blessing for her to become Queen Consort when Charles ascends the throne. The Queen made the announcement in a statement released on Sunday to mark her 70 years on the throne. Gianni, 59, a local resident who was visiting the kitchen, presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers, to which she replied: 'Grazie' At Paddington Haven he duchess chatted to staff and three female survivors including former Love Island star Zara McDermott, second from right, who has been a victim of both revenge porn and sexual assault Camilla spoke to three women about their experiences and heard about the importance of Sexual Assault Referral Centres The Duchess of Cornwall has been a long time advocate for better support for the victims of sexual assault The Duchess of Cornwall spoke to Love Island star Zara McDermott (right) about her experience as a victim of revenge porn and sexual assault During her visit to Nourish Hub, the Duchess spoke with every guest and volunteer at the venue, as pictured Camilla has been busy in the days since the historic announcement, visiting a primary school in Bath and welcoming Team GB Olympians and Paralympians to Clarence House. Earlier today, Camilla also spoke with staff at Paddington Haven, a sexual assault referral centre in west London. This afternoon she also visited Thames Valley Partnership in Aylesbury, another charity for domestic abuse survivors. Camilla's visit to Paddington Haven coincides with a new NHS campaign to raise awareness of the work of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs). The duchess chatted to staff and three female survivors including former Love Island star Zara McDermott, who has been a victim of both revenge porn and sexual assault. She told the royal: 'I have spent the last two and a half years making documentaries from my experience about sexual assault and abuse directed at women and young people. 'To be honest now that I have social media profile out there are so many young people coming to me and saying 'Zara, I have been raped, what do I do? I can't tell my family, I can't tell my friends'. They come because they see it as a safe space and know that I will listen. But there's only so much I can do. The Duchess of Cornwall donned a mask as she greeted London Mayor Sadiq Khan at Paddington Haven today The Duchess of Cornwall shakes hands with members of staff as she visits the clinic Paddington Haven Camilla spoke to a member of staff (pictured) and heard more about the work done at the sexual assault referral centre Camilla spoke to members of staff at Paddington House, in London, this afternoon on a busy day of engagements The Duchess of Cornwall unveils a plaque during her visit to Paddington Haven, a sexual assault referral centre The Duchess of Cornwall unveils the plaque of the clinic Paddington Haven during today's engagement 'These SARCS are incredible because it shows people that there is a middle ground. You don't have to sit and suffer in silence or go to the police and sometimes be dragged through a long process. That may not be right for you. These SARCS are amazing that they provide this support and are very victim-led. I can now direct anyone that comes to me to the right place and I am well-informed enough to share this experience today. 'I would never have known we have somewhere to direct people to. The great thing is that this isn't just a place for women, it's a place for anyone who has been assaulted, whether you are LGBTQ , any kind of ethnicity or male. It's amazing to be here and learn more about this facilities.' 'Did you talk about it at the time, when it happened to you?,' asked the duchess. Miss McDermott said: 'I was the victim of image-based abuse, revenge porn. I was 14 and 21. That was 10 years ago, and it wasn't really 'a thing'. I was also assaulted when I was 21 as well and did speak to the police about it at the time. 'If I am really honest I felt like it was a normal thing to happen, I didn't feel like a victim of anything. And now hindsight is a very powerful thing. You look back and think 'that was wrong, that was so wrong'.' 'That's what people have got to remember, how wrong it is,' said the duchess. 'Not something that should happen to anyone young. People have got to be educated that it is not right. The Duchess of Cornwall appeared in good spirits on her visit to the Nourish Hub kitchen in west London today, pictured The Duchess of Cornwall was thrilled to be presented with a bouquet of flowers and raised them in the air in celebration The Duchess of Cornwall smiled after being presented with the bouquet at Nourish Hub kitchen in London this afternoon 'You've just got to get out there and talk about it. Can you get a lot of your contemporaries and friends to talk about it though your following?' 'Yes I am going to do a big post and push today,' Zara said. 'Social media has been very pivotal in getting people able to talk more openly. It definitely has its drawbacks, but its campaigns are so powerful and they get received so well. ' Today's visit falls during Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week. SARCs offer a range of services, including crisis care, medical examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections. They can also arrange access to an independent sexual violence advisor, as well as referrals to mental health support and voluntary sector sexual violence support services. Laura Currer, 28, is the chair of the National Sexual Abuse and Assault Services Lived Experience Group and praised the help she received from her SARC centre as 'crucial'. Laura explained how important it was to 'have someone show you a bit of human kindness and compassion and to feel that you are in control of your body'. 'That is really pivotal,' she said Laura told the duchess that she had her drink spiked on a night out and was raped by two men she trusted. 'I was fortunate that I had a really great support network around me. I was in such a state of trauma that I really struggled to articulate. I was saying something happened and it didn't feel ok but that I didn't know what to do. I am really aware that not everybody had that support network but there are options available to them and this campaign is vital because it arms people with the knowledge and information that they need,' she said. Camilla greets the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Alexander Boswell during a visit to the Thames Valley Partnership charity The Duchess of Cornwall looked chic in a purple tartan suit for today's engagements which continued despite Charles' positive Covid test Camilla visits the Thames Valley Partnership charity, which works to protect and support victims of crime The Duchess of Cornwall on her visit to the Thames Valley Partnership charity, which works to protect and support victims of crime 'I had to Google 'where do you go if you have been sexually assaulted. ' Nothing came up at the time, unfortunately. The next day I reported it too the police and was sent to a referral centre. They helped me all the way through. At the time I couldn't even think straight but they gave me all the options, from the medical perspective, to the police and get me ongoing support. It's really important that you get the right support and people know what you need and give you the right options, which helped you get a sense of control back. ' Camilla remarked: 'So they know, unlike you, where to come to. It so important that people know they do have somebody to turn to who is going to give you kindness, apart from anything else, and care. 'Yes that was really, needed,' Laura said. 'How long has it taken you to get over the initial trauma, although I am sure you never get over it completely?' asked Camilla. Laura replied: 'It was about six and a half years ago and it took at least a year, 18 months, before I started feeling like myself again. After that I could start working on myself to help other survivors. I now work with a lot of women which is really personally healing. 'There is so much shame and guilty and everything feels very hidden. It feels very important if you feel able to have conversations like we are today. ' 'I think it's wonderful you have come back into the system to help other women. It very important to have women like you on board,' the duchess said. Camilla's engagements have gone ahead despite Charles, 73, testing positive for Covid-19 for a second time on Thursday morning because the Duchess is not required to self-isolate under current Covid rules because she is fully vaccinated. Last night the pair rubbed shoulders with VIPs including Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak (right) at a British Asian Trust reception Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall arriving at the British Museum for last night's British Asian Trust event She also spoke to Nicola, 57, from Manchester, who is a survivor of historic sex abuse at the hands of her father's best friend. 'I didn't tell my story until I was in my late 40s. I was 12 to 16 [when it happened]. When I came forward eventually i wanted to use my voice, i suddenly found this freedom,' she said. She explained how much the help she later received via a SARC had meant to her. 'When I walked through the door they knew me better than I did. They were phenomenal. They were so instrumental in my healing. I am very thankful and very grateful,' she said. 'I had been leaving a double life. When it's all over, and my case did go to trial, regardless if the result you get that is your blackest moment. Suddenly the phone stops ringing, people stop asking. It's done. But for you it's very much not done. And its a very dark time. And at SARCS they understand that. They are there for you. They reach out to you and help you through that.' Camilla replied: 'Did you feel guilty yourself and ashamed? Is that why you didn't seek help?' 'Yes, I felt very ashamed. He was my father's closest friend, his wife was my mother's closest friend. 1977 was very different to now. I was 12, I did what I was told, there was no answering back at home, Nicola said. 'And probably some wouldn't have believed you?' Camilla interjected. 'Correct,' Nicola replied. 'Also my coping mechanism was to put it aside, in one place. I just kept it completely separate.. 'I don't live a double life any more, I can use my voice and use it well. It's a job well done. Today we are helping thousands of people who unfortunately have come after us. Campaigns like this are the difference between being lost and found, being isolated and having a support network.' The duchess said: 'Unfortunately there are so many people like you who don't tell people for years. I've talked to so many women who have kept their silence for 30 or 40 years. But today there are people who are there for you. I have visited a lot of SARCsaround the country and . 'Yes it's important to know as someone who has been through this that you can go and speak to them and it is confidential as well. You don't have to necessarily go to the police, you don't have to take it future. But there is someone who is listening. There is no judgement,' Nicola added. Camilla said: 'I think you are incredibly brave women, even braver to come out and talk about it so publicly. But you are so needed. Other have to be encouraged to do the same. They can feel that they are not the only one. 'It was always a taboo subject, never talked about, swept under the carpet, very hush hush. But now people are understanding it so much more. We have all between us got to get out there and keep going.' The duchess also met with staff working at the centre and viewed a forensic room - like many of the room in the centre it has scenes of sky and nature on the ceiling to help victims going through forensic and medical examinations. She also saw an example to the wash bags she devised several years who to be given free to women who are going through traumatic examinations containing toiletries and make-up. 'I am so glad they help. It is just something to try and alleviate the horrors they are going though,' she said. Sexual assault referral centres provide a safe space and dedicated care for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted, or abused. If you have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused and dont know where to turn, search sexual assault referral centres to find out more or visit www.nhs.uk/SARCs to find your nearest service. His sisters have recently made the move from Cape Town to London, and Samuel Aitken could soon follow into their footsteps. The 18-year-old brother of Lady Kitty Spencer told Tatler's March issue he has his sights on joining Edinburgh University, which was previously attended by his brother Louis Spencer, 27. Samuel is the son of Victoria Aitken - who was previously married to Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer - and her second husband Jonathan Aitken His sisters Amelia and Eliza Spencer, 29, have already taken the leap and moved to the UK in June last year, settling well into London's social circles. Samuel, who confirmed in October he was dating South African beauty Noa Duckitt, said walking Kitty, 31, down the aisle during her glitzy wedding to business tycoon Micheal lewis, 62, in July was one of the 'proudest moments' of his life. For the interview, the socialite, who just graduated from Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town, flashed his toned physique in a topless picture and posed with his mother, admitting he is an 'unashamed mummy's boy.' Samuel Aitken, 18, told Tatler's March issue he has his sights on joining Edinburgh University, which was previously attended by his brother Louis Spencer, 27 Contemplating a possible future in the UK, the socialite said: 'I would like to end up at Edinburgh University. Thats where Louis was, so I would like to follow in his footsteps.' And the socialite teased he rarely covers up his abs, saying: 'Most of the time when Im at home I rarely even have a T-shirt on: Im just in my shorts as it can get quite hot. Im like Tarzan; Im hardly in much.' Kitty, Eliza and Amelia all played a very important part in Samuel's childhood, and he admitted he was 'spoilt' by his siblings. He said he 'liked to think they were my mum sometimes. I was the most looked after, most spoilt, most loved: I got all the attention. I was like the little prince of the family.' The Cape Town socialite showed off his toned physique in a photoshoot for Tatler, teasing he hardly ever wears a shirt when he is at home and comparing himself to 'Tarzan' Dubbing himself an 'unashamed mummy's boy,' Samuel said he was closest to his mother, Victoria, left, who married his father in 2005 and was previously married to Earl Spencer, with whom she shared four children The March issue of Tatler, featuring Emma Roberts, is on sale now However, his mother Victoria, 56, who married his father in 2005, is the person he is closest to in the family. 'I am an unashamed mummys boy. Im very grateful to her for providing me with this life and education; she is so giving. Im closest to her out of anyone. She has just done the most for me by miles,' he said. Samuel caught the attention of the world when he stood next to Kitty and their brother Louis during the model's wedding. The heir said he has a close bond with his sister and admitted he didn't except the moment to be emotional. 'Kitty is so close to both of us, so it was natural that we were both by her side,' he told the magazine. 'I didnt expect it to be emotional, Im not really an emotional person, but walking her down the aisle was also one of the proudest moments of my life. 'I was very touched to have been asked, together with my brother, Louis. It was a spontaneous and beautiful moment,' he added. Samuel, pictured with his sister Kitty on her extended honeymoon in Milan, said that his older sibling and her twin sisters treated him 'like a prince' when he was growing up Samuel and his brother Louis walked Kitty down the aisle during her Rome wedding to business tycoon Matthew Lewis, 62 Edinburgh singletons hoping to seduce the South African heir might be in for a tough awakening. Samuel confirmed he was as happy in love as his eldest sister this summer, when he declared his love for Noa Duckitt. The teenager, who recently signed with 20 Model Management, declared his love for the brunette beauty in a gushing Instagram post for her birthday. It is thought the couple had been together for six months at the time. 'I will not let you have me without the madness that makes me. If our demons cannot dance, neither can we. Happy Birthday my Noa, I love you,' he wrote. The relationship has the support of their family including Lady Kitty, who shared her own birthday message to Noa. The South African heir admitted he was 'spoilt' by his older sisters when he was a child and was the 'prince' of the family Samuel, brought Noa as his date to an end of year prom in August, sparking speculation they might be more than just friends. Noa, a budding performer, looked stunning in a red evening dress, while Samuel dressed up in a navy double breasted suit and open collar shirt. Proud Samuel shared photos of the event on his public Instagram account, where he boasts more than 7,000 followers, with the caption: 'Unbelievable time with the most incredible date @noaaa.duckitt.' Excited Kitty, 30, was among those who commented on the snaps, saying: 'You guys @samuelaitken_ @noaaa.duckitt most beautiful couple!!' Greg Mallett, who is engaged to Kitty and Samuel's sister Amelia, added: 'Power duo this. Yowza.' The March issue of Tatler, featuring Emma Roberts, is on sale now Countess Sophie Wessex seemed in good spirits as she visited the Shooting Star Children's Hospice in West London today. The mother-of-two, 57, looked elegant in a tailored grey coat with a white blouse, as she joined a Valentine's Day themed arts and crafts session with children and their families. She followed covid safety protocols by wearing a disposable face mask, while eagerly talking to others wearing face coverings. Countess Sophie Wessex (pictured) visited the Shooting Star Children's Hospice in West London today The mother-of-two, 57, appeared in good spirits as she spoke animatedly with children and their families during a Valentine's Day themed arts and crafts session Sophie Wessex clipped her blonde locks back for practicality and appeared to be wearing minimal make-up for a natural look. Having a strong personal interest in the provisions for people with disabilities and young people, she has been championing Shooting Star Children's Hospices for many years. In 2002, Sophie officially opened their Guildford hospice and has continued to visit regularly, while also showing support for major fundraising events. She appeared at ease as she spoke animatedly with volunteers and families today and was happy to show her creative skills. Sophie has read to the children and even joined in with decorating biscuits during her previous visits. Sophie (pictured left), who is a royal patron of the hospices, looked elegant in a grey coat with a white blouse The Shooting Star Children's Hospices updated their name in February 2019, after eight years of being known as Shooting Star Chase following the merger of two separate children's hospice charities. The organisation focuses on supporting over 700 children and their families throughout Surrey and 15 boroughs of London. Sophie previously praised the work of those involved in running Shooting Star Children's Hospice, saying: 'Thank you for what you do in looking after these wonderful and beautiful children. 'The care and love that you show to every single child who comes through the door is immeasurable. Sophie (pictured) regularly visits the hospices and has previously praised those involved in supporting the children and their families 'You are their family when they're here. The parents trust you completely with their children and no price can be put on that. 'And to all of the people who are helping to fund this amazing organisation, thank you it's a very special place and I know that many families couldn't survive without Shooting Star Children's Hospices.' Today's heartwarming visit comes less than a month after the hardworking royal chose to celebrate her birthday by volunteering at an NHS vaccination centre in Surrey. She has been Grand President of St John Ambulance, which provides first-aid training, and disaster and humanitarian relief worldwide, since 2004. During her shift, she was photographed working with fellow volunteers to greet patients, take their details, and look after their wellbeing. Advertisement East Coast Democrat governors banded together to drop school mask mandates, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said on Thursday, even as President Joe Biden continues to drag his feet on lifting Covid-19 restrictions. The president is following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is still clinging to pandemic health guidelines despite Covid infections plunging 43 percent nationwide, closest ally the United Kingdom dropping all rules entirely and mounting polls saying Americans want to learn to live with the virus. 'We worked on this together as Governors throughout the region. We thought this is a good time,' Lamont told CNBC's Squawk Box. Other nearby states like Delaware, Massachusetts and New Jersey announced similar lifting of masks in schools as Connecticut did. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also piled on the pressure by making the UK the first developed country in the world to scrap all COVID restrictions. So far eight Democrat-run states have either lifted mask mandates or set plans to do so in the coming weeks in recent days. Lamont noted that cases are going down in his state, and in the state's of his peers. Cases in Connecticut are down 70 percent over the past two weeks, plummeting after the state suffered a massive surge early in the Omicron variant's surge. Cases in nearby New Jersey, Massachusetts and Delaware also decreased 71 percent. Covid cases are down nationwide as well, with all 50 states recording declining cases over the past two weeks. The U.S. is recording 223,417 infections daily, a 43 percent drop from 394,741 cases per day this time last week. 'Our infection rates are back to low, hospitalizations are way down,' Lamont said. 'Most importantly people have the ability to keep themselves safe now.' He notes that vaccines and booster shots are widely available at this point, and there are little barriers to getting the shot. These northeastern states are among the most vaccinated in the country as well - with more than 70 percent of residents fully vaccinated in each. Gov Ned Lamont (left) is among four northeastern governors that set dates to lift mask mandates in school this week. He said it was a joint decision among a coalition of governors. President Biden is now facing mounting pressure to roll back COVID restrictions with growing support from Americans to learn to live with the virus Covid cases are dropping over the past two weeks in all 50 states, and northeastern states like Connecticut and New York in particular are posting massive falls of around 70% each New York is a notable straggler, though. While Gov Kathy Hochul allowed for her state's overall mask mandate to expire on Wednesday, she notably kept the mandates in-place in schools, breaking ranks from her peers. It's a controversial move for a governor facing her first election cycle this year, as Hochul readies to defend the seat she ascended to after the fall of disgraces ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo from a competitive crop of Democratic hopefuls. Empire State Republicans at the US Capitol sent Hochul a letter on Tuesday urging her to drop the school mask mandate in keeping with her colleagues in the immediate area. 'We have heard from countless families throughout our districts expressing their concerns with the mandate, and how it has negatively impacted their childs experience in the classroom. The time is now to put an end to this unlawful mandate and to allow our children to get back to being just that, children.' 'In light of the announcements by the Governors of New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware, we write today to urge you to immediately rescind the onerous and unconstitutional mask mandate in New York States schools,' read a letter signed by eight members of the US House of Representatives from New York. It was reported on Wednesday that the White House is meeting with a broad range of health experts both inside and outside the government to revamp the administration's virus playbook. Biden is hoping to transition to a 'new normal' in the next phase where Covid infections are dropping but the threat of a new variant still looms while the country is fresh off the chaos caused by the Omicron strain, the New York Times reported. But the CDC has so far been hesitant the revise guidance. The agency still recommends that all children mask in schools, and still imposes mask mandates on planes and trains. 'Our hospitalizations are still high, our death rates are still high. So, as we work toward that and as we are encouraged by the current trends, we are not there yet,' CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said at a White House Covid team press conference on Wednesday. 'We owe it to our children to make sure that they can safely stay in school. Right now, that includes masking. We've seen outbreaks that have occurred in communities where students were not masked in schools and had to close.' State and county governments still have discretion when it comes to local policy, though. Blue states would usually follow CDC guidance, but the recent lifting in mask mandates in these states - which also include California, Illinois and Oregon - shows that many are starting to break ranks. Lamont said that localities in his state are still free to set mandates at their own discretion. While small, less densely populated, areas of the state will likely lift masks when Connecticut's mandate ends on February 28. Population centers that are more vulnerable to virus transmission can still choose to keep masks in place. While some have blamed the sudden shift in blue states to declining poll numbers ahead of this fall's midterm elections, Lamont says the decision was driven by data, not politics, and called the opinions 'nonsense.' 'With omicron the numbers have come down, the metrics are pretty clear we can get rid of these mask mandates and we can do it safely,' he said. But it's undeniable that as cases drop, Americans' impatience with the pandemic is growing. A recent Yahoo News/YouGov survey had 46 percent of respondents say the U.S. should 'learn to live with' the pandemic, compared to 43 percent who said 'we need to do more to vaccinate, wear masks and test.' The same survey showed 40 percent believe the worst of the pandemic is over while just 27 percent fear the worst is yet to come. A Monmouth University survey taken at the end of January saw a steep 11-point drop in the number of people who were in favor of mask mandates from September, though it remains at 52 percent. Seven out of every 10 American voters surveyed said 'its time we accept Covid is here to stay and we just need to get on with our lives.' And a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows only 37 per cent of Americans name the coronavirus as one of their top five priorities in 2022. At the same time last year, 53 per cent of respondents named the COVID-19 pandemic in the open-ended question. In total, ten states and Washington D.C. still require masks in school, but there is growing pressure for these final states to lift these mandates. Dr Kavita Patel, an MSNBC contributor who works as a primary care physician and director of policy for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement in the Obama administration, told Squawk Box Wednesday that experts will soon have to consider lifting them. 'If you told me there's a future where we're wearing masks in perpetuity I'd say that's ridiculous, the science doesn't support that if we see that cases are coming down,' she said. But Republicans who have been against public health mandates -- some from the beginning of the pandemic -- were quick to mock the Democrat leaders suddenly rolling back the rules. 'It's not the science, I promise you. It's the political winds. Democrats are seeing that the American people are fed up, they've been fed up. Now they're starting to see how much damage that's going to cause them, likely, in November,' Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said in an interview with KTSA radio in San Antonio Wednesday morning. 'I'd love to see whatever internal polling went around the Democrat Party last week - it's certainly no coincidence that Democrat-run states are dropping mandates as fast as they can!,' Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., told DailyMail.com. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., told DailyMail.com: 'The Democrats continually follow the political science instead of the actual science. I'm thrilled many states are now dropping mask mandates, but it's too little too late. We've known for months that masking has been detrimental to our children.' 'We've known for months that masking has been detrimental to our children. The science hasn't changed in the last several months, the only change has been the overwhelming uproar over government mandates,' McClain added. During the daily White House press briefing on Wednesday, Jen Psaki was asked why Biden has made no noise about his fellow Democrats dropping mandates after months of trading barbs with Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. The Sunshine State's governor has long been a thorn in Biden's side as one of his most vocal critics, particularly on coronavirus measures. DeSantis has resisted implementing state-wide restrictions of any kind throughout the entire pandemic and in recent months has gone on the offensive with legislation seeking to punish localities looking to impose mask or vaccine rules. 'Well, I would say there is a distinct difference between standing in the way, which Ron DeSantis did -- or Governor DeSantis; Ill give him his full title -- of teachers, school administrators, and others taking steps to protect the students in their school communities. Theres a difference between standing in the way of it, threatening to pull back funding; and allowing for local school districts to make choices, which is what a number of these states are doing,' Psaki said. Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., predicted the mandates would still cost Democrats come midterms. 'Democrats forced masks on kids for two years and now they're hoping that the rest of America will suddenly forget. The 'science' is the same as it's always been, mask mandates don't work,' he said. 'Democrats valued their political narrative more than children's wellbeing. Ironically, it will cost Democrats politically now, and they deserve it.' Added pressure is coming from overseas as well. Last month, the UK lifted all pandemic-related restrictions as cases continue to plummet in the nation. America's greatest foreign ally often precedes the U.S. by a few weeks during the pandemic, and it is rare that the European nation has less-strict Covid guidelines than its peer across the pond. In the UK, masks in schools, work from home orders, vaccine passports and requirements to test negative before travelling into the country have been lifted. As cases continue to fall, now under 70,000 per day after peaking at 180,000 early last month, some are even clamoring to stop daily reporting of Covid cases and deaths in the country. Other European countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Switzerland have also either lifted restrictions or laid out plans to do so in recent weeks. Every single state in the U.S. is recording a drop in cases over the past two weeks. The drop offs have been massive as well, with 43 states having had cases slash in half over the past two weeks - and 21 recording a 70 percent fall. Only weeks ago, the massive falls in cases were almost exclusively on the east coast, as those states were slammed first by Omicron. Now, the case declines have finally found their way out west. Oklahoma, which was leading the nation in Covid infection rate at one point last month, is now recording the largest two-week case decline in America. The Sooner state has logged a 79 percent drop in cases over the past 14 days. Washington, like many other states along west coast, was one of the final states to still record an upward trend of cases during the Omicron surge. The state is now also among the leaders in case-decline, recording 75 percent drop over the past two weeks. Every single state has now dropped below 200 daily cases per every 100,000 residents as well. Alaska is the U.S. leader in infection rate still - with 177 of every 100,000 residents testing positive daily. Other southern states, like Mississippi (169 cases per 100,000 residents), Tennessee (136), West Virginia (131) and Kentucky (113) are among the eight state recording more than 100 as well. In the northwest, Montana (128), North Dakota (112) and Idaho (105) are also still recording high infection rates. Virginia is now leading America in Covid deaths despite having a relatively high vaccination rate of 71 percent. The Commonwealth is recording 1.49 deaths per every 100,000 residents daily. All of the other states recording more than one death per 100,000 residents have struggled to vaccinated its residents. Mississippi (1.37 daily deaths per 100,000 residents; 50 percent vaccination rate), Ohio (1.29; 57), Kansas (1.17; 59), South Carolina (1.13; 55), Arkansas (1.11; 53), Nevada (1.02; 59) and West Virginia (1; 56) make up the rest of the states recording high Covid mortality rate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is rolling back some restrictions placed on opioid distribution, saying previously put in place guidelines were being misused in ways that hurt patients. The agency no longer suggests doctors to limit opioid treatment to only three days, is dropping recommendations that patients can only receive 90 mg of morphine daily, and now recommends doctors not to suddenly seize treatment for patients receiving large daily dosages of the drug. These recommendations were first put in place six years ago in an effort to curb rising opioid addiction and overdose rates. Opioids are highly addictive, and over prescription and overuse of the drugs has fueled a massive drug overdose problem in the U.S. Between April 2020 to April 2021, a record 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose - with around 75 percent being attributable to opioids. On the other hand, these drugs are key to pain management and cutting people off from the drugs out of fear of addiction could be considered cruel. There is no replacement drug as effective as opioids for managing pain, and taking them away all-together is not feasible. The CDC is lifting some restrictive guidelines it put in place in regards to opioid use in 2016, saying they were misused and misinterpreted. The revered guidelines include a three day limit on treatment, limits to only 90 mg of morphine daily and halting the sudden stopping of treatment for patients using large doses of the drugs to manage pain 'We began to hear how the guidelines were being misused and misapplied' said the CDC's Christopher Jones, a co-author of the draft guidance. The agency will not finalize its updated guidance for 60 days, allowing a two-month period for public comment first. The general intent is to foster individualized patient care, Jones said. It also offers more options for treating the kind of short-term, acute pain that follows surgeries or injuries. The 2016 guidance succeeded in helping to reduce inappropriate and dangerous prescribing, said Dr Adriane Fugh-Berman of Georgetown University Medical Center. Its critics have included pain patients, but also painkiller manufacturers and groups they fund, she said. Opioids rose to prominence in the medical field in the 1990s, and the highly addictive drugs have been blamed for the country's drug addiction issues. 78% of the record 100,000 drug overdose deaths during the first year of the pandemic were caused by Opioids, the CDC reports. 'There was nothing wrong with the original guidelines,' said Fugh-Berman, a paid expert witness for plaintiffs in cases targeting pharmaceutical marketing practices. Opioids can be an important tool in treating severe pain from cancer, surgery and serious injuries. But they also can be addictive - even when used under doctors orders. Beginning in the 1990s, some drugmakers, insurers and pain specialists called for wider use of the drugs for more common ailments like backaches and arthritis. The push was tied into the marketing of drugs like OxyContin, which were billed as less addictive than other opioids. When U.S. overdose deaths began skyrocketing, prescription painkillers were identified as a big reason. The first year of the pandemic proved to be the worst for America's drug addiction crisis, with 100,306 people dying from an overdose nationwide, and 78,000 of those deaths being attributed to opioids. States like West Virginia and Kentucky in the Appalachian region were among the hardest struck. More than 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses from April 2020 to April 2021, the most ever recorded over a single 12 month span. More than 78,000 of those deaths were caused by opioids States in the Appalachian Region of the country have been struck hardest by drug overdoses, with West Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Pennsylvania among the leaders in overdose deaths per 100,000 residents Governments tried to restrict the prescriptions, but the overdose epidemic worsened as people hooked on pills switched to heroin and then to fentanyl. Those kinds of illegal injected drugs are now associated with the majority of U.S. overdose deaths. The CDC's 2016 prescribing guidelines said opioids should not be the first treatment for chronic pain. Doctors were urged to first try other medications or nondrug options, limit opioid prescriptions for short-term pain to three days, and to prescribe the lowest effective dose possible. The guidelines are voluntary, but they were widely adopted and added momentum to a dramatic decline in opioid painkiller prescriptions. They also came under attack from pain patients and drug manufacturers, who argued some people in severe pain were being denied needed relief. In 2019, CDC officials signaled that they were concerned about those reports. They examined newer research, resulting in the new proposal, Jones said. Drugmakers had no input into the writing of the draft revision, he said. Nevada became the latest blue state to drop indoor mask mandates on Thursday, leaving President Joe Biden increasingly isolated in insisting that tough COVID-19 restrictions stay in place. The White House says it is following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But with cases falling 43 percent across the nation in the past week as the Omicron surge fades, it puts Biden out of step with Americans who say they are ready to try to live with the virus and with allies, such as the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Boris Johnston on Wednesday announced plans to lift all restrictions. Gov. Steve Sisolak of Nevada became the latest to lift a statewide mask mandate after outlining how the number of hospitalizations had dropped from their peak. 'Given all of these updates, and the tools that we now have, now is the appropriate time for me to announce that Nevada will rescind mask mandates effective immediately,' he told news conference conducted via Zoom. 'Masks will no longer be required in public places.' However, he added that people would still be required to wear masks in certain places, such as healthcare facilities. His announcement came after eight Democrat-run states in recent days either lifted their mandates or set plans to do so in the coming weeks. 'Given all of these updates, and the tools that we now have, now is the appropriate time for me to announce that Nevada will rescind mask mandates effective immediately,' said Gov. Steve Sisolak during news conference conducted via Zoom Covid cases are dropping over the past two weeks in all 50 states, and northeastern states like Connecticut and New York in particular are posting massive falls of around 70% each Gov Ned Lamont (left) is among four northeastern governors that set dates to lift mask mandates in school this week. He said it was a joint decision among a coalition of governors. President Biden is now facing mounting pressure to roll back COVID restrictions with growing support from Americans to learn to live with the virus How school mask mandates vary state-by-state School mask mandates, like other pandemic restrictions, vary by state. School mask mandates are in effect in California, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Washington. Last month, Massachusetts extended its mandate through February. It remains unclear if the mandate will be extended again. New York Gov. Hochul announced February 9 that she will reevaluate the school mask mandate in March. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced February 7 that his state's mandate will be lifted on March 7. Delaware Gov. John Carney made a similar announcement February 7, saying the states school mask mandate will lift March 31. He also said the general statewide indoor masks order will end on February 11. Connecticut is set to end its statewide mask mandate on February 28. Oregon will lift its statewide mask mandate on March 31. Maryland, which still has a school mask mandate in effect, now allows local districts to remove masks if 80 percent of students and staff at a single school are fully vaccinated or 80 percent of the districts community population is fully vaccinated. If neither of the vaccination thresholds are met, a local district can also choose to lift universal masking when the county or jurisdiction has reached 14 days of moderate or low transmission of COVID-19. Louisiana and Pennsylvania have lifted their statewide school mandates. Seven states - Arizona, Florida, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah - currently has legislation in effect banning school mask mandates. Updated: Feb. 9, 2022 Advertisement Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont revealed on Thursday that East Coast governors had decided to act together. 'We worked on this together as governors throughout the region. We thought this is a good time,' Lamont told CNBC's Squawk Box. The nearby states of Delaware, Massachusetts and New Jersey announced they were lifting mask mandates in schools at the same time Connecticut did. Lamont noted that cases were going down in his state - down 70 percent over the past two weeks - and in the states of his peers. Cases in nearby New Jersey, Massachusetts and Delaware also decreased 71 percent. COVID cases are down nationwide as well, with all 50 states recording declining cases over the past two weeks. The U.S. is recording 223,417 infections daily, a 43 percent drop from 394,741 cases per day this time last week. 'Our infection rates are back to low, hospitalizations are way down,' Lamont said. 'Most importantly people have the ability to keep themselves safe now.' He notes that vaccines and booster shots are widely available at this point, and there are little barriers to getting the shot. These northeastern states are among the most vaccinated in the country as well - with more than 70 percent of residents fully vaccinated in each. The moves come as Johnson, in the U.K., piled on pressure by making his nation the first developed country to move towards scrapping all COVID restrictions. 'Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive a full month early,' he said on Wednesday. The restrictions were due to expire on March 24, suggesting they could now end entirely within two weeks. The White House is standing firm for now. On Wednesday, Press Secretary Jen Psaki urged Americans to follow CDC guidelines. 'There are states that have rolled back their mask guidelines, that have given more flexibility to communities theyre different, its not uniform, what every state has done and certainly we continue to advise and recommend abiding by public health guidelines,' she said. And New York is a notable straggler among blue states. While Gov Kathy Hochul allowed for her state's overall mask mandate to expire on Wednesday, she notably kept the mandates in-place in schools, breaking ranks from her peers. It's a controversial move for a governor facing her first election cycle this year, as Hochul readies to defend the seat she ascended to after the fall of disgraces ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo from a competitive crop of Democratic hopefuls. Empire State Republicans at the US Capitol sent Hochul a letter on Tuesday urging her to drop the school mask mandate in keeping with her colleagues in the immediate area. 'We have heard from countless families throughout our districts expressing their concerns with the mandate, and how it has negatively impacted their childs experience in the classroom. The time is now to put an end to this unlawful mandate and to allow our children to get back to being just that, children.' 'In light of the announcements by the Governors of New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware, we write today to urge you to immediately rescind the onerous and unconstitutional mask mandate in New York States schools,' read a letter signed by eight members of the US House of Representatives from New York. It was reported on Wednesday that the White House is meeting with a broad range of health experts both inside and outside the government to revamp the administration's virus playbook. Biden is hoping to transition to a 'new normal' in the next phase where Covid infections are dropping but the threat of a new variant still looms while the country is fresh off the chaos caused by the Omicron strain, the New York Times reported. But the CDC has so far been hesitant the revise guidance. The agency still recommends that all children mask in schools, and still imposes mask mandates on planes and trains. 'Our hospitalizations are still high, our death rates are still high. So, as we work toward that and as we are encouraged by the current trends, we are not there yet,' CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said at a White House Covid team press conference on Wednesday. 'We owe it to our children to make sure that they can safely stay in school. Right now, that includes masking. We've seen outbreaks that have occurred in communities where students were not masked in schools and had to close.' State and county governments still have discretion when it comes to local policy, though. Blue states would usually follow CDC guidance, but the recent lifting in mask mandates in these states - which also include California, Illinois and Oregon - shows that many are starting to break ranks. Lamont said that localities in his state are still free to set mandates at their own discretion. While small, less densely populated, areas of the state will likely lift masks when Connecticut's mandate ends on February 28. Population centers that are more vulnerable to virus transmission can still choose to keep masks in place. While some have blamed the sudden shift in blue states to declining poll numbers ahead of this fall's midterm elections, Lamont says the decision was driven by data, not politics, and called the opinions 'nonsense.' 'With omicron the numbers have come down, the metrics are pretty clear we can get rid of these mask mandates and we can do it safely,' he said. But it's undeniable that as cases drop, Americans' impatience with the pandemic is growing. A recent Yahoo News/YouGov survey had 46 percent of respondents say the U.S. should 'learn to live with' the pandemic, compared to 43 percent who said 'we need to do more to vaccinate, wear masks and test.' The same survey showed 40 percent believe the worst of the pandemic is over while just 27 percent fear the worst is yet to come. A Monmouth University survey taken at the end of January saw a steep 11-point drop in the number of people who were in favor of mask mandates from September, though it remains at 52 percent. Seven out of every 10 American voters surveyed said 'its time we accept Covid is here to stay and we just need to get on with our lives.' And a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows only 37 per cent of Americans name the coronavirus as one of their top five priorities in 2022. At the same time last year, 53 per cent of respondents named the COVID-19 pandemic in the open-ended question. In total, ten states and Washington D.C. still require masks in school, but there is growing pressure for these final states to lift these mandates. Dr Kavita Patel, an MSNBC contributor who works as a primary care physician and director of policy for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement in the Obama administration, told Squawk Box Wednesday that experts will soon have to consider lifting them. 'If you told me there's a future where we're wearing masks in perpetuity I'd say that's ridiculous, the science doesn't support that if we see that cases are coming down,' she said. But Republicans who have been against public health mandates -- some from the beginning of the pandemic -- were quick to mock the Democrat leaders suddenly rolling back the rules. 'It's not the science, I promise you. It's the political winds. Democrats are seeing that the American people are fed up, they've been fed up. Now they're starting to see how much damage that's going to cause them, likely, in November,' Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said in an interview with KTSA radio in San Antonio Wednesday morning. 'I'd love to see whatever internal polling went around the Democrat Party last week - it's certainly no coincidence that Democrat-run states are dropping mandates as fast as they can!,' Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., told DailyMail.com. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., told DailyMail.com: 'The Democrats continually follow the political science instead of the actual science. I'm thrilled many states are now dropping mask mandates, but it's too little too late. We've known for months that masking has been detrimental to our children.' 'We've known for months that masking has been detrimental to our children. The science hasn't changed in the last several months, the only change has been the overwhelming uproar over government mandates,' McClain added. During the daily White House press briefing on Wednesday, Jen Psaki was asked why Biden has made no noise about his fellow Democrats dropping mandates after months of trading barbs with Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. The Sunshine State's governor has long been a thorn in Biden's side as one of his most vocal critics, particularly on coronavirus measures. DeSantis has resisted implementing state-wide restrictions of any kind throughout the entire pandemic and in recent months has gone on the offensive with legislation seeking to punish localities looking to impose mask or vaccine rules. 'Well, I would say there is a distinct difference between standing in the way, which Ron DeSantis did -- or Governor DeSantis; Ill give him his full title -- of teachers, school administrators, and others taking steps to protect the students in their school communities. Theres a difference between standing in the way of it, threatening to pull back funding; and allowing for local school districts to make choices, which is what a number of these states are doing,' Psaki said. Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., predicted the mandates would still cost Democrats come midterms. 'Democrats forced masks on kids for two years and now they're hoping that the rest of America will suddenly forget. The 'science' is the same as it's always been, mask mandates don't work,' he said. 'Democrats valued their political narrative more than children's wellbeing. Ironically, it will cost Democrats politically now, and they deserve it.' Added pressure is coming from overseas as well. Last month, the UK lifted all pandemic-related restrictions as cases continue to plummet in the nation. America's greatest foreign ally often precedes the U.S. by a few weeks during the pandemic, and it is rare that the European nation has less-strict Covid guidelines than its peer across the pond. In the UK, masks in schools, work from home orders, vaccine passports and requirements to test negative before travelling into the country have been lifted. As cases continue to fall, now under 70,000 per day after peaking at 180,000 early last month, some are even clamoring to stop daily reporting of Covid cases and deaths in the country. Other European countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Switzerland have also either lifted restrictions or laid out plans to do so in recent weeks. Every single state in the U.S. is recording a drop in cases over the past two weeks. The drop offs have been massive as well, with 43 states having had cases slash in half over the past two weeks - and 21 recording a 70 percent fall. Only weeks ago, the massive falls in cases were almost exclusively on the east coast, as those states were slammed first by Omicron. Now, the case declines have finally found their way out west. Oklahoma, which was leading the nation in Covid infection rate at one point last month, is now recording the largest two-week case decline in America. The Sooner state has logged a 79 percent drop in cases over the past 14 days. Washington, like many other states along west coast, was one of the final states to still record an upward trend of cases during the Omicron surge. The state is now also among the leaders in case-decline, recording 75 percent drop over the past two weeks. Every single state has now dropped below 200 daily cases per every 100,000 residents as well. Alaska is the U.S. leader in infection rate still - with 177 of every 100,000 residents testing positive daily. Other southern states, like Mississippi (169 cases per 100,000 residents), Tennessee (136), West Virginia (131) and Kentucky (113) are among the eight state recording more than 100 as well. In the northwest, Montana (128), North Dakota (112) and Idaho (105) are also still recording high infection rates. Virginia is now leading America in Covid deaths despite having a relatively high vaccination rate of 71 percent. The Commonwealth is recording 1.49 deaths per every 100,000 residents daily. All of the other states recording more than one death per 100,000 residents have struggled to vaccinated its residents. Mississippi (1.37 daily deaths per 100,000 residents; 50 percent vaccination rate), Ohio (1.29; 57), Kansas (1.17; 59), South Carolina (1.13; 55), Arkansas (1.11; 53), Nevada (1.02; 59) and West Virginia (1; 56) make up the rest of the states recording high Covid mortality rate. The infamous rats of New York City may be more than just the city's more dubious attraction. Some experts fear they are the source of a new Covid variant. A team made up of researchers from Texas A&M-San Antonio and Queensborough Community College in New York City believe that an unknown strain of the virus found in the city's wastewater could be rat-borne. The strain has amino-acid changes that seem consistent with rat-borne virus strains of the past, one researcher noted, birthing their theory. Covid being found in wild animals is a worrying prospect, as that means it can indefinitely circulate undetected and potentially find its way back to humans again in a new, unrecognizable, form. White tail deer, for example, are believed to be easily infected with the virus, putting virologists on high alert. Researchers found indicators in a mysterious Covid strain that it had previously infected rats, meaning the virus may have found its way into the rodent community (file photo) 'We offer several hypotheses for the anomalous presence of these lineages, including the possibility that these lineages are derived from unsampled human COVID-19 infections or that they indicate the presence of a non-human animal reservoir,' researchers wrote in their study, published last week in nature. The researchers told Curbed that one member of the team collected samples of rat poop for this experiment by just wondering around dark alleys and and collecting any that they found. Researchers believe rats picked up the virus by drinking sewer water and eating the feces of humans and other animals. 'They're probably drinking sewer water, and I heard they eat feces, so if there's any clumps of material in the wastewater, I'm sure they might try to consume it,' John Dennehy, co-author of the study and virologist at Queensborough said. 'We've never detected live virus in the wastewater. But given the volume of wastewater and the number of rats, it's certainly possible that they've gotten infected that way.' While they can still only make predictions, the team believes the rodent-inhabitants of the Big Apple could be the source of the next Covid strain. This may sound innocuous to humans, since a majority of people gladly social distance themselves from rats anyways, this still does pose a major threat. Dr Chris Thompson, an associate professor of Biology at Loyola University Maryland, told DailyMail.com that every time a virus finds its way into the realm of wild animals it could pose an increased risk to humans. Experts have found Covid cases in white tail deer, for example, meaning humans already have confirmation the virus can transmit between species. 'The problem with whitetail deer getting infected, or any other organism getting infected, is that now we've increased the population of unvaccinated individuals,' he said. 'Now we have a whole bunch of unvaccinated deer that could propagate the virus that could allow for more mutation in the virus and that could eventually reenter society.' Things get especially worrying when the virus finds its way to animals like bats, birds and pigs which have shown the ability to then transmit the virus back to humans. The prevailing theory for the original Wuhan strain of the virus is that it originated in the city's bat population before eventually transmitting to humans. If the virus finds its way back into the human population from the animal kingdom, it may have mutated enough that the global knowledge bank on Covid could be irrelevant. 'These coronaviruses are amazing. Biologically they're just really fascinating in that they can infect so many different types of species,' Thompson said. BOOK OF THE WEEK I MAY BE WRONG by Bjorn Natthiko Lindeblad, Trans. Agnes Bloome (Bloomsbury 256pp, 16.99) What a wonderful title! If reading lots of books teaches you anything, its that everyone thinks theyre right pretty much all of the time. So how magnificently disconcerting of this Swedish former forest monk to admit to doubts, even profound ones, first off. His book is a multiple prize-winner across Europe, and you can quickly see why. Lindeblad was a fairly typical product of the Swedish system: brighter than average, more ambitious than average and, armed with a sharp suit, a briefcase and a good economics degree, clearly going places. Bjorn Natthiko Lindeblad (pictured), who spent 17 years as a Buddhist monk shares his wisdom in a new book At the age of 26 he was working for a multinational company, had been transferred to their Spanish office, had a company car, a secretary and regularly flew business class. But he was pretending, pretending to be interested in economics, pretending to give a monkeys about his job. I think almost everyone who has ever appeared outwardly successful has also eventually realised thats no guarantee of happiness. Im not sure I would agree. I know men who have endured the same jobs for 40 years, hating every minute, doing it just for the money. But Lindeblad was already an enviably clear-thinker about life. A job . . . has to nourish and stimulate some deeper part of our being. That type of nourishment is rarely derived from success. Rather, it comes from feeling connected to the people you work with, feeling that your work has meaning, that your talents are somehow making a difference. Then one day he started meditating. He had heard it helped, although he found it perilously difficult to silence the endless foolish and negative thoughts in his head. But as he did so, one thought came to the forefront. Something inside me, that seemed to come out of nowhere, that wasnt the final link in a chain of thoughts, that wasnt the result of reasoning, but that, rather, just suddenly appeared. The thought was this: Its time to move on. So he did. He chucked in his job, went travelling to the Far East and, to cut a long story short, ended up as a novice monk in a Thai forest monastery, where he shaved his head and got used to rising at 3.30 in the morning for the first bout of morning meditation. They used no money there, and for food had to rely on the generosity of nearby villagers, who fortunately all held the monks in very high esteem. There was no modern technology no internet, no smartphones and monks had to refrain from sex (even with themselves) and alcohol, although Im happy to say they did get the occasional cup of tea. (Imagine life without tea: Im not sure I can.) After a few years in Thailand, Lindeblad (pictured) became a monk at a Thai monastery in England, then moved to Switzerland, and then gave up his robes and moved back to Sweden It was a simple but happy life, focusing on meditation, simplicity and ethics. Given the new name Natthiko, which means One who grows in wisdom, Lindeblad seems to have adjusted easily to his new life, even though, for several years, he found meditation very challenging, and had a particular problem staying awake during any session of any length. Others had the same problem. One monk tended to walk around while meditating, but found he could fall asleep standing up. Now, theres a skill worth acquiring. As befits someone who spent 17 years as a Buddhist monk, Lindeblad talks a lot of good sense. In the western world, not least in business, Id been told that intellect trumps virtually everything. But here, I was given convincing proof of what Id long suspected that we humans have so many other resources at our disposal, too. There exists an intelligence that isnt confined to our heads, and we would do well to turn to it more . . . for the first time in my life, I felt the world agreed with me about what was important: being present in everything you do. Telling the truth. Helping each other. And trusting silence more than chattering thoughts. He says it was like coming home. I May Be Wrong is no self-help book, but it contains more wisdom and will do more people more good than the complete works of Paul McKenna. After a few years in Thailand, Lindeblad became a monk at a Thai monastery in England, which was a different sort of challenge, then moved to Switzerland, and then gave up his monkish robes and moved back to Sweden. Bjorn Natthiko Lindeblad (pictured) was diagnosed with ALS in 2018, but just accepts it as his bad luck as he accepted his previous good luck when it came He suffered a profound depression for 18 months and could do nothing, beyond feeling what a failure he was. He had dedicated half his life to deepening, understanding and developing himself as a person, and for what? He didnt have a job, he didnt have a girlfriend, he didnt have any hope, and only through meditation could he still his teeming, negative thoughts. So when his money ran out, he began teaching the art of meditation, and found many willing pupils. Eventually he was called upon to write this book, which has been a bestseller in Sweden and is now being translated into every known language. Then in 2018 he was diagnosed with ALS, or motor-neurone disease as we better know it. Its a cruel, incurable condition, which rapidly takes away your ability to do anything at all, but Lindeblad isnt bitter or angry. He just accepts his bad luck as he accepted his previous good luck when it came. He comes over as a wondrous man who has lived a good life, and what better can be said for anyone? I MAY BE WRONG by Bjorn Natthiko Lindeblad, Trans. Agnes Bloome (Bloomsbury 256pp, 16.99) Finally, that title. The monks were engaged in an all-night meditation session and, as usual, Lindeblad was struggling to stay awake. One of the novice monks brought in a cauldron of hot sweet coffee: a godsend. Then the abbot of the monastery, Ajahn Jayasaro, stood up to make a speech. Tonight, he said, I want to give you a magic mantra. The monks were taken aback: the forest tradition rejects anything to do with magic and mysticism. But Jayasaro continued: The next time you sense a conflict brewing, when you feel that things are about to come to a head with someone, just repeat this mantra to yourself three times, sincerely and convincingly, and your worries will evaporate, like dew from the grass on a summer morning. He leaned forward, paused for effect and then said: Heres the magic mantra: I may be wrong. I may be wrong. I may be wrong. This is a book of some brilliance, although, of course, I may be wrong. Incidentally, and its not mentioned in the book, Lindeblad told the journalist Mick Brown that he was going to end his life (with help) at the start of the new year, and on January 17 he did. I dont like to think of death as the opposite of life, he wrote in his book. More like the opposite of birth. Good luck to him, wherever he is now. HISTORY THE STASI POETRY CIRCLE by Philip Oltermann (Faber 14.99, 224 pp) You might have thought that the habit of writing poetry the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, as William Wordsworth defined it would be the last thing to be encouraged by the Stasi. Surely that network of cold-blooded snoopers and informers was intent on suppressing the spontaneity and powerful feelings of the whole of East Germany? And surely they had nastier things to do than train their recruits in the art of writing poems? Yet here we are, in the opening chapter of Philip Oltermanns intriguing and creepy short book, sitting in the seminar room at Stasi HQ in 1982, where poet Uwe Berger is saying to a class of young recruits, Dear comrades in arms. Today we are going to learn about the sonnet. Philip Oltermann reveals the malign doings of the Stasi in an intriguing and creepy short book. Pictured: Lovers on the edge of a demonstration at the Marx-Engels-Platz, Berlin What on earth was going on? Well, ever since its conception in 1949, the GDR had a vision of itself as a cultured literary society, as opposed to the philistine West which gorged on fly-by-night bestsellers. The government stipulated that each factory must have a well-stocked library, and that bourgeois writers should go and work among manual workers, training them to write poetry. Pick up your quill, comrades! was the motto. To set an example, the Stasi Poetry Circle was founded in the 1960s and met once a month. Many of its trainee poets were teenage boys doing military service. Their leader Berger was not an official member of the Stasi, though he strongly espoused the Stasis agenda; he stipulated that their poems must rouse emotion and boost the hunger for victory in class warfare. The quaking boys chewed their pencils until they came up with what now read as hilariously mundane lines of poetry. One tried his hand at a love poem: I want you to be mine, just mine/and hope never to be nationalised. That line was dodgy, politically speaking: as Oltermann points out, Love poetry could be awkwardly at odds with a state that valued collective ownership over private property. Berger nipped that sort of thing in the bud, reading out his own deadly dull and prosaic poems. The Soviet Union, he wrote, was the place towards which the Earth is turning and where wisdom prevails. Occasionally, a poetic genius would turn up. One was a 19-year-old trainee soldier called Alexander Ruika, who had the rare gift of being able to hold more than one idea in his head at a time. What a talent! exclaimed Berger, after Ruika had read out his well-crafted poem about a Soviet monument. I want you to be mine, just mine And hope never to be nationalised But no one could trust anyone else in that terrifying society. Oltermann discovers that for two decades before becoming leader of the poetry circle, Berger had been an enthusiastic Stasi informer. It was partly through those means that hed attained his own success by grassing on his writer colleagues, denouncing them as unstable, a bit senile, and alcoholic. He reported one he caught watching West German TV (strictly forbidden), who allowed his children to watch a Tarzan film. With wily cleverness, Berger got himself a job as a publishers reader. He would file one report to the publisher, saying whether he thought the book was worthy of publication, and another report straight to the Stasi, saying things like This book is an assault against Socialism. Talk about duplicitous! Berger was duplicity itself. Lives were ruined thanks to his efforts. He trained his recruits not only to write their own poems, but to read between the lines of the poetry of others and inform on them. THE STASI POETRY CIRCLE by Philip Oltermann (Faber 14.99, 224 pp) Alexander Ruika would soon be informing on another poet, Gert Neumann. Berger reported him as a semi-deluded psychopath whose thoughts rejected life in the Socialist Republic. Neumann was then subjected to the Stasis sinister psychological workings. His apartment was bugged. The Stasi signed up his mother to spy on him, and probably also his son. He took a taxi to Leipzig in order to break up with the wife who had betrayed him and his taxi driver for that journey was none other than Alexander Ruika, whod been tasked to chat with him and inform on him. His report was duly submitted to the Stasi: Neumann had fallen out with his wife and intended to leave the GDR after hed made financial arrangements. While researching this book, Oltermann met Neumann, who told him that hed known exactly what that taxi driver was up to. It was all bluff and double-bluff. He lived to tell the tale and now lives happily in West Germany. The moral of this story is, Beware writing poetry under a Communist regime. Oltermann tells the chilling story of one teenager called Annegret Gollin, who was arrested for writing a poem about the soul-destroying effects of living in a concrete tower block. She was interrogated 36 times about the meaning of the poem, sentenced to 20 months in prison, and her child was sent to a state home. Years later, in 2006, Der Spiegel confronted Berger about having spied on his students. I cannot explain my behaviour, nor make excuses for it, he said. I ask those affected for forgiveness. The Stasi set about destroying its archives, shredding them into intelligence confetti while the headquarters were being stormed in January 1990. Thankfully for the truth, 69 miles of its files remain intact. We need the sleuthing of people like Oltermann to uncover the malign doings of that surveillance state, that took place in such innocent-sounding surroundings as a poetry circle at tea-time. BIOGRAPHY IN SEARCH OF MARY SEACOLE by Helen Rappaport Since she was voted The Greatest Black Briton in a 2004 poll, Mary Seacole has become a popular subject in school history lessons. Children love the inspirational story of the plucky Jamaican nurse who defied the racist, sexist attitudes of the 19th century and sailed across the world to treat wounded and disease-stricken soldiers on the battlefields of the Crimean War in the mid 1850s. But scholarly biographer Helen Rappaport says that, in their rush to celebrate Seacole, the authors of school textbooks have failed to check the facts, relying too heavily on Seacoles best-selling account of her life, The Wonderful Adventures Of Mrs Seacole In Many Lands, without thinking that a financially troubled 60-something woman in Victorian London might have forgotten some details and deliberately concealed others. Scholarly biographer Helen Rappaport explores the life of Mary Seacole in a new book. Pictured: Portrait of Mary Seacole Seacole was always vague about her early life in Jamaica. Although her Wikipedia entry confidently asserts her date of birth as November 23, 1805, she writes simply that she was born in the town of Kingston in Jamaica, some time in the present century. Rappaport crisps up the details, unearthing evidence to suggest that her subject was born to the unmarried John and Rebecca Grant. The darker-skinned Rebecca, we learn, was probably of mixed heritage, likely to have taken her name from a former slave master. John Grant was probably a Scottish soldier who appears to have died while his daughter was still a baby. Young Mary watched her mother preparing local remedies and the ambition to become a doctress early took firm root in my mind. Jamaican women had a good reputation in the healing arts. In 1780 Cubah Cornwallis became famous for treating British naval officers (including a young Horatio Nelson) whod been struck down with fever. While some European medical men of the period disdained the common-sense nursing of these hothouse women as dangerous quackery, modern experts now condemn much conventional Victorian medicine as benevolent homicide. The most esteemed British surgeons of the period relied on mercury, opium, arsenic, blood-letting and purging. Frustratingly, we dont know much about how Seacole treated her patients, but we do know she would have hydrated them with hot teas and warmed their extremities with poultices. They would have been sustained by the vitamins in her lime and pomegranate cordials. She would have kept them clean and well-fed. She would certainly have done less harm than her white male contemporaries. IN SEARCH OF MARY SEACOLE by Helen Rappaport Mary began her life as an entrepreneur, making a bold solo trip to London in 1821 to sell Jamaican pickles. She was shocked by the insults hurled on the English streets. Seacole never saw herself as black, but she was proud of her complexion. I have a few shades of deeper brown upon my skin which shows me related and I am proud of the relationship to those poor mortals whom you once held enslaved, and whose bodies America still owns. When Mary heard of the terrible conditions suffered by British soldiers in Crimea, she returned to London to offer her services. But she was rejected by those recruiting to join Florence Nightingales team. Nightingale later wrote: I had the greatest difficulty in repelling Mrs Seacoles advances, and in preventing association between her and my nurses (absolutely out of the question!). Seacole eventually sailed out to Crimea under her own steam and rivalry soon developed between the cold but incredibly efficient Lady of the Lamp and the big-hearted, informal Mama Seacole. While crisply dressed Nightingale worked at scrubbing wards away from the battlefield, Seacole dressed in bright ribbons, sold wine to weary soldiers and strode into the mud to treat the wounded. While both of these ministering angels were praised in the press, only Nightingale was invited to visit Queen Victoria. As the abolitionist Queen didnt share the racist beliefs of her contemporaries, Rappaport suspects Nightingale of nixing that honour. And while Nightingale was permitted to found a school for nurses, the bankrupt Seacole could only flog her memoirs. But indomitable Mary never lost heart. She continued to travel, trade and offer healing skills to rich and poor alike, before dying in London in 1881. Rappaport does a terrific job of bringing respectful rigour to her account of Seacoles extraordinary life. She finds further evidence that the little maid with whom Seacole travelled was probably her illegitimate daughter. And in 2003 she also identified the only known portrait of Seacole found at a posh boot sale in the Cotswolds and ensured the painting ended up in its rightful place at the National Portrait Gallery. Although she looks sombre in the picture, its worth remembering that this woman was sustained throughout her life by the best medicine of all. For my part, she once said, I could not live without laughing. are you reading now? Folk by Zoe Gilbert. Set in the fictional seaside village of Neverness over the course of two generations, each chapter acts as a fable about the people who live there. Lyrical and powerfully atmospheric, its a novel woven through with folkloric traditions and myths, where fiddles are made with the bones of the drowned, boys are born with wings for arms, and the gorse and the river hold the promise of supernatural lovers. Its the kind of captivating, magical writing that makes you feel like youve fallen into a fever. Utterly immersive. Ive also just started To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara, which already feels like an incredible tour de force. Yanagihara is a powerhouse. Hannah Kent (pictured) would take Little Women by Louisa Alcott to a desert island would you take to a desert island? Presuming I am stranded alone on this desert island, I would take Little Women by Louisa Alcott. Its a book Ive read more than any other in my life: when I was a girl, I would read it every few months. The extraordinary story of four sisters and their ordinary lives always filled me with a comforting sense of familiarity and gentle hope. On a desert island I imagine it would remind me of my own childhood and my own family. The literary equivalent of a well-loved blanket I might wrap myself in. first gave you the reading bug? I couldnt possibly pick one book. A reading bug might begin, but it also needs to be sustained. As a young child I loved Roald Dahl, Paul Jennings, Enid Blyton, C.S Lewis, L.M Montgomery the usual suspects for a bookish middle-class white kid in early 1990s Australia. Fantasy written by Tamora Pierce, J.R.R Tolkien and Philip Pullman got me through my teen years, and then I discovered Virginia Woolf and Angela Carter, Toni Morrison and Thomas Hardy. Seamus Heaney and Sarah Waters. Tolstoy and Dorothy Porter and Donna Tartt. These days I feed my reading bug with Sarah Moss, Sebastian Barry, Alexis Wright, Max Porter. Its voracious. Ever-changing. left you cold? Both my children were quite difficult sleepers, and I would often resort to a car drive for naps. While they slept I would quietly listen to an audiobook. Last year I made the mistake of listening to Ill Be Gone In The Dark by the late Michelle McNamara, her masterful account of her search for the Golden State Killer. It compelled and terrified me in equal measure, and the horror of the case was magnified by listening to it with sleeping babies in view. Ive never been so shaken by a book before. If any title has left me cold, it was that one. I havent been able to read any true crime or crime fiction since then. Prudential is set for a major management shake-up, with the FTSE 100-listed insurer's chief executive to retire and its top brass leaving London to set up a new base in Asia. The British group informed investors its boss Mike Wells will retire after seven years at the helm at the end of March and will be replaced in the short-term by current finance chief Mark Fitzpatrick until a new chief executive is appointed. Prudential, which provides health and life insurance, said Fitzpatrick has requested not to be considered for the top job on a permanent basis but he will assist whoever is appointed to ease the transition from Wells' tenure. Prudential has a 174-year history with its HQ in the City of London, but Asia has become an increasing focus for the insurer The firm is currently conducting a search for a group chief executive to be based in Asia, where its financial officers will also be based. It is conducting the search internally and externally, Prudential said. Outgoing Mike Wells recently assured investors that Prudential is here to stay on the FTSE James Turner, Prudential's chief risk and compliance officer will become the chief finance officer, succeeding Fitzpatrick, while Avnish Kalra, chief risk officer for Prudential's Asian and African businesses, will succeed Turner. Asia is a region of increasing focus for Prudential, following pressure from US activist investor Third Point, with its operations there based in Hong Kong. Prudential now focuses only on Asian and African markets after offloading holdings in its US business Jackson last September, following spin-offs of its UK and European business, M&G, in 2019. Hedge fund Third Point had asked the British insurer to break up into two businesses in 2020 to enable it to recruit top talent in Asia, where it has had a presence since the 1920s. Third Point campaigned for Prudential to close its costly office in the UK, where it no longer sells products, and investors began to suspect that the firm would exit the FTSE for good. However, outgoing boss Wells told the 40 per cent of Prudential shareholders who own its UK-listed stock in October that the firm is here to stay. 'There are a lot of really good reasons to have a London listing for one, we've got talent in London and I wouldn't see any benefit to losing a UK listing,' Wells told The Mail on Sunday in a rare interview at the time. 'To be clear, we have no work streams on relocating out of London, there is no present activity around that at all. Prudential will publish its full-year results for 2021 on 9 March, and Wells will host a results conference call and meet with investors thereafter, the firm said. The firm's shares were trading 0.8 per cent higher by late morning on Thursday to 1247.5p. Prudential shares are down 3.7 per cent over one year and remain 16 per cent below their pre-pandemic 2020 peak Chair of Prudential Shriti Vadera said Wells had 'led the group through one of the most significant periods of change in its 174-year history', having overseen two strategic demergers, an equity raise on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and 'steering the group through the unprecedented events of the pandemic. She added: 'With the strategic positioning of the group complete, it can now take the next steps in the simplification of its management and operational model.' Wells said: 'It has been a privilege to serve Prudential for the last 26 years. Having led the transformation of the Group into an Asia and Africa focused life and health insurer, now is the right time for me to hand over to an Asian based team to take the company forward.' A smart meter overhaul will mean energy suppliers automatically receive updates on how much power households use every half an hour. Energy regulator Ofgem is set to gain legal powers in May that will allow energy suppliers to use the data to change prices as often as 48 times a day. The move is claimed to be able to save households money and help the transition to renewable energy, cut could lead to customers getting bigger bills for watching TV, popping the kettle on, or charging electric cars during peak times. Following the news of the energy price cap increase to 1,971 last week, the news is sparking concern for households whose bills are already stretched thin. Consumers are concerned that the smart meter overhaul could mean they are charged more for popping their kettle on, or watching TV during peak hours of the day Ofgem has insisted that the move could save a total of 1.6 billion overall, and spark a revolution in how power consumption is managed. It will mean that smart meters will automatically default to sending energy suppliers updates on energy consumption every 30 minutes. Households will also send mandatory daily meter readings to their energy suppliers, as opposed to the current once per month rate. Despite the push for smart meters to help manage Britain's electricity grid, energy suppliers are currently in the dark about how much power households are using at an hourly rate, despite calls from suppliers to use less power during busy periods. The change will be implemented from May 2022, though Ofgem predict that a complete overhaul will take until 2025 to be fully operational. Industry experts are welcoming the move towards 'time of use' tariffs, which would mean charging customers different rates for energy depending on demand. However, the change has sparked fears that watching prime-time television or charging household gadgets at the wrong time could cost households significantly more. Some consumer rights groups have also suggested that those with poorly insulated homes or health conditions needing round-the-clock care may suffer without the appropriate safeguards. Smart meters currently have the opt-in feature of sending updates every 30 minutes to energy providers and the change won't be implemented until households enter a new energy contract after May. Ofgem have said that the move has been in the works since 2017, with the intention of using the data to make energy systems run more smoothly. An Ofgem spokesperson said: 'This major system upgrade is a significant milestone on Britain's path to net zero. 'It will enable a more efficient, flexible and greener energy system which will save billions of pounds per year on all consumers' energy bills. 'Ofgem will work closely with industry to make sure it delivers this major upgrade while ensuring those in vulnerable circumstances remain protected.' However, Citizens Advice remains somewhat sceptical, warning that setting thresholds for energy use and charging more if they're exceed, could unfairly punish some households. Gillian Cooper, Head of Energy Policy for Citizens Advice, said its important to gain more information on our energy consumption habits before we understand the scale of the impact. She said: 'As prices surge to record levels, smart meters can help us manage our energy use and make sure we get more accurate bills. 'In the future, a time of use tariff could allow us to get better value for money if were able to be flexible about when we use electricity. For example, its likely to be cheaper if you can charge your electric vehicle overnight. 'Widespread use would also make our energy system more efficient, which could save billions of pounds.' She also added that it's important to put protections in place for those who can't vary their energy consumption throughout the day. 'Theres no one size fits all, so well all need information and advice to make sure were choosing a tariff that suits our needs. 'Strong protections must be in place for those of us who cant be flexible with our use of electricity, so that we all pay a fair price.' Are you worried about your energy bills increasing with the smart meter overhaul? Email emilia.shovelin@thisismoney.co.uk Criticism by Theresa May of the lockdown excesses of Boris Johnson has been excoriating and arguably more piercing than that of Keir Starmer and the Opposition front benches. Yet for all the former Prime Ministers indignation, it was during her time at Downing Street that one of the most serious betrayals of British technology occurred. A Tory government, committed to an industrial strategy (since torn up by Johnson) based around science, greater research and development spending and technology, presided over the sale of Arm Holdings, the British company most capable of becoming a European smart semiconductor champion. Dealmakers: Former PM Theresa May and the late Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood promoted the sale of Arm to Softbank The disposal of Cambridge-based Arm to Japans Softbank for a stonking 23billion was portrayed by the Government as a master stroke. May and her Chancellor Philip Hammond were traumatised by Britains vote to leave the EU. A big inward investment deal was seen as having political value, shoring up confidence in the UKs ability to prosper post-Brexit. In response to the Japanese offer, Hammond gleefully tweeted: The UK has lost none of its allure to global investors. Britain is still open for business. He added in a second tweet: This would be the largest ever investment in the UK and would double the size of Arms workforce. What May, Hammond and the late Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood, who promoted the deal, failed to recognise was that Softbank founder Masayoshi Son, for all his bravado about investing in Arm for the long-term, was a tech wheeler-dealer who regarded the innovative UK firm as a bargaining chip in his unrequited ambitions to be seen as Japans world leading tech entrepreneur. Arm gave him access to the best of what Britains great research universities produce in terms of the cleverest chip design in the world, at the core of the internet of things, from Apple devices to Tesla cars and more. The Cambridge companys profitable subsidiary, Arm China, opened doors to Beijing. Among Softbanks first transactions after winning control of Arm was to sell a stake in the China offshoot to a company which it later emerged was connected to the Communist Party. Arm was also a dazzling morsel to dangle before Saudi Arabian autocrat Mohammed bin Salman when Son was seeking investors for his $200billion Softbank Vision Fund in 2017. Softbanks access to the Government, which cleared the way for the deal, was facilitated by London deal maker Sir Simon Robey. There was a close bond between Robey and Heywood, who was the then Cabinet Secretary, dating back to the civil servants four-year stint at Morgan Stanley. Heywood had a conviction (almost certainly right) that investment banking and private sector skills could be deployed to good use in the public sector. Ambitions: Softbank founder Masayoshi Son regarded Arm as a bargaining chip in his unrequited ambitions to be seen as Japans world leading tech entrepreneur It was a narrative that he pressed upon me in a chat over tea in Morgan Stanleys Mayfair townhouse during his stint at the bank. Robey subsequently left Morgan Stanley and established his own boutique deal-making salon Robey Warshaw, which now includes among its associates former Chancellor George Osborne. The firm represented the Softbank founder and tech wizard Son in its pursuit of Arm in the summer of 2016. Heywood became convinced, after discussion with his former boss Robey, that a big Japanese investment in the UK would help show that Britain was open for business. The Japanese entrepreneur was speeded into a meeting in Downing Street with Hammond. Simon Robey and Heywood were close, one official present at the Downing Street love fest told me this week. But they were very careful about things. The deal was seen as particularly attractive to the UK as the investors were Japanese. They have long been regarded as inward investors to be encouraged in Whitehall because of their long-term thinking. Unlike the Americans, the tendency in Japanese corporate culture is to try to put things right when they go wrong, rather than cut and run. The icing on the cake for Downing Street, which convinced officials that the deal was worth doing, was a promise by Son to double the number of engineers working at Arm. Son was triumphant, believing he had bought into one of the worlds great tech powerhouses at a bargain. The price paid seemed extraordinarily generous at the time and shareholders showed no public resistance. The transaction encountered little of the political friction seen more recently with bids for aerospace pioneer Cobham, satellite maker Inmarsat and submarine defence specialists Ultra Electronics. Arm was waved through by politicians and regulators with no national interest or security test. The contrast with what happened five years later when the bid by Nvidia was subjected to scrutiny in the UK, China, the US and Europe and found wanting by most authorities demonstrates how cavalier the approach of Heywood and the Government was to a brilliant British asset. The lack of scrutiny is in marked contrast to the approach to the Nvidia deal this time around. Both the Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and the Department for Culture (under which scrutiny of semi-conductor deals sits) saw that the change of ownership could undermine the countrys national and economic security, and referred it to the Competition and Markets Authority for scrutiny. The collapse of the 50billion Nvidia takeover presents the Government and the City with a real opportunity. Robey, with Osborne at his side, still has the opportunity to redeem a mistake from the past and bring Arm back to the UK as a public company. That would mean reversing the resolve of Softbank to go for a New York listing. The Government rolled out the red carpet to Son in 2016 and must do the same again. Both the reports by former EU commissioner Lord Hill and fintech pioneer Ron Kalifa made the case for strengthening Britains place as a tech powerhouse by bringing initial public offerings to London. If it needs a Heywood-style push then there could be no better combination than new Downing Street chief-of-staff Steve Barclay, a former Treasury minister, and the current Chancellor Rishi Sunak. But they must act swiftly before the horse has bolted. Shares in John Menzies rocketed by a third after it fought off the latest attempt at pandemic plundering. The airport services group, which manages refuelling and baggage handling and de-ices planes, rejected a 469million bid from a Kuwaiti rival that it branded entirely opportunistic. Agility Public Warehousing put forward a 510p-per-share offer, which Menzies boss Philipp Joeinig said did not reflect its true intrinsic worth or its prospects. Shares up: Airport services group John Menzies, which manages refuelling and baggage handling and de-ices plane, has rejected a 469m bid from a Kuwaiti rival Agility works in a number of fields and makes around 4billion in revenue each year. Menzies also revealed it had similarly rebuffed a previous 460p-per-share approach from Agility. It argues that the bid is coming at a time when it is still recovering in line with the rest of the international travel industry, and that it will take more time for the company to fully rebound. Founded as a bookseller in Edinburgh in 1833, it has focused on its aviation business since selling a newspaper distribution arm to private equity group Endless in 2018. It works at more than 200 airports in 37 countries and employs around 25,000 staff. In its defence of the group, Menzies added that the effects of a 25million cost-cutting drive had yet to be seen in its finances. It may have more fuel for this argument in Marchs full-year figures. Menzies is one of just a few companies to outright refuse to enter merger talks because it feels it is undervalued but will bounce back stronger. Others have fallen prey to overseas buyers many of them are private equity groups as the pandemic hit share prices. Firms lost from the London Stock Exchange include Morrisons, Aggreko and Signature Aviation while deals for Meggitt up by 0.3 per cent, or 2.4p, to 749.4p and Ultra Electronics up 0.5 per cent, or 14p, to 2942p are being pored over by regulators. Stock Watch - Itaconix Itaconix rose after a potential customer began using one of its products in a trial. The unnamed company, which supplies groups that produce nappies and hygiene products for women, is testing one of its plant-based absorbent ingredients. If the trial is successful Itaconix could start generating revenues next year. Shares in the firm, which makes ingredients used in soap, hair styling gel and dishwasher detergent, rose 23.7pc, or 0.7p, to 3.65p. Menzies shares were turbocharged by the offer and the prospect that an even higher one or a bidding war might ensue. Its stock rose 42.7 per cent, or 143p, to 478p. On the FTSE 100, buoyant results from Smurfit Kappa gave fellow packaging makers a boost. Dublin-based Smurfits profits rose 22 per cent to 770million last year as it hiked its final dividend to 8.1p per share. The group, which supplies packaging for groups such as Nestle and Procter & Gamble, beat analyst forecasts as online shopping surged in the pandemic. It climbed 2 per cent, or 77p, to 4032p. Peers Mondi up 3.5 per cent, or 65p, to 1921.5p and DS Smith up 3.3 per cent, or 11.9p, to 377p also rose. But on the blue-chip index it was British Airways-owner IAG that stole the show. It rose 4.7 per cent, or 7.8p, to 174.96p after HSBC analysts said they believe it could be forced to spin off BA as Germany and France push to reinstate EU ownership rules. Airlines that operate within the 27-member bloc must be owned and controlled by member states, regulations instruct, though these rules are at the centre of Brexit trade talks so it could all be subject to change. The FTSE 100 also made gains, adding 1.01 per cent, or 76.35 points, to 7643.42. The FTSE 250 jumped 1.82 per cent, or 396.55 points, to 22,184.01, led by Micro Focus (up 11.3 per cent, or 45.9p, to 453.4p) as bargain hunters snapped up its stock after disappointing results shook it earlier this week. Chemring tumbled 2.9 per cent, or 8p, to 268p after Barclays cut the rating on its stock from overweight to equal weight, and Tate & Lyle said it has picked Mars high-flier Dawn Allen as its finance boss. Allen will join in May, filling a gap left on the board since Vivid Sehgal stepped down. Allen has been at Mars for 24 years. Shares lost 2.3 per cent, or 16.2p, to 698.6p. The boss of LV was last night urged to 'apologise and go' after he abandoned plans to sell the insurer, and admitted it can thrive on its own. Chief executive Mark Hartigan spent much of last year telling LV's 1.2million members that a 530million sale to US private equity group Bain Capital was the only way for 179-year-old mutual to survive. Members dismissed the warnings and voted the deal down in December following a campaign by the Mail to save LV from the buyout barons. U-turn: LV chief exec Mark Hartigan (pictured) spent much of last year telling LV's members that a 530m sale to US private equity group Bain Capital was the only way it could survive LV then entered into talks with rival mutual Royal London about a possible alternative deal. But, in a dramatic U-turn yesterday, discussions were called off as LV declared it was financially robust and committed to 'continuing as an independent mutual'. Just two months after the collapse of the Bain deal, stand-in chairman Seamus Creedon said: 'We continue to maintain our strong capital position, are trading well and building a successful future for LV.' The sudden change of heart and the revelation that LV was in such rude health raised fresh questions over Hartigan's motives in pursuing the takeover by Bain. While LV members were only in line for a payment of 100 each from the deal, it might have proved to be hugely lucrative for Hartigan as the boss of a private equity-owned insurer. Even Royal London's chief executive Barry O'Dwyer was blindsided by the change of tone, saying: 'Our offer to preserve LV's mutuality through a merger with Royal London was based on an understanding that LV did not have a viable future as an independent company.' The revelation that LV was healthy enough to survive sparked fresh calls for Hartigan to apologise and resign. Critics blasted him for 'wasting' as much as 43million on lawyers, advisers and spin doctors to push through the deal with Bain which could have landed him a significant pay rise. What they said Then... Continuing as is was not in our members best interests Hartigan, March 16 All roads lead to demutualisation Hartigan, November 7 It is the only deal that saves the future of LV Hartigan, November 11 Its the only vote to keep LV alive Hartigan, November 21 LV is a great British brand, please dont let that go to the wall Hartigan, November 22 The deal with Bain is the one that saves the future of LV Hartigan, December 4 And now... LVs performance has strengthened the boards belief in the continuation of our status as an independent mutual... We are trading well and building a successful future Seamus Creedon, yesterday They called for him to leave alongside outgoing chairman Alan Cook who, with Hartigan, orchestrated the Bain deal but is now stepping down. Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake, a member of the Treasury select committee, said Hartigan and Cook have treated LV members with 'contempt'. He said: 'It is good that Mr Cook is on the way out and now Mr Hartigan must apologise and leave too. 'Hard-working LV members have seen tens of millions of pounds of their money wasted by bosses chasing a deal we now know was never even needed. They have not made it clear what, if anything, has changed in the last two months that means they can now go on as an independent business. 'One can only conclude they were paying fast and loose with the truth for their own personal gain and taking members for fools.' Labour MP Gareth Thomas, who is chairman of Parliament's all party group for mutuals, said that Hartigan should 'apologise and go'. He said: 'They have wasted an awful lot of members' money chasing a deal they now admit they never needed, and it appears they misled members along the way with the repeated claim they had to sell. 'Serious questions must be asked about what Mr Cook and Mr Hartigan were basing the claims on, or whether they were only pursuing the sale for their own financial gain. 'The only way people can have any confidence going forward is if they bring in an entirely new board and chief executive with well-grounded roots in other mutuals.' Peter Hunt, of mutuals lobby group Mutuo, said members should have no confidence in Hartigan or any board members who waved through the deal. 'What are members supposed to make of all the misinformation, obfuscation and contradictions?' he said. 'Cook has to apologise and go immediately, as does Hartigan.' Announcing Cook's departure on Monday, LV indicated that Hartigan would cling on to his job, saying the board has 'high confidence' in his leadership. He could even receive a bonus of 740,000 for 2021, taking his total pay to 1.26million, despite spending much of the year advocating the failed sale. Insurers Zurich and Beazley were upbeat on Thursday after revealing that 2021 profits beat expectations. Swiss firm Zurich Insurance reported its biggest annual profit since the financial crisis in 2007, with a 35 per cent increase in 2021 operating income to $5.7billion (4.2billion) thanks to a strong showing from its commercial business and reduced claims from Covid-19. Meanwhile London-headquartered Beazley, which specialises in marine, property, data breach and life insurance, turned its $50million full-year 2020 loss into a $369.2million profit before tax for 2021. Swiss firm Zurich Insurance reported its biggest annual profit since the financial crisis in 2007, with a 35% increase in 2021 operating income to $5.7 billion The firm achieved gross written premiums of $4.6billion, a 30 per cent rise from 2020 where they came in at $3.56billion. Off the back of the results, the board announced the company will reinstate the dividend at 12.9p. Commenting on the latest financial results, Beazley chief executive officer Adrian Cox said: 'I'm delighted with Beazley's performance in 2021 where we have delivered GWP growth of 30% and a combined ratio of 93%, which has resulted in a robust profit of US$369.2 million.' Cox added that the company saw good growth across all of its lines of business but were 'particularly encouraged by the opportunity in the cyber market' where it continues to see 'significant rate improvement'. Zurich Insurance was similarly upbeat about its results. It said it is likely to see continued revenue and profit growth in the next two years, and it expects to meet or exceed its 2022 financial targets. Insurers have remained profitable after excluding Covid-19 from many policies and raising premiums Operating profit was forecast at $5.5billion, according to a company-compiled consensus forecast. 'You see growth in both revenue and earnings,' Chief financial officer George Quinn told a media call. 'It will continue through 2022 and I expect at this stage it will continue at least in 2023.' Its shares were up 2.1 per cent in pre-market trade. Zurich set out three-year targets in November 2019, including raising its target for business operating profit after tax return on equity to more than 14 per cent from the previous goal of more than 12 per cent. Return on equity came in at 14% for 2021. Quinn said the insurer planned to sell more books of life insurance which are closed to new customers, after it said last month it would release about $1.2billion of capital by selling its Italian life and pensions back book to Portuguese insurer GamaLife. Zurich has also previously said it plans to divest some of its German back books. Zurich operates its German life insurance business under the Deutscher Herold brand. Net income attributable to shareholders rose 36 per cent to $5.2billion, the highest since 2007. Zurich proposed a dividend of 22 Swiss francs (17.55) per share, a rise of 10 per cent on the previous year. Insurers were gloomy about the outlook for the industry when the coronavirus outbreak took hold in early 2020. But they have remained profitable after excluding Covid-19 from many policies and raising premiums. Primark owner Associated British Foods has launched a 400million public bond offering a 2.5 per cent yield to diversify the group's sources of funding and extend the duration of its borrowings. The group, which also owns major sugar, grocery, ingredients and agricultural businesses, said the bonds are being issued ahead of the maturity of its remaining private placement notes. The bonds, which mature in 2035, are expected to be rated 'A' by S&P Global Ratings. Primark owner Associated British Foods has launched a 400 million 2.5% public bond due in 2034 to diversify the group's sources of funding and extend the duration of its borrowings Commenting on the launch finance director John Bason said: 'We are delighted to announce ABF's inaugural public bond issue. 'These bonds will diversify the source of funding for the Group. They will enhance our liquidity and support the continued investment for growth in our businesses.' On the consumer front ABF, which also owns Twinings and Ovaltine, announced in January that it will increase prices amid soaring energy and supply chain costs. ABF said it would pass the increasing costs onto customers where necessary as it also warned that the soaring costs could eat into profits. Group sales in the 16 weeks to 8 January were 5.6billion, up 16 per cent from a year earlier. Primark sales were 2.7billion, 36 per cent higher than a year earlier, but across stores they were still 5 per cent down from pre-Covid levels. The company said that sales were hit in December as shoppers were turned off by the spread of the Omicron variant. Primark was hit especially hard by reduced footfall as the retailer does not sell clothes online. While ABF expects UK production levels to recover this year, it warned that profits would likely be weakened by more extensive gas, carbon, and logistics costs. British group Vodafone has rejected a preliminary approach from French telecom group Iliad and private equity firm Apax Partners to buy its Italian business, describing the offer as 'not in the best interests of shareholders'. A source told Reuters on Wednesday that Iliad, founded by billionaire Xavier Nie, had offered more than 9.2 billion (11 billion) to buy Vodafone Italy. Vodafone did not disclose the size of the bid in its statement. British group Vodafone has rejected a preliminary approach from French telecom group Iliad and private equity firm Apax Partners to buy its Italian business It stated: 'Vodafone continues to pragmatically pursue several value accretive in-market consolidation opportunities to deliver sustainable market structures in its major European markets, including Italy.' Iliad's bid, which was first reported by the Financial Times, comes as Italy's biggest phone group Telecom Italia (TIM) is assessing a 8.4 billion (10.8 billion) takeover approach from US fundhouse KKR. This month Vodafone confirmed it is on track to meet its full-year guidance following healthy customer and sales growth in the UK and Africa. The blue-chip listed business recorded a 3.7 per cent year-on-year increase in organic revenue for the final three months of 2021 as its customer base expanded and remained more loyal. Vodafone is also pursuing mergers with rivals in multiple European markets, encouraged by more favourable signals from regulators, its chief executive revealed. African mobile arm Vodacom saw the biggest growth in service revenues, jumping 11 per cent, thanks to a substantial upsurge in mobile customers and those using its M-Pesa money transfer platform. Iliad's bid, which was first reported by the Financial Times, comes as Italy's biggest phone group Telecom Italia (TIM) is assessing a 8.4 billion takeover approach from U.S. fund KKR In South Africa, the group gained 1.7 million prepaid and 82,000 mobile contract customers, posted a strong boost in financial services revenue and had its recently-launched VodaPay' super-app' downloaded more than 1.4 million times. Its UK division also witnessed a significant leap in the number of mobile contract customers, which it attributed to its new 'Vodafone EVO' flexible contract, healthy sales of iPhones and a positive Black Friday campaign. Trade was further bolstered by a 1.9 percentage point fall in customer churn rates, greater roaming and visitor revenues, and its broadband customer base surpassing the one million mark. This helped offset a decline in business revenue after the termination of an unprofitable contract with a major multinational, as well as difficulties getting other multinationals to renew contracts. By contrast, Vodafone's largest market of Germany achieved record-high loyalty rates in its business segment. On top of that, it revealed a 378,000 increase in Internet of Things connections on the back of hefty demand from the car industry. Its service revenue in the country grew by 1.1 per cent despite more onerous Covid-19 restrictions causing store footfall to decrease to half its pre-pandemic levels, and drops in DSL broadband and television customers. The firm has upheld its annual guidance for adjusted underlying earnings of 15.2billion to 15.4billion and a minimum of 5.3billion in free cash flow. Nick Read, its chief executive, said: 'Our team has delivered another solid quarter, demonstrating the sustainability of our growth strategy and medium-term ambition.' He added that the group was focused on enhancing its 'commercial momentum' in Germany and utilising EU recovery funds, whilst 'creating value for our shareholders through proactive portfolio actions and continuing to improve returns at pace.' On the investment front, Vodafone's shares have performed poorly over the last five years as it has suffered from a huge debt pile and poor profitability. A woman who was sexually assaulted by a Columbia University doctor in 2012 is suing the university for continuing to employ the 'predator in a white coat,' claiming it was aware that he had been abusing his female patients for more than two decades. Laurie Kanyok, 49, has joined dozens of victims of gynecologist, Robert Hadden, to bring a civil suit against trustees of Columbia University and its affiliated College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York Presbyterian Hospital. They allege that hospital personnel were not only aware of the 'sexual exploitation and abuse' being perpetrated by Hadden as far back as the 90s, they 'actively, deliberately and inexplicably' concealed it. In fact, they claim, Hadden's reputation was so egregious that he was known amongst medical assistants as 'a shark' for his ability to outmaneuver chaperones to make 'quick hits at sexually abusing patients' and keep going. Evelyn Yang, the wife of former presidential candidate Andrew, was also a victim of Hadden's and shared her story publicly. Now, in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Kanyok is speaking out against the institution that, she says, protected her abuser for decades. Scroll down for full lawsuit Former Broadway dancer Laurie Kanyok tells DailyMail.com of the abuse she suffered at the hands of gynecologist Dr. Robert Hadden Columbia gynecologist, Robert Hadden, 64, was indicted for sexually assaulting his female patients for more than two decades Kanyok story began when she chose Hadden, 64, as her doctor when she became pregnant in 2011. On first meeting, she recalled, the, 'mild-mannered and prominent physicianinspired trust.' Today it is impossible for Kanyok to look back on those pre-natal exams without seeing the abuse to which she was being subjected. On one occasion, under the guise of checking the dilation of her cervix Hadden subjected her to an internal exam so forceful that he lifted her off the exam chair while she 'gripped the arms' and caused her to bleed afterwards. He was released on a $1million bond and is currently awaiting trial But with no prior experience Kanyok suppressed any misgivings and trusted her doctor. She said, 'You know as your stomach grows the only thing that matters is you want to hear the heartbeat.' Kanyok is thankful that Hadden was not on call when she went into labor and so was not the doctor who delivered her child. Instead, she was attended by a team of women and, for the first time, realized that what she had come to accept as 'normal' was anything but. She said, 'When I was close to delivering the gal came into check my dilation and it was as if nothing was going on. And I was sort of like, 'Okay, that was different.' Still, she might have let it go were it not for what happened six weeks later at a post-partum consultation. She recalled, '[At first] he did the whole exam with a nurse in the room. He started to comment on my weight and how much I'd lost and how good I looked.' According to Kanyok the comments felt 'off' and out of place, but she let it slide. But then, after the exam was finished and the nurse had left the room Hadden said he wanted to check something else and asked Kanyok, who was naked, to lie down once more. She said, 'I said, ''You didn't just do a full exam?'' And he said, ''No, just lay back down let me just check one more time.'' 'So, I lay back down and put my feet in the stirrups, and he pulls the sheet taught and all of a sudden, his head ducked down, and he licked my vagina and I jumped off the table and he was white as a ghost.' She texted her partner and her best friend, telling both what happened. The father of her child told her to call the police immediately. She said, 'I tried to leave. I got dressed and walked out. I didn't go to his office, I didn't stop at admin. It was a big, long hallway and [just as I was leaving] he's coming after me calling, ''Laurie, you forgot to come get your [birth control] prescription. Come back.''' Scared, she followed him back to his office where he flipped his prescription pad back and forth nervously apparently trying to gauge and manage her reaction to what had happened. Kanyok and other victims have brought a civil suit against trustees of Columbia University and its affiliated College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York Presbyterian Hospital Dozens of women allege that hospital personnel were not only aware of the 'sexual exploitation and abuse' being perpetrated by Hadden as far back as the 90s, they 'actively, deliberately and inexplicably' concealed it He insisted on walking her out, rubbing her back and making small talk as he did. Kanyok called the police from her Uber home. By the time she got there Hadden had left a lengthy and agitated voicemail on her cell. She said, 'He said, ''I understand something happened, that you're not happy with your visit.'' And he's saying, ''Why don't you come back in, and we'll talk about it face to face.'' And then the call got progressively more agitated and at the end he was sort of manic and frantic and said, ''You know I'm really, really upset too.'' And he hung up the phone.' Kanyok played the voicemail to detectives who headed to the hospital to arrest him. Meanwhile new mother Kanyok went through the invasive process of undergoing a rape kit. The sample taken from Kanyok was a 98-99% match for Hadden's saliva. Yet a few months later Kanyok received a phone call from the Assistant District Attorney saying that the criminal case against Hadden was being dropped for lack of evidence. She said, 'I was in shock. I said, ''This is insane.'' I was told to file a civil suit.' Kanyok did so and the decision led to the DA's office re-opening the criminal case. She explained, 'My attorneys did a little blurb in the newspaper and women started coming forward with corroborating stories.' Eleven women came forward and Kanyok testified before a Grand Jury. She said, 'It was vindicating but at the same time it was scary because now this is a serial predator.' Hadden was charged with nine counts of sexual misconduct and assault. But, in 2016, he took a sweetheart plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to Kanyok's counts and was allowed to surrender his medical license and walk free. Evelyn Yang, the wife of former presidential candidate Andrew, was also a victim of Hadden's and shared her story publicly In 2020, Kanyok was watching television when she saw Andrew Yang's wife, Evelyn, share her story of abuse. As she watched Yang speak, Kanyok realized that the democratic candidate's wife had been assaulted after she herself had reported the doctor to police Hadden was indicted on federal charges relating to 16 women and including six counts of inducing others to travel to engage in illegal sexual acts Kanyok was casting a major Broadway musical when she got the phone call telling her the news. She said, 'I was numb. I said, 'What do you mean they're giving him a plea deal? What about the other women you're not acknowledging?' She was told that many were outside the statute of limitations which is just one year. Kanyok said, 'There was no vindication. I felt agitated. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't focus.' Kanyok settled her civil case in 2017. She said, 'I remember pacing round this boardroom [during mediation] and smacking my fists on the chair and saying, 'It's MeToo' but nobody wanted to acknowledge it. 'Take the money, Laurie, and go raise your daughter,' is what I was told.' And for a while that is what Kanyok tried to do. But the trauma never left her nor the sense of injustice at the way Hadden had walked free, and Columbia never held accountable. She said, 'This is a gynecologist, this is your most vulnerable state as a female. How does an institution allow this? That messes with your psyche. 'There is no dollar amount, there is no time. There is no fix to that. I didn't feel anything except what's wrong with the system that lets this person be free?' 'I'm tough. I can handle a lot but [this trauma] is the suit you can't get off. You can never get rid of it. You can be happy. I can go on a holiday. I can have a birthday party. I could do a lot of things. But at the end of the day, it's there. And I was supposed to have won? What did I win? All I could think was I signed this piece of paper and I accepted money, for what?' Then, in 2020, Kanyok was watching television when she saw Andrew Yang's wife, Evelyn, share her story of abuse at Hadden's hands. Yang was speaking publicly as the disgraced doctor was indicted on federal charges relating to 16 women and including six counts of inducing others to travel to engage in illegal sexual acts. He was released on a $1million bond and is currently awaiting trial. Announcing the indictment Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District Of New York, described Hadden as, 'a predator in a white coat [who] used the cover of conducting medical examinations to engage in sexual abuse.' For Kanyok, news of the arrest was bittersweet. Because, as she watched Yang speak, Kanyok realized that the democratic candidate's wife had been assaulted after she herself had reported the doctor to police. Kanyok claimed that on one occasion, under the guise of checking the dilation of her cervix Hadden subjected her to an internal exam so forceful that he lifted her off the exam chair while she 'gripped the arms' and caused her to bleed afterwards. Hadden is pictured outside his New Jersey home in 2019 Hadden's home in Englewood, New Jersey is pictured after being served with a lawsuit filed by 25 women Suddenly Kanyok saw the bigger picture. She had thought she was the last of his victims but now she realized that he had been allowed to step back into his role. Both she and Yang were victims of a cycle of abuse that could and should - have been stopped. She said, 'Evelyn Yang was assaulted after meI couldn't let that go. Then I found out there was a woman who had written a letter in 1993 to the hospital and they responded saying, 'We'll get to the bottom of this.' And that was it. They dropped it. 'Essentially it should have never happened to me because she made them aware. It should have never happened to Evelyn because I called the police and I made them aware but they [Columbia] were still allowing this behavior.' Kanyok tells DailyMail.com she feels 'strongly and passionately about the people in the institution that allowed this to happen for multiple decades' She said, 'That's why I came back out. I shouldn't be sitting here; I shouldn't be telling my story. I shouldn't have to be facing the prospect of telling the story to my daughter when she's of an age and has to go to the gynecologist or, God forbid, does a random Google search on her mom and finds out like that. I have to face telling my daughter because they didn't listen to a letter from a patient in 1993. That's deplorable.' Today's class action in which Kanyok is included contains multiple allegations from numerous Jane Does that echo and build on her claims. These include that Hadden 'touched his tongue' to patients' vaginas, had patients 'remove clothing for no legitimate medical purpose,' 'conducted prolonged wholly medically unnecessary 'breast examinations' and performed 'serial' and 'non-medically indicated internal examinations' often with' ungloved hands. Last month 79 of Hadden's former patients reached a partial settlement in a suit brought against Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital allowing them to seek $71.5million from a victims' compensation fund. A Columbia University spokesperson said in a statement to DailyMail.com, 'Hadden's arrest was voided within hours. No one at Columbia at the time had any knowledge of any prior allegations of misconduct. We regret that he saw patients again for several weeks.' But the settlement came with no admission of culpability from Hadden's employers, and it is that for which Kanyok is fighting. She said, 'It is 100 percent institutional. It's no longer about the serial predator that was assaulting pregnant women. This is about the institution.' She said, 'I feel very strongly and passionately about the people in the institution that allowed this to happen for multiple decades. All they've done is to try to stop us from talking. 'It's habitual. It's a pattern [of silencing victims]. We are living in this moment of MeToo and social justice and why are they the only institution that can't do the right thing? 'It's very black and white. We're not crazy. He should have been in jail, and I know there's a lot of victims that want that justice. And I understand that, it's just not where my concern is.' For Kanyok, it's about holding Columbia accountable that and that alone will be vindication for her. Meanwhile she, Yang and a third victim, Marissa Hoechstetter, are advocating for the Adult Survivors Act which would increase the statute of limitations for victims like them. She said, 'If when - we succeed I don't know how that's going to feel but at least I can say to my daughter when she's a young adult this was the fight. This is what we did. You should be safe.' Unrepentant paedophile and Hey Dad! sitcom star Robert Hughes will remain in prison for child sex offences after a decision on his parole was delayed. The New South Wales State Parole Authority (SPA) is again considering releasing the 73-year-old after previously determining he remained an unacceptable risk to community safety. Hughes has continually maintained his innocence, insisting he is the victim of false allegations, and not receiving treatment for his perverted desires. The actor was jailed for a maximum of 10 years and nine months in 2014 after a jury found him guilty of 10 charges relating to sexual and indecent acts against four girls in the 1980s and 1990s. Convicted child sex offender and Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes will have to wait for a decision on his parole. He was jailed for a maximum of 10 years and nine months in 2014 after a jury found him guilty of 10 charges relating to sexual and indecent acts against four young girls Former co-star Sarah Monahan played Hughes's on-screen daughter (pictured on Hughes's lap) and said he should not be released until he took responsibility for his crimes He had sexually touched children as young as seven, exposed himself on set and after forcing one victim to perform a sex act gave her a teddy bear and called her a 'good girl'. Hughes, who has renounced his Australian citizenship and faces immediate deportation to his native UK upon release, was denied parole in 2020 and 2021. If granted parole and sent back to his homeland Hughes would not be subject to any supervision or monitoring by UK authorities. On Thursday the SPA stood over making a decision on Hughes's parole and announced a public review hearing would be heard at a later date. 'Given the complexities and seriousness of this matter, the SPA has called for a comprehensive psychological assessment of Hughes' risk of sexual re-offending and a further report from Community Corrections,' the authority said. Former Hey Dad! co-star Sarah Monahan (pictured) has previously has said she and his other victims feared 'reprisal' once he was released The SPA has previously said releasing Hughes without the possibility of supervision or conditions would not meet the community safety test. Hughes played the lead role in television sitcom Hey Dad! from 1987 to 1994. Hey Dad! (1987-1994) Hey Dad! was a family sitcom set in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood and aired for eight seasons from 1987 to 1994 on the Seven Network. It starred Robert Hughes as architect Martin Kelly who was raising his three children Simon (Paul Smith, Christopher Mayer), Debbie (Simone Buchanan) and Jenny (Sarah Monahan, Angela Keep) after the death of his wife Margaret. Kelly employed Margaret's cousin Betty, a good-natured ditz from the country played by Julie McGregor, as his secretary. Simon's best friend, neighbour George 'Nudge' Noritas (Christopher Truswell) rounded out the main cast. Hey Dad! was sold to more than 20 countries and dubbed into several foreign languages. Advertisement Former Hey Dad! co-star Sarah Monahan, who played Hughes's onscreen daughter, has previously said she and his other victims feared 'reprisal' once he was released. 'Since he has said that we're horrible people for doing this to him, we don't know if he's going to want revenge,' she told A Current Affair. Monahan said she believed Hughes should only be allowed back into the community if he finally took responsibility for his crimes. 'If he's going to get out early it should be because he's admitted guilt,' she said. 'The question is whether he admits he's guilty, or if he still think he's the innocent victim here. 'If he still thinks he's innocent, then he probably should spend some more time in prison thinking about it.' Hughes had pleaded not guilty to all seven counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual assault and one count of committing an indecent act. Eighteen women testified against Hughes but he was only convicted of abusing four of them. One of those victims was his own niece. During his trial, two women said Hughes had entered their rooms naked during sleepovers with his daughter, and exposed himself or sexually assaulted them. Former colleagues who worked on set with the predator also gave evidence, testifying that Hughes would repeatedly expose himself. During Hughes's 2014 sentencing in the NSW District Court, Judge Peter Zahra said the child sex offender had not expressed remorse. Sarah Monahan has said of Hughes: 'If he's going to get out early it should be because he's admitted guilt'. She is pictured with the predator on the set of Hey Dad! 'His conduct continued over 20 years,' Judge Zahra found. '[Even] after he was questioned by police in 1986 it continued. 'The offender took advantage of when he was with victims in social settings in his home or at victims' homes. 'He lacks insight into his offending and he is unlikely to access treatment programs.' Hughes screamed 'I'm innocent' in court when he was found guilty. While he was in Goulburn prison authorities had to build a barrier to stop fellow inmates pelting milk cartons filled with faeces and urine at the reviled child molester. He was later moved to Long Bay's Metropolitan Special Programs Centre where is currently housed. Hughes's non-parole period of six years finished in 2020 and his sentence expires on January 6, 2025. A man issued a move on directive after he was planning to sleep inside his registered van on a suburban street has questioned the double standards of a council. Posting on Facebook page Van Life Australia, Gold Coast resident Mark Pemberton, 54, told the 64,000 plus members he was fortunate not to receive a $680 fine earlier this week after trying to sleep in his van. He then questioned how countless other people sleeping rough in Surfers Paradise are left alone by workers employed by Gold Coast City Council - unlike van owners who are seemingly targeted at night. 'I'm so angry,' Mr Pemberton fumed on Facebook. 'Last Tuesday I parked in a very quiet spot at around 8pm on the Gold Coast. Then by 10.50pm the council came round. 'They were very nice, but told me it was a $680 fine for sleeping in the street in a van and that I had to move. Gold Coast resident Mark Pemberton was baffled after he was issued a move on directive from where he was planning to sleep inside his registered van this week in a suburban street The former business executive has embraced 'van life' and told Daily Mail Australia it is becoming a way of life for many Australian residents His Facebook post on the page Van Life generated plenty of discussion on social media - the post has since been deleted by admin 'Now the thing is, I live in a unit at Surfers Paradise... I was in the van for various (personal) reasons. 'I see the homeless people drunk, swearing, begging and sleeping in the street on a daily basis,' he explained. 'I also see a guy I won't name.. he is semi-famous and walks around in a (pink) bikini and sleeps in the street cuddling a teddy. 'I am very liberal and this is not about what choices others make. It is about the Council who feel it is OK to let a 60 year old man in a bikini with his ass hanging out and his balls in a pouch walk around kids - but I can't sleep down a dark street in a registered vehicle? 'This is ridiculous. This is not about an individual, this is about the stupidity of the Council.' The former business executive, who is currently unemployed, once commanded a salary of $200,000. The pandemic and other personal circumstances has seen Mr Pemberton 'lose everything', but he wanted to stress his gripe was about what he deems as hypocrisy from Gold Coast City Council. 'My van is registered and roadworthy and was also legally parked on a street in Paradise Point,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'I was close to falling asleep and all of a sudden I had two people employed by Gold Coast City Council shine a torch into my van. 'I explained my situation and I will say they were sympathetic, but I was told I had to move on elsewhere. 'I understand they are doing their job, but surely the council could focus on other issues at hand? 'Covid has resulted in many more people across Australia living in their vans out of necessity,' he said. 'More and more vans are popping up and on the Gold Coast there are limited places for those living the van life.' The 54-year-old also rents a unit on the Gold Coast and was looking to sleep in his van for personal reasons Mr Pemberton often posts stories and photos from his life in the van on his Facebook page Herc The Merc The van enthusiast insists living in a van and exploring the world is a great way to live (pictured, Mr Pemberton's partner) 'I think the council should address issues such as homelessness and mental health, not people minding their own business in a registered van.' Mr Pemberton has previously lived out a van when travelling through Europe. He is convinced it is the lifestyle for him and encouraged others to follow his path. 'After my personal dramas, van life was great for mental health,' he said. 'I understand it isn't for everyone, but in my eyes it is a great opportunity to see the world differently.' An Australian tour guide claims wallabies and sheep are deliberately getting high by raiding opium poppies, then stomping bizarre crop circles and falling asleep in farmers' fields. Outdoor educator Sid Hewison claims the 'crop circles' in Tasmanian farmer's poppy fields were sometimes caused by wild wallabies eating the bulbs. The bulbs contain the thick, white opium gum used to make morphine and codeine, prompting the marsupials to jump around erratically. 'Wallabies are more trippy than skippy. The crop circles we have here in Tasmania are very much real,' he said. An Australian tour guide claims wallabies are getting high from raiding opium poppies then stomping crazy crop circles before falling asleep in farmers' fields 'Some of the local wallaby population get into these opiate-rich poppy fields, they have a bit of a chew on what is essentially pure codeine and morphine and jump around... leaving a nice little crop circle. Mr Hewison said he found the rumours hard to believe until he dug deeper and observed the bizarre phenomenon. 'Then they pass out apparently, then wake up later and go home,' he said. 'When I'm getting around Australia as go past interesting places like poppy fields I make a note to research them. I looked into it and couldn't believe it at first.' He said several sources backed up the stories, which originated with a comment by former Tasmanian premier Lara Giddings in 2009, while she was the state's attorney general. 'We have a problem with wallabies entering poppy fields, getting as high as a kite and going around in circles,' Ms Giddings told a senate hearing. Mr Hewison's two TikTok videos on Tasmanian poppy farming claimed the local industry accounted 'half of the world's medicinal opioids'. Mr Hewison claimed maggoted marsupials ate the raw opiates then passed out after damaging farmers' crops Outdoor educator Sid Hewison, who runs Sid's Ventures, shared a viral video with his claims about the bizarre roo-tines occurring in Tasmania's poppy plantations on TikTok Tasmanian company Extractas Bioscience said it had more than 40 years experience producing alkaloid raw material products for the global pharmaceutical industry. 'Our world-class high capacity extraction and manufacturing site and agricultural innovation has positioned us as the largest producer of Thebaine and natural Codeine globally,' it said. Thebaine is used to produce oxycodone, oxymorphone, buprenorphine, and naloxone. Mr Hewison also heard sheep were getting high from the poppies too - but farmers had more luck keeping them out of their fields because they don't jump Mr Hewison also heard sheep were getting high from the poppies too - but farmers had more luck keeping them out of their fields. They built sturdier fences to keep the sheep out - but the wallabies simply jumped over them. Mr Hewison, 39, runs his own outdoor tour and education company, Sid's Ventures and has spent the last 10 years touring Australia. For crisis support around substance abuse issues you can speak to Lifeline on 131114, the Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Service on 1800 250 015 or the Family Drug Support helpline on 1300 368 186. Students at a high school in West Virginia walked out of their school auditorium on Wednesday in protest at an evangelical Christian assembly last week, where they were told they would go to hell if they did not follow the Bible. Pupils at Huntington High School, 50 miles west of Charleston, were surprised when their teacher told them to go to the assembly featuring a sermon from 25-year-old evangelical preacher Nik Walker of Nik Walker Ministries, who has been leading revivals in the Huntington area for more than two weeks. During the assemblies, students and their families are encouraged to join evening services at the nearby Christ Temple Church. More than 450 people, including 200 students, have been baptized at the church, according to Walker, who said he was scheduled to go to another public school and nearby Marshall University soon. Cameron Mays, 16, said that they were instructed in the auditorium last week to close their eyes and raise their arms in prayer. The teenagers were asked to give their lives over to Jesus to find purpose and salvation. Those who did not follow the Bible would go to hell when they died, they were told. Nik Walker, 25, a West Virginian evangelical who crosses the state trying to recruit members for his church, held an assembly last week in Huntington, WV, organized by the school's chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes In this image taken from cell photo video, evangelical preacher Nik Walker of Nik Walker Ministries, second left, talks to high school kids during assembly at the Huntington High School Feb. 2, 2022, Huntington, West Virginia. Students from the school are planning to stage a walkout after they say they were made to attend the Christian assembly during school hours. (Cameron Mays via AP) Huntington High School senior Max Nibert holds signs used during a student walkout at the school in Huntington, on Wednesday. The protest follows an evangelistic Christian revival assembly last week that some students at Huntington High were mandated by teachers to attend - a violation of students' civil rights, Nibert says Mays told AP that he sent a text to his father, asking: 'Is this legal?' According to the U.S. Constitution, public schools cannot be used as recruiting centers for any religious group, and the separation of church and state is one of the country's founding basic tenets. 'Just to see that defamed and ignored in such a blatant way, it's disheartening,' said Max Nibert, a senior at the school. Nibert and other Huntington students staged a walkout during their homeroom period on Wednesday to protest the assembly. More than 100 students left their classrooms chanting, 'Separate the church and state' and, 'My faith, my choice.' School security turned away reporters who tried to cover the demonstration. 'I don't think any kind of religious official should be hosted in a taxpayer-funded building with the express purpose of trying to convince minors to become baptized after school hours,' Nibert said. During the walkout, he held a sign reading: 'My rights are non-negotiable.' More than 1,000 students attend Huntington High. The mini revival took place last week during COMPASS, a daily, 'noninstructional' break in the schedule during which students can study for tests, work on college prep or listen to guest speakers, said Cabell County Schools spokesperson Jedd Flowers. Flowers said the event was voluntary, organized by the school's chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He said there was supposed to be a signup sheet for students, but two teachers mistakenly brought their entire class. 'It's unfortunate that it happened,' Flowers said. 'We don't believe it will ever happen again.' Huntington High School, 50 miles west of Charleston, has been riven with debate following last week's assembly But in this community of fewer than 50,000 people in southwestern West Virginia, the controversy has ignited a broader conversation about whether religious services - voluntary or not - should be allowed during school hours at all. A group of parents, the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia and other organizations say the answer to this question is also no. They say such events are a clear violation of students' civil rights. 'It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for the District to offer religious leaders unique access to preach and proselytize students during school hours on school property,' Freedom From Religion Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes the separation of church and state, wrote in a letter to the school district. The district cannot 'allow its schools to be used as recruiting grounds for churches,' the letter reads. Walker, who preached at the school, encourages students and their families to join evening services at the nearby Christ Temple Church Bethany Felinton said her Jewish son was one of the students forced to attend the assembly at Huntington High. She said that when he asked to leave, the teacher told him their classroom door was locked and he couldn't go. He sat back down in his seat, uncomfortable. Felinton said he felt he could not disobey his teacher. 'It's a completely unfair and unacceptable situation to put a teenager in,' she said. 'Im not knocking their faith, but there's a time and place for everything - and in public schools, during the school day, is not the time and place.' Mays' father, Herman Mays, agrees. 'They can't just play this game of, you know, 'We're going to choose this time as wiggle room, this gray area where we believe we can insert a church service,'' he said. Walker said he has never contacted a school about coming to speak; it is always the students who reach out to his ministry, he said. 'We don't even have to knock on the door,' he said. 'The students, they receive hope here (at Christ Temple Church) and then they want to bring hope to their school or to their classmates.' Walker, originally from the small town of Mullens, West Virginia, has been traveling the state since he was 17 hosting church meetings at schools. He said he came to Huntington on January 23 with plans to leave three days later but saw a need he felt compelled to address. Walker said he sees a lot of 'hopelessness' in the Huntington area: students struggling with addiction, anxiety and depression. 'When you see regions like this, then you really know they need the Lord,' he said, drinking a cup of hot tea with honey to soothe his throat after a couple of hours of preaching. Tolsia High School freshman Mckenzie Cassell said she was excited for Walker to come to speak to her and her peers. She attends Christ Temple Church, where she said she is now seeing a lot more young people since Walker started his work in the schools. 'It's awesome to see a lot of young kids coming,' she said. Cassell's guardian, Cindy Cassell said it's been powerful to see someone make such an impression on young people in town. 'The kids want it and they're ready for change in the right direction,' she said. During Wednesday's walkout, Nibert passed around a petition for students to sign that he plans to deliver to the Cabell County Board of Education. The petition asks that the board apologize to families for what happened and discipline the teachers who mandated that students go to the assembly. It also calls for the review or creation of a board policy pertaining to religion or religiously motivated speakers in schools. Around 75 students signed. 'I have never been prouder of a group of my peers than I am right now,' Nibert said, speaking into a megaphone during the protest. 'When ordinary citizens find their circumstances to be unfair, they change them. And that's exactly what we're doing today.' Barclays are asking their banking customers if they are trying to send money to a 'love interest' in a bid to crack down on romance scams. When setting up a new transfer, the high street banking giant's app asks users they are paying a bill, buying a physical item, or sending money to a romantic partner. It comes amid a drastic spike in online fraud during the pandemic, with some 13 million people falling victim to fraudsters and hackers in England and Wales, in the 12 months to September. The new feature also comes in the wake of women - some in the UK - being conned out of money by 'Tinder Swindler' Shimon Hayut, 30, who was convicted of fraud in 2019. The Israeli lured in trusting women on dating apps by posing as Simon Leviev, the son of billionaire businessman Lev Leviev, and is his Ponzi scheme has now become the focus of a new Netflix drama. But Barclays' new payment option has baffled some customers, who criticised the bank's invasion of their privacy. Barclays' banking app is asking customers if they are sending money to a 'Partner or love interest' as part of a crackdown on romance scams The high street bank's payment app offers users to select if they are paying a bill, buying a physical item, or now sending money to a romantic partner to separate claims from 'Friends and family' members The new feature also comes in the wake of women - some in the UK - being conned out of money by 'Tinder Swindler' Shimon Hayut, 30, who was convicted of fraud in 2019. Pictured: Hayut with Cecilie Fjellhy, one of his victims who ended up $200,000 in debt after he maxed out on her credit card 'Scams can happen to anyone and they can cause real distress. If someone is telling you which option to choose, stop - this is a scam. Don't be pressured into making a quick decision,' the warning reads. But some customers hit back at the 'Partner or love interest' option, which was added in December. Dylan Beattie posted a screenshot of the option on Twitter, adding: 'When I pay somebody online from my @Barclays account, I have to choose from this little list of reasons why I might be sending money to somebody. 'I would love to know why "Partner or love interest" is a separate category to "Friends and family". Also... "love interest"? Really?' Kate commented: 'Sending a friend money for theatre tickets and @Barclays have a burning desire to know if you're paying your Partner or Love Interest. The new payment option has however baffled customers, who criticised the bank's invasion of their privacy with some telling the bank to 'mind your business' Authorised fraud losses were 355.3 million, which was an increase of 71 per cent. Financial losses due to romance scams in the UK increased from 9.3m in the first half of 2020 to 15.1m in 2021, a rise of 62 per cent 'WTF's it gotta do with you?!?! Also, love interest [rofl].' Another person added: 'Barclays is so nosey when sending money is it a friend? family? love interest? business partner? dog? Cat? mind your business.' A Barclays spokesperson told MailOnline the option was added 'to provide more specific and personalised advice to customers who may be potential victims of a romance scam' and to separate the claims from 'Friends and Family'. They added: 'Romance scams are difficult to uncover and so we need to make the warnings clear and impactful. 'There are a few different scam types that are likely to make the customer select "Friends and Family", which is why the new option was added so we can solely focus on romance scams within the new category. It comes amid increased publicity around the ' Tinder Swindler', an Israeli man who fooled several women in thinking they were talking to the son of a billionaire diamond merchant. Pictured: Conman Shimon Heyada Hayut The scam has been covered in a new Netflix documentary, The Tinder Swindler, with three victims, Cecilie Fjellhy, Ayleen Koeleman, and Pernilla Sjoholm, sharing their stories of being scammed. Fjellhy, a 29-year-old Norwegian graduate student living in London, was pushed over $200,000 into debt when Hayut (pictured together) convinced her to make a false application on an American Express card Hayut was finally captured charged in June 2019 (pictured, in Greece) during a joint operation between Interpol and Israeli Police. He is also under investigation for fraud in the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany Woman conned out of 113,000 life savings by a romance scammer left 'very depressed' Rachel Elwell, 50, from Brownhills, West Midlands, met a man on a free online dating site she had joined last year 'to talk to people with lockdown and if there was a possibility of romance down the line that was a bonus'. At first she said he appeared 'attractive' and 'intelligent', and said he worked as an engineer just 25 miles away from her. But the scammer later told Ms Elwell that he had been whisked away to Ukraine to complete a contract secured with the UK government. Scam victim: Rachel Elwell The conman contacted Ms Elwell just days later claiming the engineering contract had been forcibly stopped and his equipment seized. He said they would cover the costs of the unforeseen circumstance but asked Ms Elwell to send 250 to pay for food and taxis. Ms Elwell explained: 'There were massive alarm bells, I didn't want to - I said "I don't know you" and "I haven't met you" - I was quite belligerent with him and I thought there's no way I'm sending him any money.' But he eventually convinced Ms Elwell by making claims of being a widower looking after his daughter, and even cried to her over the phone that he was being held captive by loan sharks. She borrowed a total of 98,775 on credit cards and loans and sent it across through her banks. But by April 1 Ms Elwell realised the magnitude of her problem after giving the fraudster the money, and her world 'came crashing down'. She has now said the episode has left her 'facing financial ruin and very depressed' as she admitted: 'I had been groomed by online predators who are very sophisticated manipulative criminals.' Advertisement 'We would advise all customers to never send money, or give personal information or bank details, to someone they havent met in person, especially if they havent been speaking to them for long, or if the person claims they have a family crisis or emergency. 'If unsure about what to do, always get the opinion of someone you trust who can give you impartial advice.' There has been a boom in online crime over the last year, with 13 million people falling victim to fraudsters and hackers. The figures show a boom in reported crimes that have thrived during lockdown, including fraud (+36%) and computer misuse (+89%), the latter of which was fuelled by a 161% rise in hacking. Financial losses due to romance scams alone increased from 9.3m in the first half of 2020 to 15.1m in 2021, a rise of 62 per cent. At the same time, the number of criminals being brought to justice has fallen to a record low - with just 6% of crimes in England and Wales resulted in a charge or summons in the 12 months to September 2021. It comes amid increased publicity around the 'Tinder Swindler', an Israeli man who fooled several women in thinking they were talking to the son of a billionaire diamond merchant. Conman Shimon Heyada Hayut, then in his late 20s, used his charm to prey on unsuspecting singleton using online dating apps. The scam involved using a carefully curated entourage to add to the illusion of wealth and glamour - including a chauffeur based in London who drove high net worth clients around the city. But he would then claim that he needed to borrow money because using his own funds could lead him to be traced by his enemies. The money he conned out of the victims would then be used to impress other single women with an expensive lifestyle and lavish gifts. It is unclear how many other people fell for the scam but it is estimated that he conned his victims out of 7.4 million. The scam has been covered in a new Netflix documentary, The Tinder Swindler, with three victims, Cecilie Fjellhy, Ayleen Koeleman, and Pernilla Sjoholm, sharing their stories of being scammed. Fjellhoy was a 29-year-old Norwegian graduate student living in London when she was swept off her feet by Hayut posing as Simon Leviev, the self-proclaimed 'Prince of Diamonds' who claimed his father was the Russian-Israeli diamond mogul, Lev Leviev. Already a fugitive of Israel since 2011, wanted for fraud, theft and forgery, and skipping out on sentencing, Fjellhoy told the documentary how meeting Hayut 'felt like stepping into a movie'. But just four weeks into their courtship, the conman asked her to take out a massive line of credit for him, explaining that it was a precautionary security measure to avoid leaving a paper trail in his name. Fjellhoy filled out an application for an American Express Platinum Card and he told her to file an income of $200,000, assuring her that nobody would check it. The fraudster spent the money on plane tickets, hotels and dinners that were booked under her name to throw off suspicious 'enemies'. When her Amex maxed out, Fjellhoy opened ten more lines of credit to continue paying Hayut. She took out a loan to pay off her credit cards, but the money Hayut promised to repay wasn't coming in. After three months, the relationship was all but over. Fjellhoy said the moment she finally realized Hayut had stolen her money was 'such a shock'. 'I almost wanted to throw up, it was the first time in my life that I had gotten such a shock that my body physically was telling me that, "OK your life is ruined," everything came crashing down around me,' she told Nightline on ABC. Hayut was finally captured charged in June 2019 during a joint operation between Interpol and Israeli Police. Shimon Hayut was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay his victims $43,289 in compensation in December 2019, but was released after only serving five months. Is YOUR online lover actually a scam artist? Cyber security expert reveals 7 red flags to watch out for - from having 'too much in common' to saying they travel 'all the time' for work ByChloe Morgan For Mailonline More and more love stories start with someone 'swiping right', thanks to dating apps that make it possible to meet people whose path you otherwise would not have crossed. But these dating apps also have a dark underbelly: they allow so-called 'romance scammers' to prey on victims without ever having to speak to them face-to-face - or even over the phone. In 2020 there was a 20 per cent increase in bank transfer fraud linked to romance scams compared to 2019, a recent survey revealed. Meanwhile, a staggering 68m was lost to digital dating scams in 2020. As the winter nights draw in and cuffing season begins, many singletons are stepping up the search for someone to couple up with before Christmas . But if youre looking for the perfect match online, how can you be sure theyre in it for you, and not your cash? Speaking to FEMAIL, UK-based online security expert Chris Parker, founder of WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, has shared seven red flags to look out for if you're looking for love online... UK-based online security expert Chris Parker, founder of WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, has shared seven red flags to look out for if you're looking for love online. Stock image What sort of woman could lose 500k to a lonely hearts conman? Astonishingly, a former police special constable Newly widowed Anne Larkin was approached by a man on the amateur photography website where she posts her gallery of landscapes. 'Clinton', who claimed to be a U.S. Army medic from New Jersey serving in the Arab state, Yemen told Anne he liked 'all' of her pictures. Newly widowed Anne Larkin Ever the self-critic, the message made Anne smile for the first time since her husband's passing, and she opened to the person she thought was a kindred spirit. But soon 'Clinton' began sharing his own invented woes about his troubles moving around various bases and asked her for financial support. By the time the truth finally dawned on Anne that she had been scammed a year after that first message she had lost almost every penny left to her by her late husband. Today, with a police investigation continuing and her bank examining her accounts closely, Anne knows she has lost more than 360,000, but fears the final tally could be closer to 500,000. Advertisement 1. They travel frequently for work, are posted overseas, or live abroad Chris explained online romance scammers often dont live near you, or indeed even in the same country. This makes any in real life meeting much more difficult, removing one way of verifying that they are who they claim to be. 'Many scammers pose as jet-setting corporates or soldiers posted overseas,' he warned. 'As well as adding to their glamour and excitement, this also gives them a solid excuse not to meet up in person. The expert goes on to say that while this is not a definite indicator of a dating scam, when combined with other red flags, it might be time to distance yourself from your digital date. 2. They declare their love early on and shower you with compliments Online scammers dont waste time, according to Chris. If they think you are likely to fall for their ploy, they will declare their love for you after only a short period of time. 'This approach is designed to flatter,' said the expert. 'Having someone profess their love for you is a compliment, and its easy to fall under the romantic spell as well.' He added that beyond this, instigating such rapid development in your relationship also puts you on the back foot, preventing you from thinking too much about what your dates actual motives are by sweeping you up in their 'gushing words of praise.' He continued: 'If your online date is coming on too strong, pause for a moment to reflect on their intentions - they might just be eager, but they may well be a scammer.' 3. They ask for money - even a small amount - for a tragic reason While it might be normal to go Dutch on some drinks or a meal out on a date, there is no reason at all for your digital date to ask you for money, warned Chris. 'If you are asked for any money at all, be on your guard,' he said. 'Scammers often use the foot-in-the-door technique with victims, initially asking for a small sum of money before increasing it gradually over time to a more sizable amount.' He goes on to highlight how such requests for money are often couched in tragic circumstances - their family member is ill and they need money to visit them, for instance, or they were burgled and cant afford to buy food that week. 'These are designed to induce sympathy and pull on the emotional bond youve built over time, making it difficult to refuse,' he added. 4. They look impossibly attractive According to Chris, almost every online dating scammer uses a photo or photos featuring an impossibly beautiful man or woman. 'This tactic taps into a persons sense of self-worth, flattering potential victims into falling for their ploy,' the expert explained. 'Giveaway signs are people with flawless skin or hair, free from imperfections like moles, acne, or birthmarks, or perfectly lit and posed photos.' Chris added that such photos are often lifted from elsewhere on the web, so it's worth doing a quick reverse image search on Google to find out if your dates photos are original and genuine. Chris explained that online romance scammers often dont live near you, or indeed even in the same country. Pictured, stock image 5. They have no digital footprint The expert advises conducting a quick search for your date on Google and says there is a chance they arent who they say they are if they lack such a digital footprint. 'In this day and age, virtually everyone has a digital footprint,' he pointed out. 'Its almost impossible to use the internet and not leave some form of trace around the web, in the form of social media profiles, forum comments, work profiles, and so on.' 'I allowed this person to manipulate me into doing something I would have never ordinarily done' Tom, who is in his 30s and using a pseudonym to protect his real identity, was the victim of an elaborate cryptocurrency scam that started through a dating app and conned him out of his life savings. He met a woman online who encouraged him to trade Bitcoin which initially returned a profit, manipulating Tom into believing the scam was legitimate and worth further investment. However, after being unable to withdraw 1,000, he was 'bullied into' investing the remaining amount of his Bitcoin currency (BTC) before his balance was cleared and 'there was no money remaining'. After losing around 150,000, Tom sought advice from his mother, other family members and friends before reporting his experience to police and Action Fraud. Avon and Somerset Police said no arrests or charges have been made in relation to this incident and the investigation has been 'filed pending further information being provided', a spokesman confirmed. Advertisement He continued: 'Thats not to say that a lack of these traces is, in itself, a sign of a scam - some people are just cautious about the information they share online. 'But it is certainly a warning sign that should be taken into account when considering if your date is a scammer.' 6. You have TOO much in common Chris asked: 'Does your online date share the same hobbies as you? Do they also love the same books and films as you? 'Do they use the same pop culture references you do?' He goes on to say how sophisticated online dating scammers often conduct comprehensive research into their targets, crafting a fake persona that complements your personality and making it easier to dupe you. 'Of course, this in itself shouldnt be an immediate red flag there are some wonderful people out there, after all,' he noted. 'But use your intuition: if someone seems too good to be true, they may well be.' 7. They refuse video calls 'We are living in the age of Zoom, Google Hangouts and FaceTime,' the expert continued. 'Even before the pandemic, video calls were the norm for people wanting to catch up with friends and family.' It should be a real red flag if your online date is reluctant to jump on a video call with you. 'They will likely invent all sorts of excuses to avoid going on camera and show their true likeness,' he explained. 'It should go without saying that if your online date refuses to verify who they are with a simple video call, they are likely a scammer.' An Iranian teenager who was beheaded by her husband after she fled to Turkey was reportedly tracked down with the help of the authorities . Mona Heydari, 17, was dragged from a car outside the family home in Iran and butchered by Sajjad Heydari, who was also her cousin. She was killed after being found in Turkey by her father, identified only as Javad. He filed a complaint with police in Iran who then gave him her address, according to reports in the Iranian media. The father is said to have then travelled to the country with a translator and all the paperwork necessary to bring her back home, where she was then murdered to 'avenge the family's honour'. The victim was just 12 when she was married to Sajjad and had a three-year-old son with him. Authorities have arrested the husband and his brother on charges of killing Mona in revenge for adultery and leaving him. Gruesome footage showed the husband grinning as he held a knife in one hand and carrying what was said to be his wife's decapitated head in the another. An Iranian teenager who was beheaded by her husband after she fled to Turkey was tracked down. Mona Heydari, was just 17 when she was dragged from a car outside the family home in Iran and butchered by Sajjad Heydari, who was also her cousin Gruesome footage showed the husband grinning as he held a knife in one hand and carrying what was said to be his wife's decapitated head in the another. The husband, Sajjad Heydari, was also her cousin The incident has shocked many people in Iran where the legal age for marriage are 13 and women are compelled to wear a head covering in accordance with Islam. Speaking after his daughter's death, Javad defended the decision to force his daughter to marry at such a young age and added that the domestic violence she had allegedly fled from was normal. He also claimed that the husband had worked hard to provide for his young wife. The father described Sajjad as a good husband, saying that he worked hard and provided her with the 'best life'. Her father added: 'She was not forced to marry, and in fact the husband provided her with the very best of lives. 'It's true, there was fighting between them, and sometimes there was violence and she would return home, but she only stayed for two or three days and then he would pick her up and life would return to normal. She was killed after being found in Turkey by her father, identified only as Javad. He filed a complaint with police in Iran who then gave him her address. Above: Mona Heydari, with her father Javad (right) and her uncle Amin (left) in Turkey 'These fights between husband and wife are completely normal and I don't think there was a problem as she did not ask for a divorce.' He admitted that she had probably been too young to marry, but added: 'We got a certificate of confirmation that she was physically old enough to marry, and there was not any physical problems in the relationship.' However, the family claimed that the husband was mocked and insulted by the fact that his wife had fled to Turkey with another man. Images of her grinning husband allegedly holding the decapitated head of his teenage wife in one hand and a large blade in the other shocked the world after he allegedly took part in the 'honour killing' with his brother. The macabre scene was filmed in the neighbourhood of Khashayar in the city of Ahvaz in the south-western Iranian province of Khuzestan on February 5. The Women's Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) said that every time Mona expressed a desire to divorce him, her family pressured her to return home for the sake of their child. Local media said the brother of Mona's husband wrapped her body in a blanket and dumped it as Sajjad walked along the street with his wife's head in one hand and a large blade in the other. In the video, the suspect is seen grinning as he holds the teenager's head as he walks past locals. The chief of the State Security Force (SSF) said the motive for the killing was 'family differences'. Meanwhile, the state-run news site Rokna was reportedly shut down for publishing the story and the footage at the time of the incident. The suspect, Sajjad Heydari, pictured with the victim, Mona Heydari, and their child The NCRI's Women's Committee said: 'Not a week goes by without some form of honour killing making headlines. 'The clerical regime's failure to criminalise these murders has led to a catastrophic rise in honour killings. 'In a report published in 2019, the state-run Sharq daily newspaper wrote that an annual average of 375 to 450 honour killings are recorded in Iran. The murders are more prevalent in Khuzestan, Kurdistan, Ilam, and Sistan and Baluchestan. 'Some women's rights activists believe that honour killings in Iran are officially justified as 'family differences'. 'The catastrophic rise in honour killings in Iran is rooted in misogyny and the patriarchal culture institutionalised in the laws and society. 'Although the father, brother, or husband holds the knife, sickle, or rifle, the murders are rooted in the medieval outlook of the ruling regime. 'The clerical regime's laws officially denote that women are second-degree citizens owned by men.' The suspect and his brother were reportedly arrested after the alleged killing. However, it is unclear what punishment they are likely to face. President Joe Biden's administration is continuing to cling to its Covid-19 restrictions despite other countries - including its close ally the United Kingdom - ditching their pandemic mandates entirely. As White House press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated the necessity of masks for schoolchildren Wednesday, the UK announced it would scrap its final Covid restrictions by March. Unlike in America, British children will no longer be obliged to wear masks in schools, and face coverings will no longer be mandated in any setting. There will be no testing requirements for international travelers, and no proof of vaccine will be required to gain access to businesses. Conversely, American schoolchildren aged two and older must continue wearing masks in the bulk of the nation, and the general public is being urged to wear medical-grade masks at all public settings. America's pandemic restrictions under President Joe Biden (left) remain in place as other world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right) prepare to scrape mandates When and where Americans are expected to wear masks A mask is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States It's also required indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and train stations Unvaccinated Americans aged two and older are expected to wear masks indoors in public Fully-vaccinated Americans are under CDC guidance expected to wear a mask indoors in public in high-transmission areas Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advertisement The UK and US will also soon differ on travel requirements, as England will no longer require air travelers to present proof of a negative test before entering the country. And as Americans are expected to continue wallowing in isolation for at least five days following a positive Covid test, their friends across the pond will soon be free to reintegrate into society immediately after testing positive. Britain - home to about 67 million - recorded 66,634 cases of Covid on Tuesday. In America - with a population of 329.5 million - 194,492 cases were confirmed. It means America's infection rate of 0.06 per cent is nearly half of Britain's 0.1 per cent infection rate. Both nations have recorded drastic decreases in case numbers since the highly-contagious omicron variant peaked in January. Britain's rules were set to expire March 24, but Johnson made a dramatic announcement in the Commons on Wednesday that signaled the end of an era. American leadership took a decidedly terser tone Wednesday, when Psaki doubled down on wearing face masks even as eight Democratic governors are easing restrictions in their states. The Biden administration's reluctance to ease restrictions comes despite the fact America's case rate is rapidly dropping. Our guidance is consistently has consistently been this: when you are in a high transmission area, which is everywhere in the country, you should wear a mask and indoor settings, including schools, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at her press briefing on Wednesday. Cases are coming down virtually everywhere in America. Daily cases have dropped 47% nationwide over the past week, from 453,141 cases per day last week to 239,757 now. Deaths caused by the virus, a lagging indicator that trends a few weeks behind cases, have flattened as well with 2,480 being recorded daily. Only one state, Maine, is recording an increase in cases over the past two weeks, and more than 30 states have seen cases slash in half during that period. White House Covid Task Force Coordinator Jeffrey Zients said the administration is working with governors and public health officials 'on steps we should be taking to keep the country moving forward. 'We know that in different areas of the country, cases have fallen more significantly, and this will lead to different approaches and different timing, and we will continue to coordinate closely with state and local leaders.' But the CDC is standing by its mask-wearing guidelines for schools, saying COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are still 'too high' to consider dropping restrictions despite daily infections having declined by 47 percent over the past seven days. 'Right now our CDC guidance has not changed. We continue to endorse universal masking in schools,' CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a radio interview with WYPR on Tuesday. 'We owe it to our children to make sure that they can safely stay in school. Right now, that includes masking. We've seen outbreaks that have occurred in communities where students were not masked in schools and had to close.' Psaki defended the CDC when asked if the agency was in danger of becoming irrelevant given that many states are moving forward and lifting mask mandates despite guidance from the federal government. Well I don't think the federal experts on health and medical advice should be irrelevant to Americans at a time where we're still facing a pandemic, Psaki said. The current CDC guidelines on wearing masks will stay in place, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walsensky said on Wednesday, despite many states making changes in contradiction to the agency's recommendations. 'Our hospitalizations are still high, our death rates are still high, so as we work towards that and we are encouraged by current trends, we are not there yet,' she said at a COVID team press briefing. But she also conceded decisions will be made a local level. 'We certainly understand the need and desire to be flexible,' she noted. States that have DROPPED masks this week California - On February 15, vaccinated residents will no longer have to wear masks in public indoor settings Connecticut - On February 28, masks will no longer be required in schools Delaware - On February 11, a mask mandate for all indoor public places except schools will end Illinois - Gov J.B. Pritzker announced the state will lift its indoor mask mandate on February 28 Massachusetts - On February 28, masks will no longer be required in schools New Jersey - On March 15, masks will no longer be required in schools Nevada - Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak expected to announce Thursday mask mandate lifted New York - Gov Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the state's mask mandate for indoor public settings has been lifted, though face coverings will still be required in schools Oregon - On March 31, the state plans to allow its indoor mask mandate to expir Advertisement 'Those decisions can be made at the local level,' Walensky said. 'And, of course, we at CDC will keep the public informed about our guidance and we will clearly communicate those recommendations to the public - if and when they are updated.' Some Democratic governors are bucking Biden's Covid guidance, with leaders in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon announcing plans this week to scrap school mask mandates. Other left-leaning states - including New York and California - are also ditching face mask requirements, with the exception of in classrooms and high-risk states. Some states - including Florida and Texas - have always pushed back against the Biden administration's pandemic guidance, and have become ensnarled in lawsuits as a result. The Republican states have contended that prolonged shut downs and restrictions were detrimental to economic recovery and mental health, and have consistently rejected mask and vaccine mandates. Democratic governors in Nevada, Oregon, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, California, Illinois, and Delaware have all announced or are preparing some form of easing of face mask restrictions in the coming weeks, including in schools. When asked if people should follow the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which are to wear a face covering, instead of listening to their governor, Psaki responded: Yes. She conceded some people are tired of wearing masks but added there are many who still want to have one on. People are tired of masks, Psaki said, adding, however, there were also a huge chunk of people who still want masks. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the United States is almost past the 'full-blown' stage of the pandemic and predicted there would soon be an end to all Covid-related restrictions, which includes the mandatory use of face masks. His comments come as polls show Americans are reaching a breaking point on Covid with a majority of voters, including many Democrats, describing themselves as 'tired,' 'frustrated,' and arguing 'we just need to get on with our lives. Although the nation isn't yet ready to let the pandemic rules go, other countries are moving on. Meanwhile, Denmark became the first nation to drop all of its coronavirus laws, including the need to self-isolate. But the nation's policymakers still advise anyone with tell-tale symptoms to quarantine at home for at least four days, raising the prospect that England could go one step further. Sweden on Wednesday joined its Scandinavian neighbor in dropping almost all restrictions, but people must still isolate until April 1. Norway is also intending to drop its final measures on February 17 - a week before Johnson - but people with the virus will still legally need to stay at home. Let parents make the decision on masks for kids! Obama-era medical expert says 'science doesn't support' schoolchildren wearing face coverings in 'perpetuity' as COVID cases plummet 47% in a week and eight states drop mask mandates Even as federal health officials cling to masks, many health officials and experts - including many Democrats - are voicing that it is time to drop face-coverings as the Omicron variant-fueled Covid surge continues to falter, with cases down 47 percent over the past week. Dr. Kavita Patel, an MSNBC contributor who works as a primary care physician and director of policy for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement in the Obama administration, told CNBC's Squawk Box that mask mandates in schools should not be around forever, and instead parents should choose whether their child needs to wear one based on a variety of factors. 'If you told me there's a future where we're wearing masks in perpetuity I'd say that's ridiculous, the science doesn't support that if we see that cases are coming down,' Patel said. Patel joins an ever-growing group of health officials and experts calling for mask and other mandates to be phased out as cases continue to drop. Eight states, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Oregon are setting plans to drop or adjust mask mandates in the near-future. Cases are coming down virtually everywhere in America. Daily cases have dropped 47 percent nationwide over the past week, from 453,141 cases per day last week to 239,757 now. Deaths caused by the virus, a lagging indicator that trends a few weeks behind cases, have flattened as well with 2,480 being recorded daily. Only one state, Maine, is recording an increase in cases over the past two weeks, and more than 30 states have seen cases slash in half during that period. Patel says that, looking at these downwards trends, it might be time to drop masks in schools soon. When parents are making decisions for their children, they should consider multiple factors before send their child to school masked. 'Weigh your families risks in dealing with what might happen,' she said, considering the risk the child may be in from the virus - which is generally low unless they are immunocompromised, risk of other people in the household and the potential social detriments wearing a mask can pose on a child when interacting with other kids. Dr Kavita Patel (pictured), a primary care physician and previously served in the Obama Administration, said Wednesday that 'the science doesn't support' indefinite use of masks in schools Forcing children to wear masks at school has become one of the most controversial issues in America in recent weeks, and weeks of declining cases have led to even some of the most liberal states in the country starting to leave masks behind. Earlier this week, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware - all states led by Democratic governors - announced they would drop masks in school in the coming weeks. California, the nation's most populous state which also is among those with the strictest mandates in America, announced that it will end its indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people starting next week. In New York, the statewide mask mandate expired on Wednesday. Americans are still required to follow county mask or vaccine mandates that exist, though, even if rule are receded at the state level. Cities like New York City, Los Angeles and Atlanta, for example, all have stricter local guidelines than those that exist at the state level. While federal level officials have little control over local guidelines, their advice is often used to shape pandemic mandates at the state and county levels - especially in blue areas of the country. Even federal officials seem to be breaking ranks on mandates going forward, though. WHO Chief: Covid 'isn't finished' despite falling cases around the world WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is warning the Covid is not yet over, even as cases plummet in the U.S. and many other countries around the world 'COVID isn't finished with us,' he said Wednesday The WHO's weekly case report showed that global COVID-19 cases have dropped 17% over the past week. In the U.S. in particular, cases are down 47% 'Depending on where you live, it might feel like the COVID-19 pandemic is almost over, or, it might feel like it is at its worst,' Tedros said 'We know this virus will continue to evolve, but we are not defenseless... We have the tools to prevent this disease, test for it and to treat it.' The WHO is launching a $23 billion effort to fund tests, vaccines and treatments in the developing world Advertisement Covid cases are plummeting in nearly every U.S. state. The only place where they are trending upwards in Maine, which has one of the lowest infection rates in America, meaning even slight upticks in cases will cause massive swings in the state's change figures. As of Wednesday morning, 38 states have recorded a drop in cases of 50 percent or more over the past two weeks. 17 states have had daily infections drop by 70 percent or more. Maryland is currently recording the lowest infection rate in America, with 24 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus daily. It is a miraculous turnaround for the state that was among the hardest hit by the Omicron variant when it first emerged last month. Other northeastern and mid-Atlantic states that were slammed by the variant last month are suddenly among those with the nation's lowest infection rates as well. New Jersey (33 daily cases per 100,000 residents), Connecticut (36), New York (37), Delaware (49), Pennsylvania (52) and Massachusetts (54) are among those with the lowest cases as well. Only one state has an infection rate of more than 200 cases per 100,000 residents, Alaska (214). The far-away state has often trended separately from the U.S. mainland during Covid because of its large differences in weather and the fact that it does not share any borders with another state. Only 12 states are recording 100 or more cases per 100,000 residents every day, and there is a clear disparity opening up between the unvaccinated and vaccinated. While the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states with the highest vaccination rates are recording the least infection per capita, Midwestern and southern states that have failed to jab much of their populations are recording the highest level of infections. Mississippi has only vaccinated 50 percent of its population in the year since the shots have become available, and the Magnolia state is average 197 daily cases per every 100,000 residents. Other nearby states like Tennessee (162 daily cases per 100,000 residents; 53 percent vaccination rate), West Virginia (142; 56), Kentucky (127; 56), South Carolina (101; 55) and North Carolina (100; 59) are among the group as well. Going out further west, the rest of the group is made up of North Dakota (133; 54), Montana (129; 55), Wyoming (104; 50), Idaho (102; 52) and Arizona (102; 59). Minnesota (109; 67) is an outlier among the group. Mississippi also leads the nation in Covid mortality rate, as deaths from the virus have surged in the south while they drop in many other parts of America. The state is averaging 1.68 daily deaths per every 100,000 residents, leading the nation by a significant margin. Other southern states like Virginia (1.49), South Carolina (1.25), Tennessee (1.11) and Arkansas (1.1) are among the leaders as well. Advertisement New York's aging Park Avenue will be getting a face-lift, like any grand dame, as the city unveiled a master plan to transform the iconic Manhattan thoroughfare - which is expected to take two decades. The plan, devised by the citys Department of Transportation, will see a portion of the avenue return to its former glory not seen for nearly a century - a tree-lined, grass-covered promenade that, as its name suggests, served as an actual park that pedestrians could walk through as they navigated the bustling boulevard. Today, little remains of the street's scenic former self, aside from the numerous fine, old buildings from a long-forgotten age that line the three lanes on either side of the bloom-filled median. And, of course, its name. Park Avenue as it appears today. The iconic Manhattan thoroughfare is set to get a facelift, according to city officials, with a long-ignored strip of narrow, planted medians (pictured) on the iconic Manhattan thoroughfare which are set to undergo an extensive renovation. City officials estimate that the undertaking will take at least 20 years Park Avenue planters in 1924. The medians then were much wider and allowed for foot traffic and sitting areas for pedestrians Park Avenue as it looked circa 1925. The medians were then more than twice as wide, and sported walkways and benches for passersby. The new project will look to recreate that aesthetic with a modern spin, with bike paths and other amenities Park Avenue in the early 1920s before the revamping and installation of planted areas An aerial view of Park Avenue looking south towards Grand Central, as it looked in 1930s. The prospective project will revamp medians found on an 11-block portion of the avenue to the north of the iconic train station DOT officials have enlisted a landscape architect to revitalize an 11-block portion of the avenue - from the north side of Grand Central Station at East 46th Street to East 57th Street - expanding the median to once again accommodate foot traffic through the wide thoroughfare. While still very much in the early stages of its design, the project, according to NYCDOT Manhattan Borough Commissioner Ed Pincar, will also see benches, bike paths and other park fixtures added to medians, which have been inaccessible to pedestrians since the 1920s. Of course, that will come at the expense of the city's drivers, who will lose a lane of traffic on each side of the north-south road in the new plan. The city official calls the undertaking a 'once in a century' infrastructure project, which will see several of the tulip- and begonia-filled planters situated along the 11 blocks more than double in width, to become a bona fide 'linear park,' down the middle of a wide boulevard, making it, once again, a pleasant place to walk. A view from Park Avenue and 59th Street looking north in 1929, after the medians had been narrowed and closed off to pedestrians. Aside from trees and grass that had then yet to grow, the design remains very much the same today A view of the medians circa 1930 after they had been narrowed and closed off to pedestrians. Trees and grass would eventually line the then-barren malls Councilmember Keith Powers, who represents the area, told Bloomberg on Monday he expects proposals for the project to be sent out in the coming months. He added that renovations will be done in stages and likely will not be completed for at least two decades. Kaye Dyja, Powers spokesperson, explained the reason for such a wait Wednesday, revealing that another, subterranean city project is currently underway directly underneath the planned construction area. 'The reason the construction is going to take a long time is because theyre improving the underground railroads leading to Grand Central, as well as redoing the "train sheds,"' Dyja explained to Vice, referring to the city's extensive $2 billion renovation of the Metro North infrastructure underneath Park Avenue from Grand Central to 57th Street. 'This entails that theyre digging up the ground,' she explained, 'so the construction will have to take place in stages which will end up taking many years to complete.' A view looking north down Park Avenue in the 30s after the planters were narrowed, with Grand Central Station and the newly-completed New York Central building, now Helmsley Building, in the background According to Dyja, the project will involve ripping up sidewalks and the median of Park Avenue a few blocks at a time, section by section, down Park Avenue. The undertaking is expected to cause a great deal of disruption to the Midtown East area over the next two decades, effectively slowing the makeover to the medians. The changes will leave less room for vehicles, according to the NYCDOT, but more space for outdoor revelers and urban explorers. The organization hopes to more than double the current width of the malls, expanding them from a ineffectual 20 feet to a more substantial 48 feet, by cutting out two lanes of traffic, leaving two running in each direction. After all is said an done, the malls could expand to as much as 110,000 square feet- more than double their current surface area of 50,000 square feet. With a yet-to-be-determined budget, the exact design of the new park will depend on the future architect, officials say. The malls havent been renovated since the 1920s, when they were narrowed to keep up with increasing vehicle traffic. The project would expand the median from 20 feet to 48 feet wide, as this diagram done by the NYCDOT shows The lack of pedestrian space is quite unusual for such a prominent area of the city, serving as both an extensive employment hub and a locale rife with residential buildings. In terms of the square footage of open space per office worker, the area ranks last behind Times Square, Bryant Park and the new Hudson Yards - an issue that has become more glaring as workers return to the city as pandemic restrictions lessen. And with the Long Island Railroad set to be redirected from Penn Station to Grand Central at the end of the year, the street is sure to receive more foot traffic in the next decade, making space for prospective strollers all the more important, Powers says. 'We know Park Avenue is a hub for employment,' he told Bloomberg Monday. 'It's a hub for people visiting the city. And it's a transportation hub for the whole region.' Park Avenue as it appeared in 1950. The medians' narrowed design from decades before remains, but with bushes and other greenery now sprouted For many in the area, the planned overhaul is long overdue. Barbara McLaughlin, the president for the Fund for Park Avenue, a nonprofit that raises money from affluent citizens that call the boulevard home to oversee various plantings and other exhibitions, says the group is 'very pro the whole project.' She says that preserving the malls greenery is her principle priority, but adds that the new park's infrastructure will also have to be another cornerstone of the project. 'As you walk up and down the street, you can see there are pieces of marble crumbling,' she says. 'That is really in need of updating before anything else gets done.' If all goes as planned, the project will wrap in 2042, according to officials. The view southwest down Park Avenue in New York City, toward the Helmsley Building, circa 1958. Trees and bushes now grace the avenue's many malls A federal judge has dismissed a privacy lawsuit filed by four Duggar Family sisters who had sued Arkansas officials for releasing reports that revealed they were molested by their older brother Josh. Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com reveal Judge Timothy L. Brooks dismissed the siblings' case with prejudice on Wednesday - just two days before a settlement conference involving all parties was scheduled to take place. Jill Duggar Dillard, Jessa Duggar Seewald, Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Joy Duggar first filed a lawsuit against the city of Springdale and Washington County in 2017, claiming officials released identifying information about them to InTouch Weekly, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. The magazine went on to publish an article in 2015 using the unearthed 2006 police report which detailed Josh Duggar's alleged sexual abuse of the underage girls. Jessa Duggar Seewald (left) Jinger Duggar Vuolo (second from left) Jill Duggar Dillard (second from right) and Joy Duggar (not pictured) sued the city of Springdale and Washington County, Arkansas over the release of records that revealed their brother Josh molested them InTouch Weekly first reported allegations from a 2006 police report which detailed Josh Duggar's alleged sexual abuse of four of his sisters. He is seen above during his child pornography trial in December The sisters sued for outrage, invasion of privacy by intrusion upon seclusion and invasion of privacy by public disclosure of private facts, claiming they suffered 'extreme mental anguish and emotional distress.' But in his decision Wednesday, Brooks ruled that 'there is no evidence that Defendants intended to inflict emotional distress' and that officials had actually attempted to conceal the sisters' identities by redacting their names from police reports. 'The Court is skeptical that a state actor could intend to inflict emotional distress and at the same time believe he was complying with the law - regardless of how his resulting professional negligence might affect others,' Brooks said in his order. City and county officials had argued that they believed they were required by law to release the redacted investigation reports, and had filed two motions for summary judgment in October. Brooks granted both motions Wednesday, and ruled that while officials had wrongfully believed they were legally required to release the documents, their acts were negligent as opposed to intentional. In his ruling, Judge Timothy Brooks dismissed the case with prejudice and said there was no evidence the officials intended to inflict emotional distress on the siblings From left to right - Joy (Duggar) Forsyth, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, Jessa Duggar Seewald, Jill Dillard, and Jana Duggar 'Although profoundly wrong about the law, Defendants were motivated by a belief that they were legally obligated to release these reports, and to do so quickly,' the judge said. 'It is undisputed that Defendants' actions were motivated by fear of possible legal consequences for a missed deadline. 'In other words, they worried exclusively about compliance with one part of the FOIA and failed to investigate the other parts (and other relevant state law).' The four Duggar sisters, now all adults, were among the '19 Kids and Counting' on the TLC reality show that chronicled the devout Christian family's life in Arkansas. The show was pulled from the network in 2015 following allegations that eldest child Josh had molested the four girls and a babysitter. The claims resurfaced in court last year, after Josh, now 33, was charged with possessing child pornography. Josh Duggar was found guilty on one count each of receiving and possessing child pornography and is awaiting sentencing Jill Duggar made her first appearance at her brother's trial on the last day with her husband Derick Dillard, who has been a spectator in the proceedings Joy-Anna Duggar was seen attending the trial with husband Austin Forsyth multiple times A week-long federal trial in Fayetteville, Arkansas in December heard how he used his considerable tech skills to scour the dark web for videos of little girls being tortured, humiliated and abused. Several members of the Duggar family - including sisters Jana and Joy Anna, and her husband Austin Forsyth, Justin and his wife Claire, and Jason - were seen supporting their sibling at the trial. Jill Duggar Dillard, one of the four sisters Josh was accused of molesting, had been notably absent in court but finally made her first appearance on the last day of the trial with her husband Derick Dillard. Josh was found guilty on one count each of receiving and possessing child pornography and is currently awaiting sentencing. His attorneys last month asked a judge to toss out his conviction or order a new trial. Starbucks fired seven workers at a Memphis, Tennessee, branch who tried to form a union and gave interviews with the media last month without authorization. The former employees were attempting to unionize the 20 store workers in mid-January and held an interview with WMCA News 5 inside the shop, after business hours, which Starbucks says broke company safety and security policies. The seven employees were fired on Tuesday, but they were joined by the Memphis Restaurant Workers United labor group to protest outside the coffee shop. Beto Sanchez, a former shift supervisor who was fired, told ABC 24 that he and his coworkers were out of a job as retaliation for attempting to unionize. 'They felt that it was much more necessary to get rid of a third of the store at this point than to allow us to have our organized union, and they thought apparently theyre taking care of us better than we are,' he said. Seven Starbucks employees were fired on Tuesday after they attempted to unionize and held an interview with WMCA News 5 last month Beto Sanchez, a terminated supervisor, doubted the company's real motives as six of the seven fired employees were also on the store's unionizing leadership committee The fired workers and members of the Memphis Restaurant Workers United labor group protested outside the coffee shop on Tuesday. Starbucks has denied claims that the employees were fired as retaliation, instead saying they violated safety policies Starbucks denies the claims that the workers were fired as a form of retaliation and issued a statement about the incident. 'Our investigation revealed that partners violated numerous policies, including maintaining a secure work environment and safe security standards,' the company said. 'To be clear: Several partners remained in the store and opened a locked door after the close of business without permission or authority. Non-partners and those who are not on shift or otherwise not actively closing the store are not allowed access to the store when it is closed for business. Despite this, partners allowed unauthorized individuals into the closed store.' The Memphis Starbuck's branch is one of 60 across the nation considering unionization after a store in Buffalo became the first to form a union in December. Another Buffalo branch became the second to unionize in January, and 14 stores in total have formed a union as of last week. Starbucks, which owns about 9,000 branches across the nation, employees about 230,000 people in the U.S. A judge for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found last year that the company unlawfully fired two employees seeking to unionize a store in Philadelphia in 2019 and 2020. Administrative Law Judge Andrew Gollin said Starbucks had monitored the employees social media activity to gauge support for union efforts and unlawfully spied on protected conversations between employees. Starbucks has filed an appeal on the ruling. Due to Starbuck's previous actions in Philadelphia, Sanchez doubted the company's statement as to why he and his coworkers were fired as six of the seven fired employees were also on the store's unionizing leadership committee. 'These are some policies that they're picking purposely to be able to have the people that are supposed to be voting at this union to be fired and let go, to turn the tide for their election,' Sanchez told WMCA News 5. 'They're doing this right before the election just to have more in their favor.' Nikki Taylor, a former shift supervisor who was fired, also told WMCA that Starbucks was attempting to union bust her coworkers. 'They're saying that I broke a whole bunch of policies that have never been enforced before,' Taylor said. 'I have worked for this company for two years and I have literally never been written up or talked to about any of the policies that I was fired for today.' Nikki Taylor, one of the fired employees, accused the coffee chain of retaliating against her and her coworkers for rallying a unionization effort with the stores 20 employees Sanchez and other employees said Starbucks fired them to try and sway the union vote this week among the 13 other workers who remain The store now has a hiring sign up to replace the seven fired employees Nabretta Hardin, a barista that had been working at the branch for a year before being fired on Tuesday, agreed that the firings were meant to sway the unionizing vote at the store later this week. 'I'm feeling that I have been silenced in this way because they know this is a way to get the partners in the store to vote 'No,'' she told Yahoo Finance. Hardin added that they WMCA news crew were not at the store during closed hours. Starbucks Workers United, an organization helping the Tennessee employees unionize, also accused the coffee chain of union busting. 'If Starbucks had consistently fired people for the violations they fired Memphis workers over, they would have a hard time keeping many people on staff at all,' SWU spokesperson Casey Moore said in a statement. The fired Memphis employees have gotten legal representation and are currently considering filing charges with the NLRB Starbucks is not the only large employer facing union efforts and challenges from employees and the NLRB. This week, more than 6,000 Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama, are voting to determine whether or not they'll unionize. This is the second vote to be held by employees after the NLRB ordered a do-over after it found Amazon had unfairly influenced the first election to reject unionizing. This week, more than 6,000 Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama, are voting to determine whether or not they'll unionize after employees initially voted no earlier this year A similar vote will be held at a warehouse in Staten Island this month, where employees have protested Amazon's attempts to stop unionizing. Pictured, NYC protesters last November Amazon had been found to distribute 'Vote No' pamphlets to employees in the presence of managers, which the NLRB said could have intimidated and influenced employees votes. It said the same effect was placed on workers when Amazon tried to install mailboxes at the entrance of the Alabama warehouse to encourage them to vote at the worksite rather than at their own discretion. The NLRB also filed a complaint against the online shopping giant last month, alleging it violated federal law by threating, interrogating and surveilling employees at a Staten Island warehouse who will be holding a union vote later this month. According to the complaint, an Amazon consultant had promised employees to fix their problems if the opposed unionizing, questioned them about their involvement with the Amazon Labor Union group and told them unionizing would fail because the organizers were 'thugs.' Amazon has denied the allegations. Amazon employs roughly 1.3 million workers across the country, and is on pace to surpass Walmart as the largest private employer in the U.S. within a year or two. A woman who was given a 30-year jail sentence for 'aggravated homicide' after suffering a miscarriage in El Salvador has been freed. Elsy, 38, served 10 years of her sentence after she reported an obstetric emergency in 2011 in the Central American country where abortion is banned. The mother was working as a domestic worker at the time and was immediately arrested and shortly after charged with aggravated homicide. A woman who was given a 30-year jail sentence for 'aggravated homicide' after suffering a miscarriage in El Salvador has been freed (pictured) Salvadoran authorities did not respond to a request for comment or confirm the release. Reuters was unable to independently verify the details of the case. The Citizen Group for the Decriminalization of Abortion in El Salvador, which released a photo that it said depicted Elsy after her release from jail, said her original court case was full of irregularities and without presumption of innocence. 'We celebrate Elsy's release after 10 years. Her erroneous 30-year sentence for aggravated homicide is over. 'We must continue to fight tirelessly to free those who remain deprived of liberty,' said the group's president, Morena Herrera, in a statement. '(Elsy) was separated from her son, who only had her. Now, more than 10 years later, she will be able to reunite with him and her family,' the organization added. A campaign by celebrities including Kathryn Hahn (pictured) has called on Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to free 17 women who were imprisoned after suffering miscarriages Over the last 20 years El Salvador, which has banned abortion under all circumstances, including cases of rape and incest and when the woman's health is in danger, has criminally prosecuted some 181 women who suffered obstetric emergencies. Since 2009, 61 of them have been released, according to the feminist organisation. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled in November that El Salvador had violated the rights of a woman identified as Manuela who was sent to prison for breaching the abortion laws and died while serving her 30-year sentence. Last December, as part of a campaign called 'Free the 17,' celebrities including America Ferrera, Milla Jovovich and Kathryn Hahn called on Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to free 17 women who were imprisoned after suffering miscarriages and other obstetric emergencies. Since the launch of the campaign, five of those women have been freed, including Elsy, said the rights group. Police are still searching for a suspect who shot a student and a security guard after school hours at high school in Buffalo, with parents anxiously waiting outside as about 100 teachers and students who had been inside at after-school activities are still sheltering in place. The school has been plagued with a slurry of fights in the past weeks, forcing administrators to hire 15 new staff members to police hallways between class periods. Around 3.45 pm on Wednesday, a yet-unidentified shooter pulled out a gun during a fight between two groups outside of McKinley High School on the building's south side. He shot a student multiple times, and a security guard in the leg. The security guard's injuries are not critical, according to Buffalo Police Department Deputy Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, but the student is in surgery at Oishei Children's Hospital as of 6.30pm. Police declined to identify the student or disclose his age. Police closed off Elmwood Avenue between Route 198 and Amherst Street after the incident Police ringed the area outside McKinley High School in Buffalo, New York after a student was shot multiple times and a security guard was shot in the leg outside the building Uniformed members of the FBI armed with assault rifles, New York State Police, the Erie County Sheriff's Department and the Buffalo Police Department all responded to the scene, searching the area for the shooter Students are pictured being released to their parents, walking through a line of police officers as they are let out of McKinley High School gradually Students are pictured inside McKinley High School after they were told to shelter in place on Wednesday Initially, students and teachers who had been in the building for detention and afterschool activities were placed on lockdown - after police determined the school was safe, the school was downgraded to shelter-in-place mode Nearby at Buffalo State College, students were also told to shelter-in-place until about 6.40pm, and all evening classes were cancelled A suspect has not yet been identified, he said, and a manhunt is underway. Initially, students and teachers who had been in the building for detention and afterschool activities were placed on lockdown - after police determined the school was safe, the school was downgraded to shelter-in-place mode. After nearly three hours sheltering in place after the incident, students began to trickle out of the building, passing between two rows of police officers to be released gradually to their parents - for safety reasons, Gramaglia said, 'we don't want everyone coming out at one time.' Nearby at Buffalo State College, students were also told to shelter-in-place until about 6.40pm, and all evening classes were cancelled. Uniformed members of the FBI armed with assault rifles, New York State Police, the Erie County Sheriff's Department and the Buffalo Police Department populated school grounds with dozens of flashing squad cars , and a helicopter was seen flying overhead. The security guard's injuries are not critical, according to Buffalo Police Department Deputy Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia (pictured center), but the student is in surgery at Oishei Children's Hospital as of 6.30pm. Police declined to identify the student or disclose his age As they searched the area, police cordoned off Elmwood Avenue between the areas of Route 198 and Amherst Street, but said that Meanwhile, a hoarde of parents waited anxiously outside the building. 'My son called me about about 3.50 pm and said there was a shooting at school. He said he believed someone got shot and he was scared and he was crying,' parent Letitia Hayes told WGRV. 'I tried to calm him down or whatever, seeing as he was fine, and I told him I was on my way. He told me not to come because they weren't going to let him out, but I told him I was coming anyways.' Some parents told reporters at the scene that neither police nor school officials were updating them on the situation, and that they had learned of the incident via their children inside or media coverage. 'We appreciate the parents' concern, it's my concern, we got the message out as soon as ... we had cogent details,' Superintendent Kriner Cash said at the scene. Superintendent Kriner Cash (pictured) told parents that to address the incidents, fifteen new staff members including two new Student Resource officers had been hired, particularly to monitor hallways between class periods. After the shooting, students will learn remotely for at least three days before being reintroduced to the school gradually in an attempt to 'reset McKinley' In a statement addressing the shooting, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said that 'today represents a very dark day in our city' In a statement addressing the shooting, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said that 'today represents a very dark day in our city.' 'As of last night, eight school shootings had occurred across the United States in 2022. Now, the City of Buffalo has the horrible distinction of becoming the ninth,' he Tweeted. 'The impact of what happened at McKinley High School late this afternoon is still incalculable. Families are shaken, educators and students are distraught, and many of our children are scared.' In the weeks preceding Wednesday's shooting, at least three fights had broken out between students at McKinley High. A female teacher was injured in late January breaking up one of the brawls. Pictured is a still from an Instagram compilation of fights at McKinley High School that was posted last month In the weeks preceding Wednesday's shooting, at least three fights had broken out between students at McKinley High A female teacher was injured in late January breaking up one of the brawls Cash told parents that to address the incidents, fifteen new staff members including two new Student Resource Officers had been hired, particularly to monitor hallways between class periods Superintendent Krine Cash said that the administration intends to 'reset McKinley' in light of Wednesday's incident Although Principal Marck Abrahams' critics say that violent incidents have increased since he became principal three years ago, he told the outlet that he is 'a data person' and that 'theres no data set that would suggest that to be true' Cash told parents that to address the incidents, fifteen new staff members including two new Student Resource Officers had been hired, particularly to monitor hallways between class periods. He said that the administration intends to 'reset McKinley' in light of Wednesday's incident. Students at McKinley will learn remotely for the next three days, and possibly stay home for a longer period up until February 28. Then, students will be 'brought back in phases,' Cash said. After an Instagram compilation of fights at McKinley surfaced on Instagram in January, Principal Marck Abraham said that watching the fights was 'disheartening' and 'made [his] heart hurt.' Regardless, Abraham told 7 Eyewitness News that '[he wanted] parents to know that their kids are safe when they come to school.' After an Instagram compilation of fights at McKinley surfaced on Instagram in January, Principal Marck Abraham (pictured) said that watching the fights was 'disheartening' and 'made [his] heart hurt' Although his critics say that violent incidents have increased since he became principal three years ago, he told the outlet that he is 'a data person' and that 'theres no data set that would suggest that to be true.' He told the outlet that in disciplining students, the school uses suspension as a last resort based on new data about the school-to-prison pipeline. 'If a principal, or if a school building is quick to suspend, and they have a suspend-first mindset, that disengages young people,' he said. 'That makes them come back in the school even worse than when they were at the school.' '[We ask] "Why did you do that?".[and students respond] "Well, they talked about my mom and she got killed." Or "This happened, and my baby died and Im so frustrated." When you sit down and talk to them it looks violent there, and it is violent, but often theyre going through a lot of trauma.' A 50-year-old cold case involving the murder of North Carolina family of three has now been solved with four members of a Georgia-based gang pinned as the culprits. The brutal slayings of the Durham family including Buick dealership owner Bryce, 51, his wife Virginia, 44, and their son Bobby, 18, went unsolved for decades after they were found dead in a bathtub in their home in Boone, North Carolina on February 3, 1972 during a snowstorm. An autopsy report revealed that Virginia had died from strangulation and the other two had been drowned, according to the Charlotte Observer. Following a lengthy investigation, officials from Watauga County have since pinned four members from the Dixie Mafia group as the perpetrators. The four men included Billy Davis, Billy Birt, Bobby Gaddis and Charles Reed who were allegedly hired to commit the crime at the Blue Ridge Mountains Home. It still remains unclear who ordered the hit for the gruesome murder. Getaway driver Billy Davis, (left in 1972 mugshot, right aged 81) is the sole surviving member of the group who revealed himself as the getaway driver in the 1972 murder Dixie Mafia members Bobby Gaddis (left) and Charles Reed (right) were two of the men pinned for the murder of a North Carolina family 50 years ago The son of one of the gang members Billy Birt (above) told police about his findings after speaking to his father about the murder The sole suspect remaining alive is 81-year-old Davis who is serving a life sentence for murder at the Augusta State Medical Prison in Georgia. He has been incarcerated since 1986. The vicious murder had occurred at the Durham's family home on Clydesdale Road on the western side of town where they had moved from Mount Airy in 1971, according to the Observer. On the night of the snowstorm, Virginia's son-in-law Troy Hall had received a call from her at around 10.30am to report that a group of men had taken her husband and son before the line cut out. Hall had been married to the Boone's 19-year-old daughter Ginny Sue. 'I didnt really recognize her voice,' he told The Observer. 'I thought it was a practical joke.' The pair then were taken to the family home by their neighbor Cecil Small, who was a private detective, after their car wouldn't start. The Durham family including Bryce (left), his wife Virginia (center), and their son Bobby (right) were brutally murdered and found in the bathtub of their North Carolina home on February 3, 1972 Once they arrived, Small and Hall went to go investigate the scene. They found the house in shambles, including blood splattered across the den, before hearing swooshing noises coming from the upstairs tub. The men then found the bodies of the three victims in the overflowing tub. The police had been called not long after Hall had received the call from Virginia who promptly arrived at the scene after the men discovered the bodies. Besides the bodies, officers only found a half-eaten chicken and a money bag with hundreds of dollars, the Observer also noted. A green and white SUV was reported to be leaving the scene after 10.30pm by investigators which belonged to Bryce who took it from the dealership earlier to get back home in the midst of the snowstorm, according to the Watauga Democrat. The vehicle was found by the North Carolina Highway Patrol hours later reportedly still running, according to the Winston-Salem Journal. A bag of silver was said to be found inside. The three slain family members were found in the bathtub of their home in Boone, North Carolina The suspects involved, however, were nowhere to be found and the mystery had remained unsolved for a few decades. In 2019, Shane Birt, the son of one of the suspects, contacted the White County Sheriff's office about researching past crimes in Georgia. Birt recalled visiting his father Billy in jail who talked about killing the family during a snowstorm in the North Carolina mountains and almost getting caught at the scene. Police officials notified the Watauga County Sheriff's Office of the details. 'We immediately began to investigate the new leads, and conducted in-person interviews with Billy Wayne Davis in September 2019, October 2020, and August 2021,' Sheriff Len Hagaman told The Observer. 'It was these interviews that ultimately helped us determine who was responsible through the corroboration of evidence. We are confident that we now know who committed these crimes.' Davis was then interrogated after Birt had noted his involvement in the brutal slaying. He claimed that he had been the getaway driver at the scene and the other three men had committed the murders. It was then discovered that the four men involved had been members of the Dixie Mafia gang who were responsible for a string of crimes in the Southeastern region of the US. Ginny Hall, who now goes by Durham, said she is grateful to investigators for cracking the case on behalf of the entire family. 'I would like to thank all of the people who worked for decades on my family's case,' Durham said in a press release. 'I know that they sacrificed many days and weekends in order to work on solving this case since 1972.' Four in five pensioners will not benefit from the new social care cap because of the loss of nearly 1billion in promised annual funding, campaigners warned last night. They say many elderly Britons, especially those in poorer areas, will instead keep paying for their own support until they die and have to sell the family home. Boris Johnson pledged last September that no one would have to pay more than 86,000 over the course of their lifetime from October next year. The historic reforms, which followed a major Daily Mail campaign, were designed to end the broken system that exposes pensioners to crippling care costs. But the Government has announced a 'penny pinching' amendment that saves 900million a year. Four in five pensioners will not benefit from the new social care cap because of the loss of nearly 1billion in promised annual funding, campaigners warned last night Analysis shows it means families will face 'horrific bills for years longer than they expect' with four in five elderly Britons never gaining from the 86,000 cap. Under the original reforms, the 86,000 limit would have included support provided by councils for those with assets between 20,000 and 100,000 a year. But the amendment means money will count toward the cap only if it comes from personal assets. A report from Age UK shows this will 'disproportionately penalise' older Britons who are less well off or live in areas with low house prices, forcing many to keep paying for their own care costs until they die. Wealthy pensioners will reach the 86,000 cap much more quickly than those with assets below 100,000. If an individual had 95,000 in assets and, because of means-tested support, contributed only 5,000 a year towards care, it could take more than a decade to reach the cap and they would face losing most of their assets. Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned the technical change means someone with 110,000 in assets could lose up to 78 per cent of their wealth, compared with just 17 per cent for someone with 500,000. The amendment was passed by the House of Commons in November but charities are urging the House of Lords to reject it. Boris Johnson pledged last September that no one would have to pay more than 86,000 over the course of their lifetime from October next year Caroline Abrahams of Age UK said: 'This penny-pinching measure is likely to result in far fewer older people reaching the cap than was originally anticipated. This is patently unfair, regressive and counter to the 'levelling-up agenda'. 'I am struggling to remember the last time a government of any complexion trumpeted a social and economic reform, and then ripped the heart out of it, of its own accord, less than two months later. 'The only possible reason for doing so is cost-cutting, but to expect those with the fewest assets to pay the price, while favouring the better-off, is completely the wrong choice, in our view. 'It's no way to treat older people and their families, who have waited so long for reassurance that they will not be impoverished by endlessly spiralling care bills.' Helen Morrissey, senior pensions and retirement analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The Government's quiet tweak to the social care cap will leave families facing horrific bills for years longer than they expect.' The move will add to fears that social care is again being betrayed, with most of the annual 12billlion raised from the new health and social care levy going to the NHS. Forest rangers in Thailand have launched a desperate jungle search for a three-legged tiger being hunted by poachers. Staff from the wildlife protection organisation Freeland spotted the animal earlier this week on video recorded by a camera trap in Kanchanaburi provinces Khao Laem National Park on the Myanmar border as it was feeding on the body of a water buffalo. Its missing hind leg was clearly visible as it paced awkwardly around the carcass on Sunday night in the thick forest. Though it is not clear how the tiger lost the limb, Freeland suspects the animal was a victim of poaching. The use of snares is common in jungles throughout Southeast Asia. Forest rangers in western Thailand have launched a desperate jungle search for a three-legged tiger being hunted by poachers Staff from the wildlife protection organisation Freeland spotted the animal earlier this week on video recorded by a camera trap in Kanchanaburi provinces Khao Laem National Park on the Myanmar border as it was feeding on the body of a water buffalo Freelands experts fear the slow-moving female nicknamed I-Douan, which means the amputated one is at risk from hunters or of starvation due to its likely long-term inability to catch prey. The charity, working with staff from Thailands Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, hopes to waylay the tiger with a tranquilliser dart and move it to a government facility where it can be provided with adequate food and security. Freeland-Thailands executive Petcharat Sangchai told The Associated Press: We can find her, not difficult to find her. Its missing hind leg was clearly visible as it paced awkwardly around the carcass on Sunday night in the thick forest. Though it is not clear how the tiger lost the limb, Freeland suspects the animal was a victim of poaching We use the body of the dead buffalo or cow and sit and wait for her to eat the remains, and we can use the sniping gun to shoot her. In early January, rangers arrested five men in the forest with two tiger carcasses in their possession. Three weeks later, in the same district, a man said he was attacked by three tigers that killed his two dogs. He escaped by climbing a clump of bamboo. Video cameras were installed following reports of tiger activity in an area not previously known to support the animals. The Indochinese tiger is in peril throughout its range, with Thailand home to the biggest population. In 2021, Thai wildlife authorities put the countrys wild tiger population at 177 individuals. Now that she's no longer burdened by the title of Australian of the Year, it looks like we'll be hearing a lot more from Grace Tame, and on many more subjects. Freed from 'official' duties, Ms Tame's explosive appearance at the National Press Club this week gave some insight into her next moves on the national stage. And while it doesn't involve going into politics, it will bring the 27-year-old into constant contact with politicians and the public eye. The Tasmanian survivor of child sexual abuse set the luncheon in Canberra alight on Wednesday with an incendiary speech before a sold-out audience of celebrities, politicians and journalists in which she said she had 'nothing to lose'. Grace Tame addresses the media at the National Press Club on Wednesday with an explosive speech in which she revealed receiving a 'threatening' phone calls and more details of her assault as a child Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese listens to the speech by Ms Tame at the National Press Club Ms Tame attacking the Morrison government's record on women's safety as 'empty announcements' and said all Mr Albanese had to do was 'none of the things that Scott's done', referring to the prime minister (pictured) Alongside Brittany Higgins, who has alleged she was raped at Parliament House in March 2019, Ms Tame revealed she had received a 'threatening' phone call not to say anything controversial about Prime Minister Scott Morrison during her time as Australian of the Year. She also disclosed more detail about her own experience as a child of being stalked, groomed and raped by a 'serial paedophile', before attacking the Federal government's record on women's safety as 'empty announcements' and 'placatory platitudes'. Answering questions from the press gallery following the speeches, Ms Tame and Ms Higgins were asked whether they would be active campaigners in the upcoming Federal election, prompting a range of dramatic facial expressions from the national award-winner. 'Permission to use a side eye?' Ms Tame responded, referring to her now famous interaction with Prime Minister Scott Morrison at The Lodge on the day before Australia Day. She later revealed former Labor leader and West Australian Governor Kim Beazley had tried to convince her to enter politics. 'But no, I would not. I'm good,' she confirmed. 'It's because I feel like I can achieve more change outside of politics.' The closest she came to a political endorsement was when she and Ms Higgins were asked whether Labor leader Anthony Albanese, who was in the audience, would be more likely to bring in the changes they both sought as prime minister. 'All Anthony would have to do is none of the things that Scott's done,' she tersely replied. Grace Tame with her boyfriend and Grace Tame Foundation board member, Max Heerey (left) and Brittany Higgins (right) The 2021 Australian of the Year reacts to a question about whether she is interested in entering Federal politics Labor party leader Anthony Albanese (centre) speaks with Grace Tame (left) and Brittany Higgins (right) during their National Press Club appearance The 'change' Ms Tame seeks outside of going into politics is reflected in her own foundation, which among other issues is campaigning for more consistency between Australian states on sexual assault laws. 'Currently there are eight definitions for sexual intercourse, the age of consent to sex, consent, and grooming between the eight state and territory jurisdictions, as well as eight different sets of punishments for these inconsistently worded offences,' the foundation's website reads. The foundation also aims to improve public awareness of and responses to sexual abuse in institutional settings and campaign for increased support for victims. Why you can expect to hear more from Grace Tame - She's liberated from her official duties as Australian of the Year and is off to a feisty start as shown by her speech at the National Press Club in which she said a 'government-funded organisation' had made a threatening phone call to her urging her not to speak negatively about Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The National Australia Day Council had denied it is the organisation. - She quickly tweeted an attack on Mr Morrison yesterday after the government said it would investigate who had called her. 'Stop deflecting, Scott. Its not about the person who made the call. Its the fact they felt like they had to do it,' she posted. - She's pushing the ambitious agenda of her new foundation to standardise sexual assault laws across Australia and improve support for victims, launching a campaign yesterday called 'Stop Gaslighting Survivors'. - She's tweeted that she's determined to 'correct the narrative and take control away from abusers'. Advertisement In her speech she cited the work of her foundation in securing a recent change to the ACT's Family Violence Legislation Amendment Bill. 'One of the key amendments in the bill, which we called for on 12 November, is to change the name of the offence "sexual relationship with a child" to "persistent sexual abuse of a child",' Ms Tame said in the speech. 'And that's because of our work. 'We need to ensure that every state and territory adopts the best-practice model of not only the charge itself, but the complete wording of the legislation.' Ms Tame followed up with a series of tweets yesterday in which she said the foundation was launching the first part of it's 'Harmony' campaign, called 'Stop Gaslighting Survivors'. 'For example, the paedophile who abused me was convicted of maintaining a sexual relationship with a person under the age of 17',' she tweeted. 'In other jurisdictions this exact same offence was called 'the persistent sexual abuse of a child'. 'The former implies consent, while the latter reflects the gravity and the truth of an unlawful criminal act committed against an innocent, vulnerable child-victim. Ms Tame cheers on 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott at the Australian Open in January Ms Tame said her foundation had already secured a change of government legislation on family violence in the ACT 'Piece by piece we must correct the narrative and take control away from abusers, who have for so long sought solace in our systems and institutions that shield them from the full extent and shame of what theyve done.' On announcing the foundation in December - whose board comprises Ms Tame, her boyfriend Max Heerey and step-father Ron Plaschke - Ms Tame said it was set up to 'drive cultural and structural change'. 'The ultimate goal [is] a future free from the sexual abuse of children and others, as well as driving our own campaigns,' she said. Radio broadcaster Ben Fordham has launched another blistering attack on the doomsayer experts leading a Covid-19 fear campaign - while leaping to the defence of the South African doctor who 'discovered' the highly infectious Omicron variant. Angelique Coetzee claims she has been subject to 'attacks' and vile abuse from scientists, doctors and politicians across the world who have accused her of downplaying the strain - after she declared Omicron was 'mild' at the start of the outbreak. The doctor's revelations prompted the 2GB breakfast host to slam the 'alarmist' experts in Australia who are 'scaring the living daylights out of people'. The Sydney broadcaster singled out leading GP and former Australian Medical Association doctor Kerryn Phelps, epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre and ABC commentator Dr Norman Swan - whom Fordham claimed hadn't practiced medicine in almost four decades. Dr Kerryn Phelps was branded an 'alarmist' by radio broadcaster Ben Fordham on Thursday Poll Are the Covid doomsayers in the media holding Australia back? Yes, we need to go back to normal living No, I'm still terrified of covid I don't know who to trust anymore I don't know Are the Covid doomsayers in the media holding Australia back? Yes, we need to go back to normal living 416 votes No, I'm still terrified of covid 63 votes I don't know who to trust anymore 49 votes I don't know 10 votes Now share your opinion Fordham believes Dr Coetzee came under attack because she doesn't suit the Covid alarmists and urged listeners to not listen to them, citing low death rates from the variant. 'This doctor should be celebrated for her groundbreaking research on coronavirus but instead she had people trying to convince her to shut her mouth,' he said. 'The death rate from Omicron is 0.1 per cent. Its fatality rate is the same as a bad flu season in Australia. 'But the scare campaign has been in overdrive. At the start of the pandemic we were warned about 150,000 deaths in Australia. We've had 4,300.' 'All tragic but nothing like we warned about.' Hospitalisations and ICU admissions have remained below the peak experienced during last year's Delta outbreak, the higher number of Omicron cases. Fordham slammed 'Covid cheerleader' Dr Swan's recent claims that Omicron was not as mild and gave little to no natural immunity. 'Norman Swan was ignoring the science, he was ignoring the scientist who discovered Omicron,' Fordham said. ABC presenter and 'Covid cheerleader' Norman Swan (pictured) was accused of 'ignoring the science' He then labelled Dr Phelps as an 'alarmist' after her recent claim on Twitter that her home state NSW had 'surrounded to Covid.' She also posted an alarming video warning parents not to send their kids back to school during the Omicron outbreak It prompting a three-word response Australia's former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth who urged people to 'Ignore this individual.' 'She spends her days on Twitter slamming (Prime Minister) Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet,' Fordham said. 'And to this day, we thinks we can eliminate the virus.' Early on in the pandemic, Professor MacIntyre predicted Australia could suffer 400,000 deaths to the virus Fordham slammed her recent warning that NSW would face grim times over summer because of Premier Perrottet's 'magical freedoms'. 'There was nothing magical about it. I was able to enjoy a summer of freedom, catching up with family and friends and going on holidays,' Fordham said. 'It seemed real to me.' 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham (pictured with wife Jodie) has slammed the 'alarmist' experts in Australia who are 'scaring the living daylights out of people' He also mocked Professor MacIntyres's advice to tape up doors and wear masks inside your home to stop the virus spreading. Dr Coetzee was one of the first to report the new variant in November last year and said it caused 'mild' symptoms for those in South Africa. But she claims she was told by scientists and politicians from around the globe that she was wrong. 'Because of all of Covid's mutations, all of these scientists and politicians who aren't from were contacting me telling me I was wrong when I spoke out, that it was a serious disease they were telling me I had no idea what I was talking about, they kept attacking me,' Dr Coetzee told The Daily Telegraph. South African doctor Angelique Coetzee (pictured) was 'pressured' into describing the Omicron variant as more dangerous than it really is 'They are accusing me of lying, of downplaying Omicron because of how it has been in Europe in their minds, it is impossible for a disease with more than 38 mutations to be mild. 'I have stated many times before it can be a serious illness if you are unvaccinated and have comorbidities but for the majority of people it is a mild illness. I am the one who has seen the patients first-hand but the politicians won't listen.' 'If a clinical feature proves I am wrong, then I will apologise.' Fordham ended the segment by praising Dr Coetzee, who has vowed to 'stick to her guns' and not give into the pressure. 'Good on you doctor. Don't give in to the scaremongers,' he said. Advertisement Priti Patel flew the flag for Anglo-Asian relations last night in a stunning traditional Indian outfit at an event at the British Museum. The Home Secretary attended a British Asian Trust event in central London along with Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy. Miss Patel wore a purple and gold lehenga choli, a traditional Indian skirt and blouse, a dupatta shawl, silver earrings and a necklace. Miss Patel, Mr Sunak and Mr Javid all have Asian heritage. Miss Murthys father is an Indian billionaire. Charles, who founded the trust in 2007, told more than 350 guests of the impact of Covid on the region. Using his pet name for Camilla, the Urdu for darling, he said: It is almost two years that my Mehabooba and myself were able to be with you. Since then... there has been terrible loss of life. Mr Sunak, in black tie, was joined by his wife Miss Murthy who wore an embroidered full-length white dress. The Duchess of Cornwall opted for a green velvet embroidered tunic top with green palazzo by British designer Anna Valentine. The Prince of Wales gave the keynote speech at the event which was attended by more than 350 guests including Health Secretary Sajid Javid. The Trust was founded by Charles in 2007 alongside British-Asian business leaders to support the development of a South Asia that maximises the potential of its people and that is free from inequality and injustice. Priti Patel flew the flag for Anglo-Asian relations last night in a stunning traditional Indian outfit at an event at the British Museum The Home Secretary attended a British Asian Trust event in central London along with Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy Charles, who founded the trust in 2007, told more than 350 guests of the impact of Covid on the region The Duchess of Cornwall opted for a green velvet embroidered tunic top with green palazzo by British designer Anna Valentine Charles, 73, called his wife 'my Mehbooba', which means 'my beloved' or 'my darling' in Urdu, in an address to 350 guests Charles said: It is fair, I think, to say that it has been when truly tested that the trust has shown its most outstanding qualities of resilience and commitment to helping people across south Asia. The future of south Asia truly depends on the children and young people of the region. I am really so proud that there are so many of us with numerous intimate and family connections to south Asia who want to support them as they rebuild their lives in the face of this ghastly pandemic. Before his speech, Charles and Camilla greeted supporters and ambassadors of the BAT in the museums Egyptian Gallery. They first spoke with Mr Sunak and Miss Patel before the four posed for photos. The duchess later thanked ambassadors Neev Spencer and Ritula Shah as they congratulated her after the Queens announcement that she would become Queen Consort. Hitan Mehta, executive director of the trust, said that it was amazing to be able to host the royal couple at the reception after it was not held last year due to the pandemic. He said: It is amazing to be able to bring the whole community together with his royal highness to celebrate the work that we have done. Colleagues Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak posed for a photograph at the event. Right, Camilla makes her entrance Priti Patel, Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles pose with guests at the event Prince Charles chatted to Priti Patel, who was among the 350 guests invited to the bash at the British Museum Prince Charles chatted to Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, whose father is an Indian billionaire, at the event Camilla, 74, was resplendent in an emerald green velvet ensemble with an eye-catching emerald necklace The Prince of Wales, who seemed in great spirits, exchanged a few words with the Home Secretary, while Camilla spoke with the Sunaks Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha made the Prince of Wales laugh out loud when they saw each oter at tonight's glitzy reception in central London The stunning setting of the event was the British Museum in central London, where Charles delivered a keynote speech Since first forming, The British Asian Trust has supported programs in education, livelihoods, mental health and anti-trafficking, and has made a real difference to the lives of more than 4.8million people in South Asia. Around 5.8million children are believed to be working in forced labour in India. In Jaipur alone, tens of thousands are thought to be working 15-hour days in hazardous workshops, producing goods such as bangles and embroidery. As part of the Child Labour Free Jaipur Initiative, BAT has been working with business, government and communities to remove child labour from supply chains and encourage child labour-free products in markets. The Daily Mail revealed on Monday that Her Majesty gave her blessing to crown Camilla as Queen Consort as opposed to Princess Consort years ago and that Charles came close to announcing it in 2019. The Queen chose her Jubilee weekend the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne to make the highly significant announcement and express her desire for her daughter-in-law to be fully acknowledged when Charles succeeds her. She told the nation: When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes king, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me, and it is my sincere wish that, when the time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service. More than 600 New York City officers will get out from behind their desks and into the streets this week as the city battles a surge in violent crime, with shooting incidents up nearly 30 percent compared to this time last year. A total of 658 cops assigned to non-patrol posts, like the department's press office, will be deployed as part of an 'enhanced deployment strategy.' The two-part plan will move 300 officers to the 4pm to 12am shift every night, according to two memos obtained by the New York Post, including one sent by Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell on Monday. The officers will be put on 'high visibility posts' based on crime trends. It also calls for individual precincts to move four officers into the streets every day. Overall crime is up 41.6 percent compared to this time last year, with shootings up nearly 30 percent and transit crimes, including notable subway pushing incidents, up 74 percent, according to the latest numbers from the NYPD. Crime has gotten so bad that Reverend Al Sharpton addressed Mayor Eric Adams himself on national TV on Wednesday. 'Eric, they're locking up my toothpaste,' Sharpton said on MSNBC's Morning Joe, referring to consumer goods locked behind glass to prevent shoplifting. On Wednesday, a South Korean diplomat, 52, was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack in Midtown Manhattan at around 8.10pm. An unidentified suspect took off on foot, and the diplomat was taken to a hospital in stable condition with complaints of pain, the NYPD told DailyMail.com. A total of 658 officers will be moved from desk jobs to street patrol starting this week as shooting and subway crimes continue their upward trend About 300 officers will come from desk-based offices like the press office and internal affairs. The rest will come from individual housing commands and precincts Overall crime is up 41.6 percent compared to this time last year, with shootings up nearly 30 percent The new plan is part of Mayor Eric Adams' push to get more officers on the street. At a campaign stop last year, he complained about 'too many officers are performing clerical duties' On Wednesday night, a South Korean diplomat was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack near West 35 Street and 5 Avenue (above). He was taken to the hospital in stable condition Crime is up 10 percent from pre-pandemic levels, driven up by a spike in vehicle thefts and shootings that skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns. The two-part plan to get cops currently assigned to desk jobs on the street appears to be part of Adams' push to get more officers involved in crime prevention. The Democratic mayor ran on a campaign of public safety in a city where violent incidents routinely made headlines during COVID lockdowns. 'Too many officers are performing clerical duties, and they are in units that do not directly impact public safety,' Adams said during a campaign appearance at a Manhattan subway station last May. 'These officers could be on patrol, playing a visible function of dealing with the fear thats in our subway system,' he said, according to the Post. Transit related crimes are now up 74 percent throughout the city, with the most notable one being the death of Deloitte consultant Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, who was pushed onto the subway tracks and was killed by an oncoming train the morning of January 15. News of the 'enhanced deployment strategy' is based on two memos, including one sent by newly appointed Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, above on January 21 Transit related crimes are up 74 percent. Deloitte consultant Michelle Alyssa Go (above), 40, was pushed onto the subway tracks and was killed by an oncoming train on January 15 Simon Martial, 61, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after the incident, declaring, 'I'm God, I can do it,' as he waked out of a Midtown precinct. Last week, a 43-year-old woman was robbed at knifepoint while she waited for the C train at the West 163rd Street station in Washington Heights at around 6.10pm on Thursday. The unidentified attacker flashed a knife and tried to grab her phone as they struggled. The woman kept her phone, but he made off with her purse. Simon Martial, 61, was charged with murder in Go's death, which was unprovoked The new NYPD plan will see 300 officers from units like internal affairs and counterterrorism reassigned daily by Chief of Department Ken Corey to the 4pm to 12am shift based on crime trends. The units will operate in teams of eight cops and one sergeant, the Post reports. For the second part of the plan, each precinct and housing command will pull four uniformed officers and move them to patrol in the second and third tours. Each command is supposed to have a deployment plan ready on Friday detailing who can be reassigned when the new units are deployed. A police source told the Post that the plan has been in the works since last month. Nearly every police precinct in New York City has seen spikes in crime this year - including five in which the rate has doubled, new data from the New York Police Department shows. Police are searching for a man who allegedly brandished a knife and tried to pry a woman's phone out of her hands before making off with her purse on Thursday, February 3 'No neighborhood is safe,' one Brooklyn cop told Post on Tuesday, offering a grim forecast for the future of the crime-ravaged city. 'At this rate, we will lose the city by St. Patrick's Day.' According to recently released statistics, 72 of the five boroughs' 77 precincts saw an increase in crime this year when compared to the same period in 2021, with only three recording a marginal decrease in criminal offenses. Two precincts, including the one covering the city's scenic Central Park, recorded no change at all - a statistic that may be misleading due to the area's low crime rate when compared to areas that are actually populated. 'Only the squirrels are safe,' another anonymous cop joked. 'Tourists will never come back.' Nearly every single police precinct in New York City has seen spikes in crime so far this year - including five in which the rate has doubled, new data from the NYPD shows PERCENT INCREASES IN CRIME FOR ALL PRECINCTS Manhattan 1st Precinct 75% 5th Precinct 51.67% 6th Precinct 67.71% 7th Precinct 75.38% 9th Precinct 53.7% 10th Precinct 29.89% 13th Precinct 55% Midtown South Precinct 48.98% 17th Precinct 91.07% Midtown North Precinct 44.78% 19th Precinct 32.56% 20th Precinct 26.32% Central Park Precinct No change 23rd Precinct 12.62% 24th Precinct 52.63% 25th Precinct 29.55% Brooklyn 60th Precinct 4.55% 61st Precinct 36.19% 62nd Precinct 65.88% 63rd Precinct 37.84% 66th Precinct 44.44% 67th Precinct 58.04% 68th Precinct 26.87% 69th Precinct 105% 70th Precinct 39.25% 71st Precinct 30.49% 72nd Precinct 107.14% 76th Precinct 60.71% 78th Precinct 23.19% 73rd Precinct 35.66% 75th Precinct 40.07% 77th Precinct 62.16% 79th Precinct 4.96% (decrease) 81st Precinct 19.15% 83rd Precinct 9.74% (decrease) 84th Precinct 27.96% 88th Precinct 21.43% 90th Precinct 45.05% 94th Precinct 28.57% Queens 100th Precinct 66.67% 101st Precinct No Change 102nd Precinct 39.78% 103rd Precinct 67.44% 105th Precinct 8.66% 106th Precinct 67.68% 107th Precinct 118.06% 113th Precinct 5.31% 104th Precinct 29.75% 108th Precinct 53.47% 109th Precinct 82.61% 110th Precinct 142.42% 111th Precinct 73.44% 112th Precinct 35.09% 114th Precinct 18.79% 115th Precinct 56.89% Bronx & Staten Island Bronx 40th Precinct 20.41% 41st Precinct - 71.95% 42nd Precinct 20.75% 43rd Precinct - 75% 44th Precinct 27.59% 45th Precinct 31.68% 46th Precinct 43.95% 47th Precinct 30.91% 48th Precinct 51.97% 49th Precinct 51.64% 50th Precinct 77.92% 52nd Precinct 9.6% Staten Island 120th Precinct 55.38% 121st Precinct 31.88% 122nd Precinct 13.51% (decrease) 123rd Precinct 39.2 Advertisement Since Mayor Eric Adams unveiled his 'Blueprint to End Gun Violence' on January 24, at least 49 people have been shot in The City That Never Sleeps, and at least 12 have been murdered. Violent crime in general has surged in the city over the past year, with many different factors including increased tensions between the police and public, unemployment rates, soft-on-crime politicians and bail reform being cited as potential causes. According to the recently released crime data - which takes into account offenses occurring up until the week ending on February 6 - robberies have soared by almost 35 percent when compared to the same period in 2021. Rape has also increased by more than 35 percent and overall crime in the Big Apple has skyrocketed by 41.65 percent, according to the data. Murders, meanwhile, are down 13 percent at this time over last year, while shootings have increased by a startling 30 percent. Crime has gotten so bad in the city that even Reverend Al Sharpton is calling on new Mayor Eric Adams to crack down on shoplifters after the civil rights leader saw basic items like toothpaste locked up at his local pharmacy. Reverend Al Sharpton, 67, slammed newly minted NYC Mayor Eric Adams for the extreme amounts of shoplifting in the city after his precious toothpaste gets locked up in pharmacies Sharpton's precious toothpaste has been locked behind locked doors in many local pharmacies, such as CVS (pictured in Manhattan), as so many stores have been hit with recent thefts Sharpton, a Brooklyn native, 67, has had enough of the New York City crime spree, with the last straw being his locked-up dental care, saying the lawlessness is 'out of control.' 'Eric, they're locking up my toothpaste,' Sharpton said. 'You go into a local pharmacies - Duane Reade or Rite Aid, any of them - and you got to get someone to help assist you. They have the little button there, you hit the buzzer, the guy comes over, and unlocks your toothpaste - we're talking about basic stuff here.' Pharmacies like Duane Reade, CVS, and Rite Aid have always locked up certain items, such as razor blades, but as more and more thieves are looting the shelves, stores have begun putting up extra protection. A Rite Aid on Manhattan's Upper East Side will be closing due to brazen thieves hitting the store on multiple occasions. Shelves were already bare in the store, located at the corner of 80th Street and 2nd Avenue, but it will shut its doors for good on February 15, the manager told DailyMail.com last month, a day after a thief was caught on video boldly sauntering out with shopping bags full of stolen goods. David Olivari, 37, was arrested on Tuesday after Suffolk County police officers said he posed as a cop to solicit nude photos from female drivers he pulled over A Long Island man training to be a New York State corrections officer is facing prison time in the same system he is employed by after he allegedly posed as a cop and pulled female drivers over to solicit nude photos of them. Suffolk County police say David Olivari, 37, placed dashboard-mounted flashing lights on his 2007 Toyota Prius as he posed as a cop and pulled female drivers over. In at least two instances, authorities say, Olivari told the women he was pulling them over for speeding and that he suspected they were talking or texting on their cell phones while driving - which Lt. Michael Crowley said gave him the 'pretenses to try and access their phones.' according to CBS New York. He would then allegedly tell the women he was letting them off with a warning. Olivari was ultimately arrested on Tuesday, as cops say he tried to meet up with one of the victims of his scam. He is charged with criminal impersonation, grand larceny, two counts of unlawful imprisonment and unauthorized use of a computer - all of which he pleaded not guilty to at an arraignment on Wednesday Newsday reports. He was placed on supervised release after his defense attorney noted that he has no prior criminal history. Olivari, second from left, is charged with criminal impersonation, grand larceny, two counts of unlawful imprisonment and unauthorized use of a computer - all of which he pleaded not guilty to at an arraignment on Wednesday Authorities say Olivari used flashing lights on his Toyota Prius to pretend to be a police officer when he pulled women over Suffolk Police said on Wednesday they received a complaint about Olivari from a female motorist, who reported that a man operating a small, dark-colored vehicle that was equipped with flashing lights stopped her on the Long Island Expressway Service Road in Ronkonkoma on January 22 at around 3am. The woman reportedly told authorities the man took her cell phone and took down her phone number before returning it - and prosecutors claim he had the phone for about 10 minutes before he gave it back to her, ABC 7 reports. Shortly afterwards, the woman told police that he had contacted her and requested she send him nude photos of herself. The next day, authorities said, they received a similar complaint from another woman who was driving on Shenandoah Boulevard in Nesconset. In both cases, police said Olivari told the female drivers he was pulling them over for speeding and that he suspected they were talking or texting on the phone while driving. And in both cases, ABC 7 reports, police said Olivari told the women he was letting them off with a warning, but it is unclear whether Olivari accessed the phone of the woman in the second incident. He did not solicit her for a nude photo, officers say. On Tuesday, police reportedly used the first victim to set up a meeting with Olivari, at which they took him into custody. Olivari is a corrections officer trainee at the Washington Correctional Facility in upstate Comstock, a position he began last August His public Facebook profile shows that he is currently engaged Olivari and his fiancee have three children together, according to his Facebook According to a New York State database, Olivari is a corrections officer trainee at the Washington Correctional Facility in upstate Comstock, a position he began last August. His Facebook profile shows that he has several children, a daughter and two sons, and is engaged to the children's mother. Corrections Department officials say Olivari has now been placed on administrative leave, with termination pending as the investigation into his alleged crimes is ongoing. Officers are now asking anyone who has experienced a similar situation to reach out to Suffolk County Crime stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. They also said that anyone who has suspicions about the cop who pulled them over to pull over and have their credentials prepared, but get the officer's name, the precinct he or she works at, their shield number and call 911. Anyone who has experienced a similar situation is also asked to reach out to Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. A 'crab cam' off the coast of Adelaide has revealed the wild sink-or-swim environment below the metropolitan beaches' surface. The creator of Crab.e.cam Andy Burnell said he uses a 'baited GoPro off a kayak' to capture his unique footage off Adelaide's coast. Mr Burnell has shared some 20 videos that show the marine wildlife fighting off one another to snack on his bait as a camera watches from afar. Scroll down for video Crab.e.cam shares footage captured off metro Adelaide's coast showing the marine wildlife He studied as a marine biologist before working as a reef guide and dive instructor but he said it was actually his fishing that inspired the videos. 'I love marine life, action cameras are cheap and waterproof, (I thought) what's going on in my crab nets?,' he said. 'First time literally zip tied (the camera) to net, now it's evolved.' Andy Burnell studied marine biology and worked as a reef guide and dive instructor before making his videos In a video uploaded January 1, a pair of crabs can be seen trying their best to ward off a hungry Fiddler Ray by snapping their claws at it. In another video a curious long snouted boarfish is more interested in the camera than the bait and swims in for closer inspection. Mr Burnell said he loves the surprise of seeing his clips for the first time when he pulls the GoPro up. 'Sometimes it's peaceful like the boar fish clip, sometimes it's super hectic like the octopus clip,' he said. One of is favourite videos is a huge smooth ray eating from the bait trap while looking at the camera All of the unique videos are captured off the coast of metropolitan Adelaide in what Mr Burnell calls the city's 'marine backyard' 'Lots of folks don't dive so they don't see or even really imagine what is right in their marine backyards. 'It's mostly crab antics, I like watching how feisty they are but the octopus was a real surprise. How it just blends with the background when it lands, has a bit of a sulk and then hits the crab.' Mr Burnell said he hopes his videos will spread awareness of marine life and encourage people to explore their own 'marine backyard'. 'I really hope that these little clips bring people a little joy, but also spark interest and desire to think about and look after our marine life and the environment,' he said. Mr Burnell said he hopes his videos will spread awareness of marine life and encourage people to explore the ocean He recommended people wanting to give snorkelling and diving a try to start out small. 'Make sure your early experience is a good one. Water can be scary for people but once your comfy it feels like the pure bliss of coming home!,' he said. 'Go with a guide or professional first time, don't try too much, shallow, safe, warm. Don't take too big a bite and then get put off!' An 80-year-old woman was rescued from a 17-hour hostage situation in her own Chicago home after police were called when she failed to send her daughter her completed Wordle. Denyse Holt, who lives in the Lincolnwood neighborhood of Chicago, was asleep on February 5 when a mentally ill naked man broke into her home. 'I didn't think I was going to live,' she told CBS News. 'I was in shock. I was trying to survive.' The 32-year-old man, cut from breaking the glass in her windows to get into her house, pointed scissors at Holt, then got into bed with her. 'He said he wouldn't hurt me or molest me,' she said, explaining that she tried to remain calm. Denyse Holt, 80, has told of the horrific February 5 break-in at her Chicago home - and being rescued after her daughter noticed she had not completed her daily Wordle Police are seen on February 6 outside Holt's house in the Lincolnwood district of Chicago The man then dragged her in her nightgown into the shower with him, but said he was not warm enough, so made them both get in the bath. He then yanked her out and, dripping wet, went through the house - collecting two kitchen knives, disconnecting phones - before locking her in a basement bathroom. Holt did exercises to try and keep warm inside the bathroom, which had no windows, and which was barricaded shut with a chair. 'I was doing marching and stretching as much as I could,' she said. Holt's eldest daughter Meredith Holt-Caldwell, who lives in Seattle, noticed that her mother was not responding to text messages and had not sent her daily Wordle - something she never missed. Meredith Holt-Caldwell, who lives in Seattle, noticed that her mother was not responding to her texts - and hadn't sent her daily Wordle Holt failed to send her daily Wordle to her daughter, which raised alarm and pushed Holt-Caldwell to call the police 'I'm across the country and I noticed this,' said Holt-Caldwell. 'I never thought in a million years that this was happening, but it was.' Police were called and an hours-long standoff ensued, with the officers eventually using a stun gun through a hole in the door to subdue and arrest the man. Holt was full of praise for the police, thanking them for rescuing her. The man is being detained pending mental health evaluation. Not a single person has been fined for failing to report a positive Covid rapid antigen tests in the month since they began. NSW residents were threatened with a $1,000 penalty on January 11 when rapid tests began being included in the official Covid infection figures. Many people questioned how the fines could be enforced with no way of knowing if a person did not report their positive result. Despite Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) announcing $1,000 fines for those who don't report positive rapid antigen tests there have been zero dished out in NSW States moved to rapid tests to relieve pressure on flooded PCR labs in early January (pictured: a Melbourne PCR clinic on January 5) 'Not one person has been fined. It was a hollow threat in the first place, I'd like to know the bright spark who came up with that idea,' 2GB's Ben Fordham said on Thursday morning. Premier Dominic Perrottet said the fine was to 'show how serious this is' when demanding positive results be registered with Service NSW within 24 hours. South Australia followed suit a day later on January 12, also with a $1,000 fine. 'We're keen to track every single one of those results,' Premier Steven Marshall said. 'While we think that 95 per cent of people would do the right thing, getting as many positive results into the system just improves that data.' Other states and territories also moved to include rapid antigen tests in official figures, but without the threat of fines. NSW and SA were the only states to bring in the $1,000 fine (pictured: Sydneysiders on January 4) On Tuesday, Western Australia introduced a mandatory rapid test self-reporting system but with no fine. 'PCR testing remains the recommended testing method in Western Australia as we still have plenty of capacity in our testing clinics,' Health Minister Amber Hade-Sanderson said. She said with community transmission happening in WA, there were occasions when rapid antigen testing would be required. 'It is vital anyone who does a RAT and receives a positive result registers their test with WA Health.' she said. Sir Keir Starmer has accused Boris Johnson of inciting a notorious mob of anti-vaxxers who hurled 'Jimmy Savile' abuse at him - but has praised Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak for showing 'moral courage'. Dramatic footage showed police officers shielding the Labour leader towards a marked car as protesters shouted baseless allegations about him 'protecting paedophiles' and branded him a 'traitor' in Westminster on Monday evening. The mob was dominated by left-wing acolytes of Jeremy Corbyn's brother Piers, who spend most of their time urging Britons to 'resist' masks, vaccines and any Covid restrictions, MailOnline revealed on Tuesday. It came after the Prime Minister, facing increasing pressure over the Partygate scandal, accused Mr Starmer of failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile while director of public prosecutions last week. Mr Johnson was subsequently warned by Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle that 'words have consequences' as the PM defied calls to withdraw the 'slur'. However, his refusal to apologise led to the resignation of policy chief of Munira Mirza, while Chancellor Mr Sunak and Health Secretary Mr Javid distanced themselves from the comment. Mr Starmer has praised the two Tory Cabinet ministers for showing 'moral courage' and said he was 'heartened' by words of support he had received from some Conservative MPs. And asked whether he believed the Prime Minister incited the mob, Mr Starmer said it was a 'deliberate slur without any basis in fact'. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy were confronted by an anti-vax mob on Monday Prime Minister Boris Johnson (pictured during PMQs in the House of Commons on Wednesday) has refused to apologise for the Jimmy Savile quip last week Scotland Yard later said two arrests were made after Sir Keir was escorted to safety. Above: Sir Keir gets into a Police car Sir Keir was joined by Labour's shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who appeared to help police shield his boss from the protesters The anti-vax aggressors behind Keir Starmer stunt: Rag-tag members of left-wing mob who were whipped into a frenzy by Piers Corbyn The mob who surrounded Sir Keir Starmer was dominated by the left-wing acolytes of Jeremy Corbyn's brother Piers, who spend most of their time urging Britons to 'resist' masks, vaccines and any Covid restrictions, MailOnline can reveal today. Mr Corbyn had addressed the crowd outside New Scotland Yard last night before they chased the Labour leader down the street in Westminster. The rag-tag bunch of professional protesters include one of his right-hand men, David Burridge, a dreadlocked anti-vaxxer who was arrested and charged for raiding the vaccination centre at Guy's Hospital in London last month. Also barracking Sir Keir was Edward 'Remeece' Freeman, who has taken to turning up outside schools to urge children not to get the Covid jab, even crying and hugging them as part of his campaign, which saw him banned from Facebook and Instagram. The amateur rapper has also written a song called 'Don't Tek the Vaccine', a phrase he yelled at Sir Keir and David Lammy in Westminster last night. Another of the protesters identified is Will Coleshill, who is editor of the 'Resistance GB' group of agitators, who are largely left-wing. He can be heard yelling at the Labour leader: 'You are the leader of the opposition - why aren't you standing up for our constitution? For the working classes of this country. What about the working people of this country? Aren't you meant to be the opposition?' The anti-lockdown champion has previously chased Michael Gove and BBC reporter Nick Watt through the streets of Westminster. The man who accused him of protecting Jimmy Savile is yet to be identified. Advertisement He told The Times: 'I have never been called a paedophile protector before. That happened yesterday for the first time in my life. 'If others want to argue that this is unconnected with precisely what the prime minister said one week before then let them make that case. But theyll never persuade me that there is no link. 'It was a deliberate slur without any basis in fact. The PM knew exactly what he was doing. It is a conspiracy theory of violent fascists that has been doing the rounds for some time. 'Its not about me, its the way we conduct our politics. I dont want to see us go down the route that this potentially takes us.' Former Cabinet minister Julian Smith was among senior Tories saying the the premier must withdraw the Savile slur for the sake of Sir Keir's security. Another senior MP, Steve Brine, said an apology is 'inevitable'. Downing Street, though, has continually dismissed calls for an apology or retraction, insisting Mr Johnson was referring to Mr Starmers responsibility for the Crown Prosecution Service as a whole. The Labour leader said many Conservatives were not prepared to 'defend the indefensible' when it came to the remarks Mr Johnson made in the Commons last week. He added that the issue was creating a divide between Tories believing politics should not be 'devalued' and those willing to defender Mr Johnson 'at all costs'. Mr Starmer said politicians have a responsibility to 'conduct ourselves in a way that minimises the risk of all politicians, whatever party theyre in'. It comes as the anti-vaxx mob responsible for the attack outside Parliament has warned all MPs that they are no longer safe to walk the streets. Some of those involved are members of militant group Alpha Men Assemble, whose activists have run military-style training sessions in preparation for a war on the State. Others who targeted Sir Keir have previously targeted Tory minister Michael Gove and BBC journalist Nicholas Watt, while calling on followers to arm themselves against the Government. Piers Corbyn had, meanwhile, had earlier addressed the crowd outside New Scotland Yard before they chased the Labour leader. Brendan Cox, the widow of Labour MP Jo Cox - who was murdered in 2016 - said the intimidation of Sir Keir was 'absolutely vile' and said politicians have a 'responsibility' not to encourage what he called 'thuggery' with 'lazy lies'. Teachers at 23 of the UKs top girls private schools will strike for the first time in history today in a row over pensions. More than 1,500 staff will walk out and set up pickets at school gates in the move organised by the National Education Union. Striking schools, where fees can surpass 20,000 a year, include Putney High in west London, which educated the BBCs Sophie Raworth. The row is over a decision by the Girls Day School Trust to withdraw member schools from the Teachers Pension Scheme over fears it is too expensive. The NEU says the transfer to a new flexible pension could harm staffs retirement income. It will be the first strike day in the GDSTs 149-year history. Teachers at 23 of the UKs top girls private schools will strike for the first time in history today in a row over pension (file image) Last night, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the NEU, said: Teachers always take strike action with a heavy heart, but the solution to this dispute is quite simple. The GDST must withdraw in full and without caveat their proposals to take hard-working teachers out of the existing pension scheme. This is an employer unwilling and unable to mount a compelling argument in defence of its plans to slash staff pensions. The GDST said none of the schools affected will close and no pupil has been told to stay at home. However, there is likely to be major disruption since 75 per cent of GDST teachers at those schools are NEU members and there are pickets planned for all sites. In addition, some teachers will hold a demonstration outside the GDST headquarters in central London. Yesterday, Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of the GDST, said: We understand the strength of feeling amongst our teachers over this issue and of course the concerns raised by our parents. We care deeply about our teachers and would not have put forward these proposals unless we felt they were absolutely necessary to support the long-term sustainability of the GDST family of schools. The move comes after the government imposed a 43 per cent increase in employer contributions to the TPS in 2019. The government covered this rise in full for state schools, which are also part of the TPS, but private schools must find the extra cash themselves. The GDST is proposing an alternative pension scheme, which it says is more affordable and will provide greater scope for a total reward package, including pay. Mrs Giovannoni added: Sadly, the increase to the TPS employer costs has had a severe impact on our expenditure and has put us in a very difficult position. The NEU is not officially affiliated with a party, but has held standing ovations for former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in the past and has called for radical policies such as decolonising the curriculum. The Department for Education has been contacted for comment. The Church of England is facing calls to ban floral funeral arrangements that are deemed harmful and damaging the planet. Its legislative body, the General Synod, has been asked to consider a ban on floral foam, which provides both water and support to cut flower arrangements, in favour of more eco-friendly options. The foam is not biodegradable and is used to spell out names of the deceased at funerals, or is cut into elaborate shapes for weddings. Christians are now being asked to reconsider their use of damaging plastic-related products and use objects such as pebbles, sand, moss and flower frogs to mark occasions. The call for a ban on floral foam was put forward as part of the Churchs target of achieving net zero by 2030. The Church of England is facing calls to ban floral funeral arrangements that are deemed harmful and damaging the planet (stock image) In a written question to the General Synod, lay member Charles Houston suggested that there should be sanctions or repercussions for the use of floral foam and imported flowers in church buildings. He also accused officials of overlooking the widespread use of one of the most damaging plastic-related products in current usage, the Telegraph reported. Mr Houston asked Church authorities to bring in an immediate ban on all floral foam in its buildings both in weekly flowers but particularly at weddings and funerals. The Archdeacon of Sunderland called the topic interesting and one that has not yet been considered on a national level as individual parishes set policy. However, he said there was mounting popularity for churches to source alternatives to floral foam. The foam is not biodegradable and is used to spell out names of the deceased at funerals, or is cut into elaborate shapes for weddings (stock image) Eco Church, the Church of Englands movement of churches taking environmental action, is run by its partner organisation, A Rocha UK. The proposed ban on floral foam has been forwarded for Eco Church, the Church of Englands movement of churches taking environmental action, is run by its partner organisation, A Rocha UK, for them to consider. Helen Stephens, head of Eco Church, told the newspaper: We are aware of the growing awareness and concerns around the environmental and health impacts of floral foam in particular and the sourcing of flowers more generally. As indeed there are impacts across many other goods and services that we use in our church communities and day-to-day lives. Churches already taking action include St Bartholomews in Harpley, which promotes a foam-free church and churchyard flower arrangements. Calstock Parish Council in Cornwall is also banning synthetic ornaments and flowers from cemeteries, insisting it is everyones responsibility to do what we can in this climate emergency. Labour council leaders have backed a primary school which has been accused of indoctrinating pupils by encouraging them to write letters criticising the Prime Minister. Nottingham City Council yesterday declared it was 'supportive' of the initiative at Welbeck Primary to get Year 6 pupils aged 10 and 11 to write 'political' notes. Parents had accused the school of imposing Left-wing beliefs on their children, and its head Rebecca Gittins has previously posted strong views on Twitter, including the phrase 'Tory scum'. Nottingham City Council yesterday declared it was 'supportive' of the initiative at Welbeck Primary (pictured) to get Year 6 pupils aged 10 and 11 to write 'political' notes Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi criticised the school and said teachers should not be 'encouraging young people to pin their colours to a political mast'. But council leader David Mellen said: 'Learning about democracy, our political leaders and the way the country is governed is a vital part of any pupil's knowledge, and has been taught, discussed and debated in schools for decades. 'We are supportive of Welbeck Primary's work in this area and would never discourage young people from engaging with local representatives and politicians.' There were questions last night whether the incident might spark an intervention from Ofsted. If enough parents complain to Ofsted, they may choose to launch an inspection to check if children are being subjected to undue political influence. An Ofsted spokesman said: 'We are unable to comment on concerns raised about individual schools. Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi (pictured) criticised the school and said teachers should not be 'encouraging young people to pin their colours to a political mast' 'But we take seriously all complaints we receive, and assess them thoroughly to see whether any action is required.' Yesterday, Robert Halfon, Tory chairman of the education select committee, called on the government to crackdown on teachers politicising schools. He told the Daily Mail: 'It's such a shame that young children are being politicised in this way. Schools should be about learning - they should not be used as instruments against the government. 'No doubt Ofsted will be looking carefully at this when they next inspect. 'There also needs to be some clear guidance from Government that children are not there to be politicised.' It comes after the school's Twitter account shared a picture of the children proudly holding up letters addressed to a local Labour MP, Lilian Greenwood. Another photo showed the contents of one letter, which criticised Mr Johnson over 'Partygate'. It said: 'He is a hypocrite and can no longer be trusted as our leader and should resign as the country is not in the right hands.' A third picture showed a pupil scowling next to a whiteboard which said 'lies', 'mistrust' and 'selfish' next to 'Boris Johnson' in adult handwriting. When contacted by the Mail, Mrs Gittins said: 'As part of a Democracy topic, the Year 6 class has been looking closely at national politics, our leaders and decision-makers, while discussing fact and opinion. 'There is no 'teaching' of politics. We explain processes and structure, with the children encouraged to express their thoughts.' Three teenagers posed with horror knives just days before stabbing a shopper for his Gucci bag, a murder trial has heard. Kyle Raisis, 18, Ethan Strickland, 19, and Joseph Jeremy, 17, were snapped in photos holding huge blades including machetes. The images shown to the murder trial jury were taken just days before they allegedly attacked innocent shopper Ryan O'Connor, 26, for his Italian-designed 'manbag.' The gang were in a stolen Ford Fiesta when two men allegedly jumped from the car and attacked Mr O'Connor with large knives in Newport, Gwent. Victim Mr O'Connor - a popular character known as Apple on his estate - suffered a wound to the heart and died within minutes. Three teenagers posed with horror knives just days before stabbing a shopper for his Gucci bag, a murder trial has heard. Pictured: Kyle Raisis A court heard Raisis, Strickland and Jeremy were joined by Lewis Aquilina, 20, Elliot Fiteni, 19, to carry out the fatal stabbing. In his police interview, Fiteni said Aquilina and Jeremy carried out the killing in June last year. Prosecutor Michael Brady QC said: 'Fiteni said Jeremy was laughing and said 'I have yinged him' while holding the knife in his hand. 'He said he pulled over and refused to drive any further so Aquilina took over. He also claimed Aquilina and Jeremy shouted 'We have got his Gucci bag'.' The images shown to the murder trial jury were taken just days before they allegedly attacked innocent shopper Ryan O'Connor, 26, for his Italian-designed 'manbag. Pictured: Joseph Jeremy The jury were shown police body cam footage of the arrests along with dash cam footage of the police chase. Above: Ethan Strickland, 19 Mr Brady said the five had travelled from Cardiff to Newport 'when on seeing Mr O'Connor wearing a Gucci manbag, decided to rob him.' The court heard witnesses reported the car to police and the Fiesta was involved in a high speed pursuit later that day and stopped by a stinger. The photos of Raisis, Strickland and Jeremy holding knives were taking at Strickland's home days before the attack. They were also captured in Snapchat videos as they brandished blades. Criminal records for Jeremy, Fiteni and Raisis were made known to the jury - and included a schoolboy stabbing, a knifepoint robbery and possession of a samurai sword. Aquilina, 20, Fiteni, 19, Raisis, 18, Strickland, 19, and Jeremy, 17, all of Cardiff, all deny murder, manslaughter and robbery. The jury were shown police body cam footage of the arrests along with dash cam footage of the police chase. The trial continues. Another eight people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state records 5,854 new virus cases and hospital admissions continue to drop. The latest deaths were aged between their 60s and 90s, and only one had received a third booster shot. It comes as the state releases hospital admissions figures for the peak of the Omicron wave, compared to what early modelling suggested. ICU numbers peaked at 71, compared to modelling of up to 500, premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Thursday In the worst case scenario, up to 5,000 beds would have been needed for COVID-19 patients in Queensland, however the peak was just 925 in late January. ICU numbers peaked at 71, compared to modelling of up to 500, premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Thursday. 'I'd love to say it's over, but its not,' she said, foreshadowing the tail end of the current wave in early March, ahead of a potential flu season in winter. Public hospital admissions for COVID-19 are now at 579, compared to 628 the previous day. There are another 54 patients being treated for the virus in private hospitals. Meanwhile, Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli has backed calls for a review of vaccine mandates in venues made by the Queensland Chamber of the Commerce. He said the government promised to unveil its plans for mandates once 90 per cent of eligible Queenslanders had completed two doses of a vaccine. 'They've said at the moment that they're reviewing it,' he said on Thursday. 'But the contract was to review it at 90 per cent and we're now at 90 per cent - I saw all the shiny graphics go up on the premier's website - but what does that mean for Queenslanders.' What a truly glorious prospect! After two hellish years of Covid lockdowns, restrictions, self-isolations and masks, all legal curbs could be axed within days. England is poised to lead the world in regaining our freedoms. From this final unshackling, everything flows. Businesses can boom. We can begin tackling our eye-watering pandemic debts. Children's education and GPs' surgeries will no longer be disrupted. This hugely vindicates Boris Johnson's Covid strategy. True, not everything has gone swimmingly. But the mistakes have been dwarfed by towering successes. This hugely vindicates Boris Johnson's (pictured) Covid strategy. True, not everything has gone swimmingly. But the mistakes have been dwarfed by towering successes Our jabs programme has been world-beating. So was the booster rollout. Mr Johnson defied apocalyptic warnings to reopen in July. And rejecting lockdown as Omicron surged was a masterstroke. With tiresome inevitability, doom-mongering Sage quacks warn of disaster if curbs are scrapped. But their credibility is well and truly shot. Predicting up to 6,000 Covid deaths a day unless we locked down in December has proved epically wrong. With the terror threat dropping and UK scientists making a major breakthrough in fusion technology moving a step closer to the holy grail of energy generation the good news has truly come in threes. Absurd investigation London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has responsibility for the Metropolitan Police, has threatened to axe Dame Cressida Dick following a string of scandals. After a police officer murdered Sarah Everard and revelations Scotland Yard is rife with racism, misogyny and bullying, Mr Khan (whose chief concern is to duck blame when things go wrong) has put the commissioner on notice. Tackling this cesspit ought to be her priority. How absurd, then, that the Met is more obsessed with minor potential transgressions at No10. London Mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured), who has responsibility for the Metropolitan Police, has threatened to axe Dame Cressida Dick following a string of scandals The decision not to investigate a Christmas quiz in Downing Street is being reviewed. The new so-called evidence? A picture of Mr Johnson standing near a packet of crisps and a bottle of cheap fizz. Police will question 50 people over lockdown parties in Whitehall. And detectives are looking at whether the PM's Wallpapergate saga involved bribery. Not even Dixon of Dock Green would waste his time. But egged on by Labour, detectives are threatening to boot down No10's door. No one condones rule-flouting. But is a little perspective too much to ask for? Bien pensant BBC Knock us down with a feather if the BBC doesn't pour cold water on the news that Covid restrictions are ending. For an insight into the Corporation's agenda, note the top three headlines on Radio 4's Today programme yesterday. Brexit is failing, says a usually ignored Commons committee a little-known Labour donor (who once funded the Tories) whines the PM is useless the EU (which appeases Russia to guarantee gas supplies) is handling the Ukraine crisis marvellously. Why does the state broadcaster spin up such sorry excuses for stories? Because it is the flagship of the Metropolitan bien pensant, which loathes Boris, the Tories and Brexit. Any opportunity to traduce the Government is seized with relish. If the BBC were a private enterprise, there could be no complaint. But it's not. Auntie is cushioned by the licence fee. Yet it long ago ditched any impartiality. The Corporation pompously boasts that it is 'for everyone'. Excepting, that is, Conservatives, Leave voters and anyone who doesn't want to trash the country's culture and history. What a strange way to persuade ministers (and an increasingly unconvinced public) that the licence fee should be renewed. The Oscars will be back at their usual home of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood next month and those attending will not be required to show proof of vaccination in order to attend. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will only require attendees to the 94th Academy Awards to show a negative PCR test or negative rapid antigen test taken on the day of the event, to be held on March 27. Hollywood's biggest night will be the polar opposite of what was held in 2020 which was a far less showy, scaled-down affair held at Los Angeles' Union Station complete with strict Covid testing rules. Rene Zellweger accepts the Best Actress award for Judy onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards, the last to be held at the Dolby Theatre in February 2020 The Oscars will be back will be back at their usual home of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood next month and those attending will not be required to show proof of vaccination in order to attend Last year, guests were sat in socially-distanced seats as masked staff wandered between tables at the 93rd Academy Awards last April But over the last year, with Covid vaccines widely available and vaccine proof often a requirement for those dining out or attending sporting events, the Academy is still technically sticking to the latest minimum requirements from the Los Angeles Department of Health, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Oscars is taking a different approach to other award shows which are still requiring those coming to the event to be vaccinated. At the SAG Awards which will be held later in February vaccination will be mandatory. 'All ticketed attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination plus booster shot (if eligible), proof of negative lab-based COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours of event, and negative antigen (rapid) test the day of the event,' the requirements state. Two weeks later, at the Critics Choice Awards on March 13, similar protocols will be in effect. Since 2002, the Academy Awards have been held at the Dolby Theatre, formerly known as the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood 'We will be 100 percent vaccinated and require a negative PCR test within 48 hours of the event. I can't invite people to a show where they're not going to feel safe,' said Joey Berlin, COO of the Critics Choice Association. Although The Academy has yet to publicly state its Covid policy for the big night, there may be some 'blowback from some members of the community' one insider told THR over their willingness to accommodate anti-vaxxers. It's believed that a more relaxing approach is being taken towards this year's ceremony due to the fact several high-profile figures would be prevented from attending including at least one of last year's acting award winners, together with nominees in other categories. Other changes to this years Academy Awards will see a host return to host the ceremony for the first time since 2018. In 2019, comedian Kevin Hart pulled out of hosting the Academy Awards after homophobic tweets he made several years earlier reemerged. He was not replaced, and while that year's hostless format drew praise and was even emulated by other awards shows such as the Emmys, subsequent Oscar ceremonies were criticized for lacking focus and humor. Pictured: the films nominated for an Oscar for best picture, top row from left, Belfast, CODA, Don't Look Up, Drive My Car, Dune, bottom row from left, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog, and West Side Story. The Oscars were handed out by celebrity presenters but had no host in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Ratings for the telecast have fallen in recent years, dropping to a record low of 10.4 million people in the United States in 2021. Viewership of other awards shows also has declined. Previous hosts have included late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and comedians Chris Rock and Ellen DeGeneres. Few other details have been confirmed for the show, which will be produced by Will Packer and were postponed for a second consecutive year. The delay, reportedly to avoid clashing with February's Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl in Los Angeles, was announced months before the Omicron variant forced multiple Hollywood shows to scrap in-person events this winter. A registered sex offender and his wife were arrested after being accused of recruiting eight women through social media and New York City's foster care system, and then forcing them into a prostitution ring over the past four years. Kareem 'Napoleon' Mitchell, 38, and Sharice Mitchell, 51, of the Bronx, were charged with sex trafficking, promoting prostitution and conspiracy in State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Wednesday. Kareem, who is a registered sex offender stemming from a 2008 federal conviction, was also charged with aggravated harassment as he appeared in court wearing a bedazzled denim jacket with the word 'cult' on the back and a t-shirt reading 'Make money not friends' with a photo of Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar over a $100 bill. Sharice was slapped with the same charges for aiding in the operation by lying on her application to become a foster parent about living with Kareem - even though he lived at the same address Two of the eight women in the sex ring were reportedly placed in her care, but were over the age of 18. In New York, individuals can remain in the foster system until the age of 21. Prosecutors said Kareem used Facebook and Instagram to recruit women to work for him and subjecting them to verbal and physical abuse to force them into prostitution in cars and hotels throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx since 2018. He is now being held without bail after pleading not guilty on Wednesday Attorneys for Sharice claimed prosecutors had not demonstrated that she was involved in the trafficking ring beyond her involvement in the foster care system. She is now being held on a $500,000 bail Kareem 'Napoleon' Mitchell, 38, left, and Sharice Mitchell, 51, right, were charged Wednesday with sex trafficking, promoting prostitution and conspiracy. Kareem, who is a registered sex offender, is also charged with aggravated harassment The women called him 'Daddy,' and called each other 'Wifey,' according to the New York Daily News, as Kareem would post pictures on social media to show off his 'pimp lifestyle.' He allegedly berated the women in text messages, and was heard threatening one of them verbally before his arrest Wednesday morning while leaving a 'known prostitution area.' 'Im going to pop you in the face, you dumb b-. Get in the car,' he said, according to prosecutors. Kareem has been a registered sex offender since 2008, when he was arrested for forcing a 17-year-old girl to engage in prostitution. He served just under six years in prison for that sentence and was released on a five-year probation. Sharice was arrested at her home in the Bronx, with prosecutors claiming two of the women she took under her care through the foster system were trafficked. Court documents obtained by the Daily News say Sharice took the women, who were not identified, into her care in January 2019 and January 2020. Within a month, court documents claim, they started working as prostitutes for her husband. 'Prostitution advertisements were posted less than one month after her placement with the defendant,' Assistant District Attorney Laura Breen claimed. Kareem, seen here entering the Manhattan Supreme Court, is accused of running a sex trafficking operation from November 2018 and lasting up until his arrest Wednesday, using Facebook and Instagram to recruit women to work for him and then subjecting them to verbal and physical abuse to force them into prostitution The City's Administration for Children's Services, which oversees the foster system, said in a statement it was cooperating with the Manhattan District Attorney's investigation. 'We take the safety of the children and youth entrusted to our care in New York City's foster care system extremely seriously,' the statement read. 'We do not tolerate anyone who exploits or puts children in danger,' it said, adding: 'The vast majority of foster parents provide loving, safe environments.' The Mitchells were charged following a nine-month investigation by the District Attorney's office, which relied on intercepted communications, physical surveillance and records from Instagram, CashApp and Zelle. 'Sex traffickers target the most vulnerable New Yorkers, including far too often young New Yorkers in the child welfare system,' Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. said in a statement. 'We will continue to prioritize proactive investigations like these to dismantle sex trafficking operations and keep New Yorkers safe.' Sharice's lawyer, Robert Levy, claimed that the prosecutor's office had not demonstrated that his client was involved in the trafficking, other than her involvement in the foster care system. 'I heard nothing that said she threatened anyone,' he said. 'The fact is that she had two foster kids. Thats it. That was the allegation.' The married couple pleaded not guilty to the charges. Kareem is now being held without bail, while Sharice had bail set at $500,000. If convicted, Kareem faces up to 100 years in prison, and Sharice faces up to 75 years. The City of Colorado Springs will pay a settlement of nearly $3 million with the family of De'Von Bailey, a 19-year-old black man who was fatally shot by two police officers as he fled in August of 2019. With a 7-2 city council vote, the city agreed to pay the settlement rather than going to trial over the civil lawsuit against the city, Colorado Springs Police Department and the officers, filed by Bailey's family in June of 2020. The city also agreed to provide at least two years of anti-bias training, maintain an early intervention program for officers who might require assistance or training and ensure that officers' personnel files are kept throughout their career, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. The City of Colorado Springs will pay a settlement of nearly $3 million with the family of De'Von Bailey (pictured), a 19-year-old black man who was fatally shot by two police officers as he fled in August of 2019 Bailey's father, Greg Bailey (right), said in a statement that 'nothing in this nightmare could ever make what happened to my son OK or justifiable' The teen's mother, Delisha Searcy (right), said that she was 'hopeful that the changes in the Colorado Springs Police Department will prevent another family from losing a child' Body camera footage showed Colorado Springs Sargeant Alan Van't Land and Officer Blake Evenson talking to Bailey and his cousin, Lawrence Stoker, 21, about an armed robbery reported nearby. Bailey ran away when he was about to be searched - one of the officers could be heard yelling 'hands up!' three times before he fired three shots. He was hit in the heart, left lung, diaphragm and spleen. The officers said they feared that Bailey may have been reaching for a gun as he ran. Their body camera footage shows them pulling a pistol from the 19-year-old's pocket after he was shot and was on the ground in handcuffs. Bailey's father, Greg Bailey, said in a statement that 'nothing in this nightmare could ever make what happened to my son OK or justifiable.' 'There is no amount of money that will bring him back. He was running away, and they shot him in the back like an animal.' Footage from police body cameras showed Bailey (left and right in black) running away when Colorado Springs officers opened fire, striking him in the back before he collapsed In the bodycam video, an officer can be heard yelling 'hands up!' three times before firing multiple times. Bailey is then seen falling to the cement (above) and propping himself up on his left hand as he raises his right hand in the air The teen's mother, Delisha Searcy, said that she was 'hopeful that the changes in the Colorado Springs Police Department will prevent another family from losing a child.' Stoker told the Gazette that he is 'happy theyre getting the money, but Im not happy that hes dead.' 'Cant no money replace that,' he said. 'Thats a start but theres a bunch more that could be done. Holding them accountable a lot more would be a big first step.' Two months after the shooting, a grand jury in El Paso County cleared the officers of any wrongdoing, unanimously deciding that their use of force was justified. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also determined that the shooting was justified. But the shooting sparked protests across Colorado Springs. In a statement released by the Colorado Springs Police, the department said their hope 'is that as we explain today's outcome from our perspective, nobody loses sight that everyone involved are real people.' The officers said they feared that Bailey may have been reaching for a gun as he ran. Their body camera footage shows them pulling a pistol from the 19-year-old's pocket after he was shot and was on the ground in handcuffs Officers handcuffed Bailey and used a knife to retrieve what appears to be a gun concealed between his legs. They ended up cutting off Bailey's shorts to get the gun 'These are real lives that have been forever changed. Any loss of life in our community, regardless of the circumstance, is a tragic event and the officers involved never wished to be part of this incident, nor did they want an outcome resulting in the loss of life,' the statement continued. 'However, under the law and based on the officers' extensive training, they acted justifiably to protect both themselves and the community. We strongly stand behind our officers and their actions.' Mari Newman, an attorney for Bailey's family, told the Gazette that 'the very fact that so many big cases are being brought against the city of Colorado Springs for constitutional violation demonstrates that they need to change their conduct.' Last week, the Department paid out $175,000 to settle an excessive force lawsuit stemming from Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020. Last September, they agreed to pay out $65,000 to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit. Both settlements included requirements to update the Department's policies, the Gazette reported. At a press conference detailing the $2.975 million dollar settlement, Mayor John Suthers said that Officers Land and Evenson, who still work for the city's police department, had gone through 'living hell,' with 'demonstrators [coming] to their houses and 'traumatiz[ing] their families.' 'Obviously we talked to the officers,' he said on Tuesday. 'They've been threatened... they weren't looking forward to years of litigation... so the officers asked us to settle the case.' At a press conference detailing the $2.79 million dollar settlement, Mayor John Suthers (pictured) said that Officers Land and Evenson, who still work for the city's police department, had gone through 'living hell,' with 'demonstrators [coming] to their houses and 'traumatiz[ing] their families' The ultimate decision, he said, came down to the city's insurance carrier suggested that the town settle the case, citing the 'anti-law enforcement climate around the country' and much higher insurance payouts that came out of similar cases around the country. 'It is important to note that in the conduct of the civil case, neither the judge who mediated a possible settlement, nor the insurance adjusters assigned to the case suggested at any time that the officers acted unlawfully or contrary to department policy,' he said, according to KKTV. 'We just don't want to take the risk of a verdict in excess of 2.75 million dollars.' Both Suthers and the Colorado Springs Police Department stressed that the decision to reach a settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing on the part of the officers, however. 'We want to state unequivocally that this settlement is not, in any way, an admission or indication of wrongdoing by these officers,' said the Department.' 'Rather, it was a decision made to mitigate financial risk to the city and taxpayers.' Before voting against the settlement, Councilman Dave Donelson said that settling would be 'disheartening and demoralizing' for citizens. Left-wing trolls have attacked Prime Minister Scott Morrison's wife after she responded to a question from Karl Stefanovic about her family's ill-fated Hawaiian vacation. Jenny Morrison and the Prime Minister both laughed and said 'too soon' when the 60 Minutes presenter cheekily suggested they go back to Hawaii if Mr Morrison didn't win the next election in a trailer for Sunday night's TV interview. The Morrison family had travelled to the tropical destination while Australia was facing one of its worst-ever bushfire seasons on record in 2020 - a move which infuriated Aussies back at home. Stefanovic laughed and joked the couple could go to Hawaii - apparently should Mr Morrison lose the next election. Jenny Morrison and the Prime Minister both laughed and said 'too soon' when the 60 Minutes presenter cheekily suggested they go back to Hawaii if Mr Morrison didn't win the next election in a trailer for Sunday night's highly anticipated TV interview 'Karl!', Jenny responded before looking down awkwardly and smiling. 'Too soon,' she added, to which her husband repeated as he chuckled. But many have hit out at Mrs Morrison and the prime minister for making light of the highly criticised trip. 'Jenny just does not care. Answering Karl on 60 Minutes. Jenny & Scott Morrison both grin & suppress laughter, 'Oh Karl, it's too soon, too soon' to go to Hawaii,' one tweeted. Another said: ''Too soon',' laughs Jenny in relation to their Hawaii jaunt. ''Too late, Jenny'', I say.' The Morrison family had travelled to the tropical destination while Australia was facing one of its worst ever bushfire seasons on record - a move which infuriated Aussies back at home Scott and Jenny Morrison will open up about their life in parliament during a 60 Minutes interview on Sunday night 'Jenny? Didn't know she'd ever returned from Hawaii,' one Twitter user commented. 'Oh nicely orchestrated ''look, let's mention all our ups and make light of it in our interview, so hopefully the idiots will laugh them off and move on.'' Hawaii- faux shame from Jenny. Laugh from Scott,' one tweet read. 'They actually laughed about Hawaii? I didn't think Jenny could save him two mins ago but this made it worse. They're as bad as each other,' one post said. Stefanovic said that Mrs Morrison did address the holiday in a 'fairly significant way' during the interview. 'It caused them enormous pain to have been away from Australia,' he told News Corp. 'And I think the decisions that led to that, you know, will be addressed. 'I think for whatever reason, that they didn't quite understand initially why, why it was the wrong decision. But they soon learned why,' he said. The couple are expected to address the family holiday in Sunday night's interview The backlash comes after the prime minister's 13-year-old daughter Lily found herself the target of cruel trolls after he shared a photo of them making a chicken and eggplant curry together on Saturday night. Many suggested the photo was actually from three or four years ago. While most of the comments on Mr Morrison's Facebook page were attacking him rather than his daughter over the cooking picture, some also aimed their barbs at Lily. 'Kid needs a hair tie,' wrote one. 'Funny because that's an omelette the kid's making, and that curry came from the takeaway,' said another. Many of the online commenters claimed that Lily looks younger in the cooking photo than she does in other recent pictures, though that perception may just be down to the angle that Mr Morrison took the selfie from. 'That photo of your daughter was taken at least a couple of years ago. Her photo on Australia Day, shows her much taller and more matured. Even your photo ops are a lie,' wrote one. Mr Morrison and his 13-year-old daughter Lily were criticised after he shared a photo on Saturday night that many claimed was three years old 'That photo of Lily is four years old When do you ever stop lying,' said another. Victorian Senator Jane Hume took to Twitter to defend the PM, saying: 'If you are one of the people on here attacking the Prime Minister's daughter, for any reason, it's time to take a good hard look at yourself. 'It's shameful. Imagine that was your child. Abuse isn't acceptable period, let alone of children. Be better.' There were also some comments supporting Mr Morrison beside the Facebook photo of him with his daughter. One poster wrote: 'Great PM and great family man! You are the best,' while another said 'he may not be the best pm but he's obviously the best dad to his girls'. The prime minister's office declined to comment. Disturbing video surveillance footage revealed a Brooklyn man being hog-tied in his apartment by a pair of hooded thieves before stealing expensive designer watches from his apartment. Brooklyn man Ilya Basin, 37, was captured being kneeled over by the two unidentified suspects before the pair stole Rolex Presidential and Audemars Piguet watches, which cost a combined total of $350,000, from his apartment on February 3. Basin, a crypto consultant and computer expert, said that the incident lasted about half an hour at his residence at West 5th Street and Neptune Avenue at Brighton Beach at around noon. He had opened the door after he believed the men were dropping off a package in front of his door which had belonged to a neighbor. The suspects have yet to be identified and the incident is still under investigation. Disturbing video footage captured the moment two hooded suspects were seen hog-tying Brooklyn man Ilya Basin, 37, in his apartment on February 3 Basin was seen being tied down by one of the thieves as the other searched the apartment for valuables The thieves stole his Rolex Presidential and Audemars Piguet watches from his bedroom which are worth a combined total of $350,000 Video surveillance of the footage captured one of thieves tying Basin's hands behind his back as the other searched for his valuables. Basin was seen shirtless on the ground during the encounter as his dog Smokey was heard barking in the background. 'Don't scream or were going to have to choke you out,' one of the thieves ordered Basin. 'Im not going to scream,' Basin replied. 'I promise.' The thieves continued to order Basin to tell them where his valuables were hidden. 'We know you have money you idiot,' one of them said as they continued to search the property. The two thieves also managed to find the two expensive watches in Basin's bedroom and then beat him up. The pair then disconnected Basin's internet router and untied him before fleeing the scene. Basin has since called the incident 'traumatizing' and said that he had put all his money into those expensive watches. Another video clip captured the pair of thieves at the building at West 5th Street and Neptune Avenue in Brighton Beach Basin assumed the men were dropping off a package off for him when he opened the door The pair had bum rushed Basin and pushed him aside when entering the apartment 'I've been living in this city since I was six years old,' Basin told The New York Post. 'This is my home, but this makes me feel like I should definitely get out of here. I dont have enemies. Im a sweetheart of a dude. Its very shocking that this happened.' 'Thats all my money. Its literally all I have,' he added. 'It was my one hope of getting a house, getting out of here. It was my one ticket situation to get a better life.' He also recalled the moment the pair of thieves had broken into his home after seeing them on dropping off the package on his Nest Cam. 'As I opened it, they both bum-rushed me,' Basin also told The Post. 'Maybe if I had some karate training, I would have acted differently, but my first instinct was to try to swing the door close(d).' 'I hit my head on the dogs food bowl. Once I was on the ground, they zip-tied my hands behind me. They put tape over my mouth and taped my ankles together.' 'For the first minute or two, I was just hoping that I was going to wake up. I didn't think it was real. It happened so quick that I didnt know what was going on. It (makes) no sense.' Previous video footage released by the NYPD showed the two men bursting into Basin's apartment and forcing him aside. Another clip showed the thieves walking into Basin's kitchen and raiding his fridge. Violent crime has surged across the country in recent years, especially in New York City over the past year, with many different factors including increased tensions between the police and public, unemployment rates, soft-on-crime politicians and bail reform also being blamed as explanations. According to the most recently available crime data of the week ending on February 6, robberies have soared by almost 35 per cent when compared to the same period in 2021. While murders are down nearly 13 per cent at this time over last year, shootings have increased almost 30 per cent. Rape has also increased by more than 35 per cent and overall crime in the Big Apple has skyrocketed by 41.65 per cent, according to the data. Amid the surge in violent crimes, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has criticized new Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for his soft-on-crime approach. 'We need to now stop the domestic terror that we're living out every day in these cities,' Adams, 61, told radio anchor Rita Cosby on her late-night program The Rita Cosby Show last week, speaking on how he plans to address the city's massive crime surge since assuming office last month. During the interview, the former NYPD captain blamed the increase on sweeping policy changes Bragg made last month that lighten punishments for armed robbery and burglary suspects and allow career criminals and repeat offenders back on the streets after committing violent, felony offenses. 'Let's be clear. We are in a city, in a country, where consequences must go with inappropriate actions,' Adams asserted during the 17-minute exchange after being questioned about his opinion on Bragg's policies and the surge of crimes seen since the start of the pandemic. The mayor then declared that currently 'there is no appropriate response to [criminals'] bad behavior' thanks to Bragg's policies, which aim to eliminate prison sentences for all but the most serious crimes, downgrade felony charges in certain cases of armed robbery and burglary, and drop charges for many low-level offenses. 'The laws have shown that and it's troubling, when you could have a person that carries a gun repeatedly, and they're treated in family court instead of criminal court,' Adams said. 'I think we need to tweak, tweak the law to reflect that that's unacceptable,' he added. Amid the surge in violent crimes in the Big Apple, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (pictured) has criticized new Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for his soft-on-crime approach Bragg, 48, also imposed further changes to the city's prosecuting policies regarding bail for criminals with violent offenses, following the elimination of cash bail in the city at the start of 2020, which spurred an alarming spike in violent crimes that year that was in turn exacerbated by the pandemic. 'New York City is a corporation, I'm the new CEO,' Adams told Cosby. 'And as in any new CEO, you have to put your plan and programs in place to turn around a failing company. And that's what we're experiencing right now.' When questioned about Bragg's office letting out repeat violent offenders, the mayor offered the radio host another analogy, likening New York's current crime wave that has seen 6 NYPD officers shot in January alone to a coursing river, and his office to a dam that will hopefully halt the outpour of offenses. 'I say over and over again, that [there are] many rivers that flow into the sea of violence, and we need to dam every river,' Adams said. 'We're going to do our job in the city to dam the river of the guns that are on the street,' the mayor added, referring to an increase in shootings seen in recent years in the currently crime-ridden city. 'We also need to dam the rivers that allow people to come back out after committing crimes, and dam the river that allows the flow of guns in our city.' The former state senator proceeded to compare the crime crisis to a terrorist attack, calling the influx of incidents 'domestic terror.' 'I call it the same response we had with 9/11 to stop terrorism, international terrorism to come to our shores. And we need to now stop the domestic terror that we're living out every day in these cities,' he said. Adams revealed that he's been in talks with the city's district attorneys about how to address the influx of incidents. 'We've met with all of the district attorneys this week,' Adams told Cosby. 'We sat down and I believe we had a meeting of the minds, where we realized that we must be combined in our efforts to deal with this issue of violence.' The politician then revealed that he's been in talks with Bragg, and said that the two would work together to address the surge - specifically gun violence, although he fell short of saying exactly what was discussed. 'I've had conversations with Da Bragg. And, you know, I never reveal private conversations, but I believe we're going to work together specifically to deal with gun violence, and look at some of these other cases that's leading to this state of disorder in our city.' Adams - who also met with President Biden on Thursday in New York City to discuss strategies to quell gun violence by stopping the flow of illegal guns, strengthening law enforcement and increasing funding for police - did not reveal the specifics of the conversation. 'Criminals are extremely smart in how they stay in tune in new laws and procedures, more than we do,' Adams also told Cosby. 'I think it's important that we send the right message. And I am encouraged, based on the meeting that we had, that we will be sending the right message to keep the city safe.' Bragg has come under fire for polices that aim to eliminate prison sentences for all but the most serious crimes, downgrade felony charges in certain cases of armed robbery and burglary, and drop charges for many low-level offenses It comes after Adams vowed that the NYPD would bring back plainclothes police squads, termed the Anti-Crime Units, which his predecessor Bill de Blasio disbanded in July 2020 amid anger at policing sparked by the murder of George Floyd. The units will now be known as Neighborhood Safety Teams, and will launch in the next three weeks, targeting 30 precincts where the mayor said 80 percent of violence takes place. De Blasio disbanded the unit amid criticism of their tactics: Adams, in a bid to win over critics, said the plainclothes officers would be somehow identifiable to the public as police officers, and be equipped with body cameras. 'The City will hold listening tours in key neighborhoods, truly understanding the challenges of past Anti-Crime Units and providing additional training, supervision, analytics, and risk monitoring to ensure these enhanced teams work with communities He also promised an expansion of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, the NYPD unit that goes after gun traffickers, and more police patrolling the streets, with fewer assigned to desk duties. 'We will have boots on the ground on every block in this city,' the mayor said. Adams said he would crackdown on the 'iron pipeline', allocating more resources to teams performing spot checks to prevent guns being brought in to the city. He promised to create programs for young people over the summer, with training and 'youth engagement', to win over vulnerable youths and stop them falling in to a life of crime. He also promised more federal funds for mental health care and hospital beds for those too ill to be on the streets. 'We will not surrender our city to the violent few,' Adams said. The Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the largest police union in the city, welcomed Adams' plan. 'Mayor Adams is absolutely right that the message on the streets is that there are no consequences for carrying and using illegal guns,' the union said in a statement. 'We saw the tragic results of that message again on Friday night. 'It has to change immediately, because we have already lost more than we can bear.' Yet Adams's plan, in particular his revival of the Anti-Crime Units, have not been universally welcomed. 'We can build safer, stronger communities without relying on strategies which in the past have inflicted lasting harm,' said Jumaane Williams, the city's public advocate. 'This is not a time to lose the lessons that we have learned.' The ACT has recorded 500 new cases of COVID-19, as the territory government extended low-level COVID-19 restrictions for a further two weeks. Of the 500 new cases of COVID-19, 289 came from PCR tests while there were 211 positive rapid antigen test results recorded. There are three fewer patients with COVID-19 being treated in hospital, down from 54 to 51 in the past day. ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said the extension was necessary due to the ongoing COVID-19 risk in Canberra The number of patients in intensive care has also fallen from four to three. Almost three-in-four children aged five to 11-years-old have received their first vaccine dose, with the rate now standing at 74.9 per cent, while there are now 58.1 per cent of those over 16 who have received their booster dose. It comes as the ACT government extended its public health emergency declaration for a further 90 days. ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said the extension was necessary due to the ongoing COVID-19 risk in Canberra. 'This extension also means we can be prepared in the event of a new or re-emerging strain of the virus as we head towards winter and cold and flu season,' she said. 'We are cautiously optimistic about the current COVID-19 situation in the ACT.' The declaration will remain in place until at least May 13. Meanwhile, low-level restrictions requiring patrons at hospitality venues to be seated while eating and drinking have been extended until February 25. Dancing will also be banned at hospitality venues is also not allowed. 'Canberrans are also being asked to continue to work from home, where this is appropriate for them and their employer, for the remainder of February,' Dr Coleman said. 'A further review of pubic health social measures will be considered over the coming weeks.' A Liberal senator has claimed a Labor advisor called her a 'c***' and a 'f***wit'while she was being interviewed on live TV. Amanda Stoker accused Labor MP Stephen Jones's media advisor of insulting her as he chatted to his boss in the Sky News studio in Parliament House on Thursday morning. Senator Stoker's team has sent Daily Mail Australia an audio recording of the interview where the advisor can be heard saying the inflammatory words. Queensland Liberal senator Amanda Stoker (right) accused Labor MP Stephen Jones's media advisor of insulting her Mr Jones (pictured) denied the insults were directed at Senator Stoker The audio was meant to record Senator Stoker's interview but accidentally picked up the Labor pair's conversation. Senator Stoker accused Labor of hypocrisy for using such violent language, telling Daily Mail Australia: 'I'm a big girl, and able to cop insults, however unfair. 'But my staff shouldn't have to put up with an environment like that, and given Labor spend a lot of time talking about respect and tolerance, it would be nice to see them practice what they preach. Utter hypocrites.' But Mr Jones denied the insults were directed at Senator Stoker, instead claiming they were a reaction to a tweet by NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham. Mr Jones said the insult was directed at Mark Latham over a tweet about his son Paddy (pictured conducting an TV interview) Mr Latham had tweeted about Mr Jones' 14-year-old son Paddy whom the MP spoke about in a passionate speech on gay rights and religious discrimination on Wednesday night. 'What's the cause and effect here? Children are impressionable and with two radically Left-wing parents who believe in gender fluidity, Paddy is not surprising anyone,' Mr Latham wrote. 'But then used as a political tool by his father to subject religious schools to more Left-wing gender activism.' Mr Jones told Daily Mail Australia: 'My media advisor and I were recorded without our knowledge having a private conversation about a tweet Mark Latham posted about my son. 'I can't remember which one of us called Mr Latham a c***.' The incident was first reported by News Corp. Aged care workers have lashed out at conditions in the sector as it deals with a surge of COVID-19 conditions, labelling it as a 'factory', as Labor intensifies pressure on the minister to resign. Opposition aged care spokeswoman Clare O'Neil attacked the government's response in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis in the sector, with more than 500 deaths from the virus in residential facilities since the start of the year. Ms O'Neil called for a pay rise for workers in the sector, saying large numbers of employees were leaving the industry. Aged care workers have lashed out at conditions in the sector as it deals with a surge of COVID-19 conditions, labelling it as a 'factory' (pictured, staff at a nursing home in Melbourne) 'Aged care workers are some of the most poorly paid people in our country,' she told reporters in Canberra. 'You will earn more at Bunnings, you will earn more on the checkout than you will doing some of the most complex and important work that is to be done in this country.' Aged care workers advocating for a 25 per cent pay rise met with Ms O'Neil and Opposition Leader Anthony at Parliament House on Thursday. It comes following further calls for Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck to resign over his handling of the crisis. The federal government this week announced it would send in 1700 Australian Defence Force personnel to assist the aged care sector, as it deals with staff shortages and a lack of equipment. Ms O'Neil said while more assistance in the sector was needed, long-term solutions were required. 'We do not have enough staff, the staff who are working are leaving the sector in droves because they can't do it any more,' she said. 'The fix for that is to take proper respect and care for these workers so they can properly support their residents.' Meanwhile, more booster shots have been approved for use, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration giving the provisional green light for AstraZeneca. However, the federal health department has indicated Pfizer and Moderna boosters were still the preferred options for Australians to receive their third dose. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will also meet state and territory leaders on Thursday afternoon for national cabinet discussions on the virus. Aged care will be on the agenda at the meeting, focusing on a nationally consistent guideline to ensure access to visitation rights. The vaccine rollout will also be discussed, along with the capacity of the health system as the number of Omicron cases ease. There were a further 56 deaths from COVID-19 across the country, with 24 coming from NSW, 16 from Victoria, 15 in Queensland and one in Tasmania. Case numbers remained stable, with more than 26,000 registered on Thursday nationwide. A Venice Beach community organization has warned Los Angeles officials that they're liable for millions in payouts if the remaining homeless encampments aren't cleared out, months after the city removed about 200 people from the boardwalk. The Venice Stakeholders Association sent a letter to several city offices last week explaining that LA could face a number of expensive lawsuits if they fail to protect the safety of nearby residents. Those who live in the area have complained about the garbage littering the boardwalk and the unchecked fires started by people camping outside. Last January, a fire at a homeless tent near the beach spread to a vacant two-story building and completely destroyed it. It took 116 firefighters two hours to put it out. The city cleared out about 200 people from the area over the summer, but the president of the Venice Stakeholders Association says about 70 people are still camping out overnight. A Venice Beach community organization warned LA city officials that they may face million-dollar lawsuits if the area near Venice Beach isn't kept clear of encampments. Above, the beach on June 29, 2021 The city cleared out more than 200 people from the area last summer, but about 70 people are still camping out overnight, according to the head of the Venice Stakeholders Association Venice Beach, a popular tourist site, was home to about 2,000 homeless people in 2020 Residents in the area have long complained about garbage, drug use and fires from the encampments A homeless woman walks past a tent set up in Venice Beach on July 2, 2021 'There's almost no police presence or fire department presence down here overnight,' said Ryavec, who leads the 11-year-old organization, in an interview with KABC 'There's almost no police presence or fire department presence down here overnight,' said Ryavec, who leads the 11-year-old organization, in an interview with KABC. 'We're putting the city on notice, that, if there's loss of life, if there's a structure, they are clearly already negligent, and they already will face a huge settlement.' There were 1,901 homeless people in the Venice area in 2020, according to the latest count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Ryavec says that LAPD and sanitation crews come by every Thursday, but that authorities have to come by at least three times a week to keep it completely clear. 'It's illegal to camp on Venice Beach,' Ryavec said. 'And we want that message established by enforcement of the rules that exist.' A whopping 94 percent of people living in the City of Angels say homelessness is a serious or very serious problem. Residents argued that homelessness is the top problem facing the county, with 94 percent of voters viewing it as a serious or very serious problem It was the biggest concern among residents polled, ahead of housing affordability, or traffic, air quality and climate change. Four in 10 Los Angeles residents have cited the city's homelessness problem as a main cause for feeling unsafe in their communities, with one in five people saying they would consider moving to escape the problem. The poll was conducted by the The Los Angeles Times and the city's Business Council Institute and surveyed 906 registered voters. It revealed that many LA County residents are disappointed with regional leadership, rising senses of disorder and routinely finding urine and feces in the streets. The poll-takers also expressed concern for the safety of their children. 'I didn't feel safe over there, especially raising my children,' said Amber Morino, a 35-year-old mother of seven, living in San Fernando Valley. 'I am also considering moving out of the state because it's so bad. Like, I just feel like every corner I turn here there are encampments campers. It's just terrible.' Police have arrested two men accused of lighting 15 trash bins on fire along Ocean Front Walk in Venice Beach on January 25. Surveillance video shows a man in dark clothes walking past trash cans lining a sidewalk of the popular tourist destination and lighting each of them on fire one by one. Jonathan Michael Noriega, 32, was arrested on January 27 and charged with arson. His accomplice, Richard Michael David, was arrested on January 31, according to the LA Fire Department. Last month, a man was caught on video setting fire to a line of trash bins on Ocean Front Walk The fires were set on January 25, adding to the issue of unchecked fires often set by those who set up camp in the area Jonathan Michael Noriega (left) and Richard Michael David (right) were arrested last month and charged with arson in connection with the fires In January 2021, 116 firefighters put out a fire that spread from a homeless tent to a vacant two-story building at 723 S. Ocean Front Walk, according to KTLA. It took two hours and 17 minutes from the time the fire was reported to the time it was extinguished. The Fire Department said the fire started at an encampment on the south side of the 6,952 sq ft building and threatened two other nearby structures. No one was injured. 'Any contents within the heavily damaged and now unstable fire building have yet to be identified,' the Fire Department said at the time. City officials said 211 people were removed from the boardwalk back in August, with 185 being placed in interim housing, 22 were in hotels or motels and four in permanent housing, LA City Councilman Mike Bonin's office told KTLA. The Venice Stakeholders Association told LA city agencies that they could be liable for millions in lawsuits if they don't address the dangerous encampments near Venice Beach. Above, a protest to open LA City Hall to the public again on November 12 In January 2021, 116 firefighters worked for two hours to put out a fire that spread from a homeless tent on Venice Beach to a vacant two-story building at 723 S. Ocean Front Walk The fire started at an encampment on the south side of the 6,952 sq ft building About 116 had been matched with permanent housing resources, according to St. Joseph Center. But Ryavec says about 70 people are still camping there overnight. Soon after the clean-up, residents complained that the city's efforts were 'all for show.' In July, a concerned resident who asked not to be identified captured a couple on video taking up camp near the popular boardwalk. 'You can clearly see a man and a woman unloading their car at about 7pm,' they said. 'The car had an Arkansas license plate, and they just went about their business, lugging their belongings and setting up a tent on the sand like it was no big deal.' Patrick Liberty, who has had a shop on the boardwalk for 25 years, told DailyMail.com last July that his business has taken a huge beating with homeless tents set up directly across from his store. 'The reality on the ground here is undeniable, it's a disaster. It's been very debilitating for my business, this is the last thing you want in front of a shop. Tourists and locals alike are afraid to walk down the boardwalk, let alone come into my store,' Liberty said. On July 14, a concerned resident who wished to remain anonymous captured a couple on video unpacking their car to take up camp near the popular boardwalk Bystanders captured video of an angry and violent man on the boardwalk holding what appears to be a rod. 'Just this morning, I saw a man screaming at the top of his lungs, walking down the boardwalk with torn up clothes and shouting out nonsense. Try putting him in a home. It's simply not the solution,' said shopowner Patrick Liberty told DailyMail.com inJuly 'Over the years, I've seen it all and can confidently say this is not a mere housing problem,' he explained. 'The people camped out front my store are not looking for housing, they are looking for drugs and have made this place their permanent home. They sit out on lounge chairs during the day and ask people for a dollar so they can buy crack. 'These people are in need of help, help to overcome their addictions and help with learning basic life skills. You can't just put street people in a home and think that's it, that's the answer. For some people yes, but for the people who willingly come here to live on the beach, no. Furious residents and shop owners told DailyMail.com that July's sweep was 'all for show' Less than a week after the clean-up efforts, the homeless were back setting up their tents and swarming the tourist-filled boardwalk 'Just this morning, I saw a man screaming at the top of his lungs, walking down the boardwalk with torn up clothes and shouting out nonsense. Try putting him in a home. It's simply not the solution,' Liberty said. Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, who has come under fire for what many call a lack of leadership and a lack of concern for the residents of Venice, has a completely different take on the situation. On July 12, Bonin tweeted, 'More than half of the unhoused population on Venice Beach's Ocean Front Walk-110 people-are sleeping indoors & are on a path to permanent housing as a result of the Encampments to Homes program.' Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin has come under fire for what many call a lack of leadership and a lack of concern for the residents of Venice. He tweeted about the clean-up efforts on July 12 Venice native Andrew Sullivan says it's a bit early for Bonin to be patting himself on the back and describes the recent clean-up as nothing more than 'the Mike Bonin Boardwalk Shuffle' as homeless encampments move further north and the sand resembles Burning Man. 'Venice Beach is in a state of emergency on all levels, and what we need right now is FEMA,' Sullivan told DailyMail.com. 'If you were to dare go to the boardwalk tonight, you would not see these so-called mental health workers from St. Joseph's Center walking around, helping people. Residents only see this happen when they call the media to be here or an activist's livestream camera is on. It's a collection of the biggest non-profit grifters ever assembled in one city. 'It's all about making those in charge look like they are actually doing something, when those of us who live here see first hand the horrors of mismanagement. If our leaders wanted to fix this, they've had $800million plus in the bank since 2017 to do so and they were just given another $5million,' he added. 'The streets indicate otherwise and the residents are organizing recalls to end the madness from Bonin to California Governor Gavin Newsom,' said Sullivan. Two men charged with murder over an Australia Day road rage shooting that left a Gold Coast father of two dead have been mentioned in a Queensland court. Tony Elbayeh, 39, and Hysam Hamdan, 43, were extradited from NSW to Queensland on Thursday after being arrested in Sydney in relation to the death of Omega Ruston at Burleigh Heads on January 26, 2009. Elbayeh is charged with murder, accessory after the fact, corruption of a witness and 30 counts of perjury. Two men charged with murder over an Australia Day road rage shooting that left a Gold Coast father of two (pictured) dead have been mentioned in a Queensland court A third man Paul Younan, 37, who police allege was the gunman in the road rage incident, is yet to appear in a Brisbane court (pictured, Younan's arrest in Sydney) Hamdan, arrested while allegedly attempting to board a flight to Dubai carrying $25,000 cash, faces a murder charge with an alternative of accessory to murder. The pair did not appear as charges were mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday before being adjourned for mention again on February 28. Both men cannot apply for bail and remain in custody. A third man Paul Younan, 37, who police allege was the gunman in the road rage incident, is yet to appear in a Brisbane court. Former bikie enforcer Brent Luke Simpson, 45, faced court on Wednesday charged being an accessory, attempting to corrupt a witness and 18 counts of perjury. Simpson allegedly 'provided immediate assistance to the offenders after the murder had been committed'. A bail application for Simpson was adjourned until February 17. Fortune Global 500 company to build polyester industrial park in northeast China Xinhua) 16:29, February 10, 2022 NANJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Hengli Group, a Fortune Global 500 company based in east China's Jiangsu Province, has started the construction of its new polyester science and technology industrial park in Changxing Island in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian. The park will be built in three phases and it aims to establish major industrial chains covering degradable materials, functional polyester materials, high-performance resin materials, high-end fiber materials and new energy materials, the company said. With a total investment of about 26 billion yuan (about 4 billion U.S. dollars), the Phase I construction project of the park is expected to generate 42 billion yuan worth of annual output value after being put into operation in 2023. The Phase I project includes production lines with an annual output of 2.6 million tonnes of functional polyester and 1.6 million tonnes of high-performance resin as well as supporting facilities like a wharf. Hengli Group plans to build the park into a globally influential eco-friendly industrial base, thereby fueling northeast China's revitalization. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Scott Morrison has launched a stinging attack on Labor, accusing the NSW branch of demonstrating the 'gold standard' of corruption. The Prime Minister fired up in Question Time in Parliament on Thursday after Anthony Albanese accused him of betraying Australians by failing to establish a national integrity commission which he promised at the last election. In a ferocious response, Mr Morrison took aim at Labor governments in Queensland Victoria, which are both embroiled in misconduct scandals, as well as previous NSW Labor governments. It came after a tough week for the Prime Minister in which Australian of the Year Grace Tame blasted him for a lack of action on women's safety and his new laws stopping religious discrimination got held up in the senate. The week before he failed to say the price of bread, was told about texts from Gladys Berejiklian which called him a 'horrible, horrible person' and was blasted for backing Mark McGowan's hard border in WA. Scott Morrison (pictured) fired up in Question Time in Parliament on Thursday 'I will not take lectures from the Labor Party about anticorruption, Mr Speaker,' a feisty Mr Morrison said. 'They would be well aware of the matters in Victoria at the moment, Mr Speaker, the matters in Queensland, at the moment. 'But the gold standard, Mr Speaker, when it comes to corruption, was the Labor Party in NSW. 'Where they had so many ex-Labor ministers in prison, they could start a branch of the Labor Party in the Silverwater prison,' the PM said to cheers from the Coalition benches. Mr Morrison has prepared an anti-corruption bill but won't introduce it to Parliament until Labor supports it. In October former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid, 77, was sentenced to at least three years and 10 months in prison over a rigged tender for a massive coal exploration licence, which delivered a $30 million windfall for his family's business empire. Former NSW mining minister Eddie Obeid walks from prison after his first stint in 2019 Obeid's former ministerial colleague Ian Macdonald, 72, was also jailed for at least five years and three months, while his son Moses Obeid was jailed for at least three years. In Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk's Labor government is currently facing a series of misconduct allegations, including the suppression of a report into allegations that Transport Minister Mark Bailey secretly used private emails for official business. The document, written by former state archivist Mike Summerell, has been under lock and key since 2017. Ms Palaszczuk says she's happy to release the report if the state's Crime and Corruption Commission gives its approval. The CCC is also investigating whether senior public servants in 2021 took a laptop from Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov's office and deleted its contents. Dr Stepanov, who's resigning in July, has also said the government cut her funding and staff, and even tried to have her removed. The government strongly denies the latter claim. The Victorian Government is under presser for the 'red shirts' rort where 21 past and present Labor MPs breached parliamentary guidelines by diverting staff to help campaign for members in 2014. In 2018 Labor paid back the money used in the scheme following an investigation by Ombudsman Deborah Glass, but no criminal charges were laid following a separate probe by Victoria Police. The Victorian Upper House on Wednesday passed a motion calling on Ms Glass to reinvestigate the scandal in which $388,000 of taxpayer money was misused and examine if Premier Daniel Andrews played any role. With AAP A traditional Chinese herbalist warned a diabetic woman off 'Western medication' and allayed her family's concerns about her decline before she collapsed and died, a judge has been told. Prosecutors accuse Burwood practitioner Yun Sen Luo, 56 this month, of unlawfully killing a 56-year-old woman who'd approached him about a skin condition in 2018. After allegedly learning she was diabetic, he is accused of advising her Western doctors had an incorrect perception of diabetes, that she could eat whatever fruits she likes and that prior use of Western medications had caused toxins to form inside her body. A traditional Chinese herbalist warned a diabetic woman off 'Western medication' and allayed her family's concerns about her decline before she collapsed and died, a judge has been told '(His) final direction, that she stop taking Western medication and start taking herbal medications prescribed by him, set in train a series of events that led to her death,' crown prosecutor Emma Blizard told the Sydney District Court on Thursday. Less than a fortnight since her first appointment with Luo, and after days of her daughter reporting increasingly worsening symptoms, the woman died on June 8, 2018. Luo, of Baulkham Hills, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter by gross criminal negligence. It couldn't be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the omission of diabetic medicine was the main cause of death, barrister Peter Skinner said. 'My client was never treating her for diabetes, he didn't know she had diabetes and he didn't really know about her medical history at all,' he said on Thursday. At the time of the Chinese woman's death, she'd been on a long holiday visiting her daughter's family in Sydney. On the advice of a friend of the daughter, she visited Luo (office pictured) for a skin condition on May 26, emerging 'very happy' after two hours, the court was told On the advice of a friend of the daughter, she visited Luo for a skin condition on May 26, emerging 'very happy' after two hours, the court was told. 'She said to me, "The doctor told me, from today on, I only need to have that Chinese medication",' the daughter told the court, through a Mandarin interpreter. "I don't have to have that medication for diabetes. Also, I can't have any types of Western-style medication".' Luo, the daughter said, was a metre away at the time. Within days, the woman was reporting dizziness and nausea, which Ms Blizard said Luo put down to 'a sign the toxins in her body were being cleansed'. Prosecutors accuse Burwood practitioner Yun Sen Luo (pictured in 2018), 56 this month, of unlawfully killing a 56-year-old woman who'd approached him about a skin condition in 2018 As the days went on, the daughter told Luo by WeChat her mother was 'always thirsty', vomiting 'as soon as she eats', and so weak and feeble that she appeared in a trance. About 3.30am on June 5, the concerned daughter apologised for disturbing the doctor but said her mother was cold, her eyes were rolling back and 'she can barely speak'. Luo visited the home later that day, allegedly saying the mother's symptoms were a 'superficial scenario', her pulse looked good and that he didn't think she was in danger. 'It must have been obvious to the accused in his discussions with the family that he was being treated by them as a person with specialist knowledge and they were deferring (to him),' Ms Blizard said. Mr Skinner says none of the WeChat messages mentions diabetes, consistent with his client's case that he never knew of the woman's condition. The trial, before Judge John Pickering without a jury, is expected to take three weeks. Tucker Carlson slammed the Biden administration over its new $30 million grant program to reduce substance abuse to underserved communities, claiming the government would be giving out 'free crack pipes to black people.' Although the administration has clarified that they're distributing safe smoking kits, not crack pipes, Carlson doubled down on his claims Tuesday night. 'The Biden administration is promoting drug addiction,' he said. 'They've been caught doing it and now they're denying it.' Carlson's fellow Fox host Sean Hannity also blasted the administrations plan on Wednesday night in an interview with U.S. Senator John Kennedy, of Louisiana, who called the plan 'stupidity.' 'There's no safe way to use crack cocaine and meth. Sooner of later it kills you. Why aren't we spending this money to get people off the illicit drugs,' Kennedy said. Tucker Carlson mocked the Biden administration's plan to distribute safe smoking kits to underserved communities on his show Tuesday night Joe Biden's Health and Human Services Department said that the kits will serve to limit the risk of infection drug users face and will prioritize underserved communities A spokesperson for Health and Human Services told the Washington Free Beacon that included in these kits could be pipes for users to smoke substances like crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, or 'any illicit substance.' HHS said that the kits will serve to limit the risk of infection - typically users smoke out of glass pipes which can lead to cuts and sores that become infected with diseases like Hepatitis-C. The kits include a rubber mouthpiece to prevent cuts and burns, brass screens to filter contaminants and disinfectant wipes. Applicants for the program get priority if they serve 'underserved communities,' such as African Americans or Native Americans, or LGBTQ people. The grant program lasts three years and includes 25 awards of up to $400,000. U.S. Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday that the Beacon's story was inaccurate and that crack pipes were never involved in the government's kits. It came after Carlson mocked the idea on Tuesday night. 'You may recall that on his first day in office more than a year ago, the new president explained that equity will require determination and creativity,' Carlson told his viewers. 'This week he proved that is true. Joe Biden's latest idea is to pay black people to smoke more crack.' The Fox News host said that progressive groups, many of them funded by George Soros's institutions, were encouraging Biden's plan, and joked that the president's 52-year-old son - who had a highly-publicized crack addiction - exemplified the 'crack gap'. Hunter Biden, in his memoir, writes that he first bought crack cocaine at age 18. The Fox News host also poked fun at Hunter Biden's past addiction and said the president was doing little to fight the opioid crisis because victims were 'mostly white' Hunter Biden, pictured with his father in 2016, has battled a crack cocaine addiction since he was 18. He was reportedly clean of his addiction by 2019 Carlson then suggested that the president was turning a blind eye to the opioid crisis because the victims were 'mostly white.' 'Their deaths had nothing to do with the equity agenda. In fact, their deaths may have helped the equity agenda by changing the demographics of the country in a way that benefits the Democratic Party. So as far as the Biden Administration is concerned, it's not a bad trend.' Carlson also took aim at San Francisco's open heroin market on Tuesday, bashing the Democratic city for facilitating an area where addicts could openly buy and use drugs in a safe location. He interviewed local mother Jacqui Berlinn, of Mothers Against Drug Deaths, who told him that such a facility would only keep addicts liker son 'chained to addiction.' '[Mayor London] Breed's policies and the policies in San Francisco give him everything that he needs to stay addicted,' she told Carlson. 'They give him the plastic needles and give him the foil...'[M]y hopes were dashed and even talking to my son, he said it just looks like more of the same, kind of makes him feel hopeless.' Carlson also took aim at San Francisco's open heroin market as ee interviewed local mother Jacqui Berlinn, of Mothers Against Drug Deaths, who told him that such a facility would only keep addicts liker son 'chained to addiction' There were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending in April 2021, according to the CDC, a 28.5 per cent increase from just the year prior. Three-quarters of those deaths involved opioids, many of them being synthetic opioids, such as methamphetamine or fentanyl. Cities like San Francisco and Seattle have experimented with their own crack pipe kit distribution programs. Others have backed away from such plans. Louisville, Ky. allowed convenience stores to sell drug kits, before later banning them from doing so. Meanwhile, the Justice Department (DOJ) signaled Monday it may allow 'safe injection sites' to open up across the U.S. Such sites would be safe havens where drug users could use heroin and other narcotics freely without risking arrest in an environment monitored by health professionals. The DOJ told the Associated Press it was 'evaluating' such facilities and talking to regulators about the 'appropriate guardrails.' The DOJ under the Trump administration had prosecutors who fought aggressively against a plan to open safe consumption sites in Philadelphia. 'Although we cannot comment on pending litigation, the Department is evaluating supervised consumption sites, including discussions with state and local regulators about appropriate guardrails for such sites, as part of an overall approach to harm reduction and public safety,' the agency said in a statement Friday to the AP. A divided appeals court last year ruled that safe injection sites would violate a 1980s-era drug law aimed at 'crackhouses.' The Supreme Court in October declined to take up the case. About six weeks later, the first officially authorized safe injection sites opened in New York City. The two facilities which the city calls 'overdose prevention centers' provide a monitored place for drug users to partake, with staffers and supplies on hand to reverse overdoses. The New York City sites so far have intervened in more than 110 overdoses among more than 500 users, many of whom have made multiple visits, according to OnPoint NYC, the organization running them. However, critics say they are only encouraging drug use and burdening the surrounding communities. 'Is this a cruel joke? Drug overdose deaths are at their highest recorded levels. The Biden administration should focus on stopping traffickers instead of creating more demand for their product,' Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote on Twitter of the Justice Department's consideration of the facilities. Two men involved in a suspicious house fire on the northern Gold Coast overnight were well known to each other and possibly in a relationship, police said. The body of a 21-year-old was found dead in the living room of a duplex at Leichhardt St, Coomera about 11pm on Wednesday. Another man, 39, is in hospital with facial and limb burns after the suspicious fire. Neighbours said they heard a smoke alarm go off at the property and called firefighters who found the man. On Thursday Coomera CIB Acting Detective Inspector Mark Procter confirmed the two men were 'well known' to each other, to the extent it 'could suggest' they were in a relationship. 'They are certainly good friends and have been seen in places together...but we don't know at this stage.' he said. AN investigation has begun after the body of a 21-year-old was found dead in the living room of a duplex at Leichhardt St, Coomera about 11pm on Wednesday. Another man, 39, is in hospital with facial and limb burns after the suspicious fire Neighbours said they heard a smoke alarm go off at the property and called firefighters who found the man in the living room of the residence Police are seen at the site of a suspicious house fire at a property in Coomera. A detective confirmed the two men were 'well known' to each other, to the extent it 'could suggest' they were in a relationship Firefighters found a 21-year-old man's body after a fire at a duplex at Leichhardt St, Coomera about 11pm on Wednesday The property is the residence of the 39-year-old man, who was found by paramedics suffering burns to his face and limbs at nearby Sheldon, in the southern suburbs of Brisbane Dt Insp Procter said the younger man's death was likely to have been caused by smoke inhalation and burns but a post-mortem examination was yet to definitively confirm. The property is the residence of the 39-year-old man, who was found by paramedics suffering burns to his face and limbs at nearby Sheldon, in the southern suburbs of Brisbane. Det Insp Procter said the man had visited the home of a work colleague to seek treatment for his injuries. Paramedics said his injuries were 'reportedly sustained at another location' and he's in a stable condition in hospital under police guard. 'It's been a bit difficult [to speak to the man], he has significant burns himself,' Det Insp Procter said. The 21-year-old lived in another residence in Coomera, police confirmed. A blue utility was located overnight and is part of the police investigation into the man's death. Police have set up a crime scene at the Coomera address and the second man is assisting police with their investigation. Fire damage can be seen through a windows at the Coomera property (pictured) An accused drug-kingpin who sparked one of Australia's biggest manhunts last year has been slapped with another charge. Mostafa Baluch was caught hiding in the back of a luxury car in a truck at the Queensland-NSW border in November as he attempted to evade capture after weeks on the run. The 34-year-old from Sydney's northern beaches is now facing an additional charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, police said on Thursday. Baluch - dubbed 'Australia's Pablo Escobar' - allegedly went on the run from police for 16 days after cutting off his ankle monitor (pictured at Bankstown Airport after extradition) Baluch from Sydney's northern beaches is now facing an additional charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, police said on Thursday It's alleged he is part of a syndicate that plotted to import more than a billion dollars worth of cocaine, heroin and ice. His dramatic arrest last year was the culmination of a weeks-long search after he allegedly removed an ankle monitor and went on the run. Police allege Baluch was involved in an organised crime syndicate that conspired to import and distribute three tonnes of cocaine, potentially worth an estimated $900 million. With help from US authorities, 1770 kilograms of cocaine was seized from vessels off the coast of Colombia in October 2020 and Ecuador in April 2021. Baluch was caught hiding in the back of a luxury car in a truck at the Queensland-NSW border in November as he attempted to evade capture after weeks on the run Five men have been charged so far over their alleged involvement in the syndicate. But inquiries continue, and police say they've uncovered a further conspiracy to import up to 1600kg of heroin and ice, potentially worth up to $320 million. Police say the plan involved shipping the drugs from Malaysia to Sydney concealed inside industrial toilet paper canisters. A 59-year-old Sans Souci man has been charged with conspiracy to import commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs. Both men are on remand and are next due to face Central Local Court on April 6. A young woman fell to her death from a California parking garage after she flipped over her handlebars while learning motorbike stunts. Maribel Espitia was identified by her friends as the motorcyclist who died in Valencia on Monday, according to KHTS AM 1220. Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner has not officially confirmed her identity because they could not reach her family. Police say she either lost control of the motorcycle or couldn't brake before crashing into the wall of the parking lot garage at Westfield Valencia Town Center in Santa Clarita. Two men and two women had been performing tricks on the parking deck with their motorcycles, which is scuffed with tire treads, before her death. Mall employees said the garage is a known destination where bikers perform 'donuts.' A funeral service will be held for Espitia on Thursday at Infiniti of Valencia where she worked as a receptionist, according to KHTS. Although she was not identified by authorities because the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner could not reach her family, Maribel Espitia (pictured) was identified by her friends as the motorcyclist who died in Valencia on Monday Motorcycle tread marks scuff up top deck of parking garage where Espitia allegedly learning to ride a motorbike fell to her death The motorcycle that Espitia allegedly used was retrieved by police after responding to the scene at Westfield Town Center in Santa Clarita Emergency medical services are pictured responding to the scene of the accident 'I know friends want to teach people, but if you're that interested, take a professional course,' Sheriff Department Sgt. Dave Shoemaker said. 'My best friend Maribel Espitia was in a tragic accident and lost her life,' wrote Destiny Gonzalez in the GoFundMe's description. 'Anyone who knew or met Maribel knew that she was an exceptional person who you only meet once in a lifetime.' 'Words itself cant even describe how pure and kind hearted she was, she left us all way too soon,' Gonzalez wrote. 'Anything that can be donated to help with her funeral cost or other expenses would greatly be appreciated. All donations will be given to her parents Susana and Sergio Espitia.' Since the fundraising initiative was launched on Tuesday, it has raised $13,736. The woman riding a motorcycle fell three stories from top level of the three-story mall parking garage (pictured) Authorities received a 911 call relating to the incident at around 5p.m., after witnesses allegedly saw the woman fall. The Sheriff's Department is working with the mall to find video evidence of the incident to see what actually happened to the woman. She was treated at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire before she was taken to a hospital, where she died. The Sheriff's Department spokesperson said the woman's death was a 'tragic accident' but the incident is still under investigation. Friends mourned Espitia's death in tribute posts on Facebook. 'My condolences to the Espitia family. My heart aches for you guys,' wrote Jocabad Chelion Mendoza. 'My Prayers go out to you. 'A high school friend who was so nice and down to earth. We only spoke so many times... This is so unreal.' 'Rest In Peace to such a beautiful girl/high school friend/ client,' read a tribute on a business page called Pretty Lashed by Jasmine. 'Im so sorry for everyone hurting with this news. Her best friend @mamaholds made a Go fund me to help her family with this sudden loss. Rest In Peace Maribel Espitia Rest In Peace mama.' Lisa Wilkinson was left 'speechless' when she had the chance to quiz Grace Tame at the National Press Club. The Project host was one of many journalists wanting to pose questions to Ms Tame and former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins after their controversial speeches. But when her turn to speak was called, other reporters were stunned to see her pass up her place in the queue in a bizarre awkward moment after she was introduced. Amid some nervous laughter, Ms Wilkinson turned down her slot and was overheard to say: 'How bizarre that I have nothing to say.' Number one fan Lisa Wilkinson was left dumbstruck and speechless when she had the chance to quiz child abuse activist Grace Tame (pictured) at the National Press Club The Project host was one of many journalists wanting to pose questions to Ms Tame and former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins after their controversial speeches. Rival media feared it was because the veteran star had an exclusive lined up with the two young women on The Project later that night. But Ms Wilkinson appeared alone on The Project live from Canberra on Wednesday evening and revealed she had been overwhelmed by the occasion. '[It was] so incredibly powerful,' she admitted. 'The waitlist on this lunch went on forever. 'They could have filled the MCG with the number of people who wanted to be in that room, and Grace and Brittany did not disappoint at all. 'They had everyone on the edge of their seat. These are two incredibly empowered women now with a lot to say.' Ms Wilkinson hailed the few Coalition ministers - including foreign minister Marise Payne and finance minister Simon Birmingham - who turned up for the speech. Rival media feared the veteran TV host had an exclusive lined up with Grace Tame (pictured) and Brittany Higgins on The Project later that night Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) appeared alone from Canberra on The Project on Wednesday evening 'It was never going to be an easy listen for them, particularly in the lead up to the election,' she added. But she called on the Australian public to get behind child abuse activist and government critic Ms Tame and Ms Higgins, who has repeatedly attacked the Coalition over their handling of her rape allegations. 'They can't do this on their own if they don't get our support,' she said. 'If we don't keep encouraging them, that we are listening and we want to also be part of the change, then we're doing them a disservice. 'Because there's no one who's taken on a higher cost than than those two women... and they're going to keep going for it.' called on the Australian public to get behind child abuse activist and government critic Grace Tame and alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins (pictured) Host Carrie Bickmore also hailed the pair's powerful speeches and added: 'It should be compulsory viewing for everyone. 'We don't deserve these women - to keep reliving their trauma to make our country safer. 'I just kept thinking. watching them today - and the same with Grace last month, not smiling next to the PM - they're not playing by the rules that we've played by for generations. 'They're agitators - they're not going to be silenced. They're speaking their truths. And I think all we can do is keep the spotlight on the issue. 'It's up to all of us now. It can't be just a thing like "That was a year of reckoning", and then the world goes back to normal. 'We can't. They deserve us to keep the issue going.' Victoria will give key workers another four weeks to get their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, after the state's chief health officer extended the deadline. The state recorded 16 COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, along with 9,391 new cases, including 6,045 from rapid antigen tests and 3,346 from PCR tests. Victoria is managing 55,946 total active cases, while there are 543 patients in hospital with the virus. Of these, 75 are in intensive care and 23 on ventilation. Victoria will give key workers another four weeks to get their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, after the state's chief health officer extended the deadline (stock image) In the daily update on Thursday afternoon, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced the key worker booster deadline will be extended by one month. This means health and aged care, emergency, disability, quarantine and food distribution workers who were eligible for a third dose before January 12 will now have until March 12 to receive their booster. Workers in those sectors who became eligible after January 12 must have received their third dose vaccine by March 29. All healthcare workers eligible for a booster shot before March 12 must provide evidence of their vaccination status or a medical exemption to continue working, the CHO update said. Employers must also confirm that an employee has received their third dose and keep a record of workers' third dose vaccination status. About 48 per cent of Victorians over 18 have received a vaccine booster after 14,863 doses were administered at state-run hubs on Wednesday. A disruptive passenger on a Frontier Airlines flight to Orlando had to be restrained by fellow passengers after he allegedly yelled about being stuck with needles by the woman behind him, forcing the flight to stop in Raleigh as he was led off. The unidentified man was onboard flight 1335 from New York's LaGuardia Airport to Orlando on Wednesday night when he began yelling and complaining that the woman behind him was trying to steal his DNA with a syringe. Video from inside the plane shows several male passengers trying to restrain the man. 'You can't do this!' he screamed. 'Oh my god.' The flight was rerouted to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, where law enforcement, fire rescue and EMS were waiting to escort him off, according to WTVD. Passenger disruptions have soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Federal Aviation Administration initiating 1,099 investigations into such cases in 2021, compared to 146 in 2019 and 159 in 2018. Scroll down for video At least six passengers tried to restrain an unruly man aboard a flight from New York to Orlando on Wednesday night The man allegedly threatened a baby onboard and threatened to kill everyone. He also claimed a woman was stabbing him with a needle to try to steal his DNA, one passenger said Passenger disruptions have soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Federal Aviation Administration initiating 1,099 investigations into such cases in 2021 The unruly passenger on Wednesday's flight threatened a baby and said he would kill everyone, another passenger told WTVD. Video from the flight, which has been circulated on social media, shows the commotion inside the plane as at least six passengers crowded around him and tried to get him to stay put. 'Hey y'all, he needs to sit in his seat,' one woman can be heard saying. 'So don't tie his feet like that. He needs to be able to sit in his seat.' The man screams: 'Don't let me go. No!' 'They are now fighting,' one woman adds, with a passenger screaming, 'Tie him up!' The man was eventually escorted off the plane after an emergency landing in Raleigh. There have been 394 reports of unruly passengers so far this year, according to the FAA. Most of them, or 225, were related to the use of face masks, which are legally required on trains, planes, buses, airports and other transportation terminals. Forty people have been fined or otherwise punished for violations this year. The FAA began 1,099 investigations into passenger disruptions in 2021, compared to 146 in 2019 and 159 in 2018. 'The FAA has seen a disturbing increase in incidents where airline passengers have disrupted flights with threatening or violent behavior,' the agency says on its website. Wednesday night's flight from New York to Orlando spent two hours at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina, above, as the man was escorted off There have been 394 reports of unruly passengers so far this year, according to the FAA, and most of them have been about passengers refusing to comply with the federal mask mandate 'On January 13, 2021, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson signed an order directing a stricter legal enforcement policy against unruly airline passengers in the wake of recent, troubling incidents.' The agency can now propose fines up to $37,000 per violation for unruly passenger cases, up from the previous maximum of $25,000. The rate of unruly passenger incidents has dropped about 50 percent since record-highs in early 2021. On January 19, a flight from Miami to London turned around after 90 minutes and landed back in Miami after a drunk first class passenger refused to follow the federal mask mandate. The airline called Miami-Dade police and once the plane landed, officers escorted a woman off the plane at Miami International Airport Wednesday evening without incident. The woman was traveling first class. Both she and her companion, whose gender has not been revealed, were drunk and refused to wear masks, sources said. 'There was a lot of drinking involved and I was nervous,' Steve Freeman, who was a front-row witness to the incident, told WPLG. A London-bound American Airlines flight turned back about 500 miles into its 4,400-mile journey from Miami Steve (right) and Teresa Freeman (left) were shocked police did not arrest the first-class American Airlines passenger whose apparently drunken actions caused a London-bound flight to return to Miami 'She sat behind us in first class she was a first-class passenger and was extremely abusive to the stewards.' A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Police Department said American Airlines staff dealt 'administratively' with the passenger, which involved her being placed on the airline's no-fly list pending further investigation. It was unclear if the passenger, a woman in her 40s, was British or American. She was put on American Airlines' internal no-fly list pending further investigation. The woman was not arrested, as she did not break local law. In September, President Joe Biden increased the federal penalty for people refusing to mask up on planes to $500. The flight, which had been in the air for 90 minutes, was canceled as a result of the incident. Many passengers had to stay overnight in Miami to catch a re-booked flight on Thursday. On Monday, Frontier and Spirit airlines announced a planned $6.6 billion merger. The deal is being hilariously mocked on social media, where users say the partnership will yield 'the absolutely worst airline of all time.' Frontier airlines announced a $6.6billion merger with Spirit on Monday Twitter users had a field day poking fun of a partnership between the nation's worst-ranked airlines The companies announced the deal Monday, shortly before Frontier was forced to ground all of its US flights due to 'automation issues,' resulting in hundreds of disgruntled passengers as the airline nixed and delayed 22 per cent of its flights. Both airlines ranked among the worst in the nation in two recent studies, where their scores were dragged down by persistent delays, cramped cabins, and passenger complaints. Social media users indicated little hope for improvement while blasting the partnership - which will create the nation's fifth largest airline - on Twitter. 'Frontier and Spirit Airlines are merging, creating the fifth largest, but absolutely worst airline of all time,' tweeted @DAnthonyHiggins. Added @amalia_CLE: 'BYOP - Bring your own pilot. This can't be good.' Others took a slightly more optimistic approach, with actor @DAnthonyHiggins tweeting: 'Their new motto, "Faster than taking a bus."' Scott Morrison has been undermined by a second major leak against him in two weeks. Extraordinary details of a cabinet meeting argument on Monday night have been leaked to journalist Peter van Onselen and published in The Australian. Van Onselen is the reporter who ambushed the PM on live TV last week with leaked texts in which Gladys Berejiklian allegedly called him a 'horrible, horrible person'. He said his source was a senior Liberal cabinet minister but refused to say which one. Scott Morrison (pictured in Parliament on Thursday) has been undermined by a second major leak against him in two weeks Extraordinary details of a cabinet meeting argument on Monday night have been leaked to journalist Peter van Onselen (pictured on 10 News on Thursday night discussing his story) Now van Onselen reports that Mr Morrison was 'rolled' in a cabinet meeting where he proposed a controversial strategy to get enough support for his religious discrimination laws which were debated this week and held up in the senate. Mr Morrison allegedly proposed allowing Parliament to debate a revamped national corruption watchdog proposal in exchange for support for his religion bill from moderate Liberals and independents. There was apparently a heated debate in which several ministers including Communications Minister Paul Fletcher passionately spoke out against the plan. Mr Morrison's friend Stuart Robert and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham were in favour but it was ultimately deemed too risky and scrapped in an embarrassing defeat for the PM. Cabinet meetings are secretive and private and leaks such as this are rare. Van Onselen (left) quizzed minister Stuart Robert (right) about the cabinet meeting but he replied: 'I do not discuss matters of cabinet confidentiality' Van Onselen does not reveal his source for this story, instead only quoting a mystery Liberal who said the PM's plan was 'too tricky by half' and a mystery minister who said the PM looked 'rattled'. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said his office does not comment on cabinet meetings. Van Onselen - who contributes to The Australian and 10 News - quizzed Mr Robert about the cabinet meeting but the minister replied: 'I do not discuss matters of Cabinet confidentiality'. Mr Morrison last week said he is confident that no Cabinet minister tried to undermine him by leaking the Gladys texts. Marise Payne, Greg Hunt, Karen Andrews, Paul Fletcher, Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor have publicly denied being the leaker. Network Ten political editor Peter van Onselen confronted the PM on live TV with the incendiary text messages The leak comes after a turbulent week in Parliament which saw Mr Morrison's Religious Discrimination Bill - designed to end discrimination on the basis of religion - pass the lower house with support from Labor but get delayed in the senate until March 29. The Government deliberately delayed the bill after Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg revealed he would cross the floor to enshrine greater protections for transgender children in religious schools. Earlier five Liberal MPs had crossed the floor in the lower house to support such protections but the Government's top lawyer warned the change to the Sex Discrimination Act could have unintended consequences leading to more discrimination not less. In Question Time on Thursday Labor blasted the Prime Minister for failing to set up a national corruption watchdog which he promised at the 2019 election but has not introduced due to fear Labor will change his model to make it too powerful. In a ferocious response, Mr Morrison took aim at Labor governments in Queensland Victoria, which are both embroiled in misconduct scandals, as well as previous NSW Labor governments. 'I will not take lectures from the Labor Party about anticorruption, Mr Speaker,' a feisty Mr Morrison said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian take a selfie after making an address to thousands of high school students in Sydney in 2019 On Wednesday Australian of the Year Grace Tame and former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins blasted the PM for a lack of action on women's safety. The week before he failed to say the price of bread, was told about texts from Gladys Berejiklian which called him a 'horrible, horrible person' and was blasted for backing Mark McGowan's hard border in WA. Three conservative commentators tore into Mr Morrison, with Andrew Bolt branding him 'finished' after his 'sad stunt' washing an apprentice's hair in a salon on Friday. Bolt urged conservative favourite Peter Dutton to 'prepare to lead'. When Van Onselen presented the texts between the former NSW Premier and a mystery Liberal cabinet minister at the National Press Club, he told the PM: 'I've got them right here.' 'In one, she (Gladys Berejiklian) described you as, quote, ''a horrible, horrible person'', going on to say she did not trust you, and you're more concerned with politics than people. 'The minister is even more scathing, describing you as a fraud and, quote, ''a complete psycho''. In a statement released hours later, Ms Berejiklian said she had 'no recollection' of the remarks, but didn't deny they were said. Van Onselen refusal to name his source sparked a witch hunt, with various ministers blamed on social media. The journalist later addressed criticism that he deliberately picked his moment to ambush the PM with the messages to inflict maximum political damage just months before an election. 'I was only authorised to use them recently, but I was made aware of them a while ago,' he wrote on Twitter. 'The National Press Club was the best opportunity available to put the messages to the PM and get a proper response. At a news conference, he would have dismissed that question long before it was over,' he added in his column. A Florida couple were accused of child abuse for allegedly forcing their 14-year-old adopted son to stay in an 8ft by 8ft locked cage, where he ate his meals alone and relieved himself in a bucket, for five years whenever he wasn't at school. Tracy Ferriter, 46, and Timothy Ferriter, 46, both of Jupiter, have both pled not guilty to one count of aggravated child abuse and one count of false imprisonment. They were being held at Palm Beach County Jail before paying $50,000 bail apiece, according to WPTV. The couple's three other children have since been removed from their house by Child Protective Services, including one child who is two years old. In court on Wednesday morning, the Ferriters were ordered by Judge Charles Burton not to have contact with any of the children without permission from the Florida Department of Children and Families, according to People. 'The juvenile was able to attend school; however, was confined to the structure during the remainder of the day,' the Jupiter Police Department said in a press release. 'Meals were brought to the child and the bucket was provided for bathroom use.' Tracy Ferriter, 46 (left), and Timothy Ferriter, 46 (right), both of Jupiter, have both pled not guilty to one count of aggravated child abuse and one count of false imprisonment for allegedly forcing their adopted son to stay in a locked cell-like structure in their garage whenever he wasn't attending school The shocking revelations followed a year-long child abuse investigation, sparked on January 28, 2021 when the teen ran away the Ferriter home at the 200 block of Crane Point North in the Egret Landing community, pictured Tracy and Tommy Ferriter are pictured with three of their children. The couple's three other children were removed from their house by Child Protective Services, including one child who is two years old A lawyer representing Timothy Ferriter, right, and his wife said that the 14-year-old suffered from a reactive attachment disorder that prevented him from forming healthy emotional bonds with his caretakers, and suggested that this contributed to his parents' decision to lock him up The 14-year-old was even made to clean the bucket, he told police. He told police he was once locked in the prison for 18 hours, according to court documents. In court, Tracy and Timothy's attorney Nellie King said that the 14-year-old suffered from a reactive attachment disorder that prevented him from forming healthy emotional bonds with his caretakers, WPTV reported, and suggested that this contributed to his parents' decision to lock him up. The shocking revelations followed a year-long child abuse investigation, sparked on January 28, 2021 when the teen ran away from home and Tracy reported him missing. She told her police the boy had 'several behavioral disorders' and had gotten into trouble at school the day before. Tracy and Timothy Ferriter have been ordered not to make contact with any of their children The unnamed 14year-old boy told police he was spanked, hit with a belt and a jumprope and frequently spit on, and reportedly asked to be put in jail so he didn't have to go back to his adopted parents, pictured here with their children Tracy told authorities who asked about the strange structure in her garage - described in police reports as a 'small room with a plain white door - that it was used as an office, then changed her story and said it was a storage unit. It had a doorknob and a deadbolt, with a light that could only be switched on and off from the outside, according to a police report WFLA. Inside was a mattress and box spring outfitted with gray sheets, a desk with school books and children's books and a chair. 'I feel like no one loves me,' the boy reportedly told police who to the child's school to interview him on New Years Day. He told police he was spanked, hit with a belt and a jump rope and frequently spit on, and reportedly asked to be put in jail so he didn't have to go back to his adopted parents. A Ring camera to monitor the teen was set up in the cell-like structure where he was forced to stay. Ultimately, footage from the camera, along with testimony from his siblings, corroborated his shocking account. Aric Preisendorf, pictured, told WFLA he used to live next door to the Ferriter family's home at the 200 block of Crane Point North in the Egret Landing community, and would see the kids playing in the street Aric Preisendorf told WFLA he used to live next door to the Ferriter family's home at the 200 block of Crane Point North in the Egret Landing community, and would see the kids playing in the street. 'Weve been here for a while now since 2007,' former neighbor Preisendorf said. 'So, knew them Cant say we knew them well they kind of kept to themselves. Yeah, but its weird and crazy news.' 'Its a three-car garage. On the single car garage, there was where a room was built in there, but I never went in the house or in the garage. You could see it from the outside.' A Gold Coast man who killed his former mate and left him to die in a dog park after a fight over a pair of stolen shoes will be eligible for parole in September. Jarvis Jai Farrier, 21, was just 18 years old when he stabbed Harrison Geppert, 17, in the back in September 2019. The pair had been good mates until a bitter falling out in 2018. Jarvis Jai Farrier (pictured), 21, was just 18 years old when he stabbed Harrison Geppert, 17, in the back in September 2019 Hostilities simmered for months before finally erupting during a chance encounter on September 4. Farrier was with two others when he bought cannabis at Varsity Lakes that day. As they were leaving, they spotted Mr Geppert walking with a friend heading to the same dealer for drugs. The wound was not deep, penetrating just over 5cm, but enough to puncture Mr Geppert's (pictured) left lung before the teen collapsed and died from cardiac arrest. Farrier called for reinforcements, and the two groups cornered Mr Geppert, blocking both ends of the street. One of Farrier's friends was the first to confront Mr Geppert, accusing him of stealing a pair of shoes. The ambush quickly escalated and Farrier ran to join in, arming himself with a military blade before stabbing his former friend once in the back. The wound was not deep, penetrating just over 5cm, but enough to puncture Mr Geppert's left lung before the teen collapsed and died from cardiac arrest. Farrier and his friends ran from the scene before he handed himself to the police later that night. He told police he believed his former friend was armed with knuckle dusters but never intended to kill the teenager, the younger brother of former Hells Angel bikie Ben Geppert. Farrier had bought the knife 'in case he needed it' and told an undercover officer the knife 'didn't even go in that far' and 'shouldn't have killed him'. 'I didn't even want to pull a knife, I just wanted to bash him,' he admitted to the officer. Farrier told police he believed his former friend was armed with knuckle dusters but never intended to kill the teenager, the younger brother of former Hells Angel bikie Ben Geppert (pictured) In a victim impact statement read to the court at a Monday hearing, Mr Geppert's mother Lisa said she could never forgive her son's killer, rejecting his letter of apology. 'Forgiveness, Jarvis, is something you will never get from me. I could never forgive someone who took the life of my child,' Ms Geppert's statement read. 'I have been living a nightmare I can't wake up from. 'My 17-year-old son was left in a park alone, to die an excruciating and painful death and you ran. You were a coward.' In a victim impact statement read to the court at a Monday hearing, Mr Geppert's mother Lisa said she could never forgive her son's killer, rejecting his letter of apology Defence barrister David Funch said Farrier was 'deeply remorseful' and surrendered to police when he realised Mr Geppert had died. Justice Elizabeth Wilson said Farrier had made no attempt to stop the fight, but instead stabbed Mr Geppert in the back. 'You demonstrated no remorse. You left him there. Only hours later you handed yourself in to police,' Justice Wilson said. 'Mr Geppert was not the protagonist in any way, shape or form. He was just peacefully going about his business.' Farrier was sentenced to nine years of prison, to be eligible for parole on September 3, 2022. Shocking footage has emerged of a Sydney high school teacher who is accused of selling drugs to her students appearing to smoke from a bong while surrounded by children in their school uniforms. Lauren Russell, 42, was arrested last week after she allegedly supplied cannabis to her students at Lucas Heights Community School. A video has been widely circulated which appears to show Ms Russell, who teaches physics at the school in Sydney's south, inhaling from a homemade bong. The widely-circulated video shows Ms Russell taking a drag of an unknown substance from a makeshift bong constructed from a gatorade bottle and a piece of hose (pictured) The mother-of-three, who is seen sitting on milk crate in the outdoor setting, glances behind her as a student appears to lean in and light the bong constructed from a Gatorade bottle and a piece of hose. The physics teacher takes a drag and tilts her head sideways to blow the smoke away from the observing students, in a video obtained by the Daily Telegraph. One parent who has watched the 15-second clip said it had prompted mass outrage within the school community. She was arrested at her home in Beverly Hills, in Sydney's southwest last Friday, and charged with the supply of a prohibited drug, with police alleging she contacted students and supplied them with the drugs after school. Lauren Russell, 42, who teaches physics at Lucas Heights Community School, has been charged with the supply of a prohibited drug She allegedly handed out the drugs between 3pm and 6pm on December 15 last year, documents tendered to the Sutherland Local Court indicate. Ms Russell did not appear in court for her first mention on Wednesday and her lawyer applied for a four-week adjournment. She joined the Lucas Heights school in 2014, working as a high school science teacher. In a newsletter welcoming her to the facility, Ms Russell was described as having 'quickly built a good rapport with her classes and her faculty'. The 42-year-old is originally from Maryland in the United States. A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education said Ms Russell was removed from the school as soon as they were made aware of the allegations A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education said Ms Russell was removed from the school as soon as they were made aware of the allegations. She has been banned from the school grounds and contacting students. 'We are deeply concerned by the allegations. We have high expectations of our employees,' the spokesperson said. Ms Russell's case will return to court on March 9. A Connecticut school under fire for sending eighth-graders an assignment asking them to compare their favorite and least favorite pizza toppings to their sexual preferences is now calling it a 'mistake.' The students at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Enfield recently received the 'Pizza and Consent' assignment, which asked students to compare their favorite pizza toppings to their favorite sex acts. 'We can use pizza as a metaphor for sex,' the assignment says, explaining: 'When you order pizza with your friends, everyone checks in about each other's preferences, right?... The same goes with sex.' It then provides the children with a section to list their favorite pizza toppings and their favorite sex acts, saying: 'Here are some examples: Likes: Cheese = kissing, dislikes: Olives = Giving oral.' Once the metaphor was complete, the eighth-graders were also asked to 'draw and color your favorite type of pizza. What's your favorite style of pizza? Your favorite toppings? What are your pizza no-nos? Now mirror these preferences in relation to sex.' And 'for those of y'all who don't like pizza or sex at all, feel free to draw out another food favorite, or include non-sexual activities.' The assignment was quickly deleted from the Enfield School District's website, according to FOX News, and now district officials are saying it was sent out 'by mistake.' Students were sent this assignment asking them to compare their favorite sex acts to their favorite pizza toppings After the assignment was released in January, some parents took to social media to express their disgust with it. One woman, only identified as 'Amanda,' posted a video to YouTube saying that if the Board of Education meeting on January 27 was held in-person, she would have asked: 'Since when has it become acceptable for a teacher to ask a student what their sexual wants, desires and boundaries are?' Others spoke out at another board meeting on Tuesday, with Jonathan Grande saying: 'The assignment was crude, it lacked good taste,' and Tracy Jarvis saying it 'is prompting kids to become sexually active before their time. 'Youth don't even know how to navigate platonic relationships, so why introduce sexual relationships?' 'We should not be encouraging youth to explore each other's bodies with multiple partners in an open environment for any reason,' she continued. 'If somebody is doing that or asking them to do that they should tell a responsible adult, who then reports it. 'I understand we need to teach kids boundaries,' Jarvis said. 'But you are giving them way more information than they are psychologically ready to handle at this ag. 'By doing this, you open up doors for them to have partners that are older than them, increasing statutory situations,' she claimed. 'This has gone too far,' she said, adding parents 'will fight for the purity and protection of our children.' The incident happened at the John F. Kennedy Middle School in Enfield, Connecticut Parents, like 'Amanda,' took to social media to express their disgust with the assignment But school officials have said the assignment was sent out to middle school students in error, and even parents acknowledge that after it was published, the district's Health and Physical Education Coordinator emailed parents and apologized. 'The incorrect version, as opposed to the revised version of this assignment was mistakenly posted on our Grade 8 curriculum page, and was inadvertently used for instruction to Grade 8 Health classes,' Brie Quartin wrote, according to Parents Defending Education. 'I caught the error after our curriculum revision in June, but failed to post the intended version. I own that, and apologize for the error.' Superintendent Christopher Drezek reiterated on Tuesday that the assignment was sent to eighth-graders by 'mistake' She went on to explain that the 'correct version' of the assignment would have students work in small groups 'to craft a pizza with toppings that would make everyone happy/comfortable using nonverbal communication only.' The students would then be asked to 'reflect and discuss how thoughts or feelings can be confusing or misconstrued if we rely on nonverbal cues/communication alone.' And at the school board meeting on Tuesday, Superintendent Christopher Drezek again told parents it was 'inadvertently' sent out to the eighth-grad students. 'The truth was it was a simple mistake,' he said, according to FOX News. 'And I know that there are some who may not believe that. I know there are some who don't necessarily maybe want that answer. 'In this particular case, I didn't even get a chance,' he said, 'because the person who made the mistake jumped ahead of it before I was even notified that it had happened.' Drezek then agreed with parents that the content was 'inappropriate,' but claimed there was no 'hidden agenda. 'There was no secret cabal to indoctrinate kids on something,' he said. 'They sent the wrong document. And I'm not going to perpetuate this story any longer on their behalf. 'So that's what happened, and none of us are happy that it happened,' Drezek told parents, noting: 'No one feels worse that it happened than the person that did it.' A seven-year-old Texas boy is on the route to recovery after he was mauled by a dog last month as he was getting off the school bus leaving him with injuries that took more than three hours to repair. Connor Landers of Azule, Texas, had been left with two dozen severe lacerations to the face, head and body after he was attacked by a black brindle boxer and a bull mastiff mixed-breed when it escaped a neighbor's fence. Photos revealed Connor's condition he was his face and arms were seen lined with deep scratch marks causing severe cuts and bruising. Connor was forced to undergo reconstructive surgery for more than three hours with more work needed to repair nerve damage as well as his tear duct. The dog's owner Patti Jean Bell-Neveling was arrested on Monday with the third-degree felony charge of attack by a dog causing serious bodily injury. Bell-Neveling's bond had been set at $10,000 on Tuesday. Texas boy Connor Landers, seven, underwent reconstructive surgery after he was mauled by a neighborhood dog when getting of the school bus a month ago Connor had received two dozen severe lacerations to his face, nose and body after he was attacked by the animal The dog's owner Patti Jean Bell-Neveling was arrested on Monday with the third-degree felony charge of attack by a dog causing serious bodily injury. Her bond has been set at $10,000. The dog involved in the attack was also euthanized last week, according to the Parker County Sheriff's Office. One of Connor's neighbors had witnessed the attack on the young boy after her own dogs had begun barking. 'He had Connor, was taking him through the ditch to his yard,' Lorena Parker told FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth. 'Every time I got the dog off, he would turn and go right back to Connor because he was crying. It was horrible.' Parker added that she managed to free him after fending the dog off with a stick. 'There was no thought, just to do, get the dog off of him,' she also told the network. Connor's Lorena Parker managed to save the boy and fend the dog off with a stick Connor was taken to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas for his injuries He was then taken to a local hospital for treatment and underwent reconstructive surgery for his injuries. 'He underwent more than three hours of surgery to repair nerve damage to his face and to close more than two dozen lacerations his face, head and body,' Connor's mother Cassandra Ware said in a statement to the police. 'The doctors anticipate he will need several more surgeries to repair additional nerve damage to his face and to repair his tear duct.' She also said that her son would require physiotherapy to be able to write and use one of his arms again. Connor's mother Cassandra Ware said that her son would require physiotherapy to be able to write and use one of his arms again The Parker County Sheriff's Office commended Parker for helping Connor in a timely fashion and gave her a $500 reward as compensation. 'We commend Conners neighbor for her bravery and quick actions in saving him,' Sheriff Russ Authier said in a statement on Monday. 'We are praying for Conner to make a full recovery.' The case remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division. One hundred hour weeks, few rest breaks and shattered personal relationships are just some of the allegations being made by Justin Hemmes' staff in a massive class action against the pub baron's company Merivale. In revisited testimony released in the early stages of legal action, past and present Merivale employees detailed their long work hours and lack of breaks between 2013 to 2019. Punishing work weeks - some which would stretch to as long as 100 hours - were allegedly the norm for employees under Merivale's now defunct WorkChoices agreement which sparked the original class action. Canberra firm Adero Law, overseen by principal Rory Markham, sued Merivale back in December 2019 on behalf of employees seeking unpaid wages - a claim which has since reached a staggering $129million for around 14,000 claimants. Markham told Daily Mail Australia that his firm was expecting to reach a settlement with Hemmes in the coming weeks - ideally prior to the requested mediation deadline of June 3. Hemmes, meanwhile, has declined to comment and is believed to be holidaying in the the US ski fields. Merivale has previously said it 'firmly believes there is no basis for any action' - and that external parties had independently assessed its compliance. Justin Hemmes facing a possible settlement with around 14000 past and present staff Work and play hard: The pub baron enjoys lives a luxurious playboy livestyle Hemmes lives a different life from most of his staff with a glamorous girlfriend, a multimillion dollar property portfolio and a harbourside family mansion The testimony of several class action claimants paints a picture of the working life experienced by Merivale employees between 2013 and 2019 - a period which also coincided with some of Hemmes' biggest commercial success. Adero believes 80 to 90 per cent of Merivale's chefs were permanent employees paid a salary and contracted for 38 hours per week but required to work at least 50 to 55 hours on average. Work above that level wasn't unusual, with some of the claimants alleging instances of 100-hour work weeks. The legal testimonies echo claims from a report published by news.com.au back in 2020, with former employees giving a raw snapshot into day-to-day life as a Merivale worker, detailing long hours, little or no rest breaks, and a lack of work/life balance. Despite the industry award stipulating any work beyond 38 hours per week be compensated with overtime payments, chefs and kitchen hands were allegedly expected to work well beyond that. With chefs working an average of 55 hours per week, Merivale essentially got at least 17 hours of free labour weekly per person, Adero alleges. 'I used to work for them with my ex-wife we broke up because of them,' one chef claimed in the class action. 'We used to work 11 to 13 hours per day with only a 30-minute break. My ex-wife decided to leave the country they literally destroyed my life.' Partytime: Merivale staff are treated with regular staff parties which include free drinks and food Hemmes himself often makes an appearance at the company's celebrated staff parties Another chef became so physically unwell from the long hours that his doctor ordered him to stop working, it's alleged. Another employee said it was not uncommon to work 60- to 70-hour weeks in peak periods. 'It was not unusual during events season to be required to (work) multiple events in a day,' the worker said. 'Between set-up, running the event and then packing down, I might begin work at 7am or 8am, and not (finish) until 3am, 4am or even 5am the next day,' they said. One former bartender, who is part of the Adero class action and asked not to be named, said the environment at Merivale was one of 'being lucky to work there'. 'There were perks like big staff parties, two or three a year, with unlimited food and drinks and there was a culture of 'well we're lucky to be working at such a cool place'. 'It was instilled that, if you don't want to work here there are plenty who will'. 'So you eventually got conditioned to sucking it up. And being satisfied with the little perks along the way.' Contacted for comment about a potential settlement in the coming weeks, Hemmes declined to comment - with a representative saying he was 'travelling and unavailable'. However Adero revealed this week that it was confident a settlement would soon be reached and that the case would most likely not proceed in court. First filed in 2019, the class action is one of the biggest of its kind in Australia and a potential game changer for the hospitality industry which has come under much pressure in recent years to improve its treatment of workers, most of which are working class, students and/or travelling visa holders. Hemmes, meanwhile, lives a vastly different life with a coterie of glamorous friends and girlfriends, a multimillion dollar property portfolio and a harbourside family mansion estimated to be worth in excess of $100million. Old Friends: Hemmes seen recently with surprise pal Katherine Keating The Merivale boss is believed to be holidaying abroad as his class action case rolls on Party king: The hospitality billionaire has built a fortune worth an estimated $1.2 billion. The heir to his late father's lucrative retail business, Hemmes initially began as an inner-city CBD publican but gradually began building his empire which is now valued at an estimated $1.2billion. Much of that growth coincided with the period detailed in the Adero class action - between 2013 and 2019 - during which time Hemmes snapped up a batch of Sydney pubs including The Newport Arms, The Royal in Bondi and Coogee Pavillion. The value of those pubs in the years since have soared with one industry analyst suggesting the properties have 'doubled' in price since purchase. Meanwhile a settlement in the Merivale class action would be major step forward for the almost-14,000 applicants seeking remuneration for unpaid work. The class action was filed to the Federal Court and also claimed that the hospitality group's WorkChoices agreement which meant it wasn't required to pay staff overtime or full penalty rates was never approved by regulators. At the time the class action was filed, a Merivale spokeswoman said it 'firmly believes there is no basis for any action' and that external parties had independently assessed its compliance. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will give thousands of key workers another four weeks to get their third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, after the state's top doctor extended the deadline. The state recorded 16 Covid-19 deaths on Thursday, along with 9,391 new cases, including 6,045 from rapid antigen tests and 3,346 from PCR tests. Victoria is managing 55,946 total active cases, while there are 543 patients in hospital with the virus. Of these, 75 are in intensive care and 23 on ventilation. Covid screening nurse Grace Gibney gets one a Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in Melbourne In the daily update on Thursday afternoon, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced the key worker booster deadline will be extended by one month. This means health and aged care, emergency, disability, quarantine and food distribution workers who were eligible for a third dose before January 12 will now have until March 12 to receive their booster. Workers in those sectors who became eligible after January 12 must have received their third dose vaccine by March 29. All healthcare workers eligible for a booster shot before March 12 must provide evidence of their vaccination status or a medical exemption to continue working, the CHO update said. Employers must also confirm that an employee has received their third dose and keep a record of workers' third dose vaccination status. About 48 per cent of Victorians over 18 have received a vaccine booster after 14,863 doses were administered at state-run hubs on Wednesday. Mr Andrews has previously revealed his state may ban people from going out to pubs, clubs, restaurants and major events unless they're triple vaccinated - if the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation updates its advice. He has flagged the restrictions could also apply for international tourists who aren't triple-vaxxed. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said his state may ban people from going out to pubs, clubs, restaurants and major events unless they're triple vaccinated But experts have warned it may be 'too soon' to mandate a third vaccination for overseas arrivals. 'In many parts of the world they haven't had access even to the first dose, let alone the booster, so it would be a very restrictive thing to bring in if we made that booster mandatory for travellers right now,' Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services, Associate Professor Paul Griffin told 3AW. 'I think, given obviously we've got Covid in our country, we need to be mindful of what we're trying to achieve just to make sure we don't get our hospitals overrun. 'I think making two doses mandatory for those travellers will be sufficient to do that in the first instance.' AstraZeneca has been provisionally approved for booster shots in Australia Australia's medical regulator has given provisional approval to the AstraZeneca booster shot being made available for people aged 18 or over, with scientists saying getting a different jab to your initial two can help immunity sky-rocket. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved Vaxzevria - the vaccine's official name - as a booster, which means the decision to get an AstraZeneca third jab can now be made in consultation with a medical professional. The mRNA vaccines which have previously been approved in Australia, Pfizer and Moderna, are still the preferred booster doses, regardless of the primary vaccine a person received, the TGA said. A zoo operator dubbed 'Australia's Joe Exotic' has been found guilty of torturing a dog by stabbing her with a pitchfork and hanging her from a tree after she attacked his pet camel called Alice. Daniel Brighton, 33, was sentenced to a record prison term of three years and four months in 2019 following a 2016 incident where he plunged a pitchfork into a bull terrier six times before tying it to a tree and 'laughing and joking' while he beat it to death with a mallet. But the mobile petting zoo operator in southwest Sydney had the decision overturned on appeal on the grounds he was trying to protect his pet camel after the canine bit it on the legs and throat. Fuming with the ruling, the RSPCA lobbied the Court of Appeal to re-trial the case arguing the that Brighton had the 'intention of inflicting severe pain on an animal' when it entered the Get Wild Animal Experiences property in Minto Heights. This week the former Animal Studies TAFE teacher was found guilty of two animal cruelty charges and will be sentenced for the crimes in April. Daniel Brighton, 33, has been found guilty of torturing a dog by stabbing it with a pitchfork and hanging it from a tree after it attacked his pet camel Alice Tiger King 'Joe Exotic' was the controversial star of the 2020 Netflix hit Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. He is now in prison A witness told the court they were concerned that Alice might die from the attack by the 'two dogs that had "jumped up" and were "hanging off her [the camel's] neck".' The woman, Ms Doel said he had to beat them off 'with a pole' before capturing one. 'The first charged act of cruelty occurred some 20 minutes after the attack on the camel, when the [respondent] stabbed the dog at least six times with a pitchfork. At this stage, the dog, as indicated above, was sitting, subdued and tied to a tree,' the Court of Appeals ruled. Brighton plunged the pitchfork into the base of the dog's skull with the implement also scratching its vertebra. The court heard he left the pitchfork protruding from the dogs back for 45 minutes while he attended to the camel and took it to a vet. By the time he strung it up to the tree, Ms Doel said the animal was 'fairly submissive'. The former Animal Studies TAFE teacher (pictured) was found guilty of two animal cruelty charges and will be sentenced for the crimes in April The microchipped animal was eventually exhumed for an autopsy (bones pictured) which concluded the animal was subjected to prolonged suffering 'in that manner was not consistent with the humane 'extinction' of a dog' The court heard Brighton left the pitchfork protruding from the dogs back for 45 minutes while he attended to the camel and took it to a vet 'The second charged act of cruelty occurred, after the [respondent] returned to the premises from the veterinary surgery, when the [respondent] realised that the dog was still alive,' the Court or Appeals ruled. 'The [respondent] suspended the dog from a tree and beat it across the head between six and eight times, with a mallet. During this second charged act of cruelty, the [respondent] said, according to Ms Doel, 'I will make sure it's dead.' The impact of the savage blows shattered the dog's cheekbone and skull. The court heard Brighton made jokes and laughed during the attack. When the cruel attack was over, Brighton handed the dead animal to an employee in a plastic bag and told them to get rid of it. Ms Doel was told not to speak about the incident. The microchipped animal was eventually exhumed for an autopsy which concluded the animal was subjected to prolonged suffering 'in that manner was not consistent with the humane 'extinction' of a dog'. The impact of the savage blows shattered the dog's cheekbone and skull. The court heard Brighton (pictured) made jokes and laughed during the attack Brighton plunged the pitchfork into the base of the dog's skull with the implement also scratching its vertebra NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst described the incident an 'absolutely sickening act of animal cruelty'. 'While it is a relief that Mr Brighton has finally been convicted for this horrific crime, it should not have taken this long to get justice,' she said. 'Mr Brighton had tried to use defences under the Crimes Act to excuse his act of animal cruelty - highlighting serious weaknesses with our animal protection laws. There should be no defences under animal cruelty laws.' 'Anyone who beats and impales a dog is a risk to the community and to other animals. Extensive research shows a strong link between animal and human abuse.' A three-way turf war among celebrity hair stylists may finally be coming to an end, with one of them, Tom Cole, saying 'there's more than enough clients to go around'. Mr Cole, 31, has also opened up about his glamorous new lover, the much younger Courtney Best, 22. The battle of Double Bay - the inner Sydney area known as Australia's ritziest suburb - pitted Mr Cole against rival businesses run by his former wife, Mariah Rota, and Joh Bailey, who once employed both of them. Celebrity hairdresser Tom Cole, 31, is pictured with his glamorous partner Courtney Best, 22 Joh Bailey (pictured) once employed Tom Cole and Mariah Rota. Now all three have rival hairdressing businesses just metres apart from each other The feud kicked off in March 2017 when Mr Bailey went to Ms Rota and Mr Cole's wedding in Bali, was reportedly kicked out for bad behaviour and then fired the happy couple. Initially, Mr Cole and Ms Rota set up a rival salon, Cole Hair Studio, just metres away from Bailey's business. But the marriage didn't last and Ms Rota got the salon in the divorce, while Mr Cole set up another close by establishment, heating up the rivalry for well-heeled customers in the area. 'The last few years have been very rocky,' Mr Cole told The Wenthworth Courier 'I was quite ignorant for a period of my life, my late 20s. I hurt a lot of people, didn't realise what I was doing at the time.' He explained that he decided to take a year off to 'focus on himself'. Tom Cole, pictured with his former wife and now hair salon business rival Mariah Rota Hairdresser Tom Cole, 31, is now dating 22-year-old paralegal Courtney Best (pictured) But business is booming, he has found new love with the flamboyant Ms Best and wants to leave the past behind. With his salon generally fully booked with high profile clients, Mr Cole said he holds no grudges about what happened. 'I wish everyone all the best,' he said. 'I'm a lot more humbled, grounded, down to earth sort of happier overall ... I'm not as crazy as I used to be.' He said his relationship with Ms Best, who he's been dating for just over a year, is a 'great happy, healthy' one, which they share with a cavalier pup called Hugo. Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield and actor Jodi Gordon are among his many clients. Ahead of filing, Tesla said it opposes 'all forms of discrimination' on Wednesday The agency director Kevin Kish said there had been hundreds of complaints They claimed to have found evidence of 'segregation' in the Fremont factory Tesla has been hit by a racial discrimination complaint from a California agency after it found evidence of 'segregation and hostile work environment' at the electric car maker's Francisco factory. Black workers at Tesla's Fremont factory were regularly subjected to deeply offensive racial slurs and jokes by co-workers and managers, according to the complaint, which was filed in a California court late on Wednesday. Kevin Kish, the director of the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), said the agency had received hundreds of complaints from workers at the plant. Wednesday's filing claimed one worker heard 'racial slurs as often as 50-100 times a day', while there was allegedly racist graffiti found, which included Nazi swastikas and reference to the Ku Klux Klan. The DFEH 'found evidence that Tesla's Fremont factory is a racially segregated workplace where Black workers are subjected to racial slurs and discriminated against in job assignments, discipline, pay, and promotion', Kish said in a statement reported by the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. 'The facts on this case speak for themselves,' he added. Ahead of the filing Tesla released a statement on Wednesday saying it 'opposes all forms of discrimination and harassment' and that it is committed to providing 'a workplace that is safe, respectful, fair and inclusive'. Black workers at Tesla's Fremont factory (pictured) were regularly subjected to deeply offensive racial slurs and jokes by co-workers and managers, according to a complaint But according to the DFEH, workers at the factory would be 'taunted by racial slurs and then baited into verbal and physical confrontations' by non-black workers and would subsequently face disciplinary action. The complaint also claimed non-black workers would regularly call areas where many black or African-American workers were stationed with racist historical names, including 'the plantation'. Black slaves were frequently set to work on agricultural plantations in North America before the mid-19th century producing crops including sugar and cotton. Non-black workers were given frequently given preferential treatment at the plant, including being handed easier jobs and given greater leniency in disciplinary proceedings compared to their Black colleagues, according to the filing. One worker 'heard these racial slurs as often as 50-100 times a day' and workers with racially incendiary tattoos of the Confederate flag would make them visible to intimidate Black employees, the DFEH said. Racist graffiti allegedly seen in the factory toilet included Nazi swastikas, 'KKK' in reference to the white supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan, and 'go back to Africa'. Wednesday's filing claimed one worker heard 'racial slurs as often as 50-100 times a day', while there was allegedly racist graffiti found at the factory (file photo) Racist language directed at Black workers included 'porch monkey' and jokes saying they were 'out of the hood' and 'from the ghetto', according to the filing. 'The stress from the severe and pervasive racial harassment, the risk of a physical altercation and escalation with harassers, the blatant discrimination, the disproportionately severe discipline, and the futility of complaining, made the working conditions so intolerable that they resigned,' the complaint said. The company, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been hit with several lawsuits alleging discrimination at the California factory in recent months. However, many don't reach the courts because Tesla requires its full-time employees to agree to private arbitration of employment-related disputes. In a blog post before the filing, Tesla called the suit misguided and said the DFEH 'has never once raised any concern' about its workplace practices following a three-year investigation. 'Tesla has always taken disciplinary action and terminated employees for professional misconduct, including those who utter racial slurs or harass others in various ways,' the company said in its statement on Wednesday. Tesla's post said the lawsuit appears to focus on accusations by production associates at the factory, who said misconduct took place between 2015 and 2019. The post also said it will ask the court to 'pause the case and take other steps to ensure that facts and evidence will be heard'. 'Attacking a company like Tesla that has done so much good for California should not be the overriding aim of a state agency with prosecutorial authority,' the blog said. It comes just over a week after former Tesla contractor Kaylen Barker, who is black and a lesbian, filed a lawsuit alleging that the company ignored her complaints about shocking discrimination and abuse while she worked at an assembly plant in Lathrop, California. The company, owned by billionaire Elon Musk (pictured), has been hit with several lawsuits alleging discrimination at the California factory in recent months Last October, a California jury awarded former Tesla contractor Owen Diaz (pictured) $137 million verdict after he sued alleging racial harassment at the Fremont factory 'I feel like I have been tortured and sent back in time before African Americans had civil rights,' Barker said in a statement, adding that 'being a black worker at a Tesla's renowned California factory, is to be forced to step back in time and suffer painful abuses reminiscent of the Jim Crow Era.' Black ex-Tesla worker who claimed he was racially abused was awarded $137MILLION payout Last October, a California jury awarded former Tesla contractor Owen Diaz a staggering $137 million verdict after he sued alleging racial harassment at the Fremont factory. Diaz's lawsuit described the Fremont, California, plant, as a 'hotbed of racist behavior' where he was subjected to daily racist abuse including the N-word over a course of 11 months from 2015 to 2016. The 52-year-old contracted elevator operator claimed fellow employees drew swastikas and left racist graffiti around the plant, while he said one of his supervisors drew a person with a black face and a bone in his hair and wrote 'booo,' short for 'jigaboo.' The supervisor then allegedly told him 'he couldn't take a joke' when Diaz confronted him. Diaz contended that none of his supervisors stepped in to stop the abuse. Tesla's head of human resources Valerie Capers Workman responded to the Diaz verdict in a blog post saying the facts in that case 'don't justify the verdict.' Tesla has filed post-trial motions seeking a new trial or reduction of the jury's damages. Advertisement Barker, 25, said she was 'violated physically, mentally and emotionally' while working for Tesla because she's 'an African American lesbian.' The suit, filed on February 1 in California Superior Court in Alameda County, alleges that a white coworker struck Barker with a hot grinding tool while calling her the N-word, 'stupid,' 'dumb' and 'a b***c.' Although the white coworker was fired after then incident, Barker alleges that the person was 'shockingly rehired' about two weeks later. Tesla, which has abolished its press relations department and refuses to speak to the media, did not immediately respond to an inquiry from DailyMail.com on Tuesday morning. In December, six women sued Tesla, alleging a culture of sexual harassment at the Fremont plant and other facilities. The suit came after a California jury ruled in October that Tesla should pay a Black ex-employee $137million in damages for turning a blind eye to racism the man encountered at the Fremont plant. The contract worker, Owen Diaz, said he faced 'daily racist epithets', including the 'N-word,' at the plant in 2015 and 2016 before quitting. Diaz said employees drew swastikas and left racist graffiti and drawings around the plant and that supervisors failed to stop the abuse. Tesla is appealing that verdict and has denied any knowledge of racist conduct that Diaz said took place at the plant, which has about 10,000 workers. Last year, Musk feuded with authorities over the re-opening of the factory amid coronavirus restrictions and threatened to move his headquarters out of the state. Subsequently, Musk told investors in October that the leading electric vehicle maker is relocating its headquarters to Texas, where it is building a plant. Accounts of systemic racial discrimination in US workplaces have become more common after Black Lives Matter protests hit full swing in 2020. Those hoping to spoil their loved ones on Valentine's Day will be forced to pay a high premium as a global flower shortage threatens to ruin the special day. Experts have warned a shortage is 'likely' following disruptions to international freight, due to the Covid pandemic, which could see customers pay up to $140 for just a dozen roses. A limited number of international flights taking off from major exporters such as Kenya and South America has caused the price of flowers to skyrocket. A limited number of international flights taking off from major exporters like Kenya and South America has caused the price of flowers to skyrocket (stock image) An order form for imported roses shared by Flower Industry Australia (FIA) on Instagram revealed a bouquet could cost lovers between $95 and $140 (pictured) An order form for imported roses shared by Flower Industry Australia on Instagram revealed a bouquet could cost lovers between $95 and $140. Poppy and Fern Flowers in Byron Bay said 2022 was the fourth Valentine's Day in a row the florist had opted not to order roses. 'Some customers need an extra bit of education around why but most love the fact that we offer something different, unique and a more sustainable option,' they said. Another company, Posy and Twine, shared they would be pushing Australian native flowers instead this year and were hoping their customers would be open to the change. 'Lack of supplies in supermarkets makes it easy to explain why we also have supply issues (even though the reasons are totally different),' the store said. 'Would be great to re-educate customers away from red roses for future years too. The rose prices are insane!' Some florists have opted to ditch roses altogether and promote native varieties instead as they are hit with disruptions to international freight (stock image) Those hoping to spoil their loved ones on Valentine's Day will be forced to pay a high premium as a global flower shortage threatens to ruin the special day (stock image) Imports make up about 40 per cent of Australia's supply of flowers for special events such as Mothers and Valentine's Day. An increasing number of passengers on planes have exacerbated the supply issue as luggage takes priority over international freight. Growing demand for alternative shipment options has caused the cost of delivering flowers to skyrocket, just a few days out from the special holiday. Craig Musson, the founding member of the Australian Flower Traders Association (AFTA), said a flower shortage on Valentine's Day will be 'likely'. 'There is little doubt that prices will increase and create difficulty for florists whose businesses rely on these calendar events dates to generate sufficient revenue to sustain them throughout the year,' he told Yahoo News Australia. As local florists struggle to get their hands on highly sought-after roses those looking to snag a bunch have been encouraged to get in early (stock image) Mr Musson said that while his organisation was looking for ways around the problem there was no 'quick fix' for the nationwide shortage. The FIA has blamed the cheap import prices for the rising number of Australian rose grower that have been forced to throw in the towel. 'No grower in the land can compete with the wages paid in third world countries,' an FIA spokesperson revealed. 'Many wholesalers chose to support overseas farms instead of Australian farms.' As local florists struggle to get their hands on highly sought-after roses those looking to snag a bunch have been encouraged to get in early. Russia is planning to hold a nuclear strategic exercise, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday, despite extreme tensions surrounding Ukraine. Wallace warned that the Kremlin's actions were heading in the wrong direction despite efforts to find a diplomatic solution, declaring intelligence suggested that Russia that Russia was engaging in plans for so-called 'false flag' operations as a pre-text for invading Ukraine, as well as carrying out cyber attacks and other destabilising activity. 'Despite the talking, the direction of travel is in the wrong way,' Wallace told BBC Radio. 'The Russians are still growing their battalion tactical groups... They are planning to start a nuclear strategic exercise soon, and indeed we see more activity elsewhere.' A Russian defence source also told news agency TASS earlier this year that the nuclear exercise, known as 'Thunder', would involve all three prongs of Russia's strategic nuclear forces, testing firing procedures from land, sea and air. Nuclear drills are held frequently in Russia, but the decision to proceed with such exercises in the face of the tension circling Ukraine will give world powers more cause for concern. It comes as forces from Russia and Belarus launched joint military drills with an estimated 30,000 troops taking part in the 10-day war games near the Ukrainian border, in what NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has described as a 'dangerous moment'. 'We are closely monitoring Russia's deployment in Belarus, which is the biggest since the end of the Cold War,' Stoltenberg told reporters today at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 'This is a dangerous moment for European security. The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down.' News of the planned nuclear strategic exercises comes as Russia and Belarus launched joint military drills with an estimated 30,000 troops taking part in the 10-day war games near the Ukrainian border (pictured) Vladimir Putin is applying 'psychological pressure' on Belarus's southern neighbour, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky warned as Western leaders fear the drills named Union Resolve could be a front for an imminent invasion The drills centre around 'suppressing and repelling external aggression' and will see troops practising scenarios such as strengthening the border against militants 'We are closely monitoring Russia's deployment in Belarus, which is the biggest since the end of the Cold War,' NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (R) told reporters today at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L). 'This is a dangerous moment for European security. The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down.' Vladimir Putin is applying 'psychological pressure' on Belarus's southern neighbour, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky warned as Western leaders fear the drills named Union Resolve could be a front for an imminent invasion. The drills centre around 'suppressing and repelling external aggression' and will see troops practising scenarios such as strengthening the border against militants and post-conflict settlement in the biggest Russian deployment to Belarus since the end of the Cold War. Ukraine's army is holding its own military exercises in the north of the country as it braces for a potential invasion which could come 'any day', security experts fear. Boris Johnson, who is flying to Belgium and Poland today as part of diplomatic efforts to cool tensions in eastern Europe, warned Russia that NATO states will 'draw lines in the snow' over the crisis. He will meet with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels before travelling to Warsaw for talks with president Andrzej Duda and prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, and visiting British troops in the region. Putin, who has demanded sweeping security guarantees from NATO and the United States, said after Moscow would 'do everything to find compromises that suit everyone' Long-range Tu-22M3 bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces prepare for takeoff in Belarus today Combat crews of the Russian S-400 air defense system take up combat duty at the training ground in the Brest region in Belarus today Troops will practise post-conflict settlement in the biggest Russian deployment to Belarus since the end of the Cold War Foreign secretary Liz Truss is also in Moscow today for talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to urge the Kremlin not to attack or face 'massive consequences' from Western sanctions. In a thinly-veiled warning to Truss, Lavrov said today that Western threats towards Moscow would do nothing to ease tensions over Ukraine. 'Ideological approaches, ultimatums, threats - this is the road to nowhere,' Lavrov said at the start of the talks, kicking off the latest round of diplomatic meetings aimed at de-escalating tensions over Ukraine. Western leaders have accused Russia of massing troops around the borders of their ex-Soviet ally in advance of a possible invasion. This handout photograph taken and released by the Russian Foreign Ministry on February 10, 2022 shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) welcoming British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss during their meeting in Moscow Lavrov accused diplomats in European capitals and Washington of increasingly using threats and ultimatums with Russia and said the approach was undiplomatic. Lavrov described his meeting with Truss - the first visit of a British foreign secretary to Russia since 2017 - as 'unprecedented'. He said that if Britain wants to improve ties with Moscow, 'we will, of course, reciprocate,' adding that bilateral ties were 'at their lowest point in recent years'. The meeting in Moscow comes ahead of another between Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on Friday. In her opening remarks, Truss said Britain 'cannot ignore' the buildup of troops on Ukraine's border or 'attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty'. 'There is an alternative route, a diplomatic route that avoids conflict and bloodshed,' she said. 'I am here to urge Russia to take that path,' Truss added. The US has expressed concern over Vladimir Putin's swelling military capability close to Ukraine's border The current war games have exacerbated deeply strained ties between Russia and the West The current war games have exacerbated deeply strained ties between Russia and the West, which accuses Moscow of massing approximately 100,000 troops around the borders of Ukraine. 'The accumulation of forces at the border is psychological pressure from our neighbours,' Zelensky said in a statement. 'Today we have enough forces to honourably defend our country.' Responding to Western concerns, the Kremlin has insisted that it has no intention of leaving the troops permanently on Belarusian territory. The US has expressed concern over Vladimir Putin's swelling military capability close to Ukraine's border. 'Every day he adds to his options, everyday he adds to his capabilities,' said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. The Western diplomatic push also sees German chancellor Olaf Scholz meeting Baltic leaders in Berlin today. Ahead of his meeting, Scholz said he saw 'progress' on the diplomatic front. 'The task is that we ensure the security in Europe, and I believe that that will be achieved,' he said at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday. The new German chancellor, who has been under fire over accusations that he has dithered over the crisis, will travel to Kyiv and Moscow next week for separate meetings with Ukraine and Russia's leaders, including his first face-to-face with Putin. Striking a less optimistic note, Britain said it was ready to deploy 1,000 more troops to deal with any humanitarian crisis linked to Ukraine. Responding to Western concerns, the Kremlin has insisted that it has no intention of leaving the troops permanently on Belarusian territory Britain said it was ready to deploy 1,000 more troops to deal with any humanitarian crisis linked to Ukraine After his own diplomatic travel itinerary, French President Emmanuel Macron said Putin had told him that Moscow 'would not be the source of an escalation'. For now, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said 'diplomacy is continuing to lower tensions'. Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar said the Russian forces on the frontier did not appear to be ready to launch an all-out assault, and were instead being used primarily 'for political pressure and blackmail' at this stage. Less than 24 hours after a trip to Washington, Germany's Scholz stood alongside Polish leader Andrzej Duda and Macron late Tuesday to declare Europeans' unity in their goal of averting war. Putin, who has demanded sweeping security guarantees from NATO and the United States, said after his talks with Macron that Moscow would 'do everything to find compromises that suit everyone'. Putin has issued demands the West says are unacceptable, including barring Ukraine from joining NATO and rolling back alliance forces in eastern Europe Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar said the Russian forces on the frontier did not appear to be ready to launch an all-out assault He said several proposals put forward by Macron could 'form a basis for further steps' on easing the crisis over Ukraine but did not give any details. At the same time as sending its military hardware to Ukraine's borders, Putin has issued demands the West says are unacceptable, including barring Ukraine from joining NATO and rolling back alliance forces in eastern Europe. The French presidency said Macron's counterproposals included an engagement from both sides not to take any new military action, the launching of a strategic dialogue and efforts to revive the peace process for Ukraine's conflict. It also said an agreement would ensure the withdrawal of around 30,000 Russian soldiers from Belarus at the end of joint military exercises later this month. The Kremlin insisted it never intended to leave the troops permanently on Belarusian territory. The West faces a tough task trying to convince a wary Zelensky to accept any compromises. Kyiv has laid out three 'red lines' it vows not to cross: no compromise over Ukraine's territorial integrity, no direct talks with the separatists and no interference in its foreign policy. Advertisement Boris Johnson today warned Europe faces the 'most dangerous moment for decades' and the 'stakes are very high' as he urged Russia to back away from a 'disastrous' Ukraine invasion. At a joint press conference with Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the PM said he did not believe Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border. But Mr Johnson admitted the signs were not good, insisting that Mr Putin will face a strong response if he does go ahead. Arguing that the next few days will be crucial, Mr Johnson said: 'The stakes are very high. And this is a very dangerous moment... 'I honestly don't think a decision has yet been taken but that doesn't mean that it's impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed. 'Our intelligence, I'm afraid to say, remains grim. We're seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine. 'This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades.' He added: 'This is the moment now to think of another way forward.' Mr Stoltenberg said he has written to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov to offer more talks. 'We are prepared to listen to Russia's concerns and ready to discuss ways to uphold and strengthen the fundamental principles of European security that we all have signed up to,' he said. 'Nato will not compromise on core principles the right of each nation to choose its own path and Nato's ability to protect and defend all allies.' The comments came as Liz Truss urged Russia to 'stop the Cold War rhetoric' and step back from a 'disastrous' invasion during crunch talks in Moscow. The Foreign Secretary told Mr Lavrov that Kiev must not be 'bullied' and there would be 'massive consequences'. After another 1,000 British troops were put on standby to fly to the troubled region, Ms Truss told Mr Lavrov: 'The reality is we cannot ignore the build-up of over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and the attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. 'Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people, and for European security. And, together, Nato has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs.' At a press conference with Mr Lavrov after their talks, Ms Truss said the 'future peace and stability' of Europe was at stake. 'There is still time for Russia to end its aggression towards Ukraine and pursue the path of diplomacy,' she said. 'But Nato is very clear that if that path is not chosen there will be severe consequences for Russia, Ukraine and the whole of Europe.' At a joint press conference with Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the PM said he did not believe Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border Liz Truss (right) told Sergei Lavrov (left) today that Kiev must not be 'bullied' and there would be 'massive consequences' for invasion Ms Truss (left) told Mr Lavrov (right) to 'stop the Cold War rhetoric' and de-escalate the crisis Mr Johnson with Polish prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Warsaw this afternoon Ms Truss is on a two-day visit to Moscow, and took part in a wreath-laying ceremony earlier Boris Johnson posted a picture of him boarding the plane for Brussels this morning Putin is planning a 'NUCLEAR strategic exercise', Britain warns as Russia begins military drills with Belarus Russia is planning to hold a nuclear strategic exercise, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday, despite extreme tensions surrounding Ukraine. Wallace warned that the Kremlin's actions were heading in the wrong direction despite efforts to find a diplomatic solution, declaring intelligence suggested that Russia that Russia was engaging in plans for so-called 'false flag' operations as a pre-text for invading Ukraine, as well as carrying out cyber attacks and other destabilising activity. 'Despite the talking, the direction of travel is in the wrong way,' Wallace told BBC Radio. 'The Russians are still growing their battalion tactical groups... They are planning to start a nuclear strategic exercise soon, and indeed we see more activity elsewhere.' A Russian defence source also told news agency TASS earlier this year that the nuclear exercise, known as 'Thunder', would involve all three prongs of Russia's strategic nuclear forces, testing firing procedures from land, sea and air. Nuclear drills are held frequently in Russia, but the decision to proceed with such exercises in the face of the tension circling Ukraine will give world powers more cause for concern. It comes as forces from Russia and Belarus launched joint military drills with an estimated 30,000 troops taking part in the 10-day war games near the Ukrainian border, in what NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has described as a 'dangerous moment'. 'We are closely monitoring Russia's deployment in Belarus, which is the biggest since the end of the Cold War,' Stoltenberg told reporters today at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 'This is a dangerous moment for European security. The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down.' Advertisement Later Mr Johnson reiterated his claim that Britain will not accept a world where a 'powerful neighbour can bully or attack' others as he visited Poland. At a joint appearance in Warsaw with Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Mr Johnson said: 'The lesson of the last 100 years is that when Poland is threatened with instability, war, aggression on the borders of Poland then we are all threatened and we are all affected.' Mr Johnson said 350 Royal Marines from 45 Commando had now arrived in Poland, joining 150 personnel already in the country. 'They are standing shoulder to shoulder with our Polish counterparts to bring stability and security not just to Poland but to Europe and, indeed, I would say to the world.' Labour leader Keir Starmer is also in the Belgian capital, stressing that he is fully behind the government's response to Mr Putin's military mobilisation. The diplomatic blitz comes as a poll for MailOnline found strong backing for sanctions if Mr Putin invades. Some 49 per cent said they would support a national boycott of Russian goods and services, with just 14 per cent opposed. However, the public appears split over the idea of deploying troops and supplying weapons. Western leaders fear a build-up of 130,000 Russian troops on the Ukrainian border is the prelude to an invasion. Six Russian landing ships filled with tanks and troops yesterday assembled in the Black Sea to back up the land forces, heightening concerns. Moscow's forces are also beginning joint military exercises with ally Belarus. Another 1,000 British troops will be 'put at readiness' for deployment to the region in the event that Russia invades. A source said the troops would 'support a humanitarian response in the region, should it be needed'. It is understood they would be asked to help secure the borders of Ukraine's neighbours and build refugee camps in countries such as Poland and Lithuania with fears more than a million Ukrainians could flee any conflict. The shuttle diplomacy comes amid fears French president Emmanuel Macron is pushing for a 'compromise' with Moscow that would see Ukraine forced to loosen its ties with the West. Russia is planning to hold a nuclear strategic exercise, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday, despite extreme tensions surrounding Ukraine. Wallace warned that the Kremlin's actions were heading in the wrong direction despite efforts to find a diplomatic solution, declaring intelligence suggested that Russia that Russia was engaging in plans for so-called 'false flag' operations as a pre-text for invading Ukraine, as well as carrying out cyber attacks and other destabilising activity. 'Despite the talking, the direction of travel is in the wrong way,' Wallace told BBC Radio. 'The Russians are still growing their battalion tactical groups... They are planning to start a nuclear strategic exercise soon, and indeed we see more activity elsewhere.' A Russian defence source also told news agency TASS earlier this year that the nuclear exercise, known as 'Thunder', would involve all three prongs of Russia's strategic nuclear forces, testing firing procedures from land, sea and air. Nuclear drills are held frequently in Russia, but the decision to proceed with such exercises in the face of the tension circling Ukraine will give world powers more cause for concern. It comes as forces from Russia and Belarus launched joint military drills with an estimated 30,000 troops taking part in the 10-day war games near the Ukrainian border, in what NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has described as a 'dangerous moment'. 'We are closely monitoring Russia's deployment in Belarus, which is the biggest since the end of the Cold War,' Stoltenberg told reporters today at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 'This is a dangerous moment for European security. The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down.' A convoy at the training ground in the Brest region as Russia and Belarus hold joint exercises today A Russian video of air defence crews taking up position during the joint military exercises Two Russian long-range Tu-22M3 bombers prepare to take off during the drills in Belarus today An image from a Russian video of the training exercises that are being conducted in Belarus today A woman's body has been discovered inside a home in Melbourne's southeast, with homicide detectives now investigating her death. Police were called to the home on Glendale Road in Springvale at about 12:10pm on Thursday after reports a woman had been found dead. First responders have since established a crime scene with specialist detectives to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. Victoria Police has said the woman is yet to be formally identified. A right-wing backlash against Scott Morrison is growing, with Sky News host Peta Credlin joining the pile on that already includes fellow commentators Andrew Bolt, Chris Kenny and Janet Albrechtsen. With pressure mounting on the prime minister due to poor polling numbers and an election due within months, Ms Credlin - who is Tony Abbott's former chief of staff - wrote that Mr Morrison needs to 'be better'. In a crushing blow, she said 'the government originally elected to be the antithesis of Rudd-Gillard-Rudd has become Labor-lite'. She called on Mr Morrison to give voters 'a reason to vote for you', saying his leadership of the Liberal Party was leaving some people 'politically homeless'. Sky News host Peta Credlin (pictured) has turned up the heat of Prime Minister Scott Morrison Scott Morrison (pictured) is under pressure from right wing commentators who have previously backed him Writing in The Australian, Ms Credlin said Mr Morrison's lack of ideas have led to a lot of 'disillusionment among many Liberal supporters', especially on policy related to lowered taxes and more support for big businesses. Ms Credlin also poured cold water on the government's ability to steer the economy - traditionally viewed as a strong point for the Liberals. She said the Coalition 'boasts about good economic statistics that dont wholly capture whats happening in the real world and owe much less to government than to the hard work of individuals making the most of a bad situation'. Credlin's column comes just three days after fellow Sky News host and News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt said Mr Morrison is 'finished', with the last straw seeming to be a stunt where the prime minister washed a woman's hair in a salon in Victoria. Mr Bolt said it was a 'sad stunt' and urged Minister for Defence Peter Dutton, who is favoured by conservatives, to 'get ready to lead' because Mr Morrison looked like a 'man with the fight beaten out of him'. Writing in the Herald Sun, he said: 'Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks finished, and is now making a fool of himself to get some love. 'This bizarre (hair salon) photo-op showed not just that Morrison is desperate but out of ideas. It showed he has a dangerously thin skin, and is bleeding.' The salon visit came after a horror week which started with a Newspoll showing the government trailing Labor by 12 points, which if replicated on election day would mean the Coalition losing 25 seats. He was then roasted by journalists at the National Press Club where he admitted making several errors during the pandemic but refused to apologise and failed to name the price of bread, petrol and rapid antigen tests. Mr Morrison was later asked about texts from 2019 in which then NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian allegedly called him a 'horrible, horrible person' and a one of his own ministers branded him a 'complete psycho'. Janet Albrechtsen (pictured) used her column in The Australian to say Scott Morrison is 'just not up to the job' Sky News host and News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt (pictured) said Scott Morrison is 'finished' Then last Thursday the PM was slammed for backflipping to support Western Australia's hard border, with critics saying it proved he has no principles and can't be trusted. This drew anger from Sky News host and former Liberal adviser Chris Kenny. 'Mark McGowan's wrong and the Prime Minister didn't call him out on it,' Me Kenny said. '(The PM) needs to call out Mark McGowan on this. He's the Prime Minister of Australia! He should support no internal hard borders.' On Friday, texts were made public of National Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce calling Mr Morrison a 'hypocrite and a liar'. Prime Minister Scott Morrison's photo op (pictured) washing a young woman's hair in a salon has been called 'weird and creepy' Sky News host and former Liberal Party adviser Chris Kenny (pictured) has recently criticised Scott Morrison Mr Joyce apologised to the Prime Minister and offered to resign. The apology was accepted, but the resignation was not. On Tuesday, also writing in The Australian, columnist Janet Albrechtsen said Mr Morrison is 'just not up to the job', lacks 'conviction' and hasn't led with 'liberal principles'. 'Though his colleagues may describe him as "horrible" and a "psycho" and a "liar", my disappointment with him is less gaudy but no less real,' she wrote. 'I can't put my finger on a single important policy Morrison has made his own, where he has chanced his arm in the political marketplace of ideas because he believes it is important to carry people with him.' Ms Albrechtsen also said Mr Morrison is 'a mix of middle management and marketing man'. 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame (left) refused to smile at Scott Morrison (right) during a morning tea for state and territory recipients in the 2022 Australian of the Year Awards 'He never braves the harder stuff, the values a democracy depends on to function. Truth be told, I can't work out what values excite him politically. Except winning,' she wrote. She also referred to the hair washing stunt, calling it 'weird and creepy'. And along with his own former backers turning against him, Mr Morrison is also dealing with the continuing fallout from an incident on January 25 when former Australian of the Year Grace Tame refused to smile at him. That incident was compounded on Wednesday when Mr Tame spoke at the National Press Club and said she had got a 'threatening' phone call last August from a senior member of a government-funded organisation, begging her not to say anything 'damning' about Scott Morrison with an election due in the first half of 2022. Mark McGowan's family has been targeted by anti-vaxxers who addressed a letter to his wife containing mysterious white power, as well as death threats to his children. The Western Australian Premier revealed the letter had been addressed to his wife and contained a suspicious white powder later revealed to be non-harmful. First responders swarmed Mr McGowan's office on Tuesday after a staffer found the mysterious package and alerted authorities. The state leader slammed its sender as 'a coward of the highest order' on Thursday. WA Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) has exposed the appalling way anti-vaxxers threatened his wife and children after his family received death threats in the post 'What they were intending was my wife would open it, and it contained a number of threats to harm her and my children and worse,' the premier (pictured with his wife Sarah) told reporters 'A letter was sent addressed to my wife. It had white powder in it,' he said. 'What they were intending was my wife would open it, and it contained a number of threats to harm her and my children and worse. 'I just say to anyone out there who has any information about this, please provide that information to Crime Stoppers.' Mr McGowan confirmed the shocking threats were in response to his government's introduction of vaccine mandates for a large part of the state's workforce. His electoral office was forced to close in November due to worrying security risks, with personal security for the premier increased. The Rockingham office on Railway Terrace has become the target of several death and bomb threats since vaccines were mandated. Mr McGowan revealed his staff had received threats of rape as well as multiple 'intimidating' and 'threatening' messages. Following similar threats in October, Mr McGowan declared intimidation would not change his state's mandatory vaccination policy. Mr McGowan's wife Sarah (left) has been the victim of a vile death threat left at her husband's Rockingham office on Tuesday along with a white powder late confirmed to be non-harmful First responders swarmed Mr McGowan's office (pictured) on Tuesday after a staffer found a mysterious package containing a white powder and alerted authorities Mr McGowan confirmed the threats were in response to the introduction of vaccine mandates for a large part of the state's workforce (pictured, a anti-vax protest in Melbourne) 'What I'm doing and what the government is doing is what is necessary to keep people and our state safe, and we're not going to be deterred from that,' he said. 'People can make Facebook comments, they can say these sorts of things, but it's not going to change the approach to the government. 'We have to do what we have to do to keep the state safe. Getting people vaccinated is necessary.' The premier's Rockingham office also had to be evacuated last March after a suspicious package was thrown into the building. Mr McGowan and his wife Sarah got married in 1996 and share three children. WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson on Wednesday revealed he was concerned about 'radicalised behaviours' from a small cohort of anti-vaccine protesters. He vowed a dedicated police operation would soon crack down on the small minority of West Australians and prevent any further 'stunts'. His warning to anti-vaxxers comes as the state reported its highest ever number of locally acquired Covid cases, with 37 new infections detected on Thursday. Mystery surrounds eight of new infections, with no known links to existing clusters. Following threats from anti-vaxxers Mr McGowan declared intimidation would not change his state's mandatory vaccination policy (pictured, an anti-vax protest in Melbourne) The state leader on Thursday announced a $77million package to support businesses struggling on account of his indefinite border closure as the state recorded 37 new local cases The state leader on Thursday announced a $77million package to support businesses struggling on account of his indefinite border closure. There is still no end in sight to the closed border, after Mr McGowan decided to delay the state's reopening, which was previously slated to open on February 5. The funding package will be directed towards sectors heavily impacted by Western Australia's extended isolation from other states and the rest of the world, including education providers, tourism, aviation and events businesses. 'While [the package] is generous, I'm sure some will say it does not go far enough,' Mr McGowan said. 'Unfortunately with the successful strategy to tackle the pandemic these specific industries have felt the brunt.' Boris Johnson today refused to say if he will resign if he is found to have broken the law over Partygate as the PM and Number 10 staff nervously wait for police letters to arrive. The Metropolitan Police has started the process of contacting people who are alleged to have attended events in Whitehall. It came as Defence Secretary Ben Wallace admitted ministers expect a drip-drip of 'partygate' photos could be leaked to further destabilise Mr Johnson's premiership. Mr Wallace told Times Radio that 'the constant leaking is clearly designed for a purpose' and 'yes, there could be a photograph tomorrow, the next day and the day after that'. While a senior lawyer and expert on Covid rules, Adam Wagner, today estimated that the PM could face more than 10,000 in fines if police rule that multiple events he attended in Downing Street breached coronavirus restrictions. Scotland Yard is sending formal questionnaires to more than 50 people to ask them to give an account of their involvement, with the documents due to start arriving by the end of this week. The questionnaire will have 'formal legal status' and 'must be answered truthfully', with people given seven days to reply. The force has said that in most cases contact is being made via email which means people will dodge a formal interview and policing sources told The Times that Mr Johnson is likely to receive a questionnaire. Asked during a NATO press conference in Brussels this morning if he will resign if he is found to have broken the law, Mr Johnson said: 'On your point about what's going on at home, that process must be completed and I'm looking forward to it being completed, and that's the time to say more on that.' The Met is investigating 12 events in total and reports have claimed that Mr Johnson attended six of them. If the explanation given by recipients is not judged by the police to constitute a 'reasonable excuse' then fixed penalty notices could be issued. It came as a new poll conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies for MailOnline found two thirds (66 per cent) of the British public believe Mr Johnson should resign as PM if he is found to have breached coronavirus regulations and is fined by the police. Meanwhile, a Government minister, the Solicitor General Alex Chalk, has reportedly refused to say whether he has submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson's leadership. Boris Johnson today refused to say if he will resign if he is found to have broken the law over Partygate as the PM and Number 10 staff nervously wait for police letters to arrive The Met has said it is sending formal questionnaires to more than 50 people in Whitehall, with the documents due to arrive by the end of this week The Solicitor General Alex Chalk, has reportedly refused to say whether he has submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson's leadership Conservative MPs are 'incandescent with rage' about Partygate, Government minister admits to voters A Government minister has admitted that Conservative MPs are 'incandescent' with rage about the Partygate scandal. Solicitor-General Alex Chalk said that he was 'deeply disappointed' by the revelations and warned Boris Johnson that 'seeking to weather a storm cannot be enough'. In a letter to constituents, he told voters that despite the publication of Sue Gray's interim report the problem of Downing Street parties was 'not over'. The Times quoted the letter as saying: 'I am deeply disappointed and frankly dismayed by what has been uncovered about events in Downing Street. 'I am not alone. Laura Kuenssberg [political editor at the BBC] said in her blog: 'There are Conservative MPs who are incandescent'. That is absolutely true.' Mr Chalk has a majority of just 981 in his constituency of Cheltenham, which voted to remain in the European Union in 2016. He was persuaded not to resign from Johnson's front bench at a meeting with the PM last week amid reports that he was uneasy about the Partygate drama. Mr Chalk refused to reveal whether he had submitted a letter of no-confidence to the 1922 Committee, saying it was a 'private' decision. Advertisement Downing Street has committed to saying publicly if the PM is fined by the police. Mr Johnson has repeatedly denied breaching coronavirus rules and allies are insistent that he will stay on in Number 10 even if he is fined. But some Tory MPs believe Mr Johnson will have no choice but to quit if he is found to have broken Covid rules. One senior Conservative MP rubbished the idea that Mr Johnson could stay on, telling The Times: 'We are supposed to be the party of law and order. We can't have a prime minister who has received a criminal penalty. 'A criminal penalty in any normal world should be the end.' A lawyer today estimated that Mr Johnson could face more than 10,000 in fines if police rule that multiple events in Downing Street breached coronavirus restrictions. Adam Wagner, an expert on Covid-19 rules, said the sending out of questionnaires is 'very significant because it appears that the police at least think that they're getting towards the point where they can start issuing fixed penalty notices'. The human rights barrister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It sounds to me, although I haven't seen the letters, that they've decided that relevant gatherings were potentially a breach of the regulations and now they're asking people 'Did you have some sort of reasonable excuse?', which, in law, would effectively be a defence for being there.' He said the most likely form of penalty to be issued by police investigating 12 gatherings is fixed penalty notices, with Mr Johnson alleged to have been at up to six of them. 'So, if he was given a fixed penalty notice for each and every one of those, I think that he would be given those sort of cumulative amounts until eventually the final one would be 6,400,' Mr Wagner said. 'So overall, and assuming there isn't a big 10,000 one for hosting a gathering in the flat of over 30 people, he could still be in line for over 10,000 worth of fixed penalty notices if they accumulate.' The Met Police inquiry into alleged breaches of Covid-19 regulations in Downing Street and Whitehall has been named Operation Hillman. The force confirmed yesterday that it is sending questionnaires: 'This document, which asks for an account and explanation of the recipient's participation in an event, has formal legal status and must be answered truthfully. 'Recipients are informed that responses are required within seven days. In most cases contact is being made via email.' The Met Police also announced yesterday that it was reviewing its decision not to investigate a Christmas quiz event held in Number 10 on December 15, 2020, following the emergence of a new photograph of Mr Johnson. The picture, published by The Mirror, showed Mr Johnson and colleagues - one draped in tinsel and another in a Santa hat - near an open bottle of sparkling wine. Downing Street has insisted the quiz event was 'virtual' and the police had decided not to investigate it alongside 12 other events after being passed evidence from the Sue Gray inquiry into alleged lockdown breaches. But the Metropolitan Police said in a statement issued yesterday afternoon: 'The MPS previously assessed this event and determined that on the basis of the evidence available at that time, it did not meet the threshold for criminal investigation. 'That assessment is now being reviewed.' Fifteen Tory MPs have called for Mr Johnson to step down with many now believing a no confidence vote is 'inevitable'. A total of 54 letters of no confidence would need to be sent to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady to trigger a vote on the PM's future. Mr Chalk reportedly refused to say whether he had submitted a letter of no confidence, saying it was a 'private' decision. In a letter to constituents, seen by The Times, Mr Chalk said he was 'deeply disappointed' and 'frankly dismayed by what has been uncovered about events in Downing Street'. A new picture emerged yesterday of Mr Johnson allegedly attending a Downing Street Christmas quiz The minister is said to have had a meeting with the PM last week and was apparently persuaded not to quit. Elsewhere, it emerged that the Met is considering whether to investigate the funding of the lavish refurbishment of Mr Johnson's official Downing Street flat following a complaint by lawyers acting for the Labour Party. In a letter to Scotland Yard, the solicitors said there was a 'reasonable suspicion' that the Prime Minister had broken anti-bribery laws which the force was 'duty-bound' to investigate. The Met confirmed they had received the letter which was being considered by officers from its Central Specialist Crime Command. The complaint follows the release last month of an exchange of WhatsApp messages between the Prime Minister and Tory donor Lord Brownlow. They show that Mr Johnson discussed a proposal supported by the peer for a Great Exhibition 2.0 at the same time as requesting his help with the 112,000 revamp of his official residence. Ministerial records show that two months later, Lord Brownlow, who is a trustee of Royal Albert Hall Trust, attended a meeting with the then culture secretary Oliver Dowden to discuss the exhibition plan. In a letter, seen by the Guardian, lawyers said that despite inquiries by the Electoral Commission and Mr Johnson's adviser on ministerial interests, Lord Geidt, there were still matters that were 'uninvestigated and unconsidered'. A Met spokesman said: 'A letter was received and acknowledged on Friday February 4. It is being considered by officers from the Met's Central Specialist Crime Command. No investigation has been opened.' In response to the claims in the letter, a Number 10 spokesman said: 'These allegations are categorically untrue and a clear misrepresentation of the facts.' Boris Johnson is said to have tapped up the fierce Australian former private secretary to the Queen - who quit after being put under alleged 'extreme stress' by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry - to become his Downing Street 'gatekeeper' and bring order to No 10. Samantha Cohen, who relished her soubriquet 'Samantha the Panther' because of her no-nonsense approach at work, is said to be being wooed by the Prime Minister to control who has access to the Tory leader. Mr Johnson has started a bonfire of his senior aides as he fights for his political life due to the party-mad culture in Downing Street during lockdown. Mrs Cohen, a mother-of-three who worked for the royals for 18 years, is said to have been approached for a Director of Government Relations role also managing the PM's diary - a post not filled since David Cameron was in power. While working at Buckingham Palace she enjoyed a meteoric rise from junior press officer to the Queen's assistant private secretary in just eight years. She was then parachuted in to Kensington Palace to help Meghan Markle navigate through her first months as a royal after marrying Harry in 2018. But the move to support the Sussexes would end in acrimony for the tough Aussie, described by friends and colleagues as 'completely dedicated to the Royal Family'. Originally from Brisbane, Ms Cohen had planned to quit Buckingham Palace in 2018 but agreed to stay on to aid Meghan. But she left in 2019 amid claims of bullying of staff by the Duchess of Sussex. One source at the time said that she had been 'treated terribly'. Meghan has always denied she was a bully - blaming smears from Buckingham Palace staff. Australian Samantha Cohen (pictured back, centre) worked as the assistant private secretary to the Queen (right) before being appointed Prince Harry and Meghan's (left) private secretary - but left in 2019 amid allegations she was bullied by the duchess, who has denied the claims Boris Johnson, pictured leaving his plane in Brussels for Nato talks today, is said to have approached Mrs Cohen for a 'gatekeeper role' Samantha was one of the 'Palace Four' - Jason Knauf, Christian Jones, Mrs Cohen and Sara Latham - who were witnesses to her involvement in the research behind Finding Freedom, the explosive book about the Sussexes' decision to quit as senior royals and emigrate to Canada and then Los Angeles. Who is Samantha 'The Panther' Cohen? Feisty Australian aide to the Queen who applied for palace job while on holiday in London Originally from Brisbane, Samantha Cohen is known as 'Samantha the Panther' for her feisty attitude. The 50-year-old is married and lives in London. She has three children. After studying at the University of Queensland, Ms Cohen worked in local journalism, in the civil service and public relations and joined Buckingham Palace in 2001. She answered a newspaper job advertisement for a media minder at the palace while she was on a trip to London almost 20 years ago. She became deputy press secretary in 2003, before getting the top job in 2007, becoming the first woman to be appointed in the role. The Queen is said to have been 'very fond' of Mrs Cohen - and Charles is said to have like her 'un-stuffy' attitude and 'resourceful' approach to work. Harry and William are also both said to have enjoyed a good relationship with her. Although her exit was marred by claims she was bullied, which the Sussexes have denied. Ms Cohen had also worked for Liberal ministers in both the Queensland and Federal governments. She was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen in 2016. She left the Palace in 2019 after a difficult spell working for the Sussexes. Mrs Cohen went to work for the environmental charity Cool Earth - and is now chief executive of the Commonwealth enterprise and investment council. Advertisement Mrs Cohen went to work for the environmental charity Cool Earth - and is now chief executive of the Commonwealth enterprise and investment council. Boris Johnson has approached her for the No 10 'gatekeeper' job, according to The Times, but she is yet to make a decision. She is well known to Simon Case, the current cabinet secretary who previously worked for William and Kate. Mr Case's position could be in jeopardy after he was linked to one of the lockdown parties. And Sam's mentor was Lord Geidt, once the Queen's principal private secretary and now the PM's adviser on ministerial interests who has been busy with Boris and Carrie's wallpapergate scandal and the 112,000 spent on revamping the No 10 flat. Theresa May and Boris Johnson both chose not to have anyone in the Director of Government Relations or senior diary secretary roles. David Cameron had Kate Fall, Gordon Brown had Sue Nye and Tony Blair had Anji Hunter, who were all in charge of their PM's time and who had access to them. Mrs Cohen could be employed in a civil service role, or a political role, if she were to take it. Although she left the royal household more than two years ago, she may have had to be interviewed by palace HR about alleged bullying by Meghan. Buckingham Palace announced last year that it would launch an investigation into allegations Meghan picked on several royal aides. The probe, billed as an 'internal review' by human resources, could hear evidence from up to ten royal aides who worked for the couple. Past and present staff will be invited to speak about their experiences, with the aim to improve human resources policies at the palace and see if lessons can be learnt. However, it has not yet been confirmed who any of them may be including whether Ms Cohen will take part in the review. Meghan is accused of 'driving out' two PAs and shattering the confidence of another member of Kensington Palace staff - with one former aide branding Prince Harry and his wife 'outrageous bullies' according to a report in The Times. The newspaper reported that in October 2018 an official complaint was made by one of their most senior aides, Jason Knauf, then head of communications, who alleged that Meghan bullied two PA's 'out of the household' within the space of a year and was targeting other female staff. Mr Knauf said in an email leaked to The Times he was also concerned about Ms Cohen. One source at the time said that she had been 'treated terribly', despite staying in her job to support the duchess. She has never spoken out - but Mr Knauf indicated that she was experiencing extreme stress and said: 'I questioned if the Household policy on bullying and harassment applies to principals (the term used to refer to a member of the royal family)'. Part of the probe will examine why his concerns were apparently not acted upon despite them being raised with several senior royal household staff at the time. Ms Cohen became the Sussexes' private secretary in 2018 after being entrusted by the Queen to help prepare Megan for royal life. She is pictured at Harry and Meghan's wedding in May, 2018 Samantha Cohen was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen in November, 2016 (pictured) There are claims some of the alleged difficult behaviour occurred during Harry and Meghan's tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in October, 2018. It also claimed the monarchy's 'men in gray suits' were aware of the purported actions of Meghan - but did 'absolutely nothing to protect people'. The couple were allegedly 'outrageous bullies', with 'broken' royal aides feeling 'humiliated', 'sick' and 'terrified' and even reduced to tears by the duchess. Meghan has denied the allegations and accused the newspaper of being 'used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative based on misleading and harmful misinformation' about her treatment of staff. Her lawyers said the former actress was 'saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma'. Meghan and Harry have also accused the Queen's staff of orchestrating a 'calculated smear campaign'. Palace sources slapped down the smear claim as utterly 'disingenuous'. A former NHS nurse was drafted into Downing Street last night to become the most senior civil servant at No 10. Experienced health executive Samantha Jones was appointed Downing Street's first Chief Operating Officer as part of Boris Johnson's team revamp. It came as former NHS nurse turned administrator Samantha Jones will also take on the role of interim permanent secretary for Boris. But it is understood she will be in the job for just six months until someone is found to fill it longer-term. Miss Jones, 50, a married mother of twins, has a wealth of experience with both the NHS and private health firms. She qualified as a nurse in 1989 and started her career at the world-famous Great Ormond Street Hospital for children in London. But she soon moved into health management, becoming the chief executive of Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust in south London and of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. Miss Jones also had a two-year stint as a director of care strategies at NHS England. She has worked in the private sector as well, most recently as the chief executive of Operose Health. The firm, which is the UK arm of American health insurance giant Centene, last year bought out AT Medics, a large group of GP practices in London. Samantha Jones (pictured) has become No. 10's Chief Operating Officer as part of Boris Johnson's team revamp Miss Jones (centre) has a wealth of experience with both the NHS and private health firms since qualifying as a nurse in 1989 In April Miss Jones was appointed the Prime Minister's top adviser on NHS transformation and social care. Is this a bad omen? Sex and the City namesake who fell out with Carrie! The Prime Minister will be hoping Samantha Jones' appointment will not be a case of life imitating art. Her namesake, Sex And The City's Samatha Jones, played by Kim Cattrall (pictured), does not appear in the reboot after her character apparently had a falling out with the protagonist... named Carrie. In the spin-off, entitled And Just Like That, Samantha's absence is put down to a bust-up with Carrie after she dropped her as her publicist. Advertisement Announcing her appointment last night, Mr Johnson said: 'I promised to make changes to my senior team so that we can get on with better delivering for the British people. 'That is what we are now doing by bringing in the very best skills and management experience with a clear vision to unite and level up our country.' Miss Jones added: 'I look forward to establishing an Office for the Prime Minister that provides him with the professional operation to deliver his agenda.' Reporting to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, her role will be to examine the way No 10 is run and help to set up a new Office of the Prime Minister. Mr Case said: 'Samantha's experience of leading and managing transformation in the public and private sectors will be invaluable as we overhaul the structures which support the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She joins Mr Johnson's chief of staff Steve Barclay, communications chief Guto Harri and head of policy Andrew Griffith to create the new Office of the Prime Minister, announced by Mr Johnson last week in response to the Sue Gray report into lockdown parties. Addressing the Commons afterwards, Mr Johnson said: 'It is time to sort out what Sue Gray rightly calls the 'fragmented and complicated' leadership structures of Downing Street.' It comes after Dan Rosenfield, the PM's former chief of staff, and Martin Reynolds, his principal private secretary, resigned last week. Champion of the NHS with a love of reading Machiavelli By Daily Mail reporter Samantha Jones is deeply proud of her roots on the NHS frontline. In 2019 she posted a picture of herself as a student nurse from February 1989, writing: 'Thirty years in health as important now to me as it was then.' Her husband, Professor Joe Harrison, is the chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. They have 12-year-old twins. Miss Jones has spoken of how her son Leo battled for life after contracting meningitis at seven weeks old but later recovered. She began her NHS career as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital but quickly realised life on the wards was not for her. While still a trainee, she went to see the chief nurse at the London children's hospital and declared she wanted to go into management. She later recalled: 'I said, 'I don't know why I want to be a manager, but I've got four brothers. I'm too stroppy. I have to stand by my beds while the consultant does his ward round and I'm not allowed to speak until I'm spoken to and I'm not having any of that'.' Miss Jones was named NHS chief executive of the year in 2014 by The Health Service Journal The chief nurse supported Miss Jones's ambitions, telling her to finish her training and then meeting her regularly to discuss her plans. Her drive and determination stayed with her as she moved rapidly through the ranks. When she was on the Health Service's two-year graduate management training scheme, she wrote to then NHS chief executive Sir Alan Langlands and asked to shadow him for a week. She later told the Health Service Journal: 'No one had told me I could, no one had told me I couldn't, and so I did it. 'I spent a week with him and for half an hour after every meeting he said 'What do you think, Sam? Tell me what your view is'.' The Health Service Journal named her NHS chief executive of the year in 2014. She has admitted to unusual tastes. Her favourite books include Machiavelli's The Prince, a 16th-century guide to ruthlessly obtaining and maintaining political power, and Michael Rosen's classic children's tale We're Going On A Bear Hunt. Miss Jones has also told how her favourite food is Japanese and her dream dinner party guests would include Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, David Walliams and Nelson Mandela. Advertisement How study of Antarctic soil samples unearthed Covid lab leak clue Jan 2019: Scientists from the University of Science Technology of China collect 12 soil samples on King George Island, Antarctica, during study of penguin bacteria. November 2019: Three workers at the Wuhan Insititue of virology fall sick with Covid-like symptoms, according to US intelligence Dec 2019: The Arctic soil samples are sent to the Sangon Biotech laboratory in Shanghai, China, to be sequenced. The Sangon Biotech laboratory also sequences samples from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Dec 2019/early 2020: The samples are analysed and during the sequencing contaminated by a different sample from another project, likely through a barcode error at the lab. The other sample contains a mutated version of Covid-19 and genetic material from monkeys and hamsters suggesting it is from lab testing. Virologists say the variant is a descendant of the original Wuhan strain of Covid-19. Some experts believe it is an ancestor virus that is the bridge between bat coronavirus and Covid-19. Dec 31 2019: China confirms its first cases of Covid after reports of mystery illness spreading since November 2019. Early 2020: The Covid sequences are uploaded to an international database with in the dataset from the Antarctic soil sample , but not exactly clear when. They go unnoticed for over a year. Jan 2021: Researchers at Lorand University and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hungary discover three of the Antarctic soil samples contain traces of what may be an ancestral version of Covid, along with monkey and hamster DNA. Dec 23, 2021: The scientists publish a pre-print paper online, warning the contaminated samples could indicate the possible origin of Covid. Jan 2022: Public access to the data is revoked after the pre-print is released and then restored a month later. Chinese researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China, near Shanghai, said they did not ask to have the data deleted or restored. Feb 2022: Hungarian scientists publish a second pre-print suggesting the samples may be contaminated with an early version of Covid. Advertisement The theory that Covid leaked from a laboratory was given fresh momentum last night after scientists studying soil samples in Antarctica stumbled upon traces of the virus that may have been manipulated in a Chinese research facility. Rare coronavirus mutations from a sample processed in Shanghai at the beginning of the pandemic were found along with genetic material from hamsters and monkeys, which suggest the virus was being experimented on using either the animals themselves or their cells. There is some debate among scientists about whether the changes predate the original Wuhan Covid but most virologists believe the mutations came after the coronavirus first jumped to humans. Scientists made the discovery by accident while examining DNA from soil samples collected from Antarctica in late 2018 and early 2019 in a completely unrelated research project. The samples had been sent to the company Sangon Biotech in Shanghai to be analysed in December 2019, where a 'barcode error' saw them become contaminated with previously unseen coronavirus mutations. The machine being used to analyse the samples has been known to suffer barcode reading errors - meaning samples from two different projects can be mixed together. In this case, the Antarctic soil is believed to have been mixed with the DNA from lab monkeys or hamsters carrying coronavirus. The Sangon facility is thought to be used by Chinese researchers, including those at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) the lab at the centre of the accidental leak hypothesis. Some experts said the new mutations bridge the gap between the original bat coronavirus and the one that jumped to humans the missing piece of the puzzle that has escaped scientists for the past two years. But others believe the contamination came from samples of China's early Covid patients, who were announced in December 2019. A third theory is that the genetic material is from other animal-borne coronaviruses that were circulating at the time or being experimented on by the Chinese. The timing of the contamination is one of the key unknowns, but the Hungarian team who found the sample error say the virus could be the ancestor of the original Wuhan strain, if the mistake happened in December 2019. If the samples were analysed in early 2020, however, Chinese labs would have already built up a library of Covid test samples and the contamination may have occurred during experiments to learn more about the novel virus. When the Hungarian researchers first reported the mistake, they said the samples were wiped from the genetic database by Chinese researchers - although they have since been reuploaded. China previously deleted crucial data from the earliest confirmed Covid patients in Wuhan and silenced Chinese scientists who questioned the official narrative as part of its state-sponsored cover-up that has fuelled suspicion about the true origins of the pandemic. The latest findings, from Eotvos Lorand University and the University of Veterinary Medicine, both in Budapest, have been published online but not yet formally reviewed by other scientists. They were looking at online DNA databases in January 2021 when they noticed the probable cross-contamination of the soil samples. Virologist Shi Zheng-li works with her colleague in the P4 lab of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Hubei province - which is at the heart of the lab-leak theory. Nicknamed the 'Bat Lady', Zheng-li hunted down dozens of deadly Covid-like viruses in bat caves and studied them at the WIV The Hungarian researchers traced the samples back to a study by the University of Science Technology of China in late 2018 and early 2019. The Chinese project was looking at bacteria from penguins and saw the team collect a dozen soil samples on King George Island, Antarctica, during a three-week period. China's official timeline of the coronavirus pandemic vs counter-claims Official timeline Dec 8, 2019 - Earliest date that China has acknowledged an infection Dec 31 - China first reported 'pneumonia of unknown cause' to the World Health Organisation Jan 1, 2020 - Wuhan seafood market closed for disinfection Jan 7 - President Xi Jinping discusses coronavirus outbreak with his politburo Jan 9 - China makes public the genome of the coronavirus Jan 11 - China reported its first death Jan 13 - First case outside China is confirmed Jan 20 - China's National Health Commission confirms human-to-human transmission Jan 23 - Wuhan locked down Jan 31 - WHO declared 'outbreak of international concern' as China admitted having thousands of cases Feb 23 - Italy reports cluster of cases in first major outbreak in the West May 29 - China claims virus did not originate in wet markets but in Chinese bats before it jumped to humans via an 'intermediary animal' July 31 - Chinese researcher admits some coronavirus experiments conducted in lower biosafety labs Dec 16 - WHO announces it will travel to Wuhan to probe origins of virus in January Jan 5, 2021 - China denies entry to WHO's investigatory team Feb 9 - WHO dismisses theory virus leaked from lab - backs China's claim it was imported from frozen meat Mar 28 - Former US national security officials says intel shows 'there was a direct order from Beijing to destroy all viral samples' at Wuhan lab New evidence 2012: Six miners struck down with with a mysterious flu-like illness in Mojiang cave in Yunnan. They were found to have been infected with the closest known relative to Covid, sharing 97% of its genes. Samples RATG13 are sent to the Wuhan Institute of Virology to be studied. Sep 2019- Blood samples are taken in a lung cancer screening trial in Italy which later test positive for coronavirus Oct - Whistleblower Wei Jingsheng claims China deliberately spread Covid at The World Military Games in Wuhan in October, two months before the rest of the world knew about the virus Oct - Xi Jinping's authoritarian regime tried desperately to shut down whistle-blowers like Mr Jingsheng. Any references made in social media about a new SARS virus or 'outbreak' were censored Oct-Dec - Rise in 'flu and pneumonia' cases in northern Italy which could be linked to coronavirus Nov - Whistleblower Mr Jingsheng claims he took his concerns about the military games to senior figures within the Trump administration but was ignored Nov - Intelligence report passed to agencies in Washington claims three members of staff at the Wuhan Institute of Virology sought hospital treatment in November 2019 after experiencing symptoms consistent with Covid Nov - Sewage samples taken in Florianopolis, Brazil, suggest virus was present Nov 10 - Milanese woman has a skin biopsy, producing a sample which later shows signs of the virus Nov 17 - Leaked documents suggest case detected in China on this date Dec - Doctors in China, including Li Wenliang, report existance of new type of respiratory infection. But Chinese police arrested him and eight of his colleagues for questioning - instead of publicising reports and warning public Dec 1 - Chinese researchers report an infection on this date in a peer-reviewed study, but it has not been acknowledged by Beijing Dec 18 - Sewage samples taken in Milan and Turin suggest virus was circulating in the cities Dec 26 - Samples analysed suggested a new type of SARS was circulating as early as December 26, but Wuhan was not locked down until January 22 Jan 2020 - Sewage samples from Barcelona suggest virus was in the city Jan 3 - Covid-19 infections begin sweeping across other nations including the U.S. as the WHO labelled the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern May - Scientists at a government lab in California concluded that Covid-19 may have escaped from a facility in Wuhan July - WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said China failed share vital raw data during their investigation in Wuhan. China rebuffed those claims June 2021: Leading US virus expert Dr Anthony Fauci was warned Covid may have been engineered in a lab, emails publicly released reveal. August: The world's first Covid-19 patient may have been infected by a bat while working for a Wuhan lab in China, WHO chief Dr Peter Embarek said August: A damning report by Republicans in the US claims coronavirus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, shortly after the facility tried to improve air safety and waste treatment systems The report also cited 'ample evidence' that lab scientists were working to modify coronaviruses to infect humans and such manipulation could be hidden. October: US intelligence review into origins of pandemic does not reach a judgement on whether the virus emerged via animal-to-human transmission or a lab leak. Chinese officials branded the report 'political and false'. January 2022: Leaked emails from top UK scientist Sir Jeremy Farrar showed he admitted in February 2020 that it was a 'likely explanation' that the virus could be man-made. But he went on to brand the theory a 'conspiracy'. February: Sir Farrar is called to be interviewed under oath at the US Congress. Officials want him to explain why he shifted away from the lab leak theory. Advertisement Samples were sent to the Sangon sequencing site in Shanghai in December 2019. They were uploaded to an international database sometime later, although the exact date is not known. Three of the samples had become contaminated with fragments of coronaviruses, which the Hungarian researchers believe was due to a mix-up at the Shanghai lab. They point out that the machine used to sequence genetic code 'is known to be prone to barcode misassignment errors'. After analysing the contaminated samples, the researchers found the sequences contained parts of a virus that 'maybe one of the earliest' versions of Covid. Professor Jesse Bloom, a virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle in the US who was not involved in the study, re-ran the data to confirm that the Antarctic samples did contain the unique viral artefacts. He said they contained three key mutations which brought the bat coronaviruses closer to the first human strain, Wuhan-Hu-1. The mutations also match what US researchers predicted Covid's ancestor virus would look like in a study published in May 2021. Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University who is a supporter of the natural origin theory, told MailOnline the finding was 'very, very intriguing and very, very suspicious'. He said it was not definitive proof that Covid was engineered in a lab and released, but it signalled that coronaviruses was being studied in Chinese labs very early in the pandemic. 'The two things that really stand out for me are there are these three key mutations bringing the bat Covid closer to the first Wuhan strain. It is very very suspicious [and could be] a signature of the ancestral Sars-CoV-2.' The Antarctic samples also contain DNA from Chinese hamsters and green monkeys which Professor Young said suggested the early virus may have been grown in animal cells. All of this is looking like a contamination in the sequencing process at Sangon Biotech Centre... Intriguingly, the contamination with bits of genetic information from humans, green monkeys and Chinese hamsters, those are all representative of cell lines used for viruses. 'The green monkey cells are used to grow the virus and the Chinese hamster cell line are a very famous line used often to study viruses. It does suggest that the virus had been grown in cells. we can't assume any more than that, [without] the exact dates of when that took place. His comments were echoed by Professor Bloom: 'The timeline matters a lot here. If they were sequenced in Dec 2019 then it's exceptionally important, because [China] holds SarsCov2s not discovered until December 30 to 31. 'On other hand, if sequenced in early 2020 then they could be contaminated with some early patient samples and still concord with Chinese government timeline. Right now, it doesn't seem there is enough info to narrow down timeline to distinguish between these. 'All we can say is that these samples were contaminated at Sangon Biotech with some early SarsCov2 viruses, some of which appear to have been from lab-grown samples.' But Professor Kristian Andersen, an immunologist at the Scripps Research institution in San Diego, California, believes the sequences were from early Covid patients in China. He said one of the mutations in the sample is found on the Omicron variant which could not have occurred unless the virus was already spreading in people. Professor Andersen, who has analysed the sequences himself, said that because there is a missing gap in the timeline of Covid, 'we don't actually know the root' of its ancestral tree. This makes it 'near-impossible' to work out if the mutations in the study came before or after the pandemic-causing virus. Other scientists say that the contaminated samples are too messy to definitively conclude they are direct relatives of the human Covid, and not other animal-borne coronaviruses circulating at the time or used in lab experiments. Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline: 'There are lots of animal coronaviruses circulating around the world so potentially finding ancestral versions of it is interesting, but this paper doesnt actually tell us very much. 'It's very possible [the samples are from] benign relatives or similar relatives of Covid that were circulating at the time and it is quite difficult to prove it is a direct ancestor.' Proponents of the natural origin theory of Covid say the virus likely started in bats possibly named RaTg13 or Banal 20 to 52, which are the two closest relatives of the human version. The prevailing idea is that the virus jumped from to an intermediate host where it evolved to be able to infect people before making the jump into the human population. But despite extensive efforts from scientists in China and around the world, that animal has never been found. Both bat viruses were being studied in labs in China, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology which is at the centre of the lab leak hypothesis. Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at Reading, said that while the study was not a 'smoking gun' for the theory, it provided a 'possible link that nudges the accidental escape story a bit closer'. He told MailOnline: 'But it does not definitely identify these samples as the progenitor of SARS-2, the actual outbreak strain could have come from a wholly independent event. 'Nor does it show that this variant, which is still closer to the many SARS-like bat viruses known than it is to Wuhan-1, is capable of infecting people, that would have to be assumed to be the case.' Leaked emails have shown that top scientists advising the Governments in the UK and US were concerned that Covid may have leaked from a Chinese lab from the start of the pandemic. Sir Jeremy Farrar, who publicly denounced the theory as a 'conspiracy', admitted in a private email in February 2020 that a 'likely explanation' was that the virus was man-made. The then-UK Government adviser said at the time he was '70:30 or 60:40' in favour of an accidental release versus natural origin. In the email, sent to American health chiefs Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Francis Collins, Sir Jeremy said it was possible Covid had been evolved from a Sars-like virus in the lab. He went on that this seemingly benign process may have 'accidentally created a virus primed for rapid transmission between humans'. But the British scientist was shut down by his counterparts in the US who warned further debate about the origins of the virus could damage 'international harmony'. Pictured: The Wuhan Institute of Virology, where some believe the virus may have been accidentally leaked from He was told by other scientists with links to virus manipulation research that it could cause 'unnecessary harm to science in general and science in China in particular'. Sir Jeremy claimed in his emails that other respected scientists also believed the virus could not have emerged naturally. Despite his concerns, Sir Jeremy went on to sign letters in The Lancet a fortnight later denouncing anyone who believed in the lab leak theory as bigoted. The letter shut down any debate over whether the virus could have escaped from a lab. It later emerged that the leading scientist behind the letter had financial ties to the WIV. The lab specialised in engineering dangerous coronaviruses and is the only level four biochemical lab in China. An article in the respected Science journal on May 14, 2021, kick-started the surge in interest for the lab-leak theory. Some 18 experts wrote in the journal that 'we must take hypotheses about both natural and laboratory spillovers seriously until we have sufficient data'. Later that month, a study by British Professor Angus Dalgleish and Norwegian scientist Dr Birger Srensen claimed it had 'prima facie evidence of retro-engineering in China' for a year. The study included accusations of 'deliberate destruction, concealment or contamination of data' at Chinese labs. It followed statements from the WHO Director General, US and EU that greater clarity about the origins of this pandemic is necessary and feasible to achieve. Previously, the theory had been dismissed as conspiracy by most experts, partly because of its association with Donald Trump. President Joe Biden in May ordered a full investigation into the origin of the pandemic virus and demanded scientists work out whether there is truth to the theory. The head of the WHO insisted just a day earlier that the theory that Covid emerged from a Wuhan lab has not been ruled out as he said China should help solve the mystery out of 'respect' for the dead. The body's director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, suggested that Beijing had not cooperated fully as he urged more 'transparency' in the continuing investigation. A black receptionist has won a race discrimination claim after colleagues mocked her afro hair by asking 'what electrical sockets' she touched. Donna Phillips complained that she was twice subjected to the 'offensive' remark that her afro was the result of an electric shock. She was one of only two black employees at her construction company and also complained after a colleague used the N-word 'seven times' a work. Now, an employment tribunal has ruled the comments about her hair amounted to racial discrimination - stating the same comment 'would not have been said' to a white employee. Miss Phillips, who sued London-based Ballymore Construction Services, is now in line to receive compensation. The employment tribunal heard Miss Phillips began work at Ballymore in March 2018 as a receptionist and administrator. Miss Phillips was one of two black employees on the site and the tribunal heard there were also two employees of Indian origin as well as several European employees. Six months into her new job, Miss Phillips sent an email to bosses complaining about a racist remark made by Paul McStoley in July 2018 and another offensive comment made by Moiz Zahid in August 2018. Receptionist Donna Phillips has won an employment tribunal against London-based Ballymore Construction Services (pictured) over comments made about her afro hair A tribunal report said: 'The comments were similar and remarked about what electrical sockets Miss Phillips had touched to make her hair like that. 'Miss Phillips has an afro and the tribunal found these comments were made when she had her hair untied and open.' In the same email Miss Phillips also complained to bosses about a Spanish employee, Isobel Perez, using the 'N-word' seven times in the context of asking her, 'I have heard it is wrong to use the N-word'. On this matter, the judge ruled Ms Perez's comments to be 'inquisitive' and 'naive' as a non-native English speaker, rather than deliberately offensive. The south London tribunal heard Miss Phillips advised bosses the team could benefit from 'diversity training' because of the incidents she had raised. She later sent another email to bosses, complaining her concerns were not being 'addressed properly' and raising additional concerns such as 'being blamed for IT errors' and 'being accused of being aggressive'. She raised a grievance which was dismissed, apart from one aspect relating to one of the afro comments - which was deemed 'indirectly discriminatory'. Miss Phillips resigned in January 2019. Miss Phillips won her claims of race discrimination relating to the remarks about her hair. Employment Judge Omar Khalil said: 'The tribunal concluded that the comment was less favourable treatment of Miss Phillips because of her race compared with a hypothetical white employee. 'The [electrical sockets] comment, even as a joke and in the context of Mr McStoley's own hair, would not have been said to a white employee. 'The remark was made because Miss Phillips was black and wearing her afro hair out. For the same reasons, Mr Moiz Zahid's comparable comment to that of Mr McStoley's was also race discrimination.' Miss Phillips received an apology from Mr Zahid, it was heard. Judge Khalil said Ms Perez's use of the N-word, although offensive, did not amount to discrimination. The judge said: 'In relation to Isobel Perez's use of the N-word, the tribunal was unanimous in its view that the word was an inappropriate and offensive term. 'However, the tribunal was not satisfied that Miss Phillip's description of the event and the repetitive use of the word - seven times - was plausible. 'It was, in the tribunal's view, an inquisitive and perhaps naive enquiry from someone who spoke Spanish first, English second.' Miss Phillips will be awarded compensation at a later date. Her other claims relating to race discrimination, direct sex discrimination, victimisation, sexual and racial harassment and disability discrimination all failed. Terrelle Graham (pictured), 26, from Bradley Stoke, south Gloucestershire, claimed he was subject to racist abuse from his colleagues while he was working at Currys PC World in Bristol Last September, a black shop worker accused his colleagues of racially abusing him and calling him 'Afroman' by saying his hair looked like he had put his 'finger in an electric socket'. Terrelle Graham, 26, from Bradley Stoke, Gloucestershire, claimed he was subjected to racist abuse from staff while he was working at Currys PC World in Bristol. Shocking video footage captured the moment that the former Sony contractor was told that his hair looked like he had put his finger in an 'electrical socket'. Dixons Carphone, which owns Currys PC World, said an investigation had been carried out and action was taken in line with company policy. A British actor has been jailed for two years and eight months after controlling his girlfriend's behaviour - including by ordering her to wear socks at all times. Gavin Eyles, 37, from Chippenham, Wilts., told his new partner what to wear, who to see, forced her to wear socks even while in the bath and made her indulge his foot fetishes during their 18-month relationship. The acting website www.starnow.co.uk credits him with appearing in Disney's 'Muppets 2' and 'Harry Hill: The Movie'. He has now pleaded guilty to two offences of using controlling and coercive behaviour between March 1, 2019 and August 21, 2020. He also admitted stalking the woman - including by hiding inside her wardrobe - between August 19, 2020 and September 19, 2021, causing her serious alarm or distress. His victim, a woman from Lydney, Glos., met Eyles on social media in March 2019. He admitted to her that he was convicted in 2008 of causing a former partner actual bodily harm by cutting off her hair as she slept. He was also jailed in 2010 for 42 days for coercive behaviour towards the same ex-partner. Gavin Eyles (pictured), 37, from Chippenham, Wilts., told his new partner what to wear, who to see, forced her to wear socks even while in the bath and made her indulge his foot fetishes during their 18-month relationship Prosecutor David Maunder said he controlled his new girlfriend's movements when he moved in with her at the start of the pandemic. Mr Maunder said he 'became jealous of her having contact with other people' including friends and family. He looked at her phone, told her what to wear and told her he 'didn't want her looking like a drag queen'. He branded her 'stupid and uneducated' and made her 'indulge in certain fetishes'. Charges against him included the repeatedly pulling of her hair if she displeased him and insisting she wear socks all the time and did not expose her feet, except when directed by him. He also insisted she perform intimate acts on demand and dictated when she washed, showered or bathed. Eyles would threaten to kill himself if she ended the relationship and then began stalking her. While on remand in prison, Eyles then phoned the victim 128 times. Due to time already spent in custody on remand he is due to be released from prison in due course. In a statement the woman, who has a right to anonymity, said the relationship made her feel 'worthless' and like she was 'living on the edge'. She added: 'Eyles constantly made me feel stupid by suggesting that I had mental health issues. Because of my declining health and my anxiety I felt I had low self esteem. My physical appearance changed. The acting website www.starnow.co.uk credits him with appearing in Disney's 'Muppets 2' and 'Harry Hill: The Movie' 'I feel like a nervous wreck all the time. The effect it has had on me has made me feel very anxious. I can't understand why somebody would do what Eyles did. He left me feeling hurt. He used me as his plaything.' His victim spoke about the 'earth-shattering' ordeal and urges others to speak out and seek support. Following the sentence, the victim said: 'This whole experience, although earth-shattering, has taught me many things in regards to stalking and its effects. 'Stalking is not just someone stood under a light outside your house, it's small subtle events such as texts, calls, flowers at your door, streaming sites you watch being hacked and monitored. 'It's invasive and scary. It can involve ex-partners but also neighbours or work colleagues or strangers. 'Without reporting it I feel so many others experiencing stalking can become lost, confused and unsure if they are at risk, feeling they won't be believed or taken seriously. But believe me they will.' Peter Binder, for Eyles, said: 'He tried to improve the woman's wellbeing by controlling her smoking and drinking. He admits trying to influence her clothing but denies that he was a dictator. 'Basically he couldn't let go. He put his needs before hers. He now recognises that he has issues with his emotional make up. It is hoped that when he is released from prison, he gets the attention he needs from the professionals.' Detective Inspector Angela Middlewood said: 'Eyles' persistent and obsessive behaviour was a controlling form of abuse. 'His despicable actions caused a significant amount of distress and harm to the victim, and I would like to commend her for her courage and continued strength throughout what has been a horrific ordeal. Eyles was an extra and had a small speaking part in Harry Hill: The Movie (file image) The actor starred in television adverts and was an extra in Muppets Most Wanted (file image) 'It's not flattering to be harassed or stalked, it's unwanted and unwarranted behaviour that causes fear. These actions can have a devastating impact, and cause lasting emotional and psychological harm to a person. 'I hope that the outcome of this case and restraining order will offer the victim some closure and reassurance. 'We work with partner agencies who can offer victims of stalking further guidance and continued support. We're hopeful that prosecutions like this will encourage other stalking victims not to suffer in silence, and reassure them that the police and partner agencies take all such allegations extremely seriously.' The judge jailed Eyles for two years and eight months and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of 170. He also subjected him to a ten-year restraining order not to contact his victim by any means and prohibited him from entering Gloucestershire. Judge Ian Lawrie QC said: 'You clearly merit custody, but as you've served a long time on remand - the equivalent of a three year prison sentence - it is likely that you will be released shortly.' Cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi has revealed that his Covid jabs prevented him from potentially dying from the virus after he was struck down last week. The Education Secretary said medics had told him he could have ended up in hospital on a ventilator if he had not had three vaccines, after he suffered breathing problems. In a lengthy question and answer session with Sky News today he told presenter Kay Burley: 'I think, without the vaccine and the booster, I'd have had it even worse, my doctor said, because it's your physiology.' Asked if he could have died, he said: 'Certainly I would have been in big trouble, according to my doctor.' The Education Secretary said medics had told him he could have ended up in hospital on a ventilator if he had not had three vaccines, after he suffered breathing problems. 'It's your body's reaction to Covid that will determine how severe or asymptomatic you might be,' he said, adding that some of his family members had had 'no symptoms whatsoever'. 'By day four or five it got into my chest and started really affecting my breathing,' he said, adding that his temperature reached 39.5C and his doctor had suggested he might have to be put on steroids. He said his doctor told him: 'If you hadn't had the vaccine and the booster, I guarantee you you would be in hospital and probably intubated.' And he urged viewers: 'Get your vaccine and get your booster... the offer is evergreen from the NHS. 'This thing is not like a cold.' Mr Zahawi said the Government will be led by the data when it comes to ending the need to self-isolate. He said Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out plans for 'living with Covid' on February 21, and if the data continues in 'the direction it's moving in at the moment' restrictions could be lifted on February 24. Mr Johnson today came under fire for announcing that he intends to ditch all remaining Covid laws within a fortnight as unions criticised the move as going 'too far, too soon' and the Government's own advisers warned of the 'dangers'. The Prime Minister yesterday dramatically declared the final domestic restrictions including compulsory self-isolation for the infected will be axed before the end of February, provided the 'encouraging' trends in the data continue. Covid infections are falling consistently and deaths are in freefall, while the milder nature of Omicron, coupled with sky-high levels of immunity, mean the NHS never came under the levels of pressure that No10's experts feared would happen. Ministers have repeatedly spoken of their plans to live with Covid like flu, paving the way for England to lead the rest of the world out of the pandemic phase. The current self-isolation rules in England expire on March 24, but the Tory leader told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions that 'provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive a full month early' A YouGov poll of nearly 5,000 Britons shows 75 per cent of people believe the self-isolation requirement should be in place for at least the next few months But the statement from the embattled PM yesterday greeted with roars by Tory MPs in the Commons was labelled as an 'attempt to distract' from the partygate scandal. Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said it 'wasn't a thought-out policy backed up by public health expert advice', adding: 'It was a dead cat thrown on the despatch box of the House of Commons in order to distract and deflect.' Epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector warned relaxing Covid curbs is a 'political type of statement rather than a scientific one'. And Professor Devi Sridhar, a public health expert at Edinburgh University, argued plans to revoke the rules is clearly intended to 'create headlines' and 'distract from the problems that the PM is facing which is that he seems to have broken lockdown rules'. Christina McAnea, Unisons's general secretary, said: 'Everybody wants to get back to normal, but Covid risks haven't disappeared. This is going too far, way too soon. 'Infections are still rife in schools. Large numbers of pupils and staff are off. Allowing a premature return could lead to a further jump in infections and disrupt learning for thousands more children and young people.' And Professor John Edmunds said SAGE, No10's scientific advisers, 'haven't discussed' ending quarantine and there are 'of course dangers' to the Prime Minister's plan. He said: 'This restriction is the last one and quite rightly so. 'If you think about what it does, it targets those who are actually infectious with the virus and asks them to stay at home.' A police anti-terror expert who is suing Greene King for 370,000 after a faulty pub awning fell on her head claimed the 'trauma' of being '2cm from death' caused a severe medical condition that left her 'very disabled'. Paula Walsh-Thornburn, a Met counter-terrorism researcher, was standing outside the Chelsea Potter pub in Londons Kings Road in December 2013 when a metal part of a canopy fell off and landed on her head. The 56-year-old said the accident, which caused two black eyes and led to her having brain scans, left her 'very disabled', with severe trauma-induced fibromyalgia, widespread pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness and sleep disturbance. Mrs Walsh-Thornburn today told the hearing at Mayors and City County Court, which had been adjourned from September 2021, that suffering such a 'traumatic' near-death experience had left her deeply shocked and sparked the life-altering downward spiral in her health. Mrs Walsh-Thornburns lawyer Joanna Hughes said the accident caused a severe spiral in the fibromyalgia which had plagued her for the previous five years, causing chronic pain and drastically restricting her mobility. Pub operator Greene King does not dispute liability for the accident but claimed Mrs Walsh-Thornburn was being 'fundamentally dishonest' and exaggerating her symptoms. Paula Walsh-Thornburn was injured by a faulty pub awning and is now suing brewing giants Greene King, who acquired the pub in 2015, for 379,00 as she says incident worsened her fibromyalgia. Pictured: Mrs Walsh-Thornburn (left) and husband Neil Walsh-Thornburn outside Mayors and City County Court In final submissions to judge Stephen Hellman, the Ms Hughes said: 'Trauma can trigger fibromyalgia as a new illness, that is accepted by both medical experts in this case. 'The question is whether it can alter the course of an existing condition. 'The claimants case is that she deteriorated from the point of the accident onwards. 'Its not the case that the soft tissue injuries resolve and then the widespread pain comes on, the two are completely interlinked.' Mrs Walsh-Thorburn said she went into shock when she was told that 'she would have died' if the awning had been 2cm closer. Before the hearing was adjourned in September, Mrs Walsh-Thornburn said she had been struggling with fibromyalgia but that it was 'stabilising' and she was hoping to increase her work hours at the time, before getting worse after the accident. But Greene King claimed she only suffered soft tissue injuries which resolved quite quickly and could be compensated by a payout of just 1,500. They also said her claims of having been 'very disabled' by the accident were 'fundamentally dishonest'. Mrs Walsh-Thornburn says the incident worsened her fibromyalgia and that she may have to quit her job as a counter-terrorism expert for the Met Police as a result of the condition Mrs Walsh-Thornburn is suing Greene King Plc for 379,000 compensation, claiming she has become a 'totally different person' because of the accident. As well as blighting her career, her lawyers said she required compensation to cover an extra 12-and-a-half hours per week of care provided by her husband, Neil, a retired police officer. Richard Whitehall, for Greene King, previously said the pub company accepted she suffered some 'short-lived soft tissue injuries' - with up to 'six weeks of worsened symptoms'. But the maximum compensation she should recover for her injuries is around 1,500, he argued. Greene Kings claim that Mrs Walsh-Thornburn 'exaggerated her disabilities' is partly based on secret video surveillance taken over five days in 2020, which is said to show her walking at a 'normal' speed. The company challenged Mrs Walsh-Thornburns claim that she is affected by 'a range of significant limitations in her function', insisting her evidence is 'dishonest'. The court heard Mrs Walsh-Thornburn was injured while waiting for a taxi outside the Chelsea Potter pub (pictured) in London's Kings Road. At the time, the pub was owned by Spirit Pub Company, which Greene King then acquired in 2015 Mr Whitehall added: 'To be clear, it is not Greene Kings case that there is nothing wrong with the claimant - it is accepted that she suffers from fibromyalgia and has done since long before the accident. 'It is their case that she has overstated the nature, extent and progression of her symptoms and restrictions.' Mrs Walsh-Thornburn 'vehemently denies that she has been dishonest and rejects the allegations against her', her barrister told the court. However, if the trial judge ultimately finds that Mrs Walsh-Thornburn has exaggerated her claim, she could end up walking away without a penny, as well as picking up a crushing bill in lawyers' fees. 'If the allegation of fundamental dishonesty is proved, the claimant will be facing the potential loss of her home as well as possible proceedings for contempt of court', said Ms Hughes. 'The stakes for her could not be higher.' She insisted the video footage is consistent with her accounts to medics about her condition. At an earlier hearing, Ms Hughes told the court: 'Mrs Walsh-Thornburn denies that the footage shows her "walking at normal pace for over an hour" as alleged by the defendant. 'That is an unreasonable interpretation, given that she is consistently shown to be overtaken by other pedestrians whilst being filmed.' She also said accusing her client of exaggeration 'contradicted the agreed medical evidence' which shows Mrs Walsh-Thornburn is now 'very disabled'. 'Mrs Walsh-Thornburn rejects Greene Kings characterisation of this as a minor accident', the barrister said. 'She sustained a blow to the head causing two black eyes and was given two brain scans. 'It was a traumatic and frightening experience.' At the time of the incident, the Chelsea Potter was owned by Spirit Pub Company, which Greene King then acquired in 2015, a spokesman confirmed. Judge Hellman has reserved judgment and is expected to deliver his ruling on the case at a later date. A 'reprehensible' boss has been ordered to pay a woman more than 61,000 after she was sacked while on maternity leave. Monika Kaminska wanted to return to work at remittance company Trans-Fast in Southwark, London, full time in January 2020 after her maternity entitlement was over, an employment tribunal heard. But Caio Marchesani's company treated women on maternity leave 'exceptionally poorly' and found it more convenient to let them go after replacing them with other staff, a panel ruled. So when Ms Kaminska told her bosses she wanted to negotiate coming back to work, she was at first ignored, then offered half her previous hours with lower pay and then suddenly made redundant. The tribunal was told that in a similar case, Ms Kaminska's colleague Agnieszka Dyrda had been on maternity leave and was handed an identical redundancy letter. The tribunal heard Ms Dyrda tried to contact her bosses about her options for coming back to work multiple times but was similarly blanked. The hearing was told when she 'finally' spoke to company owner, Mr Marchesani - he was 'reprehensible and showed an utter disregard for her rights'. Ms Kaminska had worked as a customer service worker at Transfast - owned by Optima FX Ltd - based at its Southwark office, London, for eight years Ms Dryda said she felt 'left alone' and so accepted the redundancy. But Ms Kaminska successfully sued her bosses after a panel found the 'lack of care and sense of responsibility towards women on maternity leave striking'. The central London tribunal heard Ms Kaminska had worked as a customer service worker at Transfast - owned by Optima FX Ltd - based at its Southwark office, London, for eight years. It is a global remittance company, helping workers abroad send money to their respective home country. Ms Kaminska, who is Polish and often worked with Polish clients, fell pregnant in April 2018 and while on maternity leave the following year, she contacted Mr Marchesani about returning to work in January 2020. A panel heard Jose Ribeiro, the managing director, had 'already' said to another employee that 'he was not planning to take [Ms Kaminska] back'. She was then offered her a role with an hourly rate of 9 and 25 hours a week instead her previous 11 wage for 50 hours a week. In her email, she wrote: 'I cannot agree to lower my salary... Also, before I went on my maternity leave I [had] officially confirmed that I was planning to return to work in January 2020.' The panel heard she wanted to discuss the offer but despite emailing twice and calling, she received no reply. After getting fed up of the silence, she sent a grievance letter to her bosses. At the tribunal, Mr Marchesani claimed he did not know who she was nor the circumstances of her employment, which the tribunal found 'incredible'. The following month she received a letter that she had been sacked due to the 'financial situation' of the company, a panel heard. She then sent another grievance and filed an appeal against her dismissal. Ms Kaminska was yet again ignored - but received her final redundancy playslip. Three months after Ms Kaminska went on maternity leave, Ms Dyrda - who joined the company in 2007 - did too. She had concluded that it would be difficult to return to full-time work due to childcare so emailed Mr Marchesani about her options. When Ms Dydra eventually spoke to him after her various emails were ignore, the hearing in central London was told: 'She said that he was very unpleasant and said he was under no obligation to pay her for her maternity leave and holidays.' But Mr Marchesani denied ever speaking with Ms Dyrda on the phone to the panel. Additionally, the tribunal was told she was actually sacked because she had wanted reduced hours. Although it had not been negotiated, Ms Dydra did accept a 13,332 redundancy payment. Despite being told their department was being 'cut down', both women's maternity respective covers were kept on and the tribunal saw 'various advertisements for Polish remittance' that year. Ms Kaminska sued her bosses for unfair dismissal, victimisation and discrimination and deductions from wages. The panel ruled that she was sacked 'because she was on maternity leave' due to 'overwhelming' evidence. Employment Judge Natasha Joffe concluded: 'The treatment of Ms Dyrda showed [the company's] exceptionally poor treatment of women on maternity leave. '[There was a] lack of evidence that any employee not on maternity leave was put at risk of redundancy or made redundant. 'We could only speculate as to the respondent's reason for not wanting to retain women who had been on maternity leave. 'In the case of both Ms Dyrda and [Ms Kaminska], it may have been simply that they had replaced both women with other satisfactory employees and it was simply more convenient to retain those employees than to accommodate new mothers.' Ms Kaminska will be awarded 61,361.90. A tea-loving ex-builder has been buried beside a box of his favourite brew made out of flowers. Leslie Keith Dee, 73, from Gloucester, was known to drink up to 20 cups of tea a day and was rarely seen without a mug in his hand. So when the retired bricklayer passed away at the age of 73 in January, his family honoured him by placing a floral tribute to the iconic brand by his graveside. Chad Dee, 28, one of Leslie's 30 grandchildren, said the display commemorated the character of the family man's iconic love of Yorkshire Tea. He said: 'Yorkshire Tea was his preferred brand more than anything else, and he used to buy 1200 bags at a time. He used to love it so much that he would drink 20 cups of tea a day, easily. He added: 'We had traditional tributes as well, but then we wanted stuff that was personal to him. He was a wonderful man, so obviously we wanted to show everyone how lovely he was.' Leslie Keith Dee (pictured), 73, was known to drink up to 20 cups of tea a day and was rarely seen without a mug in his hand When the retired bricklayer passed away at the age of 73 in January, his family honoured him by placing a floral tribute to Yorkshire Tea by his graveside Chad said that Leslie, who took his tea 'strong, with a dash of milk and two sugars', first developed his love for the beverage while working on building sites in the local area. He said: 'My grandad grew up in Gloucester, and he was a bricklayer by trade, so that's where his love for tea came from. 'On a cold building site, most of them would drink tea to warm them up by the flask.' Chad said even when Leslie was forced to spend more time at home due to a hip replacement in 2019, his family would always ensure the tea was flowing. When Leslie had a hip replacement in 2019, his family ensured the tea was flowing He said: 'Grandad had nine kids and he had 30 grandkids, so someone would walk in and flick the kettle on. 'He wouldn't be one to go out for a cup of tea. He would always have it in the house.' 'He'd sometimes cough and so "Oh my throats dry", just because he was a joker, as then we'd have to make him a cup of tea!' Chad added: 'He had a big family, and he was a big family man. He was caring and he was kind. He'd do anything for his children and grandchildren.' When Leslie died on January 3 this year, Chad asked Plantation Florist, in Gloucester, to create a floral tribute in the shape of a Yorkshire Tea box to honour his memory. He said: 'We went to the florist and told her what we wanted, and asked her could you do this? 'They said, "Hmm, I don't know", but then they did it and pulled it off.' The floral tribute was made out of real flowers - in the signature green and red Yorkshire Tea colours - that were woven into a tea box-shaped frame. When Leslie died on January 3 this year, Chad asked Plantation Florist, in Gloucester, to create a floral tribute in the shape of a Yorkshire Tea box to honour his memory The floral tribute was made out of real flowers - in the signature green and red Yorkshire Tea colours - that were woven into a tea box-shaped frame Chad said that Leslie, from Gloucester, first developed his love of tea while working on building sites in the local area Chad, who laid the floral tribute at his father's graveside during the funeral - attended by 150 people on January 28 - said he believed it was one of the first of its kind. He said: 'When we came up with the idea, I googled "Yorkshire tea tribute" and there was nothing.' Fans of Yorkshire Tea were quick to praise Leslie's family for their incredibly touching display on social media. Juliette Hill said: 'What a lovely tribute! And every time his family and friends have a cup of tea, they will think of him. Chad, who laid the floral tribute at his father's graveside during the funeral - attended by 150 people on January 28 - said he believed it was one of the first of its kind Fans of Yorkshire Tea were quick to praise Leslie's family for their incredibly touching display on social media (file image) 'I hope that will make the pain of losing him more bearable.' Mo Robertson said: 'What a fabulous tribute to Leslie from his family. 'I'm just off to make a brew with my Yorkshire Tea and I will raise my mug to you RIP Leslie.' While Heather Cunningham added: 'What a man!!! He is my hero!! Amazing. May his cup be always full, wherever he may be.' Yorkshire Tea has been contacted for comment. Advertisement Covid cases fell in every local authority in England last week, official data shows as experts finally agreed that infections are definitely declining. Latest UK Health Security Agency figures showed outbreaks receded in all 149 council areas for the week ending February 6. This has only happened twice before, once during the week to July 25 when Delta was fizzling out and again in January this year after the huge Omicron peak. The biggest falls in the most recent week were in Bradford and Sandwell (both down 41.9 per cent) and Blackburn with Darwen (down 40 per cent). But the outbreaks were declining slower in the Isle of Wight (down 1.7 per cent), Bath (down 2.9 per cent) and West Berkshire (down 7.9 per cent). The agency's weekly report based entirely on official testing numbers chimed with a symptom-tracking study that today suggested Britain's Covid outbreak had peaked following a blip which left experts believing cases were ticking upwards. King College London researchers say 200,000 people were falling ill with the virus every day in the week ending February 7, flatlining at just 4.5 per cent higher than last week's estimates. Professor Tim Spector, lead author on the study, warned the figure is still 'far too high' but insisted it is 'reassuring to see signs of rates slowing'. Meanwhile, a new official report today estimated that booster Covid jabs have prevented 105,000 Covid hospitalisations since mid-December after the Omicron variant took off. The bulk of these (87,300) were among the over-65s, who are most at risk from the virus. Health Secretary Sajid Javid credited the top-up jabs with helping 'us to turn the tide' on the virus as England now shifts to 'learning to live with Covid'. He thanked the 'hard work' of the NHS, and Britons for getting their booster. Slide me The above maps show the change in Covid cases compared to the previous seven day spell over the weeks to January 30 (left), and the weeks to February 6 (right) King College London scientists estimate there were 203,973 new daily symptomatic cases in the week ending February 7, up 4.5 per cent on the 195,068 recorded last week Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures suggest 2.8million people in England had the virus daily in the week up to February 5, up 7.3 per cent on the 2.6million estimated the week before The King's College estimates differ from the Government's daily statistics, which have been recording falls for weeks and are now at levels similar to before Christmas. Analysts at the Office for National Statistics behind the country's gold-standard testing project also detected an uptick in infections over the past fortnight. The team admit the trend is 'uncertain', however, leaving the current situation mired in confusion. The falling statistics come after Boris Johnson yesterday declared he intends to ditch all remaining Covid requirements in England this month with calls mounting for the country to follow Sweden's lead by ditching free mass asymptomatic testing as well. The embattled Prime Minister dramatically declared the final domestic restrictions including compulsory self-isolation for the infected will be axed provided the 'encouraging' trends in the data continue. Professor David Livermore, a medical microbiologist at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline mass testing 'has cost a fortune and has delivered very little' and should be stopped for the asymptomatic. Daily toll of Covid victims will NOT be scrapped despite axing of legal restrictions, sources say Daily Covid statistics could continue to be published for months, despite the ending of legal restrictions. Government sources last night said there were no plans to end the release of daily figures on case numbers, hospitalisations and Covid-related deaths, despite controversy over the picture they paint. Tory MPs last night stepped up calls for the figures to be scrapped. Former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said it was time to call time on project fear. He said the figures, which are also broadcast each day on BBC news bulletins, had fuelled public anxiety about the virus out of proportion to the threat that it posed. Fellow Conservative Bob Seely told the Daily Mail: I have never understood why we publish the figures in isolation unless the aim was simply to scare people. We do not publish figures for the deaths from flu or pneumonia on a daily basis and we should not do so for Covid. It was simply intended to scare people and it should stop immediately. But a Government source said that the daily figures could continue for many months to come. Obviously they will not continue for ever, but there are no plans to stop publication at this stage, the source said. We know we may face Covid again in the autumn and it seems sensible to keep this in place. Advertisement The UKHSA weekly surveillance report also found cases had dipped in every age group in the most recent week, falling fastest among 5 to 9-year-olds (down 48 per cent) and 0 to 4-year-olds (down 41.1 per cent). The lowest Covid infection rates were recorded among 70 to 79-year-olds (314.7 cases per 100,000 people), 0 to 4-year-olds (329) and over-80s (331.6). The number of swabs carried out for the virus did fall in the latest week (down 33 per cent for PCRs, and 23 per cent for lateral flows). But the test positivity rate the proportion of swabs that detected the virus also dipped, suggesting the drop was real. For comparison, ZOE's figures, which are published every Thursday, are based on data from 50,000 swab tests from hundreds of thousands of users in the fortnight ending February 7. The ZOE study has been criticised previously for being biased, with app users choosing to report cases rather than based on random samples of the population. Critics also believe the way it works based on people reporting symptoms of the virus makes it hard to definitively differentiate between Covid and other viruses that trigger tell-tale symptoms. Its estimates have significantly diverged from the Government's own case figures and other major surveillance studies on numerous occasions throughout the pandemic. Professor Spector said: 'Although the true rate of new cases unlike the Government dashboard is currently far too high, it is somewhat reassuring to see signs of rates slowing down. 'And it looks like weve now passed the second big peak of the year, with hospitalisations, ICU cases and deaths also continuing to fall. 'Cases need to decline more among older and more vulnerable age groups before we can start to relax, and its still too early to tell the effects of Long Covid as a result of an Omicron infection or the effect of the super infectious BA.2 variant that continues to increase nationally. 'Despite the Governments hasty decision to end all restrictions this month, and the message this sends, this does not mean the pandemic is over and we should all try to be good citizens by continuing to self-isolate when ill and protect ourselves and others from what can be a really nasty infection.' ZOE's data has previously been criticised for getting the state of the pandemic wrong, saying the 'Omicron wave has finally peaked' in January 13 before today's report claimed it has hit its second peak of the year. It also said cases had 'peaked for 2021' in November before the emergence of the Omicron variant. Dr Simon Clarke, a cellular microbiologist at the University of Reading, said the study is useful for monitoring people's symptoms 'but on its own it cannot accurately monitor the number of infections in the population'. He said the app is reliant on people choosing to put in their details and is therefore not necessarily an accurate sample of the UK population, despite the large sample size. The ONS weekly infection survey is considered the most reliable indicator of infections in Britain because it uses tens of thousands of random swabs to estimate prevalence, rather than relying on people coming forward for testing. Yesterday, it estimated England's Covid outbreak actually grew in size by 7 per cent last week. Analysts claimed around one in 19 people, or 2.8million, were infected on any given day in the week ending February 5 but admitted the trend was 'uncertain'. Cases remain highest in children aged under 18 (blue line) at around 80,000 per day, although they appear to now be falling in the age group. They are slowing in all age groups other than those aged 18 to 34 (orange line) and the most vulnerable over-75s (purple line), although the latter is still seeing the lowest daily numbers at under 7,500. Other lines: 35 to 54 (green), 55 to 74 (red) Prevalence is highest in Northern Ireland, where one in 19 people are thought to have the virus, with 8,389 cases estimated a day in total. It was followed by London, where one in 20 were infected and there were 34,080 new daily cases. Wales had the lowest prevalence (one in 36), with just 6,737 total daily cases The struggle to drag Britons 'back to normal' Unions are already digging their heels in after Boris Johnson revealed he intends to ditch all remaining Covid laws within a fortnight as a poll revealed that three in four workers ground down by almost two years of lockdowns and restrictions want to continue with self-isolation. Unison, Britain's largest union serving more than 1.3million members from swathes of the public sector, has accused the Prime Minister of going 'too far, too soon', insisting that the virus 'hasn't disappeared' despite a raft of data suggesting the worst is now over. SAGE scientists have also warned of the 'dangers' of the PM's plan to make England the first country in the world to scrap all Covid rules, after it emerged Mr Johnson had not discussed it with the committee which is now infamous for its gloomy predictions about the pandemic. And business leaders desperate to get staff back into largely-empty offices costing them a fortune admit they are struggling to compel people to return because workers are now so used to working from home. This has been compounded by a new YouGov poll of nearly 4,500 Britons that shows three-quarters of people believe the self-isolation requirement after a positive Covid test should remain in place. Half of people questioned admitted they want the legal requirement to stay in place forever. Christina McAnea, general secretary of the public sector union UNISON, said: 'Everybody wants to get back to normal, but Covid risks haven't disappeared. 'This is going too far, way too soon. Infections are still rife in schools. Large numbers of pupils and staff are off. 'Allowing a premature return could lead to a further jump in infections and disrupt learning for thousands more children and young people.' Advertisement The ONS estimated that Wales has seen its infections fall in the most recent week, dropping 13 per cent to 121,200 people carrying the virus on any given day. But infections increased in Scotland from 185,100 to 211,300 (14 per cent) and Northern Ireland from 136,300 to 145,600 (six per cent). In England, Covid was most prevalent in the South East, where one in 17 people were thought to have the virus during the week. Rates were lowest in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands and South West, all of which saw one in 20 infected on any given day. Secondary school students in England had the next highest infection rates after primary school children, with one in 11 pupils in year seven to 11 thought to have the virus on any given day. Experts have also criticised the Government's daily figures because they rely on people testing, which has dropped off since the start of January during the peak of the Omicron wave. Senior Whitehall sources briefed journalists last month that Boris Johnson plans to scrap the daily publication of all Covid statistics by April. But sources last night told the Daily Mail there are 'no plans to stop publication at this stage', suggesting they will continue for months to come. The source said: 'We know we may face Covid again in the autumn and it seems sensible to keep this in place.' No10 is also facing calls to end free-mas testing, after Sweden yesterday announced it would no longer offer swabs, effectively calling the pandemic over. Professor Livermore told MailOnline: 'Definitely, we should stop mass testing, particularly for the asymptomatic. The virus is endemic and is transforming into one more sort of common cold. 'Mass testing has cost a fortune and has delivered very little. The budget for for track and trace was 37billion or around 3 years worth of our recent National Insurance increase. And, as the Parliamentary Accounts Committee observed, it has delivered precious little for such a vast sum 'Id retain just three things. First, the ZOE app, which is inexpensive and has given useful rapid data on shifts in people experiencing respiratory symptoms. 'Second, Id incorporate Covid surveillance into the respiratory infections surveillance scheme that the the Royal College of GPs has run for many years. Last some sequencing needs to be continued to look for new variants in relation to vaccine coverage. 'All of this could be delivered for a fraction of the money now being spent.' And writing in the Daily Telegraph, Professor Sunetra Gupta, an epidemiologist at the University of Oxford said: 'Britain has got itself into a terrible mess on mass testing. 'A recent study led by Oxford academics, which found that up to a third of people found positive on a PCR test were not contagious, should give the Government cause to reconsider the wisdom of this approach. 'Continuing with a mass testing, mass isolation strategy in response to a disease that has become endemic is merely piling up the misery. The Government must change course.' Spanish police have issued an international warrant for a British woman who is accused of glassing her squaddie best friend in the neck during a night out in Magaluf. Sydney Cole, 22, is out on bail after being previously arrested over the 2019 incident at Banana's nightclub which ended with Lance Corporal Sarah Garrity in intensive care after losing four pints of blood and needing 14 stitches to a neck wound. But today, a Mallorcan court has issued another warrant for the bus driver's daughter from Hertfordshire, after failed attempts to inform her they wanted to question her again under oath, Ultima Hora reported. Judicial sources said the Palma judge took action after Cole, who was based at Fort George Barracks in Inverness when she was arrested, changed address without notifying the court, in breach of bail conditions. She is said to have left the barracks after having a baby and being given an Army house. Cole's indictment over the attack was said to be 'just a question of time' 16 months ago when it emerged she had been recommended for trial on a charge of attempted homicide. Sydney Cole (right) - a British soldier accused of throwing glass at her army friend Sarah Garrity's (left) neck causing her to lose four pints of blood - has been issued an international warrant Cole, 22, is out on bail after being previously arrested over the 2019 incident at Banana's nightclub Cole (left) insisted after her arrest that it was an accident and she threw the glass on the floor during a fight and shards hit Sarah (right) in the neck The decision was announced by an investigating judge despite Sarah, 25, telling Spanish authorities she didn't want to press charges after she left hospital. Defence lawyer Miguel Angel Ordinas has ended his relationship with Cole and a second defence lawyer understood to have been working for Cole is also believed to have quit. Spanish court officials are thought to have been unable to locate key witnesses who told police they saw Cole throw a glass directly at Sarah's face after the pair rowed following an all-day drinking session. Cole insisted after her arrest that it was an accident and she threw the glass on the floor during a fight and shards hit Sarah in the neck. The pair were sharing a hotel room with another squaddie friend called Deborah Ferguson on the Magaluf holiday. Judicial sources said the Palma judge took action after Cole changed address without notifying the court, in breach of bail conditions (pictured during her previous arrest) Cole's indictment over the attack was said to be 'just a question of time' 16 months ago Cole, who told police the fight broke out after Sarah tried to intervene in a problem she was having with Deborah, was remanded in custody for two days before her lawyer secured her released from prison. Sarah, who was serving in the Royal Logistics Corps when she was critically injured, told Spanish police after her release from hospital she did not want to press charges. Mr Ordinas, in his last comments on the case in November 2020 before he handed over the files to a colleague, said state prosecutors had yet to indict Cole. But well-placed legal sources in Mallorca said at the time they believed a trial would take place and the case had simply been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. One said: 'Before state prosecutors indict her Cole has to be questioned again under oath. 'The problem has been that the coronavirus pandemic kicked in and it has to be done via videoconference and it's been suspended on more than one occasion. The pair (pictured) were sharing a hotel room with another squaddie friend called Deborah Ferguson on the Magaluf holiday 'No date has yet been set for the court quiz. It could be another month or two months away. But it will happen and it's a simple bureaucratic formality that needs to precede the issuing of the indictment.' Another added: 'I'd expect state prosecutors to indict Cole for attempted homicide given the investigating judge's decision. 'That's punishable in Spain by a prison sentence of five to ten years. 'The indictment could be for a lesser crime of wounding with a dangerous object although it would be unexpected. 'But until the indictment is issued no-one can be 100 per cent sure.' A relative of Sarah told the Sunday People at the start of November 2020 Cole had yet to apologise and the Army had let her stay on the same base for 11 months afterwards. Cole (left) told police the fight broke out after Sarah (right) tried to intervene in a problem she was having with Deborah A source told the paper: 'Sarah told the police not to charge Cole because she didn't want to see a young girl banged up in a jail abroad. 'She expected her to be full of remorse but didn't even get an apology.' The source also claimed Army bosses told Sarah to 'get on with it' when she asked them to consider moving Cole after she got back to work three months later and found her still on Fort George barracks base. A family member of Sarah's said: 'We don't feel the Army has looked after our girl.' An Army spokesman told the Sunday People at the time: 'An investigation is ongoing following an incident with a British soldier in Spain last year. 'We take our duty of care to personnel very seriously. 'It would be inappropriate to comment further.' State prosecutors in Majorca have always declined to make any official comment on the case, as is normal in Spain where only trials are held in public and the judicial probe that precedes the open court hearing is carried out behind closed doors. Because the new quiz has not yet taken place, the ongoing investigation into the Magaluf incident is not believed to have moved forward. A murder investigation is underway after a grandfather was brutally killed inside his own home in Glasgow. Brian Maley, 52, suffered a 'particularly violent and sustained assault' at around 9.50am on Tuesday at his flat on Young Terrace road, in the Springburn area of the city. Emergency services battled to save the father of two but he died at the scene. Police Scotland have now launched a murder inquiry and an appeal for information. Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Grainger, of the force's Major Investigation Team, said: 'Brian died as a result of a particularly violent and sustained assault within his home. 'Brian was a father and grandfather and his family are devastated by what has happened. Brian Maley (pictured), 52, suffered a 'particularly violent and sustained assault' at around 9.50am on Tuesday at his flat on Young Terrace road, in the Springburn area of the city Emergency services battled to save the father of two but he died at the scene on Young Terrace road (pictured) 'We have a dedicated team of officers dealing with the case, supported by local officers and specialist resources carrying out a detailed search of his home and the local area. 'A high-visibility police presence will be maintained within the local area. 'Officers are currently conducting door-to-door inquiries and reviewing CCTV footage in the area and I urge anyone who was in the vicinity of Young Terrace between 7.30am and 09.50am on Tuesday, February 8 2022 and may have seen any person or persons acting suspiciously to get in touch with police as they may hold valuable information that can assist our inquiries.' Mr Maley's death was at first treated as 'unexplained' as police worked to establish the cause. A large section of Young Terrace road was locked down for much of Tuesday, along with a small path leading directly to the building where Mr Maley was killed. Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to contact police via telephone number 101, quoting incident number 0749 of February 8 2022 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A Catholic girls' school pupil secretly recreated the cover of a Bryan Adams album with her teacher before he later sexually assaulted her at one of Adams' gigs, a court heard. The girl wore scarlet nail varnish and put her hands on teacher Philip McDermott's face as a tribute to the suggestive picture on the front of the 'Get Up' record. McDermott, now 59, later sexually assaulted the girl, then 15, at a Bryan Adams concert at Sandown Park racecourse, Isleworth Crown Court heard. The incidents happened in 2016 but the alleged victim said she only reported McDermott years later because she was in 'big, black pits of shame' and thought it was her fault. 'When I told my boyfriend about it, I said I still think he's a good person,' the girl said. 'I didn't realise that I'd been manipulated and that I wasn't in control.' 'I had to do a lot of therapy and my sister was still at school. I wanted her to finish her GCSEs before throwing the iceberg in.' Teacher Philip McDermott, of Sydenham, (pictured) is accused of grooming a 15-year-old pupil by sending Bryan Adams lyrics over email before recreating the rocker's Get Up album cover The court had previously heard the pupil claims McDermott, who taught her at a school in London, groomed her and sexually assaulted her 'numerous times'. The teenager, who had a Catholic upbringing, had approached her teacher to ask for help with how to pray, and a physical relationship began with discreet touches but progressed in the empty classroom after school hours, the court was told. Giving evidence through a recorded interview, she described how the grooming started in after-school study clubs and 'got stranger' through email exchanges. 'A lot of the emails were about Bryan Adams,' she said. 'The lyrics were very romanticised, like Everything I Do I Do It For You. 'There was also a song called Darklands by The Jesus and Mary Chain that he said I should listen to. He told me at the time it was a sexual song. 'We sent each other lyrics about what we wanted to do to the other person. 'There was If You Wanna Be Bad You Gotta Be Good... he would sometimes play that in the classroom and dance around to it and You Belong To Me. 'And then there was an album, with Bryan Adams on the cover and a woman with red fingernails on his face. We reenacted that in the classroom. He said "oh, that's like us". That makes me a bit sick now.' The pupil told police she recreated this album cover with McDermott after he said it was them and that the thought of it now made her feel sick, a jury at Isleworth Crown Court has heard She also described how in their email exchanges their language became more sexualised. 'But innocently sexualised, as I was only 15. I had that sexuality forced on me when I wasn't ready.' They also shared stories about sexual fantasies, something she said was common among other teenagers as a way to express their sexual angst. One example went: 'There was one in a bathtub on a mountain. I was in the bathtub and he came up behind me. He started touching me and then we had sex...' She also knew the password to his computer and would routinely delete emails in the fear that their explicit sexual language would be discovered. They also talked about meeting up after she had left school with him joking that she should stay at a hotel with him. After a pub lunch that he paid for, McDermott took the girl into a nearby park. The girl described how McDermott touched her sexually when she wasn't expecting it and then asked her to do the same. Philip McDermott, 59, denies a string of sex offences including sexual activity with a child 'It's a memory I haven't been able to get out of my head,' the girl said before holding her face in her hands and crying. 'I just remember seeing it there. It affects my relationships today because I'm scared of it. 'That visual image is not something I can get out of my head.' Years later, after she had graduated from school and college, she saw McDermott at a networking event. She also overheard him at her old school when she went to speak about her career to the next generation of students. 'I didn't see him or speak to him, just heard his voice. 'I had to filter out what I was saying to someone as I didn't want him to find out what I was doing or where I was in case he came to get me.' The court had previously heard McDermott had earlier met the girl at a Bryan Adams concert at Sandown Park racecourse in August 2016 where prosecutors say he touched the pupil intimately during the gig. McDermott, of Westwood Hill, Crystal Palace, denies six counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, between 2013 and 2017. The trial continues. Israel's ambassador to Britain was branded 'Zionist scum' by protesters who tried to block her car as she attended a Cambridge Union debate. Tzipi Hotovely, 42, was met by a crowd of demonstrators before the debate and her speech was later interrupted by shouts and chants. The protesters were heard chanting Hamas slogans and set off flares as they demonstrated. The university's Palestine Society later told the Middle East Eye: 'We don't think that anyone that represents a state engaging in illegal practices and abuse of human rights should be given a platform in our city and university.' It comes just months after Hotovely faced a student mob when giving a lecture at the London School of Economics. The scenes in Cambridge saw a 100-strong mob gather outside the Student Union on Tuesday while chanting 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'. Hundreds of students gather outside the Students Union of Cambridge University while the Ambassador of Israel, Tzipi Hotovely, gave a talk inside The protesters were heard chanting Hamas slogans and set off flares as they demonstrated It comes just months after Hotovely faced a student mob when giving a lecture at the London School of Economics Last month, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi told the Jewish Chronicle that universities must alert police if they hear the chant. The activists also called Israel an 'apartheid state', lit flares and blew whistles. They cut short Hotovely's speech before staging a sit-in and blocking the entrance of the car park where her convoy was parked. Eventually, the sit-in was broken up, before Hotovely was shielded by an umbrella and bundled into her car. Despite the chaos, the ambassador later tweeted: 'Thank you Cambridge Union for hosting me today, and to the students for asking such interesting questions on Israel & the future of the Middle East. The spirit of debate shown by the students makes me optimistic about our future.' In November, the Israeli ambassador branded hard-Left activists 'shameful' after they tried to intimidate her following a lecture at the London School of Economics. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Tzipi Hotovely said the thugs attempted to silence her by 'shouting and screaming' but will not succeed. The diplomat was harassed by an angry mob after delivering a lecture to the LSE's student union debating society. Beating drums and chanting, they booed her and shouted: 'Aren't you ashamed' as her bodyguards bundled her into a car. The activists also called Israel an 'apartheid state', lit flares and blew whistles Before the event, an Instagram account called LSE Class War urged students to storm the building and 'make her shake', adding: 'Whoever smashes the Ambassador car window gets pints.' Mrs Hotovely was at the university for an event called Israel's Perspective: A New Era in the Middle East. She told the Mail she spoke successfully for 90 minutes to a room of 50 students, with 100 more listening on Zoom. She said LSE made sure her 'freedom of speech wouldn't be hurt' and she was able to 'reach out' to students. She said: 'The protesters were shouting and screaming throughout the event but they didn't disturb [it] because the British police and my security made it clear that the event would take place. Religious right-winger Tzipi Hotovley supports expanding Israeli settlements on West Bank and opposes Jewish-Muslim marriage Tzipi Hotovley is the Israeli Ambassador to the UK. She is on the right wing of Israeli politics and supports expanding Israeli settlements on the West Bank as well as opposing Jewish-Muslim marriages. The Orthodox Jew describes herself as a 'religious right-winger' and was born and raised in Rehovot, near Tel Aviv. Pro-Palestinians and left-wing Israelis fiercely oppose her support for the expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, rejection of a two-state Israeli-Palestinian peace deal and support for a 'greater Israel'. She has said before: 'This land is ours. All of it is ours. We did not come here to apologise for that.' Her family have roots in what was the ex-Soviet republic Georgia, with her parents Gabriel and Roziko Hotovely immigrating to Israel before she was born. After leaving school Ms Hotovley did two years Sherut Leumi, which is what some religious women do instead of National Service in the army. Ms Hotovely was a controversial choice as Israel's Ambassador to the UK, having been appointed by former PM Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured together) and a member of his Likud party In 2008 she joined Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and became a member of the Knesset. Critics on the left opposed Ms Hotovely's appointment as Israel's Ambassador to the UK, after she was first appointed as settlements minister by former PM Benjamin Netanyahu and a member of his Likud party. A petition was set up last year to ban her from becoming ambassador, which read: 'Hotovely has an appalling record of racist and inflammatory behavior from throughout her political career. 'As British Jews we are clear: Tzipi Hotovely's values and politics have no place in the UK. It is crucial that the UK government sends a message that her views are unacceptable, and rejects her nomination as ambassador.' Ms Hotovely was also deputy foreign minister from 2015 to 2020, a move panned by some for her views on Israel's settlement movement and rejection of the two-state solution. She found herself in hot water in 2017 for suggesting American Jews lack patriotism because most 'don't have children in the US military'. She questioned whether 'people that never send their children to fight for their country' could understand the 'complexity' of the Middle East. 'Most of the Jews don't have children serving as soldiers, going to the Marines, going to Afghanistan or to Iraq,' she said on i24 TV news. 'They don't feel how it feels to be attacked by rockets, and I think part of it is to actually experience what Israel is dealing with on a daily basis,' said Ms Hotovely. Advertisement 'They were trying to put on a lot of pressure and basically intimidating us.' She said she felt 'very protected' by her security team and by the police. However, she added: 'I do think it's shameful that people are trying to silence diplomats from a democratic country. 'Even expressions about hurting my vehicle are unacceptable. It's an incitement to violence.' The protests appear to have been organised by LSE for Palestine, which calls itself a 'student group' which 'calls for the liberation of Palestine'. It later congratulated protesters on their 'march', calling it 'peaceful'. There is no suggestion it is connected with the LSE Class War Instagram account which last night was shut down. Mrs Hotovely, a lawyer, a married mother of three daughters and a practising Orthodox Jew, said: 'I will continue to speak in every British campus. I will not allow those radical groups to shape the discourse in academia. 'Those groups are really against this very basic value of dialogue [and] freedom of speech.' She is controversial among pro-Palestinians because as a former minister she has sought global recognition for West Bank settlements. Nadhim Zahawi condemned the events outside the university, adding: 'This is harassment and it will have deeply shaken Jewish students. 'I have invited Jewish students from LSE to a meeting to hear directly from them and offer any support that I can.' Home Secretary Priti Patel and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also condemned the protests. Foreign Secretary Ms Truss said: 'We in Britain believe in freedom of speech. The treatment of Israeli Ambassador @TzipiHotovely last night and the attempt to silence her was unacceptable.' Minister for Middle East and North Africa in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office James Cleverly added: 'We value open debate and peaceful protest. 'The aggressive and threatening behaviour directed at Israeli Ambassador @TzipiHotovely last night was unacceptable.' Ms Hotovely tweeted: 'I'm thankful for all the support I have received from the British government, many friends and partners. 'I had an excellent event at #LSE and I will not be intimidated. I will continue to share the Israeli story and hold open dialogue with all parts of British society.' A spokesman for the Israeli Embassy told MailOnline: 'Ambassador Hotovely was invited to speak with students at The LSE titled the ''New Era in the Middle East''. 'It was a successful, open and fruitful discussion that went ahead as planned. Outside the venue, there was a demonstration organised by Palestinian and Islamic societies across London universities. 'British police maintained order at the scene. The violence we witnessed when the ambassador left the premises after the talk will not deter Israeli diplomats from engaging in meaningful dialogue with all parts of the British society.' Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, who shared a video of the protests outside the event on Twitter, added: 'This is absolutely shocking. At a London university.' Efrat Hochstetler, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, posted: 'The Israeli Ambassador to the UK, @TzipiHotovely, had to be escorted out of an event under heavy security due to a violent protest by 'pro-Palestinians', so-called human rights defenders. 'These people are not 'PRO' anything, if the very rights they presume to defend are negotiable. Amb. Hotovely was *trying* to engage with the public, that is part of her mission as an Israeli diplomat. Anyone who prevents her from doing so is a BULLY and a HYPOCRITE.' Scotland Yard said there were no arrests. An LSE spokesman said intimidation was 'completely unacceptable' and students found to be involved would face disciplinary action. Advertisement Boris Johnson has furiously hit back at Sir John Major after the former Conservative prime minister accused him of shredding Britains international reputation and insisted that he must resign if it is proven that he deliberately misled Parliament over Partygate. Speaking at the Institute for Government think-tank in London, Sir John launched a scathing attack as the under-fire Tory leader refused to say whether he would resign if he is fined by police investigating alleged lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street during the pandemic. Sir John, a longstanding foe of Mr Johnsons administration and opponent of Brexit, accused the PM of breaking Covid lockdown laws. He claimed that ministers had regularly been sent to defend the indefensible and had made the Government look distinctly shifty. While visiting Poland today, Mr Johnson insisted a claim by Sir John that Britains reputation abroad was being shredded was demonstrably untrue. The Prime Minister is expected to be among the more than 50 individuals in No10 and Whitehall who will receive legal questionnaires from detectives working on Operation Hillman. But he deflected questions about whether he will quit if Scotland Yard issues him with a fixed penalty notice over any possible breach of coronavirus regulations. In Brussels, Mr Johnson said he would not outline how he will respond until the police investigation concludes as he was questioned about his political future during a press conference with NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg to discuss Russian aggression against Ukraine. That process must be completed and Im looking forward to it being completed and thats the time to say more on that, the Prime Minister told reporters. Speaking in London, Sir John said deliberate lies to Parliament have been fatal to political careers and must always be so. At No10, the Prime Minister and officials broke lockdown laws, he told the Institute for Government. Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day the public was asked to believe the unbelievable. Ministers were sent out to defend the indefensible making themselves look gullible or foolish. Collectively, this has made the Government look distinctly shifty, which has consequences that go far beyond political unpopularity. No Government can function properly if its every word is treated with suspicion. Boris Johnson has furiously hit back at Sir John Major after the former Conservative prime minister warned that the under-fire Tory leader must resign if it is proven that he deliberately misled Parliament over Partygate allegations While visiting Poland today, Mr Johnson insisted a claim by Sir John that Britains reputation abroad was being shredded as a result of the current controversy was demonstrably untrue A new picture emerged yesterday of Mr Johnson allegedly attending a Downing Street Christmas quiz Major slams 'un-British' treatment of migrants John Major lashed out at treatment of migrants by Boris Johnson's government, branding it 'un-British'. Priti Patel's Nationality and Borders Bill is being heralded as the biggest shake-up of the asylum system for a generation. UK Border Force will also be able to seize boats at sea, and to forcibly disembark migrants from boats when necessary. Migrants who enter the UK without permission will face potential criminal charges and up to four years in prison. But Sir John said: 'Can it really be a crime to be frightened; homeless; desperate; destitute; fleeing from persecution, or war, or famine, or hardship; and to cross half the world on foot and dangerous waters in an unsafe boat, in the hope of finding a better life? 'Of course, if the numbers are too large, this creates an appalling problem for local communities. But surely, to seek sanctuary from an unbearable life cannot morally be treated as a crime? 'Prison for these refugees is punishment without compassion. 'I do sympathise with the awful problem facing the Government. But these proposals are not natural justice, and are decidedly un-British.' Advertisement The former prime minister, who led the country from 1990 to 1997, said trust in politics has hit a low ebb, eroded by foolish behaviour while too often, ministers have been evasive, and the truth has been optional. Sir John stopped short of directly calling for the Prime Ministers resignation at this moment, suggesting he would await the verdict of the Metropolitan Police inquiry. But asked if any leader found to have broken the law should resign, he responded: That has always been the case. Following Sir Johns speech, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said members of the Cabinet should consider how long they could carry on supporting Mr Johnson. I think theyre going to have to look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves whether they can carry on with this Prime Minister. I think in their hearts a number of them know that they cant, he said. I can see a divide now between those that are quite prepared to go out and defend the indefensible or those that are obviously very, very uncomfortable now doing that. And so, sooner or later, this has just got to come to a head. Further Conservative MPs are poised to call for a vote of no-confidence in the Prime Minister if he is fined, or further damaging details emerge from the Sue Gray inquiry. Scotland Yard said it will be dispatching the questionnaires by the end of the week as officers consider whether to widen the investigation to cover a Christmas quiz in No10 in December 2020. Police are reconsidering their decision not to include that event after a photograph emerged of Mr Johnson and colleagues near an open bottle of sparkling wine. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick suggested some of those being contacted by officers will end up with fines. Clearly, some, but probably not all, of those people may very well end up with a ticket, she told BBC Radio London. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said Mr Johnson had not been contacted by police and that he would not receive bespoke personal legal advice from Government lawyers. Adam Wagner, a lawyer who has been examining Covid-19 regulations, described the dispatching of questionnaires as very significant because it means the police think they are approaching a point where they can start issuing fines. Conservative MPs are 'incandescent with rage' about Partygate, Government minister admits to voters A Government minister has admitted that Conservative MPs are 'incandescent' with rage about the Partygate scandal. Solicitor-General Alex Chalk said that he was 'deeply disappointed' by the revelations and warned Boris Johnson that 'seeking to weather a storm cannot be enough'. In a letter to constituents, he told voters that despite the publication of Sue Gray's interim report the problem of Downing Street parties was 'not over'. The Times quoted the letter as saying: 'I am deeply disappointed and frankly dismayed by what has been uncovered about events in Downing Street. 'I am not alone. Laura Kuenssberg [political editor at the BBC] said in her blog: 'There are Conservative MPs who are incandescent'. That is absolutely true.' Mr Chalk has a majority of just 981 in his constituency of Cheltenham, which voted to remain in the European Union in 2016. He was persuaded not to resign from Johnson's front bench at a meeting with the PM last week amid reports that he was uneasy about the Partygate drama. Mr Chalk refused to reveal whether he had submitted a letter of no-confidence to the 1922 Committee, saying it was a 'private' decision. Advertisement The human rights barrister told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: It sounds to me, although I havent seen the letters, that theyve decided that relevant gatherings were potentially a breach of the regulations and now theye asking people Did you have some sort of reasonable excuse?, which, in law, would effectively be a defence for being there. Mr Wagner said a fixed penalty notice is the most likely punishment that would be issued by police as they investigate 12 gatherings. With Mr Johnson alleged to have been at up to six of them, the lawyer suggested breaches would tot up cumulatively so the Prime Minister could still be in line for over 10,000 worth of fixed penalty notices if they accumulate. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace acknowledged that more damaging photos of events could be leaked in the coming days. Yes, there could be a photograph tomorrow, the next day or the day after thats clearly whats behind some of the peoples motives, he told Times Radio. An interim report last week by senior official Miss Gray disclosed that police are investigating 12 different events at No10 and Whitehall over the course of 2020 and 2021 for possible breaches of Covid rules. They include the notorious BYOB' event in the Downing Street garden in May 2020 attended by Mr Johnson, and a gathering in the Prime Ministers official flat in November 2020. The Met said the Operation Hillman team are continuing to examine more than 500 documents and 300 images provided to them by the Cabinet Office and will be seeking further information to assist their inquiry. In his speech Sir John lashed out at treatment of migrants by Mr Johnsons government, branding it un-British. He urged a rethink of Priti Patels Nationality and Borders Bill, which is being heralded as the biggest shake-up of the asylum system for a generation. Migrants who enter the UK without permission will face potential criminal charges and up to four years in prison. Sir John, one of the most senior Brexit critics, also lashed out at the handling of problems in Northern Ireland centred on the Northern Ireland Protocol agreed last year. He branded it arguably one of the worst pieces of negotiation we have seen in recent history, adding: It helps to understand treaties before you sign them. It came as a new poll conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies for MailOnline found two thirds (66 per cent) of the British public believe Mr Johnson should resign as PM if he is found to have breached coronavirus regulations and is fined by the police. Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow home secretary, said: I think that these are really damning comments from a former Conservative prime minister. But what it shows is what everybody else is thinking across the country. Youve got a Prime Minister who has been dishonest, who has been disregarding the rules that he set, disrespecting people across the country who have been following those rules who have been acting in good faith. And I think really undermining the whole trust in the office of the Prime Minister and that is really damaging for us both at home and abroad and that is why I think John Major is exactly right. Boris Johnson speaks to the media during a visit to Warszawska Brygada Pancerna military base near Warsaw, Poland Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick suggested some of those in No10 being contacted by officers will end up with fines The Solicitor General Alex Chalk, has reportedly refused to say whether he has submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson's leadership Scotland Yard rules out probe into 'blackmail' threats to MPs Police will not be investigating allegations that No 10 'blackmailed' MPs who were said to be plotting to remove Boris Johnson from office, it was revealed today. Scotland Yard said that no investigation was necessary because 'no criminal offences have been identified' after backbencher William Wragg claimed embarrassing stories about Tory rebels were leaked to the press by ministers. Mr Wragg said Downing Street staff and ministers had been 'encouraging the publication of stories in the press seeking to embarrass those who they suspect of lacking confidence in the Prime Minister'. The senior Tory and vice chair of the 1922 committee had said the allegations 'seem to constitute blackmail'. MailOnline understands he spoke directly with Met Police officers about his claims. But Scotland Yard said on Wednesday that after assessment by specialist detectives, there had been no forthcoming evidence of 'inappropriate influence being exerted on MPs'. Advertisement Meanwhile, a Government minister, the Solicitor General Alex Chalk, has reportedly refused to say whether he has submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnsons leadership. In a letter to constituents, seen by The Times, Mr Chalk said he was deeply disappointed and frankly dismayed by what has been uncovered about events in Downing Street. He reportedly refused to say whether he had submitted a letter of no confidence, saying it was a private decision. The minister is said to have had a meeting with the PM last week and was apparently persuaded not to quit. Elsewhere, it emerged that the Met is considering whether to investigate the funding of the lavish refurbishment of Mr Johnsons official Downing Street flat following a complaint by lawyers acting for the Labour Party. In a letter to Scotland Yard, the solicitors said there was a reasonable suspicion that the Prime Minister had broken anti-bribery laws which the force was duty-bound to investigate. The Met confirmed they had received the letter which was being considered by officers from its Central Specialist Crime Command. The complaint follows the release last month of an exchange of WhatsApp messages between the Prime Minister and Tory donor Lord Brownlow. They show that Mr Johnson discussed a proposal supported by the peer for a Great Exhibition 2.0 at the same time as requesting his help with the 112,000 revamp of his official residence. Ministerial records show that two months later, Lord Brownlow, who is a trustee of Royal Albert Hall Trust, attended a meeting with the then culture secretary Oliver Dowden to discuss the exhibition plan. In a letter, seen by the Guardian, lawyers said that despite inquiries by the Electoral Commission and Mr Johnsons adviser on ministerial interests, Lord Geidt, there were still matters that were uninvestigated and unconsidered. A Met spokesman said: A letter was received and acknowledged on Friday February 4. It is being considered by officers from the Mets Central Specialist Crime Command. No investigation has been opened. In response to the claims in the letter, a No10 spokesman said: These allegations are categorically untrue and a clear misrepresentation of the facts. A pub which displayed a Japanese flag in support of Celtic ace Kyogo Furuhashi is set to take it down after locals complained to the council. The Cross Keys in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, erected the flag outside the premises earlier this month. But they came under fire on social media from some who have branded the flag an 'insult' to British people who died fighting the Japanese in World War Two. The pub, which is popular with local Celtic fans, had insisted they would not be removing the flag through 'fear or intimidation' because of online criticism. The Cross Keys in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, erected the flag to pay tribute to Kyogo Furuhashi However it later emerged that the licensee had told North Lanarkshire Council that the flag would be taken down. The council said they had received a 'number' of complaints over the flag. The Japanese ace has scored 16 goals in 26 games since joining the Hoops and scored two goals as they lifted the Scottish League Cup in 2021. His rip-roaring start to life at Celtic Park has led to a number of Japanese imports joining Ange Postecoglou's table-topping team. Celtic signed Kyogo last summer and he was joined by compatriots Rio Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi in January. In a statement, the pub said: 'Due to the screenshots circulating on social media we feel we should make a comment to alleviate any concerns around the reasoning for flying the Japanese national flag. Kyogo Furuhashi has scored 16 goals in 26 games since joining Celtic and scored two goals as they lifted the Scottish League Cup in 2021 'After the well-publicised racist abuse suffered by a high-profile Japanese sporting figure not so long ago, we tried to show a welcome to some new arrivals to Scotland. 'Unfortunately some people seem reluctant to move on from events that happened circa 80 years ago and are letting their prejudice cloud their judgement. 'To suggest that the Japanese flag is an act of anti-British sentiment is nothing short of ludicrous. 'The question needs to be asked, would this be an issue if a Japanese flag was outside a Japanese restaurant or is it solely because of the venue it is outside? 'For the reasons stated above we will not be removing it through fear or intimidation from pressure groups who have a clear agenda and will remove it at our leisure when we see fit.' His rip-roaring start to life at Celtic Park has led to a number of Japanese imports joining Ange Postecoglou's table-topping team The post racked up dozens of likes and retweets and social media users backed the stance the bar had taken over the flag. One said: 'Keep flying the flag!' Another added: 'Well done to the Cross Keys.' One social media post criticising the flag read: 'This is nothing short of an insult to the people who were killed and tortured by a vicious enemy in the 2nd World War and the people that survived were haunted to their closing day.' Four men are to stand trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court later this month accused of singing a racist song about Kyogo. Prosecutors allege Ian McKenzie, 30, Mark Speirs, 26, Dylan Devine, 25, and Marc Newton, 24, chanted about the 27-year-old on a supporter's bus travelling from East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: 'We received a number of complaints and informed the licence holder about them. 'The licence holder has advised that the flag is being removed.' Advertisement Who has the power to fire the Met commissioner and how does the process happen? The Met Commissioner is in the unique position for a senior police officer of being answerable to two political masters: the Home Secretary and the Mayor of London, who also holds the position of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). Dame Cressida is under the authority of Sadiq Khan on day to day policing matters, while on national issues such as counterterrorism she defers to Priti Patel. In the rest of the country, PPCs hold the power to hire and fire chief constables, but within the capital only Priti Patel can do this. However, she is required to consult with London's Labour mayor, Sadiq Khan, before making any such decision. Privately, Ministers admit he has an 'effective veto' on these decisions, because Ms Patel could not in practice appoint a Met chief the mayor refused to work with. Formally, only the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has that power to fire commissioners, but they can only act at the Home Secretary's command. Section 9E of the Police Act 1996 provides that the MPA, acting with the approval of the Home Secretary, 'may call upon the Commissioner in the interests of efficiency or effectiveness, to retire or to resign'. Before seeking the approval of the Home Secretary the MPA must give the Commissioner an explanation in writing of the grounds for calling upon him to retire or to resign, and must allow him an opportunity to make representations, and the MPA must consider any representations made by or on behalf of the Commissioner. Due to Britain being a constitutional monarchy, Ms Patel formally 'advises' the Queen before appointing a new commissioner, but in reality the decision is entirely in the hands of politicians. Dame Cressida's performance is also monitored by Sir Tom Winsor in his role as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary. Advertisement Cressida Dick today dared Priti Patel and Sadiq Khan to fire her, insisting she has 'no intention of going' and claiming the force had undergone a 'transformation' under her watch despite numerous instances of racism and sexism. The under-fire Commissioner struck a defiant tone after the Mayor of London's decision to put her 'on notice' with 'a matter of days and weeks' to enact major changes. Asked on BBC Radio London about her future in the 230,000 role, she said: 'I have absolutely no intention of going and I believe that I am and have been, actually for the last five years, leading a real transformation in the Met. 'We have a service now which is, I'm absolutely certain, more professional, fairer, more transparent, more accountable and closer to its communities and more effective in, for example, reducing violent crime, which has been going down year on year on year in almost every category, bucking the national trends.' The presenter pointed out London's knife crime crisis, and how last year saw 30 teenagers murdered on the streets of the capital, a new record. Dame Cressida replied: 'So we're not there yet, we really aren't and the 30 young people who died last year was an absolute tragedy but if you look at every other category of violent crime we have seen substantial reductions and that goes against the national trend.' Mr Khan said yesterday he had held a series of robust meetings with Dame Cressida in which he warned her she risked being sacked if she failed to reveal a convincing plan to clean up her force. But today the Commissioner struck a different tone, saying she had Met with both Mr Khan and Home Secretary Priti Patel three weeks ago, and that the Mayor said he'd 'never had more confidence in the Met's ability to deliver'. Mr Khan also told of his dismay that nine out of 14 officers criticised in the watchdog probe into sickening racism and sexism at Charing Cross police station were still in their jobs - with two promoted. Dame Cressida told the BBC she was 'seeing angry' about the scandal, adding: 'I'm very glad that the four individuals have left. There is no place in the Met for sexism or racism or homophobia, for abuse of trust or for bullying, and in the last few days I have gone out extremely strongly to my colleagues and told them enough is enough.' She called the Met 'a fantastic police service' but accepted its reputation had been 'tarnished' by Charing Cross and 'other awful things have happened and come to light in the last several months'. She said she was 'not complacent' and there 'probably will be' more 'embarrassing or disgusting' incidents involving officers. Today's interview will be seen as an attempt by Dame Cressida to change the narrative around her leadership, which has come to be defined by a string of scandals. These have ranged from the disastrous Operation Midland into fake VIP sex abuse claims to the killing of Sarah Everard and the jailing of two officers for taking pictures of the corpses of two murdered sisters. Cressida Dick (pictured today) struck a defiant tone following repeated calls for her to quit, in addition to the Mayor of London's decision to put her 'on notice' with 'a matter of days and weeks' to enact major changes The Mayor of London (left) loaded yet more pressure onto Dame Cressida yesterday by giving her 'days and weeks' to turn the Met around. The power to fire her rests with the Home Secretary (right) Met chief to create Line of Duty style AC12 team to root out corrupt cops Cressida Dick insisted the majority of the Met served the capital well but said has brought in a new team to 'root out individuals' who had dangerous 'views, attitudes or behaviours'. She said: 'I am absolutely determined that we will be getting out there and rooting out any further individuals. 'I've already said, if you have those views, attitudes or behaviours, get out now otherwise we will find you and I have a whole new team that will be helping me root out individuals. And indeed where there are dysfunctional and toxic teams - rooting them out too. 'Of course prevention is better than enforcement, and we're doing a lot on that, but if we do have people who are like those four people who left at Charing Cross, they're not welcome in my Met.' BBC hit drama Line of Duty follows an elite anti-corruption unit investigating officers breaking the law. Advertisement Today, Dame Cressida also touched on Number 10's 'Partygate' scandal, saying some of those involved 'may very well' be handed fixed penalty notices. She added she recognised the scandal had 'hugely disgusted' members of the public. She said: 'You may be aware that we are currently investigating, and I announced that a couple of weeks ago at the Police and Crime Committee. 'And you will also, perhaps, be aware that although I said we wouldn't be giving a running commentary we would at significant moments update the public and yesterday, my investigators did put out an update to say that we will be writing with a questionnaire to over 50 people as as part of that investigation to ask them to account for what they were doing. 'And clearly, some, but probably not all, of those people may very well end up with a ticket.' Dame Cressida said she could not comment on whether officers at Downing Street knew about alleged parties. Sadiq Khan gave a series of interview about the state of the Met yesterday, where he laid out his demands for the changes he wants Dame Cressida to implement. String of disasters at the Met under Dame Cressida's watch 2015: Dame Cressida is the gold commander in the operation that led to the shooting of electrician Jean Charles de Menezes, who was mistaken for a terrorist while entering the London Underground. April 2017: Appointed as first female Metropolitan Police commissioner with a brief to modernise the force and keep it out of the headlines. April 2019: Extinction Rebellion protesters bring London to a standstill over several days with the Met powerless to prevent the chaos. Dame Cressida says the numbers involved were far greater than expected and used new tactics but she admits police should have responded quicker. September 2019: Her role in setting up of shambolic probe into alleged VIP child sex abuse and murder based on testimony from the fantasist Carl Beech (right) is revealed but she declines to answer questions. 2020: Official report into Operation Midland said Met was more interested in covering up mistakes than learning from them. February 2021: Lady Brittan condemns the culture of 'cover up and flick away' in the Met and the lack of a moral compass among senior officers. The same month a freedom of information request reveals an extraordinary spin campaign to ensure Dame Cressida was not 'pulled into' the scandal over the Carl Beech debacle. March: Criticised for Met handling of a vigil for Sarah Everard, where officers arrested four attendees. Details would later emerge about how her killer, Wayne Couzens (right), used his warrant card to trick her into getting into his car. In the first six months of the year, London was on course for its worst year for teenage deaths 30 with knives being responsible for 19 out of the 22 killed so far. The youngest was 14-year-old Fares Matou, cut down with a Samurai sword. Dame Cressida had told LBC radio in May her top priority was tackling violent crime. June: A 20million report into the Daniel Morgan murder brands the Met 'institutionally corrupt' and accuses her of trying to block the inquiry. Dame Cressida rejects its findings. Mr Morgan is pictured below. July: Police watchdog reveals three Met officers being probed over alleged racism and dishonesty. The same month the Yard boss is at the centre of another storm after it emerged she was secretly referred to the police watchdog over comments she made about the stop and search of Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams. Dame Cressida is accused of pre-empting the outcome of an independent investigation. Also in July she finds herself under fire over her woeful security operation at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley where fans without tickets stormed the stadium and others used stolen steward vests and ID lanyards to gain access. August Dame Cressida facing a potential misconduct probe over her open support for Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Horne who could stand trial over alleged data breaches. December: Two police officers who took pictures of the bodies of murdered sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman (right) were jailed for two years and nine months each. Pc Deniz Jaffer and Pc Jamie Lewis were assigned to guard the scene overnight after Ms Henry, 46, and Ms Smallman, 27, were found dead in bushes in Fryent Country Park, Wembley, north-west London. Instead, they breached the cordon to take photographs of the bodies, which were then shared with colleagues and members of the public on WhatsApp. December: Dame Cressida apologises to the family of a victim of serial killer Stephen Port (right). Officers missed several chances to catch him after he murdered Anthony Walgate in 2014. Dame Cressida - who was not commissioner at the time of the murder - told Mr Walgate's mother: 'I am sorry, both personally and on behalf of The Met had police listened to what you said, things would have turned out a lot differently'.' January 2022: She faces a barrage of fresh criticism for seeking to 'muzzle' Sue Gray's Partygate report by asking her to make only 'minimal' references to parties the Met were investigating. February 2022: Details of messages exchanged by officers at Charing Cross Police Station, which included multiple references to rape, violence against women, racist and homophobic abuse, are unveiled in a watchdog report. Advertisement He told Radio 4's Today programme: 'The first part of what I expect to see is - what is the response from the Commissioner as to how she intends to address the culture, address the situation, where too many police officers are behaving in a way that's unacceptable? 'And by the way, nine of those 14 police officers, you mentioned Charing Cross, are still serving. 'And secondly, what is the plan to win back the trust and confidence in the public in relation to the police service that polices our capital city?' He said this will be a matter of 'days and weeks'. Asked on Sky News what he would do if Dame Cressida failed to deliver on his two challenges, he said: 'It's very important for everyone to know that anyone who isn't up to the standards I expect I'll expect to go.' Mr Khan who put Dame Cressida 'on notice' last week following the exposure of sickening messages about rape, 'killing black children', and 'f****** gays'. He said anyone 'who has views or believes that it's acceptable to behave in a way that's racist, sexist, homophobic, in a discriminatory manner, does not belong in the police service'. Fourteen officers were investigated by the watchdog, of whom two were found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct. One was sacked and another resigned before he would have been dismissed. Nine remain serving officers, while another is working as a contractor in a staff role. Asked if all of those involved in the Charing Cross incident should be sacked, Mr Khan told Today: 'I think Londoners can't understand why nine of these 14 police officers are still serving. 'I've asked that question.' He also told the programme: 'And by the way, I only discovered last week that two of them have been promoted.' One of the officers disciplined for their behaviour has since been promoted from the rank of constable to sergeant, it emerged last week. She was found to have committed misconduct for failing to report wrongdoing, yet the Met told the Guardian the promotion went ahead anyway, telling the Guardian that the officer 'attended a misconduct meeting and was given management action/advice about reporting wrongdoing'. Another officer, whose disturbing messages formed part of the inquiry, threatened to murder a female colleague while under investigation for sexually harassing her. James McLoughlin-Goodchild, a PC at Charing Cross, threatened to stab the woman and two other officers if they came to arrest him during a phone call with a sergeant to discuss an upcoming gross misconduct hearing. A trial heard he said: 'I will kill them, I will murder them if I see them, I know where they live and what cars they drive. 'If they come to my home and arrest me they are going to get stabbed. I will not go to prison alive.' The officer was found guilty of sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing communication after a trial at Hendon Magistrates Court in January 2019. He was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and an indefinite restraining order. Meanwhile, new damning claims emerged last week about the behaviour of officers at Charing Cross, including allegations they slept with female suspects and called black colleagues 'monkeys'. A 'toxic' culture existed at the station dating back to 2006, said the former constable, who asked to be referred to by her first name, Liz. The ex-officer said there was an 'awful' atmosphere at the station where men had sex with women in bathrooms, 'mercilessly bullied' a colleague and made 'cruel and sexual comments' about women in the street while senior leaders stayed silent. She said her male colleagues were like 'kids in a candy store' given the station's proximity to 'pubs, bars and party culture', with one sergeant bragging about seeing his favourite Russian escort at Spearmint Rhino. The IOPC watchdog said it would look into the shocking allegations. An officer who gave only her first name, Liz, told LondonWorld she witnessed appalling behaviour by male cops after graduating from Hendon Police College in the mid-noughties. She moved to another station in a different borough after two years and is now a writer living in Perth, Australia. She says she saw officers having sex down the station, caught a male cop in the act with someone he had arrested and she was victim to 'countless propositioning from male colleagues.' As the only woman in her team, she had to endure a night out at the Spearmint Rhino strip club where a sergeant bragged about having 'his favourite Russian girl'. On one occasion, she was sat in a carrier vehicle in Whitehall when all the male officers made lewd sexual comments about every woman that walked past. Black officers were referred to as 'monkeys' and officers said 'they better smile at night or we won't see them'. An autistic police community support officer was mercilessly bullied and 'mindf***ed' until he thought it was all part of him being 'part of the team', she claimed. She said she knew the behaviour was wrong but did not know who to turn to, fearing bosses would turn a blind eye and she would be ostracised by colleagues. Liz said: 'It really was awful - toxic at worst. There is no exaggeration. 'I knew I should say something but to who? My reaction was that I would be unsupported by colleagues in a job that depends on others if you face difficulty on patrol. 'Senior leadership were silent - you never saw them. Inspectors were usually pretty absent* behaviour was overlooked.' Liz said the station's location at the heart of the capital contributed to the bad atmosphere. 'It was like kids in a candy store, surrounded by bars, pubs and party culture,' she said. Home Secretary Priti Patel has blamed 'failures of leadership' for the rotten culture at the Met, including by the commissioner herself. Last month, Dame Cressida revealed she considers resigning from her 230,000-a-year role 'every few months' but had never thought it necessary. Met's rotten culture: Pc Deniz Jaffer (left) and Pc Jamie Lewis (pictured left and right in November following their arrests), who took pictures of murdered sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman Mr Khan also demanded Dame Cressida (left) reveal a plan to win back the confidence of the public. Pictured right: James McLoughlin-Goodchild, who served as a PC at Charing Cross police station and had a conviction for threatening to murder a female colleague. He has since been sacked She told students at a careers talk at Westminster School: 'Every few weeks throughout my commissionership, I have sat down and reviewed whether I'm the right person to carry on. 'I just think that's good practice. I think, the implicit thing in your question was, has there been one thing where I've gone away and thought, ''Oh dear, I better resign'', or had a very serious conversation about ''is now the time to resign?'' 'The answer to that is no, I haven't. But I absolutely listen to what's out there. 'We live at the moment in what I call the age of outrage: A time where people can get very whipped up or fevered about lots of things, and where it's very, very noisy, but the trick, I think, as any senior leader is and I hope this doesn't sound arrogant the trick is to be humble but to be personally confident. 'And I thank my mum and my school for helping me to be reasonably personally confident. 'To have really good antennae, really good whiskers, nose, ears, touch, and listen all the time to what's going on out there.' Twelve people were injured at Saudi Arabia's Abha airport by shrapnel from a Houthi drone which was shot down over the airport terminal by air defences on Thursday. The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said the injured included travellers and workers of various nationalities, in comments given to Saudi state news channel Ekhbariya. The Houthis often target Abha airport, which lies close to the Yemeni border in Saudi Arabia's south, and other parts of the country with drones and missiles. Most are intercepted but a few people have been killed and several injured. The coalition meanwhile regularly carries out air strikes on what it says are Houthi military targets in Yemen. The United Arab Emirates, a coalition member, twice in January said its forces destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile launch area in Yemen, after unprecedented drone and missile attacks on the UAE this year claimed by the Houthis. The Houthis have come under pressure in recent weeks and are suffering heavy losses as Yemeni forces, allied and backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have pushed back the rebel group in key southern and central provinces of the country. Air traffic operations returned to normal after standard safety procedures were carried out, the coalition said. The Houthis often target Abha airport (pictured), which lies close to the Yemeni border in Saudi Arabia's south, and other parts of the country with drones and missiles Twelve people were injured at Saudi Arabia's Abha airport by shrapnel from a Houthi drone which was shot down over the airport terminal by air defences on Thursday (pictured: another Houthi drone shot down last year) The incident comes just weeks after authorities in UAE banned recreational drone flying in the wake of several drone attacks by Houthi rebels, one of which killed three people and wounded six in Abu Dhabi. A fire broke out at an extension of Abu Dhabi's main international airport and three fuel tanker trucks exploded in the wake of the attacks in the Musaffah area near the storage facilities of ADNOC, Abu Dhabi's state-owned oil company, on January 17. The Musaffah area, 13 miles from the centre of Abu Dhabi city, also has an oil pipeline network and 36 storage tanks, from which transport trucks carry fuel nationwide. 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 suffered mild and medium injuries, officials added. Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed on the same day that they had launched the attack. 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. In response to the strike, the Saudi-led coalition has escalated attacks on the rebel-held parts of Yemen in the last week. While the UAE has largely withdrawn troops from the stalemated conflict with Houthi rebels, the country continues to be a major player and supports local militias on the ground. The black smoke could be seen rising up into the air following the drone attack in Abu Dhabi in January 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, Jan 17 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. Military spokesman Yahia Sarei of Yemen's Houthi movement said the group launched a military operation 'deep in the UAE' and took responsibility for the attack,. The Iranian-backed Houthis have claimed several attacks that Emirati officials later denied took place, but UAE authorities recognised drone involvement in the Abu Dhabi incident before introducing an area-wide ban on drone flying. As of Saturday, Jan 22, drone hobbyists and other operators of light electric aircraft face 'legal liabilities' if caught flying the objects, the Interior Ministry said, adding it may grant exemptions to businesses seeking to film. Government regulations in the UAE already restrict flying drones in residential areas as well as near, around and over airports. Drone users typically must obtain a certificate from the civil aviation authorities. A landlord has sparked fury online after telling prospective tenants they'll have to bring their own flooring if they decide to move into their property. The one-bedroom home in Littleborough, near Rochdale, Manchester, is available for 475 per month - but images on Rightmove show it has no carpets throughout, with its flooring in the lounge and bedroom seen completely bare. Its wooden stairs are also untreated. The advert reads: 'Please be aware the property is let unfurnished and any successful applicant would be expected to put their own flooring in.' Social media users were left floored by the end-of-terrace listing, branding the owner a 'chancer' and 'p**s artist'. Actress Angela Hazeldine, 40, fumed when she saw the advert while looking for a property to rent, before questioning its legality. Images on Rightmove show it has no carpets throughout, with its flooring in the lounge (pictured) and bedroom seen completely bare The wooden stairs in the property, accessed via the kitchen, are also untreated The one-bedroom home in Littleborough, near Rochdale, Manchester, is available for 475 per month She said: 'Just looking at flats to rent and one of them says flat is 'unfurnished', renter would be expected to 'put own flooring in'. 'That's not a thing surely.' She also directed a tweet to property portal Rightmove - which is promoting the home for Andrew Kelly estate agents - asking them: 'Rightmove how is this allowed? 'The landlord basically wants you to pay their mortgage and carpet their entire house... on what planet is this acceptable?' Another social media user added: 'That's hilarious. The advert reads: 'Please be aware the property is let unfurnished and any successful applicant would be expected to put their own flooring in.' (Pictured: One of the rooms without any flooring) One prospective tenant quizzed: 'That's not a thing, surely?' after seeing she would have to provide her own flooring The listing is just one of dozens to enrage would-be tenants in recent years amid an increasingly competitive rental market The last line in the description of the property warns would-be tenants that they must bring their own flooring if they are 'successful' in their application 'I hope if someone moves in, they take the floor with them when they leave. Landlord is a chancer.' Another simply said: 'P**s artists.' The rest of the listing reads: 'Andrew Kelly's are delighted to offer for let this very well appointed stone end terraced situated in a sought after residential location on the doorstep of Littleborough village, shops, Hollingworth Lake and open countryside. 'Comprising vestibule, lounge, modern galley style kitchen, one first floor bedroom and box room which is ideally suited to office space and shower room/WC. 'Benefits include gas central heating, double glazing and private rear yard.' Actress Angela Hazeldine, 40, fumed when she saw the advert while looking for a property to rent. She said: 'Rightmove how is this allowed?' - while another branded the landlord a 'chancer' The listing is just one of dozens to enrage would-be tenants in recent years amid an increasingly competitive rental market. One listing last month left sparked outrage after the landlord sandwiched a single bed between the wall and the kitchen, with the sink and cooker within arm's reach. Twitter user Lieke, spotted the studio flat in West Kensington, London, on property website Zoopla and tweeted a photograph writing: 'Randomly browsing apartments on Zoopla for no reason and I came across this. London housing is such a joke.' The 390 per month room boasts of being a fully-furnished 'bedsit situated within a large Victorian house', with a shared bathroom and its own kitchen. It also states that the 'compact studio room' has a single bed, wardrobe and is accessible to many amenities located between West Kensington and Baron's Court stations. Twitter user Lieke has claimed properties in London are 'a joke' after spotting a 'studio flat' in West Kensington listed on Zoopla for 390 per month (pictured) The property situated in a Victorian house boasts of having its own kitchen, wardrobe and a single bed (pictured) Aimed at students and professionals, the listing explained the tenant can expect on street parking, many shops, restaurants and gyms within walking distance. The landlord claimed the property is easily accessible to the M4, A4, A40 and Heathrow Airport. They also add the flat is furnished with an oven, microwave and fridge/freezer and a range of units. The listing doesn't state if the tenant will be expected to pay a deposit or if the bills are included in the rent. A photograph of the property shows the kitchen appliances and dated units strategically placed along a wall. Opposite, a single bed has been squeezed into the apartment leaving minimal floor space and no area for a sofa. The dimly lit 'studio' flat appears to have a wardrobe, chest of drawers and small fridge. But the landlord appears to think that the bed will also double as a table by placing a chair next to it. Lieke commented on Twitter that she has seen 'jail cells bigger' than the property. One person simply added: 'Omgggg' The Metropolitan Police has used force on women who claimed to be pregnant 2,556 times in the last three years. Force could include compliant handcuffing, the drawing of a baton, the use of dogs, irritant spray, body restraints, spit hoods and Tasers. On three occasions women who claimed to be pregnant were Tasered, according to the results of an ITV News Freedom of Information request. Campaigners said today they were 'deeply concerned' by the figures, and said force should be a 'last resort' as they called for a radical overhaul of police guidance. The force said it could not confirm whether they were told the women could be pregnant before or after their arrests, but more than half of the 4,117 total detentions of possibly pregnant women involved the use of force. It comes after Sadiq Khan revealed Cressida Dick could be ousted within days if she doesn't tackle 'shattered' confidence in Scotland Yard amid claims of a culture of misogyny. The Metropolitan Police has used incapacitant spray or force on women who claimed to be pregnant 2,556 times in the last three years (file image) Elsewhere, Britain's fourth largest force, West Yorkshire Police, said it arrested 757 women who claimed to be pregnant on a risk assessment form - and of those force or restraint was used 470 times in last three years. A series of Freedom of Information requests revealed at least 3,818 women who claimed to be pregnant were arrested in 15 other UK regions between January 2018 and June 2021. Of these, 275 had force used against them. The women's actual pregnancy status was not medically verified on the custody risk assessment forms - so it is not known whether all the women were telling the truth. The youngest was a 12-year-old girl who told officers she was expecting a baby when she was forcibly arrested by the Metropolitan Police in 2020. An undisclosed restraint method was also used on a self-described pregnant girl, 13, in 2018 and a 14-year-old girl in 2019. A Met spokesperson said: 'On occasion there may be instances where an officer finds themselves in a position of having to use force on someone who is of a young age. Any such use is accountable by the officer in law.' Cressida Dick (pictured today) struck a defiant tone following repeated calls for her to quit, in addition to the Mayor of London's decision to put her 'on notice' with 'a matter of days and weeks' to enact major changes In Kent, one woman was seven months pregnant when a restraint belt - which is put on the ankle and below the knee - was used on her during arrest. Kent Police said the use of force came before the detainees described themselves as pregnant. Assistant Chief Constable Nicola Faulconbridge, from Kent Police, said there were 276 arrests where a woman self-described as being pregnant once they arrived at a custody suite. She added: 'Of 276 arrests, it was necessary to use fast straps on five occasions and an incapacitant spray once. 'For each of these incidents, the force was used during the arrest phase and before the detainee self-described themselves as being pregnant.' She added that four of these women were charged with 16 offences between them - ten of which were assault on an emergency worker. 'A further four assaults on a police officer were dealt with by way of community resolution and one woman was released without charge.' She said on another occasion incapacitant spray had to be used against the driver of a vehicle. 'This driver has not yet appeared in court,' she added. 'After coming to a stop at a dead end, the driver is reported to have refused to exit the vehicle which had allegedly previously failed to stop, before assaulting the attending officer. 'It was determined that using an incapacitant spray was the safest way to bring her under control, as a physical struggle provided a greater risk of an injury being sustained. 'All frontline officers receive extensive training, and regular refresher courses, on the use of force - in line with national standards. On three occasions women who claimed to be pregnant were Tasered, according to the results of an ITV News Freedom of Information request (file image) 'These standards dictate that verbal reasoning should be used to try and de-escalate a situation and force should only be used as a last resort and, even then, the minimal amount of force necessary should be used. 'When force is used, robust procedures are in place to ensure such actions are recorded and reviewed to ensure best practice is always followed.' A West Yorkshire Police spokesman told MailOnline: 'Use of force is only used when absolutely necessary to do so and the health and welfare of any person arrested or detained in custody is considered before and during any application of force. 'Officers are trained to use the minimum level of force required to resolve an incident quickly and efficiently. Officers are accountable for ensuring the use of force is lawful and proportionate to ensure the public and themselves are protected from harm. 'Officers will be guided by the disclosure of any information given whereby additional support or considerations need to be made. 'All women brought into custody are also allocated with a specific female police officer or detention officer who can assist with issues or provide additional support. 'West Yorkshire Police receive thousands of calls for service every day and in a vast amount of those incidents' officers are not required to use force.' College of Policing guidance claims officers should choose the most appropriate method of restraint when aware of pregnancy. Campaigners have slammed the use of force on potentially pregnant women, highlighting research by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in the Penal System which found thousands of women are being needlessly arrested before being released without charge. Naomi Delap, Director of Birth Companions, a charity specialising in the experiences of pregnant women in the criminal justice system, said: 'The application of the current College of Policing guidance on limiting the use of force where a woman makes a declaration that she is pregnant should also be reviewed, with consideration given to whether this should make specific reference to the use of spit hoods and Tasers in these situations.' Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: 'An arrest can be a damaging and traumatic event, so it is vital that police act proportionately and sensitively when responding to incidents of concern.' MailOnline has contacted Met Police and Kent Police for comment. Meanwhile, Cressida Dick today said she had 'no intention of going' and claimed to be 'leading a real transformation' at the Met - as she took a shot at Sadiq Khan by claiming he had recently told her he's 'never had more confidence' in the force. The under-fire Commissioner struck a defiant tone following repeated calls for her to quit, in addition to the Mayor of London's decision to put her 'on notice' with 'a matter of days and weeks' to enact major changes. The Mayor of London loaded yet more pressure onto Cressida Dick yesterday by giving her 'days and weeks' to turn the Met around Asked on BBC Radio London about her future, she said: 'I have absolutely no intention of going and I believe that I am and have been, actually for the last five years, leading a real transformation in the Met. 'We have a service now which is, I'm absolutely certain, more professional, fairer, more transparent, more accountable and closer to its communities and more effective in, for example, reducing violent crime, which has been going down year on year on year in almost every category, bucking the national trends.' Yesterday, Mr Khan told of his dismay that nine out of 14 officers criticised in the watchdog probe into sickening racism and sexism at Charing Cross police station were still in their jobs - with two promoted. Dame Cressida told the BBC she was 'seeing angry' about the scandal, adding: 'I'm very glad that the four individuals have left. 'There is no place in the Met for sexism or racism or homophobia, for abuse of trust or for bullying, and in the last few days I have gone out extremely strongly to my colleagues and told them enough is enough. 'This is a fantastic police service. It is hugely capable in so many ways, but its reputation has been tarnished by the awful things that you were hearing about there in relation to the impact team at Charing Cross and also, some other awful things have happened and come to light in the last several months.' She added she was 'absolutely determined' in 'rooting out' similar officers and said any who held those views should 'get out now'. An eerie set of Nazi propaganda posters celebrating the Blitz and sinking of allied ships have been discovered in an attic in Wales during a house clearance. Craig Lambert, 50, found the German posters while sorting through his late father's affairs. His father, Sergeant Major Colin Lambert had the 'boring job' of guarding the Nazi deputy leader Rudolf Hess at Spandau prison in Berlin in 1965. He later brought back four posters as souvenirs of his time in Germany. Sgt Maj Lambert, from Barry, south Wales incredibly smoked cigarettes and chatted with the former Nazi deputy, an act which saw him spend two weeks in prison. Mystery surrounds where he got the four posters. They are stamped as belonging to Spandau, and his son says Sgt Maj Lambert may have found them in a drawer at the prison. But he also married a German woman whose parents were Nazi sympathisers and held a secret shrine to Hitler in their basement. The text-heavy posters, which measure 4ft by 4ft, were printed in December 1942. Sgt Maj Lambert kept hold of them for over 50 years before his death aged 87 in 2019. Sergeant Major Colin Lambert guarded the Nazi deputy leader Rudolf Hess at Spandau Prison in Berlin and brought back four posters as souvenirs of his time in Germany A chilling set of Nazi propaganda posters was discovered in an attic during the clearance of Sgt Maj Lambert's house in Barry, south Wales Craig Lambert (pictured right with his father Colin) found the German posters, which justify the Blitz and boast of sinking Allied ships, while sorting through his late father's affairs One has an extract from an Adolf Hitler speech in November 1942 justifying the bombing of British cities which killed tens of thousands of people. In it, the Nazi dictator claimed the moral high ground saying that he had waited three and a half months after Britain bombed German cities to retaliate. Another celebrated German U-Boat campaigns which destroyed Allied shipping convoys. The poster used a graph to show that 166 Allied ships carrying over one million tons of materials had been sunk in November 1942, while warning that 'the submarine war is not abating but increasing'. Mr Lambert has donated the posters to his local museum, the Barry War Museum, who have had them preserved by the Glamorgan Archives due to their fragile condition. They are now set to go on display at the museum. Sgt Maj Lambert kept hold of the posters for over 60 years before his death aged 87 in 2019 One poster has an extract from an Adolf Hitler speech in November 1942 justifying the bombing of British cities which killed tens of thousands of people Another poster celebrated German U-Boat campaigns which destroyed allied shipping convoys Rudolf Hess (1894-1987) was Deputy Fuhrer from 1933 until 1941, when he flew solo to Scotland to negotiate peace with the United Kingdom. He was imprisoned and later sentenced to life for crimes against peace. He died by suicide in Spandau Prison in 1987. He said Hess was his father's only prisoner and they struck up conversations and smoked cigarettes. However, fraternising with the enemy cost him a two week stay in a military prison. Mr Lambert said: 'My dad passed away in 2019 and I was sorting out his house. I was going through the attic and there was a lot of junk up there but I then saw the posters on the floor. 'I was shocked as I had no idea they existed. Every time I touched them they ripped a bit so I put them in a box and put them in my attic and left them for two years. 'I got them out again before Christmas and everyone was telling me to sell the posters, but I would never do that. 'I decided to give them to the museum and they have preserved them. My father spoke a lot about his army life but didn't really talk about Hess. 'I think all the soldiers stationed in Berlin had to take turns to guard him which I think they hated as it was a boring job. 'But my dad was also a talker so I'm not surprised his mouth got him in trouble for talking to Hess!' The text-heavy posters, which measure 4ft by 4ft and are stamped 'Spandau prison', were printed in December 1942 Hitler claimed the moral high ground over the Blitz, saying that he had waited three and a half months after Britain bombed German cities to retaliate One of the posters used a graph to show that 166 allied ships carrying over one million tons of materials had been sunk in November 1942 Spandau Prison: A feared Nazi fort later used to hold its leaders Spandau Prison held Germany's top Nazi war criminals - Rudolf Hess, Walter Funk, Erick Raeder, Baldur von Schirach, Albert Speer and Konstantin von Neurath The imposing Spandau Prison was built in 1876 in western Berlin and originally served as a military prison. By 1919, it was used as a civilian jail but under the Nazi regime it was transformed into an early prototype of concentration camps. From the 1930s, its purpose was to house political prisoners and enemies of Hitler - many of them ruthlessly tortured by the Gestapo. After the Second World War, Spandau fell into British hands and it held seven top Nazi leaders convicted in the Nuremburg trials. Following the suspected suicide of the last prisoner, Rudolf Hess, it was demolished in August 1987 to prevent it becoming a shrine to Nazism. A shopping centre now stands on the site. Advertisement Rosemary Chaloner, of Barry at War Museum, said: 'There are four posters, but they were in a poor state and I decided only three were suitable for conservation which was undertaken by Glamorgan Archives. 'These Nazi Propaganda posters are quite large and highly coloured with text and a speech by Hitler on one poster. 'No other artefacts were found in the attic. 'We appreciated their importance and realised they had to be preserved for the future. 'I liaised initially with Glam.Archives and then took the three posters most suitable for preservation to them. 'They have been encapsulated in a suitable material to prevent further deterioration. 'They have to be handled carefully, and kept flat. 'Our committee at Barry War Museum are in the process of having copies made for display.' Hess was arrested in Scotland in 1941 after crashing his plane en route to meeting the Duke of Hamilton to try and arrange peace with Britain behind Hitler's back. After his capture, Hess was held as a prisoner of war by the British for the duration of the conflict, briefly at the Tower of London, and then for just over a year at 'Camp X' at Mytchett Place, a fortified mansion in Surrey. In 1942, he was moved to Maindiff Court Hospital in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales where he remained for three years. He subsequently took to the stand at the Nuremburg Trials where he claimed to be suffering from amnesia but was convicted of crimes against peace in 1946. Hess spent the rest of his life in Spandau where he committed suicide aged 93 in 1987. Mark See denied murder but was found guilty by a jury A 'boomerang' son who moved back in with his mother, doused her with petrol, set on her fire and left her to burn alive after she told him to move out again during a family row. Mark See, 34, threw the inflammable liquid over Sandra Hughes, 63, and then ignited it with a lit cigarette at the property in Gorton, Manchester when he was told he would have to get a place of his own with his fiancee, who also lived there. Mrs Hughes, who had to walk with a zimmer frame, was engulfed in flames and was left to die of horrific burns as her son, a furniture delivery driver, fled the one-bedroom bungalow the three of them shared at 2am on July 13 last year. Firefighters extinguished the blaze but the victim's body was said to have been 'incinerated' and could only be identified via a metal plate which had been inserted in her leg following surgery for a fall. Manchester Crown Court heard See had moved back in with his divorcee mother in March 2020 after attempting unsuccessfully to lead a new life in London. Later he met his girlfriend Natalie Hughes, 33 - who is not relation to Sandra - through the dating website Plenty of Fish and he moved her in with them when they found out she was expected his child. But there were said to be regular rows between mother and son, as See, who had two children from a previous relationship, would accuse Mrs Hughes of previously 'abandoning' their family, while she would question his parenting skills and say: 'I wish you had never been born - you were a mistake!' See denied murder but was found guilty by a jury who deliberated for 20 hours following a trial. He bowed his head in the dock as the verdict was returned and will be sentenced later this month. Mark See, 34, threw the inflammable liquid over Sandra Hughes, 63, and then ignited it with a lit cigarette at the property in Gorton, Manchester when he was told he would have to get a place of his own with his fiancee, who also lived there. Left: Mark See with fiancee Natalie Hughes. Right: Sandra Hughes Pictured is the aftermath of the blaze. Mrs Hughes, who had to walk with a zimmer frame, was engulfed in flames and was left to die of horrific burns as her son, a furniture delivery driver, fled the one-bedroom bungalow the three of them shared at 2am on July 13 last year The incident took place after a row broke out over the care plan set up for Mrs Hughes and whether she had been 'siding' with Natalie in rows about past family history. The court heard during the argument Sandra turned on her son and said she wanted him to move out, but See, who had been drinking whiskey and cola, stormed off to the family shed and grabbed a milk bottle containing petrol used to fuel the family lawnmower. As eight weeks pregnant, Natalie looked on as he returned to the lounge, hurled the contents over his mother as sat on a sofa then lit a cigarette causing the fuel to ignite in a ball of flame. As Natalie screamed in horror and fled, See followed her out of the blazing property shouting: 'F**k it, she's dead, she's dead. Let's leave her, let's go.' He drove off in his work van, leaving Natalie at the scene to call 999, and went on the run. See was found about 16 hours later lying in the fetal position in a churchyard near a cargo station at Manchester Airport, having suffered burns to his hands and feet. When asked how he had been injured, he told officers: 'I did it in the fire last night at my mum's'. He later claimed the fire was an accident, and denied wanting to hurt his mother. He said he picked up the milk carton to scare his mother into thinking he was going to do 'something stupid' to himself after she asked him leave. Mark See, 34, threw the inflammable liquid over Sandra Hughes, 63, and then ignited it with a lit cigarette at the property in Gorton, Manchester when he was told he would have to get a place of his own with his fiancee, who also lived there (pictured: Forensics at the scene) See met his girlfriend Natalie Hughes, 33, through the dating website Plenty of Fish and he moved her in with them when they found out she was expected his child He claimed the bottle then accidentally ignited when he lit a cigarette and he instinctively threw it on the floor, causing the blaze. See said he tried to save his mother, but had to flee after he was beaten back by the flames. During the trial he described having an 'on-off relationship' with his mother but said they would go to the pub together, and he would take her to the bingo. See told the jury: 'It was up and down, we used to row quite a lot but then we would make up. We would row about the past and then we would be friends again. 'That night I can remember going to light a cigarette that had gone out and I picked a lighter up to light it. Then it exploded and there was flames everywhere, I was shocked and scared, I panicked.' 'I grabbed a duvet from behind the couch and wrapped it round my Mum and tried to put the fire out. I tried to roll it and smother her to put the flames out but the duvet caught fire. 'She was screaming. I was still trying and then the flames got severe, I couldn't get to my Mum. Then I heard my Mum make a croaking noise and she died in front of me. I was heartbroken.' Asked why he drove to the churchyard he said: 'I just remember staring at the sky and hearing voices and crunching noises, that was the police. During the trial See described having an 'on-off relationship' with his mother (pictured) but said they would go to the pub together, and he would take her to the bingo 'I was confused and still in shock, and traumatised by what had happened. I couldn't remember what had happened, I could only remember certain bits. I didn't know what was real and what wasn't. I was traumatised and lost.' But prosecutor Francis Fitzgibbon QC said: 'The prosecution say that Mark See threw petrol at his mother and set fire to it, in the course of a furious, drunken argument while she was sitting on the sofa in her living room. 'He knew what would happen and intended it to happen. During the evening he became increasingly abusive to his mother, 'He was pressuring his mother to drink with him, she didn't want to but she went along with it and did anyway. They drank some Guinness, and at one point Mr See ''demanded'' 100 from his mother to buy more alcohol but she refused to give it to him.' 'Natalie saw him go into the kitchen and heard 'banging noises', before he returned with something partly concealed by his back. He had a six pint milk carton which he used to store petrol for a lawnmower, jurors heard. Shortly after, she heard raised voices and then began to feel heat, and saw flames and black smoke. She could not breathe and ran out of the property and See followed a minute later. 'He told her to ''run'' but she refused. We say Mr See started the fire deliberately, intending to kill her, or at the very least intending to do her really serious bodily harm. The petrol got there because Mr See threw it in anger, and his mother was the target, That means what he did was murder.' The court heard as he recovered in a hospital burns unit after the blaze, See told a nurse he had harboured 'terrible thoughts' of killing his mother in a use fire while 'feeling low.' He described hearing a 'voice encouraging him to do this.' After the case Senior Investigating Officer, Phil Reade, from Greater Manchester Police said: 'This was a truly devastating case where See's remorseless actions cost his mother's life. 'Our thoughts are with Sandra's family who are still coming to terms with what happened. Throughout the trial they have sat with dignity whilst listening to the evidence of how their mother met her horrific death. 'Sandra was murdered in her own home by her son who callously doused her in petrol, setting her alight and then fled from the scene as fast as he could but was tracked down by police and arrested. Throughout the trial he has lacked the courage to face up to his actions causing further pain and distress to his family, but I hope today's verdict brings them some comfort and justice for the death of their beloved mother.' Boomerang children is a term used to describe the phenomenon of an adult child returning home to live with their parents after a period of independent living. In the 11 years Leigh Sales has presented ABC's 7.30 program, she has struck fear into the heart of many politicians and been on the receiving end of horrific online abuse. Despite being trolled, primarily from the left accusing her of being a 'Liberal stooge', the enduring face of Australian news battled on, grilling a host of prime ministers and meeting some of the world's biggest stars. But on Thursday night, as she made the shock announcement she is stepping down from hosting the show, she singled out an entirely different moment as her most memorable. 'The celebrities come and go but you never forget people like Mathew Low,' she said. 'His wife was killed in the Dreamworld rollercoaster accident and found the strength down the track to do an interview and try to ensure no other family would have to go through what his family did. Leigh Sales (pictured) gave a heartfelt speech on her ABC program 7.30 on Thursday night announcing her shocking departure 'People like Mathew are the ones who stick with you. 'Every time you interview somebody whose life has been devastated you feel terrified by what life has dished up to them and incredibly humbled by how they met it with strength and clarity and dignity and you just don't forget it.' In that interview on August 16, 2018, Mr Low spoke about how he, his wife Cindy, and their two children had been having a lovely day at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast almost two years earlier. But then four people were killed by a fatal malfunction on the popular Thunder River Rapids ride, including Cindy. At the end of a very emotional interview, Sales asked Mr Low what his wife would hope to see come out of the inquest into what happened. 'She would have been really, really angry that the children were put in that situation, and that people's safety was paramount when going on the rides, so they could have fun as a family or other people's children don't have to go through this sort of tragedy, and coming to terms with not having their mum,' he said. Leigh Sales (pictured) was emotional when she interviewed Mathew Low on 7.30, and recalled it as her most memorable over more than 11 years of interviews On Thursday night, in announcing her impending departure from the program, Sales spoke about what a demanding job hosting 7.30 is, keeping her away from family and putting her under intense scrutiny. She has previously taken aim at the 'insidious' and 'unhinged' political bullying on Twitter from 'politicians acolytes, lackeys, fans and proxies, mostly but not always - operating anonymously'. 'Anyone who can stomach wading into mentions of @leighsales will find that virtually hourly, I am abused for doing my job, with a stream of tweets goading me to quit, demanding the ABC sack me, telling me Im useless, stupid, biased and incompetent,' she said. She explained that the most hideous abuse came from 'overwhelmingly left-leaning Twitter'. 'Of course, there are right-wing attacks too but the most ferocious campaigns are reserved for any journalist who questions, in even the most anodyne manner, the policies or public statements of Labor politicians,' she explained. Using Twitter herself, she once posted that 'I just spent a few minutes collecting a fraction of the sexualised abuse I get every time I interview a Prime Minister - female politicians, journalists, public figures get this non-stop.' Leigh Sales used Twitter to show the kind of attacks she is subjected to on that platform Leigh Sales said Mathew Low, whose wife was killed in Dreamworld, was the most memorable interview she had done on 7.30 (pictured) While such attacks probably contributed to her stepping aside from 7.30, she didn't mention them on Thursday. Instead, she gave a far more important and heartfelt reason. 'When I first started I didn't have children. And now I have two boys aged 10 and eight. And they've only ever known their mum at work four nights a week,' she said. 'They want me home with them before 8.30pm and I don't think that's too much for two little boys to ask and they're two beautiful little boys.' Before she signed off, in a possible first for an Australian TV news presenter, she used strong language, saying she had 'tried to shut down and call out bull****, hold powerful people to account, expose lies, incompetence and exaggeration in all political parties and all issues and present facts even when they're unpopular or inconvenient'. Despite detailing the pressures of the job, Sales did single out one memorable celebrity encounter, saying meeting Paul McCartney 'and getting a hug from him is one of the best days of my life'. Paul McCartney (pictured right) was the celebrity Leigh Sales (left) most enjoyed interviewing - even getting a hug and a kiss from The Beatles legend In the interview recorded when McCartney toured Australia in late 2017, she was clearly awestruck at being in the presence of one of the two surviving members of The Beatles. 'Hi Leigh, give us a kiss, come one,' McCartney says when he meets her, pulling her in for a hug. It was a touching moment and the interview reflected what, at she put in on Thursday night, a 'reasonable person with some common sense watching at home might like to ask'. But her incredible experience with her pop idol also reminded her of a bad experience with American author Jonathan Franzen when his book The Corrections came out in 2010. 'I found him difficult from the first question,' she recalled. 'Now every time I consider re-reading The Corrections, one of my favourite books, all I think about is how snippy Jonathan Franzen was.' Leigh Sales (pictured left) interviewed Malcolm Turnbull (left) many times, before, during and after he was prime minister But political interviews were Sales' bread and butter, and over the years many refused to come on to deal with the fallout from the whatever the latest political scandal was. One of the phrases she uses most often is: 'The minister was invited onto the program tonight but was unavailable.' She would always say this with with a withering look on her face as if to say, 'really, they were afraid to come on and face the tough questions'. One of her more regular political interviewees over the years was Malcolm Turnbull. But her April 2020 interview with the former prime minister was judged harshly by many as letting him off lightly. The criticism was not too surprising, though. Sales told Julia Zemiro on her show Home Delivery that 'Malcolm Turnbull has got a lovely voice', while political commentator Niki Savvas book The Road To Ruin reported that Mr Turnbull thought the ABC star was 'one of the most beautiful women on television'. Scott Morrison (pictured right) was stunned by the ferocity of questioning from Leigh Sales (left) on 7.30 If she had a mutual admiration society with Mr Turnbull, many of his Liberal colleagues got a far tougher line of questions from Sales. In May 2021 she gave Scott Morrison one of the hardest interviews he has ever faced, accusing him of having a history of 'blame shifting' and 'ducking responsibilities' when it comes to scandals and blunders. 'When it comes to taking responsibility, [Australians] have seen vaccine stumbles, not your fault, "it's a supply issue". Quarantine, "mostly a problem for states". Bushfires, "I don't hold a hose". Brittany Higgins, "I was in the dark",' she said. 'Covid deaths in aged care, "mostly the fault of state governments". Christian Porter, "I don't need to drill into the particulars". Ministers breaching standards, "I reject that anybody ever has".' Mr Morrison looked stunned at the ferocity of the questions and blinked at the camera. He may have wished he was 'unavailable' that day. She also interviewed the other prime ministers who have served in her time in the 7.30 chair, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. Tony Abbott (pictured) often faced a tough grilling when interviewed by Leigh Sales In one interview she said to Mr Abbott that 'clearly the public is not buying what you're saying'. 'I accept, Leigh, that things have got to be a little different in the future,' he replies. She interrupts him to say: 'A lot different.' Julia Gillard was also not spared a tough grilling when she appeared on 7.30. She was reduced to replying in one interview with the classic politician's deflection, saying 'Leigh, I'm not going to get drawn on commentary on these kind of matters.' While Sales' interviews with Kevin Rudd have been mostly calm affairs in recent years, she didn't hold back when he was prime minister. Julia Gillard (pictured) was not spared a tough grilling when she appeared on 7.30 Leigh Sales' (left) interviews with Kevin Rudd (right) have been mostly calm affairs in recent years, she didn't hold back when he was prime minister In the lead up to the 2013 federal election she took Mr Rudd to task on Labor's 'policy chopping and changing, broken promises on return to surplus and instability in leadership'. Mr Rudd looked stunned. Though Sales announced that she would be leaving 7.30, she is sticking around until after the federal election, which is due before the end of May. So there will be many more opportunities in the coming months for her to grill politicians or tell the viewers they were 'unavailable'. Advertisement The Queen faces being tested for Covid for several days after it was revealed that she met Prince Charles just two days before he tested positive for the virus. Buckingham Palace last night refused to confirm whether the 95-year-old monarch had tested positive or negative for Covid, fuelling fears for her health. However, palace sources insisted that she was not displaying symptoms. Royal doctors will now test Her Majesty frequently after she saw her son the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, it is understood. The Queen is understood to be triple vaccinated so will not need to self-isolate unless she tests positive. The head of state is thought to have received her first jab in January 2021 and her second jab that March, while sources say it is believed she got her booster in October. This is the second time Charles, who is also triple jabbed, has tested positive for coronavirus after contracting the disease in March 2020. Insiders insisted the 73-year-old was found to be positive during a test taken this morning as routine before any public engagements which suggested he was experiencing no strong symptoms but they declined to go into further details on his medical condition. Both he and the Duchess of Cornwall have been taking regular tests before engagements and Clarence House said Camilla, 74, had a negative test on Thursday. Under current Covid rules, although she lives with Charles, Camilla is not required to self-isolate as she is also fully vaccinated. While in the past, Covid rules would have dictated that all those who had come into contact with Charles must self-isolate, it is no longer a requirement. Boris Johnson announced he plans to scrap all remaining virus restrictions in England by the end of the month, which would mean even those who have tested positive for the virus will not be required to self-isolate, provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue. Downing Street said the Prime Minister hopes the Prince of Wales will make a swift recovery after testing positive. As well as meeting with his mother, Charles also awarded OBEs to chefs Fergus Henderson, who has Parkinsons Disease, and his wife Margot as well as an MBE to Dr Nisreen Alwan, who is known for campaigning for more awareness around long Covid. The Queen, 95, does not have symptoms and the situation is being monitored. Pictured: The Queen on Monday The news comes hours after Prince Charles (pictured, left, with Camilla) attended a British Asian Trust event being hosted at the British Museum last night, Wednesday, February 9. He also hosted investitures on Tuesday where he met chefs and married couple Margot and Fergus Henderson, who has Parkinsons, are made OBEs by Prince Charles on Tuesday Pictured: The Prince of Wales speaks to Home Secretary Priti Patel at an event to celebrate the British Asian Trust last night The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating, Clarence House said. The news came hours after Charles gave a speech at a British Asian Trust event attended by Home Secretary Priti Patel and Chancellor Rishi Sunak Silent dignity of the Queen: Her Majesty took Covid rules seriously when she sat alone in Prince Philip's funeral How much of a risk does Covid pose to people in their 90s? Before the advent of Covid vaccines, Government advisers believed a quarter of all over-75s who caught the virus would die. The rate was even higher for 90-somethings, with the virus known to pose a graver threat to the elderly. But Cambridge University experts have already downgraded their projection to 3.4 per cent for the oldest cohort. This is largely thanks to the sky-high levels of immunity achieved from the country's hugely successful vaccination roll-out and previous waves. However, the team's latest estimate published days before Christmas does not take into account the milder nature of Omicron. Nor does it reflect the huge success of the booster vaccine roll-out, which had yet to properly kick off. It means, in theory, the rate will be even lower now, given the swathes of real-world evidence laying bare just how effective three doses are at stopping infected people from becoming seriously ill. Advertisement The Prince of Wales has said he 'got away with it quite lightly' when he contracted coronavirus at the beginning of the UK's epidemic in March. He spent seven days in self-isolation at his Birkhall home in Scotland before resuming his duties. The Queen has been active this month, holding public engagements as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. There were concerns for her health late last year after she was forced to slow down by a back sprain and doctor's advice to rest in October and November last year. Her Majesty, 95, spent a short spell in hospital and was reluctantly told to rest last October after undertaking 19 official engagements that month. The following month, she also pulled out of Remembrance Sunday ceremonies for the first time since 1999 after spraining her back. She resumed in-person engagements on November 17 when she received General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of Defence, at Windsor. At the outset of the pandemic, royal staff went to great lengths to protect the monarch from contracting the virus. In April 2020, twenty two royal staff sacrificed their home lives to stay isolated at Windsor Castle so they could serve the Queen and her late husband Prince Philip during lockdown. The mission to protect the royals was dubbed 'HMS Bubble' after the Queen moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor in March that year where she began isolating with Philip who was flown from Sandringham to join her shortly after. A year later, in April 2021, strict Covid regulations meant the Queen was forced to wear a mask and sit alone as she attended husband Prince Philip's funeral. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cornwall revealed Prince Charles is finding the situation 'a bit tiresome'. Camilla, who herself has tested negative, made the remarks on a solo visit to Thames Valley Partnership in Buckinghamshire earlier today. Speaking to Willie Hartley Russell, high sheriff for Berkshire, during a visit to Thames Valley Partnership on Thursday, she said: 'He's diagnosed now. Luckily (she's negative). I've taken it so many times.' He added: 'It gets a bit pointless, doesn't it?' and Camilla agreed. Afterwards, Mr Hartley Russell said: 'She said, 'Yes unfortunately he had tested positive again. I said he must be building up lots of antibodies. 'She said something like he's finding it a bit tiresome to have got it again, but she said it in a light-hearted way.' The news comes the day after Prince Charles and wife Camilla, 74, rubbed shoulders with Home Secretary Priti Patel and Chancellor Rishi Sunak at a British Asian Trust event hosted at the British Museum last night. Charles, who founded the trust in 2007, told more than 350 guests of the impact of Covid on the region. Using his pet name for Camilla, the Urdu for 'darling', he said: 'It is almost two years that my Mehabooba and myself were able to be with you. Since then... there has been terrible loss of life.' Speaking at an event Buckinghamshire today, Camilla said Charles found it 'tiresome' to have tested positive for Covid again. Pictured: Duchess of Cornwall visits the Thames Valley Partnership, which works to protect and support victims of crime Camilla visits the Thames Valley Partnership charity, which works to protect and support victims of crime and to support offenders and their families in the Criminal Justice System, interventions which support those affected by domestic abuse Pictured: Camilla, who tested negative today, speaks to people as she attends the opening of the charity and community Kitchen 'Nourish Hun', created to fight against social isolation and loneliness, in west London on February 10, 2022 The Prince of Wales gave the keynote speech at the event which was attended by more than 350 guests including Health Secretary Sajid Javid. The Trust was founded by Charles in 2007 alongside British-Asian business leaders to 'support the development of a South Asia that maximises the potential of its people and that is free from inequality and injustice'. Two-thirds of Covid cases in England during Omicron wave may have been REINFECTIONS, official data suggests Two-thirds of people in England who had Covid at the start of 2022 may have been reinfected, official data suggests. One of the country's largest surveillance studies which randomly tested 100,000 people in the fortnight ending January 20 found 4.4 per cent had the virus. Imperial College London experts, who carried out the project, said it was the highest rate ever recorded, mirroring other swabbing surveys which showed how Omicron triggered infections to reach pandemic highs. The team also claimed England's Covid outbreak was now starting to plateau after the Omicron wave 'rapidly' dropped off on its own. Analysis of the data showed 2,315 (64.6 per cent) of the 3,582 people who tested positive and were asked about whether they had previously had Covid claimed to have been struck down before. And a further 267 (7.5 per cent) suspected they had caught Covid previously, even though their case was not confirmed with a test at the time. Advertisement Before his speech, Charles and Camilla greeted supporters and ambassadors of the BAT in the museum's Egyptian Gallery. They first spoke with Mr Sunak and Ms Patel before the four posed for photos. The duchess later thanked ambassadors Neev Spencer and Ritula Shah as they congratulated her after the Queen's announcement that she would become Queen Consort. Hitan Mehta, executive director of the trust, said that it was 'amazing' to be able to host the royal couple at the reception after it was not held last year due to the pandemic. The development comes just days after the Queen marked her Platinum Jubilee by expressing her 'sincere wish' that the Duchess of Cornwall would be Queen Camilla at Charles's side when he is one day King. The Duchess of Cornwall said today that she is 'very honoured and very touched' to have been endorsed by the Queen. Camilla has been photographed carrying out her duties today after testing negative. She first visited Paddington Haven, a sexual assault referral centre in London today. Under Covid rules, you are no longer required to self-isolate if someone from your household tests positive as long as you are fully vaccinated. At the centre in West London, she met with staff as well as the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and spoke with former Love Island star Zara McDermott who discussed her experience of revenge porn and assault. Camilla then visited Nourish Hub, a community kitchen based in Notting Hill, west London, to mark its opening and as patron of the charity that runs it, UK Harvest, when she was asked by a guest how she felt about the title. Camilla, 74, spoke with volunteers and refugees at the West London Welcome charity, who were cooking a rice-based Iranian dish called loobia polo for visitors. A guest who gave his name as DJ, 49, asked the duchess how she felt about her new title. Camilla told him: 'I feel very honoured, very honoured and very touched.' In December, both Prince Charles and Camilla confirmed they had received their booster jabs as they urged those who are unvaccinated to get their injections as soon as possible. It is understood the couple received their first vaccine in February last year and had their boosters in November. 'To all those who have not yet had the vaccine or are hesitating before getting a booster we can only urge you to look at the evidence in our intensive care wards and listen to those who work there,' they said. They added: 'We urge everyone to get vaccinated and to take up the booster, as we have done ourselves.' Charles's son Prince William also contracted COVID shortly after his father in 2020, with media reports saying he had been hit pretty badly by the virus. It is believed the Duke of Cambridge kept his illness private so not to alarm the public. Before his speech, Charles and Camilla greeted supporters and ambassadors of the BAT in the museum's Egyptian Gallery Priti Patel, Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles pose with guests at the event Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha made the Prince of Wales laugh when they met at last night's glitzy reception in central London Pictured: Prince Charles chatted to Priti Patel, who was among the 350 guests invited to the bash at the British Museum Pictured: Disappointed members of the public waiting by the statue of Licoricia of Winchester at The Arc in Winchester which was meant to be unveiled by the Prince of Wales but who could not attend as he tested positive for Covid and is self-isolating In place of Prince Charles, Lord-Lieutenant Hampshire Nigel Atkinson unveils the statue of Licoricia of Winchester at The Arc The Prince of Wales will now go into self-isolation for 10 days and has cancelled his scheduled engagements. He had been due to unveil a statue of Licoricia of Winchester today before attending a civic reception at The Great Hall. The announcement of the prince's positive test was made just after midday, around 12 minutes before Charles was due to arrive in Winchester on the visit to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Aides were only informed a few moments before. More than 1,000 people were gathered behind barriers in the city's Jewry Street, waiting to see the prince unveil a new statue of Licoricia of Winchester, a prominent Jewish moneylender who was murdered in 1277 during a period of antisemitism in the reign of Edward I that culminated in the expulsion of Jews from England in 1290. The Queen's representative in Hampshire, the Lord Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson, told the crowd, who groaned with disappointment when he relayed the news. Standing at the microphone, the Lord Lieutenant told the crowd: 'As Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, I'm afraid I have some very disappointing news for you. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has tested positive for Covid a few minutes ago and will therefore be unable to join us today. 'However, I do send my very best wishes on behalf of Hampshire to His Royal Highness and hope that he improved soon.' The Lord Lieutenant, in ceremonial uniform, then read out a message from the prince. Charles's message said: 'Ladies and gentlemen, I am so sorry that I cannot be with you today. I am desperately disappointed as I was so looking forward to marking this historic occasion with you. Camilla shakes hands with staff as she visits the clinic Paddington Haven, a sexual assault referral centre in London today Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (R) shakes hands with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (L) at the clinic Paddington Haven Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall with (from L) chair of the National Sexual Abuse and Assault Services Laura Currer, Love Island star Zara McDermott and Nicola, a sexual assault survivor, at Paddington Haven, a sexual assault referral centre today Licorica: The Jewish moneylender who bankrolled three kings The statue of Licoricia of Winchester at The Arc in Winchester Licoricia of Winchester was a 13th-century Jewish English businesswoman who was described by historian Robert Stacey as 'the most important Jewish woman in Medieval England'. The single mother's wealth had helped to fund the building of Westminster Abbey, as well as bankrolling three English kings. Despite the increasingly hostile and punitive treatment of Jews in the 1200s, Licoricia advanced through the use of her excellent business acumen and marriage. Her exact birth date is not known but she first appears in records around 1234 where she was referred to as a young widow with three children. In 1242, she married her second husband - David of Oxford - with whom she had her fourth child. David was known as the richest Jew in England and died two years later. Over the next 30 years, Licoricia became a highly influential business woman, financing people across Southern England. The statue, by sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, shows Licoricia holding hands with her younger son. In 1277, the prominent Jewish businesswoman Licoricia of Winchester was found by her daughter, murdered, stabbed to death in her own house. Alongside Licoricia's body was that of her Christian maid, Alice. No one was ever convicted of killing her. Advertisement 'I hope very much that I will be able to visit at a future time but for today please accept my most heartfelt apologies and my very best wishes as you mark this memorable occasion for Winchester.' Charles wanted to be there as a symbol of his commitment to religious tolerance in modern Britain. His personal record of support for religious and ethnic minorities has been cited against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's claims of racism inside the royal family. The statue, by sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, shows Licoricia holding hands with her younger son. The moneylender was murdered in 1277 but no one was ever convicted. After the announcement, the Prince's personal security staff fanned out into the crowd to express his sorrow for having to cancel his visit at such late notice. Later, in a public statement, the Prince said he was 'deeply disappointed' before pledging to visit the city soon. In the wake of the Prince's sudden isolation, Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson stepped into his shoes and unveiled the life-sized bronze statue. The statue was then blessed by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. There has been no immediate comment on Charles' condition. Covid reinfections - where someone tests positive for Covid-19 more than 90 days after a previous positive result - currently represent around 10 per cent of daily cases in England. Of the 14.8 million infection episodes in England since the start of the pandemic, some 588,114 (4.0%) are likely reinfections. Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, told the PA news agency: 'Reinfections were always going to become a big feature of Covid. 'The other human coronaviruses cause reinfections throughout life and this will most likely be the case with Covid.' A reinfection is defined as someone who tests positive for Covid-19 more than 90 days after a previous positive result. Any positive tests within 90 days of a previous one are counted as part of the same 'infection episode'. Covid reinfections currently represent around 10% of daily cases in England, though Prof Hunter said that 'this is likely to be a big underestimate as, if reinfections are generally mild, they are less likely to be identified'. He went on to say: 'Sometimes reinfections occur because of the appearance of new escape variants that can bypass existing immunity to a degree and sometimes it may be just because immunity is waning. 'The recent emergence of the Omicron variant has substantially increased the chances of reinfection compared to what we saw with Delta. 'But in general we can expect reinfections to be less severe than primary infection though not always.' Of the 14.8 million infection episodes in England since the start of the pandemic, some 588,114 (4.0%) are likely reinfections. According to analysis by the Office for National Statistics, the risk of reinfection was 16 times higher when Omicron was the dominant strain, compared with the period when Delta was dominant. Unvaccinated people were twice as likely to be reinfected than those who had their second vaccine dose in the previous 14 to 89 days, the study found. Pictured: The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, helps unveil a statue of Licoricia of Winchester at The Arc in Winchester after the Prince of Wales who was due to unveil it has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating Pictured: The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, helps unveil a statue of Licoricia of Winchester at The Arc in Winchester after the Prince of Wales who was due to unveil it has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating A plaque on the statue of Licoricia of Winchester at The Arc in Winchester which was meant to be unveiled by Prince Charles Timeline: Prince Charles' movements in February February 1st: Lunar New Year in China Town and exhibition in Mayfair The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Chinatown, London, to mark Lunar New Year and were received by Mr. Kevin Traverse-Healy (Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London). Charles then visited Irina Bradley's Metamorphosis Icon Exhibition in Mayfair. . The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwal donned red scarves to celebrate Lunar New Year in Chinatown Prince Charles, 73, headed to the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in central London this evening, where he visited the Iconographer Dr Irina Bradley's 'Metamorphosis' Icon exhibition February 2nd: Trip to Kent Charles and Camilla visited Sheppey Matters and were received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Kent (the Lady Colgrain). The Prince of Wales then visited Elmley National Nature Reserve, Elmley, Minster on Sea, Isle of Sheppey, and was received by Mr. Philip Merricks (Deputy Lieutenant of Kent). His Royal Highness, Patron, the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, afterwards visited the Historic Dockyard Chatham and the Copper Rivet Distillery. Prince Charles visits the Sheppey Matters charity at Sheerness Healthy Living Centre February 3rd: Visited Future Textiles Project with Camilla and Kate Charles was joined by The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duchess of Cambridge to visit the Future Textiles Project at Trinity Buoy Wharf. In this role as President of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty he later received Mrs. Hilary McGrady (Director General) and Mr. Rene Olivieri upon assuming his appointment as Chairman. The same day, in his role as Patron of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, he received Dr. Farhan Nizami (Director). His Royal Highness afterwards received the Rt. Hon. Priti Patel, MP (Secretary of State for the Home Department). He then held a Meeting at Clarence House for the Sustainable Markets Initiative. The Duchess of Cambridge looked elegant as she joined Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall February 8th: Investiture at Windsor Castle and meeting with Keir Starmer On behalf of The Queen Charles held an Investiture at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. He then met with Sir Keir Starmer MP. Later, he received Admiral Sir Antony Radakin upon assuming his appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff. Chefs Margot and Fergus Henderson from London are made OBEs by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on February 8 The Prince of Wales, Royal Founding Patron, the Professional Teaching Institute, in the evening attended a Dinner at St. James's Palace. February 9th: Visit to National Gallery and British Asian Trust dinner at British Museum with Camilla, Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel In his role as Patron, Charles visited the National Gallery One Accommodation Hub, Trafalgar Square and was received by Mr. Kevin Traverse-Healy (Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London). In the evening, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a British Asian Trust event - their first joint engagement since the announcement that the Duchess will become Queen Consort. Charles, 73, called his wife 'my Mehbooba', which means 'my beloved' or 'my darling' in Urdu, in an address to 350 guests at the British Museum including Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Health Secretary Sajid Javid. He said: 'I cannot quite believe it is almost two years to the day that both my mehbooba and myself were able to be with all of you to celebrate the work of the British Asian Trust. 'Since then, across the globe, there has been terrible loss of life from this dreadful pandemic and we have especially seen the devastating impact throughout south Asia.' The black tie bash at the British Museum marked Charles and Camilla's first joint appearance since the Queen announced her desire for Camilla to be given the title Queen Consort when Prince Charles ascends the throne. Other guests included former Liverpool and Wales footballer Ian Rush, TOWIE's Jasmine Walia, DJ Naughty Boy and film director Gurinder Chadha. Prince Charles founded the British Asian Trust in 2007 to tackle widespread poverty, inequality and injustice in South Asia. They were joined at the event by Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, pictured together left, and Priti Patel Prince Charles chatted to Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, whose father is an Indian billionaire, at the event Advertisement Advertisement Liz Truss clashed with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov over Ukraine today as she went to Moscow to demand the regime cool its 'Cold War rhetoric'. The Foreign Secretary delivered a tough message that the Kremlin must step back from a 'disastrous' invasion of Ukraine during tense talks. On her first official visit to Moscow she warned that Kiev must not be 'bullied', demanding Russia backs up its claims about having 'no plans' to breach its neighbour's border with 'actions'. But in discussions and a joint press conference after a lunch of borscht and halibut, anti-democratic bruiser Mr Lavrov launched a series of barbs, dismissing 'ultimatums and moralising' from the West and comparing their conversation to a 'deaf and a mute'. 'Ideological approaches, ultimatums and moralizing is a road to nowhere,' the notorious political operator said. In scenes caught on camera he then abruptly stalked off at the end of the press conference, leaving Ms Truss standing alone. He then opened the door for the to accompany him from the room, before a lunch of She had observed that she had definitely not been mute in their discussions, and urged a 'diplomatic' solution. But in what appeared to be a co-ordinated attack a pro-Putin TV host today lashed out at the Foreign Secretary. Vladimir Solovyov accused Ms Truss of 'behaving in the classic British colonial style', tweeting: 'A London official came to the colony to lecture the subjugated natives' A source close to the Foreign Secretary said: 'Liz delivered some tough and punchy messages - including urging Russia to withdraw troops from the border, engage in meaningful talks, and ultimately respect Ukraine's sovereignty. 'The talks were testy, but there's a healthy amount of respect between Liz and Lavrov. She invited him to London in the next few months and he accepted, if the situation allows.' Boris Johnson embarked on his own trip to Nato HQ in Brussels and then Poland, warning that Europe faces the 'most dangerous moment for decades' and the 'stakes are very high'. At a joint press conference with Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the PM said he did not believe Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border. But Mr Johnson admitted the signs were not good, insisting that Mr Putin will face a strong response if he does go ahead. Liz Truss (left) told Sergei Lavrov (right) to 'stop the Cold War rhetoric' and de-escalate the crisis Liz Truss (right) told Sergei Lavrov (left) today that Kiev must not be 'bullied' and there would be 'massive consequences' for invasion At a joint press conference with Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the PM said he did not believe Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border But in the discussions and a joint press conference Mr Lavrov launched a series of barbs, dismissing 'ultimatums and moralising' from the West and comparing their conversation to a 'deaf and a mute' Notorious political bruiser Mr Lavrov swiped: 'Ideological approaches, ultimatums and moralizing is a road to nowhere.' Ms Truss is on a two-day visit to Moscow, and took part in a wreath-laying ceremony earlier Ukraine forces stand guard in the eastern region of Donetsk yesterday amid the tensions with Russia Following a photo with Royal Engineers, Royal Marines and Polish troops, the Prime Minister said he was 'very proud' that UK armed forces were 'standing side by side' with Poland over fears of an incursion by Moscow into Ukraine Boris Johnson greets member of the Royal Marines during a visit to Warszawska Brygada Pancerna military base near Warsaw today Boris warns Europe faces 'dangerous moment' in biggest security crisis for decades Boris Johnson today warned Europe faces the 'most dangerous moment for decades' and the 'stakes are very high' as he urged Russia to back away from a 'disastrous' Ukraine invasion. At a joint press conference with Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the PM said he did not believe Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border. But Mr Johnson admitted the signs were not good, insisting that Mr Putin will face a strong response if he does go ahead. Arguing that the next few days will be crucial, Mr Johnson said: 'The stakes are very high. And this is a very dangerous moment... 'I honestly don't think a decision has yet been taken but that doesn't mean that it's impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed. 'Our intelligence, I'm afraid to say, remains grim. We're seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine. 'This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades.' He added: 'This is the moment now to think of another way forward.' Advertisement The Foreign Secretary arrived in Russia last night, donning a furry hat in the sub-zero temperatures that immediately evoked comparisons with Margaret Thatcher. And after another 1,000 British troops were put on standby to fly to the troubled region, Ms Truss told Mr Lavrov: 'The reality is we cannot ignore the build-up of over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and the attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. 'Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people, and for European security. And, together, Nato has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs.' At a press conference with Mr Lavrov after their talks, Ms Truss said the 'future peace and stability' of Europe was at stake. 'There is still time for Russia to end its aggression towards Ukraine and pursue the path of diplomacy,' she said. 'But Nato is very clear that if that path is not chosen there will be severe consequences for Russia, Ukraine and the whole of Europe.' Mr Lavrov said Moscow was in favour of diplomacy to resolve the crisis, but said he could not understand British concerns over the drills in Belarus and denied Russia was coercing anyone. 'I'm honestly disappointed that what we have is a conversation between a dumb and a deaf person. It's as if we listen but we don't hear,' Lavrov said. At a joint press conference with Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, Mr Johnson said he did not believe Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border. But Mr Johnson admitted the signs were not good, insisting that Mr Putin will face a strong response if he does go ahead. At a joint press conference with Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the PM said he did not believe Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border Boris Johnson posted a picture of him boarding the plane for Brussels this morning A poll for MailOnline has found strong backing for sanctions if Mr Putin invades. Some 49 per cent said they would support a national boycott of Russian goods and services, with just 14 per cent opposed Putin is planning a 'NUCLEAR strategic exercise', Britain warns as Russia begins military drills with Belarus Russia is planning to hold a nuclear strategic exercise, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday, despite extreme tensions surrounding Ukraine. Wallace warned that the Kremlin's actions were heading in the wrong direction despite efforts to find a diplomatic solution, declaring intelligence suggested that Russia that Russia was engaging in plans for so-called 'false flag' operations as a pre-text for invading Ukraine, as well as carrying out cyber attacks and other destabilising activity. 'Despite the talking, the direction of travel is in the wrong way,' Wallace told BBC Radio. 'The Russians are still growing their battalion tactical groups... They are planning to start a nuclear strategic exercise soon, and indeed we see more activity elsewhere.' A Russian defence source also told news agency TASS earlier this year that the nuclear exercise, known as 'Thunder', would involve all three prongs of Russia's strategic nuclear forces, testing firing procedures from land, sea and air. Nuclear drills are held frequently in Russia, but the decision to proceed with such exercises in the face of the tension circling Ukraine will give world powers more cause for concern. It comes as forces from Russia and Belarus launched joint military drills with an estimated 30,000 troops taking part in the 10-day war games near the Ukrainian border, in what NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has described as a 'dangerous moment'. 'We are closely monitoring Russia's deployment in Belarus, which is the biggest since the end of the Cold War,' Stoltenberg told reporters today at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 'This is a dangerous moment for European security. The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down.' Advertisement Arguing that the next few days will be crucial, Mr Johnson - who will visit Poland later - said: 'The stakes are very high. And this is a very dangerous moment... 'I honestly don't think a decision has yet been taken but that doesn't mean that it's impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed. 'Our intelligence, I'm afraid to say, remains grim. We're seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine. 'This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades.' He added: 'This is the moment now to think of another way forward.' Mr Stoltenberg said he has written to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov to offer more talks. 'We are prepared to listen to Russia's concerns and ready to discuss ways to uphold and strengthen the fundamental principles of European security that we all have signed up to,' he said. 'Nato will not compromise on core principles the right of each nation to choose its own path and Nato's ability to protect and defend all allies.' Labour leader Keir Starmer is also in the Belgian capital, stressing that he is fully behind the government's response to Mr Putin's military mobilisation. The diplomatic blitz comes as a poll for MailOnline found strong backing for sanctions if Mr Putin invades. Some 49 per cent said they would support a national boycott of Russian goods and services, with just 14 per cent opposed. However, the public appears split over the idea of deploying troops and supplying weapons. Western leaders fear a build-up of 130,000 Russian troops on the Ukrainian border is the prelude to an invasion. Six Russian landing ships filled with tanks and troops yesterday assembled in the Black Sea to back up the land forces, heightening concerns. Moscow's forces are also beginning joint military exercises with ally Belarus. The shuttle diplomacy comes amid fears French president Emmanuel Macron is pushing for a 'compromise' with Moscow that would see Ukraine forced to loosen its ties with the West. Another 1,000 British troops will be 'put at readiness' for deployment to the region in the event that Russia invades. A source said the troops would 'support a humanitarian response in the region, should it be needed'. It is understood they would be asked to help secure the borders of Ukraine's neighbours and build refugee camps in countries such as Poland and Lithuania with fears more than a million Ukrainians could flee any conflict. Mr Johnson later praised the behaviour of UK troops during a visit to a military base in Warsaw. Following a photo with Royal Engineers, Royal Marines and Polish troops, the Prime Minister said he was 'very proud' that UK armed forces were 'standing side by side' with Poland over fears of an incursion by Moscow into Ukraine. He also told British troops: 'I'm very grateful that you are behaving so well', telling them he had heard positive reports since the Engineers were deployed in December. Some Marines told Mr Johnson they had arrived on Thursday, with some understood to have landed only hours before the PM. Separately, Mr Johnson praised the reputation of Polish pilots who fought with Britain during the Second World War. The Churchill biographer told Poland's prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, that his compatriots in the war 'knew they had to get close' to take out Nazi aircraft. A Romanian barman caught with Tamara Ecclestone's stolen handbag and 1m in forged bank notes walked free from court today. Emile-Bogdan Savastru, 31, was arrested at Heathrow with Louis Vuitton luggage grabbed during the 25m 'Burglary of the Century at the socialite's 'Billionaire's Row' Kensington home. Savastru also had Frank Lampard's Tag Heuer smart watch which was taken in a raid on the Everton boss's home by an Eastern European crime gang. Savastru, along with his mother, sex worker Maria Mester, 47, security worker Sorin Marcovici, 53, and Alexandru Stan, 49, were last year cleared by a jury of being part of the support team to the three burglars behind the Ecclestone mansion raid. Instead, he was convicted of having custody or control of a counterfeit note following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court last December. Today, Savastru, of Stepney, was jailed for 11 months - but he was immediately released on licence because he has served the term on remand. Romanian barman caught with Tamara Ecclestone's stolen handbag also had a million pounds in forged money He was convicted of having custody or control of a counterfeit note following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court last Decembe Today, Savastru, of Stepney, was jailed for 11 months - but he was immediately released on licence because he has served the term on remand Savastru, along with his mother, sex worker Maria Mester, 47 (pictured wearing Tamara Ecclestone's necklace), security worker Sorin Marcovici, 53, and Alexandru Stan, 49, were cleared by a jury of being part of the support team to the three burglars behind the Ecclestone mansion raid He hid the counterfeit cash at his friend Gergo Munzenrieder's house in Mile End, east London before heading to the airport for a flight to Japan. The fake money was worth 517,350 Euros and 518,350 and was packed in such a way that the word 'facsimile' was not visible when first examined. A money counter machine and a UV lamp, which can be used to check if money is genuine, were also found in the flat. Police also recovered a novelty gun that can be loaded up with bank notes to spray his friends with cash. Savastru's barrister Adam Kane said the gun was a popular accessory in Japanese strip clubs where Savastru had just returned from holiday. In January 2021 he was jailed for six months for handling the bag and watch but walked free after spending almost a year inside while awaiting trial in relation to the Ecclestone raid. Sentencing him for the fake money charge Judge Martin Edmunds QC told him: 'The circumstances of your conviction were that in January 2020 you were planning to fly to Japan. 'In your suitcase were notes the jury found to be counterfeit, within the meaning of the act. 'There was a party gun, but none of these notes would fit in it. Whatever your personal intentions, I reject that these notes were for party purposes. 'Someone had more in mind than just a party. Any distribution, whether at a party or not, would likely put them in circulation. Savastru, 31, was arrested at Heathrow with Louis Vuitton luggage grabbed during the 25m 'Burglary of the Century at the socialite's 'Billionaire's Row' Kensington home Jugoslav Jovanovic, 24, carried out the Ecclestone heist with expert jewel thieves Alessandro Maltese, 45, known as the 'Pink Panther', and 44-year-old Alessandro Donati 'They were patently not the most sophisticated copies, but they were reasonably capable of passing as genuine.' Detective Constable Andrew Payne, who led the bogus money investigation, said: 'Our proactive operation means we have been able to take a significant quantity of counterfeit notes out of circulation. Without a doubt, these notes would have been used to commit further crimes across the UK. 'This successful prosecution relied heavily on the close working between the Met and the Bank of England, leaving little doubt that Savastru was guilty of these offences. 'Counterfeit currency in the UK harms the economy and has a real, significant impact on businesses who take possession of it unknowingly. As this prosecution shows, we will take action against anyone engaged in this type of criminality.' Jugoslav Jovanovic, 24, carried out the Ecclestone heist with expert jewel thieves Alessandro Maltese, 45, known as the 'Pink Panther', and 44-year-old Alessandro Donati. They also raided the home of Aston Villa boss Lampard and his wife Christine, and a Knightsbridge property owned by the deceased Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. The burglars managed to get into a secure 'vault' in the Ecclestone home and emptied an entire jewellery cabinet of 450 items. Last November Jovanovic was jailed for 11 years while Maltese and Donati were each sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison last November. Savastru had told jurors he thought the stolen watch and bag were 'tokens of appreciation' left for him by the burglars He said he googled 'London burglaries' a week after the raids because he was suspicious about the origin of the watch and Louis Vuitton bags. A magician has been jailed for 11 years for grooming schoolgirls into sending him incident images of themselves. Entertainer Jordan Parton, 22, posed as a 15-year-old boy online so that he could speak to his underage victims on social media. A court heard he then groomed them - before forcing them to take indecent photos in sex poses. Parton - who dreamed of becoming a celebrity magician akin to 'the next Penn and Teller' - then used the images to threaten his victims. He was also found to have filmed other youngsters performing sex acts which he then threatened to send to their parents. Entertainer Jordan Parton, 22, has been jailed for 11 years for grooming schoolgirls into sending him incident images of themselves after he posed as a 15-year-old boy online. Pictured: Parton aged 14 when he joined the Cardiff Magic Society Cardiff Crown Court heard one victim pleaded with him not to post images of her on the internet, to which Parton agreed 'as long as you do what I say.' Another girl said: 'He betrayed me. I thought he was the same age as me. 'I felt such relief when he was caught by the police.' Parton became the youngest member of the member of the Cardiff Magic Society when he joined aged just 14. He would perform tricks for people in the street, and also worked as a juggler and balloon entertainer known as Crazy Clown Balloons. Cardiff Crown Court heard one victim pleaded with him not to post images of her on the internet, to which Parton agreed 'as long as you do what I say' But as part of his hidden secret, prosecutor John Ryan said the children's entertainer hoarded up to 1,000 indecent images of the young girls in sexual poses. Mr Ryan said: 'He was grooming his victims over Snapchat. The defendant was coercing and threatening them to provide him with indecent images of themselves.' Cardiff Crown Court heard Parton's house was raided by police over an unrelated matter in February 2020. His electronic devices revealed he also filmed the youngsters performing sex acts while threatening to send the images to parents. Mr Ryan said: 'He told one victim he would publish the images all over the internet. Parton, of Newport, admitted causing or inciting girls to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with girls and was handed an 11-year extended sentence and must sign sex offenders register 'He told her he would show them to her parents. She felt pressurised and blackmailed.' Parton, of Newport, Gwent, admitted causing or inciting girls to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with girls. He also pleaded guilty to making category A, category B and category C indecent images of children between September 2019 and January 2020. Defending Stuart John said: 'His parents have been shocked that their son has committed such serious offences. 'He's immature, even for a 22-year-old man. The defendant was bullied as an adolescent. He does realise the wide-ranging impact on his victims and their families.' Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: 'You were recording the sexual abuse as it was taking place. 'You were coercing and threatening young girls to provide you with images. 'Some of your victims were prepared to co-operate with police and provide evidential interviews. Others were too upset or embarrassed to do so.' Parton given an 11 year extended sentence - including an eight-year custodial sentence with an extended term of three years. He must register as a sex offender for life. Aged care workers will be forced to get a third jab to keep their job after sweeping changes were made to who is 'up-to-date' - in other words fully-vaccinated - against Covid. National Cabinet agreed staff in the aged care sector would be the only workers, so far, who need to get the third dose to stay in their jobs. The decision came after health chiefs announced people aged 16 and over will no longer classed as 'up to date' on their Covid vaccinations if they have not had a booster six months after their second dose. The Federal Government on Thursday updated its vaccine policy on the advice issued by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). But National Cabinet stopped short of mandating a third jab for other essential workers and international travellers - instead each state and territory will be able to make their own call on the issue. Aged care workers will now need to get a third Covid shot to keep their job after National Cabinet to held talks on changing booster mandates (pictured, a woman getting the jab in Melbourne) National Cabinet (meeting pictured with Scott Morrison) stopped short of mandating a third jab for other essential workers and international travellers - instead each state and territory will be able to make their own call on the issue WHAT ARE THE NEW BOOSTER MANDATES? Will I have to get a booster jab? Anyone over the age of 16 who hasn't received a third jab within six months of their second dose will be be classed as 'overdue'. Those eligible can get their booster jab three months after their second dose. But only health care workers will be mandated to get a third job. What does it mean for international arrivals? National Cabinet have not mandated three jabs for overseas arrivals as many nations do not yet have a booster program in place. Instead, each state and territory will have the power to implement their own rules for international travellers. I have my second dose four months ago, what happens to me? Nothing. But if you wait until after six months, you will not be 'up to date' on your vaccination status. Source: Federal Heath Department Advertisement Under the new ATAGI advise anyone aged 16 and over who doesn't get a booster shot within six months of their second dose, will be classed as 'overdue'. The government changed its policy despite the sustained drop in the number of Covid cases across the country, with boosters deemed far more effective against the Omicron variant. There were 190,267 active cases in Australia on Thursday - the lowest number since January 2 and a drop of 77 per cent over the past 24 days. 'Under the new advice, a person is "up to date" if they have completed all the doses recommended for their age and individual health needs,' Health Minister Greg Hunt said. 'ATAGI recommend that everyone aged 16 years and older receive a booster dose three months after their primary course, to maintain the best protection and an 'up to date' status. 'Further, ATAGI has advised that if it has been longer than six months since a person's primary course and they haven't had a booster, they will no longer be considered 'up to date' and instead will be considered "overdue".' National Cabinet have not mandated three jabs for overseas arrivals as many nations do not yet have a booster program in place (pictured, Sydney Airport) Scott Morrison announced this month that Australia's international borders will reopen to double-dosed tourists on February 21, after a two-year shutdown. ATAGI said the updated advice will not impact international holidaymakers as the changes are focused on the domestic management of the virus and not international border settings. National Cabinet have not mandated three jabs for overseas arrivals as many nations do not yet have a booster program in place. Instead, each state and territory will have the power to implement their own rules for international travellers. Australia is set to received 151 million booster doses for delivery over the coming year (pictured, a woman checking in in Melbourne) WHICH VACCINES ARE APPROVED FOR BOOSTER SHOTS? The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines recognised as the preferred vaccine for booster jabs. AstraZeneca (also known as Vaxzevria) is now available for over 18s after it was approved for use as a booster this week. Any vaccine can be used as a booster regardless of which jab was administered in prior doses. Advertisement Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has already announced overseas tourists will need to be boosted before entering the state. Infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon agreed with the decision to not mandate booster shots for 'travel or going to a restaurant'. 'For an individual there's a great reason to get the booster to protect yourself, but from a public health point of view it's less clear,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'All the available data is that for older people, those over 50 or 60 years old, you need a third dose to protect you from serious disease and death from Covid. 'I don't think the data is clear in 20 and 30-year-olds, and certainly there's no real data in children.' Another key talking point at the meeting was the re-launching of Australia's cruise ship sector, crippled by the pandemic. Leaders from New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are now set to work on a plan alongside the Australian Border Force and the Department of Health to get the lucrative industry up and running again. There were 190,267 active cases in Australia on Thursday - the lowest number since January 2 and a drop of 77 per cent over the past 24 days. Pictured: Health workers in Melbourne The take-up on boosters is still lagging behind with about 46 per cent of eligible Aussies getting their third jab Australia recorded about 30,000 new Covid cases on Wednesday with 65 more deaths despite almost 95 per cent of the population over 16 receiving two doses. The take-up on boosters is still lagging behind with about 46 per cent of Aussies aged 16 and over getting their third jab. To book a booster you can use the Covid-19 Clinic Finder website to make your appointment. Australia is set to received 151 million booster doses for delivery over the coming year. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer launched an astonishing attack on his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn today, accusing him and his allies of siding with Britain's enemies. In remarks likely to reignite a bitter factional feud within the party Sir Keir used a visit to Nato headquarters in Brussels to blast organisations including the Stop The War Coalition - a group launched in 2001 to oppose US military action following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Mr Corbyn is currently deputy leader of the hard-left group and is taking part tonight in an online rally entitled No War in Ukraine: Stop Nato Expansion, which will accuse the UK and US of 'ramping up the threat of war'. In an article for the Guardian today, published after he met Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Sir Keir claimed the organisation is at best 'naive', and at worst a force bolstering those who threaten democracies. The Labour leader also said Mr Corbyn was 'wrong' about Nato, and the party's commitment to the alliance is 'unshakeable'. Sir Keir added: 'Nobody wants war. At first glance, some on the left may be sympathetic to those siren voices who condemn Nato. 'But to condemn Nato is to condemn the guarantee of democracy and security it brings, and which our allies in eastern and central Europe are relying on, as the sabre-rattling from Moscow grows ever louder. 'Thats why the likes of the Stop the War coalition are not benign voices for peace. At best they are naive; at worst they actively give succour to authoritarian leaders who directly threaten democracies. 'There is nothing progressive in showing solidarity with the aggressor when our allies need our solidarity and crucially our practical assistance, now more than ever. The kneejerk reflex, ''Britain, Canada, the United States, France wrong; their enemies right'' is unthinking conservatism at its worst.' In remarks likely to reignite a bitter factional feud within the party Sir Keir used a visit to Nato headquarters in Brussels to blast organisations including the Stop The War Coalition. While Sir Keir is in Belgium, Mr Corbyn will address a StW online rally entitled No War in Ukraine: Stop Nato Expansion The demo by keyboard warriors will accuse the UK and US of 'ramping up the threat of war' in eastern Europe. Russia currently has an estimated 130,000 troops massed along the border with Ukraine. PM warns 'stakes are very high' on Ukraine Boris Johnson today warned Europe faces the 'most dangerous moment for decades' and the 'stakes are very high' as he urged Russia to back away from a 'disastrous' Ukraine invasion. At a joint press conference with Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the PM said he did not believe Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border. But Mr Johnson admitted the signs were not good, insisting that Mr Putin will face a strong response if he does go ahead. Arguing that the next few days will be crucial, Mr Johnson - who will visit Poland later - said: 'The stakes are very high. And this is a very dangerous moment... 'I honestly don't think a decision has yet been taken but that doesn't mean that it's impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed. 'Our intelligence, I'm afraid to say, remains grim. We're seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine. 'This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades.' Advertisement 'To truly stop war, you need to show you are serious about standing up for peace, that you are serious about keeping your promises to your friends, and that you will always stand up to those who threaten.' It comes after the Labour leader met with Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on Thursday, as he strives to break with the party's perceived weak stance on defence under his predecessor. He attacked Russian aggression on the border with Ukraine as he sought to put further distance between himself and the stance adopted by his predecessor he was in charge. Following the talks today, Sir Keir told the BBC that Labour's commitment to Nato is 'unshakeable'. He said Mr Corbyn's 'very different view' on the alliance was 'wrong'. Sir Keir added: 'He was wrong in relation to the Salisbury poisoning incident where he didn't respond appropriately. 'I said so at the time, but it's very important to me this is my first chance as leader of the Labour Party to come here to Nato headquarters to have the meeting with the secretary general and to deliver a very important message for our party and for our country, which is that the Labour Party support for Nato is unshakeable.' Meanwhile, Sir Keir said the UK stands 'as one' in the face of Russian aggression. He added: 'And, you know, I've got plenty of arguments with the Prime Minister on many things, particularly in recent months. 'But when it comes to Russian aggression, we stand as one in the United Kingdom. 'Because there's nothing Russia wants more than to see division in the United Kingdom between the political parties, or division in Nato between our allies.' Mr Corbyn was widely criticised for a reluctance to blame Russia for the Salisbury poisoning in 2018. And while Sir Keir visited Belgium the now independent MP will address a StW online rally entitled No War in Ukraine: Stop Nato Expansion, which will accuse the UK and US of 'ramping up the threat of war'. Other speakers include Diane Abbott, the former shadow home secretary. Mr Corbyn lost the Labour whip in late 2020 after refusing to apologise for suggesting anti-Semitism in the party under his leadership had been overstated by the media and his enemies. But he continues to be a Labour member and his supporters continue to demand he be reinstated. He has refused to rule out running against Labour at the next election. In an interview with The Times today, Sir Keir attacked Mr Corbyn over the 2017 Wiltshire nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal, which left the former spy and his daughter badly hurt and a British woman dead. 'What was said by my predecessor in relation to issues like Salisbury was wrong. I spoke out at the time,' Sir Keir said. 'The important thing was not then but now. This is very clearly me reasserting our position on Nato, and intentionally so. It isn't a new position for the Labour Party because we have always been the party of Nato.' Sir Keir argued Mr Johnson's standing on the world stage has been weakened by the scandals in No 10. 'His authority has been diminished because of the various activities over the last few months,' Sir Keir said. Russia currently has an estimated 130,000 troops massed along the border with Ukraine, prompting fears that it is preparing for a full-scale invasion. Mr Corbyn was widely criticised four years ago when he resisted stating that the Russian authorities were behind the poison attack. The strike left former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter fighting for their lives in hospital. It also killed British mother of three Dawn Stugess, 44, after she accidentally sprayed the poison on herself after finding it in a perfume bottle. Then prime minister Theresa May said all the evidence pointed to the Russian state ordering the attempted hit in March 2018 - but Mr Corbyn spent months refusing to blame the Kremlin and even urged the UK to send a sample of the Novichok to Russia for testing. It was not until a speech to the Labour party conference in Liverpool the following September that he finally admitted the evidence showed Russia was behind it. But he also launched into an excoriating attack on the leader of America - Britain's closest ally. And vowed to overhaul Britain's role on the world stage - warning its current position is no longer sustainable. He also previously played down Moscow's annexation of the Crimea in 2014, suggesting that NATO was to blame for the aggression. Liz Truss delivered a tough message that the Kremlin must to 'stop the Cold War rhetoric' and step back from a 'disastrous' invasion of Ukraine during tense talks with counterpart Sergei Lavrov. She warned that Kiev must not be 'bullied', demanding Russia backs up its claims about having 'no plans' to breach its neighbour's border with 'actions'. A Ukrainian soldier stands in a trench at combat positions near the line of separation from Russian-backed rebels in the Donetsk region. Russia currently has an estimated 130,000 troops massed along the border. But in the discussions and a joint press conference Mr Lavrov launched a series of barbs, dismissing 'ultimatums and moralising' from the West and comparing their conversation to a 'deaf and a mute'. 'Ideological approaches, ultimatums and moralizing is a road to nowhere,' the notorious political bruiser said. Ms Truss observed that she had definitely not been mute in their discussions, and urged a 'diplomatic' solution. The brutal exchanges came as Boris Johnson embarked on his own trip to Nato HQ in Brussels and then Poland, warning that Europe faces the 'most dangerous moment for decades' and the 'stakes are very high'. A black Mississippi FedEx delivery driver is speaking out after he claims two white men - a father and son - shot at him during his shift in what his attorney describes as a 'copycat' attempt of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. D'Monterrio Gibson, 24, said that he was working Monday, January 24, when the men, identified as Gregory Case and Brandon Case, allegedly attacked him. He was delivering packages in Brookhaven, a suburb of Jackson, at around 7 p.m. that day when a white pickup truck, driven by Gregory Case, came toward the address of a scheduled drop. Gibson alleges that Gregory Case tried to drive 'extremely close' to him and cut him off, and that as he drove away, he saw Brandon Case a few houses down in the middle of the road pointing a gun toward the driver's truck, which was a white Hertz van despite him working for FedEx. On February 1, Brandon and Gregory Case turned themselves in. Gregory was charged with a count of conspiracy assault, while Brandon was charged with one count of aggravated assault, according to the Mississippi Free Press. The men were released on $75,000 and $150,000 bonds, respectively, a day later. Gibson's attorney Carlos Moore of The Cochran Firm said: 'We believe those are too light charges. We believe this is attempted murder. They had no justification under the law to do what they did. This man had done nothing wrong, and we believe it was racially motivated.' The attorney called it a 'copycat' of what happened to Ahmaud Arbery, a black man chased down and killed by three white men while going for a run in Georgia in 2020. The victim believes the men were allowed to turn themselves in because the Case men are related to assistant police chief Chris Case. Brookhaven Police Chief Kenneth Collins has said Chris is not related to the other two men. D'Monterrio Gibson, 24, of Utica, Mississippi, claimed he was shot at while working for FedEx Gibson accused Gregory Case (left) of trying to run him off the road, while son Brandon shot at him and told him to stop 'In my mind, I'm thinking [the driver] is leaving to go to the store or something like that, but then they get extremely close to me and start blowing their horn,' Gibson said. 'I proceed to leave the driveway. As I'm leaving the driveway, he starts driving in the grass trying to cut me off.' Gibson said he then swerved out of the truck's way and was looking to try and get out of the neighborhood. He said he then drove down a few houses and saw another man standing in the middle of the street pointing a gun at his windows, signaling and mouthing the word 'stop.' Gibson shook his head and hid behind the steering wheel, attempting to swerve away from the man, who then allegedly began shooting at him. The man who fired is said to be Gregory's son, 35-year-old Brandon Case. Once he was able to get to the end of the street, Gibson reported it to his manager, who told him to get back to the station. However, as he tried to leave, the white pickup truck that tried to corner him on the grass allegedly approached him again. Gibson and his manager showed police footage of his delivery van with a bullet still lying on it Gibson and his manager also showed off where they claim bullets hit the van Junior Trail in Brookhaven is the area Gibson was when he claimed he was shot at 'I just went as fast as I could. He chased me all the way to the interstate,' Gibson said, adding that the truck only stopped following him 10 or 15 minutes after getting on the highway. He called his FedEx office again, speaking to a different manager, who said they would file a police report, but Gibson did not want to wait and reported it himself. When he spoke to the police dispatcher, the person who responded told him he'd received a call for 'a suspicious person' at the address in question. Gibson then told the dispatcher he was a FedEx driver and said that the two men had shot at him. The dispatcher allegedly responded that they didn't tell him that. When he got back to the FedEx station, his manager examined the van and found bullet holes in the back and inside packages, Gibson claimed. Gibson said he has given pictures to police of the vehicle - a white Hertz van despite his FedEx employment - showing the bullet holes from the alleged shooting. The next day, Gibson and a manager, Candice Welch, came back to Brookhaven to file the police report. The report claims they found the van had at least two bullet holes and reproduced a picture of a bullet still laying in the van. Gibson said one of the police officers asked him if he did 'anything to make them think he looked suspicious.' 'I felt disrespected at that point because even if I did, they still can't take the law into their own hand. So I told him all I did was my job. If they think that I was suspicious, that was on them. He was like ''OK, I was just asking.''' Carlos Moore of the Cochran Firm is Gibson's attorney Brookhaven Police Chief Kenneth Collins disputed the accusation that Gregory and Brandon were allowed to turn themselves in, saying assistant police chief Chris Case is not connected to the investigation and that he is not related to the men. Moore said Gibson plans on approaching the FBI and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to open an official probe and also ask the U.S. Department of Justice 'to prosecute this as a hate crime.' Moore said that his client's experience had a striking resemblance to the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, the black man who was chased down and killed by three white men in south Georgia in 2020. 'It's just sad that it happens,' Moore said. 'They saw this man was a Black man, and they just hauled off and shot at him multiple times, at least the younger son did. The older guy tried to entrap him. 'They were working concertedly to try to entrap and kill this man. I mean, they shot at him several times. It's amazing that he survived.' Gibson, who began working for FedEx in July 2021, said that his delivery route has not been changed. He has yet to return to work and is currently on unpaid time off, saying he's 'uncomfortable' and 'anxious' about returning. He wants FedEx to find a different route for him. 'The safety of our team members is our top priority, and we're shocked by this reported criminal act against our employee,' a spokesman told DailyMail.com in an email. 'We remain focused on the wellbeing of our team member and are awaiting more information from investigating authorities.' Dexter previously pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud at crown court hearing He will face a hearing next month to determine how much he must pay back Dexter has been sentenced to four years and six months in jail for fraud Ms Sebastian was convinced to hand over 141,000 believing it was investment Richard Dexter, 38, promised Amrita Sebastian he was on verge of 'big windfall' A charming fraudster has been jailed for over four years after conning a millionaire he met on Tinder out of 150,000. Richard Dexter, 38, has been jailed for four years and six months after fraudulently claiming he was a 'successful businessman' on the verge of the a 'big windfall' to swindle his lover. Dexter duped Middle East-based executive Amrita Sebastian into sending him 141,500 in a series of payments saying they were for investments in biopharmaceutical technology He was even spinning his 'fanciful' lies while she was seriously ill in hospital. Dexter (pictured) duped Middle East-based executive Amrita Sebastian into sending him 141,500 'Well-educated and well-dressed' Dexter claimed he had more than 4.2 million tied up in an investment account - but it was a 'complete fiction' and it was his friend's account and had just 37p in. The father of two spent Miss Sebastian's money on 'relatively high living' - including paying 15,000 to a classic car company - and has never apologised. He claimed international companies 3M and Pall Corp were interested in tech equipment he had the patents for and willing to sign on deals worth up to 12 million. Pall and 3M have never had any contact with Dexter, the court heard. Dexter persuaded Miss Sebastian that he needed capital to start production of a piece of scientific equipment - a 'Bioreactor Paddle'. He told Miss Sebastian 'she wouldn't lose anything' and that he would pay her 100,000 as interest. The father of two spent Miss Sebastian's money on 'relatively high living' - including paying 15,000 to a classic car company - and has never apologised Dexter, who sobbed during the two-hour and 15 minute hearing, told the court: 'I haven't been able to put into words what I would say to [Miss Sebastian] if she was here. '[I have not] had any courage to contact her or put it onto paper, but I'm very, very sorry to the point that I think about it every day, from the minute I wake up until I go to sleep. 'I can't justify myself for what I did.' Dexter's partner, 37 year old Hayley Jones, wept and told the court her boyfriend of three and half years is a good father. Sentencing Dexter, Judge Mousley QC said: 'I'm left in no doubt that dishonesty is a feature of your character and it is profound. 'You are someone who shows no hesitation in resorting to lies with an ease that is almost breathtaking. 'When your truthfulness is challenged you reach for more lies to cover your tracks.' The judge added: 'There was absolutely no sign of you apologising to [Miss Sebastian] and there's little sign of any remorse. 'What you did affected her mental health and you have never spared a thought for her.' Dexter, who has a drink driving conviction from 2014, looked to his sobbing partner as he was sent down. A hearing to determine how money is paid back has been set for April 7. A court heard Dexter, of Southsea in Portsmouth, Hants, met Indian Miss Sebastian on Tinder in 2015 and posed as a businessman selling biopharma tech. At Portsmouth Crown Court, prosecutor Robert Bryan said: 'He claimed he was a successful businessman selling biopharma technology and he said he was worth 6.8 million and was involved in Hollywood studios. 'He alluded to his immense wealth and private jets, expensive cars, and said he had more by way of interest in his investments than a doctor's salary.' Dexter was convicted by a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court (stock image) In one text to Miss Sebastian, Dexter said: 'Hey! I'm 32, most of my friends did uni and have debts and worries and all earn 40,000 to 60,000. I bought a hot air balloon yesterday just because I could.' Miss Sebastian, who travels to the UK twice a year from Dubai, met with Dexter in August of 2015. Over the course of 15 months, she made a series of payments, some as large as 68,000. By the end of 2016, when his finances were in 'dire straits', Dexter convinced her to send him the final 5,500. Miss Sebastian described him as 'desperate' for money, adding: 'Because he had so much of my money already I felt trapped to keep him onside and I felt the 5,500 was a small loan.' But she said she still perceived there was 'no risk'. Later, as Miss Sebastian pleaded to have her investments returned, Dexter lied that he had 'closed a deal with 3M for 3.6 million' and that Miss Sebastian was entitled to 1.8 million as he tried to keep her onside. Miss Sebastian 'of course' received nothing back, with Dexter giving her 'excuses' and 'leading her along'. Dexter's home was raided by police in April 2018 after Miss Sebastian reported the fraud. One businessman Dexter had contact with, Roy Maunder, said he was 'always trying to portray himself as a successful businessman'. Mr Maunder said: 'His stories came across as fanciful... He was a liar but a likeable character, he was a charmer.' Dexter's grandmother told the court he would regularly ask her to transfer him 10 because his 'card wasn't working'. A court heard Dexter, of Southsea in Portsmouth, Hants, met Indian Miss Sebastian on Tinder in 2015 and posed as a businessman selling biopharma tech (stock image) Dexter - who maintains he has 'just over 200,000 in cryptocurrency assets' - admitted seven counts of fraud relating to swindling 141,500 from Miss Sebastian. He denied forging patent documents and perverting the course of justice in a bid to 'wheedle out' of his alleged fraud but was convicted by jurors at a trial. John Lucas, defending, asked Judge Mousley QC for 'mercy' and not to jail Dexter as he is 'likeable and a very good father'. He claimed Miss Sebastian's money went on 'general every day living' and to cover debts. Mr Lucas added: 'He was in debt, he had debts to close friends. He got himself into a pickle and was investing Bitcoin unsuccessfully. 'This man will not offend again... He's charming and dresses well... He's a well-educated young man who made a big error of judgement.' Advertisement Employers were today warned by HR experts and lawyers that they face financial penalties and a morass of legal issues if they try to force Covid-positive workers to come into the office once all remaining restrictions end. End of self-isolation rules Q&A: Can companies force staff in even if they have Covid, and what can I do if I want to stay WFH? Richard Fox is an employment partner at Kingsley Napley If I get Covid can my boss force me into the office? This could raise an issue under health and safety at work legislation. Employers are responsible for the health and safety of all their employees, and if they force someone to come in and they or other staff suffer they could be liable. Employers can give ''lawful and reasonable'' instructions to their employees, but I would question whether this instruction would be a lawful and reasonable one depending on the circumstances. I suspect there will be some difficult situations to come. It's a big jump to say that people should come in when hitherto it has been unlawful to do, if they could work from home. Will I need to provide a doctor's note? The employer cannot force you back in if you're unwell. But if someone doesn't come in they can require within a certain number of days that the person gets a certificate from a GP saying whether they are fit to come into work. And the employer can also require the staff member to be seen to judge whether they are fit to return to work. What are my options if I want to stay working from home? You have the right to request flexible working, but you don't have the right to work flexibly - there's a crucial difference there. So if you request to continue working from home, there's a regimen the employer must go through with a corresponding timescale. But you'd expect there to be dialogue in most workplaces. The issue that employers need to be careful about is whether they are being discriminatory in how they apply the policy. So if an employee is vulnerable and has been working successfully for the last few years, the employer would need to tread carefully. What is the significance of self-isolation rules being axed? This is undoubtedly a big moment for employers. When the Government scraps COVID isolation rules, it means employers can no longer rely on Government regulation to provide the groundwork for a system of protection for their workers. Earlier than expected it seems employers are going to need to set the rules for themselves. It may be prudent for these to cover new more potent strains of COVID-19 that may come along or even other infections besides COVID-19. What will businesses have to do now? If they do not have appropriate policies already in place, employers may want to consider introducing 'infection policies' to set rules and standards for the entire organisation so everyone is clear. For a building contractor the rules may be different to a care home; office-based workplaces may have different rules and needs to a retailer. It may not be wise to leave it to individual managers to take a view on isolation and vaccine requirements for members of their own departments, as that could lead to legal risk for the employer. Advertisement Boris Johnson has revealed his intention to scrap the legal duty to self-isolate if a person tests positive for the virus later this month as he fights for his political life amid the drama of the 'Partygate' scandal. But the confusing workplace guidance left employers wondering how they would navigate the new era and HR bosses questioning if their firms could be taken to court should employees start blaming them for contracting Covid in the office. More rigorous risk assessments could soon be necessary for the workplace to ensure clinically vulnerable staff are protected and can't sue their employer for negligence or malpractice. And any employer who takes disciplinary action or dismisses an employee refusing to come into work, despite not being ill nor clinically vulnerable, could face sanctions themselves in what's likely to become a legal minefield in the coming months. Although the situation remains unclear at present, several leading employment and HR experts have spoken to MailOnline to reveal the litany of issues companies could face upon the mass return to offices. Richard Fox, an employment partner at Kingsley Napley, said employers should stop colleagues from coming into the office if they are positive, in order to protect not only other staff, but themselves from possible legal action. Karen Watkins, founder of Somerset-based HR firm Rowan Consulting, explained that strong-arming employees into a return to the office, with or without Covid, could contribute to a mass wave of resignations. She pointed to 'common sense and communication' being key to getting the mass return to office right. Meanwhile, Paul Currie, a dispute resolution expert with DFA Law LLP, warned it would be 'corporate suicide' for employers to unnecessarily force their workers back into the office. He added: 'Now more than ever it's a case of taking each employees situation on its own merits and finding a solution that works for all. For some, working in the office is a must for their own wellbeing but for a lot of office-based workers, the hybrid approach could well be here to stay.' One boss added: 'It is going to be an HR sh*tshow.' While employees can still work from home if they have Covid, bosses can now demand proof of a doctor's note or a positive test. 'Employers are responsible for the health and safety of all their employees, and if they force someone to come and they or other staff suffer they could be liable,' Mr Fox told MailOnline. 'The employer cannot force you back in if you're unwell. But if someone doesn't come in they can require within a certain number of days that the person gets a certificate from a GP saying whether they are fit to come into work.' Today, several small companies revealed their plans for all staff to return to the office. Ministers have repeatedly spoken of their plans to live with Covid like flu, with both viruses now thought to carry similar death rates thanks to Britain's hugely successful vaccination drive, sky-high natural immunity levels and the milder nature of Omicron. Proponents of the change in tactics who have repeatedly demanded the Government stops relying on blanket lockdown-style rules and move on from the acute phase of the pandemic will inevitably hail the scrapping of self-isolation rules as being the final step on the road back to normality. No-one who catches flu is legally required to isolate, even though the virus can kill up to 300 people a day and up to 20,000 over the course of a bad winter. Health chiefs also don't embark on a multi-billion pound mass-testing programme to flush out the virus every year. Up to three-quarters of people who catch flu don't develop a cough, fever or any other symptoms, which mirror the tell-tale signs of Covid. Lee Marples, Founder and Strategic Director at digital marketing agency Think3, told MailOnline his firm had 'constantly banged the drum' for the benefits of working together, adding: 'Once the restrictions are fully removed, we'll continue to support our staff with working from the office.' He added that anyone who tested positive for Covid or felt unwell would be given time to recover, with 'no need to send us test results'. Anthea Morris, Finance Director at medical testing firm Better2Know, said the company was bringing everyone back to the office on February 28. 'Our whole team has been great at working from home and providing a fantastic service, but now is the time to start the new-normal and grow and develop in new ways, which we know are best done together,' she said. Other small firms said they would continue with hybrid working, with every one polled by MailOnline insisting they would not ask staff to provide proof of a positive test to be able to self-isolate at home. Meanwhile, a JP Morgan source said the bank would be continuing with hybrid working but would 'expect people to be in the office every week for at last some of the time'. The source added: Our sick leave policy has remained unchanged throughout the pandemic if you need time off because you are unwell, you are entitled to it within reason. But we are not mandating people give evidence of positive tests.' Boris Johnson has revealed his intention to scrap the legal duty to self-isolate if a person tests positive for the virus later this month as he fights for his political life amid the drama of the 'Partygate' scandal Financial adviser Scott Gallacher plans to get his staff in on a hybrid basis, while Anthea Morris, Finance Director at medical testing firm Better2Know, said the company was bringing everyone back to the office on February 28 Lee Chambers, from Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing, is offering his staff a hybrid model, while Lee Marples, founder of marketing agency Think3, said his firm had 'constantly banged the drum' about the benefits of returning to the office Legal experts have said that companies already have a longstanding duty of care to protect the health of their staff irrespective of Covid - and that the burden of safety has only grown in the past two years following outbreaks of new virus variants. It is possible that businesses could be dragged to employment tribunal if an outbreak in the workplace leads to serious illness or the death of a friend or relative known to the complainant. And bosses who choose to sack non-compliant staff could find themselves on the end of an unfair dismissal claim even post-pandemic, experts added. And in one of the first examples of its kind, an employment tribunal has held that an employee was unfairly dismissed for refusing to return to the workplace during the pandemic. Nick Quelch a financial servicers worker at Courtiers Support Services Ltd, had refused to return to the firm's Henley office after previously agreeing to work from home because his girlfriend was defined as 'extremely medically vulnerable'. But when employees were told to return to the office from July 2020, Mr Quelch said he was 'extremely anxious' about the decision but was told there could be no exception made for him. Bosses said he could take annual or sick leave, or face disciplinary action if he refused to return. The employment tribunal ruled that Mr Quelch had been 'unfairly dismissed' because he found himself in circumstances of danger which he 'reasonably believed to be serious and imminent' contrary to section 100(1)(d) and (e) of the Employment Rights Act 1996. He will now be paid out more than 14,000 in compensation. Kathryn Evans, partner and head of employment at leading law firm Trethowans, said: 'Fundamentally, a person's place of work is governed by their employment contract. If an employee was stationed in the employer's premises pre-Covid, then it is likely that their employer could require them to return to those premises. However, employers must tread carefully. 'Employees are protected by law if they refuse to return to a place off work that they reasonably believe presents a serious and imminent danger to them. The bottom line is that if an employee is penalised for not returning for these reasons, then their employer could be on the end of an unfair dismissal and/or a detriment claim. As a result, it would be foolish for employers to take a 'one size fits all' approach to reluctant returners.' She added: 'There are two key actions that employers should take. Firstly, they must prepare for the return of their workers by following government guidance specific to their business type, carry out the Covid risk assessments and implement necessary safety measures. 'Secondly, and very importantly, they need to talk to their employees. Don't take the approach that the employee will make up any reason not to come back to work.' The current self-isolation regulations expire on March 24 but Mr Johnson told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions that 'provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive a full month early'. Today, small businesses told MailOnline of their plans for the coming months. Kieran Boyle, Managing Director at CKB Recruitment Ltd, said: 'We are sticking with a hybrid working model regardless of restrictions here. 'Once the legal requirement to self-isolate ends, I will also still be letting staff work from home if they return a positive test, to keep others safe. Lastly, we would not ask for proof of a Covid test, as we actually trust our staff. Imagine that!' Co-Founder of Health Travel, Michael Oszmann, said: 'We've learned that presenteeism does not lead to greater productivity and that remaining flexible is key. 'Despite the upcoming removal of COVID restrictions, we will encourage employees to work from home or take sick leave if they are experiencing viral symptoms.' Lee Chambers, founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing, said: 'We will continue with the hybrid working pattern we have implemented, which has certain times where we bring everyone together physically. 'If one of the team has Covid, they will need to work from home, but only if they are well enough to work. 'We won't be asking for proof of tests as we treat our employees as adults and we trust them in the way that they trust us.' Scott Gallacher, Director at Rowley Turton, said: 'We will continue offering WFH for those staff that prefer that option. 'In fact, I think it will be difficult, especially given the current labour shortages, for businesses to insist on all staff returning to the office. WFH actually offers us a big advantage in terms of dealing with Covid as staff with mild Covid symptoms could continue working from home.' Sarah Loates, of Loates HR Consultancy, said there would continue to be legal issues for employers to consider in a post-pandemic world and advised clients to always make contemporaneous notes of any updated decisions. Kate Underwood, who runs her own HR and training consultancy businesses, warned vulnerable staff will require extra support for their return to the office. She told MailOnline: 'Businesses need to ensure that any vulnerable staff going back to work have the support they need by getting occupational health advice. 'It's imperative to evaluate what you need to do as a business and make your own mind up about what is safe based on feedback from your staff. Talk to your team and find out their views on what they are comfortable with alongside the business needs and make decisions based on that - getting buy in will make any changes easier. 'Long COVID is very real and can be classed as a protected characteristic so employers need to ensure they are doing the right thing.' And Katie Cave, director at Clearpoint Finance, added: 'As with other types of sickness, employees can work from home if they want to or choose to take time out to get better as I want them to feel able to prioritise their wellbeing as well as success at work without having to justify themselves. I won't be asking anyone to prove a positive test result.' With millions of people used to WFH, industry leaders warned that it could prove harder for bosses to compel people to return to their offices than they suspect. Left, Kathryn Evans, Partner & Head of Employment at leading law firm Trethowans. Right, James Tamm, director of legal services at employment law and HR support firm WorkNest Left, Sean Keyes, managing director of civil & structural engineering Sutcliffe. Right, Lee Biggins, CEO of CV-Library Speaking to MPs in the Commons this afternoon, the Prime Minister revealed his intention to scrap the legal duty to self-isolate if a person tests positive for the virus later this month as he fights for his political life amid the drama of the 'Partygate' scandal. The Tory leader said he will present his plan for 'living with Covid' when Parliament returns from a short recess on February 21, with an aim of lifting the requirement to self-isolate within days of that What are the current Covid rules in England? And how could they change this month? Current Covid restrictions are due to expire in England on March 24. But Boris Johnson has now told MPs that the remaining domestic rules would end a month early 'provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue'. This would remove the requirement for people to self-isolate if they have Covid symptoms or test positive. He said that the Government would outline its new strategy when parliament returns from recess on 21 February, and would expect to lift the rules later that week. The few measures left in England include: People who develop Covid symptoms or test positive must self-isolate for 10 days (or five full days following two negative lateral flow test results); Venues can choose to ask people to show an NHS Covid Pass; Face masks are still required in health and care settings, including hospitals, GP surgeries and pharmacies; Some shops have asked customers to keep wearing face coverings and they are required on public transport in London; Local authorities can recommend face masks in the communal areas of schools; Guidance to work from home has ended, and care homes no longer have any limit on visitor numbers. Advertisement The Prime Minister said he will present his plan for 'living with Covid' when Parliament returns from a short recess on February 21, with an aim of lifting the requirement to self-isolate within days of that. MPs on the Tory right praised the announcement, but scientists and campaigners raised fears about the impact the change could have on clinically vulnerable groups. A CBI spokesperson said: 'If the Government goes ahead and lifts all Covid restrictions in England, that will be a symbolic moment as we move away from crisis mode to learning to live with the virus. 'Maintaining confidence is key, so firms are likely to continue extra measures to protect their staff and customers, as they have done since the outset of the pandemic. And keeping Covid infrastructure in place, like free mass rapid testing and access to vaccines, will still remain essential. 'All indications are that hybrid working is here to stay, but every business will be different. Firms that can are already seeking a balanced approach to home and office working. 'But there are also clear benefits to being in the office for staff, and trade in our city centres for some sectors has taken a heavy toll.' James Tamm, director of legal services at employment law and HR support firm WorkNest, said that bosses need to do what they can to provide remote working options. 'Given the growing popularity of hybrid work, SMEs must have policies and manager training in place to ensure staff receive the same support and opportunities as their office-based colleagues and mitigate the risk of unfair treatment of workers,' he said. 'Failing to do so is likely to spark grievances, which could quickly escalate, leading to time-related costs, reputational damage and in worst-case scenarios even expensive Tribunal claims. Small businesses mustn't duck the issue. 'For larger businesses, this will be more of a 'review and refresh' exercise. A failure to do so may not only lead to disenchantment and demotivation but could, in some cases, lead to claims for discrimination if employees believe that their career is being negatively impacted due, for example, to caring responsibilities. It should not be a case of out of sight, out of mind.' Gillian Jones-Williams, managing director of Emerge Development Consultancy, explained: 'The pandemic changed everything and particularly the way I manage my team. The world of work has changed - there is no "normal" to return to. 'We will continue to choose whether we go to the office or work from home as our productivity during the past two years has definitely accelerated. Although I guess if heating bills increase anymore, people will be returning in droves to the office! 'If anyone has Covid we will pay them to stay at home. It is counter-productive to infect the rest of the team and have more people off sick.' Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, told MailOnline: 'The combination of confidence slowly building in the UK economy and the pandemic triggering people to re-assess their lives and search for more happiness and flexibility, has created a perfect storm in the job market. 'This won't change with restrictions being lifted and these desires, along with new patterns of working, are now established. If employers want to prevent increased staff turnover and attract new starters, offering top salaries has always been the obvious choice but the option of remote working opportunities is increasingly topping the wish list of UK professionals. Why you CAN'T refuse to go to work if you are afraid of catching Covid: Staff wary of the virus cannot use it as a reason to stay away from the office, employment tribunal rules Staff cannot use a fear of catching Covid as a reason not to go back to the office, an employment tribunal has ruled. This is because worries of getting infected with the virus and spreading it are not a legally protected philosophical belief. A complaint of unlawful discrimination due to this fear was brought against an unnamed employer at a tribunal in Manchester. But Judge Mark Leach ruled that health and safety concerns do not qualify under equality legislation as a belief, meaning the employer could withhold their pay. While the judgment does not set a wider legal precedent, it will give employers confidence if they are considering deducting pay or sacking staff who refuse to return to the office when the current work from home advice is relaxed. An anonymous woman brought the alleged unlawful discrimination claim against her employer after she decided not to return to work on health and safety grounds in July last year. A stay-at-home order was first introduced in March last year and many switched to working from their houses unless it was impossible to do so. After the first lockdown was lifted, many employers encouraged staff back to the office in the summer. In a statement to the tribunal, the woman said she had 'reasonable and justifiable health and safety concerns about the workplace surrounding Covid-19' and the risk posed to her was 'serious and imminent'. The woman said she had a 'genuine fear' of falling ill from the virus and particularly of passing it on to her partner who she said was 'at high risk of getting seriously unwell'. Advertisement 'Continuing with hybrid working patterns, where possible, looks to be the smartest move businesses can make going forward.' Tech company Juro, a legal contract automation platform, are now starting to return to the office but encouraging a hybrid model. Alan Price, CEO at Manchester-based HR software firm BrightHR, said: 'The removal of self-isolation rules may cause unease amongst employees who are already concerned about the potential risk of transmission in the workplace or during their commute. 'As such, employers should undertake a Covid risk assessment and ensure they continue to have safety measures in place to protect all staff members, customers and members of the public. This might involve one-way systems, mask wearing and sanitising stations although these are no longer mandated by law, companies can choose to keep them in place as part of their health and safety policy. This can help reduce hesitancy amongst employees who are worried about Covid and wish to continue working from home. 'The onset of the Covid pandemic has seen a shift in employees' priorities. Many are focusing on creating an effective work-life balance and expect their employment benefits packages to reflect this. As such, organisations which fall short of offering flexible working arrangements, including remote or hybrid working, risk losing key workers. 'Pay and bonuses will always be a basic motivator for employees, but this is no longer sufficient at attracting and retaining staff on its own. Instead, reasonable remuneration packages must work in tandem with additional flexibility programmes, meaning it is likely to be around for years to come.' Andrew Mawson, of global consultancy firm Advanced Workplace Associates, told MailOnline: 'The post Covid-19 world of work needs a new psychological contract between employers and employees that recognises the unique needs of people at different stages in their lives. 'Ultimately, the creation of new 'working together agreements' will need to be agreed by leaders and teams, nailing down the details of how they will work together in the new world of flexible, hybrid working. 'Managers also often cannot see the 'invisible' stresses remote workers face, so they are less able to adapt to them. Workplace stress was already on the increase pre-pandemic add in increased digital working from home and it may be that managers of remote workers can only see the tip of the iceberg among the multiple demands on an employee's mental capacity.' Sean Keyes, managing director of civil & structural engineering Sutcliffe, who have around 50 office staff, said: 'In terms of the rules changing, the majority of businesses are very happy about this and I'm sure the news has brought a huge smile to the faces of many, especially for those working within the leisure, hospitality and retail sectors. 'For the construction sector, we have managed to keep busy throughout the pandemic and the dropping of restrictions won't make too much difference on site, but most importantly for us, we can now welcome back all of our staff members into the office and this'll be amazing for socialising and morale and will have a real positive effect on mental health. 'At Sutcliffe, we have had a flexible approach to work since March 2020 and in my eyes it is very much about getting the work completed and out of the door no matter whether work is done from home, the office or on site.' He added: 'I have found that the younger members of our team work better from the office as they can shadow the senior members of staff, but I believe even in a post-pandemic world, working from home is here to stay now and I am all for it. 'I've not seen or heard that any business owners are insistent on staff returning to the office full-time either, and I even know of some businesses that haven't renewed their current leases to further promote working from home. 'We are all looking forward to restrictions being lifted for good and I hope that this return to face-to-face work brings a much needed boost to employment and the economy across the board.' The move came as Mr Johnson sought to bolster support within the Tory party after a bruising period for his leadership. Graph shows: How Britain's average Covid cases, deaths and hospital patients on ventilators have changed Covid deaths for England and Wales by week and date reported. The above figures show the number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test (blue) are now 40 per cent higher than the number of deaths actually triggered by Covid (green bar). The number of Covid deaths where the virus is mentioned on the death certificate (red) is also shown Covid deaths within 28 days of a positive test (blue) and by mentions on death certificates (red) initially tracked each other closely in England. But in recent weeks the two have now diverged significantly. The data is by date of occurrence Will international travel rules also be axed next month? Remaining rules governing foreign travels could also be lifted next month, Downing Street suggested this afternoon. From Friday fully-jabbed Britons will no longer have to take an LFT two days after getting back from their holiday, in a change introduced to help half-term breaks. Grant Shapps used a Commons statement last month to also confirm vaccinated children aged 12-15 would be able to access digital Covid passports from February 3. Rules for arrivals who don;t have all their jabs were also eased so they no longer had to isolate. This setup is due to be reviewed on March 25, but a spokesman for the PM left the door open for them to be swept away earlier, along with things like passenger locator forms that have to be filled out at airports. 'The living with Covid strategy will address the future of the Coronavirus Act 2020, which is due for review by March 25, 2022,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters. 'That covers the remaining non-domestic regulations on international travel, so that's things like the passenger locator forms and tests for the unvaccinated.' Asked if those rules would remain in place until the end of March, the spokesman said 'we will obviously make a decision when we get to that stage'. However, unjabbed Brits should probably not make plans too early. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has previously warned that many foreign countries popular with UK tourists are likely to require some form of proof of vaccination on entry, at least for the coming summer season. Advertisement Former minister Lord Frost, who highlighted coronavirus restrictions as one of his reasons for quitting in December, said the move was 'extremely welcome' and added 'I hope the Government will also make clear we will not go down the road of coercive lockdowns ever again'. Tory MP Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, said: 'I welcome this announcement but we are not out of the woods until the Public Health Act has been reformed, we have new rules for better modelling, competitive, multi-disciplinary expert advice and wellbeing-based cost-benefit analysis covering the costs of lockdowns and restrictions.' Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: 'We are the freest country in Europe thanks to the strong defences we have built. We're learning to live with Covid.' The move will see Covid-19 treated in a similar way to other infectious diseases such as flu, with people encouraged to stay at home if they were ill. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'We would never recommend anyone goes to work when they have an infectious disease.' The prospect of the removal of the remaining restrictions, which also include the ability for councils to order the closure of premises where the virus could be spreading, has caused unease for some of those most at risk from the disease. Phillip Anderson, head of policy at the MS Society, said ending the restrictions will 'heap yet more worry and confusion on thousands of immunocompromised people'. James Taylor from disability equality charity Scope, said: 'Scrapping self-isolation will mean that some disabled people will be feeling very anxious and could potentially be placed in situations that could prove deadly.' The Government's plan is expected to set out further information for vulnerable groups but officials also believe 'cutting edge treatments' will also mitigate some of the risks. Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said while there were grounds for optimism in the overall data on deaths and hospital admissions, he had concerns about the vulnerable and people who may not have responded as well to the vaccines. Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading said: 'If the requirement on infected individuals to isolate at home is lifted as indicated, it will be an experiment which will either be shown to be very brave or very stupid, but nobody knows for sure what the result will be.' Professor Peter Openshaw, who advises the Government on Covid through the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, said he would be 'very reluctant' to suggest this was the end of Covid, adding it was 'still a very nasty virus'. Figures published on Wednesday show Covid-19 infection levels have risen in three of the four UK nations, with only Wales showing a fall. Scotland and Northern Ireland both saw an increase last week in the number of people in private households likely to have coronavirus, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). England also saw a rise, though the trend here is 'uncertain', the ONS added. The figures show there is still a high prevalence of the virus across the country, with infections remaining well above pre-Christmas levels. Around one in 19 people in private households in England had Covid-19 in the week to February 5, or 2.8 million people, up from one in 20, or 2.6 million people, in the week to January 29. The struggle to drag Britons 'back to normal': Unions and scientists claim Boris is moving 'too far, too soon' as he reveals ALL Covid rules will be gone in a fortnight - as poll shows 75% of public want to carry on isolating and half want curbs FOREVER By Emily Craig, Health Reporter for MailOnline Unions are already digging their heels in after Boris Johnson revealed he intends to ditch all remaining Covid laws within a fortnight as a poll revealed that three in four workers ground down by almost two years of lockdowns and restrictions want to continue with self-isolation. Unison, Britain's largest union serving more than 1.3million members from swathes of the public sector, has accused the Prime Minister of going 'too far, too soon', insisting that the virus 'hasn't disappeared' despite a raft of data suggesting the worst is now over. SAGE scientists have also warned of the 'dangers' of the PM's plan to make England the first country in the world to scrap all Covid rules, after it emerged Mr Johnson had not discussed it with the committee which is now infamous for its gloomy predictions about the pandemic. And business leaders desperate to get staff back into largely-empty offices costing them a fortune admit they are struggling to compel people to return because workers are now so used to working from home. This has been compounded by a new YouGov poll of nearly 4,500 Britons that shows three-quarters of people believe the self-isolation requirement after a positive Covid test should remain in place. Half of people questioned admitted they want the legal requirement to stay in place forever. Christina McAnea, general secretary of the public sector union UNISON, said: 'Everybody wants to get back to normal, but Covid risks haven't disappeared. This is going too far, way too soon. Infections are still rife in schools. Large numbers of pupils and staff are off. Allowing a premature return could lead to a further jump in infections and disrupt learning for thousands more children and young people.' The resistance comes despite Covid infections falling consistently, with even the gloomiest surveillance study now accepting that the country's outbreak has peaked mirroring the official numbers. The milder nature of Omicron, coupled with sky-high immunity, mean the NHS never came under the levels of pressure that No10's experts feared would happen, with hospitalisations and deaths both now in freefall. The Prime Minister yesterday dramatically declared the final domestic restrictions including compulsory self-isolation for the infected will be axed before the end of February, provided the 'encouraging' trends in the data continue. The announcement annoyed the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales - with Nicola Sturgeon's administration calling it a publicity stunt to divert from the Partygate scandal that has left the PM fighting for his job. The First Minister did this afternoon pledge to ditch face masks in Scotland's classrooms from February 28 keeping them in communal areas but says she will wait for expert advice before following Boris's lead on any other rules. The Scottish Government is unlikely to go as far as dropping all rules when it publishes its strategy for living with Covid in the months ahead on February 22. The plans will be debated by MSPs, meaning any changes could be several weeks behind England. The Scottish Government is even set to extend its Covid powers until September 24. Boris Johnson's ministers have repeatedly spoken of their plans to live with Covid like flu, and the ditching of self-isolation rules will likely be hailed as being the final step on the road to normality. Up to three-quarters of people who catch flu don't show any symptoms yet they are not legally required to isolate, nor is there any mass-testing programmes to spot the virus, which can kill up to 300 people a day in bad winters. But the statement from the embattled PM yesterday greeted with roars by Tory MPs in the Commons was labelled as an 'attempt to distract' from the partygate scandal. Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said it 'wasn't a thought-out policy backed up by public health expert advice', adding: 'It was a dead cat thrown on the despatch box of the House of Commons in order to distract and deflect.' Epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector warned relaxing Covid curbs is a 'political type of statement rather than a scientific one', and said it was 'totally the wrong' way to show Britain has beaten Covid. Asked whether Mr Johnson's statement was irresponsible, he said: 'I think it is.' Professor Devi Sridhar, a public health expert based at Edinburgh University, argued plans to revoke the rules is clearly intended to 'create headlines' and 'distract from the problems that the PM is facing which is that he seems to have broken lockdown rules'. And Professor John Edmunds, an influential member on No10's SAGE panel, warned of the 'dangers' to the plan. He also admitted the advisory body, which has drawn flak for gloomy models throughout the pandemic, 'have not discussed' the move. With millions of people used to WFH, industry leaders have warned that it could prove harder for bosses to compel people to return to their offices than they suspect. Legal experts say firms already have a longstanding duty of care to protect the health of their staff irrespective of Covid and warn it is possible businesses could be dragged to employment tribunal if an outbreak in the workplace leads to serious illness or the death of a friend or relative known to the complainant. Unions have moaned about the PM's bid to return the country to complete normality, but Tory MPs and business leaders fear a failure to act and get the country back at their desks would be disastrous for the economy, and particularly city centres. It also emerged today: The requirement for children and teachers in secondary schools in Scotland to wear face coverings in class is being scrapped from the end of this month, Nicola Sturgeon announced; A health minister is facing calls to resign after continuing with a meeting with bereaved parents despite being informed she had tested positive; A new photograph has emerged of Mr Johnson hosting a Downing Street quiz via zoom during lockdown, with a bottle of bubbly visible; There are signs that Brits are becoming increasingly confident the pandemic is ending with holiday companies reporting a spike in bookings; Keir Starmer tackled the PM over fraud and energy bills but ignored the raging row over Mr Johnson's Jimmy Savile 'slur' from last week. Professor John Edmunds (left) said SAGE, No10's scientific advisers, 'haven't discussed' ending quarantine and there are 'of course dangers' to the Prime Minister's plan. He told ITV's Peston: 'This restriction is the last one and quite rightly so. 'If you think about what it does, it targets those who are actually infectious with the virus and asks them to stay at home.' Meanwhile, epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector (right) warned relaxing Covid curbs is a 'political type of statement rather than a scientific one' A YouGov poll of nearly 5,000 Britons shows 75 per cent of people believe the self-isolation requirement should be in place for at least the next few months King College London scientists estimate there were 203,973 new daily symptomatic cases in the week ending February 7, up 4.5 per cent on the 195,068 recorded last week Graph shows: How Britain's average Covid cases, deaths and hospital patients on ventilators have changed over the course of the pandemic Worst of Covid IS over: Experts finally agree UK's outbreak has peaked after weeks of confusion over true situation as calls mount for Boris to follow Sweden and ditch mass testing Britain's Covid outbreak may have peaked again following a blip which left experts believing cases were ticking upwards, a surveillance study claimed today. King College London researchers say 200,000 people were falling ill with the virus every day in the week ending February 7, up just 4.5 per cent on their estimate last week. But the team now believe the trend is finally heading downwards. Professor Tim Spector, lead author, warned the figure is 'far too high' but insisted it is 'reassuring to see signs of rates slowing'. The study's estimates from a symptom-tracking app differ from the Government's daily statistics, with the official Covid dashboard suggesting infections have been plummeting for weeks and are now at levels similar to before Christmas. But the King's researchers, working in tandem with health-tech firm ZOE, are not alone in warning of a blip after previously declaring the outbreak to have peaked in mid-January. Analysts at the Office for National Statistics, behind the country's gold-standard testing project, also detected an uptick in infections over the past fortnight. The team admit the trend is 'uncertain', however, leaving the current situation mired in confusion. It comes after Boris Johnson yesterday declared he intends to ditch all remaining Covid requirements in England in a fortnight with calls mounting for the country to follow Sweden's lead by ditching free mass asymptomatic testing as well. The embattled Prime Minister dramatically declared the final domestic restrictions including compulsory self-isolation for the infected will be axed provided the 'encouraging' trends in the data continue. Professor Sunetra Gupta, an epidemiologist at the University of Oxford, said No10 has 'got itself into a terrible mess on mass testing' and must end the programme to prevent non-contagious people from choosing to isolate if they test positive. Advertisement Current restrictions have left tens of thousands of Britons off work every day, with 80 per cent of the 70,000 people testing positive daily sticking to the rules that orders them to isolate for at least five days. The rules caused one in 11 teachers to be off school due to the virus last week. But scientists and unions have criticised plans to end all restrictions, including requirements for infected people to self-isolate, the public to wear masks in medical settings and hospitality venues able to ask for Covid passes. Asked on ITV's Peston last night whether SAGE has examined the move, Professor Edmunds said: 'We haven't discussed it there. 'Of course he [Mr Johnson] gets scientific advice from elsewhere as well. The UKHSA [UK Health Security Agency] and others. So he may have had other scientific advice but not that I'm aware of.' On whether there are dangers to Mr Johnson's plans, Professor Edmunds added: 'Yes of course there are dangers. There are dangers when you lift any restriction. 'This restriction is the last one and quite rightly so. If you think about what it does, it targets those who are actually infectious with the virus and asks them to stay at home.' Professor Spector, who runs the Zoe app Covid study at King's College London, said relaxing coronavirus rules is a political statement intended to show that Britain is the first country moving out of the pandemic. He told Times Radio this morning: 'I think we have to really look at this in the context, both of politics and science, and also what's happening, because there is some rationale to this and other countries are doing things similar. 'But it's clearly a race for the Government to say that Britain is first, Britain is the first to come out of this, Britain has conquered Omicron, our booster programme is world beating etc, etc. 'But I think what they're relying on is data that is highly disputed scientifically that, really, the UK has come out of this faster and better than anyone else.' He noted that Covid hospitalisations and deaths are down but the data from the Office for National Statistics the Zoe study show the UK is still at more than 200,000 cases a day 'and we're still close to where we were on January 1 and that peak we had'. Professor Spector added: 'It's definitely not over your risk of getting it is huge and to suddenly give the wrong message by saying 'We're getting rid of all restrictions, if you've got an infection don't bother isolating', which is sort of implied but not said, that is totally wrong. 'So, other countries might be doing this, but they have a much stronger public health message and a much better-educated public about the pandemic which we lack here in this country.' Professor Tim Spector said other countries will stick with four or five days of isolation. 'They won't be saying to everyone 'Don't bother, just go and infect your workmates', which seems crazy,' he said. Asked if Mr Johnson's announcement was 'an act of irresponsibility', he said: 'I think it is giving the impression that Britain, that the UK, has beaten Covid, I think it's totally the wrong way to do it.' Professor Sridhar, chair of global public health at Edinburgh University, told Sky News that Mr Johnson's plans won't be 'a welcome surprise to most people'. She said England has a 'great' testing system and people can end their quarantine after five days in most cases, while most other restrictions have come to an end due to vaccines and Covid medicines. Professor Sridhar said: 'If you look at the timing, I mean it's really clearly to create headlines today and distract from the problems that the Prime Minister is facing which is that he seems to have broken lockdown rules, which many other people had to face accountability and had to face consequences for.' She added: 'We're now having a shifting of the dialogue towards discussing the end of the pandemic, because there's a need to create a diversion instead of looking at that issue and saying the scientific evidence isn't there right now to completely release isolation whose actively infectious.' Now police weigh up Wallpapergate: Met considers probing 112,000 No10 flat revamp Boris Johnson could be investigated by police over the funding of the 112,000 refurbishment of his official Downing Street flat following a complaint by lawyers acting for the Labour Party. In a letter to Scotland Yard, the solicitors said there was a 'reasonable suspicion' that the Prime Minister had broken anti-bribery laws which the force was 'duty-bound' to investigate. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they had received the letter which was being considered by officers from its Central Specialist Crime Command. Downing Street denied the allegations. The complaint adds to the bad news received by the Prime Minister on Wednesday, after it emerged he is expected to be among more than 50 people to be quizzed by Scotland Yard for allegedly taking part in suspected lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street and Whitehall during the pandemic this week. It also emerged police are reviewing whether a Christmas quiz at No10 may have breached virus restrictions after a picture emerged showing Mr Johnson and colleagues near an open bottle of sparkling wine. Labour's complaint follows the release last month of an exchange of WhatsApp messages between the Prime Minister and Tory donor Lord Brownlow. They show that Mr Johnson discussed a proposal by the peer for a 'Great Exhibition 2.0' at the same time as requesting his help with the 112,000 revamp of his official residence. Ministerial records show that two months later, Lord Brownlow attended a meeting with the then culture secretary Oliver Dowden to discuss the exhibition plan. Advertisement A YouGov poll suggests the majority of Britons are against the Prime Minister's plans and believe infected Britons should be forced to isolate. The data firm quizzed 4,451 Britons on whether they think people should be legally required to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid. Nearly half (48 per cent) said the requirement should always be in place, while 27 per cent said it should be legally required for the 'next few months'. But 17 per cent said people should not be ordered to stay at home when they test positive. Professor Melinda Mills, head of sociology at Oxford University, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that people are less likely to follow Government advice when trust is low. Asked about whether lockdown rule-breaking at No10, she said: 'The research has shown that when trust is really low, that people feel that there's not clear following scientific evidence or following advice or engaging in role modelling, then people are less apt to listen.' Professor Mills said the person who is giving the message is important, as is avoiding mixed messaging. She said: 'We had the announcement yesterday and the first thing that people want to know (is), well, what's changed? What sort of scientific evidence is there that's changed? 'And there'll be an evaluation on February 21. You know, what is that evaluation? What kind of yardstick will be used? 'We know that hospital admissions are down, but infection levels are still actually very high.' Professor Stephen Reicher, a social psychologist at St Andrews University, told the Guardian: 'Taking away the objection to self-isolate is the final straw and the most powerful way of saying 'it's all over' and that infections don't matter. 'We know that perceptions of risk are critical to adherence and that people won't do things if they believe there is no need to do them, however much they are urged.' Lib Dem MP Layla Moran said: 'As they have repeatedly done throughout this pandemic, this government is preparing to make a serious public health decision for short term political expediency. 'There will come a time when we need to live with coronavirus but dropping all precautions with no medical basis is foolhardy when the risk of new variants remains and long covid continues to cause shortages in vital public services. 'Ministers must not play fast and loose with people's health in an attempt to meet political demands.' Nicola Sturgeon's (left) government is set to extend emergency Covid powers for several more months despite Boris Johnson dramatically declaring that domestic restrictions in England will be axed within a fortnight, it has emerged. Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf (right) criticised Mr Johnson's announcement and said it 'wasn't a thought-out policy backed up by public health expert advice', adding: 'It was a dead cat thrown on the despatch box of the House of Commons in order to distract and deflect' Daily toll of Covid victims will NOT be scrapped despite axing of legal restrictions, sources say Daily Covid statistics could continue to be published for months, despite the ending of legal restrictions. Government sources last night said there were 'no plans' to end the release of daily figures on case numbers, hospitalisations and Covid-related deaths, despite controversy over the picture they paint. Tory MPs last night stepped up calls for the figures to be scrapped. Former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said it was 'time to call time on project fear. He said the figures, which are also broadcast each day on BBC news bulletins, had fuelled public anxiety about the virus out of proportion to the threat that it posed. Fellow Conservative Bob Seely told the Daily Mail: 'I have never understood why we publish the figures in isolation unless the aim was simply to scare people. 'We do not publish figures for the deaths from flu or pneumonia on a daily basis and we should not do so for Covid. 'It was simply intended to scare people and it should stop immediately.' Advertisement Stephen Griffin from the school of medicine at the University Leeds said: 'In my view, the way in which this is being implemented is a profound mistake. Again. 'Literally blinding ourselves by removing testing and isolation robs us of the most fundamental means of controlling the spread of this virus.' Both the Scottish and UK governments are to set out their long-term plans for living with fewer restrictions after the coming week of recess at Holyrood and Westminster. But while Mr Johnson hinted that curbs could come to an end early if case numbers fall, the SNP government has moved to extend the period in which they might continue to apply. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said that ministers 'believe it is necessary to retain the availability of these baseline measures for now while we review our ongoing response to Covid'. He added: 'The Government is committed to regularly reviewing these regulations, as we are required to, and the continued removal of any measures considered no longer necessary.' However, yet another rift appears to be opening up between Mr Johnson and Ms Sturgeon, with a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government saying that the UK Government 'failed to provide devolved nations with appropriate notice to consider implications ahead of the announcement by the Prime Minister'. She said Scottish ministers are urgently seeking clarity from the UK Government to consider any implications its announcement could have for Scotland, adding: 'Regardless of decisions made by the UK Government, it is vital that Scotland can continue to access funding to support the policy decisions taken in Scotland in response to Covid.' Last week, Miss Sturgeon left the country's Covid measures unchanged, including enforced mask wearing by schoolchildren, telling Holyrood a 'significant fall' in infection levels the country has seen in recent weeks had now 'levelled off'. She told MSPs a meeting of her cabinet had decided that the remaining baseline measures would stay in place 'for now'. But she is facing pressure from the Scottish Tories, who yesterday called for the scaling down of Test and Protect, a phased end to all legal restrictions and a new levels system which will be aligned to data on the virus. Both Ms Sturgeon and Labour's Mark Drakeford in Wales have been far more cautious about removing curbs. The Scottish First Minister is due to release her plan for living with Covid later this month but Mr Drakeford has not revealed whether he will follow the PM's lead. The PM who had already said he wanted the rules to expire naturally on March 24 made the dramatic announcement at the start of PMQs in the Commons yesterday. The step was greeted with roars in the chamber, with many Tories having been pushing for the Government to draw a line under the pandemic with the country having been subject to virtually unprecedented peacetime restrictions since early 2020. Plan B requirements for people to work from home where possible was dropped last month, along with most face mask rules and compulsory Covid passes. The UK (pink, second bottom) has a significantly lower Covid case rate than most major European nations at around 106 per 100,000 people. For comparison Denmark (green, top) where most restrictions were dropped last week has one of the highest at 737 per 100,000 Deaths have remain low in the UK (pink) compared to most other countries as well, with 0.37 per 100,000 dying with the virus, compared to 0.75 per 100,000 in the US (top, brown) Despite rocketing cases during the Omicron wave, the UK's hospitalisation rate remained below most of its European neighbours and the US A historic abbey founded in the 7th century has been earmarked for bold plans to fit 21st century solar panels on its roof to save on energy bills. In total, 164 panels could adorn the rooftops of ancient Bath Abbey at a cost of 134,000, following in the footsteps of Gloucester Cathedral which installed solar panels in 2016. Church of England bosses are exploring the idea of using energy saving devices to keep down costs and reduce the carbon footprint of heritage buildings which are difficult to insulate. This comes after the UK government announced a 54 per cent increase in the energy price cap - sending bills sky-rocketing. Researchers at the University of Bath conducted a study into the feasibility of installing sun-absorbing devices on the roof of the 15th century listed building. By looking at the dimensions, tilt and orientation of the Abbey roof, along with historic weather data, they worked out the set up could produce enough electricity to cover 35 per cent of the Abbey's annual usage. Planning permission will be required for the scheme on the Grade 1-listed building to get the go-ahead. Bath Abbey was founded in the 7th century and underwent rebuilds in the 12th and 16th centuries. The current 16th century building also had major restorations in the 1860s Researchers at the University of Bath conducted a study into the feasibility of installing sun-absorbing devices on the roof of the 15th century listed building. Matthew Smiles, PhD researcher at the University of Liverpool who is first author on the study, added: 'It's very difficult to insulate historic Grade I listed buildings like Bath Abbey, so installing solar panels is a good way to reduce the carbon footprint of these buildings. 'Most of the Abbey's electricity is used during the day, when the solar panels would be generating energy from sunlight, making it an ideal building to implement them. 'With increasing energy prices, installing solar panels could result in large cost savings.' The amount of carbon dioxide saved, compared to buying electricity from the National Grid, would be around ten tonnes per year - significantly reducing the Abbey's carbon footprint. Nathan Ward, director of eco-project Footprint at Bath Abbey, said: 'The research will help us greatly in exploring the use of solar panels on the Bath Abbey roof. 'The Abbey is highly committed in the outstanding care of both our built and natural environment and to reduce our carbon footprint.' A cost-benefit analysis showed that the system could pay for itself within 13 years and would provide a profit of 139,000 over the next 25 years. It would also protect the Abbey from the rising costs of energy bills. The abbey has been used as a setting for a number of films, including the BBC's adaptation of Dracula, and recent series The Trial of Christine Keeler. But not everyone is as enthusiastic about the plans to install solar panels on the historic parish church. By looking at the dimensions, tilt and orientation of the Abbey roof, along with historic weather data, they worked out the set up could produce enough electricity to cover 35 per cent of the Abbey's annual usage. Historic England, the public body which looks after the country's heritage sites, said careful planning and approval are required before the Church of England can make any moves towards making the Abbey more eco-friendly. A spokesperson for Historic England said: 'Bath Abbey is a Grade I listed church of historical and architectural importance. 'We have not been made aware of any plans to install solar panels on the Abbey's roof, but due to its prominent position in the centre of Bath, any installation would require very careful consideration. 'We will be happy to provide advice on a proposal once it has been submitted.' Bath Abbey has already significantly reduced its carbon footprint by using local geothermal hot springs to provide underfloor heating and installing LED light bulbs to illuminate the interior of the building. Environmental and planning rules will have to be considered carefully before any further decisions are made, but models produced by researchers have angled the panels in such a way they wouldn't be seen from the street - minimising the visual impact on the historic building. Researchers also hope that seeing solar panels installed on famous buildings will inspire the public to follow suit. Bath Abbey has already significantly reduced its carbon footprint by using local geothermal hot springs to provide underfloor heating and installing LED light bulbs PhD student Adam Urwick from the University of Sheffield said: 'The proposed installation would generate 45MWh and save about 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions in its first year of generation. 'This is equivalent to the emissions of an average vehicle driving 80,000km - almost twice the circumference of the Earth. 'Not only does it make financial sense, but the installation of solar panels on Bath Abbey could inspire reinvigoration of solar PV deployment in the UK which has stagnated over the past five years.' The research was commissioned as part of 'Shrinking the Footprint' - a wider campaign by the Church of England to reduce its carbon footprint. The strategy, led by the Bishop of London, was launched on World Environment Day in 2006 as the first step to achieving 'The 20% Church' - cutting carbon emissions from Church activities, structures, and processes to 20 per cent of its current levels by 2050. A holidaymaker who lost his false teeth while vomiting into a bin during a boozy night out in Benidorm was shocked when they arrived back in the post - 11 years later. Paul Bishop, 63, said he thought it was a 'joke' when an envelope carrying his missing teeth, covered in Spanish postmarks, turned up on his door on January 9. The grandad said he'd last seen the teeth on a night out at the Spanish seaside resort in 2011, where he'd gone to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. Towards the end of an all-day drinking session, one pint of cider didn't agree with him, so he made a beeline for a bin where he threw up - and also lost his teeth. Paul, who works for HMRC, said he hadn't noticed they were gone until he hit the next bar. He retraced his steps and realised he'd likely lost them in the rubbish, but failed to find his gnashers despite emptying the contents of the bin. He said despite the loss, he carried on the holiday as normal, 'singing Elvis' and 'eating and drinking with no teeth' before replacing them when he returned to the UK. Paul Bishop, 63 (left, pictured with his son Shaun, right), said he thought it was a 'joke' when an envelope carrying his missing teeth turned up on his door on January 9 A mysterious package arrived at Paul's door last month addressed to 'Senor Paul Bishop' and covered in Spanish postage stamps Inside the package was a bag containing false teeth Paul had vomited into a bin 11 years ago while on holiday in Benidorm Years later, Spanish authorities recovered the teeth and managed to trace Paul through his DNA, which he had submitted to the British police 15 years earlier. And when the long-lost false choppers came back through his letterbox on Wednesday, Paul said he 'couldn't believe it.' He said: 'When I first saw it, I thought it was some sort of joke, but then I saw the actual letter, which was written in English.' 'It mentioned the Alicante area - well, that's where I was! Then it mentioned the British council, and I thought: 'It's genuine, this!' 'It read, 'Please come back to Spain again, but be careful!' He added: 'They don't fit anymore, but they're still in perfect condition.' Paul, from Stalybridge, Manchester, said he'd lost the teeth after spending the whole day drinking with pals on a holiday in Benidorm, in September 2011. He said: 'Me and a few friends went to Benidorm for a ten-day holiday, which coincided with my friend's 50th birthday. 'We got halfway through a full day's drinking session. It was getting quite late on, about 10 or 11 o'clock, and I was bloated up with lager, so I had a pint of cider. 'My friends were all drinking lager, so they drank quicker, and when they finished, they said: 'Come on, we're going.' 'I had half a pint of cider left, so I threw it down in one, but then I thought 'Oh, it's coming back, this.' Paul said he knew that downing the high-strength cider was a crucial mistake a few moments later. Paul, from Stalybridge, Manchester, said he'd lost the teeth after spending the whole day drinking with pals on a holiday in Benidorm, in September 2011 (Paul pictured in an unnamed pub) Paul's teeth arrived in the company of a letter from Spanish authorities. 'We hope soon you return to visit Spain, but be more careful,' the letter read 'As soon as I got out of the pub, there was one of those great big bottle bins, so I just projectile-d it all into the bin. 'I thought nothing of it, and then went to the next bar.' Paul said he only noticed his teeth were missing when a friend pointed it out to him He said: 'My friend said: 'Where are your teeth?' So I thought 'What?' 'I realised they'd gone in the bin. So I went back to the bin looking for them, but I couldn't see them anywhere. So I wrote them off.' 'I rang my mates in Manchester, and said: 'I need some new teeth when I come back.' He added: 'I spent the rest of the holiday with no teeth, singing Elvis with no teeth, eating and drinking with no teeth. Quite hilarious, really.' Paul said when he came back to the UK, he got a new set of false teeth and assumed that the old pair were lost forever. But when Spanish authorities came across the gnashers years later in a landfill site, they'd identified them as a body part, and under the law, they had to return them to their owner. Paul Bishop is pictured holding up his teeth that were returned to him after more than a decade Paul had been identified through a DNA swab that he'd given to police fifteen years ago. At the time, he said he was called in by the police for an investigation, but was released without charge and later agreed to give a voluntary DNA sample. Mr Bishop says he does not have a criminal record. Spanish authorities and the British council used that biological information to get the teeth to his doorstep yesterday. He said: 'I opened the letter, and it turned out my teeth went to some landfill, and because it's classed as body parts, the Spanish government won't allow them to be destroyed.' 'They were put in some storage centre, and a lab technician came across them a couple of months ago, and tried to trace who the owner of the teeth was through DNA. 'This professor working for this national biometric company in Spain sent me a letter with it and the teeth in a little plastic bag yesterday. He added: 'I couldn't believe it - 11 years ago!' The Indiana detectives investigating the 2017 Delphi murders claimed on Thursday to have new leads in the case and warned their suspect that they know who he is - but are yet to make any arrests, five years after the two girls died. Abigail Williams and Liberty German, both 14, died on February 13, 2017. They had gone for a walk on a hiking trail in Delphi, Indiana, and one of the last things they did was record a man approaching them on the trail on their phones. They snapped a photograph of the man and recorded audio in which he was heard telling them to go 'down the hill'. Five years have now passed since they were found dead and police have made no arrests despite several promising false starts. The latest was in December, when cops tied a fake Instagram profile to the case, suggesting the girls had been in contact with the person behind it. The person thought to have created that account is Kegan Kline; he is already in custody on child porn charges, and was free and living not far from Delphi when Abigail and Liberty were murdered. He has never been charged in their deaths. In an interview on Thursday morning with Good Morning America, Doug Carter, Superintendent of the Indiana State Police, said: 'My resolve to catch him is as strong now as it was day one.' 'But the difference now is that we know about you. A lot about you. Today could be the day. Sleep well.' Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter claimed on Thursday that he knew 'a lot' about the suspect in the Delphi murders and warned: 'Today could be the day. Sleep well.' Abigail Williams, left, and Liberty German, right, were murdered in February 2017 after going for a walk. No one has ever been arrested for the 14-year-old girls' murders This is the suspect Libby filmed on her Snapchat account before she was murdered. She also recorded a man saying 'down the hill' Carter added that the fake Instagram profile 'generated a tremendous number of leads', but he wouldn't say whether or not it had led them to the killer. The girls' families say they are desperate for the case to finally be brought to a close. 'It's probably the smallest thing but it's the one thing we are missing and that's just what we keep hoping for - that one small thing will come to light and that this will be over soon,' Abby's mother Anna Williams said. 'They'd be finishing up their freshman year of college. Hard to believe. She would have turned into a really good young lady.' 'This guy could strike again. It could be your kids. It happened to our family, I don't want it to happen to anybody else. Libby's grandfather Mike Patty added: 'This is not something anyone should go through.' 'Something inside of me just says she was going to film that, come home and say look at this guy, he was acting really weird.' Abigail's mother Anna said she was desperate for the case to be solved after five years. 'It's probably the smallest thing but it's the one thing we are missing and that's just what we keep hoping for - that one small thing will come to light and that this will be over soon,' she said Becky and Mike Patty, Liberty's grandparents, say they knew the man on the bridge was suspicious when she filmed him In December, police revealed the girls may have been communicating with someone online using these photos. It was a fake account and the pictures belong to a model and cop who lives in Alaska. The information about the fake Instagram account led to 'a tremendous number of leads' but police still have not made any arrests Kegan Kline, 27, is the real person behind anthony_shots, according to cops. He was arrested in 2017, ten days after the girls vanished, on separate child porn and child exploitation charges, but he has never before been linked to the Delphi murders. His attorney denied that he had any involvement In December, there was a flurry of excitement over the case after cops tied the fake Instagram profile of Anthony Shots to their investigation. They didn't mention that Kline was already in custody and had admitted to using the account to lure other minors into sending him nude photographs. The only other suspect has been James Chadwell, but he has never bene charged either. It remains unclear now if police believe someone else might have been using the account. The person in the photos on the account is Alaska police officer and model Vince Kowlaski. He was stunned when police issued the photos in December without his knowledge, and said he had no idea that his images might be involved. 'I was unaware that the Indiana state police were going to use my photos prior to them releasing all that information. 'I had to learn about the whole case overnight and am appalled to know what happened to those poor girls. 'Instagram and catfishing has been a problem for me since the start, these social media platforms do nothing to stop that type of thing from happening unfortunately,' the 25-year-old told DailyMail.com in December. Kline's public defender attorney denied that he was in any way involved in the Delphi murders when police connected him to the case in December. Until then, the only suspect was James Chadwell. But in May last year, Libby's sister said she did not believe he was the killer. Chadwell had been jailed for the killing of another girl nearby but has never been arrested over the Delphi murders. Italian police sent messages saying they wanted two US tourists 'dissolved in acid' just hours after their colleague was stabbed to death, a trial has heard, as the two men have begun their appeal trial. Finnegan Lee Elder, now 22, and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, now 20, were convicted in May 2021 of killing Mario Cerciello Rega, as well as of attempted extortion, resisting a public official and carrying an attack-style knife without just cause. Carabinieri Vice Brigadier Cerciello, 35, who had just returned from his honeymoon, was stabbed 11 times in the street while on a plainclothes mission in July 2019, near the hotel where the two US tourists were staying. On Tuesday, a trial began against an officer who is charged with allegedly using unjustified means in blindfolding Natale-Hjorth, then 18, with his hands bound behind his back inside a police station after his arrest. Evidence in the trial included group chat messages from a separate group of officers which called for the tourists to be 'dissolved in acid' just hours after Cerciello's killing, according to local news reports. Elder's mother Leah said the messages 'shine a light on the venomous environment that my son and the other boy were in in those first hours' after the stabbing. This has emerged as, in a separate court trial occurring simultaneously, Elder and Natale-Hjorth, who were friends back home in California, have begun their appeal against their conviction and life sentences for the July 2019 killing. Their lawyers said they were hoping for a better outcome as the appeal got underway on Thursday, saying they believe evidence was 'improperly evaluated' in the first trial. Finnegan Lee Elder (left), now 22, and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth (right), now 20, were convicted in May 2021 of killing Mario Cerciello Rega, as well as of attempted extortion Arriving at the appeal trial, Elder's mother Leah said she hopes 'inconsistencies' she claimed were present in the first trial would be 'brought to light'. 'We trust in the Italian justice system,' an emotional Ms Elder said before heading over to the courthouse on Thursday. 'We hope that the anomalies and the inconsistencies that were revealed in the first trial will be brought to light. We really hope that the truth of that night will be shown.' Carabinieri Vice Brigadier Cerciello (above), 35, was stabbed 11 times in the street while on a plainclothes mission in July 2019 In the police officer's trial into abusing his authority after blindfolding Natale-Hjorth, a series of messages from another group of officers who called for rough justice for Cerciello's killers. In group chat messages published by La Corriere della Sera, and entered in court as evidence on Wednesday, the officials demand the Americans receive the death penalty, which Italy doesn't have, or that they be put into a closed room and killed. Another graphic message suggested that the two be 'dissolved in acid'. One message said 'do him like Cucchi', referring to an Italian man who was severely beaten in 2009 while in Carabinieri custody and later died. Two police officers were eventually convicted of involuntary homicide in that case and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Commenting on the messages, Ms Elder said they 'made me realize that there are bad cops everywhere, and as a mother it devastates me to know that somebody was talking about the child that I gave birth to in that way. Carabinieri officials on Wednesday called the chat messages 'offensive and abominable' and pledged to immediately discipline the officers involved, Italian news agency Lapresse said. The widow of newly-wed Cerciello, Rosa Maria Ersillo (pictured), was seen looking downcast as she arrived at the Appellate Court on Thursday for the US tourists' appeal trial Elder's mother Leah Elder (pictured) said she hopes 'inconsistencies' she claimed were present in the first trial would be 'brought to light' during the appeal trial Separately, Elder and Natale-Hjorth's appeal trial kicked off in Rome on Thursday, with their lawyers claiming there were 'mistakes' during the first trial. The widow of Cerciello, Rosa Maria Ersillo, who had just tied the knot before his death, was seen looking downcast as she arrived at the Appellate Court on Thursday for the US tourists' appeal against their conviction and life sentences. As he headed into Thursday's trial session, one of Elder's lawyers said the defense aims to 'get justice' and said they believe 'mistakes' were made in the first trial. Appeals Court Judge Andrea Calabria rejected requests by media to cover the latest trial, citnig the small size of the courtroom and the lack of windows to allow ventilation from outdoors during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the first trial, the defendants testified that neither Cerciello Rega nor his plainclothes officer identified themselves as police and that they thought the Italians, wearing casual summer clothes, were thugs. The plainclothes officers were pursuing a reported extortion attempt allegedly concocted by the Americans after a botched bid to buy cocaine a few hours earlier in the Trastevere nightlife district of Rome. After the botched drug deal, the American holidaymakers went to meet someone they expected to the go-between on the failed deal, but were greeted by police instead. Both Americans claimed they were jumped from behind by men they thought were drug dealers. They denied the officers had shown them their police badges. On Tuesday, a separate trial began against an officer accused of abusing his authority in connection with the teenager's arrest after blindfolding a handcuffed Natale-Hjorth (pictured) People carry a banner bearing the photo of Carabinieri officer Mario Cerciello Rega and reading 'Sempre con noi', or ever with us, at the end of the funeral mass on July 29, 2019 But Cerciello's partner, Andrea Varriale, testified that the attack was unprovoked, coming immediately after the two plainclothes officers presented themselves as police. He also testified that neither policeman brought his service gun to the scene and insisted they showed their police badges. Meanwhile, Elder testified that Cerciello Rega tried to strangle him, so he pulled out the 11-inch camping knife he carried for his own protection and repeatedly stabbed the officer to break free. Natale-Hjorth did not handle the murder weapon during the attack, scuffling instead with Varriale. He testified that he broke free, ran back to the hotel and was unaware of the stabbing during the struggle. But he helped Elder hide the knife in their hotel room, and under Italian law faced the same homicide charge as his friend. Life in prison is Italy's stiffest penalty, and harsher than many given to mafia criminals or others who commit premeditated killings. Renato Borzone, one of Elder's lawyers, said he headed into Thursday's trial session that the defense team aims 'to get justice'. He added that they 'believe that there were mistakes, evidence improperly evaluated' in the first trial. Issuing a required verdict explanation a few weeks after the convictions, a court dismissed arguments of self-defense as patently implausible and rejected the defendants' arguments that the officers didn't identify themselves as police. Ahead of appeal trial, Elder's lawyers, Renato Borzone and Roberto Capra (pictured on Thursday), said a 'correct reading of the evidence' would result in a different outcome The court also cited Cerciello Rega's 'professionalism, dedication to work, experience on the streets, his humanity' in reasoning that the officer would have no reason to try to strangle Elder. In the appeal, the two men's lawyers plan to argue that the court ignored substantial evidence that Varriale, the prosecution's star witness, lied on the stand. They also aim to highlight what they say was a pattern of ignored protocol by police the night of the attack. Among other inconsistencies, Varriale admitted having previously lied when he said after the attack that he had been armed, when he was actually without his gun. Three other prosecution witnesses are being prosecuted for perjury. The defense will also cite a court document explaining its reasoning for the conviction and sentences as evidence of bias towards law enforcement. In that document, which was published in July, the court criticised defense lawyers, saying they 'mocked the conduct of the victims' during the trial, as they defended their clients 'to the limits of permission and decency'. Elder's lawyers, Renato Borzone and Roberto Capra, said on Tuesday that a 'correct reading of the evidence' by the appeals court would result in a different outcome. 'The truth of what really happened that night is already in the documents collected during the first instance trial, you just need to want to see it,' they wrote in a statement. The world's richest crypto billionaire has raised eyebrows by saying that Forbes will remain 'fairly independent' after his company announced a $200 million investment into the news outlet that once investigated his own firm. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who has an estimated fortune of $96 billion and is the 14th richest person in the world, made the remark in an interview on Thursday after Binance announced the investment, which is part of a pending deal. Forbes had previously accused Binance of attempting to 'intentionally deceive regulators' and the crypto exchange, originally founded in China, once sued the outlet and its reporters for defamation. 'I think Forbes will continue to be fairly independent, as all of our, as any of our investments are,' Zhao told CNBC. CNBC host Deirdre Bosa responded incredulously, asking, 'Fairly independent?' 'We are a minority shareholder, even though we are one of the largest shareholders,' Zhao continued, declining to clarify. 'I don't know how to run a news business, so we want to help them on the blockchain side, crypto side, and how to integrate that into their business. But the rest of the content is up to them.' The comments only fanned fears among some at Forbes that the new ownership structure will impede the outlet's free coverage of certain issues, which both Binance and Forbes deny. Forbes Chief Communications Officer Bill Hankes told DailyMail.com in a statement: 'Forbes has been fiercely independent for more than a century, regardless of our ownership, and that is not changing. The integrity of Forbes trusted journalism is our most important brand asset.' A source familiar with the matter told DailyMail.com that Binance is plowing the cash into Magnum Opus Acquisition, the blank-check firm seed-funded by the Chinese government, after half of the original investors dropped out of the deal to take Forbes public in a pending reverse-merger. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao says that Forbes will remain 'fairly independent' after his company sinks a $200 million investment into the news outlet Forbes, the 'business bible' famous for its lists such as the 30 Under 30 and rankings of the richest Americans, booked revenue of $165 million in the first nine months of 2021 Following his controversial interview, Zhao took to Twitter and issued a statement saying: 'Forbes editorial independence is and will always be sacrosanct. The strength of the Forbes brand and our investment depends on that continued independence.' 'Were a blockchain company and our investment in Forbes is to help them build Web3 infrastructure in the coming years,' added the billionaire, known to his fans as CZ. 'Like many fast-growing, innovative companies, Binance is used to media scrutiny. Thats a necessary reality when you are the leader of a disruptive industry,' said Zhao. A spokesman for Binance on Thursday confirmed the $200 million investment, which would give it roughly a 25 percent stake in Forbes. CNBC first reported the investment. Forbes, the 'business bible' famous for its lists such as the 30 Under 30 and rankings of the richest Americans, booked revenue of $165 million in the first nine months of 2021, and averaged 59 million monthly US visitors to its website for the year. Binance was founded in China by Zhao, but is currently registered in the Cayman Islands and removed its servers from China after the government there banned crypto trading. Handling some $10 billion in crypto transactions per day, the company is currently banned in the UK by regulators, and reportedly faces criminal probes by the US Justice Department and IRS. The Binance investment raises even more troubling questions about the future editorial independence of Forbes, after company insiders exclusively told DailyMail.com last week that they had grave concerns about the takeover, which is set to close by the end of February. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Binance spokesman Simon Matthews said: 'Forbess editorial independence will remain sacrosanct, and entirely independent from Binance.' Binance, the massive cryptocurrency exchange founded in China, is taking a $200 million stake in the entity seeking to acquire Forbes. Binance was founded in China by Changpeng Zhao (above), now the world's richest crypto billionaire Until last year, Binance had been aggressively pursuing a defamation suit against Forbes and two of its reporters over an October 2020 article that alleged the crypto exchange had engaged in 'elaborate' attempts to deceive regulators. The Forbes article contributed to scrutiny of Binance, and in the US the crypto exchange is under investigation for potential money-laundering and tax evasion, Bloomberg reported last year. Binance has denied any wrongdoing. On February 8, 2021, Binance dropped its lawsuit against Forbes without explanation, court filings show. A judge approved the motion for voluntary dismissal the same day. Binance is making the $200 million investment through a private investment in public equity (PIPE) deal with Hong Kong-based Magnum Opus Acquisition, a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, that plans to acquire Forbes. When the deal closes, Binance executives Patrick Hillmann and Bill Chin will join the Forbes board of directors, the companies said in a statement. Forbes CEO Michael Federle, Magnum Opus Chairman Jonathan Lin, and Jeffrey Yam, who is related to the current majority owners, will also join the board, regulatory filings show. Magnum Opus is seeking to take Forbes public through a reverse-merger, but faces a February 26 deadline to complete the deal. To fund the transaction, valued at $620 million, the SPAC originally raised $400 million through PIPE investments from a collection of 19 asset funds, most of them based in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Magnum Opus Acquisitions is led by (left to right) Chairman and CEO Jonathan Lin, President Frank Han, and Director and CFO Kevin Lee Key Forbes executives are seen in 2017, including CEO Mike Federle (left), Steve Forbes (fourth from left) and Tak Cheung 'TC' Yam (third from right), the current owner who is now pursuing an acquisition by the Magnum Opus SPAC An insider to the deal tells DailyMail.com that half of the original PIPE investors dropped out after this publication first reported that China's sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corporation, owned a 5.8 percent stake of the shell company when it went public last March. The Chinese government fund has since disposed of its shares, regulatory filings show. The flight of half of the original PIPE investors from the deal necessitated the cash infusion from Binance, the insider said. Forbes CEO Mike Federle announced the Binance investment to staff on Thursday morning in an internal memo obtained by DailyMail.com, calling it 'exciting news.' 'This investment not only signifies ongoing strong interest in Forbes leading up to our listing on the NYSE but also a belief in our future prospects in the rapidly emerging, multi-faceted digital assets space,' Federle wrote. 'With the Binance investment, we have access to the experience, network and resources of the world's leading crypto exchange and one of the world's most successful blockchain innovators,' the Forbes CEO added. Forbes CEO Mike Federle announced the Binance investment to staff on Thursday morning in an internal memo obtained by DailyMail.com, calling it 'exciting news' Forbes CEO Mike Federle's full memo to staff on Binance Exciting news about a new investor Hi Everyone-- I wanted to share the good news that Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency and blockchain infrastructure provider is investing a major stake in Forbes. This will be through the existing PIPE (private investment in public equity) that we announced along with our intention to go public with Magnum Opus. This investment not only signifies ongoing strong interest in Forbes leading up to our listing on the NYSE but also a belief in our future prospects in the rapidly emerging, multi-faceted digital assets space. With the Binance investment, we have access to the experience, network and resources of the world's leading crypto exchange and one of the world's most successful blockchain innovators. At a time when our audiences are increasingly eager to learn about these digital assets, it is important that Forbes continue as an authoritative voice in this emerging web3 space, while also exploring what this means for our own business. The investment we're announcing today is a further testament to the power of Forbes, our iconic brand, strong work and record results this team has built and delivered. This is an incredibly exciting time to be at Forbes and part of What's Next! Mike Advertisement The Forbes takeover, first announced last August, has largely flown under the radar, but as it nears consummation, alarm bells are ringing in the Forbes newsroom and at the highest levels of government. 'This deal raises serious and grave concerns about Forbes, which is truly the mouthpiece of democracy and capitalism, and is effectively being taken over by the Chinese,' a senior source at Forbes told DailyMail.com last week. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Forbes Chief Communications Officer Bill Hankes strongly disputed that the deal would result in any undue Chinese influence over Forbes. 'Forbes newsroom is and always will be fiercely independent of any type of coercion or influence, whether that be from outside parties, or internally from Forbes management,' said Hankes. Since 2014, Forbes has been privately controlled by a Hong Kong-based investor group, Integrated Whale Media Investments. But the magazines pending sale to a SPAC created with seed funding from the Mainland Chinese government comes amid a crackdown on the free press in Hong Kong. It has led some within Forbes to question the mechanics and timing of the deal. Why is Forbes, which is one of the premier business brands in the world, going public via a SPAC with a bunch of guys in Hong Kong? said the senior source at Forbes. They're pushing hard to go public right in the middle of this market correction, the person added. Steve Forbes, the founders grandson, officially holds the title of editor-in-chief and chairman of Forbes Media, but is not listed on the company's executive or senior leadership teams SPACs, which soared to popularity in 2020 during what was known as the blank check boom, involve the public listing of a shell corporation, which uses the funds raised from the IPO to seek out and acquire a private company, taking the target company public through the merger. Some academics have criticized SPACs for offering poor returns to public shareholders, although the sponsors of the deals are much more likely to profit handsomely. The SPAC acquiring Forbes, Magnum Opus, was financially backed in its early stages by China Investment Corporation, the countrys sovereign wealth fund, which held a 5.8 percent stake in the shell company when the Forbes merger talks first began last March, according to regulatory filings reviewed by DailyMail.com. By the end of 2021, after the deal to acquire Forbes was announced in August, CIC had divested its shares in the shell company for reasons that are unclear, a filing on January 28 with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed. There are a lot of interesting questions about this deal, said one top venture capital investor, who is not involved with the transaction but has followed it closely. The CIC was a filer, which should get anybodys interest. In a recent filing they disappeared, but they did provide the original capital, the person said. Ben Wallace today admitted new Partygate photographs could emerge at any time as he suggested the leaks are designed to damage the Government. The Defence Secretary said 'yes, there could be a photograph tomorrow, the next day and the day after that' following the publication yesterday of a new picture of the PM allegedly attending a Downing Street Christmas quiz on December 15, 2020. Mr Wallace said the 'constant leaking is clearly designed for a purpose' but 'we should leave it to the police' to determine 'how accurate' the pictures are and if they are in the 'right context'. His comments came as a lawyer estimated that Boris Johnson could face more than 10,000 in fines if police rule that multiple events in Downing Street breached coronavirus restrictions. Police investigators probing Downing Street party allegations are issuing around 50 people with 'questionnaires' about their whereabouts and what they were doing. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick today said that some of those people 'may very well' be handed fixed penalty notices. Speaking to BBC Radio London, Dame Cressida said: 'You will also, perhaps, be aware that although I said we wouldn't be giving a running commentary we would at significant moments update the public and yesterday, my investigators did put out an update to say that we will be writing with a questionnaire to over 50 people as part of that investigation to ask them to account for what they were doing. 'And clearly, some, but probably not all, of those people may very well end up with a ticket.' Ben Wallace today admitted new Partygate photographs could emerge at any time as he suggested the leaks are designed to damage the Government The Defence Secretary said 'yes, there could be a photograph tomorrow, the next day and the day after that' following the publication yesterday of a new picture of the PM allegedly attending a Downing Street Christmas quiz on December 15, 2020 The Metropolitan Police is currently investigating 12 Whitehall and Downing Street events. Officers are in the process of sending out letters and questionnaires to more than 50 people to ask them to give an account of their involvement at alleged parties. The Met announced yesterday that it was reviewing its decision not to investigate a Christmas quiz held in Number 10 on December 15, 2020, following the emergence of a new photograph of Mr Johnson. The picture, published by The Mirror, showed Mr Johnson and colleagues - one draped in tinsel and another in a Santa hat - near an open bottle of sparkling wine. Downing Street has insisted the quiz event was 'virtual' and the police had decided not to investigate it alongside 12 other events after being passed evidence from the Sue Gray inquiry into alleged lockdown breaches. But the Metropolitan Police said in a statement issued yesterday afternoon: 'The MPS previously assessed this event and determined that on the basis of the evidence available at that time, it did not meet the threshold for criminal investigation. That assessment is now being reviewed.' Mr Wallace was asked during an interview on Times Radio this morning if he believed the leaked photographs were part of a campaign against the Government. He replied: 'What I would say is the constant leaking is clearly designed for a purpose. 'I think, however, we should make sure that this is done and handled by the professionals. 'The police are doing an investigation on a range of these alleged parties, and of course, all these photos, etc, will be pieces of evidence. And I think that's where we should leave it. We should leave it to the police. 'The Prime Minister has been clear he'll publish the Gray report in full. But you know, yes, there could be a photograph tomorrow, the next day and the day after that. 'That is clearly what is behind some of the people's motives. How accurate they are, how much they are put in the right context, that's what the police will find out and I think that's a perfectly legitimate professional function to do.' Meanwhile, a human rights barrister today estimated that Mr Johnson could face more than 10,000 in fines if police rule that multiple events in Downing Street breached coronavirus restrictions. Adam Wagner, an expert on Covid-19 rules, said the sending out of questionnaires is 'very significant because it appears that the police at least think that they're getting towards the point where they can start issuing fixed penalty notices'. Adam Wagner, a barrister and an expert on Covid-19 rules, today estimated that Mr Johnson could face more than 10,000 in fines if police rule that multiple events in Downing Street breached coronavirus restrictions He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It sounds to me, although I haven't seen the letters, that they've decided that relevant gatherings were potentially a breach of the regulations and now they're asking people 'Did you have some sort of reasonable excuse?', which, in law, would effectively be a defence for being there.' He said the most likely form of penalty to be issued by police investigating 12 gatherings is fixed penalty notices, with Mr Johnson alleged to have been at up to six of them. 'So, if he was given a fixed penalty notice for each and every one of those, I think that he would be given those sort of cumulative amounts until eventually the final one would be 6,400,' Mr Wagner said. 'So overall, and assuming there isn't a big 10,000 one for hosting a gathering in the flat of over 30 people, he could still be in line for over 10,000 worth of fixed penalty notices if they accumulate.' A woman taking the subway in Manhattan just after the morning rush was attacked and nearly raped before the assailant fled as riders on New York City's transit system continue to be at risk even during peak hours. The 21-year-old woman was aboard a northbound E train at around 10:20 am at the Canal Street station in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday when the suspect attacked her, according to authorities. The man, who has yet to be identified, slid his hand on her seat and groped her buttocks, causing her to jump and try to flee. But he grabbed her by the arm, shoved her into a corner of the train car and tried to rape her, police said. The unidentified woman was able to fend off the creep, who fled to another train at the busy train hub and remains on the loose. The shaken straphanger was treated at the scene, according to police. The brazen attack is the latest in a string of subway violence that led new Mayor Eric Adams to declare he doesn't feel 'safe' in the city's transit system. Pictured: the suspect wanted in connection to Wednesday morning's attempted rape on a northbound E train in Lower Manhattan The man, pictured, has yet to be identified or arrested, according to police Crime in New York is up over 41 percent compared to last year, with transit incidents up 74 percent compared to this time in 2021. There have been 227 transit crime incidents citywide since the beginning of the year, according to the latest figures from the New York Police Department. That's up from 130 such incidents at this time last year. Meanwhile, an NYPD union leader slammed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg this week, claiming criminals throughout New York City have become 'emboldened' by a soft-on-crime memo he authored last month. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks during Thursday's event by New York University School of Law, in which he defended his office's policies Last week, Paul DiGiacomo, president of New York City's Detectives' Endowment Association, said Bragg's memo, which was sent to assistant prosecutors on January 3 shortly after he took office, has since led to a series of violent crimes and murders. 'I believe they feel 100 percent emboldened,' DiGiacomo told Fox News of criminals' response to Bragg's soft-on-crime policy. Crimes within the city's subway and transit system have not been spared by the recent citywide spike in crime. The most notable incident involved Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, a senior manager at consulting conglomerate Deloitte. She died on January 15 died after Simon Martial allegedly shoved her off the platform at West 42nd Street and Broadway at around 9:40 am. When Martial, who has a lengthy criminal history, was asked by a reporter if he had been the one to push Go, he seemingly admitted to killing the subway rider and said: 'Yes, because I'm God. Yes, I did it. I'm God. I can do it.' The assault came just weeks after Michelle Go (above) died on January 15 after she was shoved off the subway platform at West 42nd Street and Broadway Speaking to the New York Post last month, 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. Last month, police released surveillance footage of a suspect accused of shoving a 62-year-old man onto the subway tracks on Sunday, January 23, just weeks after Go's death. The New York Police Departments Crime Stoppers unit released surveillance footage of a man in a black hoodie leaving a subway station shortly after the assault at the A/C platform at Fulton Street Station. The unidentified man allegedly approached a 62-year-old man from behind on Sunday, January 23 and pushed him onto the tracks as a train was entering the station. The victim luckily knew to hide in a space under the platform to avoid being hit, but wasn't quick enough and was slammed by part of the train. He suffered a laceration and bruising to his left leg before he escaped the tracks and treated his wounds at New York Downtown Hospital. Police are searching for a man who allegedly brandished a knife and tried to pry a woman's phone out of her hands before making off with her purse on Thursday, February 3 Surveillance video shows the woman chasing her assailant through a turnstile It is unclear if the victim knew his aggressor, and what - if anything - prompted the attack. In another violent incident that week, a woman was stabbed in the leg during an argument in a Harlem subway station on Tuesday, January 25, cops said. Meanwhile, the news of Wednesday morning's attempted rape comes just hours after another woman was robbed at knifepoint as she waited for the train at an Uptown Manhattan subway stop during rush hour on Thursday. The woman, 43, was talking on the phone and waiting for the C train at the West 163rd Street station in Washington Heights at around 6:10 pm when a man approached her, according to the New York Police Department. The unidentified attacker flashed a knife and tried to grab her phone as they struggled. The woman kept her phone, but he made off with her purse. Surveillance video shows the woman chasing her assailant through a turnstile. She was uninjured and officers later found the purse emptied out. A grand jury has indicted a Texas man on a first-degree murder charge for the point-blank execution of a driver who had pulled into his driveway by mistake. Terry Duane Turner, 65, was indicted Wednesday for the October shooting death of Adil Dghoughi, a 31-year-old Moroccan immigrant who lived in Austin. Turner shot Dghoughi as he was backing out of the driveway in his Audi sedan at about 3.40 am on October 11 at Turner's home in Martindale, about 30 miles south of Austin. He went back in his house, called 911 and said to the dispatcher: 'I just killed a guy.' Turner had told a 911 operator that the driver pulled a gun on him, but investigators said they found no firearm in the car. Authorities said Dghoughi died from a gunshot wound to the head from a bullet that first went through his raised hand. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries. Turner has said he was acting in self-defense. His attorney declined to comment to Austin TV station KVUE. According to the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, Turner allegedly thought Dghoughi was being 'suspicious' before he walked up and shot him at point-blank range in the head. He turned himself in just before 10 am on October 22 - 11 days after the murder - and spent less than two hours in jail before posting $150,000 bail and walking out at 11.50 am. Terry Turner (right), 65, was indicted on Thursday for fatally shooting Adil Dghoughi (left), 31, at point-blank range who was sitting in his parked car outside of Turner's home. He turned himself in to Caldwell County Sheriff's Office around 10 am on October 22 - 11 days after the murder - and was bailed out before noon Dghoughi's girlfriend of one and a half years Sarah Todd said of Turner's release: 'Its crazy... How in the hell is he out on bail? He is a threat to the entire community' Turner shot Dghoughi at his home address: 101 Tina's Trail, in Martindale, Texas (pictured), which is 35 miles south of Austin Turner told police he had gotten up to use the bathroom and saw the car with the headlights off as he crossed the living room and foyer of his home. He explained that he then ran to his bedroom, got his handgun and ran back outside, which is when Dghoughi's headlights flicked on. Turner told cops that Dghoughi put his car in reverse and tried to speed away but Turner chased after him. He said he used his gun to tap on the driver's window twice before firing through the glass. He went back in his house, called 911 and said to the dispatcher: 'I just killed a guy.' The affidavit said that as the dispatcher was gathering information, Turner added: 'He pointed a gun at me and I shot.' The 65-year-old also said that Dghoughi had tried 'racing away but I ran after him'. However, the court documents said that no guns were found inside of Dghoughi's car and Turner had not been arrested until nearly two weeks after the murder despite cops saying he was 'cooperative'. The victim's family, including his girlfriend Sarah Todd, were enraged by the delayed arrest and said it highlighted the historic problem in Texas of white people shooting people of color and claiming self-defense, according to The Daily Beast. 'Its crazy that they are going to let this guy out on bail and he chased someone down and murdered them in the street. How in the hell is he out on bail? He is a threat to the entire community,' Todd said. The gunshot from Turner went through Dghoughi's hand, head and passenger-side window (pictured). Dghoughi was rushed to the hospital where he later died from his injuries Turner said he thought Dghoughi was 'suspicious' when he saw him with his headlights off around 4 am on October 11 and used his gun to tap on the driver's-side window twice before shooting him Before parking outside of Turner's home, Dghoughi had reportedly left his girlfriend's house around 3:07am - about 45 minutes before his death. Todd told The Daily Beast that investigators told her Turner shot in self-defense because he feared her lover was there to rob him. 'The first words, pretty much, out of their mouths was that it was self-defense,' she said, adding that it was unlike Dghoughi to be confrontational. Todd also cited that she was worried about how Texas' Stand Your Ground Law will affect Turner's arrest and subsequent sentencing, saying that she believes it could possibly protect the homeowner from consequences. The law, which was put into effect in 2005, says that a person can use deadly force when they reasonably believe it to be necessary against another presumed deadly force. The state also upholds the law when someone is acting to protect their property, such as to prevent arson or robbery. Todd told The Daily Beast that she's afraid Dghoughi's case will tell white people that 'they can shoot whoever they want just for stepping on their property'. 'That is not okay,' she added. Friends of Adil Dgoughi and his girlfriend, Sarah Todd, held poster at a vigil for the victim back in October, calling for change regarding the Stand Your Ground law in Texas Todd said she's worried Texas' Stand Your Ground Law will protect Turner from justice. The law says that a person can use deadly force when they reasonably believe it to be necessary against another presumed deadly force, or when someone is protecting their property However, the incident report had been heavily redacted and any conversation between Turner and Dghoughi before the shooting was blacked out. The report did also reveal that the Audi Dghoughi was driving belonged to his girlfriend, a hand gun was used in the killing and the motive for shooting it was 'unknown'. Authorities have said they don't believe Turner and Dghoughi knew each other. Dghoughi's family and friends have said he liked to drive around and listen to music. Dghoughi came to the U.S. in 2012 from Morocco in search of a better education, his mother, Fatiha Haouass, told the Austin American-Statesman. He attended Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island and graduated with a masters degree in business administration and finance, she said. Dghoughi moved to Austin and was seeking work as a financial analyst. His family said he had several job interviews lined up at the time of his death. 'He was just looking for a better life,' Haouass said. Government hopes payment will encourage more workers to stay in sector Workers will get 1,498 payment, equating to 1,000 after tax for most staff More than 50,000 care workers in Wales to get 1,000 bonus by this summer Thousands of social care workers in Wales will get a 1,000 bonus this year in an effort to retain staff amid dwindling workforce numbers. The one-off payment will appear in pay packets in April. A total of 53,000 social care staff are eligible for the payment, mainly adult home carers, domiciliary workers and residential childcare workers. They will be paid 1,498 before tax, which will equate to 1,000 after deductions for most staff. There are currently no plans for similar schemes in other parts of the UK. MailOnline has contacted the Department of Health to see if that is still the case. The one-off payment is separate from the 500 for Welsh social care staff in 2020, and the 735 given last year to thank them for their pandemic efforts. The funding boost comes as the real living wage is set to be introduced in the sector in April, bringing social workers pay up to 9.90 per hour. Deputy Social Services Minister Julie Morgan (left) meeting with Home Manager Debbie Richards, care assistant Craig Burrows and senior carer Emma Corten at Fields Care Home in Newport Julie Morgan, Labour's Welsh deputy minister for social services, said she hoped the bonus would help people during the cost-of-living crisis and encourage more workers to stay in the sector. However, unions said the salary boost and bonus don't go far enough to tackle 'poor terms and conditions of those in the care sector in Wales'. And ancillary staff, such as caterers and cleaners, won't be eligible for the bonus. Despite carers in Wales set to amass more than 2,000 in bonuses since the pandemic began, workers in England received between 60 and 155 per person before tax, through a 300million recruitment and reward fund unveiled last year by England's Health Secretary Sajid Javid. Meanwhile, those in Scotland and Northern Ireland were given 500 each, before tax, national insurance and student loans. HOW WILL THE 1,000 BONUS WORK? Care workers in Wales will be given 1,498 through their pay between April and June, the Government announced today. After tax and national insurance deductions, staff can expect to receive 1,000 each. Nearly 53,000 staff will receive the payment, including 25,000 domiciliary care workers and 15,000 adult care home workers. The bonus is on top of 500 already paid out to carers after the first Covid wave in 2020 and 735 dished out in 2021. Advertisement Some 25,000 domiciliary care workers will get the bonus, along with 15,565 adult care home workers, 6,370 personal assistants and 3,385 residential child care workers. Additionally, 1,009 domiciliary care managers will get 1,000, along with 312 residential child care managers. It is due to be added to pay between April and June. The Welsh Government is also funding a recruitment campaign and trying to improve progression opportunities for carers. Ms Morgan said: 'I've seen first-hand the difference social care workers make to people's everyday lives and I know just how valued they are. 'We want to see more people take up permanent jobs in social care and start a rewarding career. 'We also hope those who are considering leaving social care, or who have already left, will stay.' But Mark Turner, care lead at Unison Cymru Wales said the Government needs to 'address the poor terms and conditions of those in the care sector in Wales'. And Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru deputy leader and spokesperson for health and social care, said too many carers had already left the profession for higher wages elsewhere. He said: 'Until those working in caring are rewarded and recognised as they deserve, and that they have the autonomy and funding to provide the high-quality care services they can be proud of, quick-fix payments like this will have little more effect in the long term than putting a sticking plaster on a deep wound.' Labour and Plaid Cymru announced plans for a publicly delivered National Care Service as part of their co-operation agreement signed last year. The pact said an expert group would be assigned to investigate the implementation of such a service, which would be free at the point of need, with an aim to have a plan by the end of 2023. Advertisement A self-proclaimed' old-school junkie' who moved from Texas to San Francisco because 'it's f*****g easy' to be homeless there claims he's being paid by the city government to live on the streets, getting $620 in cash per month and hundreds of food stamps while he sells Narcan and enjoys Amazon Prime and Netflix on his phone. This right now is literally by choice, literally by choice. If were going to be realistic, they pay you to be homeless here,' James, a homeless man with face tattoos who has been living in San Francisco since June, told Michael Shellenberger, author of 'San Fransicko,' a book about how the city's progressive leaders are worsening homelessness, inequality and crime. James said it only took one phone call to receive government assistance, including hundreds in cash and food stamps worth approximately $100, and notes that the 'free money' is motivation to remain homeless. F*****g phone call bro... Two hundred food stamps and $620 cash a month. Forget about it. Why wouldnt I do it? You know, its f*****g free money dude,' he explained. 'Why would I want to pay rent? Im not doing s**t. Ive got a f*****g cell phone that I have Amazon Prime and Netflix on.' The interview comes as the city's homelessness and drug problems have worsened amid the national opioid crisis that escalated over the course of the pandemic. Both local and federal leaders say they're working to implement new strategies to combat the drug crisis. San Francisco Mayor London Breed has declared a state of emergency in the city and has vowed to crack down on open-air drug use and drug dealing. Similarly, the Biden administration seeks to limit infections and fatalities among drug users and has created a $30 million grant program to reduce substance abuse to underserved communities. James said the drug crisis in San Francisco has become incredibly 'disgusting,' with dealers providing impure substances to users who then overdose because they take drugs alone. He also blamed the cops for failing to arrest foreign-born dealers, alleging the police are 'getting paid with fentanyl.' Ive talked to the cops here. Im literally 10 feet away from the drug dealers talking to you guys, why dont you go arrest them right now?' he said. 'And theyre like, arrest them for what?... San Francisco is a sanctuary city. We arrest the Hondurans and we put them in jail, theyre out two days later.' 'If theyre letting the Hondurans deal on the corner every day, somebody getting paid with fentanyl,' James added. A new 'linkage center' aimed at connecting homeless street addicts with drug rehab facilities opened in San Francisco last month, but distressing images show an open-air illicit drug consumption site that is now littered with needles and crowded with addicts shooting up in broad daylight. The center, which opened on January 18, is part of Breed's Tenderloin Emergency Intervention plan introduced last year, which aims to clean up the crime-ravaged downtown neighborhood. When declaring the state of emergency, Breed also pushed San Francisco officers to get aggressive and 'less tolerant of all the bulls*** that has destroyed our city.' The San Francisco Human Services Agency (SFHSA) has a wide variety of services to support Californians experiencing homelessness. Through the federally funded CalFresh program, all individuals who meet certain income requirements can receive up to $250 monthly for food assistance. Through County Adult Assistance Programs, a person with no income or shelter can receive up to $619 in financial assistance per month, after being a San Francisco resident for at least 30 days. James, self-proclaimed' old-school junkie' who moved from Texas to San Francisco because 'it's f*****g easy' to be homeless there, claims he's being paid by the city government to be homeless on the streets, getting $620 in cash per month and hundreds of food stamps while he sells Narcan and enjoys Amazon Prime and Netflix on his phone James shared firsthand how the drug crisis in San Francisco is worsening amid the fentanyl-fueled opioid epidemic. I can take you to a dead body right now,' he told Shellenberger. 'People are stupid out here. They f*****g use alone. Theyll f*****g get a big bag of fentanyl and theyll get a different batch and theyre by themselves and . Nobodys going to f*****g find you for days.' He added: I saved six peoples lives last week. We hadnt even met before.' The addict explained that he issues Narcan to people who are overdosing and after he saves their lives, he cleans out the vials and sells them for $65 each. He also recalled how two teens, aged 15 and 16, recently approached him on the street in search of oxycodone and explained how they wouldn't find that particular opioid on the streets. Because he 'needed the money,' he instead sold the teens fentanyl and taught them how to administer Narcan - an emergency treatment that is injected into an overdose victim - 'in case they died.' These two kids came up and theyre like: Hey do you guys know where to get any oxycontin?' James told Shellenberger. 'And Im like, look dude, Imma tell you right now, youre not going to get oxycontin out here on the street.' James said the teens had $40 to spend on drugs, which he used to purchase fentanyl for them. 'I said: Ok, this is what Im going to do. Im going to take your money and I went and I got them fentanyl,' he said. 'I f*****g brought it back and I set it down in front of them and I said This is a gram of fentanyl. It is enough to kill six people who have never used it."' James shared firsthand how the drug crisis in San Francisco is worsening amid the fentanyl-fueled opioid epidemic. He said he recently helped teens purchase fentanyl and taught them how to inject themselves with Narcan in case they overdosed SFHSA statement on aid for homeless residents 'The San Francisco Human Services Agency (SFHSA) has a wide variety of services to support eligible San Francisco individuals and families with low or no income, including those experiencing homelessness. 'SFHSA partners with other City departments that provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness, such as the Citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH). Through the Homelessness Response System that helps people exit homelessness, HSH strives to make homelessness rare, brief and one-time. 'Through CalFresh, a federally funded program administered by the state of California, all individuals who qualify under current income limits could receive up to $250 monthly for food assistance. 'Through County Adult Assistance Programs, an individual with no income can receive up to $619 in financial assistance per month, if they qualify due to their assets and income, are not receiving shelter, and are a resident of San Francisco for more than 30 days. 'HSH was required to significantly reduced shelter capacity in March 2020 due to the pandemic. As a result, there were no shelter beds available to provide to Care Not Cash clients as part of their Care Not Cash benefit. Therefore, SFHSA provided these clients with the full cash grant because the City could not (and still cannot) provide them a shelter bed in lieu of a cash grant. The Citys shelter system remains operational at a reduced COVID capacity.' Advertisement James said he showed the teens how much fentanyl he takes to get high and then provided a Narcan tutorial, citing how he knew they were going to continue to use drugs regardless of whether or not he helped them get high. 'I was like Im keeping your money and now Im going to teach you how to save each others lives because youre not gonna f*****g stop. I cant steer you away from doing it, but the best thing I can do for you now is give you real drugs and show you how to do it properly and show you how to save your friends life,"' he said. 'And I showed them how to pull up Narcan and how to inject each other with the Narcan needle in case they died. He added: I needed the money. Lets be honest. James also explained how the police are no longer acting as authority figures but have instead become more like neighbors. We used to battle with the cops, now its like the cops are - its like theyre your neighbor, you know?' he said. 'The cops told us this morning like: Oh, itd be easier if you guys packed up in the morning. We wouldnt have to come out here.' 'And Im like What are you talking about? Hes like Pack up your s**t in the morning and Im like why? Hes like oh, OK, and went on.' San Francisco is grappling with lawlessness that has seen the city overrun with crime over the past two years. Across the entire city last November, there were 3,375 reports of larceny theft, the majority being car break-ins, with San Francisco Police Department's Central District seeing the most car smash-and-grabs, at a total of 876. Police data as of February 6 shows theft in the city has increased 12.8 percent. Throughout January, there was a 50 percent increase in homicides with three reported between January 1 and January 23, compared to only two during the same time frame last year, but overall crime has decreased by 6.2 percent, according to crime statistics released by the San Francisco Police Department as of February 6. Crime in San Francisco has been a serious issue in the past year. Overall crime so far this month has decreased by 6.2% compared to the same time period last year Assault in the city has decreased by 8.8 percent over last year at this time. Robbery cases decreased 20.7 percent and rape cases decreased 23.8 percent. A high percentage of an estimated 8,000 homeless people in San Francisco - many of whom pitch tents in the Tenderloin - are struggling with chronic addiction or severe mental illness, often both. Some people rant in the streets, nude and in need of medical help. Last year, 712 people died of drug overdoses, compared with 257 people who died of COVID-19. Homelessness in the Bay Area has become such a problem people are being urged to give their spare rooms over to the homeless. Some charities have urged local families - who are sick of seeing the homeless crisis on their doorsteps - to do something about it personally by taking unhoused people into their own homes and spare rooms - and some schemes have little to no compensation. Homelessness in the Bay Area has become such a problem people are being urged to give their spare rooms over to the homeless Homeless people are seen on the streets of San Francisco on January 23, as the mayor declares a state of emergency and a crop of new schemes to provide housing are promoted A tent encampment is seen in the Tenderloin section of San Francisco on January 23 Drone footage shows lines of people sitting outside a shelter in San Francisco on January 18 Since 2017, nonprofit Safe Time has made more than 60 placements. There are an estimated 30,000 homeless in the five-county Bay Area - which are comprised of the East Bay, North Bay, South Bay, Peninsula and the city of San Francisco regions. The mayor of the Richmond, located in the East Bay county of Contra Costa about 20 miles from downtown San Francisco, has set up a program to match homeless people with local landlords who have empty apartments. Funded by private donations, it will pay the landlords a year's rent up front to encourage them to forgo the usual credit, employment and background checks for tenants. In another move to combat to help those living on the streets, San Francisco opened a center for homeless addicts last month. The supervised drug consumption area is an outdoor fenced section of the linkage center - just blocks away from the city's court house, San Francisco City Hall and the Civic Center. However, disturbing images taken by DailyMail.com last month highlight how little significant the addiction crisis is in the city. Photos show a woman slumped over in a wheelchair, her pants down around her ankles, preparing to inject a needle into her thigh. The woman sitting on the ground next to her has a needle to her neck. Many others are sitting on the ground among trash, empty food containers and dirty blankets, as they fumble in with drug paraphernalia in the cold weather. A woman is slumped over in a wheelchair, preparing to inject a needle into her thigh, at a new 'linkage center' that opened in San Francisco last month, aimed at connecting homeless street addicts with drug rehab facilities The center, which opened January 18, is aimed at helping connect people to services, but distressing images depict an illicit drug consumption site that is now littered with needles and and crowded with addicts shooting up in broad daylight Drone images show the site with dozens of people openly dealing, smoking and injecting drugs on the plaza. A San Francisco police cruiser rolled past but did nothing The linkage center is located at 1172 Market Street, in the United Nations Plaza, the city's largest open air drug market. The supervised drug consumption area is an outdoor fenced section of the linkage center, where many people were seen fumbling with drug paraphernalia The center is equipped to serve up to 100 people at a time who are suffering from drug use and mental health issues, connecting with long-term and short-term services like health care and housing The plan came in the midst of a local, state, and national debate over whether the city should open a 'supervised drug consumption' site as a tactic for reducing drug overdose deaths A high percentage of an estimated 8,000 homeless people in San Francisco - many of whom pitch tents in the Tenderloin - are struggling with chronic addiction or severe mental illness, often both The center is equipped to serve up to 100 people at a time who are suffering from drug use and mental health issues, connecting with long-term and short-term services like health care and housing Meanwhile, President Biden's Health and Human Services department (HHS) is finalizing funding to dole out crack pipes to drug addicts as part of its 'Harm Reduction Plan.' The $30 million grant program, which accepted applications until Monday and will begin doling out money in May, intends to provide funds to nonprofits and local governments to make drug use safer, to advance 'racial equity.' Fox News host Tucker Carlson slammed the administration over the program, claiming the government would be giving out 'free crack pipes to black people.' Although the administration has clarified that they're distributing safe smoking kits, not crack pipes, Carlson doubled down on his claims Tuesday night. 'The Biden administration is promoting drug addiction,' he said. 'They've been caught doing it and now they're denying it.' A spokesperson for Health and Human Services told the Washington Free Beacon that included in these kits could be pipes for users to smoke substances like crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, or 'any illicit substance.' HHS said that the kits will serve to limit the risk of infection - typically users smoke out of glass pipes which can lead to cuts and sores that become infected with diseases like Hepatitis-C. The kits include a rubber mouthpiece to prevent cuts and burns, brass screens to filter contaminants and disinfectant wipes. Applicants for the program get priority if they serve 'underserved communities,' such as African Americans or Native Americans, or LGBTQ people. The grant program lasts three years and includes 25 awards of up to $400,000. Tucker Carlson mocked the Biden administration's plan to distribute safe smoking kits to underserved communities on his show Tuesday night Joe Biden's Health and Human Services Department said that the kits will serve to limit the risk of infection drug users face and will prioritize underserved communities U.S. Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday that the Beacon's story was inaccurate and that crack pipes were never involved in the government's kits. It came after Carlson mocked the idea on Tuesday night. 'You may recall that on his first day in office more than a year ago, the new president explained that equity will require determination and creativity,' Carlson told his viewers. 'This week he proved that is true. Joe Biden's latest idea is to pay black people to smoke more crack.' The Fox News host said that progressive groups, many of them funded by George Soros's institutions, were encouraging Biden's plan, and joked that the president's 52-year-old son - who had a highly-publicized crack addiction - exemplified the 'crack gap'. Carlson also took aim at San Francisco's open heroin market on Tuesday, bashing the Democratic city for facilitating an area where addicts could openly buy and use drugs in a safe location. He interviewed local mother Jacqui Berlinn, of Mothers Against Drug Deaths, who told him that such a facility would only keep addicts liker son 'chained to addiction.' '[Mayor London] Breed's policies and the policies in San Francisco give him everything that he needs to stay addicted,' she told Carlson. 'They give him the plastic needles and give him the foil...'[M]y hopes were dashed and even talking to my son, he said it just looks like more of the same, kind of makes him feel hopeless.' There were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending in April 2021, according to the CDC, a 28.5 per cent increase from just the year prior. Three-quarters of those deaths involved opioids, many of them being synthetic opioids, such as methamphetamine or fentanyl. A criminal with a lengthy rap sheet who had charges downgraded under woke DA Alvin Bragg was arrested again for sucker-punching a New York City sanitation worker on the job. Christian Hall, 30, of Uniondale, Long Island, allegedly snuck up on a 55-year-old sanitation worker as he was collecting trash outside a Manhattan building on Wednesday morning and hit him in the head without warning, causing pain and swelling, the New York Post reported. Hall was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. He was arraigned on Thursday where a judge set his bail for $25,000. He was charged with second-degree assault, a felony, under a provision of state law that enhances the penalty for attacking certain public employees, as well as menacing and harassment, the Post reported. Police are holding newly elected Manhattan DA Bragg accountable for the assault after his office was accused of 'intentionally omit(ing) all facts' from court documents for a previous violent theft at a TJ Maxx in Chelsea in January, with an 'assault and robbery recidivist' ending up with a mere shoplifting charge. Bragg's office is accused of meddling in the 30-year-old's court papers. It's unclear why the DA's office downgraded the charges. Hall has been arrested 21 times with nine open cases, including robbery with a deadly weapon and assault, the New York Post reported. Christian Hall, 30, has been arrested 21 times with nine open cases, including robbery with a deadly weapon and assault Police are holding newly elected Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg (pictured) accountable for Hall's most recent assault Bragg has been previously been publicly slammed by NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell (pictured) for his policy of downgrading burglary, armed robbery and drug dealing crimes Christian Hall's lengthy rap sheet Christian Hall, 30, has been arrested 21 times and has nine open cases - six in Manhattan, two in Queens and one in Brooklyn - including robbery with a deadly weapon and assault. November 2021 Hall was charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly entering a building in Manhattan and slamming a victim on the ground, dragging him across the floor and approaching a second victim while brandishing a knife and threatening to stab them. December 12, 2021 Hall was arrest for robbery and forcible theft with a deadly weapon in Sunset Park December 28, 2021 Hal was charged with first-degree robbery for forcible theft with a deadly weapon in Gramercy Park January 4, 2022 Hall was arrested for robbing a Manhattan Fairway Market. In that incident, Hall allegedly tried to steal items and when confronted by a security guard, shears fell out of his coat. January 6, 2022 Hall was arrested for a violent theft at a TJ Maxx in Chelsea with an 'assault and robbery recidivist' and ended up with a mere shoplifting charge. February 9, 2022 Hall allegedly snuck up on a 55-year-old sanitation worker as he was collecting trash outside a Manhattan building and hit him in the head without warning. Hall was charged with second-degree assault, a felony, under a provision of state law that enhances the penalty for attacking certain public employees, as well as menacing and harassment. Advertisement A memo obtained by the Post says that a few days prior to the TJ Maxx incident in January, Hall also robbed a Manhattan Fairway Market. In that incident, Hall allegedly tried to steal items and when confronted by a security guard, shears fell out of his coat, the Post reported. Police sources described Hall as a 'felony assault recidivist, robbery recidivist and transit offender.' According to the Manhattan's District Attorney's office, Hall has 19 open cases, 10 open warrants and 14 failure to appear in court. One of Hall's open cases is from November 2021, where he was charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly entering a building in Manhattan and slamming a victim on the ground, dragging him across the floor and approaching a second victim while brandishing a knife and threatening to stab them, the DA's office said in a criminal complaint provided to DailyMail.com. In another pending case from a December 2021 incident, Hall was charged with robbery after entering a Manhattan Starbucks. stealing beverages and then displaying a sharp object toward an employee when confronted for not paying, the DA's office said. Hall also has a pending case from a December 12 arrest for robbery and forcible theft with a deadly weapon in Sunset Park. 'DA Bragg owns this attack,' a Manhattan cop told the Post. 'You have a city worker, in uniform, doing his job, providing a service to the community and he is attacked by a man that should be in jail,' the officer added. DailyMail.com reached out to the DA's office and NYPD for more information on Hall's criminal history and why his charge after the violent theft at TJ Maxx was downgraded. Bragg has been previously been publicly slammed by the NYPD's first black female Commissioner Keechant Sewell for his woke policy of downgrading burglary, armed robbery and drug dealing crimes. Bragg's decision not to impose 'carceral punishments' and downgrading felonies has been criticized as New York City's crime rate soars. New NYPD data shows that nearly every police precinct in New York City has seen spikes in crime this year - including five in which the rate has doubled. 'No neighborhood is safe,' one Brooklyn cop told The New York Post on Tuesday, offering a grim forecast for the future of the crime-ravaged city. 'At this rate, we will lose the city by St. Patrick's Day.' According to recently released statistics, 72 of the five boroughs' 77 precincts saw an increase in crime this year when compared to the same period in 2021, with only three recording a marginal decrease in criminal offenses. Two precincts, including the one covering the city's scenic Central Park, recorded no change at all - a statistic that may be misleading due to the area's low crime rate when compared to areas that are actually populated. 'Only the squirrels are safe,' another anonymous cop joked to The Post Tuesday. 'Tourists will never come back.' Since Mayor Eric Adams unveiled his 'Blueprint to End Gun Violence' on January 24, at least 49 people have been shot in The City That Never Sleeps, and at least 12 have been murdered. Violent crime in general has surged in the city over the past year, with many different factors including increased tensions between the police and public, unemployment rates, soft-on-crime politicians and bail reform being cited as potential causes. According to the recently released crime data - which takes into account offenses occurring up until the week ending on February 6 - robberies have soared by almost 35 percent when compared to the same period in 2021. Rape has also increased by more than 35 percent and overall crime in the Big Apple has skyrocketed by 41.65 percent, according to the data. Murders, meanwhile, are down 13 percent at this time over last year, while shootings have increased by a startling 30 percent. The new NYPD CompStat numbers show that five precincts saw overall crime double since the start of the year, in neighborhoods in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. This incident comes as crime continues to surge in NYC with a 19.4 percent increase in robberies reported Pictured: TJ Maxx on Sixth Avenue and West 18th St Manhattan - where a violent theft occurred, with an 'assault and robbery recidivist' ending up with a mere shoplifting charge West Harlem's 26th Precinct recorded a 122 percent increase in overall crime, primarily driven by rising rates of burglaries, grand larceny, and assaults. The Manhattan precinct has seen burglaries skyrocket to 30 so far this year compared to just seven for the same period in 2021 - an increase of more than 400 percent - while grand larcenies and felony assaults nearly doubled from 15 to 29 and eight to 15, respectively. The neighborhood was brought to a standstill last weekend after an off-duty NYPD officer was shot and wounded in the neighborhood after attending a memorial service in the area - the seventh cop to be shot in the city so far this year. 'I think it's crazy,' Harlem resident Elizabeth Jenkins told The Post. 'It's a lot of fear because it's all over the place, and right here, it's really bad.' Many blame the sudden influx of crime on the soft policies implemented by new Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who was sworn in at the start of the year. Jenkins said Bragg, a Harlem resident, is failing his own neighborhood. 'I think he's not good,' she said. 'He's not good on crime as far as I can see. He can do better. There's a lot of crime, and he's not really dong anything about it.' Bragg conceded on Tuesday that Harlem 'is in the middle of a crisis' but said he's committing to taking more guns off the streets. 'I still live in Harlem, in the upper part of the borough, which is really in the middle of a crisis,' Bragg said during a virtual conference addressing the increase in gun violence. 'I was at an anti-gun rally on Saturday [in Harlem], and then I left and found out that a few blocks away at almost the exact time, there was another shooting,' said the prosecutor, referring to the incident with the off-duty cop in West Harlem. 'And then I was at an anti-gun rally [in Washington Heights] on Sunday, and then I learned that on my way to church after that rally, there was another shooting. So we're really in crisis,' Bragg added. In January, SBA President Vincent Vallelong told officers to be 'hyper-vigilant when reviewing any accusatory instrument prepared by the Manhattan DA's office. Make sure that what you sign is exactly what happened,' in an email obtained by the Post. 'I don't think we have to tell you that if you sign something prepared by a Manhattan District Attorney that is inaccurate, they will blame you and prosecute you.' Nearly every single police precinct in New York City has seen spikes in crime so far this year - including five in which the rate has doubled, new data from the NYPD shows Vallelong also added that if Bragg 'wants to re-write the penal law, make him own it.' The Sergeant Benevolent Association's message, which was shared with rank-and-file members of the NYPD, warned that Bragg had an assistant district attorney white-wash court documents related to Hall's shoplifting case at the TJ Maxx store on Sixth Avenue and West 18th Street. 'It has come to our attention that during the processing of a Manhattan shoplifting arrest where the suspect threatened employees with a pair of cutting-shears, the ADA preparing the accusatory instrument intentionally omitted all facts related to the perp threatening the employees with a weapon.' 'Fortunately, the arresting officer had the sense to refuse to sign.' Bragg had recently claimed his lighter punishments for armed robbery and burglary will 'marry fairness and safety' at an Al Sharpton rally in January. Hall was arrested at T.J Maxx last month when a store security guard spotted him 'remove several items, including bedding, women's shoes, and bath supply items from the shelves and bypass the store cash registers without paying for the items,' according to a criminal complaint. The arresting officer wrote in the complaint that the guard said when he approached Hall, 'the defendant displayed a pair of shears.' He then pointed them toward the security guard and said 'Don't f****** touch me' before exiting the store with the merchandise, according to the complaint. However, one of Bragg's assistant district attorney's only stated that the 'defendant stole and possessed stolen property' and omitted Hall's threatening use of cutting shears. The Post reports that the arresting officer refused to sign the petit larceny affidavit, according to an internal NYPD memo. Former NYC prosecutor Eric Nelson told the outlet that the omission of those details is the difference between a felony second-degree robbery charge, which comes with possible jail time, and a simple misdemeanor for petit larceny. 'It's a big difference. Huge. Especially if he has prior convictions,' Nelson said. Former NYPD sergeant Joseph Giacalone also said that the latter sentencing would see the suspect in prison for up to 10 years. 'The petit larceny would get a desk appearance ticket and fall under Bragg's 'no prosecution memo,' Giacalone said. Bragg sent out a memo to his staff last month where he announced he did not want to hand out jail sentences for criminals unless they were deemed guilty of a serious crime or were repeat offenders. In addition, he also raised concern after he sought to ditch felony armed robbery charges in favor of petty larceny even if a weapon is involved but does not 'create a genuine risk of physical harm.' Burglaries will also no longer be prosecuted as such if the person steals from a storage unit or outdoor property that isn't connected to a 'living' dwelling, and quality-of-life crimes such as prostitution, turnstile jumping, weapons possession (of non-firearms) and marijuana possession won't be prosecuted at all. Several of New York City's borough district attorneys have also took aim at the soft-on-crime policies laid out by Bragg. Staten Island DA Michael McMahon slammed Bragg's ideas, saying they 'roll out the welcome mat for would-be criminals to commit serious offenses without ever facing any consequences.' Queens DA Melissa Katz doubled down on her pledge to keep: 'Holding dangerous, violent offenders accountable' in the wake of Bragg's announcement, which she said 'must always be a top priority of my office.' 'We respect the perspective and experience Alvin Bragg brings to his role of Manhattan District Attorney. Since DA Katz took office in January 2020, she has made and will continue to make her own changes to break the cycle of crime and incarceration that plagues too many Queens communities, while holding accountable drivers of crime,' a Katz spokesman said. In the Bronx, DA Darcel Clark noted her office 'will continue to treat incidences of violent crime with the utmost seriousness and will do everything possible to protect the people of the Bronx from violent criminals,' according to her 'A Safer Bronx Through Fair Justice' policy. While Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez said he 'believes that every case must receive individualized decision making.' 'We look forward to collaborating with DA Bragg on enhancing fairness and safety across our city,' Gonzalez said when asked about on Bragg's policies, a spokesman for the office offered a diplomatic.' Advertisement Bombers from the US's flying forces jetted into RAF Fairford this morning in a thinly-veiled show of strength as Russia continued to mass near Ukraine. The four B-52 Stratofortress aircraft - with call signs HATE 11, HATE 12, HATE 13 AND HATE 14 - arrived at the Gloucestershire grounds this morning. They were accompanied by officers and personnel from America's 5th Bomb Wing from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Plane spotters were in raptures as the giant metal aircraft - nicknamed BUFFs for Big Ugly Fat Fellas - swooped down onto the tarmac to land. Officially the 62million machines are here for a Bomber Task Force mission, a joint practice the US said had been 'long planned'. But the sight of them - and their long-range bombing capability - may help focus the mind of Vladimir Putin as Russian forces continue to mass outside the Ukraine border. Photographers underneath a United States Air Force (USAF) B-52 bomber during landing at RAF Fairford earlier this morning A B-52 bomber lands at RAF Fairford, as tensions remain high over the build-up of Russian forces near the border with Ukraine The flying metal behemoths were originally created to carry nukes for Cold War deterrent missions but have been upgraded Earlier today Boris Johnson warned Europe faces the 'most dangerous moment for decades' and the 'stakes are very high' as he urged Russia to back away from a 'disastrous' Ukraine invasion. At a joint press conference with Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the PM said he did not believe Vladimir Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border. But Mr Johnson admitted the signs were not good, insisting that Mr Putin will face a strong response if he does go ahead. The four B-52s at Fairhead were joined by the Lockheed U-2, nicknamed the Dragon Lady after its CIA codename. The planes were initially used by the CIA, first flown in 1955 during the Cold War and for top-secret missions over the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam and Cuba. They feature a 63ft-long thin fuselage, two high-aspect, un-swept glider-like wings, and a powerful engine which is carefully designed to keep the plane higher than 70,000ft. U-2 Spy plane has taken off from from RAF Fairford, Gloustershire, today on a mission, its objectives are currently unknown The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed the Dragon Lady after its CIA codename, were initially used by the CIA, first flown in 1955 Rhe 62million B-52 machines are here for a Bomber Task Force mission, a joint practice the US said had been 'long planned'. The surveillance plane is one of just a few aircraft models that have served the United States Air Force for more than 50 years, with this year marking the 66th anniversary of its first flight. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a strategic bomber and is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds worth of weapons. It was created to carry nukes for Cold War deterrent missions but have been upgraded to become a modern military giant. The US Air Force said in a statement: 'B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, support equipment, and personnel from the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, arrived at RAF Fariford, England, today to execute the long-planned Bomber Task Force mission, a regularly scheduled U.S. European Command and U.S. Strategic Command joint mission series. 'En route to RAF Fairford, U.S. Bomber Aircraft integrated with British Typhoon aircraft and Portuguese F-16s currently assigned to NATO's Icelandic Air Policing mission. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a strategic bomber and is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds worth of weapons The B-52 is powered by 8 turbofan engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney capable of producing 17,000 pounds of thrust Each B-52 has a fuel capacity of 312,197 pounds and the plane is a subsonic aircraft that can reach speeds of 650mph 'Bomber aircraft also integrated with British Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) to conduct bilateral Close Air Support training. 'The mission focused on enhancing readiness and interoperability for the controllers responsible for coordinating airstrikes to support ground forces. 'Regularly integrating with our allies improves our cooperation and operational capacity, capability and interoperability. 'Occurring since 2018, bomber rotations through Europe maintain our readiness to execute a wide variety of missions across two continents, sustaining peace through deterrence.' An American 'Covid conman' who faked his own death before being found on a Covid ward in Scotland was pictured being wheeled into court today under a tartan blanket while clutching an oxygen mask. Nicholas Rossi, 34, who is wanted in the US for alleged sex crimes, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court Thursday donning a Fedora hat, sunglasses and a pin stripe suit. Escorted by police while cutting a notably rounder figure, he looked almost unrecognisable as he demanded more lenient bail conditions ahead of a US extradition hearing, scheduled for May. Rossi - who was previously deemed a 'significant flight risk' - is demanding that police no longer be allowed to make unscheduled visits to his home in Woodlands, Glasgow. Appearing before Sheriff Thomas Welsh QC, his solicitor John Good branded the visits 'oppressive' and said they were causing difficulties for his client, who is still receiving oxygen treatment after falling seriously ill with Covid-19. Rossi is accused of faking his death from cancer in the US to avoid being prosecuted for sexual assault allegations, before fleeing to Scotland. He was arrested on December 13 last year after being admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow - under the alias Arthur Knight - for urgent Covid treatment. Lawyers acting for a man alleged to be Nicholas Rossi, 34, passed on the request to prosecutors during a court hearing on Thursday. (Pictured: Man purported to be Mr Rossi arriving at court in a wheelchair, donning an oxygen mask, Fedora hat and pinstriped suit) Cutting a notably rounder figure, he looked almost unrecognisable as he demanded more lenient bail conditions ahead of an extradition hearing, scheduled for May Rossi (pictured) is accused of faking his death from cancer in the US to avoid a sexual assault charge, before fleeing to Scotland Police help escort Rossi to a court hearing in Edinburgh on Thursday Rossi's lawyer said there were 'difficulties' with the numerous police visits to his home in Glasgow Rossi leaves court on Thursday under police guard as reporters film the moment he is wheeled into a taxi He was traced following a tip off from Interpol while he was on a ventilator in intensive care. Sheriff Alistair Noble remanded Rossi in custody following a hearing last month. However, he was granted bail after a hearing at the Sheriff Appeal Court last week. A condition of his bail is that he allow police officers to visit his home at any time of day - but his lawyer Mr Good argued there were 'difficulties' with the numerous visits. He said: 'He is subject to a curfew between 6pm and 6am every evening. 'I have passed information onto the Crown about how the police are calling every day. 'The calls are coming early in the morning, late into the evening and sometimes into the early hours. 'I have passed the information in the hope of making the order less stringent because of all the difficulties that are proceeding from it.' The solicitor also told the court that if the order wasn't made less stringent, lawyers could make a legal challenge on the basis that the requirement was 'oppressive'. Rossi - who previously had his bail revoked for attempting to evade justice - is demanding that police no longer be allowed to make unscheduled visits to his home in Woodlands, Glasgow. (Pictured: Rossi covers his face as he breathes through an oxygen mask) Prosecutors say the male who appeared before Sheriff Thomas Welsh QC on Thursday (pictured) is Nicholas Rossi, who is wanted in the States over an allegation of sexual assault Sheriff Noble had remanded Rossi in custody last month after hearing submissions that he was a 'significant flight risk', before he was granted his conditional bail last week Rossi told US media in December 2019 that he had late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma and had weeks to live - before several outlets reported that he had died in February 2020. Rossi, who also goes by the name Nicholas Alahverdian, is accused by Utah prosecutors of fleeing the US to avoid prosecution for an alleged sexual assault in 2008. He is also said to have attacked women in the states of Rhode Island, Ohio and Massachusetts. Sheriff Noble had remanded him in custody last month after hearing submissions that he was a 'significant flight risk', before he was granted his conditional bail last week. On Thursday, Rossi came into court on an electric wheelchair, before sitting at the table where solicitors usually make their submissions and removing his Fedora hat. Rossi (pictured in undated photo), who also goes by the name Nicholas Alahverdian, is accused by Utah prosecutors of fleeing the US to avoid prosecution for an alleged sexual assault in 2008. Rossi (pictured) is said to have attacked women in the states of Rhode Island, Ohio and Massachusetts Mr Good started proceedings by saying: 'I represent Nicholas Rossi or Mr Knight as he prefers to be known as.' Prosecutor Claire Kennedy told the court that the Crown didn't oppose a motion to discharge a hearing scheduled to take place next week. She told the court that a procedural hearing will take place in eight weeks' time ahead of a full hearing in May. Ms Kennedy also said the court will then establish the man's identity - of whether he is Nicholas Rossi or another male called Arthur Knight. She said: 'The issue of identity will be dealt with at the full hearing.' Sheriff Welsh then continued the man's bail and fixed hearings to take place in April and May 2022. Following proceedings, Rossi sat in his wheelchair outside court, where he took business cards from several reporters - who had been unable to hear him under his oxygen and face mask. He then left the court building and was given help to get into a waiting taxi. The case will be back in the courts later this year. Police have arrested and charged a 16-year-old boy with terroristic threats in connection to bomb threats over the past two days targeting at least six Washington, DC, schools, including one being visited by Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff that led to him being rushed from the building. Two anonymous federal agents said it was likely Tuesday's call to Dunbar High School, where the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris was visiting to honor a Black History Month event, was made by a 'punk kid' who had no large motive. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it is continuing to investigate the threats with other federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. Each of the seven schools has been cleared with no hazardous material found. Police did not release any more details about the series of bomb threats, the latest being on Wednesday, or if they were connected with the ones also made on Tuesday. Over the last two days, MPD has responded to multiple bomb threats around the district, spurring student evacuations at Dunbar High School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Ron Brown High School, KIPP D.C. College Preparatory, IDEA Public Charter School and Seed Public Charter School and McKinley Tech High School. Police said three of the threats happened just minutes apart around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday followed by additional threats. DC Police have arrested and charged a 16-year-old boy with terroristic threats in relation to several bomb threats being made over the past two days at seven DC Schools Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was rushed out the school during a Black History Month event on Tuesday afternoon by his Secret Service detail because of a bomb threat The Second Gentleman arriving at an event in commemoration of Black History Month at Dunbar High School hours earlier Dunbar High School students are evacuated after a bomb threat during a visit from Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff on Tuesday Wednesday's bomb threat at Dunbar High School was the second in two days that targeted the nation's oldest black high school, which opened its doors in 1870. The school was forced to evacuate on Tuesday between 2 pm and 3 p.m. during a visit from Emhoff. He had only been at the Black History Month event, organized by the school, for five minutes when he was rushed out the building by his Secret Service detail. The agent said something like 'We have to go' and led Emhoff out of the room. Vice President Kamala Harris was in touch with Emhoff after the incident and said 'he's OK,' a White House official said. Students were sent home for the day following the evacuation. KIPP D.C. College Preparatory, Idea Public Charter School and Seed Public Charter School also received threats at lunchtime and were safely cleared on Wednesday. 'DC Public Schools values the safety of all our students, staff, and visitors and will continue to offer support to our school communities while the MPD investigations are ongoing,' said Enrique Gutierrez, press secretary at District of Columbia Public Schools. Wednesday's incident comes a week after at least 17 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) received bomb threats, prompting an FBI investigation. HBCU Spelman College in Atlanta also shut down on Tuesday because of the third bomb threat it had received in a month. Emhoff's wife, Kamala Harris, is the nation's first African American and South Asian vice president Washington D.C. police said last Thursday that no bomb was detected and the school was reopened. The threat was being investigated but there were no immediate indications it was tied to bomb threats to other historically black institutions, police said. Dunbar Principal Nadine Smith said the school followed safety protocols following yesterday's bomb threat and children were sent home for the day. 'Our protocol is to clear the building and move the kids away. DCPS just gave us directions to make sure, to go ahead and send the kids home. We won't be able to clear the building for probably another hour or two,' she said. Police dogs also searched the building. The school was safe and no bomb was found, Washington D.C. Executive Chief of Police Ashan Benedict said Tuesday afternoon, adding they would be investigating the threat. 'I can't say any certainty is not related to the recent residence historically black colleges, but our partners at the FBI Washington Field Office will work with us to kind of decipher what we have here and make those links if any, but this time doesn't appear to be related,' Benedict said. He said he spoke to the Secret Service who did not believe the threat was tied to Emhoff. Emhoff's wife, Kamala Harris, is the nation's first African American and South Asian vice president. In December, more than a dozen students nationwide were arrested after making copycat threats attributed to a 'school shooting TikTok challenge.' The crackdown comes as the FBI was investigating the vile TikTok challenge that dared students to call in threats after 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley shot and killed four people at his high school in Oxford, Michigan. Three of the dozen-plus arrests involved 13-year-old males who shared threats on social media in Naugatuck, Connecticut; Palm Coast, Florida, and Frederick, Maryland. U.S. Border Patrol agents foiled a human smuggling attempt when they found 132 migrants inside a tractor trailer in Texas. El Paso Sector's agents assigned to the Ysleta Station were tipped off Sunday about smuggling activities that were taking place at an abandoned building and of a second location that was also being utilized by the smugglers. The border station's anti-smuggling unit spotted the truck early Monday and ordered the driver to stop before they made the shocking discovery in an industrial area. Images released by the El Paso Sector showed the large group huddling together and arrested the driver and their companion. The migrant group consisted of 130 adults from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Ecuador. CBP also identified two unaccompanied children from Guatemala within the group. U.S. Border Patrol agents investigating a human trafficking scheme discovered 132 migrants - including two unaccompanied children - during a traffic stop Monday in El Paso, Texas CBP learned of a possible smuggling activity taking place at two El Paso, Texas, locations on Sunday. At least 132 migrants from Central America and South America were found inside a tractor trailer on Monday. CBP said there were two unaccompanied children within the group CBP said that some of the migrants have already been sent back to Mexico under Title 42 - a policy enforced by the former administration of President Donald Trump that allows for migrants to be returned across the border due to concerns of a mass COVID-19 outbreak It's unknown if the children's parents are in the United States or if a family member has been contacted. DailyMail.com reached out to CBP for comment. All of the individuals were provided medical attention and processed for unlawful border entry. The agency said some of the migrants were sent back to Mexico under Title 42 - a policy enforced by the former administration of President Donald Trump that allows for migrants to be returned across the border due to concerns of a mass COVID-19 outbreak. 'Human smugglers continue to have no regard for the health and safety of the people they exploit for profit,' El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez said in a statement. 'These dangerous smuggling tactics endanger migrant lives and exposed the ruthless and careless methods Transnational Criminal Organizations use to carry out their illicit activities.' A total of 130 adult migrants await inside a CBP facility for processing before some were expelled to Mexico Mondays smuggling activity took place just days after a woman involved in a migrant trafficking incident was stopped and apprehended by Border Patrol agents 523 miles away in the Texas border city of Carrizo Springs. A viral video of the arrest showed the moment the alleged trafficker snarled and lunged at an agent who was filming her after she repeatedly refused orders to put her feet back in the U.S. Border Patrol van. A woman arrested for smuggling migrants last week in Carrizo Springs, Texas, snarls at Border Patrol agents as she charged at them and tried to escape CBP's recent report for southwestern encounters shows that encounters of migrants for unlawful crossing of the United States-Mexico border in fiscal year 2022 are on pace to surpass the totals for the previous fiscal year. At least 518,360 encounters were reported between October 2021 and December 2021, the first quarter of the current fiscal year, after 1,734,686 interdictions were registered in all of fiscal year 2021. For its part, the El Paso Sector tallied 49,012 encounters in the first three months of fiscal year 2022, a 71.7 percent increase after 28,553 interdictions were made in the prior fiscal year's first quarter. Former President Donald Trump couldn't quit his bromance with Kim Jong-un after leaving office, and has told people he has kept in touch with the North Korean dictator, according to a new book. Trump famously exchanged 'love letters' with Kim, and famously said at a West Virginia rally that 'We fell in love.' According to The Confidence Man, a forthcoming book by New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, Trump has told associates he kept in contact with Kim after leaving the White House. 'As we know, he had a fixation on this relationship,' Haberman told CNN in an interview Thursday. Trump said he exchanged 'love letters' with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. He has told people they have maintained contact, according to a new book She spoke after Axios first reported the excerpt, along with a claim in the book that White House staff would periodically find wet clumps of printed paper in the toilet of the White House residence while Trump was in office, and that Trump was believed to be the culprit. Trump called that report 'fake news' in a statement Thursday. The report of continued contact between Trump and Kim comes amid a series of revelations about what was contained in 15 boxes that the National Archives and Records Administration obtained from Mar-a-Lago. The New York Times reported that among the things Trump handed over were copies of the 'love letters' he exchanged with Kim while in office. Trump held two summits with Kim, including one at the DMZ North Korea has continued its missile testing program. This picture taken on January 27, 2022 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 28 shows what North Korea says is a surface-to-surface tactical guided missile Maggie Haberman of the New York Times said she doesn't know whether the contact actually occurred 'Even now I cannot forget that moment of history when I firmly held Your Excellency's hand at the beautiful and sacred location as the whole world watched with great interest and hope to relive the honor of that day,' Kim wrote Trump after their Singapore summit in 2018. But two meetings with the North Korean leader aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula failed to stem the country's missile testing and harsh rhetoric. Trump's claims could not be verified and may not be true, Haberman said. 'What he says and what's actually happening are not always in concert, but he has been telling people that he has maintained some kind of a correspondence or discussion with Kim Jong Un,' she said. The claim is included in the forthcoming book, The Confidence Man DailyMail.com has asked the White House Trump has informed the administration of any actual contacts with the North Korean leader. Kim is the only foreign leader Trump has said he remains in contact with, she added. An exchange with Kim would be unusual for a former president, given Pyongyang's escalating missile tests. North Korea boasted on Tuesday that it is one of only a handful of countries in the world to field nuclear weapons and advanced missiles and the only one standing up to the United States by 'shaking the world' with missile tests. A representative for Trump did not immediately return a request for comment. Trump issued a statement Thursday denying the claim that documents were flushed down the White House residence toilet, following additional reports that Archives officials identified classified information in the material that was returned. 'The papers were given easily and without conflict and on a very friendly basis, which is different from the accounts being drawn up by the Fake News Media. In fact, it was viewed as routine and "no big deal,"' Trump said. A British man who smothered his ailing wife before trying to take his own life for allegedly sparing her the pain of a terminal illness, has today denied murder, while his lawyers said they are seeking to have the charge changed to assisted suicide. David Hunter, 74, a retired miner living on the Mediterranean island with his late wife Janice, 56, faces life imprisonment in a Cyprus jail if convicted of murder, fanning public and political debate over mercy killings, or else euthanasia, on the largely Christian-Orthodox island. Represented by a panel of British lawyers, Hunter appeared before a Cyprus court early Thursday having been released from a psychiatric facility on the island. He has denied murdering his wife and his lawyers are seeking to have the charge changed to assisting suicide. His lawyers said they had been together for 56 years, but Mrs Hunter was suffering from terminal blood cancer and had wanted to die. Hunter entered a not guilty plea to a charge of murder at Paphos District Court on Thursday. David Hunter, 74, a retired miner living on the Mediterranean island with his late wife Janice of 56 years, faces up to life imprisonment at a Cyprus jail if convicted of murder, fanning public and political debate over mercy killings, or else euthanasia British barrister Michael Polak, from the Justice Abroad organisation representing Hunter, said: 'We will be writing to the Cypriot attorney general asking for him to consider an alternative charge of assisting suicide in this case. 'At a time when the Parliament of Cyprus is discussing the legalisation of euthanasia, and given the circumstances in this case, we will be submitting that assisting suicide would be a much more appropriate charge than murder which carries a mandatory life sentence.' Hunter's lawyers said he had tried to take his own life but survived and was charged with murder, which he denies. Local judicial officials one month ago ordered him to be treated at a psychiatric facility, which he has since been released from, for trying to overdose soon after confessing to suffocating his wife with his bare hands. The couple's daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, has launched an online crowdfunding campaign on the Crowd Justice website to raise money for her father's defence. She said in a statement: 'My dad devoted himself to caring for my mum. 'We love him very much and want to help him in any way possible. 'That's why we need help to pay for the legal representation which will give him the best chance possible of being allowed to return to the United Kingdom to the people who love him and who can support him through his grief. 'My father is in the latter stages of his life and we just want him to be with us.' Mr Hunter has denied murdering his wife (both pictured on their wedding day) and his lawyers are seeking to have the charge changed to assisting suicide Hunter's lawyers said they had been together for 56 years, but Mrs Hunter (both pictured) was suffering from terminal blood cancer and had wanted to die Claiming Mrs Hunter was 'in a great deal of pain', Michael Polak of the British-based Justice Abroad legal group said ahead of the trial: '[Janice] She was suffering from blood cancer and was in a great deal of pain and her quality of life had drastically diminished'. 'This was a terminal disease that had taken the life of her sister and the pain she was under was getting worse and worse,' he said. 'We will do everything possible to bring David home to the United Kingdom as soon as possible so that he can be with his family at this difficult time.' It remained unclear whether Hunter's bid to terminate his wife's life was premediated or whether he had his wife's consent. Even so, euthanasia a contentious issue of debate in Cyprus' society and politics for decades is illegal on the island where the couple had been residing for years. In his initial deposition in late December, the husband claimed his wife wanted to die peacefully following her terminal diagnosis. Police were alerted to the fatal incident by Interpol after Hunter sent off an email to his brother in the UK, saying he had killed his wife to end her suffering. He also warned his brother of his attempt to commit suicide. A criminal investigation launched since then has found that marks on the woman's face showed she had been suffocated, her mouth and nose blocked by the hand of her killer. Police who scrambled to the couple's home found the ailing wife dead, seated in an armchair, in their cottage. The husband was said to be 'clinging on to life, nearby,' according to local media. David and Janice lived together in the village of Tremithousa (pictured), near Paphos, Cyprus The pair lived in the village of Tremithousa, around a mile and a half north of the holiday resort city of Paphos. Bernard McKever, 77 and a former colleague of the retired miner, said of the British couple: 'They were a lovely couple, very nice and decent people, so this is a big shock.' Since the mercy killing, a parliamentary committee has commenced debate on euthanasia for terminally-ill patients on Cyprus a move which the island's powerful Orthodox Church considers a grave sin, on a par with suicide and murder. The Church, said a local prelate recently, 'ascribes life to God, not man.' 'When someone's life becomes insufferable, that person can ask God to take his or her life,' he said. 'Under no circumstance can individuals decide on their own if they should live or not.' Hunter's trial will commence on April 18. 'We will be writing to the Cypriot Attorney General asking for him to consider an alternative charge of assisting suicide in this case,' Polak said. 'At a time when the Parliament of Cyprus is discussing the legalisation of euthanasia and given the circumstances, in this case, we will be submitting that assisting suicide would be a much more appropriate charge than murder which carries a mandatory life sentence.' Australian commentators called move 'extraordinary' and New York Times opinion piece hit out at 'England exceptionalism' Canadian politician urged country to 'follow Britain' in transitioning out of rules Politicians and commentators around the world have reacted to Boris Johnson's decision to end all of England's Covid restrictions - with some urging their governments to do the same. By the end of February, England will be the first major country in the world to have ended all restrictions, including on travel, vaccine passports and isolating, the Prime Minister announced this week. Although Denmark took credit for being the first European Union country to scrap all legal pandemic restrictions, the government still recommends citizens to isolate with a positive test. News of England's Covid rules axing has been reported worldwide, piquing interest in countries where tough restrictions are still in place. In Canada, former diplomat and New Brunswick Liberal Party leader Kevin Vickers urged his government to 'follow' England's lead. It comes after the country saw a spate of protests by truckers blocking border crossings in an objection to Covid restrictions. Writing on twitter, Mr Vickers said: 'It is time to follow the lead of Norway, Denmark, England, Ireland, France and both red and blue U.S. states and transition to an endemic view of COVID-19.' By the end of February, England will be the first major country in the world to have ended all restrictions, including on travel, vaccine passports and isolating, the Prime Minister announced this week. (Pictured: Boris Johnson during a visit to Ukraine Thursday) In Canada, former diplomat and New Brunswick Liberal Party leader Kevin Vickers urged his government to 'follow' England's lead (pictured) However, urging his followers to 'connect the dots', France24 commentator Douglas Herbert tweeted: 'Boris Johnson is fighting to save his job amid allegations he broke his own government's lockdown rules, repeatedly. Boris Johnson has outlined plans to lift all remaining coronavirus restrictions in England within weeks - much earlier than expected.' In Australia, Boris' plans were branded 'extraordinary' on morning television programme The Today Show. Presenter Brett McLeod said: 'It is extraordinary to consider this in the Australian context - if you test positive once these changes go through, not only do you.. you don't have to isolate, you can do whatever you like, and there'll be no punishment for doing that. 'It would be the most extraordinary move in Europe though.' However one French journalist questioned the PM's motives, suggesting he was ditching Covid curbs to distract from the ongoing Partygate scandal. Urging his followers to 'connect the dots', France24 commentator Douglas Herbert tweeted: 'Boris Johnson is fighting to save his job amid allegations he broke his own government's lockdown rules, repeatedly. 'Boris Johnson has outlined plans to lift all remaining coronavirus restrictions in England within weeks - much earlier than expected.' In Spain, the Madrid-based La Razon newspaper said the embattled British premier announced the lifting of restrictions 'in a bid to revive his damaged reputation after a new photo of a Downing Street party emerged'. The sentiment was echoed in a New York Times article, which said the proposal to ditch all Covid rules came 'at a time of political danger for Mr. Johnson.' It also said it was 'likely to please a vocal contingent of Conservative lawmakers who opposed the restrictions.' Meanwhile an opinion piece for the same newspaper branded the plans as a prime example of 'English exceptionalism'. The piece by David Segal said: 'This faith in the power of English minds to dig the country out of any mess is a variation on the theme of exceptionalism. 'Put another way, the English are different. Expecting them to trod the same path as the rest of Europe is folly.' Nevertheless, several countries worldwide, including in Europe, have begun announcing similar exit strategies out of the pandemic. In Ireland, the majority of Covid restrictions are set to be removed from 6am tomorrow, reported the Irish Independent. Pubs, restaurants and nightclubs will return to normal hours while the rule of six will be scrapped. Social distancing will also be ditched while guidance on close contact, people with symptoms, and those who test positive for Covid-19 will be placed under a review at the end of the month. February will also see a phased return to the office for workers from next week. Meanwhile the Czech Republic is dropping its Covid pass requirements from today and, much like England, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said his government will drop the majority of its restrictions by March 1. In France, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced a timetable on Thursday for phasing out some COVID restrictions - including the mandatory wearing of masks in outdoor locations and the closing of nightclubs and stadiums, with a view to scrapping vaccine passports if the positive coronavirus data continues. Across the pond, Dr Anthony Fauci - who headed up the US's response to the pandemic - revealed he believed Covid restrictions could end 'as early as this year' in an interview with the Financial Times. He accepted that the virus was not going to be eradicated, adding: 'As we get out of the full-blown pandemic phase of COVID-19, which we are certainly heading out of, these decisions will increasingly be made on a local level rather than centrally decided or mandated.' An opinion piece for the New York Times branded the plans as a prime example of 'English exceptionalism' Mr Johnson told the Commons yesterday that he will present his plan for 'living with Covid' when Parliament returns from a short recess on February 21, with an aim of lifting the requirement to self-isolate within days of that. But yet another rift appears to be opening up between Mr Johnson and Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, with a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government saying that the UK Government 'failed to provide devolved nations with appropriate notice to consider implications ahead of the announcement by the Prime Minister'. And Scotland's health secretary, Humza Yousaf, accused the PM today of ditching Covid curbs to 'distract and deflect' attention from Partygate. 'This wasn't a thought-out policy backed up by public health expert advice, it was a dead cat thrown on the dispatch box of the House of Commons in order to distract and deflect,' Mr Yousaf told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'Since this decision was made and it was a unilateral decision, one that wasn't discussed with any of the other three nations of the UK we've asked for that public health advice and none has been forthcoming. 'And I think we should just be frank This was clearly an attempt to deflect scrutiny away from the prime minister's behaviour.' A Florida couple visiting Venice Beach were robbed at gunpoint as Los Angeles continues to be plagued by violent theft. The violent attempted theft took place near Washington Boulevard and Dell Avenue in broad daylight around 1:45pm on Wednesday. The victim was walking to his rental car with his girlfriend after spending the afternoon at the beach when they were followed and soon approached by two men who exited their White Sedan wearing black ski masks and demanded the man's Cartier watch, LAPD said. When the victim refused to give up his high-end watch, he was shot in the leg, according to police. Cartier watch prices range from around $2,700 to $212,000, some even fetching higher rates. Scroll for video A Florida couple visiting Venice Beach were robbed at gunpoint in a brazen violent attack Wednesday afternoon after leaving the beach (Pictured: The attack took place during the afternoon near Washington Boulevard and Dell Avenue) The man was shot in the leg when he refused to give up his Cartier watch (Pictured: The attempted robbery occurred near Washington Boulevard and Dell Avenue) The suspects fled the scene driving northbound and the victim was rushed to a hospital in Marina del Rey, according to police. No arrests have been made as the investigation remains ongoing. The couple was not named and the victim's status is unknown. The attempted robbery comes as Venice Beach and other Los Angeles neighborhoods have been overwhelmed by violent smash-and-grab and follow-home robberies. LAPD Capt. Jonathan Tippet, who runs the Robbery Homicide Division, said officers believe multiple robbery crews are behind the series of crimes targeting affluent areas. A community alert issued in November warned of the 'ongoing crime trend' where suspects have been followed from places like Melrose Avenue, the Jewelry District, nightclubs, and high-end restaurants and chosen based on their vehicle. The armed robbers have been targeting expensive jewelry and purses. The LAPD launched the 'Follow Home Task Force' in response to the continuing problem. Violent crime is up across the nation but wealthy neighborhoods in LA are outpacing other parts of the country. According to the LAPD, violent crime has risen 0.5% overall with robberies shooting up 20% since last year. Along with the violent robberies, Venice Beach is struggling to manage its homeless population and maintain the safety of its residents and visitors. A Venice Beach community organization has warned Los Angeles officials that they're liable for millions in payouts if the remaining homeless encampments aren't cleared out, months after the city removed about 200 people from the boardwalk. The Venice Stakeholders Association sent a letter to several city offices last week explaining that LA could face a number of expensive lawsuits if they fail to protect the safety of nearby residents. The city cleared out more than 200 people from the area last summer (pictured), but about 70 people are still camping out overnight, according to the head of the Venice Stakeholders Association Venice Beach, a popular tourist site, was home to about 2,000 homeless people in 2020 Those who live in the area have complained about the garbage littering the boardwalk and the unchecked fires started by people camping outside. Last January, a fire at a homeless tent near the beach spread to a vacant two-story building and completely destroyed it. It took 116 firefighters two hours to put it out. The city cleared out about 200 people from the area over the summer, but the president of the Venice Stakeholders Association says about 70 people are still camping out overnight. 'There's almost no police presence or fire department presence down here overnight,' said Ryavec, who leads the 11-year-old organization, in an interview with KABC. 'We're putting the city on notice, that, if there's loss of life, if there's a structure, they are clearly already negligent, and they already will face a huge settlement.' There were 1,901 homeless people in the Venice area in 2020, according to the latest count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Ryavec says that LAPD and sanitation crews come by every Thursday, but that authorities have to come by at least three times a week to keep it completely clear. 'It's illegal to camp on Venice Beach,' Ryavec said. 'And we want that message established by enforcement of the rules that exist.' A whopping 94 percent of people living in the City of Angels say homelessness is a serious or very serious problem. Residents argued that homelessness is the top problem facing the county, with 94 percent of voters viewing it as a serious or very serious problem 'There's almost no police presence or fire department presence down here overnight,' said Ryavec, who leads the 11-year-old organization, in an interview with KABC It was the biggest concern among residents polled, ahead of housing affordability, or traffic, air quality and climate change. Four in 10 Los Angeles residents have cited the city's homelessness problem as a main cause for feeling unsafe in their communities, with one in five people saying they would consider moving to escape the problem. The poll was conducted by the The Los Angeles Times and the city's Business Council Institute and surveyed 906 registered voters. It revealed that many LA County residents are disappointed with regional leadership, rising senses of disorder and routinely finding urine and feces in the streets. The poll-takers also expressed concern for the safety of their children. 'I didn't feel safe over there, especially raising my children,' said Amber Morino, a 35-year-old mother of seven, living in San Fernando Valley. 'I am also considering moving out of the state because it's so bad. Like, I just feel like every corner I turn here there are encampments campers. It's just terrible.' Police have arrested two men accused of lighting 15 trash bins on fire along Ocean Front Walk in Venice Beach on January 25. Surveillance video shows a man in dark clothes walking past trash cans lining a sidewalk of the popular tourist destination and lighting each of them on fire one by one. Jonathan Michael Noriega, 32, was arrested on January 27 and charged with arson. His accomplice, Richard Michael David, was arrested on January 31, according to the LA Fire Department. Last month, a man was caught on video setting fire to a line of trash bins on Ocean Front Walk The fires were set on January 25, adding to the issue of unchecked fires often set by those who set up camp in the area Jonathan Michael Noriega (left) and Richard Michael David (right) were arrested last month and charged with arson in connection with the fires In January 2021, 116 firefighters put out a fire that spread from a homeless tent to a vacant two-story building at 723 S. Ocean Front Walk, according to KTLA. It took two hours and 17 minutes from the time the fire was reported to the time it was extinguished. The Fire Department said the fire started at an encampment on the south side of the 6,952 sq ft building and threatened two other nearby structures. No one was injured. 'Any contents within the heavily damaged and now unstable fire building have yet to be identified,' the Fire Department said at the time. City officials said 211 people were removed from the boardwalk back in August, with 185 being placed in interim housing, 22 were in hotels or motels and four in permanent housing, LA City Councilman Mike Bonin's office told KTLA. The Venice Stakeholders Association told LA city agencies that they could be liable for millions in lawsuits if they don't address the dangerous encampments near Venice Beach. Above, a protest to open LA City Hall to the public again on November 12 In January 2021, 116 firefighters worked for two hours to put out a fire that spread from a homeless tent on Venice Beach to a vacant two-story building at 723 S. Ocean Front Walk The fire started at an encampment on the south side of the 6,952 sq ft building About 116 had been matched with permanent housing resources, according to St. Joseph Center. But Ryavec says about 70 people are still camping there overnight. Soon after the clean-up, residents complained that the city's efforts were 'all for show.' In July, a concerned resident who asked not to be identified captured a couple on video taking up camp near the popular boardwalk. 'You can clearly see a man and a woman unloading their car at about 7pm,' they said. 'The car had an Arkansas license plate, and they just went about their business, lugging their belongings and setting up a tent on the sand like it was no big deal.' Patrick Liberty, who has had a shop on the boardwalk for 25 years, told DailyMail.com last July that his business has taken a huge beating with homeless tents set up directly across from his store. 'The reality on the ground here is undeniable, it's a disaster. It's been very debilitating for my business, this is the last thing you want in front of a shop. Tourists and locals alike are afraid to walk down the boardwalk, let alone come into my store,' Liberty said. On July 14, a concerned resident who wished to remain anonymous captured a couple on video unpacking their car to take up camp near the popular boardwalk Bystanders captured video of an angry and violent man on the boardwalk holding what appears to be a rod. 'Just this morning, I saw a man screaming at the top of his lungs, walking down the boardwalk with torn up clothes and shouting out nonsense. Try putting him in a home. It's simply not the solution,' said shop owner Patrick Liberty told DailyMail.com in July 'Over the years, I've seen it all and can confidently say this is not a mere housing problem,' he explained. 'The people camped out front my store are not looking for housing, they are looking for drugs and have made this place their permanent home. They sit out on lounge chairs during the day and ask people for a dollar so they can buy crack. 'These people are in need of help, help to overcome their addictions and help with learning basic life skills. You can't just put street people in a home and think that's it, that's the answer. For some people yes, but for the people who willingly come here to live on the beach, no. Furious residents and shop owners told DailyMail.com that July's sweep was 'all for show' Less than a week after the clean-up efforts, the homeless were back setting up their tents and swarming the tourist-filled boardwalk 'Just this morning, I saw a man screaming at the top of his lungs, walking down the boardwalk with torn up clothes and shouting out nonsense. Try putting him in a home. It's simply not the solution,' Liberty said. Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, who has come under fire for what many call a lack of leadership and a lack of concern for the residents of Venice, has a completely different take on the situation. On July 12, Bonin tweeted, 'More than half of the unhoused population on Venice Beach's Ocean Front Walk-110 people-are sleeping indoors & are on a path to permanent housing as a result of the Encampments to Homes program.' Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin has come under fire for what many call a lack of leadership and a lack of concern for the residents of Venice. He tweeted about the clean-up efforts on July 12 Venice native Andrew Sullivan says it's a bit early for Bonin to be patting himself on the back and describes the recent clean-up as nothing more than 'the Mike Bonin Boardwalk Shuffle' as homeless encampments move further north and the sand resembles Burning Man. 'Venice Beach is in a state of emergency on all levels, and what we need right now is FEMA,' Sullivan told DailyMail.com. 'If you were to dare go to the boardwalk tonight, you would not see these so-called mental health workers from St. Joseph's Center walking around, helping people. Residents only see this happen when they call the media to be here or an activist's livestream camera is on. It's a collection of the biggest non-profit grifters ever assembled in one city. 'It's all about making those in charge look like they are actually doing something, when those of us who live here see first hand the horrors of mismanagement. If our leaders wanted to fix this, they've had $800million plus in the bank since 2017 to do so and they were just given another $5million,' he added. 'The streets indicate otherwise and the residents are organizing recalls to end the madness from Bonin to California Governor Gavin Newsom,' said Sullivan. A vulnerable Virginia representative is calling Democratic efforts to ban lawmakers' stock trading 'bulls***' as she joins her colleague in opposing their own party's proposal. 'I think this whole concept is bulls***',' Representative Elaine Luria from Virginia told Punchbowl News. 'Why would you assume that members of Congress are going to be inherently bad or corrupt?' She said the failsafes already in place to restrict and require reporting of lawmakers' stock activity is enough to ensure no foul play as criticism over insider trading mounts and pressure builds to impose restrictions on members of Congress. 'We already have the STOCK Act that requires people to report stock trades,' Luria added. 'Why would you assume I mean, the people that you're electing to represent you, it makes no sense that you're going to automatically assume that they're going to use their position for some nefarious means or to benefit themselves. So I'm very strongly opposed to any legislation like that.' When asked for potential clarification or expansion on her comments and opposition, Luria's communications director told DailyMail.com: 'The Congresswoman's comments speak for themselves.' Several progressive groups also sent a letter on Thursday to House Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Administration Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren, and Ranking Member Rodney Davis urging 'a hearing on the issue of stock ownership and trading by members of Congress.' Luria's net worth is more than $8.5 million and she trades millions. Her 2020 filings show she had assets worth between $1-$5 million separately in Facebook and computer design company Nvidia. She also had between $500,000-$1 million in Netflix. She also has at least $652,000 and up to $1.38 million combined in Apple, Walt Disney, SnapChat, Navy Federal Credit Union, Idera Pharmaceuticals, Navy Mutual Aid Association and Alibaba. Luria and her husband Robert Blondin sold on March 31, 2021 between $250,000-$500,000 in Alibaba stock and purchased $250,000- $500,000 of Uber stock the same day. Blondin bought between $1,000-$15,000 of both QuantumScape and Tesla stock in March. Vulnerable Democratic Representative Elaine Luria (pictured) called her party's own proposal to ban members from trading stocks 'bulls***' Luria's 2020 trading disclosure shows she own between $1-$5 million both Facebook and computer design company Nvidia. She also own up to $1 million in Netflix stock as well as hundreds of thousands in other holdings including Walt Disney Company, Snapchat and Apple Luria and her husband Robert Blondin (pictured left) trade and hold millions in stocks Democratic Representative Cindy Axne from Iowa has also come out against the effort to ban lawmakers from trading stocks. Axne, who serves on the Financial Services Committee, is worried more about the logistics of an outright ban and how it would differentiate between accounts actively controlled and traded by members and those that aren't like a 529 education account. The Iowa GOP slammed Axne, who along with Luria is in a vulnerable spot in the 2022 midterm elections. The Republicans in her home state said Axne 'has violated the STOCK Act over 40 times, been called out by multiple outside groups, and continues to buy and sell stock in companies she oversees on the House Financial Services Committee.' 'Cindy Axne is far more concerned about lining her pockets than representing Iowa's third congressional district,' said Iowa's GOP Communications Director Kollin Crompton. 'Axne's crooked ways will not sit well with Iowans.' In juxtaposition to Luria, all of Axne's stock trades have come as part of individual retirement accounts. Luria, who represents a district that encompasses Norfolk, Virginia Beach and other southeastern counties and cities, faces a tough reelection battle in the 2022 midterms after her district went red in the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race that saw the state house flip red. Most of Virginia's 2nd congressional district voted for Glenn Youngkin over Democratic former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, who had the backing of President Joe Biden. This signals that Luria's blue seat could also flip. Luria's honesty with a quite unpopular stance comes in the midst of a tough election year as Democrats try to hang on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate. Iowa Democratic Representative Cindy Axne, who also faces a tough reelection battle, has also expressed concern over the ban Several progressive groups co-signed a letter to the House Administration committee and House leadership urging a hearing on the matter The proposal to ban lawmakers from trading stocks was finally embraced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi this week after she was slammed for proposing the idea due to her husband Paul's extensive stock portfolio. Pelosi previously used the same reasoning as Luria, claiming she trusted members to trade stocks without excessive restriction or oversight. But progressives are pushing the party on the matter. Senior Associate for the government relations arm of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee P Street Kia Hamadanchy said in a statement provided to DailyMail.com: 'Democrats across the ideological spectrum know that banning members and their families from trading stock is good policy and good politics.' 'There's no reason for Democrats not to act on this issue, when so many members of Congress support ending these conflicts of interest,' he added. 'Passing this bill would be a huge political asset for Democrats.' Luria's fellow Virginia Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger has taken some of the charge in drafting one version of legislation that would ban stock trading for members. 'I've talked to her,' Luria said to Punchbowl. 'I know that I don't agree with her on this issue. I mean, we're great friends together in Virginia, but it was an issue where we differ.' Pelosi is now on board with a potential ban but wants it to include all branches of government including the Supreme Court, she said Wednesday. The powerful Democrat has shot down the idea multiple times in the past, despite criticism over her husband raking in millions on the stock exchange. But the California legislator is now working with other Democratic leaders on how to get it done, according to Punchbowl News, after caving to pressure from both sides of the aisle and both chambers of Congress. Pelosi confirmed it during her Wednesday morning press conference at the US Capitol, but pointed out the nation's highest court has no stock disclosures. 'It has to be government-wide,' Pelosi said when she was asked about what criteria would make up the ban. 'We have to do this to determine something that we see as a problem -- but it is a confidence issue -- and if that's what the members want to do, then that's what we will do,' Pelosi said. She also confirmed tapping House Administration Committee Chair Rep. Zoe Lofgren to come up with pathways on how to enact the stock trading ban and present those to House leaders. Pelosi said there was a 'certain criteria' for any legislation that gets her green light to go to the floor. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi finally embraced the proposal for banning lawmaker stock trading after opposing it earlier this year. 'There's a certain criteria that I wanted to see with whatever whatever design they have for that,' Pelosi said Wednesday 'There's a certain criteria that I wanted to see with whatever whatever design they have for that -- that's one, but the other is we have to tighten the fines on those who violate the STOCK Act. But it's simply not sufficient to deter behavior. And then the third, is just really has to be government wide,' Pelosi said. The STOCK Act, which makes it illegal for lawmakers to use non-public information for private profit and requires them to publicly disclose stock and bond transactions within 45 days. It could be updated to outright stop lawmakers from trading individual stocks. As many as 49 legislators and 182 Congressional staffers had violated the STOCK Act by reporting their trades late from January through September 2021, according to a Business Insider report from last year. Changes to the Ethics in Government Act are also on the table, Wednesday's report suggests. The post-Watergate scandal law called for the mandatory public disclosure of financial records and employment history for public officials and their immediate families. Pelosi said that a prospective package would also have to include limitations on federal judges' financial activity. 'The Supreme Court has no disclosure. It has no reporting of stock transactions, and it makes important decisions every day. I do believe in the integrity of people in public service, I want the public to have that understanding but we have to do this to deter something that we fear is a problem,' the speaker told reporters. There are a few different bills already on the table that leadership will start considering, including the TRUST and the Ban Conflicted Trading Act (BCTA). The latter is co-sponsored by a large bipartisan group of lawmakers but is being spearheaded by Senator Jeff Merkley and Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Joe Neguse. Ocasio-Cortez and Krishnamoorthi said they believe Pelosi would be on board with the legislation during a press briefing on the legislation Thursday. 'I actually think she [Pelosi] is supportive of the gist of this proposal,' Krishnamoorthi said. Pelosi (pictured with her husband Paul Pelosi outside of 10 Downing Street in the UK in September 2021) has long been opposed to banning stock trades for members of Congress, despite ethics questions over her businessman husband spending millions on stocks and call-in options Ocasio-Cortez added: 'I think that the Speaker's openness on this position is really a testament to the fact that public attention and pressure can move public policy from the bottom all the way to the top.' 'I applaud the Speaker's openness and her willingness to listen to the caucus on this issue,' the progressive congresswoman said. The group also mentioned earlier in the briefing that the bill they are proposing does not include a ban on lawmakers' families members from trading and Pelosi's husband is the big trader in the family. While it now appears Pelosi is on board, Wednesday's report still indicates there's a myriad of questions that need to be answered about the details of what the House Speaker would support. Among the most prominent is whether the ban will extend to lawmakers' family members, as some members of Congress have already called for. But that could face pushback from Pelosi -- while she herself does not trade stocks, her regular financial disclosures show her husband, Paul Pelosi, regularly making millions off of the financial markets. Last month it was revealed that the businessman and investor dropped $3.5 million on call options, essentially betting that the stock will go up in value by a certain date and giving an investor the opportunity to buy it at the initial agreed-upon price until then. Two days after the House Speaker told reporters on December 15 that 'We're a free market economy. '[Lawmakers] should be able to participate in that,' her husband bought significant shares in Alphabet -- Google's parent company -- worth between $500,001 and $1 million. He also bought shares in Disney worth between $100,001 and $250,000. Pelosi has denied having any knowledge of or participating in her husband's trading activity. Meanwhile Pelosi's son has had his own financial woes. Paul Pelosi Jr. was involved in five companies probed by federal agencies before, during or after his time there, and documents recently uncovered by DailyMail.com appear to connect Paul Jr. to a San Francisco bribery and fraud scheme. Other issues Congress will have to look at will be whether to allow members to keep stocks they owned before coming to Capitol Hill, and whether to waive or defer capital gains tax in a bid to encourage members to sell their shares. The executive branch operates under the latter rule. The push to ban federal lawmakers from trading individual stocks has gained significant momentum in recent months. Such a measure has found vocal support from a wide range of House lawmakers, from progressive Squad members such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib, to pro-Trump Rep. Matt Gaetz, and even recently House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. Late last month, more than two dozen House Representatives from across the political spectrum wrote a letter to Pelosi and McCarthy demanding they bring a floor vote on either the Ban Conflicted Trading Act or the TRUST in Congress Act. The letter, penned by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden from Maine, reads: 'Perhaps this means some of our colleagues will miss out on lucrative investment opportunities. We don't care. We came to Congress to serve our country, not turn a quick buck' The idea has such widespread support that even progressive 'squad' member Rashida Tlaib and pro-Trump GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz see eye-to-eye on the issue The former would impose limits on lawmakers and their staff, while the latter extends the individual stock trading ban to Congressional spouses and dependent children. Both have bipartisan support. Similar measures are being examined in the Senate as well, with Democrat Senators Jon Ossoff and Mark Kelly putting forward a bill that would put the financial investments of lawmakers and their families into a blind trust. And on Tuesday it was reported by Axios that progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican Senator Steve Daines want to go a step further with a potential stock trading ban, limiting members of Congress to only hold stock in wider portfolios like a mutual fund. Pelosi appeared to begin to budge last month, when she said at a press conference: 'I just don't buy into it, but if members want to do that I'm okay with that.' It came one day after her rival, former President Donald Trump, slammed the California Democrat in a Breitbart interview for participating in the financial trade. 'She should not be allowed to do that with the stocks,' Trump had said of Pelosi. 'It's not fair to the rest of this country.' A key factor in the global decline has been Covid-19 restrictions, the report said The US and UK have slipped one and two places respectively vs. 2020 Nations are judged across five different categories to obtain their overall score 167 countries have their state of democracy ranked on a scale of one to 10 Both the US and UK have slipped down the rankings of the world's most democratic countries as Covid-19 restrictions continue to curtail citizen's freedoms two years into the pandemic, according to an annual democracy index. After a year which saw the global state of democracy slip from 5.37 in 2020 to 5.28 out of 10 in 2021, the United Kingdom fell two places, from 16 to 18, while the US dropped one place, from 25 to 26, in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Democracy Index. Afghanistan meanwhile was officially declared as the most undemocratic country by the Index, beating Myanmar and North Korea to the bottom spot, after the swift rise of the Taliban following the chaotic US withdrawal last summer. As in 2020, less than half of the world's population is living in a democracy but the trend has deteriorated further, the London-based analysis group said. A key factor in the global decline of democracy has been the persistent use of restrictions on personal freedoms due to the spread of Covid-19, the report said, as 2021 saw the emergence of new and more infectious variants. The report said that while the downward trend did not begin with the pandemic, it has been compounded by states restricting civil liberties, such as lockdowns, travel bans and mandates relating to vaccines. 'The pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented withdrawal of civil liberties among developed democracies and authoritarian regimes alike,' the report says. After a year which saw the global state of democracy slip from 5.37 in 2020 to 5.28 out of 10 in 2021, the United Kingdom fell two places, from 16 to 18, while the US dropped one place, from 25 to 26, in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Democracy Index (pictured: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and US President Joe Biden (R) A key factor in the global decline of democracy has been the persistent use of restrictions on personal freedoms due to the spread of Covid-19, the report said, as 2021 saw the emergence of new and more infectious variants. Pictured: An anti-Covid measure protest in London Afghanistan meanwhile was officially declared as the most undemocratic country by the Index, beating Myanmar and North Korea to the top - or bottom - spot, after the swift rise of the Taliban following the chaotic US withdrawal last summer (Taliban fighters patrol along a street during a demonstration by people to condemn the recent protest by the Afghan women's rights activists, in Kabul on January 21, 2022) This has been done 'through the imposition of lockdowns and restrictions on travelling and, increasingly, the introduction of 'green passes' requiring proof of vaccination against covid-19 for participation in public life. The report adds: 'It has led to the normalisation of emergency powers, which have tended to stay on the statute books, and accustomed citizens to a huge extension of state power over large areas of public and personal life.' The annual index rates the state of democracy of 167 countries out of 10, using 60 indicators grouped in five different categories. These categories are electoral process and pluralism, the functioning of government, political participation, democratic political culture and civil liberties. EIU found that just 6.4 per cent of the world's population enjoy a full democracy, while more than a third live under full authoritarian rule. Nordic countries dominated the top of the table, with Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland taking up four of the top five spots, completed by New Zealand (in second). Afghanistan (167), Myanmar (166) and North Korea (165) made up the bottom three, while both Russia (124) and China (148) also fell into the 'authoritarian' category. The report found more than a third of the world's population live under authoritarian rule, a large proportion of which are in China. 'China has not become more democratic as it has become richer. On the contrary, it has become less free,' the EIU said. China in particular was singled out by the report, which this year was titled 'The China Challenge'. It said the country is on track to become the world's dominant superpower, with the authoritarian CCP at the helm, posing a global challenge. 'As opposed to the Western governance model, which is based on electoral democracy and representative political parties, China repudiates popular sovereignty in favour of a combination of political authoritarianism and technocracy,' the report says. The role of the state in China has been of particular focus during the pandemic - and in recent months in the build up to the Winter Olympics in Beijing - as it continues to employ a zero-Covid strategy, locking down regions at the smallest sign of Covid. Top 10 most democratic nations in 2021 1) Norway 2) New Zealand 3) Finland 4) Sweden 5) Iceland 6) Denmark 7) Ireland 8) Taiwan =9) Australia =9) Switzerland Source: EIU Democracy Index Advertisement The EIU awards 167 countries a score out of 10 based on their performance in each of the five categories mentioned above, which are then averaged to determine their overall score and their place in the index. Countries are then further divided into four types of regime: 'full democracy', 'flawed democracy', 'hybrid regime' or 'authoritarian regime.' Britain fell to 17th place out of 167 but remained 'stable' despite resistance to changing coronavirus measures - though the recent events of Partygate are likely to impact the UK's score for 2022. By contrast, America has remained a 'flawed democracy' the category it fell into after Donald Trump took office in 2016, and slipped one place down the order with Joe Biden at the helm. The EIU's report said that the United States overall score remained 'weighed down by the country's intense levels of political and cultural polarisation'. Political infighting and 'institutional gridlock' brought the nation's scores in political culture and functioning of government categories down to a new low, while the question of abortion laws and coronavirus policies posed further problems. The report pointed fingers at the United States' 'highly politicised media, including the main network TV channels', as one of the main drivers behind the divisions which are crippling its democracy scores. 10 least democratic nations in 2021 158) Equatorial Guinea 159) Laos 160) Chad 161) Turkmenistan 162) Syria 163) Central African Republic 164) Dem. Republic of Congo 165) North Korea 166) Myanmar 167) Afghanistan Source: EIU Democracy Index Advertisement Afghanistan meanwhile, which did not make an appearance in the list's bottom 10 last year, tumbled right to the bottom of the pile in 2021 amid the resurgence of the Taliban. As the US and other allied nations withdrew troops and personnel from the nation last summer, the Taliban stormed to power and re-introduced its brutal interpretation of Sharia law for the first time in two decades. The Taliban's leaders promised they had softened their stances and policies in comparison to their predecessors, but their vice-like grip on the country was still strong enough to ensure Afghanistan placed firmly last in the Democracy Index, even below pariah state North Korea and Myanmar, which last year suffered a military coup. The report said: 'The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, which followed the collapse of an elected government, and the coup d'etat in Myanmar, were the two most prominent cases of democratic regression in 2021. 'In Afghanistan elections were banned and civil rights severely curtailed. Women are excluded from political participation and sex segregation is strictly enforced.' Afghanistan was the only country on the list to receive an overall score less than 1, registering 0.32. Myanmar - which last year saw a military coup - and North Korea received scores of 1.02 and 1.08 respectively. In this photograph taken on January 16, 2022, Taliban fighters stand guard during a military street parade in Maymana, capital of Faryab province. As the US and other allied nations withdrew troops and personnel from the nation last summer, the Taliban stormed to power and re-introduced its brutal interpretation of Sharia law for the first time in two decades In this file photo taken on July 14, 2021, women carry burning torches as they march during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon. - On February 1, 2022, Myanmar marks one year since Myanmar's military seized power, ousting the civilian government and arresting its de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows Kim Jong Un (C), chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, posing for a photo with members of a women's company under Unit 5492 of the Korean People's Army stationed at a remote seaside on the southwestern front, North Korea In Europe, Spain was downgraded to a 'flawed democracy', reflecting a deterioration in its score for judicial independence. The EIU said the UK also dropped in the ranking following controversies over party financing and a series of scandals, but remains a 'full democracy'. Less than half - 45.7 percent - of the world's population now live in a democracy of some sort, a significant decline from 2020 where the figure was 49.4 percent. Even fewer - 6.4 percent - reside in a 'full democracy' after Chile and Spain were downgraded to 'flawed democracies'. Spain's downgrade reflects a deterioration in its score for judicial independence, it said. The EIU's report pointed to continued restrictions as a result of the pandemic as being the main catalyst of democratic decline across the world. 'The pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented withdrawal of civil liberties among developed democracies and authoritarian regimes alike, through the imposition of lockdowns and restrictions on travelling and, increasingly, the introduction of 'green passes' requiring proof of vaccination against covid-19 for participation in public life,' it said. The report also pointed out that 'emergency powers' enjoyed by governments during the pandemic are likely to stay in place in one way or another, as world leaders have normalised their use while citizens have become accustomed to an extension of the state's power over their daily lives. The EIU's report pointed to continued restrictions as a result of the pandemic as being the main catalyst of democratic decline across the world (This illustration photograph taken on January 27, 2022, in Montpellier, France, shows a health pass on a mobile phone screen connected to the '#TousAntiCovid' Covid-19 tracing application) Demonstrators hold flags and placards as they march to protest against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions and the vaccine mandate in Vienna, Austria, December 11, 2021 Western Europe has a high concentration of established democracies according to the index, with the Nordics leading the charge as the most democratic nations. Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark are among the top seven most democratic countries in the world, with Norway retaining the top spot from last year 'thanks to its very high scores for electoral process and pluralism, political participation, and civil liberties'. Countries in western Europe account for seven of the top ten places in the global democracy rankings and over half of the nations classified as 'full democracies' (12 out of 21). A Met Police officer asked a 15-year-old girl if she had a boyfriend after getting her to meet him in a park when she finished school, a court has heard. PC Adnan Arib, 45, is also accused of telling a second girl, 16, she was 'very pretty' and inviting her out while in Bethnal Green police station, east London, where he was based. Arib, from Barking, east London, denied two charges of misconduct in a public office at Southwark Crown Court, over his alleged behaviour towards the two teenagers he met while on duty. In a prepared statement, Arib said he 'may have been naive but was only trying to help'. Prosecutor Jacqueline Carey told a jury on Thursday: 'His interactions with them, his conduct towards these two young women was wholly inappropriate and the prosecution say amounts to police misconduct.' She said the uniformed officer was called to a 15-year-old girl's flat by her mother, who had accused her daughter of stealing 10 from her, at around 7.30am on July 4 2019. PC Adnan Arib (pictured outside court), 45, denied two charges of misconduct in a public office at Southwark Crown Court, over his alleged behaviour towards the two teenagers he met while on duty Arib asked to speak to the youngster in her bedroom, mouthing to her to 'say no' when he asked her about the suspected theft, said Ms Carey. He then asked her to write her name, phone number and email address on a piece of paper, the girl said in a filmed police interview played in court. 'He asked me to meet after school,' she said. 'He asked if I wanted to meet in the park and I said, 'Yeah'. 'He said to not tell anyone, not tell my mum he's going to meet me.' The court heard Arib accessed information about the girl on the police computer before sending her a text message which read: 'It was nice to meet you this morning. Are we still meeting this afternoon?' 'I thought it was dodgy the way he was texting me,' she said. Arib had changed out of his police uniform into jeans and a pink top when she arrived at the park wearing her school uniform, the jury heard. The complainant also told police: 'I think he put his arm around me'. She continued: 'We only got out of the gates, I just asked: 'Where are we going?' and he said Mile End Park - I said I can't go that far.' He said: 'Why did you come and see me for such a short time? Then he started asking if I had a boyfriend and if he made me happy - I said I did and he does make me happy, which is a lie.' He had also told her that he wanted to be friends, and said that he had things he 'wanted to show her'. At this point he also suggested going for drinks, and told her he'd 'gone through so much' to facilitate their meetup, but the teenager stated she could not continue and left. Ms Carey described the alleged conversation as 'totally and utterly inappropriate'. 'The prosecution say this officer was tasked to investigate the suspected theft of a small amount of money,' she said. 'Not only did he fail to investigate it but he used it to engineer a meeting with a 15-year-old girl. Arib is also accused of telling a second girl, 16, she was 'very pretty' and inviting her out while in Bethnal Green police station (pictured), east London, where he was based 'His conduct does betray the public trust and there can be no reasonable excuse or justification for that behaviour.' The second complainant was picked up by police after she was reported missing on April 1 2019, the court heard. Ms Carey said she 'began to feel uncomfortable and a bit weird' when Arib started asking her about her personal life in the station at around 5am. He allegedly asked for her phone number and if she was in a relationship, told her he wanted to take her out and when she asked why, he said because she was 'very pretty', the court heard. Arib allegedly accessed a police report about her and officers later found 47 text messages had been sent between them on a phone he had initially tried to deny was his, the court heard. He said in a prepared statement he 'may have been naive but was only trying to help', the court heard. The jury was told Arib accepts meeting the girls but denies he was trying to form an inappropriate relationship with them and claims he wanted to help and provide them with advice, which he thought was part of his policing role. 'I find this all very disturbing,' one parent said, 'This is stuff that would normally be discussed in a safe place in the home' A school district in Enfield, Connecticut was left with pie on its face after asking eighth-graders to share their sexual desires in the form of pizza toppings. 'Now that you know this metaphor for sex, let's explore your preferences!' explained the instruction pamphlet distributed to students in a recent health class at John F. Kennedy Middle School. 'Draw and color your favorite type of pizza,' it added. 'What's your favorite style of pizza? Your favorite toppings? What are your pizza no-nos? Now mirror these preferences in relation to sex!' As if that wasn't explicit enough, the instructions offered some suggestions. 'Here are some examples: Likes: Cheese = Kissing. Dislikes: Olives = Giving oral.' A school district in Enfield, Connecticut asked eighth graders to share their sexual desires in the form of pizza toppings for a school assignment. 'What's your favorite style of pizza? Your favorite toppings? What are your pizza no-nos? Now mirror these preferences in relation to sex!' the pamphlet read One parent whose 13-year-old son was in the offending health class in December told DailyMail.com she was mortified when she asked her boy how his day went and he explained the hidden meanings of pepperoni and olives. 'When he told me about it, I was absolutely shocked,' the mother, who asked not to be identified, said. 'He's 13 years old! What gives teachers the right to have that conversation with our children?' An Enfield group of parents reached out to Brie Quartin (pictured) the district's Health and Physical Education Coordinator, to complain about the assignment. Quartin responded in an email by apologizing and blaming it on a technical error Her son told DailyMail.com that he didn't even know the meaning of the word 'oral' before that class. 'I didn't know what it meant so I looked it up on my school iPad,' the boy said, sheepishly. 'I just sort of laughed. I was surprised.' After class, some of the students went home and told their parents. Soon the pages were shared on Facebook, and the entire community got wind of it. An Enfield group of parents reached out to Brie Quartin, the district's Health and Physical Education Coordinator, to complain about the assignment. Quartin responded in an email by apologizing and blaming it on a technical error. 'The incorrect version, as opposed to the revised version of this assignment was mistakenly posted on our grade 8 curriculum page, and was inadvertently used for instruction to grade 8 Health classes,' Quartin wrote in the email, which was posted on the parent group's website. 'I caught the error after our curriculum revision in June but failed to post the intended version. 'The correct version of the assignment is for students to work in small groups to craft a pizza with toppings (no behaviors associated with said toppings) that would make everyone happy/comfortable using non-verbal communication only,' Quartin added. 'Students are then asked to reflect and discuss how thoughts or feelings can be confusing or miscontrued [sic], if we rely on non-verbal cues/communication alone. The parallel to be taught here is that when discussing pizza topping it is important that your preferences are clearly communicated to avoid any misunderstanding. This discussion then leads into how students can identify when consent is either present or not.' Giselle Moore, the group member who corresponded with Quartin and previously had two children in the district, said this was more than a mistake. 'This went all the way down the chain of command,' Moore told DailyMail.com. 'I find this all very disturbing,' she continued. 'This is stuff that would normally be discussed in a safe place in the home. This is not the school's job to talk to children about explicit sexual behavior. The school is just normalizing this behavior, hypersexualizing children.' Sophia Arel, the mother of an JFK Middle School eighth grader, told DailyMail.com that she decided pulled her own daughter out of the health class this semester after learning about the pizza assignment. 'They removed that part of the assignment, but I don't know what else is going to slip through the cracks,' she told DailyMail.com. 'It's vulgar and it's just inappropriate. First of all, you're 13, and you don't even know your sex preferences yet. And when these kids answer these questions, where does that information get shared? Who's interested?' The instruction pamphlet was distributed to students in a recent health class at John F. Kennedy Middle School (pictured) Enfield Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Drezek said during the school board meeting on Tuesday that the assignment was sent 'inadvertently' to eighth-graders, and said it was a 'mistake' 'I don't think there's anything wrong with learning about sex and consent at all,' Arel added. Superintendent Christopher Drezek said on Tuesday that the assignment was sent to eighth-graders by 'mistake' 'When I was young, we learned about the basics like contraception and things like that. But we weren't being asked what our preferences were and do we dislike giving oral. It's just so weird. My husband, when he learned about this, he was like ''I wish there was the pizza assignment when we were kids.'' He was joking, but was actually really pissed.' At a school board meeting Tuesday night, as some parents complained about school mask mandates, attention turned to pizza. One woman reportedly delivered a pie and was later confronted by audience members and removed by police. The debate continued among parents. 'This assignment is prompting kids to become sexually active before their time,' argued Tracey Jarvis, of Enfield, NBC Connecticut reported. 'This particular assignment was obviously not appropriate, but it was not intended to cause harm to any child,' said Marcie Taliceo of Enfield Enfield Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Drezek said during the school board meeting on Tuesday that the assignment was sent 'inadvertently' and it was a 'mistake.' 'The simple truth was it was a mistake. And I know that there are some who may not believe that. I know there are some who don't necessarily maybe want that answer,' Drezek said. 'In this particular case, I didn't even get a chance to because the person who made the mistake jumped ahead of it before I was even notified that it had happened.' Advertisement Canada's Freedom Convoy movement is finding creative ways around the government's attempt to slow down protests throughout the capital city of Ottawa by circling the arrival and departure lanes at the city's airport. The anti-vaccine mandate protesters made their way to Ottawa International Airport on Thursday, still angry at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for smearing them as 'a few people shouting and waving swastikas,' while Ottawa police have threatened to arrest some truckers without warrants. The protests have already led to 23 arrests and over 80 criminal investigations, but police are warning the truckers and their allies that more may be coming and sent out a 'message to demonstrators.' The Ottawa Police Service said those found to be engaging in criminal activity - which includes 'blocking streets' or assisting those who do - could be arrested without a warrant and could potentially have their vehicles seized and forfeited. 'You must immediately cease further unlawful activity or you may face charges,' the Wednesday notice reads. 'You could be arrested without a warrant for this offence if you are a party to the offence or assisting others in the direct or indirect commission in this offence.' Whether or not someone is released on bail depends on factors in 'Part XVI of the Criminal Code,' authorities added. Ottawa police had issued a warning earlier Monday that 'anyone found bringing fuel to the demonstration trucks in the red zone could be subject to arrest and charges.' In the process of heading to the airport on Thursday, the convoy shut down both directions on the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit, Michigan, to Windsor, Ontario. The bridge typically sees about 8,000 trucks pass through daily and accounts for 25 percent of trade between the two countries. The city of Windsor said Thursday it would seek a court order to remove the blockade and the protesters. 'The economic harm that this occupation is having on international trade is not sustainable and it must come to an end,' Mayor Drew Dilkens said. Trudeau expressed similar sentiments at a Prime Minister's Questions (PMQ) session Thursday, slamming both the protesters and Conservative Party Interim Leader Candice Bergen. 'The leader of the Conservative Party and her team have been their biggest champions,' he said. 'The consequences of these actions are having dire impacts. They're impacting trade, they're hurting jobs and they're obstructing our communities.' Three Toyota plants in Canada are to cease production for a week due to the truck drivers' protests and blockades, and the General Motors plant in Delta Township, Michigan, which is 92 miles from the border, has canceled its second production shift due to supply chain issues. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the momentum of the state's growing economy is at risk and urged that the bridge - the busiest land border crossing in North America - be reopened. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slammed both the protesters and Conservative Party leaders Thursday People holding Canadian flags protest at the Ottawa International Airport Bergen called for the protesters - whom she said were 'passionate, patriotic and peaceful' - to go home on Thursday, citing similar economic concerns to Trudeau. 'The economy you want to see reopened is hurting,' she said. 'You protested because you love your country and you want your freedoms back. That message has been heard.' She said the Conservative Party would take up their fight in the House of Commons and, as if to prove it, tabled a motion that would demand Trudeau to move Canada to a 'post-COVID' society. On Thursday, Truckers arrived at the airport in Ottawa just past 8 a.m. and began driving through the arrival and departure lanes in a loop and honking their horns. An organizer for the protest said they plan to stay for 'hours.' The pivot to airport protests comes after a 10-day injunction was granted by a judge banning horn-honking in downtown Ottawa. The airport protests would work around that as the airport is unaffected by the ban. A spokesperson for Ottawa International Airport said that about 60 to 70 light trucks were circling and advised travelers to give themselves extra time. Meanwhile, U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials believe a similar movement could be headed to the states around Super Bowl Sunday this weekend that could run from California to Washington, D.C. People protest at the Ottawa International Airport, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against vaccine mandates The trucks have largely sported the Canadian flag as they attempt to disrupt Ottawa International Airport Freedom Convoy has dispatched an element to the Ottawa Airport who are driving around the loop of deparatures and arrivals and honking their horns Thursday morning Truckers and supporters block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge The convoy has moved to the airport in an attempt to circumvent a ban on honking horns in downtown Ottawa 'Airport traffic is already extremely light due to the pandemic so the impact so far is minimal,' Krista Kealey said. 'We are monitoring the situation with our security and airport policing teams and advise anyone who is traveling today to give themselves extra time to get to the airport.' The spokesperson then spoke negatively of the protest movement disrupting air travel. 'We are very disappointed that the protesters have chosen to disrupt an industry that has already been decimated by the pandemic,' she said. 'Disrupting our airport will hurt people who are already suffering, including passengers and employees who rely on our industry for their livelihood and wellbeing.' Police in Ottawa have also issued a warning that protesters blocking downtown streets could be arrested without a warrant and charged criminally, according to the Telegraph. Protests did go on in Downtown Ottawa Thursday, with even children holding up signs backing the movement. Trucks block the streets surrounding Parliament on February 10, 2022 in Ottawa A protestor bangs gas cans together while yelling 'Freedom' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises during Question Period in the House of Commons The Ambassador Bridge is closed again Thursday The bridge connects Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Canada Protestors block the route to the Ambassador Bridge Protestors block the route to the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, effectively shutting it down Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is hearing rumblings that the protests could arrive stateside around Super Bowl Sunday. DHS is warning law enforcement and public safety that a 'prolonged trucker convoy' protesting vaccine mandates could begin on February 13, when the Super Bowl is scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. 'The convoy could severely disrupt transportation, federal government, and law enforcement operations through gridlock and potential counter protests,' the warning states in a classified document obtained by Yahoo News. The DHS alert added: 'The group intends to start in California as early as mid-February and travel to Washington, D.C., as late as mid-March, reportedly gathering truckers as they travel across the country,' adding that truckers from the protest in Ottawa may also head to Washington to participate. However, they note that the protests are 'only being discussed online' for now but a DHS source told Yahoo that the movement is 'absolutely a real concern.' The protesters largely reject Trudeau's characterization of them as racist or extremists Hundreds of truck drivers and their supporters, including children, gather to block the streets of downtown Ottawa The protesters, whose goals and demands have shifted as more conservative and right-wing groups become involved, are entering their 14th day of blockading the area around the Parliament building A woman with a mohawk hair-cut featuring the Canadian maple leaf joins hundreds of truck drivers and their supporters Police patrol the empty streets of Ottawa as hundreds of truck drivers and their supporters gather to block the streets of downtown Ottawa A protester builds a platform on top of a shed attached to a flatbed truck Trucks heading to Canada are stuck in heavy traffic after they were diverted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan With the Super Bowl scheduled this Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the department of homeland security is worried a US version of the protests could begin Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released an angry statement demanding the Ambassador Bridge be reopened and Canadian officials de-escalate with the blockade The DHS public safety alert said the proposed dates for the American version of convoy are intended to coincide with the Super Bowl and President Biden's upcoming State of the Union address on March 1. Some impact is being felt on the American side of the US-Canada border in Michigan, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer releasing an angry statement demanding the Ambassador Bridge be reopened. 'My message is simple: Reopen traffic on the bridge,' she said. 'In Michigan, our economy continues to grow because of our hardworking people and innovative small businesses. Now, that momentum is at risk. Commercial traffic is at a standstill at the Ambassador Bridge and heavily backed up at the Blue Water Bridge.' She added that the blockade is 'having a significant impact on Michigan's working families who are just trying to do their jobs' and called it 'unacceptable.' 'The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest land border crossing in North America, used by tens of thousands of commuters and truck drivers carrying hundreds of millions of dollars of goods every day,' she noted. 'Countless Michiganders rely on this daily flow of goods and people to get things done.' Whitmer finished the statement by demanding Canadian government officials de-escalate the blockade. The General Motors plant in Delta Township, Michigan has been forced to cancel a second shift due to lack of supply for production. The plant employed 1,401 workers for the second shift, which ran from 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 'We are working closely with our logistics providers to mitigate any potential impacts to our production and operations,' Erin Davis, a communications representative with GM, told WLNS. Truck drivers and their supporters gather to block the streets as part of a convoy of truck protesters against COVID-19 mandates Wednesday night Trucks heading to Canada are stuck in heavy traffic after they were diverted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Mich., Wednesday Canadian truck drivers have, since mid January, been protesting against COVID-19 vaccine mandates which they say harm their industry. Canada has a high level of vaccination - almost 90 percent of adults are vaccinated, and 85 percent of truckers. The blockade is not supported by the Canadian Trucking Alliance. Trudeau on Wednesday tweeted: 'The blockades in Windsor and Ottawa are endangering jobs, impeding trade, threatening the economy, and obstructing our communities. They must stop.' He said he spoke with Ontario's premier Doug Ford, and that they were 'working to support Ontarians and get the situation under control.' Ford added: 'We will continue working together to support our police forces as they manage these situations. We both agreed this must come to an end.' The bridge being blocked carries 25 percent of trade between the countries and sees 8,000 trucks pass each day. The Ambassador Bridge between the U.S. and Canada is pictured on Wednesday. It normally sees 8,000 trucks cross every day Protestors against COVID-19 vaccine mandates block the roadway at the Ambassador Bridge, connecting Detroit, Michigan with Windsor, Ontario, on Wednesday Vehicles block the road to the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia on Wednesday as the truckers' protest continues In parliament Thursday, Conservative Party Interim Leader Bergen called for the 'patriotic' protesters to stand down due to the effect it was having on the economy. 'I believe the time has come for you to take down the barricades, stop the disruptive action, and come together. The economy that you want to see reopened, is hurting,' said Bergen. With that announcement, she said the party would take up their fight to attempt to enact change and tabled a motion demanding that Trudeau's government prepare for an end to all lockdowns and mandates and a 'post-COVID society.' Trudeau responded by criticizing the Conservatives for 'endorsing and enabling these blockades across the country,' and said the consequences of this 'are having dire impacts.' 'Everyone in this country is sick and tired of lockdowns and quite frankly, of COVID-19. But Canadians also know that the way through this pandemic is by listening to science is by following public health advice,' said Trudeau. On Wednesday, Conservative Party leaders called on Trudeau to set a date to end the restrictions. Members of the Fredom Convoy in Ottawa this past week But Trudeau said the decision is based on science and said conservatives should be there for Canadians by ending the protests and barricades. Trudeau was accused by the Opposition Leader Candice Bergen of politicizing the pandemic and dividing Canadians. 'It seems like the Prime Minister wants to live in a permanent pandemic,' she said. He accused Conservative Party leaders, supporting the protests, of harming Canadian business. 'The support of the conservative party for barricading our streets and border crossings is harming businesses and driving up prices, uncertainty and stability,' he said. 'The Ambassador Bridge is critical for trade and this blockade poses significant risk to our supply chains. 'Illegally blocked trade routes means empty shelves and higher prices. They have a right to protest, but they don't have a right to illegally block roads and harass residents.' Trudeau's Liberal Party outnumbers the Conservatives 160-119 in Parliament after November's snap election, though the Liberals are a minority parliament rule, occasionally forming coalitions with the far left New Democrat Party (NDP) and the Bloc Quebecois, which argues for separatism for the French-speaking province of Quebec. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh - whose party holds 25 seats - has called the convoy 'the spread of Trumpism into Canada' and has accused them of being funded by 'foreign actors and money.' Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet - whose party has 32 seats in the House of Commons - has accused Trudeau of not doing anything to rectify the situation. Canada's Conservative Party interim leader Candice Bergen Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet (left) and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh represent small but significant coalitions in Canadian parliament 'Doing nothing and promising to do nothing encourages those people to stay there.' The White House has also weighed in on the blocked Ambassador Bridge, saying that it risks hurting the auto industry for the United States. 'We are watching this very closely,' White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said at a news briefing. 'The blockade poses a risk to supply chains, for the auto industry.' Psaki said a White House Homeland Security adviser convened a meeting on the issue and officials are talking with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's office and automakers. Kids Company was disastrously managed and may even have survived if bosses had saved chunks of the reported 42million poured into it by the taxpayer instead of handing some children and families 1,700-a-month, a damning Government report has found. The charity run by founder Camila Batmanghelidjh and seven former directors including Alan Yentob went into liquidation in 2015, just weeks after it was handed a 3million grant by David Cameron's government. It operated a 'high risk business model', according to the Charity Commission report published today, which said there was mismanagement and records were destroyed. Kids Company, which supported 36,000 vulnerable children, young people and families in London and Bristol until it was wound up in 2015, attracted a number of celebrity backers including Coldplay, artist Damien Hirst and comedian Michael McIntyre. It was dogged by allegations of financial mismanagement, including claims cash handed to children was spent on designer clothes, alcohol and drugs. And after it shut down numerous examples of misspending of funds emerged, including the decision to send a drug addict called Dave to Champneys spa to relax with a 'chocolate massage' thrown in to boost his self-esteem. The trip allegedly cost the charity 55,000. Today an official report by the Charity Commission (CC) said that Kids Company operated a 'high risk business model', characterised by a heavy dependence on grants and donations coupled with low reserves. Investigators found that some of the charity's records were destroyed at the time of its collapse - but those that survived showed that Kids Company was handing 25 people an average of more than 1,700 per month in 2014. The report said: 'Due to the limited material available, there was "insufficient evidence" for the inquiry to be satisfied that the charity's significant expenditure on a relatively small number of beneficiaries was either justified or in the charity's best interests'. But Camila Batmanghelidjh and seven former directors including Alan Yentob will still be allowed to run a business after the High Court threw out a bid to get them disqualified for 'financial mismanagement' last year. And today the Charity Commission confirmed it would not be using its own powers to disqualify them. Camila Batmanghelidjh and Alan Yentob (pictured together) faced being disqualified from running companies after the Kids Company charity scandal that collapsed in scandal but were given a reprieve by the High Court last year. The Charity Commission will not use their powers to disqualify them A staff member comforts a child as the Kids Company closes doors in Camberwell in 2015 How charity founded by extravagant 'Angel of Peckham' Camila Batmanghelidjh ran out of cash after series of scandals including 'sending an addict to Champneys spa' and 'paying for kids' drugs' Camila Batmanghelidjh, Kids Company's colourful founder, was given 'unique, privileged and significant access' to the top tiers of Government for years Kids Company folded five years ago after being consumed by a number of scandals, mainly about how it spent donations and grants. The charity was dogged by allegations of financial mismanagement, including claims cash handed to children was spent on designer clothes, alcohol and drugs. Among the revelations, the charity arranged for one of its clients to have private sex-change surgery. And sending a drug addict called Dave to Champneys spa to relax with a 'chocolate massage' thrown in to boost his self-esteem. The trip allegedly cost the charity 55,000. Whistleblowers, including employees and young people, also claimed that cash was given to youngsters and spent on designer clothes, holidays, drink and drugs. Founder Camila Batmanghelidjh was born in Iran, the grand-daughter of a self-made millionaire and said that, during her youth, her father was 'one of the wealthiest' men in the Middle Eastern country. Suffering from severe dyslexia, she was sent to school in Switzerland before being moved to board at Sherborne Girls, a public school in Dorset. Her father was locked up during the 1979 Iranian revolution and, when the his money stopped arriving, she started working in nurseries before claiming political asylum. Ms Batmanghelidjh has said she's wanted to open an orphanage since the age of nine and she started Kids Company as a drop-in centre in Camberwell, south London in 1996. She revealed in an interview that she once used her mortgage repayments to pay for supervisors to carry out therapy sessions. Kids Company expanded to open centres in Liverpool and Bristol and was this year said to work with 36,000 children. The closure of the charity was a huge personal blow for Ms Batmanghelidjh, who was awarded a CBE in 2013 and was once named on the Women's Hour Power List. The charity was something of a 'cause celebre' over the last decade, with figures including actress Gwyneth Paltrow, socialite Jemima Khan and artists Damien Hirst and Grayson Perry being photographed with Ms Batmanghelidjh, along with numerous ministers and royals such as Prince Charles. It is alleged its directors were repeatedly warned about the financial crisis facing Kids Company but failed to correct the 'unsustainable business model' in which it put 'spending ahead of its income'. The organisation, which helped troubled children in South London, was given huge subsidies over almost 20 years including 7.3 million in the five months before it folded in 2015. But Ms Batmanghelidjh insists it was a 'victim of its own success'. Advertisement Philip Kirkpatrick, Deputy Managing Partner, at Bates Wells, who represent the trustees, said: 'We're pleased that the inquiry has concluded that no regulatory action should be taken against our client. However, the Charity Commission's report is unbalanced and ignores many central features of the High Court's judgment.' Investigators said the trustees 'were aware of the risks arising from the charity's operating model' - but 'should have acted sooner during the period of the charity's growth to improve its financial stability'. 'Higher level of reserves may have allowed the charity to avoid liquidation, to wind up in a more orderly fashion, or to merge with another charity', the report said. The regulator has made a formal finding of 'mismanagement in the administration of the charity' over its repeated failure to pay creditors, including its own workers and HMRC, on time. But the CC will not use its powers to make a referral for investigation to the police, finding that while there were failures there was 'no dishonesty, bad faith, or inappropriate personal gain in the operation of the charity. In 15 years, Kids Company took a reported 42million from the taxpayer, including 3million from the Conservative government in 2015 - on the eve of its collapse. Last year The Insolvency Service (TIS) brought court proceedings against them over the alleged financial mismanagement of the former children's charity that collapsed after having 42million of taxpayers' money poured into it over a decade. TIS has the power to ban any senior officials from organisations that have liquidated from taking similar positions for up to 15 years if their management contributed to insolvency. In 15 years, Kids Company took a reported 42million from the taxpayer, with the prime minister said to be 'in the thrall' of Ms Batmanghelidjh, who squeezed 3million from Mr Cameron just before the firm collapsed. Its closure came shortly after police launched an investigation, which was eventually dropped seven months later, into allegations of abuse and exploitation at the charity, following the broadcast of a BBC Newsnight report. Ms Batmanghelidjh, who gave evidence to the court over videolink during a previous remote hearing, said she believed the charity was 'attacked by envy'. While in a statement to the court, Mr Yentob blamed the Met saying: 'Were it not for the timing of the police allegations, Kids Company would be working today'. But when Kids Company collapsed in August 2015 there were allegations of abuse and financial mismanagement, casting severe doubts on Mr Yentob's ability as its chairman and the power he wielded at the BBC. On five occasions Mr Yentob was accused of trying to put pressure on BBC journalists reporting on the scandal, even turning up at the Radio 4 Today programme studio uninvited when Ms Batmanghelidjh was about to be interviewed. Mr Yentob was later forced to step down as the BBC's creative director in December 2015 after admitting that his involvement in the Kids Company scandal had become a 'serious distraction' to the broadcaster. Mr Yentob had been accused of compromising the BBC's impartiality on five separate occasions by meddling with its coverage of the failed charity. The company also faced a litany of other allegations. In 2017, Ms Batmanghelidjh was forced to defend spending 55,000 on one troubled young man including paying his massage bill at a luxury spa saying material goods were important for 'self-esteem'. The colourful character, who had the ear of three prime ministers and courted wealthy donors before the organisation collapsed in 2015, also revealed that at one point, the charity was paying for 48 advisers in a single Lambeth school. The police also announced an investigation into sex abuse claims made against the charity. The sex abuse claims proved unfounded, with the judge at the trial saying the company would have succeeded but for unfounded claims of sexual assault. He also exonerated Ms Batmanghelidjh, of allegations that the charity collapsed because she had failed to operate it on a financially sustainable basis. In a ruling in February 2021, Mrs Justice Falk concluded that no disqualification order should be made against either Ms Batmanghelidjh or the trustees - including the BBC's ex-creative director Mr Yentob. The charity collapsed in 2015, just weeks after it was handed a 3million grant by David Cameron's government with ministers said to be 'in thrall' of founder Ms Batmanghelidjh who was handed piles of taxpayers' cash The judge found that Ms Batmanghelidjh was not a 'de facto director' of the charity. Timeline of the Kids Company scandal July 2015 - Police launch a probe into allegations of abuse and exploitation at the charity, following the broadcast of a BBC Newsnight report. This was eventually dropped seven months later. August 2015 - Kids Company collapses despite repeated warnings over its perilous financial state just days after it was given a 3million government grant. October 2015 - National Audit Office questions why government money was paid to the charity with 'little focus on what it was actually achieving'. November 2015 - The Public Accounts Committee describes the charity as a failed '13 year experiment' and criticised both the Labour and Conservative governments for continuing to give public money against civil service advice. December 2015 - BBC Creative Director Alan Yentob - who served as chairman of the charity - steps down after being accused of trying to put pressure on BBC journalists reporting on the scandal. 2016 - MPs on the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) call on the BBC to reopen its investigation into Mr Yentob, over claims he 'deliberately intimidated' corporation staff. 2017 - Camila Batmanghelidjh publishes her biography. In interviews before its release, she defends sending drug addict called Dave to Champneys spa to relax with a 'chocolate massage' thrown in to boost his self-esteem. The trip allegedly cost 55,000. October 2020 - The Insolvency Service begins its legal bid to disqualify Camila Batmanghelidjh and nine former directors from the charity, including Mr Yentob, from serving as company directors. February 2, 2021 - A judge throws out the bid. Advertisement She added: 'If I am wrong about that then I would still not have made a disqualification order against her, taking all the circumstances into account and on the basis of the allegation or allegations made against her'. In relation to the trustees, Mrs Justice Falk said: 'I am wholly satisfied that a disqualification order is not warranted against any of the trustees. 'As I said above, the public need no protection from them. On the contrary, I have a great deal of respect for the care and commitment they showed in highly challenging circumstances.' In a statement after the ruling, Camila Batmanghelidjh said: 'I would like to express my sincere thanks to Mrs Justice Falk for her incredible patience, understanding and wisdom for giving us the opportunity to set the record straight about the work of Kids Company. 'I hope this judgment will be the first step in refuting the many lies that have been told and banishing the false myths. 'My regret is that many thousands of children whom we supported were left unassisted and vulnerable once our service was withdrawn and that there were many others who never got a chance to receive help. 'To them, my heart goes out. I would also like to thank our many donors, staff and volunteers for their remarkable support. 'I shall not break step in my continuing campaign for the rights of children and to build for them a better future.' Ms Batmanghelidjh said she recognised the charity was a 'victim of its own success and that the demand for its services was outstripping its capability to manage'. In a statement to the court, Mr Yentob said: 'Were it not for the timing of the police allegations, Kids Company would be working today. 'For the reasons set out above and in the affidavits of the jointly represented trustees, I do not accept that the charity had a business model that was unsustainable or that the trustees are unfit to be concerned in the management of a company, 'These disqualification proceedings are a profound and unjust humiliation for the trustees who gave years of dedication and commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in our society.' The Official Receiver (OR), which brought the case against Ms Batmanghelidjh and the former trustees, argued they are 'unfit' to hold company directorships as a result of their handling of the charity. Batmanghelidjh was reportedly paying herself a 90,000 salary at the time that Kids Company went under. An investigation was also carried out over claims that thousands of pounds of the charity's money was spent on paying the boarding school costs of her chauffeur's daughter. Mr Yentob was accused of trying to repeatedly influence the BBC's coverage of Kids Company, including accompanying the charity's founder, Camila Batmanghelidjh, to a Radio 4 interview Soon after, Yentob resigned as the BBC's creative director in the wake of controversy over his role as chairman of the scandal-hit group. Mr Yentob allegedly piled pressure on journalists and presenters as they were preparing to go to air with their reports on Kids Company, of which he was chairman. He personally telephoned Newsnight executives twice ahead of investigations into the failed charity, and sat silently in the Radio 4 Today programme studio during an interview with its founder, Ms Batmanghelidjh. His resignation was met with gleeful cries in the BBC newsroom, which has been at the sharp end of Mr Yentob's interference. Kids Company's founder Ms Batmanghelidjh had ministers 'in her thrall' and her 'powerful personality' allowed her to become an expert at controlling people, a senior Tory MP said at the time. Bernard Jenkin, then chairman of the influential Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC), said the controversial charity boss deliberately prevented information reaching trustees - including ministers. A report published by the committee in 2016 urged the BBC to reopen its investigation into Alan Yentob, the former chairman of Kids Company, after he was accused of 'deliberately intimidating' corporation staff during the collapse of the scandal-hit charity. The MPs said his meddling in the BBC's coverage of Kids Company had been 'unwise at best, and deliberately intimidating at worst'. And they said BBC bosses were too slow to take action against Mr Yentob. In a damning assessment of Batmanghelidjh, Mr Jenkin said: 'The founder of this charity was a very, very powerful personality, who had a very, very big vision and she became expert at controlling the people around her and even the trustees were in her thrall to an extent'. Accusing the charity's trustees of negligence, he added: 'People sometimes chose trustees to be very nice and well-motivated people, but who don't necessarily have expertise in the sector they're dealing with.' Mr Jenkin suggested that allegations of sexual abuse in the charity - which ultimately did not lead to any prosecutions - were 'the straw that broke the camel's back' and led to the charity losing its reputation. The charity, which aimed to support deprived and vulnerable inner-city children, received 46million of government funding over 13 years including 3million days before it collapsed. The Commons committee admitted in its report: 'Ms Batmanghelidjh and Kids Company appeared to captivate some of the most senior political figures in the land.' Mr Yentob, pictured with Rod Stewart, continued to present his 150,000-a-year job presenting Imagine but then quit the BBC after admitting the scandal became a distraction Advertisement A city in Nevada is tackling its homelessness crisis by building special modular housing 'pods' to offer temporary shelters to the most vulnerable, after figures revealed a 875 per cent increase in street sleepers in four years. Authorities are currently installing 45 so-called mod-pods in the city of Reno's Cares Campus Safe Camp, in a bid to offer shelter to the homeless. The 8ft-square pods will be finished in about two weeks, meaning 52 people who are currently living in overflow garages at the campus will be able to have temporary shelter. The move follows a November report which found that homelessness in Reno has increased by a staggering 875 per cent since 2017. The pods, which cost $13,000, are equipped with bedding, shelves, heating, air conditioning and electricity - as well as a lock on the door. Those who live in the pods will get two meals a day and bathrooms are located on site. Grant Denton, executive director of the Karma Box Project which is working to install the mod-pods, said the pods will enable people to focus better on improving their situation. He told News 4: 'When you come into Safe Camp, your basic needs aren't threatened anymore. 'You're not going to have to worry about getting your stuff stolen from you, you're not going to have to worry about physical violence.' Authorities are currently installing 45 so-called mod-pods in the city of Reno's Cares Campus Safe Camp, in a bid to offer shelter to the homeless The 8ft-square pods will be finished in about two weeks, meaning 52 people who are currently living in overflow garages at the campus will be able to have temporary shelter Small homeless shelters waiting to be assembled (left and right) in front of fully erected shelters (left) The move follows a November report which found that homelessness in Reno has increased by a staggering 875 per cent since 2017. Homeless people seen talking to each other before their camp was cleared in Reno, Nevada in May 2021 The pods were supposed to be installed before winter, but they were delayed due to supply chain issues - meaning Washoe county opened a temporary cold weather shelter. Catrina Peters, a representative from Washoe County, said the aim is to help homeless people to find permanent housing. She told the news site: 'Within 48 hours of folks coming into the Safe Camp, we're getting them lined up with a case manager to start developing that housing plan. 'What we're trying to provide here are some basic services, get folks stable so they can pursue those housing goals.' The Safe Camp program is open to anybody, but inhabitants must be wanting to move into permanent houses and manage their own daily responsibilities. All of the spots for the pods were filled as of February 4, Denton said, adding that between two to four spots will open each month. Washoe County Media and Communications Manager Bethany Drysdale told Sparks Tribune in January: 'The Safe Camp is a pilot project through the homeless services group with the intent to try something new out and see if it works knowing full well that average tents wouldn't provide the security that people need with the kind of weather we have here.' 'They come with 24/7 security, electricity, and have locks on the door so their residents can go out and look for a job or do what they need to do while keeping their belongings safe,' Drysdale said. Each of the pods costs $13,000 and are paid for out of the county's homeless services budget. Drysdale admitted that the new pods are not filling the need for the homelessness problem in Reno, but it is a move in the right direction. 'When moving into Safe Camp, people work with the case manager to get into permanent housing. A lot of times it's a simple solution, helping people get an ID or open a bank account. Those are easy fixes,' she said. The pods, which cost $13,000, are equipped with bedding, shelves, heating, air conditioning and electricity - as well as a lock on the door. Those who live in the pods will get two meals a day and bathrooms are located on site All of the spots for the pods were filled as of February 4, Denton said, adding that between two to four spots will open each month A computer generated image showing what the mod-pods will look like inside Workers help move homeless people's belongings out of the clearing area after the reopening of a new homeless shelter in May 2021 Homeless individuals gather their belongings minutes to the camp clearing in Reno, Nevada in May 2021 In November, Washoe County officials said that Reno has seen a 875 per cent increase in homelessness since 2017. 'This population is more visible, more vulnerable and less able to access effective services than any other population,' Washoe County consultant Jon DeCarmine told This is Reno. 'According to the Northern Nevada Continuum of Care, unsheltered homelessness has increased by more than 800% since 2017, despite relative stability in the total number of people experiencing homelessness.' The report found there were 80 homeless in 2017 compared to 780 in 2021. But those figures are based on self-reported point-in-time statistics collected each year and Washoe County only recently started colleting more accurate data. This suggests that the true figures of homelessness in Revo are much higher. There were 80 people reported during the PIT count in 2017. That number is up to 780. These figures, however, are based on snapshots of self-reported information. Washoe County has only recently started collecting and reporting more accurate data about those experiencing homelessness. In Reno, officials cleared homelessness encampments in May last year in response to environmental, safety and public health concerns, reported KUNR. A number of homeless people had been sleeping along Truckee River and the Reno Fire department responded to more than 350 fires there in 2020. A number of those people have now been moved to the Care Campus. Rear Adm. Peter Vasely, the top U.S. commander in Kabul during the evacuation, said that the withdrawal was made more chaotic by people calling in special favors Rear Adm. Peter Vasely, the top U.S. commander in Kabul during the evacuation, said that the withdrawal was made more chaotic by people like First Lady Jill Biden, Pope Francis, the White House and Congress calling in for special favors to help get out certain people. Vasely said the Pentagon was being pulled in all different directions from Biden officials, lawmakers, members of the media and even the Vatican as it carried out the largest evacuation since Vietnam ahead of the Taliban takeover. He called the requests a 'distraction' that created competition for 'already stressed resources.' Vasely's declassified remarks, made public by a FOIA request from the Washington Post, came during testimony for a U.S. Army investigation into the Aug. 26 suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and an estimated 170 Afghan civilians. The Pentagon's standard priority had been to first evacuate American citizens, then lawful permanent residents, then Afghans who aided the U.S. throughout the war. Demands poured in to the U.S. operations center in Kabul through emails, text messages and phone calls in such a high volume that Vasely, a Navy SEAL, felt the need to take certain forces away from the established rescue plan to form a 'coordination cell' to work on the special requests from Washington and beyond. 'You had everyone from the White House down with a new flavor of the day for prioritization,' Vasely told Army investigators. The 2,000 page report, which contains dozens of interviews with military officials and details the evacuation from Aug. 15-31, reveals the deep frustrations the Pentagon had with the Biden administration's handling of the crisis. The Army's lead investigator, Brig. Gen. Lance Curtis, asked Vasely whether it was true that First Lady Jill Biden and Pope Francis had called in to seek help for specific people who were in harm's way. US President Joe Biden looks down alongside First Lady Jill Biden as they attend the dignified transfer of the remains of a fallen service member at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, Aug. 29 Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit fly to Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, August 17 A U.S. Marine carries a girl to the gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport, August 20 'That's accurate,' Vasely confirmed 'I was being contacted by representatives from the Holy See to assist the Italian military contingent in getting through groups of special interest to the Vatican. That is just one of many examples. 'I cannot stress enough,' the admiral added, 'how these high-profile requests ate up bandwidth and created competition for already stressed resources.' A Post report earlier this week revealed the frustrations at the Pentagon as the White House and State Department failed to prepare the embassy for evacuations in the weeks preceding Kabul's fall. But the Biden administration has defended its planning for the withdrawal. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said this week that the National Security Council had been meeting for months to discuss to assess the situation and plan for contingencies if an emergency erupted. White House officials have insisted they had planned for all possible outcomes, but that no one had expected the Afghan armed forces to collapse so fast. Ross Wilson, the acting U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, wanted to maintain a diplomatic presence and said the U.S. could not preserve influence without an embassy, according to Vasely. The Taliban was making rapid gains - taking as many as 10 districts a day, according to an unnamed official, who said: 'The embassy needed to position for withdrawal, and the ambassador didnt get it.' Administration officials also expressed concerns that sounding the alarm would trigger panic, the rapid departure of other nations and the collapse of the government in Kabul. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Farrell J. Sullivan said dealing with the embassy was 'like pulling teeth' until early August, when the reality hit home. And a meeting with a National Security Council official on Aug. 6 prompted him to say that, 'the NSC was not seriously planning for an evacuation.' Once the Taliban took control of the city, U.S. troops reportedly went room to room in the embassy on Aug. 15 telling people to get ready to leave. The evacuations succeeded in getting out 124,000 people before it ended midnight on Aug. 31, but the U.S. was forced to make an unusual security deal with the Taliban, even as terrorist group ISIS-K was able to carry out a deadly attack. The Biden administration initially said that only 100 American citizens who wanted to leave had been left behind, but changed that number numerous times. Officials eventually said that 450 left after the evacuation concluded with American help. And when it became clear that U.S. forces were swamped and some who had Taliban targets on their back would be left behind, volunteer groups stepped in to get people out on their own. 'Just about every volunteer group can tell you stories about lawmakers and other people with authority calling and saying, "You need to get my guy out,"' said Scott Mann, founder of Task Force Pineapple, a private group that helped more than 800 escape Taliban rule. Last week the Pentagon revealed the results of its investigation into the airport suicide bombing. It said the attack was carried out by a lone suicide bomber, and was not a complex attack - with gunmen and a bomb - as previously thought. The attack brought a tragic conclusion to the hurried U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and has cast a long shadow over the Biden administration ever since. Briefing reporters on their findings, investigators said the explosion sent 5mm ball bearings through a packed crowd and that the attack could not have been prevented. But they also said British, American and Taliban representatives had discussed closing the Abbey Gate - where the blast happened - just 36 minutes before the attack. They kept it open because there were still evacuees trying to get to the airport. And the investigators released never before seen footage of the moment the bomb exploded and drone video of the immediate aftermath. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement blamed Washington, D.C.'s sanctuary city policy for the reason the agency didn't apprehend the Mexican man responsible for drawing swastikas last month on Union Station. The Washington Examiner reported Thursday that ICE did not attempt to take into custody 34-year-old Geraldo Pando, despite the fact that he'd been deported four times already and had a 15-year criminal history between his time spent in D.C. and Colorado. 'ICE has not issued a detainer on Pando because the District of Columbia is a non-cooperative jurisdiction and the Washington D.C. jail is barred from honoring ICE detainers due to a federal District Court ruling, and city ordinance,' ICE told the Examiner. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement blamed Washington, D.C.'s sanctuary city policy for the reason the agency didn't apprehend the Mexican man responsible for drawing swastikas last month on Union Station Blue tape and plastic covers swastikas drawn by Geraldo Pando, a 34-year-old Mexican man who has a criminal record going back 15 years and was previously deported four times wastikas are seen covered up by tape and paper at Union Station in Washington on January 28 A worker works to remove a swastica that was drawn on the facade of Union Station, D.C.'s large Amtrak and regional rail hub ICE can send a detainer to a local jail to keep a person behind bars for up to 48 hours so that federal officials can then apprehend them for breaking immigration laws. As a so-called sanctuary city, the D.C. City Council doesn't allow its local law enforcement to hand illegal immigrants over to federal immigration authorities. That means when ICE sends a detainer to local officials, it's often not approved. Still, one source told the Examiner that it was still ICE that dropped the ball. 'This sounds to me like ICE really bears responsibility for not acting on this individual. You can't blame this on D.C. Their job is to go ahead and issue the detainer or try to take custody, regardless of the sanctuary policy,' said Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, which lobbies for more restrictive immigration laws. 'There are cases where the locals want to cooperate with ICE even though they're operating under a sanctuary policy,' Vaughan told the Examiner. 'They may feel that these are special circumstances, and they may not honor the detainer, but they may choose to notify ICE the minute that person is coming out of their custody to make it easy for ICE to take custody.' When local authorities don't honor a detainer, ICE will often apprehend an illegal immigrant in public. On Friday, January 28 - a day after International Holocaust Remembrance Day - swastikas were crudely drawn on every wall and column at Union Station, D.C.'s main Amtrak and regional rail hub. Pando had also vandalized several other buildings in the area, police said. D.C. police Chief Robert Contee said at a press conference later that day the man now identified as Pando may be experiencing mental health struggles and was also homeless. 'It appears it may be one of our unhoused residents who did this, based upon some information that has been revealed,' Contee said. Pando was in police custody by Saturday. The Examiner reported he had been arrested a week earlier by U.S. Capitol Police for vandalizing the force's headquarters. ICE did not seek a detainer for that incident either. The Examiner said that Pando did not meet the Biden administration's criteria for an ICE arrest, which includes those deemed a national security threat, anyone who entered the country after November 1 or individuals convicted of an aggravated felony or affiliated with a gang. The left-wing New York Times reporter and creator of the controversial 1619 Project blasted famed activist the Rev. Al Sharpton on Wednesday over his commentary about rampant petty theft in New York City. Nikole Hannah-Jones - whose 1619 Project initiative aims to reframe American history by placing the consequences of slavery at the center of the national narrative - accused the civil rights leader of 'legitimizing the carceral state' during a segment on MSNBC's Morning Joe, where he discussed an alleged steak theft at a Manhattan Trader Joe's. 'This drumbeat for continued mass incarceration is really horrific to watch,' Hannah-Jones, 45, tweeted. 'A person stealing steak is not national news, and there have always been thefts from stores. This is how you legitimize the carceral state.' The carceral state originated from slave patrolling and was designed to criminalize and incapacitate black people, attorney Chiamaka Echebiri argued in an essay published online by Georgetown Law. Activists argue that carceral state has 'systemically relegated black people to cages' and aims to enslave black people instead of provide justice. The journalist's comments came after Sharpton, 67, took to Twitter to promote his MSNBC segment calling on new Mayor Eric Adams to crack down on shoplifters across the Big Apple, which has seen a surge in overall crime of nearly 42 percent so far this year. New York Times reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones (left) blasted civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton (right) Wednesday over his commentary on rampant petty theft in New York City Hannah-Jones accused the religious leader of 'legitimizing the carceral state' during a Wednesday segment on MSNBC's Morning Joe, where he discussed an alleged steak theft at a Manhattan Trader Joe's 'An alleged shoplifter has been caught on tape appearing to steal 10 steaks from NYC Trader Joes. I joined MSNBC to speak on the need for public safety and to address criminal justice concerns,' he wrote. The alleged theft occurred Tuesday morning at the grocer's East 14th Street location. Surveillance footage of the incident - obtained by the New York Post - shows the suspect, who claims to be homeless, walking out of the store as he carried 10 packages of meat in his arms. Two Trader Joe's employees reportedly followed him up the escalator leading to the store's exit in an apparent attempt to detain him, but instead only managed to prevent him from taking the store shopping basket. Sharpton, a Brooklyn native, also shared how he has seen basic basic items like toothpaste being locked up at his local pharmacy because lawlessness in New York City is 'out of control.' 'Eric, they're locking up my toothpaste,' he said during Wednesday's broadcast as he gave a long and hard stare into the camera, naming Mayor Adams. 'You go into a local pharmacies - Duane Reade or Rite Aid, any of them - and you got to get someone to help assist you. They have the little button there, you hit the buzzer, the guy comes over, and unlocks your toothpaste - we're talking about basic stuff here.' Sharpton called out NYC Mayor Eric Adams, 61, (right) for 'locking up my toothpaste' as the city's criminal continue their spree. The Reverend also mentioned that 'there is a debate in the criminal justice system' on how to handle these issues, such as theft. Manhattan's DA Alvin Bragg, 48, (left) has been accused of being 'soft on crime' as he decreased many felonies to misdemeanors, leaving stories helpless to defend their products Sharpton's precious toothpaste has been locked behind locked doors in many local pharmacies, such as CVS (pictured in Manhattan), as so many stores have been hit with recent thefts Pharmacies like Duane Reade, CVS, and Rite Aid have always locked up certain items, such as razor blades, but as more and more thieves are looting the shelves, stores have begun putting up extra protection. A Rite Aid on Manhattan's Upper East Side will be closing due to brazen thieves hitting the store on multiple occasions. Shelves were already bare in the store, located at the corner of 80th Street and 2nd Avenue, but it will shut its doors for good on February 15, the manager told DailyMail.com last month, a day after a thief was caught on video boldly sauntering out with shopping bags full of stolen goods. Host Joe Scarborough said Eric Adams, 61 - whose only been Mayor since January 1 - is 'surrounded by elected officials who want New York to remain chaotic.' Scarborough may have been referring to the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, 48, whose controversial policy has lowered many crimes to misdemeanors and have left many store owners and employees having to turn a blind eye to theft. However, Sharpton cut the mayor some slack, and acknowledged that he's 'only been there five weeks,' but noted that 'there is a debate in the criminal justice system' on how to handle these issues. He said: 'There are those that are concerned, including me, about overloading the system in the jails with petty crime, but at the same time, you cannot have a culture where people are just at random, just robbing and stealing and is out of control, and is put on the front page of newspapers, which only encourages others to do it.' Bragg hasn't admitted there are 'opportunists' who are 'repeat players,' as many of the thieves that are caught have a prior history with the law. A Rite Aid in the Upper East Side (pictured on January 26) will be closing on February 15 after the store has been looting on multiple occasions, with one thug being caught on video stealing bags of items by actor and comedian Michael Rapaport Shelves are already bare in the Rite Aid store, located at the corner of 80th Street and 2nd Avenue. It's doors will shut for good on February 15, the manager told DailyMail.com last month A shoplifter stabbed a manager at a CVS in Forest Hills, Queens, on Tuesday afternoon 'We are brainstorming about how to respond to that as wellThinking about things and people who are really going from store to store and just taking,' the DA said at an event for the Association for a Better New York. 'I think weve all had the experience of picking up the paper and reading about someone having done some horrific act and then reading and seeing that it was their eighth interaction [with the criminal justice system].' On Wednesday, the soft-on-crime DA announced that he is considering bringing harsher charges for certain types of thefts, especially for the 'opportunists,' according to the New York Post. The Big Apple has seen an incredible increase in crime, as overall crime up nearly 42 percent. The only major crime that is down is murder, with 12 percent less homicides happening this year. However, robbery, felony assaults, and shooting victims are up considerably at 13.3, 29.7, and 35.3 per cents, respectively. Transit crimes are also up almost 75 percent and even Adams has admitted the city's subway system isn't 'safe.' The Big Apple has since an huge spike in crime, with overall crime up almost 42 per cent Discussions on how to handle New York City's crime has even reached the federal level as President Joe Biden, 79, visited the the City That Never Sleeps last week - their discussion mainly focusing on gun violence. Adams met with Biden on February 3, who praised the mayor for his anti-crime agenda to bring down gun violence. The president vowed to be Adams's 'partner' and wants to 'help every major city follow New Yorks lead.' In a crackdown against ghost guns - where parts can be bought on the internet and would not be registered in databases - the president said the federal government will prosecute those who are caught with the weapon. The NYPD repossessed a large number of ghost guns last year. In addition, Adams announced earlier that part of his anti-crime plan is to increase the number of officers and bring back plainclothes cops. An Ohio man who wanted to join the Freedom Convoy protests in Canada's capital over mask mandates decided to try and waste the police's time with fake threats and draw them away from protesters - but he called the wrong Ottawa. A 20-year-old man from Akron, Ohio, whose name has not been released, called the Putnam County Sheriff's Office twice Monday, according to Capt. Brad Brubaker. The first time he made a bomb threat, and then in a second call said he had been shot, Brubaker said. That's when the man found out he was talking with someone in Ohio - not Canada, as he initially thought. 'A 20-year-old dumb attack,' he told CBC News. 'As soon as the dispatcher advised him he called Ohio he said, ''Wait, wait, I'm not shot,''' Brubaker said. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is located in Ottawa, Ohio, which sits about 590 miles southwest of Ottawa, Canada. 'He wasn't paying attention and just called the first number he found,' Brubaker said. 'Just trying to waste their time and resources because [he didn't] like their mask mandates.' The sheriff's office said it would ask the county prosecutor to consider charges against the man. Police confirmed that the man has been arrested as both cities are working together to investigate the case. An unidentified 20-year-old man from Akron, Ohio called Ottawa, Ohio instead of Ottawa, Canada with a false bomb threat in a failed attempt to join the COVID-19 protests (Pictured: Ottawa, Ohio) The man called Putnam County Sheriff's Office in Ottawa, Ohio twice on Monday before learning he was speaking with the wrong police department in wrong country (Pictured: Ottawa, Canada) Ottawa, Ohio vs. Ottawa, Canada Population: Ohio - 4,359 Canada - 994,837 Area: Ohio - 4.614 mi Canada - 1,077 mi Average age: Ohio - 38.7 years old Canada - 40 years old Median income: Ohio - $31,420 Canada - $85,981 Advertisement 'We have received people phoning in false messages, swatting messages to our police operations centre for active explosives, ID events, gun events, that are drawing our resources away,' Canada's Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly said. The mayor of Ottawa, Ontario, recently declared a state of emergency in response to the Freedom Convoy's 10-day occupation of the city as thousands have continued to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions. Thousands of people have flooded the city since late January led by hundreds of large trucks, vehicles and tents that are now blocking the city streets. Canadian truck drivers have been protesting against COVID-19 vaccine mandates which they say harm their industry. Canada has a high level of vaccination - almost 90 percent of adults are vaccinated, and 85 percent of truckers. The blockade is not supported by the Canadian Trucking Alliance. 'Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government,' Mayor Jim Watson said in a statement on Sunday. Canada's Freedom Convoy movement is finding creative ways around the government's attempt to slow down protests throughout the capital city of Ottawa by circling the arrival and departure lanes at the city's airport. The anti-vaccine mandate protesters made their way to Ottawa International Airport on Thursday, still angry at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for smearing them as 'a few people shouting and waving swastikas,' while Ottawa police have threatened to arrest some truckers without warrants. Thousands of protestors have shut down Canada's capital city protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions (Pictured: Protestor bangs gas cans together while yelling "Freedom" on February 10, 2022 in Ottawa, Canada) Ottawa's Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency on Sunday in response to the protests being lead by truckers (Pictured: Trucks block the streets surrounding Parliament on February 10, 2022 in Ottawa, Canada) The 'Freedom Convoy' was seen riding around the airport in Ottawa disrupting travel (Pictured: People protest at the Ottawa International Airport as truckers and supporters continue to protest COVID-19) The protests have already led to 23 arrests and over 80 criminal investigations, but police are warning the truckers and their allies that more may be coming and sent out a 'message to demonstrators.' In the process of heading to the airport on Thursday, the convoy shut down both directions on the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit, Michigan, to Windsor, Ontario. The bridge typically sees about 8,000 trucks pass through daily and accounts for 25 percent of trade between the two countries. Three Toyota plants in Canada are to cease production for a week due to the truck drivers' protests and blockades, and the General Motors plant in Delta Township, Michigan, which is 92 miles from the border, has canceled their second production shift due to supply chain issues. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the momentum of the state's growing economy is at risk and urged that the bridge - the busiest land border crossing in North America - be reopened. Truckers arrived at the airport just past 8 a.m. and began driving through the arrival and departure lanes in a loop and honking their horns. An organizer for the protest said they plan to stay for 'hours.' A spokesperson for Ottawa International Airport said that about 60 to 70 light trucks were circling and advised travelers to give themselves extra time. The pivot to airport protests comes after a 10-day injunction was granted by a judge banning horn-honking in downtown Ottawa. The airport protests would work around that as the airport is unaffected by the ban. Protests did go on in Downtown Ottawa Thursday, with even children holding up signs backing the movement. Meanwhile, U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials believe a similar movement could be headed to the states around Super Bowl Sunday this weekend that could run from California to Washington, D.C. Tesla's beta stage Full Self-Driving software does not appear to be ready for the mass market after users posted multiple videos in recent months showing harrowing near-misses. In footage recorded earlier this month by YouTube user AI Addict, a Tesla Model 3 sporting the technology - which is still being tested but is available to selected Tesla owners in its incomplete 'beta' stage - can be seen smashing into a bike lane bollard at 11 mph on streets of San Jose. During the same drive, the feature attempts to drive down some light-rail tracks, mistaking it for a road. AI Addict also posted a video in December of his car failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Meanwhile, YouTuber Dirty Tesla shared a terrifying clip in November of his Full Self-Driving software preparing to cross traffic into a left turn - ignoring a fast oncoming truck. The driver was forced to intervene, grabbing the wheel to avoid collision. Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed only last month that the FSD Beta system had never had an accident, but the new footage offers proof that this is no longer the case. The jarring videos highlight some of the flaws with the still largely untested software, which uses a combination of cameras and ultrasonic sensors to stitch together a view of the world so cars can drive autonomously, experts say, highlighting the unpolished feature's failure to detect common road obstacles and pedestrians. Scroll down for video In footage recorded earlier this month by YouTube user AI Addict, a Tesla Model 3 sporting Full-Self Driving- which is still being tested but is available to selected Tesla owners in its incomplete 'beta' stage - can be seen smashing into a bike lane bollard at 11 mph in San Jose 'The video [footage] shows different scenarios where the automated driving system was not able to detect and/or cope with relevant features of its Operational Design Domain,' Nicola Croce told The Washington Post Thursday, referring to the conditions under which the Full Self-Driving system is expected to safely operate. Croce currently works as a technical program manager at Deepen AI, a company that helps carmakers employ driver-assistance and autonomous-driving technologies in their vehicles. Tesla is not one of its clients. The slip-ups, Croce told the paper, reveal an inherent weakness in the software that resulted in it not meeting basic safety requirements it was designed to adhere to - a sentiment that was echoed by other autonomous-driving experts who viewed the videos. YouTuber Dirty Tesla shared a terrifying clip in November of his Full Self-Driving software preparing to cross traffic into a left turn - ignoring a fast oncoming truck The driver was then forced to intervene, grabbing the wheel to avoid a likely fatal collision Speaking on the clip of the car crashing into the bike lane divider in San Jose, Brad Templeton, a seasoned self-driving-car developer who worked on Google's self-driving car, said the cause of the collision was due to the software being incomplete. 'The bollard issue is both mapping and perception,' Templeton told The Post. 'As permanent bollards rather than temporary cones, they should be on a map,' That way, he said, 'the car would know that nobody ever drives through these.' Templeton added that the location of the ultrasonic sensors used to achieve Full Self-Driving on the physical vehicle may be to blame for the oversight, saying their locations in places such as the front bumper can result in small, sporadic objects like the bollards being missed. 'Sparse, thin things like posts may not be seen by these,' Templeton said. 'As to why the perception missed them until too late, this is an issue with computer vision. Perhaps it never got trained on these unusually shaped and [colored] bollards,' he added. As for the near-miss with the pedestrian, who in the footage was standing just off the sidewalk at the start of a crosswalk when the car fails to stop to the driver's horror, experts blamed the lapse on the technology's failure to recognize pedestrian walk signs, or foresee the fact that a stopped pedestrian might venture off a sidewalk. 'Its unclear whether the car reacted or not to [the pedestrians] presence, but clearly the driver is shaken,' said Andrew Maynard, a professor at Arizona State University. Maynard serves as the director of its Risk Innovation Lab, where he works on technologies similar to Full Self-Driving. Hod Finkelstein, chief research and development officer for AEye, a company that sells light detection and ranging (lidar) technology to carmakers seeking to implement smart cameras into their vehicles, theorized that the incident occurred because cameras alone are insufficient when it comes to detecting pedestrian intent. Finkelstein says this is because cameras are not capable of measuring the distance of distant objects, and can be blinded by glares originating from headlights or the sun. The jarring videos highlight some of the flaws with the still largely untested software, experts say, highlighting the unpolished feature's failure to detect road obstacles and pedestrians A Tesla Inc Model 3 electric vehicle, like the one seen in one of the videos, is seen here displayed inside a showroom in Tokyo, Japan Elon Musk in August admitted that Tesla's new self-driving software is 'not great' but the firm is trying to fix it Tesla boss Musk famously sought to use only cameras and ditch sensors in his vehicles' less sophisticated Autopilot feature, which was panned by experts after at least 10 were killed in eight accidents in which Tesla's Autopilot was engaged since its release in 2016, reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency reveal. Last week, Tesla had to recall nearly 54,000 vehicles equipped with its 'Full Self-Driving' software, after it allowed vehicles to run through stop signs at low speeds, without coming to a complete halt. The company also had to recall over 800,000 vehicles because seat belt reminder chimes may not sound when the vehicles are started and the driver isn't buckled up. Tesla makes FOURTH recall in two weeks Tesla is recalling nearly 579,000 vehicles in the US over concerns a 'Boombox' feature, letting users play sounds over an external speaker, could make it harder for pedestrians to hear the car coming. This is the fourth recall in the past two weeks for the embattled electric vehicle manufacturer, following concerns over windshield defrosting, seatbelt warning sounds and issues with the vehicle not stopping at junctions. US safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has increased its scrutiny over the Houston-based firm, over concerns the vehicles are being shipped with software not properly tested before release. The NHTSA said cars and SUVs with the Boombox function violate federal safety standards that requiring pedestrian warning noises from electric cars, as these vehicles make very little noise while travelling. Advertisement All were to be fixed with online software updates, where possible. Safety advocates and automated vehicle experts say Tesla is pushing the boundaries of safety to see what it can get away with, but now NHTSA is pushing back. In November, NHTSA said it was looking into a complaint from a California Tesla driver that the 'Full Self-Driving' software caused a crash. The driver complained to the agency that a Model Y went into the wrong lane and was hit by another vehicle. The SUV gave the driver an alert halfway through the turn, and the driver tried to turn the wheel to avoid other traffic, according to the complaint. But the car took control and 'forced itself into the incorrect lane,' the driver reported. NHTSA also is investigating why Teslas using the company's less-sophisticated 'Autopilot' partially automated driver-assist system have repeatedly crashed into emergency vehicles parked on roadways. The agency opened the investigation in August 2021, citing 12 crashes in which Teslas on Autopilot hit parked police and fire vehicles. In the crashes under investigation, at least 17 people were hurt and one was killed. Last week Tesla said in its earnings release that 'Full Self-Driving' software is now being tested by owners in nearly 60,000 vehicles in the US. It was only about 2,000 in the third quarter. The software, which costs $12,000, will accelerate Tesla's profitability, the company said. Tuesday's recall is the 15th done by Tesla since January 2021, according to NHTSA records, with almost all of the more than one million vehicles sold in the US requiring an update due to a recall. A Labour councillor has been suspended from the party after he was arrested for alleged drug distribution offences by officers acting for US authorities. Daniel Barwell, who was elected to Doncaster Council in May 2021, faces being extradited after he was arrested in the South Yorkshire town where he lives on February 2. He appeared in court in London the following day where he was remanded in custody. Daniel Barwell (pictured), who was elected to Doncaster Council in May 2021, faces being extradited after he was arrested in the South Yorkshire town where he lives on February 2 He appeared in court in London the following day where he was remanded in custody. Pictured, Doncaster Council Barwell is understood the have been suspended by the Labour Party following his detention until the outcome of the case is known. The Metropolitan Police said: 'On Wednesday 2 February in the Doncaster area, officers from the National Extradition Unit arrested a man wanted in the United States for an offence relating to the distribution of a controlled drug on a warrant issued at the request of the United States authorities.' Barwell, who represented the Wheatley Hills and Intake ward on the council, made his first appearance before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, February 3, when extradition proceedings against him began. Advertisement Britain's fourth Covid wave fell on all fronts again today, official data showed as experts finally agreed that the Omicron wave is definitely trending downwards. There were 66,638 positive tests logged over the past 24 hours, Government dashboard data shows, down a quarter on the figure last Thursday. Another 206 deaths were registered today in a 32 per cent fall in a week. Latest hospitalisation data shows admissions were also down on February 6, with 1,308 (down 6 per cent). Separate weekly figures from a symptom-tracking app today confirmed that the UK's Covid infections are falling once more after a blip earlier this month. Professor Tim Spector, an epidemiologist who runs the study, warned Covid infections were still 'far too high' but insisted it is 'reassuring to see signs of rates slowing'. And in more good news, the weekly UKHSA report found infections are now falling across all 149 of England's local authorities. The biggest falls in the most recent week were in Bradford (down 42 per cent), Sandwell (41.9 per cent) and Blackburn with Darwen (down 40 per cent). The promising stats come after Boris Johnson yesterday declared he intends to ditch all remaining Covid laws in England by the end of the month. There are also calls from some experts and MPs for the country to follow Sweden's lead by ditching free mass asymptomatic testing as well, which has cost the taxpayer 15billion so far. The embattled Prime Minister dramatically declared the final domestic restrictions including compulsory self-isolation for the infected will be axed provided the 'encouraging' trends in the data continue. Professor David Livermore, a medical microbiologist at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline mass testing 'has cost a fortune and has delivered very little' and should be stopped for the asymptomatic. Slide me The above maps show the change in Covid cases compared to the previous seven day spell over the weeks to January 30 (left), and the weeks to February 6 (right) Covid cases fell across three of four UK nations today compared to the same time last week England (down 30 per cent), Wales (down 27 per cent) and Northern Ireland (down 14 per cent). The number of Covid tests carried out has fallen in recent days, but the positivity rate the proportion of swabs that detect the virus is also heading downwards in a sign the trend is genuine. Only Scotland saw its Covid infections rise today compared to the same time the previous week, after they rose by 67 per cent in a week. Booster jabs have stopped 100,000 hospitalisations, scientists say More than 100,000 hospitalisations have been prevented by booster vaccines, Government scientists say. The UK Health Security Agency estimated 105,600 admissions had been prevented since December 13 when the Omicron variant became dominant across the country. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the top-up jabs had helped to 'turn the tide' on Covid, and that the country could now look to 'live with' the virus. More than seven in ten over-18s have already got their third dose of the Covid vaccine. Uptake is highest among over-60s who are most at risk from the virus where more than nine in ten have got their third jab. But among younger age groups it falls below four in ten having been booster. UKHSA scientists estimated the number of hospitalisations that had been prevented by comparing vaccine effectiveness against admission after two doses to that following a top-up jab. Mr Javid said: 'The hard work of the NHS, armed forces and volunteers to massively ramp up the Covid booster programme has prevented more than 105,000 hospitalisations. 'Thank you to everybody who took part in this incredible national mission which has helped us to turn the tide as we learn to live with Covid. 'I urge anyone whos yet to come forward to get your first, second and booster dose to protect yourself and your loved ones.' Advertisement The UKHSA weekly report also found cases had dipped in every age group, and fell fastest among 5 to 9-year-olds (down 48 per cent) and 0 to 4-year-olds (down 41.1 per cent). The lowest Covid infection rates were recorded among 70 to 79-year-olds (314.7 cases per 100,000 people), 0 to 4-year-olds (329) and over-80s (331.6). In a separate report, Government scientists today estimated how many hospitalisations had been prevented by booster doses. They reviewed thousands of admissions from December 13 to February 6 and compared people's vaccination status. They estimated 87,300 hospitalisations were prevented among over-60s, who are most at risk from the virus, and 14,300 among 45 to 64-year-olds. The agency said around 4,000 admissions had been prevented in 25 to 44-year-olds. Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisations at the UKHSA, said the figures provided further 'strong evidence' of the protection afforded by booster jabs. Meanwhile, the symptom-tracking app run by King's College London and healthcare company ZOE showed 200,000 people were falling ill with the virus every day in the week ending February 7, flatlining at just 4.5 per cent higher than last week's estimates. The study has been criticised previously for being biased, with app users choosing to report cases rather than based on random samples of the population. Critics also believe the way it works based on people reporting symptoms of the virus makes it hard to definitively differentiate between Covid and other viruses that trigger tell-tale symptoms. Its estimates have significantly diverged from the Government's own case figures and other major surveillance studies on numerous occasions throughout the pandemic. ZOE's most up-to-date figures, published every Thursday, are based on data from 50,000 swab tests from hundreds of thousands of users in the fortnight ending February 7. Cases remain highest in under-18s, at around 80,000 per day, although they appear to now be falling in the age group. They are slowing in all age groups, other than those aged 18 to 34 and the most vulnerable over-75s. Professor Spector said: 'Although the true rate of new cases unlike the Government dashboard is currently far too high, it is somewhat reassuring to see signs of rates slowing down. 'And it looks like weve now passed the second big peak of the year, with hospitalisations, ICU cases and deaths also continuing to fall. 'Cases need to decline more among older and more vulnerable age groups before we can start to relax, and its still too early to tell the effects of Long Covid as a result of an Omicron infection or the effect of the super infectious BA.2 variant that continues to increase nationally. King College London scientists estimate there were 203,973 new daily symptomatic cases in the week ending February 7, up 4.5 per cent on the 195,068 recorded last week Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures suggest 2.8million people in England had the virus daily in the week up to February 5, up 7.3 per cent on the 2.6million estimated the week before Cases remain highest in children aged under 18 (blue line) at around 80,000 per day, although they appear to now be falling in the age group. They are slowing in all age groups other than those aged 18 to 34 (orange line) and the most vulnerable over-75s (purple line), although the latter is still seeing the lowest daily numbers at under 7,500. Other lines: 35 to 54 (green), 55 to 74 (red) Prevalence is highest in Northern Ireland, where one in 19 people are thought to have the virus, with 8,389 cases estimated a day in total. It was followed by London, where one in 20 were infected and there were 34,080 new daily cases. Wales had the lowest prevalence (one in 36), with just 6,737 total daily cases Daily toll of Covid victims will NOT be scrapped despite axing of legal restrictions, sources say Daily Covid statistics could continue to be published for months, despite the ending of legal restrictions. Government sources last night said there were no plans to end the release of daily figures on case numbers, hospitalisations and Covid-related deaths, despite controversy over the picture they paint. Tory MPs last night stepped up calls for the figures to be scrapped. Former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said it was time to call time on project fear. He said the figures, which are also broadcast each day on BBC news bulletins, had fuelled public anxiety about the virus out of proportion to the threat that it posed. Fellow Conservative Bob Seely told the Daily Mail: I have never understood why we publish the figures in isolation unless the aim was simply to scare people. We do not publish figures for the deaths from flu or pneumonia on a daily basis and we should not do so for Covid. It was simply intended to scare people and it should stop immediately. But a Government source said that the daily figures could continue for many months to come. Obviously they will not continue for ever, but there are no plans to stop publication at this stage, the source said. We know we may face Covid again in the autumn and it seems sensible to keep this in place. Advertisement 'Despite the Governments hasty decision to end all restrictions this month, and the message this sends, this does not mean the pandemic is over and we should all try to be good citizens by continuing to self-isolate when ill and protect ourselves and others from what can be a really nasty infection.' ZOE's data has previously been criticised for getting the state of the pandemic wrong, saying the 'Omicron wave has finally peaked' in January 13 before today's report claimed it has hit its second peak of the year. It also said cases had 'peaked for 2021' in November before the emergence of the Omicron variant. Dr Simon Clarke, a cellular microbiologist at the University of Reading, said the study is useful for monitoring people's symptoms 'but on its own it cannot accurately monitor the number of infections in the population'. He said the app is reliant on people choosing to put in their details and is therefore not necessarily an accurate sample of the UK population, despite the large sample size. The ONS weekly infection survey is considered the most reliable indicator of infections in Britain because it uses tens of thousands of random swabs to estimate prevalence, rather than relying on people coming forward for testing. Yesterday, it estimated England's Covid outbreak actually grew in size by 7 per cent last week. Analysts claimed around one in 19 people, or 2.8million, were infected on any given day in the week ending February 5 but admitted the trend was 'uncertain'. The ONS estimated that Wales has seen its infections fall in the most recent week, dropping 13 per cent to 121,200 people carrying the virus on any given day. But infections increased in Scotland from 185,100 to 211,300 (14 per cent) and Northern Ireland from 136,300 to 145,600 (six per cent). In England, Covid was most prevalent in the South East, where one in 17 people were thought to have the virus during the week. Rates were lowest in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands and South West, all of which saw one in 20 infected on any given day. The struggle to drag Britons 'back to normal' Unions are already digging their heels in after Boris Johnson revealed he intends to ditch all remaining Covid laws within a fortnight as a poll revealed that three in four workers ground down by almost two years of lockdowns and restrictions want to continue with self-isolation. Unison, Britain's largest union serving more than 1.3million members from swathes of the public sector, has accused the Prime Minister of going 'too far, too soon', insisting that the virus 'hasn't disappeared' despite a raft of data suggesting the worst is now over. SAGE scientists have also warned of the 'dangers' of the PM's plan to make England the first country in the world to scrap all Covid rules, after it emerged Mr Johnson had not discussed it with the committee which is now infamous for its gloomy predictions about the pandemic. And business leaders desperate to get staff back into largely-empty offices costing them a fortune admit they are struggling to compel people to return because workers are now so used to working from home. This has been compounded by a new YouGov poll of nearly 4,500 Britons that shows three-quarters of people believe the self-isolation requirement after a positive Covid test should remain in place. Half of people questioned admitted they want the legal requirement to stay in place forever. Christina McAnea, general secretary of the public sector union UNISON, said: 'Everybody wants to get back to normal, but Covid risks haven't disappeared. 'This is going too far, way too soon. Infections are still rife in schools. Large numbers of pupils and staff are off. 'Allowing a premature return could lead to a further jump in infections and disrupt learning for thousands more children and young people.' Advertisement Secondary school students in England had the next highest infection rates after primary school children, with one in 11 pupils in year seven to 11 thought to have the virus on any given day. Experts have also criticised the Government's daily figures because they rely on people testing, which has dropped off since the start of January during the peak of the Omicron wave. Official Government data shows cases fell another 22.6 per cent to 68,214 yesterday, the eighth day in a row daily positive tests have dropped. Senior Whitehall sources briefed journalists last month that Boris Johnson plans to scrap the daily publication of all Covid statistics by April. But sources last night told the Daily Mail there are 'no plans to stop publication at this stage', suggesting they will continue for months to come. The source said: 'We know we may face Covid again in the autumn and it seems sensible to keep this in place.' No10 is also facing calls to end free-mas testing, after Sweden yesterday announced it would no longer offer swabs, effectively calling the pandemic over. Professor Livermore told MailOnline: 'Definitely, we should stop mass testing, particularly for the asymptomatic. The virus is endemic and is transforming into one more sort of common cold. 'Mass testing has cost a fortune and has delivered very little. The budget for for track and trace was 37billion or around 3 years worth of our recent National Insurance increase. And, as the Parliamentary Accounts Committee observed, it has delivered precious little for such a vast sum 'Id retain just three things. First, the ZOE app, which is inexpensive and has given useful rapid data on shifts in people experiencing respiratory symptoms. 'Second, Id incorporate Covid surveillance into the respiratory infections surveillance scheme that the the Royal College of GPs has run for many years. Last some sequencing needs to be continued to look for new variants in relation to vaccine coverage. 'All of this could be delivered for a fraction of the money now being spent.' An writing in the Daily Telegraph, Professor Sunetra Gupta, an epidemiologist at the University of Oxford said: 'Britain has got itself into a terrible mess on mass testing. 'A recent study led by Oxford academics, which found that up to a third of people found positive on a PCR test were not contagious, should give the Government cause to reconsider the wisdom of this approach. 'Continuing with a mass testing, mass isolation strategy in response to a disease that has become endemic is merely piling up the misery. The Government must change course.' A Chicago man on the run for more than a month following the killing of his best friend's 12-year-old brother after the boy made fun of him for FaceTiming his girlfriend has been hunted down and charged with murder. Jaran Hughes, 21, was found in Wisconsin on Tuesday and arrested in the fatal shooting of Marcell Wilson at the boy's Englewood home on January 2. Hughes, a father of two, had been playing video games at the home with Marcell and his other siblings after being kicked out of his girlfriend's home earlier in the day, according to Assistant States Attorney James Murphy. Prosecutors said that while Hughes spoke to his girlfriend on FaceTime, Marcell started to tease him about his girlfriend and being kicked out of her home, prompting Hughes to point a handgun with an extended clip at Marcell's chest before firing the weapon and killing the boy. Jaran Hughes, 21, was arrested Tuesday in Racine, Wisconsin and charged with the murder of Marcell Wilson in Chicago, Illinois on January 2, 2022 Marcell Wilson, pictured, the 12-year-old boy who was shot and killed by his older brother's friend after he teased the 21-year-old while he FaceTimed his girlfriend last month Eyewitness accounts from family members describe a frantic scene, with Marcell and his sister repeatedly asking Hughes to put the gun away. However, Hughes 'racked the slide' and 'shot him right in the chest in front of the other family members,' Murphy said in court on Wednesday. The mortally wounded boy stumbled to his mother's room while yelling 'he shot me' before collapsing. One of Marcell's siblings attempted to put pressure on the bullet wound, but he was taken to Comer Childrens Hospital, where he later died. Hughes fled the home immediately after the shooting, leaving behind a shell casing, his phone, jacket and one of his shoes in his haste to flee the scene. Pictured: a poster along the street of the Englewood home where 12-year-old Marcell Wilson was shot and killed last month While on the lam, Hughes lamented to his girlfriend 'about how his life is over because of what happened and that he is going to be in jail,' in text messages uncovered after prosecutors executed a search warrant on his girlfriend's Facebook account. The text messaged helped police find Hughes at his cousins home in Racine, Wisconsin on January 14. Hughes' assistant public defender attempted to paint the shooting as an accident, but Judge Charles Beach dismissed the claim. 'You weren't just playing with the gun in that room, you racked the sliding of that weapon,' Beach said. Hughes was held without bail. He is expected back in court February 22. Evacuation orders have been lifted for wealthy Laguna Beach residents after they were forced to flee as a massive bush fire fueled by strong 30mph Santa Ana winds and hot temperatures in the 80s threatened their million-dollar homes. The Emerald Fire, first reported at 4am on Thursday, has burned through an estimated 145.2 acres on a hillside above the gated community Emerald Bay, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Flames and smoke could be seen from Long Beach and other parts of Southern California. The fire was 20 percent contained as of 9pm. Evacuation orders for Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay were lifted by 3pm, but the areas remained under evacuation warning and residents were told to stay alert. There were no reports of injuries or any property damage in the swanky spot, where million-dollar homes line the roads. The fire has been fueled by hot temperatures in Los Angeles, where a heat advisory was issued from Wednesday through Sunday evening by the National Weather Service. Temperatures in the region were expected to rise into the high 80 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, and the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory, warning of northeast winds between 15 and 20 mph with gusts up to 30mph, the Los Angeles Times reported. Firefighters have stopped the fire from spreading to the luxurious Laguna Beach neighborhood, known for its cliffs, coves and scenic seven-mile coastline. The pricey area, located in the seaside Orange County community about 55 miles away from Hollywood, was once home to stars such as Rock Hudson, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Rudolph Valentino and Bette Davis. The average home in Laguna Beach is valued at $2,908,275, according to Zillow. Scroll Down For Video Firefighters have stopped the fire from spreading to the luxurious Laguna Beach neighborhood of Emerald Bay, known for its cliffs, coves and scenic seven-mile coastline Schools in Laguna Beach were closed on Thursday as firefighters battled the flames. Above, first responders watch the flames as they burned on the hillside behind the neighborhood No one was injured in the Laguna Beach fire on Thursday. Above, a firefighter talks on the radio as he watches a fire spot on a hillside Firefighters watch as a helicopter drops water the Emerald Fire which has burned through 145 acres as of Thursday night A plane drops retardant on a wildfire near Laguna Beach homes. So far, firefighters have been able to keep flames from damaging homes Firefighters hard at work containing the flames. Fire fighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched two water-dropping helicopters to assist in the firefight and CAL Fire sent in six air tankers The fire is currently 5 percent contained and has prompted an evacuation order for Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay, as well as North Laguna Currently, no homes have been damaged. 'We no longer have a fire season. We have a fire year,' Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said during a Thursday morning press briefing. 'This is supposed to be the middle of winter, and we're anticipating 80-to-90-degree weather. Even though the hillsides are green, it doesn't take but low humidity and wind to cause fires to occur.' While the evacuation orders were lifted, a warning will remain in place while fire fighters and police officers patrol the area for hot spots. All Laguna Beach School District schools were closed on Thursday, as well as the Anneliese private schools. At least two homes were destroyed in a brush fire that blackened about four acres in Whittier area Thursday Firefighters respond to the Sycamore Fire which destroyed at least two homes in Whittier, California A firefighter extinguishes a burning house Thursday in Whittier, Calif. At least two homes were destroyed in a brush fire that blackened about four acres in Whittier area Thursday Laguna Beach schools will reopen on Friday, according to the school district. 'We want to start by thanking our amazing first responders, city partners, and school community for working together to keep our families safe and updated on the Laguna Brush Fire. At this time, all LBUSD schools and buildings will be open tomorrow,' the district said on Twitter. The Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center and Irvines Los Olivos Community Center were being utilized as care and reception sites for evacuees. Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched two water-dropping helicopters to assist in the firefight, and CAL Fire sent in six air tankers. Around 375 firefighters have been tackling the flames, while Laguna beach officials warned residents that they could return to homes without electricity because Southern California Edison has not yet received the 'all clear' to use the power lines. Orange County fire officials said fire-retardants were dropped along the ridge line to halt the fire's spread toward residential areas, NBC Los Angeles reported. 'We met it with a very robust response,' said Orange Count Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy. 'If we ask you to evacuate, please evacuate.' The chief said the plan was to use the air tankers to pretreat the ridgeline between north Emerald Bay and Newport Beach with retardant in order to hold the fire on the ridge, CBS Los Angeles reported. Evacuation orders were lifted Thursday afternoon. The Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center and Irvine's Los Olivos Community Center were used as care and reception sites for evacuees Two firefighters observe as a helicopter drops water on the Emerald Fire, which has burned through 145 acres on Thursday A helicopter flies above Irvine Cove, one of the neighborhoods threatened by the Emerald Fire, on Thursday The Emerald Fire burns cactus in Laguna Beach on Thursday as firefighters continue to battle the blaze intensified by strong winds and high temperatures An aerial view of the smoke from Thursday's Emerald Fire which broke out at around 4 am and has burned through 145 acres Flames and smoke could be seen from Long Beach and other parts of Southern California The Emerald Fire, first reported at 4am on Thursday, has burned through an estimated 145 acres on a hillside above the gated community Emerald Bay The fire has been fueled by hot temperatures in Los Angeles, where a heat advisory was issued from Wednesday through Sunday evening by the National Weather Service 'The winds are expected to continue to blow over the next few days,' Fennessy said. 'The fire is moving north. The fire skirted along the north end of Emerald Bay. It is moving towards the Newport Beach area, it's still a long way from Newport Beach. It's hung up on the ridgeline, I guess it would be the north side of Emerald Bay.' Fennessy said he is optimistic that the fire will burn away from the area after the flames were pushed north by wind along the northern edge of a residential area. 'We got lucky in that regard,' Fennessy said. 'I'm pretty confident right now, as long as the weather cooperates. 'The bulk of the fire is away from the structures,' he added. Mid-to-high 80 degree weather is expected through the rest of the week in the Los Angeles area - just in time for this Sunday's Super Bowl, taking place at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, NBC News reported. The 80 degree weather is up to 20 degrees above normal highs, National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Sirard told NBC News. NWS Los Angeles warned that high temperatures could lead to heat-related illnesses for the homeless, outdoor workers and infants. NWS has issued an heat advisory until Sunday afternoon, warning thee mid- to upper 80 degree weather could lead to a potential increase in heat-related illnesses Orange Count Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said the plan is to use air tankers to pretreat the ridgeline between north Emerald Bay and Newport Beach with retardant in order to hold the fire on the ridge The heat wave is a result of a high-pressure system that has been camped out over the West Coast since the beginning of February. This ridging pattern spurs strong Santa Ana winds which are known for bringing hot air into Los Angeles and surrounding areas from the nearby desert regions, CNN reported. That heat combined with isolated winds of up to 60 mph are the perfect conditions for wildfires to thrive in the area. 'Not only do we have the dry conditions, we have the dry vegetation, we haven't had a lot of rain at all the last couple of weeks. 'And then you pair that with these gusty winds, and then that fire just kind of grew, so fast. And then we're dealing with more of these winds right now, and then it's warm right now,' CBS2 Meteorologist Amber Lee said. Also on Thursday, a fast-moving brush fire broke out at around 2.30pm and destroyed two homes near Sycamore Park in Whittier, a city in Los Angeles County about 45 mi north of Emerald Bay. A third home suffered some damage. More than 200 firefighters responded to the scene by air and land. Two homes were destroyed in a brush fire that broke out near Sycamore Park in Whittier Whittier is about 45 mi north of Emerald Bay, where the Emerald Fire burned through the afternoon. Above, firefighters in Whittier on Thursday The fire in Whittier broke out around 2.30pm and was as big as seven acres at one point It was eventually brought down to four acres by 7.30pm on Thursday. Above, an LA County firefighter carried a large mirror out of a home destroyed by the Sycamore Fire 'The fire was fueled by the dry vegetation behind the homes but it was fanned by the winds,' LA County Fire Department spokesperson Henry Narvaez told KTLA. 'The winds managed to get the flames into one of the homes.' The fire grew to be seven acres at one point, but had been kept to about four acres by 7.30pm, according to the LA County Fire Department. One person suffered a non-life threatening burn injury, but it's unknown if the person was a resident or a hiker, KABC reports Whittier is about 20 mi east of downtown Los Angeles. 'All I could see was the flame coming down,' nearby resident Lisa Calderon told KTLA. 'Climate change is real. Here it is, where it's February and we've got summer conditions, Santa Ana winds and its just scary.' Authorities in Texas are searching for a woman who was charged with helping to set up the brutal murder of an aspiring rapper after she failed to appear at her trial date last October. Karla Morales, 20, lured Jose Villanueva, 24, to a field near a Houston elementary school on July 29, 2018, with the promise that they were going to smoke marijuana to celebrate his birthday, according to prosecutors. Instead, Villanueva was savagely attacked by five MS-13 gang members who hacked him with machetes. He was shot dead as he attempted to crawl away from his attackers. All five gang members have been convicted and sentenced to prison. Morales, who was released on $60,000 bond, was the last of the defendants to go on trial and was scheduled to appear October 20, 2021. However, she removed her GPS ankle monitor five days before she was due in court and disappeared, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in statement Wednesday. Officials did not say why they are just now revealing that she took off. Karla Morales skipped bail and removed her GPS ankle monitor just five says before she was scheduled to appear for the first day of October 2021 trial in which Houston authorities were accusing her of luring an aspiring rapper Jose Villanueva to five MS-13 gang members, who hacked him with machetes and shot him dead Jose Villanueva, an aspiring rapper from Houston, was murdered by five MS-13 gang members on July 28, 2018 Morales, who goes by the nicknames 'Cherry,' 'Karlita,' 'Missy,' and 'Foxy,' was born in California and also has family in El Salvador. But Ogg believes that she did not flee for the Central American nation and could still be hiding out in the Houston area. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to her arrest. Ogg said prosecutors initially requested a $250,000 bond, but the magistrate judge lowered it to $60,000. 'She helped plan and plot this vicious execution, and somebody out there knows where she is hiding,' Ogg said. 'You can do the right thing by helping deliver justice for Jose's family and you can collect a reward for your efforts.' According to court documents, Morales met Villanueva at a local bar months before the gruesome murder. The victim was rhyming about his alliance with the rival '18th Street' gang during a rap battle which infuriated members of the MS-13, who were employed by the same landscaping company as Villanueva. A few days later, Morales' boyfriend, also an MS-13 member, heard Villanueva insulting her. Karla Morales, who was born in California, has family in El Salvador. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said on Wednesday that she could still be in the Houston area The boyfriend approached Morales to help them trap the victim. She was able to coerce the victim out his home at around 10:30pm, joining her and two men she identified as members of the notorious street gang, according to prosecutors. Villanueva's body was discovered August 7, 2018, after his family reported him missing. Ogg said that authorities will not be asking tipsters about their immigration status if they offer any details that land Morales back in police custody. A former Little Rock School District (LRSD) administrator who made six figures a year pleaded guilty to mail fraud on Wednesday after spending more than $230,000 of stolen school funds on personal items - including knitting materials, makeup and various home goods - over the course of eight years. Karen James, 48, previously worked as LRSD's director of Early Childhood Programs from 2010 until her secret spending caught up with her in 2018. An investigation revealed she had used two business credit cards she was issued by the district to rack up a combined $230,635.86 in fraudulent purchases, according to a press release. She spent over $4,000 at the online furniture and home goods site Wayfair on bath rugs, a recliner and other items; made 83 unauthorized purchases through PayPal totaling more than $27,000 and purchased 2,462 items on Amazon, spending a whopping $199,200 on items such as clothing, makeup, housewares, knitting materials, pet products and gift cards, authorities said. James was reportedly using the credit cards to shop online for personal items from August 2014 until August 2018, when the district detected the unauthorized purchases. She was given three months of paid leave before her termination, which was appealed, allowing James to resign. The former director was making $108,827 a year, which is more than double the average income in Arkansas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. James entered her guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker and will be sentenced at a later date, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Karen James, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud after the Little Rock School District discovered she stole $230,000 Her plea agreement requires her to pay back the money she misused in restitution to the LRSD. She also faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to three years supervised release and a $100 special assessment. In August 2018, the school district learned that James was submitting fabricated receipts and false transaction logs to appear as authorized purchases. She was placed on paid administrative leave until she was terminated in November. The single count of mail fraud stems from one purchase when James used a school district credit card to buy designer eyeglasses and had them shipped through the U.S. Postal Service on March 13, 2018, according to a charging document filed Wednesday in federal court. The LRSD-issued credit cards were funded by state and federal grants and were given to James along with a handbook that explicitly stated 'the card is NOT for personal use.' The rules also clearly said that 'personal, cash or cash type purchases' is a violation of the card's use agreement and 'could result in termination of employment and/or criminal prosecution permitted by law,' according to the charging document. James worked as the Director of Early Childhood Programs from 2010 until 2019 when it was revealed that she used two district issued credit cards for personal years for four years The handbook also prohibited the purchase of gift cards and barred users from shipping items purchased with an LRSD credit card to one's home residence. As required by the district, James was supposed to document each credit card purchase by logging every transaction and providing a receipt or other confirmation of the purchase. LRSD discovered James' personal shopping when they obtained the original receipts from vendors. An addendum to the plea agreement was filed under seal and James remain free until her sentencing. She lives in Little Rock in a small two bedroom home that is estimated to be worth $212,970, according to records. James and the school district had previously come under fire as people criticized LRSD administrators' high salaries. At the end of 2021, LRSD unanimously approved a three-year pay raise plan for all employees. The pay raises would bring teacher salaries from $36,000 to $43,000 this year and give other district workers about a 3 percent raise. The salary adjustments would eventually put LRSD teacher salaries among the highest in the state, the Arkansas Times reported. A PhD student who is suing Britains wokest university has claimed that a campaign against her included the phrase TERF a derogatory term for feminists who are accused of transphobia. Raquel Rosario-Sanchez, 32, has launched legal action against Bristol University, claiming that they tried to cancel her, forced her to quit and even tried to make her miss a visa deadline. She says there was a campaign against her after she attended feminist meetings that opposed allowing men who identify as women into female-only spaces. Miss Rosario-Sanchez says she was also harassed over her involvement with the campaign group Womans Place UK. The student is suing the university for negligence, breach of contract and sex discrimination. Miss Rosario-Sanchez said both her mental health and her academic performance suffered as a result of a two year hate campaign against her beginning in February 2018. Miss Rosario-Sanchez alleges that a person at the university wrote online they wanted to punch TERFS, which stands for trans exclusionary radical feminists. The acronym TERF was also previously levelled at JK Rowling after she made comments which were branded transphobic. A court heard an individual known as AA lodged a complaint over working alongside Miss Rosario-Sanchez. Raquel Rosario-Sanchez has launched legal action against Bristol University, claiming that they tried to cancel her, forced her to quit and even tried to make her miss a visa deadline The University of Bristol is facing claims that its staff objected to the use of the word 'maternity' and allowed men identifying as women to use its campus swimming pool Today Miss Rosario-Sanchezs legal team told a court in Bristol AA had used the word TERF online, calling it a slur used to vilify women who speak up about set based rights. They said: AA was using violent terminology against people who had similar or the same views as the claimant. The post was made while advocating the signing of an open letter calling for the cancelling of a meeting where the claimant intended to speak, the court was told. The universitys barrister made clear that the university in no way seeks to defend AAs actions and statements. The meeting later was disrupted by transgender rights activists of the organisation Sister Not Cister UK who stormed the meeting in masks, the court was told. The student is suing the university for negligence, breach of contract and sex discrimination Miss Rosario-Sanchez said both her mental health and her academic performance suffered as a result of a two year hate campaign against her beginning in February 2018 The peer of Miss Rosario-Sanchez who posted the comment online, AA, was a member of the group that stormed the meeting. Miss Rosario-Sanchez subsequently made a complaint against the individual, but alleges that Bristol University did not take her complaint seriously and failed to investigate breaches of the university code. The case against AA was subsequently dismissed after a meeting in which Miss Rosario-Sanchez was questioned by a barrister for AA in an ambush with AA present, she claims. Miss Rosario-Sanchez had not been informed that she would be questioned by a barrister and had not been advised to take legal counsel being invited only to bring a friend. She alleges that Bristol University failed to properly enforce the Universitys code of conduct by not properly investigating intimidation tactics used against her. The hearing continues. The House select committee probing January 6th has uncovered 'gaps' in White House phone records as it seeks to untangle the events surrounding the Capitol riot. The committee hasn't found evidence records were deleted or otherwise interfered with, the New York Times reported. But the records that do exist do not always comport with what the panel investigators have found through interviews with hundreds of witnesses, and after gaining access to a trove of documents from witnesses and from the National Archives and Records Administration. The gap from White House switchboard records appears to include a crucial time period. Panel investigators have obtained no records of calls Trump made or received during a critical time frame as a mob breached the Capitol in what turned into a riot, CNN reported. The committee has learned from other witnesses that Trump did make calls Jan. 6th including one from the Oval Office with then-Vice President Mike Pence the morning of Jan. 6th where Trump accused Pence of being 'not tough enough' to decide not to accept electoral votes certified by states. The House January 6th committee has discovered 'gaps' in White House phone records, but has reportedly not found any indications of tampering That was according to Pence national security aide Keith Kellogg, who appeared before the committee, and whose testimony is revealed in the committee's subpoena of Ivanka Trump. The letter also states that the president's daughter was in the Oval at the time, and turned to Kellogg to say 'Mike Pence is a good man' amid the discussion. Trump was known to use a cell phone to make calls, which could explain why conversations recalled by witnesses would not appear on official White House logs. Another possibility is that Trump was not making much use of the phone during the riot. Trump confidant Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-.S.C.) told the Washington Post last year that he phoned Ivanka Trump when the president failed to pick up the phone. Trump phoned Vice President Mike Pence the morning of Jan. 6th, according to a committee subpoena letter Investigators want to piece together all of Trump's actions around Jan. 6th Some people tried to reach White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, according to the committee Trump was known to use a cell phone and even other people's phones, which could partly explain the gaps Others have been revealed to have reached out to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to implore him to get Trump to take action amid the riot. Trump could have been distracted by screen time. Former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham told CNN last month that during the riot: 'All I know about that day was that [Trump] was in the dining room, gleefully watching on his TV as he often did, "look at all of the people fighting for me," hitting rewind, watching it again that's what I know,' she said. The apparent gaps in information on White House phone records follow revelations that the National Archives and Records Administration retrieved 15 boxes of materials from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. The House Oversight Committee announced it is investigating the incident in light of federal record-keeping laws. Among those items reported to have been included are Trump's 'love letters' with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, a replica of Air Force One, and an infamous NOAA map with sharpie markings purportedly made by Trump. The committee may be able to piece together a phone history through other means. It has subpoenaed phone companies for records for people who may have communicated with Trump, including sons Don Jr. and Eric Trump. The Archives is continuing to gather and sort through other information, and following a Supreme Court ruling has been providing material to Congress. According to the Times, at least one person who tried to reach Trump Jan. 6 'had their call picked up by one of his aides. It is unclear where Mr. Trump was at the time.' Advertisement President Joe Biden was met with protesters slamming 'open borders' and holding 'Let's Go Brandon' signs as he arrived in Culpeper, Virginia Thursday to talk about reducing the price of prescription drugs. The president also mentioned the rising inflation - a 40 -year high as of Thursday - assuring Americans they 'should have peace of mind' and that he was working to decrease gas and food prices. Biden voyaged an hour and a half outside of Washington, D.C., to give a boost to endangered Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, despite his own sluggish polling. A new CNN survey out Thursday conducted in January and February found that 58 per cent disapproved of the job Biden is doing, with 56 per cent of that group having nothing positive to say about the Democratic leader. That sentiment was spelled out in the mixed bag of messages that greeted the president once he arrived. 'Get your grubby hands off my healthcare,' one sign read. 'Build Crack Better,' said another. A bearded man held up a sign that said, 'We won't forget what you stole: Jobs, Freedoms, History, Elections, Our Future.' A child held up a sign that said 'don't sniff me,' while a woman beside her held a sign that read, 'Biden sucks.' A young girl holds up a 'Don't Sniff Me' sign as President Joe Biden drives by Thursday as he heads to a community college to talk about prescription drug prices President Joe Biden spoke about reducing prescription drug prices at the Germanna Community College in Culpeper, Virginia Thursday A man holds up a 'Build Crack Better' sign as President Joe Biden's motorcade passes en route to an event Thursday in Culpeper, Virginia, a town about an hour and a half outside of Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden (right) embraces Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger (left) as he arrives in Culpeper, Virginia on Thursday President Joe Biden gets into the Beast at the Culpeper Regional Airport on Thursday Upon arrival at Germanna Community College, the White House program started with quick remarks from Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who Biden heavily complimented once he took the mic, after The Washington Post reported that White House staff wanted Becerra gone. 'I also want to thank Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra for two things: one, for answering my call when I asked him to come and be the secretary. I was worried he wouldn't,' Biden said laughing. 'And how much he's helped us make so much progress in getting people vaccinated, getting health insurance and making more affordable healthcare,' the president said. Biden also marveled at the speaking skills of 12-year-old Joshua Davis, a Type 1 diabetic who would benefit from a provision in the president's Build Back Better package to cap insulin prices. 'Thank you Mr. President,' Biden told the boy. 'I could have no more have done that when I was 12-years-old than fly,' the president added, mentioning how he had been a stutterer, doing an impression of how he used to speak. Davis had talked about needing between 10 and 12 shots of insulin a day. 'I have to be careful with my bottles of insulin because they can break very easily. And well, I am a 12-year-old boy,' Davis said to laughs from the crowd. President Joe Biden (right) marveled at the introduction given by 12-year-old Joshua Davis (left) calling the youngster 'Mr. President,' when he concluded President Joe Biden (left) shakes the hand of 12-year-old Joshua Davis (center), followed by his mother Shannon Davis (right) President Joe Biden speaks Thursday at Germanna Community College Biden remained hopeful that he could get the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better package passed, despite Sen. Joe Manchin, a member of the president's own party, recently calling the bill 'dead.' 'And we're close,' Biden told the Virginia crowd. The president gave Spanberger credit for helping get Build Back Better passed in the House. That vote came back in November, with the package hitting a Manchin-sized roadblock in the Senate several weeks later. Biden credited Spanberger's 'enthusiasm' for helping the package get passed. 'So I may be dragging you over the Senate to spend some time,' Biden told the Virginia lawmaker. More broadly, Biden pushed that some of the provisions contained in Build Back Better bill are low-hanging fruit for Congressional Democrats who are expected to have a rough time in the midterms. 'Bringing down the cost of prescription drugs is an easy thing for us to do, that can be done legally with a stroke of a pen,' the president argued. The president's speech came the same day that the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that inflation was at a 40-year high. One of the reasons Manchin expressed he we was a no vote on BBB was because he worried about inflation. On Thursday Manchin released a statement saying the 'threat of inflation is real' and the 'administration must proceed with caution before adding more fuel to an economy already on fire.' 'Look, again, a slight digression, inflation is up. It's up,' Biden admitted during his remarks, adding that it 'matters,' recalling his own family's meager financial means. Prices rose for a sixth consecutive month, meaning Americans have consistently had to shell out more for everyday life since August 2021 Inflation hit a 40-year high of 7.5 percent, the Labor Department announced Thursday, a figure not seen since the Carter administration 'But the fact is if we are able to do the things I'm talking about here it will bring down the cost for average families,' he continued. 'Look, the fact is that we're in a situation now where you should have peace of mind,' Biden added. Biden mentioned food and gas prices - and said he was working 'like the devil' to bring gas prices down, and food prices too. 'I understand. But these things are necessities,' he said. 'We're working to bring down prices where they're not totally what families, in fact, have to pay now. You still have to pay for child care. ... You still have to pay your prescription drug prices. You still have to pay your healthcare.' 'You want to lower the cost of living for people, help them in those areas,' he argued. Advertisement Emmanuel Macron was kept at a distance from Vladimir Putin during their crunch meeting over Ukraine this week because the French President had refused to take a Covid test over fears the Russians would obtain his DNA, it has been claimed. Pundits were struck by photos of Mr Macron and the Russian President sitting at opposite ends of a 13ft long table to discuss the crisis in eastern Europe on Monday, with some suggesting Mr Putin wanted to send a diplomatic message. But two sources with knowledge of the French leaders health protocol said Mr Macron had been asked to take a Covid test by the Kremlin before meeting Mr Putin. Speaking to the Reuters news agency, the sources claimed that Mr Macron was told either to accept a PCR test conducted by the Russians and be allowed near the dictator, or refuse and abide by more stringent social distancing. We knew very well that meant no handshake and that long table. But we could not accept that they get their hands on the president's DNA, one source said, referring to security concerns if the French leader was tested by Russian doctors. A Kremlin spokesman did not immediately respond to a message from Reuters seeking comment. The second source in Mr Macrons entourage confirmed the French President declined to take a Russian PCR test. The source said he instead took a French PCR test before departure and an antigen test done by his own doctor once in Russia. The Russians told us Putin needed to be kept in a strict health bubble, the second source said. On Thursday, three days after Mr Macron and Mr Putin had their socially-distanced meeting, the Russian leader received Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The two men shook hands, and sat close to each other, divided only by a small coffee table. Emmanuel Macron was kept at a distance from Vladimir Putin during their crunch meeting over Ukraine this week because the French President had refused to take a Covid test over fears the Russians would obtain his DNA, it has been claimed Speaking to the Reuters news agency, the sources claimed that Mr Macron was told either to accept a PCR test conducted by the Russians and be allowed near the dictator, or refuse and abide by more stringent social distancing It comes as Liz Truss clashed with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov over Ukraine as she went to Moscow to demand the regime cool its Cold War rhetoric. The Foreign Secretary delivered a tough message that the Kremlin must step back from a disastrous invasion of Ukraine during tense talks. On her first official visit to Moscow she warned that Kiev must not be bullied, demanding Russia backs up its claims about having no plans to breach its neighbours border with actions. But in discussions and a joint press conference after a lunch of borscht and halibut, anti-democratic bruiser Mr Lavrov launched a series of barbs, dismissing ultimatums and moralising from the West and comparing their conversation to a deaf and a mute. Ideological approaches, ultimatums and moralising is a road to nowhere, the notorious political operator said. In scenes caught on camera he then abruptly stalked off at the end of the press conference, leaving Miss Truss standing alone. He then opened the door for the to accompany him from the room, before a lunch. She had observed that she had definitely not been mute in their discussions, and urged a diplomatic solution. On Thursday, three days after Mr Macron and Mr Putin had their socially-distanced meeting, the Russian leader received Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The two men shook hands, and sat close to each other But in what appeared to be a co-ordinated attack a pro-Putin TV host today lashed out at the Foreign Secretary. Vladimir Solovyov accused Ms Truss of behaving in the classic British colonial style, tweeting: A London official came to the colony to lecture the subjugated natives. A source close to the Foreign Secretary said: Liz delivered some tough and punchy messages including urging Russia to withdraw troops from the border, engage in meaningful talks, and ultimately respect Ukraines sovereignty. The talks were testy, but theres a healthy amount of respect between Liz and Lavrov. She invited him to London in the next few months and he accepted, if the situation allows. Boris Johnson embarked on his own trip to NATO HQ in Brussels and then Poland, warning that Europe faces the most dangerous moment for decades and the stakes are very high. At a joint press conference with NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, the PM said he did not believe Mr Putin had made a final decision on whether to send troops over the border. But Mr Johnson admitted the signs were not good, insisting that Mr Putin will face a strong response if he does go ahead. A security guard accused of doodling eyes onto a 740,000 painting's faceless figures at a Russian art gallery suffered a lapse of sanity on his first day, the exhibition's curator said today. To the dismay of many, the guard is said to have drawn two pairs of eyes with a pen onto artist Anna Leporskaya's 'Three Figures' (19321934) painting, while it was on display at an abstract art exhibition at the Yeltsin Center in the city of Yekaterinburg. The man, believed to be in his 60s, has since been fired by the private security firm hired by the gallery and police have opened an investigation into the defacement. Speaking to Russian website ura.ru, exhibition curator Anna Reshetkina said that it had been the guard's first day on the job. 'His motives are still unknown but the administration believes it was some kind of a lapse in sanity,' she told the website. She explained that the guard used a Yeltsin Center branded ballpoint pen to draw the eyes onto the painting, and penetrated a layer of paint. According to The Art Newspaper Russia, luckily the damage did not too deep as the suspect did not apply strong enough pressure to the canvas. ORIGINAL: Artist Anna Leporskaya's 'Three Figures' (19321934) painting The painting was defaced by a security guard who added two pairs of eyes to the painting Two visitors enjoying an art exhibition called 'The World as Non-Objectivity. The Birth of a New Art' at the Yeltsin Center spotted the extra details to two of the three figures on the 1930s painting on December 7 last year, reports the Art Newspaper. The painting, which was on loan from the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, was damaged by the security guard after he is said to have became bored. The identity of the suspect has only been revealed now as a security guard by the Yeltsin Centre, although they did not name the worker. The work was then sent to the Moscow gallery the next day and was inspected by an art restorer. Police have now opened an investigation for vandalism, with comes with a 395 (74.9 million Russian Rubles) fine and a one-year correctional labour sentence. The painting is being restored, the damage, according to the restoration expert at State Tretyakov Gallery, can be eliminated without any long-term damage to the artwork. The damage to the painting and cost of restoration has been estimated at 2,470 (RUB 250,000). Protective screens have now been installed over the other paintings and works on display at the gallery. It is unclear how much the painting is worth, but it was insured with the Alfa insurance company for 740,000 (RUB 74.9 million). It has been reported that the company where the security guard worked is paying for the restoration. The exhibition's curator explained that the guard used a Yeltsin Center branded ballpoint pen to draw the eyes onto the painting, and penetrated a layer of paint Two visitors enjoying an art exhibition called 'The World as Non-Objectivity. The Birth of a New Art' at the Yeltsin Center (pictured) spotted the extra details to two of the three figures on the 1930s painting on December 7 last year, reports the Art Newspaper Artist Leporskaya, who was born in 1900 and died aged 82 in 1982, was a student of the renowned, avant-garde Russian artist Kazimir Malevich. She also worked with other avant-garde artists, including Nikolai Suetin and Lev Yudin. She is known primarily as a master of artistic porcelain. In addition to the Tretyakov Gallery, her works are widely represented in the collection of the Russian Museum. The damage to the painting has been estimated at RUB 250,000 (GBP 2,470). It is unclear how much the painting is worth, but it was insured with the Alfa insurance company for RUB 74.9 million (GBP 740,000). It has been reported that the company is paying for the restoration. The Yeltsin Center said in a statement released on Tuesday: 'We inform you that during the investigation, the person who painted the eyes on the figures in the painting by Anna Leporskaya was identified - this is an employee of a private security organization that carries out security activities of the Yeltsin Center. 'Recall that on December 7, 2021, during the demonstration of the exhibition 'The World as Non-Objectiveness. The Birth of a New Art' in the Art Gallery of the Yeltsin Center suffered a painting by Anna Leporskaya 'Three Figures' (19321934) from the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery. 'The damage was done with a ballpoint pen.' The Center added: 'The work was inspected by the restorer of the State Tretyakov Gallery the very next day and sent to Moscow. The painting is being restored, the damage, according to the expert, can be eliminated without consequences for the work of art. 'The Yeltsin Center refrained from commenting on this situation in hot pursuit, as an internal investigation of the incident and interaction with law enforcement agencies were underway.' China's national-level economic and technological development zones actively promoted innovation amid COVID-19 pandemic, and played an important role in stabilizing foreign trade and investment, according to a working assessment from the Ministry of Commerce. The 217 zones generated 11 trillion yuan of regional GDP in 2020, up 5.6 percent year-on-year, accounting for 11 percent of the country's gross volume. The research and development expenses of companies above designated size accounted for 1.4 percent of their revenues in 2020, with technological innovation further deepened. The import and export volume increased 9.2 percent from a year earlier to 7 trillion yuan, accounting for 21.7 percent of China's total. The actual use of foreign investment and reinvestment by foreign enterprises jumped 4.8 percent to $57.4 billion. Besides, the zones contributed 17.6 percent to the local fiscal revenues in 2020, and participated in the cross-border economic cooperation. Moreover, the zones continued to enhance ecological environment protection, with industrial consumption and pollution emission falling below the country's average. Let's see the top 10 national economic and technological development zones in China in 2020. No 10 Hefei Economic and Technological Development Area No 9 Hangzhou Economic Development Area No 8 Yantai Economic and Technological Development Area No 7 Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone No 6 Jiangning Development Zone No 5 Kushan Economic and Technological Development Zone No 4 Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area No 3 Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area No 2 Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone No 1 Suzhou Industrial Park Cressida Dick appeared to rule out any punishment stronger than a fine for Boris Johnson over Partygate today - as he refused to confirm he would quit if found to have broken the law. Scotland Yard is sending formal questionnaires to more than 50 people to ask them to give an account of their involvement, with the documents due to start arriving by the end of this week. The questionnaire will have 'formal legal status' and 'must be answered truthfully', with people given seven days to reply. The force has said that in most cases contact is being made via email which means people will dodge a formal interview and policing sources told The Times that Mr Johnson is likely to receive a questionnaire. Previously, experts have warned that lying on the forms could be seen as perverting the course of justice. But speaking to BBC London today, Dame Cressida mentioned only fixed penalty notices, likely to carry fines of around 100. She told the station she recognises the scandal of parties at No 10 has 'hugely disgusted' members of the public, adding: 'You'll be aware that although I said we wouldn't be giving a running commentary we would at significant moments update the public... 'Yesterday, my investigators did put out an update to say that we will be writing with a questionnaire to over 50 people as as part of that investigation to ask them to account for what they were doing. 'And clearly, some, but probably not all, of those people may very well end up with a ticket. It came as former Conservative prime minister Sir John Major launched a brutal attack on 'shifty' Mr Johnson, accusing him of breaking Covid laws at the Downing Street parties in 2020 and 2021. The former premier, a longstanding critic of Mr Johnson, used a speech on democracy to accuse the Prime Minister of using 'brazen excuses' over Partygate to try to 'defend the indefensible'. The PM today refused to say if he will resign if he is found to have broken the law over Partygate as he and Number 10 staff nervously wait for police letters to arrive. Speaking at a military base in Poland he said Sir John's claims were 'demonstrably untrue'. The former premier, a longstanding critic of Mr Johnson, used a speech on democracy to accuse the Prime Minister of using 'brazen excuses' over Partygate to try to 'defend the indefensible'. The PM today refused to say if he will resign if he is found to have broken the law over Partygate as he and Number 10 staff nervously wait for police letters to arrive. A new picture emerged yesterday of Mr Johnson allegedly attending a Downing Street Christmas quiz Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick suggested some of those in No10 being contacted by officers will end up with fines Major slams 'un-British' treatment of migrants John Major lashed out at treatment of migrants by Boris Johnson's government, branding it 'un-British'. Priti Patel's Nationality and Borders Bill is being heralded as the biggest shake-up of the asylum system for a generation. UK Border Force will also be able to seize boats at sea, and to forcibly disembark migrants from boats when necessary. Migrants who enter the UK without permission will face potential criminal charges and up to four years in prison. But Sir John said: 'Can it really be a crime to be frightened; homeless; desperate; destitute; fleeing from persecution, or war, or famine, or hardship; and to cross half the world on foot and dangerous waters in an unsafe boat, in the hope of finding a better life? 'Of course, if the numbers are too large, this creates an appalling problem for local communities. But surely, to seek sanctuary from an unbearable life cannot morally be treated as a crime? 'Prison for these refugees is punishment without compassion. 'I do sympathise with the awful problem facing the Government. But these proposals are not natural justice, and are decidedly un-British.' Advertisement The Metropolitan Police has started the process of contacting up to 50 people who are alleged to have attended events in Whitehall. Dame Cressida said she could not comment on whether officers at Downing Street knew about alleged parties. Speaking to Eddie Nestor on BBC Radio London, she said: 'It would be quite wrong for me to comment on whether anyone who works for the Met did or did not know what you describe as 'what's going on' because that is part of the investigation. 'But I would say one thing to you, which is that my officers are there primarily, with firearms, to keep people safe from terrorists, from armed attackers and the like. That is their primary job. 'I do not ask them, and I'm not going to start asking them, to patrol the corridors of Whitehall looking for, you know, what might be going on in offices. 'That is not appropriate. We don't do it in any other environment. We wouldn't come marching into the BBC to do that and so we need to see, we need to find out what they saw, what they knew, what they did, if anything, and I assure you that will come out as part of the investigation.' In a wide-ranging attack on Mr Johnson's government Sir John also hit out at Brexit and the treatment of migrants crossing the English Channel, saying that locking them up was 'un-British' and amounted to 'punishment without compassion'. Speaking at the Institute for Government in London today he said: 'At No10, the Prime Minister and officials broke lockdown laws. 'Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day the public was asked to believe the unbelievable. Ministers were sent out to defend the indefensible making themselves look gullible or foolish. 'Collectively, this has made the Government look distinctly shifty, which has consequences that go far beyond political unpopularity. 'No Government can function properly if its every word is treated with suspicion.' Conservative MPs are 'incandescent with rage' about Partygate, Government minister admits to voters A Government minister has admitted that Conservative MPs are 'incandescent' with rage about the Partygate scandal. Solicitor-General Alex Chalk said that he was 'deeply disappointed' by the revelations and warned Boris Johnson that 'seeking to weather a storm cannot be enough'. In a letter to constituents, he told voters that despite the publication of Sue Gray's interim report the problem of Downing Street parties was 'not over'. The Times quoted the letter as saying: 'I am deeply disappointed and frankly dismayed by what has been uncovered about events in Downing Street. 'I am not alone. Laura Kuenssberg [political editor at the BBC] said in her blog: 'There are Conservative MPs who are incandescent'. That is absolutely true.' Mr Chalk has a majority of just 981 in his constituency of Cheltenham, which voted to remain in the European Union in 2016. He was persuaded not to resign from Johnson's front bench at a meeting with the PM last week amid reports that he was uneasy about the Partygate drama. Mr Chalk refused to reveal whether he had submitted a letter of no-confidence to the 1922 Committee, saying it was a 'private' decision. Advertisement But Johnson allies hit back, with minister Lord Goldsmith - a close friend of the PM's wife - tweeting: 'A stale old corporatist who delivered seven years of autopilot government and a thumping defeat at the polls... and is still struggling to come to terms with the country's decision to leave the EU. 'John Major's intervention has zero to do with Covid rules (or democracy!)' And Stuart Anderson, the Tory MP for Wolverhampton South West, tweeted the former leader's name accompanied by yawning and sleeping emojis. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Mr Johnson had not been contacted by police and that he would not receive 'bespoke personal legal advice' from Government lawyers. In his speech Sir John lashed out at treatment of migrants by Boris Johnson's government, branding it 'un-British'. He urged a rethink of Priti Patel's Nationality and Borders Bill, which is being heralded as the biggest shake-up of the asylum system for a generation. Migrants who enter the UK without permission will face potential criminal charges and up to four years in prison. Sir John Major, one of the most senior Brexit critics, also lashed out at the handling of problems in Northern Ireland centred on the Northern Ireland Protocol agreed last year. He branded it 'arguably one of the worst pieces of negotiation we have seen in recent history', adding: 'It helps to understand treaties before you sign them.' Downing Street declined to comment on Sir John's claims while a police investigation is ongoing. Asked if the Government was shifty the PM's official spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister wanted the full details of this to be looked into firstly by Sue Gray and he wants the Met investigation to be concluded as well. 'The Prime Minister initiated the investigation into these events.' Sir John added: 'Where Governments fall short, candour is the best means of binding up support. 'But that candour must be freely offered not dragged out under the searchlight of Inquiries. If it is not whole-hearted and convincing, the loss of public trust can be swift and unforgiving. PM eyes 'Samantha the Panther' for key role in his top team Boris Johnson is said to have tapped up the fierce Australian former private secretary to the Queen - who quit after being put under alleged 'extreme stress' by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry - to become his Downing Street 'gatekeeper' and bring order to No 10. Samantha Cohen, who relished her soubriquet 'Samantha the Panther' because of her no-nonsense approach at work, is said to be being wooed by the Prime Minister to control who has access to the Tory leader. Mr Johnson has started a bonfire of his senior aides as he fights for his political life due to the party-mad culture in Downing Street during lockdown. Mrs Cohen, a mother-of-three who worked for the royals for 18 years, is said to have been approached for a Director of Government Relations role also managing the PM's diary - a post not filled since David Cameron was in power. While working at Buckingham Palace she enjoyed a meteoric rise from junior press officer to the Queen's assistant private secretary in just eight years. She was then parachuted in to Kensington Palace to help Meghan Markle navigate through her first months as a royal after marrying Harry in 2018. But the move to support the Sussexes would end in acrimony for the tough Aussie, described by friends and colleagues as 'completely dedicated to the Royal Family'. Originally from Brisbane, Ms Cohen had planned to quit Buckingham Palace in 2018 but agreed to stay on to aid Meghan. But she left in 2019 amid claims of bullying of staff by the Duchess of Sussex. One source at the time said that she had been 'treated terribly'. Meghan has always denied she was a bully - blaming smears from Buckingham Palace staff. Advertisement 'We have seen that playing out in recent weeks. Trust in politics is at a low ebb, eroded by foolish behaviour and leaving a sense of unease about how our politics is being conducted. 'Too often, Ministers have been evasive, and the truth has been optional.' It is sending formal questionnaires to more than 50 people to ask them to give an account of their involvement, with the documents due to start arriving by the end of this week. The questionnaire will have 'formal legal status' and 'must be answered truthfully', with people given seven days to reply. The force has said that in most cases contact is being made via email which means people will dodge a formal interview and policing sources told The Times that Mr Johnson is likely to receive a questionnaire. Asked during a NATO press conference in Brussels this morning if he will resign if he is found to have broken the law, Mr Johnson said: 'On your point about what's going on at home, that process must be completed and I'm looking forward to it being completed, and that's the time to say more on that.' The Met is investigating 12 events in total and reports have claimed that Mr Johnson attended six of them. If the explanation given by recipients is not judged by the police to constitute a 'reasonable excuse' then fixed penalty notices could be issued. It came as a new poll conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies for MailOnline found two thirds (66 per cent) of the British public believe Mr Johnson should resign as PM if he is found to have breached coronavirus regulations and is fined by the police. Police investigators probing Downing Street party allegations are issuing 50 people with 'questionnaires' about their whereabouts and what they were doing. Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow home secretary, said: 'I think that these are really damning comments from a former Conservative prime minister. 'But what it shows is what everybody else is thinking across the country. 'You've got a Prime Minister who has been dishonest, who has been disregarding the rules that he set, disrespecting people across the country who have been following those rules who have been acting in good faith. 'And I think really undermining the whole trust in the office of the Prime Minister and that is really damaging for us both at home and abroad and that is why I think John Major is exactly right.' Scotland Yard rules out probe into 'blackmail' threats to MPs Police will not be investigating allegations that No 10 'blackmailed' MPs who were said to be plotting to remove Boris Johnson from office, it was revealed today. Scotland Yard said that no investigation was necessary because 'no criminal offences have been identified' after backbencher William Wragg claimed embarrassing stories about Tory rebels were leaked to the press by ministers. Mr Wragg said Downing Street staff and ministers had been 'encouraging the publication of stories in the press seeking to embarrass those who they suspect of lacking confidence in the Prime Minister'. The senior Tory and vice chair of the 1922 committee had said the allegations 'seem to constitute blackmail'. MailOnline understands he spoke directly with Met Police officers about his claims. But Scotland Yard said on Wednesday that after assessment by specialist detectives, there had been no forthcoming evidence of 'inappropriate influence being exerted on MPs'. Advertisement Sir John said that, while the vast majority of elected politicians do not knowingly mislead, the behaviour of those who do is tarnishing the reputation of politics and of Parliament. 'If lies become commonplace, truth ceases to exist. What and who, then, can we believe? The risk is nothing and no-one. And where are we then?' He said all this is taking place against the backdrop of the Prime Minister being investigated for several apparent breaches of the ministerial code. 'He chose to ignore critical reports on his ministers; rejected advice from his independent adviser on ministerial standards - who resigned; and attempted - but failed - to overturn a unanimous Standards Select Committee Report that condemned the behaviour of a parliamentary colleague and friend,' he said. 'It may be possible to find excuses for each of these lapses - and others - but all of them, taken together, tell a different tale. 'The Prime Minister and our present Government not only challenge the law, but also seem to believe that they - and they alone - need not obey the rules, traditions, conventions - call them what you will - of public life. 'The charge that there is one law for the Government and one for everyone else is politically deadly - and it has struck home.' Meanwhile, a Government minister, the Solicitor General Alex Chalk, has reportedly refused to say whether he has submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson's leadership. In a letter to constituents, seen by The Times, Mr Chalk said he was 'deeply disappointed' and 'frankly dismayed by what has been uncovered about events in Downing Street'. He reportedly refused to say whether he had submitted a letter of no confidence, saying it was a 'private' decision. The minister is said to have had a meeting with the PM last week and was apparently persuaded not to quit. Elsewhere, it emerged that the Met is considering whether to investigate the funding of the lavish refurbishment of Mr Johnson's official Downing Street flat following a complaint by lawyers acting for the Labour Party. In a letter to Scotland Yard, the solicitors said there was a 'reasonable suspicion' that the Prime Minister had broken anti-bribery laws which the force was 'duty-bound' to investigate. The Met has said it is sending formal questionnaires to more than 50 people in Whitehall, with the documents due to arrive by the end of this week The Solicitor General Alex Chalk, has reportedly refused to say whether he has submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson's leadership The Met confirmed they had received the letter which was being considered by officers from its Central Specialist Crime Command. The complaint follows the release last month of an exchange of WhatsApp messages between the Prime Minister and Tory donor Lord Brownlow. They show that Mr Johnson discussed a proposal supported by the peer for a Great Exhibition 2.0 at the same time as requesting his help with the 112,000 revamp of his official residence. Ministerial records show that two months later, Lord Brownlow, who is a trustee of Royal Albert Hall Trust, attended a meeting with the then culture secretary Oliver Dowden to discuss the exhibition plan. In a letter, seen by the Guardian, lawyers said that despite inquiries by the Electoral Commission and Mr Johnson's adviser on ministerial interests, Lord Geidt, there were still matters that were 'uninvestigated and unconsidered'. A Met spokesman said: 'A letter was received and acknowledged on Friday February 4. It is being considered by officers from the Met's Central Specialist Crime Command. No investigation has been opened.' In response to the claims in the letter, a Number 10 spokesman said: 'These allegations are categorically untrue and a clear misrepresentation of the facts.' Video shows the moment a security guard forcibly dragged a New York father-of-two out of an upstate school board meeting Tuesday night because he was not wearing a face mask. Dave Calus said he attended the regularly scheduled school board meeting to speak out against mask mandates in schools. The alleged assault at the Webster School Board meeting near Rochester occurred just one day before Governor Kathy Hochul announced she was letting the statewide indoor mask mandate - which was slated to expire Wednesday - lapse. The governor cited New York's 93 percent drop in COVID-19 cases and declining hospitalization rates as the reasoning behind her decision. The governor said she will review the school order - which has prompted outrage among students, parents and politicians - next month after students return to the classroom following their upcoming midwinter break. The footage shows unmasked Calus sitting in a chair as he watches a presentation at the Webster School Board meeting when the security guard approaches him. The security guard reportedly tells Calus: 'Sir, you need to put a mask on.' Calus said he replied with 'thank you,' but the security guard persisted: 'No, you need to put your mask on right now.' The father said he thanked the guard again but was met with another demand to put on a mask. The guard is then seen grabbing the back of Calus' chair, dragging him backward across the floor and yanking him out of his jacket, forcing him to stand. Calus turns to face the guard, who is pointing to the door, before sitting back down in his chair. The guard - seemingly angry - grabs the chair, placing one hand under the seat and the other on the back as he tips the chair over. The guard then pushes the father-of-two out of the room as bystanders yell: 'What are you doing?! What are you doing?! That's assault!' Another questioned: 'Do you put your hands on our children, too?' Calus was removed from the meeting and taken to urgent care for evaluation. He said Wednesday, speaking exclusively on Kimberly's Revolution podcast, he was a 'little sore' after the incident but otherwise OK. Dave Calus was forcibly dragged out of the Webster School Board Meeting on Tuesday night after he refused to wear a face mask. The security guard yanked his chair, attempting to force him out of the room After being forced out of his seat, Calus turned to face the guard, who is pointing to the door, before sitting back down in his chair. This prompted the guard to begin another removal attempt Although the indoor mask mandate has since been repealed, it remains in effect at state-regulated facilities including schools, health care facilities, adult care facilities and nursing homes, correctional facilities, childcare centers, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and on public transit. All other businesses, including shops, movie theaters, gyms/fitness centers and restaurants, are no longer ordered to require masks but can do so if they choose. Dave Calus told the podcast he was approached by the guard while a first-grader was giving a presentation, noting he was 'sitting peacefully.' The father, who has one son in high school and another in college, claims the incident was unprovoked. 'I want into the building without a mask on. I signed in and they said "you need to wear a mask,"' he recalled. 'I said "thank you."' 'I signed in, they handed me a mask - I did not put the mask on - and I put it in my pocket.' Calus claims he proceeded to the board room, where he was met by staff who told him that if he didn't wear a mask, he would be placed in isolation during the meeting. 'They were segregating masked and unmasked parents,' he explained. 'The unmasked parents were going to have to sit in a classroom with a video monitoring watching and listening to the board meeting.' He said he was placed in the classroom and decided 'this isn't going to work for me.' Calus walked down to the main board room and was once again instructed to wear a mask. 'I took a mask from the person who handed it to me, looped it around my ear, walked into the room, and sat down and put the mask in my pocket,' he recalled. He said he remained seated for 15 to 20 minutes before being approached by the security guard. Calus also alleged that the security guard pushed another maskless attendee - a woman he claimed was 'very active, very intelligent and very important' to their fight against mandates - and 'put his hand on her back' and 'forced her out of the room.' 'I had heard him going up to other people behind where I was sitting, telling other people "You need to wear a mask, you need to wear a mask, you need to wear a mask,"' Calus said, sharing how he wasn't shocked by the encounter. 'So I knew it was just a matter of time before he got me.' Webster Police Department, issuing a statement on Facebook, said their officers were not involved in the incident but they are conducting an investigation. After the investigation is complete, the department will determine whether 'charges are appropriate'. Calus (pictured) was attending the meeting to speak out against the school mask mandate The guard - seemingly angry - grabbed Calus' chair, placing one hand under the seat and the other on the back as he tips the chair over. The guard then pushes the father-of-two out of the room as bystanders yell: 'What are you doing?! What are you doing?! That's assault!'. He was removed from the meeting and taken to urgent care for evaluation. He said Wednesday that he was a 'little sore' after the incident but otherwise ok The school district, issuing a statement to the Daily Wire on Wednesday, said: 'There was an unfortunate incident during last night's Webster CSD Board of Education meeting. Prior to entering last night's meeting, visitors were reminded to wear masks in school buildings as is mandated by New York State. The individual whom you inquired about was asked to put his mask on three times and he refused. He was then asked to leave the meeting and refused to do so, resulting in Webster CSD security physically removing the individual from the meeting. 'We strive to hold board of education meetings in public in order to inform the community of activities going on in our schools. Those meetings can only occur when everyone in attendance acts in a civil manner. We understand that individuals have strong feelings about masking. We hear those concerns and are continuing to monitor the rapid changes in this ongoing pandemic. This week, the Monroe County Council of School Superintendents wrote a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul advocating for guidance and guidelines regarding an exit strategy for masking and other mitigation strategies. Webster CSD will continue to keep our community informed of any changes to masking requirements in our schools.' Calus had attended the Webster School Board meeting with plans to speak out about the school mask mandate. He had voiced his concerns before at a board meeting last summer. 'My concern today, still - as it was last June when I spoke at the board meeting - is the consistent mask mandates in the schools,' he told the podcast. 'They are effecting the kids in mental and emotional ways that are ... not detectable right now.' He argued that although there are 'people who care' at the school, he doesn't believe administrators are doing anything to help the kids. Calus shared his high school-aged son only wears a mask while in school and claims the 'last two years have taken his voice away from him.' 'I am absolutely an advocate [for my son],' Calus shared. 'The mask mandates are the precursor to allowing the state and the Department of Health to mandate vaccines on kids in the schools.' 'We need choice. We need a choice to send them to school with a mask and without a mask. We need the freedom to choose whether they get a vaccine or not.' The school board incident came just one day Governor Kathy Hochul announced she was letting the statewide indoor mask mandate - which was slated to expire Wednesday - lapse due to the decline in COVID cases. On Thursday, NY reported a 92% drop in cases positivity His concerns are echoed across the nation as parents and students fight to have school mask mandates repealed. Officials in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon recently announced plans to lift mask mandates for schools and other public places as they seek a return to 'normalcy.' Meanwhile, governors in California, Illinois and New York are lifting indoor masking requirements, but extending the requirement for schools. Hochul argued Wednesday that New York was 'trending in a very, very good direction' - citing case and hospitalization rates - and is 'now approaching a new phase in this pandemic.' 'We are not where we were in early December. New Yorkers did the right thing to get through the winter surge, and we can now lift the statewide mask-or-vaccine requirement for indoor businesses starting tomorrow,' she said, adding: 'Counties, cities and businesses can still choose to require masks.' New York reported just over 7,422 new positive coronavirus cases on Thursday, a nearly 92 percent decline from the 90,000 that tested positive about a month ago. Covid cases are dropping over the past two weeks in all 50 states, and northeastern states like Connecticut and New York in particular are posting massive falls of around 70% each The U.S. is recording 223,417 infections daily, a 43 percent drop from 394,741 cases per day this time last week How school mask mandates vary state-by-state School mask mandates, like other pandemic restrictions, vary by state. School mask mandates are in effect in California, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Washington. Last month, Massachusetts extended its mandate through February. It remains unclear if the mandate will be extended again. New York Gov. Hochul announced February 9 that she will reevaluate the school mask mandate in March. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced February 7 that his state's mandate will be lifted on March 7. Delaware Gov. John Carney made a similar announcement February 7, saying the states school mask mandate will lift March 31. He also said the general statewide indoor masks order will end on February 11. Connecticut is set to end its statewide mask mandate on February 28. Oregon will lift its statewide mask mandate on March 31. Maryland, which still has a school mask mandate in effect, now allows local districts to remove masks if 80 percent of students and staff at a single school are fully vaccinated or 80 percent of the districts community population is fully vaccinated. If neither of the vaccination thresholds are met, a local district can also choose to lift universal masking when the county or jurisdiction has reached 14 days of moderate or low transmission of COVID-19. Louisiana and Pennsylvania have lifted their statewide school mandates. Seven states - Arizona, Florida, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah - currently has legislation in effect banning school mask mandates. Updated: Feb. 9, 2022 Advertisement The statewide positivity rate is now 3.62 percent, a decline from the 23.2 percent peak recorded at the start of 2022. Additionally, hospitalizations have decreased to 4,398, a 63.5 percent drop from the 12,000 reported in mid-January. Every single state in the U.S. is recording a drop in cases over the past two weeks. The drop offs have been massive as well, with 43 states having had cases slash in half over the past two weeks - and 21 recording a 70 percent fall. The U.S. is recording 223,417 infections daily, a 43 percent drop from 394,741 cases per day this time last week. 'Masks have been a successful part of our toolkit to fight COVID, and New Yorkers must keep wearing them in certain places throughout the state,' Hochul said during Wednesday's press conference. The governor said she will revisit the school mask mandate come March, but said in the meantime officials are taking steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 ahead of midwinter break. All K-12 students and their families will be provided a state issued 'winter tool kit' that involves sending children home with COVID testing kits ahead of the school recess. They will then be tested again upon return from break. Hochul said officials will use this data to make further decisions about masking in classrooms. The end of New York's indoor mask mandates comes as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared it continues to stand by its mask-wearing guidelines for schools, saying COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are still 'too high' to consider dropping restrictions despite daily infections having declined by 47 percent over the past seven days. 'Right now our CDC guidance has not changed. We continue to endorse universal masking in schools,' CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a radio interview with WYPR on Tuesday. 'We owe it to our children to make sure that they can safely stay in school. Right now, that includes masking. We've seen outbreaks that have occurred in communities where students were not masked in schools and had to close.' The Biden administration doubled down on wearing face masks - even though eight Democratic governors have rolled back COVID restrictions, cases and hospitalizations have plummeted and one of America's closest allies England has completely scrapped all rules. Our guidance is consistently has consistently been this: when you are in a high transmission area, which is everywhere in the country, you should wear a mask and indoor settings, including schools, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at her press briefing on Wednesday. When asked if people should follow the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which are to wear a face covering, instead of listening to their governor, Psaki responded: Yes. She conceded some people are tired of wearing masks but added there are many who still want to have one on. People are tired of masks, Psaki said, adding, however, there were also a huge chunk of people who still want masks. These are the Ukrainian troops who will face down Russian tanks armed with British NLAW missiles if Vladimir Putin gives the green light to invade. 'God Save the Queen!' bellowed Lieutenant Colonel Ihor Bezogluk, as he welcomed MailOnline journalists to a base 50 miles north of Kyiv where his troops were training to use the NLAWS (Next generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons). He and the men and women of 72nd Mechanised Brigade, whose skull emblem bears the motto 'Ukraine or Death', said the missiles were nothing short of a 'game changer' for their armed forces. 'Thank you to Great Britain for giving us the NLAWS anything that can help us to defend our country is very well-received,' said Lt Col Bezogluk, 50 at Desna training camp, where an old Soviet T-52 tank on a plinth greets visitors. 'These missiles have changed the war for us. It means we can fight the Russians and it doesn't matter how many of them there are now that we have a way of stopping their armour. The Russians cannot scare us with numbers anymore. 'As you can see we are training to defend a city as well as in trench warfare and we will be able to fight the enemy. ' Pictured: These are the Ukrainian troops who will face down Russian tanks armed with British NLAW missiles if Vladimir Putin gives the green light to invade 'God Save the Queen!' bellowed Lieutenant Colonel Ihor Bezogluk, as he welcomed MailOnline journalists to a base 50 miles north of Kyiv where his troops were training to use the NLAWS (Next generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons). The NLAW is hailed as an extremely easy weapon to learn, taking barely an hour to master, giving a single soldier the ability to take out a main battle tank from up to 800m away Asked if there would be live-fire exercises of the missiles, the Lt Col added: 'No, we are saving them for the Russians if they come.' As he spoke, hundreds of his men were racing across the muddy ground carrying the easily portable 12.5kg NLAWs on their backs as they dived in and out of trenches and practised aiming through mock-up window frames. They were marking mock tank targets with laser sights to simulate the targeting and firing of the missiles in earnest. In the background, the incessant crackle of Kalashnikov assault rifles from the adjacent firing range made the training scenario all-too realistic. Their exercises were a graphic demonstration of how the introduction of the 2,000 British missiles could cause the Kremlin plotters to think again about an invasion. Hundreds of men were racing across the muddy ground carrying the easily portable 12.5kg NLAWs on their backs as they dived in and out of trenches and practised aiming through mock-up window frames Barely 50 miles further north, from the training ground, in Belarus, around 80,000 Russian and Belarussian troops are now engaged in the biggest ever 'military exercise' since World War 2 The NLAW is hailed as an extremely easy weapon to learn, taking barely an hour to master, giving a single soldier the ability to take out a main battle tank from up to 800m away. As one defence source put it: 'It turns the hunted into the hunters.' The operator simply tracks the target for a few seconds before firing and NLAW does the rest. Its armour-piercing warhead can destroy heavily protected main battle tanks in single shot. Barely 50 miles further north, from the training ground, in Belarus, around 80,000 Russian and Belarussian troops are now engaged in the biggest ever 'military exercise' since World War 2. The exercises - codenamed Allied Resolve 2022 - are taking place close to the Belarusian border with Ukraine, which is a little over 600 miles long. Should Russia invade Ukraine, the exercises put Russian armour close to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, making an attack on the city much easier. France called the drills - Russia's biggest deployment to Belarus since the Cold War - a 'violent gesture'. Ukraine has branded them 'psychological pressure'. They were marking mock tank targets with laser sights to simulate the targeting and firing of the missiles in earnest Father-of-four Col Bezolgluk added: 'These soldiers are 100 per cent confident they can win and they will fight until the very last breath for every single metre of Ukrainian land. 'Our soldiers are determined to defend against an invasion. We are so pleased to receive support from Britain and from all around the world. It has boosted morale and will make the Russians think.' 'My message to Russia is that we are not brothers you go your way and we will go ours.' Asked whether he thought Putin would invade, he said: 'It's not impossible to say what a crazy person has in his mind, but be sure of one thing we are not only ready to die for Ukraine, we are also ready to kill for our homeland.' In the background, the incessant crackle of Kalashnikov assault rifles from the adjacent firing range made the training scenario all-too realistic Staff Sgt Roman Yaremenko, 28, who was training the troops, also praised the flexibility of the NLAWs. 'Technically they are brilliant missiles as before we only had RPGs. 'These weapons are absolutely a game-changer for us, it's as if they have a brain. You can fire and forget them from buildings and trenches and you can also target hidden tanks. 'It means we are now ready to defend Ukraine. We are strong inside and ready to fight. As you can see, these soldiers are very confident and well-trained. 'I am hoping Russia does not invade Ukraine because that would surely mean a war against Europe. But the problem is that they keep provoking us, so I think they will do something.' A woman and her two grown sons have been arrested in Arizona in connection with the killing of her husband, whose body was discovered under a newly built shed on the family's property in Washington state three months after the wife reported him missing. U.S. Marshals Service officials in Flagstaff said 55-year-old Brenda Rasmussen, 31-year-old Danny Jones and 34-year-old Andrew Jones were taken into custody on Monday in Fort Mohave - more than 1,800 miles away from their Valley, Washington, home - and were jailed pending extradition. They said the three are suspects in the death of 64-year-old Jerry Rasmussen in Stevens County, Washington, last September. The victim was shot once in the head and then buried under a shed, according to authorities, who said Brenda Rasmussen initially reported her husband as missing on September 27. He had vanished on September 8. During an investigation by the Stevens County Sheriffs Office, a cadaver dog was brought to the family residence and alerted authorities to the newly installed shed. Authorities said search warrants were served at the property on December 1 and a decomposing body matching the victim was discovered in concrete under the shed. The body was wrapped in plastic and covered with a layer of foil. A subsequent autopsy ruled the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head. Brenda Rasmussen, 55, has been arrested along with her two adult sons in Arizona in connection with her husband's shooting death in Washington state back in September Danny Jones, 31 (left), his brother, Andrew Jones, 34 (right), and their mom all face charges of rendering criminal assistance under first-degree murder Brenda's husband, Jerry Rasmussen, 64, vanished on September 8 and was reported missing by his wife on September 27 This map shows where Jerry's body was found in Valley, Washington, in December 2021, and where his family were arrested in Fort Mohave, Arizona, on Monday By then, Brenda and her sons had fled Washington state and arrest warrants were issued. The Marshals Service received information late last month that the trio of fugitives was possibly hiding in Mohave County; they were ultimately arrested. Jerry Rasmussen was last seen alive on September 8, 2021. His wife reported him missing nearly three weeks later, telling the Stevens County Sheriff's Office that he had left their home in Valley several weeks prior and had not been heard from since. 'She provided information that they had been arguing recently, he left on his own and had been known to leave and be gone for extended periods in the past,' the sheriff's office said in a press release. Detectives discovered Jerry's decomposing remains under this shed, which was built around the time of his disappearance. He had been shot in the head Cadaver dogs searched the family's home in Valley, Washington, and detected an odor of human remains But according to a neighbor, Brenda told people in the area a different story about Jerry's whereabouts. 'She told the ladies living around here that Jerry went to California on a business trip and that she hoped that he would be alright,' the man named Gary told KREM2. After speaking to other family members, sheriff's detectives said they became 'suspicious' of the circumstances surrounding Jerry's disappearance, and by mid-November, they identified Brenda and her sons as persons of interest in this case. Homicide detectives executed a search warrant at the Rasmussens' home in Valley. Cadaver dogs that were brought in indicated the presence of odor of human remains coming from a new storage shed that had been placed on the property around the time of Jerry's disappearance. Less than a month later, another search warrant was executed at the shed with the aid of an excavator, leading to the grim discovery of Jerry Rasmussen's remains. Arrest warrants were issued for Brenda Rasmussen, Danny Jones and Andrew Jones on charges of rendering criminal assistance under first-degree murder related to the death of Jerry Rasmussen. The Stevens County Sheriffs Office requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Mohave County Sheriffs Office in Arizona, where Andrew had an address, in the search for the wanted mother and sons, who were captured on Monday in Mohave County. Dave Chappelle has slammed media reports saying that he forced the small town of Yellow Springs to scrap an affordable housing plan, and insists that he killed a 'half-baked' plan to build a $39 million 'cookie-cutter' housing development. The comedian has threatened to pull millions of dollars he has invested in the Ohio town where he lives if it moved forward with the proposal. The comedian spoke out forcefully at a village council meeting on Monday to oppose both an amended version of the development plan and the original plan - but his brief remarks of less than a minute went viral and were widely portrayed as a tirade against affordable housing. In a statement to DailyMail.com on Thursday, Chappelle's reps slammed the claim from a host of media outlets including CNN, NBC News, and Slate that the comedian had blocked affordable housing in Yellow Springs - a town of 3,700 people about 20 miles from Dayton. 'Dave Chappelle didn't kill affordable housing. Concerned residents and a responding Village Council 'killed' a half-baked plan which never actually offered affordable housing,' Chappelle's publicist said in a statement. At issue is a significant new $39 million housing development that has divided the village - but far from being an affordable housing plan, Chappelle says only three lots out of 143 are devoted to 'future' affordable housing. Chappelle, who is worth an estimated $50 million, lives on the outskirts of Yellow Springs on a 39-acre farm in a three-bedroom home which he bought for $690,000 in 2015. His property is right next to the proposed development. Chappelle is hitting back at claims that he opposes affordable housing for his opposition to the new Yellow Springs deployment (rendering above) which his reps call a 'poorly vetted, cookie-cutter, sprawl-style development deal' Dave Chappelle has threatened to pull millions he's invested in Yellow Springs. He recently bought two buildings, including an unsued fire house, for a restaurant and comedy club that he plans to open Numerous media reports accused Chappelle of opposing affordable housing in the squabble over the small village's growth plans, a charge that he forcefully denies Chappelle's publicist Carla Sims responded: 'Neither Dave nor his neighbors are against affordable housing, however, they are against the poorly vetted, cookie-cutter, sprawl-style development deal which has little regard for the community, culture and infrastructure of the village.' 'The whole development deal, cloaked as an affordable housing plan, is anything but affordable. Three out of 143 lots would have been for 'future' affordable housing,' she added. 'The rest of the homes were to be priced between $250k and upwards of $600k. In Yellow Springs, and in many other places, that is not considered affordable housing. Instead, it's an accelerant on the homogenization of Yellow Springs,' said Sims. Developer Oberer Homes disputed this characterization, telling DailyMail.com that about 20 percent of the units in the proposed development would be potential affordable housing. 'Under the proposed rezoning we would have donated 1.8 acres to the Village that would would have been designed for affordable homes,' said George R. Oberer Jr in a statement. Oberer said the proposal that failed on Monday would have devoted enough land for about 28 affordable apartment units alongside the single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes in the plan. 'That is about 20 percent of the homes that would have been able to be developed' which would be designated as affordable, he said. Oberer added: 'I am sure that the fact that this development abuts Dave's north property line/back yard has nothing to do with his opposition.' Chappelle, who is worth an estimated $50 million, lives on the outskirts of Yellow Springs on a 39-acre farm in a three-bedroom home which he bought for $690,000 in 2015. The new development (above) could potentially reach the border of Chappelle's property, according to zoning plans Architect Max Crome, who is Chappelle's business partner in Yellow Springs, also spoke out slamming the proposed development. 'In my opinion, the developer and Council President were in a hurry to get it approved at the expense of getting it right,' Crome told DailyMail.com in a statement. 'In the rush for approval, they limited their outreach and failed to engage the community-at-large in the input process,' he added. Crome also insisted that, contrary to widespread reports, the failure of the amended plan on Monday does not mean that the original proposal, which has no affordable housing component, can go forward. 'This is NOT a done deal! There is no approved development plan as erroneously reported in the media,' said Crome. 'This NO vote puts a pause on the development so that any revised proposal would be properly vetted and, ideally, any new affordable housing component doesnt come at the expense of selling out our values for a sprawl-style development,' said Crome. At Monday's meeting, Chappelle threatened to pull his investments from the town if the new proposal went forward. 'You look like clowns -- I am not bluffing,' a visibly emotional Chappelle told the Yellow Springs Village Council at a town meeting on Monday night. 'I will take it all off the table.' The comedian also told the meeting: 'I don't know why the council would be afraid of litigation from a $24 million-a-year company while it kicks out a $64 million-a-year-company. I cannot believe you would make me audition for you.' Chappelle has plans to covert an old fire station into a restaurant, called Firehouse Eatery, and comedy club, called Live from YS. He bought both properties for a combined $1.1 million in 2020. The new development could potentially reach the border of Chappelle's property, according to zoning plans. Dave Chappelle was emotional as he spoke at the Yellow Springs Village Council meeting on Monday, opposing a plan that he believes would be bad for the community Village Council president Brian Housh is seen at the meeting on Monday, where the council heard strong opposition to the new housing development plan The development project he opposes involves more than 100 single-family homes priced from around $250,000 to $600,000, a massive project for the village and one that opponents say does not cater to those currently living there. Chappelle himself has not articulated the reason for his opposition to the development, but his ally in town has previously said that the project is designed to serve people from elsewhere in the county, rather than Yellow Springs. 'It's clearly not designed for the benefit of the villagers,' architect Max Crome, who works with Chappelle on his business interests in the village, told the Dayton Daily News. At Monday's meeting, the village council voted against its own plan following Chappelle's tirade and angry remarks from other village residents. Now it's unclear whether developer Oberer Homes can move forward with the development. The proposal the council voted on Monday night would have included 64 single-family homes, 52 duplexes and 24 townhomes with an additional 1.75 acres to be donated to the community for affordable housing to be built later, according to the Dayton Daily News. After the council deadlocked on the proposal, the zoning allegedly reverted to what was previously approved: 143 single-family homes on the lot, with the homes starting at about $300,000. A source close to Chappelle told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that he supports affordable housing, but believes the proposal put forward contains nothing of the kind. 'The developers rushed the project, and got a sweetheart deal with council that was not properly vetted,' the person said. 'It doesn't even include affordable housing.' Affordable housing should cost an average household one-third or less of its total income. The average household in Yellow Springs earns about $61,522-a-year and the average house price is about $215,000. Chappelle plans to convert a former fire station in town into a restaurant dubbed Firehouse Eatery and attached comedy club, Live From YS The nightlife complex is being build on the site of an old fire station, but Chappelle is threatening to pull his investment if the housing plan goes forward Chappelle, who is worth an estimated $50 million, lives on the outskirts of Yellow Springs on a 39-acre farm in a three-bedroom home which he bought for $690,000 in 2015. The new development could potentially reach the border of Chappelle's property, according to the zoning plans The source close to Chappelle said that he opposed both of the plans, and argued that the underlying zoning rules were 'complex', and that the project would not necessarily be able to move forward along the original plan. But Chappelle has previously spoken out saying that he was 'adamantly opposed' to the project as originally planned. 'I have invested millions of dollars in town. If you push this thing through, what I'm investing in is no longer applicable,' Chappelle said at a city council meeting in December. He added that the average age in Yellow Springs is 49, and since there is no school in the area, it would be difficult to attract young families. 'The changes are inevitable, but we do have a decision on what they will or could be,' he said. Chappelle's ties to Ohio go back to his father, who graduated from Antioch College, in Yellow Springs, and later was a professor there. Chappelle lives with his family on 39 acres of secluded farmland outside the village and also owns homes in nearby Xenia. In late 2020, the comedian announced plans to convert a former fire station in town into a restaurant dubbed Firehouse Eatery and attached comedy club, Live From YS. Chappelle's company, Iron Table Holdings LLC, is spearheading the project. As well, WYSO, the National Public Radio affiliate located in Yellow Springs, plans to move into offices in the former Union Schoolhouse, which Iron Table Holdings owns, in 2023. In October last year, Chappelle faced backlash over transphobic comments he made in his October Netflix comedy special The Closer. Comedian Dave Chappelle, 48, together with Netflix has faced backlash from the LGBTQ community for remarks made in his latest special Chappelle courted controversy with his jokes in which he asserts 'gender is a fact,' and criticizes what he says is the thin skin of the trans community. In the contentious special, Chappelle also jokes that women today view transwomen the same way black people might view white women wearing blackface, and remarked that women are entitled to feel anger toward transwomen, since Caitlyn Jenner won Glamour magazine's 2015 Woman of the Year award. 'I'd be mad as sh*t if I was a woman,' Chappelle says in the show. The star also jokes about the anatomy of transwomen in the special, joking that they lacked real female reproductive organs and that they did not have blood but 'beet juice. His comments and Netflix's refusal to pull the comedy special, The Closer, led to protests on the streets of Hollywood. Netflix CEO, Ted Sarandos, initially defended Chappelle and said that it did not 'cross the line' on hate speech, despite various organizations including GLAAD and National Black Justice Coalition condemning the comedian's comments along with a number of trans Netflix employees. By November, Chappelle had shrugged the controversy off, telling a sold-out 18,000-strong audience at a screening of his Untitled documentary at the Chase Center in San Francisco that 'it's been a hell of a few weeks'. 'Man, I love being canceled. It's a huge relief!' he joked. He explained that he was able to ignore the controversy in part because 'I'm rich and famous.' He added: 'When you're in the eye of the storm, it all just swirls around you.' Unions representing tens of thousands of airport workers on Thursday urged the Biden administration to protect their members from disruptive and violent passengers. Airlines have reported a surge in unruly customers during the pandemic, provoked they say by a combination of mask mandates and the after effects of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol last year. And unions have already expressed concern that things could get worse as Southwestern plans to become the latest airline to resume serving alcohol, after halting the service in March 2020. In a letter to President Joe Biden and key officials, the unions say that a crackdown on bad behavior on flights has not been extended to other frontline staff at airports. 'The abuse of brave men and women on the frontlines of passenger safety is abhorrent and demands federal action,' said Capt. David Bourne, Teamsters airline division director. 'Without their work we wouldnt have hundreds of thousands of Americans flying safely every day. 'It needs to be made loud and clear that assault on an aircraft is no different than assault off of an aircraft: if you initiate it, you face criminal prosecution.' Unions representing airport staff have written to President Biden and key officials demanding protections for airport staff who are having to deal with a surge in unruly passengers The Federal Aviation Authority reported a record number of air rage attacks aboard planes last year - 5,981 - but the unions say violence against ground staff is not being recognized The unions wrote to Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg The letter was sent by the Communications Workers of America, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Transport Workers Union of America, and Transportation Trades Department. They said that local law enforcement agencies and airport police departments had not been given clear guidance on how to respond to attacks. 'These actions from the highest levels of government signal to our ground service members that their safety in the workplace is not a priority,' the unions wrote in their letter to Biden, The groups said that airport police departments and local law enforcement have not received clear guidance from the federal government on how to respond to attacks. "These actions from the highest levels of government signal to our ground service members that their safety in the workplace is not a priority,' the unions wrote to Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The increase in attacks on flight crews has been well documented. At the end of last year the Federal Aviation Authority reported a record number of air rage attacks - with 5,981 reported in 2021, compared to only several hundred in previous years. Almost three quarters were related to face masks. In their letter, the unions describe some of the worst incidents suffered by their airport members last year. 'These incidents vary from passengers using racial epithets and slurs and other vulgar and harassing language to punching, biting, kicking, shoving and even spitting on ground service workers,' they write. 'These attacks cause long-term psychological and emotional distress among the workforce and put other passengers at risk In June, an airport worker was physically attacked at the Charlotte Douglas Airport when an intoxicated passenger was not allowed to board. Two other members of staff were verbally abused. In the same month, at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, an agent was punched in the face after warning a passenger that disruption aboard the flight In July, two members of the CWA were assaulted after a dispute between two passengers at John F. Kennedy Airport. And in November, a worker had to be taken to hospital after being punched in Dallas. 'Despite the severity and frequency of these events, not a single passenger who has assaulted a ground service worker has been prosecuted under federal law,' the unions said. 'Airport police departments and local law enforcement agencies are currently tasked with responding to these incidents but have not received clear guidance from the federal government on their responsibilities under the law.' The problems have led to calls for a nationwide no-fly list of unruly passengers. Airlines already maintain their own lists, but Delta's chief executive recently wrote to the Attorney General proposing an industry-wide system to protect staff and other passengers. Advertisement The top cop dogged by controversy: String of disasters at the Met under Dame Cressida's watch Jean Charles De Menezes pictured in Paris three months before he was shot dead on a train at Stockwell station on July 22, 2005 July 22, 2005: Jean Charles de Menezes is shot dead on a train at Stockwell Underground station in South London. The shooting happened when counter-terrorism officers mistook the innocent electrician for one of the terrorists behind an attack on the capital a day earlier. Mr de Menezes, a Brazilian working in the capital, was blasted in the head seven times by police at Stockwell station after being followed by officers from his home nearby. Mr de Menezes's family led a long campaign calling for police officers to be prosecuted for the shooting and criticising Scotland Yard for its handling of the operation, which was led at the time by Dame Cressida. Dame Cressida was cleared of all blame by later inquiries, but Mr de Menezes family expressed serious concerns when she was appointed Met Commissioner in 2017. The top policewoman told the Mail in 2018: It was an appalling thing an innocent man killed by police. Me in charge. Awful for the family and I was properly held to account. We learned every lesson that was to be learned'. April 2017: Appointed as first female Metropolitan Police commissioner with a brief to modernise the force and keep it out of the headlines. April 2019: Extinction Rebellion protesters bring London to a standstill over several days with the Met powerless to prevent the chaos. Dame Cressida says the numbers involved were far greater than expected and used new tactics but she admits police should have responded quicker. September 2019: Her role in setting up of shambolic probe into alleged VIP child sex abuse and murder based on testimony from the fantasist Carl Beech (right) is revealed but she declines to answer questions. 2020: Official report into Operation Midland said Met was more interested in covering up mistakes than learning from them. February 2021: Lady Brittan condemns the culture of 'cover up and flick away' in the Met and the lack of a moral compass among senior officers. The same month a freedom of information request reveals an extraordinary spin campaign to ensure Dame Cressida was not 'pulled into' the scandal over the Carl Beech debacle. March: Criticised for Met handling of a vigil for Sarah Everard, where officers arrested four attendees. Details would later emerge about how her killer, Wayne Couzens (right), used his warrant card to trick her into getting into his car. In the first six months of the year, London was on course for its worst year for teenage deaths 30 with knives being responsible for 19 out of the 22 killed so far. The youngest was 14-year-old Fares Matou, cut down with a Samurai sword. Dame Cressida had told LBC radio in May her top priority was tackling violent crime. June: A 20million report into the Daniel Morgan murder brands the Met 'institutionally corrupt' and accuses her of trying to block the inquiry. Dame Cressida rejects its findings. Mr Morgan is pictured below. July: Police watchdog reveals three Met officers being probed over alleged racism and dishonesty. The same month the Yard boss is at the centre of another storm after it emerged she was secretly referred to the police watchdog over comments she made about the stop and search of Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams. Dame Cressida is accused of pre-empting the outcome of an independent investigation. Also in July she finds herself under fire over her woeful security operation at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley where fans without tickets stormed the stadium and others used stolen steward vests and ID lanyards to gain access. August Dame Cressida facing a potential misconduct probe over her open support for Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Horne who could stand trial over alleged data breaches. December: Two police officers who took pictures of the bodies of murdered sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman (right) were jailed for two years and nine months each. Pc Deniz Jaffer and Pc Jamie Lewis were assigned to guard the scene overnight after Ms Henry, 46, and Ms Smallman, 27, were found dead in bushes in Fryent Country Park, Wembley, north-west London. Instead, they breached the cordon to take photographs of the bodies, which were then shared with colleagues and members of the public on WhatsApp. December: Dame Cressida apologises to the family of a victim of serial killer Stephen Port (right). Officers missed several chances to catch him after he murdered Anthony Walgate in 2014. Dame Cressida - who was not commissioner at the time of the murder - told Mr Walgate's mother: 'I am sorry, both personally and on behalf of The Met had police listened to what you said, things would have turned out a lot differently'.' January 2022: She faces a barrage of fresh criticism for seeking to 'muzzle' Sue Gray's Partygate report by asking her to make only 'minimal' references to parties the Met were investigating. February 2022: Details of messages exchanged by officers at Charing Cross Police Station, which included multiple references to rape, violence against women, racist and homophobic abuse, are unveiled in a watchdog report. Advertisement Dame Cressida Dick's bombshell resignation has sparked a war of words between Sadiq Khan and Priti Patel amid allegations that the Mayor of London failed to warn the Home Secretary or the Queen he was going to get rid of the Scotland Yard chief. The beleaguered Met chief quit Britain's biggest police force after losing Mr Khan's support over her plan to implement major reforms to Scotland Yard following a string of scandals and accusations of a 'toxic' working culture. Describing her four-year tenure one senior colleague said: 'She was bereft of strategy, bereft of vision and finally events have overtaken her', and citing the slew of scandals to engulf the Met on her watch. But there is a huge row between City Hall and Whitehall over the Mayor of London's sudden decision to pull the plug - three weeks after Dame Cressida claimed Mr Khan had said he had 'total confidence' in her. It is understood Dame Cressida was called to a meeting with the Mayor at 4.30pm on Thursday over the reforms but declined to attend and offered her resignation instead, catching the Home Office by surprise. Mr Khan did not inform the Home Secretary of his intention to request a meeting with the commissioner, it is understood. According to Home Office sources, Ms Patel was not impressed by this and thought it was 'rude and unprofessional'. An insider claimed: 'We got no notice. The Home Secretary found out when the commissioner rang to say she was resigning. It is not helpful, but I'm afraid we have a political mayor playing politics with the police. Did he even tell the Palace? The commissioner is appointed by the Queen. 'It could be quite destabilising. How does this square with the fact that just last year he was arguing she should be given a three-year contract extension? The mayor owes the people of London an explanation.' The Home Secretary will oversee the appointment of the new commissioner and more details on how she will set about searching for a replacement are expected to be confirmed in due course. She has final decision on the next appointment, although the process requires her to consult Mr Khan as Mayor, who said he would be 'working closely' with the Home Secretary to find a successor. Labour sources also said Sir Keir Starmer had also not been informed of Dame Cressida's departure in advance, the Telegraph reported. Lord Greenhalgh, a Home Office minister who worked with Mr Johnson at City Hall, tweeted: 'Cannot believe how badly Mayor Sadiq Khan has managed his relationship with the Metropolitan Police and their Cmr Cressida Dick who has just resigned. This Mayor of London has no idea how to lead or to manage. Shockingly bad.' While former commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson accused Mr Khan of 'political opportunism' and 'grandstanding'. 'For Sadiq Khan to go public in the way he did smacked of a politician putting up a smokescreen rather than having an appropriate and sensible conversation in private to lead to a dignified outcome,' he said, adding: 'It appeared to be political opportunism and grandstanding by Sadiq Khan. I think that is very sad.' Dame Cressida has faced a series of scandals during her time leading the Met most recently concerning violently racist, misogynist and homophobic messages exchanged by officers based at Charing Cross police station that were published by a watchdog. There was also fury over the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by depraved cop Wayne Couzens, as well as the force's heavy-handed actions following her death in tackling a Clapham Common vigil held in her memory during Covid restrictions, and issuing clumsy advice telling women in trouble to flag down a passing bus that later had to be retracted. Dame Cressida's critics praised her resignation last night, calling it 'long overdue'. Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor, whose house was raided by officers from the Met's failed Operation Midland launched in reaction to false allegations by jailed fantasist Carl Beech about a murderous VIP paedophile ring, said he was delighted by the news. 'It is now time to clean the Augean stables so that a full inquiry can be conducted on all her personal mistakes,' he said. One former colleague told the Telegraph: 'She has had multiple flesh wounds and strikes but because she is personable, resilient, presents well in the corridors of power and is liked by her frontline officers, she survived. 'There is a myth about Cressidas popularity within the Met. She is not a great communicator within the organisation. A lot of people within the Met were fed up with the lack of clarity and direction'. Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Women's Justice (CWJ) charity, said: 'There were far too many stories of officers accused of violence and abuse still in their jobs and of whistle-blowers victimised instead of listened too. 'Cressida Dick's response to these series of stories has been wholly inadequate and her description of Wayne Couzens as a 'wrong un' meaningless next to the mounting evidence of multiple allegations of abuse and policing failures to tackle violence against women and racism.' Dame Cressida announced she was stepping down from the job on Thursday just hours after insisting she had no intention of going during an interview with the BBC. Miss Patel has blamed 'failures of leadership' for the rotten culture at the Met, including by the commissioner herself. Dame Cressida began her career in London as a constable before holding a variety of posts on her way to becoming Scotland Yard's first female chief. However, her leadership of the force came under mounting public scrutiny following a number of controversies. Perhaps the most damaging blot on her card is that of the shambolic Operation Midland the Met's 1milliion investigation into spurious VIP child sex abuse allegations. Innocent men, including the late Lord Brittan and Mr Proctor, were pursued by the force in a probe sanctioned in 2014 while Dame Cressida was an assistant commissioner. The Met's star witness Carl 'Nick' Beech was later revealed to be a serial liar and was jailed after police investigating his claims discovered his deceit. On Dame Cressida's watch, ticketless football hooligans broke past Wembley's security barriers during the Euros last year and stormed the grounds ahead of England's clash with Italy. The Met was accused of not having enough officers on duty to create a 'ring of steel' around he venue to hold back the frenzied England supporters. Dame Cressida has also faced questions about why Miss Everard's evil attacker Couzens was not arrested before he kidnapped, raped and murdered the 33-year-old marketing manager for flashing offences previously reported to the police. And last summer, the force was branded 'institutionally corrupt' by an independent panel investigating police inquiries into the unsolved murder in the 1980s of private detective Daniel Morgan. Doubling-down on her record as commissioner last night, Dame Cressida said: 'Undertaking this role as a servant of the people of London and the UK has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life. Throughout my career I have sought to protect the people of this wonderful thriving and diverse city. 'There have been many tough calls. And many challenges. The 2017 terrorist attacks, the Grenfell fire, difficult protests, the pandemic, the murder of serving officers. I'm incredibly proud of my team and all they have achieved. So who could be next to take over the top job at Scotland Yard? Martin Hewitt: Chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council. He hit out last year at the police pay freeze. Was a Met assistant commissioner. Andy Cooke: Ex-Merseyside Police head. Once said even violent criminals are not inherently bad people and hed rather put billions into cutting poverty than upholding the law. Simon Byrne: Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland since 2019. His time leading Cheshire Constabulary ended in controversy when he was accused of bullying staff, although he was later cleared. Neil Basu: Most senior serving British officer of Asian heritage who lost out to Cressida Dick five years ago. Threatened to prosecute journalists in 2019 for publishing leaked cables from Britains ambassador to the US. Sir Mark Rowley: Led the Mets counter-terrorism operations for four years. Quit in 2018 but sources believe he could be tempted back. Dame Lynne Owens: Retired on health grounds last autumn after leading the National Crime Agency since 2016. Known to be a favourite of Home Secretary Priti Patel. Matt Jukes: Tackled Rotherham grooming gangs while commander there from 2006 to 2010. Moved to the Met in 2020. Now assistant commissioner of specialist operations. Advertisement 'Since day one tackling violence in all its forms has been my number one priority. We continue to see teenagers murdered on our streets and every attack is a tragedy. 'But we are delivering and overall violence is down. The Met is bucking the national trend. We are achieving remarkable results in key areas of violence, with thousands of fewer victims of knife crime, robbery and other attacks. 'I leave a Met that is growing and will soon record the largest ever number of officers. London is becoming safer. These great people include more women than ever in every rank and role and an increasing number from a broad range of ethnic backgrounds that truly reflect the diversity of London. 'This Met is looking to the future and is ready for threats to come. Officers are better equipped and better informed as we take advantage of mobile and other technologies and forensic capabilities, and introduce better uniform and safety equipment. 'We are delivering enormous transformational change, improving our systems and trialling innovative and state-of-the-art technology including live facial recognition and faster ways to capture and examine digital information. 'Our counter terrorism capability is world leading. Last year I was extremely proud to see the first phase of the Counter Terrorism Operations Centre bringing all agencies together in one place as we adapt to the evolving threat. 'This is the Met where every hour of every day our people perform heroic acts to protect the public. We are more accountable, more transparent and more open than ever with deeper links to our communities. 'The murder of Sarah Everard and many other awful cases recently have, I know, damaged confidence in this fantastic police service. There is much to do and I know that the Met has turned its full attention to rebuilding public trust and confidence. For that reason I am very optimistic about the future for the Met and for London. 'Thank you to everyone in the Met and those who work with us for the extraordinary efforts you make each and every day. The public depend on you, for your professionalism, courage, compassion and integrity. You make a huge difference to people's lives every day. I salute you.' Paying tribute to the Commissioner, the Prime Minister tweeted: 'Dame Cressida has served her country with great dedication and distinction over many decades. I thank her for her role protecting the public and making our streets safer.' Beleaguered Dame Cressida Dick has finally resigned as Metropolitan Police Commissioner after presiding over a litany of controversies as Scotland Yard chief The under-fire public figure had earlier insisted she had 'no intention of going', striking a defiant tone following London Mayor Sadiq Khan's decision to put her 'on notice' with just 'days and weeks' to enact major changes Dame Cressida was also slammed by the families of victims of VIP paedophile ring fantasist Carl Beech, whose spurious allegations were investigated by police - ruining the lives and reputations of those he accused The Metropolitan Police commissioner faced calls for her resignation earlier this year after women were arrested at a vigil that was held in memory of Miss Everard The news comes a week after Mr Khan said he was 'not satisfied' with the Met's Commissioner's response to calls for change following a series of scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens. Right: This is a MailOnline mock-up of WhatsApp conversations that were published in the IOPC report. Warning: Graphic language Cressida Dick's resignation statement It is with huge sadness that following contact with the Mayor of London today, it is clear that the Mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership to continue. He has left me no choice but to step aside as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. At his request, I have agreed to stay on for a short period to ensure the stability of the Met and its leadership while arrangements are made for a transition to a new Commissioner. Undertaking this role as a servant of the people of London and the UK has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life. Throughout my career I have sought to protect the people of this wonderful thriving and diverse city. There have been many tough calls. And many challenges. The 2017 terrorist attacks, the Grenfell fire, difficult protests, the pandemic, the murder of serving officers. I'm incredibly proud of my team and all they have achieved. Since day one tackling violence in all its forms has been my number one priority. We continue to see teenagers murdered on our streets and every attack is a tragedy. But we are delivering and overall violence is down. The Met is bucking the national trend. We are achieving remarkable results in key areas of violence, with thousands of fewer victims of knife crime, robbery and other attacks. I leave a Met that is growing and will soon record the largest ever number of officers. London is becoming safer. These great people include more women than ever in every rank and role and an increasing number from a broad range of ethnic backgrounds that truly reflect the diversity of London. This Met is looking to the future and is ready for threats to come. Officers are better equipped and better informed as we take advantage of mobile and other technologies and forensic capabilities, and introduce better uniform and safety equipment. We are delivering enormous transformational change, improving our systems and trialling innovative and state-of-the-art technology including live facial recognition and faster ways to capture and examine digital information. Our counter terrorism capability is world leading. Last year I was extremely proud to see the first phase of the Counter Terrorism Operations Centre bringing all agencies together in one place as we adapt to the evolving threat. This is the Met where every hour of every day our people perform heroic acts to protect the public. We are more accountable, more transparent and more open than ever - with deeper links to our communities. The murder of Sarah Everard and many other awful cases recently have, I know, damaged confidence in this fantastic police service. There is much to do - and I know that the Met has turned its full attention to rebuilding public trust and confidence. For that reason I am very optimistic about the future for the Met and for London. Thank you to everyone in the Met and those who work with us for the extraordinary efforts you make each and every day. The public depend on you, for your professionalism, courage, compassion and integrity. You make a huge difference to people's lives every day. I salute you. Advertisement In a statement, Mr Khan said: 'Last week, I made clear to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner the scale of the change I believe is urgently required to rebuild the trust and confidence of Londoners in the Met and to root out the racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, discrimination and misogyny that still exists. I am not satisfied with the Commissioner's response. 'On being informed of this, Dame Cressida Dick has said she will be standing aside. It's clear that the only way to start to deliver the scale of the change required is to have new leadership right at the top of the Metropolitan Police. 'I would like to thank Dame Cressida Dick for her 40 years of dedicated public service, with the vast majority spent at the Met where she was the first woman to become Commissioner. In particular, I commend her for the recent work in helping us to bring down violent crime in London although of course there is more to do. 'I want to put on the record again that there are thousands of incredibly brave and decent police officers at the Met who go above and beyond every day to help keep us safe, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. 'I will now work closely with the Home Secretary on the appointment of a new Commissioner so that we can move quickly to restore trust in the capital's police service while keeping London safe.' Miss Patel said: 'I'd like to thank Dame Cressida for the nearly four decades of her life that she has devoted to serving the public, latterly as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. 'She would be the first to say that she has held the role during challenging times; yet for nearly five years she has undertaken her duties with a steadfast dedication to protecting our capital city and its people, including during the unprecedented period of the pandemic. 'Leading the Met has also involved driving our national counter terrorism capability at a time of multiple threats while, as the first woman to hold the post, she has exemplified the increasingly diverse nature of our police and demonstrated that all can aspire to hold leadership roles in policing in this country today.' Reacting to her resignation, Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said Dame Cressida has been treated in a 'wholly unfair' way. 'We are deeply saddened by the resignation of our commissioner,' he said. 'She was much loved across the rank and file of the Metropolitan Police Service. We feel the way she has been treated is wholly unfair and we did believe that she was the person who could take us through this and bring us out the other side.' Ex-Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Roberts told LBC: 'I'm shocked and saddened. I think it's an absolute disgrace what seems to have happened. 'I'm afraid this is a case of politicians wanting a quick fix for something that needs fixing but can't be fixed quickly. 'Cressida [Dick] seems to be taking the blame for a situation which politicians needed to have solved and should have solved by getting rid of the Prime Minister.' Sir Ed said in a statement: 'Boris Johnson must have no role in choosing Cressida Dick's successor to lead the Met. A man under criminal investigation by the Met should not be able to choose who's in charge of it. 'I would like to thank Cressida Dick for her years of dedicated police service, but a change of leadership in the Met is long overdue. 'Met police officers who work incredibly hard and risk their lives to keep us safe deserve better. They urgently need new leadership that will change the culture and rebuild the public trust and confidence that officers need to do their jobs and keep us all safe. 'It's about time': Partner of Stephen Port's youngest victim welcomes Cressida Dick's resignation and calls it a 'small justice for victims' of the serial killer Ricky Waumsley (pictured left), whose 21-year-old partner Daniel Whitworth (right) was murdered by Stephen Port in Barking, east London, said his first thought when he heard the news was 'about time' and that he hoped more resignations would follow The partner of Stephen Port's youngest victim has welcomed Dame Cressida Dick's resignation and called it a 'small justice for the victims' of the serial killer. Dame Cressida quit as Metropolitan Police Commissioner last night after losing the support of London Mayor Sadiq Khan over her plan to reform the force following a string of scandals and accusations of a toxic working culture. Ricky Waumsley, whose 21-year-old partner Daniel Whitworth was murdered by Port in Barking, east London, said his first thought when he heard the news was 'about time' and that he hoped more resignations would follow. He added: 'She had clung on to that position so tight when, all around her, the officers she was in charge of have been racist, homophobic and sexist.' Mr Waumsley had called for her to quit in December after an inquest jury found police failures had likely contributed to the deaths of Mr Whitworth and those of two more of Port's victims. Port, known as the Grindr killer, drugged, raped and killed four men between June 2014 and September 2015, and sexually assaulted more than a dozen others. The inquests into the four deaths revealed that officers failed to carry out basic evidence gathering such as examining Port's laptop, testing DNA on bedsheets on which two of the bodies were found, and checking the veracity of a fake suicide note found with Mr Whitworth's body. Seventeen officers were investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), and nine were found to have performance failings. None of the nine were disciplined or lost their jobs, and five had been promoted. Advertisement 'No one handpicked by Boris Johnson would have the credibility needed for this big and important task. There must be no interference from Number 10 in the appointment and Boris Johnson should publicly recuse himself from this decision.' As Scotland Yard chief, Dame Cressida has managed to find a way to ride-out the controversies which have mounted up across her 40-year career in turn winning praise for her resilience and even earning the nickname 'Comeback Cressida' in some circles. An independent panel on the death of private investigator Daniel Morgan found that the Met had prioritised its reputation over finding Mr Morgan's killer sparking allegations of institutional corruption in Scotland Yard. In its bombshell report, the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel concluded forms of police corruption had hampered both the murder inquiry, and its own work to investigate the reasons why the case was never solved. Singling out Dame Cressida for blame, the report said she had not given a 'reasonable explanation' for blocking access to computer data and delaying the release of files, the last of which were provided only in March. A Home Office source said there were 'serious concerns with the Met's leadership and how it responded to failings' although Miss Patel and Boris Johnson later expressed confidence in Dame Cressida. The commissioner apologised for past mistakes, saying: 'It is a matter of great regret that no one has been brought to justice and that our mistakes have compounded the pain suffered by Daniel's family. For that I apologise again now. 'I have been personally determined that the Met provided the panel with the fullest level of co-operation in an open and transparent manner, with complete integrity at all times.' But amid calls for her resignation at the time, Dame Cressida said: 'I don't believe we are institutionally corrupt. No, I don't accept that. I have the deepest feelings for Daniel Morgan's family. They have shown extraordinary grit and determination and courage. 'Yesterday, I apologised again to them for our failings and the fact that we have not brought anybody to justice despite six investigations and countless other reviews and pieces of work.' She added: 'And for the fact that, in so doing and along the way, we have clearly, we the Met, my force, of which I'm very proud to be the Commissioner, we have caused them extra anguish. But I don't accept that we are institutionally corrupt, no.' The independent panel led by Baroness Nuala O'Loan found that the Met had put protecting its own reputation above finding Mr Morgan's killer. The panel's report said: 'Concealing or denying failings, for the sake of the organisation's public image, is dishonesty on the part of the organisation for reputational benefit and constitutes a form of institutional corruption.' Dame Cressida also came under the spotlight after it emerged that bosses at Scotland Yard missed three crucial clues about killer cop Couzens that could have seen him kicked out of the force before he murdered Miss Everard. Couzens, who kidnapped, raped and murdered the marketing executive while she walked home from a friend's house in Clapham, was reported to bosses for allegedly slapping a female colleague's bottom at Bromley police station in 2018 just weeks after he joined the force. Shortly after starting at Bromley in South London, the married killer allegedly stopped a female motorist and said her tax and insurance were out of date before making a note of her address so he could later pull up outside her house and leer at her. Couzens, whose former colleagues at the Civil Nuclear Constabulary nicknamed him 'The Rapist' because of how he is said to have made female colleagues uneasy, is also accused of parking his patrol car by schools so he could watch mothers and sixth-formers. The Met faced criticism following violence at Wembley Stadium at the final of the Euro 2020 Championships File photo dated 02/11/20 of former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan File photo dated 02/11/20 of The Duke of Cambridge with Dame Cressida during a visit to Croydon Custody Centre File photo dated 02/11/20 of former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, leaving Downing Street Tributes to Cressida Dick: London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Priti Patel SADIQ KHAN Last week, I made clear to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner the scale of the change I believe is urgently required to rebuild the trust and confidence of Londoners in the Met and to root out the racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, discrimination and misogyny that still exists. I am not satisfied with the Commissioner's response. On being informed of this, Dame Cressida Dick has said she will be standing aside. It's clear that the only way to start to deliver the scale of the change required is to have new leadership right at the top of the Metropolitan Police. I would like to thank Dame Cressida Dick for her 40 years of dedicated public service, with the vast majority spent at the Met where she was the first woman to become Commissioner. In particular, I commend her for the recent work in helping us to bring down violent crime in London - although of course there is more to do. I want to put on the record again that there are thousands of incredibly brave and decent police officers at the Met who go above and beyond every day to help keep us safe, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. I will now work closely with the Home Secretary on the appointment of a new Commissioner so that we can move quickly to restore trust in the capital's police service while keeping London safe. PRITI PATEL I'd like to thank Dame Cressida for the nearly four decades of her life that she has devoted to serving the public, latterly as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. She would be the first to say that she has held the role during challenging times; yet for nearly five years she has undertaken her duties with a steadfast dedication to protecting our capital city and its people, including during the unprecedented period of the pandemic. Leading the Met has also involved driving our national counter terrorism capability at a time of multiple threats while, as the first woman to hold the post, she has exemplified the increasingly diverse nature of our police and demonstrated that all can aspire to hold leadership roles in policing in this country today. BORIS JOHNSON Dame Cressida has served her country with great dedication and distinction over many decades. I thank her for her role protecting the public and making our streets safer. YVETTE COOPER The Mayor of London is right to insist on reforms to the Metropolitan Police and he has shown leadership in addressing this. I thank Cressida Dick for her many years of public service including her work on counter-terrorism and tackling violence in the capital. Reforms are needed to rebuild public confidence in the Metropolitan Police after recent cases. Every day the police do incredibly important work, in London and across the country to keep us all safe and trust in that good work must not be undermined by cultural failures or delays in tackling officers who abuse their positions. This isn't just an issue for London - the Home Secretary must support reforms to raise standards across the country to support the essential work the police do. Advertisement Mr Khan put Dame Cressida 'on notice' last week following the exposure of sickening messages about rape, 'killing black children', and 'f****** gays'. He said anyone 'who has views or believes that it's acceptable to behave in a way that's racist, sexist, homophobic, in a discriminatory manner, does not belong in the police service'. Fourteen officers were investigated by the watchdog, of whom two were found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct. One was sacked and another resigned before he would have been dismissed. Nine remain serving officers, while another is working as a contractor in a staff role. Asked if all of those involved in the Charing Cross incident should be sacked, Mr Khan told Today: 'I think Londoners can't understand why nine of these 14 police officers are still serving. I've asked that question.' He also told the programme: 'And by the way, I only discovered last week that two of them have been promoted.' One of the officers disciplined for their behaviour has since been promoted from the rank of constable to sergeant, it emerged last week. She was found to have committed misconduct for failing to report wrongdoing, yet the Met told the Guardian the promotion went ahead anyway, telling the paper that the officer 'attended a misconduct meeting and was given management action/advice about reporting wrongdoing'. Another officer, whose disturbing messages formed part of the inquiry, threatened to murder a female colleague while under investigation for sexually harassing her. James McLoughlin-Goodchild, a PC at Charing Cross, threatened to stab the woman and two other officers if they came to arrest him during a phone call with a sergeant to discuss an upcoming gross misconduct hearing. A trial heard he said: 'I will kill them, I will murder them if I see them, I know where they live and what cars they drive. If they come to my home and arrest me they are going to get stabbed. I will not go to prison alive.' The officer was found guilty of sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing communication after a trial at Hendon Magistrates Court in January 2019. He was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and an indefinite restraining order. Meanwhile, new damning claims emerged last week about the behaviour of officers at Charing Cross, including allegations they slept with female suspects and called black colleagues 'monkeys'. A 'toxic' culture existed at the station dating back to 2006, said the former constable, who asked to be referred to by her first name, Liz. The ex-officer said there was an 'awful' atmosphere at the station where men had sex with women in bathrooms, 'mercilessly bullied' a colleague and made 'cruel and sexual comments' about women in the street while senior leaders stayed silent. She said her male colleagues were like 'kids in a candy store' given the station's proximity to 'pubs, bars and party culture', with one sergeant bragging about seeing his favourite Russian escort at Spearmint Rhino. The IOPC watchdog said it would look into the shocking allegations. An officer who gave only her first name, Liz, told LondonWorld she witnessed appalling behaviour by male cops after graduating from Hendon Police College in the mid-noughties. She moved to another station in a different borough after two years and is now a writer living in Perth, Australia. She says she saw officers having sex down the station, caught a male cop in the act with someone he had arrested and she was victim to 'countless propositioning from male colleagues'. As the only woman in her team, she had to endure a night out at the Spearmint Rhino strip club where a sergeant bragged about having 'his favourite Russian girl'. On one occasion, she was sat in a carrier vehicle in Whitehall when all the male officers made lewd sexual comments about every woman that walked past. Black officers were referred to as 'monkeys' and officers said 'they better smile at night or we won't see them'. An autistic police community support officer was mercilessly bullied and 'mindf***ed' until he thought it was all part of him being 'part of the team', she claimed. She said she knew the behaviour was wrong but did not know who to turn to, fearing bosses would turn a blind eye and she would be ostracised by colleagues. Cressida Dick's ledger of failures: From the Met's disastrous probe into fake VIP child sex abuse to Sarah Everard's killing, the Daniel Morgan inquiry and 'institutional racism, sexism and homophobia' Dame Cressida Dick's shock resignation last night marks the end of a controversial chapter in the history of the Metropolitan Police. As Scotland Yard chief, Dame Cressida's tenure was plagued by a series of scandals from Sarah Everard's killing by depraved cop Wayne Couzens, the Wembley security fiasco during the Euros and the force's bungled probe into fake VIP sex abuse claims, to heavy-handed policing during the pandemic and allegations of racism, sexism, homophobia and 'institutional corruption'. Britain's most senior police chief dramatically resigned from the Met Police after losing the support of London Mayor Sadiq Khan following the watchdog's report into the behaviour of officers at the Charing Cross police station. Though Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel paid tribute to Dame Cressida, her critics called her resignation 'long overdue' and said her departure would mark the beginning of proper reform at the force. Here, MailOnline examines the many failings which have marked Dame Cressida's card. Dame Cressida Dick's shock resignation marks the end of a controversial chapter in the history of the Metropolitan Police OPERATION MIDLAND The Metropolitan Police has been mired in controversy since it launched an astonishing investigation into false allegations of child sex abuse at the heart of Westminster. Named Operation Midland, detectives probing claims made by serial liar Carl 'Nick' Beech conducted dawn raids at high-profile addresses including the homes of D-Day hero Lord Bramall, Lord Brittan and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor. Beech falsely claimed that he and other boys were raped and tortured in the 1970s and 1980s and that one young boy was even murdered by members of a VIP paedophile ring. He is now serving an 18-year prison sentence for 12 counts of perverting the course of justice and one count of fraud. Dame Cressida was also slammed by the families of victims of VIP paedophile ring fantasist Carl Beech, whose spurious allegations were investigated by police - ruining the lives and reputations of those he accused Scotland Yard was heavily criticised in an independent review of the case by former High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques. His findings recommended that 'offences of attempting to pervert the course of justice be considered' against the two complainants, and this should be carried out by another police force. In September 2019, Dame Cressida's role in setting up the shambolic probe into alleged VIP child sex abuse and murder was revealed, but she declines to answer questions. Two years later, Lady Brittan condemns the culture of 'cover up and flick away' in the Met and the lack of a moral compass among senior officers. The same month a freedom of information request revealed an extraordinary spin campaign to ensure Dame Cressida was not 'pulled into' the scandal over the Carl Beech debacle. SARAH EVERARD Britain was shocked by the murder of Sarah Everard at the hands of depraved cop Couzens as she walked across Clapham Common in March last year. A court heard that Couzens staged a fake arrest of Miss Everard using Covid emergency powers, before raping and killing her. Dame Cressida faced public fury after it emerged that Scotland Yard may have missed multiple opportunities to sack or prosecute Couzens. Couzens was reported to bosses for allegedly slapping a female colleague's bottom at Bromley police station in 2018 just weeks after he joined the force. The news comes a week after Mr Khan said he was 'not satisfied' with the Met's Commissioner's response to calls for change following a series of scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens The Metropolitan Police commissioner faced calls for her resignation earlier this year after women were arrested at a vigil that was held in memory of Miss Everard Shortly after starting at Bromley in South London, the married killer allegedly stopped a female motorist and said her tax and insurance were out of date before making a note of her address so he could later pull up outside her house and leer at her. Couzens, whose former colleagues at the Civil Nuclear Constabulary nicknamed him 'The Rapist' because of how he is said to have made female colleagues uneasy, is also accused of parking his patrol car by schools so he could watch mothers and sixth-formers. Dame Cressida faced calls to resign after officers conducted a heavy-handed crackdown on a vigil held for Miss Everard at Clapham Common after the 33-year-old's death. At the time, she defended the force's actions and dismissed 'armchair critics', raging: 'What has happened makes me more determined, not less, to lead my organisation.' DANIEL MORGAN INQUIRY Last summer, the force was branded 'institutionally corrupt' by an independent panel investigating police inquiries into the unsolved murder in the 1980s of private detective Daniel Morgan. In its bombshell report, the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel concluded forms of police corruption had hampered both the murder inquiry, and its own work to investigate the reasons why the case was never solved. Singling out Dame Cressida for blame, the report said she had not given a 'reasonable explanation' for blocking access to computer data and delaying the release of files, the last of which were provided only in March. A Home Office source said there were 'serious concerns with the Met's leadership and how it responded to failings' although Miss Patel and Boris Johnson later expressed confidence in Dame Cressida. The commissioner apologised for past mistakes, saying: 'It is a matter of great regret that no one has been brought to justice and that our mistakes have compounded the pain suffered by Daniel's family. For that I apologise again now. 'I have been personally determined that the Met provided the panel with the fullest level of co-operation in an open and transparent manner, with complete integrity at all times.' But amid calls for her resignation at the time, Dame Cressida said: 'I don't believe we are institutionally corrupt. No, I don't accept that. I have the deepest feelings for Daniel Morgan's family. They have shown extraordinary grit and determination and courage. Daniel Morgan was investigating claims of corruption within the Metropolitan Police when he was murdered in 1987 - and the force failed him and his family ever since. His brother Alastair told the media that Cressida Dick should resign 'Yesterday, I apologised again to them for our failings and the fact that we have not brought anybody to justice despite six investigations and countless other reviews and pieces of work.' She added: 'And for the fact that, in so doing and along the way, we have clearly, we the Met, my force, of which I'm very proud to be the Commissioner, we have caused them extra anguish. But I don't accept that we are institutionally corrupt, no.' The independent panel led by Baroness Nuala O'Loan found that the Met had put protecting its own reputation above finding Mr Morgan's killer. The panel's report said: 'Concealing or denying failings, for the sake of the organisation's public image, is dishonesty on the part of the organisation for reputational benefit and constitutes a form of institutional corruption.' JEAN CHARLES DE MENEZES In July 2005, Dame Cressida was in overall charge of the operation which saw electrician Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, shot dead on a Tube train in south London. Mr de Menezes, a Brazilian working in the capital, was blasted in the head seven times by police at Stockwell station after being followed by officers from his home nearby. Later inquiries heard he appeared to match the description of suspects whose bombs failed to detonate on the transport system the previous day. Their attempted attack followed the 7/7 atrocity which killed 52 people on Tubes and a bus in London earlier that month. Dame Cressida was cleared of all blame by later inquiries, but Mr de Menezes' family expressed 'serious concerns' when she was appointed Met Commissioner in 2017. The top policewoman told the Mail in 2018: 'It was an appalling thing an innocent man killed by police. Me in charge. Awful for the family and I was properly held to account. We learned every lesson that was to be learned. 'My job was to stand up and be counted, tell the truth and carry on. If police officers fell to pieces or resigned when operations didn't go well, it wouldn't send out a good message.' CHARING CROSS A bombshell report by the IOPC watchdog exposed a cruel, toxic 'boys club' culture among officers at Charing Cross police station. It found cops made rape jokes, boasted about domestic violence and made vile racist remarks in WhatsApp exchanges. Grim texts between officers about raping women, killing black children, pedophilia, Muslims, Auschwitz and disabled people were also published in the watchdog's report. Last week, a former Met officer has come forward with new allegations of horrifying behaviour by officers at Charing Cross police station, including claims officers slept with female suspects and called black colleagues 'monkeys'. A 'toxic' culture existed at the Charing Cross Station dating back to 2006, said the former constable, who asked to be referred to by her first name, Liz Further mock-ups of messages sent by a male officer during another shocking conversation on WhatsApp A 'toxic' culture existed at the station dating back to 2006, said the former constable, who asked to be referred to by her first name, Liz. The ex-officer said there was an 'awful' atmosphere at the station where men had sex with women in bathrooms, 'mercilessly bullied' a colleague and made 'cruel and sexual comments' about women in the street while senior leaders stayed silent. She said her male colleagues were like 'kids in a candy store' given the station's proximity to 'pubs, bars and party culture', with one sergeant bragging about seeing his favourite Russian escort at Spearmint Rhino. The report sparked public fury and caused Mr Khan to put Dame Cressida 'on notice' to make serious reforms to the force. Days later, she resigned. MET COPS SHARE PHOTOS OF MURDERED SISTERS Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry were stabbed to death by Danyal Hussein in Fryent Country Park in Wembley, north London, in June 2020, while out celebrating a birthday. However, a report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct found the level of service provided by the Met over the weekend when they went missing was 'below the standard that it should have been'. Met officers Jamie Lewis and Deniz Jaffer later admitted taking and sharing images of the scene where the sisters were murdered. Dame Cressida said at the time: 'My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Nicole and Bibaa for their tragic losses. Bibaa Henry, 46, and Nicole Smallman, 27, who were stabbed to death in Wembley last year 'The way we responded to information that Nicole and Bibaa were missing that weekend was below the standard we should have achieved and compounded the distress felt by their loved ones. 'While we know that very sadly Nicola and Bibaa had been murdered in the early hours of Saturday, 6 June 2020, before they were reported missing. If we had responded better we may have saved their friends and family immeasurable pain. 'I am very sorry that the level of service we provided fell short. We have contacted the family to ask if they will allow me or, if they prefer, another senior officer to visit them at a time that is right to apologise in person.' However, the sisters' mother Mina Smallman called on Dame Cressida to resign, asking: 'This is the woman who is going to tackle what we are up against in the Met?'. She added: 'Time for her to go. Up until she did the statement after the missing persons, the failure, the neglect in that particular procedure, I was so disappointed by what she said. 'She said 'We have been advised in the report to apologise to the family' and I thought to myself if you need to be told by an organisation, because she knew it was true she had all the evidence.' STEPHEN PORT KILLINGS Scotland Yard was accused of 'institutional homophobia' for allegedly repeatedly dismissing fears that the murders of four young gay men by serial killer Stephen Port could be linked. John Pape, who said he had a 'whirlwind friendship' with Slovakian Gabriel Kovari in summer 2014, said he provided the Metropolitan Police with information he thought might link the deaths in Barking, east London. By September of that year, depraved killer Port had murdered Anthony Walgate, Mr Kovari and Daniel Whitworth by plying them with fatal doses of the drug GHB and dumping their bodies near his home. Stephen Port, who will spend the rest of his life behind bars for murdering four men and sexually assaulting several others, began taking GHB in late 2013 Two of Port's four victims were Jack Taylor (left), 25, and Daniel Whitworth (right), 21 Anthony Walgate (left) and Gabriel Kovari (right) were also victims of Port At the inquests into the deaths at Barking Town Hall, Mr Pape said he tracked down Mr Kovari's former boyfriend, Thierry Amodio, who was told by another man later established to be Port, seeking to distance himself from the investigation that the men were drugged at orgies involving older men. But Mr Pape said police seemed to ignore his attempts to provide them with information. It came as the detective appointed to speak with Mr Kovari's family admitted having never done so, saying she was 'busy'. In December, Dame Cressida apologised to the family of a victim of Port. She told Mr Walgate's mother: 'I am sorry, both personally and on behalf of The Met had police listened to what you said, things would have turned out a lot differently.' EURO 2020 WEMBLEY FIASCO On Dame Cressida's watch, ticketless football hooligans broke past Wembley's security barriers during the Euros 2020 last year and stormed the grounds ahead of England's clash with Italy. The Met was accused of not having enough officers on duty to create a 'ring of steel' around he venue to hold back the frenzied England supporters. At the time, Sadiq Khan said: 'It was not right what happened on Sunday not just at Wembley, but across our city with the hooligans, from outside London, breaking the law in Leicester Square, Liverpool Street, Trafalgar Square, Wembley, and so forth. The Met faced criticism following violence at Wembley Stadium at the final of the Euro 2020 Championships 'The FA are reviewing their arrangements at Wembley, the Met Police Service will take part in that review. 'The Met Police Service as we speak are sifting through the CCTV and body-worn videos. Already, 86 arrests have been made. I'd remind people that 19 police officers were injured. It's really important that those responsible for criminal behaviour are arrested, charged and prosecuted. 'What's also really important, that I say loudly and clearly: the police have my full confidence and full support. One of my jobs as the mayor is to provide scrutiny of the police service to help provide the checks and balances in a vibrant democracy. 'The police should be properly policed and often that there are difficult conversations between me as mayor and the senior team at the Met Police Service, but they have got my full support.' LONDON BRIDGE & EXTINCTION REBELLION In 2017 Dame Cressida was criticised for her choice of words after she said the victims of the London Bridge terror attack demonstrated London's 'diversity'. The officer added: 'We believe, of course, that that's what makes our city so great. It's a place where the vast majority of time it's incredibly integrated and that diversity gives us strength.' In 2019 the Met under Dame Cressida's leadership was widely criticised for its 'light-touch' policing of Extinction Rebellion protests.The environmental demonstrators were allowed to blockade key areas of the capital for days, including Westminster Bridge and Oxford Circus. So who might take over the troubled Met? Favourites to replace Cressida Dick include an ex-counter-terror chief who threatened to jail journalists or a Merseyside cop who said violent criminals were 'NOT inherently bad people' The leadership of the Metropolitan Police was thrown into chaos last night after Dame Cressida Dick's bombshell resignation as Scotland Yard boss. Confidence in the force has been shaken in recent years by a series of scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard by depraved cop Wayne Couzens, the disastrous probe into fake VIP child sex abuse claims, and allegations of racism, sexism and homophobia within the ranks. Dame Cressida Dick, who became the first woman to head the Met Police in 2017, said she had 'no choice but to step aside' after losing Sadiq Khan's confidence. Following the announcement, questions quickly turned to who would succeed her during a tumultuous time for Britain's biggest police force. Likely replacements for the 230,000-a-year role range from a counter-terror chief who threatened to jail journalists and blamed terrorism on a lack of social mobility to a Merseyside cop who said violent criminals were 'not inherently bad people'. Speaking to MailOnline in September, a senior MP said they feared the current crop of senior police may be 'too woke'. 'The problem with Cressida is she has presided over a series of disasters, and then says it is not her fault,' the MP said. 'It is difficult when we always take the same view that operational decisions are a matter for the police not politicians.' Here, MailOnline goes through the list of likely candidates to succeed Dame Cressida. The leadership of the Metropolitan Police was thrown into chaos last night after Dame Cressida Dick's bombshell resignation as Scotland Yard boss Neil Basu: Anti-terror chief who called for journalists to be prosecuted after publishing leaked cables criticising Trump Neil Basu, who has been at the Met for nearly 30 years Neil Basu is the Met's former head of counter-terrorism and the most senior serving British officer of Asian heritage. He also served as the assistant commissioner for specialist operations until September 2021, which included responsibilities around national security, and had originally been tipped for the top job in 2017 before losing out to Dame Cressida. In February this year, he called for laws in the Equality Act 2010 that restrict positive discriminations to be relaxed in order to boost the number of BAME recruits. He was immediately shot down by policing minister Kit Malthouse, while Home Secretary Priti Patel was also said to be against the idea. Mr Basu faced fresh accusations of meddling in politics in July 2019, when he threatened to prosecute journalists for publishing leaked cables from Britain's ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch. Former Tory cabinet minister David Davis said the intervention 'strayed well beyond his brief', and represented an attack on the free Press. Mr Basu's comments came after Scotland Yard launched a probe to find who leaked Sir Kim's memos calling the Trump administration 'clumsy and inept'. Mr Basu, who has spent his whole career at the Met, made another controversial intervention in August that year when suggested homegrown terrorism was fuelled by a lack of social mobility and inclusion. He said better education and opportunities for young people would do more to fight terrorism than 'the policing and state security apparatus put together' adding that he was not trying to excuse any acts of violence. He also said British Muslims should not be forced to 'assimilate', adding: 'Assimilation implies that I have to hide myself in order to get on. We should not be a society that accepts that.' A 2019 profile of Basu in the Mail On Sunday described him as well-liked within the force and by intelligence officials at MI5. But he has attracted criticism for some of his operational decisions, most notably as head of Operations Weeting, Elveden and Tuleta. The three inquiries into phone hacking, computer hacking and alleged payments to police officers by newspapers cost around 19.5million and were criticised for criminalising journalists. Mr Basu also raised eyebrows when he criticised the Prevent programme which tries to detect and deradicalise Muslim extremists as 'toxic'. A Hindu, born to an Indian doctor father and a white British mother, he has said he has encountered racism over most of his life. He grew up in Stafford, where he studied at Walton High School before reading economics at Nottingham University. He became a Met police officer in 1992, serving first as a beat bobby in Battersea, South London, then swiftly moving through the ranks as a borough commander in Barnet, North London, and a Commander of South London in 2012. Andy Cooke: Former Merseyside chief who insists even violent criminals are 'not inherently bad people' Andy Cooke, who now serves with the police inspectorate While head of Merseyside Police, Andy Cooke sparked anger when he said even violent criminals are 'not inherently bad people' and he'd rather pump billions into cutting poverty than upholding the law. The officer, marking his retirement as Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, said if he was given a 5 billion budget to cut crime, he would spend 1 billion on crime and 4 billion on tackling poverty. He now serves in the role of Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary and Inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities in England. He will be overseeing inspections primarily in the North of England. Mr Cooke was chief constable for five years, during which time he has overseen the jailing of dozens of multi-millionaire drug laws, including Liverpool's most notorious drugs boss Liam 'the Lam' Cornett, who was transported to court in a huge armed convoy every day, and the jet-setting Mulhare brothers, who were caught abroad in Thailand after being informed on by a 'supergrass'. Murderers jailed during his tenure include George Leather, 60, who brutally killed his Asda worker wife, 56, by stabbing her 300 times in an 'episode of unspeakable and barbaric savagery', and Robert Child, 37, who was jailed for life for striking his 64-year-old mother Janice with a hammer 31 times. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said of Mr Cooke's plans for the police budget: 'In that case would he be quite happy to sack 80% of the officers. Reducing poverty is not a function of the policing budget, it's the job of other agencies and government. 'I'm not convinced that this change would be welcomed by the vast majority of the UK population. They want to see the police protecting citizens and property and crime. He sounds like someone who would have taken the knee for BLM and defunded the police.' Under Mr Cooke, Merseyside Police gained a reputation for tough policing and for being a keen user of stop-and-search powers. He was also the first commander of Merseyside's Matrix unit, set up to tackle gang crime and violence. Simon Byrne: Top Northern Ireland cop 'with a reputation for being like Darth Vader' Simon Byrne became chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in May 2019 Simon Byrne became chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in May 2019, arriving at the force with 36 years of policing behind him. After holding senior roles at GMP and the Met, he became chief constable of Cheshire Police from 2014 to 2017. That role ended in controversial circumstances after he was accused of bullying and humiliating staff. A misconduct hearing was told he had a reputation for being like Darth Vader and treated junior officers and staff like 'roadkill'. The hearing was told he handed pictures of Dad's Army characters to officers after he became angry when flooding made him late for work. However, he was cleared of misconduct, with the tribunal concluding that much of what was claimed was either exaggerated or most likely didn't happen. During his time as chief constable, Mr Byrne revealed he had considered breaking the law in order to hire more officers from ethnic minorities. At that time the force only had three black officers. He told the BBC in 2017 that the law should be changed in England 'for a certain period of time' to allow the hiring of minority candidates to speed up. This would ensure that 'for every white officer, we recruit one black officer.' Mr Byrne said: 'I've even taken legal advice about breaking the law, which might sound crazy as a senior police officer. 'But if we're put under pressure to change, then what are the consequences, other than reputational, from breaking the law?' Under current equality rules employers cannot employ a job applicant because of characteristics like race, sexual orientation or gender, if other candidates are better qualified. At PSNI he attracted controversy for suggesting the children of paramilitaries could be taken into care. He was also forced to apologise after tweeting a photo of himself with officers holding rifles outside a PSNI station on Christmas Day, the BBC reported. Martin Hewitt: NPCC chief who backed crackdown on Covid sceptics and said officers felt 'undervalued' amid pay row Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council As chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) throughout the Covid crisis, Martin Hewitt has made a number of high-profile interventions in politics. Amid fury last year at officers being hit by a pay freeze, Mr Hewitt told Priti Patel that many officers believed the decision was 'unfair' and they felt 'undervalued' after their efforts during Covid. Mr Hewitt said: 'For many it feels unfair and that their contribution is undervalued. 'And, unlike other parts of the public service, officers do not have the option of industrial action to make their case more strongly. 'As the Government makes spending decisions over coming months, we urge you to fund a settlement which properly reflects the important and complex work police officers do, and starts to address the pay shortfall.' In January 2021, he backed a crackdown on lockdown sceptics and said officers would no longer 'waste time' trying to reason with them amid soaring death rates. Speaking at a Downing Street press briefing, he gave examples of shocking 'irresponsible behaviour' from people not heeding warnings - even with more than 1,200 people dying every day. They included a 30-per-head boat party in Hertfordshire with more than 40 people, a Surrey house party whose host tried to claim it was a business event and a minibus full of people from different households caught travelling from Cheltenham into Wales for a walk. Mr Hewitt was appointed in April 2019. He began his policing career with Kent Police in 1993 and transferred to the Metropolitan Police Service in 2005. As an Assistant Commissioner for five years, he led frontline and local policing, specialist crime and professional standards. He led the national police response to adult sexual offences and kidnap between 2014 and 2019, and served as a Vice-Chair for the NPCC from 2015 before taking on the chairmanship. Matt Jukes: Assistant commissioner credited with leading crackdown on Rotherham child grooming gangs Matt Jukes: Assistant commissioner credited with leading crackdown on Rotherham child grooming gangs Matt Jukes joined South Yorkshire police in 1995 three years after graduating with a degree in mathematics from Oxford. He worked as a detective and rose through the ranks to represent UK police forces at G8 meetings and lead on national anti-terror strategy. Mr Jukes is best known for tackling Rotherham grooming gangs while borough commander in the Yorkshire town from 2006 to 2010. More than 1,000 children were exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, with local authorities, schools and police among agencies that failed to tackle the problem. A report on the scandal by Professor Alexis Jay suggested that Mr Jukes' leadership marked a point where police became more proactive in dealing with the abuse. After serving in South Yorkshire Police, he moved to South Wales, with the police and crime commissioner there Alun Michael backing him as an outstanding leader. Mr Jukes worked his way up to the top post in South Wales Police, becoming Chief Constable in January 2018. He is also chairman of Police Sport UK. Mr Jukes moved to the Met in November 2020. He was awarded a Queens Police Medal in the New Year Honours List 2018. A homeless career criminal with a history of more than a dozen arrests was led into a Manhattan courtroom in handcuffs to be arraigned on a hate crime murder charge for the savage beating of a Chinese immigrant, which left him comatose until his death eight months later. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Thursday announced the new charge of murder in the second degree as a hate crime against Jarrod Powell for the killing of Yao Pan Ma. Powell, 50, has been accused of knocking Ma, 61, to the ground, stomping on his head a half-dozen times, and kicking him in the face and neck during an unprovoked attack that took place in Harlem on April 23, 2021. Jarrod Powell is arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday on a hate crime murder charge for the stomping death of Yao Pan Ma in East Harlem Powell, 50, a homeless career criminal, is accused of attacking Ma, a Chinese immigrant, in April 2021, for no reason other than his race. He is pictured in court on Thursday Ma is pictured badly battered in a medically induced coma. He died of his injuries on New Year's Eve Ma sustained a traumatic brain injury and was placed on life support. He died in a hospital on New Year's Eve after eight months in a medically induced coma. 'The devastating death of Yao Pan Ma, a beloved father of two, occurred amidst a surge of anti-Asian attacks targeting our families, friends, neighbors, and New York values,' said District Attorney Bragg. 'As alleged, Jarrod Powell selectively attacked Mr. Ma for no other reason than his race.' During Thursday's arraignment in Manhattan Supreme Court, prosecutors made a request to the judge to increase Powell's bail to $3 million, which was granted. Following the hearing, Karlin Chan, a spokesperson for the victim's family, welcomed the news that Powell's charge has been upgraded to hate crime murder and praised the DA's office for its handling of the case. 'We remain optimistic that the district attorney will secure a conviction and Powell is held accountable for his actions,' Chan told New York Daily News. According to the indictment and statements made on the record in court, at around 8:15 p.m. on April 23, Powell saw Ma pushing a shopping cart filled with recyclables on the corner of 125th Street and 3rd Avenue in Harlem. Powell was arrested four days after the attack. He was identified through surveillance footage In this October 27, 2021, photo provided by family spokesperson Karlin Chan, Ma is shown hospitalized after the savage attack. He never recovered from a brain injury Powell allegedly ran up to the 114-pound man from behind and struck him, knocking him to thee ground. 'Powell then stomped on Mr. Mas head multiple times and repeatedly kicked him in the head, face, and neck,' the DA's press release stated. Powell then fled the scene, leaving Man lying unconscious on the ground. An MTA bus driver, who was stopped at a traffic light and witnessed the attack, flagged down a nearby ambulance, which transported Ma to Harlem Hospital with facial fractures and bleeding on the brain. Four days after the brutal attack, Powell was arrested at Ward's Island men's homeless shelter after being identified through surveillance video. The indictment alleged that Powell made statements to detectives, in which he claimed to have been attacked by two Korean and Japanese men the day before he assaulted Ma. He admitted that he never reported the earlier incident and provided no descriptions of his alleged attackers beyond their race. Powell's bail was raised to $3million at the request of prosecutors Following his arrest, Powell allegedly implied that he attacked Ma in retaliation for being assaulted the day before by two Asian men DA Bragg said that his office 'tragically' currently has 33 open hate crime cases involving anti-Asian hate crimes - the most since the establishment of the office's Hate Crime Unit in 2010. In 2021, the Manhattan DA's Office prosecuted nearly four times more anti-Asian hate crimes than in the previous year. Ma and his wife, Baozhen Chen, who have two adult children, moved to New York from China's Guangdong province in 2019 looking for better work opportunities, Chen told the New York Daily News. Powell was paroled in May 2012 after he served more than five years for felony assault During the coronavirus pandemic, Ma lost his job as a dishwasher at a restaurant and took up collecting cans to help support his family, which is what he was doing when he was attacked. Powell was paroled in May 2012 after he served more than five years for felony assault, according to records. He was also conditionally released by parole In 2000, after serving about two years on an attempted assault conviction. According to WABC, Powell had allegedly kidnapped a 23-year-old woman from an apartment in the Staten Island borough of New York City on January 25, 1998, before sexually assaulting her. He was charged with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, sexual misconduct and sexual assault but it was not immediately clear if he those were the charges he was reportedly serving time for when he was paroled in 2000. Powell was arrested for subway fare evasion eight times between July 2002 and December 2004 before he was busted again for assault twice at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in February 2006, WABC reported. Violence in New York City continues to spiral out of control. According to the most recent data from the NYPD, overall crime rate was up more than 41 percent. Advertisement The leadership of the Metropolitan Police was thrown into chaos last night after Dame Cressida Dicks bombshell resignation as Scotland Yard boss. Confidence in the force has been shaken in recent years by a series of scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard by depraved cop Wayne Couzens, the disastrous probe into fake VIP child sex abuse claims, and allegations of racism, sexism and homophobia within the ranks. Dame Cressida Dick, who became the first woman to head the Met Police in 2017, said she had no choice but to step aside after losing Sadiq Khans confidence. Following the announcement, questions quickly turned to who would succeed her during a tumultuous time for Britains biggest police force. Likely replacements for the 230,000-a-year role range from a counter-terror chief who threatened to jail journalists and blamed terrorism on a lack of social mobility to a Merseyside cop who said violent criminals were not inherently bad people. Speaking to MailOnline in September, a senior MP said they feared the current crop of senior police may be too woke. The problem with Cressida is she has presided over a series of disasters, and then says it is not her fault, the MP said. It is difficult when we always take the same view that operational decisions are a matter for the police not politicians. Here, MailOnline goes through the list of likely candidates to succeed Dame Cressida. The leadership of the Metropolitan Police was thrown into chaos last night after Dame Cressida Dicks bombshell resignation as Scotland Yard boss Neil Basu: Anti-terror chief who called for journalists to be prosecuted after publishing leaked cables criticising Trump Neil Basu, who has been at the Met for nearly 30 years Neil Basu is the Mets former head of counter-terrorism and the most senior serving British officer of Asian heritage. He also served as the assistant commissioner for specialist operations until September 2021, which included responsibilities around national security, and had originally been tipped for the top job in 2017 before losing out to Dame Cressida. In February this year, he called for laws in the Equality Act 2010 that restrict positive discriminations to be relaxed in order to boost the number of BAME recruits. He was immediately shot down by policing minister Kit Malthouse, while Home Secretary Priti Patel was also said to be against the idea. Mr Basu faced fresh accusations of meddling in politics in July 2019, when he threatened to prosecute journalists for publishing leaked cables from Britains ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch. Former Tory cabinet minister David Davis said the intervention strayed well beyond his brief, and represented an attack on the free Press. Mr Basus comments came after Scotland Yard launched a probe to find who leaked Sir Kims memos calling the Trump administration clumsy and inept. Mr Basu, who has spent his whole career at the Met, made another controversial intervention in August that year when suggested homegrown terrorism was fuelled by a lack of social mobility and inclusion. He said better education and opportunities for young people would do more to fight terrorism than the policing and state security apparatus put together adding that he was not trying to excuse any acts of violence. He also said British Muslims should not be forced to assimilate, adding: Assimilation implies that I have to hide myself in order to get on. We should not be a society that accepts that. A 2019 profile of Basu in the Mail On Sunday described him as well-liked within the force and by intelligence officials at MI5. But he has attracted criticism for some of his operational decisions, most notably as head of Operations Weeting, Elveden and Tuleta. The three inquiries into phone hacking, computer hacking and alleged payments to police officers by newspapers cost around 19.5million and were criticised for criminalising journalists. Mr Basu also raised eyebrows when he said that the Prevent programme which tries to detect and deradicalise extremists was viewed by some critics as a toxic brand and needs "better communication, more transparency. A Hindu, born to an Indian doctor father and a white British mother, he has said he has encountered racism over most of his life. He grew up in Stafford, where he studied at Walton High School before reading economics at Nottingham University. He became a Met police officer in 1992, serving first as a beat bobby in Battersea, South London, then swiftly moving through the ranks as a borough commander in Barnet, North London, and a Commander of South London in 2012. Andy Cooke: Former Merseyside chief who insists even violent criminals are 'not inherently bad people' Andy Cooke, who now serves with the police inspectorate While head of Merseyside Police, Andy Cooke sparked anger when he said even violent criminals are 'not inherently bad people' and he'd rather pump billions into cutting poverty than upholding the law. The officer, marking his retirement as Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, said if he was given a 5 billion budget to cut crime, he would spend 1 billion on crime and 4 billion on tackling poverty. He now serves in the role of Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary and Inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities in England. He will be overseeing inspections primarily in the North of England. Mr Cooke was chief constable for five years, during which time he has overseen the jailing of dozens of multi-millionaire drug laws, including Liverpool's most notorious drugs boss Liam 'the Lam' Cornett, who was transported to court in a huge armed convoy every day, and the jet-setting Mulhare brothers, who were caught abroad in Thailand after being informed on by a 'supergrass'. Murderers jailed during his tenure include George Leather, 60, who brutally killed his Asda worker wife, 56, by stabbing her 300 times in an 'episode of unspeakable and barbaric savagery', and Robert Child, 37, who was jailed for life for striking his 64-year-old mother Janice with a hammer 31 times. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said of Mr Cooke's plans for the police budget: 'In that case would he be quite happy to sack 80% of the officers. Reducing poverty is not a function of the policing budget, it's the job of other agencies and government. 'I'm not convinced that this change would be welcomed by the vast majority of the UK population. They want to see the police protecting citizens and property and crime. He sounds like someone who would have taken the knee for BLM and defunded the police.' Under Mr Cooke, Merseyside Police gained a reputation for tough policing and for being a keen user of stop-and-search powers. He was also the first commander of Merseyside's Matrix unit, set up to tackle gang crime and violence. Simon Byrne: Top Northern Ireland cop 'with a reputation for being like Darth Vader' Simon Byrne became chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in May 2019 Simon Byrne became chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in May 2019, arriving at the force with 36 years of policing behind him. After holding senior roles at GMP and the Met, he became chief constable of Cheshire Police from 2014 to 2017. That role ended in controversial circumstances after he was accused of bullying and humiliating staff. A misconduct hearing was told he had a reputation for being like Darth Vader and treated junior officers and staff like 'roadkill'. The hearing was told he handed pictures of Dad's Army characters to officers after he became angry when flooding made him late for work. However, he was cleared of misconduct, with the tribunal concluding that much of what was claimed was either exaggerated or most likely didn't happen. During his time as chief constable, Mr Byrne revealed he had considered breaking the law in order to hire more officers from ethnic minorities. At that time the force only had three black officers. He told the BBC in 2017 that the law should be changed in England 'for a certain period of time' to allow the hiring of minority candidates to speed up. This would ensure that 'for every white officer, we recruit one black officer.' Mr Byrne said: 'I've even taken legal advice about breaking the law, which might sound crazy as a senior police officer. 'But if we're put under pressure to change, then what are the consequences, other than reputational, from breaking the law?' Under current equality rules employers cannot employ a job applicant because of characteristics like race, sexual orientation or gender, if other candidates are better qualified. At PSNI he attracted controversy for suggesting the children of paramilitaries could be taken into care. He was also forced to apologise after tweeting a photo of himself with officers holding rifles outside a PSNI station on Christmas Day, the BBC reported. Martin Hewitt: NPCC chief who backed crackdown on Covid sceptics and said officers felt 'undervalued' amid pay row Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council As chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) throughout the Covid crisis, Martin Hewitt has made a number of high-profile interventions in politics. Amid fury last year at officers being hit by a pay freeze, Mr Hewitt told Priti Patel that many officers believed the decision was 'unfair' and they felt 'undervalued' after their efforts during Covid. Mr Hewitt said: 'For many it feels unfair and that their contribution is undervalued. 'And, unlike other parts of the public service, officers do not have the option of industrial action to make their case more strongly. 'As the Government makes spending decisions over coming months, we urge you to fund a settlement which properly reflects the important and complex work police officers do, and starts to address the pay shortfall.' In January 2021, he backed a crackdown on lockdown sceptics and said officers would no longer 'waste time' trying to reason with them amid soaring death rates. Speaking at a Downing Street press briefing, he gave examples of shocking 'irresponsible behaviour' from people not heeding warnings - even with more than 1,200 people dying every day. They included a 30-per-head boat party in Hertfordshire with more than 40 people, a Surrey house party whose host tried to claim it was a business event and a minibus full of people from different households caught travelling from Cheltenham into Wales for a walk. Mr Hewitt was appointed in April 2019. He began his policing career with Kent Police in 1993 and transferred to the Metropolitan Police Service in 2005. As an Assistant Commissioner for five years, he led frontline and local policing, specialist crime and professional standards. He led the national police response to adult sexual offences and kidnap between 2014 and 2019, and served as a Vice-Chair for the NPCC from 2015 before taking on the chairmanship. Matt Jukes: Assistant commissioner credited with leading crackdown on Rotherham child grooming gangs Matt Jukes: Assistant commissioner credited with leading crackdown on Rotherham child grooming gangs Matt Jukes joined South Yorkshire police in 1995 three years after graduating with a degree in mathematics from Oxford. He worked as a detective and rose through the ranks to represent UK police forces at G8 meetings and lead on national anti-terror strategy. Mr Jukes is best known for tackling Rotherham grooming gangs while borough commander in the Yorkshire town from 2006 to 2010. More than 1,000 children were exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, with local authorities, schools and police among agencies that failed to tackle the problem. A report on the scandal by Professor Alexis Jay suggested that Mr Jukes' leadership marked a point where police became more proactive in dealing with the abuse. After serving in South Yorkshire Police, he moved to South Wales, with the police and crime commissioner there Alun Michael backing him as an outstanding leader. Mr Jukes worked his way up to the top post in South Wales Police, becoming Chief Constable in January 2018. He is also chairman of Police Sport UK. Mr Jukes moved to the Met in November 2020. He was awarded a Queens Police Medal in the New Year Honours List 2018. The US Secretary of State has warned Australia that the Chinese government wants to dominate the entire world in military and economic power. During a trip to Melbourne, Anthony Blinken praised the way Australia has held its mettle against Chinese economic bullying. 'To my mind, there's little doubt that China's ambition over time is to be the leading military, economic, diplomatic and political power not just in the region but in the world,' Mr Blinken told The Australian newspaper. 'From the perspective of the US, and I think for Australia too, what we are about is not standing against China, per se, not trying to hold it down or contain it, but standing up for the rules-based order that is being challenged. US Secretary of State has Anthony Blinken warned Australia that Chinese President Xi Jinping (pictured) wants to dominate the entire world in military and economic power 'China also wants an (international) order, but the difference is its world order would be profoundly illiberal. Ours is liberal.' Mr Blinken warned that Australia and the United States must defend those values against whoever is challenging them. He hailed the way Australia had stood up to China and believed Australia had won the trade war despite tariff hikes and boycotts. 'I think China has lost more than Australia has in its efforts to squeeze Australia economically...[and would be] thinking twice about this in the future',' Mr Blinken told Nine newspapers. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (pictured) is in Melbourne for talks with other Quad members Meanwhile, Russian aggression against Ukraine and its 'no limits' pact with China will be front and centre during security talks between Australian, US, Indian and Japanese foreign ministers in Melbourne today. Mr Blinken believes Russia poses an immediate risk not just in Europe but to fundamental security principles throughout the world. 'You can't just change the borders of another country by force. You can't decide for another country its choices, its policies, with whom it will associate,' he told the ABC ahead of Friday's meeting of the so-called Quad countries. 'You can't exert a sphere of influence that tries to subjugate your neighbours to your will.' Anthony Blinken said PM Scott Morrison (pictured) and Australia had won the trade war with China despite tariff hikes and boycotts Russia and China agreed on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics to the no-limits pact to back each other amid pushback from the West. But Mr Blinken noted Russian aggression in Ukraine would not be good for China either and 'one would think that it would have shared some of its concerns. 'This is not about standing against anyone in particular; it is about standing up for a rules-based order,' he said. His trip to Australia represents the first cabinet-level official US visit under Joe Biden's presidency. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will meet with the foreign ministers. Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping (pictured together) agreed on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics to a 'no limits' pact to back each other amid pushback from the West The fourth Quad ministers meeting will canvas the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, cyber and emerging technologies, attempts to combat disinformation, terrorism, maritime security and climate change. Foreign Minister Marise Payne described it as a 'vital network' of democracies committed to a free Indo-Pacific region. 'We will continue to work to deepen this practical cooperation including to support our region's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,' she said. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra was opening for President Joe Biden at an event in Virginia on Thursday when early into his remarks, the country's top health official suddenly ditched his mask. Becerra and Biden were in Culpeper's Germanna Community College to discuss how to fight the rising cost of health care for American families. Germanna, part of Virginia's Community College System, has an indoor mask mandate in place that was recently renewed in November. Roughly a minute into his remarks, which began with his face covered, Becerra appeared to grow slightly uncomfortable addressing the room through a mask. 'I'm proud to tell you that just days ago we announced that a record-breaking 13.5 million Americans got themselves a health insurance plan that they can afford through the Affordable Care act,' he said before pausing slightly to adjust his mask. Becerra finished his sentence before adding: 'Now let me go ahead and take off this mask.' Biden made no attempts to cover his face when it was his turn to speak, though he was for some reason seen in mask when disembarking from Marine One this afternoon -- despite crossing the White House lawn, outdoors, with no one in his immediate vicinity. Their apparent flaunting of school rules comes as the White House faces mounting pressure to update its pandemic playbook. Roughly one minute into his remarks, Becerra appeared discomforted by his mask and decided to take it off Meanwhile Biden, who was not wearing a mask during his speech, was sporting one when he disembarked from Marine One on Thursday afternoon -- despite being outdoors and nobody standing within at least six feet COVID-19 cases have fallen an average 43 percent nationwide, and a growing number of polls show American voters want to move on to some semblance of normality after two years in a global pandemic. Biden bringing Becerra along with him on Thursday is a clear show of support after the Washington Post reported late last month that some in the White House were pushing to replace the embattled health official. Senior officials were reportedly unhappy with Becerra's leadership of the Health Department through the latest Omicron surge, when the administration grappled with criticism over confusing guidance and conflicting updates. It comes as Biden's fellow Democrat leaders are also starting to break off from the herd, with eight blue states announcing their intention to roll back mask mandates. The administration has repeatedly said it is following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whose director just said on Wednesday that it's too soon to budge on its recommendations. The CDC still recommends wearing masks indoors in areas of high transmission and when traveling, such as at airports, on flights and while riding the train. It also urges students of all ages to mask up in schools, despite school-age children ages 5 and up being vaccine-eligible. 'Our hospitalizations are still high, our death rates are still high. So, as we work toward that and as we are encouraged by the current trends, we are not there yet,' CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said at a White House Covid team press conference yesterday. 'We owe it to our children to make sure that they can safely stay in school. Right now, that includes masking. We've seen outbreaks that have occurred in communities where students were not masked in schools and had to close.' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said 'theres an active and ongoing work plan to develop a path forward' on the pandemic when she was pressed on Biden's delay at her Wednesday briefing. Calls for the White House to ease COVID-19 guidelines come as nationwide new infections fell by 43 percent The dramatic drop in COVID cases comes after the US hit a world record of more than 1.4 million new infections recorded in a single day just a month ago While deaths have increased, they still remain below record levels seen during the Delta variant-fueled summer surge The drop in cases combined with polling that shows Americans want to get back to normal is putting more pressure on the Biden administration to update its guidance 'We recognize people are tired of the pandemic. Theyre tired of wearing masks. I bet all of you are. I certainly know I am. We all understand that,' Psaki empathized. She added later that the White House is looking at 'what it looks like to be in the phase of the fight against the COVID pandemic where it is not disrupting everyones daily lives; where people are moving on and living, you know, lives free of, hopefully, masks at some point and many of the restrictions that weve all been living through over the past two years.' 'But as the federal government, we have the responsibility to rely on data, on science, on the medical experts. Thats something the President committed to during the campaign,' Psaki said. It was reported on Wednesday that the White House is meeting with a broad range of health experts both inside and outside the government to revamp the administration's virus playbook. Biden is hoping to transition to a 'new normal' in the next phase where Covid infections are dropping but the threat of a new variant still looms while the country is fresh off the chaos caused by the Omicron strain, the New York Times reported. Meanwhile Biden-friendly blue strongholds like Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, California, Oregon Massachusetts and even the president's home state of Delaware are forging ahead with rolling back restrictions. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul was even receiving blowback for not going far enough -- the new governor lifted indoor mask mandates at places such as bars and restaurants but kept them in place for public schools. On Thursday Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont revealed that his fellow left-wing Northeastern governors worked as a team to defy Biden's federal guidelines. 'We worked on this together as Governors throughout the region. We thought this is a good time,' he told CNBC's Squawk Box. In Virginia, where Becerra and Biden were speaking, masks have been at the center of new Governor Glenn Youngkin's first battles. On his first day in office, the Republican official signed an executive order banning mask mandates in public schools. However it's since been blocked by a judge who ruled it's not within Youngkin's authority to place a blanket ban on all Virginia school districts' health orders. Youngkin is still seemingly headed for a win, though, after Virginia Democrats in the state Senate signaled earlier this week that they would be open to legislation making masks optional. Virginia is now leading the US in COVID deaths, despite having a relatively high vaccination rate of 71 percent. The Commonwealth is recording 1.49 deaths per every 100,000 residents daily. There was good news on the whole, however -- al 50 states have now dropped below 200 daily new cases per every 100,000 residents. Alaska leads the country in infection rates with 177 of every 100,000 residents testing positive daily. Advertisement The infamous Love Ranch, a Nevada brothel where former NBA star and Khloe Kardashian's then-husband Lamar Odom overdosed in 2015, is up for sale for $1.2million. Located just 80 miles outside of Las Vegas, the single-story, 15-room property looks nothing like the scandalous stories that have spilled out of the front door - perhaps the only thing giving away the brothel's true secrets is the half-naked statue of a woman wearing red lingerie situated in front of the red building on the property. Before becoming a famed brothel known for its 'Viagra Parties,' the Love Ranch was known by a few different names - such as the Nevada Sun Rancho and the Las Vegas Sun Club - before becoming a nudist ranch for 18 years from 1989 to 2007. It's colorful owner, Dennis Hof, bought the brothel and 2010 and ran it until his death in 2018, where he was found by porn star Ron Jeremy in the same bed in which Odom nearly died. During Hof's reign, the licensed brothel offered a number of services 24 hours a day, including 4-Play for Two, Oil Wrestling, Viagra and Vibrators, and the Girlfriend Experience. The ranch, located in the desert town of Crystal, comes with pink rooms, sparsely decorated with posters, and little furniture, as well as the VIP room where Lamar Odom overdosed in 2015 and was found by two prostitutes. A wooden cutout of a woman wearing red lingerie greets visitors to notorious Love Ranch brothel, located 80 miles outside of Las Vegas The Love Ranch, located 80 miles outside of Las Vegas - and saw famous guest like Lamar Odom overdose there in 2015 - is up for sale for $1.2million The ranch is filled with pink rooms, sparsely decorated with posters and little furniture where prostitutes entertained their guests The scandalous business looked rather normal inside, with outdated furniture and flowers on the coffee table The ranch's infamous owner Dennis Hof died on the property in 2018 after celebrating his 72nd birthday. He was said to have sex with a prostitute the next night and was found with sex toy in his bed. He died in the same room as Odom overdosed in Love Ranch is located in Crystal, Nevada The ranch was also featured on the HBO series Cathouse. For a cool $1.2million, the new owner will get all 75 acres and 'the Ranch with 15 one-bedroom suites, two new kitchens, a new bar, a backhoe, track hoe, advertising truck and Limousine.' The sale includes another 'newly remodeled bar, two manufactured homes and another 21 developed lots ready to build on in Crystal & Pahrump.' During Odom's time at the brothel, he was reportedly drinking cognac and taking herbal Viagra, and possibly other drugs - although, the star denies it. Lamar was found unconscious with white foam dripping from his mouth by two prostitutes Ryder Cherry and Monica Monroe - who reportedly visited him as often as six times a day for 'private party sessions' - where they found him unconscious in the early afternoon. According to Love Ranch sources, the two sex workers told officers they saw Lamar go into the bathroom alone the night before then overheard a snorting sound. Don't worry about entertaining guests, the property comes with a full service bar, complete with a shiny counter top and wooden chairs The property also comes complete with a gym, so residents never have to leave to keep in shape The plain property also comes equipped with a bright blue swimming pool to entertain guests The star (pictured in 2015) denied doing drugs and later accused owner Dennis Hof of trying to kill him Lamar Odom overdosed at the ranch in 2015 and suffered from 12 strokes and six heart attacks. He was found with herbal Viagra and cocaine in his system They also claim the 6ft-10in former athlete was making a sniffing sound when he returned to the room - but denied seeing any drugs. It was later found that Odom wasn't in possession of any cocaine and the cocaine discovered in his system had already metabolized making it difficult to determine the time he had used it when he was hospitalized on October 13, 2015 in extremely critical condition in Las Vegas and suffered 12 strokes and six heart attacks. He was later transferred to a Los Angeles hospital. Odom, who was married to Kardashian from 2009 to 2016, reportedly spent $75,000 on two women who accompanied him in a VIP suite at Love Ranch. A few months later, Odom accused Hof of trying to kill him and denied any drug use. 'I think Dennis HofI don't know what he had against me, but I didn't do drugs that night, to be honest with you,' Odom said on The View in 2019. 'So I don't know if he tried to poison me, or...I don't know what he had against me. He tried to kill me.' Hof later said the athlete was just trying to 'get away from all the pressure and have some fun.' It also comes with an advertising truck, 15 one-bedroom suites, two new kitchens, a new bar, a backhoe, track hoe The lucky new owner will also get an elegant limousine outfitted with a garage big enough to fit Three years later, Hof died quietly in his sleep at the ranch at the age of 72. He reportedly went into one of the rooms in the brothel with one of the girls the night before his death. He was also found naked and with a Magic Wand sex toy on the sheets. His friend, the porn star Jeremy, found him lying in the same bed Odom overdosed in, just hours after his birthday celebrations. 'I'm looking at this guy that's been my friend for 25 years on the bed you know, stiff; you know cold, eyes at half mast. I was like what the heck?' Jeremy said in 2018. Victoria has passed legislation to become the third jurisdiction in the nation to decriminalise sex work, ending a decades-long wait for advocates. Following hours of debate on Thursday, the upper house voted 24 to 10 in favour of a bill to repeal offences and criminal penalties for consensual sex work between adults. There were cheers and applause in the chamber when the final vote was confirmed. The Sex Work Decriminalisation Act 2021 will partially abolish street-based sex work offences and associated public health offences, remove the licensing system and move to regulate the industry through existing agencies. It also strengthens anti-discrimination protections, making it unlawful to deny sex workers accommodation. New South Wales and the Northern Territory decriminalised sex work in 1995 and 2019 respectively, with Victoria drawing on their legislation. Reason Party leader Fiona Patten, a former sex worker who led Victoria's review into decriminalising the industry, said she had been fighting for reforms for 40 years and they were long overdue. 'This bill is for everyone who has been working under these draconian laws that have not protected us,' she said during the upper house debate. 'They haven't protected the people in the industry: the sex workers, the brothel owners, the managers, the receptionist.' Sex Work Law Reform Victoria spokesperson Matthew Roberts described Thursday's vote as 'a momentous day for sex workers'. 'The number one benefit for sex workers is we no longer will have to fear the police if something goes wrong at work,' he told reporters. Fellow advocate Dylan O'Hara, acting manager of Vixen Collective, had been pushing for the Victorian government to remove some criminalisation for street-based sex workers. But it voted down an amendment from Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick to stop the bill creating a new offence preventing sex work from being carried out in public areas such as schools, care services and places of worship between 6am and 7pm and on holidays. Mr Meddick said it went against the spirit of the bill but Government Services Minister Shaun Leane said it would act as a "comfort" to the community. Another amendment to destroy records of past sex work offences "as soon as practicable after repeal" was defeated. But in a win for those previously convicted of sex work, Mr Leane gave a government pledge that the records would be destroyed in line with existing legislation. Opposition Leader Matthew Guy suggested that if the bill passed it would "open up every suburban street, every suburban house to be ... a brothel", but Mr Meddick dismissed that as "typical conservative rubbish". Scarlet Alliance chief executive Jules Kim said the intent of decriminalisation was not to introduce specific laws for the industry. 'There are already these frameworks in place for other businesses, and it's about treating sex industry businesses as a business,' she said. The bill will now return to the lower house to be rubber-stamped before being sent to the Victorian Governor. Its first batch of reforms are scheduled to come into effect on May 10 and the rest in December 2023, including repealing the Sex Work Act 1994 in full. Full House star Bob Saget was Covid positive when he died from a freak head injury in his Florida hotel room. The diagnosis did not play any part in the actor's sudden death, however, according to an autopsy report released Thursday by Orange County medical examiner, Dr. Joshua Stephany. His findings reiterate a statement issued by Saget's family earlier this week stating that the 65-year-old died from accidental head trauma, most likely suffered in a freak fall. Saget was found dead in his hotel room at The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, on January 9, hours after coming off stage from a stand-up show. His death stunned his global community of fans and baffled family members who said he was the happiest he had ever been when he died and was in good health. Saget had, however, spoken about having Covid 19 several days before he died, telling a podcast: 'It is not good, it does not feel good.' Bob Saget died at 65 of a brain bleed after the comedian hit the back of his head last month on an object Saget was Covid positive at the time of his death last month. The diagnosis did not play any part in the actor's sudden death, however, according to medical examiner Dr. Joshua Stephany Saget went on to crack jokes about the different strains, telling A Corporate time with Tom and Dan: 'At one point Omicron was opening for Delta but Omicron got so big that Delta's opening now.' Dr. Stephany's report lists 'Covid 19' as a finding in relation to Saget's respiratory system but says there was 'no evidence of acute or chronic inflammation by microscopy'. He concludes that the star's death was an accident caused by 'blunt force injuries to the head', noting various abrasions to the scalp and fractures to the base of Saget's skull. 'In consideration of the circumstances surrounding the death, and after examination of the body, toxicology analysis, microscopic analysis, respiratory pathogen panel testing, bilateral lung cultures, and postmortem CT, it is my opinion that the death of Robert Saget, a 65-year-old white male found unresponsive in a hotel room, is the result of blunt head trauma,' the report says. 'It is most probable that the decedent suffered an unwitnessed fall backwards and struck the posterior of his head. The manner of death is an accident.' Saget's widow Kelly Rizzo appeared on Good Morning America last month to share her grief. She also referenced her late husband's bout of Covid, downplaying it as 'nothing serious'. Saget was found in his hotel room in The Ritz Carlton, Orlando, on January 9. The medical examiner has ruled his cause of death to be head trauma A private funeral was held for the entertainer in Los Angeles last month She broke down in tears as she said he had no health problems. 'All I'll point to is that last post of his where he said he felt 26,' she said, referring to his final Instagram post. She added that he had recently recovered from COVID but that it was 'nothing serious'. 'There's only so many tears your body will let you cry,' Rizzo said, speaking from the L.A. home she shared with the comedian. The interview, taped on January 18, was the first day she said she was able to speak about him without becoming overcome by emotion. Through tears, she said: 'He just wanted to spread love and laughter. I'm so proud of him. Saget was seen in a promotional pic for Full House in September of 1993 A private funeral was held for the late entertainer in Los Angeles January 14, which was attended by his Full House castmates John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweeten, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen; and friends and colleagues such as Jimmy Kimmel, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and John Mayer. Saget had suffered a number of family tragedies, including the death of his sister Andrea at 35 from a brain aneurysm in 1985, and the 1994 death of sister Gay from the autoimmune disease scleroderma. The comic had done extensive work with the Scleroderma Research Foundation. A Georgetown University law professor who remains suspended from the elite school for claiming the next Supreme Court nominee would be a 'lesser black woman' says political discourse in the nation is broken. Newly-hired Ilya Shapiro, who was placed on administrative leave ahead of his February 1 start date, drew outrage within the school community over his apparent suggestion that the best nominee to replace Justice Stephen Breyer could not be a black woman. 'Objectively best pick for Biden is Sri Srinivasan, who is solid prog & v smart [sic],' he tweeted. 'Even has identify politics benefit of being first Asian (Indian) American. But alas doesn't fit into the latest intersectionality hierarchy so we'll get lesser black woman. Thank heaven for small favors?' The embattled lawyer remained suspended this week, when he claimed it's become difficult to have meaningful political discussions. 'I just think that this is a moment where we can realize as a country - because I think this is bigger than me and Georgetown - that the way we go about discussing matters of great [importance] is broken,' he told Fox News. 'I'm hoping that my experience now can help in some way disrupt that and have people realize that there's a better way of discussing controversies.' Lawyer Ilya Shapiro was suspended from Georgetown University's law school for a tweet some in the school community found offensive. He said this week that he hopes the situation prompts more meaningful discourse in the future Shapiro had not yet begun working for George University's law school when was suspended pending the results of an internal investigation. He was planning to begin working at the elite Washington, DC institution on February 1 He told the outlet he was still 'going through this storm,' as students called for his firing over the tweet, and Law School Dean William Treanor placed him on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Though Shapiro wouldn't comment on the ongoing probe, he said he hopes the situation leads to systemic change in the way contentious dialogue is approached. 'All I'll say is that if this can be a moment to turn down the heat and detoxify our national discourse, I'd be happy to appear with, whether it's Whoopi Goldberg and Joe Rogan,' he said. 'Bill Maher has done a lot on cancel culture. Whatever the vehicles might be for changing the way that we address controversies, I'm all for that I'm happy to be a vehicle for improving the tenor of political discourse.' Shapiro shared his controversial Supreme Court commentary after President Joe Biden announced last week that he'd fulfill his campaign promise to nominate the first black female justice amid Justice Stephen Breyer's impending retirement. Shapiro opined on the next Supreme Court nominee on Twitter after President Joe Biden revealed his pick would be a black woman Shapiro apologized for last Friday for his tweet, which many at the school found offensive. Shapiro said Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan (pictured) would be Biden's best choice for a nominee 'I regret my poor choice of words, which undermined my message that nobody should be discriminated against for his or her skin color,' he said. 'While it's important that a wide variety of perspectives and backgrounds be represented in the judiciary, so blatantly using identity politics in choosing Supreme Court justices is discrediting to a vital institution. 'Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan is, in my mind, the most qualified nominee a Democratic president could choose. Reasonable people can disagree on that particular assessment, but it's a shame that he and other men and women of every race are excluded from the outset of the selection process. Shapiro also addressed the matter in a missive sent directly into the inboxes of the Georgetown community. 'In seeking to join the Georgetown community, I wanted to contribute to your worthy mission to educate students, inform the public, and engage in the battle of legal ideas that lead to justice and fairness,' he said. 'I still want to do that. Recklessly framed tweets like this week's obviously don't advance that mission, for which I am also truly sorry. 'Regardless of whether anyone agrees or disagrees with me on a host of legal and policy issues, I can and will do better with regard to how I communicate my positions.' It's not clear how long it will take to complete the investigation, which will determine whether he 'violated our policies and expectations on professional conduct, non-discrimination, and anti-harassment,' the law school's dean said in a public statement. 'Racial stereotypes about individual capabilities and qualifications remain a pernicious force in our society and our profession. I am keenly aware that our law school is not exempt,' Treanor said. 'We will continue our work with students, staff, alumni, and faculty to put in place strategies, policies, and practices to strengthen our community and our commitment to justice and equality for all. And I remain committed to working with each of you to create a community where we can all thrive.' Scott Morrison's wife Jenny has told of the lonely heartbreak of 'doing it alone' while her husband runs Australia in a personal pre-election interview. In a preview for a 60 Minutes segment that will air this Sunday, Mrs Morrison said her loneliness had made her feel resentful during her husband's time as prime minister. 'There was a time where I couldn't help feeling resentful that I was doing it alone. It was something we had both wanted - but then it was only me experiencing it,' she said. 'But time is a great leveler. As it went along, I learned to cope better and accepted it - that way the resentment could go because that wasn't good for our relationship.' Later in the preview, the prime minister showed off his musical skills to his family and host Karl Stefanovic while playing the ukulele at the dinner table. Jenny's confession: Jenny Morrison has told how her loneliness made her feel resentful at times during her husband's time as prime minister in a personal interview to air on Sunday Mr Morrison got a few lines into the 1977 song 'April Sun In Cuba' by New Zealand rock band Dragon before forgetting the words. 'Take me to the April sun in Cuba oh oh oh - take me to the April sun in Cuba - I cant remember the words - oh oh oh,' he joked. Stefanovic could be seen urging Mrs Morrison to 'join in' as the prime minister's daughters Lily and Abbey watched his efforts from the other side of the table. After giving viewers a preview of the interview, Today show host Allison Langdon said Mrs Morrison's words were a 'good reminder that politics is tough on families too'. The interview comes as Mr Morrison faces a growing backlash from right-wing commentators, with Sky News host Peta Credlin this week joining the pile on that already includes fellow commentators Andrew Bolt, Chris Kenny and Janet Albrechtsen. With pressure mounting on the prime minister due to poor polling numbers and an election due within months, Ms Credlin - who is Tony Abbott's former chief of staff - wrote that Mr Morrison needs to 'be better'. In a crushing blow, she said 'the government originally elected to be the antithesis of Rudd-Gillard-Rudd has become Labor-lite'. Later in the preview, the prime minister showed off his musical skills on the ukulele and sung the 1977 song 'April Sun In Cuba' by New Zealand rock band Dragon - before forgetting the words Prime Minister Scott Morrison with his wife Jenny Morrison and daughters Abbey (right) and Lily (left). His mother Marion Morrison is pictured far right Sky News host Peta Credlin (pictured) has turned up the heat of Prime Minister Scott Morrison She called on Mr Morrison to give voters 'a reason to vote for you', saying his leadership of the Liberal Party was leaving some people 'politically homeless'. Writing in The Australian, Ms Credlin said Mr Morrison's lack of ideas have led to a lot of 'disillusionment among many Liberal supporters', especially on policy related to lowered taxes and more support for big businesses. Ms Credlin also poured cold water on the government's ability to steer the economy - traditionally viewed as a strong point for the Liberals. She said the Coalition 'boasts about good economic statistics that don't wholly capture what's happening in the real world and owe much less to government than to the hard work of individuals making the most of a bad situation'. Scott Morrison (pictured) is under pressure from right wing commentators who have previously backed him Credlin's column comes just three days after fellow Sky News host and News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt said Mr Morrison is 'finished', with the last straw seeming to be a stunt where the prime minister washed a woman's hair in a salon in Victoria. Mr Bolt said it was a 'sad stunt' and urged Minister for Defence Peter Dutton, who is favoured by conservatives, to 'get ready to lead' because Mr Morrison looked like a 'man with the fight beaten out of him'. Writing in the Herald Sun, he said: 'Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks finished, and is now making a fool of himself to get some love. 'This bizarre (hair salon) photo-op showed not just that Morrison is desperate but out of ideas. It showed he has a dangerously thin skin, and is bleeding.' The salon visit came after a horror week which started with a Newspoll showing the government trailing Labor by 12 points, which if replicated on election day would mean the Coalition losing 25 seats. He was then roasted by journalists at the National Press Club where he admitted making several errors during the pandemic but refused to apologise and failed to name the price of bread, petrol and rapid antigen tests. Mr Morrison was later asked about texts from 2019 in which then NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian allegedly called him a 'horrible, horrible person' and a one of his own ministers branded him a 'complete psycho'. Janet Albrechtsen (pictured) used her column in The Australian to say Scott Morrison is 'just not up to the job' Sky News host and News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt (pictured) said Scott Morrison is 'finished' Then last Thursday the PM was slammed for backflipping to support Western Australia's hard border, with critics saying it proved he has no principles and can't be trusted. This drew anger from Sky News host and former Liberal adviser Chris Kenny. 'Mark McGowan's wrong and the Prime Minister didn't call him out on it,' Me Kenny said. '(The PM) needs to call out Mark McGowan on this. He's the Prime Minister of Australia! He should support no internal hard borders.' On Friday, texts were made public of National Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce calling Mr Morrison a 'hypocrite and a liar'. Prime Minister Scott Morrison's photo op (pictured) washing a young woman's hair in a salon has been called 'weird and creepy' Sky News host and former Liberal Party adviser Chris Kenny (pictured) has recently criticised Scott Morrison Mr Joyce apologised to the Prime Minister and offered to resign. The apology was accepted, but the resignation was not. On Tuesday, also writing in The Australian, columnist Janet Albrechtsen said Mr Morrison is 'just not up to the job', lacks 'conviction' and hasn't led with 'liberal principles'. 'Though his colleagues may describe him as "horrible" and a "psycho" and a "liar", my disappointment with him is less gaudy but no less real,' she wrote. 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame (left) refused to smile at Scott Morrison (right) during a morning tea for state and territory recipients in the 2022 Australian of the Year Awards 'I can't put my finger on a single important policy Morrison has made his own, where he has chanced his arm in the political marketplace of ideas because he believes it is important to carry people with him.' Ms Albrechtsen also said Mr Morrison is 'a mix of middle management and marketing man'. 'He never braves the harder stuff, the values a democracy depends on to function. Truth be told, I can't work out what values excite him politically. Except winning,' she wrote. The former star of popular Netflix docuseries Cheer pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal charges of soliciting sex from minors at cheerleading competitions at his child pornography trial. Jerry Harris, 22, who quickly rose to fame in season one of the cheerleading-related Netflix hit, entered guilty pleas to two charges - receiving child porn using interstate commerce, and traveling over state lines with intent to illicit sexual conduct with a minor. The Texas native was 19 years old at the time he was arrested in Illinois on child pornography charges in September 2020. The alleged victims in that case were boys aged 13 at the time, according to the criminal complaint. 'Harris' sexual assault of (one) boy in such a public place, in an unlocked public bathroom, during an event attended by dozens of responsible adults demonstrates that Harris either does not care about being caught committing his offenses, or simply cannot stop himself,' Assistant US Attorney Christopher Parente wrote of one of Harris' victims. Cheer star Jerry Harris, shown in 2020, pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal charges of soliciting sex from minors at cheerleading competitions Harris, pictured above on the 'Ellen' show, rose to fame in season one of the cheerleading-related Netflix hit Authorities said Harris coerced minor victims to send him graphic photos and videos of themselves while soliciting sex from boys as young as 13 at cheerleading competitions across the country, according to the Tribune. In December 2020, Harris was indicted on charges alleging misconduct at such competitions in Illinois, Florida and Texas, with federal prosecutors alleging that Harris had attempted to persuade a minor to engage in oral sex at one cheerleading event. Authorities also claim he solicited another minor for sex in a different state, and admitted to having five to 10 victims in all. Prosecutors had painted him as a major figure within the competitive cheerleading community due to his role on the popular Netflix docuseries, which follows a cheerleading squad from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. The popular Netflix docuseries follows a cheerleading squad, pictured above, from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas A still image taken from the Netflix docuseries 'Cheer,' with the Navarro College cheerleading squad pictured above Harris 'Cheer' co-stars address his child pornography charges against him during Season Two The Naperville native has been behind bars since October 2020, when US Magistrate Judge Heather McShain said he would be a danger to the community if released following an initial charge of one count of production of child porn. McShain added that Harris had used his position within the cheerleading community to both meet and proposition his young victims, while rejecting the 'blurred line' between Harris' age and that of his alleged victims. '(Harris) was not a child,' McShain said. 'He was an adult.' On Tuesday, federal prosecutors described Harris as a sexual predator who used his fame to victimize young boys at cheerleading events nationwide. Authorities said Harris continued to pursue minors in a sexual manner even after he learned he was under investigation, with prosecutors asking the court that Harris be denied bond. Meanwhile, Harris' attorneys had requested the courts to release him on house arrest, while adding that he suffers from asthma and is at risk for COVID-19 in jail. Harris is being held without bond in Chicago's downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center, records show. A version of this article first appeared on Common Sense For two weeks, the 18-wheelers, the semis, the tractors and the pick-up trucks streamed through the snow and ice into the center of Ottawa, the Canadian capital. They came from across the country. Vaxxed, unvaxxed, white, black, Chinese, Sikh, Indian, alone or with their wives and kids. They huddled around campfires. They set up pop-up kitchens and tents with block captains doling out coffee and blankets. They honked (and honked and honked). They blasted 'We Are the World.' And everywhere you looked, someone was waving the Maple Leaf. It dipped to 4 degrees. The mayor declared a state of emergency. And they didn't budge. The truckers were scared of running out of gasfreezing to death in their little truck beds in the middle of the night. The city threatened to arrest anyone who brought it to them. In response, hundreds of Ottawans did just that. The truckers stayed put. They are a city inside a city whose inhabitantsthere are an estimated 8,000 to 10,000were outraged with a country that seemed to have forgotten they existed. This past Sunday, as if to confirm that suspicion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has yet to meet with Freedom Convoy leaders, took a personal day. On Monday, during an emergency debate at the House of Commons, he called them 'a few people shouting and waving swastikas.' I live in downtown Ottawa, within view of Parliament Hill, and have spent the past 10 days or so bundled up and walking around the protests. I have spoken to close to 100 protesters, truckers and other folks, and not one of them sounded like an insurrectionist, white supremacist, racist or misogynist. They sound like Ivan, 46, who emigrated, with his wife, Tatiana, from Ukraine to build a new life in New Brunswick, in eastern Canada. 'We came to Canada to be freenot slaves,' he said. 'We lived under communism, and, in Canada, we're now fighting for our freedom.' (Like so many truckers, Ivan refused to share his last name.) I have spoken to close to 100 protesters, truckers and other folks, and not one of them sounded like an insurrectionist, white supremacist, racist or misogynist. (Above) Photo of January 29, 2022 protest in Ottawa, Canada B.J. Dichter, a spokesman for the Freedom Convoy, is vaccinated, and he estimates that manymaybe mostof the truckers at the protest are, too. 'I'm Jewish. I have family in mass graves in Europe. And apparently I'm a white supremacist,' he told me on Wednesday. Ostensibly, the truckers are against a new rule mandating that, when they re-enter Canada from the United States, they have to be vaccinated. But that's not really it. The mandate is a moot point: The Americans have a similar requirement, and, anyway, 'the vast majority' of Canadian truckers, according to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, are vaccinated. (The CTA represents about 4,500 truckers nationwide.) So it's about something else. Or many things: a sense that things will never go back to normal, a sense that they are being ganged up on by the government, the media, Big Tech, Big Pharma. One thing was indisputable: There was this electricity coursing through the streets, and it felt like it could get out of control. It didn't help when a handful of protesters sported swastikas and Confederate flags. Or when GoFundMe shut down the convoy's fundraiser, announcing that donors had two weeks to reclaim their money before it was sent to 'established charities' chosen by Freedom Convoy organizers. Or when the cops started arresting locals, including the elderly. It is hard to capture how thoroughly Trudeau has misjudged the moment. 'This pandemic has sucked for all Canadians,' he said Monday. As for the protest? 'It has to stop,' declared the prime minister. If he sauntered down to the mess of rigs on Wellington Street, across from the Parliament building, opposite the mall and the war memorial, if he talked to these people for a few minutes, he would understand: It will not stop. What's happening in Canada right now is bigger than the mandates. They came from across the country. Vaxxed, unvaxxed, white, black, Chinese, Sikh, Indian, alone or with their wives and kids. (Above) Protester Nabil Yaghi from Ontario The convoy is spearheaded by truckers, but its message of opposition to life under government control has brought onto the icy streets countless, once-voiceless people declaring that they are done being ignored. That the elitesthe people who have Zoomed their way through the pandemichad better start paying attention to the fentanyl overdoses, the suicides, the crime, the despair. Or else. Kamal Pannu, 33, is a Sikh immigrant and trucker from Montreal. He doesn't believe in vaccinations; he believes in natural immunity. He had joined the convoy because the Covid restrictions in the surrounding province of Quebec had become too much to bear. He said that he and his wife used to do their grocery shopping at Costco, until the government decreed that the unvaxxed would be barred from big-box stores. Since then, their monthly grocery bill had jumped by $200. 'Before,' he said, 'we didn't look at the price of what we were buying. Now, we sometimes put items back because we don't have that much money.' Peter, 28, a long-haul trucker from Ontario, told me that a divide had opened up all across the country. Pointing to the gleaming, ritzy condominiums near Parliament, he said he used to deliver the concrete stairs in those buildings. Since the cross-border vaccine mandate kicked in in mid-January, he's been out of work. He refused to get vaccinated, he said, because the whole thing had been so politicized, and you couldn't be sure who to trust. He refused to give his last name, he said, because he didn't want the government coming after him, and he wanted to work again. I heard this over and over from the truckers. And it was not entirely crazy. The CTA, which has publicly criticized the Freedom Convoy, said in a January 29 statement addressed to the truckers in Ottawa: 'Your behavior today will not only reflect upon you and your family but the 300,000 plus fellow Canadians that, like you, take great pride in our industry.' They huddled around campfires. They set up pop-up kitchens and tents with block captains doling out coffee and blankets. (Above) Sikh family joins Ottawa truckers' protest If you pointed out to people like Peterand I didthat almost every doctor in the country had been vaccinated, it didn't matter. There was bodily autonomy. And privacy. And religious exemptions. And anyway, how could you know what the doctors were thinking? You couldn't trust the press or politicians, he said, recalling that in the fall of 2020, then vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris expressed skepticism of any vaccine approved under President Donald Trump. Now, they were being ordered to get this vaccine developed . . . under President Donald Trump. 'If you're not vaccinated,' Peter said, 'they treat you like garbage lying on the streets.' Theo, 24, felt the same way. He wasn't a truckerhe used to work at a major accounting firm and now works another big companybut he was angry, like the truckers were. 'They treated me like a second-class citizen,' he said, referring to his old firm. He explained that he'd refused to get vaccinated. He'd been vaccinated for other things. But he had a hereditary heart condition that, he said, made the Covid vaccine inadvisablebut he couldn't get a medical exemption. At work, they made him mask up constantly. He felt like he was being publicly shamed. So, he quit. Theo's brother, Lucas, who's 21, is also unvaccinated for similar reasons. He'd planned to go to law school, but, being unvaccinated, he had to take only online courses, but some of the courses he'd need to graduate were only available in person. Now, his future was uncertain. A lot of the truckers who had driven in from Vancouver and Winnipeg and Quebec City expressed this same uncertainty. It was getting really expensive to get by: rent, utilities, groceries, everything. Almost everyone who was poor or even middle-class was mired in debt. They told me that they expected this sort of wealth gap in America, but not in Canada. The divide that already existed between the haves and have-nots largely mapped onto the new chasm between those who supported the mandates and those who did not. And that was creating this huge, weird fracturing everywhere. What's happening in Canada right now is bigger than the mandates. (Above) Odia Jean-Pierre from St. Jerome, Quebec Mackenzie, 24, from Ottawa, works as a bartender at a popular downtown restaurant near Parliament. She had Covid, got better, and believes it's her choice not to get the vaccine. She isn't an anti-vaxxer. She's been vaccinated for other things. But Covid wasn't the same as malaria or the flu. And there were European countries, like Germany and Switzerland, that recognized recovery from infection as an alternative to vaccination. Canada, like the United States, does not. It was ironic, she said that she could serve but couldn't dine at the restaurant where she worked. She'd lost a close friend over her vaccination status. When I asked her why she wouldn't tell me her last name, she said she didn't want to upset her parents. 'Not many people know this side of me,' she said. Chris, a 40-year-old trucker from Toronto, said that he'd gotten vaccinated so he could keep his job, but that his participation in the protest had torn his family apart. 'My father has spat in my face and disowned me as his son. Told me I'm not worth the family name because I will not vaccinate my children,' he said. 'My mom and I have battled back and forth.' Matt Sim, 43, who immigrated to Canada from South Korea, is director of operations of an IT start-up in Toronto and came to Ottawa with his wife to join the protests. He'd had Covid, and then he'd recovered, and he was skeptical of all the hysteria surrounding the vaccines. His family, back home in Korea, had lived through the Asian financial crisis of 1997, and that had made him skeptical of the media, the government, and powerful people in general. 'There's a group in power that always manages to create panic among the masses and siphon off public funds,' Sim said. The convoy is spearheaded by truckers, but its message of opposition to life under government control has brought onto the icy streets countless, once-voiceless people declaring that they are done being ignored. (Above) Photo of January 29, 2022 protest in Ottawa, Canada The Freedom Convoy came as a surprise. Unlike the United States, Canada had never seen mass protests and civil disobedience on this scale. And it is not dying down. Since Monday, truckers have blocked the main route linking Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigana route that some 8,000 trucks use each day and accounts for 25 percent of trade between the two countries. The protesters feel the mood shifting. On Tuesday, the premier of Saskatchewan, Scott Moe, announced the end of his province's proof-of-vaccination policy. 'It is time for us also to heal the divisions in our communities over vaccination,' he said. Joel Lightbound, a leading member of Parliament from Quebec and a member of the Liberal Party, Trudeau's party, slammed the federal government. The government, Lightbound said, had gone 'from a more positive approach to one that stigmatizes and divides people.' The truckers say they won't leave Ottawa until the mandates, the lockdownseverythingare dropped. There was a new consciousness, too, a feeling among the truckers that they weren't as alone as they'd thought. Blake, a contractor who had driven in his pickup to Ottawa from his home in Toronto, called the protest a 'diesel-fueled hippie commune.' We met one night, very late, in the freezing cold, while Blake, in beige overalls, danced with 50 other protesters on a makeshift dance floor. There was a D.J. playing Gloria Estefan's 'Conga.' The truckers say they won't leave Ottawa until the mandates, the lockdownseverythingare dropped. (Above) Sebastien Fortin of Coaticook, Quebec The solidarity was infectious. There were copycat protests popping up in Helsinki, Finland, and Wellington, New Zealand and Nice, France (they planned to hit Paris and Brussels). There were truckers organizing in the Netherlands, Australia and the United States. Among the Americans who had driven up to Ottawa there was talk that soon the big rigs would descend on Washington, D.C. 'Seeing the country fall apart like this is heartbreaking,' Sim said. 'For me, this is the line in the sand. If we lose this battle, I'd like to move out of Canada.' He said that he was thinking of maybe heading to Florida. A lot of the truckers were thinking about the States. But not yet. 'I feel that I owe it to me and others that share my values to, at least, fight for this.' You can follow Rupa Subramanya's ongoing coverage of the truckers here. If you were as struck by the portraits and pictures that accompanied her story as we were, check out Dan Aponte's photography. Labor leader Anthony Albanese has weighed in to a bread controversy after Scott Morrison was criticised for eating white toast. Daily Mail Australia first unearthed footage of Nareen Young, a Professor for Indigenous Policy at the University of Technology, blasting the Prime Minister for describing himself as a 'normal white bread, toast man'. Professor Young is close friends with Mr Albanese who was the best man at her wedding. When asked what he makes of the academic's comments, Mr Albanese - who does not eat carbs due to his diet - did not directly criticise her but said it was not fair to judge people for their bread choice. 'I think people should eat whatever bread they like,' he said. But one Liberal source said Mr Albanese was taking an each way bet with the 'lame' response, saying: 'There's no issue too big, or small, for each way Albo to avoid taking a position on. 'You can't trust him on national security, you can't trust him on the economy and you can't even trust him when he's talking about bread.' Professor Young was discussing the Prime Minister's bread choice on ABC show The Drum last week after he had earlier told the Seven Network's Sunrise: 'I'm just normal white bread, white toast man. That's me.' Host Ellen Fanning suggested that Morrison was trying to buy in to a traditional working class stereotype, asking Professor Young why politicians often think of tradies and miners as 'battlers', rather than aged care workers or casual hospitality workers. Professor Young said 'I don't know that all politicians have that lack of understanding of what workers look like in this country. 'I think the comment about bread, white bread this week was really interesting. Who eats white bread in this country? Anglo men. Anthony Albanese eats a white bread sausage sandwich on election day in 2019 'I come from a working class background. We had brown bread - because we were healthy. 'I think it shows a deep lack of understanding as to who works in this country. I think that there's a deep intersection of race and class.' The comments drew ire from social media and radio host Ben Fordham who blasted her and criticised the ABC even having the discussion. 'If that isn't the worst political take ever, it's on the podium,' he said. 'Professor Nareen Young decided this was an issue, not that the PM didn't know the price of bread but the type of bread he eats,' he said. 'You may want to keep her logic in mind when you head to the supermarket this afternoon if you're a white anglo man, don't go buying Tip Top or Wonder White. 'Are we allowed to eat Turkish bread?' ABC panellist and university professor Nareen Young (pictured left) recently declared white bread is typically only eaten by Anglo men in Australia Professor Young has been dubbed 'one of the most respected and leading Australian workplace diversity practitioners and thinkers' and has also worked as a Director of Indigenous Consulting with finance firm Price Waterhouse Coopers. Additionally, she was the chief executive of the Diversity Council of Australia. Daily Mail Australia approached Prof. Young for comment. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned on Wednesday that the hyper-partisan state of politics has taken the country to the brink of crisis when it comes to nominating justices to the Supreme Court. She laid out her fears during a virtual event with New York University, amid calls to reform the nation's highest court and as the confirmation battle to fill Justice Stephen Breyer's seat looms. 'I have concerns that we might be in crisis as norms in the nomination process are broken,' she said, according to CNN. 'As norms of the nomination process are broken, as more senators, congressional representatives, governors, mayors, local politicians and the media question the legitimacy of the court, many of them heap scorn on the court. 'The threat is greater - and unprecedented - than any time in our history.' She delivered her comments as President Joe Biden has begun picking a successor to Breyer, who announced his retirement last month. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned on Wednesday that the partisan state of politics has taken the country to the brink of crisis when it comes to nominating justices to the Supreme Court Polls suggest the public increasingly believes the Supreme Court makes its decisions based on politics - rather than the law - and its approval rating has hit historic lows Sotomayor (front row, far right) will become the most senior liberal on the court when Justice Stephen Breyer (front row, second from right) retires The president has promised to nominate the first black woman to the Supreme Court, and in an interview with NBC News on Thursday he said he was not 'looking to make an ideological choice.' But with America divided along political lines, Sotomayor - the most senior liberal justice when Breyer retires - laid out her concerns that partisanship 'has an effect on the appearance of the impartiality of the court.' 'We are far from the times when Supreme Court nominees would receive nearly unanimous approval even in divided congresses and, the more partisan the voting becomes, the less belief that the public is likely to have that Congress is making a merits based or qualifications based assessment of judicial nominees,' she added. 'Is it going to affect directly the court's functioning? It could.' An ABC News/Ipsos poll last month adds weight to her fears. It found that 43 percent of Americans believed the court decided cases on the basis of their political views rather than 38 percent who say decisions were based on the law. Public approval of the Supreme Court has also hit historic lows at the end of last year, when its rating hit 40 percent Sottomayor said it was up to the justices to monitor impressions of 'undue influence.' 'Judges also must always be sensitive to the public's perception of their interactions with public officials and their representatives,' she said. Biden has said he will announce his selection by the end of February. 'What I've done is I've taken about four people and done the deep dive on them, meaning ... thorough background checks,' Biden told NBC News. DC Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger and South Carolina US District Judge J. Michelle Childs are believed to be on his list. The boss stumbles into the room looking somewhat dishevelled. He gawps at the camera like a rabbit in the headlights as he adjusts his clothing. At the computer sits a tieless minion, mid-Zoom meeting, with a string of tinsel draped around his neck. In the background, a woman fiddles with a mobile phone. On the desk is an open bottle of prosecco or cheap champagne, gold foil torn carelessly at the neck, and a packet of crisps. It could be a scene from the brilliant Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant mockumentary The Office, with David Brent peering over Tim's shoulder while Dawn from reception looks on. Elsewhere, Gareth is still trying to get off with Rachel, from Swindon, and Big Keith is cueing up Slade on the twin turntables. Soon, sales rep Finchy will arrive with his fierce thirst and repertoire of lewd comments. But this isn't Wernham Hogg paper merchants, it's 10 Downing Street in the run-up to Christmas 2020. The boss in this case is a bleary-eyed Boris Johnson, who looks as if he has just been enjoying a little afternoon delight on the Lulu Lytle chaise longue in the flat upstairs. We're told the Prime Minister was about to host a quiz over Zoom to thank staff for their efforts during the pandemic. News of this event was first revealed a couple of months ago as part of a desperate attempt to keep the Downing Street parties scandal going. When the picture was taken the country was in Covid lockdown and social mixing was banned. Boris Johnson with an open bottle of bubbly in Downing Street, flanked by three members of staff Prime Minister Boris Johnson alongside Dame Cressida Dick in 2019. The Met is investigating 12 Downing Street gatherings At the time we were told the quiz was 'alcohol-free'. The emergence of a photograph of an open bottle of pop in close proximity to the PM is now being treated as a hanging offence. In the Commons during Prime Minister's Questions, an obscure Labour MP worked himself up into a ridiculous lather of righteous indignation over this apparent breach of lockdown regulations and demanded the PM's immediate resignation. The MP effectively accused Johnson of taking part in an illegal bacchanalian orgy when people were dying alone in hospital because their relatives were banned from visiting them. Scotland Yard announced it would be reopening its investigation into this particular incident. The Prosecco Squad is already planning to send questionnaires to 50 Downing Street staff and is sifting through 300 other photos taken at a number of suspect 'gatherings', including the now notorious Bring Your Own Booze bash and Boris's 56th birthday celebration. The Old Bill also say they now intend to mount a corruption inquiry into who paid for Carrie Antoinette's fancy wallpaper. It's not as if the Yard has much else on at the moment, like a knife crime epidemic, or an abject failure to solve more than three per cent of domestic burglaries or the small matter of the Commissioner being forced to resign last night. The so-called 'Partygate' probe is beginning to make the Operation Midland 'Paedos In High Places' witch-hunt look proportionate. Even that pales into insignificance alongside the frankly deranged reaction of the political class over the past few weeks. The Bubble has gone stark, staring bonkers, to the exclusion of virtually all else. We should expect little better from Labour, which has nothing to offer other than confected outrage. But the behaviour of a large section of the Conservative Party is not only self-destructive, it borders on clinical insanity. This column doesn't generally go in for conspiracy theories, although it has always subscribed to the view that just because you're paranoid it doesn't mean they're not out to get you. The feeding frenzy over the No 10 parties has all the hallmarks of a Remainer plot, the revenge of the pro-EU establishment. They couldn't overturn the referendum result, so they have decided to dethrone the leader of the Brexit campaign instead. Dame Cressida Dick, who today said she will be stepping down, has said the Met is probing 12 gatherings at Downing Street Their useful idiots among the Red Wall Tory MPs who owe their seats to Boris should be careful what they wish for. Even Johnny Major was disinterred yesterday to slag off Boris, joining that other equally useless, pro-EU, ex-PM Mother Theresa in the sour grapes stakes. Look, for the record yet again, I'm not defending what went on at No 10 during lockdown. Those who make the rules have a duty to live by them. But in mitigation, at least they turned up for work unlike most other civil servants. And if they had a few sherberts at the end of a gruelling day, who cares ultimately? The proper way to get rid of a Prime Minister elected with an 80-seat majority just over two years ago is at the ballot box. He shouldn't be toppled by a palace coup, cooked up in the bars and tea rooms of Westminster. Voters will make their own minds up come the next General Election. Most have already. Whether they are in forgiving mood once the dust settles remains to be seen. The early optimism which followed the 2019 landslide was detonated by Covid. Brexit has been blown seriously off course, which is why the appointment of Jacob Rees-Mogg to make sure we exploit the opportunities created by our leaving the EU should be a cause for encouragement, not derision. Boris should also appoint a high-level Cabinet enforcer to get Britain back to work, starting with bone-idle civil servants. This column has long advocated doing what President Reagan did to striking U.S. air traffic controllers. Any public servant refusing to report back to work, without a legitimate doctor's note, by March 1 must be summarily dismissed, without compensation. The Hobnob-munching, Netflix-watching, Peloton-pedalling, WFH brigade have had it far too easy for far too long. This week we should be celebrating the Prime Minister's announcement that all Covid restrictions are being lifted from February 24. It should be all systems go. We should be dancing the Conga in the streets, partying like VE Day, with Boris giving a Churchillian wave to the delirious crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Instead, the 'science', the intransigent unions and entrenched 'human resources' departments are squealing that it's still not safe for staff to go back to their desks. If HR had been around on VE Day, they'd have been warning everyone to stay in their Anderson Shelters, still wearing their gas masks, and steer clear of the masses in The Mall, just in case there was an unexploded doodlebug in St James's Park. The other great excitement in the Bubble this week revolved around a few headbangers shouting at Keir Starmer in the street. Ludicrously, this was all blamed on Boris because of his Jimmy Savile jibe against the Labour leader. Even Speaker Hoyle, usually a level-headed chap and certainly a welcome improvement on that gurning gargoyle Bercow, had to get in on the act. Boris was accused of inciting these maniacs, indulging in Trumpian-style politics. Ever since Trump supporters invaded the Capitol Building in Washington, Boris's detractors have been itching to pin something similar on him. OK, so most of his travails are self-inflicted. But this was the week when the Boris haters over-reached. Dragging up a two-year-old photo of the PM in the same room as a bottle of fizz and pretending this constituted grounds not just for resignation but for prosecution was a bridge too far. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pictured leaving his home ahead of the weekly PMQ session on Wednesday As for Plod, well, as I asked recently: Could Dick of Dock Green guarantee that no senior copper at the Yard opened a bottle of Glenhoddle and shared a slug or two with the troops during lockdown? And if Boris is to be held responsible for everything which goes on in No 10, then Dick had to carry the can for the actions of her own 'bad apples' and Starmer must own the failure of the CPS to nail Jimmy Savile, who remains dead. We knew what we were getting when we elected Boris, warts'n'all. And so did Tory MPs when they made him leader. If they're now suffering buyer's remorse, that's their own fault. No one seriously expected him to be a hands-on, details man who adheres strictly to all the rules. He's a chancer, often economical with the actualite. His current shortcomings have now also been priced in and the voters should be allowed to pass their verdict at the next election, whenever that comes. When push comes to shove, none of the alternatives is all that appetising, whether it's the over-praised Dishi Rishi within or cardboard cut-out Starmer without. Let's not forget that Boris achieved Brexit against the odds, delivered a successful vaccination programme, and has led Britain out of Covid restrictions ahead of the rest of the world. Now that the pandemic is in the rear-view mirror, he deserves to be given the chance to see what he can achieve as a 'peacetime' PM. Coincidentally, I've just been rewatching The Office on iPlayer. I was struck by a couple of David Brent's famous quotes, which could also apply to Boris. Not just: Some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue. But also: 'When people say to me: 'Would you rather be thought of as funny man or a great boss?' my answer's always the same. To me, they're not mutually exclusive.' Fact! Senior Conservatives rounded furiously on Sir John Major yesterday after he gave an extraordinary speech accusing the Prime Minister of breaking lockdown laws. Critics said Sir John whose seven years in No 10 saw his government mired in sleaze allegations was guilty of double standards after he described Boris Johnson's government as 'distinctly shifty'. Leading Tories accused Sir John of sulking over Brexit which he opposed and 'of talking the same old rubbish'. In a speech, the Tory former PM lamented the 'foolish behaviour' during Partygate, and said the ongoing controversy was having a 'corrosive' effect on the UK's democracy. Sir John prime minister from 1990 until 1997 said Mr Johnson would have to go if he is found to have lied, adding: 'Deliberate lies to Parliament have been fatal to political careers, and must always be so.' But questioned about how his own time as prime minister ended in allegations of sleaze and the cash for questions affair, he argued that the two situations were 'distinct'. Senior Conservatives rounded furiously on Sir John Major yesterday after he gave an extraordinary speech accusing the Prime Minister of breaking lockdown laws After his turbulent premiership, Sir John was in the spotlight again in 2002 when Edwina Currie, a former health minister, revealed in her diaries that she had an affair with him between 1984 and 1988. Tory peer and environment minister Zac Goldsmith led the Conservative onslaught on the party leader who ushered in 13 years of Labour rule when he was routed at the 1997 election by Tony Blair. Lord Goldsmith dismissed Sir John as 'a stale old corporatist who delivered seven years of autopilot government and a thumping defeat at the polls... and is still struggling to come to terms with the country's decision to leave the EU. John Major's intervention has zero to do with Covid rules (or democracy!)'. A corporatist advocates for the control of the state by large interest groups. Former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said 'John who?', adding: 'It's just the same old rubbish, isn't it? His speech was a litany of all the anti-Boris criticism rehashed into a speech. 'His poll ratings are still the lowest ever so it's a bit rich, really, but he's got to have something to do. It's good to get out.' Sir Bernard Ingham, press secretary to Margaret Thatcher, deposed in a leadership election in 1990, said: 'My short advice to John Major is to shut up. Critics said Sir John whose seven years in No 10 saw his government mired in sleaze allegations was guilty of double standards after he described Boris Johnson's government as 'distinctly shifty. Pictured: Sir John (centre) had an affair with Edwina Currie (right) 'He has had his day and he should avoid like the plague the risk of being lumped with Ted Heath in his longest sulk in history.' Tory MP Michael Fabricant said: 'John Major is suffering like so many others of his ilk, not from Long Covid, but from Long Brexit. He just can't shake it. One of the unfortunate symptoms is bitterness.' In a wide-ranging attack on Mr Johnson's government yesterday, Sir John condemned lockdown party claims, Brexit and the treatment of migrants crossing the English Channel. Giving a speech at the Institute for Government in London, he said: 'At No 10, the Prime Minister and officials broke lockdown laws. Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day the public was asked to believe the unbelievable. Ministers were sent out to defend the indefensible making themselves look gullible or foolish. 'Collectively, this has made the Government look distinctly shifty, which has consequences that go far beyond political unpopularity. 'No Government can function properly if its every word is treated with suspicion.' Sir John, a longstanding critic of Mr Johnson, said such conduct reflects a wider decline in standards in recent years. He said: 'Trust in politics is at a low ebb, eroded by foolish behaviour, leaving a sense of unease about how our politics is being conducted.' Sir John added that, while most politicians do not knowingly mislead, the behaviour of those who do is tarnishing the reputation of politics and of Parliament. Sir John prime minister from 1990 until 1997 said Mr Johnson would have to go if he is found to have lied, adding: 'Deliberate lies to Parliament have been fatal to political careers, and must always be so' 'If lies become commonplace, truth ceases to exist,' he said. 'What and who, then, can we believe? The risk is nothing and no one.' During his premiership, Sir John faced the cash for questions affair, which led to the end of the political careers of Tim Smith and Neil Hamilton after they were accused of taking money from the then Harrods boss Mohamed Fayed to ask questions in the Commons. His government was also caught in a series of sex scandals leading to the resignation of senior figures, including David Mellor, the heritage secretary, and Tim Yeo, an environment minister. Mr Johnson yesterday dismissed as 'demonstrably untrue' Sir John's claim that Britain's reputation abroad was suffering as a result of party allegations. Ministers are pushing for a big bang lifting of Covid restrictions across the UK this month amid fears different rules in Scotland and Wales will fuel confusion and division. Whitehall sources said talks had been opened with the devolved administrations in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast about co-ordinating the lifting of coronavirus rules. Boris Johnson announced this week the Government is on course to lift all remaining Covid restrictions a month early, with February 24 pencilled in as Covid Freedom Day. Ministers are pushing for a big bang lifting of Covid restrictions across the UK this month amid fears different rules in Scotland and Wales will fuel confusion and division. Pictured: Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives to attend First Minister's Questions (FMQs) at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on February 10, 2022 The Scottish government gave a hostile reaction to the Prime Ministers decision yesterday, with health minister Humza Yousaf describing it as an attempt to distract and deflect scrutiny over the Prime Ministers behaviour. The SNP extended Covid powers in Scotland this month for a further six months, with deputy first minister John Swinney saying it was necessary to retain the availability of these baseline measures while we review our ongoing response to Covid. A Whitehall source said the Prime Minister was keen to see measures lifted in a co-ordinated way but acknowledged Scotland and Wales may decide to drag their feet. There are discussions with the devolved administrations and ideally we would align things as much as possible, the source said. It would be frustrating if we had parts of the country continuing with restrictions for an extended period it would be confusing and divisive for people. But we have to accept that they have always been overly cautious. They are behind us and it may take them some time to catch up. David Jones, a former Welsh secretary, also urged Cardiff to follow Londons lead. Mr Jones said: It is very positive news that the Prime Minister is ending the restrictions and moving to a long term strategy for living with Covid. Boris Johnson announced this week the Government is on course to lift all remaining Covid restrictions a month early, with February 24 pencilled in as Covid Freedom Day But it is important that we have a UK-wide approach on this I would not want to see Wales left behind, with all the inconvenience and damage that would bring. Craig Hoy, a Tory member of the Scottish Parliament, urged Nicola Sturgeon to follow suit. Miss Sturgeon yesterday said regulations requiring children to wear masks in the classroom will finally be lifted after half term. But a document on the future of other restrictions due later this month is expected to be much less ambitious than the one planned in London, in which even the requirement to self-isolate after testing positive will be scrapped. Mr Hoy said: We have to learn to live with Covid too. We ought to start to see the system as it is in England and rely on the good sense of the population. Covid figures continued to fall yesterday, with new cases down by 25 per cent in the last week. But some scientists questioned the decision to lift all restrictions at this point. Professor Tim Spector, who runs the Zoe Covid Study at Kings College London, described the move as an act of irresponsibility. He told Times Radio: This is more a political type of statement rather than a scientific one. Its clearly a race for the Government to say Britain is the first to come out of this, Britain has conquered Omicron, our booster programme is world-beating. He added despite hospital admissions and death figures being down, data from the Office for National Statistics and the Zoe app show the country is still at more than 200,000 cases a day. He added: Its definitely not over and to suddenly give the wrong message is totally wrong. President Joe Biden said he has done a deep dive on 'four people' he is considering as his first Supreme Court nominee and said he wants someone in the mode of retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. 'I've taken about four people and done the deep dive on them - meaning this thorough background checks, and see if there's anything in the background that would make them not qualify,' he told NBC's Lester Holt. Holt interviewed Biden in Culpepper, Va., on Thursday afternoon when the president was there to talk about prescription drug prices. The interview is set to air on Super Bowl Sunday but NBC released some early excerpts. Biden told NBC he thinks whomever he chooses can get the support of some Republican senators. 'I think we'll whomever I think we'll get a vote from the Republican side for the following reason - I'm not looking to make an ideological choice,' Biden said. 'I'm looking for someone that plays Judge Breyer with the same kind of capacity Judge Breyer had with an open mind, who understands it constitution interprets it in a way that is consistent with the mainstream interpretation of the Constitution.' He didn't offer any hints of whome he may consider but has pledged to name the first black woman to the high court. Biden is meeting with Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee at the White House on Thursday evening as he prepares to name his pick. He has vowed to do so by the end of the month. The president has reached out to some Republicans, including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Mitt Romney. President Joe Biden said he has done a deep dive on 'four people' he is considering as his first Supreme Court nominee Biden has given no indication of who he will name but Federal Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson (left), Leondra Kruger, a justice on Californias Supreme Court (center), and Federal Judge J. Michelle Childs (right) are all said to be possiblities Breyer announced at the end of January he will retire at the end of the court's term, which is usually around late June. His decision to retire after more than 27 years on the court allows Biden to appoint a successor who could serve for several decades. Biden's appointee should keep the court's current 6-3 split between conservative and liberal justices. Senate Democrats are promising a swift vote in order to get the nominee confirmed. Biden only needs 51 votes to get his nominee confirmed. If all Democrats vote with him in the 50-50 Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris could be the tie breaker. Complicating matters slightly is the fact that Democratic Senator Ben Ray Lujan is out after suffering from a stroke. He's at home recovering in New Mexico and his office said he's expected back to Washington in about six weeks. Biden is considering a 'wealth of accomplished and inspiring Black women' for his Supreme Court nominee, White House officials have reassured members of Congress. 'It's long overdue that a Black woman serve on the Supreme Court, and there is bipartisan tradition for ensuring that the richness of our country is represented in its leadership and on the highest Court,' the administration said. Biden vowed during the presidential campaign to name a black woman to the high court and senators - who must confirm the president's nominee - said they want him to make a qualified pick. In an update sent to Capitol Hill, and obtained by Axios, Biden said his nominee will have 'the strongest record, credentials, and abilities anyone could have for the highest court in our nation.' Biden has said he will keep his campaign pledge to name the first black woman to the Supreme Court and said he will name his nominee by the end of the month The White House has given no time table on when the president will begin to meet with possible picks. 'We havent set a deadline for when a vote should be. We have said we want it to happen as expeditiously as possible,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at her briefing on Monday. She declined to give any details on when the president may start meeting with black women and where he would be meeting with them. Biden is scheduled to go to Camp David this weekend and was at his home in Wilmington, Del., last weekend - two places that don't keep visitor logs and where there is no media presence, which would allow him to meet in private. The White House has been careful not to name any names Biden is considering. Justice Stephen Breyer, above with President Biden at the White House, said at the end of January he will step down from the Supreme Court at the end of the current term Some senators are encouraging him to name someone who could get bipartisan support. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has urged Biden to do just that - saying it would help unify the country. 'How are we going to unify? What is it that we need to do? Well, one of the signals that he can send is putting forth a nominee for the Supreme Court that will -- will gain a level of bipartisan support," Murkowski said on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday. Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, whose support in that state's primary in the 2020 presidential election saved Biden's struggling campaign, has pushed Biden to choose Michelle Childs, a U.S district court judge in that state. Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina has said Childs has his support. 'I think shes qualified by every measure,' he said of her. Covid cases have dropped in two of Australia's biggest states with NSW seeing another 8,950 infections while Victoria recorded 8,521. Nineteen NSW residents with the virus lost their lives while Victoria had 13 deaths as announced on Friday. The cases are a significant drop from the 10,130 infections recorded in NSW on Thursday and 9,391 south of the border. Hospitalisations in NSW have also slightly dipped from 1,795 to 1,716 with 108 patients in intensive care, a drop of 13. There are 553 Victorians receiving care in hospital around the state which is an increase of ten. ICU rates are at 82, a jump from 75 on Thursday. Covid cases have dropped in two of Australia's biggest states with NSW seeing another 8,950 infections while Victoria recorded 8,521 Hospitalisations in NSW have also slightly dipped from 1,795 to 1,716 with 108 patients in intensive care, a drop of 13 (pictured at a Sydney hospital) The new infections come after a national push to get Australians boostered. The Federal Government on Thursday updated its vaccine policy on the advice issued by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Based on this advice, health chiefs announced people aged 16 and over will no longer classed as 'up to date' on their Covid vaccinations if they have not had a booster six months after their second dose. So far only aged care workers are required to have had their third dose in order to work. National Cabinet stopped short of mandating a third jab for other essential workers and international travellers - instead each state and territory will be able to make their own call on the issue. 'Under the new advice, a person is "up to date" if they have completed all the doses recommended for their age and individual health needs,' Health Minister Greg Hunt said. 'ATAGI recommend that everyone aged 16 years and older receive a booster dose three months after their primary course, to maintain the best protection and an 'up to date' status. 'Further, ATAGI has advised that if it has been longer than six months since a person's primary course and they haven't had a booster, they will no longer be considered 'up to date' and instead will be considered "overdue".' National Cabinet have not mandated three jabs for overseas arrivals as many nations do not yet have a booster program in place (pictured, Sydney Airport) Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has already indicated international travellers will need to be boostered before touching down in his state. Tourists will be welcome into Australia from February 21, but Scott Morrison said they will not have to have had three shots. ATAGI said the updated advice will not impact international holidaymakers as the changes are focused on the domestic management of the virus and not international border settings. National Cabinet have not mandated three jabs for overseas arrivals as many nations do not yet have a booster program in place. Instead, each state and territory will have the power to implement their own rules for international travellers. Australians who have not had their booster shots will be considered not 'up to date' Meanwhile, it was also revealed that not one fine has been handed out to NSW residents for not reporting positive rapid antigen tests. NSW residents were threatened with a $1,000 penalty on January 11 when rapid tests began being included in the official Covid infection figures. Many people questioned how the fines could be enforced with no way of knowing if a person did not report their positive result. 'Not one person has been fined. It was a hollow threat in the first place, I'd like to know the bright spark who came up with that idea,' 2GB's Ben Fordham said on Thursday morning. Premier Dominic Perrottet said the fine was to 'show how serious this is' when demanding positive results be registered with Service NSW within 24 hours. A former close aide of the Queen is expected to become Downing Streets new gatekeeper in a bid to bring order to No 10. Samantha Cohen, who worked as Her Majestys assistant private secretary for eight years, will control access to the Prime Minister in a role which has not been filled since David Camerons premiership. The 50-year-old, nicknamed Samantha the Panther due to her no-nonsense, professional approach, also acted as the Duchess of Sussexs private secretary for 18 months to help prepare Meghan for royal life. Mrs Cohen, who left the Palace in 2019 after 18 years there, will take over the management of the Prime Ministers diary as the director of government relations. Though no official announcement has been made, Mr Johnson is believed to have successfully poached her for the role. Mrs Cohen, who was a journalist and civil servant in her native Australia before landing her first job in the Palace, will become the latest addition to No 10s revamped operation following Wednesdays appointment of Samantha Jones as the most senior civil servant in No 10. Samantha Cohen, 50, who worked as Her Majestys assistant private secretary for eight years, will control access to the Prime Minister in a role which has not been filled since David Camerons premiership The mother of three joined Buckingham Palace in 2001 as junior press officer. She was later head of communications, the Queens assistant private secretary and a top aide to Meghan Former NHS nurse Mrs Jones, a top health adviser to Mr Johnson since last April, was part of an influx of fresh staff which includes Guto Harri and Steve Barclay. Mr Johnson is attempting to revamp his team to address concerns laid bare by the Sue Gray report last week, which criticises failures of leadership and judgment in No 10. The gatekeeper role was most recently held by Kate Fall, who also served as Mr Camerons deputy chief of staff. Nicknamed Samantha the Panther due to her no-nonsense, professional approach, she also acted as the Duchess of Sussexs private secretary for 18 months to help prepare Meghan for royal life Sue Nye and Anji Hunter did the job under Gordon Brown and Tony Blair respectively. The practice stopped under Theresa May, however, and Mr Johnson has gone without the role until now which is seen by some as contributing to the chaos around him. It is not yet clear whether this is a political appointment or a civil service role. The mother of three joined Buckingham Palace in 2001 as junior press officer. She was later head of communications, the Queens assistant private secretary and a top aide to Meghan. She left in October 2019 amid claims she had been treated terribly. Mrs Cohen has since been the co-chairman of Cool Earth, a non-profit organisation combating deforestation and climate change. Since 2020, she has also been chief executive of the Commonwealth enterprise and investment council, which promotes trade across the 54 member nations. Last year Mrs Cohen co-founded the Queens Green Canopy, a tree-planting initiative launched to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Political editor Laura Tingle is the likely frontrunner to replace Leigh Sales as the host of ABC's 7.30. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has yet to announce a replacement for Sales after the veteran host revealed on Thursday she was stepping down. Sales has decided to hand over the reins so she can spend more time with her children. She will make her exit after the federal election, which is likely to be held in May. Speculation has swirled on who will replace the journalism stalwart with Alan Jones, Lisa Wilkinson and Tingle among the list of possible candidates. Political editor Laura Tingle is the likely frontrunner to replace Leigh Sales as the host of ABC's 7.30 Speculation has swirled on who will replace the journalism stalwart with Alan jones, Lisa Wilkinson and Tingle among the possible list of candidates Tingle has stood in for Sales on several occasions and currently works as the chief political correspondent for the program. The 60-year-old has collected a trove of journalism accolades over her career including Walkley Awards in 2005 and 2011 and the Paul Lyneham Award for Press Gallery Journalism in 2004. She was shortlisted for the John Button Prize for her political writing in 2010. ABC's acting news director Gavin Fang said he will 'start thinking about a new presenter down the track'. Viewers have floated Tingle as their preferred replacement with hundreds taking to Twitter to praise her journalism integrity - while taking aim at Sales. 'Well let's face it Laura Tingle is Australia's foremost journalist and interviewer, able to cut through most arguments,' one person tweeted. 'Leigh Sales to me tries to push an agenda and it shows.' Another one took to Twitter to say: 'Thankfully, Laura Tingle is not another pathetic Sales Liberal stooge'. Audience-favourite and Project host Lisa Wilkinson is another possible contender for the top spot. Some industry observers say the popular host has already set her sights on the show. Former radio and television presenter Alan Jones could also be considered for the top job Sales has decided to hand over the reins so she can spend more time with her children Ms Wilkinson made a gushing tweet about Sales after the 7.30 host announced she would be stepping down. 'Twelve years in one of the toughest, most unforgiving and intensely scrutinised jobs in TV journalism,' she wrote. 'You are all class @leighsales. Congrats on an incredible tenure. Cant wait to see what comes next. X' Wilkinson is a member of the Walkley Advisory Board whose ongoing contribution to journalism earned her the Order of Australia in 2016. She co-hosted Nine Entertainment's breakfast morning show Today for 10 years alongside Karl Stefanovic. Wilkinson later signed on to co-host Channel 10's news and a current affair program The Project in 2017. Former radio and television presenter Alan Jones could also be on the list of options - after he sensationally left 2GB in 2020 and SkyNews in 2021. Jones is currently helming his new online show Alan Jones Direct To The People on social media. Macdonald took over hosting duties in February 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic but Covid social distancing rules meant the show for much of last year lacked a studio audience The outspoken broadcaster left Sky News in November after the network cancelled his weekday show from its TV line-up. The 80-year-old quit claimed the media organisation made an 'insulting' offer for him to host a show on its new streaming service Flash once a week. A media insider told Daily Mail Australia: 'The Flash offer was an insult - Flash has 46 likes on Facebook compared to Alan's 156,000.' Project co-host Hamish Macdonald could also be another candidate with the 40-year-old indicating he is always open to changing programs after his stint at ABC's Q&A. The 40-year-old broadcaster represented generational change when he replaced baby boomer Tony Jones, who had hosted the current affairs panel program since its debut in 2008. Macdonald took over hosting duties in February 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic but Covid social distancing rules meant the show for much of last year lacked a studio audience. Speers deflected from Sky News in 2020 to become the host of ABC's Insiders. Insiders is the public broadcaster's flagship political discussion program Poor ratings prompted the host to return to The Project in July 2021. The ABC's Q&A could be a tempting offer for Macdonald. Former political editor for Sky News David Speers could also be up for consideration - with his journalism experience and presenting history making him an ideal candidate. Speers deflected from Sky News in 2020 to become the host of ABC's Insiders. Insiders is the public broadcaster's flagship political discussion program. Speers was awarded Walkley Awards in 2014 and 2015, and a Logie Award and a Kennedy Award for political reporting. He was also awarded the 2017 AACTA Best Presenter Award. Giving overseas Anglican leaders more power in choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury could be seen as 'colonial', critics said yesterday. The most senior clergyman in the Church of England is the spiritual leader of 80 million worshippers worldwide but has no power over Anglican churches in other nations. Candidates for the role currently held by Justin Welby are nominated by 16 members of the Crown Nominations Commission and final approval is given by the Queen. Giving overseas Anglican leaders more power in choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury could be seen as 'colonial', critics said yesterday But under controversial new plans, first revealed in a CofE consultation document last month, the places for overseas representatives would be boosted from one to five. During a discussion yesterday at the General Synod, the Church's parliament, Rev David Bruce Bryant-Scott an assistant chaplain on the Greek island of Crete, who was born in Canada said: 'I think if this proposal was put to my colleagues in the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada it would be resoundingly defeated. 'That is because it would be seen as profoundly colonial. And perhaps there would be a great suspicion that this was an attempt to re-inscribe aspects of the Anglican covenant by stealth.' The most senior clergyman in the Church of England is the spiritual leader of 80 million worshippers worldwide but has no power over Anglican churches in other nations And Rev Mae Christie, of the Diocese of Southwark, who was born and raised in the US, said she feared the proposal 'might have the opposite effect to what is intended', adding: 'I worry that this proposal may feel more colonial rather than less as it may appear to elevate the role of the Archbishop internationally.' General Synod members backed a motion to 'take note' of the paper. They will be asked to vote on the final proposal in July. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Rev Mark Tanner, told the meeting the move was 'an embodiment of our fellowship [and] a visible expression of our global identity'. Struggling families could be forced to ration power when they need it most under the drive to go green. An overhaul of the energy market will allow homes with a smart meter to be charged more for using electricity at peak times. Households will pay less for electricity at night and more when demand is high under energy regulator Ofgems plans. The move, which the regulator says could save households 4.6billion over more than 20 years, will allow suppliers to automatically receive readings every half hour and set different rates throughout the day. It is hoped that encouraging families to spread their power use will ease pressure on the grid as more households acquire electric cars and replace gas boilers with heat pumps. An overhaul of the energy market will allow homes with a smart meter to be charged more for using electricity at peak times. It is hoped that encouraging families to spread their power use will ease pressure on the grid as more households acquire electric cars and replace gas boilers with heat pumps. Pictured: A woman reads her utility bills (stock image) They will have to agree to a time-of-use tariff but industry experts say prices are likely to be cheaper than standard deals. Yet the energy regulators price cap will not apply, leading to fears rates could soar when the price of electricity does. An Ofgem report also reveals that the benefits to bill payers are modest, with savings of as little as 2 and no more than 9 a year if they cut back on peak power use. It comes as soaring energy prices are fuelling the worst cost of living crisis in Britain for 30 years. From April the average bill is set to surge by another 54 per cent to nearly 2,000 a year. Joe Malinowski, founder of TheEnergyShop.com, said surge pricing tariffs could mean families are forced to ration energy use during expensive peak times. He also said a smart meter could even cut off power if the price of electricity suddenly soared. He added: Some households will inevitably have power outages during peak times when energy potentially becomes unaffordable. We already see extraordinary swings in the price of energy and this is likely to get worse. Calculations by the TheEnergyShop show that families cooking an evening meal or watching prime time TV could expect to pay twice what they would in the middle of the night. Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak hosts a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room on February 3, 2022, as he announces an energy bill rebate The Government aimed to install a smart meter in every home by the end of 2020 but the deadline has been pushed back to 2025. Latest figures show that around 25million have been installed, covering nearly half of domestic meters. Yet many still cannot have one because they live in high-rise flats, old properties with thick walls, or remote regions. Some 4.8million devices have also stopped working because customers switched supplier or turned them off. A study by the University of Reading found that high-income and middle-income consumers would typically pay more on a time-of-use tariff if their energy habits did not change. But the energy industry insists all households will benefit. Rowan Hazell, senior analyst at Cornwall Insight, said: There is a lot of talk of surge pricing, but it is likely suppliers will put caps on the amount that prices could reach in a certain half hour, in order to bring an attractive offering to the market. This programme has the potential to save consumers money. Ofgem said: This major system upgrade is a significant milestone on Britains path to net zero. It will enable a more efficient, flexible and greener energy system. President Joe Biden on Thursday told Americans to leave Ukraine immediately, warning them that they could not expect to be rescued by U.S. troops if Russia launched an invasion. 'American citizens should leave now,' Biden said in an interview with NBC News. 'It's not like we're dealing with a terrorist organization. We're dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. 'It's a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly.' Russia has amassed some 120,000 troops close to the Ukrainian border, triggering fears of an invasion. Extra American troops have been deploying to NATO allies in the region but Biden said he could not imagine any circumstances where they were sent to help Americans leave the country. 'There's not,' he said. 'That's a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another. 'We're in a very different world than we've ever been.' His comments come as another 130 tons of U.S. weapons - including Javelin anti-tank missiles - arrived in Ukraine on Thursday night in response to the 120,000 Russian troops amassed along the country's border. President Joe Biden again urged Americans to leave Ukraine on Thursday, this time warning them that American troops won't come to the rescue if Russia launches an invasion Biden spoke to NBC News' Lester Holt during a visit to Virginia on Thursday. The full interview will be broadcast before the Super Bowl on Sunday A Russian tank takes part in drills in a photograph released by the Russian Defense Ministry A satellite image taken by Maxar Technologies shows a Russian deployment at Zyabrovka airfield in Gomel, Belarus, less than 15 miles from the border with Ukraine A Russian video of air defence crews taking up position during joint military exercises with Belarus that began on Thursday, further raising the stakes Another 130 tons of U.S. weapons - including Javelin anti-tank missiles - arrived in Ukraine on Thursday night in response to the 120,000 Russian troops amassed along the country's border A Ukrainian service member unpacks Javelin anti-tank missiles, delivered by plane as part of the U.S. military support package for Ukraine, at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 10 Putin is planning a 'NUCLEAR strategic exercise', Britain warns as Russia begins military drills with Belarus Russia is planning to hold a nuclear strategic exercise, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday, despite extreme tensions surrounding Ukraine. Wallace warned that the Kremlin's actions were heading in the wrong direction despite efforts to find a diplomatic solution, declaring intelligence suggested that Russia that Russia was engaging in plans for so-called 'false flag' operations as a pre-text for invading Ukraine, as well as carrying out cyber attacks and other destabilising activity. 'Despite the talking, the direction of travel is in the wrong way,' Wallace told BBC Radio. 'The Russians are still growing their battalion tactical groups... They are planning to start a nuclear strategic exercise soon, and indeed we see more activity elsewhere.' A Russian defence source also told news agency TASS earlier this year that the nuclear exercise, known as 'Thunder', would involve all three prongs of Russia's strategic nuclear forces, testing firing procedures from land, sea and air. Nuclear drills are held frequently in Russia, but the decision to proceed with such exercises in the face of the tension circling Ukraine will give world powers more cause for concern. Advertisement Tensions ramped up further on Thursday as Russia held military exercises in Belarus and the Black Sea, prompting Britain to declare it as the 'most dangerous moment.' Ukraine also staged war games and a senior U.S. official warned that 'bodybags will come back to Moscow' if Russian troops crossed the border. It leaves world leaders hoping diplomacy can still win the day and prompt President Vladimir Putin to back down. A diplomatic source told DailyMail.com that the intelligence community did not believe that Putin intended to invade, but he still needed a way out that would allow him to save face. In the interview, which will be broadcast in full before Sunday's Super Bowl, Biden said he believed that if Putin was 'foolish enough to go in, hes smart enough not to, in fact, do anything that would negatively impact on American citizens.' He also discussed his search for a Supreme Court nominee, after Justice Stephen Breyer said last month he was retiring. 'What I've done is I've taken about four people and done the deep dive on them, meaning ... thorough background checks,' he said. He has already promised to nominate the first black woman to the Supreme Court. On indoor mask mandates, the other big story of the day, Biden suggested it may be too soon to lift the requirement for face coverings in federal government offices and public buildings. He has found himself increasingly out of step with public opinion and Democratic governors in California, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Nevada and Oregon who announced this week that they were easing or ending mandates. 'I've committed that I would follow the science as put forward by the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and federal people and I think its probably premature, but its, you know, its a tough call,' he said. Meanwhile, in Europe, the latest shipment of weapons from the U.S. arrived at Boryspil International Airport near Kiev, Ukraine, on Thursday night, with about 130 tons worth of ammunition delivered. It is believed to be the 14th part of a $200 million shipment of American military ai that is being sent to help its ally. The shipment included Javelin anti-tank missiles, grenades and other defensive ammunition, said the Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov. He tweeted: 'Two more birds in Kyiv! Javelins, grenades & other defensive ammunition for the Ukrainian military. The weight of military aid from our partners, which was delivered today-about 130 tons.' The US embassy in Ukraine confirmed the news of the shipment and said that Washington has provided 1,200 tons of equipment so far. 'Tonight, the 14th flight arrived in Boryspil with American security assistance, including Javelin systems,' the embassy tweeted on Thursday night. 'The United States has provided nearly 1,200 tons of equipment approved by President Biden in January, which Ukraine needs to protect against ongoing Russian aggression.' The shipment included Javelin anti-tank missiles, grenades and other defensive ammunition, said the Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov Ukrainian service members unpack Javelin anti-tank missiles, delivered by plane as part of the U.S. military support package at Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 10 Analysts say the huge build-up of Russian troops offers Putin multiple military options Meanwhile, six Russian landing ships filled with tanks and troops yesterday assembled in the Black Sea to back up the land forces, heightening concerns. Moscow's forces are also beginning joint military exercises with ally Belarus. An estimated 30,000 troops are taking part in the 10-day war games. 'Our intelligence, I'm afraid to say, remains grim. We're seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine,' said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a joint news conference with NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels 'This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades.' As part of U.S. efforts to 'reduce chances of miscalculation,' the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, spoke on Thursday with his Belarusian counterpart, a Pentagon spokesman said. And U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spelled out the high stakes if Putin made the wrong choice. If he chose war he 'should understand that body bags will come back to Moscow.., that the citizens of Russia will suffer because their economy will be completely devastated,' she told broadcaster MSNBC. A 'pathetic' mum who left her child in a hot car for five hours while she gambled at the pub has been jailed for a minimum of just 12 months. Kaija Millar, 34, pleaded guilty in the County Court of Victoria to negligence causing serious injury to her then 14-month old baby Easton. The court heard temperatures outside had reached 37.5C in Point Cook, in Melbourne's west, as Millar played bingo and the pokies inside the Brook Hotel. But on Thursday, Judge Felicity Hampel convicted and jailed the 'pathetic' mother for a total of three years, with a one-year minimum, for the ultimate act of negligence. Baby Easton (pictured, left) was found unresponsive and in a critical condition. His mother Kaija Millar (right) left him in the car to die Kaija Millar also faces claims she tried to scam people out of thousands of dollars with a bogus dog sale Steve Millar and his son Easton, who was left to bake in a boiling hot car by his own mother Judge Hampel justified her decision by accepting Millar was less intelligent than an ordinary person, which had impaired her judgment. 'Despite these deficits ... you knew that you should not have left your child in that car,' she said. 'I'm satisfied you knew what you were doing was wrong.' Judge Hampel had been scathing of Millar's 'appalling behaviour' before sentencing her to a one year prison term. She further sympathised with the public scrutiny Millar had endured after committing the shocking crime during the height of 2020's scorching hot summer. 'It's unfair and a burden that you've had to carry - the abuse and the public exposure of wrong doing that generally most other wrong doers are able to avoid,' the judge said. The court heard Millar once had the child removed from her care because of her dead beat ways, but they gave him back in an act that doomed the child to a short life of hardship. 'Your child is now profoundly disabled, you know that and you know it's your conduct that brought it about. That's a burden you carry for the rest of your life and it's something that no court process can change,' Judge Hampel said. 'But I accept that you carry that burden, carry it heavily and that's a punishment in some ways much more significant and profound than anything my sentencing remarks today will do.' The court heard Millar still clung to hope that one day she might be granted custody of her child again. However, Judge Hampel stressed that was highly unlikely. In mitigating her sentence, Judge Hampel said she had accepted Millar's early guilty plea, the delay in her being brought to justice and the fact jail would be tougher for her. Kaija Miller makes a dash from Melbourne Magistrates' Court in January. She made no comment and refused to answer questions Kaija Miller or her lawyer Cameron Allen (right) refused to comment on the tragedy that Millar's baby hospitalised Kaija Millar, 32, (pictured, left) left 14-month-old Easton (right) in her car and abandoned him while she went to play bingo The wicked mother had rolled up all of the windows and left the air conditioning off as she blew what little cash the young family had inside. For five long hours baby Easton sat strapped helplessly inside the boiling hot car before she decided to check on his welfare. It was way too late. The court heard Easton's internal temperature had skyrocketed to 40C, causing his fragile body to go into renal failure, deranging his liver, sending him blind and severely damaging his brain. His body had turned a shade of 'grey blue' as Millar pleaded with witnesses not to tell her husband what she had done. She told an emergency operator that Easton was simply suffering from smoke inhalation, from nearby bushfires. When confused paramedics arrived, the desperate mum continued to cover her crime. She told emergency workers the windows had all been rolled down and that she had been conducting regular checks on her baby. 'I don't want to go to jail,' she squealed. CCTV footage captured from the venue would later expose her cruel lies. Millar continued to feed police misinformation, telling them she had left the car's air conditioner on, it was in the shade and she had checked on him. They were all lies, the court heard. Crown prosecutor Neill Hutton said Millar had been routinely attending the pokies venue in the weeks before her tragic crime. Millar had been failing to pay her way, leaving her husband to pick up the couple's bills. By then, Millar had already been exposed as a lying cheat, who had narrowly escaped conviction for swiping a man's wallet while working as an Uber driver. Kaija Millar covers her face as reporters ask her questions as she left Melbourne Magistrates' Court in January 2020 The 14-month-old fought for life after being was found unconscious in a car parked outside a pub (pictured) What happens to children left in hot cars? Children's bodies heat up three-to-five times faster than adults do The younger the child, the more vulnerable they are On a 29C day, temperatures inside a car can reach 44C in just ten minutes This can cause 'serious injury' and brain damage After 20 minutes, the temperature reaches a fatal 60.2C, which could kill Winding down the windows or parking in the shade will do little as it doesn't affect the car's core temperature Advertisement But she had scored big on the pokies just months earlier and had been keen to learn if lightning would strike twice. Instead, her child will now live with permanent injuries that will affect everything from his speech to his capacity to move, see and eat. The court heard Easton's brain injuries had left him in need of lifelong care, but even then, Millar's cruel act had shortened his expected time on Earth. Millar's barrister, Michael Allen, had earlier explained to Judge Hampel all of the good reasons Millar had for her despicable actions. She had been bullied at school, she had a cognitive impairment and she had been 'utterly overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood'. Her husband was allegedly 'controlling and critical' and she sought company from the elderly pokie venue crew, despite never actually interacting with them. Mr Allen claimed his client had been deemed by doctors to be of extremely low intelligence. She had been depressed about being a mum and had considered putting Easton up for adoption. But the court heard she had the intelligence to commit previous crimes and still faces serious pending allegations she is a con woman who had duped unsuspecting victims in a 'puppy scam'. Kaija Millar (pictured) pleaded guilty to harming her own child. Her baby, Easton, has been left with life long injuries Kaija Millar (pictured) appeared in court on Thursday. Easton is being cared for by his father Millar had tried to use her supposed low intelligence to wriggle off the hook, but she was unable to convince the court she was unfit to stand trial due to mental impairment. Mr Allen said Millar had been deeply remorseful for her actions and accepted it was all her own fault. 'I didn't do this deliberately. I didn't do this to hurt my son,' Millar told police. At a previous hearing over the matter, the Melbourne Magistrates' Court was told Millar remained estranged from baby Easton's father Steve. At the time, Mr Millar said Easton had only a 50 percent chance of survival. Millar's face had gone viral upon being outed as Easton's mum at the time of the incident and was shared across the globe. Speaking to the Herald Sun newspaper, Mr Millar said he was 'heartbroken and devastated'. 'It's still touch and go at the moment it's 50-50 whether he'll pull through,' he said. 'He has shown a few signs to me, when I'm talking to him you can see his mouth trying to move.' He said his parents and both his brothers had been accompanying him to the hospital daily as he held a bedside vigil for the youngster. Mr Millar said he had cut himself off from the child's mother as she prepared to face court over the shocking allegations. The largest and most accurate computer simulation of the universe has been created by scientists, showing the entire evolution of the cosmos since the Big Bang. This amazing 3D map was developed by a team from Durham University in England, revealing the correct locations and properties of local group galaxies. Using a supercomputer, the simulation was designed to mirror the real world consequences of the laws of physics acting on dark matter and cosmic gas over the 13.7 billion years since the Big Bang. Study lead author, Carlos Frenk, says it will enable astronomers to explore our cosmic neighbourhood as easily as they can explore planet Earth. The team say the simulation agrees so closely with the standard model of the universe, that it adds to the evidence that 'cold dark matter' (CDM) exists. The project named SIBELIUS-DARK covers up to 600 million light-years from Earth and includes over 130 billion 'particles', producing a Petabyte of data - equivalent to 500 billion pages of standard printed text. The Virgo cluster in the simulation. Using a supercomputer, the simulation was designed to mirror the real world consequences of the laws of physics acting on dark matter and cosmic gas over the 13.7 billion years since the Big Bang CDM is a hypothetical dark matter that is thought to be the 'invisible gravitational glue' that holds galaxies together - without reflecting or absorbing light. Prof Frenk said: 'The fact we've been able to reproduce these familiar structures, provides impressive support for the standard Cold Dark Matter model. 'It tells us that we are on the right track to understand the evolution of the entire universe' from the Big Bang to the present day. The virtual presentation is based on advanced statistical techniques, with everything we know about the universe fed into a super computer. It shows that our local patch of the Universe, the Virgo Supercluster, is unusual as it has a smaller than average population of star 'cities'. This is because there is less dark matter than in other regions of space, explained the international team, led by Durham University. The project named SIBELIUS-DARK covers up to 600 million light-years from Earth and includes over 130 billion 'particles', producing a Petabyte of data - equivalent to 500 billion pages of standard printed text The Coma galaxy cluster in the simulation. The team say the simulation agrees so closely with the standard model of the universe, that it adds to the evidence that 'cold dark matter' (CDM) exists The create this map of the universe, thousands of computers were put to work crunching numbers, with the simulation generated by a computer called COSMA. Former PhD student Dr Stuart McAlpine, now at Helsinki University, said simulating our universe as we see brings us closer to understanding the nature of the cosmos. 'These simulations show the current leading theory of cosmology, the Cold Dark Matter model, can produce all the galaxies we see in our local habitat - an essential benchmark for simulations of this kind to pass. 'This project provides an important bridge between decades of theory and astronomical observations.' Comparison between the simulation (bottom) and real world observations (top) Simulations showing different parts of the galactic web, including dark matter strands and galaxies they hold together Complex physics equations demonstrate how dark matter and cosmic gas have evolved throughout the universes lifetime, finding that dark matter coalesces into small clumps or haloes, attracting cosmic gas through gravity. This eventually fragments into stars to form galaxies, and then over time the haloes grow large enough to host entire galaxies - such as the Milky Way. The 'Cold Dark Matter' model has been developed over the past two decades, and explains a plethora of phenomena like the properties of heat left by the Big Bang, through to the number and spatial distribution of galaxies. Advanced algorithms reproduced clusters such as Virgo, Coma, Perseus and the 'Great Wall' - along with an empty region called the 'Local Void'. The largest and most accurate computer simulation of the universe has been created by scientists, showing the entire evolution of the cosmos since the Big Bang Study lead author, Carlos Frenk, says it will enable astronomers to explore our cosmic neighbourhood as easily as they can explore planet Earth At the centre are the virtual counterparts of our own Milky Way and our massive 'next door neighbour' Andromeda - which will one day merge with our own galaxy. Dr Matthieu Schaller, of Leiden University in The Netherlands, also involved in this project, added: 'This project is truly ground-breaking. 'It provides a milestone in our quest to challenge the currently established model of the evolution of our universe. 'These simulations demonstrate the standard Cold Dark Matter Model can produce all the galaxies we see in our neighbourhood. This is a very important test for the model to pass.' The findings are published in arXiv, and as a pre-print in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society journal. NASA has raised concerns about SpaceX's ambitious proposal to deploy 30,000 satellites for its Starlink constellation. Elon Musk's SpaceX previously received authorisation for about 12,000 satellites to be launched into space to offer broadband internet. Now, it has requested authorisation for a second-generation megaconstellation, made up of 30,000 satellites. But NASA has said peppering low Earth orbit with so many satellites could 'impact science and human spaceflight missions'. It also warned the move could lead to a 'significant increase' in collisions. Musk seems to be doubling down on his plans for the constellation, despite ongoing criticism related to the project that they will clutter up space. Many of the satellites launched during the Starlink project's history have stopped working and are now just obsolete space junk in low Earth orbit, at risk of crashing into other spacecraft including those carrying humans. In December, Musk was criticised by China over two 'close encounters' between his satellites and Beijing's space station Tiangong, currently home to three people. NASA's concerns over SpaceX's plans come shortly after the latest launch of a batch of 49 Starlink satellites, on February 3 (pictured). There are now more than 2,000 in orbit above Earth NASA has said peppering low Earth orbit with a large number of satellites could 'impact science and human spaceflight missions'. Many of the satellites launched during the Starlink project's history have stopped working and are now just obsolete space junk in low Earth orbit, at risk of crashing into other spacecraft including those carrying humans SPACEX'S STARLINK A WORSE THREAT TO ASTRONOMY THAN LIGHT POLLUTION Mega-constellations of low Earth orbit satellites, including SpaceX Starlink and Amazon Kuiper, are a 'worse threat to astronomy than light pollution', according to an expert. Piero Benvenuti, IAU General Secretary, has said: 'In the past, the main source of interference was the light pollution by urban illumination, the so-called artificial light at night,' Benvenuti said in a statement. 'But more recently, the impact of the large constellations of communication satellites became a more serious concern because of their ubiquitous invasiveness.' There are 2,000 SpaceX Starlink satellites currently in space, with as many as 42,000 planned over the coming years, and it is just one of a number of firms looking to fill low Earth orbit with spacecraft, to provide fast, space-based internet. These networks of tens to thousands of spacecraft have proven controversial, especially among astronomers, as they leave streaks in images of space. Read more: SpaceX's Starlink a WORSE threat to astronomy than light pollution Advertisement 'NASA has concerns with the potential for a significant increase in the frequency of conjunction events and possible impacts to NASA's science and human spaceflight missions,' the agency wrote the Federal Communications Commission. NASA noted there are currently 25,000 total objects tracked on-orbit, about 6,100 of which are below 370 miles (600 km). SpaceX's second generation (Gen2) expansion 'would more than double the number of tracked objects in orbit and increase the number of objects below 600km over five-fold,' NASA added. Jonathan McDowell at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who is also part of the American Astronomical Society panel examining the impacts of satellites on astronomy, has echoed NASA's concerns. 'We've been concerned with having these large numbers of satellites that interfere with astronomical observations,' McDowell said. 'I think we need a little more experience with the several thousand operating satellites before we can ramp up to the tens of thousands.' Amazon, which has pledged to spend at least $10billion to build 3,236 such satellites through its Project Kuiper program, separately raised concerns with the FCC about SpaceX's plan. Under SpaceX's application 'at least hundreds-and potentially more than ten thousand' SpaceX satellites could operate at the same altitudes as Amazon's Project Kuiper, the tech giant's rival to the Starlink project. Similarly, Project Kuiper involves the launch of thousands of satellites into orbit where they will beam high-speed internet down to Earth. Amazon warned 'the effect of this orbital overlap would be a dramatic increase in risks and other burdens on the Kuiper System' and asked the FCC to impose 'reasonable conditions'. An artist's impression depicts the deployment of SpaceX's Starlink satellites above the Earth Here, 60 Starlink satellites can be seen stacked together over Earth before their deployment on May 24, 2019 RECENT STARLINK LAUNCHES February 3, 2022: 49 satellites January 18, 2022: 49 satellites January 6, 2022: 49 satellites December 18, 2021: 52 satellites December 2, 2021: 48 satellites November 13, 2021: 53 satellites September 14, 2021: 51 satellites Advertisement While extremely costly to deploy, satellite technology can provide high-speed internet for people who live in rural or hard-to-serve places where fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach. The technology could also be a critical backstop when hurricanes or other natural disasters disrupt communication. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Elon Musk's company has only just launched a fresh batch of 49 Starlink satellites Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on February 3. However, it revealed this week that up to 40 of this latest batch will end up being destroyed following an intense geomagnetic storm. A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of Earth's magnetosphere the area around Earth controlled by the planet's magnetic field. To assuage worries, SpaceX also said the deorbiting satellites pose 'zero collision risk' with other satellites, so no parts will hit the ground or cause injury. In the future, Starlink constellations could have a whopping 42,000 Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk (pictured) hopes As of the February 3 launch, a total of 2,091 Starlink satellites have been launched since the first couple in February 2018, although many of this total have failed or been decommissioned in space. On January 18, SpaceX marked its 2,000th Starlink satellite launched into space with another batch of 49 satellites. These all successfully deployed shortly after launch, SpaceX confirmed at the time. Travis Longcore, a professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, has previously called Starlink 'a crime against humanity'. 'It robs us of the skies of our ancestors to every corner of the Earth,' Professor Longcore said. Another four Starlink launches are set for February alone; the next one, on February 14, will send 51 satellites into orbit, while the other three will each send 49. NASA and SpaceX have actually been working together in recent years; NASA astronauts are being transported to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. The collaboration has involved the first launch of American astronauts from US soil in nine years, since the space agency quit flying space shuttles in 2011. More recently, on November 11, 2021, NASA launched Crew 3, the third fully-fledged 'operational' crew NASA and SpaceX have flown to the ISS. The crew successfully reached the ISS about a day after the launch. Crew 4 the fourth crewed operational NASA flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to launch on April 15, 2022. It will carry a four-person crew to the ISS NASA astronauts Robert Hines, Kjell N. Lindgren and Jessica Watkins, as well as Italian ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Advertisement Little is known about why Venus became an inhospitable 'evil twin' of Earth, while our planet turned into an oasis. But scientists now have renewed hope they can get to the bottom of it after NASA's Parker Solar Probe captured a stunning visible light image of Venus for the first time. It reveals the surface's distinctive features such as continental regions, plains, and plateaus, as well as a luminescent halo of oxygen in the atmosphere that surrounds the planet. Venus' surface is usually shrouded from sight because the hellish world is smothered in thick clouds. But following two recent flybys of the planet, Parker used its wide-field imager, or WISPR, to capture the entire nightside in wavelengths of the visible spectrum the type of light that the human eye can see and extending into the near-infrared. Such images of the planet can help scientists learn more about Venus' surface geology, what minerals might be present there, and the planet's evolution. Slide me A thing of beauty: NASA's Parker Solar Probe captured a stunning visible light image of Venus for the first time (pictured left). Scientists then compared this wide-field imager, or WISPR, to topographical maps created with radar from NASA's 1990 Magellan mission (right) to reveal distinctive surface features such as continental regions, plains, and plateaus Following two flybys of the planet, Parker used its wide-field imager, or WISPR, to capture the entire nightside in wavelengths of the visible spectrum VENUS: THE BASICS Venus, the second planet from the sun, is a rocky world about the same size and mass as the Earth. However, its atmosphere is radically different to ours being 96 per cent carbon dioxide and having a surface temperature of 867F (464C) and pressure 92 times that of on the Earth. The inhospitable planet is swaddled in clouds of sulphuric acid that make the surface impossible to glimpse. In the past, it has been suggested that Venus likely had oceans similar to Earth's but these would have vaporised as it underwent a runaway greenhouse effect. The surface of Venus is a dry desertscape, which is periodically changed by volcanic activity. Facts and Figures Orbital period: 225 days Surface area: 460.2 million km Distance from Sun: 108.2 million km Length of day: 116d 18h 0m Radius: 6,051.8 km Mass: 4.867 10^24 kg (0.815 M) Advertisement Given the similarities between Earth and Venus, this information can help scientists on the quest to understand why one became inhospitable and the other an oasis. 'Venus is the third brightest thing in the sky, but until recently we have not had much information on what the surface looked like because our view of it is blocked by a thick atmosphere,' said Brian Wood, lead author on the new study and physicist at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. 'Now, we finally are seeing the surface in visible wavelengths for the first time from space.' The first WISPR images of Venus were taken in July 2020 as Parker embarked on its third flyby, which the spacecraft uses to bend its orbit closer to the sun. WISPR was designed to see faint features in the solar atmosphere and wind, and some scientists thought they might be able to use the imager to capture the cloud tops veiling Venus as Parker passed the planet. 'The objective was to measure the speed of the clouds,' said WISPR project scientist Angelos Vourlidas, co-author on the new paper and researcher at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. But instead of just seeing clouds, WISPR also saw through to the surface of the planet and revealed a faint glow. The images showed features on the Venusian surface, such as the continental region Aphrodite Terra, the Tellus Regio plateau, and the Aino Planitia plains. Since higher altitude regions are about 85F (47C) cooler than lower areas, they show up as dark patches amidst the brighter lowlands. The images, combined into a video, were so striking that the scientists turned on the cameras again during the fourth pass in February 2021. During the 2021 flyby, the spacecraft's orbit lined up perfectly for WISPR to image Venus' nightside in entirety. 'The images and video just blew me away,' Wood said. In addition to the surface glow, the new images show a bright ring around the edge of the planet caused by oxygen atoms emitting light in the atmosphere. Called airglow, this type of light is also present in Earth's atmosphere, where it's visible from space and sometimes from the ground at night. Clouds obstruct most of the visible light coming from Venus' surface, but the very longest visible wavelengths, which border the near-infrared wavelengths, make it through. On the dayside, this red light gets lost amid the bright sunshine reflected off Venus' cloud tops, but in the darkness of night, the WISPR cameras were able to pick up this faint glow caused by the incredible heat emanating from the surface. The first WISPR images of Venus were taken in July 2020 as Parker embarked on its third flyby, which the spacecraft uses to bend its orbit closer to the sun Such images of the planet can help scientists learn more about Venus' surface geology, what minerals might be present there, and the planet's evolution The images showed features on the Venusian surface, such as the continental region Aphrodite Terra (pictured), the Tellus Regio plateau, and the Aino Planitia plains The WISPR images (left) were compared to topographical maps created with radar (right) CARBON DIOXIDE AND SULPHURIC ACID DROPLETS FEATURE IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF VENUS Venus's atmosphere consists mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulphuric acid droplets. The thick atmosphere traps the sun's heat, resulting in surface temperatures higher than 470C (880F). The atmosphere has many layers with different temperatures. At the level where the clouds are, about 30 miles (50 km) up from the surface, it's about the same temperature as on the surface of the Earth. As Venus moves forward in its solar orbit while slowly rotating backwards on its axis, the top level of clouds zips around the planet every four Earth days. They are driven by hurricane-force winds travelling at about 224 miles (360 km) per hour. Atmospheric lightning bursts light up these quick-moving clouds. Speeds within the clouds decrease with cloud height, and at the surface are estimated to be just a few miles (km) per hour. On the ground, it would look like a very hazy, overcast day on Earth and the atmosphere is so heavy it would feel like you were one mile (1.6km) deep underwater. Advertisement 'The surface of Venus, even on the nightside, is about 860 degrees,' Wood said. 'It's so hot that the rocky surface of Venus is visibly glowing, like a piece of iron pulled from a forge.' As it passed by Venus, WISPR picked up a range of wavelengths from 470 nanometers to 800 nanometers. Some of that light is the near-infrared wavelengths that we cannot see, but sense as heat and some is in the visible range, between 380 nanometers and about 750 nanometers. 'We're thrilled with the science insights Parker Solar Probe has provided thus far,' said Nicola Fox, division director for the Heliophysics Division at NASA headquarters. 'Parker continues to outperform our expectations, and we are excited that these novel observations taken during our gravity assist maneuver can help advance Venus research in unexpected ways.' In 1975, the Venera 9 lander sent the first tantalising glimpses of the surface after landing on Venus. Since then, Venus' surface has been further revealed with radar and infrared instruments, which can peer through the thick clouds by using wavelengths of light invisible to the human eye. NASA's Magellan mission created the first maps in the 1990s using radar, while the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Akatsuki spacecraft gathered infrared images after reaching orbit around Venus in 2016. Researchers said the new images from Parker add to these findings by extending the observations to red wavelengths at the edge of what we can see. Beyond looking at surface features, the new WISPR images will help scientists better understand the geology and mineral make-up of Venus. When heated, materials glow at unique wavelengths. By combining the new images with previous ones, scientists now have a wider range of wavelengths to study, which can help identify what minerals are on the surface of the planet. Such techniques have previously been used to study the surface of the moon. Future missions will continue to expand this range of wavelengths, the researchers said, which will contribute to our understanding of habitable planets. This information could also help scientists understand the planet's evolution. While Venus, Earth, and Mars all formed around the same time, they are very different today. The atmosphere on Mars is a fraction of Earth's, while Venus has a much thicker one. Scientists suspect volcanism played a role in creating the dense Venusian atmosphere, but more data is needed to know how. They hope the new WISPR images might provide clues about how volcanos could have affected the planet's atmosphere. The Parker Solar Probe launched in 2018, and is on a mission to improve our understanding of the sun (artist's impression) NASA's Parker Solar Probe has set two new records during its tenth flyby of the sun. During the closer approach, the probe came within 5.3 million miles (8.5 million kilometres) of the solar surface the closest it has ever been. The flyby was also a record for speed, with the probe moving at 364,660 miles/hour (586,864 kilometres/hour) Venus, seen here in an image taken by NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft, is covered in clouds The Parker Solar Probe's primary goal is solar science, but the Venusian flybys are providing an opportunity for bonus data that wasn't expected at the mission's launch. More spacecraft are headed to Venus around the end of this decade with NASA's DAVINCI and VERITAS missions, as well as the European Space Agency's EnVision. These missions will help image and sample Venus' atmosphere, as well as remap the surface at higher resolution with infrared wavelengths. Scientists hope the information will help them establish the surface mineral make-up and better understand the planet's geologic history. 'By studying the surface and atmosphere of Venus, we hope the upcoming missions will help scientists understand the evolution of Venus and what was responsible for making Venus inhospitable today,' said Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA headquarters. 'While both DAVINCI and VERITAS will use primarily near-infrared imaging, Parker's results have shown the value of imaging a wide range of wavelengths.' From a blind salamander to a tap-dancing spider, scientists have revealed a new list of the '25 most wanted lost species' around the world. Drawn up by Austin, Texas-based organisation Re:wild, the list sheds light on global species that are evading detection and could possibly be extinct. One of the most fascinating entries is the blanco blind salamander, native to the US known from only a single specimen, collected in the 1950s. Meanwhile, Fagilde's trapdoor spider from Portugal, known for tap dancing in front of potential mates, hasn't been seen since before 1931. And the 'fat catfish' from Colombia has an uncanny resemblance to the Michelin man, according to experts, due to its flabby folds. Scroll down for the full list The new list sheds light on species around the world that are evading detection and could possibly be extinct. Note: some of these photos show close relatives of the 25 'lost' species EIGHT NEW 'WILD AND WHIMSICAL LOST SPECIES' Fat catfish (Rhizosomichthys totae): Colombia - Togo mouse (Leimacomys buettneri): Togo/Ghana - Dwarf hutia (Mesocapromys nanus): Cuba - South Island kokako (Callaeas cinereus): New Zealand - Blanco blind salamander (Eurycea robusta): Texas, US - Fagildes trapdoor spider (Nemesia berlandi): Portugal - Big puma fungus (Austroomphaliaster nahuelbutensis): South America - Pernambuco holly (Ilex sapiiformis): Brazil Advertisement For 2022, eight new species including a plant species and fungus species replace those that have been rediscovered since Re:wild's 'Search for Lost Species' program was launched in 2017 with the first '25 most wanted lost species' list. This is the first time the list has been updated since Search for Lost Species began five years ago. 'When we launched the Search for Lost Species, we weren't sure if anyone would rediscover any of the wildlife on our most wanted list,' said Barney Long, Re:wild's senior director of conservation strategies. 'Each new rediscovery has reminded us that we can find hope in even the most unlikely situations and that these stories of overlooked but fascinating species can be a powerful antidote to despair. 'We are looking forward to the next phase of this program, including documenting adventurous expeditions, identifying conservation opportunities, and, we hope, inspiring young conservationists and citizen scientists across the world to join the search.' Here's a closer look at the most interesting animals and plants on Re:wild's new list, including some of the eight new additions. BLANCO BLIND SALAMANDER The blanco blind salamander lives in total darkness, meaning it has no need for vision and its eyes are reduced to two black spots under its skin, according to the National Wildlife Federation. The species is only found in water-filled caves fed by the Edwards Aquifer in Hays County, Texas, where they depend on a constant supply of clean, cool water. The Blanco Blind Salamander is so rare that it has only been found once in a spot slightly northeast of San Marcos, Texas in 1951 by excavation workers in the bed of the then-dry Blanco River. In a photo from 2011 is a Texas blind salamander (Eurycea rathbuni), closely related to the Blanco blind salamander (Eurycea robusta) that's on the new list Only four individuals were found at the time of their scientific discovery, and none have been encountered since. Re:wild says: 'The Blanco Blind Salamander breathes through its skin gills, is depigmented, and likely preys on groundwater invertebrates and even other salamanders in the aquifers where it lives. 'Threats to this species include declines in the quality and quantity of groundwater on which it depends, small population size across an extremely limited distribution, and contamination of groundwater habitats from surface sources.' FAGILDES TRAPDOOR SPIDER This fascinating species is 'an elusive spider that builds horizontal traps and tap dances to score dates', according to Re:wild. It was described for the first time in 1931 based on two females collected outside Fagilde, a small village in north-central Portugal. Males wander in search of females and tap dance at the females door to indicate their desire to mate. Fagildes trapdoor spider (depicted here in artist's impression) was described for the first time in 1931 based on two females collected outside Fagilde, a small village in Portugal It's thought that Portuguese locals may have seen the spider without even realising that they were looking at a 'lost' species, Re:wild believes. Fagildes trapdoor spider is part of the spider genus called 'Nemesia', but unlike other Nemesia spiders, which make their homes in vertical traps, perpendicular to the ground, young Fagildes Trapdoor Spiders build their traps horizontally. Re:wild says: 'It is the only Nemesia spider we know of that does this.' FAT CATFISH This lost fish species 'has more rolls than a used tire', according to Re:wild, which has likened it in appearance to the Michelin man. It's the only freshwater catfish in the world with rings of fatty tissue wrapped around its body, described as the closest a fish could get to the famous French mascot. The fat catfish's flabby folds have led to compariusons with the famous French mascot the Michelin man Can you see the resemblance? Michelin man is the official mascot of the Michelin tyre company The fat catfish has only ever been found 9,800 feet high in the Andes mountains, in Lake Tota, Colombia, where locals call it 'Pez Graso', which means 'grease fish'. It was described for the first time by ichthyologist Cecil Miles in 1942 and last seen in 1957 in Colombia. Prior to its disappearance, the local Colombian people sometimes burned its flabby rolls of fat for fuel in their lamps. The mystery of their disappearance, however, remains unanswered, according to Re:wild, but expeditions seeking its rediscovery kick off in 2022. BULLNECK SEAHORSE Little is known about the bullneck seahorse, which has never before been found in the wild. The only known individuals of this pygmy species were collected on the coast of Eden, New South Wales, Australia, in 1996. The only known individuals of this pygmy seahorse were collected on the coast of Eden, Australia Scientists believe it lives in sand beds at the bottom of the ocean, more than 325 feet underwater, and may inhabit gorgonian corals. Re:wild says: 'No information is available about the Bullneck Seahorses population density, distribution, ecology, behavior, population trends, genetic structure or life history traits. 'Dedicated field surveys will require scuba diving and fisheries sampling.' ATTENBOROUGH'S LONG-BEAKED ECHIDNA Named after the legendary British naturalist David Attenborough, this species was last seen in 1961 In Indonesia. It is known only from a single individual collected by a Dutch botanist during an expedition to the Cyclops Mountain in 1961. Excitingly, interviews with locals suggest that the animal may still be present in the mountains, although recent attempts to search for the species by experts have proved fruitless. Long-beaked echidnas belong to an ancient clade of egg-laying mammals called monotremes that includes the platypus of Australia. Echidnas and platypus are the only mammals to lay eggs. Attenboroughs long-beaked echidna, also known as Sir Davids Long-beaked Echidna, is the smallest and probably most threatened of the three long-beaked echidna species, according to edgeofexistence.org MISS WALDRONS RED COLOBUS Miss Waldron's red colobus is a species of monkey native to west Africa. It was first discovered in 1933 by a British museum collector who named it after a colleague on the expedition, Miss F. Waldron. But the last conclusive sighting of the monkey was in 1978, and no photographs or video of the species alive exist. It came close to claiming the dubious honor of being the first primate to be declared extinct in more than 500 years after repeated failed searches. The full list of the top 25 most wanted lost species, all with animated artistic depictions, can be viewed on Re:wild's website It's not just animals on the new list the organisation has also included a plant species and a fungi species. The plant, Pernambuco holly, is a species of holly tree endemic to Brazil that has evaded scientists for almost two centuries. Meanwhile, the Big puma fungus from South America has been lost since 1988 and may represent its very own genus. The full list of the top 25 most wanted lost species, all with animated artistic depictions, can be viewed on Re:wild's website. Since Re:wild's Search for Lost Species program launched in 2017, it has confirmed the rediscovery of eight new species. These are Jacksons climbing salamander in Guatemala, Wallaces giant bee and velvet pitcher plant in Indonesia, the silver-backed chevrotain in Vietnam, the Somali sengi in Djibouti, the Voeltzkows chameleon in Madagascar, the Fernandina giant tortoise in the Galapagos and the Sierra Leone crab in Sierra Leone. The fossilised remains of a new species of 'crocodile-like' archosaur with 'powerful jaws' and 'knife-like teeth' that lived 240 million years ago has been found in Tanzania. Palaeontologists at the University of Birmingham said the beast, or 'Mambawakale ruhuhu', would have reached more than 16 feet long. Its newly-assigned name means 'ancient crocodile from the Ruhuhu Basin' in Kiswahili, one of the two official languages of the East African region. The fossil remains of a new species of 'crocodile-like' archosaur with 'powerful jaws' and 'knife-like teeth' (depicted) that lived 240 million years ago has been found in Tanzania Recently described by palaeontologists led from the University of Birmingham, the beast 'Mambawakale ruhuhu' would have reached more than 16 feet long. Pictured: right and level views of the skull of the type specimen of the newly-described archosaur Its newly-assigned name means 'ancient crocodile from the Ruhuhu Basin' in Kiswahili, one of the two official languages of the East African Community. Pictured: M. ruhuhu's skull as viewed both from above and from the underside Meet the crocodile-like beast: Mambawakale ruhuhu Age: 240 million years ago Locality: Ruhuhu Basin, Tanzania Size: 16 feet long First discovered: 1963 Formally named: 2022 Advertisement The study of the fossil specimens of M. ruhuhu was undertaken by vertebrate palaeontologist Richard Butler of the University of Birmingham and his colleagues. Stalking ancient Tanzania, M. ruhuhu 'would have been a very large and pretty terrifying predator,' Professor Butler said. Walking on all fours and sporting a long tail, he added, this archosaur is 'one of the largest predators that we know of from the Middle Triassic.' The fossils were first unearthed from the Ruhuhu Basin back in 1963 just two years after Tanzania (then known as Tanganyika') gained its independence from Britain as part of a joint British Museum (Natural History)University of London expedition. The type specimen comprised a 2.5-foot-long skull with a lower jawbone and a largely complete left hand. It was located and recovered with the aid of Tanzanian and Zambian individuals who went unnamed in associated field reports. These unsung heroes, the team said, 'found many of the localities from which fossils were collected, found fossils at those localities, and were also employed to build roads for the passage of expedition vehicles and to transport fossils from the field.' Brought back to British Museum (Natural History) which has since also changed its name, to the 'Natural History Museum, London' the specimen was initially dubbed 'Pallisteria angustimentum' by English palaeontologist Alan Charig. This genus name was picked in honour of his friend, the geologist John Weaver Pallister, while the species was based on the Latin for 'narrow chin'. The fossils were first unearthed from the Ruhuhu Basin back in 1963 just two years after Tanzania (then known as Tanganyika') gained its independence from Britain as part of a joint British Museum (Natural History)University of London expedition. Pictured: English palaeontologist Alan Charig (far right) and Alfred Fuzz Crompton (in the wide-brimmed hat) excavate the type specimen of M. ruhuhu with the aid of unnamed Tanzanians These unsung heroes (pictured here carrying the fossil), the team said, 'found many of the localities from which fossils were collected, found fossils at those localities, and were also employed to build roads for the passage of expedition vehicles' Brought back to British Museum (Natural History) which has since also changed its name, to the 'Natural History Museum, London' the specimen (pictured here in the ground) was initially dubbed 'Pallisteria angustimentum' by Dr Charig This originally proposed genus name was picked in honour of Dr Charig's friend, the geologist John Weaver Pallister, while the species was based on the Latin for 'narrow chin'. Pictured: the partially exposed skull of M. ruhuhu, with a geological hammer for scale However, Dr Charig never got around to describing the specimen in the scientific literature, meaning that the name P. angustimentum was never formalised and, in fact, has been barely used in published research since. This gave Professor Butler and colleagues the chance to pick a new name, one that in using words from Kiswahili honours 'the substantial and previously unsung contributions of unnamed Tanzanians to the success of the 1963 expedition.' 'Our key results are the formal recognition of Mambawakale as a new species for the first time,' Professor Butler added. The full findings of the study were published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. Dr Charig never got around to describing the specimen in the scientific literature, meaning that the name P. angustimentum was never formalised and, in fact, has been barely used in published research since. This gave Professor Butler and colleagues the chance to pick a new name, one that in using words from Kiswahili honours 'the substantial and previously unsung contributions of unnamed Tanzanians to the success of the 1963 expedition.' Pictured: the largely complete left hand of the M. ruhuhu type specimen The newly-assigned name means 'ancient crocodile from the Ruhuhu Basin' in Kiswahili, one of the two official languages of the East African Community The devastating Black Death pandemic of the 14th century did not impact Europe equally, a study suggests. Based on clues from pollen, experts have found the plague had little effect in some parts of the continent despite killing huge numbers in other regions. There were signs of sharp agricultural declines in Scandinavia, France, southwestern Germany, Greece and central Italy during the time of the bubonic plague, which the academics argued was suggestive of high mortality rates. Meanwhile, no interruptions were spotted across parts of Central and Eastern Europe and in Ireland and Iberia implying the opposite. Researchers admit they don't know why there was such a big difference across the continent. However, they say multiple factors may have made parts of the continent more prone to the plague than others. Study author Adam Izdebski told MailOnline: 'The plague transmission cycle and its final death toll on humans is sensitive to the weather, local vegetation, living conditions, population health, and several other factors. The famous bubonic plague had little effect in Ireland and Iberia but wiped out huge numbers in Scandinavia, France and Greece, the analysis reveals. This map shows sharp agricultural declines in Scandinavia, France, southwestern Germany, Greece and central Italy during the time of the Black Death, suggestive of high mortality rates. Meanwhile regions including Central and Eastern Europe and parts of Western Europe including Ireland and Iberia, show evidence for uninterrupted agricultural growth - suggesting human survival Bubonic plague is the most common form of plague and is spread by the bite of an infected flea. The infection spreads to immune glands called lymph nodes, causing them to become swollen and painful and may progress to open sores THE BLACK DEATH DEVESTATED EUROPE 700 YEARS AGO The Black Death pandemic devastated Europe between 1347 and 1351. This pandemic took a proportionately greater toll of life than any other known epidemic or war up to that time. The Black Death is believed to have been the result of plague caused by infection with the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Most scientists think that this bacterium was first passed from infected rodents to humans through the bite of fleas. Modern genetic analysis shows that the strain of Y. pestis introduced during the Black Death is the ancestor to all existing Y. pestis strains known to cause disease in humans. So the origin of modern plague epidemics lies in the medieval period. Source: Encyclopdia Britannica Advertisement 'We suppose that for each region that suffered the mass mortality or which was spared, a specific combination of factors influencing the plague transmission process should be looked for.' It's thought the Black Death which lasted from 1346 to 1353 could have killed as much as half of Europe's population. Dr Izdebski explained that the variations between countries would have likely been due to various factors that affected the plague's spread. 'There is no single factor that explains this regional diversity neither geography, nor trade routes, nor population density,' he told MailOnline. 'It is so because the disease ecology of plague is complicated it is a bacterial disease of rodents, such as marmots or rats, a disease that occasionally jumps over to humans, mostly via flea bites, with disastrous consequences, but humans are a dead-end for the plague bacterium.' The Black Death, which plagued Europe, West Asia and North Africa, is the most infamous pandemic in history. Historians have estimated that up to 50 per cent of Europe's population died during the pandemic possibly around 25million. Although ancient DNA research has identified a bacteria called Yersinia pestis as the Black Death's cause and traced its evolution across millennia, data on the plague's demographic impacts is still underexplored and little understood. To learn more, the team analysed pollen samples from 261 sites in 19 modern-day European countries to determine how landscapes and agricultural activity changed between 1250 and 1450 roughly 100 years before to 100 years after the pandemic. Dr Izdebski said: 'Pollen needs to be pollen of something - of some plant or groups of plants. It is the composition of the pollen overall (sum of pollen of all plants) that matters. 'Each of the 261 places provided at least two samples of pollen, before and after the Black Death, and it is the composition of these samples mixture of pollen of different plants that matters to us.' Bagno Kusowo peatland - one of best-preserved Baltic raised bogs in North Poland. The site possesses an 'exceptional' multi-proxy record of vegetation change in the last millennium Pictured, a depiction of plague victims being buried during the Black Death. The devastating bubonic plague pandemic ravaged Europe from 1346 to 1353 THE LINK BETWEEN POLLEN AND THE BLACK DEATH In the analysis, parts of Scandinavia, France and Greece showed a decline in cereal pollen and parts of Ireland, Iberia and eastern Europe showed an increase in cereal pollen. Where cereals (major edible crops) declined, pollen also showed a prevalence of flowers and plants that would have been left to grow in the absence of agriculture by humans. So, evidence of a decline in cereal pollen suggests low agriculture by humans and therefore high death. Conversely, evidence of an increase in cereal pollen suggests high agriculture by humans and lower death rates - or even no plague at all. Advertisement Palynology, or the study of fossil plant spores and pollen, is a powerful tool for uncovering the demographic impacts of the Black Death. This is because human pressures on the landscape in pre-industrial times, such as farming or clearing native plants for building, were heavily dependent on the availability of rural workers. Using a new approach called big-data paleoecology (BDP), the researchers analysed 1,634 pollen samples from sites over Europe. This allowed them to determine which plants were growing in which quantities, and thereby determine if agricultural activities in each region continued or halted, or if wild plants regrew. Results showed the Black Death's mortality varied widely, with some areas suffering devastation and others that were hit much lighter. Sharp agricultural declines in Scandinavia, France, southwestern Germany, Greece and central Italy support the high mortality rates, but regions, including much of Central and Eastern Europe and parts of Western Europe including Ireland and Iberia, show evidence for continuity or uninterrupted growth. 'The significant variability in mortality that our BDP approach identifies remains to be explained, but local cultural, demographic, economic, environmental and societal contexts would have influenced Y. pestis prevalence, morbidity and mortality,' said study author Alessia Masi at MPI SHH. During the time of the Black Death, human pressures on the landscape in pre-industrial times, such as farming or clearing native plants for building, were heavily dependent on the availability of rural workers. A low mortality suggests fields that were historically under cultivation Stazki river valley - the complex of rich fens having an origin in the medieval period. Palaeoecological signal of deforestations, agriculture and then forestry development was inferred in high resolution from this peat archives Many of the quantitative sources that have been used to construct Black Death case studies come from urban areas, which were characterised by crowding and poor sanitation. However, in the mid 14th century, upwards of 75 per cent of the population of every European region was rural so urban areas during the plague likely cannot tell the whole story. The study shows that to understand the mortality of a particular region, data must be reconstructed from local sources, according to the study authors. 'There is no single model of "the pandemic" or a "plague outbreak" that can be applied to any place at any time regardless of the context,' said Izdebski, who is the leader of the Palaeo-Science and History group at MPI SHH. 'Pandemics are complex phenomena that have regional, local histories. We have seen this with Covid-19, now we have now shown it for the Black Death.' The new study has been published today in the journal Nature Ecology. Advertisement Every week our Holiday Hero Neil Simpson takes an in-depth look at a brilliant holiday topic, doing all the legwork so you dont have to. This week: The best ships for a Nile cruise. The old-fashioned glamour of a river cruise through Egypt will be on full display from Friday with the release of the latest, big-budget adaptation of Death On The Nile. And while the paddle-steamer in Kenneth Branaghs film isnt available for holidays it was created in a film studio in Surrey there are plenty of equally atmospheric ships to choose on the Nile itself. Agatha Christie fans can explore Egypt on board SS Sudan, pictured, the very ship the author first sailed on in 1933 The SS Sudan, pictured, is where Agatha Christie worked on the plot for Death On The Nile and was featured in ITVs 2004 adaptation starring David Suchet Luxury travel firm Wexas offers an eight-night Death On The Nile Cruise with five nights on SS Sudan (pictured) The SS Sudan carries a maximum of 46 guests and air-conditioning and other modern essentials have been discreetly added to the vessels original decor The old-fashioned glamour of a river cruise through Egypt will be on full display from Friday with the release of the new film adaption of Death On The Nile. Pictured is Cairo and the Nile river Armie Hammer and Gal Gadot starring in Death On The Nile Agatha Christie fans can explore Egypt on board SS Sudan, the very ship the author first sailed on in 1933. Its where she worked on the plot for Death On The Nile and was featured in ITVs 2004 adaptation starring David Suchet. It carries a maximum of 46 guests, including those in the Agatha Christie Suite and the Hercule Poirot cabin, and air-conditioning and other modern essentials have been discreetly added to the vessels original decor. Luxury travel firm Wexas offers an eight-night Death On The Nile Cruise, with five nights on SS Sudan as it sails from Luxor to Aswan via the Valley of the Kings and the perfectly preserved Temple of Edfu. The holiday also includes two nights in Cairo with tours of the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum. From 3,895pp including flights (wexas.com). Paddle-steamer SS Misr adds royalty to the mix as guests step back into the golden age of travel. Egypts King Farouk had the ship converted into a luxury cruiser in the 1930s and held his birthday party on board in 1939. Photographs of the royal family and other famous faces adorn the restaurant walls, while the cabins and suites retain original Art Deco motifs. Guests step back into the golden age of travel aboard the paddle-steamer SS Misr, pictured, on a Jules Verne tour Jules Vernes The Original Nile By Royal Steamer tour will run for 13 nights. Pictured is The Sphinx and Pyramid of Khafre, an example of one of the sights that passengers will see along the way All are air-conditioned and have private balconies. Join Jules Vernes The Original Nile By Royal Steamer tour and you board SS Misr in Cairo for a 13-night cruise south to Aswan. From 5,495pp including flights (vjv.com). The equally atmospheric Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya ship could be the perfect choice for extended family groups, who can book exclusive use of its five cabins and two suites. Launched just over a decade ago, the small ships warm woods and wide-open upper deck hark back to a previous era of luxury travel as does its generous staff-to-guest ratio. Cox & Kings can book individual cabins on the ship, or check availability for exclusive hire. Typical 11-night holidays, with seven nights on the Nile, start at 3,345pp including flights (coxandkings.co.uk). Join Vikings 12-day Pharaohs And Pyramids tour aboard the Viking Ra, pictured, where 55 staff look after just 52 guests There are plenty of sofas and steamer chairs beside the pool on the upper deck of the Viking Ra, pictured The Viking Ra is a 'modern, all-suite alternative' to rival cruise liners. Pictured is the boat's dining area Above is the Viking Ra's lobby lounge area. Each two-room suite on board has a sitting area alongside the bedroom Viking's itinerary includes visits to Egypt's famous temples such as Abu Simbel (pictured), Karnak and Philae A modern, all-suite alternative is the Viking Ra, where 55 staff look after just 52 guests. Each two-room suite has a sitting area alongside the bedroom, and on the upper deck there are plenty of sofas and steamer chairs beside the pool. Take Vikings 12-day Pharaohs And Pyramids tour and, as well as Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, you will visit temples such as Abu Simbel, Karnak and Philae. From 4,550pp including flights (viking.com). If you book ships in the Presidential Nile fleet through specialist travel firm Solos, you are guaranteed single use of a double cabin. Pictured is the fleet's MS Presidential Commodore The all-inclusive Presidential Nile ships are some of the largest on the Nile, with up to 75 cabins. Pictured is the lounge area on board the MS Nile Plaza One of the cabins on a Presidential Nile ship. The cruise offers extras such as spa treatments and afternoon tea on deck Presidential Nile's nine-night, fully guided holidays include tours to see the Sphinx and Tutankhamuns death masks in Cairos Egyptian Museum (above) A Nile cruise also suits the lone traveller. If you book ships in the Presidential Nile fleet through specialist travel firm Solos, you are guaranteed single use of a double cabin. The all-inclusive ships are some of the largest on the Nile, with up to 75 cabins, and offer extras such as spa treatments and afternoon tea on deck. Nine-night, fully guided holidays include tours to see the Sphinx and Tutankhamuns death masks in Cairos Egyptian Museum. From 2,199pp including flights (solosholidays.co.uk). Covid-19 has scuppered countless travel plans, but some countries are relaxing the rules around visitors from the UK - even if they're unvaccinated. While countries such as Spain or France require holidaymakers to be fully vaccinated, there are others that don't require tourists to be jabbed at all, including one on this list that welcomes visitors with no red tape whatsoever. Whether you're looking to travel but aren't fully vaccinated or have a teenager in tow who hasn't had the jab yet, it's a hot topic. In fact, at the time of writing, 'places you can visit unvaccinated' was one of the most popular Google travel searches over the past few weeks, according to Google Trends. Here are 12 places you can travel to if you or one of your party hasn't had the jab or isn't fully vaccinated... Mexico Culture vultures should head straight to Mexico City, pictured Entry to Mexico just requires UK visitors to fill out the passenger locator form Vuela Seguro prior to their flight, and show the QR code on arrival. Looking for a slice of tropical paradise? Bacalar in Mexico is a must. The pretty town houses one of the world's most stunning natural beauties: the Lake of the Seven Colors. Culture vultures should head straight to Mexico City. Despite the famous smog, a good place to get an early idea of this vast metropolis is the viewing platform of the 44-storey Torre Latinoamericana building. You may also be able to see the two snow-capped volcanic peaks of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl beyond the city limits. Click here for the rules. El Salvador El Salvador is dotted with pretty villages, surf-friendly beaches and fascinating Mayan relics. Plus volcanoes There are currently no entry requirements for UK passengers to visit El Salvador. The UK government website does, however, advise bringing proof of vaccination in order to attend certain events. The small Central American country recently turned heads when it made Bitcoin legal currency, and pledged to build a 'Bitcoin City' at the base of a volcano. And if Bitcoin doesn't float your boat, El Salvador is dotted with pretty villages, surf-friendly beaches and fascinating Mayan relics. The vast complex of Tazumal a centre of trade dating back to around 5000 BCE is one of the most spectacular. Click here for the rules. Portugal Venture to Porto for a laid-back cosmopolitan city with a rich food and drink scene Unvaccinated visitors must provide a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before landing, or a negative antigen test taken 24 hours before landing. The sunny southern European country is well set up for tourists. Head to the Algarve for fine sand beaches and picture-perfect towns, or venture to Porto for a laid-back cosmopolitan city with a rich food and drink scene. The hilly, coastal capital Lisbon makes for an unrivalled city break, with cute local neighbourhoods, bars on sun-soaked terraces, world-class art galleries and charming independent boutiques. Click here for the rules. Croatia Located at the crossroads of central and southeastern Europe, Croatia was one of the first places holidaymakers looked to when travel restrictions loosened, with bookings up 50 per cent last year. Pictured is Dubrovnik Croatia offers a number of options. Unvaccinated UK visitors can take a PCR test 72 hours before landing, an antigen test 24 hours before landing, show a certificate showing that they have recovered from Covid-19 and have received one dose of vaccine, show a positive PCR or antigen test taken in the previous 180 days and is older than 11 days, or take a PCR or antigen test immediately upon arrival and self isolate until they receive the results, with a seven-day confinement if it's positive. Located at the crossroads of central and southeastern Europe, Croatia was one of the first places holidaymakers looked to when travel restrictions loosened, with bookings up 50 per cent last year. Canny tourists go in search of island-dotted sapphire waters, stunning architecture and ancient walled cities. The top-booked Croatian airports are Split, Dubrovnik and Zagreb. Click here for the rules. Cyprus Pictured is Cyprus's stunning Nissi Beach in the resort of Ayia Napa Passengers travelling to Cyprus must present a negative PCR taken 72 hours before departure, or an antigen taken 24 hours before departure. Upon arrival all passengers above the age of 12 must take a PCR test at the airport, and self-isolate in their accommodation until the results are available. Visitors will be rewarded with a sun-soaked island with glorious beaches, from the family-friendly blue flag Nissi Beach to the secret sandy paradise of Alaminos Beach, which is tucked away from view and only frequented by those in the know. Click here for the rules. Slovenia Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana (pictured), is a must-see for anyone making the trip Visitors to Slovenia must provide either a PCR test no older than 48 hours, an antigen test no older than 24 hours, or a positive PCR test that is older than ten days but not older than six months. Failing that, visitors can choose to quarantine for seven days, if they have proof that they have accommodation. Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, is a must-see for anyone making the trip. Set on the meandering river Ljubljanica with dramatic mountains rising to the north, the city boasts art galleries and museums interspersed between splendid art nouveau and neo-classical buildings. Click here for the rules. Turkey Tourists in Turkey should take in the bazaars of Istanbul (pictured), the exquisite coves of Turunc, and the ancient tombs on the Dalyan river Passengers over the age of 12 must present a PCR test taken in the past 72 hours or an antigen taken in the past 24 hours. Long-favoured by British sun-seekers, tourists should take in the bazaars of Istanbul, the exquisite coves of Turunc, and the ancient tombs on the Dalyan river. Be sure to catch a game of oil wrestling too - the revered ancient Turkish sport where men tackle each other in a pair of leather shorts while covered in olive oil. Click here for the travel rules. Maldives Luxurious resorts are the main draw for Maldives holidaymakers, but don't overlook the capital, Male (pictured) Visitors to the Maldives must provide a negative PCR test taken 96 hours prior to departure, counting from the first port of embarkation en-route. Unvaccinated tourists may stay in any resort, but unvaccinated people looking to stay on an inhabited island should only go to islands where a vaccination programme has been completed. Luxurious resorts are the main draw for Maldives holidaymakers, but don't overlook the capital, Male. The most densely populated city in the world, it's buzzing with restaurants and cafes, all serving traditional Maldivian fare peppered with Sri Lankan and Indian influences. Resort-wise, Maldives offers everything one would imagine from a tropical paradise and more, from waterfront villas with 62ft waterslides at Soneva Fushi to superb snorkelling at Cora Cora. Click here for the rules. Dominican Republic The Parque Nacional Jaragua (pictured) is a stunning area in the Dominican Republic Passengers from the UK must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. From the Dominican Republics capital Santo Domingo it is a long, bumpy drive down to the Parque Nacional Jaragua and Bahia de las Aguilas, but those who make the effort are rewarded with some of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean along five miles of unspoilt coastline. Continue the trip along the untouched coast of Barahona to find the small beaches popular with locals but undiscovered by tourists. Click here for the rules. Egypt The pyramids in Giza, pictured, are a must-visit. But so too is the city's Grand Egyptian Museum Passengers must complete a paper health declaration and will need to provide confirmation of a valid health insurance policy to airport authorities. Moreover, you must have a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure. Egypt will be on a roll in 2022. This year marks 100 years since British Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the boy pharaoh, Tutankhamun, in Luxor and the 200th anniversary of the deciphering of the Rosetta Stone, which unlocked the mystery of hieroglyphs. After you've seen the pyramids for yourself take in some world-class museums; the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will showcase 100,000 artefacts from ancient Egypt this year, including the entire King Tut collection. Click here for the rules. Ireland The iconic Temple Bar in Dublin is the most Instagrammed pub in Ireland Unvaccinated visitors will need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before entry. A good pint of Guinness, unbeatable pub culture and a warm welcome are all brilliant reasons to visit Ireland. We love the iconic Temple Bar, located in the heart of Dublin and established in 1840. Not only does it pour a grand pint, research has revealed that it is the most Instagrammed pub in Ireland, having been tagged in over 520,000 posts. Nature lovers could head to the west coast Wild Atlantic Way, a scenic 1,500 miles of Irelands most stunning landscapes. Click here for the rules. Italy Verona, pictured, is a great option for cultural enlightenment without the crowds The UK is on Italy's D list, which means that passengers aged six years and older have to show a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to entry, or a negative antigen test 24 hours prior to entry. They must then inform the local health authority of their entry to Italy, travel to their final destination by private transport, self isolate for five days, and take a PCR or antigen test at the end of the isolation period. Fly to Naples to visit nearby Sorrento, offering breathtaking sea views and plenty to do for couples and those travelling with family. Verona, meanwhile, is a great option for cultural enlightenment without the crowds. The setting of three Shakespeare works and famed for its wholesome cuisine such as creamy risottos and tortellinis, the northern Italian medieval city has charm all year round. Click here for the rules. Advertisement For the first time in almost two years, Australia is opening its borders. To celebrate - and to inspire - here's a list of stunning Airbnbs that for a long time have been the sole enjoyment of Aussie residents. These abodes have been revealed by Airbnb as the eight most 'wish-listed' properties in its Australia portfolio. Dream homes for a dream trip. There's a romantic treehouse in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, a charming A-frame barn in Doonan, Queensland, and an eco-glamping retreat in Victoria. There's also an eye-catching retreat in Tasmania with a unique fireplace made by a local blacksmith. Scroll down to peruse a list of properties that'll have you reaching for your passport, or your car keys if you're already there... The Pod, Lewisham, Tasmania This sleek 40-square-metre home is compact but beautiful, says Airbnb. Floor-to-ceiling glazing gives way to panoramic views of the dunes, Frederick Henry Bay, the Southern Ocean and Mount Wellington. Described as a 'love letter to Tasmania', the retreat houses a collection of artisan fittings, from the unique fireplace made by a local blacksmith to the bespoke Huon pine outdoor tub made with timber sourced from the depths of Lake Pieman. It costs around 290 AUD per night (153/$207), plus fees, with a two-night minimum stay Eco-Glamping Retreat, Emerald, Victoria This 'stunning' little straw-bale yurt has been featured in the glossy pages of numerous travel magazines. Just a 10-minute drive from Emerald, home of the Puffing Billy steam train, inside guests can get back to basics with boho decor and an outdoor kitchen. 'There is everything you need to have a relaxing time including a Bluetooth speaker, board games and even some facemask cream... there is also a fantastic bbq with all the utensils, as well as a fire pit with marshmallows for smores,' wrote Kyle in a review in 2020. It costs around 250 AUD per night (132/$179) plus fees Apple Orchard Farm Stay, Blackheath, New South Wales This 'exquisitely converted' barn is located on the oldest remaining apple orchard on Shipley Plateau. Built in 1919, it's been given a new lease of life with a modernist makeover, sleek floor-to-ceiling windows and a romantic outdoor tub offering dreamy views down to the Kanimbla valley, explains Airbnb. 'I was never a bath person - but after using the treetop bath, I have now converted,' wrote 'Angelica' in a review in 2022. It costs around 869 AUD per night (460/$625), plus fees Little Red Barn, Doonan, Queensland 'This classically-decorated home,' says Airbnb, 'features soaring vaulted wooden ceilings, a huge veranda featuring a cast iron freestanding bathtub, quaint cottage interiors and even a heated plunge pool - the perfect place for spotting kangaroos.' It costs around 254 AUD per night (134/$182), plus fees, with a two-night minimum stay Ryans Rest Tiny House, Pemberton, Western Australia Nestled amongst the trees, this miniature off-grid home 'feels like the ultimate escape', declares Airbnb, 'yet it's just 15 minutes from the town of Pemberton'. The rental site adds: 'Wake up to wrap-around views of the tranquil farmland and indulge in some bird-spotting from the comfort of your queen-sized bed. Outside there's a picturesque river which is exclusively for guests to partake in wild swimming, canoeing or fishing.' And 'Tailor' wrote in a review posted this year: 'A self-sustaining slice of heaven with absolutely everything you need at your fingertips' Bruny Island Hideaway, Bruny Island, Tasmania One for design and architecture lovers, suggests Airbnb. It adds: 'This minimalist cabin is kitted out with beautifully simplistic interiors and rustic Baltic pine floors. The off-grid retreat is set in 99 acres of conservation forest, meaning guests can enjoy birdsong during the day and the sounds of wallabies at night.' 'Eleanor' wrote in a review in 2021: '11/10... I spent a lot of time moving around the many cozy spaces, working my way through the library.' It costs around 385 AUD per night (203/$275), plus fees, with a two-night minimum stay Treehouse, Blue Mountains, New South Wales Over to 'Teddy' for the verdict on this property. 'I never thought it was possible to have a remote, rustic, hand-built treehouse that's also seriously luxurious,' he wrote in 2017. Airbnb adds that this 'secluded' treetop escape is 'strictly couples only, making it the perfect romantic retreat for nature-lovers'. Activities are listed as hiking, rock scrambling, or 'just taking in stunning views of the deep Bowen's Creek Gorge and World Heritage Blue Mountains rainforest from the comfort of the sunken hot tub' Clouds Safari, Beechmont, Queensland Married at First Sight bride Selina Chhaur broke down in tears during Wednesday night's episode when Cody Bromley confessed he wasn't attracted to her because she was Asian. And just moments after the gut-wrenching moment unfolded behind closed doors, the 32-year-old hairdresser was spotted taking a walk outside her apartment. Daily Mail Australia captured photos of Selina looking much more cheery as she took a 45-minute stroll after shooting her difficult chat with Cody on September 27. Ouch! Selina Chhaur (right) was left in tears after husband Cody Bromley (left) brutally admitted he wasn't attracted to her because she was Asian during Wednesday's episode Spotted: And just moments after the gut-wrenching moment unfolded behind closed doors, the 32-year-old hairdresser was spotted taking a walk outside her apartment Selina was dressed in activewear - a pink crop top teamed with a black puffer jacket, leggings and sneakers. The part-time actress had a full face of makeup on and wore her brunette hair into a high ponytail. The TV bride was accompanied by a MAFS crew member, who was also wearing a face mask in accordance with the show's Covid-19 policy. Casual: Selina (pictured with a producer) took a 45-minute stroll after shooting her difficult chat with Cody on September 27 Activewear: Selina was dressed in activewear - a pink crop top teamed with a black puffer jacket, leggings and sneakers The sighting comes just moments after Selina stormed out of her apartment in tears after Cody broke her heart when he confessed he isn't sexually attracted to her. During their honeymoon on Wednesday night, Cody and Selina were tasked with the assignment of opening the honesty box. Sitting on the floor in a cabin, Selina asked Cody: 'Are you attracted to me?' Cody responded: 'So this is one I'm struggling with. I do feel like there is something there to work on honestly. I do think you are a gorgeous girl.' 'I don't know why I'm struggling a bit with the sexual attraction.' 'And I'm not sure what it is. It's like my schl*ng isn't coordinating with my head,' he added as Selina wiped tears away. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine Tammy Hembrow's son Wolf has referred to her fiance Matt Poole as his 'dad' in a school project, after his biological father Reece Hawkins moved to the U.S. with his wife and baby son last July. The influencer, 27, shared a post on Instagram on Wednesday saying she 'just about cried' after finding the project titled 'All about my father' in her six-year-old's bag. Reece, who also shares daughter Saskia, five, with Tammy, had been co-parenting his children with his ex-fiancee before moving overseas last year with his American wife London Goheen and their son Stone, 11 months. Scroll down for video Family: Tammy Hembrow's son Wolf has referred to her fiance Matt Poole as his 'dad' in a school project, after his biological father Reece Hawkins moved to the U.S. with his wife and son last July. Pictured: Tammy, Matt, her daughter Saskia and son Wolf However, Tammy hinted in November last year she looks after her children full-time following Reece's departure, with Ironman Matt stepping in as stepfather. In the project, Wolf had to list details about his 'dad' Matt, writing the 32-year-old's age incorrectly as '20' and saying his favourite food is Nutri-Grain cereal. When asked to reveal something silly about Matt, Wolf wrote: 'We always have tickle battles.' He said Matt likes to watch sport on television, and doesn't like 'it when I whinge'. Project: Tammy, 27, shared a post on Instagram on Wednesday saying she 'just about cried' after finding the project titled 'All about my father' in her six-year-old's bag Stateside move: Reece Hawkins has been in the U.S. since July with his wife London Goheen. Pictured when she was pregnant with the couple's first child, Stone, who is now 11 months Wolf correctly listed Matt's job is an Ironman, while adding that his favourite thing to do with his stepfather is 'to go to the park'. He said what loves most about his 'dad' is that 'he buys me Oreo ice creams'. Tammy captioned the post: 'Wolf came home with this in his school bag last year and I just about cried when I saw it. Grateful for his step daddy.' It comes after Tammy's fans flooded one of Reece's recent Instagram posts, which showed him with wife London and baby Stone, with comments about his two eldest children, who live on the Gold Coast with their mother. New life: This recent Instagram post by Reece, which showed him with wife London and baby Stone, was flooded with comments about his two eldest children 'Date night with the fam,' Reece captioned the image. 'Where are the other two babies?' one follower commented. 'Where is your son and daughter?' another asked, while a third wrote: 'Where's the rest of your "fam"?' 'Where's your other babies?' a fourth responded. However, one fan defended Reece by commenting: 'People's imagination is wild. I bet he loves all three of his babies. Nobody knows the full story.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Reece Hawkins for further comment. Discussion: 'Where are the other two babies?' one follower commented. 'Where is your son and daughter?' another asked, while a third wrote: 'Where's the rest of your "fam"?' In November, Tammy - who is pregnant with Matt's child - appeared to confirm she takes care of Wolf and Saskia full-time now. 'Do you look after Wolf and Sass full-time now?' one fan asked during an Instagram Q&A, to which Tammy simply responded: 'Yep.' Tammy has been dating Matt since 2020. The pair announced they were expecting their first child together in December. The news came one month after they confirmed their engagement. Q&A: In November, Tammy - who is pregnant with Matt's child - appeared to confirm she takes care of Wolf and Saskia full-time now during an Instagram Q&A Father duties: Reece is pictured with his children Wolf and Saskia Reece has been dating American model London since mid-2018. They got together a few months after he announced his split from Tammy after five years of dating. The couple have lived together in the U.S. since July 2021. Reece and London revealed their pregnancy news in September 2020, and married not long after. Happy: Tammy has been dating Matt since 2020. They got engaged in November (pictured) Another on the way: Tammy revealed in December she was expecting her first child with Matt Tammy threw shade at her ex-partner on Father's Day in September as she praised her new boyfriend for 'stepping up' for the sake of her children. She posted a photo on Instagram of Matt with her son and daughter, and thanked him for 'being such an amazing role model'. 'You may not be their father by blood but the bond you have with my babies is something else,' she wrote. 'Thank you for stepping up and being such an amazing role model and support in their life. We love you.' Married At First Sight's Dean Wells has claimed that Brittany Higgins' accused rapist will not get a fair trial before the court. The outspoken former reality star, 43, made the statement on Wednesday, after Higgins' powerful speech at the National Press Club in Canberra. 'He's already been crucified. There's zero chance of him getting a fair trial', Wells wrote on Instagram. Opinion: Married At First Sight reject Dean Wells claimed Brittany Higgins' accused rapist will not get a fair trial before the court on Wednesday, sharing his thoughts to Instagram 'Imagine if the man accused was your brother or son and told you he didn't do it,' Wells asked in the post. Higgins was cheered loudly as she rose to speak to a packed audience of mostly female media and supporters on Wednesday. She repeated her allegation that she was 'raped on a couch in what I thought was the safest and most secure building in Australia'. Thoughts: 'He's already been crucified. There's zero chance of him getting a fair trial', Wells wrote on Instagram 'How is ok for this woman to to be saying this and the entire media amplifying her point,' Wells asked in his post. He continued: 'The accused man has not been to court yet, has said he didn't do it and will plead innocent.' The rape allegation, which Higgins says took place in Parliament House in March 2019, surfaced a year ago. The former Liberal staffer, 26, is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Speaking out: Higgins was cheered loudly as she rose to speak to a packed audience of mostly female media and supporters on Wednesday. She repeated her allegation that she was 'raped on a couch in what I thought was the safest and most secure building in Australia'. 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame joined Higgins in answering questions after making her own speech. Both women called out the government to do something about sexual abuse against men and women, boys and girls. Higgins claimed the country's leaders perpetuated the toxic culture in Canberra, singling out those at the very top of government in their failure to grasp the issues at stake. 'I did not want his sympathy as a father,' Higgins said of Scott Morrison, 'I wanted him to use his power as Prime Minister.' In electing to speak out about her experiences Higgins said she knew it would mean being subjected to 'vitriol and online hate'. Strong: The former Liberal staffer, 26, is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and abuse Grace Tame, who has been consistently critical of the Morrison government during her time as Australian of the Year, was characteristically fierce in her own speech. She spoke of recently receiving a threatening phone call from a government funded organisation. 'I was asked not to say anything damning about the Prime Minister,' Tame said, in the the lead up to the 2022 Australian of the Year Awards. ''You are an influential person. He will have a fear,'' they said. The fear? What kind of fear - I asked myself. 'A fear for our nation's most vulnerable? A fear for the future of our plan? And then I heard the words ''with an election coming soon''...' 'And it crystallised a fear for himself and no-one else,' Tame continued. 'A fear he might lose his position or, more to the point, his power.' She told the audience that it reminded her of the way she had be groomed, manipulated and finally abused by a paedophile, later jailed for raping her. 'Sound familiar to anyone? Well, it does to me. I remember standing in the shadow of a trusted authority figure, being threatened in just the same veiled way,' she said. Later during the question and answer session both women felt the message was that men were not the enemy, but 'the abuse of power', was. United: 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame joined Higgins in answering questions after making her own speech Wells shot to fame on the fifth season of Married At First Sight after cheating on his 'wife' Tracey Jewel with Davina Rankin. He launched a podcast and YouTube Channel called Dangerous Ideas with Deano in September 2020, and said he wanted to use the platform to critique feminism, cancel culture, and reality TV. 'It's time to fight back,' he told viewers in a subscription drive. While appearing on Married At First Sight, Wells was frequently accused of having opinions and attitudes that were misogynistic and old-fashioned. Netflix has released the trailer for its upcoming thriller starring Leighton Meester titled The Weekend Away. The film centers around a weekend trip to Croatia when a woman is accused of killing her best friend. While she works to clear her name, painful secrets are unearthed in the process. Set pulses racing: Netflix released the trailer for its upcoming thriller starring Leighton Meester titled The Weekend Away Vacation gone wrong: The film centers around a weekend trip to Croatia when a woman is accused of killing her best friend The trailer shows Meester as she settles into her hotel with a friend. The two soon go out clubbing where they meet a pair of men. The trailer then takes a dark turn when a body is shown floating in the water early the next morning. Meester's character wakes up with seemingly no memory of what happened the previous night though she does know her friend is missing. Secrets uncovered: While she works to clear her name, painful secrets are unearthed in the process Outing: The trailer shows Meester as she settles into her hotel with a friend. The two soon go out clubbing where they meet a pair of men She then identifies the body of her friend before the police begin questioning her. The police take her passport, and even seem to try and arrest her. The rest of the trailer shows Meester running for her freedom and investigating her friend's disappearance. The Weekend Away is based on the novel by Sarah Alderson and will star Meester alongside Batwoman actress Christina Wolfe, Screwdriver actor Ziad Bakri and Poldark star Luke Norris. No idea: Meester's character wakes up with seemingly no memory of what happened the previous night though she does know her friend is missing Being questioned: She then identifies the body of her friend before the police begin questioning her On the run: The rest of the trailer shows Meester running for her freedom and investigating her friend's disappearance Brilliant source material: The Weekend Away is based on the novel by Sarah Alderson and will star Meester alongside Christina Wolfe, Ziad Bakri and Luke Norris. The Weekend Away is just the latest of Meester's new projects which also include the recently released How I Met Your Mother spin-off How I Met Your Father which premiered last month. The director's cut of her 2008 slasher film Killer Movie was released last year as well. The Weekend Away is set for release in the United States on March 3. Erika Jayne showed off her statuesque legs in a striped minidress when she was spotted filming The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in Los Angeles this week. The 50-year-old star let her luxurious platinum blonde hairdo cascade freely over her shoulders. Meanwhile her co-star Lisa Rinna, 58, was spotted filming their reality show that day - and looked remarkably different as she switched up her usual choppy bob for a glamorous blonde wig. Reality stardom: Lisa Rinna (left) and Erika Jayne (right) lashed the flesh when they were spotted filming Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills this week Lisa encased her svelte frame in a fitted blue trouser suit that plunged to flash her cleavage and hint at her black bra. Her new look may jar her fans, who have become accustomed to Lisa's consistent short haircut since her days a soap star in the 1990s. She has stuck to that look so faithfully that Brandi Glanville once taunted her for having 'had the same hairdo for 20 years' during a Housewives reunion in 2015. Even Lisa's close pal Eileen Davidson could not resist responding to Brandi's dig by laughing uproariously, clapping and saying: 'Bam!' Looking fab: Lisa encased her svelte frame in a fitted blue trouser suit that plunged to flash her cleavage and hint at her black bra Switching things up: Lisa's wig completely transformed her look (pictured right with her shorter hairstyle) Erika could be spotted this Wednesday posing up a storm at a launch event for her line of extensions, Pretty Mess Hair. She swung by Tatel restaurant in Beverly Hills and stood for the cameras beside a rack displaying several different shades of extensions. Last month Erika was dismissed from a multimillion-dollar fraud and embezzlement suit against her estranged husband Tom Girardi, 82. The suit claims Tom, a former attorney who was disbarred last year, has not paid the settlement money he owes to families of victims from the 2018 Lion Air crash. There's Erika: The 50-year-old Real Housewife Of Beverly Hills let her luxurious platinum blonde hairdo cascade freely over her shoulders Tom was one of multiple attorneys who represented the families of the victims of the crash, which claimed the lives of 189 people when the Boeing plane plunged into the Java Sea less than 15 minutes into its flight. The lawsuit accuses Tom of using funds that rightfully belong to the families for his and Erika's 'outrageous lifestyles,' per court documents quoted by Reuters. Erika has long denied any involvement with Tom's alleged misdeeds and last month a legal decision was made in her favor. Businesswoman: Erika could be spotted this Wednesday posing up a storm at a launch event for her line of extensions, Pretty Mess Hair Wares on display: She swung by Tatel restaurant in Beverly Hills and stood for the cameras beside a rack displaying several different shades of extensions 'Pursuant to stipulation, plaintiffs claims against defendants EJ Global LLC and Erika Girardi are dismissed without prejudice and without costs,' said court documents quoted in Us Weekly after the decision. The plaintiffs' attorney Jay Edelson resolved to refile in California, where Erika lives. 'We have not stopped pursuing @erikajayne, just switching courts,' he tweeted. 'We believe we can prove she benefitted from Tom's ponzi scheme. Her lawyer is --again- misleading the public,' Jay added. Signature style: Lisa's new new look may jar her fans, who have become accustomed to her consistent short haircut since her days a soap star in the 1990s; pictured last week Having a ball: Lisa and her co-star Garcelle Beauvais are pictured last week honoring Real Housewives producer Andy Cohen (left) who was given a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame Meanwhile Tom is also claimed to owe $11 million to a family he represented in a suit involving a gas line explosion - and last year a court order obtained by E! News gave this family the right to sue Erika for the money. Ever since she went public with her separation from Tom in November 2020, ending a marriage of 20 years, their split has raised eyebrows. Tom and Erika have been accused of using divorce as a means of shielding their joint assets, a claim she has staunchly disputed. Complicating matters, Tom has been diagnosed with dementia and has been placed under a conservatorship as a result. The way they were: Last month Erika was dismissed from a multimillion-dollar fraud and embezzlement suit against her estranged husband Tom Girardi, 82 Erika could been seen on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills emotionally denying the divorce is a 'sham' and insisting that she has not even spoken to Tom since she announced their split near the end of 2020. Her co-star Garcelle Beauvais has been feuding with her lately and recently insisted that Erika ought to give up a pair of opulent diamond earrings Tom gifted her. 'There's so much more that she could do, even if she's not guilty of knowing everything that Tom was doing,' Garcelle said during her hosting gig on The Real, pointing out that Erika could donate the proceeds to Tom's former clients. Former Bachelor star Juliette Herrera has called out a man who offered to be her 'sugar daddy' in a cringeworthy message on Instagram. Juliette shared a DM from an Instagram user who wrote: 'Hello, princess. How are you doing today, beautiful lady? Do you need a sugar daddy to take care of your needs and pay all your bills?' The Sydney stylist, 32, didn't reply to the man, but captioned a screenshot of the message on Instagram Stories: 'Nooo! I don't! I am my own sugar daddy.' Thanks, but no thanks! Former Bachelor star Juliette Herrera has called out a man who offered to be her 'sugar daddy' in a cringeworthy message on Instagram Juliette was a breakout star on Locky Gilbert's season of the The Bachelor in 2020. Fans were immediately drawn to her zany but sweet personality, and the fact she admitted to living a celibate lifestyle. She was asked to leave the mansion after asking Locky point-blank why he wasn't showing any interest in her. I pay my own bills! Juliette shared a DM from a man who wrote: 'Hello, princess. How are you doing today, beautiful lady? Do you need a sugar daddy to pay all your bills?' She has since found love with tattooed boyfriend Alessandro 'Alex' Del Conte. Juliette told Daily Mail Australia in July last year the pair had been dating for about three months, after meeting at a bar in Sydney. 'I'm so happy and excited for once,' she gushed. 'I think I may have found The One. Alex is the kindest, sweetest dude - and he is quirky like me.' Love: Juliette debuted her relationship with Alessandro 'Alex' Del Conte (right) last year 'He is Italian and works as a professional cocktail bartender at the Hyatt [hotel], and studies fashion design,' she added. Juliette said that after a string of failed short-lived relationships - some of which she claims were abusive - it felt good to finally be in love again. 'We moved in together when lockdown commenced and instead of going nuts seeing each other every day, we get closer and laugh so much,' she continued. Close: 'We moved in together when lockdown commenced and instead of going nuts seeing each other every day, we get closer and laugh so much,' she previously told Daily Mail Australia 'I know it seemed fast but I guess when you know, you know. I have never felt this way for someone before and neither has he.' Juliette nearly made it to the end of Locky's season of The Bachelor last year. Registered nurse Irena Srbinovska eventually won the show and the couple are still together. Kelly Rizzo paid tribute to her late husband Bob Saget, and the life they shared during their six-plus year romance, one month after his unforeseen death on Wednesday. The food/travel blogger, 42, uploaded an emotional montage to Instagram that showed her and the 65-year-old comedian 'sharing and exploring' food and drinks around the world. Saget passed away on January 9 from a brain bleed caused by head trauma that occurred after he checked into the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Orlando, Florida. He'd performed in a stand-up show just hours prior. Tribute: Kelly Rizzo paid tribute to her late husband Bob Saget, and the life they shared during their six-plus year romance, one month after his unforeseen death on Wednesday 'One month without this incredible man,' Rizzo began in the caption of the clip, which was set to the tune of Jackson Browne's Fountain Of Sorrow. 'And I took your childish laughter by surprise - And at the moment that my camera happened to find you - There was just a trace of sorrow in your eyes,' Browne could be heard singing in verse one. 'Bob truly lived life to its fullest,' Rizzo continued, adding, 'He had so many hardships over the years that he would always tell me "look, life is hard, we need to enjoy it as much as possible." And one of the best ways we did that together was sharing and exploring amazing food around the world.' The final two lines of Fountain Of Sorrow that appear in Rizzo's post almost seem to describe the heartbreaking time that has elapsed since Saget's death. 'Now the things that I remember seem so distant and so small - Though it hasn't really been that long a time,' Browne croons in the acoustic-driven tune. Cheers: 'One month without this incredible man,' Rizzo, 42, began in caption of a montage video she posted on Instagram, which showed them toasting with food and drinks Indulging their love; The video showed them 'sharing and exploring' amazing food and drinks around the world, which Rizzo confessed was one of the things they 'did best' as a couple Classic: The montage was set to Fountain Of Sorrow, a Jackson Browne song full of insightful and sorrowful lyrics that seem to describe some of Rizzo's emotions in her caption At the montage's start, the couple could be seen toasting an appetizer of sushi before eating oysters. This was followed by Saget showing off his comedic touch while the pair check out the menu at the Four Seasons in St. Louis. Along with enjoying romantic dinners for two or sitting down to eat with family and friends at a restaurant, Rizzo and Saget cherished spending precious time cooking together in their own kitchen. In keeping with his reputation as a caring and giving man who cherished people of all kinds, especially his fans, there are several instances where Saget toasted his loved ones, as well as the camera, with a cocktail, champagne, or just a glass of iced tea. Spading his love: The comedian toasted his family, friends and the camera several times Funnyman: Saget could be seen showing off his comedic touch in the montage Taste of their love: Rizzo and Saget were seen sharing food and drinks with family and friends, and alone on a romantic date at a restaurant or at home making their own creations Rizzo continued: 'We were in our happy place together whenever we were out at a restaurant, hotel lobby bar, or even our own kitchen when I would try out a new creation on him. 'He was never shy about ordering, and he would even tell you to get everything on the menu that you wanted because he also wanted to see you enjoy everything to the fullest.' Rizzo ended the tribute by making a heartbreaking confession: 'Experiencing simple pleasures in life like that brought him so much joy. I can't even put into words how much I will miss this.' She also shared the video on her Instagram Story, writing beside the clip, '1 month. Bob loved to enjoy life. Here's us doing what we did best.' Their own place: The food and travel blogger admitted: We were in our happy place together whenever we were out at a restaurant, hotel lobby bar, or even our own kitchen' Homebody time: Rizzo gave a glimpse of her time in the kitchen with her husband Her heartbreak: Rizzo ended the post by confessing: 'Experiencing simple pleasures in life like that brought him so much joy. I can't even put into words how much I will miss this' Just two days earlier, after a chance meeting on the beach with The Talk host Amanda Kloots, Rizzo revealed she was missing her husband while soaking in a sunset, which was something they liked to do together. 'They say the ocean is healing. I know Bob believed that. He loved the ocean so much. He also loved a good sunset, and would always love to capture one for me,' she began in the Instagram post showing her staring off into the ocean horizon, as the sun slowly slips away. 'Wishing he was with me to see this one. But so grateful to have the opportunity to be here and take in the sea air and see part of Gods miracle. Actually, I know he's here. Just wish I brought a couple cigars for us. Oh well, next time.' The couple met in 2015, and then two years after a mutual friend introduced them, Saget would drop on one knee and pop the question. Mother nature's wonder: The Eat Travel Rock blogger also shared a personal moment when she soaked in a gorgeous sunset two days earlier, something she reveal her late husband like to do They eventually tied-the-knot in October 2018. TMZ revealed on Wednesday that Saget died of a brain bleed after the comedian hit the back of his head last month on an object. Insiders told the outlet that the star struck his head January 9 after he checked into the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Orlando. Saget had a bruise on the back of his head in the wake of his passing, sources told the outlet, noting that it was not clear what Saget's head made contact with to trigger the deadly injury. Neighbours star Colette Mann has confirmed her low-key exit from the soap this week. The 71-year-old actress took to Twitter on Wednesday to tell fans she likely wouldn't return to the series in which she has starred as Sheila Canning since 2012. When a viewer asked the showbusiness veteran if she'd left the show 'permanently', Colette replied, 'Looks that way'. Gone: Neighbours star Colette Mann (pictured in 2017) has confirmed her low-key exit from the soap this week When another fan queried whether Mann would continue acting, she replied, 'Oh I will still be teaching and acting,' before thanking the fan for their support. The same fan also bemoaned that it was 'really said to see Sheila being written out and not with a decent storyline either.' Colette's character last appeared on-screen on Tuesday, and her ultimate fate is to be covered off-screen when she flies to Los Angeles to support her daughter Naomi after the latter's boyfriend falls ill. Fan favourite: The 71-year-old actress took to Twitter on Wednesday to tell fans she likely wouldn't return to the series in which she has starred as Sheila Canning since 2012 Sad news: When a viewer asked the showbusiness veteran if she'd left the show 'permanently', Colette replied, 'Looks that way' When he ultimately passes away, according to Digital Spy, 'Sheila pledges to stay [in Los Angeles] to support' Naomi and her late partner's three children. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Mann for comment about the details of her exit from the show. Her sudden departure comes after it was revealed Ireland's RTE is 'in talks' with Neighbours' production company Fremantle about the future of the Australian soap. Support: Fans rallied around Mann on social media in the wake of her exit confirmation Channel 5 bosses confirmed on Saturday the show will no longer be aired by the broadcaster beyond this summer, after ending its decades-long association with the iconic Aussie serial. A spokesperson for RTE told MailOnline on Monday: 'RTE is currently in talks with Fremantle in relation to Neighbours.' The Australian Soap, which still gets 1.2million UK viewers per day, has been on the air in Oz since 1985. Hope: Ireland's RTE is 'in talks' with Neighbours' production company Fremantle Australia about the future of the Australian soap (Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher pictured on show in 2008) But it is reportedly facing the chop both in the UK and Down Under, three years before its 40th anniversary. A Channel 5 spokesperson told MailOnline at the weekend: 'Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer. 'It's been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we'd like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series. Looking forward: After Channel 5 confirmed its axe, a spokesperson for the RTE told MailOnline on Monday: 'RTE is currently in talks with Fremantle in relation to Neighbours' 'We'd also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years. 'We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.' The confirmation comes after Neighbours bosses are said to be axing the soap altogether, and are looking at seeing it off with a bang with the return of a legendary star such as Kylie Minogue. Although the show is filmed in Australia, UK broadcaster Channel 5 foots most of the production bill and the advertising revenue brought in by the programme does not match up to the outgoings, The Sun reported. End of an era! Channel 5 confirmed it will no longer air Neighbours beyond this summer, after ending its decade long association with iconic Aussie soap (Jason Donavan and Kylie Minogue pictured on show in 1988) A source said: 'Channel 5 pay Fremantle Australia many millions of pounds every year and, sadly, there's a shortfall of about 5million in what it brings back in through advertising. 'There's a lot of disbelief and sadness among those who know it's struggling. They are currently in the process of approaching a number of former cast members, including Kylie, to make a special return.' Veteran Neighbours actress Jackie Woodburne, who plays Dr. Karl Kennedy's wife Susan Kennedy, appeared on the verge of tears as she discussed the possibility of the Aussie soap facing the axe, on Monday's The Project. The 66-year-old, who has starred on the show for the last 27 years, was emotional as she revealed it's been a 'rollercoaster' of emotions over the past 24 hours, with the cast having attended a crisis meeting with producers on the Melbourne set that day. Emotional: Neighbours actress Jackie Woodburne (pictured) - who has starred on the iconic Aussie soap for 27 years - fought back tears as she revealed on Monday's The Project that it's been a 'rollercoaster' of emotions as the series faces the axe in Australia too When asked by host Carrie Bickmore how she's feeling, Jackie said that she's still 'in shock' and is 'overwhelmed' by the situation. 'Oh Carrie, it's been a rollercoaster absolutely... the last 24 hours or 36 hours as you can imagine,' she said. '[It's] kind of a lot of information to try and process but I still feel a bit in shock, a bit overwhelmed.' She added that she's 'certainly' been in touch with the cast amid the shock news. '[I] certainly have. We had a meeting today where our producers gave us some more information and really nothing more that's already been out there,' she revealed. 'But look, I have to say the feeling was one of... it was just... it was quite lovely. 'Everybody was sad, we were all crying, we were all very emotional about it all, but we're all so determined to bring this show home as best we can.' International audience: The soap first hit UK television screens in 1986 when it was shown on BBC One, a year after it launched in Australia Snoop Dogg has taken over a popular record label that launched his stellar career. The rapper-mogul, 50, acquired Death Row Records' brand from MNRK Music Group, which is controlled by a private equity fund managed by Blackstone, the investment firm announced Wednesday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Snoop Dogg said he's excited about acquiring the label's brand. The latest: Snoop Dogg, 50, has taken over Death Row Records, the popular record label that launched his stellar career. The rapper was snapped in October in NYC 'I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value,' Snoop Dogg said in a statement. He continued: 'It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members. This is an extremely meaningful moment for me.' Snoop Dogg found his springboard to success during the 1990s while on Death Row Records. The label was founded in 1992 by Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, the D.O.C. and Dick Griffey in the immediate aftermath of the breakup of N.W.A. David Kestnbaum, a senior managing director at Blackstone, said he's looking forward to seeing Snoop Dogg at the helm of Death Row. 'We are excited to put the Death Row Records brand back in the hands of a legend like Snoop Dogg,' Kestnbaum said. 'We wish him success in the years ahead as the brand moves forward under his leadership and vision.' Snoop Dogg said in a statement, 'I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value' The musical artist was snapped in December in Beverly Hills, California The label's records, including Dre's first solo album The Chronic and Snoop Dogg's debut Doggystyle, are considered classics of the hip-hop genre that defined an era. Tupac Shakur became the label's star artist later in the '90s before he was shot and killed in Las Vegas in 1996 while riding in a car driven by Knight. Shakur's death brought on decline for the label, which led to decades of decline for Knight himself. Knight lost Death Row after it went into bankruptcy in 2006. He served time in prison and had a knack for being near violence that eventually caught up with him. 'Snoop is clearly the executive to take Death Row into its next 30 years,' said Chris Taylor, president and CEO of MNRK Music Group. Fellow rapper Kanye West took to Instagram on Wednesday night to voice his support of Snoop's take over, writing: '#BLACKFUTUREMONTH' He had re-posted a tweet that said, 'Snoop acquiring Deathrow is black future month As F***' Nicole Kidman has scored a Best Actress nomination for this year's Oscars, and New Zealand director Jane Campion has been nominated for Best Director for a second time. Kidman's nomination was for her turn as Lucille Ball in Being The Ricardos, while Campion's was for her gothic western The Power of the Dog. The film was also nominated for Best Picture. After a pandemic year that hobbled movie theatres and saw streaming services make new inroads into Hollywood, the Academy Awards has put its strongest support behind two films made with big-screen grandeur that were also streamed into homes: The Power of the Dog and Denis Villeneuve's science fiction epic Dune. Netflix's The Power Of The Dog led nominations to the 94th Academy Awards with 12 nods, including Best Picture, Best Director and recognition for all of its top actors: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Campion, a nominee for 1993's The Piano, became the first woman to ever be nominated twice for best director. Last year, Chloe Zhao became just the second woman to ever win the award. Campion's director of photography, Ari Wegner, also became the second woman ever nominated for best cinematography. The only previous woman to do so was Rachel Morrison for Mudbound in 2018. Dune followed closely behind with 10 nominations spread out largely in the technical categories that rewarded the craft of Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel. The Warner Bros. release debuted simultaneously in theatres and on HBO Max. The nominees for Best Picture were: Belfast; CODA; Don't Look Up; Drive My Car; Dune; Licorice Pizza; King Richard; Nightmare Alley; The Power of the Dog and West Side Story. No streaming service has ever won Best Picture, but the odds may be better this year with half of the 10 nominees came from streaming services. Lady Gaga, star of House of Gucci, was overlooked in the uber-competitive Best Actress category. Nominated instead were Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye; Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter; Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers; Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos; and Kristen Stewart for Spencer whose hopes for her first Oscar nomination had seemed dashed after she was snubbed by the Screen Actors Guild. Drive My Car, Ryusuke Hamaguchi's masterful three-hour Japanese drama, scored major nominations including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Steven Spielberg, whose West Side Story landed seven nominations, became the first filmmaker nominated for Best Director in six different decades. His 11 Best Picture nominations are the most ever. Will Smith, who plays the father of Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard, notched his third Oscar nomination. Also up for Best Actor are Cumberbatch, Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick ... Boom!) Javier Bardem (Being The Ricardos) and Denzel Washington, who was nominated in the category for his seventh time for his performance in The Tragedy Of Macbeth. Washington remains the most-nominated black man ever. Dunst and Plemons, who have two children together, both landed their first nominations for The Power Of The Dog. The other couple celebrating dual nominations was Bardem and Cruz. Along with Dunst, the nominees for Best Supporting Actress were a trio of first-timers Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter), Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) and Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard) and one veteran: Judi Dench, who earned her eighth Oscar nod for her performance in black-and-white family drama Belfast by fellow nominee Kenneth Branagh. She regularly shows off her impeccable sense of style on social media. And Helen Flanagan, 31, stunned as she donned some colourful Karen Millen attire in a new Instagram post on Wednesday. The actress looked glamorous in a bright green backless fishtail dress as she posed for a sultry snap. In style: Helen Flanagan, 31, stunned as she donned some colourful Karen Millen attire in a new Instagram post on Wednesday The star showed off her natural beauty as she glanced back over her shoulder, opting for a simple look with her make-up and accessorising with a pair of gold earrings. In another image, the former Coronation Street cast member wore a red fitted jumpsuit with a ruffled shoulder and black belt to cinch in the waist. Meanwhile, the former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star looked relaxed as she posed in a white maxi dress with a navy blue pattern while sitting on the back of a boat on the River Thames in London. Fashion focus: In a final snap, Helen could be seen sitting on her stairs as she wore a halter neck top with keyhole detail which she teamed with a pair of chic black trousers Fashion forward: The former Coronation Street cast member wore a red fitted jumpsuit with a ruffled shoulder and black belt to cinch in the waist in one image All at sea: Meanwhile, the former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star looked relaxed as she posed in a white maxi dress with a navy blue pattern while on the back of a boat In a final snap, Helen could be seen sitting on her stairs as she wore a halter neck top with keyhole detail which she teamed with a pair of chic black trousers with gold buttons. It comes after Helen showcased her style credentials once again on Sunday as she posed up a storm for a slew of Instagram snaps. She looked incredible in a checked skirt and matching cropped blazer from Primark. The beauty showed off her toned legs as she posed on stairs in her head turning ensemble. She paired her outfit with cream open toe heels and she accessorised with gold hoop earrings and a designer watch. Her blonde locks were swept back into a ponytail and she donned a light palette of makeup. Stunning: Helen showcased her style credentials in a checked skirt on Sunday as she posed up a storm for a slew of Instagram snaps Wow! The actor, 31, looked incredible in a cream cropped blazer from Primark Sweet: Helen is mother to daughters Matilda, six, Delilah, three, and son Charlie, nine months, with Scott Helen's post comes after she told New magazine she wants to concentrate on family life with her partner Scott Sinclair and their three children. Helen is mother to daughters Matilda, six, Delilah, three, and son Charlie, nine months, with Scott. The soap star, who is taking a break from Coronation Street, made it clear that her three children are her priority, but didn't rule out jumping back into acting. 'I really do miss Coronation Street and I'd love to get back into acting properly when the time comes,' she revealed. On whether she would like any more children, The Manchester-born actress said 'never say never', but did remark that it's likely Charlie will be her last. Fans of the late Top 40 radio pioneer Casey Kasem will get a chance to own items from the Holmby Hills home he shared with wife Jean Kasem. Casey hosted the radio program American Top 40 and was the first actor to provide the voice for Norville 'Shaggy' Rogers on the Scooby-Doo cartoons. An exclusive auction featuring over 500 lots from Kasem's estate will be put up for bidding by Julien's Auctions on Thursday, March 17th, 2022 in Beverly Hills. Items: Fans of the late Top 40 radio pioneer Casey Kasem will get a chance to own items from the Holmby Hills home he shared with wife Jean Kasem Auction: An exclusive auction featuring over 500 lots from Kasem's estate will be put up for bidding by Julien's Auctions on Thursday, March 17th, 2022 in Beverly Hills The auction will be, 'an exclusive presentation of luxurious items and possessions from his marriage to his wife, actress Jean Kasem, most known for playing fan favorite character Loretta Tortelli on TVs iconic sitcom, Cheers.' Kasem became a household name hosting American Top 40 from 1970 to 1988 and returned in 1998 to host until 2004. when Ryan Seacrest took over, though he continued hosting American Top 20 and American Top 10 until 2009, when he retired. He counted down the top 40 songs backwards each week, sprinkling in some 'long distance dedications' to listeners. The show became a staple among teenage listeners around the world, with the show broadcast in over 500 radio stations in America and another 500 around the world. The broadcaster and actor was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2007 and he passed away in June 2014 from sepsis caused by an ulcerated bedsore. Among the most distinguished of items up for sale is the DJ's own microphone, which he personally used on the air. Mic: The German made Neumann brand model U 87 Ai studio microphone also includes its original wooden box and shockmount, and is expected to fetch between $1,000-$2,000 The German made Neumann brand model U 87 Ai studio microphone also includes its original wooden box and shockmount, and is expected to fetch between $1,000-$2,000. Another technical a vintage McIntosh brand, model MC-240 Stereo Power tube amplifier, expected to fetch between $1,000-$2,000. Other technical items include vintage Teac brand A-4010S reel-to-reel tape deck and vintage Sansui brand, model SR-838 turntable; his enormous record collections spanning various genres, time periods and an array of artists such as various single collections of vintage 7-inch 45rpm record singles of over 300 to 500 records in each lot, with each expected to fetch between $200-$700. Amp: Another technical a vintage McIntosh brand, model MC-240 Stereo Power tube amplifier, expected to fetch between $1,000-$2,000 Record: Also up for auction is his enormous record collections spanning various genres, time periods and an array of artists such as various single collections of vintage 7-inch 45rpm record singles of over 300 to 500 records in each lot Also going under the hammer is a pair of commemorative America's Top 10 bomber jackets with "Jean" and "Casey" embroidered in red ($200-$300). Another lot features an animation cel featuring the entire Mystery Gang, and the final cel of Shaggy and Scooby-Doo with an attached note from Joseph Barbera ($200-$300). The auction will also include an original District Bank Limited check made out to Lineside Electronics Ltd. for $3,000 pounds, signed by John Lennon and dated May 29, 1970, approximately one month following the breakup of The Beatles in a custom-frame together with an image of Lennon ($1,000-$2,000). Jackets: Also going under the hammer is a pair of commemorative America's Top 10 bomber jackets with "Jean" and "Casey" embroidered in red ($200-$300) Cel and note: Another lot features an animation cel featuring the entire Mystery Gang, and the final cel of Shaggy and Scooby-Doo with an attached note from Joseph Barbera ($200-$300) Lennon: The auction will also include an original District Bank Limited check made out to Lineside Electronics Ltd. for $3,000 pounds, signed by John Lennon and dated May 29, 1970, approximately one month following the breakup of The Beatles in a custom-frame together with an image of Lennon ($1,000-$2,000) Also up for bidding will be a collection of 13 letters written by Dick Clark ranging from 1965-2001, expected to fetch between $500-$700. There will also be a lot with several hand-written artist biographies including Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, The Beatles, Diana Ross, The Shirelles, Percy Faith, Barbara Streisand, handwritten notes, and other ephemera related to American Top 40, expected to fetch $100-$200. Another lot relates to the the Israel-Palestine Peace signing (also known as The Oslo Accords) at The White House on September 13, 1993, in which Casey Kasem was in attendance, which includes a pamphlet inscribed to Kasem by former President Bill Clinton ($200-$300). Dick's letters: Also up for bidding will be a collection of 13 letters written by Dick Clark ranging from 1965-2001, expected to fetch between $500-$700 Top 40: There will also be a lot with several hand-written artist biographies including Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, The Beatles, Diana Ross, The Shirelles, Percy Faith, Barbara Streisand, handwritten notes, and other ephemera related to American Top 40, expected to fetch $100-$200 Casey and Bill: Another lot relates to the the Israel-Palestine Peace signing (also known as The Oslo Accords) at The White House on September 13, 1993, in which Casey Kasem was in attendance, which includes a pamphlet inscribed to Kasem by former President Bill Clinton ($200-$300) For those who wish to rock Casey's signature sweaters, another lot will feature ); Casey Kasems signature 1980s American Top 40-era sweaters featuring retro-patterned cotton and wool sweaters from designers, Coogi Australia, Cyril's Beverly Hills, Gianfranco Ruffini, Perry Ellis America, Out 'Town. Fans can also own a part of Kasem's trophy case with his California Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Award, expected to fetch $200-$300. Also up for bidding is a black Fender brand Squier electric guitar signed by The Beach Boys ($600-$800). Sweaters: For those who wish to rock Casey's signature sweaters, another lot will feature ); Casey Kasems signature 1980s American Top 40-era sweaters featuring retro-patterned cotton and wool sweaters from designers, Coogi Australia, Cyril's Beverly Hills, Gianfranco Ruffini, Perry Ellis America, Out 'Town Casey's award: Fans can also own a part of Kasem's trophy case with his California Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Award, expected to fetch $200-$300 Signed: Also up for bidding is a black Fender brand Squier electric guitar signed by The Beach Boys ($600-$800) Items from Jean Kasem include some of the costumes she wore as Loretta Tortelli such as the black and pink floral dress below. Also up for auction is Jeans champagne colored wedding dress with veil and cropped jackets worn to her 1980 marriage to Casey that was officiated by Reverend Jesse Jackson ($500-$700). There will also be items from their Holmby Hills estate going up for auction. Dress: Items from Jean Kasem include some of the costumes she wore as Loretta Tortelli such as the black and pink floral dress below Wedding: Also up for auction is Jeans champagne colored wedding dress with veil and cropped jackets worn to her 1980 marriage to Casey that was officiated by Reverend Jesse Jackson ($500-$700) Veil: Jean Kasem's wedding veil that will be going up for auction Officiant: Jean and Casey's wedding officiated by Jesse Jackson Estate: There will also be items from their Holmby Hills estate going up for auction Home: Jean and Casey Kasem's Holmby Hills estate Such items from their home include an assembled set of Gorham Versailles pattern sterling flatware for 12 with assorted monograms, 245 pieces total in an antique Gorham fitted velvet-lined mahogany box, estimated at $10,000-$20,000. For the art lovers, there will also be a a 1963 color lithograph print by Pablo Picasso titled, "Maternite," hand signed by Picasso, estimated at $600-$800. The most expensive item up for bidding is the couple's 2009 silver Mercedes-Benz four door G 55 Wagon which will include a replica of Caseys star on the Hollywood Walk of fame and autographed picture of Casey and Jean Kasem, estimated to fetch $50,000-$70,000). Items: Such items from their home include an assembled set of Gorham Versailles pattern sterling flatware for 12 with assorted monograms, 245 pieces total in an antique Gorham fitted velvet-lined mahogany box, estimated at $10,000-$20,00o Print: For the art lovers, there will also be a a 1963 color lithograph print by Pablo Picasso titled, "Maternite," hand signed by Picasso, estimated at $600-$800 Simon Blackburn was booted off the new season of Married at First Sight last year after producers uncovered misogynistic, racist and homophobic videos he had shared to TikTok. But despite facing mass backlash, the disgraced groom was pictured partying like it was nobody's business on Wednesday. Simon was seen whipping off his shirt before urinating in the street after going to the Hawthorn Hotel in Melbourne with his new girlfriend, Melbourne socialite Kate Rutherford. How romantic! Disgraced Married at First Sight star Simon Blackburn was spotted shirtless on a night out with his new girlfriend on Wednesday Simon was wearing black jeans and a salmon-coloured shirt, which he later took off to unveil his extensive tattoo collection. He was then seen doing up his trousers after urinating in the street. The pair hopped into a car - which Kate was driving - to stop off at McDonald's before heading home. For the occasion, Kate wore a light blue dress and white slides teamed with a shoulder bag. The couple made their romance official by filming TikTok videos together just weeks after they started dating. Stay classy! He was then seen undoing in his trousers and urinating in the street Casual: Simon was seen fiddling during his walk One video, which has since been deleted, sees Simon and Kate lying in bed facing each other as they lip-sync the lyrics to a song before sharing a kiss. 'Simmo is happy in love for the first time in a long time. Kate ticks all his boxes and more importantly she gets along with his son,' a source told Daily Mail Australia. Style: Simon was wearing black jeans and a salmon-coloured shirt, which he later took off to unveil his extensive tattoo collection Chic: For the occasion, Kate wore a light blue dress and white slides teamed with a shoulder bag Love story: The pair went official on social media only recently Blackburn, who is in his thirties, had already filmed his wedding and honeymoon with his TV bride Jessica Seracino when she discovered his offensive videos in October after noticing 'red flags' about him within just 24 hours of tying the knot. 'Jessica was extremely uncomfortable with him,' an insider previously told Daily Mail Australia. After waking up on their honeymoon, Seracino asked her friends to do some research on Blackburn, and a quick Google search revealed his unsavoury online footprint, including hateful videos and tweets. Big night: The pair then got into a car - which Kate was driving - to stop off at McDonald's before heading home Grabbing a bite: The duo picked up some fast food through at a McDonald's Drive-Thru Off: Simon was kicked off the show last year, after producers discovered misogynistic, racist and homophobic videos he had shared to TikTok 'There were a series of homophobic and misogynistic tweets and TikTok videos. Something was not right,' the source added. 'Jessica was in disbelief and that's when she alerted producers, who were just as surprised.' Blackburn was then 'immediately asked to leave' and Seracino was sent to another hotel until producers matched her with a new groom. Who needs MAFS? Kate Rutherford (pictured) and Simon made their romance official by filming TikTok videos together weeks after they started dating Cringe: One video, which has since been deleted, sees Simon and Kate lying in bed facing each other as they lip-sync the lyrics to a song before sharing a kiss 'When unacceptable social media content was discovered in relation to Simon Blackburn we immediately took steps to remove him from the program,' a Nine representative told Daily Mail Australia. 'We won't be making further comment.' One shameful TikTok video showed Blackburn making misogynistic comments about a woman he previously dated. He claimed she would 'sit on YouTube all day' instead of making money and called her the C-word repeatedly. Red flags: Blackburn had already filmed his wedding and honeymoon with Jessica Seracino (pictured) when she discovered his offensive videos in October, after noticing 'red flags' about him Another video saw him discussing how he matched with a woman on dating app Hinge, who later texted him to say she didn't think she was his type. He then boasted of not dating women 'over 60 kilos'. Blackburn did not respond to Daily Mail Australia's request for comment at the time, but appeared to address his exit from the show by sharing a post on his private Instagram profile that was captioned: 'Leave the past in the past.' He also asked people to stop messaging him about the videos because he was suffering from Covid-19. Mega Mansion Hunters Rating: The Fast and the Farmer-ish Rating: Don't buy anything from a man on the doorstep. It's never a good idea. Whether he's flogging brushes or offering to Tarmac your drive, just politely and firmly say no. And if he's wearing loafers with no socks, sporting earrings with a man-bun and claims he can sell your house for 5 million, send him packing. The same goes for saleswomen with so much fake tan their faces have turned green. Mega Mansion Hunters features luxury real estate agents selling posh, glamorous homes. Pictured left to right: Quas, Erin, Reis, Sophie, Tyron, Alex, Chloe and Brett Property sales boss Tyron Ash bragged, on Mega Mansion Hunters (C4), that his business was driven by agents who go door to door in upmarket areas, asking owners to let them list their homes. Tyron, 34, doesn't have an office. Deals don't get sealed on the High Street, he says. Anyway, he loathes traditional agencies and the way they do business. Though he wants us to know his turnover is in the tens of millions, he is still bubbling with resentment that established firms wouldn't even offer him an interview for a sales job. 'Was it the colour of my skin? I don't know,' he seethes. I don't know, either. But perhaps employers were put off by his 40-month prison sentence for intent to supply class-A drugs, in his 20s. In a business where reputation is everything, jail time doesn't inspire confidence. The original title for this show was Property Porn Stars and one look at the sales team told you why. Property sales boss Tyron Ash (pictured) bragged, on Mega Mansion Hunters (C4), that his business was driven by agents who go door to door in upmarket areas Tyron calls them his 'real estate sharks' but there was nothing real about them. From the manufactured arguments over bonuses to the 'Brazilian bum lift' or surgically enhanced buttocks flaunted by Sophie, 27, everything about the show was fake. Sophie walked in to a Thamesside apartment while rival Alex was showing his own client around. 'Oh,' said Alex. 'That's a. Surprise.' His line sounded as wooden as the balcony decking. Later, Tyron and Alex sat in an empty bar to have a definitely spontaneous and not-at-all scripted conversation about how they were both bullied at school. The youngest of the so-called sharks was Chloe, 19, who promised she was making nearly 15,000 a month. If that's true, I'm not sure why she can't pay for a dog-sitter, instead of taking her labrador to viewings. When The Fast And the Farmer-ish was announced, as part of BBC3's big return to screens, this show was widely mocked for its concept as well as its cringeworthy title We can only hope the taxman takes her declaration of earnings at face value, even if no one else believes it. Two more 19-year-olds, Ellie and Mimi, were earning less but having more fun as they raced tractors on The Fast And the Farmer-ish (BBC3). The girls, with their team-mate another Ellie, the 21-year-old Miss Northamptonshire were throwing around their John Deeres and Massey Fergusons in a muddy showdown with three Devon lads. When it was announced, as part of BBC3's big return to screens, this show was widely mocked for its concept as well as its cringeworthy title. 'This is gonna be awesome! Amazing!' presenter Tom Pemberton insisted, as he hyperventilated over 'a series of diesel-powered challenges'. In fact, these wacky races look like games Jeremy Clarkson might have played in his Top Gear heyday. The competitors had to steer round obstacle courses while singing country hits, and use their vehicles to bowl tyres at sheds. The sight of a deeply embarrassed boy called Bucky trying to reverse a farm vehicle while belting out Shania Twain's Man! I Feel Like A Woman, was stupidly entertaining. After watching one half-hour episode, I can't imagine I'll ever feel the need to see another. With Disney Plus' new series The Book of Boba Fett coming to an end on Wednesday, the streaming service revealed when the next Star Wars TV series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, will debut. Disney unveiled a new poster for Obi-Wan Kenobi, which brings back Ewan McGregor to reprise his roles from the Star Wars prequel movies, which also reveals the show will debut on May 25. That specific date has a lot of meaning for Star Wars fans, since it was on that date in 1977 that the very first Star Wars movie, A New Hope, debuted in theaters. Poster: With Disney Plus' new series The Book of Boba Fett coming to an end on Wednesday, the streaming service revealed when the next Star Wars TV series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, will debut Reprise: Disney unveiled a new poster for Obi-Wan Kenobi, which brings back Ewan McGregor to reprise his roles from the Star Wars prequel movies, which also reveals the show will debut on May 25 The poster showcases Obi-Wan seemingly wandering through the sandy desert of Tatooine, though his destination is unknown. The story takes place 10 years after the final Star Wars prequel movie, 2005's Revenge of the Sith, where he failed to bring his best friend and apprentice - Annakin Skywalker - back from the Dark Side. Little else is known about the show as of yet, though it has been confirmed that at least three other actors from the Star Wars prequels will return. 10 years later: The story takes place 10 years after the final Star Wars prequel movie, 2005's Revenge of the Sith, where he failed to bring his best friend and apprentice - Annakin Skywalker (right) - back from the Dark Side Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse will return as Owen Lars and Beru Lars, Luke Skywalker's uncle and aunt who raised him after Annakin turned to the Dark Side. Hayden Christensen has also been confirmed to return as Annakin Skywalker a.k.a. Sith Lord Darth Vader. While no plot details have surfaced, it's possible that this show could provide a rematch of Obi-Wan and Annakin's epic lightsaber duel at the end of Revenge of the Sith. Owen and Beru: Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse will return as Owen Lars and Beru Lars, Luke Skywalker's uncle and aunt who raised him after Annakin turned to the Dark Side Hayden returns: Hayden Christensen has also been confirmed to return as Annakin Skywalker a.k.a. Sith Lord Darth Vader The cast will also include Moses Ingram, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell and Benny Safdie. The show was created by Joby Harold, who will also executive produce the series with McGregor, Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan and Deborah Chow, who will direct all six episodes of the series. Obi-Wan Kenobi will be the third live-action Star Wars series debuting on Disney Plus, following The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, with many more in the works. Live-action: Obi-Wan Kenobi will be the third live-action Star Wars series debuting on Disney Plus, following The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, with many more in the works Disney Plus is also expected to release their new series Andor later this year, following Diego Luna's character Cassian Andor set before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The streaming service will also debut Ahsoka, a spin-off series following Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Tano character. Other spin-offs that are in development include The Acolyte from Russian Doll creator Leslye Headland and Lando from Dear White People creator Justin Simien. Jessica Alba cut an edgy figure as she strolled into the Honest Company headquarters in Playa Vista, California on Wednesday afternoon. The 40-year-old actress tucked a black tank top into a pair of distressed black denim jeans with holes on the knees. Alba founded the Honest Company, a consumer goods brand that sells baby, beauty, and personal products, in 2011. Boss lady: Jessica Alba cut an edgy figure as she strolled into the Honest Company headquarters in Playa Vista, California on Wednesday afternoon It currently boasts a value of over $2billion, according to Bloomberg. The Sin City actress layered up her look on Wednesday by throwing on a black faux leather blazer with gold buttons. She slipped her feet into some platform black boots and toted her belongings in a large leather tote bag. Alba also carried some essentials in a small crossbody bag. Edgy: The 40-year-old actress tucked a black tank top into a pair of distressed black denim jeans with holes on the knees, and she wore a pair of Quay sunglasses She accessorized with several glistening gold chains and a pair of large gold hoops. The Fantastic Four actress had her shoulder-length hair styled straight and she kept a pair of aviator shades from Quay over her eyes. With the COVID-19 pandemic still at large, Alba donned a patterned face mask. When she is not running her successful company, Alba is busy being mom to her three children. In business: Alba founded the Honest Company, a consumer goods brand that sells baby, beauty, and personal products, in 2011; Alba pictured in 2021 Killing it: It currently boasts a value of over $2billion, according to Bloomberg She shares daughters Honor, 13, Haven, 10, and son Hayes, four, with husband Cash Warren. The actress and her spouse initially met when she was working on the 2004 superhero feature Fantastic Four, where her now-spouse was serving as an assistant. Before she became involved with her future husband, the performer was engaged to her Dark Angel co-star, Michael Weatherly, for a period of time, although they broke things off in 2003 Alba and Warren dated for three years before they announced that they were planning to marry in late 2007. Working mom: When she is not running her successful company, Alba is busy being mom to her three children. She shares daughters Honor, 13, Haven, 10, and son Hayes, four, with husband Cash Warren The pair later made their union official during a low-key ceremony that was held at a courthouse in Beverly Hills the following year. The couple welcomed their first daughter that June and waited until 2011 and 2017, respectively, to add their other two kids to their lives. Alba often uses Instagram and TikTok to give her fans a glimpse into life at home with Cash and their brood. Life at home: Alba often uses Instagram and TikTok to give her fans a glimpse into life at home with Cash and their brood On Tuesday, the mogul utilized her sprawling kitchen to test out a viral Avocado toast recipe from TikTok. Although she was 'skeptical' at first, Alba admitted to her followers that the toast 'actually turned out so fluffy + delish.' She appeared in the video in a bright floral robe with a coordinating yellow headband. Something's cooking: On Tuesday, the mogul utilized her sprawling kitchen to test out a viral Avocado toast recipe from TikTok Hilary Duff beat the heat in Southern California with Slurpee Wednesday. The 34-year-old actress was seen smiling as she left a Studio City, California 7-Eleven location with two of her children, son Luca, nine, and daughter Banks, three. The mom of three - to daughter Banks and Mae, 10 months, with husband Matthew Koma, 34; and Luca, with ex-husband Mike Comrie, 41 - was clad in a sleeveless mustard yellow top and denim jeans with tears in the knees, with pink shoes. The latest: Hilary Duff, 34, was seen smiling Wednesday as she left a Studio City, California 7-Eleven location with two of her children, son Luca, nine, and daughter Banks, three The How I Met Your Father actress had her hair tied up and carried multiple face masks on the daytime outing. The Houston native and Koma last weekend attended a star-studded dinner along with her ex Joel Madden, 42, and wife Nicole Richie, 40; Fall Out Boy artist Pete Wentz, 42, and girlfriend Meagan Camper, 32; and music producer Josh Abraham and wife Gina. Abraham shared a series of images from the outing on Instagram Stories as the group gathered at the Scratch Bar & Kitchen in Los Angeles. The Younger star and Madden parted ways in November of 2006 after dating for more than two years. The How I Met Your Father actress had her hair tied up and carried multiple face masks on the daytime outing Duff's daughter Luca enjoyed a Slurpee on the warm day in Southern California She spoke about the nature of the relationship on the podcast The Love Bomb with Nico Tortorella in October of 2016. 'It was so all-encompassing,' Duff said. 'It was so intense. It was my life. It was like every minute of my day. It was pretty major.' Madden opened up about his relationship with Duff in a March 2007 interview with People. Duff chat with her son Luca as they exited the convenience store The Houston native and husband Matthew Koma last weekend attended a star-studded dinner along with her ex Joel Madden and wife Nicole Richie; Fall Out Boy artist Pete Wentz and girlfriend Meagan Camper; and music producer Josh Abraham and wife Gina 'Every girl I've ever dated I have respect for, and I always try to leave them on good terms,' Madden said. 'I don't see the necessity to be friends with anyone you've dated but definitely out of respect of the time, you have to be kind of respectful and that's what I try to do.' Madden went on to date Richie, and the couple exchanged vows in December of 2010. The pair are parents to children Harlow, 14, and Sparrow, 12. Duff and Koma exchanged vows in December of 2019. Gina Kirschenheiter said she didn't know how to handle her friendship with Noella Bergener on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County. 'I'm not comfortable in a friendship that I don't understand,' said Gina, 37, in a confessional after Noella turned on her during their group trip to Mexico. 'I want to get off the crazy plane even if it is private.' The episode titled 'Runaway Husband' opened at close to midnight on the group's last night in Cabo with Heather Dubrow, 52, telling Noella, 36, that the card game she gave to her 18-year-old daughter was pornography and an inappropriate gift. Uncomfortable friendship: Gina Kirschenheiter said she didn't know how to handle her friendship with Noella Bergener on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County 'Are we done with this?' said Noella. Jen Armstrong, 44, intervened and tried to explain that the gift hurt Heather's kid. 'I've had a day,' said Noella, who earlier in the day had to be pulled out of the sweat lodge by medical personnel and treated. Noella then turned to Gina and Emily Simpson and said, 'I begged you girls to just have my freakin 'back tonight.' Heather got up to leave and said to Noella, 'I cannot have a conversation with you, we are going to go on a hamster wheel and you can't listen.' Inappropriate gift: The episode titled 'Runaway Husband' opened at close to midnight on the group's last night in Cabo with Heather Dubrow, 52, telling Noella, 36, that the card game she gave to her 18-year-old daughter was pornography and an inappropriate gift 'It's a give and take going on,' said Noella. She told Heather that she accepted her invitation to come to Mexico and then later found out new information why she was invited. 'There is no new information,' said Heather. 'There was no pity invite.' The host: 'There is no new information,' said Heather Dubrow. 'There was no pity invite.' Noella then apologized for giving Heather's daughter Max the gift. 'Thank you, we are good,' said Heather as she walked off. 'Thank you, I appreciate it. I do.' 'It's always negative when she is around,' Heather said in a confessional. 'There is always fighting. There is always a problem. I didn't want to be right about this but I knew this was going to happen.' Always negative: 'It's always negative when she is around,' Heather said in a confessional. 'There is always fighting. There is always a problem. I didn't want to be right about this but I knew this was going to happen' Emily then asked Noella why she was mad at Gina. 'I'm pissed at Noella because I feel that everything I have done has been to support her,' said Gina in a confessional. 'The fact that she now is turning on me and questioning me as a friend is hurtful. Friends don't do that.' Gina got up from the table and said, 'I can't. I'm done.' Tenuous friendship: 'I'm pissed at Noella because I feel that everything I have done has been to support her,' said Gina in a confessional. 'The fact that she now is turning on me and questioning me as a friend is hurtful. Friends don't do that' 'Bye,' said Noella. 'Noella I cared about you and I can't care anymore,' Gina said as she walked off. 'You can't drown with everybody. I've learned that in life.' Gina walked up the stairs and said, 'She's such a d*** all the time.' Fond farewell: 'Bye,' said Noella as Gina left the table Emily, still at the table, told Noella that she didn't know anything about the card gift but Noella pointed out that Emily had her hands in her face telling her to listen to Heather. 'The only thing I said is that maybe you should just listen to Heather and see where she's coming from,' said Emily. 'Go check on Gina,' said Noella. 'You know you go over the top,' said Emily. 'Okay, I'll go check on Gina because I'm trying to have a conversation with you and you're not having it. ' Emily walked off leaving only Jen at the table with Noella. In a confessional, Jen said that 'it's my job to catch on to women's psyches very quick. If I couldn't do that I wouldn't be good at what I do. The smart approach with Noella is that you can't pile on her. You have to be extremely focused on what you are saying to her to get any sort of movement forward. It's almost like talking to a child.' Smart approach: In a confessional, Jen said that 'it's my job to catch on to women's psyches very quick. If I couldn't do that I wouldn't be good at what I do. The smart approach with Noella is that you can't pile on her. You have to be extremely focused on what you are saying to her to get any sort of movement forward. It's almost like talking to a child' Emily went to check on Gina who was in her room upset. At the table, Noella asked for some tequila and Shannon Beador, 57, got up to make her a chilled drink. Emily returned to get her purse and then ended up falling backwards in her chair into the sand. When Shannon tried to pick her up, she ended up toppling down on top of her. 'Who did that?' asked Emily when she got up. 'Who put my chair in the sand? Jen got up and said she was going to bed. Shannon then put on all the Mexican hats that were at the table for decoration and then tried to sit on a giant donkey pinata while Noella took pictures. Emily got on the back of the donkey and they both fell back on the sand laughing. Good times: Shannon then put on all the Mexican hats that were at the table for decoration and then tried to sit on a giant donkey pinata while Noella took pictures 'Literally, I just peed myself,' said Noella laughing. Emily picked up the donkey pinata and carried it back to her room. The next day everyone returned to Orange County. Emily told her husband Shane that she was sobbing after her experience in the sweat lodge . He said he was glad that he stayed behind. Gina told her boyfriend Travis Mullen that Cabo did not go the way she planned. Jen took her nine-year-old daughter Cece so they could get pedicures. Pedicure session: Jen took her nine-year-old daughter Cece so they could get pedicures 'Cece's an independent thinker,' said Jen in a confessional. 'She changed her name at one and half. Her name is Vera and one of her first words was 'no, Cece.' So apparently names are just a suggestion. ' Jen asked her what she thought about her nanny Kaitlyn. 'I think she's like a mother,' said Cece. 'She's a great mother for the boys. She actually keeps them calm. And then there is this mother.' Jen said in a confessional that she knows that her children need her. 'It's a source of contention in my relationship with my kids and my marriage. My fear about working long hours is that I don't get to know my kids and then they resent me later in life,' she admitted. Contentious point: 'It's a source of contention in my relationship with my kids and my marriage. My fear about working long hours is that I don't get to know my kids and then they resent me later in life,' Jen admitted in a confessional Heather met Gina for lunch. Heather said she was going to be taking her children to see her college Syracuse. Heather invited Gina to come with them to New York and she said that she would love to join them. Heather said in a confessional that it was very easy to be with Gina. 'She's just so open and she's authentic. There's no bullsh**. You don't have to worry about what you're saying for fear of retribution. You know, like a normal friendship.' Heather said hopefully their New York trip would be less stressful than Cabo. Gina told Heather she was upset and disappointed with everything that happened with Noella. Lunch outing: Heather met Gina for lunch and invited her to New York City Gina said she didn't like how Noella accused her of betraying her in some way. 'I don't like when people question my integrity and my character,' Gina said. Gina said in a confessional 'I got no room for crazy in my life. I guess I'm just not that support person I thought I was. I'm like '''I got you girl' and then 10 minutes later I'm like nope I can't do this.' Integrity questioned: 'I don't like when people question my integrity and my character,' Gina said Gina said to Heather that she can't support someone who doesn't trust her. Later, Shannon had Heather, Emily and their husbands over to her boyfriend John Janssen's waterfront house for dinner. Heather and her husband Terry, 63, a plastic surgeon, were the first to arrive. Emily and Shane were next. John told them they would make cocktails for them on his boat. They drank champagne and tequila. Boat trip: Later, Shannon had Heather, Emily and their husbands over to her boyfriend John Janssen's waterfront house for dinner and a boat trip Shannon said she was used to being on a boat because her family had one growing up and they would spend weekends on the boat. Shannon helped him untie the boat and then he drove them out of the marina. She got on the front of the boat and made sure the boat had enough space to go under a bridge. Emily said in a confessional that she liked Shannon's confidence as 'skipper barbie' on the boat. When they arrived back at the house, Chef Mac Noodlez was behind a hibachi grill and ready to make them dinner. John made a sake toast and said he enjoyed their day boating. John shared with them that he was rejected by his father and that his father went on and had more sons with his third wife. Water cruise: Emily said in a confessional that she liked Shannon's confidence as 'skipper barbie' on the boat 'So the ultimate kiss off was he named one of them John Janssen,' John said. 'He told my sister 'I'm ashamed of your brother. I disown him and I want you to tell him that he needs to change his name.' John said he didn't do anything. Shannon said in a confessional that John had a contentious relationship with his father. Shannon said when John stood up to his father in college that shortly after his father informed him that he was disowned. Emily said she couldn't imagine a parent doing that. Terry said that he had a stepfather who was an 'a-hole' and thought that was the reason for his level of success. Sad story: John shared with them that he was rejected by his father and that his father went on and had more sons with his third wife 'The adversity,' said Terry. 'I was very driven growing up because my Dad wasn't around.,' said Emily. Emily said her parents got divorced when she was six and then her father wasn't really around much. She said now she realizes that he is a really cool dad and that it makes her sad when she thinks that she missed out on that time with him. Opening up: Terry said that he had a stepfather who was an 'a-hole' and thought that was the reason for his level of success 'But that's what drove me,' said Emily. 'I went to college. I went to law school. I did all these things because I just needed to prove that I was worthy and that came from feeling abandoned. 'Same thing,' said Terry. Emily said the sweat lodge helped her take some of the things that you stuff away and don't address and deal with. Parents divorced: Emily said her parents got divorced when she was six and then her father wasn't really around much 'I felt like it was a release,' said Emily. 'I couldn't stop crying.' In a confessional, Emily said 'for me to be a better mom or for me to be a better wife I have to deal with these things in the present now and I don't know exactly what that means.' Shannon met with Emily at the Quiet Woman restaurant where she had her memorable season 12 plate toss fight with Kelly Dodd. Infamous restaurant: Shannon met with Emily at the Quiet Woman restaurant where she had her memorable season 12 plate toss fight with Kelly Dodd Shannon took her same seat at the table and said 'it's the scene of the crime.' The host told her jokingly that she was going to be served her dinner on a paper plate. Emily shared that she had seen Noella one time since the trip on the pier and that she told her that she hoped everyone could be civil with each other. Emily also invited Noella to a game night. Noella then walked in and joined them at the table. Noella told them that the last night in Cabo was intense. Noella shared that she had reached out to Gina but that there had been no response. Emily told her that Gina would be at game night and that she could talk to her there. No response: Noella shared that she had reached out to Gina but that there had been no response 'Once we have a conversation it will be over and done,' Noella told them. Noella said in a confessional that even though her relationship with Gina was new that she felt that it already went really deep. 'This hurts,' she said. Emily said she wanted to ask her something. She said that Jen told her that when Noella was first married to her husband that 'you gave him a gift of a stack of vaginas.' Noella laughed and saidm 'I'll show you pictures later.' Stacked up: Emily said that Jen told her that when Noella was first married to her husband that 'you gave him a gift of a stack of vaginas' 'How many vaginas does it take to make a stack,' Shannon said in a confessional. Shannon asked Noella if it bothered her that Jen would discuss that and Noella said 'a 100 percent'. 'Why doesn't she talk about herself about her marriage?,' said Noella. Good question: 'Why doesn't she talk about herself about her marriage?,' said Noella 'Jen, she doesn't want to talk about her own life so of course she is going to go after the person that is honest and open,' Noella said in a confessional. Jen shared in her confessional that 'within the first 15 minutes of meeting Noella I heard for her wedding present she gave her husband a stack of vaginas, showed me pictures of them.' Noella said to the camera that the gift was actually a birthday present. Birthday present: Noella said to the camera that the gift was actually a birthday present Noella then showed Emily and Shannon the picture of the stack of vagina's on her phone which appeared to be a photo of three women sandwiched on top of each other wearing black lingerie on a bed. 'Now you all saw my vagina because I'm in there,' Noella said. Meanwhile, Heather came over to Jen's house. She showed her how to core a pineapple and then filled the pineapple with ice and filled it with champagne. Jen told her about how her husband Ryne came back from Hawaii yesterday and they were fighting. She said she started crying and that Ryne then spent two hours giving her a lot of complements. Recent spat: Jen told Heather about how her husband Ryne came back from Hawaii yesterday and they were fighting In a confessional, Jen said that when she first was with Ryne they used to just hang out and laugh and talk about stupid stuff. She said 'right now it's hard to even have a conversation about how was your day.' Heather told her had two choices to go see a therapist herself or work on the stuff that is obvious that she already knew. Heather said it took Terry until the pandemic to prioritize the family. Heather told him she also needed to not ignore her relationship. Later in the day, Emily had the women over to her house for game night. Noella hugged Gina when she walked in. Noella told Gina that she was wearing leopard and thought that she would love it because it had a Jersey vibe. Sage advice: Heather told her had two choices to go see a therapist herself or work on the stuff that is obvious that she already knew 'Yeah except I'm not from Jersey,' Gina said in a confessional. Emily told Gina that Noella showed her the photo of the stack of the vaginas. For the first game called suck and blow, the women had to suck up M&Ms with a straw and then move them to another plate. They played another game which required them to roll out a roll of toilet paper. Anytime someone said the word vagina, the women did a shot. Emily then pushed Shannon down on a chair and said 'lets do the stack.' Noella then got on top. Stack recreation: Heather told her had two choices to go see a therapist herself or work on the stuff that is obvious that she already knew Gina said, 'You were in the stack?' 'It was my sexual fantasy,' said Noella. 'It was my birthday present.' Gina then told Noella that she hurt her feelings and they went outside to talk about it privately. Gina said she felt that Noella didn't trust her and couldn't understand why Noella got so mad at her that night in Cabo. Stack question: Gina said, 'You were in the stack?' 'You're paranoid,' said Gina. Gina told Noella she needed her to recognize that her feelings matter even though she was going through a bad time. Gina agreed that they would try to take their friendships slowly, but in a confessional said that she didn't know how to handle her friendship with Noella. Over at Jen's house, while her kids went to bed, Jen and Ryne sat outside and she asked him about his day. He said it was a big day because it was everyone's first day back at school and the parents just helped ease them in. Candid conversation: Gina told Noella she needed her to recognize that her feelings matter even though she was going through a bad time 'Ease them into their cush private school?' said Jen. He asked her about her day. She said she was up till 3 a.m. because she couldn't sleep because she was opening up a Calabasas office. She told him it was a lot to handle. Ryne kept rubbing their dog that was in his lap. 'You know what I really just want,' said Jen. 'What my dad would give me all the time. I just want you to be like you did a really good job.' Catching up: Over at Jen's house, while her kids went to bed, Jen and Ryne sat outside and she asked him about his day 'Yeah you did , you did a really good job,' Ryan said. 'I just want someone to be proud of me,' Jen said. 'We are all proud of you. You are doing great,' Ryne said. Great job: 'We are all proud of you. You are doing great,' Ryne said Jen said that she loved that he said that but asked him to try to understand what that means. 'Validate it and then say you're proud,' she said. 'Sometimes I feel like you are saying 'oh good job' but that you don't actually genuinely see what it means.' 'Can you try right now?',' Jen asked. Seeking validation: 'Can you try right now?',' Jen asked Ryne said she had a challenging day seeing patients and dealing with new staff 'and you came home and saw the gang. You did it all.' Jen thanked him but said he was paying a lot of attention to their dog when she was trying to get them to bond together. Ryne said 'can we not talk about this.I'd rather not talk about this.' Cute dog: Jen thanked him but said he was paying a lot of attention to their dog when she was trying to get them to bond together He said 'we will do this another time.' Jen asked him why he didn't want to talk about it. He said 'I'd rather not and that's the final answer.' He then walked with the dog and said 'that's a no.' Jen followed him and asked him if they could try again. He said 'it was just hard now.' He told her if she asked him again that she would just go take a walk. He asked her to respect her decision. 'No,' said Jen. Ryne said then that he was just going to take a walk and left the house with the dog in his arms. Talk later: Ryne said then that he was just going to take a walk and left the house with the dog in his arms 'Ryne and I are completely misunderstanding each other,' said Jen in a confessional. 'I wish Ryne was more supportive. I'm living with this person and I can't even relate to him.' 'It can be challenging to communicate with Jennifer because she is go, go, go, go,' said Ryne in a confessional. 'It's the Jenny show. It's give me attention.' The Real Housewives of Orange County will return next Wednesday on Bravo. Completely misunderstanding: 'Ryne and I are completely misunderstanding each other,' said Jen in a confessional. 'I wish Ryne was more supportive. I'm living with this person and I can't even relate to him' Tammy Hembrow will soon welcome her third child. And the 27-year-old social media queen flaunted her blossoming baby bump in a slew of selfies on Thursday. The blonde bombshell cradled her belly as she posed outside her office in a black crop top and ripped jeans. Not long to go! Tammy Hembrow flaunted her blossoming baby bump in a crop top and ripped jeans on Thursday She finished her outfit with a Louis Vuitton Speedy handbag, black shoes and semi-transparent sunglasses. The Gold Coast bombshell wore her signature tresses down and opted for a glossy makeup palette. '23 weeks,' the beauty captioned the post. Only the best! She finished her outfit with a Louis Vuitton Speedy handbag, black shoes and semi-transparent sunglasses Tammy has two children with ex Reece Hawkins, Wolf, six, and Saskia, five. She is expecting her third child with fiance Matt Poole. Tammy left many of her followers speechless when she showed her trick to make her belly disappear in a Tik-Tok clip on Monday. Tammy posed in faux leather trousers and a crop top in the footage captioned, 'When you're over being pregnant'. Mother-to-be: Tammy has two children with ex Reece Hawkins, Wolf, six, and Saskia, five. She is expecting her third child with fiance Matt Poole In the clip, Tammy stood side-on to the camera with her baby bump on full display, which she caressed softly with her right hand. As the song in the background reached the lyrics, 'Poof, be gone!', Tammy rapidly pulled in her stomach so her bump was barely visible. She then burst into laughter before ending the clip. How bizarre! Tammy left thousands of her TikTok followers speechless on Sunday, after making her baby bump 'disappear' in a new video More than 12 million people have viewed the footage, with many taking to the comments section to share their disbelief over her belly trick. 'What in the? I didn't know you could do that lol,' one fan said, while another wrote: 'How did you do thaaaaat? Woooow.' 'BABY: 'WHY MY HOUSE IS BEING SMALL, SEND HELP!'' another joked. And just like that: As the song in the background reached the lyrics, 'Poof, be gone!', Tammy rapidly pulled in her stomach so her bump was barely visible Others were quick to ask if her unborn baby was okay, with Tammy replying: 'Yep! It's actually recommended bracing your core like this throughout pregnancy, especially since I train a lot. Bubby is just fine.' According to Baby Centre, core exercises are safe during pregnancy and can be beneficial. This is because your core stabilises your spine and helps you maintain mobility and balance, which is crucial as your belly expands. She was reported last month to have ended her relationship of two years with her boyfriend Eyal Booker just before the start of the new year. And Delilah Hamlin was spotted out in Los Angeles with a mystery man on Wednesday. The 23-year-old model looked cool and casual in light-colored clothing as she and her friend picked up some coffee. Time for a pick-me-up: Delilah Hamlin, 23, looked cool and casual in a light-colored ensemble as she met up with a male friend for coffee in Los Angeles on Wednesday Delilah flaunted her toned and tanned legs in a pair of loose-fitting beige shorts, and she paired them with a plain white tank top. She covered up her long platinum blond locks with a white trucker cap repping the West Hollywoodlocated Bravo Toast. The daughter of Lisa Rinna had a small dark handbag tucked under her arm, and she completed her low-key outfit with cool green-and-white Nikes trainers. She brought along a water bottle to stay hydrated and added some color to her monochrome look with several beaded bracelets. No fuss: Delilah flaunted her toned and tanned legs in loose-fitting beige shorts, which she paired with a plain white tank top and a white Bravo Toast cap Sleek: She accessorized with a dark handbag under her arm and cool green-and-white Nike trainers Delilah's male pal contrasted bright style with a black tank top and rumpled black leather pants. He wore thick boots and had a large pair of sunglasses perched on his head. The two were seen chatting outside for a bit after meeting up, before they headed on to pick up their coffee. The sister of Amelia Hamlin seems to be enjoying the single life after she ended things with her boyfriend Eyal Booker. DailyMail.com exclusively reported on January 10 that she brought the relationship to an end so that she could have a 'fresh start' for 2022. Dark style: Delilah's male pal contrasted bright style with a black tank top and rumpled black leather pants Moving on? The outing comes after she split from her Love Island star beau Eyal Booker just before the new year 'Delilah ended her relationship with Eyal before New Year's Eve. It was important to her that 2022 could be a fresh start and right now she wants to be single and focus on her career,' an insider shared. 'Last year, she experienced some difficult times, but she's come out the other side stronger than ever and is happy, enjoying time with friends and family, as well as looking positivity to the future.' Delilah and Eyal, who was a fixture on Love Island back in 2018, had been jetting back and forth between Los Angeles and London throughout their two-year relationship. The model appeared happy and healthy in her latest sighting, but she revealed in November that she'd had some serious health issues in the preceding months. Health scare: She appeared happy and healthy on Wednesday, but she revealed in November that she accidentally overdosed on Bendadryl and beta blockers after she said her doctor overprescribed Xanax for her She revealed that she had accidentally overdosed on Benadryl and beta blockers after getting hooked on a high dose of Xanax. Although Covid-19 vaccines have been determined to be safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Delilah suggested in her video that some of her health issues may have begun after she was vaccinated. Although she stressed she was 'in no way an anti-Vaxxer,' she claimed her vaccination caused autoimmune diseases to 'flare up.' 'I didn't realize that the vaccine would cause an autoimmune response in my body that basically flared up and triggered certain autoimmune diseases that I didn't know I had,' she claimed in a 30-minute-long video. The model said she had been suffering from painful migraines, as well as psychiatric issues including panic attacks and obsessivecompulsive disorder symptoms which led her to be afraid of eating meat. She also claimed to have dealt with PANDAS, or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. Unusual complaints: Delilah complained that she was prescribed the Xanax after suffering panic attacks in the wake of developing autoimmune disorders following her second Covid-19 vaccination, though she claimed she was 'in no way an anti-Vaxxer' Delilah said she began seeing a psychiatrist to help get her panic attacks under control, and they began 'overprescribing' Xanax to her. The benzodiazepine is a common treatment for generalized anxiety and for panic disorders. But Lisa's daughter was concerned that the doctor may have been prescribing her too much of the medication She said the psychiatrist prescribed 20mg of Xanax three time per day, despite the medications history of being addictive. Delilah claimed that she was also prescribed the beta blocker propranolol, which caused her to overdose when she also took the over-the-counter allergy medication Benadryl. 'I ended up in the hospital,' she said. She was subsequently diagnosed with several illnesses, including Lyme disease, which required her to be on multiple antibiotics and supplements. Her panic attacks became so common that she began seeing a psychiatrist for help. Newsreaders Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr have entered the history books. The 7NEWS Perth anchors have been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's longest-serving TV news anchor duo, according to Perth Now. At the time of their entry, the pair had been working together for a whopping 36 years and 247 days. Veterans: Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr (pictured) have entered the history books. The 7NEWS Perth newsreaders have been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's longest-serving TV news anchor duo Ardon, 62, and Carr, 69, went on to reach their 37-year working anniversary last month. 'I don't think any of us thought in the beginning that it would ever get to this stage where we've been reading together 37 years, you just don't plan on that sort of thing,' Carr told the publication. Seven West Media WA chief executive Maryna Fewster added that 'There are West Australians who can't remember a time that Rick and Susannah weren't bringing them their nightly news.' The way they were: At the time of their entry, the pair had been working together for a whopping 36 years and 247 days She credited the duo with helping the channel dominate the timeslot in the ratings. 7NEWS Perth has won the 6pm timeslot every week since OzTam ratings began in 2001. It also averages a 50.1 per cent commercial share each week night. Epic: Ardon, 62, and Carr, 69, (pictured last September) went on to reach their 37 year working anniversary last month Carr joined TVW 7 in 1985 and became a face of Channel 7 news in Perth along with Ardon. She began her media career with ABC Perth in 1974. Ardon began his media career at the state's daily paper, The West Australian, in 1977. Neighbours legend Natalie Bassingthwaighte has shared her heartache that long-running soap Neighbours could potentially be coming to an end after 37 years. The show's future hangs in the balance after UK broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed its decision not to renew their contract to air the Aussie soap with producers Fremantle Australia last week. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, the 46-year-old - who played Izzy Hoyland from 2003 to 2006 before making several guest appearances years later - said she was devastated. Heartbroken: Neighbours legend Natalie Bassingthwaighte has said she's 'devastated' that long-running soap could potentially be coming to an end after 37 years. Pictured while appearing on the soap 'It's devastating for everyone that's been involved in the past almost 40 years, but mainly the people who are there now - it's their livelihood,' she said. Although the show is filmed in Australia, Channel 5 bankrolls most of the production. According to industry site TV Blackbox, 'it's unlikely [Channel] 10 can keep producing [the show]' without financial backing from an international broadcaster. Natalie added: 'I'm only hoping that someone will come in and save the day. I think there's still hope, but my heart goes out to everyone that's there.' Hope: Natalie added: 'I'm only hoping that someone will come in and save the day. I think there's still hope, but my heart goes out to everyone that's there' When asked if she'd spoken to any of the cast members about the soap's end, she replied: 'I have... it's a hard time for everyone.' Natalie starred as the soap's most love-to-hate character Izzy who famously had an affair with Dr Karl Kennedy, played by Alan Fletcher. In real life, she is happily married to her Rogue Traders bandmate Cameron McGlinchey and they share two children, daughter Harper, 11, and son Hendrix, seven. In a statement released on Sunday, Channel Five confirmed their decision not to renew their contract to air Neighbours soap with producers Fremantle Australia. Fremantle later emailed staff saying filming would end on June 10, and absent any new broadcaster emerging to provide the funds to resume production, the show looked to be at an end. Character: Natalie starred on the soap as the most love-to-hate character Izzy who had an affair with Dr Karl Kennedy, played by Alan Fletcher (both pictured) Channel 5's statement read: 'It's been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we'd like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series. 'We'd also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years. 'We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.' In an email to cast seen by The Herald Sun, the shows executive producer Jason Herbison confirmed the soap's run as an institution of Australian and British television was all but over. 'As you know the future of the show has been uncertain for some time,' it read. 'Our audience remains steady and Channel 10 would love the show to continue if we could find another broadcast partner to replace C5. Gone: Neighbours has been dropped by its UK broadcaster, Channel 5. In a statement, the network confirmed their decision not to renew their contract to air the Aussie soap with producers Fremantle Australia. Pictured: the show's 2021 cast 'These discussions are ongoing however there is no new broadcaster at the moment and production must end, effectively resting the show. 'We are so proud of the show, you all and everything that youve achieved. But for now, this chapter is closing and we want to work together to give Neighbours the amazing send-off it deserves.' Channel 10 released a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Sunday, confirming they have every intention of finding a new broadcast partner. The statement read: 'As outlined in the email to cast and crew, it is our intention to continue our association with Neighbours if another broadcast partner comes forward. 'Network 10 has an ongoing commitment to the show, the cast and crew and is hopeful that Fremantle will find a new production partner. We will provide further updates as they become available.' End of an era? In an email to cast seen by The Herald Sun , the shows executive producer Jason Herbison confirmed the soap's uncertain future (Jason Donavan and Kylie Minogue pictured on show in 1988) Meanwhile, Natalie is currently fronting a body-confident campaign with Dove who discovered that three in four Aussie teen girls are using filters to change their appearance by the time theyre 13, and more than 75 per cent will delete a selfie if they didnt look 'perfect' in it. The statistics are 30 per cent more than the global average. Natalie called for a ban on 'distorting' filters in an interview with Daily Mail Australia, and said: 'I personally would like to call on a ban on being able to distort your body. 'I don't think young children should be allowed to use these filters. That is an outstanding number to me. 'The accessibility to be able to correct your body in such a way is causing such harm, and it's so damaging. I would advocate for that to be eradicated, 100 per cent.' She continued: 'I want young girls and boys to know that a lot of people who are using filters don't necessarily look like that. 'I don't want them to focus so much energy on their looks, I want them to be confident in who they are as individuals and what difference they can make in the world.' Advertisement More than 25 years after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air went off the air, the original Fresh Prince, Will Smith, returned at the premiere of the show's gritty reboot, Bel-Air. Smith, 53, was joined by his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 50, and their son Jaden, 23, all rocking colorful ensembles at the red carpet premiere, held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday. Smith developed the new Bel-Air series with Morgan Cooper, whose fan film Bel-Air went viral in March 2019 and lead to this new series, debuting February 13 on Peacock. Fresh prince: More than 25 years after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air went off the air, the original Fresh Prince, Will Smith, returned at the premiere of the show's gritty reboot, Bel-Air Family affair: Smith, 53, was joined by his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 50, and their son Jaden, 23, all rocking colorful ensembles at the red carpet premiere, held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday Smith stepped out with a rust-colored turtleneck over an orange jacket for his red carpet look. He also stepped out with brown pants tucked into thick brown work boots for his red carpet look. He was also seen posing with Jabari Banks, who plays the updated version of his character Will in the reboot. Will's look: Smith stepped out with a rust-colored turtleneck over an orange jacket for his red carpet look Will and Jabari: He was also seen posing with Jabari Banks, who plays the updated version of his character Will in the reboot Will's wife Jada opted for a more colorful look, with a grey jumpsuit partially zipped down revealing two necklaces. She also wore small hoop earrings along with a number of rings and bracelets for the red carpet event. She completed her look with a canary yellow overcoat and sparling heeled boots for the premiere event. Jada's look: Will's wife Jada opted for a more colorful look, with a grey jumpsuit partially zipped down revealing two necklaces Red carpet ready: She also wore small hoop earrings along with a number of rings and bracelets for the red carpet event Bel-Air is based on the original series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, set in modern-day America offering a, 'a new, dramatic take on Will's complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air.' Jabari Banks stars as the new Will, who gets uprooted from the inner city and flown across the country to stay with his aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and uncle Phil (Adrian Morris) in Bel-Air. The cast also includes Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, Coco Jones as Hilary Banks, Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey and Jordan L. Jones as Jazz. Watch the brand new series, Bel-Air exclusively on Stan in Australia New take: Bel-Air is based on the original series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, set in modern-day America offering a, 'a new, dramatic take on Will's (Jabari Banks, above) complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air.' Aunt and uncle: Jabari Banks stars as the new Will, who gets uprooted from the inner city and flown across the country to stay with his aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and uncle Phil (Adrian Morris) in Bel-Air Olly: Olly Sholotan, who plays Carlton Banks, steps out at the Bel-Air premiere Coco as Hillary: Coco Jones plays Hillary Banks in the upcoming Bel-Air New and old Jazz: Jordan L. Jones poses with DJ Jazzy Jeff on the Bel-Air red carpet. New Hillary and Ashley: Coco Jones and Akira Akbar step out at the Bel-Air premiere New Geoffrey: Jimmy Akingbola, who plays Geoffrey, steps out at the Bel-Air premiere The cast also includes Karrueche Tran, who was reported in January to have a recurring role on the Peacock series. She will play Ivy, a top-tier social media influencer who offers to help Hilary with her influencer business. The actress stepped out with a unique black tube top with olive green pants for the red carpet event. Recurring: The cast also includes Karrueche Tran, who was reported in January to have a recurring role on the Peacock series Ivy: She will play Ivy, a top-tier social media influencer who offers to help Hilary with her influencer business Karrueche's look: The actress stepped out with a unique black tube top with olive green pants for the red carpet event The red carpet event also brought back other stars from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, such as Tatyana Ali and Joseph Marcell. Ali played the original Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, while Marcell played the original Geoffrey, the Banks' family butler. DJ Jazzy Jeff, who played the original Jazz on the show, was also in attendance. Original stars: The red carpet event also brought back other stars from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, such as Tatyana Ali and Joseph Marcell Butler: Ali played the original Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, while Marcell played the original Geoffrey, the Banks' family butler Jeff: DJ Jazzy Jeff, who played the original Jazz on the show, was also in attendance After the premiere screening, Will Smith hopped on stage with DJ Jazzy Jeff to perform for the crowd at Barker Hangar. Also in attendance at the premiere was Family Matters star Jaleel White, along with Blindspotting star Jaylen Barron. Monogamy star Vanessa Simmons was also in attendance with Run the World stars Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid. Will performs: After the premiere screening, Will Smith hopped on stage with DJ Jazzy Jeff to perform for the crowd at Barker Hangar DJ: DJ Jazzy Jeff performs at the Barker Hangar for the Bel-Air premiere Jaleel arrives: Also in attendance at the premiere was Family Matters star Jaleel White Jaylen: Blindspotting star Jaylen Barron was also in attendance In attendance: Monogamy star Vanessa Simmons was also in attendance Amber arrives: Run the World star Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid makes an appearance Corbin arrives: Run the World star Corbin Reid arrives at the Bel-Air premiere Cast shot: The cast of Bel-Air assembles for a group shot Advertisement Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo reunited Wednesday night for the very first screening of their film The Adam Project at Metrograph in Manhattan's Lower East Side. The Canadian 45-year-old and the Kenosha-born 54-year-old - both rocking burly beards - participated in an audience Q&A while seated beside their 13-year-old castmate, Walker Scobell. Mark and Ryan were also joined at the New York Netflix event by the movie's director Shawn Levy. Gents: Ryan Reynolds (L) and Mark Ruffalo (R) reunited Wednesday night for the very first screening of their film The Adam Project at Metrograph in Manhattan's Lower East Side Burly beards: The Canadian 45-year-old (L) and the Kenosha-born 54-year-old (R) participated in an audience Q&A while seated beside their 13-year-old castmate, Walker Scobell (M) Reynolds was wearing a $497 Reiss 'Mercury' khaki suede jacket over a taupe collared top and black slacks selected by his stylist Ilaria Urbinati. Ruffalo wore a black sweater beneath a charcoal grey suit selected by his stylist Samantha McMillen. In the action adventure comedy - premiering March 11 on Netflix - Ryan plays Adam, a time-traveling pilot who 'teams up with his late father to come to terms with his past while saving the future.' The Adam Project marked the first time Ruffalo and Reynolds worked together, despite both of them being in the Marvel Comic Universe as The Hulk and Deadpool, respectively. Woodsy backdrop: Mark and Ryan were also joined at the New York Netflix event by the movie's director Shawn Levy (2-L) Earth tones: Reynolds was wearing a $497 Reiss 'Mercury' khaki suede jacket over a taupe collared top and black slacks selected by his stylist Ilaria Urbinati Dark side: Ruffalo wore a black sweater beneath a charcoal grey suit selected by his stylist Samantha McMillen Premiering March 11 on Netflix! In the action adventure comedy, Ryan plays Adam, a time-traveling pilot who 'teams up with his late father (R) to come to terms with his past while saving the future' MCU men: The Adam Project marked the first time Ruffalo (L) and Reynolds (R) worked together, despite both of them being in the Marvel Comic Universe as The Hulk and Deadpool, respectively Turner Classic Movies host Dave Karger moderated the cast and crew Q&A to a packed and masked crowd. The Emmy-winning silver fox wrote on Instagram on Wednesday that he was 'super excited to have worked with some familiar faces and new ones. Be sure to check it out!' Noticeably missing from the screening were the three leading ladies of the film - Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldana, and Catherine Keener. Netflix announced Wednesday that the first teaser for the film will be dropping sometime on Thursday. Ask us anything! Turner Classic Movies host Dave Karger (L) moderated the cast and crew Q&A to a packed and masked crowd 'Be sure to check it out!' The Emmy-winning silver fox (2-R) wrote on Instagram on Wednesday that he was 'super excited to have worked with some familiar faces and new ones' Where are the women? Noticeably missing from the screening were the three leading ladies of the film - Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldana, and Catherine Keener 'You might want to check back here tomorrow!' Netflix announced Wednesday that the first teaser for the film will be dropping sometime on Thursday And considering the character Adam has to team up with his younger self in The Adam Project, the wisecracking Grammy nominee decided to do his own spin on that concept for a TikTok on Wednesday. In the hilarious, surreal video Ryan looks horrified as the camera cuts back and forth to him and his 14-year-old self circa 1991. Reynolds - who boasts 102.6M social media followers - captioned the mostly silent clip: 'The less said, the better.' The vintage footage was from the Red Notice funnyman's first acting gig as bully Billy Simpson in the teen soap opera Hillside, which aired on Nickelodeon in the States and YTV in Canada. Double take! And considering the character Adam has to team up with his younger self in The Adam Project, the wisecracking Grammy nominee decided to do his own spin on that concept for a TikTok on Wednesday 'The less said, the better': In the hilarious, surreal video Ryan looks horrified as the camera cuts back and forth to him and his 14-year-old self circa 1991 Throwback! The vintage footage was from the Red Notice funnyman's first acting gig as bully Billy Simpson in the teen soap opera Hillside, which aired on Nickelodeon in the States and YTV in Canada And while there was no sign of Ryan's wife Blake Lively, her cousin Robyn Lively (Teen Witch) turned up with her husband Bart Johnson. The screening served as a mini-reunion for Showgirls castmates Gina Gershon and Kyle MacLachlan, who played Cristal Connors and Zack Carey in Paul Verhoeven's hilariously bad 1995 erotic drama. The 62-year-old Emmy nominee - also famed for his roles in Twin Peaks and Sex and the City - donned a daring brown quilted coat with a black hoodie and grey slacks. Boogie Nights alum Heather Graham easily defied her 52 years in a sparkly sweater as she posed beside Licorice Pizza actor Joseph Cross. Family affair: And while there was no sign of Ryan's wife Blake Lively, her cousin Robyn Lively (R) turned up with her husband Bart Johnson (M) Yes! The screening served as a mini-reunion for Showgirls castmates Gina Gershon (L) and Kyle MacLachlan (R), who played Cristal Connors and Zack Carey in Paul Verhoeven's hilariously bad 1995 erotic drama Shiny outerwear: The 62-year-old Emmy nominee - also famed for his roles in Twin Peaks and Sex and the City - donned a daring brown quilted coat with a black hoodie and grey slacks Chatting about Paul Thomas Anderson? Boogie Nights alum Heather Graham (R) easily defied her 52 years in a sparkly sweater as she posed beside Licorice Pizza actor Joseph Cross (L) The Oscar-nominated filmmaker - who also produces Netflix's Stranger Things - looked especially excited to chat with three-time Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd. Brady Bunch alum Eve Plumb struck a pose in a bright red top, matching dog-shaped broach, black pantsuit, and patent leather loafers. Three fabulous male actors catching The Adam Project screening included Girls alum Christopher Abbott, This Is Us star Griffin Dunne, and The Walking Dead actor Josh Hamilton. Emmy winner Camryn Manheim - last seen playing Debbie in This Is Us - beamed while clad in a black blazer for the film festivities. Back to the future, indeed: The Oscar-nominated filmmaker (L) - who also produces Netflix's Stranger Things - looked especially excited to chat with three-time Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd (R) Sophisticated after 60! Brady Bunch alum Eve Plumb struck a pose in a bright red top, matching dog-shaped broach, black pantsuit, and patent leather loafers Talented: Three fabulous male actors catching The Adam Project screening included (from L-R) Girls alum Christopher Abbott, This Is Us star Griffin Dunne, and The Walking Dead actor Josh Hamilton Presenting: Emmy winner Camryn Manheim - last seen playing Debbie in This Is Us - beamed while clad in a black blazer for the film festivities Peacock's late-night talk show host Amber Ruffin struck a pose in a green double-breasted pantsuit over a yellow blouse. Designer Cynthia Rowley rocked a glossy pair of blue PVC pants while A Mouthful of Air actress Alysia Reiner opted for a floral frock with brown leather boots. It was a family affair with jewelry-designing sisters Lorraine Schwartz and Ofira Sandberg, who both wore not-so-basic black attire. German model Johannes Huebl, Vacation Friends actor Kamal Angelo Bolden, and Italian model Andrea Denver also donned dapper looks for The Adam Project screening. Leg up: Peacock's late-night talk show host Amber Ruffin struck a pose in a green double-breasted pantsuit over a yellow blouse Fierce: Designer Cynthia Rowley (L) rocked a glossy pair of blue PVC pants while A Mouthful of Air actress Alysia Reiner (R) opted for a floral frock with brown leather boots Siblings: It was a family affair with jewelry-designing sisters Lorraine Schwartz (L) and Ofira Sandberg (R), who both wore not-so-basic black attire Russell Crowe is returning to the world of Marvel Comics on the big screen, signing on for a role in Sony's Kraven the Hunter. Aaron Taylor-Johnson signed on to play the title character back in May 2021 in a multi-picture deal, though it's unclear who Crowe is playing, via The Hollywood Reporter. The report also reveals that many of the main characters in this Kraven the Hunter movie are the title character's family members, so it's possible Crowe might be playing Kraven's father. Russell's role: Russell Crowe is returning to the world of Marvel Comics on the big screen, signing on for a role in Sony's Kraven the Hunter. Aaron is aboard: Aaron Taylor-Johnson signed on to play the title character back in May 2021 in a multi-picture deal, though it's unclear who Crowe is playing, via The Hollywood Reporter Kraven the Hunter was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, making his debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #15 in August 1964. The character was born Sergei Nikolaievich Kravinoff, the son of a Russian aristocrat who fled the country in 1917 during the collapse of Tsar Nicolas II' reign. He would ultimately grow up to become the world's greatest big game hunter, when he ultimately sets his sights on Spider-Man in the Marvel comics. Marvel debut: Kraven the Hunter was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, making his debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #15 in August 1964 Unlike most villains, he lives his life through a unique code of honor, and, unlike most hunters, he doesn't use weapons of any kind, hunting with his bare hands. Also unlike most humans of any kind, he has superhuman abilities thanks to consumption of a witches brew that enhanced his strength and more. This will mark Kraven the Hunter's first appearance on the big screen, though there were plans in the works to have him in other Marvel movies throughout the years. Code: Unlike most villains, he lives his life through a unique code of honor, and, unlike most hunters, he doesn't use weapons of any kind, hunting with his bare hands Kraven's iconic spear was featured in the end-credits scene from 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2, teasing the villainous group known as The Sinister Six, which, in the comics, he's a founding member of. Sony Pictures was, at the time, developing both a third Amazing Spider-Man movie and a Sinister Six movie, though neither of those would come to fruition. Director Ryan Coogler had hinted in interviews that he was interested in using Kraven the Hunter in his 2018 Black Panther movie. Post-credits: Kraven's iconic spear was featured in the end-credits scene from 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2, teasing the villainous group known as The Sinister Six, which, in the comics, he's a founding member of Another filmmaker, Jon Watts, added that Kraven the Hunter was a 'backup plan' of sorts to be the main villain in 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home. Crowe will next be seen in Marvel Studios' Thor: Love and Thunder, where he will portray the God of Thunder, Zeus. He also stars alongside Liam Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky, RZA and more in his latest directorial effort, Poker Face, currently in post-production. Coming soon: Crowe will next be seen in Marvel Studios' Thor: Love and Thunder, where he will portray the God of Thunder, Zeus He popped the question two years ago at Bank Hotel in his native Stockholm. And Dolph Lundgren looked happier than ever with fiancee Emma Krokdal, 25, as they stepped out for a lunch date at Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills on Wednesday. The Rocky star, 64, cut a casual figure in an off-white shirt and ripped black jeans, while his partner stole the show in an oversized striped shirt. Happy couple: Dolph Lundgren, 64, looked happier than ever with fiancee Emma Krokdal, 25, as they stepped out for a lunch date at Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills on Wednesday The actor teamed his look with a white undershirt, a pair of black trainers and dark shades. His fiancee paired her leggy ensemble with ankle-high white boots and a white crop top, completing her look with oversized sunglasses. Krokdal's brunette tresses were worn down and left to cascade over her shoulders as she opted for a full palette of makeup to accentuate her natural beauty. Out and about: The Rocky star cut a casual figure in an off-white shirt and ripped black jeans, while his partner stole the show in an oversized striped shirt Dolph announced his engagement to Emma in an Instagram post on June 29, 2020. The Swedish action star is 39 years older than the Norwegian personal trainer, whom he originally met at Equinox (where she worked) in July 2019. It's believed they started dating in 2019 after meeting at the gym and they went public with their relationship in January 2020 at the Cana Dorada Film & Music Festival in the Dominican Republic. Lucky in love: The actor teamed his look with a white undershirt, a pair of black trainers and dark shades 'They say youth is wasted on the young and whilst that's not true for everybody - like Emma - it is true for me because I matured very late,' Lundgren told Muscle and Health last year. 'I feel very lucky that I have someone like Emma at this age, it's changed my life and I hope I can give her the kind of help and support that takes a lot of time to discover and amass. I would say that right now I'm the most balanced as an individual I've ever been.' It would mark Dolph's second marriage after having two daughters Ida Sigrid, 25, and Greta Eveline, 19, from his 16-year marriage to Anette Qviberg, which ended in 2011. She completely transformed her figure after quitting alcohol and taking up walking in 2020. And it appears Chrissie Swan is still reaping the benefits of her incredible efforts as she continues to flaunt her slimmed-down body on Instagram. In the pictures shared to her Stories on Wednesday evening, the 48-year-old media personality beamed as she caught up with two old pals. Looking great: Chrissie Swan looked sensational as she flaunts her incredible weight loss while catching up with friends on Wednesday The former Celebrity MasterChef Australia star stunned in an all-green ensemble, wearing a pair of form-fitting pants and a matching top. Chrissie regularly documents her walking adventures on her Instagram Stories. Earlier this month, she shared a full-length photo of herself posing in a skin-tight long sleeve top and three-quarter length leggings as she stepped out for a 10km walk. Changes: The former Celebrity MasterChef Australia star stunned in an all-green ensemble, wearing a pair of form-fitting pants and a matching top The radio star gave up alcohol over a year ago and turned to meditation and walking during Melbourne's gruelling 112-day lockdown. In March last year, Chrissie said she was feeling better than ever following a booze-free night of karaoke with a girlfriend. 'Booze-free activity degree of difficulty: 10 = karaoke. UNLOCKED! I can't quite believe it but it IS POSSIBLE. Fresh as a daisy this morning and I still have my voice!' she captioned a photo. Check out those trim pins! Earlier this month, Chrissie looked unrecognisable as she showed off her extraordinary weight loss in sexy skin-tight activewear after going on a 10km walk A month later, the mother-of-three revealed that her sleep had also improved since giving up alcohol. 'I stopped drinking booze of any kind (alcohol is diabolical for sleep and anxiety too),' she explained, as she detailed a sleep study she was taking part in. In January, Chrissie shared an empowering message with fans alongside an image of herself in a white swimsuit at the beach. Glowing: Chrissie regularly documents her walking adventures on her Instagram Stories 'I posted this yesterday to my stories and I was amazed by how many of you a) wanted to wear a white pair of bathers but haven't and b) haven't swum in the ocean for years,' she explained. She then went on to tell fans to let go of their inhibitions, adding: 'Now is your chance to do both omg just do it!' 'Don't worry about jiggly bits and saggy bits and whatever. Do it - trust me - you'll feel alive and bold and invincible!' Eva Longoria ensured she caught the eye on Wednesday evening as she made her latest glamorous appearance in New York City. The former Desperate Housewife, 46, wore a sophisticated black L'Agence dress while enjoying an evening out at the Greenwich Hotel - where she attended the Casa Del Sol Tequila x L'Agence NYFW kick-off event. She added to her look with a pair of smart knee-high boots, while silver hoop earrings appeared to be her only notable accessory. Here she comes: Eva Longoria ensured she caught the eye on Wednesday evening as she made her latest glamorous appearance in New York City Drawing further attention to her instantly recognisable features, the actress opted for make-up selected from a rich colour palette. Evidently in high spirits, she greeted onlookers with a cheerful wave before making her way inside the upmarket Tribeca address. The actress recently completed work on A Circus Story & A Love Song; the new film will center on a man from Mexico whose quest for true love takes him to a nightclub in New Orleans where he falls in love with a beautiful exotic dancer. Looking good: The former Desperate Housewife wore a sophisticated black L'Agence dress while attending the Casa Del Sol Tequila x L'Agence NYFW event at the Greenwich Hotel Tasteful: She added to her look with a pair of smart knee-high boots, while silver hoop earrings appeared to be her only notable accessory Eva is also in the process of filming the movie Tell It Like a Woman which will center around telling stories about women in an anthology format. Cara Delevingne, Jennifer Hudson and Marcia Gay Harden will star in the film alongside Eva Longoria. Discussing her career during a recent interview with Women's Health, Eva spoke about flexing her skills behind the camera for the forthcoming Flamin' Hot, her first feature film as a director. Upbeat: Evidently in high spirits, she greeted onlookers with a cheerful wave before making her way inside the upmarket Tribeca address She said: 'It's a project that is so close to my heart, a true labor of love. What's incredible is that the studio allowed me to hire who I needed to hire behind the camera. It was Latino or Latina, all the way down the line.' Eva married businessman Jose Baston in 2016. They have one child together, son Santiago, who was born in 2018. She was previously married twice to General Hospital star Tyler Christopher from 2002 to 2004 and to former San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker from 2007 to 2011. Charlotte Dawson looked sensational when she slipped into a thigh-skimming red dress for a seductive new Instagram snap on Wednesday. Working her best angles while posing in her bedroom, the brunette bombshell, 29, smouldered for her 1.3 million followers. Puckering up while posing in a mirror, Charlotte drew attention to her toned pins while plugging her range of fake tan. Wow: Charlotte Dawson, 29, looked sensational when she slipped into a thigh-skimming red dress for a seductive new Instagram snap on Wednesday In a second picture, the star beamed from ear to ear while posing with a red rose between her teeth. She wore her glossy hair loose and wowed in a full face of glam. Charlotte made her look pop with a bold swipe of bright red lipstick. It comes after the mother-of-one went topless for a sizzling Instagram snap to celebrate 'the month of lurrrrve' on Monday. Sizzling: In a second picture, the star beamed from ear to ear while posing with a red rose between her teeth The daughter of late comedy legend Les Dawson looked incredible as she held a large bunch of roses to protect her modesty. The beauty showed off her slimmer physique after losing more than three stone in weight. Charlotte oozed confidence as she posed for the stunning snap from her bedroom. She wowed in black lace underwear and she accessorised with an elegant gold watch Stunning: Charlotte went topless for a sizzling Instagram snap to celebrate 'the month of lurrrrve' on Monday She captioned the post: 'The month of lurrrrve . & I love you all too much so that's why I've put together the sexehhhh bundle for my darlings.. with my fabulous brand @dawsylicioustanning.' 'Whether this month is valentines or galentines for you, soft, sexehh, sweet smelling skin is this months must have. Spritz yourself in my hydration mist, smother yourself in dawsylicious shimmer cream shine bright & glowy & tan up for that confidence boost.. and feel like you can take on the world too tanned to give a damn @dawsylicioustanning style.' Charlotte recently admitted she's in the shape of her life as she showed off her slimmer physique in a social media post. Looking good: The beauty showed off her slimmer physique after losing more than three stone in weight (pictured in July 2021) The beauty looked trim in a bold orange bikini while posing for a selfie ahead of her first overseas holiday since giving birth to son Noah in January 2021. Captioning the post, Charlotte gave followers advance warning that even more bikini snaps will follow when she arrives in Dubai with Noah and fiance Matt Sarsfield. She wrote: 'Feeling in the best shape everrrr so watch out for more bikini chuffin spam cos we're goin on our oliiiidays. [sic] 'Did a bit more belleh blastin this week to get ready for my first hols as a mama engaged.' [sic] She added: 'Canny wait for sunshine & to get on that beach with my boyos!! I've never needed a break so much in my life... we haven't been away since 2k20 so it's much needed.. 'And to take Noah on his first ever abroad holiday.. going to be so special. I've never been to Dubai before either so I'm excited!!' Charlotte recently shared images from before and after shots that appeared to document her weight loss journey as she encouraged her followers to show off their bodies no matter what size they are. In before image, the reality star who shared two different swimwear looks, looked fantastic as she showcased her curves in a bikini with a strappy top and matching bottoms. A subsequent photo taken after her dramatic weight loss showed Charlotte wearing a cut-out swimsuit while confidently posing with her hand on her hip. Captioning the images, she wrote: 'Who says you have to cover up when you're bigger? And hide your body away when you're on holiday? Hot mama! Charlotte recently shared images from before and after in weight loss to Instagram, as she encouraged people to show off their bodies no matter what size they are 'I'm gonna be packing for a holiday soon and I'll be taking swimsuits and bikinis - just like I did when I was 3st heavier. 'As you know I never had a problem shaky shakin my chunkeh but funkeh belleh- even when it was a lot more chunkeh than it is now. [sic] 'Life's too short to care what other people think - nobody cares anyway. I only decided to get into shape cos of my health and doin it for my little cherub. 'So the time has got to be right for you if you want to do that and in the meantime don't put your life on hold waiting to look right for someone else. 'If you so feel you want to make changes then go for it my darlins and I will definitely be here for you.' Tom Hardy spat in Armie Hammer's face while the pair read scenes for the lead role in Mad Max: Fury Road, a new book has claimed. The actor, who eventually landed the part of Max Rockatansky in the critically-acclaimed 2015 film, was tasked with running lines opposite Armie during the audition process, and quickly got into character by 'gnashing his teeth and spitting.' The book, titled Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road, has been penned by New York Times columnist Kyle Buchanan, and details the film's turbulent history before finally reaching the big screen. That's method! Tom Hardy spat in Armie Hammer's face while the pair read scenes for the lead role in Mad Max: Fury Road, a new book has claimed In a excerpt published by Vulture, Kyle details the tough competition from some of Hollywood's biggest actors who wanted to play the lead role in the Mad Max sequel. The final shortlist saw Tom competing with Armie and Jeremy Renner, after a lengthy search that saw stars including Michael Fassbender, Joel Kinnaman and Heath Ledger audition for the role. Kyle said: 'Near the end of the process, Hardy emerged as a front-runner alongside Jeremy Renner and Armie Hammer. 'Hardy and Hammer even read together as part of their audition, and when Hardy gnashed his teeth and spat at his scene partner, Hammer told Miller that Hardy needed to be Max more than he did.' Dramatic: The actor competed with the Call Me By Your Name star (pictured in 2019) to land the lead role in the film, and quickly got into character by 'gnashing his teeth' In the book, audition cameraman Todd Matthew Grossman also said: ''Jeremy and Armie were equally wonderful, but there was something about Tom in the room where it felt like that was Max, without a doubt. 'He had that kind of suppressed emotional dryness that youd find in a post-apocalypse and, buried underneath it, disdain for the world. There was this intensity that burned through the lens.' Director George Miller compared his reaction to Tom to that of Mel Gibson when he walked into the room for the first time, with the Oscar winner going onto star in the first three films in the Mad Max series. Tom added: 'I was excited to get the job. Its such a big fish to land that the seesaw effect, the other side of that, was everybody loves Mel as Max and nobodys gonna want me. So its like being the new boy at school and set up in some way for failure immediately.' He should get it! In the book, Armie is quoted as saying that Tom (pictured in 2018) 'needed to be Max more than he did' Mad Max: Fury Road went onto become one of the most acclaimed action films in history, lauded by critics for its use of practical special effects over CGI, and landed 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Armie Hammer and Tom Hardy for comment. It comes after Armie was at the centre of much controversy in 2021 when he was accused of rape. In March of last year, a woman named Effie accused the Social Network actor of a 'violent incident' that occurred in 2017. The Los Angeles Police Department later investigated the claims, and after nine months it sent the findings to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, though sources told TMZ on December 8 that 'charges appear unlikely' in the matter. The woman previously shared several messages allegedly sent by Hamer on her Instagram account @houseofeffie. The messages included conversations about extreme sexual bondage and disturbing cannibalistic urges. Praised: Mad Max: Fury Road went onto become one of the most acclaimed action films in history, landing 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director 'I want to eat you...I am 100% a cannibal,' read one message, while others included troubling admissions of desires to eat a woman's ribs and cut off her toes. Although Hammer was accused of sending the messages, they have never been proven to originate with him. The actor's ex-girlfriend Paige Lorenze also spoke out about his alleged 'dangerous, emotionally and psychologically damaging' behavior. In a conversation with DailyMailTV, she claimed that he had carved a letter 'A' into her private parts with a knife. The allegations proved to be catastrophic for Hammer's career, and he was subsequently dropped by the talent agency WME, as well as by his personal publicist. He was replaced in Jennifer Lopez's upcoming rom-com Shotgun wedding by Josh Duhamel, and Miles Teller took over his role in the TV series The Offer, which dramatizes the making of Francis Ford Coppola's classic film The Godfather. Pierce Brosnan beamed as he left Lucky's steak house in Malibu on Wednesday. Holding hands with his wife Keely Shaye Smith, the James Bond actor, 68, barely stopped smiling as he made his way home with a doggy bag in hand. Pierce cut a typically dapper figure in a navy shirt and smart grey trousers and was joined by his and Keely's eldest son Dylan, 25, and his girlfriend at dinner. Night out: Pierce Brosnan beamed as he left Lucky's steak house in Malibu on Wednesday while holding hands with his wife Keely Shaye Smith Keely, 58, wowed in a plunging patterned dress and was all smiles as she made her way home with her actor husband. Dylan was sporting his trademark shaggy hairstyle and looked typically trendy in grey jeans, a white shirt and a jacket. He clutched his artist girlfriend Avery Wheless' hand as he followed his parents out of the restaurant. Pierce and Keely are also parents to son Paris, 20, and celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last year. Family dinner: The loved-up couple were joined by their eldest son, model Dylan and his girlfriend Avery at dinner Pierce, who exchanged vows with Smith in his native Ireland in August of 2001, took to Instagram this past summer with 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. In September, Brosnan wrote a touching post to his wife in celebrating her 58th birthday: 'My beautiful luscious love Keely on her 58th trip around the sun yesterday apres swim, making coconut water ... Happiest of birthdays it was!' Pierce in April of 2017 opened up to People about how the pair enjoy one another's company. 'My wife and I took a short road trip up to Santa Barbara - we were going for a romantic weekend and to look at houses and drink great wine,' he said. 'We didn't listen to any music, but we just listened to the sounds of each other's voices and sorted out the world.' A TV expert has criticised Married at First Sight for airing controversial and racy content for ratings. Colin Vickery said the Channel Nine dating show is popular because it addresses risque topics such as pegging and periods. 'Some of that content a decade ago you couldn't put on until 9.30pm. It's one of those shows that's always fed off controversy and racy content,' he told the Herald Sun on Thursday. Criticised: A TV expert has criticised Married At First Sight for airing 'racy content to keep people watching'. Pictured: Brent Vitiello 'The issue with the show in a sense is it has to keep upping its game. Pushing the envelope to try and keep people watching.' Mr Vickery said the show is becoming more risque every year because 'the formula is working'. It comes after Andrew Davis revealed 'pegging' was the one act he won't perform in the bedroom on Tuesday night. Colin Vickery said: 'The issue with the show in a sense is it has to keep upping its game. Pushing the envelope to try and keep people watching' The Texas-based fitness trainer, 38, admitted to his 'wife' Holly Greenstein, 36, he's had 350 sexual partners. He then confessed that while the NSW cinema manager could 'benefit' from his experience, there is one thing he won't do - pegging. For those not in the know, pegging is a sexual activity involving a sex toy. What the? MAFS star Andrew Davis' mention of the sexual term 'pegging' had Australians reaching for their phones, to figure out just what the sex act involved Online searches for 'pegging' visibly spiked during Tuesday night's MAFS episode, according to Google. According to Married At First Sight fan account MAFS funny, 'Google searches for 'pegging' in Australia went up 1,200% in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, Domenica Calarco wasn't impressed when her 'husband' Jack refused to have sex with her during Wednesday night's episode. The frustrated 28-year-old confronted Jack, 26, after he declined her request to have 'naughty sex' because she was on her period. Intimate: It comes after Andrew Davis (pictured) revealed 'pegging' was the one act he won't perform in the bedroom on Tuesday night 'When we went to bed, I felt like you weren't really giving me anything back,' she told him. Jack replied: 'I genuinely had no idea you were trying to get a little bit naughty last night.' 'I probably scared you because I said I was on my period,' Domenica said. Jack then admitted he was terrified to sleep with his wife while she was on her period. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine She played Will Smith's little cousin in The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air for the entire run of the hit 90s show. And Tatyana Ali proved the series is still close to her heart when she joined the likes of Will and his wife Jada at the premiere of the show's gritty reboot, Bel-Air, in Santa Monica on Wednesday. Looking chic in a luxury wraparound cardigan layered over a crisp white shirt, Tatyana, 43, was in her element while posing on the red carpet. Original cast: Tatyana Ali proved The French Prince is still close to her heart when she joined the likes of Will Smith at the premiere of the show's reboot in Santa Monica on Wednesday Starring role: The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air ran from 1990 - 1996 and Tatyana played Ashley Banks on the NBC sitcom She teamed her stylish cardigan and shirt combo with a pair of slim-fit black trousers. Wearing her raven tresses loose, Tatyana accessorised with bold hoop earrings and was seen chatting away to actor Joseph Marcel - who played fan favourite Geoffrey Butler - at the event. The actress toted her belongings in an eye-catching green handbag. The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air ran from 1990 - 1996 and Tatyana played Ashley Banks on the NBC sitcom. Having a blast: Looking chic in a luxury wraparound cardigan layered over a crisp white shirt, Tatyana, 43, was in her element while posing on the red carpet with Will Smith (also pictured: Joseph Marcell and Vernee Christell Watson) Chic: She teamed her stylish cardigan and shirt combo with a pair of slim-fit black trousers and wore her hair in loose curls She was the youngest daughter of Uncle Phil and cousin to Will's central character. More than 25 years after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air went off the air, the original Fresh Prince, Will himself, also returned at the show's premiere. Smith, 53, was joined by his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 50, and their son Jaden, 23, all rocking colourful ensembles at the red carpet premiere, held at Barker Hangar. Chatting away: Tatyana accessorised with bold hoop earrings and was seen chatting away to actor Joseph Marcel - who played fan favourite Geoffrey Butler - at the event Smith developed the new Bel-Air series with Morgan Cooper, whose fan film Bel-Air went viral in March 2019 and lead to this new series, debuting February 13 on Peacock. Bel-Air is based on the original series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, set in modern-day America offering a, 'a new, dramatic take on Will's complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air.' Jabari Banks stars as the new Will, who gets uprooted from the inner city and flown across the country to stay with his aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and uncle Phil (Adrian Morris) in Bel-Air. Character: Ashley (pictured in purple) was the youngest daughter of Uncle Phil and cousin to Will's central character Fresh prince: More than 25 years after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air went off the air, the original Fresh Prince, Will Smith, returned at the premiere of the show's gritty reboot, Bel-Air The cast also includes Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, Coco Jones as Hilary Banks, Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey and Jordan L. Jones as Jazz. The cast also includes Karrueche Tran, who was reported in January to have a recurring role on the Peacock series. She will play Ivy, a top-tier social media influencer who offers to help Hilary with her influencer business. Watch the remake Bel-Air exclusively on Stan in Australia. It was reported in January that she was to have a recurring role on the gritty reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. And Karrueche Tran certainly made her presence known as she attended the premiere of new Peacock series Bel-Air, held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday. The actress, 33, wowed in a racy black cut-out boob tube which allowed her to show off her toned midriff. Wow: Karrueche Tran certainly made her presence known as she attended the premiere of new Peacock series Bel-Air, held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday She teamed her head-turning top with a matching single sleeve and loose-fitting olive green trousers. The beauty added barely-there heels to her look, while further accessorising with a gold necklace and a dazzling silver watch. Karrueche up the glamour with long, sleek raven locks and a minimal make-up palette as she put on an animated display on the red carpet. The TV personality will play Ivy in the series, a top-tier social media influencer who offers to help Hilary with her influencer business. Woek it: The actress, 33, wowed in a racy black cut-out boob tube which allowed her to show off her toned midriff And Karrueche was certainly in good company at the event as the original Fresh Prince Will Smith, 53, was in attendance with wife Jada and son Jaden. Smith developed the new Bel-Air series with Morgan Cooper, whose fan film Bel-Air went viral in March 2019 and lead to this new series, debuting February 13 on Peacock. Bel-Air is based on the original series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, set in modern-day America offering a, 'a new, dramatic take on Will's complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air.' There she is: Karrueche up the glamour with long, sleek raven locks and a minimal make-up palette as she put on an animated display on the red carpet Jabari Banks stars as the new Will, who gets uprooted from the inner city and flown across the country to stay with his aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and uncle Phil (Adrian Morris) in Bel-Air. The cast also includes Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, Coco Jones as Hilary Banks, Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey and Jordan L. Jones as Jazz - all of whom were in attendance. The red carpet event also brought back other stars from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, such as Tatyana Ali and Joseph Marcell. Famous family: Karrueche was certainly in good company at the event as the original Fresh Prince Will Smith, 53, was in attendance with wife Jada and son Jaden Will and Jabari: Will also seen posing with Jabari Banks, who plays the updated version of his character Will in the reboot Ali played the original Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, while Marcell played the original Geoffrey, the Banks' family butler. DJ Jazzy Jeff, who played the original Jazz on the show, was also in attendance. After the premiere screening, Will Smith hopped on stage with DJ Jazzy Jeff to perform for the crowd at Barker Hangar. Also in attendance at the premiere was Family Matters star Jaleel White, along with Blindspotting star Jaylen Barron. Monogamy star Vanessa Simmons was also in attendance with Run the World stars Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid. Original stars: The red carpet event also brought back other stars from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, such as Tatyana Ali and Joseph Marcell John Ibrahim's TV drama Last King of the Cross is set to go global after being picked up by an international distributor. UK content distributor company Cineflix Rights and Sydney producer Mark Fennessy have struck a deal to take the crime drama abroad. Cineflix Rights head of scripted content James Durie told The Daily Telegraph: 'We are thrilled to be partnering with Mark on Last King of The Cross a truly authentic depiction of gangster life.' New deal: John Ibrahim (pictured) has scored a global distribution deal for his TV drama for his highly anticipated TV drama Last King of the Cross The 10-part series will be filmed in Sydney later this year. It will tell the story of brothers John and Sam Ibrahim, who are prominent figures in the Kings Cross nightclub district. The series may also explore key events in John's life, including surviving a near fatal stabbing and other attempts on his life. Going global: UK content distributor company Cineflix Rights and Sydney producer Mark Fennessy have struck a deal to take the crime drama abroad The Lebanese-born entrepreneur migrated from Tripoli to Australia with his family as a young child before securing his first nightclub at 19. He has been dating model Sarah Budge since 2015, who he met after buying the Potts Point building where she operated a restaurant. The couple welcomed their first child together in August last year. New series: The 10-part series will be filmed in Sydney later this year. It will tell the story of brothers John and Sam Ibrahim, who are prominent figures in the Kings Cross nightclub district. Pictured John and girlfriend Sarah Budge A friend of the couple confirmed Elvis' birth to Daily Mail Australia in early September and it's understood the baby arrived on August 31. John has two other children from past relationships, including a grown-up son, Daniel, 31. He also has a seven-year-old child who he shares with his long-time friend. Good Morning Britain star Alex Beresford has revealed he's quit ITV West Country after 17 years hosting the weather In a statement, the presenter, 41, said he's had 'an amazing time' working with the local team, and received tributes from many of his co-stars including Bob Crampton. He will continue to be a part of the GMB presenting line-up and is also a co-host on All Around the World with Ria Hebden. It comes after Alex was embroiled in a row with his GMB co-star Piers Morgan last year over Meghan Markle, which led the broadcaster to walk off set, and later quit the show. Departing: Good Morning Britain star Alex Beresford has revealed he's quit ITV West Country after 17 years hosting the weather In a statement, Alex said: 'It's been over a decade since I've been working across the region and it's been the most amazing time, 'It's been a special part of my life and I'm going to miss it. I'm a Bristol boy through and through.' Among Alex's ITV West Country colleagues to pay tribute was veteran presenter Bob, who said: 'He gets on with people you meet in the street and gets on with people when you're outside doing a live. Good luck Alex, I know you're going to do particularly well.' Coming soon: It was also announced that Alex will star in the upcoming All-Stars Musicals this spring, alongside Jacqueline Jossa and Michaela Strachan Blast from the past: Alex has hosted the weather on ITV West Country since 2005 (pictured on the show) Exit! The presenter, who regularly appears on GMB and was embroiled in an infamous row with Piers Morgan (pictured) last year, said he's had 'an amazing time' working with the team It was also announced that Alex will star in the upcoming All-Stars Musicals this spring, alongside Jacqueline Jossa, Michaela Strachan, Lisa George, Colin Salmon and Danny Care. Speaking about the role he said: 'Theres a fine line between panic and excitement, but I cant wait to challenge myself and feel the thrill of performing a musical number in front of a crowd. The acoustics in my shower are very sympathetic.' Alex has been a regular star on GMB since 2014, when he started as a weather presenter, but more recently has taken on the role of host. He infamously got into an on-air spat with Piers Morgan back in March over Meghan Markle, following her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. Piers quit the show after claiming he didn't 'believe a word' Meghan Markle said during her Oprah Winfrey interview, first broadcast on CBS on March 7, leading to a tense exchange with co-star Alex Beresford. Statement: Alex worked on ITV West Country for 17 years and has been a regular on GMB since 2014, when he started as a weather presenter, but more recently has taken on a hosting role It later emerged that Meghan also made a formal complaint to Ofcom about the TV host after he dismissed her account of suffering suicidal thoughts and experiencing racism at the hands of the Royal Family. The media regulator cleared ITV and Piers after receiving a record 58,000 complaints on the back of his comments about Meghan the morning after her interview with Oprah was broadcast in the UK. Piers walked off set after a fierce debate with Alex, in which the weather presenter accused Piers of unfairly 'trashing' Meghan, and branded him 'diabolical'. When Piers walked off screen, Alex continued: 'I'm sorry but Piers just spouts off on a regular basis and we have to sit there and listen.' At odds: He infamously got into an on-air spat with Piers Morgan back in March over Meghan Markle, following her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey Piers, who refused to apologise, later announced his resignation and tweeted his thanks to the GMB team, praising them for their 'hard work and dedication' that led to them beating their main breakfast TV rival. It was reported on Sunday that Piers has exacted revenge on ITV by poaching some of the channel's top staff for his new show on TalkTV. The newspaper-editor-turned-TV-presenter has raided his former employer and taken six of its production staff, including GMB's longtime director. A source jubilantly told The Mail On Sunday: 'We've nicked all the best people.' Piers is to be reunited with at least half a dozen of his former colleagues on his show on Rupert Murdoch's new TalkTV network. Raging: Piers walked off set after a fierce debate with Alex, in which the weather presenter accused Piers of unfairly 'trashing' Meghan, and branded him 'diabolical' Erron Gordon, GMB's director since its launch in April 2014, was the first to jump ship and will join Morgan's daily show as executive creative director and head of studio output. Ollie Gardner, a director on the ITV chat show Loose Women and previously part of the GMB team, will become deputy head of studio output, and GMB's assistant editor Ben Briscoe has left to be series editor of News UK's television programmes. Vivek Sharma, who worked across ITV's daytime schedule for eight years, including as deputy editor of GMB, has been appointed executive producer of TalkTV; and Tim Carr, the floor manager on This Morning for 25 years, has quit to team up with Morgan. TalkTV has also hired former ITV daytime producer Lindsey Bowers. An ITV source said: 'There is a 500-strong team working across daytime and of them it is around five who have moved on. 'We've held on to the great majority of those that we have actually really wanted to keep.' She has a penchant for the finer things in life. And on Thursday, P.E Nation designer Pip Edwards ensured all eyes were on her when she flaunted her latest piece of designer bling on Instagram. In a series of photos shared to the social media platform, Pip happily showcased her $6,800 Bvulgari three-band ring while lounging on her bed. She's got expensive taste! Pip Edwards showed off her $6,800 Bvulgari ring as she relaxed in bed after returning home from trip to the U.S. Pip dressed comfortably for the occasion in a stripped buttoned shirt and printed shorts. She tied her blonde locks back and appeared to be wearing a neutral palette of makeup as she stretched her body out on her bed. 'It's soooo nice to be back home, back in my bed,' she captioned the images. Comfort: Pip dressed comfortably in a stripped buttoned shirt and printed shorts Relaxing: She tied her blonde locks back and appeared to be wearing a neutral palette of makeup as she stretched her body out on her bed It's not Pip's first time donning Bvlgari - last month she was sent a $30,000 Serpenti Viper ring from the Italian luxe brand. 'Will handle with care! Thank you Bvlgari I'm in love,' she captioned a photo showing the shopping bag the ring came in. She then shared a close-up of the bling on her hand, writing: 'Love, love, love.' 'Dreams can come true,' she added. 'Will handle with care! Thank you Bvlgari I'm in love,' Pip captioned a photo showing the shopping bag the ring came in Lucky duck: She then shared a close-up of the bling on her hand, writing: 'Love, love, love.' Putting it out there: Pip said she happily buy the Bvlgari Serpenti Viper ring if 'money was no object' Pip has built an incredible clothing empire for herself alongside P.E Nation co-founder Claire Tregoning. In 2020, the Australian Financial Review reported that Pip earned a massive $20million in revenue in the last fiscal year. P.E Nation has effectively quadrupled its profits since it was founded five years ago, having reported $5.2million in 2016/17. Caitlyn Jenner has revealed Kim Kardashian is 'very happy' with boyfriend Pete Davidson. Kim, 41, has kept tight-lipped on her relationship with the SNL funnyman, 28, since they started dating in October. Yet her stepfather Caitlyn, 72, was quick to offer an insight on their budding romance as she spoke on Capital Radio's breakfast show on Thursday. 'She's very happy with him': Caitlyn Jenner gave a rare insight into Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson's relationship as she spoke on Capital Radio's breakfast show on Thursday Speaking to her former I'm A Celeb campmate Roman Kemp, Caitlyn revealed: 'Kim does seem very happy. I've talked a little bit about it, you know, with my family, I have to be very quiet!' Laughing, Caitlyn continued: 'But yeah I was talking to her the other day and I said "you know, I haven't even met him yet!" He hasn't been at any function that I've been at. 'And she goes "oh my God! You'll love him! We have to go to dinner!" So anyway that's going to happen pretty soon. 'Honestly, I like to see Kim happy. Kim is the most amazing human being I know out there.' Low-key love: Kim, 41, has kept tight-lipped on her relationship with the SNL funnyman, 28, since they started dating in October Caitlyn continued to gush: 'I mean, she's smart, articulate, highly motivated you know, how she starts her own companies. 'She started her first company when she was 18 years old, and she's continued to do that throughout her life. You know, she had KKW with her cosmetic company, she built that up. Then she started Skims which has absolutely taken off. 'And in all that time she's raising four kids AND she's just passed her bar, her first bar, they call it the mini bar, to become a lawyer.' As Caitlyn quipped, 'Roman, you couldn't do that!' she went on, 'I could not do that either! 'Yeah, runs a big house, raises kids, builds billion dollar business and in the meantime she winds up getting her law, you know, eventually she could get her law degree.' Roman's co-presenter Sian Welby noted, 'You must be very proud!' with Caitlyn replying, 'Extremely proud, thank you.' Caitlyn said of Kim: 'Honestly, I like to see Kim happy. Kim is the most amazing human being I know out there. I mean, she's smart, articulate, highly motivated' (pictured 2020) Kim and Pete first met when she was the host of Saturday Night Live in October of 2021, and they shared their first kiss as cameras rolled during an Aladdin and Jasminethemed sketch. She has flown to New York to be by his side in his Staten Island hometown, and he has been spotted in Southern California after their whirlwind trip to the Bahamas, with sources saying: 'He's so into her and is always "my girl" this and "my girl" that.' The two were spotted wearing matching PJ's on his birthday last year, and recently were seen catching a private screening of House Of Gucci at Pete's preferred Staten Island multiplex. However, their relationship has been complicated by Kim's ex-husband Kanye West, who recently threatened to 'beat Pete Davidson's a**' on his latest track, titled Easy. Drama: Kim and Pete's relationship has been complicated by Kim's ex-husband Kanye West, who recently threatened to 'beat Pete Davidson's a**' on his latest track, titled Easy A source told E! News that Kim had been trying to get her married status dissolved to single for months, but the process is currently at a standstill, as the 44-year-old musician refuses to sign off on it. Kim filed for divorce from Kanye in February 2021 after nearly seven years of marriage, then filed a motion in December to legally terminate her marital status and be declared single. 'Kim is still trying to get the "married" status dissolved to "single" before they finalize the divorce, but Ye has yet to sign. Moving this divorce along isn't something he's acting quickly on, despite Kim's efforts,' the source stated. Kanye has also criticised Kim's parenting style while she cares for their four children: North, eight; Saint, six; Chicago, four; and Psalm, two. Elsewhere on her Capital Radio chat, Caitlyn discussed daughter Kylie's newborn. On Sunday afternoon, Kylie announced she'd given birth to her second child with Travis Scott, a son, with an adorable Instagram announcement shared with her 309M followers. The mother-of-two posted a sweet black-and-white photo featuring her new son's tiny hand to mark the news, while noting that he was born on February 2 - just one day after Kylie celebrated her first daughter Stormi Webster's fourth birthday. Proud parent: Elsewhere on her Capital Radio chat, Caitlyn discussed daughter Kylie's newborn son Kylie captioned the post with his birthdate, '2/2/22,' preceded with the blue heart to denote her second child's gender. Caitlyn said of her 19th grandchild: We don't have a name but it is a boy. 'There's a lot of secrets in my family, I have to be very, very careful. No, Kylie, she did a great job. Yeah, I have to watch out when I talk about that. But yeah, we got one more, number 19 in the family.' Tune into Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp, weekdays from 6am 10am, on FM, DAB digital radio and Global Player. It was announced last week that Channel 5 will no longer air Neighbours beyond this summer. But fans of the long-running Australian soap are not giving up on their beloved show without a fight, as their collective effort, derived from a Twitter thread, has seen the original intro theme soar to the top of iTunes and Amazon music charts. The iconic 1985 tune, sung by Barry Crocker, has knocked Ed Sheeran's Joker And The Queen off the top spot, all at the hands of Neighbours' devoted - and heartbroken - fans. Effort: Neighbours theme tune has soared to No.1 after Ramsay Street fanatics rallied to save the long-running soap from the axe (pictured, the 2021 cast) Branded a genius by many, one superfan used the hashtag, 'saveneighbours', to garner support earlier this week. The tweet read: 'What if we would all download the original Neighbours theme from Barry Crocker on iTunes & Spotify and try to get it in the charts to show how much we love it! 'Maybe that could help to raise more attention to how much we love and need @NeighboursTV in our lives. #saveneighbours'. Reigning supreme: The iconic 1985 tune, sung by Barry Crocker, has knocked Ed Sheeran's Joker And The Queen off the top spot (the singer at this year's BRIT Awards) End of an era: It was announced last week that Channel 5 will no longer air Neighbours beyond this summer (right, Margot Robbie as Donna Freedman, left Jackie Woodburne as Susan Kennedy, 2009) Rallying: Branded a genius by many, one superfan used the hashtag, 'saveneighbours', to garner support earlier this week An enthused reply read: 'Now this is a GENIUS idea', while another soap fan chimed, 'Thank you so much for having a brilliant idea. I can't wait to hear neighbours on the chart tomorrow [heart emoji]'. Last week, a Channel 5 spokesperson explained the decision to axe Neighbours comes as the channel's 'current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama.' The Australian Soap, which still gets 1.2million UK viewers per day, has been on the air in Oz since 1985 but is reportedly facing the chop altogether, three years before its 40th anniversary. A Channel 5 spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer. Shame: Last week, a Channel 5 spokesperson explained the decision to axe Neighbours comes as the channel's 'current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama' (Jason Donavan and Kylie Minogue pictured on show in 1988) 'It's been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we'd like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series. 'We'd also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years. 'We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.' The confirmation comes after Neighbours bosses are said to be axing the soap altogether, and are looking at seeing it off with a bang with the return of a legendary star such as Kylie Minogue. Although the show is filmed Down Under, UK broadcaster Channel 5 foots most of the production bill and the advertising revenue brought in by the programme does not match up to the outgoings, The Sun reports. A source said: 'Channel 5 pay Fremantle Australia many millions of pounds every year and, sadly, there's a shortfall of about 5million in what it brings back in through advertising. 'There's a lot of disbelief and sadness among those who know it's struggling. They are currently in the process of approaching a number of former cast members, including Kylie, to make a special return.' International audience: The soap first hit UK television screens in 1986 when it was shown on BBC One, a year after it launched in Australia MailOnline contacted Channel 5 and Fremantle for comment. Speculation the serial could be facing the chop has been mounting for a while, with Fremantle and Australian network Channel 10 also struggling to come to a deal. Channel Ten announced the show would be slashed down to four episodes a week instead of five in July last year. In bother: Speculation the serial could be facing the chop has been mounting for a while, with Fremantle and Australian network Channel 10 also struggling to come to a deal 'From July 26, Neighbours will air four nights a week. On Fridays, viewers can laugh along with their favourite Friends,' a spokesperson told TV Tonight at the time. At the time, Channel 5 also announced it would be cutting broadcasts of Neighbours and Home and Away from five nights a week to just two due to the Covid pandemic. And an alleged insider told Woman's Day that the soap could be in trouble: 'Channel 5 aren't happy. They think the show is stale. They're deciding whether to continue the show or not.' 'I can't stress how much this move shows Neighbours is no longer the powerhouse in the UK that it once was. Many believe this is the beginning of the end.' The soap first hit UK television screens in 1986 when it was shown on BBC One. Two years later, nearly 20million viewers switched on to watch Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene (Kylie) get married. Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power is set to take the franchise in a diverse new direction, featuring the first ever black elf in Middle Earth's history. New images for the much-anticipated series, which has a reported budget of $465 million, have been released by Vanity Fair, and show Ismael Cruz Cordova taking on the role of silvan elf Arondir. The Rings Of Power, which is set to air its first trailer during Sunday's Super Bowl ahead of its release on Prime Video on September 2, will take place thousands of years before the Fellowship begin their quest to destroy Sauron's ring. Exciting: Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power is set to take the franchise in a diverse new direction, featuring the first ever black elf in Middle Earth's history The series' origins come from the detailed appendices J.R.R Tolkien penned to accompany his original series of books, helping to flesh out the incredible world of Middle Earth that would become so renowned. Set thousands of years before both The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit were released, the series will cover major events that took place during the Second Age of Middle Earth. 20 years after the original film trilogy was released, the show will juggle a whopping 22 characters and multiple storylines, fleshing out the various lands and battles that were briefly touched on while Frodo journeyed to Mount Doom. Coming soon: The series, which is set for release on Prime Video on September 2, has revealed new images, with one showcasing Morfydd Clark as returning character Galadriel From deep within the dwarf mines of the Misty Mountains to the high politics of the elven kingdom of Lindon and the humans' powerful, Atlantis-like island, Numenor, all the stories will eventually culminate in the incident that gives the trilogy its name. The series is set to feature the most diverse cast in the franchise's history, and along with starring a black elf, Lenny Henry will star as a harfoot elder. Sophia Nomvete also stars as a dwarven princess named Disa - making her the first black, and female, woman to play a dwarf in the Lord of the Rings universe. Executive producer Lindsey Weber, explained: 'It felt only natural to us that an adaptation of Tolkien's work would reflect what the world actually looks like. 'Tolkien is for everyone. His stories are about his fictional races doing their best work when they leave the isolation of their own cultures and come together.' Blast from the past: The regal elf was previously played by Cate Blanchett in both the Lord Of The Rings trilogy and The Hobbit prequel series Speaking to the publication, creators Patrick McKay and JD Payne also admitted they are well aware of fans' high expectations for the show. 'The forging of the rings, rings for the elves, rings for dwarves, rings for men, and then the one ring Sauron used to deceive them all. 'It's the story of the creation of all those powers, where they came from, and what they did to each of those races,' McKay said. Asked for the driving force behind the entire production, he added: 'Can we come up with the novel Tolkien never wrote and do it as the mega-event series that could only happen now?' It's no surprise that some of the show's characters will be familiar to Middle Earth fans, with the royal elf Galadriel set to appear, though she will not be played by Cate Blanchett. Instead, the character will be played by Saint Maud star, Morfydd Clark, regressing the heroine back to a brash elf who is commanding the Northern Armies in a desperate fight for the future. Expensive: The series, which has a reported budget of more than $400 million, will focus on Middle Earths' Second Age, and the turmoil that eventually begins Sauron's rise to power McKay also dismissed concerns from fans that the series could be heading in a Game Of Thrones-esque direction, after it was reported that Amazon hired an intimacy coordinator for the series' set in New Zealand. He added that their was 'to make a show for everyone, for kids who are 11, 12, and 13, even though sometimes they might have to pull the blanket up over their eyes if it's a little too scary. 'We talked about the tone in Tolkien's books. This is material that is sometimes scaryand sometimes very intense, sometimes quite political, sometimes quite sophisticatedbut it's also heartwarming and life-affirming and optimistic. 'It's about friendship and it's about brotherhood and underdogs overcoming great darkness.' Amazon are yet to confirm the vast budget for the series, but it's thought to be an eye-watering $462 million, when factoring in the huge sum Amazon paid to get the rights from the Tolkien estate. Icons: The Lord Of The Rings films were released from 2001 to 2003, becoming one of the most praised film series in history (Ian McKellen pictured as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo) The eye-watering figure also includes building infrastructure that will be used in later seasons - and it's been offset by a $108 million tax rebate. Once the show has taken its global marketing campaign into consideration, it's likely the final cost could top $1 billion. The Lord Of The Rings original trilogy was released annually from 2001 to 2003, becoming the most acclaimed fantasy film series in history. The conclusion to the series, titled Return Of The King, became the first ever film of its kind of win the Academy Award for Best Picture, while Peter Jackson won Best Director. In 2012 Jackson returned to the series to direct the prequel series The Hobbit, based on Tolkien's book of the same name. The first teaser for The Rings Of Power was released last month, unveiling the show's official title for the first time. The voice-over said: 'Three rings for the elven-kings under the sky. Seven for the Dwarf-lords, in their halls of stone. 'Nine for mortal men, doomed to die. One for the Dark Lord, on his dark throne in the land of Mordor where the shadows lie.' Fans will get their first official glimpse of the show on Sunday, with a trailer set to air during the Super Bowl. Last week it was also revealed that the price for Prime Video is set to increase for US viewers, going from $119 (88) to $139 (102) for an annual subscription, while monthly charges will be bumped up to $14.99. Read the full story 'Amazon's Lord of the Rings Series Rises: Inside The Rings of Power' by Anthony Breznican and Joanna Robinson. The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings of Power will be released on Prime Video on Wednesday, September 2. Siannise Fudge has moved on with a handsome male model two months after her split from Luke Trotman. The Love Island runner-up was spotted on Chris Beviere's Instagram page, with the couple packing on the PDA while enjoying a romantic holiday in St Lucia together. The handsome model showed off his new girlfriend on his Story on Wednesday night, planting a kiss on her cheek in a clip captioned: 'I win.' Hot new couple: Love Island's Siannise Fudge has moved on with male model Chris Beviere as they enjoy romantic holiday in St Lucia... two months after split from Luke Trotman Chris also shared sweet videos of the pair dancing around to music and called Siannise a 'diamond' in another cute snap. A source told The Sun: 'Things had been difficult between Siannise and Luke for some time, but they split for good towards the end of last year. 'Siannise was inundated with attention and really hit it off with Chris. 'It's been going so well that they decided to enjoy some winter sun together and they've had a really special time together.' Fun in the sun: Siannise has been living it up in the Caribbean with her new man but has not posted about him on her own social media yet Hunk: The handsome model showed off his new girlfriend on his Story on Wednesday night as he made their romance Instagram official Siannise's new romance comes after she split from boyfriend Trotman in November after meeting on 2020's Love Island. In February last year, the loved-up pair initially said that they were planning to move to Windsor - because it is between their hometowns of Luton and Bristol. They then bought their first dog together named Nala - a cockapoo - a few months later. She loves to dance! Chris also shared sweet videos of the pair dancing around to music Sweet: Chris called Siannise a 'diamond' in another cute snap, with a source saying 'Siannise was inundated with attention and really hit it off with Chris' The pair last made their public appearance together on October 27 when they attended the Eternals UK Premiere at the BFI IMAX Waterloo. A source told The Sun last year: 'It's been a really hard couple of weeks for both of them but it's over for now.' Siannise met Luke during Love Island's first ever winter series, after jetting off to the villa in South Africa two years ago. After coupling up early on, the smitten pair went on to come in second place in the competition, narrowly losing out to Paige Turley and Finn Tapp. All over? Siannise and ex Luke Trotman made their last made their public appearance together on October 27 when they attended the Eternals UK Premiere at the BFI IMAX Waterloo In May last year, the pair decided to move into their own flat in London after both staying with Luke's mum in Luton during lockdown. Siannise wrote on Instagram at the time: 'We did it! Today myself & @luketroytrotman moved into our apartment and we love it. 'I feel so overwhelmed, this is something I have always wanted and it reminds me of how far we have both come. 'I'm excited for our next chapter in London and going on lots of adventures with my best friend, I love you (sic).' Australian Married At First Sight star Jessika Power has offered her thoughts on England's north-south divide. The 30-year-old, who moved to Manchester last year, was asked to settle the 'age-old debate' about which region is better during an Instagram Q&A on Thursday. Jessika told fans she was 'going to get hate' for admitting it, but said northerners are much friendlier than their southern counterparts. Cultural differences: Australian Married At First Sight star Jessika Power (pictured) has offered her thoughts on England's north-south divide The Perth-raised influencer said: 'I'm going to get hate for this but I prefer the north, because I feel the further north you go, the friendlier people are. 'And I'm not saying anyone [from] down south is not friendly; they're just very busy. There's a lot going on down there - it's like rush, rush, rush, rush.' Jessika's view that the north of England is 'friendlier' than the south is shared by many foreigners as well as Brits themselves. Don't shoot the messenger! Jessika told fans on Instagram she was 'going to get hate' for admitting it, but said northerners are much friendlier than their southern counterparts It's one of the more common stereotypes wheeled out when people discuss England's north-south divide. In addition to this perceived cultural difference, the north is generally more supportive of the Labour Party while the south tends to lean centre-right politically. People from southern England are also known for having a 'posher' accent, whereas regional dialects are commonplace up north. Perception: Jessika's view that the north of England is 'friendlier' than the south is shared by many foreigners as well as Brits themselves. Pictured: an aerial view of Manchester, England Sounds different: People from southern England are known for having a 'posher' accent, whereas regional dialects are commonplace up north. Pictured: Tower Bridge in London Jessika, who rose to fame on MAFS in 2019, chose to settle in Manchester when she moved from Australia to England last year. She is in the process of applying for permanent residency but has indicated she would like to return Down Under to see her family this year. She is currently appearing on E4 reality show Celebs Go Dating. She has been living in Byron Bay with her boyfriend Liam Hemsworth for more than a year. But Gabriella Brooks bid farewell to the coastal idyll on Wednesday, jetting from Ballina to Sydney without her famous beau. The 25-year-old model dressed casually for the short flight but added a touch of luxury by toting a $3,450 Louis Vuitton Keepall luggage bag. Jet-setter! Liam Hemsworth's model girlfriend Gabriella Brooks cut a casual figure as she jetted into Sydney on Wednesday carrying a $3,450 Louis Vuitton luggage bag Gabriella, who recently fronted a campaign for Seafolly, opted for denim jeans, a white T-shirt and a black long-sleeve jumper. She stepped out in heeled boots as she pulled her suitcase through the terminal. The blonde appeared to go makeup free, styled her long hair loosely, and kept Covid-safe by wearing a face mask. Casually clad: Gabriella, who recently fronted a campaign for Seafolly, opted for denim jeans, a white T-shirt and a black long-sleeve jumper Gabrielle and Liam, 32, only recently returned to Byron Bay, after spending several months overseas. The couple had joined Liam's brother Chris and his family for Christmas in Austria. They then celebrated New Year's Eve in Ibiza. Back on home soil: Gabrielle and Liam, 32, only recently returned to Byron Bay, after spending several months overseas Gabriella recently spoke for the first time about her relationship with the Hunger Games star. She told Stellar the past 12 months had been 'one of the greatest years of my life'. 'My personal relationship is very, very important and very sacred to me,' she said. 'And I feel like in an industry where so much is put out on show, there are some things you just want to keep to yourself. 'I completely understand [the interest in her relationship]. But at the end of the day, I guess I just like having that for me. 'But he's great. They [the Hemsworths] are great. They are the most beautiful people and I'm very lucky to know them.' She may be copping backlash as the new villain on this season's Married At First Sight. But Tamara Djordjevic is having the last laugh and is well on her way to stardom. The blonde bombshell looked like a movie star as she strolled down the street in bright activewear during a break from filming last year. Her influencer career awaits! Married At First Sight's Tamara Djordjevic looked RED HOT as she showed off her fit figure in a crop top and tiny shorts on a stroll with a 'minder' in Sydney last year during filming The opinionated bride showed off her tanned and toned long legs and her ripped abs in a scarlet crop top and white shorts. She wore her golden locks out in shiny curls and her blue eyes sparkled as she covered the rest of her face with a mask. Tamara was joined by a Channel Nine minder, who usually accompany the reality stars when they head out during breaks from filming. Familiar face: She wore her golden locks out in shiny curls and her blue eyes sparkled as she covered the rest of her face with a mask Meanwhile, Tamara recently refuted claims she is the 'villain' of her season after making a series of snobby remarks. Tamara, who is paired with hospitality specialist Brent Vitiello, has described retail workers as 'below' her and mocked people who 'drive ugly cars'. However, she told Now to Love on Wednesday she's just an unfiltered person, and also insisted there are different sides to her personality. The opinionated bride showed off her tanned and toned long legs and her ripped abs in a scarlet crop top and white shorts Sorry, not sorry: Meanwhile, Tamara has refuted claims she is the 'villain' of her season after making a series of snobby remarks The victim of a bad edit? Tamara recently refuted claims she is the 'villain' of her season after making a series of snobby remarks 'I have different sides to my personality. Hopefully people have a better understanding of me,' the operations manager, 29, said. She admitted people often get upset with her brutal honesty in real life. 'When you first meet me I'm hard to take. I come out with whatever I'm thinking,' she said. 'It's not always taken the right way unless you know me, and my personality it can be quite hard to take in.' Opinionated: However, she told Now to Love on Wednesday she's just an unfiltered person, and also insisted there are different sides to her personality Tamara acknowledged she copped a lot of backlash for saying retail workers don't have 'ambition', but hinted viewers didn't see the full 'context' of her remarks. 'It is really quite upsetting [to see] that was blown up to what it wasn't,' she said, adding that a lot of her wedding to Brent wasn't shown. 'We actually had quite a funny wedding and that part of the conversation stemmed from talking about what we're looking for in a partner.' She explained she'd dated unambitious men before and they didn't 'understand' her stressful lifestyle. During the MAFS season premiere, Tamara shocked her 'husband' Brent by saying she could never date someone who works in retail because it's 'below her'. It was just the beginning of the drama, however, as Tamara repeatedly clashed with the 33-year-old on their wedding day. Why she has high standards: She explained she'd dated unambitious men before, and that they didn't 'understand' her stressful lifestyle 'He does seem like an average kind of guy. Average just isn't for me. I'm not average. I don't do average,' the surgically-enhanced blonde told producers. Her audition tape was also aired on Tuesday's episode, in which she described herself as a 'b**ch' and complained about men who drive 'really ugly cars'. Married At First Sight continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine and 9Now Gigi Hadid let her more than 72 million Instagram followers get a look this Thursday at a sweet jacket she got for her little girl. The supermodel, 26, shares her 17-month-old daughter Khai with her ex-partner Zayn Malik, who shot to fame in the boy band One Direction. In a new Instagram album she posted this week, Gigi included a picture of Khai wearing a denim jacket that had her name embroidered on it. Baby mine: Gigi Hadid let her more than 72 million Instagram followers get a look this Thursday at a sweet jacket she got for her daughter Khai She included several other pictures of the wintertime delights she has been enjoying, including oysters and a cocktail. Gigi also at one point settled down to an elaborate sushi spread, snapping a picture of the smorgasbord to post online. One evocative black and white snapshot showed Gigi sitting in front of a window through which the audience could see snow-covered New York fire escapes. The elder sister of Bella Hadid also flaunted a green and white pair of Nike sneakers that were made in collaboration with Louis Vuitton. Having a ball: In a new Instagram album she posted this week, Gigi included a mirror selfie that showed her wearing form-fitting winterwear Album: One evocative black and white snapshot showed Gigi sitting in front of a window through which the audience could see snow-covered New York fire escapes Swanking about: The elder sister of Bella Hadid also flaunted a green and white pair of Nike sneakers that were made in collaboration with Louis Vuitton Gigi has had an on-off relationship with Zayn reportedly since 2015 and they welcomed their little girl in September 2020. News of their latest breakup went public last October amid Zayn's explosive falling-out with Gigi's reality star mother Yolanda Hadid. Zayn and Yolanda allegedly had an altercation in September, and though he denied claims he was physically violent, he pled no contest to four harassment charges. Yum: She included several other pictures of the wintertime delights she has been enjoying, including oysters and a cocktail Wow: Gigi also at one point settled down to an elaborate sushi spread, snapping a picture of the smorgasbord to post online He cannot have any contact with Yolanda or the security guard who saw the incident, and must complete an anger management course and 360 days probation. The fracas reportedly started when Yolanda entered Gigi and Zayn's Pennsylvania home without Zayn's permission while Gigi was in Paris for work. Zayn was accused of having pushed Yolanda into a dresser and calling her a 'f***ing Dutch s***,' demanding she keep away from the baby. It was also claimed he called Gigi and said: 'Strap on some f***ing balls and defend your partner against your f***ing mother in my house.' Amy Anzel has become the latest contestant to be fired from The Apprentice. The 48-year-old beauty gadget entrepreneur was sent packing by Lord Alan Sugar on Thursday's episode. Project manager Kathryn Burn brought her and Aaron Willis back into the boardroom because of their failure to sell a single tour ticket at full price in the latest task. Sent home: Amy Anzel has become the latest contestant to be fired from The Apprentice The two groups were sent to North Wales and told they were being given the opportunity to capitalise on the booming tourism industry. They were tasked with running their own highland railway and quarry and zip line but Lord Sugar was unimpressed with Amy's performance. Speaking in the boardroom, he told her: 'You're avoiding the spotlight the way that Dracula avoids sunbathing,' while the other contestants tried not to laugh. He also brought up the fact that Amy previously lived in Los Angeles and asked her was she was an LA Dodger because she didn't take on the Project Manager role. Fired: The entrepreneur, 48, was sent packing by Lord Alan Sugar on Thursday's episode after he was unimpressed with her not stepping up to be Project Manager Lord Sugar warned Kathryn it was 'dangerous' for her to have taken on Project Manager despite having little experience in sales or tourism, he ultimately sent Amy packing after being critical of her refusal to put herself forward to lead any of the challenges to date - a move she felt was unfair. Lord Sugar told Amy: 'You dodged the project management side of things, you've been here six weeks to show that you can do something, and you haven't shown me you can do something. And so it is with regret that you're fired. Thank you.' Amy fired back at Lord Sugar's Dodger remark as she took to Twitter following her elimination and shared snaps of herself wearing an LA Dodgers hat and said her business Hollywood Browzer has been a roaring success. 'Don't worry': Amy fired back at Lord Sugar's Dodger remark as she took to Twitter following her elimination and shared snaps of herself wearing an LA Dodgers hat and said her business Hollywood Browzer has been a roaring success She wrote: 'Don't worry @Lord_Sugar, this 48-year-old L.A Dodger is leaving with 100% of her 7-figure business @hollywoodbrowzr, already listed with major retailers @BootsUK @Argos_Online, @LookFantastic, @FeelUnique, @ASOS, @QVCUK as well as being listed in 159 countries' Reflecting on her dismissal, Amy told BANG Showbiz: 'I was so sad and disappointed and thought I've never seen someone be fired by week six before not being PM and I thought I've been sub team leader for four out of six tasks. 'I've been showing my skill set, my business acumen. I did put myself up as PM in week two and ultimately I've been contributing significantly to every single task. I was not dodging, I was not hiding.' Amy said: 'I was so sad and disappointed and thought I've never seen someone be fired by week six before not being PM and I thought I've been sub team leader for four out of six tasks' The former theatre producer was particularly upset because Lord Sugar has previously made taking on the PM role a condition for other candidates to stay in the process. She said: 'I've heard him say before, fine, I'll give you the opportunity to be PM next week, and I thought he did that with Nick [Showering]. Why wouldn't he do that with me? 'I really thought Aaron was going to be fired, and even though I obviously said I think Catherine was responsible for the failure of the task, I do feel that Aaron had already showed his true colours, and was, you know, a bit of a ticking time bomb.' The Apprentice continues next Thursday on BBC One at 9PM. China will continue to keep coal prices stable, according to the country's top economic planner and energy department. The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration on Wednesday held a meeting to make further plans to stabilize coal prices. The meeting issued warnings to companies that charged exorbitant coal prices and asked them to make rectifications. Coal producers also should step up efforts to ensure coal supplies, the meeting said. For those that fail to rectify any outstanding problems after being issued reminders, further investigation and accountability measures will be taken, the meeting said. Local authorities should enhance their monitoring and maintain coal prices in a reasonable range, according to the meeting. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. VIJAYAWADA: The talks between Telugu film industry (TFI) and Chief Minister Jagan on cinema tickets and other issues on Thursday were fruitful and comprehensive response from the government would emerge by the end of this month. The chief minister met TFI stalwarts Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Prabhas, Rajamouli, Ali, Posani Krishnamurali, Koratala Siva, Narayana Murthy, Niranjan Reddy and others at his Chief Minister camp office. Jagan said Andhra Pradesh contributes 60 per cent more to the TFI in terms of audience support, against 35-45 per cent by Telangana. The AP government, he said, is ready to promote TFI activities in Visakhapatnam by allotting government land. Visakhapatnam can in future compete with Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, he said. Jagan told the delegation of artistes and directors that the government intends to come up with a better policy that benefits both big and small films. A committee was constituted for this purpose, he said. The CM said steps were taken to create a better system for the film industry, especially in matters like ticket pricing. The government tried to provide good pricing for the tickets that helped all kinds of cinemas, he said, and added that certain big-budget films should be treated separately considering the use of high-end technology, innovations and expenditure. For such films with an over Rs 100 crore budget excluding the remuneration of hero, heroine and director, there should be a policy to notify special price for one week. As for ticket prices, the CM said the government proposed to bring the same rate for all films, and this would benefit producers and the government. There should be a balance in a situation of competition with OTTs and the government intends to bring reasonable rates so that the film industry can thrive without burdening the audience, he said. The chief minister also emphasized on promoting film shootings in Andhra Pradesh. The TFI participants agreed to shoot at least 20 per cent of each film in AP. Responding to a request for permitting five shows a day, Jagan said the movie will be a super-hit if it goes well on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With five shows, the industry gets good profits. He said there is a need to support small-budget films and told the delegation to work on bringing a balance in the releasing of films on festival days, giving space for the small budget films too. The CM urged the delegation to take steps for moving the Telugu film industry to Visakhapatnam and assured them of the required support besides allocation of lands. Andhra Pradesh contributes more than Telangana to TFI, with a share of 60 per cent, consisting of a large audience and a large number of theaters. The government would also provide land for constructing studios in the port city as it has a lot of potential to flourish. Minister Nani, chief secretary Sharma, home secretary Vishwajit, I&PR commissioner and FDC MD Vijaykumar and other senior officials were present. Authorities of a corporate school filed a complaint against a bar located adjacent to the school at Kandlakoya for dumping liquor bottles on its campus. (Representational photo:PTI) HYDERABAD: Authorities of a corporate school filed a complaint against a bar located adjacent to the school at Kandlakoya for dumping liquor bottles on its campus. Broken beer bottles were found on Niraj International School campus on Wednesday, following which the director of the school Gavish Reddy lodged the complaint against Seven Hills Restaurant and Bar. Gavish Reddy filed a case against the bar owners earlier in the High Court and both of them are supposed to appear in the court on February 12. The bar was opened in December last year. Reddy, in his complaint, claimed that it was illegal to have a liquor restaurant within 100 metres of a school. The school and the bar also share a common compound wall. This is a serious breach of property, safety and security of the staff and students of the school. Littering the property with the beer bottles also results in tarnishing the image of the school, read the complaint by the school to the Medchal police station filed on Wednesday. Reddy said, "The school authorities want serious action to be taken against the ones at fault." Medchal inspector Praveen Reddy said they would visit the school on Thursday, investigate the matter and take necessary action. New Delhi: The Government of India has issued fresh COVID-19 guidelines for international passengers arriving in the country from February 14. As per the latest reviewed guidelines, the seven days mandatory isolation is not required after testing negative at the airport. "All travellers will self-monitor their health for the next 14 days of arrival. If travellers under self-health monitoring, develop signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID19, they will immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number." Earlier, it was mentioned in the guidelines that the report of the international passengers are negative, they will further self-monitor their health for the next 7 days. "The Ministry of Health has issued revised guidelines for International arrivals guidelines to come in effect from 14th February Follow these diligently, stay safe, and strengthen India's hands in the fight against Covid-19." Union Health Minister tweeted. "Besides uploading negative RT-PCR report (taken 72 hrs prior to journey), option to upload a certificate of completing full primary vaccination schedule of COVID-19 vaccination provided from countries on a reciprocal basis. 14 days Self-Monitoring post-arrival as against 7 days Home Quarantine as was mandated earlier. Need for undertaking RT-PCR test on 8th day and uploading the same on Air Suvidha portal is dispensed with," the Union Health Minister further tweeted. In the latest guidelines, it is also mentioned that the mandatory 72-hour report of RT-PCR is not required anymore and the travellers can show their full Vaccination Certificate. The government has also removed the 'At Risk' marking for various countries with high Omicron caseloads. Bengaluru: As a three-judge full bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions over the 'hijab' row on Thursday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urged upon everyone including politicians, not to make statements that incite people and to maintain peace. He will be holding a meeting with Ministers of Education and Home departments and officials later in the day aimed at taking certain measures to restore cordial and peaceful atmosphere and discipline at educational institutions. The government also indicated that educational institutions were not meant for religious practices and wanted the students to follow the uniform dress code. "The issue on uniform dress code at educational institutions has been transferred to the three judge bench of the High Court and the hearing will begin at about 2:30 pm today. Holiday has been declared for schools and colleges to avoid any disturbance between students. It is the duty of every one to see to it that there is no incitement by outsiders and to maintain law and order," Bommai said. Speaking to reporters here, he said everyone should wait for the court verdict as it is seized of the matter and in a democracy every one should respect it. "I appeal to everyone, whoever had to make their statement or remarks on the issue have already made it. Now, everyone should stop and wait for the court verdict. No one should make any statement that disturbs peace and should restrain themselves," he added. The full bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice J M Khazi will hear a batch of petitions on the hijab row in the afternoon. The single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit on Wednesday had requested the Chief Justice to refer all the petitions to a larger bench. Further, noting that he has called a meeting with the Education Minister and officials to which the Home Minister has also been invited, the Chief Minister said: "We will examine in detail the developments that have taken place till now and take certain measures aimed at restoring cordial and peaceful atmosphere and discipline in schools and colleges." Asked whether the three-day holiday declared to schools and colleges will be extended, he said, "Let's see, it will be decided at the evening meeting." To a question on Congress' allegation that a minister's son distributed saffron shawls to students, Bommai said, "there have been allegations and counter allegations from both sides, I don't want to comment on it. In fact, I'm calling on to stop such things, no one will benefit from it. People holding responsible positions should be sensible and sensitive on the issue involving students." Meanwhile, the state Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh appealed to students to return to schools and colleges with uniform as exams were nearing, as he indicated that such institutions were not meant for religious practices. "I request the students to follow the uniform, come to schools and let the schools-colleges function as usual. The SSLC and the PU exams will start in March and April and you need to focus on your studies," he told reporters. "We don't want differences emerge among the young minds amongst each other. If students start thinking that this person is a Muslim and that person is a Hindu, will it be possible to attend classes and take lessons?" Nagesh sought to know. According to him, many people have got involved in an emotional issue like hijab. Further, some miscreants took the problem faced by six students (who insisted on wearing hijabs in class-rooms) in the coastal Udupi district statewide, he charged. To a query that some people have come forward to give cash reward to the Burqah-clad girl who screamed 'Alla hu Akbar' in Mandya on her entry to the school when she was heckled by some boys two days ago, Nagesh said it will be investigated. "The Supreme Court lawyers who will fight for Hijab saying that it is their religious belief, where they belong to and whose legal experts they are and which politician's house they will discuss, will be known in the coming days," the minister said. Ignoring the school uniform norm, a few Muslim girls started coming to their government college in Udupi wearing Hijab, a few weeks ago. Protesting against it, some Hindu students started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. The row then spread to other districts of Karnataka as well leading to tension, and violence at some places, prompting the state government to announce a three-day holiday to high schools and pre-university colleges starting from Wednesday. Villagers watch a burnt car which ran over and killed farmers on Sunday, at Tikonia village in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: AP/File) Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court on Thursday granted bail to Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni's son Ashish Mishra in the Lakhimpur violence case. On October 3, eight people, including four protesting farmers, died after being mowed down by an SUV allegedly belonging to Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni's son Ashish Mishra. A vehicle had allegedly crushed down farmers who were protesting against the farm laws. Local farmers had blamed Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra 'Teni' and his son Ashish Mishra for the violence that left eight dead, including four farmers, a local journalist, and three others. They were mowed down allegedly by a vehicle that was part of the convoy of the Minister in Lakhimpur Kheri in north-central Uttar Pradesh. As the two Telugu-speaking states have several students pursuing education abroad, and a large number of people working in the US, it is not uncommon for parents from here to visit their children, making availability of a Covid vaccine dose in India a challenge for such persons, most of them crossed the age of 60. (Representational image: PTI) HYDERABAD: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials seem to be confused over providing the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to those people who got the first two doses in a foreign country and now have come back. The staff of the civic body, who are entrusted with administering the Covid-19 vaccine, had a tough time when a couple - S. Giridhar, 65, and his wife turned up for the third dose after getting the first two doses in the USA when they were on a visit to that country. They received two shots of the Moderna vaccine which is not approved for use in India, and hence not available. The vaccination staff of the GHMC told the couple there were currently no guidelines to give precaution doses to people who had taken Covid vaccines other than Covaxin or Covishield. Saraswathi Mopuru, MD of Optimist Healthcare India, who had taken two doses of the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine in London, UK, is now in India and also sought to get the precaution dose as approved for all frontline workers by the Central government. However, due to confusion among doctors, she has decided to wait till she returns to London to take a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine again. As the two Telugu-speaking states have several students pursuing education abroad, and a large number of people working in the US, it is not uncommon for parents from here to visit their children, making the availability of a Covid vaccine dose in India a challenge for such persons, most of them crossed the age of 60. Like Giridhar and Saraswathi, several others who had vaccines abroad, now cannot get a precaution dose in India as the government does not have any guidelines on it. Doctors say there are enough studies to show that mixing MRNA vaccines like Moderna or Pfizer with vector vaccines like Covishield will yield good results, but if people take a Covishield dose in India as their precaution shot, it will be registered as the first dose of the vaccination sequence, and not the third. Medical superintendent of Gandhi Hospital Dr Raja Rao, when asked about such situations, said, As a doctor, my personal advice to these people would be that they can take the Indian vaccines. Infectious disease specialist at Apollo Hospitals Dr Sangeetha Nareddy said, The Indian government wont form guidelines on Moderna as the government needs Indian data to say it works well with Covishield. However, nobody is stopping people who have taken Moderna to take Covishield, but it will be recorded as the first dose, and not a booster dose, Dr Nareddy said. Dr Kiran Madhala, HoD, critical care medicine, Nizamabad Medical College, said studies by WHO had shown that taking mRNA vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer) followed by vector vaccines (Covishield) had, in fact, higher efficacy than taking two doses of vector vaccines. However, president of Infection Control Academy of India Dr Ranga Reddy Burri said the Indian governments policy was to give homologous vaccines, i.e., same as the primary vaccine. In 2019, the employees staged a strike for 55 days and the issue was resolved in November that year, when Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao agreed to the demands of the agitating employees. (DC file photo) HYDERABAD: Employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) are demanding the reintroduction of workers unions which were banned in 2019. The unions were replaced by the Employee Welfare Board (EWB), which is allegedly not capable of presenting the workers grievances to the management. RTC employees alleged that the EWB was not able to solve the issues faced by the workers for the past two years of its existence. The EWB members were working on the directions of the management, and the voice of employees was muted, they alleged. Presently, the employees were forced to work for extra hours, they said, adding that the benefits of the Employees Act which were applicable for all RTC workers were not given to the employees. In 2019, the employees staged a strike for 55 days and the issue was resolved in November that year, when Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao agreed to the demands of the agitating employees. A special revenue package was given for the revival of this loss-incurring organisation, they said and added that meanwhile the government imposed suspension of unions, and replaced them with the Employee Welfare Board. The corporation with a workforce of around 49,000 employees was left with no unions now, they felt. Maramreddy Thomas Reddy, general secretary of RTC Telangana Mazdoor Union said, The EWB has no sanctity. Those appointed as office bearers are working on the directions of the management, not for the welfare of employees. The employees are being harassed by the heads, but no grievance has been registered. Employees are forced to work for extra hours, a clear case of exploitation of work. According to the Motor Transport Workers Act, eight hours of work should be assigned to employees, and between each shift, 9-hour rest is mandatory. These acts are side-lined now. If any member questions, the heads are threatening the employees with suspension, he said. We have been urging the government for the past two years to address the issue as the EWB has proved not useful for employees. The unions should be brought back, he added. N. Kamalakar Goud, president, RTC, TMU, said, The Chief Minister promised that our pay scales would be better than the state government employees, but we have been denied two PRCs, and DAs are pending. Hyderabad: The hue and cry being raised by the TRS leaders over Prime Minister Narendra Modis comments on the bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh was a political drama being played out by them, alleged BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar. He said that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was trying to implement a Kalvakuntla Constitution in the state, in place of the original Constitution drafted by Babasaheb BR Ambedkar. If there is Kalvakuntla Constitution, people wont get jobs and double bedroom houses. And Dalits wont get three acres and none of them can aspire to become the chief minister. You wont find Ambedkar statues but only KCR statues, he said. He warned that there is no question of leaving KCR till he tenders an unconditional apology for his comments on the Indian Constitution. Speaking to reporters at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday along with Adilabad MP Soyam Bapu Rao and former MLC N Ramachandra Rao, Sanjay Kumar alleged that the entire drama was being enacted only to divert the attention of the people of Telangana, who were agitating against the unsavoury comments of Rao on rewriting of the Constitution. He wondered what was wrong in Modis comments on the state bifurcation and why TRS leaders were burning his effigies. Has Modi opposed the formation of Telangana and stalled the bifurcation bill? He only referred to the manner in which the bifurcation was done, while explaining how the people of the country, right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari had suffered problems because of Congress misrule, he pointed out. People would be accursed if Rao continues as the chief minister, he said. He reminded that the BJP had taken a stand in favour of separate Telangana much before the TRS came into existence. Our party had adopted a resolution at the Kakinada conclave in 1996 in support of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The party had been committed to its slogan of one-vote-two-states since then, he said. The Vajpayee-led NDA government had decided to form Telangana state then itself, but it had lacked the required majority in Parliament to do so. Moreover, then AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who was the convenor of the NDA, was against the bifurcation, he pointed out. HYDERABAD: Telangana High Court granted anticipatory bail to Dubbaka MLA M. Raghunandan Rao with certain conditions, in a case registered against him in January 2021 at Mattampally police station in Suryapet District. Raghunandan Rao was accused of destroying sheds and inciting mobs to pelt stones during the visit of BJP leaders at survey number 540 at Gurrampode thanda of Mattampally mandal in Suryapet district. The police registered a case against Raghunandan along with Bandi Sanjay Kumar, president of the BJP Telangana unit. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of the High Court asked the counsel for Raghunandan why he did not approach the court earlier as the case was registered in January 2021. The counsel replied that the petitioner was apprehended earlier, but going by the political situation in the state, the petitioner, who was an MLA, apprehends arrest. Moreover, a lower court rejected his bail plea, the council said. HYDERABAD: Protests erupted across Telangana on Wednesday against Prime Minister Narendra Modis comments on the formation of Telangana state following a call given by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS). TRS leaders and cadres including ministers, MLAs, MLCs held bike rallies in their respective constituencies and districts wearing black dresses, badges, headbands, scarves and holding black flags. Funeral processions were held for effigies of Modi and the BJP which were set on fire later. They staged rasta rokos at major junctions of various towns and burnt the effigies of Modi and the BJP. In Hyderabad, TRS leaders along with students staged a demonstration at Telangana Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park and released black balloons into the sky. TRS MPs held a protest at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on Parliament premises and raised slogans against Modi and the BJP. In Siddipet, finance minister T. Harish Rao, who took part in a protest rally, demanded that the Prime Minister must justify how the passage of the farm laws Bills was democratic and scientific, despite the ruling BJP not having adequate majority in the Rajya Sabha and the entire Opposition parties objecting to it. He wondered how the passage of AP Reorganisation Bill which received consent from a total 33 parties including the then ruling Congress and the main Opposition BJP, could be termed undemocratic and unscientific. In Jangaon, the burning of Modi's effigy led to clashes between the TRS and the BJP activists. When the BJP activists tried to prevent burning of Modi's effigy, the TRS activists chased them away with sticks. The police had to resort to mild lathi-charge to disperse both sides. BC welfare and civil supplies minister Gangula Kamalakar who held dharna at Karimnagar said that Modi, unable to stomach the development taking place in Telangana since 2014, was hatching a conspiracy to reunite the two Telugu states. In a media statement, MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha said, "People of Telangana have come together to unanimously reject PM Modi Ji's remarks on the formation of our beloved Telangana. The Prime Ministers insensitivity towards Telangana state hurt the feelings of our people and the families of the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice of lives, fighting for Telangana." Energy minister G. Jagadish Reddy, who took part in protest rallies in Nalgonda, said people of Telangana would teach a befitting lesson to the BJP in the upcoming elections as they realised that BJP was 'anti-Telangana' after looking at the Prime Ministers comments. Modi should apologise for remarks on TS: KTR Municipal administration and urban development minister K.T. Rama Rao demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on Telangana statehood in Rajya Sabha. Speaking after inaugurating Phase II of ring main project works which intends to provide drinking water to villages and gated communities inside the outer ring road (ORR) at Ibrahimpatnam, Rama Rao said Modi told lies in Parliament, which was considered to be the temple of democracy. He said the Prime Minister was resorting to creating hatred instead of instilling confidence in Parliament. As a Prime Minister, how can Modi make meaningless statements? His remarks are nothing but belittling Telangana agitation and sacrifices made by martyrs who fought for separate statehood, he said. Stating that the Prime Minister delivered an unnecessary speech in Rajya Sabha, the TRS working president said the Centre did not give a penny to Telangana in the last seven years. He said Modi did not even announce any sanction during his recent visit where he unveiled the Statue of Equality in Hyderabad. He called upon the TRS workers to be alert and to keep an eye on the BJP's false propaganda. The minister alleged that the saffron party bore a grudge against Telangana and merged seven mandals of erstwhile Khammam district with Andhra Pradesh and also handed over Sileru power project to the residuary state. New Delhi: After getting reassurance from Jat leaders of western Uttar Pradesh that their community will "continue backing the ruling party," the BJPs election strategies will concentrate on central UP and Bundelkhand, the regions which will go to polls after the second phase. With key constituencies like Mainpuri, Kanpur, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur, Lucknow, Rae Bareili and Phulpur scheduled to go to polls in the third fourth and fifth phases, BJP poll managers are busy ironing out the kinks in those Assembly seats where Akhilesh Yadav-led SP is giving it a very tough fight. Though in central UP the ruling party had won nearly one-third of the total number of seats (around 130), party strategists are not taking any chances. The party leadership is also keeping a close watch on constituencies where rebels could dent their prospects. Once in news for lacking infrastructures and development, ruling BJP had strategically launched various projects in Bundelkhand. The BJP had gained immensely in the region since 2014 and is confident of winning more seats than it did in the last Assembly polls. Rohilkhand is another area that will witness polling in the coming phases and where the main Opposition, SP, is stronger in some Assembly seats. In Purvanchal, where polling will take place in the last two phases, the party has already sent a strong message as chief minister Yogi Adityanath is making his debut in Assembly polls from Gorakhpur. The region, which had been a stronghold of BSP and then SP, has been gradually shifting its affiliation towards the BJP. The BJP is not like other parties which wake up only during the poll season. We are in election mode 24x7 and our leadership is always in touch with party workers till the booth level. Though the Opposition parties try to spread lies and create confusion regarding us, people of the state will vote for us keeping in mind the work our government has done, said a senior BJP leader. Dozens of car buyers posted their intention to cancel orders for Hyundai cars to punish the company while urging support for local brands like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra. (Representational Image/ Twitter) Earlier this week, on Februay 6, Indias Twitter space was abuzz with strong reactions over a post from the HyundaiPakistanOfficial Twitter handle supporting the so-called struggle for freedom in Jammu and Kashmir on the Pakistan-sponsored Kashmir Solidarity Day. On the social media, Hyundai Motors faced calls for a boycott of its cars in India along with demands of an apology. Dozens of car buyers posted their intention to cancel orders for Hyundai cars to punish the company while urging support for local brands like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra. The initial response from Hyundai Motors India said: The unsolicited social media post linking Hyundai Motors India is offending our unparalleled commitment and service to the great country (India). However, this was found to be tepid and unsatisfactory. The friendly South Koreans were taken by surprise and their ambassador in New Delhi was called by the external affairs ministry on February 7 and the strong displeasure of the government on the unacceptable social media post was conveyed. It was stressed this matter concerned Indias territorial integrity, on which there could be no compromise. The foreign office spokesman added that we expected the company to take appropriate action to properly address the issue. The MEAs statement also pointed out that while India welcomed investments by foreign companies in various sectors, it is also expected that such companies or their affiliates will refrain from false and misleading comments on matters of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Moving swiftly for damage control, Hyundai India issued a statement on February 8 clarifying that the unauthorised Kashmir-related post was issued by an independently owned distributor in Pakistan from its own Twitter account. The statement rejected the distributors unauthorised tweet and their inappropriate action. The company had the posts deleted and promised there would be processes to prevent any future recurrence. Hyundai India also deeply regretted any offence caused to the people of India. The South Korean government, a special strategic partner of India, fully understood the gravity of the issue and its foreign minister Chung Eui-yong called external affairs minister S. Jaishankar to convey regret over the episode. It later transpired that similar offensive tweets had emanated from the Pakistani subsidiaries of several multinational companies, hinting at a concerted effort by Pakistani agencies to drag these foreign companies into an essentially bilateral issue. Such tweets came from Pakistan-based associates of American companies like KFC, Pizza Hut and Dominos; Schwab of Germany; Honda, Suzuki and Isuzu of Japan and Procon of the UK along with Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo of South Korea and FAW Trucks and ABC-Alhaj Bus Company from China. It is learnt that all the companies involved have removed the offensive tweets, except the Chinese companies. Subsequently, KFC issued its deep apology and Pizza Hut clarified that it does not condone, support or agree with the post. Suzuki Motors stated that it deeply regrets the hurt to sentiments that such insensitive communications have caused. KIA Motors of South Korea said it has taken strict measures to avoid such misuse of KIA brand identity and would put in place processes to prevent a recurrence. This coordinated burst of anti-India tweets from the Twitter handles of Pakistan-based distributors of MNCs suggests the hidden hand of a Pakistan state agency. It also reveals the prevailing Pakistani mindset of politicising normal international trade and investment. It reflects an insensitivity to the larger interests of Pakistans trading and investment partners, who are global and have robust business with India. This also negates the much-touted primacy given to geo-economics in the recently released New Security Policy of Pakistan. For any global company, India provides a much bigger, more extensive market than Pakistan. Total South Korean exports to Pakistan in 2020 were less than $900 million, compared to exports to India that exceeded $12 billion. This episode points to Pakistans frustration over its abject failure to internationalise the Kashmir matter. Pakistans strident reaction to the constitutional changes introduced by the Indian Parliament in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 had no resonance outside Pakistan. In August 2020, Pakistans foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had publicly lamented that the Saudi Arabia-led Organisation of Islamic Cooperation had not agreed to Pakistans request to convene a meeting of its council of foreign ministers on Kashmir. The justified strong reaction of the people and government of India must alert multinational companies to ensure that social media is not misused to exploit their brand name by any business partner inimical to India in Pakistan, China or anywhere else. By their very nature, multinational companies operate in various geographies and often in countries which may be mutually hostile. They, therefore, steer clear of any controversial political, religious or racial issue. To prevent any recurrence of such a distasteful episode, two measures need to be taken by the companies that have been embarrassed by their Pakistan associates. One, KFC, Hyundai Motors, etc must penalise their offending business partners in Pakistan by terminating their distributorship or franchise. Also, in their contracts with Pakistani business partners, there should be a binding clause that their public advertisements as well as social media handles would not have any reference to Kashmir or any other internal or external issues involving India. India and South Korea will put this unfortunate chain of events behind them and move on. But the desperate attempts by Pakistan to pull in outside parties to feed their obsession with Kashmir needs to be robustly condemned by the corporate world as well as by the governments of the countries which have business relations with both India and Pakistan. New Delhi: China's losses in the Galwan Valley clash in 2020 were much higher than reported with many soldiers drowning while crossing a fast-flowing river in darkness, an investigative Australian newspaper claimed on Wednesday. The Klaxon cited findings by unnamed researchers and mainland Chinese bloggers in the report and said they have declined to be named on security grounds, but their findings appear to "shed significant light on the saga". "Claims of substantial Chinese casualties are not new, however evidence provided by a group of social media researchers, which The Klaxon has independently built on, appears to support claims that China's casualties extended well beyond the four soldiers named by Beijing," it said. The report said it also showed the extreme lengths Beijing has gone to silence discussion about the battle. "China's losses in the high-altitude 2020 Galwan Valley border clash with India -- the deadliest confrontation between the two giants in over four decades -- were much higher than reported with many soldiers drowning while crossing a fast-flowing, sub-zero river in darkness, new research claims," the report said. The eastern Ladakh border row escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15, 2020. Twenty Indian Army personnel laid down their lives in the clashes that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades. In February last year, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clashes with the Indian Army though it is widely believed that the death toll was higher. The Klaxon cited a report into the matter titled "Galwan Decoded" that it said has been prepared by a group of social media researchers. "The researchers have declined to be named on security grounds, but their findings appear to shed significant light on the saga," it said. The Klaxon said the report cited a year-long investigation involving discussions with mainland Chinese bloggers, information obtained from mainland-based Chinese citizens and media reports that have since been deleted by Chinese authorities. "A lot of facts about what really happened, what led to the skirmish, have been hidden by Beijing," it quoted from the report. The border standoff in eastern Ladakh erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry. As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in Gogra as well as in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake last year. Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control in the sensitive sector. Acts of sedition can attract a sentence of one to three years - a similar sentence can be given for not whitewashing latrines and urinals once every four months, according to a study detailing the imprisonment clauses plaguing the country's business compliance regulation framework. Almost two out of five compliances that businesses in India have to acquiesce can send an entrepreneur to jail, the monograph by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) said. Among the 69,233 unique compliances that regulate doing business in India, 26,134 clauses have imprisonment clauses as a penalty of non-compliance. "In other words, almost two out of five compliances can send an entrepreneur to jail," ORF said. India's five most industrialised states - Gujarat, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu - have more than 1,000 imprisonment clauses in their business laws while an average Indian MSME in the manufacturing sector with more than 150 employees deals with 500-900 compliances a year that cost Rs 12-18 lakhs in a single year. The monograph offers key policy recommendations that would help reshape India's business climate and benefit both economy and the entrepreneur ecosystem. "Doing business in India is challenging due to the presence of imprisonment clauses in its business laws enacted since Independence," ORF said. 'Jailed for Doing Business: the 26,134 imprisonment clauses in India's business laws' is a monograph by ORF that analyses newly isolated compliance data that entrepreneurs and corporations face. The monograph is a first-of-its-kind consolidation of business compliance data that had, to date, only existed in silos across ministries and departments. Collated over the past seven years, the monograph has classified the data into seven broad domains - labour, finance and taxation, environment, health and safety, secretarial, commercial, industry-specific, and general. Five states have more than 1,000 imprisonment clauses in their business laws: Gujarat (1,469), Punjab (1,273), Maharashtra (1,210), Karnataka (1,175), and Tamil Nadu (1,043). "This regulatory overreach impacts not just entrepreneurs running for-profits, but not-for-profit institutions as well," it said, giving an example of the penalty for not cleaning toilets being equal to that of being sedition charge. Excessive criminalization of employer compliance universe breeds corruption, blunts formal employment and poisons justice, says Manish Sabharwal, Vice Chairman of TeamLease - which had collated the report with ORF. "This report is a wonderful contribution to ideas for actionable reforms; the government has made a good start in purging compliances but truly reducing regulatory cholesterol requires extending that project to purging the 26,134 jail provisions for employers at the centre and state." The report offers ten recommendations on rationalising the excesses of business laws, rules and regulations. Using criminal penalties with restraint and constituting a regulatory impact assessment committee could lay the foundation of policy reformation. It also recommends rationalising imprisonment clauses. For instance, removing criminality from procedural lapses and inadvertent omissions while retaining imprisonment for wilful transgressions including but not limited to loss of life, destruction of environment and evasion of taxes. In addition, defining standards for legal drafting, introducing sunset clauses, and ushering all reforms under single overarching legislation could be key to infusing dignity to the entrepreneurs, businesspersons and wealth-creators. Despite the numerous difficulties in implementing large-scale policy reforms in India, there is a need for change. The monograph suggests that rather than waiting for the reforms to come, the larger policy fraternity, including politicians, bureaucrats, business executives, scholars and citizens rethink their own actions through this report, and reshape new narratives that will usher in a compliance climate that befits a 21st century India. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Lenders to Future Retail have classified the account as a non-performing asset (NPA), but do not want to take any pre-emptive action and have asked the company to submit a "viable" resolution plan. "There is no deference (in classification of Future Retail as NPA) or so. All of us (banks) have recognised the account as an NPA as on date," said a banker. Most of the lenders to the company have also made adequate provisions for it. Bankers said they do not want to take any pre-emptive action against the company post the declaration of NPA, as any such step could erode its value. "Only thing is that the further action that we have to take (against Future Retail) on being marked down as NPA, has been kept in abeyance as lenders feel that an opportunity should be given to the promoter to give a viable plan so that recovery can be enhanced," another banker said. Also read: Banks act against Future Retail for missing payments "The company has been asked to give a viable plan and I think they must be working on it," he added. Earlier in January this year, Future Retail Ltd (FRL) had missed the due date for payment of Rs 3,494.56 crore to banks and lenders. The Kishore Biyani-led Future Group firm had said it could not sell assets due to its ongoing litigation with Amazon, which impacted its monetisation plans. Later, it had moved the Supreme Court requesting it to issue a direction to its lenders not to declare the company as NPA. The Future group firm had also asked for some more time for loan payment. FRL had last year availed the one-time restructuring (OTR) scheme for COVID-19 hit companies from its consortium of banks and lenders, as per an RBI circular dated August 6, 2020 and was to discharge "an aggregate amount of Rs 3,494.56 crore" on or before December 31, 2021. Bank of India is the lead bank in the consortium. During the Q3 results call recently, Bank of India had said it has proactively made 47 per cent provisioning on the account. The consortium of lending banks had told the Supreme Court that the money lent to FRL belonged to the depositors and to safeguard the public interest, the entire assets of the company can be subjected to open bids by Amazon and Reliance with a reserve price of Rs 17,000 crore. Prior to this, the apex court in a verdict on February 1 had set aside three Delhi High Court orders, including one for attachment of properties of FRL and its directors and refusal to grant a stay on the final arbitral award which had restrained FRL from going ahead with its merger deal with Reliance Retail and had ordered fresh adjudication. In August 2020, the Future Group had announced a Rs 24,713 crore deal for sale of the retail and wholesale business, and the logistics and warehousing business to Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd. However, e-commerce major Amazon is contesting the deal through its 49 per cent stake in Future Coupons Pvt Ltd (FCPL), which is a a shareholder in Future Retail. The matter is presently in dispute before the Supreme Court and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Reliance Retail Ventures had for the second time extended the timeline for completing the Rs 24,713 crore deal with Future Group to March 31, 2022 as it still awaits regulatory and judicial clearances. In October 2020, an interim award was passed by the EA (emergency arbitrator) in favour of Amazon that barred FRL from taking any step to dispose of or encumber its assets or issuing any securities to secure any funding from a restricted party. Check out DH's latest videos The Election Commission has rescheduled voting dates for the Assembly elections in Manipur. The EC decided to hold the first phase of polling to elect the 60-member state assembly in Manipur on February 28, followed by the second phase on March 5. The poll-panel had earlier decided to conduct voting in the state in two phases on February 27 and March 3. The Congress, which is challenging the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state, had written to the EC, requesting it to reschedule the first phase of polling as February 27 would be a Sunday which is observed as the Lords Day or the community worship day by the Christians. The party had expressed apprehension that many Christians in Manipur might be deprived of their right to vote if the first phase of polling was held on February 27. Also Read | Manipur polls: 175 candidates including 15 women file nominations for first phase polling The EC on Thursday announced rescheduling of both the first and second phases of polling, but did not cite any specific reason. The commission stated that it had visited Imphal on February 7 and 8 to review election preparedness and had held interaction with political parties, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other state level officers, Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officers and Superintendents of Police, in addition to Director General of the Assam Rifles, other law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders. Various issues and ground situations were presented to the poll-panel during the visit. It said that the commission had revised the dates of polling after having considered inputs, representations, past precedent, logistics, ground situations and all facts and circumstances in the matter. I am happy that the Election Commission has agreed to the request made by the Indian National Congress three weeks ago to shift the day of the first phase of voting in Manipur, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on Twitter. Check out the latest videos from DH: The ensuing Punjab elections have hit a new nadir with top leaders not shying away from hitting their opponents below the belt. This time it is not the usual slander that the electorate is accustomed to in the run up to polls. Top leaders in Punjab could not care less while scorning each other over their personal life. Congress's CM face candidate Charanjit Singh Channi took a dig at AAPs CM face candidate and MP Bhagwant Mann while talking about the latters marriage fiasco. Channi at an event asked how a person (Mann) who could not take care of his wife and children, would take care of others in Punjab. Mann and his wife were divorced in 2015, a phase that people close to Mann describe as highly upsetting for the leader. Also Read | A heady cocktail of caste, religion and nationalism in Punjab polls Former CM Capt Amarinder Singh is getting mocked for his friendship with his Pakistani friend and journalist Aroosa Alam. Senior Congress leaders, including state party Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, have slammed Capt on this issue sneering at his uncanny ways in public life. A purported video tape that went viral has Capt and Aroosa in a candid conversation talking about Chiku and Sitaphal fruits. Capt, however, has deftly defended his friendship with Aroosa. Navjot Sidhus namesake wife Navjot Kaur made uncorroborated remarks against former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal while claiming that he consumes opium. Kaur did not stop here and claimed that even the senior Badal consumes opium. She alleged that Sukhbir gets opium from neighbouring Rajasthan. Bhagwant Manns fascination for drinking has come to haunt him again. Mann had pledged to quit drinking at a rally some time ago. It is unclear if the leader has still kept his word to quit alcohol. That notwithstanding, videos of Mann in an inebriated state, at times slurring in public arena, are being made viral by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to denounce the leadership that AAP promises for Punjab. Amid this entire verbal diarrhea, the tu tu main main words like thug (cheat), chor (thief), mafia, etc. continue to remain a staple ingredient of poll vocabulary. Navjot Sidhu at a rally said he has bundled up Capt Amarinder like a Jalebi and kicked him out of Congress. Check out DH's latest videos: Amid voting for the first phase of polling on 58 assembly seats in the western UP region, prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday raked up the 2013 Muzaffarnagar communal riots and alleged ban on 'Kanwar Yatras' during the Samajwadi Party (SP) regime and said that during the tenure of the BJP government in the state no incident of communal violence had taken place. In his first physical rally at Saharanpur, Modi also made a veiled reference to the ongoing controversy over wearing 'hijab' by the Muslim girls in schools in Karnataka and accused the rival parties of 'instigating' the Muslim girls so that they lagged behind others. Also Read | UP will turn into Kashmir, West Bengal or Kerala if BJP doesn't come to power: Yogi's warning to voters ''Earlier the state used to witness a series of communal riots....no one can forget the Muzaffarnagar riots, exodus in Kairana....curfew was a recurring feature and people could not even celebrate their festivals...we started the kanwar yatra.....no one has the power now to stop it,'' the prime minister said. Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls Result 2017 In an apparent bid to woo the Muslim women, Modi referred, albeit in a veiled manner, the ongoing 'hijab' controversy in Karnataka and said that the opposition parties were trying to 'instigate' the Muslim women. ''They (opposition) do want that our Muslim sisters and daughters progress....they want them to lag behind the others but we are solidly behind every Muslim woman, who has suffered,'' he said. Modi said that it was necessary for Yogi Adityanath to become the chief minister of the state again to ensure that the Muslim women got their rights and were not made to suffer. He was apparently referring to the victims of the triple talaq. He also took potshots at the SP saying that had the party (SP) been in power during the pandemic then the vaccines would have been sold in the market. Modi also listed the achievements of the central and the BJP government in the state during its tenure and said that the state had taken rapid strides on the path of development under the 'double engine' government. The prime minister's reference to Muzaffarnagar riots came amid the polling in the 'Jat' dominated western region of the state and was apparently intended to send a message to the jats, who appeared to be angry with the saffron party. Check out DH's latest videos: Transgender leaders like BJP's Sonam Kinnar and Samajwadi Party's Payal Kinnar may not be contesting the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, but have created a buzz through their electioneering. Rooting for their parties, these leaders are generating interest, not only in their community, but also among the common people as they carry out door-to-door campaigns all over the state. According to the voters list released by the Election Commission recently, the number of third gender voters stand at 8,853. Also Read | If UP turns into Kerala people will not be murdered over caste, religion: Vijayan hits back at Yogi Sonam Kinnar, who was on November 17 appointed vice-chairperson of the newly formed UP Transgender Welfare Board with the status of minister of state, and Payal Kinnar, who was made state president of SP Kinnar Mahasabha, have been travelling in different districts to garner support for their parties. "I have already campaigned in Noida, Bahraich and Shravasti among other districts and campaigned as per the programme given to me by the party," Sonam told PTI. Working to ensure that the BJP forms a full majority government and Yogi Adityanath returns as the chief minister, Sonam says that once this is achieved, the Kinnar community will also see prosperity and all their problems will be resolved. For the Samajwadi Party, Payal has campaigned in Varanasi, Kanpur, Gonda, Ghaziabad, Sitapur and Lakhimpur, covering almost 40 districts in recent times, and finds that there has been a perceptible change in the attitude of people who come over to listen to her. Also Read | UP elections: BJP hits out at Jayant Chaudhary for not voting Payal had contested the 2002 assembly election against BJP stalwart Lalji Tandon from Lucknow west. She claimed, back then too, the response was very good. Payal, however, feels that a lot needs to be done to make the society sensitive towards the Kinnar Samaj. "Kinnar Samaj is still considered a taboo, not given respect or proper treatment. I am campaigning also among my own community as we have to eke out a place in the entire society and not just among the kinnars. "I feel I have the responsibility to end wrong perception about our samaj among common people, and this is an opportunity to make some headway in this direction," Payal said. Though both the leaders along with their supporters are presently limited to campaigning only, Sonam said, "If the party gives me a ticket, I will contest but I have not demanded a ticket. I am a member of the BJP and am working for it." On the other hand, Payal said," I don't have any wish to contest, though 'bhaiya' (SP president Akhilesh Yadav) had asked me to but I do not want it. I want to serve Bhaiya for five years when the government is formed. Not only for kinnars but also serve the entire society and only after that I will think about contesting." Interestingly, both are not aware of the strength of their community, with Sonam stressing that "the survey of kinnar samaj in UP has not been done yet." "I had written a letter to the principal secretary of the Social Welfare department for it but the model code of conduct came into effect and it could not be undertaken," Sonam said. Both the leaders said they are aware that nowhere in the state, their presence is so large that they can have an impact on elections, but felt that since they are an important part of society, their presence in the election process should also be seen and they should be taken seriously. "No one gives importance to the kinnar samaj. In UP, very few kinnars have got voter I-cards. No one can finance us, we cannot get a house by getting it financed," Payal said, adding that there is no facility for them. "I had met Akhilesh Bhaiya and told him about all this and he has assured that after formation of government , our problems will be resolved at the earliest," Payal said, adding that she has got trangenders of 40 districts associated with the SP and they are all campaigning in their respective areas following the model code of conduct and Covid protocol. Check out the latest videos from DH: The Jat and farmer votes in western Uttar Pradesh, a part of which is polling on Thursday, are extremely crucial for Akhilesh Yadav, who is making a concerted attempt to return to power in these elections. Though jats have a population of over 2 per cent only, the community not only dominates the politics of western UP but also prevails over the farmers of other communities. Western Uttar Pradesh has a total of 136 seats 58 of which are polling today and the BJP had won 109 seats in 2017. The BJP has been enlisting the support of Jats since 2014. The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots had driven a deep wedge between the Jats and Muslims in the region and the BJP benefitted the most due to communal polarisation. Also Read | Lalu says BJP new incarnation of British, urges UP voters to support Akhilesh The year-long farmers' agitation, topped by the mowing down of four farmers by a SUV owned by a Union minister in Lakhimpur, has antagonised the farmers where the BJP is concerned. The Muslim-Jat divide has also filled up to an extent because a large number of farmers happen to be Muslims too. The Samajwadi Party had fared poorly in this region in 2017 and could win only two seats in the first phase. With the change in scenario, Akhilesh is now looking to make maximum gains -- which will lead to maximum losses for BJP -- in this region. Also Read | It's 'MY' vs 'MY' in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls: Modi-Yogi vs Muslim-Yadav He has teamed up with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which has also been working overtime to re-establish connect with farmers. The Samajwadi Party and RLD have been repeatedly reminding Jats of the agricultural distress to make them switch their vote. The absence of SP MP Mohd Azam Khan, who is in jail, has also come as a blessing in disguise for SP since he is believed to have openly protected the Muslims during the Muzaffarnagar riots. The tacit support of farmer leaders like Rakesh Tikait who have appealed to their community to 'defeat and punish BJP', is also helping the SP-RLD alliance. Akhilesh, in his speeches, has been promising sops to farmers -- from higher MSP to free power to compensation for farmers who died during the agitation and also a memorial for them. The BJP, on the other hand, has been raising the spectre of communal riots and deterioration in law and order if the SP returns to power. It has also played the 'Hindu First' card to alienate Jats from the Muslim farmers. Akhilesh knows that this phase of elections where Jats dominate is crucial because success here will give him a much-needed push in the race to reach the majority mark in the state assembly. Western UP has more than one-third of the total seats and Jats rule the political mood here. "It is the west where the sun sets and this time, the BJP's sun will set in the west. They took a lead last time in 2017 from here and then betrayed the farmers during the agitation. We have made promises and we will fulfil them," said Akhilesh. Check out latest DH videos here Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress on Thursday of abusing General Bipin Rawat when he was alive and using his cut-outs now for votes. Addressing a rally in Uttarakhand's Srinagar ahead of the February 14 state Assembly polls, Modi said it is the same Congress that had asked for proof of surgical strikes against terror hideouts in Pakistan. Also Read | Modi rakes up Kanwar Yatra, Muzaffarnagar riots in first physical UP rally, says rivals instigating Muslim women He said a leader of the party had even called former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Rawat a "streetside hooligan". Describing the Congress as a party with a single-minded pursuit for power, the prime minister said it can never understand the price of "sacrifices". "The responsibility of giving the Congress a fitting reply in the coming polls for showing disrespect to General Rawat and using his name politically rests on the shoulders of the people of Uttarakhand," he said. Modi said Congress governments in the past had pushed development activities backwards and forced people to migrate in large numbers from the hills. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Vision Document 2022 released on Wednesday will help make the decade that of Uttarakhand. PT Check out DH's latest videos: Swelling mobilisation by American conservatives over what is taught in schools has led several states to push for new curbs on what educators can discuss related to sexual and gender identity -- opening yet another front in the country's rolling culture wars. Schools have increasingly become flashpoints for political confrontation in the United States, with heated standoffs throughout the pandemic over masking policies, and regular flare-ups over sensitive questions of race, history and sexuality. The most recent battle is playing out in Florida, where a bill that passed a key hurdle in the Senate Tuesday would ban teachers from discussing questions of gender identity or sexual orientation with students below a certain age. Derided by its opponents as the "Don't say gay" bill, it has the backing of Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, who is widely expected to run for president in the next election. Groups from the local level up have condemned the bill as anti-LGBTQ, while the White House weighed in Tuesday by vowing to protect students from such "harmful" legislation. "Across the country, we're seeing Republican leaders take actions to regulate what students can or cannot read, what they can or cannot learn, and most troubling, who they can or cannot be," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. Republicans say they too are motivated by a desire to protect children -- from subjects they believe to be inappropriate for a young age. But Brandon Wolf, press secretary of the non-profit Equality Florida, believes that by framing these questions in such a way, the new law would harm children beginning to identify as LGBTQ, by suggesting that "just by their existence, they are inappropriate." "This will kill kids," warned Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, in a tweet directed at Governor DeSantis. Buttigieg cited a survey from the Trevor Project indicating that 42 percent of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide last year, asking: "Now they can't talk to their teachers?" Natasha Poulopoulos, a pediatric psychologist in Miami, makes the case that being able to discuss sex and gender issues "in a safe and open space is actually reducing suicide attempts." "It's not to encourage kids to be talking about sexual activity," she says, but rather have them "reflect on what they feel internally and who they may be attracted to," and that "it's okay to talk about these things." On the other side of the debate, Tina Descovich, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a group that supports the Florida bill, denies it amounts to "discrimination." "It is allowing parents to raise their children." Descovich cited the example of a woman whose 13-year-old had met with school counselors about their gender identity without notifying her, including to decide "which restroom she was going to use" "We think that is wrong," Descovich told AFP. "I think that that is a discussion for the home, and I think there's age appropriate discussions," she added. Sign of the tensions around the issue, a California mother named Jessica Konen has sued her local school district, arguing that two teachers encouraged her daughter, then in sixth grade, to use a male name and pronouns without discussing the issue with her. The California Teachers Association, which refused to discuss specifics of the lawsuit, noted that it is "concerned about a political climate right now in which outside political forces fuel chaos and misinformation and seek to divide parents, educators and school communities." Bills similar to the Florida measure have been introduced across the country. In southwestern Arisona, teachers would be required to tell parents if their child brings up their gender identity. In midwestern Indiana, a bill would make schools ask parents' permission before discussing sexual orientation or transgender issues. In the central state of Oklahoma, proposed seeks to ban school library books focused on "sexual preferences" or "gender identity." Activists have seen this playbook before: In the late 1980s, after sex-ed courses were updated to address the HIV epidemic, similar legislation spread across the country, out of fear children would be "recruited into homosexuality," recalls Clifford Rosky, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Utah. Despite a trend in recent years of repealing such laws, Rosky says, they remain in place in six states including Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. In Florida itself, meanwhile, the law today is clear: schools are instructed to teach "the benefits of monogamous heterosexual marriage." Check out DH's latest videos Hopes rose Wednesday that efforts to stop Russia from invading Ukraine may be starting to pay off, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joining Kyiv and Moscow in a chorus of "positive" voices assessing that diplomatic bids to defuse the crisis could work. In the face of the worst stand-off between Russia and the West since the Cold War, diplomatic action has kicked into high gear, taking French President Emmanuel Macron to Kyiv and Moscow earlier this week. After separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky, Macron said on Tuesday he glimpsed a way forward towards easing tensions. The Russian leader had told him that Moscow "would not be the source of an escalation", he said. Read | In Chernobyl ghost town, Ukraine forces train for combat While the West accuses Russia of having massed 100,000 soldiers near Ukraine's borders, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said "diplomacy is continuing to lower tensions". "The way the greater European community responds to this crisis will determine the future of European security and of each individual European state," he said. More upbeat noises also emerged from Moscow, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling reporters "there were positive signals that a solution to Ukraine could be based only on fulfilling the Minsk agreements", which ended the worst of the fighting in 2014 between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists. Scholz, who had come under fire at home over his dithering response to the Ukraine crisis, said he saw "progress" after a flurry of talks on various levels. "The task is that we ensure the security in Europe, and I believe that that will be achieved," he added after meeting Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. On Wednesday, Macron briefed his US counterpart Joe Biden on his talks with Putin and Zelensky, the White House said. As diplomatic efforts intensify, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby warned that Putin was continuing to send troops to the border. "We have continued to see even over the last 24 hours additional capabilities flow from elsewhere in Russia to that border with Ukraine and Belarus," he told reporters. But Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar said the Russian forces on the frontier did not appear to be ready to launch an all-out assault, and were instead being used primarily "for political pressure and blackmail" at this stage. Also Read: NATO considers bolstering allies if Russian troops stay in Belarus Scholz, who is to huddle with Baltic leaders on Thursday, is accelerating his diplomatic pace to reassure allies that Germany would not be the weakest link among allies in standing up to Russia. Less than 24 hours after a trip to Washington, Scholz late Tuesday stood alongside Polish leader Andrzej Duda and Macron to declare the Europeans' unity in their goal of averting war. Scholz, who took over from Angela Merkel in December, has been struggling to emerge from behind the veteran leader's shadows. Noisier voices debating the Western response, including within his own Social Democrats, have at times drowned him out, leading critics to question Germany's resolve in the crisis. Scholz will travel to Kyiv and then Moscow next week, where he will have his first face-to-face meeting with Putin. Britain has also intensified action, with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in Moscow on Wednesday to deliver a message that Russia must choose a peaceful path in Ukraine or face "massive consequences" from Western sanctions. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit Poland on Thursday, after Britain promised to send 350 more troops to Poland's border with Belarus. Putin, who has demanded sweeping security guarantees from NATO and the United States, said after his talks with Macron that Moscow would "do everything to find compromises that suit everyone". He said several proposals put forward by Macron could "form a basis for further steps" on easing the crisis over Ukraine but did not give any details. At the same time as sending its military hardware to Ukraine's borders, Putin has issued demands the West says are unacceptable, including barring Ukraine from joining NATO and rolling back alliance forces in eastern Europe. The French presidency said Macron's counterproposals included an engagement from both sides not to take any new military action, the launching of a strategic dialogue and efforts to revive the peace process for Ukraine's conflict. It also said an agreement would ensure the withdrawal of around 30,000 Russian soldiers from Belarus at the end of joint military exercises later this month. The Kremlin insisted it never intended to leave the troops permanently on Belarusian territory. The West faces a tough task trying to convince a wary Zelensky to accept any compromises. Kyiv has laid out three "red lines" it vows not to cross -- no compromise over Ukraine's territorial integrity, no direct talks with the separatists and no interference in its foreign policy. Two young women were kidnapped, gang-raped, and paraded in streets in Sindh's Naukot in Pakistan, Samaa TV reported. A group of men assaulted the two women to "avenge humiliation" after a free-will marriage between the two members of Rajput and Tangri tribes, the report said. At least 12 men have been arrested, including constable Gulzar Tangri. The prime suspect Ali Nawaz Tangri is still at large. According to the family, a man belonging to the Rajput tribe took their 18-year-old daughter to Karachi to marry her on February 2. The police have said the kidnapping was not reported and the two groups were "resolving" the matter on their own. On February 6, the Tangri group attacked the family and barged into their house and began aerial firing. According to the family, dozens of armed men beat the family and abducted 18-year-old daughter-in-law and 14-year-old daughter, the report said. The 18-year-old survivor has accused the police of being involved. "Ali Nawaz Tangri took us to the house where a police constable, Gulzar Tangri, was present and then the two men took us to Banni," she said. "We were assaulted, paraded in streets and were gang-raped the whole night," she added. On February 7, the affected family staged a sit-on at Naukot Jado Road prompting police and local administration to "recover" the two young women. The 18-year-old has refuted the police's claim and said they were bribed by the constable Gulzar to not to mention his involvement. Watch latest videos by DH here: The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said Thursday that 12 people were injured by falling debris from an attempted drone attack on an airport in the southern Saudi region of Abha near the kingdom's border with Yemen. The coalition statement said the people who were hurt included travellers and workers at the airport. Two of the injured were Saudi citizens, four were Bangladeshi residents and three were Nepali residents. There was also one person each from Sri Lanka, the Philippines and India hurt. Saudi air defenses destroyed the bomb-laden drone that the coalition said was launched by Houthi rebels inside Yemen early Thursday afternoon. Saudi state television and accompanying social media accounts carried video from inside Abha's airport showing operations there running as normal after the incident. Saudi Arabia has been at war in Yemen since 2015 fighting against Iranian-backed Houthis who overran the capital and ousted the government from power. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden spoke with Saudi King Salman. The White House said the president and king discussed Iranian-enabled attacks by the Houthis against civilian targets in Saudi Arabia. Biden underscored US commitment in supporting Saudi Arabia in the defense of its people and territory from such attacks, it added. The war has killed tens of thousands of people, both fighters and civilians, and spawned the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Charity group Oxfam this week said a yearlong battle over the strategic Yemeni city of Marib alone has displaced about 100,000 people. The fighting in Marib led to increased Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in recent weeks. The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition and backs Yemeni militias fighting the Houthis. US officials have scrambled to reassure the Gulf strategic allies of US defensive support. The US initially backed the Saudi war effort as the coalition tried to drive the Iranian-backed Houthis from the capital, Sanaa, and restore the previous government to power. President Biden, however, has since tried to distance the US military from involvement in Yemen's war, where both sides are accused of human rights abuses. A Saudi readout of the monarch's call with Biden said King Salman discussed the importance of strengthening mutual security cooperation and cited Saudi support for US efforts in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The White House says Biden briefed the king on ongoing multilateral talks focused on Iran's nuclear programme. King Salman stressed the need to work together to counter the destabilising activities of Iran's proxies in the region, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. The two also discussed their shared commitment to maintaining balance and stability in oil markets as Brent crude hovers around $90 a barrel. Check out DH's latest videos: The United States on Thursday "strongly" condemned a drone attack on Saudi Arabia's Abha airport, in which 12 people were injured. President Joe Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, said the "United States strongly condemns today's terrorist attack." Also Read | 12 hurt in airport attack near Yemen in Saudi Arabia Noting that Huthi rebels had claimed responsibility for the drone, Sullivan said Washington will "work with our Saudi and international partners to hold them accountable." He also noted that Biden had reiterated US backing in a conversation with Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Wednesday. Check out DH's latest videos: The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 10 am on Friday and the Lok Sabha till 4 pm. Nirmala Sitharaman replied in Lok Sabha on the general discussion on the Budget. BJP and Congress continued to attack each other in Parliament with PM Modi cautioning against the grand old party's dynastic politics. Tejasvi Surya of the BJP, an MP from Bengaluru, takes on Farooq Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, claiming that there are "sufficient job opportunities" and that only "unemployed person is the prince of Congress." Come back tomorrow for more updates Senior Indian Police Service officer Devesh Chandra Srivastava has taken over the charge of the Director General of Police of Mizoram. Srivastava, a 1995 batch IPS officer of AGMUT cadre who was earlier the special commissioner of Delhi Police was transferred as DGP of Mizoram Police by the Union Home Ministry. He replaces SBK Singh, who has been transferred to Delhi. On assuming charge of DGP on Wednesday, Srivastava said he felt both privileged as well as humbled in taking the baton to lead the Mizoram Police in its golden jubilee year. "Humility, honour and honesty shall be the guiding lights as we endeavour to build a future-ready, empathy-guided and professional force of proud Mizo women and men," he said. On his first day as Mizoram DGP, Srivastava also made a courtesy call to Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Home minister Lalchamliana at their respective offices. Check out latest DH videos here West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday handed over 2,000 freehold title deeds to eligible refugee families and assured that all land occupied by such people in the state will be regularised. No refugee, including Matuas, will be left out of getting freehold deeds for his or her land and not a single refugee family posessing land deed will be evicted, she said. The chief minister said that in Bengal at least 261 refugee colonies have been regularised and in the last three years 27,000 pattas have been distributed benefitting over 52,000 people. Banerjee had announced in November 2020 that 1.25 lakh freehold title deeds would be given. The TMC government had taken the decision to regularise refugee lands and handover land deeds apparently to deny political benefits to the BJP, which was hoping to cash in on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to woo the refugees, including the Matuas. Banerjee is vehemently against both NRC and CAA. "I would like to congratulate you (refugee families). This is your right towards your land. You have finally achieved an address after a long struggle. All the refugee colonies belonging to the state government have been legally regularised and nobody will be evicted from those places. The freehold title deeds for the lands will be distributed from time to time," Banerjee said at the deed distribution programme held at Netaji Indoor Stadium in the city. The chief minister said that Bengal has formulated a law so that no refugee can be evicted from lands belonging to the Railway and other central governmental organisations. "We have also directed that refugees who are staying on private lands for quite some time will never be evicted," she said and referred to several movements which she had spearheaded in the past. "Not a single refugee will be left out ... He or she will get unconditional deed for the land. This includes the Matuas. They will also get deeds for their land. We will not allow anybody to evict them. There are several people who have done politics with them," she said in an oblique reference to BJP which courted the community before the Lok Sabha and assembly polls. The Matuas had migrated to West Bengal from erstwhile East Pakistan about 70 years ago due to religious persecution. There are about three million Matuas in North and South 24 Parganas districts and have considerable influence in at least five Lok Sabha constituencies. She said that three permanent housing projects have been constructed for refugees at Chitmahal in Mekhliganj and in Haldibari and Dinhata in Coochbehar district. Elaborating on the government action vis a vis distribution of land deeds among the refugees, Banerjee said that land settlements of five mouzas have been done and pattas have been given to 12,000 families at Khasmahal in Paschim Medinipur district. She also stated that over 3.5 lakh families in Bengal have benefitted after the state government handed them "griha" (house) pattas, besides land pattas and agriculture pattas. The chief minister also referred to the state government's 'Banglar Bari' and 'Chaa Sundari' schemes. Under the 'Banglar Bari' scheme slum dwellers in the city and other municipalities in Bengal will be given a flat each and will provide houses to tea workers in north Bengal under the 'Chaa Sundari' programme. Residents of most of the refugee colonies in Bengal have already received their freehold title deeds. However, there are some areas in the districts where the distribution is yet to be completed, Banerjee said. Banerjee directed land reform department officials to ensure that work is completed when people approach them and that they do not return emptyhanded. "I will be happy if you do so," she added. Watch the latest DH Videos here: The government on Wednesday banned import of foreign drones with certain exceptions as part of efforts to promote domestic manufacturing of drones in the country. Import of drones for R&D, defence and security purposes have been exempted from the ban but such imports will require due clearances. "Import of drone components, however, shall not require any approvals," the civil aviation ministry said in a release on Wednesday. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the commerce and industry ministry has issued a notification banning the import of foreign drones. "Import policy for drones in CBU (Completely Built Up)/CKD (Completely Knocked Down)/SKD (Semi Knocked Down ) form... is prohibited with exceptions provided for R and D, defence and security purposes," DGFT said. Also read: Key takeaways from new Drone Rules, 2021 Import of drones by government entities, educational institutions recognised by central or state government, government recognised R&D entities and drone manufacturers for R&D purpose will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form. This will be subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries. Import of drones for defence and security purposes will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries. The civil aviation ministry said that in order to promote Made in India drones, import of foreign drones has been prohibited with effect from February 9, 2022. The ministry came out with liberalised drone rules in August 2021. After the rules, the ministry issued the drone airspace map and PLI scheme in September 2021, UTM policy framework in October 2021. Besides, drone certification scheme and single window DigitalSky Platform were put in place last month. Check out DH's latest videos Ukrainian companies are desperately trying to outdo Russian firms to bag contracts of Indian Navy, CBI investigation into an alleged bribery case against serving and former naval officers has shown, officials said. During the probe, a Dubai-based businessman has come under the scanner of the agency for allegedly transporting money from Dubai to India for retired Naval Commodore Randeep Singh, arrested by the CBI in September last year and now on bail. The role of Indian arms dealers, relatives of a former naval chief, have also come under the scanner with the probe indicating the links of the businessman with them, they said. The agency grilled the suspect businessman five times between September 4-11 last year and took his voice sample on September 13, they said. It is alleged that the businessman associated with Ukrainian defence manufacturer Spets Techno Experts had "shared documents including a list of Navy officers" to help the Ukrainian company outdo Russian Rosoboronexport in spare part orders for Indian submarines and other naval assets, they said. The agency has found that the documents were allegedly provided by Singh to the businessman who was trying to increase the market share of Zorya Mashproekt, Ukraine by conniving with BHEL and Indian Navy officers, they claimed. The probe in this regard is still going on, they said. The CBI investigation so far has shown that the businessman is alleged to have "actively participated" in sharing information related to the Indian Navy with external people in exchange for illegal gratification given to the government employees including officers of the Indian Navy. When the agency confronted the businessman with Singh during questioning, the retired Naval Commodore understood to have told the CBI officials that the funds meant for him were supplied by the arms dealer who is a relative of a former Naval chief, they said. Singh had also told the investigators that the businessman had collected these funds and delivered him here. The CBI on September 2 had carried out searches at 19 locations in the country after getting inputs that Commander SJ Singh (retired) was allegedly sharing confidential information about procurement of spare parts of submarines with Singh for pecuniary benefits. Both were arrested on the same day. Later, the CBI arrested Navy Commander Ajit Kumar Pandey, Commander Jagdeesh, executives of Hyderabad-based Allen Reinforced Plastics Ltd among others. The agency is probing allegations into the leak of confidential information pertaining to procurement and maintenance of naval equipment for pecuniary benefits and bribery in deal for the Mine Laying Saddle from Hyderabad-based company Allen Reinforced Plastics Limited, they said. Check out the latest videos from DH: The second day of the Rajasthan Assembly's budget session on Thursday witnessed a huge uproar as BJP MLAs pressed their demand for the CBI probe into the REET paper leak 'scandal'. Meanwhile, four BJP MLAs were suspended for "preventing a legislator from speaking". The Speaker adjourned the proceedings of the Assembly from 5 pm till Friday 11 am. After the adjournment of the proceedings, the BJP MLAs sat on a dharna in the House itself and were seen arranging for mattresses and blankets till the time of filing of the report. Earlier in the day, four BJP MLAs were suspended for the budget session for preventing CPI(M) MLA Balwan Poonia from speaking. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal proposed the suspension of all four in the House, which was later approved. BJP MLAs Madan Dilawar, Ramlal Sharma, Avinash Gehlot, Chandrabhan Akya were suspended for the entire duration of the budget session. Proposing suspension, Shanti Dhariwal said that the MLAs stopped CPI(M) MLA Balwan Poonia from speaking at the Governor's address, snatched papers and abused, so all four should be suspended. Earlier, after the Assembly proceedings began in the afternoon after being adjourned thrice, BJP and Congress MLAs turned face-to-face. During the debate on the Governor's address, there was a scuffle between the MLAs of the two parties. During the debate on the Governor's address, BJP MLAs were seen raising slogans in the well in front of the ministers' seat. Meanwhile, the state minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas snatched the placard and black paper, which has a message demanding a CBI probe into REET 'scandal', from the hands of BJP MLA Ramlal Sharma. On this, the BJP MLAs protested while the Congress ministers supported Khachariyawas. Check out the latest videos from DH: With the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failing to make any headway in the case since 2017, the Madras High Court on Wednesday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sensational murder of K N Ramajeyam, brother of Municipal Administration Minister K N Nehru, in Tiruchirapalli in 2012. The SIT, the High Court said, should begin the investigation into the case as early as possible, preferably before February 21, and submit a status report every fortnight on the progress of the probe the first of such a report should be handed over to the court before March 7. Justice V Bharathidasan said the SIT will be headed by S Jeyakumar, Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi, Madan, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ariyalur, and R Ravi, Deputy Superintendent of Police (CBI). Ramajeyam, who was into real estate and other businesses, was the brother of Nehru, the Tiruchi strongman of the DMK. While constituting the SIT, the judge asked CBI not to transfer Ravi without the court order and continue with the investigation into the case. Justice Bharathidasan also said the investigation by the SIT will be monitored by Shakeel Akhtar, Director General of Police (CB-CID), while directing the Tamil Nadu government to provide logistical support to the team. Ramajeyam, who wielded tremendous influence in and around Tiruchirapalli in the Central region of Tamil Nadu, was found dead on the banks of River Cauvery near Thiruvalarsolai on March 29, 2012, during the AIADMK regime then headed by J Jayalalithaa. Since the Tamil Nadu police could not make any progress, the case was transferred to CBI in 2017 following a complaint by Ramajeyams wife Latha. However, the Central agency has also not cracked the case so far. Though almost 10 years have elapsed, a premier investigating wing of the State, the CB CID and the CBI could not even find out the motive behind the murder. It is a very unfortunate situation, justice Bharathidasan said. He added that the state police investigated the case for more than five years and that the court is of the considered view that re-transferring the case at this point of time from CBI to the police would not serve any useful purpose. On the other hand, the CBI also could not make any breakthrough in the investigation for the past four years. Considering these circumstances, this court is of the firm view that constituting an SIT with dedicated and efficient officers to conduct further investigation in the matter alone would bring the case to its logical conclusion at the earliest, the judge said. Check out DH's latest videos The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday seized 11 fishing boats from Harami Nalla along the India-Pakistan maritime border near Kutch district following reports of "intrusion of Pakistani fishing boats and fishermen." BSF officials said in a release, "On 9th February 2022, during late afternoon, intrusion of Pakistani fishing boats and fishermen was reported in the general area Harami Nalla. DIG BSF Bhuj immediately launched a massive search operation in the area spread over almost 300 square kilometres." The release mentioned GS Malik, Inspector General, BSF, Gujarat Frontier "personally monitoring the massive search operation." Malik, who is supervising the operation, told DH that the operation is likely to go on throughout the night. He said, "due to marshy land, mangroves and tidal waves, the operation is taking time." In the press note, BSF said that by Thursday evening 11 Pakistani fishing boats had been seized. "3 groups of commandos have been airdropped by Air Force helicopters from three different directions, commandos are closing in where the Pakistanis are hiding," the release stated. The BSF has been regularly seizing Pakistani fishermen who stray into the Indian side of the international border near Harami Nalla. It is believed that Pakistani fishermen get attracted due to crabs, which are said to be found in the region in abundance. Check out latest DH videos here Two years after a 25-year-old girl was set ablaze brutally by a jilted lover in the Hinganghat town of Wardha, a district court on Thursday sent the accused to life imprisonment till death. Additional District and Sessions Judge Rahul Bhagwa found the accused, Vicky Nagrale, guilty, and granted him life imprisonment. The 25-year old victim, Ankita Pissude, worked as a part-time lecturer with Matoshri Ashatai Kunawar College. The accused, Vikesh alias Vicky Nagrale, a 27-year-old youth, poured petrol on the womans face and set her on fire, on February 3, 2020. The girl sustained over 40 per cent burn injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Nagpur, but she passed away on February 10 after battling for life for nearly a week. The issue had snowballed into a major political issue with the government being questioned on womens safety. Notably, within a months time of the incident, the Wardha police had filed the chargesheet running in 426 pages which included statements of 29 witnesses. A total of 64 hearings were held. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Udupi is a long way from Lucknow, but the hijab controversy is just the kind of emotive issue that could help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) polarise voters in the UP election. By all accounts, no stone is being left unturned to make the wearing of the hijab by Muslim girl students a national issue. The issue is being agitated in the streets, in the High Court, by politicians on social media as well as in Parliament. Hindutva's foot-soldiers in Karnataka are not bothered by the Puttuswamy judgement on the right to privacy and the fundamental right to choose one's attire. They are instruments for another purpose. Even Opposition MPs from 8 parties staged a walk-out asserting that wearing a hijab is not a crime and protesting that an "atmosphere of fear is being created." The BJP desperately needs all this noise, even the Opposition's opposition, to whip it into an issue relevant for the UP elections. Its experience is that past elections were won when a large population of the state votes along communal lines. It probably believes that the Hindu voter in the state is 'confused' unable to decide whether to prioritise its religious sentiments over livelihood issues of rising prices, youth unemployment, falling incomes in agriculture and the experience of how the government dealt with the farmers' agitation. An emotive issue will perhaps bring them back to the fold. Also read: BJP not allowing girls to wear hijab and study: Owaisi To win the election, the BJP must not only break the OBC-Jat caste consolidation forged by the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance, but it must prevent the Muslim vote from consolidating behind the alliance. In Western UP, there are 136 seats across 26 districts where the Muslim population is slightly above 26 per cent. Western UP is extremely important for the BJP because in 2017, while the party had received 41 per cent votes in the state, its vote share in Western UP was 44.14 per cent, partly the result of religious propaganda about Hindus fleeing Kairana. In the 2019 general election, while the BJP vote share for the entire state of UP was 50 per cent, it was 52 per cent in Western UP. While the BJP has not fielded a single Muslim candidate in the region, which goes for polling on February 10 and 14, the SP has fielded 12 Muslim candidates, the Congress 11, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) 16 and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalmeen (AIMIM) 9. By dividing the Muslim vote, Asaduddin Owaisi is seen to be playing the same role that he played in the Bihar Assembly polls of 2015 when he was dubbed as the "B-Team of the BJP". Mayawati, too, will help divide the Muslim vote by fielding a large number of Muslim candidates. Is it entirely a coincidence that Owaisi has brought the hijab issue to the UP elections? Addressing a rally at Sarai Tarin in Western UP, Owaisi said, "I pray that our sisters fighting for their right to wear hijab are successful in their fight." While campaigning in Sambhal, again in Western Uttar Pradesh, Owaisi claimed, "The BJP government is not allowing our daughters to wear a hijab and study, but Prime Minister Modi talks of empowering Muslim women with the triple talaq law." He urged Muslims everywhere to show the same courage as shown by the hijab-wearing students saying, "I salute the women of Karnataka. I tweeted about how a burqa-clad woman walked into a saffron crowd and chanted 'Allah Hu Akbar'. This is the courage every Muslim should have." No doubt other political parties will rally in favour of the girl students as well, thereby perhaps falling into a carefully laid trap. Also read: As he dodges bullets, the importance of being Owaisi Managing the Muslim vote becomes especially important today as UP seems to have little appetite for communal violence. The farmers' agitation, with one of its epicentres in Western UP, has forged a Hindu-Muslim unity that may not come apart so soon over communal provocations. Several recent attempts to polarise the voters on religious lines have failed. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's speech in Kairana raking up claims that Hindus had allegedly fled the area in 2017, reminding them of the communal riots of 2013 in Muzaffarnagar and an outlandish claim that the BJP and Jats shared a legacy of fighting the 'Mughals' for 650 years did not have much impact. This is why many feared that the BJP might stoke communal confrontations in states other than UP and use the sentiment generated for propaganda in UP. Not surprisingly, the communal provocation came from Karnataka, a BJP-ruled state which is fast turning into the Hindutva laboratory of South India. Nor is it surprising that following the BJP government's order against girl students wearing headscarves in Karnataka schools, the issue is being pumped up by the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh and the BJP-NR Congress alliance government in Puducherry. Both have come out against wearing hijab in schools. On the other hand, Akhilesh Yadav and Jayant Choudhary are wary of taking a stand that might be seen as minority appeasement. Political observers point out that this time around, the SP-RLD combine has been very careful not to field too many Muslim candidates in Western UP and has denied candidature to those Muslim leaders of the region who have thrived on the politics of religious polarisation. Those left out in the cold include Imran Masood, who left Congress to join SP, Mavia Ali, who was a claimant for the Deoband seat, Kadir Rana, who jumped ship from the BSP to join the SP and three-time MLA, two-term Lok Saha MP and one-term Rajya Sabha MP, Amir Alam Khan who wanted to contest from Bijnor. The Muslim vote is sought to be driven by emotive issues like the clumsy 'firing at' Owaisi's car while campaigning in UP. The "assassination bid" was by a youngster associated with the BJP. Nevertheless, the firing has already become a part of the poll discourse in UP. As the election moves into other parts of UP, one can expect more incidents aimed at provoking the voters in UP. (The writer is a journalist based in Delhi) The viral video of a burqa-clad girl at a college in Mandya, Karnataka, holding her own amidst a swarm of saffron-wearing youths shouting Jai Shri Ram and closing in upon her, signifies different things to different people. To some, it is a picture of a lone girls courage in the face of a bunch of rowdies heckling her for her choice of attire. To others, it is an ugly exhibition of majoritarian bullying of a Muslim girl and the attempt to stifle her right to religious expression as guaranteed by the Constitution. To many, it is both. There is, however, another dimension to the video clip: In response to the youths chants of Jai Shri Ram the now ubiquitous battle cry of militant Hindutva the girl retaliates by raising her arm and shouting Allahu Akbar (God is great) again and again. Its an unequal face-off, but it is a face-off angry, belligerent, combative. This is what religious polarisation looks like; this is the bitter harvest of a sustained campaign to promote divisiveness and communal strife. In secular India, in the precincts of an institution of secular learning, the communal fault lines run so deep now that young people feel compelled to holler their religions war cry either to bully and smother, or to fight back and cling to their identity. The question is, who profits from such polarisation? Who gains when the youth of our country expend their energies on competitive communalism? Whose purpose does it serve when, instead of getting busy with their education and building their future, young men and women are busy tripping on the opiate of religion and religious symbols? Also Read | Hijab controversy: More to do with UP than Karnataka? Karnataka has been roiled by the so-called hijab row since last month, when six female students were denied entry into their college in Udupi for wearing the hijab, or the headscarf. The college said that the garment, worn by many Muslim women and girls, went against its dress code. When the girls stood their ground, several other colleges in the state came out with the same diktat. The right-wing BJP government of Karnataka backed the colleges stand, and since then, there have been widespread protests in the state for and against Muslim girls right to wear the hijab in educational institutions. Anti-hijab demonstrators bedecked in saffron scarves, the mark of their own Hindu religious identity, have come out in thousands, and their saffronised machismo is now focused on just one goal prevent Muslim girls from accessing education if they cover their heads in deference to their religion. The state governments argument before the Karnataka High Court, which is hearing petitions to uphold the Udupi girls right to wear the hijab in the classroom, is that it cannot be allowed in an educational institution since it is not an essential part of Islam. This is absurd. First, a womans choice of attire in an institution of higher education is her own business. (Schools have uniforms, colleges rarely do, because adult citizens are supposed to have freedom of choice in such matters.) Whether she wants to cover her head or bare her legs its her choice. Second, it is not for the state to determine if the hijab is or is not an integral part of Muslim womens practise of their religion. That is the job of religious scholars. Third, in a country where political leaders representing a secular state make a habit of flaunting religion and religious symbols the prime ministers participation in extravagant Hindu rituals and his many eye-popping, saffron-hued ensembles come to mind it is stunningly discriminatory to argue that Muslim girls cannot wear a headscarf to college because the garment has a religious association. (There has never been an outcry over Sikhs wearing a turban or a married Hindu woman sporting a mangal sutra in a college classroom.) Yes, the hijab is a regressive practice, but if a woman chooses to adopt it, you can scarcely deny her right to do so. Besides, the six Udupi girls demand for exercising that right in the classroom must be seen in the context of a body politic where the minority community and its religious and cultural identity have been under severe and sustained attack. From the lynching of Muslims on suspicion of possessing beef to the ferocious tirade against the fictive love jihad, from the cancelling of multiple namaz sites in Gurgaon to the nefarious Sulli Deal-Bulli Bai apps that sought to humiliate Muslim women online, there has been an incessant attempt to other the community, marginalise it, demonise it. The foolish toxicity over actor Shah Rukh Khans dua before the mortal remains of Lata Mangeshkar, and the ridiculous allegation that he had spat on her, could be the stuff of black comedy. In truth, it is one more example of the stream of bile that is kept flowing in the direction of Muslims. The othering of Muslims is, of course, the cornerstone of the ruling partys Hindu nationalist agenda. But it brings electoral rewards too the greater the divisiveness, the more intense the hostility between Hindus and Muslims, the more likely is the majority community to vote for a party that signals its intent to fight against its common enemy. In the case of the youth, the gains are even more substantive and long-term. Keeping them in a ferment over religious identities their own and their perceived antagonists is a neat strategy to get Indias much-touted demographic dividend to deliver electoral dividends for the ruling party. Besides, it takes their minds off such matters as jobs or the lack of it. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), Indias unemployment rate stood at a high of 6.57 per cent in January 2022, while unemployment in urban India was even higher at 8.16 per cent. The chances of the educated youth finding white-collar jobs in the countrys tiny formal sector the informal economy employs 90 per cent of the countrys workforce have been getting bleaker in recent years. In such a scenario, it pays to keep them preoccupied with non-issues like which religious symbols may or may not be worn to college. But the fruits of Hindu-Muslim identity politics may eventually run out. Last month protesters in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh set fire to trains because they did not get jobs in the Indian Railways. Its a signal that economic disaffection will eventually outweigh the opiate of religion. Until then, the discourse in this country will continue to be dominated by mandir and masjid, hijab and bhagwa, and the strutting of majoritarian might before all other communities. (Shuma Raha is a journalist and author) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. With Congress and AAP having declared their CM candidates and most parties having come out with their candidate lists for the Assembly elections, the echo of caste and religion is somewhat more pronounced this time in Punjab poll discourse than it has been in previous polls. While many argue that unlike in the Hindi belt states, identity politics does not play a big role in Punjab election outcomes, a heady cocktail of caste and communal issues is brewing ahead of voting in the state on February 20. Pakistan was brought into the poll discourse when Capt Amarinder Singh, sitting in the BJP headquarters in Delhi in January, created a flutter by saying that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had wanted his old friend Navjot Singh Sidhu to be reinstated in Amarinders cabinet after Sidhu had resigned from it in 2019. When Amarinder made the startling statement, Sidhu was still in the CM nominee race in his party and the BJP was going all out to project national security as a prime concern in the border state. The BJP made a big issue of the breach in Prime Ministers security, with its leaders repeatedly saying that the PMs convoy was held up just a few kilometres from the border with Pakistan and that it was in the range of drones, missiles and snipers. And temple politics also trickled in. While Rahul Gandhi brokered peace between Channi and Sidhu by eating langar food at the Golden Temple in January, in November when Channi and Sidhu were sparring, the then AICC in-charge for Punjab, Harish Rawat, took them to a prominent Hindu pilgrim site, the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand, on a peace mission, a subtle attempt also to reach out to Hindu voters in Punjab. As the Congress bet high on naming Channi, a Dalit leader, as its CM face, senior Congress leader and former Union minister Manish Tewari, who is an MP from the Anandpur Sahib constituency in Punjab, advised journalists from the national media covering Punjab elections to ask people, Is there a Hindu-Sikh issue in Punjab?. Answer would be no. Is there a caste divide in Punjab. The answer would be no again. Punjabs ethos -- Manas ki jaat sabhe eke pehchan bo, he said, after earlier insisting that Punjabs social cohesion continues to be its only bulwark against Pak-exported terror... However, whether they tilt the results or not, caste and religion issues do seem to be reverberating in the run-up to the polls this time. The 32% Dalit votes, though not a homogeneous voting bloc, was at the heart of the Congress decision to name Channi its CM face, as it was in the Shiromani Akali Dal re-working an alliance with Mayawatis BSP in Punjab after a gap of 26 years. Channi, from the Ramdasia Sikh community, became the first Dalit CM of Punjab when Congress picked him for the post last year. Since 1966, all Punjab CMs have been Jat Sikhs. Now, both SAD and AAP have promised Deputy CM post to a Dalit leader if they win the polls. The National Scheduled Caste Alliance, which was launched in Jalandhar in May 2013, recently carried out online surveys on issues that matter to Dalits in Punjab as the parties vied for Dalit votes. In 2017, AAP had released a separate Dalit manifesto for Punjab polls. Emphasising caste always rakes up controversies. Soon after Channi was named CM candidate, former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar announced his decision to quit politics, days after claiming that he was the party MLAs choice for CM while Channi was the least favoured to replace Capt Amarinder Singh, who stepped down in September. Jakhar, a three-term MLA is the son of the late Balram Jakhar, and a prominent Hindu face of the party. Hindus are 57.75% if Dalit Hindus are included in it. Dalits alone, divided across Hindus and Sikhs, are 32%, while Jat Sikhs alone are 25%. Non-Dalit Hindus are said to be 38% in the state, a group to which both Tewari and Jakhar belong. In September, when Congress approached senior leader Ambika Soni to become CM after Amarinder Singhs resignation, the Gandhi family loyalist not only refused the offer but also insisted that Punjab is a state where only a Sikh should be made the head of the government. Even before naming its Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann as AAPs CM face, Arvind Kejriwal had repeatedly said over the last year that AAPs CM face in Punjab will be a Sikh. One of the reasons why AAP did not do well in the 2017 polls, despite having won four Lok Sabha seats in 2014, was that the party did not name a CM candidate and the other parties made a campaign around Kejriwal being an outsider. Mann is a Jat Sikh, a community that has always dominated politics in the state. The BJP, which has been forced into contesting almost three times more seats in this election than in previous elections after its ally, Shiromani Akali Dal parted ways with it in September 2020 has made a sustained bid to reach out to OBCs and Dalit Sikhs. With its new ally Punjab Lok Congress already having a tall Jat Sikh leader in Amarinder, BJP is looking to build a Hindu-Sikh alliance whose votes its earlier alliance with SAD used to ensure. Former President Giani Zail Singhs grandson Inderjeet Singh from the OBC Sikh community joined BJP last year. The Modi government earlier appointed an OBC Sikh leader Iqbal Singh Lalpura as Chairman of the National Minority Commission, a Sikh head for the Commission after 16 years. The BJP has also made a serious bid to cultivate Dalit overs. In 2019, it made a huge issue out of the killing of a Dalit construction worker in Punjab and set up a probe panel, with party vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe as a member. In February 2021, it appointed its prominent Dalit leader from the state Vijay Sampla Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. It also promised to anoint a Dalit as CM if it is voted to power in the state this time. A multi-institutional team has used state-of-the-art genomic sequencing methods to identify variations in the RNA of the Covid-19 virus and their implications. The scientists have also studied the fixation of these intra-host variations into extra-host variations and mutations that lead to variants. The results of the two-phase study have been published in the journal, Nucleic Acid Research. The multi-institutional team, led by Dr Mitali Mukerji, Professor and Head, Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, IIT Jodhpur and Dr. Sunil Raghav, Scientist F, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, plans to combine iSNV identification protocols with whole-genome sequencing in the future to enable more accurate models for viral epidemiology. Also Read | Government issues new guidelines for international travellers: See details An important distinction of this research study is that it was conducted primarily by a team of computational graduates from across distant locations, proving that the pandemic has generated novel cooperation, sharing, and resource-sharing modes for innovative research. The RNA structure of the Covid-19 virus frequently undergoes minor modifications within the host cells (intra-host variations). These modifications occur at the nucleotide level - nucleotide being the building block of the RNA molecule. Many of these intra-host variations are caused by enzymes present in the host cell as an immune response. Thus, many of these variations are harmless or even destructive to the virus itself. However, some variations can enhance the survivability of the virus, and become fixed as extra-host variations that could potentially lead to variants-of-concern. The research team studied intra-host Single Nucleotide Variations (iSNV) using a sequencing platform called Illumina. During Phase 1 of the project in 2020, scientists analysed the RNA structure of virus samples collected from China, Germany, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and different subpopulations of India to map the iSNV across the RNA structure of the virus. The team includes Ankit Pathak, who is B.Tech in computational sciences and Gyan Prakash Mishra who is Masters in pharmaco-informatics. One of the most important aspects to manage the Covid-19 pandemic is to unravel the genetic structure of the virus and pick up early warning signatures, said Dr Mukherji. The team has observed similar patterns across populations and waves of the pandemic. It also tracked the iSNVs over time to see if the variants produced inside the host cells can persist outside, thereby becoming fixed as SNVs. They found that by 30 June 2021 about 80% of the iSNV sites they had identified in 2020 became fixed as SNVs. The conversion of iSNVs to SNVs was substantiated in Phase 2 studies that showed iSNVs were found in most of the Delta and Kappa variants before their fixation as SNVs by February 2021. The evolution of SNVs from iSNVs can affect vaccine response by altering the antibody generation in infected individuals, says Dr. Mukerji, on the implications of their findings. The identification of iSNVs can also help in the identification of key sites in the viral RNA that are important for its survival and spread. The research was initiated at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR IGIB, (Delhi), and was led by IIT Jodhpur and Institute of Life Sciences (Bhubaneswar). Other collaborating institutes are the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (Ghaziabad), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), (Hyderabad), and National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), (New Delhi). Check out DH's latest videos: By Shannon Van Zandt for The Conversation, The tornadoes and wildfires that devastated communities from Kentucky to Colorado in the final weeks of 2021 left thousands of people displaced or homeless. For many of them, it will be months if not years before their homes are rebuilt. Thats especially hard on low-income residents. As a professor of urban planning, I study the impact of disasters on affordable housing, resilience and recovery. The losses of hundreds of homes in towns across the Midwest and in Boulder County, Colorado, show two sides of that impact and illustrate why communities need to plan now to protect their most vulnerable residents as their towns recover. In doing so, they also protect their economies. Middle- and low-income households tend to occupy the riskiest homes in communities for a few key reasons. First, land values tend to be lower in areas that are risky or otherwise less desirable, such as low-lying areas that are known to flood, near toxic facilities or in outlying areas that fail to enforce codes designed to protect homes. The housing that gets built there tends to be more affordable. Second, as communities grow, older homes become more affordable through a process called filtering, where wealthier households move into newer housing, leaving older, more dilapidated homes available for lower-income households. Older homes were often built under less stringent building codes and typically are less-well maintained, which can make them more physically vulnerable. Third, durable patterns of historical segregation and ongoing discrimination in real estate and lending can compound these problems by limiting Black and Hispanic families ability to afford lower-risk neighbourhoods. Research has shown consistently that lower-income households are not only more likely to suffer damage in a natural disaster, but they are more likely to take much longer two to three times longer to recover. Poverty and other household characteristics, such as being headed by a single mother, having racial or ethnic minority status, low levels of education, a disability, or renting rather than owning ones home, define what researchers call social vulnerability. The location and quality of housing, combined with the vulnerability of residents, means that those most affected by disasters are often those least able to recover from them. Communities need to understand that slow recovery for vulnerable households can slow the recovery of the overall community. Researchers have found that housing recovery is strongly linked to business recovery. Workers need housing so they can return to work, and businesses need workers so they can resume operations. Rockport, Texas, where Hurricane Harvey made landfall in 2017, offers a cautionary tale. A year after the hurricane, hotels and restaurants even those that were part of national chains struggled to reopen for Rockports critical tourist season due to the loss of affordable housing for workers. Many of those workers had relocated to San Antonio, two and a half hours away. Housing recovery typically gets left to the market. For homeowning households with good insurance, the market works reasonably well. But for lower-income households, including renters, it can be difficult to return to their homes or even their original neighbourhoods. In depressed markets with low-value homes, like many of those impacted by the December tornadoes in Kentucky and the Midwest, replacement values are not enough to rebuild equivalent housing. Home values in these areas may average under $100,000. It is nearly impossible to build a home for that today. Hot markets like Boulder County, Colorado, face a different challenge. Rebuilding in those markets allows developers and speculators to take advantage of redevelopment opportunities. Research suggests that affordable housing will almost always be replaced by more expensive housing targeted to a wealthier demographic. And for low-income residents who rent and lose their homes to disasters, there is little chance that they will be able to return to their original development. Little is known about where they end up. Safety nets exist but are inadequate. Short-term assistance from FEMAs Individual Assistance Program helps displaced households find temporary housing and make repairs to homes that qualify. Assistance can also come from Community Development Block Grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, but these funds take months and even years to arrive, and spending plans submitted by states often misdirect funds and have almost no oversight. What then, can be done to ensure vulnerable residents can rebuild and return? A few communities have tried new ideas. La Grange, Texas, which flooded during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, is experimenting with community land trusts. These involve cooperative ownership of land coupled with individual ownership of units. Residents must occupy the unit for a prescribed period of time and gain only a small percentage of increases in land value, with the rest going to the co-op. This approach allows residents to pool resources for land purchases and maintains affordability over time. Boulder County relaxed its rental rules to help displaced residents find temporary homes after the fire. Monitoring recovery funds closely is also important to ensure they help those most in need. Following the 2008 Hurricanes Ike and Dolly, the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, now called Texas Housers, sued the State of Texas, claiming the state recovery plan failed to address the needs of the most vulnerable Texans. The resulting agreement brought an additional $3 billion in aid, and ongoing monitoring of funding has ensured it helped rebuild hundreds of homes for low-income families. Nearly every community in the United States is increasingly vulnerable to some kind of natural disaster due to climate change. A Washington Post analysis of federal disaster declarations found that 40 per cent of Americans lived in counties that were hit with extreme climate-related weather in 2021 alone. Planning disaster recovery to ensure that the most vulnerable members of communities can return will result in greater resilience and community vitality. Schools up to class 10 will reopen in Karnataka from February 14, announced CM Basavaraj Bommai. However, the decision on reopening colleges will be taken later. Stay tuned on DH for more updates tomorrow. Minister of State for Labour and Employment Rameshwar Teli on Thursday said there is no proposal to upgrade Kalaburgi ESIC Medical College & Hospital as regional institute. "Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), at present, has not received any demand for upgradation of the ESIC Medical College & Hospital in Kalaburagi to a Regional Institute," he said in Rajya Sabha. Replying to BJP Rajya Sabha member K C Ramamurthy's question, the minister said the hospital is already providing secondary and tertiary health care services to its beneficiaries. To upgrade the services, Doctor of Medicine (MD), Community Medicine, Master of Surgery (MS) in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) post-graduate departments and super speciality services have been established. Watch the latest DH Videos here: A three-judge full bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions over the hijab controversy. The full bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice J M Khazi will hear a batch of petitions at 2.30 pm on Thursday. Earlier on Wednesday, the single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit had requested the Chief Justice to refer all the petitions to a larger bench. The hearing in this batch of petitions, challenging both the restrictions on wearing the hijab as well as the government order of mandating the uniform, commenced at 2.30 pm. As soon as the bench assembled, Justice Dixit said that he felt the matter required consideration by a larger bench. Justice Dixit also observed that generally in cases involving personal laws, larger benches are constituted. At this stage, senior advocates appearing for the students requested the court to grant interim relief as the students have been kept away from classrooms. Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, who is an alumnus of MGM College in Udupi, said the children he represents have a current problem which requires immediate attention since there are only two months left in the academic year. Another senior advocate Devadatta Kamath requested the court to permit students to attend classes. Also read: Hijab row: Karnataka HC refers matter to larger bench However, Advocate General (AG) Prabhuling K Navadgi and senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, who is representing the College Development Committee opposed the plea. The AG said the February 5 government order only says that CDCs will decide on the uniform. Poovayya said that the prescription of uniform existed since last year and no one objected to it. While Hegde said there is nothing in the Karnataka Education Act (KEA) that deals with uniforms, Kamath said the governments stand that it has given the decision making powers to the CDCs has made matters worse. The state says it has not prohibited anything. It is worse. If the state says it has not decided, then we are at the mercy of some committee to ensure our constitutional rights, he said. Justice Dixit, however, said the request for interim prayer may be placed before the larger bench. This matter was very passionately argued on Tuesday by both sides from which the judge has benefited. Regarding the enormity of the questions that are debated, the court is of the considered opinion that the papers be put at the hands of honorable Chief Justice to consider if a larger bench can be constituted in the subject matter. It is open to the petitioners to seek interim relief after a decision is taken by the honorable Chief Justice, the court said. Check out DH's latest videos With the Karnataka hijab row snowballing into a major controversy, the protesting students, who have filed petitions in the High Court against the hijab ban in colleges, have vowed to fight until victory. A three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the matter on Thursday. Meanwhile, Education Minister B C Nagesh on Thursday stated that the hijab row has been created and discussed at the international level only to denigrate the only BJP government in south India. Shifa, one of the students of Udupi College from where the hijab row erupted, stated that even if the larger bench gives verdict against them on wearing hijab, they will continue to fight for their right. "We will fight until victory. The legal battle on wearing hijab to attend classes will be continued," she said. Expressing full faith in the judiciary, another student, Aliya, said: "We will fight for our hijab rights which are our constitutional and religious rights in case the court ruling comes against wearing hijab. Asked about them being trained and provoked by CFI, she explained that it's not the CFI that has come to them. "After seeing their philanthropic and student-friendly activities, we approached them. They are supporting our struggle. They need not tell us about our rights. We are fighting for it. We don't know why the issue is being made so big. They would have taken a simple decision at the school management level and sorted this out," she said. Also read: Hijab row: Why it pays to keep the youth fixated on religious identities Nagesh said It is clear that there is a big conspiracy behind the hijab row.."The hijab is banned by Muslim countries. One particular college issue of one of the districts in the state is an international issue today. This is being done to discredit the nation. To create ill-opinion about India and a negative mindset about the country. It is a conspiracy to put blame on the ruling establishment," he said. However, no conspiracy is going to work in Karnataka and some elements are not tolerant of the fact that everything is being run smoothly in the state by the ruling BJP government, Nagesh said. He further said, for about a month, there were no protests in other colleges of Udupi, from where the hijab row has started. Among 12 students who have started the agitation, 6 agreed to attend classes without hijab, he added.. Ataulla, the President of Campus Front of India (CFI), said that they are helping students to get their rights. The organisation is not provoking them. He maintained that there is no link of CFI with SDPI or PFI. Along with CFI, Muslim organisations are also supporting the hijab rights for Muslim students. "Hijab row has been blown out of proportion by ruling BJP to come to power in the 2023 Assembly elections. Their aim is to polarise Hindu-Muslim votes," he said. The controversy began last month when some hijab-clad students of Udupi Government Pre-University College were denied permission to attend classes. The college authorities maintained that the students who used to come without hijabs have suddenly started coming in hijab. The students later went on a protest, refusing to attend classes without hijab. The issue spread to other districts snowballing into a major crisis in the state. Check out latest DH videos here Derry town officials, solar energy supporters and other leaders gathered following a Town Council meeting Feb. 1, after councilors gave the go-ahead for a solar array project that will be located on old landfill property off Kendall Pond Road. A moose feeds on some tree leaves in this file photo. New Hampshires annual moose lottery is now open and accepting applications. People Before Profit Councillor, Maeve O'Neill, has accused the Minister of Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon, of attempting to cram five years of promises into the final three months of a mandate. Cllr O'Neill, who represents The Moor ward, had welcomed the news that Ms Mallon had announced the completion of the Phase 3 feasibility study of an upgrade to the Derry-Coleraine railway line. However, Cllr O'Neill claims this should have been done much sooner saying the timing of the announcement two months before a Stormont election was Ms Mallon banging the campaign drum for the SDLP ahead of the May poll. She said: On the back of massive people power climate actions, the demand for rail expansion has grown louder and more powerful right across the island. The political establishment is now under pressure and under the spotlight to actually deliver. We have made clear our disappointment at the criminal delay of the Phase 3 Derry-Coleraine rail upgrade. It was suppose to have been completed last year. Therefore, while we welcome Minister Mallon's announcement that yet another feasibility study has been completed, it doesn't equate with delivery. This is another example of a Stormont Minister attempting to cram five years of promises into the final three months of a mandate. It's just too little, too late. Derry and the North West has decades of promised infrastructure upgrades from Stormont Ministers that never come to fruition. It's not that long ago that they attempted to completely shutdown rail in Derry. The SDLP Infrastructure Minister says she's committed to taking action to stop destructive climate change but her record speaks otherwise. Corporate gouging of Lough Neagh has been greenlighted. Toxic mining of the Sperrins has been moved forward. The 1967 Mineral licensing policy has not been updated. Third party right of people in planning has been blocked. No decisive action has been taken to clean-up Mobuoy dump on the outskirts of the city. There's a huge gulf between rhetoric and action. The reason why the SDLP and the political establishment can't follow through on climate emergency pledges is because they're tied to a system that puts profits for elites and corporations before people and planet. To see rail prioritised as the main form of public transport in Derry and across the island we need to build a real alternative based on people power action. However, a spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure spokesperson rejected claims of timing good news to be announced ahead of an election and insisted that Minister Mallon had, from the day she was appointed to her current post, been clear in her commitment to tackling regional imbalance and addressing historic neglect. They said: As soon as the Minister came into post she restarted the halted rail projects in the North West. She made sure that the rail project in Derry was prioritised and worked alongside local people to ensure this feasibility study was completed as quickly as possible. Department for Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon Minister Mallon has also invested additional funding of 30million for the purchase of thirty-eight new zero emission battery electric buses for the Foyle Metro fleet which will allow Derry to have a fully zero-emission bus fleet when all the vehicles go into passenger service in 2023; making it one of the first cities across these islands to achieve this. The Minister is also focussed on investing in and improving our rail infrastructure and has invested over 66million in depot infrastructure and twenty-one new train carriages which will deliver extended trains providing passengers on some of our busiest routes with more capacity, space and comfort on their journeys. These investments will help to make public transport a more attractive option, moving people out of their private cars and helping to protect the environment. They will be put into service for the people of the North West. Minister Mallon is clear in her commitment to tackling regional imbalance and addressing historic neglect. In line with that commitment she is also working on an ambitious programme, led by the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, the first in over 100 years, in partnership with the Irish Government. This work will improve rail connectivity for communities and businesses across our island and Minister Mallon was clear that the high speed rail commitment in New Decade New Approach needed to be expanded beyond Belfast, Dublin and Cork to include Derry and Limerick. Cllr ONeill has also raised a number of planning issues. Firstly it is important to point out that all planning decisions are taken in line with the appropriate policy and legislation. With regard to the extraction of sand and gravel from two limited areas of Lough Neagh the Department is satisfied that the special conservation importance of the Lough was both fully considered and protected. Indeed all issues raised by parties were considered at a public inquiry by the independent Planning Appeals Commission who recommended approval of the application. In relation to the Dalradian Gold Mine project it is also important to deal in facts. There has been no decision taken in regards to this application and Minister Mallon has referred it to an independent Public Inquiry. A formal request for a Public Inquiry before the Planning Appeals Commission was made on September 22 (2021). Department for Infrastructure officials are currently working on an options paper relating to the commencement of provisions under the 2011 Planning Act which provides for the review of mineral permissions and are continuing to work in collaboration with DAERA who are preparing an Integrated Remediation Strategy for the Mobuoy site. Minister Mallon has remained focused throughout the pandemic on taking action and investing in Derry and its people. While others talk, the Minister will continue to use every minute of this short mandate to deliver for local communities and our environment. In 2012, former East Derry MLA Billy Leonard wrote a book speculating on what a united Ireland may look like. He tells Liam Tunney what it was like watching his predictions come to pass, and how pragmatism, not patriotism, will be the driving factor in any border poll. Billy Leonard couldn't have moved much further from his former constituency. The former East Derry MLA and Coleraine Borough Councillor now lives in rural County Clare, around 200 miles from the north coast where once he plied his trade. If his ideas and visions come to pass though, the former RUC reservist, Orange Order member and nationalist politician could feel a lot closer to home than you might expect. In 2012, Leonard wrote a book - 'Towards a United Ireland: An Uncompleted Journey' in which he took a speculative look at what Irish unity may look like. The former MLA now lives a more private life in rural County Clare. A decade on, he says the political landscape in Ireland is catching up. When I was publishing the book in 2012, there were people telling me not to put the words 'United Ireland' into the title, he told the County Derry Post. There were serious commentators saying if I used the term 'United Ireland' it would be a wrong move, but now, even if we just concentrate on what's happening in public, there is much more discourse. Through 'Think 32', and in the mainstream media, there is quite regular reference to the possibility of a united Ireland. There are even polls being taken testing the temperature of the debate. There are people who will never want that conversation, but the more constructive the approach and consideration of detail of what a united Ireland will look like, people will consider it more and more. Billy Leonard left the SDLP to join Sinn Fein in 2004. Back in 2012, Leonard was operating without the benefit of hindsight, but takes a modicum of satisfaction that many of the events on which he speculated came to pass. When I was writing the book, I was prepared to look around the corner and stick my neck out a bit, he said. I said that a) the UK was changing already and b) the financing of the Union was going to become more difficult as the Barnett formula was running out of steam. Thirdly, Scottish independence, even if it wasn't won, it was a significant point in the history of the Union that it [the referendum] was even taking place. One of the most important things was Cameron's game with the European Union. Many will forget he vetoed a vote on a very important measure the Union was taking to bolster and save the Euro. From 2011-12, pressure grew from the right-wing Tory MPs and the anti-EU sentiment was growing, which led to the vote Cameron promised would take place. Leonard says Cameron's approach to the European question was integral to how things proceeded. Through those events, the 'Little Englander' mentality became much more influential, and I said in the book that the growth of that mentality would continue. How many of those 'Little Englanders' that wanted the Brexit referendum cared one jot about Northern Ireland? They didn't consider in any detail that if the whole of the UK left, they had a land border with the EU and it was a scramble thereafter. What does that say to unionists? They weren't on the agenda at all in that Brexit referendum; that was about the 'Little Englanders. The Brexit referendum and subsequent wrangling over its practicalities has caused many previously comfortable with the status quo to look around and imagine something different, says Leonard. The plates have shifted, he said. That whole build-up to the vote itself, and the aftermath, has shown up the 'Little Englander' and what does that mean for the future? Scotland becomes more distant and at some point, those who would regard themselves as unionists are going to have to think about things if momentum for a border poll gathered more pace. The current political crisis leaves unionists poorly represented, argues Leonard. Unionist politicians I think are badly out of touch, sometimes very disingenuous, and often they will go unchallenged on it. If you take the latest actions of the DUP pulling down the Assembly, it shows a pathetic lack of leadership in Unionism. They have gone from advocating a hard Brexit, being bought and sold by London to wrecking the Assembly. There's no vision in that mixture." Having lived in the Republic of Ireland for over six years now, Billy has noted one common factor in all discussions over the question of a united Ireland. It will not be flags, slogans or symbols at the centre of the argument. Any referendum will be won or lost on pragmatism, not patriotism. There's a difference between the so-called political elite and the people on the ground - there always is - and I detect among people that the talk of unity does not scare them, he said. They will nearly always point to the money; can we afford it? When you get a discussion about it, people are more than willing to open up. Leonard was co-opted into the East Derry seat to replace the departing Francie Brolly in January 2010. Whenever you get commentators saying people in the South don't want it, that has never been proven by any recent opinion polls. When you break it down to money and bread and butter issues, that's when it becomes more of a conversation. There are people like Paul Gosling and others who have done worthwhile work and broken down this 10 billion global figure. What about the taxes all the people in the North pay? That would be paid into a Dublin finance department. The payments for the upkeep of the Royal family, or the UK defence forces wouldn't happen any more, so the likes of Paul have done worthwhile work in trying to break that down. I've heard different figures bandied about, but a little more precision on the figures will obviously help the debate. Let's remember when the Scottish independence referendum happened, there was a 60-page book in which all the issues were outlined. A comprehensive document laid out the information for the Scottish independence referendum. It was a substantial document, and we have to take the same approach and the detail has got to be there, he added. Leonard also felt the influence of Northern politicians in Europe would be strengthened by going to Brussels as part of an all-island team. What I said in the book was that NI representatives would be far better going as an all-island representation than going on the coattails of London, he said. They would be going with full representation. Can you imagine a Northern Minister for Agriculture in a Dublin Parliament? That minister would be going as 'the' Agriculture Minister for a meeting. When the Minister for Agriculture from Belfast was going for the annual CAP negotiations, they weren't even at the top table. Guess who was? The London minister. The whole dynamic of Europe would be totally different, and I did indicate that in the book. The idea of Irish unity has long been linked to revolution, but Leonard has suggested it will be its more methodical cousin that wins the day. I see evolution, rather than some great day that it all happens, he said. The evolution of the practicalities and the the conversation will lead to the point where the border poll is going to happen. Northern politicians would have greater influence at Brussels as part of an all-island group, said the former MLA. In the book, I proposed a group that would be outside the party political system but that would work with them, the NGOs, the international community to be a driver for a united Ireland. It should drive it from outside the political system, but engaging with it. I have great respect for some of the people driving Ireland's future and holding the discussion. The strategy has to be considered and built up. I still think the proposal is valid, that an organisation like that is required. Until the challenge is taken up, and the strategy begins to happen, we might be talking for a while. I think we've got to get to the point when the heads start to knock together. It is hard for people to go against the status quo. Having said that, whenever conditions change around people, that's when the status quo is challenged in people's minds. Would I like to see a poll won in my lifetime? Of course I would, but there's no guarantee what your own lifetime is. Subscriber content preview The project is slated to start later this month at a site about 100 miles east of Reno. By SCOTT SONNER Associated Press RENO, Nev. A federal appeals court has lifted a temporary ban on construction of a geothermal power plant in Nevada opposed by a tribe and conservationists who say the site is sacred and home to a rare toad being considered for endangered species protection. U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones in Reno had granted the 90-day injunction last month sought by opponents of Ormat Technologies' Dixie Meadows project at the high-desert site bordering wetlands fed by hot springs east of Fallon. . . . Subscriber content preview By ROB GILLIES Associated Press TORONTO A rapidly growing list of Canadian provinces moved to lift their COVID-19 restrictions as protesters decrying such measures kept up the pressure with truck blockades Wednesday in the capital and at key U.S. border crossings, including the economically vital bridge to Detroit. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Prince Edward Island announced plans this week to roll back some or all precautions, with Alberta, Canada's most conservative province, dropping its vaccine passport for places such as restaurants immediately and getting rid of masks at the end of the month. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE An industrial property at 3200 First Ave. S. sold for $13.1 million, according to King County records. The seller was Sirenas Security LLC, which acquired the property in 2004 for $3.9 million. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The recently completed Vale Studios, at 4735 32nd Ave. S., sold for just under $10 million, according to King County records. The seller was 4735 32nd Ave S LLC, associated Sound Real Estate Development, which acquired the land in 2017 for $1.1 million, then developed it. . . . Subscriber content preview MAPLE VALLEY The Sawyer Village Chevron, at 27201 216th Ave. S.E. in Maple Valley, sold for $9.5 million, according to King County records. The seller was Steindl & Steindl Inc., which acquired the land in 2003 and 2004 for $500,000, then developed it. . . . BRIDGEWATER Those who live and work in Bridgewater see it as a connected, caring place with a unique sense of community that manifests itsel Duncan, OK (73533) Today Thunderstorms, some strong during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 46F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some strong during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 46F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. The Withdrawal Agreement and the Irish Protocol are there to stay, despite unionism going down a cul-de-sac, Deputy Ruairi O Murchu told the Dail last week. The Dundalk TD and his Sinn Fein colleague, Martin Kenny TD, were selected for a Topical Issue on the situation in the North last Thursday evening, with the government response coming from Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney. Opening the debate, Deputy O Murchu said: This is an incredibly important issue. What Edwin Poots has done as Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in ordering an end to agrichecks is obviously a complete breach. From what Minister Coveney said earlier and what other commentators have stated, those checks are still ongoing and Edwin Poots may have jumped ahead of any legal checks that should have been carried out, but that is nothing shocking for him, given the chaos he finds himself in politically and the chaos his political party is in. We need it affirmed that there is absolutely no doubt but that the withdrawal agreement and the Irish protocol are there to stay. It is an international agreement and there is an absolute requirement on the British Government to ensure that it stays. Mary Lou McDonald has said there needs to be an election. We need to make sure there is absolute clarity at European level, at Irish Government level and across the board that the Irish protocol is here to stay and that the British Government has an absolute requirement to ensure that. The British Government has failed because many times it has given succour to a unionism that has gone down a cul-de-sac. Responding to Minister Coveneys comments in the debate, Deputy O Murchu said: I am very glad that the Minister finished on the absolute need for the British Government to uphold the law, uphold the agreements they have agreed to and provide clarity. We have all heard it from business people we have spoken to before. Even today the representatives of the retailers and manufacturers have all given commentary. They want clarity and solutions to whatever difficulties they have. I believe Maros Sefcovic said previously that he would stay at the table. Obviously, Liz Truss was not going to provide what the DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, was looking for in the sense of a cliff edge. That probably precipitated some of what happened today. I suppose on some level it is hopeful, but we need to ensure that is maintained. A forgotten flashpoint at the Irish border in the wake of the War of Independence that left several people dead is set to be remembered 100 years on. By February 11 1922, the British had handed over power to the Irish Free State provisional government and the War of Independence had finished. But tensions still raged across the island, as the country headed towards civil war. It was in this atmosphere that the Clones Affray, as it came to be known, occurred. That day, a gun battle took place at a railway station in the border town of Clones that claimed the lives of a hero of the War of Independence in Co Monaghan, as well as four members of the Ulster Special Constabulary, or the B-Specials. No-one really knows how the B-Specials ended up on the wrong side of the border, but it was a decision that would lead to one of the bloodiest events in the history of the border county and one that would have ramifications beyond Clones. At the station, a firefight broke out after the local IRA battalion was alerted to the presence of the police officers. It left the four members of the B-Specials dead, while civilians were also wounded in the crossfire. Gerard Fitzpatrick, the 84-year-old nephew of the IRA commandant Matt Fitzpatrick who was also killed in the shoot-out, said he learnt the details of the day from family and locals. I was fortunate enough to listen to my uncles and the people involved around and people who marched to his funeral, he said. He is proud that a new exhibition in Monaghan County Museum will remind people of his uncles role in Irelands road to independence. That exhibition will include the rifle that reportedly killed Matt Fitzpatrick, as well as his Mauser handgun and a wooden crucifix display including the small metal crucifix he had in his pocket when he died. It will also include insignia from his uniform and a lock of his hair. Mr Fitzpatrick said he was a stickler for the correct telling of the events in Monaghan during that period. He said: Any history should be accurate and authentic and correct, you know? No folklore to it and that. Time has moved on. Were just to be glad to be about, to be part of taking part. Mr Fitzpatrick said the family will mark the anniversary with the laying of a wreath at his uncles grave in Co Cavan, as well as a commemorative Mass marking the incident. Liam Bradley, curator of Monaghan County Museum, said the Clones Affray has been partially forgotten. He said: It was such a tumultuous period, there was so much going on in the border area at that time. The shooting, which he likened to something from a Western movie, came at a fallow period after the War of Independence but before the Civil War. And while the Clones Affray has become something of a footnote in Irish history, Mr Bradley said it encapsulated many of the anxieties that dominated the time after partition. In the aftermath, there was outrage in Northern Ireland at the killings. The train is allowed to leave, to go to Enniskillen, with the four bodies on it, he said. The anger turned violent, sparking sectarian attacks on Catholics in Belfast. In the House of Commons, secretary of state for the colonies Winston Churchill called for a tribunal to investigate the incident. More locally, it saw Clones locked down amid IRA fears of a reprisal attack. Later, the death of Matt Fitzpatrick saw the biggest funeral in living memory in Monaghan. Mr Bradley said: We wanted to make sure the whole story is told. He hopes that people will now take the opportunity to learn about the events of the day, 100 years on. Mr Bradley said: It was just another one of those events that got lost in the ether. One hundred years on, the incident still has a lot to teach us. For many reasons, the Clones Affray reflects the reality of the situation in Monaghan at that point, said Mr Bradley. A simple incident, getting off at a railway, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thats how much of a tinderbox the country was sitting on at the time. To be in the wrong place in the wrong time could mean your life. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. RTHK: US lawmaker confuses 'gazpacho' and 'Gestapo' Controversial Republican US lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene found herself the object of online ridicule Wednesday after accusing Democratic leaders of "gazpacho" tactics on Capitol Hill, apparently conflating the Nazi secret police, the Gestapo, with the Spanish soup. In an angry rant delivered Tuesday on One America News, the congresswoman from Georgia described the Washington jail housing US Capitol riot suspects as a "DC Gulag," and denounced US House Speaker "Nancy Pelosi's gazpacho police spying on members of Congress." Confusing the Third Reich's feared resistance suppression force with Spain's famous traditional vegetable soup served cold unleashed the internet critics. Popular Spanish chef Jose Andres, who is known for helping popularise tapas dishes in the United States and has opened multiple Washington restaurants, jumped on the bandwagon. "Stop by for a glass anytime," he tweeted to Greene, who opposes government-imposed Covid-19 restrictions. "Don't forget your mask and vaccination card!" Greene's gaffe sparked a stream of jokes online, several of which invoked a memorable "Soup Nazi" gag on the comedy show "Seinfeld." Greene is known for spreading conspiracy theories and has already been sanctioned by Congress and Twitter for her controversial comments. She drew outrage last year when she compared vaccine passports to the yellow stars that Jews were forced to wear in Nazi Germany. This time, however, the politician, who embraces former president Donald Trump, took things in stride and even offered up some self-mockery. "No soup for those who illegally spy on Members of Congress," she tweeted, "but they will be thrown in the goulash." (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Gao Jixiang Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets and holds talks with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on February 4, 2022. Photo: Xinhua Amid profound changes unseen in a century and the still-raging COVID-19 pandemic, major power competition is heating up and uncertainty is growing. A few US-led Western countries have blatantly violated the Olympic spirit and attempted to politicize and stigmatize the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Amid this backdrop, Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted an invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing events, fully demonstrating Russia's resolute opposition to using the Olympic Games as a tool of suppression and unfair competition. The move also shows that Moscow cherishes China-Russia relations - a new type of major power relationship with the highest mutual trust, coordination and strategic values. Putin's visit to Beijing was his first in the wake of China and Russia officially extending the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. It is a milestone for the two countries to put into practice the concept of "no limit, no forbidden zone and no ceiling" in China-Russia relations, to open a brand new page, and promote mutual trust, thus pragmatically benefiting the peoples of both nations. Currently, cooperation between China and Russia has a solid foundation with plentiful results. First, cooperation on energy is the key sphere. In 2021, energy trading was about one-third of China-Russia's total trade volume. Russia has become China's second-largest source of oil imports, second-largest source of coal imports and its largest source of electricity imports. Second, agricultural cooperation is gradually becoming a highlight. China has become the third-largest export destination for Russian agricultural and food products since China partially opened access to Russia's meat products, grain and beans. Meanwhile, Russia has taken advantage of platforms like the China International Import Expo, with a plan to increase its exports to China to $7.7 billion by 2024. Third, regional cooperation has made outstanding achievements. The Far East is an important region for China and Russia, with both actively promoting the implementation of a series of development plans. Fourth, technology cooperation is getting closer. China and Russia have successfully held the Russia-China Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation. The two have jointly developed the CR929 wide-body passenger aircraft and 40-ton class heavy helicopter, and worked in the aerospace field, which includes the development of special material, a satellite system, and a plan to jointly build an international research station on the moon by 2035. President Xi Jinping and President Putin on Friday exchanged in a profound way their views concerning China-Russia relations and international strategic stability, issuing the Joint Statement on the International Relations Entering a New Era and the Global Sustainable Development. The statement expresses the common grounds held by China and Russia on democracy, development, security and order. Additionally, the two countries signed 15 cooperation deals ranging from energy, trade and investment, to aerospace and digital economy. In terms of energy cooperation, Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed a long-term Sales and Purchase Agreement for natural gas to be supplied via the Far Eastern route. In the field of trade and investment, China and Russia adopted a joint statement on the completion of a roadmap for the high-quality development of Russian-Chinese trade in goods and services. The package of documents also includes an agreement on cooperation to ensure compatibility and interoperability of GLONASS and BeiDou navigation satellite systems in terms of the system time scales, and an agreement on cooperation in the field of information development and digitalization between Rosneft and Huawei Technologies for a period reaching 2027. The inking of the above-mentioned deals is essential to promote the China-Russia energy trade, investment, technology and service, cooperative and comprehensive coordinated development, exploration of comprehensive cooperation in agriculture industry chains and diversified integration, deepen the innovation of science and technology, and advance investment cooperation in the field of digital economy. These deals will certainly accelerate China-Russia's practical cooperation and ensure its steady and long-term progress. The author is a fellow at the Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn A major improvement at Gateway Airport is the construction of a long-delayed new flight control tower, which is being built near the antiquated tower. The new tower is scheduled to open later this year. Toyota is one of the most well-known manufacturers to build its success on the lean manufacturing principles a way to do more with less: less human effort, equipment, time and space. They are rooted in the concept of continuous improvement and aim to come ever closer to providing customers exactly what they want, when they want it. DLIGHT, a leading machinery manufacturer in Ukraine, also understands the importance of these principles well. With support from the EBRD, the European Union, and the United States through the Small Business Impact Fund (SBIF), DLIGHT has been able to implement the principles of continuous improvement, building an efficient manufacturing system with optimised production speed and resource consumption, as well as improved operational control. From newcomer to leader DLIGHT launched from the garage of its founder Dmitry Lyashenko and began as a producer of special equipment for the forestry industry in 2002. But in 2018, the company had to change direction to remain sustainable: a crisis in the forestry industry forced it to shift focus to the agricultural industry, which was rapidly developing in Ukraine. At the end of 2018, we had to introduce changes in the sales department, implement new CRM, and define new KPIs for managers. This affected the whole business model of the company, says Dmitry. The changes paid off, enabling DLIGHT to expand and become a leading Ukrainian supplier and manufacturer of specialised machinery for the forestry, agricultural and municipal industries. However, the growth and reputation DLIGHT enjoyed also had its downsides the demand for its products and services had grown substantially, putting pressure on the business. Identifying and easing pressure points The demand for our DLargo crane manipulator for farmers exceeded our production capacity by 1.5 times, explains Dmitry. We wanted to rise to the challenge and increase our production capacity of cranes to 1,000 per year and the crane manipulators threefold, but without increasing capital investments, he notes. At the end of 2020, the company turned to the EBRD for help in building a lean manufacturing system to achieve this. Through its Advice for Small Businesses programme, the EBRD matched DLIGHT with consultants who helped them implement such a system. The consultants transformed DLIGHTs production processes by identifying key performance drivers and rules for internal logistics and replenishment of stock, and balancing production flow. To synchronise the work, the company developed an information board where each employee could see the volume of tasks, each teams scope of work, the sequence of processes, and the time spent on each stage. We set a clear roadmap and goals, increased our awareness of what was happening at the enterprise and of our priorities, and made positive developments in production culture and staff involvement. All these changes led to optimised production processes, which allowed us to increase production capacity, Dmitry sums up. As a result of the project, DLIGHTs productivity has increased three times, the share of exports in turnover has increased from 20 to 30 per cent, and the company's net income has more than doubled. Lofty ambitions DLIGHT is currently implementing another consulting project aimed at automating its accounting system. We expect the project to help us improve the quality of financial planning and the efficiency of operational and strategic management, as well as prepare the company for further scaling. After all, our ambitious goal is to reach the level of Toyota, shares Dmitry. The Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved its country strategy for Egypt, which focuses on three key priorities identified in cooperation with the Egyptian government and aligned with its ambitious, recently launched reform programme. In the period from 2022 to 2027, the Bank will focus on three strategic priorities: promoting a more inclusive economy for Egyptian businesses, women and youth accelerating Egypts green economy transition enhancing the countrys competitiveness by supporting private-sector growth and strengthening governance. The EBRD began operating in Egypt 10 years ago and has since invested more than 8.7 billion in 145 projects of which 76 per cent are in the private sector. Over the past decade, the Bank focused on investment in renewable energy, improving sustainable infrastructure, strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector (including small firms), as well as promoting greater job and training opportunities for women, young people and people in remote areas. Half of the EBRDs investments are in sustainable infrastructure, contributing to the green economy and promoting energy efficiency. The Bank contributed to the diversification of Egypts energy mix with a commitment to finance an additional 1.6 GW of installed renewable energy capacity and an expected 8,303 kilotonne reduction in CO 2 e emissions (equivalent to emissions from the electricity use of about 1.4 million homes or the consumption of more than 17 million barrels of oil). Strengthening access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Bank extended close to 1 billion to 19 private financial institutions and invested 128 million into SME equity funds to ensure the availability of long-term financing. The Bank also launched its Women in Business programme and Youth in Business programme to help develop financial skills. In addition, the EBRD launched the first sector-skills platform in Egypt facilitating access to training and work-based learning opportunities for young people. Heike Harmgart, EBRD Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region, said: Implementing the new strategy, the Bank will continue to couple its investments with robust policy engagement to help facilitate greater private-sector participation and enhanced corporate and economic governance in the public sector. Green transformation is a priority for the EBRD and for Egypt, which will host COP27 this year. Boosting the green economy, we aim to increase our support through a variety of instruments. Dr Rania A. Al-Mashat, Egypts Minister of International cooperation, said: We welcome this new strategy, the outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders. The strategy is in line with national priorities, particularly: achieving inclusive and sustainable growth, accelerating the pace towards a green economy, enhancing competitiveness and encouraging private sectors engagement in development. The new country strategy was approved by the Banks Board of Directors after a highly engaged and comprehensive consultation period and reflects feedback from shareholders, the Egyptian authorities, the private sector and civil society. Egypt country strategy The 76-year-old former scout leader Michael Noel Sheehan has been convicted of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old boy scout in the 1980s. Sheehan denied the charge and was put on trial before Judge Helen Boyle and a jury of nine men and three women. Sheehan told gardai that the man who made the complaint against him was a bit of a fantasist. Unanimous verdict However, the jury did not believe this. They came back with a unanimous guilty verdict against Michael Noel Sheehan, also known as Noel Sheehan of Chimneyfields, Glenville, County Cork. It was agreed between prosecution and defence that bail could be allowed until Wednesday February 16 for the accused to put his affairs in order in advance of sentencing. Defence barrister Paula McCarthy said the accused understood that he would be going into custody on Wednesday. Prosecution barrister Imelda Kelly said following the guilty verdict, Mr Sheehans status has now changed. What the jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court was not told was that another jury had failed to reach a verdict in the same case last year and that this was a re-trial. The new jury took approximately three and a half hours to find him guilty of indecently assaulting the boy-scout on a weekend away in Glenville between January 7 1986 and April 31 1987. The complainant is now 48 and said he was 13 at the time of the alleged indecent assault. He broke down in tears and was comforted by his wife in court when the unanimous guilty verdict was delivered today. The accused gave no visible reaction to the guilty verdict. The accused did not give evidence but a memo of his interview by Detective Gardai Dave Barry and Dave Moynihan was read to Judge Helen Boyle and the jury of nine men and three women. The defendant accepted that the complainant was present at Chimneyfields in 1986 but totally denied his allegations. He said he never slept near the youngfellas and that he had to keep an eye on the kitchen, on the fireplace, on the door and other matters of concern when the scouts were there overnight. As for an indecent assault he said, It could not and would not have happened. Details of the allegation were put to him. Testimony of complainant The complainant testified, While I was sleeping I hear the sound of a zip going down. I am next to Noel Sheehan. A hand and arm comes into my sleeping bag from my left hand side. It is a hairy, mans hand and arm. The hand goes down to my genitals. The hand goes down it goes back to my penis. The hand is touching my penis rubbing my testicles. When such details were put to the defendant by detectives, he replied, Rubbish I categorically deny it. Not him nor anyone else. The complainant told the jury, I am telling you the feelings of a 13-year-old boy the guy I am here to represent. And he described the feelings he had at the time of the indecent assault. I froze. I think for a second, what the eff are you doing. "The hand goes down it goes back to my penis. The hand is touching my penis rubbing my testicles. This is very sore for me. I am 13. It continues to tap, tap, tap. I freeze. I am paralysed. Do I shout? No. Do I fight it off? No. I just stay there and pretend to be asleep. It goes on for five to ten minutes maybe. And then the hand comes out of my sleeping back. Will I go to the kitchen and get a knife and hurt him? I never hurt anyone in my life. I did not act on it but that is the thought that went through my head. I am praying for morning to come. Locals are being asked for help in reuniting a wedding band found in Cork with its rightful owner. The wedding band was found on Duneen Strand in Ardfield, Clonakilty and was handed into Clonakilty Garda Station. An Garda Siochana has asked anyone who may recognise the wedding band to contact Clonakilty Garda Station on 023 882 1570. James Cox It is crucial that the Government moves quickly to start implementing the recommendations in the Commission on the Defence Forces report, according to a TD and former head of the Army Ranger Wing. The Commission on the Defence Forces considered the Irish armys capabilities, structures and staffing, in a report published on Wednesday. The commission members spent more than 13 months compiling the report, and received 480 submissions and spoke to 1,000 Defence Forces personnel of all ranks. Understaffing was cited as a big concern with a "strong sense of crisis" in the Defence Forces. Delays counterproductive Cathal Berry, who spent six years in the Army Ranger Wing, told BreakingNews.ie: "If they dont [implement some of the recommendations] it will have a devastating effect on military capability and morale, the military communitys heart has been broken a lot over the last 10 years. There have been a number of reports that were not implemented in full, or at all, if this is just another paper tiger like that it will be counterproductive." The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said he agrees with "virtually everything" in the report but said it could take "four or five months" to consider fully. While Mr Berry feels the report has the potential to be "transformational", he said four or five months is "far too long" and changes need to be made as soon as possible. The Defence Forces need assistance and intervention now, another four or five months is ridiculous. "I am concerned, there was a comment made that it might take four or five months for the Government to respond to this report, thats completely unacceptable, theyve had civil servants embedded in the commission from the very start, so nothing in the report here is a surprise for them. "If they dont turn it around much quicker than the next four or five months, that would imply it would go into the summer recess, the Defence Forces need assistance and intervention now, another four or five months is ridiculous." The Independent TD added: "What I would like to see next week is approval to be granted for the military representative associations to be able to affiliate with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) for pay negotiations, its imperative, cost neutral, and it should be done immediately, it should have been done 30 years ago really. They cant wait another four or five months for that." The commission, in the report, recommends urgent reform of the military, particularly the Naval Service and Air Corps. However, Mr Berry feels better conditions for the men and women in the Defence Forces are just as important. "People are the number one priority," he said. "Without people you cant put ships to sea. We actually have the hardware in Cork at the moment, but theres nobody to crew the ship. You can have all the hardware you want, a rifle is only as good as the man or woman holding it, the key resource of the Defence Forces is its people and if you dont invest in your people, you have big problems." New hybrid conflict Mr Berry cited intelligence services, cyber defence capability, and investment in special forces as three of the report's key recommendations. "There's a new type of hybrid conflict which appears to be emerging," he said. "We need to be prepared to be able to deal with that, the best way is to invest in early warning systems like our intelligence service, to do horizon scanning, so threats can be identified at an early stage." There was much controversy over Russian plans to conduct naval exercises off the Irish coast recently, and while they were eventually moved away from Ireland's exclusive economic zone, Mr Berry cites the incident as the type of eventuality the State has to be prepared for in the future. "There was talk of a live fire component to their exercise, nobody can tell me whether the live fire actually happened or not because we dont even have the means to detect whats happening in home waters. "If you cant detect, you cant deter and a pre-condition for deterrence is detection, and we need to improve our sensors in the Atlantic and in the air as well, so military grade primary radar are crucial along with coastal radar for our home waters. "If the Government wants to demonstrate intent and demonstrate that they are serious about this they need to implement it as soon as possible. There are a number of key measures that can be done very quickly, that dont require any big strategic thought, and nothing in this report should be surprising to Government. Minister Coveney has done briefs on it the whole way along, and they need to move to the implementation phase as soon as possible. "The Ictu thing, radar can be purchased quickly, the intelligence services can be upgraded." Mr Berry feels staff retention is the most important problem facing the Defence Forces at the moment. Retention "People are the most important, and once the retention issue [is dealt with], everything will be solved after that. At the moment we cant get more than 8,500 people to stay in the Defence Forces so what we need to do is one of two metrics for whether things are going to get better; its important to look at the Budget in October, and secondly we need to get the 8,500 figure towards 9,000 before the end of the year, theyre the two metrics that matter. Money and people, well see how that plays out." Under the report's most ambitious proposals, the current 1.1 billion defence budget would increase by 300 per cent, the Naval Service would be made up of 12 ships and the Air Corps would be equipped with long-range transport aircraft and a squadron of between 12 and 24 fighter jets to police Irish skies. However, it would work towards these goals in phases, and Mr Berry pointed out that much military spending also has other purposes. If youre upgrading the military youre upgrading other services by extension. "From a health point of view, theres no point investing 20 billion in our health service every year if a cyberattack is going to paralyse the system every summer like last year; it cost 100 million to fix it and thats one simple attack, imagine that every year. "Secondly, from the national grid point of view, and our public transport, a cyberattack there could totally paralyse the country. The people who suffer most are the most vulnerable who rely on State services. Dual use "This equipment is dual use. A helicopter for instance, that has a core military function, but its also used as an air ambulance, an air fire brigade for gorse fires, and for search and rescue. "Not only are you getting the core military component, there are these add on services that are so important so the military is completely integrated into our health system and fire fighting system. "If youre upgrading the military youre upgrading other services by extension." Mr Berry also said additional investment in the Defence Forces is crucial for Ireland's neutrality. "If we dont have the ability to detect and deter the country can be used as a playground for the great powers to do as they wish. "What youre signalling to the world is we dont care, you can plunder our seas, traffic vulnerable people, infringe on our airspace, do dangerous manoeuvres in our airspace and compromise our safety. It signals we dont care and will affect us disproportionately. "Theres no time to waste, weve been waiting 10 years for intervention and theres nothing surprising, theyve known about it for months, and they should make a swift decision and get on with it." Mr Berry also said he will be raising the issue of Ireland's preparedness for the potential fallout from an escalation in violence between Russia and Ukraine in Leaders' Questions today. "I will be asking about the Ukrainian situation, how planning is going to make sure were protected form any spillover, from a cyber perspective, from an energy security perspective, from a refugee acceptance perspective, and the embassy in Kyiv." A rare species of giant tortoise, feared extinct for more than 100 years, was sighted on the Galapagos island of Fernandina Sunday, the Ecuadorian government announced. The tortoise, an adult female of the species Chelonoidis phantasticus, was found during an investigation by the Galapagos National Park and the U.S. environmental group Galapagos Conservancy, The Associated Press reported. BREAKING NEWS! GCs own @wacho_tapia just returned from Fernandina Island in #Galapagos, where they discovered a female #tortoise. Tortoises on Fernandina have been thought to be extinct for over 100 years, so this is a monumental finding! Photos GNPD, W. Tapia pic.twitter.com/fhQpIzsHmM Galapagos Conservancy (@savegalapagos) February 20, 2019 The researchers also thought that the tracks and faeces they had observed on their trip indicated there might be other members of the extremely endangered species living on the island. Up until Sundays discovery, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had listed the tortoise as critically endangered and possibly extinct, but noted that there was an unconfirmed sighting in 2009, and previous expeditions had found faeces and bite marks on cacti on the island. This encourages us to strengthen our search plans to find more tortoises, which will allow us to start a captive breeding program to recover this species, Galapagos National Park Director Danny Rueda said in a park Facebook post. The tortoise, who is likely more than 100 years old, was moved to a tortoise breeding center on Santa Cruz Island, The Associated Press reported. They will need more than one, but females may store sperm for a long time, Duke University Conservation Ecology Professor Stuart Pimm told The Associated Press of a potential breeding program. There may be hope. The last confirmed sighting of Chelonoidis phantasticus was in 1906, when one was found by an expedition of the California Academy of Sciences, according to The Independent. Until this week, specimen 8101 was the only known giant tortoise from the Galapagos island of Fernandina. Congratulations to @wacho_tapia and colleagues @parquegalapagos for the incredible discovery of a living female on the island. pic.twitter.com/CKxsrPzen2 Henry Nicholls (@WayOfThePanda) February 20, 2019 Fernandina is the youngest and most volcanically active of the Galapagos islands. The IUCN listed the frequent volcanic lava flows that nearly cover the island as the force that might have driven the species close to extinction. There were once 14 species of giant tortoises on nine Galapagos islands, but now that number has fallen to 10 species on six islands, The Independent reported. Ecuadorian Environment Minister Marcelo Mata Guerrero was quoted on the Galapagos National Park Facebook page as saying the park could count on all the backing of the national government and the Environment Ministry to conduct the necessary investigations to guarantee the conservation and preservation of the species that call the Galapagos home. By Whitney Webb Last week, mainstream media outlets gave minimal attention to the news that the U.S. Naval station in Virginia Beach had spilled an estimated 94,000 gallons of jet fuel into a nearby waterway, less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean. While the incident was by no means as catastrophic as some other pipeline spills, it underscores an important yet little-known factthat the U.S. Department of Defense is both the nations and the worlds, largest polluter. Producing more hazardous waste than the five largest U.S. chemical companies combined, the U.S. Department of Defense has left its toxic legacy throughout the world in the form of depleted uranium, oil, jet fuel, pesticides, defoliants like Agent Orange and lead, among others. In 2014, the former head of the Pentagons environmental program told Newsweek that her office has to contend with 39,000 contaminated areas spread across 19 million acres just in the U.S. alone. U.S. military bases, both domestic and foreign, consistently rank among some of the most polluted places in the world, as perchlorate and other components of jet and rocket fuel contaminate sources of drinking water, aquifers and soil. Hundreds of military bases can be found on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) list of Superfund sites, which qualify for clean-up grants from the government. Almost 900 of the nearly 1,200 Superfund sites in the U.S. are abandoned military facilities or sites that otherwise support military needs, not counting the military bases themselves. Almost every military site in this country is seriously contaminated, John D. Dingell, a retired Michigan congressman and war veteran, told Newsweek in 2014. Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina is one such base. Lejeunes contamination became widespread and even deadly after its groundwater was polluted with a sizable amount of carcinogens from 1953 to 1987. However, it was not until this February that the government allowed those exposed to chemicals at Lejeune to make official compensation claims. Numerous bases abroad have also contaminated local drinking water supplies, most famously the Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. Between 1946 and 1958, the U.S. tested 66 nuclear weapons near Bikini atoll. Populations living nearby in the Marshall Islands were exposed to measurable levels of radioactive fallout from these tests. National Cancer Institute In addition, the U.S., which has conducted more nuclear weapons tests than all other nations combined, is also responsible for the massive amount of radiation that continues to contaminate many islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Marshall Islands, where the U.S. dropped more than sixty nuclear weapons between 1946 and 1958, are a particularly notable example. Inhabitants of the Marshall Islands and nearby Guam continue to experience an exceedingly high rate of cancer. The American Southwest was also the site of numerous nuclear weapons tests that contaminated large swaths of land. Navajo Indian reservations have been polluted by long-abandoned uranium mines where nuclear material was obtained by U.S. military contractors. One of the most recent testaments to the U.S. militarys horrendous environmental record is Iraq. U.S. military action there has resulted in the desertification of 90 percent of Iraqi territory, crippling the countrys agricultural industry and forcing it to import more than 80 percent of its food. The U.S. use of depleted uranium in Iraq during the Gulf War also caused a massive environmental burden for Iraqis. In addition, the U.S. militarys policy of using open-air burn pits to dispose of waste from the 2003 invasion has caused a surge in cancer among U.S. servicemen and Iraqi civilians alike. While the U.S. militarys past environmental record suggests that its current policies are not sustainable, this has by no means dissuaded the U.S. military from openly planning future contamination of the environment through misguided waste disposal efforts. Last November, the U.S. Navy announced its plan to release 20,000 tons of environmental stressors, including heavy metals and explosives, into the coastal waters of the U.S. Pacific Northwest over the course of this year. The plan, laid out in the Navys Northwest Training and Testing Environmental Impact Statement, fails to mention that these stressors are described by the EPA as known hazards, many of which are highly toxic at both acute and chronic levels. The 20,000 tons of stressors mentioned in the Environmental Impact Statement do not account for the additional 4.7 to 14 tons of metals with potential toxicity that the Navy plans to release annually, from now on, into inland waters along the Puget Sound in Washington state. In response to concerns about these plans, a Navy spokeswoman said that heavy metals and even depleted uranium are no more dangerous than any other metal, a statement that represents a clear rejection of scientific fact. It seems that the very U.S. military operations meant to keep Americans safe come at a higher cost than most people realizea cost that will be felt for generations to come both within the U.S. and abroad. Reposted with permission from our media associate MintPress News. The Earth is full of diverse and fascinating species, and more than 2,200 of them have been lost to science for at least 10 years. Thats why the Texas-based conservation group Re:wild has launched its top 25 most wanted lost species list, and on Wednesday it added eight new species to replace those that have already been rediscovered. When we launched the Search for Lost Species, we werent sure if anyone would rediscover any of the wildlife on our most wanted list, Barney Long, who serves as Re:wilds senior director of conservation strategies and acts as a Search for Lost Species program lead, said in a press release. Each new rediscovery has reminded us that we can find hope in even the most unlikely situations and that these stories of overlooked but fascinating species can be a powerful antidote to despair. Ever feel lost? Then youre not alone! Today were introducing our new top 25 most wanted #LostSpecies! For the rest of February, we will feature the latest 8 lost species to land on our list, incredible rediscoveries & our ongoing expeditions. pic.twitter.com/EaN4Ns56Dv Re:wild (@rewild) February 9, 2022 Re:wild first launched its biodiversity search-and-rescue program in 2017. Since then, eight of its 25 most wanted species have been rediscovered, including the worlds largest bee and a giant Galapagos tortoise, The Guardian reported. The eight replacement species added to the list are equally rare and bizarre. The new most wanted species are, according to Re:wild: The Fat Catfish (RHIZOSOMICHTHYS TOTAE), which was last seen in Colombia in 1957 and has more rolls than a used tire, in Re:wilds words. The Togo Mouse (LEIMACOMYS BUETTNERI), which was last seen in Togo and Ghana in 1890 and lives in the rapidly diminishing rainforests of West Africa. The Dwarf Hutia (MESOCAPROMYS NANUS), a guinea-pig like rodent last seen in Cuba in 1937 that was one of the first mammals to be described only from fossil evidence. The South Island Kokako (CALLAEAS CINEREUS), which was last seen in New Zealand in 2007 and is known for its song that resembles both a flute and an organ. The Blanco Blind Salamander (EURYCEA ROBUSTA), which was last seen in Texas in 1951 and has actually only ever been found once. Fagildes Trapdoor Spider (NEMESIA BERLANDI), a species of spider from a group whose males tapdance to attract mates. However, only two females of this particular species have ever been seen, in Portugal in 1931. No males have ever been knowingly witnessed. Big Puma Fungus (AUSTROOMPHALIASTER NAHUELBUTENSIS), the first fungus to appear on the top 25 list. This species was last seen in South America in 1988. Pernambuco Holly (ILEX SAPIIFORMIS), a mysterious holy tree that has only ever been identified via one specimen taken from Brazils Atlantic Forest in 1838. The additions represent the first arachnid and first U.S. species to appear on the top 25 list, according to the International Business Times. They have also generated enthusiasm from outside conservationists. Michael Edmondstone, communications and engagement lead at freshwater fish conservation group Shoal, said he was tremendously excited about the prospect of finding the fat catfish, according to The Guardian. Everybody is hoping to learn more about it and, ultimately, put the right measures in place to ensure it can thrive for future generations, he said. Re:wilds top 25 most wanted species are drawn from a current total of more than 2,200 nominations, according to a press release. Since 2017, a total of 67 nominated species have been rediscovered. The list is compiled with help from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commissions specialist groups. Ultimately, the goal of finding the species is to aid in their conservation. Species conservation is at the core of protecting our planet as a whole and addressing the triple crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and human health, Jon Paul Rodriguez, chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, said in the press release. The Search for Lost Species provides a guide for conserving some of the forgotten species most in need of help. The U.S. Army unveiled its first ever climate strategy on Tuesday. The new plan focuses both on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing soldiers and infrastructure to prepare for the impacts of climate change and increasing extreme weather events. The time to address climate change is now, Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth wrote in a statement published with the new plan. The effects of climate change have taken a toll on supply chains, damaged our infrastructure, and increased risks to Army Soldiers and families due to natural disasters and extreme weather. The Army must adapt across our entire enterprise and purposefully pursue greenhouse gas mitigation strategies to reduce climate risks. The strategy in part works to reduce emissions in line with executive orders from President Joe Biden, Reuters reported. The Army said it would reduce emissions by half of 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. It also pledged to consider the security risks posed by the climate crisis in activities including planning, strategy and acquisitions. To further these goals, the Army set two deadlines for 2035: it would both install a microgrid on all installations and acquire a non-tactically fleet of electric vehicles, CNBC reported. The Army will also use hybrid tactical vehicles by 2035 and fully electric tactical vehicles by 2050, according to The Hill. To support the electric vehicles, the service will invest in more than 470 charging stations this year. These actions build on the 950 renewable energy projects the Army has already started or completed, along with 25 microgrid projects planned by 2024, according to CNBC. Further, the Army seeks to protect its soldiers and infrastructure from extreme weather events, which have already caused problems for the U.S. military. In 2018, Hurricane Florence caused around $3.5 billion in damages to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, CNN reported. The next year, flooding caused $500 million in damages to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Climate change threatens Americas security and is altering the geostrategic landscape as we know it, Wormuth said in the statement. For todays Soldiers operating in extreme temperature environments, fighting wildfires, and supporting hurricane recovery, climate change isnt a distant future, it is a reality. To prepare soldiers for this reality, the Army will include climate change in its training and publish this information every two years beginning in 2024, according to The Hill. All war drills and simulations will incorporate climate threats by 2028. The Armys actions come a year after the Department of Defense warned that the climate crisis was a major threat to the U.S. military and would lead to conflict around the world, CNBC reported. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also made climate change a priority since he was chosen by Biden to lead the department, according to CNN. However, the U.S. Department of Defense is the largest polluter both in the U.S. and worldwide. It produces more hazardous waste than the five largest U.S. chemical companies put together, and around 900 of nearly 1,200 U.S. superfund sites are former military or military-adjacent installations. The U.S. military is also a major climate polluter in particular. A 2019 report found that it would be the worlds 47th largest greenhouse-gas emitter if it were a country, as Lancaster University reported at the time. The US Military has long understood it is not immune from the potential consequences of climate change recognising it as a threat multiplier that can exacerbate other threats nor has it ignored its own contribution to the problem, study co-author Dr. Patrick Bigger of Lancaster University Environment Centre said as he announced his research. Yet its climate policy is fundamentally contradictory confronting the effects of climate change while remaining the largest single institutional consumer of hydrocarbons in the world, a situation it is locked into for years to come because of its dependence on existing aircraft and warships for open-ended operations around the globe. A giant bee the size of an adult thumb was found alive for the first time in nearly 40 years, The New York Times reported Thursday. The sighting, by a team of wildlife conservationists this January, proves that the worlds largest bee had not gone extinct since it was last documented by scientists 38 years ago, though its habitat in a group of Indonesian islands called the North Moluccas is threatened by deforestation. The team recorded the bee on photo and video for the first time. It was absolutely breathtaking to see this flying bulldog of an insect that we werent sure existed any more, conservation photographer Clay Bolt, who took the first pictures of the living female bee, said, according to The Guardian. To actually see how beautiful and big the species is in life, to hear the sound of its giant wings thrumming as it flew past my head, was just incredible. So Eli Wyman and I did a thing! https://t.co/roNG3lICD2 https://t.co/roNG3lICD2 Clay Bolt (@cbnatphoto) February 21, 2019 Wallaces Giant Bee, scientific name Megachile pluto, was made known to Western science by Alfred Russel Wallace, an English entomologist who worked with Charles Darwin on the theory of evolution. Wallace documented the bee, which now bears his name, on an expedition in 1859, according to The New York Times. The bee was next seen by scientists more than 100 years later when entomologist Adam Messer observed multiple Wallaces Giant Bees in 1981 and took specimens back to museums in New York and London. Messer noted that they use their large jaws to scrape wood and tree resin into balls to make stronger nests. There have been several other attempts to document the bee, but none have proven successful until now. I personally know of at least five attempts to find the bee, Bolt told The New York Times. This particular attempt was partly funded by the group Global Wildlife Conservation, which is searching for 25 lost species including the bee and the Fernandina Galapagos Tortoise, which was sighted for the first time in more than 100 years this Sunday. The worlds largest #bee, Wallaces Giant Bee (Megachile pluto), has been rediscovered! This marks the 2nd rediscovery of a species from our top 25 most wanted lost species. Read more here: https://t.co/fDvMpJdfGP. via @mashable #ConservationOptimism pic.twitter.com/FiDVekwydc Re:wild (@rewild) February 21, 2019 The scientists involved with the search were partly concerned that announcing the bees survival would bring it to the attention of collectors, and, because of this, decided not to announce exactly what island they found it on. Last year, a specimen of the insect was sold on eBay for $9,100. If you can get that much money for an insect, that encourages people to go and find them, team member and University of Sydney biologist Dr. Simon Robson told The New York Times. However, the team agreed that making the announcement opened up important conservation opportunities. We know that putting the news out about this rediscovery could seem like a big risk given the demand, but the reality is that unscrupulous collectors already know that the bee is out there, Global Wildlife Conservation biologist Robin Moore said, according to The Guardian. By making the bee a world-famous flagship for conservation we are confident that the species has a brighter future than if we just let it quietly be collected into oblivion. We're proud to announce the rediscovery of Wallace's Giant Bee, last seen in 1981! https://t.co/FWCXQgYvjN via @BBCWorld @hbriggs Re:wild (@rewild) February 21, 2019 The region of Indonesia where the bees are found lost seven percent of its forest from 2001 to 2017, according to Global Forest Watch data reported by The New York Times. Amid such a well-documented global decline in insect diversity its wonderful to discover that this iconic species is still hanging on, Robson said in a University of Sydney press release. Oman-based A'Namaa Poultry signs agreement to digitalise its operations Oman-based A'Namaa Poultry has signed an agreement with the Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) for the latter to provide ICT solutions to digitalise A'Namaa Poultry's processes for efficient operations and business management such as for hatchery and meat management, the Times of Oman reported. The project, at a total cost of OMR 100 million (~US$259 million; OMR 1 = 2.60) , will be implemented at a new site in the Al-Safa area in the Wilayat of Ibri. The goal of the project is to contribute to domestic self-sufficiency in the poultry's industry, aiming to produce 60,000 tonnes per annum of poultry meat. The unique state-of-the-art technology solutions provided by Omantel will be used for the first time in the country, through Omantel's technology partner "SAP". - Times of Oman Effingham, IL (62401) Today Periods of rain. Rain may be heavy late. Low 59F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.. Tonight Periods of rain. Rain may be heavy late. Low 59F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Elkhart, IN (46516) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Spain is no longer a full democracy according to the ranking compiled annually by The Economist magazine, which now situates the Spanish state in the next category down: that of a flawed democracy. In a year in which many more countries fell than those that made democratic gains, the annual report of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Democracy Index highlighted Spain's slippage in particular, as it dropped below the mark of 8 points out of 10, the threshold of full democracies. The study looked at 164 countries around the world and found that more than a third of the population surveyed live under authoritarian regimes, while only 6.4% enjoy full democracy. In this elite group, Spain is longer to be found, after being relegated this year. As for the global average, it stands at 5.28 out of 10, almost a tenth of a point less than last year. To find the last decline in global democratic quality that has been this sharp, we must go back to 2010, shortly after the financial crisis. One of the main reasons why the EIU analysts have placed Spain in the category of flawed democracy is the concerning situation of its judiciary: the paralysis of the highest judicial body, the General Council of the Judiciary has still not been broken, due to the inability of the PSOE and PP to reach agreement. This accounts for the fall in Spain's score in one of the five indicators analyzed in each country, that of judicial independence. The rest are: electoral processes and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation and political culture. With this drop, Spain has fallen two places in the world rankings, moving from 22nd to 24th. The leading country in terms of democratic quality remains Norway by a very wide margin: it records a score of 9.75 points out of 10. At the other end of the scale, the list is closed by Afghanistan, whose total fell by a huge 2.53 points in the year that the Taliban regained power, going from 2.85 to just 0.32 points. Spain: quality in doubt Spain's decline to a lesser democratic category is not precisely a bolt from the blue: even the EIU analysts had been warning that this could happen in previous editions, noting that the Spanish state has been scoring poorly on the justice indicator for years. Meanwhile, political scientist Jordi Mas warned that in 2021, several international organizations and associations were questioning the quality of Spanish democracy. "In the last few years, the controversial "gag" law has led to the fining or imprisonment of artists critical of state institutions, it has prosecuted those who complain or allow a parliamentary debate on the unity of the state or its monarchy, while Spanish justice's jail sentences for the Catalan politicians caused international astonishment, while contrasting with the very rapid legal processing, with a different final conclusion, of other pro-independence politicians in Belgium and Germany... ", explained Mas, adding that, in previous years there has been a "major discrepancy between what the rankings observe" - which up till now placed Spain above France or the USA in the index, "and what different sectors denounce, both outside and inside the country." In this regard, the political scientist also asserted that instruments to influence the rankings exist: the bodies that create indices like the EIU's can be lobbied directly to achieve a higher score. One of the most common approaches used in so-called "ratings diplomacy" is for state diplomatic delegations to visit the headquarters where the rankings are made. "A falling score may create problems for some countries," Mas reflected. In the 2020 ranking, the political scientist himself warned of as many as three errors in Spain's score, but he received no explanations. Mas has also referred to discrepancies in the calculations of the V-Dem index, which is also focused on assessing democratic quality. In this case, Spain's score varied significantly between its 2019 and 2020 versions: the 2019 version suggested a clear democratic decline, reaching "pre-constitutional" levels. The following year, it was gone. Restrictions due to the pandemic Spain stands out, along with Chile, as a country that has slipped out of the full democracy category this year, but there has also been a broader decline in the 2021 rankings, with the global average falling to the lowest level since the annual study began in 2006: overall, a 0.09 fall, to 5.28 out of 10. This decline is comparable to that of 2010, not long after the Wall Street financial crisis, when inequality grew exponentially. So what happened this year? Researchers attribute this general loss of democratic quality to the exceptional measures taken to combat the pandemic. Joan Hoey, regional director of the study in Europe, spoke of the "expansion of state power." The country that has lost the most points in Western Europe has not been Spain (0.18), but the United Kingdom, which has fallen more than twice as much (0.44). However, it remains above 8 and therefore continues to be classed as a full democracy. In the British case, The Economist points to the controversies generated around party funding, as well as the political scandals that have come to light in recent weeks, centred on prime minister Boris Johnson and his cabinet. These "have undermined confidence in the British government". Athens, AL (35611) Today A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. If youve watched a classic, landmark sci-fi movie and you were blown away by the quality and realism of its effects, then theres a good chance Douglas Trumbulls name is in the credits. The VFX pioneer, who passed away on February 8th, 2022, has worked on key films in the sci-fi canon. Even a short version of his resume would have to include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner and Silent Running. To have worked on one of those in your lifetime would have been a big deal, but to have contributed to all of them speaks to just how much work Trumbull did to push the artform forward. Trumbull was the son of an artist and engineer, Donald Trumbull, who worked on VFX for The Wizard of Oz. Douglas, a talented painter and artist in his own right, got a job at Graphic Films, and worked on a short film about space travel for the 1964 Worlds Fair. The clip piqued the interest of Stanley Kubrick, then starting work on the film that would eventually become 2001: A Space Odyssey. Kubrick began working with Graphic Films, and by extension Trumbull, but when he relocated production to London, stopped speaking to his would-be partners. Trumbull, however, was so excited by the idea of the film that he reached out to Kubrick personally. He was then hired and brought over to London to work on the title. One of Douglas Trumbull's jobs on 2001: A Space Odyssey was animated technical graphics for the computer screens. I was amazed to learn he had created the animation with tables and graphs from technical journals to create dozens of screens. His ingenuity was an inspiration to me. pic.twitter.com/YrJjyoyxAG Michael Okuda (@MikeOkuda) February 10, 2022 Trumbulls job on 2001 was as one of several visual effects heads on the project, the others being Con Petersen, Wally Veevers and Tom Howard. (Kubrick himself was also credited, and it would be his name and his name alone on the Academy Award for best Special Visual Effects the film won in 1969.) His first task was to design the computer graphics shown on the displays that littered Kubricks future world. But his job quickly grew, and Trumbull would eventually be responsible for the use of slit-scan photography that created the films climactic Star Gate sequence. You can watch Trumbull explain this in some depth during this long talk about his life and career from the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Having made a name for himself, he launched his own VFX company and produced the effects for Robert Wises The Andromeda Strain. That would garner him enough credit at Universal Pictures to earn him the right to direct an experimental, super low-budget film of his own. (The studio was, at the time, experimenting to see if low-budget films would garner a following through word of mouth, aping the success of Easy Rider a few years previously.) This project would become Silent Running, an often-overlooked classic of the genre. In many ways, Silent Running is a humane rebuttal to 2001, with Trumbulls warmth acting as a reaction to Kubricks emotionlessness. The film depicts a dystopian future in which the last of Earths plant life is carried on the back of enormous geodesic arks into space. But when the crews of these arks are told to detach and detonate the domes, one botanist will risk everything to save the plants he so cares for. Despite the low budget, the visuals are top notch, and the central performance from Bruce Dern is one for the ages. Of course, the films third-act twist if it can be called that does rely on the stupidest plot moment in any film ever. But its the one flaw in an otherwise great movie that, due to its status as a financial flop, means its often ignored as b-movie fodder. Trumbulls interest in pushing the boundaries of filmmaking technology meant that he devoted much of the 70s to developing new technologies. That included Showscan, which ran 70mm film at 60 fps, which Trumbull said offered a new level of immersion and engagement. Sadly, the cost and complexity of such a technology proved a key stumbling block to it being picked up by mainstream cinemas. Years before Peter Jackson and Ang Lee experimented with high frame rates, Douglas Trumbull was making it work in the analog world Magicam, meanwhile, was Trumbulls project to create virtual sets decades before we could use computer-generated keying, simply by blue-screening actors in front of a live miniature, shot at the same time with motorized cameras. The technique would have offered the ability to shoot huge, effects-heavy spectacles on a tiny budget and in a very small studio. The technology was expected to be the lynchpin of Harlan Ellisons infamous TV series The Starlost and its failure then contributed to its demise. But Magicam would, not long after, be used in a variety of Trumbull productions including Carl Sagans Cosmos. His energies elsewhere, Trumbull was unable to accept offers to produce the effects for Star Wars, but returned to the industry for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It would be on this film that he would be nominated for his first Academy Award, and helped pioneer work to shoot effects sequences on 70mm film. This was a way of preserving detail when the footage was then integrated into sequences shot on 35mm, which is why the alien spaceship has so much heft and weight. As work was progressing on Close Encounters, Paramount offered to bankroll his studio and asked him to produce the effects for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Trumbull initially turned down the offer, causing much consternation from Paramount Pictures. But after the films first effects house, Robert Abel, was deemed to have produced substandard work, Trumbull was more-or-less begged to come on and finish the film ahead of its planned release date. In the following clip, from 2016, reveals the painstaking process behind creating the Enterprise drydock sequence from The Motion Picture. He said that, in many ways, the sequence which is adored by fans and detested by casual viewers was inspired by work done for 2001. One thing that sticks out is that he says that he wanted fans to buy into the beauty of space and buy into the beauty of the Enterprise, to fall in love with the revised craft. And, it works. Before his passing, Trumbull was consulting with the team overseeing the 4K remaster of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Producer David C. Fein, who is leading the project, said that Doug created the future, and that he inspired going beyond limitations, adding that Trumbulls influence will be with us forever. Similarly, Mike Matessino added that Trumbulls work was truly timeless, which continues to inspire awe and to spark the imagination, both now and in the future. Daren R. Dochterman, who spent a lot of time working with Trumbull, said that he was scared to meet him the first time they met. The fact that he turned out not only to be a sweet, understanding man and a very kind teacher not only surprised me but filled me with such happiness, he added. Over the years since then Ive gotten to know him a little better and he had gotten to know some of my work, and he was the most encouraging voice in my life. I am shattered to learn that visual effects legend Douglas Trumbull has passed away. Trumbull worked on 2001, Close Encounters, Star Trek: TMP, Blade Runner, and more. He directed Silent Running and Brainstorm. He was an artist and an innovator and a personal hero. He was 79. pic.twitter.com/2sKdb77X0R Michael Okuda (@MikeOkuda) February 8, 2022 Trumbulls work on Close Encounters would massively inform the visual effects work for Blade Runner. That film would earn him his third Academy Award nomination, a well-deserved effort for simply giving Ridley Scotts world the weight and heft that it required. Here, like in so many other of his films, Trumbulls effects offer a level of realism that means its easy to suspend your disbelief when you see the fantastic presented to you. In fact, thats the second time Ive used the phrase heft and weight in this piece, isnt it because that is something Trumbull was always able to get right. His worlds, no matter how fantastic, always felt grounded, and thats why his work holds up so well compared to other films both of the era, and even those that followed it. Trumbull knew how to make the fantastical feel real, a commodity that is worth more than its weight in Hollywood. Unfortunately, Trumbull would leave production on Blade Runner before it was completed to helm his second film, Brainstorm. That was designed as a showcase for Showscan, embracing higher frame rates and using those big 70mm cameras. Unfortunately, studio pressure, the tragic death of one of the films stars and cold feet from exhibitors killed Trumbulls dream. The film didnt get a wide release and ultimately flopped, leaving Trumbull to move back east to work on his technology passions away from Hollywood. He would also, briefly, be at IMAX in the early 90s. In later years, Trumbull consulted on visual effects for Terence Malicks The Tree of Life, and worked on his Magi cinematic process. Magi, unlike other HFR projects, runs at 120 frames per second, and the reports, like this RogerEbert.com story from 2014, suggest it lacked the TV-esque effects that so dogged the Hobbit movies. By 2017, Trumbull was hoping to build a pod that could be used to tour Magi-produced films and bring the gospel of higher frame rates to the world. On February 8th, Amy Trumbull posted to Facebook that her father passed away after a two year battle with cancer, a brain tumor and a stroke. He was an absolute genius and a wizard and his contributions to the film and special effects industry will live on for decades and beyond. The outpouring of love from both people inside and outside Hollywood was instantaneous. Daren R. Dochterman said it best, that Douglas Trumbull was constantly a force trying to pull the movie business into the future with brand new ways of telling stories. And while the [Hollywood] machine chewed him up and spit him out Dougs tenacity at trying to create new technologies and new methods for creating images and experiences was something that he tried to provide all his life. Disneys Hulu is bringing Futurama back. According to Variety, the streamer has ordered 20 new episodes of the animated series. Series creator Matt Groening will return to lead the project alongside writer and producer David X. Cohen. The entire voice cast outside of one critical player has agreed to reprise their roles. John DiMaggio hasnt signed on to voice Bender again. The good news on that front is that Hulu is reportedly finalizing his deal, according to The Hollywood Reporter. As you might imagine, Futuramas creators are excited to return to the series. Its a true honor to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get canceled abruptly again, Groening said. For those counting, this latest revival will mark the fourth time the series has come back after supposedly ending. After it was canceled in 2003 following an initial four-season run on Fox, Comedy Central ordered four direct-to-DVD Futurama films. In 2008, the network re-edited those movies into whats now considered the shows fifth season. It then went on to fund two additional seasons that aired between 2010 and 2013. The fact it will continue on Hulu is fitting given that youve been able to watch all 140 episodes and four films of Futurama on the platform since 2017. Production on the new episodes is expected to start this month. They're currently scheduled to debut sometime in 2023. A US federal court has sentenced Canadian hacker Gary Bowser to 40 months in prison for his involvement in Switch hacking group Team Xecuter, the Department of Justice announced on Thursday. Not to be confused with Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser (or Marios nemesis, for that matter), Bowser was part of a collective that developed and sold devices people could use to play pirated games on their consoles. The FBI arrested Bowser in 2020. One year later, he agreed to pay $10 million to Nintendo to settle a civil privacy lawsuit and another $4.5 million in restitution to the company. Leading up to todays sentencing announcement, Bowser faced up to 10 years in prison. According to the Justice Department, video game publishers have lost more than $65 million thanks to Team Xecuters exploits. Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI are still working to apprehend Bowsers accomplices. Correction 02/11 10:14AM ET: A previous version of this article mistakenly said the name of the Team Xecuter hacker was Doug Bowser. His name is Gary Bowser. We deeply regret the error. Peloton laid off around 20 percent of its corporate employees as part of its attempt to get past its growth struggles following a meteoric rise to fame in the early days of the pandemic. Some of them are understandably upset and angry, and according to CNBC, some of them have crashed the company's first all-hands meeting meant to introduce the new CEO. In addition to letting a chunk of its workforce go no instructors were affected by the layoffs Peloton also replaced its top executive. John Foley, who's also a company co-founder, stepped down and was replaced with former Spotify COO Barry McCarthy. CNBC says both former and current employees fired off angry comments in the meeting's chat section, with one calling the all-hands "awfully tone deaf." Another person proclaimed that they're selling all their Peloton apparel to be able to pay their bills. "The company messed up by allowing people who were fired into this chat," said yet another person. The meeting, attended by both Foley and McCarthy, was reportedly cut short. Peloton was massively popular just over a year ago and even reached a market value of $50 billion in January 2021. Now, it's worth around $8 billion dollars, and bigger companies like Amazon and Nike are reportedly showing interest in acquiring the fitness equipment maker. While Peloton didn't say outright that it was planning to let people go, Foley previously said that the company "need[s] to evaluate [its] organization structure and size of [its] team" to make the business more flexible. That was part of his response to an older CNBC report claiming that the company was halting Bike and Tread production. Foley denied the rumor. The former CEO also didn't say whether the calls for him to be ousted were part of the reason he's stepping down. Activist investor Blackwells Capital previously accused him of misleading investors about certain information, among other things that cost the company $40 billion. "I have always thought there has to be a better CEO for Peloton than me," Foley said when McCarthy was formally named as the company's new CEO. McCarthy is expected to use his knowledge of content-driven subscription models to keep Peloton running, but he clearly has to win over his own employees first. The Senate today approved legislation that would keep companies from requiring forced arbitration in cases of sexual misconduct or harassment. The passage is a significant victory for the #MeToo movement, essentially allowing millions of women to take workplace sexual misconduct cases to court rather than settling matters internally. The legislation, which passed unanimously on Thursday, is now headed to President Joe Bidens desk for a signature. No longer will survivors of sexual assault or harassment in the workplace come forward and be told that they are legally forbidden to sue their employer because somewhere in buried their employment contracts was this forced arbitration clause," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in a news conference. Gillibrand, a vocal champion in the realm of sexual harassment law, authored the bill along with Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC). Notably, the bill had unanimous support among both Republicans and Democrats in Congress; a rare feat in this current political climate. As Politico notes, many GOP lawmakers have warmed up to the issue of workplace sexual harassment following a surge of interest in the #MeToo movement. Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson even urged Republican lawmakers to support the bill. Many companies have forced arbitration clauses in their employment contracts, which requires employees to give up their right to appear in court if they are harmed by their employer. Instead, the worker and the employer must settle the disputes in a process known as arbitration, which is often private and run by a third party. More public awareness of the male-dominated, sexist culture in Silicon Valley, as well as activism by employees, has forced many tech companies to re-evaluate their sexual harassment policies. A number of Big Tech companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft have ended forced arbitration in recent years after facing backlash. Major video game developers such as Riot Games and Activision Blizzard have followed suit. Microsoft even lobbied in support of legislation to end forced arbitration. Many in favor of forced arbitration believe it allows companies and employees to save money on court costs. But proponents of the practice argue that it inherently benefits the perpetrator, basically barring plaintiffs from speaking publicly about workplace harassment and keeping any testimony, evidence or documents used in the arbitration process completely secret. Weather Alert ...FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues. * WHERE...Much of central Oklahoma. * WHEN...Until 1045 PM CDT. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Water over roadways. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 703 PM CDT, In areas of heavy rain, minor flooding will occur. - Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, Stillwater, Shawnee, Ponca City, Del City, El Reno, Chickasha, Guthrie, Cushing, Newcastle, Blanchard, Seminole, Tecumseh, Perry, Chandler and Yukon. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. && Legal teams argued in a final day in court Thursday that presented evidence was absolutely clear that the city either does or does not have a legal right to condemn Dr. James Merrifields property and that long-planned water pipeline project, as a whole, either is or is not an attempt to make money by selling the water to Koch. The official trailer for Firestarter is FINALLY here, and we are burning up with excitement! Firestarter is a book by the massively successful thriller-horror writer Stephen King. This is the next film ready to join the ranks of his successful book-to-movie adaptations alongside It, Carrie, The Invisible Man, and many others. Firestarter chronicles the story of, according to the official description, "a girl with extraordinary prokinetic powers," who, "fights to protect her family and herself from sinister forces that seek to capture and control her." The movie already blazes with the brilliance of an impeccable cast including Zac Efron, Sydney Lemmon, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Michael Greyeyes, Kurtwood Smith, John Beasley, and Gloria Ruben. In the trailer we already see this cast coming together to create a perfect ambiance of protection and horror. We see parents Andy, played by Efron, and Vicky, played by Lemmon, working hard to help their daughter to no avail. Stephen King himself is looking forward to this adaptation and has a great amount of faith in the cast and the crew. Back in 2021, Bev Vinicent tweeted out, "'Firestarter' remake starring Zac Efron to film in Hamilton, Ontario next month." Stephen King retweeted the post and made his own addition. "I'm sending cast and crew a hunka hunka burning love." Im sending cast and crew a hunka hunka burning love. https://t.co/rGr9Z0f7k0 Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 29, 2021 We must take a moment to applaud the writer's whimsical reference to the Elvis Presley song while calling back to the film itself with the word, "burning"! We can't wait to see Firestarter when it comes to theaters on May 13th. Poetry of Belonging: Muslim Imaginings of India 18501950 by Ali Khan Mahmudabad, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2020; pp xviii + 325, 1,595. In November 2018, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sitting member of the legislative assembly from Okhla constituency in New Delhi organised a mushairah in the premises of a government school near Jamia Nagara predominantly Muslim locality. The occasion was the inauguration of a new building block in the school by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodiya, who also holds the education portfolio in Delhi government. Sisodia tweeted about the electrifying mushairah and commended the locals for their enthusiasm for education (Indian Express 2019). This mushairahwhich was also attended by two of AAPs high-profile member of Parliament candidates Raghav Chaddha and Atishi Marlenawas seen in media as a kickoff event of the AAP campaign for 2019 general elections (Jha 2019). On 25 October, just a fortnight before the mushairah, an eight-year-old boy, Mohd Azeem had died after being beaten up by a group of children near his madrasa in Begumpur, Malviya Nagar. News reports indicated that the incident was borne out of routine harassment of the madrasa children incited by some locals (Kanojia 2018). On social media, AAP was decried by many Muslims for what was seen as the governments active obfuscation of anti-Muslim violence. Whether or how far the mushairah had an impact on Muslim voters inclination towards AAP cannot be said with certainty, but in this well-attended mushairah, Sisodiya and crowd-puller poet Imran Partapgarhi framed the AAP politics as one of building schools as opposed to the politics of building mandir. Since then, much water has flown under the bridge between communalism and electoral politics. Partapgarhi, who praised AAP for their politics of good governance, joined the Congress party, and AAP has kicked off its campaign for the 2022 Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly elections with Sisodiya and Arvind Kejriwal in Ayodhya, the city of the demolished Babri Masjid and the upcoming Ram Mandir. Qantas Airways has seen a significant rise in international ticket searches and bookings since Australia said it would reopen its borders to vaccinated travelers this month, a senior executive said. Wednesday, February 9, 2022 Four years after 17 individuals were murdered and 17 more wounded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School, our educational and political leaders remain complacent. The most critical lesson learned from MSD is the need for behavioral intervention teams and programs. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission's report, and other investigative sources, revealed the Parkland assailant displayed suicidal and homicidal ideations dating back to his time in elementary school. Some of the more disturbing indicators made by the assailant prior to the attack include bringing dead animals to school, talk of suicide, claiming on social media he wanted to be a "professional school shooter", being caught with knives and ammunition on campus, and purchasing firearms. Additionally, the assailant had experienced multiple life stressors prior to the assault including the death of his mother, being kicked out of school, and homelessness. While some of these indicators should have triggered immediate law enforcement or mental health interventions, no definitive action was taken to provide off-ramps to violence or support for the offender. What's worse is many of the warning signs were known by school administrators, local law enforcement, and mental health professionals prior to the attack. Unfortunately, four years later, most schools have failed to learn from this event and implement pro-active violence preventions programs. What do school violence preventions programs look like? There are multiple resources available including resources from the U.S Department of Education, U.S. Secret Service, F.B.I., National Association of School Psychologists, and National Associations of School Resource Officers. What is consistent across agencies is the recommendation for schools to establish behavioral intervention/threat, intervention teams. These are multi-disciplinary teams that include school administrators, law enforcement personnel, mental health professionals, school counselors, and social workers. The purpose of these teams is to collect reports on concerning behavior, analyze information for indications a student is thinking about self-harm or harming others, and deliver support before a crisis occurs. Although there is no debate over the importance of campuses to establish these teams, most states do not have mandates for schools to do so. Herein lies the problem. With more than two decades of empirical data on school active shooter events, emergent research demonstrating the positive impact of behavioral intervention programs, and best-practice recommendations at the federal and state level to establish threat intervention teams, resources are not provided or are diverted towards ineffective physical security measures. States and school districts continue to prioritize physical security infrastructure, such as exterior fencing, single points of entry, and camera systems, over establishing protocols and providing training for behavioral intervention teams. While schools should absolutely consider means to protect students, mitigate a tragedy, and respond to an event, violence prevention strategies should be the primary focus. One of the biggest challenges for schools is the lack of state funding in this area. While most state agencies related to school safety acknowledge or even directly recommend the use of threat intervention teams, elected officials fall short of passing laws that require schools to do so. The reason? Funding. Once a law mandates schools to maintain behavioral intervention teams, the state would have an obligation to fund those programs. While there are grant opportunities available to assist schools in this area, there are concerns with the continuity of these programs without consistent funding. Four years after the worse school shooting since Columbine, one thing is clear, even though we know better, we are failing to do better. A San Antonio businessman was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison Thursday for defrauding Houston-based Apache Corp. and a Texas bank in an oilfield scheme. James Clyde Mann also must serve two years of supervised release and pay more than $1.1 million in restitution. Mann, 46, had nothing to say before Chief U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia imposed the sentence via video conference. Mann has served more than nine months of the sentence, having had his bond revoked in May. So he could complete his sentence in the next three to four months. Four years ago, a San Antonio federal grand jury charged Mann in a 23-count indictment with bank fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio man indicted in alleged oilfield scheme to defraud Apache The indictment said Mann, who worked as managing partner for the now-defunct Stag Energy Services, defrauded Apache and Lone Star Bank of Moulton in a scheme that caused the oil and gas exploration company to pay for the same work invoice twice. The services Stag had provided Apache and that were reflected in work tickets attached to a November 2013 invoice already had been paid for by Apache, the plea agreement stated. Apache sent a check, payable to Stag, to Lone Star Bank. The bank is now known as SouthStar Bank. Prosecutors later dropped the nine counts of bank fraud after concluding they would be very difficult, if not impossible, to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, according to an August 2019 court filing. Manns trial, which had been rescheduled five times, was set for the following month. Prosecutors moved to dismiss four counts of mail fraud, but that request became moot just a couple of days later when Mann entered a guilty plea in exchange for prosecutors dropping the remaining charges seven counts of mail fraud and six counts of wire fraud. Manns sentencing had been rescheduled 12 times over the last 26 months, in part because of the coronavirus pandemic. Prosecutors recommended Mann receive a 15-month sentence. The sentencing guidelines called for a prison term of 41 to 51 months. As part of his guilty plea, Mann agreed to pay restitution of $744,616 to Apache and $395,733 to the bank. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox Apache previously obtained a civil judgment against Mann that includes losses from fraudulent invoices that he had submitted to the company. Any money recovered from that judgment will reduce the amount of restitution Mann owes the company. Court papers show Mann failed to appear for the fraud trial in 2018. A judge awarded Apache almost $746,000 on its claims for fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud. It also was awarded about $254,000 in punitive damages and prejudgment interest of $102 a day from April 30, 2014 when it filed suit. Interest on the awards accrues at 5 percent a year. In addition, the plea agreement said Manns restitution obligation to the bank is shared with Stag Energy owner Steven Staglik. So any payments made by Staglik will reduce what Mann owes the bank. After turning himself in following the indictment, Mann was released on a $50,000 unsecured bond. In April of last year, while Mann was awaiting sentencing, prosecutors sought to have his bond revoked. They alleged he had opened a new line of credit without approval from authorities. He also allegedly relocated to Virginia, though he expressed interest in returning to Texas after speaking with authorities, a court filing said. U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard B. Farrer ruled that prosecutors had failed to provide convincing evidence that Mann violated conditions of his bond. Nonetheless, Farrer determined that Mann should be detained until his sentencing based on new information presented to the court. As part of the sentencing agreement, prosecutors will not pursue any charges against Mann related to that matter. pdanner@express-news.net San Antonios most pandemic-friendly watering hole is saying goodbye this weekend. Hello Paradise, a sprawling outdoor tiki-inspired cocktail bar and Thai restaurant located near the Pearl on East Grayson Street, is closing for good Sunday. Hello Paradise co-owner Jeret Pena said the space wont sit empty for long, although he wasnt able to name whod be taking over the property at this time. We are going to be collaborating with another group on the space, Pena said. We are excited to be working with them and about what theyll bring to the block. Pena and his Boulvardier Group partners, whove owned and operated a number of notable bars in San Antonio over the past decade including The Brooklynite, Still Golden Social House, The Last Word and others, plan to develop a bar program for the new operators of the Hello Paradise space. Pena said the new project will open in late spring. On ExpressNews.com: 10 great restaurants, bars and coffee shops in Government Hill Hello Paradise opened in Dec. 2020 in the former home of Shuck Shack. The bar and restaurant quickly became a popular gathering spot for the pandemic-weary thanks to its enormous outdoor patio space equipped with misters in the summer and fire pits to keep the winter chill away. The business also was one of San Antonios top spots for Thai street food inspired by the cooking of Penas in-laws, Dara and Kusol Maknual, who previously operated the food trailer Yais Mobile Kitchen. Hello Paradise earned high praise for its Tom Yum Noodles, Thai Fried Chicken and curries, among other dishes. Pena said that food likely will live on in the form of pop-ups at another of his properties, Three Star Bar, which is located directly across Grayson Street from Hello Paradise. And The Boulverdier Group will continue to expand its footprint in the Government Hill neighborhood. Pena and his partners plan to open an iteration of their former Still Golden Social House next year in the Jefferson Bank building currently under construction at the corner of Broadway and East Grayson Street. pstephen@express-news.net | Twitter: @pjbites | Instagram: @pjstephen Theres no shortage of doughnut shops in and around San Antonio, including dozens of locally owned shops and even more chains. These are my picks for the best places to satisfy your morning sweet tooth. RELATED: Mike Sutters 25 best San Antonio restaurant dishes of 2021 10. Chacha Bedoy Donuts & Bakery Emma Bedoy-Pina Chacha to her friends is no stranger to the pastry business. Her parents started Bedoys Bakery in 1961, and its still going strong with two locations. Striking out on her own, Bedoy-Pina opened Chachas in September in the former home of River City Donuts in the Medical Center area. Along with classic Mexican pastries, the shop turns out glazed doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, apple fritters and a memorable cinnamon sugar doughnut filled with apple and caramel. 1723 Babcock Road, 210-515-4886, chachabedoy.com Mike Sutter /Staff 9. Plantyful Sweets At this charming vegan bakery near San Antonio College, owner Gaby Borrego is driven by a desire to create food thats easier on the body. Her doughnuts are vegan, gluten-free, naturally colored, lower in sugar and baked instead of fried. Theyre just as rich, indulgent and euphoric as any other doughnut in this report, especially the Samoa, with thick chocolate icing, toasted coconut and a criss-cross of caramel inspired by the Girl Scout cookie of the same name. Varieties change daily, and Borrego said she shoots for three dozen each of three flavors. 1520 N. Main Ave., 210-957-1480, plantyfulsweets.com Mike Sutter /Staff 8. ST Donuts For the husband-and-wife team of Mengsrun Seng and Tessa Hor, doughnuts run in the family. His parents run a shop in California, and her brother owns Lees Donuts on the far North Side. The couple opened ST Donuts in January, and already theyre putting out a spectrum of doughnut classics plus whimsical creations like a pillowy, pink-frosted glazed doughnut spiked with Froot Loops. 9793 Culebra Road, Suite 104, 210-267-1820, Facebook: ST Donuts Culebra Mike Sutter /Staff 7. Old Fashion Donuts Along with one of the best bear claws in the city fluffy and cute, but dangerously good this little shop on the Northeast Side goes all-in on the color spectrum, with scarlet, lavender and peacock blue scattered throughout the case. As it is with all doughnut shops, the flavors dont really match the colors, but sweetness is its own reward. 12914 Jones Maltsberger Road, Suite 103, 210-545-3326, no web presence Mike Sutter /Staff 6. Snowflake Donuts When you order a filled doughnut at Snowflake in the Medical Center area, theyll pipe in any one of 11 cream or jelly flavors. That level of customization, along with one of the tallest, lightest glazed doughnuts in this report, makes Snowflake unique. 5802 Babcock Road, 210-561-8863, Facebook: @SnowflakeDonutsBabcock Mike Sutter /Staff 5. Krispy Kreme Wait, they have other things besides glazed at Krispy Kreme? They do, and the assortment of heart-shaped pink and white and chocolate iced doughnuts with more sprinkles, swirls and flash than a Cher concert is a Valentines winner. But those glazed doughnuts are the reason we keep a lookout for the neon-red Hot Now sign to light up. Theyre light as air, with a clean finish that makes each one look like airbrushed edible art. Multiple locations at krispykreme.com On ExpressNews.com: Mike Sutters Top 10 most anticipated new San Antonio restaurant openings of 2022 Mike Sutter /Staff 4. Grand Donuts Grand could be the description of the cavalcade of doughnuts at this Northeast Side shop. The most well-stocked case in this report, its a hypnotic array of glazed, iced, cake, old-fashioned, frosted, filled and novelty doughnuts, including one the best basic glazed around and a maple-bacon that tastes like breakfast at Dennys. 21920 Bulverde Road, 210-481-2002, no web presence Mike Sutter /Staff 3. Duck Donuts Five years ago, this North Carolina-based chain planted roots in San Antonio near the Medical Center. The formula is simple, and it works: Make each cake doughnut to order, and dress it like Billie Eilish at the Grammys. Lemon icing with raspberry swirl? No problem. Peanut butter and chocolate? Check. Chopped bacon with maple icing and caramel drizzle? That, too. Hot, fresh and Southern friendly. 11703 Huebner Road, Suite 113, 210-476-5500; 7010 W. Loop 1604 N., 210-236-5886, duckdonuts.com Mike Sutter /Staff 2. M&M Donut Huynh Chun Lieus workday starts at 12:30 at night and ends at 4:30 in the afternoon 16 hours of doughnuts a day, seven days a week. She just shrugs it off as the price to pay for getting everything right. And M&M in Converse gets everything right. Glazed doughnuts as fluffy and light as cotton candy, cake doughnuts with a balance of density and crumble, old-fashioned doughnuts with ridges like gears, apple fritters with fresh green apples in every bite. But shes justifiably proudest of the cinnamon glazed, fortified with a ring of cinnamon through the middle, the perfect marriage of a glazed doughnut and a cinnamon roll. Speaking of marriage, her husband Chen Ban is in charge of the kolaches, and they give the doughnuts a run for their money. 9081 FM 78, Converse, 210-566-7785, no web presence Mike Sutter /Staff 1. The Art of Donut Doughnuts are built for speed, meant to move a dozen at a time with as little fuss as possible. But The Art of Donut in Midtown is all about the fuss. The red velvet dough nut gets a sprinkle of more red velvet cake over the top. The French toast doughnut is finished with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. And the smores doughnut includes a marshmallow shingle with an actual chocolate bar for full campfire effect. These doughnuts are not just for show. Both the cake and yeast doughnuts bring the right airiness and sturdiness that defines their forms, and the more than 25 varieties guarantee youll find one to savor, one doughnut at a time. 3428 N. St. Marys St., 210-265-5423, artofdonut.com msutter@express-news.net | Twitter: @fedmanwalking | Instagram: @fedmanwalking Natalie Seale was about two months pregnant when much of the world went into lockdown in late March and early April of 2020 in response to the coronavirus. Pregnancies can be stressful, but now Seale, 32, would have to navigate hers during a global pandemic. Not wanting to have a completely isolated pregnancy, Seale, who moved from the United Kingdom to San Antonio in 2017, performed a Google search on how to meet other expecting moms during a time of lockdowns and stumbled upon Alamo City Moms. The online business is a locally focused parenting resource for mothers that shares tips and articles, from figuring out why your child is crying at 2 a.m. to navigating Fiesta with kids. On ExpressNews.com: Tourist attractions to vacate Alamo Plaza buildings, making way for new museum and visitor center "I found myself really needing reassurance from other moms who had delivered at North Central Baptist and who were going through pregnancy (and prenatal appointments) at the same time as me," Seale said. She now has a network of friends and moms with children close to her 15-month-old son's age. Seale said she felt so welcomed by the Alamo City Moms community that she was compelled to become a contributing writer. The website was founded in 2013 as a part of the City Moms Collective, which has about 75 local chapters across 35 states. On ExpressNews.com: This will change Buda forever: 2,500-home project pits Austin developer against the city of 18,000 Amanda Gentis, 39, owns the website and said she joined the company as someone who is "truly passionate about motherhood." She was a mother of a 2-year-old when she joined Alamo City Moms in October of 2013. She became owner in 2017. The business has about 50,000 followers across its social media platforms and about 30 contributors who write on topics like driving safely in San Antonio and school guides. If it has to do with being a mom in San Antonio, weve probably already covered it, Gentis said. The website became more valuable during the last two years as mothers dealt with new obstacles brought on by the pandemic like virtual learning and social distancing. During the last two years, the website's private Facebook group has grown to more than 7,000 members. Alamo City Moms, which is one of 11 City Moms Collective chapters in Texas, hosts events like play dates for children and mom's night out. Most events, however, have been put on pause during the pandemic. Were passionate about connecting with other moms and making it seem like this whole mom-world thing is not so big and showing them that theyre not going through this alone, Gentis said. Malak.Silmi@express-news.net An elderly woman was killed in an overnight fire in her East Side home Thursday morning. When firefighters arrived to the 200 block of Utah Street just after 1 a.m., they found heavy flames on the back side of the house. Crews started an aggressive interior attack and were forced to go into defensive operations due to worsening fire conditions and extremely high heat, said San Antonio Fire spokesperson Woody Woodward. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio police officer arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated Firefighters rescued one man from the burning home but had to pull out of the home during the initial search and were unable to reach the woman. When crews were able to get the fire under control firefighters went back inside, but found the 90-year-old woman dead. The man was taken to the hospital with some burns. It took about 30 minutes for firefighters to contain the fire. The home was a total loss. Thursday's fire marks the 5th fire fatality of 2022 and the third deadly blaze this week. A body was found inside a home Wednesday in the 9800 block of Misty Plain Drive after a fire broke out just before 7 a.m. Because of the extremely cluttered home, firefighters didn't locate the person during the preliminary search but found the body during a second search. Early Tuesday morning, a bed-bound 67-year-old woman was found dead after a blaze started in her home in the 9500 block of Mider Drive. Her husband escaped the home safely. Taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway A Bexar County sheriffs deputy wont face punishment for tasing an unarmed immigrant child at a federally funded migrant childrens shelter in 2020. Deputy Patrick Divers was placed on paid administrative leave after the news site Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting and the Express-News published body camera footage of the incident in June 2021. In December, the department told Reveal reporters that Divers had returned to work, but the investigation was ongoing. A month later, Deputy Johnny Garcia said in an email that the investigation into Divers had concluded in July. In the end, Divers paid administrative leave lasted 10 days. A copy of the internal affairs investigation obtained by reporters through a public records request concluded that Divers followed protocol when he tased the unarmed migrant child for half a minute. Divers tased the boy in May 2020. In the bodycam footage, Divers arrives at Southwest Key Casa Blanca, a government-sponsored shelter in San Antonio. Staff there had called 911 after the boy, who had fled Honduras at age 15, refused to go to class and had allegedly broken some bed frames and storage bins. Divers, a 27-year veteran of the department, didnt request evidence of the childs alleged wrongdoing before tasing him, according to the footage. The deputy didnt attempt to have his orders translated into Spanish by the bilingual shelter staff, nor did he tell the boy that he was under arrest. Bodycam footage obtained from the Bexar County Sheriffs Office He ordered the teen in English to stand up and turn around. The child showed no signs of fighting back or resisting arrest. Divers then shot the boy with his Taser and repeatedly pulsed the weapon on his torso and thighs for 35 seconds, the footage shows. Divers arrested the boy on a charge of criminal mischief. Its unclear what ultimately happened with the criminal case because of juvenile privacy laws. On ExpressNews.com: Im going to tase this kid: Government shelters are turning refugee children over to police The internal affairs report says Divers utilized reasonable force based on the circumstances that (the deputy) had at the time the force was used. In its justification, the report cites what it calls the childs aggressive behavior, prior assaultive behavior, and additional pertinent information provided by staff members at the facility. But Divers hadnt been told any allegations about the childs past behavior until after the tasing, according to his bodycam footage. That information was shared by the childs then-case manager, Julie Tamez, who later said she regretted what happened and wanted to apologize to the teen for her part in what occurred. The internal affairs investigation also concluded that, because he was able to state his age, the child understands some of the English language. In the video, the child is seen tying the string on his pants, which the sheriffs investigation interpreted as a flight risk, writing that tying ones pants has been established through training as a clue that the child was preparing to fight or run. Bodycam footage obtained from the Bexar County Sheriffs Office The child was released from federal custody when he turned 18; he remains in the United States while he seeks asylum. After he was released, the teen told Reveal he understood that he was being told to stand up and did so - but he didnt understand that Divers was ordering him to turn around. He also explained that he tied his pants because he was worried they would fall down. The departments investigation found that Divers failed to notify supervisors in a timely manner about his Taser use. Divers submitted a use-of-force form that day, but he did not verbally notify the on-duty supervisor of the tasing, which prevented the supervisor from investigating and obtaining photographs of the childs injuries, according to the report. In a written statement to internal affairs, Lt. Kenneth Murray recalled that when he walked into the sergeants office that day, two sergeants were in an uproar because an officer had used their Taser earlier in the shift and they did not know about it, the report states. The internal investigation found that Divers violated two subsections of the countys civil service rules : Poor Job Performance and conduct which has proven to be detrimental or has an adverse effect on the Sheriff's Office, but the report doesnt describe why. Finally, the sheriffs investigation found that Divers failed to advise his supervisor of the teens immigration status. That would have allowed Salazars department to alert immigration authorities of the childs presence in the United States. The sheriffs office said in an email that Divers couldnt be disciplined for any policy violations because hes covered by a collective bargaining agreement that shields deputies from discipline 180 days after any given incident. But the union behind that agreement, the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Bexar County, disagrees with the sheriffs framing, alleging that Salazar is using the 180-day rule to avoid criticism for keeping Divers on the job. The union contract includes a provision that allows the sheriffs office to seek disciplinary action at any time in cases that involve criminal conduct, which according to the contract, does not require that a criminal charge be filed against the employee. Ron DeLord, an attorney and chief negotiator for the union, said the sheriff could have pursued discipline against Divers, if the investigation merited it, under this category. He tased someone. Now that could be a criminal charge, couldnt it? DeLord said. Police just cant shoot you with a Taser if they want to. When reporters asked about the criminal conduct provision, the sheriffs office said there was no criminality found from the investigation that was conducted by the Public Integrity Unit, regarding the tasing incident. The department later suspended Divers for 10 days for an unrelated incident. Divers is appealing; the department wont disclose details of the incident. Reveal also has obtained new records that raise questions about whether the sheriffs office knew about the childs tasing immediately after it happened. Last summer, the agency said it did not know about the May 2020 incident until reporters brought it to the sheriffs attention. But Divers completed a use-of-force report the day of the tasing. It was signed by a supervisor and forwarded to internal affairs, records show. An internal affairs investigation conducted at that time would not have run up against the 180-day limit for punishment. Reporters asked to speak with Salazar about the incident on at least a dozen occasions since May. Despite repeated statements from his office that staffers would check his availability, his team formally declined an interview last month. Divers couldnt be reached for comment. Records indicate Divers was represented by Ben Sifuentes, a San Antonio criminal and employment defense attorney. Sifuentes did not return calls for comment. Ananda Tomas, executive director of ACT 4 SA, a grassroots advocacy organization focused on police reform initiatives, said she disagrees with the sheriffs decision to not hold Divers accountable. A 16-year-old boy was tased for 35 seconds. Thats serious damage to a young boy physically. Adults who are much larger have been killed by Tasers. What we have here is excessive force, she said. It clearly should have been a criminal conduct investigation. A new Bexar County union contract, approved by the county commission this week, includes changes to the 180-day language. It gives the sheriffs office 180 days to discipline deputies for minor misconduct from the time an incident is discovered, 365 days for major misconduct and 730 days for misconduct that led to significant personal, physical, or mental injury or violations of constitutional rights. The tasing incident was part of a larger pattern in the shelter system for migrant children. Reveals investigation found that a number of the governments shelters have been turning to police to manage the sort of behavior that could be expected of children, in particular isolated refugee children. Over the previous six years, shelters had discharged at least 84 children, from ages 11 to 17, to local law enforcement, according to data obtained after Reveal sued the federal government. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, called for a federal investigation into the issue last year. Its unclear whether the government has investigated the tasing or the broader practice of involving local police in incidents that involve migrant childrens emotional outbursts. This story was produced by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit newsroom. Sign up to follow this investigation and more at revealnews.org/newsletter. Long anticipated but nonetheless dreaded, the 56-hour closure of Interstate 10 in Boerne this weekend will inconvenience drivers but allow Texas Department of Transportation crews to demolish the old Texas 46 overpass. It starts at 8 p.m. Friday and wont let up until 5 a.m. Monday, with all traffic in both directions shunted to the frontage roads. The bridge removal project is not to be confused with the one that happened on Main Street last year after a delay of many months from weather and the discovery of migratory birds nesting underneath the span. This is Texas 46, one exit to the north, called Bandera Road on this side of Boerne not to be confused with Bandera Road in San Antonio, the local name for Texas 16 on the Northwest Side. Reconstructing both bridges has been part of a massive project that started in 2017 and is reportedly TxDOTs largest investment in Kendall Countys section of the freeway since the Texas portion of the interstate highway system began in 1959. On ExpressNews.com: Some find bird-driven delays to Boernes highway bridge project hard to swallow The hard part of all this has been having back-to-back exits closing I-10, said Boerne communications director Chris Shadrock. Its coming all at once and can feel overwhelming, but were just excited to get it done and that theres an end in sight. Were encouraging folks this weekend to just hunker down and not try to cross the I-10 intersection at that point, he said. The demolition work will not involve the use of explosives, said TxDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Serold. Westbound and eastbound traffic on I-10 will be reduced to one lane at first, and then directed to frontage roads. Follow the posted detour signs. Off-duty police will be there to help drivers. bselcraig@express-news.net Pinnacle Kids Academy a local daycare accused in a lawsuit of failing to prevent an alleged sexual assault of a 3-year-old girl on its campus has suspended the employee named in the suit, while saying that theres no evidence such an assault occurred. The daycares public response, in a statement issued Wednesday, comes after the parents involved said their daughter physically demonstrated being touched while the employee changed her diaper in January. The family, which filed its lawsuit Friday in Bexar County District Court, is seeking $10 million in damages. Pinnacle Kids Academy said it is cooperating in an investigation into the matter. We take all claims seriously, but we have found absolutely no evidence so far that would substantiate this claim, daycare officials said. The two sides have made various accusations and counteraccusations since the parents lawsuit was announced by Cesar Ornelas Law, which is representing the plaintiffs. Pinnacle Kids Academy also said that the parents did not tell the daycare about the girls accusation and that her father physically assaulted the employee. Asked whether any assault charges were pressed against the father stemming from the alleged assault, daycare officials said they could not comment further. While Cesar Ornelas Law said it cannot comment directly on the allegation against its client, it said that any parent would have an emotional reaction to their 3-year-old daughter being sexually assaulted by an adult male at school. On ExpressNews.com: Daycare faces $10M lawsuit after 3-year-old says worker sexually assaulted her during diaper change The familys lawyer did, however, dispute Pinnacle Kids assertion that the daycare not the parents reported the alleged sexual assault to Child Protective Services, which is investigating the daycare, after the fathers attack. Cesar Ornelas Law said the parents went to the San Antonio Police Department immediately and that the girl underwent a sexual assault nurse exam the night she told her parents. After the exam, the familys lawyer said, the father notified the school and then contacted the law firm for assistance. Pinnacle Kids Academy is desperately trying to cover up their employees sexual assault of a three-year-old girl as the school is frankly lying, the attorneys said. The accused employee is not being identified in this article because he has not responded to the allegation, nor have criminal charges been filed. Police neither confirmed nor denied that they are investigating the allegation. Regarding the alleged sexual assault, Pinnacle Kids said in its statement that the description of it is not supported by any facts, evidence or video recordings that its has of every classroom. Cesar Ornelas Law, meanwhile, said it has evidence to refute that claim and that such evidence will be brought forth during discovery. The daycares video surveillance claim is yet another absurd cover-up attempt as it would be extremely alarming to film a minors private parts, the familys attorney said. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio police officer arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated The employee, who is suspended with pay, passed all required background checks, Pinnacle Kids said. Daycare officials said they are fully cooperating with authorities investigating the matter. We strongly caution against jumping to conclusions before the investigation has been completed, the daycare said. The safety and welfare of the children in our care remain our highest priority. jbeltran@express-news.net After the February 2021 winter storm blew through Texas, it left an estimated 3.8 million fish dead and an unknown number of casualties among the state's urban dwelling Mexican free-tailed bat population, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife report. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonians paid to name cockroaches after their exes. These were the most popular names. The storms record-breaking freezing temperatures were so impactful on Texas bay systems that TPWD deputy director of the coastal fisheries division called it the largest freeze-related fish kill since 1980. The exact extent of February 2021s winter storm is unclear, as much of what is known was reported to the state agency by residents or on social media, the report said. But the damage was widespread, resulting in the deaths of exotic wildlife and other species across the state, according to the report. About half of the water bucks in the Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area near San Angelo died. The fish killed during the storm were in Matagorda Bay, San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay and the Upper and Lower Laguna Madres. The majority were non-recreational species, including pinfish, spot, silver perch, mullet and other foraging fish. At least 328,000 game fish were killed, with spotted seatrout accounting for almost half of the fatalities. But fish werent the only coastal species that struggled during the storm. About 13,000 cold-stunned sea turtles along the states southern coast were saved after water temperatures dipped below 50 degrees. On ExpressNews.com: This will change Buda forever: 2,500-home project pits Austin developer against the city of 18,000 Turtles can die from hypothermia unless they are moved to a warmer place. Many Mexican free-tailed bats, who usually migrate from Texas in the winter, either overstayed or returned early during what had been a mild winter up until the storm, according to the report. Those bats did not fare too well, TPWD bat biologist Nate Fuller said in the report. Fat stores were used to fight cold instead of foraging. They also used their metabolic water and likely died from starvation or dehydration." Mexican free-tailed bats can typically handle temperatures in the low 40s. But with sustained temperatures far below freezing for several days, this especially caused deadly consequences for bats roosting under bridges that were exposed to the cold for longer. The full extent is unknown some populations came perilously close to serious impacts, Fuller said. While the loss of wildlife was significant, TPWD said that much of these species have a strong chance of bouncing back from the damages. "Nature is very resilient," Craig Hensley of TPWD's Nature Trackers said in the report. "The fish are going to recover. The turtles will recover. It won't be instantaneous; it will take time. If some of the plants were damaged, they will hopefully recover, too. Insects are out and about; wildflowers are blooming. Species will recover with time." Timothy.Fanning@express-news.net Gorillas are coming back to the San Antonio Zoo more than 30 years after the last one moved out. The zoo is fundraising to create one of the largest gorilla habitats in the U.S., using an area currently known as the Tree Top, the organization announced Wednesday. The new 2-acre habitat, called Congo Falls, is in its final design stages. It will feature unique spaces, vistas and opportunities for exploration by guests and gorillas, officials said. We cant overstate the excitement we have for bringing gorillas back to San Antonio Zoo, Tim Morrow, the zoos president and CEO, said in a news release. We are one of just a few large city zoos that do not care for great apes, such as gorillas. Many children and adults in our community have never had the opportunity to see and learn about this amazing species. They now will. J.B. Hazlett-Shilts/San Antonio Express-News J.B. Hazlett/San Antonio Express-News Mopie was San Antonio's beloved ape at the zoo for many years. ( J.B. Hazlett-Shilts/San Antonio Express-News) Mopie was San Antonio's beloved ape at the zoo for many years. ( J.B. Hazlett-Shilts/San Antonio Express-News) The zoos animal care team is working to secure gorillas for the new habitat through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Member zoos work together to develop healthy, genetically diverse animal populations through the associations Species Survival Plan Program. On ExpressNews.com: Watch: The Zoos big cats were going bonkers recently Mopie, the zoos last gorilla resident, left San Antonio in 1990 to return to the Smithsonians National Zoo. The Tree Top has been void of animal habitats and experiences for over a decade, officials said. The latest announcement comes as the zoo continues to undergo improvements aimed at providing better accessibility and safety, as well as larger, more natural habitats, officials said. These improvements include the recent opening of Neotropica, a realm that resembles a remote fishing village on the coast of Mexico featuring a one-of-a-kind jaguar skywalk. Other modifications include a redesigned entrance and the upcoming makeover of Kronkoskys Tiny Tot Nature Spot, which is a $2 million, donor-funded project. Anyone wanting to contribute to the Congo Falls project may email the zoos development team at development@sazoo.org. Courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo jbeltran@express-news.net Amid rising tension over City Council staffers getting paid less on average and having fewer benefits than regular city employees an attorney has warned a lawsuit could be coming the San Antonio City Council unanimously approved increasing the fund set aside to pay their aides by 15 percent Thursday. Read details of the new funding and how the contract workers are paid compared to city workers at ExpressNews.com: Although no council member specified at the meeting exactly how and when they will use the increased funds, some council aides said their bosses have said they will be seeing raises shortly, while others are still waiting to learn whats going to happen next. This effort has been years in the making and I am happy to see the funds requested finally made available, said Councilman Roberto Trevino, who proposed the increase last year. Each council member will now get $592,556 for staff salaries and expenses, including benefits such as health insurance, parking allowance, vehicle allowance, phone allowance, student loan repayment and matching contributions to an individual retirement account. Click through the gallery to see the median, average, and top salaries of each council member's office: Including the mayor, who gets the same amount, the council staff compensation fund now totals $6.5 million across the board. Average salary of each council members office - from lowest to highest: 10. Manny Pelaez -- $42,638 9. Jada Andrews-Sullivan -- $43,625 8. Roberto Trevino -- $47,760 7. Shirley Gonzales -- $50,100 6. Rebecca Viagran -- $51,362 5. Ana Sandoval -- $51,848 4. John Courage $53,000 3. Adriana Rocha Garcia -- $56,444 2. Clayton Perry -- $57,153 1. Melissa Cabello Havrda -- $60,000 Data is based on the January 2020 payroll figures, which were obtained through a public record request with the city. sara.cline@express-news.net Generations of Mexicans and Mexican Americans know exactly whats meant by the number 41. But some may not know the history of the homophobic slur, which dates to 1901. On Nov. 18 of that year, a Sunday, police raided a party at a private home in Mexico City. The attendees were gay men, some dressed in womens clothing. Newspaper accounts described them as aristocrats. The raid resulted in arrests and beatings. The men were paraded in public and humiliated. It was a scandal. There mightve been 42 men at the party, but the headlines said 41. Thats the number who disappeared who were killed or banished to work camps. Today, the story is being retold as a landmark event in LGBTQ history on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. A collection of scholarly essays, The Famous 41: Sexuality and Social Control in Mexico, 1901, is a leading source of information about this shameful chapter in Mexican gay history. The film El Baile de los 41 (Dance of the 41), which premiered on Netflix in 2021, presents a fictionalized version of the story. It zeroes in on the 42nd man, depicted as the real-life Ignacio de la Torre, son-in-law of Porfirio Diaz, then president of Mexico. He is said to have been released because of his high connections, leaving just 41. A Mexican newspaper, the Yucatan Times, revisited the episode last year and quoted Francisco Uriquizo, a historian and chronicler of the Mexican Revolution, describing how the number became infamous, even unmentionable: In Mexico, the number 41 has no validity and is offensive to Mexicans. There is no division, regiment, or battalion in the army that bears the number 41. They go up to 40, and from there, they skip to 42. There is nothing that has line 41. The newspaper detailed the bestial punishment to which some of the 41 were subjected forced to sweep the streets dressed as women, attacked by a mob, sent to the jungles of the Yucatan to do military service. The slur 41 may still be in use, though perhaps less so than when it was used to terrorize gay boys on the playground at Franklin D. Roosevelt Elementary School on San Antonios West Side, where I heard it more than 65 years after the police raid. As a child, I knew no one wanted to be associated with the number. As the older sister of a gay boy, I knew when a homophobic bully was headed his way on the playground. Today, 41 is being reclaimed, as has the word queer, to defy homophobia and empower young people struggling to come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. 41 is also being reclaimed in order to tell LGBTQ+ history more fully and more truthfully, said Alberto Mendoza, founder of the national nonprofit Honor 41, which showcases an LGBTQ honor roll online. So far, Mendoza has produced more than 260 videos of Honor 41 honorees telling their stories. Mendoza is managing director of the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships at Stanford University. Before that, he was executive director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, where he crossed paths with many Latino journalists. I was called 41 as a teenager, he said. The number tormented and haunted him. When Mendoza was about to turn 41, he launched Honor 41 to reclaim, educate others about the story and celebrate our community. He hopes Honor 41s profiles in courage can be healing and cathartic, as the work has been for him. Maybe it helps our parents as well, he said. Reclaiming 41 is also about diversifying LGBTQ+ history, which often has focused on the stories of gay white men. Its not exactly our Stonewall, Mendoza said, but the 1901 raid has been compared to the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York Citys Greenwich Village, a watershed moment in the gay rights movement. Several San Antonians are on the Honor 41 honor roll, including Maria Salazar, a lawyer and child and family advocate. She only vaguely remembers hearing the slur, which wasnt aimed at her. She learned of it as others do now as a history lesson. The same for San Antonio LGBTQ+ activist Robert Salcido, who calls himself a queer Latino and was recognized by Honor 41 a year ago. Salcido, executive director of the Pride Center San Antonio, and Salazar join a longer list of honorees who were born here, live here or are otherwise associated with San Antonio. Salazar said shes honored to be included but surprised by who is not yet on the list. She mentioned Graciela Sanchez, executive director of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, and Bexar County Court of Law Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, the first openly gay Latina judge elected in the county. Salcido said Honor 41s work is especially important given the rise of anti-LGBTQ legislation in Texas and other states. In that context, all this is slow going. But by embracing a painful history, Honor 41 is remembering those men persecuted more than a century ago in the most powerful way: through story. eayala@express-news.net U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, is pushing new legislation to prevent members of the military from losing their jobs if they refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The bill, introduced Tuesday, would scrap President Joe Bidens vaccine mandate for service members and reinstate those who have already been fired for declining the shots. Seven other Republicans are co-sponsoring the measure, including U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Texas Reps. Michael Cloud, Louie Gohmert and Van Taylor. Because of President Bidens power-hungry, anti-science COVID-19 vaccine mandate, hundreds of valuable American service members are being forced out of our military, taking with them years of subject-matter expertise, careers of selfless sacrifice, and lifelong dreams of military service, Roy said in a release. This is strategically foolish, profoundly un-American, and completely unacceptable. The legislation has little chance of moving forward under the Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Still, it marks the latest effort from Texas Republicans to rebuke federal vaccine requirements, which state leaders have also challenged in court and through executive orders. RELATED: Gov. Abbott seeks to overturn National Guard vaccine requirement in federal court The Biden administration announced the mandate for the armed forces last August, requiring members to get vaccinated later that year. The Army announced last week that it would immediately dismiss soldiers who havent yet been inoculated, joining other branches of the military that are already discharging unvaccinated service members. Army readiness depends on soldiers who are prepared to train, deploy, fight and win our nations wars, Christine Wormuth, the secretary of the Army, said in a statement last week. Unvaccinated soldiers present risk to the force and jeopardize readiness. We will begin involuntary separation proceedings for soldiers who refuse the vaccine order and are not pending a final decision on an exemption. Though members can apply for religious or medical exemptions, they are very rarely allowed. To date, more than 700 individuals have been discharged for refusing to get the shots, Military.com reported Wednesday. Still, they represent just a small fraction of the military about 97 percent of active service members have received at least one dose, according to the Pentagon. Members of the military are already required to get several other vaccines, including those for polio, chickenpox and measles-mumps-rubella. cayla.harris@express-news.net Despite fiery anti-China rhetoric from the states Republican political leadership, Texas has more than $9 billion invested in the economic success of the Communist nation and the real number is almost certainly far higher. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, both U.S. Senators from Texas and many other elected Republicans of the state have spoken out over the years against Chinas Communist Party and human rights abuses in that country. Abbott signed a law last year designating China as a hostile nation. Just last month, state Attorney General Ken Paxton compared Communist China to 1930s Germany literally in the same breath. The Republican National Committee has criticized a large California pension fund for investing far less than Texas funds have invested, and former President Donald Trump in 2020 directed federal pension funds to avoid Chinese stocks. Continued investment in Chinese stocks would place millions of federal employees in the untenable position of choosing between forgoing any investment in international equities, or placing billions of dollars in retirement savings in risky companies that pose a threat to U.S. national security, Trumps labor secretary at the time wrote. Yet through Texas seven public pension funds, which are fueled primarily by contributions from members but are guaranteed and backed by state taxpayer dollars, $9.12 billion is invested in companies in China representing a multi-billion dollar bet in the success of the Communist countrys economy. That figure includes only state-level pension funds and its made up of mainly stock holdings in large, public Chinese companies like Tencent or Alibaba. SPYING ACCUSATIONS: After sudden order to close Houstons Chinese consulate, a fire and accusation of Communist spies The largest state pension fund, the Teachers Retirement System, has the most invested in China about $6 billion followed by the Texas County & District Retirement System at $1.6 billion, the Employees Retirement System of Texas at $775 million and the Texas Municipal Retirement System at about $720 million. You make these huge investments in the Chinese economy even though you face not only economic risk, you face a lot of political risk doing that, said John Diamond, director of the Center for Public Finance at Rices Baker Institute. It doesnt really make sense. Its kind of like talking out of both sides of your mouth. On one hand you say youre going to be tough with China but then when it comes to investments and where to put our money, then we are or at least the pension funds are very quick to chase returns. Abbott and Paxtons offices did not reply to requests for comment. Generally, theres a dividing line between decisions made by politicians and those made by the pension money managers, but that line is not impassable. The Legislature has over the years ordered pension funds to divest from companies that boycott Israel, from Sudanese and Iranian companies and those of other nations believed to sponsor terrorism. ANTI-CHINA RHETORIC IN 2022 PRIMARY: Houston lawmakers from both parties decry candidates call to ban international college students from China In the past states have ordered pension funds to divest from Apartheid South Africa and from the tobacco industry, and of late, some states have considered divestment from carbon-heavy energy. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Harris County Republican who serves on the Senate Finance Committee, said he expects the Legislature next session to consider divesting from China. Bettencourt, the former leader of the Senate Republican Caucus, emphasized he was speaking for himself. Its not just the human rights, which I think has clearly gotten worse over a period or time, but how individuals or companies are treated, said Bettencourt, who added that he has chosen not to watch the winter Olympics because its being held in Beijing. The key question Bettencourt intends to put before lawmakers and the state pension boards is whether financial investments in China are smart given that the rules of doing business can change quickly with the whims of the Chinese Communist Party. Its not the same governmental structure that were used to, and the rules can change rapidly, as weve seen, for other companies and for investments. So thats one of the downsides of investing in an environment that does not have a long history of having a stable environment for capital, he said. Greg Mennis, director of Pews public sector retirement systems project, said in an interview that the exclusions for Iran, Sudan and companies that boycott Israel are the most common based on an analysis of large state pension funds, and there dont appear to be any states or major pension funds that have forced divestitures from China. If they did, it would affect a substantially larger part of their overall investment portfolio than any exclusions considered before about 3 percent, he said, based on international index funds. The size of the impact in Iran and Sudan is relatively small, mainly because their economies are so much smaller, Mennis said. I think it would have a more significant effect than other countries that have been excluded in the past, simply because of the size of the Chinese economy. Market forces led to China Tim Lee, the president of the Retired Teachers Association board, said financial decisions are best left with the experts at the pension fund. I think its worth asking those questions sometimes, Lee said. But if elected officials become too involved in how pension funds make those decisions, the slippery slope is elected officials saying we were successful with x, now you should do y. Mennis said that its the consensus view of fiduciary experts that its bad for business to ban funds from investing their money how they wish. The Pew Research Centers tracker of pension debt indicates that the four biggest state pension funds are generally in good shape compared to the nationwide average, although they are still many billions short in assets of the amount they owe in pension benefits. Pew estimates Texas pension funds hold assets to cover 69 percent of what is owed. Growing investment in China was caused by changing market forces over the last three decades, experts said, which pushed pension funds to move away from safer investments and seek riskier, higher-upside deals. The thought process is that even the U.S. will not be the best performing market year in and year out, and holding a global portfolio will over time be more efficient and less dependent on any one market, said Britt Harris, a former investment officer with TRS who is now the president and CEO of The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company. Over the last decade that assumption has been incorrect as the U.S. markets have generally led the world year in and year out. That may be about to change. Our mandate is to invest as effectively as we can within the laws and policies that apply to us. China is now the second largest market in the world for both stocks and bonds. We comply with all state and federal laws, including sanctions. $9.1 billion is tip of the iceburg Texas is not unique in its large investments in China. A Wall Street Journal article from last year highlighted that pension funds around the country have invested untold riches in the Chinese economy. Private equity deals greater than $300 million each climbed upward in China for most of the decade, totaling about $4 billion in 2018, the Journal wrote, and the U.S. private equity investment in China for the internet and technology industries alone in 2020 was more than $50 billion in 2018 it was nearly $70 billion. The $9.1 billion total disclosed by Texas public employee pension funds likely represents only a fraction of the total pension holdings in China. First, it only includes state-level pension funds, not the 92 local funds for firefighters, police and other municipal employees. Second, the same market forces that have pushed pensions to invest in Chinese and other foreign stocks have also pushed them to seek out alternative investments, including real estate, hedge funds and private equity. Based on the investment strategy policies published by the pension funds, the seven state funds in total invest about $43 billion with private equity firms. Money for such investments is given to large firms specializing in them, and their holdings are exempt from disclosure under state law. Spokespeople for several of the funds said their estimates of investments in China included those through alternative investments, but the $6 billion estimate of Chinese investments reported by TRS the largest fund only includes public stock holdings, per Rob Maxwell, a spokesman for the pension, excluding real estate and private equity. TRS sets aside 14 percent of its roughly $200 billion, or about $27.5 billion, for private equity, which frequently includes investment in China or other developing countries. The reason that financial disclosures for such investments are more murky is because real estate funds, private equity firms and hedge funds want to protect commercial confidentiality and the pension funds want to maintain access to their higher returns. The Legislature, in its wisdom, has legislated what we must be transparent about and what we must keep confidential. They made that trade off because they recognize a balance must exist, and they want the funds to achieve their assumed rate of return, which they likely would not if they were prohibited from investing in professionally managed private funds, Harris said. edward.mckinley@chron.com Ana Polanco is a human rights attorney. She worked with victims of gang violence and displaced people in South America until gang-led death threats forced the Salvadoran to seek asylum in the U.S. Nearly three years ago, she started over in San Antonio, along with her husband and two children. Now, years after finishing law school in El Salvador, the 41-year-old is a graduate of the citys Train for Jobs program and embarking on a new American dream. Growing up poor in rural El Salvador, her dream was to always have a bottle of milk and corn flakes in her kitchen, she said. Polanco received her GED and finished a customer service training course at Restore Education through the city-funded job training program, and the nonprofit also helped get her degrees recognized here. Now, her dream is to help migrants in need at the border putting her legal training back to use. Restore, for me, represents a light, Polanco said in Spanish. I needed the support of Restore to be able to look for the equivalence (transcripts) of my academic career. On ExpressNews.com: City pushes for commitments from San Antonio employers to hire Ready to Work participants Jerry Lara /Staff photographer Shes one of nearly 2,300 people so far to receive training through Train for Jobs, which the city launched in fall 2020. Its goal is to help San Antonios economy rebound from the pandemic-induced crash by helping laid-off workers find long-term jobs and better pay. The effort has been far from perfect, with trainees complaining of an at-times disorganized program, one that fell short of original goals of placing 10,000 people in new jobs. But it has provided a safety net for thousands, many of whom said Train for Jobs lifted them into a better situation over the past two years. In all, more than 5,000 people enrolled. Train for Jobs was funded with about $55 million from the citys general fund after federal CARES Act dollars freed up money for other city needs. The programs goal was to offer short-term training and GED courses for workers after the pandemic wiped out more than 140,000 jobs across the city in spring 2020. Participants receive a stipend and support services, such as child care, assistance paying bills or clothes for an interview. Train for Jobs was the precursor to the more ambitious four-year Ready to Work program thats set to start enrolling trainees in April. In November 2020, San Antonio voters overwhelmingly approved dedicating a one-eighth-cent sales tax to provide it nearly $200 million over four years. Ready to Work will offer free tuition or training through numerous providers for residents who are older than 18, eligible to work in the United States and make less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level, which is about $34,000 for an individual. Participants will be able to pursue associate or bachelors degrees or enter training for industry-recognized certificates. While that program is launching, Train for Jobs will continue working with early adopters such as Polanco, who also received a bilingual customer service certification that allowed her to get a job at a charter school and gain experience working in the U.S. While she used the program to realize long-held dreams, others used it as a bridge from pandemic unemployment to new careers. Some also have used it to increase earning power in a city where 13.5 percent of residents live in poverty. A mothers opportunity Stephanie Cortez, 34, was her mothers caretaker when the pandemic hit. But when Train for Jobs started, Cortez a mother of sons ages 5 and 12 saw an opportunity. Though she never graduated from high school, she saw it as a way to obtain her GED from home while taking care of her children. An accelerated eight-week GED course at Restore Education, one of the programs primary training providers, helped her earn it. A GED class can often take well over a year to complete, but Cortez said she sped through the course and graduated in November 2020. My 5-year-old just got of the age to go to school, so Im like, While hes in school, I can do my school, she said. I spent night and day studying. After earning her GED, coordinators at Restore Education asked Cortez what her next step would be: college, job training or something else? The chance to receive a stipend while going through Train for Jobs attracted her, she said. My kids werent losing out because Mom is doing this, so shes not out making money for us, Cortez said. I was able to study to better my life for us. She began a two-month training course in phlebotomy. The day after receiving her certification last spring, Restore Education helped land Cortez an interview at a family medical practice. Shes been working there since last summer. I think I definitely have come far in the past two years, she said. Theyre offering (training) to you and paying you for it. It really helped me out a lot. Pandemic job loss In March 2020, Melissa Farias, 58, was off work for spring break from her job as office manager at Castle Hills Christian School. She never went back to work her position was eliminated in those early days of the pandemic. After a few months, Farias decided to take a class at San Antonio College to finish an associate degree she had started years earlier. When Train for Jobs launched that fall, she enrolled and the program paid her tuition. Josie Norris /San Antonio Express-News Farias got her degree in accounting technology last fall. She interviewed with local nonprofit Endeavors afterward. I wanted to go into a career that was going to be long-lasting, she said. Farias landed a position as a financial assistance coordinator. Now shes working with a grant to provide funding to landlords so tenants can stay housed. I wouldve been homeless or living with family without Train for Jobs, Farias said. I get to pay it forward. A programs evolution Results from Train for Jobs improved markedly after the programs first few months, which were marred by technical glitches for people trying to apply and a lack of enthusiasm among major San Antonio employers. By the end of January, 1,140 people had landed jobs through the initiative and participants were making about $2 more per hour than before. Nearly two-thirds of those have been hired in the past six months. About 80 percent of participants in Train for Jobs are Black or Hispanic, and almost 70 percent are women. Nearly two-thirds of participants were living at or below the poverty line when they entered the program. Enrollment in Train for Jobs ended Dec. 31, but participants are continuing in the program. Nearly 2,400 people are still in training, and another 1,100 have finished and are looking for work. City leaders expect thousands more San Antonians will find work through Train for Jobs this year. It didnt get off to that roaring start like everybody hoped it would, said Mike Ramsey, who was hired in August to oversee the effort as director of the citys workforce development office. But when you think about where were at now as opposed to where we were six months ago, I think were in a really strong position. Still, just half of training graduates so far have landed positions. Of those, 56 percent are making at least $15 an hour. An additional 411 people, about 8 percent of participants, dropped out. Ramsey and other city officials say Train for Jobs is a distinctly different program than Ready to Work will be, that it was developed on the fly as the pandemic reshaped the labor market. The older program was crafted by three city staffers before Ramsey arrived last year to establish the new workforce department. They were doing their best and working hard to prop this initiative up, he said. Its night and day from having kind of a borrowed skeleton crew of three to having a department of 11 now. The city did minimal marketing for Train for Jobs, Ramsey said. For Ready to Work, the city is paying San Antonio-based agency Creative Noggin $1.6 million over six years for marketing. A big miss, Ramsey and others said, was that city staffers didnt have time to work with employers to figure out what jobs were most in demand before launching Train for Jobs. Josie Norris / San Antonio Express-News Whats different This time around, city officials have been engaging with dozens of employers in the past year. About 70 companies so far have signed a pledge saying theyll look to hire Ready to Work graduates. By launch, the city hopes to have 200 signed up. The city is also paying SA WORX an arm of the development nonprofit greater:SATX $100,000 to figure out what the in-demand jobs will be over the next few years. For example, if local manufacturers say they need dozens of workers with certain machine skills, the city could tell its training providers to emphasize those courses. If the positions dont pay at least $15 an hour, the city wouldnt fund training, City Manager Erik Walsh said. Our aha moment last July was when we realized through Train for Jobs, were working with agencies that do the training, but where are the employers? Walsh said. We started spending a lot more time with the employers. Train for Jobs courses trained workers for a range of industries, from health care and information technology to manufacturing. The courses typically last eight to 12 weeks. On ExpressNews.com: With interest in city-funded job training picking up, program opened to more residents For their part, employers who have hired people through Train for Jobs said the program helped them find people amid the continuing labor shortage. Because the training courses are short, though, employers typically offered their own training as well. Methodist Healthcare System hired more than 60 participants, many of whom came on as patient care technician apprentices. The company put them through six weeks of additional training. Trainees become full-time employees after passing a certification test. We hire patient care techs outside of this program, but they dont have the same level of training, said Pam McDonald, director of talent acquisition for Methodist Healthcare System. Once they become employees, they have an even wider range of opportunities to advance their careers. Toyotetsu, an on-site parts supplier for Toyotas South Side plant, has hired 25 Train for Jobs participants. Its a great way in this very challenging hiring time to get a pipeline of interested candidates, said Leslie Cantu, vice president of administration for Toyotetsu. We bring those individuals in through the entry level, but then we give them an opportunity to continue their training. Program differences When Ready to Work starts this spring, participants will not receive a stipend a major difference from its predecessor. People in Train for Jobs receive $15 an hour for the time they spend in school or training each week. Trainees largely said they appreciated the stipend but it wasnt enough to live on. And it was inconsistent: Some courses paid participants for their time in class while others didnt, seemingly arbitrarily, participants said. If I had Zoom meetings with classmates, sometimes it was paid for. Sometimes it wasnt, said Farias, who paired the stipend with her savings to make it through training. The stipend would not have let me survive with a mortgage. When Dyvontrae Johnson, 31, entered an IT training course last year, he said he thought the city would pay participants $450 per week during training, equivalent to $15 an hour over 40 hours. Because the city paid based on time spent in class, Johnson said his stipend was only $120 per week, well below what he had budgeted for. He said textbooks for a three-week breakneck course arrived on the third week. And job placement through Train for Jobs was abysmal, Johnson said. Ramsey acknowledged the problem, saying training providers werent held to a standard on job placement. The accountability wasnt quite there, he said. In Ready to Work, training providers must place at least 80 percent of graduates into jobs. Ramsey said the new programs goal is to get about 16,000 people into higher-paying jobs over the next four years. That number has shifted since Mayor Ron Nirenberg originally said the program would help 40,000 people get a new economic start. City staffers have said the target has shifted as the budget and costs became clearer. Suggesting the city could train 10,000 people per year was always overly ambitious, said Jeffrey Wenger, a senior policy researcher at RAND Corp., a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. That would require training about 1 percent of all workers in San Antonio annually. But regardless of how many people graduate from Ready to Work, Wenger said, a well-managed citywide job-training program that works hand in hand with local employers could have really positive results. You have to have quality workers that have the capable skills that firms need, he said. We tend to underinvest in sub-baccalaureate, sub-college skills training. So this is a really important step. We cant always look to the workers. For Farias, Train for Jobs was just the first step. Shes now pursuing a bachelors in accounting at UTSA. And down the line, Farias wants to start her own enterprise helping local small businesses with their bookkeeping. For years, I always thought that I had just a job something I needed to go do, and its just to make money to live, Farias said. But now, she said, I feel that I have a career. diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net Above, from video of an arrival at Westchester County Airport, tweeted by a New York Republican with subtitles quoting a U.S. contractor off-camera regarding such "ghost flights" from the southern border. By James Varney, RealClearInvestigations February 10, 2022 After months of delay, the Department of Homeland Security replied late last month to a Congressional demand for information about the number of illegal migrants the department has flown from border towns to communities around the country. In 2021, it said, 71,617 were dropped off in nearly 20 cities including locales as far from the Mexican border as Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. Immigration experts critical of the Biden administrations permissive immigration policies believe those numbers are incomplete, especially regarding the most vulnerable migrants, those under 18, whom DHS classifies as "unaccompanied children." The agency says some 40,000 of the total transported are such minors, but that number is only a fraction of the 147,000 "encounters" the agency reports having with unaccompanied migrant children at the southern border between January and October 2021. Paramount among the questions raised by the transports is what happens to the unaccompanied children once they leave the airport? The major cities DHS lists, the experts say, are probably simply way stations rather than final destinations. Everyone wants to know where theyre going, but nobody knows, said Todd Bensman, a national security fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington-based think tank. Well, somebody knows, he adds. The government knows. But they are being as opaque and darkened-windows as they can be about the entire matter. The lack of information raises a host of questions regarding the health and welfare of the children, and more: What security checks are being performed -- and background checks to ensure these minors are going to safe homes? How can checks be conducted on family members in the U.S. illegally who wind up taking custody of the children (a problem highlighted in a 2019 study)? What processes are in place to ensure that these children have enough to eat, are receiving any necessary medical care, or are enrolled in school? What traumas or crimes have they suffered along the way, at the hands of human traffickers, for example, and how are the cases being handled? (Through a public records request, Judicial Watch last year obtained a list of 33 incidents of alleged sexual abuse in a one-month period in 2021.) What pandemic precautions have been taken, beyond masks seen in some furtively taken images of the transportees, by an administration that professes to be aggressively dedicated to eradicating COVID-19? (Illegal immigrants dispersed on commercial flights in 2021 were not tested for covid, and agencies did not follow preventive procedures, according to preliminary findings of a DHS Inspector General's report reviewed by RealClearInvestigations.) Who is responsible for making sure the migrants, children in particular, check in with the government and show up for court immigration hearings? The difficulty of getting answers from the Biden administration is frustrating many state and local officials who say that tracking the thousands of illegal immigrants apparently melting into their communities is a maddening endeavor. The Biden administration is running a clandestine, covert, middle-of-the-night, special ops mission using the same tradecraft the military does in operations against foreign enemies, said Larry Keefe, a senior policy adviser to Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. We dont know whats going on because the states are not designed to mount intelligence-gathering operations against our own government. The situation is complicated by the layers of groups involved. After a gumbo of federal agencies CBP, DHS, DHHS, ICE, ORR the government largely relies on nonprofit contractors to handle unaccompanied minors. While those groups present a rosy picture on their websites, it is unclear how they can handle what has proved a massive increase. In 2021, DHS shelters near the border and further inland took in 122,000 unaccompanied children, according to its figures, which shattered the previous record 69,000 in 2019. The unaccompanied children are but a portion of the illegal immigrants who flooded across the southern border in 2021. For the fiscal year ending last October, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 1.6 million "encounters" -- an all-time record and four times the figure the previous year. Although the number of encounters does not equal the number of people who crossed, given that some are repeat offenders, the actual figures are even higher, because CBP does not release the number of "got-aways" it records. Neither Homeland Security nor Health and Human Services nor the Office of Refugee Resettlement would answer questions about the resettlement process from RealClearInvestigations. But the huge increase in numbers means the organizations dealing with them are swamped. In many cases, responsibilities for placing unaccompanied children with families or sponsors are subcontracted through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, or ORR. In 2020, the most recent year for which figures were available, under the far more restrictive immigration policies of the Trump administration, taxpayers spent more than $1.5 billion among 42 various non-profit and religious groups that offer help with housing, educational, medical, legal and other services. More than $1 billion of that 2020 total was paid to six groups. The major recipient, Southwest Key Programs, received $400 million and a global nonprofit called BCFS received at least $253.1 million, according to tracking of ORR contracts by Maya Pagni Barak, a professor of criminology and criminal studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. None of the six groups would answer questions from RealClearInvestigations, instead referring them back to federal agencies in the kind of loop that has bedeviled others seeking information. This is all being done under the cover of darkness and no one really knows what is happening, said Rosemary Jenks, director of government relations at NumbersUSA, a group that favors immigration limits. Plus, theres so much confusion over who has custody over which groups. The groups handling unaccompanied children have sites scattered across the U.S., according to their websites. Southwest Key, for example, says it runs such shelters in 18 states, while BCFS lists shelters in a dozen states, from California and New York, to Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and elsewhere. A fact sheet from ICE notes that altogether there are sites for unaccompanied children in 22 states. Regarding shelter conditions, the operators' blanket silence beyond rosy website depictions is not a new development. In 2018, when the Trump administration's border policies were under scrutiny, Southwest Key barred Democratic Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley from inspecting its Casa Padre facility in a former Walmart in Brownsville, Texas. At that time, Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi declared the system "barbaric." In an effort to shed some light on the situation in Florida, Gov. DeSantis issued an executive order in September that told state law enforcement and other officials to begin gathering information on the number of illegal immigrants federal agencies were bringing to Florida and where they wind up. DeSantis took that step after accusing President Biden of abandoning any pretense of protecting the southern border. In the face of what Keefe and other Florida officials described as continued intransigence on the part of federal agencies flying and busing illegal immigrants into the Sunshine State, DeSantis has proposed a package of laws now pending before the legislature in Tallahassee that would codify the steps laid out in his executive order. The proposed measures would also prohibit state and local agencies from doing business with any private entities that facilitate the resettlement of illegal aliens in the state of Florida from the southern border. Floridas Department of Children and Families published an emergency rule in December that directly addresses the various non-profits and religious groups that contract with the federal government. The rule prohibits the issuance or renewal of any license to provide services to UAC who seek to be resettled in Florida, unless the state and the federal agencies can craft some cooperative agreement. Keefe said the governor's moves will also put a crimp in human smuggling. Because the children lack documentation to board international flights from Central American airports and others, someone is paying to have them brought from their country of origin to the U.S. border. These are often criminal organizations that are most likely paid by family members - with whom the children may be eventually reunited - or human trafficking syndicates posing as legitimate sponsors that might exploit them for nefarious purposes. "We don't have laws in place to investigate the federal government," Keefe said. "We're being kept in the dark by our own country on something that's definitely contributing to human smuggling because this is about bringing their kids here. Somebody drops the kids off at the border and then HHS is handing off to taxpayers the cost of flying them to illegal immigrant parents." Pennsylvania lawmakers are facing a similar situation. Keystone state senators remain dissatisfied with answers they have sought on flights packed with immigrants from the southern border that landed in the middle of the night in Scranton and other Pennsylvania airfields. In December, there were at least two so-called ghost flights into the Lehigh Valley, a tiny fraction of the more than 900 such domestic or lateral flights ICEs air arm flew around the U.S. in 2021. Republican State Sen. Doug Mastriano and others sought answers from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro, both Democrats. While Wolf said Scranton was simply a transit point, he offered no information on passengers that landed in the early morning darkness in Scranton. In a familiar refrain, the state lawmakers were told to direct their questions to the feds. Mastriano has now filed a series of FOIA requests of DHS and ICE, but he remains perplexed and angered at the reluctance of those involved in the system to provide clear answers. On two flights from El Paso to Scranton there were 120 passengers, many of which were minors, Mastriano said. Imagine that. I dont know who pays for their schooling or the impact on our community, and there is something fishy going on with all of it. The scant information that has been provided is unlikely to offer a complete picture, Mastriano told RCI. "I think these findings are just the tip of the iceberg," he said. "We need to further examine the total number of illegal immigrants being sent [here] by plane and bus. It's not just minors they are sending to Pennsylvania, its adults, too." (The Center Square) Montana taxpayers shouldn't worry about the state's budget once the influx of federal money runs out because of the approach state lawmakers took last session, according to a taxpayer advocacy group. Revenue estimates by Montana's Legislative Fiscal Division range from $181 million above forecasts to $956 million higher than set in the Legislatures joint balance budget resolution passed in January 2021. How long does that surplus go on? Because most analysts here think it's mainly driven by the federal stimulus money, Bob Story, executive director of the Montana Taxpayers Association, told The Center Square. Income and corporate taxes have also been a big a part of the states budget. Individual income tax collections through the end of December were $114.2 million, which was 12.7% above the year-to-date collections in fiscal year 2021, the Legislative Fiscal Division report said. Even without a surplus, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is expected to work on lowering income tax rates, something he accomplished in the last legislative session. In next years session, Story said he expects more legislation to further reduce rates, which would happen even without the big budget surplus. That was kind of one of his goals all along was to try to bring down, get back in line again with some of the surrounding states income tax rates, he said. Corporate income tax collections through the end of December were 29%, or $33.9 million above this time in fiscal year 2021, which was far above estimates. Coal, oil and gas tax revenues have been down a bit, but might be coming back up, Story said. But federal stimulus funding during the pandemic has supported the state budget. The American Rescue Plan Act provided $2.7 billion to the state in 2021. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act sent $1.25 billion to Montana and CARES Act II provided another $754 million in 2020. They did the best they were allowed to do to use it in existing programs where they could or use it ... in one-time-only expenditure. So, and I don't think there'll be a big, big hit when the federal money finally runs out, he said. Montana received $14 billion total in federal funding in the past 18 months, according to Story. A lot of that has been driving the economy, along with a pickup in the tourism industry. Whether the huge growth in revenue is something that will stay with us or its a bubble in the system, he said legislators are reluctant to use it to backfill local government revenue losses from property tax reductions. All the federal money hasnt been allocated or spent in Montana, Story said. A lot of it goes into infrastructure projects that will take several years to build, keeping the money churning in the system. Everyone's in the same boat," Story said. "There's X amount of construction workers and equipment and supplies out there and every state is scrambling for them." A lot of the infrastructure projects funded with stimulus money will have trouble meeting the 2026 deadline. Congress may have to extend the deadline just to get projects that have been on the drawing board completed, he said. January and February are difficult months on the plains of the Upper Midwest. The sky provides a gorgeous light show in mauve, peach, lavender and gold twice a day, but the rest of the time the moonscape of gray, brown and white can get monotonous. Theres also the cold and the relentless wind and the tyranny of winter chore clothes that must be laboriously donned every time one wishes to go outside. As the days tick slowly by, it gets harder and harder to believe spring will ever come. Cute and cuddly In an effort to combat the winter doldrums, I am overtaken most Februaries by an overwhelming desire to acquire new animals specifically new baby animals. What better than something cute and cuddly to carry us through to warmer weather? Baby animals are not ubiquitous in deep winter, but they are not completely impossible to find either. A few producers in our area still lamb in January, so for several years in a row, overcome by baby animal fever, I ended up with bottle lambs rejected from the flock. The extra work and the extra snuggles were a perfect antidote to the malaise. Two years ago, the fever happened to coincide with an extended arctic blast that resulted in two newborn Nigerian dwarf goats needing a home; I was only too happy to step in and take them. My kids, then 3 and 4 1/2, promptly named the goats Honeybee and Bucky the Woodpecker. An explanation for those names would require a whole other column, but suffice it to say, if youve not spent a week of double-digit subzero temperatures indoors with two small children and two baby goats (the latter clad in diapers and onesies to keep said diapers from falling off) have you really lived? It was adorableness overload and total chaos just what we needed to make it to spring. This year I hoped our Christmas puppy would keep the pangs to a minimum, and so far he has. However, the memory of those baby goats goofy antics, plus the rising price of milk, started me dreaming and scheming recently. New boo Honeybee is now old enough to be a mother herself, and the combination of spring babies and fresh goat milk was too powerful to resist, so last weekend we brought home a visitor named Boo. Like Bucky and Honeybee, Boo is a Nigerian dwarf goat. He is short, personable, with longish white-and-black hair, thick, curving horns, and, like all billy goats, is accompanied by an aroma so powerful it would be best categorized as reeking to high heaven. Since his arrival, no matter where one goes on the ranch, Boos scent is sure to follow, and the closer one gets to him, the more powerfully one is reminded of his virile presence. Perhaps its a good thing Honeybee hasnt gone into heat since Boo arrived, and feeling lonely and a little bored, he broke out of their pen late yesterday afternoon. I happened to be out walking through the adjacent pasture at dusk, and I smelled him before I saw him. His escape efforts earned him a ride home in the back of the pickup and a night in the barn while we reinforced the fence of the pen, but despite having washed my hands and changed my clothes since then, I swear I can still smell his singular odor clinging to me after lifting him into the bed of the aforementioned pickup. So there you have it: Instead of spending February making bottles and washing the diapers of two cute baby goats, I will be chasing a super stinky baby daddy around. If excitement is what the second half of winter on a ranch usually lacks, I guess weve got it now. And for my husband, who like most other civilized people, disapproves of barnyard animals in the house, its a welcome alternative. So, happy early Valentines Day, my love, and to all unexpected visitors, sorry about the smell! COLUMBUS Mike Hannewald, of Lucas County, is the winner of Ohio Farm Bureaus Young Agricultural Professionals 2022 Discussion Meet competition. The results were announced Jan. 29 during the YAP Winter Leadership Experience. Hannewald developed a strong interest in farming while growing up on the family farm, just outside of Waterville, and became active in 4-H and FFA. A Lucas County Farm Bureau member, he earned his bachelors degree in agronomy from Ohio State University. He is an agronomist and precision farming adviser for Becks Hybrids, covering northern Ohio and northeastern Indiana and remains actively involved on the family farm. As the winner, he receives a $3,000 cash prize, complimentary registration to the 2023 YAP Winter Leadership Experience and an expense-paid trip to 2023 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Puerto Rico. Following Hannewald, the top three Discussion Meet finalists are, in no particular order, Kristen Dickey, of Henry County, Candace Lease, of Wayne County, and Miranda Miser, of Guernsey County. All finalists receive a softshell jacket and complimentary registration to the 2023 YAP Winter Leadership Experience. XENIA, Ohio Central State University extension will host a Preventing Deer Damage program from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Feb. 24, at CSU-Xenia, 334 Progress Drive, Suite 100. This workshop will focus on strategies for humans and wildlife to avoid conflict in the yard, neighborhood and farm. Participants will learn how to control wildlife legally within the confines of local and state laws. The featured speaker will be Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ohio State Wildlife Officer Matthew Hunt. The program is free for adults over 18. Registration is requested and can be made by calling CSU-Xenia at 937-376-6694. For more information, contact CSUE agriculture/natural resources associate Clare Thorn at cthorn@centralstate.edu or call 937-376-6627. The Welsh government's purchase of farmland to plant memorial woodland for those who have died of Covid has prompted rural campaigners to call for an urgent re-think of land use policy. The government and Natural Resources Wales have purchased 94ha of agricultural land in Carmarthenshire, with plans to plant trees in memory of people who died during the pandemic. The land at Brownhill sits in the heart of the Towy Valley, between the villages of Llanwrda and Llangadog, and has until now been rented to farmers under a grazing and mowing licence. While there are some rougher patches of ground in the mix, most of the land purchased by the government is described by the selling agent as being Towy Valley agricultural land and meadows. The land was sourced and recommended for purchase by Natural Resources Wales, but rural campaigners from Countryside Alliance Wales fear this risks "driving an even deeper wedge between the quango and local farmers". Rachel Evans, director of the group said: Whilst memorial woodland is a welcome proposal in principle, I strongly question why they have selected a predominantly productive agricultural parcel of land on the banks of the River Towy. "This decision risks irreversibly changing the Welsh countryside as we know it to be, she warned. The group has accused the government of fuelling the increasing cost of farmland and outbidding local farmers whilst progressing with their wider Woodland Creation Programme under which this project falls. Ms Evans said it was 'fundamentally wrong' for government to step in and force inflated prices of agricultural land favouring forestry over food production. "[It] gives a strong sense of where their priorities lie ahead of the proposed Agriculture (Wales) Bill expected this year," she added. "It risks contributing to the fragility of rural communities - those who put food on our tables during the pandemic - by outpricing any other interested parties who have farmed this area for generations and were no doubt attempting to secure a future for the next. Ms Evans said she also believed that Wales' rural communities were growing anxious over the number of companies buying up land to offset their carbon emissions. In January, London-based firm Foresight, which had bought a farm with the intention of planting trees in nearby Pumsaint, indicated that they would modify their plans after a petition was set up by concerned residents. We have been fearful for some time of large corporations following the trend of land grabbing farms in Wales to offset their carbon emissions," she said. "Now it seems that our own government- those tasked with spearheading agricultural policy- are possibly as big a threat." However, a Welsh government spokesperson told BBC Wales that farmers would be 'central' to the country's future woodland creation plans. They said: At the Brownhill site NRW bought three of five available lots, bidding for those containing a large percentage of wetlands, brushwood and woodlands. In order to create 43,000ha of new woodland by 2030, some land will need to change usage from agricultural use to woodland and we want farmers to be central to this, but the woodlands will be created for local communities in consultation with local communities. The use of general licences on parts of the Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms have been suspended for three years due to wildlife crimes. NatureScot made the announcement on the basis of evidence provided by Police Scotland, which includes a poisoned golden eagle found on the estate in March 2021. Other incidents of wildlife crime provided as evidence to the police includes a rabbit and a hare carcass, both baited with poison. The general licence restriction will apply to the Gairnshiel and Micras areas of the estate, where the evidence of poisoning was found. The estate encompasses a wide area and the restriction notice applies to a corner amounting to less than 18% of the estate. General licences allow farmers and land managers to carry out control of common species of wild birds to protect crops or livestock, without the need to apply for an individual licence. But Donald Fraser, NatureScots head of wildlife management, said the poisoning incidents were "appalling and an act of animal cruelty". We are committed to using all the tools we have available to tackle wildlife crime. In this case, there is clear evidence of criminal behaviour. "Because of this, and the risk of more wildlife crimes taking place, we have suspended the use of general licences on this property for three years. "They may still apply for individual licences, but these will be closely monitored." A spokesperson for Invercauld Estate said the Micras area where the eagle was discovered last year had not been managed for grouse shooting since autumn 2020, and farming and woodland management were the current priorities there. They added that the estate "abhors" wildlife crime and "condemns such activity in the strongest possible terms." "We are conservationists and the estate takes its care of wildlife and nature as inherent in the wide range of activities we undertake and facilitate. "A survey in 2020 identified 1,117 pairs of breeding pairs of red and amber listed birds, the most endangered, across 37 different species - and including 33 pairs of raptors on Invercauld land. We are actively considering whether to appeal NatureScots decision for the benefit of all parties who will be impacted. Farmers who convert to organic will receive up to double the previous rates in a raft of government payment increases that are launching. Payments for organic farming are rising by between 46% and 500% for those entering a new scheme with Countryside Stewardship, which opened its window for applications this week. It comes alongside an increase in the organic market, with a 23% rise since 2019, according to the Soil Association Certifications annual organic market report. Organic is out-performing non-organic sales, the report says, with the market reaching a record net worth of 3.05bn, and payments for managing organic farmland are also going up by at least 50%. Some organic farmers will now be able to earn triple or even six times as much as before from government cash incentives, which will be available until at least 2024 when an organic standard is promised as part of the new Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI). Despite an increase in payments and market size, the total area of land farmed organically in England has remained largely the same, rising by just 0.8% compared to 2019. Defra's latest figures show that in 2020 there was a 12% rise in the area of land currently going through the two-year conversion period to become organic, compared to the previous year. But Adrian Steele, Soil Association organic sector advisor, said there were 'big opportunities' for producers looking at going organic. We are pleased to see this commitment to rewarding organic farming its the first step towards recognising that we need to work in harmony with nature across the whole farmed environment. The good things that agroecological and organic farmers are doing, which have long been overlooked, are now set to be rewarded under the new Environmental Land Management Schemes. "The longer-term goals that government has set out for agriculture, with a new focus on protecting soils, wildlife and the environment, are in harmony with the principles of organic farming." Under the new Countryside Stewardship rates, converting permanent improved grassland and top fruit to organic will receive double the previous payments, at 150 per hectare. Conversion to organic rotational land, horticulture and unimproved grassland will receive around 50% more than before, with new rates ranging from 76 to 602 per ha. For management of organic farmland, payments will rise by around 50 percent for rotational land and unimproved permanent grassland. Payments are going up by six times for managing enclosed rough grazing organically, with rates doubling for management of organic horticulture and tripling for top fruit. Tom Cackett, associate director for farming at Savills, said it was 'exciting' to see an increase in organic payment rates. He said: "There are some corners of every farm that never really grow anything that can be given over to nature, but weve got to be slightly careful if we are taking large areas out of food production. "Organic farming can often be a good way of tackling that issue. Instead of marginalising nature, why not integrate it across the whole farm, and then youll also be able to get those payments for the whole area instead of just for the corners or edges. If youre doing good things for the environment, it seems almost certain there will be funding to support that for the foreseeable future." The only exception in the rate increases is those for management of organic improved permanent grassland, as these payments will remain at the same rate in 2022, only to be halved in 2023. Adrian Steele said the Soil Association was 'surprised and disappointed' by the decision: "We have taken this up with Defra as part of our efforts to lobby for adequate recognition for all sustainable farming practices. "We will be seeking to ensure that organic farmers will be best placed to receive the highest level of payments for improved grasslands under the new SFI standards. "The government has also assured us that when SFI rates are finalised after 2024, Countryside Stewardship agreement holders will be able to switch over to them without penalty. NFU Scotland's president has told policy makers to 'take their head out of the sand' to ensure the viability of Scottish agriculture as it has 'never been under so much pressure'. Delivering his first address to the union's annual conference since being elected in February 2021, Martin Kennedy warned that farmers and crofters were facing 'crippling' input costs and labour shortages. Producers in Scotland were also facing pressures to reach net zero, he said, as well as 'unscrutinised' trade deals and uncertainty around future policy and support. He warned the sector was dealing with 'countless' other concerns such as slurry storage rules, land reform, rural crime, species management and largescale forestry expansion. In his speech, the Highland farmer highlighted the strength of NFU Scotland and how its lobbying powers had never been more needed, claiming that poor decisions were being taken within both UK and Scottish governments. Saying one size does not fit all, he pleaded for ministers to take their head out of the sand and reassured members that our voice needs to be heard not only because its in our best interest but its also in the best interest of our consumers and our economy. To tackle these key challenges, Mr Kennedy explained that the union was focusing its lobbying efforts on eight strategic priorities: future support, rural economy, optimal land use, climate change, public engagement, effective conservation, fairer supply chains and better regulation. He accepted that the landscape both on the ground and politically - could change quickly in agriculture, so these goals could shift and adapt to current situations. Mr Kennedy said: At every opportunity what we must do is highlight the true value of domestic food and drink production in terms of health, climate change, the environment and the economy." In an impassioned address, he covered the labour crisis and steps in place to encourage a full work force, good education and employment opportunities. He called for global collaboration within the beef sector to ensure methane emissions were measured consistently using GWP* rather than 'out-of-date' GWP100. The NFU Scotland president also used his annual conference address to reflect on the crisis the Scottish pig sector was currently experiencing. Concluding his speech, he said: In Scotland, we have a fantastic opportunity to create a future policy and support structure that focuses on the positives of what we are providing. "However, we also have to be mindful that we have an Internal Market Act and a Subsidy Control Bill that may limit what we need to do to fit Scotlands needs. "Focusing on active agriculture is absolutely vital if we are to keep the critical mass that underpins the wider economy that relies on farming and crofting." Pedigree breeders are being encouraged to submit ram nominations to RamCompare, the national progeny test for terminal sire breeds, for the 2022 mating season. RamCompare, funded by the levy boards AHDB, HCC, QMS and supported by Agrisearch in Northern Ireland, uses supply chain data to inform genetic evaluations. The project's results enable farmers to select superior performance recorded rams, whose progeny are better able to meet market specifications with improved efficiency, carcase value, and a reduced cost of production. The project is looking for rams with Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in the top 20 percent of the breed. The levy boards say that natural service sires should be shearlings or older and have a known, high health status. Fit, fertile older stock rams are welcome. RamCompare will also purchase frozen semen in batches of 30 straws for use via artificial insemination. Each year rams are selected from a nominated range of terminal sire breeds and used on commercial farms across the UK. Their progeny is monitored from birth to slaughter, feeding back data to Signet for breeding evaluations. Now beginning its seventh year, RamCompare has tested 313 terminal sire rams, producing more than 30,000 lambs from commercial ewes, mated using artificial insemination or natural service. RamCompare Project Coordinator, Bridget Lloyd said it was a great opportunity for breeders to contribute to the industry project. "Data from which can be used to promote their flocks and the rams they have for sale," she said. "Updated results are released in May bringing leading flocks into the spotlight through breed specific articles and commercial farm case studies. When selecting rams, sheep producers must identify those rams whose genetics will have the greatest influence on their production system. "This trial is a great way to measure and assess this impact. Nominations are open now, and close on 20 April. Only subscribers with PAID Print or E-Edition subscriptions please enter here to gain access. If you are not already a Paid subscriber do not go through this portal. Please return to the subscription page to purchase one of our offers. Thank you! Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Dress: Rahul Mishra; earrings: Outhouse; ring: Viange Fine Jewels; shoes: Jimmy Choo Dress: Gauri and Nainika; ring and earrings: Outhouse Top, trousers, earrings and shoes: Louis Vuitton Dress: Gauri and Nainika; earrings: Outhouse Next Story : Celebrating The Art & Business Of Indian Hairdressing At IHA 2021 Do you remember when Janhvi Kapoor became a name with whom you were acquainted? For us, it was because of a picture the actor had posted on her Instagram in 2017; a cherubic shot, with her dressed in a white chikankari kurta and hair scooped up in a pony. The picture circulated so widely that, to this day, we cannot think of her without conjuring up that image. She had made her profile public a prerequisite for someone who was about to be vaulted into the public consciousness as a new actor, scrubbed her previous profile clean of posts, as is the ritual, and inundated the space with stills from Dhadak, her debut movie, to announce her arrival to this brand-new world.Four years later, the Gen Z actor is leading the pack of fresh-faced, multi-faceted stars who also know the power of social media Janhvis reels are a work of art, period.D-day arrives. Its 3 PM on a surprisingly pleasant day in Mumbai. Janhvi is wearing a turquoise floral dress and flip-flops. Her hair is swept off a face that seemingly has no trace of makeup. She greets everyone politely, takes a quick glance at the clothes rack, and makes her way into a room to get her hair and makeup done. She sits down in her chair, but something is not right we can tell by the way her nose crinkles. It takes her a second, but she knows what it is; she asks if she can connect her phone to the speaker. Olivia Rodrigos Drivers License plays in the background and she sinks into her seat comfortably. The stage is set.I remember when I was inactive on social media, says Janhvi when we bring up her Instagram game, pointing to a time when her reels didnt amass more views than the population of certain countries. I would get a lot of flak from my team to be more out there and be less guarded. I think I underestimated the importance of that for very long. Because now that I am letting myself loose and having fun with it, I see a huge difference in how people perceive me. So, how are people perceiving Janhvi? I think as someone who is more approachable and relatable, and less mysterious and aspirational, she says, crediting the Internet for this democratised attitude toward celebrities of a newer generation. As a paparazzi favourite whose daily moves like arriving at the airport, going to the gym, or getting a smoothie become trending subjects on Bollywood websites, its also imperative to ask an important question. At what point does the pressure of being highly visible start to feel overwhelming? Its important to not take it too seriously. This isnt my job, and it most definitely isnt my life. It is not a reflection of everything that you are capable of or are doing. Its just a non-tangible world where you put things out, communicate, and have fun, but thats about it. We suppose being a teenager with access to social media, and immersed in pop culture, was an unexpected training ground for the actor, who, at just 24, has cracked the code to being content with her online persona.The muchness of Janhvis personality, at least the parts that she reveals to netizens, is kaleidoscopic. We say this after careful analysis of several matrices. Countless pictures of the actor in neon bikinis with salty hair tell us shes a beach girl. She is close to her family with Arjun and Anshula Kapoor, too, whose relationship with the actor has been the subject of many clickbait articles and is unafraid of showing her love via emotionally-worded captions. She loves to dance and often breaks into random routines in the most unexpected places. And, if pictures from the innumerable sets and shoot locations are proof, shes always working. Just look at the 2022 shes slated to have. Theres Mili, her first movie with her father, Boney Kapoor, which is a survival drama and a remake of the Malayalam movie Helen that chronicles a girls unimaginable struggle after accidentally getting trapped in a freezer. Then theres Good Luck Jerry, a Hindi adaptation of the 2018 Tamil film Kolamavu Kokila, which will release sometime in May. Shes also in the middle of prepping for Mr. & Mrs. Mahi co-starring Rajkummar Rao. And, if you consider the grapevine to be a reliable source, then, theres Karan Johars Takht that supposedly features an outrageous line-up of Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Kareena Kapoor Khan , Bhumi Pednekar and Anil Kapoor, making her the talented rookie of the group.When we get around to discussing her workaholic tendencies, she cites an affinity to always being busy to be a generational thing. I think my generation brings in a lot of hard work. We are extremely ambitious and take our jobs very seriously. This is not to say that people before us didnt work hard. Just that we are more in touch with public opinion and reality in general. The reality that she hints at is the creative liberation thats slalomed its way into the industry because of OTT platforms. It takes more than a heavyweight last name to stay afloat in a business thats burgeoning with fresh talent every day a certain type of star appeal you cant buy.Work, in fact, is at the top of her to-do list for 2022. I want to do a lot, a lot, a lot of work, says Janhvi, whose biggest fear from the looks of it is succumbing to ennui. I want to grow so much in my art, learn so much more about it, polish my skills, and just be an uninhibited and free artiste, she says. Janhvi has been in the business for three years, worked in movies, and has even been a part of an OTT show, but one cant pinpoint a role or a performance in her oeuvre yet that could be termed as an instant classic. Shell get there, but in her own time. She isnt bothered about the world heaping impossible pressure on her. As a 24-year-old, I perceive success and failure as transitory. Its important to understand that neither of these is permanent. I think growth is what matters more than success or failure. The 14.8 million fans and casual observers who follow her on Instagram might only be privy to her fun side, but it is the uncontrived manner in which she talks about life that makes you wonder if she is actually an old soul. The pandemic, she says, has been instrumental in making her achieve this growth. By her own volition, she admits feeling like shes matured 10 years mentally and thats helped her to become this confident version of herself that we have gotten used to seeing. Ive also decided to cater to my own happiness rather than being a pushover, which I suppose I was. I dont think I have it right completely, but Ive definitely made some headway.When youre a star, a mega influencer, the face of a beauty conglomerate, and Manish Malhotras permanent muse, among other things, its easy to lose your head in fame. Lucky for Janhvi, she credits the army of people who keep her grounded, especially her father, who she says is the single most important person in her life. I live in parts through the people I surround myself with. I take great pride in feeling like I surround myself with the right people who are extremely real and in touch with what is going on in the world. I spend most of my time with these people. We value kindness and honesty, which is why we get along so well, she says. This love that Janhvi has for the people in her life is reciprocated in droves. When we contacted Mohit Rai her stylist for this story, he said, Janhvi is a joyous person to be around. Shes not pretentious. She presents to the world what she is in real life, which, I think, has a lot to do with her upbringing. Shes constantly challenging me to work harder and keep up with Gen Z fashion because shes so social media savvy and fashion aware.We experienced Janhvis fashion sense first-hand while we were zeroing in on her first look for our cover shoot she was keen on wearing Rahul Mishras orange layered mini dress. She got involved in the process, picking out two earrings to pair with the frock, asking our opinion. For those who dont know Janhvi, or the industry she occupies, its easy to confuse assertiveness with control. But after the evening weve just had, we see a self-aware 24-year-old woman, who is in the process of finding her voice and is unafraid of using it. As is her right as is our right, as women. As we walk her out of the studio at the end of the day, a last question pops up during the conversation. What does she want most out of 2022? I aspire for greatness, she says with honesty. If actors like Janhvi are the future of Bollywood, no wonder it is filled with limitless potential and endless possibilities.Photographs: Ajay Kadam; Videography: Vaibhav Nadgaonkar; Styling: Krishna Mukhi; Hair: Flavien Heldt (Faze Management); Makeup: Tanvi Chemburkar; Dress: Gauri and Nainika; Earrings: Outhouse; Cover design: Bendi Vishan Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2022 / Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSXV:LKY)(OTC PINK:LKMNF)(FRA:LKY) ("Lucky" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company will be participating in Renmark Financial Communications Inc.'s live Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow Series to discuss the latest investor presentation on Thursday, February 10th, 2022 at 11:00 AM AST, Thursday, February 17th, 2022 at 11:00 AM PST and Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 at 12:00 PM EST. Lucky welcomes stakeholders, investors, and other individual followers to register and attend this live event. The presentation will feature President and Chief Executive Officer, Francois Perron. Topics to be covered will include the latest investor presentation followed by a live Q&A. Investors interested in participating in these events will need to register using the links below. As a reminder, registration for the live event may be limited but access to the replay after the event will be on the Company's website. PLEASE REGISTER BY CLICKING LINKS BELOW: 1. Thursday, February 10, 2022 - 11:00 AM AST, Halifax, Nova Scotia Registration - Renmark Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow: Lucky Minerals Inc. TSX-V - LKY 2. Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 11:00 AM PST, Los Angeles, California Registration - Renmark Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow: Lucky Minerals Inc. TSX-V - LKY 3. Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - 12:00 PM EST, Boston, Massachusetts Registration - Renmark Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow: Lucky Minerals Inc. TSX-V - LKY PLEASE NOTE: To ensure smooth connectivity, please access the link above using the latest version of Google Chrome. Issuance of Shares for Services and General Update The Company is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated October 4, 2021, the Company has now received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") to the advisory services agreements with Powerone Capital Markets Limited ("Powerone"). In connection with the services provided by Powerone, the Company has issued 1,500,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.10 per share to Powerone in settlement of advisory services totaling $150,000 plus applicable taxes. The common shares are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance. About Lucky Minerals Inc. Lucky is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits. Lucky owns a 100% interest in the Fortuna Property. The Company's Fortuna Project is comprised of twelve contiguous, 550 km2 (55,000 Hectares, or 136,000 Acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador. About Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Founded in 1999, Renmark Financial Communications Inc. is North America's leading retail investor relations firm. Employing a strategic and comprehensive mix of exposure tactics; Renmark hosts Virtual Non-Deal Roadshows as well as in-person corporate presentations and maintains daily communications with thousands of brokers and money managers across Canada and the United States. Renmark empowers its publicly-traded clientele to maximize their visibility within the financial community and strengthen their investor audience. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Francois Perron" Chief Executive Officer Further information on Lucky can be found on the Company's website at www.luckyminerals.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Francois Perron, President and CEO, by email at investors@luckyminerals.com or by telephone at (866) 924 6484. Or by contacting: Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Daniel Gordon: dgordon@renmarkfinancial.com Tel: (416) 644-2020 or (212) 812-7680 www.renmarkfinancial.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company 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, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company 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. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. 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 the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will not update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements unless required by Canadian securities law. SOURCE: Lucky Minerals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/688164/Lucky-Minerals-Inc-to-Participate-in-Renmarks-Virtual-Non-Deal-Roadshow-Series-on-February-10th-17th-23rd Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2022) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA) (the "Company" or "Origen") announces that it has made a strategic investment of $200,000 into CAVU Mining Corp. (CSE:CAVU). "This strategic investment is a unique opportunity for Origen to participate in what could be a very significant new gold and copper belt in Canada. The Company continues to look at new opportunities in addition to generating and monetizing its own property portfolio," states Blake Morgan, Company President. The Investment Origen has purchased 500,000 units of CAVU Mining Corp. at 40 cents per unit, with each unit comprising one common share and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant being exercisable into one common share at a price of 60 cents for a period of two years. The investment in CAVU is arms' length. About Origen Origen is an exploration company engaged in generating, acquiring and advancing base, precious metal, and lithium properties. The Company currently holds a property portfolio of four 100% owned precious and base metal projects in southern British Columbia, a 100% interest in the 26,771 ha LGM project in the mineral rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia, a 100% interest in the Middle Ridge gold project, a 100% interest in 12 lithium prospects in Newfoundland and an option to earn a 100% interest in a burgeoning new lithium belt in Argentina. On behalf of Origen, Blake Morgan President For further information, please contact Blake Morgan, President at 236-878-4938 or Gary Schellenberg, CEO at 604-681-0221. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113357 Revenue Up 32%, Growth Accelerates, Dividend Declared Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2022) - Sylogist Ltd. (TSX: SYZ) ("Sylogist" or the "Company"), a leading public sector SaaS company, is pleased to announce its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of the 2022 fiscal year, ended December 31, 2021. "We are pleased that our investments in organic growth and scalability are gaining traction," commented Bill Wood, President and CEO of Sylogist. "Although somewhat impeded by the COVID-19 Omicron variant surge, we began deployments on the new awards we announced in November 2021 and revenue from these projects will largely be recognized in subsequent quarters of this fiscal year as we anticipated. Expenses were in line with plan and we continue to be successful in attracting key talent to increase capacity. Our M&A execution also continues to create value, with the integration of our recent Pavliks and Mission CRM acquisitions proceeding ahead of schedule. With lead activity building and a strong pipeline, we are just beginning to realize the upside on our growth investments." Q1 2022 Summary Revenues of approximately $12.6 million, compared to approximately $9.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 32%; Recurring revenues from subscriptions and maintenance grew by 25% to $8.8 million, compared to $7.0 million for the first quarter of 2021; Gross Profit of $8.1 million, compared to $7.0 million in the same period last fiscal year, an increase of 16%; Gross Profit Margin of 65%, compared to 73% in first quarter of 2021; Profit before income tax of $0.1 million, compared to $2.8 million in the first quarter last year, due largely to $2.5 million in non-cash amortization charges related to recent acquisitions; Adjusted EBITDA of $3.7 million, compared to $4.9 million for the same period last year; Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 30%, compared to 52% in Q1 2021; Adjusted EBITDA per share of $0.16 per share, compared to $0.21 per share in the first quarter of 2021; The Company's Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per common share for shareholders of record as at February 28, 2022 to be paid on March 16, 2022, which is treated as an eligible dividend under the Income Tax Act (Canada). About Sylogist Sylogist is a public sector SaaS company that provides comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP), constituent relationship management (CRM), fundraising, education administration, and payments solutions that allow its customers to carry out their missions. It serves over 1,950 customers globally, including all levels of government, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and public compliance-driven and funded companies. The Company has industry-leading profitability, an exceptionally strong balance sheet, a track record of successful acquisitions, and a portfolio of mission-critical SaaS solutions. Full financial statements together with Management's Discussion and Analysis are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . The Company's stock is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SYZ. Information about Sylogist can be found at www.sylogist.com . Forward-looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. These statements typically use words such as expect, believe, estimate, project, anticipate, plan, may, should, could and would, or the negative of these terms, variations thereof or similar terminology. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements with respect to recognition of new contracts' revenue in subsequent quarters, attracting talent to increase capacity, and the Company's building lead activity and strong pipeline. By their very nature, forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific in nature. It is therefore possible that the beliefs and plans and other forward-looking expectations expressed herein will not be achieved or will prove inaccurate. Although Sylogist believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it provides no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including its inability to attract key employees or enlist customer support, its inability to develop innovative technology, its inability to find opportunities to deploy free cash flow, continuing headwinds from COVID-19, and economic turmoil. Additional information regarding some of these risks, uncertainties and other factors may be found in the Company's Annual Information Form for the fiscal period ended September 30, 2021 and in the management's discussion and analysis for the twelve months ended September 30, 2021, and other documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Material assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include Sylogist's ability to attract and retain employees and customers and to realize on its investments, the ability to expand technology partner and customer relationships and the acceleration of organic and inorganic growth. Although Sylogist believes that the material assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur. Sylogist disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Certain information set out herein may be considered as "financial outlook" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The purpose of this financial outlook is to provide readers with disclosure regarding Sylogist's reasonable expectations as to the anticipated results of its proposed business activities for the periods indicated. Readers are cautioned that the financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes. Non-GAAP Financial Measures (1) Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA per share and Adjusted Working Capital, and Adjusted Working Capital per Share are non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA is defined as: profit for the period before stock-based compensation, share-based payments, foreign exchange gains or losses, interest expense, bargain purchase price on acquisition, income taxes, acquisition-related costs, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA Margin refers to Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA per share refers to Adjusted EBITDA per basic weighted average number of shares outstanding. Adjusted Working Capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities adjusted for deferred revenue. Adjusted Working Capital per share refers to Adjusted Working Capital per basic weighted average number of shares outstanding. This news release makes reference to certain non-GAAP measures. These measures are not recognized measures under Canadian GAAP, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP and are therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. These measures are provided as additional information to complement measures under GAAP by providing further understanding of the Company's expected results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, such measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the Company's financial information reported under Canadian GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA per share, Adjusted Working Capital, and Adjusted Working Capital per share are provided to investors as alternative methods for assessing the Company's operating results in a manner that is focused on the Company's ongoing operations and to provide a more consistent basis for comparison between periods. These measures should not be construed as alternatives to profit or cash flow from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of the Company's performance. For further information regarding non-GAAP measures used by the Company, please refer to the management's discussion and analysis of the Company, copies of which are available on Sylogist's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. For further information contact: Bill Wood, President and CEO or Rudy Shirra, Manager, Corporate Development and Investor Relations Sylogist Ltd. (403) 266-4808 ir@sylogist.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113356 LONDON, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Caffe Nero, one of the world's fifteen largest cafe and coffee chains, won praise today from animal protection non-profit Lever Foundation for its new commitment to source only cage-free eggs and egg ingredients globally by 2026. Caffe Nero has over 1,000 locations worldwide, operating in 11 countries across Europe, North America and the Middle East. "All the eggs used in our products in our UK business (both whole egg and as an ingredient) are 100% cage free and we are committed to ensuring every Caffe Nero territory has achieved the same status by 2026, with many of them on track to achieve it sooner," the company noted in a new policy commitment released on its website this week. "We applaud Caffe Nero's commitment on this important issue, which will improve the welfare of animals in its global supply chain and will also benefit the company's international customers," said Kirsty Tuxford, Corporate Engagement Manager at Lever Foundation, which worked with Caffe Nero on its commitment. "With Caffe Nero's pledge, eight of the ten largest cafe and coffee chains in Europe and North America have now committed to using only cage-free eggs and egg ingredients in all stores globally." Over the past two years top coffee chains Dunkin Donuts, Costa Coffee, Tim Hortons, Caribou Coffee, Krispy Kreme, Au Bon Pain and Peet's have issued similar global cage-free egg pledges, as have restaurant chains KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Baskin Robbins, Tim Hortons, Sonic, Popeye's, Papa John's and Arby's, among others. Lever Foundation is an international animal protection non-profit with staff operating across Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. CONTACT hi@leverfoundation.org, +1 717-584-1805 IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2022 / Savage Enterprises ("Savage") (www.SavageEnterprises.com), an industry leader and innovator in the e-liquid, hemp, and cannabinoid-infused markets, announced today that it has signed an engagement letter with Young America Capital ("YAC"), the 55-person licensed investment bank and broker-dealer based in Mamaroneck, NY. Savage Enterprises continues to be a dominant leader in the e-liquid, hemp, and cannabinoid-derived products industries as a retailer and wholesaler. Savage has stayed committed to improving the community it serves with superior, consumer-centered, and cost-effective products that are third-party lab tested with quality assurance, consistency, and traceability. Young America Capital is a FINRA/SEC licensed broker-dealer in New York serving the investment banking needs of early-stage and middle-market companies. Young America Capital will assist Savage Enterprises in identifying potential acquirees, pathways to go public, and/or possible merger candidates while helping Savage Enterprises continue to be the industry leader in their market. Chris Wheeler, CEO of Savage Enterprises, stated, "There are a lot of options for investment bankers out there, but it's been great getting to know the guys at Young America Capital and seeing first-hand how hard they work. I believe this will add a ton of value to Savage Enterprises for future acquisitions, mergers, and possibly, options to take our company public." Matt Winters, CFO of Savage Enterprises, expanded, "We are very excited to be working with the bankers at Young America Capital. These guys are great people and very knowledgeable. With the combination of Young America Capital's expertise and Savage's position in the industry, we expect some big moves to be made in the near future." About Savage Enterprises: Based in Irvine, California, Savage Enterprises was founded in 2014 by co-owners Christopher G. Wheeler and Matt Winters with the vision of bringing innovation to the counter-culture space. Savage has been committed to improving the community it serves by providing superior, consumer-centered and cost-effective products that are third-party lab tested with quality assurance, consistency, and traceability. Savage's goal is to create the benchmark for quality and assurance in the industry. Under its flagship Delta Extrax brand and Chronix sub-brand (www.DeltaExtrax.com), Savage Enterprises sells hemp-derived delta-10-THC cartridges, disposables and tinctures, delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC-infused shots, cartridges, concentrates, disposables, edibles, delta-8-THC-infused hemp flower, pods, tinctures, THC-O, HHC, THC-V and THC-P products. Under Vix (www.ThisIsVix.com), Savage sells male enhancement products. Under Savage CBD (www.SavageCBD.com), Savage sells CBD cartridges, disposables, edibles, tinctures, topicals, vape juice, and CBD for pets. Under its Vape 100 brand, Savage produces nicotine-infused e-liquids. Under its Zen Panda brand, Savage sells various kratom and kava-based products. Savage also sells disposable nicotine vapes. The team at Savage is currently developing at least three other products in the supplement arena, as well as innovative apparatuses for marijuana consumption. For more information about Savage Enterprises, please visit www.SavageEnterprises.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this document are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such information includes the acquisition, financing, revenue growth, profitability, and product strategies, plans, and expectations of Savage Enterprises, LLC. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause or contribute to the actual results of these companies' merger plans, financing plans, operations, or the performance or achievements of these companies differing materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These companies undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain other factors. CONTACT: Savage Enterprises Attn: Brittany Warner Phone: 714-612-1091 Email: Bwarner@savageenterprises.com Website: www.SavageEnterprises.com SOURCE: Savage Enterprises View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/688165/Industry-Leader-Savage-Enterprises-Signs-Engagement-Letter-with-Young-America-Capital BEIJING, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A conference was held on Tuesday to promote constructing industrial innovation cluster for the electronic information industry in Suzhou City of east China'sJiangsu Province. A low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) project of AU Optronics Corporation (AUO) was also launched at the event. 150 major electronic information projects with a total investment of 129 billion yuan (about 20.28 billion U.S. dollars) were signed or commenced at the conference, covering areas such as 5G communications, semiconductors, chips, intelligent terminals, etc. Among the projects, 80 were signed with planned total investment of 72 billion yuan and 70 were announced to commence with total investment of 57 billion yuan, 19.1 billion yuan of which is expected to be settled within this year. The city of Suzhou has been making multi-dimensional efforts to support the development of electronic information in recent years. Thanks to project guidance, policy support and innovation encouragement, the industry has grown to be the first in the city to achieve annual output value exceeding one trillion yuan. In the year 2021, the value of gross output of Suzhou's electronic information industry reached 1.16 trillion yuan, up 10.8 percent from the previous year. Currently, the city is home to 1,271 industrial enterprises above designated size and 62 listed enterprises in the electronic information sector. AUO Kunshan launched its LTPS project on the same day at the event. As one of the top three large size LCD panel manufacturers in the world, AUO is planning to invest additional 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in production line upgrading and capacity expansion, looking to top an annual output value of 10 billion yuan. The event also included a ceremony granting fiscal supporting fund of 2.4 billion yuan accumulated in the year 2021. Besides, a list of 64 technological projects in the electronic information industry was unveiled on the event. The city of Kunshan, as one of China's leading county-level economies, published a supporting system for the new generation industrial innovation cluster, in a bid to accelerate in-depth integration of the industrial chain and the innovation chain. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/326373.html Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1743148/image_1.jpg The crypto analytics and compliance business appoints Senior Policy Advisor to bolster its Global Policy and Research Group in Asia Elliptic, the global leader in cryptoasset risk management, today announced the appointment of Tung Li Lim as Senior Policy Advisor. The regulatory landscape in Asia is rapidly evolving as each jurisdiction seeks to enable innovation, while safeguarding the stability of its financial system. Tung Li is ideally qualified to bolster Elliptic's growing Asia business by assisting cryptoasset businesses, as well as traditional financial institutions and regulators, to build a robust and secure cryptoasset ecosystem. Based in Singapore, Tung Li Lim will work across all Asia Pacific markets to deepen Elliptic's engagement with regulators, financial institutions, industry associations, and other key stakeholders in the region. With deep investigation and enforcement experience, his insights will help cryptoasset businesses to manage their regulatory risks and ensure financial crime compliance. "Singapore has long been seen to champion the growth of the cryptoasset sector in Asia," said Simone Maini, Elliptic CEO. "By hiring individuals with deep regulatory experience like Tung Li, we are able to develop and deliver the best cryptoasset risk management solutions for our clients in the region." Before joining Elliptic, Lim Tung Li spent most of his career in Singapore's public sector, with stints in various law enforcement agencies such as the Singapore Police Force and the Casino Regulatory Authority. Prior to Elliptic, Tung Li was a Deputy Director in the Enforcement Department at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) the country's central bank and integrated financial supervisor. While there, he helped to set up the Surveillance and Forensic Division and led a team to detect and deter market misconduct in Singapore's capital markets. "There is so much energy, but with varying degrees of maturity, in the cryptoasset ecosystems across Asia. Having seen some of the challenges the industry encounters as it develops, I'm very excited to join Elliptic in delivering solutions that address those challenges," said Tung Li Lim, senior policy advisor in the Asia Pacific region. "I look forward to contributing to Elliptic's impressive growth while helping to foster a strong compliance culture in Asia's cryptoasset sector." About Elliptic Elliptic is the global leader in cryptoasset risk management for crypto businesses and financial institutions worldwide. Recognized as a WEF Technology Pioneer and backed by investors including Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, SBI Group, and Santander Innoventures, Elliptic has assessed risk on transactions worth several trillion dollars, uncovering activities related to money laundering, terrorist fundraising, fraud, and other financial crimes. Elliptic is headquartered in London with offices in New York, Singapore, and Tokyo. To learn more, visit www.elliptic.co and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220209006217/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Bruce Wilson bwilson@ashburycommunications.com Company Plans to Sell Cost-Effective Kit to Governments, Pharmacies, Airports, Schools and Amazon.com SYDNEY, Feb. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading global medical product supplier ProcureNet has won Australian Government authorization to market and sell its highly effective Medriva COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Kit under ARTG #383819. Approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has signaled a potential mass rollout of Medriva test kits to pharmacies and local governments, which provides quick and easy detection via a nasal swab. Getting the green light for Medrivacomes at a crucial time for Australians as COVID-19 cases remained high and Australia is set to open borders to vaccinated tourists on Feb. 21. The Medriva COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self-Test Kit is one of the most effective on the market - having a 95 percent "sensitivity rate" and a 99 percent "relative specificity" rate. Its overall effectiveness is 97 percent. The results meet World Health Organization's recommended performance standards. Founded in 2020 by Gurbaksh Chahal, Medriva had a successful launch through its strong government partner network, including organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, Health Canada, Government of Italy, Hong Kong, Turkey, Sinovac, and over a dozen states in the United States. "The TGA has rigorously assessed our antigen test kit for safety, quality and effectiveness before being provisionally registered for use in Australia," commented Chahal, ProcureNet's chief executive. "The approval gives us the green light to supply Medriva COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Kit to help Australians in their early detection of the virus. As countries begin to live with COVID-19, mass rapid testing (MRT) becomes the main tool to control any future outbreaks. Eliminating the virus completely, through stringent lockdown and quarantine measures, and treating it as endemic are often discussed as mutually exclusive strategies. Frequent and widespread adoption of at-home antigen rapid testing could offer the best of both worlds. And, we look forward to helping Australians by bringing the most cost-effective diagnostic solutions to them. " Critics of RATs say that PCR is much more sensitive, but this can actually be a liability when it detects a residual amount of RNA during a waning, non-infectious case. Data from a study by the UK COVID-19 Lateral Flow Oversight Team shows that RAT sensitivity for contagious cases, even when asymptomatic, is typically around 97 percent. This means that, with rapid testing, positive individuals can reliably know which few days they need to stay at home, while everyone else testing negative can confidently get on with their lives. "Whatever we do now is preparation for the next variant wave or future pandemics. Self-testing is already as easy as other hygiene routines, like brushing teeth. We know it can be made as cheap as a daily commute. When that happens, we can crush the pandemic with a new kind of 'MRT': mass rapid testing," said Chahal. The Company's global rise is a direct result of its strong social impact values that have aided hundreds of millions of citizens across several continents to help fight COVID-19 through its vaccination and diagnostic products. The Company will now extend its production capacity of 60 million rapid antigen test kits per month to the Australian market. Medriva also plans to make its cost-effective test kits available on Amazon. Learn more about Medriva's Self Test Kit: https://medriva.com/. About ProcureNet ProcureNet is a leading global leader of pharmaceutical materials and vaccines consumables. Medriva is the Company's B2B brand for its own consumable products. Founded by serial entrepreneur Gurbaksh Chahal, the Company connects government, international world organizations and large businesses to a vast network of pre-approved on-demand manufacturers that produce the world's most sought-after commodities at rapid speed and tremendous scale. ProcureNet's rise came due to strong social impact values as the company provided life-saving medical equipment and materials to aid in the treatment of COVID-19 during the most critical times of the pandemic. Press Contact: Euan Humphreys euan.humphreys@vendorcloud.com Related Images Image 1: Medriva COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Kit Medriva COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self-Test Kit This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Image of optimization of semiconductor materials formulation TOKYO, Feb 10, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004) has demonstrated the ability of quantum computing technology to accelerate the exploration of the optimal formulation of semiconductor materials, reducing the exploration time from dozens of years of conventional methods to dozens of seconds.Semiconductor materials contain numerous ingredients such as resins, fillers, and additives in various mixing ratios, and high-performance materials are obtained by optimizing the formulation. However, the theoretical number of combinations of ingredients and mixing ratios to be analyzed is more than 1050. Thus, it will take more than dozens of years to explore all possible combinations of these ingredients and their mixing ratios with conventional artificial intelligence (AI) methods. Therefore, we had analyzed only part of theoretically possible combinations before.To reduce the time required for the exploration, we focus on using high-performance computing technology, Digital Annealer*1, a quantum-inspired technology*2 developed by Fujitsu Ltd. Showa Denko has developed an AI model for predicting the properties of semiconductor materials from complex formulation conditions. To make the AI model computable on Digital Annealer, Showa Denko has expressed the AI model as an Ising model*3, one of the statistical mechanical methods. By simulating the Ising model on Digital Annealer, we have reduced the exploration time to dozens of seconds, about 72,000 times faster than the time required by conventional AI methods, where the type and amount of ingredients to be explored are limited for conventional AI methods. Moreover, the optimal formulation designed with the Ising model is expected to obtain semiconductor materials with 30% higher performance than the formulation designed with conventional AI methods.In its "Long-term Vision for Newly Integrated Company," the Showa Denko Group has announced that it will commit itself to research and development of AI and computational science, which is the core of its fundamental R&D activities. The result of this development is an example of achievements of R&D activities based on the application of "Chemistry to Think" on "Chemistry to Formulate," both of which the Group has defined its basic frameworks for technological development. The Group will apply this development to various materials, accelerate our development activities, and provide our customers with solutions for their problems, thereby contributing to a sustainable society.*1: Digital Annealer: Domain specific computer architecture (basic computer design consisting of memory and computing circuits) specialized in solving computationally intensive combinatorial optimization problems. ( https://www.fujitsu.com/global/services/business-services/digital-annealer/ )*2: Quantum-inspired computing technology: High-performance computing technology inspired by quantum technology, though not directly using quantum effects.*3: Ising model: A statistical mechanical model for describing the behavior of spins in magnetic materials. The model describes the macroscopic magnetization of a magnetic material by considering the interaction between the spins and the coupling to the external magnetic field. The model is applied to a wide range of research areas, including combinatorial optimization problems.About Showa Denko K.K.Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004, ADR:SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving from heavy industry to computers and electronics. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector provides industrial, high-performance and high-purity gases and chemicals for semicon and other industries, the Inorganics Sector provides ceramic products, such as alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbon products. The Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high bright LEDs, and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp/english/.For further information, contact:Showa Denko K.K., Brand Communication Department, Tel: 81-3-5470-3235Source: Showa Denko K.K.Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (10 February 2022) - IMCD N.V. ("IMCD" or "Company"), a leading distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, today announces that IMCD Brasil has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Polyorganic Tecnologia Ltda ("Polyorganic"). "Polyorganic's technical capabilities, market expertise and strong product portfolio are an excellent fit with IMCD and complements our growing presence in the HI&I market," said Nicolas Kaufmann, Managing Director, IMCD Brasil. "Sanitation and infection control have undoubtedly experienced a sharp increase in demand over the past two years. The addition of Polyorganic to IMCD Brasil will allow us to accelerate growth, plus offer more solutions to help manufacturers keep up with market trends and demand. We are proud to welcome Polyorganic to IMCD and together, deliver stronger customer support and technical expertise." Headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Polyorganic was established in 1993 and has become an industry-leading household, industrial and institutional (HI&I) distributor in the country. While the majority of its business is in the HI&I industry, Polyorganic is also a reputable distributor for the water treatment industry and other industrial markets. In 2021, the company generated a revenue of approximately EUR 12 million. "Joining IMCD is a great new chapter for Polyorganic's history," said Mauro Majerowicz, Owner, Polyorganic. "With complementary portfolios and business models, the coming together of our two companies will not only be advantageous for our companies, but also for the partners and customers we serve." Further advancing its market expertise, Polyorganic is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, adds 23 employees to the IMCD Brasil team, plus a HI&I laboratory located in Diadema, Brazil, which provides troubleshooting and formulatory support to customers' research and development teams. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in February 2022. Attached, please find the press release in pdf format, the official photo, and the photo caption. About IMCD N.V. IMCD is a market-leader in the sales, marketing, and distribution of speciality chemicals and ingredients. Its result-driven professionals provide market-focused solutions to suppliers and customers across EMEA, Americas and Asia-Pacific, offering a range of comprehensive product portfolios, including innovative formulations that embrace industry trends. Listed at Euronext, Amsterdam (IMCD), IMCD realised revenues of EUR 2,775 million in 2020 with nearly 3,300 employees in over 50 countries on 6 continents. IMCD's dedicated team of technical and commercial experts work in close partnership to tailor best-in-class solutions and provide value through expertise for around 50,000 customers and a diverse range of world class suppliers. For further information, please visit www.imcdgroup.com. About Polyorganic Tecnologia Ltda Since 1993, Polyorganic Tecnologia Ltda has been a leading chemical specialties, services and technical partner to deliver the most advanced products that contribute to sustainability through ecologically friendly solutions. For more information, please visit https://polyorganic.com.br. Media contacts IMCD Americas Ella Pochay Head of Communications, Americas +1 714 562 7678 news@imcdus.com IMCD Group Maribel Rodriguez Senior Group Communications Manager +31 6 1479 6610 mediarelations@imcdgroup.com Attachments BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Germany's Siemens AG (SIEGY.PK, SMAWF) reported that its first quarter net income attributable to shareholders rose to 1.64 billion euros or 2.02 euros per share from 1.38 billion euros or 1.70 euros per share in the same quarter last year. Revenue for the first quarter grew to 16.50 billion euros from 14.07 billion euros in the previous year. The company noted its virtual annual shareholders' meeting will decide on dividend proposal of 4.00 euros per share for fiscal 2021 compared to 3.50 euros per share paid in 2020. Siemens also announced that it agreed to sell the post and parcel business of Siemens Logistics to Korber AG. In addition, Siemens' stake in the joint venture Valeo Siemens eAutomotive will be sold to Valeo. The sale of Siemens' road traffic unit Yunex Traffic to Atlantia was already announced in January. Siemens said its outlook for fiscal 2022 remains unchanged. It expects industrial businesses to continue their profitable growth. For the Siemens group, the company expects mid-single-digit comparable revenue growth, net of currency translation and portfolio effects, and a book-to-bill ratio above 1. Digital Industries expects for fiscal 2022 to achieve comparable revenue growth of 5% to 8% and a profit margin of 19% to 21%, including known headwinds of up to two percentage points associated with the strategic transition to software as a service (SaaS) in parts of its large software business. Smart Infrastructure expects for fiscal 2022 comparable revenue growth of 5% to 8%. The profit margin is expected to be 12% to 13%. Mobility expects for fiscal 2022 comparable revenue growth of 5% to 8%. The profit margin is expected to be 10.0% to 10.5%. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX SIEMENS-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de Solution to help Ethio Telecom ensure profitability while enhancing competitive advantage BANGALORE, India, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Subex, a pioneer in Digital Trust, announced a partnership with Ethio Telecom, the leading telecom operator in Ethiopia, to provide its Business Assurance solution on its Enterprise AI platform, HyperSense. Through this engagement, Ethio telecom will expand its Revenue Assurance practice into Business Assurance using the solution's easy-to-use control building framework and enhance decision making through the platform's ability to operationalize AI at scale. Ethio Telecom is Ethiopia's leading integrated telecommunications solutions provider with more than 50 million subscribers. As the telecom operator looks to cement its leadership position in the market and enhance its competitive advantage, Ethio Telecom is undergoing network infrastructure and system enhancements to pilot 5G networks in the coming year. Subex's 5G-ready Business Assurance offering will enable Ethio Telecom to be on the cutting edge of risk management automation. As part of its vision to be a 5G digital services provider in Ethiopia, Ethio Telecom wanted to enhance their Revenue Assurance solution to align with their digital transformation project. The operator also wanted a solution to ensure agility scalability to meet expansion requirements as they introduce new services built on 5G. In a fast-changing environment, Ethio Telecom wanted a Technology partner who could engage with agility and scalability as a key proposition. Ethio Telecom selected Subex based on the success of its existing partnership and the future-proof capabilities of Subex's AI platform, HyperSense. Through the deployment of the solution, the operator will now be able to ensure a comprehensive business assurance coverage spanning from concept to cash. With Subex's Business Assurance solution on HyperSense, Ethio Telecom will be able to: Leverage AI as part of its Business Assurance vision Benefit from rolling upgrades i.e. eliminate long and expensive upgrade cycles Improve coverage across their entire product portfolio Proactive approach to Business Assurance, thereby minimizing losses & mitigating risk Commenting on the partnership extension Shankar Roddam, Whole-Time Director & Chief Operating Officer, Subex, said, "We have been a long-standing strategic partner to Ethio Telecom, and we are pleased to be a Strategic partner and expand our engagement with this win. Ethio is accelerating its journey towards 5G and is thereby transforming its systems to be a digital provider. As the operator moves towards 5G and looks to assert its market leadership with new competition coming in, Ethio Telecom understands the need to safeguard its business from various revenue and cost-related risks. For operators like Ethio Telecom embarking on a transformative journey, it will be mission-critical to make fast and accurate decisions towards ensuring profitability and risk mitigation. By upgrading to Business Assurance on the HyperSense platform, Ethio Telecom can now leverage the solution's AI orchestration and cloud-native capabilities to ensure they reduce any form of risks to their revenues. It gives Subex immense pride to continue as Ethio's Digital Trust partner in their journey." Commenting on the solution from Subex, Tsegaye Emmanuel - Chief Information Security Officer at Ethio Telecom said, "Subex has been a trusted partner to Ethio Telecom across the last 8+ years, and they have successfully helped us enhance our risk mitigation approach. Considering our vision to pilot 5G in the coming year and enhance our growth strategy, we were looking build a more powerful and enhanced Business Assurance practice built on advanced AI and analytics capabilities to support our new digital services. Owing to our existing relationship with Subex and the success we have witnessed, we are delighted to expand this partnership. Subex's Business Assurance on HyperSense platform will provide a robust foundation based on our strategic pillars of customer experience, innovation, people-oriented, and excellence in operations to efficiently achieve our long-term goals." About Subex: Subex is a pioneer in enabling Digital Trust for businesses across the globe. Founded in 1994, Subex helps its customers maximize their revenues and profitability. With a legacy of having served the market through world-class solutions for business optimization and analytics, Subex is now leading the way by enabling all-around Digital Trust in the business ecosystems of its customers. Through HyperSense, an end-to-end AI orchestration platform, Subex empowers communications service providers and enterprise customers to make faster, better decisions by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) analytics across the data value chain. Subex leverages its award-winning product portfolio in areas such as Business Assurance and Fraud Management and enhances them with the power of HyperSense to help CSPs reduce risk, combat fraud, and thereby ensure profitability. Subex also offers scalable Managed Services and Business Consulting services. Subex has more than 300 installations across 90+ countries. For more information, visit www.subex.com. In case of any queries, please reach out to- Sandeep Banga Marketing and Communications sandeep.banga@subex.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1447559/SUBEX_Logo.jpg LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Prudential plc (PRU.L, PUK), on Thursday, announced that Group CEO Mike Wells has planned to retire from his role at the end of March 2022 and accordingly, will not stand for re-election as a Director at the next Annual General Meeting. Given the refocused nature of the business, the Board is conducting a search for a Group CEO to be based in Asia to succeed Wells, which includes both internal and external candidates. Further, the company noted that its Group CFO and COO Mark FitzPatrick, will become Interim Group CEO when Wells steps down in March. In addition to leading the Group and continuing as COO, he will assist the incoming Group CEO in completing the transition process, as required. Thereafter he will step down from the Board and remain available to the company as an adviser for a period. Meanwhile, Nic Nicandrou, CEO Asia and Africa, remains responsible for leading all of Prudential's life insurance and asset management businesses across Asia and Africa and will continue to focus on their operational performance. 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. DGAP-Ad-hoc: Majorel Group Luxembourg S.A. / Key word(s): Agreement/Agreement Majorel Group Luxembourg S.A.: Majorel Announces Expanded Strategic Partnership With Booking.com 10-Feb-2022 / 08:50 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. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014. News Release Majorel Announces Expanded Strategic Partnership With Booking.com Luxembourg, February 10, 2022 - Majorel Group Luxembourg S.A. ("Majorel' "the Company"), a leading global provider of next-generation end-to-end customer experience (CX) solutions for digital-native and vertical leading brands, today announces that it has agreed to an expanded strategic partnership with Booking.com. Booking.com and Majorel have entered into an agreement to transfer 12 of Booking.com's 14 internal CX service centers in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas to Majorel. Booking.com will retain its internal support centers in Amsterdam and Manchester (UK). This will enable Booking.com to focus more heavily on strategic areas of competitive advantage, while continuing to deliver world class customer and partner support. Thomas Mackenbrock, CEO of Majorel said: "Booking.com is one of our most valued digital-native clients and we've been very proud to serve them since 2015. This expanded partnership is a testament to the trust and confidence they place in Majorel as an expert provider of next-gen CX. It also fulfils our strategic goal of expanding our geographic footprint into new countries - South Korea, Japan, Thailand and Lithuania - and further consolidates our existing presence in the other markets too." Paul Downham, VP Customer Service at Booking.com said: "Delivering outstanding support to our customers and partners 24/7 will remain vitally important to our business. We believe that working with the team at Majorel and leveraging their industry-leading customer experience expertise is the best way to ensure we continue to meet our customers' and partners' needs as we further expand the diversity of offering on Booking.com across multiple travel products and services." The new partnership agreement is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2022 after the transfer of the service centers from Booking.com to Majorel takes place, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and completion of works council consultations. ABOUT MAJOREL We design, build and deliver next-generation end-to-end CX solutions for many of the world's most respected digital-native and vertical leading brands. Our comprehensive east-to-west global footprint in 35[1] countries across five continents, with more than 66,800[2] team members and 60 languages, allows us to deliver flexible solutions that leverage our expertise in cultural nuance, which we believe to be essential for true excellence in CX. We have deep domain expertise in tech-augmented front to-back-office CX. Additionally, we offer Digital Consumer Engagement, CX Consulting, and an innovative suite of Proprietary Digital Solutions for industry verticals. We are a global leader in Content Services, Trust & Safety. The 'Majorel difference' is our culture of entrepreneurship, captured in our company tagline: Driven to Go Further. www.majorel.com CONTACT Investor Relations Insa Calsow EVP, Investor Relations ir@majorel.com Media Relations Andrew Slater SVP, Global Marketing & Communications media@majorel.com This announcement is released by Majorel Group Luxembourg S.A. ("Company") and contains information that qualified or may have qualified as inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR). This announcement is made for the purposes of MAR and pursuant to Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055. [1] At January 25, 2022 [2] At September 30, 2021 10-Feb-2022 CET/CEST The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de LA DEFENSE (dpa-AFX) - French oil and gas company, TotalEnergies (TTE), said on Thursday that it has signed a deal with SunPower Corp.'s (SPWR), to purchase its Commercial, Industrial Solutions or CIS business, for $250 million, including $60 million milestone payment. The move allows TotalEnergies' to develop its distributed generation business, currently accounting to close to 500 MW in operation worldwide. It will also support the French company to extend its distributed generation business footprint to the US and to develop over 100 MW of additional capacity per year. The transaction is expected to close early second quarter and not expected to reduce TotalEnergies' majority ownership stake of 50.83 percent in SunPower, a solar technology and energy services provider. 'Beyond, this activity will also create synergies with TotalEnergies' large-scale solar energy portfolio in the US and enable B2B customers to benefit from more comprehensive energy solutions and new capabilities in financing and project ownership,' acquirer said in a statement. 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. Proposed transaction would strengthen EDF's leadership in the French nuclear sector with GE's technology and services in nuclear conventional islands, including its Arabelle steam turbines Furthers GE's continued efforts to focus its portfolio; GE retains services-focused Steam Power business, including nuclear services in the Americas, and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy GE (NYSE:GE) and EDF announced today that they have signed an exclusive agreement for EDF to acquire part of GE Steam Power's nuclear power activities. The proposed transaction would bring together GE's nuclear steam turbine technology and services expertise with EDF strengthening its commitment to the nuclear power sector, creating an industry-leading global steam turbine equipment and services provider within EDF Group. Today, GE Steam Power's nuclear steam turbines are installed in half of the world's nuclear power plants, including in all of EDF's nuclear plants in France. The proposed transaction includes GE Steam Power's conventional island equipment for new nuclear power plants-including the world's most powerful steam turbine in operation, the Arabelle turbine, as well as maintenance and upgrades for existing nuclear power plants. The transaction would also include steam turbine technology for future nuclear plants, like the next generation of European pressurized reactors (EPR2) and small modular reactors (SMR). GE would retain a services-focused Steam Power business and continue to provide best-in-class services for more than 100GW of nuclear turbine islands in the Americas region, and it also retains GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, a leading lifecycle provider for reactor islands, which will deploy Canada's first commercial, grid-scale SMR. GE remains committed to the nuclear sector and continues to invest in next-generation technology, which plays an important role in today's energy transition. The nuclear activities and teams in scope of the proposed transaction are based in about fifteen countries, with nearly 70 percent of the workforce in France, including at GE Steam Power manufacturing sites like Belfort and La Courneuve. GE Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., said, "This plan supports GE's efforts to focus our portfolio to be a best-in-class services partner to our Steam Power customers through the energy transition. Nuclear plays an important role in the energy transition, and GE will continue to support the industry through servicing our nuclear steam turbine fleet in the Americas as well as through GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's nuclear reactors, fuels, and services, including our SMR technology." Jean-Bernard Levy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EDF, said: "The climate emergency is reaffirming the role of nuclear energy. EDF is proud to contribute to the achievement of carbon neutrality by preserving this technology. This plan to acquire part of GE Steam Power's nuclear activities including the Arabelle turbine will enable EDF to strengthen its key technologies and skills for the nuclear fleet in operation and for new nuclear projects in France and worldwide." Financial terms of the proposed transaction were not disclosed. The proposed transaction is subject to consultation with employee representatives and other customary closing conditions, including regulatory requirements. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2023. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements that is, statements related to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For details on the uncertainties that may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements, see https://www.ge.com/investor-relations/important-forward-looking-statement-information, as well as our SEC reports. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements. About GE GE (NYSE:GE) rises to the challenge of building a world that works. For more than 125 years, GE has invented the future of industry, and today the company's dedicated team, leading technology, and global reach and capabilities help the world work more efficiently, reliably, and safely. GE's people are diverse and dedicated, operating with the highest level of integrity and focus to fulfill GE's mission and deliver for its customers. www.ge.com About GE Steam Power GE Steam Power offers a broad portfolio of technologies and services predominately for nuclear and coal power plants helping customers deliver reliable power as they transition to a lower carbon future. With more than 30% of the world's steam turbine installed capacity and 50% of the world's steam turbines operating in nuclear power plants, GE Steam Power's technologies and services can be applied to power plants that produce more than half of the world's electricity today. About EDF A key player in energy transition, the EDF Group is an integrated electricity company, active in all areas of the business: generation, transmission, distribution, energy supply and trading, energy services. A global leader in low-carbon energies, the Group has developed a diversified generation mix mainly based on nuclear power renewable energy (hydropower) and invests in new technologies to support the energy transition energy. EDF's raison d'etre is to build a net zero energy future with electricity and innovative solutions and services, to help save the planet and drive well-being and economic development. The Group is involved in supplying energy and services to approximately 37.9 million customers (1), including 28.7 million in France (2). It generated consolidated sales of 69 billion in 2020. EDF is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange. (1) As of 2018, customers are counted by delivery site; a customer may have two delivery points: one for electricity and another for gas. (2) Including ES (Electricite de Strasbourg). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220209006276/en/ Contacts: GE Investor Contact Steve Winoker 617.443.3400 swinoker@ge.com GE Media Contacts Andrea Doane 41.79.554.7013 andrea.doane@ge.com Mary Kate Mullaney 202.304.6514 marykate.nevin@ge.com EDF Investor Contact 01 40 42 40 38 EDF Media Contact Service-de-presse@edf.fr 01 40 42 46 37 The NHS Cancer Alliance responsible for optimising cancer services across Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire will become the first in the United Kingdom to implement a new AI technology from Inspirata designed to accelerate the process by which patients with cancer are identified and matched with relevant clinical trials. Bristol, United Kingdom, Feb. 10, 2022software at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), as the first step of a multi-site roll-out of the clinical trial matching solution for the benefit of patients across the geography. This initiative is part of the alliance's long-standing aim of improving clinical trial access. "We are excited to partner with Inspirata in implementing Trial Navigator," said Dr Helen Winter, Clinical Director of SWAG Cancer Alliance. "We hope that this solution will afford both clinicians and patients in the region a greater choice of potential treatment options. Similarly, expedite the fulfilment of existing, and the hosting of new clinical trials as we look to recover services affected by the pandemic." Trial Navigator draws on oncology-specific natural language processing (NLP) AI to eliminate common bottlenecks within the trial matching workflow by working with the Trust's existing information governance processes to search the individual medical reports, notes and referral letters of patients with cancer, abstracting key information about their disease and automatically cross-referencing attributes identified against study eligibility criteria held within clinical trial databases. The software then immediately surfaces studies most likely to represent a patient-fit for clinical evaluation. "Clinical trials are an integral part of the optimal management of cancer patients but having a complete and up-to-date picture of the ever-changing trial landscape can be time-consuming," said Dr Axel Walther, Clinical Trials Unit Lead at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, UHBW."Working with Inspirata to automate this aspect of the oncology workflow means our clinical teams can spend more time with patients evaluating potential trial options to best suit them. More patients will be able to take part in trials relevant to their cancer, increasing treatment options and driving innovation." It is also hoped that the introduction of Trial Navigator will help to assist in recruiting a wider demographic of patients to take part in cancer research, as a recent audit has shown that some cohorts of patients are less likely to participate in clinical trials than others. It is anticipated that this software will bring opportunities forward and medical teams will be able to offer these to patients more readily. "Recent evidence points to a myriad of factors contributing to the under-representation of different groups in cancer studies. This can include pressures on healthcare professionals' workload, time constraints and lack of trial information," further explained Helen Winter. "The implementation of Trial Navigator is designed to help our care teams extend access to cancer research to everyone within our community wishing to take advantage." Automation of clinical trial matching will also assist the SWAG Cancer Alliance in working towards NHS England's defined aims for the building-back of cancer services following Covid-19. "NHS England detailed the tackling of inequalities and utilising innovations in practice as key strategic points of its Cancer Service Recovery Plan ," said Dr Adam Dangoor, Chief Clinical Information Officer at UHBW. "In engaging Inspirata we are addressing a long-standing aim of our Cancer Alliance of ensuring more patients are put forward for trial. In addition, making our pathways more efficient and automatic so we can provide the most effective care for our patients." Oenone Duroe, General Manager Inspirata Europe, said: "Inspirata is thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to work with the SWAG Cancer Alliance and is excited to help the region cement its reputation for innovation and clinical trial excellence." Inspirata's engagement with the SWAG Cancer Alliance follows an equivalent collaboration with Guy's and St Thomas', King's Health Partners Experimental Cancer Medical Centre and Cancer Research UKaround automated patient matching with early-phase clinical trials. ENDS About Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance The Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon & Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance is the forum to bring providers and commissioners together with patients, to co-design services to optimise pathways, ensure effective integration and address variation, and are the vehicle that leads the activity required at a local level to meet the 2023/24 ambitions set out by the Cancer Taskforce. The Cancer Alliance puts clinical leaders across primary, secondary, and tertiary care in the driving seat for improving quality and outcomes across cancer pathways, based on shared data and metrics. Continuing to deliver the strategy and its programmes will require committed leadership, smart choices around investing to save, and a firm intent to try new approaches and test new models of care. About Inspirata Europe Ltd. Inspirata Europe helps patients fighting cancer-and the clinicians they trust-to make every moment matter. Our comprehensive cancer informatics solutions bring disparate data together throughout the entire cancer care journey to drive informed decisions that improve survivorship. Inspirata has assembled the most advanced and proven technologies to address the complex challenges of delivering cancer care and conducting ground-breaking research. We combine leading digital pathology solutions with automated cancer registry solutions, comprehensive cancer informatics and advanced patient engagement tools to bring users the broadest oncology informatics platform available globally. To learn more, visit www.inspirata.com. Attachments DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Statistics show that, on average, women earn better investment returns, have a higher savings rate, and invest more consistently compared to men. And yet, fewer women invest than men. So why does the "gender investing gap" still exist? StashAway will explore this question and more in its first masterclass series. She Invests will cover Personal Finance and Investing Basics, Investing in Your Beliefs with Thematic Investing, Digital Assets and Gender-equal practices at the Workplace. Nandini Joshi, StashAway COO, says, "Compared to men, women tend to live longer, defer financial planning to their partners, and take time off work to look after their families. So it's crucial that women take charge of their long-term financial planning and retirement needs. She Invests will immerse women in the full spectrum of financial planning opportunities, from investing in the S&P500 to understanding the world of crypto and NFTs." Michele Ferrario, StashAway Co-founder and CEO, adds, "Data shows that 94% of men want their partners to be involved in financial decisions. And the majority of women who defer financial decisions to their partners also want to be involved[1]. She Invests doubles down on StashAway's efforts to equip everyone with the knowledge and tools to have that conversation at home about financial planning, and ultimately build and manage wealth for the long term." She Invests is an extension of StashAway Academy, the company's free personal finance course, which has seen more than 16,000 female attendees across 5 markets. And the results speak for themselves: Clients who identify as female now make up half of StashAway's client base, up from 10% from the company's launch 5 years ago. [1] Own Your Worth 2021, UBS, published April 2021. About StashAway StashAway is a digital wealth manager that offers investment portfolios and wealth management solutions for both retail and professional investors and operates in Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East and North Africa, Hong Kong, and Thailand. In January 2021, the company surpassed $1 billion USD in assets under management. It achieved this milestone faster than it took the world's largest digital wealth managers, Betterment and Wealthfront, to reach the same milestone. In 2020, StashAway was recognised as a Technology Pioneer by The World Economic Forum and a Top 10 LinkedIn Startup. StashAway has raised US$ 61.4 Million in 6 rounds of financing. Lead investors include Asia Capital & Advisors, Eight Roads Ventures, Square Peg, and Sequoia Capital. 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. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Biden Administration's Priorities for U.S. Foreign Policy on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 10, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua) By Chen Hong Just when the US and the West are continuing to incite and hype the crisis of the Russian-Ukrainian military confrontation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled hastily to Australia on February 7. During his seven-day Asia-Pacific visit, Blinken would hold a series of high-level talks in Australia, Fiji and Hawaii. In addition to meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and convening the foreign ministers' meeting among the US, Japan, Australia and India, and the foreign ministers' meeting among the US, Japan and South Korea, the highlight of Blinken's trip is to meet with leaders of 18 island countries in Fiji. Blinken said before the trip that he hoped the Pacific island countries would join the US to "raise our ambition in the region" . It is evident that the Pacific has in fact become a priority in the US's global diplomacy and security strategy. The ultimate goal of this tactical operation is to hedge against China's peaceful development and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. According to a senior US government official, the Biden administration plans to launch a new Pacific Islands initiative with its allies and partners to strengthen linkages and cooperation with countries in the region. Therefore, Blinken's visit to Fiji has a very distinct strategic goal. On the one hand, Blinken keeps saying that he will help the island countries improve their goals on issues such as climate, ocean, and transportation. On the other hand, however, Blinken uses ideology to guide and plan the relationship between the US and the South Pacific island countries, requiring the island countries to find ways to further "our shared commitment to democracy, regional solidarity and prosperity" . In recent years, the US has led Australia and other countries to move frequently in the Pacific region, focusing on strengthening the overall influence of the US and the West on the South Pacific island countries. Their goal is to crowd out, contain and suppress the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and other countries in the region in politics, economy, society, culture and education. Since 2017, under the guidance of the US "Indo-Pacific Strategy" that targets China, Australia has launched its "Pacific Step-up plan and began to re-intensify its economic assistance in the South Pacific region. At the same time, Australia has continued to smear China's economic aid for Pacific island countries, the Belt and Road Initiative joint construction projects and other economic cooperation, and has repeatedly obstructed and undermined the local infrastructure investment and construction activities by Chinese companies. Under pressure from the US, New Zealand has also formulated a corresponding plan Pacific Reset . The governments and people of the Pacific island countries welcome and appreciate the assistance and cooperation from China. The roads, ports, schools, hospitals, cultural venues and other facilities that China has assisted and invested in the island countries have directly improved the local economy and people's lives. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi presided over the first China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting via videolink in October last year, which achieved fruitful results. For the US and Australia and other countries, this is like bone in the throat. Against this background, politicians in Washington and Canberra see the Pacific island nations as a battleground against China. According to a senior US official, Blinken will also sign a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau during meetings with leaders of the three countries to advance US's military access. Moreover, under the inducement of the US, Palau has proposed that the US can establish a military base in Palau, and even send the US Coast Guard to Palau. Under the banner of democracy, the practice is to implement the reality of military hegemony. This is the essence of the US Pacific strategy. In January, the US Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council Kurt Campbell claimed that the Pacific region could become a region for "strategic surprise". Is he implying that Washington may be promoting some kind of unexpected contingencies in the region? If Campbell really meant something, Blinken's trip to Fiji will become even more intriguing. (The author is the director of the Australian Studies Centre and executive director of the Asia Pacific Research Center at East China Normal University) Editor's note: This article is originally published on huanqiu.com, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. LONDON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Warburg Pincus, a leading global growth investor, today announced the acquisition of Pharma Intelligence, a leading provider of specialist intelligence, data, and software for clinical trials, drug development, and regulatory compliance, from Informa PLC (LSE:INF.L), the international B2B markets knowledge services and business intelligence group. Mubadala Investment Company, the Abu Dhabi based investment company, joins Warburg Pincus in the investment. The investors plan to extend the company's leading position in the pharmaceutical data and analytics market, investing in the creation of innovative products for its customers. Informa will retain 15% ownership in the company. Pharma Intelligence is a leading operator in the $22 billion global pharma and life sciences analytics markets. The company holds the leading position in the clinical trial intelligence space, providing insights on patient enrollment and demographics, trial progress, individual trial sites and investigators for more than 375,000 clinical trials across 180 countries. The company's solutions are used by 3,000 pharmaceutical companies and CROs in their clinical trial design, commercial strategy, and regulatory compliance processes to maximize the likelihood of success of introducing products to market. The acquisition includes Informa's full portfolio of specialist brands which includes the Citeline suite of products, Trialtrove, Sitetrove, Pharmaprojects and Citeline branded products, as well as Biomedtracker, Clinerion, Datamonitor Healthcare, Pink Sheet, Scrip, Skipta, and TrialScope. Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa PLC, said "We received significant interest in the Pharma Intelligence business. We are delighted to partner with Warburg Pincus and share their view on its future growth potential, hence, we welcomed an agreement that represented value today and growth and value tomorrow.' Adarsh Sarma, co-head of Europe and Chandler Reedy, Head of Strategic Investments at Warburg Pincus said 'Pharma Intelligence is an increasingly important company with tremendous growth potential. We believe that demand for its services will increase as the world becomes more data driven and focused on using predictive analytics to solve health issues and major diseases. As one of the world's largest investors in pharma, health tech and b2b information services, Warburg Pincus is uniquely placed to help the company achieve its growth potential. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Informa as we invest in and grow the company, building on the great work undertaken already.' Jay Nadler, Senior Adviser to Warburg Pincus said 'Pharma Intelligence's services are of vital importance to the pharma, biotech, and healthcare community. It's a fast-growing company with outstanding products and people, and a commitment to best-in-class service with deep expertise in sectors that Warburg Pincus understands extremely well. We look forward to partnering with the company's employees and customers, working together to drive innovation to introduce more efficiency into the drug development lifecycle.' David Reis and Amr Kronfol, Managing Directors at Warburg Pincus said "As a leading growth investor, the potential for innovation and growth are central to our investment approach and this applies to our strategy for Pharma Intelligence. We will increase focus and investment for innovation and product development to address important customer needs, working in partnership with Informa, Jay Nadler, and the Pharma Intelligence team.' Warburg Pincus has a strong record of investing in innovative healthcare technology companies, including Aetion, Insilico, GHX, Experity, Nuance Communications, and Modernizing Medicine. Notable investments in information services include, Accelya, Interactive Data Corporation, Fortius, Gordian and MLM Information Services. Warburg Pincus has also undertaken several successful recent carve-outs, including Constructionline / Fortius from Capita and 1&1 Internet from United Internet. The acquisition is expected to complete within the first half of 2022, subject to any relevant regulatory clearances. Notes to Editors About Informa Informa is a leading international B2B markets, knowledge services and business intelligence Group. It helps commercial, professional and academic communities work smarter and make better decisions faster, through specialist content and intelligence, and opportunities to connect and learn. For more information, please visit www.informa.com About Pharma Intelligence A leading operator in the $22bn global pharma and life sciences analytics markets, Pharma Intelligence delivers highly valued specialist intelligence and data in areas of Clinical Trials, Drug Development and Regulatory Compliance. Its portfolio of specialist brands includes the Citeline suite of products (Citeline Predict, Citeline Engage, Citeline Connect), Biomedtracker, Datamonitor Healthcare, Scrip, Pink Sheet and TrialScope. About Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus LLC is a leading global growth investor. The firm has more than $73 billion in assets under management. The firm's active portfolio of more than 235 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector, and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 20 private equity and 2 real estate funds, which have invested more than $100 billion in over 1,000 companies in more than 40 countries. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, and Singapore. For more information please visit www.warburgpincus.com. Follow us on LinkedIn. About Mubadala Investment Company Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for the Government of Abu Dhabi. Mubadala's $243.4 billion portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. We leverage our deep sectoral expertise and long-standing partnerships to drive sustainable growth and profit, while supporting the continued diversification and global integration of the economy of the United Arab Emirates. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala has offices in London, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York, San Francisco, and Beijing. For more information about Mubadala Investment Company, please visit: www.mubadala.com. Media Contact Jenna Ward | Europe Communications Director T: +44 20 7306 3805 E: jenna.ward@warburgpincus.com CALGARY, AB, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IBS Software has partnered with Lynx Air (Lynx), Canada's new ultra-affordable airline, to manage its flight operations. IBS's iFlight digital platform will optimize Lynx's flight and crew operations in keeping with the airline's ultra low-cost business model. iFlight provides a fully digital, integrated operations platform, simplifying and automating processes and systems to deliver optimal efficiency, regulatory compliance and reduced operating costs. The modular design of iFlight will enable Lynx to scale operations effectively as the airline ramps up its fleet to 46 aircraft and expands its network reach over the coming years. Lynx joins more than 50 airlines around the globe that currently use the iFlight portfolio. Lynx is the first ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) to implement the integrated operations and crew platform solution. As a new entrant into the Canadian aviation market, Lynx required a fast and seamless implementation process to support its ambitious launch program and timetable. IBS Software has invested in iFlight to ensure the system can be rolled out quickly and efficiently. iFlight was implemented for Lynx in just four months, fully remotely and with minimal need for customization. The browser-based application can effectively scale to support operations and crew needs, regardless of size and business model. The modular architecture allows airlines to add functionality as their operational complexity grows, helping them optimize resources, employ emerging technologies, and boost decision-making processes. All modules are architected to add value to airline operations and provide significant benefits, so return on the investment is clear for the airlines. "We are pleased to be partnering with IBS Software to support our operations through launch and beyond. Lynx's vision is to leverage technology to maximize the productivity and efficiency of our operations, which will in turn enable us to offer ultra-affordable airfares to Canadians. The iFlight platform will enable us to deliver on that vision. The implementation process was quick and seamless and the IBS Software team were responsive and knowledgeable. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with IBS Software as we expand our network and deliver on our mission to make air travel accessible to all Canadians," said Merren McArthur, CEO and President of Lynx Air. "To be chosen by Lynx, an ambitious airline disrupting the sector, is testimony not only to the power of our technology, but also to our capability to deliver value to the fast-growing ULCC segment. We expect strong demand for cloud-hosted operations and crew platforms from start-up and lean, digital airlines around the globe. The iFlight platform at Lynx proves that it is scalable for all sizes of airlines from start-ups to large complex airlines," said Mathew Baby, Senior Vice President and Head of Aviation Operations Solutions, IBS Software. About IBS Software IBS Software is a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, managing mission-critical operations for customers in the aviation, tour & cruise and hospitality industries. IBS Software's solutions for the aviation industry cover fleet & crew operations, aircraft maintenance, passenger services, loyalty programs, staff travel and air-cargo management. IBS Software also runs a real time B2B and B2C distribution platform providing hotel room inventory, rates and availability to a global network of hospitality companies and channels. For the tour and cruise industry, IBS provides a comprehensive, customer-centric, digital platform that covers onshore, online and on-board solutions. IBS Software is a Blackstone portfolio company and operates from 15 offices across the world. Further information can be found at https://www.ibsplc.com/ About Lynx Air Lynx Air (Lynx) is Canada's new ultra-affordable airline, on a mission to make air travel accessible to all, with low fares, a fleet of brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft and great customer service. Lynx is a privately owned Canadian airline with the financial backing and industry expertise required to transform the Canadian aviation landscape. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1743128/IBS_Image_Lynx_Air.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1169353/IBS_Software_Logo.jpg Regulatory News: TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE), through its affiliate TotalEnergies E&P USA, Inc., announces its decision not to sanction and so to withdraw from the North Platte deepwater project in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The decision not to continue with the project was taken as the Company has better opportunities of allocation of its capital within its global portfolio. TotalEnergies who held a 60% operated interest in North Platte, alongside its joint-interest owner Equinor (40%) has duly notified its partner and the relevant authorities of its immediate withdrawal from the project, and of its resignation as operator which will be effective following a short transition period to ensure an orderly hand-over of operatorship. 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. @TotalEnergiesTotalEnergiesTotalEnergiesTotalEnergies 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 Universal 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/20220210005449/en/ Contacts: TotalEnergies Contacts 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 Japanese fintech start-up Sustainable Lab Inc., a pioneer in data science for sustainability, and SAP Japan have begun a collaborative development of a service to visualize "true corporate value" including non-financial values (ESG/SDGs). The company had joined SAP Japan's "SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo" Fall 2021 cohort program in October 2021 and the parties have laid the groundwork for the collaboration of service. Aims of the collaboration Through this collaboration, they will be able to provide our customers with more comprehensive data and multiple scenarios. It will also enable to assess, manage, share, and improve non-financial values such as corporate value enhancement and ESG/SDGs initiatives. They will support and accelerate more comprehensive and accurate ESG investment decisions for institutional investors and more data-driven SDGs management for corporate clients, thereby raising the level of sustainability in society and promoting sustainability transformation. Overview of the service They will be able to perform data analysis based on more data by linking TERRAST , a non-financial big data platform specialized in ESG/SDGs provided by Sustainable Lab with various ERP solutions of SAP Japan (SAP Sustainability Control Tower, SAP Product Footprint Management, SAP Responsible Design and Production, etc.). Video about the service (YouTube) About Sustainable Lab Inc. Sustainable Lab, founded in 2019, is a big data professional team using AI to analyze non-financial and SDGs big data for illuminating social-good companies while creating solutions for Sustainability Transformation (SX). By using internationally recognized indicators as well as reported data, we can quantify the non-financial data (ESG/SDGs). This data is often discussed in qualitative terms; thus, we can make an integrated judgment of the corporation's environmental and social values with our work. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220209006222/en/ Contacts: Natsuki Takagi PR Division Sustainable Lab Inc. (81) 3-6869-3615 publicity@suslab.net Designed to save time, enable workplace compliance and position the organization's lobby for a remarkable first impression BUCHAREST, Romania, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yarooms, leading workplace experience solution provider, announces Digital Reception - the visitor management system providing a safe environment for guests and employees while maintaining full control and visibility over the workplace. Along with Room booking, Desk booking and Work planning, the Digital Reception newly developed app becomes a part of the whole workplace experience suite and ensures workplace safety and compliance. The app facilitates the daily employee check-in process and provides a seamless experience for visitors entering the premises. It confirms their arrival, requests to fill a safety screening questionnaire, and notifies the person they are meeting so there is no need for reception calling or messaging them. "The Yarooms Digital Reception is the latest capability to contribute to the complete workplace experience solution. It was a priority to roll it out, knowing how important it is to our clients. We always keep in mind the employees' safety and experience, and we believe this is a welcome addition which saves time and keeps the required control and visibility over their workplace," said Dragos Badea, Yarooms Founder & CEO. The first impression must be a powerful and lasting one, so the Digital Reception app is branding-friendly, allowing clients to customize the app interface according to their brand guidelines. Apart from the good looks, the Digital Reception solves another important situation - huddled reception areas. The app helps companies manage the influx of people, with the digital sign-in form being up to three times faster than the traditional pen & paper way. The contemporary tool serves as a front desk no matter where companies decide to install it, not only in the traditional welcome area. With the COVID-19 pandemic still in sight, companies require solutions such as the Yarooms Digital Reception to keep up with the changing procedures, maintaining the flexibility of rolling out new requirements as needed. About Yarooms Yarooms is a Romanian tech company creating powerful yet easy-to-use workplace management software since 2010. Their desk booking, meeting room booking, work planning, and visitor management solutions help organizations around the world get started with hybrid work and future-proof their workplaces. Today, Yarooms serves enterprises across 65+ countries. EquityStory.RS, LLC-News: PJSC Mechel / Key word(s): Payout PJSC Mechel: MECHEL ANNOUNCES PARTIAL EARLY REPAYMENT OF LOAN OBLIGATIONS TO VTB BANK 10.02.2022 / 12:00 MSK The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. MECHEL ANNOUNCES PARTIAL EARLY REPAYMENT OF LOAN OBLIGATIONS TO VTB BANK Moscow, Russia - February 10, 2022 - Mechel PAO (MOEX: MTLR, NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, reports early repayment of its obligations to VTB Bank regarding its dollar-denominated loan. Southern Kuzbass Coal Company, which is part of Mechel Group's mining segment, acted as the debtor on this loan. As part of the restructuring conducted in 2020, the outstanding 341-million-dollar amount on this loan was scheduled to be repaid by the end of April 2022. In early February, Southern Kuzbass Coal Company repaid the outstanding amount on this loan in full ahead of schedule. As a result, part of the collateral pledged to VTB Bank will be released. "Mechel's management has repeatedly noted that repayment of our loan obligations are a top priority for us. On behalf of our company, I would like to offer our deepest gratitude to our partners at VTB Bank for these fruitful joint efforts. Repaying this debt is yet another important step in improving the Group's financial balance. I am sure that this will help us secure stable operations at Mechel's facilities and support social stability in regions of our presence," Mechel PAO's Chief Executive Officer Oleg Korzhov commented. "Mechel Group is servicing its debt to VTB Bank promptly and in full. Due to rising steel prices, as well as the increased prices for coking and thermal coal, the company is demonstrating a major improvement in its financial results. VTB Bank remains Mechel's reliable partner and is interested in its stable operations and further development," First Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board Yuri Soloviev said. *** Mechel PAO Ekaterina Videman Tel: + 7 495 221 88 88 ekaterina.videman@mechel.com *** Mechel is an international mining and steel company. Its products are marketed in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa. Mechel unites producers of coal, iron ore concentrate, steel, rolled products, ferroalloys, heat and electric power. All of its enterprises work in a single production chain, from raw materials to high value-added products. *** Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Mechel, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not intend to update these statements. We refer you to the documents Mechel files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in our Form 20-F, that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, volatility in stock markets or in the price of our shares or ADRs, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions. 10.02.2022 MSK Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EquityStory.RS, LLC - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EquityStory.RS, LLC Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Figure 1: Initial Drill Holes at La Gloria Property "Following on from our excellent initial surface and trench sampling program we are exciting to start drilling at La Gloria. The initial drilling is focused on the Main Zone and El Sombrero targets, a 2,000 hectares/20 km sq area. The aim of the program is to explore for extensions of known mineralization from the Main Zone into El Sombrero, a part of the property never previously drilled, and gain greater knowledge within the Main Zone of the known mineralization and geological structures." said Michael Wood, CEO of Reyna Gold. Figure 2: Initial 22 Drill Holes at Main Zone and El Sombrero "We have identified a strong correlation between arsenic levels and gold, with arsenic appearing to be a geochemical pathfinder of gold in the system at both Main Zone and El Sombrero. El Sombrero has some very promising historic surface sampling results and has never been drilled. We have identified multiple lineaments running on the NW-SE trend in the El Sombrero area, parallel to El Carneros regional fault. These lineaments are believed to host possible extensions of mineralization to N and NE into El Sombrero from the Main Zone and our drilling is intended to test this thesis. We also plan to explore a series of NW trending structures in Placeres, Main Zone target, which could link to the Big Pit, Main Zone target." Commented Ariel Navarro VP Exploration of Reyna Gold. Drilling is starting at the Shear zone at Big Pit within the Main Zone with 6 planned holes; then will move down to Pique Viejo for 3 holes focused on the steep-dipping high-grade quartz veining recently identified in sampling, including drilling a steeply dipping vein where a channel sample returned 93.9 g/t gold. The drill rig will then move to Placeres, Main Zone for an additional 3 holes, with the aim of drilling a series of mineralized structures along a strike length NW, with a trend towards the Big Pit target area, before moving to El Sombrero for 10 holes to target at depth the high-grade mineralized structures. The intention is by the end of the initial 3,000m of drilling, the company will immediately move into the next stage of this 10,000m drilling at La Gloria. Further details will be announced on the follow-up targets once they have been finalized. Vancouver, British Columbia and Rehovot, Israel--(Newsfile Corp. - February 10, 2022) - BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (CSE: BHSC) (OTC PINK: CNVCF) (FSE:8MV) ("BioHarvest" or "the Company") a fast-growing Biotech firm listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, has engaged the award winning New York City-based communications firm Thunder11 for Public Relations services. Thunder11, which has specializations in technology, healthcare, and public affairs, will be involved in raising BioHarvest's profile with media relations, partners, and other influential audiences. BioHarvest joins a roster of Thunder11 clients which over the years has included some of the world's leading technology companies and healthcare organizations. In January 2022, BioHarvest announced its plan to build a production facility in Canada as part of the global expansion of its Cannabis vertical. BioHarvest also recently announced it has also moved its production of full-spectrum Cannabis biomass to industrial scale bioreactors, a critical final step in ensuring adequate production levels for commercialization. This full spectrum, fertiliser free, non-genetically modified biomass is based on the company's proprietary BioFarming technology. "We are delighted to be working with BioHarvest to tell the world the story of their breathtaking innovations, including the production of Cannabis without growing the plant," said Thunder11 Managing Partner Dan Perry. "Such innovation is not only disruptive in a good way but has tremendous potential for humanity's health and wellness as well as global sustainability." Thunder11 offers its clients a broad range of capabilities from messaging and brand identity to thought leadership, content creation, crisis and issues management and communications and sales force training. The firm was recognized in 2019 as "Boutique PR Firm of the Year" at the Platinum PR Awards and in 2020 was named to the Agency Elite Top 100 list of leading communications agencies. Thunder11 is led by Senior Partner Marco Greenberg, a former managing director at Burson-Marsteller and author of the 2020 Wall Street Journal bestseller "Primitive: Tapping the Primal Drive That Powers the World's Most Successful People." Marco's first PR firm worked with Akamai Technologies several years from inception through IPO. He later helped lead communications for Datto through their acquisition by Vista Equity Partners, among many other fortune 500 companies. Greenberg co-founded Thunder11 in 2007 with Liel Leibovitz, a former NYU communications professor, host of the award-winning podcast "Unorthodox," and an author of several books including "A Broken Hallelujah: Rock and Roll, Redemption, and the Life of Leonard Cohen." Tel Aviv-based Perry was the former top editor of the Associated Press in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and the author of several books on Israel. The firm's leadership includes SVP Client Relations Ryan Birchmeier, who leads the BioHarvest account. BioHarvest joins the many companies Thunder11 has represented, from small to large cap and Fortune 500 organizations, as well as universities, major regional healthcare systems, tech and biotech startups, venture capital firms and public affairs campaigns. In recent years, several Thunder11 clients have been named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies and World Changing Ideas lists and TIME's Best Inventions. Its clients have appeared everywhere from SXSW to CES from Web Summit to Aspen Ideas Festival, and among other prestigious stages around the world. About BioHarvest Sciences Inc. BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (CSE: BHSC) is a fast-growing Biotech firm listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. BioHarvest has developed a patented bio-cell growth platform technology capable of growing the active and beneficial ingredients in fruit and plants, at industrial scale, without the need to grow the plant itself. This technology is economical, ensures consistency, and avoids the negative environmental impacts associated with traditional agriculture. BioHarvest is currently focused on nutraceuticals and the medicinal cannabis markets. Visit: www.bioharvest.com. BioHarvest Sciences Inc. Ilan Sobel, Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Dave Ryan, VP Investor Relations & Director Phone: 1 (604) 622-1186 Email: dave@bioharvest.com Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release includes forward-looking statements that are based on management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and actual results may be affected by a number of material factors beyond our control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. BHSC does not intend to update forward-looking statement disclosures other than through our regular management discussion and analysis disclosures. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accept 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/113378 LONDON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PharmaVentures today announced it has moved its operational headquarters from Oxford to London as part of its continued strategic expansion. The company will retain its remaining operational and administrative functions at its new registered office in Oxford. Dr Fintan Walton, Chief Executive and Founder of PharmaVentures said: "As a leading global transaction advisory firm, it makes sense that PharmaVentures moves its functional operations to one of world's leading financial cities. We wanted a location that reflects PharmaVentures' forward-thinking culture and enterprise. So, in the end London was the obvious choice." The new London Headquarters is close to Paddington Station, serves both Oxford and London's Heathrow Airport, making it extremely convenient for its global clients travelling to London. Located in the West End and in the newly developed and dynamic city campus called Paddington Central, the offices are just a short walk from London's famous and quaint Little Venice where the Grand Union Canal meets Regent's Canal. The new London address is: One Kingdom Street, Fourth Floor, Paddington, London W2 6BD, United Kingdom. The new Oxford and registered address is: Oxford House, Oxford Business Park South, Oxford OX4 2JY, United Kingdom. For further information, please contact: Lisa Holloway Senior Marketing Manager PharmaVentures Ltd +44 (0) 1865 332 700 enquiries@pharmaventures.com About PharmaVentures PharmaVentures is a premier transaction advisory firm and a leading international company in partnering, M&A deals and strategic alliances. For 30 years, PharmaVentures has acted as advisor on over 900 deal related projects covering licensing, mergers, acquisitions, divestments, and joint venture activities for companies world-wide. PharmaVentures' deep bank of specialist experience, deal analytics and network of contacts among innovators and large pharma makes it uniquely placed to support business in all aspects of deal making and strategic planning. PharmaVentures is well known for its deep insight into deal structures and its success for generating partnering interest. PharmaVentures' services include: M&A (divestments, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions) (divestments, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions) Licensing (in and out licensing) (in and out licensing) Fundraising Support Strategy (commercialisation, deal strategy, due diligence, market entry) (commercialisation, deal strategy, due diligence, market entry) Valuation and Positioning (licensing, M&A, and fundraising) NOTE: This Press release is issued by PharmaVentures Limited, whose wholly owned subsidiary PharmaVentures Capital Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (741356). This communication is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or engage in any investment products, securities or services and should not be deemed as such. Harrison Street, one of the leading investment management firms exclusively focused on alternative real assets, today announced the final close of its third European alternative real estate fund, Harrison Street European Property Partners III, SLP RAIF ("Fund III" or the "Fund"), which raised over 800 million of equity, including co-investment vehicles, from over 25 institutional investors around the globe. Fund III is approximately 75% committed to date and includes a life sciences portfolio of over 2 million square feet, making Harrison Street one of the largest private real estate owners of life sciences assets in the UK. Additional Fund III investments include build-to-rent and student accommodation in the UK, Ireland and Spain. Launched in 2015, Harrison Street's European strategy encompasses alternative investments in student accommodation, build-to-rent residential, and life sciences real estate. The firm's growing and diverse European team is based in London and includes over 40 dedicated professionals, comprising 14 nationalities speaking 17 languages. In this time, the firm has acquired or developed 70 assets, including over 18,000 student accommodation beds and 2,600 residential units, in partnership with 14 operating partners in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and Spain. Additional investments in the near-term pipeline are anticipated to expand the firm's footprint to the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy and Portugal. Paul Bashir, Chief Executive Officer of Harrison Street Europe, said, "As a leader and first mover in European alternative real estate, Harrison Street has developed a diverse portfolio across our primary sectors and geographies by drawing on our world-class investment team, deep relationships, and global sector expertise. The successful closing of Harrison Street European Property Partners III, Harrison Street's largest European-focused fund, amid the global pandemic, reflects the resiliency of our asset classes, the strength of our investment platform, and confidence placed in us by our global investors, both existing and new." Christopher Merrill, Harrison Street's Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, added, "We are grateful for our investors' strong support as we continue to execute on the significant opportunities in front of us and pursue consistent performance across the portfolio throughout market cycles. We have built an exceptional team on the ground in the UK and across continental Europe and are very focused bringing the full resources and expertise of the firm to realize the significant potential embedded in our pipeline in the coming years." Bashir concluded, "Our first alternative European fund, a 2015 vintage, is under contract to sell its remaining seven assets in the coming weeks, which will result in that fund being fully realized ahead of schedule and with projected returns well ahead of target. We believe this further demonstrates the attractive opportunity within our sectors of focus throughout Europe and the differentiated investment opportunities we offer our investors." During 2021, Harrison Street had its most active and diverse investment year on record including USD$15 billion of gross cost across 264 assets in demographic-driven alternative real estate as well as social and utility infrastructure throughout North America and Europe. The firm also received strong support from its global institutional investor base with over USD$5.8 billion of capital commitments raised across its strategies. Harrison Street continued to expand its platform with over 45 new hires and a new office in San Francisco. Additionally, the firm launched an ESG Investor Council and Harrison Street's Network of Women dedicated to advancing ESG and DEI initiatives. In November 2021, the firm's corporate offices in Chicago and London and employee-related emissions achieved net zero global greenhouse gas emissions. About Harrison Street Harrison Street is one of the leading investment management firms exclusively focused on alternative real assets. Since inception in 2005, the firm has created a series of differentiated investment solutions focused on demographic-driven, needs-based assets. The firm has invested across senior housing, student housing, healthcare delivery, life sciences and storage real estate as well as social and utility infrastructure. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in San Francisco, London and Toronto, the firm has more than 200-employees and approximately $44 billion in assets under management. Clients of the firm include a global institutional investor base domiciled in North America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Harrison Street was awarded Best Places to Work by Pensions Investments for seven consecutive years (2014-2020) and was named 2020 Global Alternatives Investor of the Year by PERE. For more information, please visit www.harrisonst.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005268/en/ Contacts: Media: Nathaniel Garnick/Grace Cartwright Gasthalter Co. +1 (212) 257-4170 harrisonst@gasthalter.com Revenue CAGR ~60 percent 2017-2021 Targeted revenue growth of 40?45 percent in FY2022 Funding for M&A, organic growth Targeted mid-term operational EBITDA margin 15-20 percent Michael Halbherr appointed Chairman ABB E-mobility will host its virtual Capital Markets Day today, February 10, 2022, starting at 2pm CET. Frank Muhlon, CEO, and Alex Hall, CFO of ABB's E-mobility division, as well as other members of the executive team, will give an insight into its product offering, including electric vehicle charging products, digital services and advanced energy and fleet management solutions, as well as its growth strategy. "We are a leader in building a zero-emission future, with smart and reliable electric vehicle charging solutions. We are perfectly aligned to the current E-mobility trends and see massive market opportunities driven by the global electrification and digitalization agendas of countries, corporations and individuals," said Muhlon. According to external estimates1, roughly 130 million new electric vehicles are expected on roads in key markets2 from 2021 to 2030, while some $590 billion in investment in EV charging infrastructure is required from 2021 to 2040 to meet global emission targets. ABB entered the EV-charging market in 2010 and today is a world leader in EV charging solutions having sold more than 680,000 electric vehicle chargers across more than 85 markets: over 30,000 DC fast chargers and 650,000 AC chargers. It has a portfolio of EV charging hardware for cars through to public transport and heavy-duty vehicles, software and services with a variety of B2B and B2C networked solutions and fleet management platforms. Over the last four years, ABB's E-mobility division achieved a compound annual growth (CAGR) rate in its revenues of about 60 percent, driven by accelerating order growth across all customer segments and strategic acquisitions across targeted geographies. So far this year, ABB has announced the acquisition of a controlling interest in InCharge Energy, a North American electric vehicle (EV) commercial charging infrastructure solutions company, and increased its existing controlling stake in Chargedot, a leading Chinese e-mobility solution provider. The business is targeting revenue growth of 40-45 percent in 2022 after achieving $323 million in revenues in 2021, backed by a significant order intake and resulting order backlog. In the mid-term, ABB expects revenues to outperform the market by growing 25-30 percent per year. To support its ongoing growth story, the company has a funding need of approximately $750 million to finance acquisitions and organic growth investments. In terms of profitability, the division is expecting an operational EBITDA margin around break-even in 2022 as the focus remains on investing heavily in growth. In the mid-term, an operational EBITDA margin of 15-20 percent is targeted driven by operating leverage, as well as a different portfolio mix as the company's software solutions and digital services offering grow. ABB E-mobility aims to migrate from a hardware-focused business towards a balance with software and digital services, offering customers access to fully integrated end-to-end platforms, with the aim of securing higher gross margins and recurring revenues. Digital solutions enable customers to efficiently maintain and manage a charging network. Meanwhile, advanced energy and fleet management offerings help customers to optimize the performance of both chargers and their EVs, while enabling lower cost of ownership. Last year, ABB's digital e-mobility venture, PANION, together with Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched the test phase of their first jointly developed, cloud-based solution, designed for the real-time management of electric vehicle (EV) fleets and charging infrastructure. ABB has been one of the first movers to bring innovations to the EV charging market, including the liquid cooling applied to cables for high-power chargers, bi-directional charging with frequency containment reserve that means EV drivers can export surplus power back to the grid, as well as the launch of the Terra 360 kW the world's fastest EV charger. Since 2017, ABB has invested $256 million in the E-mobility business. A culture of innovation is driven by over 350 R&D experts, who are part of a total workforce of approximately 1,000. Its five production hubs are in the US, China, Poland, Hungary and Italy its largest plant, which will be fully operational in mid-2022. In addition, it has eight R&D sites worldwide and has more than 350 patents granted. Two exciting projects in development include supporting the electrification of long-range trucks by developing a new standard megawatt charging system (MCS), which will support up to 3MW. The first systems have already been sold to leading truck OEMs. Furthermore, ABB is developing a dedicated liquid cooled charger for the Chinese market with dynamic load allocation and up to four dispensers, enabling a charging speed of up to 200 km of range in five minutes. As part of the strategy to fund future growth, a separate legal entity for this business ABB E-mobility Holding AG has been created, to which, Michael Halbherr (57) has been appointed Chairman. Swiss national Halbherr started his career at Boston Consulting Group and has been CEO of mobile maps and navigation pioneer gate5, which was acquired by Nokia. He then became part of Nokia's leadership team, running their Services business unit and then HERE Technologies as a CEO, which was sold later to a consortium of German automotive companies to serve as the foundation for the autonomous driving revolution. He is currently a founder, investor and board member of several start-up technology companies, as well as a Board Member of Zurich Insurance Group and Vontobel Holding of Switzerland. Note to editors: A link to the Capital Markets Day presentation can be accessed on the ABB Investor Relations website from 2:00pm CET. ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB's success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com Important notice about forward-looking information This press release includes forward-looking information and statements which are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the factors that may affect our future performance, including the economic conditions of the regions and industries that are major markets for ABB. These expectations, estimates and projections are generally identifiable by statements containing words such as "anticipates", "expects," "believes," "estimates," "plans", "targets", "aims" or similar expressions. However, there are many risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information and statements made in this press release and which could affect our ability to achieve any or all of our stated targets or anticipated transactions. Some important factors that could cause such differences include, among others, business risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the volatile global economic environment and political conditions, costs associated with compliance activities, market acceptance of new products and services, changes in governmental regulations and currency exchange rates and such other factors as may be discussed from time to time in ABB Ltd's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Reports on Form 20-F. Although ABB Ltd believes that its expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statement are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that those expectations will be achieved. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and undue reliance should not be placed upon any forward-looking statements, including projections, which speak only as of the date made. Important notice about financial information Certain financial information of ABB E-mobility for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 presented herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, is in draft form, and remains subject to completion and amendment. Such financial information has been prepared on a combined carve-out basis from the consolidated financial statements of ABB Ltd. and therefore may not necessarily be representative of past results. Certain financial data included in this press release consist of non-U.S. GAAP financial measures. These non-U.S. GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, nor should they be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any non-U.S. GAAP financial measures and ratios included herein. In addition, the financial information contained herein has not been audited, confirmed or otherwise covered by a report by independent accountants and, as such, actual data could vary, possibly significantly, from the data set forth herein. 1 Roland Berger and Bloomberg New Energy Outlook (BNEF) 2 18 ABB E-mobility core countries (Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, UK, US) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005458/en/ Contacts: For more information please contact: ABB Ltd Affolternstrasse 44 8050 Zurich Switzerland Media Relations Phone: +41 43 317 71 11 Email: media.relations@ch.abb.com or Investor Relations Phone: +41 43 317 71 11 Email: investor.relations@ch.abb.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 10, 2021 / Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. (CSE: YUM) (OTCQB: KOMOF) (FRA:9HB) ("Komo"), a premium plant-based food company, is pleased to announce it will be exhibiting at the Natural Product Expo West (NPEW) show, in Anaheim, California from March 10-12, 2022, to showcase and sample its wholesome, multi-serve plant-based frozen comfort foods. Komo has been expanding its retail distribution network since its retail launch last year, adding five distributors and launching into major retail chains. "With our dedicated U.S. sales agent Staci Owens at Cornerstone Sales we have been sampling potential U.S. partners and we are now in talks with several distributors for the U.S. market," says Komo CEO William White. "Attending Expo West will give the Komo brand exposure to thousands of U.S. retail buyers as well as potential consumers who are now able to order our products online through GTFO Its Vegan. We know the best way to introduce our brand is through trying our products and meeting our team. As one of the largest food shows in the world, Expo West will be the prime event for developing these relationships." The Natural Product Expo West show is the largest natural health and organic products trade show in North America. The NPEW show is the annual meeting of over 60,000 organic and natural products industry's professionals and combines the entire value chain of healthy products, including today's best sellers and tomorrow's trends. This trade show is mainly visited by retail buyers and gathers an average of 3,000 exhibitors. For more information on the Natural Product Expo West see https://www.expowest.com/en/home.html, https://www.expowest.com/content/dam/Informa/npe-west/en/pdf/EW19-Post-Show-Release.pdf About Komo Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. is a premium plant-based food company that develops, manufactures and sells a variety of plant-based frozen meals that are always hearty, satisfying, and made with wholesome ingredients. At Komo, our mission is to help make plant-based meals a staple on every dinner table by sharing our love for feel-good food that connects the people to the planet. We believe plant-based eating is the future and - Change can start with a single biteTM. Our experienced plant-based innovation and development team recreates vegan versions of traditionally cheesy and meaty classics, with 100% plants. Komo's products are sold direct-to-consumer through our eCommerce website and a distribution network of online and brick and mortar grocery, convenience and natural retailer channels. Our operating subsidiary Komo Comfort Foods launched in 2021 with our flagship products: plant-based Lasagna, Shepherd's Pie and Chickenless Pot Pie and has recently launched a new line - Komo Plant-Based Meal HelpersTM - versatile meal starters to allow the creation of many dishes at home. All of our products are 100% plant-based, made with wholesome ingredients, free from preservatives, and frozen for freshness. Freezing products is a natural and effective way of keeping food products for longer without having to use any preservatives. Komo's meals have a 1-year frozen shelf life. Komo also sells hot ready-to-eat meals in Metro Vancouver through Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes. Learn more at: www.komocomfortfoods.com and follow on Instagram: @komocomfortfoods For further information, please contact: William White, President & CEO, Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. will@komoeats.com 1-866-969-0882 The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or Komo's future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Komo's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, Komo's product development plans, its ability to launch its products on food delivery apps, its ability to retain key personnel, its revenues, and its expectation as to the acceptance of its products by retailer stores and consumers constitute forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. Komo disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE: KOMO Plant Based Foods Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/688220/Komo-Plant-Based-Foods-to-Exhibit-at-Natural-Products-Expo-West-to-Develop-US-Retail-Network JERSEY CITY, N.J., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. announces the release of a market assessment report on "Global mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market- By. Type of Industry (Therapeutics/Vaccine Developers, CDMO Organizations, Custom Synthesis/Other Service Providers) By Scale of Operation (Research / Preclinical, Clinical, Commercial) and By Application (Infectious Disease Vaccines, Other Vaccines, Therapeutics and Others)" Request for Sample Report: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/report/global-mrna-synthesis-and-manufacturing-services-market/1185 As per the latest research report, the global mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services market is projected to reach US$ 22,634.5 Million in 2031, at a CAGR of -3.4% from US$ 53,278.8 million in 2021 during the forecast period (2022-2031). In 2021 market has grown exponentially due to the success of the COVID-19 vaccines, and it has created a massive demand for a consistent supply of vaccines. However, in 2022 market is expected to decrease at the growth rate of -42.0%. The mRNA Synthesis and Manufacturing Services market other than COVID 19 application are under development which offers immense growth and penetration opportunities in the forecast period. The mRNA vaccines for applications such as Malaria, Influenza virus, Hemorrhagic fever virus, Genital herpes virus, Lyme disease, etc., have a strong pipeline which is expected to get launched during the forecast period. In 2021, Asia Pacific dominated the market with a market share of 33.4%, with huge demand for the COVID 19 vaccine. The potential for low-cost manufacturing, improved immunogenicity, Higher effectiveness of mRNA vaccine compared to other vaccine technologies, and constant R& D innovations & developments in mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services are some of the factors expected to support the market growth of mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services over the forecast period. Request for Sample Pages: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/request-sample/1185 In addition, the rising number of clinical trials for cancer therapies, the growing burden of infectious diseases, and novel innovations by pharmaceutical CDMO companies are likely to support the growth of mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services market in the forecast period. However, maintaining the high stability and purity of the mRNA products is a significant challenge faced by the manufacturers. Geographically, the North American and Asia Pacific region is the primary revenue pocket of this market due to high demand and raising awareness about mRNA vaccines, increasing government investments in the R&D to treat infectious diseases. Request for ToC/Proposal:https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/request-sample/1185 The key CDMO organizations operating in the mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services market are eTheRNA (Etherna Immunotherapies), Celonic AG, Corden Pharma GmbH, Lonza Group AG, Rentschler Biopharma, Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi, S.A., Samsung Biologics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sartorius (BIA Separations) among others Noticeably Custom Synthesis/Other Service Providers are Eurogentec, Aldevron, bioSYNTHESIS, TriLink BioTechnologies, Biomay, Jena Biosciences, APExBIO, CELLSCRIPT, New England Biolabs, Kernal Biologics, Cytiva, among others Foremost leaders in Therapeutics and Vaccine Developers are CureVac, Moderna, BioNTech (Pfizer), Translate Bio, Ethris (AstraZeneca), Silence Therapeutics, Tiba Biotechnology, In-Cell-Art, Anima Biotech, H3 Biomedicine Inc., Arcturus Therapeutics, eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., Ziphius Therapeutics NV, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Skyhawk Therapeutics, Inc., Stemirna Therapeutics Co., Ltd., RNAimmune (Sirnaomics), miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., Strand Therapeutics Inc., Nutcracker Therapeutics. Accurna Inc., Amgen Inc., Argos Therapeutics Inc., Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals. Athersys, Biocad, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cansinobio. Cartesian Therapeutics Inc, Chimeron Bio, Crispr Therapeutics Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly And Co., Elixirgen Therapeutics Inc., Genentech (Subsidiary Of Roche), Greenlight Biosciences Inc., HDT Bio Corp., Intellia Therapeutics, Maxcyte Inc., Merck Kgaa, Mercurna, Novartis, Phion Therapeutics, Poseida Therapeutics Inc., Recode Therapeutics, Regulus Therapeutics, Sangamo Therapeutics Inc, Sanofi, Sarepta Therapeutics, Shanghai Bendao Gene Technology Co., Ltd., Vertex Pharmaceutical. Key manufacturers in this field focus on offering high-quality services to clients. Also, strategies such as collaborations, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions help boost their manufacturing capacities. Some of the key developments in the global market are as follow: In Feb 2022 , Moderna launched early-stage clinical trials of an HIV mRNA vaccine. Earlier, IAVI and Moderna announced that the first doses have been administered in a clinical trial of experimental HIV vaccine antigens. The Phase I trial, IAVI G002, is designed to test the hypothesis that sequential administration of priming and boosting HIV immunogens delivered by messenger RNA (mRNA) can induce specific classes of B-cell responses and guide their early maturation toward broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) development. , Moderna launched early-stage clinical trials of an HIV mRNA vaccine. Earlier, IAVI and Moderna announced that the first doses have been administered in a clinical trial of experimental HIV vaccine antigens. The Phase I trial, IAVI G002, is designed to test the hypothesis that sequential administration of priming and boosting HIV immunogens delivered by messenger RNA (mRNA) can induce specific classes of B-cell responses and guide their early maturation toward broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) development. In Feb 2022 , eTheRNA immunotherapies NV announced a strategic partnership with Merck KGaA. The partnership investigates the application of eTheRNA's proprietary mRNA design expertise and LNP-delivery platforms to disease areas selected by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany . With this collaboration, eTheRNA and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany , assess the feasibility of using eTheRNA's mRNA and LNP technologies to develop therapeutic vaccination approaches in disease models. , eTheRNA immunotherapies NV announced a strategic partnership with Merck KGaA. The partnership investigates the application of eTheRNA's proprietary mRNA design expertise and LNP-delivery platforms to disease areas selected by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, . With this collaboration, eTheRNA and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, , assess the feasibility of using eTheRNA's mRNA and LNP technologies to develop therapeutic vaccination approaches in disease models. In Oct 2021 , Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced a partnership with a California startup to develop therapies for two genetic diseases. Vertex has developed cystic fibrosis therapies and is working with other partners on CRISPR-Cas9 systems and messenger RNA, or mRNA, therapies with Moderna Inc. Obtain Latest Report Details @https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/report/global-mrna-synthesis-and-manufacturing-services-market/1185 Market Segments Global mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market Revenue by Application (Value US$ Mn) Forecast 2022-2031 Therapeutics and Vaccine Developers CDMO Organizations Custom Synthesis/Other Service Providers Global mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market Revenue by Application (Value US$ Mn) Forecast 2022-2031 Infectious Disease Vaccines Other Vaccines Therapeutics and Others Global mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market Revenue by Scale of Operation (Value US$ Mn) Forecast 2022-2031 Research / Preclinical Clinical Commercial Global mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market Revenue by Product (Value US$ Mn) Forecast 2022-2031 API Drug Products North America mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market Revenue (US$ Million) By Country, 2022 To 2031 U.S. Canada Europe mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market Revenue (US$ Million) By Country, 2022 To 2031 Germany France Spain Italy Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market Revenue (US$ Million) By Country, 2022 To 2031 India Australia South Korea China Japan Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market Revenue (US$ Million) By Country, 2022 To 2031 Brazil Argentina Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis Services Market Revenue (US$ Million) By Country, 2022 To 2031 South Africa GCC Countries Rest of Middle East & Africa Why should buy this report: To receive a comprehensive industry insights of the prospects for the global mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services market To receive industry overview and future trends in global mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services market To analyze the mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services market drivers and challenges To get information on the mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services market size value (US$ Mn) forecast to 2030 Significant Investments, Mergers & Acquisition in global mRNA Manufacturing and Synthesis services market industry For More Information @https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/report/global-mrna-synthesis-and-manufacturing-services-market/1185 Other Related Reports Published by InsightAce Analytic: Global COVID-19 Therapeutics Market Global mRNA Treatment Market About Us: InsightAce Analytic is a market research and consulting firm that enables clients to make strategic decisions. Our qualitative and quantitative market intelligence solutions inform the need for market and competitive intelligence to expand businesses. We help clients gain a competitive advantage by identifying untapped markets, exploring new and competing technologies, segmenting potential markets, and repositioning products. Our expertise is in providing syndicated and custom market intelligence reports with an in-depth analysis with key market insights in a timely and cost-effective manner. Contact Us: Priyanka Tilekar InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. Visit: www.insightaceanalytic.com Tel: +1 551 226 6109 Asia: +91 79 72967118 Email: info@insightaceanalytic.com Follow Us on LinkedIn @ bit.ly/2tBXsgS Follow Us On Facebook @ bit.ly/2H9jnDZ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729637/InsightAce_Analytic_Logo.jpg The company launches new HR solution to increase operational efficiencies and enhance employee experience THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bid to accelerate its digital transformation, Affidea (www.affidea.com), the largest European provider of advanced diagnostic imaging, outpatient and cancer care services, with an extended footprint of 319 medical centres across 15 countries, announces today the launch of a new HRIS - Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) solution. The implementation of the HRIS forms an important part of the company's broader digital strategy of upgrading and simplifying its systems with standardised and automated processes, which will provide better analytical capabilities, performance insights, while reducing the HR manual tasks and impacting the team engagement. Digitisation sits at the core of Affidea's operations, setting the company as the employer of choice as well as the preferred healthcare provider offering the best patients' experience. The Oracle Cloud HCM platform will provide Affidea with one single source of data related to employees, contractors, and affiliated professionals in terms of skills and qualifications which will further contribute to the creation of sub-specialty clinical expertise across the group, clinical services, expansion of company's teleradiology and telehealth services across countries. Other benefits of the Oracle system implemented across Affidea include better management of continuous clinical education efforts by accessing the right professional audiences with specialised clinical training tailor made to their needs and knowledge exchange within peer-groups fostering transfer of best practices within internal medical professional networks. Providing better analytical and reporting capabilities to the HR Teams across 15 countries, the solution will offer an increased efficiency of the company's HR operations and personnel data management, in a GDPR compliant environment, bringing certain level of automation of current processes to become a basis for further automation. Countries where the solution has been implemented include: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands (Corporate HQ), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ireland. Justyna Tyborowska, Senior Vice-President and Chief HR Officer for Affidea Group stated: "Digital transformation and continuous improvement of both medical and operational processes are key elements of Affidea's growth strategy, aiming at offering standardised top notch cost-effective medical services and outstanding patient and referring doctors experience. We are bolstering our digitalization across the Group with a culture of innovation by bringing in place tech-savvy practices that enhance our way of working and allow focusing on value adding activities related to the business. The implementation of the global HR solution is a concrete deliverable of our digital strategy, data-based management practices and builds a strong foundation for further automation and integration with other company's systems which will position Affidea as a leading digital healthcare provider". Oracle Cloud HCM Cloud has been rolled out across all Affidea countries and it is the first step of Affidea ERP implementation across the Group. The implementation was done by Oracle Consulting who guided Affidea through the project country-by-country. The step-by-step concept made it easier for Affidea to accommodate to the solution and establish real ownership of the new global HRIS cloud system. "Companies are now facing higher employee expectations than ever before. Today's workers are looking for instant access, highly personalized content and easy-to-use systems. These demands are urging HR professionals to rethink the way they approach the entire workplace experience. Oracle's complete solution connecting every human resource process from hire to retire helps Affidea to stay at the forefront of the healthcare industry and achieve long-term success." -says Andres Garcia-Arroyo, Vice President Applications CEE, Russia, Israel, North-East and West Africa, Levant and Turkey at Oracle. About Affidea Affidea ( www.affidea.com ) is the largest European provider of diagnostic imaging, outpatient and cancer care services, operating in 319 centers across 15 countries in Europe. The Affidea Group works with over 9000 professionals serving more than over 10 million patients every year. Thanks to its patients' safety track record, Affidea is the most awarded diagnostic imaging provider in Europe by the European Society of Radiology - over 50% of all centers assigned on the Eurosafe Star Wall belong to Affidea. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/942742/Affidea_Group_Logo.jpg MOSCOW, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- At the end of January 2022, the coordinating board of trade union organizations in Asbest, Sverdlovsk Region, and the Women for Safe Labour and Social Stability (WSLT) movement issued a resolution on the use of chrysotile asbestos. They deemed it necessary to organize an international conference where measures to protect the industrial use of chrysotile asbestos from discriminations would be developed. "In view of the above, the meeting participants decided that an International Conference on the above-mentioned topic should be convened to develop collective measures against chrysotile discriminations, introduce a moratorium on bans on the use of chrysotile, as well as chrysotile-containing materials and products, followed by a relevant appeal to the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention and its members," - the resolution states. The International Alliance of Trade Union Organizations called Chrysotile supports the campaign of its colleagues who declared their willingness to defend the chrysotile industry in Russia and around the world. Chrysotile asbestos is a fibrous mineral widely used in industrial production. It is used in more than 300 types of industrial products: roofing, facade boards, cladding, pipes, brake linings, fire-resistant cardboard, thermal insulation materials, personal protective equipment and roadbed reinforcement. Chrysotile-based construction materials can be used in a variety of complex and difficult tasks. They are more affordable than synthetic counterparts on the market, have a long service life, and can be used in any climate zone from the Arctic to the tropical areas. Due to their reliability and affordability, chrysotile cement products are widely used in infrastructure projects, which are essential for economic development and improving the lives of billions of people. Hundreds of thousands of people work in the chrysotile industry around the world. There are three chrysotile mines in Russia and Kazakhstan. Chrysotile mining and manufacturing companies provide jobs, pay taxes and, most importantly, produce quality products. Chrysotile cement products enable the construction of affordable housing and long-lasting communications. Moreover, they are used to provide drinking water for the population of the emerging economies. However, the industrial use of chrysotile asbestos is regularly opposed by several states and activists during the Conference of Parties of Rotterdam convention. The Rotterdam Convention was adopted in 2004, with 72 signatory states and 161 states that have ratified it. As part of the agreement, parties to the Convention regulate the circulation of chemicals, taking care to preserve the environment and human health. There are numerous studies confirming the safety of the mineral in a controlled environment. Nevertheless, the regular attacks on the chrysotile industry cause suspicion, suggesting that other motives rather than "public health" are at play. Manufacturers of man-made alternative fibers have long dreamed of entering new markets. In 2019, the chrysotile industry weathered a storm and stood proud - opponents of asbestos failed to provide convincing evidence. Officials from the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Syria, Zimbabwe, Kyrgyzstan, Venezuela, Pakistan, Cuba, India and Iran united to express their point of view - chrysotile asbestos is safe under controlled use and is an important part of the global economy. This year, the battle against chrysotile asbestos opponents is expected to be fierce. However, the Chrysotile alliance is confident in their victory. The key advantage lies in many decades of work for the benefit of mankind, where it has managed to prove the safety of chrysotile-based products and their advantages in industrial production. Extra information: media@nochrysotileban.com Useful links: Website of the International Trade Union Movement for Chrysotile: www.nochrysotileban.com Twitter of the Chrysotile Association Non-Profit Organization https://twitter.com/Nochrysotileban Schwazze Continues Colorado Expansion Strategy with Emerald Fields Cannaboutique Dispensaries in Manitou Springs & Glendale, CO DENVER, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Schwazze, (OTCQX: SHWZ) ("Schwazze" or the "Company"), announced today that it has closed the transaction to acquire MCG, LLC ("Emerald Fields").Emerald Fields is the owner and operator of two retail cannabis dispensaries, located in Manitou Springs and Glendale, Colorado. This successful acquisition is part of the Company's ongoing retail expansion plan in Colorado and New Mexico, bringing the total number of dispensaries the Company operates to 32. Total consideration for the acquisition is $29 million and will be paid as 60% cash and 40% Schwazze common stock upon closing. This is an estimated 3.8 multiple on 2021 Adjusted EBITDA(1). "Our team is delighted to add the Emerald Fields Cannaboutiques to our growing portfolio of dispensaries and are eager to welcome the team to Schwazze. Manitou Springs and Glendale are attractive locations and valuable assets to our overall growth plan as we continue to build out Colorado. Our team is excited to add another store brand to our house of brands."said Justin Dye, Schwazze's CEO. About Schwazze Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company's leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices. Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze's former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "plan," "will," "may,", "predicts," or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates; (vi) our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy in Colorado and outside the state, (vii) our ability to consummate the acquisition described in this press release or to identify and consummate future acquisitions that meet our criteria, (viii) our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize synergies therefrom, (ix) the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, (x) the timing and extent of governmental stimulus programs, (xi) the uncertainty in the application of federal, state and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws, and (x) out ability to satisfy the closing conditions for the private finding described in this press release. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. (1) Adjusted EBITDA represents income (loss) from operations, as reported, before tax, adjusted to exclude non-recurring items, other non-cash items, including stock-based compensation expense, depreciation, and amortization, and further adjusted to remove acquisition related costs, and other one-time expenses, such as severance. The Company uses adjusted EBITDA as it believes it better explains the results of its core business. The Company has not reconciled guidance for adjusted EBITDA to the corresponding GAAP financial measure because it cannot provide guidance for the various reconciling items. The Company is unable to provide guidance for these reconciling items because it cannot determine their probable significance, as certain items are outside of its control and cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, a reconciliation to the corresponding GAAP financial measure is not available without unreasonable effort. Investors, Joanne Jobin, Investor Relations, Joanne.jobin@schwazze.com, 647 964 0292; Media, Julie Suntrup, Schwazze, Vice President | Marketing & Merchandising, julie.suntrup@schwazze.com, 303 371 0387 HANGZHOU, China, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CHINT Solar is glad to announce a new partnership with INTEC Energy Solutions (INTEC) to offer the EPC service for BeGreen A/S, one of Northern Europe's largest solar power plants portfolios in Denmark, with a total capacity of 328 MWp, including three large-scale solar power plants sited in Barmosen (137.3 MWp), Bregentved (111.7 MWp) and Vildbjerg (66.7 MWp) and additional expansion of 13 MWp. The partnership on this latest portfolio will accelerate the buildout of local clean infrastructure and long-term strategy of sustainable renewable development for each party. For CHINT Solar, the awarding of the tender for module supplying offers the perfect opportunity to showcase the performance and reliability of the company's independent brand of 540Wp high-efficiency PV modules. Long-Term & Stable Strategic Partnership The new partnership between CHINT and INTEC has successfully collaborated on various EPC projects in recent years. The awarding of this project is the result of strategic partnership, leveraging their unique market presence to broaden the application of renewable energy. The partnership meets demands of the immediate global decarbonization plan through clean solar power. Within the next three years, the partnership prospects to sustainably grow the EPC portfolio of realized projects across Europe. Contribution to achieving sustainability ambitions Dr. Lu Chuan, the Chairman and CEO of CHINT Solar: "Chint Solar is working around the globe for a future of sustainable and clean energy. This cooperation is a remarkable milestone achieved by CHINT Solar and our partners in the Danish market. We are therefore very proud that the project can make an important contribution to achieving the sustainability ambitions in Europe. It is a leap forward in the right direction. In the future, we will step up our efforts to deliver quality EPC services & best in class PV equipment to our partners." About CHINT CHINT Solar is a system energy solution provider engaged in clean energy development, construction, operation, and service. It is not only committed to manufacturing and sales of photovoltaic modules, but also draws blueprints for investment and construction in the comprehensive energy segments, such as photovoltaic power station, energy storage, distribution network for electricity sales, micro-grid, and multi-energy complementation. Up to now, the cumulative global installed photovoltaic capacity has totaled 8 GW. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 10, 2022) - Moneta Gold Inc. (TSX: ME) (OTCQX: MEAUF) (XETRA: MOP) ("Moneta") is pleased to announce the final assay results of eleven (11) previously announced and four (4) new drill holes, testing the resource expansion potential of the Windjammer South mineral resource, located within the Golden Highway area of the Tower Gold project. The drilling is part of the 2020/2021 72,500 metre ("m") program in 130 drill holes designed to test extensions of the current mineral resource estimate of 4.0 million ("M") ounces indicated gold and 4.4M ounces inferred gold (see February 24, 2021 press release) on the Tower Gold project, located 100 kilometres ("km") east of Timmins, Ontario. Additional holes and assays from other zones in this drill program remain pending. Drilling successfully intersected wide zones of gold mineralization on the extensions of the Windjammer South gold deposit within and as extensions to the current economic open pit at Windjammer South. Drilling was testing an area over a strike length of 1,000 m and a width of 400 m. Highlights from the drill results include: MWJ11-36x intersected 2.00 m @ 27.05 grams per tonne "g/t" gold "Au", including 1.00 m @ 53.90 g/t Au MGH18-105x intersected 62.00 m @ 0.58 g/t Au, including 12.00 m @ 1.54 g/t Au, including 1.00 m @ 6.34 g/t Au MGH21-240 intersected 53.70 m @ 0.52 g/t Au, including 8.00 m @ 1.46 g/t Au, including 2.00 m @ 2.86 g/t Au MGH21-250 intersected 22.35 m @ 0.80 g/t Au, including 2.40 m @ 4.31 g/t Au, including 1.40 m @ 5.63 g/t Au MGH18-105x intersected 17.00 m @ 0.91 g/t Au, including 5.00 m @ 1.86 g/t Au, including 1.00 m @ 3.27 g/t Au MGH21-236 intersected 4.50 m @ 3.01 g/t Au, including 0.65 m @ 18.80 g/t Au MGH18-105x intersected 26.00 m @ 0.48 g/t Au, including 1.15 m @ 1.89 g/t Au Gary O'Connor, Moneta's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The latest drill results from Windjammer South have confirmed gold mineralization in large step outs to the current gold resource, both within the current Windjammer South economic open pit and as extensions to mineralization beyond the open pit. Importantly, these extensions have the potential to significantly improve the economics in areas within the current open pits outside of the current mineral resources. We look forward to releasing the remaining outstanding drill results when they become available and updating the mineral resource estimate for the Tower Gold project in the first half of 2022." The latest assay results from the Windjammer South resource expansion drill program include the final assay results from eleven (11) previously partially released drill holes, as well as full assay results from an additional four (4) new drill holes for 1,897.0 m, including one drill hole extension (MGH18-105x). The drill program was conducted to test a large area to the south of the Windjammer South deposits within and as extensions to the economic open pit in an area with little historical drilling. The Windjammer South open pit gold deposit currently hosts 1.10 Moz gold at a grade of 0.84 g/t gold in indicated resources and 1.03 Moz at a grade of 1.10 g/t gold in the inferred category at a cut-off grade of 0.30 g/t gold (see December 10, 2020 press release). Full assays from an additional 31 drill holes for 13,002 m from the drill program remain pending. Figure 1: Tower Gold Project: General Location Map To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4852/113354_7cb6f540b4b208de_002full.jpg Table 1: Selected Significant Drill Results Hole From To Length Au Gram metres (#) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g x m) MWJ11-36x 543.80 545.80 2.00 27.05 54.1 includes 543.80 544.80 1.00 53.90 53.9 MGH18-105x 396.00 458.00 62.00 0.58 36.0 includes 445.00 457.00 12.00 1.54 18.5 includes 445.00 446.00 1.00 6.34 6.3 MGH18-105x 464.00 481.00 17.00 0.91 15.5 includes 468.00 479.00 11.00 1.18 13.0 includes 471.00 476.00 5.00 1.86 9.3 includes 471.00 472.00 1.00 3.27 3.3 MGH18-105x 491.50 515.00 23.50 0.34 8.0 MGH18-105x 534.00 560.00 26.00 0.48 12.5 includes 551.15 552.30 1.15 1.89 2.2 MGH21-227 380.00 412.00 32.00 0.32 10.2 MGH21-227 387.00 400.00 13.00 0.62 8.1 includes 398.00 400.00 2.00 2.02 4.0 MGH21-233 403.00 413.00 10.00 0.81 8.1 includes 403.00 409.00 6.00 1.22 7.3 includes 408.00 409.00 1.00 3.27 3.3 MGH21-233 431.00 438.00 7.00 0.63 4.4 includes 431.00 433.00 2.00 1.57 3.1 MGH21-235 88.00 94.00 6.00 0.61 3.7 includes 93.00 94.00 1.00 2.53 2.5 MGH21-236 412.00 419.00 7.00 1.07 7.5 includes 417.00 418.00 1.00 4.95 5.0 MGH21-236 372.00 376.50 4.50 3.01 13.5 includes 374.35 375.00 0.65 18.80 12.2 MGH21-240 138.20 149.00 10.80 0.62 6.7 includes 144.00 145.00 1.00 1.90 1.9 MGH21-240 294.30 348.00 53.70 0.52 27.9 includes 304.00 312.00 8.00 1.46 11.7 includes 304.00 306.00 2.00 2.86 5.7 MGH21-240 378.85 416.00 37.15 0.26 9.7 includes 378.85 380.00 1.15 1.39 1.6 and 396.00 410.00 14.00 0.34 4.8 includes 396.00 398.00 2.00 0.92 1.8 MGH21-241 200.00 204.00 4.00 1.28 5.1 includes 202.00 204.00 2.00 2.38 4.8 MGH21-241 330.00 344.00 14.00 0.46 6.4 includes 332.00 334.00 2.00 1.05 2.1 MGH21-250 87.65 110.00 22.35 0.80 17.9 includes 92.00 110.00 18.00 0.91 16.4 includes 96.00 98.40 2.40 4.31 10.3 includes 97.00 98.40 1.40 5.63 7.9 Intercepts are calculated using a 0.20 g/t Au cut-off, a maximum of 3m internal dilution and no top cap applied. Drill intercepts are not true widths, are reported as drill widths, and are estimated to be 80% to 95% of true width. Discussion of Drill Results Drilling was targeting Timiskaming age clastic sediment hosted gold mineralized stacked quartz veins in the Windjammer South area located south of the regional Banded Iron Formation "A" ("BIF A") unit. The drilling was testing a large area within the economic open pit occurring beyond the current Windjammer South gold resource in areas not previously drill tested. The Windjammer South area occurs as the largest open pit gold resource within the Golden Highway portion of the Tower Gold project. Figure 2: Windjammer South: Drill Hole Location Map To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4852/113354_7cb6f540b4b208de_003full.jpg Drill results from the current program at Windjammer South confirmed the occurrence of shallow west dipping stacked quartz veins sets and associated ankerite-albite-sericite-pyrite alteration haloes in large step-outs beyond the current gold resource. The latest assay results confirmed gold mineralization over an area 1,000 m long, 400 m wide, and down to depths of up to 500 m. Additional results from the Windjammer Central open pit infill drilling program north of the BIF A unit are pending, as are drill results for the open pit expansion drilling to the east in the Halfway area. Previous partial assay results from fourteen (14) drill holes for a total of 6,974.0 m, drilled as part of the current resource expansion drill program at Windjammer South were released in December 2021 (see December 16, 2021 press release) and returned the following drill highlights; MGH21-227 intersected 18.40 m @ 2.22 g/t Au, including 7.00 m @ 2.71 g/t Au, including 1.00 m @ 9.49 g/t Au MWJ11-48x intersected 88.55 m @ 0.61 g/t Au, including 25.50 m @ 1.05 g/t Au, including 10.50 m @ 1.64 g/t Au, including 4.50 m @ 2.40 g/t Au MGH21-227 intersected 36.00 m @ 0.83 g/t Au, including 3.00 @ 7.09 g/t Au, including 1.50 m @ 13.50 g/t Au MGH19-124x intersected 9.45 m @ 4.01 g/t Au, including 2.90 m @ 11.87 g/t Au, including 1.00 m @ 19.80 g/t Au MGH21-233 intersected 66.00 m @ 0.62 g/t Au, including 1.50 m @ 2.49 g/t Au MWJ11-48x intersected 42.00 m @ 0.42 g/t Au, including 22.50 m @ 0.89 g/t Au, 13.50 m @ 1.07 g/t Au, including 1.50 m @ 4.16 g/t Au MGH21-240 intersected 47.70 m @ 0.45 g/t Au, including 8.00 m @ 1.46 g/t Au, including 2.00 m @ 2.86 g/t Au The extensions to the gold resource at Windjammer South have the potential to significantly improve the economics in areas within the current open pits currently containing no mineral resources. Figure 3: Windjammer South Drilling- Cross Section To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4852/113354_7cb6f540b4b208de_004full.jpg Table 2: New Drill Hole Details- Windjammer South Hole Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Inclination Depth (#) (mE) (mN) (masl) () () (m) MGH18-105x* 571663 5370203 327 91 -54 750.0 MGH21-235 572275 5370141 330 70 -60 603.0 MGH21-241 572594 5370232 349 65 -60 504.0 MGH21-248 572226 5370045 330 75 -60 412.0 *Extended from 372.0m QA/QC Procedures Drill core is oriented and cut with half sent to AGAT Laboratories Inc. (AGAT) for drying and crushing to -2 mm, with a 1.00 kg split pulverized to -75 m (200#). AGAT is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory. A 50 g charge is Fire Assayed and analyzed using an AAS finish for Gold. Samples above 10.00 g/t Au are analyzed by Fire Assay with a gravimetric finish and selected samples with visible gold or high-grade mineralization are assayed by Metallic Screen Fire Assay on a 1.00 kg sample. Moneta inserts independent certified reference material and blanks with the samples and assays routine pulp repeats and coarse reject sample duplicates, as well as completing routine third-party check assays at Activation Laboratories Ltd. Randall Salo, P.Geo. is a qualified person under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this press release. About Moneta Moneta is a Canadian based gold exploration company focussed on advancing its 100% wholly owned Tower Gold project, which currently hosts a gold mineral resource estimate of 4.0M ounces indicated and 4.4M ounces inferred. The Company's 2020/2021 drill program was designed to test extensions of mineralization and expand the current mineral resource. An updated mineral resource estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment study encompassing the entire Tower Gold Project will be announced in the first half of 2022. Moneta is committed to creating shareholder value through the strategic allocation of capital and a focus on the current resource expansion drilling program, while conducting all business activities in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Gary V. O'Connor, CEO 416-357-3319 Linda Armstrong, Investor Relations 647-456-9223 The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com. For further information on the Company, please visit our website at www.monetagold.com or email us at info@monetagold.com. This news release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, collectively "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to information with respect to the future performance of the business, its operations and financial performance and condition such as the Company's drilling program and the timing and results thereof; further steps that might be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Corporation's business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders; uncertainties and risk that have arisen and may arise in relation to travel, and other financial market and social impacts from COVID-19 and responses to COVID-19. and the ability of the Company to finance and carry out its anticipated goals and objectives. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113354 - Seegene to sign a contract with the Brazilian government to supply 4 million COVID-19 tests and associated consumables - 'Allplex SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV,' the optimized test for 'twindemic' with its capability to distinguish between COVID-19 and Flu A/B - "Seegene is fully prepared to fulfill global demand by its strong supply chain and logistics" SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seegene Inc. (KQ 096530), South Korea's leading molecular diagnostic company, today announced that it has signed a supply deal with the Ministry of Health of Brazil to deliver four million COVID-19 tests. Since January 2022, Brazil has battled a 'twindemic,' a rapid surge in both Flu A and COVID-19 infections due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. More seriously, new daily cases of COVID-19 have recently exceeded 280,000 cases, which is the highest figure since the first outbreak of the pandemic. While the country has been seeking to accelerate its quarantine efforts, there is a growing demand for COVID-19 tests as well. In response, Seegene will deliver a shipment of four million Allplex SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV Assay, capable of identifying respiratory viruses including COVID-19, Flu A/B as well as RSV in a single test. This assay is expected to be the optimized solution in Brazil where they are experiencing a rapid surge in both COVID-19 and Flu A cases. Ho Yi, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Seegene said, "Seegene is uniquely positioned to respond to the growing global need for COVID-19 and flu testing and we are fully prepared to supply global inventory to help countries around the world as they fight for everyday life to return." Meanwhile, Seegene has introduced 'Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Fast PCR Assay,' last month, a new assay optimized for mass testing. This assay can deliver PCR results in just 60 minutes enabling large-scale laboratories to easily scale up the testing volume up to three times without additional instruments. The launch of the new assay is a response to the rapid spread of the latest Omicron variant, globally. The new assay is expected to be the optimized choice for large-scale laboratories and help them immediately expand the testing capacity. About Seegene, Inc. Seegene, Inc. was founded in Seoul, South Korea in 2000 and has subsidiaries in the U.S.A., Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and the Middle East. Seegene, Inc. is an in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) company that has been turning innovative technologies into products through its pioneering R&D activities. Seegene owns its original patent technology including DPO (Dual Priming Oligonucleotide) for multiple target amplification; TOCE for multiple target detection in a single channel; MuDT, the world's first real-time PCR technology that provides individual Ct values for multiple targets in a single channel for quantitative assays.; and mTOCE multiplex mutation detection technology. With these cutting-edge molecular diagnostic technologies applied to diagnostic kits and other tools, Seegene has enhanced the sensitivity, specificity, and disease-coverage per a test of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to unprecedented levels by providing accurate high-multiplex PCR products that target and detect genes of multiple pathogens simultaneously per each fluorescence channel. This feature dramatically saves testing time and cost. Seegene continues to set new standards in MDx through cutting-edge innovations. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1357790/Seegene_logo_Logo.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 10, 2022) - Silver Sands Resources Corp. (CSE: SAND) (OTCQB: SSRSF) ("Silver Sands" or the "Company") is pleased to release the results from the Santa Rita gold-silver portion of its 2021 Phase III drill program at the Virginia Project in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. The program confirmed the anticipated down dip extensions and increase in gold-silver values of the surface veins outcroppings, setting the stage for deeper drilling into the suspected zone of mineralization, typically found in the Low Sulphidation Epithermal ("LSE") vein deposits of the Argentinian Deseado Massif. Highlights include: SRE-DDH-001 - 5.65m at 0.68 g/t gold from 35.65m including 1.35m at 1.87 g/t gold SRE-DDH-003 - 5.20m at 0.63 g/t gold and 7 g/t silver from 35.30m including 1.75m at 1.45 g/t Au SRC-DDH-001 - 1.80m at 0.25 g/t gold and 28 g/t silver (0.62 g/t AuEq) "The new drill results confirm the potential of Santa Rita as a second target area for silver and gold at Virginia, complimenting the Virginia Silver Vein Field," commented Silver Sands CEO, Keith Anderson. "We confirmed the veins show both increasing gold and silver values and continuity with depth; the next Phase at Santa Rita will be following the veins down dip to the "boiling horizon" or zone of gold-silver mineralization." "Combined with the discovery of high-grade silver mineralization at Margarita and the extensions of the Ely Vein mineralized shoots, management is ecstatic with the results of the Phase III Virginia drilling program. The upcoming Phase IV drill program will continue its focus on increasing the resource base at the Virginia Silver Vein Field, as well as following up the Phase III successes at Santa Rita," he concluded. Figure 1. Santa Rita prospects and their structural setting https://www.silversandscorp.com/images/gallery/SAND_News_76.jpg To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6972/113362_78174c6054bb8a43_001full.jpg Drilling at Santa Rita was focused on a series of gold-silver epithermal veins, located approximately 15 kilometres north of the Virginia Silver Vein Field, and represents the virgin drill program at the Santa Rita Central and Santa Rita East targets. The Phase III drilling program comprised 20 core holes (2,932m) with 14 holes for 2,437m at Virginia and 6 holes for 495m at Santa Rita, located in the north of the property package. Results reported today are for 6 holes from Santa Rita, 4 in Santa Rita East and two in Santa Rita Central. Table 1. Santa Rita Phase III Drill Results Hole ID From To Interval (m)1 Au g/t Ag g/t AuEq g/t2 Cut-off3 SRC-DDH-001 36.35 38.15 1.80 0.25 28 0.62 0.2 g/t AuEq 51.00 52.00 1.00 0.22 2 0.2 g/t AuEq SRE-DDH-001 34.65 40.30 5.65 0.68 2 0.2 g/t AuEq Including 34.65 36 1.35 1.87 4 1 g/t AuEq 47.00 47.35 0.35 0.32 13 0.49 0.2 g/t AuEq SRE-DDH-002 40.05 40.70 0.65 0.29 12 0.45 0.2 g/t AuEq SRE-DDH-003 34.00 34.30 0.30 0.17 5 0.2 g/t AuEq 35.30 40.50 5.20 0.63 7 0.2 g/t AuEq Including 35.6 37.35 1.75 1.45 14 1.64 1 g/t AuEq SRE-DDH-004 4.10 4.50 0.40 0.56 1 0.2 g/t AuEq 17.90 18.20 0.30 0.20 3 0.2 g/t AuEq 20.50 22.00 1.50 0.18 5 0.2 g/t AuEq 26.70 27.00 0.30 0.19 4 0.2 g/t AuEq 28.50 30.05 1.55 0.17 5 0.2 g/t AuEq SRC-DDH-002 No interval above cut-off Notes: 1 Reported interval length are down hole widths and not true widths. 2 Gold equivalent ("AuEq") is calculated using metal prices of US$ 1800/oz for Au and US$ 24/oz for Ag. Recoveries are assumed to be 100% as no metallurgical test data is available. The equation used is thus: AuEq g/t = Au g/t + (Ag g/t 75). AuEq are only reported if Ag > 10 g/t. 3 Reported intervals are at the stated a cut-off grade of 0.2 g/t AuEq and 1 g/t AuEq. Reported intervals may include up to a maximum of 2m individual section below cut-off grade and Au and Ag grades are uncapped. The Santa Rita prospects (Main, Central and East) are located at the intersection of a 3 km wide northwest orientated regional structural corridor and east-northeast basin controlling structural zone which also hosts the advanced Lejano Silver project 18 km to the west of Santa Rita Main, and the prospective Sol del Mayo Gold-Silver project 1.5 km to the east of Santa Rita East. These east-northeast structural zones are understood to be an important province-wide control on economic mineralisation, as exemplified by the structural settings for the Cerro Negro and Cerro Vanguardia mines. Figure 2: Santa Rita Phase III Drilling https://www.silversandscorp.com/images/gallery/SAND_News_77.jpg To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6972/113362_78174c6054bb8a43_002full.jpg The 2021 drilling focused on the Santa Rita Central and East zones, located 6.5 to 8.5 km to the east of the Santa Rita Main zone previously explored by Mirasol between 2004 to 2008[1]. Santa Rita Main is an open ended 3,500m long by 500m wide northwest orientated trend containing mapped veins with silver epithermal mineralisation generally less than 10m wide. Noteworthy assay results from drill holes completed at that time returned weighted average intersections of 0.6 to 3.4m with silver values ranging from 21 to 156 g/t. Based on the drill hole and surface exploration data, Santa Rita Main was interpreted to potentially represent the upper levels of a silver-gold epithermal system, with the potential to also host base metal mineralization. The principal objective of the Santa Rita East and Central 2021 drill program was to test the surface exposures highlighted by 2021 trenching and geophysics to depths of 20 to 30 m to confirm structural orientation data to facilitate subsequent deeper drilling into the "boiling horizon" of suspected zone of precious metal mineralization. Interpretation of 2021 Results (see Table 1) At Santa Rita East, four drill holes were completed for a total of 329m. Hole SRE-DDH-001 intercepted a robust 5m wide zone (from 34.95 to 39.95m) of polymictic hydrothermal breccia hosting a 0.40m wide colloform banded quartz adularia vein. This hole returned 5.65m at 0.68 g/t gold from 35.65m, including 1.35m at 1.87 g/t gold. Hole SRE-DDH-003 was targeted 50m further south along the same structure trend and intercepted 5.20m at 0.63 g/t gold and 7 g/t silver from 35.30m This interval included a 3m wide hydrothermal breccia hosting a quartz adularia colloform epithermal vein in the center with a width of 0.6m. Observed epithermal textures represent multi-pulse hydrothermal events within this structure, which are considered essential for the formation of productive epithermal mineralization. Equally importantly, gold and silver values in drill core are slightly stronger than on surface, and are expected to increase at depth. The structures at depth also significantly increase in width (+5m) compared to the narrow centimeter-scale expressions on surface. The remaining two drill holes SRE-DDH-002 and SRE-DDH-004 at the other targets in Santa Rita East intercepted multiple narrow structures, principally hydrothermal crackle breccias and stockwork zones, including 0.65m at 0.45 g/t AuEq[2] and 0.4m at 0.56 g/t gold. At Santa Rita Central, two holes were completed along the northwest trending structure for a total of 166m. Hole SRC-DDH-001 was targeted to test the central part of the structure with gold and silver rock chip samples with up to 1.76 g/t and 321 g/t respectively. It intercepted isolated quartz veinlets and zones of sheeted veinlets, displaying bladed textures and local evidence of incipient banding, also considered typical of the upper levels of these epithermal systems, and potentially transitioning into the deeper more productive part of the system. This hole intersected 1.80m at 0.25 g/t gold and 28 g/t silver (0.62 g/t AuEq), which are considered encouraging within this level of the system. Overall, the drilling campaign at Santa Rita accomplished its objective, confirming the existence of, and tracing the vein outcrop and aligned float surface expressions to depth in the drill holes. Drilling to date has been very shallow with the deepest hole only reaching 32m vertically below surface. Deeper drilling is required along strike and to depth to confirm the potential of these targets. The surface and drill results confirm that Santa Rita, particularly Santa Rita Central and East, represent a more "typical" quartz-adularia LSE mineralization that is distinct from Virginia main with both significant gold and silver values. The Company is very encouraged with the surface and drill core gold values encountered to date at Santa Rita Central and East, believing they clearly warrant further follow up drilling. About Virginia Virginia is a low to intermediate sulphidation epithermal silver deposit located in the mineral-rich Deseado Massif, lying within the mining-friendly province of Santa Cruz in the Patagonia region of Argentina. Through initial discovery in 2009 to four drill programs between 2010 and 2012, Mirasol Resources was able to define an initial indicated mineral resource of 11.9 million ounces of silver at 310 g/t Silver and a further inferred 3.1 million ounces of silver at 207 g/t Silver within seven outcropping bodies. This resource is documented in a Mirasol Resources technical report entitled: "Amended Technical Report, Virginia Project, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina -- Initial Silver Mineral Resource Estimate" with an effective date of Oct. 24, 2014, and a report date of Feb. 29, 2016. Several additional vein structures within the property package remain highly prospective, as Mirasol concentrated the bulk of its exploration effort on the resource area at the expense of continuing exploration on the underexplored additional veins. Several of these structures have highlight values in excess of 1,000 g/t silver and have a high probability of hosting additional silver resources. These veins structures continue to be the primary focus of the Silver Sands 2021/2022 exploration efforts. Silver Sands is earning a 100-per-cent interest in Virginia by issuing sufficient shares for Mirasol to end up with 19.9 per cent of the issued and outstanding of Silver Sands and completing $6-million (U.S.) in exploration over three years. Mirasol will retain a 3-per-cent net smelter return royalty with Silver Sands having the option of purchasing one-third of the royalty for $2-million (U.S.). About Silver Sands Resources Corp. Silver Sands is a well-financed, Canada-based company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in mining-friendly jurisdictions. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit. Its key asset is the Virginia silver project, located in the mining-friendly Santa Cruz state of Argentina. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Keith Anderson Chief Executive Officer, Director For further information, please contact: Keith Anderson Chief Executive Officer, Director (604) 786-7774 Qualified Person Statement: Silver Sand's disclosure of technical and scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P.Eng., a director of the Company, who serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101. QAQC: Silver Sands applies industry standard exploration sampling methodologies and techniques. All geochemical rock and drill samples are collected under the supervision of the company's geologists in accordance with industry practice. Geochemical assays are obtained and reported under a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program. Samples are dispatched to an ISO 9001:2008 accredited laboratory in Argentina for analysis. Assay results from channel, trench, and drill core samples may be higher, lower or similar to results obtained from surface samples due to surficial oxidation and enrichment processes or due to natural geological grade variations in the primary mineralization. Forward-Looking Statements: The information in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include: changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant to the mining industry, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry and to policies linked to pandemics, social and environmental related matters. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding future exploration programs, operation plans, geological interpretations, mineral tenure issues and mineral recovery processes. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Silver Sands disclaims any obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. [1] Refer to Section 6.1 in Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report filed February 29, 2016: "Amended Technical Report, Virginia Project, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina - Initial Silver Mineral Resource Estimate" prepared by D. Earnest and M. Lechner [2] Gold equivalent ("AuEq") is calculated using metal prices of US$ 1800/oz for gold and US$ 24/oz for silver. Recoveries are assumed to be 100% as no metallurgical test data is available. The equation used is thus: AuEq g/t = Au g/t + (Ag g/t 75). To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113362 The funding is a major win for a standout medtech startup and U.S. Latinx startup community; allows the company to grow team, develop clinical trials The medtech startup offers the only wearable device to monitor lung function through acoustic resonance MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 10, 2022 / Respira Labs, a Latina-led medical technology company specializing in respiratory care, today announces it has closed $2.8 million to continue to develop and produce its chest wearable that uses acoustic resonance to assess lung function and identify changes in lung air volume, which is especially critical for COPD, COVID-19, and asthma patients. Respira Labs raised $1 million in pre-seed funding led by Zentynel Frontier Investments with participation by VentureWell, ImpactAssets, and several angel investors from the United States and Latin America. The company was also awarded an additional $1.8 million in grants from Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes for Health (NIH), and other startup prizes. "We're a U.S.-based startup excited to be making strides in a highly competitive space and are grateful to the organizations who care deeply about our mission and technology," said Dr. Maria Artunduaga, who was born in Colombia and is Respira Lab's founder and CEO. "We have the potential to help improve the lives of millions of people living with lung issues around the world," Dr. Artunduaga continued. "Early detection is key and our technology will help people identify problems earlier to avoid dangerous and potentially life-threatening situations." Dr. Artunduaga was inspired to start Respira Labs when her grandmother who suffered from COPD had a sudden exacerbation of symptoms and died as a result. Drill Program will Focus on Relationship to High Li Zone on adjacent Jindalee Property Victory is pursuing a strategy based upon its theory that the down dropped clay presents an opportunity to locate the extension of the lithium clays 'buried at depth' Deposits 'buried at depth' are anticipated to be preserved from surface erosion and weathering. This helps to maintain grade and total thickness VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 10, 2022 / Victory Resources Corporation (CSE:VR)(FWB:VR61)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Victory" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's exploration team has begun its drilling program on the Company's Smokey Lithium Property in Nevada, where its exploration team has identified drill targets that will determine whether a relationship exists between the Smokey Lithium Property and the high grade Lithium zone on the adjacent Jindalee property. "The Company's initial 3 holes of its 15-hole drilling exploration program aims to prove its geologic concept, specifically, to test along the Jindalee boundary margins, nearest to the fault line. The program is designed to reduce the depths required to reach clays and attempt to capture the full thickness of the claystone," said Mr. Mark Ireton, Victory President and CEO. "The remaining 12 permitted holes will be utilized for locating extensions of the clay mineralization, test depths of clays and overburden and ultimately provide data for purposes of resource modelling and follow up drilling." Smokey Lithium Drilling Progress Highlights Victory's Exploration Team rig, crews and earth equipment were mobilized at Smokey Lithium last week, with earthwork and site preparations completed to facilitate drill commencement at the beginning of this week The first hole is being drilled in the southwest part of the property near Jindalee's boundary and adjacent to the main fault structure to test Victory's theory related to the dropped down clays. Subsequent holes will be based on the results of the initial hole If clay is encountered, clays will be logged for recovery, lithologic descriptions, split 50/50 and sampled at intervals of 1m each. Samples will be sent to ALS labs in Reno for assay work. Standards, blanks and/or duplicates will be inserted into the sample chain as a QA/QC protocol It is anticipated lab results are approximately 4 to 6 weeks out, pending lab processes, which are not in Victory's control. Victory will provide all clay samples to the lab on a regular basis to maximize timing of results About Smokey Lithium, Nevada Victory's Smokey Lithium project is a clay lithium property that lies approximately 20 miles (32 km) north of Clayton Valley. Smokey Lithium is located 16 miles (25) km northwest of Cypress' Clayton Valley Lithium Project and 22 miles (35 km) southwest of American Lithium Corporation's Tonopah Lithium Claims Property in southwest Nevada. Esmeralda County, Nevada is a prolific region for lithium clay deposits, (Noram, Cypress, American Lithium, Spearmint, Enertopia, and Jindalee). The Smokey Lithium property is located 22 miles (35 km) west of Tonopah, Nevada on the western margin of the Basin and Range province. The property's geology consists of Miocene - Pliocene tuff deposits, claystones, and siliciclastic beds (Esmeralda Formation) with overlying younger alluvium deposits and desert pavement. The claystone, which can carry high lithium concentrations, is observed at surface as highly weathered light grey to tan mounds of unconsolidated clay from 0.10 - 1.50 meters thick. The flat lying nature of the claystones, together with the frequent occurrence of transported cover requires drilling to fully validate and assess Smokey Lithium's the potential as indicated by surface sampling. The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Brad Peek., M.Sc., CPG, who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. For further information, please contact: Mark Ireton, President Telephone: +1 (236) 317 2822 or TOLL FREE 1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653) E-mail: IR@victoryresourcescorp.com About Victory Resources Corporation VICTORY RESOURCES CORPORATION (CSE:VR) is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The Company is also actively seeking other exploration opportunities. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. SOURCE: Victory Resources Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/688139/Victory-Initiates-Smokey-Lithium-Drilling-Program TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 10, 2022 / RYAH Group, Inc. (CSE:RYAH) ("RYAH" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the "USPTO") has issued a Notice of Allowance for U.S. patent application number 15/924,172, filed in respect of the Company's IoT-powered, Smart Medical Inhaler system by Potbotics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. U.S. patent application number 15/924,172 "Electronic Vaporizer with Remote Control Capability" was issued a Notice of Allowance by the USPTO on February 9, 2022. A Notice of Allowance is a document sent to a patent applicant from the USPTO after a patent examiner has decided to issue the requested patent and is the final step in a usually long and complex patent application process. The RYAH Smart Medical Inhaler is a hybrid conduction and convection, style dry herb inhaler and was recently granted Medical Device Certification under ISO 13485:2016/MDSAP and EN ISO 13485:2016 standards for both its hardware and software. The connected device contains an integrated volumetric airflow sensor that enables consumers to easily track their therapeutic inhalation sessions. The system's precise temperature and volume session monitoring, combined with complete formulation lab results and intuitive user session feedback, drives its state of the art, anonymized data aggregation analytics. "Receiving this Notice of Allowance by the USPTO on our Smart Medical Inhaler is the result of dedication and great effort by all of our product team members, with particular thanks to our Product Operations Head, Jordan Medley and our patent legal team. The application for this invention was initially filed on March 16, 2018 and was subject to several amendments along the way. We look forward to strengthening competitive positioning on our intellectual property and medical device portfolio with a number of patents pending maturing on our additional IoT products," said Gregory Wagner, C.E.O. of RYAH Group, Inc. About RYAH Group, Inc. RYAH is a connected device, and big data and technology company focused on valuable, captive, anonymized data analysis in the global medical plant and nutraceutical intake industry. Its robust artificial intelligence platform aggregates and correlates Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant patient data, intended to help patients personalize plant-based therapies to predict treatment outcomes better. The data collection is relevant for clinics, doctors, dispensaries and pharmaceutical companies, and licensed processors (LPs) to monitor and manage formulation effects on patients and demographics. RYAH gathers deep and insightful data on the complete patient session and formulation lifecycle with a strong intellectual property portfolio. For more information, visit www.ryahgroup.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require the Company to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "continue", or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements are based upon certain material assumptions applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including management's perceptions of current conditions and expected future developments and other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. The Company considers such assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that its assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect the Company and its business. Any forward-looking statements set forth herein concerning the Company reflect management's expectations as at the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by 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 release. For additional information, please contact: Sofiya Kleshchuk Client Relations RYAH Group +1 917 210 0543 Invest@ryahgroup.com SOURCE: RYAH Medtech Inc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/688181/RYAH-Receives-Notice-of-Allowance-on-Utility-Patent-For-Its-Smart-Medical-Inhaler-System Strengthens and widens the bank's capital introduction offering and the range of innovative Prime Services solutions BNP Paribas offers to institutional investors globally BNP Paribas, Europe's leading financial institution, today announces the launch of 'Bridge by BNP Paribas' the bank's digital capital introduction platform, offered exclusively to institutional investors and hedge fund clients serviced by the bank's Prime Services business. The platform will complement the bank's Capital Introduction team of specialists and deepen their diverse set of global investor relationships, market knowledge and expertise. 'Bridge by BNP Paribas' is powered by Edgefolio, a leading tech provider for the fund distribution and asset management industries. The platform enables institutional investors to browse and connect with the bank's prime services hedge fund clients by using customized search functions to match with specific preferences and criteria in areas like strategy type, region, sector, assets, age, performance and volatility. 'Bridge by BNP Paribas' also provides the bank's institutional investor and hedge fund clients with a view of their previous introductions, suggestions on similar funds to the ones they have already been introduced, access to exclusive market content and insights and monthly hedge fund performance updates. Marlin Naidoo, Global Head of Capital Introduction at BNP Paribas, said: "The past two years have shown us that adaptability is key and successful capital introduction relies on bridging the gap between managers and investors, both in-person and virtually. We are excited to launch 'Bridge by BNP Paribas' which will undoubtedly enhance our capital introduction team's productivity, our clients' experience and contribute to the growth of our prime services business." 'Bridge by BNP Paribas' forms part of the bank's efforts to strengthen its holistic equities offering. BNP Paribas completed the acquisition of 100% of Exane in July 2021, raising its stake from the 50% previously held during a successful 17-year partnership. Leveraging Exane's expertise in cash equities (execution and research) and derivatives, the transaction further strengthens the range of equity and derivatives services BNP Paribas can offer to institutional investors and corporates globally. This, together with the completed migration of Deutsche Bank's Global Prime Finance and Electronic Equities business to BNP Paribas in December 2021, positions the bank as a leading provider in Global Equities. About Edgefolio Edgefolio is the hedge fund industry's leading fintech, providing customized solutions to some of the world's largest financial institutions. Edgefolio provides custom digital enterprise solutions for investment banks and prime brokerages. Additionally, the company is the creator of FundPortal, a digital fund marketing and investor relations platform for fund managers worldwide, incorporating an investor portal, CRM, mail campaigns, data room and digital reporting. With a growing team around the world, Edgefolio is a global company with the clear goal of digitizing the fund industry, and through this, helping it become more sustainable. About BNP Paribas BNP Paribas is the European Union's leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 68 countries and has more than 193,000 employees, including nearly 148,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Retail Banking for the Group's retail-banking networks and several specialized businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realize their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated retail-banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Turkey, Eastern Europe as well as via a large network in the western part of the United States. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group's performance and stability. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005123/en/ Contacts: Press: BNP PARIBAS Robert Madden +1 (332) 323-3704 Robert.Madden@us.bnpparibas.com Murray Parker +44 781 851 0056 Murray.Parker@uk.bnpparibas.com EDGEFOLIO Jeremy Burnel +447830 638 513 marketing@edgefolio.com Investor group led by Viking Global Investors to invest $630 million in 2.00% Convertible Notes Significant progress since launch with market leading platform, team, brand and infrastructure Achieved record revenues up ~300% to over 665 million and ~49,500 total units sold in 2021 Very well positioned to capture huge 475+ billion opportunity across the UK and EU markets Incremental capital provides a multi-year runway to enable continued execution of the strategy Strong momentum into 2022 and beyond with new guidance and targets reinforcing confidence Cazoo (NYSE: CZOO or "the Company"), Europe's leading online car retailer, which makes buying and selling a car as simple and seamless as ordering any other product online, today announced that it has agreed to issue and sell, via a private placement, 2.00% convertible senior notes (the "Notes") in an aggregate principal amount of $630 million (the "Transaction"). The Notes will be convertible into Cazoo Class A Ordinary Shares (the "Shares") at an initial conversion price of $5.00, which represents approximately a 20% premium to the trailing 5 trading day volume-weighted average price of the Shares. The Transaction is led by new investor Viking Global Investors, alongside participation from several existing shareholders including Mubadala Investment Company, D1 Capital and Willoughby Capital as well as other new and existing investors. Closing of the Transaction is subject to customary conditions. Following the significant progress made since its launch two years ago, the additional capital will support Cazoo's continued growth in the UK and expansion in Europe. The financing will supplement Cazoo's current strong liquidity position and will provide a material multi-year runway for the Company to be able to execute on its strategy over the coming years. The new proceeds, combined with Cazoo's existing cash and cash equivalent position of approximately $260 million as of December 31, 2021, will leave the Company with a pro forma cash balance approaching $900 million following the Transaction. Alex Chesterman OBE, Founder CEO of Cazoo said: "This transaction, where we have raised an additional $630 million, further reinforces the strong belief in Cazoo from new and existing shareholders who, like us, are extremely excited about the huge market opportunity that we have ahead of us. We are now very well-funded for the coming years to continue to capitalise on this opportunity and deliver the best car buying and selling experience for consumers across the UK and Europe." Significant Progress To Date Over the past two years since launch, Cazoo has established a market leading platform, team, brand and infrastructure in the UK and started to expand its proposition into the EU, having recently launched in France and Germany and acquired strong businesses and teams in Italy and Spain. The Company now operates in the largest five markets in Europe the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Over the past 12 months, Cazoo has continued its strong growth trajectory and made significant progress against its key strategic objectives. The Company has expanded its reconditioning capabilities, taking UK reconditioning fully in-house and grown from just one site at this time last year to 11 in-house reconditioning sites with a potential output capacity of around 250,000 units per annum. During 2021, Cazoo expanded from operating solely in the UK to now having operations across the largest five European markets. Having successfully launched in both France and Germany late last year, the recent acquisitions of Swipcar in Spain and brumbrum in Italy have provided the Company with strong local teams, infrastructure, capabilities and relationships which will expedite the launch into the sizeable Spanish and Italian markets during 2022. In addition to significantly expanding its infrastructure capabilities and geographic reach, the Company has also materially enhanced its product proposition. The launch of its fully integrated subscription service has been resonating extremely well with customers and Cazoo is now the market leader in consumer car subscriptions in Europe with around 10,000 active subscribers. Cazoo has significantly increased the number of ancillary products it sells, most recently adding service plans, and the launch of its direct from consumer car buying channel in the UK has been performing ahead of expectations and is materially expanding sourcing capabilities and diversifying the buying mix in this attractive channel. In FY 2021 Cazoo sold ~49,500 total units (~230% year-on-year growth) including ~34,700 retail units (~180% year-on-year growth). Full year group revenues of at least 665 million were up by more than 300% year-on-year and ahead of guidance given at the time of the Q3 2021 results. Retail GPU ("Gross Profit per Unit") in the UK was ~450, a significant improvement compared to (229) in 2020 with Q4 2021 impacted by regular seasonality and investments to ramp up in-house reconditioning capabilities in order to meet the Company's 2022 growth ambitions. Alex Chesterman OBE, Founder CEO of Cazoo said: "I am extremely proud of what Cazoo has achieved both since launch and particularly over the last 12 months. In 2021, our second full year of operation, we achieved record revenues of over 665 million and have made significant progress on all aspects of our ambitious strategy. We have built a market leading proposition which consumers love, a world-class team of over 4,000, a household brand that is now recognised by over 75% of the UK population and significant infrastructure capabilities across the UK and EU." Substantial Market Opportunity Ahead Cazoo is pioneering the shift to online car buying and selling across the UK EU, a 475+ billion market with low-single-digit digital penetration, lagging almost all other retail sectors and ripe for digital transformation. It is an incredibly fragmented space, with no incumbent having more than a small-single-digit percent market share. By leveraging data and technology to improve selection, quality, transparency and convenience, Cazoo is providing consumers with a far superior overall experience. Cazoo now has a leading proposition in the UK and an established position in each of France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the four largest markets in the EU. Together these five markets have a combined total addressable market ("TAM") in excess of 300 billion 100+ billion in the UK and 200+ billion combined in France, Germany, Spain and Italy (the "Big 4" EU markets). The rest of Europe has a TAM of ~175 billion, giving a total market opportunity today of 475+ billion. Key Objectives for 2022 and Beyond Based on the key strategic advances made in 2021 and a strong start to 2022, Cazoo today provides its key objectives for 2022 and beyond. It is expected that the Company's ever-improving market leading proposition, combined with a growing level of inventory will result in continued rapid market share gains in the UK. Having recently launched in France and Germany, the Company plans to replicate the success of its UK business across both markets, in addition to launching in Spain and Italy later this year. In 2022, the Company expects to sell over 100,000 retail units and to generate revenues in excess of 2 billion, representing year-on-year growth of ~200%. In addition to the substantial market share opportunity, the Company continues to see a clear path for significant Retail GPU improvements. Growth in GPU will be driven by a continued shift in buying mix including further success in the sourcing of cars directly from consumers. In addition, investments through 2021 and further progress in 2022 will lead to continued efficiencies and operational leverage in reconditioning and logistics. Combined with improvements to stock turn and further enhancements to the Company's products, partnerships and processes, Retail GPU in the UK in 2022 is expected to be ~900. Alex Chesterman OBE, Founder CEO of Cazoo said: "Our strong growth in 2021 combined with the building blocks we have put in place, including this new funding, means that we are very well positioned to deliver on our plans and gives us strong confidence of meeting our medium and long term targets. We have navigated through some reconditioning constraints during the back half of last year and over the last few months we have seen our website inventory expand notably. As expected, this has helped lead to a record start to 2022 with unit sales up materially both sequentially and year-on-year. While we expect to continue to rapidly increase our market share, the market opportunity is so substantial that with just low-single-digit market shares and prudent GPU targets we would have an enormous business generating meaningful free-cash-flows." Conference Call Cazoo will host a conference call today, February 10, 2022, at 9 a.m. ET. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-877-704-6255, or for international callers, 1-215-268-9947. A webcast of the call will also be available on the investor relations page of the Company's website at https://investors.cazoo.co.uk. Transaction Details The Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of Cazoo Group Ltd (the "Company"), bearing interest at a rate of 2.00% per year, payable quarterly in arrears on February 16, May 16, August 16, and November 16 of each year, commencing on May 16, 2022. The Notes will mature on February 16, 2027, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The Notes may be converted at an initial conversion price of $5.00. Upon conversion, the Notes will be settled in Shares (subject to certain exceptions to be set forth in the Indenture governing the Notes). In addition, the Company may force the conversion of the Notes following the third anniversary of the closing date if the trading price of the Shares exceeds 150% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days in any consecutive 30 trading day period (the "Trading Condition"). Holders of the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or some of their Notes for cash at 100% of their principal amount, plus all accrued and unpaid interest to, and including, the maturity date, upon the occurrence of certain corporate events, subject to certain conditions. The Notes will not be guaranteed or secured upon issuance but will receive the benefit of any guarantees or security provided at any time for the benefit of certain other indebtedness of the Company for borrowed money issued or incurred in the future, other than indebtedness incurred to purchase, finance or refinance the purchase of vehicles, vehicle parts, supplies and inventory and certain other indebtedness. If the Notes have not been converted, repurchased or redeemed at or prior to maturity of the Notes, Holders of the Notes will also be entitled to payment of a premium at maturity of the Notes, equal to 50% of the principal amount of the Notes. The premium is payable in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares at the option of the Company. The premium will not be payable if the trailing 10 trading day volume weighted average price of the Shares is above $6.75 for any trading day beginning on (and excluding) the 10th trading day following the second anniversary of the closing date and ending on (and including) the 20th trading day following the second anniversary of the closing date. For the avoidance of doubt, this premium will not be payable by the Company (i) in the event of a mandatory conversion on or prior to maturity, (ii) in the event of a voluntary conversion by the Holder on or prior to maturity or (iii) in connection with a make-whole fundamental change or an offer to purchase Notes upon a fundamental change. The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to the third anniversary of the closing date, unless certain changes in tax law or other related events occur. The Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes, at its option, beginning three years after the closing date, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, and excluding, the redemption date, provided that (1) the Trading Condition (as defined above) is met or (2) if the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding and held by persons other than the Company or its affiliates is less than 15% of the initial aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The Notes will be issued at closing pursuant to an Indenture to be entered into between Cazoo Group Ltd and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The Indenture will include customary covenants and events of default. Closing is expected to occur on February 16, 2022 and will be subject to customary closing conditions for offerings of this nature. Goldman Sachs International served as exclusive placement agent to Cazoo in connection with the transaction. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP is acting as legal counsel to Cazoo in connection with the transaction. About Cazoo www.cazoo.co.uk Our mission is to transform the car buying and selling experience across the UK Europe by providing better selection, value, transparency, convenience and peace of mind. Our aim is to make buying or selling a car no different to ordering any other product online, where consumers can simply and seamlessly buy, sell, finance or subscribe to a car entirely online for delivery or collection in as little as 72 hours. Cazoo was founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneur Alex Chesterman OBE, is backed by some of the leading technology investors globally and is publicly traded (NYSE: CZOO). About Viking Global Investors Founded in 1999, Viking is a global investment management firm that manages over $40 billion of capital for its investors. It has offices in Greenwich, New York, Hong Kong, London, and San Francisco and is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.vikingglobal.com Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbour" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The expectations, estimates, and projections of the business of Cazoo may differ from its actual results and, consequently, you should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (1) realizing the benefits expected from the business combination with Ajax I (the "Business Combination"); (2) achieving the expected revenue growth and effectively managing growth; (3) executing Cazoo's expansion strategy in Europe; (4) acquiring and integrating other companies; (5) achieving and maintaining profitability in the future; (6) having access to suitable and sufficient vehicle inventory for resale to customers and for Cazoo's subscription offering and reconditioning and selling inventory expeditiously and efficiently; (7) expanding Cazoo's subscription offering; (8) increasing Cazoo's service offerings and price optimization; (9) effectively promoting Cazoo's brand and increasing brand awareness; (10) expanding Cazoo's product offerings and introducing additional products and services; (11) enhancing future operating and financial results; (12) acquiring and protecting intellectual property; (13) attracting, training and retaining key personnel; (14) complying with laws and regulations applicable to Cazoo's business; (15) successfully deploying the proceeds from the Business Combination; and (16) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in the registration statement on Form F-1 and the prospectus included therein filed by Cazoo Group Ltd (f/k/a Capri Listco). The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the disclosure included in other documents filed by Cazoo from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Cazoo assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Cazoo gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005305/en/ Contacts: For more information: Media: Cazoo: Lawrence Hall, Group Communications Director, lawrence.hall@cazoo.co.uk Brunswick: Chris Blundell/Simone Selzer +44 20 7404 5959 cazoo@brunswickgroup.com Investor Relations: Cazoo: Robert Berg, Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Finance, investors@cazoo.co.uk ICR: cazoo@icrinc.com Vancouver, British Columbia, London, United Kingdom and Santiago, Chile--(Newsfile Corp. - February 10, 2022) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) (OTCQX: LSANF) ("Los Andes", "LA" or the "Company") reports excellent initial results from Hole CMV-001B and aggregate of 732 meters ("m") with estimated average grade of 0.51% Copper Equivalent. The average grades include 0.46% (corrected from 0.51%, all other information correct) Copper and 160 parts per million ("ppm") Molybdenum from 64m to 820m down the hole. Assay grades for the interval reported for silver are still pending, as are the values from 820m down the hole to end of hole at 1,265.15m. Drilling is continuing with four drill rigs at Vizcachitas with the objectives of expanding the resources within the open pit designs and to explore the deposit below the boundaries of the open pit designed in the Preliminary Economic Assessment, (PEA, 2019). The current Phase 1 drill program will expand from four to five drill rigs with 18,000m of drilling planned. The full Phase 1 drill program consists of 30,000m of drilling with potential for further expansion. R. Michael Jones, P.Eng, CEO of Los Andes Copper, commented: "Hole CMV-001B is important for two reasons: firstly, it demonstrates and confirms the scale of the good grades at Vizcachitas starting from the collar in rock; secondly, the hole is near the western limit of the resources and shows clear potential for further resources to the west. We look forward to the assays for this hole below the current pit designs. "Though we are still awaiting assay grades for the interval reported for silver, it is important to note that silver typically reports to approximately 1% of the value on the deposit. "The ongoing drilling program is testing areas in and below the PEA shell. There are several large areas that are taken as waste inside the previous pit designs that are classified as waste due to having no, or very limited drill testing. The historical fragmented land and permit position resulted in areas within the PEA pit not having any proper drill testing. The current drill program has many opportunities to offset known good grade holes with adjacent or deeper drilling into areas with no drill testing. "Converting waste blocks inside the pit design to resources would add value and as the deposit and grade profile changes, so too does the opportunity for an improved new mine plan." "The geological team at Vizcachitas has been expanded to several senior geologists with decades of experience on the largest porphyry copper deposits in Chile. The Vizcachitas project is being explored for the first time in recent history with the ability to drill across the whole property. The controls of copper and molybdenum mineralization are being modelled by the new team collaborating and having the ability to explore the full project mineralizing system. "We look forward to reporting further drill results, as we unlock the potential of this world-class deposit, in the weeks and months ahead." Drilling results The details of Hole CMV-001B are shown in the table below. Unfortunately, a zone of lost core at 156m to 180m adjacent to high grades resulted in this area not being representative and properly assayed. These meters are not included in the overall average at this time. A twin hole to Hole CMV-001B will be drilled and these meters will be assayed to add to the overall grade thickness assessment. The final average from 64m to End of Hole will be reported as assays are available. The area immediately west of Hole CMV-001B is largely open and drilling is underway with two machines. Table Meters Cu % Mo ppm Ag -Pending CuEq % 64-156 92 0.57 63 0.59 156-180 - lost core 180 - 820 m 640 0.44 174 0.50 Average of 732m 0.46 % Cu 160 ppm Mo 0.51 % CuEq * Copper equivalent grade has been calculated using the following calculation: Cu Eq (%) = Cu (%) + 3.33 x Mo (%) using the metal prices: 3.00 USD/lb Cu, 10.00 USD/lb Mo. No allowance for metallurgical recoveries has been considered. These are the same reference prices as in reporting of 2019 PEA. This means that the reported intercepts can be compared directly with the results published in the PEA. Approximate relative value on the PEA pricing is 93% Cu, 6% Mo and 1% silver. All thicknesses from the drill hole intersections are down-hole drilled thicknesses. True widths will be estimated as the deposit model is updated and information available. The ongoing drilling program is targeting areas on all sides of the current resource, including an area in the southern region where previous drilling resulted in resource grades at approximately 150 meters. About Los Andes Copper Ltd. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is an exploration and development company with an 100% interest in the Vizcachitas Project in Chile. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is listed on the TSX-V under the ticker: LA. The Project is a copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit, located 120 kilometres north of Santiago, in an area of very good infrastructure. The Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA"), delivered in June 2019, highlights that the Project has a post tax NPV of $1.8 billion and an IRR of 20.77%, based on a $3 per pound copper price. It also has a Measured Resources of 254.4 million tonnes having a grade of 0.439% copper and Indicated Resource of approximately 1.03 billion tonnes having a grade of 0.385% copper. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Please refer to the technical report dated June 13, 2019, with an effective date of May 10, 2019 and titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Vizcachitas Project", prepared by Tetra Tech. The PEA is preliminary in nature, it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Qualified Person ("QP") and Quality Control and Assurance Antony Amberg CGeol FGS, the Company's Chief Geologist, is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. The QP has validated the data by, supervising the sample collection process, through chain of custody records and inspecting the detailed technical data and quality control and assurance information. Los Andes Copper has a strict Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA QC) protocol, which is consistent with industry best practices. There is a strict chain of custody from the project site to laboratory via the Company's core cutting facility near to San Felipe. The QA QC protocol includes the insertion of field duplicates, coarse duplicates, pulp duplicate, pulp and coarse blanks and Certified Reference Materials supplied by Ore Research and Exploration, Australia. The core was analysed in the Santiago laboratory of the Geo Assay Group. The Geo Assay Group is a leading Chilean analytical laboratory providing analytical services to multinational companies in Chile. The samples were prepared in the laboratory's fully automated robotic sample preparation area. Using a 4-acid digestion all samples were analysed for copper and molybdenum using Atomic Absorption. For more information please contact: R. Michael Jones, P.Eng CEO rmj@losandescopper.com +44 203 4407982 Blytheweigh, Financial PR Megan Ray Rachael Brooks Tel: +44 207 138 3203 E-Mail: info@losandescopper.com or visit our website at: www.losandescopper.com Follow us on Twitter @LosAndesCopper Follow us on LinkedIn Los Andes Copper Ltd Certain of the information and statements contained herein that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British Columbia), Securities Act (Ontario) and the Securities Act (Alberta) ("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due" on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically, Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information. Such Forward Looking Information includes, without limitation, the timing of and ability to obtain TSX-V and other regulatory approvals and the prospects, details related to and timing of the Vizcachitas Project. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic, political and market conditions and the price of metals and energy and the Company's production. Among the factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of operations and financial conditions are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, a change in government policies, competition, currency fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113385 Supportive environmental regulations for low VOC coating additives and rise in number of applications in several end-user industries drive the growth of the global coating additives market. PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, " Coating Additives Market by Function (Anti-foaming, Wetting & Dispersion, Rheology modification, Biocides, Impact Modification, and Others), Type (Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, Urethanes, Metallic Additives, and Others), Formulation (Water-Borne Coating, Solvent-Borne Coating, Solventless Coating, Powder Coating, and Radiation Curable Coating), and End-Use Industry (Architectural, Industrial, Automotive, Wood & Furniture, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030." As per the report, the global coating additives industry was accounted for $9.0 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $15.0 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2021 to 2030. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities Supportive environmental regulations for low VOC coating additives and rise in number of applications in several end-user industries drive the growth of the global coating additives market. On the other hand, strict environments dictums restrain the growth to some extent. However, surge in demand for water-borne and powder-based coating additives in green construction is expected to create lucrative opportunities in the industry. Request PDF Brochure:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1719 Covid-19 Scenario- Huge disruptions in the supply chain severely affected the automotive and manufacturing industries, thereby impacting the global coating additives market negatively, especially during the initial phase. However, the market is anticipated to recoup soon. The rheology medication segment held the lion's share- Based on function, the rheology modification segment held the major share in 2020, generating nearly one-fourth half of the global coating additives market, owing to increase in usage of rheology additives as it provides film thickness, increases viscosity of finished products, and improves elastic properties of coatings. The same segment is also projected to cite the fastest CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. Get Detailed COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Coating Additives Market @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/1719?reqfor=covid The acrylic segment held the highest share in 2020- Based on type, the acrylic segment held the highest share in 2020, generating more than one-fourth of the global coating additives industry. This is due to rise in demand for acrylic material for coating additives. The same segment would also cite the fastest CAGR of 5.8% from 2021 to 2030. Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the major share- Based on region, the market across Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, accounted for the major share in 2020, contributing to around half of the global coating additives market. This is because Asia-Pacific has a large consumer of coating additives. The same region is also expected to cite the fastest CAGR of 6.1% throughout the forecast period. Prominent Market Players- BASF Solvay BYK Additives & Instruments Clariant Arkema Dow Chemical Co. Eastman Chemical Co. Evonik Momentive Performance Materials Inc. Lanxess. Interested in Procuring This Report? Visit Here: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/coating-additives-market/purchase-options Avenue Basic Plan | Library Access | 1 Year Subscription | Sign up for Avenue subscription to access more than 12,000+ company profiles and 2,000+ niche industry market research reports at $699 per month, per seat. For a year, the client needs to purchase minimum 2 seat plan. Avenue Library Subscription | Request for 14 days free trial of before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenueTrial Get more information: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access Similar Reports: Rheology Modifiers Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2021-2030 Lubricant Additives Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2015 - 2022 Fertilizer Additives Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023 Optical Coating Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014-2022 Additives Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2028 About Us: 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. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United StatesToll Free: 1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on:LinkedIn Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lithium South Development Corporation (the "Company") (TSX-V: LIS) (OTCQB: LISMF) (Frankfurt: OGPQ) is pleased to announce that the Mining Secretariat of Salta Province, Argentina, has advised the Company that a proposed drill program for the Hombre Muerto Lithium Project (HMN Li Project) has been approved. The formal documentation is expected in the coming days. The program is scheduled to begin this month. Recent road construction and drill pad construction are nearing completion. Drill pad dimensions are thirty meters by thirty meters. A drill contract for the program is expected to be concluded shortly. The property package of 5,687 hectares comprises of nine mining concessions. The project is strategically located with developed infrastructure. The HMN Li Project is surrounded by two leading lithium producers, Korean giant POSCO which is making an $ U.S. 840 million development for their project, and Livent which produces lithium at the Northern end of the renowned Hombre Muerto Salar. Based on the results from a recent TEM study (see October 4 News release) three core wells are planned for the Alba Sabrina claim block. The Alba Sabrina claim (2,089 hectares) is the largest block of the HMN Li Project and has never been drill tested. To date only the Tramo claim block (383 hectares) has been explored and contains the current Ni 43-101 defined LCE resource. With only 14% of the whole property explored, there is significant resource expansion potential. Company Vice President Fernando Villarroel said, "Salta is considered the best investment district in the Lithium Triangle according to the Fraser Institute. So, we are in the right place at the right time. In light of record lithium carbonate prices, we are very excited to undertake a large drill program to potentially expand the resource size at HMN. The Alba Sabrina block is the largest in the package and represents an excellent drill target." About Lithium South Lithium South is focused on developing the Hombre Muerto North Lithium Project, located on the Hombre Muerto Salar, a major lithium-producing salar in Argentina. The property is adjacent to land under development by the Korean multinational corporation POSCO, which acquired the ground from Galaxy Resources Ltd. for US $280 million. The Company completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the HMN Li Project in 2019, utilizing conventional evaporation extraction. The Company is evaluating conventional evaporation as a process method, and Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) as an alternative method. Three candidates for DLE are currently being evaluated. Two, 2,000-gallon bulk brine samples are in transit; one sample is heading to Oakland California for testing by Lilac Solutions, and the second sample is heading to Chengdu China for testing by Chemphys. DLE test work is also currently underway in Salta, Argentina by Eon Minerals. This news release has been reviewed and approved by Marcela Casini, advisor to the Company and a Qualified Person as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101. On behalf of the Board of Directors Adrian F. C. Hobkirk President and Chief Executive Officer Investors / Shareholders call 855-415-8100 / website: www.lithiumsouth.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed the content of this news release and therefore does not accept responsibility or liability for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release. This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon 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 which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward- looking statements. We seek safe harbor. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1743499/Alba_Sabrina_Claim.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1743500/HMN_Li_Project.jpg Grass Valley, California--(Newsfile Corp. - February 10, 2022) - Rise Gold Corp. (CSE: RISE) (OTCQX: RYES) (the "Company") announces that the Nevada Irrigation District's (NID) board of directors has approved the Water Supply Assessment (WSA) for the Idaho-Maryland Mine Project. In a meeting on February 9th the board of directors of NID voted to approve the WSA. The WSA's purpose is to perform an evaluation as established by California legislation, SB 610, codified at Water Code Section 10910. SB 610 requires detailed information regarding water availability to be provided to county decision-makers prior to approval of land use projects above certain acreage thresholds, including the Idaho-Maryland Mine Project. Today's approval demonstrated the sufficiency of NID water supplies to satisfy the proposed project's water demands, while still meeting the water purveyor's existing and planned future uses under all hydrologic conditions (Normal Years, Single Dry Years and Multiple Dry Years). The Idaho-Maryland Mine Project is anticipated to receive potable water from NID for dust control, sanitary uses and to provide a reliable water supply to certain nearby residences whose water supply wells could be impacted by mining operations. In the recently issued Draft Environment Impact Report (DEIR), Nevada County concluded that the proposed mining operations could result in adverse effects to seven domestic water supply wells in the East Bennett area during the life of the mining operation. While a total of seven wells are projected to be adversely affected, the Company would connect up to 30 properties in the East Bennett area to the NID potable water system prior to commencement of mine dewatering. The Company would fund the engineering, permitting, construction and installation of main water piping and water meters to each property, as well as pay for any NID water charges for ongoing water supply. The Idaho-Maryland Mine Project will have a surplus of water from the natural groundwater flow into the underground workings and only 10 percent of the dewatering volume will be needed for operational purposes. The groundwater will be treated to remove iron, manganese and other elements of concern and will meet the strict standards of NPDES permit CAG995002, requiring quality as good or better than drinking water quality, before being discharged to the South Fork of Wolf Creek. The surplus of over 1,200 acre-ft per year will provide a benefit to downstream users and aquatic species. NID could utilize the excess treated mine water and the mine would add more water to the system than it uses. As the mine water flow is immune from drought years, the mine dewatering would have a positive effect on water supply. NID could adjust its flows upstream to use the extra water available downstream if it desired to do so. About Rise Gold Corp. Rise Gold is an exploration-stage mining company incorporated in Nevada, USA. The Company's principal asset is the historic past-producing Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine located in Nevada County, California, USA. To learn more about the company, visit www.risegoldcorp.com. About Rise Grass Valley Inc. Rise Grass Valley, a subsidiary of Rise Gold Corp., proposes to reinitiate underground mining and gold mineralization processing at the Idaho-Maryland Mine in unincorporated Nevada County. State-of-the-art facilities utilizing environmentally friendly technology will be located on the Brunswick Industrial Site. To learn more about the project and community, visit www.risegrassvalley.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Benjamin Mossman President, CEO and Director Rise Gold Corp. For further information, please contact: RISE GOLD CORP. Suite 215, 333 Crown Point Circle Grass Valley, CA 95945 T: 530.433.0188 info@risegoldcorp.com www.risegoldcorp.com The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, obtaining all necessary approvals, meeting expenditure and financing requirements, compliance with environmental regulations, title matters, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information contained in this release. Rise undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113353 MENDON, MA and ROWLEY, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 10, 2022 / Joint Operations is a veteran-owned adult-use dispensary coming soon to Rowley and Mendon Massachusetts. They pride themselves on supporting the community by educating people on the healing properties found in cannabis. Since it first set foot into the cannabis industry, Joint Operations has had the goal of supporting veterans by working with other veteran-owned businesses. Bill Duggan, Founder of Joint Operations, recently retired after a 20-year career in law enforcement and is starting to pursue a new venture in the cannabis industry. Awarded ARCOMs (army achievement medals) as well as a CAB (Combat Action Badge), he served as a team leader and operated in Panama. Bill was first influenced by the success his family members and friends found with the medical benefits of cannabis. With the help of Cannapreneur Partners, he hopes to successfully open more dispensaries and continue making a difference within the veteran community. Ray Sedlacek, Store Manager of Joint Operations Dispensaries, decided to join the military after witnessing 9/11 live in high school. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2009-2013 as a field radio operator (0621) attached to a reconnaissance battalion. "Upon completing my time in the Marines, I saw the effects over-prescribed opioids had on the veteran community. I decided to spend my time looking at getting into the cannabis industry," Ray stated. "My goals are to continue to fight the stigma cannabis faces while continuing to serve the veteran community." Jon Ota, Owner of Gunner Grey Furniture, is a local furniture designer working with Joint Operations. Jon joined the U.S. Marines in August 2001 and served with 1st Battalion 5th Marines Charlie Co., completing 3 tours to Iraq. After he got out in August 2005, he became a local carpenter, helping as many local vets as he could. He has contributed to Joint Operations by designing and building robust display cases for their adult-use dispensary locations. Jon stated, "I believe in what they do and stand for. I was recommended by a friend of the family to Joint Operations, and I'm fortunate to have that happen." Chris Ploof, Founder of Chris Ploof Designs, served as a U.S. Army Combat Veteran. In addition to operating his own jewelry crafting business, he now contributes to crafting various metalwork for multiple Joint Operations locations. With the ongoing success of Joint Operations, veterans and the community at large in Massachusetts can have more access to safer alternatives of treating PTSD and other ailments they may face. This proud team of U.S. veterans is committed to helping fellow veterans receive the variety of benefits that the cannabis industry has to offer and provide support to the community they proudly served. ABOUT CANNAPRENEUR PARTNERS Cannapreneur Partners is the place for cannabis business owners. We provide top insights and business strategy for entrepreneurs that enables great synergies and explosive growth for your business. ABOUT JOINT OPERATIONS Joint Operations is a series of adult-use dispensaries, founded by U.S. military veterans that bring the benefits of the cannabis plant to the public. We are focused on wellness and education while creating a fun and comfortable environment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: E: info@CannapreneurPartners.com W: www.cannapreneurpartners.com E: info@jointoperations.com W: www.jointoperations.com SOURCE: Cannapreneur Partners FortePhest is leading in nature-inspired development of novel substances New herbicides inhibit the growth of herbicide-resistant weeds and invasive plants BASF Venture Capital GmbH (BVC) and Orbia Ventures today announce their Series-B investment in the Israeli biotech startup FortePhest. Founded in 2017, FortePhest is developing a new technology to combat herbicide-resistant weeds and invasive plants. Inspired and informed by natural plant processes, the company supports crop protection on a global scale by implementing this technology. BASF Venture Capital and Orbia Ventures are joined by Sherpa InnoVentures, SIBF II and other investors for this funding round. Funding parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the investment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005484/en/ BASF Venture Capital GmbH (BVC) and Orbia Ventures invest in the Israeli biotech startup FortePhest. Founded in 2017, FortePhest is developing a new technology to combat herbicide-resistant weeds and invasive plants. FortePhest has pioneered the development of several classes of herbicides with a new mode of action to inhibit the growth of weeds, with no harm to important crops as corn. (Photo: Business Wire) The new technology aims to solve one of the most important challenges currently facing crop protection. As more than 250 weeds and invasive plant species are resistant to over 150 herbicides in use at present, innovative solutions are needed to meet the sustenance needs of a growing world population. By 2050, the world's population will grow by about 2 billion to about 10 billion people while usable land for agriculture per person is anticipated to be reduced significantly and pesticide use will also be reduced as more countries adopt and implement sustainability policies. New plant protection products to improve crop yields whilst meeting sustainability requirements are therefore a critical focus of research. FortePhest has pioneered the development of several classes of herbicides with a new mode of action to inhibit the growth of weeds, with no harm to high-value corn, wheat, and other important crops. FortePhest is developing proprietary herbicides (H-Forte) which disrupt the homeostasis of free amino acids in plant cells and selectively target a weed's meristems, stopping developments of shoots and roots. States Alex Kozak, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FortePhest, "I am thrilled that FortePhest is supported by such a prominent team of investors. The capital will enable FortePhest to accelerate its development programs and work with potential global strategic partners to commercialize novel crop protection products that meet future regulatory requirements." "With its groundbreaking technology, FortePhest has created another important building block on the way to more sustainable agriculture," says Markus Solibieda, Managing Director of BASF Venture Capital GmbH. Solibieda continues, "With our investment in FortePhest, we are supporting BASF's strategy to promote innovative technologies that help produce affordable and sustainable food." "Against the background of increasing resistance of weed plants to herbicides, the industry has been intensively searching for new mechanisms of action for many years. FortePhest has now managed to develop highly selective new herbicides based on a newly discovered mode of action, revolutionizing the industry," says Shai Albaranes, Corporate Vice President of Innovation and Ventures at Orbia. "What Alex and the team developed in recent years will have a huge positive impact on the environment by reducing the quantities of chemicals being applied in the fields and in turn, reducing negative impacts at the source. These are the qualities that Orbia and Orbia Ventures are looking for in an investment." About BASF Venture Capital At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF Venture Capital GmbH (BVC) also contributes to this corporate purpose. Founded in 2001, BVC has offices in Europe, the U.S., China, India, Brazil, and Israel. BVC's goal is to generate new growth potential for current and future business areas of BASF by investing in young companies and funds. The focus of investment is on new materials, AgTech, Digitization and new, disruptive business models. Further information at www.basf-vc.com. About BASF At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of 59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com. About FortePhest Founded in 2017, FortePhest is a biotechnology company focused on crop protection. The Company is developing innovative products to control both regular weeds and weeds which are resistant to herbicides. This is done by exploring novel Mechanisms of Action (MOA) discovered in plants. Inspired by natural plant protectors, our technology is intended to provide potent, environmentally friendly, and sustainable solutions to improve crop productivity. To learn more, please visit www.fortephest.com About Orbia Orbia is a community of companies bound by a shared purpose: to advance life around the world. The Orbia companies have a collective focus on ensuring food security, connecting communities to data infrastructure, reducing water scarcity, reinventing the future of cities and homes and expanding access to health and wellness with basic and advanced materials and solutions. Orbia operates in the Precision Agriculture, Data Communications, Building and Infrastructure, Fluorinated Solutions and Polymer Solutions sectors. The company has commercial activities in more than 110 countries and operations in over 50, with global headquarters in Mexico City, Boston, Amsterdam, and Tel Aviv. To learn more, please visit www.orbia.com. About Orbia Ventures Orbia Ventures is the venture investment arm of Orbia, and supports a collaborative, human-centered approach to create better future in the areas of food security, water management, resilient infrastructure, data access, health advancement, sustainable energy and decarbonization. By partnering with startups who share our vision and are committed to developing cutting-edge innovations and smart technologies, we can address the world's biggest challenges and help communities become future-fit. To learn more, please visit Orbia Ventures Orbia. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005484/en/ Contacts: BASF Venture Capital GmbH Christian Mueller Phone: +49 152 54913724 Christian.d.mueller@basf.com FortePhest Ltd. Alex Kozak Phone: +972-544300793 akozak@fortephest.com Orbia Ventures Kacy Karlen Phone: 1 865-410-3001 kacy.karlen@orbia.com TO ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS INNOVATIVE VACCINE PLATFORM LinKinVax, a clinical-stage biotechnology companyis announcing completion of a 4.350 million seed capital funding round. It was led by LinKinVax's core shareholders and business angels and will enable LinKinVax to accelerate the clinical development of its innovative protein-based vaccine platform, which can be tweaked to changes and mutations in target pathogens. LinKinVax has already risen to prominence in the French sector, with Bpifrance granting it 31 million under a Covid-related PIA PSCP program and Government "Plan Relance" in May 2021. LinKinVax's innovative technology directly targets dendritic cells ("DC"), which play a crucial role in the immune system, stimulating and regulating immune responses. It is predicated on work by the U955 research team at the Vaccine Research Institute/Inserm (VRI) in which Inserm, University of Paris Est Creteil (UPEC), and the Mondor Institute of Biomedical Research (IMRB) participate. Thanks to the potential of its technology platform and the advances in its portfolio, LinKinVax aims to make a decisive contribution to the global public health challenges of infectious diseases and cancer. Andre-Jacques Auberton-Herve, Chairman co-founder and CEO of LinKinVax commented"We are thrilled that our breakthrough vaccine technology has generated so much interest among new investors, and with the renewed trust our longstanding partners, we can push ahead confidently with the next stages of our ambitious clinical program. Our objective is to provide effective vaccines as rapidly as possible to help address the public health challenges linked to the various pathogens we are targeting-HIV, SarsCov2, HPV, papillomavirus-related cancers, chlamydia The investors who contributed to the round are: Andre- Jacques Auberton- Herve (co-founder and CEO of LinKinVax, Jean-Paul Kress (CEO of Morphosys), Geoffrey Duyk (US biotechnology entrepreneur and investor), Giorgio Anania, Remi Gaston- Dreyfus and Alain Tingaud (recognized entrepreneurs in the high-tech sector). About LinKinVax technology LinKinVax's vaccine platform is built around a humanized monoclonal antibody, which is merged with regions of pathogens of interest, targeting the CD40 molecule expressed by dendritic cells, DC, which play a key role in stimulating the immune system. The results obtained demonstrate the benefits of this strategy owing to the small quantity of antigens required to activate the immune system, with or without an adjuvant, and its ability to trigger a lasting cellular and humoral and immune response. The platform also benefits from the experience and safety profile of the protein-based vaccines that have been widely used for over 30 years now. Three products are in or about to enter clinical trials: a prophylactic vaccine for HIV, currently in phase I led by Inserm/ANRS-EID), a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine covering variants of interest, and a therapeutic vaccine for human papillomavirus-related cancers. About LinKinVax LinKinVax was founded in 2020 and is led by two internationally renowned personalities in the worlds of medicine, industry and business, namelyAndre-Jacques Auberton-Herve, Honorary Chairman and founder of SOITEC, and Prof. Yves Levy, MD, PhD, immunologist, and Director of the Vaccine Research Institute (VRI/INSERM/UPEC). LinKinVax is developing an innovative protein-based vaccine platform that can accelerate availability of vaccines by leveraging the research conducted at the Vaccine Research Institute (VRI). This DC Targeting-based protein vaccine platform can adapt to changes and mutations in the target pathogens. For further information, please visit www.linkinvax.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005605/en/ Contacts: Contact LinKinVax Corinne Margot corinne.margot@linkinvax.com +33(0) 6 86 57 58 39 Media contact LinKinVax Annie-Florence Loyer afloyer@newcap.fr +33(0) 6 88 20 35 59 NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) Thursday said it expects first-quarter earnings per share in a range of $1.50 to $1.55, with robust organic net revenue growth, as well as an unfavorable operating margin comparison. For fiscal 2022, the company expects earnings per share in a range of $6.12 to $6.30, compared to $5.83 in 2021. Excluding an unfavorable currency impact, the forecast represents a projected increase of around 8 percent to 11 percent from last year's adjusted earnings per share of $6.08. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect earnings of $1.53 per share for the quarter and $6.35 per share for the year. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company further projects an increase in adjusted operating income margin of 50 to 150 basis points on an organic basis, mainly driven by the continued favorable product mix shift from cigarettes to smoke-free products. Jacek Olczak, Chief Executive Officer, said, 'We enter 2022 with strong fundamentals, underpinned by IQOS, and exciting innovation to come across our broader smoke-free product portfolio. We are forecasting organic top-line growth of 4 percent to 6 percent and currency-neutral adjusted diluted EPS growth of 8 percent to 11 percent, which prudently incorporate the continuing uncertainty on full IQOS device availability and the pace of the ongoing pandemic recovery.' 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. Figure 1: Diamond drilling in Hole #3 Copper Creek Phase I Drilling Program (refer Figure 2 below) The diamond drilling program is designed to test previously undrilled areas between zones of known high-grade mineralization, confirm historic drill results, obtain geotechnical information needed to advance mine planning, provide samples for metallurgical test work and commence hydrogeological studies, as outlined below: Figure 2: 2022 Phase I Drilling Program - Copper Creek, Arizona, USA Hole #1 (~500 meters) : Drilled from Childs-Adwinkle to Mammoth breccias (north to south) to provide infill drilling between the Childs-Adwinkle, White Bear and Mammoth breccias. Additionally, it will provide geotechnical information and seek to confirm historic drilling results from the Mammoth breccia. : Drilled from Childs-Adwinkle to Mammoth breccias (north to south) to provide infill drilling between the Childs-Adwinkle, White Bear and Mammoth breccias. Additionally, it will provide geotechnical information and seek to confirm historic drilling results from the Mammoth breccia. Hole #2 (~450 meters) : Drilled below the Glory Hole breccia (north-northwest to south-southeast) at the northwestern margin of the resource area and aiming to confirm mineralization hosted in several high-grade breccias. : Drilled below the Glory Hole breccia (north-northwest to south-southeast) at the northwestern margin of the resource area and aiming to confirm mineralization hosted in several high-grade breccias. Hole #3 (~500 meters) : Drilled from the Glory Hole breccia southeast towards the Copper Prince breccia, targeting confirmation of high-grade mineralization at the Copper Prince breccia, in addition to testing the previously undrilled area between the Glory Hole and Copper Prince breccias. : Drilled from the Glory Hole breccia southeast towards the Copper Prince breccia, targeting confirmation of high-grade mineralization at the Copper Prince breccia, in addition to testing the previously undrilled area between the Glory Hole and Copper Prince breccias. Hole #4 (~1,200 meters) : Angled from northwest to southeast across the Copper Creek fault to the Keel deposit - the longest of the planned holes designed to provide geotechnical and structural information to support the open pit potential - targeting the upper portion of the Keel high-grade zone below the Mammoth breccia. Instrumentation will be installed to gather hydrogeological data. : Angled from northwest to southeast across the Copper Creek fault to the Keel deposit - the longest of the planned holes designed to provide geotechnical and structural information to support the open pit potential - targeting the upper portion of the Keel high-grade zone below the Mammoth breccia. Instrumentation will be installed to gather hydrogeological data. Hole #5 (~550 meters) : Drilled from the Copper Prince to the Copper Giant breccia to the north, this infill drill hole is expected to expand the existing resource and extend the Copper Giant breccia below its current known extent. : Drilled from the Copper Prince to the Copper Giant breccia to the north, this infill drill hole is expected to expand the existing resource and extend the Copper Giant breccia below its current known extent. Hole #6 (~500 meters) : Drilled from the Copper Giant to the Copper Prince breccia to the south and intended to further define the eastward extent of the Copper Prince breccia, while allowing for drill results below known breccia bodies to the south. : Drilled from the Copper Giant to the Copper Prince breccia to the south and intended to further define the eastward extent of the Copper Prince breccia, while allowing for drill results below known breccia bodies to the south. Hole #7 (~800 meters) : Angled to the north across the American Eagle resource, targeting an area of mineralization above the American Eagle porphyry deposit, while providing geotechnical information for the planned underground mine design. Instrumentation will be installed to gather hydrogeological data. : Angled to the north across the American Eagle resource, targeting an area of mineralization above the American Eagle porphyry deposit, while providing geotechnical information for the planned underground mine design. Instrumentation will be installed to gather hydrogeological data. Hole #8 (~500 meters): Drilled from northeast to southwest below the Old Reliable historic mining location - for which no data exists below 300 meters from surface - and is designed to test the areas below the breccia and to the northeast of known mineralization. In parallel with the drilling program, a geological model for the Copper Creek deposit is under development to support a new Mineral Resource Estimate, currently expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022. The scope of work includes an audit of previous logging, relogging of select drill core, assaying of previous unsampled core, collection of hyperspectral data and the interpretation and integration of multiple technical datasets including lithology, petrography, geochemistry and geophysics. Zach Allwright, VP Projects and Evaluations stated, "The team has taken a proactive approach to data gathering at Copper Creek to ensure the highest quality technical assessment can be delivered. As such, the comprehensive geotechnical program encompasses photo logging, televiewer deployment in key drillholes, structural analysis and geotechnical interpretation. A preliminary review of existing metallurgical data is underway to drive an effective and rigorous metallurgical test work program later this year to complement the historic data and studies." Qualified Person(s) The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by CopperBank's VP of Exploration, Dr. Thomas Bissig, P.Geo, and CopperBank's VP of Projects and Evaluations, Zach Allwright, P.Eng, both of whom are Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About CopperBank CopperBank is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing two copper projects in The United States of America. The Company trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CBK". For additional information please contact: Paul Harbidge President and CEO Phone 778-987-2761 E-mail pharbidge@copperbankcorp.com Website www.copperbankcorp.com Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of CopperBank to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the exploration prospects and projected resources of the properties of CopperBank, future capitalization and market capitalization of CopperBank, development of and future drilling on the Copper Creek property, the expected information to be obtained from each drill hole, the expected timing for the completion of a geological model for Copper Creek and the timing of the completion of a review of existing metallurgical data. Although CopperBank believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which CopperBank does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by CopperBank. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in CopperBank's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedar.com. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in CopperBank in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this press release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. CopperBank does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable securities legislation. For more information on the CopperBank, readers should refer to www.sedar.com for the CopperBank's filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. SOURCE: CopperBank Resources Corp. DGAP-News: Douglas GmbH / Key word(s): Conference Douglas GmbH: Release of results for the first quarter 2021/22 (ending 31 December 2021) on 17 February 2022 10.02.2022 / 14:34 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. PRESS RELEASE Release of results for the first quarter 2021/22 (ending 31 December 2021) on 17 February 2022 Dusseldorf, 10 February 2022. Douglas, Europe's leading premium beauty platform, will release its results for the first quarter 2021/22 on 17 February 2022. The results release and accompanying presentation will be available through the Investor Relations website (http://ir.douglas.de/). A conference call on the results will be held at 11:00 a.m. CET on 17 February 2022. Please use this link to participate in the Webcast only (also available on our website ). To participate in the Audio Conference and Webcast, please use the following dial-in details: - Webcast - Conference Call: Germany: +49 69 201744220 United Kingdom: +44 20 30092470 United States: +1 8774230830 Participant dial-in code: 30906067# ABOUT DOUGLAS: DOUGLAS is the leading premium beauty platform in Europe. Offering more than 160,000 beauty and lifestyle products in online shops, the beauty marketplace and over 2,000 stores, DOUGLAS inspires customers to live their own kind of beauty by offering a previously unparalleled assortment. The continued expansion of the fast-growing e-commerce business is the focus of the FORWARDBEAUTY.DigitalFirst strategy programme. In fiscal year 2020/2021, DOUGLAS generated sales of 3.1 billion euros in the areas of perfumery, decorative cosmetics, skin and hair care as well as nutritional supplements, health and accessories. More information is available at https://corporate.douglas.de/investors/?lang=en. 10.02.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Imaweb establishes presence in the Nordics with the acquisition of FordonsData and builds on its digital suite of dealership software solutions with the acquisitions of CUSTEED (Garagescore), and Midrange Solutions and Services. Imaweb, a leading Continental European provider of digital SaaS solutions for the automotive industry, announced today three new acquisitions FordonsData, CUSTEED, and Midrange Solutions and Services (MSS). Imaweb is supported by funds advised by PSG, a leading growth equity firm partnering with middle-market software and technology-enabled services companies to help accelerate their growth. PSG invested in Imaweb in May 2019, supporting its founders to transform a leading provider of SaaS CRM solutions for the automotive sector in Spain into a pan-European leader of digital, turnkey software solutions for car dealers and OEMs through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Today, Imaweb serves over 9,500 dealers and 19 OEMs across Europe with established leadership positions in France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Benelux and Sweden. FordonsData is a leading provider of software solutions for the automotive retail industry in Sweden. This acquisition marks Imaweb's expansion into the largest market of the Nordics region, increasing the company's geographical reach to most of western Continental Europe. "At FordonsData we develop digital software solutions that we combine with a deep knowledge of the automotive sector. We are always looking to accelerate the digitalisation of the automotive retail industry and it is this vision that we share with Imaweb," explains Daniel Liljebladh, CEO at FordonsData. "We are delighted to be part of the Imaweb story. Their strong positioning in Europe and their collaborative approach is the starting point to take FordonsData to the next level." CUSTEED is a next-generation customer experience and loyalty management SaaS platform for the automotive industry, enabling car dealers to boost online lead generation, increase e-reputation and manage customer satisfaction. In a few years, CUSTEED has become a French leader and kick-started its international expansion by entering the Spanish market. "Imaweb is a natural fit for the next chapter of CUSTEED's growth story,mentions Olivier Guillemot, CEO of CUSTEED. "This partnership will enable us to accelerate our international growth and continue to develop transformational software solutions for car dealers. We share a common vision with Imaweb's management team and are looking forward to the journey ahead. MSS is the French household name for hosting solutions in the automotive industry. With over 18 years of automotive experience MSS is a central player in the digitalisation of car dealership processes. "We are delighted to be joining the Imaweb team and look forward to developing our business together. Our combined strengths will make Midrange Solutions and Services a stronger player in a growing market, in France and across Europe," said Francois Sotiras, CEO of Midrange Solutions and Services "The combination of FordonsData, CUSTEED and MSS with Imaweb will allow us to create a European one-stop-shop covering all automotive-retail software needs of car dealers and OEMs. Our goal is to support dealers and OEMs in their mission to digitise and offer a tailor-made omnichannel experience to customers," adds Julian Ciccale, CEO of Imaweb. "We are delighted to welcome the teams from FordonsData, CUSTEED, MSS and are looking forward to the future ahead." Financial terms have not been disclosed. About Imaweb Imaweb is a leading SaaS provider of software and digital solutions for the automotive sector in Europe. The company was formed through the merger of Imaweb, a Spanish company dedicated to developing global customer management solutions for sales, marketing and after-sales, and DATAFIRST-I'Car Systems group, a French software development company for car manufacturers, group distributors and dealers, in 2019. For more information: https://www.imaweb.com/ About Midrange Solutions and Services Founded in 2006, Midrange Solutions and Services (MSS) is a hosting and managed-services provider. MSS' mission is to support customers in the digital transformation of their business, by fully integrating digital technologies into all their activities. For more information: https://www.midrange.fr/ About CUSTEED CUSTEED is a leading French customer engagement and le-reputation platform for the automotive retail. CUSTEED empowers dealers across all stages of the customer journey: acquisition, customer follow-up and loyalty management. For more information: https://www.custeed.com/ About FordonsData FordonsData Nordic is a developer of digital solutions for the Swedish automotive industry. For more information: https://www.fordonsdata.se/en/ About PSG PSG is a growth equity firm that partners with middle-market software and technology-enabled services companies to help them navigate transformational growth, capitalize on strategic opportunities, and build strong teams. Having backed more than 95 companies and facilitated over 375 add-on acquisitions, PSG brings extensive investment experience, deep expertise in software and technology and a firm commitment to collaborating with management teams. Founded in 2014, PSG operates out of offices in Boston, Kansas City, London and Spain. To learn more about PSG, visit www.psgequity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005583/en/ Contacts: Press contact Imaweb Elodie Antoine imaweb@themessengers.fr 06 34 42 63 81 PSG Ryan Smith, Prosek Partners rsmith@prosek.com +44 785 475 0943 Pending acquisition of award-winning marketing agency enters final stages PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / February 10, 2022 / Business Warrior Corp. (OTC PINK:BZWR), the source for small businesses in America to get more customers, announces it is in the final stages of its previously announced acquisition of an award-winning marketing agency. The pending acquisition will benefit Business Warrior by: Business Warrior is continuously looking to improve their marketing services and saw an opportunity to bring a reputable marketing company into its umbrella of small business solutions. The company has a history of working with this acquisition target and has identified an opportunity to expand on the relationship in order to bolster its current and future products. "We expect to finalize the acquisition in the next 60 days and we couldn't be more excited," said Business Warrior CEO Rhett Doolittle. "This acquisition is a major part of our long-term strategy to help small businesses succeed. We are combining our SaaS solution, the lending platform we just launched, and the perfect amount of marketing services to give small businesses the ROI they've always dreamed of." Business Warrior plans to announce more details regarding the acquisition once its audit is complete in early March. For more information on the status of this acquisition and other company updates, view this message from CEO Rhett Doolittle. About Business Warrior Business Warrior is the source for small businesses in America to enhance their brand and boost marketing results. The Business Warrior software takes a holistic view of a business's online reputation, listings, website search results and social media. Predictive algorithms are utilized to recommend the most imperative actions needed to drive new customers, positively impact daily operations and improve profitability. For more information, please visit BusinessWarrior.com. Forward Looking Statements: This press release and the offering materials may contain forward-looking statements and information relating to, among other things, the company, its business plan and strategy, and its industry. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. They are based on the current beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to the company's management regarding the future of the company's business, future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. When used in the offering materials, the words "aim," "estimate," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "envision," "estimate," "expect," "future," "goal," "hope," "likely," "may," "plan," "potential," "seek," "should," "strategy," "will" and similar references to future periods are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which constitute forward looking statements. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict (many of which are outside of the company's control) and could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the company, the offering or other matters, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. The company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investor Relations: Jonathan Brooks Investors@BusinessWarrior.com (855) 884-5805 SOURCE: Business Warrior Corporation Partnership to significantly minimize risk, complexity, and costs of migrating legacy systems, enabling the innovation and agility needed for today's increasingly cloud-centric model As a leading international provider of application modernization solutions, Advanced is catalyzing rapid acceleration of mainframe migrations for Fortune 1000 companies globally. Partnering with Google Cloud, Advanced is driving innovation, increasing agility, and reducing operational costs for customers by shifting workloads to Google Cloud. Against its 35+ year commitment to IT and mainframe modernization, Advanced's robust portfolio of services and turnkey solutions have supported many of the largest and most complex global migration projects across industries such as government, healthcare, insurance, financial services, retail, and transportation. By combining Advanced's cloud-based collaborative migration factory-Modernization Platform-as-a-Service (ModPaaS)-with Google Cloud technologies and expertise, the two have led successful large-scale projects for customers spanning a broad array of industries, from financial services to logistics and everything between. "Companies are rapidly moving to DevOps and the cloud, consolidating their technology stacks to maximize IT performance, and adopting cloud-compatible languages and as such are choosing to harness cutting-edge solutions from Google Cloud to support their efforts," said Cameron Jenkins, Executive Vice President of Application Modernization at Advanced. "By partnering with Google Cloud, we have combined extensive engineering capabilities with advanced mainframe modernization expertise to create an offering that takes customers from legacy languages and databases to cloud-optimized environments in a fraction of the time, overall expenditures, and potential risks associated than the market has ever seen before. And by modernizing these systems, we have given companies a way to effectively accelerate the development of custom applications, harness smarter decision-making through machine learning and advanced analytics capabilities, and save crucial time, money, and resources." ModPaaS enables Advanced's modernization experts to work alongside Google Cloud's consultants to deeply assess, document, and understand legacy estates. Then, powered by automated testing and a tailored, intelligent modernization approach, ModPaaS seamlessly deploys modernized applications and databases within Google Cloud. With Advanced, along with the help of Google Cloud, customers can: Perform collaborative, in-depth assessments of their legacy estate from within Google Cloud Establish a comprehensive modernization strategy with insight and assistance from Advanced and Google Cloud experts Utilize automated testing and code transformation solutions to modernize legacy applications (written in ADSO, Assembler, CA Gen, COBOL, Easytrieve, JCL, Natural, PL/I, RPG, Telon, and more) and databases (Adabas, IDMS, Db2, IMS, VSAM, Datacom, Flat Files, and more) from within Google Cloud Leverage deep expertise from Advanced and Google Cloud throughout the modernization process to ensure success "We're pleased to have Advanced part of the Google Cloud Partner Program," said Paul Ikin, Global Lead Mainframe Modernization, Google Cloud. "We look forward to our continued partnership in providing customers the expertise, technologies and solutions they need to grow and scale their business in the cloud." To learn more about Advanced, please visit: modernsystems.oneadvanced.com ABOUT ADVANCED Advanced is a leading international provider of application modernization services with unique expertise in the legacy modernization market. With more than 500 modernization projects completed worldwide, and over 2.5 billion lines of code processed through our solutions we have been driving IT efficiency, agility, and competitive advantage for customers through core application and database transformation for more than 35 years. Over that time, we have helped organizations across all sectors including the UK Department for Work and Pensions, FedEx and the New York Times. Within the UK, Advanced is one of the three largest providers of business software and services, with a strong track record in helping our customers' journey to the Cloud with solutions for public, private and third sector organizations. We have a 330m turnover, 25,000+ customers and employ 2,700+ people all helping organizations create the right digital foundations that drive productivity, insight and innovation all while remaining safe, secure and compliant. We simplify complex business challenges and provide mission-critical software that helps our customers accelerate and transform digitally, positively influencing millions of people's lives. We work with organizations in all sectors, from Healthcare to Legal, and of all sizes whether they want to move to the Cloud, invest in ERP, manage core business functions through one unified system or upgrade their legacy applications. www.oneadvanced.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005276/en/ Contacts: Mel Rubbelke Gregory FCA mrubbelke@gregoryfca.com 212-398-9680 What does luxury travel mean to you? Perhaps an extravagant all-inclusive resort with high quality service and cuisine, a tailor-made itinerary, or an opportunity to engage in the local culture. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005368/en/ Cooking classes at the Expedition Hotel Zenagi are available upon request. Source: the Expedition Hotel Zenagi. https://zen-resorts.com Japan has many qualities that make it a meaningful choice for an exclusive and bespoke vacation the pride its people take in their work, the unparalleled levels of service, and the country's rich traditions and cultures. Adventure holidays: the Expedition Hotel Zenagi (Nagano prefecture) With a population of around 4,000, Nagiso town is located in the Kiso Valley of southern Nagano prefecture, a beautiful countryside area where ancient traditions are still observed and nature is still largely untouched. The Expedition Hotel Zenagiwas founded in 2019 with a mission to preserve the traditional culture and natural resources of the countryside. Its employees double as storytellers and expedition guides, offering tours in English, French, and Spanish. The private villa resort, an elegantly restored centuries-old farmhouse with modern facilities, is let to only one group per day. Guests can engage in activity programs customized to their specific interests and led by professional guides. These include a hike along a samurai trail in Nakasendo, canoeing down a river with a former Olympian athlete, a visit to a local tea farm where guests can blend their own tea with the help of a tea master, and taking part in a cooking class with the resident chef. Foodie holidays: Matsunozushi (Tokyo) With the abundance of sushi restaurants around Tokyo, visitors in search of good sushi may not know where to start. Located near Tokyo Bay, Matsunozushi is a traditional establishment offering "Edomae" sushi which first opened in 1930. "Edo" is the ancient name for Tokyo, and "Edomae" refers to cuisine made with fresh seafood from the waters around Tokyo. This family restaurant is currently headed by the 4th generation chef, Mr. Yoshi Teruza. Not only is he a wine sommelier and a skilled sushi chef with a license to handle the famous blowfish, he is also a Sushi Ambassador who introduces sushi and Japanese culture around the world. He delivers lectures at universities and companies, and has prepared sushi at global events such as the 2019 G20 Summit. He also hosts private sushi-making workshops at his restaurant. Matsunozushi also offers special courses for overseas guests that can be customized according to their wishes and tastes. Relaxing holidays: Tenku no Mori (Kagoshima prefecture) Anyone seeking a quiet, out-of-the-ordinary luxury stay surrounded by nature should not miss the opportunity of a stay at Tenku no Mori, a hilltop resort with a clear view of the Kirishima mountains in Kagoshima prefecture. There are only five villas, each with its private onsen, spread over an expansive sixty hectares. Tenku's secluded environment offers guests plenty of privacy. Tateo Tajima, the creator of the resort, believes that stepping out of one's normal daily routine is a way for us to focus on the more important things in life. Meals are prepared with local produce including fish and meat, as well as foodstuffs grown in Tenku's own fields, with a focus on what is fresh and what is traditionally cultivated in Kirishima. The natural environment of Tenku will leave guests feeling rejuvenated and connected to nature. JNTO hopes that these and the many other luxury destinations in Japan will inspire overseas visitors and help them discover new aspects of the country. For more content for your articles and story ideas, please visit and sign up at Japan Online Media Center (JOMC) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005368/en/ Contacts: Jasmine Li Weber Shandwick JNTO Team media_inquiry@jnto.go.jp Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 10, 2022) - African Energy Metals Inc. (TSXV: CUCO) (FSE: BC21) (OTCQB: NDENF) ("African Energy Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update and preliminary projections for the industrial solar and carbon credit initiative. African Energy Metals retained EcoMetrix and Inerjys Ventures to assist in the development of a favorable business case utilizing industrial solar to generate positive revenue and carbon credits focused on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). EcoMetrix is based in Johannesburg, South Africa and are experts on carbon credits in Africa. Inerjys Ventures is based in Montreal, Canada and are a cleantech investment fund. The approach taken by the Company was to develop a viable business model utilizing sustainable alternate energy to solve an existing problem while generating carbon credits and providing an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) benefit. The preliminary financial model indicates these goals can be achieved and provide a significant early-stage and long-term revenue source for the Company. Like most African countries, the DRC is lacking dependable power in sufficient quantity due to an inadequate power grid. As a result, industrial facilities, and in particular mining processing operations, supplement electrical grid power with diesel generators. In addition to the negative environmental impacts of burning diesel fuel, the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for diesel generated power is roughly five times the cost per kWh of solar-generated power. African Energy Metals' business plan will provide a cleaner hybrid solar/diesel/grid power solution for mining processors, starting with a pilot solar project with a capacity up to 15mW. The business can be expanded to providing a stand-alone solution by the addition of power storage units. The Company is initially targeting mining processors through pre-existing relationships with the Company's DRC management team and their knowledge of the DRC mining sector. Preliminary projections: Multi-project model: METRICS Carbon Credits Generated ~ 2,156,605 Pre- tax NPV @ 10% DCF US$170,000,000 Key Assumptions: Period: 10 years Frequency of projects: One 15mW facility by end of year two, growing at the rate of two 15mW facilities per year to end of year ten Individual project: METRICS Payback Period > 2 years IRR 48.6% Carbon Credits Generated ~ 300,000 Key Assumptions: Financing structure: 75% / 25% debt to equity ratio Solar capacity: up to 15mW Period: 10 years CAPEX and OPEX: based on conservative estimates provided by EcoMetrix Africa. Carbon credit pricing: starting at US$4/unit and increasing to US$48/unit by 2030, as per latest carbon market, hybrid voluntary SBTI scenario. Precautionary Notes: These are preliminary projections and although the Company believes they are based on the current best available information, actual results may vary significantly from the projections. Stephen Barley, Executive Chairman stated: "The carbon credit and alternative green energy sector is forecasted to be an area of tremendous growth over the next decade as the world strives to meet carbon emissions targets through decarbonization and electrification. African Energy Metals will be involved in the discovery of essential energy metals in the resource-rich DRC to supply increasing demand and will participate in the implementation of sustainable clean solar energy solutions in the DRC. We are very pleased with the preliminary projections for our solar and carbon credit efforts as they support the continuation of the program's development. The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the initial pilot project should be issued in the next few weeks. The Company has received expressions of interest from multiple groups to provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) as well as maintenance services. It is our intention to work with partners with experience in the solar sector and with relevant experience in Africa. Our objective is to have an operating pilot solar facility within the next twelve to fourteen months." About African Energy Metals African Energy Metals is a natural resource company with a focus on the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of copper, cobalt, and lithium energy metals projects in the DRC. The Company is implementing a carbon credit program complementary to mining operations. The carbon credit program will meet important ESG requirements and present an opportunity for a significant early and long-term revenue stream. African Energy Metals has the intention of acquiring interests in additional concessions or relinquishing concessions in the normal course of business. African Energy Metals has an experienced management team located in the DRC. For further information, please contact: Stephen Barley, Executive Chairman Phone: (604-834-2968) Email: info@africanenergymetals.com Website: www.africanenergymetals.com Reader Advisory Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Although the Company believes, considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The financial projections contained in this statement are based on the best available information however actual results may vary significantly from the projections. There is no assurance the Company will complete a pilot solar project in the timelines set out in this statement. There is also no assurance the Company will find and come to an agreement with a suitable EPC and Maintenance partner. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company its securities, or its financial or operating results. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113392 Being held on February 10 , the first-ever Arabian Leopard Day focuses international attention on important and ongoing conservation efforts in AlUla and beyond MoU signed by His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdulla bin Mohammad bin Farhan Al-Saud , Governor of AlUla and Minister of Culture, and Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud , KSA Ambassador to the US and Founder of Catmosphere Plans for protection and conservation of iconic big cat species are fully aligned with Royal Commission for AlUla's environmental and sustainability ambitions for north-west Arabia ALULA, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic buildings and historic landmarks in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE will be proudly lit up this evening to mark the first-ever Arabian Leopard Day. Stunning illuminations, inspired by the majestic but Critically Endangered big cats, will be simultaneously projected on Riyadh's King Faisal Foundation building, Jeddah's King Road Tower, Adeer Tower in Al Khobar, Elephant Rock in AlUla, plus Burj Khalifa and KSA's Expo 2020 pavilion in Dubai as well as a highly prominent electronic billboard on Sultan Qaboos University Road in Muscat, Oman. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/9015551-inaugural-arabian-leopard-day-kicks-off-spotlight-saving-the-species/ Across the region Arabian Leopard Day is also being marked with classroom education initiatives as well as social media outreach throughout the day with the hashtag ArabianLeopardDay. And in a public show of support, many government entities across Saudi Arabia will incorporate the official Arabian Leopard Day logo on their websites and social media today. In an important step forward, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Catmosphere foundation to strengthen regional efforts to protect the future of the Arabian Leopard. RCU and Catmosphere will work closely together on a series of sustainable and innovative events, campaigns, and outreach initiatives research with the shared goal of safeguarding the future of the Arabian Leopard, an animal of national pride in Saudi Arabia and around the region. The inaugural Arabian Leopard Day highlights the desperate plight of the species, which once freely roamed the Arabian Peninsula but is now restricted to small, scattered populations in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdulla bin Mohammad bin Farhan Al-Saud, Governor of AlUla and Minister of Culture, said: "The signing of the MoU supports RCU's Arabian Leopard conservation programme, which is at the heart of extensive sustainable development plans for the wider AlUla region. This agreement also significantly strengthens existing partnerships with entities concerned with the conservation of natural fauna and flora, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)." Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United States and founder of Catmosphere, said: "The signing of this new MoU supports Catmosphere's mission to secure a future for Big Cats, including the Arabian Leopard. It builds momentum around regional conservation efforts with a focus on supporting RCU as it strives to achieve its far-reaching ambitions to reintroduce the species to the wild." Amr AlMadani, CEO, Royal Commission for AlUla, said: "The Arabian Leopard is a powerful symbol of RCU's aim to conserve and safeguard AlUla's natural environment through far-reaching conservation efforts designed to protect the natural flora and fauna of this incredible part of north-west Arabia. It is a sad reality that the Arabian Leopard is Critically Endangered. Ongoing threats to its natural habitat highlight the pressing need to step up conservation efforts that are so vital to the species' long-term survival. We really want people to mark Arabian Leopard Day and engage with activities to raise awareness of, and help to protect, these majestic big cats." The Arabian Leopard is emblematic of Saudi Arabia and RCU's extensive environmental sustainability ambitions. The species occupies a unique place in the collective consciousness and imagination of the region; images of the big cat have been found in ancient rock art, have inspired folk tales, and are even used in modern everyday expressions. Numbering fewer than 200 in the wild, the Arabian Leopard is categorised as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and is considered to be at an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Last year's birth of a female cub at the Arabian Leopard Breeding Centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia, highlighted the great potential for reintroducing the species into the wilderness and mountains around AlUla and beyond. However, there remains a long and difficult road ahead with efforts ongoing to establish a protected habitat to restore the population. RCU, which is regenerating a 22,561km2 area of north-west Saudi Arabia as a global destination for natural and cultural heritage, has committed USD 25 million to the Arabian Leopard Fund, an independent organisation created to implement conservation projects across the leopard's home range. RCU has designated five nature reserves covering 12,500km2 and will be working with leading experts such as Panthera and IUCN to activate, conserve and safeguard these protected areas with a vision that leopards might someday roam free again. Saudi Arabia's Council of Ministers has designated Arabian Leopard Day to take place on 10 February each year. Note to editors: It is always AlUla. We will be providing photographs this evening of the landmarks featuring Arabian Leopard Day imagery. The landmarks will light up simultaneously at 7.10pm KSA. Further, please find collateral including a toolkit, and FAQ here. About the Royal Commission for AlUla The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU's long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development, that preserves the area's natural and historic heritage, while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programme. Media contact: Jinith Joy Consultant, Hill+Knowlton Strategies 00971 50 7219369 Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744056/AlUla_Elephant_Rock.mp4 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744054/Royal_Commission_for_AlUla.jpg CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Disruption - Potential opportunity worth USD 200 Bn is opening up in the Smart Manufacturing Space, with digital twin expected to generate new revenue streams as it comes across all the industries, creating an opportunity of more than USD 40 Bn by 2027. The global smart manufacturing market is projected to reach USD 228.2 billion by 2027, owing to the increased adoption of Industry 4.0, rising emphasis on industrial automation in manufacturing processes and regulatory compliances, increasing government involvement in supporting industrial automation, complexities in the supply chain, and surging demand for software systems that reduce time and cost. According to MarketsandMarkets analysis, Potential opportunity worth ~USD 200 Bn is expected to open up within smart manufacturing ecosystem, with digital twin accounting for more than 20% share by 2027. It is expected to be the most talked-about technology in 2022 and in the near future as well. is expected to open up within smart manufacturing ecosystem, with digital twin accounting for more than 20% share by 2027. It is expected to be the most talked-about technology in 2022 and in the near future as well. Smart manufacturing market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of more than 19% in the next 5-6 years, driven by rising popularity of enabling technologies and positive impact of COVID-19 across various industries. Technological innovation and support by the government initiative is expected to create huge opportunity for the adoption of smart manufacturing system across different region and countries. Automotive and aerospace are the most lucrative industries in terms of implementation of enabling technology in smart manufacturing market, collectively accounting for an opportunity of more than USD 65 Bn by 2027. by 2027. Increasing emphasis on automation and data-driven manufacturing across various industry is expected to create huge opportunity in the smart manufacturing ecosystem. Unknowns and Adjacencies Currently, businesses have low access to primary intelligence to clarify some unknowns and adjacencies in these opportunity areas - Adoption levels of newer enabling technologies is low. However, slowly it is being implemented at various industries, both as green and brown field projects. Before COVID-19 implementation of enabling technology was just a pilot project but after that it has become a mandatory technology to be implemented in the factory shop floor. Increase focus on monitoring using various technology and equipment is driving the market Markets such as Digital Twin, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Sensors, and 3D Printing are in huge demand in the ecosystem of smart manufacturing Most of the demand for the implementation of newer enabling technologies is expected to APAC region Some of the growth problems encountered by smart manufacturing 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 Automotive, Energy & Power, Oil & Gas, Semiconductor, and Aerospace companies? What are the key unmet needs of customers? Who are the key stakeholders in different technologies? Do vendor selection criteria differ by technologies? Which new product features should be added to the existing products? Where to play: Which industry and technologies should we focus on? Should it be Digital Twin, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Sensors, and 3D Printing 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 Digital Twin, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Sensors, and 3D Printing companies? Should we acquire start-up, or enter new markets directly or enter 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 smart manufacturing companies: Which enabling technology will be relevant and redundant in the next 5 years? Do we need a dedicated expertise/skill to operate these technologies? What are those ideal features which should be present in these newer technologies? What regulatory policies, funding, and taxation can help strategize and achieve higher sales? What are the different use cases across industry vertical which will help in winning the larger share of the market? For Companies in Adjacent markets: What are the regulations surrounding industrial security? What are the trends in the ecosystem of 5G implementation which may impact the future growth of smart manufacturing market? How are companies handling industrial data security? How are companies handling software and service-related requirement at the manufacturing ecosystem? Therefore, MarketsandMarkets research and analysis focuses on high growth and niche markets, which will become ~80% of the revenues of the smart manufacturing players in the next 5-10 years. Register for Whitepaper: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/practices/pdfdownload.asp?p=Smart-Manufacturing 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: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg BANGALORE, India, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Biostimulants Market Report is Segmented by Type (Acid-Based Biostimulants, Plant Extract Biostimulants), by Application (Fruits & Vegetables, Turf & Ornamentals, Row Crops): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Chemicals Industry Category. The global Biostimulants market size is estimated to be worth US$ 147.2 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of US$ 203 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 5.5% during the review period. Major Factors driving the growth of the biostimulants market are: Factors such as the need to increase crop production to serve the growing population, government initiatives for shifting to sustainable farming methods, and change in consumer trends for organic farming are expected to drive the growth of the biostimulants market. Moreover, besides promoting plant growth and development, their application also reduces costs and increases crop efficiency. Get Your Sample Today: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-17S223/Global_Biostimulants_Market TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF BIOSTIMULANTS MARKET: The need to increase the crop yield to meet the demand for the growing population is expected to drive the growth of the biostimulants market. In the coming decade, agricultural producers must identify ways to be more efficient and effective. Biostimulants increase plant growth and resistance to water and abiotic stresses, reducing the need for fertilizers. These substances are effective in small concentrations, favoring the smooth operation of the plant's vital processes and allowing for high yields and high-quality products. Furthermore, biostimulants are also cost-effective, which is expected to further increase their adoption. Increasing demand for organic products is expected to drive the growth of the biostimulants market. Plant biostimulants are gaining popularity in sustainable agriculture because of their ability to improve nutrient, product quality, and abiotic stress tolerance. Plants grown in organic farming are frequently subjected to nutrient deficiency as a result of low nutrient levels in the soil or poor nutrient solubility in soil solution. Plant biostimulants can improve nutrient availability for plant uptake by increasing soil cation exchange capacity, supplying nitrogen to crops, and/or increasing nutrient solubility in soil solution. The government has been encouraged to increase the production of high-quality agricultural products with low or no emissions as a result of rising agricultural emissions. Governments all over the world are launching programs to educate farmers about the various benefits of Bio-stimulants. These government initiatives are expected to have a significant impact on biostimulants' market growth in the coming years. Moreover, an emerging focus on preventive healthcare is gradually but systematically bringing about a shift in the global conventional farming practices, and producers are encouraged to produce more using sustainable methods and resources. This is in turn driving the market for biostimulants globally. Browse The Table Of Contents And List Of Figures At: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-17S223/global-biostimulants BIOSTIMULANTS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS: Based on application, Row crops are expected to be the most lucrative segment. This is due to factors such as the vast area under row crop cultivation around the world, the rise of organic farming, and farmers' increasing use of biostimulants instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Based on type, acid-based biostimulants are expected to be the most lucrative segment. This segment's large share is due to its widespread availability, wide range of plant benefits, and higher efficacy. During the forecast period, however, the extract-based biostimulants segment is expected to grow significantly. Based on region, the Asia-pacific region is expected to be the most lucrative. The adoption of high-quality agriculture products by Asian producers is also expected to boost the market for biostimulants. Key Players Angel Yeast Biostadt Fengdan Baili Leili Biotech International IPL Biologicals Humikey Kanbiosys Guangzhou Sgy Agricultural Science Dhanuka AMMS Century PI Industries HCM Agro Produts Valagro Biolchim Symborg Plant Response Tradecorp Fengdan Baili Inquire for Chapter Cost: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/QYRE-Auto-17S223/Global_Biostimulants_Market Buy Now for Single User + Covid-19 Impact : https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-17S223&lic=single-user SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. SIMILAR REPORTS: - The global Agriculture Biologicals Testing market size is projected to reach USD 1361.5 Million by 2027, from USD 768.1 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 8.4% during 2021-2027. - The global Biofertilizer market size is estimated to be worth US$ 2748.6 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of US$ 4459.5 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 8.4% during the review period. - The global smart agriculture market size was valued at USD 16,746.7 Million in 2019, and is estimated to reach USD 29,234.6 Million by 2027 with a CAGR of 9.7% from 2021 to 2027. - The global Organic Fertilizer market size is projected to reach USD 13.8 Billion by 2026, from USD 6.9 Billion in 2019, at a CAGR of 10.4% during 2021-2026. - Global and Japan Amino Acids Based Biostimulants Market Insights, Forecast to 2027 - China Agricultural Biostimulants Market Report & Forecast 2021-2027 - Global and Japan Extract-based Biostimulants Market Insights, Forecast to 2027 - Global and China Humic-based Biostimulants Market Insights, Forecast to 2027 - Global Agriculture Enzymes Market Outlook 2022 Click here to see related reports on Biostimulants Market ABOUT US: Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources. CONTACT US: Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 For IST Call +91-8040957137 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports LinkedIn - https://in.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg The "Europe Biosimilars Market 2020-2030 by Product Type, Indication, Manufacturing, End User, and Country: Trend Forecast and Growth Opportunity" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The European biosimilars market was valued at $5,847.6 million in 2020 and will grow by 23.1% annually over 2020-2030 owing to the affordability of biosimilar-based treatment, rising incidence of chronic diseases due to aging populations, patent expirations of many blockbuster drugs, and better healthcare provisions. In-depth qualitative analyses include identification and investigation of the following aspects: Market Structure Growth Drivers Restraints and Challenges Emerging Product Trends Market Opportunities Porter's Five Forces Based on Product Type, the Europe market is segmented into the following sub-markets with annual revenue ($ mn) for 2019-2030 included in each section. Recombinant Non-glycosylated Biosimilars Insulin Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (rHGH) Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Interferon Recombinant Glycosylated Biosimilars Monoclonal Antibodies (mAb) Erythropoietin (EPO) Follicle Stimulating Hormone Recombinant Peptides and Others Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-Inhibitor Parathyroid Hormone Enzymes, Immunomodulators, GnRH Analogs and Others Based on Indication, the market is segmented into the following sub-markets: Cancer Autoimmune Disease Blood Disorder Diabetes Growth Hormone Deficiency Infectious Diseases Other Indications Based on Manufacturing, the market is segmented into the following sub-markets: Contract Manufacturing Inhouse Manufacturing Based on End User, the market is segmented into the following sub-markets: Hospitals and Clinics Research Institutes Other End Users Geographically, the following national/local markets are fully investigated: Germany UK France Spain Italy Russia Rest of Europe (further segmented into Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, and Finland) For each key country, detailed analysis and data for annual revenue ($ mn) are available for 2019-2030. The breakdown of key national markets by Product Type, Indication, and End User over the forecast years are also included. The report also covers current competitive scenario and the predicted trend; and profiles key vendors including market leaders and important emerging players. Companies Mentioned AMEGA Biotech S.A. Apotex Inc. Biocon Ltd Biogen Inc. Boehringer Ingelheim Celltrion, Inc. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. Eli Lilly and Company Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. LG Chem, Ltd. Merck and Co. Inc. Mylan N.V. Pfizer Inc. Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd. Sandoz International GmbH STADA Arzneimittel AG Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r139nc About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005711/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 10, 2022) - Mongoose Mining Ltd (CSE: MNG) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Steele Run copper-cobalt-gold deposit located at Mt Thom, Nova Scotia, Canada, approximately 22km east of Truro. The property is an "IOCG-type" copper-cobalt-gold project consisting of 29 mineral claims over four contiguous licenses and covers approximately 1,160 acres. Project Highlights: In a 2001 study, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources concluded that significant similarities exist between the copper-gold occurrences along the Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault Zone, such as Mt Thom, as with those of IOCG deposits elsewhere in the world. A non-National Instrument 43-101 compliant historic resource of 300,000 tonnes of copper grading 1.5% over 3,500 metres has been delineated from drill core currently stored at the Nova Scotia Government core library (including drill sections grading 1.66% copper over 15.5 feet - Nova Scotia assessment report AR95- 074). The core has yet to be systematically tested for cobalt mineralization. The Steele Run deposit was discovered by Imperial Oil in the 1970s and was only tested for copper at that time. The IOCG modeling and levels of cobalt mineralization were later recognized. Mineralized outcrop and sporadic core sampling over the past few years have produced historic assays of up to 0.863% Cobalt within the copper zones. A 2004 government study of 29 core samples, encountered values ranging from 157 ppm (.0157%) Cobalt to 8630 ppm (.863%). (See Press Release International Cobalt Corp. May 22, 2018). Several untested regional targets offer significant copper-cobalt-gold exploration potential. Outcrop from the occurrence known as the 'brook showing' was tested in 2004 and grab samples returned up to 3.32% copper and 0.61 g/t gold. (Bubar, 2004, Nova Scotia Government report of Activities 2005-67). The property is subject to a 1.5% gross royalty in favour of an arm's length third party. Terry Coughlan, CEO commented, "The project has excellent surrounding infrastructure with a powerline and highway access on the claims and located within 90 minutes of international sea and airport facilities. Having already demonstrated the existence of high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization, two strategic metals of Canada's Green future, we're excited with the addition of the Mt Thom project to our extensive near drill ready IOCG portfolio and look forward to it providing some very interesting results." Transaction Terms The Company is acquiring the Mt Thom Project from Canadian Goldcamps Corp. in exchange for two hundred thousand (200,000) common shares of the Company. The Company cautions that there is a risk that further exploration will not result in the delineation of a current mineral resource. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been, reviewed and approved by Terry Coughlan, P.Geo., the Company's Chief Executive Officer, a Qualified Person within the context of Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). About Mongoose Mining Ltd. Mongoose Mining Ltd. is a Canadian exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mineral properties in Canada. The Company is the holder of exploration licences to explore claims located near Londonderry and Bass River, Nova Scotia, (the "Cobequid Highlands Property"). The Cobequid Highlands Property is recognized to indicate potential for IOCG mineralization. Terry Coughlan CEO is the contact for the release. Electronic mail: info@mongoosemining.com Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Language All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, without limitation statements related to future planned exploration work and the timing and results thereof . Mongoose provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to exploration findings, results and recommendations, ability to raise adequate financing, and market and economic risks associated with market and economic circumstances, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Mongoose's public filings under its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Mongoose has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Mongoose disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Providers (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) 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/113405 THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT AS TO THE ACTION YOU SHOULD TAKE, YOU SHOULD SEEK ADVICE FROM YOUR INDEPENDENT LEGAL, TAX, FINANCIAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR IMMEDIATELY. VanEck Vectors Hydrogen Economy UCITS ETF (THE "FUND") A SUB-FUND OF VanEck Vectors UCITS ETFs plc (an umbrella fund with segregated liability between sub-funds) A company incorporated with limited liability as an open-ended investment company with variable capital under the laws of Ireland with registered number 548554 NOTICE CONVENING AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AT 33 SIR JOHN ROGERSON'S QUAY, DUBLIN 2, IRELAND AT 10:00 A.M. (IRISH TIME) ON 2 MARCH 2022 AS SET OUT IN APPENDIX 1. If you have sold or transferred your Shares in the Fund, please forward this document and the accompanying proxies to the purchaser, transferee or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected. The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the accuracy of the contents of this document. VanEck Vectors UCITS ETFs plc (an umbrella fund with segregated liability between sub-funds) A company incorporated with limited liability as an open-ended investment company with variable capital under the laws of Ireland with registered number 548554 Registered Office: 33 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland Date:10 February 2022 Re: Extraordinary General Meeting of the Fund Dear Shareholder, We are writing to you to notify you that the Directors of the Company wish to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Fund at the Company's registered office 33 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland on 2 March 2022 at 10.00 a.m. (Irish Time) (the "EGM" / "Meeting"), at which shareholders will be asked to approve the proposed amendment to the investment objective of the Fund (the "Proposed Amendment") and an ordinary resolution. The Fund will continue to follow the same investment policy and strategy employed by the Manager since the inception of the Fund. Furthermore, it is not expected that this proposal changes the risk profile of the Fund or that it will have an impact on the anticipated tracking error. As the Fund uses the International Central Securities Depository ("ICSD") model of settlement and Citivic Nominees Limited is the sole registered shareholder of Shares in the Fund under the ICSD settlement model, physical attendance of investors who are not registered shareholders does not take place at general meetings of the Fund or of the Company, investors in the Fund should send voting instructions through the relevant ICSD or the relevant participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities depository). If any investor has invested in the Fund through a broker/dealer/other intermediary, the investor should contact this entity or its relevant proxy voting agent to provide voting instructions. All capitalised terms used in this notice shall bear the same meaning as the capitalised and defined terms used in the Prospectus and Supplement. 1 PROPOSED AMENDMENT REQUIRING SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL Subject to Shareholder approval and the requirements of the Central Bank, it is proposed to amend the investment objective of the Fund as follows: "The Fund's investment objective is to replicate, before fees and expenses, the MVIS Global Hydrogen Economy ESG Index (the Index). For a further description of the Index see the section entitled Information on the Index below" A mark-up showing the Proposed Amendment which Shareholders are being asked to approve and further information on the Re-Named Index is set out in Appendix 3. 2 RATIONALE FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT The Directors, following engagement with the Manager, are proposing to change the investment objective of the Fund by changing the relevant index which the Fund seeks to replicate, before fees and expenses. It is proposed that the Fund will, subject to the passing of necessary resolution, seek to replicate, before fees and expenses, the price and yield of the MVIS Global Hydrogen Economy ESG Index (the "Re-Named Index"). The Proposed Amendment is being proposed as part of the Company's continuous review of its existing product range and due to increased demand for ESG compliant investments. The Company believes that the Re-Named Index, which consists of companies that meet certain Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") standards, will increase its sustainable footprint by focusing its investment strategy on sustainable investment strategies. The difference between the current index and the Re-Named Index is limited to fact that the Index Provider has now defined an ESG objective for the Index. However, the implementation of the new ESG objective did not require any changes to the current ESG characteristics, criteria and related exclusions for the Index. The anticipated tracking error and the risk profile of the Fund are expected to remain the same, following the transition to the Re-Named Index. The Fund composition is expected to change moderately to reflect the introduced ESG constraints and targets. The Total Expense Ratio will not change as a result of the proposed change to the Re-Named Index. 3 SHAREHOLDERS' APPROVAL For the sanctioning of the resolution to approve the Proposed Amendment, the Shareholder of the Fund must pass the ordinary resolution. The required quorum at the Meeting is one shareholder present in person or by proxy. If such approval is obtained, the changes, including the change of name of the Fund, will be effected on or around 18 March 2022 ("Effective Date") subject to the requisite regulatory approvals being obtained, with the exact date to be announced via the regulatory news service of Euronext Dublin and to be published in an appropriate manner in each of the other jurisdictions in which the Fund's shares are listed on a stock exchange. The supplement for the Fund and the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) will be updated at the Effective Date or as soon as possible thereafter, subject to the approval by the Central Bank of Ireland and subject to any changes as may be required by the Central Bank of Ireland. 4 RECOMMENDATION The Directors believe that the proposed resolution is in the best interests of the shareholders of the Fund as a whole and, accordingly, recommend that you vote in favour of the proposed resolution. 5 PUBLICATION OF RESULTS The result of the EGM will be announced through the regulatory news service on Euronext Dublin website and will be published in an appropriate manner in each of the other jurisdictions in which the Company is listed on a stock exchange. Yours faithfully, Director VanEck Vectors UCITS ETFs plc APPENDIX 1 NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF VanEck Vectors Hydrogen Economy UCITS ETF (the "FUND") a sub-fund of VANECK VECTORS UCITS ETFs PLC (THE "COMPANY") NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Extraordinary General Meeting of the shareholders of the Fund will be held at 33 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland on 2 March 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Irish Time) for the following purpose: RESOLUTION That the investment objective of the Fund, as detailed in section 1 of the Circular dated 10 February 2022, be changed to reflect the change of the index of the Fund, subject to any amendments required by the Central Bank of Ireland. By order of the Directors. Dated this 10th day of February 2022 Tudor Trust Limited Registered in Dublin, Ireland - No: 192532. Notes Quorum 1 The required quorum at the meeting is one shareholder present in person or by proxy. If a quorum is not present within half an hour from the appointed time for the meeting, or if during a meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the following week (9 March 2022) at the same time and place, or to such other day and at such other time and place as the Directors may determine. Entitlement to attend and vote 2 Only a registered shareholder is entitled to attend, speak, ask questions and vote at the meeting (or any adjournment thereof). As sub-funds in the Company use the International Central Securities Depositary (ICSD) model of settlement and Citivic Nominees Limited is the sole registered shareholder of shares in the sub-funds under the ICSD settlement model, investors in the sub-fund should submit their voting instructions through the relevant ICSD or the relevant participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities depositary). If any investor has invested in the sub-fund through a broker/dealer/other intermediary, the investor should contact this entity or its relevant proxy voting agent to provide voting instructions. Appointment of proxies 3 A form of proxy is enclosed with this Notice of the EGM for use by registered shareholders. As mentioned above, investors in the sub-fund who are not registered shareholders should submit their voting instructions through the relevant ICSD or the relevant participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities depositary, broker or nominee), instead of using the form of proxy. To be effective, the form of proxy duly completed and executed, together with a copy of the power of attorney or other authority under which it is executed must be deposited by registered shareholders at the offices of the office of the Company Secretary, Tudor Trust Limited, 33 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland, so as to be received no later than 24 hours before the time appointed for the EGM or any adjournment thereof or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the EGM or adjourned EGM) at least 24 hours before the taking of the poll at which it is to be used. Any alteration to the form of proxy must be initialled by the person who signs it. 4 Subject to the Articles of Association of the Company and provided it is received at least 24 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the EGM or any adjournment thereof or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the EGM or adjourned EGM) at least 24 hours before the taking of the poll at which it is to be used, the appointment of a proxy may also be submitted electronically to tudortrust@dilloneustace.ie entering the company name. Voting rights and total number of issued shares in the sub-fund 5 At the EGM, the resolutions put to the vote of the meeting may be decided on a poll. On a poll every shareholder shall have one vote for every share of which he is the shareholder. 6 Where a poll is taken at an EGM any member, present or by proxy, holding more than one share is not obliged to cast all his/her votes in the same way. 7 Ordinary resolutions require to be passed by a simple majority of members voting in person or by proxy. Special resolutions require a majority of not less than 75% of votes cast by those who vote either in person or in proxy to be passed. APPENDIX 2 FORM OF PROXY VanEck Vectors Hydrogen Economy UCITS ETF (the "Fund") a sub-fund of VANECK VECTORS UCITS ETFs PLC (THE "COMPANY") I/We* of being a Shareholder in the Fund and entitled to vote, hereby appoint the Chairman of the Meeting or failing him/her Laura Tully of 33 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland or failing her a representative of Tudor Trust Limited as my/our* proxy to vote for me/us* on my/our* behalf at the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company to be held at 33 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland on 2 March 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Irish Time) or any reconvened meeting thereof. (*delete as appropriate) Signature: Date:2022 Please indicate with an "X" in the spaces below how you wish your vote to be cast in respect of the resolution. If no specific direction as to voting is given, the proxy will vote or abstain from voting at his/her discretion. If you elect to abstain from voting with respect to the resolution, such election will not count as a vote in law and will not be counted in the calculation of the proportion of the votes for and against the resolution. RESOLUTION: For Against Abstain 1. That the investment objective of the Fund, as detailed in section 1 of the Circular dated 10 February 2022, be changed to reflect the change of the index of the Fund, subject to any amendments required by the Central Bank of Ireland. IF RELEVANT, PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME OR THE NAME OF THE CORPORATION YOU ARE EXECUTING THIS FORM ON BEHALF OF AND YOUR ADDRESS UNDERNEATH Print Name: _____________________________________________________________________ Print Address ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Notes 1 A shareholder must insert his/her full name and registered address in type or block letters. In the case of joint accounts the names of all holders must be stated. Please insert your name(s) and address in BOLD TYPE and sign and date the form. 2 Only a registered shareholder is entitled to attend, speak, ask questions and vote at the Meeting (or any adjournment thereof). As sub-funds in the Company use the International Central Securities Depositary (ICSD) model of settlement and Citivic Nominees Limited is the sole registered shareholder of shares in the sub-funds under the ICSD settlement model, physical attendance of investors who are not registered shareholders does not take place at general meetings of the Fund or of the Company and investors in the Fund should send voting instructions through the relevant ICSD or the relevant participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities depository). If any investor has invested in the Fund through a broker/dealer/other intermediary, the investor should contact this entity or its relevant proxy voting agent to provide voting instructions. 3 The Form of Proxy must: in the case of an individual shareholder, be signed by the shareholder or his attorney; and in the case of a corporate shareholder, be executed under its common seal or under the hand of some officer, attorney or other person duly authorised to act on its behalf. 4 Indicate by placing a cross in the appropriate box how you wish your votes to be cast in respect of each resolution. If no mark is made, your proxy may vote or abstain at his/her discretion. On any other business not specified in the Notice of Meeting and arising at the Meeting, the proxy will act at his or her discretion. 5 To be valid, this form (and, if applicable, any power of attorney or other authority under which it is signed or a notarially certified copy thereof) must be completed and deposited at the office of the Company Secretary, Tudor Trust Limited, at 33 Sir John Rogerson's not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting by post or by fax at +353 (0) 1 667 0042 for the attention of Laura Tully. Citivic Nominees may send their signed Form of Proxy by e-mail to tudortrust@dilloneustace.ie. Any proxy form deposited less than 24 hours before the time of the meeting may only be treated as valid at the discretion of the Directors. Failure to return the proxy form by the required time will (subject to the aforementioned discretion of the Directors) result in the proxy form being void and your proxy will not be entitled to vote on your behalf as directed. APPENDIX 3 Proposed amendments to the Index and investment objective Investment Objective "The Fund's investment objective is to replicate, before fees and expenses, the MVIS Global Hydrogen Economy ESG Index (the Index). For a further description of the Index see the section entitled Information on the Index below". The difference between the current index and the Re-Named Index is limited to fact that the Index Provider has now defined an ESG objective for the Index. However, the implementation of the new ESG objective did not require any changes to the current ESG characteristics, criteria and related exclusions for the Index. Information on the Index The Index is a global index that mainly tracks the performance of the global hydrogen segment and also considers fuel cell companies and industrial gases companies. The Index includes mainly companies with at least 50% (25% for current components) of their revenues from hydrogen projects or projects that have the potential to generate at least 50% of their revenues from the hydrogen industry when developed. Due to the lack of pure-play companies in the global hydrogen segment, the Index will also consider companies with at least 50% (25% for current components) of their revenues from fuel cells or industrial gases projects or projects that have the potential to generate at least 50% of their revenues from the fuel cell industry or the industrial gases industry. The Index considers ESG factors as further detailed in the Index methodology available on the Index Providers website. The Index Provider will utilize ESG data provided by ISS. Companies with very severe social norms violations, have greater than 0% revenue exposure to controversial weapons, or that exceed certain thresholds of revenue exposure to various sectors including but not limited to civilian firearms, tobacco, and energy extractives are not eligible for inclusion. Further, companies that are not covered by ISS or for which relevant data fields are not collected by ISS may be eligible for inclusion. The Index employs a capping scheme to ensure diversification. All companies are ranked by their free-float market capitalisation. The maximum weight for any single component is 10% for companies which derive greater than 50% of its revenue in hydrogen, fuel cells or technologies that are directly connected to the hydrogen economy. However, the maximum weight for companies producing industrial gases, using the technology for their products or being otherwise involved in the hydrogen economy is 8% per single component. If a component exceeds the maximum weight at the time of the Index rebalancing, then the weight of such component's weighting will be reduced to the maximum weight and the excess weight shall be redistributed proportionally across all other (uncapped) Index constituents. This process is repeated until no component weight exceeds the respective maximum weight. The Index components are reviewed on a quarterly basis based on the closing data on the last business day in February, May, August and November. If a company does not trade on the last business day in February, May, August or November, the last available price for this company will be used during the review process. The underlying index data (e.g. new number of shares, new free-float factors and new weighting cap factors) is announced on the second Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e. March, June, September and December). The weighting cap factors are based on closing data of the Wednesday prior to the second Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e. March, June, September and December). Changes to the Index will be implemented and based on the closing prices of the third Friday of every quarter-end month (i.e. March, June, September and December). If the third Friday is not a business day, the review will take place on the last business day before the third Friday. If a company does not trade on the third Friday of a quarter-end month, then the last available price for this company will be used. Changes become effective on the next business day. The target coverage of the Index is at least 90% of the free-float market capitalisation of the investable universe with at least 25 companies. The following steps will be followed and form the Index review procedure: 1. All stocks in the investable universe are sorted in terms of free-float market capitalisation in descending order. 2. Stocks covering the top 85% of the free-float market capitalisation of the investable universe qualify for selection. 3. Existing components between the 85th and 98th percentiles also qualify for the Index. 4. If the coverage is still below 90% or the number of components in the Index is still below 25, the largest remaining stocks will be selected until coverage of at least 90% is reached and the number of stocks equals 25. 5. If the number of eligible companies remains below 25, additional companies are added by the Index Provider's from the investable universe until the number of stocks equals 25. For all corporate events that result in a stock deletion from the Index, the deleted stock will be replaced with the highest ranked non-component on the most recent selection list immediately only if the number of components in the Index would drop below 20. The replacement stock will be added at the same weight as the deleted stock. Only in case the number of components drops below its minimum due to a merger of two or more index components, the replacement stock will be added with its uncapped free-float market capitalisation weight. In all other cases, i.e. there is no replacement, the additional weight resulting from the deletion will be redistributed proportionally across all other index constituents. XPENG establishes partnership with Emil Frey in Netherlands, Bilia in Sweden, for first-class distribution, sales and service network XPENG builds innovative European business model, combining direct stores with agency collaboration XPENG branded retail experiencing stores to open in Sweden and Netherland in Q1 2022 XPENG (NYSE: XPEV and HKEX: 9868), a leading smart electric vehicle company, announced today that it has reached strategic partnerships in the Netherlands and Sweden, and it will open its self-operated experiencing retail stores in Europe. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005716/en/ XPENG P7 (Photo: Business Wire) XPENG reached a strategic Agency Retail collaboration agreement with Emil Frey Nederland NV ("Emil Frey") for the Netherlands. Emil Frey will develop XPENG's sales and service network while managing XPENG branded stores throughout the Netherlands. XPENG's Agency Retail agreement with Emil Frey Netherlands marks a major breakthrough for its European expansion. The tie-up is the first Agency Retail collaboration for XPENG in Europe, and is one of the first within the automotive industry. The agency retail collaboration with Emil Frey, one of Europe's largest automotive retail organizations, will deliver tremendous potential for XPENG's retail expansion in the Netherlands and beyond. Through the partnership, XPENG's customers will benefit from consistent pricing, online and offline, the access to Emil Frey's well-established service and distribution network, and optimal service efficiency and quality standards. In addition, XPENG plans to open its retail experience store, located in the Westfield Mall of the Netherlands near The Hague, in March 2022. In Sweden, XPENG has also reached an Agency Retail collaboration agreement with Bilia, the largest automobile dealer and distributor in the country. Bilia's high customer satisfaction track record and comprehensive network, consisting of 58 dealers and 66 service centers in Sweden, fit well with XPENG's ambitions to offer localized products and differentiated services to customers internationally. XPENG products will be available through Bilia stores, and serviced at its service centers, initially at locations in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo. This week, XPENG will officially open its retail experiencing store in Sweden, marking its first self-operated retail store in the international market. "Our global journey starts from Europe, propelled by our commitment to increase smart EV penetration. We strongly support the EV development strategy in Europe and are forging partnerships with top-tier local players to accelerate energy conservation, emission reduction and electrification in Europe," said He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of XPENG. XPENG plans to build its European presence with a combination of self-operated retail stores, alongside the comprehensive retail and service network of its local agency partners. This approach will optimize XEPNG's strength in digitalization, fast iteration of product features, quality control, operational efficiency while at the same time maximizing its partners' deep local knowledge, well-established networks and customer know-how. In addition to Norway where XPENG first launched its products in 2020, significant progress has been made in the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark in building its marketing, sales, delivery and service framework. XPENG was founded with a vision to transform future mobility with technology, and has a long-term commitment to leading the global EV transition. The company is dedicated to optimizing customer experience and bringing its most sophisticated designs and technologies to customers globally. About XPENG XPENG is a leading smart electric vehicle company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets Smart EVs that appeal to the large and growing base of middle-class consumers. Its mission is to explore and drive Smart EV transformation with technology, shaping the mobility experience of the future. In order to optimize its customers' mobility experience, XPENG develops in-house its full-stack autonomous driving technology and in-car intelligent operating system, as well as core vehicle systems including powertrain and the electrification/electronic architecture. XPENG is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Silicon Valley and San Diego. In 2021, XPENG established its regional EU headquarters in the Netherlands, and is expanding its presence in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The XPENG P7 and G3 are available in the Norwegian market as the first market in Europe. For more information, see: www.heyxpeng.com. About Emil Frey Emil Frey Nederland NV is one of the largest automotive retail organizations in the Netherlands and represents 15 different car brands. In addition to these dealerships, MKB Lease, Autoplanning, Emil Frey Schadeservice (Body Repair), Elgersma (Automotive Supplies) and Emil Frey Car Trading Netherlands (import and export of cars) are also part of Emil Frey Netherlands. Emil Frey Nederland is a subsidiary of the Swiss Emil Frey Group. About BILIA Bilia is one of Europe's largest car dealers with a leading position in the service and sales of passenger cars, vans and trucks. Bilia has approximately 160 facilities in Sweden, Norway, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. Bilia sells Volvo, BMW, Toyota, Mercedes, Renault, Lexus, MINI, Porsche, Nissan, Dacia, Smart and Alpine, as well as Renault, Toyota, Mercedes, Nissan and Dacia passenger cars and Mercedes trucks. Bilia currently has a fully expanded business with sales of new cars, e-commerce, spare parts and store sales, service and damage workshops, tires and car glass, as well as financing, insurance, car wash, fuel stations and car assembly under the same roof, which provides a unique offer. Bilia had sales of approximately SEK 30 billion in 2020 and had approximately 4,700 employees. For other XPeng visual library: XPENG MEDIA LIBRARY Follow us: XPeng Twitter XPeng LinkedIn XPeng Facebook View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005716/en/ Contacts: For Media Enquiries: Marie Cheung XPeng Inc. Tel: +852 9750 5170 +86 1550 7577 546 Email: mariecheung@xiaopeng.com Solvay Board Issues Open Letter Regarding Soda Ash Operations in Rosignano Brussels, 10 February 2022 The Solvay Board of Directors is issuing today the following open letter to all stakeholders regarding its Soda Ash operations in Rosignano, Italy. To Our Stakeholders, Over the last 16 months, a hedge fund that owns one share of Solvay - Bluebell Capital Partners - has promoted a campaign based on misleading information about our operations in Rosignano. As a 160-year-old company, we are keenly aware of our societal responsibilities and the vital role chemistry plays for the ESG journey on which we have embarked. The Solvay Board and management team value input and ESG engagement from all shareholders. However, over the course of Solvay's engagement with Bluebell, we have become increasingly concerned that they may not be interested in a science and fact-based discussion. Solvay is committed to responsible operations guided by our Solvay One Planet roadmap, which strives to promote the sustainability of our product portfolio, our facilities, and the well-being of our employees and communities in which we operate. This same commitment is true in Rosignano, Italy, where Solvay has been producing soda ash for over a century. Solvay's process to produce soda ash in Rosignano is safe and controlled, uses natural materials and complies with EU and Italian regulations, including corresponding effluent discharge methods and emission limits. The Company has provided Bluebell with extensive information about the Rosignano facility, backed by documentation including periodic monitoring reports from regulators and independent scientific and academic institutions, which is available on the Company's website, and a summary of which is provided as an addendum to this letter. It is difficult to imagine how Bluebell, a fund with no known expertise in environmental science or chemistry and no track record of sustainability investing, would understand Solvay's soda ash operations better than environmental regulators and independent scientists who have been overseeing and monitoring the Rosignano site for decades, in compliance with stringent EU and Italian requirements. Despite Solvay's responsiveness and diligence in pointing to facts and scientific data from official sources, including providing detailed answers to a list of 52 questions, Bluebell submitted to our May 11, 2021 annual general meeting (subsequently posted on our website for the benefit of all stakeholders), Bluebell has continued to repeat and disseminate its same misleading narrative. Indeed, Bluebell has sent numerous letters to nearly 200 stakeholders, including shareholders, customers, regulators, EU, UN and Italian officials and professional affiliates, in what appears to be a campaign aimed at harming Solvay's Soda Ash business. In late January 2022, the IPPC1 permit for the Rosignano site was renewed, following a lengthy review of our operations conducted by independent experts and government agencies (the permit renewal process was prompted by the adoption in 2017 of new EU requirements applicable to Inovyn, a company unrelated to Solvay, and our Peroxides production unit, whose facilities share the same industrial campus and are therefore covered by the same permit). Since the permit renewal, Bluebell has taken the extreme step of making unfounded insinuations of misconduct involving the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition, which have been passed onto the press and have been promptly denied by the Ministry. This latest attack has made it clear to Solvay's Board that Bluebell does not appear to be interested in genuine ESG engagement. Our Board considers the oversight of matters related to ESG to be a critical part of our responsibility to all stakeholders. Under the leadership of Solvay's CEO, Ilham Kadri, we have taken important steps forward to accelerate the Company's progress. Through the Company's robust ESG roadmap, One Planet, Solvay is driving progress toward 10 ambitious targets across three key pillars - climate, resources and better life, including plans to phase out coal, cut emissions and transition towards green energy to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, with all businesses other than soda ash to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Solvay has made significant investments in Rosignano, which have resulted in freshwater consumption being reduced by more than 20% in the past decade and using recycled water from the municipal wastewater treatment facility. The site has also successfully cut its emissions by 40% in the past two years thanks to the building of a high-efficiency cogeneration power facility as well as another plant to capture, purify and liquefy CO2 which is reused in its production process. Our responsible commitment to the sustainable development of the Rosignano facility has recently received the support of the local authorities2 and the employee unions, who noted in a statement that the permit renewal "represents the right and concrete recognition of the site and the efforts made in recent years to constantly improve its sustainability in the area of health, safety and the environment."3 Our Board of Directors and management team will continue to take actions that we believe are in the best interest of our shareholders and all stakeholders, whom we thank for their support as we continue to accelerate our journey to enhance value, responsibly. Sincerely, The Solvay Board of Directors 1Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control 2The statement of the Rosignano mayor is available here. 3The statement of the union representatives is available here. Solvay's Soda Ash Operations in Rosignano A Safe and Controlled Process Using Natural Materials The process to produce soda ash in Rosignano, Italy is safe and controlled, uses natural materials and is in full compliance with EU and Italian regulations. Both Solvay and the regulators monitor every step of the process, as do independent institutions, confirming that the effluent composition complies with Italian emission limits and the offshore water quality near the facility is safe and similar to the rest of the Tuscan coast. The facility's compliance with applicable regulations was recently reaffirmed by the renewal of the Company's IPPC permit by Italian authorities for the Rosignano facility in January 2022. The full review process was first initiated by the Ministry of Ecological Transition in November 2018, due to amendments to the EU BAT-BREF4 enacted in late 2017 (which applied to Inovyn, a company unrelated to Solvay, and our Peroxides production unit, whose nearby facilities share the same industrial campus and are therefore covered by the same permit). The new permit is based on an extensive review of the Rosignano operations conducted by an independent committee of experts, whose conclusive report contains detailed prescriptions to be complied with by the plant, and a thorough monitoring and compliance report by ISPRA5. 4Best Available Technique Reference Document 5Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research Solvay's Soda Ash Process Uses Natural, Inert Materials The production of soda ash involves the use of natural materials - limestone, salt brine and water - and the Rosignano facility uses limestone and salt from nearby quarries. No heavy metals are used or added in the soda ash process. Limestone is a widespread natural material and can be found in the cliffs along the coast in Italy. This natural, local limestone is brought into the facility and, following the production cycle, this same natural, residual local limestone, mixed with gypsum, sand clay and seawater is released into the sea. It is safe and inert. Like many types of rock or stone, it contains traces of naturally-occurring heavy metals, which are imprisoned in a solid state in the limestone and are not harmful for living organisms. The Effluent Release Method is Fully Compliant with EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) and is the Preferred Solution There are several acceptable techniques to dispose of inert materials remaining from soda ash operations, as outlined in the applicable EU BAT-BREF. Those methods are: Settling ponds (considered to be BAT for a land-locked facility) or Direct release into the sea (considered to be BAT for a facility near the sea) through pipes or an open channel Each of the techniques was considered solely based on the facility's specific geographical characteristics and alignment with BAT-BREF, not cost. Following discussions with local, regional and national authorities, and supported by independent scientific bodies, a release to the sea through an open channel was confirmed to be the preferred solution for Rosignano, given that: Underwater currents ensure that the non-toxic limestone does not accumulate (as required by BAT) but rather spreads evenly on the seabed; and The limestone that flows back onto the shore and the beach plays an important role in stabilizing the shore against erosion. The renewed IPPC permit acknowledges these facts, confirming that the direct release into the sea through an open channel is the best available technique according to BAT-BREF. Solvay's new permit in Rosignano also confirms that the maximum amount of suspended solids that may be released into the sea is 250,000 tons per year (as previously authorized) and falls in the range defined by the BAT-BREF (actual discharge is approximately 220,000 tons). However, as part of the Company's efforts to continually optimize the efficiency and sustainability of its operations, Solvay has committed to study possible new technical solutions to reduce the quantity of suspended solids produced or discharged by the facility and to report its findings to the authorities. This commitment is included in the new IPPC permit. About Solvay Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 23,000 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay One Planet roadmap crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering a better life. The Group's innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water and air purification systems. Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world's top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of 9 billion in 2020. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels and Paris (SOLB). Learn more at www.solvay.com. DGAP-News: Aareal Bank AG / Key word(s): Statement Aareal Bank AG: Statement regarding communications from certain shareholders of our Company 10.02.2022 / 17:24 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. NON-BINDING CONVENIENCE TRANSLATION OF THE ORIGINAL GERMAN VERSION Wiesbaden, 10 February 2022. Statement regarding communications from certain shareholders of our Company: 1. The allegations made by Teleios Capital Partner LLC in its public letter today against the Management Board and the Supervisory Board of the Company are baseless. The corporate bodies carefully complied with their duties throughout the process of dealing with the takeover offer by the bidder, Atlantic BidCo GmbH, at all times. They were each advised separately by independent financial and legal advisors. The Company structured the process in advance of the takeover offer, which it did not initiate, in such a way that it was open to other competitive offers. In this regard, the review process for the potential takeover offer has been transparent since the Company's ad-hoc-announcement on 7 October 2021, i.e., approximately two months prior to the publication of the offer by the bidder. Even as of today, there hasn't been an alternative offer that was more attractive to the Company's stakeholders. 2. Following the transparent and structured procedure for the sale of a minority interest in our IT subsidiary Aareon, there has been no offer to the Company regarding the 70% shareholding held by our Company or for Aareon overall. The Company has also not conducted any negotiations on this matter at any time. 3. As opposed to the announcement by Teleios Capital Partners LLC, the intentions of the bidder, Atlantic BidCo GmbH, were not only set out in the offer document but, in particular, were contractually secured with the Company for a term of three years from closing of the takeover offer by way of the Investment Agreement. Thus, the protection system for the interests of all stakeholders of the Company went significantly beyond the standard legal statute. This protection was important to the Management Board and the Supervisory Board of the Company. 4. German corporate law obliges the Management Board and the Supervisory Board to act in the Company's best interests, i.e., the corporate bodies must pursue a value enhancement strategy that is oriented towards sustainability. The corporate bodies have presented this strategy in the form of Aareal Next Level. It will be reviewed on a regular basis. Winding up the Company by selling its individual components is not a sustainable strategy. Nonetheless, individual minority shareholders are presumably seeking to change the composition of the corporate bodies, in particular the Supervisory Board, with that intention. Contact Margarita Thiel Telephone: +49 611 348 2306 Mobil: +49 171 206 9740 margarita.thiel@aareal-bank.com About Aareal Bank Group Aareal Bank Group, headquartered in Wiesbaden, is a leading international property specialist. It provides smart financings, software products, and digital solutions for the property sector and related industries, and is present across three continents: Europe, North America and Asia/Pacific. Aareal Bank AG, whose shares are included in Deutsche Borse's SDAX index, is the Group's parent entity. It manages the various entities organised in the Group's business segments: Structured Property Financing, Banking & Digital Solutions, and Aareon. The Structured Property Financing segment encompasses all of Aareal Bank Group's property financing and funding activities. Here, the Bank supports its clients in making large-volume commercial property investments. The investment properties mostly comprise office buildings, hotels, shopping centres, logistics and residential property, as well as student apartments. In the Banking & Digital Solutions segment, Aareal Bank Group supports businesses from the housing, property management and energy industries as a digitalisation partner - combining extensive advisory services and product solutions with traditional corporate banking services and deposit-taking. Subsidiary Aareon, a leading provider of ERP software and digital solutions for the European property industry and its partners, forms the third business segment. Aareon is digitalising the property industry by offering useroriented software solutions that simplify and automate processes, support sustainable and energy-efficient operations and interconnect all process participants. 10.02.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 10, 2022 / Sassy Resources Corporation ("Sassy" or the "Company") (CSE:SASY)(FSE:4E7)(OTCQB:SSYRF) has completed the definitive option agreement (the "Agreement") for the Highrock Uranium Project in Saskatchewan, south of Cameco's Key Lake site, with project operator Forum Energy Metals Corp. (refer to January 6, 2022 news release). Mobilization for access to the Highrock drill sites by a winter haul road is in progress with the start of drilling anticipated this month. Mr. Mark Scott, Sassy CEO, commented, "We are very pleased to have completed the definitive option agreement for the Highrock Project, following up on the terms laid out in the original Letter of Intent signed with Forum Energy Metals in early January. We have high quality drill targets at Highrock, offering shareholders excellent leverage to a potential new discovery and uranium market upside this year and beyond." As announced January 6, 2022, Sassy signed a binding Letter of Intent (the "LOI") with Forum Energy Metals to acquire up to 100% of Highrock on terms spread out over four years. The definitive option agreement further details the terms originally outlined in the LOI. Highrock Project Location Map 581 new accounts opened during the year, expanding the client base by 44%; International turnover up 35% to 9.2 million, accounting for 40% of total Group turnover; 11.1 million generated from recurring business, representing 48% of turnover, subscription volumes doubled; "PAM for all" comprehensive offering providing secure access for all; 22.7 million gross cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021, stable versus 2020; Launch of UNICORN25 plan to drive growth. Paris, February 10, 2022 - WALLIX (Euronext ALLIX), a European cybersecurity software developer and expert in privileged access management (PAM), reports its full-year 2021 turnover. Unaudited data, 000 2020 2021 Change France 13,212 13,903 +5% International 6,860 9,263 +35% Consolidated turnover 20,072 23,166 +15% Jean-Noel de Galzain, Chairman of the WALLIX GROUP Management Board, said: "We posted strong growth in 2021 and made significant progress on key indicators for the Group's future developments. As a result, we strengthened our client acquisition rate with nearly 600 new accounts opened this year thanks to our comprehensive product portfolio and recognized technological leadership. The international segment, which currently accounts for 40% of our business, is growing strongly, driven by the global partner network we have built up. Our subscription offers increased sharply this year; this gradual transition towards a recurring business model, 48% of 2021 turnover, is a solid foundation for our medium-term growth ambitions. While 2021 revenue growth was slightly curtailed towards the end of the year due to orders postponed to first half 2022, this did not undermine the Group's excellent growth momentum nor alter the achievement of the targets we set under the UNICORN25 plan presented last December. This bold strategy aims to address the security challenges thrown up by digital transformation. The need to open up access to digital systems, whether in organizations or in society, is inevitable and exponential. With our "PAM for all" vision, we support these structural changes worldwide by providing solutions to safeguard digital access whether for all users, and tomorrow for connected objects and industrial systems. This is a great opportunity for WALLIX to upscale and become a world leader in protecting digital transformation and helping to build a trusted digital world. On completion of the plan in 2025, WALLIX aims to reach 100 million in turnover and become a key player in the European cybersecurity sector." Continued strong growth, particularly in the international segment WALLIX maintained its growth trajectory in 2021 with turnover up 15% to 23.2 million. Sales were brisk throughout the year and a record number of new accounts were opened (581 new clients expanding the client base by 44%). However, this excellent performance was curbed, in terms of turnover, by the postponement of a number of major contracts signed in the second half of December, mostly in France, to 2022 due to the year-end resurgence of the health crisis (Omicron). WALLIX estimates orders carried over to the current fiscal year at around 2.0 million. The relevance of WALLIX's expertise in business verticals (particularly healthcare and industry) and the expansion of the distributor and partner network (TechData in Spain and the UK, IT2Soft for Scandinavia) contributed strongly to business growth over the year. Business growth by region: In France, still impacted by the health crisis, turnover rose 5% to 13.9 million. Growth in France was significantly curtailed by the year-end contract deferrals. Major contracts previously signed in France generated invoices totaling 6.5 million over the year. WALLIX estimates potential turnover from these key account supply contracts at 24.3 million over the next three years (2022-2024). International turnover rose 35% to 9.2 million in 2021, accounting for 40% of total business versus 34% in 2020. On the international front, WALLIX continued to invest in expanding its partner network in target markets (approx. 230 international partners) and observed a sharp upswing in the commercial pipeline provided by partners. WALLIX posted strong growth over the year in the European Union, UK and Africa-Middle East region. The Group signed an increased number of major contracts (billing > 100,000) in the international market, which generated invoices totaling 3.2 million for the year. WALLIX estimates potential turnover from supply contracts at 9.8 million over the next three years (2022-2024). 11.1 million turnover from recurring business (up 31%) representing 48% of 2021 turnover Unaudited data, 000 2020 2021 Change Licenses[1] 9,459 10,467 +11% Maintenance & Subscriptions[2] 8,516 11,148 +31% Professional services 2,097 1,552 -26% Consolidated turnover 20,072 23,166 +15% License sales were up 11% year on year, boosted by strong growth in international markets due to the contribution of the channel. 2021 turnover from subscription contracts (SaaS licenses and managed services) totaled 1.5 million, up over 90% from 0.8 million in 2020 demonstrating the growing success of this type of contract. Combined with the impact of the increase in clients served on maintenance turnover, recurring business rose 31% in 2021 to 48% of total business compared to 42% in 2020, thereby improving visibility of the Group's business. As of December 31, 2021, the Group estimates the future value of subscription contracts billed in 2021 at 6.6 million over three years, versus 3.9 million as of December 31, 2020. Strategy underpinned by consistent financial strength As of December 31, 2021, gross cash and cash equivalents amounted to 22.7 million versus 23.2 million as of December 31, 2020. The Group consumed no cash in H2 2021 (22.7 million as of June 30, 2021). This financial strength affords the Group the flexibility required to self-fund investments under the UNICORN25 plan and take advantage of acquisition opportunities. Targeting improved operating margins in second half 2021 and strong growth through the UNICORN25 plan Similarly to the first half of the year, WALLIX expects to see a further improvement in second semester operating earnings over the previous year. However, given the postponement of orders towards the end of the year, the Group does not expect to achieve operating breakeven for the period. The current medium-term market outlook is particularly buoyant, forecasting average annual growth of 21% and expected to reach $3.1 billion in 2025[3]. The acceleration of the digital transition due to new uses requires growing investment in access and identity protection to respond to the proliferation of cyberattacks and manage a growing number of identities for both individuals and objects. Backed by UNICORN25 and its vision of "PAM for all", WALLIX is positioning itself to deliver clients the promise of a secure digital transformation for everyone, anywhere and at any time. This strategy has three main building blocks: PAM leadership: WALLIX plans to extend its security technologies, primarily Bastion and BestSafe, beyond the sphere of privileged access users to include all at-risk users and workstations of an organization, offering them protection based on the principle of least privilege. This includes deploying 100% cloud solutions (Bastion for Cloud) to address the needs of cloud or native SaaS solution users, such as the retail and media sectors; WALLIX plans to extend its security technologies, primarily Bastion and BestSafe, beyond the sphere of privileged access users to include all at-risk users and workstations of an organization, offering them protection based on the principle of least privilege. This includes deploying 100% cloud solutions (Bastion for Cloud) to address the needs of cloud or native SaaS solution users, such as the retail and media sectors; extension of the WALLIX offering to IAM: WALLIX plans to help its clients manage adjacent issues related to identity and access management. To this end, WALLIX plans to develop additional identity-based solutions (Multi-Factor Authentication, IdaaS, IGA, SSO) in order to grow client value; WALLIX plans to help its clients manage adjacent issues related to identity and access management. To this end, WALLIX plans to develop additional identity-based solutions (Multi-Factor Authentication, IdaaS, IGA, SSO) in order to grow client value; embedded cybersecurity: in order to meet the future challenges of IT-OT convergence and the emergence of the Internet of Things, WALLIX is continuing to develop embedded cybersecurity solutions such as WALLIX Inside and the Oscar platform, winner of the Grand Defi Cyber.[4] Backed by the initial partnerships with Fives and Schneider Electric, WALLIX Inside aims to offer manufacturers the opportunity to provide solutions secured by design and will be a powerful driver of profitable growth for WALLIX in the medium term. Over the coming years, WALLIX aims to consolidate the Group's leadership in Europe and significantly strengthen its foothold on the North American market, particularly in the United States, starting with the major partnership signed with Arrow Electronics in May. Besides geographical coverage, WALLIX plans to add new marketing models to its current "Channel" model (300 value-added resellers and distributors): a "global account management" practice with key accounts as well as a strategy of alliances with 4.0 industry players, shared service providers and tech partners to incorporate WALLIX cybersecurity solutions into the solutions they distribute. The UNICORN25 plan has been scaled to enable WALLIX to reach turnover of 100 million by 2025 and an operating margin target towards the upper end of the sector. With UNICORN25, WALLIX is entering a new development phase that will enable it to consolidate its leadership in access and identity security and play a unifying role as a cybersecurity player guaranteeing protection for organizations in a digital world. WALLIX is currently positioning itself to meet the future needs of a fully digital world. Next publication: Full-year 2021 results, March 24, 2022 ABOUT WALLIX A software company providing cybersecurity solutions, WALLIX is the European specialist in Identity and Access Security Solutions. WALLIX's unified solutions portfolio enables companies to meet today's data protection challenges. WALLIX solutions guarantee detection and resilience to cyberattacks, thus enabling business continuity. They also ensure compliance with regulatory requirements regarding access to IT infrastructure and critical data. The unified solutions portfolio is distributed through a network of more than 316 resellers and integrators around the world. Listed on Euronext (ALLIX), WALLIX supports more than 1,900 organizations in securing their digital transformation. WALLIX is a founding member of the HEXATRUST group and was included in Futur40, the first ranking of growth companies on the stock market published by Forbes France and is part of the Tech 40 index. WALLIX affirms its digital responsibility and undertakes to contribute to the construction of a European digital space of trust, guarantor of the security and confidentiality of organizations' data but also for any individual concerned about the protection of their digital identity and the respect for his private life. Digital technology, whether for professional or personal use, must be ethical and responsible in order to experience a secure societal digital transformation that respects individual freedoms. www.wallix.com | info@wallix.com FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION CONTACTS ACTUS Finance & Communication Investor Relations - Olivier LAMBERT +33 1 53 67 36 33 / wallix@actus.fr Press Relations - Deborah SCHWARTZ +33 6 27 09 05 73 / dschwartz@actus.fr [1] including equipment sales [2] including managed services [3] According to KuppingerCole analysts [4] OSCAR is the winner of the "Grand Defi Cyber" call for projects launched as part of the national cybersecurity strategy driven by the French government's Future Investment Program (PIA) and France Relance. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: ymdrYp2aYm+cypxyk5ttbWOVaWhlmpObbGnKx2pvk56danFpyG9laZmcZnBkl2Vq - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-73204-wallix_100222_2021-revenues_eng.pdf Capital increase in cash via an accelerated book building procedure for an amount of approximately 3.5 m MUNIC (Euronext Growth Paris - FR0013462231 - ALMUN), specialist in embedded and artificial intelligence technologies for automotive data valorization, announces the launch of a capital increase of approximately 3.5 m with cancellation of preferential subscription rights under the framework of an offer as described in paragraph 1 of Article L.411-2 of the French Financial and Monetary Code through an accelerated book building procedure (the "Offering"). The number of shares, the amount raised and the ensuing dilution will be indicated in the press release announcing the result of the Offering. A CAPITAL INCREASE TO SUPPORT THE COMPANY'S STRONG GROWTH Following on from the sharp increase in business achieved in 2021, with full-year revenue up 156% to 19.3m, and given excellent visibility on 2022 sales as reflected by the record high order backlog of 17.8m, which is 4.7x higher than the year-earlier level, MUNIC would like to strengthen its shareholders' equity and financial resources through this capital raising. The move is intended to provide the company additional means to finance its robust sales growth and support its R&D spending for the Munic.io technology linking Smart Dongles to the Edge Computing AI platform, in order to continue offering innovative services to customers and maintain Munic's technological lead in terms of access to vehicle data. Current innovations concern high added-value services, prompting significant market interest,such as comprehensive remote vehicle diagnostics and wear estimates for electric vehicle batteries. MUNIC underlines that this ambitious roadmap aims to help the company reach its target of 100m in sales by 2025, 25m of which drivenby the EKKO platform, generating a gross margin of more than 40%. MAIN TERMS OF THE OFFERING The gross proceeds of the Offering should total a target amount of around 3.5 m. The Offering is to take place with the waiving of preferential subscription rights, according to Article L. 225-136 of the French Commercial Code, as part of the offer described under paragraph 1 of Article L.411-2 of the French Financial and Monetary code, in compliance with the 19th resolution of the company's Combined General Assembly of November 8, 2019, the decisions made by the Board of Directors at its meeting on January 7, 2022 and the decisions made by the CEO today. The number of new shares may not exceed the limit of 20% of the company's share capital and the issue price of the new shares will be at least equal to the weighted average of the MUNIC share price on the Euronext Growth market in Paris over the five trading days prior to the fixing of the issue price, eventually reduced by a maximum discount of 30%. The Offering will involve an accelerated book building procedure following which the number and price of the new shares to issue will be determined. The accelerated book building procedure is to start immediately and should close tomorrow (February 11, 2022) before the Euronext Paris markets open, subject to any early closing or extension. MUNIC is to announce the result of the Offering in a press release as soon as possible after the order book is closed. The settlement-delivery of the new shares issued under the Offering and their admission to trading is due to take place on February 15, 2022. The new shares will carry dividend rights and will be admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth market in Paris under ISIN code FR0013462231 (mnemonic code: ALMUN). As part of the Offering, MUNIC has signed an abstention agreement for a period of 90 days from the settlement-delivery date. The founders (including Aaron Solomon, CEO of the company), owning together 30.16% of the capital (on a non-diluted basis) and Grandis Lux, key shareholder with 44.33% of the capital (on a non-diluted basis), as well as two other individual shareholders representing a combined 3.40% of the capital (on a non-diluted basis), have signed a lock-up agreement concerning all of the shares in the company owned for a period of 90 days as of the settlement-delivery date, subject to usual exceptions. Gilbert Dupont is acting as Lead Coordinator and Bookrunner for the Offering. In application of Article 1.4. of (EU) Regulation 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and Council of June 14, 2017, the company's share offer under the Offering will not give rise to a prospectus submitted for approval by the French financial markets authority (AMF). Detailed information concerning the company, especially relative to its business, earnings, and corresponding risk factors, are set out in the Annual Report relative to the year ended December 31, 2020 and the Half-Year Report for H1 2021, which may be consulted, along with other regulatory information and all the company's press releases, under the Investors tab on the website (MUNIC-bourse.com). PARTNERS OF THE OFFERING GILBERT DUPONT Fieldfisher ACTUS Lead Coordinator and Bookrunner Legal Counsel Communication agency About MUNIC Founded in 2002, MUNIC designs and develops technological solutions combining Smart Dongles, able to collect and decode thousands of data items generated by car sensors with an Edge Computing & artificial intelligence platform, Munic.io, capable of analyzing and processing this data. The result of 20 years of R&D, MUNIC's patented technology combines (i) cutting-edge electronic expertise (design and industrialization of small-scale on-board equipment, high energy and radio performance, high reliability in an automotive environment, at very competitive costs), (ii) car data decoding capacity and (iii) an Edge Computing artificial intelligence (Munic.io) for data processing. Based in Villejuif, France, with offices in the United States and China, MUNIC has 60 employees, 77% of whom are engineers. The company achieved revenues of 19.3 million in 2021, up +156%, mainly in the United States and Europe. The company is labeled an Innovative Company by Bpifrance. MUNIC is listed on Euronext Growth Paris market (ISIN code: FR0013462231). CONTACTS ACTUS finance & communication Manon CLAIRET Press Relations Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73 mclairet@actus.fr ACTUS finance & communication Zineb ESSAFI Investor Relations Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 90 munic@actus.fr DISCLAIMER This press release and the information it contains does not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe or an invitation to place an order to purchase or subscribe MUNIC's shares in any country. This press release constitutes promotional communication and is not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 (the "Prospectus Regulation"). In the Member States of the European Economic Area, this press release and any offers that may follow it are intended exclusively for "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell securities or any solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe securities in the United States of America. Shares and any other securities issued by MUNIC may only be offered or sold in the United States of America following registration under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or pursuant to an exemption from this registration requirement, on the understanding that MUNIC's shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act. MUNIC does not intend to register the offer in whole or in part in the United States of America or make a public offering in the United States of America. This press release may not be published, distributed or disseminated either directly or indirectly in the United States of America, Australia, Canada or Japan. With respect to the United Kingdom, the press release is intended solely for persons located (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom who are "qualified investors" (as that term is defined in the Prospectus Regulation, which is part of domestic law in application of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018), and who (i) are investment professionals within the meaning of section 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Financial Promotion Order"), (ii) are referred to in section 49 (2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Financial Promotion Order, or (iii) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activities (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) may be lawfully communicated or transmitted (the persons mentioned in paragraphs (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as the "Authorised Persons"). This press release is intended solely for Authorised Persons and may not be used by any person other than an Authorised Person. This press release contains indications of MUNIC's objectives as well as forward-looking statements. This information does not constitute historical data and should not be interpreted as a guarantee that the facts and data stated will materialise. This information is based on data, assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by MUNIC. MUNIC operates in a competitive and rapidly changing environment. It is therefore not in a position to anticipate all the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect its business, their potential impact on its business or to what extent the materialisation of a risk or a combination of risks could cause results to differ significantly from those mentioned in any forward-looking statements. This information is given only as at the date of this press release. MUNIC makes no undertaking to publish updates of this information or the assumptions on which it is based, except as required under any applicable legal or regulatory obligation. The distribution of this press release may be subject to specific regulations in certain countries. Consequently, persons physically present in such countries in which this press release is circulated, published or distributed must ascertain and comply with the appropriate laws and regulations. This press release may not be published, transmitted or distributed, directly or indirectly, in United States of America, Australia, Canada or Japan. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: mpyfZ8aZZpnJynFsap2WbZRkmGeWlWWVamLGxZJqa5bFbWyTxWeVaZyYZnBkl2Vp - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-73203-munic_cp_lancement_pp_10022022-en.pdf DGAP-News: Cryptology Asset Group PLC / Key word(s): Statement/Cryptocurrency / Blockchain Cryptology's estimated NAV per share as of 9/2/2022 is 9.08 10.02.2022 / 18:09 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Corporate News Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c. ("Cryptology") Malta, 10.2.2022 Cryptology's estimated NAV per share as of 9/2/2022 is 9.08 Malta, 10.2.2022. Cryptology Asset Group (ISIN: MT0001770107; Ticker: CAP:GR), a leading European holding company for crypto assets and blockchain-related business models, announced its most recent weekly estimated Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share of 9.08. Crypto markets have rebounded a bit after falling some coming into the new year. While some analysts are saying we may be entering another "crypto winter", others, such as JP Morgan itself, are calling for new Bitcoin all-time-high price targets of $146,000 in the coming years. Cryptology and Iconic CEO, Patrick Lowry, said "If you are ever worried about crypto's notorious short-term volatility, all you have to do is zoom out a few years. Adoption has been occurring right before our very eyes, and we are basically just warming up on the pitch. The long-term inevitability of crypto cannot be stopped." Cryptology's updated estimated NAV figures come on the morning of Hauck & Aufhauser issuing an updated report on Cryptology's shares with a "BUY" rating and a price target of 13.00. Shares opened this morning around 6.75, meaning Hauck & Aufhauser is projecting well over a 50% price increase from current levels. Cryptology shares currently trade on several German exchanges including Borse Dusseldorf, Gettex and Tradegate. In order to increase trading liquidity and open up to new shareholder groups, Cryptology is currently exploring an international listing. About Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c. Cryptology Asset Group (ISIN: MT0001770107; Ticker: CAP:GR) is a leading European holding company for crypto assets and blockchain-related business models. Founded by Christian Angermayer's family office, Apeiron Investment Group, and crypto-legend Mike Novogratz, Cryptology is the largest publicly traded holding company for blockchain- and crypto-based business models in Europe. Noteworthy portfolio companies include crypto-giant and EOSIO software publisher Block.one, leading HPC provider Northern Data, commission-free online neobroker nextmarkets, and crypto asset management group Iconic Holding. Media Contact: Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c. Jefim Gewiet (COO) 66/67, Beatrice, Amery Street, Sliema SLM 1707 Malta E-mail: info@cryptology-ag.com 10.02.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Regulatory News: Groupe SEB's (Paris:SK) Board of Directors met today, on February 10, 2022, under the chairmanship of Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise. Following his proposal and the recommendation of the Governance and Remuneration Committee, the Board decided to separate the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions. The Board decided that Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise shall remain in his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors, a role he has fulfilled since 2000. The Board also agreed to appoint Stanislas de Gramont to the position of Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2022. The Board of Directors is pleased to continue working with Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise as Chairman. The Board would like to thank him sincerely for his 28 years of service to Groupe SEB, including his 22 years as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, the Group has more than quadrupled its revenue, reporting a sixfold increase in its operating profit. During this time, Groupe SEB completed 18 acquisitions-notably Moulinex, SUPOR and WMF-while staying true to the values of the Group and its founding family. The Board would also like to single out the major transformations successfully led by Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise enabling Groupe SEB to adapt and meet multiple economic, business, societal and environmental challenges. In his term of office, the Group has focused on its innovation capabilities, its international expansion and the preservation of top-performing manufacturing facilities, particularly in France. The Board of Directors is convinced that the proposed change will guarantee the long-term performance of Groupe SEB as well as its values, commitments and corporate governance. This dual governance, which is relying on the relationship of trust established between Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise and Stanislas de Gramont, will enable the Group to combine long term vision with operational excellence. Both the Board of Directors and Stanislas de Gramont will benefit from the successful experience and recognized expertise of Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise. The Board of Directors will also count on his knowledge of the Group's shareholder structure and his expertise in corporate governance to meet growing stakeholder expectations, coupled with his experience in acquisitions and his vision for sustainable development. Stanislas de Gramont, whose responsibilities have regularly increased as part of the dynamic duo he has formed with Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise since joining the Group, will harness his full potential by becoming the Group's Chief Executive Officer. Stanislas de Gramont joined Groupe SEB in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer after heading up Suntory's Beverage Food Europe business. Prior to this, he had spent most of his career at Danone Group in various countries and divisions. Jean-Noel Labroue, Chairman of the Governance and Remuneration Committee and Independent Director, commented: "For a long time, our Committee has focused its efforts on the corporate governance of Groupe SEB. To this end, we have adopted a forward-looking and challenging approach, factoring in the dynamic duo formed by the Chairman Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer and the cornerstone issues facing the Group in the years ahead. For this reason, on the recommendation of Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise, both the Committee and the Board of Directors considered that Stanislas de Gramont has illustrated all of the required qualities to become the Group's Chief Executive Officer. Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB, commented: "I am proud of our offensive and ambitious strategy, which has established the Group as a world leader. Groupe SEB is a key player in sustainable development, guided by a long-term vision, and a passion for innovation. I would like to thank all of our employees for their dedication and commitment as well as our Board of Directors and our family shareholders' agreement. Through their unwavering support, we have been able to grow our businesses with agility while upholding our core values and delivering sustainable performance, which exemplifies our Group as a whole. These changes in corporate governance have been made in a spirit of continuity to which Groupe SEB and its family shareholders' agreement have always been committed. As Chief Operating Officer, Stanislas de Gramont has played a pivotal role for more than three years working alongside me, particularly throughout the health crisis that we are navigating. Stanislas has gradually taken on more responsibilities and now has all the required qualities to become the Group's Chief Executive Officer. Stanislas has my full confidence as well as that of the Board. I am and will forever remain passionate about our Group. As Chairman, it will give me great pleasure to continue serving Groupe SEB and step up our ambition to achieve economic and financial performance and to lead by example, both environmentally and socially. Stanislas de Gramont, Chief Operating Officer of Groupe SEB, commented: "Over the last two decades, as in 2021, Groupe SEB's performance reflects the incredible dedication of our teams across the globe as well as the relevance of our business model. It is a privilege to have been appointed the Group's Chief Executive Officer by the Board, and I would like to thank them for entrusting me with this position. I would also like to thank and commend Thierry, with whom I have been working for more than three years. Thierry has single-handedly assumed the leadership of Groupe SEB, spearheading the significant transformation benefitting the Group as of today. Thierry has provided me with a platform to develop a dynamic duo alongside him, the results of which can now be measured. I am now in a position to take up this new role with confidence and enthusiasm, thanks to the quality and commitment of our dedicated teams worldwide, bolstered by our robust business model and our potential in terms of growth and profitability." Appendices Biography of Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise Biography of Stanislas de Gramont Biography of Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB since 2000. He began his career at Allendale Insurance (United States) in 1976 as Financial Controller. He began his career at Allendale Insurance (United States) in 1976 as Financial Controller. Thierry then joined the Coopers Lybrand auditing firm in 1979 as an Auditor before becoming a Manager. In 1983, he moved to the Chargeurs group where he held the successive positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Croisieres Paquet. He went on to join Groupe SEB in 1994 , first as Chief Executive Officer and later as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CALOR SA. Thierry was then appointed Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB in 1999 before being nominated Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 2000. , first as Chief Executive Officer and later as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CALOR SA. Thierry was then appointed Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB in 1999 before being nominated Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 2000. Under his leadership since 2000, Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise has developed the world leader in Small Domestic Equipment, successfully quadrupling its revenue. Throughout his term of office, the Group has completed nearly twenty acquisitions , both in mature and emerging countries, where Groupe SEB intends to keep pace with the development of the middle class population and their purchasing power. , both in mature and emerging countries, where Groupe SEB intends to keep pace with the development of the middle class population and their purchasing power. Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise has also worked tirelessly to scale up the Group's innovation capabilities in an effort to meet the specific needs of consumers in mature and emerging countries, with products and services marketed under nearly 30 renowned brands. He has successfully overseen the Group's international expansion while safeguarding manufacturing jobs in France, where Groupe SEB still has 11 industrial sites and employs nearly 6,000 people. Honors Knight of the French Legion of Honor (2004) Officer of the French Legion of Honor (2013) Commander of the French National Order of Merit (2018) Biography of Stanislas de Gramont Chief Operating Officer of Groupe SEB Groupe SEB Chief Operating Officer since 2018 , Stanislas de Gramont began his career at Orangina. , Stanislas de Gramont began his career at Orangina. Stanislas then joined the BSN Gervais Danone Group working within the Brasseries Kronenbourg division. In 1998, he was nominated Head of the Fresh Dairy Products Division before holding various Senior Management positions in Canada from 2001, in Italy from 2004 to 2008 and in France from 2008 to 2011. From 2011 to 2014, he became General Manager of Fresh Products Western Europe and North Africa (Belgium, Holland, UK, Germany, Austria, and Morocco). Then, in 2014, he joined Suntory Group, heading up Suntory Beverage Food Europe as CEO, in charge of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America. A graduate of ESSEC Business School, Stanislas de Gramont joined Groupe SEB in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer. He is responsible for the Group's sales and marketing functions worldwide. He is responsible for the Group's sales and marketing functions worldwide. With his international business background and global retail expertise, Stanislas provides Groupe SEB with valuable strengths as the Group seeks to step up its profitable growth strategy and accelerate the development of its business activities the world over. His responsibilities have increased over a period of more than three years. Transitioning from the management of sales activities to marketing and digital strategy, Stanislas de Gramont has contributed to the development and growth of Groupe SEB. Next key dates 2022 February 25 before market opens 2021 sales and results April 28 after market closes Q1 2022 sales and financial data May 19 3:00 p.m. Annual General Meeting July 21 before market opens H1 2022 sales and results October 24 after market closes 9-month 2022 sales and financial data Find us on www.groupeseb.com World reference in small domestic equipment, Groupe SEB operates with a unique portfolio of 31 top brands including Tefal, Seb, Rowenta, Moulinex, Krups, Lagostina, All-Clad, WMF, Emsa, and Supor, marketed through multi-format retailing. Selling more than 360 million products a year, it deploys a long-term strategy focused on innovation, international development, competitiveness, and client service. Present in over 150 countries, Groupe SEB generated sales of 8 billion in 2021 and has more than 33,000 employees worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005772/en/ Contacts: Investor/Analyst Relations Groupe SEB Financial Communication and IR Dept Isabelle Posth Raphael Hoffstetter comfin@groupeseb.com Tel.: +33 (0) 4 72 18 16 04 Media Relations Groupe SEB Corporate Communication Dept Cathy Pianon Anissa Djaadi com@groupeseb.com Tel. 33 (0) 6 33 13 02 00 Tel. 33 (0) 6 88 20 90 88 Image Sept Caroline Simon Claire Doligez Isabelle Dunoyer de Segonzac caroline.simon@image7.fr cdoligez@image7.fr isegonzac@image7.fr Tel.: +33 (0) 1 53 70 74 70 The Group structures its activities around three distinct Business Lines and four Regions Paris, February 10th, 2022 - In the context of a rapidly changing IT market, Atos clarifies its governance to accelerate transformation cadence, resume its growth trajectory, optimize economic performance and ultimately create value for all its stakeholders. The IT services industry continues to develop massive areas of opportunities: the digital spend of customers is rapidly increasing, large digital & transformational customer deals are driving growth, and partnerships and alliances - notably with hyperscalers - are becoming more strategic. Against the backdrop of an intensifying war for talent, Atos evolves its governance to harness these opportunities and enhance its commitments to customer- and employee- satisfaction and to drive revenue growth. The new governance will be simplified and structured around 3 Business Lines and 4 Regions, served by a Commercial Center of Excellence and Corporate Functions: Each Business Line will regroup the activities that fall under the same business model and operate in the same competitive landscape: Tech Foundations bundles Atos' asset-intensive activities and will regroup activities reaching maturity such as Data Centre & Hosting, Digital Workplace, Unified Communication & Collaboration (UCC) as well as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). It will be under the responsibility of Nourdine Bihmane. bundles Atos' asset-intensive activities and will regroup activities reaching maturity such as Data Centre & Hosting, Digital Workplace, Unified Communication & Collaboration (UCC) as well as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). It will be under the responsibility of Nourdine Bihmane. Digital is a skills & capabilities-driven service business and will serve Atos' customers in Digital, Cloud and Decarbonization and help them succeed in their digital transformation due to grow substantially. It will be under the responsibility of Rakesh Khanna. is a skills & capabilities-driven service business and will serve Atos' customers in Digital, Cloud and Decarbonization and help them succeed in their digital transformation due to grow substantially. It will be under the responsibility of Rakesh Khanna. Big Data & Security (BDS) is a high-growth, R&D-intensive business and will focus on Cybersecurity products & services, High performance & Edge computing and Mission critical systems, under the continued responsibility of Pierre Barnabe. The four Regions will have ownership of accounts, regional resources and full P&L, in order to ensure optimal customer centricity and accelerated operational cadence: Northern Europe & APAC, under the responsibility of Adrian Gregory Central Europe, under the responsibility of Clay van Doren Southern Europe, under the continued responsibility of Yannick Tricaud And the Americas, including North and South America, under the continued responsibility of Dave Seybold To optimize Atos' unwavering commitment to customer centricity the Group has adjusted the approach by Industries: those that are more local in nature or in practice (Public Sector & Defense, Manufacturing and Resources & Services) will be redeployed across the Regions, while those Industries with global relevance and homogeneity (Financial Services & Insurance, Tech, Media & Telecom, Healthcare & Life Sciences) are maintained at Group level (as part of a newly global created Commercial Center of Excellence). The newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) is a Center of Excellence that will drive standardized best practices across the organization, focus on large global sales customers, sales operations, alliances, partnerships and industry approach. The managerial governance of the company will be streamlined in order to enhance collegiality and to accelerate decision-making and accountability. It will be structured around a newly created Executive Board of 12 members. Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of Atos, comments: "The new governance we announce today is designed as a key enabler of the Group's turnaround and represents a key step in the rebound of the Group. I am convinced that Atos has all assets at hand to get back on track, and first and foremost its highly dedicated and talented people around the world. The Group holds leading positions in cyber security, high-performance computing, cloud, decarbonization and digital transformation which are the growth engines of today and tomorrow. This simplified Group governance around three Business Lines and four Regions is the first step of our turnaround plan, as it is designed to accelerate the business cadence and transformation pace of the company. The single primary go-to-market axis for customer and P&L ownership will allow us to concentrate on business outcomes at the account level, and raise speed of decision-making for customer acquisition, experience, and retention. The clear focus on three distinct business lines will maximize their economic performance and value creation. The enhanced attention on large customers & tectonic hyperscalers, empowered centers of excellence to drive standardized best practices across the organization as well as a tightened executive committee further concur to the increase of accountability and speed of decision-making. Thanks to this evolution of the Group governance, we will build an empowered and action-oriented workforce to foster a customer-centric culture focusing on superior understanding of clients' needs and the highest standards of customer satisfaction." *** About Atos Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with 107,000 employees and annual revenue of over 11 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 71 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and sustainable digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea), listed on Euronext Paris and included in the CAC 40 ESG and Next 20 indexes. The purpose of Atos of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space. Press contact: Anette Rey - anette.rey@atos.net - +33 6 69 79 84 88 - @AnetteRey Attachment Micropsi Industries secures a $30M Series B for its deep tech AI software for controlling and training industrial robots. MIRAI robot control system enables hand-eye-coordinated actions for automation of tasks that improve productivity in industrial environments. The Series B funding is co-led by Metaplanet, VSquared and Ahren Innovation Capital as Micropsi is ready to scale in the US and Europe. Micropsi Industries today announced the successful closing of its $30M Series B funding round. The company provides ready-to-use AI systems for controlling industrial robots to enable the automation of manufacturing processes that so far could not be automated. By using cameras and sensors to react in real-time to dynamic conditions in a workspace, Micropsi-powered robots can be trained by humans to perform hand-eye-coordinated actions in industrial environments. MIRAI is successfully deployed in assembly, material handling and quality control applications in a wide range of industries. Companies like Siemens Energy; ZF Group, one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, and BSH, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe, are already using MIRAI in their production halls. New investors Metaplanet, VSquared and Ahren Innovation Capital co-led the funding round. Existing investors Project A Ventures and M Ventures also participated. MIRAI's "Different Approach" Does What Others Only Promise "Our technology makes it easy to transfer dynamic motion know-how from humans to robots," said Ronnie Vuine, CEO and co-founder of Micropsi. "We have not optimized the textbook approach for specific applications but took a radically different approach inspired by how humans coordinate motions. MIRAI is a proven and independent technology that's working 24/7 in the factories of our customers. That is what convinced our investors: Here is a company that can already verifiably do what many current startups only promise to develop." Industrial robots can compensate for labor shortages and secure supply chains. The manufacturing skills gap in the U.S for example could result in 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030. Before factories can put robots into service, however, a lot of preparatory work is necessary, with specialists developing software code line by line to trigger the individual movements of the machines. This is complex, expensive, and makes robots inflexible, as variance in positions or materials throw the robots off. Micropsi's MIRAI changes this. Using artificial intelligence (AI), workers are able to train the machines through demonstration. A human guides the robot arm through the work task, which then learns and carries out the movements autonomously. In doing so, it is able to handle variance and changes in the environment and the robot's target at execution time. This expands the commercial potential of industrial robots, as it allows them to handle complexity and keeps them flexible even as conditions change. MIRAI augments industrial robots. Once configured with MIRAI, a robot arm can perceive its workspace through cameras and continuously adjust its movements as it performs a task. MIRAI skills are not programs, they are collected intuitions of human movement that MIRAI then intelligently transfers to robots. New funding plans: Expanding operations The new funding is going to be used to expand operations in the US, ramp up sales efforts and expand to more robot platforms. Micropsi Industries has recently hired robotics expert Prof. Dominik Bosl as managing director to be in charge of the company's ambitious technology roadmap. Prof. Bosl previously held positions at Festo, Kuka, and Microsoft. Rauno Miljand, managing partner at Metaplanet, says: "Intelligent robot automation could tap into a currently locked productivity pool. The end-to-end learning solution built by Micropsi is one of the most advanced systems in the market and is well-positioned to unlock potential in a wide array of industrial settings. The ease of use and the fast learning cycle make it one of the most scalable platforms in the industry." About Micropsi Industries Micropsi Industries is a VC-backed robotics software company with offices in Berlin, Germany (R&D) and New York City. Founded in 2014, the company is at the forefront of innovation in robotic automation for manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on assembly tasks. For more information, go to micropsi-industries.com. About Ahren Innovation Capital Ahren Innovation Capital is an investment institution that supports transformational companies at the cutting edge of deep science and deep tech. A group of highly diverse, creative and original thinkers leading their domains, Ahren Innovation Capital believes in taking considered risk that will deliver superior rewards capturing a generational opportunity to provide smart capital to deep technology. With a philosophy espousing the importance of relationships and trust, Ahren Innovation Capital provides long-term capital and support to exceptional founders and teams, empowering them to achieve the unimaginable. About Metaplanet Holdings Metaplanet is an early-stage investment firm making long-term bets on contrarians and leveraging the knowledge and network across sectors. We back mission-driven founders working on positively disruptive deep technologies. About Vsquared Ventures Based in Europe's deep tech hub Munich, Vsquared Ventures backs ambitious founders and startups that tackle major challenges by engineering the seemingly impossible. Vsquared Ventures identifies and funds companies with the potential to become global leaders in future markets created by technological breakthroughs. Portfolio startups include companies such as Isar Aerospace, IQM Quantum Computing, Morpheus Space or Zama.ai View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220210005909/en/ Contacts: contact@micropsi-industries.com Media Kit: Download US press: Kelly Wanlass HCI Marketing and Communications, Inc. kelly@hci-marketing.com (801) 602-4723 LONDON, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is proud to announce the launch of its new international website, making travel simpler and smarter for overseas customers. The new website coincides with the removal of pre-departure testing and quarantine rules for vaccinated people arriving in England or Scotland from 11 February 2022. In a move that expands LNER's global market, customers in 10 countries, including China, Japan, Spain, South Korea and Italy, are among the first to benefit when booking directly online. LNER's new search and booking engine offers international customers in those countries an option to purchase train tickets using their language and currency. The LNER.co.uk website will automatically detect those customers who are searching outside of the UK and will redirect them to the customised site to improve their online booking experience. The website launch comes as LNER reintroduces its full timetable, excluding pre-planned engineering works, meaning customers can discover destinations across the full 956-miles of East Coast route. LNER has been working with travel tech company and rail retailer, Omio, to develop the site, which has the capability to operate in up to 20 languages and 26 currencies, including Euros, Korean Won and Japanese Yen or by using a payment method recognised in the home country. David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: "Our mission is to transform rail travel, inspiring more people to explore the beauty of England and Scotland with our world-class Azuma trains. The launch of our international website means we are offering our customers the best possible experience throughout their journey from the moment they look to make a reservation, to their journey onboard to the time they arrive at their destination." "We are continuing to see strong demand for customers travelling with LNER for leisure, which is contributing to a strong recovery from the pandemic. Our new international website will now make it easier for even more visitors from overseas to travel with LNER and explore our fantastic destinations." Data from the Office for National Statistics show there were 40.9 million visits to the UK in 2019, with overseas visitors spending 28.4 billion, when almost a quarter travelled by rail during their stay. Many of the top tourist destinations feature on LNER's East Coast route, including London, Edinburgh, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Inverness. The LNER route is also home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, from the Scottish Highlands to the Northumberland coastline and the many towns and cities along the way. Figures from the Office of Rail and Road further showed that LNER customer numbers in July to September 2021 recovered to 89.6 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, nearly 20 percentage points higher than any other operator, with LNER working hard to build on that success. Sally Balcombe, Chief Executive at VisitBritain said: "This new initiative will help to boost future bookings by making it much easier for international visitors to plan their trips. Removing barriers to travel also promotes a message of welcome and will encourage visitors to explore more, travel further and stay longer, helping to drive tourism across more of the country, boosting local economies." VisitScotland is also welcoming the move. Data from 2019, pre-pandemic, shows there were 3.4 million overnight international trips to Scotland, of which around a third came from Europe, with a 2.5bn spend from overnight international trips of which 36 per cent was from Europe. Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: "We welcome the launch of LNER's new international website to make it easier for visitors to book and travel by rail. Train travel is a central part of creating a sustainable tourism destination in Scotland and we support any moves which will encourage its use, while helping to boost Scottish tourism as it recovers from the impact of COVID-19." LNER is welcoming even more customers back to rail in many ways. 'Seat Sure' enables customers to travel reassured they have the comfort of a seat for the duration of their journey. Once onboard, they'll enjoy the very best in LNER hospitality and customer service, with a wide range of food and drink, sourced locally along the route, served to their seat in both First Class and Standard. For visitors and customers looking for inspiration to make eco-friendly choices, LNER has launched a 'Green Guide' showcasing the best places to stay, eat and drink during trips to London, Newcastle or Edinburgh. https://www.lner.co.uk/our-destinations/travel-inspiration/green-guides/ LNER's new Azuma fleet is delivering significant environmental benefits with trains running using overhead electric wires along the majority of the East Coast route, delivering the greenest form of motorised public transport. To ensure customers can travel with confidence, enhanced levels of cleaning continue to be carried out at LNER managed stations and onboard trains. Notes to Editors: LNER's website is initially offering bookings in the following languages, with more to be added to best reflect demand: Japan - London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.com) (https://www.lnerinternational.com/?locale=ja) Korea - London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.com) (https://www.lnerinternational.com/?locale=ko) China - London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.cn) (https://www.lnerinternational.cn/?locale=zh) France - London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.com) (https://www.lnerinternational.com/?locale=fr) Netherlands - London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.com) (https://www.lnerinternational.com/?locale=nl) Italy - London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.com) (https://www.lnerinternational.com/?locale=it) Germany London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.com) (https://www.lnerinternational.com/?locale=de) Spain London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.com) (https://www.lnerinternational.com/?locale=es) Portugal London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.com) (https://www.lnerinternational.com/?locale=pt) Finland London North Eastern Railway (lnerinternational.com) (https://www.lnerinternational.com/?locale=fi) Additional information: LNER's bi-mode Azuma fleet runs using overhead electric wires along the majority of the East Coast route, accounting for 96 per cent of customer kilometres, switching to operate under diesel power where necessary. Since their introduction in 2019, 49 million litres of diesel have been saved. Research shows for a journey between Edinburgh and London, a passenger journey on an Azuma train emits 97 per cent fewer emissions than a journey of the same length in a typical short-haul aircraft. Drone footage is available on request About LNER London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is on a mission to transform rail travel for the customers and communities we serve. Our new modern Azuma fleet of trains will continue the LNER tradition of setting new, higher standards in comfort, reliability and customer experience. LNER calls at more than 50 stations along the East Coast route, totalling 956 miles including major towns and cities between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, North East of England and Scotland. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4708fe4-fbad-49da-92b8-a1137a39f817 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/521923ad-bf6e-49fd-889a-104f4a36dc56 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af1251d6-3c79-4212-b4d4-f6f263d5885d In addition to manufacturing its EV charging station, Dunamis Charge (a wholly-owned subsidiary of DCEP) just announced that it will also design, develop and manufacture EV charger connectors in its plant located on the east side of Detroit, just down the street from General Motor's Factory Zero. Kimathi Boothe, DCEP's VP of Energy Operations stated "There are several gaps in the manufacturing supply chain that Dunamis can fill and strengthen by building out capacity for the current and future generations of advanced technology product manufacturing and mobility services. We're excited to be undertaking this vertically integrated approach to our manufacturing and assembly process." Dunamis plans to hire additional employees in its efforts to address these gaps while simultaneously investing in community-level resilience. In preparation for its plan to go into the production of its Level 2 chargers in the summer of 2022, the thriving company is concentrated on job creation as well as the hiring and training of Detroit workers. Founder and CEO Natalie King is focusing particularly on unemployed and underemployed residents and in communities most disproportionately impacted by carbon emissions. "There are so many expansive opportunities created by this rapidly growing EV industry. It is our commitment to having American workers make a superior American-made product. We will meet this commitment by incorporating engagement and job creation for those communities that are the most underserved, underrepresented, and disproportionately impacted by pollution in their neighborhoods. It's a holistic model for us." Dunamis has established partnerships with state and local programs to further its commitment to creating green-collar jobs for Detroit residents. They were recently awarded a job-training grant through the State of Michigan and Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation's [DESC] Going Pro Talent Fund to assist in its community job training efforts. Production for J1772 connectors will commence in the summer of 2022 as well. Dunamis Charge will be producing 30A, 40A, 50A, and 80A versions (models) in order to meet the wide range of deployment needs for residential, commercial, and public applications. Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, LLC, founded in 2012, is a woman-owned MBE certified company providing Energy Management and Efficiency Services for commercial and industrial customers throughout the US. In 2015 Dunamis vertically integrated its operations to become an original equipment manufacturer of LED Lighting. Due to its past business success, Dunamis secured a contract to provide environmental cleaning and janitorial services to several coal-fired utility power plants in Michigan. Dunamis has become a leader in this industry by deploying innovative programs and technology that improve performance and efficiency. Building on its expertise in the energy sector and leveraging its exceptional customer service experience, Dunamis began designing, prototyping, and manufacturing electric vehicle charging stations for the residential, commercial, and public markets. The Michigan-based enterprise specializes in providing intelligent, reliable, and user-friendly products and services that reduce energy waste and optimize efficiency for large commercial, industrial and utility customers. To secure media assets and/or to coordinate interviews with Natalie King, CEO and Founder of Dunamis Clean Energy Partners contact Trea Davenport, Sr. PR Strategist, Trea Day LLC. To learn more about Dunamis or Dunamis Charge visit https://www.dunamisenergy.com/ . MEDIA CONTACT: Trea Davenport Sr. PR Strategist Trea Day, LLC 310-728-5000 trea@treaday.com SOURCE: Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, LLC Allegion (NYSE: ALLE) is a global pioneer in seamless access, with leading brands like CISA , Interflex , LCN , Schlage , SimonsVoss and Von Duprin . Focusing on security around the door and adjacent areas, Allegion secures people and assets with a range of solutions for homes, businesses, schools and institutions. Allegion had $2.7 billion in revenue in 2020, and its security products are sold around the world. 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. Virtual concert features Big Boi, Goodie Mob, Ying Yang Twins, Little Scrappy, Young Dro and more Montego Bay, Jamaica--(Newsfile Corp. - February 10, 2022) - Silo Wellness Inc. (CSE: SILO) (OTCQB: SILFF) (FSE: 3K70) ("Silo Wellness" or the "Company"), a leading global psychedelics company, today announced Marley One's sponsorship of 'For The Love of Hip Hop' - a virtual concert series exclusive to the metaverse - with the first event of the series being held on February 11. This cutting-edge digital event will kick off with performances from the Ying Yang Twins, Sleepy Brown, Lil Scrappy, Big Boi, Kurupt and more. "We're thrilled to celebrate Marley One's official arrival to the metaverse as a leading sponsor of 'For The Love of Hip Hop', a completely virtual concert series featuring a star-studded lineup of artists," said Douglas K. Gordon, CEO of Silo Wellness. "As innovative first-movers in the psychedelics and functional mushroom categories, we're always proud to support future-forward ventures - and the Marley One brand is forever married to music. From psychedelics to virtual reality, Marley One remains at the forefront of cultural moments and community events." 'For The Love of Hip Hop' will bring all the functionality of the metaverse, offering an interactive virtual experience packed with wonderful visuals and sounds for all who attend. This unprecedented way to experience music will bring people together like never before, giving them front-row access to legendary hip hop artists. The Marley One global mushroom brand was created by Silo Wellness in collaboration with the family of legendary musician Bob Marley in 2021. The initial product offering includes a range of functional mushroom tinctures with unique blends highlighting the brand's connection to Jamaica. Information regarding the concert series is available at https://fortheloveofhiphopmegastream.com/home. For more information about Silo Wellness, please visit https://www.silowellness.com/. To buy Marley One products, please visit https://marleyone.com/. ABOUT SILO WELLNESS Silo Wellness is a growth-oriented holding company focused on functional mushroom and psychedelic opportunities that benefit from a unified ecosystem and exceptional leadership. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Toronto, Silo Wellness has operations in Jamaica and Oregon. Silo Wellness is a publicly-traded company on the Canadian (CSE: SILO) and Frankfurt (FSE: CK70) exchanges and trading on the OTCQB Venture Market (OTCQB: SILFF). Silo Wellness offers a diverse and growing portfolio of functional mushroom products, psychedelic wellness retreats in Jamaica and Oregon, cultivation of psychedelic mushrooms and truffles in Jamaica, development of a brick-and-mortar smart shop in Jamaica, and intellectual property, focused initially on the commercialization of its metered-dosing psilocybin nasal spray. In March 2021, Silo Wellness announced a multi-year licensing agreement with the family of legendary musician Bob Marley for the exclusive worldwide rights to brand, market and sell a distinct product line of functional and psychedelic mushrooms. The Marley One line of functional mushrooms is available at www.MarleyOne.com. For more information about Silo Wellness, please visit www.silowellness.com. For further information, please contact: Silo Wellness Media Relations: hello@trailblaze.co Silo Wellness Corporate Information: Mike Arnold, President/Director 541-900-5871 ir@silowellness.com CAUTIONARYNOTE REGARDINGFORWARD-LOOKINGINFORMATION: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the Shares for Debt and the business plans of Silo Wellness. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, regulatory, political and social uncertainties and the potential impact of COVID-19. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk factors included in Silo Wellness's continuous disclosure documents available on www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES 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/113474 Altan's 2022 program has commenced at Pilot with 11 holes to be completed for approx. 2500 metres and is expected to be completed over the next 2 weeks with assay results to follow Phase 4 RC drilling program will test targets immediately below the existing Pilot mine Site work for the drill site and clearing of the access roads for arrival of the rigs have been completed Altan also announced it has issued an aggregate of 5,000,000 stock options to certain directors, officers, consultants and employees Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 10, 2022) - Altan Rio Minerals Limited (TSXV: AMO) ("Altan Rio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling program has commenced to further expand the gold discovery at the historic Pilot mine in the prolific Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, Western Australia. This program will target high-grade intercepts located immediately below the shallow open pit gold mine which previously operated between 1992-1993. Historical production of 0.56 Mt at 3.03 g/t for 54,554 oz Au has been recorded at Pilot and Altan Rio's high conviction targets hold strong promise to deliver quality results to investors within a short period of time. Figure 1 - RC drill rig onsite at Pilot mine To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/113470_150f9038441fb917_002full.jpg The program will evaluate previously announced high-grade results from drill holes PARC010 and PARC005 (refer to TSXV: AMO March 10, 2021). PARC010 10 metres grading 4.21 g/t from 182m, including 7m @ 5.69 g/t PARC005 13 metres grading 4.48 g/t from 160m 4 metres grading 7.51 g/t from 176m, including 1m @ 19.14 g/t, and 8 metres grading 9.65 g/t from 199m, including 5m @ 13.93 g/t Preparation work for drill sites and clearing of the access roads have been completed. Figure 2 - Long section of historic and current exploration at the Pilot deposit To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/113470_150f9038441fb917_003full.jpg Note: refer to National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report dated 19 December 2019 (lodged on SEDAR) for the source of quoted historical production figures for the Pilot open pit Altan Rio CEO, Paul Stephen, said: "It is an exciting time for Altan Rio and we are delighted to get underway with this highly anticipated RC drilling campaign to test targets beneath Pilot located in the heart of a world-class mining district. Pilot holds great potential to extend the current resource as well as potential for near-term cashflow to fund significant drilling of the entire shear zone from Southern Cross in the south to Bullfinch to the north. We look forward to updating shareholders on the assay results from this first phase of drilling once they come to hand." Figure 3 - Proposed EIS Funded Drilling beneath the Pilot pit targeting the PEM4 conductor To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/113470_150f9038441fb917_004full.jpg The Southern Cross North Project ("SCNP") is located in the Southern Cross greenstone belt being part of the Yilgarn Craton which has a total gold endowment in excess of 12 million ounces. Altan Rio has recently acquired additional tenure to complement its existing ground holding increasing the landholding to ~140km2, a 489% increase in tenure. This increase in tenure has strengthened its position north of Southern Cross with Altan controlled tenure now covering some +80% of gold prospective greenstone belt on the Frasers Corinthian Shear Zone ("FCSZ") a major gold mineralised structure that links the Copperhead, Corinthia, Hopes Hill, Golden Pig, Frasers and Marvel Loch deposits. Figure 4 - Southern Cross North Project - Altan Rio Tenure To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/113470_150f9038441fb917_005full.jpg Issuance of Stock Options The Company is also pleased to announce that it has granted an aggregate of 5,000,000 stock options (each an "Option") to certain directors, officers, consultants and employees of the Company in accordance with the Company's current equity incentive plan. Each Option is exercisable to acquire one common share (a "Share") of the Company at a price of $0.20 per Share. The Options have a four year term and expire on February 9, 2026. The Options vested immediately on the date of grant. Qualified Person Mr. Neal Leggo, Geological Consultant, Indeport Pty Ltd, a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG) and an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for the preparation of the technical content regarding the SCNP contained in this document. Mr. Leggo has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this news release. On behalf of Altan Rio Minerals Limited For more information contact: John Jones Chairman Email: jj@altanrio.com +61 9322 1788 Paul Stephen Chief Executive Officer Email: ps@altanrio.com +61 9322 1788 Media David Tasker Chapter One Advisors Email: dtasker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au +61 433 112 936 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Altan Rio to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, and Altan Rio undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113470 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Euro Manganese Inc. (TSX-V and ASX: EMN; OTCQX: EUMNF; Frankfurt: E06) (the "Company" or "EMN") is pleased to announce that further to its announcement of January 3, 2022, it has closed the CAD$8,499,500 strategic equity investment by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ("EBRD"). The investment was affected by way of a private placement of 17,800,000 common shares ("Shares") of the Company issued to EBRD at a price of CAD$0.4775 per Share (the "Placement"). Upon the closing of the Placement, EBRD holds approximately 4.4% of the Company's Shares (on a non-diluted basis). The proceeds from the Placement will increase the Company's flexibility in financing the Chvaletice Manganese Project in the Czech Republic, including the feasibility study, site preparation and operating costs for the demonstration plant, and environmental works including permitting and other activities related to the Final Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. In connection with the Placement, EIT InnoEnergy will be issued 534,000 Shares at a deemed value of CAD$0.4775 per Share, for total consideration of CAD$254,985, representing a finder's fee equal to 3% of the gross proceeds of the Placement. In accordance with Canadian securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Shares issued to EBRD in connection with the Placement and the Shares issued to EIT InnoEnergy, are subject to a four month and one day statutory hold period expiring on June 11, 2022. CEO Matt James to host EMN's first quarterly investor call February 14 Euro Manganese will host its first quarterly investor call at 1.30 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, February 14, 2022. CEO Matt James will provide an overview of the Company's activities, including an operational update on the Chvaletice Manganese Project and upcoming milestones. Mr. James will take questions from investors after the presentation. Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 Time: 1.30 p.m. Pacific Time | 4.30 Eastern Time | 9.30 p.m. GMT | 8.30 a.m. AEDT Meeting link:https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/uwyf46bn Dial-in numbers (for participants who wish to ask questions) US/CANADA Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (855) 702-9142 US/CANADA Participant International Dial-In Number: (478) 219-0702 Conference ID: 8265260 (this will be your passcode) About Euro Manganese Inc. Euro Manganese Inc. is a battery materials company whose principal focus is advancing the development of the Chvaletice Manganese Project, in which it holds a 100% interest. The proposed Project entails re-processing a significant manganese deposit hosted in mine tailings from a decommissioned mine, strategically located in the Czech Republic. The Company's goal is to become a leading, competitive and environmentally superior primary producer of ultra-high-purity Manganese Products in the heart of Europe, serving the lithium-ion battery industry, as well as other high-technology applications. About the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development The EBRD is a multilateral bank that promotes the development of the private sector and entrepreneurial initiative in almost 40 economies across three continents. The EBRD is owned by 71 countries, including the Czech Republic, as well as the EU and the European Investment Bank. EBRD investments are aimed at making the economies in its regions competitive, inclusive, well-governed, green, resilient and integrated. To date, the EBRD has invested more than EUR 1.2 billion in 110 projects in the Czech economy. The Czech Republic is the only member to have 'graduated' from the EBRD, which it did in 2007. However, in 2021, after a request by its government to help with the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the EBRD agreed to resume investing in the country. Authorized for release by the CEO of Euro Manganese Inc. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) or the ASX accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contact: Euro Manganese Inc. Dr. Matthew James President & CEO +44 747 229 66 88 Fausto Taddei Vice President, Corporate Development & Corporate Secretary + 1-604-681-1010 ext. 105 Media inquiries: Ron Shewchuk Director of Communications +1-604-781-2199 E-mail: info@mn25.ca Website:www.mn25.ca Company Address: #709 -700 West Pender St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 1G8 Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking information or statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds of the Placement; the Company's continued compliance with the EBRD's environmental, social, economic inclusion and equal opportunities standards; the strategic investment by EBRD opening a pathway to potentially securing project financing from EBRD and other European financial institutions; the Company's commitment to implement best practices for modern, responsible resource development; regulatory/permitting progress at the Project; land access for the Project; the completion and timing of the definitive feasibility study; the timing, installation of the delivery and operation of the demonstration plant; and the Company's ability to finance the full-scale, commercial development of the Project. Further, it should be noted that no production decision has been made with respect to the Project and that such a decision will only be made based on completion of a positive feasibility study, permitting and financing having been secured. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risks Notice" and elsewhere in the Company's MD&A, as well as the inability to obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner; the potential for unknown or unexpected events to cause contractual conditions to not be satisfied; unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the Company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth in the "Risks Notice" section and elsewhere in the Company's MD&A for the year ended September 30, 2021 and its Annual Information Form. Lithuania is a member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and follows the Bologna Process, meaning that its universities follow a three-cycle framework. A Masters degree is a second cycle qualification, which typically follows a Bachelors degree (first cycle) and may precede a PhD (third cycle). This guarantees that your course will meet the quality assurance guidelines set out by the Bologna agreement, and that youll graduate with an internationally recognised qualification. Most commonly, Masters programmes in Luxembourg are worth 120 ECTs credits and last two years. There are two semesters per year. Individual faculties at the University of Luxembourg (as well as the countrys private institutions) have a large degree of freedom to determine their own course content, duration and assessment criteria, meaning delivery can vary considerably between programmes. Generally, though, youll study 30 credits worth of material per semester. The final semester is usually dedicated to writing your Masters thesis (and occasionally defending it via an oral presentation). At the Luxembourg School of Business, full-time Masters students have the option of replacing the final dissertation with a paid internship. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, and, where applicable, practical work and lab-based learning. A defining feature of higher education in Luxembourg is its multilingual approach to teaching. As the countrys sole public institution, the University of Luxembourg is required by law to teach a certain proportion of its courses in at least two languages. French, English and German are the three teaching languages at the University, and programmes are delivered in one, two or even all three of them. A minority of courses are taught purely in English. Courses at Luxembourgs private universities are generally designed with international students in mind, and so are almost always delivered in English. Assesments are grading Masters students in Luxembourg are assessed in a variety of ways, including written or oral exams, class participation, presentations and coursework. For some courses, students are exclusively assessed during a set examination period at the end of the year. Others use a more continuous method of assessment. Work is graded on a 20-point scale, where 20 is the highest achievable mark and 10 is the minimum grade needed to pass. Allure Security, a Boston, MA-based online brand abuse detection and protection solution, closed its $6.8m seed funding round. The round was led by Gutbrain Ventures, joined by new Allure Security investors PBJ Capital, and Impellent Ventures, and existing investors Glasswing Ventures, Zetta Venture Partners, and Portage Partners. The company will use the capital to accelerate go-to-market activities, grow its team, and continue product innovations. Led by Josh Shaul, CEO, Allure Security safeguards digital brands, mitigates fraud, and reduces the workload for security teams. The companys brand protection accurately detects, disrupts, and eliminates brand impersonation scams across the web, mobile apps, and social media. The patented artificial intelligence system automates the analysis of tens of millions of websites, apps, and other online content and powers a multi-faceted response to eliminate brand abuse before damage occurs. The team also includes Vice President of Sales Jason Gonzales (Tenable, Cylance, and McAfee), Vice President of Operations Molly DeQuattro (Akamai and Harvard University), and Field Chief Technology Officer Mark Trinidad (Trustwave, Varonis, and McAfee) FinSMEs 10/02/2022 beatBread, a Utah-based music funding platform, raised $34M in funding. The round, which extended fundraising to date to over $34m, was led by Deciens Capital, with participation from Afore Capital, Angel Ventures, IAG Capital Partners, Mucker Capital, Pandeavor Ventures, Octane Lending CEO Jason Guss, Pier Capital, and Westrie Capital. The company intends to use the funds to grow and offer access to flexible capital to more artists. Led by CEO Peter Sinclair, beatBread is a music and finance company that empowers artists to take control of their careers without giving away ownership of their music or their decision-making power. Since its launch in November 2020, the company has made more than 300 advances to artists and labels across multiple genres, six continents, and a broad range of career stages. Advances offered through beatBread range from as little as $1,000 to as much as $2 million per artist. Artists receive funding in exchange for a limited share of existing catalog revenues, with options also available for advances against unreleased music. All advances are repaid from a share of an artists streaming and airplay revenues, over a period of the artists choosing. Advance agreements leave touring, publishing, synch, and merchandise revenue streams untouched, and do not place any restrictions around how funds are used, thus leaving the choice of marketing and distribution partner in the artists own hands. The company also has offices in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. FinSMEs 10/02/2022 Micropsi Industries, a Berlin, Germany- and New York City-based robotics software company, closed its $30M Series B funding round. New investors Metaplanet, VSquared and Ahren Innovation Capital co-led the funding round. Existing investors Project A Ventures and M Ventures also participated. The new funding is going to be used to expand operations in the US, ramp up sales efforts and expand to more robot platforms. Led by Ronnie Vuine, CEO and co-founder, Micropsi Industries is a software company at the forefront of innovation in robotic automation for manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on assembly tasks. By using cameras and sensors to react in real-time to dynamic conditions in a workspace, robots can be trained by humans to perform hand-eye-coordinated actions in industrial environments. MIRAI is deployed in assembly, material handling and quality control applications in a wide range of industries. Companies like Siemens Energy; ZF Group, one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, and BSH, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe, are already using MIRAI in their production halls. The company has recently hired robotics expert Prof. Dominik Bosl as managing director to be in charge of the companys ambitious technology roadmap. Prof. Bosl previously held positions at Festo, Kuka, and Microsoft. FinSMEs 10/02/2022 Prisma Photonics, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based startup which monitors large scale infrastructure, raised $20M in Series B funding. The round, which brings the total funding raised by Prisma Photonics to over $30m, was led by Insight Partners, with participation from SE Ventures and Future Energy Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and support new customers and projects. Led by Dr. Eran Inbar, CEO, Prisma Photonics helps keep the most critical large-scale infrastructure up and running with a quantum leap in utility monitoring. The companys solutions cover multiple markets, which share the need to monitor and manage large-scale infrastructures such as power transmission grids, oil and gas transmission pipelines, long-spanning railways, highways, subsea cables and pipes, and more. Its fiber sensing technology offers safer, secure, efficient, and cost-effective operations while protecting the environment by preventing spills, wildfires, and other environmental hazards. Customers manage thousands of kilometers of infrastructures, among them New York Power Authority, Israeli Natural Gas Lines, Israel Electric Corporation and other tier-1 utility operators). The companys earlier investors include i3 Equity Partners and Chione Switzerland. FinSMEs 10/02/2022 Superconductive, the Cottonwood Heights, Utah-based provider of Great Expectations, an open source tool for data quality, raised $40m in Series B funding. The round, which brought total funding to $64.5m, was led by Tiger Global with participation from Index, CRV, and Root Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate investment in open source and its community, development and launch of a first commercial product, and key hires across the organization. Led by Abe Gong, CEO and co-founder, Superconductive is working on improvements to the open source version and on development of Great Expectations Cloud, an enterprise SaaS suite of collaboration and orchestration tools for managing data quality across an organizations whole data infrastructure. Design partnerships are currently in the works for this paid version, gaining valuable feedback and input from partners to establish a set of concepts and workflows that fit naturally on top of open source Great Expectations, offering new possibilities for data quality and data collaboration. Great Expectations is a tool in the open source community reaching over 2.8 million monthly downloads, gaining traction with major brands such as Vimeo, Heineken, Calm, and Komodo Health, as well as ecosystem partners such as Databricks, Astronomer, and Prefect. FinSMEs 10/02/2022 It All Started at Flagler: Alum Pursues Her Ph.D. and Passions in Scotland In 2012, Flagler alum Stephanie Garrison was a history major studying abroad in the UK. She traveled around England, the Republic of Ireland, and Scotland with her peers for two weeks, taking in the rich history across the pond. Of all the places they visited, Stephanie instantly fell in love with Scotland and knew she had to return. Flagler College alum, Stephanie Garrison This trip would inspire her to move to Scotland and begin her work exploring Scottish culture. She studied Scottish History abroad for her senior year at the University of Stirling, where she later achieved her MSc in Environment, Heritage, and Policy in 2015. Stephanie then earned a scholarship to earn her Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Aberdeen in 2017. Stephanies curiosity surrounding how the past manifested in popular culture in Scotland led her to focus her doctoral thesis on Outlander fan groups and 21st-century pop-culture media fandoms. From the research, I did with Outlander fans, these fans learned new skills, confronted fears, learned to grieve, became activists, and formed communities that were inspired by their passion for this particular media. That was an incredible thing to explore, Stephanie said. Her thesis inspired her Ph.D. academic supervisor to investigate media tourism in Scotland further. This work resulted in a partnership between Scotland and the EU Horizon funded project SPOT, which examines various forms of cultural tourism across Europe. As a result, Stephanie was asked to expand the research she began while pursuing her doctoral degree. As a researcher for SPOT, Stephanie has been able to continue her investigation into the ways media can impact tourism and communities on a personal level. Stephanie said, I was interested in the project because it was partly a continuation of my Ph.D. project, and I was able to pick up the threads of storytelling, fandom, and travel and explore it further. Her work on SPOT has also allowed her to develop a deeper connection to Scottish culture and further discover her passion for history. I like working with people, and this project allows me to build connections to communities, to people, who have been directly impacted by some form of popular culture and see how they benefit (or not!) from these connections to places where they live, Stephanie added. Although Stephanie graduated in 2014, she credits Flagler for her appreciation and understanding of history. Stephanie said, There is no doubt in my mind that Flagler prepared me for subsequent studies. The courses I took in pursuit of my history degree shaped my interest in the subjects that would make up my Ph.D. research - one of those was media. I remember vividly one of the courses I took with Dr. Butler - the History of Rock and Roll. This course helped me understand how transformational media was and continues to be, from being a source of activism, a way to share a collective history, a form of storytelling, and a source of inspiration for people. She continued, My time at Flagler ingrained in me a passion for history, provided me with an understanding of how history is shaped and molded, and instilled a respect for the power of what is essentially storytelling. Stephanie will continue her work on SPOT through the end of December 2022. Tagged As Tampa, FL (33646) Today Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Thunder possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Thunder possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. A woman walks outside the Spelman College campus in Atlanta the morning of Feb. 8 after two Black colleges in Georgia received bomb threats, a disturbing trend that many HBCUs across the country have been threatened with in recent weeks. Michael Ortiz and his family are shown at a Feb. 7 news conference led by Attorney Ben Crump as he announces he is seeking records from the Hollywood Police Department about the shooting. Ortiz was handcuffed, naked, and on the ground when he was shot in the back during an incident on July 3, 2021. A Grethel man is facing several charges including methamphetamine possession and bribery of a public servant after Kentucky State Police troopers stopped to investigate a vehicle partially blocking the roadway and found him to be in possession of more than 14 grams of meth. According to an arrest citation by KSP Trooper Bailey Combs, he and Trooper Kidd were patrolling on Ky. 979 at Harold Jan. 22 when they saw a truck partially in the roadway, blocking one lane of traffic and pulling a truck on a trailer. Kidd, the citation said, observed the driver, Luke McKinney, 34, of Frasure Branch, Grethel, exit the vehicle and throw something back in. McKinney, the citation said, became very nervous when approached and smelled of marijuana. The vehicle, Combs wrote, also smelled of marijuana. Kidd, the citation said, began to perform a pat down search of McKinney, at which time McKinney began to pull away and flee on foot. Kidd, according to the citation, was able to grab McKinney and take him to the ground. McKinney, the citation said, refused to give officers his hands, but later complied and was handcuffed. McKinney, who appeared intoxicated, told the troopers he had thrown a dab pen back into the vehicle as he was getting out, the citation said, and advised troopers he had some methamphetamine on his person. The methamphetamine was found in McKinneys coat pocket, the citation said, and was found to weigh 14.32 grams. McKinney, court documents said, was unable to successfully complete field sobriety tests and told the troopers he had smoked marijuana and taken methamphetamine that day. The citation said McKinney was placed under arrest and transported to Martin ARH for a chemical test. While en route, Combs wrote, McKinney told Combs that he had $1,000 cash in his wallet which he would give to the trooper if Combs would throw the dope out and wouldnt charge him with it. Combs wrote that, while at the hospital, McKinney repeated the offer of bribery. McKinney was lodged in the Floyd County Jail on charges of DUI (second offense), resisting arrest, second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), bribery of a public servant and traffic charges. Geneva, NY (14456) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. Yesterday, Samsung introduced their flagship Galaxy S22 series and the Galaxy Tab S8 series during their Unpacked event. During it, Samsung introduced a number of new software features that will first roll out to the Galaxy S22 series, including the ability to live share your display in Google Duo, integrated Voice Access capabilities and more. When making video calls on Google Duo, users will now be able to share their screen on the Galaxy S22 series. This feature was offered in a number of other video calling apps, including Facetime on iOS, and its finally coming to Android with Google Duo. YouTube links sent in Messages can now be previewed directly from the app itself. This will allow users to quickly check out links and decide if they want to see the entire video in the YouTube app or not. The Voice Access feature on Android, which is an important accessibility feature for people with disabilities, will now be built into the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series without needing to download an extra app. With it, users can use Voice Access prompts to quickly and easily tap, scroll and navigate your device. The Galaxy S22 series will be coming with Android 12 out of the box, which means that users can change their wallpaper and have a custom colour palette for notifications, apps and more. Along with this, Samsung also detailed three other features, including: This is our best offer! 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By Sun Xingwei, Zhang Peng, and Guo Wenmiao BEIJING, Feb. 10 -- With the approval of China' Central Military Commission (CMC), the CMC Logistic Support Department and the CMC Training and Administration Department have jointly released the regulation on health protection for military training. The regulation proposed a series of health protection measures to better ensure the scientific training of troops. As composed of 33 articles in six chapters along with one annex, the regulation specified the safety and health protection in military training, medical treatment and rehabilitation of training injuries, and health protection management for military training. The new regulation focused on all-dimensional health protection throughout the military training process, and highlights scientific training and health supervision to prevent injuries. It took a holistic view of the training and health protection of diverse services and arms in special positions and special environments, and emphasized the collaboration between departments related to military training and health protection under the premise of clear-cut responsibilities. In addition, the regulation strictly defined the classification criteria and the grading criteria for training injuries, which would be a basic guide for the diagnosis and assessment of military training injuries. Keep the conversation about local news & events going by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Recent updates from The News-Post and also from News-Post staff members are compiled below. Thank you for using this service, which is owned by CNHI LLC or one of its affiliates or subsidiaries (collectively "CNHI," "we," "us," or "our"). 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Violation of copyrights. CNHI does not knowingly violate or permit others to violate the copyrights of others. We will promptly remove or disable access to material that we know is infringing or if we become aware of circumstances from which infringing activity is apparent. If you are requesting removal of content because of a violation of your copyrights, please note that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (the "DMCA") provides recourse for copyright owners who believe that material appearing on the Internet infringes their rights under U.S. copyright law. If you believe that your own work, or the work of a third party for whom you are authorized to act, is featured on this Site or has been otherwise copied and made available on this Site in a manner that constitute copyright infringement, please notify us immediately. Your notice must be in writing and must include: an electronic or physical signature of the copyright owner or of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright interest; a description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed; a description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on this Site (including the URL, title and/or item number if applicable, or other identifying characteristics); your name, address, telephone number, and email address, and, if you are not the owner of the copyright, the name of the owner; and a written statement by you that you have a good-faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and a statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner's behalf. Your statement must be addressed as follows: General Counsel, CNHI, 445 Dexter Avenue, Suite 7000, Montgomery, AL 36104 Any notification by a copyright owner or a person authorized to act on its behalf that fails to comply with requirements of the DMCA shall not be considered sufficient notice and shall not be deemed to confer upon us actual knowledge of facts or circumstances from which infringing material or acts are evident. Your Feedback Although we do not claim ownership of User-Generated Content you post using this Site, the Feedback you provide to us through this Site will be and remain our exclusive property. Your submission of Feedback will constitute an assignment to us of all worldwide rights, title and interests in your Feedback, including all copyrights and other intellectual property rights in your Feedback. We will be entitled to reduce to practice, exploit, make, use, copy, disclose, display or perform publicly, distribute, improve and modify any Feedback you submit for any purpose whatsoever, without restriction and without compensating you in any way. For this reason, we ask that you not send us any Feedback that you do not wish to assign to us. Your Obligations In consideration of your use of this Site, you agree that to the extent you provide personal information to CNHI it will be true, accurate, current, and complete and that you will update all personal information as necessary. To the extent you create an account through this Site, you understand and agree that any account you create, including your username and password, are personal to you and may not be used by anyone else. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your username and password and are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your username and password by you or by anyone else using your username and password, whether or not authorized by you. You agree to change your password immediately if you believe your password may have been compromised or used without authorization. You also agree to immediately inform us of any apparent breaches of security such as loss, theft or unauthorized disclosure or use of your username or password by contacting us using the information found on the home page of this site. Until we are so notified you will remain liable for any unauthorized use of your account. You agree to use this Site in a manner consistent with any and all applicable rules and regulations. You agree not to upload or transmit through this Site any computer viruses, trojan horses, worms or anything else designed to interfere with, interrupt or disrupt the normal operating procedures of a computer. Any unauthorized modification, tampering or change of any information, or any interference with the availability of or access to this Site is strictly prohibited. We reserve all rights and remedies available to us. DISCLAIMERS WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THIS SITE OR ITS CONTENT, OR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE AVAILABLE ON OR PROMOTED THROUGH THIS SITE. THIS SITE AND ALL OF ITS CONTENT (INCLUDING USER-GENERATED CONTENT) ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS," "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS, WITHOUT REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CNHI, ITS AFFILIATES, AND THEIR SERVICE PROVIDERS AND LICENSORS DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, ARISING BY STATUTE, CUSTOM, COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF PERFORMANCE OR IN ANY OTHER WAY, WITH RESPECT TO THIS SITE, ITS CONTENT, AND ANY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES AVAILABLE OR PROMOTED THROUGH THIS SITE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, CNHI, ITS AFFILIATES, AND THEIR SERVICE PROVIDERS AND LICENSORS DISCLAIM ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES (A) OF TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE; (B) RELATING TO THE SECURITY OF THIS SITE; (C) THAT THE CONTENT OF THIS SITE IS ACCURATE, COMPLETE OR CURRENT; OR (D) THAT THIS SITE WILL OPERATE SECURELY OR WITHOUT INTERRUPTION OR ERROR. WE DO NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THIS SITE, ITS SERVERS, OR ANY TRANSMISSIONS SENT FROM US OR THROUGH THIS SITE WILL BE FREE OF ANY HARMFUL COMPONENTS (INCLUDING VIRUSES). CNHI does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice and opinions made by anyone other than authorized CNHI spokespersons. WE DO NOT ENDORSE AND ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY statements, advice or opinions CONTAINED IN USER-GENERATED CONTENT AND SUCH statements, advice AND opinions DO NOT IN ANY WAY REFLECT THE STATEMENTS, ADVICE AND OPINIONS OF CNHI. WE DO NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF DELETION, MISDELIVERY OR FAILURE TO STORE COMMUNICATIONS, PERSONALIZED SETTINGS, OR OTHER DATA. YOU ACCEPT THAT OUR SHAREHOLDERS, OWNERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES SHALL HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THIS CLAUSE. APPLICABLE LAW MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO ALL OR PART OF THIS DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS WE, ON BEHALF OF OUR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUPPLIERS, LICENSORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, EXCLUDE AND DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSSES AND EXPENSES OF WHATEVER NATURE AND HOWSOEVER ARISING INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, GENERAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES; LOSS OF USE; LOSS OF DATA; LOSS CAUSED BY A VIRUS; LOSS OF INCOME OR PROFIT; LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY; CLAIMS OF THIRD PARTIES; OR OTHER LOSSES OF ANY KIND OR CHARACTER, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THIS SITE. YOU ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ESTABLISHING SUCH PROCEDURES FOR DATA BACK UP AND VIRUS CHECKING AS YOU CONSIDER NECESSARY. THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY APPLIES WHETHER THE ALLEGED LIABILITY IS BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER BASIS. IF ANY PART OF THIS LIMITATION ON LIABILITY IS FOUND TO BE INVALID OR UNENFORCEABLE FOR ANY REASON, THEN THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES FOR LIABILITIES THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE BEEN LIMITED SHALL NOT EXCEED TEN DOLLARS ($10.00). This Site gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from country to country. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain kinds of limitations or exclusions of liability, so the limitations and exclusions set out in these Terms of Use may not apply to you. Other jurisdictions allow limitations and exclusions subject to certain conditions. In such a case the limitations and exclusions set out in these Terms of Use shall apply to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of such applicable jurisdictions. Your statutory rights as a consumer, if any, are not affected by these provisions, and we do not seek to exclude or limit liability for fraudulent misrepresentation. Links to Third-Party Websites This Site may provide links to other websites operated by third parties. Because we have no control over third-party websites, we are not responsible for the availability of those websites and do not endorse and are not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, services, products, or other materials on or available from such websites. CNHI shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, advertising, services, products, or other materials on or available from such websites. These Terms of Use do not apply to your use of third-party websites; your use of such websites is subject to the terms and policies of the owner of such websites. Modification and Discontinuation We reserve the right at any time and from time-to-time to modify, edit, delete, suspend or discontinue, temporarily or permanently this Site (or any portion thereof) and/or the information, materials, products and/or services available through this Site (or any part thereof) with or without notice. You agree that we shall not be liable to you or to any third party for any such modification, editing, deletion, suspension or discontinuance of this Site. Waiver Our failure at any time to require performance of any provision of these Terms of Use or to exercise any right provided for herein will not be deemed a waiver of such provision orsuch right. All waivers must be in writing. Unless the written waiver contains an express statement to the contrary, no waiver by CNHI of any breach of any provision of these Terms of Use or of any right provided for herein will be construed as a waiver of any continuing or succeeding breach of such provision, a waiver of the provision itself, or a waiver of any right under these Terms of Use. Severability If any provision of these Terms of Use is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to law, such provision will be changed and interpreted so as to best accomplish the objectives of the original provision to the fullest extent allowed by law and the remaining provisions of these Terms of Use will remain in full force and effect. Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Venue These Terms of Use will be governed under the laws of the State of Alabama without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. All actions or proceedings arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use will be venued exclusively in state or federal court in Alabama. You hereby irrevocably consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction of said courts for all such purposes. However, we retain the right to bring legal proceedings in any jurisdiction where we believe that infringement of these Terms of Use is taking place or originating. Indemnity You agree to indemnify and hold CNHI, its subsidiaries, and affiliates, and their respective officers, agents, partners and employees, harmless from any loss, liability, claim, or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of your use of this Site in violation of these Terms of Use and/or arising from a breach of these Terms of Use and/or any breach of your representations and warranties set forth above and/or if any material that you post using this Site causes us to be liable to another. We reserve the right to defend any such claim, and you agree to provide us with such reasonable cooperation and information as we may request. These Terms of Use May Change These Terms of Use are current as of the effective date set forth above. CNHI reserves the right to change these Terms of Use from time to time consistent with applicable laws and principles. These changes will be effective as of the date we post the revised version on this Site. Your continued use of this Site after we have posted the revised Terms of Use constitutes your agreement to be bound by the revised Terms of Use. If at any time you choose not to accept these Terms of Use, you should not use this Site. Entire Agreement These Terms of Use (together with our Terms of Sale and Privacy Policy and any Privacy Notices or and any click-through agreements applicable to you) contain the entire understanding and agreement between you and CNHI with respect to this Site and supersede all previous communications, negotiations, and agreements, whether oral, written, or electronic, between you and CNHI with respect to this Site and your use of this Site. Definitions The terms "CNHI," "we," "us," and "our" refer to CNHI LLC and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The term "Content" refers to all of the software and code comprising or used to operate this Site, and all of the text, photographs, images, illustrations, graphics, sound recordings, video and audio-video clips, and other materials available on this Site, including User-Generated Content and Feedback. The term "Feedback" refers to the Content you post on or through this Site that is specifically about how we can improve this Site and the products and services we make available through this Site. The term "including" means "including, but not limited to." The term "Site" refers to any website or mobile application owned by CNHI on which these Terms of Use are posted. The term "User-Generated Content" or "UGC" means all of the text, photographs, images, illustrations, graphics, sounds, video and audio-video clips, and other content you post using the social networking tools we make available to you and that does not constitute "Feedback." Questions If you have any questions about this Site or these Terms of Use, please contact us using the information at the bottom of the home page of this Site Terms of Sale Thank you for your interest in making a purchase through this Site. These Terms of Sale ("Terms of Sale") govern your purchases on this Site. GENERALLY APPLICABLE TERMS You acknowledge that any use of this Site is subject to our Terms of Use and all applicable laws. These Terms of Sale are expressly incorporated into the Terms of Use for our Site. In addition, any personal information you provide to us will be subject to our Privacy Policy. Before using this Site, please read through these documents carefully. We do not sell products or services through this Site to persons under the age of 18. If you are under the age of 18, you should ask an adult to make the purchase for you. All prices are in US Dollars. When you purchase a product or service through this Site, the price will be made clear during the order process. You agree to pay the price that is stated at the time of your order, as well as any applicable taxes. Applicable taxes may vary. We are not able to notify you in advance of changes in applicable taxes. We accept major credit cards and certain digital wallet services. We will take payment when you place your order. If we are unable to supply the product or service that you have ordered, we will contact you by e-mail or phone, and your payment method will not be charged. If a stated price is determined by us in our sole discretion to be in error, we are not under any obligation to offer you the product or service at that price. We will notify you of the error and give you the opportunity to cancel your order and obtain a refund if payment has already been made. These Terms of Sale are personal to you and you may not assign or otherwise transfer any right or obligation under these Terms of Sale except as permitted herein. We reserve the right to transfer, assign, license or subcontract all or any of our rights or obligations under these Terms of Sale or any related contract to any third party. We will not have any liability to you or be deemed to be in breach of these Terms of Sale from any circumstances which are beyond our reasonable control (including a delay in delivery caused by force majeure)."Force majeure" includes, without limitation, circumstances directly or indirectly resulting from acts of God; acts of the public enemy; strikes; lockouts; epidemic and riots; power failure; fire; earthquake; water shortage or adverse weather conditions; or other causes beyond the control of the parties. We reserve the right to make changes to these Terms of Sale at any time. You will be subject to the Terms of Sale in force at the time you place your order with us, unless any change to these Terms of Sale is required to be made by law (in which case it will apply to any orders previously placed by you). SUBSCRIPTION SALES You may be able to purchase through this Site a subscription to one of our print publications and/or to one of our digital products. For details about your subscription, including payment methods and billing cycles, or to make changes to your subscription, visit the "subscriptions" page or contact us using the information available on the bottom of the home page of this site. Processing of your payment We will process your purchase as promptly as possible. There may be a delay in the activation of your subscription while payment details are verified. If your initial payment authorization is later revoked, your subscription will be terminated. Contact us using the information available on the bottom of the home page of this site. Pricing You agree to the billing frequency stated at the time of your order. Discount eligibility is determined at the time of the order. Discounts cannot be applied retroactively. We reserve the right to change prices and fees at any time. We will notify you in advance if the regular rate of a product changes from what was stated at the time of your order. You will have the opportunity to accept the new price or cancel your subscription from that point forward. Billing We will charge or debit your payment method at the beginning of your subscription or, if applicable, at the end of your free trial period. Billing will continue according to the cycle stated at the time of your order. ANY SUBSCRIPTION YOU PURCHASE THROUGH THIS SITE WILL RENEW AUTOMATICALLY, UNLESS YOU CANCEL THE SUBSCRIPTION BY CONTACTING US. YOU MAY CONTACT US USING THE INFORMATION FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOME PAGE OF THIS SITE. YOU MUST CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION BEFORE IT RENEWS TO AVOID BILLING FOR THE RENEWAL TERM. WHEN WE RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, WE WILL USE THE PAYMENT METHOD CURRENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR ACCOUNT. IN MOST CASES, YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED IN ADVANCE OF IMPENDING RENEWALS. Unpaid Charges If your credit card expires or your payment method is otherwise invalid, your subscription or product will not automatically be terminated. You will remain responsible for all charges. You will be responsible for all costs we incur in connection with the collection of unpaid amounts, including court costs, attorneys' fees, collection agency fees and any other associated costs. Promotions We may occasionally offer promotions. The specific terms of each promotion are stated at the time the promotion is offered. Each promotion may be different. Promotions cannot be combined. You are required to provide your payment details when you sign up for a promotion. At the end of the promotion, your subscription will automatically renew at the rates displayed at the time of purchase. We will not notify you in advance that the promotion is about to end and we will not notify you when your promotional rate has ended. To cancel and avoid being charged, you must notify us before the promotion ends. Cancellation and Refunds Unless specified otherwise, all charges are nonrefundable. When you cancel a subscription, you cancel only future charges associated with your subscription. You may notify us of your intent to cancel at any time, but the cancellation will become effective at the end of your current billing period. Cancellations are effective the following billing cycle. You will not receive a refund for the current billing cycle. You will continue to have the same access and benefits of your product for the remainder of the current billing period. We reserve the right to issue refunds or credits at our sole discretion. If we issue a refund or credit, we are under no obligation to issue the same or similar refund in the future. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your subscription for any reason, with or without notice and without further obligation. You will not be entitled to a refund in these circumstances. If any or all of our digital products are temporarily unavailable, you will not receive a refund. MERCHANDISE SALES AND OTHER ORDERS Your Order Every merchandise order that you place on this Site will be subject to acceptance in accordance with these Terms of Sale. The final details of your order will be listed at the end of the checkout process. Following completion of the checkout process, we will send you an email confirming receipt of your order, detailing the products you have ordered. This email is not an order acceptance from us, and your order will not be completed and accepted until it is picked up or delivered. Please inform us immediately if there are any errors in your order. We reserve the right to cancel any order and/or prevent access to the Site at any time, with or without cause. Delivery of your Order We will specify the method of delivery or pick up at the time of your order. In some cases, you may need to arrange for pick-up of your order-for example, when you order tickets to an event you may need to pick them up at our offices or at Will Call. In other cases, we may deliver the order to you via the U.S. Postal Service or other delivery service and we will specify any shipping-related charges at the time you place your order. You are responsible for shipping-related charges. We do not deliver orders outside the lower 48 United States. We also do not ship to P.O. boxes or addresses other than the billing address of the credit card holder. Any delivery or shipment dates we provide are best estimates only and we shall not be liable for any loss, damage, costs or expenses for failure to deliver in accordance with the delivery or shipment dates given. Cancellations Event-related orders (e.g., concert tickets) must be canceled at least 48 hours prior to the event and must be canceled by calling us by using the contact us information found on the home page of this site. Merchandise orders can be canceled if one of the following criteria was met: The customer calls or emails and asks to cancel an order that has not yet been delivered or picked up. All items on the order are currently unavailable. Your order does not comply with these Terms of Sale. In the event that your order is canceled, the payment method used to process the order will not be charged. Return policy We do not refund ticket and other event-related purchase after the event has taken place. We stand behind our merchandise and want you to be completely satisfied. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason, please return your merchandise within 21 days of receipt for a full refund of the purchase price. Returned merchandise must be unopened and must be returned in the original packaging. If your item arrives damaged, please keep all boxes and packing materials and immediately contact us by using the contact us information found on the home page of this site. If we accept your return, we will apply your refund, less shipping and handling, to the original form of payment. If you would prefer an exchange, please let us know. CONTACT US If you have any questions about these Terms of Sale or any other matter, please contact us by using the contact us information found on the home page of this site. Welcome Week: Reopening of Ankeny Hill Nature Center, 130 Ankeny Hill Road SE, Jefferson. The reopening activities continue through Saturday. Hosted events include introductions to the Nature Explore Area, trails with learning stations, nature discovery activities and a story walk with a bilingual activity guide. Maps, information fliers, stickers and healthful treats will be available. Hosts will be at the Nature Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. "Fly Babies" by Rusty Harding, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Albany Civic Theater, 111 W. First Ave. In 1943, as World War II rages, five young American women join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). Tickets: 541-928-4603 or www.albanycivic.org. Sweet Home Short Film Festival, showings at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Rio Theater, 1439 Main St. The theme of SHOCASE's festival is "Reel Oregon." Twelve films will be shown at the two showtimes. Enjoy an eclectic view of Oregon, from Sasquatch to outer space and a student rally to a walk in the woods. Admission: free. SHOCASE, the Sweet Home, Oregon Coalition for Artistic and Scholastic Enrichment, strives to advance a deeper understanding and appreciation of the arts in the community. Oregon's 163rd Birthday Celebration, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Monteith House, 518 SW Second Ave., Albany. Tours, interactive activities. Information: 541-928-0911. The Emerald City Jazz Kings present "C Jam Blues," 7:30 p.m. Saturday, LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. The Jazz Kings, led by Glenn Griffith, celebrate the music of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington and his orchestra. The concert will feature plenty of Ellington's best-known and best-loved songs, his classic big-band hits, and some lesser-known pieces, including two solo piano pieces and "Lightning Bugs and Frogs" from "The Queen's Suite." The show also covers music from Duke's Cotton Club era, and his classic albums and concerts (the Newport Jazz Festival, the Great Paris concert, Queen's Suite, New Orleans Suite), and his work with Ella Fitzgerald and with Frank Sinatra. Look for classic songs and instrumentals will include "Satin Doll," "I'm Beginning To See The Light," "Mood Indigo," "Cottontail," "Perdido," "C Jam Blues," "In A Mellow Tone," "Single Petal of a Rose," "Caravan" and more. Tickets: $20 to $25 at 541-434-7000. Face coverings plus proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test are required for admission. Mid-Valley Live Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Former Vice President Mike Pence is getting roundly lauded for his bravery in standing up to his ex-boss Donald Trump. At a Federalist Society event on Friday, Pence expressly said Trump was wrong in asserting that as vice president, Pence had the power to overturn the 2020 election. The former VPs courage is being wildly overstated. It consisted of little more than restating a position he has already taken, and one he necessarily has to endorse if he is to have any running room to get to the presidency, an office to which he plainly aspires. Instead of being lauded, Pence should be called out for his failure to oppose Trump on far more important grounds. Heres Pences grand declaration of independence: President Trump is wrong. I had no right to overturn the election. Trump, for his part, had (falsely) said the opposite in a statement a few days earlier. So yes, Pence used the words Trump and wrong in the same sentence which may sound like an act of breathless courage in these strange times, but only in the context of Pences sycophantic loyalty over the last six years. When Pence did his job in the wee hours of Jan. 7, 2021, certifying the Electoral College vote, his actions rebuffed Trumps pressure campaign to violate the Constitution, which clearly limits a vice presidents role in a presidential election to opening the electors envelopes. Pence said as much later, and just as expressly as he did on Friday. For example, in an interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network in December, he said, From the founding of this nation forward, its been well-established that the only role that Congress has is to open and count the electoral votes that are submitted by states across the country, no more, no less than that. It is true that at the Federalist Society, Pence added some bromides to his position. He called the very idea of a vice president overturning an election un-American (something he also said earlier on the Christian Broadcasting Network) and he called Jan. 6 a dark day but all of it was well within the safe harbor of what is an uncontroversial constitutional analysis. Indeed, while Pence gets patted on the back for his boldness and independence, the fact is that even the person who authored the thought experiment, aka gonzo notion, that the vice president could undo presidential election results lawyer John Eastman apparently never bought it. Eastman, who recently invoked the Fifth Amendment nearly 150 times before the Jan. 6 committee, told the National Review that he was asked by someone he doesnt remember who to write up the theory. Despite what the memo says, Eastman claims he orally advised Trump and Pence that the idea wouldnt fly. Pences Federalist Society speech was clearly meant to bolster his attempt to become the leader of the GOP. Just hours earlier, the Republican National Committee had adopted a resolution characterizing the actions of those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as legitimate political discourse. That will go down as among the most shameful moments in the history of American politics. The party has thoroughly lost its way, and it is now sinking ever more deeply into a trough out of which it cannot climb without acknowledging the truth. Pence, no less than the leaders of the RNC, well understands that Trumps claims of having been cheated out of the election are a crock. He is uniquely positioned to call out Trumps lie and his partys shame, and begin to fight for the future honor of the GOP. A true act of emperor-has-no-clothes bravery would have looked like this: Pence stepping up to outright denounce the fantasy that the 2020 election was stolen, stating in no uncertain terms that it was free and fair, and that Joe Biden is the rightful U.S. president. That would have demonstrated real leadership. Instead, Pences tepid repetition of an uncontroversial constitutional analysis did nothing more than allow the toxic Trump version of events, the big lie, to continue to flourish at the highest reaches of the Republican Party. Mike Pences speech on Friday was far from a profile in courage. Harry Litman writes for the Los Angeles Times. The Oregon House of Representatives voted Wednesday, Feb. 9 to adopt a bill that honors the late Oregon State Police Sgt. John Burright. Burright, born in Corvallis, died May 4, 2021 at the Mennonite Home in Albany following a nearly 20-year long battle with disabling injuries he sustained after an on-duty incident in 2001 when he was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 5. The title of the bill is Recognizing and honoring retired Oregon State Police Sgt. John Burright for his service to this state. It was introduced at the request of the House Interim Committee on Rules for Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany. Oregon State Police Sgt. John Burright was an inspiration to many and his life following the tragic and reckless crash that left him disabled was an illustration of his fight and spirit, representatives of the Oregon State Sheriffs Association and the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police wrote in a testimony supporting the bill. Many members of the both associations had the honor and privilege to work beside OSP Sgt. John Burright during his career. He will be remembered for his professionalism, integrity, work ethic and for making the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our community. According to the Oregon State Legislature website, the bill was adopted after 56 representatives voted aye. Four representatives Ron Noble, Rachel Prusak, Andrea Salinas and Duane Stark were excused from the vote. A first reading of the bill in front of the Senate is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 10. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. Burright attended Oregon State University. He began working as a reserve deputy with the Benton County Sheriffs Office in 1983. He was later hired as an OSP trooper and was stationed in Roseburg. Next, he relocated to Albany, and finally to Salem where he was a sergeant. Burrights memorial service, held in Salem on Aug. 25, 2021, drew hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the state and country. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Gillette, WY (82718) Today Windy with partly cloudy skies. Low around 35F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight Windy with partly cloudy skies. Low around 35F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- California Water Service Group (Group) (NYSE: CWT) announced that its New Mexico subsidiary, New Mexico Water Service (New Mexico Water), closed its purchase of Valencia Mesa LLC Water System, also known as the Hi Mesa Water System, yesterday. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission granted approval of the transaction last week, and the utility will commence operation of the system immediately. The Hi Mesa Water System serves about 85 customer connections and is located in Los Lunas, N.M., part of the unincorporated area of Valencia County. The system is located approximately one mile from New Mexico Waters Meadow Lake service area and will become part of the Meadow Lake system. We are pleased to now own and operate the Hi Mesa Water System; we thank the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission for its diligent review and approval, and Valencia Mesa for working with us over the past several months to ensure a seamless transition, said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Group President and CEO. Throughout our companys history, we have remained committed to providing safe, clean water and excellent service to each customer, every day, and we look forward to doing the same for our Hi Mesa customers. About New Mexico Water Service and California Water Service Group New Mexico Water Service currently serves about 16,000 people through 8,500 water and wastewater service connections in its Rio Communities, Rio Del Oro, Meadow Lake, Indian Hills, Squaw Valley, Elephant Butte, Sandia Knolls, Juan Tomas, and Cypress Gardens systems in New Mexico. California Water Service Group is the parent company of regulated utilities California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, Washington Water Service, and Texas Water Service, a utility holding company. Together, these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water service to more than 2 million people in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington. California Water Service Groups common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CWT. Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Act"). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for "safe harbor" treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and management's judgment about the Company, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. Such words as would, expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, predicts, forecasts or variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a result different than expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to: ability to operate Valencia Mesa LLCs assets in an accretive manner; governmental and regulatory commissions' decisions, including decisions on proper disposition of property; natural disasters or calamities, public health crises, pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks of a contagious disease, such as the outbreak of coronavirus (or COVID-19), or any escalation or worsening of the foregoing, including any economic effects of the foregoing; consequences of eminent domain actions relating to our water systems; changes in regulatory commissions' policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief and other actions; changes in water quality standards; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; electric power interruptions; housing and customer growth trends; the impact of opposition to rate increases; our ability to recover costs; availability of water supplies; issues with the implementation, maintenance or security of our information technology systems; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts; the adequacy of our efforts to mitigate physical and cyber security risks and threats; the ability of our enterprise risk management processes to identify or address risks adequately; labor relations matters as we negotiate with unions; changes in customer water use patterns and the effects of conservation; the impact of weather, climate, natural disasters, and diseases on water quality, water availability, water sales and operating results, and the adequacy of our emergency preparedness; and, other risks and unforeseen events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph, as well as the annual 10-K, Quarterly 10-Q, and other reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements. Media Contact Tom Smegal (investors) tsmegal@calwater.com, 408-267-8200 Yvonne Kingman (media) ykingman@calwater.com, 310-257-1434 TORONTO, Feb. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Euro Sun Mining Inc. (TSX: ESM) (Euro Sun or the Company) is pleased to provide the results of its optimized and updated Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) on the Colnic and Rovina open pits - the initial phase of development of its Rovina Valley Gold and Copper Project (the Rovina Valley Project) in Romania, one of Europes largest gold-copper development projects. Euro Sun is dedicated to the responsible development of the Rovina Valley Project, which may become an important source of strategic metals within the European Union. All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated. Key Highlights Include (summary table set out in Table 1): Pre-Tax NPV increased 41% to $630 million, with an IRR of 22.7%, based on $1,675/oz gold and $3.75/lb copper Estimated to produce 1.47Moz of gold and 403Mlbs of copper over the life of the project at an AISC of $787/gold equivalent ounce Approximately 43 million tonnes or 19% less waste material expected to be mined resulting in a 1.45:1 strip ratio over LOM The updated study incorporates the most current cost and capital expenditure data, with initial CAPEX of $448 million The Rovina Valley Project incorporates dry stack tailings and is a cyanide free operation Scott Moore, Chief Executive Officer Euro Sun Mining Inc. comments This updated study has proven the long-term viability of the Rovina Valley Project, one of the largest undeveloped Copper-Gold projects in Europe. The substantially improved economics based upon conservative long term commodity prices, indicate further possible upside as the project moves toward production. With operating after-tax cashflows anticipated to be of more than US$1 billion and a highly competitive AISC of US$787 gold equivalent ounce oz, this is clearly a high-quality project. We are moving methodically along the permitting route and look forward to providing further positive updates over the first half of 2022. The optimized and updated DFS for the Rovina Valley Project continues to focus on responsible mining procedures including, dry stacking, continuous revegetation, and a cyanide free processing facility. The enhanced project benefits from positive geotechnical study results, reducing waste removal and strip ratios, driving a 9% increase in gold production and a 41% increase in pre-tax NPV. The DFS also incorporated updated cost estimates and metal price assumptions. Euro Sun is incorporating strong responsible mining procedures into every aspect of the project and is utilizing a phased development approach for the Rovina Valley Project. The Rovina Valley Project consists of two open pit gold-copper deposits, Colnic and Rovina, and the underground Ciresata gold-copper deposit. The Ciresata underground deposit is expected to be phased in following the completion of the Colnic and Rovina pits, assuming future mining studies are completed, and positive results are obtained. Table 1: Updated Definitive Feasibility Highlights 2022 DFS Highlights Life of Mine First 10 Years Gold price $1,675/oz Copper price $3.75/lb Processing Rate 21,000 tonnes per day Mine Life 17.2 years Average annual gold equivalent production 136,000 ounces 139,000 ounces Average annual gold production 82,000 ounces 107,000 ounces Average annual copper production 23.2 million pounds 14.0 million pounds All-in sustaining costs $787/oz Au eq $823/oz Au eq Pre-strip Capital $14.1 million Initial Capital $447.7 million Sustaining Capital $68.3 million Pre-Tax NPV (5% discount rate) $630 million Pre-Tax IRR 22.7% Post-Tax NPV (5% discount rate) $512 million Post-Tax IRR 20.5% Chief Operating Officer Sam Rasmussen adds The additional geotechnical investigation and laboratory test work completed last year allowed Euro Sun to update the mining plan at both the Colnic and Rovina pits. These optimizations allowed us to lower the stripping ratios and maximize production in both pits, at a lower unit mining cost, while also extending the life of mine. These key optimizations further bolster the robustness of the Rovina Valley Project. The technical report related to the updated DFS results will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days, in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). The study has been prepared with input from the following independent consultants: Caracle Creek International Consulting MINRES CCIC (South Africa) Mineral resources DRA (South Africa) Mining, mineral reserves ERM (Romania) Environmental and social Knight Piesold (South Africa) Tailings facilities, and Hydrogeology Middindi Consulting (South Africa) Geotechnical Lawrence Consulting (Canada) Geochemistry SENET (South Africa) Processing plant and infrastructure SENET and Sidus Consulting Economic valuation / financial modelling Rovina Valley Gold-Copper Project Overview The Rovina Valley Project is situated in the Hunedoara County of Transylvania in western central Romania. The Rovina Valley Project consists of three deposits, Rovina to the North, Colnic Central and the Ciresata deposit to the south. The DFS only incorporates the Rovina and the Colnic deposits and does not include the Ciresata deposit, which the Company expects will be brought into the project for development later, assuming future mining studies are completed, and positive results are obtained. The Rovina exploration licence is held by Samax Romania S.R.L., a Romanian registered company which is a wholly owned subsidiary of ESM. Since November 2018, ESM possesses an exploitation permit and mining licence with a renewable 20-year validity. The Colnic and Ciresata deposits are described as gold-copper porphyries while the Rovina deposit is termed a copper-gold porphyry. All three of these deposits are located such that they can access a central processing plant. The Rovina Valley Project processing facility is being designed to produce a gold and copper concentrate from the Colnic and Rovina deposits. The Rovina Valley Project is within the Golden Quadrilateral Mining District of the South Apuseni Mountains, an area with a history of mining dating back to Roman times. This has supported the development of excellent infrastructure including rail, power and paved access roads. In addition, there are two international airports less than 180km from the project location. These being in the cities of Timisoara and Sibiu. The town of Brad is within 5km of the project site from where there will be a good source of local skilled labour. Sourcing the right skills and resources locally supports ESM community upliftment opportunities. The Rovina Valley Project is expected to be mined with a standard open-pit mining method using rigid dump trucks and hydraulic loaders. The open pit mining operation is anticipated to last approximately seventeen years, during which the lower-grade material will be stockpiled if possible, for treatment at the tail end of mining operations. Over the life of the project, it is expected that 140.0 Mt of ore will be mined. Of this ore, 123.3 Mt will be delivered to the processing facility and 16.7 Mt low grade ore stockpiled where possible for future processing. In aggregate, over the life of the mine, a total of 203.1 Mt of material will be mined and placed on the waste facility, representing a life of mine stripping ratio of 1.45:1. Tailings Management Knight Piesold have advanced the design of a waste management facility within the project area for the co-deposition of waste rock and filtered rougher tailings. Process plant rougher tailings will be filtered in the plant where the resultant filter cake will be transported by conveyors and will be co-mingled with waste rock prior to deposition. The cleaner tails will be filtered separately from the rougher tailings and the resultant filter cake will be transported by conveyors and deposited separately within a lined zone contained within the boundary of the co-mingled facility. This design has been engineered to reduce the risk of development of impacted seepage from potentially acid generating waste rock and capture the impacted seepage from the cleaner tailings. After completion of mining the Colnic pit, the waste rock and rougher tailings will be preferentially backfilled into the Colnic pit, while the cleaner tails will continue to report to the lined zone of the waste management facility. Capital Costs The estimated capital costs for the Rovina Valley Project were in almost all cases built up from quotations and proposals from equipment and service providers. The updated DFS costs currently utilize an owner purchased and operated mining fleet. All financial analysis for the Life of Mine includes the total design, construction and commissioning, production, and closure. Project Opportunities The updated DFS has been completed based upon the development of the Colnic and Rovina pits only. Further developing and treating the resource at Ciresata could further extend the life of the operation while utilising the infrastructure and processing capabilities anticipated to be in operation for the Rovina and Colnic deposits. Permitting Update The Company is currently completing the draft of the Planul Urbanistic Zonal (PUZ, Urban Zoning Plan) and expects to file with the County of Hunedoara in the coming weeks. It is expected to have the public audience on the draft plan sometime in early Q2, 2022 with final submission and approval of the PUZ in Q3 2022. Once the PUZ has been approved, submittal of the notification to complete the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure will be filed with the Ministry of Environment. LSE Listing New eligibility requirements have been introduced by the London Stock Exchange and the Company is reviewing the new rules to determine the appropriate timing for moving ahead with a listing. Once the Updated Definitive Technical Report is filed the Company will have six months to complete the application to list on the London Stock Exchange. Rovina Valley Project 2022 Resource and Reserve Update Table 2: Rovina Valley 2022 Mineral Reserve Estimate Colnic and Rovina Deposits Deposit Classification Tonnage (Mt) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Au (koz) Cu (t) Colnic Proven 25.60 0.65 0.11% 535.0 28,158.7 Probable 47.99 0.55 0.09% 848.6 43,190.4 Rovina Proven 22.58 0.34 0.29% 243.3 67,005.8 Probable 27.13 0.24 0.22% 211.6 60,166.7 Colnic & Rovina Proven 48.18 0.50 0.20% 778.3 94,164.6 Probable 75.12 0.44 0.14% 1,060.2 103,357.2 Total Proven & Probable 123.30 0.47 0.16% 1,838.5 197,522 The Mineral reserve estimate uses a base gold price of $1,550/oz and a base copper price of $3.30/lb Notes: All tonnes quoted are dry tonnes. Differences in the addition of deposit tonnes to the total displayed is due to rounding. The estimate of Rovina Valley Gold Project Mineral Reserves are not at this stage materially affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socioeconomic, marketing, political, or other relevant issue. Furthermore, the estimate of Project Reserves is not materially affected by any known mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, or other relevant factor. Mineral Reserve estimates follow the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") definitions standards for Mineral Resources and Reserves and have been completed in accordance with NI 43-101. Effective date of reserves are January 31, 2022 Table 3: Rovina Valley 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate Update Colnic and Rovina Deposits Deposit Classification Tonnage (Mt) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Au (Moz) Cu (Mlb) Au Eq* (g/t) Au Eq* (Moz) Colnic Measured 29.2 0.65 0.12 0.61 74 0.81 0.76 Indicated 103.6 0.48 0.10 1.61 224 0.62 2.07 Rovina Measured 33.2 0.36 0.29 0.38 213 0.77 0.82 Indicated 79.1 0.26 0.22 0.67 384 0.57 1.46 Colnic & Rovina Measured 62.4 0.49 0.21 0.99 288 0.79 1.58 Indicated 182.7 0.39 0.15 2.28 607 0.60 3.53 Total Measured & Indicated 245.1 0.42 0.17 3.27 895 0.65 5.11 Notes: *Au and Cu Equivalent determined by using a long-term gold price of US$1,700/oz and a copper price of US$3.50/lb with metallurgical recoveries not taken into account. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral Resources are contained within a conceptual pit shell that are generated using the same economic and technical parameters as used for Mineral Reserves but at gold price of US$1,700/oz and a copper price of US$3.50/lb. Colnic and Rovina deposits are amenable to open pit mining and Mineral Resources are Pit constrained and tabulated at a base case cut-off grade of 0.35 g/t AuEq for Colnic and 0.25 % CuEq for Rovina Minor summation differences may occur, because of rounding. Mineral Resource estimates follow the CIM definition standards for Mineral Resources and Reserves and have been completed in accordance with NI 43-101. With and effective date of January 31, 2022 Table 4: Rovina Valley 2019 Mineral Resource Estimate Ciresata Deposit Deposit Classification Tonnage (Mt) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Au (Moz) Cu (Mlb) Au Eq* (g/t) Au Eq* (Moz) Ciresata Measured 28.5 0.88 0.16 0.81 102 1.13 1.03 Indicated 125.9 0.74 0.15 3.01 413 0.97 3.92 Total Measured & Indicated 154.4 0.77 0.15 3.82 515 1.00 4.95 Notes: From Table 14-20, Technical Report Rovina Valley Project, Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101, Feb. 20, 2019 from AGP Mining Consultants Inc (available on SEDAR). This preliminary economic assessment is preliminary in nature and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Au and Cu Equivalent determined by using a long-term gold price of US$1,500/oz and a copper price of US$3.50/lb with metallurgical recoveries not taken into account. The Ciresata deposit is amenable to bulk underground mining and resources are tabulated at a base case 0.65 g/t Au eq No Mineral Reserves have been defined at the Ciresata deposit. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Minor summation differences may occur, as a result of rounding. Mineral Resource estimates follow the CIM definition standards for Mineral Resources and Reserves and have been completed in accordance with the Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects as defined by NI 43-101. On a consolidated basis of measured and indicated resources, the Rovina Valley Project includes 399.5 Mt containing 7.09 Moz gold and 1,410 Mlbs copper equal to 10.06 M gold equivalent ounces. Qualified Persons The mineral reserve estimate stated in this press release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. David Alan Thompson (ECSA No. 201190010), Principal Mining Engineer for DRA Projects (Pty) Ltd, who is an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. D Thompson was responsible for the mineral reserve estimate of the RVP Feasibility Study that supports this press release. Mr. D Thompson confirmed that he has reviewed the information in this press release as it relates to the mineral reserve estimate. The mineral resources estimate stated in this press release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. Sivanesan (Desmond) Subramani (Pri. Sci. Nat - 400184/06), Principal for Mineral Resources at Caracle Creek International Consultants, who is an independent qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. D Subramani was responsible for the mineral resource estimate of the DFS. Mr. D Subramani confirmed that he has reviewed and approved the information in this press release as it relates to the mineral resource estimate. Mr. Randy Ruff, P. Geo., an employee of Euro Sun and a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release other than the mineral resource estimates and the mineral reserve estimates. About Euro Sun Mining Inc. Euro Sun is a Toronto Stock Exchange listed mining company focused on the exploration and development of its 100%-owned Rovina Valley gold and copper project located in west-central Romania, which hosts the second largest gold deposit in Europe. For further information about Euro Sun Mining, or the contents of this press release, please contact Investor Relations at info@eurosunmining.com Caution regarding forward-looking information: This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions and includes information regarding the Companys estimates, expectations, forecasts and guidance for production, waste material, all-in sustaining cost, capital expenditures, cost savings, project economics (including pre-tax net present value and after tax cashflows) and other information contained in the updated DFS; as well as references to other possible events, the future price of gold and copper, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of the project and mining and processing activities, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks and the anticipated timing for the filing of the updated DFS as a NI 43-101 compliant technical report. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect managements expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the combined business of the Company and market conditions, including (1) there being no significant disruptions affecting the Companys operations whether due to extreme weather events and other or related natural disasters, labor disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; (2) permitting, development, operations and production for the Rovina Valley Project being consistent with the Companys expectations; (3) political and legal developments Romania being consistent with current expectations; (4) certain price assumptions for gold and copper; (5) prices for diesel, electricity and other key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; (6) the accuracy of the Companys mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; and (7) labor and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Companys current expectations. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, including the Companys annual information form, financial statements and related MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. The Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in this press release, such as all-in sustaining costs (AISC) per gold equivalent ounce, net present value (NPV). These non-GAAP financial measures do not have any standardized meaning. Accordingly, these financial measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). AISC, as defined by the World Gold Council is a common financial performance measure in the mining industry but have no standard definition under IFRS. AISC include operating cash costs, net-smelter royalty, corporate costs, sustaining capital expenditure, sustaining exploration expenditure and capitalised stripping costs. Other companies may calculate these measures differently and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The TSX does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. RADNOR, Pa., Feb. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against TAL Education Group (TAL) (NYSE: TAL). The action charges TAL with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the companys business, operations, and prospects. As a result of TALs materially misleading statements to the public, TAL investors have suffered significant losses. Kessler Topaz is one of the worlds foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent. CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR TAL LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/tal-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tal LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: April 5, 2022 CLASS PERIOD: April 26, 2018 through July 22, 2021 CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS: James Maro, Esq. (484) 270-1453 or Email at info@ktmc.com TALS ALLEGED MISCONDUCT TAL provides K-12 after-school tutoring services in the People's Republic of China. Specifically, the company offers tutoring services to K-12 students covering various academic subjects, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, political science, English, and Chinese. On April 25, 2021, media reports revealed that the city of Beijing had fined four online education agencies, including TAL, the maximum fine of 500,000 yuan (approximately $80,000) each for misleading customers with false advertising. Specifically, regulators found that TALs VIE, Beijing Xueersi Education Technology Co., Ltd., had been misrepresenting the un-discounted costs of enrollment in its courses to consumers, thereby deceiving customers into paying full price for courses that they believed they were receiving at a discount. Following this news, the price of TAL American Depository Shares (ADSs) dropped from $53.14 on May 11, 2021, to $46.25 on May 13, 2021, a 13% decline over the two-day period. Then, on June 1, 2021, Chinese regulators announced they had fined 15 off-campus training institutions, including TAL, for illegal activities such as false advertising and fraud. The offending companies, including TAL, were hit with maximum penalties for their illegal business practices, totaling a combined 36.5 million yuan ($5.73 million). Following this news, the price of TAL ADSs dropped from $40.51 on June 1, 2021, to $33.27 on June 3, 2021, nearly an 18% decline over the two-day period. Finally, on July 23, 2021, China unveiled a sweeping overhaul of its education sector, banning companies that teach the school curriculum from making profits, raising capital or going public. This drastic measure effectively ended any potential growth in the for-profit tutoring sector in China. Following this news, the price of TAL ADSs fell from $20.52 on July 22, 2021, to just $4.40 on July 26, 2021, a nearly 79% decline. WHAT CAN I DO? TAL investors may, no later than April 5, 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 TAL 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 (484) 270-1453 info@ktmc.com A video accompanying the press release is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4d49966b-d5ee-490d-8ec2-988921e40162 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tier-1 companies in coal tar manufacturing represent 60-70% share of the total market revenue. With massive coal tar distillation capacities across the globe, these players in coal tar pitch landscape maintain their focus on both, standard grade and special grade coal tar pitch (CTP) production. The coal tar pitch market to grow with a year on year growth of 5.5% in 2022 reaching a value of about US$ 3,749.6 Mn by 2022 end. The global business is anticipated to witness a considerable CAGR of 5.4% during the period of 2022 and 2028. Coal Tar Pitch Market Size (2021) US$ 3,553.5 Mn Coal Tar Pitch Sales (2022) US$ 3,749.6 Mn Projected Coal Tar Pitch Market (2028) US$ 5,145.5 Mn Value CAGR (2022-2028) 5.4% Collective Value Share: Top 3 Countries (2022) 69.3% Tier 2 players have a strong presence over restricted regions, whereas that of Tier 3 competitors is limited to regional sales. Standard grade coal tar pitch is the key focus area for the latter two, according to Future Market Insights study on the global coal tar pitch landscape. Request for Report Sample - https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7186 Production facility expansion, strategic acquisitions, and CTP product innovation will remain the key developmental strategies trending among leading players, says a senior research analyst at FMI. The analyst adds further, Massive Aluminum demand from automotive and transportation sectors has been pushing the Aluminum production levels 4-5% (yearly) since the recent past. Growing demand for lightweight vehicles is among the most impactful factors driving the consumption of Aluminum, subsequently contributing to sales of coal tar pitch. Long-term Contractual Partnerships & Backward Integrated Supply Rule Strategic Minds of Coal Tar Pitch Manufacturers While manufacturers of coal tar pitch are preferring long-term supply contracts with leading coal tar manufacturers, FMI has also identified these players entering strategic partnerships with steel manufacturers, where coal tar is often the byproduct of coke processing ovens. A few other activities that make this landscape dynamic include long-term contracts between manufacturers of coal tar pitch and those of primary aluminum and graphite electrode, with a sole objective to sustain the coal tar pitch supply to end markets. Aluminum Grade CTP Holds a Winning Revenue Share in Coal Tar Pitch Market Application-wise, around 80% revenue share belongs to the aluminum electrode, according to the study. As coal tar pitch is increasingly being consumed by aluminum smelters lowing to higher sustainability and economic feasibility, the mushrooming Aluminum production is constantly driving the growth of coal tar pitch landscape. In 2019, the revenue of Aluminum grade coal tar pitch is pegged for over 5% Y-o-Y growth. Besides, Graphite electrode is also slated for promising performance and the application base of coal tar pitch as a chemical intermediate in carbon black manufacturing is visibly growing. Speak to our Research Expert: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-7186 Scope Of Report Attribute Details Forecast Period 2022-2028 Historical Data Available for 2013-2021 Market Analysis USD Million for Value and Tons for Volume Key Regions Covered North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEC (Asia Pacific Excluding China), China, Middle East & Africa. Key Countries Covered U.S.,Canada,Brazil, Mexico, Rest of LA, Germany, Italy, France, U.K., Spain, BENELUX, Russia, Rest of Western Europe, Russia, Poland, Rest of Eastern Europe, India, ASEAN, ANZ, Japan, Rest of APEC, GCC Countries, South Africa, Rest of MEA. Key Segments Covered Form, Grade, Application, and Region Key Companies Profiled Koppers Inc. Coopers Creek Chemical Corporation Himadri Specialty Chemicals Ltd. Rain Industries Limited JFE Holdings, Inc. Nippon Steel & Sumikin Chemical Co., Ltd. Shanxi Coking Company Neptune Hydrocarbons Bathco Ltd. China Steel Chemical Corporation Hengshui Zehao Chemicals Co., Ltd Shandong Gude Chemical Co., Ltd Crowley Chemical Company, Inc. Shanghai Baosteel Chemical Co. Ltd. Report Coverage Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, DROT Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives Customization & Pricing Available upon Request Development of Specialized Zero QI Impregnating Coal Tar Pitch Expands Applicability A specialized impregnating pitch obtained by processing coal tar at a high temperature is widely used in the Graphite industry during the electrode manufacturing process. The resultant technological advancements in the life of electrodes pushes CTP applications in roofing, coating, electrode, refractory, and others. China Commands over Global Coal Tar Pitch Landscape, India Leads Asia Pacifics CTP Scenario China, India, Russia, and Western Europe have a significant aluminum production base, whereas MEA is demonstrating promising growth in coal tar pitch landscape in recent years. North America, however, is observing passive growth over the recent past, post decline in the aluminum production levels. According to the FMIs report, China is the global leader in coal tar pitch ecosystem owing to significant Aluminum production and thriving production levels of Graphite electrode. China is projected for a 6% year on year revenue growth by this years end, reflecting ample growth opportunities for coal tar pitch manufacturers. Buy Now@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/7186 Explore FMIs Extensive ongoing Coverage on Chemicals & Materials Domain Magnetic Beads Market: According to a latest study, the market is set to witness steady growth in the period 2021-2031 with CAGR of 15%-17%. LED Phosphor Materials Market: According to latest study, the LED Phosphor materials market is projected to witness growth of over 8% CAGR during the assessment period of 2021 to 2031. High Purity Solvents Market: According to the recent study, high purity solvents market is set to witness steady growth rate of more than 6% during the forecast period 2021-2031. Cable Material Market: According to latest research by Future Market Insights, Cable Material market is set to witness steady growth, expanding at a CAGR of 4-5% during 2021-2031. Arylamide Pigments Market: Demand of arylamide pigments are anticipated to witness a CAGR of 3.5% to 4.5% over the coming assessment period of 2021 to 2031. Anti Soiling Coating Market: According to latest research by Future Market Insights, the market is set to witness steady growth during forecast period 2021 2031, progressing at a CAGR of more than 6% during the period. High Temperature Alloys Market: According to latest research by Future Market Insights, High Temperature Alloys market is projected to show stable expansion, growing at a CAGR of 5-6% during forecast period 2021-2031. Acetoacetanilide Market: According to latest research by Future Market Insights, Acetoacetanilide market is projected to grow with a CAGR of more than 5% during the forecast period 2021-2031. Anodized Titanium Market: According to the latest research by Future Market Insights, Anodized Titanium is set to witness significant growth during the forecast period 2021-2031. Arc Ferrite Magnet Market: According to latest research by Future Market Insights, the market is set to witness steady growth during 2021-2031. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai, and has delivery centers in the UK, U.S. and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Contact: Future Market Insights, 1602-6 Jumeirah Bay X2 Tower, Plot No: JLT-PH2-X2A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com For Media Enquiries: press@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/narcolepsy-treatment-market Press Release Source: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/press-release/narcolepsy-treatment-market ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (10 February 2022) IMCD N.V. (IMCD or Company), a leading distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, today announces that IMCD Brasil has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Polyorganic Tecnologia Ltda (Polyorganic). Polyorganics technical capabilities, market expertise and strong product portfolio are an excellent fit with IMCD and complements our growing presence in the HI&I market, said Nicolas Kaufmann, Managing Director, IMCD Brasil. Sanitation and infection control have undoubtedly experienced a sharp increase in demand over the past two years. The addition of Polyorganic to IMCD Brasil will allow us to accelerate growth, plus offer more solutions to help manufacturers keep up with market trends and demand. We are proud to welcome Polyorganic to IMCD and together, deliver stronger customer support and technical expertise. Headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Polyorganic was established in 1993 and has become an industry-leading household, industrial and institutional (HI&I) distributor in the country. While the majority of its business is in the HI&I industry, Polyorganic is also a reputable distributor for the water treatment industry and other industrial markets. In 2021, the company generated a revenue of approximately EUR 12 million. Joining IMCD is a great new chapter for Polyorganics history, said Mauro Majerowicz, Owner, Polyorganic. With complementary portfolios and business models, the coming together of our two companies will not only be advantageous for our companies, but also for the partners and customers we serve. Further advancing its market expertise, Polyorganic is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, adds 23 employees to the IMCD Brasil team, plus a HI&I laboratory located in Diadema, Brazil, which provides troubleshooting and formulatory support to customers research and development teams. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in February 2022. Attached, please find the press release in pdf format, the official photo, and the photo caption. About IMCD N.V. IMCD is a market-leader in the sales, marketing, and distribution of speciality chemicals and ingredients. Its result-driven professionals provide market-focused solutions to suppliers and customers across EMEA, Americas and Asia-Pacific, offering a range of comprehensive product portfolios, including innovative formulations that embrace industry trends. Listed at Euronext, Amsterdam (IMCD), IMCD realised revenues of EUR 2,775 million in 2020 with nearly 3,300 employees in over 50 countries on 6 continents. IMCD's dedicated team of technical and commercial experts work in close partnership to tailor best-in-class solutions and provide value through expertise for around 50,000 customers and a diverse range of world class suppliers. For further information, please visit www.imcdgroup.com. About Polyorganic Tecnologia Ltda Since 1993, Polyorganic Tecnologia Ltda has been a leading chemical specialties, services and technical partner to deliver the most advanced products that contribute to sustainability through ecologically friendly solutions. For more information, please visit https://polyorganic.com.br. Media contacts IMCD Americas Ella Pochay Head of Communications, Americas +1 714 562 7678 news@imcdus.com IMCD Group Maribel Rodriguez Senior Group Communications Manager +31 6 1479 6610 mediarelations@imcdgroup.com Attachments English Finnish F-Secure Corporation, Stock Exchange Release, 10 February 2022, 10:30 EET Charges against President and CEO Juhani Hintikka dismissed by the Court of Appeal On 30 October 2020, F-Secure published a release about pending legal proceedings related to the period Juhani Hintikka served as Comptel Corporations President and CEO. According to the decision given by the Helsinki Court of Appeal today, 10 February 2022, all charges against Juhani Hintikka over the suspected abuse of insider information in 2014 were dismissed. The final date for filing an application for leave to appeal and an appeal against the decision is 11 April 2022. I am very pleased with the decision given by the Helsinki Court of Appeal after this long process. I would like to thank both F-Secures and Comptels Boards of Directors for their support and trust, says President and CEO of F-Secure Juhani Hintikka. Further information: New York, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Product Type, Patient Age, End User, and Regional Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2022-2031" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06228562/?utm_source=GNW Product - CT Devices, MRI Devices, PET Devices, PET-CT Devices and PET-MRI Devices Patient Type - Adults and Pediatrics and Infants End User - Hospitals and Clinics, Diagnostic Imaging Centers, and Ambulatory Surgical Centers Regional Segmentation North America - U.S. and Canada Europe - Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, and Rest-of-Europe Asia-Pacific - Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific Rest-of-the-World - Latin America, and Middle East and Africa Market Growth Drivers Rising Prevalence of Neurological Disorders and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) Technological Advancements in the Brain Imaging Modalities and Systems Growing Popularity of Molecular Imaging in Brain Imaging Market Challenges Hospital Budget Cuts and High Upfront Cost Declining Helium Availability Market Opportunities Integration of Imaging Systems and Software with Novel Biomarkers Key Companies Profiled Aspect Imaging, Canon, Inc., Esaote SpA, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, General Electric Company, Hyperfine Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Mediso Medical Imaging Systems, MinFound Medical Systems Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Anke High-Tech Co.,Ltd., Shimadzu Corporation, Siemens Healthineers AG, United Imaging Healthcare Co., Ltd., VUNO Co., Ltd. How This Report Can Add Value Assuming that the reader is a manufacturer of brain imaging modalities, the report will assist them in the following ways: Understand their position compared to other key players in the market Stay updated with novel technology integration, features, and the latest developments in the market Understand the impact of COVID-19 on brain imaging and the entry barriers for new companies Gain insights into end-user perception concerning the brain imaging modalities market Identify some key players in the market and understand their valuable contribution Key Questions Answered in the Report How has COVID-19 impacted the growth of the global brain imaging modalities market? What are the key regulations governing the brain imaging modalities market in key regions? What technological developments are projected to have the maximum influence on the global brain imaging modalities market? Who are the leading players holding significant dominance in the global brain imaging modalities market? What are some of the growth opportunities which market players can capitalize on? What are the drivers and restraints for the global brain imaging modalities market? Which region has the highest growth rate in the brain imaging modalities market? Which are the fastest growing countries in terms of the global brain imaging modalities market? What are the key strategies being adopted by market players in the global brain imaging modalities market? Which are the emerging companies in the global brain imaging modalities market? Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market Industry Overview The global brain imaging modalities market is projected to witness significant growth during the forecast period 2022-2031.The high prevalence and growing incidences of brain diseases and neurogenerative disorders and the technological advancements in brain imaging modalities and systems are the key propellers for the growth of the market. Five key modalities of brain imaging modalities include computed tomography (CT) devices, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices, positron emission tomography (PET) devices, PET-CT devices, and PET MRI devices.The field of cognitive neuroscience has emerged and developed rapidly over the last 20 years. To address the neural underpinnings of human cognition, this new field combines two traditionally separate disciplines, cognitive psychology and neurology. The market for brain imaging modalities devices is rapidly growing, with an increasing number of modalities used in the imaging of various brain diseases and neurogenerative disorders (NDs).The high prevalence and growing incidences of neurological disorders (NDs) are one of the major factors augmenting the growth of the global brain imaging modalities market. Neurological diseases and mental disorders have emerged as serious public health concerns and substantial challenges to healthcare systems around the world. Genetic disorders, congenital anomalies or disorders, infections, lifestyle, or environmental health problems such as malnutrition, brain injury, spinal cord injury, or nerve injury are some of the causes of neurological problems. The global brain imaging modalities market report highlights that the market was valued at $12,334.2 million in 2021 and is expected to reach $20,209.2 million by the end of 2031. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.06% during the forecast period 2022-2031. Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market Drivers Personalized and tailored treatment approaches based on monitoring and imaging findings and respecting pre-injury comorbidities and their therapies are warranted due to traumatic brain injury is a syndrome encompassing a variety of different affections to the brain, and since age-related comorbidities and treatments may also have a significant impact.More importantly, as the prevalence and incidence of neurological illnesses continue to rise, so will technological adoption. As a result, the growth of disease diagnosis and, as a result, the global market for brain imaging modalities will accelerate. Governments invest a significant amount of money in healthcare insurance so that the overall healthcare costs can be reduced, and the quality of life and affordability of the treatment can be enhanced. Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market Restraints The factors restraining the growth of the global brain imaging devices market include the risks associated with radiation exposure and delay in regulatory approvals.Delay in regulatory approval for the products due to the stringent government regulations concerning the use of AI-enabled software in medical imaging hinders the markets growth. Moreover, another factor restraining the growth of the global brain imaging devices market is the high cost associated with medical imaging. Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market Opportunities High growth opportunities in emerging economies and the emergence of local companies in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa hold immense potential for the global brain imaging modalities market growth. In an era of machine learning and artificial intelligence, extracting quantitative biomarkers from medical images to aid illness detection, characterization, monitoring, and therapy response assessment is becoming increasingly desirable. Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market The COVID-19 pandemic had a debilitating impact on the global healthcare ecosystem.Hospitals and clinics faced several challenges such as lack of resources, high patient influx, and risk of infection among care providers. The market is projected to witness considerable growth during the forecast period 2021-2030. The increasing innovations and product designs in the global market and the growing use in emerging economies are the driving factors for the growth of the market. Market Segmentation Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market (by Product Type) The global brain imaging modalities market, based on product type, has been segmented into CT devices, MRI devices, PET devices, PET-CT devices, and PET-MRI devices. Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market (by Patient Type) The global brain imaging modalities market, based on patient type, has been segmented into adults, and pediatrics and infants. Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market (by End User) The global brain imaging modalities market, based on end user, has been segmented into hospitals and clinics, diagnostic imaging centers, and ambulatory surgery centers surgical centers. Hospitals and clinics are the major end users for the global brain imaging modalities market.The high volume of the end user makes them the primary diagnosis site for brain diseases and neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) in emerging economies. Furthermore, the adoption of brain imaging modalities in ASCs has been increased due to several factors such as personalized care to the patients and reduced recovery time. Global Brain Imaging Modalities Market (by Region) The different regions covered under the global brain imaging modalities market include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest-of-the-World. North America is expected to be the most lucrative region for the global brain imaging modalities market due to advanced healthcare infrastructure and a high focus on research and development activities.The Asia-Pacific brain imaging modalities market is one of the lucrative markets with immense potential for expansion by key players of the global brain imaging modalities market. The Asia-Pacific brain imaging modalities market is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the massive geriatric population base, which is driving the increase in the volume of brain imaging modalities. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis Some key players operating in the market include Aspect Imaging, Canon, Inc., Esaote SpA, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, General Electric Company, Hyperfine Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Mediso Medical Imaging Systems, MinFound Medical Systems Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Anke High-Tech Co.,Ltd., Shimadzu Corporation, Siemens Healthineers AG, United Imaging Healthcare Co., Ltd., and VUNO Co., Ltd. Some strategies covered in this segment are funding activities, mergers and acquisitions (M&As), partnerships, alliances, business expansion, regulatory and legal activities, and new offerings. Countries Covered North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany Italy France U.K. Spain Rest-of-Europe Asia-Pacific China India Japan South Korea Australia and New Zealand Rest-of-Asia-Pacific Rest-of-the-World Latin America Middle East and Africa Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06228562/?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. __________________________ VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Liberty Gold Corp. (TSX: LGD; OTCQX: LGDTF) (Liberty Gold or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has secured water rights in excess of 2,300 acre-feet per annum (AFA) in the locality of Black Pine, intended for future use as process water supply. Liberty Gold has also obtained a strategic mineral rights lease from the State of Idaho covering 2.6 square kilometres (km2) adjacent to the deposit, representing both an exploration opportunity and a potential area for future heap leach infrastructure. These acquisitions continue to substantially de-risk the property from a development perspective. Preliminary engineering studies suggest that this water supply is sufficient to sustain up to a ~70,000 ore tonnes per day, run-of-mine heap leach operation and associated infrastructure at Black Pine. We are pursuing multiple strategies for procurement of additional water rights given the potential scale of the new Rangefront discovery and to provide operational flexibility to a future mining operation. Liberty Gold has also acquired a lease for mineral rights from the State of Idaho on Section 36, a 2.6 km2 (1 square mile) parcel of land located immediately east of the Black Pine deposit. Historic drilling confirms that the Rangefront mineralization extends northeast into this block. A Plan of Operations (PoO) to conduct exploration and condemnation drilling on this land was submitted to the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM) in the third quarter of 2021. An additional 0.54 km2 of ground has also been acquired by staking in this area. Total Liberty Gold land holdings at Black Pine now aggregate 51.6 km2 of which 54% is subject to a 0.5% Net Smelter Royalty and 41% is royalty free. Jon Gilligan, Chief Operating Officer of Liberty Gold stated, Key deliverables for the development team have been securing a reliable and sustainable long-term water supply and identifying additional land for the potential location of infrastructure for the future Black Pine mining operation. We are delighted to be partnering with the State and local communities to achieve this outcome. Liberty Gold will continue to conduct technical studies on this future ground water supply to ensure we manage the water resources in the basin in a sustainable manner, minimising potential impacts and maximizing benefits for stakeholders. BLACK PINE MINERAL RIGHTS LOCATION MAP A map accompanying this press release is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/89aff288-bb7b-41f8-881c-7d97875f4f93 ABOUT BLACK PINE Black Pine is located in the northern Great Basin, immediately adjacent to the Utah/Idaho border. It is a Carlin-style gold system, similar in many ways to the prolific deposits located along Nevadas Carlin trend. Like Nevada Gold Mines Long Canyon deposit, Black Pine represents a growing number of Carlin-style gold systems located off the main Carlin and Cortez trends in underexplored parts of the Great Basin. The historic Black Pine Mine operated from 1992 to 1997, during a period of historically low gold prices, with 435,000 ounces of gold produced from five composite, shallow pits, with an average head grade of 0.63 grams per tonne of gold (g/t Au). A mineral resource estimate containing an indicated mineral resource of 1,715,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 0.51 g/t Au and totalling 105,075,000 tonnes; and an inferred mineral resource of 370,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 0.37 g/t Au and totalling 31,211,000 tonnes was released on July 13, 2021, with the resource technical report filed on SEDAR on August 19, 2021, and available on the Liberty Gold website. A virtual site tour and 3D model of Black Pine property, including details about the geology and mineralization, is available on the Companys website: libertygold.ca QUALIFIED PERSON Moira Smith, Ph.D., P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration and Geoscience, Liberty Gold, is the Company's designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and validated that the information contained in the release is accurate. ABOUT LIBERTY GOLD Liberty Gold is focused on exploring the Great Basin of the United States, home to large-scale gold projects that are ideal for open-pit mining. This region is one of the most prolific gold-producing regions in the world and stretches across Nevada and into Idaho and Utah. We know the Great Basin and are driven to discover and advance big gold deposits that can be mined profitably in open-pit scenarios. Our flagship projects are Black Pine in Idaho and Goldstrike in Utah, both past- producing open-pit mines, where previous operators only scratched the surface. For more information, visit libertygold.ca or contact: Susie Bell, Manager, Investor Relations Phone: 604-632-4677 or Toll Free 1-877-632-4677 info@libertygold.ca All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Liberty Gold within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "planned", "expect", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intends", "believe", "potential", and similar expressions, or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "should", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made including, among others, assumptions about future prices of gold, and other metal prices, currency exchange rates and interest rates, favourable operating conditions, political stability, obtaining governmental approvals and financing on time, obtaining renewals for existing licenses and permits and obtaining required licenses and permits, labour stability, stability in market conditions, the impact from the pandemic of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), availability of equipment, the availability of drill rigs, accuracy of any engineering studies, successful acquisition of further water rights, successful resolution of disputes and anticipated costs and expenditures. Many assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Liberty Gold and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking information, involves known and unknown risks, which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, risks related to the interpretation of results and/or the reliance on technical information provided by third parties as related to the Companys mineral property interests; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; current economic conditions; future prices of commodities; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; accuracy of any engineering studies, successful acquisition of further water rights; the costs and timing of the development of new deposits; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; the timing and success of exploration activities generally; delays in permitting; possible claims against the Company; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, including impacts from the pandemic of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); delays in obtaining governmental approvals, financing or in the completion of exploration as well as those factors discussed in the Annual Information Form of the Company dated March 26, 2021 in the section entitled "Risk Factors", under Liberty Golds SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Liberty Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Liberty Gold disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Cautionary Note for United States Investors The terms mineral resource, measured mineral resource, indicated mineral resource and inferred mineral resource, are Canadian mining terms as defined in, and required to be disclosed in accordance with, National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101), which references the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the CIM) CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (CIM Definition Standards), adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. However, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 (SEC Industry Guide 7) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The SEC has adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These amendments became effective February 25, 2019 (the SEC Modernization Rules) with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical disclosure requirements for mining registrants that were included in SEC Industry Guide 7. The Company does not file reports with the SEC and is not required to provide disclosure on its mineral properties under the SEC Modernization Rules and will continue to provide disclosure under NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards. DENVER, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ToolCASE, a Denver-based artificial intelligence developer and a leader in real-time fraud detection and prevention for financial and transactional institutions, proudly announces the launch of "FraudCAST". The show delves into the realm of online fraud as well as the detection tools used to prevent it, such as AI and real-time analytics. Having supported banks and credit unions across the country with its fraud detection arsenal for more than two decades, ToolCASE is a prominent provider of real-time analytics and artificial intelligence. With this podcast, the company aims to help listeners strengthen their fraud and risk management techniques by sharing inside knowledge and ideas. "We are excited to share information and insights that might help listeners improve their fraud and risk strategies," said ToolCase VP for Business Development, Sam Piccolotti. "We wanted to deliver insider testimonies to listeners and provide them real examples of strategies that work." As digital banking grows, so does the risk of fraud losses for financial organizations. ToolCASE has launched FraudCAST to educate listeners about the latest developments in cybercrime and fraud, as well as the different technologies and techniques needed to combat them. Fraud isnt going anywhere. As we move into a more digitized world, fraud costs and cyberattacks will only grow. And lets not forget that many personalized data are traded on the dark web and deep web environments. But there is a technology that can make an impact, Piccolotti adds. During FraudCAST's first episode entitled "The Original Internet Godfather", Piccolotti sits down with Brett Johnson, one of the world's foremost authorities on cybercrime and identity theft, and former FBI most-wanted cybercriminal. The episode dives into Johnson's history as a central figure in the cybercrime world for over 20 years and shares his insights and techniques on fraud. For many years, he was instrumental in the emergence of online fraud and helped design, implement, and fine-tune today's sophisticated cybercrime tools. After his capture, the Secret Service enlisted Johnson to serve as an informant and consultant. Today, Johnson is a public speaker and cybersecurity consultant. In the exclusive interview, Johnson shares: "There's so much going on, the world has gone almost completely digital in a very short period of time. What we just went through in 2020 pushed the limits of financial institutions. Especially to build up their digital security enterprises, and the fraudsters took full advantage of that setting." FraudCAST's subsequent episodes focus on discussing ToolCASE's real-time fraud detection technology, as well as cybercrime issues plaguing today's digitally connected world. The guests on each episode will relate their own experiences with online fraud as well as cutting-edge methods for preventing it. To listen to the podcast, visit: ToolCASE: https://news.toolcase.com/#Fraudcast Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3B17TfO Apple: https://apple.co/3ovy35i YouTube: https://bit.ly/3gzjPM8 About ToolCASE Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, ToolCASE provides clients throughout the U.S. with a comprehensive suite of Ai based solutions and services. The companys flagship RembrandAi delivers best-in-class analytics, visualization, and insight to help detect and prevent digital fraud, as well as solve complex enterprise challenges. ToolCASE solutions support a variety of industries, including financial services, business services, airlines, oil and gas, retail and online stores, health and medical, government, manufacturing, and transportation. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d4adbb4-be57-4f11-b96c-289396c1b48d * Immediate focus on growing sorghum for Empire Spirits and Five-Grain Treasure Spirits New York, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PHI Group, Inc. ( www.phiglobal.com , PHIL), a diversified holding company currently engaged in PHILUX Global Funds (a group of Luxembourg bank funds), the Asia Diamond Exchange project (ADE) in Vietnam, mergers and acquisitions and investing in special situations (www.co2-1-0.io), is pleased to announce that today HHT Global Co. Ltd., a Vietnamese limited liability company, has signed an agreement with PHI Group to join the PHILUX Global Subfund for agriculture. According to the agreement, HHT Global will contribute a mutually agreed amount of capital for the setup and initial operating budget of the subfund and hold 49% ownership of the general partners portion of this fund. The main focus of this fund will be on agriculture in Vietnam. HHT Global and Empire Spirits, Inc., a subsidiary of PHI Group, Inc., will immediately cooperate to grow sorghum for Empire Spirits, Inc. and Five-Grain Treasure Spirits, a baiju distiller company with over one hundred years of tradition in Jilin Province, China. Baijiu is a white spirit distilled from sorghum. It is similar to vodka but with a fragrant aroma and taste. It is currently the most consumed spirit in the world. Mainly consumed in China, it is gaining popularity in the rest of the world. Five-Grain specializes in the production and sales of spirits and the development of proprietary spirit production processes. It also possesses a patented technology to grow red sorghum for baiju manufacturing. The patented grain produces superior yield and quality. Five-Grain is a reputable bulk alcohol supplier to some of the largest spirits companies in the world. According to Five-Grain/Empire Spirits development plan, these companies will follow a three-prong growth strategy: (1) grow sorghum using its proprietary seed and technology, (2) ferment and process sorghum to produce bulk spirits and supply to other beverage companies and (3) develop its own brand using proprietary manufacturing methods and preferred distribution channels. By reaching these goals, Empire Spirits would be able to generate an average of $3.5 billion in revenues and $1.6 billion in net profit per year from operations during the first two years. Kweichow Moutai, the largest alcohol company in the world, has crossed the $500 billion dollar valuation mark not too long ago. With a single Baijiu product, it enjoys a trailing twelve months Price/Earnings ratio of approximately 50 times. Empire Spirits plans to introduce its own brand to the market in the very near future. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hong, Chairperson of HHT Global Co., commented: We are very pleased to cooperate with PHI Group to respond to the growing needs of the agriculture industry in Vietnam and especially capture this opportunity to grow and provide sorghum supply to Empire Spirits and Five-Grain. Henry Fahman, Chairman and CEO of PHI Group, stated: We are delighted to collaborate with Mrs. Hong and HHT Global in this program and believe by capitalizing on our combined experience and networks we are well positioned to serve the needs of the agriculture industry in Vietnam as well as create significant benefits for both companies, our shareholders and all other stakeholders involved. About PHI Group, Inc. PHI Group (www.phiglobal.com, PHIL) primarily focuses on advancing PHILUX Global Funds, a group of Luxembourg bank funds organized as Reserved Alternative Investment Fund (RAIF) and building the Asia Diamond Exchange (ADE) in Vietnam. The Company also engages in mergers and acquisitions and invests in select industries and special situations (www.co2-1-0.io) that may substantially enhance shareholder value. Safe Harbor Act and Forward-looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as may, future, plan or planned, will or should, expected, anticipates, draft, eventually or projected, which are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Contact: PHI Group, Inc. Tel: +1-714-793-9227 Email: info@phiglobal.com MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TruChoice Financial Group, LLC, one of the largest distributors of insurance products in the financial services industry, has launched an initiative designed to strengthen women financial professionals. Called TruWomen, this peer-to-peer program will bring together a diverse community of accomplished women financial professionals in engaging, encouraging, and empowering settings to help them network, collaborate, inspire, and learn at deeper levels. The goal is enrichment and growth for all. Members will broaden their community of support as they learn from other women about how they are overcoming struggles and building thriving businesses. "In 2019, I had the opportunity to attend two back-to-back broker-dealer meetings. The first was a typical co-ed meeting, and the second was an event exclusively for women," said Angela Jacobson, TruWomen co-creator and TruChoice annuity wholesaler. "The women-only meeting had just a completely different vibe and level of sharing and openness. I'm also part of a group of women in the Chicago area who were meeting quarterly at the time, but then began monthly virtual meetings and expanded to include attendees from across the country. Between the women-only event and my Chicago group, the idea of creating our own community for women was born." TruWomen kicked off 2022 with a virtual Coffee Talk in January and will feature monthly virtual Coffee Talks and quarterly webinars throughout the year. The program's highlight event for the year will be the first TruWomen Annual Conference in August 2022. "We are excited to be able to launch our TruWomen community this year," said Angi Reeves, Senior VP of Marketing. "TruChoice is committed to supporting women financial professionals as they grow their practices and serve their clients, both through our direct support and through our hosting of this amazing new network of peer support." The next TruWomen event will be their inaugural webinar on Feb. 15, 2022, at 1 p.m. CT. For more information about TruWomen or how to register for an upcoming event, send an email to truwomen@truchoicefinancial.com. To learn more about TruChoice, visit www.TruChoiceFinancial.com, or call 800.237.0263. TruChoice Financial can also be followed on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. TruChoice Media Contact: Chris Cowan 678.718.1951 ccowan@truchoicefinancial.com Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovaccer Inc., the Health Cloud company, is pleased to welcome Anil Jain, M.D., FACP, to its executive leadership team. As the company's Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. Jain will lead Innovaccer in helping healthcare organizations connect their care ecosystems on the Innovaccer Health Cloud, the revolutionary open platform that unifies healthcare data, workflows, analytics, and patient records to accelerate innovation and digital transformation. Dr. Jain will support the company's continued growth. "Healthcare organizations and medical innovators are facing unprecedented challenges, and rapid innovation at scale is critical," said Dr. Jain. "It's an incredibly exciting time to join Innovaccer and take part in helping organizations accelerate their digital transformation journey. Digital transformation is more than just digitizing information. True digital transformation is about breaking down information silos, connecting disparate data, and bringing that data to life with holistic patient insights so you can engineer optimal experiences for everyone involved in carefrom patient to provider, from administrator to innovator, and from consumer to customer." Dr. Jain, board-certified in both internal medicine and clinical informatics, brings a wealth of industry experience in health informatics, engineering, technology, clinical research, and healthcare innovation. Previously, he worked as the Chief Health Information Officer at IBM Watson Health, cofounder and Chief Medical Officer of IBM Explorys, and senior IT Executive and Attending Physician at the Cleveland Clinic. He has served on numerous committees, including the Federal Health IT Advisory Committee formed by the 21st Century Cures Act. He has authored more than 100 publications and specializes in electronic health records (EHRs), clinical informatics, data governance, advanced analytics, and AI, with an emphasis on semantic interoperability. In his role with Innovaccer, Dr. Jain will drive innovation and advance initiatives to promote Innovaccer's Health Cloud platform, including its unified data model that drives advanced analytics, insights, and experiences by integrating, cleaning, and standardizing disparate health data. The platform also connects to the broader healthcare ecosystem through FHIR APIs. "With his extensive experience in healthcare informatics, technology and clinical research, Dr. Jain brings a deep industry perspective at a crucial time in our company's growth," said Abhinav Shashank, CEO of Innovaccer. "Following our recent Series E round of funding, we will rely on his insight as an innovator and entrepreneur as we focus on bringing all healthcare data and stakeholders together to best serve patients and enable truly holistic care." About Innovaccer Innovaccer Inc., the Health Cloud company, is a leading San Francisco-based healthcare technology company committed to helping healthcare care as one. The Innovaccer Health Cloud unifies patient data across systems and settings, and empowers healthcare organizations to rapidly develop scalable, modern applications that improve clinical, operational, and financial outcomes. Innovaccer's solutions have been deployed across more than 1,000 care settings in the U.S., enabling more than 37,000 providers to transform care delivery and work collaboratively with payers and life sciences companies. Innovaccer has helped organizations unify health records for more than 24 million people and generate more than $600 million in savings. For more information, please visit innovaccer.com. Press Contact: Sachin Saxena Innovaccer Inc. sachin_saxena@innovaccer.com 415-504-3851 Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Standard Lithium Ltd. (NYSE: SLI) investors with significant losses to submit your losses now. A securities fraud class action has been filed and certain investors may have valuable claims. Class Period: May 19, 2020 Nov. 17, 2021 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Mar. 28, 2022 Visit: https://www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/SLI Contact An Attorney Now: SLI@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 Standard Lithium Ltd. (SLI) Securities Fraud Class Action: The litigation focuses on Standard Lithiums claims that its proprietary LiSTR technology has achieved proof of concept (POC) demonstrating its feasibility for extracting and processing lithium within hours instead of months and claims it will do so on a commercial scale at a plant built on the LANXESS AG bromine facility located in the southwestern region of Arkansas. According to the complaint, defendants made false or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that (1) the LiSTR technologys extraction recovery efficiencies were overstated, and (2) accordingly, the companys final product lithium recovery percentage at the plant would not be as high as the company had represented to investors. Standard Lithiums statements were brought into question on Nov. 18, 2021, when analyst Blue Orca published a scathing report based, in part, on production records filed by the company with the Arkansas Oil & Gas Commission. According to the report, Standard Lithiums repeated claims that its technology will achieve 90% lithium recovery rates at the project are contradicted by data submitted to the Arkansas regulator indicating an average lithium recovery rate of just 13%. Then, on Feb. 2, 2022, analyst Hindenburg Research published its own report accusing Standard Lithium of being little more than a stock promotion scheme, observing that CEO Robert Mintak had previously been involved with at least 9 publicly traded companies (8 of which used paid stock promotions) that lost on average 97% of their value, and concluding the company had engaged in undisclosed related party transactions. These events sent the price of Standard Lithium shares sharply lower. Were focused on investors losses and proving Standard Lithium lied about the viability of its technology and proposed project, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. If you invested in Standard Lithium and have significant losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman. Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Standard Lithium should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email SLI@hbsslaw.com. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a national law firm with eight offices in eight cities around the country and over eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw . Green Vision Center is a unique platform of a production and innovation center focused on botanical solutions such as medicinal herbal plants, medical cannabis, medicinal mushrooms and other natural wellness and pharma solutions intended to improve the quality of life of people around the world. is a unique platform of a production and innovation center focused on botanical solutions such as medicinal herbal plants, medical cannabis, medicinal mushrooms and other natural wellness and pharma solutions intended to improve the quality of life of people around the world. From the land acquisition cost, ~90% is provided as part of Israeli government programs that encourage industrial development and include additional grants and tax incentives. Green Vision Center, designed by Mr. Avner Sher, one of Israels most respected architects and artists, has a recognizable leaf shape that the Company intends to make an internationally recognizable brand. The Center is to be built in accordance with ecological green principles of saving energy, including the use of solar panels, and more. Tel Aviv, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Citrine Global Corp.s (OTCQB: CTGL) subsidiary, Cannovation Center Israel Ltd. (Cannovation), is pleased to announce that it has acquired 11,687 sqm of industrial land in the town of Yeruham in Southern Israel. From the land acquisition cost, ~90% is provided as part of Israeli government programs that encourage industrial development and include additional grants and tax incentives. The company decided to call the production and innovation platform Green Vision Center. The strategic acquisition aligns with the companys strategy of developing wellness and pharma solutions and products, focusing on botanical solutions such as medicinal herbal plants, medical cannabis, medicinal mushrooms, and other natural solutions. The Green Vision Center is to be built as a production & innovation center creating a wellness and pharma ecosystem that includes facilities and equipment for manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacological research, product development, clean rooms, logistics, import and export, distribution, professional consultants, and an International Visitor Complex that will include a training center, a conference center, a care center clinic, coffee shops, and a museum. Our mission is to become a leading worldwide production & innovation ecosystem and research center dedicated to promoting production as well as scientific research and commercial collaboration amongst emerging technologies, and market leaders and companies, from Israel and around the world. The planned built area of the Green Vision Center will include ~5,500 square meters, with the following divisions: Botanical products manufacturing plant; Boutique pharmaceuticals manufacturing plant; Medical Cannabis inflorescences and oils manufacturing plants; Boutique cosmetics manufacturing plant; and Boutique beverages manufacturing. Quality Control and Research & Development laboratories. Management offices and real estate management services. A Consultants area with consultants providing support in various areas, such as: strategic business planning, international sales, marketing, legal, regulatory, aggrotech, health, medical cannabis, and pharma. An International Visitor Complex, which will include a training center, a conference center, a care center clinic, coffee shops, and a museum. The unique shape of the Center, designed by Mr. Avner Sher, one of Israels most respected architects and artists, has a recognizable leaf-shape, and the Company intends to have this design as an internationally recognizable brand for the Center buildings in Israel and worldwide. The Center is to be built in accordance with ecological green principles of saving energy and including solar panels. Reference is made to the current report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on February 10, 2022, for additional information. About Citrine Global Corp. Citrine Global's business activity is primarily comprised of developing wellness and pharma solutions focusing on botanical products such as medicinal herbal plants, medical cannabis, medicinal mushrooms, and other natural solutions to improve the quality of life of people around the world Citrine Global's headquarters and senior management are based in Israel, where the company operates via its 100%-owned-subsidiary CTGL Citrine Global Israel Ltd. and 60%-owned Cannovation Center Israel Ltd. Citrine Global team has a strong foothold in Israel with leading universities, researchers, labs, industry leaders, companies and entrepreneurs and views Israeli technologies as a source of innovation for global markets. Recent important milestones include the following: Green Vision Cente r, a unique platform of a production & innovation center focusing on botanical solutions, such as medicinal herbal plants, medical cannabis, medicinal mushrooms and other natural wellness and pharma solutions to improve the quality of life of people around the world. a unique platform of a production & innovation center focusing on botanical solutions, such as medicinal herbal plants, medical cannabis, medicinal mushrooms and other natural wellness and pharma solutions to improve the quality of life of people around the world. Development & beginning of sales of the Green Side by Side product line that contains natural and herbal formulas based on researched and science-based plants, herbal extracts, mushrooms, and other natural ingredients. The products are in multiple form factors, including oral sprays, capsules, tablets among others. that contains natural and herbal formulas based on researched and science-based plants, herbal extracts, mushrooms, and other natural ingredients. The products are in multiple form factors, including oral sprays, capsules, tablets among others. Filing of Provisional Patent Application, No: 63/257,673 for PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SIDE-EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF CANNABIS, CANNABINOIDS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, an invention that addresses the needs of medical cannabis patients who experience side effects related to their cannabis treatment. Citrine Globals vision is to become a leading global company for wellness and pharma technologies and solutions targeting to improve peoples quality of life worldwide. You are invited to visit our website: http://www.citrine-global.com For inquiries and further information, please contact: info@citrine-global.com Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other U.S. federal securities laws. For example, Citrine Global is using forward-looking statements when it discusses that Cannovation Center Israel Ltd. will create an eco-system that will attract partners, market leaders, companies, and technologies, and will turn Cannovation Center Israel Ltd. into a global center in these fields. These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of the management of Citrine Global and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the forward-looking statements contained in this communication include but are not limited to trends in target markets; effects of competition in the Companys main markets; ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships in its major businesses, market acceptance of Cannovations Green Product Line, sufficient capital resources to realize our business plan, profitability of the growth strategy; and changes in global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces. Our actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as required by law. Attachment DALLAS, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HomesUSA Alliance, founded by the real estate industry giants Ben Caballero and Bob Hafer, is inviting real estate agents to register for its online new home sales education coursework available in February and March. Real estate agents in Texas can earn continuing education credits required to maintain an active state real estate license. Real estate agents completing the six different classes offered will receive a new home sales certification. The Alliance has already helped more than 4,000 real estate sales professionals learn to work with home builders better. Available remotely via Zoom, agents can sign up for the entire two-day program or individual classes. The next 2-day series of classes are on Wednesday and Thursday, February 16 and 17, and Wednesday and Thursday, March 16 and 17. Registration is online at the HomesUSAAlliance.com website on its Calendar page (https://homesusaalliance.com/education/course-calendar) and is open to agents throughout Texas and nationwide. Hafer, who created and taught the coursework, notes that individual classes include Building Your Real Estate Business Through New Home Sales, Everything You Need to Know About New Home Construction, How to Recognize a Green Built New Home, How to Successfully Negotiate with a New Home Builder, Understanding New Home Builder Contracts and Addendums, and New Home Blueprint for Realtors. The Texas Real Estate Commission approved the classes for continuing education (CE) credits. Agents can earn 11 credits from the six courses during the two-day program. Priced affordably at $200, once agents complete all six (6) CE courses, they will earn their New Home Sales Certification from HomesUSA Alliance. Riches are in the niches, said Ben Caballero, America's top new home sales specialist and No. 1 ranked real estate sales professional. "Agents who learn how to work with home builders gain a specialization that can help them significantly grow their business," he added. Hafer points out that the Texas Real Estate Commission requires agents to take 18 hours of approved Continuing Education credit every two years. Agents completing our new homes coursework can complete about two-thirds of their two-year requirement in just two days. Most importantly, we provide agents with information about how to work with builders thats not available anywhere else, added Hafer. About HomesUSA Alliance The HomesUSA Alliance's mission is to improve builder-agent relationships through better communication. With these classes, Agents benefit greatly from better insight into how home builders work. Founded by real estate industry giants Ben Caballero and Bob Hafer, the Alliance is their way of giving back to an industry that has enriched their professional and personal lives. Media Contact: Kevin Hawkins (206) 866-1220 kevin@wavgroup.com Images: HomesUSA Alliiance logo https://homesusaalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/alliance.png Ben Caballero https://www.homesusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/L-38017_bcaballero_photo.jpg Bob Hafer https://homesusa.com/wp-content/themes/homeusa_theme/images/bob.jpg BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verde AgriTech Plc (TSX: NPK) (OTCQB: AMHPF) ("Verde or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has received a Mining Concession1 for extraction of up to 2,500,000 tonnes per year (tpy) of potash rich ore, which is processed into Verdes multinutrient potassium products, BAKS and K Forte, sold internationally as Super Greensand, (the Product). With this new Mining Concession, the Company is now fully permitted to produce up to 2,833,000 tpy. This mining concession marks one more milestone for Verde. It will supply raw material for our Plant 2, which will boost production and accelerate sales growth. It is also another important governmental stamp of approval for our efforts towards reducing Brazils crippling dependency on imported potash, said Cristiano Veloso, Verdes Founder and CEO. On March 26, 2020, the National Mining Agency (ANM), Brazil's mining regulatory body, approved the Feasibility Study (PAE, from Plano de Aproveitamento Economico) for the extraction of 25,000,000 tpy for Verde's Mine Pit 2, as part of the Mining Concession Application (known in Brazil as Requerimento de Lavra). The Feasibility Study details the technical and economic viability of the project and indicates, among other information, the mining method and scale of production. The Mining Concession was preceded by an Environmental License assessed and issued at the state level by Minas Gerais Environmental and Sustainable Development Secretary (known in Brazil as Secretaria de Estado de Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Sustentavel). The Company had applied for the 2,500,000 tpy Environmental License for Mine Pit 2 on March 30, 2020, and it was approved on December 23, 2020. This Mining Concession was granted to the Company as an expansion to the existing 100,000 tpy Mining Permit (in Brazil known as Guia de Utilizacao), previously granted for Mine Pit 2. In total, the Company is now permitted to extract up to 2,600,000 tpy from Mine Pit 2 alone. Under Brazilian law, a pit is fully permitted to mine when the Company holds both a Mining Concession/Permit and Environmental License for that area. With this latest Mining Concession, Verde is now fully permitted to mine 2,833,000 tpy (please see the topic Summary of Licenses and Permits below) and has submitted concurrent mining and environmental applications for an additional 2,500,000 tpy, still pending approval. Summary of Licenses and Permits The Company has 3 different mine pits, each at different permitting stages and targeting different volumes, as summarized in the table below. Mine Pit Fully Permitted to Produce (tpy) Mining (tpy) Environmental (tpy) Granted Pending Granted Pending 1 233,000 233,000 0 233,000 0 2 2,600,000 2,600,000 22,500,000 2,600,000 0 3 0 49,800 2,500,000 0 2,500,000 Total 2,833,000 2,882,800 25,000,000 2,833,000 2,500,000 2022 Guidance On January 10, 2022, Verde issued a press release announcing the 2022 and 2023 guidance. The Companys target is detailed on a quarterly basis, reflecting the market demand's seasonality, as follows: Period Q1 2022 Q2 2022 Q3 2022 Q4 2022 FY 2022 Sales target (tonnes) 115,000 200,000 250,000 135,000 700,000 Revenue (C$000) 10,070 21,954 27,228 13,011 72,263 EBITDA (C$000) 1,358 10,155 13,414 3,506 28,434 EPS (C$) 0.02 0.18 0.25 0.06 0.50 The 2022 guidance is underpinned by the following assumptions: Grant of mining concession Average Brazilian Real ( R$ ) to Canadian dollar exchange rate: C$1.00 = R$4.40 ) to Canadian dollar exchange rate: C$1.00 = R$4.40 Average KCl CFR Brazil of US$500, compared to current price of US$760 per tonne (as per the market intelligence firm Acerto Limited weekly price as of December 3, 2021). Sales Incoterms: 50% CIF and 50% FOB Sales channels: 50% direct sales and 50% indirect sales 2023 Guidance For 2023, Verdes sales volume target is 1.4 million tonnes. This target represents a potential 100% growth Year-on-Year (YoY). About Verde AgriTech Verde is an agricultural technology company that produces fertilizers. Our purpose is to improve the health of all people and the planet. Rooting our solutions in nature, we make agriculture healthier, more productive, and profitable. Corporate Presentation For further information on the Company, please view shareholders deck: https://verde.docsend.com/view/p9qyzinwe64ii4ke Investors Newsletter Subscribe to receive the Companys updates at: http://cloud.marketing.verde.ag/InvestorsSubscription The last edition of the newsletter can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/InvestorsNL-November2021 Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. The Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements can be accessed at this link. For additional information please contact: Cristiano Veloso, President, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Tel: +55 (31) 3245 0205; Email: investor@verde.ag www.investor.verde.ag | www.supergreensand.com | www.verde.ag 1 Mining Concession (known in Brazil as Portaria de Concessao de Lavra): guarantees to the owner the power and duty to explore the mineral deposit until it is exhausted, without a definite term. The title can only be obtained by mining companies and only after undertaking the authorised exploration through an exploration authorisation and subsequent approval of the Final Exploration Report. One of the essential documents for requesting a mining concession is the Feasibility Study, which must demonstrate the technical and economic viability of the project and indicate, among other information, the mining method, the planned scale of production and the mine closure plan. Malvern, Pennsylvania (USA), Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rajant Corporation, the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, and its technology partners will be attending EGYPS (Egypt Petroleum Show) in Cairo at the Egypt International Exhibition Center. .The event runs February 14th to 16th, with Rajant joining partners in Hall 2, Space F56. Presenting the reliable and secure collaborative solution for energy market IIoT connectivity will be AIRadio, Easy Aerial, and Kiber. Live smartfield-focused product demonstrations will be featured daily. Rajant understands what those in the oil and gas business need, and we have the product sitting on distributors shelves, ready for sale, unlike competitors who are struggling due to supply chain issues. Our wireless networking solutions are available worldwide through channel partners like AirRadio. Operating in hazardous environments places greater emphasis on the safety and security requirements while enabling continuous communications for a digitalized future-proof operation, says Al Rivero, Rajant VP of Sales, Global Energy. Rajant Kinetic Mesh maintains a secure, reliable, and resilient industrial wireless connection with uninterrupted low latency and high bandwidth. Comprehensive situational awareness is possible for technologies, such as drones, robots, and wearables, with continuous mobile communication enablement and tracking that is rapidly deployable, easy to maintain, and strengthened as the network expands. Highlighted at EGYPS will be Rajants industry-leading MeshTracer for personnel and asset tracking to advance site security and situational awareness. It can effectively report on Rajant BreadCrumbs, AeroScout tags, and any Wi-Fi device that uses a static MAC address. MeshTracer is the most effective mustering and tracking, incident management, and communications platform on the market today, which uses Real-Time Location System (RTLS) technology to identify people and assets across all zones and areas of an industrial IoT site. The system uses standardized communication protocols, allowing devices to exchange messages, define incidents, and monitor the flow of users throughout a physical environment. Beyond oil and gas applications, Rajant has a 20-year successful track record for commercial deployments in such industries as mining, ports, heavy construction, and a non-commercial history for the military and public safety. Rajant pioneered fully mobile V2X/M2M and has a heritage of maintaining interoperability with existing BreadCrumb wireless nodes with new product releases. Notably, in 2021, Rajant introduced its fourth generation BreadCrumbs, known as Peregrine and Hawk, which have had the fastest transition to new sales in the company's history. Partner demonstrations and meetings at EGYPS include: Easy Aerial Drones Whether monitoring infrastructure, assets, or events, Easy Aerial has an autonomous drone solution ready to go above and beyond in terms of ease-of-use, durability, and coverage. Its aircraft solution makes autonomous security easy. Deployments occur via a triggered sensor or as a planned mission to provide full HD and thermal views directly from the aircraft, allowing users to make smarter decisions faster. Kiber Augmented Reality Headset Empowering the workforce through AR technology-based solutions, Kiber is making remote collaboration easy, safe, and efficient. The Kiber3 is a unique hardware and software fully integrated AR remote communication wearable solution allowing users to live-stream field activities to command operations. Situational awareness is dynamic and interactive for on-site workers to receive support while staying focused on their job with an all-in-one hands-free solution. Find out more and schedule time to talk at EGYPS today. Or stop by our booth to see the latest BreadCrumbs in action. #### About Rajant Corporation Rajant Corporation is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh networking, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajants Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 70 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, oil & gas, petrochemical plants, municipalities, and agriculture. Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and Twitter. Attachment ATLANTA, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber), one of the largest family-owned manufacturing companies in the United States, announced today that it has donated $250,000 to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) as part of its Huber Helps community engagement initiative and its commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I). The donated funds will be applied to two programs. The first is the J.M. Huber COVID Emergency Fund Scholarship Program for the spring of 2022, in which 125 students attending TMCF member schools who have suffered hardship related to the pandemic can apply for up to $1,000 each. The second is the J.M. Huber Internship Program. TMCF will help source up to five students studying engineering or other STEM-related fields for internship positions in 2022 with Huber. Upon completion of their internship, the students will be eligible for a scholarship of up to $10,000. Building on a nearly 140-year history of innovation, Huber enhances the performance of thousands of consumer and industrial products around the world. With over 4,000 employees in 20 countries and $2.4 billion in annual revenue, Huber businesses continue to play a leading role in the industries they serve, always guided by the Huber Principles: Environmental, Health & Safety Sustainability, Ethical Behavior, Respect for People and Excellence. We are extremely excited about the opportunity to work with TMCF to support students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), says Lily Prost, Chief Human Resources Officer for J.M. Huber Corporation. This is a critical part of Hubers DE&I strategy and reflects our commitment to directing 1% of our net income annually to organizations supporting Education & Wellness, one of our three areas of focus for Huber Helps. TMCF has a history of success supporting nearly 300,000 students that attend HBCUs and PBIs, and creating pathways to economic mobility through degree attainment and lucrative careers. Since its founding in 1987, TMCF has awarded over $300 million in scholarships for students and boasts a 97% graduation rate for students in its programs. We are proud to work with an industry leader like Huber and applaud them for this initiative, said Dr. Eric D. Hart, Chief Program Officer for TMCF. The funding from this donation will provide more talented minority students with a clear pathway from college to career. For more information about the J.M. Huber COVID Emergency Fund and Internship Programs, please visit www.whosnext.tmcf.org. About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nations largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: www.tmcf.org. About J.M. Huber Corporation J.M. Huber Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (US), operates a diverse portfolio of companies: CP Kelco, Huber Engineered Materials, Huber Engineered Woods and Huber Resources Corp. With locations around the world, our businesses create products used in a broad range of applications including personal care, food and beverage, agricultural nutrients and adjuvants, building materials, flame retardants and smoke suppressants, as well as sustainable forestry services. Founded in 1883, Huber is one of the largest family-owned companies based in the US. For more information, visit www.huber.com. Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Launched by the eCommerce experts at JIBE, ECOMsquare is a bi-level, 7,000-square-foot facility and the new home of a collective that features eCommerce creators, operators, and owners who are dedicated to growing the eCommerce industry in British Columbia. The space, located at 1758 West 8th Ave., officially opens for new member applications this month, February 2022. Business memberships are offered via an a la carte menu and provide all the necessary elements for running a successful small-scale eCommerce business: photo studio with lighting, cameras and backdrops, small-scale pop-up spot for product launches or retail events, a podcasting sound booth, a small-scale storage facility for inventory, a community clubhouse for networking (accessible for all members), plus meeting space, workstations, bike storage, parking and showers. "This place is a no-brainer home base for up-and-coming D2C brands in Vancouver. Where else could you possibly find office space, boardrooms, a photo studio and warehousing, all under one roof, with a postal depot next door? Great vibe in the environment, in a great location," says Shawn ONeill of SpeedSense, an eCommerce website performance consultancy in Vancouver. Community memberships are $59 per month and provide access to reserve amenities and the community clubhouse, while space membership pricing starts at $459 a month for full access. All members have unique access to the ECOMsquare app, which allows for easy booking for meeting rooms, workstations, events, equipment and more. Additionally, the app provides Wi-Fi support, location details, a public events calendar, and customer support all in one place. Steve Krueger, founder and CEO of JIBE and ECOMsquare, says Its been a journey over the last year prepping for the launch of our space. Our event activations over the fall were amazing confirmation that our community is eager to collaborate and build eCommerce businesses in this city. Were looking forward to welcoming early-stage eCommerce business owners and practitioners. ECOMsquare inspires our company to drive forward, and the space enables us to move steps forward each day, says Aaron Laslo, CEO of Cando, a green technology company based in Vancouver with a presence in Helsinki, Finland, and Austin, Texas. "We can engage with our team in a productive environment and collaborate with like-minded technology startups and entrepreneurs." For more information or to book your membership, visit ecomsquare.co. Find images of the space HERE. About JIBE: Founded in 2009, JIBE employs specialists across North America in helping better-life brands thrive into eCommerce businesses through user-centric design, technical architecting and development, and performance marketing. Experts in BigCommerce, Shopify and Magento, and highly custom eCommerce implementations, JIBE is the trusted agency for brands looking to elevate their eCommerce experience, including brands such as 7mesh, Arcteryx, Sugoi and Organika. Attachment FORT PIERCE, Fla., Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- All Quitman school district students and staff were safe and unharmed after a recent tornado struck Quitman, Arkansas thanks to the National Safety Shelters pods installed in each classroom in 2018. Students and staff successfully took refuge in the shelters, located in classrooms, within 90 seconds securing everyone without incident. Parents and staff were grateful and impressed with the American-made shelters' performance. Some educators are crediting this assurance of security with increased student enrollment. "We live in tornado alley and therefore we need to be as prepared as possible," said Dennis Truxler, superintendent of the Quitman School District. "A school district southwest of us has been hit by a tornado, and one northeast of us was hit twice. Finding the most effective product for rapidly securing our students and staff was our top priority. We found that in the pods designed by National Safety Shelters." The safety pods are rated as able to withstand the highest category (EF5) tornado. They are constructed with ballistic steel used by the U.S. Army for armored vehicles. Schools nationwide must be prepared to keep students and staff safe from active shooters, extreme weather, and natural disasters. Each National Safety Shelters pod is constructed with American-made, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), ballistic level III, virtually bullet-proof steel. This makes them effective in protecting those inside from threats such as shooters, bombs, earthquakes, and tornadoes. The shelters can be installed easily into existing classrooms. The design of the pods allows for customization to any amount of square footage and any layout. Most importantly, they are designed to be immediately accessible. Since they are located in classrooms, the pods eliminate the danger posed by leaving the safety of classrooms to venture down hallways where students and staff are vulnerable to hazards like falling objects or an active shooter, depending on the situation. "The process during the tornado was very easy to execute, as each shelter has a door that you simply open and walk in. Teachers asked students to line up, one student was designated to open the door, and students entered in single file before the door was closed. It was simple," said Truxler. Parents and school board members alike agree that the shelters are "the best safety feature that a school district could invest in to protect their students and staff." Truxler credits the security the shelters provide and the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are there as part of the reason for the district's 20% increase in student enrollment. Most of the new students have matriculated from neighboring districts. Significantly, revenue from the increase in student enrollment has more than covered the cost of purchasing and installing the shelters. Melissa Bobo, mother of two children in the Quitman Schools District, said she is glad the schools have installed the shelters. "I am very grateful that their school is able to provide a safer environment for my children," she said. Truxler describes parents' reaction to the shelters as "overwhelmingly positive" and reiterates his gratitude for, and belief in, the investment. "I spent a lot of time researching and reading articles concerning school safety and nothing compares to our shelters. I am 100% satisfied with the security that the shelters produced by National Safety Shelter provide to our students and staff." Please visit http://nationalsafetyshelters.com to learn more about how National Safety Shelters pods can protect your school district. Media Contact Will Loschiavo will@newswire.com This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ECO Earth Sciences Inc., alongside their production partners, Reversomatic Manufacturing Limited, are excited to unveil a new source mitigation and indoor air quality solution. The new Auroris and PlasmaSphere devices dramatically improve indoor air quality while significantly lowering the risk of COVID-19 spread. Despite the many challenges that the global pandemic has created, it has also given rise to incredible innovation. This was also true a century ago during the Spanish Influenza pandemic when the invention of the steam radiator allowed windows to open regardless of the weather, increasing direct ventilation, improving indoor air quality, and contributing to the end of the pandemic. Today, ECO Earth Sciences Inc. is excited to announce a breakthrough development that will significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread indoors while also dramatically improving indoor air quality. Air quality has never been more important. With 90% of our time spent indoors, research by the EPA has found that the air we breathe can be up to five times more contaminated compared to outside air. While there are many mitigation and purification measures available, most all are reactive, requiring the contaminant or pathogen to find a pathway to the device. Auroris and Plasmasphere target viruses and other airborne contaminants at their source. Patrick Kehoe, CEO of ECO Earth Sciences Inc. reports, "We were guided by nature, and we essentially turned the inside out. While the preoccupation has been on attempting to purify or resuscitate stale, contaminated indoor air, we turned our attention to creating the best possible indoor air quality experience while continuously targeting and removing the threat." Auroris effectively acts as the room's lungs, allowing indoor spaces to breathe; continuously delivering fresh air directly into a room while continuously removing stale, contaminated air. To further improve the quality of the air, advanced three-stage purification ensures the freshest indoor air experience possible. In nature, the air has a natural disinfection mechanism that has existed since the beginning of time. Energy from the sun, the waves, and the wind extract electrons from water vapor in the air creating non-thermal plasma. PlasmaSphere by Auroris emulates this same natural process by first purifying the incoming air, then enriching the plasma energy levels of the fresh incoming air. This combination of purification and energy enrichment targets aerosol contaminants and boosts indoor air quality levels to match those found only in the most pristine natural environments. This revolutionary new technology can be used across any interior, providing schools, businesses, and homeowners with the ability to dramatically improve indoor air quality and mitigate airborne pathogens. Auroris and PlasmaSphere also operate independently, complementing and enhancing the performance of ALL existing systems and can be used regardless of HVAC system type or age. Speaking on the launch, Kehoe added, "We have made incredible progress in improving indoor air quality. Our new technology now offers customers the opportunity to enjoy the cleanest air possible and ensure that indoor spaces are made as safe as possible. This has a huge impact not only on the spread of viruses and other pathogens indoors but in reducing environmental sensitivities, absenteeism as well as a pronounced increase in alertness and productivity." The Safe Air Space Program, also by Auroris, will identify businesses, schools, facilities, and workplaces that have implemented the necessary measures to Mitigate, Monitor, and Report the quality of their indoor air. Auroris, is the only commercially available air quality device that collects bioaerosol particulates such as viruses (including COVID-19), bacteria, allergens, and molds down to 0.1 microns. Third Party testing and verification provide assurance that the space is safe. Kehoe added, "I fully support the measures taken by all levels of government to date. Our healthcare resources are finite, and our healthcare workers have been pushed to the limit. However, many in our business community have suffered immeasurably during this pandemic and they as well as the individuals and institutions who provide the necessary investment capital, need certainty moving forward. Our focus must now be on learning to live with the virus and on recovery. In the coming weeks, we will be petitioning all levels of government to support solutions that address public safety and facilitate a return to a new normal. If we are now able to mitigate viral contamination in our occupied spaces and provide irrefutable third-party evidence that our facilities are clear of the virus, then these businesses should be exempt from any future orders or interruptions." To learn more about Auroris, Plasmasphere or the Safe Air Space program, please visit www.ecoearthsciences.com/auroris CONTACT Patrick F Kehoe patk@ecoearthsciences.com (905) 208-1489 Related Images Image 1: Corporate Logo This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Chicago, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Health insurance companies tout prior authorization for certain medical procedures, treatments, or drugs as a cost-saving measure, but insurer-imposed approval processes that go too far are no bargain for employers. Prior authorization requirements on evidence-based care can have severe consequences that interfere with a healthy, productive workforce, according to new survey results issued today by the American Medical Association (AMA). Health insurance companies entice employers with claims that prior authorization requirements keep health care costs in check, but often these promises obscure the full consequences on an employers bottom line or employees well-being, said AMA President Gerald Harmon, M.D. Benefit plans with excessive authorization controls create serious problems for employers when delayed, denied or abandoned care harms the health of employees and results in missed work days, lost productivity and other costs. According to the AMA survey, more than half (51%) of physicians who care for patients in the workforce reported that prior authorization had interfered with a patients job responsibilities. In fact, more than one-third (34%) of physicians reported that prior authorization led to a serious adverse event, such as hospitalization, disability, or even death, for a patient in their care. Also, more than nine in 10 physicians (93%) reported care delays while waiting for health insurers to authorize necessary care, and more than four in five physicians (82%) said patients abandon treatment due to authorization struggles with health insurers. The findings of the AMA survey illustrate a critical need to streamline prior authorization requirements to minimize delays or disruptions in care delivery. Health plans agreed to make a series of improvements to the prior authorization process several years ago, but despite harmful consequences of delayed or disrupted care, most health plans are not making meaningful progress on reforms. Now is the time for employers to demand transparency from health plans on the growing impact of prior authorization programs on the health of their workforce, said Dr. Harmon. To help employers - the nations largest purchasers of health insurance - choose the right health plan to provide coverage for their workforce, the AMA offers the following recommendations: Ask health insurance plans questions during the next benefit contracting season. The AMA offers employers a list of questions to ask health plans about how their prior authorization requirements may impact employees. Solicit feedback from employees about their experience with prior authorization. The AMA encourages employers to use a benefit satisfaction survey, anonymous HR complaint line, or open engagement with HR representatives. Take action by visiting FixPriorAuth.org to learn more. Employers can submit stories and sign the AMAs reform petition. The AMA continues to work on every front to streamline prior authorization. Through our research, collaborations, advocacy and leadership, the AMA is working to right-size prior authorization programs so that physicians can focus on patients rather than paperwork. Patients, physicians, and employers can learn more about reform efforts and share their personal experiences with prior authorization at FixPriorAuth.org. # # # About the American Medical Association The American Medical Association is the physicians powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises, and driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care. For more information, visit ama-assn.org. SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KeyCity Capital announced the 50% acquisition of Hudson Title Group, LLC ("Hudson"). In less than two years, Hudson has grown from a team of four to 25 and now has nine offices throughout the metroplex with an eye toward aggressive expansion throughout Texas and into the Southeastern United States and Rocky Mountain West. Hudson has a proven team of experienced professionals with decades of experience and success in the title industry and is underwritten by five of the top underwriters in the industry to meet the needs of any transaction. The transaction highlights KeyCity Capital's continued emphasis on investing in key markets and investments across the country on its path to becoming a Premier and Holistic Private Equity Company. "The addition of Hudson Title Group to the KeyCity Family of companies establishes us as one of the market leaders in the Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, region," said Tie Lasater, CEO of KeyCity Capital. "Hudson Title Group is a well-respected brand with a great team of associates who deliver outstanding service to residential, commercial and lender customers. The complementary strengths and capabilities they bring will only further strengthen both companies and create additional opportunities for each as we look to their management team to continue building the Hudson Title Group brand." "We are very excited about joining the KeyCity Family of companies and with the opportunities to combine our industry-leading team of title professionals with KeyCity's ability to deploy capital into growing Hudson both organically and through strategic acquisitions," said Adam Setliff, CEO, Hudson Title Group. Having the backing of a company like KeyCity Capital also provides financial strength and leading-edge technology that will further enhance our growth objectives throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth marketplace. KeyCity Capital's culture, which highlights the importance of teamwork, coupled with their technology, was a key point for us and made joining KeyCity Capital a natural fit. I am confident that this new and exciting relationship will bring considerable value to both our customers and our team members." ________________________ About KeyCity Capital KeyCity Capital is a world-class private equity and wealth acceleration firm. The firm serves accredited investors and high net worth individuals with comprehensive wealth advice and attractive investments in the private investment industry. This press release is intended for internal purposes only. Through using proprietary tools, we develop custom wealth strategies that blend investment diversification with personalized tax, income, and savings plans. For more information, visit the KeyCity Capital website at www.keycitycapital.com. _______________________ KeyCity Capital, LLC 1209 S White Chapel Blvd Suite 180 Southlake, TX 76092 Meliea Ware SVP of Operations Phone: 817.912.1569 Email: info@keycitycapital.com www.keycitycapital.com Related Images Image 1: KeyCity Capital Acquires 50% of Hudson Title Group, LLC This transaction highlights KeyCity Capital's continued emphasis on investing in key markets and investments across the country on its path to becoming a Premier and Holistic Private Equity Company. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The following is a statement issued by the Masonry Works Council of Ontario: The report released by Ontarios Housing Affordability Task Force (OHATF) has drawn much-deserved applause from residents and stakeholders from across the province. As a whole, the Masonry sector in Ontario supports the recommendations made by the task force to cut red tape and build 1.5-million housing units over the next ten years. However, it remains imperative that the Province pay careful attention to sustained housing affordability beyond ten years through ensuring that increased quantity does not diminish the necessary quality to ensure the longevity of these developments. The masonry industry also recommends that the Province consider the economic impact of favouring one material over another when developing housing affordability legislation. We also ask that the province consider the importance of building design in alleviating local concerns voiced by residents regarding intensification in their community. The majority of the recommendations in this report provide the Province with important guidance in addressing housing affordability in Ontario, and in general are supported by the masonry industry. However, the industry is asking the Province to consider the long-term implications of limiting the ability of municipalities to influence design and community character. The cost of housing has increased significantly over the past ten years. The OHATF report indicates that, since 2011, the average house price in Ontario has increased from $329,000 to $923,000. The report also mentions that the housing crisis disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable Ontarians. Many of the Task Forces recommendations will help all Ontarians by delivering needed intensification and streamlining approvals, while cutting down on misuse of the appeals process to stall developments. The masonry industry wholly supports many of these recommendations that would increase both density and supply. However, it is important that affordable housing remains affordable for generations to come. If we are to consider the benchmark of affordable housing to be at 30% or less of household income it is important to factor in long-term maintenance costs as a good practice for sustainable affordability. Sustainable affordability means ensuring that housing units are durable and require minimal long-term maintenance interventions. One way to address this is to ensure that there is attention paid to exterior design which enables sustainability and durability over a prolonged life cycle for a building. The housing affordability crisis disproportionally affects young people, New Canadians, racialized, marginalized and indigenous communities. Studies show that these Ontarians are also more disproportionally affected by the effects of climate change. Therefore, ensuring that affordable housing units are built to withstand increased extreme climate events through adaptation and mitigation is critical in ensuring that Ontario maintains affordable housing supply long term. Local government is best equipped with knowledge on how the climate crisis is impacting their specific communities. Taking away local authority over exterior design diminishes this knowledge and leaves residents vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Ontarians deserve to have input into how their neighbourhoods are planned and designed. New homeowners, especially those from vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, deserve to live in homes that are both affordable and well-designed. The more corners we cut today, the more we kick the can down the road and leave todays homebuyers with hidden costs to bear. The report recommends that the provincial government enacts policies which enable the proliferation of wood frame construction over other materials. Again, the masonry industry urges the government to consider the long-term implications of such a decision. Over the full life cycle of a building concrete and masonry materials require less maintenance interventions; this means that over time these materials actually cost less and have less environmental impact. The masonry industry in Ontario plays an important role in helping the Government bring quality affordable housing to market. A policy which favours wood frame construction over other materials would have significant impacts on a long-standing Ontario industry which employs more than 14,000 people and contributes $1.3 billion to the provinces economy. Ontario will not solve the housing crisis by sacrificing good design and sustainable communities. Poor building design leads to higher costs down the road through increased maintenance and building envelope replacement. Studies have shown good design is not a major driver of costs or approval delays much of this comes from bureaucratic delays. We encourage the Government to reject recommendations that would abolish local input on urban design matters, while proceeding with other reforms that would increase overall density, end single-home zoning, establish project timelines and disincentivize vexatious appeals. Andrew Payne Executive Director Masonry Works Council of Ontario andrew@masonryworks.ca SAN DIEGO, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hyperlight Energy, a developer of Hylux, the worlds lowest-cost concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, today announced that it has signed an exclusive license agreement with the U.S. Department of Energys National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for its patented receiver design technology. The design improves the performance of linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) receivers used in Hyperlights CSP platform. The improved performance facilitated by NRELs receiver design, combined with Hyperlights low-cost reflector system, will increase the value of the Hylux platform for customers. Hyperlight is prioritizing rapid optimization and deployment of this technology at a time when companies and industries are pushing through the worlds toughest decarbonization challenges. Weve worked in partnership with NREL on our in-house developed world-beating low-cost reflector system for close to a decade, said John King, CEO and cofounder of Hyperlight Energy. Were thrilled to now be executing on our plan to add best-in-class performance to our offering by integrating their proprietary receiver design methodology into Hylux. Traditional CSP projects require large quantities of expensive steel to construct, leading to scalability challenges. By contrast, Hyperlight makes Hylux using domestically sourced recyclable plastic. Hylux can be installed on-location and designed to fit a range of industrial settings. The end result is a platform which uses mirrors to capture and reflect the suns heat, generating steam to efficiently power industrial processes, manufacturing, oil extraction and more. The new technology from NREL offers a breakthrough in design methodology that optimizes optical capture, with no additional cost for the hardware, said Guangdong Zhu, inventor and senior engineer at NREL. Up until now, the receiver design process started with an equation followed by a guess-and-check approach through optical modeling of multiple iterations of the curve. However, the best way to do it is to use optical modeling from the start and let that tell you the optimal design with no guess work involved. You end up with the same material and production cost, but with a boost in performance for free. In 2021, Hyperlight held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first commercial project at Saputo Inc.s cheese production plant in Tulare, CA. The project is funded by the California Energy Commission and deploys Hylux to provide a portion of the heat necessary in Saputos cheese-making processes via a 1.5-acre solar array. The company also has an MOU for a thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project to decarbonize the transportation supply chain as well as multiple additional projects in the pipeline. About Hyperlight Hyperlight Energy has developed the worlds lowest-cost solar steam technology. The companys flagship product, Hylux, is built in its San Diego-based manufacturing plant using domestically sourced recyclable plastic. Hyperlight continues to work with world-class scientific and utility organizations to accelerate the global energy transition. Hyperlight is currently conducting a private placement offering in accordance with Regulation Crowdfunding (RegCF) adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, through StartEngine. Press Contact FischTank PR hyperlight@fischtankpr.com New York, Feb. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest research study on Fiber Cement Siding Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Material (Portland Cement, Silica, Cellulosic Fiber, and Others), Type (Clapboard, Shingles, and Stone or Stucco), and End-User (Residential and Commercial), published by The Insight Partners. The fiber cement siding market growth is driven by the growing residential and commercial construction activities and the low cost of fiber cement siding, the rising benefits of fiber cement sidings and increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings globally. However, numerous health problems associated with the installation of fiber cement sidings, and durability and resilience of fiber cement sidings are a few market restraining factors. Report Coverage Details Market Size Value in US$ 3,963.50 million in 2021 Market Size Value by US$ 6,229.51 million by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 6.7% from 2021 to 2028 Forecast Period 2021-2028 Base Year 2021 No. of Pages 136 No. Tables 68 No. of Charts & Figures 69 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Material, Type, and End-User Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA Country scope US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Get Exclusive Sample Pages of this research study at https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100001095/ Fiber Cement Siding Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments James Hardie Industries, GAF, Nichiha, CSR Limited, and Toray Industries Inc. are among the key players that are profiled during this market study. In addition, several other essential market players were studied and analyzed to get a holistic view of the global fiber cement siding market and its ecosystem. In January 2020, James Hardie Building Products Inc. launched 700 ColorPlus Technology finishes fiber cement under the James Hardies Dream Collection, intending to expand the product portfolio of the fiber cements wide range of color options. In April 2018, James Hardie acquired Fermacell, a building material business, to strengthen its business. This strategic initiative is expected to increase the growth of its fiber cement business across Europe. Furthermore, it would also strengthen its geographical footprint and product portfolio. Fiber cement siding is a building material used to cover the exterior of the buildings in commercial and residential applications. Fiber cement is a composite material made of sand, cement, and cellulose fiber. It offers several advantages such as impact resistance, fireproof properties, resistance to termites, and rot proof. It comprises fly ash, wood pulp, and Portland cement. It acts as an alternative to actual wood and vinyl siding. Fiber cement siding offers an aesthetic appearance, prolonged maintenance, and extended durability, and it is less expensive. Furthermore, it provides a smooth finish and a better exterior home design to enhance curb appeal. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPTE100001095/ The growing residential and commercial construction activities and the low cost of fiber cement siding are among the major factors that positively influence market growth. However, numerous health problems associated with installing fiber cement sidings and durability and resilience of fiber cement sidings are a few market restraining factors. Nevertheless, rising benefits of fiber cement sidings and increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings globally are among the factors creating market growth opportunities. Fiber Cement Siding Market: End-User Overview Based on end-user, the fiber cement siding market is segmented into residential and commercial. In 2021, the residential segment led the market and accounted for a larger market share. The residential segment has a significant market share due to the rising construction of residential buildings worldwide. For instance, according to the Oxford Economics/Haver Analytics data of contribution to global construction growth 20202030, China, India, and the US are among the significant contributors in residential construction activities. Also, in 2021, according to the Marsh LLC data, residential construction activity is forecast to be the fastest-growing sector globally at 7.1%. The residential sector accounted for 44% of total global construction in 2020, making it is the largest sub-sector and a key driver. Further, the strong economic conditions and low rates of housing loan interest will help maintain the expansion of construction activities in the residential sector worldwide. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Europe Fiber Cement Siding Market: Russia, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany are among the worst-affected countries by the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe. Businesses in the region faced severe economic difficulties as they had to suspend their operations or substantially reduce their activities. Due to business lockdowns, travel bans, and supply chain disruptions, the region experienced an economic slowdown in 2020 and 2021. Italy, Spain, and Germany implemented drastic measures and travel restrictions to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among its citizens. Further, in 2020, a halt in the construction of new housing projects hampered the growth of the real-estate sector in Europe. This has led to inflated real-estate prices and unfair competition among licensed accommodation providers. Buy Premium Copy of this research report at https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPTE100001095/ Furthermore, in 2020, France and Spain reported a decline in housing permits. Therefore, the fiber cement siding market experienced a slowdown in this period. However, the outlook for residential construction remained positive in 2021. The UK experienced a surge in demand for housing due to the cut in stamp duty on the sale of new homes, which led to a rapid rise in the number of new orders. About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Contact Person: Sameer Joshi E-mail: sales@theinsightpartners.com Phone: +1-646-491-9876 Press Release: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/pr/fiber-cement-siding-market Washington, D.C., Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following the reveal of its new 2022-2026 strategic plan, Appalachia Envisioned, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will embark on a virtual event series to highlight how ARCs investments are transforming Appalachian communities in each of its 13 states. The virtual event series (titled the Appalachia Envisioned Roadshow) will showcase the voices and experiences of Appalachian communities leveraging ARC grant funding to strengthen and fuel economic growth in the region. Each roadshow event will spotlight one of ARCs five strategic investment priorities and feature voices of governors, community members, and economic development professionals from ARC partner states. Stop 1: Building Workforce Ecosystems in Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania, the first event of the series, will take place on Tuesday, March 1 from 9:30-11:30 am EST. ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin will facilitate an engaging discussion with ARC States Co-Chair Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland on the challenges and successes in creating and expanding workforce ecosystems in his state. Community members will also participate in a panel to share their experiences from the frontlines of bringing ARCs investment priority of building workforce ecosystems to life. The future of Appalachia is bright because of the individuals in the region actively engaged in efforts to strengthen and elevate their communities each day, said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. The Appalachia Envisioned Roadshow is a five-part virtual event series, which will spotlight the voices and experiences of leaders and communities in all 13 states, while facilitating conversations about resilience, innovation, sustainability, and equity through the lens of ARCs new strategic plan. I look forward to kicking off the series with our partners in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, as well as collaborating with additional state partners for future events. Each day, communities across Appalachia are transformed through investments made by the ARC, said ARC States Co-Chair Governor Larry Hogan. There is no better way to further amplify and strengthen our mission than to spotlight the success stories of leaders and communities throughout the region. Dates and times are forthcoming for the remaining four roadshow events, which will focus on the following ARC strategic investment priorities: Building Appalachian Businesses Building Appalachias Infrastructure Building Regional Culture and Tourism Building Community Leaders and Capacity Learn more and register for Stop #1: Building Workforce Ecosystems with Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. To receive the latest information about the remaining Appalachia Envisioned Roadshow stops, sign up for ARCs In the Region newsletter. About the Appalachian Regional Commission The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARCs mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Attachment IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZUUM Transportation, a California-based logistics technology provider for manufacturers, retailers, freight brokers and carriers, announces the close of its latest $22 Million Round in collaboration with its Investors and Capital Partners, including Bridge Bank and Trinity Partners. "It's rewarding to work with a company like ZUUM that is making a difference for such a great stable of internationally recognized clients," said Justin Vogel, senior vice president in Bridge Bank's Capital Finance Group. "Bridge Bank appreciates the innovation ZUUM brings to the logistics industry." Bridge Bank contributes a $10 million asset-based loan facility for Zuum Transportation INC, as part of this round, in preparation for ZUUM's Series A in 2022. Founded in 2016, ZUUM's clients include BNSF Logistics, Estes Forwarding Worldwide, Hyundai Glovis, Tyson Foods, Sherwin-Williams and Staples among other Fortune 500, midsize and small businesses. The company offers shipper transportation management systems (TMS), freight broker software, a carrier TMS and a mobile app for truck drivers that are connected within the company's Logistics Super Platform. The tools enable customers to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their logistics operations while simultaneously automating their transportation networks. "We're all about smooth processes and enhanced efficiencies, the same qualities Bridge Bank brings to clients," said Matt Tabatabai, co-founder and chief operating officer of ZUUM. "Our goal is to defragment the logistics industry through collaboration and partnerships including with our lender." The Capital Finance Group at Bridge Bank offers a range of asset-based lending and factoring solutions, including accounts receivable, inventory and invoice financing, to provide lines of credit and working capital. The group's expertise supports companies in manufacturing, professional services, retail, technology and more that are experiencing unusual market conditions that might hamper their ability to adhere to traditional covenants and credit structures. About ZUUM Transportation ZUUM Transportation, Inc. is a logistics technology company based in Irvine, CA. Founded in 2016, ZUUM offers a shipper TMS, freight broker software, carrier TMS, and a mobile app for truck drivers that are connected within the Logistics Super Platform. These tools enable customers to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their logistics operations while simultaneously automating their transportation networks. Our vision is to optimize logistics and streamline supply chains globally by defragmenting the industry through collaboration and partnerships. ZUUM - AUTOMATE YOUR FREIGHT For more information, please visit zuumapp.com Contact Information: ZUUM Transportation, Inc. Jean-Claude Eenshuistra marketing@zuumapp.com Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment AARHUS, Denmark, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lean back and prepare for interesting sex trafficking statistics that illustrates the current state of this environment Key conclusions 1) 35 million is every single day victims of sex trafficking Estimates show that, internationally, only about .04% of survivors of trafficking cases are identified, meaning that the majority of cases go undetected. 2) The industry has never been larger It has an estimated 99 billion $ market value To put it into perspective the sex trafficking industry is larger than the global cocaine market and almost as big as the global PC market. Also if the yearly revenue of McDonalds, Netflix, Wall Disney, and Best Buy is aggregated the same value appears. 3) During the pandemic, online recruitment increased 22% The analysis found significant growth in the proportion of potential victims for whom Facebook (120% increase) and Instagram (95% increase) were the sites for recruitment. 4) There have never been so many child victims Worldwide, almost 20% of all victims are children. However, in some parts of Africa and the Mekong region, children are the majority (up to 100%). 5) Why people end up in sex trafficking; Recent migration, Mental Health issues, Unstable housing, Homeless Youth, and Drug abuse Everyone ending up in a trafficking situation has a clear and identifiable vulnerability that a trafficker preyed upon. Data and methodology - Data/information was collected from 172 countries with 109.216 identified victims. - From the year 2003 2021. - Estimating the full overview of trafficking is challenging since victims so often go undetected, something the United Nations refers to as the hidden figure of crime. - To support the findings of this report, external sources have been used as a peer review tool. - Sex trafficking is defined as the range of activities involved when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel another person to engage in a commercial sex act. - It has been easier to gather data on certain regions/countries than others (which therefore can result in a minor distortion of the real picture). Why is this report useful? Human trafficking is divided into forced labor and sex trafficking. Bedbible.com has chosen to primarily focus on sex trafficking since this stands for 79% of all human trafficking cases in the world. This detailed-oriented approach makes room for insights that maps sex trafficking in an angle never seen before. The results of the analysis This section highlights the findings of the analysis. Sex trafficking is a profitable business (Exclusive insights) The average annual profit for every woman in sex trafficking is 100.000$. The average for both genders is 21.800$. Further, the report reveals that sexual exploitation can yield a return on investment ranging from 100% to 1,000%. In the Netherlands, investigators were able to calculate the profit generated by two sex traffickers from a number of victims. One trafficker earned $18,148 per month from four victims (for a total of $127,036) while the second trafficker earned $295,786 in the 14 months that three women were sexually exploited. Worldwide: Identified victims vs. estimated victims There is a huge difference between the estimated number of victims and the actually identified victims. The identified victims are the cases that go to the police and often in court. But Bedbible.com knows from research that the majority do not end there. Its under 5% that is prosecuted. That being said, the identified victims statistics give a good idea about the development. So as it can be seen the cases are increasing significantly, and so are the earnings. Since 2014 Bedbible.com has seen a 60% increase in identified victims. Find similar Bedbible statistics here. PHILADELPHIA, PA, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Cancer Support Community (CSC), the worlds largest provider of cancer support with a network of 175 locations across the United States and Canada, has recently expanded its innovative, flagship research study, the Cancer Experience Registry (CER). The online survey for patients and caregivers now includes questions specifically designed to capture the experience of those diagnosed with bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is the fifth most common form of cancer overall and the fourth most common among men. An estimated 83,730 people were diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2021 alone. There is no one size fits all in terms of treatment, said Karen Godfrey, bladder cancer survivor and patient advocate. Self-advocacy, sharing of experiences, and demanding better treatment options are all vitally important. A lot of treatment options for bladder cancer, such as cystectomy, urostomy, and ostomy, are unfamiliar to many people and can be frightening. Theres also some stigma associated with this diagnosis, so patients can be reluctant to talk about it, said Heather Badt, Director of CSCs Research and Training Institute. We want to give a platform to everyone who has been touched by bladder cancer to shed light on the particular challenges that come with this diagnosis. The CER asks people living with cancer to tell CSC bout their physical health, social well-being, work, stress, as well as treatment decision-making, the financial impact, and more. Results from the CER are used by health care workers, researchers, and policymakers to enact change and create better outcomes for this generation of patients, caregivers, and survivors, and the next. Badt added, No one should feel like they are facing cancer alone. By participating in the CERs bladder cancer registry, you are joining a community of people united in improving the experience of people touched by this cancer. First launched in 2013, the CER has engaged nearly 19,000 patients, survivors, and caregivers. With the addition of bladder cancer specific questions, the CER now includes tailored questions for 14 specific cancer diagnoses. The CER remains open to all people living with cancer and to friends or family who have provided care. To learn more about the survey, visit: https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/registry CSC is grateful for the support of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) on this project. About the Cancer Support Community The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is a global nonprofit network of 175 locations, including CSC and Gilda's Club centers, hospital and clinics, and satellite locations that deliver $50 million in free support services to patients and families. In addition, CSC administers a toll-free helpline and produces award-winning educational resources that, together with the locations, reach more than one million people each year. Formed in 2009 by the merger of The Wellness Community and Gildas Club, CSC conducts cutting-edge research on the emotional, psychological, and financial journey of cancer patients. CSC also advocates at all levels of government for policies to help individuals whose lives have been disrupted by cancer. In January 2018, CSC welcomed Denver-based nonprofit MyLifeLine, a digital community that includes nearly 40,000 patients, caregivers, and their supporters that will enable CSC to scale its digital services in an innovative, groundbreaking way. For more information, visit www.CancerSupportCommunity.org. Des Moines, IA, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Monday, February 14, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman , head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for Americas 32.5 million small businesses in President Bidens Cabinet, will visit the Des Moines, Iowa metro area. Administrator Guzman will join U.S. Representative Cindy Axne to highlight the economic impact of President Joe Bidens American Rescue Plan and the SBAs Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program . The two leaders will meet with small business owners who utilized various SBA programs to assist with their economic recovery and discuss their continuing needs as our communities recover from the impacts of COVID-19. This visit marks the Administrators first official visit to the Des Moines area. Since May 2021, Administrator Guzman has visited 24 states and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico. Media are invited to join specific stops and must RSVP by 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 13, 2022, for credentialing and trip locations. WHEN: Monday, February 14, 2022 WHERE: Des Moines, Iowa Metro Area WHO: Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, U.S. Small Business Administration Representative Cindy Axne, Iowas 3rd Congressional District WHY: Administrator Guzman is traveling to Des Moines, Iowa, to highlight the economic impact of President Joe Bidens American Rescue Plan and the SBAs Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program. MEDIA RSVP: Please RSVP to Thomas Dave Lentell at thomas.lentell@sba.gov with a reporters name and press outlet. Additionally, one-on-one interviews with Administrator Guzman may be requested. Small businesses are the engine of our national economy, with 32.5 million small businesses nationwide and 240,000 small businesses in Iowa. Over 98 percent of all businesses in Iowa are small businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration Goshen, IN (46526) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. As we head into Valentines Day, we hate to put the kibosh on romance, but as many of us know, it isnt always wine and roses. People around the world have been targeted by online romance scams, and Guam is no different. People on Guam lost $259,338 to online romance scammers, according to SocialCatfish.com, an online service devoted to dating investigations. The data was included in its study, the State of Internet Scams 2021, which used data from the FBI, Internet Crime Complaint Center and Federal Trade Commission. In all of the U.S., scammers took romance seekers for $304 million in 2020, up from about 50% from 2019, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Social media scams One of the biggest romance scam trends is social media influencers having fake accounts made in their likeness. Sometimes called catfishing, this situation involves a scammer using a fake account to gain your affection and confidence, fostering the illusion of a romantic or close relationship, according to the FBI. The FBI differentiates catfishing from romance scams when it starts to involve exploitation for financial gain. Below are some tips from SocialCatfish.com to help you avoid becoming a victim of catfishing this Valentines Day, and beyond. 5 signs youre being catfished Cannot meet because of COVID: The hallmark of a catfish scammer is to come up with excuses of why they cannot meet, such as pretending to be in the military overseas. The pandemic gives them a built-in excuse not to meet. Be careful. Will not video chat: The oldest excuse in the book they cannot video chat with you because their video camera is supposedly broken, or they do not have the best access to Wi-Fi. These are red flags. They ask you for money: Once they form an emotional connection with lonely victims, they ask for money. During COVID-19, scammers have begun saying they are sick and need help with treatment, or are low on food, water and other supplies. Poor grammar: If the person claims to be American, but has terrible grammar, they may be a scammer. Confesses love quickly: If you are stuck in your house with limited contact with your loved ones, then someone elses sweet words can win you over. Scammers know the sooner they win your trust the sooner they can drain your bank account. Beware of someone who is moving too fast. 5 ways to avoid becoming a victim A doctor shows a box of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine in Varoslod, Hungary, Feb. 24, 2021. Hungary has started to administer China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine on that day. (Tamas Vasvari/MTI via Xinhua) Hungary was the first EU member to recognize and use Chinese vaccines. Hungarian President Janos Ader and Prime Minister Viktor Orban have both received Chinese jabs. BUDAPEST, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russian and Chinese vaccines against COVID-19 are effective and safe, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday. "It is crystal clear that the eastern vaccines used in Hungary are working well, they are safe and effective," Szijjarto said in a video posted on his Facebook page. "Therefore, it is time for international organizations to make a professional and not a political decision on this issue," he said in the video, which was recorded at Budapest airport, before the minister left for Lyon, France. Szijjarto hinted that he was referring to Russia's Sputnik V, and China's Sinopharm vaccines. Both are widely used in Hungary, but still not recognized by many other European Union (EU) member-states. The Hungarian top diplomat was due in Lyon to attend a meeting of EU foreign and health ministers. They were gathering to discuss the global fight against the pandemic, with a special focus on helping developing countries. This photo from Facebook page of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shows him receiving a dose of China's Sinopharm vaccine against COVID-19 in Budapest, Hungary, on Feb. 28, 2021.(Viktor Orban Facebook via Xinhua) "Now, it is time for the world to finally realize that choosing a vaccine is not a political commitment. When the whole world is trying to get as many vaccines as possible, the approval of a vaccine should not be a political question," Szijjarto added. New variants of coronavirus can only emerge as long as the inoculation rate is low in several countries, the minister said. This echoes the World Health Organization's (WHO) standpoint that vaccine production is only a matter of capacity. The construction of Hungary's National Vaccine Factory is underway, and will enable the country to participate in global vaccine production from the end of this year. Hungary was the first EU member to recognize and use Chinese vaccines. Hungarian President Janos Ader and Prime Minister Viktor Orban have both received Chinese jabs. Szijjarto was also visiting France to inaugurate a Hungarian consulate in Lyon. The city is home to some 20,000 Hungarians. Staff members transfer the first batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine purchased by Hungary at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 16, 2021. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero acknowledged Guams death toll from COVID has surpassed 300, and she urged residents to take time to recognize the terrible toll our island has suffered. In a video message released Thursday evening, the governor said its important for us all to take a moment and simply breathe. Take stock of the hurdles you have overcome. Take time to feel the gratitude that gives purpose to our lives. She said the deaths suffered by the island are a moral imperative for us to give meaning to these monumental losses. We join our community in mourning those we have loved and lost in this precarious time. Manamko who had lived full, fruit-bearing lives. Changemakers in the middle of their journeys. Young dreamers with the world ahead of them, she said. The governor noted that since the beginning of January, more than 70,000 tests have been performed, averaging 2,000 tests a day. Although there is a national shortage of testing supplies, Guam has placed orders for more kits and have focused our efforts on a targeted approach. She noted the partnership between the Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Guam National Guard. We know our health interventions are working, the governor said. Masks help prevent spread of the virus. Vaccines and boosters help prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. She emphasized that wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing has kept people safe. Public Health experts tell us we are starting to see the end stage of the pandemic, and at a recent meeting of the nations governors, the consensus was that hope remains, she said. We are beating COVID-19 and building a better future for us all. Two packages sent to Guam from the states seized on April 2, 2022, contained methamphetamine and marijuana, according to court documents. A man who pleaded guilty in an invasion of privacy case received a one-year suspended sentence and three years of probation Thursday. In 2019, Justin Jay Babauta, who was 21 at the time, was charged in Superior Court of Guam after a teen girl reported that he took pictures of her while she was in the shower. On Thursday, Babauta appeared before Judge Arthur R. Barcinas for sentencing. Babautas attorney suggested a one-year suspended sentence, as the defendant admitted his role in the case and has complied with court orders since 2019. Babautas plea agreement suggested a sentence of up to a year. Barcinas stated at the trial that he acknowledged Babautas efforts. Barcinas said Babauta had no criminal history, has not caused bodily or physical harm to his victim, and had no other history of delinquency. The defendant has led a life in compliance of the law, said Barcinas. Babauta was convicted of invasion of privacy as a third-degree felony. He must register as a level two sex offender and serve a three-year probation period, according to a press release from the Office of the Attorney General. No statement was given by the defendant at trial. Medics from the Guam National Guard took to the streets of Hagatna Thursday to help the homeless get tested for COVID, vaccinated and signed up to receive services like Medicaid. The initiative, called Operation Home Bound, is a partnership between the Guam National Guard and the Guam Homeless Coalition in support of the Department of Public Health and Social Services. With the coalitions help in providing a list of homeless people, along with the places where they are known to find shelter, members of the Guard are heading out into the community to offer testing and vaccines, said Capt. Mark Scott, Guam National Guard public affairs officer. Thursday was the first day of the outreach. More will follow in other villages across the island. I would like to know if I have been in contact with anyone that might have been positive, said Joseph Camacho, 43, from Asan, who said he has been homeless since 1998. Camacho received a PCR test through Operation Homebound Thursday and said he spends most of his time in the Paseo area in Hagatna. He said he appreciated the National Guard and Public Health offering testing to people who are homeless. He said he would consider getting vaccinated so he could apply for jobs that require employees to have shots. Camacho said he is praying for those who have COVID-19, and he emphasized the need for the community to take steps to keep themselves safe by sanitizing. Eye-opening Guam National Guard Capt. Fernando De Belen said the outreach program is designed to provide testing and vaccinations to the community. Its definitely eye-opening to see where some of our residents are living, but we want to make sure they know we are here to serve, De Belen said. Scott said the Guard also is offering to connect the homeless population to services such as Medicaid, in case someone needs to go to the hospital but is afraid or unwilling because they lack health insurance. Paulo Zapanta, a licensed practical nurse for Public Health, clad in a mask, gloves and other personal protective gear, said the effort is meant to help the homeless from getting seriously ill while preventing further community spread. They gather around together, since they have no place to go, and are also interacting with the outside community, said Zapanta. The Tamuning Municipal Planning Council Thursday evening voted to support a proposed $600 million hotel and condominium project near Two Lovers Point after the developers agreed to make the projects condominium buildings three stories shorter. Dan Swavely, a consultant for the Vista del Mar project, offered to withdraw the developers request for a height variance if the village council would agree to support the projects tentative development plan. In response to public concerns, the project during the past month was redesigned to include three 18-story condominium buildings instead of two 26-story buildings. A proposed water park, originally at sea level at the base of a cliff, now will be built on the plateau above, and the developers will provide public beach access. The maximum height for the projects condominiums, based on the revised footprint of the buildings, is 15 stories, and the developers planned to ask the Guam Land Use Commission for a three-story height variance. The proposed development also includes a 736-room hotel and 50 single-family homes. Guam law requires the municipal planning council of the affected village to pass a resolution, supporting or opposing a proposed project or variance, which will be presented to the Land Use Commission for its consideration. Tamuning council members said those village resolutions generally have no teeth, and the Land Use Commission often ignores them when making its decisions. Tamuning council member John Thomas Brown, during Thursdays meeting at the village senior citizen center, said he supports the Vista del Mar project, but not a height variance, because the extra three stories for the condos are unnecessary. In response, Swavely said the developers will withdraw the request for a height variance, keeping the condominiums at 15 stories, if it means the Tamuning council will otherwise support the project. Its not absolutely necessary, but its something we want, Swavely said about the additional three stories. Theyre out. Im OK with that. Council members voted unanimously to pass a resolution, supporting the projects tentative development plan, provided the developers comply with the conditions of the governments Application Review Committee and the Land Use Commission. The review committee includes representatives from the power and water agencies, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Agriculture, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Statistics and Plans. Two men were charged with strangulation and family violence in separate cases Thursday. Dwayne Douglas Cabrera Reyes and Anthony Guerrero Dilla, were charged in connection with the assault of women known to them, according to magistrates complaints filed in the Superior Court of Guam. Reyes reportedly assaulted a woman at a Yigo residence after an argument over wireless speakers. Reyes pushed the woman onto a couch, jumped on top of her and kneed her in the face, the complaint stated. He grabbed a banner that was rolled up and started hitting her on the arm and leg, the complaint stated. After being read his rights, Reyes told police he argued with the woman and kicked her leg. He also said he had the woman in a chokehold for about 5-7 seconds, the complaint stated. Reyes was on probation for a 2020 misdemeanor where the woman was also the victim. Dilla A woman known to Dilla accused him of assaulting her at an Agana Heights residence in front of a child, according to different complaint. The woman told police she and Dilla were arguing, and when she left for the kitchen, Dilla followed her. Dilla threw and broke glass cups and bowls in a rage, and put the woman in a chokehold for five seconds to prevent her from leaving, the complaint stated. The child told police Dilla choked the woman, and as a demonstration used a cupping gesture with her hand toward the front of her throat, the complaint stated. The child said Dilla punched the woman multiple times, according to the complaint. The woman said there were previous fights involving Dilla that were not reported. Reyes and Dilla were both charged with strangulation and family violence as third-degree felonies and family violence as a misdemeanor. Michael Lujan Bevacqua is an author, artist, activist and the curator for The Guam Museum. The concrete FESTPAC village huts, located within the CHamoru Village in Hagatna, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. Haiti - Corruption : The Central Financial Intelligence Unit signs an agreement with the OAS Wednesday, February 9, 2022, Michelin Justable the Director General of the Central Financial Intelligence Unit (UCREF) and Ana Maria Calderon Boy General Coordinator of the Institutional Strengthening Project in the Fight against Corruption in Haiti (RILCH) of the Organization of Americans (OAS) have signed a memorandum of understanding. The Memorandum of Understanding establishes that OAS|RILCH will provide training and carry out joint work with UCREF staff to facilitate the development of their capacities and the transfer of skills between OAS experts and UCREF staff members. The legal framework in the fight against corruption will also be consolidated. "The signing of this agreement is a momentous event for UCREF and for the OAS, as it means the start of joint work by both institutions; and the possibility of strengthening the investigative capacities of Haitian officials through the modality of integrated investigations in which our experts transfer skills and best practices used successfully in other countries, in cases of corruption," said Calderon Boy after the signing of the agreement This agreement follows the Haitian Government's request for support for the creation of anti-corruption infrastructure in the country. OEA|RILCH aims to strengthen the institutions that make up the Haitian anti-corruption system, improving existing institutional systems and processes, through training and active collaboration, and ensuring that the personnel of these institutions have the necessary skills to prevent and combat corruption on an ongoing basis. The project also includes supporting the improvement of the use of information and telecommunications technologies (ICT) within the framework of the digital government policy, including open data, in the fight against corruption. Lastly, strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations to monitor the anti-corruption efforts of government institutions that fight corruption in Haiti. This is the second Memorandum of Understanding that OEA|RILCH signs with an institution that is part of the Haitian anti-corruption system. The first was signed on July 30, 2021 with the ULCC https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34367-haiti-justice-the-ulcc-and-the-oas-sign-a-mou-on-the-fight-against-corruption.html , with which joint activities are already being carried out. HL/ HaitiLibre Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help Quincy, IL (62301) Today Rain likely, heavy at times in the evening. Low 54F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Rain likely, heavy at times in the evening. Low 54F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. As I was taking a Tai Chi class outdoors this week, I was reminded that warmer wea Civic-minded college students recognized with the volunteer award Press release Xavier Hawley of Aaniiih Nakoda College is one of the recipients of the annual Montana Student Volunteer Award. College students across the state who demonstrate dedication to service in their communities while pursuing a college degree or certificate are presented the award through a partnership between the Governors Office of Community Service and Montana Campus Compact campuses. Montana students who serve our communities enrich their education and make meaningful impacts across our great state. It is an honor to recognize these amazing individuals for their service in partnership with Montana Campus Compact said Governors Office of Community Service Director Sarah Sadowski. This year, 14 student volunteers across Montana including Hawley will be recognized by their school during virtual events and ceremonies. Additionally, each winner will receive a certificate signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte and their college president. The other recipients and their colleges are: Blackfeet Community College Tyler Brown Dawson Community College Robert Franks Flathead Valley Community College Kylee Dougherty Flathead Valley Community College LCC Savannah Phillipson Fort Peck Community College Dusti Marottek Great Falls College MSU Hannah Johnson Miles Community College Laurel Bartos Montana State University Isabelle Cuthbertson Montana State University Billings Jessica Tiry Montana Technological University Baylie Phillips Salish Kootenai College Courtney Mitchell University of Montana Mark Spring University of Montana Western Emily Engen Nominations for the Montana Student Volunteer Awards open at the beginning of the fall semester and close in December. The Governors Office of Community Service expands and promotes national service and community volunteerism in Montana and engages citizens in service. For more information, people can visit http://serve.mt.gov . " Lawyers in Al-Asr Office reviewed the "urgent procedure" section of the Special Directorate against Torture of the United Nations on February 3 for the leader Ocalan and the other detainees in Imrali, Omar Khairy Konar, Yildirim and Weisi Aktas," According to the Mesopotamia news agency. The lawyers drew attention to the condition of their clients, where they stated that they had not received any information about them since February 25, 2021. During their visit, the lawyers presented the report of the European Committee against Torture in Imrali prison and decisions of Human Rights Committee. On the anniversary of the plot against the leader Ocalan, the people of the Derik district council will hold a meeting at the Dijla Center for Culture and Art, at 10:00 (photos and videos are attached). Under the slogan "Achieving social justice and ensuring the stability of democratic Autonomous-administration", the Social Justice Council is holding its third conference today, at the Mohammed Sheikho Center for Culture and Art in Qamishlo, at 09:00 (photos and videos are attached). International and global parties, led by America, Turkey and the Israeli Mossad, intervened in the international conspiracy to kidnap the leader Abdullah Ocalan to disperse the Kurds and eliminate the liberation movements demanding peace and democracy in the region, whose kidnapping came in difficult circumstances, which the region was going through, and international pressures to thwart the project that he adopted. (Photo and video attached). Muslim and Yazidi citizens warned of the danger of the anti-religious policies of the Turkish occupation state, stressing the need for the components to unite in confronting them. (Photo and video attached). The Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries continue to commit crimes against the people of the occupied canton of Afrin. In the first week of February, they kidnapped seven people, including two women, and killed a citizen after torturing him. They also cut down about 400 perennial olive trees. (Photo and video attached). The crime rate within the areas under the control of the Damascus government has increased significantly in the recent period in light of the security chaos and the lack of accountability. Last January, there were 50 murders that varied between cases of violence, revenge and torture, which raises questions about the reasons for this increase and its risks for the country. the society. (Photo and video attached). Politics The Secretary-General of the National Democratic Development and Change Party, Ibrahim Al-Khalil, said that the "settlements" pursued by the Damascus government are "a collective condemnation of all the peoples of Syria of terrorism", and he expressed his rejection of them altogether, and said: "It is her duty to settle her situation with the people and not the other way around." (Photo and video attached). World The crisis between the Gulf states and Lebanon is witnessing some resolving, in order to improve relations through the Kuwaiti initiative. Will the initiative succeed in clearing the atmosphere again? Is the return of relations between Saudi Arabia related to Hariri's decision to perform seclusion, which may affect the postponement of the parliamentary elections? (photos attached). society and life The Directorate of Environment in the Euphrates region seeks to put an end to the problems of tree hardening and the random cutting of forests in Kobani canton, and it has taken a number of measures as solutions to these problems. It is represented by digging wells in the forests and assigning guards to them. (Photo and video attached). ANHA The Damascus government is adopting a new way of condemning the Syrian people through a topic that was recently raised from Daraa to Deir ez-Zor, in which it said that it was a "settlement" of the Syrians' situation, which drew great disapproval from most Syrians, who considered this behavior an explicit recognition by the Damascus government of condemnation. The Syrian people. In this regard, the Secretary-General of the National Democratic Development and Change Party, Ibrahim Al-Khalil, said: "The Damascus government has adopted a new method of the settlements or national reconciliations to sow division among the people, and to impose the character of terrorism on the Syrians." Al-Khalil pointed out that the "settlements" are an explicit recognition of the direct condemnation of the person subject to them to the Damascus government. He explained that, according to what the Damascus government media publishes from the statistics of huge and large numbers of those who need "settlements", they indicate the involvement of all people in the areas where "settlements" are taking place, from Daraa to Raqqa and Deir Ezzor, with terrorism, and he said: "This matter is rejected." Definitely, it is the imposition of terrorism on the people forcibly. He added, "It is illogical to generalize, and put all Syrian citizens on the list of terrorism for reasons that may be beyond their control, with the entry of mercenary and extremist groups into their areas." He stressed that these "settlements" will have direct effects on the Syrians on the short and long term, as the person will be the focus of attention or one of those with precedents, as they are called. The only solution to get out of a healthy homeland is to accept dialogue and recognize the Autonomous Administration. Al-Khalil noted that the only solution to a healthy homeland is acceptance of the Syrian dialogue and recognition of the Autonomous Administration that represents all components of the people, according to certain conditions that guarantee the rights of all, and that the settlements and reconciliations promoted by the Damascus government are nothing but a game to sow discord among the people of the region, and complicate the larger than the Syrian crisis. The Secretary-General of the National Democratic Development and Change Party, Ibrahim Al-Khalil, believed that the Damascus government should take the initiative to settle its situation with the people who were displaced, killed and displaced over the course of eleven years, and not to settle the affairs of the Syrians according to the government. A ANHA According to SOHR a new assassination in Daraa, where unidentified gunmen opened fire on a member of the Central Committee in the western countryside of Daraa, accompanied by two ex-faction combatants who had struck settlements and reconciliation deals, in the town of Atman, west of Daraa. Accordingly, the number of attacks in Daraa province since early January has risen to 44, which left 31 people: 18 civilians, ten Damascus government combatants, two individuals with settled-status dead and ISIS gang. A.K ANHA Hazard city officials are continuing to work on repairing water outages following the recent declaration of a state of emergency due to a water shortage affecting many areas of the county. On Jan. 31, Hazard City Manager Tony Eversole declared a state of emergency in the City of Hazard because Hazard has recently experienced an emergency condition with regard to the supply of water to its customers both inside and outside the city due to severe weather conditions experienced in the past weeks, which have caused multiple serious waterline breaks. The serious loss of water storage capacity in all parts of the system threatens disruption of service to residential, commercial and industrial customers in various parts of the system, said officials. The shortage, said Eversole, was caused by several different reasons including water, an outdated system and more. Monday day (Jan. 31) the system kind of started going south and it was a combination of a couple problems at the plant, then we had some major breaks. It was the perfect storm that everything that could go wrong went wrong, and then the cold temperatures and people in this area are notorious for not having their lines buried good enough and leaving their faucets to drip. You take 2-3,000 people with a half a gallon per minute drip and that adds up and its just a combination of everything like I said a perfect storm and it made us lose more than what we could hold on an already overworked system, said Eversole. Many of the issues, said Eversole, were noticed on Jan. 28, but did not seem that bad and didnt really begin happening until around 3 p.m. Jan. 31. At that time, he said, city officials started taking action, but they knew it was not going to prevent the outages from happening. We started seeing it Friday (Jan. 28), but it wasnt that bad then something happened at the plant, we had some main breaks, then we had the cold temperatures, and the ground shifts and aging pipes caused us to have some problems, said Eversole. It was inevitable, it still happened. We got some areas shut off as quick as we could then we had some breaks out in the field. We probably had about 5,000 customers off, he said. Eversole said that, by midnight that evening and going into the morning of Feb. 1, they began turning customers back on in different areas. We had to isolate certain areas and stay with the mains to try to keep as many tanks full (as we could). Weve got roughly 30 tanks and 26 or 27 of them were in the red, which means they were low, said Eversole. We worked around the clock. We started turning people on Tuesday morning (Feb. 1), we turned more on Tuesday night. We turned some more on Wednesday. Some of them we had to turn back off because of breaks but we turned people on each day then by Friday we were real good we were down to probably 100 people that was left without water, he said. The city, Eversole said, is still facing outages in some areas, but crews are continuing to work on resolving the problems. Were still recovering. Were down to about 5-600 customers that are without now, said Eversole, stating that HWY 28 to Chavies and some areas of Krypton are still facing water outages. Everything else is good, were building the system back up. We hope to get them back on as soon as we can. The city, he said, has had the Division of Water, Kentucky Rural Water and a Utilities Management Group there to help. Weve got boots on the ground, were trying to fix the issues as we go. Were replacing pipe if the lining is broke were not even trying to patch it, were just replacing them. Were doing everything we can do, said Eversole. Im pleased with the response, the mayor is pleased with the response, because we were told Monday (Jan. 31) from people that have been here a long time and told from some state departments that we would be down two weeks. We were up in less than five days so we made some leaps and bounds. The state of emergency is still in effect, said Eversole. During the state of emergency, the City of Hazard Utilities has asked for residents in areas that still have water to please not let their faucets run or drip to prevent freezing, and have asked for all residents to conserve as much water as possible. All car washes and all laundromats that are on the city water system were also notified to close immediately at the beginning of the state of emergency declaration. Ive got two car washes shut down right now, said Eversole. He continued, stating that he let the car washes work half a day on Tuesday, Feb. 8, because they are on a different side of the system than the affected areas. The car washes being open really and truly dont affect that area, but it still does affect the whole system. I know they need to work too, so I allowed them to be open half a day, he said. The city, Eversole said, tries to keep the community updated by posting on Facebook, but with the amount of incoming calls and messages make the process more difficult. The girls are bombarded with phone calls. It really doesnt help for people to call and ask when the water will be back on because the girls dont know. They just post what we tell them out in the field, said Eversole. Eversole said he knows how inconvenient it is to not have water, and said he and the city want the community to know the city is doing everything they can to help. I know its aggravating to not have water. I didnt have water for three days; the mayor didnt have water for two days. Ive got employees that work here that still dont have water that live in some of those affected areas. Its just something that happens and its something that we can live with. We just ask people to be patient. I mean it is better than what it was, said Eversole. The city, he said, will continue to work on repairs until the water system is restored. Once the system is back to normal levels, he said, the state of emergency will be lifted. It is probably going to go on for a few more days until we can get the core tanks built up to where Im comfortable with then well look at lifting it, said Eversole. Our crews are working around the clock, Im working around the clock, my assistant is working around the clock. Were doing everything that we can do and were trying to make it better, and it is better than what it was. Were doing repairs. Weve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ive got millions of dollars of grant requests in to repair more lines, he said. OWENSBORO, Ky., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Green River Distilling Co., the 10th oldest distillery in the state of Kentucky, today announced the launch of its flagship Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Aged more than five years, this is the first Green River bourbon to hit shelves in more than a century and comes on the heels of the distillery's historic revival in September 2020. Green River Distilling Co. was founded in 1885 by John W. McCulloch, a man focused on quality and considered a visionary in sales and marketing. McCulloch traveled the world to promote Green River Whiskey, and it quickly became known as some of the finest in Kentucky. Green River won many international awards, including a gold medal and "best of show" at the Paris Exposition in 1900, and later a grand prize at the 1905 Liege Exposition in Belgium. It was also known as "The Whiskey Without Regrets," one of the most memorable advertising slogans in bourbon. Fire and Prohibition relegated Green River to history. Now, more than 100 years later, history has come full circle with the release of the new Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Today's Green River bourbon was distilled by Master Distiller Jacob Call, an eighth-generation distiller and Kentuckian. Call's family distilling history stretches back to the earliest days of bourbon when his ancestor Samuel Call distilled whiskey on his Kentucky farm in the late 1700s. Green River was known for its quality whiskey, and Call and his team are proud to bring the same commitment to distilling Green River bourbon today. "For the first time in more than 100 years, Green River bourbon is flowing inside the walls of its original home," said Call. "As someone with a family connection to the first days of Kentucky bourbon, being a part of the revival of such a legendary whiskey has been the opportunity of a lifetime." Pre-Prohibition, Owensboro was an epicenter of bourbon production in Kentucky with more than 20 distilleries in the city. Green River was one of the most important, and its rebirth helps bring the city's rich bourbon heritage back to life. "Visiting the Green River distillery in Owensboro is like stepping back in time to earlier days of bourbon production in the United States," said Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers' Association. "Many bourbon lovers don't realize that Owensboro and Western Kentucky were among the most important regions for bourbon production in the 1800s. When you're standing on the Green River campus, you're standing on hallowed ground." Each bottle of today's Green River bourbon includes the phrase "The Pride of Owensboro" to pay homage to the city and its bourbon legacy. "I'm proud of our team's great work bringing Green River back to life in Owensboro after years of dormancy not only because of what it means to our company, but what it means for this wonderful city," said Simon Burch, CEO of Green River Distilling Co. "In its heyday, Green River's success was intrinsically linked to Owensboro's proud whiskey making heritage. The revival of the brand will make this true once again, and we plan to sell it far and wide, just like the original Green River." Burch worked closely with John's great-grandson Rob McCulloch to revive the Green River brand. "We're so grateful to Rob for sharing his family's history with us, and it's a privilege to continue to build on the legacy that John McCulloch created," said Burch. On the revival, Rob McCulloch said, "I've always wanted to see Green River whiskey made at its original location in Owensboro. It completes the story my great-grandfather started in 1885." The new Green River bottle design took cues from the brand's past, including key icons like horseshoes, rivets, and the original Green River colors. "We worked with local historians and spent time in museums and Owensboro libraries to immerse ourselves in the Green River pre-Prohibition world," said Cathy Steen, Chief Commercial Officer. "We had a wonderful archive that inspired us to think about how the brand design would have organically evolved for today's bourbon fans." A limited release of Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be available for purchase at select retail locations in Kentucky in February for $34.99 (SRP). It will be available for purchase at the Green River Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky, beginning at 10 am CST tomorrow, Friday, February 11, 2022. The distillery will be open with a celebration of Bluegrass, BBQ, and Bourbon until 6 pm CST. In the coming months, Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will also be rolling out to select retailers in Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, and Northwest Florida. For more information on availability, including online availability in Kentucky and a select few other states, visit www.greenriverwhiskey.com. Tasting Notes Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is 90 proof and has been aged more than five years at the distillery in Owensboro. It is rich in color with an amber hue and made with all Kentucky-grown corn, most from Daviess County. The mash bill is 70% corn, 21% winter rye, and 9% malted 2 and 6-row barley. The higher rye content results in a bourbon with warming spice notes on the nose and palate. Additional aroma notes to look for include cinnamon, dried cherry, and light leather. For taste, it has notes of cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, and chocolate mint. The finish is rich, thick, and lingering. Charity Auction in Support of Western Kentucky Tornado Relief At the brand's launch event on February 10, 2022, an auction will be held to raise money for those affected by the devastating tornadoes in Western Kentucky. World-renowned artist Aaron Kizer, the distillery's artistic director, hand-painted 10 barrels filled with Green River bourbon for auction. Visit the Distillery in Owensboro On the western end of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the distillery in Owensboro is a great place to visit and the first stop for many whiskey lovers as they make their way East. The city is considered one of the most important spots in the history of bourbon, allowing visitors to experience the roots of America's favorite spirit. While visiting, people can experience the thriving Owensboro community and experience its sights, sounds, and tastes. Visitors can learn more about COVID-19 precautions and book a visit on the distillery website at www.greenriverdistilling.com. About Green River Distilling Co. Green River Distilling Co. is the fourth largest independent bourbon distillery in the United States, located in Owensboro, Kentucky, and distiller of the revived Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Founded by John W. McCulloch in 1885, DSP-KY-10 received national and international acclaim for its whiskey. The distillery endured fire, Prohibition, multiple owners, and a period of decline to reemerge today. Under the leadership of Eighth-Generation Master Distiller Jacob Call, the distillery produces 90,000 barrels of bourbon and rye a year for bulk, private brand, private label partners. The distillery is a heritage member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and welcomes visitors from around the world. For more information, visit www.greenriverdistilling.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-legacy-revived-green-river-distilling-co-releases-green-river-bourbon-301479778.html SOURCE Green River Distilling Co. LOUISVILLE, kentucky, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Recent release "Veinticuatro gatos gateando en la gatera del tejar" from Page Publishing author Domingo Hernandez Varona is a humorous account that talks about cats and their different adventures in twenty-four tales. Domingo Hernandez Varona, a narrator, poet, essayist, and a law graduate from Universidad Central de Las Villas Martha Abreu, has completed his new book "Veinticuatro gatos gateando en la gatera del tejar": a gripping pool of tales that contain values and teachings as different felines crawl their journeys and make their own stories. Varona writes, "It is a book of narratives, stories, essays, where the figures of those funny felines that we love so much always appear. And responding to the title; there are also twenty-four stories; many of them keep to some extent an internal humorous charge, while still having their unspoken philosophical teaching. The book is a valuable offer, to which we can go at any time without any preamble. It is to be enjoyed at all times of the day and, of course, at night, because it is fun and exciting." Published by Page Publishing, Domingo Hernandez Varona's compilation of tales create an amusing anecdotal for every individual. It's a great read for all ages, bringing thrill and laughter at any time of the day. Readers who wish to experience this riveting work can purchase "Veinticuatro gatos gateando en la gatera del tejar" 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 world's 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. Page's 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 www.pagepublishing.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1741639/Domingo_Hern_ndez_Varona.jpg SOURCE Page Publishing 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 Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 57F. E winds at less than 5 mph, increasing to 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 57F. E winds at less than 5 mph, increasing to 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit (JNS) Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman was warned by a U.S. State Department staffer in 2017 not to be so Jewish, Breitbart has revealed. Friedman reportedly recounts the anti-Semitic episodes in his new book, Sledgehammer: How Breaking With the Past Brought Peace to the Middle East, set to be released on Feb. 8. The book centers on how the White House under former President Donald Trump successfully achieved the Abraham Accords and a new era of peace in the region. The excerpt from the book that was shared by Breitbart is as follows: Word of my stubborn insistence on standing with our ally Israel had now circulated widely within the State Department. Another senior staffer decided to call me and offer the following advice: Mr. Ambassador, dont be so Jewish. What? Dont be so Jewish. You represent the United States of America. Tone down the Judaism in your work. Dont be so Jewish. I was furious. Do you think I am under any disillusion as to who I represent? Im not a politically correct person but I have to ask you, why do the laws of political correctness not apply to Jews? Just a free word of advice. Worth the price. Friedman said the remarks were made ahead of Trumps first visit to Israel in May 2017, when the White House was conflicted over whether to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, its current site. At that time, he helped arrange a visit for Trump to the Western Wall on that trip, making him the first sitting American president to do so. By Shira Hanau (JTA) - More than 3,000 people are expected to attend a Zoom talk by Art Spiegelman, the author of "Maus," and hosted by the Jewish Federation of Chattanooga as well as a number of other Jewish and non-Jewish organizations Monday night. The event is the latest aftershock to follow the earthquake unleashed by a Tennessee school district's decision to ban Spiegelman's graphic memoir about the Holocaust from its classrooms. The books - published in two volumes in the 1980s and 90s - tell the story of the author's father during the Holocaust. The books, which depict Jews as mice and Nazis as the cats that pursue them, are frequently used to teach students in middle and high school about the Holocaust. The school board in McMinn County, Tennessee voted unanimously to remove the book from its curriculum last month due to objections raised by board members to the book's use of curse words and nude drawings. The decision regarding one of the most iconic books ever written about the Holocaust prompted widespread shock and criticism. Among those who criticized the decision were the bestselling British author Neil Gaiman. "There's only one kind of people who would vote to ban 'Maus,' whatever they are calling themselves these days," Gaiman said. In McMinn County, a local Episcopal church said it would host a discussion of the book Feb. 3 that would include discussion about the complicity of many churches in the systematic murder of Jews during the Holocaust, as well as modern-day antisemitism. The ban also led some bookstores to give away copies of "Maus" for free and has sent Spiegelman himself on something of a renewed speaking tour about the book, the first volume of which was originally published in 1986, with appearances on cable news shows. The publicity for the books generated by the banning has even caused the books to temporarily sell out at some bookstores, including on Amazon. I visited Ephraim Kholmyansky in Moscow in October 1987. It was my second trip to the USSR to help encourage Jews, bringing hope, make personal connections, and smuggle in a small amount of things to help them but that could have had me in some big trouble with the KGB. I knew about Kholmynasky before as I spent much of my early adulthood engrossed in the movement to free Soviet Jews. So, for me, when we met, I was meeting one of my heroes. But as much as I thought I knew Kholmynasky through my activism and due to his prominence and having recently been in a Soviet prison, until I read his autobiography recently, "The Voice of Silence," I didn't know how much I really didn't know. And I didn't know how important he, and what he did in the 80s for our people in the Soviet Union, really was and still is. In 1966, Elie Wiesel wrote "The Jews of Silence." Though his unparalleled writing and understanding the historical significance of connecting with Soviet Jews, and saving them from a cultural genocide a generation after the Holocaust, Wiesel put a spotlight on Soviet Jews. It was a catalyst for western Jews to awaken to the imperative to help millions of Soviet Jews imprisoned behind the iron curtain and facing persecution daily. He wrote, "What torments me most is not the Jews of silence I met in Russia, but the silence of the Jews I live among today.' Kholmynasky and others were some of the early underground Hebrew teachers among Soviet Jews, playing a pivotal role in the awakening of Jewish identity in the USSR. They established a network of people who studied Hebrew intensively and even became certified as teachers. Then, they fanned out across the USSR's distant republics to teach more teachers in what they called "the Cities Project." Kholmynasky, and others about whom he writes as brothers and sisters with the same mission, gave voice to the Jews of silence in the USSR, and inspired those of us in the West not to be silent either. No longer were Soviet Jews being robbed of one more precious aspect of their identity: their own modern language. But it's not like they simply rented space at a local college or used a meeting room in one of the Soviet Union's few synagogues. No. Teaching Hebrew was illegal. They knew the risks they were taking. They were not the first to do it, nor the first to face the consequences. But they were the first to build a systematic curriculum and underground network through which to teach it extending beyond Moscow and Leningrad. But it all had to be done in as much secrecy as possible, under the radar of the ever-present KGB, so as not to risk either the teachers, students, or their organized network itself. As hard as it is to imagine today when millions of Israelis - Jews and Arabs - speak and interact in all aspects of life, using our ancient language that was reborn in modern Israel, along with Jewish children learning Hebrew in day schools and synagogues around the world, in the Soviet Union Hebrew was illegal. Anticipating his arrest, Kholmynasky chronicles his "training" for that inevitability. Because he's as bright and analytical as he is, he was able to have a playbook in his mind as to how he would respond and behave. He was one of the "lucky" ones, only sentenced to 18 months, largely in part to his uncompromising hunger strike. It is jarring still to think of that as being lucky, or of his considering it then to be a victory. Reading "The Voice of Silence," I reflected about the juxtaposition of my life on Kholmynasky's, thousands of miles, and another world away. In that parallel universe, Jews were in the midst of an awakening that included studying Hebrew, embracing Jewish culture and religion, and pre-teens also secretly preparing for their bar and bat mitzvah. In the late 1970s I was going about my bar mitzvah preparations, and somewhat rote rituals from studying with a tutor, to attending afternoon Hebrew school, and of course the pilgrimage to Barney's to buy the required (brown) bar mitzvah three-piece suit. While I was on the verge of becoming a bar mitzvah, Kholmynasky was completely engrossed in studying Hebrew. "From the fall of 1977 on, Hebrew lessons became the highlight of my week: three or four hours once a week with only a short break for tea." Not only could I have not been much more distant from that passion to study Hebrew, I surely never would have considered it a highlight of my week. And, ironically, it was even my father's first language. I had the luxury of finding my Hebrew and religious studies inconvenient, even annoying. On the other side of the world, the inconvenience and annoyance was a result of the secretive nature of their studies, and the consequences which could be grave, including being fired from one's job, expelled from school, and imprisonment for one of a variety of trumped-up charges. In Kholmynasky's case, the KGB planted a gun and ammunition in his apartment, which he recounts in depth how clearly it was made up, and how the Soviets didn't even care. Since making Aliyah, I was fortunate to reconnect with Kholmynasky. Albeit that he and I speak in English, he's no less the bright and thoughtful person I met in Moscow. All but one of his children were born in Israel. For me, all but one of mine were born in the U.S. We've spoken about our kids and how for his, it's hard to imagine he ever suffered like that. For my kids, even knowing what I did, it's hard for them to understand what I was doing and why it was so important. But it's that incredible ingathering of the Jewish people from the corners of the world, understanding and appreciating the struggles that were required to get here, much more than which of my kids got the window seat, which makes "The Voice of Silence" so important. Our children and grandchildren need to know that whether walking through the Sudanese desert, being flown on magic carpets, or resisting the KGB, that our history is intertwined, as is our destiny. "The Voice of Silence" is an important part of our history and who we are today. U.S.-born and educated Jonathan Feldstein immigrated to Israel in 2004. Throughout his life and career, he has fellowshipped with Christian supporters of Israel and shares experiences of living as an Orthodox Jew in Israel. He writes a regular column for Standing With Israel at charismanews.com and other prominent web sites. He can be reached at firstpersonisrael@gmail.com. Esteemed Shillman Journalism fellow Daniel Greenfield from Frontpage Maga-zine revealed that the ADL hired an activist named Tema Smith to serve as its director of Jewish outreach. Smiths hire is newsworthy because Smith has a long record of anti-Israel, pro-terror and anti-Jewish postings on social media. In other words, she has a long record of antisemitic activism, which Greenfield documented. Consider a few examples of Smiths publishing history: During the Hamas war against Israel in 2014, Smith posted and endorsed an article that justified Hamas abduction and murder of three Israeli teenagers and its massive missile onslaught against Israeli population centers. In 2020 she wrote, Heres the thing: Jews have to be ok with Palestinians explaining why some turn to terrorism. On several occasions, Smith insisted that there is no Black antisemitism and that it is racist for Jews to claim that there is. She said that Jewish opposition to the deeply antisemitic Critical Race Theory stems from Jewish racism. As for Islamic Jew-haters, Smith has on several occasions defended the ji-hadist who brutally murdered 66-year-old Sarah Halimi, a retired nursery school teacher in her Paris apartment, and then threw her out the window. The ADLs new Jewish outreach director attacked the U.S. Holocaust Museum for its criticism of progressive superstar Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio Cor-tez after Cortez obscenely compared detention centers for illegal aliens along the border with Mexico to Nazi concentration camps. Senior Journalist David Harsanyi also just wrote about Smiths horrendous stances, in an article titled, The ADL Has Chosen a Side. And Its Not the Jew-ish One. Harsanyi gave context to her frightening quote that Smith tweeted: Jews have to be ok with Palestinians, explaining why some turn to terrorism, in the course of Smiths disgraceful support of Biden appointee Reema Dodins defense of the Palestinian Arab terrorist who bombed the Sbarro pizza shop, murdering 15 innocent Jews, including seven children and a pregnant Jewish American woman. Harsanyi also noted Smiths tweet accusing the Jewish com-munity of implicit racism for reacting to antisemitism coming from Black people. Morton Klein is ZOA national president and Liz Berney, Esq. is ZOA director of research and special projects. Each month PJ Library sends high-quality, age-appropriate Jewish-themed books to families raising Jewish children. For more than 10 years, families in greater Orlando have been receiving these books on a monthly basis through The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. In addition to the books, PJ Library of Greater Orlando connects families to other families who are making Jewish choices and offers meaningful connections to the Jewish community. For one in three families, PJ Library is one of the first Jewish experiences a family has that inspires their Jewish journey. Knowing that PJ Library plays a key role in ensuring a strong and vibrant Jewish future, HGF started an endowment initiative to inspire Jewish communities to endow their PJ Library program. The Orlando Jewish community was selected as one of nine pilot communities in North America to participate in the endowment initiative, which offers matching funds for both cash endowment gifts today and legacy gifts for the future. The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is excited about this amazing opportunity, and is pleased to announce a special evening together on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 6:45 p.m., both in-person and on Zoom, where we will hear from Harold Grinspoon, founder of HGF as well as Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, HGF president. If you are interested in learning more about the PJ Library endowment program, contact Carol at CFeuerman@jfgo.org. (New York Jewish Week via JTA) A federal investigation has been launched into complaints by Jewish students at Brooklyn College that they have been subjected to severe and persistent harassment in the Mental Health Counseling masters program. The Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights last week informed the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, which prepared the complaint, that it had opened the probe. The complaint alleges that Jewish students in the MHC program have been bullied and harassed in class discussions and on social media by student peers, who target Jewish students using the same ethnic stereotypes, anti-Semitic tropes and divisive concepts that faculty members promote in their courses. The complaint cites the example of a professor who claimed that Ashkenazi Jews who immigrated to America have become oppressors. In another, a professor allegedly rebuked a Jewish student for ranking the students Jewish identity before their white identity, suggesting the student did not understand oppression. The students names were redacted from the Brandeis Centers filing. A spokesman for the Office for Civil Rights confirmed the probe but would not discuss any details of the case, which could cost Brooklyn College its federal funding if the allegations are confirmed. Denise Katz-Prober, the Brandeis Centers director of legal initiatives, told The New York Jewish Week that the harassment campaign was part of an effort to erase and misunderstand Jewish identity. That is dangerous because of the misunderstanding we saw with Whoopi Goldberg, and it is an attempt to whitewash the Jewish historical experience, which results in the downplaying of antisemitism. The actress was suspended from her role on the The View earlier this week for suggesting the Holocaust was not about race. Katz-Prober said that colleges and universities have an obligation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. The 10-page complaint was filed in behalf of two unnamed students and cites the actions of two unnamed professors and two unnamed administrators. It alleges that since the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year, professors maligned Jews on the basis of race and ethnic identity by advancing the narrative that all Jews are white and privileged and therefore contribute to the systemic oppression of people of color. When the Jewish students complained to administrators, they were allegedly told to get your whiteness in check and to keep your head down. One of the students who filed the complaint, who asked not to be named, told The New York Jewish Week it was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I wouldnt be doing this if it wasnt so blatant. This is a very Jewish school and Jews shouldnt have to go to school and be scared. This shouldnt happen, the student said. Class participation is a very big part of your grade and the fact I have been told by a white teacher to keep my head down and to get your whiteness in check It really upset me because this has been an ongoing situation in the classroom. According to Hillel International, there are 500 Jewish students among the 2,841 graduate students at Brooklyn College, which is part of the City University of New York. In a classroom discussion of how people of color feel vulnerable in public, the student said, fellow students downplayed the accounts of Jews who fear being targeted as well. People have said, You are not scared when you go to the store or walk down the street, but black people have to be. I said, No, I am scared, said the Jewish student. Two of the 10 Jewish students have dropped out of the program, one just recently, due to stress, according to one of the two students who filed the complaint. The complaint also asserts that Jewish students were bullied on a WhatsApp group chat. In that chat group, a female student expressed a desire to strangle a Jewish student and others showed support, according to the complaint. A Jewish student who objected was accused of being racist. On its web site, the Brandeis Center has linked antisemitism on college campuses to an emphasis on identity politics in the classroom. The campaign against Jewish students comes at a time when virtually every other group which claims an identity of its own is permitted to define its identity which then can neither be questioned nor commented upon by outsiders, wrote Diane Kunz, a scholar-in-residence at the center, in a recent blog post. Only Jews are denied that right. Ironically proliferating safe speech/safe spaces regimes on campuses have made the problem worse for Jews. The Jewish Week emailed the public affairs department at Brooklyn College seeking comment. In January, after a Brooklyn College student wearing an Israeli army sweatshirt and a friend were assaulted and called dirty Jews in an off-campus incident in Bay Ridge, the college released a statement saying it denounces hatred and stands in solidarity with the student and members of the Jewish community, as well as any community that is subjected to acts of targeted hate. Antisemitism has no place at Brooklyn College. The Office of Civil Rights has investigated several complaints against universities alleging antisemitic harassment and discrimination on campus. Among them are New York University, the University of Illinois, Williams College, the University of North Carolina and Duke University. All have entered resolution agreements promising to take steps to combat antisemitic harassment and discrimination against Jewish students on campus. Even though we are in the midst of a pandemic and visitation rights have been decreased at most of the senior living facilities in the area, The Jewish Pavilion has been committed to finding ways to connect with its Jewish residents. Jewish Pavilion program directors have been able to present in-person programs at a variety of sites - not letting even the most minor celebration go unnoticed. Susan Bernstein visited with residents at Village On The Green and presented a Tu B'shvat Seder, which included an explanation of the origins of the holiday and how it is celebrated today. The Tu B'shvat Seder is not widely known, however, it is a wonderful way to focus on our love for Israel and bring a little joy into our isolated lives. - Susan Bernstein, program director Senator Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee) at the podium and Keith Dvorchik to his right. At an in-person briefing, State Senator Randolph Bracy announced that the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando will receive $150,000 in state funds to secure a new security system for the campus. The in-person meeting came a week after two groups of neo-Nazis rallied in Orlando. One of the groups, the Goyim Defense League, protested outside the JCC campus about a year ago. This time the group was near the UCF campus and stood on a bridge on I-4. "Those kinds of demonstrations are despicable and disgusting," Bracy said at the meeting. "... it should be a hate crime." Keith Dvorchik, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, told the Orlando Sentinel there is a weak signal strength on campus, discovered about 15 year ago, that inhibits law enforcement and rescuers to communicate during an emergency. He said that adding a bi-directional amplifier would allow law enforcement to have two-way communication with walkie-talkies or other devices while on the premises. "I hate that we have to do this but I need to keep my people safe," Dvorchik told the Sentinel. "We have full-time security out front," Lauren Nelson, the development director at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center, told the Sentinel. "It's unfortunate that the kids have to see an armed officer with a bulletproof vest standing out front every day but it's similar to other school's resource officers." (JNS) - Amnesty International's latest controversial report released on Feb. 1 during a press conference in Jerusalem, this time accusing Israel of apartheid, has come under fierce condemnation from the Israeli government and Jewish groups around the world as being "anti-Semitic." The Biden administration rejected it as "absurd." Some U.S. lawmakers denounced it as "rooted in historic prejudices and false narratives." But Amnesty has doubled down on its accusation, claiming any argument to the contrary is simply an obfuscation of the facts. Avi Bell, a professor at the University of San Diego School of Law and at Bar-Ilan University's Faculty of Law, told JNS "the big challenge would be to find any claims by Amnesty that are defensible from a legal point of view." According to Bell, the report is "a compilation of tired propaganda, lies and distortions" and "boils down to a simple message: The world's largest Jewish community should drop dead." Bell suggested that the length of the nearly 300-page report "is intended to substitute for substance." In response to a JNS inquiry about the report's findings, Amnesty replied that "any suggestion that this is an attempt to destabilize Israel or is anti-Semitic are simply false and baseless, and a smokescreen to divert attention from the human-rights abuses and violations suffered by the Palestinian people." "As an anti-racist organization, Amnesty stands against anti-Semitism, which is antithetical to human rights," Amnesty told JNS in an email. "We oppose discrimination, racism and hate crimes in all forms, including against Jewish people or people perceived as Jewish." "We are consistently clear ... that we recognize the Jewish people's right to self-determination, that we condemn and seek justice for attacks on Israeli civilians, and that our criticism is targeted at the Israeli authorities and not the Jewish people." But the report itself is a testament to Amnesty's real intentions and, according to experts who spoke to JNS, Amnesty appears to have drawn its dangerous conclusion before it even began its research, and even then, the research is shoddy. Notably, Amnesty relied in part on information provided by at least four human-rights NGOs designated by Israel as terror organizations. Israel designated six Palestinian NGOs on Oct. 22 as terror organizations for their close ties with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The report's findings In its report, Amnesty claims that Israel has "established and maintained an institutionalized regime of oppression and domination of the Palestinian population for the benefit of Jewish Israelis - a system of apartheid - wherever it has exercised control over Palestinians' lives since 1948." Amnesty accuses Israel of "territorial fragmentation; segregation and control; dispossession of land and property; and denial of economic and social rights." It then proceeds to list numerous examples as proof of its accusations. Amnesty then calls on the International Criminal Court "to consider the crime of apartheid in its current investigation" and calls on all states to "exercise universal jurisdiction to bring perpetrators of apartheid crimes to justice." It calls on the international community "to urgently and drastically change its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict"; calls on the U.N. Security Council to "impose targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes, against Israeli officials most implicated in the crime of apartheid"; and calls for a "comprehensive arms embargo on Israel." Amnesty also calls for the UN General Assembly to re-establish the Special Committee against Apartheid in order to investigate Israel. Problems in the report While Amnesty accuses Israel's defenders of throwing up a "smokescreen," the organization has itself used smoke and mirrors in the report, according to those who analyzed it, beginning with the absence of the identities of those who actually authored the report or the experts it consulted for its analysis. In its original, embargoed report, Amnesty wrote: "This system of apartheid originated with the creation of Israel in May 1948 and has been built and maintained for decades." This reference to 1948 signifies that Amnesty perceives Israel as illegitimate since its inception. One of the many issues with the report is that it infantilizes Israel's citizens and decides for them what they should be called. Many Arabs in Israel self-identify as Israeli Arabs or Arab Israelis, yet Amnesty decided to call them "Palestinians." Amnesty complains that Israel's 2018 Nation-State Law, which declares that Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people, "does not recognize any other national identity despite Palestinians comprising 19 percent of the population within Israel." One of the problems with this accusation is that the 19 percent of the population to which the report refers is Israeli Arab and not Palestinian. A case in point is the Israeli Arab NGO "Together Vouch for Each Other," which on Twitter condemned Amnesty's "false and defamatory report." The group, it emphasized, is made up of Israeli Arabs "who live, study and make a living here; we are all an integral part of the society and enjoy equal rights." Amnesty's report almost completely ignores the history of extreme violence directed at Israeli civilians by Palestinian terrorist organizations and ignores Palestinian incitement. What makes this report different than those published by Human Rights Watch and B'Tselem last year is that Amnesty now makes the claim Israel is guilty of apartheid throughout the entire country, and not just in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. It ignores the reality in much of Judea and Samaria where Israelis and Palestinians drive on the same roads, shop in the same stores and eat in the same cafes. The report further ignores the fact that Israel's Arab citizens sit in the Knesset, are ministers in Israel's current government and sit as judges on the country's Supreme Court. Amnesty's definition of Israel as an apartheid state has been denounced by experts as violating the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism. Amnesty's recommendations to solve the alleged apartheid issue would result in the elimination of Israel since the organization demands a Palestinian "Right of Return." 'Actions the Israeli government can take with teeth' Eugene Kontorovich, a professor at the George Mason University Scalia Law School and the director of its Center for the Middle East and International Law, in addition to director of the International Law Department at the Jerusalem-based Kohelet Policy Forum, told JNS that Amnesty's goal is to "build up a virtual condemnation through international institutions by the ICC and UN and hope it trickles down and creates a narrative reality of Israeli apartheid." The irony is that currently, Israel has a coalition government with wide representation, including from the Arab Ra'am Party. Many could argue that it is the most diverse Israeli government to date. And in the past, it wasn't a specific Jewish political leader in Amnesty's crosshairs as much as the Jewish state itself. "It was never [opposition leader and former prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu or the Likud that was the problem, but rather, it was always Israel [itself] that was the problem" for groups like Amnesty, said Kontorovich. "America, and most democracies, are said to struggle with systemic racism, but Amnesty does not call them apartheid states," he charged, "because 'apartheid' - like 'Zionism is Racism' before it - is a call for the dismantling of the State of Israel." "It has never been about 1967," he said, referring to Israel's acquisition of Judea and Samaria after the Six-Day War. "It's always been about 1948 [the establishment of the Jewish State of Israel]," he concluded. Shai Glick, CEO of the Israeli human-rights organization B'Tsalmo, called on Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman to drop Amnesty's tax-exempt status in Israel. Glick told JNS, "The Amnesty Israel branch, which feeds the falsehoods to Amnesty International, deserves all condemnation and denunciation and certainly does not deserve the tax benefits it currently receives from the Israeli government. ... Anyone who harms or boycotts Israel should know that they [themselves] will be boycotted." David Wurmser, an American foreign-policy specialist, told JNS human-rights NGOs like Amnesty "have declared war on Israel's existence" and Israel must therefore "get serious." "There are actions the Israeli government can take with teeth, such as declare anyone affiliated in any way with these organizations, including donors, as personae non gratae," he said. "Staying silent and trying to ignore the problem away will not work in a hyper-charged environment of growing anti-Semitism." Like Glick, Wurmser suggested that Israel "annul the tax-exempt status of the organization and ask allied countries to do the same." He also said that Israel should "start a campaign to enact legislation in Congress that annuls the tax-exempt status of any organization that considers Israel's very existence an immoral act that implies Israel's destruction." According to Bell, "The hysterical and fantastical claims of Israeli Jewish evil reflect, more than anything, the desperate refusal of 'human rights' and 'anti-racism' organizations to understand that their embrace of Corbynist ethnicism has ensured their irrelevance. The report will not affect Jews and Palestinian Arabs, but it accelerates Amnesty's tragic descent into a moral abyss that will ultimately lead to the organization's demise." WASHINGTON (JTA) Sen. Chuck Schumer, the most senior Jewish elected official in U.S. history, recited the Shema prayer at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday. The New York Democrat added a reading from Leviticus that emphasized unity, echoing the message President Joe Biden emphasized in his remarks at the same event. Biden in his remarks referred to the recent synagogue hostage crisis in Texas as an example of courage in the face of divisiveness. Schumer, the majority leader in the Senate, appeared with Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the bodys minority leader. After thanking Biden and the co-hosts, Sens. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Schumer began: A reading from Deuteronomy, Dvarim, Schumer began, reading the first line of the Shema, which mandates that Jews internalize the oneness of God, in Hebrew. Schumer then said he would read from Leviticus 19:8. Dont take vengeance on or bear a grudge against any of your people, rather love your neighbor as yourself, I am Adonai, he said in English. That was of a piece with Bidens appeal at the breakfast, the first since 2020 in person, for cross-partisan unity. Democrats said it was the overriding theme of the breakfast: Schumer thanked Rounds and Gillibrand especially for revitalizing the breakfast, an allusion both to the fact that it was held last year virtually and to the partisanship that had in recent years plagued what is designed to be a national unifying moment. Former President Donald Trump had shocked participants at his own appearances for divisive comments. In 2020, Trump, a Protestant, questioned the faith of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives who is a Roman Catholic, and Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, one of Trumps most prominent GOP critics, who is a Mormon. Biden in his own remarks referred to the violent Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection that sought to keep Congress from affirming Biden as president. As I stand in this citadel of democracy that was attacked one year ago, the issue for us is unity, Biden said in the Capitol Visitor Center, where this years prayer breakfast took place. Biden appealed to McConnell, who has sought to block almost all of Bidens major legislative initiatives. Mitch, I dont want to hurt your reputation, but we really are friends, Biden said. Youve always done exactly what youve said. Youre a man of your word, and youre a man of honor. Biden also devoted a lengthy portion of his speech to the bravery a rabbi and three congregants displayed while they were being held hostage last month at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. The rabbi, Charlie Cytron-Walker, had invited in the assailant, who had presented himself as someone in need of shelter. When asked later if he would change anything, the rabbi said, quote, We will do what we always do, which is the best we can. Which is the best we can, Biden said. I had a long conversation with the rabbi. It was interesting to hear him describe the scene and how faith mattered: Whether youre in a synagogue or a church or a mosque or a temple, whether youre religious or not, were all imperfect human beings, trying our best the best we can, because we cant know the future. Nominally hosted by a senator from each party, the National Prayer Breakfast, a tradition dating back almost a hundred years, is organized by a secretive Christian group, the Fellowship Foundation. (JTA) In early December, Judaisms Conservative movement sent a disquieting message to dozens of synagogues looking for a new rabbi: Many of you wont make a hire this year. At least 80 Conservative synagogues anticipated rabbi vacancies approximately one of every seven affiliated with the movement, the email said. At most, 50 to 60 rabbis would be looking for new jobs. We are not presenting this information to alarm, but rather to help you prepare for and navigate the challenges of this search season, said the email, which was signed by the career search team of the Rabbinical Assembly, the Conservative movements rabbis association, and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the group that represents its nearly 600 congregations. That email outlined a number of strategies that synagogues, rabbi applicants and movement organizations could adopt to mitigate the challenging job market. But last week, a new message indicated strongly that the mismatch remains acute. Starting Feb. 1, the new letter said, the Conservative movement is suspending many of the rules that are meant to ensure that Conservative synagogues hire only rabbis trained at the movements seminaries or who have otherwise applied for and won admission to the Rabbinical Assembly. Those rules are relaxed late in the hiring season in a typical year, but the accelerated timeline represents a concession that the movement, which has been shrinking for decades, is not fully situated to meet the needs of its congregations right now. We understand that this decision will be received with mixed emotions, the latest email said. This is yet another challenging year both in general, and for rabbinic search specifically. A confluence of factors has led to this years tight rabbinical labor market. But one of them seems to be that the Great Resignation a mass wave of resignations across the United States triggered during the COVID-19 pandemic has come for the rabbinate, with potentially major implications for American Jewish communities. In what appears to be a blip, the first year of the pandemic saw fewer retirements of baby-boomer-aged rabbis. Rabbi Ilana Garber, the Rabbinical Assemblys director of global rabbinical development, calls these rabbis kind souls who stayed because it was the right thing to do for their congregation during a time of crisis. This year, theres a bumper crop of retirements, while a thinning out of the next generation that was already underway continues. Denominational seminaries are ordaining fewer clergy, and fewer of those being ordained are choosing to assume the pulpit. Another dynamic has emerged as the pandemic has worn on: More rabbis are choosing to retire early. And a significant number of rabbis have decided to leave their congregational jobs mid-career, many times with no intention of serving in another pulpit again. Some of them, in keeping with one theme of the Great Resignation, say they are no longer willing to tolerate unpleasant working conditions. One rabbi told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that an atmosphere that stifles innovation, enthusiasm and initiative and the soul-crushing experience of low participation in Shabbat and holiday observance in his community drove his decision to leave his synagogue. Elsewhere, rabbis are seeking to capitalize on the growth of non-traditional work opportunities. One Conservative rabbi who had worked in a Long Island synagogue for eight years decided to leave to launch a consulting firm. Rabbis with more than a decade leading synagogues in New England and Minneapolis announced to their communities that they would leave their roles but remain in the area. And other rabbis told their congregations that they wanted to explore rabbinic work outside of the pulpit. Many rabbis have been working tirelessly through the pandemic and are seeking a position with life-work harmony, the December letter cautioned synagogues. Make sure to communicate your congregations needs, while also understanding the burnout pervading the entire workplace in 2021, rabbinic and otherwise. To rabbis on the job market, they wrote, please communicate from the outset the time off and mental health support you require to perform your best work for your future community. Garber said she understands rabbinic burnout well. After all, she was experiencing it herself when she left the West Hartford, Connecticut, synagogue where she worked for 15 years shortly before the pandemic to take the Rabbinical Assembly role. She said she was missing simple things, such as sitting next to her family during services. But she also found that what had drawn her to the rabbinate the responsibility of supporting Jews at their most vulnerable moments was working against her. After a while, if you dont take care of yourself, each of those vulnerable moments can chip away at you to the point where youre just going through the motions and youre broken, she said. The pandemic has exacerbated issues of work-life balance for many people. Rabbis, like others across many fields, have taught and counseled via Zoom from their own homes, eroding boundaries that can be tenuous in the best of circumstances. Many have done so with small children at times attending virtual school from adjacent rooms. Meanwhile, their roles expanded to include becoming health care consultants, responsible for keeping their communities safe from COVID-19, while the in-person gatherings that are the heart of rabbinic leadership have been constrained. More recently, the hostage crisis at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, offered a stark reminder that being a rabbi can entail physical risk, as well. Can I continue doing this for 20 more years? If you knew how many good, fulfilled rabbis are asking this question in their souls, with their spouse or partner, and to one another, you would sense that seismic shockwave that potentially faces us, Rabbi Lewis Kamrass wrote in eJewish Philanthropy in October. It could even be going on within your own congregation or organization. Kamrass is president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which represents 2,200 rabbis in the Reform movement, American Jewrys largest denomination. Reform synagogues are also seeing an increased number of openings because of a surge in retirements this year, according to Rabbi Janet Offel, the director of consulting and transition management at the Union for Reform Judaism. But it is within the Conservative movement where concern is sharpest. The Conservative synagogues hiring this year represent a broad cross-section of the movement, which is home to about 17% of American Jews, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center. Some are growing and adding a second rabbi. Many are in regions that are attractive to Conservative rabbis because they offer Jewish day schools and kosher dining options. But even some synagogues in major metropolitan areas appear to be struggling to find suitable candidates: A Conservative congregation in Montreal took the unusual step of buying a quarter-page ad in the Jerusalem Post this week to alert its readers that it is seeking a full-time senior rabbi. Synagogues in areas with dwindling Jewish populations, where few amenities of Jewish life are likely to be present for rabbis and their families, may be having even more trouble drumming up rabbinical candidates. One synagogue in Kalamazoo, Michigan, told its congregants earlier this month that not a single application had come through the Conservative movement hiring system. In more isolated communities, going without a rabbi could be a blow to organized Jewish life. And hiring a rabbi from outside the Conservative movement could change a synagogue communitys character a reality that the most recent letter from the movement groups suggested guarding against. Please remember that non-RA rabbis may have a wide range of attitudes towards halakhah, or Jewish law, which the Conservative movement prioritizes more highly than other non-Orthodox denominations, the latest letter to synagogues said. We urge you to ask questions about their policies to be sure that the rabbis views are consistent with Conservative Judaism and your communitys values and priorities. Within the movement, officials expect a substantial number of synagogues to end the hiring season without a new rabbi under contract. Their concern is so acute that a team of 25 leaders has convened to discuss a looming questions: If synagogues cant be reasonably assured of rabbis from within the movement, why should they continue to pay dues to belong to it? About a month ago we started really having some serious conversations about this when the numbers made clear to us that this was going to be something we needed to address for this year, Garber said. We do very much believe in the movement and that we need to strengthen this movement and answer the questions of why should I affiliate with this movement? Part of the answer could come with how the Rabbinical Assembly and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, which effectively merged in 2020, handle synagogues that end up without rabbis. The December letter outlined a range of possibilities, including creating a cadre of transitional rabbis to hold positions for a short time; initiating rabbi-sharing and other outside the box staff structures; and launching virtual programs to ease the pressure on clergy. Garber said the task force which includes representatives from the movement groups; deans from the Jewish Theological Seminary and American Jewish University, the movements two seminaries; and rabbis and cantors from various synagogues had alighted on a plan. She declined to share details but said an exciting opportunity will come into play when, in not too long, the search process is resolved and the synagogues without rabbis seek help. Then they come to us and say, nu? she said. And well say, all right, weve got some options for you. The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando stands with its parent organization, the Jewish Federations of North America, as well as the ADL, and the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with many others in strongly condemning the factually inaccurate report issued by Amnesty UK. We stand in support of the democratic State of Israel. Jewish Federations of North America President and CEO Eric Fingerhut released the following statement regarding Amnesty International UKs report on Israel: Jewish Federations strongly condemn Amnesty International UKs report that promulgates false claims against the Jewish state, irresponsibly distorts international law, and advances hateful and disparaging rhetoric associated with age-old antisemitic tropes, while ignoring or whitewashing violence, terror and incitement committed by Palestinians. This report is the latest in a litany of anti-Israel propaganda that has contributed to a rise in hate crimes against Jewish communities around the world and continues to embolden extremist currents that threaten all minority groups. Jewish Federations call upon the human rights community to condemn this disparaging and falsely painted report and stand up for truth and justice. (JNS) A 211-page report issued by Amnesty International in the United Kingdom is pouring a deeper foundation on top of an already dangerous and insidious path to delegitimize Israel. The report charges Israel with oppression and domination of Palestinians, through cruel policies of segregation, dispossession and exclusion, in what it further describes as crimes against humanity. Disturbingly, this report joins a malicious piling on against the worlds only Jewish state. Last April, the organization Human Rights Watch issued a 213-page report charging Israel with inflicting on the Palestinians deprivations so severe that they amount to the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution. The apartheid charge has been a staple of the BDS movement for years. Human Rights Watch has long been at the forefront of those seeking to undermine Israels legitimacy, aided by its cachet among those who are like-minded or who look past its selective use of the term human rights. Then, in May of last year, the U.N. Human Rights Council long a hotbed of bias against Israel established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in East Jerusalem and in Israel. For decades, the annually funded, so-called Palestinian committees in the United Nations, and the dozens of anti-Israel resolutions adopted each year in the General Assembly and in its various agencies, focused largely on the West Bank and Gaza. What separates this COI from all that preceded it inside the world body is its investigation into practices in Israel proper and its open-ended mandate. In other words, a permanent star chamber has been set in place to flog Israel at will now and on into the future. Indeed, the three members of the commission led by its chair, Navi Pillay, a former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights are known for their incessant, blind bias against the Jewish state. Based on the pronouncements and writing of its members, the fix is in: Dont expect the COI, which is expected to issue its first report in June, to deliver anything other than a lengthy, one-sided rant, which will only further demonize and incite against Israel. Amnesty UK also includes Israel proper in its report and says that an Israeli system of legal segregation treats Palestinians as an inferior racial group. The report also freely uses the apartheid charge against Israel. The groups secretary general, Agnes Callamard, calls Israeli policies prolonged oppression of millions of people. For decades now, Amnesty International, running on the same fuel as Human Rights Watch, has had a Jewish problem. The two organizations are two sides of the same coin with frequent, obsessive criticism of Israel becoming a staple of press releases and annual reports. The Amnesty UK report, though, telegraphs its objectives in several places. It calls for a right of return for Palestinian refugees, a transparent, demographic prescription for the demise of Israel as a Jewish state. It charges Israel with pursuing, since 1948, a policy of establishing and then maintaining control over land and resources to benefit Jewish Israelis. It further charges Israel with Judaizing not only areas of the West Bank but in Israel itself. And it calls on the U.N. Security Council to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, covering all weapons and munitions as well as law-enforcement equipment. Additionally, it recommends that the Security Council impose targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes, against Israel officials The report also calls on the International Criminal Court, which already has charges of crimes against humanity against Israel on its docket, to consider the crime of apartheid in its current investigation into the occupied Palestinian territories and even calls for the application of the concept of universal jurisdiction to bring those perpetrators (Israelis) of apartheid crimes to justice. The upshot of the report? A call for a major reassessment of the UKs policy position on Israel. The government of Boris Johnson has generally enjoyed good bilateral relations with Israel. Amnesty calls for a change in that relationship in order to confront and begin to tackle the scale and systematic nature of Israels apartheid crimes. Tucked somewhere deep in the report is a bogus throw-away line about Amnesty recognizing Israels desire to be a home for Jews, suggesting that Israel has no right to an independent existence. Someone in the organizations office in London must have cynically suggested, after placing Israel on the rack, tossing in a few words to cover charges of not being even-handed. One will never see in these lengthy screeds anything at all about Israel being the only democracy in the Middle East. About its widely respected independent judiciary, about the fact that Israeli Arabs now sit in the current government coalitionthat an Israeli Arab sits on Israels Supreme Court, that thousands of Israeli Arab students attend Israeli universities or that Arabic is an official language of Israel. The sponsors and writers of these reports or should we say indictments have no interest whatsoever in seeing beyond their interest in soiling Israel in the court of public opinion. The similarity of language in the Human Rights Watch and Amnesty UK reports, and the stated goals of the COI are not coincidental. Its the vernacular of the BDS campaign, of the strident accusers of Israel within the United Nations and its agencies, of the Palestinian leadership itself, of some leading media outlets, and now, disturbingly, by some members of the U.S. Congress and other global parliamentary bodies. The length of this report is matched only by the vehemence of its hatred towards Israel, and by extension, those who support it. It will resonate among those who share its warped view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, who disregard the series of wars since 1948 to destroy Israel, the Palestinian terrorists whose families are rewarded with lifelong stipends, the showers of Hamas rockets from Gaza on Israeli cities and the nihilistic zero-sum policies of the Palestinian Authority. Amnesty UKs report is nothing more than another bald-faced attempt to exile, demean, marginalize, and, yes, ultimately eliminate the worlds only sovereign Jewish state. It is addressed to the government of the United Kingdom, but it is clearly meant for international consumption. It deserves to be thoroughly discredited as the work of utterly prejudiced operatives. No person who seriously cares about seeing the Middle East at peace ought to read beyond page one. Daniel S. Mariaschin is the CEO of Bnai Brith International. As the organizations top executive officer, Mariaschin directs and supervises Bnai Brith programs, activities and staff around the world. (JTA) My entire adult life I have espoused and jettisoned multiple theologies and philosophies after subjecting them to the ultimate test: Would they survive Auschwitz? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, almost always with some kind of caveat. Now Auschwitz presents a new test much closer to home. This month, the subject of who betrayed Anne Frank and her family has exploded onto the airwaves. A new book, prominently featured on 60 Minutes, claims that the Franks were betrayed by Arnold van den Bergh, a member of the Joodse Raad, or the Jewish Council of the Netherlands. Van den Bergh was a scion of the Dutch-Jewish family that patented margarine and helped found the conglomerate Unilever. He was also my cousin. Anne Frank and her father, Otto Frank, were Jewish refugees from Germany who went into hiding in Amsterdam during the Holocaust. They were discovered after two years and sent to concentration camps. Anne Frank and her sister died, probably of typhus, in Bergen-Belsen, where my grandfather also was sent and also contracted typhus but survived. Among the Franks, only Otto survived. My father is the son of Henri (Opa) and Eva (Oma) van Leeuwen. Opa owned a casings factory in Holland, and Oma was the daughter of Nathan and Rosetta van Zwanenberg (nee van den Bergh). Rosetta was the first cousin of Arnold van den Bergh. The allegations against Arnold and the story of my grandfather is a study in contrasts. Opa is a hero to us, his descendants. After failing to get a visa to join his wife and children on the last boat out of Holland prior to the Nazi invasion, he forced himself into the Heineken Brewery and hid there as Nazis leveled Rotterdam. He was able to gain a fake identity and posed as a Protestant minister in order to pass notes to and from imprisoned members of the Dutch resistance. He was arrested and sent to Westerbork (a transit camp ironically built as a haven for German Jewish refugees prior to the invasion), then to Bergen-Belsen, where he miraculously survived. He died when I was eight. My grandfather, unlike most others in the world, believed early on that Hitler meant business. Before the war, he published and wrote for a small publication aimed at his fellow Jews. In the 1930s he helped convince scores of German Jews to leave Germany while they could. He established the Dutch-based Jewish Colonization Society (with generous contributions from his in-laws) and went to the infamous Evian Conference in 1938, managing to convince a few delegates to work with him in resettling Jewish refugees. He laid his own life on the line when a guard in Bergen-Belsen discovered a Hebrew Bible belonging to a child in his barracks. Opa lied and said it belonged to him. For some reason, the officer opened the Bible, recited the first verse in perfect Hebrew, handed it back to him and walked away. Omas cousin Arnold survived in another way. A prominent philanthropist, he was among the original members of the Joodse Raad, convened by the occupying Nazi forces and its puppet government. Its raison detre was to communicate and implement all laws and decrees impinging on the Jewish community. Like similar councils set up across Europe, the Joodse Raad determined that things would go better for the Jewish community if they accommodated these decrees and did not resist them. They did manage to get permission to hire thousands of people, which initially shielded them from deportation, but they also helped to implement deportation orders and in some cases even determined which Jews would be deported and which would be spared. Their strategy turned out to be a tragic miscalculation of epic proportions. Around 75 percent of Jews in Holland, including some German refugees, ended up being murdered anyway. The evidence against van den Bergh appears to be a letter sent anonymously in 1945 to Otto Frank, Annes father, claiming van den Bergh shared the familys hiding place with the Nazi-run Central Agency for Jewish Emigration in Amsterdam. Van den Bergh was able to escape deportation, going into hiding until after the war. Dutch Jews still seethe when the topic of the Joodse Raad comes up. Hindsight is of course 20-20, but when Eichmann himself is quoted praising the remarkable efficiency with which Dutch Jews were being liquidated, you know youve got a serious problem. Many others come to the councils, and to van den Berghs, defense, saying that no one can judge the choices Jews and non-Jews made under great duress. This inner conflict used to be abstract for me, but now its quite personal. With respect to my cousin Arnold, the debate on social media and among Holocaust scholars has been quite fierce. Some say the coverage of the book is motivated by a desire to place more blame for the Holocaust on Jews and less on Nazis and their non-Jewish collaborators. Dutch Jewish scholars have called the report rubbish and slander. Others say the report is quite credible. The Anne Frank Huis, the museum inhabiting the building Otto Frank once owned and where his family hid, has charted a middle path, praising the investigators for coming up with new evidence and calling for more investigation. After doing many hours of my own research, and with gratitude to a Jewish genealogy Facebook page for providing ample documentation, I have come to a conclusion: There is no conclusion. I have much less confidence than the investigators that there is a smoking gun. We have no evidence that van den Bergh was able to trade information in order to stave off deportation; indeed, many in his extended family were murdered by the Nazis, as were most members of the council. He may simply have been able to bribe a few key people and go into hiding without betraying anyone. However, the Joodse Raad did have information on addresses where Jews were hiding, as they were known to pass along letters to them. Van den Bergh is likely to have knowledge of some or more of them. Also, at least two members of that council were not sent to Auschwitz, but rather to places like Theresienstadt and Bergen-Belsen, which were not extermination camps (cold comfort). The investigators assert that van den Bergh not only was not deported, but rather he lived openly in Amsterdam though Ive found nothing corroborating this. And then, of course, theres that anonymous letter. I have always tried to model myself after Opa, the fundraiser-diplomat-fighter who embodied Hillels dictum: In a place where there is not a mensch, strive to be a mensch. But now I learn that other members of my family chose a different course one of accommodation, not defiance. Whether or not he betrayed the Franks, van den Bergh belonged to a council that helped the Nazis control the Jews. Did he go along to save as many Jews as he could, or to save himself? Certainly the Nazis knew they were presenting Jewish leaders with an impossible choice. Although I am in no position to judge them for their behavior, I am left wondering: what would I do? Would I be Opa or Cousin Arnold? The truth is, unless one has personally traversed the crucible of the Holocaust, one cannot possibly know. I remember something Opa once said: The only ones in the camps he could trust were the criminals and common thieves. I know for a fact that is not true, because everybody in the camps also trusted Opa. And so do I. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media. One of the more curious responses to Amnesty Internationals Israel Apartheid report came from the Anti-Defamation League. In a press conference the heads of Amnesty held, they presented the main findings of the investigation they conducted regarding the status of Israels existence. It works out that after years of careful study, Amnestys entirely professional researchers determined that Israel has no right to exist. The Law of Return, which grants automatic citizenship to Jews after two thousand years of homeless wanderings, is a type of apartheid. Israels Jewish identity is apartheid, they said. The purchase of private land by Jews in sovereign Israel and in Judea and Samaria is apartheid. The use of government land by Jews is apartheid. Enforcement of the laws of the state towards non-Jews is apartheid in the eyes of Amnestys hard-nosed, totally unbiased investigators. Amnesty concluded as well that since Israel is an apartheid state that has no right to exist, Israel is guilty of crimes against humanity and, (it almost goes without saying), of war crimes. Unlike the wretched, cruel, greedy and avaricious Jews, the Palestinians are as pure as the driven snow. The word terror only appears three times in Amnestys 210-page tome and terror is never mentioned as a means to explain any defensive action that Israel has undertaken. As was to be expected, Amnesty used its new Jews are Criminals report to renew its call for Israel and its citizens to be tried for war crimes before the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The human rights group also rode its blood libel wave to renew its call for economic sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel. Amnesty capped its bloodlust off with a call for Israels destruction through the immigration of millions of hostile foreign-born Arabs allegedly descended from Arabs who left Israel during the 1948 pan-Arab invasion of the nascent Jewish state. Amnestys report was roundly condemned as antisemitic propaganda by Israels Foreign Ministry and Jewish groups in the U.S. and worldwide. You dont need to be an antisemitism researcher (or a Jew) to recognize that Amnestys report flowed from the same hate-infested swamp as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. And this brings us to the ADLs response. The Anti-Defamation League, which has an annual budget of around $100 million, is supposed to be the leading Jewish organization in the Diaspora in the fight against Jew-hatred. But Amnestys declaration of war against the Jewish state placed the ADL in a bind. Just a bit over a year ago, the ADL defended Amnesty. In October 2020, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced his plan to list Amnesty, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam as antisemitic organizations due to their efforts to advance the antisemitic boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel. Pompeos plan was in keeping with the Trump administrations overall policy for fighting antisemitism. In December 2019, then-President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that provided civil rights protection to Jewish students persecuted by BDS campaigns on their campuses. Given the central role Amnesty and other phony human rights groups play in the political war for the destruction of the largest Jewish community in the world, Pompeos planned move was not just reasonable, it was imperative. But rather than applaud him for his resolve, the ADL attacked Pompeo and his plan. When word broke that Pompeo was about to designate the three groups as antisemitic, the ADL released a statement aimed at undermining and blocking his move. The statement declared: We oppose broadly applying the antisemitism label to these human rights organizations; doing so is neither accurate nor helpful to the fight against antisemitism. Rather, this move would politicize the fight against antisemitism. A month later Pompeo made it the official policy of the State Department to treat organizations that support BDS as antisemitic groups. But by that time, Trump had lost his reelection bid, and the wind had come out of the sails. Pompeos statement did not mention which specific groups were antisemitic. So, thanks in large part to the ADL, Amnesty and its antisemitic comrades dodged the bullet. The ADLs response to the Amnesty report makes clear that the organization, which is supposed to lead the struggle against antisemitism, hasnt changed its position since it defended Amnesty from Pompeos charge of antisemitism. The ADL had a great deal of criticism over Amnestys report, but it engaged in circus-style contortionism to avoid saying the plain truth: Amnestys report was antisemitic. As the ADL put it, Amnestys report was an effort to demonize Israel and undermine its legitimacy as a Jewish and democratic state. In an environment of rising anti-Jewish hate, this type of report is not only inaccurate but also irresponsible and likely will lead to intensified antisemitism around the world. The ADL statement maintained its line that Amnesty was irresponsible, not bigoted against Jews through to the end. The statement concluded, Amnesty Internationals rhetoric is irresponsible. These are not simply abstract words but the kind of spurious charges that, time and again, have placed Jews in danger around the world. There are two explanations that pop to mind for why an organization that is supposed to be dedicated to fighting Jew-hatred turned itself into a joke to dismiss a call for the annihilation of the largest Jewish community in the world (Israel) by a massively powerful international organization as merely irresponsible rhetoric. The first way to explain the ADLs behavior is that this is an attempted cover-up. The fact is that the ADL facilitated the Amnesty report, as well as similar reports published by Human Rights Watch and BTselem last year. All three reports libeled and demonized Israel as an apartheid state. When the ADL torpedoed Pompeos plan to designate Amnesty, HRW, and Oxfam as antisemitic organizations, it gave them a carte blanche to escalate their antisemitic campaigns. Had the ADL put aside its progressive politics and hatred for Trump for just a moment to support rather than undermine Pompeo, it is highly likely that these groups would have reconsidered their plans to escalate their war against the Jews. The cost-benefit analysis of siding with terrorists and Nazi-like Jew-haters from Ramallah to Tehran against the Jews would likely have looked very different once the U.S. State Department designated these antisemitic groups as antisemitic groups. Moreover, had Pompeo gone through with his plan, even if Amnesty et al. had stayed on course and published their apartheid slanders, the impact of those slanders would have been a weak flutter of the waves they are making today. And the Jews would have had far better ammunition in their efforts to discredit the tsunami of lies flowing out from these groups. Given the ADLs role in facilitating the massive escalation of the faux human rights communities war against the Jews, it makes sense that it has decided to pretend that nothing is happening. Another possible explanation for the ADLs refusal to acknowledge that Amnesty International is an antisemitic organization and that its Jews are Nazis report is endemically antisemitic is that the ADL has abandoned its mission of fighting antisemitism and replaced it with a mission of advancing antisemitism at least of the progressive variety. In its squirming condemnation of the Amnesty report, the ADL noted rightly that by negating the Jews right to sovereignty within Israels 1949 armistice lines, Amnesty not only delegitimizes the Israeli state enterprise and the Jewish right to self-determination in its historic homeland, but also undermines the vision of a mutually negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will provide security, dignity, and self-determination to both peoples. There is no question that this is correct. The new rallying cry of Israeli Apartheid now shared by antisemitic activists in the West who falsely present themselves as human rights activists and Bedouin terrorists and rioters in the Negev has killed whatever was left of the so-called two-state solution. There is only space for one state west of the Jordan River. The ADLs pathological refusal to state the truth that Amnesty International and the miserable report it issued this week are anti-Jewish, indicate that in the campaign against the existence of the State of Israel, the ADL is not on the side of the Jews. Caroline Glick is an American-born Israeli columnist, journalist, and author and political activist. She writes for Breitbart News, The Jerusalem Post, Israel Hayom and Maariv. This article first appeared in Israel Hayom. Dear Editor: Good ole Uncle Joe Biden has more in common with good ole Uncle Joe Stalin than any American I can think of. When he brings up, which he does constantly, that White Supremacy is the greatest threat to our Democracy he sounds like Tokyo Rose in her hey day bragging about the Japanese victories over America during WW II. I know that he had racist animus toward Blacks and he didnt want his children going to hell hole schools with them. I know that he was close and admiring friends with fellow Senator Byrd who was a Grand Wizard of the KKK. Uncle Joe, Sleepy Joe, Treasonous Joe might be the one person most responsible for the transformation of America from a Democracy to a Marxist nation much like what happened in Russia, China, Cuba, Venezuela and many other nations in the world. What once were prosperous nations are now desolate ones where their citizens cant buy or find even toilet paper or enough food for their families. He accomplished the most dramatic failure in the history of our military: the defeat of America in Afghanistan, the loss of billions of dollars of the most sophisticated weapons in our arsenal and a good chance that those weapons will be used against us by our foreign enemies and domestic terrorists in the very near future. Weve come a long way from Saul Alinksys Marxist philosophies at the University of Chicago where some of his students were Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Barak Obama. Maxine Waters told her supporters what to do to confront their opponents right out of Sauls playbook. Now theyre everywhere. In the most prestigious universities to the community colleges to high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. Critical Race Theory is even weaving through our military. How did this happen under our very noses? Presently, the Left is winning and tearing up our Constitution and Bill of Rights line by line and the American people are reeling as millions of illegal aliens including terrorists assault our southern borders and are transported in the dead of the night throughout America including right here in Maitland, Fla. just last week and destroying our Welfare system, our Health Care system, our Education system and our security. The Tea Party attack by Americans dressed as Indians dumping British tea overboard was the opening signal for the American Revolution. Hundreds of riots, arson, looting, murders and insurrection over the past two years is the new Tea Party and we better wake up and fight it before they win. William J. Levy Ormond Beach, Fla. Vote for your favorite businesses and professionals in greater Haverhill -- health clubs, hair salons, restaurants and many more. Simply fill in your choices and submit your ballot by Friday, June 25. Vote here A Pakistan court on Tuesday sentenced Notan Lal, a Hindu teacher, to life imprisonment on the charges of blasphemy. Lal, owner and principal of a private school was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad during a Urdu class as accused by a student named Muhammad Ihtisham who later said he had lied. Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul said that the Pakistan Courts failed to consider Muhammad Ihtishams confession and convicted Notan Lal under pressure. #BREAKING: Innocent Hindu minority teacher Notan Lal in Pakistan sentenced to 25 years in prison for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad during an Urdu lesson. Accusation came from a student Muhammad Ihtisham who later said he had lied. Yet courts convicted him under pressure. pic.twitter.com/Y8urpp33Kg Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 8, 2022 A copy of court order shared by Pakistan-based journalist Naila Inayat mentioned that he has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Notan Lal awarded life imprisonment for blasphemy with Rs50,000 fine by a court in Sukkur. The Hindu professor was arrested in 2019 after a student accused him of insulting Prophet during an Urdu lesson, a charge that he denies. https://t.co/z7oqNOYeJ6 pic.twitter.com/0fxCkVYJis Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) February 8, 2022 A fine of Rs 50,000 has also been imposed on him. In September 2019, an FIR had been filed against a Hindu principal of the Sindh Public School for allegedly passing derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. After the false accusation by the student, violence and vandalism was unleashed by residents of Ghotki protested on the streets, damaging the school and also a Hindu temple in the area. The Police in order to control the situation and avoid further damage had detained Lal under Article 295 (c) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The demonstrators had already vandalized three temples, a private school and multiple houses belonging to the Hindu community posing threat to the minority community in Pakistan. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had also reported mob violence after accusations of blasphemy in Ghotki. Hindu community is in danger, it had quoted a tweet. A Hindu principal in Ghotki, Sindh has purportedly been accused of committing blasphemy by extremists, who have vandalised his school. Hindu community in the area is in danger. They must be provided with protection immediately! Video & report via Shankar Meghwar pic.twitter.com/Xctf04brli Bilal Farooqi (@bilalfqi) September 15, 2019 According to the reports, Lal was taken into the custody and was questioned about the incident. Also the child Muhammad Ihtisham was interrogated. Ibtisam had then confirmed the allegations that Lal insulted the prophet during a lesson on his life and travel between two holy cities. But as the matter erupted on larger scale on social media and other parts of Pakistan, Muhammad Ihtisham confessed that he had lied. Notan Sir never said anything like that. He had scolded me for not being able to remember the lesson. So I got furious and posted the video. I didnt know this would take such a massive turn, he had posted on social media. It is notable here that it is rather common in Pakistan to attack, jail and even kill members of the minority Christian and Hindu community over frivolous charges of blasphemy. In 2021, a Sri Lankan man was brutally lynched to death by a violent mob in Pakistan over an allegation of insult to Prophet Muhammad. According to the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), more than 75 people have been put to death since 1990 in connection with allegations of the crime and more than 40 are either serving lifetime imprisonment or are on a death row for blasphemy in Pakistan. Source : Opindia The Karnataka hijab row has captured the entire countrys attention with people from all walks of life expressing their opinions. While many agree with the students demanding that they be allowed to wear hijabs in classrooms, others say a uniform should be adhered to. The issue has snowballed into a major controversy with the Karnataka High Court now hearing the case against the ban. However, this is far from the first time that the issue of face coverings the burqa, niqab and hijab has created controversy. Heres a look at how other countries have dealt with the face coverings: which allow it and which dont. Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk introduced the secularisation of Turkey in its Constitution of 1924. While Ataturk never forbade the headscarf, he actively discouraged its use in public venues. His efforts saw an almost disappearance of hijab and burqa in Turkey. In 2013, Turkey lifted its decades-old ban on headscarves in the civil service. Then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the move as a step toward normalisation. Critics had accuse Erdogan of lifting the ban to force his Islamic values on the majority Muslim but staunchly secular nation. France France was the first European country to put a ban on wearing a burqa or niqab in public. The legislation has been in force since April 2011. In order to quell allegations of discrimination, the wording of the law deliberately avoids mentioning religious veils, stating instead in general terms: In the public sphere, no-one must wear an item of clothing that serves to cover the face. In addition, wearing any kind of religious clothing (including head scarves) in schools has been banned since 2004. The ban is estimated to affect only some 2,000 Muslim women. This is because it is believed that only this small number of women opt for the veils in a population of five million Muslims. While introducing the ban, President Nicolas Sarkozy had said that the veils oppress women and were not welcome in France. As per the law, wearing a full veil attracts a 150 fine and instruction in citizenship. Anyone found forcing a woman to cover her face risks a 30,000 fine. In 2016, the European giant took it one step further and also banned burkinis, womens full-body swimsuits. The Prime Minister Manuel Valls had called the swimsuits the affirmation of political Islam in the public space. It was later lifted in seaside resorts after Frances top administrative court overruled the law. Switzerland Switzerland joined the list of European nations banning the niqab in 2021. In March, over 51 per cent of Swiss voters cast their ballot in favour of the initiative to ban people from covering their face completely on the street, in shops and restaurants. According to the law, full facial veils will still be allowed to be worn inside places of prayer and for native customs, such as carnival. The ban came after the Italian-speaking region of Ticino voted in favour of a ban on face veils in public areas by any group in September 2013. Discussions on banning face veils in Switzerland cropped up in 2009 when Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said a face-veil ban should be considered if more Muslim women begin wearing them, adding that the veils made her feel uncomfortable. Denmark In 2018, Denmark became another European nation to introduce a ban on face coverings in public places. Offenders can incur fines of up to 134 ($157). Repeat offenses are punishable by up to 10 times that amount. The wording of the legislation does not specifically mention Muslim women but says that anyone who wears a garment that hides the face in public will be punished with a fine. Belgium A law banning the full-face veil came into effect in Belgium in July 2011. The law bans any clothing that obscures the identity of the wearer in places like parks and on the street. Anyone who breaks the law risks a fine or up to seven days in jail. Support for the legislation crossed the ideological spectrum, with supporters calling it an effort to promote gender equality. I think we have to defend our fundamental principles of the Enlightenment. Man and women are equal in all aspects, Peter Dedecker, a lawmaker from the center-right New Flemish Alliance, was quoted as saying. The Netherlands If you cover your face with a veil in the Netherlands, you face a fine of at least 150. The ban not only applies to burqas and other veils, but also full-face helmets and balaclavas. The Netherlands introduced the ban after 14 years of debate. In 2005, the Dutch parliament surprisingly voted in favour of a proposal for a complete ban on burqas that had been introduced by right-wing lawmaker Geert Wilders. The parliament passed a milder version of the proposal in 2016. Italy A 1975 law aimed at protecting public order makes it illegal to cover the face in public but courts have systematically thrown out local moves to use the ban to outlaw the full-face veil. Two regions held by the anti-immigrant Northern League Lombardy and Venetia have banned the burqa and full-face veil in hospitals and public places. Austria The ruling coalition agreed in January 2017 to prohibit full-face veils (niqab and burka) in public spaces such as courts and schools, with the law coming in to force in October the same year. Known as the Law against Wearing Face Veils, it requires people to show their facial features from chin to hairline. If that area is not visible, they face a fine of up to 150. Bulgaria Like the Netherlands, Bulgaria introduced a burqa ban in 2016. Wearers face a fine of up to 750 if they break it. There are some exceptions for people playing sport, at work or in a house of prayer. Sri Lanka In April 2021, Sri Lankas cabinet approved a proposed ban on wearing full-face veils including Muslim burqas in public, citing national security grounds, despite a United Nations experts comment that it would violate international law. Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera has called burqas, a garment that covers the body and face worn by some Muslim women, a sign of religious extremism and said a ban would improve national security. The wearing of burqas was temporarily banned in 2019 after Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks killed more than 260 people. Russia Russias Stavropol region has a ban on hijabs: the first of its kind imposed by a region in the Russian federation. The ruling was upheld by Russias Supreme Court in July 2013. UK There is no ban on Islamic dress in the United Kingdom, but schools are allowed to decide their own dress code after a 2007 directive. In January 2010, then Schools Secretary Ed Balls said it was not British to tell people what to wear. A 2016 poll had found that 57 per cent of the British public supports a burqa ban. Source : FirstPost Researchers are shedding new light on the molecular factors that give variants of SARS-CoV-2 a competitive edge - essential knowledge that could improve disease management as new variants continue to emerge. A study by researchers at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC Canada) examined the structural and biochemical properties of the Kappa and Delta variants, which co-emerged in India in late 2020. The findings help explain how the Delta variant may have been able to beat out the Kappa variant and become dominant across the globe. For the study, the researchers used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to examine the atomic-level structure of the Delta and Kappa viral spike proteins, as well as biochemical studies to assess how strongly the spike protein binds with the ACE2 receptor on human cells. The researchers found that both variants display evasion from antibodies that target a specific part of the spike protein, known as the N-terminal domain. However, when compared to the Kappa variant and wild-type SARS-CoV-2, the Delta variant spike protein was shown to create stronger bonds with the human ACE2 receptor. Notably, the Kappa variant spike protein displayed an unusual property, where two Kappa spike proteins were able to join together in whats known as a stacked head-to-head dimer - a structure not yet seen in any other SARS-CoV-2 variant. The researchers say it is not clear if this unexpected feature was one of the molecular factors that led to Kappa being outcompeted by the Delta variant. We are at a point in the pandemic where new variants continue to emerge and compete with each other. Its very much survival of the fittest, said senior author Dr. Sriram Subramaniam, professor in UBCs faculty of medicine. Understanding the factors that underpin the fitness of each variant will allow us to respond more effectively to emerging threats and better target treatments. Related Links: University of British Columbia Aaron Olson joined Crestline in 2017 as Vice President of Operations for the West Coast and was subsequently promoted to SVP of Operations for Crestline in 2018. In his new position as Executive VP of Operations he will lead Crestline's hotel operations team to meet owner needs and support the operational focus for the Company's strategic growth initiatives and new hotel developments. Aaron's career began at Marriott International and spans two decades, including roles such as Vice President of Operations for Interstate Hotels & Resorts and management positions with RIM Hospitality, Wright Investments, and Texas Western Hospitality. Aaron's vast experience in hospitality leadership, coupled with his understanding of both geographic and vertical markets, multiple brands, and complex ownership groups, has resulted in a solid track record of running successful hotels. Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest provider of sales, marketing, and distribution services to independent luxury hotels globally, has promoted Dan Coyle to Executive Vice President, United States and Canada. Tapping into more than 25 years of progressive sales and development experience, Coyle will lead the brand's strategic direction in the United States and Canada to ensure the success and retention of more than 250 member properties. Based out of the company's New York City office, Coyle reports to Michelle Woodley, President of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Drawing on his operational experience as Area Managing Director of North America, Coyle will head up a team of regional directors based out of offices in New York City, Newport Beach in California, Chicago, Washington D.C., Miami, and Toronto, with the goal to enhance Preferred Hotels & Resorts footprint in secondary and tertiary destinations and to strengthen hotel retention efforts as the industry recovery reveals new development opportunities. With extensive experience in international corporate transient, leisure, and group sales, Coyle joined Preferred in 2002 as Regional Director of Global Sales and was promoted to Area Managing Director of Americas East just two years later. Since then, he has continuously assumed more responsibilities within North America, demonstrating an innate curiosity for the industry and any advancements that help the brand to operate more efficiently. Prior to joining Preferred, Coyle built a successful career in global sales with Swissotel and Raffles International Hotels & Resorts where he was recognized with a variety of awards, including three Worldwide Sales & Marketing Awards, the President's Awards for Sales & Marketing Excellence, and Global Account Manager of the Year. Dan is a graduate of Providence College, where he received a B.S. in Finance. At Rosewood Hotel Group, Keno will focus on the creation of a group center of excellence in employee experience, talent acquisition, and talent development, working in partnership with Rosewood Hotel Group's Vice President of Global Talent and Culture, Hotel Operations, and Corporate Business Partner, Deborah Kelly. Keno joins Rosewood from Louis Vuitton where he served as Head of Human Resources Hong Kong & Head of Talent Acquisition & Development, North Asia. His previous experience also includes roles at Apple and Lululemon within human resources. Brussels The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) supports the Toulouse Declaration on future sustainability and decarbonisation of aviation, launched at the European Union Aviation Summit on 4 February. The declaration signals a growing political momentum to deliver emission reductions in the aviation sector, which is a key element in the sustainability journey of GBTA and the business travel industry. The declaration is the first public-private initiative of its kind, bringing together over 35 European countries, the EU institutions, and numerous industry stakeholders in a commitment to decarbonise air travel by 2050. GBTA commends the declaration for its ambitious and balanced approach to achieve long-term sustainability in the aviation sector. We are fully supportive of the Toulouse Declaration as the commitments made align with GBTAs own sustainability objectives, to support alliances across the travel eco-system and a basket of measures to decarbonise both European and international air travel. Through the use of sustainable aviation fuels, market-based measures such as CORSIA, improved aircraft technology, and financial incentives, we believe these ambitious targets can be met, said Suzanne Neufang, CEO GBTA. GBTA encourages other International organisations, stakeholders, and countries from outside the EU to endorse the declaration, to accelerate the global delivery of sustainable aviation and to ensure air transport continues to contribute to global mobility. About the Global Business Travel Association The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world"s largest business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations across four continents. GBTA"s members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA delivers world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, visit www.gbta.org. Preferred Hotel Group which operates independent hotel brand Preferred Hotels & Resorts and new sustainable hotel brand Beyond Green recently conducted its annual global travel survey for members of its loyalty program I Prefer Hotel Rewards. More than 4,000 Members from around the world participated, and the results reveal a truly optimistic attitude towards travel in 2022, signaling a much-anticipated revival for the industry as solo travelers, couples, and families continue to Believe in Travel. Survey Results Snapshot: WHERE? According to the survey results, destinations across North America and Europe are the top travel picks this year with 30% of respondents keen to explore North America and nearly a quarter wanting to experience the diversity of Europes urban and rural destinations. Exciting hotel launches in Europe this year such as Sommerro, a luxury Art Deco hotel debuting in Oslo in September, and Passalacqua, an 18 th century villa on the shores of Lake Como set to open in June, and across the United States such as Pendry Park City, a contemporary mountain resort, which has opened its doors in Utah just in time for the ski season, and Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences, a wellness resort on Floridas Palm Beaches launching this spring are prompting a growing number of inquiries, stimulating intent, and generating bookings for future travel. According to the survey results, destinations across North America and Europe are the top travel picks this year with 30% of respondents keen to explore North America and nearly a quarter wanting to experience the diversity of Europes urban and rural destinations. Exciting hotel launches in Europe this year such as Sommerro, a luxury Art Deco hotel debuting in Oslo in September, and Passalacqua, an 18 century villa on the shores of Lake Como set to open in June, and across the United States such as Pendry Park City, a contemporary mountain resort, which has opened its doors in Utah just in time for the ski season, and Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences, a wellness resort on Floridas Palm Beaches launching this spring are prompting a growing number of inquiries, stimulating intent, and generating bookings for future travel. WHY? More than 50% of respondents claim their primary vacation motivation is to travel with their extended family, having spent so much time apart. Preferred Hotels & Resorts Preferred Residences collection, which offers more than 80 residential-style lodging options ranging from beachfront villas to luxury chalets, is a turnkey option for these types of leisure bookings, particularly as travelers continue to prioritize personalization and socially-distanced accommodations. Beyond Greens family-friendly, sustainable properties will also be in high demand, including Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve, in New Mexico, which offers the Junior Tracking Program for kids of all ages to experience hands-on conservation activities. More than 50% of respondents claim their primary vacation motivation is to travel with their extended family, having spent so much time apart. Preferred Hotels & Resorts Preferred Residences collection, which offers more than 80 residential-style lodging options ranging from beachfront villas to luxury chalets, is a turnkey option for these types of leisure bookings, particularly as travelers continue to prioritize personalization and socially-distanced accommodations. Beyond Greens family-friendly, sustainable properties will also be in high demand, including Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve, in New Mexico, which offers the Junior Tracking Program for kids of all ages to experience hands-on conservation activities. WHAT? There are notable shifts in preference based on the types of guest accommodations prioritized. Inquiries and requests for resort-style properties continue to outpace city hotels with the survey revealing that over two thirds of respondents are planning to book a resort break in 2022. City hotels are still a strong consideration and beginning to make notable gains with nearly half of respondents planning to book an urban adventure this year. Second city destinations will continue to rise in popularity with travelers keen to explore lesser-known, and less crowded, metropolises such as Atlanta, Chicago, York in the United Kingdom, and Milan in Italy. Debuted in 2013, I Prefer Hotel Rewards is the worlds largest guest loyalty program for travelers who seek out the unique perspective of the independent hotel experience. More than 650 participating properties around the world offer I Prefer benefits, and the program currently has 4 million members. Are you worried about the future of the hospitality industry after the surge of Covid-19 and the new variant, Omicron, in 2022? We get you! The hospitality business all over the world has faced lots of challenges and losses in the business in the last two years due to Covid. The year 2022 will surely be a game-changer in shaping the future of the hospitality industry, particularly in India. Lockdowns, restrictions on international and domestic travel, and uncertainties harmed the hotel industry in 2020 and 2021. The pandemic was coming under control in 2021 and was more manageable and normal when the industry started experiencing adversity again during the holiday season due to the rise of Omicron, a new Covid variant. In such a scenario, it is evident that the new variant will hinder recovery, especially now that the Omicron threat is lurking. This winter season was awaited with eager anticipation, but things are unlikely to be as bright as they were a few months earlier. The New Year's profits would have given the hotel business a much-needed relaxation time. However, they are now facing cancellations as a result of increased restrictions. The government has extended the prohibition of scheduled foreign passenger flights. Aashish Gupta, CEO of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), said there is uncertainty in the hospitality business about the effect of the Omicron variant, with conflicting reports pouring in from different regions concerning its intensity and speed of spread. On the one hand, foreign tourists have yet to visit India because of lockdowns. On the other, to maintain safety and stop the spread of the virus, governments restricted travel across state borders and hotels. Tourists were only permitted to enter through state lines if they had just finished their vaccination or had the most recent clear RT-PCR test report. These factors made it difficult for passengers to book trips and pushed away potential customers from the hospitality business. As the pandemic's second year came to an end, the hotel industry would enter the post-lockdown phase in 2022, a changed version of the hotel business. Major changes in management, servicing, and market trends will set the standard for the future of the hospitality industry. 2022 will be the ultimate test to assess if these new trends will last. The hospitality and tourism industries have also implemented what they've learned over the last two years to prepare for a sudden threat like Omicron. There is a global agreement that we must be continually alert while remaining functional. Until the Covid-19, the hospitality business was a hands-on industry. But today, thehospitality industry has found it's new normal, which is digitally powered and contactless. Travellers are now enjoying the tech-assisted experience, from booking directly via the hotel websites and making early inquiries to taking the trip and returning home. The hospitality sector has changed into a futuristic version, still bouncing with the COVID-19 effect and the new variant Omicron, with its never dying attitude. The following are some of the predicted market trends for the coming year: Make the Most of Every Opportunity, but Keep Distance from the Crowds Immersive experiences that are unique and undiscovered have been a trend for a few years, and this trend is expected to continue. Travelers are willing to go even greater miles to find a safe place that provides them with an earthy, even rustic, immersing pleasant journey away from the crowds at popular destinations. If hotels in tier-2 and tier-3 cities can provide the minimum safety and facilities that tourists require, they should accommodate more guests. So travellers will seek fresh experiences that will enhance and make their vacations memorable. Even small facilities, such as pet-friendly hotels, and proper safety measures for Covid will attract an increasing number of tourists since they contribute to guests' series of experiences. Technology-Enabled and Digitalisation in Hospitality Industry The change brought about by digitalisation and technological innovation may readily be linked to the fast growth of the hospitality industry in India and worldwide. Online bookings and technology-enabled hotel management systems have already become established in the hospitality industry; now, technological advancements in customer service have been advanced. Along with the benefits of technology, decreasing human involvement for a smooth check-in and check-out and minimising human input at restaurants will be widely adopted. Indian consumers are becoming more tech-savvy, which will help the hospitality industry in technological advancement. The Recovery Strategy Will Focus on Domestic Travel The speed of international travel is likely to pick up slowly, but domestic travel is expected to rise real quick as everyone wants some relaxation after a long pandemic. Domestic travellers' eagerness to see more of the country, at least until international travel returns to normal, will boost the industries' recovery from the impact of Omicron. Workaholics, staycationers, and business and leisure seekers will seek out domestic hotels and homestays that meet their accessibility, affordability, connectivity, and comfort requirements. Safety and Long-Term Sustainability When booking a hotel or resort, sustainability and safety will be high on the list of amenities that customers look for. People have become more concerned about the hotel's hygiene and sanitisation due to the pandemic effect. However, everyone has begun to pay greater attention to the hotel's eco-friendly operations. For the Right Service, Quote the Best Price One would expect that the pandemic would cause people to be more cautious about spending money on travelling and hotels. Surprisingly, tourists are willing to spend extra if they know they will be comfortable and receive quality service. The educated customers who love travelling value clarity and understand exactly what they require, and they are interested in spending appropriately. The Future of Hospitality Industry Will Make a Major Comeback with Big Fat Indian Weddings and Parties The Indian wedding industry is the second largest in the world. After a long break, big, fat, lavish Indian weddings are set to become a game-changer for the hospitality industry. The trend of destination weddings will increase bookings after this Omicron effect. Thus, Indian weddings and lavish parties will definitely have a positive impact on your hotel business, so market your hotel so that people book it for their wedding. Get Ready to Boost Your Hospitality Industry in 2022 Antibody levels against the Omicron variant are significantly increasing in everyone after the second dose of the vaccine. This may be the silver lining in the middle of the chaos. Despite various uncertainties and setbacks, the sector is predicted to recover and restore its future growth swiftly. If you strategically play your cards, you can boost your hotel business and get more direct bookings. Since the pandemic, everything has become digital in the world, so you must use technology smartly and promote your hotel business to stand out for the future of the hospitality industry. AxisRooms Editorial Desk AxisRooms, a software suite provider for the hospitality industry, is committed to aiding your business growth, not just with our state-of-the-art products and services, but also with the latest updates from the travel and hospitality industry. Got something to say? Write to us at: [email protected] For more information about AxisRooms, visit www.axisrooms.com Bucket-list travel and unique experiences with a preference for sustainable travel are top consumer travel trends for 2022 City travel will make a comeback in 2022 to around 75% of 2019 levels Restriction-averse travellers will continue to explore hotels and destinations on their doorstep Traveller desire for ease of payment will reach an all-time high this year Tech-savvy and health-conscious travellers, weary of pandemic-related red tape, will value convenience more than ever this year CEOs of some of the worlds leading hotel groups, all members of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), have made five bold travel predictions for 2022. Travellers will either go big or stay at home, with supersized holidays to ultra-luxury resorts and trips to major global cities high on the agenda, as well as serial staycations, daycations and work-from-hotel scenarios and a preference for sustainable travel, say hospitality chiefs surveyed by GHA, the largest alliance of independent hotel brands encompassing more than 500 hotels across 35 brands in 85 countries. It will expand its reach further when NH Hotel Group joins this summer, adding another 360 hotels. More flexible travel payment options and convenient contactless services will become a priority, significantly influencing the purchasing behaviours of travellers, according to the hotel leaders. GHA properties are already ahead of the curve, with the recent reimagination of GHA DISCOVERY, the loyalty programme that is shared by all of the brands within GHA, pre-empting these trends with concepts that meet the needs of travellers today, including a digital rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) which members earn and spend at any property in the collection, along with a new Live Local concept, inviting members into their local hotels, with or without a stay, through offers and experiences ranging from pool access to spa days to dining offers and more. The collective expertise and knowledge of our CEOs provides a barometer of global consumer sentiment. Our survey has confirmed that todays travellers, influenced by the circumstances of the last few years, are booking supersized holidays to bucket-list destinations, opting for multiple daycations discovering close-to-home hotel experiences, and demanding more flexible and convenient ways to book and pay for travel, said GHA CEO Chris Hartley. With our collection of world-leading independent hotel brands, spanning an eclectic mix of properties and locations, and supported by GHA DISCOVERY with the first of its kind digital rewards currency, we are ticking all these must-have boxes for modern travellers, he adds. GHA HOTEL BAND CEOS TOP FIVE PREDICTIONS SUPERSIZE MY HOLIDAY, BUT SUSTAINABLY Bucket-list travel and unique experiences are top consumer travel trends for 2022, with almost 73% of survey respondents revealing they were targeting this sector trend with substantial sales and marketing activity above all others. They also flagged up a surge in bookings for villas and suites, dominated by family group travel, indicating that guests were making up for lost time during the pandemic and prioritising reunions and vacations with loved ones by supersizing their holiday. Some guests are taking it a step further, opting for a resort buyout to celebrate weddings and special occasions, with the Indian Ocean region a definite hotspot. This rise in spend and preference for larger accommodation is reflected in a predicted boost in 2022 room revenue across all markets, according to GHA hotel brands CEOs, with properties in many regions, including Europe, South-East Asia, China, and India, anticipating more of a return to 2019 levels by Q3 or Q4. Its also clear that travellers will continue to prioritise responsible travel options this year, with 59% of CEOs surveyed dedicating sales and marketing efforts to promoting hotel sustainability credentials to planet and community-conscious guests. CITY SLICKERS RETURN City travel will make a comeback in 2022, according to most GHA brands CEOs (80%) who anticipate guest numbers at urban properties will return to around 75% of 2019 levels this year. According to GHA forward-booking data, the most popular cities for 2022 are Dubai and London, while Rome and Lisbon are rising in prominence again. CEOs noted destinations with minimal pandemic-related restrictions were capitalising on pent-up demand for travel. Dubai, one of the first destinations globally to reopen its borders to international travel in 2020 and part of the UAE, which is consistently rated as the most-vaccinated nation in the world by Bloombergs vaccine tracker, was recently named the most popular destination for 2022 in Tripadvisors first Travellers Choice Award for Destinations. London ranked second, with traveller reviews and ratings of destinations over a 12-month period used to determine the winners. DOMESTIC BLISS BECKONS Experience-hungry travellers will continue to explore hotels and destinations on their doorstep in 2022, with 46% of GHA CEOs indicating the daycation market was a sales and marketing priority this year. The ongoing bleisure and work-from-anywhere trends remain dominant, with 41% of CEOs targeting the remote work and work-from-hotel markets. Drive-to destinations are in strong demand, while extended stays are on the rise, and hotels are responding with attractive packages ranging from day visits for work or play, to longer stints for executives and their families. Tapping into the staycation trend, the reimagined GHA DISCOVERY programme launched Live Local, giving members access to GHA properties in their hometown through Stay Offers for well-deserved breaks; Local Offers for short bursts of enjoyment without a stay, such as access to the beach, gym or pool, or special deals on dining and wellness; plus Experiences bespoke member-only activities that immerse them in their local culture or community, from tours and classes to events and nature-bound expeditions. HASSLEFREE PAYMENTS PLEASE Traveller desire for ease of payment will reach an all-time high this year, according to GHA CEOs, with more than 68% investing in systems upgrades this year to provide guests with a seamless experience, particularly at point of sale. At the same time, GHAs new digital rewards currency, DISCOVERY DOLLARS (D$) with one D$ valued at the equivalent of US$1 enables members to earn D$ at any property in the GHA DISCOVERY collection for use on future stays. At check-out, D$ earned on previous stays can be used towards the hotel room, room upgrades, dining, spa treatments, or other extras. Members can earn D$ from day one, and the percentage earned on eligible spend increases with membership status, starting at 4% and rising to 7%. DISCOVERY DOLLARS (D$), part of the 2022 financialisaton of travel movement, makes purchasing easier and gives members choice and value, addressing and alleviating customer pain points. CONTACTLESS CONVENIENCE Tech-savvy and health-conscious travellers, weary of pandemic-related red tape, will value convenience more than ever in 2022, said GHA CEOs, who are investing in technology to make their guests lives easier. The survey revealed more than 68% intended to look at introducing keyless room entry/room keys in 2022, while 46% were prioritising online check-in and room choices, and 23% were researching opportunities for in-room AI, such as Amazons Alexa or similar. Forward-looking CEOs are considering the benefits of the metaverse and virtual reality as part of it one of the biggest emerging trends set to disrupt the business world in the future with 50% surveyed keen to use VR for hotel tours. Given the potential for VR to digitally transport potential customers to a hotel or travel destination, fully immersing their senses in this environment, its a powerful sales and marketing tool, said Chris Hartley. Our CEOs represent some of the worlds most visually appealing properties in stunning destinations globally, so VR guest experiences could be a real game-changer. The GHA hotel brand CEO survey was conducted in October 2021 and January 2022 and reflects the predictions and sentiments of a selection of hospitality leaders in the GHA portfolio. Brands represented include Anantara, Araiya, Avani, Campbell Gray, Capella, Corinthia, Discovery Destinations, Divani, Doyle, Elewana, Fauchon, GLO, JA Resorts, Kempinski, Leela, Lungarno, Marco Polo, Mysk, Niccolo, Nikki Beach, NUO, Oaks, Outrigger, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, PARKROYAL, Patina, The Residence by Cenizaro, Shaza, Sukhothai, Sun International, Tivoli, Ultratravel Collection and Viceroy. For more information visit Global Hotel Alliance and GHA DISCOVERY GHA DISCOVERY is complimentary to join, and travellers can sign up online or download the GHA DISCOVERY app. Travellers can also connect with the programme on Instagram and Facebook. About Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) brings together a unique collection of independent hospitality brands with GHA DISCOVERY, a multi-brand loyalty programme leveraging a shared technology platform. Through membership in GHA, brands expand their global reach, drive incremental revenue, and reduce dependence on third-party channels, all while maintaining management independence and individual positioning. GHA represents a collection of 35 brands with over 500 hotels in 85 countries serving 11 million members. The award-winning GHA DISCOVERY programme generates approximately $2 billion in revenue and more than eight million room nights annually. GHA's brands currently include Anantara, Araiya, Avani, Campbell Gray, Capella, Corinthia, Discovery Destinations, Divani, Doyle, Elewana, Fauchon, GLO, JA Resorts, Kempinski, Leela, Lungarno, Marco Polo, Mysk, Niccolo, Nikki Beach, NUO, Oaks, Outrigger, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, PARKROYAL, Patina, The Residence by Cenizaro, Shaza, Sukhothai, Sun International, Tivoli, Ultratravel Collection and Viceroy. For more information, visit globalhotelalliance.com. About GHA DISCOVERY Launched in 2010, GHA DISCOVERY is the world's largest loyalty programme for independent hotel brands, featuring more than 500 hotels, resorts and palaces across 35 brands. Members enjoy VIP recognition, thoughtful benefits and generous rewards at home or away. Recently the programme has evolved to include an additional tier and flexible paths to upgrade through nights/stays, eligible purchases or number of brands stayed, making it easier and faster for members to reach elite status. Unlike more traditional programmes, GHA DISCOVERY does not ask members to count points towards their next upgrade. Instead, members earn and spend DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), an exclusive rewards currency. They also enjoy members-only Experiences curated by each hotel and have access to properties close to home, without a stay, through member-only Local Offers. Andrea Krenn Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) is proud to announce that its annual Hospitality Leadership Summit will take place in-person on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the Hotel Commonwealth in Boston. The Hospitality Leadership Summit brings together students, alumni, faculty, and the community to hear from world-renowned industry leaders on topics and trends shaping the future of the business. The Summit, which is produced by a committee of student leaders with guidance from SHA faculty, also serves as the capstone event of the BU School of Hospitality Administrations year-long 40th Anniversary celebrations. For registration and information, visit BU SHA Hospitality Leadership Summit | School of Hospitality Administration. In these fast-changing, complex times, hospitality is more important than ever. This one-day Leadership Summit showcases the expansiveness of hospitality and the magnitude of its impact on the way we live, said Arun Upneja, Ph.D., Dean of Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. The Summit is a reinvigorating opportunity to derive inspiration and ideas from visionaries and trailblazers in our industry. We need moments like the Summit to collaborate with one another so we can imagine, and ultimately build, a sustainable path forward together. The program for the day of Friday, April 1, 2022, 9 am-5:30 pm features inspirational leaders giving motivational talks and sharing their vision for the future. SCHEDULE AND SPEAKERS We are proud to see this Summit grow in span and scope each year as it draws top-tier leaders from around the world to share wisdom and insights, noted Leora Lanz, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Chair of the Summit. The Summit exemplifies how our School remains current and even a step ahead to motivate our undergraduate and graduate students to innovate for the future of our business. The Summit culminates with the much-anticipated annual ICON award announcement and ceremony. The ICON award is presented to a leader who has been a pioneer in the industry and whose accomplishments have paved the way for enduring, transformative contributions of deep value in the world of hospitality and in our society as a whole. Past ICON awardees include in 2021, restaurant pioneer Danny Meyer, Founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack; and in 2020, Richard L. Friedman, President and CEO of Carpenter & Company Inc., credited, among a long list of accolades, for reshaping the Boston skyline with The Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences at One Dalton. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2022 ICON awardee. SUMMIT SPONSORS BU SHA is grateful for the generous support from our Summit Sponsors* Diamond Sponsor: Hotel Commonwealth; Platinum Sponsor: Access Point Financial; Gold Sponsors: Aramark, Hilton Hotels, and Pinnacle Advisory Group; Silver Sponsors: HHM, HMS Host, Longwood Venues and Destinations, Seaport Hotel, Spot On Ventures; and Supporters: Sid Wainer & Son. *The Sponsor List is current as of January 19, 2022 About Boston University School of Hospitality Administration Established in 1981 and now celebrating 40 years of Innovating the Business of Hospitality, Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration (SHA) offers students a combination of rigorous academics, business and liberal arts curriculum, and international experiences. SHA's reputable Master of Management in Hospitality program offers timely and provocative coursework guiding graduate students to shape the landscape of the business for the future. SHA has a unique relationship with the city of Boston, where the area's hotels, restaurants, senior living, and related businesses provide students with experience and opportunities. www.bu.edu/hospitality. About Boston University Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 33,000 students, it is the fourth-largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges, along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes integral to the University's research and teaching mission. In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada. Mara Littman 617-304-9488 Boston University School of Hospitality Administration At the tail end of 2021, the Omicron variant had a big impact on air travel, but for the majority of the year, we saw encouraging trends for the industry. This view is supported by findings presented in Expedia Groups Traveler Value Index: 2022 Outlook, based on a November 2021 survey of 5,500 adults in eight international markets. Following over a year of border closings and COVID-19 restrictions, weve seen a significant and steady increase in air travel as people are eager to make up for lost time. Travelers are booking trips with friends and family, taking more vacations (and flexcations), and satisfying their wanderlust. While the pandemic conditions continue to evolve, the latest insightsbased on over 300 petabytes of Expedia Group first-party data and custom researchtell us that consumers are indeed eager to travel. That means its important, now more than ever, for air marketers to plan for the year ahead and capture this demand. Lets take a look at the air travel trends we expect to see in 2022. 1. Air Travel and Longer Trips are Gaining in Popularity Last year we saw massive growth in the number of air travel passengers, and the data shows this trend will continue in 2022. In fact, nearly 60% of survey respondents said they plan to travel by plane within the next year: a 5% increase compared to May 2021. Those traveling for business are more likely to travel by plane compared to leisure travelers, with nearly 75% of business travelers and more than 65% of bleisure travelers (business travelers who extend their trip for leisure purposes) stating they expect to travel by plane over the next 12 months. Though travelers are still taking frequent, shorter trips, 3 in 5 travelers are looking forward to taking longer trips in the next six months. For air travelers, 70% say they most want to take fewer, longer trips. To encourage these longer trips, air marketers can include messaging in their marketing materials that lean into themes of rest and relaxation, as well as offer deals for travelers booking trips longer than four days. 2. International Travel Is on the Rise While domestic travel remains popular, international travel is showing strong signs of returning in greater numbers in 2022, with over a third of travelers expecting to book an international trip in the next six months. This aligns closely with the findings in our Q3 Travel Recovery Trend Report, which shows that travelers were more interested in international destinations in Q3 2021 compared to Q2. This trend is even higher among business and bleisure travelers, with nearly 70% saying they are at least somewhat likely to fly internationally, compared to only 43% of leisure travelers. This indicates a promising return for international business travel as well. Demand for international flights is particularly strong in Europe, with over 20% of French travelers and nearly 20% of UK travelers stating that theyre very likely to fly to an international destination in the next six months. With international travel demand on the rise, air marketers should highlight their international routes, as well as run special promotions for international flights to drive travel bookings. An example of one airline that found success during the pandemic is Qatar Airways. The Doha-based airline has maintained more services than most carriers since COVID-19 hit, giving their business momentum which the airline then capitalized upon by working with Expedia Group Media Solutions. Specifically, Qatar Airways has successfully employed a range of highly targeted advertising solutions on Expedia Group brands with the aim of boosting the visibility of several aspects of their offering, including the premium Qsuite experience. Other airlines have also found success by working with Expedia Group Media Solutions to engage and convert shoppers. 3. Discounts and Flexible Fare Options Are Most Influential Incentives and promotions are important in attracting potential travelers, especially for those that may be hesitant. For air travel, discounted fares and flexible fare options go a long way for leisure, business, and bleisure travelers, with over 80% ranking those two types of offering over optimum flight connections, upgraded seats, or access to airport lounges. Looking at this trend from a regional perspective, 90% of respondents in Asia Pacific (APAC) favored discounts above other promotions, while 80% of those in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) prioritized flexible fare options. For airline providers, offering both discounts and flexibility can help them stay competitive in todays competitive and rebounding market. 4. Travelers are Prioritizing Sustainability As weve seen over the past few years, travelers are becoming increasingly aware of sustainable travel and are now holding both themselves and brands accountable. This applies to air travel, as well, with recent Expedia Group data showing that 67% of air travelers are willing to pay more to make their trip more sustainable. This indicates that sustainability remains a critical factor in travel booking decisions, and we anticipate it will become even more important as we continue into 2022 and beyond. With that in mind, air marketers should look to highlight ways in which their brands are promoting sustainability, whether its reducing fuel consumption, operating on biofuels, eliminating single-use plastics, or providing locally sourced and seasonal foods on flights. Download the Traveler Value Index: 2022 Outlook to learn more air marketing insights, as well as trends for hotels, vacation rentals, and car rentals. You can also find out more about our air marketing solutions, or contact us to speak with a digital media consultant today. Download the Report. About Expedia Group Media Solutions Expedia Group Media Solutions, the advertising organization of Expedia Group, offers industry expertise and digital marketing solutions that allow brands to reach, engage and influence its qualified audience of travelers around the world. Through its vast network of leading travel brands and global points of sale, Expedia Group Media Solutions provides marketing partners with proprietary data-driven insights about traveler behaviors during every stage of the purchase journey, along with dynamic advertising solutions, to deliver strategic campaigns and measurable results. For more information, visit www.advertising.expedia.com. 2022 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50 View source At the end of 2021, fans of Samsungs Galaxy Note learned to their dismay that the oversize smartphone with the built-in stylus was being discontinued. The Note, which debuted more than a decade ago, had built a following that was devoted and was now devastated. No new Note model was released last year, with Samsung executives saying they wanted to focus on its signature folding phones. And there wont be a device called Note this year. But there will be the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, which looks, acts and maybe even smells like a Note. Yep, the Note is back, rebranded and ready to party! On Wednesday, the South Korean electronics giant unveiled its 2022 lineup of flagship smartphones in a pre-recorded, virtual Unpacked event. Leading the trio of devices is the Ultra, traditionally the largest, most feature-rich and priciest of the Galaxy S line. This year, the big phone gains a design with the Galaxys curves and the squared-off corners of the Note, along with a well for storing the venerable S-Pen stylus. It gives Samsung a chance to differentiate its top-of-the-line Galaxy device and streamline its overall high-end offerings. But make no mistake: Regardless of the name on the box, this is a Note. It again puts Samsung a step ahead in its smartphone arms race with Apples iPhone. With some features, such as the improved low-light photo and video capability Samsung is branding as Nightography, its playing a bit of catch-up to Apple. The event also took the wraps off the Galaxy S22 and S22+ smartphones, which share a subset of the new features found in the S22 Ultra, and an updated tablet line, the Galaxy Tab S8 family. The latter is a renewed shot across the bow at Apples high-end tablet dominance with its iPad Pro, and it includes an Ultra model with a sprawling 14.6-inch display thats touted as a laptop replacement. Samsung also has good news for those who keep their hardware a while. These new phones and tablets will see four Android versions including Android 12, which ships on the phone and five years of security updates. Thats better than most other flagship Android smartphones Googles Pixel 6 lineup gets just three versions, for example though it doesnt match the longevity of Apples iPhones, which typically go seven years before operating system support falls away. For this column, Im going to skim the key features of the S22 line and provide some context. Next week, Ill review the Ultra, which is tied to T-Mobiles network. The following week, Ill look at the S22+, a Verizon model that supports that carriers new 5G C-band frequencies active in Houston. Design The look and feel of the S22 and S22+ isnt all that different from last years S21 models, though with newer colors. The S21s had camera bumps on the back with contrasting colors, but the S22s bumps match the phones overall color. They come in black, white, pink gold and green. The S22+ I received is a pink gold model thats really more pink than gold. The Ultra comes in black (the color I received), white, burgundy and green. Its a much larger phone that includes a built-in storage silo for the S-Pen. Last years Ultra supported the S-Pen, but didnt have a place to keep it as the Note line has. The S22 has a 6.1-inch display; the S22+, a 6.6-inch screen. Both have a Dynamic AMOLED 2 display and an adaptive refresh rate that ranges from 10-120 Mhz, a variability that helps preserve battery life. Both have a resolution of 2340-by-1080 pixels. MORE ONLINE: Read more from tech contributor Dwight Silverman The Ultras Dynamic OLED 2 screen is 6.8 inches a tad smaller than last years 6.9-inch specification and its variable refresh rate runs from 120 MHz down to just 1 MHz. That helps keep the giant screen from abusing the phones battery life. The screens use a feature dubbed Vision Booster to improve the way AMOLED displays work in direct sunlight. Typically they tend to wash out, but Samsung says it provides more detail even under outdoor sun. Internals All three phones use Qualcomms latest mobile processor in the United States, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1; Europe and Asia get an Exynos chip. The S22 and S22+ have 8 gigabytes of memory and either 128 or 256 GB of storage. The Ultras memory varies between 8 and 12 GB, keyed to the amount of storage, which ranges from 128 GB to a full terabyte. None of the phones have a memory card slot or a headphone jack. All three phones support the latest version of Wi-Fi, known as 6E, as well as 5G cellular networks. As I mentioned, the AT&T and Verizon versions (as well as those that come unlocked) support the new, faster C-band frequencies for those carriers. You may need to spend some time tracking down that signal, but over time it will become ubiquitous and help those two carriers close the gap on 5G speeds with leader T-Mobile. Cameras Increasingly, smartphones are competing based on their cameras, and here Samsung makes a claim for bragging rights with improvements to all three models. Chief among them is a beefing up of the smartphones ability to capture photos and video in low light, a feature that has lagged behind Googles Pixel and Apples iPhone. Samsungs given its feature the moniker Nightography, and it uses clusters of pixels working in tandem to pull in more light at once. The S22 and S22+ have three rear cameras: A 50-megapixel wide camera with a 23 percent larger sensor than the S21 line; a 10-MP telephoto with 3X optical zoom; and a 12-MP ultrawide camera. The front camera is 10 MP. The Ultra takes the smartphone camera stack to ridiculous levels, with not one but two 10-MP telephoto cameras, operating at 3X and 10X zoom; a 108-MP wide camera; and a 12-MP ultrawide camera. Also on the back is a depth-map sensor that makes for more detailed portrait shots. The front selfie camera packs 40 MP. Pricing As with most flagship smartphones, the price tags are hefty. The S22 starts at $799; the S22+ at $999; and the Ultra at a whopping $1,199. Carriers will try to ease the pain with discounts and payment plans (Verizons standard contract plan now runs to 36 months). As you add storage, prices increase accordingly. You can pre-order these now, and they will ship and show up in physical stores on Feb. 25. dsilverman@outlook.com twitter.com/dsilverman Employees at a Starbucks on San Antonios North Side are the first in Texas to join a growing campaign among the coffee chains workforce to unionize. Baristas at Starbucks Loop 410 and Vance Jackson Road location filed Tuesday with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union election. Starbucks Workers United, a union representing Buffalo, N.Y., employees and helping other stores organize, said the San Antonio location which employs 27 workers is the only Texas store so far that has petitioned for an election. Howdy, partners! Texas is joining the party, the union tweeted along with a copy of a letter addressed to Starbucks president and CEO Kevin Johnson and signed by nine employees. We work hard to provide consistency and connection with our customers now its time for Starbucks to connect with our homes and our realities, the Starbucks workers said in the letter. Workers United Southwest Regional Joint Board, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, is listed as a petitioner on the NLRB filing. A company spokesperson said, Our position hasnt changed: Starbucks success past, present and future is built on how we partner together, always with our mission and values at our core. UNION REPORT: Black Starbucks baristas at IAH are being paid less than white coworkers Local organizers at the Loop 410 store did not respond to inquiries. As essential workers we have essential needs in order to care for and service this community we love that we will fight for, tweeted Gaz Garcia, one of the Starbucks employees who signed the letter to the chains CEO. Starbucks decided we were essential workers while stores stayed open through the pandemic, Garcia added. If were going to be classified as essential in these times we should be able to have the resources we need to run our store and keep our employees healthy and taken care of. San Antonio city council members Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Teri Castillo as well as Greg Casar, a former Austin city councilman whos seeking the Democratic nomination in Congressional District 35, expressed their support for the local stores unionization effort on Twitter. Troubled by work conditions especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeking better pay and training, employees at companies such as Starbucks, Amazon, John Deere, Kellogg and REI are pushing to unionize. Workers at a Starbucks store in Buffalo voted to form a union in December, becoming the first among almost 9,000 company-owned stores to do so. Organizers say employees at 54 stores in 19 states are now seeking to unionize, NPR reports. On Tuesday, Starbucks fired seven workers in Memphis who were trying to unionize, the New York Times reported. A Starbucks spokesman said they had violated company policies, while union organizers said the terminations were in retaliation for their efforts. Starbucks employed about 245,000 people in the U.S. as of Oct. 3, and said in its 2021 annual report that the number of workers represented by unions is not significant. But if more employees unionized, the company said that could increase our costs, change our employee culture, decrease our flexibility and disrupt our business and also negatively impact how its brand is viewed. After organizers file a petition demonstrating the support of at least 30 percent of employees in a workplace, NLRB agents investigate to confirm the board has jurisdiction, the union is qualified and there are no factors that would prevent an election, according to the board. The employer must post a notice about the petition in conspicuous places soon after it is submitted. If an election takes place and a majority of Starbucks workers vote to unionize, the company will be required to bargain with the union over wages, benefits and working conditions. madison.iszler@express-news.net A group of volunteers is working to preserve a historic African American cemetery, and revive an almost forgotten chapter of Houstons history. That history includes the story of one of the cemeterys most celebrated occupants, a self-made businessman, born into slavery, who at the time of his death in 1917 was lauded by the Houston Chronicle as the citys foremost Black citizen. Charles Cook, co-founder of Descendants of Olivewood, a group dedicated to reclaiming Olivewood Cemetery and the history of Black Houston, said the businessman, John Brown (J.B) Bell is just one of the prominent African Americans buried in Olivewood, tucked against a bend of White Oak Bayou in near-northwest Houston. They include the founding pastor of Mount Zion church, Pastor Henry Stewart and one of the founders of Trinity United Methodist Church, Reverend Elijah Dibble. Perhaps none of these early African American leaders, however, achieved the same level of prominence during their lifetimes -- garnering acclaim even from the white press -- as did Brown, who in 1914 was credited as being the first individual in the area to submit his income to the government under the recently approved constitutional amendment establishing the federal income tax. A contemporary and friend of early civil rights leader Booker T. Washington, Bell was instrumental in bringing the first library dedicated to Black citizens to Houston. He also floated a loan to the organizers of Emancipation Park, saving the park from being sold off to pay a debt. At his death, the Houston Chronicle praised J.B. Bell as a leader whose place will be hard indeed to fill. From slave to business leader Born on Christmas Day, 1858, in Macon, Ga., his parents named him John Brown, after the abolitionist who incited an unsuccessful slave rebellion before the Civil War. At the age of 6 months, Bells family was torn apart, when his mother and her children were taken to Galveston where they were sold to a new owner in Polk County. In 1865, when he was 7 years old, Bell and other members of his family were emancipated. Bells mother then moved her young family to Houston, where she died three years later. Bell attended school for about 3 years, before he was forced to interrupt his education to earn a living, according to The Red Book, a Whos Who of African Americans in Houston in the early 20th century. He would later continue his formal education, briefly attending Tillotson College, now Huston-Tillotson College, in Austin. He was largely self-taught, learning business and business strategy on the job. He received his business training with the firm of Bell & Thornton, which firm conducted a grocery store in the Fifth Ward of Houston, Texas. This firm dissolved partnership in 1875 and the ambitious young boy was thrown out of employment, The Red Book said. Ambitious to support himself, he secured a position to attend to the horse and buggy of Dr. G. A. McDonell, of Houston, Texas, which position he held for three years, 1875 to 1878, at a wage of $5.00 per month. On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston's Black neighborhoods saw a surge of new businesses. In 1878, Bell left Houston and moved to Calvert, where he worked for his half-brother, L. W. Woods, in the grocery and restaurant business. He left this position to briefly teach school in Robertson County. He returned to Houston on New Years Day 1882 and went to work for grocer Reuben Thornton, for $30 a month, plus board. He worked for Thornton for a year and one day, until Thorntons death on January 2, 1883. Less than two weeks later, Bell bought the business from Thorntons widow for $315. He began acquiring rental properties, and in 1896, he sold the grocery store and went into the real estate business full-time, according to a brief biography of Bell by Patricia Smith Prather. Bell was known to have said, Seize opportunity and buy lands, Prather wrote. He purchased 50 rental houses and accumulated more than $100,000 worth of property about $2.4 million in todays dollars over his career. Michael Wyke / Contributor Michael Wyke / Contributor Michael Wyke / Contributor Michael Wyke / Contributor Michael Wyke / Contributor Community leader But Paul Jennings, a volunteer and the unofficial historian of Descendants of Olivewood, said that more significant than Bells business successes were his contributions to the African American community. Bell served as a member of the executive committee of the National Negro Business League, where he became friendly with Booker T. Washington, the leagues president. Bell and Washington were instrumental in securing funding for the old Colored Carnegie Library. The history of that library reflects the struggles that Black leaders had to overcome in the Jim Crow South. The city had received $50,000 from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to build what is now the Houston public library, which opened in 1904 on the corner of McKinney and Travis streets in downtown Houston. In 1907 the library staff denied service to a group of Black teachers. Seeking to extend educational opportunities to members of their race, Bell and Washington traveled in a private rail car to New York to ask Carnegie for funds to build a separate library for the citys African American residents. Jennings said the use of the private rail car reflected both the status of the two community leaders, as well as the segregated society that prohibited Blacks from traveling in the same rail cars as whites. 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. These were people who were comfortable with talking to one of the richest men in America, Jennings said. But they may have had to travel up in a private car because they couldnt travel in a first-class car on the railroads. Carnegie agreed to donate funding for the construction of the library, providing that the city guarantee an annual allocation of $1,500 for the upkeep of the segregated facility. Houston Mayor H.B. Rice made the guarantee, provided a committee of African American leaders, led by Bell, purchased the land. On HoustonChronicle.com: Inside Houston's groundbreaking Black-owned supermarket, The committee selected a site, at the corner of Frederick and Robin Streets in the Fourth Ward, but had only raised $500 for a lot costing of $1,500. Bell loaned the committee the remaining $1,000, allowing the library to be built and ensuring annual funding from the city for its upkeep. Bell also was responsible for saving Emancipation Park amid the parks early financial difficulties. In 1914, the park board owed a $1,000 payment on the park land and didnt have the money to pay the debt. On the day before the note came due, the board approached Bell for help. He loaned the association the $1,000 about $28,000 in todays money against the advice of his lawyer, who warned that he might never get the money back. "I would rather lose $1,000 than see my people lose their park," Bell replied, according to The Red Book. An almost erased past Bells life story is emblematic of the stories that can be learned by researching the lives of those who rest in Olivewood, said Cook. The cemetery was incorporated in 1875, a mere decade after June 19, 1865, when Texas slaves learned they had been emancipated. The fortunes of the eight-acre cemetery began to decline in the 1940s as development cut off access routes to Olivewood, Cook said. The last burials at the cemetery occurred in 1960s. Over the next several decades, the historic cemetery became overgrown and fell into disrepair. Today, even the ownership of the land is uncertain. Unlike many historic graveyards, Olivewood was never affiliated with a church. The site had been purchased by a group of trustees who administered the cemetery. All the original trustees have long since passed away, Cook said. In the early 2000s, a group of volunteers, many of whose ancestors are buried in Olivewood, began to rehabilitate the grounds. In 2004, the Descendants of Olivewood was incorporated and in 2008, a state court granted the nonprofit official guardianship to act as caretakers of the historic cemetery. Guided by a 20-person advisory board, members of the Descendants of Olivewood engage in clean-up activities several times a month, mowing, raking and cutting back on overgrown vegetation. As more acreage of the cemetery comes under control with regular maintenance and care, the group plans to launch a plot and walkway beautification program. Olivewood served as the burial site of many of the citys early African American leaders who rose to prominence in the years between the end of the Civil War and the first half of the last century, fighting off the legacy of slavery and the legal discrimination of Jim Crow to advance themselves, Black residents and Houston. You can see the progress, just 10 years out of slavery, Cook said. They built schools, fraternal groups, sororities, and they established a lot of self-help organizations in the community. Hines, the real estate development firm that began in Houston 65 years ago, enters a new era as Laura Hines-Pierce joins her father, Jeffrey Hines, as the firms new co-CEO. Hines has nearly $84 billion in assets and nearly 1,500 buildings in 255 cities in 27 countries. Hines-Pierce is 38 and pregnant with her second child, due in April. In addition to being a third generation Hines, she brings a different perspective to the C-Suite. Im glad that were able to take a moment to show that someone in leadership can take the time to prioritize her family at the same time shes prioritizing her career at this important milestone, Hines-Pierce said of the upcoming birth of her daughter in April, followed by four months of maternity leave. The timing of her promotion was intentional for Hines, whose Houston workforce of 848 is nearly 50 percent female. Some 40 percent of its employees are under the age of 35, Hines-Pierce said. Hines' global workforce of 4,800 is 40 percent female. Laura is going to do everything she can to move the industry in that direction, Jeffrey Hines said. Shell be a great example people can look to. Three generations Jeffrey Hines became president of Hines in 1990, while his father, company founder Gerald D. Hines, continued to work as chairman and CEO. Gerald Hines, who worked well into his 90s, died in August 2020, just days after turning 95. Gerald Hines came to Houston in the 1940s, with a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a job with American Blower Corp. He later became a partner at Texas Engineering, learning commercial/industrial buildings from the inside out before starting his own firm, Gerald D. Hines Interests, in 1957. Jeffrey Hines, 66, has spent the past three decades expanding his fathers company globally, and said that sharing the CEO title with his daughter is more about acknowledging the role shes played for a while not a sign hes planning his own retirement. When my dad brought me in, the combination of his experience and me pushing us in new directions has led to a pretty good 30 years weve had as a firm Jeffrey Hines said. Im convinced Laura and I are a 1+1=3 solution. Hines-Pierces first assignment was the River Point development in Chicago, of which she was project manager. She worked in other capacities at the firm and in 2020 joined her father on the executive team, where she helped build an investment management platform and three flagship funds with several billion dollars. Two of Hines-Pierces siblings, Adam and Matthew Hines, also work at the company. Adam Hines works in capital markets while Matthew Hines works on a development team in the west region. Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Setting the bar high Houstons downtown skyline can thank Hines for its tallest, most iconic and most recent buildings more than 30 in total, including One Shell Plaza, Pennzoil Place, TC Energy Center (formerly Bank of America Center) and the new Texas Tower, where Hines is consolidating its Houston offices. As Gerald Hines built his business, he focused on innovation, not just interesting building, but the best building techniques, talented staff and energy efficiency. When the U.S. Green Building Council developed the LEED standards, it was with the help of Gerald Hines and his staff, his son said. In the early 1990s, Hines created its own guidelines for indoor air quality, both predating and influencing rules that later came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Style was important, and Hines recognized that a better looking building from a well-known architect was good business: not only would it have more cachet, but the firm could charge more rent, too. Larry Burns, principal of Kendall/Heaton Associates, a firm thats been architect of record for more than 70 Hines projects, said that he expects that this third generation of the Hines family will carry on the tradition set by its founder. Burns noted that Gerald Hines had high standards for everything and was interested in finding new, innovative ways to get things done. One involves the kind of work his firm does, which is the technical side of building drawings and construction, vs. the more creative side of architecture and design. Gerald Hines decided to pair the two to have a creative architect design the building, while asking an architect of record to handle the technical drawings and the details involved in executing construction. Hines plan became a standard way for many developers to do business, Burns said. And when it came to energy efficiency, demanding better HVAC systems and other building materials was something that ultimately benefited every builder and developer and the world as a whole. One more cheer When Lorraine Hariton, president and CEO of the 60-year-old gender equality organization Catalyst, heard that Hines had promoted a young woman to a co-CEO role, she was ecstatic. I think its a triumph, Hariton said. This really makes me reflect on how the rules have changed for women in the workplace. Shes been groomed for the top job, and that wasnt always the case even in family businesses. This step by the Hines family is really exciting, and an opportunity to lead the way for the future of the real estate industry and corporate leadership in general, Hariton said. Hariton hopes that others will see Hines-Pierce balance as an executive and as a young mother and see that it can work for them, too. diane.cowen@chron.com Leaders of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County seemed quite pleased when they recently announced plans to honor civil rights icon Rosa Parks. We told you something exciting was on the way! METRO tweeted. In honor of #TransitEquityDay and Rosa Parks' birthday on Friday, METRO will install a commemorative seat at the front of transit vehicles dedicated to Parks' act of courage. The reaction to these commemorative seats yellow covers that were being placed on seats at the front of METRO buses and trains was not what the agency was expecting. As the Chronicles Rebecca Hennes and Sam Gonzalez Kelly reported, the tribute struck a lot of people as awkward. Some saw it as a publicity stunt or a shallow symbolic gesture rather than one that represents a commitment to meaningful change. Since the backlash unfurled largely on Twitter, its hard to get a handle on how widespread these concerns are. But, qualitatively, you can understand why METROs tribute to Parks left some Houstonians underwhelmed. Worth noting is that METRO isnt the first transit authority to do something like this to honor Parks, who refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Ala. bus in 1955, a defining moment in the civil rights movement. In San Antonio, city buses have long had seats dedicated to Parks permanently dedicated seats, with yellow cushions or seats rather than cushion covers. VIA, that citys transit authority, began installing them in 2005, the year of Parks death. Signs located nearby explain why the seats are dedicated to Parks: Her refusal to move from a bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 sparked a bus boycott and helped usher in the civil rights movement, changing public transportation and American society. We remember her courageous stand. Its just a one-sentence summary, but it shows respect for Parks agency as well as her achievements. VIA also offers free fares to all riders each year on or around Rosa Parks Day Dec. 1, which is the anniversary of Parks momentous refusal and subsequent arrest. (Some other states celebrate Rosa Parks Day on her birthday, Feb. 4.) And as it happens, METRO said in a statement that its tribute to Parks was directly inspired by VIAs: METRO embarked on this initiative after one of our customers saw a similar tribute to Rosa Parks on a San Antonio VIA bus and asked if we would consider doing something similar. Tributes to Parks can also be found on transit vehicles and properties across the country. They acknowledged that the commemorative seats are symbolic: We honor her act of defiance and demand to be treated with dignity, which changed the course of history in the fight for civil rights. 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. None of this has ever elicited much backlash in San Antonio or much critical scrutiny, really. Symbolic gestures and transit equity are not mutually exclusive propositions observes Marisa Bono, the CEO of Every Texan, who was previously VIAs chief strategic officer. Whats the difference between the two tributes? Of course the media ecosystem was rather different when San Antonio launched its tribute to Parks in 2005. Twitter wouldnt be launched until the following year. Also salient, perhaps, is that while the VIA seats may be described as a symbolic gesture, it is one to which the agency is clearly committed. The seats are seats not covers. Theyre on transit vehicles all the time, rather than appearing during Black History Month or to promote Transit Equity Day, which is celebrated on Parks birthday. The same is going to be true of METROs tribute, according to Tracy Jackson, deputy chief communications officer for the agency. The seats will be permanent, she told me Thursday. But another possibility here is that our understanding of symbolic gestures has changed. While such gestures have never been a substitute for other forms of action, the need for the latter particularly on civil rights is more urgent and apparent today than it was in 2005. Just take a look at whats happening to voting rights. The Republican-controlled Texas Legislature last year approved a package of voting restrictions last year that civil rights leaders believe target people of color, leading to widespread confusion ahead of the March 1 primary. Democrats, who had hoped that such aggressive moves in Texas and elsewhere would at least spur federal action, have been disappointed as key voting rights legislation has languished in the closely divided U.S. Senate. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, continues to gut the Voting Rights Act. Not that METRO can do much about all of this. But symbolic gestures and policy change are not mutually exclusive, as Bono put it. Leaders too often default to the former rather than doggedly pursuing the latter. And so perhaps the takeaway from the backlash to METROs well-intended attempt to pay tribute to Parks is that symbolic gestures may be alright, but theyre not enough, and leaders shouldnt expect them to be. Some of the those who took to social media to blast METROs tribute offered other suggestions for how the agency might honor her legacy: free fares on Election Day, for example. An intriguing idea. (METRO does offer free rides to the polls during elections, the agency notes, as well as give discounted and free fares in certain other cases). METRO said in its statement that it understood where critics were coming from. We respect the fact that this gesture has sparked an important conversation on social media about social and economic opportunities for all. Its a conversation that surely will continue. erica.grieder@chron.com Chronicle file On this day in 1929, Houstonians were mourning the death of firefighter who died in the line of duty the night before. J.M. Smith, 49, was killed while making a hose connection in the 2700 block of Congress. Fire crews were responding to a blaze at the home of Joseph F. Trapolino, a barber at the Rice Hotel barber shop. Family members of Martina Caldera, a 38-year old transgender woman, are heartbroken and want answers following the death of their loved one in December. "We're torn apart. Its hard on us because we also lost my father to COVID and now this," said Noel Caldera, Martina's older brother. "Its been a rough couple of years for our family." Martina, of Baytown, was found dead on Dec. 6 near an overpass on the East Freeway at Sheldon Road in Channelview. Upon arrival, deputies initially believed her death was the result of a motor vehicle accident, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said in a release. However, investigators with the vehicular crime division determined that Martina was shot several times. Her brother Noel, who went to the scene and barely recalls seeing any droplets of blood, believes she was shot somewhere else and dumped there. "I think somebody pulled [her] out of the car and pulled off," Caldera said to the Chronicle. Caldera said everyone in their large family accepted Martina as a transgender woman, but he personally still calls her his brother. He believes her gender identity ultimately contributed to her death. "[She] was very proud to be transgender," Caldera said. "[She] just wanted to be accepted and [she] felt like no one accepted [her] because [she] was transgender." OnHoustonChronicle.com: Texas GOP candidate Shelley Luther complains that students cant make fun of transgender children Caldera said he wants Martina to be remembered as a beautiful person who he described as very loving and thoughtful, always wanting to be with family and offering to help when needed. "[She] would call my mother every day. [She] would call family members in the middle of the night just to say I love you," Caldera said of Martina. "We have over 40 nieces and nephews and [she] knew everyones birthday by heart. [She] would just go to the parks and try to clean up after people. [She] would just show up to any one of my sisters houses and start cleaning and washing dishes. 'Hey what can I do to help?' [She] would get the kids and take them to the park. [She] would walk my kids home from school to make sure they were safe." And as the baby of 10 siblings, Caldera said Martina was always the designated babysitter, but truly wanted one of her own. "Thats something that I want to kind of do before I turn 40. Ive really been thinking about it, like having one naturally with a female. Or I could donate to a couple. But I really want my own," Martina said in a Nov. 2021 feature in The Baytown Project. Either way, its going to hurt because my dad met all his grandchildren. And if I have a child, he wouldnt be able to meet him or her." Caldera said their family recently revisited the area where Martina was found dead, playing some of Martina's favorite songs and holding signs. Deputies are still investigating Martina's death and do not have a suspect. They are urging anyone with information to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at (713) 274-9100 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222 TIPS (8477). A Spring Branch apprentice plumber has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after admitting he molested a 4-year-old girl in a home where he was working, the Harris County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday Brandon Joseph Bonds, 26, pleaded guilty on Monday to aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, a first-degree felony, prosecutors stated in a news release. More on HoustonChronicle.com: Motorist drives through fatal crash investigation in west Houston Bonds and his boss, a master plumber, were working on a garage apartment at a home when the girl's father asked the boss to take a look at an upstairs bathroom, prosecutors added. The father locked the door leaving Bonds outside, but he was able to get the girl to unlock the door and let him in, where he molested her in the living room, prosecutors said. After the plumbers left, the girl told her parents what happened and was taken to Texas Children's Hospital where evidence was gathered, authorities stated. More from Joel Umanzor: 2 arrested after burned bodies found under Dayton bridge In addition to DNA evidence from the girl, investigators were able to retrieve evidence showing Bonds recorded video footage of the incident and deleted it, the press release stated. Of all the child abuse cases Ive seen, this is one of the worst because that 4-year-old was watching cartoons in her living room, with her parents at home, and it should have been the safest place in the universe for her, said Assistant District Attorney Preston Burns, who prosecuted the case. But he was able to get to her and do something terribly, horribly awful to her. Joel.Umanzor@chron.com Each week, the Houston Chronicles health team works to answer frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and how its affecting our local community. This week, the downturn in COVID cases has many people wondering: Do we still need to mask up in public? Heres what experts have to say about that question and more: Although recent polls show Americans remain divided on how to handle the pandemic, public health experts answer this question firmly: yes. Omicron cases are plummeting, but the county-level case rates and the positivity rate two important metrics that gauge the level of virus transmission in the community remain well above levels that would prompt relaxed mitigation measures. Harris County on Wednesday was reporting 353 new cases per 100,000 people over the last seven days, and the rate of people testing positive is 20 percent. Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiology researcher at UTHealth School of Public Health in Dallas and author of the popular blog Your Local Epidemiologist, urges in her most recent post for people to wear masks indoors in public if the positivity rate exceeds 10 percent and cases exceed 100 per 100,000 people over seven days. Harris County uses a similar framework to gauge the threat to the community. Dr. Bhavna Lall, clinical assistant professor of adult medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Houston College of Medicine, pointed out that the U.S. is still recording 2,500 deaths per day from COVID-19. Most of the fatalities have involved people who were not vaccinated. We shouldnt become numb to these numbers, she said. These individuals are someones parent, child, relative, partner, colleague, friendIts too early to stop wearing masks when there is still a significant spread of the virus in the Houston area. When will Harris County lower its COVID threat level? Harris County has met two of the four metrics needed to lower its threat level from Red, its highest level, to Orange. The 14-day trend of new cases and COVID hospitalizations are both decreasing. New cases are dropping by 97 per day. COVID ICU patients are dropping by about nine per day, and the general bed population is dropping by about 32 per day. Two other metrics are keeping the county at Level Red. The overall percentage of COVID patients in the ICU is nearly 22 percent, exceeding the countys threshold of 15 percent. And the seven-day rate of new cases per 100,000 people is 353, well above the countys goal of 100. Level Red urges unvaccinated residents to stay home and minimize contact with others wherever possible. Do women have to wear masks while in labor? The rules vary among hospitals. The Memorial Hermann Health System does require masks for women in labor, but the HCA Houston Healthcare system only requires it for women who test positive for COVID. Dr. Kelli Burroughs, department chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Memorial Hermann, said there are roughly seven people in the room during labor, making social distancing nearly impossible. The data is clear: In order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 for all parties in a close space with less than 6 feet of distance, you must wear a mask, she said, adding, Unfortunately, as long as COVID is prevalent in the community, then the mask mandates will remain in place. julian.gill@chron.com Estefani Davila goes to the Harris County Public Library in Aldine twice a week with her nine-year-old daughter, Areli Reyes, both of them to study and do their homework. On those days, Davila goes after her work as a nanny to get contiguous computer seats at the library, so she can supervise the girls 4th-grade homework while she studies at an online college program from Mexico. Her husband, who works in construction, joins them sometimes to do paperwork and learn things, he said. The family is among roughly 600,000 households in Harris County without internet connectivity, according to census data, something a new program from the county library system this month is beginning to tackle. The Harris County Public Library launched a campaign Wednesday that will distribute 55,000 devices to residents in the greater Houston area who need online access. The librarys Internet Connect Campaign will provide 40,000 wi-fi hotspots, which are mobile devices similar to modems that allow computers and other gadgets to connect to the internet. The campaign will also distribute 15,000 Chromebook laptops, all financed by a $25.6 million federal grant from the Emergency Connectivity Fund included in the American Rescue Plan designed to close the digital divide. The grant represents the largest amount of funds approved so far for a library system in the country under the Emergency Connectivity Fund, according to federal government data. By providing adequate access to connectivity and technology, we are helping to improve the quality of life and strengthen our community in keeping with our mission of being a pathway to knowledge," said Edward Melton, executive director of the county library system. The Reyes family was among a few dozen residents from Aldine that were in line outside the library waiting for their turn to check out hotspots. It's going to be a tremendous help for us, said Davila We can study anytime from home now. Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis characterized the campaign as a big deal at the kick-off. He said The program is enabling people to have access to virtual library services and pursue vital educational opportunities. The Aldine library was chosen to start the distribution because the neighborhood is one of the largest pockets in the county with less internet connectivity. We have a high population of users here that really depend upon the library for connectivity, even more so than other branches in our library system, said Carl Smith, branch manager at Aldine library. Smith said that there have been periods before they closed the libraries due to the COVID pandemic in which wed have long lines of people waiting to get on the computer each day. As they reopened but at reduced capacity, its common to see people coming and staying in the parking lot with their phones to get a connection to the library wi-fi, said Megan Lemaster, the manager of the new program for the library system. She said that after the announcement at the Aldine branch, the campaign on Monday begin systemwide in all the library facilities. Lemaster added that the distribution of free hotspots and laptops ends on June 30, although HCPL is exploring additional funding sources to extend the program. Lemaster said the distribution is initially limited to the 5G hotspots, provided in partnership with T-Mobile. She said that the HCPL expects to receive the laptops in the next couple of weeks and check-outs will begin in early March systemwide. To be eligible for the program and receive hotspots and laptops, people need to meet three criteria. One is having a Harris County Public Library Card, which can be done in any branch or online at the HCPL website. Another qualifier is not having a computer or device, excluding phones, that could be connected to the internet to utilize library services. The other qualifier is not having internet connection or not having one that is adequate, said Lemaster. She explained that it simply means that, for the purpose of this program, you dont have an adequate connection if you cannot stream video with quality. Both the hotspots and laptops are provided as lifetime loans to the beneficiaries. To participate, people should go to an HCPL branch and complete an in-person application. olivia.tallet@chron.com Twitter.com/oliviaptallet More than 100 criminal cases have been refiled as part of an initiative Precinct 4 Constable Mark Hermans office has started, he announced in a Wednesday news conference. The message today that I want to give out is if you come out here to Precinct 4, and you commit a crime, if your case is dismissed, you can count on it being refiled, Herman said. Herman said the Harris County District Attorneys Office told him about eight months ago that criminal court judges and magistrates in 2021 slated thousands of criminal cases for dismissal. That meant District Attorney Kim Ogg was left with no option but to dismiss them in many cases, according to Herman. Oggs office could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. A document provided by the constables office indicated there had been thousands of cases across Harris County and district criminal courts that had a no probable cause finding in 2021. That document did not indicate explicitly whether the case was dismissed, and if so, who dismissed it: the judge, a magistrate or the prosecutor. Herman said hundreds of the cases slated for dismissal in 2021 were from Precinct 4, although the Chronicle could not immediately corroborate his contention. The constable said he brought together a group to review such cases with the Harris County District Attorneys Office. In the past few weeks, prosecutors have OKd charges on more than 100 refiled criminal cases from his investigators, according to Herman. He added he has encouraged other Harris County law enforcement leaders to do the same. We cannot let these people go without having their day in court, he continued. Herman also voiced frustration in finding out that a judge or magistrate did not find probable cause and the case had been thrown out after his deputies made an arrest and after prosecutors accepted the charges. It is very frustrating not only to our deputies, but also to law enforcement in general, he said. ... Dont get me wrong, there are legitimate cases where they have to be dismissed or refiled, but some of these cases theres little or no reason to do this. In a statement on behalf of Toria Finch, presiding judge of the Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 9, sent by a communications official, the judge clarified that the law requires that defendants are discharged when the probable cause threshold isnt met but the case is not dismissed by the Court. The District Attorneys Office has the discretion to either dismiss the case and refile with sufficient probable cause that meets the legal threshold, submit the case to a grand jury, or dismiss the case without refiling, Finchs statement read. We agree that community safety is important. We live in this community. We are your neighbors, and like you, we want our families to be safe, Finchs statement continued. As judges, we must balance that with individual liberty and constitutional rights. We remain committed to our mission to treat all people fairly under the law and to help ensure our community is safe throughout the process. leah.brennan@chron.com twitter.com/allhaeleah DALLASWhenever 7-year-old Audra Stovall hops off the elevator at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas, its first things first. Drawn by the smell of popcorn in the air, Audra will make a beeline to a sky-lit atrium lobby where she knows shell find a smiling volunteer ready with stickers and a snack dished out from the vintage-style popcorn machine. Theres magic in the ritual Audra has repeatedly performed since her first visit to Scottish Rite in 2017, shortly after her adoption from China. I smell the goodness, said Audra, an active, bubbly Frisco second-grader who was born with a club foot and amniotic band syndrome, a rare condition that caused her to have shortened or missing fingers and toes. Scottish Rites signature popcorn scent is symbolic of the pediatric orthopedic care pioneers mission to give childhoods back to kids like Audra. At Scottish Rite, theres a running joke that the only time you see patients cry is when its time for them to go home. Theres so much serious medical care that happens behind the scenes, but it comes with a Disney-like feel, said Ashley Givens, vice president of development and events at Scottish Rite. We are so intentional with how we are engaging these children at a level where they find inspiration. Established in 1921 to provide compassionate care for children with polio, the nonprofit hospital recently marked 100 years of redefining the science of healing muscles, joints and bones. Its known for research and treatment of pediatric orthopedics and certain related arthritic, neurological and learning disorders. It recently expanded its local presence north to Frisco with the opening of Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center and Scottish Rite for Children at The Star. The quest to treat the whole child, an approach offered to all patients regardless of their ability to pay, focuses on the experience not the diagnosis. Its a tone that starts with a building design studied worldwide and the how can we help? attitude that comes naturally to those who work and volunteer there. Located near the corner of Maple and Oak Lawn avenues, Scottish Rites current building on the Dallas campus, which opened in 1977, was intentionally built with two levels below ground to appear less intimidating to children. Its fronted by a youth fitness park and a wheelchair-accessible playground on the grounds where the original hospital once stood. Inside the front doors, framed with giant bright red crayons, are vibrant splashes of color, artwork and whimsical elements like a colossal mobile and giant kaleidoscope, waiting rooms with activity stations, and space, sports and seasonal themes throughout. Wide-open hallways are filled with natural light and have no medical equipment in sight. Instead, such equipment is kept in a central bullpen area behind the clinic rooms that were architecturally designed in a circle around this core. Here, patient teams can collaborate on care before they enter the exam room through a separate interior door. And then theres the popcorn 6,000 pounds of it popped each year, as part of a purposeful design element that appeals to all the senses. Money raised through popcorn and gift shop sales is earmarked for a hospital wish list that covers patient needs that dont fall under the current budget. Recently approved wish list items include a play kitchen and craft supplies and software for the Movement Science Lab. Longtime volunteers like 83-year-old Ken Morford are the heartbeat of Scottish Rite. Morford is a familiar face around Scottish Rite, starting in the mailroom as a volunteer 17 years ago after he retired. He arrives an hour early for his 8 a.m. shift each Wednesday to ensure his popcorn station is ready to greet the day. Morford, who lives in Arlington, has been known to underwrite a free popcorn day to honor the memory of a late best friend and fellow volunteer. He said he enjoys the excitement, joy and wonderment you see in a child as they are watching the popcorn pop. The volunteers and employees enjoy working together, and all they want to do is one thing: to make every child enjoy their life whatever that is, he said. It is just beautiful to see. When at full force, Scottish Rite volunteers are an army of more than 800 people up to 50 people a day who commit to regular shifts for the long-term, time that adds up to money saved on full-time employees. Their impact is profound, Givens said. For Audras mom, Kim Stovall, it was the little things that helped to immediately quell the familys fears of the unknown: the smell of popcorn and friendly faces, the volunteer who slipped headphones on her daughter during a cast change appointment, and the nurse after the first surgery who showed them how to fill a wagon with pillows and stuffed animals so Audra could go out and about. Audra cant wait to see her doctors at Scottish Rite so that she can share the details of her busy life, filled with tumbling, soccer and fun playing with her three older brothers. They are not just there treating her medical condition, Stovall said. They care about her and are invested in her. Audras medical journey once included full arm and leg casts, surgeries and weekly or bi-weekly appointments, but now has transitioned to occasional follow-up checks. The walk to the lobby for popcorn remains a sweet and savory reminder of how far Audra has come. When she starts running through halls, and Im walking behind her just seeing her run like that, I cant help but almost tear up sometimes, Stovall said. I know all theyve done to make that possible. Audra can do anything now; there are no limitations. And that is all because of Scottish Rite. An East Texas toddler who fell into a pond on her family's property and was submerged for half an hour is making a gradual recovery the family calls a "miracle." When family members pulled 2-year-old Tessa Aycock out of the water near dusk on Jan. 19, she was cold and had no heartbeat, said Katie Hildebrand, Tessa's maternal aunt. The toddler had been under water for 20-30 minutes, confirmed Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace. 'BRAIN PACEMAKER': Could depression be cured? These Houston doctors think so Hildebrand called Tessa a "free spirit" who liked to play outdoors with her extended family on their 5-acre property in Centralia, about 120 miles north of Houston. But that afternoon, she figured out how to unlock a door and let herself outside minutes after her mother, Amanda Aycock, last interacted with her, according to Hildebrand. Within 10 minutes, Aycock and her husband Jonathon began searching for their daughter, Aycock said in a statement to the Chronicle. Soon, Hildebrand said she received a frantic phone call for help. "Of course, I start hauling tail to my sister's house," she said. The family searched the property as storm clouds loomed on the horizon, Hildebrand said. After twenty minutes, they came to the stock pond near the home. Their attention kept returning to a small hole in the algae covering the surface, she said. "Michael, my brother-in-law's father, just jumped in, searching through chest-deep water," Hildebrand said. "Finally, he grabbed a fishing net and just scooped - and up came Tessa." ON A MISSION: This teen has always used crutches. When he goes to A&M, he wants to walk on his own. The water was cold, which Hildebrand said might have helped the girl survive. Amanda Aycock and her mother, a vocational nurse, began taking turns performing CPR, Hildebrand said. "She was just so little, covered in duckweed, she had turned purple," she said. "I just kind of dropped down next to my sister and we just prayed." Minutes passed in silence before paramedics arrived and took over CPR, she said. On the way to a nearby hospital where Amanda Aycock worked as a registered nurse, the ambulance crew successfully intubated Tessa on the first try while her mother dialed her colleagues, said Hildebrand. "About 10 minutes or so en route, we saw our first spark of hope when Tessas little heart started beating again," Aycock said. Later that evening, local doctors tried to find a hospital in Houston to treat Tessa, who was still in critical condition. But bad weather temporarily grounded medical flights and COVID capacity issues at Houston hospitals made a transfer difficult, Hildebrand said. "Finally, Memorial Hermann said they would take her," she said. After a late-night flight to Houston, Hildebrand said she and other family members were allowed as far as the pediatric ICU's waiting room. COVID protocols meant only Tessa's parents could enter the ICU after doctors fitted the toddler with warming pads, a ventilator and IV lines. One doctor emerged to ask the family what should be done if the toddler went into cardiac arrest again. It was a question they were unprepared to confront, Aycock said, but the parents agreed to allow resuscitation. "Tessa had shown some fight," she said. The turning point came the next day, during Tessa's first full evening at the hospital, said Aycock. "I was having another moment of crying and praying while everyone was sleeping when I went to Tessas bedside and put my hand in hers, and she gripped my hand, then squeezed," she said. "The next day she started flittering her eyes, and every day that has passed she has done something amazing." Doctors have since removed Tessa from the ventilator and many medications, Hildebrand said. But early scans showed brain injuries that could affect her movement as well as her cognition and ability to recognize her family, according to Aycock. The family remained determined to fully restore Tessa, pushing back against various medical assessments to the contrary, Hildebrand said. Instead, they searched for ideas online, including in Facebook groups for parents whose children suffered similar accidents. "There's a lot of drowning baby groups," she said. Since the accident, support for the family's goal has come from their rural East Texas community and all over the country, Hildebrand said. GoFundMe donations and an outpouring of encouraging messages helped the parents through several weeks in Houston, where they are making plans to take Tessa to a New Orleans clinic for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, she said. The FDA has not approved the therapy for drowning injuries and does not endorse its safety for unapproved conditions. But Aycock and Hildebrand said the family did not want to accept medical advice to "expect (Tessa) to be different" or to pursue other therapies at the hospital. "Science and medicine didnt have much hope, they were doing wonderful things, but that's not what brought us through," Hildebrand said. She described how a school in Centralia held a large prayer vigil the day after the accident. "We want to give others an unshakeable belief in Jesus and his healing," she said. "Thats our biggest takeaway that Jesus is still in the business of miracles." charlie.zong@chron.com In February 1873, less than a decade after Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger came ashore in Galveston to proclaim slaverys end, 42-year-old Henry Phelps took his seat in the Texas House. Phelps, a Republican elected to serve a district including Fort Bend, Austin and Wharton counties, grew up enslaved and forbidden to read, and became one of the first Black men to serve in the Texas Legislature. Nearly 150 years later, Phelps great-great-grandson is seeking a seat in that same chamber. Humble City Council member Charles Cunningham is one of two Republican candidates running for Texas House District 127, which retiring Rep. Dan Huberty has represented since 2010. We recommend GOP primary voters in the northeast Harris County district choose Cunningham, and not just for his familys storied place in history. In September 2019, Cunningham was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Humble City Council following the death of Glenn Redmon and in May 2021, 74 percent of voters elected Cunningham to keep it. He parlayed six years as a system operator in the U.S. Army into a career at whats today called CenterPoint Energy. Prior to joining Humble City Council, Cunningham, 64, served as a Humble ISD trustee for 12 years. He said his family takes pictures at the Capitol marker honoring Phelps, and Cunningham hopes to shape law as his legislative ancestor did during Reconstruction. It's about service and its always been about service. Thats just how I was raised, he told us. He listed three urgent legislative priorities: infrastructure, public safety and flooding. Cunningham outlined a conservative agenda and showed a capacity for nuance in some areas. He expressed a wait-and-see attitude regarding Gov. Greg Abbotts recent call for a parental bill of rights in education, noting parents already have rights articulated in the Texas Constitution. He is rigidly anti-abortion in all cases. He didnt seem particularly worried about critical race theory in K-12 schools, a common GOP flashpoint, noting that Republicans largely control the states curriculum already. Cunningham also unequivocally denounced the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. Hes been endorsed by several current Houston-area state legislators, including Huberty, Sen. Paul Bettencourt and Rep. Valoree Swanson, and numerous officials and organizations in the district. Cunninghams opponent, Deanna Robertson of Kingwood, didnt meet with the editorial board. Robertson, 47, works extensively with animals, according to her website, and is running a campaign highlighting election integrity, her opposition to vaccine mandates and border security. She lacks the policymaking experience Cunningham has earned from his time on the school board and the city council. While his ancestry is an inspiring reminder of the early history of the Republican Party in Texas, it is his city council and school board experience, civic engagement and professed open-mindedness that make him our choice for House District 127. Courtesy Democrats have to make a choice about how they want to put up a fight in the Texas Legislature. In 2020, the party mounted an aggressive campaign to retake the House, pouring money into what were thought to be competitive races, and failed to make a gain in their overall count. After the recent round of redistricting, the partys chance of making significant gains, much less flipping the lower chamber, is low. What kind of fighter makes the most sense for a party relegated to the minority for the near future? When state Rep. Garnet Coleman, who represented District 147 since 1991, announced his retirement last year, an extraordinary group of women stepped forward as candidates. Although she lacks the elected experience that two others in the race have, we recommend Danielle Keys Bess, 38, for her ability to communicate policy ideas in a style thats both constructive and assertive. Ninety acres of fairly flat, arid land near Midland might seem like a decent spot to dump 25-years worth of leftover sludge from oil and gas drilling. Its centrally located for the industry, easy to access, and there are only a handful of neighbors. But a few years ago when an East Texas company proposed building such a landfill, employees at the Texas Railroad Commission determined the site to be dangerously close to underground water sources, including the storied Ogallala Aquifer, which stretches up to South Dakota. Without a solid sediment layer to protect against leaks, agency staff recommended that the bodys three elected commissioners deny the project on environmental grounds. Two of them, including now-Chairman Wayne Christian, discarded the conclusion, approving the project in December 2020 against Commissioner Christi Craddicks opposition. Three days later, Christian received a $100,000 political donation from the company proposing the project, according to campaign finance records. Virginia Palacios, the head of a watchdog group that monitors the Railroad Commission, was not surprised by the payment. We see recurrent donations to the railroad commissioners after key decisions all the time, she said. Palacios said pressure to approve these types of projects has grown as states like New Mexico and Louisiana make it harder to dump wastewater and other materials from their oil and gas operations. The projects neighbors are now suing the agency, claiming it skirted procedural steps such as notifying them about last-minute tweaks to the permit before the vote. The landfill would rise 100 feet up, or 10 stories. I am definitely not against the industry, said Jeff Johnston, an oil and gas lawyer who owns 60 acres nearby. I am against taking unnecessary risks with tremendous natural resources like the Ogallala. OIL AND GAS INFLUENCE: After $250k in political support from Apache Corp., Texas Supreme Court does a rare double take Christian, who is up for re-election this year, did not respond to a request for comment through an agency spokesperson. Former commissioner Ryan Sitton, who also signed off on the project, did not return a message left at his office. Craddick received a smaller, $25,000 donation from the same entity on the day of the vote. She too did not respond to an interview request. It is legal in Texas for Railroad commissioners to take in unlimited political donations from the oil and gas entities they regulate, though they are required to recuse themselves from issues in which they have a personal or private interest. The company that appears to have made the donation, High Roller Environmental, was Christians largest single campaign contributor between 2015 and 2020, according to an analysis by Palacioss group, Commission Shift. High Roller is based in Center, Texas, as is Christian. Calls to High Rollers two Texas offices went unanswered and an email option appeared to be disabled on the companys website. The lawsuits do not mention the campaign transactions, though plaintiff Bill Kelton, another oil and gas lawyer who owns adjacent land, said they cast a pall over the decision. Callie Richmond / Callie Richmond for the Houston Chronicle Its unfortunate that its done in this sort of manner, he said. It taints the process, Ill put it that way. The complaints were first reported by the Odessa American. In its application, High Roller had said the groundwater would be protected through a synthetic liner it planned to install under the landfill, which would act like a natural barrier. But commission staff said the company had not provided details about the synthetic material they planned to use and warned that the technology is still relatively new and untested. The waste would remain at the site indefinitely after it reaches capacity, in about 20 to 25 years. In an amendment on the day of the vote, Christian called for staff to discard many of their earlier findings about the threat to the underground water. He proposed that the company be required to get approval from the agency before installing the liner, and that it extend farther out than originally proposed. Sitton said he had decided to support the project because the agency had approved waste facilities under similar conditions in the past. In order to be consistent with what weve done in the past, I find that we should approve this application, he said. WASHINGTON A heated South Texas primary has one of the most progressive Democrats in Congress sparring with one of the partys most conservative members, Laredo Rep. Henry Cuellar. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Cuellar have been trading shots in press statements and tweets days before Ocasio-Cortez is set to appear in San Antonio on Saturday to support one of his progressive challengers, Laredo immigration attorney Jessica Cisneros. The race is one of the most closely watched Democratic primaries in the nation, and San Antonio voters will have a bigger say in who wins now that Cuellars district was redrawn to include tens of thousands more Bexar County residents old enough to vote in the March 1 primary. SATURDAY APPEARANCE: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez headed to San Antonio to rally progressives Cuellars campaign this week slammed Ocasio-Cortez as a far left celebrity in a statement about the rally, where she will campaign for Cisneros and Greg Casar, a former Austin city council member running in a district stretching from San Antonio to Austin. The voters will decide this election, not far left celebrities who stand for defunding the police, open borders, eliminating oil & gas jobs, and raising taxes on hard working Texans, Cuellars statement said. Members should take care of their own district before taking failed ideas to South Texas. Ocasio-Cortez responded on Twitter by calling Cuellar rock bottom. Did you know that Cuellar is an anti-choice Dem in a state where women & LGBTQ+ repro rights are under attack? Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. This district has only gotten bluer, too. Its 2022. We really dont have to settle for rock bottom. The back and forth comes as the closely watched South Texas primary rematch between Cuellar and Cisneros who narrowly lost to him in 2020 has heated up in recent weeks, sparked by FBI searches of Cuellars home and campaign headquarters. Tannya Benavides, a former educator and community organizer, is also seeking the Democratic nomination. KNOW THE CANDIDATES: Read our voter guide to the March 1 primaries Cuellar has said he is cooperating with the investigation, which he says will prove he did nothing wrong. Cisneros, nonetheless, has started running TV ads in the district with news clips about the federal inquiry. Theres a better choice, the ad says. Cuellars campaign, meanwhile, has tweeted images of Cuellar meeting with border patrol and said Cisneros is backed by the defund the police movement and has pledged to slash the border patrol budget, making our communities less safe and costing our area thousands of jobs. The stakes are high, his campaign said. Ocasio-Cortez has long ties to Texas, especially in the San Antonio area. For years she was involved in National Hispanic Institute programs headquartered outside of San Marcos in Maxwell that were designed to help promising Latino students develop leadership skills and public policy knowledge to help them become lifelong leaders. A year ago, Ocasio-Cortez traveled to Houston with more than $2 million she raised to help Texas recover from the winter storms. ben.wermund@chron.com Chicago, IL (60637) Today Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 46F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.. Tonight Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 46F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Bandsintown, Fandiem partner to help struggling nonprofits by inspiring fans to give back, launch F-COVID campaign Bandsintown and fan-powered charitable fundraising platform Fandiem have announced a year long strategic partnership that will collectively support nonprofits by inspiring fans to give back. Late last year Bandsintown and Fandiem raised $450,000 with a #GivingSeason campaign in support of multiple nonprofits including Pearl Jams Vitalogy Foundation, Imagine Dragons The Tyler Robinson Foundation, Lindsey Stirlings The Upside Fund, HeadCount, Reverb, and others. Over the next 12 month the pair will assemble multi-artist coalitions to fundraise and raise awareness for nonprofits by leveraging Bandsintowns 68 million registered fans, its Bandsintown For Good initiative, and Fandiems track record of mobilizing fan communities. F-COVID The first recipient of the expanded alliance is Sweet Relief Musicians Fund with a campaign dubbed F-COVID, an online fundraiser to offer financial support for musicians and music industry workers affected by the ongoing pandemic. Fans who donate directly to F-Covid have the chance to win one of 30 prizes from Metallica, Eric Church, Nine Inch Nails, Imagine Dragons, Kesha, Clairo, Billy Idol, Jason Isbell, Chicago, and others. Prizes include a VIP trip to see Eric Church in concert plus autographed vinyl records, a one-of-a-kind guitar signed by Nine Inch Nails that the band smashed on stage in Brisbane, Australia, tickets to Metallicas sold-out show in Las Vegas, and more. At Bandsintown, we believe that live music makes a better world by bringing fans together in one of the last tribal experiences. With Bandsintown For Good, we turn this love for live music into social impact, says Fabrice Sergent, managing partner of Bandsintown. With Fandiem, were making it easier and more rewarding for fans to give back and deepen their connections with the artists they love. Were proud to join forces, fundraise and align our ethos around the ways we can use technology in service to society. We are thrilled to partner with Bandsintown to inspire artist and fan communities to support urgent causes, states Fandiems Co-Founder Jared Heiman. With the industry feeling the effects of another surge, the time is right to launch F-Covid and support Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. This campaign is our collective effort to help musicians and music industry workers whose livelihoods continue to be impacted. DONATE TO WIN HERE. Share on: Williamstown Planners Advance Reduction of Housing Lot Minimums WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. A divided Planning Board on Tuesday voted to draft warrant articles that would ask May's town meeting whether to reduce the dimensional requirements for housing lots in the General Residence district and the Rural Residence district. Proposals to reduce the lot sizes in each of the town's most populated districts have been heavily debated by the board since the summer, and prior to its February meeting, the body received written communication from 18 residents, nearly all calling on the panel to pump the brakes on its zoning bylaw revisions. Most of those letters echoed concerns raised by a member of the town's Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, who last week argued that any major bylaw revisions should wait until at least the publication of that plan in spring 2023. "We are writing to ask you to please consider allowing time to incorporate input from both the public and the Town's unfinished new comprehensive zoning plan before changing the village zoning," wrote Edith Thurber and Kevin O'Rourke in an email representative of the correspondence the board received and posted on the town's website. The need for more study was raised by two board members in other contexts during a nearly three-hour meeting that dealt with four other potential bylaw amendments in addition to the dimensional changes in the GR and RR2 districts. On the dimensional issues themselves, the board members for and against the changes on Tuesday made many of the same arguments that have become familiar throughout the 2021-22 Planning Board cycle. And the votes on the contentious proposals broke along familiar lines. Roger Lawrence was the lone dissenter in a 4-1 vote to advance the proposal on General Residence lot sizes to the drafting stage. Stephanie Boyd joined Lawrence in the minority of a 3-2 vote to advance to drafting a warrant article on reducing lot sizes in Rural Residence 2, the district that includes most of the town's buildable acreage but only about 20 percent of its population, according to occupancy figures cited at Tuesday's meeting. "RR2 is a combination of farming and residences," Boyd said. "I think we saw last year when we were working on legislation related to cannabis that there's some tension between those two uses. What one does affects the other. So adding more people through more [housing] lots out there is going to increase that, so we have to tread carefully. "I don't believe making lots smaller out there is going to fundamentally, or even at all, help with anything any of us would consider affordable housing. And, as we let more people live in rural residence, we're going to put more pressure on town services, whether that's firefighters, roads, water and sewer, ambulance, you name it. And it's more expensive because [the population] is not densely packed." Chair Chris Winters, who drafted the revision proposals for dimensional changes and a host of other aspects of the town's zoning bylaw, once again Tuesday argued that those lot-size changes are incremental. "The principle at work behind these dimensional schedule suggestions is to allow for opportunity," Winters said. "We talk casually and incorrectly about creating housing' as a board and as a town. We create nothing as a board, other than opportunity. We create opportunity or we restrict opportunity. "What we know is the outcome of what we've lived with. And what we are told is the outcome of what we've lived with, which is the result of our existing zoning regulations, is untenable, that it has resulted in a housing crisis, a lack of affordability in Williamstown that keeps the community from enjoying the benefits of diversity in many forms. We're a land use board. We create nothing. We create opportunity. By reducing these dimensions, we create opportunities at the margins, where people can choose to then be the active creators of actual housing." Town meeting in August 2020 overwhelmingly passed an article that calls on town officials to, "reflect on areas including housing and zoning and make changes that actively allow for a town more supportive of a wide array of racial and economic backgrounds." The resolution, known as Article 37, specifically calls on the Planning Board by name, to "critically re-examine and continue to create their policies and practices according to a commitment to accessible living." Boyd on Tuesday reaffirmed her commitment to making Williamstown more affordable but argued that allowing more housing lots in RR2 would not accomplish that goal and instead only would hurt the benefits the town derives from having a rural residential district. "Farmland, forested land, this thing we call 'open space' provides services to us, too," Boyd said. "We need that to take carbon out of the air, to make us feel good, to bring tourism dollars here. It's a tricky balance, and we don't need that one extra house or 10 extra houses out there. The kind of housing we need is going to be resolved by smaller lots, rental units, multi-unit buildings. That's where we should be focusing. And we shouldn't take on that issue in rural Williamstown right now." Likewise, Lawrence and many of the residents who wrote the Planning Board asking for more study before putting the bylaw amendments before town meeting, stressed that they are in favor of affordable housing as well. Lawrence argued that the Planning Board should be looking at more targeted strategies to encourage affordable housing rather than suggesting sweeping changes to the bylaw. "We're also looking at increasing the number of dwelling units on a given lot," Lawrence said during a discussion about the proposal for the General Residence district. "So, for example, if we vote to permit a four-unit building on a given lot, a developer who chooses his property wisely, based on frontage, at any rate, we're talking about going from three dwelling units to 12 dwelling units. "I've been watching building and development all my life. This is a recipe for bulldozing our existing neighborhoods and putting in small apartment buildings. The idea of putting in a small apartment building can play into affordability. But the proposal we're looking at contains no affordability component." Lawrence said land developers would look to maximize their profits, not create housing affordable to a wider range of residents. Winters, throughout the board's deliberations that began in July, contended that the basic principle of micro-economics increased supply puts downward pressure on prices will come into play, even if, as he often has stated "at the margins." "If someone wants to maximize their profits by creating 12 units of housing that we don't have, do we object?" Winters asked Lawrence. "Chris, there's no affordability component," Lawrence replied. "This is not about affordability." "How do you know that?" Winters shot back. "You can't possibly know that." Boyd joined Winters in making the case that smaller lot sizes would allow for increased housing stock in General Residence. "Many times we've talked about how Williamstown is essentially built," Boyd said. "There's not much land left for housing. The only way we get more land for housing is to require smaller pieces. "I'm all in favor of reducing lot sizes in the General Residence. I also think it's where people want to live and where we can have smaller, hopefully more affordable homes, whatever that means. On the other hand, when you look at ways we can provide affordable housing, we have only very few tools." Lawrence argued that the town should be looking at other tools, including overlay districts, to achieve its affordable housing goals. Winters agreed and indicated he would be happy to see them explored in the future. But he noted that the board could have been working on an overlay district proposal for the last year if its members had desired, and with the 2022 annual town meeting warrant closing at the end of March, the proposal he has put forward for this year is the only proposal there is. Lawrence said overlay districts are a compromise that could create more affordable housing and protect the things residents like about the town as is. "If we choose those overlay districts skillfully, we can create affordability without making major changes to the fabric of our town," Lawrence said. "I think our voters, our residents want us to create affordability for new residents and folks who live in town on limited incomes. And they want us to do it without turning Williamstown into a fundamentally different place because they love Williamstown exactly the way it is." Winters later argued that the incremental changes he is suggesting to the zoning bylaw have the virtue of applicability throughout the town reducing dimensional requirements in General Residence and Rural Residence 2 by the same percentage. "The systemic results of our existing zoning have resulted in an outcome that we find worth changing and making tradeoffs, making sacrifices in other priorities," Winters said. "That is the spirit in which this is presented. It also suggests that, as a town, we're in this together, and I think there's a valuable symbolism in the town all parts of the town, the 20 percent who live in the beautiful countryside and the 80 percent who live in what we call General Residence coming together to address the problem of housing supply in the hopes that we can have an impact on housing diversity and affordability." His words brought to mind objections that were raised the last time the Planning Board attempted a major "targeted" revision to the zoning bylaw: a 2018 proposal to carve up the General Residence district and allow more dense development in some areas than others. "Why is this good idea of in-fill housing being put into our neighborhood, which is already the densest neighborhood in town?" Linden Street resident Robin Lenz asked the Planning Board in April 2018. "Why not Haley Village or the Knolls? Why aren't you considering Moorland Street for this 'gift'? Why just Mill Street and Linden Street?" Town Tax Collector Jodi Hollingsworth says she and other Town Hall staff were blindsided by the hiring of the administrative assistant and the change from town secretary. Lanesborough Selectmen Address Open Meeting Complaint Over Hiring Residents and staff express their concerns about the Selectmen's hiring process. The board members apologized and say they are working on the personnel policy. LANESBOROUGH, Mass. Nearly 20 residents and town staff members filled Town Hall on Wednesday as the Board of Selectmen discussed an Open Meeting Law complaint (see below) concerning the town's new administrative assistant. The board members met and immediately voted to enter an executive session to discuss the complaint, filed by resident Darren Derby, with their legal counsel. The board apologized for the violations and said all three board members planned to retake their ethics tests and add an open forum back to meeting agendas. "I publicly apologize for that," board Chair John Goerlach said, acknowledging the violations mentioned in the complaint after exiting the executive session. "I look forward to making sure that doesn't happen again." Derby, who filed the complaint in late January, was unable to attend the meeting in person. His complaint alleges the board committed several violations at a Dec. 21 meeting, including entering an executive session without it being on the meeting agenda, not informing the public of the executive session and interviewing a candidate for the open town secretary position without informing the public. Public boards are required to interview finalist candidates for positions in open session. Jodi Hollingsworth, the town tax collector, said the board did not inform staff of the hiring of Makayla Zonfrilli, who is the fiancee of new Town Administrator Joshua Lang, beforehand. Staff was also unaware of the change in job title for the position, from town secretary to administrative assistant. "We were totally blindsided by the change in the job description," Hollingsworth said. "We were expecting a secretary -- secretary pay, secretary duties. And the day after, not even knowing the interview had taken place, Josh did meet with us and explained to us the change. We had no idea. And when we did find out more details. We were, frankly, insulted." Hollingsworth said the Selectmen did not offer the position to anyone who was already on staff, causing several longtime staff members to become frustrated, with some quitting after the incident. She expressed concerns about the lack of communication in addition to several other issues, including the administrative assistant position being a contract position, hours and vacation time the position receives and the position's additional stipend for grant writing. "We don't have any opportunity to earn any extra anything here," she said. "I did explain to Josh and Makayla both that this is no reflection of them personally. It was what the board did, basically behind our back with no warning. And we take serious offense to that. You kind of slapped us in the face." Town Clerk Ruth Knysh said she felt the board treated town employees inconsistently with hours and pay. Several other residents in attendance expressed similar concerns about the situation and the violations involved. "It just seems like everyone isn't treated fairly, I don't think," Knysh said. Selectman Gordon Hubbard recognized the inconsistencies and said work is underway to revamp the personnel policy. He said the updated policy should eliminate any issues town staff have. "That's one of Josh's big goals, is to get the personnel policy aligned," he said. "So everything is set in stone. And I asked [former interim town administrator] Bob Markel and also Josh to also look at the salaries, to make sure the salary structure where it's readily obvious where you are, where you're going." Selectman Michael Murphy apologized for the mistakes, saying he feels the board made missteps. He said he feels Town Hall employees are compensated fairly but understands concerns regarding inconsistencies. "I hear what you're saying," he said "And I think that there's some opportunity here, if we're allowed to try to look at it and reflect, to make some corrections." Resident Barbara Davis-Hassan said what concerned her the most about the incident was the lack of job postings for the position, which she said violated the town's personnel policy. She said she considered this violation of policy especially concerning because Zonfrilli is Lang's fiancee. "When you create a new job, you don't just go behind closed doors and give it to somebody," she said. "It's really, completely, outside of the personnel policy to do that." The board disagreed with the sentiment that Lang and Zonfrilli's relationship status was an ethical issue, with Murphy noting state ethics cleared the hire. When asked to provide the paperwork of this clearance, Lang said he would need to discuss with legal counsel to ensure the town could release those documents. "Josh and Mikayla both got clear instructions as to what to do now, and once they became married, what to do then," Murphy said. The board's next meeting is on Feb. 16. OML Complaint Against Lane... by iBerkshires .com Medical Matters Weekly Welcomes Area Health Education Leader BENNINGTON, Vt. Southwestern Vermont Health Care's (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson welcomes Jennifer Scott, PsyD, ABPP, the executive director of Southern Vermont's Area Health Education Center (AHEC) at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The organization aims to improve the health workforce in Southern Vermont. The show is produced with cooperation from Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV). Viewers can see Medical Matters Weekly on facebook.com/svmedicalcenter and facebook.com/CATTVBennington . The show is also available to view or download a podcast on www.svhealthcare.org/medicalmatters Dr. Scott is a licensed clinical psychologist and an educator and administrator in the field of higher education. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, and a bachelor's in psychology and biology at Valparaiso University in Indiana. She has served as senior administrator and graduate faculty at Union Institute & University in Ohio and as a past president of the College of St. Joseph in Rutland. She joined AHEC in 2020. After the program, the video will be available on area public access television stations. On CAT-TV, viewers will find the show on channel 1075 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Monday, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 a.m. Friday, and 7 p.m. Saturday. GNAT-TV's Comcast channel 1074 airs the program at 8 a.m. Monday, 9 p.m. Wednesday, and 1 p.m. Saturday. Medical Matters Weekly is an interactive, multiplatform, guest-driven, medical-themed talk show hosted by Dr. Trey Dobson. It provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on health care and the interesting personalities that drive positive change within the industry and its surrounding professions. Topics include behavioral health, food insecurity, equitable care, and the opioid crisis. The show is produced in partnership with Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV) and is broadcast on CAT-TV, Greater Northshire Access Television, Facebook Live, YouTube, and podcast platforms. SVMC Expands Visiting Hours BENNINGTON, Vt. Beginning Friday, Feb. 11, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), will update its visitation policy for hospital visitors and medical practice patients as well as expand its visiting hours. The change follows a decrease in positive COVID-19 tests and the slow decline in the number of patients hospitalized with COVID. "We track the state's and Bennington County's COVID-19 numbers closely, and the decline in positive COVID-19 cases supports re-opening visitation for our community," said Pamela Duchene, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services. "We are happy to provide patients with the direct, in-person family support they need to recover." Visiting hours have been expanded to 11 a.m. 7 p.m. daily. Everyone - including patients, staff, and visitorsare required to wear a mask or face covering, regardless of vaccination status. Those who do not have a medical-grade surgical mask will be provided one. All masks must be worn over the mouth and nose for the entire duration of the visit. Those who do not comply will be asked to leave the premises. The numbers of visitors allowed varies by department and the age and condition of the patient: One visitor is allowed per day to adult inpatients, including those using the Emergency Department, East and West Wings, and the ICU. Adult outpatientsincluding all patients visiting practices in the Medical Office Building, the Operating Room, Endoscopy, Medical Infusion, Imaging, and Labmay have one visitor with them. This includes prenatal patients. Pediatric patientsboth inpatients and outpatients, regardless of areamay have up to two visitors per day. Adult patients birthing with Women's and Children's Services may have a birth partner per day. Patients at the end of life may have four visitors, who must remain in the patient room at all times. The health system recommends minors visit the hospital or practices only to receive care, if possible. All minors visiting inpatient units need prior approval from the clinical team. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. "The patient support visitors provide is critical," said Thomas A. Dee, SVHC's president and CEO. "Visitors counsel, educate, advocate, and provide compassion. They play an important role in our patient's healing process." Social visits should still be conducted virtually. Both inpatients and outpatients who would benefit from social-type support should request the use of technology to bring family and friends virtually into exam and hospital rooms. Everyonepatients, caregivers, and visitors: Is required to stop at the check-in desk located at entrances in the hospital. All non-staff persons entering an SVMC building will be given a sticker marked with the date and department they are visiting and are asked to keep the sticker visible and remain in the area of service for the entire time they are in the building. The check-in is necessary for the purposes of contact tracing. Those entering the Medical Office Building will be screened once they reach the practice they are visiting. Visitors with symptoms of any kind are not permitted. Everyone is expected to sanitize their hands upon entry and exit from the building, units, and patient rooms. Both inpatients and outpatients who would benefit from additional support during a visit or stay should request the use of technology to bring important family and friends virtually into exam and hospital rooms. The unsolved cases of Anthony Colucci and Lynn Burdick are being featured on a deck of playing cards being used by State Police to find new leads. State Police 'Crime Cards' Feature Four Berkshire Unsolved Cases PITTSFIELD, Mass. Four local unsolved cases are being featured on a deck of cards created to generate leads. The decks were published by the Massachusetts State Police, in partnership with the state Department of Correction and district attorney's offices. Each card in the deck features a photo of and information about a victim of homicide or a missing person. The four Berkshire County cases appear in the diamond suite, with Anthony Colucci of Pittsfield, murdered at the age of 20 in 2005, and Lynn Burdick, who disappeared from a general store in the town of Florida in 1982 at age 18, as the ace and king, respectively. Also in the deck are two Pittsfield residents murdered in 2016: Joseph Willie "Bizzy" Brown, shot to death in his Columbus Avenue driveway and James "Diddy" Dominguez, found with a gunshot wound to the head in the parking lot of the former Lach's Lounge on Fenn Street. The playing cards are the work of the Unresolved Cases Unit, which hopes to elicit new information that will help close old cases. The victims were selected by the State Police detective units at each district attorney's office. The Department of Correction, which funded the playing card decks, is distributing them to state prison inmates in the hope they may have and share information about the crimes. The images are also being being disseminated over social media. Col. Christopher Mason, superintendent of the State Police, said the cards bring "a new focus on older, unresolved cases ... in hopes that the passage of time will unearth or unlock new evidence." Speaking in YouTube video that features a slideshow of all 52 cards (below), Mason said Unresolved Cases Unit wanted to put the cases back before the eyes and ears of the public. The oldest case in the deck is that of Angelo "Andy" Publisi, who went missing in Lawrence on Aug. 21, 1976, at the age of 10. Some are more well-known than others, such as the murder of 16-year-old Molly Bish of Warren, whose body was found in 2003 after she went missing three years earlier. According to State Police, similar cards were distributed to jails in Polk County, Fla., and generated more than 60 tips and the resolution of four cases. They have been used in other states and countries. Mason said the hope is that the faces and situations of the victims will spark memories, and that the passage of time will reduce the fears of coming forward or weigh more heavily on people's consciences. "For each and everyone, there's someone who lives with a hole in their heart or their home that was once filled by one of these victims," he says in the video. "For each of these victims, regardless of their life story, there is a spouse, a child, a parent, a friend, someone who mourns for them and yearns for justice. ... "We believe justice delayed does not need to be justice denied." Lets ride! The 50th year of the Desert 100 endurance race will happen with no expectation of backtracking Man sentenced to 45 years in prison in 2015 killing of coworker in Royal City Trucks heading to Canada are stuck in heavy traffic after they were diverted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Mich., Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, after the Ambassador Bridge was closed due to Canadian anti-vaccine protests. (Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press via AP) Centralia businesses fined more than a quarter of a million dollars collectively after 250 workers contract COVID-19 in the same warehouse 21 journalists and media workers lost their lives during 2021 in the Asia Pacific region, accounting for almost half of all journalist killings worldwide, the International Federation of Journalists annual Killed List has found. The IFJ condemns the continued violence against journalists across the Asia Pacific and calls for action to address impunity and safeguard press freedom. The IFJ recorded the deaths of 47 journalists and media workers during 2021, catalogued in the IFJs annual list of killed journalists published on February 9. 365 journalists are currently detained, 162 of which are in the Asia Pacific region. Of the 21 killings, nine were in Afghanistan, one in Bangladesh, four in India, one in Myanmar, three in Pakistan and three in the Philippines. The figure is one of the lowest since the IFJ began publishing its annual reports on journalists killed in work-related incidents. In 2020, the IFJ recorded 65 deaths, including 31 in the Asia Pacific region. Afghanistan continues to be the Asia Pacific regions most deadly nation, and one of the least secure locations for journalists across the globe. The IFJ has recorded the deaths of 93 journalists since the conflict began in 2001. On January 1, Bismillah Adel Aimaq, the manager of Afghan radio station Sada-e-Ghor, was killed by unidentified gunmen. Three Afghan female media workers, Mursal Wahidi, Sadia Sadat and Shahnaz Roafi, all of whom worked in Enikass TVs dubbing division, were gunned down in separate locations on March 2. Nemat Rawan, Danish Siddiqui, Toofan Omar, Ali Reza Ahmadi, and Hamid Saighani were also killed, with Ahmadi and Saighani the first to lose their lives since the Talibans capture of Kabul in August 2021. At least 102 journalists are currently detained in China as the 2022 Winter Olympics begin in Beijing. The IFJs 2022 China report, released on February 2, finds that foreign correspondents inside China face expulsions, visa denials, intimidation, surveillance and lawsuits which make it harder for foreign media to tell Chinas story. In Bangladesh, local correspondent for Bangladesh Samachar, Burhan Uddin Mujakker, was shot in the neck and fatally wounded in a political clash in the Bangladeshi district of Noakhali. Since the military junta took hold in Myanmar from February 1, 2021, one journalist, Sai Win Aung, has been killed, with many more arbitrarily arrested for doing their jobs. A Pakistani reporter for local channel Metro News 1, Shahid Zehri, was killed on October 10 when a bomb exploded in his car in the Hub area of Balochistan province, while in India, the body of reporter Raman Rashyap was found in a mortuary on October 3, a day after he covered violent demonstrations between farmers and political supporters in Lakhimpur Kheriwas. The IFJs International Safety Fund continued to aid media workers in the Asia Pacific, with support provided for journalists in Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Philippines during 2021. The death toll continues to rise in 2022 with 7 deaths already recorded globally in the first weeks of January. On January 24, a reporter for Pakistans Capital News TV, Hasnain Shah was gunned down in front of Lahore Press Club by unknown assailants while in India, Odisha reporter Rohit Biswal was killed by an explosive device planted by Maoist insurgents while in the field. The IFJ said: Journalists and media workers in the Asia Pacific continue to be killed, attacked and detained in alarming numbers, with impunity rife. With conflicts escalating and oppressive regimes solidifying, safeguarding independent reportage and press freedom is more important than ever. The IFJ calls on all governments in the region to do more to safeguard the lives of journalists, protect those reporting in the field and achieve swift justice for all media personnel who have lost their lives. Read the IFJ's 2021 Killed List here. Home-grown startup PDAX, announced today that it has raised more than $50 million in funding, led by Tiger Global. Tigers investment completes the companys Series B round of funding, which began with $12.5 million in August 2021. PDAX is making crypto more accessible to millions of people in the Philippines. We are excited to back Nichel and the team as they continue to expand the platform and deliver a top-tier customer experience," said Alex Cook, Partner, Tiger Global. Joining Tiger Global are Kingsway Capital, Jump Capital, Draper Dragon, Oak Drive Ventures, DG Daiwa Ventures, Ripple and UBX Ventures. Also taking part are early investors Beenext Ventures and Cadenza Capital Management, who led PDAXs Seed and Series A rounds, respectively, and have continued to support the company. "The Cadenza team has been excited to work with PDAX since the Series A round and strongly believes that the PDAX platform allows Filipinos to securely access products and services in global crypto markets, Kumar Dandapani, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Cadenza Capital Management shared. Dirk Van Quaquebeke adds: "It is remarkable to see what PDAX have achieved since our seed round in 2018. We, at BEENEXT, believe the Philippines is just on Day 1 of its journey to create a crypto powerhouse as a country." The Drapers have been early investors in dominant crypto exchanges around the world. Our network crypto fund, Draper Dragon is excited to support PDAX to further the vision of compliant crypto and Web3 adoptions in the rapidly growing Philippines market. Andy Tang, Partner of Draper Dragon and Draper Associates. PDAX was founded in 2018 by chief executive officer Nichel Gaba, who believed that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology would not only disrupt the financial services industry, but also revolutionize the way we live. Crypto is the most transformative technology weve seen since the internet. The Philippines is already seeing applications in play-to-earn games, NFT projects, cross-border remittance, trading and investment, Gaba said. Gaba explained that this round of funding will go towards building safe and accessible infrastructure for the digital asset economy, and emphasized the importance of responsible innovation. Today, PDAX facilitates the exchange of crypto and fiat currencies, and enables payments in and out of metaverse applications. But there is still a lot of work to be done in building infrastructure. We are in the middle of developments that will continue to make access to digital assets safer, easier and more efficient for everyone. As the space grows, PDAX will continue to work with regulators to ensure that all these innovations protect and create value for users. The Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX) is a BSP-licensed virtual asset service provider, operating a digital asset exchange platform, available on the web and in both iOS and Android. In 2020, PDAX, in partnership with the Bureau of the Treasury and Unionbank, launched Bonds.ph, the worlds first blockchain-enabled app that allows retail investors to invest in retail treasury bonds right from their mobile devices. As Covid cases start to settle after the winter Omicron surge, governors across the country are beginning to lift mask mandates -- presenting something of a conundrum for business owners itching to bring workers back to the office. On Wednesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the expiration of the state's mask mandate, which requires businesses to ask customers for proof of full vaccination or require mask-wearing at all times. The move comes just a couple months after she imposed the mandate in mid-December. California Governor Gavin Newsom also announced this week that he will drop the state's indoor masking mandate for vaccinated people on February 15. Delaware Governor John Carney similarly announced a lifting of his state's mask mandate for indoor settings on February 11. These states join Connecticut, Oregon, and New Jersey -- all led by Democratic governors -- which declared a similar easing of restrictions in recent weeks. States including Florida and Texas, which are led by Republican Governors, have banned mask mandates altogether. The easing of mask restrictions is surely welcome news among some employers eager to bring employees back to the office. The Omicron surge had derailed many companies' plans to bring employees back, and lifting mandates may stand as one of the last barriers to re-entry. If given the option, employees typically chose to work remotely -- mask-free -- versus masking up and coming into the office, reports The New York Times. It's worth noting that, for the time being, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are hesitant about the shift. "Now is not the moment," the agency's chief, Rochelle Walensky, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. "I know people are interested in taking masks off. I too am interested. That would be one marker that we have much of the pandemic behind us." For now, she notes, the CDC's guidance on indoor masking hasn't changed. The CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission, regardless of whether you've been vaccinated. With states easing rules, how you respond next might come down to local or city ordinances. In New York City, for instance, mask requirements are still in effect. It's unclear how new Mayor Eric Adams will respond to Governor Hochul's announcement. Without any restrictions, employers can make their own rules in regards to workplace safety. As of February 2, 2022, the current seven-day moving average of daily new cases is 378,015, a 37.6 percent decrease compared to previous weeks, according to data from the CDC. And while cases and death across the country are waning, community transmission remains high. Walensky said she is "cautiously optimistic" that case counts will fall below crisis levels but that the country is not quite there. So, proceed with caution. For Farmgirl Flowers, what should have been the biggest profit-driving holiday of last year turned into a $5.5 million loss. "Over 50 percent of our packages were not delivered on time," says Christina Stembel, founder of the San Francisco-based flower-bouquet company. "We almost went out of business. We had to downsize. It took us a full year to recover from that." Last Valentine's Day was the first time Farmgirl experienced such high rates of delivery failures, and, consequently, customer reimbursements. But the massive loss wasn't a fluke; it was simply the result of delays from a huge North American snowstorm foisted on already pandemic-strained delivery companies. A delivery missing its target on a one-day-only $24 billion romantic-themed spending fest isn't a forgivable offense for many customers. Barring a bombshell weather event, 2022 won't be a repeat refund disaster for small businesses. But last year's last-mile delays are highly concerning for companies that ship by both freight and drop-shipping -- especially those that don't have the kind of leverage that Amazon or Walmart may have to gain priority with large carriers such as UPS. For most small businesses, the fact that the holiday falls on a Monday is this year's greatest inconvenience, since carriers won't pick up many orders on Saturday or Sunday -- making Monday delivery for last-minute orders from small companies all but impossible. "It's the worst day of the week for the holiday to fall on," says Stembel, who notes that most consumers make Valentine's purchases on the 11th through 13th of February, while her company needs its Valentine's orders finished on the 10th. "It's basically a death sentence." To prepare for V-Day 2022, small online flower and gift retailers have been more conservative about their shipping estimates, communicating them often with customers on their websites and in email and social marketing. The fragrance and candle startup Boy Smells, which is based in Los Angeles, had its first wake-up call during the December holiday season in 2020, when demand soared just as domestic carriers were at their most overloaded. "It really forced us to grow up and look at holiday shipping in a different way," says the company's founder, Matthew Herman. In addition to communicating delivery estimates more clearly with customers, Boy Smells hired a third-party logistics firm to handle its fulfillment. For Boy Smells, February 7 was the Valentine's shipping cut-off day, because its fragrances cannot be air-shipped due to their alcohol content. International? Forget about it. Herman estimates international shipping costs two to three times as much for his small business now -- even for tiny packages -- and takes three times as long to arrive at its destination as it did pre-pandemic. And that has hurt the bottom line. "We've sacrificed a significant amount of EBITA this year to increased shipping costs," he says. There is one potential silver lining for small retailers: The unforgivable might be becoming at least comprehensible to customers, who have been inundated with headlines about the pandemic's shipping and logistics slowdowns for two years now. "People are becoming more conscious of buying ahead of time and being more understanding," says Morgan Thomas, the founder of Yam, a handmade jewelry company based in Queens, New York. "We are all living with this new logistics reality, and I think spending trends are going to change." Flower-by-air-mail company The Bouqs monitors its customer complaints by reason type. Across most of them, says CEO Alejandro Bethlen, "We are having some of our highest customer-satisfaction scores. So they know some things are out of our control." While the pressures of the Great Resignation and attendant labor shortage has wide implications for business in just about every industry, it's even worse for companies looking to hire highly skilled tech workers. Prior to the pandemic, it was tough to fill specialized technology roles. Now, it's next to impossible. Nearly 50 percent of tech recruiters are currently struggling to fill jobs because they can't find enough qualified candidates, according to a recent hiring survey conducted by technical talent analysis platform CoderPad and training platform CodinGame. This has led tech salaries to increase 7 percent on average between 2020 and 2021 alone, according to a report from tech recruiting platform Dice. Because A.I. and machine learning skills are so specialized, companies have a hard time finding enough qualified candidates to fill roles that require them -- and recruiting other engineers and developers still presents a challenge, as businesses face an overall tech worker shortage. "More recruiters are hiring for developers, and those recruiters are hiring more developers than ever," says Amanda Richardson, CEO of CoderPad. What's more, demand for tech roles is only expected to increase. The artificial intelligence software market could more than double in size over the next three years, according to data from Statista. That means companies that want to ride the A.I. wave need to build up their teams, stat. Here, a few recruiting experts in the tech field share their trade secrets. Give candidates the power to pick It's an employee's market, so why not let them do the interviewing? That's the solution proposed by the recently launched San Francisco company Talent Service. When a recruiter reaches out to a candidate about a job, the candidate can send the recruiter a questionnaire, asking questions about the role and company, through Talent Service's platform. If candidates send the questionnaire to multiple recruiters, then Talent Service uses an algorithm to rank the opportunities presented to them, based on the candidate's input preferences. Recruiters don't necessarily have to wait for candidates to send them a questionnaire, however. Employers can create a profile on the platform to gain access to a network of candidates that may be a potential fit for their roles. Simplify your interview process When you find a candidate you like, speed is of the essence, Richardson says, though it's important to "give a bit of a warm up," by introducing your company and explaining what the role you're hiring for will entail. Then, Richardson recommends sending candidates a straightforward skills test, instead of a technical interview -- which she says can ultimately work more as a tool for intimidation and less as an actual proficiency check. Skills tests can also help hiring managers fill roles more equitably, without having to judge a candidate based off a cover letter or a resume, Richardson says. Ideally, the whole recruitment process should take no more than about six to 10 business days, says Giovanni Lotti, vice president of people for the London-based financial services A.I. company Tractable. "We need to be very linear and very simple," he says. Tractable's interview process has just three stages: an initial screen, an interview, and a final assessment. Amp up your benefits To recruit highly skilled tech workers, you need to offer a competitive compensation package, and that often includes equity. But all equity offers aren't made equally, says Evan Coopersmith, executive vice president of the Los Angeles-based custom software company AE Studio. Recently, AE Studio started offering employees and candidates equity not just in the company itself but in the business's clients and its internal projects. By allowing employees to therefore diversify their equity, they have a greater chance of benefiting from it. "When you're trying to appeal to math geeks, you show them the math," he says. Benefits should also meet or exceed industry standards -- which is what led Tractable to recently start offering its U.S. employees 401(k) matching, Lotti says. Expand your search internationally The expanded adoption of remote work during the pandemic has made it a lot easier to attract tech talent, says Sergiu Matei, founder of the London-based hiring platform Index, which helps companies worldwide to recruit tech talent. "If you expand your search outside of a set of zip codes, you can find great talent with less competition," he says. Index's platform assists with this search by including an English language test and skills assessment in its recruiting process. Hiring employees in international locations with lower costs of living than tech hubs like Silicon Valley and New York City can also make smaller companies' compensation packages more appealing -- within reason, of course. Look internally "You can't finish a program in statistics or data science and say you're set for the next 20 years," says Vijay Raghavan, executive vice president and CTO of the Alpharetta, Georgia-based analytics company LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "Even if you're a freshly minted A.I. technologist, you're going to have to upskill no matter what." For this reason, he says that companies looking to fill A.I. jobs can find success by looking at the workers they already have. The best way to do this is to have a person in a management role who has a strong knowledge of A.I., who can determine upskilling needs as technology advances, and who can work with human resources to find existing workers who may be interested in upskilling opportunities. At Tractable, about eight employees out of 100 have made lateral moves between tech teams in the past year, Lotti says. Show real results Here's the good news: Many tech workers are more drawn to smaller companies, even if they offer less compensation or benefits than larger corporations. But there's a catch -- your company needs to have a compelling goal that workers will feel excited about. "Purpose does matter," says Mahe Bayireddi, CEO and co-founder of the A.I.-powered HR software company Phenom. "If you're using A.I. just so that your ad dollars increase, that's not a compelling reason for somebody to want to work at your company." What businesses need to do, he says, is provide candidates with a clear understanding of what impact their work will have and why it will be meaningful. That means being willing to show data, final products, and other proof points of a technologist's importance to a company. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. We answer the most frequently asked questions about the insolvency resolution process for corporate persons in India, as provided in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. On February 4, 2022, Indias insolvency regulator, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), released a publication titled Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016. The revised edition has been published in association with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Committee of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The objective behind publishing the guide is to provide useful guidance to industry professionals and other stakeholders to clarify interpretation and improve understanding of Indias insolvency law. What is the purpose of enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016? As per the Preamble to the IBC, the purpose of this Act is to: Consolidate and amend the laws relating to reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals. Fix time periods for implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 in a time bound manner. Maximize the value of assets of stakeholders. Promote entrepreneurship. Increase/stimulate availability of credit. Balance the interests of all the stakeholders, including alteration in the order of priority of payment of Government dues. Establish IBBI as a regulatory body for the IBC. To whom shall the provisions of IBC apply? According to Section 2, the provisions of IBC shall apply for insolvency, liquidation, voluntary liquidation, or bankruptcy involving the following types of entities: Any company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 or under any previous company law Such other body incorporated under any law for the time being in force, as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf Any other company governed by any special Act for the time being in force, except in so far as the said provisions are inconsistent with the provisions of such special Act Personal guarantors to corporate debtors Any Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2008 Partnership firms and proprietorship firms Insolvency resolution and liquidation for corporate persons FAQs Below we provide a summary of Insolvency Resolution and Liquidation for Corporate Persons in FAQ format. What is the threshold limit for making an application for insolvency and liquidation of corporate persons? The provisions relating to the insolvency and liquidation of corporate debtors shall be applicable only when the amount of the default is INR 10 billion (US$133682.24) or more. This minimum amount was revised by the Central Government vide notification S.O.1205(E), dated March 24, 2020, increasing the minimum amount of default from INR 100,000 to INR 10 billion. Further, vide Notification S.O. 1543(E), dated April 9, 2021, the Central Government has specified INR 1 million as the minimum amount of default for matters relating to the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process of the corporate debtor. Who is the adjudicating authority for corporate persons? The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) shall be the adjudicating authority for the insolvency resolution and liquidation process of a corporate person. What does the term dispute mean under IBC? As per Section 5 (6) of the IBC, a dispute includes a suit or arbitration proceedings relating to: Existence of the amount of debt Quality of goods or service Breach of a representation or warranty What are the components of financial debt? As per Section 5(8) of the IBC, financial debt means a debt along with interest, if any, which is disbursed against the consideration for the time value of money and includes: Money borrowed against the payment of interest. Amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or its de-materialized equivalent. Amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock, or any similar instrument. Amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract, which is deemed as a finance or capital lease under the Indian Accounting Standards or such other accounting standards as may be prescribed. Receivables sold or discounted other than any receivables sold on non-recourse basis. Amount raised under any other transaction, including any forward sale or purchase agreement, having the commercial effect of a borrowing. Derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price. For calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the market value of such transaction shall be taken into account. Counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, documentary letter of credit, or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution. Amount of any liability in respect of any of the guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in above sub clauses (a) to (h) of this clause. What is included in operational debt? As per Section 5(21) of the IBC, operational debt means a claim in respect of: Provision of goods; or Provision of services including employment; or Debt in respect of the payment of dues arising under any law for the time being in force and payable to the Central Government, any State Government, or any local authority. Who is a related party with respect to an individual under the IBC? According to Section 5 (24A) of the IBC, a related party in relation to an individual means a: Person who is a relative of the individual or a relative of the spouse of the individual. Partner of a limited liability partnership, or a limited liability partnership or a partnership firm, in which the individual is a partner. Person who is a trustee of a trust in which the beneficiary of the trust includes the individual, or the terms of the trust confers a power on the trustee that may be exercised for the benefit of the individual. Private company in which the individual is a director and holds along with relatives, more than two percent of its share capital. Public company in which the individual is a director and personally holds or holds along with relatives more than two percent of its paid-up share capital. Body corporate whose board of directors, managing director, or manager in the ordinary course of business acts on the advice, directions, or instructions of the individual. LLP or a partnership firm whose partners or employees in the ordinary course of business acts on the advice, directions, or instructions of the individual. Person on whose advice, directions, or instructions, the individual is accustomed to act. Company, where the individual or the individual along with its related party, own more than fifty percent of the share capital of the company or controls the appointment of the board of directors of the company. Who is termed as relative with reference to an individual under the IBC? As per explanation to Section 5 (24A) of the IBC: Relative, with reference to any person, means anyone who is related to another, in the following manner, namely: Members of a Hindu Undivided Family Husband Wife Father Mother Son Daughter Sons daughter and son Daughters daughter and son Grandsons daughter and son Granddaughters daughter and son Brother Sister Brothers son and daughter Sisters son and daughter Fathers father and mother Mothers father and mother Fathers brother and sister Mothers brother and sister Wherever the relation is that of a son, daughter, sister, or brother their spouses shall also be included. Who is a resolution applicant? As per Section 5 (25) of the IBC, a resolution applicant means a person, who individually or jointly with any other person, submits a resolution plan to the resolution professional pursuant to the invitation made under clause (h) of the sub-section (2) of Section 25 or pursuant to Section 54K, as the case maybe. Who is a corporate applicant? As per Section 5(5) of the IBC, corporate applicant means: Corporate debtor. A member or partner of the corporate debtor who is authorized to make an application for the corporate insolvency resolution process or the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process, as the case may be, under the constitutional document of the corporate debtor. An individual who is in charge of managing the operations and resources of the corporate debtor. A person who has the control and supervision over the financial affairs of the corporate debtor. What does the term resolution plan mean? According to Section 5 (26) of the IBC, resolution plan means a plan proposed by resolution applicant for insolvency resolution of the corporate debtor as a going concern in accordance with Part II, which may include provisions for the restructuring of the corporate debtor, including by way of merger, amalgamation, and demerger. Who may initiate corporate insolvency resolution process against a corporate debtor? The corporate insolvency resolution process may be initiated against any defaulting corporate debtor by: Financial creditor Operational creditor Corporate debtor itself Process for initiation of corporate insolvency resolution Financial creditors As per Section 7 of the IBC, a financial creditor either by itself or jointly with other financial creditors, or any other person on behalf of the financial creditor, as may be notified by Central Government, may file an application before the adjudicating authority (NCLT) for initiating corporate insolvency resolution process against a corporate debtor who commits a default in payment of its dues. For the financial creditors, referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of subsection (6A) of Section 21, an application for initiation corporate insolvency resolution process against the corporate debtor shall be filed jointly by not less than 100 of such creditors in the same class or not less than 10 percent of the total number of such creditors in the same class, whichever is less. For those financial creditors who are allottees under a real estate project, an application for initiating corporate insolvency resolution process against the corporate debtor shall be filed jointly by not less than 100 of such allottees under the same real estate project or not less than 10 percent of the total number of such allottees under the same real estate project, whichever is less. Additionally, where an application for initiating the corporate insolvency resolution process against a corporate debtor has been filed by a financial creditor referred to in the first or second provisos and has not been admitted by the NCLT before the commencement of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act, 2020, such application shall be modified to comply with the requirements of the first or second provisos as the case may be within 30 days of the commencement of the said Act, failing which the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn before its admission. The financial creditor shall along with the application in Form I (prescribed under The Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Application to Adjudicatory Authority) Rules, 2016) and accompanied by prescribed fees, give evidence in support of the default committed by the corporate debtor. In case applicant is an assignee or transferee of a financial contract, the application must be accompanied with a copy of the assignment or transfer agreement. The financial creditor shall also give the name of the resolution professional to act as interim resolution professional and any other information as may be specified by the IBBI. The applicant shall serve a copy of the application to the registered office of the corporate debtor and to the IBBI, by registered post, or speed post, or by hand or by electronic means, before filing with the NCLT. In case the application is made jointly by financial creditors, they may nominate one among them to act on their behalf. The NCLT shall within 14 days of the receipt of the application, ascertain the existence of a default from the records of an information utility or on the basis of other evidence furnished by the financial creditor. Where the NCLT is satisfied that a default has occurred and the application by the financial creditor is complete and there are no disciplinary proceedings pending against the proposed resolution professional, it may by order, admit such application made by the financial creditor. Otherwise, the application may be rejected. However, the applicant may rectify the defect within seven days of receipt of notice of rejection from the NCLT. The corporate insolvency resolution process shall commence from the date of admission of the application. Operational creditors As per Sections 8 and 9 of the IBC, on the occurrence of default, an operational creditor shall first deliver a demand notice (Form 3) and a copy of invoice (Form 4) demanding payment of the amount involved in the default to the corporate debtor. As per Rule 5(2) of The Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Application to Adjudicatory Authority) Rules, 2016, it may be delivered to the corporate debtor at the registered office by hand, by registered post, or speed post with acknowledgement due, or by electronic mail service to a whole-time director or designated partner or key managerial personnel, if any, of the corporate debtor. A copy of demand notice or invoice demanding payment served by an operational creditor shall also be filed with information utility, if any. The corporate debtor shall within a period of 10 days of receipt of demand notice notify the operational creditor about the existence of a dispute, if any, or record of pendency of any suit or arbitration proceedings filed before receipt of such notice or invoice in relation to such dispute. The corporate debtor shall also provide the details of payment of unpaid operational debt in case the debt has or is being paid. After the expiry of 10 days, if the operational creditor does not receive the payment or the notice of a dispute that existed even before the demand notice was sent, they may file an application before the NCLT for initiating a corporate insolvency resolution process and may propose a resolution professional to act as interim resolution professional and furnish along with application, inter alia, copy of certificate from financial institution maintaining accounts of the operational creditor confirming that there is no payment of an unpaid operational debt by the corporate debtor, if available. The NCLT shall within 14 days of receipt of the application, after ascertaining as to whether the application is complete and whether payment of operational debt is made, admit or reject the application. However, before rejecting the application, an opportunity shall be given to the applicant to rectify the defect within seven days of receipt of rejection. Corporate applicant As per Section 10 of the IBC, where a corporate debtor has committed a default, a corporate applicant thereof may file an application for initiating corporate insolvency resolution process with the NCLT. As per Rule 7 of The Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Application to Adjudicatory Authority) Rules, 2016, the application shall be made in Form 6 and the applicant shall serve a copy of the application to the Board before filing with NCLT. The corporate applicant shall, along with the application, furnish: Information relating to books of account and other documents for such period as may be specified; Information relating to the resolution professional proposed to be appointed as an Interim Resolution Professional; and Special resolution passed by shareholders of the corporate debtor or the resolution passed by at least three-fourth of the total number of partners of the corporate debtor, as the case maybe, approving filing of the application. The NCLT shall within 14 days of receipt of application, by an order: Admit the application, if it is complete and no disciplinary proceeding is pending against the proposed resolution professional; or Reject the application, if it is incomplete or any disciplinary proceeding is pending against the proposed resolution professional. However, applicant would be allowed to rectify the defect within seven days of receipt of notice of such rejection. Withdrawal of application for insolvency resolution Can an admitted application be withdrawn under Section 7, 9, or 10 of IBC? Yes, as per Section 12A of the IBC, the NCLT may allow the withdrawal of application admitted under Section 7, 9, or 10, on an application made by the applicant with the approval of 90 percent voting share of the Committee of Creditors, in such manner as may be specified. What shall be the effect to admission of application under Section 7, 9, or 10? As per section 13, the NCLT, after admission of the application under Section 7 or Section 9, or Section 10, shall, by an order: Declare a moratorium for the purposes referred to in Section 14. Cause a public announcement of the initiation of corporate insolvency resolution process and call for the submission of claims under Section 15. Appoint an interim resolution professional in the manner as laid down in Section 16. The public announcement referred to above shall be made immediately after the appointment of the interim resolution professional; here, immediately means not later than three days as per Regulation 6 of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016. What is the effect of order of moratorium? As per Section 14(1) of the IBC, on the insolvency commencement date, the NCLT shall by order declare moratorium for prohibiting all of the following, namely: The institution of suits or continuation of any pending suits or proceedings against the corporate debtor. including execution of any judgment, decree, or order in any court of law, tribunal, arbitration panel, or other authority. Transferring, encumbering, alienating, or disposing of by the corporate debtor any of its assets or any legal right or beneficial interest therein. Any action to foreclose, recover, or enforce any security interest created by the corporate debtor in respect of its property including any action under the SARFAESI Act, 2002, The recovery of any property by an owner or lessor where such property is occupied by or in the possession of the corporate debtor. When shall the moratorium cease to have effect? As per Section 14 of the IBC, the order of moratorium shall have effect from the date of admission order till the completion of the corporate insolvency resolution process. Also, if the NCLT approves the resolution plan during corporate insolvency resolution process period under Section 31(1) or passes an order for liquidation of corporate debtor, the moratorium shall cease to have effect from the date of such approval or liquidation order. Timelines associated with the corporate insolvency resolution process What is insolvency resolution process period? As per Section 5(14) of the IBC, the insolvency resolution process period means the period of 180 days beginning from the insolvency commencement date and ending on 180th day. When will the corporate insolvency resolution process commence? The corporate insolvency resolution process shall commence from the date of admission of an application for initiating corporate insolvency resolution process by the NCLT. It is referred to as the insolvency commencement date. What is the corporate insolvency resolution process initiation date? As per Section 5(11) of the IBC, the date of filing of an application before the NCLT for initiating corporate insolvency resolution process is referred to as the initiation date. What is the time limit for completion of the insolvency resolution process? Section 12 of the IBC states that the corporate insolvency resolution process shall be completed within a period of 180 days from the date of admission of the application to initiate the process. However, the NCLT may, on an application made by the resolution professional, extend the duration of such process beyond one hundred and eighty days by such further period as it thinks fit, but not exceeding 90 days. Such extension will be granted on the basis of a resolution passed by the Committee of Creditors by a vote of 66 percent of voting shares, after being satisfied that the corporate insolvency resolution process cannot be completed within 180 days. It must be noted that any extension of the period of corporate insolvency resolution process under this section shall not be granted more than once. Further, the corporate insolvency resolution process shall mandatorily be completed within a period of 330 days from the insolvency commencement date, including any extension of the period of corporate insolvency resolution process granted under this section and the time taken in legal proceedings in relation to such resolution process of the corporate debtor. What is the significance of the corporate insolvency resolution commencement date? The commencement date of the corporate insolvency resolution process is the beginning of moratorium or a calm period under Section 14 of the IBC till the completion of the corporate insolvency resolution process. During this period, all suits and legal proceedings, etc. against the corporate debtor are suspended to give time to the entity to achieve value maximization and resolution. The aviation ministry has opened applications under the PLI scheme for Indias drone industry till March 31, 2022. More than one company within a group of companies should reportedly be able to file separate applications. The PLI scheme followed reforms to streamline bureaucracy and support easier drone use and industrial applications. More recently, an import ban was announced on drones (with the exception for R&D, defense, and security purposes). Also, from April 1, 2022, all drone owners must ensure they operate a drone with valid UIN or face legal action. Cumulatively, the drone rules and PLI program aim to make India a drone hub by 2030 by establishing an indigenous ecosystem that is transparently regulated and has manufacturing and IT-linked service capabilities. Policies targeting Indias drone industry PLI scheme Indias drone industry counts itself as one of the beneficiaries of the governments much touted Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes. The PLI scheme for drones and drone components, announced September 15, 2021, liberalizes the minimum value addition criteria to 40 percent of net sales a relief to the sunrise sector. The scheme also covers developers of drone-related IT products. Gazette notification for the scheme was published on September 30, 2021. Applications are being received till 23:59 hrs on March 31, 2022 as announced on March 10, 2022. Bureaucracy streamlined Released August 25, 2021, the Drone Rules, 2021 has relaxed approvals and other requirements for unmanned aircraft systems to make it easier for civilian drone operators to do business (more on this in a section below). Following this, the government released the drone airspace map for India and sector-specific PLI scheme in September 2021 and the National Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework in October 2021. In January 2022, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) notified the drone certification scheme to streamline and speed up the process of certification an objective of the 2021 Drone Rules. Sharing the announcement on Twitter, MoCA said: The drone certification scheme notified on January 26, 2022, under Rule 7 of the liberalized Drone Rules, 2021, will help in simpler, faster and transparent type-certification of drones. The single window DigitalSky Platform was also launched in January 2022. On February 11, 2022, the MoCA removed the requirement of a drone pilot license for operating drones in the country. A Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) issued by a DGCA-approved drone school will suffice. However, for drones for non-commercial purposes and up to 2kg this RPC is not required. Relevant Budget 2022 announcement The Union Budget 2022-23 reiterated that the liberalized regulatory framework and manufacturing incentives aim to promote the indigenization of drone technology in India, whose applications and use are expected to cater to a cross-section of industries. The central government has identified drone technology and its applications as a sunrise sector. Use of kisan drones will be promoted for crop assessment, digitisation of land records, spraying of insecticides, and nutrients Start-ups will be promoted to facilitate drone shakti through varied applications and for drone-as-a-service (DrAAS). In select ITIs [industrial training institutes], in all states, the required courses for skilling will be started. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Budget 2022-23 Import ban announced February 9, 2022 by DGFT To promote domestic drone manufacturing, the Indian Directorate General of Foreign Trade (Ministry of Commerce) notified that the import policy of drones in CBU/CKD/SKD form under HS Code 8806 is Prohibited with exceptions provided for R&D, Defence, and Security purposes. Import of drone components shall be Free. This shall come into force with immediate effect. The notification was made on February 9, 2022 and is in sync with the Finance Act, 2021. See notification here on the DGFT portal. Why India is so keen to develop its drone industry Drones are used for aerial photography and cinematography, land surveys, monitoring infrastructure like roads and highways as well as by the construction industry, defense, mining, telecom, disaster management, oil and gas exploration and monitoring sites etc. More widespread consumer market applications will soon become less futuristic, keeping pace with progress in tech innovation and higher cost efficiencies, which has developed solutions like drone-facilitated last mile delivery and other support for the retail, healthcare, logistics sectors etc. For this to be a reality in India, its drone industry capacity needs to scale up. That means increased local production serving demand, investments in R&D, and solutions for both broad use and hyperlocal requirements. Only then will the industry experience significant cost reductions. The PLI Scheme comes at a really opportune time for stakeholders in the drone industry as it intends to distribute incentives across the value chain. Market Analysts This industry-ecosystem based approach spins off business opportunities for a wide range of companies upstream and downstream, from bigger firms in allied industries to high-tech startups as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for component manufacturing; developing software applications, enterprise solutions, and counter drone technology; and the design and assembly of final products. The end outcome will be diversified product lines, finally reaching the level of consumer market appeal. Market and industry growth projections When the Drone Rules were announced in August 2021, industry players projected that Indias drone market could grow to INR 500 billion (US$6.8 billion) in the next five years. This is because Indias regulatory norms were finally aligning with global trends, and opening prospects for commercial use and participation of foreign investors. On its part, the Civil Aviation Ministry projects that Indias drone industry could see total turnover worth INR 120 billion to 150 billion (US$1.63 billion to US$2.04 billion) by 2026 assisted by the PLI Scheme, which has a budget allocation of INR 1.2 billion (US$16.32 million) spread over three years (information on how the scheme works is covered in a later section below). Drone makers in India currently have a turnover of about INR 800 million (US$10.88 million). At a press briefing on Thursday, September 16, the Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, With Drone Policy (Rules) and Drone PLI scheme, we have an aim that drone manufacturing companies in India should reach a turnover of 900 crore [INR 9 billion (US$122.44 million)] in the coming three years. This will be a cumulative result of the development of a value chain in the drone industry, covering hardware (drone manufacturing), software, and service delivery. Prior to the Drone Rules 2021, the sector saw limited funding opportunities, with B2B startups attracting the bulk of any venture capital interest and overall limited scope for innovation in the industry. In fact, compared to investment in Indias drone startups (US$16.56 million), Chinas drone startups had attracted 14x more investment between 2014-18, at about US$239 million. Drone Rules, 2021: What are the key changes and market implications? In March 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) published the UAS Rules, 2021. They received quite the backlash from academia, startups, end-users, and industry stakeholders for fostering a licenses-oriented regime and highly restrictive. The government responded to the feedback by repealing the UAS Rules, 2021 and replacing it with the liberalized Drone Rules, 2021. In its formal notification of the new rules, the Civil Aviation Ministry noted that: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, offer tremendous benefits to almost all sectors of the economy like agriculture, mining, infrastructure, surveillance, emergency response, transportation, geo-spatial mapping, defense, and law enforcement etc. Drones can be significant creators of employment and economic growth due to their reach, versatility, and ease of use, especially in Indias remote and inaccessible areas. In view of its traditional strengths in innovation, information technology, frugal engineering and huge domestic demand, India has the potential to be global drone hub by 2030. Key regulatory relaxations for Indias drone industry Rollback of a license regime Under the Drone Rules, 2021, the total number of forms to be filled has come down to five from the previous 25 forms. The approvals that are now abolished include: unique authorization number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of manufacturing and airworthiness, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, import clearance, acceptance of existing drones, operator permit, authorization of R&D organization, student remote pilot license, remote pilot instructor authorization, and drone port authorization, among others. Reduction in fees Total fee payments to qualify as a drone operator has been reduced from 72 to four. Delinking payments from drone size Fee payments are now also delinked from the size of the drone. For example, it is reported that the remote pilot license fee, which was INR 3,000 for a large size drone, is reduced to INR 100 this is also the fee for all drone categories. Moreover, drones up to a weight of 500 kg has come under the ambit of the Drone Rules. Previously, the regulations covered drones up to 300 kg. This means drone taxis will become a possibility in India. No security clearance required Security clearance prior to issuing a drone license is now abandoned. No drone license required India now just requires a Remote Pilot Certificate / RPC issued by a DGCA-approved drone school through the DigitalSky Platform. It has been reported that no RPC is required for operating a drone up to 2kg and for non-commercial use. Unique Identification Number Recreational and commercial drone operators must seek issuance of the UIN from the DigitalSky portal. It requires portal account login, UAS Serial Number from dashboard, and INR 100 application fee. For drone users with DAN, March 31, 2022 is the last date to convert the DAN to UIN. From April 1, 2022, the ownership of any drone without a valid UIN will be declared illegal and subject to penal action under the law. Foreign participation allowed Foreign companies can also invest or own companies operating drones in India. Import regulation The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will continue to regulate import of drones but requirement of import clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is abolished. Digital Sky platform The single-window platform is now operational for the required clearances that will further streamline the process. The government has also published an interactive airspace map on this platform, showing yellow, green, and red zones, based on where drones can operate. This was launched January 2022. Zonal demarcation categories relaxed The demarcation and mobility of drones in the yellow, green, and red zones have also been reformed. Previously, the yellow zone was a zone at a distance of 45 km from the airport perimeter; this is now reduced to a 12 km radius. Consequently, the green zone is an area beyond the 12 km radius of the airport perimeter. Drone certification scheme The new drone certification scheme establishes the minimum safety and quality requirements for unmanned aircraft systems in the country and will apply to all domestic drone makers, assemblers, and importers. The scheme thus introduces an accreditation framework to match global standards for drones, widens scope for commercial applications, and clarifies necessary safeguards. Another key goal of the scheme is to speed up and simplify the certification process for indigenous drone manufacturers, assemblers and importers. In terms of regulatory oversight, the scheme will be supervised by a steering committee to be chaired by a known professional accepted by government and industry stakeholders along with a Quality Control of India secretariat. The steering committee shall include technical and certification committees. Requirements when submitting an application for certification of a drone by manufacturers include various test data, results, etc. Details to be provided include weight specifications, type of launch and recovery mechanism installed, speed, etc. Setting up remote pilot training organizations As per Drone Rules, 2021, any person who intends to obtain the authorization to establish a Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) shall submit an application to the Director General of Civil Aviation in Form D5 on the Digital Sky Platform, along with the specified fees. As on December 31, 2021, nine remote pilot training organizations have been set up by entities under Government or private ownership. These are: Alchemist Aviation Pvt. Ltd. (Jharkhand); Redbird Flight Training Academy Pvt. Ltd. (Maharashtra); The Bombay Flying Club (Maharashtra); CASR Anna University (Tamil Nadu); Flytech Aviation Academy (Telangana); Telangana State Aviation Academy (Telangana); Ambitions Flying Club Pvt. Ltd. (Uttar Pradesh); Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Akademy (Uttar Pradesh); and Pioneer Flying Academy Pvt. Ltd. (Uttar Pradesh). Any person between 18-65 years of age and with a Class 10 certificate from a recognized Board can obtain a remote pilot license after successful completion of training from authorized remote pilot training organization. Authorized remote pilot training organizations are free to collaborate with foreign entities while ensuring strict compliance with the requirements specified by the Director General of Civil Aviation with respect to training syllabi, infrastructure, instructors, equipment, infrastructure, etc. PLI scheme for drones and drone components Indias Ministry of Civil Aviation has opened applications from the drone industry for the PLI scheme till 23:59 hrs, March 31, 2022. It is reported that more than one company within a group of companies will be allowed to submit separate applications. The PLI scheme budget of INR 1.2 billion is nearly double the combined turnover of all domestic drone manufacturers in FY 2020-21. On September 30, 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation formally notified the PLI eligibility criteria via gazette announcement (see here). The Indian drone industry will have a total turnover of up to INR 150 billion by 2026. Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on impact of the PLI scheme How the PLI Scheme works: Brief overview Eligibility The government has kept the eligibility norm for Indian MSMEs and start-ups in terms of annual sales turnover at a nominal level INR 20 million (for drones) and INR 5 million (for drone components). This both widens and makes flexible the number of beneficiaries. Eligibility norms for non-MSMEs, in terms of annual sales turnover, is INR 40 million (for drones) and INR 10 million (for drone components). Incentives The incentive payable to a manufacturer of drones and drone components shall be simply one-fifth of the value addition. The below example was shared to illustrate the PLI calculation for a manufacturer. Example: PLI Calculation for a Drone Manufacturer (Sample Year FY 2021-22) Claim year Sales net of GST (INR crore) Purchase net of GST (INR crore) Value addition (INR crore) PLI rate (%) PLI due (INR crore) FY 2021-22 100 60 10060 = 40 20% 40 x 20% = 8 The PLI for a manufacturer will be capped at 25 percent of the total annual outlay. In case a manufacturer fails to meet the threshold for the eligible value addition for a particular financial year, they will be allowed to claim the lost incentive in the subsequent year if they make up the shortfall in the subsequent year. Key features The incentive for a manufacturer of drones and drone components shall be as high as 20 percent of the value addition made by the firm. The value addition shall be calculated as the annual sales revenue from drones and drone components (net of GST) minus the purchase cost (net of GST) of drone and drone components. The government has agreed to keep the PLI rate constant at 20 percent for all three years, an exceptional treatment given only to the drone industry. In PLI Schemes for other sectors, the PLI rate reduces every year. The proposed tenure of the PLI Scheme is three years, starting in FY 2021-22. The government has agreed to fix the minimum value addition norm at 40 percent of net sales for drones and drone components instead of 50 percent, another exceptional treatment given to the drone industry. Estimated payout schedule Estimated Payout Schedule of PLI for Drones and Drone Components Claim year Sales net of GST (INR crore) Purchase net of GST (INR crore) Eligible value addition (INR crore) PLI rate for value addition (%) Applicable PLI (INR crore) Disbursement year FY 2021-22 200 120 80 20% 16 FY 2022-23 FY 2022-23 400 240 160 20% 32 FY 2023-24 FY 2023-24 900 540 360 20% 72 FY 2024-25 TOTAL 1500 900 600 20% 120 Which drone components are eligible PLI target beneficiaries? The PLI Scheme will cover a wide variety of drone components, including the following: Airframe, propulsion systems (engine and electric), power systems, batteries and associated components, launch and recovery systems Inertial Measurement Unit, Inertial Navigation System, flight control module, ground control station and associated components Communications systems (radio frequency, transponders, satellite-based etc.) Cameras, sensors, spraying systems, and related payload etc. Detect and Avoid system, emergency recovery system, trackers etc. and other components critical for safety and security The list of eligible components may be expanded by the government from time to time, as drone technology evolves. The government has agreed to widen the coverage of the incentive scheme to include developers of drone-related IT products. Clear objectives behind flexible drone policy The annual sales turnover of the drone manufacturing industry is expected to grow multifold from INR 600 million in 2020-21 to over INR 9 billion in FY 2023-24. During this period, the drone manufacturing industry is expected to generate over 10,000 direct jobs. The government estimates that the drones and drone components manufacturing industry will attract investments over INR 50 billion over the next three years. The Production-Linked Incentives Scheme will also impact the breadth of the drone services industry (operations, logistics, data processing, traffic management, etc.). Cumulatively, the drone services industry is expected to grow to over INR 300 billion in the next three years and generate over 500,000 jobs. Finally, besides the flexible criteria in identifying target beneficiaries, the PLI Scheme could be extended or redrafted after studying its impact in consultation with the industry. This article was originally published September 17, 2021. It was last updated March 11, 2022. Elliptic, the global leader in cryptoasset risk management, today announced the appointment of Tung Li Lim as Senior Policy Advisor. The regulatory landscape in Asia is rapidly evolving as each jurisdiction seeks to enable innovation, while safeguarding the stability of its financial system. Tung Li is ideally qualified to bolster Elliptics growing Asia business by assisting cryptoasset businesses, as well as traditional financial institutions and regulators, to build a robust and secure cryptoasset ecosystem. Based in Singapore, Tung Li Lim will work across all Asia Pacific markets to deepen Elliptics engagement with regulators, financial institutions, industry associations, and other key stakeholders in the region. With deep investigation and enforcement experience, his insights will help cryptoasset businesses to manage their regulatory risks and ensure financial crime compliance. Singapore has long been seen to champion the growth of the cryptoasset sector in Asia, said Simone Maini, Elliptic CEO. By hiring individuals with deep regulatory experience like Tung Li, we are able to develop and deliver the best cryptoasset risk management solutions for our clients in the region. Before joining Elliptic, Lim Tung Li spent most of his career in Singapores public sector, with stints in various law enforcement agencies such as the Singapore Police Force and the Casino Regulatory Authority. Prior to Elliptic, Tung Li was a Deputy Director in the Enforcement Department at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) the countrys central bank and integrated financial supervisor. While there, he helped to set up the Surveillance and Forensic Division and led a team to detect and deter market misconduct in Singapores capital markets. There is so much energy, but with varying degrees of maturity, in the cryptoasset ecosystems across Asia. Having seen some of the challenges the industry encounters as it develops, Im very excited to join Elliptic in delivering solutions that address those challenges, said Tung Li Lim, senior policy advisor in the Asia Pacific region. I look forward to contributing to Elliptics impressive growth while helping to foster a strong compliance culture in Asias cryptoasset sector. About Elliptic Elliptic is the global leader in cryptoasset risk management for crypto businesses and financial institutions worldwide. Recognized as a WEF Technology Pioneer and backed by investors including Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, SBI Group, and Santander Innoventures, Elliptic has assessed risk on transactions worth several trillion dollars, uncovering activities related to money laundering, terrorist fundraising, fraud, and other financial crimes. Elliptic is headquartered in London with offices in New York, Singapore, and Tokyo. To learn more, visit www.elliptic.co and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220209006217/en/ Bharti Airtel Limited's (BBB-/Negative) strong EBITDA growth in 9MFY22 and Google's equity investment of USD700 million for a 1.28% stake in Bharti, will further increase its financial flexibility and strengthen the balance sheet, says Fitch Ratings.We expect Bharti's funds flow from operations (FFO) net leverage to improve to below 1.5x in the financial year end-March 2022 (FY22) and FY23 (FY21: 2.2x), providing sufficient ratings headroom on its underlying credit profile. It raised USD12 billion in equity in the past three years, mostly to deleverage. Deleveraging will result in substantial savings in interest costs.In December 2021, the company prepaid USD2.1 billion in deferred spectrum costs to the Indian government, relating to 2014 spectrum auctions. It announced that it will also prepay 5.125% guaranteed USD505 million notes in March 2022, Fitch added.Google's USD700 million equity investment in Bharti is through its USD10 billion Indian Digitization fund. Google will spend an additional USD300 million, to jointly develop with Bharti, 5G business cases and to scale-up Bharti's digital offerings in India. The partnership will accelerate investment in Bharti's digital assets, including data centre subsidiary Nxtra, music application Wynk and video platform Airtel IQ. Bharti operates the largest network of data centres in India with 11 hyperscale and 120 edge data centres.Fitch forecasts group revenue and EBITDA to increase by 10%-15% and 25-28%, respectively, in FY22; 9MFY22 revenue and EBITDA rose by 14% and 25% yoy, respectively, on solid growth in the Indian wireless and African businesses. Growth was broad-based with a strong performance in the enterprise and home broadband segments, which increased EBITDA by 13% and 16% yoy, respectively.For the Indian wireless segment, the group's key growth driver, we forecast FY22 EBITDA to increase yoy by 25%-30% on 15 million-20 million subscriber additions and monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) growth of around 15%-20%. 9MFY22 EBITDA for Indian wireless grew by 25% on 15 million subscriber additions and a 12% rise in monthly ARPU to Rs163 (USD2.2).We also expect 4G subscribers to grow by 3 million-5 million each quarter, on a base of 196 million at end-December 2021. The 4G subscriber base now represents 63% of the subscriber base and increased by 18% during 9MFY22, while average monthly data consumption per user rose by 12% to 18.7GB, Fitch added.We expect industry-wide ARPU to grow by 15%-20% in 2022 on tariff hikes and migration from 2G to higher-priced 4G plans. Strong ARPU growth during 9MFY22 was led by the prepaid tariff hikes of 20%-25% in November 2021 by all three private telcos: Bharti, Reliance Jio - a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd (FC IDR: BBB/Negative, LC IDR: BBB+/Stable) and Vodafone Idea Ltd. Bharti's data usage remained resilient despite the tariff hikes, with a sequential decline of only 2% in average monthly data consumption per user in the quarter.We forecast the African segment's FY22 EBITDA to rise by 33%-35%, led by subscriber additions and strong growth in data usage and mobile money services. In 9MFY22, African segment's EBITDA increased by 34% yoy, aided by 6% growth in subscribers to 126 million and a 15% rise in ARPU to USD3.3. The data and mobile money segments in Africa rose by 38% and 29%, respectively. The home broadband segment's EBITDA is also likely to increase by 12%-15% in FY22, benefiting from rising data demand amid work from home and online streaming services. Home broadband subscribers grew strongly by 49% in 9MFY22 to 4.2 million households.The 5G spectrum auction will most likely happen in 2H22, and we expect FY23 core capex to remain stable at USD3.5 billion (FY22E: USD3.5 billion). In addition, we estimate Bharti to pay an additional upfront USD1.5 billion for 5G spectrum assets. 5G capex in FY23-FY24 will most likely replace current 4G capex, as 4G coverage is largely complete.The Negative Outlook on the Bharti's IDR does not reflect our view of its underlying credit profile, which has been improving on strong wireless growth, but rather the heightened probability that India's (BBB-/Negative) Country Ceiling of 'BBB-' could be lowered to 'BB+'. Such an action would constrain Bharti's IDR and senior issue ratings to 'BB+'. Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. 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The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. Indiana, PA (15701) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 46F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 46F. Winds light and variable. First glimpses of India's first Bullet Train station in Surat are finally out. The Ministry of Railways on Thursday, February 10, shared the graphical representation of Surat's Bullet Train station to be constructed between Mumbai- Ahmedabad route. Surat to become the first station for Indias upcoming Bullet Train Project! The Minister of State for Railways Darshana Jardosh, on Twitter, said the city of Surat in Gujarat, like it has always done, will break new ground and take the countrys progress to newer levels. Surat Bullet Train Station | Twitter/@metrorailtoday She wrote, "Sharing with you all, 1st glimpse of graphical representation of Surat's Bullet Train station. The state-of-the-art multi-level station will have an external facade and the interiors of the station resemble a sparkling diamond - the pride of Surat city." Sharing with you all, 1st glimpse of graphical representation of Surat's Bullet Train station. The state-of-the-art multi-level station will have external facade and interiors of the station resemble a sparkling diamond - the pride of Surat city. #NayeBharatKiNayiRail #Surat pic.twitter.com/YQppvzEF8Z Darshana Jardosh (@DarshanaJardosh) February 10, 2022 The MAHSR corridor project will cut the travel time between Mumbai to Ahmedabad to 2.07 hours (limited stops), 2.58 hours (halting at stations). The bullet train will be operated on Japanese Shinkansen Technology, widely known for its reliability and safety features. The Maximum Design Speed- of the train would be 350 km per hour and the Maximum Operating speed would be 320 km per hour. In September 2017, PM Narendra Modi and Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe had laid the foundation stone for the Rs 1.1 lakh crore project at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. Unsplash/Representational image The first phase of the awaited train project will commence by 2026 between Surat and Bilimora. India's first Bullet Train project will be implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), which recently sealed a deal Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) for design as well as the construction of about 8 Kilometre long viaduct. For more trending stories, click here. Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below. The sun was shining when Kim Williams hopped in her Honda Odyssey to visit a friend at a nursing home. But an unexpected downpour on the drive back left her trapped in a maze of flooded streets. Williams made turn after turn to avoid rising waters in a century-old neighborhood in Norfolk before shutting off her minivan. I knew that I would kill the car if I kept driving, Williams said of the storm from a few years ago. I called the tow company and they said, `Well get to it when we can. Weve got a very long list. The increasing threat of sea-level rise on Virginias coast means that an afternoon rainstorm can strand drivers for hours, delay parents from picking up children and damage cars beyond repair all without a tropical storm on the radar. The city of Norfolk is trying to do something about that: Officials have partnered with the tech firm FloodMapp and the Waze traffic app to warn residents of flooded roadways in real time. The project is being launched at a time when cities around the world are trying to adapt to climate change. And its an example of how new technology will likely play an increasing role. The pilot program in Norfolk went live this month after two years of development. FloodMapp CEO Juliette Murphy said the firms modeling has proved to be incredibly accurate along the streets of this low-lying city on the Chesapeake Bay. FloodMapp feeds data from rain forecasts, tide gauges and Norfolks terrain into an algorithm. Drivers are warned on Waze when at least 6 inches (15 centimeters) of water has likely pooled on a specific roadway. New flood information is updated every 15 minutes. Kyle Spencer, who is helping Norfolk adapt to sea-level rise as its acting chief resilience officer, said a single storm can strand hundreds of vehicles. The plan is for Waze to eventually reroute drivers when a road floods with 12 inches (30 centimeters) of water. The apps accuracy will improve, Spencer said, because drivers will validate Wazes warnings. Its kind of like a living thing, Spencer said. The feedback loop can help make these models even better. Norfolk, a city of nearly 250,000 people, is an ideal testing ground. Its more threatened than any other place on the Atlantic Coast by the combination of sinking land and rising seas, said Molly Mitchell, a Virginia Institute of Marine Science professor. Water levels have risen by about 1.5 feet (.5 meters) since 1928. Theyre projected to rise by close to another 1.5 feet by 2050 _ or more depending on the Earths rising temperatures. The Chesapeake Bay and the Elizabeth River form a crescent of water around three sides of the city, while other tributaries flow into its interior. During high tides, rains can overwhelm sewers and have nowhere to go but low-lying streets. Flooding affects truck traffic heading to and from port terminals. And it impedes the ability of U.S. Navy sailors to quickly reach the worlds largest naval base, where piers are lined with aircraft carriers. Marc Rabinowitz, a now-retired psychoanalyst, lost his Saab in a noreaster several years ago. Floodwaters blocked his commute to work. He turned down a one-way street the wrong way because it looked clear. I got about halfway down, and water just starts filling up the car, he said. The car clogs. It stops running. Luckily, a colleague who was walking to work starts pushing me off to the side. Drivers also face unpredictable rain bombs, which can dump an inch of water in 30 minutes on an isolated area. Marc Vigeant, a project manager for a marine construction company, was caught in one in 2020 when he left work. Water pooled around him. He searched Google Earth for higher elevation and quickly drove his Toyota Corolla to a nearby parking lot. By that time, I was trapped in there, Vigeant said. Williams, the driver stranded after a nursing home visit, said Norfolks flooding can scuttle impromptu, but important plans. There have been times when Ive thought to visit my mother, but its raining, she said. I drive one or two blocks and the water is high. And I forgo the trip. The project in Norfolk shows how new technologies can help people adapt to climate change but it fails to address the root causes, said Jesse Goldstein, a Virginia Commonwealth University sociology professor who studies the green economy. Its allowing the fossil-fuel-burning economy to try and hold on a little bit longer, Goldstein said. The economy that makes Waze possible is creating the flooding. And now Waze is helping us adapt, Goldstein continued. I dont say that to be holier than thou. Its just that weve got a deeply entrenched problem. More than half of all flood-related deaths in the U.S. in recent years happened in motor vehicles, said Andrew Stober, head of public partnerships for Waze, which has 140 million monthly users worldwide. Making sure that people can steer clear of flooding is saving lives, Stober said. FloodMapp was recruited to Norfolk by city officials and RISE Resilience Innovations, a Virginia-based nonprofit that finances climate-related technologies with federal and state dollars. RISE gave FloodMapp a $300,000 grant following a contest that challenged companies to tackle the problem of navigating flooded roads. A lot of people say, `Well, why hasnt this been done before? But its not a simple task, its not easy, said Paul Robinson, the executive director of RISE. Robinson said Norfolk is a fitting place for FloodMapp to work out any problems before entering big markets like Philadelphia and Boston and New York. FloodMapp, which was founded in Australia, said its already expanding in the U.S. and plans to sell its services to transit agencies, delivery companies and utilities. Were seeing floods become more frequent and more severe, said Murphy, the firms CEO. Unfortunately, this is only getting worse. Top Image: This image provided by Kyle Spencer, acting chief resilience officer for the city of Norfolk, shows a flooded intersection along with a screenshot of the traffic app Waze depiction of the flood area in Norfolk, Va. An Australian tech firm has partnered with the Waze traffic app and the city of Norfolk to warn residents of flooded roadways in real time. (Kyle Spencer via AP) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics USA Flood Personal Auto Virginia A former Brimfield, Mass. police officer has filed a lawsuit claiming the towns board members discriminated against him when they chose not to reappoint him as the towns only patrolman because of his sexual orientation. Ryan Olszta alleges the town violated his civil rights when board members opted not to rehire him last year, claiming that they also made comments about his sexuality and his partner, The Telegram & Gazette reported. The towns attorney, Adam Simms, said in a statement that the board had valid, non-discriminatory reasons for its actions. Olszta also claimed in the lawsuit his criticism of officials alleged interests in the Brimfield Antique Flea Markets factored into him not being reappointed. Simms said that the Olsztas non-renewal had nothing to do with his sexuality or his reporting corruption in town government. Court documents show a business that has participated in the Brimfield Antique Flea Markets is suing Olszta, the newspaper said. Olszta has denied allegations that he defamed and harassed the business owners after they opposed town regulatory changes at the market. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement Massachusetts Zurich Insurance expects continued revenue and profit growth in the next two years, its chief financial officer said on Thursday, after the Swiss insurer reported its biggest annual profit since the financial crisis. Insurers were gloomy about the outlook when the pandemic took hold in early 2020, but have remained profitable after excluding COVID-19 from many policies and raising premiums. In Both Hard and Soft Markets, Zurich Aims to Maintain Focus on Underwriting Discipline Zurich, Europes fifth-largest insurer, reported an above-forecast 35% increase in 2021 operating income to $5.7 billion, its highest level since 2007, helped by a strong showing from its commercial business and lower COVID-19 claims. Operating profit was forecast at $5.5 billion, a company-compiled consensus forecast showed. You see growth in both revenue and earnings. It will continue through 2022 and I expect at this stage it will continue at least in 2023, CFO George Quinn said on a call with reporters after Zurich said it expected to meet or exceed its 2022 financial targets. Zurichs shares were little changed at 0905 GMT versus a 0.33% rise in European insurance stocks. Vontobel said it retained its hold recommendation on the stock, given elevated valuation multiples versus European and U.S. peers. The insurer set out three-year targets in November 2019, including raising its target for business operating profit after tax return on equity to more than 14% from the previous goal of more than 12%. Return on equity came in at 14% for 2021. Zurich plans to sell more books of life insurance which are closed to new customers, after it said last month it would release about $1.2 billion of capital by selling its Italian life and pensions back book to Portugals GamaLife. Zurich has already had interest in some of its German closed life books, but was not yet at final offer stage, chief executive Mario Greco told Reuters, adding that a deal would take some months to complete but would be much bigger than the Italian sale. Zurich proposed a dividend of 22 Swiss francs per share, a rise of 10% on the previous year. (Reporting by Carolyn Cohn; editing by Michael Shields, Carmel Crimmins and Alexander Smith) Topics Trends Profit Loss Europe In just 10 cyber incidents last year, over $600 million in cash was stolen or taken as ransom, tens of millions of citizen records stolen, 40,000 businesses IT operations put at risk, one billion airline passenger details compromised and at least one bank was effectively shut down for over a week, according to Tokio Marine HCC Internationals (TMHCCI) second annual Cyber Incidents Report. The vast majority of the incidents listed in this years top 10 involved large institutions where cyber security plays an integral role in operations, but this did not prevent their sophisticated defense systems from coming under attack, confirmed the report, titled Top 10 Cyber Incidents 2021. Indeed, some of the most damaging attacks were experienced by the likes of Microsoft, Kaseya and SITA, organizations whose products and services feed directly into the systems of third parties. We are noticing a drastic increase in both likelihood and severity of all types of cyber attack. We have seen a marked increase in ransomware attacks, their complexity and in the appetite to target smaller organizations, said Isaac Guasch, cyber security specialist at TMHCCI and author of the report. But whether you are a small independent business or a large, international organization, the increasingly interconnected nature of the businesses that form our economies, is a key threat, he added. Even if you are confident that your cyber security measures are up to date, those of your partners may not be, so you may need to constantly redefine your perimeter. Ranking the top 10 global cyber incidents by impact shows that targets of attacks operate in a range of business sectors including IT, airport security, banking, energy, software component providers and government databases, said TMHCCI in its analysis of the data. Its clear that organizations of all shapes and sizes need to understand that wherever they are and whatever they are engaged in, their business is at risk said Xavier Marguinaud, head of Cyber at TMHCCI. But by gathering, analyzing and understanding the nature of these incidents, TMHCCI is able to better understand threat trends, attacker motivation and modus operandi. This insight allows us to provide effective insurance solutions that include tailored pre- and post-incident services to ensure your organization is best prepared for any cyber threats, Marguinaud continued. The report named the top 10 cyber incidents in 2021 as: Kaseya. Kaseya is a managed service provider (MSP) that provides IT solutions to more than 40,000 companies worldwide. In July 2021, Kaseyas incident response team reported a potential security incident involving software that would potentially affect both on-premises and SaaS clients. Kaseya is a managed service provider (MSP) that provides IT solutions to more than 40,000 companies worldwide. In July 2021, Kaseyas incident response team reported a potential security incident involving software that would potentially affect both on-premises and SaaS clients. Microsoft Exchange. On March 3, 2021, cybersecurity and infrastructure security (CISA) partners observed active exploitation of vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server products. On March 3, 2021, cybersecurity and infrastructure security (CISA) partners observed active exploitation of vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server products. SITA. On March 4, 2021, data stored on the SITA Passenger Service System (US) Inc. servers affected multiple airlines, including Star Alliance members (formed by Air Canada, SWISS, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, among others), KrisFlyer and hundreds of thousands of passengers. On March 4, 2021, data stored on the SITA Passenger Service System (US) Inc. servers affected multiple airlines, including Star Alliance members (formed by Air Canada, SWISS, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, among others), KrisFlyer and hundreds of thousands of passengers. Colonial Pipeline. On May 7, 2021, Americas largest refined products pipeline went offline after a hacking group called Darkside infiltrated it with ransomware, which led to fuel shortages across the East Coast. On May 7, 2021, Americas largest refined products pipeline went offline after a hacking group called Darkside infiltrated it with ransomware, which led to fuel shortages across the East Coast. Banco Pichincha. In early October 2021, Ecuadors largest private bank, Banco Pichincha, confirmed it had suffered a cyber attack, which disrupted operations and took its ATM and online banking portal offline. In early October 2021, Ecuadors largest private bank, Banco Pichincha, confirmed it had suffered a cyber attack, which disrupted operations and took its ATM and online banking portal offline. Belarusian. On Nov. 8, 2021, in light of the international tension against Belarus authoritarian regime, the hacking group Belarusian Cyber-Partisans claimed to access the full database of those crossing the countrys borders, including alleged movements of KGB officers and President Alexander Lukashenko himself. On Nov. 8, 2021, in light of the international tension against Belarus authoritarian regime, the hacking group Belarusian Cyber-Partisans claimed to access the full database of those crossing the countrys borders, including alleged movements of KGB officers and President Alexander Lukashenko himself. Poly Network. Poly Network facilitates exchange between several blockchains as users trade one cryptocurrency for another, such as trading Bitcoin for Ether. On Aug. 10, 2021, Poly Network suffered an anonymous attack in which over $610 million in cryptocurrencies was stolen. Poly Network facilitates exchange between several blockchains as users trade one cryptocurrency for another, such as trading Bitcoin for Ether. On Aug. 10, 2021, Poly Network suffered an anonymous attack in which over $610 million in cryptocurrencies was stolen. RENAPER. Records of potentially 45 million Argentinian citizens were stolen in this Oct. 9, 2021 hack of RENAPER, Argentinas National Registry of Persons, which issued national ID cards. Personal data is now being sold in private circles. Records of potentially 45 million Argentinian citizens were stolen in this Oct. 9, 2021 hack of RENAPER, Argentinas National Registry of Persons, which issued national ID cards. Personal data is now being sold in private circles. Apache Log4j. On Dec. 9, 2021, a Log4j software component vulnerability was released, which has had an incalculable systemic risk due to the widespread use of Log4j library in millions of products or app components. On Dec. 9, 2021, a Log4j software component vulnerability was released, which has had an incalculable systemic risk due to the widespread use of Log4j library in millions of products or app components. Volkswagen USA. A data breach affecting more than over 3.3 million customers from United States and Canada included information gathered for sales and marketing purposes from 2014 to 2019. On March 10, 2021, Audi and Volkswagen were alerted to the fact that an unauthorized third party may have obtained certain customer information. Source: Tokio Marine HCC International Topics Cyber Aviation Vale and other Brazilian mining companies are set to miss a legal deadline in the state of Minas Gerais for the removal of all tailings dams built using a method linked to past collapses, and the industry is seeking to change it. The Feb. 25 deadline has been considered unrealistic by the mining industry ever since it was first set in early 2019, a month after the collapse of a tailings dam in Brumadinho that killed 270 people. The Minas Gerais law, which requires the removal of all dams constructed using the upstream method, in which the wall of the structure is formed using dried mining waste. The upstream design was used in Brumadinho and also on the Samarco dam that collapsed in the city of Mariana in 2015. Those in breach of the law could have their operating license suspended. Only 18 of the 48 upstream dams that existed in Minais Gerais in 2019 will be decommissioned by the deadline, according to a survey by the Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (Fiemg). Another six in the state should be removed by the end of the year. Fiemg decided to appeal to the courts to avoid potential penalties linked to the deadline and find ways to make it more flexible depending on the scope of the work involved. It filed a lawsuit in court last week questioning the constitutionality of the state law and plans to legally request this week that the judiciary mediate to ensure decommissioning is carried out based on the needs of each project. We dont want it to be slower, one must do what is safest. Decommissioning in a hurry would also be a risk, Flavio Roscoe, Fiemgs president, told Reuters, emphasizing that the decommissioning process and the deadline should take into account individual structures and safety. A federal law published in September 2020 also sets the Feb. 25 date for elimination of upstream dams, but provides that the deadline may be extended by the entity that regulates and oversees the mining activity. Vale, owner of the largest number of dams related to iron ore production in the state, has eliminated four upstream dams in Minas Gerais since 2019 and another three it has in Para state, of the 30 it found across the company, according to a report by the miner. The company this week began decommissioning the first of five such structures that are scheduled to be decommissioned later this year in Minas Gerais, which produces much of Brazils iron ore and large amounts of other key metals. Vale, in a comment to Reuters, reiterated its commitment to decommission upstream dams in the South American nation and prevent new disasters. There are other upstream dams in the state owned by companies like CSN, Gerdau and ArcelorMittal, according to records of the regulator ANM and the Minas Gerais government. ANM, CSN, Gerdau and ArcelorMittal did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Marta Nogueira; writing by Carolina Pulice; editing by Paul Simao) Photograph: In this Nov. 8, 2015 file photo, rescue workers search for victims at the site where the town of Bento Rodrigues stood, after two dams burst on Thursday, Nov. 5, in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Photo credit: AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File. Topics Mining This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Liberty Specialty Markets and broker New Dawn Risk. A summary of these new hires follows here. Liberty Specialty Markets Names Beattie as Global Head of War & Terrorism Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, announces changes to its London Specialty Business. Paul Beattie has been appointed Global Head of War and Terrorism. Beattie is based in London and takes up the role with immediate effect. Beattie takes up this new responsibility in addition to his existing role, head of Underwriting Marine Niche Products. He will be responsible for growing the book of business by differentiating LSMs offering for the benefit of its brokers and clients. He will continue to report to Mike Burle who held the role previously. Burle was recently appointed deputy active underwriter in addition to his role of head of Marine Division. Beattie joined LSM in October 2012 as underwriting manager. He has over 20 years of experience underwriting war and terrorism risks. *** New Dawn Risk Hires Aons Khan for Professional Risks, Lothburys Vernon for Healthcare/Life Sciences New Dawn Risk Group Ltd., the London-based specialty liability and cyber Lloyds broker, has appointed Sarah Khan as head of Professional Risks, and Francesca Vernon as head of the newly formed Healthcare and Life Sciences team. Khan has 13 years of international experience in the insurance industry gained as a broker, underwriter and in business development. She joins New Dawn Risk from Aon, where she was a broking director. Prior to that, she was a senior professional liability underwriter at AXA in the U.S. Vernon also has more than a decade of insurance experience in the healthcare and life sciences. She was most recently head of London Market Broking at Lothbury, where she established an international specialty lines offering. She has also previously held senior broking roles at Aon and Arthur J Gallagher & Co. Established in 2008, New Dawn Risk is a specialist insurance broker providing dynamic advisory solutions. We focus on complex, international liability and other specialty insurance and reinsurance. Clients large and small profit from our expertise, creativity and responsiveness from risk assessment through to claims. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Agencies Excess Surplus Underwriting Aon London Kansas Gas Service customers will pay an estimated $5 to $7 a month for five to 10 years to pay for a spike in natural gas costs during frigid weather last year. The Kansas Corporation Commission approved a settlement Tuesday that will allow the utility company to pass on $366 million in extra natural gas costs to its 640,000 natural gas customers, The Wichita Eagle reported. The exact cost per customer will depend on terms Kansas Gas gets for the bonds it will issue to cover the costs from last February, when gas prices increased dramatically in the midst of severe cold. Customers wont see the extra costs on their bills for several months. The agreement includes provisions for refunds if ongoing investigations and lawsuits find market manipulation and price gouging occurred during the freeze emergency. Before the cold snap last February, gas was selling on the spot market around $3 per million British thermal units. At the height of the freeze, spot-market prices reached $622 for the same amount of gas. Kansas Gas said in a statement that it was pleased with the settlement. We prioritize keeping our customers safe and warm during these extreme weather events and aim to recover the unprecedented costs from the high natural gas prices due to the storm with fairness and minimal impact to customers, the statement said. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Energy Kansas The family of a Dallas man who died in police custody five years ago can proceed with their lawsuit against four officers, a federal appeals court ruled in an opinion filed last week that overturned a lower courts ruling. Qualified immunity shields conduct that does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known, Circuit Judge Edith Brown Clement wrote for the three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in sending the case back to U.S. District Judge David Godbey in Dallas. Godbey had thrown out the lawsuit brought by the family of Tony Timpa, ruling that the officers were protected from liability in Timpas 2016 death by the qualified immunity doctrine. The doctrine shields officers from liability for the legal performance of their duties. The family accused Officer Dustin Dillard of using excessive force on Timpa by pressing his knee into Timpas upper back for about 14 minutes. They also accused Sgt. Kevin Mansell, Senior Cpl. Raymond Dominquez and Officers Danny Vasquez and Domingo Rivera of failing to intervene to save Timpa, who was 32 when he died. According to court documents, Timpa called 911 on Aug. 10, 2016, from a Dallas parking lot and said he was afraid and needed help, telling a dispatcher he suffered from schizophrenia and depression and was off his medication. Officers arrived to find him walking in traffic. In police body camera videos, officers could be seen forcefully pinning Timpa to the ground for more than 14 minutes and cracking jokes even as the screaming, handcuffed man went still and fell silent. Shaking his limp body, the officers can be heard laughing and comparing Timpa to a child who doesnt want to wake up for school. Not long after, a paramedic informed them he was dead. Medical examiners ruled Timpas death a homicide and said it was caused by cardiac arrest brought on by cocaine and the stress of physical restraint. In 2017, a grand jury indicted Mansell, Vasquez and Dillard for misdemeanor deadly conduct in Timpas death, finding they had acted recklessly. Prosecutors dismissed the charges in March 2019 and the officers returned to active duty the next month. Godbey threw out the familys lawsuit, which seeks almost $30 million in actual and exemplary damages. But the three judges on the appeals court panel disagreed with Godbeys rationale and restored the lawsuit. Dillards continued use of force was not justified by a criminal investigatory function, Clement wrote. The officers concede that Timpas criminal liability was `minor _ no more than a traffic violation. In fact, the officers did not intend to charge him with any crimes. While overturning the summary judgment for Dillard, Hansell, Dominguez and Vasquez, the appeals court affirmed a summary judgment releasing Rivera from liability. Geoff Henley, the Timpas Dallas-based attorney, hailed the ruling as groundbreaking and said he looks forward to trying the case. Dallas city officials do not comment on pending litigation, a city spokeswoman said. Topics Lawsuits Law Enforcement Although the election is still months away, the race for Georgia insurance commissioner already is a campaign of firsts and some strong rhetoric aimed at insurance companies and regulators. Janice Laws Robinson, an insurance broker who in 2018 came within a few percentage points of being elected the states first black and first woman commissioner, now faces a Democratic state representative, Matthew Wilson, a trial attorney known for suing insurers. He would be the first openly gay commissioner. The winner of that May 24 Democratic primary will likely square off against current Insurance Commissioner John King, who is the states first Hispanic statewide official. The election promises to be the latest upheaval in what has been a tumultuous decade at the Georgia Department of Insurance. King is in office today because the elected commissioner was forced out of office in 2019, just a few months after he was sworn in. Jim Beck was convicted of fraud and money laundering after diverting almost $3 million from a homeowners insurer of last resort that he had managed. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp then appointed King, a former Georgia police officer, to the post in early 2019. Before Beck, Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens was accused of laying off hundreds of workers unnecessarily and promoting a hands-off regulatory environment that saw auto insurance rates increase sharply, according to news reports. Before Hudgens, John Oxendine left office in 2010 after three terms. He is the subject of a continuing ethics investigation into the alleged use of campaign funds for personal use. This year, all three candidates have talked extensively about the need to restore integrity to the insurance commissioners office. For the past 25 years, weve had Republican commissioners bought and paid for by the companies the office is supposed to regulate, Wilson said in answers to a questionnaire by Ballotpedia. The last elected commissioner was convicted of fraud and money laundering; his predecessors mismanagement forced hundreds of staff furloughs and layoffs; and the one before him is still under investigation for campaign finance corruption. He added: Ill return the office to its intended role: that of a consumer advocate Wilson is a personal injury attorney in Atlanta known for battling insurers in claims disputes. His strident comments may play well with some voters but probably not with the insurance industry. For too long, our commissioners have been more focused on the profit margins of the big insurance companies than the wallets of Georgia consumers, Wilson said in his Ballotpedia answers. They have rubber-stamped premium increases, changed the law to make it easier to raise premiums, and refused to use the investigative and regulatory power of the office to hold insurance companies accountable. A number of Georgia trial attorneys have said their money is on Wilson. The LGBTQ Victory Fund, a national organization, also has formally endorsed the lawmaker. But its unclear if Georgia insurance interests support King or Robinson. Insurance groups could not be reached for comment this week. Robinson, also of Atlanta, has spent most of her career in the insurance business, part of it with State Farm, Nationwide and MetLife. Since 2014, she has managed her own brokerage and insurance agency. But she, too, has called for consumer-friendly change at the Department of Insurance and has pledged to fix whats broken in the insurance industry, according to news reports and her websites. Georgians still do not have an insurance commissioner elected by the people that has stood the test of public trust, Robinson said on her campaign website. Georgia continues to be a hub for technological advances and innovations that when applied to the area of insurance and fire safety, I believe can make an unprecedented difference in the quality of life for all us Georgians. She did not go into detail on the technological changes but said that she would implement a statewide engagement platform that would allow people to easily report fraud and abuse and to share ideas on insurance practices. If elected, Robinson, like King, would be one of the first foreign-born commissioners. She is a native of Jamaica and immigrated to the United States as a teenager. King is a native of Mexico. In 2018, Robinson, who then went by her maiden name of Janice Laws, handily won the Democratic primary and took 47% of the vote in the general election, to Becks 51%. Beck later was accused of using the funds siphoned from the residual insurer to finance his campaign. Robinson told a Georgia newspaper this week that campaigns are hard work but she hopes her second attempt will be successful. King also has vowed to continue changing the culture at the insurance department. His perspective is unique: He has no insurance business experience, but was police chief in Doraville, Georgia, and worked for many years with the Atlanta Police Department. I dont come from the Insurance background, King said in December when he was formally sworn in to the office. It allowed me to do a really critical look at every function of our agency, to really see, is it really needed, does it add value to Georgia consumers or do we need to do away with it. King said it hasnt been easy reforming the agency after Beck was forced out. It was tough. We let a lot of people go. They had no business working for Georgians, said King, according to a local news report at the time. King did not detail who was laid off or other changes that were made. His office has said that under his leadership, the department has been proactive in investigating insurance fraud around the state. Shortly after he took office, King made headlines when he issued a cease-and-desist order against a Nevada direct-pay company. He said the firm was attempting to hoodwink medical offices into making the company their exclusive third-party administrator. The party primary for the insurance commissioner race is May 24. The general election is set for Nov. 8. Topics Carriers Legislation Agencies Fraud Georgia Numbers The Federal Trade Commission has filed a federal lawsuit against a Florida-based vehicle warranty firm and related companies, charging that the firms telemarketers illegally said they represented car manufacturers and bilked consumers out of more than $6 million. AVP blasted consumers with illegal calls and made bogus claims about bumper-to-bumper warranties, Samuel Levine, director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement this week. The truth is that the warranties didnt come from the manufacturer, didnt cover the repairs people needed, and werent sold legally. We are holding AVP accountable. AVP and its owners immediately counter-sued the FTC, seeking a declaration that the agency had overreached and had based its complaints on flawed information from a whistleblower who is a convicted felon. AVP uses telemarketing to market and sell vehicle service contracts administered by a third party and backed by an insurer, the warranty companys complaint reads. In other words, AVP sells an actual productlegitimate extended auto warranties on which consumers mayand in fact domake claims for repairs that are covered. There is no doubt that a benefit is conferred on consumers. The FTC made its concerns known to AVP last year, and the warranty company said it revamped its policies and procedures accordingly, then stopped all sales efforts in November. Company leaders then hired a consulting firm, which retrained telemarketers in compliance with federal telemarketing laws. Nonetheless, the FTC commissioners voted 4-0 to file the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, arguing that companies continue to violate the law. The move is part of a larger crackdown by the FTC on what it calls deceptive trade practices that have lured consumers into paying for subscriptions, warranties and other services. The agency appears to pull no punches in its complaint against the auto warranty firms. The lawsuit said that Pompano Beach-based AVP violated federal law by calling consumers whose phone numbers are on the national Do Not Call Registry. The telemarketers also falsely promised a full warranty for less than $3,400 and that consumers could receive a full refund within 30 days if they werent happy with the warranty plan. But the refunds are never sent, the complaint said. The company also used remotely created checks to obtain money from people, which is considered an illegal method of payment, the FTC said. The commission is asking the court to issue an order barring AVP from continuing in its telemarketing practices. The defendants named in the suit, all based in Florida, are: 1) American Vehicle Protection Corp.; CG3 Solutions Inc., also d/b/a My Protection Plan Inc.; Tony Allen Gonzalez, individually and as an owner, officer, and/or manager of American Vehicle Protection Corp., CG3 Solutions Inc., and Tony Gonzalez Consulting Group, Inc.; Tony Gonzalez Consulting Group, Inc., also d/b/a The Gonzalez Group; Charles Gonzales, individually and as an owner, officer, and/or manager of American Vehicle Protection Inc. and CG3 Solutions Inc.; Daniel Kole, individually and as an owner, officer, and/or manager of American Vehicle Protection Corp. and Kole Consulting Group, Inc.; and Kole Consulting Group, Inc. Telemarketers pitching the extended warranties, also known as mini insurance policies, have become notorious around the country. AVP has been the subject of numerous complaints filed with the FTC and with the Better Business Bureau, the FTC complaint notes. Two of the principals of the defendant companies, Tony Gonzalez and his brother, Charles, had previously been ordered by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to cease operating an illegal auto warranty business, the lawsuit notes. Tony Gonzalez and Daniel Kole could not be reached for comment by the Insurance Journal Thursday morning. Topics Lawsuits Florida Auto With seven member states which produce almost two-thirds of the EU pigs not asking for EU market measures to support under-pressure pig farmers, reliance on state aid from the national purse has emerged as the best hope for ending what IFA President Tim Cullinan said last week is the most severe income crisis in nearly 20 years for pig farmers. After an emergency meeting in Dublin attended by over 150 farmers, Mr Cullinan said Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue committed to providing Government support in the form of direct aid for pig farmers. The IFA President, himself a pig farmer, said there is no time to waste, with the latest pig price cut and increasing feed costs leaving a loss of over 35 for every pig produced on Irish farms. Currently, a pig farmer with 500 sows is racking up losses of 10,000 per week, said IFA Pigs Chairman Roy Gallie. Earlier this month, EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said 13 member states wanted market measures but major producing countries, such as Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland did not support a call for market measures. I think this is a clear signal, and a signal I cannot ignore. He pointed instead to state aid, such as last weeks announcement by the French Agriculture Minister of a 270m emergency package for the countrys pig producers. Commissioner Wojciechowski said this would amount to 2.7bn, six times higher than the CAP crisis reserve, if other member states followed the French example and scaled state aid up to EU level. Poland has also announced a state aid package for pig farmers, of 88m. The Commissioner said EU exceptional market support measures to cover losses linked to movement restrictions, and severe imbalances in markets, were always available, but have been ignored by member states. As for the measure against market disturbances which 13 member states asked for, it would realistically have to be financed from the agricultural crisis reserve of 497.3m, which not only needs the approval of the European Parliament and the Council, but would ultimately be financed by farmers, because crisis reserve spending could not be reimbursed to them in 2023. And with seven member states against the measure against market disturbances, they might have a blocking minority in the EU Council. Besides, 497.3m for 1.5m pig producers in the EU is not a lot, compared to what France and Poland are offering, said Commissioner Wojciechowski. Minister McConalogue has said he has sought rapid deployment from the European Commission of appropriate solutions to Irish pigmeat difficulties such as increases in fuel, fertiliser, feed and energy prices, and pigmeat market disruption. He said the development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for him, given its pivotal role in the national economic context, supporting about 8,000 jobs. With Minister of State Heydon, he met bankers to discuss their financial support for pig farmers, and the feed industry, to determine what it can do for farmers. He said the Brexit impact loan scheme and Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme can be used for working capital, and include features that address the financial challenges to pig farmers. He and his Department continue to monitor the situation, and to examine possible measures to assist in supporting farmers through an unprecedented, very challenging time. Globally, rising shipping rates, energy prices, feed grain prices, and labour costs, are challenging pork supply chains while, in slowing economies, producers and processors are finding it difficult to pass on all additional costs to consumers. Reductions in Chinas import demand, as local production recovers, leave major export regions needing to find a new balance between supply and demand. Oversupply in Europe maintains downward pressure on prices. African Swine Fever spreading to northern Italy could complicate the pig trade even further. Omicron-induced strict measures on human movement also helped to soften the pork market entering 2022. However, long-range forecasts anticipated the effect of reduced EU supply and increased Chinese demand being felt in the market from April onwards. And there were also hopes of high feed ingredient prices easing in the late spring and early summer, returning profitability to the pig sector. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marines forestry licensing objectives are a step in the right direction but they will not be enough to clear the backlog, industry representatives have warned. This week, minister of state Pippa Hackett published the departments Forestry Licensing Plan for 2022, which sets a target of 5,200 new licences to be issued this year. This would be a 30% increase in licences compared to last year. Ms Hackett said that while in 2021, there were significant increases in the numbers of felling and road licences issued, in 2022, a higher priority is being given to issuing planting licences. Our plan is to achieve a 100% increase in output, Ms Hackett said. 'Suffering from lengthy delays' However, Mark McAuley, director of Forest Industries Ireland told the Irish Examiner that the forest sector is still suffering from lengthy delays to licences. What we need is a system that is capable of delivering every licence to every applicant within four months, Mr McAuley said. Currently there are hundreds of applications that have been waiting for a licence for more than a year; this has to stop. He said that while the licensing projections for 2022 are a step in the right direction, they will not be enough. Everyone in the industry hopes that the target figures can be achieved and more, Mr McAuley added. We need to put these licensing discussions behind us and move forward with a really positive future for forestry. In 2021, just over 500 afforestation licences were issued. Those licences would have facilitated the planting of over 4,200 hectares, but only 2,000 hectares have been planted to date. This is a conversion rate from licensing to planting of about only 64%. This means that at present, a disproportionate amount of processing effort both by the department and forestry companies is wasted. We need to change that, Ms Hackett said. Regarding the reasons for the low conversion rate, Mr McAuley said that a long delay to a licence reduces the chance of a project going ahead. Everyone across the industry works extremely hard to ensure each licence issued results in trees being planted, he added. Forestry companies across Ireland are working daily to increase interest in forestry and create more woodlands. Speaking at the recent meeting of the Oireachtas select committee on agriculture, food and the marine, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said that there has always been a gap between the number of afforestation licences issued and the number that then proceed to plantation, but it is important that is looked at and conversion rate maximised. He confirmed that the department makes direct contact with the applicants. As of January 21, the DAFM had 3,597 licences on hand for more than 120 days, a reduction of 1,400 since last August. The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Sean Clancy has acknowledged there is a problem with inequality for women in the Defence Forces and it needs to be addressed. The Lieutenant General was responding to the report by the Commission on the Defence Forces. The report was hard-hitting and blunt, he said, but he welcomed it wholeheartedly. Lieut Gen Clancy described the report as clear and stark, and said business as usual is not good enough and that the people of Ireland deserve better. A light had been shone on the negatives and there are many within the Defence Forces, he added, but there were also some positives such as the publics trust in the forces. Lieut Gen Clancy said he was "looking forward" and was very motivated to implement the changes recommended in the report. When asked if he would encourage his own daughter to join the Defence Forces, he said he would. There were many fine people in the organisation. The vast majority of people who served had good, positive experiences, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland. There were gaps and serious failings within the Defence Forces, he said. But we know what they are, the commission calls them out in a stark way. A forgotten flashpoint at the Irish border in the wake of the War of Independence that left several people dead is set to be remembered 100 years on. By February 11 1922, the British had handed over power to the Irish Free State provisional government and the War of Independence had finished. But tensions still raged across the island, as the country headed towards civil war. It was in this atmosphere that the Clones Affray, as it came to be known, occurred. Clones railway station (Monaghan County Museum/PA) That day, a gun battle took place at a railway station in the border town of Clones that claimed the lives of a hero of the War of Independence in Co Monaghan, as well as four members of the Ulster Special Constabulary, or the B-Specials. No-one really knows how the B-Specials ended up on the wrong side of the border, but it was a decision that would lead to one of the bloodiest events in the history of the border county and one that would have ramifications beyond Clones. At the station, a firefight broke out after the local IRA battalion was alerted to the presence of the police officers. It left the four members of the B-Specials dead, while civilians were also wounded in the crossfire. Gerard Fitzpatrick, the 84-year-old nephew of the IRA commandant Matt Fitzpatrick who was also killed in the shoot-out, said he learnt the details of the day from family and locals. I was fortunate enough to listen to my uncles and the people involved around and people who marched to his funeral, he said. He is proud that a new exhibition in Monaghan County Museum will remind people of his uncles role in Irelands road to independence. That exhibition will include the rifle that reportedly killed Matt Fitzpatrick, as well as his Mauser handgun and a wooden crucifix display including the small metal crucifix he had in his pocket when he died. The rifle used to kill Matt Fitzpatrick (Monaghan County Museum/PA) It will also include insignia from his uniform and a lock of his hair. Mr Fitzpatrick said he was a stickler for the correct telling of the events in Monaghan during that period. He said: Any history should be accurate and authentic and correct, you know? No folklore to it and that. Time has moved on. Were just to be glad to be about, to be part of taking part. Mr Fitzpatrick said the family will mark the anniversary with the laying of a wreath at his uncles grave in Co Cavan, as well as a commemorative Mass marking the incident. Liam Bradley, curator of Monaghan County Museum, said the Clones Affray has been partially forgotten. He said: It was such a tumultuous period, there was so much going on in the border area at that time. Matt Fitzpatricks Mauser pistol (Monaghan County Museum/PA) The shooting, which he likened to something from a Western movie, came at a fallow period after the War of Independence but before the Civil War. And while the Clones Affray has become something of a footnote in Irish history, Mr Bradley said it encapsulated many of the anxieties that dominated the time after partition. In the aftermath, there was outrage in Northern Ireland at the killings. The train is allowed to leave, to go to Enniskillen, with the four bodies on it, he said. The anger turned violent, sparking sectarian attacks on Catholics in Belfast. In the House of Commons, secretary of state for the colonies Winston Churchill called for a tribunal to investigate the incident. More locally, it saw Clones locked down amid IRA fears of a reprisal attack. Later, the death of Matt Fitzpatrick saw the biggest funeral in living memory in Monaghan. A metal crucifix IRA commandant Matt Fitzpatrick had in his pocket when he died (Monaghan County Museum/PA) Mr Bradley said: We wanted to make sure the whole story is told. He hopes that people will now take the opportunity to learn about the events of the day, 100 years on. Mr Bradley said: It was just another one of those events that got lost in the ether. One hundred years on, the incident still has a lot to teach us. For many reasons, the Clones Affray reflects the reality of the situation in Monaghan at that point, said Mr Bradley. A simple incident, getting off at a railway, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thats how much of a tinderbox the country was sitting on at the time. To be in the wrong place in the wrong time could mean your life. The family of a Sligo pensioner who remains on life support after he was seriously assaulted during a home burglary last month have appealed to the public for information on the brutal attack. Tom Niland, 73, was watching television in his home on the N59 in Skreen on the evening of January 18 when he was seriously assaulted by three intruders, who stole a small sum of money. Mr Nilands cousin Michael Walsh described the incident as a frenzied attack, adding that any information at all could be crucial. The relative has also criticised how gardai cannot trace the location of Mr Niland's phone, which was stolen in the attack. The culprits left Mr Niland with serious injuries to his eye socket and head as well as multiple broken ribs. Described as a big physical man, Mr Niland managed to crawl from his home and alert passing motorists along the N59, which is the main route between Sligo and Ballina. Gardai were then alerted by his neighbours and Mr Niland was transferred to Sligo University Hospital, where his condition deteriorated and he is now on life support. I went to see him last night, said Mr Walsh told RTE radios Today with Claire Byrne. Theres no change. Theres no real hope at the moment. Investigating gardai have said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into the assault, though no arrests have yet been made. Checkpoints and door-to-door enquiries yielded some information into the assault, while hours of CCTV footage was recovered and the scene was forensically analysed. However, Mr Walsh said it was incredibly frustrating that gardai were precluded from using technology to locate his cousins mobile phone which was stolen during the burglary. It seems there is nothing they can do [because of a European Court ruling]. These people are predators on society, he said. Mr Walsh said he couldnt understand how in the 21st century gardai were being prevented from using this technology unless there was a threat of terrorism. It was an attack on the people of the country, he said of the assault. Gardai are also appealing for any one who noticed any activity by persons or vehicles which drew their attention, in the wider N59 Skreen locality to contact gardai with that information. Picture: Dan Linehan Mr Walsh thanked members of the local and wider community who had supported the family in the wake of the attack. Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath has given assurances that gardai would be given every resource to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Government was robustly defending the case in Europe about use of technology to access mobile phones, Mr McGrath said. People have a right to feel safe in their own homes. I understand their frustration. We are working hard to ensure the best outcome. Gardai are appealing to anyone who was driving along the N59 (Sligo/ Ballina Road), in the Skreen area, on Tuesday January 18 between 4pm-8pm, who may have dash cam or any other video footage to contact investigating gardai. Gardai are also appealing for any one who noticed any activity by persons or vehicles which drew their attention, in the wider N59 Skreen locality to contact gardai with that information. "If you have any information on this callous and cowardly crime please contact Sligo Garda Station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station." Russia is not the boogeyman that people want to portray the federation as, according to its ambassador to Ireland. Yuriy Filatov said that the recent Commission on the Defence Forces seems to imply Ireland is under threat from Russia. But this is, he said, a misplaced notion. He said: Any unbiased observer would be hard put to find any evidence of such a 'threat'. Attempts to portray Russia as a boogeyman are misplaced and regrettable. He was speaking in light of pressure on the government recently to purchase up to 24 fighter jets as part of a multi-billion euro package to enable the country to counter terrorist hijackings and hostile incursions into our airspace. The Commission on the Defence Forces report recommends three options as part of a wide-ranging programme of reform of the military. It also says Ireland is ill-equipped to deal with the increasing threats from Islamic and right-wing extremists and the activities of Russia and China. The first option looks at maintaining the Defence Forces in its current form but increasing spending by tens of millions of euros on the current budget of 1.1bn. The second option would enable the Defence Forces to hire more people and to purchase the likes of radar equipment and military aircraft. This would cost about 500m extra annually. Mr Filatov said: We believe that the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces of Ireland calls for a brief commentary. While the subject of the report is clearly an internal matter for Ireland, one cannot but note an attempt by the Commission to substantiate its conclusions with a notion of a threat, allegedly posed by Russia to the security of Ireland. Any unbiased observer would be hard put to find any evidence of such a 'threat'. Attempts to portray Russia as a boogeyman are misplaced and regrettable. He added: We believe that now is the moment for mature and responsible decisions, which would be based not on political fiction, but on reality, as well as an imperative need for the all-European system of security. Interview Cambodia Should Not Practice Cowboy Diplomacy on Myanmar Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (left) greets Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing during a meeting in Naypyitaw on Jan. 7, 2022. / AFP Cambodia is facing a tough year as ASEAN chair this year due to the prolonged civil war in Myanmar. Myanmars case will be at the top of the agenda for ASEAN leaders at the upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat, which is scheduled for Feb. 16-17 after being postponed from January due to the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Having endured its own civil war, Cambodia has offered to share its past experience with Myanmars Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), to help resolve the current crisis. In early January, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen paid a visit to Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, who promised to extend a ceasefire throughout 2022. Hun Sen called on all parties concerned to halt all violence and exercise the utmost restraint. However, citing a lack of progress in implementing ASEANs five-point consensus (5PC), Cambodia now says Myanmar can only send a non-political representative if it wants to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat. Sophal Ear, PhD, associate dean and associate professor at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University in the US, recently sat down with The Irrawaddy to discuss the impact on the Myanmar crisis of Cambodias current role as ASEAN chair. The Irrawaddy: Given that Myanmar will be at the top of ASEANs agenda this year, and with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat kicking off soon, what do you think about Cambodias involvement in this issue? Sophal Ear: As chair of ASEAN, Cambodia should listen, not dictate. In 2012, Cambodia used its chairmanship to spoil ASEAN by blocking consensus. This year, Cambodia acted like an autocrat, which again caused chaos. Cambodia should not practice cowboy diplomacy. I believe the other members of ASEAN have already succeeded in reining in Cambodia because the authorities just announced that the [retired colonel] who is the foreign minister of Myanmar [Wunna Maung Lwin] will not be invited. Since there is little progress in the implementation of the 5-Point Consensus, ASEAN member states find it hard to reach a consensus to invite Myanmar State Administration Councils foreign minister to participate in the retreat. Thus, we have asked Myanmar to send a non-political representative instead, Cambodian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Chum Sounry said. Finally, it seems, Cambodia has been cornered into listening. Im hoping Cambodia will keep listening. In early January, Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen paid a visit to Myanmar, disappointing other ASEAN member states. Do you see anything behind the visit? Did it have a personal purpose? Did the good prime minister meet with the opposition leader in Cambodia? Of course not. So is it any surprise he will spurn his real counterpart in Myanmar? This is The Lady [Daw Aung San Suu Kyi] who used to be on stage with him at ASEAN meetings. How can this be? Should a coup be legitimized like this? It should not be. Cambodia has no credibility when it comes to democracy. Of course the prime minister wants to embrace the Myanmar generals: They are, as the Thais say, Same same, but different. After the visit, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing agreed to a ceasefire, however just over a week later there were clashes. Then, Hun Sen wrote on his Facebook page that he will not step in again if Myanmars leader continues to break his promises over the ceasefire. What is your take on that? Precisely. Why reward those who break their word? Their word is their bond! Why did Hun Sen even give away diplomatic recognition for nothing in return? Its like [former US President Donald] Trump going to meet [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un. What did he get? Nothing. Just like Trump, Hun Sen is a peacemaker. ASEAN has established the 5PC on Myanmar. Did the visit of Prime Minister Hun Sen breach that principle? Yes, it rewarded the generals even though they showed no progress towards the five key points consensus. Not even one point improved. Again, why give away the store? Recently, Phnom Penh announced that Myanmar can send a non-political representative to the upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat in Cambodia if they dont want to leave the seat empty. Will Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing agree to that? Cambodia has returned to the consensus, but dont hold your breath. I think Hun Sen will use his role as chairman to once again take ASEAN on a rollercoaster. Its obvious he has no intention of being a consensus-driven chairman. He will shoot from the hip, like a cowboy diplomat. If his trip to Myanmar had resulted in a breakthrough in which the generals made real, measurable progress towards the five key points, then that would be one thing. Just release and pardon Aung San Suu Kyi. Hun Sen should look at his own house before going to fix someone elses house: How about he releases and pardons Kem Sokha, Sam Rainsy and the many other opposition politicians and political prisoners he holds? I think its good Cambodia will only allow nonpolitical representation of Myanmar. This is consistent with the five key points consensus as previously agreed. No progress, no generals. How will Cambodia bring Myanmar back into ASEAN if other members continue to reject it for failing to implement the 5PC? Cambodia is trusted by the generals in Myanmar because Cambodia is also jailing its opposition leader, so in that sense, they are both traveling the same journey. Myanmar, I am sure, would love to be treated like Cambodia, where it can do what it wants but not be punished. The other members of ASEAN who reject Myanmar can maybe get Cambodia to do things they would not be willing to do themselves. They can use Cambodia to send messages to Myanmar. Cambodia can be a messenger. It should not, however, send a message that is not ASEANs, pretending that it came from ASEAN. Cambodia should not masquerade as though it represents ASEAN. The views of Cambodia are theirs alone and do not represent the views of ASEAN. You may also like these stories: CDM Strikers Will Fight Myanmar Junta Until the End Myanmar Regime Detains Over 100 People for Supporting Silent Strike Online Kachin Independence Army, PDFs Attack Myanmar Junta Bases in Kachin State Burma Myanmar Junta Blows Budget on Giant Parade Vice Senior General Soe Win, vice-chairman of the military regime's governing body, and juntas chiefs inspect a rehearsal on Wednesday. / Myawady Myanmars junta is spending at least 9 billion kyats (around US$5 million) on a grand military review in Naypyitaw this weekend, according to sources in the capital. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing plans to hold the parade near the parliamentary compound on Saturday when the country marks its 75th Union Day, becoming the first military dictator to preside over the ceremony. The official reason for the ceremony is to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Union Day but some observers believe the event is an attempt by Min Aung Hlaing to portray himself as a head of a state supported by the people. Naypyitaw sources told The Irrawaddy that the junta has allocated 50 million kyats ($28,000) to each of the 29 government ministries and other union-level organizations to prepare for the ceremony and organize exhibitions. Each ministry has reportedly been asked to provide 100 to 200 staff to march past Min Aung Hlaing and salute him. Each state and region is also required to send over 100 participants and decorated vehicles displaying landmarks for the ceremony. Previous Boshu Thabin ceremonies involved the president being saluted by honor guards, military and police personnel and members of social organizations. It was held on significant days in the countrys calendar, like Independence Day on Jan. 4. The last one was held under the quasi-civilian former president, U Thein Sein, on Jan. 4, 2015. At that event, Min Aung Hlaing, as the military chief, saluted U Thein Sein at a pavilion where this years parade will be held. The ceremony was not held under the democratically elected National League for Democracy government. The ceremony has drawn criticism, including from retired military personnel, due to the cost while the economy is in a tailspin due to the military takeover. Under U Thein Sein, the event cost an estimated 7 billion kyats. A civil servant, who asked for anonymity, said rehearsals for participants began in late January. All participants have to arrive at 4am and they dont finish until 2pm. It is really tiring and wasteful. The regime has tightened security in Naypyitaw ahead of the military review. Sources said junta forces have been ordered to shoot anyone breaching the 10pm-4am curfew. Junta has invited ethnic armed organizations to attend the ceremony and preliminary peace talks. It has not invited what it calls terrorist groups. You may also like these stories: Resistance Fighters Claim To Have Killed Around 50 Myanmar Junta Personnel Myanmar Regime Forces Detain 15 Civilians in Mandalay Myanmar Junta Crony Uses Russia, Ukraine Military Ties to Amass Fortune Burma Myanmar Junta Crony Uses Russia, Ukraine Military Ties to Amass Fortune U Kyaw Min Oo (with spectacles) is a supplier of aircraft parts for the Myanmar military. When Min Aung Hlaing became the armed forces chief in 2011, he accelerated the modernization of the navy and air forcea move that has had the concomitant effect of rapidly enriching military cronies and businesses owned by relatives of generals. One of the main beneficiaries is U Kyaw Min Oo, the owner of Sky Aviator Co. Still in his 40s, he has amassed a fortune over the past decade supplying spare parts for jet fighters and helicopters purchased by Myanmars military from Russia and Ukraine. He sells spare parts [to the air force] at 10 times the original prices, said an incumbent air force officer. Military leaders have cleared him to sell the spare parts at higher prices, the officer added. Before Min Aung Hlaing became the military chief, U Kyaw Min Oo worked for Myanmar Avia Export Co., a subsidiary of Htoo Group of Companies owned by business tycoon U Tay Za, whose connections with Myanmars present and past regimes are known to be deep. U Tay Za supplied the previous military regime with aircraft parts through Myanmar Avia Export, which is the sole representative in Myanmar of Russias Export Military Industrial Group, known as MAPO, and of the Russian helicopter company Rostvertol. U Kyaw Min Oo established Sky Aviator Co. around 2014 and started supplying spare parts for Russian-made aircraft used by Myanmars military, in partnership with Russian national Alexander Ostrovskiy, with whom he made contact while working for U Tay Zas company. Ostrovskiy had worked as a middleman for U Tay Za, helping him supply Russian-made jet fighters and helicopters to Myanmars military. According to military sources, under U Thein Seins quasi-civilian government and the government (later ousted) of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, many opportunities presented themselves for U Kyaw Min Oo, who is reportedly a relative of an air force officer ranking higher than major, to take the place of U Tay Za, who mostly lived in Singapore in those years. U Kyaw Min Oo facilitated visits to Myanmar by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his deputy before and after the coup, military officers based in Naypyitaw told The Irrawaddy. Sky Aviator, which is registered as a general trading company based in Yangon, also imported aircraft parts from Ukraines Motor Sich from 2018 to February 2021, according to Justice for Myanmar, a group of activists campaigning for justice and accountability for the people of Myanmar. Motor Sich is a major Ukrainian manufacturer of engines for aircraft and missiles. In a leaked proposal submitted by Sky Aviator to the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Forces (Air) in August 2019, the company offered to upgrade the Myanmar militarys Mi-24P helicopters. In the leaked document, the company described itself as the sole representative of JSC Russia Helicopter in Myanmar. In another leaked Defense Ministry document, Sky Aviator also handed over parts for T-72S tanks to Myanmars military, Justice for Myanmar reported. Since the coup in February last year, Sky Aviator has also received a number of Russian arms shipments including YAK-130 support equipment from Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET), refitted turbojet engines from United Engine Corporation and engine parts from Rosoboronexport. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Faces COVID-19 Spike as Junta Prepares Ceremonies Telenor Under Pressure for Its Myanmar Subsidiary Sale Resistance Fighters Target Homes of Myanmar Junta Pilots After Airstrikes on Civilians Burma Myanmar Ranked Second-Least Democratic Nation in World Junta forces are deployed in downtown Yangon on Feb. 6, 2021, five days after the coup. / The Irrawaddy Myanmar joined North Korea and Afghanistan among the three least-democratic countries in the world last year, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)s latest Democracy Index. Of the 167 countries surveyed, Myanmarwhich has been in chaos followed the military coup in February last yearranked 166th, just ahead of Afghanistan and below North Korea, according to the EIUs new report. The coup in Myanmar and the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan spared North Korea from occupying the bottom of the table for the first time. Myanmar was ranked 135th on the 2020 index. The EIUs annual survey rates the state of democracy across countries on the basis of five measureselectoral process and pluralism, the functioning of government, political participation, democratic political culture, and civil liberties. Norway, New Zealand, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, Taiwan, Australia and Switzerland comprised the top 10 in the annual report. The report stated that democratization suffered more reversals in 2021, with the percentage of people living in a democracy falling to well below 50 percent and authoritarian regimes gaining ground. The Myanmar military staged a coup in February last year by overthrowing the countrys democratically elected civilian government and arrested government leaders. It also annulled the results of the 2020 general election, claiming it was marred by fraud despite the fact that the vote was declared free and fair by local and foreign poll monitors. Since the coup, the junta has killed at least 1,540 people and arrested more than 12,000 for opposing its rule. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Blows Budget on Giant Parade Resistance Fighters Claim To Have Killed Around 50 Myanmar Junta Personnel Myanmar Regime Forces Detain 15 Civilians in Mandalay You may also like these stories: Military regime forces were also searching wards in Mandalays Aungmyaythazan Township on Thursday morning. A number of resistance fighters were detained in West Thanlyet Hmaw at the end of July last year. West Thanlyet Hmaw is a large ward made up of 18 blocks, where the ward administration office has been attacked at least three times in the last year and a junta-appointed ward administrator, a 100-household administrator and an alleged military informant were shot dead. On Monday, a former ward administrator from Maha Aung Myay Township was shot in the head. He was widely believed to be a military informant, said local residents. The raid in West Thanlyet Hmaw Ward was in response to a tip that members of a Peoples Defense Force were hiding in the ward along with weapons and ammunition, a source from the Maha Aung Myay Township General Administration Department told The Irrawaddy. Regime troops checked the number of occupants in houses against household registration certificates, and also marked the houses that they had inspected. They blocked the roads and searched each and every house. It will still early dawn when they came. They detained 15 people who quarreled with them, said a local resident. An anti-regime protest in Maha Aung Myay Township in May 2021. / Mrinfo An anti-regime protest in Maha Aung Myay Township in May 2021. / Mrinfo Myanmar Resistance Kills Dozens of Junta Soldiers in Three Days of Clashes Even Worse Than Expected, Myanmar Coup also a Failure for Junta A Year After the Failed Coup, the Myanmar Peoples Opposition to Military Rule Remains Resolute On Anniversary of Coup, Myanmar Junta Extends Military Rule for Six Months Myanmar in Revolt as People Choose to Fight the Brutal Regime US Enforces Fresh Sanctions on Myanmar Junta and its Cronies Is Myanmar Junta Leader's Presidential Dream About to Come True? Junta Watch: Old Faces Reappear, Coup Leader Declares Himself Buddhisms Savior and More Juntas Use of China as a Shield Aggravates the Conflict in Myanmar Two Civilians Dead in Clash Between AA, Regime Troops in Myanmars Rakhine State We do not encourage viewing this site in this width. Please increase the size of your window. Burma Resistance Fighters Claim To Have Killed Around 50 Myanmar Junta Personnel Weapons seized by Mingin PDF on Wednesday. / Mingin PDF Around 50 Myanmar junta personnel were reportedly killed during raids and ambushes by peoples defense forces in three townships in Sagaing Region on Wednesday. On Wednesday morning, seven resistance groups, including Mingin PDF, raided Kanduma police station in Taze Township. Around 60 regime personnel were stationed at the police station and around 40 were killed with two PDF members injured, according to media reports quoting resistance fighters. The Irrawaddy was unable to independently confirm the casualty numbers or other details. Mingin PDF claimed to have killed seven regime soldiers during raids on a junta-controlled village and military flotilla in Mingin Township on Wednesday. At 1am on Wednesday, the PDF attacked sentries at Sanabyin village. In the raid, three regime forces were killed and two others injured. Mingin PDF showed pictures of two seized weapons, including a light machine gun. It said its attackers escaped without casualties. Later on Wednesday, several PDFs attacked the flotilla of five motorboats transporting ammunition north on the Chindwin River in the township. Mingin PDF said it used a variety of weapons and homemade floating bombs to attack the vessels. It estimated that four regime personnel were killed and eight others injured. A motorboat was also damaged by floating bombs Myaung PDF claimed to have killed three regime personnel and injured 10 others during an ambush on 50 soldiers in Myaung Township on Wednesday. A shootout occurred after several PDFs ambushed the troops with bombs while they were heading to a base where PDF weapons were being produced in the township, said Myaung PDF. The regime shelled Myalal village, where displaced civilians are sheltering, in Demoso Township, Kayah State, at 3am on Thursday. The junta shelling followed a resistance attack on Demoso police station, according to a PDF member. A 45-year-old displaced villager was injured and a church, houses and a rice store were damaged by junta artillery, according to Demoso PDF. The regime is facing daily attacks from PDFs and many ethnic armed groups across the country. Junta atrocities continue, including torture, massacres, arbitrary killings, burning people alive, using civilians as human shields, shelling residential areas and looting and burning houses, especially in Magwe and Sagaing regions and Chin, Kachin, Shan, Kayah and Karen states. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Regime Forces Detain 15 Civilians in Mandalay Myanmar Junta Crony Uses Russia, Ukraine Military Ties to Amass Fortune Myanmar Faces COVID-19 Spike as Junta Prepares Ceremonies Trinity, TX (77320) Today Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Like the Ithaca Times? Please help support local journalism by whitelisting this site in your ad blocker. Thank you! Seneca County District Attorney Mark Sinkiewicz said prison officials will turn over incident reports of an attack by prisoners at Five Points Correctional Facility to state police. With tensions mounting in Ukraine, the New York Department of Financial Services and the European Central Bank are alerting governments, businesses, and financial institutions to prepare for a possible state-sponsored cyber attack from Russia. Similarly, the British National Cyber Security Centre is warning large organisations to assess and enhance their security posture, while the Ukrainian state security service says Russian intelligence services was directly behind a coordinated series of attacks on Ukranian websites. While Emmanual Macron strives to mediate on the scene, advisors and experts around the world are anticipating the toll of conflict on the region will lead to significant financial ramifications and accelerated cyber attacks particularly if the United States issues sanctions against Russia. The European Central Bank is actively educating and assessing banks about their preparedness for cyber attacks, with banks actively engaging in simulated cyber attacks and performing penetration testing. Russia denies involvement in state-sponsored cyber attacks, however, the United States Government has previously blamed Russia for the NotPetya cyber attack in 2017 as well as a carefully-constructed supply chain attack on SolarWinds, in which its tooling was breached and malicious code inserted into its products. This breach then provided the perpetrators access to the internal computer networks of significant large businesses and government agencies. The concerns about Russian-sponsored cyber attacks are echoed by the Department of Homeland Security who state Russia maintains a range of offensive cyber tools that it could employ against US networks. "We assess that Russia would consider initiating a cyberattack against the Homeland [i.e. against the United States] if it perceived a US or NATO response to a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine threatened its long-term national security, the department said. Domestically, Foreign Minister Marise Payne states she reaffirmed Australian's committment to Ukraine's sovereignty, with the country appealing to the Australian government to provide expanded technical support in resisting Russian cyberattacks. Security experts warn such a cyberattack would not only include the takedown, defacement, and breach of websites and computer networks; it would also involve a propaganda campaign. Experts state Russian military doctrine includes a concept of information confrontation whereby doubt arises over what is true. Such manoeuvres are conducted in the press and on social media. Image credit: Nick Youngson Creative Commons 3 Alpha Stock Images The Australian - Lithuanian Cyber Research Network, a joint initiative of RMIT University and Mykolas Romeris University, has launched the first international cyber security network between Australia and Lithuania. The network is the first of its kind globally and will provide a platform for Australia and Lithuania to cooperate on common cyber security issues that affect both the Asia Pacific and Europe. The Australian activities will be led by RMIT Universitys Centre for Cyber Security Research & Innovation, one of Australias leading multi-disciplinary cyber security research centres - while the activities in Lithuania will be undertaken by Mykolos Romeris University, aleading university specialising in law, public security and public administration. The Australian - Lithuanian Cyber Research Network was launched today by Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs who has said that his trip to the Asia Pacific region which includes Singapore and Australia is about strengthening old friendships and building new ones. Political dialogue, enhanced economic cooperation, and regional security are main subjects for conversations during upcoming busy days! RMIT Universitys Deputy Vice Chancellor (Business and Law) and vice president, Professor Julie Cogin said that, building alliances with Australias key allies in the European Union around important research activities like cyber security will help build Australias capacity and ensure that we have the skills and knowledge in place to allow Australia to build its sovereign capability in this important sector. Director of RMITs Centre for Cyber Security Research & Innovation and co-convenor of the Australian-Lithuanian Cyber Research Network, Professor Matt Warren said the network provides a platform for the two countries to undertake jointly important cyber security research. The first initiative of the network will be the Australian Lithuanian Hybrid Threat Observatory, said Professor Warren . Hybrid threats are state and non-state actors that are challenging countries and institutions they see as a threat, opponent or competitor to their interests and goals with a focus on disputing industry and society. Professor Warren said the Australian Lithuanian Threat Observatory will: The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsmans Quarter Two Complaints Report shows phone and internet complaints declined for the fifth consecutive period. The report showed that residential consumers and small businesses made 18,386 complaints, a decrease of 14.2% compared to the previous quarter, and 39.7% compared to the same period last year. Complaints have declined across all service types, with internet complaints decreasing 20.4%. However, the decline in mobile complaints was less significant at just 4.7%. This meant mobile became the most complained about service type, with 42% of all complaints being about mobile services, the TIO advised. In this quarter, complaints about a telco not meeting an agreed resolution increased by 9.4%, and complaints about misleading conduct from a telco increased by 7.7%. Other key points in the report include: Complaints from small businesses fell more than 13% compared to the previous quarter The volume of fault and connection complaints decreased by 1388 to 8945 complaints this quarter Many telcos saw significant decreases in complaints, with Telstra complaints declining 50% and Optus complaints declining 23% compared to the same quarter last year. Download the full report here. Ombudsman Judi Jones said, In my six years as the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, we have worked closely with our members to reduce phone and internet problems for residential consumers and small businesses. After a spike in complaints in 2018, its very pleasing to see continual decreases in complaints. Working together has made a real difference to consumers. I encourage telcos to continue to work with consumers to resolve their problems. And as always, if the conversation breaks down, contact my office. Were free and here to help, Jones concluded. On reading the report, ACCAN acting CEO Andrew Williams said, It is now a widely accepted fact that phone and internet services are essential to our daily lives. While its positive to see that the overall level of complaints has fallen, it is worrying to see that nearly half of the major complaints being escalated to the TIO are related to such basic issues. Consumers should be getting the phone and internet services that they pay for. Williams explained that there is currently no reliability framework when it comes to mobile services, meaning that there is no way to measure the performance of mobile networks across Australia. Wed like to see the Federal Government allocate funding for the Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) or the ACCC to investigate and monitor mobile outages and the reliability of mobile infrastructure across Australia, so that they can identify if measures are needed to increase mobile reliability. ACCAN has also advocated that the Federal Government invest in initiatives aimed at improving broadband reliability, including prioritising progress on the draft standards, rules and benchmarks for Statutory Infrastructure Providers, such as NBN Co. ACCAN also highlighted the continuing high proportion of complaints relating to a telco not meeting an agreed resolution and the increase in complaints about misleading conduct by a telco. We expect telcos to do the right thing by their customers, and that includes following through on agreed methods of resolution and treating customers fairly. Well be monitoring complaints reports closely to check on improvements in this important area by the telco industry, Williams said. Williams extended his thanks to the TIO for their ongoing efforts to provide fair, independent, and accessible dispute resolution services. In particular, wed like to recognise Judi Jones as she departs as Ombudsman and thank her for her dedication to creating a fairer telco market in Australia, concluded Williams. 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. Funeral services for Marvin Smith Lloyd, age 77, of Rusk will be held Friday, April 29, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the Boren-Conner Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville with Bro. Don Copeland and Bro. Kevin Gentry officiating. Burial will follow at Rocky Springs Cemetery. Marvin Lloyd was born Septemb Donate Now As a public service during this pandemic, the Jewish News is providing free, unlimited access to all articles. Jewish News is a nonprofit publication that is owned by the community and relies on community support. Johnson City, TN (37604) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. After Ballad Health Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton expressed confidence that the number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus had peaked last week, the hospital system spent the early part of the week treating a record number of COVID-19 inpatients. Hospitalizations are, however, expected to begin declining rapidly in the coming days and are projected to drop below 400 by next week. Deaton said Tuesday that part of the reason hospitalizations, which declined to 434 on Wednesday, remain so high is the number of people who could not be discharged to long-term care or rehabilitation facilities because of staffing shortages that are causing capacity issues at those facilities. This has been an issue the system has been dealing with for the past five or six weeks, Deaton said, noting that on Tuesday the system was caring for 100 patients who could be discharged but theres no place either in long-term care or rehab for them to go. In Ballads Southern Market, which includes all hospitals in Carter, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties, Deaton said 50 people were waiting to be discharged to other facilities, 15 of whom were COVID-19 patients. Were having to continue to care for those patients because theres no bed placement for them right now, Deaton said. Deaton also said that there have been more incidental COVID-19 hospitalizations, or people who tested positive for the virus and must be placed in isolation units despite being admitted to the hospital for other reasons such as a surgery. Deaton estimated the number of people hospitalized with the virus who are being treated for another issue could account for as many as 15% to 20% of hospitalizations, but said that number is somewhat anecdotal and that Ballad will start tracking that data more closely. Sign up to Johnson City Press Today! Top stories, delivered straight to your inbox. You still have to utilize (personal protective equipment) and other precautions, Deaton said of people hospitalized with COVID-19, but not necessarily for it. You have to make sure youre protecting other patients and your team members as well. On Wednesday, the hospital system discharged a record number of people from its COVID-19 units, causing hospitalizations to see their largest day-to-day drop (-20) since October. Of the 434 people hospitalized, 90 were in intensive care and 60 were on ventilators both numbers down slightly from Tuesday. According to data released by Ballad on Wednesday, 84% of those hospitalized are not fully vaccinated. Eighty-nine percent of those in intensive care and 90% of those on a ventilator likewise had not been fully vaccinated. We, again, are hopeful that we are (trending down), and we felt pretty certain that, based on the numbers were seeing, weve plateaued and are moving back down now, Deaton said. This is good news for our region that were probably starting to come out of this thing, and were very positive about that. Deaton said Ballad has seen a marked reduction in the number of people testing positive at the systems testing sites, and expects the number of new infections across the service area over the past week to be around 13,000 about 2,000 fewer than those areas saw during the height of the omicron surge in mid- to late-January. Data from the Tennessee Department of Health shows Northeast Tennessees seven-day new case average continuing to decline, with the region averaging just under 1,000 new cases per day as of Feb. 5 down 23.8% from its peak on Jan. 26. Northeast Tennessee reported 6,982 new infections between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5, a drop of 1,617 from the week before. FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND UPDATES, DOWNLOAD THE JOHNSON CITY PRESS APP The deadline looms for hundreds of Ballad Health employees who must receive their first shots of a coronavirus vaccine or seek an exemption to meet a federal mandate for employment. The deadline for employees to get their first shots is Friday at 5 p.m., when about 300 people risk losing their jobs if they do not comply with the federal mandate by then. Ballad Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton said about 550 employees have not yet been vaccinated or received a medical or religious exemption, but noted about 250 will have a delayed deadline due to a recent COVID-19 infection. While the prospect of losing any employees while dealing with a nationwide shortage of nurses is not ideal, Deaton said the number of people who havent been vaccinated or gotten an exemption is looking much better than it has in recent weeks. In early January the number of employees who hadnt complied with the mandate was around 2,000, a number that fell to about 1,000 two weeks ago. Losing one nurse, one (licensed nurse practitioner), one (certified nursing assistant), one clinical support person is one too many, said Deaton. We need every person here, and so were working every day with the people who have not provided the information or vaccine to encourage them to get the vaccine or to help them work through getting the paperwork that they need to. Sign up to Johnson City Press Today! Top stories, delivered straight to your inbox. Deaton said he was hopeful the number of potential losses will decline, and said hed heard from team leads that people are still planning to get vaccinated this week something hes very, very encouraged by. On Monday, Ballads leadership team will convene to determine the exact number of employees out of compliance, and will verify those employees are out of compliance and that they did not miss any documentation that may have been turned in and overlooked, Deaton said. Ballads governing board will then be tasked with taking final action. Health care providers not in compliance with the mandate by the deadline could face fines or be barred from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs, something Ballads CEO Alan Levine said previously would devastate the system. About 400 employees were out of work due to COVID-19 on Tuesday, a sizable number but well below the 834 the system reported having when it declared a staffing crisis and announced it would be requiring certain COVID-positive employees to return to work. Deaton said he didnt know the exact number of employees who have been asked to return to work with the virus, but said theyve mostly asked asymptomatic employees to return. If you feel bad enough that you need to stay home, were saying stay home, Deaton said, but if youre not symptomatic, and you can come back and help the other team members, then were bringing you back. FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND UPDATES, DOWNLOAD THE JOHNSON CITY PRESS APP Joplin, MO (64801) Today Thunderstorms, some strong early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 48F. SSW winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some strong early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 48F. SSW winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. About 15 km northwest of Butembo, in Butuhe region, you reach a crossroads that leads to Mwenye and Muhila. From Butembo, it takes about 30 minutes by motorbike, on a dirt road, to reach this place where the village of Kikere used to be. In the past, Kikere was home to local people employed at the Butuhe Tea Complex, the pride of the region. But Kikere no longer exists. The huts have given way to fields of eucalyptus and banana trees that grow in deathly silence. There is no one to tell us about the terrible day of November 9, 2000, when Kikere lost dozens of its inhabitants, killed by Ugandan soldiers sent to this region of North Kivu, in the far east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Today, the village of Kikere remains only in name. It has completely disappeared. Its inhabitants, traumatized by the killings committed by the Ugandan army, decided to leave one by one. Twenty years later, there are no houses, only fields, laments Tsongo Leon, who used to pass through the village as a young man. According to a UN report documenting more than 650 of the most serious crimes committed in the DRC between 1993 and 2003, the Ugandan army (UPDF) killed 36 people indiscriminately on the day of the attack on Kikere. The soldiers fired indiscriminately at civilians with rifles and rocket launchers. Some civilians were burned to death in their homes. The military also systematically killed domestic animals and destroyed civilians property, notes the Mapping Report from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which has never been followed up. Absolutely traumatized Tsongo Leon now heads the Graben Free Researchers Group (GCLG), a local association that investigates abuses and human rights violations. He recalls that the Kikere massacre was only one of many crimes committed by the Ugandan army during those five years. Here where I live [in Butembo], when the Mai-Mai militiamen came to attack the residence of Icoder, a UPDF commander, the Ugandan military came and killed innocent civilians. After the attack, we went to the site and saw more than 30 bodies of civilians killed by the Ugandan soldiers, he said. Richard Ndekeninge, a researcher at the law faculty of the Graben Catholic University (UCG), decided to create the Colibri association in Butembo to document Ugandan crimes in the DRC so as to seek justice and reparation. The association lists serious crimes committed by Ugandan forces in Butembo, Kyavinyonge, Kikere, Maboya Loya and Beni-ville in North Kivu, as well as in Bunia (Ituri) and Kisangani (Tshopo). Ndekeninge says the DRC referred to these cases when arguing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the highest UN court that adjudicates disputes between States. They illustrate a painful memory of the Ugandan presence that we experienced during our youth, he continues. Uganda behaved like an occupier coming to plunder and humiliate the Congo, committing killings, rapes, forced disappearances. I remember when we used to go looking for firewood in Kasesa, we were absolutely traumatized when we had to cross their camp in Rughenda it was total fear. They used to lock people in houses and set them on fire, they would shoot civilians. The aggressor turned saviour In 1997, a political-military coalition brought Laurent-Desire Kabila to power after a lightning advance from eastern DRC to the capital Kinshasa. Then Kabila fell out with his Ugandan and Rwandan allies and the war resumed. Since then, violence against the civilian population by multiple armed militias and forces or allies of neighbouring countries in eastern DRC has never ceased. As early as 1999, the DRC filed a case against Uganda before the ICJ to obtain compensation. It asked for $11 billion. On February 9, the Court ruled that Kampala should pay $325 million for its crimes in the Congo. Ugandas interventions in the DRC over the past 20 years have been complex. The aggressor of 1998-2003 has also come to the DRCs rescue on more than one occasion to help it fight new enemies. Threatened by the Ugandan rebellion of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in its north-eastern Dungu region, the DRC sought the support of the Ugandan army, which forced the LRA to retreat to the neighbouring Central African Republic. In the eyes of the people of Dungu, the Ugandan army is a saviour. At Kinshasas request, the Ugandan army still carries out strikes on Congolese soil against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebellion, which has been accused of committing atrocities against civilians since 2014. Last November, Ugandan troops were deployed to Beni, where they had committed crimes two decades earlier. A sign of DRC weakness Lawyer Achille Kapanga, who was mayor of Beni during the Ugandan occupation, admits that the recent intervention by DRCs powerful neighbour is different from before, but is still suspicious. In the early 2000s, it was an occupation of Congo by Uganda. Today, the operation has been authorized by the Congo. But with this ruling just days after the Ugandan and Congolese armies joined forces, I think Uganda wanted to redeem itself, make friends with the Congolese and lower the tension, with a view to swaying the judges decision. Dismas Kitenge, honorary vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and president of Groupe Lotus, which supports the victims of the six-day war in Kisangani clashes in June 2000 that left about 1,000 civilians dead and 3,000 wounded also regrets that his country called for Ugandan intervention. This cooperation [between the Congolese and Ugandan armies] is disappointing. Uganda should not come, because we have a dispute with it that is being judged. It is a sign of the DRC weakening and could indicate to the judges, who are men like us, that theres no point our demanding high reparations when the two countries are in agreement and pooling their efforts to control the armed groups. This ruling in the context of joint operations therefore brings discredit, he said. Of course, there is no indication that this DRC-Uganda collaboration against the ADF will affect the payment of reparations, says Richard Ndekeninge. But we also doubt that, in this context, the DRC will be able to put pressure on Uganda, which is investing in fighting the ADF that is killing Congolese. It will be up to parliamentarians and us human rights defenders to insist that Uganda pay reparations to the DRC within a reasonable timeframe. An extremely small amount While Ndekeninge fears that the DRC will fail to recover the money set by the ICJ, Kitenge says he is disappointed by the amount. It is a disappointment for the victims who have waited a long time for reparations and hoped that the DRC would receive damages proportionate to the damage caused by the Ugandan army. The amount awarded is extremely small. 325 million does not even represent a mining operation of the kind Uganda operated for five years in the DRC. Its also a disappointment with regard to the Congolese state. It has had 20 years to prepare its arguments to convince the international court, but it seems the DRC has not produced a consistent case. The Congo does not lack experts, but it has not taken this case seriously, even though missions have taken place to the sites of the crimes. And a third disappointment: there are $60 million for economic damage, $40 million for ecological damage and $225 million for human losses; the Courts expert was not even able to establish the number of people killed by the Ugandan army and its assessment does not correspond to the realities on the ground. I think there should be at least a billion dollars for the loss of human life. For the ecological damage, the destruction of the flora and fauna, I estimated that as a symbolic measure, it should also be one billion dollars. If you take the exploitation of natural resources gold, diamonds, all the minerals and timber that Uganda sold on the international market it was no less than three billion. So we could take half of what Congo asked for and reduce it to $5 billion. At least that would be understandable, rather than reducing it to $325 million. It is an affront to the Congolese victims, it is an affront to the Congo, which has not been able to get its claims properly heard. Civil society is weakened by this verdict. After 20 years of proceedings at the court in The Hague, the violence and crimes continue in eastern Congo. And Ugandan soldiers are back. We are told that it is not the same context. They say its not the same men, although its the same army. They are already here, I hope they will not behave the same way again, sighs Richard Ndekeninge. Twelve people were injured by falling debris on Thursday when the Saudi military blew up a Yemeni rebel drone targeting an airport close to the border, officials said. Fragments fell to the ground after the interception of the drone over Abha International Airport, which has previously been targeted in similar assaults by the Iran-backed insurgents. The Huthis claimed responsibility for the attack in a tweet, saying they had targeted an airport used for military action against Yemen and warning citizens to stay away from such sites. The Huthis, fighting a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, have frequently launched drone attacks at targets in the kingdom including airports and oil installations. In recent weeks, they have also launched deadly cross-border attacks for the first time against fellow coalition member the United Arab Emirates, after suffering a series of battlefield defeats at the hands of UAE-trained pro-government forces. Saudi defence forces destroyed a drone launched towards Abha International Airport, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. The SPA said 12 civilians were hurt when the unmanned aircraft was intercepted, including citizens of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, as well as two Saudis. In response, the Saudi-led coalition said it would strike positions from which the Huthis launch drones in Sanaa, the rebel-held capital of Yemen. We ask civilians in Sanaa to evacuate civilian sites used for military purposes for the next 72 hours, it said, quoted by SPA. War crime As a result of the interception process, some shrapnel of the drone was scattered after its interception inside the internal perimeter of the airport, coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki told SPA. He said Abha was a civilian airport that is protected under international humanitarian law and accused the rebels of a war crime. The White House said President Joe Biden reaffirmed in a phone call Wednesday with Saudi King Salman the US commitment to support Saudi Arabia in the defence of its people and territory from Huthi attacks. Abha lies in the kingdoms southwestern mountains and is popular, particularly during summer, with Saudis and expatriates desperate to escape the scorching heat. Border provinces of Saudi Arabia have come under frequent drone or missile attack by the rebels, in what the Huthis say is retaliation for a deadly bombing campaign carried out by coalition aircraft against rebel-held areas. Most have been safely intercepted by Saudi air defences, but in late December an attack on Jizan province on the Red Sea coast saw two people killed and seven wounded. In December, the coalition said the Huthis had fired more than 400 ballistic missiles and launched over 850 attack drones at Saudi Arabia in the past seven years, killing a total of 59 civilians. The UAE has also been on alert since a drone and missile attack killed three oil workers in Abu Dhabi on January 17. Authorities have since thwarted three similar attacks. The January 17 attack was the first deadly assault on the UAE claimed by the Huthis, opening a new phase in the Yemeni war and puncturing the Gulf states image as a regional safe haven. The UAE-trained Giants Brigades has this year inflicted heavy losses on the Huthis, disrupting their efforts to seize Marib city, the governments last major stronghold in the rebel-dominated north. Yemens civil war broke out in 2014 when the Huthis seized Sanaa, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year to prop up the internationally recognised government. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed directly or indirectly in the conflict, while millions have been displaced in what the UN calls the worlds biggest humanitarian crisis. On Thursday, the Norwegian Refugee Council said civilian deaths and injuries in the war have almost doubled since UN human rights monitors were controversially removed in October. The removal of this crucial human rights investigative body took us back to unchecked, horrific violations, NRCs Yemen country director Erin Hutchinson said. UN rights experts on Thursday urged Sweden to refuse a licence for a planned iron-ore mine, warning it posed irreversible risks to lands used by the indigenous Sami community. The United Nations top experts on the rights of indigenous people and on human rights and the environment cautioned that the open pit mine being planned in the northern Gallok region would especially impact reindeer herding the primary source of livelihood in the area. We are very concerned by the lack of good-faith consultations and the failure to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of the Sami, Jose Francisco Cali Tzay and David Boyd said in a statement. The two independent experts, who were appointed by the UN but who do not speak on its behalf, voiced alarm at the significant and irreversible risks that the Gallok project poses to Sami lands, resources, culture and livelihoods. The Swedish government is to decide next month whether to greenlight the controversial project, led by the British firm Beowulf. But the Sami, an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 of whom live in Sweden, say the plan will prevent reindeer herding, disrupt hunting and fishing, and destroy the environment in their homeland. Last weekend, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg demonstrated against the project alongside members of the Sami community. We believe that the climate, the environment, clean air, water, reindeer herding, indigenous rights and the future of humanity should be prioritised above the short-term profit of a company, Thunberg said in a video message. Watershed shift needed In Thursdays statement, Tzay and Boyd warned the mine would generate large amounts of dust containing heavy metals, and toxic waste that could affect the environment and water sources. They also highlighted how the daily transport of iron ore by rail and road would cut off the traditional migration routes of reindeer. There has been insufficient assessment and recognition of the environmental damage the mine will cause, the experts said, stressing that the Swedish government under international law had an obligation to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and the environment. The European Unions only indigenous population, an estimated 100,000 Sami live across the vast Arctic wilderness of northernmost Finland, Norway and Sweden as well as Russias Kola peninsula. For much of the 20th century, governments denounced the indigenous people and their culture as uncivilised and inferior. In the last five years, Finland, Norway and Sweden have stepped up moves to atone for past injustices, setting up truth and reconciliation commissions and repatriating stolen Sami artefacts. But the Sami argue that their rights continue to go unrecognised, pointing to government plans to open up parts of their mineral-rich homeland to mining companies, among other things. A decision not to approve the Gallok project can demonstrate a watershed shift from past injustices, Tzay and Boyd said. The International Criminal Court on Thursday rejected a compensation claim by former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbos right-hand man Charles Ble Goude, denying he was wrongfully prosecuted. Appeals judges at the Hague-based court acquitted Gbagbo and Ble Goude last year on crimes against humanity charges arising from post-election violence in the Ivory Coast in 2011. Goudes legal team afterwards said their client was subjected to a grave and manifest miscarriage of justice and filed for a compensation claim amounting to almost 820,000 euros ($935,000), according to court papers. But the world crimes courts judges disagreed. The Chamber finds that the prosecutions actions do not rise to the level of a wrongful prosecution, and no other form of a grave and manifest miscarriage of justice has been shown to have taken place, a three-judge bench said. The Chamber hereby rejects Mr Ble Goudes request for compensation, the judges said. Ble Goude and Gbagbos trials opened in early 2016 where they faced murder and rape charges committed by Gbagbos supporters during post-election violence in the west African nation in late 2010 and early 2011. Three years later the combined case against the men collapsed in one of the ICCs biggest failures since it was set up in 2002 as the worlds only permananent independent war crimes court. But at each stage of the proceedings a chamber had oversight over the process and the actions of the Prosecution were scrutinised, the ICC said in a statement. The fair trial rights of Mr Ble Goude were thus safeguarded during the criminal proceedings against, rather than impeded upon. Just because the prosecutions case failed, it did not mean that it was wrongful, irrespective of whether the accused spent time in detention, the judges said. The worlds largest cocoa producer was plunged into deadly violence after Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in the 2010 presidential elections. The ensuing conflict claimed more than 3,000 lives and more than 200,000 people fled the country. Gbagbo has since returned home from Europe and met with his erstwhile rival, President Alassane Ouattara. But Ble Goude is currently without a passport. The judges added they knew Ble Goudes current situation is undesirable and cannot continue indefinitely. They urged the ICCs Registry to do everything in its power to assist the Applicants swift return to Cote dIvoire. Lafayette, LA- There is always a debate in America. One debate that has been up for discussion since 2018 is the famous Mississippi case seeking to ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. NEWS15 spoke to residents about their views about seeing the law being reversed or staying the way it is. In 1973, the Roe vs. Wade law declared that women had the right to have an abortion nationwide. It seems the law could now be overturned soon, but residents have different reasons on why they are for or against what the outcome would be. May of 2021, the Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments from a Mississippi case in which the attempt is to ban abortion after 15 weeks. For Stephen Marcantel, women should not have to protest about their bodies. "I don't think the government should have to know what medical practices you undergo. I think it's a woman's right to do what she wants with her body." For Denise Guidry, the topic of abortion leaves her having mixed emotions. "I'm like on the fence line. I know others have their opinions. My thing is I don't believe in it." Ashanni Ross hopes the court continues to follow the law that has been in place for 50 years. Not understanding why many would want a woman to bring a child into the world if they cannot financially or mentally raise them. "There is not enough aid from the government that we are getting to help take care of children, helping raise our children, especially single household women. they cannot provide for children alone themselves," says Ross. Whether overturned or not, Marcantel sees a commotion once the decision comes down. "The right-wing, the conservative-minded people, they'll probably be in an uproar, but they've been in an uproar since Roe v. Wade had passed. If it gets overturned, they are going to be out in the streets saying. It's their choice to do be able to do what they want." A decision on the Mississippi case is not expected until June, but many are pushing for a decision to happen sooner. The ruling could change this country forever. If roe is reversed, a trigger ban will go into effect in Louisiana... making abortions illegal before people are aware they are pregnant. Subscribe to our podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you get podcasts. SBS TV's much awaited office romance comedy drama "A Business Proposal" starring Kim Sejeong and Ahn Hyo Seop announces the postponement of its filming and broadcast due to the undying threat of COVID-19. Kim Sejeong, Ahn Hyo Seop's 'A Business Proposal' Postpones Filming and Premiere "A Business Proposal" follows the unexpected meeting and romance between stern CEO Kang Tae Mu (Ahn Hyo Seop) and food researcher Shin Ha Ri (Kim Sejeong), who meet on a blind date not knowing that they see each other everyday at work. On February 10, SBS TV's forthcoming office romance series "A Business Proposal" announced that the filming and the premiere of the drama has been postponed due to the unceasing scare of COVID-19. A representative from the production unit said, "We decided to postpone the filming of the remaining scenes of the drama due to the threat of COVID 19." "We also made the decision to push the broadcast of "A Business Proposal" for a week to ensure a safer production environment," they added. The first broadcast date, which is scheduled on February 21, has been changed to February 28. The production unit asks for viewers' generous understanding regarding the matter. Moreover, "A Business Proposal" will now air on February 28 at 10:00 p.m. KST on SBS TV. It will also be available on Netflix for international streaming. 'A Business Proposal' Unveils New Hilarious Teaser To ease the fans' worries, the most anticipated romance drama "A Business Proposal" unveils its third hilarious teaser! The newly released teaser captures Kang Tae Mu and Shin Ha Ri's hilarious cat and dog chase. The teaser begins with Kang Tae Mu showing off his professionalism as a CEO of one of the leading companies in South Korea. He exudes charisma as he converses with other major stockholders of his company. On the other hand, Shin Ha Ri finds herself between rejecting and helping her best friend, Jin Young Seo (Seol In Ah), with her huge dilemma. Because Young Seo is in a loving relationship with her long-time boyfriend, she needs to find the best excuse to reject all the blind dates her family sets up for her. Now, instead of running away from it, she convinces her best friend to pose as her just for once. With Ha Ri's kind and understanding nature, she agrees to help her best friend as "Geum Hee." While waiting for her (Young Seo's) date, she examines the business card Young Seo gave her. Ha Ri panics after figuring out that it's the same business card as her boss'. Ha Ri and Young Seo run away from Tae Mu, switching dresses and auras as Ha Ri, the simple and regular food researcher and Geum Hee, the sophisticated heiress from a prestigious family. At the end of the teaser, Kang Tae Mu and Shin Ha Ri share an intimate and romantic moment in a yacht as the phrase "office romance" appears on the screen. Attention is focused on how Ahn Hyo Seop and Kim Sejeong's characters develop a deeper romantic understanding through their blind dates. KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. Song Seung Heon is returning to the small screen, joining Kim Woo Bin and Esom for the new Netflix Kdrama. After months of discussion, the South Korean star confirmed his appearance in the dystopian series titled "Black Knight." Song Seung Heon will be 'Black Knight's' Villain From his protagonist role on "Voice 4," Song Seung Heon will prove his diversity as an actor as he plays the Kdrama villain in "Black Knight." Based on the webtoon of the same name, the upcoming Netflix series will take place in the future, the year 2071, when the world is caught up in a big crisis and pollution becomes the number one problem. Due to the severe catastrophe, humans couldn't leave the house and if they did, they had to have respirators or gas masks. As a result, they heavily rely on parcels through delivery drivers, known as knights. Their job is to transport packages and protect people from thieves. According to reports, Song Seung Heon will portray the Chun Myung Group CEO's only son named Ryu Seok. Due to his father's status, he felt pressure to follow in his footsteps and was jealous of his achievements, resulting in cruelty. READ MORE: Upcoming Netflix Series with Esom and Kang Yoo Seok Meanwhile, Kim Woo Bin took on the role of the legendary delivery knight whom they call "5-8" and will be Song Seung Heon's top nemesis. Interestingly, this will be one of the Hallyu star's comeback Kdrama this 2022 after his four-year hiatus due to his illness. On the other hand, Esom will portray military intelligence major Seol Ah, who is connected with a refugee named refugee Sa Wol, played by Kang You Seok. Apart from them, Kim Eui Sung, who worked with Esom in "Taxi Driver," will also join the cast, but no confirmation regarding his role. "Black Knight" is helmed by "The World of Silence" and "Master" director Cho Ui Seok. Interestingly, this will also be a reunion project between the director and Song Seung Heon after 20 years. To recall, Cho Ui Seok's directorial debut was the mystery comedy movie "Make It Big," which stars the "Black Knight" villain with Kim Young Joon and Kwon Sang Woo. Following the announcement of an additional cast, the Netflix series has not confirmed the target release date. Song Seung Heon to Make a Comeback Movie The 45-year-old actor's last Kdrama was "Voice 4" with Lee Ha Na, where he reprised his role as Detective Derek Cho. Interestingly, fans would get to see the actor on the big screen with a new film. Aside from Netflix's "Black Knight," he is in talks to headline the mystery thriller movie "The Hidden Face." In November 2021, Song Seung Heon's agency, King Kong by Starship, confirmed that they received the offer and positively reviewed the role. Besides the actor, Jo Bo Ah is also courted to play the female lead. Her agency, KeyEast, shared the same stance and positively reviewed the offer. KDramastars owns this article. Written by Geca Wills CNN's Olga Voitovych and Tim Lister reported from Kyiv. Kevin Liptak, Lauren Kent, Uliana Pavlova, Joseph Ataman and Camille Knight reported from Washington, London, Moscow and Paris. OAKLAND, Calif. A Trump-era decision to abandon Endangered Species Act protections for the reintroduced gray wolf populations in several areas of the US has been overturned by a federal judge after conservation groups filed suit. Jeffrey S. White, judge for the US District Court in the Northern District of California, ordered the federal government on Thursday to vacate the 2020 delisting of gray wolves. The US Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies estimate there are 132 wolves in Washington state, 173 in Oregon, and less than 20 in California. Despite occasional wolf sightings, there are no wolf populations of note in the historical habitat range of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Thursday's decision covers these West Coast states but does not apply to the Northern Rockies, where gray wolf protections were removed by Congress in 2011. Wolves in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming can be hunted with relative impunity. A USFWS analysis that justified the nationwide delisting focused on wolf populations in the Great Lakes states, extrapolating those conclusions to the West. Judge White's ruling concluded that the agency, "with little explanation or analysis" concluded that other wolf populations "are not necessary to the recovery of the species." " ... the Services analysis relied on two core wolf populations to delist wolves nationally and failed to provide a reasonable interpretation of the 'significant portion of its range' standard," Judge White's ruling states. "These deficiencies in the Final Rule are serious and weigh in favor of vacatur. For these reasons, the Court does not find the NRAs argument for partial vacatur persuasive." The science is clear that gray wolves have not yet recovered in the western US. By design, the Endangered Species Act does not provide the federal government the discretion to forsake western wolf recovery in some regions due to progress in other parts of the country, said Kelly Nokes, attorney for the Western Environmental Law Center. Todays decision will bolster recovery of western wolves a keystone species wherever they exist and improve ecosystem health more broadly. Prior to the federal delisting in 2020, wolves on the western side of Oregon were protected from lethal countermeasures by the Endangered Species Act. On the eastern side of the state, wolves have been managed at the state level, allowing fish and wildlife officials to approve lethal wolf removal whenever they deem it necessary. Though prohibited under Oregon law, unsanctioned killings of wolves have become increasingly common on the eastern side of the state. OSP investigating after yet another protected wolf killed in eastern Oregon Troopers and wildlife officials found a collared wolf in Wallowa County that had been shot and killed. Over the past two winters, we lost icons of wolf recovery when OR-7 and his mate OR-94 passed away in southern Oregons Cascades," said Michael Dotson, member of the Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center. "These two wolves represent the first generation of wolves in western Oregon in nearly a century. Delisting is premature and obviously politically driven. He never saw himself as a leader, but Steven Chalmers Sr. has become both a leader and a role model. On Jan. 5, Chalmers assumed the role of commander of VWF Post 1865 Junker/Ball, becoming the first Black man to hold the office of commander in the posts 90-year history in Kenosha. The post is located at 6618 39th Ave. Mostly recently, Chalmers, 59, had been serving as senior vice commander under Bob Burns, who resigned as commander of VFW Post 1865 to take a job with the VA in Pennsylvania. Military service Born and raised in Chicago, Chalmers has been a Kenosha resident for the past 22 years. I joined the Marine Corps right out of high school and later served with the Army through the 1980s and 1990s, he said in a recent interview at the post hall. Chalmers overseas service included postings in the Persian Gulf, Beirut, Germany and the Mediterranean. Following his military service, Chalmers settled in Kenosha and worked in Chicago for the post office and police dispatch until his retirement in 2003. Community service In addition to offering service to the military, Chalmers serves the Kenosha community in many other ways. For four years, he volunteered in the teen center at the Boys & Girls Club and has helped with food drives with Strait Way Ministries. In 2016, Chalmers founded Veterans Together Charity Forever, Inc., a non-profit organization serving veterans, children and families throughout southeastern Wisconsin. The group organizes school book bag drives, free haircuts for veterans and for the past eight years has partnered with Toys for Tots. I partner with a lot of different people to get done what needs to be done, Chalmers said. Serving his fellow vets is inspired by need, Chalmers said. Veterans deserve more than I think they are receiving, he said. They are getting older, and somebody has to pick up the torch to continue. Getting goods to Kenosha-area veterans isnt easy. We have to deliver items to Veterans Outreach (of Wisconsin) in Racine or the (Midwest) Veterans Closet near the VA hospital in Illinois, Chalmers said. That problem could be remedied, he said, if Kenosha had a veterans assistance center. Kenosha doesnt have a place for vets, Chalmers said. I say that lightly, because thats a little tug at my heart. I feel that every city should have something for veterans. With a city as big as Kenosha and so close to a base in Illinois and reserve units in Milwaukee, you have a veteran community right here. Working with veterans on community projects is also good for the VFW, says Chalmers. We can show that the VFW is not just a bunch of old guys stuck in their ways, he said. Were out in the community giving back. Fellow vet and former VFW Post 1865 Commander Rob Roberts applauds Chalmers efforts. Hes a great guy through and through, with a heart as big as he is, Roberts said. He has a natural ability and natural charisma and is always willing to help. Role models and leadership Pitching in is a critical mission for Chalmers. Instead of just being in that line, be the one helping that line, he said. Chalmers also says he is glad to be a role model for others. You got to be that vessel to help keep the cause going, he said. As for being the first Black man to act as commander of the VFW post, Chalmers said, Its an honor, but I think its an honor for any person to assume the responsibilities of being a commander. Moreover for me, because Im a Black man, I want to show others that they can achieve this and that it is possible. They can get into community service, volunteering, and hang in there. Chalmers described leadership as a process. Sometimes were not born leaders, but to somebody watching us, we are leaders, he said. So weve got to do the best we can in those positions, because were creating the next generation. Asked what he hopes to accomplish as VFW commander, Chalmers said, Inclusion, more diversity and more veteran population totally. We need to bring in younger veterans to continue the work, not only for the VFW, but for other organizations. Chalmers plans to serve out the remainder of the term held by his predecessor, Burns, and is considering a run for commander when annual officer elections are held in June. Six months is not enough time to make your best impact, Chalmers said. You need a year. You need a full year to institute your changes, your policies. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A big thank you to Kenosha Area Business Alliance and Pete Wicklund, managing editor of the Kenosha News, for facilitating the Kenosha County Executive candidate forum on Feb. 2. It was an engaging discussion and one local leader said, Sometimes these forums dont show much difference between candidates. This one showed very distinct and sharp contrasts between candidates. I urge you to watch the replay of the discussion. You can find it by searching for Kenosha County Executive Forum on YouTube. As a community and county, we owe it to each other and future generations to pay very close attention to this important race. Commit to being as educated as you can and watching this discussion is a great start! Lets show up and vote on Feb. 15. Crystal Miller, Kenosha Clarify county ethics rules On its face, the ethics question about some county supervisors visits to Country Thunder and the value therein seems warranted to have in a regularly scheduled open meeting. But to then authorize a investigation and to spend over $7,000 to determine if a few $212 violations occurred shows that the rules that supervisors are to follow are not well written and easy to understand. For any supervisor to question the rules of taking up an offer such as this, that means the rules are unclear. If it takes a $7,000 lawyer to understand the rules, than the rules need to be re-written by and for those who need them. Otherwise all supervisors need to be lawyers. Chris Skrzynecki, Salem Ukraine, Russia and Biden As usual I enjoy Dr. Cyrs columns, including a recent one regarding Kremlin aggression in Ukraine. A couple of aspects did give me pause, though. By indicating that Ukraine is historically part of Russia, while true, it leans into Putins narrative. Ukraine, however, has been part of a lot of different entities, given its position, i.e., Roman, Mongol, Ottoman, Polish Lithuania and of course Russia among them. While only 30% of Ukrainians speak Russian as a first language, 70% speak Ukrainian, a language mutually intelligible with Polish. This group also remembers that millions of Ukrainians were starved by Stalin and do not lean towards Russia. My other comment is taking issue with what looked like a cheap shot on Biden, President Biden remains unsteady. Really, how? On the very same day as this column, Elizabeth Shackelford of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, ran hers stating, His administrations response so far might not feel particularly satisfying but it is honest, complex and appropriate. There are valid arguments for different U.S. responses to this crisis across a spectrum ranging from military to containment strategies and potentially tough consequences whichever way we go. We recall Chamberlains World War II appeasement and Bushs Iraq invasion as flawed in hindsight. The current crisis calls for measured response. What would make Biden unsteady in the crisis? No saber rattling? No troops to Ukraine? Coincidentally, Putins aggression may well solidify Ukrainian desire for continued independence and we are correct to support that in ways we can. Americans will not tolerate U.S. boots on the ground, even though 50% say they do now (up from 30% in 2014). Mark Johnson, Kenosha Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Ketchikan, AK (99901) Today Periods of rain. Becoming windy late. Low near 40F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch.. Tonight Periods of rain. Becoming windy late. Low near 40F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. News featured County: Four options to end pocket park pandemonium The bayfront strip of land at the end of Bay Harbor Drive in Key Largo may be slowly segueing from a complicated issue to a work-in-progress for residents looking to stem the flow into their neighborhood of visitors seeking water access. The Monroe County Commission has been actively mulling a long-term solution, most recently since June, to control the crowds that gather at the small pocket park that was a donated land easement for water access in perpetuity to the county. In June, commissioners closed the pocket park, then in September, reopened it with limited hours Tuesday through Thursday. The county also enforced no parking on the right-of-way to tamp down overuse of the Mike Forster Memorial Park, the neighboring small boat ramp about a block north. The county cannot abandon the easements to both the park and the ramps adjacent property owners due to an ordinance prohibiting such action. We are long passed July 1, 1973, when the Reverter Clause expired, County Attorney Bob Shillinger told commissioners during the monthly meeting held last month. People who have an interest in the park could probably get an injunction. Monroe County taxpayers have been paying for the upkeep of the parks. Shillinger, however, pitched four possible options with varying degrees of potential success: 1) privatize the park after re-platting it; 2) fully acquire ownership of the park for public access; 3) improve the right-of-way and 4) maintain the status quo. For the first option, the county would need to re-plat both the Bay Harbor and Sunset Village parks, which 100% of the neighborhood residents would have to support. Historically, that hasnt been the case. Thats a challenge. If we are able to come to 100% of the folks together and get the surveys done, and prepare the re-plat, dot all the is and cross all the ts, and theyve met all the statutory requirements and its consistent with the comprehensive plan and the land development code provisions on re-plats, then you have a real simple job. You have no discretion. You must approve the re-plat. The boards approval would be more of an administrative process, Shillinger said. We have noodled or played around with the idea of having the neighborhoods forming a nonprofit entity that consists of a board for the benefit of providing recreational use of the piece of property to folks in the community. This might solve everybodys issue, in terms of access for folks that dont live in the neighborhood and access for those who do live in the neighborhood. The re-plat would make it no longer a public road, no longer a public right-of-way, no longer a public facility that the county needs to maintain and theres no longer the right of the public to access it. This is what a handful of residents from both communities are vying for, according to Shillinger and land use attorney Ty Harris who represents them. I think the issue is complicated and a work-in-progress at this point, Harris said. It is a balance between the neighbors right to peace and enjoyment of their property and homes and the publics access to the water. The plat dedicated the property to the county, but the term park is not part of the dedication, which complicates this issue. The property is not set up to be a park and there is a public park a block away. The concept we are working through will allow the neighborhood to gain some control over the dedicated land through a not-for-profit with a board composed of county residents and the neighbors with the goal of being able to facilitate local public access to the property/water. As it stands now, there are many steps that still need to take place to make this happen. We continue to work with the county to try and find balance. The second option would be for the county to acquire full ownership to use it as a park that is open to public. The county could make an involuntary acquisition through eminent domain. If you do acquire ownership, it no longer has the restrictions of a right-of-way. You could improve it, you could manage it, but it has to be open to the public. The members of the traveling public would have the right to use it, Shillinger said. This option would allow the county to manage capacity and collect fees. The third option is to improve the right-of-way. Put down pavement or put down gravel for parking that would shrink the grass or the open space as a right-of-way space. Is the added parking or the reduced amount of green space going to reduce the attractiveness of it or is it going to make it worse? Shillinger said. Assistant County Administrator Kevin Wilson said there may be room for up to 10 parking spaces that run the length of the strip. The area is about 60 feet wide by about 200 feet long and parking would require enough room so vehicles can back up and drive out of the parking area rather than backing out onto the road. Metered parking is possible as well, he said. The fourth option Shillinger proffered is to maintain the status quo. County officials reported hearing from a number of residents that theyre pleased with the action taken so far. Its way better than the pure pandemonium it was, Wilson said. Contention over the Bay Harbor strip of land has resurfaced periodically for the last 20 years and some commissioners want to resolve the matter once and for all. I feel like option 1, although its a heavy lift, is intriguing to me, Commissioner Holly Raschein said. It will have some finality to it.. She asked if its possible the homeowners associations to maintain accessibility for all residents. Id like to see them try. I mean the onus is on them and we can make some improvements in the meantime, she said. County staff will continue to maintain the status quo while the neighborhood associations consider re-platting the easements. An update will be provided at the March meeting to be held in Key Largo. tjava@keysnews.com In the last year we've lost thousands of family members, friends and co-workers to COVID-19. We'd like to give you a chance to honor their memory. Share a Memory Looking to update your home? Watch the KHQ Spring Home Design Guide featuring the areas top home improvement businesses on Sat, May 7 at 4:30pm on KHQ. And click here to win a $500 VISA gift card, courtesy of our presenting partner - VPC Electric! Bruiser Theatre Company is proud to present a live theatre tour of their critically-acclaimed production of Mojo Mickybo by Belfast playwright, Owen McCafferty. Mojo Mickybo shows the friendship between two boys growing up in Belfast a friendship that at first is immune to the sectarian violence taking place around them, but which nonetheless is ultimately destroyed by it. Belfast. The summer of 1970. The heats meltin the tarmac on the street, the buses are burning bright and punters are drinking petrol outta milk bottles. Mojo and his mate Mickybo are two nine-year-old boys from opposing sides of the sectarian divide. They are thick as two small thieves, playing headers, being mouthy, building huts, spitting from cinema balconies and re-enacting their favourite movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. They are young cowboys in the making, with the violence of The Troubles only obliquely impacting on them until finally their friendship is destroyed in a way that they only later come to understand. This is pure, undiluted storytelling in Bruisers trademark dynamic physical style. Fast-paced, darkly funny and action-packed. The show is brought to life by two of our finest local actors, Michael Condron and Terence Keeley, who seamlessly slip in and out of multiple roles and imaginary worlds. Mojo Mickybo unsentimentally portrays a kind of innocence betrayed by communal hatred, showing the harsh absurdity of sectarianism. Our young heroes, Mojo and Mickybo, represent the division of a benighted country that has spent a century at war with itself. Bruiser Theatre Company are renowned for their fast-paced, energetic, and engaging performances. Under the meticulous direction of Lisa May, Mojo Mickybo is ready for a live audience following its successful online run while theatres remained closed. Bruiser Theatre Company is delighted to be returning to live theatre, and proud to present this showcase of both Northern Irelands talent and complex history as our first piece of live theatre back after the easing of restrictions Artistic Director, Lisa May said: We at Bruiser are very excited to be producing Mojo Mickybo. It flies at breakneck speed, is witty, darkly funny and searingly honest; perfect to explore in Bruisers bold physical style. To me, it feels like Owen McCaffertys love letter to Belfast, warts and all, and shows how sectarian anger is so deeply buried into the psyche of those who have grown up during the troubles; it is passed on to generation after generation. Nostalgic yet damning, hilarious yet heartbreaking; Mojo Mickybo is sadly all too relevant for todays audience, not just in Northern Ireland but around the world. Mojo Mickybo is supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Fund. Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Acting Head of Drama, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said that the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support Bruiser Theatre Company thanks to The National Lottery players. This latest production tells a powerful story and demonstrates the value of the arts in shining a light on and opening discussion around difficult subjects, boasting Bruisers trademark physical and dynamic performance style. Owen McCafferty is one of NIs most accomplished playwrights whos work really makes the people, language, stories and experiences of this place burst to life and sing on stage and I would encourage everyone to get online and enjoy this terrific production. Mojo Mickybo will be performed at The Watergate at 8pm on March 16. Jasper, TX (75951) Today Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Occasional rain. Low 41F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Occasional rain. Low 41F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Two Easy Ways To Subscribe! The Kodiak Daily Mirror offers full-service, five-day a week subscriptions with home delivery in addition to unlimited access to our online services (including our e-Edition). Online-access-only subscriptions include unlimited access to the Mirror's online services without delivery of the printed newspaper. (Note: New users: You must register and login before purchasing a subscription. Kokomo, IN (46901) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 54F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 54F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. COLUMBIA - Attorney General Eric Schmitt and his office have dropped its request for a temporary restraining order against Columbia Public Schools and its mask mandate. A hearing was held Thursday afternoon in Boone County Circuit Court. The state said it will no longer proceed with the requested temporary restraining order because CPS dropped its mask mandate Thursday morning. Instead, a lawyer representing Schmitt, James Atkins, said the state will seek an injunction so CPS cannot reissue a mask mandate. Judge Josh Devine said he will give both parties until Feb. 24 to meet and agree on a full-trial schedule between each other. CPS said it will return to a "masks recommended" status on Friday, Feb. 11. The announcement came just three hours before the district was set to appear in court. Soon after, Schmitt tweeted that the lifting was a "huge win for students and parents in Columbia." BREAKING NEWS: Mere hours away from an important court hearing in the lawsuit we filed against Columbia Public Schools, their mask mandate has been repealed. This is a huge win for students and parents in Columbia! https://t.co/rB8Nkzq2bA Attorney General Eric Schmitt (@AGEricSchmitt) February 10, 2022 Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. In a district wide email Thursday, Superintendent Brian Yearwood said current sewershed reports show a continued decline of COVID-19 cases in the community. "Staffing and substitute fill rates indicate significant improvement this week. Student attendance has also dramatically improved," Yearwood said. Schmitt filed the lawsuit against CPS and multiple other school districts on Jan. 21, arguing school districts do not have the authority to impose public health orders. The Columbia Board of Education approved a temporary mask mandate through Feb. 4 at a work session last month. Yearwood extended that mandate through Feb. 11. Yearwood said the district extended the mask mandate to "better determine the impact of the current downward trend" once all students and employees had returned to buildings after its snow days. Masks will still be required on school buses under federal order. President Moon Jae-in / Yonhap President Moon Jae-in said Thursday he is willing to hold an inter-Korean summit without prerequisites in whatever format North Korea wants amid concern Pyongyang could end its self-imposed moratorium on long-range missile tests. Moon made the remark in a joint written interview with Yonhap News Agency and seven other global news wire services, warning that the Korean Peninsula may return to the "touch-and-go crisis" of five years ago if the North goes ahead with its veiled threat to scrap the moratorium on missile and nuclear weapons tests. "As long as there is willingness to engage in dialogue, whether the summit will be held face-to-face or virtual does not matter. Whatever method North Korea wants will be acceptable," Moon said in the interview with Yonhap, AFP, AP, EFE, Kyodo, Reuters, Tass and Xinhua. "Also, it is not desirable to place prerequisites for dialogue. I believe that it would be beneficial to even discuss such prerequisites at the negotiating table," he said. Moon added, however, that there is not much time left before his term ends in May and that the "the timing of the incoming presidential election and its result may make it inappropriate to hold an inter-Korean summit." In January alone, North Korea conducted seven missile tests including two of what it claims to be a hypersonic missile, and an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). The IRMB launch marked the North's longest-range missile test since the test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in November 2017. That sparked worries that Pyongyang was close to ditching the moratorium on ICBM launches and nuclear weapons tests that the regime declared in 2018 as part of a charm offensive that led to a series of inter-Korean summits and the first-ever summit between North Korea and the United States. "If North Korea's series of missile launches goes as far as scrapping a moratorium on long-range missile tests, the Korean Peninsula may instantly fall back into the state of crisis we faced five years ago," Moon said. President Moon Jae-in / Yonhap President Moon Jae-in said Thursday that South Korea and the United States have agreed on the wording of a declaration formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War, although North Korea has shown few signs of returning to negotiations. In a joint written interview with Yonhap News Agency and seven other global newswires, Moon said, however, it would be "too physically demanding" for the declaration to be reached by the end of his term in May. "An end-of-war declaration is useful since it signifies a process to promote mutual trust and a move toward denuclearization and the institutionalization of peace on the Korean Peninsula while putting an end to hostile relations," Moon said in the interview with Yonhap, AFP, AP, EFE, Kyodo, Reuters, Tass and Xinhua. "In addition, the Republic of Korea and the United States have now concurred on the wording of an end-of-war declaration to be presented to North Korea. Even China supports this declaration," Moon said, referring to South Korea by its official name. However, Moon said it would be difficult to adopt the declaration during his term. By Donald Kirk We're so obsessed with Russian forces amassed against Ukraine, with terrorism in the Middle East, with North Korea's nukes and missiles, that we risk placing China's threats against Taiwan somewhere down the list of all the crises around the world.Every day we hear reports of China exploiting cyberspace, stealing secrets and spying on people, of Chinese expansionism around its borders, in the South China Sea, down and across Central Asia. Chinese companies are accused of stealing secrets, and Chinese interests wring money and loyalty on all continents. Then, at home, the ruling Communist Party imposes drastic restraints over the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, forcing the Uyghur populace into concentration camps, beating and sometimes killing them.The island province of Taiwan, though, is another story. We've so often heard Chinese claims, Chinese vows, Chinese intimidation that we're tempted to shrug off the rhetoric and doubt whether China has any real intention to load soldiers onto ships and send them 100 miles across the Taiwan or Formosa Straits, land them under fire and take over the island. A detailed report issued in December by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission suggests, however, we should start taking these threats more seriously.Today, says the report, the People's Liberation Army "either has or is close to achieving an initial capability to invade Taiwan." That's the result, the report goes on, "of years of campaign planning and advancements" in which China has "demonstrated significant improvement in its shipbuilding capacity to bolster amphibious and civilian sealift."In other words, China either has or is getting the kind of armada needed to carry men and arms, including tanks and artillery pieces, across the straits in the face of attack from air and naval forces. No longer, the report implies, will the Chinese necessarily hold off if President Joe Biden sends in aircraft battle groups as former President Bill Clinton did in late 1995 and again in March 1996 after the Chinese had fired missiles in an act of intimidation before Taiwan's presidential election that year.The PLA will go on developing capabilities "to enhance Chinese leaders' confidence that it can successfully execute an invasion campaign," warns the U.S.-China Commission report. For sure, it says, "Chinese leaders remain deeply concerned about the uncertain success of an attempted invasion as well as its risks and consequences," but the implication is that sooner or later they'll take their chances.Having been in Taiwan as the Straits Crisis of 1996 was unfolding, I recall the sense of elation on the faces of people when the Chinese pulled back after Premier Li Peng had declared, "If someone makes a show of force in the Taiwan Strait, that will not only be a futile act, but it also will make the situation all the more complicated."These days the Chinese are coming closer to making good on the big talk as Chinese warplanes traverse Taiwan's air defense identification zone. That's not the same as flying into Taiwan air space but a portent of worse to come.China, of course, has reason to hesitate as it has, ever since the Nationalist Chinese under Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan as Mao Zedong's Red Army was driving them off the mainland in 1949."Failed attempts by the PLA to invade Taiwan or to counter U.S. intervention," the U.S.-China Commission acknowledged, could undermine "the legitimacy" of the Chinese Communist Party over which Xi Jinping holds undisputed control."The PLA still suffers from significant weaknesses in joint operations and personnel quality," says the commission, "contributing to uncertainty among China's top leaders." Taiwan's own forces, under President Tsai Ing-wen, would be no match for a full-scale invasion, but she's increased the defense budget while Taiwan factories manufacture their own arms and ammunition in addition to all the weaponry Taiwan imports from the U.S.Shielded by U.S. air and naval power, Taiwan could hold off long enough to inflict severe casualties in a showdown in which the Japanese might well join in Taiwan's defense despite Article 9 of Japan's post-war constitution banning Japanese forces from waging war on foreign lands. Nor would Korea, bound in alliance with the U.S., necessarily remain neutral while worrying about whatever the North Koreans might do to support their Chinese benefactors.An invasion of Taiwan won't happen right away, but China's dream of overwhelming this runaway province is coming closer to reality. The report of the U.S.-China Commission is a warning as we contemplate the horrors of a war in which millions would die.Donald Kirk ( www.donaldkirk.com ) writes from Seoul as well as Washington. Moon Jae-in speaks during a luncheon with a group of young people preparing for self-reliance at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. Yonhap Turning deaf ear to Moon's demand for apology, Yoon responds he and Moon are on the same page about corruption investigations By Nam Hyun-woo President Moon Jae-in expressed strong resentment toward main opposition People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol Thursday, who said he would be willing to "investigate if the Moon government was involved in any corruption scandals," should he be elected. So far, the President has tried to refrain from commenting on the March 9 presidential election, but he broke his silence, demanding an apology from Yoon, once his hand-picked prosecutor-general, saying the candidate has groundlessly accused the administration of unspecified crimes. Senior presidential secretary for public communication Park Soo-hyun speaks during a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. Yonhap "Yoon should answer what he meant with his remarks about the probe. Does he mean there were any wrongdoings committed by the Moon administration but he turned a blind eye to them while serving as chief prosecutor of Seoul District Prosecutors' Office or as prosecutor-general? Or does he mean that he would take action as if there were such illicit activities during the administration? He should answer these questions," Moon was quoted by Park Soo-hyun, senior presidential secretary for public communication, as saying during a meeting with aides. "What he said earlier infuriated me and thus I demand an apology from him because he painted us as a faction subject to a corruption investigation." Yoon said in an interview with JoongAng Ilbo newspaper on Wednesday that he would investigate the Moon government to see if there's anything to clean up from its deep-rooted wrongdoings. "If the current administration's investigation into the previous one was lawful, they are not supposed to say that the next government's possible probe into them, in case there's anything illegal, is political retaliation," Yoon said. "People who committed irregularities in the Moon government should be punished in accordance with the law because there's a system in place." Yoon was appointed as prosecutor general by Moon in 2019 and he remained in office until March last year. However, after clashing with the Moon administration over the investigation of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, who was also a close aide of Moon, Yoon turned his back on them and quit. He was later chosen as the presidential candidate of the main opposition party and became an outspoken critic of the Moon government. People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol listens to questions during a policy debate at Korea Institute of Science and Technology Center in Gangnam District, Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea, visits the Korea Coast Guard's West Sea Special Security Unit in Incheon's Jung District, in this Dec. 30, 2021, photo. Korea Times file Presidential election is not for electing military commander: Minor progressive Justice Party leader By Jung Da-min Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has drawn concern and derision from opposition parties for his recent remarks that if elected, he would instruct the military to fire upon and destroy illegal Chinese fishing boats, which have become a headache for South Korean fishermen in the West Sea. The opposition parties and their presidential candidates have criticized Lee for causing unnecessary diplomatic tensions with his inappropriate messages. They alleged that Lee is trying to use the Korean public's anti-China sentiment that erupted after two South Korean short track speedskaters were disqualified in an event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics which many Koreans claim was an unfair move by China. In an interview with local newspaper Segye Ilbo, Tuesday, Lee said that Korea needs to crack down strictly on the illegal activities of North Korean or Chinese fishing boats in the East Sea and West Sea of South Korea, respectively. When asked about how he would deal with diplomatic issues related to China, Lee said that he would issue stern messages if needed. The ruling party candidate said, "We need to sink such illegal fishing boats from North Korea or China as they are trespassing into territorial waters. Would we tolerate it if similar illegal activities by Somalian boats occurred? We need to deal with the matter with equal criteria." Lee's hardline stance on illegal Chinese fishing boats is not entirely new, as he made similar remarks, though more indirectly, in late December when he visited the Korea Coast Guard's West Sea Special Security Unit in Incheon's Jung District. At the time, Lee mentioned Indonesia's crackdowns on illegal fishing boasts, including cases of capturing and sinking, to argue that South Korea should also take stern measures on the matter of Chinese boats. Lee directly addressing the need to sink illegal fishing boats during the Segye Ilbo interview is widely seen as an attempt to appeal to voters, as anti-China sentiment among South Koreans has been rising, following controversies over biased judging during the Winter Games. The main opposition conservative People Power Party (PPP) has criticized Lee for pursuing a "populist" campaign strategy that takes advantage of the anti-China sentiment, saying that Lee suddenly changed his "China-friendly" diplomatic stance to take advantage of public sentiment. "So far, Lee has criticized (PPP) candidate Yoon Suk-yeol's security policy promise to deploy additional U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems, accusing Yoon of causing tensions that could bring about China's economic retaliation," the PPP's election committee spokesman, Jang Young-il, said in a commentary, Wednesday. Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of main opposition conservative People Power Party, speaks during his visit to Ganghwa Peace Observatory in Ganghwa County, Incheon, Feb. 1. Courtesy of the People Power Party election committee Angola, IN (46703) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Angola, IN (46703) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 48F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 48F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Indiana school districts that successfully persuade voters to pay higher property taxes to support their local schools soon may be required to share referendum revenue with nearby charter schools. House Bill 1072 would mandate a portion of the money generated through every school district referendum adopted after July 1 be provided to area charter schools in proportion to the number of students living in the school district who attend each charter school. Under the plan, the total amount of money to be raised by the referendum through higher property taxes would be increased above what's being sought by the school district to provide the extra money to charter schools. Charter schools receiving referendum funds would be under no obligation to spend the money in the same manner as the local school district, such as for teacher pay raises or school safety improvements, and only would have to disclose afterward on their websites how the money was spent, according to the legislation. State Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, the sponsor, said the measure is about "fairness and parity" between public school districts and charter schools, which he said in his area are struggling to keep up with the referendum-funded teacher pay rates offered by Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). "The charter schools feel as if they have been left in a situation where they do not have the opportunity to pay the same salaries that IPS is going to have, as an example, because they don't have the additional resources that IPS has been able to garner with the referendum," Behning said. "Yet, the parents of the (charter) students are paying those property taxes." Behning suggested mandatory sharing of school referendum proceeds, instead of just the optional sharing available under current state law, could result in more successful referendums because parents of charter school students would be more likely to support a referendum ballot question if they know a portion of the temporary property tax increase is directly funding their children's education. "It has no negative impact to the traditional public school. It only creates fairness to those kids in the charter school," Behning said. The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimates that if the proposal were in effect in 2021 it would have diverted to charter schools $26.6 million of the $402.8 million generated by 67 school referendum levies in effect across the state. The bulk of that money would go to charter schools in Indianapolis and Gary, where approximately half the students living in each school district attend charter schools instead of their local public schools. State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, said he worries if this plan becomes law charter schools will be under no obligation to support a referendum effort, but will be able to cash in on the work of public school parents, employees, and supporters simply seeking to maintain school district operations a struggle often caused by charter schools draining away students and state funding. "Our school corporation went through three efforts to get a referendum passed and our last one was successful because we generated a whole lot of community support," Smith said. "The charter school can just sit back and be the recipient." State Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, labeled the plan "revenue sharing of the worst sort" because charter schools are not accountable to property taxpayers for the money they spend in the same way as traditional school corporations. "The property taxpayer will be compelled, if they want to help the traditional public schools, to give part of their property tax money to a school they do not control, that they cannot vote for, that they have no role with. It is, as to them, a stranger. I don't think forcing schools to give money to strangers is 'fair.' "We don't control their salaries. Nor do our voters. Nor do our property taxpayers. They could give all their money to their administrators. They could pay high rent to related parties. ... They make those decisions without our help. Now they want to make those decisions without our help but with our money." If the proposal becomes law it would not immediately apply to the Valparaiso Community Schools referendum on the May 3 election ballot. However, any new school referendums approved at future elections, and any renewals of expiring referendum levies, would be subject to revenue sharing with charter schools. The plan was approved 52-39 by the Republican-controlled House, with House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, exercising his rarely used right to vote to ensure the measure received the minimum 51 votes needed to advance it to the Republican-controlled Senate, where it's awaiting action by the Appropriations Committee. Northwest Indiana lawmakers voting yes were state Reps. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron; Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point; Hal Slager, R-Schererville; and Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso. It was opposed by state Reps. Mike Andrade, D-Munster; Pat Boy, D-Michigan City; Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago; Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary; Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond; Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie; and Vernon Smith, D-Gary. State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, was absent Jan. 27 and excused from voting. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low 49F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low 49F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. It costs this whopping amount to have BLACKPINK's Lisa or Jennie sign an endorsement contract and promote a brand! Keep on reading to know more. BLACKPINK Lisa and Jennie's Endorsement Fees Costs a Whopping Amount BLACKPINK has taken over the world like a storm, and since then, has become one of the biggest and most in-demand girl groups of this generation. Besides seeing success on each of their music releases, BLACKPINK is also snagging global endorsement deals left and right. And with their immense popularity around the world, it's not a surprise that their endorsement fees will be sky-high! In order to sign an endorsement deal with Lisa, who is BLACKPINK's Thai member, her fees vary from the type of event or promotions asked of her. According to reports, having Lisa attend an event for two hours costs around $152,700 USD. For her to appear in a TV series, it would require at least $305,000 USD, while a movie appearance would also cost around $150,000 USD. However, when it comes to Lisa endorsing an entire brand, her fees go up to $611,000 USD. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: BLACKPINK Lisa Makes New Solo Record - Here's What the Thai Rapper Achieved Despite the high costs to recruit the Thai K-Pop idol, many brands aren't afraid to spend a whopping amount to get Lisa on board. In fact, Lisa's appearance on the Chinese version of "Produce 101" called "You With You" as a mentor had earned her hundreds of thousands of dollars. When it comes to Jennie, she also earns a staggering amount from endorsement fees alone. Jennie's endorsement contracts are reportedly between the $500,000 USD to $800,000 USD range, according to ACE Bed Korea. Despite Jennie's high endorsement fees, brands see a benefit in their sales when they have Jennie as their main advertising model for a product. ACE Bed Korea reportedly saw a significant increase in their profits after signing on Jennie. When it comes to being a brand ambassador, Jennie earns at least $60,000 USD per year. Back in 2020, Youtube channel KOOKIELIT analyzed that the BLACKPINK member can earn up to $8 million USD per year for being an ambassador. BLACKPINK Lisa and Jennie are the Richest Members of the Group With both Lisa and Jennie's high fees, it's also not a surprise that they are both the two richest members of BLACKPINK. Lisa was even included in the top 30 richest K-Pop idols back in 2021 with a fortune of around $15 million USD, along with Jennie whose fortune is around $10 million USD. It is expected that Lisa and Jennie, along with Rose and Jisoo's fortunes will grow this year, especially with the number of brands hoping to have them be endorsed by the girl group. More so as Jisoo is expected to make her solo debut soon. For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Robyn Joan MISSOULA, Mont. - After tragically losing her sister in a car accident in September, one West Riverside woman, Bry Froehlich, is using her grief and musical talent as motivation to help others. Bry Froehlich's sister, Jasmine, was a mom to three kids and two of them go to Potomac School. Froehlich said Jasmine and her family had recently moved to Potomac when her life was cut short. "It went from being a really, really wonderful time in her life to her life ended," Froehlich said. The tragedy came out of nowhere, leaving a huge hole in the family. "I needed something to ground me, and I needed something that I could have faith in myself through that would benefit my nephews and my niece when she goes to school," Froehlich said. She used her grief as motivation and started raising money through online donations, as well as donations from local businesses, and she also got some help from local bands, including her own. "My band New Old Future and another local band The Petty Foggers had a big show at Monk's [Bar] where we had a raffle and the grand prize was a Peavey guitar that I donated," she said. With help from the community, they were able to raise over $1,800 to buy 10 guitars and 15 ukuleles to donate to the school. Potomac School Teacher, Sarah Schmill, said no one on staff knows how to play string instruments, so she's excited for Froehlich to help out. "Having an expert come out will definitely be interesting and just another thing for our students to learn and be exposed to," Schmill said. "They may have never thought about playing the guitar or the ukulele and this opportunity has presented itself and we are going to grab on and have a great time with it," she said. Despite the overwhelming grief, Froehlich said the whole process has been a healing experience. "It's really been a thing that's helped me to feel like I'm capable again, and that I can try to make something beautiful about this terrible, terrible thing in my life," Froehlich added. She added that Jasmine was very active in her children's schooling and knows her sister would be proud. She'll teach the kids how to play the instruments weekly starting March 28. WHITEHALL, Mont. - A man driving a semi-truck died after crashing into a median on I-90 near Whitehall Wednesday night, the Montana Highway Patrol said. MHP said in their fatality report the man was making a right-hand turn at mile-marker 260, but was going to fast, overcorrected, tipped over and crashed into the concrete median barrier. The man was a 63-year-old from Rhode Island. (The Center Square) Nearly 12% of police officers were assaulted while on duty in 2020, according to annual state level data collected by the FBI. Alaska reported the greatest percentage, California the greatest number. A total of 60,105 officers were assaulted nationwide, with the overwhelming majority assaulted, and injured, by assailants hands and feet. Nationwide, 26% of assaults in 2020 involved a deadly weapon that wasnt a firearm; 5% involved a firearm. California and Texas had the greatest number of officers shot in 2020: 379 and 300, respectively less than half of one percent of their entire force. The report was based on the most recently available data from 2020 on 505,212 officers, or 72.5% of all police officers nationwide. Not every law enforcement agency reported assault data to the FBI; nine states with limited statistical data were excluded from the report. The two largest states, Alaska (by area) and California (by population) reported the greatest percentage and number of assaults, respectively. Nearly two-thirds of Alaskas officers, 813 out of 1,259, 64.6%, were assaulted, according to the data. While California reported a far lower percentage of its officers being assaulted 16.2% compared to Alaskas far more California officers were assaulted, 11,599 out of a total force of 71,668. After Alaska, the greatest percentage of officers assaulted were in Montana, 34.2%, South Dakota, 32.9%, the District of Columbia, 28.2%, and Arizona, 27.5%. West Virginia is the only state that reported zero percent. Michigan had the next lowest percentage of 0.8%, followed by Ohio (3.2%), New Jersey (4.2%), Louisiana (4.8%) and Arkansas (7.1%). If you break the assaults down by region, the West had the highest rate in the country at 18%, Christian Worstell, author of a new HelpAdvisor study that analyzed the FBI data, said. However, the states with the largest populations, California, Texas and Florida, which have the most police officers, also reported the greatest number assaulted. Florida had the second-greatest number of law enforcement officers assaulted while on the job of 5,711. Of a total force of 41,898 in 2020, those assaulted account for 13.6% of total officers. Texas had the third-greatest number 5,359 out of 50,845, or 10.5%. Assault data pertains to weapons used by offenders that could have caused injury or death of an officer. The majority of officers were assaulted by assailants hands or feet, 73.9%, meaning they were likely hit, punched or kicked. Roughly one-quarter of these assaults resulted in injury. The next greatest percentage, 19.6%, were assaulted with a dangerous weapon that wasnt a firearm. About 4.6% were assaulted with a firearm; and about 2% with a knife or other cutting instrument. Officers assigned to one-deputy patrol vehicles are at the greatest risk of an assault, HelpAdvisor notes. Nearly two-thirds of those assaulted, 63.4%, were assigned to a one-deputy patrol car at the time of their assault. The next greatest percentage of those injured while assaulted, 16.8%, were assigned to other duties, followed by those assigned to a two-deputy patrol vehicle, 16.2%, and those performing detective duties or special assignments, 3.6%. The majority of officers assaulted werent injured, but 31% were. Among them, 25.8% were injured by assailants hands and feet; 16.8% by a dangerous weapon other than a firearm, 9.7% by a knife or cutting instrument, and 6.1% by a firearm. The FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting Program collects data monthly about assaults on duly sworn federal, state, local, tribal, university and college, and county law enforcement officers. Information is submitted by respective agencies through their state programs or directly to the FBI. The 2020 data was provided by 9,895 law enforcement agencies whose officers serve more than 235.5 million people, or 71.5% of the population. New York will end its mask-or-vaccine mandate for indoor businesses on Thursday Have a news tip or would like to report a typo? Email Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@kvoa.com. TOWN OF WALWORTH The Abbeys proposal to establish a hospitality training academy at the retreat center behind Inspiration Ministries has met resistance from the Plan Commission in the Town of Walworth, where the property is located. But its not dead yet. The town board will have the ultimate say. The Abbeys proposal is to buy the retreat center behind Inspiration Ministries and create a training academy where students would also be able to live. But many in the town have expressed concerns about how exactly it would work. In a meeting that went for over two hours, the Walworth Plan Commission on Monday, Feb. 7 did not endorse the plan. The Plan Commission voted 2-2 on the request for a conditional use permit for its plan, with Jeff Austin and Steve Santeler voting yes and Rick Schoenbeck and Marie Baker, who is also the town clerk, voting no. Paul Peterson was not present. But the Walworth Town Board will ultimately have a say at its next meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16. That meeting is at 7 p.m. at the town hall, W6741 Brick Church Road, Walworth. At one point the discussion got quite heated, with one member of the audience having to be escorted out by a Walworth County Sheriffs deputy after refusing to sit down and listen during a portion of the meeting after the public comment period. One of the issues that came up repeatedly was concerns that the hospitality center was being established so that the more people could come over from other countries to work under the federal J-1 visa program. One resident said, We cannot keep our borders straight. How are we going to keep them straight? Who is going to police that? Cary Kerger, managing member of Abbey Provident Venture, said, The objective is to not make it a J-1 housing program. To show how serious he was, he said, Ill put my hand on the Bible. He said the Abbey didnt go to Gateway Technical College and start a partnership, just to create a J-1 program. The Abbey does have people come over from other countries under J-1 visas and there likely will be students training at the hospitality center who have J-1 visas, Kerger said. But he stressed, This is not a J-1 program. In talking in support of the program, Derek DAvria, the executive director of the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA), said, One of the things that keeps me up at night is population projections for southeast Wisconsin in the working age group for 18 to 54 for the next 20 years. Its basically flat, maybe even minus and so we need to do things like this that are creative, innovative to get more people into the area to keep this industry, not growing even, but just to sustain it. Currently the Abbey already has a relationship with Inspiration Ministries and last summer some workers stayed at the Inspiration Retreat Center cabins while they were working at the Abbey. Weve had no issues. They did everything they said they were going to do, said Erik Barber, president of Inspiration Ministries. When business failed to pick up at the retreat center following the pandemic, the board for Inspiration Ministries asked Barber to look into options for the property. They put out a request for proposals and received back about a dozen. Barber said the Inspiration Ministries Board believes the option of selling the retreat center to the Abbey is the best option. No. 1 we already had a seamless relationship with them and we learned we could trust them, Barber said. The project they were proposing was harmonious with our mission and values Its good for the community. Its good for industry. Its good for the workforce. There is a labor workforce crisis in our area this provides an opportunity for training. Our residents would also be able to take part in this training program, which is really exciting, Barber said. According to the conditional use permit application, the program is geared towards graduating high school students and hospitality workers who are looking to advance in their careers. In addition to hospitality training, all participants living in the Academy housing would be required to provide not less than four hours per week of community service to Inspiration Ministries. Initial employment at the academy is expected to be less than a dozen, but would likely increase as the program develops. The academy would be led by an executive director who would oversee all aspects of the program. Additional positions would include a training coordinator, recruiter, accountant, resident assistants, maintenance and activities personnel. A participants average stay at the academy would depend on the course of program they are taking, ranging mostly from three months in the summer to up to a year. During peak capacity, it is anticipated there would be between 60-80 participants living at the site. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DELAVAN Police reportedly charged a relative for abuse after a student came to school with a blackeye. Jasmine Galkowski, 29, of Delavan, is being charged with physical abuse of a child intentionally causing bodily harm. According to the criminal complaint: Police were contacted by the principle for a report of a student who had arrived to school with a blackeye in January. The teacher told police that she had asked the child what happened and the child reportedly replied that a relative told him not to talk about it at school with anyone. The child later admitted to the teacher that a relative had punched him in the face for not listening. Around the time officers were reporting the incident, the relative, identified as Galkowski, reportedly came to the school to pick up the child. Officers spoke with Galkowski and told her that they were conducting an investigation about the black eye. She reportedly told police that she did not know how the boy had gotten a black eye. Police spoke with Galkowski again who reportedly stated that at one point over the weekend she became upset with the boy about a cell phone. She reportedly stated that she "whacked" the boy with a back-handed slap across the chest as a form of discipline. Galkowski claims that she did not hit the boy in the face. A Kenosha County jury needed just around two hours Thursday to convict a 26-year-old Racine man for his role in the 2018 shooting death of Joseph Riley at a home in rural Wheatland. Anthony Harris showed no emotion as Circuit Court Judge Jason Rossell read the verdicts. The 12-person jury, chosen from a pool of 14 right before deliberations began, found Harris guilty of all four counts, including first-degree intentional homicide, which carries a mandatory life sentence. Harris also was convicted of felony attempted first-degree intentional homicide in the shooting of Eva Lofton, along with felony conspiracy to commit armed robbery and felony burglary. Just after the verdict, Rossell revoked Harriss bond hes been in custody in the Kenosha County Jail on a $1 million bond since Nov. 21, 2018 ordered a presentence investigation and set his sentencing for April 7. Harris now is the second of four people charged in the home-invasion case to be convicted. Markeith Wilson, 23, of Racine, was convicted by a jury of the same four charges and sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole. Hes currently housed at Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun. Also charged are Augustine Sanchez, 23, and DeMarco Hudson, 22, both of Racine, whose cases are proceeding through the court system. In addition to the same four charges Harris and Wilson have been convicted of, Sanchez and Hudson each face two additional felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. A fifth person, Christina May, of Lake Geneva, pleaded guilty to conspiracy armed robbery and is serving a nine-year prison sentence. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley was pleased with the outcome. Whats really gratifying is the family of Joe Riley and Eva Lofton, they got some justice today, he said. I think were a lot closer to some finality for them, so thats really great. One key piece of evidence came from Mike Sorenson, an examiner with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, who testified during the four-day trial that each of the bullets recovered from Riley came from Harris gun. But that wasnt the only factor in the conviction, Graveley said. The ballistics is huge, and the way the defendant chose to present himself in this case with all the lies before he gave a self-serving statement, I think is very convincing, he said. Nightmare plays out In his closing argument Thursday morning, Graveley described what played out that night as a nightmare for Riley, Lofton and two others in the home. On Nov. 18, 2018, Joseph Riley and the people who were with them, their nightmares were real, he said. Those were four nightmares who had driven from Racine. This case ends up being the results of those nightmares. Graveley said the fact that Riley, Lofton and the two others there that night were there to smoke marijuana doesnt diminish in any way what happened, and he asked the jury to make sure it sent that message with its verdict. I say again today Joseph Rileys life mattered, as he lay on the couch bleeding to death in front of his friends, Graveley said. Lofton, who testified last Tuesday afternoon, suffered nine different bullet wounds, had an 18-hour surgery after she was taken by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, and continues to suffer the effects. That she didnt die was nothing short of a miracle, Graveley said. This case is also about the literal miracle that Eva Lofton is alive today, he said. Nine places in her body were bleeding. Its such a miracle that shes alive. Four bullets were taken from Loftons body by surgeons, and the only one sent back for analysis came back to Harriss gun, Graveley told the jury. Its all consistent with this defendant being the gunman who caused (those wounds) to her body, he said. Graveley attacked Harris claims to detectives that he shot wildly into the house after Wilson had been shot by Riley. The facts didnt support that claim, Graveley said, as bullets connected to Harris firearm struck both Riley and Lofton, who were seated next to each other but on two separate couches. Graveley said there were no bullet strikes in the floor, above the couches, near the kitchen or by the bathroom, but were concentrated where both the victims were. If he is wildly firing, 10 or 11 times, he hits out of 12 (shots), and he strikes two people in this case who were right next to each other? Graveley said. If he was in a competitive shooter situation, that would be a good score. Defense attorney counters In his closing, Harriss defense attorney David Berman told the jury he couldnt in good conscience ask them not to convict his client on the armed robbery and burglary charges because the state had met its burden. On the most serious charges, though, Berman said theres some gray area. Berman said the first-degree intentional homicide charge can only be found if intent is proven, which he argued wasnt the case. Im not going to argue to you that Anthony didnt cause the death of Joseph Riley, Berman said. Its (a fact) that Joseph Riley died of multiple gunshot wounds. ... Anthony firing his gun wasnt planned. It wasnt drawn when he entered (the home). Berman said Sanchezs testimony that Wilson and Harris entered first, followed by Hudson, wasnt entirely believable because Sanchez stayed back when the incident happened. That, ladies and gentleman is reasonable doubt, he said. Berman also attempted to cast doubt on whether all of Loftons injuries were caused by Harris alone. He said there could have been a chance she was struck by Riley, who fired his gun first after Wilson and Harris kicked in the door. I think that Ms. Lofton was (also) injured by Joseph Rileys gun, he said. Is it possible some of her injuries werent from the 12 rounds that Anthony shot but from the 13 that Joseph Riley shot? Angles dont line up In her rebuttal, Assistant District Attorney Jessica Krejcarek said where Lofton was and her position on the couch she testified she had curled up into the fetal position along with her injuries being concentrated to her left side made that an impossibility. There is no way that Joseph Riley could fire a bullet, have it (change) in the air and hit her on the left side, Krejcarek said. Joseph Riley fires right-handed. The angles dont make any sense for the injuries she has. As Lake Genevas paid parking period begins again, city officials are considering whether to end free parking for good. The citys paid parking period began Feb. 1 and will last through Nov. 14, after free parking was offered from Nov. 15, 2021, through Jan. 31, 2022. The cost to park in Downtown Lake Geneva is $2 an hour. Free parking is typically offered in Lake Geneva during the winter months a time which is often considered Lake Genevas off-tourism season. However as the free parking period has decreased during the past year, city officials are wondering if implementing paid parking throughout the year would be less confusing for residents and visitors and would provide additional revenue for Lake Geneva. City aldermen discussed the issue during the city councils public works committee meeting, Jan. 24. The free parking period ran from November to the beginning of the following March for several years. However last year, the city started the paid parking period in February to obtain additional parking revenue from Winterfest. Alderwoman Cindy Flower questioned whether it is worth offering a free parking period when it only lasts for a couple of months. She said visitors are often confused about whether they have to pay for parking during the winter. Were getting ramped up again, and I feel like we just stopped, Flower said of the paid parking season. Does it make sense to only be stopped for a short amount of time? I find that its a bit confusing for people coming into town asking, Do I have to pay to park or dont I? Flower said that, during the free parking period, employees of the downtown businesses often park in spaces that are often used by visitors during the paid parking period. I dont know if thats good or bad for businesses, Flower said. Alderman John Halverson said implementing year-round paid parking is something that should at least be considered. I think we should pursue it, Halverson said. I think weve removed days off of free parking as it is. It is confusing. Parking Operations Manager Seth Elder said year-round paid parking was eliminated several years ago, because it was not cost effective to enforce during the off-tourism season. However, he said it is an issue the city could reconsider. He said there seems to be more traffic in Downtown Lake Geneva during the off-tourism season now than there was in the past. Employing the people necessary the parking enforcement officers there just wasnt enough revenue to make it float, Elder said. I think there is a lot more traffic on the streets. We wont know for sure until we try it. Alderman Richard Hedlund said a free parking period was implemented several years ago to help benefit Downtown businesses during the winter months when Lake Geneva does not typically receive many visitors. However, he said he would be willing to consider reinstating year-round paid parking if it would provide additional revenue for the city. If this would generate revenue for the city over and above expenses, I think its something we should consider along with perhaps rates again, Hedlund said. I certainly think if we could get some more definitive information, it might be easier than raising rates year-round or on demand. Flower said she also would not want to implement year-round paid parking unless it would benefit the city. For sure, I wouldnt want this to turn into an additional cost to us, so I dont think we want to be in the negative on it, Flower said. If it breaks even or if we make a couple of dollars, I think it kind of makes sense to do. Elder said he will look into how much it would cost to enforce year-round paid parking and if it would be cost effective for Lake Geneva. I think that would be very helpful, Hedlund said. City officials are set to discuss the issue again in the future. The city collected about $2 million in paid parking revenue in 2021. Parking revenue is used to help pay for the citys parking operations, with any additional money going into the citys general fund. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. UW Health providers, staff, students and volunteers are required to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster by May 2, the organization said Wednesday. That plan is an outlier. Advocate Aurora Health, the City of Racine and Ascension Health all of which have vaccine requirements for their staffs do not plan on mandating boosters. Neither does St. Louis-based SSM Health, which has seven Wisconsin hospitals. Were strongly encouraging boosters, but not requiring them at this time. The previous requirement remains in place, LeeAnn Betz, a spokesperson for Advocate Aurora Health, said in an email. We have not discussed that at all, City of Racine Public Health Administrator Dottie-Kay Bowersox said Wednesday, according to city spokesperson Shannon Powell. Added an Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson in a statement: The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends COVID-19 boosters to help broaden and strengthen protection against Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. We are strongly encouraging all associates to receive a COVID-19 booster and are providing many opportunities for associates to receive their COVID-19 booster at multiple Ascension Wisconsin locations. We cannot stress enough the importance of vaccination and following masking and social distancing practices as we work together to slow the transmission of COVID-19 and care for all those in need. While we strongly encourage everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, it is not required at this time, SSM Health spokesperson Kim Sveum said. We continue to evaluate the situation. At UW Health, those who dont get boosters by May 2 may lose their jobs. Boosters can be given five months after the last Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose, or two months after a dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. People who have a documented medical condition that prevents them from being vaccinated or a religious conviction as defined in state law can file for an exemption to the vaccine requirement, UW Health said. Boosters save lives, data show UW Health said recent data show that boosters significantly reduce the likelihood of hospitalization or death from COVID-19, and efficacy from initial vaccination wanes over time. According to December data, a person not fully vaccinated was seven times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, 57 times more likely to be hospitalized with it and 58 times more likely to die from it than a person who was fully vaccinated and had a booster or additional dose, according to Public Health Madison and Dane County. A person vaccinated with only the primary series was three times more likely to get COVID-19, 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with it and 11 times more likely to die from it than a person who had the primary series and a booster or additional dose, the city-county health department said. On Wednesday, the department said the county had 121 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, the lowest level since Dec. 28, including 22 in intensive care, the lowest since Nov. 12. In July, the hospitalization levels were down to a daily average of about 15 hospitalized and five in the ICU. Our staff have been incredibly supportive of vaccination efforts in our system, our community and our state, Dr. Jeff Pothof, UW Healths chief quality officer, said in a statement. They see first-hand how important it is to get a booster as we deal with the omicron surge. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is urging all poultry farmers to remain vigilant and practice enhanced biosecurity on their farms after USDA confirmed findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in the Carolinas. Will virtual fence technology find its way to Pennsylvania? If so, Holsteins like these in East Earl could be doing some high-tech grazing in the near future. Photo originally published 11/21/20 Weather Alert ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT TUESDAY FOR ALL AREAS DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH WEDNESDAY ALONG AND EAST OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN, AS WELL AS0 THE WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... .Strong winds will return areawide Tuesday with low humidity, above normal temperatures, and an unstable airmass. Strong west to northwest winds will develop over NM Wednesday, however cooler and more stable conditions are likely for northwest areas, while southern and eastern areas remain warm, very dry, and unstable with persistent critical fire weather. ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT TUESDAY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING... * AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Highlands and Plains, and the Sandia, Manzano, and Gallinas Mountains eastward across the East Central plains from noon to 9 pm MDT Tuesday. Critical fire weather will redevelop Wednesday from mid morning until mid evening. * 20 FOOT WINDS...South to southwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph Tuesday. For Wednesday, west to northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 16 percent Tuesday and 8 to 14 percent Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Outdoor burning should not be done. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Fire Weather Watch. && ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT TUESDAY FOR ALL AREAS DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH WEDNESDAY ALONG AND EAST OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN, AS WELL AS0 THE WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... .Strong winds will return areawide Tuesday with low humidity, above normal temperatures, and an unstable airmass. Strong west to northwest winds will develop over NM Wednesday, however cooler and more stable conditions are likely for northwest areas, while southern and eastern areas remain warm, very dry, and unstable with persistent critical fire weather. ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT TUESDAY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING... * AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Highlands and Plains, and the Sandia, Manzano, and Gallinas Mountains eastward across the East Central plains from noon to 9 pm MDT Tuesday. Critical fire weather will redevelop Wednesday from mid morning until mid evening. * 20 FOOT WINDS...South to southwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph Tuesday. For Wednesday, west to northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 16 percent Tuesday and 8 to 14 percent Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Outdoor burning should not be done. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Fire Weather Watch. && ...AIR QUALITY ALERT... The following message is transmitted at the request of the New Mexico Departments of Health and Environment. * WHAT...Northwest transport winds will carry smoke toward the southeast during the remainder of the daytime hours today before winds shift back from the southwest on Tuesday. Lighter wind conditions and nighttime inversions tonight will focus the greatest overnight impacts close to and down-drainage of the large fires. * WHERE...Smoke will continue to significantly impact areas across much of southern Colfax, Los Alamos, Mora, southern Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos counties during the next 24 hours. This includes but is not limited to the following communities: Espanola, Kewa Pueblo, La Cueva, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Mora, Ocate, Ohkay Owingeh, Pojoaque, Pueblo of Cochiti, Pueblo of San Felipe, Pueblo of Santa Clara, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Santa Fe, Sapello, Taos, Watrous and White Rock. * WHEN...Remainder of this afternoon through noon MDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Those with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, and heart disease will be especially vulnerable to impacts from poor air quality, as will adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women if smoke concentrations become unhealthy. * HEALTH INFORMATION...Remember, your eyes are your best tools to determine if it is safe to be outside. Use the 5-3-1 Method available at https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. If visibility is: Under 5 miles, the air quality is unhealthy for young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness. Outdoor activity should be minimized. Around 3 miles, young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness should avoid all outdoor activities. Around 1 mile, the air quality is unhealthy for everyone. People should remain indoors and avoid all outdoor activities including running errands. Unless an evacuation has been issued, stay inside your home, indoor workplace, or in a safe shelter. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affecting New Mexico and with the wildfire season underway, New Mexicans will need to take extra precautions. Smoke from wildfires may cause people to have more severe reactions if they are infected COVID-19. The best way to protect against the potentially harmful effects of wildfire smoke and to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home and create a clean indoor air space. NMDOH offers tips here: https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/IndoorQuality.html and https://cv.nmhealth.org New Mexicans will also need to take steps to keep their homes cool to avoid heat-related illnesses. NMDOH offers tips here: https://nmtracking.org/health/heatstress/Heat.html. For smoke forecast outlooks from the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program please visit: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net. Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 10 (ANI): Cryptocurrency is privately created and it is a very big threat to the country's macroeconomic and financial stability, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Thursday. Replying to a question from ANI, Das said, "Cryptocurrency or currency which have currency like character, they will undermine the RBI ability to deal with issues of financial stability." Also Read | CISF Recruitment 2022: Apply for 1149 Constable (Fire) Posts at cisfrectt.in; Check Details Here. RBI Governor cautioned investors who are putting their money in cryptocurrency. Das said that RBI has always cautioned people who are investing in cryptocurrency. Das said, "I have earlier told that those investors who are investing in cryptocurrency should keep in mind that they are doing it at their own risk." Also Read | Indian Nuclear Installations Including Nuclear Power Stations Are Secure From Cyber Attacks: Govt in Rajya Sabha. "They should also keep in mind that cryptocurrency doesn't have any underlying, not even a Tulip," he added. Without giving any timeline for launching the digital rupee, Governor said RBI Digital Rupee will be launched in the year 2022-23. We can't predict a timeline for its release yet. There will be no difference between Digital Rupee and the normal rupee. Elaborating on the digital rupee, T Rabi Sankar, RBI Deputy Governor, said, "digital rupee is exactly like a normal paper rupee. It will be one to one convertible, but the form of digital rupee will be digital or electronic." "Digital rupee will be same like you keep rupee in your pocket or purse, you can keep digital rupee at you device like mobile. Digital rupee or normal paper rupee will have no difference and will be issued by RBI. Banknote or rupee note has a liability of RBI, cryptocurrency is a privately created currency," he said. (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, February 10: India logged 67,084 new coronavirus infections, taking the country's total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,24,78,060, while the active cases declined to 7,90,789, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll climbed to 5,06,520 with 1,241 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 1.86 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has further improved to 96.95 per cent, the ministry said. A reduction of 1,02,039 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. COVID-19 Vaccine Update: DCGI Grants Emergency Use Permission to Single-Dose Sputnik Light Vaccine. 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, crossed 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 on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Agartala (Tripura) [India], February 10 (ANI): Tripura government has imposed a night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am from February 11 to 20 with an aim to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The state government in its order released on Wednesday under which cinemas, spas and gyms will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022 Phase 1 Live Updates: Voting Begins In 58 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies In UP. The state government has introduced fresh guidelines which said that people (up to 50 percent capacity) are allowed in closed spaces. The order stated that restaurants are allowed to open till 10 pm with 50 per cent. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Your One Vote Can Shape Bright Future of UP, Says Amit Shah. "All government and non-government offices shall operate at 100 per cent attendance. The aggressive COVID-19 appropriate behaviour has to be followed by officials and staff of all categories," the order read. "All officers and staff have to ensure strict compliance with COVID appropriate behaviour viz. frequent washing of hands, sanitization, wearing a mask/face cover, observing social distancing etc. at all times," it added. Meanwhile, India reported 71,365 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Amaravati, Feb 10 (PTI): Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday directed the authorities to ensure smooth reorganisation of districts in Andhra Pradesh by Telugu New Year's Day-Ugadi- on April 2. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi to Address High-Level Segment of One Ocean Summit Tomorrow. The government has proposed to create 13 new districts by splitting the existing 13 and issued draft notifications last month inviting objections, if any. Also Read | Telangana Shocker: Woman Murdered on Suspicion of Performing Black Magic in Bheem Asifabad. The Chief Minister reviewed the process at a high-level meeting and told the authorities the reorganisation should not lead to chaos. "Collectors and Superintendents of Police should start functioning from the new districts from Ugadi. Required buildings should be identified for setting up offices till new infrastructure is built. Identify lands and prepare plans for construction of new buildings in the new districts," the Chief Minister said. The existing Collectors and SPs would oversee the administrative transition in new districts as well, as their experience would come in handy, he added. The Chief Minister asked the officials to thoroughly look into objections, over the districts' reorganisation, if they were rational. The officials told the Chief Minister that they would draft proposals for division of the Zilla Parishads considering the legal aspects and the policy to be adopted. Deputy Chief Minister (Revenue) Dharmana Krishna Das, Home Minister M Sucharita, Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma, Chief Commissioner of Land Administration Neerabh Kumar Prasad and other top officials attended the meeting. (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, Feb 10 (PTI) Travellers arriving in India won't have to undergo a mandatory seven-day home quarantine or an RT-PCR test on the eighth day from February 14, according to revised guidelines for international arrivals issued on Thursday. There will be random sampling of 2 per cent of International travellers from all countries on arrival. They can give their samples and will be allowed to leave the airport after that, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Twitter. Also Read | 'Spot News 18' Becomes The Most Preferred Website For Credible News Among Readers. Instead of the seven-day home quarantine mandated earlier, all travellers will self-monitor their health for 14 days after their arrival, he said while detailing the relaxation in curbs for international arrivals. Also Read | Mumbai Horror: HIV Positive Man Rapes 14-Year-Old Step Daughter in Shanty Near Bombay Hospital; Arrested. Apart from uploading a negative RT-PCR report (taken 72 hours before the journey), there will be an option to upload certificates of the completion of full primary Covid vaccination schedule provided from countries on a reciprocal basis. The ministry provided a list of 82 such countries. These include the US, UK, New Zealand, Switzerland , Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Bangladesh, Iran, Nepal, Mexico and the Netherlands. The demarcation of countries 'at-risk' and other countries has been removed. Accordingly, the need for giving samples on port of arrival and waiting till the result is obtained from countries 'at-risk' has been dispensed with. "Need for undertaking RT-PCR test on 8th day & uploading the same on Air Suvidha portal is dispensed with," Mandaviya tweeted. "Guidelines to come in effect from 14th February... Follow these diligently, stay safe & strengthen India's hands in the fight against #COVID19." the minister said. Passengers found to be symptomatic during screening after arrival shall be immediately isolated and taken to a medical facility in accordance with health protocol. If tested positive, their contacts shall be identified and managed as per laid down protocol. If such travellers test positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at the INSACOG laboratory network and they will be treated/isolated in accordance with standard protocol, the guidelines state. International travellers arriving through seaports/land ports will have to undergo the same protocol, except that the facility for online registration is not available for such passengers currently. Children under five years are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during the period of self-monitoring period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol, the guidelines state. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], February 10 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said that he will take a decision over extending the closure of high schools and colleges by evening amid the row over Hijab in educational institutions. "I'll hold a meeting with Primary and Secondary education Minister BC Nagesh and other officials along with State Home Minister Araga Dnyanendra to discuss briefly whatever happened. Will take a decision today evening on extending the closure of all high schools and colleges," said Bommai. Also Read | Narendra Modi Govt Blocked 60 YouTube Channels Circulating Fake News Against Government, Says MoS Dr L Murugan. The Hijab protests began in January this year when some students at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in Karnataka alleged that they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students claimed they were denied entry into the college for wearing hijab. Following this incident, students of different colleges arrived at Shanteshwar Education Trust in Vijayapura wearing saffron stoles. The situation was the same in several colleges in the Udipi districtThe pre-University education board had released a circular stating that students can wear only the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious practices will be allowed in colleges. Also Read | CA Results 2021 Declared: ICAI Releases CA Final, Foundation Results; Heres How to Check Scores Online on icaiexam.icai.org. Following these protests, a three-day holiday from February 9 has been declared in all the universities under the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE). On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court also appealed to the student community and the public at large to maintain peace and tranquillity while hearing various pleas challenging a ban on hijab in the state. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru, Feb 10 (PTI) As a three-judge full bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions over the 'hijab' row on Thursday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urged upon everyone including politicians, not to make statements that incite people and to maintain peace. Also Read | Sony PS5 New Beta Update Brings Voice Commands & UI Changes. The Chief Minister will be holding a meeting with Ministers of Education and Home departments and officials later in the day aimed at taking certain measures to restore cordial and peaceful atmosphere and discipline at educational institutions. Also Read | Sensex Climbs Over 400 Points Post RBI Monetary Policy Outcome; Nifty Crosses 17,580 Points. "The issue on uniform dress code at educational institutions has been transferred to the three judge bench of the High Court and the hearing will begin at about 2:30 pm today. Schools and colleges have been declared holiday to avoid any disturbance between students. It is the duty of every one to see to it that there is no incitement by outsiders and to maintain law and order," Bommai said. Speaking to reporters here, he said everyone should for the court verdict as it is seized of the matter and in a democracy every one should respect it. "I appeal to everyone, whoever had to make their statement or remarks on the issue have already made it. Now, everyone should stop and wait for the court verdict. No one should make any statement that disturbs peace and should restrain themselves," he added. The full bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice J M Khazi will hear a batch of petitions on the hijab row in the afternoon. The single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit on Wednesday had requested the Chief Justice to refer all the petitions to a larger bench. Further, noting that he has called a meeting with the Education Minister and officials to which the Home Minister has also been invited, the Chief Minister said: "We will examine in detail the developments that have taken place till now and take certain measures aimed at restoring cordial and peaceful atmosphere and discipline in schools and colleges." Asked whether the three-day holiday declared to schools and colleges will be extended, he said, "Let's see, it will be decided at the evening meeting." To a question on Congress' allegation that a minister's son distributed saffron shawls to students, Bommai said, "There have been allegations and counter allegations from both sides, I don't want to comment on it. In fact, I'm calling on to stop such things, no one will benefit from it. People holding responsible positions should be sensible and sensitive on the issue involving students." As protests for and against the hijab intensified in different parts of Karnataka and turned violent in some places, the government declared a holiday to all high schools and colleges in the state for three days, from Wednesday. Last week, the government had issued an order making uniforms prescribed by it or management of private institutions mandatory for its students at schools and pre-university colleges across the state. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 10 (PTI) Daily COVID-19 cases in Kerala dropped below 20,000 on Thursday with the state recording 18,420 fresh infections which raised the total caseload to 63,65,051. Also Read | 'Spot News 18' Becomes The Most Preferred Website For Credible News Among Readers. The southern state had reported 23,253 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. Also Read | Mumbai Horror: HIV Positive Man Rapes 14-Year-Old Step Daughter in Shanty Near Bombay Hospital; Arrested. Kerala on Thursday also reported 341 deaths which raised the total fatalities in Kerala to 61,134, according to a government release. Of the deaths, 20 were reported in the last 24 hours, 168 were those which occurred in the last few days but were not recorded due to late receipt of documents and 153 were designated as COVID-19 deaths after receiving appeals based on the new guidelines of the Centre and the directions of the Supreme Court, the release said. With 43,286 more people recovering from the virus since Wednesday, the total recoveries in the state reached 60,70,170. As the number of recoveries were more than the new COVID-19 cases, the active cases in the state went down to 2,32,980, the release said. On Wednesday, the number of active cases was 2,58,188. As many as 82,575 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. Among the 14 districts, Ernakulam recorded the highest number of cases with 3,012, followed by Thiruvananthapuram (1,999) and Kottayam (1,749). Among the new cases, 151 were health workers, 107 from outside the State and 17,048 infected through contact with the source of it not being clear in 1,114, the release said. There are currently 3,88,601 people under surveillance in various districts, of whom 3,80,753 are in home or institutional quarantine and 7,848 in hospitals, the release said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Uttarakhand) [India], February 10 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing 'Vijay Sankalp Sabha' in Uttarakhand's Srinagar city lashed out at Congress for using late Chief of Defence Stadd (CDS) General Bipin Rawat's name to gather votes. PM Modi also stated that a Congress leader even called late CDS Gen Bipin Rawat 'Sadak ka Gunda'. Also Read | Earthquake in Jammu and Kashmir: Quake Measuring 3.8 On Richter Scale Hits Union Territory. "The Congress party is using late CDS Gen Bipin Rawat's name to gather votes. They did politics over his name after his appointment as the first CDS of the country. A leader of this party even called him 'Sadak ka Gunda'," Prime Minister said. Remembering late CDS Rawat, PM Modi said that the people of Uttarakhand have always protected the country like a vigilant watchdog. Also Read | Samsung Galaxy S22 Series Now Available for Pre-Booking in India, Check Details Here. "Today, memories of such a brave son of Pauri Garhwal, General Bipin Rawat ji are making me emotional. He showed the country that the people of Uttarakhand do not only have courage like mountains but also have high thinking like the Himalayas," PM Modi said. Prime Minister said Uttarakhand people can never forget the attitude of Congress leaders towards the Indian Army when they conducted surgical strikes on terrorist bases. "I remember some leaders (Congress) from Delhi also asked for proof," he added. India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat died in a helicopter crash in December last year. General Rawat was headed to Defence Services Staff College in Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course when his chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. He was India's, longest-serving four-star General. General Rawat's wife Madhulika Rawat and twelve other defence force personnel had also died in the helicopter crash. Uttarakhand is scheduled for polls on February 14 and 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) Kolkata, Feb 10 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that primary schools in the state could be reopened after a few more days following a proper evaluation of the Covid-19 situation and talks with school authorities. Also Read | Telangana Shocker: Woman Murdered on Suspicion of Performing Black Magic in Bheem Asifabad. Some caution should be exercised before reopening the primary schools since there are warnings of another variant of the coronavirus and students could be allowed to attend classes in a rotational manner. Also Read | 'Spot News 18' Becomes The Most Preferred Website For Credible News Among Readers. "Schools have been reopened. We have also started 'Paray Sikshalay" (learning centres in the neighbourhood) project. We will wait for a few more days to reopen primary schools after reviewing the situation as we have heard that there is a new variant coming. We have to keep a tab on that," Banerjee said at a government programme here. "If that (variant) is not of concern, we can decide on opening the primary sections and allow 50 per cent students following the rotational method. We have to talk to the school authorities and decide," she said. Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee Wednesday said the lockdown has impeded the basic learning of students and schools in West Bengal should reopen as soon as possible in view of the present COVID situation. The economist, who heads the Global Advisory Committee formed by the West Bengal government to combat the coronavirus situation, also underscored the need to curtail the curriculum once the classes resume at the junior level and help children make up for the lost time. The Mamata Banerjee government has launched the 'Paray Sikshalay' programme, which is open air sessions for students from pre-primary level upto class seven in every locality from February 7. It is aimed at honing the vocabulary and numerical skills of students, besides story telling, rhymes, song and dance as well as classes in different subjects. Observing the standard operating procedures and temperature check of everyone present at these programmes are mandatory, officials said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) By Payal Mehta New Delhi [India], February 10 (ANI): The latest audited report showed that "PM CARES", which was set up to deal with several emergencies collected Rs 10,990 crore in the 2020-21 financial year, while only Rs 3,976 crore, one-third, was spent. The government sources, however, said that several initiatives have been approved, which would be funded by the "PM CARES". Also Read | Microsoft's New Open App Store Rules Announced Amid Global Scrutiny: Report. Forner Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday had trained guns at the Centre, accusing it of spreading lies on the "PM CARES" fund spend. "PM CARES collected Rs 10,990 crore till March 2021, spent Rs 3,976 crore," Gandhi tweeted with the caption "PM Lies". Also Read | World Has Seen 500,000 COVID-19 Deaths Since Omicron Variant of Coronavirus Was First Detected. The government sources while speaking to ANI clarified that "PM CARES" has approved Rs 7,690 crore for various initiatives related to COVID-19 relief and all the funds have been fully utilized till March 2021. "Under the COVID-19 emergency, more than 1200 PSA plants for oxygen generation have been set up across all districts of the country and one lakh oxygen concentrators have been sent to state health facilities," sources said. Refuting the report on the "PM-CARES" Fund, the government sources informed that around 50,000 ventilators have been procured and more than 6.6 crore COVID-19 vaccination doses have been given from this fund. "This fund has also been used to set up more than 3,500 COVID beds across the country," sources added. Further, sources stated that it is also important to maintain sufficient balance in "PM CARES" fund to meet requirements during any further emergency. (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, Feb 10 (PTI) The Defence ministry on Thursday said school bands will be allowed to perform at the National War Memorial on a regular basis to inculcate in them the values of patriotism, devotion to duty and courage. "A decision to this effect has been jointly taken by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education," it said. Also Read | Telangana Shocker: Woman Murdered on Suspicion of Performing Black Magic in Bheem Asifabad. The tentative date to begin performances by the school bands at the war memorial is from February 22, ahead of the third anniversary of its dedication to the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dedicated the National War Memorial to the nation on February 25, 2019. Also Read | 'Spot News 18' Becomes The Most Preferred Website For Credible News Among Readers. It said the Ministry of Education has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to prepare a schedule of school bands in consultation with the MoE and the government of NCT of Delhi. "The place, themes, tunes etc of the band can be decided in coordination with Directorate of National War Memorial and Museum, Headquarter Integrated Defence Staff keeping in view the sanctity of the memorial," the ministry said in a statement. It said the Ministry of Education has also requested the education departments of all states and Union Territories to select one band from the schools of their respective states to perform in coordination with National War Memorial and Museum as a part of the regular schedule. The ministry said the CBSE will coordinate with the schools for performances by their bands at the war memorial in coordination with the Ministry of Defence. "The objective of this initiative is to inculcate the values of patriotism, devotion to duty, courage and sacrifice among the school children and increase the participation of people, especially the youth so that they experience the various facets associated with the iconic war memorial," the ministry said. "It carries forward the vision of the Veer Gatha project which was jointly organised by ministries of defence and culture to raise awareness among children about the gallant stories of the war heroes and instil the feeling of nationalism in their formative years through enhanced exposure," it said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Feb 10 (PTI) Ahead of the civic polls, the SDMC on Thursday announced that tax on one property will be exempted for native residents living in rural areas of South Delhi. Leader of House in the BJP-led South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Inderjeet Sehrawat made the announcement after finalising the SDMC Budget. Also Read | Gurugram: Residential Building Roof Collapses, 2 killed, 6 Injured (Watch Video). "Any one property of owners of rural areas in south Delhi, who have been native residents of the region, irrespective the size of te property or economic status of the owner, shall be exempted from property tax," he said. The move comes ahead of the civic polls in Delhi due in April. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Earlier Bombs Were Thrown at Innocent Citizens, Now Kanwar Yatras Are Taken Out to Chants of Bum-Bum-Bhole, Says Yogi Adityanath. The proposal made in SDMC's annual budget to increase property tax levied on residential and commercial properties, was also rejected by the Leader of House who finalised it on Thursday, in a special meeting of the House held at the Civic Center. The education cess proposed in the budget by the municipal commissioner was also rejected by the civic body. Recently, the EDMC too had rejected a hike in property tax, which was proposed in its budget in November. Leader of House in SDMC said, in the final civic budget, an "increase has been proposed in the budget for moral science education from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh" in SDMC shools. "We have 568 schools, so more budget is needed to procure study material and other things," he said. Seeking to augment its revenue, SDMC Commissioner Gyanesh Bharati on November 23 had proposed to increase property tax levied on residential and commercial properties, and reduce the number of rate slabs from three to two. Sehrawat on Thursday said, "There is everything in the budget for people of all age groups. For children of SDMC employees, studying in our primary schools, a scholarship has been proposed, worth Rs 2,000, Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,000 for top three students". A number of discussions were held since the budget was first presented late November, and suggestions made accordingly, before being finalised by the Leader of House. During the discussion on Thursday, he also proposed that no fee shall be charged for SDMC officials, its employees and their families for entering 'Waste To Wonder' Park and Bharat Darshan Park. "Family members would include spouse, parents and children of the employees," he added. The SDMC in its statement on Thursday also said, tender process to construct a parking facility with capacity to accommodate 238 cars at GK-2 Market; 81 cars at Amar Colony, and 225 cars at Punjabi Bagh (near cremation centre) has been started. Identification of place for construction of parking facility at Punjabi Bagh Club Road and B-1 Janakpuri has been done. Six new applications to avail service like property tax filing, getting registrations done for births and deaths; general trade license, factory trade license, health trade license; and mobile attendance app for corporation employees have been developed, the statement said. SDMC has set up 20 STPs with capacity to treat 50 kilolitres untreated water per day at 16 locations, and five water bodies have also been built at these places, it added. Four PSA oxygen plants have been set up at Mata Gujri Hospital in Tilak Nagar, Poornima Sethi Hospital in Kalkaji and Nehru Nagar Chest Hospital, the civic body said in its statement on the final budget. Initially, 40 booths will be allotted to provide healthy and nutritious food under Atal Ahar Yojana, it said. Leader Of House also proposed to start development works in 1,731 colonies which have been regularised recently from councillor's fund, and "without permission from DSIIDC". A fund of Rs 50 lakh should be allotted to councilors of these colonies, he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati (Assam) [India], February 10 (ANI): Hours after Rahul Gandhi emphasised on India being a "union" of cultures and states, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hit out at him saying "India is far beyond just a union" and asked what was Congress leader's problem with "nation, nationality and nationalism". In a tweet, Sarma accused the Congress leader of having "tukde-tuke" philosophy and said "Bharat cannot be held hostage to it". Also Read | ED Attaches Rs 1.77 Crore of Journalist Rana Ayyub in Money Laundering Case. The BJP leader also took a dig at Gandhi not mentioning the northeast in his tweet and talking of India stretching from Gujarat to West Bengal. "India is far beyond just a union. We are a proud Nation. Bharat cannot be held hostage to your tukde tukde philosophy. What is your problem with Nation, Nationality and Nationalism.? And hello- beyond Bengal, we North east exist," Biswa said. Also Read | India Raises Concern Over Hostile Activities in UK, Seeks Action. In his tweet, Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of "insulting the spirit of India". "There is strength in our Union. Our Union of Cultures. Our Union of Diversity. Our Union of Languages. Our Union of People. Our Union of States. From Kashmir to Kerala. From Gujarat to West Bengal. India is beautiful in all its colours. Don't insult the spirit of India," Gandhi said. The Congress leader had also spoken about India being a union of states during his speech on the motion of thanks on the President's Address in Lok Sabha. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dhaka [Bangladesh], February 10 (ANI): The Bangladesh government has introduced regulations, similar to the one brought by India's IT rules, for social and digital media, including Over-the-top (OTT) platforms. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Regulation (BTRC), 2021 was drafted so as to provide a complaint mechanism wherein users of digital platforms can register their complaints and get them addressed within a defined timeline, according to MediaNama. Also Read | Bomb Threats Clear 7 Washington DC High Schools, No Explosives Found. This aims to "tackle content or activity that harms individual users or threatens our way of life in Bangladesh." Earlier this month, a more elaborate draft containing the rules was published, which has sought opinions from the public and stakeholders. Also Read | Karnataka Hijab Row: Pakistan Summons Indias Envoy In Islamabad Over Hijab Ban. The regulator explains several terms in the draft rules to provide context on what will be covered by the rules once they are notified by the government. It further lays down a provision for a Code of Ethics to be drafted by the Bangladesh Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The rules will require OTT platforms to register after gaining security clearance and they will also have to abide by rules on obscenity, defamation, and hurting religious sentiment, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported. Bangladesh's secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mokbul Hossain said that the draft guideline would be placed at an inter-ministerial meeting after the public and stakeholders had given their opinions. "Hopefully, we will finalize it by this month or the next," Hossain told Dhaka Tribune. Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said OTT platforms were growing in demand, but there was currently no regulatory system for their content. "It is easy to censor cinemas as just 50 to 100 films are released every year, but it is very tough to censor the hundreds of programs on OTT platforms through the censor board," Mahmud was quoted as saying by the Tribune. Last February, the Indian government had introduced new IT Rules. According to these rules, the social media companies are required to appoint India based grievance redressal officer, compliance officer and nodal officer to enable the users of social media, who have a grievance to have recourse for its redressal. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London, Feb 10 (AP) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson couldn't escape his domestic woes during a trip to Belgium and Poland on Thursday aimed at increasing pressure on Russia over its military buildup near Ukraine. Johnson was trying to show NATO's resolve in response to Russia massing troops near its neighbour's borders. But he faced questions about a police investigation into lockdown-breaching government parties that has shaken his grip on power. Also Read | COVID-19: One-in-Three Adults Develop New Conditions After Coronavirus Infection, Finds Study. And a previous Conservative Prime Minister, John Major, excoriated Johnson in a no-holds-barred speech, saying the government's disregard for rules and truth was corroding democracy and shredding the UK's reputation around the world. The prime minister and officials broke lockdown laws. Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day the public was asked to believe the unbelievable, Major said in London. Also Read | AstraZeneca Approved as Booster Vaccine in Australia For People Aged 18 Years and Older. Major, who led Britain between 1990 and 1997, said Johnson and his government had treated the truth as optional and believed that they and they alone need not obey the rules. Our democracy requires that the truth and the law should be respected and obeyed, above all by the government," Major said. Deliberate lies to Parliament have been fatal to political careers and must always be so," he added. London's Metropolitan Police force is investigating a dozen parties held in the prime minister's 10 Downing St office and other government buildings when the UK was under coronavirus restrictions. The force is writing to about 50 people, including the prime minister and his wife Carrie Johnson, asking for them to account for their activities on the dates under investigation. Anyone found to have broken the rules faces a fine. Johnson's opponents say he should quit if police found he broke the rules. But he refused to say Thursday whether he would resign if that happened. That process must be completed and I am looking forward to it being completed and that's the time to say more on that, he said during a news conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. Johnson is fighting to extinguish a blaze of controversy over bring your own booze office parties, birthday celebrations and wine time Fridays held by his staff while millions in Britain were barred from meeting with friends and family because of his government's COVID-19 restrictions. In addition to the police probe, a total of 16 parties have been investigated by a senior civil servant, Sue Gray. In an interim report into the four parties not under criminal investigation, Gray found that failures of leadership and judgment enabled events to occur that should not have been allowed to take place and described a Downing Street operation marked by excessive drinking and dysfunctional dynamics. Johnson apologised - without admitting personal wrongdoing - and shook up his office team in attempt to reassert control. The staff moves are intended to reassure Conservative lawmakers who are debating whether to seek a no-confidence vote in the leader who won them a big parliamentary majority just over two years ago. Johnson wants the focus to be on the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the UK's efforts to use a mix of deterrence and diplomacy to resolve it. The prime minister also travelled Thursday to Poland, where he was meeting President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and visiting British troops serving as part of NATO's presence on its eastern flank. The UK has also sent hundreds of troops to Estonia and will deploy Royal Air Force jets to southern Europe and two Royal Navy vessels to the eastern Mediterranean. Johnson said the forces would help defend NATO from north to south. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jerusalem, Feb 10 (AP) An umbrella group representing British Jews told an Israeli ultranationalist politician on Thursday that he is unwelcome, drawing outcry from Israeli opposition politicians. Bezalel Smotrich is leader of a small religious ultranationalist Jewish faction in the Knesset that is currently in the opposition. He has a long record of anti-Arab and homophobic remarks, and until last year served as a government minister. Also Read | COVID-19: One-in-Three Adults Develop New Conditions After Coronavirus Infection, Finds Study. The Board of Deputies of British Jews, a prominent organization that represents the UK's Jewish community, tweeted in Hebrew that Smotrich, who is visiting the country, is not wanted here. We reject the horrible opinions and hateful ideology of Bezalel Smotrich and call on all members of the British Jewish community to show him the door," the group said. Also Read | AstraZeneca Approved as Booster Vaccine in Australia For People Aged 18 Years and Older. "Get back on the plane, Bezalel, and be remembered as a disgrace to the world. You are not wanted here. Smotrich, who is also a leading figure in the West Bank settler movement, dismissed the criticism. In a Twitter post, he called the British group a relic of an old and crumbling establishment and said he had received dozens of supportive phone calls and apologies from Jewish figures in the UK who wanted to meet him. Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party said the Board of Deputies' comment was a shame, and that by turning away Smotrich they are dismissing a large chunk of Israeli society. But Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who heads the centrist Yesh Atid party, said the uproar over Smotrich wasn't surprising. If we will let racist voices, racist parties and racist Knesset members to enter Israeli politics, this will harm us abroad, especially with world Jewry, he told a news conference. (AP) (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], February 10 (ANI): Amid the rise in demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products in African countries has sparked fear for poaching of endangered species. Mai Xiaotian, writing in Radio Free Asia (RFA) said that the body parts of endangered species are used to make certain ingredients. Also Read | India Raises Concern Over Hostile Activities in UK, Seeks Action. According to a report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), the rise in exports of Chinese medicine products comes amid Xi Jinping's global 'Belt and Road' drive. "The aggressive expansion of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in many African countries is posing a direct threat to the future of some endangered species," the group said in a statement. Also Read | COVID-19: One-in-Three Adults Develop New Conditions After Coronavirus Infection, Finds Study. EIA campaigner Ceres Kam said traditional medicine is integral to many cultures and plays an important role in global healthcare, reported RFA. "Some pharmaceutical companies continue to source ingredients from threatened animals, aggravating the pressure on the survival of these species," Kam said. "Our very real concern is that such a huge expansion of TCM in Africa, as is happening under China's Belt and Road Initiative, will have the knock-on effect of drastically increasing demand for treatments containing wildlife and, in turn, cause more species to become threatened or extinct," she said. "Any utilization of threatened species in TCM could potentially stimulate further demand, incentivize wildlife crime and ultimately lead to over-exploitation," Kam warned. Hong Kong writer and activist Riki Ueda, who has volunteered in wildlife conservation in South Africa, agreed, reported RFA. "The demand for traditional Chinese medicine will increase, and the pressure on these animals will definitely increase," she said, citing a recent rise in ivory poaching following the legalization of trade in existing ivory. "Is the legal trade contributing to the illegal trade? Both seem to be growing in parallel ... and the [legal trade] is bound to have a negative impact on the species and the illegal wildlife trade alike." "Since 2008, 5,940 rhinos have been recorded as hunted and killed in Africa," TCM doctor and former Taiwan health ministry official Huang Lin-huang told RFA. "Scientists believe this number is an underestimate." Huang said he has never believed in the efficacy of powdered rhino horn, which was banned in China, before being made legal again in 2018, said Mai. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in South Africa, poachers killed 394 rhinos in the whole of 2020. But the number rose to 249 in the first half of 2021 alone. In Botswana, at least 100 rhinos have been killed by poachers in the last three years, since President Mokgweetsi Masisi took office in 2018 and disarmed anti-poaching squads, taking away their right to kill poachers on sight, reported Mia. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Springfield (US), Feb 11 (AP) A Maine man charged with setting fire to a Massachusetts church with a predominantly Black congregation was driven by racial animus, according to court documents. Dushko Vulchev, 45, of Houlton, Maine, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday on four counts of damaging religious property because of the race, color, and ethnic characteristics" of those associated with the church, and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. Also Read | India Raises Concern Over Hostile Activities in UK, Seeks Action. An email seeking comment was left with his federal public defender. Authorities allege in the early morning hours he set a Dec. 28, 2020 blaze at the Martin Luther King Jr. Presbyterian Church in Springfield that caused extensive damage. Authorities say he set had previously set several smaller fires at the church. Also Read | COVID-19: One-in-Three Adults Develop New Conditions After Coronavirus Infection, Finds Study. Investigators who examined his electronic devices identified numerous examples of communications that demonstrated racial animus towards Black people," according to court documents. It is about 360 miles (580 kilometers) from Houlton to Springfield. Vulchev, a naturalized citizen from Bulgaria, was charged in 2016 with kidnapping and domestic assault in Maine. The kidnapping charge was dismissed but he was sentenced to 258 days in jail for assault and other charges. He also pleaded guilty in federal court to threatening Bulgarian officials. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Geneva [Switzerland], February 10 (ANI/Sputnik): The United States and other Western countries are not ready for unleashing a conflict with Russia, and all the pressure on Russia is used by them to raise the stakes during the security guarantees talks, Russia's permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, said in an interview with Sputnik. "We are far from thinking that Washington and other Western countries are working on real plans on unleashing a conflict with Russia. However, their steps make us rethink all the developments around Ukraine and the Russia-NATO cooperation," the diplomat said. Also Read | Bomb Threats Clear 7 Washington DC High Schools, No Explosives Found. "One of the conclusions is obvious: possible economic sanctions, political pressure and military preparations are used by our opponents to raise the stakes during the possible talks on security guarantees," Gatilov stressed. He added that such a strategy could result in a tragedy. (ANI/Sputnik) Also Read | Karnataka Hijab Row: Pakistan Summons Indias Envoy In Islamabad Over Hijab Ban. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Wellington [New Zealand], February 10 (ANI/Sputnik): New Zealand Police have arrested 120 people at the convoy protest on Parliament grounds on Thursday amid vaccine mandate demonstrations, Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said. "In terms of the 120 arrested today the charges are trespass or obstruction," NZ Herald quoted Parnell as saying. Also Read | Bomb Threats Clear 7 Washington DC High Schools, No Explosives Found. The commander also said that two police officers were assaulted, with one suffering from dispersed pepper spray, and the other receiving several minor scratches. On Tuesday, the protesters throughout New Zealand, largely inspired by similar demonstrations in Canada, arrived at the parliament building, where they erected tents and blocked streets outside in protest against compulsory vaccination and COVID-19 restrictions. Also Read | Karnataka Hijab Row: Pakistan Summons Indias Envoy In Islamabad Over Hijab Ban. A wave of protests across Canada began in mid-January, with thousands of truck drivers and farmers converging in Ottawa to express strong opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine mandates after two years of the restrictive measures. (ANI/Sputnik) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lahore [Pakistan], February 10 (ANI): Police in Pakistan's Punjab province have been banned from posting on TikTok, a Chinese short-video app, local media reported. The Punjab police department has barred all cops from using TikTok during duty hours, ARY News reported. Also Read | Bomb Threats Clear 7 Washington DC High Schools, No Explosives Found. The police department has warned that if a video of any officer goes viral on a social media app, strict departmental action will be taken. The new rules were communicated in a letter issued by AIG Operations to all RPOs, ARY News reported. Also Read | China 996 Culture: Chinese Tech Worker Dies After Excessive Overtime, Incident Sparks Furore. According to the letter, posting videos on the social media app TikTok and going viral presents a negative image of the department. The Pakistani media reported that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had several times placed a ban on Chinese short-video app in the country. The first time TikTok was banned in Pakistan was in October 2020, However, the ban was lifted 10-day later after the company assured that it would block accounts "spreading obscenity". (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, Feb 10 (PTI) Pakistan on Thursday rejected India's "unwarranted" objections to the Pakistan-China Joint Statement which was issued at the end of Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to China this week. India on Wednesday firmly rejected the references to Jammu and Kashmir and an economic corridor passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) made in a China-Pakistan joint statement, asserting that the region as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh "have been, are and will" always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. Also Read | AstraZeneca Approved as Booster Vaccine in Australia For People Aged 18 Years and Older. Regarding the reference to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the statement, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has consistently conveyed its concerns to China and Pakistan on the projects. "We have always rejected such references and our position is well known to China and Pakistan. In this instance too, we reject reference to J and K in the joint statement. The Union Territory of J and K and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been, are, and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India," he added. Also Read | China Suspends Import of Beef From Lithuania Amid Diplomatic Row. India has been severely critical of the CPEC as the USD 60 billion corridor passes through PoK. In a statement on Thursday, the Foreign Office said, Pakistan categorically rejects the unwarranted and preposterous comments made by the Spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the Pakistan-China Joint Statement. The FO alleged that there is strong evidence of Indian involvement in recent attempts to stir up unrest in Balochistan by supporting anti-state elements. India has rejected Pakistan's charges in the past, saying it was Islamabad's bid to deflect international attention from its role as the epicenter of regional instability and a safe haven for proscribed terrorists. Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups have carried out several attacks targeting the CPEC projects in the region in recent times. The FO also said that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support to the Kashmiris in their just struggle. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Geneva [Switzerland], February 10 (ANI): World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday said that he met the 10-member Taliban delegation headed by health minister Qalander Ebad and discussed the "dire" health and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. WHO chief revealed that he met Ebad for talks on Tuesday to discuss the status of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, reported The Khaama Press. Also Read | AstraZeneca Approved as Booster Vaccine in Australia For People Aged 18 Years and Older. Ebad is part of a Taliban delegation visiting Geneva for a week of talks with institutions and non-governmental agencies on humanitarian access and human rights. The visit happened following an invitation from Geneva Call, according to an Islamic Emirate spokesman. Also Read | China Suspends Import of Beef From Lithuania Amid Diplomatic Row. Geneva Call said in a press release that the organization is hosting a restricted-access conference between February 7-11, which aims to enhance "unimpeded" delivery of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. A spokesman for the Islamic Emirate said the Afghan delegation comprised of officials from the Ministries of Defense, Health, and Interior Affairs, reported Tolo News. After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan last August, the country has plunged into financial chaos, with inflation and unemployment surging, while the halting of aid and US sanctions has triggered a humanitarian crisis in a country already devastated by decades of war. Tedros had already met Ebad during his visit to Kabul in September 2021 in the wake of the Taliban takeover, reported The Khaama Press. "Despite some improvements since then, the health situation in Afghanistan is still dire and the acute humanitarian crisis is continuing to put lives at risk," Tedros said. He said they discussed health needs in the country, strengthening the system, emergency preparedness, and training the health workforce, in which women are central. "The acute need in Afghanistan is to deliver diagnostics to detect the COVID-19 virus, and in particular Omicron, as the number of cases is on the rise," Tedros said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kochi, Feb 10: The Kerala High Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking removal of Malayalam mystery horror film 'Churuli' from OTT platform SonyLIV. Churuli: Why the Controversy Over the Abundant Cuss Words in Lijo Jose Pellisserys Surreal Film on SonyLIV Is Silly AF! (LatestLY Exclusive). Justice P V Kunhikrishnan while dismissing the petition said people should comment about a film only after watching it and similarly, comments about a judgement should be made, especially by lawyers, only after reading it. The plea had been moved by a lawyer, Peggy Fen, contending that there was an "overdose of foul language" in the film and therefore, it should be removed from the OTT platform "as expeditiously as possible". On a previous date of hearing, the court had termed as "atrocious" the language used in the film which was released via SonyLIV on November 19 last year. The petition had contended that the film "uses filthy words lavishly without any curtain which outrages the modesty of women and children". It had also contended that the movie did not adhere to censor board rules and regulations and did not display any statutory warning on the screen when showing characters using alcohol or smoking as is mandatory under the law. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), represented by Additional Advocate General Grashious Kuriakose, had told the court that the movie was cleared for public viewing with an 'A' certification and related warnings. Churuli Movie Review: A Rare Lijo Jose Pellissery Misfire That Is Still Fascinating and Mystifying (LatestLY Exclusive). The Board had also told the court that an uncensored version of the movie was shown on the OTT platform. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Delhi, February 10: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced that it will be releasing the CA Foundation 2021 Result and CA Final 2021 Result Today- February 10 2022. The ICAI CA exams were conducted in December, 2021. According to the official notification, the results will likely be announced on February 10 (evening) or on February 11. The official websites for ICAI results are: 1. icaiexam.icai.org 2. caresults.icai.org 3. icai.nic.in The results of the Chartered Accountants Final Examination(Old Course & New Course) and Foundation Examination held in December 2021 are likely to be declared on Thursday, the 10th February, 2022(evening)/Friday, the 11th February, 2022 and the same can be accessed by candidates on the following websites: 1. icaiexam.icai.org 2. caresults.icai.org 3. icai.nic.in, reads the official notification. HP Board 10th, 12th Result 2021-22 For Term 1 Declared; Here is How to Check it Online The institute says students who want to receive results on their email addresses can register for it from February 8 on icaiexam.icai.org. The official notification says, All those registering their requests will be provided their results through e-mail on the e-mail addresses registered as above immediately after the declaration of the result. ICSE, ISC Semester 1 Results 2022 Declared; Here is How to Check on SMS And Online In addition to above, it may be noted that for accessing the result at the above mentioned websites the candidate shall have to enter his/her registration no. or PIN no. along with his/her roll number, it adds. The CA Foundation and Final exam was conducted on 13, 15, 17 and 19 December last year through offline mode. The exam was conducted in two different shifts. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 10, 2022 10:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Bengaluru, February 10: A Karnataka High Court three-judge bench, hearing pleas on the hijab row, on Thursday directed the government to reopen schools in the state. As the bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin began hearing the matter, the Chief Justice told Advocate General Prabhuling Navadagi to open schools in the state. "Closure of schools is not a good development. Take necessary action and conduct classes. See to it that no problem surfaces," he said. Amid tensions and even violence over the matter, the state government on Tuesday announced a three-day holiday for all schools and colleges in the state from Wednesday. The petitioners arguing for hijab stated that there is no harm in students wearing hijab. Hijab is a fundamental right and it does not cause any problem to others, and so, they should be allowed to wear hijab of the same color as their uniform, they said, arguing that the government has issued circular on uniform "hurriedly". Karnataka Hijab Row: Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind Announces Rs 5 Lakh Reward for Muskan Khan Who Confronted Crowd Chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'. The petitioner's further stated that the bench should give an interim order on the issue in the students' interests as students are outside schools in their interest. They also argued that as per the Karnataka Education Act, uniform is not compulsory for students and they only be fined Rs 25 for violating the uniform rules. As Chief Justice Awasthi intervened here, asking whether the petitioner is saying uniform is not required, the petitioner submitted that as per act, it is not compulsory. It is okay for primary school students but uniforms for college students is being objected, he said. Navadagi, however, opposed issue of an interim order on the issue and stated that there are various developments surrounding the issue. Earlier, the single bench headed by Justice Dixit, which heard the matter, which has snowballed into a major crisis in the state and discussed at international levels, decided the matter to be heard by the larger bench. It directed the High Court Registrar to submit the documents and petitions immediately to the Chief Justice as the matter is of utmost importance and needs to be heard urgently. The single bench opined that there are questions related to the Constitution, there are aspects related to personal laws, and half a dozen court verdicts have been discussed in connection with the case. "I have verified more than 12 verdicts in this regard. There are arguments and counter-arguments related to the case. Let, the Chief Justice decide on handing over the matter to an extended bench," Justice Dixit stated while referring the case to a larger bench. However, the bench refused to give an interim order even as petitioners pleaded to give a ruling on wearing of hijab to classes as only two months are left for this academic year. As many as seven petitions have been submitted to the court so far challenging the government circular of making uniform compulsory and upholding the decision taken by the college managements and development committee regarding wearing of hijab. Meanwhile, State Minority Education Institutions Association President Mohammad Imtiaz has submitted a complaint to the state police chief Praveen Sood regarding minorities being targeted in connection with hijab row. "The protests are targeting minorities. Few of them are trying to destroy the law and order situation. They are attempting to create unrest in the society and create a controversy. Raghupathy Bhat, BJP MLA who is also President of School Development Management Committee of Udupi Pre University Women's College, is responsible for the crisis," the complaint stated. Hijab Row Reaches Supreme Court, Apex Court Says Let Karnataka High Court Hear Case First. The hijab row started last month with few students of Udupi Government Pre-University College wearing hijab being denied permission to attend classes. The college authorities maintain that the students who used to come without hijabs have suddenly started coming in hijab. The students later went on protest refusing to attend classes without hijab. The issue became a controversy and spread to other districts, leading to tension and even violence. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 10, 2022 04:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). People queue up at Jain Inter College in Baghpat to cast their votes for the first phase of UP Polls (Photo Credit: ANI) Lucknow, February 10: The voting for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022 has begun at 7 am today. The polling will end at 6.00 pm. The assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh will be conducted in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3 and 7. The votes will be counted on March 10, and on the same day, the results will be declared. Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022, Phase 1: Electoral Fate of 9 Ministers at Stake in First Phase of UP Polls. The Election Commission has made all the necessary preparations for the first phase of polling. Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) along with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is being used at every Polling Station. The move will enhance the transparency and credibility of the election process. During this phase of the UP assembly elections, there are 623 candidates in the fray for 58 seats. Out of the total seats in the first phase, nine are reserved for the Scheduled Castes. The constituencies going for polls are from 11 districts - Bulandshahar, Aligarh, Agra, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Shamli, Meerut, Hapur, Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Mathura and Muzaffarnagar. In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the poll body has decided to allow a maximum of 1,250 electors in a polling station. A 59.61% voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022 which concluded at 6 pm. According to the latest trends of the Election Commission, a voter turnout of 57.79% has been recorded in Uttar Pradesh till 5 PM. According to the latest trends of the Election Commission, a voter turnout of 48.24% has been recorded in Uttar Pradesh till 3 PM. According to the latest trends of the Election Commission, a voter turnout of 35.03% has been recorded in Uttar Pradesh till now. The state has recorded a voting turnout of 20.03 per cent till 11 am. No untoward incident has been reported so far. Average turnout till 11 am - 20.03%. EVM & VVPAT malfunction complaints are being addressed immediately, says Chief Electoral Officer of UP. EVM & VVPAT malfunction complaints are being addressed immediately. Law and order is maintained at all polling stations, voting underway peacefully. A complaint of a person being stopped from voting in Agra has been found baseless: Chief Electoral officer, Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/3cgfMjVrXr ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 10, 2022 With voting underway for the first phase of the Assembly elections in UP, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, New UP's new slogan: Let development be the ideology! : ! Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 10, 2022 RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary will not go to cast his vote today because of an election rally he is leading, his office told news agency ANI. He is a voter of the Mathura region. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary will not go to cast his vote today because of his election rally. He is a voter of Mathura region: Jayant Chaudharys office to ANI#UttarPradeshElections2022 pic.twitter.com/WVKVhg4GY7 ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 10, 2022 The Samajwadi Party, via a tweet, alleged that voters belonging to the poor class are being intimidated and sent away from polling booths in Kairana in UP's Shamli district as polling is underway for the first phase of the Assembly elections. As voting began for Phase 1 of the Uttar Pradesh polls started, CM Yogi Adityanath said, Today is the first phase of the mahayagya of democracy. This ritual would not be complete without the offering of your invaluable vote. Your vote will strengthen the resolve of a crime-free, fear-free, riot-free Uttar Pradesh. That's why vote first, then refreshment. '' , , ' ' ... Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) February 10, 2022 As Uttar Pradesh started voting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, said: Free the country of all fear. Come out, vote!" - , ! Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 10, 2022 Noida has recorded a voter turnout of 8.07 per cent till 9 am. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, asked the voters to come out and exercise their franchise. - - , ! Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 10, 2022 Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged the voters of western Uttar Pradesh to use the power of the vote to build a better future for the state. Extending best wishes to Congress workers and candidates, she said they should be proud of the fact that the party is fighting on all seats of Uttar Pradesh. -, , - 30 ...1/2 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 10, 2022 Former Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya is contesting the polls n the BJP ticket. Other key candidates in the first phase of polls include state cabinet ministers Shrikant Sharma, Samajwadi Partys Shahid Manzoor, BSPs Madan Chauhan and Pankaj Awana of the Aam and Aadmi Party (AAP). During UP Assembly Elections 2017, the BJP won 53 out of these 58 seats, while the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won two seats each. The Rashtriya Lok Dal bagged one. Apart from UP, other states going for polls in February and March are Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. The results of all the assembly elections will be declared on March 10. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 10, 2022 07:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Vishnu Vishal's mystery thriller FIR which has already garnered positive early reviews and is supposed to release in theatres on February 11, is in trouble. As the actor himself has confirmed that his film has been banned in Malaysia, Kuwait, and Qatar. FIR Review: Vishnu Vishal's Mystery Thriller Gets a Solid Response From Early Screenings. Check It Out: (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.) Mexico's top drug cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), adopted new ways from Middle East terrorists to deal with their rival Mexican drug cartels and other entities from the country. According to New York Post, the top drug cartel from the country resorted to using land mines and explosive-laden drones, which is inspired by the tactics the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban use during warfare. Texas-based security consultant and expert on Mexican cartels, Robert Almonte, said that it was not surprising that CJNG added landmines to their list of weapons. "Jalisco Nueva Generacion was the first to use drones with explosives attached to them, so it doesn't surprise me that they are now using landmines and taking a page from Al Qaeda," Almonte said. The new tactics CJN adopted were reported to be used by the gang to kill rival gang members, police, and even soldiers. Almonte noted that their goal aligns with their philosophy that if you are not with them, you are against them. Meanwhile, Mexican law enforcement and security forces shared that CJNG also sought the help of Middle East jihadis as "technical advisors." "It doesn't surprise me that they [CJNG] are consulting with terrorists because what they are engaging in are acts of terrorism," Almonte added. READ NEXT: Mexico: Dismembered Body Parts of 3 People Found Inside Plastic Bag, Sacks in Guanajuato State Plagued by Drug Cartels Mexico: Mexican Drug Cartel CJNG Uses Drones and Landmines Earlier in February, Mexican soldiers deactivated 12 artisanal land mines in Tepalcatepec, Michoacan after a Sandcat vehicle was nearly destroyed by a similar device on January 29, per Milenio. According to security forces, the said land mines were composed of cylinders that contained gunpowder and two-millimeter-thick iron that acts as shrapnel. The said device also featured a battery with two connectors with cables. According to U.S. authorities, the pipe bombs found in Michoacan, Mexico can have an explosive capacity of at least 2.2 kilograms. Authorities furthered that evacuation distance should be at least 366 meters for people to be safe when the said explosives detonate. In mid-January, El Pais mentioned a recorded video that showed a drone, controlled by the CJNG, dropping several bombs also in Tepalcatepec. The outlet stressed that these kinds of attacks have been happening in the state for a few years. Reports emphasized that the Michoacan state experiences this violence "every few months." Head of Security at the Center of Mexico-US Studies in California University in San Diego, Cecilia Farfan Mendez, said that the intention of using drones is for it "to be seen." Mendez said that using drones is "glamorous and scandalous." However, she underscored that the drones' implication in the future "is not clear." Mexican Drug Cartels in Michoacan, Mexico Michoacan State is known to be heavily controlled by the Mexican drug cartel CJNG. Per Mexico's Security and Civil Protection, the state recorded the highest homicide last year, amounting to 2,732. The fatalities resulted from warring Mexican drug cartels, including CJNG, Carteles Unidos, and Caballeros Templarios, as they battle for control over the state. READ NEXT: U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis: Mexican Officials Demolish Makeshift Migrant Camp in Tijuana; Hundreds Evicted This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Comando del CJNG ataca con drones a habitantes de Chinicuila, Michoacan - From Excelsior TV More than three dozen Republicans signed a letter calling U.S. President Joe Biden to take a cognitive test to measure if he is mentally fit for the office. The cognitive test was taken by former President Donald Trump during his presidency. Some of the Republicans that signed the letter were Rep. Ronny Jackson, Republican leadership members House Republican Conference Chairwoman Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, and GOP conference vice chairman Mike Johnson of Louisiana, The Daily Wire reported. Several members of the GOP Doctors Caucus and Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana also joined the signing of the letter. They express "concern" with Biden's current cognitive state in their letter. Biden is the oldest president to take office at 79. Republicans said they want to ensure that Biden is fit for leadership. READ NEXT: Joe Biden Latest Gaffe: President Appears to Forget the Name of His FEMA Director Deanne Criswell Republicans' Letter to U.S. President Joe Biden The letter said that the American public deserves full transparency on the mental capabilities of their highest elected leader, according to a Daily Mail report. Republican lawmakers cited situations wherein the president forgot the names of senior Cabinet officials, as well as misreading clearly-marked figures. The group went on to imply that Biden has shown symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. Jackson wrote in the letter that the Alzheimer's Association lists changes in mood and personality and being easily upset as among the ten signs of mental decline. He then cited that Biden displayed the type of mood change during a cabinet meeting on January 24. Jackson was referring to an incident when Biden called a White House reporter a "stupid son of a b****" without realizing that his microphone was on. Biden since then apologized to Fox News reporter Peter Doocy after the incident. Donald Trump Taking the Cognitive Test The former presidential doctor wrote that it was not a partisan issue, adding that when he asked Trump to take the cognitive test, the former president was eager to do so, according to a Fox News report. The lawmakers added in the letter that they believe that regardless of gender, age, or political party, all presidents should follow the example set by Trump to show a fit mental ability in leading. The White House earlier reported that Trump had passed the test, reportedly scoring a 30 out of 30, per Newsweek. Trump had taken the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is a 10-minute test designed to detect mild cognitive impairment such as the early signs of dementia. However, medical and public health experts noted that the cognitive test is not an indicator of I.Q. Experts added that the president's fixation on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment is puzzling as the test is normally done if someone is concerned that they or their loved ones may be experiencing cognitive decline. Ziad Nasreddine, the neurologist who created the test, said that it is not meant to measure I.Q. or intellectual skill in any way, according to a Washington Post report. The former president has talked about the test publicly, telling Fox News's Sean Hannity in a phone interview that he "aced it." READ MORE: Donald Trump Would Win and Beat Pres. Joe Biden if Next Presidential Election Were Held Now, New Poll Shows This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: USA: Biden dismisses reporter's question on President's 'cognitive fitness' - from Ruptly Extra benefits are set to be released to some SNAP recipients in February, making some food stamps available to Americans in an effort to reduce some of the financial challenges brought by the COVID pandemic. Different states use different methods in sending out SNAP benefits. Some use EBT cards, while other states customize the card with the name of the person on it. The others use prepaid credit cards, according to a MARCA News report. SNAP benefits increase in 2022 along with the cost-of-living adjustment increase U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that families of four will have a maximum allotment of $835 in the 48 states, including Washington D.C. Meanwhile, a family of four in Alaska will have a maximum increase of more than $500 from $1,074 to $1,667. READ NEXT: SNAP Benefits in Florida Delayed; New Campaign Starts to Help Residents Get Food Assistance SNAP Benefits in California SNAP benefits recipients can expect to receive theirs in the first 10 days of each month in California. California calls their SNAP Benefits CalFresh benefits. California residents can be eligible for the benefits if they receive CalWORKS or General Relief; part of low-income or no income population; have limited property, and are a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Migrants that meet certain criteria can be part of the CalFresh benefits, as well as those who receive Supplementary Security Income/State Supplementary Payment, according to California's Department of Public Social Services site. California residents can apply for CalFresh benefits by providing the applicant's full name, household address, and signature of the head of household, any adult household member, an authorized representative, or a responsible household member. As of now, the DPSS hands out CalFresh benefits to over 1.3 million individuals in Los Angeles County, according to the state's fact sheet about the benefits. SNAP Benefits in Texas SNAP benefits recipients in Texas can receive their aid across 15 days from the first of each month. SNAP benefits are placed on a Lone Star Card and can be used like a credit card at any store that accepts SNAP. However, SNAP cannot be used to buy tobacco, alcoholic drinks, anything that cannot be eaten or drank, and pay for food bills that one owes. Most people between 16 to 59 years old must follow work rules to get SNAP benefits. This means that the individual must look for a job or be in an approved work program. However, if the person has a job, they cannot quit without a good reason, according to the Texas Health and Human Services site. People who do not have a lot of money and meet program rules can be eligible for the benefits, as well as most adults ages 18 to 49 without any children. Adults without children can get SNAP benefits for only three months in a three-year period. However, this could be longer depending on the person. SNAP Benefits in Florida Florida residents can be eligible for SNAP benefits if they have a current bank balance, saving, and checking combined, under $2,001 or have a current bank balance under $3,001 with a household composed of a person or persons of age 60 and over, or a person with a disability. Florida residents can apply for SNAP benefits to Florida Department of Children and Families site. READ MORE: Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis Feud Fueled by Sen. Mitch McConnell, Trump Advisers Say This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Food Stamp Raise is Finally Approved 2022 | SNAP Benefits Payment Update - from Credit Viral Last week, AAPI Victory Fund Acting President Brad Jenkins appeared on SiriusXM's The Qasim Rashid Show to discuss the importance of the AAPI electorate, getting involved in local and state politics, and how organizations are uniting to combat anti-AAPI hate. READ NEXT: AAPI Victory Alliance Urges Biden Administration for Action on Federal Voting Rights Legislation Brad Jenkins' Interview Highlights Listen to Brad's interview with Qasim Rashid HERE "Asian Americans are the fastest growing demographic in the United States. We have a larger and larger share of the electorate but, election cycle after election cycle, traditional Democratic institutions and state Democratic parties don't realize it. They don't know how many Asian Americans are in their community or how to even reach them. " " "We just announced our first slate of candidates, the majority of whom are Asian American, but we are endorsing non-Asian American candidates in states where the AAPI electorate is incredibly important and valuable." " We represent 23 million in this country yet only 0.9% of Asian Americans are in elected office. We have so much work to do to give AAPI candidates a platform to win." We have so much work to do to give AAPI candidates a platform to win." "At AAPI Victory Fund, we are filling a gap that a lot of institutions like Super PACs overlook. We are investing in states like Georgia and Nevada-states where Asian Americans represent 11% of the electorate yet you never hear about the Asian American community." "We have such a problem when it comes to data and a lack of investment in really even knowing where our community is and who we are. If we don't know where the AAPI community lives, we can't turn them out." If we don't know where the AAPI community lives, we can't turn them out." "One of the more exciting things we are doing is working with Collective PAC and Latino Victory Fund. The three of us are coming together to work on this issue because, at the end of the day, the only way that we win these elections is to turnout communities of color." "The biggest weapon for white supremacy is pitting communities against each other, and they've been doing this since day one. They're doing it with affirmative action, they're doing it again with the rise in Asian American violence. We do not allow white supremacy to divide us. All of these issues are connected, and we can't fight to protect our communities without having really great candidates who are actually fighting for our communities." READ MORE: AAPI Victory Fund Endorses California's Jay Chen for U.S. Congress Heavy rain caused a mudslide in Western Colombia near the city of Pereira on Tuesday. It ended up flowing at the residential area killing at least 14 people and injuring 35. Officials noted that more mudslides could happen around the area, advising locals to remain alert, according to a Weather news report. Mudslide damages are considered to be "pretty common" in Colombia due to the rainy weather in the area and less sturdy buildings. In addition, dozens of residents were evacuated when a nearby area was flooded resulting from heavy rains. Officials said that one person was reported missing after the deadly Colombia mudslide. Many of the affected houses in the neighborhood were made of wooden construction, with more than 60 homes evacuated as teams assessed the damage and risks. Pereira Mayor Carlos Maya said 15 homes in Dosquebradas were also evacuated to "minimize" the threat of future landslides, according to a DW News report. Alvaro Arias, government secretary in Risaralda, said that they are currently managing the whole evacuation perimeter as they still detect soil instability. Rescue teams noted that they are scared that the disaster could worsen if new mudslides occur in the nearby Otun river, currently being dammed. READ NEXT: Colombia's Defense Minister Calls on Colombian Gangs to Surrender or Be Hunted Down Colombia Mudslide Taxi driver Dubernei Hernandez noted that there was a very loud noise that scared them, adding that they went out and saw that a piece of the mountain was on top of the houses, according to a BBC News report. Hernandez said that he went to that place and saw that it was a disaster with people trapped inside. He said that he helped dig up two bodies and a survivor. The taxi driver noted that at least five homes were buried by the mud. In November, another Colombia mudslide struck the western Narino province, killing 11 people. The South American country's disaster relief agency said at the time that at least 10 people were also injured, with around 15 and 20 people believed to be missing, according to an Aljazeera report. The November mudslide destroyed two buildings at the time. UNGRD director Eduardo Jose Gonzalez ordered a search and rescue team to be deployed to the site. In 2017, Colombia recorded its most deadly landslide in history, with the death toll reported to be at 254, while 203 people were injured at the time. Many of the injured were in critical condition. About 1,100 soldiers and police arrived to help the relief effort at the time, while the list of children who could not find their parents was spread on social media in attempts to reunite them with their families, The Guardian reported. One unidentified woman interviewed said she had lost 11 family members in the mudslide, including her mother. Five of her loved ones were identified in the morgue, while the other six were missing at the time. More than 1,000 emergency personnel were deployed to help the rescue efforts, including soldiers and local police. READ MORE: Colombia's Most-Wanted Drug Lord Dairo Antonio Usuga Arrested; Pres. Ivan Duque Likened It to Capture of Pablo Escobar This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Colombia landslide: More mudslides and flooding feared - from Al Jazeera English A United States academic site blasted Mexico City officials for distributing the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin to people who tested positive for COVID-19 early in the pandemic. Ivermectin is not approved by Mexico's federal government or the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of COVID-19. But the city officials still distributed tens of thousands of medical kits containing ivermectin to COVID-19 patients at Mexico City testing stations from December 2020 to September 2021. Mexico News Daily reported that the city government and the federally-run Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) conducted a "quasi experimental" analysis. The study found that people who received the ivermectin were 68 percent less likely to develop serious symptoms that will require hospitalization. Jose Antonio Pena Merino, the head of Mexico City's Digital Agency for Public Innovation (ADIP), City Health Minister Oliva Lopez Arellano, and other officials co-authored a paper detailing the results of the study that were published on the U.S.-based academic website SocArXic, which is reportedly an open archive of the social sciences. But according to the Washington Post, SocArXiv withdrew it last Friday, claiming it was "promoting an unproved medical treatment in the midst of a global pandemic." The site also accused city officials of bad science and unethical behavior - more or less like using people in the same way as rats in a laboratory experiment without their consent. In a statement, Philip N. Cohen, the sociologist at the University of Maryland who runs the online archive, said that "depending on which critique you prefer, the paper is either very poor quality or else deliberately false and misleading." Cohen noted that the paper was downloaded more than 11,000 times and was among SocArXic's "most-read papers" of the past year. SocArXiv has provided a forum for social scientists since 2016 to share their research before it's been peer-reviewed. In the fast-moving era of the COVID-19, such sites have grown in popularity as academics try to share their new findings and receive quick feedback from colleagues. Ivermectin is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription drug used to treat certain infections caused by internal and external parasites such as parasitic worms and head lice and has not been authorized to prevent or treat COVID-19. But despite warnings from international health authorities that there is insufficient evidence of any benefit, anti-vaccine activists worldwide have pushed the drug as a cure for COVID-19. 200,000 Medical Kits With Ivermectin Distributed in Mexico City According to the news website Animal Politico, some 200,000 people who tested positive for COVID-19 received medical kits containing ivermectin, paracetamol, aspirin, and oximeters. Mexico City reportedly spent almost 29.3 million pesos (US$1.4 million) for these medical kits. City officials eventually declared the operation a success. Last spring, they issued an academic paper claiming that the medical kits had significantly lowered hospitalization rates. They said the finding "supports ivermectin-based interventions" to reduce the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems. Now city officials are facing a backlash, with opposition politicians demanding an investigation. READ NEXT: SpaceX Launch Delay: Elon Musk's Falcon 9 Rocket Liftoff Postponed After Cruise Ship Enters Hazard Area Mexico City Defends the Distribution of Ivermectin Mexico City Health Minister Oliva Lopez Arellano said the decision to use ivermectin was made before vaccines were widely available and at "a different moment" in the pandemic. Arellano noted that some other cities worldwide were also offering ivermectin COVID-positive residents. She added that health professionals always gave out only kits with safe doses. Arellano said the real problem was not such limited doses, but a trend of citizens in the U.S. and elsewhere poisoning themselves with large amounts of ivermectin or even using a version intended for animals. However, Mexico's own drug regulatory body has not authorized ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19. The country's senior health officials, including coronavirus czar Hugo Lopez-Gatell, had repeatedly warned the public not to use ivermectin for COVID-19. READ MORE: Elon Musk Offers' Stalker' $5,000 To Stop Tracking His Plane Location, Saying It Is a Security Risk This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Podcaster Joe Rogan Reveals COVID-19 Diagnosis, Ivermectin Treatment - From TODAY The National Archives and Records Administration asked the Justice Department to investigate if former President Donald Trump violated federal records laws when he took official White House documents to Mar-a-Lago upon leaving office. According to the Washington Post, the request came after officials recovered 15 boxes of materials from Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence that were not returned to the government as they should have been. The National Archives noted that Trump and his team had arranged transport for 15 boxes of materials to be returned from Mar-a-Lago. It added that Trump and his staff were still looking for additional records that belong to the agency, Business Insider reported. According to the Post, some of the items included in the retrieved documents from Mar-a-Lago were letters to the former president from North Korean leader Kim Jung Un and a note from former President Barack Obama. A person briefed on the matter told The New York Times that the National Archives found what it believed to be classified information in documents Trump had taken with him from the White House. The person said the discovery prompted the National Archives to ask for guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ). The person noted that Archives officials suspect that Trump had violated the Presidential Records Act after he took the boxes containing presidential documents and memorabilia when he left office. READ NEXT: Mike Pence's Documents to Be Turned Over to the January 6 Select Committee After Donald Trump's White House Records: National Archives Classified Documents Retrieved in Donald Trump's Mar-A-Lago Stash Senior officials would have to decide whether to open an investigation with the referral to the Justice Department, who told the National Archives to have its inspector general examine the matter. An inspector general is required to let the Justice Department know about discovering any classified materials found outside authorized government channels. According to Seattle Times, prosecuting Donald Trump due to the classified documents would be extremely difficult, and it would pit the Justice Department against the former president at a time when Attorney General Merrick Garland is trying to take the department out of the realm of politics. Two of Trump's chiefs of staff and the White House counsel's office reportedly warned that the former president's actions would violate federal recordkeeping laws. Trump was required to leave the documents, letters, and gifts in the federal government's custody for storing by the National Archives. Meanwhile, Donald Trump told the Post that he had "collaborative and respectful" arrangements with the National Archives with regards to the transport of boxes that contained presidential documents "in compliance with the Presidential Records Act." He said it was a "great honor" to work with the agency, adding that "much of this material will someday be displayed in the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library." "For the public to view my Administration's incredible accomplishments for the American People," he added. Donald Trump White House Documents Some of Donald Trump's White House documents given to the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack were reportedly torn up and taped back together. In a statement, the National Archives earlier confirmed Trump's practice of tearing up records, as cited by press reports in 2018. The Archives said that White House records management officials from the Trump administration recovered and taped together the shredded documents that were turned over to the agency at the end of Trump's presidency, "along with a number of torn-up records" that the White House had not reconstructed. The select committee earlier asked for Trump's White House documents in connection with the probe. The Archives turned over the required documents after the Supreme Court rejected Trump's request to block the release of documents to the committee. The reconstructed documents were reportedly among the more than 700 pages already turned over to the January 6 committee late last month after Donald Trump lost the court battle. The Presidential Records Act requires memos, letters, emails, and other documents to be kept and given to the National Archives at the end of every administration. READ MORE: Donald Trump's Pardon Talk Sparks Major Concern Among Republicans: "He'll Do It All Again!" This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Trump Flouting Of Presidential Records Act Leaves National Archives Scrambling - From MSNBC A former presidential hopeful and journalist and an ex-foreign minister were the latest political opposition members in Nicaragua to be imprisoned. Journalist and presidential hopeful Miguel Mora, who was arrested before the country's elections last November 7, was convicted on Wednesday, Associated Press reported. According to reports, Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega's administration accused the journalist of having "promoted economic sanctions" and that he also incited "foreign interference in internal affairs." Mora was then slammed with charges in connection to "conspiracy to undermine national integrity." On Wednesday, Mora's lawyer announced on national television that the Nicaraguan journalist had been sentenced to 13 years in prison. It was aired on the 100% Noticias, a television station where Mora served as the director until he was imprisoned. The trials of the 46 opposition figures arrested between May and June, including seven presidential hopefuls like Mora, reportedly began last February 1. Mora's hopes to run in the country's elections was shortened when Ortega ordered him and six other contenders arrested, allowing Ortega to run almost unopposed. READ NEXT: Nicaragua Officials Hit With Sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department Ahead Pres. Daniel Ortega's Inauguration Nicaragua's Former Foreign Minister Convicted Former foreign minister of Nicaragua Francisco Aguirre Sacasa was also convicted on Tuesday with the same charges slammed against Miguel Mora, CNN reported. Sacasa's conviction was confirmed by the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH) and his relatives. According to Sacasa's son, Roberto Aguirre, the ex-foreign minister is facing an up to eight-year prison sentence as requested by Nicaragua's prosecutor's office. In a statement, Sacasa's son noted that his father, who was arrested on July 29 for alleged crimes against national sovereignty, spent at least 200 days in the Chipote prison. He also said that his father had not committed treason to the country where he offered his services. The former foreign minister's sentencing is scheduled for February 16. Other Opposition Members in Nicaragua Arrested Another journalist, Miguel Mendoza, is also facing alleged crimes against national sovereignty. Prosecutors reportedly requested a nine-year prison sentence for Mendoza, a move that was slammed by CENIDH, calling the charges "invented crimes." Nicaragua's National Police reportedly arrested Mendoza at his home on June 21. Last February, two prominent opposition figures were convicted for "forming an association of wrongdoers undermining national integrity," Al Jazeera reported. The duo was Dora Maria Tellez and student leader Lesther Aleman. Tellez was a former rebel who fought alongside President Ortega and served his government, but she later became the opposition Sandinista Renovation Movement leader. Court proceedings for Tellez and Aleman occurred in El Chipote prison, where dozens of activists and opposition members were held. The Judicial Defence Unit, a coalition of lawyers, confirmed that a judge recommended that Tellez be sentenced to 15 years in prison. On the other hand, it was unclear how long the sentence was being recommended for Aleman, the Nicaraguan University Alliance's leader. Nicaraguan Human Rights Center leader Vilma Nunez decried the trials as repressive acts, with outcomes already concluded. "This looks like it will be preordained convictions of innocent people... These are not trials... These are repressive farces that the regime uses to issue convictions and continue to intimidate the people, Nunez said. READ MORE: Colombia Mudslide Triggered by Heavy Rain Kills at Least 14 People, Injures 35 This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: Nicaragua Arrests: Four Potential Presidential Candidates Detained - From FRANCE 24 English A former police chief in Mexico was sentenced to 10 years in U.S. prison for accepting payments from a drug cartel associated with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel. Ivan Reyes Arzate, 49, former chief of Mexico's Federal Police's Sensitive Investigative Unit, personally met in November 2016 with El Seguimiento 39 drug cartel leaders who bribed him. New York Daily reported that the drug cartel paid Reyes Arzate a $290,000 bribe in exchange for information that allowed it to traffic cocaine to the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the El Seguimiento 39 cartel is associated with El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel, the Beltran Leyva Organization, and other Mexican drug cartels. In a statement released on Wednesday, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said Reyes Arzate betrayed his oath and partners in law enforcement in exchange for cash bribes and became a willing participant in drug trafficking and in spreading massive and dangerous amounts of cocaine in communities. "Corrupt police officers who use their government positions to further the interests of the drug cartels and harm our communities will be brought to justice and punished for their crimes. Their badges will not shield them from accountability," Peace noted. During his sentencing in Brooklyn federal court, Reyes Arzate said he knows the "scourge of drugs" caused a lot of pain to many people, adding that he profoundly regrets whatever pain was caused by his actions. Together with U.S. investigators, Reyes Arzate was investigating El Seguimiento 39 at the time of the meeting. He was fired the day after the bribe was discovered. Known as "La Reina" or "The Queen," the former Mexican police chief pleaded guilty to accepting the bribe money from the drug cartel last October. Since January 2020, Reyes Arzate has been in jail in Brooklyn in connection with the charges. READ NEXT: El Chapo Case: Wives of Chicago Twins Who Helped Convict the Sinaloa Cartel Boss Used Drug Money on Lavish Trips, J.Lo Show 'La Reina' Ivan Reyes Arzate Aiding Mexican Drug Cartels in Mexico Prosecutors alleged that Ivan Reyes Arzate also assisted the Beltran-Leyva organization in its drug trafficking operation. According to Daily Mail, Reyes Arzate and two other cops had agreed to take $3 million from the Beltran-Leyva Organization in 2008 after they provided background information on a DEA informant, who had been arrested in Miami. He also allegedly provided the organization with a photo of the informant, who was later kidnapped and killed. In addition, Reyes Arzate was paid by the Beltran-Leyva Organization $500,000 to apprehend U.S.-born drug lord and former associate Edgar "La Barbie" Valdez Villareal. Valdez Villareal was caught at a rural home outside Mexico City in 2010. He is currently serving a 49-year sentence at a federal prison. Reyes Arzate self-surrendered to law enforcement in Chicago in April 2017, shortly before the DEA intercepted a call between two drug traffickers who described his illegal activities. According to reports, the time the former top cop has already spent behind bars will count toward his sentence, which means he will serve about eight more years in prison. El Chapo and the Sinaloa Cartel The Sinaloa Cartel is considered to be one of the most powerful drug-trafficking syndicates in the world. The Mexican drug cartel has been known to carry out assassinations, murders, and torture to protect its turf. The group was founded in the late 1980s and headed by El Chapo. Under El Chapo's leadership, the Sinaloa cartel earned its reputation through violence and outfought several rival groups. Officials said the Sinaloa Cartel became the biggest supplier of illegal drugs to the U.S. during El Chapo's reign. El Chapo was arrested in Guatemala and extradited to Mexico in 1993. He was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison. In 2001, El Chapo escaped from prison and was apprehended again in 2014 in Sinaloa, Mexico. He again escaped from prison through a tunnel the following year. In January 2016, Mexican officials announced that El Chapo has been captured again. He was extradited to the U.S. the following year. El Chapo was sentenced to spend the rest of his days in the ADX Florence "supermax" prison after being sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019. READ MORE: El Chapo Allegedly Ordered Sinaloa Cartel Hitmen to Torture, Kill 2 Men Who Forced Him to Pay $500K for Son's Underwear This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Ivan Reyes Arzate, Ligado a Genaro Garcia Luna, Es Sentenciado a 10 anos De Prision en EU - From El Universal The Orange County medical examiner's office in Florida revealed that Bob Saget's cause of death was from "head trauma," his family said Wednesday. The "America's Funniest Home Video" host and "Full House" star was found dead at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Orlando, Florida on January 9, not long after a two-hour stand-up performance at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. In sharing the conclusion from the medical examiner's office investigating the actor's death, Saget's family said in a statement that they felt it's "only proper that the fans hear those conclusions directly" from them. In the statement sent by Saget's longtime publicist Michael O'Brien, the family noted that authorities have determined that "Bob passed from head trauma," USA Today reported. They said authorities concluded that the 65-year-old actor "accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep." The family added no drugs or alcohol were involved. According to reports, a security officer in the Ritz-Carlton hotel entered Saget's room after he failed to check out and called 911 when he was found unresponsive. The sheriff's department and the fire department responded to Saget's hotel room at around 4 p.m. E.T., but the actor was declared dead on the scene. Orange County Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany earlier said there was no evidence of foul play surrounding the actor's death. Trauma surgeon Kari Jerge told USA Today that a blow to the head could push the brain "up against the skull," resulting in a concussion. Jerge added that concussion could result in two possible lethal scenarios: brain "bleeding and bruising" or asphyxiation while unconscious. Asphyxiation occurs when the body or brain does not get enough oxygen. Bob Saget Tributes: 'Full House' Co-Stars, Famous Friends Come Together to Say Their Final Goodbyes Bob Saget's friends and colleagues, including his co-stars from "Full House," were among the attendees of his funeral in Los Angeles on January 14. Saget is known for his role as single dad Danny Tanner on the ABC sitcom "Full House." "Full House" co-stars John Stamos, Candace Cameron Bure, Dave Coulier, Andrea Barber, Jodie Sweetin, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen went to the funeral to pay their respects to Saget. Other celebrities, namely Jimmy Kimmel, John Mayer, and Dave Chappelle, were also among the stars who attended the Jewish burial ceremony to say their final goodbyes to the beloved actor. They were among the more than 100 guests composed of family, friends, stand-up comedians, and celebrities who attended the private occasion. Reports said the funeral at Mount Sinai memorial park in Forest Lawn Cemetery was reserved for close friends and family members. On Twitter, Stamos described Saget's funeral as "the hardest day of my life." In an emotional opening monologue for a broadcast of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," the host said Saget was the "sweetest man" and "very kind to everyone." According to Kimmel, the actor sent him supportive texts, calls, emails, and messages "just to tell me he loved me." READ NEXT: SpaceX Launch Delay: Elon Musk's Falcon 9 Rocket Liftoff Postponed After Cruise Ship Enters Hazard Area. Bob Saget's Wife Commemorates Husband's One-Month Death Anniversary Bob Saget was married to Kelly Rizzo. The actor had three daughters from a previous marriage. As she marked the one-month anniversary of Saget's death on Wednesday, Rizzo posted a video of them on Instagram. In the video's caption, she wrote: "One month without this incredible man. Bob truly lived life to its fullest. He had so many hardships over the years that he would always tell me 'look, life is hard, we need to enjoy it as much as possible'." READ MORE: Elon Musk Offers 'Stalker' $5,000 To Stop Tracking His Plane Location, Saying It Is a Security Risk This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Jess Smith Bob Saget Cause of Death: New Details Revealed - From LiveNOW From FOX Portland, TN (37148) Today Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Low around 65F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Low around 65F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. The Minister for Justice and Garda Commissioner have urged anyone who wants to join An Garda Siochana to apply for a position in the policing service as she opens a new recruitment campaign which envisages the hiring of some 1,200 guards and support staff. Launching the campaign Minister Helen McEntee said that the Government is increasing the number of Gardai on the streets. As of January 2022, there are 14,539 garda members. A statement from her department said Budget 2022 has provided for the recruitment of up to 800 Gardai and 400 Garda staff this year and many of those recruited will be drawn from this competition. The competition is the first held since new Regulations were introduced, amending the Garda Siochana (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013, to allow for a broader appeal for service with the force to reflect the increasing diversity of Irish Society. The competition, which is open until 3pm on Wednesday, March 16 2022, is seeking to attract candidates from across society and with a wide-variety of skills to join. The campaign recruitment slogan is The Difference is You. of An Garda Siochana and there is a Government commitment to increase this by an additional 800 new Garda recruits in 2022. The competition is being supported by an advertising campaign under the slogan of The Difference is You. In addition to technical amendments required to reflect changes in legislation from the Refugee Act 1996 to the International Protections Act 2015, the requirement for applicants to be proficient in two languages, one of which must be English or Irish, has also been changed. Under the amended regulations, proficiency is now only required in one language which can be English or Irish. A statement said Garda Siochana remains committed to the Irish language and studies in the Irish language will remain part of the Policing BA delivered to all trainee Gardai in the Garda College, Templemore. It added that a new Irish Language Strategy has been developed by and will be launched early this year. The Strategy aims to strengthen Irish language services within the force and ensure compliance with statutory language obligations. Successful applicants will be placed on a panel from which they are drawn by the Gardai for training when required by the Garda Commissioner. The last recruitment competition was held in early 2019. The Department of Justice says the Gardai, supported by the Government, will be reaching out to all of Irish society English and Irish speakers; women and men; migrant, Traveller and LGBTI+ people encouraging them to think about a career in the Gardai. A new intern programme recently saw 26 school leavers and graduates provided with the opportunity to begin a year-long paid internship as Garda staff. Full details on how to apply can be found on Publicjobs.ie Minister McEntee urged members of new Irish communities, women and people from minority groups to consider a career in the guards. This recruitment campaign is of particular significance as we this year celebrate 100 years of An Garda Siochana. There has never been a better time to join the Gardai as we work towards a policing service for the future that is valued for the essential public service it provides. A cornerstone of the vital work of An Garda Siochana is its engagement with communities and my hope is that we can have a policing service that is as diverse as the communities it serves. I urge anyone who wants to join An Garda Siochana to apply, but I want to particularly encourage women to consider a career with the Gardai. Significant efforts have been made to increase the proportion of women in the service, and we are ahead of many other countries, but we still have a long way to go. Equally, I want to encourage people from our new Irish communities and minority groups to consider applying for what is a worthwhile and valued career. I welcome the fact that the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, is focused on creating a policing service which values equality, diversity and inclusion because it is so important that every person in the country feels that they are reflected in the Garda members they see on the street or in their local station. Of course, we want a policing service that is diverse not only in gender and ethnicity, but also in socio-economic and geographical background. I would encourage all those with an interest in joining to visit publicjobs.ie and to consider applying. Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris said: "For 100 years, An Garda Siochana has been keeping the people of Ireland safe and as we begin marking our organisations centenary this week it is particularly fitting for us to be able open up recruitment. "Ireland is changing, and is more diverse and multi-cultural than ever before. We want our police service to fully reflect this important progress and to represent all the communities that we proudly serve. That is why our recruitment drive is focused on encouraging those who may not have previously considered training to become a Garda. "We are very keen to break down some of the barriers that may have been deterring people of every ethnicity, minority background, religious identity or none from applying to become a Garda. In previous recruitment campaigns, proficiency in two languages was required. For this campaign, proficiency will only be required in one language which can be English or Irish. "Being more reflective of the society we serve will enhance our ability to provide an effective police service for all people. While we have one of the highest levels of female police officers in Europe, we fully recognise that this is not replicated when it comes to minority communities. "There will be a significant focus in our recruitment campaign in reaching out to groups and individuals from these communities to encourage them to join An Garda Siochana. We know we have a lot of work to do in this area. "An Garda Siochana has long attracted highly capable people to pursue a role in policing, who steadily build up a highly rewarding career in the organisation at various levels. Becoming a Garda is a chance to make a real difference in communities. We want people from all backgrounds to join us and make that difference. "I am encouraging all those with excellent interpersonal skills or a unique skillset, a strong sense of community and those who are enthusiastic about making a real difference to peoples quality of life, to apply before 3pm Wednesday, March 16th 2022 because the difference is you, said Commissioner Harris. Her Department said the Garda Commissioner has put a welcome focus on equality, diversity and inclusion. This has included changes to Garda uniform policy, the establishment of the Garda National Diversity Forum, and representation from diverse and minority communities in the Garda Reserve. An Garda Siochana are working to produce a combined internal and external Equality, Diversity and Integration Strategy in early 2022. Dublin commuters living in Laois in high rent substandard homes are unable to afford to put food on the table, Portarlington's St Vincent de Paul has said. More and more people are turning to the charity for the first time, desperately seeking money for food, rent payments, heating and train travel costs. Private rent tenants are afraid to ask their landlords for repairs or replacement appliances, and are living in mouldy, damp homes that flew up as Portarlington mushroomed in size during the boom. Meanwhile landlords keep raising the rent "and tenants can't seem to do anything about it". Kieran Madden, area treasurer for Laois and local treasurer for the Portarlington conference, has outlined the crisis situation. "We help a whole range of people but our new clients are people on what you would call middle income who find themselves stretched because of rents. "Rents are going up and they are just not able to afford them, they are out of reach altogether. Landlords are increasing rents and tenants can't seem to do anything about it. "They are making choices between heat and food. They wear coats in their houses because they have no fuel to heat them. They are catching colds and infections quicker because of that. "People are paying enormous rents and living in very poor conditions, damp walls, no insulation. These are poorly built houses built during the boom. "A lot are people who moved down here to commute to Dublin. It wasn't so big a problem during Covid, but now travel costs are an issue as more have to go back to work. "Many are coping day to day but if something goes like a boiler or a washing machine, they are not able to meet that additional expense. The landlord won't replace them. We have paid rents for people threatened with eviction. They are afraid to go to Threshold because that would start an argument with the landlord," Kieran said. They are getting increasing calls from people struggling with rising energy bills. "The pre-pay topup that was given to people has been taken back, so now they find themselves with a direct debit gone from their account and are unable to pay for basic food. It's falling on then that we are helping people put food on the table," he said. They helped 134 families last December alone, which Kieran said is "up a good bit" compared to last year. They normally help about 100 families a year. "The real stress is on people trying to give their children a decent Christmas," he said. He said that thankfully loan sharks are not about. "The credit union here is very good and have a special loan scheme, we try to direct people to them where possible. We very rarely come across anyone in debt," he said. The charity is still not doing home visits due to Covid restrictions, instead relying on phone calls from people in need. "We take them on trust at face value. Our biggest concern is we are not getting to some people who are too embarrassed to contact us. Don't be. It could be me next week. It could be anybody who needs a bit of help to get back on their feet. "We consider any help, not just food but with all sorts of bills and expenses people are unable to pay. We have paid for furniture for people moving into unfurnished homes. Elderly people come to us for help in winter with fuel costs but that tapers off in Spring. "We are helping adult students training in professions who now can't afford to travel to college, we even pay course fees. Education is a big priority for us, it is the route out of the poverty trap," he said. He is volunteering for the charity for over twenty years. "I haven't seen it get any better, it gets worse every year," the treasurer said. People can support the charity by donating and also buying items from their shop on Main Street in Portarlington. "I want to thank the community for their support and generosity, it has been enormous and fabulous. The donations over Christmas were exceptionally high and I thank people for that," he said. Call Portarlington SVP on (057) 864 3886. Laois woman and RTE broadcaster Claire Byrne is urging people and around the country to support the return of the Irish Cancer Society's main fundraiser Daffodil Day. The Mountrath woman joined cancer survivor and mum-of-two, Donna Marie Cullen, to celebrate the return of fundraiser to communities around Ireland for the first time in three years at the launch on February 10. As the flagship fundraising day returns to the streets of Ireland for the first time since 2019, the Irish Cancer Society is calling on the public to take part in any way they can to show solidarity and support for anyone affected by cancer. Claire is giving it her full support. I am proud to support Daffodil Day 2022. Cancer affects every family in Ireland in some way, and we know that this year alone, almost 45,000 people will hear the words you have cancer. Daffodil Day has such an important place in the calendar each year and Im delighted that it will be back on our streets on March 25th. I look forward to once again seeing communities come together united with a single purpose, to raise funds and take back from cancer, she said. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Pictured at the launch of Daffodil Day 2022, the day we take back from cancer are broadcaster Claire Byrne with Cancer Survivor Donna-Marie Cullen and Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power. Picture Andres Poveda Mother-of-two Donna-Marie Cullen from Lucan, Dublin who experienced a cancer diagnosis during the pandemic, which she says was horrific due to the amount of time she spent in hospital away from her family with no visitors due to restrictions. In September of 2020, the 36-year-old was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. She began her treatment immediately, which included extensive chemotherapy, surgery and 30 sessions of radiotherapy. Donna-Marie finished up her surgery and treatment in summer 2021 and she still has some reconstructive surgeries ahead of her. From day one, the Irish Cancer Society have been there with me and theyve been with my family. They provided relevant information, they were sincere, empathetic and they just understood. All of my family engaged in the counselling services, including my 12-year-old son Sean. The Irish Cancer Society were there for me throughout my treatment, because I was alone for one week out of three in the hospital. Im forever grateful for what theyve done for me. Theyve helped me and so many families in this country, and its because of people who have donated to the Irish Cancer Society, especially on Daffodil Day, she said. Averil Power is the CEO of the Irish Cancer Society: We are so excited to be able to get out on the streets again to see the amazing support the people of Ireland show to anyone affected by cancer. Daffodil Day is such a special and hopeful day for our entire community. Throughout the pandemic weve been so lucky that people have found innovative ways to support us but we are looking forward to seeing Ireland turn yellow once again on March 25th. The pandemic showed us how we can achieve incredible things when we come together with a purpose. Now we must focus this effort on making sure we dont go backwards on the progress made in saving lives from cancer. Daffodil Day is our most important fundraising event of the year and the money raised goes directly to funding crucial supports including our Support Line, free counselling, our Night Nurses to provide end of life care, and financial support for families of children affected by cancer. Along with these services, the money raised on Daffodil Day allows us to support life-changing cancer research, she said. People are being asked to take part and take back from cancer in any way they can this Daffodil Day. As well as donating at Cancer.ie and volunteering to help fundraise, they can purchase items from the Daffodil Day online shop and take part in a steps challenge. For more information about Daffodil Day visit www.Cancer.ie/DaffodilDay . Ways to support Daffodil Day Donate at www.Cancer.ie/Donate or over the phone on 0818 10 20 30 Sell Daffodil pins in your local community - more details HERE Donate through Facebook, Instagram or JustGiving Register for our steps challenge at www.cancer.ie/ways-to-help/ fundraise/daffodil-day/get- involved-this-daffodil-day/ take-part-in-our-steps- challenge-this-march Purchase Daffodil Day items on our online shop Purchase a Daffodil pin and donate at Centra stores nationwide Revolut users can donate to the Irish Cancer Society through the Donations Tab on the Revolut app By texting DAF, DAFF or DAFFODIL (4) to 50300 By getting your primary school, secondary school or company involved: www.Cancer.ie/GetInvolved Anyone with concerns or questions about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 and SupportLine@IrishCancer.ie The time has come for a ban on gambling ads, according to Senator, Mark Wall. The Labour spokesperson on sport said the research published by the Health Research Board needs to be a wakeup call for government to stop their tokenistic responses and take meaningful action to protect those at risk of gambling addiction. The research published by the Health Research Board (HRB) points to a continued lack of action by government on problem gambling. We welcomed governments announcement of the establishment of a Gambling Regulatory Authority in October, but this research shows there can be no further delay in the enactment of the Authority. Its clear that gambling addiction remains rife throughout society and that many people, and young men in particular, remain at risk of developing serious and devastating addictions," he said. Despite a 20% reduction in gambling overall, the HRB study points to approx. 12,000 problem gamblers and a further 125,000 people who are at-risk gamblers. We need to see real intervention from government on this as well as enacting a Gambling Regulator, I would once again urge government to act on Labours bill to ban the ads that target those at-risk gamblers and have the potential to ruin lives, devastate their families and communities and leave the person suffering from addiction feeling hopeless. As well as the ads on the tv, young people are bombarded with gambling ads on their phones through ads on social media channels and the sheer volume of these ads is having a huge impact on vulnerable people. Labours bill would take swift action to protect those at risk of developing addiction. While theres nothing wrong with the occasional flutter, if it is abused, it can be dangerous and devastating. There have been multiple reports on gambling addiction over recent years. Indeed, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland indicated a concerning rise in gambling disorder referrals since Covid the lockdowns. Coupled with the HRB report, its clear that we need to act fast and put controls in place now to protect those who are vulnerable to behaviour addiction. The level of addiction and affliction in communities up and down this country demands serious action. Its time to see real action from government now. The water supply used by a group of residents in Kilteel has become contaminated with arsenic, prompting calls for water tankers to be deployed. The amount of arsenic in the supply is nearly seven times the safe limit, it was claimed at a Naas Municipal District meeting on February 8. Up to 60 families are directly affected by the problem. While they can use the water for washing purposes and in toilets, it is highly toxic and must not be consumed. Nor can the problem be alleviated by boiling. Read more Kildare news A KCC representative said that because the affected water supply is operated by a private group water scheme, primary responsibility rests with the local trustees of the scheme. Cllr Fintan Brett The representative added: In the interest of public health, KCC issued a do not consume notice to all users of this supply prohibiting, until further notice, the use of this water for either drinking purposes or for the preparation of food. Local councillor Fintan Brett has called on the authorities to deploy water tankers to provide a safe and accessible supply for local families. He said the contamination is a locally occurring problem but the scheme functioned normally for many years. There is no point in Irish Water burying their heads in the sand, said Cllr Brett. Cllr Brett believes that in the medium to long term it will be necessary to connect these homes to the public supply and this is likely to be expensive since some residences are located more than three kilometres from the nearest mains source. Its understood that all of those affected are part of a group water scheme, which provides water from a privately owned supply. The water is fine for some use but for not drinking and you could have a situation where it snows heavily as it did a few years ago and no water would be available. At that time this community was snowed in, said Cllr Brett. He added: I understand that the contamination is well above the safe limits and Ill be calling on Irish Water and Kildare County Council to step up to the plate and find an immediate and long term solution. The representative added: In the interest of public health, KCC issued a do not consume notice to all users of this supply prohibiting, until further notice, the use of this water for either drinking purposes or for the preparation of food. The representative added that as the supervisory authority for group schemes, the council will continue to work with the trustees to assist in addressing the issue. Initial assessments suggest that finding a solution in the short term is likely to be challenging. In the interim, the council will not be providing tankers as supplies from this source must also be boiled before consumption in accordance with drinking water regulations. According to Irish Water it has no responsibility for private group water schemes. Failte Ireland has announced the expansion of Irelands Hidden Heartlands to include all of counties Cavan, Westmeath, Offaly and an additional part of Tipperary, parts of which were previously covered by the Irelands Ancient East regional tourism brand. These counties join Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, East Clare, Westmeath and part of Galway. Leitrim has been part of the marketing brand for a few years but many were unhappy to have north Leitrim taken out of the Wild Atlantic Way, since Tullaghan is on the coast and you cannot pass from Donegal to Sligo unless you enter Leitrim. Cavan had previously been split in half, with West Cavan in Hidden Heartlands and East Cavan in the Ancient East. The announcement was made at Failte Irelands From Survival to Recovery industry event at The Convention Centre Dublin, this week which was attended by over 800 representatives from the tourism and hospitality industry. Making the announcement, Paddy Mathews, Head of Irelands Hidden Heartlands at Failte Ireland, said: Todays expansion of the Irelands Hidden Heartlands brand to include Cavan, Westmeath, Offaly and part of Tipperary will allow us to further raise awareness of this region domestically and internationally. The Irelands Hidden Heartlands brand is centred around Irelands natural rural beauty, relaxation, and untouched heritage and outdoor activities which each of these counties boast in abundance. We look forward to working with industry stakeholders, strategic partners, Members of the Oireachtas and the Local Authorities as we develop this beautiful region as one of the leading regenerative tourism destinations in Europe, with nature and communities at its heart. Irelands Hidden Heartlands was launched by Failte Ireland in 2018 and has been successful in growing tourism in the region. The expanded footprint for Irelands Hidden Heartlands to include Cavan, Westmeath, Offaly and part of Tipperary will give visitors a more cohesive visitor experience in the area and will strengthen the overall tourism offering. Award-winning Irish comedian, Julie Jay has announced her brand new live show, Oops This Is Toxic which will visit venues across Ireland including The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton on Saturday, March 5. Oops This Is Toxic is a nostalgia-fest for anyone who has ever dropped to that Hit Me Baby beat, for anyone who came of age against the backdrop of nineties/noughties misogyny, for anyone who has wanted to be defined by their moments of joy rather than their moments of pain. As a fellow early eighties Sagittarius, comedian Julie Jays life has had a lot of parallels with Britney Spears: Britney was a member of the Mickey Mouse Club, Julie was a member of the Poetry Club; Britney can sing like an angel, Julie was the only hearing child in her class of 30 who didnt make the Confirmation Choir! Speaking on the tour announcement Julie said Im very excited to hit the road with my new show and to finally get back on stage with a live audience, a very welcome change from the Zoom and TikTok screen, its been a long time coming! A dark-comedy examination of 90s/00s misogyny which celebrates not just Britney, but everyone who survived an era wherein Timberlakes flew high while Janet Jacksons got grounded. The show has been described as hilarious by the Irish Examiner. Tickets are available to purchase now from www.juliejaycomedy.com or from The Glens Centre. TWILIGHT Beezneez presents the world premiere of John McDwyers new play, Twilight in The Glens Centre on Sunday, February 13. Two friends, who havent met for over thirty-five years meet for coffee on the patio of a hotel. Why have they not met for all this time and why are they meeting now? Show starts at 8pm. Tickets: 16/14 JOHN SPILLANE On Sunday, February 22 John Spillane returns to Leitrim with his show in The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton. A native of Cork, the County he lovingly describes as the centre of the universe and a source of huge creative influence throughout his career. Johns music is inspired by and encapsulates Irish traditional music in its contemporary form a reflection of Ireland today. It all kicks off at 8pm. Tickets 20. You can book tickets at The Glens Centre by calling (071) 9855833 or visiting www.theglenscentre.com Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. SIGNIFICANT steps have been taken at three Limerick hospitals to ensure there is full compliance with EU ionising radiation regulations. The Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA) has published a report following an inspection at University Hospital Limerick, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital and University Maternity Hospital Limerick last September. Medical exposure to ionising radiation is when radiation is used as part of diagnosis such as an X-ray or CT scan, for medical research purposes or the use of radiotherapy as part of cancer treatment at a hospital. The pre-announced visit took place on September 22, 2021 and inspectors found there had been improvement in several areas since the previous inspection which was carried out in 2020. "Inspectors reviewed information submitted prior to the inspection and on the day of inspection and reviewed practices in a number of modalities. Inspectors also spoke with a number of staff within the multidisciplinary team working in the radiology department and with members of the UHL management team. Overall, inspectors found that the hospital had taken significant steps to come into compliance with the regulations inspected against in 2020," states the report. While the UL Hospitals Group was found to be 'compliant' or 'substantially compliant' with all of the regulations, a number of areas for improvement were identified - including the need to recruit more medical physics experts (MPEs) and ensuring full adherence to certain protocols. Following the inspection, UL Hospitals agreed to take action to address the concerns raised. In addition to providing additional resources, it undertook to "implement and maintain appropriate quality assurance programmes". An undertaking was also given to "put in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the continuity of expertise of persons for whom it is responsible who have been recognised as a medical physics expert" under the regulations. All of the measures agreed are to be implemented by next June. In a statement, HIQA welcomed the progress made at UHL. "Although University Hospital Limerick had yet to demonstrate a full return to compliance following a previous inspection, a strong commitment to addressing compliance issues was demonstrated on the inspection on 22 September 2021." DISCUSSIONS are taking place in relation to the provision of a second emergency department (ED) facility in Limerick amid record demand at University Hospital Limerick. A private hospital is being developed on lands at Coonagh by the non-profit University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), but for use by the public. Announced 12 months ago as part of a wider 400m project, the facility will see a new 200-bed hospital, a medical training and research centre, with the scheme expected to be delivered within four years. After it was confirmed that public patients will be accepted as part of a partnership with the University of Limerick Hospitals Group (ULHG), the Leader can now reveal that a new ED is being discussed. Multiple sources have indicated if there is a need for it, it can be provided. When asked for comment, a spokesperson for UPMC stated: This decision will be in full collaboration and complimentary to the services currently under the governance of ULHG. Only last month, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reported record overcrowding at the ED in Dooradoyle, with 111 patients without a bed one morning. If a second ED did open north of the Shannon, it would provide a service to thousands of people without the need to cross the city. The new hospital will also help service local waiting lists described as enormous by UPMC. As revealed by this newspaper last month, there are some 55,977 people waiting for their first outpatient appointment across ULHGs six hospitals, a huge rise since the onset of Covid-19. The new hospital on the northside will operate as a public facility, UPMC has confirmed, and will be integrated into the overall acute hospital and community services offering of the UL Hospitals Group providing further services in the Mid-West region. It will be overseen by a joint governance board, with a source confirming it will be managed in a similar fashion to St Johns Hospital in the city centre, which itself saw its ED close in 2013. The overall vision is to develop and operate a new, world-class healthcare facility which will contribute significantly to improving healthcare, UPMC added. The potential of a public hospital operating within a private healthcare setting is likely to be politically challenging for some. However, City North councillor Frankie Daly, a member of the HSE West forum said: The reality is, we need resolutions now, not 10 or 15 years down the line. There are plans afoot, a co-ordinated approach and its positive. Another forum member, Cllr John Egan, who has spoken openly of his own hospital experience, added: If facilities are there, be they private or public, they should be used up to the max. AN AUDIENCE from around the world tuned in last week to see Vicky Phelan receive the Freedom of Limerick. Nearly 5,000 people watched the ceremony in 14 different countries including Russia, Romania and the United States. Figures received from the AV company involved in the live streaming show that there were 4,900 plays during the ceremony. The ceremony was beamed live around the world from the Limerick City and County Council Chamber in Dooradoyle. The Freedom of Limerick is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon an individual by Limerick City and County Council. The honour is reserved for those who have made exceptional or unique contributions to the common good or to persons who have made outstanding contributions to the life of Limerick. Vicky was honoured for her work in uncovering the Cervical Check scandal and her tireless advocacy and support of other women who have been affected and are fighting for justice, as well as advocating for the rights of terminally ill people to end their suffering. Commenting on the figures, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said: The number of people who tuned in from around Ireland and the world is a testament to Vicky Phelan, her story and how she is a voice for others. "For many people, the story of Vicky is their story, and sadly their loved ones are no longer with us. It was an honour and a privilege to meet with Vicky and her family at the ceremony. She is a truly remarkable woman who is fighting for us all. She thoroughly deserves the Freedom of Limerick. A SPECIAL exhibition exploring the theme of belonging in the EU will be officially launched in Limerick later this evening. The European Expo event, which will run until April 24, features 82 pieces of artwork from across all 27 EU countries plus the UK. These include works from Irish artists such as Isabel Nolan and Sean Scully. Continue reading below or click 'Next' for more photos from the launch event Representatives of The European Investment Bank (EIB) are in Limerick today to launch the exhibition which has been curated by the EIB and The Hunt Museum. The exhibition is supported by Limerick City and County Council, the Department of Culture, the University of Limerick, Technology University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Shannon Foynes Port company and the embassies of EU Member States. The Limerick wide exhibition comprises of works from the European Investment Banks Art Collection. While curated by the Hunt Museum, exhibits will also be hosted by Limerick City Gallery of Art, Mary Immaculate College, Saint Marys Cathedral, The Peoples Museum, The Sailors Home and UL's Bourn Vincent Gallery and East Room. Hunt Museum CEO and director Jill Cousins has expressed her joy at what will be the museum's first in-person exhibition since the pandemic hit two years ago. It explores belonging through contemporary art. Art expresses our feelings and how we react to things around us, she told the Limerick Leader. "It really does look incredible". Around 200 invited guests will attend this evening's official launch event including a number of EU Ambassadors, representatives of the EIB and the Irish government. "We are delighted to debut this collection in Ireland, especially in the wonderful city of Limerick," commented Werner Hoyer, president of the EIB. "The EIB's Art Collection is a quintessentially European body of work offering a wide spectrum of artistic creation. Its focus reflects the EIB's role at the forefront of promoting economic and social development in Europe and naturally interacts with the evolving scope of the bank's activities, particularly its geographic expansion in line with that of the EU," he added. Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Daniel Butler said he's delighted that Limerick was chosen as the location for the Belonging exhibition. "Over the past two years, many of us have come to re-evaluate or question our lives, reaffirm what is best for us and many have chosen a new path. This exciting exhibition, which we in Limerick are honoured to be the first non-capital city to host, has the idea of 'Belonging' at its heart," he said. "Limerick is a city where everyone can belong. Limerick as a city is very much part of Europe. This prestigious exhibition will offer a very significant European profile to Limerick, truly demonstrating our European Embrace. I hope that Belonging will attract many visitors to see this fantastic exhibition and give people an opportunity to further explore the wonders of Limerick," he added. A FORMER Mayor of Limerick says he has a "huge difficulty" with local authority spending more than 2,000 on an advert in Public Sector Magazine. Cllr Liam Galvin revealed on RTE's Liveline that Limerick City and County Council took out the advert more than five years ago around the same time it received an award from the publisher of the magazine. Over the last week, the taking out of adverts in Public Sector Magazine by State agencies and government departments has been questioned by broadcaster Joe Duffy on Liveline. Several business owners have told the programme on RTE Radio 1 they were asked to pay for an advert in exchange for getting an award from Public Sector Magazine. Mr Duffy has also questioned if the magazine's circulation figures have been independently validated. Speaking on the programme this week, Cllr Galvin, expressed his disappointment over Limerick City and County's Council's decision to take out an advert - during the term of his mayoralty. "This was all done in good faith I must say, by our local authority but it is disappointing because this is tax-payers money and I have a huge difficulty over this," he said adding that the cost of the advert was 1,695 plus VAT. "It is a lot of money in today's climate considering the economy and what Covid has done to us and it's unfortunate that this has happened but I want to reiterate that, in fairness to our local authority, they did it in good faith - they were trying to promote us as a single authority and it was done in good faith at the time," he added. While Limerick City and County Council has declined to comment on the controversy, a press release which was issued when it won the award in September 2016 remains on its website. "Public Sector Magazine has announced Limerick City and County Council as one of the principal winners in the publication's award scheme," states the press release, which also features a photograph of Cllr Galvin with several council officials and the award. "The Local Authority's Economic Development & Planning Department has been named outright winner of the Business Services Management Award category of the magazine's annual Excellence in Business Awards to Local Government and PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPP)," it adds. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has called on the Government to address legislative gaps to tackle hate crime and racial profiling and said that legislation needs to be strengthened to deal with inequality gaps. Outlining its strategy statement, an IHREC commissioner said that the organisation will seek to promote justice, promote the rule of law and improve access to justice. The IHREC set out areas which it says should be prioritised in its work over the coming years. Today, we launch our new #IHRECStrategy, which outlines our five priorities for the next three years. pic.twitter.com/athiTTUeDz Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission (@_IHREC) February 10, 2022 These included economic equality, justice, respect and recognition, futureproofing and public sector duty. Sunniva McDonagh, senior counsel and IHREC commissioner, said that human rights democracy and access to justice were particularly evident during pandemic. Speaking during the launch on Thursday, Ms McDonagh said that the pandemic impacted people in vulnerable positions the most and exasperated inequalities. She said that the State response to Covid legislation raised rule of law issues and what was guidance and what was legislation was not always clear. Ms McDonagh also reiterated calls to end direct provision, saying the IHREC will monitor the White Paper on ending direct provision. She also said organisation will also ensure the Government does not exercise arbitrary powers. Thank you to all who attended our #IHRECStrategy this morning. You can read the full strategy in English and Irish here: https://t.co/ladvappB2f Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission (@_IHREC) February 10, 2022 Ms McDonagh said that legislation needs strengthened to address inequality gaps, particularly areas that are lacking in dealing with hate crime and racial profiling. She also said that it will propose changes that underpins investigations into State wrongdoing, and the IHREC will work to broaden access to legal aid. Sinead Gibney, chief commissioner of IHREC, said its mission is to protect and promote human rights equality. We are calling for a rethink of Irelands approach to human rights, Ms Gibney said. She said that the IHREC will seek to give voices to those heard least and impacted most by decision makers. Professor Kathleen Lynch, IHREC commissioner, said that economic equality impacts everyone, especially marginalised groups. She said that recent figures show that the highest 10% earners in Ireland earn four times what the lowest 10% earn. Prof Lynch said helping people to integrate economically and reduce inequality has to be a priority. Minority groups are adversely effected, they experience disadvantage and discrimination, she added. She said that the IHREC will respond to crises that threaten rights and equality. It means ensuring good work, affordable housing, healthcare and other affordable public services, Prof Lynch added. Our objective is to improve protections and supports for those on low incomes. We will identify ways in which wealth inequalities can be addressed and improve access to appropriate housing, particularly those facing barriers. We will do it in a number ways including the highlighting of inequality. We will take legal cases to vindicate the right to housing, influencing housing policy and promoting research that will advance equality. We will examine ways in which wealth can be more equally distributed. A TD has accused the Taoiseach of being "flippant" in response to a query about the takeover of a much-loved visitor attraction popular with Limerick families. The response, which related to the takeover of several key Clare and one Limerick based visitor attraction, was issued by Micheal Martin in the Dail, following a parliamentary question put to him by Clares Michael McNamara TD. Deputy McNamara asked the Taoiseach for clarity on whether capital funding from central government would be forthcoming for the Clare-based tourism assets owned by the Shannon Group. He stressed that Clare County Council has limited sources of revenue, mainly being local property tax and rates and that nobody would be thanking them if taxes were raised strictly to put a roof on a castle. Last year, it was announced that Shannon Group would transfer ownership of Bunratty Castle to Clare County Council and King Johns Castle to Limerick City and County Council. This formed part of a wider transfer of its tourism assets, which had been decimated by Covid-19 restrictions. I wish to raise the issue of Shannon Heritage Properties with the Taoiseach. I have raised it many times before, said Deputy McNamara. He said a due diligence process is now in place for Clare County Council to effectively take over the relevant properties. Key to that is capital funding, he added. After asking the Taoiseach whether he will undertake to provide the necessary funding, the Taoiseach asked if the council do in fact, want to take it (Bunratty Castle) over. Confirming that they do wish to proceed with the takeover, Deputy McNamara received the response: So they should get on with it. Following the Dail debate, Deputy McNamara released a statement in which he criticised Mr Martin. "The future of key tourism sites in the Mid-West and those who rely on them for employment, either directly or indirectly, deserve more than the flippant attitude shown by the Taoiseach in the Dail today." Having trained with Connolly Sellors Geraghty based at 6/7 Glentworth Street, Limerick, which today houses the firm Sellors LLP, Caroline Fitzgibbon returned to 6/7 Glentworth Street to join the progressive and dynamic team at Sellors LLP in September 2021. Managing Partner, Stephen Keogh said Sellors LLP is committed to delivering the highest standard of legal services to our clients and to achieve that, we have invested in recruiting the best legal team. We are delighted to have Caroline Fitzgibbon join our firm. Caroline has expertise in litigation and in property and is of tremendous value-add to Sellors. With over twenty years experience advising in private client, Caroline has extensive experience in family law, personal injury but also in both residential and commercial property which is of enormous benefit to clients and in particular when dealing with family assets. Setting up in private practice in partnership during the years 2006-2013 before becoming a sole practitioner in mid 2013, she advised SMEs, a chain of one of Irelands largest creche operators as well as the owners of two supermarkets one being a chain which was ultimately sold in late 2013. She has advised both Landlord and Tenants in commercial leases and in complex family transactions arising from separation and divorce including the restructuring of business post separation/divorce. In late 2014 Caroline joined the litigation department of another large Limerick firm advising primarily in the areas of Family Law and Personal Injury. Heading up the Family Law Unit, over the course of seven years, she provided clients with sound legal advice on divorce, judicial separation, civil partnership and cohabitation, the financial consequences of marital breakdown, the recognition of foreign divorces, civil partnership, cohabitation and non marital relationships. She has also acted for people who had been injured as a result of road traffic accidents, accidents at work and in public places. Caroline has advised clients with family business, on trusts, she was involved in a case involving foreign custody which came before the Court of Appeal, surrogacy cases, cohabitation cases arising from the death of a partner and the restructuring of family business following divorce. It is my job to understand a clients business, to achieve the best outcomes for clients having regard to all of the circumstances of each individual case and advise accordingly I am delighted to return to Glentworth Street and to work with an excellent team who are all committed to delivering the highest standard of client care and professionalism. It is a firm where not only is client care important but also the wellbeing of staff. It has been a busy few months with skipathons, hill walking, a bake off and Sellors LLP is currently taking part in the #ToTheMoon challenge in aid of Blue Box Creative Arts Therapy, Clionas Foundation, Carebright Community, Clares Wish Foundation, Corpus Christi Primary School, Limerick Suicide Watch and the Lime Tree Theatre. Caroline looks forward to meeting old and new clients at Sellors LLP in Glentworth Street. *Sponsored Content A day after ICICIdirect faced investors' ire over an "unprecedented network issue", users of the investment platform ICICIdirect again encountered logging issues Thursday morning due to unknown reasons. Irked users took to Twitter to complain about the issue. However, the brokerage later informed in a tweet that both the app and website went live before market opening. ICICIdirect website and apps are live now. You can login and access your ICICIdirect account," it said. ICICIdirect website and apps are live now. You can login and access your ICICIdirect account. ICICIdirect (@ICICI_Direct) February 10, 2022 Earlier in the day, investors were greeted with a message on ICICIdirect website, which read that services will not be available to customers till 8.45, February 10. "ICICIdirect website and apps will be available today from 8.45 am. We apologize for the inconvenience caused." A user tweeted, It's not only simple inconvenience. It's mental agony and financial losses." Another user tweeted With so frequent downtime, you should mention when site will be available for traders and investors". ICICIdirect, the leading retail broker and financial product distributor in the country, has over 50 lakh customers. The online share trading platform offers a trading account for seamless and hassle free electronic trading. It offers more than 50 products and services including equity, mutual funds, derivatives, Futures and Options currency, commodity, ETF, insurance and IPOs. A woman's beach vacation took an unexpected turn when she was hit so hard in the neck by a wave that it ruptured one of her arteries, according to a recent report of her case. The 60-year-old woman, who lives in Ireland, was vacationing at the beach when an ocean wave struck her in the neck. Soon, she began to experience intermittent headaches and neck pain, according to the report, published Sept. 12 in the journal BMJ Case Reports. After two weeks, she was still having these symptoms, and one of her eyelids began to droop, prompting her to seek medical care. When doctors examined the woman, they noticed that one of her pupils was smaller than the other. [27 Oddest Medical Cases] The woman was initially diagnosed with Horner syndrome, which refers to a combination of symptoms caused by a disruption in a nerve pathway from the brain to the face, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many things can cause Horner syndrome. In the woman's case, further imaging tests revealed that she had "carotid artery dissection" (CAD) in her right carotid artery. This occurs when blood leaks into a tear within the wall of the carotid artery, and as the blood pools, it separates the layers of the blood vessel wall. The right carotid artery is one of four arteries in the neck that delivers blood to the brain. The dissection likely happened because the wave's impact led to a rupture of the "vasa vasorum," or the small blood vessels within the wall of the carotid artery, the authors wrote in the report. Dr. Etimbuk Umana, an emergency medicine doctor at Galway University Hospitals in Ireland, who treated the patient, said that, prior to the woman's case, he had never seen or read any reports of a beach wave causing CAD. But unusual neck movements or blunt trauma to the neck (such as trauma experienced in a car crash) are known causes of CAD, he told Live Science. It's estimated that trauma causes up to 40 percent of cases of CAD, the authors wrote. One concern for patients with CAD is the risk of stroke; indeed, the condition is a common cause of stroke for people under 50, according to the Cedars-Sinai medical centerin Los Angeles. A stroke can occur if a blood clot forms at the site of the blood vessel dissection and that clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. For this reason, patients with CAD may be treated with anti-clotting drugs (such as blood thinners) to prevent stroke. But for patients who have a rupture of the vasa vasorum, anti-clotting drugs might actually pose a risk of increased bleeding, the report said. The woman was initially treated with anti-clotting drugs, but the treatment was stopped, in part due to concerns about bleeding risk. Also, the woman didn't have any signs of stroke or other brain problems. The woman was monitored closely and took Lyrica (pregabalin), a medicine used to treat nerve pain, to help with her pain. Six months later, tests showed that the artery injury had completely healed. The authors said that more studies are needed to weigh the risks and benefits of anti-clotting drugs for patients like the one in this report. Originally published on Live Science. Denham Springs, LA (70726) Today A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. 3 1 of 3 Danny Zaragoza, Staff Photographer / Laredo Morning Times Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Danny Zaragoza / Laredo Morning Times Show More Show Less 3 of 3 The WBCA Carnival has returned to the Gateway City Thursday, opening up for business at the Sames Auto Arena parking lot. The carnival is a limited-time engagement, only open for the next 12 days, with its last day of operation scheduled for Monday, February 21. Admission to the carnival runs only $2, though rides are require the purchase of tickets or a special wristband, depending on the day of operation. A man assaulted his girlfriend with a belt and buckle because he claimed she was acting like a little girl, according to the Webb County Sheriffs Office. Gerardo Garza Vazquez, 50, was served with an arrest warrant on Monday charging him with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. Deputies responded to a late assault report at about 10:27 a.m. Dec. 29 in the 2000 block of Piedra China Street. A woman stated that at about 1 a.m. Dec. 26, she and her boyfriend were at his business and residence at Garzas Junkyard on 237 Riata Road in Webb County. She stated that Garza Vazquez had been drinking beer and liquor. She had gotten to use the restroom twice, but on the third time, Garza Vazquez yelled at her saying, Youre behaving like a little girl and Dont start misbehaving or being annoying, states the arrest affidavit. Garza Vazquez then began striking her with a belt and buckle causing her bruising to her legs. Deputies also noticed she had bruises on her arms. Asked about the bruises on her arms, she did not know what caused them because she had blacked out, states the affidavit. Investigators tried to contact Garza Vazquez. But the Sheriffs Office said Garza Vazquez and his attorney failed to show up at two appointments they had made, according to court documents. Lena Ann "Lee Ann" Enzinna, age 77 of the City of Tonawanda, April 28, 2022. Lee Ann was a 1962 graduate of Tonawanda High School and a graduate of Buffalo State Teachers College. She had been employed by Roswell Park Cancer Inst. for many years. Daughter of the late Samuel F. Sr. and Lena E Bord na Mona are facing heightened calls this week to show goodwill to local residents in the greater Lanesboro area who have been left to count the cost of the company's 'brown to green' transition. Homeowners living along the Clonfower road want officials from the semi-state firm to address the deteriorating state of the local routeway which locals say has been exacerbated by heavy duty vehicles which access the road to draw turf. Local Cllr Gerald Farrell said the situation required immediate and decisive action from company chiefs. Bord na Mona have contracted a company to draw horticultural peat, but the problem is what it doing to the road and people's driveways, he said. These trucks start around 5am every morning and the noise it is creating is also causing a lot of annoyance for people. The Fine Gael local politician said he, together with a county council area engineer have met with local homeowners to canvass their concerns. He said while there was an acceptance over the need to make use of whatever turf remained following Bord na Mona's switch to green energy, a compromise of sorts was urgently required. Bord na Mona are a semi state company and they were looking not too long ago to build 185 metre high wind turbines close to the road and not far from these people's homes. All we are looking for is a bit of goodwill so that we can get the contractor into a room and to come up with a solution to take these trucks of the road and onto a main road. A man who refused hospital care and proceeded to bleed profusely all over a Garda vehicle and a cell at Longford Garda Station, resulting in a cleaning bill of over 900, has been given a three month suspended prison sentence. Martin Mongan of 2 Willow Park, Strokestown Road was arrested by Gardai following allegations that he broke four windows of a property, resulting in a number of cuts to his hands. Sgt Enda Daly, for the state, explained that Gardai spoke with the resident of the property, Debbie Stokes, who said the damage was done by her partner, Mr Mongan. When Gardai spoke to Mr Mongan, they found him to be bleeding profusely and an ambulance was called to assess his injuries. However, Mr Mongan became abusive and refused to go to hospital in the ambulance. He was arrested and conveyed to Longford Garda Station. When Gardai opened the rear door of the Garda van, they discovered Mr Mongan had removed the bandage from his arm and told Gardai he needed to go to hospital. He continued to be abusive towards Gardai, the court heard, and he had to be physically escorted to the cell while an ambulance was called. When Gardai returned to the cell, they found it to be smeared with blood. The Garda transit van was also smeared with blood and all was declared to be hazardous, wracking up a cleaning bill of 908. Solicitor for the defence, Brid Mimnagh, said her client acknowledges that he was very intoxicated and told the court that Mr Mongan had a particularly difficult time over the last two years with the loss of his baby daughter after her birth. He has four kids and is now expecting another baby. His partner has been very fair, said Ms Mimnagh. He says the bandage on his arm came off and, due to his intoxicated state, he couldnt keep it on and he was bleeding profusely. He had to get 18 stitches. He wants to apologise to the Gardai. Hes on social welfare and he has given up the drink. He wants to be a good example to his children and has committed no offences since that date. Judge Owens noted that Mr Mongan pleaded guilty to the offence and said that he is to get credit for that plea. Two other things to his credit, she said, were the fact that Mr Mongans last conviction was in 2019, and that Sgt Daly had acknowledged that the accused has not come to the attention of Gardai since this incident. But it is a very serious matter, she affirmed. Mr Mongan was sentenced to three months in prison for one of two criminal damage charges, but Judge Owens suspended that sentence for a period of 12 months on his own bond, subject to the payment of 500 to a charity of Sgt Dalys choice. Im ordering that he pay 500 by way of charitable donation to St Christophers Services, to be paid on or before December 1, 2022, she said. All other matters were taken into consideration. Longford is among nine counties in the country with no refuge available to victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, according to RTE Investigates - Domestic Abuse, A Year of Crisis, which aired on Monday evening. The last year has seen a fourfold increase in emergency calls from domestic abuse survivors and Mondays RTE Investigates programme heard that the Midlands is a blackhole and getting scraps from the table when it comes to domestic abuse. In the last year RTE Investigates filmed in several refuges across the country as the services reached crisis point. From coercive control, repeated patterns of domestic violence, femicide and the traumatic journey through the justice system, the documentary reveals the human stories behind the statistics. Last year, the number of people that contacted the domestic violence support services increased by 40% from the previous year, in some cases as a direct result of Covid-19 restrictions. Longford is amongst nine counties in Ireland that have no refuge service available, along with Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Offaly, Monaghan, Roscommon, and Sligo. In recent weeks, Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced that funding to open a domestic violence refuge in Longford could finally be delivered. While public representatives and domestic violence support services have campaigned locally for years, no money was available to provide a refuge in Longford. Now, in the wake of Ashling Murphys death in Tullamore, it appears that there could be movement. The Taoiseach committed to providing for such services, while speaking on RTEs Morning Ireland on January 20. I can understand peoples cynicism, and scepticism about whether this will be done. I can assure people it will be done. It will be followed through,W he said of funding for services. The death of Ashling Murphy has shocked the nation. We saw in the Dail that all parties are resolved to work together... to create a cross-party mechanism to ensure that we can fulfill these timelines and ensure that we're not back in a year's time asking why these timelines weren't met. The news was warmly welcomed by the Domestic Violence Service at Longford Womens Link. We very much welcome recent announcements both from the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice in relation to the issue of Violence Against Women and the location of DSGBV policies in a single department, said CEO of LWL Tara Farrell. We also need to see a transparent, resourced and sustainable system in the future which can bring about the transformative social and systemic change that is needed if we are serious as a society about tackling this issue. DVS Manager at LWL, Heather McKenna, agreed. We are aware of the need for additional safe accommodation for victims of DSGBV and we recommend that safe accommodation be designed and implemented in line with the unique needs of women experiencing DSGBV, she told the Leader. Safe accommodation is just one aspect of the supports required for our society to fully respond to these needs but it is important to note that safe accommodation provision does not end DSGBV. Fully resourced DSGBV services providing supports to victims engaging with Department. of Justice services such as courts and Garda investigations, evidence-based parenting supports and specially trained childrens services are basic requirements alongside safe accommodation. Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business! Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge. (Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!) (Alliance News) - Agility Public Warehouse Co KSC on Thursday urged shareholders of John Menzies PLC to "carefully consider" its takeover offer, after Menzies' board unanimously rejected it the day before. The Kuwaiti logistics company had made a cash offer for the aviation services company of 510 pence a share via its holding subsidiary, National Aviation Services Holding SPC, on February 2. The board of Menzies rejected the unsolicited offer on Wednesday, calling it "entirely opportunistic", having also rejected Agility's previous cash offer of 460p per share back in January. Agility responded to this on Thursday, noting the new offer was a 76% premium to Menzies closing price of 290 pence per share last Wednesday. It is also 9.8% premium to Menzies' closing price of 464.5p on Wednesday, which had climbed 35% in the day's trading. Menzies had maintained this was still an undervaluation, as the offer failed to appreciate its growth potential as the freight and flight industries recover from the impact of the pandemic. It also said the offer failed to recognise its new business wins of GBP120 million, and GBP25 million in permanent cost-cutting measures since 2019. "As one of the industry's fastest growing aviation services providers, with a presence in more than 55 airports across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, NAS has a strong understanding of the dynamics of the aviation sector and the opportunities and challenges ahead as the sector recovers from the pandemic," Agility responded. The Kuwaiti company said its subsidiary and advisers had considered publicly available information in detail, including Menzies' pre-pandemic performance, cost reduction measures, contract renewals and new business. It also considered the company's debt position, and ability to generate cashflow, and create returns for shareholders. Agility said NAS and Menzies share "highly complementary geographical footprints and product portfolios with minimal overlap", and a combination would bring geographical diversification to Menzies. Menzies shareholders would also see a "compelling opportunity" to realise the cash value of their investments, it said. "We have made an attractive offer that we urge Menzies' shareholders to consider carefully. Our offer represents a 76% premium over Menzies' share price just over a week ago," said NAS Chief Executive Hassan El-Houry. "In our view, the fundamentals of Menzies and of the industry as a whole are unlikely to change substantially, notwithstanding cost-cutting measures by Menzies. Let's be clear: even as air travel recovers, airlines will look to contain costs with their airport service providers," El Houry continued. Shares in Menzies were down 4.5% to 456.62 during Thursday midday trading. By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - GlaxoSmithKline PLC said on Thursday its lupus treatment was given further approval in China. Brentford, England-based GSK said Benlysta, or generically belimumab, an intravenous or subcutaneous biologic treatment for both lupus nephritis and active systemic lupus erythematosus, is the first of its kind to be approved in China for these kinds of lupus. China's National Medical Products Administration has approved the treatment for adult patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard of care. This is an extension of its current approved use as an add-on therapy in adults and children aged 5 and above with active system lupus erythematosus (the most common form). The approval is based on data from a phase three trial which showed, when added to standard of care, belimumab increased renal response rates and reduced the risk of worsening kidney disease in patients with active lupus nephritis. Approximately 20% of patients with this kind of lupus progress to end-stage kidney disease in the 10 years following diagnosis. GSK Chief Scientific Officer & President of Research & Development Hal Barron said: "Nearly 500,000 people in China have systemic lupus erythematosus and more than half of these patients will develop one of the most common and serious complications, lupus nephritis. Recognising that lupus nephritis can lead to kidney damage, this approval will allow patients in China access to a new treatment option to help slow the progressive nature of systemic lupus." Shares in GSK were up 0.8% to 1,633.60 pence each in London on Thursday morning. By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Sharecast News) - Asia-Pacific oil and gas producer Jadestone Energy said on Thursday that 2022 production was expected to average 15,500 to 18,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day - a 36% increase on 2021, with around 95% of that being oil.The AIM-traded firm said the range reflected planned maintenance shutdowns at Montara, Stag, and the operated Peninsular Malaysia assets during the year. It also included reduced production from the Montara field over a three-to-four week period in early 2022, due to an engine failure in the gas reinjection compressor and the necessary works to restore production to full capacity. The Maari field was expected to average 4,500 to 4,700 gross barrels per day in 2022, but was excluded from the guidance pending further clarity on the timing of closing the acquisition. Jadestone said the strength in crude premiums seen in late 2021 had continued into early 2022, with the most recent liftings from Stag in December and Montara in January achieving premiums of $12.70 and $3.80 per barrel, respectively. Unit operating costs were expected to average $23.00 to $28.00 per barrel of oil equivalent in 2022, representing a 10% reduction on 2021 levels, primarily due to higher average production expected in the year, partially offset by the planned major three-year maintenance programmes. Capital expenditure guidance was set at $90m to $105m, which mainly consisted of the Stag infill programme developing two million barrels of reserves, and the first phase of the Akatara gas project, which was expected to be sanctioned during the first half. The cost of the Stag infill programme was immediately deductible under the current Australian tax incentive for qualifying investment, and was expected to reduce overall Australia corporate income tax paid in 2022. Jadestone said it was currently unhedged, although hedging would be contemplated in line with any debt funding arranged for the Akatara gas development. Its board said it was committed to pay a 2022 cash dividend, in keeping with the dividend policy, to maintain and grow dividends in line with underlying cash flow generation. "Our strong balance sheet and unhedged exposure to rising oil prices will comfortably underpin our activity levels in 2022, which incorporates two infill wells at Stag and initial development activity at the Akatara gas project in Indonesia," said president and chief executive officer Paul Blakeley. "We welcome the greater clarity that the revised New Zealand hydrocarbon legislation provides, and with Jadestone and OMV both committed to the Maari transaction, we are ready to work with the government to expedite the completion of this deal. "However, given that the exact schedule to completion is dependent on the New Zealand upstream regulator's implementation of the recent legislative changes, it feels prudent to exclude Maari from our production guidance at this point." In the meantime, Blakeley siad Jadestone would continue to benefit from the project's "strong" cash generation. "In Indonesia, we have continued to advance the Akatara project with pre-project activity moving ahead on schedule, while in Vietnam, we are continuing to engage with the government on the Nam Du-U Minh project. "We are also encouraged by the mergers and acquisitions pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region, and are currently assessing several opportunities, all subject to our strict investment criteria." Maintaining a conservative balance sheet remained a priority for the company, Paul Blakeley said, so it could "comfortably" meet its capital commitments and retain funding flexibility for growth opportunities. "However, based on our spending forecasts, we expect to generate material incremental cash in 2022 at current oil prices and premiums, and as a result, an increase in shareholder returns, either through increased dividends or share buy-backs, may be considered later in the year." At 1120 GMT, shares in Jadestone Energy were down 5.01% at 94.99p. Member Benefits Manage your personalised Watchlist. Set up an online Virtual Portfolio. Participate in Share Chat. See more trades and director dealings. Play the Fantasy Share Trading Game. Register for FREE Now (Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News: ---------- Aferian PLC - Leeds, England-based media technology company - For the year ended November 30, pretax profit rises 20% to GBP5.3 million from GBP4.4 million the year before, driven by a 12% increase in revenue year-on-year to GBP92.9 million from GBP82.7 million. Revenue growth was helped up by growth in the Devices segment via volume sales and a rise in average selling prices, in spite of supply chain issues. Declares dividend per share of 3.09 pence, up 65% from 1.87p the prior year. Looking ahead, remains confident in achieving its current annual expectations. ---------- Feedback PLC - medical imaging software company - For the six months ended November 30, pretax loss narrows to GBP1.2 million from GBP918,000, due to increased expenses from investment in product development, and a higher headcount. Revenue, however, grows 8.5% year-on-year to GBP179,000 from GBP165,000, due to the increased commercialisation of Bleepa. Bleepa is the only CE marked medical imaging communications platform on the NHSx clinical communications tools framework that enables remote and secure communications between front-line clinicians and teams. Looking ahead, the strong momentum achieved in the first half means that annual revenue is expected to be ahead of market expectations. ---------- Atlantic Lithium Ltd - lithium-focused exploration company - Final programme of high-grade infill and extensional resource drilling assay results from the 37,500 metre programme on the Ewoyaa project in Ghana completed in December have confirmed grade and continuity across the deposits, as well as new mineralisation outside of the mineral resource estimate. Looking ahead, exploration and resource reverse circulation and diamond drilling is planned to recommence in March. ---------- Firering Strategic Minerals PLC - Cyprus-incorporated operator of Atex lithium-tantalum mine project in Ivory Coast - Intends to fast-track diamond drilling programme targeting the hard rock lithium bearing pegmatites within its Atex project in Cote d'Ivoire, following further mapping revealing several new pegmatites, with widths ranging from a few metres to over 100 metres. The drilling programme is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2022. ---------- Alien Metals Ltd - London-based exploration company focused on Australia, Mexico and Greenland - Has been granted all necessary permissions to start drilling on the Los Campos and San Celso silver projects, as well as the Donovan 2 copper-gold project in Mexico. Los Campos and San Celso drilling will target mineralised vein systems exploited previously for high-grade silver, while Donovan 2 drilling will target potential copper zone. ---------- PetroTal Corp - Texas-based oil and gas company - Well 10H produces average of 10,050 barrels of oil per day for the last ten days ending Wednesday, setting a new internal daily production record. Looking ahead, final ministry approval for PetroTal's central processing facility is expected on Tuesday next week, to be able to operate to its maximum capacity from 24,000 bopd to 26,000 bopd. ---------- Artemis Resources Ltd - Perth-based miner with gold, copper and cobalt projects in Pilbara region of Western Australia - At Greater Carlow, drill rig has arrived to start a 6,000 metre reverse circulation drilling programme at the Crosscut Zone, while the drilling programme at Paterson Central is expected to commence in mid-March once the first rig arrives on-site. ---------- Karelian Diamond Resources PLC - Dublin-based diamond explorer - Notes that final meeting of the National Land Survey in Finland relating to the Lahtojoki diamond deposit is to be held in Spring, and is expected to complete proceedings by June. ---------- Xtract Resources PLC - London-based metals and minerals producer - Results from drill hold BRDD-21-020 on phase two diamond drilling programme at Bushranger copper-gold exploration project indicates a good correlation to the mineralisation intersected in drill hole BRDD-21-018, leading to both holes confirming the extension on the Racecourse deposit at depth of 150 metres to the north-west of previous drilling. Follow-up drilling in the area will focus on the shallower and higher-grade crown to the mineralisation. ---------- By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) -A Watches of Switzerland Group PLC on Thursday looked to the remainder of its financial year with confidence after a bumper Christmas trading period. Revenue for the third quarter that ended January 30 - encompassing the all-important festive trading period - was GBP348.1 million, up 28% on a year ago at constant currency and 37% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Demand for luxury watches in the UK and US remained strong, with sales up 21% on a year ago and demand outstripping supply. US revenue was up 45% on a year ago at GBP124.6 million, with "exceptional" luxury jewellery growth, while the UK performance was driven by a "thriving" domestic clientele, with sales up 20% to GBP223.5 million. Reflecting strong trading in the quarter, Watches of Switzerland now expects full-year revenue and profit towards the top end of the guidance that it provided back in November. At the time, the company guided for revenue of between GBP1.15 billion and GBP1.20 billion for financial 2022, up from GBP905.1 million in financial 2021. "Strong trading to date, revised pricing by certain brands and visibility of supply for calendar 2022 all support our expectation to perform towards the top end of our full year guidance. Demand in our category continues to outstrip supply and we remain confident in the future of our business and achieving the goals laid out in our Long Range Plan," said Chief Executive Brian Duffy. The firm said it has an "exciting" pipeline of projects for the remainder of the financial year, including entry into the European market through the opening of six mono-brand stores in Sweden, Denmark and Ireland. Shares in Watches of Switzerland were up 1.6% at 1,304.81 pence in London on Thursday. By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Caracal Gold plc / EPIC: GCAT / Market: Main / Sector: Mining 10 February 2022 Caracal Gold plc ('Caracal' or the 'Company') Board Strengthened with Key Director Appointment Caracal Gold plc, the gold producer with operations in East Africa, is pleased to announce a major new addition to the Company's Board of Directors, with the appointment of Ms Rachel Johnston as a Non-Executive Director, effective 1 March 2022. Ms Johnston brings to the Board a wealth of experience, having worked in various roles across Africa's mining sector over a ten-year period. She is currently working as an independent consultant on sustainability across the continent - advising mining companies on stakeholder engagement, sustainability reporting, supervising Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) and the implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programs and initiatives. Previous roles held include Group CSR Manager at tier-one gold producer Endeavour Mining, where she was responsible for managing its West African assets and CSR Consultant at TSX-listed True Gold Mining. In addition, Ms Johnston was also CEO of auger drilling business, Sahara Geoservices, based in Burkina Faso. Through these roles, she garnered significant practical experience of the social, administrative, management, governmental and labour relations issues that arise in the development and day-to-day operation of mining projects in Africa. Before joining the mining sector, Ms Johnston also managed community humanitarian and development projects in Central and West Africa. She holds a Masters' Degree in International Development Management and a National Higher Diploma in Mining Engineering. Her strong focus on social, environmental, health and safety management and community engagement are perfectly aligned to the corporate ethos and operating practices of the Company. The Board of Directors believe that Ms Johnston will add significant value to the Board of Directors and further strengthen our broad ESG and ESIA activities in East Africa. In addition, and as part of the restructure of the Company's Board of Directors, non-Executive Directors Charles Tatnall and James Longley have submitted their resignations to the board, effective from 5 February 2022. Both Charles Tatnall and James Longley have contemporaneously exercised their 10,000,000 founder warrants and their 5,000,000 (2006) warrants, respectively, and agreed that the shares issued by way of the exercise shall be locked-up for a period of 12 months. Chief executive of Caracal Gold Plc, Robbie McCrae, said: "We are delighted to welcome Rachel to our Board of Directors. Her wealth of experience across Africa speaks for itself and her skills in environmental and social governance will be well utilised, as we push ahead with our development plan at Kilimapesa Gold Operations, in a bid to lift gold production to 24,000ozpa and double our JORC-approved resources to over 1.5Mozs here in Kenya. "Rachel's experience in working with major mining companies in Africa on their ESG initiatives will be of significant value to us, at both our existing operations in Kenya, our new developments in Tanzania and more broadly in East Africa. "We believe one of our core strengths is that we are a responsible mining and exploration company, which contributes to positive social and economic change in the communities that we operate in. "As part of the restructuring of the Board, I wish to take this opportunity to thank both Charles and James for their major contribution through the listing process last year, and I wish them well in their future endeavours." Current Directorships / Partnerships: Previous Directorships / Partnerships held in the past 5 years: Nil Tiger Resources Limited (ASX) **ENDS** For further information visit www.caracalgold.com or contact the following: Caracal Gold plc Gerard Kisbey-Green Jason Brewer info@caracalgold.com VSA Capital Ltd Financial Adviser and Joint Broker Andrew Raca / James Deathe/ Pascal Wiese +44 (0)20 3005 5000 St Brides Partners Ltd Financial PR Oonagh Reidy / Charlotte Heap / Isabelle Morris info@stbridespartners.co.uk DGWA, the German Institute for Asset and Equity Allocation and Valuation European Investor and Corporate Relations Advisor Stefan Muller / Katharina Lockinger info@dgwa.org Notes Caracal Gold plc is an emerging East African focused gold producer with a clear path to grow production and resources both organically and through strategic acquisitions. Its aim is to rapidly increase production to +50,000ozs p.a. and build a JORC compliant resource base of +3Moz within 12-18 months from its listing in August 2021. To this end, it is progressing a well-defined mine optimisation strategy at its 100% owned Kilimapesa Gold Mine in Kenya, where there is significant mid-term expansion potential and ability to increase gold production to 25,000oz p.a. and the resource to +2Moz (current JORC compliant resources of approx. 671,000oz). Additionally, its experienced team, with proven track record in successfully developing and operating mining projects throughout Africa, is reviewing other complementary and strategically located gold mine and development projects in East Africa. Caracal is a responsible mining and exploration company and supports the positive social and economic change that it contributes to the communities in the regions that it operates. It is a proudly East African-focused company: it buys locally, employs locally, and protects the environment and its employees and their families' health, safety, and wellbeing. Caracal's shares are quoted on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (LON: GCAT) and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: 6IK); a listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange is underway. 10 February 2022 Premier African Minerals Limited Share Exchange of Circum Interest to Vortex Premier African Minerals Limited ("Premier" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has accepted a share offer by Vortex Limited ("Vortex") for the exchange of Premier's entire 4.8% interest in Circum Minerals Limited ("Circum"), the owners of the Danakil Potash Project in Ethiopia, for 5,010,333 new shares in the capital of Vortex ("Share Exchange") representing an interest of approximately 13.1% of the enlarged share capital of Vortex. Neil Herbert, Chairman commented, "This Vortex offer consolidates a substantial percentage of minority shareholders representing 36.7% of Circum. The three other major shareholders in Circum are African focussed private equity mining group AMED Funds, CE Mining headed by Brad Mills and a private mine investment group, Angstrom. Circum is the owner of a world class potash project in the Danakil Basin and has recently completed a revised DFS with a first phase production of 375Ktpa of SOP, an associated capex of approximately US$430m and positive economic outputs which have further de-risked the project from a financing perspective. The initial production is planned to be doubled as and when market conditions allow, with engineering completed for 750Ktpa of SOP. With current potash prices at all-time highs this project has significant potential value which is only constrained by the current conflict in Ethiopia. On settlement of the conflict, Circum believes it will be well placed with an approved DFS and corresponding extension of Circum's Mining Licence to finalise project financing and the commencement of construction." Background to the Share Exchange and Information on Vortex Since the formation of Circum in September 2011, Circum has invested significant funds in its development (approximately US$70m) to bring the project to the stage where it is ready to be financed and constructed. Premier believes that there is significant global interest in fertilizer projects such as Circum, with recent announcements of substantial investments into fertilizer projects demonstrating the attractiveness of potash as an investment opportunity. In addition, sanctions against Belarus and Russia should continue to sustain a tight and robust market for potash. Vortex is a newly formed unquoted special purpose company founded by Regent Mercantile Holdings Limited ("Regent"). Regent proposed a share exchange to the minority shareholders in Circum, including Premier, for new shares in Vortex. Accepting shareholders would have an indirect interest in Circum through their holding in Vortex, and their Vortex interest would mirror their current ownership of Circum. Premier has agreed to accept Vortex's Share Exchange offer. In addition to Premier, a number of other minority shareholders in Circum have also agreed to accept the Share Exchange offer. On completion, Premier's interest in Vortex is expected to amount to approximately 13.1% and Vortex is expected to hold in aggregate approximately 36.7% of the shares in issue of Circum. Vortex has not traded to date nor prepared any accounts and has no other assets or business activities other than its interest in Circum. Principal terms of the Share Exchange Premier has executed a Share Exchange Agreement ("Agreement") with Vortex for the sale by Premier of its entire holding of 5,010,333 Circum shares to Vortex. The consideration will be satisfied through the issue of 5,010,333 shares in Vortex (being the same number as the number of ordinary shares held in Circum by Premier) to Premier. Vortex has agreed to provide Premier with observer rights to its day-to-day operations, including without limitation, access to any information updates from Circum. Premier will also have certain pre-emptive rights to ensure that Premier is able to protect and maintain its interest in Vortex. The Board of Circum has given its consent to the transfer of Circum shares to Vortex pursuant to the Share Exchange leaving no further conditions precedent for completion of the Agreement apart from the procedural aspects of the transfer. Financial effects on Premier The Agreement is not expected to have any impact on Premier's accounting treatment nor the balance sheet value of its interest in Circum which will now be held through Vortex. As disclosed in Premier's published results for the six months ended 30 June 2021, the fair value of its holding of Circum shares was derived using the last Circum ordinary share issue price and was valued in total at US$6.263 million. Further information on Circum The information on Circum set out below has been extracted from previously reported public disclosures in respect of Circum. Circum is a privately-owned potash development company which is developing the Danakil Potash Project in Ethiopia. The project has a NI 43-101 compliant resource of approximately 4.9 billion tonnes of potassium in the prolific Danakil potash basin. In October 2021, the updated Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") was completed and aside from the mineral reserve estimate, which is currently being updated, has been completed to a standard that adheres to the Canadian National Instrument (NI) 43-101. Circum's deposit has the potential to produce both SOP and MOP, although initial production as envisioned in the DFS will focus on high value SOP production. The updated DFS sets an initial production level at 375ktpa of SOP across three products - standard, granular and water soluble and has been engineered in a modular fashion allowing a ramp up to 750ktpa of SOP as and when market conditions allow. Under Phase 1 of the DFS, capital expenditure is estimated to be approximately US$430m and the project is modelled to deliver a post royalty, pretax, real NPV at a 10% discount rate of US$576 million and an internal rate of return of 23.6%. Due to the shallow nature of the deposit, the Danakil Potash Project will be amenable to low-cost, low-risk, solution mining. In addition, the extremely hot surface temperatures and high evaporation rates will allow the use of solar evaporation all year round, this along with the provision of hydro-electric power to the plant ensures Circum has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry. As a result, mine gate cash costs are projected to be among the lowest in the potash industry, estimated at US$124 per tonne of SOP. Total operating costs (FOB Tadjoura Port, Djibouti) are forecast at US$183 per tonne of SOP (before the inclusion of the royalty payable to the Ethiopian government which is levied at 4 per cent of the Djibouti FOB price). Circum Policy As announced on 30 August 2019, the Board of Premier will ensure that its agreed Circum policy (which is reproduced in the Appendix to this announcement) is applied to any potential liquidity event in respect of the Company's shares in Vortex. Board recommendation George Roach has also accepted the Vortex offer in respect of his own indirect interest in Circum and, on completion of the Vortex Share Exchange offer, George Roach will have an indirect interest of 6.8% in Vortex. While the transaction is not a related party transaction for the purposes of the AIM Rules, given the interest of George Roach in Vortex on completion, the independent directors of the Company, being Neil Herbert, Wolfgang Hampel and Godfrey Manhambara (the "Independent Directors") have considered and approved Premier's acceptance of the Share Exchange offer and the proposed Agreement with Vortex. The Independent Directors believe that that the terms of the Share Exchange offer and Agreement are fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are concerned. In particular, the Independent Directors have taken into account that the Share Exchange offer will result in Premier having improved oversight over the strategic direction of Circum through its observer rights to Vortex's day-to-day operations, and including without limitation, access to any information updates from Circum. Furthermore, the offer of pre-emptive rights will also enhance Premier's ability to protect and maintain its interest in Vortex. The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The person who arranged the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Neil Herbert. Forward Looking Statements: Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identied by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'' ''could'' "should" ''envisage'' ''estimate'' ''intend'' ''may'' ''plan'' ''will'' or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. Nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements. Notes to Editors: Premier African Minerals Limited (AIM: PREM) is a multi-commodity mining and natural resource development company focused on Southern Africa with its RHA Tungsten and Zulu Lithium projects in Zimbabwe. The Company has a diverse portfolio of projects, which include tungsten, rare earth elements, lithium and tantalum in Zimbabwe and lithium and gold in Mozambique, encompassing brownfield projects with near-term production potential to grass-roots exploration. The Company currently holds 5,010,333 shares in Circum Minerals Limited, the owners of the Danakil Potash Project in Ethiopia, which has the potential to be a world class asset. This holding represents 4.8% of Circum shares in issue. In addition, the Company holds a 19% interest in MN Holdings Limited, the operator of the Otjozondu Manganese Mining Project in Namibia. Glossary "DFS" Definitive Feasibility Study. "KCI" Potassium Chloride. "MOP" Muriate of Potash. "TPA" Tonnes per annum. "SOP" Sulphate of Potash. Enquiries: George Roach Premier African Minerals Limited Tel: +27 (0) 100 201 281 Michael Cornish / Roland Cornish Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396 John More/Toby Gibbs Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4090 Matthew Bonner EAS Advisors LLC Tel: +1 646 495 2225 Appendix Premier African Circum Policy as announced 30 August 2019 In anticipation of a liquidity event, on 30 August 2019 the Premier Board adopted a formal policy setting out how the Board would apply the proceeds ("Circum Policy"). Under the Circum Policy, providing the proceeds of the liquidity event is greater than US$6,262,916 in respect of the Company's entire current holding in Circum ("Circum Interest"), then: 1. The Board of Directors would convene a general meeting at which shareholders will be asked to approve the disposal of the Circum Interest ("Circum Disposal"). 2. Conditional on the approval of the Circum Disposal, Premier will first repay all existing debts and liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business as at the date of the liquidity event of the Circum Interest. 3. Shareholders will be further asked to approve either of the following options to facilitate a fair and equitable distribution to Premier's shareholders of its Circum Interest: - Direct distribution to existing shareholders by way of either a share dividend, share buyback scheme or such other scheme of arrangement that would be the most reasonably tax efficient for shareholders; or - The retention by the Company of the disposal proceeds to allow Premier to investment into existing or new projects of Premier. ENDS Madison, IN (47250) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 58F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 58F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Jefferson, GA (30549) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Guardiola: "Chelsea, not Man City, is best team in the world" Guardiola: "Chelsea, not Man City, is best team in the world" AP Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola rejected the suggestion that his squad are the best in the world, following a 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday that moved City 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Instead Guardiola put forward rivals Chelsea and Argentine side River Plate as candidates for best in the world, and claimed only to be interested in results. "I want us to be happy and try to play better every day and at the end (of season) we will see," said Guardiola, adding that for the players it was a case of "eat, rest and training" before each match. Following a first-half penalty from Riyad Mahrez - his seventh straight successful conversion for City, Kevin De Bruyne made victory certain with City's second goal in the 69th minute. American Enterprise IT Company based in Houston Great resources, competent research model, good value for valuable deliverables. MarketsandMarkets is very easy to work with. A cooperative member of the extended team. The collaboration with MarketsandMarkets with us consists of customized and specific requests towards the data points. Since those are straightforward requirements for internal decision-making towards business investment planning across the regional organizations, we value the services of MarketsandMarkets. McAlester, OK (74501) Today Thunderstorms, some strong early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low 51F. SW winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some strong early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low 51F. SW winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Mary C. (Hoff) Lee, 84, of Atlantic passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022, in her residence. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 366-368 S. Main St., Greenville. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is an Indian icon unlike any other. For decades, the Delhi-born actor has worked hard in playing roles in some crazy blockbuster films, to make a name for himself across Indian homes and even outside the country. Ask whoever, Shah Rukh is a phenom and has a crazy fan following across the world. Reuters The actor is currently on course to make his much-awaited comeback to Bollywood with the upcoming film Pathan. Fans have been waiting to see more of Shah Rukh since his last film, with the actor almost on a sabbatical from the industry, however, with Pathan which will also star Salman Khan, the actor would mark a proper return to his kingdom, Bollywood. BCCL Now, while Shah Rukh has been a mainstay in Bollywood, people often wonder why he's never acted in a Hollywood film. Well, it appears that the Raees actor has been offered roles before from the west, however, he has chosen to turn them down. Why? Mainly because of his love for India, or how he wants Indians to be represented. Speaking about it in detail in an interview a few years back, Shah Rukh revealed just why he has been saying no to Hollywood. I have never ever been offered any work in the West of any girth or value. I have always said that I want to make Indian films that will be watched internationally. People who are working in the West or Hollywood do really make sure that our name and Indianess is being spread there which is very good for future generations to come and is very commendable. I am not looking down upon them. I also feel Im not good enough to do something in the west, language being one issue. If I am offered something which makes me proud as an actor when I participate in it which in turn will make India proud, I will do it. The point is an Indian actor goes to the West and does a film that does not take away from the Indianess of the emotion. I would love to do such projects. But so far in 25 years, I will be very honest and open to say that no one from Hollywood on the western world has offered me. said Shah Rukh. If you don't know, Shah Rukh had once been reportedly a part of a Martin Scorcese film opposite Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio. Twitter/Faridoon Shahryar Yep, that's right. The movie, called Xtreme City was said to be a Hollywood gangster film, which was to be produced by Scorcese, Weisman, and directed by Paul Schrader. However, it turned out that the movie never could kick off and it got scrapped. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Ali Fazal, and Dhanush have been some of the names from India, who have gone on to do Hollywood films. Columbia Pictures Maybe the door is still open for the Bollywood Badshah to show Hollywood who's boss... Source: Koimoi I love Bollywood movies, but one thing that I love more than the movie itself is Bollywoods audacity. And by that, I mean the audacity to make a horror film without an ounce of horror in it. Were talking about the 2002 release Raaz that marked itself as one of the most poorly-made horror films in Bollywood and was ironically the secret to why Bipasha Basu would be typecast into doing roles just like this. Tips Industries The movie starts with a group of friends playing spin the bottle in the middle of a jungle for some messed up reason. As the bottle lands on a girl named Nisha, she outright refuses to kiss the person in front of her, and in her defence, we dont blame her. Of course, the no doesnt deter the guys spirits who then runs after her to claim the kiss. Tips Industries As the two run off into the middle of a jungle at night, because what is more romantic than playing hide and seek in a deserted forest and inviting trouble, Nisha starts experiencing something otherworldly. Somehow, she gets possessed, attacks the guy, and is rushed to the hospital. There, just before dying, her voice and her face completely change, scaring the shit out of the doctors who then call a professor to take a look at the psycho (and now dead) patient. Tips Industries Professor Agni Swaroop (Ashutosh Rana), declares her to have been possessed by an evil spirit, who is out for revenge. Tips Industries Cut to the life of Sanjana Dhanraj (Bipasha Basu) and Aditya Dhanraj (Dino Morea) where in the first itself Aditya depicts himself as a self-absorbed prick who is busy ignoring his wife at a party. Sanjana, on the other hand, downs a drink in anger and leaves the party in frustration. On her way back, she meets with an accident after she hears a scary voice in her head. Tips Industries In the hospital, Sanjana asks her good-for-nothing husband for a divorce but he, like any other toxic guy in denial, suggests going to Ooty for a vacation instead to work on their marriage. Sanjana, who at this point just wants him to shut up, says yes. Tips Industries In Ooty, while they are trying to reconcile, Sanjana starts experiencing weird things. Hearing voices of a woman shouting in the forest, poorly directed supernatural elements here and there that are anything but scary. Aditya, on the other hand, is busy gaslighting her into believing that its the sleeping pills that are making her paranoid. Tips Industries Not convinced, Sanjana tries to further poke her nose where it doesnt belong because simply this much jump-scare is not doing it for her. While probing around the house, Sanjana reaches her previous caretakers house, Robert, who had vanished one fine day after he also started hearing the kind of voices Sanjana does. Safe to say, she shits her pants and decides its time to involve others. Tips Industries Her friend Priya takes her to Professor Swaroop who agrees to visit Sanjanas house. Sensing an evil spirit in their midst, the professor further scares the shit out of Sanjana who frantically disrupts Adityas meeting to tell him about what happened. Tips Industries An annoyed and embarrassed Aditya shuns away from the beliefs of the Professor and decides its best to go back to Mumbai. Due to a landslide they can't, which is when Aditya decides to go alone and come back to collect Sanjana later. Tips Industries This gives Sanjana enough alone time to summon spirits and almost get everyone killed, because what else is a jilted wife to do in a holiday home, right? Tips Industries Going to the same spot where Nisha (the adult playing hide n seek) was attacked, she finds a revolver. It turns out the revolver belonged to a colonel who had a daughter, Malini, in the mental asylum. His daughter who had run away several other times, presumably took the revolver with her on the day she vanished and never came back. Tips Industries Using this information to derive nothing sensible, Sanjana decides to talk to the spirit. Tips Industries As she summons the spirit, she learns, and in the most pathetic, unexpected and spookiest way, that her dick of a husband was having an affair. Tips Industries Upon a nasty confrontation, Aditya admits to the affair and tries to save face by saying how he never planned on leaving Sanjana, despite being asked to do so by Malini. Such love, much wow. Romance = 100% Tips Industries Malini, who had crossed over to the edge after being rejected (because in this society saying no is simply unacceptable) shoots herself to frame Aditya. Clearly, she hadnt thought it through because very conveniently, Aditya and the caretaker - Robert bury her body in the forest and put this whole thing behind them. Tips Industries Except, Malini comes back, this time as a manipulative spirit whose plan is to kill Aditya and die happily ever after. Sanjana, Priya and Dr Swaroop decide to go after Aditya to help him, however, Malinis spirit takes the form of Sanjana and fools Aditya into coming with her. Tips Industries The spirit makes them fall into an accident and Aditya is hospitalized. Dr Swaroop tells Sanjana that the only way to stop her is by burning Malinis body that has been buried in the forest, and so once again, they go into the nest of evil. Tips Industries As the three struggle to find the body, the spirit is attacking them left right and centre and eventually kills Dr Swaroop to take his form and attacks Sanjana and Priya. Tips Industries As they are fighting for their life, pretty poorly I must say, Sanjana finds Robert's body casually hanging from a tree and somehow, with no tact and pure luck, pours kerosene over Malinis dead body and burns her. Tips Industries All this to save a lying, cheating prick in the hospital, to whom Sanjana happily goes back to after having just been involved in something so paranormal. The End. You can reach me at 270-875-5317 and leave a message or text, or at gwillistree@yahoo.com. Grant wont pay for safer drug pipes WASHINGTON Dousing a social media firestorm, the Biden administration said Wednesday that a grant program to counter harm from illicit drugs will not pay for safer pipes to smoke crack or meth. The White House was put on the defensive as outrage from the political right, some of it with racial overtones, was cresting online. No federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House drug policy adviser Rahul Gupta said in a joint statement. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said separately it was never the intention to pay for drug pipes, and complained that any such impression was created by inaccurate reporting. 2nd man pleads guilty in alleged 2020 plot to kidnap Whitmer GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Prosecutors bagged a second conviction Wednesday in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, gaining another critical witness just weeks before four other men face trial. Kaleb Franks pleaded guilty to conspiracy. He said he agreed to participate in an astonishing scheme to get the Democratic governor, who was targeted because of her restrictive policies during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The FBI had infiltrated the group of six men and broke up the plan with a series of arrests in October 2020, just as the presidential election campaign neared a close. With his plea, Franks joined co-defendant Ty Garbin in admitting guilt and agreeing to help prosecutors at the March 8 trial. Franks faces a prison term, but his cooperation could lead to a lighter sentence in the months ahead. Agencies: Bird flu found at Dubois County turkey farm INDIANAPOLIS A strain of avian flu that can cause high mortality rates among birds has been confirmed at a commercial turkey farm in southern Indiana, federal and state agencies said Wednesday. The United States Department of Agriculture said its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza at the farm in Dubois County. State officials have quarantined the farm and its 29,000 turkeys are being euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease, said Denise Derrer Spears, a spokeswoman for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. The USDA said turkeys from the affected farm will not enter the food supply and issued a reminder that poultry and eggs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees to kill bacteria and viruses. The agency said avian influenza does not present an immediate public health concern and no human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the U.S. The USDA said turkey infections are the first confirmation of highly pathogenic bird flu in commercial poultry in the U.S. since 2020. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health said samples from the farm were analyzed at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University after about 100 turkeys died. The state agency said the farm is under quarantine and that state officials are working with the poultry producers statewide to increase monitoring of flocks. A January 2016 outbreak of bird flu in Dubois County affected 11 poultry farms, resulting in the loss of more than 400,000 birds, the State Board of Animal Health said. Indiana ranks third nationally in turkey production, first in duck production, second in production of table eggs and egg-laying chickens, and is a significant producer of broiler chickens, the state agency said. Indianas poultry industry employs more than 14,000 Hoosiers and is valued at $2.5 billion annually. Area school officials are taking a wait-and-see approach to a bill that has the goal of placing a school resource officer on every school campus. House Bill 63 was filed by Rep. Kevin Bratcher, a Louisville Republican. The bill was approved by the House education committee Tuesday. The bill says school districts shall cooperate to assign one certified school resource officer to each school campus with one or more school buildings by Aug. 1. The bill would require a school resource officer assigned to a campus to be on site, working full-time on the building or buildings on campus. If a school district could not meet the requirement, due to insufficient funds or a lack of qualified personnel to fill the positions, Bratchers bill would allow a district to meet the bills requirements over time on a per-campus basis, if they have submitted a plan to the states school safety marshal, outlining how the district intends to meet the goal. If you cant make that happen, due to lack of funding or qualified personnel, you have to work with the school safety marshal until that happens, Bratcher said in an interview Monday. The bill is an extension of the School Safety and Resiliency Act, which lawmakers passed in 2019. That bill called for districts to have one SRO per campus, but it didnt set a date. The bill said the goal was to be met as funds and qualified personnel become available. Bratchers bill would remove that language from the Act. We are just trying to find ways to fulfill the intention of the School Safety and Resiliency Act, Bratcher said. We cant wait for another Marshall County (High School). We cant wait for another Heath High School. In 2018, a 15 year-old student began shooting at Marshall County High School, killing two students and injuring several others. In 1997, a student killed three fellow students and wounded five others in a shooting at Heath High School. We want someone to save lives if something happens, Bratcher said. During Tuesdays committee hearing, Bratcher said a district would have to explain why it couldnt make the goal to the state school safety marshal. Bratcher said having information on why districts cant meet the goal could help lawmakers make decisions on providing funding for SROs. This is not an unfunded mandate, Bratcher said. Schools would only have work with the state on a plan to add SROs sometime in the future. Owensboro Public Schools has two school resource officers provided by the Owensboro Police Department. Jared Revlett, public information officer for OPS, said there would be challenges to stationing an SRO on every school campus. Funding is a big issue, and staffing by the police department is a big issue, Revlett said. We have 13 schools. Thats 13 officers off the street. The school district pays part of the salaries for OPD officers stationed in the schools. We are keeping an eye on (the bill), certainly, but there are going to be a lot of issues if it (requires) one per school, Revlett said. We would have to work with (OPD) to come up with a solution if this passes. Lora Wimsatt, public information officer for Daviess County Public Schools, said the district would not comment on the pending bill. DCPS has its own police department with five officers, with one at both of the high schools and one at each of the three middle schools. The departments officers assigned to the middle schools are also each responsible for four elementary schools. Tommy Burrough, superintendent for McLean County Public Schools, said the district has looked at options for placing SROs in all of its schools. The district has a school resource officer through the McLean County Sheriffs Department. The sheriff and I have had conversations on this, Burrough said. I know we couldnt afford to employ four SROs across the district, but we could possibly employ retired police officers. School resource officers are required to be Police Office Professional Standards (POPS) certified to work in schools in Kentucky. Im not sure there are enough police officers to fill every single school in the state of Kentucky, Burrough said. School officials are waiting to see if the bill becomes law and what the final version of the bill contains, Burrough said. We arent going to panic right now, he said. Robby Asberry, superintendent of Hancock County Public Schools, said the district will explore the idea of having an SRO at each campus in the future. Thats something I want to talk to the board about, Asberry said. The idea of added SROs at the two elementary schools will likely come up at the school boards next work session, he said. The district has an SRO at the combined campus of Hancock County High School and Hancock County Middle School. Officials from Ohio County Schools could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Carla Embry, community relations specialist with Muhlenberg County Public Schools, said the district has three SROs. District officials are waiting for the final version of the bill, Embry said. We do think things can change as the bill goes through the legislative process, she said. Although the bill hasnt been heard in the full House, a floor amendment has been attached that, if approved, would require the state to provide funding for districts to hire SROs for each school. Embry said the district would adapt to the bills mandates if it becomes law. If its a requirement, we will find the money, Embry said. James Mayse, 270-691-7303, jmayse@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @JamesMayse StepStone Family & Youth Services of Owensboro is looking to become more familiar with McLean County. The foster care organization based out of Louisville, which is dedicated to (helping) families and children live their best lives, is holding their second Wrapped in Love blanket drive initiative throughout Breckenridge, Crittenden, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union and Webster counties. The blanket drive, which began Jan. 18, was created in order to help provide love and comfort to Kentuckys underprivileged foster youth with new blankets to help keep kids warm and cozy. We were just trying to find ways to connect with the community, said Jessica Adams, foster parent recruiter and trainer. We try to do everything we can to make these foster youth feel safe and wanted and needed and just giving them that comfort; and blankets is our little way of showing them that we care, other people care, youre not alone. ...I think it provides symbolism for what we as a community strive to achieve, and that is supporting our friends and neighbors, said McLean County Judge-Executive Curtis Dame. Adams said that last years donations regionally were not high due to just starting out. Adams added that more than 2,000 blankets were donated statewide and is looking to double that number for 2022. ...We were just getting our name out there, so were hoping this year will be different, Adams said. Adams said that the Owensboro facility has only been around for a little over a year and notes that there has not been active participation from the McLean County area. Adams, however, hopes to improve on that with the blanket drive and beyond. Im hoping to build a better connection with McLean County, Adams said. Ive been putting yard signs out, trying to get our name out there, too. I dont think we have any parents from McLean County, to be honest. Adams eventually made contact with Dame, who offered to make the McLean County Courthouse the first, and currently only, drop off location for the blanket drive in the county. Dame sees it as an opportunity to collaborate with an outside entity for a good cause and follow one of the historical key responsibilities of the judge-executive position take care of those in need. The unique opportunity that we have as public officials, in my opinion, is that we can partner with organizations such as StepStone to provide different types of services that are not only financial but sometimes tangible, Dame said. The prime example of how we can do a better job is embracing initiatives or drives like the blanket drive for foster children. It just hits home with me that its the right thing to do. Adams said that the program goes along with the organizations mission of working hand-in-hand with families, while also offering support and trying to combat some of the stereotypes that people may have about children in the foster care system. There (are) a lot of questions, especially when it comes to the type of youth that comes into our agencies, Adams said. Every case is different. We do typically have kids that are therapeutic level, which means they have been abused or neglected and thats bound to show some sort of behavioral issues; thats a given. But what we are here to do is to offer extra therapy for these kiddos, extra therapy for these families as well and offer de-escalation trainings to make it easier for the foster parents that are willing to open their home for troubled youth. Blankets can be dropped off at the courthouse until Feb. 14. If interested in fostering or wanting to know more information about the blanket drive and the organization, contact the Owensboro office at 270-691-1090. For a list of other drop off locations, visit facebook.com/StepStoneKentucky. The Goodfellows Club of Owensboro is the recipient of the Kentucky Board of Educations 2021 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award, the Kentucky Department of Education announced Wednesday. Both the Daviess County and Owensboro public school districts jointly nominated the nonprofit a few months ago. Representatives from each districts board, along with each districts superintendent, traveled to Frankfort for the award presentation, which took place during a regular KBE meeting. Stacy Edds-Ellis, president-elect of the Goodfellows board, received the award in honor of the countless individuals who work every day to make the nonprofit which began more than 100 years ago a success, she said. Following the meeting, Edds-Ellis said she felt lucky and privileged to receive the award on behalf of the Goodfellows organization. For over 100 years, our organization has made it a top priority to help students in our community with basic needs, she said. It was so nice for our club to be honored in this way, but really, there are so many goodfellows that are part of this award. She said the organization would not be as successful as it is without the help of the community members who donate through the annual Goodfellows roll call and other fundraisers. There are no better cheerleaders for Goodfellows than our two public school systems, she said. Without them, we wouldnt be able to fulfill our mission. Matt Robbins, Daviess County Public Schools superintendent, and Matthew Constant, Owensboro Public Schools superintendent, both said they see daily the impact Goodfellows has on students in their districts. Constant said both he and Robbins knew there would be no better nominee for this award than Goodfellows. While we were there today, the chair of the awards committee said very rarely does the team that combs through the applications and decides on a recommendation have unanimous consent, he said. After they read about Goodfellows, what they do and their long history and what they have done in our community, it was unanimous. He said that speaks to the organization and what it does for children. In a statement released after the award presentation, Robbins said the Goodfellows Club has been putting Kids First in Daviess County since 1916. By ensuring that the most basic needs of children are met, the Goodfellows Club allows students to reach their greatest potentials in the classroom and in life, he said. The manner in which Goodfellows assists children and their families is discreet and done with the utmost respect, he said. He also said he appreciates the exemplary fiscal management of the organization, as they continue their commitment of ensuring that 100% of all donations go directly to benefit children. According to KDE, the annual award recognizes a person, group or organization, district, school or postsecondary institution who, through policy, practice, fundraising or philanthropy, and despite any challenges, has made it a top priority to provide for the well-being of Kentucky students and to provide them with high-quality educational experiences. Brown, the awards namesake, is general counsel for Jefferson County Public Schools, and he has held several positions within KDE. Most recently, he was the interim commissioner of education from December 2019 to September 2020, according to KDE. In a KDE release, Brown called the Goodfellows Club members modest. Just do your own research, and youll find out, he said. Its an amazing story, but typical of Owensboro and Daviess County. Bobbie Hayse, bhayse@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-691-7315 WASHINGTON Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Ky., has apologized for insulting Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, after she asked him Tuesday to put on a face mask before boarding the U.S. Capitols subway system. Today, while heading to the House floor for votes, I respectfully asked my colleague @RepHalRogers to put on a mask while boarding the train, Beatty tweeted. He then poked my back, demanding I get on the train. When I asked him not to touch me, he responded, kiss my a--, she added. Beatty, 71, said the exchange was the kind of disrespect we have been fighting for years, and indicative of the wider problem of Republicans legislators disregarding health and safety mandates put in place in Congress at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Beatty publicly called on Rogers to apologize. When you are ready to grow up and apologize for your behavior, you know where to find me, she tweeted. In a statement Tuesday evening, Rogers, 84, said he had met with Beatty to personally apologize. My words were not acceptable and I expressed my regret to her, first and foremost, Rogers said. Recounting the incident on CNNs New Day Wednesday morning, Beatty noted there was a sign that said people needed to wear a face mask in order to board the train. It was insulting, Beatty told CNN. It angered me that he would have the nerve to poke me in my back. That was bad enough. But his cursing her after she asked him not to touch her was the last straw, she added. With that, I told him I would not be disrespected, that I was a colleague of his and that I was a Black woman, Beatty said. I was not going to be bullied by him. I actually told him he picked the wrong woman today because I was not going to be bullied standing up for something I thought was right. Beatty also said that she went to House Democratic leaders and the House sergeant-at-arms to demand an apology from Rogers. After they spoke with Beatty and House GOP leadership, Rogers approached Beatty on the House floor to apologize. Mind you, without a mask on, Beatty said. As he reached out to touch my arm, I told him Dont touch me and moved back, because he didnt have a mask on. With that, he mumbled some words, and I told leadership that wasnt acceptable. I wanted a public apology. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters Wednesday that the House Republican leadership should be dealing with the comments made by Rogers. She added: If somebody insults you and its public knowledge, you have to apologize in a very public way as well. Several GOP lawmakers have outright refused to wear face coverings in Congress, incurring hefty fines as they do so. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andrew S. Clyde of Georgia have together amassed more than $100,000 in fines for continuing to defy the mask mandate on the House floor. Last year, Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., said she was moving her office at the U.S. Capitol complex away from Greenes for safety reasons, after claiming that Greene accosted her without a mask. Out of concern for the health of my staff, other members of Congress, and their congressional staff, I repeatedly called out to her to put on a mask, Bush said. Taylor Greene and her staff responded by berating me, with one staffer yelling, Stop inciting violence with Black Lives Matter. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus gathered Tuesday evening to condemn the incident between Beatty and Rogers and called on Rogers to publicly apologize as well. Today what we saw was unacceptable, said Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich. This was harassment of a woman, a Black woman and a woman in leadership because he put his hands on her. He told her to kiss his part of his body. And I can tell you, being the little Black girl from the east side of Detroit, I would not take that standing or sitting, and Im not going to take it standing or sitting for one of our own to be disrespected. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., said he knew that wearing masks could be uncomfortable at times but that it did not give anyone an excuse to insult or assault another member of Congress. He also reminded lawmakers to be mindful that their behavior should set an example for people across the country. Others cited the incident as yet another example of the erosion of civility in Congress. We should be applauding [Beatty] for trying to protect everybodys health, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., said. We understand what frustration there is around a lot of issues. But in no way should any colleague go beyond the pale by doing what was done today ... The behavior and the words today were indescribably, unbelievably horrible. Thank you for subscribing! By signing up to this free newsletter you agree to receive occasional emails from us informing you about our products and services. You can opt out of these emails at any time. When I was growing up, words like courage, integrity, honesty and public service meant something. After four years of President Trump, it appears that lying, cheating, stealing, cowardice and insurrection against the U.S. democracy have absolutely no consequence to being a Republican leader. Despite frigid temperatures, the Upper Peninsula was the place to be this past weekend for snowmobile enthusiasts, with the International 500 Snowmobile Race in Chippewa County and plenty of good snow elsewhere for riding. Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers teamed up with U.S. Forest Service officers, Michigan State Police and local sheriff's office deputies to conduct "Ride Right" snowmobile safety patrols, which in total contacted more than 700 snowmobilers. The Ride Right campaign emphasizes the importance of riding sober, at a safe speed and on the right side of the trail. The patrols will continue for another anticipated busy weekend ahead. I-500 race patrols Conservation officers patrolled over 300 miles of trails Friday and Saturday during the 53rd annual International 500 snowmobile race weekend in Sault Ste. Marie. "Our main focus was to ensure the safety of everyone who was out enjoying the trails by enforcing the Ride Right snowmobile safety campaign," said Lt. Skip Hagy, DNR Law Enforcement supervisor in Newberry. "The trails are always busy during the weekend of the race. People travel from all over to watch the race and enjoy some riding themselves. We like to remind people that we have zero tolerance for careless snowmobile operation on the trails - the cause of most accidents." Officers contacted more than 200 snowmobilers and reported that no major incidents occurred on the trail systems. "Much of our effort focused on portions of the trail that go through private land where we've recently received complaints regarding snowmobilers leaving the designated trail," Hagy said. "Riders who operate off the trail on private property risk those portions of the trail shutting down, which will disrupt the continuity of the trail system we all enjoy." In total, officers issued 12 tickets and 30 verbal warnings for various violations, including unregistered snowmobiles, no trail permits and careless operation of a snowmobile. Officers encountered many out-of-state riders who traveled to the Upper Peninsula from Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana to enjoy the event and snowmobile trails. Officers reported many positive comments and interactions. Alger County Trail patrols Michigan DNR conservation officers conducted countywide joint snowmobile patrols with Alger County Sheriff's Office deputies, Michigan State Police troopers and U.S. Forest Service officers on Saturday. Officers on snowmobiles logged several hundred miles of patrol on the trails. Troopers monitored trail and road intersections, working from patrol vehicles. Trail safety was the top priority for officers, who combined, contacted 530 snowmobilers, and responded to two non-snowmobile personal injury incidents at the Eben Ice Caves, located north of Chatham. The patrol effort was aimed at helping reduce snowmobile accidents, reminding riders to "Ride Right" - particularly with the blowing snow and reduced visibility. "Officers were pleased with the positive support they received from snowmobile operators who were legally enjoying the trail system," Hagy said. "Most people want a safe riding experience and appreciate officer presence to help keep people a little more conscious of how they are riding." Officers responded to one snowmobile fire and provided traffic control for a disabled trail groomer. In addition to 34 verbal warnings for various violations, 11 tickets were issued for careless operation of a snowmobile, unregistered snowmobiles and trail permit violations. One snowmobiler was ticketed early in the day for passing through a stop sign at an excessive rate of speed. Later that night, the same operator was observed on the other side of Alger County, running another stop sign. The rider was issued a second ticket for careless snowmobile operation, along with being reminded that operating a snowmobile in this manner is how accidents occur. "When operators blow through an intersection without being able to see what's coming, you're risking your life and others as well," Hagy said. As was the case in Chippewa County, officers noted many out-of-state snowmobilers enjoying the trails, including visitors from Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. With the upcoming weekend's annual Ice Climbing Fest in Munising, officers will continue to have an increased snowmobile patrol presence. Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety, and protect citizens through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. The Michigan DNR is currently hiring conservation officer recruits for a 2022 academy. The application deadline is Feb. 28. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 24, 2022 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112 LANSING, Mich. - Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that the federal government has granted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's request for additional staffing assistance at a sixth Michigan hospital, Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Under the agreement, the federal government will send up to a 25-person medical team to support Sparrow Hospital's doctors and nurses as they treat COVID-19 and other patients. "As we continue facing down the Omicron variant, I am grateful to our federal partners for their continued support. They are providing critical relief to Michigan's hospitals," said Governor Whitmer. "Our health care professionals have been on the frontlines of the pandemic for nearly two years, and I urge Michiganders to do their part to keep themselves safe and help our hospitals. Get vaccinated and if you are eligible, get your booster, to keep yourself out of the hospital. Please stay home if you're sick and make sure you sign up to get free tests from USPS and/or your insurance providers. Get free, high-quality N95, KN95 or KF94 masks from your local pharmacy. Take action to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. We will get through this together." "These federal medical teams are providing much needed relief and a morale boost for our dedicated health care workers who have given so much over the past two years of the pandemic," said Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director. "We are extremely grateful for the continued support from our federal partners during this latest surge of COVID-19. We are renewing the call for Michiganders to do their part to support our state's health care workers by getting vaccinated and boosted if eligible, wearing a mask in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status, social distancing and staying home and getting tested regularly." The team will begin treating patients Feb. 7 and provide support for the next 30 days. Five additional Department of Defense (DoD) teams have provided support at Beaumont Hospital - Dearborn, Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw, Mercy Health Muskegon and Henry Ford Hospital in Wyandotte. In addition, a civilian Disaster Medical Assistance Team was dispatched to Henry Ford Hospital in Wyandotte earlier this month before being backfilled by a DoD team. "We are grateful for this assistance for our incredible Sparrow caregivers, who have been tirelessly protecting the community since this pandemic began," said James F. Dover, Sparrow Health System president and CEO. "We want to thank Governor Whitmer and the state for its help and especially Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, who has been steadfast in advocating for boots-on-the-ground support for Sparrow in combating the huge surge of COVID cases among both patients and our caregivers." Michiganders are being asked to carefully consider where they seek health care. A primary care office, virtual visit or urgent care may be the best choice as hospital and emergency departments are experiencing high demand. However, for emergency conditions such as stroke symptoms, chest pain, difficulty breathing, significant injury or uncontrolled bleeding, Michiganders should still seek emergency care. As of Jan. 21, 4,286 Michiganders are hospitalized for COVID-19. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 20, 2022 Contact: Press@michigan.gov Governor Whitmer Statement on Michigan's Jobs Growth 8th straight month of jobs growth, lower unemployment, billions to invest in the kitchen-table issues LANSING, Mich.-Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after Michigan's economy showed strong job growth and lower unemployment, with 11,000 jobs added last month. Michigan also has billions in federal resources to invest in people and big projects, and thanks to rising state revenues, Michigan will continue delivering on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to families. "Michigan's economy is strong and getting stronger every day," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "In December 2021 alone, we added 11,000 jobs, and since December 2020, we've created 220,000 jobs. We're rounding out eight straight months of job growth, unemployment is decreasing, and we still have billions from the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan to invest in our families, communities, and small businesses. I will work with anyone as we continue putting Michiganders first, getting more Michiganders back to work, and growing Michigan's economy." Economy Thanks to sound fiscal management, Michigan went from a projected $3 billion deficit in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to a $7 billion surplus and revenues for forthcoming years that have been revised up by billions of dollars. Michigan continues to lead the nation in automotive manufacturing, creating 16,000 auto jobs and counting. The state has also made historic investments in education, skills training programs, childcare, preschool, public safety, clean water, and roads and bridges. Economic Development Last month, Governor Whitmer signed a bipartisan economic development package empowering Michigan to compete for transformational projects that will bring billions in private investment and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs for Michiganders. The package set up a $1 billion fund and gave the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or MEDC, a powerful new set of tools to land some of the huge projects in their pipeline. The package also delivers resources directly to new and existing businesses, building on work the state has done since March 2020 to set up 23 economic relief programs and deliver over $240 million to small businesses in all 83 Michigan counties. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 10, 2022 Contact: Press@michigan.gov Governor Whitmer's FY23 Budget: Growing Michigan's Economy, Creating Jobs, Supporting Small Businesses Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her fourth executive budget recommendation that puts Michiganders first and delivers on the issues that matter most to Michigan families. Here's what the budget has for Michigan's economy and workforce. Vision Governor Whitmer is focused on growing Michigan's economy, creating good-paying jobs, and empowering small businesses. Right now, Michigan has economic momentum. In 2021, Michigan added 220,000 jobs and went from a projected $3 billion deficit at the beginning of the pandemic to a $7 billion surplus to kick-off 2022. The governor's budget takes advantage of the opportunity Michigan has to cut taxes for seniors and working families, help local economies grow, ensure Michiganders have the skills they need to get good-paying jobs, and land transformational investments that will bring billions in investment and create thousands of jobs. Investments For seniors, a roll back of the retirement tax, which would save half a million households an average of $1,000 a year. For hardworking families, tripling the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit to pull 22,000 Michiganders out of working poverty and deliver 730,000 households an average combined tax refund of $3,000. A $2,500 rebate for electric vehicles-$2,000 for the car and $500 for in-home charging equipment. This will build on the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit, knocking nearly $10,000 off the price of an electric vehicle. Another investment in the economic development fund that helped Michigan land GM's $7 billion investment in January 2022. Growing the number of students in Michigan Reconnect, program established to put Michiganders who are 25 and up on a tuition-free path to higher education or skills training. Funding for the Office of Rural Development, focused on the economic prosperity of rural counties and communities. Growing the workforce training programs, increasing slots for pre-apprenticeship programs, removing employment barriers for low-income Michiganders, and setting up Jobs Court, an innovative program offering non-violent, low-level offenders jobs with local partnering businesses. Bonuses for first responders, and frontline employees including grocery store workers, waiters, and more. The Economy and Workforce one pager can be found here ### MANISTEE Concerns about open-air marijuana use dominated discussion on the Smoke on the Water event proposed by Salt City Rock and Blues during Tuesday's Manistee City Council study session. Salt City Rock and Blues laid out its plans for the Smoke on the Water event in a letter to the city council. "Salt City Rock and Blues proposes to hold a music event in conjunction with the five marijuana dispensaries located in Manistee. The event will take place during the (Manistee National) Forest Festival and will be held on Saturday, July 2 in the evening," the letter reads in part. "A Deep Purple tribute band has been secured and will headline the event. Several local bands will also appear that evening. The theme for the event is 'Smoke on the Water', Deep Purple's signature song. Flower and edibles will be available within a cordoned-off and well-defined area. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase as well." The letter also explains how the event would be paid for and the benefits to the city. "The permit fee of $6,000 would be paid for by the dispensaries. Salt City Rock and Blues would sponsor the event and would profit from the sale of tickets to concert-goers. Proceeds would be used to continue our efforts to build a state-of-the-art amphitheater at First Street Beach." Several council members were concerned about safety, enforcement and potential liability that the city may face if someone is injured during the event. Among the council members who were most concerned were Mayor Lynda Beaton, sixth district council member James Grabowski, and first district council member and former Manistee Police Chief Dave Bachman. Beaton was most concerned with liabilities. "I'm always thinking about the potential liabilities that this could create for us. So I'm curious if you're seeing at other events like this, in the state of Michigan, especially a town of our size," Beaton said. She noted that Salt City Rock and Blues is hiring its own law enforcement for the Smoke on the Water event, but that didn't necessarily satisfy her. "My understanding is that they are hiring their own law enforcement. I guess when I think of consumption I think a person can go into a bar and have a couple of drinks and sometimes they overindulge but there's some liability on the server and the bar itself," Beaton stated. "To me ... the primary purpose of smoking pot is to get high. ... I just need a little bit more education as to how you control a bunch of people who are you know, had a good time. They smoke and they want to get in their cars and they want to go home. That part of that is keeping me up at night." Council member Mick Szymanski countered what Beaton said. "I did talk to (Manistee Police) Chief Glass about this a while back -- and I'm paraphrasing but he said -- he's never had to wrestle a marijuana smoker to the ground. But he's done it several times with alcohol," Szymanski said. He said he feels the city is "in for a penny, in for a pound." "These are legitimate businesses. They're good community sponsors. They do a lot. They've been forthright, forthcoming, and as far as I understand there has not been any increase in any crime or issues involved with the sale since we've started (allowing marijuana sales)," said Szymanski. Council member James Grabowski said he had to wrestle people high on marijuana in his time as a police officer. He also noted that even with Salt City Rock and Blues hiring its own law enforcement, the city can still be sued and held liable for any injury or incident that could happen at the event. However, council member Cindy Lundberg questioned the difference between alcohol and marijuana in terms of liability. "Well, how is it really any different than the beer tent's shenanigans that go on on a regular basis? I'm just curious. I mean, we let that happen," she said. "People drink there and get drunk and crazy and do whatever. Are we not liable then (for) the same thing. Right?" Grabowski acknowledged that the city is liable during those events. City Manager William Gambill said that Glass did have concerns about people smoking outside of the cordoned-off area. Gambill noted that Glass was not in attendance at the meeting. No decisions can be made during a work session, however, council members requested representatives from Salt City Rock and Blues answer questions from the council in order to assuage some of the concerns. "I would like them to come in and ... talk to us," Mayor Pro-Tem Jermaine Sullivan said. "I think that they do a very good job of ... stepping up with stuff for the city. (They) pay for a lot of things and sponsor a lot of things and there's no reason why they can't come in and explain to us what they want to do. I mean, people are walking around smoking marijuana all the time, anyway, so we're not policing that." The letter that was sent to the council about the event noted the important role that the Marijuana industry plays in Manistee. "Our local industry has been a booming success and should be fully supported. To reap the benefits from our local marijuana industry and not fully support it via this inaugural event would be inconsistent policy at best. The Manistee City Council has shown itself to be forward-thinking by establishing a 'green zone' within the city limits for the purpose of establishing a local marijuana industry. Please continue to support the very industry that you established by allowing the Smoke on the Water event to move forward," the last paragraph of the letter reads. Courtesy logo/Manistee County Habitat for Humanity, Family Fare Supermarkets MANISTEE COUNTY Habitat for Humanity of Manistee County is partnering with the Spartan Nash Foundation to bolster local housing initiatives. Between Feb. 9 and 20, store guests who visit the Family Fare store in Manistee will have the opportunity to donate $1, $5, $10 or round up to the nearest dollar at any checkout lane with 100% of dollars raised granted to Manistee County Habitat for Humanity. Spartan Nash stores have been diligently serving our communities throughout the challenges of the past year, and we are grateful for their continued partnership in making this fundraiser happen, even if we are not able to be there in the store with you sharing information about our programs and saying thank you," stated Randy Zakrajsek, Habitat for Humanity Manistee County board president in a Habitat news release. Habitat for Humanitys mission is to put Gods love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope, according to the release. Despite revisions from a previous proposal, the Huron County Planning Commission denied a special use permit to Agri-Valley Communications to build a new cell tower at McGraw County Park. The decision was based on an opinion provided by the countys corporation counsel, which stated that communications towers are not a permitted use in any residential district since there is no language in the current county zoning ordinance that allows placing them in those districts. The opinion did state that since the 1965 deed for the park allowed the grantee, the State Highway Commission, to convey the land to any other department of the state of Michigan or to the county of Huron to be developed by them as a park, the counsel decided that the towers footprint, 25 feet by 40 feet, and access driveway, would not affect the parks regular usage. Agri-Valley Communications had proposed a 185-foot monopole telecommunications tower at 2927 Port Austin Road on a parcel of land the Huron County Road Commission owns, which would look similar to one located at Philips County Park. Thumb Cellular would have been the main tower user, though other service providers could use it as well. Agri-Valley Communications representative Mike Gremel said at Januarys meeting that the height was chosen so that it does not have to be lit up and the location was chosen to help improve cell service in the area and take pressure off of the towers in Philips County Park and Port Austin. The commissioners had suspended the approval process to wait for the counsels opinion along with revisions to the fall zone radius of the tower, which would have included area in Duggans Family Campground in the initial proposal. The revised fall zone was changed so that it would be less than or equal to 92.5 feet, or 50% of the towers height. Plenty of residents who live in Hume Township near McGraw County Park voiced their opposition to the proposed tower at last months meeting and this meeting, claiming it would be an eyesore to the area, that their property values would go down, that better vacant land options exist for a tower, that it would impact parking at the park, and that radio waves coming off the tower are a carcinogen. Gremel asked what options there are if the company still wanted to have a tower on the site. Building and Zoning Director Jeff Smith said he could either appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals, seek a zoning variance, seek a zoning amendment to provisions of the county ordinance, or have the parcel in question rezoned. He was not confident that any of those options would end up in Agri-Valleys favor. Were all friends here, so Im not sure we want to go down that road, Gremel said. Minority renters and women are more likely to face eviction in Connecticut than their white, male counterparts, a new data report says. Black renters are more than three times more likely to face eviction than white renters, while Hispanic renters are more than twice as likely to face eviction compared to white renters, according to the new study from CT Data Collaborative. The study assigned sex probabilities to 68,691 eviction filings. Of those, 56 percent were filed against female renters, the study says. The disproportionate effects of eviction on women, people of color and particularly women of color has been documented in several studies. This analysis, which focuses on data from 2017 to 2021, provides an in-depth look at residential evictions in Connecticut through a partnership between CT Data Collaborative, the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Its the first time evictions have been analyzed, geo-coded, and made public, Michelle Riordan-Nold, executive director at the data collaborative, said this week about the results of the report. Evictions have become a nationwide topic as millions lost income during the pandemic and fell short on rent. In Connecticut, a federally funded program called UniteCT has been available to provide rental and utility assistance to qualified tenants. But the state has had an eviction crisis for years, advocates said. Four of Connecticuts cities Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven and Waterbury ranked on the Eviction Labs 100 urban centers with the highest eviction rates in the country in 2016, the report says. The phenomena presented today were not created in isolation, said Fionnuala Darby Hudgen, director of operations at the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. Historic policies such as redlining and eminent domain have disproportionately hurt the chances for people of color at building wealth and homeownership. And an eviction filing, even if not completed, can harm tenants chances at renting an apartment in the future, advocates said. The report also discussed legal representation in eviction cases. More than 80 percent of Connecticut landlords have representation, while less than 10 percent of tenants have attorneys, the report says. White renters were 37 percent more likely than Black renters, and 30 percent more likely than Hispanic renters, to have had lawyers in eviction cases, according to data from 2017 and 2019, the report says. Male renters were 7 percent more likely than women to have had lawyers. A new program operated by the Connecticut Bar Foundation aims to provide legal representation to renters. The program, funded for two years, is operating in 14 Connecticut neighborhoods. Advocates want to ensure the state doesnt leave the pandemic with the same broken system we started with, said Melissa Marichal, a staff attorney with the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. Tracy Roan has been busy the last couple of years. Having served as the chief of the Air Force Uniform Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, since 2018, Roan has helped shape some of the most progressive and drastic clothing changes for the branch, as well as the development of the Space Force's new service dress uniform. In the past two years alone, airmen have seen once unlikely changes, many of them focused on the comfort of women: longer hairstyles for women, the development of a maternity flight suit and a wrap-style dress for pregnant airmen. The Space Force is even making elements of its new dress uniforms unisex. Read Next: The Army Vet Who Was Prepping Civilians for a 'Pending' Civil War The other military branches are following suit with similar uniform and policy changes -- thanks, in part, Roan said, to the research and development the Air Force has done. To her, a lot of the uniform changes just make common sense. "The Air Force has done a really good job in listening across the board, you know, whether it be female or male, and really taking into account what is needed to provide the best for our airmen to be successful and also to be happy and know that they're being heard," Roan said. One of the primary reasons the Air Force has been on the leading edge of uniform changes for women is demographic: The service has the largest percentage of women in the ranks at 21%. But Roan also said the Air Force has frequently pulled off uniform changes a lot faster than the other services. "We have really had a much easier time with the way we're structured and funded to move things quicker than maybe some of the other services," she added. For example, Roan said the Air Force spent about half a million dollars to fund around 2,000 one-piece maternity flight suits. Those should be fielded by the Defense Logistics Agency in April. This late spring or early summer, the Air Force will also begin testing more contemporary maternity wear for airmen to replace what Roan calls the "90s-style" of pregnancy fashion. Those new items include slacks, a tunic-style jacket and the wrap dress. "There was a need for maternity flight uniforms because nothing existed," Roan said. "So women were borrowing someone else's larger uniform or purchasing a larger uniform at the time, and it created safety hazards for them." While the Air Force uniform options are being tweaked, the Space Force has had to start from scratch. The Space Force's physical training uniform, essentially a black tracksuit, shorts and gray T-shirt, has been approved and is heading to the Defense Logistics Agency. Dress uniforms for the Space Force are another story. When the look debuted at the Air Force Association's annual conference last year, critics took to social media to complain about the Star Trek-reminiscent look and, particularly, how baggy the pants were. Roan said her office did not make the initial prototypes, but they've "made a lot of progress in fine-tuning the [uniform] after the comments that were made," primarily updating the pants and the collar on the jacket. Her office hoped to be done with testing, but delays from a fabric supplier are stopping it from crossing the finish line. One of the main focuses of the Space Force dress uniform was to create pieces of it that could be unisex, something Roan said that can be welcoming to non-binary service members. "As we look at their new service dress, we're looking at, in particular, options of neckwear that females, in particular, would be able to wear a tie, like their male counterparts," she said. "Especially if you're nonbinary, that you could wear a tie and there's no relationship to either gender." Roan added that her office is starting to prototype maternity wear for Space Force Guardians as well. The progressive uniform policies have been criticized by some commentators. Last year, after the Army adopted its own ponytail policy, Fox News host Tucker Carlson stoked those comments by saying that President Joe Biden was making a "mockery" of the military through efforts to recruit and keep women in the ranks. Roan said any change in the military often comes with criticism. But she said the bottom line is that if something helps improve morale or makes it easier for an airman to better do their job, it's a necessity. "We want to make sure that their fit is the best that it can be because it allows them to perform their job better," Roan said. "It also provides comfort, and it makes them proud of the way that they look and represent the country." Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that only parts of the Space Force dress uniform are designed to be unisex. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: New Air Force Rules Allow Hands in Pockets, Slew of Uniform and Appearance Changes As the United States mobilizes to forestall a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Congress is at risk of being missing in action. Senators for weeks have been negotiating a bill that could garner bipartisan support to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine or punish him if deterrence fails. Among the proposals that were expected to be included in the bill was more military aid for Ukraine, including a lend-lease program that would allow the United States to send Ukraine more weapons without immediate payment. Read Next: Air Force Making Uniform Changes with Women in Mind, While Space Force Is Working to Fix Those Baggy Pants But as of Thursday, senators appeared to be at an impasse even as U.S. officials warn Russia could invade at any point, raising the prospect that Congress could fail to take any action before an invasion. "It should have been done two weeks ago," Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said when asked whether she's worried a deal won't be reached before an invasion. Negotiations on aid to Ukraine have stalled over a partisan impasse on sanctions, including what to do about the Russia-to-Germany natural gas pipeline known as Nord Stream 2. Roughly 3,000 U.S. troops are being repositioned or deployed around Europe to support NATO allies worried a Ukrainian conflict could spill into their countries. Russia has denied it's planning to again invade Ukraine, after invading Crimea in 2014. U.S. soldiers have started trickling into Romania, Poland and Germany, with more expected to arrive in the coming days. None of the U.S. troops is expected to enter Ukraine, which is not a NATO ally. But the Biden administration has taken other steps to shore up Ukraine's defenses, including recently sending another $200 million in Javelin anti-tank missiles, ammunition and other military hardware. Over the last year, the United States has provided $650 million in military aid to Ukraine. Congress has been getting regular updates on Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's border, including full House and Senate briefings last week and a closed-door Senate Armed Services Committee briefing Thursday. And as more than 100,000 Russian troops encircle its neighbor, there is bipartisan support in Congress for more military aid for Kyiv, even if the sanctions debate has prevented action. In addition to eyeing more funding for military aid, lawmakers have proposed the lend-lease program for Ukraine in which the United States could quickly ship weapons and other military equipment with the promise of repayment later. The last time the United States had a lend-lease program was World War II. A stand-alone Senate bill for a Ukraine lend-lease program has 15 sponsors from both parties, and the proposal was expected to be folded into the larger bill senators have been negotiating, which has since stalled. Asked whether he's worried Ukraine won't get the supplies it needs if the lend-lease program remains stuck in the sanctions impasse, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, one of the lead sponsors of the lend-lease proposal, noted that the United States and other NATO countries have been sending Ukraine support. "The problem is they're just overmatched dramatically by the Russians," Cornyn added. With the broader bill going nowhere, senators said they are discussing alternative plans, including possibly holding separate, side-by-side votes on the Democratic and Republican proposals, or voting on just the noncontroversial proposals such as military aid. But the Senate has other votes on its agenda next week and is scheduled to take a one-week recess the following week, as the world braces for the possibility of Russia invading when the Ukrainian ground freezes in the middle of the month or after joint Russian-Belarusian military drills end Feb. 20. "I would much prefer that we would have actions that ultimately could be used to deter Putin," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said when asked about the risk of not having a bill before an invasion. "That doesn't mean that the administration doesn't have their own set of actions that can be used to do that. But I would like to have the power of a very aggressive sanctions option to be able to do that as well and augment what the administration is doing." -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: US Troops Trickling into Europe as Putin Masses Forces Around Ukraine A Mirage F1 fighter jet from Luke Air Force Base in Arizona crashed into a desert field not far from a retirement community Thursday. The pilot, who was about 15 miles away from the installation, ejected from the aircraft, according to a statement from the base. The F1 fighter, an aircraft typically used to mimic opposition forces during exercises, was being used as part of a routine training mission, the Air Force said. Around 11 a.m. Mountain Standard Time, local media reported that the plane crashed near the Sun City Festival neighborhood, a retirement community in Buckeye, Arizona, about 45 minutes west of Phoenix. Read Next: US Troops Trickling into Europe as Putin Masses Forces Around Ukraine Andy Timmerman, a local land surveyor, was working in the area when he saw the plane coming in low as it was headed for the ground. Shortly after it hit the ground, he saw a "fireball and a dust cloud." Timmerman said the pilot, a young man, ejected just before the plane crashed and that he landed about "2,000 feet" away from the wreckage. After pulling up in his truck to the scene, Timmerman said he was relieved the man was OK and offered him water. "We were worried about the pilot," he told Military.com. "The plane wasn't making any noise before it crashed, and then I saw the parachute. I'm just relieved he was OK." Timmerman said a police helicopter came shortly afterward, and the pilot was talking on the phone with his superiors and seemed to be unharmed. Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 56th Fighter Wing commander, said in a statement he "is grateful nobody was hurt on the ground and the pilot was safely recovered with only minor injuries." An F-16 Fighting Falcon prepares to land during dusk May 19, 2020, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder) Flights are being diverted around the site for the next 24 hours, according to the Federal Aviation Administration office in Phoenix. Luke Air Force Base is home to the 56th Fighter Wing, which is a major training unit for F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots. There have been several fighter jet crashes from the base. In 2018, the pilot of an F-16C from Luke Air Force Base ejected, and the plane subsequently crashed while trying to make an emergency landing after experiencing engine trouble. Similarly, in 2013, two pilots in an F-16D crashed in a field three miles from the base. Both airmen safely ejected. In 1999, another F-16 from Luke Air Force Base crashed in Glendale, Arizona, with both crew members ejecting from the two-seat plane before impact. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Another Leaked Video Offers a Dramatic View of F-35C Crash Aboard Carl Vinson UNITED NATIONS The U.N. counterterrorism chief said Wednesday its crucial to build on the momentum following last weeks death of the leader of the Islamic State extremist group and address the grievances that terrorist groups exploit to attract new followers. Undersecretary-General Vladimir Voronkov told the U.N. Security Council that the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi in a U.S. raid in northwest Syria was perhaps the most significant in a series of blows against the Islamic States leadership in recent months. But he warned that the group is known for its ability to regroup despite similar past losses, maintaining and intensifying its activities in conflict-affected regions across the world. Since the 9/11 attacks in the United States that spurred the U.N.s counterterrorism activities, Voronkov said the United Nations has learned that combatting terrorism is a long-term game and that there are no quick fixes. Military counterterrorism operations may be necessary, he said, but comprehensive measures with a strong focus on prevention are required to address the dynamics that fuel the appeal to terrorism. The head of the U.N. Office of Counterterrorism urged all 193 U.N. member nations, starting in Iraq and Syria where the Islamic States leadership is still concentrated, to sustain gains against the extremist group, prevent its regional expansion and curtail its capabilities to launch attacks and recruit new members to its ranks. Stressing the critical importance of building on momentum from al-Qurayshis death to address grievances that IS and other extremist groups exploit, Voronkov said: We must focus on restoring human dignity, trust and social cohesion. This must start with addressing the desperate situation in displacement camps and detention facilities across Syria and Iraq, he said, stressing the humanitarian hardships of thousands of people, especially children with presumed family links to IS members who through no fault of their own remain stranded in this precarious limbo, at a growing risk of further radicalization and recruitment. According to a report by U.N. experts monitoring sanctions against IS and al-Qaida circulated this week, the overcrowded al-Hol camp in northeast Syria for alleged IS family members houses an estimated 60,000 people, two-thirds of them under the age of 12. The camps foreigners annex includes approximately 2,000 women and 7,000 children, it said. The experts said minors in the camp continue to be exposed to IS ideology. The experts said 10,000 IS detainees are currently in prisons run by the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces including approximately 2,000 foreign terrorist fighters." Voronkov, who presented the experts report to the Security Council, called the Jan. 20 IS attack on a prison in Hassakeh in northeast Syria, which houses at least 3,000 IS detainees, the extremist groups most significant actions since the fall of its self-declared caliphate in 2019. The Syrian Democratic Forces, regained control after 10 days and hundreds of deaths. I was particularly disturbed," the counterterrorism chief said, by the groups use of children as human shields during the intense fighting that occurred in and around the prison. He echoed other U.N. and humanitarian officials urging countries to repatriate their nationals from the camps, saying the current pace does not demonstrate the requisite urgency and is likely to exacerbate conditions conducive to terrorism. Beyond Syria and Iraq, Voronkov said regional affiliates of IS continued to expand at an unsettling scale and pace, partly enabled by the proliferation of conventional arms and weapons, especially in fragile conflict settlings. He singled out central, eastern and West Africa, warning that the expansion of IS affiliates there would have serious and lasting repercussions well beyond the continent. In Cabo Delgado on the border area between Mozambique and Tanzania, Voronkov said the IS affiliate suffered setbacks after the deployment of foreign troops, but the group appears displaced rather than defeated, and its fighters have continued to regroup into smaller, more autonomous cells. He warned that the deteriorating situation and intensification of IS activity in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Uganda is another cause for serious concern, and tactical gains in these regions may also increase the groups revenues. On a positive note, Voronkov said IS terrorist activity declined in Egypt, Libya and Morocco in the last half of 2021 following counterterrorism gains, defections, and public investments in development initiatives. As for Europe, Voronkov said the foremost concern remains online terrorist radicalization and recruitment that can inspire attacks by lone actors or small groups, inspired by, but unaffiliated" with IS extremists,. WASHINGTON U.S. military officials said Thursday there could have been more civilian casualties than initially thought in the special operations forces raid that killed the top Islamic State leader in Syria last week, but believe any deaths were not at the hands of American forces. Laying out a chronology of the raid, officials also said that they cannot be certain that Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi detonated the bomb that killed him and his family at his home in sleepy village of Atmeh near the Turkish border. But they said it was set off by him or someone else on the third floor of the building where he lived. Previously the Pentagon and President Joe Biden had said al-Qurayshi blew up himself, his wife and two children. The military officials said Thursday they believe that is the most likley scenario but have no evidence to back that up. They also said it's possible that others perhaps additional wives he had could have been with him and killed in that blast. They said multiple bodies were thrown from the building and buried in the rubble, and while they know al-Qurayshi and his family died, they can't rule out the possibility that other bodies were hidden in the collapse and not seen by the troops. Speaking to a small group of reporters, two senior military officials involved in the planning or execution of the operation provided the most details to date on the Feb. 2 raid, pushing back against claims by residents and other activist groups that the U.S. operation killed as many as 13 people, including civilians. They spoke on condition of anonymity as a condition for providing the briefing. The Biden administration and the Pentagon have come under sharp criticism recently for failing to provide evidence of a number of national security claims, including proof of their efforts to avoid civilian casualties in operations such as the Syria raid and their account of a suicide bombing in Afghanistan in August. Questions about the administrations credibility are coming at a critical moment as it is revealing intelligence about Russias plans for Ukraine, while often not providing evidence to back up its assertions. A journalist on assignment for The Associated Press as well as several village residents said they saw body parts scattered near the site of the Syria raid, a house in the rebel-held Idlib province. The Britain-based Syria Observatory for Human Rights and the opposition-run Syrian Civil Defense, first responders also known as the White Helmets, said 13 people, including children and women, were killed in shelling and clashes that ensued after the U.S. commando raid. Its not clear whether those included al-Qurayshi and his family. On Thursday, the military officials acknowledged they have no video of the house explosion in Syria or of the efforts to get civilians out of the house. According to the military, a family with four children on the first floor responded to calls from the troops and interpreters and got out of the house to safety. As they left the house, the explosion tore through the third floor, sending bodies to the ground. Omar Saleh, a resident of a nearby house, said his doors and windows started to rattle to the sound of low-flying aircraft at 1:10 a.m. local time. He then heard a man, speaking Arabic with an Iraqi or Saudi accent through a loudspeaker, urging women to surrender or leave the area. The U.S. military, said one official, did not see indications of other noncombatant casualties but cannot rule it out because the forces were not on the ground long enough to dig through all the rubble. Military officials said, for the first time, that individuals in the house shot at the troops before the Americans started to enter the building after the explosion. An IS member, described as a lieutenant of al-Qurayshis, and his wife were on the second floor, with as many as five children. Officials said U.S. forces killed the militant and his wife in a gun battle. One was barricaded in a small room and shooting from there; another fired while coming through the door. The troops safely brought four children from the second floor out of the house. But a toddler was found dead there, and the military officials said Thursday that it is not certain how the child died. They said no gunshot wounds were found and that the child may have been killed by the third-floor explosion. According to the AP journalist who went to the site, blood could be seen on the walls and floor of the remaining structure, which contained a wrecked bedroom with a childs wooden crib on the floor. On one damaged wall, a blue plastic childrens swing was still hanging. The kitchen was blackened with fire damage. The officials said two al-Qaida-linked militants with automatic weapons approached the house in an effort to attack the U.S. force and were killed. But the officials said other armed citizens in the area were not harmed because they did not pose a threat. Explaining the lack of video of the house explosion, the officials said the team was watching the building, and overhead surveillance was focused on the surrounding area to detect any potential threats to the force. They said there is also no body-cam video. The officials also revealed that the U.S., which wanted to capture al-Qurayshi alive, had made plans to turn him over to another government. One official said the U.S. would have detained him temporarily, but there were no plans for a long-term U.S. detention. They declined to provide further details, saying they wanted to protect government-to-government discussions. Al-Qurayshi took over as head of IS in October 2019, just days after leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died during a U.S. raid. Officials said planning for the new raid began last fall when the U.S. first learned of al-Qurayshis presence in the building. Unlike his predecessor, al-Qurayshi was far from a household name. He was a secretive man who officials said never left the house during the months that the U.S. watched and prepared for the raid. Officials said they thought they had a good chance at taking him alive because he only had one leg, which they believed would make it difficult for him to get to a suicide vest. The blast, they said, was larger than one from a regular suicide vest, and instead appeared to be from explosives detonated in the apartment. They said they chose a ground raid in order to avoid innocent deaths, despite the increased risk to the forces. ___ Ghaith Alsayed, a journalist on assignment for The Associated Press, contributed to this report from Idlib, Syria. The Marquis de Lafayette, the famous Frenchman who joined the American war for independence, called the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island "the best fought action of the war." It was the first battle where a joint Franco-American force fought against the British. Although the British would occupy Rhode Island for a year afterward, Americans held off the British long enough so they could make an orderly retreat and fight another day. A critical component to the Americans' successful withdrawal was the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The 1st was a unit of mostly Black soldiers, with American Indian troops and White colonists, all fighting alongside one another. British troops had occupied Rhode Island since fighting began in 1776, but with the French fleet on the way, the crown was forced to withdraw from Philadelphia and bolster its defenses elsewhere. Much of the occupying force went to New York, but British Gen. Sir Henry Clinton sent 2,000 men across Long Island Sound into Rhode Island. As the French entered North American waters, Gen. George Washington ordered Maj. Gen. John Sullivan to make an attack on Newport, Rhode Island, to dislodge the British and send those troops back to New York. Despite calling up more than half of its militia, Rhode Island was still having trouble meeting troop quotas set by the Continental Congress. The Rhode Island Assembly decided to free 88 slaves and allow them to enlist in 1778. For months, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment recruited formerly enslaved Black men to serve in its militia force. When all was said and done, more than half of the 1st Rhode Island was made up of Black men in uniform. It was the first integrated military unit to fight for the United States. When it came time to make an attack on Newport, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment was positioned along the west main road leading to the town. Before the battle could begin, on Aug. 10, 1778, a storm hit the French fleet in Newport Harbor, battering it for two full days before it cleared. The French were forced to leave for Boston for repairs, leaving the Patriot militias to attack the professional soldiers of the British occupation force. Watercolors of soldiers at Yorktown by French Lt. Jean-Baptiste-Antoine DeVerger, in 1781. Watercolors of soldiers at Yorktown by French Lt. Jean-Baptiste-Antoine DeVerger, in 1781. Sullivan and his militiamen were forced to withdraw from the attack on Aug. 28, after laying siege to the city for two days. The 1st Rhode Island was to cover the army's withdrawal in the west. Hessian Gen. Friedrich Wilhelm von Lossberg led a force of German mercenaries along the western road. Under cannon fire from British ships off the coast, the 1st Rhode Islanders fought off three major Hessian assaults, inflicting such heavy losses on the Hessians each time that von Lossberg was hesitant to make a fourth attempt. As the Hessians struggled to regroup, the Americans made a counterattack, which was also fought back. In the Battle of Rhode Island, the British force took 260 casualties, almost half of those were Hessians assaulting the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. Sullivan's army survived and went on the offensive against Britain's Iroquois allies in New York. As an integrated unit, the 1st next saw real action at Pines Bridge, near Yorktown, New York, in 1781. The British overran the bridge, killing the unit's officers and 20 of its men. It also participated in the Siege of Yorktown that signaled the eventual end of the American Revolution. The Black soldiers of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment were granted their freedom when their enlistments ended with the end of the war. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. An oil on canvas painting depicting the loss of the USS Cumberland on March 8, 1862 during an engagement with the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia during the Battle of Hampton Roads. On February 3, we mark the birth of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910), the first American woman to obtain a Medical Degree (1849). Since 2016, the United States has celebrated her birthday as National Women Physicians Day, a holiday commemorating Dr. Blackwells many contributions to the field of medicine and for recognizing all women who have followed her example by becoming physicians. Clockwise starting top left: CAPT Kim Davis, CO, NMC San Diego; LT Taylor James, Naval Hospital Jacksonville; LT Elizabeth Rettie, USS George H.W. Bush; and LCDR Marissa Mayor, USS America. The guided-missile destroyer USS OKane (DDG 77) arrives home to San Diego. OKane, a part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, returned to Naval Base San Diego, Feb. 6, following an independent deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets in support of national tasking and to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Fort Madison, IA (52627) Today Periods of rain. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Periods of rain. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. Keokuk, IA (52632) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. Low around 50F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low around 50F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. The Red Sox announced that infielder Yolmer Sanchez has been signed to a minor league deal. The former Gold Glover will receive an invitation to Bostons big league Spring Training camp. Sanchez spent 2021 with the Braves Triple-A affiliate, hitting .216/.309/.352 over 355 plate appearances. Atlanta signed Sanchez as a depth option in April of last year, but with Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Dansby Swanson staying healthy and delivering strong production for the World Series champions, Sanchez never got a call to the Show. It marked the first time since 2013 that Sanchez hadnt seen action in a Major League season. While the Red Sox are the fifth different organization Sanchez has joined in his pro career, the 29-year-old has suited up only with the White Sox at the MLB level. Sanchez played with Chicago from 2013-20, seeing regular work as a starting second baseman and third baseman during the teams rebuilding years and acting as a useful utility infield piece in general. Always a solid defender, Sanchezs work was recognized when he won the AL Gold Glove as a second baseman in 2019. However, the White Sox still opted to non-tender Sanchez in the wake of that Gold Glove-winning season, as Sanchez was projected to earn a $6MM arbitration salary in 2020. Sanchezs defense didnt make up for his lack of offense, as he has hit only .245/.300/.360 in 2459 career PA. The Giants signed Sanchez to a minor league deal heading into the 2020 season but released him, resulting in Sanchez returning to the White Sox for 11 games that year and making an appearance on the teams postseason roster (perhaps a nice full-circle moment considering Sanchezs contributions during the teams lean years). After landing with the Orioles and Braves on minors deals, Sanchez will now try to gain a foothold in Boston. Sanchezs versatility will only go far considering that hell be competing with several other multi-position infield types (i.e. Christian Arroyo, Jonathan Arauz, and fellow minor league signing Rob Refsnyder) in the battle to be Bostons chief utility infielder. As well, Enrique Hernandez is capable of playing pretty much anywhere around the diamond, and the Red Sox could move Hernandez back into that super-utility role if they obtained another starting option at second base. 09.02.2022 LISTEN OSAGYEFO DR. Kwame Nkrumah was a big dreamer despite some of his short comings. No matter how you dislike the pig, you, must give it credit for its prowess in love-making. Yes indeed, Nkrumah was a dictator and a ruthless one for that matter, but some of his proposals and plans were good. Sadly, some of his compatriots in Africa did not understand him. They did so at their own peril. It was he and a few Heads of State of Africa who proposed the formation of the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) which is now renamed, Africa Union (AU). Dr. Nkrumah foresaw an era where military adventurists will take up arms and overthrow legitimate democratically elected Heads of State and so, he proposed the formation of the Africa Rapid Reaction Force. He, Modibo Keita of Mali and Sekou Toure of Guinea went further to form the Ghana, Guinea, Mali Solidarity movement to champion the interest of their respective countries, and work together for the good of their people. Ironically, he was the first to fall victim to military coups to be followed by the overthrow of other Heads of State in Africa. Had I known is always at last, they say. The Africa Rapid Reaction Force was to be a standby army made up of soldiers drawn from member states to move in quickly to foil any military intervention in member states and restore political power to civilian rules. The ARRF did not see the light of the day and military hotheads who knew nothing about politics and governance started overthrowing civilian regimes. The results were a backward match which brought nothing good to West Africa and Africa, for that matter. All the lofty and good programmes initiated by some Africa countries were jettisoned and in their places, bad and adhoc programmes were introduced as the economies of many Africa countries went from bad to worse. But for the madness of these unruly soldiers, Africa could have been like the Asian Tigers in terms of development because the natural resources were in abundance and ready to be harnessed for the development of Africa. Sadly, a dream went sour. Dr. Nkrumah himself had said that in case the military saw the need to take over power for any reason, it should immediately hand over to an elected civilian regime, since the military is not established to rule the nation. Sadly, the military, which took over power by force from civilian rulers, entrenched their positions, unwilling to hand over power. In Ghana, a so called provisional regime (PNDC) stayed in power for eleven wasteful and bloody years. Here in Ghana, we went through several years of stultifying military dictatorships which did nothing good for the country. More than three hundred factories established by the Osagyefo were sold by the (P)NDC military regime alone. Loft projects like the Tema Food Complex and cold stores were abandoned while some of them were sold to the cronies of the military junta. We used to have our state-owned first class hotels like Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi, Meridian Hotel in Tema, City Hotel in Kumasi, and Ambassador Hotel in Accra and catering rest houses in all the then nine regions in Ghana. What bled my heart and still makes me sad and angry was the way the (P)NDC sold out the Ghana Black Star Line. Immediately we had our independence, the Osagyefo established the Black Star Line with as many as sixteen cargo ships, the first of its kind in West Africa. He went on to establish the Nautical College at Nungua to train sailors and engineers to man the ships. These cargo vessels were used to transport our timber, cocoa, sawn wood and other bulky goods to overseas countries and brought back goods that we imported from other countries. In fact, other countries in West Africa benefitted hugely from the services provided by the Ghana Black Star Line. It drastically improved international trade and the economy was ready for a quantum leap forward until these military adventurists upturned the apple cart. When Dr. Hilla Limann also took over power, he bought four brand new cargo ships from South Korea to add up to the existing sixteen ships but immediately the Rawlings-led PNDC junta seized power, all the twenty ships and properties of the Ghana Black Star Line were sold to persons or companies, only the junta can tell. Today, Ghana has no national shipping line. We learnt our lessons well and since 1992, we have been able to steer the ship of state smoothly without any military intervention, thanks to the discipline of our fine soldiers who see no reason to intervene in the democratic dispensation. But, not so with other countries which have to live with coups and rumours of coups. Unfortunately, anytime hotheaded, drunk and drugged soldiers seize power in Africa, opposition elements who lost elections are quick to organise demonstrations to support the usurpers of power. I call it Africa's folly. The soldiers themselves have not learnt a lesson because they do not look back as historians do. Some of their colleagues who seized power through the barrel of the gun ended up in jail, in exile or killed. In the beginning, they will have the support of the masses but since they were not made to rule, they start making things difficult for the people and in a matter of time, they are treated like rotten eggs. Because they have the guns, they try to quell any demonstration against their regime by shooting at demonstrators, killing, maiming and arbitrarily throwing dissidents in prison, all in an attempt to consolidate power. They begin by issuing draconian decrees and introducing the Culture of Silence like Ghanaians went through for the eleven years that the late JJ Rawlings and his junta held the country at ransom. Citizens who criticised the junta got missing to be found no more and those who were lucky enough run into self-imposed exile never to return again or died in exile. Today, despots like Umar Al Bashir, Yahaya Jammeh, Charles Taylor, Blaisse Compaore, Gadhafi etc. are either exiled, in self-imposed exile, brutally killed or in prison. What is happening in Guinea, Mali, Sudan, and Burkina Faso and elsewhere is an example of how the military is again abandoning their role as gatekeepers and engaging in a project that will eventually take their respective countries aback as far as development is concerned. When ECOWAS threatened to invade The Gambia, the moment Jammeh refused to accept defeat and got himself fixed on the presidential seat, the ugly bully had no choice but to allow himself to be taken away into exile. The leaders of the military, who have forcefully taken over power in the above mentioned countries, in recent times, should be pushed out by force through military intervention but not sanctions, because, we have sanction busters who will pass through backdoors to help these hotheads. You don't use kids gloves to fight usurpers of power. If ECOWAS is able to do this, it will send a strong signal to others who have similar intentions to abandon their foolish ideas because ECOWAS will never support such military adventurists. It is an undeniable fact that a worse civilian regime is better than the best military regime. Simplista!!! Go and burn the Atlantic Ocean if you do not agree with me and please excuse me while I puff away my Churchill cigar with professorial bombast. Catch me if you can! BY Eric Bawah Tunisian judges on Wednesday started a widely observed nationwide strike, days after President Kais Saied announced he would dissolve a key judicial watchdog. Saied on the weekend moved to scrap the Supreme Judicial Council (CSM), accusing it of blocking politically sensitive investigations and being influenced by his nemesis, the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party. His move against the CSM -- after he sacked the government and froze parliament in July then moved to rule by decree -- has sparked condemnation from world powers and rights groups. Some have accused him of taking another step towards authoritarian rule in Tunisia, a country often lauded as the only democracy to emerge from the 2011 Arab revolts. The Tunisian Magistrates' Association (AMT) responded by urging judges across the North African nation to strike on Wednesday and Thursday. AMT chief Anas Hamadi told AFP that at least 70 percent of judges had adhered to the strike according to initial figures. The Syndicate of Judges, a separate union that has called for judicial reforms, was not supporting the strike action. An AFP journalist said no hearings were being held at the lower court in the Ariana governorate, part of greater Tunis. Hamadi said all courts in the Manouba, Sfax and Tataouine provinces were also closed, adding that "a minority" of judges had gone to work elsewhere. He said Saied's decision to scrap the CSM was "a danger to the state and the judiciary, one of the key pillars of a democratic state". "The President of the Republic is missing every opportunity for dialogue and consultation to find solutions that could preserve the independence of the judiciary," he added. On Wednesday, a group of 45 civil society groups issued a statement rejecting "any interference by the executive authority in the judiciary's work". They said the CSM, despite its "shortcomings", was the only institution guaranteeing the judiciary's independence. Saied has insisted he has no intention of "interfering" in the justice system, saying it was "necessary" to remove a council accused of blocking investigations into the 2013 assassinations of leftist political figures Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi. 10.02.2022 LISTEN The Member of Parliament for Mampong constituency, Mr Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong (Hon), convened a conflict resolution meeting between the students of the Nursing & Midwifery Training College and the management of the school on Monday, 7th February 2022. The objective of the meeting was to help resolve the stark differences between the students who feel cheated and the principal of the school who thinks she is right to have taken whatever decision she has already taken against them. I have already published their elaborated points of grievances in my previous publications hence may decide not to repeat them here but rather highlight on the attitude of the honourable Member of Parliament, the convener of the meeting. The MP, from the recorded audio of 3 hour+ on the meeting held, as is currently in my possession, could be seen to have done great disservice not only to the students but himself. He approached the meeting with a biased mind in support of the principal hence ending up making a big fool of himself in the eyes of any discerning Ghanaian who gets the opportunity to listen to the audio. He denigrated the students. By his attitude, talking down the students and not allowing them to talk as they should but the principal, I can clearly describe the MP as lacking conflict resolution capabilities hence being the wrong choice to have been tasked to mediate between the affected students and the principal. He is just a disgrace to those of us in London, himself being a Londoner and schooled at the University of Westminster, London. I shall be publishing the entire discourse as taken place in the meeting that ended up empowering the principal who by my experience, research and evidence before me, can well be said to be at fault, if not the guilty party. She has behaved unprofessionally, dictatorially and markedly incompetently. For my intention to publish whatever transpired in the meeting, although being held back by the fact the size of the file is too big for a one-go publishing, I shall not reveal any further information until then. I am arranging to have the file broken down into several sections or pieces to enable me publish it. The MP from my observation as concluded from his actions in the meeting, could well be a misfit in his post as a parliamentarian. His pomposity and certain pronouncements do not make him a good politician or a sensible person able to resolve problems amicably or lawfully. If he had gone about the issue professionally, intellectually and wisely, shall we be having these alarming stories of impending doom as captured on recording camera by some people as are found below? I appeal to the right authorities to step in, using sensible people who understand the law and are honest, but not biased and foolishly pompous, to help resolve the problems between the principal and the students who feel to have been treated unfairly. How I hope the MP would draw nearer to me to drink from my overflowing fountain of wisdom in order not to further prove himself useless before students as he did on Monday, 7th February 2022, as reported above. A stitch in time saves nine. Rockson Adofo Wednesday, 9th February 2022 Sudanese security agents on Wednesday arrested two leading figures including an ex-minister from the opposition Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), the civilian group driving protests against last year's military coup. The men are the latest in a long line of activists detained since the October 25 military takeover led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in which the civilian leadership and FFC figures were ousted. Plain-clothed officers arrested Khaled Omar Youssef, a former minister of cabinet affairs, during a meeting of the FFC bloc at the headquarters of the Sudanese Congress Party, senior member Mohamed Hassan Arabi said. Officers said they were affiliated with a police station in Khartoum without elaborating, Arabi added. Also arrested was Wagdi Saleh, a leading figure of the protest movement and an FFC spokesman, according to FFC leader Omar al-Degeir. The reasons for their arrest were not immediately clear. The arrests come a day after the two men joined an FFC delegation for talks with UN special representative Volker Perthes, as part of efforts launched last month hoped to resolve the deepening crisis. Leading FFC figure Yasser Arman said the latest arrests "will affect the UN process." Youssef and Saleh were among the figures who were detained immediately after the coup, before they were released weeks later. Since the coup, the authorities have launched a deadly crackdown on regular mass anti-coup protests, leaving at least 79 people killed and hundreds wounded, according to independent medics. The October military power grab, the latest coup in Sudan since the independence, has sparked wide international condemnation and punitive measures. The United States, which suspended $700 million in assistance, has warned there would be "consequences" if a crackdown by the authorities continues. "Arbitrary arrests and detention of political figures, civil society activists and journalists undermine efforts to resolve Sudan's political crisis," Lucy Tamlyn, the US charge d'affaires in Sudan, wrote on Twitter late Wednesday. The BBC said three of its reporters were also briefly arrested on Monday while covering anti-coup protests in Khartoum, but the trio were released later that day. Multiple journalists have been targeted while covering the protests. The Gefia Central Development Committee, in an effort to improve the falling standard of education in Gefia, a rural community in Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region, gave 50 mono desks to the Gefia R.C. Basic School. During a brief but colorful ceremony to present the desks to the school administration, the Chairman of the Committee, Rev. Vincent Adzika, stated that "an efficient community-school relationship is required for an effective education system." He noted that the performance of the Gefia R. C Basic School has deteriorated in recent years as a result of insufficient monitoring. Rev. Adzika added that the Gefia R. C Basic School's performance has deteriorated in recent years due to insufficient supervision and school facilities. "It has become vital for the community to support the School in any way possible to help restore the School's previous glory in terms of academic performance," he stated. Mr. Banini Kwadzo Dzorgbenyui, the Municipal Coordinating Director of the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly, who presided over the ceremony, commended the community on their efforts to support the school through such trying times. Mr. Dzorgbenyui told the Chiefs and residents of Gefia that the Municipal Assembly will work with them to complete the self-initiated ICT Centre, which would assist to improve the teaching and learning of ICT by students at the school. Mrs. Paulina Slyn Eworde Gone, the Circuit Supervisor of Gefia Circuit, presented a speech on behalf of the Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service, encouraging parents to assist their children's learning at home. She stated that the amount of child indiscipline in the Municipality is out of hand. "To remove the canker, community leaders and school authorities must work together." Mr. Bloko Simon Kweku, the headteacher of the Gefia R.C. Basic School thanked the community for their generosity and promised to make every effort to improve the school's low academic performance. The Gefia Central Development Committee made this donation possible through the financial support of their Dufia, Torgbe Korbadzi III, and other chiefs, some benevolent community members, and funds from communities last year's annual Gefia Denyigbanyaza Festival celebration. The Middle Belt Development Authority has handed over four completed projects to the Denkyembour District Assembly of the Eastern region on Wednesday, 9th February, 2022. The projects, funded under the "1 Million Dollar Per Constituency" policy included two 6-unit classroom blocks with offices at Nkwaakwaa NO.4 and Akenkanor, two 16-unit market stalls at Kusi and Soabe, all in the Akwatia constituency. The Authority since its establishment has undertaken several projects in the region and other catchment areas to augment the various assemblies in terms of developmental projects. The school block at Nkwaakwaa NO.4 and Akenkanor is to replace old, dilapidated school building which has now turned into a death trap to both teachers and pupils. The market stalls are also to help boost trade in the area, especially women in order to assist their families and improve their living standards. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Authority, Lawyer Joyce Opoku Boateng in her interaction with the media stated that the Authority is poised to ensure all citizens benefit from the national cake. She emphasised the handing over of the projects has become necessary after due processes have been done. She however, urged Ghanaians to continue supporting the Akufo-Addo led NPP government as there are lots of projects the Authority would be embarking on in the days ahead to ensure every community benefits. The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Denkyembour, Seth Birikorang Ofosu on his part was grateful to the Authority for the projects handed over to the Assembly and pledged to help maintain them to last longer. He also urged benefited communities to take good care of the projects and ensure they are always in good condition by undertaking regular renovations. The Regional Director of the Authority, Aremeyaw Alhassan Alolo, told the media that the Authority has over the years undertaken many projects since starting operations in 2017. He added his outfit would continue to liaise with the various authorities and stakeholders to identify projects the various constituencies are in need of. Traditional leaders of the various communities were grateful to the Authority and Government for the projects and pledged to take good care of them for all to benefit. The Social Democracy and Development Dialog Forum-Africa (SDDDF-Africa) has implored the Ghanaian youth to join the yentua demonstration being organised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) today, Thursday, February 10, 2022. The youth wing of the largest opposition party in the country is later this morning leading a demonstration in Accra to protest governments proposed Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy). In a solidarity message issued on February 9, 2022, SDDDG-Africa has emphasised that it is crucial every Ghanaian join the demonstration today to express displeasure at government and push for the levy to be dropped. SDDDF-Africa calls on the youth of Ghana to rise up in defence of their dignity and welfare against the draconian and obnoxious taxes (E-levy) being imposed on Ghanaians in this self-imposed economic quagmire of the Nana Addo and Bawumia led government. We call on all Ghanaians to join forces together as we demonstrate our displeasure against the family and friends government of Nana Addo who have run the economy down inefficiently and incompetently, part of a release from the group signed by its lead advocates has said. While demanding a complete withdrawal of E-levy, SDDDF-Africa also calls on Ghanaians to boycott the so-called town hall meetings being used to persuade unsuspecting Ghanaians into accepting such regressive tax. Todays demonstration will start in the Morning at 7:00am at Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle. A petition will be submitted to the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament at Parliament House. Read the full statement from SDDDF-Africa below: Soldier, schoolgirl, teacher, jihadist... In the nightmare of central Mali, each has a tale to tell of violence, survival and loss. In interviews conducted over 18 months, eight people have told AFP how their lives have been dramatically shaped by this brutal conflict in the heart of the Sahel. Central Mali is one of the world's most violent places -- an arid region stalked by ethnic killings, tit-for-tat violence and relentless attacks on troops, police or other perceived symbols of the state. Violence has gripped the region since 2015, when firebrand preacher Amadou Koufa established an Al-Qaeda-aligned jihadist group. 'Georges,' an ethnic Dogon, owned a successful tourist hotel until business was hit by the conflict. When violence arrived at his village's doorstep, he took out his father's protective amulet and hunting rifle and joined a pro-Dogon militia. By Michele Cattani AFP Recruiting at the time from within his own Fulani group, who are also known as Peul, his movement fed suspicions against the semi-nomadic herder community. An ethnic powder-keg was lit. "I was convinced that these people they call jihadists had more respect for humans than the army," said Bilal, 37, a Bambara. He joined the jihadists as he was unable to make ends meet by selling fish. The eight were interviewed in the capital, Bamako, the volatile central town of Mopti or the city of Sevare. Their names have been changed by AFP for their protection. Ancient antagonisms Central Mali is a place of many ethnicities, and frictions, especially over land, are common. These ancient antagonisms flared when Koufa's group emerged. 'Rokia' says all the men in her family were kidnapped by jihadists as they headed up the Niger River for fishing. The lone male is a boy, Amadou, who was born two days after the abduction. By Michele Cattani AFP Today, the region has been swept by a wildfire of hatred and mistrust. Nearly 200,000 people have fled their homes, and thousands have been killed. No-one, it seems, has been spared -- as Rokia, a woman aged about 50 from the nomadic Bozo ethnic group, knows only too well. Her family of fishermen was stopped by jihadists on the banks of the Niger River in 2018. Her husband Ba, her brothers Amadou and Sinbarma, and her sons Mahamat and Lassana were taken away. "I don't sleep, life no longer makes sense. Things can carry on or stop, it doesn't matter to me," she said. 'Sidiki' poses in a classroom. His teaching career came to a halt in November 2017 when jihadists raided his school, forced him to his knees and placed an assault rifle against his head. He survived, but the school was closed. By Michele Cattani AFP Some ethnic groups have formed so-called self-defence forces, such as the Dan Nan Ambassagou, which sprang up within the traditional Dogon hunter community. When jihadists arrived in Georges' village, he joined a Dogon militia. "As the eldest, I'd inherited protective amulets and my father's hunting rifle. The responsibility fell to me, I had to go and fight," the ex-militiaman, aged in his 40s, said. The Dan Nan Ambassagou has been accused by NGOs and the UN of carrying out massacres in Fulani villages, an allegation it denies. The force has officially been dissolved but remains active. World of suspicion Fourteen-year-old Fulani schoolgirl Fatoumata survived an attack on her village because, she said, after the shooting "they must have thought I was dead." 'Malick,' a soldier. One day his convoy struck a huge roadside bomb. Survivors came under fire from jihadists hiding in tall grass. By Michele Cattani AFP In central Mali, places seen as symbols of the state are targeted by jihadists. "We knew the situation wasn't good. We'd heard of schools that had closed but we continued, for the children's sake," teacher Sidiki, 36, said. Malick, a soldier aged about 30, described the terror of a jihadist ambush that killed or wounded his comrades. For those on the front line, "often, food, medicine and munitions are lacking," he said. Fulani merchant Kassim, 42, told how he was held in detention for 28 days because "they think that we, the Fulani, all agree with jihad." 'Bachir,' a radio journalist, lives in a climate of entrenched suspicion and false accusations. The jihadists have called him a government informer while the Dogon say he is a jihadist because he is an ethnic Fulani. By Michele Cattani AFP A number of villages have signed peace agreements -- sometimes under duress -- with jihadists. Then there is the case of radio journalist Bachir, a 42-year-old Fulani, which illustrates how minds have been horribly distorted by the violence. He was falsely accused of being an army informer by the jihadists -- and then found himself being falsely accused of being a jihadist by the Dogon. Former Chief Justice Georgina Wood has entreated the Judicial Service to uphold the values of integrity and fairness in the administration of justice and shun acts or triggers of corruption. She said the judicial integrity and related concepts of fairness and impartiality were the most critical values all judges must aspire to, for a trustworthy judiciary capable of attracting investments for nation building. Justice Wood was speaking on the topic: Integrity, Fairness and Impartiality among the public and public offices, especially the Judiciary at the 2022 Bible Week Symposium organised by The Bible Society of Ghana. She said when citizens were satisfied with and had respect for the work of the court, it had a positive impact on and covered the shortcomings of the other arms of government. Referring to Article 19 of the 1992 constitution, she said it guaranteed the right to fair hearing and trial and charged the Judiciary to deplore impartiality. The person with integrity does not preach one thing and do the opposite and is trustworthy and dependable in both speech and conduct. Fairness implies non-discrimination, quality and reasonableness in all circumstances, she added. Justice Wood also condemned public sector corruption, which posed a great threat to democracy and national development and urged the Economic and Organised Crime Office, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, all law enforcement agencies and Parliament to work to ensure there were appropriate sanctions against law breakers. She admonished the public to exhibit values for integrity and honesty through the payment of taxes, asking: Do we pay our taxes as commanded by the Lord or we have turned ourselves into tax evaders and clever avoiders? Our media should think about ethical values of integrity and the irreversible damage they do to people through publications. To our local markets, do you adjust scales in your stores in order to outsmart or cheat customers? she asked. The former Chief Justice entreated the public to instill integrity and strong moral values in their children during their formative years to make them detest the growing canker. The Most Reverend Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, who chaired the programme, said the symposium was going to create awareness on what Ghanaians needed to do on the level of corruption, hypocrisy and misdeeds to curb the situation. Bishop Boafo also called on parents and teachers to do the right thing whenever with their wards and students to instill discipline in them to gradually define their future and move them from the path of corruption. If we tell ourselves that I will not involve myself in this kind of corruption that is becoming a canker in our nation, then we can redefine tomorrow and make it better, he said. GNA Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea is advocating for the image of the founder of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), George Alfred Grant, popularly known as Paa Grant, to be featured on the countrys currency. This the legislator says is to honour Paa Grant, whom he described as the father of Gold Coast politics. He said the move will help acknowledge the role Paa Grant played in Ghanas independence struggles. Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, Atta Akyea praised Paa Grant adding that the proposal to have him on the Ghana Cedi should be given some consideration by the Central Bank. I was just looking at my GH200 note, and I was wondering whether Paa Grant's picture is [on] it. But I am not sure; it is not. One of these days when I meet the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, I will strongly recommend that his picture should be embossed on our currency, which is the symbol and the soul of the nation. Paa Grant Paa Grant was the first president of the UGCC formed in August 1947 and is credited to be one of the founding fathers of the country. Paa Grant is someone who midwives the United Gold Coast Convention. Today, we cannot talk about our independence struggle without eulogizing one of the chief and main financiers. Where would Kwame Nkrumah be but for the generosity of Paa Grant? He was part of the people who came together to form the Aborigines Rights Protection Society, and we have to bow to Paa Grant for joining such a respectable society that championed the rise of Africans, Atta Akyea eulogized. citinewsroom 10.02.2022 LISTEN Victor Adawudu, lawyer for beleaguered Executive Director of anti-corruption and social advocacy group, the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson says the police's decision to press charges against his client over the publication of false news is problematic. The lawyer argues that, since his client has shown remorse and apologised for misleading the public, the case should have rather been pursued in a civil manner. Speaking on Eyewitness News, moments, after Mensah Thompson was detained after honouring an invitation by the police, Victor Adawudu, insisted that the officers' handling of the case is unfair. The police invited us, we went, wrote our statement and after that, the officers said they will detain him. He has been charged with the publication of false news, and the punishment for that is a misdemeanour. It baffles us because in all honestly, a civil society organization has information and puts it out in the interest of the public and realized that the source is not credible and comes back and apologises, and that becomes a criminal offence or a crime I am sure when we get to the court, the judge will determine the matter. He likened the situation to where the constitution gives rights to journalists to issue rejoinders after the publication of inaccurate news items, suggesting that the best charge should have been defamation if the defendants felt their image have been destroyed with malicious intent. The remedy the law gives people whose image have been injured is defamation, which is a civil matter or a right to rejoinder which is guaranteed by the constitution. Seeing this as a criminal matter is a source of worry because those democratic rights of holding people in society accountable will be eroding because we are now saying if you speak and get it wrong from your sources and apologise, it becomes a criminal matter, Mr. Adawudu lamented. Police say a formal complaint was brought against Mr. Thompson by the Ghana Armed Forces regarding allegations that members of the presidents family travelled with the presidential jet to the UK for shopping. He is expected to be arraigned today, Thursday, February 10, 2022, at the Kaneshie District Court. Mensah Thompson, who leads ASEPA as an anti-graft and social advocacy group, had alleged that that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo together with his relatives used the Presidential aircraft of the Ghana Armed Forces for a shopping trip to the United Kingdom in December 2021. That was not his only claim; he alleged that, the trip between December 20 to 30 was also joined by the president's friends. He thus demanded explanations from the National Security, Ghana Armed Forces and the Defense Ministry over the use of the presidential jet. But the Ghana Armed Forces debunked the claims , discredited the reportage and asked the general public to disregard it. Mensah Thompson subsequently backtracked on his claims and rendered an unqualified apology for peddling the baseless claims. In the same medium I made the earlier publication, I withdraw the publication pending an official response from the GCAA. I unreservedly apologise to the Ghana Armed Forces if their image was in anyway affected by my publication. We shall put out for your consumption the response to our request from the GCAA records of the Falcon 900-EX, he posted on social media. citinewsroom 10.02.2022 LISTEN Special aid to the Majority Leader in Parliament, Maxwell Ofosu Boakye has explained that the E-Levy-designed cake in circulation was not the official birthday cake of Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu when he celebrated his 65th birthday last week. The Suame Member of Parliament was joined by several bigwigs of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday, February 3, 2022, to celebrate his 65th birthday. Yesterday, pictures and videos of the birthday party popped up where an e-levy designed cake was spotted at the event. Amid backlash from Ghanaians on social media, Maxwell Ofosu Boakye who is Special Aid to the Majority Leader has clarified that, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu did not mark his birthday with the e-levy designed cake. Speaking to Akoma FM in an interview, the Aid stressed that the cake which has gone viral was rather parts of gifts presented to him. The E-Levy cake pictures at the Majority Leaders birthday party was not the official cake for the birthday party. The E-levy cake was part of the gifts presented to Hon Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu but there was an official birthday cake for the programme, Maxwell Ofosu Boakye disclosed. He continued, even if the E-Levy cake was the official cake for Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, we the Majority wouldnt have shied away from it because we have been pushing for the passage of the E-Levy bill. On Wednesday, the Palais de Justice in central Paris was invaded by hordes of journalists anxious to report on the testimony of Salah Abdeslam, brother of one of the suicide bombers, and the sole survivor of the attack teams who killed 130 people in Paris on the night of 13 November 2015. Whatever else you can say about Salah Abdeslam, he certainly attracts a crowd. There were more people in the Special Criminal Court to hear Abdeslam give evidence on Wednesday than at any stage since this trial opened six months ago. Not even the arrival at the bar of French former president Francois Hollande provoked as much interest. There were no empty seats in the press reserve in the main courtroom. The foreign correspondents were back for the first time in months. The TV compound was ablaze with lights and egos, dangerous with microphone booms. The press relay room was standing-room only. I met colleagues I haven't seen since the opening day, on 8 September last year. And what was it all about? Illogical arguments We got to listen to the illogical arguments of Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the November 2015 terror squads, the man who interrupted the first day of this hearing with the shouted claim that he was "a warrior of Allah" who recognised no jurisdiction but the law of God. The contrast with the previous day's intensely emotional offer by another of the accused, Sofien Ayari, of an honest explanation to the mother of one of the victims, could not have been more striking. Ayari spoke to an almost empty courtroom. And with a sincerity guaranteed by the fact that he's already sure of spending the next twenty years in a Belgian jail for shooting at police officers during his arrest in 2016. He testified against himself so that the grieving woman, who reminded Ayari of his own mother, might suffer less. "I can't give her back her daughter," he said. "I believe I owe her an answer. If I was in her place, I wonder if I would have the same courage. I'm not sure." Salah Abdeslam is clearly not cut from the same material. Special consideration He opened his testimony by theatrically wondering if he had anything to say. Then he assured us that he had neither killed nor injured anybody, and that he deserved special consideration. Because otherwise, he warned the court, there would be nothing to motivate future terrorists, wandering in a crowded place, with a suitcase containing 50 kilos of explosives, to change their minds at the last moment. "They won't stop," he said, "because they will know they have nothing better to hope for, just prison and humiliation." Abdeslam may find that French law obeys a different sort of logic, and can not be circumvented in the name of a virtual benefit. Nor does the law distinguish between those who pull the trigger and those who make it possible for the trigger to be pulled. Salah Abdeslam was frequently incoherent, defending the barbaric beheadings at the centre of so much Islamic State internet propaganda on the basis that the French Republic guillotined criminals until the Mitterrand government in 1981 voted for abolition, "which many French people at the time were against". He justified the appalling plight of the Yazidi sex slaves in Islamic State captivity, saying that slavery is accepted by Muslims, and is one of the fates reserved for those who fight Islam. Absolution and death are the other possibilities. His friend Abdelhamid Abaaoud, infamously filmed driving a jeep trailing a dozen dead bodies, was not enjoying a cruel spectacle. He was simply celebrating a military victory. "And that only became known because his phone was stolen"! 'A moral dead end' Abdeslam assured the court that he was not a danger to society. This from the man who admits that he drove three suicide bombers to the Stade de France, with 80,000 fans inside, on the night of 13 November 2015. On his adhesion to Islamic State, which happened just two days before the Paris attacks, according to the witness, or perhaps two days after: "I swore allegiance without swearing allegiance," he said, "without even knowing I was doing it." It was a depressing day. This man of whom so much was expected turned out to be a minor player in every sense. He admitted that he felt guilty about living his comfortable life in Belgium while "his brothers" were dying in Syria and Iraq. And he felt worse because he didn't have the courage to join them. Frequently, he wept with frustration. "It was," he said, "like living in a moral dead end." The trial continues. 10.02.2022 LISTEN A taxi driver has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for defiling a six-year-old daughter of a co-tenant at Dansoman, Accra. Identified as Daniel Hodzi, the 39-year-old has been sentenced after he pleaded guilty to the charges of defilement in court. From the facts of the case presented by the Prosecutor DSP Agnes Boafo, the convicted lured the six-year-old girl into his room on February 5, 2022, while she was doing laundry under the pretext that he was going to give her meat. Daniel Hodzi subsequently forced himself on the poor girl and had sexual intercourse with her. In the course of the act, the mother of the victim, Irene Kyeremanteng called out for her daughter to run an errand for her. The daughter after hearing her mothers voice started shouting and run out of the room of the convicted crying. After an inquiry, she narrated her ordeal to the mother and disclosed that it was the fourth time such a thing has happened. The mother in a bid to confirm undressed her daughter and found droppings of sperms on the private part of her daughter. She sought the help of some of her neighbours, arrested the driver, and handed him over to the Dansoman Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit Police. After investigations, Daniel Hodzi was arraigned before the court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to the charges of defilement. The court presided over by Her Honour Mrs. Christiana Cann on his first appearance wrapped up the case as she sentenced the accused to 20 years in prison. The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described as propaganda, the accusations from some NPP members that the NDC presented the E-Levy designed cake to Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah as a birthday gift. On Wednesday, pictures and videos from the birthday party of the Majority Leader held last week went viral, attracting a lot of bashing on both social and traditional media. In the midst of backlash from Ghanaians on why the Majority Leader would cut an e-levy designed cake on his birthday, NPP members and communicators including Akim Swedru MP Kennedy Nyarko Osei claimed that the cake was delivered by the Minority as a gift. Reacting to the claim, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described it as an attempt by NPP propagandists to twist the entire issue just to escape Majority Leaders show of insensitivity to the Ghanaian people. NPP spin doctors and desperate propagandists should leave the NDC Caucus in Parliament out of their gross insensitivity and scornful disregard of the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians, the North Tongu MP posted in a Twitter post. He continued, How can we present an E-LEVY cake to a party we were not invited to and knew nothing about? "The choice Indonesia is making is one of sovereignty and technical excellence," French Defence Minister Florence Parly said after Indonesia signed a deal on Thursday to buy six Rafale warplanes as part of an anticipated total order of 42. France is rethinking its alliances in the Asia-Pacific region after a lucrative submarine deal with Australia was scuppered.T The agreement was announced as Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto met his French counterpart Florence Parly in Jakarta. "We agreed on the purchase of 42 Rafale. The contract signed today is for the first six, which will be followed by 36 others," said Subianto. "It's an aircraft that that demonstrated its operational capabilities on many occasions," Parly told journalists. It is the latest sign of warming ties between Jakarta and Paris, as France rethinks its alliances in the region following the collapse in September of a multibillion-dollar Australian submarine deal. Paris was left furious by the debacle, saying it had been given no warning that Canberra was negotiating a new defence pact with the United States and Britain. Australia is now buying nuclear-powered submarines as part of the new defence alliance, named AUKUS, with Washington and London to counter a rising China. Rising US-China tensions In November, France and Indonesia strengthened a strategic partnership agreement during a two-day visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to the vast Southeast Asian archipelago. Indonesia's first order for French warplanes comes as Jakarta replaces an ageing fleet - consisting mainly of American F-16s and Russian Sukhois - as concerns grow about rising US-China tensions in Asia. In Jakarta, Parly told reporters that Indonesia had chosen a warplane known for its "technical excellence", which had demonstrated its "operational capabilities on numerous occasions". Indonesia is also reportedly in negotiations to buy about 30 American F-15s, and is participating in a South Korean programme to develop a warplane. Since the Australian submarine deal collapsed, France has been bolstering ties with long-time partners including Japan and India, as well as turning to Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia. Indonesia is one of several Asian countries that expressed concerns about the AUKUS pact, with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi warning it could trigger a nuclear arms race in the region. The Dassault Aviation Rafale aircraft, which entered service in 2004, has proved popular in the international market despite competition from American and other European manufacturers. The United Arab Emirates signed the biggest ever order for the jets in December, with a deal to buy 80 for 14 billion euros. Other foreign clients include Qatar, India, Egypt, Greece and Croatia. (With wires) The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has revealed that a future NDC government will abolish E-Levy within their first 100 days in office should the Akufo-Addo-led government pass it. According to him, E-levy is not taxation but thievery. Speaking to a crowd gathered at the Obra Spot demonstrating against the E-levy dubbed Yentua Demo today, Thursday, 10 February 2022, Mr Nketia noted that the government is insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians. He told the crowd: Let me tell you all right now that in the unlikely event the e-levy is passed, we will abolish it and it will be the first tax to be abolished within the first 100 days of a future NDC government because we dont see it as a tax, it is day light robbery, this is not taxation. That is not to say we will not be taking other taxes but we are saying this is thievery, it is not tax based on any production, its not tax based on any value addition, it is day light robbery, taking peoples capital from their pockets because they chose not to keep the money in their pockets but to keep it on momo wallets. The NDC and its Minority as well as a cross section of the populace are against the 1.75 per cent levy which will affect electronic transactions. Several calls on the government to drop the proposed tax has fallen on deaf ears. The government has explained that the upsurge in the use of e-payment platforms, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been an impetus for the introduction of the levy. As a result, Ghana recorded a total of GHS500 billion from e-transactions in 2020 compared with GHS78 billion in 2016. The government says the e-Levy proceeds will be used to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cyber security, and digital and road infrastructure, among others. Classfmonline.com Scores of Ghanaians flooded the streets of Accra on Thursday, February 10, 2022, to protest the introduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy). This morning's demonstration was organised by Members of the Coalition of Concerned Ghanaians (CCG) led by the Youth Wing of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The massive demonstration was joined by followers of the other political parties, Civil Society Organisations, University students as well as Ghanaians against the taxing of Mobile Money (MoMo) in the country. During the demonstration dubbed yentua [translates to we wont pay in English], participants were spotted holding placards with inscriptions such as we wont pay E-Levy in any shape or form. Other placards described president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a bad old man with others also insisting that the E-Levy is not a tax, but an attempt by the government to rob the citizenry. Todays demonstration started in the Morning at 7:00am at Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Protestors cladded in red and black marched through the capital to Parliament. A petition is being submitted to the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament at Parliament House to oppose the approval of the controversial electronic transaction levy that has caused parliamentarians to exchange blows on the floor of Parliament. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Family and Friends Government have no legal or constitutional basis for subjecting the people of Ghana to the on-going dehumanizing and undignified re-registration Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card) exercise. The SIM card re-registration exercise constitutes a bareface autocratic, indefensible and unwarranted abuse of the Constitution and the laws of Ghana for purely political surveillance of Ghanaians and political election rigging outside the framework approved by Parliament and enacted in the National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750), the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111), and the Subscriber Identity Module Regulations, 2011 (L. I. 2006) which make provision for the registration of national identity both for the National Identity Register on the one hand, and activation of Subscriber Identity Module by network operators or service providers for use by subscribers on the other hand. Patriotic Ghanaians across all political divides must appreciate the danger presented by Nana Akufo-Addo to the security of the biometric data of citizens unconstitutionally collected and fight all the way through the Supreme Court of Ghana to the United Nation of Human Rights Committee to defend rights and freedoms under the 1992 Constitution and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. THE NATIONAL IDENTITY REGISTER ACT, 2008 (ACT 750) The National Identity Register Act establishes a register of individuals known as the National Identity Register to be maintained as an electronic database, for the purposes confined to matters of public interest, to be kept and maintained by the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority. The register contains personal information collected by the Authority in respect of (a) each citizen resident in the country or outside the country, and (b) each foreign national with a resident permit and a foreign national who is permanently resident in the country. The personal information to be recorded in the register when one applies for registration include, (a) the individuals full name, sex, date of birth, place and country of birth, nationality, residential address, postal address, marital status and where applicable the name of the spouse, level of education, and employment status; (b) information on the individuals parentage; (c) where applicable, details of relevant data and processes related to the naturalization or registration obtained for the purposes of Ghanaian citizenship, the date a foreigner entered the country and the country of which that foreigner is a citizen; and (d) any other particulars that the Minister may by Regulations prescribe. The personal information is to include personal biometric information as (a) a recorded fingerprint or any other biometric information determined by the Board; and (b) a photograph. The National Identification Authority established by the National Identification Authority Act, 2006 (Act 707) is enjoined by Act 750 to take the necessary steps to prevent the possibility of misuse of personal information to make decisions about the individual concerned. It is responsible for the protection of personal information in its custody or under its control including information that has been transferred to a third party for processing. The circumstances under which the National Identification Authority may disclose personal information of an individual recorded in the Register without his or her consent are when the information is required, (a) by a public authority for national security reasons; (b) for a purpose connected with the prevention and detection of crime; (c) for a purpose related to the prevention, detection or investigation of conduct in respect of which a public authority has power to impose penalties; (d) for a matter related to national health insurance or immigration; (e) to correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information recorded in the Register; or (f) for a purpose relevant to the functions of the Authority. The foregoing provisions in respect of national identity registration were made by the peoples elected representatives in Parliament under the separation of powers doctrine enshrined under the 1992 Constitution to ensure the safeguard of the fundamental human rights and freedoms of citizens against unwarranted executive overreach and dictatorial government. The Minister was empowered by the Act to make regulations for the effective implementation of Act 750 and consequentially made the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2111) after laying it in Parliament for the period mandated by the Constitution. THE NATIONAL IDENTITY REGISTER REGULATIONS, 2012 (L. I. 2111) & SECURITY OF THE BIOMETRIC DATA The National Identity Register Regulations, 2012 (L. I. 2111) made regulations dealing with mandatory uses of national identity card in sub-regulation 7 (1). The Ghana Card is prospectively a mandatory requirement for registration of SIM cards under the Regulations. But just as the National Identity Register Act operated prospectively and not retroactively, all SIM card registrations conducted by the network operators or service providers before the coming into force of Act 750 and the consequential regulations were lawful under the 1992 Constitution and the existing law. The Regulations also provide circumstances under which one has an obligation to produce ones national identity card to an authorized person under the regulations. It stipulates that, the Authority, a user agency, a person authorized by law, or a law enforcement officer may request an individual who has been issued with a national identity card to produce the card for inspection but shall return the card to the individual immediately unless there is reasonable suspicion of the commission of an offence. Where the person does not have the identity card at the time of the request the person shall respond to the request within forty- eight hours after a request has been made. The power to verify identity by biometric match of a holder of a national identity card is permitted under the regulations only when the holder of the national identity card produces it to the authorized person and the authorized person has reason to believe that the National Identification Authority did not issue the national identity card. Then and only then may the person to whom an identity card is produced ascertain the authenticity of the national identity card by using a portable identity card reader, inter alia, to (a) view the information on the national identity card from the data stored in the storage medium embodied in the national identity card; and (b) scan the individuals fingerprints and match the template of the live print with the template that is stored in (i) the storage medium embodied in the national identity card; or (ii) the national database through a secured link. Nana Akufo-Addo knows that when the law (in this case Regulation 9 of LI 2111) talks of the authorized person has reason to believe that the Authority did not issue the national identity card, it means the grounds for belief must be based on reasonable suspicion and not mere conjecture or caprice. Nana Akufo-Addo knows that the verification of the biometric match of every national identity card holder using a portable identity card reader contravenes the National Identity Register Act and the National Identity Register Regulations. There is no defensible reason for believing that every citizen of Ghana holding a Ghana Card who goes to register for a SIM card either for the first time or in the re-registration exercise is holding a card not issued by the National Identification Authority. Without unconstitutionally and illegally subjecting every Ghanaian to abuse of holding a suspicious Ghana Card, Nana Akufo-Addo and his Family and Friends cabal would not be able to have access to the additional biometric information they are unconstitutionally and illegally collecting through the Subscriber Identity Module re-registration. Thus, under the guise of authenticating every citizens Ghana Card for purposes of SIM card re-registration, Nana Akufo-Addo is appropriating the citizens additional biometric data in the form of fingerprint, palmprint, iris or facial pattern record or other biometric data or particulars without any legal or constitutional basis for purely political electioneering rigging and surveillance purposes. THE SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE REGULATIONS, 2011 (L. I. 2006) & SECURITY OF BIOMETRIC DATA Before the authoritarian directive for every citizen in possession of a Subscriber Identity Module card to re-register using the Ghana Card, every Ghanaian in possession of a Subscriber Identity Module card was lawfully registered and activated for use under Subscriber Identity Module Regulations, 2011 (L. I. 2006). The obligation was on the network operator or service provider to register and activate a Subscriber Identity Module for a subscriber who completes a registration in accordance with the Regulations. The network operator or the service provider is the custodian of the Subscriber Identity Module he registers for purposes of activating a subscribers SIM and can only disclose the subscriber information on the recorded Register only with the consent of the subscriber, or if ordered by a court or authorized under any other law to do so. The National Identity Register Act with its accompanying Regulations, on the one hand, and the Subscriber Identity Module Regulations, on the other hand, provide in law enacted with Parliamentary scrutiny clear systems and procedures under which the Government may interfere with the citizens fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution. The Judiciary as a bulwark of the liberty of the citizen ensures respect for those guaranteed rights and freedoms. The laws and regulations expressly guaranteed the security of all biometric data collected by the Executive arm of Government and its agents from abuse by executive overreach. Parliamentary oversight of the Executive, and the judicial oversight of both Parliament and the Executive branches of Government were designed by the framers of the Constitution to be consistent with rights and freedoms considered to be inherent in a democracy and intended to secure the freedom and dignity of man (Article 33(5) of the 1992 Constitution). Consequently, the Executive arm of Government now reposed temporarily in Nana Akufo- Addo is bond to ensure that the biometric data of citizens collected for any form of identity registration, storage and retention meets the data security concerns of the citizen and is accompanied by robust safeguards to protect the privacy of individuals. The National Identity Register Act, and the Subscriber Identity Module Regulations for the foregoing reason provided in law some measure of security for citizens biometric data and specifically named the custodian of each Register under the law. The Executive Secretary under the National Identification Authority Act, 2006 (Act 707), Dr Ken Attafuah, is the custodian of the Register of Ghana Cards under Act 750 and circumscribed in his ability to disclose citizens biometric data to third parties and is bond to ensure the security of such biometric data that it stores and retains for the approved purpose. A Network Operator or Service Provider under the Subscriber Identity Module Regulations is the custodian of biometric data collected, stored, and retained for purposes of registration and activation of a Subscriber Identity Module under L. I. 2006. And no agent or instrumentality of Nana Akufo-Addos Family and Friends Government has power under the Constitution to amend substantive and procedural legislation through mere administrative directives to either the National Identification Authority or to a Network Operator or Service Provider in the execution of any responsibilities place on them by the law. Any law that permits the President or any of his Ministers or agents to amend existing legislation by mere administrative directives even in the nature of an Executive Instrument is clearly inconsistent with and in contravention of the Constitution. Dr. Ken Attafuah as the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority owes Ghanaians an explanation for violating and compromising the confidentiality and privacy of each citizens biometric data in the Register, for which he is the custodian, by making available several portable identity card readers for the SIM re-registration exercise being carried out by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization to the numerous agents of each of the network operators or service providers to verify the biodata on every Ghana Card that the citizen presents for a SIM card re-registration. The Executive Secretary and the Government know that by assigning responsibility to numerous agents (throughout the whole country) of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization to use the NIAs portable identity card readers to aid in the further collection of additional biometric data for the SIM card registration carries with it the risk of loss and theft of biometric data, given the ease with which they could be copied onto falsified cards. THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL MAKING OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM INSTRUMENT, 2020 (E. I. 63) Nana Akufo-Addo knows the injunctions of the Constitution. He nonetheless, purports to direct the collection of citizens biometric data, storage and retention, and further specifies the custodian of such unconstitutionally collected biometric data as the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) by letter with reference number HA/28/1343/01 dated 18 June 2021 under the signature of his Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP) and addressed to the Director-General of the National Communications Authority, Mr. Joseph Anokye. The capriciousness and arbitrariness of Nana Akufo-Addos unconstitutional conduct is demonstrated by the fact that the letter sought to amend the provisions of the Subscriber Identity Module Regulations, 2011 (LI 2006) by purporting to assign the statutory mandate of the network operator or service provider to NITA without the statutory safeguards. NITAs substantive statutes and regulations spell out expressly what types of Registers it shall keep. The National Information Technology Agency Act, 2008 (Act 711) which establishes the National Information Technology Agency specifically mandates it under section 19 thereof to keep a register in which to record details of (a) licences, (b) licence applications, and (c) equipment approvals, (d) any shareholding and debenture owned by a member of the Board, (e) other financial interest a member of the Board has in a corporate body, (f) the public and charitable appointments and directorships of a member, and (g) any other matter required to be registered. Under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772) the National Information Technology Agency has the mandate to facilitate the establishment of the Certifying Agency and a Register of licence holders under Act 772. The storage and retention of biometric data of citizens already provided for under LI 2006 is not a critical database whose custodian the Minister may determine by notice in the Gazette or letter under her hand. The Minister of Communications and Digitalizations letter also designated the National Information Technology Agency to host the Central Equipment Identity Register which the President without Constitutional authority purported to establish under the so-called Establishment of Emergency Communications System Instrument, 2020 (E.I. 63). Nana Akufo-Addo, his Ministers, and statutory agents know that E.I. 63 as an Executive Instrument purports to amend the Subscriber Identity Module Regulations which is a Legislative Instrument passed under Parliamentary oversight and supervision. The Family and Friends Government knows that without declaring a State of Emergency under Article 33 of the Constitution which is subject to Parliamentary oversight it cannot collect, store, and retain citizens biometric data which he can use for purely political surveillance of Ghanaians and political electioneering rigging to protect the crimes committed by his Government against Ghanaians after he ceases to be President on 7 January 2025. As most African dictators do, Nana Akufo-Addos Family and Friends Government used the fear by citizens of the Covid -19 pandemic as an excuse to bypass the mandatory constitutional requirement of declaring a State of Emergency that protects the rights and freedoms of citizens as an excuse first to get Parliament to unconstitutionally enact the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012). Secondly, he then purports to make an Executive Instrument under section 100 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) which only gives him power to make written request and issue orders to operators or providers of electronic communications networks or services requiring them to provide user information or otherwise in aid of law enforcement or national security to act in a manner in consistent with and in contravention of the 1992 Constitution. The content of the Establishment of Emergency Communications System Instrument, 2020 (E.I. 63) that sidestepped Parliamentary oversight and scrutiny is inconsistent with the purpose for which the President was empowered under section 100 of Act 775 to make written requests and issue orders thereunder. Section 100 of Act 775 does not permit or give the President the power by Executive Instrument to contravene the 1992 Constitution and purport to take away powers entrusted to the Network Operators and Service Providers under a Legislative Instrument which has been subject to Parliamentary oversight and supervision before being passed into law. The establishment of a Central Subscriber Identity Module to be the centralized database for validly registered Subscriber Identity Module cards and subscriber numbers on all networks of mobile and service providers in the country, for example, is not only inconsistent with Section 100 of Act 775 under which he knowingly purported to make E. I. 63 but unconstitutional in as far as it collects the citizens biometric data without any robust safeguards to protect the right to privacy of citizens under the 1992 Constitution. The Subscriber Identity Module Regulations, 2011 (L. I. 2006) was made under Parliamentary supervision. The Establishment of Emergency Communications System Instrument, 2020 (E. I. 63), was capriciously and arbitrarily made without Parliamentary oversight. Consequently, giving the nature and scale of the interference arising out of the mandatory processing and recording of fingerprints, and other biometric data it is essential to have clear, detailed rules governing the scope and application of measures, as well as minimum safeguards concerning, inter alia, duration, storage, access of third parties, procedures for preserving the integrity and confidentiality of the data and procedure for its destruction, thus providing sufficient guarantees against the risk of abuse and arbitrariness. (See S. and Marper v The United Kingdom App No. 30562/04 and 350566/04 (ECtHR 4 December 2008)). The unconstitutional E. I. 63 does not have any such safeguards against abuse and arbitrariness. The Dictator, Nana Akufo-Addo, is deliberately acting unconstitutionally for reasons of pure political surveillance of Ghanaians and future political election rigging to protect himself and his Family and Friends Government from public scrutiny after the 2024 elections. More seriously, the security of citizens biometric data from unauthorized access such as domestic and international state and non-state actors hacking and accessing them places every citizens privacy under serious jeopardy contrary to the requirements of the 1992 Constitution. CONCLUSIONS Those who doubt the ability of constitutionally reprobate Presidents such as Nana Akufo- Addo or Prime Ministers in the current world to covertly abuse constitutional power should read up on how such rogue governments and rogue state actors have used the Israeli NSO Group made Pegasus spyware to hack the phones of their domestics and external adversaries the latest is contained in a BBC report of 7 February 2022 titled: NSO Group: Israel launches inquiry into police hacking claims. One paragraph in this report states that: Pegasus infects phones, allowing operators to extract messages, photos and emails, record calls and secretly activate microphones and camera. Nana Akufo-Addo will surely use the biometric data and SIM card registration particulars unconstitutionally collected against perceived adversaries within the New Patriotic Party during its internal elections, public officers including judges, members of other Political Parties and other citizens he sees as adversaries. He will use them to collect intelligence for election rigging and for eavesdropping purposes that will enable him to break the 8 and crown his chosen successor as winner of the 2024 presidential elections to hold his back after 7 January 2025. This is the only reasonable explanation for his consistent unconstitutional behaviour in this matter. The patriotic protest over the illegal SIM card re-registration exercise must, therefore, be non- partisan as we know from Nana Akufo-Addos antecedents that his Family and Friends Government can target any perceived adversary and may take away copies of the biometric database when leaving office for the future use of the Family and Friends continued state capture. We never knew that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government had covertly ordered a Pegasus spyware from Israel until it was defeated at the 2016 elections and there cannot be any guarantee as to what the innocent looking mother serpent of corruption in Ghana is planning against citizens of Ghana under the 1992 Constitution. And remember that the NDC Government in June 2016 was compelled to withdraw the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages Bill, 2015 (Spy Bill) from Parliament when Nana Akufo-Addo as the then flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) joined other non-partisan patriots to kick against the enactment of the Bill into law on grounds that government will exploit it to spy on Ghanaians in contravention of the 1992 Constitution only for Nana Akufo-Addo to turn round on 23 March 2020 as President of Ghana to quietly and unconstitutionally make E. I. 63 almost on a similar subject matter without an iota of parliamentary oversight. The decision, therefore, by a bi-partisan group of patriotic citizens calling upon Ghanaians to stand up for their rights by boycotting the use of their telephones on specified days and periods is not only a breath of fresh air under the oppressive Nana Akufo-Addo regime but also welcomed as the beginning of popular action to defend the fundamental rights and freedoms guarantee to citizens under the 1992 Constitution. Martin A. B. K. Amidu Paris police said Thursday they would ban the French "Freedom convoys" inspired by a truckers' protest against Covid rules that has paralysed the Canadian capital Ottawa. Paris' move comes after a number of convoys of cars, vans and motorbikes set off from around France on Wednesday, inspired by the two-week blockade of central Ottawa by truckers angry at testing and vaccine requirements for crossing the border with the US. The 'Freedom Convoy' of French drivers has taken to the roads this Wednesday to reach Paris by Saturday to join a demonstration over the Covid vaccine pass and other social issues. Organised via social media platforms, the protesters plan to converge on Brussels on Monday 14 February. In a statement, the police chief invoked "the risks of public order disturbances that could be caused by this gathering", as "the stated objective would be to block the capital by impeding road traffic in the streets of Paris". "There will be a special deployment [...] to prevent blockages of major roads, issue tickets and arrest those who infringe on this protest ban," the city's police force added. The force recalled that people blocking roads faced up to two years in prison, a fine of 4,500 euros and a three-year driving ban. (with AFP) An Accra Circuit Court has on Wednesday February 9 denied bail to the alleged two kingpins of the Nima Gutter Riot which led to the injuries of several people. Ali Awudu alias, Bombom and Zakari Mohammed alias, Miller, who were on the run when their accomplices were arraigned, pleaded not guilty to conspiring to commit a crime, wielding offensive weapons and causing harm. They will, together with the others, come back to the Court on February 15, 2022. Meanwhile, eight out of the 12 people arraigned earlier had been granted GHC80,000.00 bail with two sureties each. They are: Abdul Gafaru Mahama, Ibrahim Moro, Atarouwa Bassam, Abdul Mumuni Gariba, Mohammed Saabi Barinu, alias, Namer, Bashiru Ganiru, Illiasu Salim and Issah Seidu. The Court presided over by Mrs Rosemary Baah Torsu ordered them to sign a bond to be of good behaviour while the trial continued. They are also to report to the Nima Divisional Police Command twice a week. Aziz Suleiman, alias Rambo and Farouk Dauda, who were arraigned with the eight others, were also denied bail. They have all denied conspiring to commit crime, wielding offensive weapons and causing harm. Chief Inspector Dennis Terpertey told the Court that on January 18, 2022, at about 1500 hours, Police received information that there was an ongoing riot at Nima Gutter involving the usage of arms and other offensive weapons. The prosecution said a team of armed Police was quickly dispatched to the location where a very large crowd of people were met. It said Ali Awudu, alias Bombom and Ibrahim Husain alias Kumodzi were mentioned as the leaders of two groups responsible for the riot. The prosecution said they had escaped when the Police arrived, stating that Awudu was arrested after he was identified as one of the perpetrators. The prosecution said a total of twelve (12) shells spent were retrieved at the scene and that a barbering shop located a few metres was vandalised by the rioters. A search in the vandalised shop led to the discovery of three (3) AAA live ammunition, one empty pistol magazine, one live pistol bullet, one knife and one machete. The Court heard that a victim, Frimpong, 53, who was about to move his car from the scene was hit by a bullet on his left shoulder and responding to treatment at the Emergency ward of the 37 Military Hospital. It said Suleiman and Moro, alias, Gato, who had gone to seek treatment at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital Ridge were picked up. The prosecution said investigations led to the arrest of Bassam, Gariba, Barinu and Ganiru at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital/Ridge after they were identified. It said intelligence leading to the arrest of Salim and Seidu at Ashalajah. The prosecution said a search conducted in the room of Salim and Seidu led to the discovery and retrieval of a Military Uniform and pump-action gun. On January 23, 2022, intelligence led to the arrest of Dauda Omoni from his hideout at Polo Park near Kotoka International Airport and when a viral video of the incident was shown to him, he admitted that he was the one seen wielding a machete at the scene of the crime. It said an investigation had revealed that Awudu and Husain at large, and Suleiman and Dauda were directly linked to the crime. Chief Inspector Terpertey said investigation was underway to uncover the roles played by Mahama, Moro, Bassam, Gariba, Barinu, Ganiru,Salim and Seidu. GNA The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has condemned the Police assault on Eric Nana Gyetuah, a journalist with Connect FM in Takoradi. Some five police officers allegedly assaulted the journalist at a popular restaurant on Thursday, February 3, for taking pictures of some suspects in the company of police officers. Having monitored the matter closely, the GJA in a press release dated February 10, 2022, has said it condemns the attack on the journalist. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is struggling to come to terms with reports of policemen who renounced the use of reason and abandoned their code of conduct to brutally assault Eric Nana Gyetuah, Producer of FM in Takoradi for filming them in a public place, part pf the GJA statement signed by its president Mr. Affail Monney has said. The GJA adds that it applauds the speed with which the IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare directed that police investigation be carried out into the case. It however notes that it expects nothing but a speedy conclusion of the investigation into the brazen act of impunity, and the perpetrators punished in accordance with the law. The victim of the assault, Eric Nana Gyetuah is said to be having hearing problem on his right ear after he was discharged from the hospital. Below is the statement from the GJA: 10th February, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GJA CONDEMNS ATTACK ON CONNECT FM JOURNALIST The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is struggling to come to terms with reports of policemen who renounced the use of reason and abandoned their code of conduct to brutally assault Eric Nana Gyetuah, Producer of FM in Takoradi for filming them in a public place. As result, the victim finds it difficult hearing with the right ear which also experiences occasional discharge. The GJA applauds the despatch with which the IGP directed that police investigation be carried out into the case. We, however, expect nothing but speedy conclusion of the investigation into another brazen act of impunity. Thereafter, the perpetrators should be punished to the fullest extent possible within the law. The GJA also demands expeditious enquiry into the alleged armed attacks on Korle Adjator of Radio Ada. Again, we expect that the law will take its course no matter how complex the issues might be. The magnitude and closeness of the two incidents send worrying signals, especially, to international media watchers who still regard Ghana as a reference point of press freedom and democracy in Africa. We must not, and dare not slide further but rise higher on the league table of free media systems on the continent and the world as a whole. Affail Monney President 10.02.2022 LISTEN The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, says the E-Levy designed cake used to celebrate the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsus 65th birthday truly reflects how proceeds from the E-Levy Fund would be spent. Speaking at the Yentua demonstration in Accra, the General Secretary of the NDC stated that the E-Levy cake should give Ghanaians a fair idea of how the revenue accrued from the proposed levy would be expended if it gets parliamentary approval. I have seen the cake, that should tell you what the E-Levy will be used for, it would be squandered. He further stated emphatically that the NDC government is not against taxation, but added that E-Levy is not taxation, but rather robbery. The NDC is not against taxation, the E-Levy is just a broad daylight robbery. E-levy is daylight robbery, NDC will abolish it if we win power Mr. Aseidu Nketiah, says his party will abolish the Electronic Transaction Levy, popularly known as E-levy if they win power. We are not against taxation. Taxation is for value addition. But we will not sit and watch the government to keep robbing us. The E-levy is not taxation, it is daylight robbery. The alternatives are there. Who in his right senses in this country asked the Minister for Roads to argue that we abolish the road tolls and convert the toll booths to toilets and washrooms?. We will abolish it within the first 100 days when we assume power. It is not taxation. It is daylight robbery. Taking people's capital from their pockets, he added. The Coalition of Concerned Ghanaians (CCG) today, Thursday, February 10, 2022, led the protest dubbed 'Yentua' to express their displeasure over attempts by the government to get Parliament to approve the controversial 1.75% Electronic Transaction Levy, popularly known as E-levy. Representatives of the various political parties, Civil Society Organizations, and other identifiable groups who joined the protest stated emphatically that they would not accept the E-Levy. ---citinewsroom Thousands of indigenes of Ada in the Greater Accra region have today, Thursday, February 10 staged a protest over the activities of Electrochem Ghana Limited in the Songor Lagoon. According to the residents, the agreement signed by the chiefs of the area with regards to the Songor Lagoon, does not favour them. Thus, the indigenes are calling on government to take a second look at the agreement. The group clad in red and wielding placards gathered at Big Ada for the protest. The group emphasised that the lagoon is a source of livelihood for most residents of the area. One of the Conveners for the group, Lawrence Lomotey Sewu told Classfmonline: The Songhor has been released to Mcdan with its surrounding communities. The Songhor is the only source of livelihood for the people they are saying that part of it can be given to the company but not all of it. He indicated that Electrochem Ghana, the company in charge of developing the lagoon has been attacking the residents. Mr Sewu explained that: They are beating, brutalising and attacking the residents around the place. When they [residents] harvest salt, Mcdan opens the water and it destroys their salt. He appealed to government and the Chiefs of Ada to reconsider the agreement entered into with the company in order to protect the livelihoods of residents of the area. We are calling on the paramountcy that the agreement they signed on our behalf, were not okay. So were calling on them and government to reconsider the agreement, Convener for the group said. McDan Group, is currently embarking on an ongoing project by Electrochem Ghana Limited to develop the Sangor Lagoon. Chairman of the McDan Group, Daniel Mckorley has said: The project will inure to the benefit of the people more; our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) footprints here at Ada are already evident, but the journey has just begun. However, in recent times, the youth of the area, have staged a series of protests against the operations of the company. ---classfmonline.com He fires off vocal incendiaries with rhetorical flourishes while smiling with nonchalant ease. He uses wild gesticulations while sailing on the whirlwinds of incessant vituperations that sometimes traverse the border of vulgarity. The heat from his castigations which emits from his platform sometimes elicit an involuntary wince here and there from the listener. Blessed with effortless oration, and a handsome personality to boot, Kevin Taylor has become a swirling, fiery sword of Damocles dangling on the head of the New Patriotic Party of Ghana in general, and the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, in particular. And he shows absolutely no sign of sheathing his sword! Cut to the chase, and wade through the fierce river of insults, which normally flows alongside most of his presentations, and you will begin to recognize elements of truth which gradually emerges from the copious facts which he tends to present on his programs. A classic case in point. The NPP government now wants the countrys parliament to pass a law that would, inter alia, tax mobile money payments and inward remittances. Among the Everest list of arguments presented by the government, the country needs the extra money to help balance its budget and to help offset the enormous amount of fiscal resources spent in combating covid 19 and the consequent tenacious tentacles of economic distress grappling the country. But out of nowhere comes a bomb blast: The World Bank has provided 430 million US dollars to help Ghana fights Covid 19 and the attendant noxious health and economic effects. And most citizens in the country knew absolutely nothing about it. And there is more! Ghanas Auditor General submitted a report which uncovered financial malfeasance /irregularities of 54.2 billion Ghana Cedis, which occurred in 2018, and a further 3.1 billion in 2019---all during the current NPP governments administration. And the government is headed by a man who agonizingly campaigned and pontificated on the hallowed altar of transparency, fiscal responsibility, and anti-corruption. With speed and alacrity, Kevin Taylor remorselessly pounced on the NPP government and the president, Nana Akufo Addo, displaying the ferocity of a prowling, hungry lion who just sighted a limping gazelle. With his usual wittiness, sarcasm, and a hefty dosage of pageantry, he has been tearing into the President and his party while tossing out some red-meat of mockery in the direction of his finance minister, Ken Ofori Atta. But the fundamental issue one is confronted with is Ghanas monies, which seem to be vanishing with Houdinic frequency. There lie some of the reasons of Kevins anger and effusions. For the sake of transparency, why didnt the government disclose to the citizens of Ghana the money given to the country by the World Bank and render the necessary accountability? How could a country that has been going around with a beggars bowl in hand, not able to account for 57.3 billion Cedisand this is money that belongs to the citizens of Ghana! Adding insult to injury, most of these citizens are groveling on the floor of poverty while trapped in the cobweb of political deceit. Ironically, suffering from bounded rationality, many of these same people who are also victims of such gross economic misconduct, but who, probably, might have been thrown a bone here and there, are vehemently defending the government and its activities. And that position has drawn the ire of Kevin Taylor and his freedom fighters such as Twene Jonas and the rest. I do not subscribe to the view of hurling insults on the elderly. However, who am I to question and complain about the loud singing noise being made by an angry caged-bird! Author is a graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University He is also the author of the following books: Odyssey of Akyemkwaa, the Story of a Ghanaian Immigrant Its The Money Amen, A Tale of Religion Deception and Greed Despite just two hours driving from Belgium to Holland and the two countries speaking the same language, the news about the Wegdam Food Link fraud that Kevin Taylor shared on his program Loud Silence TV, escaped my attention. The case of the fraud investigation leading to the arrest of several people involves the processing of meat, shipped to various African countries, including Ghana. The original news about the food fraud appeared in several Dutch newspapers, including, RTV Oost - https://bit.ly/34qaJPo. Wegdam Food Link is the name of a food company based in Holland, belonging to one Mr. Brian Wegdam. He is also the owner of the Wegdam Foundation, representing trade and investment on the continent of Africa. The Netherlands investigation Service of the Food and Consumer Product Safety started investigating this food company over document fraud involving exported chicken for a very long time, leading to the arrest of several people. The authorities were investigating the official veterinary certificates and consignment information as well as other business records, involving the listing of frozen chicken meat and other products, such as fish, exported to countries mainly in Africa. The investigation of the document fraud involving exported chicken to Africa, suspected to be working with the Dutch Food Company, also took place in Belgium and Spain, The purpose of the suspected fraud is thought to reduce import duties for the recipient by up to 70 percent. The Service of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety authorities said this type of fraud poses a risk to food safety. According to the Dutch Food Safety authorities, when something is wrong with a portion of food, it must be possible to find out where the product came from and to whom it was delivered. However, this tracking can sometimes prove to be a difficult issue because the official documents covering the foods are not accurate. In another development, the Spanish Guardia Civil seized nearly 2,000 pieces of meat in an operation against food fraud in the province of Caceres. Security Agencies to probing the biggest Ghanaian importer Also, ham, sausages, and frozen pig meat were confiscated, while the authorities blocked 760 kilograms of sausages and 4,500 kilograms of frozen meat. The operation which the Spanish authorities named Sekai, began in November 2020, after activity was detected at a closed meat factory on an industrial estate in the town of Malpartida de Plasencia. The authorities found out that storage, distribution, and marketing of food products of animal origin were being carried out without controls by local authorities since they failed to register the site. Further investigation and inspection also revealed that the date of consumption of meat has either been modified or expired. Due to immense poverty and hardships in Africa, consumers often look for cheap food imported to the Black Continent, thus; many of the cheaper frozen foods, including chicken, fish, pig meat, etc, often pose risks to food safety. The Dutch, Belgian, and Spanish authorities have done a good job to investigate the right procedure and safety measures to prevent any food contamination which could lead to the outbreak of disease or pandemic in African countries. The Food and Drug Administration FDA in Africa must also increase its efficiency to control many of the unhygienic consumer products that are easily shipped from developed countries to Africa. Traders who carried bulk cash on them on long-distance travels to purchase goods complained about attacks by armed robbers. However, the situation drastically changed when they switched to using mobile money transfers. As they are overly reliant on mobile money now, some traders at Racecourse, a popular market in Kumasi for instance, say they fear their businesses could grind to a halt if the electronic transaction levy is implemented as it will adversely affect their finances. Some have lamented that they usually borrow the capital they use for their business activities from other people, and then load it onto their mobile money wallets just to avoid being victims of armed robbery attacks or theft. They, therefore, believe it will impact them badly if taxes would be taken from them for sending out their capital. I think this policy will negatively impact traders. Not all of us are rich. We borrow from some people in order to get our capital. We are even supposed to pay interest. We have been advised to load the money on our mobile money wallet to be safe from harassment by armed robbers. Even if the phone is stolen, the money in the wallet will still be intact, so we can withdraw our money. But why will the government be taxing the capital that we are supposed to use for our businesses? Our businesses will collapse if that happens. We are therefore appealing to the government to find other alternative ways of taxing than resorting to this, a trader, Victoria Enyonam lamented. Other traders who share similar sentiments are also urging the government to abort plans of introducing the policy. As a result of mobile money, people can receive the money and then bring the goods here. If the tax is going to be introduced, they wont be bringing them to me here again since they will be making losses. In that case, how will my family and I survive,? Afia Gladys, a disturbed trader asked. For Akua Mercy, who travels to the Cote dIvoire border in order to get fish to sell and relies heavily on mobile money, she believes the introduction of the E-levy will compound their woes. My worry is that we take our goods from the Abidjan border. Already, the people there cheat us. It would be worse if the government implements the E-levy. 10.02.2022 LISTEN President Nana Akufo-Addo says a total of 24,285 health professionals were recruited during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to augment the health sector. The President says additionally, an amount of GH1.9 billion was spent to ensure that basic school students return to school during the pandemic. Addressing members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Peduase Lodge, Nana Akufo-Addo said the government had done its best to save the populace. Government found the money to recruit 24,285 more health professionals and spent some GH1.9 billion to ensure that children and teaching staff at all levels return to school safely and save the academic year. We managed to get them to have the BECE and WASSCE, and they came out with historic, spectacular results. Government has indeed done very well to save the populace amid the pandemic. Addressing the press on Thursday, the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, also said although 1,426 people have died as a result of Covid-19, the government's management of the pandemic has been a success story. The Health Minister says, although millions of lives were lost globally due to the pandemic, the government of Ghana managed to contain the situation, making it one of two countries that better managed the pandemic. We couldn't stop COVID-19 impacting negatively on the nation. First, the government's finances did not budget for COVID-19. We didn't have any money as emergency funds to cater for the pandemic, but there have been successes. ---citinewsroom Hong Kong: Govt work arrangements extended The Government today announced that aside from staff providing emergency and essential public services as well as those involved in anti-epidemic efforts, all government employees will continue to work from home as far as possible until February 18. As the local COVID-19 epidemic situation remains severe, the Government said it is necessary to continue to take measures to significantly reduce people flow and social contact in the community so as to curb the further spread of the virus. It will closely monitor the epidemic situation and review the arrangements before February 18. During the implementation of the special work arrangements, government departments will continue to provide emergency and essential public services. The Government emphasised that its top priority now is to contain the fifth wave of the epidemic, adding that a large number of government employees have steadfastly dedicated themselves to the anti-epidemic efforts. Government departments will continue to proactively mobilise their staff to support the anti-epidemic work in full force depending on the development of the epidemic situation and actual needs, it said. To reduce the flow of people in government buildings and offices, citizens are encouraged to use the post, drop-in boxes or online channels to receive the services they need. The Government also appealed to employers to allow their staff to work from home as far as possible. This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, Naa Fuseinin Pelpou, has stated that some Ghanaians had little or no knowledge about the role of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) in national development. Some people do not know how the NPA work affects their lives, and they see its work of interest to only intellectuals. Unfortunately, the intellectuals mostly engage in partisan politics in discussing the work and achievements of the NPA, thereby clouding the issues and getting the ordinary man in the streets to lose interest in otherwise very important government machinery, he said. Naa Pelpou, therefore, urged the NPA to intensify education on its roles and activities to enable Ghanaians to appreciate its work better. The Wa-Naa made this statement during a courtesy call on him at his palace by Dr Mustapha Hamid, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority on Wednesday. He assured the Authority of their readiness to co-operate and support to enable the NPA to serve Ghanaians better. Naa Pelpou commended the government's social interventions and pro-poor policies, which he said had impacted positively on the livelihoods of the people. He was confident that but for the debilitating effects of COVID-19, the country would have attained a higher appreciable level of development. He also praised the government for instituting measures to stem the pandemic and urged the people to continue to adhere strictly to the protocols, as that was the only way to keep COVID-19 at bay. Naa Pelpuo, however, noted that despite the positive impacts of those interventions in the region and in the Wa Municipality, a lot more was still needed in the area of school furniture for some schools where pupils sit on all sorts of objects as seats to learn. He said there were also inadequate mechanised boreholes for some communities in the area, which were still lacking portable and appealed to government and other benevolent organisations to come and support them. Naa Pelpou appealed to the government to make available a generator to the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs to provide electricity when the supply from the national grid was interrupted during meetings. Dr Abdul Mustapha Hamid said as part of his tour, he was to visit petroleum depots, filling stations and all other petroleum product facilities in the region to ensure that consumers were served with correct and high-quality products at the same price everywhere in the country. The NPA was also to ensure that petroleum products were available everywhere in the country. On the high cost of petroleum products, he said it was a phenomenon on the world market, as petroleum producing countries create scarcity to ensure that prices go up. He said the government was determined to ensure Ghanaians do not suffer financially as a result of price hikes. Earlier during a courtesy on Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister expressed regret at the frequent smuggling of petroleum products from the region to neighbouring countries. He also spoke about the adulteration of petroleum products in the region and appealed to the NPA to intensify its monitoring roles to help address the menace. GNA Tanzania said Thursday it was lifting a ban on four newspapers and opening "a new chapter" with the media, as President Samia Suluhu Hassan attempts to break with some of the policies of her autocratic predecessor. The Swahili-language newspapers, including Daima -- a daily owned by jailed opposition leader Freeman Mbowe -- were banned between 2016 and 2020 during the authoritarian rule of former President John Magufuli. "The intention of the current government is to create good relations with the media and as a start, I will reissue licences of four newspapers," Information Minister Nape Nnauye said at a meeting with editors. "Their punishment is enough." Mwanahalisi, a weekly newspaper, was shut after publishing a letter from a reader containing "insults" against Magufuli and his government. Daima was banned just before the 2020 general election for allegedly flouting journalistic ethics. Two other newspapers, Mawio and Mseto, were suspended for reporting on government corruption. Since Hassan took power in March last year, following Magufuli's death, she has sought to break with some of the policies of her predecessor, who was nicknamed "Bulldozer" for his uncompromising leadership style. She reached out to the opposition, vowing to defend democracy and basic freedoms, and reopened media outlets that were banned under Magufuli. But the arrest last July of Mbowe, the leader of the main opposition party Chadema, on terrorism charges dimmed hopes she would turn the page on Magufuli's rule. Hassan's government also slapped a two-week ban on Uhuru, the newspaper owned by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, last year after it published a front-page story claiming she was not considering running for the presidency in 2025. But on Thursday, the information minister said Hassan was keen to create an "enabling environment for the media." "She has directed me to meet the journalists, share our views and listen to your concerns to improve the media environment," he said. The Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Yaw Preko, is pushing for the implementation of the E-levy as proposed by the government in the 2022 budget. According to him, "the E-levy is a payment system to guarantee infrastructural development" in the country. For once we are taking a bold step as a country to generate revenue that is largely targeted at building infrastructure and giving jobs to the youth. However, the resistance that we are faced with as a govt with regards to it's passage is understandable. Looking at our history in terms of revenue mobilisation and distribution. We lost trust in govt to an extent that when we wanted change in 2016, we actually went to the ballot with anger, Mr. Yaw Preko exclusively told Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7. He continued, It looks like that anger and loss of trust have made us suspicious of every move of government. Something that in my opinion is understandable. Mr. Yaw Preko reiterated that the government has a responsibility as members of the NPP to continue to prove to the people of Ghana that we can do it differently. He further indicated that, our part as citizens of Ghana, we owe ourselves the duty of holding government in check over what it says it will use the E-Levy for. Let's take an interest in that and rigorously follow up. Because, ultimately the E-Levy will come into existence. If not today, it will happen someday. What will be your expectations from a govt that introduces the E-Levy? That should be our focus as a people. Let's start having such conversations. "Infrastructural development is not cheap...to develop the kind of infrastructure that we need, we need to take this quantum look into the future and that is what this E-levy is trying to achieve...the roads is the main task, what we currently doing on our road tolls is just about 70 million Ghana cedis, we cannot do more than 70km per year, however, we are looking at a situation where we can gain as close. If not more at least 7 billion Ghana cedis which is almost close to a billion dollars, we can leverage on the back of that billion dollars for example for the next 20 years and bring in infrastructural developers to do these roads over a period of time," he stated. He said the E-levy taxation should be viewed from the perspective of contributing to the development of the country. "If you are prepared to pay one per cent transaction fee to an entity which is a just profit-making entity, why won't you consider paying an extra one per cent to the state to use it for your own development? "Government is only asking you to contribute a little bit more through the E-levy for your own development", he stated. Mr. Yaw Preko added that the introduction of the E-levy as announced by the government was due to the inability of Ghanaians to pay direct taxes. "It is because Ghanaians are not prepared to pay direct taxes... so the government will always have to go through the indirect taxes which affects everybody. "If only 12 per cent out of our 30 million population are paying taxes directly then how do you expect the 12 per cent to carry the 20 million population on their shoulders", he quizzes. French energy giant TotalEnergies on Thursday posted a whopping 14 billion profit for 2021, thanks to soaring oil and gas prices, helping them bounce back from 2020 pandemic losses. However, French politicians have spoken out against such massive revenues at a time when ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet. The company reported a net profit of $16 billion (14 billion) - the highest in at least 15 years - following a $7.2 billion loss (6.2 billion) in 2020, when oil prices cashed. Oil and gas firms slumped into the red in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic slashed energy demand and prices. But the market rebounded last year as the global economy and demand recovered. The massive profits made by TotalEnergies have prompted criticism from some politicians concerned with the rising cost of living, a key topic in the lead up to the presidential election in April. Green candidate Yannick Jadot said Total's profits were made "on the backs of French people." While far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said "we just need to take it back off them, all the better." Discounts In a bid to appease its customers in France, TotalEnergies on Wednesday unveiled a series of measures to help poorer families and rural areas. A discount of 100 would be struck off the next gas bill benefitting some 200,000 families currently struggling to pay their monthly rates, which have increased by 50 percent. This move will cost 20 million, Total's managing director Patrick Pouyanne told RTL radio. Total also announced a discount of 5 euros for the purchase of 50 litres, the equivalent of 10 centimes per litre. This measure will apply to rural areas of France, in towns with less than 6,000 residents and areas "where people need their cars to go to work," accounting for more than 1,100 petrol stations. The discount will apply from 14 February for three months. "It's good news, but it's clearly not enough," far-left France Unbowed MP Adrien Quatennens told Franceinfo. "Total made a 15 billion-euro profit at a time when ordinary French people are really struggling to make ends meet. It's the biggest profit ever made by a French company," he went on. Fellow MP Francois Ruffin told BFMTV that the French government should "block Total's dividends and block fuel prices directly at the pump." Major projects in Africa, Europe The past year has seen TotalEnergies push forward with several lucrative contracts across the world. On 1 February, Chinese and French oil giants sealed a landmark $10-billion deal (8.5billion) to develop Uganda's energy resources and build a vast regional oil pipeline, a megaproject that has environmental groups worried. The so-called Final Investment Decision was announced at a ceremony in Kampala by the heads of France's TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The project aims to exploit the huge crude oil reserves at Lake Albert, a 160-kilometre (100-mile) natural border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Meanwhile talks have gone ahead to reschedule the 20-billion-dollar gas project in Mozambique, scheduled for 2024. However, advances by Islamist insurgents early last year prompted TotalEnergies to halt work on the plant in Afungi, near Palma, described as the largest foreign investment ever made anywhere in Africa. Offshore wind concessions In Europe, the Crown Estate Scotland announced in a statement on 17 January that it has granted 17 concessions via an auction process to energy companies including France's TotalEnergies, BP, Royal Dutch Shell and SSE, as well as Spain's Iberdrola. Scotland's offshore wind project concessions are valued at almost 700 million ($960 million, 840 million). The proposed 17 developments - a combination of floating, fixed and mixed turbines - will cover more than 7,000 square kilometres of seabed. Most of the planned new sites are on the east, north east or northern coast, with just one on the western side of the devolved nation. The Kusaug Youth Movement (KYM) is demanding the immediate reversal of the transfer of Alhaji M.A Azonko who was the Regional Co-coordinating Director for the Upper East Region. It follows a report of the transfer of Alhaji Azonko to Oti Region contained in a letter emanating from the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS) (Ref: OHLGS/POST/CD/20/01) dated February 3, 2022. Although the Kusaug Youth Movement say they are not demeaning the Oti Region, they argue that the sudden transfer of Alhaji Azonko raises a lot of questions. We are not in any way demeaning our sister Oti region, but we believe our brother is a victim of circumstance and his sudden transfer is the handy work of some evil-minded persons who disingenuously believe that his presence in the Upper East Region as the Regional Coordinating Director and a Kusaa inures to Kusaas, given the prevailing conflict situation, part of a statement read by KYM in a press release on February 9 stated. The Kusaug Youth Movement notes that it deems the transfer of Alhaji Azonko by OHLGS not only as shameful and embarrassing but also unfortunate as well. While emphasising that Ghana is a country governed by laws, rules, and regulations, the youth are demanding the reversal of the transfer of Alhaji Azonko to the Oti Region. We call on Government and State Institutions to desist from unfairly transferring our hardworking professionals from their lawful duty post to please the ego of some charlatans on some unfounded allegations, part of the statement reads. Read the full statement below: A PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE KUSAUG YOUTH MOVEMENT (KYM) 09/02/2022 THE UNFAIR TRANSFER OF ALHAJI M. A. AZONKO FROM THE UPPER EAST REGION TO THE OTI REGION Ladies and Gentlemen of the media, you are here with us today on very short notice due to the exigencies of the issue we are about to share with you. It is an issue which ought not to have happened in any serious democratic republic like Ghana, where anyones empty pride and unexplained hatred for another could be allowed to stand to the extent that some state Institutions would make themselves pliant tools to act whimsically and capriciously to the wishes of some evil-minded persons. Ladies and Gentlemen, the attention of the Kusaug Youth Movement (KYM) has been drawn to a letter emanating from the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS) (Ref: OHLGS/POST/CD/20/01) dated 03 February 2022 which directs the immediate transfer of Alhaji M. A Azonko, Regional Co-coordinating Director for Upper East Region to Oti Region. Ordinarily, transfers within the local government services such as this are within the remit of the service, and Alhaji Azonko is not impervious to the same. However, the timing of the transfer of our brother and Chief of Gumbo traditional area, in the Kusaug Kingdom, Alhaji Mahamudu Azonko, leaves many unanswered questions. As a civil servant who has served his country very well in so many districts across the country, his transfer to another region must not be treated in this sudden manner. We are disappointed and outraged over the circumstances and misapplied theories surrounding his forceful and immediate transfer. We are not in any way demeaning our sister Oti region, but we believe our brother is a victim of circumstance and his sudden transfer is the handy work of some evil-minded persons who disingenuously believe that his presence in the Upper East Region as the Regional Coordinating Director and a Kusaa inures to Kusaas, given the prevailing conflict situation. The Media, we are aware of calls by some disgruntled Mamprusi settlers in Bawku, led by their War-Lord Majeed Bagura, roaming freely on the streets of Bawku, and who in the presence of key state security officers some months ago threatened and called for the transfer of Alhaji Azonko out of the region and the removal of the Upper East Regional Minister on outrageous and unfounded claims, not because of their incompetence but merely on grounds that they are Kusaas by the tribe. We believe that State Institutions such as the OHLGS would not stoop that low and allow themselves to be influenced and or controlled by the desires of some warmongering, destructive hoodlums, seeking to hold onto any straw to remain relevant. Our democratic experiment must not be subjected to the whims and caprices of some ill-intended persons. It is the belief of the likes of Majeed Bagura and his conspirators that because they are unprofessional, unethical, wicked, and full of hatred and would not miss an opportunity to maim, kill and even deny any Kusaa a decent living, Alhaji Azonko would use his office to unfairly treat Mamprusis. Per the man we all know and trust, this thinking is far from him. Alhaji Azonko has and is a professional, has had a dedicated service, and has endeared himself to many regardless of tribe, religion, politics, or others in all the places he has worked and been to. He is not minded like the bloodthirsty Bajura Majeed and his deprived colleagues. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are a country governed by-laws, rules, and regulations. The power and wish of some evil-minded persons should not seem to dictate the actions of State Institutions, as we are seeing in this transfer. This posture of institutions can create an impression that they are taking orders from miscreants who are supposed to be jail candidates if the laws of Ghana were properly enforced. He is moving freely and continues to threaten and cause more insecurity in Bawku. These are not only unfortunate and unacceptable but continue to weaken our state institutions and governance architecture. Friends from the media, if the transfer of our revered Chief for Gumbo traditional area, is anyway triggered as a result of any security-related concerns, should we buy equal measure call for the removal of Alhaji Sule Yiremia, a member of the Council of State with unbridled power and influence who is alleged to be the mastermind and chief architect of the unending disturbances in Bawku? The Bawku conflict is not a cross-border one and hence people and officials staying and working outside the Kusaug Kingdom cannot be threatened. Unlike how a Kusama young man was brutally beaten to pulp at the compound of the Nayiri upon flimsy accusations. The Kusasi people have gone far beyond this thinking and actions. Kusaug problem is only within Kusaug. Period! It's delighting to note that, the Kusasi people overwhelmingly engulfed the Mamprusi settlers in Bawku in terms of population and everything and would not, as humble and peace-loving, as we are, seek to undermine the peace of the inhabitants outside the kingdom, even if the circumstances call for that, is Hon. Tahiru Issahaku Ahmed(DCE for Bawku West), a die-hard Mamprusi, Issah Adam Azangbeogo, NHIA Boss and his PRO, all untainted Mamprusi guys from Bawku, and staying and working at Zebilla, and one NIB officer(name withheld), also staying and working in Bolga, etc. Should we be waiting for the government to announce the relocation or transfers of the above-mentioned individuals because their Security concerns are also important? Institutional heads and government are put into the illusion that only Mamprusi can be offensive and destructive? Pathetic indeed! For Kusasis civility, morality, respect for rule of law, humility, and the trust we preserve for government and the Security apparatus, our people are seen as cowards and have been victimized unjustly. Ladies and Gentlemen of the media, may we ask the Head of OHLGS, what at all has he been offered by the Mamprusi settlers in Bawku to carry out this transfer? Or has chief Alhaji Azonko received death threats from the warmongering Mamprusi guys staying and working at Bolga? Analyzing the transfer letter, the question is, was Alhaji Azonkos name already part of a prepared transfer list, or what at all informed the sudden decision to do so? Note, the letter of transfer is dated 03 February 2022 whilst the effective date of his transfer is 02 February 2022, incredible. Why such haste? Well, we ask these questions because of the determination, machinations, and orchestration the Mamprusi settlers in Bawku have mounted against this hard-working, professional Wiseman who has risen through the ranks to where he is today only for some miscreants who are believed to have uncontrolled power over the government and some state institutions to cause his transfer, possibly in the name of security concerns and Bawku peace. Let not our pains for his transfer be interpreted to mean, Alhaji was in any way, shape, or form taking decisions to the advantage of his tribesmen, but we are pained because of the circumstances surrounding the whole show. In any case, how many more of our tribesmen and women may soon suffer the gorilla or, if you like, rough tactical transfers in the hands of government and some state institutions? Is the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Stephen Yakubu next? Because, sadly, he was part of the Mamprusi list. We never complained when Chief Alhaji M. Azonko was transferred from Zabzugu-Tatale, Nanumba District Assembly, Yendi District Assembly, and all five other districts including Kwahu South (Mpraeso), Birim Central (Akim Oda), South Tongu(Sogakope), and New Juaben (Koforidua) before he was finally promoted and assigned to head the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council. It is the timing and circumstances of the latest transfer that gives us cause to worry. Ladies and Gentlemen, we deem the transfer of Alhaji Azonko by OHLGS not only as shameful and embarrassing but unfortunate and therefore call for its immediate reversal. We also call on the OHLGS and other State Institutions to be mindful of similar negative influences that tend to further escalate the conflict situation in the Bawku Municipality if professionals are targeted merely because of their tribe. State Institutions must avoid playing into the books of these characters as such actions embolden the Mamprusi settlers in Bawku to continue to have a false sense of hope that they are in charge of affairs. We call on Government and State Institutions to desist from unfairly transferring our hardworking professionals from their lawful duty post to please the ego of some charlatans on some unfounded allegations. Ladies and Gentlemen, we re-iterate our commitment and resolve to resist any attempt whatsoever by any individual, government, institution, group, or any other that seeks to undermine our identity and resolve to manage our affairs as guaranteed by the Constitution of Ghana. In conclusion, if the government refuses to reverse these ill-informed transfers and anything untoward happens to our respected Chief in the line of his duties at his new place, we shall hold the government accountable. We know the type of Mamprusi we are dealing with. Long live Zugraan Long live Kusaug Long live Ghana Thank you. ABUGRI A HARUNA PRESIDENT Tel: 0243855080 *DAUDA ALI AYAMBA DEP. HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS. Tel: 0245804639 Thank you Cc: Head of Local Government Services of Ghana. The National Security of Ghana. The RCC-Upper East. The former President of the National Association of Local Authorities (NALAG), Alhaji Mohammed Kwaku Doku has advised the Roads and Highways Minister Kwasi Amoako-Attah to go for a mental check-up. He is asking the roads minister to rescind his decision to change road tolls to public urinals. Speaking in an exclusive interview on ' Dwene ho bio' political-talk show hosted by Agya Wusu on Hot 93.9FM, Alhaji Doku without mincing words stated that, " the decision taken by the Minister is insane... the minister needs to go for a check up at the psychiatric hospital as the decision has been a porous one. How much revenue can we generate from such a hasty decision?". The minister in an earlier interview also expressed shock about the less revenue generated from toll booths and the need to introduce electronic transactions to pay contractors. But the former NALAG president deliberating on the Minister's statement expressed disappointment in some key government policies and called on Ghanaians to desist from the try and error system of governments. Roads Minister indicated that tollbooths across the country will be used to serve another public purpose since the collection of road tolls has been abolished. We even want to refurbish all tollbooth structures to provide proper and decent washrooms for the use by motorists so that we advised them to desist from that practice where sometimes you see cars stopping on the highway and people getting down to wee-wee as we usually see, he said. However, he quickly made a u-turn. Mr Amoako-Atta says the suggestion which has been met with widespread criticisms has also been misconstrued by the media and a section of the public. It was an interview, but a small portion of it is what has been taken by the media. I was speaking to the press and they wanted to know the future of all the tollbooths and among others, I said the Ministry has plans and the government is thinking of a lot ways of putting the tollbooths to use, and I said that we have about 38 of them at various vantage points in the country, to improve the sanitary situation. For instance, on the highways we have vehicles stopping indiscriminately and drivers and passengers getting down urinating everywhere and its too indecent, he clarified. Executive Director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson, has pleaded not guilty to two criminal charges of publication of false news and offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace. He has subsequently been admitted to a bail sum of GH50,000 with two sureties. He is also to report to the investigating officer at the Teshie District Police Command at least twice a week. Mr. Thompson put up a Facebook post last year alleging that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos relatives used the presidential jet on a shopping spree to the United Kingdom. He subsequently retracted the post and apologised for it. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Ebenezer Tei Okuffo told the Kaneshie District Court that Mensah Thompsons post had the potential of inciting the youth against the family of President Akufo-Addo. He told the court that there are places we have to take the accused person to, to elicit some information as part of the investigations; and prayed the court to remand Mr. Thompson. According to the Prosecutor, Mr. Thompson had been extended an invitation to the Police Station on January 14, to aid the police in investigation, but he refused to honour the invitation and turned himself in only when he got wind of an arrest warrant secured against him. The prosecution thus feared that Mr. Thompson would not avail himself for investigation if out on bail. Disagreeing with the facts as presented by the Prosecution, lawyer for Mensah Thompson, Victor Kojogah Adawudu, said the accused person did not refuse to honour the police invitation. He told the court that Mr. Thompson was undertaking an examination at the time of the invitation, so was unable to honour it. He argued based on case law that it wasnt the place of the accused person to aid investigations into the charges against him; and contended that Mr. Thompsons only obligation was the assurances of his highest esteem to attend to the court whenever called upon, even when on bail. According to Mr. Adawudu, Mr. Thompson was misled by a source (in his Facebook post) but he did the honourable thing by retracting and apologising the moment his attention was drawn to it. When quizzed by the Magistrate, His Worship, Oheneba Kuffuor, Mensah Thompson told the court that he did not intend to cause malice or breach the peace with his post but only sought accountability. His Worship, Oheneba Kuffuor, wondered why the accused person would run to social media with the post when he had officially written to the Civil Aviation Authority requesting information on the matter. It appears everyone is busy taking a part of the country off. What do you seek to gain with that? he quizzed in astonishment. In the belief of His Worship, Mr. Thompsons Facebook was not derogatory and wondered how it would have incited the youth against President Akufo-Addos family members. The case has been adjourned to 10th March 2022. Ugandan writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has fled the country fearing for his life after spending nearly a month in detention, according to his lawyer Eron Kiiza. "He fears poisoning as a result of his injuries and the injections of unknown substances he was subjected to," says Kiiza, adding that he will get medical treatment for all his injuries. The author claims he was tortured while in custody and tweeted photos of the scars on his back and his swollen feet after he was released on bail in late January. Rukirabashaija, 33, was detained at the end of December after posting a number of tweets about President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who heads Uganda's Land Army. He was later charged with offensive communication for calling Kainerugaba obese, among other comments. The author of the satire The Greedy Barbarian, which speaks of corruption in a fictional country much like Uganda, was slated to go on trial on 23 March. Both the European Union and the United States have called out Ugandan authorities over human rights abuses in the country. Judge Mandisa Maya, South Africaamp;39;s Chief Justice-elect. - Source: Photo by Gallo Images The Times Simphiwe Nkwali 10.02.2022 LISTEN Mandisa Maya , Judge President of South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal, was recently recommended by the country's Judicial Services Commission to become the next Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. The position became vacant after the 12-year term of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng ended in October 2021 . It is now up to President Cyril Ramaphosa to decide if she actually ascends to the highest judicial position in the country. This follows what many consider to have been a shambolic selection process . If appointed, she'll be the first woman Chief Justice since South Africa became a constitutional democracy following the end of apartheid in 1994 . Here are some interesting facts you need to know about Judge Maya. The early years Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya was born in Tsolo, Eastern Cape, one of the country's poorest areas, which borders the Indian Ocean , in 1964. She has five younger siblings, three children and is married to Dabulamanzi Mlokoti . Both her parents were teachers . She grew up in King William's Town and Mthatha where she matriculated (finished high school) from St John's College, in 1981. The school is one of the oldest and one of the most highly rated in the country. It it closely associated with the Anglican Church of South Africa, having been established in 1879 by a Church of England missionary. Maya's early childhood were in the former Ciskei , which was one of the four Bantustans or homelands together with Transkei, Bophuthatswana, and Venda which were granted nominal independence by the apartheid government. They were some of the mainly rural and impoverished areas set aside by the apartheid government where black people exercised nominal self-rule along ethnic lines. They offered little opportunity for advancement and upward mobility. Nevertheless, growing up in a Bantustan did not deter Maya's from her commitment to justice and human rights saw her pursuing studies in law. She holds B.Proc from the University of Transkei, LLB (University of Natal), and LLM (Duke University, North Carolina in the USA). She is a Fulbright Scholar, was a fellow of Georgetown University law and gender programme as well as a Commonwealth Foundation fellow and a Duke Law School International Alumnus. Career and achievements Maya begun her legal career as an attorney's clerk in a professional firm in Mthatha. She went on to become court interpreter and prosecutor of the Magistrates' Court in the town. This was followed by the job of Assistant State Law Adviser before she did her pupillage at the Johannesburg Bar. She subsequently became a a practising advocate associated to the Transkei Society of Advocates. Maya also had a stint as Law Lecturer at the University of Transkei. The positions she held before becoming a judge imbued in her values that make her a suitable candidate for Chief Justice. These include ideals and values of integrity, impartiality, professional ethics and court decorum. She also has a footprint in other jurisdictions notably Lesotho, Namibia and US. In Washington DC she was policy counsel and lobbyist intern at the Women's Legal Defense Fund. She has also acted as a judge in the Supreme Court of Namibia and the Appeal Court of Lesotho. In 2016 Judge Maya became the first woman President of South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court of Appeal, established in 1910, is the country's second highest court after the Constitutional Court. This makes her the third most senior judge in South Africa after the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice. She has been honoured and acknowledged in the legal profession, including honorary doctorates of law by a number of universities. Her leadership qualities have been recognised in various other ways too. For example, she was elected the President of the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges. Highlights on the bench Her years on the bench, including the current position, have been characterised by the championing of children and women's rights, the poor, and many other marginalised groups. In 2012 she received the South African Women Lawyers Icon award for her role in empowering and mentoring women in both the judiciary and the broader legal profession. Maya is one of the few judges in South Africa with a strong commitment to changing the approach of judges in adjudicating gender-based violence and femicide cases. She told a summit on gender based violence and femicide in 2018: So while there has been a marked ideological shift in the ways judges adjudicate matters relating to gender-based violence and femicide in recent times, including the abolition of cautionary rule in respect of sexual offences, and the conduct of many judicial officers can be commended, the fate of these victims should not be left to the off-chance that the individual Judges hearing their cases will be attuned to the sensitivities. There should be a formalisation and standardisation of these norms so that it is incumbent on the Courts to pay particular attention to the treatment of victims in these cases. Through her judgments she has demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the law and the Constitution. She is also considered a jurisprudential thought leader given that some of her judgments have directly and indirectly influenced nation-building. For instance, in the 2020 AfriForum NPC v Chairperson of the Council of the University of South Africa and Others case, she ruled that the removal of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at the University of South Africa was unlawful and unconstitutional. The decision was later confirmed by the Constitutional Court . Her dissenting minority judgment in Minister of Safety and Security v F, 2011 greatly influenced the decision of the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court reversed the Supreme Court of Appeal's majority decision and confirmed her minority decision . The matter before the Supreme Court of Appeals was about a claim for damages arising from the rape of a woman by an off-duty policeman. The majority of the court held that the Minister of Safety and Security was not vicariously liable because the policeman committed the rape when he was off duty. Maya penned a dissenting judgment in which she argued that members of the police services were entrusted with the constitutional role and the responsibility to conduct themselves properly to foster the community's trust. And that this could not be suspended because a member was off duty. Chief Justice role If appointed, Maya would have overcome career labyrinths faced by all female judges in South Africa. She will be exercising responsibility over the establishment and monitoring of norms and standards for the exercise of the judicial functions of all courts in the Republic. The steeliness with which she would approach the job was reflected in her response to the question: Is South Africa ready for a woman chief justice? She responded : I'm not here because I'm a woman, I'm a worthy judge I'm just a good woman judge. Omphemetse Sibanda does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Omphemetse Sibanda, Executive Dean and Full Professor, University of Limpopo Faculty of Management and Law, University of Limpopo The World Bank has launched a book that seeks to offer new trade strategies for African trade by strengthening trade agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) The book Africa in the New Trade Environment: Market Access in Troubled Times which was launched on February 10, 2022 delves into challenges facing the African market, opportunities to those challenges and policies that can effect changes to the ever-growing market. Speaking to the press and participants, Albert Zeufack, a Chief Economist at the World Bank and a co-editor of the book, stated that, the AfCFTA should be a launchpad as it is the right platform to help Africa permeate in the new trade environment. He added that Africas exports were suffering as a result of no value and so the continent must look towards value added products. He noted that; the supply capacity must be enhanced. Mr. Zeufack further calls on Africa to target Asian markets and focus on them since, in his view, are more viable for the continent in this new market environment. The book Africa in the New Trade Environment: Market Access in Troubled Times discusses three challenges; the rising role of global value change, rising dominance of Asia in global value and trade and the proliferation of regional trade agreements (RTA) Co- editor, Souleymane Coulibaly explained the opportunities as well as the policies available to these challenges as stated in the book. "The opportunities look at Africa rising trade projects with Asia and rising trade prospects in Africa. The policies that have been offered to boost Africas trade in the globe are termed as the the three-pronged one and it provides Africa with the chance of cementing trade with traditional partners like the United States and the European Union. It also encourages strategically diversifying trade with Asia and looking inward to deepen regional integration," he intimated. Minister for Trade and Industries, Alan Kyeremanteng noted that the book was a groundbreaking initiative as it speaks to the prioritization of trade and industry in the continent and offers new opportunities and policies for the new market environment. He added that the AfCFTA had brought about unification and civilization of the continent market, "but to use the AfCFTA, the continent would have to go beyond creating just a free trade and move towards creating a customs union for the continent to enable the continent access the global market." He added, A point I would like to focus on, which is reflected in the recommendations of the book is creating a unified and civil market for our continent which is we have been able to achieve with the AfCTA agreement, but we need to go beyond that if we want to use the a AfCTA agreement to increase our level of trading globally, we have to go beyond creating a free trade in just Africa. We have to go to the next step of creating a customs union for the continent because it is only when we get to the level of African being customs union that we can leverage our path in terms of accessing the global market." He stated that the trade agreement encourages the use of regional value chains which increase the level of intra African trade which can be capitalized to enhance trade in the global market. The book supports the African desire of strengthening intra trading but pushes the continent to go beyond just raw materials and merge its production and trade in the global economy in order for the continent to take advantage of the unlimited demand and innovation available in the supply chain. "The process requires efforts to shoot up Africas export market access and diversify its market to new regions and new products," he emphasised. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina Constituency, Hon. Francis Xavier-Sosu has warned that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party will not spare any political judge when the party wins power in the 2024 general elections. According to the MP, judges are bound by the laws of the country to carry out their duty without towing political lines. He said judges should be cautious because anyone that goes contrary to the law to serve the interest of any political party will not be spared when there is a change of government and the NDC takes over in 2025. If you are a judge, your fidelity is to the constitution of Ghana and the laws of Ghana. If you allow yourself to be used as a political judge so that you can do the bidding of the ruling government be warned, be warned because we are watching closely and in the event that theres change of power, every political judge will be fished out, every political judge will be dealt with politically, Francis Xavier-Sosu stressed on Thursday during the demonstration against governments proposed Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy). The MP concluded, So please stick with the law let us do our politics. Todays demonstration dubbed Yentua is in protest to the E-Levy the government is seeking to have approval by Parliament to charge a 1.75% tax on financial electronic transactions that exceed GHS100 per day. Agitated Ghanaians came out in number to picket from Circle through Accra central before finally, leaders of the demonstration presented a petition to Parliament. The convenor of pressure group #FixTheCountry, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has been condemned by a section of Ghanaians for inciting the army to stage coup over the controversial E-Levy bill in Parliament. In a series of Facebook posts ahead of Thursdays demonstration against the bill, Barker-Vormawor described the Ghana Army as useless for not acting despite the hue and cry over the bill. If this E-Levy passes after this cake bullshit, I will do the coup myself. Useless Army! Barker-Vormawor said in one of the posts. In another post he said: Okay, lets try again. If this E-Levy still passes after this cake bullshit, then may God.Help us to resist oppressors rule, With all our will and might for evermore. (2x) Useless Army. Anaa, the value is the same? Social media users have been calling on the security agencies to arrest him over his comments. This is below the belt Oliver Barker-Vormawor. Where is Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Army. Arrest him, Angela Dodoo Tweeted. Oliver Barker-Vormawor of #FixTheCountry movement must not be treated with kids gloves. Not this time. He must be arrested, Kojo Mensah said on Facebook. Meanwhile, hundreds of Ghanaians on Thursday demonstrated against the E-Levy bill which the government says will rake in close to GHC7 billion annually to help with infrastructure development among others. ---happyghana.com The convener of pressure group #FixTheCountry, Oliver Barker-Vormawor is tasting for a coup in the country. In a series of Facebook posts ahead of Todays demonstration against the E-levy, Barker-Vormawor described the Ghana Army as useless for not acting despite the hue and cry over the bill. If this E-Levy passes after this cake bullshit, I will do the coup myself. Useless Army! Barker-Vormawor said in one of the posts. In another post he said: Okay, lets try again. If this E-Levy still passes after this cake bullshit, then may God.Help us to resist oppressors rule, With all our will and might for evermore. (2x) Useless Army. Anaa, the value is the same? His comments have been condemned by a section of Ghanaians for inciting the army to stage coup over the controversial E-Levy bill in Parliament. Social media users have been calling on the security agencies to arrest him over his comments. This is below the belt Oliver Barker-Vormawor. Where is Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Army. Arrest him, Angela Dodoo Tweeted. Oliver Barker-Vormawor of #FixTheCountry movement must not be treated with kids gloves. Not this time. He must be arrested, Kojo Mensah said on Facebook. Meanwhile, hundreds of Ghanaians on Thursday demonstrated against the E-Levy bill which the government says will rake in over GHC6 billion annually to help with infrastructure development among others. The Majority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu was joined by big wigs of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) last week to celebrate his birthday. At the event, he cut an E-Levy' designed caked to celebrate his 65th birthday. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame Constituency on Thursday, February 3, 2022, marked his 65th birthday. In a rather controversial manner, the cake Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu cut to celebrate his birthday was designed as E-Levy, a controversial matter that has led to fisticuffs in parliament amid throwing of chairs. At the birthday party, the Majority Leader was joined by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, other leading members of the NPP, as well as some family and friends. Ghanaians from all walks of life flooded the streets of Accra today, Thursday, February 10, 2022, to express their displeasure about governments proposed E-levy in a protest dubbed Yentua demonstration. Yentua is an Akan phrase which means we wont pay. Starting from the former Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, the protestors went through some principal streets of Accra and ended their demonstration at Parliament House, where they presented a petition to the leadership of the law-making body. The Coalition of Concerned Ghanaians (CCG) which organised the protest had representatives from some of the political parties, Civil Societies Organisations, and other identifiable groups. Speaking to Citi News, some protestors had these to say; The government should rescind its decision to impose the E-Levy on us, they should scrap it totally or face the wrath of Ghanaians. This government is very insensitive, mean, inconsiderate, wicked. We will not accept the E-Levy today, or tomorrow. The Kayayes decided to block some parts of the road, preventing cars from moving past. We will sit here till 2:00 PM, we are very unhappy with the government. Maybe will we keep sitting here, he will know how serious we are about opposing the E-Levy. Some members slept on the streets as well, lamenting how unthinkable the governments proposed E-Levy idea is. Others also held placards with different inscriptions that communicated how they feel about the E-Levy. The E-levy was proposed in the 2022 Budget Statement read out by the Finance Minister on November 17, 2021, to help solve the unemployment issues and fix roads in the country. If passed, Ghanaians and others living in the country would pay a 1.75% charge on all electronic financial transfers above GH100. Approximately, the E-Levy is supposed to give the government GH6.9 million every year. Majority of Ghanaians since the levy was announced have kicked against it and have sworn to never accept it, saying it is robbery of their little earnings, and they cannot afford to lose the little they have. ---citinewsroom The Labour Division of the High Court in Accra on Thursday, February 10, directed the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the National Labour Commission (NLC) to continue to resolve their differences out of court. The instruction from the court follows the inability of both parties to reach an agreement since the last hearing where the court directed that they settle their differences out of court. Although the NLC had invited UTAG to deliberate over issues, UTAG refused the invitation and instead decided to meet with government. The Court has since adjourned sitting till Tuesday, 15 February 2022. The lawyer for the NLC, Eva Amihere, told the court on Thursday, 3 February 2022 that her client had two applications; a motion for the enforcement of the NLCs directives issued to UTAG to return to the classroom and an interlocutory injunction stopping the association from continuing with its ongoing strike. The presiding judge, Justice Frank Rockson Aboadwe, met the parties in chambers. Both parties were directed to settle the matter amicably and report back to the court. The NLC will, however, move the motion for the two applications if both parties fail to reach an agreement by the return date. The NLC dragged UTAG to court seeking an interlocutory injunction to compel the lecturers to end their strike and return to work. The lecturers are demanding better conditions of service. ---classfmonline.com The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram Constituency, Mr. Samuel Nartey George is demanding that government explain how GHS6 billion from the proposed Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) would transform the country when it failed with GHS300 billion since it assumed power. The vociferous MP was part of a large number of Ghanaians who demonstrated in the capital to oppose the E-Levy. Addressing the demonstrators, Sam George asked, If we gave you Ghc300 billion and you have failed to do anything significant in our lives. How then do you explain that with Ghc6 billion you can transform Ghana?" The MP continued, ..that lie will not wash. Ghanaians are opposed to the E-levy. According to the NDC MP, the E-Levy makes no sense and must be abandoned by the government. The tax makes no sense because the government have not been able to justify what they have done with the various taxes they have taken, Sam George noted. Todays demonstration dubbed Yentua started from Kwame Nkrumah Circle as demonstrators marched through Accra central before presenting a petition to Parliament. During the picketing at Parliament, NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketiah noted that a future NDC government will abolish the e-levy in the first 100 days in office should the ruling NPP government go ahead with its implementation. The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of James Gyekye Quayson, the embattled Assin North Member of Parliament's appeal to February 22. The MP had gone to the Supreme Court to quash the decision of the Court of Appeal on the interpretation of Article 94 (2a) of the 1992 Constitution. The apex Court of the land, presided over by Justice Gabriel Pwamang, adjourned the matter to February 22, following the filing of a review application by Quayson's lawyers. His lawyers are praying for a review of the Supreme Court's decision on February 3, which scheduled hearing of Quayson's appeal for today, February 10. In view of the review application, this court is unable to hear the matter, the five-member panel ruled. Meanwhile, the court has also fixed February 15 to hear the review application of Mr. Quayson. In the review application, lawyers of Quayson are challenging the timeline given for filing of their response to an affidavit in opposition by respondents. Mr Quayson had gone to the Supreme Court to invoke the supervisory jurisdiction of the apex Court of the land over the decision of the Court of Appeal. Mr Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a constituent of Assin North and a respondent in the matter held that Mr Quayson did not satisfy the constitutional requirement because he had not renounced his Canadian Citizenship. On July 28, 2021, the Cape Coast High Court declared the MP's election in the 2020 Parliamentary election null and void and restrained the MP for holding himself as a legislator. GNA An attempted coup was thwarted in the west African coastal nation of Guinea-Bissau last week, the latest in a string of attempted, and in many cases successful, overthrows of governments in the region. In late January, military personnel in Burkina Faso deposed President Roch Marc Kabore, citing the governments inability to deal with a deteriorating security situation in a country beset by jihadist insurgency. Guineas transitional parliament was formed last week, five months after a successful coup ousted President Alpha Conde, citing allegations of corruption, human rights abuses and economic mismanagement. Mali has experienced two coups in the past 18 months, in August 2020 and August 2021. Further east, coups also took place in Chad and Sudan last year, while an attempt to seize the presidential palace in Niger failed. A study by the University of Kentuckys Jonathan Powell and Clayton Thyne found that there have been more than 200 attempted coups in Africa since the 1950s, averaging around four per year between 1960 and 2000, before dropping in the first two decades up to 2019. In 2021, six coups or attempted coups were recorded, prompting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to caution that military coups are back whilst lambasting the lack of a unified international response to military interventions. BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau, Feb. 1 2022: A soldier patrols the government palace area in Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau, on February 1, 2022. Sustained gunfire was heard near the seat of government in the coup-prone West African state of Guinea-Bissau. Provided by CNBC BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau, Feb. 1 2022: A soldier patrols the government palace area in Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau, on February 1, 2022. Sustained gunfire was heard near the seat of government in the coup-prone West African state of Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo survived last weeks five-hour gun attack and the government has launched a major investigation into the foiled effort, which Umaro has denied was carried out by members of the countrys armed forces. The former general speculated that the attack was carried out by people from the underworld and linked to his efforts to fight corruption and drug trafficking. Guinea-Bissau has become a major transit hub for drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, between Latin America and Europe. International bodies laughed off The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met in Accra, Ghana last week to discuss widening unrest. The organizations chairman, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, warned that the August 2020 coup in Mali had produced a contagious effect. The 15-nation bloc has suspended Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso and imposed harsh economic sanctions on Mali and Guinea in an attempt to strong-arm transitional governments into keeping promised timetables for their respective returns to civilian rule. However, despite efforts to impose punitive measures and deter future overthrows, regional leaders, western allies and international bodies are struggling to contain a groundswell of support for military rule in West Africa. Coup organizers seem all too willing to pursue isolationism. Were seeing the authority of regional and international bodies being challenged and sanctions being laughed off, Eric Humphery-Smith, senior Africa analyst at political risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, told CNBC. ACCRA, Ghana - ECOWAS flag with member flags at the second extraordinary summit on the political situation in Burkina Faso, in Accra, Ghana, on February 3, 2022. Provided by CNBC ACCRA, Ghana ECOWAS flag with member flags at the second extraordinary summit on the political situation in Burkina Faso, in Accra, Ghana, on February 3, 2022. And the more coups that occur, the more solidarity among military leaders, likely delaying transition back to democracy. While Verisk Maplecroft does not expect African leaders to fall like dominoes, Humphrey-Smith suggested that some of the regions aging and more autocratic leaders look more vulnerable, including those in Cote dIvoire, Cameroon, Republic of Congo or Equatorial Guinea, all of whom have been in office for at least three consecutive terms. Africans still view many of their leaders as corrupt and national wealth as being unfairly distributed, Humphrey-Smith added. The timing of these events two years into a Covid-19 pandemic that has been devastating for the informal economy and already cash-strapped Africans is likely no coincidence. A complete shakeup ECOWAS has drawn criticism for its imposition of tough sanctions that will disproportionately affect the poorest people in targeted countries rather than the political elite. Robert Besseling, CEO of specialist political risk firm Pangea-Risk, also noted in a report Tuesday that growing anti-French sentiment in post-colonial countries will uproot Europes counterinsurgency interests in the Sahel and create an opportunity for Russia and Turkey to step into the void. A complete shakeup of West Africas political system, international relations, and counterinsurgency strategy is on the cards, and perhaps even an economic shift away from French influence, he said. Besseling highlighted that both ECOWAS and the African Union have failed to condemn elected leaders who seek to alter their constitutions to prolong their rule. New AU Chair and Senegalese President Macky Sall has himself mooted an unconstitutional third term, and like third-term Cote dIvoire President Alassane Ouattara, staunchly opposes military transfers of power. While the trend of coups may indicate a shift in counterinsurgency strategy in the Sahel and across West Africa, the hawkish response to coups, including sanctions, asset freezes, and military interventions, will further entrench opposition to ECOWAS, the AU, and their western allies, most notably France, Besseling said. Pangea-Risk suggested that the risk of sanctions to countries deemed susceptible to coups could deter foreign investment and slow economic recoveries. Source: CNBC 10.02.2022 LISTEN President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Emmanuel Boakye Yiadom believes it is a lazy mans approach to call for the closure of tertiary institutions over the long-standing strike embarked on by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG). An education think tank, Africa Education Watch, has called for the closure of all public universities until the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) calls off its strike. The think tank says the prolonged stay of students on campuses without any academic activity will drain them financially and their guardians. According to the think tank, it has become necessary to close down all universities in view of the increasing social and economic cost of staying on campus with no academic activity, the absence of academic direction for freshmen on campus, and the apparent lack of an imminent negotiated settlement of the impasse. In an interview with Happy98.9FMs Don Kwabena Prah on the Epa Hoa Daben political talk show, the President of NUGS queried, Is this the only solution those pushing for the closure have arrived at? As at now, every student is looking for teaching and learning to start and we must look for a solution and not call for the closure of schools. Emmanuel Boakye Yiadom indicated that it is high time all bodies try to get UTAG and government arrive at a consensus and see to the end of the strike. The request for the closure of schools is uncalled for and a lazy mans approach. We should try and get the two parties to reach a compromise for academic work to go on. He believes the strike action would rather drag on indefinitely should students be asked to go home over them being in school until the impasse between UTAG and government is resolved. He proceeded to express disappointment at the Africa Education Watch for making such a suggestion. Follow us on Twitter: @happyfmghana The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Ghana (NCSSMAG) have threatened to sue government over what they say is the unlawful burning of excavators by government-deployed soldiers in the Ashanti region. The association estimates that some 50 excavators and other earthmoving equipment have been torched by soldiers in the last 2 weeks in three mining districts in the Ashanti region. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the association also accused the soldiers of the Operation Halt of extortion and targeting of certain miners to push them out of business. We are by this press release calling the attention of the Ministers for Lands and Natural Resources and Defence to the atrocities being visited on small scale miners in legal employment and demand the immediate abortion of the operation or we would be forced to employ every means possible to safeguard our investments, their statement read in part. Read below their full press release: For Immediate release 9th February 2022 Unlawful burning of excavators and extortion by government-deployed soldiers NCSSMAG to sue The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association. Ghana (NCSSMAG) wishes to express our disgust at the recent happenings in the small scale mining sector, particularly in the Ashanti region where government-deployed soldiers are embarking on an onslaught against regular and duly licensed operators. There appears to be a grand scheme to throw miners who are unwilling to part with huge sums of money to the soldiers in the Operation Halt out of business. Within the last two weeks, up to fifty (50) excavators belonging to small scale miners operating with all the requisite paperwork and within the confines of the rules of engagement have been set ablaze by Operation Halt within Obuasi, Manso and the Amansie mining areas. It is worth noting that, most of these excavators were either out of use at the times of the operations or torched away from any mining site; this suggests to us that there is a ploy to target and throw certain individuals out of business, where as heavy equipment ravaging the bellies of the forests and river bodies were ignored because, they belong to people in high places. The association has incontrovertible evidence to prove that the soldiers deployed by the government are only interested in cashing in on the operation. charging a minimum of GHC 45,000 if a miner wants to have the peace of mind to do their work. The unjustifiable burning of excavators is only a face saving strategy to cover up the extortion that the soldiers are perpetrating in the Ashanti region. We acknowledge and support any move by the government to stem the illegal mining menace bedevilling our dear country but roundly frown upon any move which threatens to undermine the gains so far made, following the moratorium of 2017. We are by this press release calling the attention of the Ministers for Lands and Natural Resources and Defence to the atrocities being visited on small scale miners in legal employment and demand the immediate abortion of the operation or we would be forced to employ every means possible to safeguard our investments. In the meantime, we wish to also announce our plans to take government on to seek legal redress in the ongoing impasse of burning of excavators and the seizure of minerals belonging to small scale miners. No amount of intimation and targeting would suffice in this brazen attempt to send the small scale mining sector back to the doldrums: we hope that the outcome of the 2020 general election still serves a great lesson to the powers that be. SIGNED Kwasi Appiah Kubi Secretary 0244167611 Stephen Arhin PRO 0208708181 Michael Kwadwo Peprah President 0248775556 10.02.2022 LISTEN President Nana Akufo-Addo, left Ghana, on Thursday, 10th February 2022, to begin a 10-day working visit to France, Guyana, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. President Akufo-Addos first port of call will be Brest, France, where, at the invitation of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, he will participate in the One Ocean Summit, to be held on Friday, 11th February, 2022. Up to 40 world leaders are due to make ambitious and concrete commitments towards combating illegal fishing, decarbonising shipping and reducing plastic pollution at what is billed as the first high-level summit dedicated to the ocean. Thereafter, the President will, at the invitation of Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, travel to Georgetown, Guyana, participate as a keynote speaker at the maiden International Energy Conference and Expo by Guyana to be held from 15th to 18th February, 2022. Ghana and Guyana are developing close working relations in the oil and gas sector. Following the visit to Guyana, he will travel to Marburg, Germany, at the invitation of KENUP Foundation, to participate, together with Presidents Macky Sall and Paul Kagame of the Republics of Senegal and Rwanda respectively, at the presentation of the BioNtech modular production facility for MRNA vaccines on Wednesday, 16th February, 2022, towards a pan-African Project for the establishment of a vaccine manufacturing plant in Africa. President Akufo-Addo will then travel to Paris, France, to meet with President Emmanuel Macron, together with other African Heads of State, on the security situation in the Sahel and Africa, in general, in the evening of 16th February, 2022. He will also participate in a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron and some Heads of State from the ECOWAS Region in the morning of 17th February 2022, to discuss the security situation in ECOWAS. After this meeting, he will travel to Brussels, Belgium, to participate in the Africa Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit to be held from 17th to 18th February, 2022, and then travel to the United Kingdom for a private visit. The President was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah; the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Kwaku Afriyie; and officials of the Presidency and Foreign Ministry. President Akufo-Addo will return to Ghana on Sunday, 20th February, and, in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead. Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, the First Deputy Speaker, presiding as Speaker, has directed that the petition from the Coalition of Concerned Ghanaians against the Electronic Transaction (E-Levy) Bill should await the Speaker, Mr Alban Bagbin, for direction. The petition was received jointly by Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Majority Chief Whip and Mr James Klutse Avedzi, the Deputy Minority Leader. The First Deputy Speaker gave the direction on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, when Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, sought to know from him whether he should be seeking to invoke Order 76 to table the Petition or that it should go to the Speaker for it to be referred, so that the content of it would be looked into much more thoroughly. Mr Speaker, because the public is watching us, we need to be responsive. So, a petition was received on your behalf by the Leadership of the House by a section of the Ghanaian public demonstrating and protesting againstthe E-levy. And they have since presented a petition to us, Mr Iddrisu said. Mr Speaker, I want your guidance on the matter, whether that I have your leave to lay the paper or you want it to walk through Right Honourable Speaker for the needed guidance? Or I come under Order 76 of our Standing Orders, Mr Speaker, for it to be looked into as a petition worth looking at. Mr Osei-Owusu noted that he requested the Leaders of the House to receive the Petition on behalf of the Speaker; saying I have looked at the Petition, and it is addressed to Mr Speaker, I think the appropriate location is to hand over to the person for which it was intended and he will give direction on how to deal with it. Mr Annoh-Dompreh said when they were receiving the Petition, he saw a significant number of the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); such as the National Chairman and the National Organiser. He reiterated that he was a bit surprised that the leadership of Concerned Ghanaians protesting against the E-Levy was full of the NDC Leadership. The 1.75 per cent E-Levy Bill has generated controversy among Ghanaians since it was announced in the 2022 Budget and Economic Policy Statement of the Government. With the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Majority Members of Parliament (MPs) supporting it, the NDC Minority MPs have vowed to vote against it. The Finance Minister is expected to withdraw the E-Levy Bill and reintroduce same on Friday, February 11, 2022. GNA 10.02.2022 LISTEN A leading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bono Region has called for urgent ministerial reshuffle within the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. According to Mr Yaw Dabie Appiah Mensah, a former regional organiser of the NPP in the then Brong-Ahafo Region, the ministerial reshuffle remained necessary, if the party was truly determined to break the eight year jinx. He said the performance of some of the ministers of state and government appointees were unsatisfactory, thereby making the government unpopular. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Odumase in the Sunyani West Municipality, he emphasised the party was determined to break the eight-year cycle and appointees whose performance could narrow the fortunes of the party in Election 2024 ought to be dropped. Mr Mensah further called on President Akufo-Addo to ensure all appointees aspiring for positions in the Party stepped down immediately since it is glaring many of the appointee-aspirants are now working to achieve their selfish political desires at the expense of the government. He said though the government had performed creditably, it was unfortunate nobody is there to sell these achievements to the masses, particularly at the grassroots to enable the voter population to make informed choices and decisions to vote for the NPP in Election 2024. We can't repeat the mistakes which nearly caused us dearly in election 2020. Election 2024 is very close, and we must do our homework well because any form of complacency would be politically-suicidal for us, Mr. Mensah stated. That notwithstanding, he commended Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare for their loyalty to the government and their high sense of patriotism and excellent human relations. I can emphatically tell you President Akufo-Addo's government is progressing, partly because of the sterling contributions of these two appointees, who are ever ready to sacrifice whatever they have for Mother Ghana. Mr Mensah explained unity within the ranks and file of the Party remained crucial at the time the NPP was preparing to hold its internal elections and urged various aspirants and their followers to be decorous in their political campaigns. We must strongly guard against tendencies that could divide us. As a strong party under a great elephant preparing for an election battle, there is the need for everybody to guard against tendencies that could put our unity in danger and consequently narrow our fortunes in the Elections, he advised. Highlighting some significant policy interventions of the government, Mr Mensah described the national digitization agenda, being spearheaded by Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as laudable, saying it had potential to propel the nation into the middle-income bracket. He said though the COVID-19 had had a huge toll on the economy, the government was doing extremely well in turning the nation's economic fortunes around, saying from all indications the economy is set to bounce strongly this year. Mr Mensah lauded the government for enhanced national security, stating that the CCTV cameras dotted around the length and breadth of the country had brought crime under control. GNA The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the National Labour Commission are back to court having failed to resolve their impasse out of court. Thursday morning meeting between UTAG and the Ministry of Education on the conditions of service of lecturers and the ongoing industrial action ended inconclusively, with UTAG and NLC rushing back to court. A High Court in Accra (Labour Division) on February 3, 2022, urged the leadership of NLC and UTAG to settle the industrial action impasse out of court. The court presided over by Justice Frank Rockson Aboadwe gave the NLC and UTAG up to February 10, 2022, to report back to the court. A source at the Ministry of Education told the Ghana News Agency that both parties could not come to an agreement and that the best option was to refer the case to court for hearing. This is after both parties had told the media that the meeting held on Tuesday, February 8 was ''fruitful.'' The UTAG on Monday, January 10, 2022, embarked on industrial action over their worsening conditions of service. The National Labour Commission, after hearing their case on Thursday, January 13, 2022, ruled that the strike be called off because it was illegal and did not follow the due process. The fifteen branches of the UTAG in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency decided to continue with their industrial action despite a directive from the NLC to call it off, which pushed the NLC to drag UTAG to court. GNA Professor Ransford Gyampo, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana and General Secretary for University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has beseeched Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu to return his e-levy designed birthday cake. He said the receipt of the cake was completely tactless considering the charged atmosphere surrounding the controversial e-levy. Upon a second thought, I am sure you will agree with me that, this particular act was a little indiscretion on your part. Do please return the cake to its sender, symbolically and lets see how we continue to dialogue to build consensus on the E-Levy, so government can get the needed resources to run. Just hold a presser to announce the symbolic return of the E-Levy Cake to its sender and deepen dialogue, he stated. In a statement copied to ModernGhana News on February 10, he noted that Majority Leaders cutting of the E-levy designed cake at his 65th plush birthday party could affect the partys 'break the 8' agenda. In my candid view, it is politically tactless to receive an E-levy cake, when youve been unable to mobilize your own majority group to pass it; and also failed in building consensus around it. Even if you wont listen to public outcry, you must be strategic in your show of insensitivity, else you will unnecessarily disturb the agenda of breaking the 8 his letter read. According to him, Majority Leader who has failed to mobilise majority of his members to push for the E-levy could have rejected the cake if indeed it was a gift from someone. He added that, as an experienced politician, you could have made the news by rejecting the cake, with an excuse of wanting to build consensus around the issues to get the E-levy passed first. Read full statement below: Thinking about the near intractable UTAG strike and how the inequities in the general salary structures in Ghana, can be tackled to assure industrial harmony for productivity. But I just saw a Green E-Levy Cake that has momentarily changed the focus of my thoughts. In my candid view, it is politically tactless to receive an E-Levy Cake, when youve been unable to mobilize your own majority group to pass it; and also failed in building consensus around it. Even if you wont listen to public outcry, you must be strategic in your show of insensitivity, else you will unnecessarily disturb the agenda of Breaking The 8. I do not believe you will procure this cake yourself. The one who procured it was not politically smart and unintentionally set you up in a trap. But as an experienced politician, you could have made the news by rejecting the cake, with an excuse of wanting to build consensus around the issues to get the e-levy passed first. The unintended implication of your acceptance of the E-Levy Cake, at a time when there are major disagreements on the matter, makes us all wrong in criticizing yesterdays dead-goat syndrome. Upon a second thought, I am sure you will agree with me that, this particular act was a little indiscretion on your part. Do please return the cake to its sender, symbolically and lets see how we continue to dialogue to build consensus on the E-Levy, so government can get the needed resources to run. Just hold a presser to announce the symbolic return of the E-Levy Cake to its sender and deepen dialogue. Yaw Gyampo A31, Prabiw PAV Ansah Street Saltpond Suro Nipa House Kubease Larteh-Akuapim Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, says Ghana will not seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, IMF, despite the current economic prevailing challenges. Mr. Ofori-Atta says government will consider home-grown solutions to deal with the difficulties because the country has what it takes to turn its ailing economy around. Speaking at the third in a series of town hall meetings in the Northern Regional Capital of Tamale on the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy), Ken Ofori-Atta maintained that government will do what is best for the country. The government despite harsh criticisms has said that the most prudent measure in the face of Ghanas ailing economy is not to go back to the IMF but rather rely on the E-levy to raise revenue domestically. I can say; we are not going to the IMF. Whatever we do, we are not. Consequences are dire, we are a proud nation, we have the resources, we have the capacity. We are not people of short-sight, but we have to move on. So let's think of who we are as strong proud people, the shining star of Africa, and we have the capacity to do whatever we want to do if we speak one language and ensure that we share the burden in the issues ahead. Currently, the national conversation has been around the government pushing through the controversial 1.75% electronic transaction levy estimated to rake in some $1 billion annually or going onto an IMF program. Some analysts have proposed seeking an IMF bailout as a better alternative amidst public disapproval of the E-levy, but the government has said it will have none of that. Others have also brushed off calls for the government to go under an IMF programme insisting that the options left for Ghana to consider are fiscal discipline, a reduction in wasteful expenditure, and the sealing of revenue leakages. We're ready to support Ghana if contacted by authorities IMF Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has stated that it is ready to support Ghana in any way deemed useful by the country's leaders amidst the economic challenges. It says Ghanaian authorities have not contacted it for any form of assistance yet. In a statement published on Twitter by IMF's Ghana country representative, Dr. Touna Mama, the IMF said Ghana's current economic woes stem from its fiscal and debt situation. Right now, Ghana's challenges stem from the fiscal and debt situation and less from the economic recovery, it said. ---citinewsroom 10.02.2022 LISTEN Investigative Journalist Manesseh Azure Awuni and others who were cited for contempt of court have filed their affidavit in opposition saying they would apologize unreserved if they were found guilty of the offence. The respondents' affidavit in opposition states that no contempt is occasioned by publications by journalists of the factual matters of the outcomes of adjudications by judicial, quasi-judicial bodies or administration actions by lawfully mandated institutions as in the circumstances of the complained reports. The respondents further stated that the six articles published were not in contempt of court but they are news reports that meet the best professional journalistic standards, ethics, constitutional and lawful limitations and that the application is intended to procure what is commonly known in jurisdictions including the United States of America as SLAPP (i.e. Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) Mr Awuni said, In the unlikely event that this Court takes the position that 1st Respondent and myself are in contempt of the Court, 1st Respondent and myself shall duly apologize unreservedly to the Court for our conduct as determined by the Court to be contemptuous of it (the Court) and shall, subject to its rights, purge itself of such contempt as directed by the Court. The Respondents contended in conclusion that the instant motion is unmeritorious, frivolous, abuse of process and same ought to be dismissed. The respondents also held that they have much respect for this Honourable Court and the due administration of justice that neither 1st Respondent, nor myself would do anything to undermine the dignity and aura of respectability in which this Court is warped or bring the administration of justice into disrepute or public ridicule. Manesseh and others namely Edwin Appiah, an Editor, Sulemana Briamah of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the MFWA as an entity had been accused of publishing highly prejudicial articles against Lighthouse Chapel International. It was the case of the applicants that, respondents had also made commentaries as well as concluded issues, which are yet to be determined by the High Court. The Lighthouse contempt application is therefore urging the court to commit the respondents to prison for contempt of Court for the publications. The contempt application stems from three separate suits initiated by six former pastors of the church, which, among other things, alleged the non-payment of their Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contibutions by the church. They are Larry Odonkor, Emmanuel Oko-Mensah, Edward Laryea, Seth Duncan, Edem Kofi Amankwah and Faith Fiakojo. The Church, in its affidavit in support that in the three defamation suits, it forewarned the respondents that the first three publication were not only defamatory but potentially in contempt of court. However despite the caution to the respondents and after being served with copies of the defamation suits, the respondents threw all caution to the wind and went ahead and published the first, second and third publication on their Facebook walls on December 25, 2021, it added. The affidavit in support said the article titled: Darkness in the Lighthouse was published 37 times between April 23, and May 1, 2021 on the respondents' Facebook wall and twitter accounts and same generated thousands of comments and shares on Facebook and other social media handles. The applicant held that by the defiant republication of the articles, the respondents sought to demonstrate to the High Court that there could be no limits to the way they practice their brand of journalism. The applicant was of the view that the conduct of the respondents' amounted to serial contempt in the highest, considering especially the repeated and defiant re-publication. The applicant said the respondents had arrogated to themselves the power of the High Court to make conclusive findings of fact and pronouncement and as well as pass judgement on issues, which were yet to be determined by the court. The case which was fixed for hearing on Monday January 31, was adjourned because the judge and the lawyers of the applicant did not have copies of the affidavit in opposition which they (respondents) had filed on January 28, this year. The respondents were served with the applications on January 13 and 14, 2022 respectively. Hearing of the contempt application is slated for Monday February 14. GNA The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has alluded that the Akufo-Addo government wants to use proceeds from the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) as dessert after squandering all of the huge monies it borrowed since it assumed power. Speaking to demonstrators on Thursday when scores of Ghanaians hit the streets of Accra to protest the E-Levy, the NDC scribe accused the ruling government of mismanaging the countrys resources. He said the resistance against the approval of the levy must continue to ensure that the government does not get the opportunity to blow more cash. They have chopped all the money and they now want to use proceeds from E-Levy as dessert. You cannot raise taxes and be using the taxes in buying birthday cakes and be teasing the rest of Ghanaians that this is what we are going to use your money for, Asiedu Nketia shared. The NDC General Secretary assured demonstrators and Ghanaians that in the unlikely event that the government goes ahead to implement the E-Levy, the next NDC government will immediately abolish it when it assumes power. In any unlikely event that this E-Levy is passed, we [NDC] will abolish it and it will be the first tax to be abolished within the first 100 days of the next NDC government because we dont see it as taxation. It is daylight robbery, Asiedu Nketia added. Having joined the demonstration today, Ningo Prampram MP Sam George alleged that the government is not interested in raising revenue to develop the country but only focused on burdening the citizenry with unbearable hardships. He told journalists, If it is about revenue, they say they want GHS6 billion, we have shown them how to raise GHS10 billion but they are not ready to do it. All they are interested in is imposing hardship on the Ghanaian people. We cannot sit down. AATF in collaboration with ISTRC and the Government of Kenya will host the 19th edition of the International Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21st to 25th November 2022. The Symposium recognized globally as a platform that bring together key stakeholders at national and international levels to foster, stimulate and support the improvement of tropical root crop production and utilization will be co-hosted by AATF and the Government of Kenya. A statement issued by AATF, the 19th ISTRC symposium Secretariat noted that: The 2022 19th ISTRC Symposium will be an excellent opportunity for those interested in root and tuber crops from around the world especially Sub-Saharan Africa, to showcase their expertise and share and compare knowledge on how they can contribute to transforming the global agri-food systems, said Dr. Emmanuel Okogbenin, AATF Director Programme Development and Commercialization. The historical process leading to the establishment of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) began in 1964 in Trinidad and Tobago. A group within the University of the West Indies conceived the idea of holding a series of crop-orientated symposia and, in view of local relevance, "Tropical Root Crops" was selected as the first topic. Since then, the symposium has moved around the globe with countries in Africa like Ghana, Nigeria hosting previous editions. Dr. Okogbenin, who is also the First Vice President of the 19th ISTRC 2022 Symposium and Chairs the Local Organizing Committee in Kenya promised that the 2022 symposium will provide a great opportunity for Africa to advance its production and utilization of tropical root crops. German Development Cooperation in Ghana in cooperation with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, officially launched their project Capacity Building for the Labour Department on Migration and Employment Promotion in Bono, Bono East and Ahafo. The project is set to enhance employment promotion, migration counselling and reintegration support services provided by Public Employment Centres in the three regions. The official launch and stakeholder engagement workshop were attended by the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Hon. Ignatius Baffour Awuah; the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Justina Owusu Banahene; the Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon. George Yaw Boakye; the Head of German Cooperation, Ms. Dorothee Dinkelaker and the GIZ Country Director, Ms. Regina Bauerochse Barbosa as well as other pertinent stakeholders. The event served to present the project to the public and bring together actors from educational, private, administrative, civil society, media and academic sectors to engage and forge alliances to tackle unemployment challenges jointly. The project is funded by the German Government with an overall budget of 3 million euros. The main goal of this joint project is to support and equip the Regional Labour Offices and Public Employment Centres (PECs) of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions to become well-equipped, sustainable, and effectively operation units that can provide advisory services, counseling, career guidance and as well as implement active labour market interventions for the local population, potential (labour) migrants and returning migrants. In delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Hon. Ignatius Baffour Awuah charged the youth of Bono, Bono East and Ahafo to seize the opportunity being provided by this project. He encouraged the youth to venture into entrepreneurship thereby creating their own businesses and realizing their unique ideas. In his words, the Bono project is of utmost importance because it will create an opportunity for returning migrants to access local opportunities for reintegration and further strengthen the region for the implementation of interventions relating to labour migration and employment promotion. He added that the government is ware of the vast opportunities that exist for jobs, skills transfers, and revenue mobilisation for the country. He added that the government is aware of the vast opportunities that exist for jobs, skills transfers, and revenue mobilisation for the country. The Head of the German Cooperation, Ms Dorothee Dinkelaker highlighted that job creation and employment promotion, particularly for the youth is at the core of German- Ghanaian cooperation and to this end, she welcomed the broad engagement of stakeholders as an essential prerequisite. On her part, the GIZ Ghana Country Director, Ms Regina Bauerochse Barbosa emphasized that to address the root cause of irregular migration, it is key to address job creation and employment promotion challenges. She reiterated that to this end GIZ has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, in the course of which 60.000 employment promotion measures have already been provided. The Bono Regional Minister, Hon Justina Owusu-Banahene also highlighted the common communal challenge of irregular migration in the erstwhile Brong Ahafo Region and emphasized her keenness to readily discuss and strategize in a bid to tackle the common plight. She further pledged her unwavering support for the project. The second day of the event saw reports and studies presented on an evaluation of the labour market and stakeholder situation in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions as well as on the public perception of the Labour Department. These studies will serve as crucial contribution to an informed discussion on capacitating the employment promotion structures in the regions and identifying relevant priorities. The workshop proved that there is great potential in the stakeholder and partner system in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions which can be tapped into to create jobs and economic prospects for the youth. The official launch and stakeholder engagement infused novel perspectives and active partnerships into this system. ECOWAS Experts in charge of Science and Technology are meeting in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, from 8 to 10 February 2022, to validate the draft 2018/2019 regional report on Science, Technology and Innovation. The meeting, which is being held in plenary to further reflect on and enrich the report with additional country information in order to have an inclusive report, is attended by experts from ECOWAS Member States, notably from Ministries in charge of Science and Technology, as well as ECOWAS Commission staff. Scientific research and innovation is one of the main areas of interest in Africa's development agenda and their contributions to the economic and social progress of our countries are widely known. Research contributes to solving the problems of society. While some ECOWAS countries call it scientific research and innovation, some countries describe research and innovation as science and technology. The importance of Science and Technology has been emphasised in the revised ECOWAS Treaty (Art 27) and in a number of documents adopted by the Heads of State and Government, in particular the ECOWAS Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation ( ECOPOST) and its 2013-2017 Action Plan (Supplementary Act A/SA.2/06/12). ECOPOST, through its Strategic Area 8 (Activities 8.1.1 to 8.1.5), places emphasis on improving regional and international cooperation. It is with this in mind that the ECOWAS Experts Meeting on Science and Technology has been convened since 2014, to evaluate the implementation of ECOPOST and validate the regional report on science and technology activities carried out by countries. ECOWAS produced the first report on science and technology with the collaboration of Member States in 2017. In 2020, the ECOWAS Commission called for reports from countries on their activities for the years 2018 and 2919. In order to come up with a regional report, an independent consultant has been recruited to collate information from the country reports and other sources (reports from other organisations) to finalise the regional report. The aim of the meeting of country experts currently taking place in Abidjan is to validate the report, with a view to making it an official report for the West African region. ---ECOWAS On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let us recognize significant progress. According to UNESCO Science Report 2021 , one in three researchers in science globally is a woman. In Africa, 30% of science professionals are women and female enrolment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses is rising. Yet women and girls are still underrepresented. Globally, only 12% of the members of science academies are women and they comprise only a quarter (28%) of tertiary graduates in engineering and 40% of computer sciences graduates. In Africa, the share of women fellows of the African Academy of Sciences is only 17%. Ghana follows this trend; only 14% of all students attending university are female and women made up 26% of PhD graduates in 2018. This gender disparity is reflected in the leadership of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Academy has only had 3 women Presidents out of 20 in the 52-year history of the Academy. More needs to be done to bridge the countrys gender gap in science. Women in science are real agents of change. They are already helping countries to accelerate achievement of all SDGs. Take the example of Prof Esi Ewuah, a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences and one of only three female fellows from Ghana. A winner of many awards, Prof Ewuahs innovative research projects in engineering and science have helped to improve the environment, water, and sanitation in the country. Quakyi Isabella Akyinbah, a leading Bioscientist and Mary Chinery-Hesse are the other two fellows of the African Academy of Sciences from Ghana having blazed the trail and made significant impact in their respective fields. Given the opportunity, women and girls can effectively contribute to development by providing solutions and fresh perspectives to existing challenges. Take the example of Miishe Addy and Regina Honu of Ghana who are among Africas female innovators of 2021. Mishes organisation uses digital technology to address shipping challenges on the continent, making trade more efficient and predictable and in turn providing income earning opportunities for thousands of people. Reginas institution equips talented young women with the technical and soft skills required to land jobs in technology as a means of reducing the gender gap in the industry. Educating girls in STEM enables them to achieve their potential and play an effective role in addressing development challenges. At 20 years of age, Janet Kekesi is on the way to achieving her dream of becoming a top-notch engineer (UNDP story). She is currently an operating technician working at Ghanas first mini-hydro power plant in Tsatsadu. Having more Janets calls for starting young, targeting women, and investing more in women-led research. By starting young, we can encourage, equip, and mentor girls through initiatives such as the Miss Geek Africa/ Miss Geek Ghana to inspire girls to take up STEM courses and careers. Working with the Ministry of Communications, the Miss Geek Ghana competition provides young (13-21 years) female software app developers with business training and financial support to develop their socially innovative projects, addressing various challenges in Ghanaian society. Secondly, we must support women in science, to stay in science. Working with academic institutions and employers, it is possible to provide professional support to women scientists through scholarships, mentoring programmes and gender-friendly policies so that women thrive. Finally, lets invest more in women-led innovations and fund womens research to raise the level of venture capital directed towards women-founded start-ups from the current 2% globally (UNESCO Science Report 2021). Having more women in science is a key driver for the achievement of Africas commitment to power sustainable development through science technology and innovation as captured in the African Unions Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024. This is echoed in Ghanas own National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (2017-22). UNDP is committed to supporting the participation of women as innovators and active contributors to sustainable development. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebrated annually on February 11th is a unique opportunity to rally our efforts, Together, we can narrow the gender gap in this field that is central to achieving the SDGs. Lets start by honouring our leading women in science who are already making a significant contribution and invest in attracting and retaining more women in science so we can transform Africa. Women leaders in the science field, especially those with a seat at the table, have an opportunity to exert their influence and power to encourage a levelling of the playing field and open doors for the next generation of female scientists. The writer is the Resident Representative of UNDP in Ghana. Calling private crypto-currencies a threat to the macroeconomic and financial stability of the country, Shaktikanta Das, governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has warned investors to keep in mind that they are investing at their own risk. Speaking with media after the monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting, Mr Das says, I have spelt out the Reserve Banks stand before too. Our position is very clear. Private cryptocurrency is a big threat to Indias macroeconomic and financial stability. It will undermine the Reserve Banks ability to deal with issues of financial stability. Warning investors of private cryptocurrencies, the RBI governor says, crypto does not have an underlying, not even a Tulip. The finance ministers (FMs) decision to impose a 30% tax on profits from crypto transactions and 1% tax deduction at source (TDS) was seen as legalising crypto-currency in India. Read: Governments Ambiguity Has Created Space To Mislead Crypto Traders ) It also opened the doors to a deliberate and cynical attempt by the crypto industry to mislead the gullible. Founders of crypto exchanges, miners, influencers and public relations (PR) companies are out in force declaring that a decision to tax equals legalising crypto; especially since it was accompanied by the announcement that the RBI will launch its digital currency this year. There is also a misguided social media petition lobbying for a reduction in tax which is approvingly re-circulated among blind followers. ( Speaking about the digital rupee, the RBI governor says there is no expected timeline for the rollout of central bank digital currency (CBDC). As announced in the Budget 2022-23, we are proceeding according to that. We cannot hurry. We are proceeding carefully and cautiously because of the inherent risks of counterfeiting and cyber security, he said. During the press briefing, T Rabisankar, deputy governor of RBI, explained that the digital rupee or CBDC is just like a physical rupee. He says, It is 1 to 1 convertible with physical money. Rather than keeping it in a physical wallet, a digital rupee can be kept in an electronic device. There is no difference between physical and digital rupee. According to the deputy governor, RBI has been working on the CBDC for the past one and a half to two years. RBI Act will be amended to enable issuance of the digital rupee. Only after that the pilots and proof of concepts for the CBDC will be rolled out and tested. As announced in the budget, CBDC will be introduced this year, he added. The difference between the digital rupee and crypto-currency is that RBI will issue the digital rupee, whereas crypto-currency is issued by private players. Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul on Wednesday expressed his discontent at investors, duped in a case, sending messages on WhatsApp group, of which he is a part. "I don't want to receive WhatsApp messages concerning the case. Someone sneaks into my groups and leaves messages...", Justice Kaul told Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju. Pointing out that someone sent a message seeking justice to the group, the judge added: "We don't want to get into all of this." The top court was hearing an appeal filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in the Heera Gold Exim case, where the firm is allegedly accused of collecting Rs 5,600 crore deposits from investors. The top court emphasised that the people who have been duped by the firm should refrain from adopting these tactics. The bench, also comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh, also expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress in the SFIO probe, especially in connection with the delay in forensic lab reports. The top court observed that it has been two years and the SFIO is unable to decode evidence due to lack of forensic labs, therefore, its sympathy then lies with the accused. The bench added that many courts have already noted the scarcity of forensic labs and pointed out that the SFIO is a premier investigative agency, yet it faces such situations. "Number of courts have expressed views on inadequacy of the number of forensic labs and it remains unaddressed," it said. Concluding the hearing in the matter, the bench expressed concern over the investors sending WhatsApp messages to them seeking justice. "We appreciate the endeavour but this is not the way to seek justice," added the bench. The top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on March 15. The director of the private firm was granted interim bail by the top court and it was further extended in March last year. The private firm is accused of duping many investors, after luring them to invest in gold saving schemes. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. Since FY19-20, Rs58,188.53 crore were collected as user fee at the toll plazas of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Union government told the Rajya Sabha. Further, since January 2020, about 1.25mn (million) users have received refunds for incorrect deductions by FASTag, In a written reply, Nitin Gadkari, Union minister of road transport and highways, says, Over 4.59 crore FASTags have been issued till 31 January 2022. As of 5 February 2022, around 12.5 lakh refund cases have been facilitated to FASTag users for incorrect deductions since January 2020. From April 2019 to January 2022, a total of Rs58,188.53 crore is collected as user fees through FASTag on national highways, the minister says. According to Mr Gadkari, under the FASTag programme, refunds are processed after scrutiny and validation by the respective issuer bank, based on the evidence or supporting details provided by stakeholders, such as fee plaza operators, concessionaires, acquirer banks, and system integrator. FASTag is a device that employs radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion. To reduce or eliminate any incorrect deduction via FASTag at user fee plazas, NHAI undertook various measures, including near-real-time processing of FASTag transactions with the implementation of application programming interface (API)-based protocol (interface control document -ICD 2.5). This shall enable instant SMS to FASTag users on any transaction carried out at fee plazas on national highways, the minister says in a written reply. Dr Amar Patnaik, a member of Parliament (MP), had asked for information on toll collection through FASTag. Replying to one of the MPs questions, Mr Gadkari says, as of 5 February 2022, about 80% of the FASTag transactions are processed as per API-ICD 2.5 specifications. Earlier in March last year, Moneylife had highlighted how FASTag user complaints were not getting resolved. Advocate Pravin Wategaonkar, a Mumbai-based activist, who has filed several cases against the tolls on highways, had told Moneylife that the dispute of wrong deduction at toll plazas arises due to delay in receiving the transaction SMS. Read: FASTag Wrong Deductions: Why Complaints Are Not Getting Resolved Sooner? ) In my personal experience, though, FASTag toll deducted SMS is received about 20-30 minutes after crossing the toll booth. If it is instantly received, it could be shown to the booth operator as proof of deduction. This would pre-empt any dispute in the first place, he had said. ( Read: FASTag: Rs1.19 Lakh Crore Toll Collected From Commuters in the Past Five Years ) As reported by Moneylife, various agencies involved in toll collection through FASTag earn 4% as program management fee. To implement electronic toll collection (ECS) through FASTag, a program management fee (percentage of ECS transaction value) of 1.50%, 1.25%, 0.25% and 1% was approved for the issuer bank, acquirer bank, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Indian Highways Management Co Ltd (IHMCL), respectively, for the period up to 31 March 2021, Mr Gadkari had told the upper house in December 2021. ( You may also want to read... The settlement involving the different branches of the TVS family was consummated recently as the national company law tribunal (NCLT) passed the relevant orders. Since the parties to the settlement were the private (unlisted) companies of the TVS group, little beyond the news releases issued by the different branches of the family exist in the public domain. Hence, it is quite possible that some inaccuracy in understanding or appreciation of the impact may pervade this article, which, though undesirable, is inevitable. The settlement was purportedly to get the shareholdings of the large conglomerate reorganised to rest with the relevant branches of the four sub families involved. For the sake of convenience, these are identified as the families of TS Rajam (deceased), TS Krishna (deceased), TS Srinivasan (deceased), and TS Santhanam (deceased). The children of the respective branches head the relevant parts of the group and there, perhaps, exists a further sub group where the children of the above four may have worked out their respective domains. Historically, the shareholdings of the various operating companies in the TVS group largely rested with the three holding companies, viz., TVS and Sons, Sundaram Industries and Southern Roadways. Based on publicly available information, the three above-mentioned companies have coalesced into a single entity as step-1 and, quite likely, the shares of all the companies consolidated in this process were further split into independent holding companies representing the different families, a minimum of four or more, depending on the number of sub-groups that the public is not privy to. appointed dates for the restructuring. Going by certain past cases, it is likely that the restructuring was a composite one with an initial consolidation of the three former holding companies and a later split, family-wise. It is not clear how the segregation was achieved; but it is reasonable to speculate that a split off like a demerger would have been the route for this purpose. A news from The Hindu refers to different appointed dates for the restructuring. Going by certain past cases, it is likely that the restructuring was a composite one with an initial consolidation of the three former holding companies and a later split, family-wise. As a consequence, one of the new family holding companies that emerged appears to be TVS Holdings Pvt Ltd, relevant to the family controlling Sundaram Clayton Ltd and its satellite and subsidiary companies. Going by the market data, this cluster has the highest value compared to any other cluster pertaining to the other families. TVS Motor alone has a market-cap of about Rs31,000 crore (as on 8 February 2022), while Sundaram Clayton holds around 53%. As a comparison, the second most valuable company in the group, Sundaram Fastners, has market-cap of about Rs17,600 crore. So, the family getting control of the TVS Motor and Sundaram Clayton cluster is most likely to be paying a cash value to the other families. These steps would be outside any publicly available document as this would be a private arrangement among the family members. What fuels the above speculation is the fact that Sundaram Clayton, during the second quarter 2022, had booked a sum of Rs1,494 crore as exceptional profits. However, there was little in terms of disclosure by the company about the reason for selling a block of 5.14% in TVS Motor that resulted in this profit. Presumably, it was to keep the powder dry to complete the cash settlement as and when the final tribunal order was received, approving the corporate side of the reorganisation. However, the amount is trapped in Sundaram Clayton (SCL), a listed entity with 25% public shareholding. Hence, forthwith on receipt of the formal order, the board of directors of the company in the meeting held on 9 February 2022 have come up with a very novel and complex scheme which is the reason for this article. SCL is an operating company with its core business in castings and automobile parts and incidentally holds valuable stake of 53% in TVS Motor. The details as available about the decision of the board of directors as reported by The Hindu BusinessLine , are examined here for the implications of the decision. Read: Corporates in Cross Roads of Candour in Communication ) While, apparently, the announcement seeks to create an excitement that surplus cash is proposed to be shared with all shareholders, there are other components to the proposal that tickles ones curiosity. To set the record straight, the surplus under consideration is essentially the amount of approximately Rs1,500 crore realised on the sale of TVS Motor shares in the second quarter of the current year, which was hardly explained beyond a note that the amount was exceptional in nature.( However, the manner of distribution proposed is not a simple special dividend or a pro rata buy-back of shares. Rather, it involves the issue of non-convertible redeemable preference shares as bonus shares. These shares will have a two-year tenure and would be redeemed in February 2024. It is quite strange to ferret out such an outmoded idea that a few companies have adopted in the past either as preference share or debenture as a bonus issue to commemorate special occasions. A company with cash on hand and wanting to dispose it does not need such a convoluted way to distribute it. A possible reason could be that some clever tax advice may have triggered this, with the view that a buyback or a dividend would attract a higher rate of tax but the disposal of listed security like a preference share may suffer a slightly lower tax. It is most unlikely that any of the recipients of the preference share would wish to hold on till maturity as it may get a minuscule return, and instead liquidate it in the market at a discount and get cash in hand. In effect, the discount may equal or exceed the tax difference and leave one none the richer in the process! But the subject doesnt end here. The announcement also talks of a merger of some private companies and most intriguingly the demerger of the entire operating business of SCL! This is stranger than the route considered to return the excess cash to the investors. The merger of TVS Holdings Ltd and VS Investments Pvt Ltd being the promoter holding companies is understandable as these are, perhaps, the two new entities formed as part of the family reorganisation and hold the capital of SCL. The promoters may legitimately wish to simplify the holding structure to avoid a step holding involving multiple tiers. However, if the two amalgamating companies that received the shares in the demerger become subject to any adverse tax proceedings which the tax department may initiate regarding the entire exercise, viewing it to be non-tax neutral, the public shareholders with their 25% holding would get entangled in such tax demands. The other bigger question is: Why demerge the entire operating business of SCL; what would the residual SCL hold? While the author may be accused of jumping the gun and not awaiting the finer details, it is not unreasonable to conclude that the design seems to be to ring-fence the 53% holding in TVS Motor in the residual entity, essentially making it an investment company with 75% promoter holding and 25% public holding. This has been the situation in many cases across the country where historically operating-cum-shareholding companies were demerged and new shell entities that merely hold shares in a down-stream entity were formed. A question may legitimately be raised about why this is objectionable? Market data shows that such holding companies suffer a big discount in valuation and the case of how the Bajaj family effectively used that route to augment its holding in its operating companies is already explained in the article given in the link. The Racing Pulsar !! - by Ranganathan V (substack.com) Clearly, the public shareholders will, over time, be forced to exit at sub-optimal valuation and the promoters will have the luxury of time to consolidate their holding indirectly in TVS Motor. And this very group has the distinction of using this mode in an earlier restructuring that involved certain other group company shares (designated as a non-automotive business), which was effected on 7 July 2011. Though the resulting company, namely, Sundaram Investments Ltd, was unlisted, there were some public shareholders who stayed put and, finally, by resorting to a hitherto untested procedure under Section 236 of the Companies Act 2013, all the non-promoter family shareholders were squeezed out sometime in 2021 or so. The group normally expands its abbreviation as Trust, Value and Service. It would be best that the misconceived reorganisation be revisited and the independent directors come out with a detailed explanation for the reasons for favouring this proposal. Will the independent directors suggest that the residual SCL holding the shares of TVS Motor should merge into the latter so that the shareholders of SCL will directly own TVS Motor than through a layered structure? Is good governance really feasible in promoter-owned companies? Swap batteries, of course. Why, what did you think? OK, lets be serious. Alternatives to oil are aplenty. Prime minister Narendra Modi-ji wants green hydrogen, Union minister Nitin Gadkari-ji promotes bio-fuel, Tata is making batteries. (Unfortunately, nobody wants hybrid vehicles, despite 50%-60% better fuel economy with minimal cost and little investment.) The Union finance minister (FM) now saysswap batteries. Let us see how that works. Batteries are expensive and heavy. Just 1 KWH (stores one unit of electricity) costs $US100+ internationally and weighs over 4kg. Electric vehicle (EV) car batteries are big. Tata Nexon EVs 30.2 KWH, 125+ kg battery pack gives 300+ km range, but needs a mini-crane for handling. You cannot pop into a service station, swap battery, and pop out. Besides, the batterys best location is under the cars floor (for low centre of gravity). Not easy to move it in and out. So, swapping batteries on electric cars is out. Two-wheelers, then? OLA scooter (3 KWH battery, 100+ km per 56-hour charge) costs Rs1 lakh (with subsidy). A comparable petrol scooter cost around Rs70,000. Even without an engine and gearbox (costlier than an electric motor plus controller), an electric two-wheeler costs around Rs30,000 more. So, let us say Rs35,000 for the battery. Now comes the crux. The raison d'etre of an electric vehicle is low running cost (and saving the environment, of course). A petrol scooter costs Rs2 per km (50kmplkilometre per litrein town). An electric scooter costs Rs0.30 per km (100km on 3 units @ Rs10 per unit), and almost zero maintenance cost. The problem: expensive battery = bigger up-front cost. You get low running cost because of higher initial cost. Let us call in the finance chap. His solution: battery-less two-wheeler. The buyer rents a charged battery, uses it, and swaps it for another charged battery - ad infinitum. Two questions: Who pays for the battery? How much rental for a charged battery? First questioneasy. Many financiers are availablebanks, leasing companies, consumer finance companies, even oil companies. There is fierce competition for selling two-wheeler loans. Funding rental batteries is no different. Besides, the borrower is a company, not an individual; hence, the loan is probably safer than an auto loan. How much money is involved? In 2019, 21mn (million) new two-wheelers were sold in India. COVID dropped it to 15mn, but 20mn a year seems reasonable, going forward. If half of these are battery-less electric two-wheelers, we have 10mn units, i.e., Rs35,000 crore per year for batteries. Quite a manageable amount, actually. New two-wheeler loans amount to over Rs60,000 crore annually. Another Rs35,000 crore will be an opportunity, not a problem. Now, the running cost. OLA gives a three year, unlimited km guarantee for the battery. So let us assume that a battery lasts three years. Daily charge and discharge would mean about 1,100 cycles over three years quite reasonable. Here are the numbers: Rs35,000 - 3 years - 12% per annum (pa) = Rs1,162 per month (pm), say Rs40 a day. Add 25% (Rs10) to this, to cover additional batteries as revolving stock. Add charging cost (Rs30). Add Rs20 for overheads and profit, and you reach Rs100. Say, you run your electric scooter 50km a day, and swap a battery every two days. For 100km of running - electric Rs100, petrol (2 liters) Rs200+, for the same initial cost, around Rs65,000. A no-brainer, right? One moment. If the scooterist keeps the battery for several days, the battery does not get turned around and the battery rental company gets less income. But then the battery undergoes less charge and discharge cycles, and lasts longer than three years and, hence, more rentals. Besides, there are possibilities of savings, e.g.: Indigenous batteries will be cheaper than imports. Rs10 per unit of electricity is on the high side. If recharging is done at night using cheaper power, or wind or solar power , the cost will be lower. 12% interest on funding is a bit high. Another good news: the infrastructure is simple and cheap. There is no need for numerous charging stations, plus huge space to accommodate vehicles when charging for 6-8 hours. Existing petrol pumps can set up charging stations that will charge hundreds of batteries at a time while occupying very little space. Also, one person can carry a two-wheeler battery weighing less than 20kg. At a service station, a two-wheeler arrives, its battery is disconnected and removed, a charged battery put in and connected, and off it goes time comparable to filling petrol. Of course, there must be standards in place. For example: Batteries must be standardised in size, and power. All electric two-wheelers must use the standard battery. Safety norms are required. Lithium-ion batteries tend to explode remember the Boeing Dreamliner? Worn-out batteries must be safely trashed. Probably this is what the FM meant by 'battery swapping policy.' The business model must be thought through as well. The company that owns the battery must get its rental regardless of where the battery is returned for swapping. Not too difficult, maybe thus: Give each battery a bar-coded unique serial number. Set up an online system connecting all service stations to a central MIS, also link it to payment platforms. For each transaction, scan the serial number of the charged battery, note the vehicles number, and collect the money from the customer. The MIS divides the income between the battery owner and the service station. Finally, will battery swapping help the nation? Yes, provided the batteries are largely indigenous and are charged by renewable electricity. But if we burn imported coal to charge imported batteries No. What about cars, trucks, buses etc? Ah well Modi-ji and Gadkari-ji will come to the rescue, no doubt. Next Budget, Madam FM? Several products marketed as non-drowsy contain an ingredient that causes drowsiness, lawsuits in the US claim. For consumers in need of cold and flu relief that doesnt knock them out or make them feel sluggish, non-drowsy claims are, shall we say, nothing to sneeze at. But according to a recent trend in class-action litigation, several over-the-counter flu and cold medicines marketed as non-drowsy contain an ingredient that causes drowsiness. For consumers in need of cold and flu relief that doesnt knock them out or make them feel sluggish, non-drowsy claims are, shall we say, nothing to sneeze at. But according to a recent trend in class-action litigation, several over-the-counter flu and cold medicines marketed as non-drowsy contain an ingredient that causes drowsiness. Consumers want to take over-the-counter drug products that help them feel better, but also allow them to be active, either for work or they desire to maintain control of their senses, states a lawsuit filed against Walmart earlier this month. Walmarts Equate brand of cold and flu products is one of several OTC medicines marketed as non-drowsy that contain the snooze-inducing ingredient dextromethorphan hydrobromide, or DXM, lawsuits allege. Other brands include DayQuil , marketed by Procter & Gamble, and Robitussin, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. Walgreens and CVS have also been accused of falsely marketing medicines as non-drowsy. All of the lawsuits were filed during the peak of flu season , which has coincided with a surge in Omicron coronavirus cases. Several of the lawsuits cite an entry for dextromethorphan on the government-run health information site Medline Plus , which lists drowsiness as a possible side effect. Other side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, according to the site. The non-drowsy claims generally appear on the front label of products. The lawsuit against Procter & Gamble alleges: By prominently labeling these products as Non-Drowsy, Defendant led Plaintiff and other reasonable consumers to believe that the Non-Drowsy DayQuil Products do not cause drowsiness, and that drowsiness is not a side effect of those products. But the truth is that products containing DXM and thus the Non-Drowsy DayQuil Products do cause drowsiness, and that drowsiness is a common side effect of DXM. While the government continues with its promise to provide employment to an increasing number of people, during the past three years, till 2020, more than 25,200 people died by suicide, the Union government told the Rajya Sabha. Further, during the same period, 17,299 farmers and cultivators have died by suicide, the government told the Lok Sabha. The government does not have data for 2021, which witnessed the most severe second wave of COVID that affected the livelihood of crores of people. Citing data shared by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Nityanand Rai, minister of state for home affairs, says, As per the information published by NCRB, suicides due to unemployment and bankruptcy or indebtedness during the year 2018, 2019 and 2020 are 25,231. NCRB compiles and publishes information on deaths due to suicides in its publication Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI). However, NCRBs published report is available till 2020, the minister says. Separately, Ajay Kumar Mishra, minister of state for home affairs, told the Lok Sabha that as per the ADSI report, 17,299 farmers and cultivators have died by suicide from 2018 to 2020. Rajya Sabha members of Parliament (MPs) Chaudhary Sukhram Singh Yadav, Chhaya Verma, and Vishambhar Prasad Nishad, had asked for information on suicides due to financial crisis and steps taken by the government to deal with such problem. Responding on the steps taken by the government, Mr Rai said, To address the burden of mental disorders, the government is implementing the national mental health programme (NMHP) and is supporting implementation of the district mental health programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 692 districts of the country. The mental health programme aims to provide suicide prevention services, work place stress management, life skills training and counselling in schools and colleges; mental health services including prevention, promotion and long-term continuing care at different levels of district healthcare delivery system and promote community awareness and participation in the delivery of mental healthcare services, he added. The minister also informed the upper house about a number of programmes for employment and income generation for the citizens. These include Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), National Career Service (NCS) Project, Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) with substantial outlays. Since the COVID pandemic, India has recorded over 4.25 crore cases with 507,000 deaths. On the evening of 24 March 2020, the Union government ordered a nationwide lock-down for 21 days, limiting the movement of the entire 1.38 billion (138 crore) population as a preventive measure against COVID-19. The lock-down remained in place till 30 May 2020. However, restrictions on movement remained in place across the country. Due to the lock-down, more than 350 deaths were reported as of 10 May 2020, with reasons ranging from starvation, suicide, exhaustion, road and rail accidents, police brutality and denial of timely medical care. Among the reported deaths, most were among the marginalised migrants and labourers. The Supreme Court, on Thursday, directed the Madhya Pradesh High Court to reinstate forthwith the woman Additional District Judge (ADJ) who had resigned from service in 2014 alleging sexual harassment by a High Court judge. A division bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and BR Gavai held the resignation tendered by the woman ADJ not voluntary and thus set aside the acceptance of resignation. The bench also directed that the judge would be entitled to her seniority but she would not be given back wages. On December 15, 2017, a three-member Judges Inquiry Committee [JIC] set up by the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, comprising the then-Supreme Court judge Justice R. Banumathi, the then Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court Manjula Chellur, and senior advocate K.K. Venugopal, to probe into charges of sexual harassment alleged by the woman judge against the then judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court Justice S. K. Gangele, found, in its 135-page report, that the woman judges transfer from Gwalior district to Sidhi district was punitive. The transfer committee committed an irregularity on solely relying on the recommendation of district judge Kamal Singh Thakur and without making any verification or enquiring on the same, was not justified in transferring the complainant in mid-session. Equally unjustifiable was the rejection of her representations. Transfer of the complainant also does not seem to be in the interest of the administration and, in our view, it was punitive, the Committee said in its report. The ADJ was transferred from Gwalior, a category A city to Sidhi, a category C city, in violation of the Transfer Guidelines of the High Court. These guidelines also make provision for the deferment of a judicial officers transfer, if they have a daughter studying in the final year of school or university, and the said educational institution does not have any hostel facility. At the relevant time of her transfer, the ADJ had a daughter studying in the XIIth standard, and the school did not have hostel facilities. The JIC held that although the charge of sexual harassment was not proved beyond reasonable doubt, the transfer was irregular, hurried, and punitive. It also recommended that she has to be reinstated if she so wishes. Following the report of the JIC, the ADJ on December 21, 2017 made a representation to the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking her reinstatement. At a full court meeting of the high court, the representation to reinstate her was rejected. In 2018, the woman judge moved the Supreme Court seeking her job back, raising the question of the forced resignation by her following her complaint of sexual harassment against a sitting judge of the High Court. In her petition, the woman judge has argued that she was forced to put in her papers as a consequence of her being unlawfully and in a mala fide manner transferred to a conflict area for not bowing to the immoral demands of a Madhya Pradesh High Court judge. She contended her resignation was forceful dismissal. In addition, she argued that she was made to choose between her duties as a judicial officer and the career of her daughter. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, who has been representing the woman judge, had argued that a resignation given under duress and coercion, while working in a hostile work environment, cannot be voluntary. During the previous hearings, she pointed out to the multiple attempts that had been made by the ADJ before she resigned, in the form of her representations along with her efforts to meet with the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh high court in hope of a solution so that the education of her daughter was not compromised. Jaising argued that such forced resignation is to be deemed termination because there was a breach of the implied mutual trust and confidence between an employer and an employee. Such resignation, Jaising contended, cannot be held to be voluntary, but rather due to the behaviour of the employer. Jaising also pointed out that the State was to be a model employer, and that the State had violated her right to non-discrimination based on sex and her right to work in an environment free from sexual harassment. Acting on her plea, on February 13, 2019, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices A.K. Sikri, S. Abdul Nazeer and M.R. Shah directed the full court of the Madhya Pradesh High Court to reconsider the reinstatement of the petitioner. However, the High Court decided against her reinstatement. It was of the view that the petitioner voluntarily tendered the resignation and the same was accepted, leading to irrevocable severance of the relationship of the employee and the employer. The matter came up for hearing again on February 12, 2020, before a bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India [CJI] S.A. Bobde, when he orally asked the High Courts lawyer and the petitioners lawyer to sit and discuss the matter to arrive at a settlement, and directed for the matter to be listed on March 3, 2020. The matter thereafter was heard on July 17, 2020, when the High Court informed the Supreme Court that reinstatement would not be possible. CJI Bobde had then suggested that she could be reinstated and sent to some other state without claiming any dues for the intervening period, and maintaining her seniority. The petitioner agreed to this suggestion. However, the high courts views remained the same that the petitioner could not be reinstated. The Court then finally heard the matter on merits last week. In his submission, the Solicitor General of India [SG], Tushar Mehta, for the High Court, argued that mere irregularity in the transfer cannot be a ground to claim that she was tormented, and had to resign. Even if the transfer order was mala fide, can she be allowed to stigmatize the entire institution, he asked. She had remedies available after the transfer. Her impulsive reaction cant be a ground to invite apex courts intervention, he told the court. Judicial officers are discharging sovereign functions; they cant be compared with workmen Judicial officers cant take impulsive decisions (like resignation on account of transfer), he added. The SG then asked what prevented the petitioner to make all the allegations, such as coercion, intolerable pressure, and so on, prior to her resignation. She had the opportunity to vent her problems when she called on senior judges, he suggested. Elaborating further, the SG asked the bench to follow the reasonable person acting test, while examining the allegation of coercion. He, therefore, suggested that the egoist how dare you test cannot be applied in this case. The test to be applied, he submitted, should not be that of an impulsive, hyper-sensitive and arrogant individual. Allegations like coercion and intolerable pressure can stigmatize the entire institution of the judiciary, he added. Nicole Wanago Nicole Wanago, instructor in the Department of Health and Human Development, received the Provosts Award for Exemplary Service and Fidelity to the Public Land Grant Mission of Montana State University. The award is given to a faculty member whose efforts beyond the MSU campus transform lives and communities in support of the peoples interest. It includes a $2,000 honorarium. Wanago is known as a well-respected, hard-working faculty member who exhibits a tireless commitment to innovative teaching, transformational learning experiences and educational access to students across Montana. Award nominators say that Wanago is passionate about creating transformational learning experiences for her MSU students while simultaneously developing statewide collaborations that ultimately serve the youth and teachers of the state of Montana. For example, for the past several years in her family life education class, Wanago has embedded within the curriculum an opportunity for her students to engage in service learning. As part of the opportunity, community partners identify an educational need for the populations they serve and are then paired with MSU students to create educational and outreach materials to meet the need. The approach contributes to the universitys vision of using teaching practices that transform lives and communities in the peoples interest, nominators wrote. Wanago has also developed strong partnerships with the Montana Office of Public Instruction and with a national career and technical student organization for middle school and high school students called the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. That organization hosts an annual conference for hundreds of middle school and high school students across the state, and Wanago identified the conference as an opportunity to connect attendees with MSU and introduce them to career possibilities that come with higher education. Accordingly, she worked with the organization, its partners and the university to begin holding the conference at MSU during the universitys spring break. Nicole exemplifies and has advanced the MSU mission of the public land-grant institution by using innovative approaches to teaching that support students, individuals, agencies and schools, her nominators wrote. She has made systematic and dedicated collaborative innovation efforts that benefit Montana State University, the state of Montana and the field of family and consumer sciences. Weather Alert ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO MIDNIGHT MDT TUESDAY NIGHT FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 6000 FEET... * WHAT...Snow expected, mainly for elevations above 6000 feet. Total snow accumulations of 2-4 inches at the passes along the Montana-Idaho border, with higher amounts at higher elevations. * WHERE...Beaverhead, Gallatin and Madison Counties. * WHEN...From Midnight tonight to Midnight MDT Tuesday Night. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A heavy band of snowfall may pivot through the area late tonight and early Tuesday. This band of snowfall could bring heavy snow to the valley floors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or visiting the MDT Road Report website. To see a graphical representation of the degree of stress on young livestock please visit our webpage and select Local Programs then Cold Air Advisory for Newborn Livestock. && (BPT) - When improving your health and wellness, its essential to take care of your eyes too. For African Americans, this is especially important because of increased risk factors for eye disease and vision loss. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma a disease that damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss is three times more likely to occur in African Americans. The risks of glaucoma are magnified further when you consider that the disease strikes, on average, 10 years earlier and progresses faster among African Americans, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. The good news is that with early detection and treatments, including a wide range of eye drop medications, laser treatments and several types of incisional surgery, the majority of patients with glaucoma maintain their vision. By becoming aware of your risk factors and taking preventive steps, you can help protect your eyes. 1) Finding answers in your genes While the risk factors for eye disease continue to be studied, the ophthalmology community believes genetics can play a role. Aside from the access to care challenges that confront members of minority populations, African Americans have a range of genetic predispositions that make them more susceptible to eye diseases such as glaucoma, says Dr. Eydie Miller-Ellis, professor of clinical ophthalmology and director of the Glaucoma Service at the Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. This includes an increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and other serious medical conditions that can also contribute to poor eye health. 2) Dont dismiss a lack of symptoms Since glaucoma often develops without symptoms and you can lose vision without noticing it, Miller-Ellis stresses that early action is vital for African Americans to help prevent glaucoma and other eye diseases. The increased risk of early onset glaucoma makes it critical for African Americans to take steps to protect their eye health at a young age, says Miller-Ellis. Many people are lulled into a sense of complacency when it comes to their vision because they believe they see fine. But a lot of asymptomatic disorders like glaucoma can be damaging your eyesight without you realizing it. 3) Schedule an eye exam Understanding that you are at greater risk for eye disease and vision loss is the starting point toward protecting your eyesight. Begin a routine of yearly dilated eye exams with an ophthalmologist so that vision problems can be detected early. The Glaucoma Research Foundation recommends African Americans get a comprehensive exam to check for glaucoma starting at age 35. 4) No vision plan? No worries Dont let the lack of a vision plan hold you back from scheduling a screening for glaucoma. Medical eye exams and treatments for eye diseases, including glaucoma, are typically covered by regular health insurance. Check with your healthcare provider for specifics on your level of coverage. In addition, EyeCare America offers medical eye exams with volunteer ophthalmologists across the U.S., often for free. 5) Know your family history Some eye diseases, such as glaucoma, can be hereditary. And for African Americans, the risk of glaucoma is 20% higher if its already in your family. To prioritize healthy vision, its important to have a complete understanding of your familys history of eye disease, says Dr. Mildred M.G. Olivier, founding regional dean at the School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, St. Louis campus. Thats why I encourage African American families to not only discuss their individual history of eye disease, but also ensure that everyone in the family goes for an annual eye exam. 6) Empower yourself Olivier also encourages people to be their own advocates in breaking down the health inequity barriers for minorities that may stand in the way of better eye health. Its important to ask your primary care physician to refer you to an ophthalmologist for an annual medical eye exam, says Olivier. When you are at the eye doctors office, make sure you are getting all the information you need and understand all of your options concerning your eyesight and any problems that arise. Olivier and Miller-Ellis are working to improve access to eye care among minority populations as leaders of the Rabb-Venable Excellence in Ophthalmology Program, which supports minority medical students, residents and fellows in ophthalmology. The Rabb-Venable program is part of the National Medical Association Ophthalmology Section and supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute. The Glaucoma Research Foundation offers resources for African Americans to help build a plan for better eye health, including the guide Understanding and Living with Glaucoma. This free booklet, supported by Aerie Pharmaceuticals, is available at www.glaucoma.org/booklet. Alasdair Fraser, aka the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling, and cellist Natalie Hass are a rollicking Celtic duo. Expect the energy level to be extra-high at St. Marys-by-the-Sea for the return of live music to the stage. David Schmalz here, thinking about equity, and the publics right to know what is going on in their neighborhood. That right is why we have laws requiring public agencies to publish notice of meetings in advance, which allows the public to weigh in with comments about anything on an agenda. Its on my mind because of a proposed farmworker housing project in Pajaro, on 3.41 acres at the end of sleepy Susan Street, that would potentially house up to 480 workers, a massive number in a community of 3,070 people (according to 2010 census numbers, which is what the county staff cites in planning documents). According to those same documents, another farmworker housing project in the pipeline, proposed on an adjacent property also along the banks of the Pajaro River, would raise that total number to 755 new residents, a population increase of about 25 percent in the unincorporated community. I wrote a news story about that proposal for this weeks issue, which will be on newsstands tomorrow, and the Monterey County Planning Commission considered the project in a meeting this morning. There are many nuances to the story, one of which is that the aforementioned documents were what is called a negative mitigated declaration, an environmental planning document that essentially declares a project wont have to undergo a full-blown environmental impact report. Important to this story is that the county released that document Dec. 23, right before Christmas (when not a lot of people are paying attention) and it was only circulated in English. Christine Shaw, a lifelong resident of Susan Street, says many of the residents in her community speak limited English, and some only speak Spanish. After catching wind of the project, she immediately began digging for more information and speaking to her neighbors about the massive proposals that would completely transform their neighborhood. Based on these conversations, and because she says many in her neighborhood cant participate in morning meetings because of their jobs, Shaw requested on Friday, Feb. 4 that the Planning Commission continue the decision to a later date. This morning, the planning commissioners said they didnt feel it was appropriate to consider this project without knowing the neighborhood was properly informed of its impacts, and unanimously voted to continue the meeting to a later, unspecified date. Coloring the entire affair was an excoriating letter former District 2 county supervisor Judy Pennycook sent to the commissioners right before the meeting. Pennycook highlighted that one of the principals of project developer Rio Vista Group LLC is Josh Stratton, who is also chief of staff for incumbent District 2 Supervisor John Phillips. (For that reason, Phillips told me Monday that he plans to recuse from voting on the project should a Planning Commission decision be appealed to the Board of Supervisors.) Pennycooks letter highlighted the unusual nature of the circumstances, and the appearance of impropriety they present, and noted it is nearly impossible to ascertain Stratton was involved from the application itself. Pennycook suggested the project application be resubmitted in 2023, after a newly elected supervisor replaces Phillips, who is not seeking reelection. 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 Pennycooks letter also called into question the flooding mitigations of the proposed projectwhich only required it be elevated one foot above groundand recalled in detail her experience surveying the neighborhood when it flooded in 1995, when she was a supervisor. I cant forget looking at neighborhoods and farms as if they were an ocean with only small islands of rooftops showing, she wrote. Commissioner Martha Diehl also weighed in on the flooding risk to the property. The commissioners also expressed concern that the projects traffic report was not included in the meeting materials, nor were minutes from the Feb. 2 meeting of the North County Land Use Advisory Committee, which recommended against approving the project as proposed. During public comment this morning, Shaw, referring to the fact that many people in her community were unable to attend the meeting, said: I dont think the onus should be on me to represent everybody. The commissioners, unanimously, agreed. Whether the Planning Commission approves or denies the project, its fair to assume the decision will be appealed to the Board of Supervisors. And County Counsel Les Girard tells me the hearing would be de novo, meaning the board would have to affirmatively approve the project. If Phillips does keep to his word and recuses from votinghe says hes not legally required tothat means at least three of the four remaining supervisors will have to vote to approve it. Given the vehement opposition the project faces in the Pajaro community, three votes might be tough to come by. Read full newsletter here. Aga Popeda here with good news for local students who like poetry (or those who both like and need poetry but dont know it yet). The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts just announced this year's Poets-in-Schools program instructors: Patrice Vecchione and Kathryn Petruccelli, who will spend the next two months visiting local classrooms and preparing interested students for a poetry competition in Marchthe deadline for poem submission is March 26. (All students from all schools in Monterey County are invited to participate and they all can benefit from the Poets-in-Schools program, or skip the schooling altogether and just submit their poetry straight to the competition.) We have been running this program for over 30 years, says the centers director Robert Reese. It started with an arts competition (still on, every year), but at some point, students started submitting poems, Reese says, so the center started accepting them. Then we had this idea: Why not send a poet to local schools and introduce them to poetry, show them literary forms and get them writing? For the last 30 years this task was handled almost single-handedly, Reese says, by poet Elliot Ruchowitz-Robertsprofessor emeritus at Monterey Peninsula College, where he taught composition, literature, public speaking and humanities for 32 years. Ruchowitz-Roberts retired last year, which resulted in two new faces this year. One of the poet-teachers is Patrice Vecchione. Vecchione participated in the program beforeyears ago. She has been teaching poetry writing to both children and adults for the last 40 years. She just wrote a book on poetry writing for high school students titled My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice: A Guide to Writing Poetry and Speaking Your Truth. Born in New York City, she moved to Santa Cruz as an 11-year-old. Poetry saved her life, she says. My mother used to read me poems and there were poems for every occasion, she says. It was our private language. Later on, in high school, when her family life got difficult, poetry helped her to retain her voice, to not disappear. It kept me whole. Poetry as a life-saving tool, a tool of universal self-expression, is something Vecchione has been trying to share with peopleespecially young peopleall her life. She taught her first poetry class to children when she was 19. It became my life, she says. Children see the world for the first time. They dont write cliches, the way adults do. Children are natural poets and adults have to try to see the world without preconceived notions. Poetry works at whatever age, Vecchione says, but when children become young adults, they have a need to say things, to speak their truth in a safe way. Poetry is that space. Adults also have to speak their truth, she adds. Poetry offers a lot of possibilities for freedom. Vecchione has been working with children for whom English is a second language. And who are always told: thats not how we say it. Well, in poetry, this is how we say it, she says. You can say whatever you want, however you want. She recalls a poem written by one of her students many years ago. His name was Daniel Sevilla and they met in Watsonville. She knows the poem by heart: In my house, there is a chair. 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 When I sit in that chair I remember Mexico, Mexico. When I leave that chair, I forget everything, everything. The other poet-teacher involved in the project, Kathryn Petruccelli, is a bi-coastal performer and writer with an M.A. in teaching English. Her professional life has included translating Hotel California for Hungarian high schoolers and anthologizing poetry by rival gang members. She got her start in the world of poetry slam and spoken word, and believes strongly in the power of voice. Shes passionate about getting contemporary poetry, particularly that of poets of color, in front of youth. Established by the Cherry Center in 1994, Poets-in-Schools impacts 1,300 Monterey County high school students annually. It culminates yearly with a public poetry reading held on Zoom, and students are encouraged to submit their work for publication in our annual digital and print anthologies. Students whose work appears in our annual print anthology are invited to read on stage. For details and information on how to bring an award-winning poet into your classroom, contact the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts at cherry_center@yahoo.com or 624-7491. Read full newsletter here. The purpose of the legislative session is for priority bills to become law. Thousands of bills are introduced; this year, 293 bills became law. Its hard to keep up with them all, so heres a brief rundown of major bills that became lawand bills that did not. February 10, 2022 The Mediocracy Of 'Global Britain' The knowledge and quality of 'western' leading officials is of serious concern. They are often politicians with no experience in the fields they are supposed to represent. Liz Truss, currently the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, is a sad example. It is said that the job of the foreign secretary has something to do with geography. To know where this or that country is and what its surroundings are is supposedly helpful when one wants wage war or peace with or against them. Liz Truss had failed in this category when, a week ago, she said: "We are offering extra supplies and support into our Baltic allies across the Black Sea." The Black Sea is some 700 miles away from the Baltic states. Today Liz Truss endorsed another occasion to fail when she visited Russia to talk about the Russian non-attack on the Ukraine only to get mocked by its very experienced Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Truss came dressed with a fur hat and gloves to a Moscow that today was warmer than London. At the meeting Truss seems to have done exactly what Lavrov had publicly warned her not to do before the meeting started: I have read Boris Johnsons statement to the House of Commons, in which he said about relations with Russia that they should be improved. Following that, the Prime Ministers Office announced that you and your colleague the Defence Secretary would travel to Russia to improve our relations. At least this is what the announcement said. I dont know if this is really so. If this is the goal our British colleagues aspire to, we will definitely reciprocate. We cannot be satisfied with our current relations, which are at the lowest ebb in the past years. Of course, relations can only be normalised through dialogue based on mutual respect and equality, recognition of each others legitimate interests and a search for mutually acceptable solutions. Ideologically charged approaches, ultimatums, threats and moralising is a road to nowhere. Regrettably, many of our Western colleagues are using this form in their public activities. I do not see this as diplomacy. You will agree, I am sure, that communication between two international subjects should have added value for both sides. Only in this case will it bring positive results. The meeting did not go well. Truss also showed a lack of manner when she started to talk (vid) even while the translation of the previous speaker was still ongoing. Her knowledge was of similar quality. As Kommersant reports in Russian (machine translation): The British Foreign Secretary told the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry about the need to withdraw Russian armed forces from the Ukrainian border. Sergei Lavrov replied that the military is on the territory of his country. Liz Truss repeated that they should be withdrawn. To this, the Russian minister again objected that the military did not violate anything, since they had the right to conduct any maneuvers on the territory of the Russian Federation. After that, he himself addressed a question to his British colleague: Do you recognize the sovereignty of Russia over the Rostov and Voronezh regions? Great Britain will never recognize Russian sovereignty over these regions, the Foreign Minister replied after a short pause. British Ambassador to the Russian Federation Deborah Bonnert had to intervene in the situation, who delicately explained to Mrs. Truss that we were really talking about Russian regions. At the press conference after the meeting Lavrov pilled on: During an icy press conference after the talks, Lavrov said the two sides had found little common ground and that the talks contained nothing secret, no trust. Just slogans shouted from the tribunes. Im honestly disappointed that our conversation turned out like the mute with the deaf. We appear to be listening but were not hearing anything. Our detailed explanations fell on unprepared ground, Lavrov said. Its like when they say that Russia is waiting for the ground to freeze so that tanks can easily enter Ukraine, he added. It seems that our British colleagues were on similar ground today, off of which bounced all the facts we presented them. It seems that 'Global Britain', as Boris Johnson envisioned it, is represented by a know-nothing dimwit traveling around to lecture real diplomats about issues they had already forgotten more about than Truss will ever know. That's not going to end well. Posted by b on February 10, 2022 at 15:32 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page Moultrie, GA (31768) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. State Rep. Tom Craddick told those at Midland Country Club for the Midland County Republican Womens luncheon on Wednesday that he still believes the bill passed to ban nuclear waste in Andrews is a bad bill. The Midland Republican also said there are companies lined up and ready to deliver their waste to the Permian Basin because the House Bill 7 changed the definition of nuclear waste and they left out needed greater than Class C waste language. Craddick said there are companies ready to bring 40 years worth of waste to Andrews County, because of this mistake in the legislation, which was co-authored by Brooks Landgraf of Odessa. Landgraf currently represents Andrews County in the Texas House. The Texas Tribune reported during the debate last year that while Landgraf wasnt automatically opposed to including the Greater than Class C waste in the proposed ban, he (didnt) want to assume that his constituents in Andrews County (wanted) the additional regulation on the site. The article also stated that Landgraf advocated for simplicity and speed since federal regulators could decide on the license application before the end of the year. Craddick reminded the Republican Women and their guests of the nuclear waste that is ready to come to the state of Texas because of this bill. It's going to take 40 years, working seven days a week, to take the waste that is sitting available to be moved today, not the waste from today on, Craddick said. And I don't think we want that in Texas. I'm sure I don't want in my backyard. Craddick worked to kill similar legislation during the regular session, but the bill came back before legislators in a special session. This is a bad bill, people, Craddick said. Craddick also told those in attendance that the bill doesnt require the storage in the ground. The governor asked me about it, and I said, You dont want it buried now, but have you been to West Texas when we have had a sandstorm? In September, Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality asked a U.S. appeals court to vacate a license issued earlier in the month for construction of a high-level nuclear waste storage site in Andrews County. The lawsuit filed by the Texas Attorney Generals Office with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals claimed that the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions decision on Sept. 13 to issue a license to Interim Storage Partners violates Texas law. The license authorized the company to receive, possess, transfer and store up to 5,000 metric tons of spent fuel and 231.3 metric tons of Greater-Than-Class C low-level radioactive waste for 40 years. ISP has said they plan to store the waste until a permanent repository is built. The NRC issued the license days after Abbott signed HB 7. -- Coming soon: There will be more coverage of Craddicks address to the Republican Women. SALESmanago Adds Zero-party Data Features to CDP In Poland, martech platform SALESmanago has relaunched its no-code, AI driven customer data platform (CDP) with a set of features to help businesses collect, manage and utilize zero-party data - that which has been 'willingly and intentionally' shared by consumers. Headquartered in Krakow, SALESmanago combines advanced analytics and AI automation to deliver personalized experiences, across a range of natively built and integrated marketing execution channels. With the CDP relaunch, the firm has added a Customer Preference Center, which facilitates the collection and management of zero-party data, as well as the ability to enhance customer segmentation and recommendations. The re-launch coincides with a report by Accenture which claims 83% of consumers are willing to voluntarily share relevant information about themselves in return for 'contextualized interactions' made by brands. Greg Blazewicz (pictured), SALESmanago CEO and founder, comments: 'It turns out that gathering data directly from your customers is not only the way to revive the idea of one to one commerce. Actually, it is the only way to approach the current challenges of data privacy constructively and align with the steps taken by the largest players on the market to reduce the usage of cookies'. Web site: www.salesmanago.com . MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT MEDIA GOES GLOBAL Written by Team MD 10 February 2022 MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT MEDIA GOES GLOBAL MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT MEDIA (MD Media) is proud and excited to announce the signing on February 1 of a license agreement for the foreign language Italian version of Muscular Development magazine and website! We are looking forward to future licensing deals for foreign language versions of Muscular Development magazine and website in other countries such as Brazil, Latin America, Mexico, Spain, India, Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, France, Germany, Greece, China, Russia, Taiwan, Japan and others. MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT MEDIA is a global brand. Muscular Development has been around well over 50 years and is a brand recognized around the world. We are unique.MD Media provides an interactive website, forums, and multimedia platforms (digital, social, print) for bodybuilding/strength-training enthusiasts worldwide. DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF VISIT OUR STORE ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON: FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE Top Muskogee, OK (74401) Today Thunderstorms, some strong during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low near 50F. SW winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some strong during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low near 50F. SW winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. David Dorman remembers when cornmeal used to coat his grandfathers eyelashes. Grinding corn is a family legacy. Decades later, hes continuing that legacy, grinding corn into grits to sell all over the United States and, quite possibly, around the world thanks to online sales. I grind all the grits myself, he said. Dorman, an owner of Palmetto Farms in Aynor, took over operations and started a general store off of U.S. 501 several years before the recession. Then he got into the wholesale side of the business about 2009. His late grandfather James Graham started the business in the 1930s, grinding cornmeal and grits for family and friends. And now it has evolved into what it is today one of the top selling brands of grits on Amazon and a business that has the capability to grind more than 8,000 pounds of corn per day. Organic success Last year, the company grossed about $1 million just in online sales, and $1.5 million in overall sales. Dorman and his sons, Andrew and Devin, are co-owners of the business. Andrew Dorman handles online sales, which includes Amazon and through the company's website, while his brother Devin Dorman works closely with wholesale connections, selling grits in bulk to grocery stores across the country through companies like U.S. Foods and Sysco. These distributors deliver grits to stores including Lowes Foods, Publix, Fresh Market, mom and pop shops and also military commissaries. The year I came on, we did maybe $50,000 in business total out of Rubbermaid totes in the back of a truck just driving around, trying to peddle grits, Devin Dorman said of the year he started in 2011. And then this last year our gross was $1.5, $1.4. He said their company is working with about 200 new stores which will sell their products, and hes hoping to soon sell in bulk to restaurants. A lot of the growth is people requesting it, Devin Dorman said of grocery stores interested in selling their product. We decided to move more toward bulk because we can utilize how much our mill can make. A Green Sea High School student was assaulted during gym class twice, and the second assault was filmed and turned into memes that were shared around the school, according to a lawsuit filed this week. Stefanie Perritt, the mother of the student, filed the lawsuit against Horry County school district on Monday. Perritt claims her child, who is referred to as H.J. in the lawsuit, suffers from a disability and follows an individualized education plan. Before the first gym class assault, H.J. was a victim of bullying, which the school district was aware of, according to the lawsuit. In October, H.J. was allegedly assaulted by a student in the locker room during gym class, and the assault was recorded on a cell phone. Both H.J. and the other student were suspended from school for a week after the assault, the suit states. Perritt called the school before H.J. returned to let officials know she was concerned that H.J. would be targeted or would face retaliation, according to the lawsuit. School officials assured Perritt that "measures would be taken and steps put in place to prevent H.J. from being targeted or retaliated against or harmed in any manner," the lawsuit states. Upon returning to school, H.J. was approached in gym class by another student who accused H.J. of being a snitch, the lawsuit states. The student then allegedly started to follow H.J. throughout the gym in an aggressive manner. "This student then physically separated H.J. from a group of students and forced him to the middle of the gym," where the student struck H.J. on his head at least 20 times, according to the suit. H.J. suffered from a broken tooth, became severely depressed and suffered from physical, emotional, psychological and economic damage, the suit states. Students made memes of the second assault, which was also filmed on a cell phone, the lawsuit states. Perritt alleges the defendant failed to maintain a safe environment, enforce school policies against bullying and prevent the attack on H.J. Celebrities, musicians react to Naomi Judd's sudden death Earlier this year, Naomi and Wynonna performed together as The Judds for the first time in... People asked to shine a light in honor of firefighters People are being asked to turn on the red light this week to show support for firefighters. Jacksonville Public Library will play host to a Zoom program featuring bestselling author Jasmine Guillory and a discussion of the modern rom-com. The program at 7 p.m. Wednesday will feature Guillory in conversation with author Morgan Rogers as they discuss Guillory's newest novel, "While We Were Dating." It is a program of Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries to offer high-quality events. Participants can watch the program via Zoom at home or on the TV in the librarys meeting room at 201 W. College Ave. To register and receive a Zoom link, email Sarah Snyder at ssnyder@jaxpl.org. No registration is required for in-person attendance. Guillory is a writer, lawyer and author of six romance novels, including "The Wedding Date," "Royal Holiday" and "Party of Two." National Public Radio called Guillorys "The Proposal" rollicking, charming, and infinitely zesty. Her work has appeared in O, The Oprah Magazine; Cosmopolitan; Bon Appetit and Time. Rogers work has been praised by O, The Oprah Magazine; and Book Riot. Both Guillorys" While We Were Dating" and Rogers "Honey Girl" were included on NPRs list of the best books of 2021. For more information, go to jaxpl.org. The historic announcement by then-Sen. Barack Obama that he was running for president is being commemorated on the grounds of the Old State Capitol. Thursday marked the 15th anniversary of an announcement that would lead to Obama becoming the 44th president of the United States. The Old State Capitol Foundation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources used the occasion to detail plans to erect a historical marker. Obama was the first African American elected president and the fourth Illinoisan elected to the office. "From his official presidential announcement to his service in the Statehouse, President Obamas legacy of leadership began with his service to the people of Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. This marker of Obamas historic announcement at the Old State Capitol will ensure his story will forever be a part of Illinois history." David Joens, president of the Old State Capitol Foundation, said thousands turned out on Feb. 10, 2007, to hear the announcement. He chose to announce his candidacy at the Old State Capitol because of its historic ties to Abraham Lincoln, but he was also making history himself," Joens said. "That history needs to be recognized, and a permanent marker will do that. Eighteen months later, Obama returned to Springfield to announce that U.S. Sen. Joe Biden would be his running mate. Artists renderings of the historical marker have been completed. The marker will be placed on the Old State Capitol lawn during a public ceremony later this year. Michael Woods and his partner have been supportive of Jacksonville School District 117's pandemic-related mask mandate. "The past two years we have been telling them to wear a mask," Woods said of his three daughters, one of whom has health issues. But Woods is concerned about an update that makes masks optional and he has shared his concerns with Superintendent Steve Ptacek. The change came about after a Sangamon County judge on Friday issued a temporary restraining order against the mandate in 146 school districts on behalf of around 700 parents who argued the regulation put in place by Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration should not be enforced. On Monday, state officials challenged Sangamon Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow's ruling, which only applies to those who are part of the legal action. That ruling was enough, however, to have school officials scrambling during the weekend. Ptacek said in a letter sent to parents on Sunday that, "During this time between rulings, we will offer a limited mask-optional period. Parents need to provide written permission to have their student not wear a mask. Elementary students can give it to their teachers, (Jacksonville Middle School and Jacksonville High School) students need to carry it. Please respect others that wish to wear a mask. This is one of my largest concerns. Peer pressure should not be a factor in a persons decision." Woods' three daughters attend Washington Elementary School. Hearing his oldest daughter say she was scared Monday while at school prompted him to take action. He also was told a teacher wasn't wearing a mask in class, which Woods said was a "form of peer pressure." "The school system should just stay the course," he said. "If not, what's the alternative? Regardless of politics, public health is priority." Woods' 9-year-old daughter told him that only two of 17 students in her first class Monday were wearing masks and that the teacher also wasn't wearing a mask. She developed a headache as a result of her stress over the mask situation, he said. Woods' youngest daughter, who is 6, became sick during the weekend. While she tested negative for COVID-19, she was home with flu-like symptoms until being cleared by doctors Wednesday to go back to school. "We're trying to protect other kids," he said of keeping his youngest daughter home. "The best thing to do is to stay home." His two oldest daughters have been going to school, assessing the situation and then deciding to return home because they don't feel safe, he said. "Every day we will support them as parents," he said. "When they're home, they're doing (school) work." Woods reiterated that stance in a letter sent to Ptacek. "Today, our children once again opted to not stay in the unsafe learning environment being offered them in light of the no mask mantra being allowed to prevail in our JDS117 schools," the letter reads. "I have requested in prior communication a solution to ensuring that they are afforded a safe learning environment while the wild west takes over in our schools in Jacksonville. With this email, I am once again, asking for a solution to ensure that a safe learning environment is afforded our children during these times. I again remind you that experts have suggested that precautions such as masks be tied to local factors, such as rates of vaccination, cases, hospitalizations and the overall health profile of a community including the number of at-risk adults and children." School officials shouldn't let "one judge dictate the health of thousands of people," Woods said Wednesday. Woods praised Ptacek and Washington Elementary School Principal Mary Camerer for the work they have done during the pandemic to keep schools open and safe. But the latest change, he said, has people fighting the rules when "we should be fighting the virus." JSD 117 isn't the only district making adjustments in the wake of Friday's ruling. The Catholic Diocese of Springfield, which oversees Routt Catholic High School, has adjusted its rules to let students decide whether to wear a mask. "Individual locations can alter their overall guidance," said Colleen Doyle, Routt's development and enrollment director. "We're allowing parents and students to discuss and make the choice." Some students and faculty are still wearing masks and that she has not seen a drop in attendance stemming from the changes, Doyle said. "From the get-go, we have been following the Springfield diocese," she said. Ptacek was unavailable for comment Wednesday. Updated Thursday, Feb. 10 regarding students and faculty wearing masks at Routt and not the majority. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS A 13-year-old boy was arrested at 12:43 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of criminal damage to government-supported property after being accused of kicking a filing cabinet at Garrison Alternative School at 936 W. Michigan Ave. Tiffani R. Weger, 28, of Jacksonville was cited at 3:04 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of visitation interference after being accused of failing to comply with a court-ordered custody arrangement. Mary B. Smith, 36, of Plymouth was booked into the Morgan County jail at 11:54 a.m. Friday on a deceptive practices charge. South Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Jonathan L. Well, 36, of 1921 N. Highway 78 was booked into the Morgan County jail at 7:07 p.m. Tuesday on charges of operating an uninsured motor vehicle and a plate or permit display violation. Cass County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Rocky A. Ireland, 33, of 711 E. Franklin St., Ashland, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 9:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of assault and disorderly conduct. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer Economic sanctions have, in recent years, become one of the most important tools of U.S. foreign policy. There are more than 20 countries subjected to various sanctions from the U.S. government. But if more Americans knew how many innocent civilians actually die as a result of these sanctions, would the worst of them be permitted? We may be about to find out in Afghanistan. Sanctions currently imposed on the country are on track to take the lives of more civilians in the coming year than have been killed by 20 years of warfare. Theres no hiding it any more. Projections through the winter estimate that 22.8 million people will face high levels of acute food insecurity. This is 55% of Afghanistans population, the highest ever recorded in the country. An estimated 1 million children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition this year. Children who are malnourished are more likely to die of diseases, even when they can get enough calories and nutrients to survive. Already, 98% of the population is not getting enough food, according to the U.N. World Food Programme. The biggest and most destructive sanction currently facing Afghanistan is the seizure of more than $7 billion of the countrys assets that are held at the U.S. Federal Reserve. This is equivalent to about half of Afghanistans economy, and about 18 months of the countrys imports which include food, medicine and infrastructure needs that are vital to public health. But the effect of this loss of Central Bank assets turns out to be much deadlier than the loss of essential imports. The assets confiscated are in dollars; countries need these hard currency international reserves in order to maintain a stable financial system and economy. Since the freezing of the countrys reserves, Cash shortages and the loss of correspondent banking relationships have crippled Afghan banks, reports the International Monetary Fund. Press reports from the ground describe the calamitous human cost of the disruption that results when these reserves are lost: desperate mothers seeking medicine for emaciated children; soaring numbers of people going without income; farmers giving up on working their land. Afghanistans currency has depreciated by more than 25% since August, driving the price of food and other essentials beyond the reach of many people in what was already the poorest country in Asia. Banks have imposed a $400 limit on cash withdrawals, and also restrictions that make businesses unable to meet their payrolls. This pushes more people into unemployment and acute hunger. Supporters of the sanctions, in the U.S. government and elsewhere, have responded that people who are starving, malnourished or unemployed as a result of sanctions can be helped with international aid. However, it is clear that the logic of destroying an economy and then trying to save people with aid does not work. Aid will replace only a small fraction of the countrys loss of income, which the IMF estimates could fall by an astounding, unprecedented 30% in the months ahead. And there are enormous difficulties in delivering the aid: the banking system is hobbled, international banks and even some aid groups are reluctant to take the risks involved in transferring funds, and there are breakdowns in transport, as well as other essential services because of the sanctions and resultant economic contraction. Washington and its allies have argued that sanctions are a necessary response to Taliban human rights abuses, including repression of women. But its the people, especially the poorest, who pay the price. How many tens or hundreds of thousands of women and girls should be sacrificed in order to punish the Taliban? Western governments, led by the United States as during 20 years of war, are not likely to get any concessions from the Taliban by destroying the Afghan economy. But an enormous price will be paid by millions of innocent people, many of whom will die, as food, health care, employment and income become increasingly scarce. Members of the U.S. Congress are starting to push back: four dozen sent a letter to President Biden in December noting: The U.S. confiscation of $9.4 billion in Afghanistans currency reserves is plunging the country deeper into economic and humanitarian crisis. This collective punishment is hideously wrong and immoral. The Biden administration can remove the biggest contributing factor with the stroke of a pen. They should do so immediately, before it is too late. My name is Michael, and I am a recovering talk show host. And I rise in defense of Joe Rogan. I make this confession reluctantly, knowing it could mean cancelation, condemnation or horrors! becoming the topic of a CNN news panel. (Please, not Jim Acosta anybody but Jim Acosta.) But I cannot stand by silently any longer. Too much is at stake. No, not Spotifys stock price or comedian Joe Rogans jaw-dropping $100 million licensing deal. Whats at stake is the idea of free speech as a social good. While were making confessions, allow me another one: Ive never listened to a minute of a Joe Rogan podcast. Based on media reports, hes either holding wide-open conversations about COVID-19 public health policy with an eclectic mix of experts and celebrity guests; or hes spreading anti-science disinformation while posting recipes for how to make bootleg ivermectin in your toilet. Either way, my view is the same: Let him talk. Im with Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis on this: If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence. This used to be a given in American society. A decade ago, when I was still on the air in liberal Boston, no less we still looked down on the thin-skinned losers demanding to be protected from ideas that made them feel icky. The answer to I dont like what that guy is saying was still, Then change the channel! Now the goal is to shut down the channel, to force Spotify to dump Rogan or die tryin. And how embarrassing that the effort to de-platform a performer is being led by artists like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. As legal scholar Jonathan Turley put it, Artists against free speech is like athletes against fitness. Some have turned the focus on the technology itself: Podcasts have no FCC regulation, social media allows too much false information to flow freely, tech companies have too much control. But arguments about monopolies and access are meaningless without an audience that demands free speech and open discourse. And based on polls and the passion of Rogans opponents thats where we could be headed. The climate on college campuses is so bad, just half of students say they feel comfortable voicing disagreement with their professors or peers, according to a new Knight-Ipsos poll. That same poll found that, among Americans as a whole, 60% support a government-imposed ban on ideas and opinions deemed racist or bigoted. Government. Ban. On. Ideas. A decade ago, that was good for three hours of mockery on my radio show. Today, its the view of the majority. That fact is far more frightening than any tech monopoly or debate over Section 230 regulations. Grab a copy of Ray Bradburys classic novel in defense of free speech, Fahrenheit 451 while you still can. Youll be reminded that the reason books were banned in this fictional future wasnt because of government tyranny. No, books were banned by popular demand. The citizenry demanded a safe space, free from upsetting thoughts and ideas. Far too many of my fellow citizens are demanding the same today. Censorship is cowardice. Cancel culture is crybaby crap. You hear an opinion you dont like? Put on your big girl pants and deal with it. Oops. Sorry about getting so saucy. As I said, Im a recovering talk host. Following the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan, the U.S. Department of the Treasury froze Afghanistan Central Banks reserves. The Taliban is on the Treasurys Specially Designated Nationals list. In the backdrop of a humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, many commentators and analysts have argued that the economic sanctions should be lifted to address the dire economic situation in the country. While the effectiveness of economic sanctions is widely debated, a number of studies illustrate that economic sanctions are effective when levied against countries with small economies and when modest policy goals are the goal. Why shouldnt the U.S. lift the economic sanctions? First, economic sanctions are a conventional coercive policy instrument deployed primarily to achieve foreign policies such as curtailing financial sources of terrorism. The Treasury has more than 30 active sanctions programs against countries and entities such as ISIS, al-Qaida and the Taliban, which blocks their access to U.S.-based funds. By appointing a number of individuals who are on various designated terrorist lists to key government posts, the Taliban has made diplomatic engagement very difficult. A case in point is the recent inclusion of Anas Haqqani in a diplomatic delegation to Norway. Haqqani, is a senior leader in the terrorist Haqqani Network, which has been implicated in numerous deadly terror attacks including an attack at Serena hotel in Kabul leading to the death of seven foreigners including a Norwegian journalist. His presence sparked outcry among Norwegians and calls for his arrest. Reportedly, the Taliban were concerned about the potential arrest of Haqqani by the Norwegian police and were preparing to take a number of civilians in Mazar-Sharif as hostages to exchange for Haqqani if he was detained in Norway. Furthermore, given the Talibans close ties with a number of terrorist organizations (al-Qaida, ISIS-K and others) present in Afghanistan, lifting economic sanctions will inevitably lead to easier access of these groups to financial resources. Second, economic sanctions send a strong message, not only to the Taliban but also to other insurgent and terrorist organizations, that overthrowing a democratically elected government will have consequences. Should the sanctions be terminated, the message to other terrorist organizations is that they can rise to power through violence and be met with few consequences. The Talibans victory has already boosted the morale of many terrorist organizations. More concessions will further embolden these terrorist groups. Third, the Taliban cannot be trusted. Lifting the sanctions does not mean that the Taliban will meet international demands. While the U.S. made significant concessions such as unconditional withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and releasing Taliban prisoners, the Taliban made very few promises, and delivered on even fewer. A condition of the U.S.-Taliban agreement was that the Taliban should engage in intra-Afghan dialogue in order to reach a political settlement. Instead, the Taliban took control militarily. The Taliban, emboldened by a successful agreement and a sweeping victory, views itself as the de jure sovereign. It regards any pressure by the international community as interference in Afghanistans internal affairs and has threatened to resort to violence if it is not recognized by the international community. There is no guarantee that terminating sanctions will compel the Taliban to stop its harsh policies toward women, its oppressive behavior toward minorities, or its retaliation against the former government officials and security personnel. Furthermore, there is a real possibility that international aid and Afghanistans frozen assets will be misappropriated by the Taliban rather than reaching Afghan civilians. Finally, womens rights and the unfolding humanitarian crisis are Talibans bargaining chips. The Taliban has adopted a hard-bargaining tactic including extreme demands such as foreign recognition, unfreezing of Afghanistans reserves and termination of sanctions before addressing womens education and employment. The Taliban leadership believes that the international community will eventually concede given the humanitarian crisis. If alleviating the dire economic condition was the Talibans priority, they would have agreed to the Norwegian proposition of opening an international bank in Kabul so that Afghans could have access to cash. Instead, the Taliban delegation in Norway has demanded that aid and funding should be transferred to bank accounts under their control and that the Taliban should be removed from the list of terrorist organizations. Given that redeployment of U.S. forces is highly unlikely, economic sanctions remains the only foreign policy tool for the United States to exert pressure on the Taliban. The Taliban might be malleable under economic sanctions, but it certainly will not pay any heed to international demands should the sanctions be removed. Sacramento, CA A further $5 billion dollars has been added to the cost of the California high-speed rail line, this is according to the latest numbers that show it could take $105 billion to finish the rail line that will run from San Fransico to Los Angeles. The figures were included in the California High-Speed Rail Authoritys latest business plan. The increases are at least partly due to commitments that are targeting minimizing community disruption, such as keeping the train from the Cesar E.Chavez National Monument in the Central Valley and tunneling tracks near the Burbank airport according to project officials. The projects price tag has been rising since voters first approved nearly $10 billion in bond money for it in 2008. The first part of the line will run through the Central Valley, with potential test runs taking passengers from Merced to Bakersfield. No track has been laid down but 90% of the land parcels for the first segment and more than half for the fully realized 500-mile route is now environmentally cleared. Sonora, CA It will feel like spring and early summer during the remainder of the week throughout California. Temperatures in the lower foothills will be in the mid to upper seventies through Sunday before they start falling back into the sixties next week. The foothills were drenched with rain in late December, and the Sierra received feet of snow, but it has been mostly warm and dry since. The February 1st Department of Water Resources manual snowpack reading showed that the Sierra water content was about 92-percent of average. It is because of a ridge of high pressure over the eastern Pacific Ocean and West Coast. Fire officials in Southern California are also concerned about Santa Ana winds this week. Temperature records could fall in some parts of the state. Covid Cases By Day Feb, 9 '22 View Photo The Tuolumne County Public Health Department has planned a Saturday clinic for school age children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Pediatric Pfizer vaccine will be offered to children ages 5 to 11 at their office at 20111 Cedar Road North in Sonora, from 9-11:45 AM and 12:30-2 PM on Saturday, February 12. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins will be welcome. Patients may register at MyTurn.ca.gov or call 209-533-7440 for more information. Tuolumne Public Health officials update an Emergency Use Authorization request for the Pfizer vaccine for children 6 months to 4 years old is anticipated to receive approval next week. The approval process includes several steps including review by the FDAs Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), CDCs A dvisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the Western States Scientific and Safety Review Workgroup. Vaccines may become available for this age group as early as the week of February 21st. More information will be shared as it becomes available. Tuolumne County Public Health reports the death of a woman in her 70s due to Coivd-19. There are 65 new Covid cases, 59 are community cases, active community cases decreased 73 to 240 including 12 people who are hospitalized. There are six newly identified inmate cases at the Sierra Conservation Center since Wednesday. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports 200 active inmate cases, the second most at any prison in the state. There have been 2,336 inmate cases according to Tuolumne Public Health, and the prisons inmate population is currently 2,961. The newly reported community cases include 13 cases age 17 or younger and 14 cases age 60 or older. The new Covid cases demographics: three girls and five boys age 11 or younger, two girls and three boys age 12 to 17, five women and three men age 18 to 29, four women and eight men in their 30s, two women and two men in their 40s, three women and five men in their 50s, five woman and four men in their 60s, and two women and three men in their 70s. The total current case rate, a 14-day average for Tuolumne County decreased to 69.9 from 71.5 per 100,000 population. The case rate reached a high of 174.8 on January 24th. A total of 130 were released from isolation in all 9,754 have been released from isolation. The 7-day test positivity rate is 12.2% and 62% of the population eligible to get vaccinated has been vaccinated. Vaccination details per case are no longer reported, the state vaccination trends are here. You can help slow the spread of COVID-19 by self-isolating when you have symptoms or a positive test result. Also, notify any close contacts youve had from 2 days before you became ill or got tested. Any close contacts should follow current quarantine guidance and get tested 3-5 days after exposure. If you are at high risk of severe disease or hospitalization, you can contact your doctor to discuss potential treatment options. If you are not symptomatic, have not tested positive for COVID-19 recently, and are not in quarantine, public health officials recommend getting vaccinated or boosted. Calaveras County Public Health reports 23 new cases since Wednesday, February 9. There are six more active cases for a total of 87 active cases including five Covid hospitalizations. Calaveras reports positive cases age 17 and under are at 1,400 or more, and cases age 65 and older remain at 1,100 or more, specific numbers are no longer provided. There are 17 more counted as recovered for a total of 6,714 and 56.94% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated in the county. California Department of Public Health updated health orders and guidance, masks are only required on public transit, in schools (update here), and in care/hospital settings and indoors for those not vaccinated as of February 16. Surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with good fit are highly recommended: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx Details are also in the news story here. Mega events guidance, long term care, hospital visitation, skilled nursing and care facilities visitation guidance are in yesterdays report here. COVID-19 Testing Free tests can be ordered at covidtests.gov or at usps.com/covidtest. The first tests will ship by the end of January. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering through the U.S. Postal Service. USPS reports shipping times of 1-3 days for its first-class package service in the continental United States. The White House emphasized that the website is in beta testing when it made tests available for ordering for the first time today. Public health recommends scheduling an appointment to get tested 5 days after possible exposure and if you are having any symptoms, to get tested right away. The Tuolumne County State testing site schedule is 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Appointments can be made at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Testing is also available at pharmacies, at Rapid Care, and the hospital emergency department if you are experiencing any symptoms, or contact your healthcare provider. More details are here. COVID-19 Vaccine The CDC recommends people receive a booster shot if they completed a Pfizer series at least five months ago, or the Moderna series at least six months ago, or a J&J vaccine at least two months ago. Vaccine appointments for children ages 5 to 11 can also be made through myturn.ca.gov, or by calling 833-422-4255, or through local pharmacies, more details are here. For ways to manage a fear of needles or a phobia and help others with it, view the CDCs information guide here. Learn more about self-care strategies by visiting namica.org County Date New Active (Hospital) Total 2022 All Cases (All Deaths) Amador 2/7 (M/Th) 133 228 (16) 1,488 5,654 (66) Calaveras 2/10 23 87 (5) 2,250 6,908 (107) Mariposa 2/10 15 86 (19) 1,004 2,867 (20) Mono 2/10 5 N/A 969 2,939 (8) Stanislaus 2/10 448 6,896 (183) 30,978 115,783 (1,587) Tuolumne 2/10 65 240 (12) 4,465 12,494 (164) Reported cases at end of 2021 and 2020 Amador updates Monday and Thursday. Camper trailers have been a popular purchase for adventurers looking to hit the open road with everything they need in tow and a modern iteration offers a 21st-century travel twist on glamping. Over the last two years, COVID-19 has altered daily life for people around the globe. Entering year three of the pandemic, many people are still working remotely, enabling digital nomads greater flexibility when planning workcations and extended stays away from the traditional in-person office. In walks (or rolls, technically) the CyberLandr, a versatile camper with a streamlined, somewhat sci-fi aesthetic that is as much a response to the pandemic as it is designed for the new normal of travel and increasingly electric roadways. CyberLandr inspiration: COVID-19, economics and the new normal Overall, Lance King, CEO and Chief Designer at Stream It, a data and analytic software company headquartered in Austin, Texas and the maker of the CyberLandr, said the coronavirus pandemic inspired the CyberLandrs creation in a number of ways. This includes both economic constraints as a business owner and the cabin fever associated with lockdowns during the initial waves of the pandemic. At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, King said COVID-19 brought his traditional business operations to a crawl, and he decided to tap his team to come up with a new product altogether as he didnt want to lay off any employees. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of innovation and, amid lockdowns and travel restrictions, the pandemic served up a timely bit of inspiration. Like almost everyone else, we were tired of largely being confined to homes, King said. As humans, we all yearn to explore and have adventures, and we thought a mobile tiny home that didnt need to be tethered to an RV park and that could go down country roads or even off-road [and] would provide even more freedom than a traditional RV. At the end of 2019, just months before the start of the pandemic, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the Cybertruck, an electric pickup with an untraditional build and extended per-change change. This product unveiling would also play a critical role in the CyberLandrs origin story. Having recently preordered a Cybertruck for himself, King said he found himself dreaming about the possibility of a compatible camper and wondered which company would build the product with an eye toward aerodynamics and range. After thinking about what such an undertaking would entail (software, AI, designers and engineering), King said he realized he was describing his own company. CyberLandr Features: Solar panels, satellite internet and more At first glance, the CyberLandr certainly doesnt look like the traditional "tin can tourist" campers of yestercentury. Designed with a telescoping build, the unit expands upward from the truck bed during use and collapses into a more compact form when in tow. Due to these capabilities, King described the CyberLandr as the only disappearing camper. This means it is easier to drive and maneuver because it doesnt block your vision, it isnt an eyesore, you can park your truck in the garage and also take it through the drive-thru, car wash, or into the mall parking garage, he continued. Additionally, he said the design allows the truck to fit within normal parking spaces, doesnt attract any unwanted attention and owners wont need to rent a storage space between trips. Unlike old school camper models, the CyberLandr includes a number of 21st-century touches for the connected device era. It is thoroughly modern with premium materials, so walking from the cab to the camper no longer feels like a trip backwards in time, King said. CyberLandr Rather than feature physical built-in control panels to manage the onboard appliances, King said theyve instead replaced these traditional components with various interfaces, allowing people to control the various pumps, generator, rooftop solar panels, battery and more via a smartphone app. On the inside, the CyberLandr offers a compact living space with seats, a touchless sink with a voice-activated faucet, induction cooktop, counter space and smart TV. When its time for a little rest and relaxation, an online video shows the inside setup quickly transforming into a room for the night as the seats reconfigure to create a sleeping area. Other standout features include StarLink satellite internet and surround-sound audio inside. CyberLandr Aerodynamics and range For camping and glamping enthusiasts looking to hit the road with a pull-behind model, the weight and build of the camper will also impact fuel efficiency. Many of the larger classic models dont necessarily feature some of the most streamlined aerodynamic designs. To this point, King said the CyberLandr has zero additional aerodynamic drag and highlighted the significance for the electric vehicle market, stating the build results in a minimal range reduction. Where a traditional camper could reduce the range of an electric pickup by up to 40%, we estimate the range reduction of CyberLandr at about 5% due to the additional weight, he said. This means far fewer stops to charge and/or shorter charging sessions which also save money, he continued. CyberLandr Reception and supply chains issues: Cybertruck delays Overall, King described the CyberLandrs consumer response as overwhelming, and said the reception has exceeded the company's wildest dreams fivefold. Expectations and anticipation aside, theres no shortage of logistical hurdles to overcome in the months ahead, especially as waves of the coronavirus pandemic continue to ripple across global supply chains. In the last two years, the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic have led to myriad production issues and shipping delays for products ranging from consumer electronics to automobiles and the CyberLandrs future chariot, the CyberTruck, is no exception. In a recent earnings call, Musk announced the CyberTruck production had been pushed back due to supply chain issues, according to reports, delaying the rollout into 2023 at the earliest by some estimates. At the moment, the company expects to start shipping the product when Tesla is set to deliver the Cybertruck, which a CyberLandr spokesperson estimated to be approximately one year from now. But this timing and reliance on a vehicle manufactured by another company brings up an interesting question: Why design a product that has not been delivered to customers? Its all about timing, King said, explaining that customers want to be able to readily transform their Cybertrucks rather than wait for a year after getting their new ride to transform it into the ultimate adventure vehicle, pointing out that almost everyone working on the CyberLandr project also have placed Cybertruck orders and are also eager to accessorize the vehicle. Some of us want to take it to Moab for rock crawling. Others want to head to a beach, he said. Still others want to tour wine country, while others just want it for sporting events. Regardless of the planned use, King said the thousands of existing CyberLandr reservations (and counting), the market is telling him they werent too early on this endeavor. Associated Press Writer A former San Antonio police sergeant was sentenced Thursday to more than 11 years in federal prison for his role as a ringleader in a conspiracy to protect cocaine traffickers. Conrad Fragozo Jr., a 15-year veteran of the city's force, was also fined $5,000 in the case, which was set up as a sting operation by the FBI to root out corrupt police officers. Eight San Antonio Police Department officers, two Bexar County deputies and two civilians _ one of them Fragozo's uncle _ were arrested in March 2001 in the culmination of the three-year undercover probe. Fragozo pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell and possession with the intent to sell more than five kilograms, or roughly 11 pounds, of cocaine. The plea included a recommended sentencing cap of 20 years. The 11-year, four-month sentence handed down Thursday by U.S. District Judge Edward Prado was the longest of all of the participants who accepted plea agreements. Former officer Arthur Gutierrez Jr. received 15 years after losing his case in trial last spring. Fragozo and others that he recruited into the scheme protected what they believed were large cocaine shipments in exchange for payments up to $6,500 for each transaction. The shipments, actually simulated bricks of the drug, were supplied by federal agents posing as smugglers. Altogether, Fragozo received more than $31,000 for his actions. Prior to sentencing by Prado, Fragozo apologized to his family and the city for betraying their trust. "For 14 years I was a good officer," he said. "Only in the last year did I fail a test that I shouldn't have failed." His attorney, John Convery, repeated to Prado their position that Fragozo and the others were improperly lured into the scheme by overzealous government agents. Convery deemed the case a product of "outrageous conduct" by the FBI. Prosecutor David Counts said the U.S. Attorney's office had recommended a 12-year sentence for Fragozo. While Fragozo cooperated with the government's investigation, Counts said, defense requests for a mitigated sentence were opposed because Fragozo abused his position as a police officer and because he carried a gun while protecting the mock cocaine shipments. "He brought a firearm several times, and he encouraged others to bring firearms," Counts said. Prado ordered Fragozo to surrender to federal marshals by mid-October to begin serving his sentence. After two years of brutal setbacks, Austin's music scene has finally hit a high note. The Parish, a longtime live music venue on the city's Sixth Street corridor, is relocating to the Eastside. It will take over the space at 501 Brushy Street, itself a special spot in Austin's musical history as the former home of The North Door and The Independent venues. Along with the move, The Parish will also undergo a rebrand to give it "a more modernized look and feel," according to a release. Parish, as its now called, will be home to a redesigned interior as well as a brand-new bar and listening lounge called My Oh My. The new venue will host its first show on March 10, just in time for SXSW, naturally. The new venue is a partnership between Heard Presents, which owns three other venues in Austin, and Resound, a booking and creative branding agency founded by Graham Williams and Ian Orth, who previously owned Margin Walker Presents. (Margin Walker was the state's largest independent booking agency when it closed in 2020 and was also responsible for booking memorable shows at places like Paper Tiger and The Espee.) For the optimistic among us, Parish's launch could be seen as the first inkling that the Live Music Capital of the World might be rebounding from the pandemic. According to Orth, as booking for the newly launched Resound began picking up, so too did a need for a mid-size space like Parish, which can hold 350 concertgoers. Heard Presents/Resound "My partner Graham and I needed to quickly find a room of similar size for a bunch of our touring shows, and found out the North Door space was empty since they closed in the early days of the pandemic," Orth tells MySA. "Graham put [Heard co-owner] Stephen [Sternschein] in touch with the landlord of the building, and they quickly made a deal on a long-term lease." Though the Parish's move to Brushy is only about six-ish blocks from its former home, it does represent ongoing cultural shift for the tourist-heavy Sixth Street strip. The Parish was one of the last remaining live music venues on Sixth Street (cover bands in shot bars notwithstanding). It's a trend Parish co-owner Ian Orth notes has been happening largely unnoticed. "The shift of live music off of Sixth Street has been happening slowly for years. The emergence of all the venues on Red River, and on the Eastside has only helped speed that up," Orth says. "While there are still a handful of live music rooms on Sixth Street, most of them focus primarily on local bands, bar bands, and such." Joining Heard and Resound in Parish's new incarnation is a host of other Central Texas creatives, including Antonio Bond of Transplants: Eclectic Floral Design; KKDW, a custom design-build firm; and Coconut Club's Neon Tiger, which creates lighting installations. Together, they want to great one of "the new go-to hangs of Austin." For the last 10 years weve established ourselves as passionate music entrepreneurs who, at the core, want to sustain and enrich the community around us, said Dave Machinist of Heard Presents in a release. The rebirth of Parish on Brushy Street is our phoenix rising. We have the opportunity to create a space from all of the wisdom earned promoting and producing thousands of events in Austin. Doing this with expert partners like Graham and Ian makes it easy to transcend from visions of an ideal to a reality, and we couldnt be more excited. The Bachelor's sole Texas contestant, Lyndsey Windham, is causing quite a stir. The Houston-born Lyndsey spilled the tea on this season's lead Clayton Echard in a viral TikTok, calling him, among other things, "a liar." Lyndsey posted the video about Clayton after he sent her home during The Bachelor's February 7 episode. Here's a breakdown of the tea: This season of The Bachelor, of course, has a villain on the show. This year, it's Shanae Ankney, who's manipulative and basically a mean girl who mocked another contestant, Elizabeth Corrigan, for being neurodivergent (yeah, she's that kind of villain). Last week, Clayton made the questionable decision to keep Shanae around, believing her words when she said she was being bullied by Elizabeth and the other women in the house. However, the lead apologized to Elizabeth after seeing the episode that aired last week, saying, "I obviously knew y'all weren't in a good place, but at the time I thought it was solely petty drama. I would have sent Shanae home immediately for making fun of you for being neurodivergent had I known." Here's where our Houston queen comes into play: Once eliminated from the show, Lyndsey, 28, hopped on TikTok to discuss Clayton's apology to Elizabeth. Lyndsey said she told Clayton about Shanae mocking Elizabeth for her mental disabilities while she was on the show, alluding that Clayton knew and still kept Shanae around. "After the Baywatch date, Clayton chose to spend our time asking me about the drama in the house and why Shanae felt so bullied in the mansion," Lyndsey said. "And I explained to him, word for word, that I would never want anyone to feel bullied. However, when someone is mocking and making fun of someone's mental disabilities, that's crossing the line." She continued saying, "I don't want to surround myself with people like that, so I'm not gonna go out of my way to be their best friend. At the end of the day, everything happens for a reason and no hard feelings, however, you knew, and you kept her." Aftermath of TikTok: Clayton has yet to respond to the video, which blew up Bachelor Nation TikTok by receiving more than 680,000 views and 50,000 likes. Sadly, there are no more Texas queens on the show because Sierra Jackson, a 26-year-old recruiting coordinator from Dallas, was also sent home this week as well. Shanae, unfortunately, is still on the show. The recent episode ended with Shanae going on a two-on-one with another contestant, which means one of them has to go home. Let's hope Clayton finally sends the bully packing. The Bachelor airs at 7 p.m. every Monday on ABC. Sadie Layher/Graphic Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Beto O'Rourke will both be campaigning for the Texas gubernatorial race in San Antonio on Thursday, February 10, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The candidates will be exactly 11 miles away from each other at nearly the same time. Gov. Abbott will be meeting with business leaders at 11:30 a.m. at the Sunbelt Material Handling, a forklift supply company just east of Loop 410 to talk about the economy, according to the publication. kcline/Getty Images A baking company known for its crepes and brioche is baking up plans for a huge commercial bakery on San Antonio's Southside. Bakerly is planning an estimated $35 million, 137,350-square-foot "French bread and pastry production facility" at 2767 Research Plaza near Brooks on the Southside, according to a recent filing with the Texas Department with Licensing and Regulation. The filing says this is only phase one of the production facility. By Lambert Strether of Corrente Patient readers, Im afraid I must sacrifice a Water Cooler to complete a post on the Canadian truckers, which is a shame, because I have a lot to say. Ill make it up to tomorrow, I swear! In the meantime, here is a skeletal Water Cooler. Talk amongst yourselves! lambert Bird Song of the Day From Hancock, Maine, so I suspect the white noise is the Atlantic. * * * #COVID19 Case count by United States regions: Rise like a rocket, and fall like a stick; the slope of the downward curve is more or less the same as the upward curve. (Previous peaks how small the early ones look now have been roughly symmetrical on either side. But the scale of this peak, and the penetration into the population, is unprecedented.) I wonder if there will be plateau when BA.2 takes hold. Since the Northeast has form, that is probably the region to watch for this behavior first. The official narrative was Covid is behind us, and that the pandemic will be over by January (Gottlieb), and I know some people seem to not want to give up on the wonderful pandemic, but you know what? Its over (Bill Maher) was completely exploded. What a surprise! NOT UPDATED MWRA (Boston-area) wastewater detection: Continues encouraging. No jump from the return of the students yet, which is even more encouraging, especially if youre in Waiting for BA.2 mode. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) service area includes 43 municipalities in and around Boston, including not only multiple school systems but several large universities. Since Boston is so very education-heavy, then, I think it could be a good leading indicator for Covid spread in schools generally. From CDC Community Profile Reports (PDFs), Rapid Riser counties: Continued improvement. Tennesse reports weekly. (Remember that these are rapid riser counties. A county that moves from red to green is not covid-free; the case count just isnt, well, rising rapidly.) The previous release: Hospitalization (CDC Community Profile): Guam, come on! (Note trend, whether up or down, is marked by the arrow, at top. Admissions are presented in the graph, at the bottom. So its possible to have an upward trend, but from a very low baseline.) Death rate (Our World in Data): Total: 935,922 932,443 . A million deaths would be a real milestone, hopefully achieved before Bidens State of the Union speech in March. Covid cases in top us travel destinations (Statista): Good news here too. For the time being. Except for Germany. * * * Contact information for plants: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (johnnyme): johnnyme writes: I believe this is a Narrowleaf Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia). I stan for zinnias! * * * Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the recently concluded and thank you! successful annual NC fundraiser. So if you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldnt see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals: Here is the screen that will appear, which I have helpfully annotated. If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you! Indonesias tyre-bound crocodile finally freed after six years Reuters Neanderthal extinction not caused by brutal wipe out BBC Credit Suisse sinks to $2bn fourth-quarter loss FT. And Live news: ECB says six banks fell below minimum capital requirements last year FT Litigation finance pits greed against greed Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic Climate #COVID19 Open Everything Yascha Mounk, The Atlantic. Many of us became accustomed to carrying out an informal risk-benefit analysis before every outing. Something to be abandoned, obviously. But oopsie: So are we expecting that sending kids back to school in the dead of winter at the height of our omicron wave with no contact tracing and an isolation time thats 5 days too short to be useful will lead to the same result as schools being out for summer in SA or? Dr. Lisa Iannattone (@lisa_iannattone) January 23, 2022 Safety Third: Covid-19 And The American Character The American Conservative * * * CDC head says COVID-19 mask guidance stands, for now Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Santa Clara County isnt following California in lifting its mask mandate. Heres why San Francisco Chronicle * * * Omicron-specific mRNA vaccine induced potent neutralizing antibody against Omicron but not other SARS-CoV-2 variants (preprint) bioRxiv. In vitro, and mice. From the Abstract: Taken together, our data demonstrated that Omicron-specific mRNA vaccine can induce potent neutralizing antibody response against Omicron, but the inclusion of epitopes from other variants may be required for eliciting cross-protection. This study would lay a foundation for rational development of the next generation vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. Big if true. Readers? Omicron, T-Cells and the Science of Why We Need to Update Our COVID Vaccines The Wire * * * Beyond the Booster Shot The New Yorker. What a glorious feeling Im hap-hap-happy again * * * Covid-19 Deaths Are Not Over Counted Gideon M-K, Health Nerd. A deep dive into death certificates. [D]eaths are fairly complex, and its often quite hard to pin down just one thing that caused someone to die. Now, it may shock you, but the people who manage death reporting systems are actually aware of all of this. Indeed, we build our entire systems to acknowledge that death is not necessarily a simple event, because we need to capture that complexity for a whole variety of reasons (if nothing else, its important for legal purposes to know what happened when someone dies). This is Australia, and I assume the UK. I dont know about the US. Readers? How Medicine Must Change for Endemic COVID-19 Adam Gaffney, Boston Review. Acknowledging the endemic future of SARS-CoV-2 shouldnt lead us to turn our backs on the medically vulnerable and embrace a return to normal. Instead, we must collectively insist on an effective, ongoing, and sustainable policy responsenot only to support and protect those who are most at-risk for developing this particular disease, but to shore up the provision of medical care for us all. The central lesson we should draw from our experience with COVID-19 is not that the U.S. health care system has been poorly equipped to respond to a crisis: its that it has been poorly equipped to serve many critical functions in the provision of meaningful and equitable health care to all Americans. Gaffney is on the side of the angels so I regret not being able to share my usual sunny optimism here, but the discourse around endemic reminds me a lot of deinstitutionalization. We (1) closed state hospitals for people with severe mental illness, because (2) we were going to treat them in community settings. Except we butchered step (2), and ended up with mentally ill people living on the streets, good job. So, step (1): live with Coid. There will be no step (2), at least if the powers-that-be have anything to say about it. Hence my disturbed sleep, general angst, etc. The Macroeconomics of Epidemics The Review of Financial Studies. From 2021, still germane. Late for the anniversary, but a good reminder that there are unselfish heroes everywhere: By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Let me confess at the outset that, sadly, I have come to regard freedom as a tell for the expression of todays brand of sociopathic and therefore highly adaptive libertarianism[1]. So, when I see the Canadian truckers (as I will call them) branded as a (highly replicable) Freedom Convoy, my back teeth start to itch. However, any popular outbreak on such a scale deserves an account, which I hope to give in this post. Im going to try to avoid most of the current coverage, since the news flow is so polluted its almost impossible to parse. (I wish there were labor reporters like Kim Kelly, Mike Elk, or Jonah Furman on the ground; that there are not is interesting in itself; though perhaps crossing the border is still too hard.) Hence, I will avoid, in no particular order, triumphalism (The Truckers Fighting Dystopia), huffiness whether from Canadas great and good (Well lift our anti-COVID restrictions when elected governments decide, not street mobs) or our own diplomats (US Groups Need to Stop Interfering in Canada: Ex-US Envoy), liberal aghastitude (here), heart-tugging stories (EXCLUSIVE: Unsettling photos show heavily bruised great-grandfather, 78, after being forcefully handcuffed by Ottawa cops for honking his car horn to support Freedom Convoy as family says he is suffering from PTSD), and all digital evidence, whether of tactics (here), honking (here), flags (here), funding on Facebook (here, here, here), or press conferences by the truckers themselves (here, here, here). I will not consider truckers as a putatively international movement; yellow jackets do not gilets jaunes make. Having damped down the triggers and the noise, I will look for the following signals: The likely class composition of the truckers (from industry statistics), the demands of the truckers (as documented by them), the response to the truckers (from Canadian reporting), and the leadership of the truckers (again from Canadian reporting). First, however, I should state my position on what has come to be the truckers policy demand (distinct from what I regard as their central demand, documented below). Initially, the truckers protests are said to have come into being as the result of a mandate for a two-week quarantine after crossing back into Canada from the United States; not so easy, if you are accustomed, say, to moving auto parts from Windsor to Detroit more or less daily. This morphed into a demand for an end to vaccine mandates, and to an end to pandemic emergency orders generally (more on this shortly). For clarity and before I go on, allow me my vaccines are up to date, in case thats relevant to express my views on vaccine mandates. If I were a judge, I would make a vaccine mandate pass one test: Is the mandate motivated by public health concerns? None of the vaccines are sterilizing, and so do not prevent harm to the public in the form of contagion.[2] Of course, if the Biden Administration and the Western world, generally had not settled on a disastrous vax-only policy, we would not be in lethal and demoralizing position, because we would have other mitigations to bring the case count down. That said, let us proceed to realpolitik. To support a demand is not, after all, to support one who makes it[3]. First, the class composition of the Canada truckers. Class Composition of the Canadian Truckers When I concluded that the Capitol rioters were not working class but petite bourgeoisie, I had real data in the form of arrest records and newspaper accounts. We have no such data for the Canadian truckers. We do, however, have some useful data on the Canadian trucking industry. From Trucking HR Canada (PDF), The Road Ahead: Addressing Canadas Trucking and Logistics Industry Labour Shortages (March 2020): In recent years, there has been an average of just over 300,000 truck drivers working in Canada, equivalent to 1.7% of working Canadians. One out of every 60 working Canadians is employed as a truck driver. There are two kinds of trucker: Long-haul truck drivers: Drivers spending at least one night away from home each week. Short-haul truck drivers: Drivers being home every night unless exceptional circumstances prevent them from returning home. Drivers are distributed as follows: 1. Truck drivers are fairly evenly distributed between long-haul and short-haul drivers. 2. Employees are more common than owner-operators, accounting for 64% of drivers in both the long-haul and short-haul segments. If we ask ourselves what sort of trucker is able to drive their rig to Ottawa, stay there for days, and even render their truck dysfunctional[4], the answer is clear: Owner operators (that is, (100% 64%) * 50% = 18% of all truckers).[5] Without real data, its impossible to be certain, but Im not the only one whos come to this conclusion. From Passage: Its safe to assume that the people who made the trek to Ottawa arent the same people filing labour violation claims with the federal Labour Program. Rather than exploited workers in a deregulated industry, my guess is that the truckers actually present in Ottawa were by and large self-employed owner-operators: the small contingent of wealthier small proprietors who have made out quite well in the new wild-west of for-hire trucking. It was a revolt of the petit-bourgeoisie, financially backed[6] by wealthy right-wing grifters. This weekends idiotic pageantry was thus a political consequence of the decades-long class project to remake the trucking sector, a project which has dismantled a highly unionized industry, formerly made up of relatively well-paying and stable jobs, and replaced it with a poorly regulated labour market of hyper-competition among small owner-operators and other precariously-positioned workers. Now, if this were a labor dispute, it would be ludicrous to think that the Canadian truckers (these Canadian truckers could or should represent all truckers, just as it would be ludicruous for labor aristocrats to claim they represnted gig workers. However, this is not a labor dispute; the Canadian truckers are making a demand on the nation of Canada, on behalf (so they say) of the people of Canada. To those demands we now turn. Demands of the Canadian Truckers The demands of the truckers began, as we have seen, with quarantines, then morphed into a demand for an end to mandates, and then for an end to all emergency measures. (Now, apparently, we are bitcoin. Fine.) However, the key document is, to my mind, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) produced by Canada Unity, a participant in the convoy, which was widely distributed. I have embedded the entire PDF document in an Appendix at the end of the post; here is the first page with some highlights helpfully added: A word on the document itself: Material like this doesnt emerge within hours; people have been thinking about this. I will grant that the language is not as cray cray as, say, the Moorish Sovereign Citizens; in fact, Canadian trucking regulations are communicated in the from of Memorandums of Undertstanding, so perhaps thats where the MOU drafters picked up the concept. (One has to wonder, however, about the epigraph from Jefferson (its fake). Wouldnt a Canadian have quoted, well, a Canadian?) More important is the highlighted legalese: As you can see, the parties to the MOU are THE PEOPLE OF CANADA, the SENATE OF CANADA, and THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA. And who, you may ask, signs for THE PEOPLE OF CANADA? We flip to the end for the answer, which is highlighted: Canada Unity signs for THE PEOPLE OF CANADA. In other words, the MOU distributed from within the Canadian truckers protest calls for the end of representative government as currently understood in Canada. This is the sort of thing the Bolsheviks might do on behalf of the Soviets, but the Canadian petite bourgeoisie even in its entirety doesnt have the base to do that, or the party leadership, and the historical conjuncture seems not appropriate. However just spitballing, here if I were a squillionaire looking to transform representative democracy into a perpetual plebiscite of AstroTurf, the MOU is exactly the sort of document I would look upon with favor.[6] Response to the Canadian Truckers The WSWS summarizes the reaction of the Canadian goverment to the truckers as follows: In Monday evenings emergency parliamentary debate on the Ottawa occupation, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a major concession to the armed besiegers of Canadas capital when he declared, Pandemic restrictions are not forever. The significance of this remark was unmistakable, coming just three days after Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Theresa Tam, a Trudeau government appointee, told a Friday press conference that all COVID-19 measures would need to be re-examined in the coming weeks because this virus isnt going away. Within hours of Trudeaus comments Monday, provincial premiers with jurisdiction over close to half of Canadas 38 million inhabitants announced an end to all remaining restrictionseither immediately or in a matter of weeks. Given that democidal elites are a parsimonious explanation for Covid policy in Canada as well as the United States, we can surmise that the Canadian truckers gave Trudeau and the Liberal Party the excuse and the cover to do what they have wanted to do all along. So all things work together for good! Leadership of the Canadian Truckers I have left the personalia for the end. Some Canadian reporting in Vice on the Canadian trucker leadership[7]: James Bauder registered the Canada Unity Facebook page in late 2019, when he was a fervent supporter of the United We Roll anti-carbon tax convoy. Things didnt exactly take off: In March 2021, his recently-registered website boasted a membership count of 30. In 2021, Bauder started using his Canada Unity group as a front against COVID-19 measures. He organized his first convoy, headed to Ottawa, in Octoberlong before any vaccine mandates for truckers were put in place. Bauder and his small group began promoting their memorandum of understanding. The plan was to attract as many signatures as possible and deliver the document to Ottawa. In November, Bauder delivered some of the signed copies to the Senate, to no effect. Undeterred, Bauder kept criss-crossing the country in his RV, extolling the virtues of his campaign and imploring Members of Parliament to endorse the memorandum. Bauders campaign didnt garner much buzz until this month, when an array of other characters joined the Canada Unity mission. One of those organizers was Pat King, a former organizer with the Western Canada separatist party Wexit. King gained notoriety after he helped organize a rally in Red Deer, Alberta, that turned violent, and thanks to his repeated attempts to weaponize his misunderstanding of the law to repeal Albertas COVID-19 measures. King is a prolific streamer, using his social media pages to warn of Anglo-Saxon replacement and to make disparaging remarks about immigrants and the LGBTQ community, per videos cataloged by Anti-Hate Canada. On Jan. 18, Bauder and King appeared on a livestream together to promote the Canada Unity website as our official convoy page. Bauder made it clear this was not a leaderless movement: He said there were five organizers across the country, including himself and King, who were behind the convoy. He insisted they already had tens of thousands of participants signed up.. At the same time, Kingwho just a month before warned that the only way that this is going to be solved is with bulletsbegan pressing the idea that the movement had to be squeaky clean. It had to make sure that we come off on this as professional as can be, he said on one livestream, because the whole worlds eyes are gonna be on us. (Other organizers have tried to distance themselves from King, but he continues to lead a segment of the convoy coming from the West.). Jason LaFace is an Ontario organizer for the convoy. LaFace was previously linked to Soldiers of Odin, an anti-immigrant group, by anti-racism researchers. (Those researchers obtained an apology letter from LaFace, saying he dismantled the local chapter.) LaFace did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Benjamin Dicher, whose name is listed on the GoFundMe page, which has surpassed $6 million, is a Peoples Party activist who has warned that the Liberal Party is infested with Islamists. Another of Operation BearHugs [a name for the convoys] regional organizers is a former candidate for the arch-social conservative Christian Heritage Party. And plenty more. A mixed bag, to say the least. Or perhaps not so mixed. I mean, Im an animist at the most, the very most. I dont believe in Odin. Conclusion The savage irony of the Canadian trucker convoy is that the vulnerability of the supply chain to its workers was first worked out on the left. Thats the thesis of labor historian Kim Moodys On New Terrain (2017). Here is Moody in Labour and the contradictory logic of logistics (2019): This article will argue that the system of logistics that has taken shape in the last two or three decades is deeply affected by contradictions inherent in capitalism that magnify the potential power of labour to disrupt supply chains. Among these are: the tension between the desire for the seamless movement of goods and the disruptive reality of competition and the fight for value appropriation up and down the supply chain; the push by both retailers and manufacturers for ever faster delivery of goods to market; the burden of high fixed costs that underlie the structure of contemporary logistics; and the growth of huge logistics clusters concentrating tens of thousands of manual workers in important metropolitan areas. It will be argued that each of these contradictions renders the firms in these logistics networks highly vulnerable to worker actions . While such actions have been relatively rare so far, community-based pre-union organising in some major clusters, such as Chicago [or Detroit-Windsor lambert], is laying the basis for a future upsurge in worker organisation. Moody is, apparently, a prophet without honor on the left. So we have a ginormous upsurge that forces auto manufacturing to shut down. Led by whom? Petite bourgeoisie who believe in Odin and Anglo-Saxon replacement theory, thats who. Its enough to make a cat laugh. From the Monthly Review: This vacuum on the leftranging from weakness to betrayalis wind in the sails of those who wish to co-opt legitimate disaffection in service of a turn to authoritarian capitalism. Its not a stretch to say there is no left to speak of on the current political landscape. If organized labour is to have any relevance in the era of COVID, it must mobilize to counter and even stop far right protests around the country, and make aggressive demands that speak to the basic needs of working class people, such as housing security. But if unions and social democratic organizations arent willing to meet this threat with the organized will and response it requires, then new organizations are urgently needed that have the energy and vision to do so. To put this in the U.S. context: If the Association of Flight Attendants, the International Longshoremens Association, the Big Four railroad brotherhoods, and of course the Teamsters had wished to, they could have done, on a national scale and with far more effect, what the Canadian Truckers are doing. These industrial unions might have demanded, at the very minimum, decent PPE for health care workers, and proper ventilation for teachers. At a maximum, they could have demanded that Americans be paid to stay home until Covid transmission in this country sputtered out, ending the pandemic here and setting an example for the world. But here we are. NOTES [1] See Andrew Ditmers prophetic series, Journal into a Libertarian Future, which seemed a lot funnier in 2011 than it does today. In short form: Freedom is how a libertarian says f*ck you,' as in p*ssing in the pool, infecting closed spaces, and so forth. I imagine libertarianism and Wesley Yangs successor ideology will at some point clash directly, a battle I hope leaves both mortally wounded. [2] If the argument is that we should vaccinate to prevent the health care system from being overloaded, then we might ask ourselves why we did not start doing that long ago by building slack into the system, and by, say, deprecating high fructose corn syrup.) [3] Hitler, after all, was a vegetarian. [4] Toronto Star: Some trucks [sic] have removed their tires or split their brakes to make them completely immobile. [5] This may not be true for the Windsor protest: Canadas bridge blocking trucker protest is short on semis. [6] To be fair, Canada Unity withdrew the MOU, perhaps because people figured out what it really meant. I think the MOU is a bell that cant be unrung. [7] Such as it is: Youre dealing with a bit of a leaderless group, Mayor Drew Dilkens said at a mid-day news conference with the citys police chief. Its not like theres one person you can go to and try and find a resolution.' APPENDIX: The Memorandum of Understanding Here is the complete MOU: (Natural News) Comedian Heather McDonald collapsed on stage and fractured her skull during her show in Tempe, Arizona seconds after delivering a joke about being triple vaxxed. (Article by Christina Laila republished from TheGatewayPundit.com) Eyewitnesses told TMZ that McDonald collapsed and hit her head on the floor after she delivered her second joke of the evening: Im vaxxed, double vaxxed, boosted and flu shot and shingle shot and havent gotten COVID and Jesus loves me most. At first everyone thought McDonald fainting was part of her comedy routine, but it wasnt. McDonald passed on the ambulance and was taken to a local hospital by her sister-in-law. It is unclear what caused Heather McDonald to collapse. TMZ reported: Comedian Heather McDonald fell hard during a show in Tempe, Arizona, but it was no joke it was a medical emergency. Eyewitnesses tell TMZ the former Chelsea Lately star was headlining the sold-out show, when she delivered her second joke Im vaxxed, double vaxxed, boosted and flu shot and shingle shot and havent gotten COVID and Jesus loves me most. As soon as she delivered the joke, she just collapsed and hit her head on the floor. Everyone thought at first it was all part of the act, but it was not. She was conscious, but clearly, all was not well. An EMT and a nurse happened to be in the audience they rushed up on stage to provide first aid. The 911 call came in as a seizure, but no one really knows yet. An ambulance came and paramedics tended to Heather. Heather tells TMZ she felt somewhat dizzy when she was on stage and then just collapsed. She says its never happened to her before. Heather says she got a cat scan as well as other tests, but so far its unclear what caused her to faint. She says her head really hurts and shes very tired. Heather tells us she never had COVID and, as she said in her set, shes fully vaxxed and boosted. Read more at: TheGatewayPundit.com (Natural News) The Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) is a fraud. This is what Dr. Andrew Kaufman told host Kerri Rivera on the February 3 episode of the Champions with Kerri Rivera show on Brighteon.TV. (Related: The COVID fraud will not stay hidden forever) Theres just no evidence to show that theres a virus that causes this disease. So everything built upon that is fraudulent in one sense or another. Its not actually an isolated virus. Its just the fluid, essentially, from a cell culture experiment, Kaufman said. Kaufman noted that even the authors of the publication titled Isolation of a Virus all said in written correspondence that they didnt purify any virus in their experiments. He also mentioned Nobel Prize-winning French virologist Luc Montagnier, the doctor who discovered the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), warning about the dangerous side effect of the mRNA vaccines and stating that a virus must be purified to show that it is real. And so in order to show that its real, that has to be done and it hasnt, Kaufman said, adding that the root cause of an illness must be known so that support can be given to bring healing to the body. We certainly dont see evidence of any increased overall death rate. We see lots of fudged death certificates and numbers with financial incentives throughout the healthcare system that skew the data. Medical treatment, wearing masks are killing people He also took note of the medical treatments that are killing people in hospitals and the dangers of wearing masks. Kaufman warned that inhaling ones own exhaust gases, carbon dioxide or CO2, at a higher concentration is going to cause a respiratory illness. He also talked about masks that had been contaminated with toxic materials. So youre inhaling plastic particles in addition to whatever is coming out of your mouth that your bodys trying to get rid of. Youre re-inhaling and concentrating it in your lungs, said Kaufman, who also warned about the abrasive plastic swabs that have been tested and shown to contain toxic metals and other substances. Kaufman said people need to shift toward what he calls a terrain model, or the method of natural healing that supports the bodys self-healing mechanisms. Thats really the future of health and healing. And so we want to kind of promote that shift. And then in the course of telling that story, we go into the human struggle related to what we are facing, which is all predicated upon this scientific misconception or fraud, depending on how you look at it, he said. So that we can see like how we can stand up through the knowledge of these truths against the tyranny and the adversity that were facing. The forensic psychiatrist also indicated that the germ theory of diseases is misunderstood and experiments dont show that germs cause an illness. He added that the allopathic mainstream healthcare model is all based on the germ theory. Kaufman also said that the use of vaccines and drugs like antibiotics has led to a major decline in the health of people. He pointed out that conventional treatments are either the first or second leading cause of death in the United States based on the numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has been like a divide and conquer kind of strategy that has been used as a way to get people to argue and fight each other rather than realize that they are being manipulated and steered down a path that is not in their best interest. More related stories: Americans losing faith in doctors amid widespread covid deception, fraud. Virus that causes COVID-19 has NEVER been isolated in a lab Drs Lee Merritt and Tom Cowan explain. COVID PLANDEMIC: Healthcare insiders blow lid on widespread elder abuse, medical fraud, forced vaccines. Watch the full Feb. 3 episode of Champions with Kerri Rivera below. Champions with Kerri Rivera airs every Thursday at 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow Outbreak.news for more news about the COVID-19 pandemic. Sources include: Brighteon.com Must-News.com (Natural News) The founder of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) chapter in Memphis was sentenced to six years imprisonment for voting even though felony convictions prohibited her from doing so. In his Feb. 7 ruling, Judge Michael Ward sentenced 44-year-old Pamela Moses to a jail term of six years and one day. Shelby County District Attorney General (AG) Amy Weirich confirmed the Memphis BLM founders verdict. According to the AG, Moses decision to register to vote despite felony convictions in 2015 that rendered her ineligible led to the sentence. The Memphis BLM founder pleaded guilty to two felonies forgery and tampering with evidence back in 2015. She was placed on probation for seven years and deemed ineligible to vote in Tennessee due to the latter felony. Moses also pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor charges: theft of under $500, escape, perjury and stalking. According to Moses, she believed that her voting rights had been restored when she went to vote in 2019. I did not falsify anything. All I did was try to get my rights to vote back the way people at the election commission told me and the way the clerk did, she said. Probation officials claimed they made an error on their part when they declared Moses had completed her probation which was set to expire in 2022. Furthermore, the tampering with evidence charge Moses pleaded guilty to made the ban on her voting in Tennessee permanent. (Related: Democrats pushing hard to RIG all elections with mandatory voter registration for all entitlement recipients; legalizing voting for felons nationwide.) The arguments by Moses and the probation officials failed to convince Ward, who accused the Memphis BLM founder of deceiving state officials. You tricked the probation department into giving you documents saying you were off probation. Moses attorney Bede Anyanwu said the Memphis BLM founder plans to appeal the verdict. She believes the sentencing was beyond the evidence that was presented, he added. BLM bigwigs appears to be connected to questionable actions Moses is not the only BLM leadership figure that made it to the headlines for wrong reasons. BLM Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) co-founder Patrisse Cullors previously became the center of the news following her purchase of multiple real estate properties. She and her partner, BLM Canada co-founder Janaya Khan, managed to buy four high-end homes in the U.S. for $3.2 million. According to the New York Post, three of these properties were located in the Los Angeles area. The couple also purchased a property in Georgia in 2020 for $415,000. The news outlet added that Cullors and Khan were also eyeing a property in the Bahamas, but a purchase was not confirmed. BLMGNF issued a statement to the Post explaining that while Cullors received a total of $120,00 since BLMs establishment in 2013, she did not receive compensation after 2019. BLMGNF cannot and did not commit any organizational resources toward the purchase of personal property by any employee or volunteer. Any insinuation or assertion to the contrary is categorically false, the statement added. Amid growing criticism of her real estate purchases, Cullors stepped down from BLMGNF to purportedly focus on herself. She defended her decision as a move that has supposedly been planned for a year, and insisted that her departure has nothing to do with the issue at hand. The revelation about Cullors property purchases elicited criticism from outside and inside BLM. One such critic was Hank Newsome, who heads Greater New York Citys BLM chapter. Following the news, he called for an independent investigation to determine how BLMGNF spends its money. If you go around calling yourself a socialist, you have to ask how much of her own personal money is going to charitable causes. Its really sad because it makes people doubt the validity of the movement and overlook the fact that its the people that carry the movement, said Newsome. More related stories: BLM co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors has purchased four lavish estates in wealthy white neighborhoods with her social justice reparations. Where did the money go? Tens of millions unaccounted for after Black Lives Matter leaders skip town. BLM co-founder buys million-dollar home in neighborhood with black population of less than 2%. Black Lives Matter funneled millions to charity to buy mansion from communists. Watch the video below that talks about Cullors real estate purchases. This video is from the Recharge Freedom channel on Brighteon.com. Visit BlackLies.news for more stories about BLM leaders getting involved in questionable schemes. Sources include: NYPost.com 1 BizPACReview.com NYPost.com 2 DrewBerquist.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) The British military is warning that space-based nuclear attacks are becoming much more probable via new systems and technology being pursued and deployed by Russia and China. In particular, stronger weapons systems that include hypersonic nuclear-armed missiles that can hit targets on the other side of the world after briefly exiting the earths atmosphere are being developed rapidly by both countries, even as the United States and Western-centric NATO countries lag far behind in this technology. As such, more NATO countries have begun to reassess both their offensive and defensive capabilities along the final frontier of space, Zero Hedge noted, citing the British Ministry of Defense report that was published last week. The report said that aggressors are seeking a potential capability of being able to launch an exo-atmospheric nuclear strike that would result in the decimation of societies a permanent kill scenario, to quote the UK Defense Ministrys terms. Even more daunting, the report says that the UK governments ability to ensure the qualities of daily life for citizens in the future will largely depend on control of space, and its a contest where Britains adversaries are quickly gaining distinct advantages. Daily life is reliant on space and, for the Armed Forces, space underpins vital, battle-winning technologies. From space we can deliver global command & control, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, precision navigation, and more. Adversaries understand this reliance and are increasingly able to exploit vulnerabilities, threatening our strategic stability and security, the report states. The only way to protect against complete annihilation from space, the MoD reasons, is complete cooperation with other Western allies in ways that ensure control of space or, at a minimum, equal capabilities to inflict similar damage on a potential enemy. The report notes that while its crucial to maintain space domain dominance, the constant, aggressive great power competition to establish dominance in the space domain creates vulnerabilities for the UK and the way of life for its citizens. It also recognizes a host of threats from cyber and electromagnetic pulse attacks to an exo-atmospheric nuclear attack, the latter being a nuclear-tipped missile guided by satellite or even one that is launched from a space-based platform. Though the U.S. Space Force that was initiated under former President Donald Trump is not mentioned specifically, the UK MoD report goes on to say that broadening and deepening multinational cooperation is the countrys only means of permanently securing its boundaries and meeting its security needs regarding the space domain. The report doesnt list specific measures Britain plans to pursue in order to defend itself outside of investing billions of pounds in new space reconnaissance capabilities as well as taking part in the U.S.-led Olympic Defender program. The report does specifically address Russias burgeoning anti-satellite capabilities and mentions recent anti-satellite tests carried out by Moscow that spread space debris (without mentioning similar U.S. and Indian tests): Examples of International Threats Russia has conducted a number of on-orbit activities that have drawn attention and concern from allies and partners across the globe. These include contesting the electromagnetic spectrum, targeting the vital link between satellites and ground segments, as well as satellites in orbit that can release smaller secondary and even tertiary devices (like a Russian doll), with the possibility that some may have a destructive capability. Twice in 2020, Russia continued with its series of test-launches of Direct Ascent Anti-Satellite weapons and in 2021 Russia conducted a destructive test that resulted in at least 1500 trackable pieces of debris in low earth orbit that was condemned by many. This destructive anti-satellite missile test by Russia shows a complete disregard for the security, safety and sustainability of space. The debris resulting from this test will remain in orbit, putting satellites and human spaceflight at risk, for years to come. Its clear that space is no longer considered off-limits, militarily, by both China and Russia, adding a new level of nuclear holocaust danger to the survival of the planet. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com NewsTarget.com (Natural News) For lawyer Thomas Renz, the lies and deceit propagated by the people behind the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are beyond fraudulent theyre murderous. Fraud is an understatement. I think the question we need to be asking is whether murder has been committed, Renz told Steve Bannon during a recent episode of the War Room. The Ohio attorney cited Anthony Faucis claims that he was not aware of any deaths caused by the COVID-19 vaccine. But Pfizer documents submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveal that the pharmaceutical company received 1,223 reports of deaths and over 42,000 reports describing a total of 158,893 adverse reactions within the first 90 days of the vaccine rollout. The reports came from different countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal and Spain. Aside from the common adverse reactions, the most frequently reported side effect of the mRNA vaccine was nervous system disorder with 25,957 cases. The documents were obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request. Despite that information, FDA proceeded to approve Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine, which led to vaccine mandates imposed on American citizens and even the military. On Aug. 24, 2021, just one day after the FDAs approval of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced mandatory injections for all service members and their families. Austin reportedly owns 29,868 shares of Tenet Health, a company that makes vast sums of money on Pfizer vaccines. But Renz was looking beyond the mandates fraudulent nature. We have DOD [Department of Defense] data now. This DOD data is from the top of the line database for our military it is indisputable, it is rock solid, said Renz. DMED data shows massive increase in illnesses among DOD personnel The lawyer was referring to the medical records from the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database (DMED), which he discussed in a separate interview with Pastor David Scarlett. The data is straight from the defense, military, medical servers. They have medical records in the Defense Department and theyre widely acknowledged to be the most comprehensive and complete medical records out there. Theyre very good for analysis. So these are good records and weve got a whole bunch of stuff now that is really important, Renz told Scarlett during the January 28 episode of His Glory on Brighteon.TV. Renz, who represents military doctors Peter Chambers, Theresa Long and Samuel Sigoloff, presented the leaked data to a panel discussion initiated by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin on January 25. (Related: Corporate media refuses to report on Sen. Ron Johnsons panel discussion exposing deadly covid vaccines.) DMED contains current and historical data on DOD personnel thats only entered by medical providers. Information on dozens of diseases/medical disorders was gathered during a five-year period. When I tell you that the incidence of cancer went up 300 percent in one year you dont have to be a genius to understand that theres something wrong there. I dont need to have a Ph.D. to know that there has to be a correlation with the vaccines because nothing else has changed. You dont need scientific analysis to say, Hey, theres something wrong. This is stuff that any layman on the planet can see, Renz told Scarlett. The data reflected reporting from January to November last year. Aside from the increase in cancer cases, it also shows that the cases of myocarditis rose 285 percent; pulmonary embolism rose 467 percent; cerebral infraction rose 393 percent; menstrual irregularities rose 476 percent; multiple sclerosis rose 487 percent; spontaneous abortion rose 306 percent; disseminate intravascular coagulation rose 1,175 percent; HIV rose 590 percent; chest pains rose 1,529 percent; breathing difficulty rose 905 percent, and neurological issues rose 1,000 percent. During his appearance on Bannons War Room, Renz said he will be sharing the data with those in a position to start an investigation. I am going to be sending this to our congressional leaders and asking for immediate investigations there and were going to be sending it everywhere else. And I will volunteer my time to share everything that we have. And to help make the case that these guys belong in jail. More related stories: Government whistleblowers warn about rises in miscarriages and cancer since the introduction of COVID vaccines. Tom Renz reveals the names of vaccine damage Pentagon whistleblowers during Johnson roundtable. Covid vaccines cause 300 percent increase in rate of miscarriages Brighteon.com. ACT OF WAR: Thanks to covid vaccines, the militarys cancer rate has more than TRIPLED. Watch the video below of Steve Bannons War Room featuring Thomas Renz as one of the guests. This video is from the Shekinah Glory channel on Brighteon.com. Follow Vaccines.news for more stories about the adverse effects of coronavirus vaccines. Sources include: Brighteon.com 1 Brighteon.com 2 NewsTribune.com (Natural News) Researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom now claim that the best way to wear a Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) face mask to protect against the spread of Fauci Germs is to first layer it with womens panty hose. Describing the bizarre technique as a fit hack, the study claims that KN95 and other surgical masks can be made to fit better by padding them with womens underwear (see the below photos from the study for examples). According to the scientists who conducted the research, womens underwear makes Fauci Flu veils fit better, though it remains unknown, they say, how or even if the technique makes masks work any better. For the experiment, four participants were assigned to try out seven different mask fit hacks, one of them being the panty hose. Each person tried out seven different hacks multiple times to assess how reliable [they] were when reapplied. A convenience of four participants took part in the study, three females and one male with a head circumference range of 54 to 60 centimetres, the study explains. Some of the other techniques tested out in addition to the panty hose included tape and rubber bands, though the panty hose overlayer was supposedly observed to be the most effective hack, according to the research team. Branch Covidians want panty hose embedded into new face mask designs The study basically concludes that slapping panty hose over ones face to improve the fit of a Fauci Flu mask is somehow beneficial, though very uncomfortable and unlikely to be tolerated for extended periods of time. The development of effective fit-improvement solutions remains a critical issue in need of further development, the study goes on to explain, suggesting that masks need to be redesigned with womens underwear or other hacks. Why any of this is even important remains unknown, seeing as how face masks have already been proven to be medically useless just like lockdowns, social distancing and other covid measures. The study also admits that tampering with face masks using womens underwear is unproven and possibly pointless, though it apparently makes those with a mask fetish feel safer wearing them because all air gaps are sealed, much like wearing a plastic bag over the face. Even though it would be extremely uncomfortable and possibly cause the wearer to suffocate, wearing a panty hose-equipped face mask could make those who are fearful of droplets, as Tony Fauci often calls them, feel better protected against infection. The study does admit that the most effective fit hacks, including the panty hose, are so uncomfortable as to be unusable in some cases in other words, none of this is at all practical in the real world. Still, the research team has decided that it is important, for some reason. Many of the most effective fit hacks were so uncomfortable as to be unusable in some cases, the study clearly states. Overall, whilst we found that fit hacks did generally improve mask performance, it is difficult to predict the effects for a given individual or face type. We hope these results will be of benefit to designers in order that they may improve masks and mask fitting devices, as well as members of the public seeking to improve their own masks. The hacks tested are all accessible to the general public. At Natural News, a commenter wrote that masks only may be effective, as they have never actually been proven to be effective. It is also a violation of the Nuremberg Code and the Constitution itself to mandate them. More of the latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) insanity can be found at ScienceClowns.com Sources for this article include: Journals.plos.org NaturalNews.com (Natural News) A new study from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has found that 99 percent of people who have recovered from a previous Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infection developed natural immunity to the virus that still remain more than a year later. The JHU research team was led by Dr. Marty Makary, a professor of public health policy, an expert surgeon and a regular medical commentator for Fox News. My Johns Hopkins research team is leading a long-term study of natural immunity because the NIH [National Institutes of Health] and the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] are not doing it, announced Makary back in October. They have $50 billion and 30,000 employees and yet cant seem to conduct one of the most important studies we need done to inform the public. The study involved 1,580 individuals who the JHU team had invited to undergo serologic testing, which is being used to evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a persons system. Only around half of those who were invited went in for testing during the studys testing period between Sept. 24 and Nov. 5, 2021. Among the participants, 295 reported having a previous COVID-19 infection. When their blood was tested, 293 of them or over 99 percent tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. An additional 275 individuals were COVID-unconfirmed patients. Of those, 152 or 55 percent tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. The remaining 246 participants supposedly had never had COVID-19. Of this group, 11 percent tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. (Related: STUDY: Natural immunity provides significantly better protection against COVID than vaccine immunity.) What this data indisputably proves is that natural immunity is far more durable than vaccinated immunity. The protection those with a previous COVID-19 infection had against a recurrence of the virus lasted so long that it was still around more than a year later with no noticeable decline. Makary wants more people to learn about natural immunity During an interview with Fox News journalist and TV anchor Shannon Bream, Makary said he and the other doctors in the research team felt that they needed to do this study on their own because neither the CDC nor the NIH were releasing their data on reinfections and natural immunity. Makary also pointed out that it is very easy for people who have recovered from COVID-19 to get tested to find out if they have sufficient antibodies in their systems to prevent reinfection, thus proving their status as having natural immunities. Unfortunately, this knowledge isnt widespread and it does not receive a lot of attention in mainstream media outlets. According to Makary, the antibodies people receive from the COVID-19 vaccines diminish within months after getting the injections. But with natural immunity, that protection was better. Its more durable, and thats consistent with what the CDC found, Makary noted. He added that he wants society to be more precise in its language by not dividing people based on whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated, but rather in terms of the immune and the non-immune. More related articles: CDC finally admits natural immunity is SUPERIOR to vaccines. South African studies reveal high levels of natural immunity is the best defense against omicron. Study: People with natural immunity against COVID-19 have significantly lower risk of severe reinfection. STUDY: Surviving covid produces lasting natural immunity (unlike fake vaccine immunity). 30-plus studies prove that natural immunity is the best defense against covid. Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about how people with vaccine-acquired immunity are losing all of their immune functions. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Learn more about the effectiveness of natural immunity against COVID-19 at Pandemic.news. Sources include: HumansAreFree.com BizPacReview.com CDC.gov Brighteon.com (Natural News) In 1995, previously unknown geologist-engineer Phil Schneider delivered a lecture in which he spoke about the secret underground bases on which the US government spends a huge part of its budget. (Article by Ansh Srivastava republished from InfinityExplorers.com) Phil Schneider was a geologist and engineer and, according to him, he worked for 17 years on the so-called black (classified) US projects. Among conspiracy theorists, he is considered one of the most important informants in history. In the 1990s, Schneider made a decision for himself to tell the public about everything that the US authorities are hiding. In 1995, he gave a surprise talk at the Preparedness Expo, talking about the New World Order and the U.S. governments ties to aliens. Less than 6 months after this performance, Phil Schneider was found dead in his apartment with a piano string wrapped around his neck. Rumors immediately spread that it was a military-style execution. Also, Phils body was in such a state that people close to the investigation let out that, apparently, Phil was brutally tortured before his death. However, the official cause of death was suicide. By the way, Phil Schneider suspected from the very beginning that he could be killed if he let it out. He repeatedly told family and friends that if they were ever told that he had committed suicide, it would be untrue and that it would be murder. Phil Schneider understood that by his revelations, he angered many powerful people and they would definitely take some action against him, as a result of which he would be killed. In his report, Schneider said that he had worked for years to create deep underground military bases, in which, among other things, alien equipment was placed. Phil Schneider assured that the US authorities have known about the existence of aliens since 1909 and are doing their best to hide this information from the public. He also claimed that more than $500 billion is allocated annually to secret projects dealing with alien issues. And that 28% of the US gross national product is spent on building underground bases. This black budget, as he called it, is completely hidden from Congress. There is no doubt that these projects continue to this day. Below Are 8 Key Messages From Phil Schneiders 1995 Speech: According to Schneider, by 1995 there were 131 active secret underground bases in the United States and about 1,477 underground bases worldwide. Each base cost an average of $ 17-19 billion (in 1995 money) and took 1-2 years to build using advanced construction techniques, including vitrification and rock melting using lasers. Schneider stated that these bases are huge and contain thousands upon thousands of soldiers and service personnel. Magnetic levitation trains connect all bases in the United States in a huge transportation system capable of incredibly high speeds. He claims that there is a whole other world down there, filled with both humans and alien life forms. Area 51 is actually a complex of 9 deep underground bases, home to more than 18,000 workers, whose lives are highly regulated and completely classified. In 1954, the United States government signed an agreement with aliens giving them permission to conduct experiments on humans and animals in exchange for technology. This agreement, known as the Treaty of Grenada, is a well-documented event. The original terms of this agreement stated that only a small number of people could be kidnapped, and they needed to be returned to where they were found, and their memory of the incident should be erased. The aliens also had to provide a list of the people they were abducting. However, after a few years, it became clear that the aliens took many more people than they initially agreed. There are 11 different alien races on Earth. Two of these species are benevolent. The new world order and alien plans are one and the same. Schneider describes the alien program as a complete takeover of this planet, resulting in the death of 5/6 to 7/8 of the worlds population by 2029. Obviously, the alien takeover will mean that a single world government will be created, and, in all likelihood, this will be the end of freedom as we know it. At least 9 races of alien beings view humans as a food source. However, this does not mean that they are all cannibals. Instead of actually ingesting human flesh, they use the secretions of the glands of humans and animals to prepare a mixture of vitamins added to their food, and some alien races can get a high, like drugs, from the adrenaline withdrawn from human bodies. Sixteen days before his first public appearance, Schneider was attacked by someone he identified as an FBI agent. This man wounded Schneider in the shoulder and in response Schneider shot and killed him. But when he reported this directly to the FBI, then Schneider was told that they did not know about anything like that. However, after the report, he was attacked at least 11 times, according to him. He also claimed that government agents tried to kidnap his daughter, but these attempts were unsuccessful due to the heroic actions of his ex-wife. Read more at: InfinityExplorers.com (Natural News) Though Americans have been registering their opposition to the expansion of 5G technology for years now, its roll-out has continued virtually unabated (in part, thanks to the pandemic), despite a host of legitimate concerns. Significant risks include aviation safety, cyber security, environmental health, human health, weather forecasting and utility infrastructure, but again, none of those concerns have mattered either to the big telecoms or to a federal government that is supposed to protect the public and mitigate such dangers. Meanwhile, previous studies have shown that 4G technology is still better, more reliable and safer than 5G, though last month, AT&T along with Verizon both announced they had activated a huge amount of additional 5G technology in the U.S., with plans to continue adding more throughout the year. According to Reuters: Verizon Communications Inc plans to turn on around 2,000 additional towers in February in the next phase of its C-Band 5G deployment after talks with U.S. regulators, sources said. The new phase comes after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Friday it had agreed that Verizon and AT&T could safely turn on more 5G towers in a deployment that has been disrupted by aircraft safety concerns. The newswire noted that in January, Verizon turned on roughly 5,100 towers and will be able to turn on an additional 2,000 this month, according to sources who also said that the total number could go up as aviation buffer zones are further defined. There are ongoing concerns, however, that the new tech could interfere with highly sensitive commercial airline electronics, which delayed the C-Band 5G deployment, which was first planned for early December. In January, Verizon said it would not deploy some 500 towers near airports. Airline industry executives blasted the government and the industry for not identifying the problems and going ahead with deployments despite the risks. In mid-January, Emirates Airlines CEO Tim Clark blasted the 5G rollout as one of the biggest screwups in his many decades in the aviation travel industry in an interview with CNN. He told the network that his airline was not aware of potential issues with Boeing 777 aircraft to the extent that it was going to compromise the safety of operation of our aircraft and just about every other 777 operator to and from the United States and within the United States until the day before a planned roll-out. The network reported: Specifically, the Federal Aviation Administration has been worried that 5G cellular antennas near some airports not air travelers mobile devices could throw off readings from some aircraft equipment designed to tell pilots how far they are from the ground. Those systems, known as radar altimeters, are used throughout a flight and are considered critical equipment. (Radar altimeters differ from standard altimeters, which rely on air pressure readings and do not use radio signals to gauge altitude.) In December, the FAA issued an urgent order forbidding pilots from using the potentially affected altimeters around airports where low-visibility conditions would otherwise require them. That new rule could keep planes from getting to some airports in certain circumstances, because pilots would be unable to land using instruments alone. We were aware of a 5G issue. Okay. We are aware that everybody is trying to get 5G rolled out after all its the super-cool future of whatever it may be communication and information flow. We were not aware that the power of the antennas in the United States have been doubled compared to whats going on elsewhere, Clark told CNN. I need to be as candid as I normally am, and say this is one of the most delinquent, utterly irresponsible issue subjects, call it what you like, Ive seen in my aviation career because it involves organs of government, manufacturers, science, etc. And you know, the notion that, for instance, the United States government should sell its franchise for all the frequencies for a large amount of money, Clark continued. Somebody should have told them at the time that the risks and the dangers they placed in certain frequency uses around field, airfields, metropolitan fields that should have been done at the time, he added. But by all means, lets continue to allow 5G to be rolled out, regardless of the health and aviation safety risks. Sources include: CNN.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Alex Newman finds it amusing that the Democrats led by President Joe Biden are so concerned about Ukraines border security and sovereignty. If only they have the same concern that they have about Ukraines borders and sovereignty as they have about Americas, we would be in really good shape, Newman said during a recent episode of Behind the Deep State, a subtle dig at the current administrations lax border policies. He mentioned the constant banging of war drums through the mainstream media. Is World War III just around the corner in Ukraine? I dont know, he said. But I do know that the globalists love war because it advances the Deep State objective of a one world government. Relations between Russia and Ukraine have been deteriorating since the late 2000s, as more and more Ukrainians developed pro-Western and anti-Russian attitudes. The armed conflict between the neighboring nations began in early 2014 when Russian forces invaded the Crimean peninsula and proceeded to organize a referendum to annex the area. Tensions escalated late last year, and the Biden administration claimed that an invasion is imminent. At one point, Biden told reporters that Putin continues to build forces along Ukraines border and that the coming attack would be the largest invasion since World War II. It would change the world. An unnamed source also revealed that Biden kept on telling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that an invasion could happen sometime in February, as soon as the weather becomes more favorable for Russian forces. (Related: Biden and his war hawks clamor for war with Russia; Ukraine tells him to STOP WARMONGERING and calm down.) However, the source said, Zelensky and his intelligence services disagreed that an invasion is imminent. According to the source, Zelensky also told Biden to calm down the messaging, as it was bringing unnecessary panic that could escalate and cause harm to the already fragile economy of Ukraine. In a recent televised address, Zelensky urged Ukrainians not to panic. We are strong enough to keep everything under control and derail any attempts at destabilization, he said. Globalists take advantage of conflicts to control world But Russia has been flexing its muscles in recent weeks. It has stationed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine and has held several military drills at multiple locations. Now, the war drums are banging. And I think this is significant, Newman said. One of the things that must be understood about the Deep States view of a war is that it is very, very useful. Newman shared a story about a Deep State globalist named Lincoln Bloomfield, who put together a report for the Department of State in 1968. According to Newman, that report aims to hand over the control of the world to the United Nations. And what Bloomfield concluded in this report is that war and the threat of war are the fastest, easiest ways to convince people to surrender their national sovereignty and to move away from the nation state model and toward the model of global government, Newman said. And so World War I brought us way closer to that goal. Before World War I, we had sovereign nations, we had empires and we had governments that were looking after their own interests, their own people. After World War I, the League of Nations was born. That was the first big globalist project obviously it failed because the U.S. Senate refused to participate. Then you had World War II, which gave birth to the United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. They actually used World War II to create the nucleus of what would eventually become the European Union. So the World War II really put the globalists cause forward by massive, massive amounts. Well, World War III, or at least the threat of World War III, is another possible mechanism to move us further in that direction, especially if it were to be catastrophic, or even the threat of catastrophe, the threat of nuclear annihilation, the threat of entire cities being wiped off the face of the map. More related stories: Biden regime to FABRICATE war with Russia in order to TERRORIZE the American people. Melissa Red Pill: The Cabal is inciting Russia into war Brighteon.TV. MintPress study: NY Times, Washington Post driving U.S. to war with Russia over Ukraine. Watch this episode of Behind the Deep State with Alex Newman. This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com. Follow DeepState.news for more news on the Deep States agendas. Sources include: Brighteon.com APNews.com (Natural News) So here is the grim reality of life in Woke America 2022. In November, I spoke at a peaceful conference held by an organization that is deemed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League. The title of my talk was Race, Immigration, and Con. Inc: How I Came to See the Light. It was a wide-ranging discussion of my three decades of reporting on the nations demographic and cultural deteriorationwhich Ive chronicled firsthand on college campuses, at our borders, and in every crime-ridden, riot-prone, and mass migration-transformed metropolis from Los Angeles to Seattle and Portland, to Baltimore, Washington, D.C, New York, and Denver. (Article by Michelle Malkin republished from UNZ.com) As Ive done throughout my career, I lambasted both Swamp Democrats and establishment Republicans for selling us out. The speech delved into the K-20 metastasis of anti-white curriculum, the corporate medias whitewashing of black-on-Asian attacks, and the long campaign to censor nationalist dissidents who put America first. A week after my talk, San Francisco-based Airbnb notified me that I was banned from using its services ever again and imperiously deleted my account. Poof! My names Cedar, and Im with Airbnbs Trust team, the Nov. 24, 2021 e-mail began. It has come to our attention that you were a keynote speaker for the 2021 American Renaissance Conference earlier this month in Tennessee. Airbnbs community policies prohibit people who are members of or actively associate with known hate groups. Due to your promotion and participation in a known white nationalist and white supremacist conference, we have determined that we will remove your account from Airbnb. This is consistent with action weve taken to ban people associated with this conference in past years. Airbnbs ideological witch hunts have claimed an unknown number of victims since 2016 as part of a woke company initiative to root out bias and expel anyone deemed an extremist with a dangerous organization affiliation. Press coverage of previous purges strongly suggests that the aforementioned character assassins of the SPLC are involved through use of their far left, anti-white, anti-Right Hatewatch list. Ever since I wrote my first book, Invasion, in 2002, the SPLC and ADL goons have sought to stifle my voice. But this latest salvo crosses the line. Its not enough that I a woman of color (the Lefts own descriptive label, not mine) and mother of two multiracial children was pronounced guilty of hate crimes and promotion of white supremacist ideas for delivering a speech whose full content Airbnb didnt even bother to obtain from me. The Airbnb bullies also banned my equally non-violent, non-hateful husband who did not attend the conference and who is not a public figure or activist. Welcome to Guilt By Secondary Association. As we can see that your Airbnb travels are typically reserved via your husbands account, Airbnbs Trust team member Cedar told both my husband and me, we will also proceed in removing his account. Neither of us had ever had a negative review, complaint, or policy violation of any kind. Are my kids next? Are yours? (Surprise: No response from Airbnb to my media inquiries on how many other family members of banned conservative and nationalist Airbnb customers have been swept into their thought police dragnet.) Cedar closed his/her e-mail by informing me that the only way to appeal Airbnbs decision is [i]f our understanding that you participated in the 2021 American Renaissance Conference is incorrect. Take note: Youre damned right I spoke peacefully and lawfully to the peaceful and lawful 2021 American Renaissance conference and was honored to receive a warm welcome. I resoundingly reject the notion that condemning Black Lives Matter and Antifa terrorists constitutes hate. I defy the Airbnb thought police who consider my husband and me untrustworthy and dangerous threats to community safety on par with convicted felons and sex traffickers. God willing, and with my readers and viewers help, I will fight these speech-stifling bigots who think they can get away with retaliating against me and my family for my journalism and activism. Ive received feedback from astute lawyers who note that public accommodation businesses in California, where Airbnb is based, are subject to the Unruh Civil Rights Actwhich forbids the very kind of anti-free-speech, anti-free-association, and anti-equal housing discrimination Airbnb has visited upon me and my family. Much more is at stake, of course, and there are other sound legal grounds for seeking relief. As AmRen founder Jared Taylor told me this week: Once again, in what used to be known as the land of the free and the home of the brave, Big Tech is punishing people for what they say. After it gets finished with vaccine freethinkers, election skeptics, and people who think all lives matter, whos going to be left? Democrat toadies? America First Foundation president and American First Political Action Conference founder Nick Fuentes, targeted by the feds, investigated by Dems, and deplatformed by a multitude of woke businesses for his peaceful political advocacy, added: Every day the list of digital services engaged in discrimination against Patriotic Americans grows longer. Deplatforming on Airbnb marks a chilling escalation in tactics used by Big Tech to silence American conservatives. Cancel culture has reached a new escalation and I dont plan on rolling over. Never have. Never will. Ive raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for other patriots and heroes over the past thirty years. Now, Im asking readers and viewers for help to fight my own battle which, of course, is yours as well. Visit fundly.com/michellefightsairbnb to join the cause. Its a time for choosing: Defiance over compliance. Read more at: UNZ.com (Natural News) A Charlottesville-type hit-and-run incident occurred in Winnipeg the other day during the ongoing Freedom Convoy trucker protests. And the Canadian government, rather than label it as the hate crime it was, is going for the lesser charge because the culprit is a left-wing anarchist. David Zegarac, an anarchist activist with a history of criminal activity, reportedly plowed into a crowd with his car, injuring at least four people who had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment. Zegarac was driving a white Jeep when he proceeded to slam into one person see the video below. After hitting that first person, Zegarac proceeded to accelerate even more, hitting three more. VILE: A freedom protester was mowed down by an SUV late last night. Suspect has been arrested. Trudeau vilified these peaceful protests, and now this happens. Shocking. pic.twitter.com/G08LWmExV6 Keean Bexte (@TheRealKeean) February 5, 2022 About an hour after the incident, Zegarac was arrested following a brief altercation with police officers. Had an anti-vaxxer attacked a crowd of Antifa, it would be all over the news as a hate crime The attack occurred at a gathering in Winnipeg in support of the ongoing peaceful protest by truckers and their allies in Ottawa. Their goal is to put an end to Canadas oppressive Fauci Flu restrictions, including the countrys mandatory vaccination policy for truckers. Local police refuse to label the incident a hate crime even though Zegarac allegedly did it in an act of hateful rage against those fighting for freedom against government fascism. Instead, Zegarac is being charged with four counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm, dangerous operation of a conveyance, two counts of failure to stop after an accident knowing that the driver was reckless, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident two separate times. Zegarac is a 43-year-old musician who describes himself as Indigenous, Serbian and Irish. He plays as the front man for Canadian rock bands The Brat Attack, Dead Peasants Revolt, The Black Mass Brigade and Class War Kids. At one point, Zegarac had his own Wikipedia page, though it has since been deleted. And archived version is still available that links back to several web pages detailing Zegaracs far-left political views. Zegaracs online bio states that his song lyrics deal primarily with anarchist politics. He is also an outspoken vegan and a long-time anti-racist activist. Even though Zegarac spoke to officers during his arrest, they insist that they do now know or understand his motivations. According to CBC News, police officers said some comments made by the accused that tends to suggest this was not specifically about the [vaccine] mandates. Zegarac apparently wasnt for or against any of the general views that are floating around this country. There are also circulating reports about how Zegarac is despised by every group or organization hes ever claimed to represent, including the infamous Antifa (anti-fascist) movement. I have no love for the convoy group at all and hate to see whats happening in Canada right now but NONE of them deserve to be hit with a vehicle, the same anonymous author who made the aforementioned claim further wrote. The lyrics to some of Zegaracs songs include hatred for former conservative Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper, calling him a fascist white bred Bible thumper. In another song, Zegarac wrote about how there should be no such thing as national borders, and that he stands with those who oppose social injustice. More related news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) protests can be found at Collapse.news. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com RebelNews.com (Natural News) The Canadian Freedom Convoy of truckers is still going strong after a week and a half, which has so upset the political elite that they are now calling it an insurrection. Ottawa City Council member Diane Deans scolded the protesters, calling them terrorists and declaring their activities to be an illegal occupation of Canadas capital city. We are on day eight of this occupation, she claims. Our city is under siege. What were seeing is bigger than just a City of Ottawa problem. This is a nationwide insurrection. This is madness. We need a concrete plan to put an end to this. Ottawa Police chief Peter Sloly agrees with Deans, adding that local law enforcement was never intended to deal with a city under siege. To flip things around, Canadian truckers also never expected to be under siege by the governments vaccine needles, but here we are. If Deans and Sloly want the insurrection to end, then they first need to end their own medical fascism insurrection. The protests would end in an instant if that happened. Trudeau refusing to meet with Freedom Convoy protesters Deans does not see things this way, though. She is still pushing the city for some kind of legal excuse to declare the protests an unlawful assembly, or possibly a riot. Whatever it takes to conduct mass arrests, she admitted. There are so many people out there engaged in a broader act of mayhem that we need to be able to bring it all under control, Deans bellowed during a recent speech, adding that she hopes to pursue one criminal charge at a time. We cant allow this kind of terrorism in our community to continue this way, she added. Okay, Karen. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, another Karen, engaged in a similar tactic when he declared a state of emergency due to the trucker protest, which apparently gives the state more power to oppress. Watson of course claims that his oppression is needed to address the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents. It also provides greater flexibility within the municipal administration to enable the City of Ottawa to manage business continuity for essential services for its residents and enables a more flexible procurement process, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders, the city added in a statement. Ah, there it is: flexibility. On-the-ground protesters are reporting that their gathering is completely peaceful and has nothing to do with terrorism. It is the counter-protesters who are wreaking havoc and trying to put a stop to free speech. The first vehicle convoys to arrive in Ottawa got there on January 29 and have remained in the city ever since. People all across Canada have been joining them ever since, making the trek from far and wide to offer their support. Many of the trucks have begun to honk throughout the day in the Parliament Hill area to try to get the Justin Trudeau regime to take notice and respond. To anybody who is annoyed, we apologize, said protest organizer Benjamin Dichter. Please call Justin Trudeau, his office, and get these mandates lifted, and were out of here. Trudeau refuses to meet, though, even though people all across Canada are losing their jobs, their businesses and even their homes because of his fascist Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine mandates. Lets remember most of Ottawa is government, huge number of civil servants here, said Tom Quiggin, who is helping the organizers with protective intelligence. They havent missed a paycheque. Theyve got pay raises, some of them have got back pay, most of them are working from home. Some of them who cant work from home are just doing nothing and still getting paid. So yes, its unfortunate that they feel bad about the horns, yes, its unfortunate they feel bad about the disruption, but the rest of the country is hurting. More related news can be found at Fascism.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) General Paul Vallely lauded the Canadians for standing up and taking their country back from the grip of tyrannical leadership. Its just great, what the Canadians have done to take their country back. And this has become global, Vallely said. (Related: Australian truckers take cue from Canadas Freedom Convoy, drive to capital to protest pointless COVID mandates.) Vallely and General Thomas McInerney joined the February 4 episode of His Glory with Pastor David Scarlett on Brighteon.TV to discuss a wide range of topics concerning U.S. politics, including the January 6 Capitol riot. But theyre all pretty excited about whats happening north of the border. It started out as a protest against the masking of the truckers and the demand of mandatory vaccination. But now, its more than that. Theyre talking freedom, freedom, freedom. I see the farmers are now joining them in Canada. Its amazing, said Vallely. Vallely told Scarlett that hes been working with a group of Canadians based in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta for the past year. A lot of this started with a radio show that I did in Edmonton with a gentleman named Mike Phillip. And as it progressed, we analyzed what was going on in Canada, Vallely said. They have been so disgusted with their political leadership, but they felt they couldnt do anything about it. Vallely related that he worked with the Canadians and advised them to develop a ground-up movement. He told them to get leaders in different provinces and come up with a plan. Youve got to come up with a strategy because if you want to change the political environment in Ottawa, youve got to have the people, Vallely said. He told his Canadian friends that if you dont do anything about it, youre going to continue to be pressured under a tyrannical test. And of course, what all of this evolved in is the Freedom Convoy that weve seen over the last few days. So its just great. Vandersteel: Canadians are a lot stronger than we give them credit for It was so great that Steel Truth host Ann Vandersteel appeared to have changed her views of the Canadians. Its pretty amazing what has happened up there in Canada. We thought they were quite the weaklings of 38 million people living up there in the Great North. But apparently theyre a lot stronger and a lot [tougher] than we give them credit for because they have really led the way so much so that the truckers here in the United States are now committing to make a similar ride a convoy from California to DC, Vandersteel said during the February 2 episode of her program on Brighteon.TV. In an earlier episode of Steel Truth, Vandersteel praised the Canadian truckers for standing up against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandate and staging the Freedom Convoy, which was greeted and cheered on by supporters on the way to Ottawa. (Related: Ann Vandersteel lauds Freedom Convoy, slams Trudeau for dismissing protests significance Brighteon.TV.) That is great. Theres actually hope for humanity when I see kids standing up there in support of the truckers who do not want to have the poisonous jab forced on them so they can do their business and bring home food for their family and get a paycheck, said Vandersteel during the January 28 episode of her Brighteon.TV program. That, ladies and gentlemen, is all we need to know that there is hope for humanity. We just need to continue to push this information out so people understand whats at stake. The convoy was organized in response to a regulation implemented in January, which requires truckers returning from the United States to show proof of vaccination. But it has broadened to include Canadians critical of pandemic restrictions in general and of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Meanwhile, Trudeau called for an end to the trucker convoy protests that are now stretching into their second week. It has to stop, Trudeau said during an emergency debate in the House of Commons on Monday night, February 7. Everyones tired of COVID, but these protests are not the way to get through it. In a press briefing days earlier, Trudeau dismissed the significance of the protest. The small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa, or who are holding unacceptable views that theyre expressing, do not represent the views of Canadians who have been there for each other, who know that following the science and stepping up to protect each other are the best ways to continue to ensure our freedoms, our rights, our values as a country, he said. More related stories: PURE EVIL: GoFundMe withholds nearly $5 million from truckers protesting Canadas vaccine mandate. 50,000 truckers vow to stay in Ottawa until government lifts vaccine mandates. Lockdown Canadian PM Justin Trudeau relocated out of capital for his safety as thousands of truckers protest COVID vaccine mandate. Poll finds majority of Canadians want COVID restrictions scrapped following trucker protests. Watch the full February 4 episode of His Glory with Pastor David Scarlett below. Catch new episodes of the program every Friday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow Resist.news for more news about people around the world standing up against vaccine mandates. Sources include: Brighteon.com 1 Brighteon.com 2 Brighteon.com 3 CTVNews.ca (Natural News) The Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering opening supervised safe injection sites for users of illegal drugs like heroin, crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and other illicit narcotics. The proposed program is known as the Harm Reduction Program Grant. It would provide $30 million to community-based harm reduction services, such as the opening of safe injection sites where aid workers will supervise drug users while they are under the influence and provide them with Food and Drug Administration-approved overdose reversal medication if they need it. The funding would also be used to purchase equipment and supplies to enhance the efforts of harm reduction services, including a harm reduction vending machine that will dispense safe smoking kits. These kits will provide drug users with clean pipes and syringes and other supplies associated with making illicit drug use safer. According to the DOJ, these harm reduction programs would provide immense benefits, such as stemming the spread of infectious diseases associated with substance abuse. The sites will also be places where aid workers can provide those at risk of developing or who already have substance abuse issues with counseling and health education. Aid workers can also encourage such individuals to take steps to reduce the negative personal and public health impacts of substance use or misuse. (Related: Drug overdose deaths top 100K in a year, breaking previous records.) In an interview with the Washington Free Beacon, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that applications for the Harm Reduction Program Grant closed on Monday, February 7, and accepted applicants will begin receiving grant funding in May. The HHS is working with the DOJ to evaluate facilities that can serve as safe injection sites. Although we cannot comment on pending litigation, the Department is evaluating supervised consumption sites, including discussions with state and local regulators about appropriate guardrails for such sites, as part of an overall approach to harm reduction and public safety, said the DOJ in a statement. DOJs plan marks a major shift on its previous stance on safe injection sites If the DOJ pushes through with this plan, it would mark a major shift from the stance it took during the administration of former President Donald Trump. During the tenure of former Attorney General William Barr, his DOJ claimed that safe injection sites were utterly incompatible with how communities should deal with the opioid epidemic. Barrs DOJ was even able to block plans to open safe injection sites after an appeals court sided with the department, claiming that such a facility would violate a law from the 1980s that bans operating a place for taking illegal drugs. When then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his plan to open several injection sites in the city in 2019, Barrs DOJ immediately announced that it would do everything in its power to prevent the sites from opening. The Department of Justices agents and prosecutors will not stand idly by while misguided, dangerous and destructive federal criminal violations take place, wrote DOJ spokeswoman Jessica Hart. The Department will, as always, enforce the law where prosecution will serve a substantial federal interest. Despite the illegality of the sites and the DOJs opposition, De Blasio moved ahead with its plans anyway. These overdose prevention centers, as city officials call them, are still in operation and New York authorities claim they have prevented more than 125 overdoses since their opening. Drug overdoses are still a serious concern for America, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claiming that more than 100,000 Americans died of an overdose from May 2020 to April 2021. Listen to this episode of the Finding Genius Podcast and learn more about the opioid crisis. This video is from the Finding Genius Podcast channel on Brighteon.com. Learn about ways to deal with drug addiction at Addiction.news. More related articles: NYC opens heroin injection sites for drug addicts. Florida mother warns of drug addiction during the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic. Safe injection room for addicts in Melbourne opposed by local businesses. Death toll from drug overdose soars during pandemic. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NYPost.com TheHill.com APNews.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Del Bigtree and Jeffery Jaxen of The HighWire discussed how the Freedom Convoy has caused big ripples throughout Canada. Originally protesting against Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandates for truckers, it has become a movement against the countrys draconian COVID-19 measures. Jaxen played videos of the Freedom Convoy in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, which included truckers sharing their thoughts on the matter. A lot of you dont realize the magnitude of this convoy and what we are actually standing for. We were well over 60,000 trucks strong, and growing every day. We have support from west to east, and everywhere in between, in support of freedom, one trucker said in a video posted on TikTok. Thats [what] were fighting for. Youve pushed the trucking industry to a point where weve had enough. Weve heard the cry of the Canadians. And now we see the support of all Canadians coming together. One male protester who joined the Parliament Hill demonstration said: Weve done what were told to do, and enough is enough. The government takes your freedom. Theyre not giving it back. Were here to make sure that Canadians know the world knows that were behind people who want to get back to the way it was not the new normal.' A female protester also at the Ottawa gathering said the Freedom Convoys presence summed up what democracy is all about. She added: People believe that the government has overstepped with mandates and they are here to exercise their democratic right. She also pointed out how the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau espoused hateful rhetoric to turn public opinion against the convoy. The Canadian leader branded the protesters as a fringe minority. What weve seen in the last year with [the] demonization of people, turning [them] against each other, the hatred that has been spewed from the highest levels is completely unacceptable. And the people have had enough. (Related: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau calls citizens, truckers protesting vaccine mandate fringe minority who dont share government-accepted views.) Saskatchewan premier lauds truckers, opposes mandates Jaxen mentioned that Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe expressed support for the Freedom Convoy. In a press release posted on Twitter last Jan. 30, he thanked truckers for doing what they do even before COVID-19 measures were imposed. Moe also voiced out criticisms toward the vaccine mandate despite being fully vaccinated and boosted himself. Because vaccination is not reducing transmission, the current federal border policy for truckers makes no sense. An unvaccinated trucker does not pose any greater risk of transmission than a vaccinated trucker, Moe said. However, the current federal policy does pose a significant risk to Canadas economy and to the supply chain in our Saskatchewan communities where you and I live. This will increase the cost of living, which is now rising at a rate that is creating significant hardship for many Canadians. Moe concluded his press release by reiterating his support for the end of the cross-border ban for unvaccinated truckers and commitment to ending Saskatchewans vaccine passport requirement. He fulfilled this promise by announcing on Jan. 31 that the vaccine passport mandate would no longer be extended once it expires on Feb. 28. During a Jan. 31 press conference, Moe pointed out that the COVID-19 vaccines no longer reduce transmission. Given this information, he argued that a vaccine passport requirement was no longer needed. Under current rules, Saskatchewanians are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result before they can enter various establishments. People are asking their government for a return to normal, a removal of public health restrictions. It is time for us as a government to do what Saskatchewan people are asking for, said Moe. More related stories: Poll finds majority of Canadians want COVID restrictions scrapped following trucker protests. 50,000 truckers vow to stay in Ottawa until government lifts vaccine mandates. Saskatchewan premier says ENOUGH of harmful Covid restrictions. Watch Jeffery Jaxen and Del Bigtree talk about the Freedom Convoy protest in Canada on The HighWire. This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com. Head over to Freedom.news for more stories about Canadas Freedom Convoy. Sources include: Brighteon.com Twitter.com CBC.ca (Natural News) Western leaders continue to lie to their citizens about the highly ineffective and dangerous COVID-19 vaccines for no apparent reason other than to justify their horrible early decisions to shut down their economies for a year and destroy lives. In recent comments to her countrys media, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern actually said that negative side effects from the mRNA vaccines means they are working as designed, which, obviously, includes causing people to develop blood clots so they stroke out or have heart attacks and die. The side effects that people experience with vaccines, which we all have come to expect, a sign that the vaccines doing what it should, she said, adding thats okay because according to one of the countrys public health experts, the side effects are occurring to a lesser degree for the booster. The side effects that people experience with vaccines, which we all have come to expect, a sign that the vaccines doing what it should pic.twitter.com/N6n6dxl8pV Viewspot (@viewspotnz) February 4, 2022 Oh. Well, then. Everythings okay, right? Quite frankly, what Ardern just said would have been considered insane just a few short pre-pandemic years ago. But anymore, most people hear that kind of nonsense and dont think anything of it. In fact, many simply accept that a vaccine they are being forced to take may wind up killing them or maiming them for life but thats just part of keeping us safe. Lunacy. The vaccines are killing more people, that much has been documented, per Citizen Free Press: Mortality worsened in 2021 vs. 2020 despite widespread vaccinations. There was a spike in Mortality among younger, working-age individuals that coincided with vaccine mandates. The Vaccine is linked to the excess mortality, and months of vaccine injury reports were now spilling over to actuarial data which is beginning to show, among other things, that younger, working-age people began dying in greater numbers as vaccine mandates hit for a disease which primarily kills older, non-working age individuals. The counter argument, often presented without evidence, is that the increase is due to people who postponed elective surgeries and other medical treatments during the pandemic. Arderns craziness regarding vaccines comes amid a new report that they have likely killed far more people than any government has been willing to admit. The number of Americans who have suffered serious side effects or died after receiving the mRNA injection billed as a vaccine is exploding, the RAIR Foundations Amy Mek reported last week. Furthermore, injected people seem to be much worse off than those who refuse the experimental jab. Yet, despite the vaccine and boosters not protecting people from COVID, and increasing the chances of infection from Omicron, left-wing governments worldwide continue to pressure and mandate citizens to receive them, she continued. She cited a separate report by One America News Network from January stating that as of the 4th of last month, at least 946,000 Americans had either died or experienced serious side effects due to vaccines. In addition, the network cited the Department of Health and Human Services which noted that more than 100,000 Americans have actually been hospitalized after taking the vaccines. Those suffering from the injections side effects are not just nameless figures on a page, reports OAN. For example, Angelia Desselle from Louisiana could barely stand after her shot and suffers from a neurological disorder that, according to doctors, is the result of the vaccine. Likewise, Shawn Skelton from Indiana has been debilitated and lost control of her body since the Pfizer shot, Mek reported. Western leaders refuse to call out China for unleashing this virus on the world while continuing to double down on harmful treatments as a means of justifying their authoritarian decisions. We have lost control of our democracies. Sources include: CitizenFreePress.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) More than 100 federal prison workers have been arrested, convicted or sentenced for crimes since 2019. The crimes they have committed include sexual abuse, smuggling, corruption and murder. An investigation by the Associated Press (AP) found that the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), which has an annual budget of nearly $8 billion, is filled with people who turn a blind eye to employees credibly accused of misconduct. According to the investigation, two-thirds of the criminal cases filed against Department of Justice personnel in recent years have involved federal prison workers, even though they account for just 37,500 of the departments more than 110,000 employees. Of the 41 Justice Department officials arrested in 2021, 28 were BOP employees or contractors. Five were Federal Bureau of Investigation employees, and two each came from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. AP reviewed more than 100 cases and found that around 20 percent were accused or have been found guilty of committing crimes of a sexual nature. The over 100 cases also showed that federal prison workers in nearly every job function have been charged with committing crimes. In one incident in Sept. 2021, Ray Garcia, the associate warden for the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California, was charged with sexually abusing a woman. The Justice Department said Garcia took naked photos of the woman and had tried to stop her from reporting him by claiming that he was close friends with the investigator of inmate allegations of misconduct. Garcia was indicted in November and could face up to 15 years in prison. One correctional officer and drug treatment specialist for a federal prison medical center in Lexington, Kentucky threatened to kill inmates or their families if they did not go along with sexual abuse. One guard in a federal prison in Victorville, California threatened a female inmate with solitary confinement unless she agreed to be sexually abused. Abuse of power, smuggling and murder One incident from a federal prison in Mississippi highlights how criminal behavior by BOP employees festers inside a federal prison system meant to punish and rehabilitate people who have committed bad acts, wrote AP journalists Michael Balsamo and Michael R. Sisak. The official in questions main job was to investigate misconduct by other staff members. He was arrested on charges of stalking and harassing fellow employees. He was allowed to remain in his position even after his arrest, and he was also allowed to continue investigating a staff member who had accused him of misconduct. (Related: Corrupt judge ruined thousands of kids lives by selling them to prison-industrial complex.) In August, the associate warden for the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City was charged with killing her husband, who was also a federal prison worker. Police investigators said the associate warden shot him in the face in their New Jersey home. Other crimes include one teacher employed by the BOP who pleaded guilty to faking an inmates high school equivalency and a prison chaplain who admitted to taking over $12,000 in bribes to smuggle cellphones, tobacco, marijuana and Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction. The chaplain would leave the items in a cabinet in the prison chapel for inmates to retrieve. In a statement, BOP spokeswoman Kristie Breshears declined to comment on any of the cases. She simply said that the bureau is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all inmates in our population, our staff and the public and that allegations of misconduct of its employees are thoroughly investigated for potential administrative discipline or criminal prosecution. The Justice Department has refused to comment, but said that it will not tolerate staff misconduct, particularly criminal misconduct and that it is committed to holding accountable any employee who abuses a position of trust, which we have demonstrated through federal criminal prosecutions and other means. More related stories: American police state: No questions allowed. Shameless police state continues to steal innocent citizens money. One nation under greed: The profit incentives driving the American police state. Texas veteran imprisoned for 35 days for refusing to surrender his Facebook password; fed donuts and insulin injections. Inmate starved to death as prison guards watched and did nothing. Watch this episode of InfoWars and learn how the federal prison system kept Jan. 6 protesters behind bars as political prisoners. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. Learn more about the corruption in the federal prison system at Corruption.news. Sources include: APNews.com BusinessInsider.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) New video footage shows thousands of protesters in Paris surrounding the headquarters of Pfizer and chanting Assassins! as they express their opposition to the countrys controversial vaccine pass and mandates. A large crowd can be seen in videos posted across social media, some wearing masks and some without, chanting and bearing signs in what appeared to be a peaceful protest. Paris has been the site of ongoing protests over the countrys extreme COVID-19 measures, and the fires were stoked last month when the countrys president, Emmanuel Macron, admitted that part of his strategy for tackling the virus is to piss off people who are unvaccinated as much as he possibly can by restricting their freedoms in hopes of convincing them to get the risky jab. Macron didnt even attempt to be diplomatic about it, saying in an interview with Le Parisien, As for the non-vaccinated, I really want to piss them off. And we will continue to do this, to the end. This is the strategy. These comments came after he had previously announced that people who do not have a COVID-19 passport will not be allowed to participate in such basic activities as using public transportation, going to shopping malls or eating in restaurants. In equally outrageous comments, the administrative director of Pariss public hospital network, Martin Hirsch, said that unvaccinated citizens should not be allowed to access hospital care. COVID-19 pass in France shuts unvaccinated people out of society Last month, protests across the country against the introduction of a new COVID-19 pass that would essentially ban unvaccinated people from participating in public life attracted more than 100,000 people. The bill meant that people would no longer have the option of showing negative COVID-19 test results to access public venues; the only way to get inside would be full vaccination. France is currently one of the most highly vaccinated European countries, with more than 90 percent of its population over the age of 12 and eligible for the shot now being fully vaccinated. The countrys health minister, Olivier Veran, recently announced that the vaccine pass will remain in effect until hospitals can function normally and no longer need to cancel non-emergency procedures to accommodate COVID-19 patients. With around 3,700 COVID-19 patients in intensive care in the country, that point seems a long way off, however, with Veran suggesting the number would need to be closer to 1,000 before the pass could be abolished. As long as no new dangerous variants emerge, he believes there could be some relief this summer. He said: The vaccine pass will come to an end, and judging by current trends, it is likely that the end will come before the month of July. However, he also announced a slight easing of the restrictions, allowing those who have had one or two doses of the vaccine to access the pass as long as they have also recovered from the virus. He claimed: Scientists say that in order to benefit from the pass, one needs to have been exposed to the virus at least three times. This exposure can be by way of injection or infection and include at least one vaccine dose. Therefore, those who have had one jab and two infections, or two jabs and one infection (), or three injections, can benefit from the vaccine pass, he added. He also said that whether or not French people would be required to get another booster would depend on the emergence of further mutations of the virus. They have, however, lifted the mandate to wear masks outdoors. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com France24.com (Natural News) The Canadian truckers and freedom protesters deserve huge credit for bringing humanity to a tipping point against tyranny. Thanks to the courage, determination and dedication to peace thats demonstrated by Canadas protesters, humanity is withdrawing its consent from government tyrants all over the world. Globalism is crashing, and centralization of power is being ripped to shreds. The entire model of globalism is dead, and no human being thats aware and alive right now wants to return to a society structured as a top-down, totalitarian, centralized control system of global enslavement run by a few hundred hyper-wealthy freakazoids like Zuckerberg and Gates. What Im trying to explain here is that this is about much more than covid vaccines or lockdowns. This is about humanity rising up against the very idea of centralized government, corporations, media and tech giants. The era of centralization has come to an end, and the free people of the world have begun the process of dismantling it by simply withdrawing their consent. Consider the impact of the realizations now spreading across the world: Government failed the people. Corporations murdered people for profit. Doctors, hospitals and the medical system betrayed the people. Big Tech platforms silenced the truth, costing millions of lives. Big Media was complicit in the plandemic and the vaccine biowar against humanity. The institution of science deceived the people and proved it is hopelessly corrupt and evil. What weve all lived through over the last two years is corrupt, deceptive, anti-human institutions waging war against truth and humanity, showing their true cards and exposing the depth of their evil. And thats why the people of the world are now peacefully rising up and demanding an end to the entire centralization structure of globalism. It is the centralized control over media, information, government and science that brought us all to the brink of destruction. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and for the past several generations, the people have handed over far too much power to governments, science journals, media giants and tech platforms. Now, the people are taking their power back. And theyre doing it, ironically, by mimicking the mRNA spike protein blood clots in the real world: Clogging bridges, roadways and cities, bringing society to a standstill with nothing but trucks, horns and raw courage. The message is clear: You try to put clots into our blood and well put traffic clots across your cities. The evil governments, predictably, call these peaceful protesters terrorists even as the governments themselves are carrying out acts of terrorism and mass murder against their own people. So lets take a look at some of the very real people behind the Ottawa protests. The masterful portrait photos shown here are from Dan Aponte, a Canadian photographer who brilliantly captures the humanity of the freedom protesters in Ottawa. This is flat-out the most impactful photography Ive seen in years. Read more details about these truckers and peaceful protesters at: https://bariweiss.substack.com/p/what-the-truckers-want Brock Hobb: Katie Hepburn: Nabil Yaghi: Odia Jean Pierre: Randy: Sebastian Fortin: From Bari Weiss at Substack.com: The solidarity was infectious. There were copycat protests popping up in Helsinki, Finland, and Wellington, New Zealand and Nice, France (they planned to hit Paris and Brussels). There were truckers organizing in the Netherlands, Australia and the United States. Among the Americans who had driven up to Ottawa there was talk that soon the big rigs would descend on Washington, D.C. Seeing the country fall apart like this is heartbreaking, Sim said. For me, this is the line in the sand. If we lose this battle, Id like to move out of Canada. He said that he was thinking of maybe heading to Florida. A lot of the truckers were thinking about the States. But not yet. I feel that I owe it to me and others that share my values to, at least, fight for this. Learn more about how humanity defeats globalism and centralization, dismantling the whole damned system Todays Situation Update podcast covers all this in more detail. Definitely hear the last 30 minutes of the podcast for an inspiring analysis of why were all here right now in this pivotal time of human history: Brighteon.com/b0501e64-46bd-4edb-9e23-77d8833fa6ed Find more information-packaged podcasts each day, along with special reports and emergency updates, at: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport Also follow me on: Brighteon.social: Brighteon.social/@HealthRanger Telegram: t.me/RealHealthRanger Gettr: GETTR.com/user/healthranger Parler: Parler.com/user/HealthRanger Rumble: Rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport BitChute: Bitchute.com/channel/9EB8glubb0Ns/ Clouthub: app.clouthub.com/#/users/u/naturalnews/posts Join the free NaturalNews.com email newsletter to stay alerted about new, upcoming audiobooks that you can download for free. Download my current audiobooks including Ghost World, Survival Nutrition, The Global Reset Survival Guide and The Contagious Mind at: https://Audiobooks.NaturalNews.com/ (Natural News) Jeffery Jaxen and Del Bigtree talked about how European nations are dropping previously imposed Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) mandates on The HighWire. Jaxen cited the new travel rules put in place by the European Union. According to the Daily Mail, people who contracted COVID-19 and subsequently recovered in the last 180 days will be allowed to enter without additional testing. Those who received their second COVID-19 vaccine dose or booster dose within 270 days will also be allowed to travel within the EU region. Bigtree lauded the new EU rules that recognized natural immunity as valid. Natural immunity is finally being recognized. We have worked so hard to at least make that point. Theres no vaccine that has ever been as effective as a natural infection thats been cleared. You now have stronger immunity more robust [and] longer-lasting. Theyre starting to admit it, he told Jaxen. (Related: EU pushes for extending vaccine passports as many countries start relaxing restrictions.) Jaxen also mentioned other countries eschewing COVID-19 restrictions. He pointed to Nordic countries like Denmark, Norway and Finland, which ended mandates despite the rise of omicron infections. The HighWire co-host also cited Irelands move to drop COVID-19 restrictions amid an omicron-fueled case surge there. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin announced the decision in a Jan. 21 televised address, according to Reuters. I have stood here and spoken to you on some very dark days. But today is a good day, [as we] have weathered the omicron storm, he said. Martin attributed the positive turn of events to an intensified booster vaccination campaign, which he claims to have utterly transformed the situation in Ireland. An 8 p.m. curfew for restaurants and bars, vaccine passport mandates and capacity limits for indoor and outdoor venues were among the restrictions scrapped by Ireland. Mask mandates on public transport and inside shops are still in place until the end of February, the prime minister clarified. France loosens up as a result of protests Jaxen also noted Frances gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, an event he dubbed as the countrys leaders finally releasing their grip. A Bloomberg report confirmed this update, adding that the relaxation of measures would come as COVID-19 cases dwindle. Were going to respect the timetable we presented to the French people by lifting the restrictions in two stages, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said during a Feb. 1 interview with the radio station France Info. Under the first phase, which began on Feb. 2, the French government eased outdoor mask mandates, rules on working from home (WFH) and capacity limits on major events. Large-capacity venues such as stadiums and arenas were permitted to operate at full capacity and WFH setups were no longer required. The second phase to commence Feb. 16 will see more COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed. Starting on that date, people will be allowed to eat and drink in stadiums, cinemas and on public transportation. The nightclubs will be allowed to reopen, and people will be allowed to drink while standing in bars. Why is this important? Because the people of France have protested for 29 consecutive weeks. They obviously wont be stopping at this point until all restrictions are released [and] the vaccine passport is over with, said Jaxen. He added that it would be very interesting to see how French President Emmanuel Macron would navigate himself out of this jam. Bigtree, on the other hand, simply wants Macron out along with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other pro-lockdown politicians. I hope all of these people disappear. I dont care that you finally came to your senses. You destroyed your country, you destroyed the economies of your nation and [that of] the world. These people need to be just walked off and kept away from politics for the rest of their lives and written in the history books as the useful idiots that they proved to be. More related stories: Ireland goes into semi-lockdown despite 93% vaccination rate as COVID-19 cases spike. Welcome to the life we knew before: Denmark is abolishing ALL COVID-19 restrictions. 12 European countries roll back covid restrictions, Israel scraps green pass. Watch Jeffery Jaxen and Del Bigtree talk about European countries dropping COVID-19 measures on The HighWire. This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com. Pandemic.news has more about countries rescinding COVID-19 measures. Sources include: Brighteon.com DailyMail.co.uk Reuters.com Bloomberg.com POLITICO.eu (Natural News) The more Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna sell, the more money the University of Pennsylvania makes, new documents reveal. It turns out that Joe Bidens think tank, the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, is hosted and funded by UPenn. And the school reportedly receives milestone payments for every new jab that these companies produce and send to market. BioNTech reportedly pays the UPenn Board of Trustees directly, which allows for the school to never be held liable in the event that someone sues for bodily injury or death caused by one of the companys injections. BioNTech signed a licensing agreement with UPenn in 2018, providing direct funding for the Penn Biden Center. This agreement contains provisions that specifically address mRNA technology, which had not yet arrived. A few years later it would for covid, but those who planned the plandemic first had to establish these cozy relationships to ensure their profit streams would remain untouched. Even though Coronavirus had not yet broken out when the deal was made, the 2018 agreement ensured massive payments for the University of Pennsylvania if its technology ended up getting used in new mRNA-based vaccines, reported Infowars. Well, UPenns technology did end up getting used in the mRNA-based Coronavirus vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, and the deal has led to massive revenue for the university. Joe Biden, who was working for the University of Pennsylvania when the deal was made, received more than $900,000 from the University of Pennsylvania in the two years before he ran for president in this past election. Big Pharma and Big Academia: corrupt to the core UPenn also houses the pro-vaccine propaganda website FactCheck.org, which, of course, is tied to Big Pharma. (Related: FactCheck.org contains no facts, just lies) All of these UPenn partnerships have been so beneficial for Big Pharmas profit streams that Bidens controllers are nominating school president Amy Gutmann to the position of Ambassador to Germany. University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann is now Bidens nominee for Ambassador to Germany, reports explain. The Biden administrations FDA has speedily approved or authorized Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines including for children all while the Penn Biden Centers parent university enjoys massive profits from vaccine sales and FDA approval. And the Pfizer-connected FDA even knew about numerous adverse events for children related to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, but allowed children to be injected with it anyway. Now, as the FDA considers emergency use authorization for a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children as young as six months old, the direct financial relationship between these vaccines and Joe Bidens think tank must be exposed. A source that spoke to National File revealed that UPenn earns massive payments, likely in the billions, from vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. A Dr. Drew Weissman and a Dr. Katalin Kariko are both mentioned in the documents as having received and continuing to receive significant financial benefits from the current and future sale of these companies products. It also turns out that Dr. Kariko is both an adjunct professor at UPenns Perelman School of Medicine and a vice president at BioNTech how convenient! As for Dr. Weissman, he worked directly with the coronavirus vaccine research program, helping to bring the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA (messenger RNA) variety to market at warp speed under Donald Trump. The BLA process appears to be very lucrative for the University of Pennsylvania, reports Infowars, BLA referring to the Biologics License Applications that UPenn gets paid for every time a new one is filed for yet another new vaccine. More related news about Big Pharma and the Biden regime can be found at Treason.news. Sources for this article include: Infowars.com NaturalNews.com For years, researchers have been delving deep into the genetic origins of the Scandinavian gray wolves. They discovered that between 10% and 25% of the actual genetic variation are lost after five generations of inbreeding. Effects of Inbreeding on Scandinavia Wolves It's well known that inbreeding is bad for animals and can lead to the extinction of endangered species. Researchers is yet to determine exactly how much genetic variation is lost when closely related individuals mate, or how it happens, according to Phys.org. The Scandinavian wolf population was established in the early 1980s when three wolves from Finland entered Sweden and Norway. Over the course of several generations, researchers at the University's Evolutionary Biology Center have been able to examine the genomic repercussions of inbreeding. Every chromosome in a wolf's DNA has two slightly different "copies," much like in humans. A total of six chromosomes were donated by the three wolf founders. The population's genetic diversity consisted largely of the inconsequential differences among these variants. Each of the six' starting chromosomes' and all of the chromosomes of around a hundred wolves born between the 1980s and the present have been sequenced by researchers. As a result, they were able to track the survival of the beginning chromosomes through time. The reason for the loss of variation was that parts of them were gradually eliminated from the population Evolutionary biologist Hans Ellegren at Uppsala University believes this to be true. Also Read: Gray Wolf That Had Travelled Further South Dies on California Highway How the Lost of Genetic Variation Affects Animal Survival The researchers were able to track the transmission of so-called haplotypes in this study, making it one of a kind. A haplotype is a chromosome-wide collection of genetic variants. When determining a biological sample's DNA sequence, current technology cannot distinguish between the two haplotypes. Researchers are currently putting together the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. They were able to determine haplotype composition by tracking the transmission of chromosomes. A decrease in the ability of people to adapt to change and challenges occurs when a population loses genetic variety. The wolves' ability to adapt may have been harmed by the elimination of some of the varieties. As a defense against genetic propensity to disease, others may have played an important role. A genetic variation can readily go extinct in a population that was founded by so few individuals. It can't be resurrected without large number of individuals. About 10 to 25 percent of the genetic diversity introduced by the three founders had been lost after five generations of inbreeding. More than 160,000 genetic variations were eliminated in all, which is a startlingly high amount. The Need for New Genetic Material The three founders of the Scandinavian wolf population proved not to be completely unrelated, which is a worry for the population's future. Together, they provided six chromosome copies, but as the animals were already related to each other, these chromosomes represented only roughly four different versions of each other on average, as per Eurekalert. According to Ellegren, the study's findings have broad implications for understanding of the effects of genetic isolation on animal species. In recent years, a few wolves from other countries have brought new genetic diversity to the wolf population. Inbreeding is so extensive that even these variatiions are at risk of disappearing. A team of researchers from Norway and the Grimso Wildlife Research Station collaborated to conduct the study. Genome Research is where the study was published. Related Article: Ancient Wolf Gene Responsible for Different Sizes of Domestic Dogs For more news, updates about wolves and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! The only natural desert oasis in South America is buried among Peru's greatest sand dunes in a vast desert. Huacachina, right behind Machu Picchu, is one of Peru's most popular tourist destinations, and it's home to fantastic local mythology. Huacachina's Legend According to Huacachina's legend, the oasis was created by a maiden named Huacachina's tears shed as she mourned her beloved's death. The lagoon was built after days and nights of wailing. She plunged into the lagoon to hide from a passing warrior and escape noticed. Huacachina, according to folklore, departs the lagoon every night of the full moon to continue mourning for her sweetheart. Visitors worldwide come to appreciate the views from the tops of the gigantic dunes or spend a quiet day on the ocean because of this renowned and distinctive beauty. The creation of an oasis can be influenced by various causes, including climate conditions, surface rivers, rainstorms, and other natural forces. Despite the legends, experts believe that Hucacahina was formed by a water stream that flowed underground, causing plants and trees to sprout in the middle of a desert. Oasis According to AccuWeather's chief international meteorologist Jason Nicholls, countries in Africa and the Middle East are dry and mostly rely on the oasis to grow crops. The Al-Hassa Oasis, encompassing over 30,000 acres of land in Saudi Arabia, is the world's biggest oasis. By comparison, Hucacahina, barely two acres in size, appears tiny. Hucacahina was once a popular destination for wealthy travelers passing through the desert despite its tiny size. According to the Huacahina town website, the oasis is a "must-see" for anyone visiting Peru. Related Article: Coral Reef in Ocean's 'Twilight Zone' Untouched by Climate Change Found in Tahiti Climate and Temperature Huacachina's climate is typical of a desert environment: dry and warm, but not scorching hot regularly. The standard high temperature of Huacachina is in the low 80s in early February, near the middle of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature may quickly soar into the 90s depending on other circumstances at that time of year. Temperatures range from a high of 69 degrees in the afternoon to a low of 57 degrees at night from late July to almost the end of August. In a typical year, the region receives only 4 inches of rain. A Great Experience Visitors to Huacachina will find various ways to soak in the beauty of the area. Many visitors take a trek up the dunes to see the sunrise or sunset, while others take a rowboat tour around the lagoon. People must take a bus from Ica, the nearest metropolis, to and from this little settlement. You may take a bus to get there, but the "Peru Hop" bus is the most popular. On Youtube and Instagram, Xander Bijsterveld, a travel blogger from the northern Netherlands, detailed his trip to Huacachina. Instead of acclimating to the nation in the large metropolis, Bijsterveld made Huacachina his first visit when he arrived in Peru. In an interview with AccuWeather, Bijsterveld said they loved the idea that it was a smaller area with more options for various and exciting activities. During November 2021, which is spring in South America, Bijsterveld spent three days in the little desert oasis and claimed he loved hiking the sand dunes that overlooked the oasis. The "insane beauty of the dunes at sunset" was his favorite part of the trip. There is "plastic rubbish everywhere" in Huacachina, according to Bijsterveld, despite its beauty. Conservation efforts to protect the natural oasis and its plants are underway, according to Huacachina's official website. Dune buggy excursions - and "sandboarding" trips - are suitable for some of the sand dunes that encircle the lake in the middle of Hucacahina, some of which are as high as 6,817 feet above sea level. At Risk? Unfortunately, Huacachina is slowly diminishing. Due to neighboring drilling and increasing evaporation throughout the summer, the lagoon's water levels have dropped in recent years. According to the Peruvian Times, the town has started pumping water into the lagoon from outside sources to protect the natural oasis. Hucacahina was "an extraordinarily interesting spot" with a lake and rich flora among large dunes, according to two Americans who visited in 2021 and told AccuWeather. One of their greatest vacation memories was a dune buggy ride, which they shared with AccuWeather. Also Read: 'Well to Hell': Ancient Pit Uncovered in the Middle of the Desert in Yemen For similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! Sign up to get breaking news, weather forecasts, and more in your email inbox. Sign Up Now Connecticuts Department of Consumer Protection began accepting applications for micro-cultivator cannabis licenses Thursday, the start of a 90-day window for submissions. The licenses will be awarded through a lottery process. The application window for micro-cultivators closes May 11. Micro-cultivators can grow cannabis for recreational and medicinal use. Their facilities are smaller than other cultivators, at 2,000 to 10,000 square feet of grow space. READ MORE: What you need to know about Connecticuts recreational pot licensing process READ MORE: These Connecticut towns are banning recreational marijuana sales, use The state plans to license two general micro-cultivators and two social equity applicants in the first lottery round. More licenses will be awarded through further lottery rounds on a rolling basis, depending on market needs. Social equity status is determined through income and residency. Half of licenses through the lottery system are set aside for social equity applicants to ensure the new market benefits those who were disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. READ MORE: Legal weed in CT: Your questions answered Applications are available online. Those with questions can email dcp.cannabis@ct.gov, according to a Thursday news release. The Department of Consumer Protection has already opened the application periods for non-lottery applications for cultivators in disproportionately impacted areas and lottery applications for recreational retailers. Curious about cannabis in Connecticut? Sign up for a weeklong email series to learn more. Applications for medical producers and dispensaries that want to expand into the recreational markets are also open, as are applications for joint equity ventures. Recreational cannabis in Connecticut was legalized in June 2021. Retail sales are expected to begin by the end of this year, according to the states news release. NEW CANAAN The school district announced in a letter to parents on Wednesday that masking would become optional for students and staff upon their Feb. 28 return from a scheduled winter break, dependent on the official guidance released by the state Department of Education and Department of Public Health. This decision follows a contentious public forum held at Saxe Middle School last week with parents, students and residents alike making their voices heard on masking. On Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut will be eliminating the statewide school mask mandate and will be empowering districts to make this decision at the local level based on local metrics and context, Superintendent Bryan Luizzi wrote in his Wednesday letter. Thanks to our rapidly declining case rate, succesful implementation of mitigation strategies and high vaccination rates, the NCPS plans to go mask-optional upon our retrun from winter break. He went on to call this an important milestone for our school community in its journey wading through the pandemic. Lamont empowered the state Department of Education and the Department of Public Health to release advisory, not mandatory guidance, New Canaan resident and state Rep. Tom ODea said Thursday, and each district would heed the guidelines of the state departments. ODea said he took issue with the notion of the state having the ability to reinforce a statewide mask mandate until June 30. If there is a problem, we will give you emergency power, ODea said, adding he and his colleagues are in session right now and can vote on a possible return to executive order if the situation arises, but right now it is not needed. State Sen. Will Haskell said Thursday that the safeguard is in case of worsening conditions, or a wave worse than omicron, then the state would have the ability to act quickly and reinstitute a mask mandate up until June 30. Haskell said he agrees with Lamont that there no longer needs to be a one-size-fits-all approach to masking in the state, but rather give the authority to each individual district superintendent and Board of Education. Luizzi said the district will share more information prior to the start of winter break on Feb. 21. Contestants Amy Schneider, left, and Hermitage native Dr. Patrick Lackey just before their questions are revealed in Final Jeopardy. Both were correct, but she had already vastly outscored him. CNHI Harrisburg Bureau Eric Scicchitano is the CNHI Pennsylvania state reporter. He is a former CNHI Reporter of the Year and previously worked at The (Sunbury) Daily Item before until he took over the Harrisburg beat in January 2022. Email him at erics@cnhinews.com. Software-defined networking, intent-based networking, SD-WAN, and a host of other technologies are focused on making IT work easier through automation. Rather than manually configuring every part of a system, these technologies offer templates, AI assistance, and, in theory, a much lower workload for the IT worker in the field. Whether that theory translates to practice, however, remains a matter of debate. Outsourcing can ease technology adoption For some, the advantages of networking automation and outsourcing have proved wildly successful. Stewart Ebrat is the CIO of the Vera Wang Group, a fashion chain with 10 stores in the U.S. and several hundred around the globe. Hes been in IT for more than 20 years and has worked for IBM and the New York Stock Exchange, among others. In his earlier days in IT, Ebrat said, the focus was heavily on just making sure all the interconnections worked he cited clients and mainframes as particular pain points. And at the outset of his time at Vera Wang five years ago, the IT shop was much more traditional, relying on virtual private LAN service to link stores to a data center and handling operational tech like point-of-sale locally. Under his stewardship, Vera Wang has embraced the as-a-service availability of new technologies, more or less outsourcing every part of its IT infrastructure to vendors. For example, Aruba/HPE handles the networking, including SD-WAN, to connect stores to one another and to an Azure back-end, and it also handles most of the day-to-day IT support for the stores. Newburyport, MA (01950) Today Rain. Low 44F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Rain. Low 44F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. 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. As the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard - who he is suing over her 2018 Washington Post domestic violence op-ed - continues, we take a look at 10 of the stars who have shown their support for the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star. Click for more. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Rain likely. Low around 55F. Winds ESE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.. Tonight Rain likely. Low around 55F. Winds ESE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch. So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart ... Longview, TX (75601) Today Partly cloudy skies early. Thunderstorms developing late. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early. Thunderstorms developing late. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Mayo Clinic and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) announced today a research agreement to transform organ transplantation. The institutions will bioengineer innovative approaches to address barriers in organ transplantation. This relationship with the esteemed CMU Biomedical Engineering team is a very important step in Mayo Clinic's Transforming Transplant strategic initiative. Research and innovation breakthroughs resulting from this initiative will address challenges and limitations that have historically existed for transplantation and subsequently unmet patient needs." Burcin Taner, M.D., Chair of the Transplant Center, Mayo Clinic, Florida "Mayo Clinic's Center for Regenerative Medicine is excited to collaborate with Transplant Center colleagues at Mayo Clinic to support the innovation being driven through our unique engagement with CMU," says Guojun Bu, Ph.D., associate director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida. "This initiative will accelerate our mission in transforming the practice of medicine through biotherapeutic technologies that make organ transplantation more accessible, affordable and available to a broader population." As part of the collaboration, Mayo Clinic biomedical researchers and Carnegie Mellon University faculty will focus on four core areas: Biofabrication. Organ repair. Organ monitoring using sensor systems. Artificial intelligence to optimize transplant processes. "Mayo Clinic is the preeminent academic medical center and the largest organ transplant provider in the United States, and CMU is a leader in innovating and applying cutting-edge technologies to real-world problems," says Keith Cook, Ph.D., a Carnegie Mellon University professor who is head of the university's Biomedical Engineering Department. "We are excited to bring these leading institutions together to create real improvements in access to, and effectiveness of, organ transplantation." Carnegie Mellon University's commitment to organ bioengineering is ongoing through its Bioengineered Organs Initiative. This initiative facilitates collaborative research focused on designing, creating and testing a new generation of long-term replacement organs that are fully biological, artificial or a combination of both. Both institutions also will participate in ongoing seminars focused on the challenges facing organ transplantation and the development of new technologies to address them. Mayo Clinic is committed to transplantation research and innovation. Its goals include: Restoring donated organs by optimizing them for best outcomes and decreasing discard rates. Preventing graft failure in patients who have received organ transplants. Preventing organ failure and the need for a transplant through early diagnosis of organ dysfunction. Engineering new organs, subsequently eliminating the uncertainty of organ donation and long waits. Mayo Clinic's Transplant Center, with locations in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, has performed more than 27,000 organ transplants since 1963. More than 100,000 patients nationwide are awaiting organ transplants. A cloud-based repository that creates a digital fingerprint of engineered microorganisms has been successfully trialed. An international team led by Newcastle University has launched CellRepo, a species and strain database that uses cell barcodes to monitor and track engineered organisms. Reported in a new study in the journal Nature Communications, the database keeps track and organizes the digital data produced during cell engineering. It also molecularly links that data to the associated living samples. Available globally, this resource supports international collaboration and has significant safety advantages, such as limiting the impact of deliberately or accidentally released genetically modified microorganisms by enabling faster tracing of organisms lab of origin and design details. CellRepo is built on version control, a concept from software engineering that records and tracks changes to software code. The scientists believe that version control for cell engineering will make engineering biology more open, reproducible, easier to trace and share, and more trustworthy. The research team highlights additional benefits of this community resource, such traceability providing the exact documentation for a strain and properly crediting laboratory work. The database also puts responsibility in focus by making it easier to track and assign ownership. With access to a global database, researchers will be able to reproduce results and collaborate more easily. The scientists also argue that the repository will improve transparency and reduce costs associated with data and source code losses. Lead author, Natalio Krasnogor, Professor of Computer Science and Synthetic Biology at Newcastle University's School of Computing, said: "Engineering biology is not rocket science. It is much, much harder. And because of that it is imperative that we do it more openly and more collaboratively. CellRepo, at its core, is a collaboration platform in which cell engineers can document their work and share it with others (within their own lab or more widely). By enabling more collaboration and the seamlessly sharing of engineered strains we hope to accelerate and improve synthetic biology processes and reporting for everybody. CellRepo is a community resource and as such we invite engineering biologists, synthetic biologists, biotechnologists and life scientists more generally to try it and get in touch with us so we know what works and what needs to be improved!" I have always had some misidentification issues during my projects. Fortunately I was able to find them early on and solve them but I can't imagine how many good projects have failed or stalled because of this. Some other chunk of my time as a biologist goes into retroactively building the history of the plasmids and strains I use. I may get the genetic material from someone, but who was the original author? Sometimes I am lucky and it is just one paper away, sometimes its down a rabbit hole that may end up in the 80s. CellRepo fixes these and other important problems for experimentalists. " Dr. Jonathan Tellechea, synthetic biologist in the project Leanne Hobbs, the senior software engineer in the project reflects: "As a software engineer coming from industry to academia, it has been both a challenge and pleasure to work on a project where I can use my skills for the public good. Version control is a staple of software engineering and I am proud that we are now bringing these tools to engineering biology". Dr. Lenka Pelechova, a social scientist working at The Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex Biosystems (ICOS) research group, added: "As a social scientist, I believe the Responsible Research and Innovation framework is crucial in addressing societal expectations and in opening up public's conversations about new research and technology. In my view, these conversations should start early on and CellRepo supports this by making research transparent from its onset.' Study co-author, Professor Victor de Lorenzo, from the Systems and Synthetic Biology Program at the Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia in Madrid, Spain, said: "Given the innate tendency of engineered constructs to mutate and overcome any type of genetic firewall, decades of efforts for containment of recombinant bacteria have delivered few practical results. Instead, CellRepo offers stable and unequivocal identification of given strains that can be rigorously tracked and associated to digital twins with all information available-;should it be required for countermeasures, ownership or liability purposes." Elena Velazquez, PhD student in Victor de Lorenzo's lab, added: "As a synthetic biologist who works all day with plasmids and strains from different origins, I am used to find that the plasmid or strain I was using in my experiments were not what I requested. This, of course, cannot be blamed on scientists who kindly donate their hard work altruistically and, moreover, since there was not an easy way to label and identify if the strain at stake was the intended one. "CellRepo is a platform that represents an incredible advance in this matter and that can save a ton of time and useless work to researchers all around the world. Moreover, the global repositories of strains that are to be shared through this platform can be an invaluable open-source of samples and a bridge for new collaborations between different labs. Thanks to CellRepo, scientists have the possibility to speed up their investigations and the reliability of their Science." Co-author Simon Woods, Professor of Bioethics at the Policy Ethics and Life Sciences Research Centre, Newcastle University, added: "The wide adoption of the CellRepo platform will make a major beneficial contribution to the culture of science by providing a mechanism that ensures traceability and transparency and enabling reproducibility. In addition, CellRepo is a novel instrument of science governance that supports responsible but innovative science." The novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, which causes the highly contagious COVID-19, has infected millions of people worldwide. The global spread of this deadly pandemic has triggered widespread research on infection control. However, controlling the spread of COVID-19 is challenging for many reasons. Some patients show a variety of nonspecific symptoms ranging from headaches to a cough. However, many patients with COVID-19 remain symptom-free even after getting infected, but still may have the potential to infect others. This makes initial triage and diagnosis difficult. And while reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques are currently the gold standard, they have certain limitations. RT-PCR involves the transportation of samples to a clinical laboratory for testing, which poses logistical difficulties. It also requires the use of reagents, which could be in short supply and may be less effective when the virus mutates. Moreover, RT-PCR tests can be time-consuming and less sensitive in asymptomatic individuals, rendering them unfeasible for widespread rapid screening. Thus, biomedical researchers are trying to devise novel methods for better detection of COVID-19 infections in point-of-care settings, without the need to send away samples for testing. Recently, researchers from Canada developed one such technique using saliva samples. Unlike nasopharyngeal swabs, saliva sampling is safer and noninvasive. In their article published in the Journal of Biomedical Optics, they describe a new reagent-free detection technique that is based on machine learning (ML) and laser-based Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy is routinely used by researchers to determine the molecular composition of samples. Put simply, molecules scatter incident photons (particles of light) in a unique manner that is dependent on underlying chemical structures and bonding. Researchers can sense and identify molecules based on their characteristic Raman "fingerprint" or spectrum, which is obtained by shining light at samples and measuring the scattered light. COVID-19 can cause chemical changes in the composition of saliva. Based on this knowledge, the research team analyzed 33 COVID-19-positive samples clinically matched with a subset of a total 513 COVID-19-negative saliva samples collected from the Pointe-Saint-Charles COVID-19 testing clinic in Quebec, Canada. The Raman spectra they obtained were then trained on multiple-instance learning models, instead of conventional ones. Senior author Frederic Leblond, with appointments at Polytechnique Montreal, Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal, and Institut du cancer de Montreal, Canada, explains this more simply: "Our machine learning method uses information from each individual Raman spectrum. It does not use averaged data, and so it can integrate more information from the saliva samples to give a highly accurate output." The results from this method indicate an accuracy of about 80 percent, and the researchers found that taking sex at birth into consideration was important in achieving this accuracy. Although saliva composition is affected by time of day as well as the age of the test subject and other underlying health conditions, this technique can still prove to be a great candidate for real-world COVID-19 detection. Our label-free approach overcomes many limitations of RT-PCR testing. We are working to commercialize this as a faster, robust, and low-cost system, with potentially higher accuracy. This could be easily integrated with current viral detection workflows, adapted to new viruses and bacterial infections, as well as accounting for confounding variables through new machine learning approaches. In parallel, we are working on reducing the testing time further by using nanostructured metallic surfaces for containing the saliva sample." Katherine Ember, postdoctoral researcher, Polytechnique Montreal, Canada, and first author of the study These findings can facilitate better COVID-19 detection in addition to paving the way for new tools for other infectious diseases. In a groundbreaking study published today, scientists describe how Ebola virus, which can persist in certain areas of the body, can re-emerge to cause fatal disease-; even long after treatment with monoclonal antibodies. Their research, using a nonhuman primate model of Ebola virus infection, appears on the cover of today's edition of Science Translational Medicine. Some recent Ebola virus disease outbreaks in Africa have been linked to persistent infection in patients who had survived previous outbreaks, according to the paper's senior author, Xiankun (Kevin) Zeng, Ph.D. In particular, the 2021 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Guinea re-emerged from a persistently infected survivor of the previous major outbreak at least five years ago. However, the exact "hiding place" of persistent Ebola virus and the underlying pathology of subsequent recrudescent, or recurring, disease in survivors-; especially those treated with standard-of-care monoclonal antibody therapeutics-; were largely unknown. So Zeng and his team at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases used a nonhuman primate model, the one that most closely recapitulates Ebola virus disease in humans, to address these questions. Ours is the first study to reveal the hiding place of brain Ebola virus persistence and the pathology causing subsequent fatal recrudescent Ebola virus-related disease in the nonhuman primate model. We found that about 20 percent of monkeys that survived lethal Ebola virus exposure after treatment with monoclonal antibody therapeutics still had persistent Ebola virus infection-;specifically in the brain ventricular system, in which cerebrospinal fluid is produced, circulated, and contained-;even when Ebola virus was cleared from all other organs." Xiankun (Kevin) Zeng, Ph.D., Senior Author In particular, Zeng said, two monkeys that initially recovered from Ebola virus-related disease after treatment with antibody therapeutics had recurrence of severe clinical signs of Ebola virus infection and succumbed to the disease. Severe inflammation and massive Ebola virus infection were present in the brain ventricular system; no obvious pathology and viral infection were found in other organs. Recrudescence has previously been reported in human survivors of Ebola virus disease, according to the authors. For example, a British nurse experienced Ebola virus relapse in the brain, suffering from meningoencephalitis nine months after recovering from severe Ebola virus disease. She had received therapeutic antibodies during the 2013-2016 outbreak in Western Africa, the largest such outbreak to date. In addition, a vaccinated patient who had been treated with monoclonal antibody therapeutics for Ebola virus disease six months earlier relapsed and died at the end of the 2018-2020 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Unfortunately, that case also led to many subsequent human-to-human transmissions. During the past several years, Zeng's team at USAMRIID has performed systematic studies of Ebola virus persistence using nonhuman primate survivors as a model. That research showed that the virus, despite being cleared from all other organs, can hide and persist in specific regions of immune-privileged organs-; such as the vitreous chamber of eyes, the seminiferous tubules of testes, and the ventricular system of brain reported in this study. "The persistent Ebola virus may reactivate and cause disease relapse in survivors, potentially causing a new outbreak," said USAMRIID's Jun Liu, Ph.D., who served as co-first author of the current paper with John C. Trefry, Ph.D. Ebola virus causes one of the deadliest infectious diseases known to humankind. It is still a major threat in Africa, and there were three outbreaks in Africa in 2021 alone, according to the World Health Organization. Global research efforts have led to regulatory approval for two vaccines and two monoclonal antibody therapeutics to prevent and treat Ebola virus disease in recent years. Those therapeutics are now part of the standard of care for infected patients. "Fortunately, with these approved vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapeutics, we are in a much better position to contain outbreaks," added Zeng. "However, our study reinforces the need for long-term follow-up of Ebola virus disease survivors-; even including survivors treated by therapeutic antibodies-;in order to prevent recrudescence. This will serve to reduce the risk of disease re-emergence, while also helping to prevent further stigmatization of patients." A paper published this week in Immunity, a leading research journal highlighting discoveries in immunology by Cell Press, lays the groundwork to better understand and treat Crohn's disease, a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Beneficial interactions among intestinal cell types limit the harmful effects of a dysregulated gut microbiota, which is comprised of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. These cell-cell interactions are essential to maintain a healthy gut and dysregulation of this cellular "crosstalk" can predispose the development of IBD. Led by Pawan Kumar, BVSc, PhD, of the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, the research identified a new role for Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), an immune cell-derived cytokine, in promoting selective epithelial cell development as well as limiting inflammation during colitis. Although drugs that target IL-17A are highly effective against psoriasis, an autoimmune condition, the same drugs result in adverse effects when used to treat the inflammatory responses of Crohn's. While targeting IL-17A may reduce the pathogenesis of certain inflammatory responses, it is unclear why these treatments had opposing effects in Crohn's patients. The research team has addressed this underlying question. We identified a new role for IL-17A in the intestinal inflammatory process by regulating a type of stem cell (Lgr5+) and progenitor cell function. We found that IL-17A acts on intestinal stem cells to promote secretory cell lineage commitment. In addition, impaired IL-17A signaling to secretory cells (ATOH1+) exacerbates colitis." Pawan Kumar, Senior Author and Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology The research team tested their findings in different murine models. Upon collaborating with Ken Cadwell of New York University, they confirmed their results in human organoids. They found that IL-17A stimulated secretory cell differentiation in cystic human intestinal organoids. "Our data suggest that there is a 'cross talk' between immune cells and stem cells that regulates secretory cell lineage commitment and the integrity of the mucosa," summarizes Kumar. The authors believe their findings will help further research and lay the groundwork for future clinical studies that investigate the therapeutic potential of IL-17A and/or its downstream effector proteins. This research is supported in part by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, the SUNY Research Foundation and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. As a 10-year journey comes to fruition, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researcher John O'Bryan, Ph.D., and colleagues have demonstrated a new therapeutic way to block a protein that is frequently mutated in cancers. These proof-of-principle findings were published on Feb. 8 in Cell Reports. This work, which involves inhibiting the oncogenic protein RAS using small molecules, lays a strong foundation for the development of clinical anti-cancer therapies. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed this year. Based on the urgent need for more effective therapies, researchers are always on the search for elusive treatments that can affect many cancers. RAS is one of the most central and critical regulators of cell proliferation, and it is also the most mutated in cancers. Mutated RAS drives the growth of tumors. This makes it an attractive therapeutic target." John O'Bryan, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina The RAS family of proteins are mutated in nearly 20% of human tumors; however, there has been little progress in drug development for this target. "Think of RAS as a slick ball that does not let anything bind to it. Until recently, it was thought that mutant RAS could not be targeted with drugs. Now there is one FDA-approved drug for mutant RAS in lung cancer, which demonstrates that it is possible to target mutant RAS in some cases," said O'Bryan. The new drug sotorasib targets a mutant form of RAS that only occurs in less than 3% of all human cancers, so the new drug is not very useful across multiple types of cancers, O'Bryan said. His new method of therapeutically targeting mutant RAS is more promising because it has the potential to work with numerous mutant forms of RAS in multiple cancers. "Pancreatic, lung and colorectal cancers are three of the four most deadly cancers, and their growth is driven by mutations in RAS proteins. Therefore, successfully targeting mutant RAS has big implications for patients," said O'Bryan. The challenge with targeting RAS is due to the way it functions. It has "on" and "off" states that are regulated by binding to other molecules called nucleotides. There is also a third state called the nucleotide-free state when it is switching between on and off modes. However, RAS proteins are in their nucleotide-free states for such short amounts of time that it was previously thought that RAS could not be targeted during this very short-lived state. O'Bryan's collaborator Shohei Koide, Ph.D., from the Perlmutter Cancer Center at New York University, developed the monobody technology that overcomes the challenges with targeting nucleotide-free RAS. Monobodies are small synthetic binding proteins that can be designed to attach to cellular targets inside or outside of cells. Previously, targeting nucleotide-free RAS mutants was thought to be an impossible undertaking. Targeting nucleotide-free RAS with the R15 monobody has allowed the researchers to understand RAS biochemistry more fully and discover opportunities to disrupt its cancer-promoting activity. Using a mixture of biochemistry techniques, cell culture work and animal models, they found that the R15 monobody blocks multiple forms of RAS mutants. "We were surprised to find that many RAS mutants unlock nucleotides, and the R15 monobody can block these," said O'Bryan. "It is a good sign that more than 50% of oncogenic RAS mutants may be susceptible to inhibitors binding nucleotide-free RAS. This makes targeting nucleotide-free RAS a viable approach for inhibiting many mutant RAS-driven tumors." There is often serendipity in a research career, O'Bryan said. "We got stuck by our early data because it did not make immediate sense. However, it turned out to be an exciting finding. There is a skill in discerning between insignificant artifacts in the data and something novel that is real discovery." This work provides a framework for other groups to target RAS in more effective ways. "The RAS protein, which was considered undruggable, is in fact able to be targeted by drugs," said O'Bryan. The researchers are very hopeful that this discovery can be used more comprehensively in the future. While cancers do adapt and mutate to become resistant to therapeutics, new drugs based on this concept might serve as additional tools in the arsenal to treat cancer, he said. The next step in the journey will be to find small molecules in MUSC's compound library that can be used to target mutant RAS in the same way as the R15 monobody. Since the R15 monobody cannot easily get into cells, O'Bryan explained that a small molecule targeting nucleotide-free mutant RAS proteins will be a more effective therapy. "We are at a really good stage to exploit this mechanism," said O'Bryan. "MUSC and Hollings have a really great culture of collaboration, which has helped to push this project forward. MUSC's access to the massive library of small molecules helps to provide a lot of chemical diversity and intellectual property potential." The researchers feel that this research reveals a new window of opportunity for the development of novel anti-cancer agents necessary to improve patient outcomes. Several studies have reported that cardiac complications are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). More specifically, heart failure, cardiac injury, and arrhythmias have been observed in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. One unusual feature that has been observed in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 is bradycardia, which is a slow heart rate or the lack of an increase in heart rate with body temperature. Furthermore, sinus bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia (VT), or ventricular fibrillation (VF) have been reported in many COVID-19 patients around the world. Inflammatory damage due to the release of cytokines could be responsible for the cardiac involvement with COVID-19. Study: Occurrence of relative bradycardia and relative tachycardia in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Image Credit: BallBall14 / Shutterstock.com Background Commercially available wearables have been found to be useful in the early detection of COVID-19 and for monitoring symptoms. In fact, resting heart rate (RHR) data from Fitbit devices have been used to study the long-term changes that occur after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. In COVID-19 patients, a rise in RHR typically occurs soon after symptom onset. The term relative is used to indicate that the increase or decrease in RHR is relative to the baseline value of the individual and not necessarily above or below the clinical threshold guideline. In COVID-19 patients, RHR appears to exhibit a dip that is otherwise referred to as transient relative bradycardia that is followed by a second elevated RHR peak. This second increase in RHR has been found to remain elevated for up to 79 days from symptom onset with a dip in between. In a new study published on the preprint server medRxiv,* researchers from Fitbit assess and compare the resting heart changes in individuals with severe, mild, or asymptomatic COVID-19 and individuals diagnosed with seasonal influenza. The researchers also analyzed heart rate variability, respiratory rate, as well as the variation of both of these health parameters with time. About the study Recruited participants from both the United States and Canada provided information on whether they were diagnosed with COVID-19 or the flu, the date of their test, symptoms, the date when their symptoms started, and, for COVID-19 patients, the severity of the disease. Additional information about the age, sex, body mass index, and information on underlying conditions of the participants was collected. RHR data was collected from the participants through the use of Fitbit devices. The time variation of the RHR data was calculated 14 days before the onset of symptoms to 180 days post-onset of symptoms. Variations in RHR with the time of the year were also calculated. Finally, the respiratory rate was calculated. Incidence of Flu (top) and COVID-19 (bottom) in the year 2020, from the Fitbit COVID-19 survey. Study findings The results indicate that both COVID-19 and the flu show result in three distinct phases following the onset of symptoms. In the first relative tachycardia phase, which occurs during the initial onset of symptoms, RHR is elevated above normal and reaches a peak value. The peak value was found to be higher in males, along with those with mild and severe cases of COVID-19. Thereafter, RHR decreases and reaches a minimum value that is referred to as the relative bradycardia phase. The minimum value is lower in females and more negative in the case of mild COVID-19 cases. Following this, RHR again reaches a second maximum value that is also higher in males as compared to females. Excess fractional change in RHR (), variation with severity and sex: (a) shows for severe, mild, and asymptomatic COVID-19, as well as flu. (b) shows for male and female individuals diagnosed with flu. (c) and (d) show for male and female participants, for the cases for severe and mild COVID-19 respectively. The relative bradycardia phase was also associated with elevated heart rate variability, while the second relative tachycardia period was associated with lower heart rate variability. The respiratory rate is reported to be independent of the tachycardia or bradycardia phase, in which it increases during the onset of symptoms then decreases sharply and returns to normal. Correlation between the peak value of RHR measured during symptom onset, and (i) peak value of RHR in the second relative tachycardia window shown in red, (ii) minimum value of RHR measured in the relative bradycardia window shown in blue. The shaded areas represent the 1 standard deviation range. Conclusions Taken together, the current study demonstrates that the relative tachycardia at symptom onset is due to the increase in RHR. Relative bradycardia is reported a few days after the onset of symptoms when RHR decreases. Thus, it is important to be aware of the transient relative bradycardia phase, as certain COVID-19 medications such as Remdesivir have been reported to cause bradycardia. Limitations The current study had certain limitations, including the fact that the medications taken by patients diagnosed with COVID-19 or flu and their impact on heart rate were not available. Second, data on the start date of symptoms, symptoms, and their severity was collected from a survey and could not be identified separately. A third and final limitation is that the study assumed that the participants were healthy before getting diagnosed with COVID-19 or flu. *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 from the University of California, Irvine reveals that sex differences in learning and memory mechanisms are triggered by biological events occurring during puberty. Findings show prepubescent female rodents have much better hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and spatial learning than same-age males, but puberty has opposite consequences for synaptic plasticity in the two sexes. The study, titled "Prepubescent female rodents have enhanced hippocampal LTP and learning relative to males, reversing in adulthood as inhibition increases" was recently published in Nature Neuroscience. Since the late 19th century, the general consensus in the scientific community has been that men outperform women on spatial tasks, while women excel in learning tasks involving verbal material, while the general debate has been about why there is a difference. The surprising conclusion from our results is that the polarization of sex differences in hippocampal synapses and related learning reverses in females and males from before to after puberty. This occurs because of distinct developmental changes. Thresholds for plasticity and encoding spatial information increase in females and decease in males." Christine Gall, PhD, co-corresponding author, and distinguished professor and chair of anatomy and neurobiology at the UCI School of Medicine Puberty is a critical landmark in brain maturation and results in a wide variety of sex differences in behavior, but little is known about how it affects the substrates for memory encoding. Researchers identified a female-specific mechanism that increases the LTP threshold and decreases spatial memory from before to after puberty. Sex differences were demonstrated for hippocampus-dependent processes and driven by different underlying mechanisms. In females only, inhibitory synapses in the CA1 field of the hippocampus exhibit an increase in levels of GABAA receptors containing the 5 subunit; this increase is associated with greater inhibition of synaptic activity critical for synaptic plasticity and memory. The 5 receptors have been linked to anxiety which also undergoes changes at the onset of the estrous cycle. Researchers found that pharmacological suppression of 5-GABAA receptors restored LTP and memory encoding in females to levels observed before puberty. "Our team proposes that the emergent female pattern may favor learning in complex circumstances while the emergent male pattern favors rapid acquisition of simpler material. This idea suggests that optimal teaching strategies need to reflect previously unsuspected brain differences between the sexes and how these are dramatically adjusted during puberty," Gall said. "The vast majority of studies have begun with analyses of young adult male rodents. Females use somewhat different memory mechanisms than do males and therefore may respond differently to drugs and gene mutations. This new research demonstrates the need for new sexually differentiated approaches for the development of therapeutic treatments and their applications at different life stages." Further research will be conducted to determine if the sex-specific LTP threshold changes identified in hippocampus during the transition to postpubertal life are evident in other brain areas and influence the encoding of different types of memories. Researchers at the University of Waterloo created the first computational model that simulates many variables affecting the transmission of COVID-19 to slow the spread of variants. The model takes raw data already in use to forecast case numbers and hospitalizations, and then adds other factors, such as vaccination rates, the use of masks and lockdowns, and the number of breakthrough infections. The researchers based their computation model on Ontario's recent experience with COVID-19 and data from the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. We were actually building the model when the Delta variant was still the dominant one in Ontario. We simulated a variant that was similar to Omicron, and the model is helpful for understanding whatever variants will come next." Anita Layton, professor of applied mathematics at Waterloo and Canada 150 Research Chair in mathematical biology and medicine The research team can change the parameters of the computational model to see what would happen with a new variant. It can also show what it would take to stop variants that are more contagious than others. As a result, the model can show where vaccination levels need to be or what levels of restrictions are necessary to keep a new variant at bay. "It includes vaccination and different vaccine types, delays in second and third doses, the impacts of restrictions and even the competition among different variants of concern," said Mehrshad Sadria, a PhD student in applied mathematics at Waterloo who also worked on the new model. "We want policymakers and stakeholders to have the most pertinent information so they can make the best decisions." The researchers plan to develop the model to include even more factors that influence the spread of COVID-19 in specific communities. "We'd like to investigate how people of different ages are impacted and compare different levels of vaccination between and within age groups," Layton said. We're also looking to make it more refined so we can focus on specific regions of Ontario, which can then be helpful for looking at resource distribution." The research team's paper on the computation model appears in Scientific Reports. The project grew from a research collaboration in the University Health Network and expanded with rapid research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. People predisposed to heavy drinking and alcohol problems may have lower functional connectivity -; the patterns of signaling between brain areas -; in regions that process emotions and social situations. In a study published on January 22, 2022 in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine propose that the altered neural activity patterns may impair some people's ability to interpret facial expressions. These differences in brain connectivity, the researchers found, could be used to predict individuals' future alcohol use, and may provide the basis for new interventions to treat or prevent alcohol use disorder. The risk of developing disordered alcohol use is genetically influenced and has been associated with an individual's level of response to alcohol, or how many drinks they must consume before experiencing the effects. Those with a low level of response to alcohol (low LR) tend to drink more and develop alcohol problems over time, compared to those with a high level of response (high LR). Prior studies of low LR individuals noted decreased activity in certain brain regions, including the amygdala, that are involved in processing emotions and rewards. However, the new study is the first to assess the functional connectivity between these brain regions in this context. The ability to read facial expressions affects the way we interpret a situation and shift our behavior in response. If you can't properly process this valuable social and emotional information, this will affect your behavior, including your choice to cease or continue drinking." Ben McKenna, PhD, first author, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry, UC San Diego School of Medicine In the study, 108 young adults with no history of alcohol problems were characterized as having low or high levels of response to alcohol. They were then asked to either consume a small volume of alcohol or a non-alcoholic placebo beverage, and perform an emotional face processing task to identify happy, angry and fearful faces while brain activity was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Researchers found that even with no alcohol consumption, low LR individuals had less functional connectivity between the amygdala and the frontal lobes, insula and parietal regions while processing the emotional faces. After consuming alcohol, this connectivity was further reduced in low LR individuals, while connectivity actually increased for high LR participants. "We were surprised to find that the brain areas are communicating differently in these people even without any alcohol consumed, and before they have developed any significant alcohol problems," said McKenna. McKenna suggested these decreased connections make it more difficult for people with low LR to understand and adaptively respond to their social environment. For example, seeing a happy face would typically produce rewarding brain signals, but if these are not being sensed properly in low LR individuals, they may rely more on alcohol to compensate and provide reward itself. Further studies will continue to explore these hypotheses and the specific networks involved in processing positive and negative emotions. The team also reviewed follow-up data on the same individuals five years later, and found that they could use the participants' functional connectivity patterns from the earlier scans to predict their future alcohol problems. "If these genetically-influenced neurobiological differences are predictive of future behavior, maybe we can identify them early on and try to educate people before they ever develop problematic drinking," said McKenna. Marc Schuckit, MD, senior author of the study and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine, has been involved in developing and testing such psychoeducation programs. This research, he said, could help clinicians identify which patients to target, what kind of education to provide, and the best time to provide it. "When trying to understand the relationship between the brain and behavior, the field has traditionally looked for differences in brain structure or the activity in individual brain regions," said Schuckit. "We're now seeing that functional connectivity between brain areas may add a whole new level of explanation. If we can develop therapies to target these networks, this could be a powerful tool for stopping the disorder in its tracks." In two recent studies, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found evidence that the omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 causes less severe disease than previous variants at least in rodents but that many antibody-based therapies may not be effective against it. When South African scientists announced in November that they had identified a new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, they also reported two worrying details: one, that this new variant's genome was strikingly different from that of any previous variant, containing dozens of mutations compared with the original virus that emerged in 2019; and two, that the new variant dubbed omicron was spreading like wildfire. The world needed to know quickly how well COVID-19 immunity either from vaccination or prior infection and therapies would hold up against this new variant. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, led by Michael S. Diamond, MD, PhD, the Herbert S. Gasser Professor of Medicine, immediately started investigating the new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Within a few weeks, they had data showing that omicron was a mixed bag: It could resist most antibody-based therapeutics, but it was less able to cause severe lung disease, at least in mice and hamsters. What omicron demonstrates is that a virus's intrinsic pathogenicity - its ability to cause disease is just one factor you have to consider in the context of a pandemic. The omicron variant is less pathogenic, but it's not not pathogenic. It can still cause severe disease, and it still kills people. When you have huge numbers of people getting infected in a short period of time, even if only a small fraction get seriously ill, it can still be enough to overwhelm the health-care system. Add that to the fact that many of our antibody therapies have lost effectiveness, and you get the crisis we've seen this winter." Michael S. Diamond, MD, PhD, the Herbert S. Gasser Professor of Medicine, professor of molecular microbiology and of pathology & immunology Diamond worked with Jacco Boon, PhD, an associate professor of medicine, of molecular microbiology, and of pathology & immunology, and colleagues at the SARS-CoV-2 Assessment of Viral Evolution (SAVE) Program to investigate omicron's capacity to cause severe disease. The SAVE Program was established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to rapidly characterize emerging variants and monitor their potential impact on COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. The omicron wave peaked first in South Africa. Early reports from the country indicated that the huge wave of infections was followed by a surprisingly small wave of hospitalizations and deaths. This encouraging news suggested that omicron might cause milder disease than previous variants. But the South African and U.S. populations are very different. South Africa is much younger, and has a lower vaccination rate but a higher rate of prior infection, and a different pattern of high-risk health conditions. It was unclear whether the U.S. would follow the same path as South Africa. To separate the role of the virus itself from population factors such as average age and pre-existing immunity, Boon, Diamond and colleagues studied animals infected with the variant. The group tested omicron variants from three people in four strains of mice and two strains of hamsters. For comparison, they infected separate groups of animals with the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 or the beta variant, which emerged in South Africa in fall 2020. Beta caused a large wave of infections in South Africa in 2020 before spreading globally. People infected with beta were more likely to become severely ill and require hospitalization than those infected with other variants. Compared with animals infected with the original strain or with the beta variant, animals infected with omicron lost less weight, had less virus in their noses and lungs, had lower levels of inflammation, and lost less respiratory function. "Omicron virus is milder in every rodent model of COVID-19 disease that we tested," Boon said. "This suggests that it may also be less capable of causing severe disease in people, although we can't say for certain because people, obviously, are very different from mice and hamsters. But just because it might be milder doesn't mean it's harmless. People are still being hospitalized and dying every day, so it's important to continue taking precautions against infection." The disease-severity study was published in Nature, with co-corresponding authors Boon, Diamond and Yoshihiro Kawaoka, DVM, PhD, a professor of virology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Meanwhile, Diamond also began investigating omicron's ability to resist antibody-based therapeutics. The virus that causes COVID-19 uses its spike protein to get inside cells. Because of the critical importance of spike to the virus, all COVID-19 vaccines and antibody-based therapies used in the U.S. target the protein. Omicron has 30 mutations in its spike gene, enough to make scientists worry that some anti-spike antibodies might fail against omicron's very different spike protein. Diamond, along with staff scientist and first author Laura VanBlargan, PhD, and colleagues tested all antibodies then authorized by the Food and Drug Administration to treat or prevent COVID-19 including antibodies made by AstraZeneca, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Regeneron and Vir Biotechnology for their ability to prevent the omicron variant from infecting cells. The antibodies were tested individually and in the combinations they were authorized to be used. Most of the antibodies were much less potent against omicron than against the original virus. Many failed completely. Only Vir's antibody, known as sotrovimab, retained the power to neutralize the omicron variant. These data, published in Nature Medicine in January, contributed to a growing stack of evidence that many antibody-based COVID-19 therapies fail to help people sick with omicron. As omicron became the dominant variant in January, accounting for nearly all COVID-19 cases in the U.S., the FDA withdrew authorization for all antibody-based COVID-19 therapeutics except sotrovimab. Covid-19 is often asymptomatic and can lead infected individuals to spread the disease without knowing it. Yet, regular surveillance testing of a community can catch these cases and prevent outbreaks. In early 2020, Georgia Tech researchers designed a saliva-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and encouraged community members to test weekly to track the health of the campus. Their strategy confirmed 62% of the campus' positive cases in the Fall 2020 semester. The method of surveillance testing -; focusing on case clusters and then having patients isolate -; reduced positivity rates from 4.1% in the beginning of the semester to below 0.5% mid-semester. Their findings were published in the journal Epidemiology. "One of the ways you can mitigate spread is not to think about testing as just an indicator for how bad things are, but actually use enough testing that you can begin to pull infected people out of circulation to reduce the spread," said Joshua Weitz, Georgia Tech professor in the School of Biological Sciences who developed the infectious disease models used to monitor campus. Surveillance testing not only kept the community safe, but also enabled an open campus during a period of the pandemic when vaccines were not available. The strategy showed that combining multiple mitigation efforts -; from testing to social distancing -; can keep a university operational. Designing the test The program relied on saliva PCR tests compared to the more common nasal swab PCR tests. I saw data very early on that the saliva tests were actually probably a little bit more sensitive than the nasal ones. I just knew that students would be more likely to do something that takes 30 seconds to give us spit. It's easy and safe, so it was just a no-brainer." Greg Gibson, Professor, School of Biological Sciences Saliva-based tests were a practical solution for a campus. The test could be self-administered, requiring fewer medical personnel and creating ease of access for students. The tests were also safer than nasal swabs because the collection tube contained a viral deactivation buffer that killed active virus but preserved the RNA at room temperature for analysis. The Georgia Tech campus biomedical research labs were also ideal for this type of test. Andres Garcia, executive director of the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, realized robotics labs could build and run tests and make the program scalable. "Testing requires precisely distributing different amounts of fluid to volumes, and this is a task really well suited for a robot," Garcia said. "With the large number of tests that we were expecting to need to administer, there was really no choice because having the robot really cut down on the human error." Another novel strategy was double pooling. Each saliva sample was pooled twice into a group of five samples and processed. This had multiple advantages, according to Gibson. One was it prevented false results because each sample had to test positive twice to be considered positive. And, by pooling, the testing system could clear dozens of individuals at once, while also focusing on a positive individual and then referring them for further diagnostic testing. "A purely surveillance test where you don't give anybody results can be done without much regulation, but it's minimally useful," said Gibson, who is a Regents' Professor, Tom and Marie Patton Chair in Biological Sciences, and serves as director of the Center for Integrative Genomics at Georgia Tech. "The double pooling strategy was a way for us to be able to identify exactly who was responsible for positive tests, and then go back to their original test and do a diagnostic one in a CLIA-certified lab." CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certification indicates a lab has met federal quality standards for diagnostic testing on human samples. The testing strategy Creating an effective testing infrastructure was also key to the success of the program. A university is a high-density environment where a community lives, learns, and works. When the program was first implemented in the Fall 2020 semester, Georgia Tech had 7,370 people in residence and 5,000 students, faculty, and staff who visited daily. With the ability to run 1,500 tests at the beginning of the semester and up to 2,850 by the end, the program enabled most people on campus to test weekly. Testing weekly helped catch cases early with Covid-19's seven-day incubation period, and positive individuals isolated for 10 days. Part of why this approach was so successful was because of what Gibson calls "synergistic effectiveness." By combining testing with mitigation strategies like masking and social distancing, Georgia Tech was able to reduce positivity rates. "We've shown that testing doesn't have to be comprehensive with everybody testing every other day to be effective," Gibson said. This strategy enabled the researchers to focus on campus hotspots and control spread. In the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester, campus positivity was at 0.5% until a cluster was identified in Greek housing in August. This enabled a targeted campaign where 90% of on-campus residents were tested. The asymptomatic positivity rate peaked at 4.1%, but steadily declined back to 0.5% by mid-September thanks to rapid identification and isolation of positive individuals. "We are a technical university -; that doesn't have a medical school or a school of public health -; that developed its own effective testing program and was able to deploy it to test a large segment of the population and keep the campus in operation," said Garcia, who additionally holds the Petit Director's Chair in Bioengineering and Bioscience and is a Regents' Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. Due to the success of surveillance testing, cases were kept at a manageable number. Most importantly, campus was able to stay open throughout the pandemic. The Georgia state legislature also adopted Georgia Tech's surveillance testing system in January 2021 and is using the program to track and manage cases during this year's legislative session. The strategy continues to keep Georgia Tech an active campus with in-person learning as the pandemic evolves. Ideally, the program established at Georgia Tech will remain in place, prepared to deal quickly with future infectious disease epidemics should the need arise, according to Gibson. "We developed a program that in practice and psychologically provided a benefit to community members," said Weitz, who also serves as the Tom and Marie Patton Chair in Biological Sciences and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences. "Many people could go get tested and know that they weren't infectious so that they had a less likely chance of infecting others. Or, if they did end up testing positive, they were able to isolate themselves so they didn't infect others. That is of significant benefit." In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the United States (US) detected evidence for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant exposure in the white-tailed deer population inhabiting Staten Island in New York. Studies have revealed high susceptibility of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for SARS-CoV-2 infection with several reports of spillover of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to free-living deer. The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron variant of concern (VoC) is highly transmissible among humans; however, its ability to infect and cause spillover in animals remains a challenge and has not been documented in detail. This study is designed to understand the evolutionary trajectory of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in white-tailed deers. Study design In this study, white-tailed deer were sampled opportunistically in Staten Island, New York, between December 12, 2021, and January 31, 2022. A Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test (sVNT) was performed to detect for anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, and deers with >30% inhibition were considered positive for the virus. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) was used to measure antibody titers against the receptor binding protein (RBD) and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) proteins. For the detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral ribonucleic acid (RNA), a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on swab samples of deers. Swab samples were tested by a TaqPath kit which targets the ORF1 ab gene (open reading frame), S gene, and N gene of SARS-CoV-2 as the primary screen for the Omicron variant. SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing was performed on total RNA isolated from the swab sample and libraries of sequences were prepared according to the ARTIC Ncov-2019 protocol. SARS-CoV-2 genomes were assembled by the SARS-CoV-2 BV-BRC assembly service using a SARS-CoV-2 variant-calling pipeline. Genetic lineages and variants of concern (VoC) were designated and identified by the Pangolin version. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified by the vSNP analysis program. Findings The researchers determined the previous exposure of SARS-CoV-2 by serum sampling of 131 individual deers. The majority of the samples were from male deer (88.5%) due to the design of sampling targeting males with age distribution inclined towards a younger age group. Over 62% of the sample constituted as fawns, more than 25 % yearling deer, while only 12% were adults. The researchers observed that of the 131 serum samples of individual deers, 14.5% were positive for SARS-CoV-2 exposure as measured in sVNT, with a viral inhibition range from 33.2% to 97% (median value -70.9%). The proportion of SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibody prevalence was observed to be higher in yearlings (39.4%) as compared to fawns and adults (4.9%, and 12.5%, respectively). Whole-genome sequencing of the four RT-PCR positive samples confirmed the presence of Omicron lineage in white-tailed deer which was the dominant circulating lineage (approximately 90%) in humans in New York between December 2021 and January 2022. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequence clusters matched with the Omicron sequence in humans in New York, and with environmental sources in Austria, but were quite diverse from previously recovered isolates from the deers free living in Ohio, Iowa, and other 13 US states that have been deposited in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). Viral genomes from samples 102, 103, and 104, sampled at the same location and date, had 5-6 SNPs in line with the common infection source and transmission between individual animals. While viral genome from fawn 2067, sampled after one day from different locations, showed 9-12 SNPs, reflecting the diverse source of infection points. In the TaqPath multiplex assay, there was ORF1a/b gene amplification and a drop in the S gene, suggesting the presence of Omicron; however, in the majority of samples, an unusual dropout in the N-gene or a shift in the cycle threshold (Ct) value was observed. The researchers found that one RT- PCR positive yearling male (number 2089) had a high level of neutralizing antibodies with 78.7% inhibition, suggesting serological conversion of these animals after prior exposure to the virus, but was still susceptible to re-infection, as observed in humans. Conclusion The findings of this study provided strong evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in white-tailed deer on Staten Island, New York. The study highlighted an unmet urgent need for comprehensive surveillance of susceptible wild animal species who are at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, to understand the network of ecological transmission, and to further better assess the potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 spillback from humans to animals, and from animals to humans. Further, the expanding range of hosts of SARS-CoV-2 in animals and the environment needs to be identified. *Important notice bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, a team of researchers from Norway used contact tracing data to measure and compare the household secondary attack rate (SAR) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron and Delta variants at a time of prominence of both variants in the country. By the end of 2021, the Omicron variant of concern (VoC) (B.1.1.529 BA.1) had rapidly spread across the globe. In Norway, the Omicron variant took over the Delta variant and by the second week of January 2022, it was detected in >90% of weekly screened national samples. The immune evasion by the Omicron variant is an important contributor to the high transmissibility seen with this variant. Due to the highly evasive nature of this VoC, there is a need for relevant and timely measures to understand the transmissibility and risk of infection at the population level by the Omicron variant. Study design In this research work, the researchers conducted a cohort study between December 2021 and January 2022, using data collected from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic preparedness register of the Norwegian government, called Beredt C19. This registry collected information regarding SARS-CoV-2-positive Norwegian residents, testing dates, detection of variants, records of vaccinations, and demographic features. The register received contact tracing data digitally from Norwegian municipalities aiding the linking of index cases with traced contacts. The study population consisted of registered households and the primary cases were defined as the first person in the households who were SARS-CoV-2 positive either with the Omicron or Delta variant during the study period. Findings The researchers observed that in households, the overall SAR was higher with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, 41% (CI 95 : 38-44) as compared with the Delta variant 35% (CI 95 : 31-38). In primary cases of children younger than 16 years, there was no significant difference in SAR between the Omicron and Delta variants. Similarly, no significant difference in SAR was observed between the Omicron and Delta variants in the households with primary cases of 40% vs 35% in non-vaccinated, and 47% vs 45% in contacts. In households with fully vaccinated contacts, the risk of infection was higher with the Omicron variant (RR: 1.37; CI 95 : 1.15- 1.64) relative to the Delta variant, while a significant difference was not observed in contacts vaccinated with the booster. SAR was lower in households with cases of booster-vaccinated cases and contacts, compared to households with non-vaccinated cases and contacts. In the household contacts, there was a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission (RR: 5.75; CI 95 : 1.32-100) with the Omicron variant in the booster-vaccinated primary cases as compared to the Delta variant, with a lower relative risk (RR: 1.18; CI 95 : 1.04-1.46) in fully vaccinated primary cases. In adult contacts with a booster vaccination, vaccine effectiveness (VE) was lower for the Omicron variant (47%) as compared to the Delta variant (62%), but it was higher for fully vaccinated cases. In the fully vaccinated cases, protection against infection with the Omicron variant was 16%, while with the Delta variant it was 46%. While measuring the risk of infection, the researchers observed no significant differences as stratified by gender, age group, and time since the last dose in fully vaccinated cases. Conclusion The study findings indicated that a high SAR in household contacts cases infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Norway is due to the lower effectiveness of the vaccines and not attributable to the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant. The results of the study further suggested that booster vaccination has a limited effect in preventing the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. *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. Sisters Gray and Andrea Koesters honored the life of their father, Willi Hans Koesters, by creating an exhibit of his work at the Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery in New Albany. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com. (Newser) Forest rangers in western Thailand are searching a remote jungle on the Myanmar border hoping to rescue a wild tiger with a missing leg from an area where poachers have recently been operating. Staff from the wildlife protection organization Freeland spotted the animal earlier this week on video recorded by a remotely operated camera trap in Kanchanaburi province's Khao Laem National Park as it was feeding on the body of a water buffalo, the AP reports. Its missing hind leg was clearly visible as it paced awkwardly around the carcass on Sunday night in the thick forest. Freeland's experts fear the slow-moving female is at risk from hunters or of starvation due to its likely long-term inability to catch prey. Freeland, working with staff from Thailands Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, hopes to waylay the tiger with a tranquilizer dart and move it to a government facility where it can be provided with adequate food and security. "We can find her, not difficult to find her," Freeland-Thailand executive Petcharat Sangchai said Wednesday. "We use the body of the dead buffalo or cow and sit and wait for her to eat the remains, and we can use the sniping gun to shoot her." It isnt clear how the tiger lost the limb. Freeland suspects the animal was a victim of poaching. The use of snares is common in jungles throughout Southeast Asia. In early January, rangers arrested five men in the forest with two tiger carcasses in their possession. Three weeks later, in the same district, a man said he was attacked by three tigers that killed his two dogs; he escaped by climbing a clump of bamboo. Video cameras were installed following reports of tiger activity in an area not previously known to support the animals. The Indochinese tiger is in peril throughout its range, with Thailand home to the biggest population. In 2021, Thai wildlife authorities put the country's wild tiger population at 177. (Read more tigers stories.) (Newser) The United States Postal Service is replacing its delivery fleet for the first time in 30 yearsand critics including the Environmental Protection Agency aren't happy about plans to make most of the new vehicles gas-guzzlers. Under current plans, only 10% of the fleet's 165,000 new delivery trucks due to come into service over the next decade will be electric, the Guardian reports. The $11.3 billion proposal "represents a crucial lost opportunity to more rapidly reduce the carbon footprint of one of the largest government fleets in the world," Associate EPA Administrator Vicki Arroyo told the USPS in a letter last week. She called the USPS plan "the single largest federal vehicle procurement in the foreseeable future." The gas-powered vehicles will have a fuel efficiency of just 8.2 miles per gallon, which the Guardian notes is "even less efficient than the original Hummer, a vehicle infamous for the vast amount of fuel it burned through." Mail trucks account for almost one-third of the federal government's vehicles, and the Biden administration has tasked the federal government with hitting net zero emissions by 2050. Adrian Martinez, an attorney at the Earthjustice nonprofit, urged the administration to "play hardball over this contract." Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the Donald Trump ally who oversaw the awarding of the vehicle contract, has argued that the service's "perilous" financial situation obligated it to make cost a big consideration when replacing its fleet. "The Postal Service is certainly willing to accelerate the pace of electrification of our delivery fleet if a solution can be found to do so that is not financially detrimental," USPS spokeswoman Kim Frum told the AP last week. The Postal Service says full electrification of the fleet would cost an extra $3.3 billion. Funds for full electrification were included in the administration's Build Back Better bill, but the legislation is stalled in the Senate and holdout Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin has declared it "dead." (Read more US Postal Service stories.) (Newser) Update: A sad end to the long search for 4-year-old Serenity Ann McKinney in Kentuckyauthorities have found her body in a wooded area, reports WAVE. Serenity was last seen alive on Christmas Eve of 2020. Her mother, 21-year-old Catherine McKinney of Shepherdsville, and her mother's boyfriend, 26-year-old Dakota Hill, have been charged with murder and abuse of a corpse. Our original story from Feb. 9 follows: Earlier this month, the attorney general of Kentucky put out a release asking for the public's help in finding 4-year-old Serenity Ann McKinney, who hasn't been seen for more than a year. As that search continues, a new development in the case: Her mother and her mother's boyfriend were arrested in Kansas over the weekend. "Yeah, it's pretty far from Louisville," Capt. Blake Lisby of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office tells WDRB, adding that Catherine McKinney and Dakota Hill were booked Sunday into the Thomas County Sheriff's Office in Colby and charged with custodial interference. Lisby says McKinney "refused to answer any of our questions" and has been generally uncooperative in the search for Serenity. The AG release notes that "extended family members" recently contacted authorities due to worries "that Serenity is in danger"; the girl's grandfather tells WDRB he's the one who filed the missing persons report. Relatives say they last saw the 4-year-old in person on Christmas Eve 2020, per People. The girl is said to have talked to her grandfather on the phone right before the following Father's Day, though it wasn't clear where she was calling from. A neighbor tells WDRB that McKinney and Hill had told her they were homeless and so had sent Serenity to stay with family. According to a flyer put out by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office on Serenity's disappearance, the little girl has blonde hair, blue eyes, and a possible birthmark on her stomach. Anyone with any information on Serenity should call the sheriff's office at 502-633-4324. Meanwhile, McKinney and Hill are to be extradited back to Kentucky, where they'll be arraigned. No bond has been set. (Read more missing child stories.) (Newser) Rudy Giuliani reportedly pushed back against a plan to have the military seize voting machines as Donald Trump tried to reverse his 2020 election lossbut a prosecutor in Michigan says the Trump lawyer made his own attempt to obtain one county's machines. Antrim County prosecutor James Rossiter tells the Washington Post that Giuliani and several associates asked him to turn the machines over to Trump's team because the heavily Republican county had initiallyand unofficiallyreported that Joe Biden beat Trump by around 3,000 votes. The county later blamed human error, saying machines hadn't been updated after a last-minute change, and confirmed that Trump had won the county by 3,000 votes. Sheryl Guy, the Republican county clerk, said she "owned" and "accepted" the error. Rossiter, a Republican, says he "never expected in my life" that he'd get a call like the one he received from Giuliani around two weeks after the election. "I said, 'I cant just say: give them here,'" he tells the Post. "We don't have that magical power to just demand things as prosecutors. You need probable cause." Analysts say the request to seize the machines was highly inappropriateand as a former US attorney, Giuliani should have known better. After Rossiter didn't grant them access to the machines, the Trump team supported a lawsuit from a voter who had been given access after alleging that three votes against a marijuana retailer ordinance had been uncounted. A report produced for the lawsuit but rejected by experts claimed the Dominion machines had been "designed" to manipulate votes. The Antrim results were repeatedly referred to by Trump and his legal team, who claimed the error was evidence of a massive conspiracy that had stolen the election for Biden, the Post reports. "In one Michigan county alone, 6,000 votes were switched from Trump to Biden and the same systems are used in the majority of states in our country," Trump said in his speech before the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Giuliani failed to show up for a scheduled deposition Tuesday for the House panel investigating the attack, CNBC reports. Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, the panel's chairman, says subpoenas will be "on the table" when the no-show is discussed at a meeting Friday. (Weeks after the riot, Dominion sued Giuliani for $1.3 billion.) (Newser) Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin took the witness stand on Wednesday in her defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, giving the jury a folksy overview of her family life in Alaska and ascent in Republican politics. Palin testified for only about 20 minutes at the end of the day at a civil trial in Manhattan federal court after a Times editor named as a defendant in the suit testified at length. She is to return to court Thursday for a chance to get into the crux of the caseher claim that the newspaper damaged her reputation with an editorial linking her campaign rhetoric to a mass shooting, the AP reports. Closing arguments are set for Friday. Palin, 57, described herself for jurors as a single mother and grandmother who holds down the fort for her family in Alaska when not advising candidates about the good, bad and ugly of politics. She also recalled the surprise over her emergence as a vice-presidential candidate in 2008, saying, "I dont think they were prepared for me." In his own testimony, former Times editorial page editor James Bennet characterized the disputed wording involving Palin as a "terrible mistake" on his part. He added: "We are human beings. We do make mistakes." Palin sued the Times for unspecified damages in 2017, accusing it of damaging her career as a political commentator with the editorial about gun control. In the editorial, the Times wrote that before the 2011 mass shooting in Arizona that severely wounded former US Rep. Gabby Giffords and killed six others, Palins political action committee had contributed to an atmosphere of violence by circulating a map of electoral districts that put Giffords and 19 other Democrats under stylized crosshairs. In a correction two days later, the Times said the editorial had incorrectly stated that a link existed between political rhetoric and the 2011 shooting and that it had incorrectly described the map. The jury will have to decide whether Bennet acted with "actual malice," meaning he knew what he wrote was false, or with "reckless disregard" for the truth. Bennett admitted Wednesday that he botched the edit but intended no harm. "Ive regretted it pretty much every day since," he said. (The trial was delayed after Palin tested positive for COVID.) (Newser) Update: Marjorie Taylor Greene on Friday addressed her "gazpacho" gaffe, tweeting, "Some of us slip up a word every now and then, but Joe Biden doesnt even know the words coming out of his mouth practically all the time. The good news is that the people know the difference. So in the famous words of some one I hold dear.. Covfefe!" As Yahoo News reports, many commenters who responded were skeptical that the gaffe was a "slip-up," and suggested the congresswoman really thought "gazpacho" was the correct word. Others pointed out Greene skirted her Twitter ban by tweeting the defense from her congressional account, which Twitter has allowed to remain open. Our original story from Thursday follows: Marjorie Taylor Greene's latest headline-making comment involves ... cold tomato soup. The Republican congresswoman from Georgia on Wednesday ranted about "Nancy Pelosi's gazpacho police spying on members of Congress" (see the clip here), leading many to guess that the word she was looking for was "Gestapo," Germany's Nazi-era secret police. She also made a reference to the jail in Washington, DC, as the "DC gulag," a reference to Soviet-era labor camps. Needless to say, the gazpacho jokes were rolling on Twitter, the Guardian reports. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's take: "At least she leads by example. She clearly banned all books from her house years ago." Greene had been criticizing the subpoenas the House of Representatives' January 6 committee has issued to those in former President Trump's circle when she went on the rant, Insider reports. The "gulag" comment was a reference to alleged January 6 rioters being held in the DC jail. As for the "gazpacho" comment, there's no evidence that either soup or members of the Capitol Police force are spying on lawmakers or doing any of the things Greene claimed. She was talking specifically about an allegation from Rep. Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, who claimed Capitol Police entered his office without his knowledge in November and took pictures of confidential legislative products, NBC News reports. He says intelligence officers later visited him to ask about one of the items photographed. The Capitol Police chief denied the claim, saying Nehls' door had been left open after hours and protocol was followed. "If a Members office is left open and unsecured, without anyone inside the office, USCP officers are directed to document that and secure the office to ensure nobody can wander in and steal or do anything else nefarious," he explained. Officers later followed up with Nehls' staff simply to determine no other action was needed, he added. (Read more Marjorie Taylor Greene stories.) (Newser) Nathan Chen completed his four-year journey toward an elusive Olympic gold medal Thursday, following his record short program at the Beijing Games with a near-perfect free skate that earned him a standing ovation from supporters inside historic Capital Indoor Stadium, the AP reports. The 22-year-old star landed all five of his quads during his Rocketman program, set to the soaring film score by Elton John, to finish with 332.60 pointsjust three off his own world recordand become the first American champion since Evan Lysacek stood on the top of the podium in 2010 in Vancouver. Chen's score easily outdistanced his two closest pursuers, Yuma Kagiyama and Shoma Uno of Japan, and put firmly in the past any lingering memories of his brutal disappointment four years ago in Pyeongchang. It might not be the last gold medal Chen takes home, either. The Americans, who earned silver behind Russia in the team event Monday, were awaiting confirmation from the IOC and International Skating Union that legal issues holding up the medal ceremony were related to reports of doping linked to Russia's biggest star, Kamila Valieva. That could ultimately elevate the US to the gold medal. Chen did his part for the American team with a winning short program, and Vincent Zhouwho was forced to withdraw from the individual event due to a positive COVID-19 testalso would earn a gold medal for his free skate. The suave, down-to-earth Chen and his two Japanese pursuers separated themselves from the rest of the field during their short programs, when Chen shattered the world record with a flawless performance to La Boheme. When they took the ice for the free skate, Kagiyama and Uno made just enough mistakes to clear the way for Chen's coronation. With a socially distanced crowd watching Thursday afternoon in Beijing, and millions watching back home on late-night TV, the young Yale student soared through his opening quad salchow. Chen landed four more effortless quads, his only slight bobble coming on a late combination sequence. He couldn't wipe the grin from his face as the music finished. (Read more 2022 Beijing Olympics stories.) (Newser) When most people working a monotonous shift get bored, they might listen to a podcast, text a friend, or play a round of Wordle. Or, if you're a security guard at a museum, you might whip out a ballpoint pen and deface a piece of avant-garde art. The Guardian reports that's what allegedly happened late last year at Russia's Yeltsin Center in Yekaterinburg, where two visitors noticed something odd while strolling around the gallery on Dec. 7. As they stared at Anna Leporskaya's Three Figuresa painting created in the early 1930s that depicts three abstract faceless headsthe guests noticed that two of the heads were no longer completely faceless: Someone had scribbled eyes on them (check out the before and after here). It took nearly two weeks for the museum to report the vandalism, and when it finally did, Yekaterinburg's Ministry of Internal Affairs called the damage to the painting "insignificant" and said there would be no criminal charges in the case. Alexander Drozdov, the gallery's executive director, also initially denied that the security guard had anything to do with the defacement, per ARTnews. However, Russia's Ministry of Culture soon filed a complaint about the incident, and last week police opened an investigation, with the guard, who's been fired from the private security firm he worked for, once more at the center of suspicion. Anna Reshetkina, the exhibit's curator, alleges to a Russian news site that the security guard vandalized the painting on his first day on the job, per the BBC. "His motives are still unknown, but the administration believes it was some kind of a lapse in sanity," she notes. The guard could face up to three months in prison if convicted, as well as a fine. Meanwhile, the Leporskaya painting has been taken down and returned to the Moscow gallery from which it had been loaned; the cost to restore the art, which had been insured for $1 million, is expected to run around $3,300. The museum has since installed protective screens over all of its other art. (Read more art vandalism stories.) (Newser) Earlier this week, a report emerged on the National Archives' retrieval of multiple boxes of recordsincluding possible classified materialsthat former President Trump took with him to Mar-a-Lago after he left office. That piece followed previous detailing of the former president's apparent longtime penchant for ripping up papers after he was done with them. Now, what Axios calls a "vivid new dimension" to Trump's continual apparent flouting of the Presidential Records Act, courtesy of a book due out soon by New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman. According to early reporting from Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America, set to hit shelves in October, Trump is suspected of also using the little boy's room to dispose of documents, in a way that caused headaches for White House plumbers. "I learned that staff in the White House residence would periodically find the toilet clogged," Haberman told CNN's New Day on Thursday. "And what the engineer would find would be wads of ... either notes or some other piece of paper that, you know, they believe [Trump] had thrown down the toilet." Haberman added: "It was not, as I was told, an isolated incident." She noted it wasn't clear exactly what the clumped-up wet papers were"it could be Post-its, it could be notes he wrote to himself, it could be other things, we don't know"but that it did raise new questions on how Trump handled paperwork that he, as president, was obligated to save. The Week notes that Haberman's report may lend context to why Trump seemed at one point during his presidency to be obsessed with toilet flushing power. Among the other nuggets in Haberman's book: Since he once more became a private citizen, Trump has told others that he's kept in touch with Kim Jong Unwhich might explain why he felt compelled to hang onto his letters with the North Korean leader, which were among the items said to have been found in the boxes retrieved by the National Archives. Trump isn't speaking about his Kim correspondence, but on Thursday morning he did address the "fake story" of Flushgate in a statement, calling it "categorically untrue and simply made up by a reporter in order to get publicity for a mostly fictitious book." He also noted that the documents taken back by the National Archives "were given easily and without conflict and on a very friendly basis," even though he says he was told "I was under no obligation to give this material based on various legal rulings that have been made over the years." (Read more Donald Trump stories.) (Newser) Update: The mayor is out after his odd comment about ice shanties. Mayor Craig Shubert of Hudson, Ohio, resigned Monday after taking all kinds of grief for expressing his view that if the city allowed ice fishing, that would lead to ice shanties, and those would lead to prostitution. My attempt to inject a bit of dry humor to make a point about this, in the midst of a cold, snowy February, was grossly misunderstood, Shubert said, per the AP. Shubert didn't seem like he was joking at the time, but it's moot now. He criticized those who engaged in "the politics of personal destruction" and "character assassination." Our story from Feb. 10 follows: It's highly doubtful that an ice fisherman shivering in a shanty on a frozen lake would think to bring a sex worker along for company, but for one Ohio official, it's a distinct possibility that needs to be considered. Per Cleveland.com, Mayor Craig Shubert aired his concerns Tuesday at a Hudson City Council meeting, where the topic of whether to allow ice fishing on Hudson Springs Lakea recent request by "a number of residents," according to Council President Chris Fostercame up. Multiple officials at the meeting pushed back on that request, expressing concern over people potentially falling through the ice, burdening local first responders and adding liability risk for the city. Foster also noted there'd been fatalities in the past on the lake, per the Washington Post. Shubert then jumped in with his own worry: "If you then allow ice fishing with shanties, then that leads to another problem: prostitution. And now you've got the police chief and the police department involved. Just data points to consider." Foster, seated next to the Republican mayor of two-plus years, can be seen in a video of the meeting reacting with surprise at Shubert's remarks. After a few seconds of confused silence, another councilman, Chris Banweg jokes, "That's why I'm not in favor of shanties." The Post notes that the clip of Shubert's comments soon went viral, earning more than 739,000 views by Thursday afternoon. The day after the meeting, FOX 8 managed to get a statement out of the mayor on what exactly he'd meant, in which he noted his comment "stems from my experience as a former television news reporter covering law enforcement agencies, which have made arrests for acts of prostitution in ice fishing shanties." Councilwoman Nicole Kowalski calls Shubert's ice-fishing remarks "outrageous," adding she has no knowledge of any ice-shanty prostitutionan apparent urban legend that goes back decadesever happening in Hudson and doesn't expect it ever will. (Read more strange stuff stories.) (Newser) A Colorado mother who fatally abused her daughter for years while falsely claiming the child was terminally ill has been sentenced to prison to serve more than twice the length of 7-year-old Olivia Gant's short life. Kelly Turner was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty last month to child abuse resulting in death, as well as charitable fraud and theft. In 2012, when Olivia was a toddler, Turner first took her to Children's Hospital Colorado for treatment of constipation, per KCNC. Over the next five years, the pair visited the hospital 1,000 times as Turner claimed Olivia suffered from a range of ailments and diseases. She "approved surgery after surgery and insisted Olivia was not getting better," prosecutors said in a statement, per the New York Times. During a 2013 hospital visit, Turner reportedly convinced doctors to remove a portion of Olivia's small intestine and install a feeding tube. She was receiving 30% of the required nutrition before entering hospice care in 2017. She died a month later after Turner requested doctors stop feeding her, an indictment reads, per the AP. The cause of death was given as intestinal failure. However, an autopsy conducted in 2018 showed no sign of the condition. It was ordered after Turner told a doctor her other daughter had been treated for cancer, which turned out not to be true. Prosecutor Christopher Gallo said Turner defrauded "organizations whose only purpose in this world is to help sick kids and families in need," per KCNC. The Make-a-Wish Foundation threw Olivia an $11,000 "bat princess" party. Turner also raised $22,270 through a GoFundMe campaign and collected more than $500,000 from Medicaid. She didn't speak during the hearing but cried as prosecutors played a video of Olivia smiling, laughing, and playingcreated by Turner's stepfather, Lonnie Gautreau. "This truth about Olivia has caused such a deep pain that it continues to ravage me every day," Gautreau said in a statement, per the AP. Olivia's grandparents and father settled a $25 million claim against the hospital system in August. (Read more child abuse stories.) (Newser) An Oregon man who told emergency dispatchers he had accidentally killed his brother apparently couldn't live with what he had done, police say. An incident report from the Josephine County Sheriffs Office says a man called 911 around 7am Tuesday and said he "had accidentally shot his brother while loading a gun because there was a bear on their property." Deputies say they rushed to the rural property in the unincorporated community of Sunny Valley and found one man dead from a gunshot wound, the Oregonian reports. They searched the property and found another man dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. "Based upon the investigation, it is believed the caller took his own life after calling 911 to report the accidental shooting," the sheriff's office said. "This case is still under investigation and will be forwarded to the Oregon State Medical Examiners Office." Oregon State Police are assisting the sheriff's office's investigation. The names and ages of the men have not been released, reports the Grants Pass Daily Courier. The property is just south of wooded hills, the Oregonian notes. Black bears, the only species of bear found in Oregon, are generally inactive in the winter months but the region has been experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures. (Read more Oregon stories.) Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form Good conduct a must for Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry candidates Good conduct a must for Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry candidates TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Good conduct certificates obtained from the Ministry of Interior will be among the prominent prerequisites for businessmen and businesswomen aiming to run for the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) polls. This was revealed by the Chamber Head of Elections Committee Adel Al Maskati yesterday. The elections are scheduled to be held on March 19, 2022, at Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. Prospective candidates can file nominations from March 3 to March 13, 2022. Apart from good conduct certificates, there are many other compulsory requirements. A candidate must be a Bahraini national enjoying all the civil and political rights. He/she must own a company, or is a board member of a company and is nominated by its chairperson or by a decision of its board, or the person for whom the business is registered. He/she should not have been sentenced with a freedom-restricting-penalty, Al Maskati said in a statement issued yesterday. The minimum age to contest is 25 years of age at the time of applying for candidacy. The candidate must have paid membership fees and any other financial liabilities toward the chamber at the time of applying for candidacy. The candidate should not also be a civil servant. The chamber has fixed the candidate application fee at BD200. The documents required are copies of Chamber membership, passport, ID card, recent passport photo, a letter from the company representing, copy of valid CR and candidate fee receipt. Last week, Al Maskati called all members of the Bahrain Chamber to renew their memberships and pay the annual subscription fee and any other financial obligations to the chamber seven days before the date of the election. He also underlined the importance of updating their data at the Commercial Registry Department of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, which include their legal representatives, the companys capital, and all other data required as per the executive regulations of the chambers bylaw. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Staff Reporter A 64-year-old expatriate inmate suffering from acute diabetes and many other health disorders has been freed on humanitarian grounds. The Indian national took a flight to his home country last evening, highly reliable sources told The Daily Tribune yesterday. Shahul Hameed was arrested in 2003 and was sentenced to life after the court found him guilty of illegally possessing narcotic substances. He has been serving the sentence for the last 19 years. Speaking to The Daily Tribune from Kuwait, Shahul Hameeds son Nasser Shahul Hameed thanked Bahrains great and kind leadership and government for offering pardon to his father. It is a great relief. We were very worried about his health status as he suffered from acute diabetes and other health disorders. He also thanked the Indian Embassy in Bahrain and social workers who offered great support. His family including his wife Sakeena Shahul Hameed, their two sons and a daughter and his aged mother was awaiting this blissful moment for the last 19 years. During these years he had lost his father & a lot of changes have happened in his family. According to sources, Shahuls life offers a valuable lesson for all those who engage in international travel. On June 9, 2003, Shahul, then a resident of Saudi Arabia, was returning from Chennai after completing his vacation. He was asked to carry baggage from Chennai by one of his close friends in Saudi and he did it without any suspicion. He was transiting through Bahrain to Saudi Arabia and was arrested upon arrival by authorities at Bahrain International Airport after the baggage he carried was found to have narcotic substances. He was cheated and trapped. He has been a decent man throughout his life with no criminal antecedents in India or Saudi Arabia. His family also suffered badly as he was the only breadwinner. Never carry any unknown baggage/packets from anybody when travelling abroad. It is good to deny that of kind requests, even if it spoils that relationship; you can save your life as well your familys life from this kind of bad lucks and life long struggle, he told social workers to convey his message to the entire ex-pat community in Bahrain. Bahrain committed to furthering cooperation with Malaysia across various fields: HRH Prince Salman Bahrain committed to furthering cooperation with Malaysia across various fields: HRH Prince Salman TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today received the newly appointed Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Ambassador Shazryll Zahiran, at Riffa Palace. His Royal Highness highlighted the steady growth of diplomatic relations between Bahrain and Malaysia, noting that these strong relations continue to be supported by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Additionally, His Royal Highness affirmed the Kingdom's commitment to furthering cooperation with Malaysia across various fields, to achieve the aspirations of both countries and their peoples. HE Ambassador Zahiran conveyed to His Royal Highness the greetings of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, HE Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and his wishes for further progress and prosperity for the Kingdom of Bahrain. In return, His Royal Highness conveyed his greetings to the Prime Minister of Malaysia. His Royal Highness also commended the rapid developments that Malaysia is witnessing, which has led it to achieve transformative economic growth and impact across Southeast Asia and internationally. Regional and international developments and issues of common interest were also discussed. For his part, HE Ambassador Zahiran expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet His Royal Highness, noting His Royal Highnesss commitment to furthering bilateral relations between the two countries and wished the Kingdom of Bahrain further progress and prosperity. The Chairman of the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club High Committee, His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, also attended the meeting. Disappointed and angry over Japan's stringent entry restrictions that have been prolonged for months amid the spread of the omicron variant, some of the nation's most prominent foreign business lobby groups and student representatives stuck abroad have called for a relaxation of the visa rules, warning that keeping the door shut tightly is damaging the economy and Japans international reputation. Japan's ban on entry by business and student travelers has really posed an increasing economic and human cost. The ban and the moratorium on the issuance of new visas have prevented Japanese and global companies from bringing in the talent they need. It's separated spouses and other family members, and it's definitely set back efforts to revive Japan's economy," Christopher LaFleur, a special adviser to the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), told a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan. LaFleur spoke with other Japan-based foreign business groups, the president of Temple University Japan and an Italian student stuck at home due to the ban. In the long term, the ban has put a real obstacle in Japan's future growth by restricting the supply of the new talent that all our businesses will need to be recruiting to maintain and grow our businesses here in Japan, he added. In January, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that an entry ban on nonresident foreign nationals would be extended until the end of February. The ban has been in place since Nov. 30, after the first case of the highly transmissible omicron variant of the coronavirus was confirmed in Japan. "The infection situations regarding omicron are clearly different at home from abroad, so the framework (of the current border controls) will be maintained until the end of February," Kishida told reporters when he announced the extension on Jan. 11. Under the restrictions, nonresident foreign nationals are not allowed to enter, and there is a cap of around 3,500 on the number of people arriving in Japan each day. ...continue reading Cincinnati, OH (45221) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Letter to the Editor: Why not end the War on Drugs? Pet Valu releases survey in honour of National Love Your Pet Day (February 20) MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - As Canadian pet owners prepare to celebrate National Love Your Pet Day on February 20, indications are the celebration will be even bigger this year. According to a recent national survey, conducted by Narrative Research on behalf of Pet Valu, one third of Canadian pet owners have welcomed a new pet into their home since the start of the pandemic, representing an estimated three million pets. The survey also revealed that more than a third (35%) of pet owners welcome their pets to sleep in their beds. Perhaps one of the most interesting findings was how much pet ownership and pet choices differ across Canada. "Every day our animal care experts help devoted pet lovers support their pets through various life stages, celebrating special days like National Love Your Pet Day alongside them," says Tanbir Grover, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer of Pet Valu. "We commissioned a national study to understand the pandemic's effect on pet adoption so we can continue to provide the products and expertise pet owners need. We were intrigued by some of the results, particularly the regional differences." The comprehensive online survey of 2,000 Canadians, conducted in November 2021, revealed: Pet owners living in Ontario (37%) and BC/ Northern Canada (36%), were more likely to add a new pet to their home during the pandemic than those living in Atlantic Canada (19%). (37%) and BC/ (36%), were more likely to add a new pet to their home during the pandemic than those living in (19%). Although fewer Atlantic Canadians added pets to their home in the past two years, people living in Atlantic Canada are more likely to already own a pet (61%) compared to those in Ontario (53%), Quebec (53%), BC/ Northern Canada (54%), and the Prairies (58%). are more likely to already own a pet (61%) compared to those in (53%), (53%), BC/ (54%), and the Prairies (58%). Atlantic Canadians and Ontarian pet owners are also most likely to own multiple pets with six in ten in Atlantic Canada having two or more pets (58%), compared with over half in Ontario (53%), half in BC/ Northern Canada (48%), and four in ten in Quebec (42%). "Having heard so many anecdotal stories about pet adoption during the pandemic, we were curious to validate if pet ownership was in fact growing and were fascinated to see how such a large proportion of Canadians opened their homes to pets. It's really interesting to see how things vary across the country as well," says Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner at Narrative Research. Dogs and cats continue to be the most popular pet choice across Canada; however, the regional differences continue. In Quebec pet owners are more likely to have cats (67%) compared to dogs (48%), while in the prairies and BC/ Northern Canada , the reverse is true. In the prairies and BC/ Northern Canada one-half (51%) of pet owners have cats compared to two-thirds with dogs (66% and 65% respectively). In Atlantic Canada and Ontario , the split between dog and cat owners is more even. pet owners are more likely to have cats (67%) compared to dogs (48%), while in the prairies and BC/ , the reverse is true. In the prairies and BC/ one-half (51%) of pet owners have cats compared to two-thirds with dogs (66% and 65% respectively). In and , the split between dog and cat owners is more even. Pet sleeping arrangements vary across Canada too. In Atlantic Canada pets are more likely to sleep in bed with their family member (42%), compared to pet owners in BC / Northern Canada (36%) and Ontario (30%). too. In pets are more likely to sleep in bed with their family member (42%), compared to pet owners in BC / (36%) and (30%). Pet beds are a more popular sleeping spot in BC / Northern Canada (36%) and Ontario (33%) as compared to in Atlantic Canada (25%). About the survey The survey was conducted online November 15-17, 2021, with 2,000 Canadians 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group's Canadian Omnibus. Results were analyzed by Narrative Research. Data was weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect these population characteristics in each province. About Pet Valu Pet Valu is Canada's leading retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies with over 600 corporate-owned or franchised locations across the country. For more than 40 years, Pet Valu has earned the trust and loyalty of pet parents by offering knowledgeable customer service, a premium product offering and engaging in-store services. Pet Valu's neighbourhood stores offer more than 7,000 competitively priced products, including a broad assortment of premium, super premium, holistic and award-winning proprietary brands. To learn more, please visit www.petvalu.ca. SOURCE Pet Valu Canada Inc. For further information: MEDIA CONTACT: For more information or to schedule an interview, contact: Katherine Clark, Beacon Strategic Communications, [email protected], 416-453-3288; INVESTOR CONTACT: James Allison, [email protected], 289-806-4559 Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice Khazi Jaibunnisa Mohiuddin, a woman judge who took oath as an extra judge of the High Court in March last year, are the other two justices. The Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, Ritu Raj Awasthi, formed a three-judge bench, including himself, on Wednesday to hear a batch of petitions challenging a ban on the use of hijabs in a few pre-university colleges in the state, after a single-judge bench of the court decided to refer the petitions to a larger bench, citing larger constitutional issues. Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice Khazi Jaibunnisa Mohiuddin, a woman judge who took oath as an extra judge of the High Court in March last year, are the other two members. On Wednesday, Justice Dixit, who was hearing the case, submitted it to Justice Awasthi for consideration, with the hope that the case would be heard by a larger bench. BC Nagesh, the Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister, expressed his happiness on Thursday at the creation of a full bench to hear the matter. On behalf of 18 females from colleges in the Udupi district, the special bench will hear five petitions on the hijab issue today. Arguments for an interim ruling enabling the students to attend school for the last two months of the current academic year were first approved by the single-judge bench. However, because the state government and petitioners attorneys were unable to come to an agreement, the court decided to submit the issue of temporary relief to a bigger bench. The decision came after two days of rising tensions and protests across Karnataka over the issue, which resulted in at least 15 people being arrested for breaching peace and harmony across the state. Meanwhile, Bengaluru police commissioner Kamal Pant has issued prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC prohibiting any gathering, agitation, or protests of any kind within a 200-meter radius of the gates of schools, pre-university colleges, degree colleges, or other similar educational institutions in Bengaluru City for a two-week period beginning Wednesday and ending February 22. It was an act of desperation, said Diana Martinez, an English teacher at the Center for Global Studies. Her 11th grade students were unmotivated and silent after 18 months of remote and hybrid learning. No one was talking, she said. But she knew from past experience that writing a college admission essay creates a bond with the teacher and among the students, so she taught the topic in October. She read personal stories of trauma and pain, of hardship and strength; as she predicted, her classroom turned into a more caring, supportive, and open environment. I didnt believe that this little virus could ever affect my family. But when I received that phone call from my sister saying my brother had been affected by this little virus, I had this feeling of not knowing what to do. What I could have done was give him a big hug, Johanna Moran wrote in her essay. What I could have done was tell him that he is the best brother in the world. What I could have done is give him one last goodbye. But I didnt get to see him and comfort him when he was in pain. ... My brother had suddenly disappeared. This little virus took my best friend away. Martinez first learned about Morans loss during class. The students were all working, so Martinez picked up Morans essay and started to read, hoping to mark one more paper before class ended. Instead, she started to cry. She took Moran out into the hall to talk. I didnt know about her brother, Martinez said. She knew that Moran was having trouble completing her work and worried about her skills, but this knowledge changed Martinezs outlook. Now Im more likely to say, Johanna, whats going on? Where are you? I dont understand what grief is, said Moran. I think of it like a sinkhole. I try to step over it, but its always there. But my brother would want me to find my way out. Before her students started writing, Martinez asked them to read models of excellent essays. Often, the writers revealed their own vulnerability but used it to show resilience and maturity. She taught her students that they could show their hurt and turn it into a positive. People dont know what it means to go through this. I dont like talking to people and being vulnerable, Moran said. Writing was my only way. I had forgotten that my life before the States was not normal. I had soldiers surrounding my house, making it feel like a fort instead of a home, Camilo Ham wrote in his essay. My parents had soldiers escort me to school and back. When threats started becoming more recurring, they sent me to live with my grandparents. The coup (in Honduras) turned into a fun vacation with my grandparents. While I was laughing with my cousins as we passed notes to each other, my parents were getting death threats. While my cousins and I played in my grandparents backyard, my dad just woke up from a 12-hour surgery to get a bullet out of his stomach. While I was watching and imitating my favorite wrestlers in the WWE, my mother was getting attacked by three armed soldiers. Ham was 8 years-old when his family fled the country. His father had run for president of Honduras, and his mother was the mayor of their town. For his essay, he asked his parents about their ordeal. We all knew it happened, but we didnt talk about it, Ham said. Martinez said she teaches the craft of the college essay by showing how successful writers use details, anecdotes, and description to set a mood. She asked some of her students to share their writing. When the class heard how powerful it was and saw other people doing it, she said, they started writing for each other. At that point, it was not about me. Ham shared his essay with a small group in the class. Being able to be more vulnerable has made us closer, he said. Seeing other peoples essays has been a great experience. On March 15, 2011, Syria had the worst day and night, Bisan Almajareesh wrote in her essay. Was it fireworks? Thats what I thought at the time, fireworks like what I see on TV. The sky was orange like a sunset. Was it a sunset? No, it was fire. Fire from the bombs, from the bombs and rockets. Our house was shaking, and the rockets were close to us. For about a month, I lived into with many people, breathing out from hunger and needing water. Theres one time a woman had water, and Mom asked if she could give us just a little bit. She said no. I told Mom, its OK. God is watching us. When we hear a bomb over us, its like having the last hug forever and ever. Finally, after praying for days, Mom found a way to get us out of Syria. Imagine selling your marriage ring just to have money. Even my gold earrings that I had since I was born, I gave to my mom. Almajareesh and her family made it to Jordan and finally the U.S., settling in Wilton with the help of a refugee aid group. Martinez said this is the highest level of trauma she has ever seen in her 20 years of teaching. Part of it is this particular group of students, but part of it, she said, is that she was more open about her own past trauma, about her own childhood poverty and her father dying of cancer. As I got older, I was more able to do that. Theres less vanity, she said. As students shared their stories, Martinez could see the sense of community in the class growing. CGS kids are extremely supportive of each other, she said, but I could see some of the quieter, shyer kids becoming part of the supportive network that was always there. A stupid, fast-paced song marked where the sixth-grade me truly began socializing with others online. As I began to befriend these right-wingers, the memes I saw used the disabled, the LGBT, and racial minorities as the butt of their jokes, and I took it all and laughed, Joshua Recinos Moya wrote in his essay. 2017 was the peak of my involvement. I would repost propaganda videos depicting the Waffen-SS marching slowly, while the sounds of Hitler giving a rallying speech would be heard in the background. Little did anyone know that I was actually a bisexual Hispanic teen, and not the tall, strong, chad white man that everyone else was. Or that everyone else pretended to be. Eventually, I realized what I had become. I had become the epitome of evil, a carrier of a horrible, diseased, excuse of an ideology that had killed millions. But I was also a victim. I was only 12, and I was lonely. This horrible community did what it did best; it made a family. Recinos Moya chose this topic because he wanted to get it off his chest. It was kind of like an apology, he said. It was a really horrible thing to do. I never hurt anyone, but I felt really guilty about associating myself with those people. He said he worried that Martinez and other students would think differently about him once they knew, but they didnt. Seeing these personal parts of peoples lives and me sharing out helped me connect with others, he said. We all shared this tiny part of our lives with each other, and it helped us start new relationships. Martinez shared a personal story of her older brother who, because of hearing loss, was in the same grade as her for many years. In high school, however, he became depressed and dropped out. I thought about that moment of graduation when I was there by myself and he was not there. I talked about that moment, she said. But he recently graduated high school at 50 years old, and she showed the class a picture of him clutching his diploma. I shared my own life-story, she said. I modeled how to be open and show vulnerability. These moving essays should help students get into college. They are well-written, honest, and show strength emerging from troubles. In the meantime, however, the students have forged bonds with each other, and Martinez knows her students better. Still, she wishes she had known these stories earlier. We know their test scores and their prior grades, she said. Shouldnt we know that someone survived a coup detat and was brought to school with armed guards? NEW HAVEN The new food delivery service in town, Nosh Haven, isnt trying to be as big as DoorDash, Uber Eats or GrubHub; its all about being small, locally owned, easy to reach and fair to the people it serves, both customers and the restaurants it delivers for. Thats in part because its owned by some of those same restaurants. But with food delivery a big thing in the midst of a pandemic, its growing fast. Theyve been great! Were really happy! said Carmela Buono, co-owner of Ward 9, the re-branded restaurant and bar in the space that used to be J.P. Dempseys at 974 State St. She uses Nosh Havens delivery service and also has bought in as an investor partner, one of seven partners among the establishments it serves. The fact that theyre local and very personable both are pluses, Buono said. Anytime Ive had questions I can get them on the phone. Our (order) tablet went down last week and I called up. Daniel from Nosh Haven came down and replaced it. I love the idea and we love to support local, said Buono, who owns Ward 9 with her husband, Dennis Beaulieu. We order our beer from East Rock Brewery. We get our desserts from Marjolaine Bakery. Anytime we can support another local business, we do. A lot changed for Connecticut restaurant owners when the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily shut down indoor dining in March 2020, with many establishments finding themselves suddenly much more reliant on delivery and takeout business. Many also discovered they were paying a high percentage of their take to established delivery services, and that those companies didnt always respond promptly enough when something went wrong, some owners said. Restaurants have since reopened, but many people still arent comfortable eating in. Folks looking to support local restaurants but who are not yet willing to eat indoors have in some cases been surprised to discover how big a bite the delivery services take. Coincidentally, in early 2019, restaurant owner Alex Foulkes of Penny Lane Pub in Old Saybrook had started a small delivery source called Shoreline Menus. He worked with people to develop software and, after the pandemic hit, it quickly grew. It was born sort of out of frustrations and lack of options at the time, said Foulkes, who founded Shoreline Menus, which has now spawned two offshoots: Nosh Haven in and around New Haven and Hartford Menus in Greater Hartford. Foulkes now is a part-owner of all three services in addition to owning Penny Lane Pub. The big national delivery companies were the only options available to us, he said, and we looked around and couldnt find any local options. Before Shoreline Menus, we had one place in Old Saybrook that delivered and it was a pizza place that only delivered to Old Saybrook, Foulkes said. The biggest issue when Nosh Haven, Shoreline Menus or Hartford Menus tries to win a new client is that so many restaurants have been burned so many times by larger delivery services, he said. We have to get over that barrier. ... Theres a lot of frustrations in the industry right now and its seen as a necessary evil, and we have to get over that. Its not about competing with the big guys, he said. If we were going to try to compete with the big national delivery services ... their technology is better, their marketing is better, Foulkes said. But what we have is, we have people who invest time and trust into us. In addition, Our customers are very generous because they know its a local service. ... Drivers know if they get a smaller order, well take care of them on the bigger orders. Nosh Haven began operating just a few months ago, with seven New Haven establishments on board as investor partners and a total of 33 establishments currently participating in the delivery program, said Dylan Lyons, who does marketing for Eatsy, which serves all three regional delivery services. Many also use other services. Several local restaurant owners said they put Nosh Havens link on their websites but also accept orders through Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash or other services. It kind of grew very organically out of the community, said Lyons, who lives in the citys East Rock section. Shoreline Menus is much more established, and the three services are associated only in that they share the same software and model, Lyons said. What they all have going for them is that when a customer orders through Nosh Haven, Shoreline Menus or Hartford Menus, the place theyre ordering from pays about 20 percent of the charge to the service, versus about 30 percent or more to the nationals, said Lyons and several restaurant and store owners. When you have that name recognition and the ease with which people can log in and have food delivered, its hard to compete, Lyons said. What the locals have going for them, however, is that people want to know that, especially during COVID, their money is going to support a struggling local business, he said. Right now, Nosh Haven has just two full-time employees: Steven Fin Yaeger, who is the market guy, and Daniel Willis, who is the restaurant management guy but if anyone has a problem, they usually can get one or the other or Foulkes on the phone with one call, Lyons said. Nosh Havens investor partners, all located in New Haven, include The Coffee Pedaler, P&M Orange Street Market, Tikkaway Fresh Indian Grill, Ward 9, Enoteca Cassanova, Caffe Bravo and House of Naan, Lyons said. Ryan Taylor, owner of The Coffee Pedaler, 605 East St., said that as a coffee shop, he doesnt even have a great need for delivery, but I kind of jumped on board with being a partner with Nosh Haven. ... I invested with the whole idea and the whole model behind it. I was just really interested in it because it was a grassroots kind of thing, Taylor said. Theyre keeping all the drivers within an 18-minute radius. It takes care of New Haven, then a little bit of East Haven, North Haven, West Haven and Branford. That keeps the food fresher for deliveries, he said. It also creates personalized experiences with drivers who get to know people as a regular and there are less fees to the customers, less fees to the businesses. Plus, communication is really good, especially from end consumer to restaurant, Taylor said. Gopi Nair, owner of Tikaway Fresh Indian Grill, 135 Orange St., said that when Yaeger approached him, I could see the need ... and the intent behind it. ... It was a no-brainer. Someone had to do this, Nair said. Im all about local. Ive been in New Haven since 2013, Nair said. The whole idea is to make it local. Nair, also a partner, has no question that the service will succeed. Its just a matter of time, he said. I said yes to it. ... I said, listen, Im all in. Tikkaway, like many restaurants, wasnt delivering before COVID. Then he began using GrubHub, DoorDash and Uber Eats, in addition to the local Snack Pass. He still uses the others they are the big daddies ... and customers are actually used to them but Nosh Haven is the default link on his website. Nosh Havens drivers are personable, theyre local, they have the incentive to be nice and theyre trained to be pleasant, Nair said. Ohioma Odihirin is just getting started with his new Afro-Tina Southern-Latina fusion cuisine out of the Black Corner store at 275 Edgewood Ave. since early January. But Ive seen a big difference already since going with Nosh Haven, he said. Its nice seeing the person. ... If I have any questions or anything, its just one phone call away. Plus the price is better. ... And I like the fact that its local. He also is on DoorDash and Uber Eats, which provide people another way to find him, he said. Brian Virtue, owner of Christopher Martins at 860 State St., also uses GrubHub and something called Zuppler, but Im hoping that more people will go through the local guy, Nosh Haven. While Virtue is not a partner, the link on the restaurants home page takes people to Nosh Haven, he said. Nosh Haven so far has been great, he said. I had one little glitch. I called them up they were there within about 10 minutes. ... Initially, it was all about the local side, but now that I like them, its more because they take care of business. A few of Nosh Havens customers are not actually restaurants. Pino Ciccone, owner of the P&M Orange Street Market, 721 Orange St., uses it to deliver groceries and gourmet treats and bought in as a partner. I invested in the company. I believe in what theyre doing, Ciccone said. I also do accept from UberEats and GrubHub, as well. But the fees are astronomical ... Most of the time, were not making money. Were doing it because its keeping my employees busy and were moving product. He said hes been involved with Nosh Haven from day one. Once they begin to make money, I make money. Just recently, about a month ago, I put the Nosh Haven logo on my website, Ciccone said. What Im trying to do is filter all my ordering to NoshHaven. ... I do believe in the company so I do feel that it will grow. Heres a complete list of restaurants currently using Nosh Haven: New Haven: The Coffee Pedaler, Chaps Grill, Doner Kebab, P&M Orange Street Market, House of Naan, Caffe Bravo, Crafted By Hand, J&B Deli, The Neighborhood Cafe, Tikkaway Fresh Indian Grill, Ward 9, Afro-Tina, Pitaziki, Toka, Christopher Martins, Menya Gumi, Michelinas Apizza & Ristorante, Enoteca Cassanova, Jordans Hot Dogs & Mac, Firehouse 12, Munchies, Afro-Tina. Branford: Hornets Nest Deli, La Luna, Allegras Cafe, Shoreline Cafe, Genaros, Mosaico, Pompeos Restaurant, P&M Fine Foods, Home Restaurant. East Haven: Tollis Apizza. West Haven: ReBar. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com BETHLEHEM A local restaurant was evacuated Wednesday evening after a Jeep crashed through the wall and into the bar, fire officials said. In a Facebook post, the Bethlehem Firefighters Association said the crash resulted in minor injuries, but no one needed to be hospitalized after the incident. NORTH BRANFORD An eight-year-old plan to construct a propane storage facility in North Branford is back on the table thanks to a recent court decision, renewing some residents fears of potential safety hazards. The Planning & Zoning Commission rejected the plan in 2017 following heated debate, only to have the applicant challenge the Commissions decision in court. It won its case last year. The business, which told the New Haven Register the facility would include multiple safety features, is looking to construct two 30,000-gallon propane tanks at 40 Ciro Road, a dead-end street off Route 80. Should a fire or explosion take place at the facility, and with Route 80 the main way in and out of the area, which lies south of Lake Gaillard, Sea Hill Road resident Patricia Bailey worried about access in and out of the area for responders and residents. The applicant a Guilford company called 2772 BPR LLC was leasing the property to J.J. Sullivan Inc., according to commission records. A Fire Safety Analysis submitted to the commission listed J.J. Sullivan as the Owner or Operator. Their recent filings with the Secretary of the State show ties between those two companies, including the same president and other Officers/Directors. J.J. Sullivan issued the following statement: We can appreciate the publics concerns, but ... when the facility is built it will have multiple features installed to reduce safety risks to the fullest extent possible, John P. Sullivan wrote on behalf of the business. At the time of the public hearing on our application, both the North Branford Fire Department and the North Branford Police Department had no objection to the proposed use of the property. Interim fire Chief Anthony Esposito did not return calls for this story. North Branford Fire Marshal Bert Bunnell Jr. issued a statement saying all safety standards at the site were done in accordance (with) Connecticut state statutes and fire prevention and safety codes but did not return follow-up requests for an interview. In 2014, when the North Branford project first came up for consideration, the Fire Departments then-Chief William Seward said the company was going above and beyond the recommended safety plans by including a fixed fire suppressant system in its plans. Asked to speak generally about propane storage safety, Guilford fire Chief Charles Herrschaft said it is a well-regulated industry. At the end of Soundview Road in Guilford are four bulk propane tanks with tens of thousands of gallons worth of storage, he said, adding that he could not recall any significant safety problems there. We inspect them every year at least, and the propane industry obviously doesnt want any problems, either, and they stay on top of them, he said. Theres enough safeties built into the tank, built into the pumping stations, built into the loading docks, that those accidents should be minimal. But he said he understood peoples concerns and acknowledged that Guilfords tanks happen to be in an unpopulated area. Despite the industrys standards, said Herrschaft, there is always the possibility something could go wrong. There have been accidents involving propane tanks in Connecticut. In 2018, for example, officials named a leaking underground propane tank as the cause of an explosion in Norwalk. A 2019 gas tank explosion in Bridgeport injured one person and displaced 10. A change in opinion After North Branford rejected its application in 2017, the applicant turned to the court to overrule the decision. The limited liability company 2772 BPR filed a complaint in New Haven Superior Court in April 2017. 2772 BPR argued in its complaint that the commission acted arbitrarily, illegally, in abuse of its discretion and unlawfully when it denied the application based upon general objections. The companys initial effort was unsuccessful, as Judge Sybil V. Richards sided with the town. In its denial, the Planning & Zoning Commission had said the site was not in line with the towns Plan of Conservation and Development and cited concerns about site access and the projects potential to affect property values, according to a memorandum regarding Richards decision The record shows that the subject property is located on a dead end street with traffic that flows in one direction either way, she wrote. It further indicates that the volunteer fire department lacked adequate preparedness capabilities in the event of an emergency in order to evacuate residents of Ciro Road ... But 2772 BPR appealed the ruling, and in September an appeals court overturned the decision. The court opinion, penned by Judge Jose Suarez, notes that one month before the site application was submitted, the Planning and Zoning Commission passed an amendment allowing for bulk propane storage on Ciro Road. The amendment established a conclusive presumption that this use did not adversely affect the district, Suarez wrote. In making its decision, the commission presumably had determined that the use was in conformance with the plan of conservation and development and would not negatively impact property values, he continued. Otherwise, it would not have included such a specific use in the regulations. The commission also would have considered emergency access when deciding to permit the bulk storage of propane as of right on every property on Ciro Road that is located within the I-2 industrial district, Suarez wrote. Next steps, renewed fears North Branford sought to have the Connecticut Supreme Court review the decision. The Town believes that even when something is permitted as of right, a zoning commission should have the ability to balance all concerns, on-site and off-site, to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and to maintain a harmonious balance in land use, Vincent Marino, an attorney representing the town, said in a statement regarding the petition. But in December the court denied the petition. Now, the town is expected to receive an order compelling it to approve the application, news that is reviving safety concerns among residents. Tim Buravski, who lives on West Pond Road, said he began tracking industrial accidents when he became a welder. Ive seen plenty of explosions, he said. Because of those things Id rather not have it in this neighborhood. ... I understand the distance that an explosion and a fire like that can travel. Thanks to town and federal guidelines, Buravski said, the storage tanks tend to be pretty safe. Its human error that worries him. Bob Constantinople, another West Pond Road resident, has been against the project from the beginning. This whole mountain is covered (in homes), he said, worrying about the effects a fire might have. Not everybody in the area opposes the project. Randall Chittenden, a North Branford resident and fire captain in a different Connecticut town, said he took a class in hazardous materials and learned the tanks have extensive safety features. I think a lot of what you hear from the people is the fear, and if people dont understand how these facilities are set up, then I can understand where the fear comes from, said Chittenden, who stressed he was speaking as a citizen and not as a fire official. Chittenden, who said he favors approving the project because North Branford should support local business, and pointed out that nearby towns like Guilford have bulk propane storage tanks. Either way, North Branford appears to have run out of options. The Zoning Commission has taken all action available to it to defend its denial of the subject application, Marino wrote to the New Haven Register. Once the Commission receives direction from the Court, the Courts order will compel the Commission to approve the subject application, he said. The Commission will make every effort to ensure that any approval is accompanied with all reasonable conditions necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare and to mitigate any risk to the surrounding area. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com Contributed / Norwalk Police Department NORWALK City police said they have charged a Shelton man with a bank robbery that occurred in November. Michael Tallo, 37, was charged Wednesday with first-degree robbery and fifth-degree larceny after detectives went to state Superior Court in Stamford to serve the arrest warrant where he was being detained, police said. Ron Chapple / Getty Image A former nurse pleaded guilty Thursday after he stealing vials of fentanyl and replaced them with saline, according to federal prosecutors. At the time of the incident, Bryan Wilson, 39, of Madison, was employed as a nurse at the Vascular Experts, a Connecticut company that performs outpatient medical procedures. He was responsible for sedating patients and had access to a secure area at his workplace that contained vials of drugs used as anesthetics, including fentanyl, according to Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut Leonard Boyle. A student listens to the teacher's instructions at iPrep Academy on the first day of school in Miami earlier this year. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has congratulated the Republic of Senegal on its victory at the just-concluded African Cup of Nations in... The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has congratulated the Republic of Senegal on its victory at the just-concluded African Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Buhari spoke on Thursday when he received the Ambassador of Senegal, Babacar Ndiaye, in a farewell audience at State House, Abuja, asking him to convey the congratulations of Nigeria to President Macky Sall on the victory of the Teranga Lions at AFCON. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Thursday titled, President Buhari bids Senegal Ambassador goodbye, congratulates country on AFCON victory. Im sending the congratulations reluctantly because our own country got beaten in the tournament, the President jocularly told the diplomat. He lauded Ndiaye for a successful tour of duty in Nigeria, which lasted almost four years, and observed that our relationship is very strong. I congratulate your President for keeping the country together. Please extend my best wishes to him. Buhari also wished the outgoing Ambassador success in his next tour of duty. On his part, the outgoing Ambassador said Nigeria was like a second home to him, having first served in the consular section of his Embassy before he returned as Ambassador for almost four years. Thanks for the success of my term. I will always have good memories of Nigeria, he said. The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday, confirmed Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribes comment that Nnamdi Kanu didnt o... The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday, confirmed Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribes comment that Nnamdi Kanu didnt order the Monday sit-at-home order. Recall that Abaribe said Kanu denied issuing the order during a meeting with him, former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; and two bishops at the Department of State Services, DSS, headquarters in Abuja. Lately, residents of the southeast have been observing sit-at-home on Mondays and whenever Kanu is scheduled to appear in court. But, IPOB had distanced itself from the reoccurring sit-at-home, warning that those behind its enforcement would be dealt with. However, Emma Powerful, spokesman of IPOB, reiterated the groups stance on the issue. Powerful warned those enforcing the order, despite its cancellation would soon regret their actions. A statement by Powerful read: It is a true statement from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe because we stated it before now that our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU through his lawyers asked IPOB members and leadership precisely the DOS to stop Monday sit-at-home order, those enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order killing and burning down properties belonging to Biafrans will incur the wrath of IPOB in due cause. And also the Monday sit-at-home is still being observed despite statements that its cancelled. Those enforcing this non-existent Monday sit-at-home order will soon regret their actions because they are not IPOB members and dont know or understand what IPOB is capable of doing. They must regret what they are doing in our land. Their actions are detestable both to God and man. Such people have nothing in common with IPOB. This recent information and statement from Senator Abaribe have vindicated our legal team and DOS who obliged the information from our lawyers who indicated how our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU instructed us to stop Monday sit-at-home. Those in America and some parts of Europe issuing fake orders to blackmail IPOB and its operational leadership that the lawyers lied should be ready to embrace what is to come against them. Its better everybody hears Senator Abaribe but those claiming to be Nnamdi Kanu disciple and using it to change IPOB strategy will regret their actions. Again, it has come to the knowledge of the great family of IPOB that they are now peddling lies against IPOB and our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu that he sidetracked the people of Ebonyi State in the leadership of IPOB. Such tissue of lie does not merit any response as doing so will amount to dignifying it. The truth is that the entire Biafraland is fully represented in the leadership of IPOB. The gullible minds are following the gimmicks and antics these confusionists are using to deceive them. IPOB is one family today, tomorrow and forever and nothing will change that strategy that is holding us together till eternity. We are watching them because soon their cups will be full and overflow. If you know you are truly for Biafra freedom dont fall into these liers and deceivers because the truth will soon emerge. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Uganda to pay $325million to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The United Nations (UN) ... The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Uganda to pay $325million to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The United Nations (UN) organ, also known as World Court, said the payment was for damages inflicted in the Ituri resource-rich province from 1998 to 2003. Uganda is expected pay in five annual installments through 2026, judges ruled in The Hague on Wednesday. Congo had demanded $11billion dollars as compensation. An appeal is not possible in the decided case. The court declared that Uganda broke international law with killings, sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and the displacement of people. The country and Rwanda then occupied Ituri and backed armed militias in search for the remaining perpetrators of the genocide. The ICJ set $225million for personal injuries; $40million for damage to infrastructure and buildings. Uganda will also pay Congo $60million for looting of natural resources including gold, diamonds and ores. The court had directed the countries to negotiate the cost of reparations but Congo resumed the legal battle in 2015 after talks failed. Yes. Gov. Hochul chose Mr. Benjamin, and she's stuck with him through the election. No. The state should have the option to remove someone under criminal indictment. Vote View Results In the French Quarter home he shared with his late partner since 1965, Alvin Payne is reminiscing about his time in the Krewe of Petronius, the citys oldest running gay Mardi Gras krewe: the balls, the meetings, the friendships and the costumes. Years of being in it was fun, said Payne, 84. There was a lot of arguing about everything. This year, the Krewe of Petronius is celebrating its 60th anniversary, after having to cancel last years celebration because of the coronavirus pandemic. On Feb. 19, the krewe will celebrate the milestone during its annual ball, and Edward McDaniel, the krewes interim ball captain and this years queen, has asked krewe members to create costumes that represent different museums from around the world. I wanted to do something very different, McDaniel said. "They're going to represent a sculpture, a piece of art or a collection. And so the task is using your imagination and thinking outside of the box. Petronius was founded in 1961, as the second gay Mardi Gras krewe. The first, the Krewe of Yuga, was founded in 1958, said Howard Smith, historian and author of "Unveiling the Muse: The Lost History of Gay Carnival in New Orleans." Some of the younger members of Yuga formed Petronius a few years later. Raids, attacks were frequent Both organizations had to operate in secret, as police frequently raided gay bars in the French Quarter and attacks on gay people were frequent. Indeed, five years after the police raided the 1962 Yuga ball and arrested about 100 people, the krewe folded, according to Smith. After that, Petronius began taking precautions against being raided, which included filing a charter agreement with the state government and bringing female relatives and friends to the balls. The krewes balls are a spoof of the traditions of other Mardi Gras krewes. Petronius crowns a king and a queen every year, and theres usually a performance during the ball. McDaniel said one of the great things about Petronius is that its traditions are always changing. But one tradition that has stayed strong over the years is the costumes. Krewe members prepare elaborate costumes on theme for every ball, and the costumes are kept strictly secret until the event. Costumes are two parts, according to McDaniel: the outfit that a krewe member wears, and the attached back piece. The costumes are so elaborate that they can cost upward of $10,000. The Krewes queen may also dress up, and this year, McDaniel will be going as the Duchesse of Chartres. A place to be themselves Payne joined Petronius in 1962, a year after he arrived in New Orleans from Port Arthur, Texas. His partner, Ray Cronk, was a founding member of Petronius, and brought Payne into the fold. It was a place where they could be themselves, Payne said. At clubs in the French Quarter, men couldnt touch, for fear of violence. Nobody knew about it. You didn't talk about (being gay) to anybody, Payne said. Bars had a back entrance so that you wouldnt enter from the front door, because somebody might see you going in there. Payne was the 13th Queen of Petronius in 1973, and Ray was queen the year before. Though they left the krewe a few years later, they stayed in touch with the members and continued going to the balls until they were in their 60s. Petroniusand the gay Mardi Gras communityhas gone through many changes over the years. After Petroniuss founding in the 1960s, several other gay krewes popped up. But by the early 1990s, many of the krewes were gone, decimated by the AIDS epidemic. While there had been as many as 12 gay krewes in the 1980s, there were only four or five by 1993, according to Smith. Its hard for people to know that you lost 100 friends, Payne said. Most people dont have 100 friends. 'To be a member... is an honor' Though the krewe no longer has to operate in secret, its provided a source of companionship for hundreds of members over the decades. And the history of the krewe makes continuing the tradition even more special for current members. The ball this year will take place at the Frederick Sigur Civic Center in St. Bernard Parish. The elaborate costumes will be revealed as the group celebrates its sixth decade with its theme "Museums of the World." To be a member of the oldest gay Mardi Gras krewe is an honor, in my opinion, and it is not something to be taken lightly, McDaniel said. I've looked back and I want to make the members proud. I want them to hold their head up and know that we put on the best production that we could put on. We regret to inform you that everybodys least favorite Carnival tradition, the Entitled Krewe of Chad, is back on their nonsense again. Over the last few days the manspreaders of Carnival have been hitting the Orleans Avenue neutral ground, marking their territory like a pack of poodles named Karen. More than two weeks out from the Endymion parade, about 10 spots along Orleans between City Park and Carrollton avenues had already been painted up. Normal people simply show up to a parade route the day of, plop down their coolers and enjoy the show. There's also the Uptown ladder brigade, which for years has set up increasingly elaborate and expansive chains of ladders, folding tables and tents on neutral grounds before parades roll. But then theres the Krewe of Chad, who prefer the long-game, staking out viewing areas weeks in advance. Chads utilize a number of tactics, but is best known for spray painting large, irregularly shaped boxes on the neutral ground on Orleans Avenue, along with the name of their various subkrewes including the venerable Jason and Bush outfits. The Krewe of Chad has traditionally focused its annual landgrab on the route Endymion takes to its ball, befitting the parades gawdy, plastic approach to Carnival. Sightings of the Krewe of Chad date back to at least 2013, when former Gambit editor Kevin Allman brought them to light on Twitter. Nobody knows the exact origin of the pushy band of unmerry makers, though legend says it formed during an all-night campout to buy tickets to the 1985 Motley Crue show at UNO. H/t to Twitter user @shimoji__ for pointing out Chads early start this year. Seven more people have been charged with staging accidents with 18-wheelers in New Orleans to collect insurance payouts, bringing the total number of defendants in the wide-ranging scheme to 47, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. The 10-count indictment, returned Feb. 3 in U.S. District Court, names Florence Randle, 70, and Larry Picou, 56, of Gibson, Stacie Wheaten, 50, of Atlanta, Joseph Brewton, 56, of Houma, David Brown, 50, and Gilda Henderson, 69, of Morgan City and Latrell Johnson, 30, of New Orleans. It was unsealed after the arrests of Brown and Picou. They're accused of of conspiring to commit mail fraud, part of a ploy by "slammers," "spotters" and corrupt lawyers to wring fraudulent settlements from trucking companies, bus operators and insurance companies. All told, 47 defendants collectively caused 77 wrecks, collecting millions of dollars, prosecutors say. Thirty of them have pleaded guilty. Brewton, Randall and Wheaten are accused of helping to arrange collisions between March and June 2017. Prosecutors say Brown, Henderson, Johnson and Picou conspired with Brewton to collide a vehicle with a tractor-trailer in May 2017 at Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road in New Orleans, file a false police report, lie in depositions and file fraudulent lawsuits alleging that the tractor-trailer driver was at fault. The tractor-trailer's insurance company paid more than $140,000 to settle the civil litigation. In a case with potential implications for other former prisoners detained past their release date, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a New Orleans man cannot hold the head of the Louisiana state prison system responsible for the extra days he spent locked up. Overdetention or the practice of keeping people locked up weeks or months past their scheduled release dates has been an ongoing issue across Louisianas prison system and local jails for years. In a 2021 lawsuit, Rodney Grant attempted to hold responsible the state of Louisiana, the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office and its jail for his own alleged overdetention. Grant finished a 7-year prison sentence in 2016 and was applying for a drivers license when he was arrested on a 16-year-old warrant for simple burglary. He quickly pleaded guilty. Criminal District Court Judge Camille Buras issued a sentence that should have allowed him to walk free immediately. The sheriffs office and state Department of Public Safety and Corrections understood that Grant should serve no time, but he was still held by the two agencies for a combined 27 days. In his lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Grant argued that he deserved financial damages for those agencies errors. U.S. District Court Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown last year ruled that some of Grants claims against the Sheriffs Office and the state could go forward. But the appellate court decision on Feb. 1 dealt Grant a partial setback. The three-judge panel made up of Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale, appointed by President George H. W. Bush, and Kurt D. Engelhardt and Andy Oldham, both appointed by President Donald Trump ruled that he couldnt hold state Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc responsible for the prison systems share of Grants ordeal. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Judges said that Grant failed to show that LeBlanc was personally involved with Grants overdetention, or that he had authority over other entities. Grant has remaining claims against the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office. Following the decision, Grants attorney, William Most, said the case will continue. The state corrections department did not respond to a request for comment. In her 2021 decision, Brown wrote that the sheriffs office policy of only driving release papers to the state once a week necessarily results in some individuals being detained beyond their legal release date. That policy has since been changed, according to the Sheriffs Office. Grants claim mirrors several others around the state targeting local agencies and the state prison system. The 5th Circuit decision could give legal ammunition to lawyers for the state as they try to fend off other lawsuits. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice is conducting an ongoing investigation into the practice of overdetention in Louisiana. A veteran judge at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court is vowing to stay on the bench despite sexual harassment claims against her from a courthouse employee. Judge Laurie White is the subject of the allegation that she made a verbal sexual advance on the employee, an attorney for the accuser said. White subjected the employee to sexual harassment on more than one occasion, inside and outside the courthouse, the employee claims. Lawyer Robert Pearson said White also subjected his client to retaliation, but he declined to elaborate. Courthouse officials declined comment, but the court has paid an outside law firm to address the complaint. The court provided a copy of a $2,000 check that it cut on Jan. 25 to the Denham Springs law firm of Boyer, Hebert, Caruso & Angelle, in response to a request for records about the allegations against White. In a statement, White denied engaging in any sexual harassment. I requested that the Court investigate and I am cooperating in that endeavor. I, of course, plan to continue to serve in office, she said. White, who was first elected in 2007, held court Monday and is scheduled to do so again on Thursday. Pearson, of the firm Pearson & Mitchell, said his clients interactions with the judge have left his client with very clear emotional distress. That distress involved the acts in and of itself, but also the way the investigation, or the fallout, has been conducted, Pearson said. Allegations against judges in Louisiana often land with the state Judiciary Commission, which prohibits people involved in the process from talking about a complaint until the commission lodges a formal allegation against a judge. Participants are free, however, to talk about the allegations supporting those complaints. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Even after recent reforms, the commission can take months or years before making public an allegation against a judge. Sometimes, the Louisiana Supreme Court will suspend a judge pending the outcome. Pearson said he has yet to hear back from Criminal District Court officials about a complaint filed directly with the court, although it was submitted two months ago. We havent gotten anything from the court with respect to a decision, or even next steps to date. Hopefully, thats coming soon, he said. The court declined to make public any records about the substance of the complaint. In this case, to the extent any responsive documents exist, the publics interest in disclosure is greatly outweighed by any potential complainants reasonable expectation of privacy, Rob Kazik, the courts judicial administrator, wrote in a letter responding to the public records request from The Times-Picayune. He added that any disclosure could discourage employees from complaining in the future. The court also carefully phrased its response to a request for records about law firms or private investigators that it has hired in relation to the White matter, noting that there may be more "documents that are subject to the attorney client privilege and are therefore exempted from the Public Records Act." White, 63, served as a prosecutor and defense attorney before her election and is known for her acid tongue. She was re-elected without opposition in 2014 and trounced a challenger in 2020. The complaint against White is the second harassment allegation involving a judge at the Criminal District Courthouse in recent years. In 2018, former Judge Byron C. Williams was accused of sexually harassing a courthouse employee. He resigned two years later, and the state wound up paying $52,000 to the woman, who said he groped her inside the building. The court disclosed no sexual harassment complaints in mandatory reports from 2019 and 2020, records show. The Louisiana Supreme Court is still compiling its 2021 reports. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto plans to ask voters to approve a 7-mill property tax increase this spring that will be used to cover the costs of pay raises for the men and women who work for the Sheriff's Office. The proposed tax would generate an estimated $28 million that the sheriff said he'll use to increase salaries by 15% to 20% for employees, including deputies, corrections officers and clerical staff. The proposed raise is both preventative and a response to the loss of staffers to State Police and neighboring law enforcement agencies in Jefferson Parish and the north shore, Lopinto said. "Our deputies need to be compensated for the work they do," Lopinto said Wednesday. "When your alarm goes off, when you're involved in an accident, JPSO is always there. We enjoy a good quality of life in Jefferson Parish, and they're a big part of that." The proposed tax will be on the April 30 ballot. The Sheriff's Office last asked voters to approve a new tax in 1993 when residents OK'd a quarter-cent sales tax. Lopinto has been pitching the millage increase to various groups in recent weeks and appeared before the Jefferson Chamber Wednesday to discuss his proposal. The Sheriff's Office currently receives 8.28 mills in property tax that generates about $32 million, Lopinto said. That's about a quarter of the Sheriff's Office's $126 million budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "We are underfunded as an agency when you compare $126 million to a $255 million law enforcement budget," Lopinto said, referencing the budget for the New Orleans Police Department during the same time period. Lopinto noted that while the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office operates the parish jail, the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Office runs the jail in New Orleans with its own funding. The starting salary of a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputy is $38,745. The NOPD says its recruit candidates start at $40,391 and rise to $56,566 after one year of service. The Sheriff's Office hasn't lost many staffers to NOPD, according to Lopinto. But deputies have moved over to State Police, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, Slidell Police Department, and other nearby law enforcement agencies. The starting salary for State Police troopers is $49,448 and Westwego Police officers start at $43,678 while St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office deputies start at $38,476. "In order to maintain [staff levels] and keep people here, I've got to pay them fairly," Lopinto said. If passed, the additional 7 mills would add about $87.50 a year to the tax bill of a home valued at $200,000. On Thursday morning, Loyola University President Tania Tetlow announced she would be stepping down after nearly four years heading the university. The Rev. Justin Daffron, who been vice president for mission and identity at Loyola since July 2019, was named interim president. He will take over when Tetlow officially leaves her post in July. Here are three things to know about Daffron: Tania Tetlow, who took over as the first woman and layperson president of Loyola University in New Orleans in 2018, is stepping down after nearly four years at the helm, a tenure that saw the Uptown university bolster its finances and grow its enrollment. Tetlow will join Fordham University as president, where she will again break barriers as the first woman and layperson to hold the position at the New York City-based university. Fr. Justin Daffron, Loyolas Vice President of Mission and Identity, will be interim president of Loyola, the university said. Loyola will launch a nationwide search this spring, Patricia Murret, a unversity spokesperson, said Thursday. Murret said Tetlow will leave in July. Tetlow announced her departure to the university community in an email Thursday morning. "What we achieved together has given Loyola a momentum that not even a global pandemic or major hurricane could shake," she wrote. "The new programs and partnerships we created will increase resources for years to come." Tetlow, who was born in New York and whose parents met at Fordham, spoke later Thursday during a news conference at Fordham. "There are very few things that could ever lure me away from that school (Loyola) and that city that I love but Fordham is where my parents met," Tetlow said. "[Fordham] is the reason that I exist, it has always loomed large in my family as the beacon of excellence, as a place of such relevance in the most exciting city in the world." Tetlow became president of Loyola in August 2018. The Roman Catholic institution until that point had only been led by Jesuit priests. Tetlow took over the university at a tumultuous time Loyola was recovering from years of financial woes and faculty layoffs caused by dips in enrollment. Under Tetlow's leadership, the university continued on an upward trend bolstering its financial picture, breaking records for fundraising and quickly exiting its brief period of probation for finance-related matters. In 2019, the school announced it had raised $101 million over an eight-year period to fund student scholarships, facility renovations, a new Jesuit center and chapel, a new state-of-the-art broadcasting news studio, more academic classes and more. School enrollment has also grown by 11%, to more than 4,500 students. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The freshmen who entered Loyola last fall were part of the largest and most diverse first-year class in its history, and a 20% increase above target at 996 currently enrolled students. Tetlow and other officials have credited generous financial aid offered to students as a reason for growing enrollment numbers. New Programs Tetlow oversaw the creation of new programs in neuroscience, nursing, marketing and communications, environmental law, health care administration and cybersecurity. She was also pivotal in the launch of the inaugural Women's Leadership Academy, a nine-month program designed to cultivate the next generation of female executives and other high-level leaders by helping them rise to their professional potential. A Tulane University and Harvard Law School graduate, Tetlow worked for the Phelps Dunbar law firm in New Orleans before joining the U.S. Attorneys Office and later Tulane Law School faculty. At the law school, she was the director of Tulanes Domestic Violence Clinic for nearly a decade and helped craft policies to fix endemic problems in the way the New Orleans Police Department handles sexual assault cases. In 2015, she became chief of staff for Tulane President Mike Fitts. Daffron has taken on a variety of roles during his time at Loyola including leading preparation for their Jesuit reaccreditation and serving as interim executive leader of online learning. He also created a Jesuit spiritual formation program that focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and has taught undergraduate courses in Ignatian spirituality. Daffron said he hopes to continue the forward momentum Tetlow started, use university resources to care for the community amid COVID exhaustion and help meet the needs of the Loyola community. "It's important for people to know that the successes Tetlow had here at Loyola was directly due to her leadership that leaves the place in such a great position," Daffron said in an interview Thursday morning, as Parleaux, Loyola's therapy-dog-in-training frolicked around his office. "We are so grateful for her and we're so excited she's going to New York City because New York needs more New Orleanians." Steve Landry, chair of Loyolas Board of Trustees, said in a prepared statement that the board is "thrilled" for Tetlow. We wish her great success as she moves on to this prestigious position at a fellow Jesuit university. At the same time, were eager to continue delivering on the foundation and goals that weve collectively outlined under President Tetlows leadership, including continuing enrollment growth and increasing the universitys resources to further invest in our mission, our people and our students, he said. Wind-whipped flames are marching across more of New Mexicos tinder-dry mountainsides, forcing the evacuation of area residents and dozens of patients from the state's psychiatric hospital as firefighters scramble to keep new wildfires from growing. The big blaze burning near the community of Las Vegas has charred more than 217 square miles. Residents in neighborhoods on the edge of Las Vegas were told to be ready to leave their homes. It's the biggest wildfire in the U.S. and is moving quickly through groves of ponderosa pine because of hot, dry and windy conditions that make for extreme wildfire danger. Forecasters are warning of extreme fire danger across New Mexico and in western Texas. Bloomsburg, Pa. -- When an undergraduate student wins a competitive, scientific research award, you begin to wonder what they will do next: conduct cutting-edge research, pursue a medical career? Bloomsburg University senior Helena Eby is considering both. Eby, a native of Catawissa, Pa., has been awarded a Society of Toxicology (SOT) Undergraduate Research Award (SURA) to be presented at the 2022 SOT Conference in San Diego from March 27-31. The SOT award goes to approximately 12 students per year. The application process is highly selective, and this year Eby is the only awardee from a public, primarily undergraduate institution. Other SOT 2022 Undergraduate Research award winners attend Duke, Rutgers, North Carolina State, Louisville, Kansas, Johns Hopkins, Case Western, Washington (MO), and Oregon State universities. Eby has been conducting research in the lab of American Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Education Fellow Michael Borland, BU professor of chemistry and biochemistry, since the spring 2021 semester. The research is funded by a PA State System of Higher Education Faculty Professional Development grant. Eby was also awarded a BU Chemistry & Biochemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Experience grant to support summer 2021 research. Eby's work studies how a cellular receptor, called PPAR-Beta/Delta, can be targeted as a potential therapy for cancerous cells. She uses advanced laboratory techniques to study cancer cell growth and tumor formation. Her studies have also examined how chemical changes to PPAR-Beta/Delta activators can alter the anti-cancer effects. Eby has been instrumental in developing new assays in Borland's lab, as well as mentoring new students to the lab group. Eby and Borland are currently preparing the work for publication in a toxicology- or cancer-related peer-reviewed scientific journal. "Quite honestly, if you told me told four years ago when I started college that I would be working with melanoma cancer, I would not believe it," said Eby. "For a long time, it was a goal of mine to partake in research of some kind. I just was not sure how to get involved. I am very grateful that Dr. Borland offered me a chance to join his lab because I have learned so much and gained amazing opportunities." The SURA covers travel, lodging, and attendance at the conference. She will participate in the Undergraduate Program and meet world-renowned toxicologists from industry, government, and academia. She'll have the opportunity to network and learn about future career opportunities and be recognized at the SURA awards ceremony. "Helena's award is proof positive of the high impact research experiences that BU students can undertake as part of their Husky journey," said Borland. "Creating and maintaining the infrastructure to support these types of student opportunities is always challenging, and I am thankful for our university's continued investment in chemistry and biochemistry and student research campus-wide." Eby, who will graduate from BU in May, has big plans for the future. "I plan to attend graduate school in the fall. My long-term goals involve medical school; however, I am not ready to give up research just yet- as Dr. Borland says, I 'caught the bug.' My plan is to pursue both an M.D. and Ph.D." Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. The Center Square The Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committees first hearing on legalizing recreational marijuana featured testimony from state and local officials, law enforcement officers and security officials in the commonwealths medical marijuana industry. Committee Chair Mike Regan, R-Dillsburg, highlighted the shift away from prosecuting minor marijuana possession crimes in recent years and the benefits of creating a regulated system to divert money from the black market. Obviously, marijuana is not new, Regan said at Monday's meeting. It is already out there. It is already being used by millions of people young and old, far and wide. But in doing so, they are putting billions of dollars into the hands of violent criminals, and they are risking consuming a product that could be laced with substances such as fentanyl, crack cocaine, embalming fluid or even mold, fungus or other unknown pathogens. That is why my focus is on bringing down illegal drug operations, providing Pennsylvania adults with a safe product and keeping revenue within the commonwealth instead of it going to our neighboring states with legalized adult-use marijuana or worse to organized criminals, gangs and cartels, he said. Regan is working with Rep. Amen Brown, D-Philadelphia, on legislation to legalize recreational marijuana, which the Independent Fiscal Office estimated could generate between $400 million and $1 billion a year in tax revenue. Sens. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, and Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, also are pursuing similar legislation. Brown testified about a constituent who contacted him about a flyer put on hundreds of cars in his district advertising an app to purchase marijuana. The constituent acquired the marijuana, and Brown helped test the product in a certified lab, which revealed contamination from two different molds. Philadelphia City Councilman Curtis Jones also testified alongside Brown about violent crimes connected to black market sales, including a recent fatal shootout at a Target in Browns district. Brown argued legalizing marijuana would reduce the reliance on the black market and significantly reduce issues associated with unscrupulous actors. I believe if we make the right decision, we can definitely impact the black market to send them in a different direction, Brown said. District attorneys from York and Warren counties testified about violence related to illegal marijuana. Warren County District Attorney Robert Greene said the majority of violent crime he prosecutes is related to domestic issues and usually involve alcohol or hard drugs, but not once in my 21-year career have I seen someone who was high on weed that beat up their spouse. York County District Attorney Dave Sunday estimated about half of the homicides he has prosecuted involved drug abuse in general, including several that occurred during the course of a marijuana sale. The district attorneys also discussed issues with establishing impairment with marijuana DUI cases and how legalization could bring clarity to assist law enforcement. Security officials from the current medical marijuana system discussed the benefits of regulating the drug, as well as security measures at medical dispensaries and grow facilities. The states seed-to-sale tracking system, in particular, would be an asset, they said. It would only assist law enforcement, said Vince Canales, chief security officer for Holistic Industries, whereas right now you have no clue, nothing. I think the black market demand would diminish with the adult use program, said Bill Cook, chief security officer for Organic Remedies. I think people that are seeking a clean product thats safe are going to go through the right channels. Several people who testified pointed to potential tax revenue from legal sales that could fund programs aimed at addressing law enforcement issues raised during the hearing. Regan said the next hearing on the issue will examine how other states have enacted recreational marijuana laws, and he stressed the importance of including law enforcement in the conversation. I believe my colleague Representative Amen Brown said it best recently that it is important for us to work with law enforcement on the issue of legalization to make sure we are not in conflict and to ensure the safety of officers and our communities, Regan said. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on www.northcoastcitizen.com. The North Coast Citizen E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement. Local featured Cave Spring Housing Authority consolidation moving forward, officially rescinds interest in elementary school property File Cave Spring Elementary School, 13 Rome Road, Cave Spring. The Cave Spring City Council has approved a consolidation of its housing authority with the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority, which already operates in Rome and Polk County. The agreement leaves the Cave Spring Community Coalition as the only organization voicing interest in the Cave Spring Elementary School property. The school near the center of town is slated to be closed in May. Under the NWGHAs management, the Cave Spring Housing Authority had planned to buy the property and build workforce housing. However, several members of the city council and the community were opposed to that idea, wanting to see the school become a community center instead. Recently, the Northwest Georgia agency sought to change its management contract into a merger. A presentation to the city council noted that the smaller agency has been operating at a deficit and has no available funds. To get the council to agree to the consolidation, the NWGHA offered to rescind any interest in the school property. The city council unanimously approved a resolution to consolidate the two housing authorities on Tuesday night. Now the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority has to send the resolution to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for final approval. After that, they can get started on some of the projects they have planned including a 9% tax credit project to rebuild the housing units currently in Cave Spring. What happens to Cave Spring Elementary School? With the housing authority out of the way, the Cave Spring Community Coalition is pressing for control of the elementary school property. Judy Taylor, the chair of the organization, met with the Floyd County Board of Education earlier this week to go over the organizations business plan. According to Taylor, they have built up funds to make their community center a reality, with a permanent endowment of $5 million to cover insurance, maintenance and utilities. According to the Floyd County Board of Education, it would cost the organization a minimum of $120,000 a year to keep the building running. The school board hasnt decided whether to sell the school, auction it off or donate it to the community coalition. The citizens group is petitioning for the donation, based on terms in an old deed between the county school system and the now-dissolved Cave Spring Consolidated School District. Taylor said theyre getting their own legal counsel to look over the deed before she meets with the school board again. Superintendent Glenn White said the board has a vested interest in the Cave Spring community and they plan to make a decision on the elementary school property in the next couple of months. When asked if the coalition has enough money to buy the elementary school if it goes up for sale, Taylor said they did not but they would try to find a donor to help buy the building for them. Napoleon, OH (43545) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Similarly, Cortex-X2 has a 100 MHz lower clock speed than the Exynos 2100's Cortex-X1, which is closer than the almost 300 MHz gulf between the Cortex-A510 and Cortex-A78. Theoretically, these lower clock speeds could make the Exynos 2200 more efficient than its predecessor. However, only more detailed tests will show if this is the case. By contrast, Xclipse 920 and its three Compute Units (CUs) should deliver up to 17% improved performance over the ARM Mali-G78 MP14 on which the Exynos 2100 relies. Leaked benchmark data suggests that the Exynos 2200 could have the edge over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in GPU-heavy tasks, so it could be advantage Samsung in that regard. Australia and Lithuania are calling on like-minded countries to join forces against economic coercion from Beijing. Foreign ministers from the two countries met on Wednesday, and they agreed to increase cooperation on strategic challenges. Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for the Miami Herald. Readers may contact him via e-mail at lpitts@miamiherald.com. The United States continues to roll back the 25% steel tariffs that helped fuel record steel prices and profits last year. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative reached a new trade deal with Japan this week that will phase out the Section 232 tariffs in favor of "allowing historically-based sustainable volumes of Japanese steel products to enter the U.S. market." The US-Japan agreement to end the existing Section 232 steel tariffs for a certain amount of imported steel will increase the supply of steel in the U.S., which could help U.S. manufacturers who continue to have long delivery delays and continue to pay the highest prices in the world," The Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users said in a statement. "However, it is disappointing that the agreement will not completely terminate these unnecessary trade restrictions on Japan. As we are already seeing with the U.S.-EU agreement where some steel products quota filled up for the year in the first two weeks of January, this type of government restriction on raw materials and intervention lead to market manipulations and allow for gaming of the system that puts this countrys smallest manufacturers at an even further disadvantage." The United States recently reached a similar deal with Europe. Tariffs only kick in after a certain volume of steel is imported from the trade partner. Kevin Dempsey, the president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute, said the tariff-rate quota system would prevent a flood of cheap imports that would cost steelworker jobs, which was the original impetus for the tariffs. We thank Secretary (Gina) Raimondo and Ambassador (Katherine) Tai for ensuring that, as the United States and Japan seek to expand their cooperation on addressing global steel excess capacity and related trade and customs enforcement matters, a tariff-rate quota on steel imports from Japan will be established under Section 232 to prevent another steel import surge that would undermine our industry and destroy good-paying American jobs," he said. We appreciate the Biden administrations continued recognition that the American steel industry is critical to our national and economic security and to efforts to build a more sustainable U.S. economy. Proper implementation and enforcement of the TRQ will be essential to the ongoing success of the Section 232 program, as will continued vigorous enforcement of our laws to prevent circumvention and evasion of U.S. trade remedy measures on steel. The Alliance for American Manufacturing, a jointed initiative between the United Steelworkers union and leading manufacturers, touted the "melted and poured" requirement as a way of ensuring the steel was made in Japan and not just routed through there by a bad actor looking to dump steel they can't sell in their domestic market. "The arrangement announced between the United States and Japan today recognizes the value of steel production to Americas economic and national security. Sensible tariff rate quotas and a melted and poured requirement will allow American steelworkers and steelmakers to grow and contribute to rebuilding our nation," Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul said. We were pleased the previous administration initiated long-overdue Section 232 relief for Americas vital steel industry, and we commend President Biden and his administration for widening the focus on global overcapacity while maintaining appropriate tools to mitigate threats to our economic and national security." The steel industry remains highly concerned about global overcapacity that has led to steel dumping, mill idlings and layoffs in the past. As an added measure, Congress should expeditiously complete work on competitiveness policy to bolster our trade laws and establish incentives to re-shore manufacturing jobs and strengthen domestic supply chains," Paul said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CHICAGO An arrest was made after authorities discovered a memorial for a fallen officer had been vandalized, police said. On Wednesday Illinois State Police announced that officers arrested 26-year-old Anna N. Kochakian, of Chicago. She faces a charge of criminal damage to property in the defacement of a police memorial, a Class 4 felony. The investigation began at 5:33 p.m. Aug. 19, 2021, when a trooper was on a foot patrol at the James R. Thompson Center at 100 West Randolph Street in Chicago. The trooper was alerted that vandalism had occurred at the police memorial for Chicago Officer Ella French who died in a fatal shooting. A memorial photo of French had been torn down, crumpled and was thrown away in a trash can at a Chicago Transit Authority "L" platform, police said. A thorough investigation was launched and an arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Kochakian. At 10 a.m. Wednesday police arrested Kochakian, using the handcuffs that belong to Chicago Officer Carlos Yanez, who was French's partner and was also shot in the same incident as French. The Chicago woman is currently in custody and is awaiting a bond hearing on Thursday. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PORTER A Michigan City man fleeing from the scene of a burglary has been identified as the driver killed Wednesday night after crashing along a local stretch of Interstate 94, Indiana State Police said. Olajuan R. Nuttall, 29, had five active warrants for various felonies and misdemeanors all originating in LaPorte County, ISP Sgt. Glen Fifield said. Michigan City police said they responded around 8 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a burglary underway in the 600 block of Carlon Court. Officers reportedly found a white Chevy Impala in the area without its lights on. "Officers activated their emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle," police said. "The suspect vehicle fled south through Michigan City and entered onto I-94 westbound from U.S. 421." Michigan City police said they continued their pursuit and notified surrounding departments. A state trooper observed the high-speed pursuit as it entered Porter County and activated his emergency lights and siren as the driver continued to flee, Fifield said. As the driver reached the area of Porter, near U.S. 20, he made a sudden lane change and rear-ended a semitruck travelling in the middle lane of the highway, he said. "This impact resulted in the vehicle traveling underneath the semi and being wedged under the trailer," Fifield said. "The driver of the semi pulled over to the right shoulder, where troopers attempted to render aid to the driver. As a result of the impact, the driver was pinned inside the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries." The driver of the semi was not injured, Fifield said. Westbound lanes of the highway in the area of the wreck were temporarily shut down Wednesday night except for the inside shoulder and a left lane, which resulted in heavy delays. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 3 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two Lake County men convicted of heinous crimes decades ago are being released early from prison to skilled nursing facilities due to serious health conditions and cognitive issues that require they receive 24-hour medical care for the rest of their lives. Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday his grant of "medical clemency" to Charles Calhoun, 83, and Jerome Maclin, 70, in accordance with the recommendations of the chief medical officer of the Indiana Department of Correction and the Indiana Parole Board. "I granted the medical clemencies after a great deal of research and consideration," Holcomb said. "These men are no longer a threat to society, and its been determined they are better cared for at a skilled nursing home." According to the governor's executive order, both men are being released from prison subject to lifetime parole and residence in a skilled nursing facility. The Republican governor said "in the improbable event" either man no longer is permanently bedridden, his original sentence will be restored and he must return to prison. Records show Calhoun, of Gary, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 80 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Roland Johnson, 47, of Gary, following an argument March 17, 1982, at the Double B Barber Shop, 15 W. 25th Ave., Gary. The governor said Calhoun suffers from dementia that's required him to remain in the infirmary at the Westville Correctional Facility since 2018 because Calhoun cannot bathe, dress, eat or take care of other physical needs without assistance. Maclin, meanwhile, has served 45 years of a life sentence after being convicted in 1978 for the kidnapping and rape of a Gary woman. Holcomb said Maclin has been a paraplegic since being shot in 1985. Maclin also has cognitive defects and other comorbid conditions that require 24-hour physical care at the Miami Correctional Facility. The governor also granted a third medical clemency, to Alphonzo Griffin, 67, who is bedridden at the Miami Correctional Facility following a 2014 stroke. Griffin has served 20 years of a 50-year sentence for a 2001 robbery causing serious bodily injury in St. Joseph County, records show. This is the first time Holcomb has used his power to grant clemency to Indiana prison inmates because of their medical conditions. He last granted clemency in 2019 to an Elkhart County man convicted of drug possession in 2003 who the governor said had rehabilitated himself in prison. Holcomb also issued seven pardons in 2017, primarily to individuals who already had completed their prison terms and made restitution. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT A Cincinnati man was extradited to Lake County this week to face charges he had cocaine in his system when he crashed into a car July 27 on Interstate 65, killing a 14-year-old girl. William L. Cromwell, 46, made an initial appearance Wednesday on six felony counts, including causing death when operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in the blood and driving while suspended. Sage Albert, 14, of Union, Ohio, was killed in the crash involving Cromwell on July 27, 2020, on northbound Interstate 65 in Crown Point. While he was serving a sentence at the Noble Correctional Institution in Caldwell, Ohio, Cromwell sent documents to Lake Criminal Court requesting an early disposition of his case. At the recommendation of Magistrate Mark Watson, Judge Salvador Vasquez ordered the Lake County prosecutor's office to bring Cromwell to trial by April 24. Watson entered not guilty pleas on Cromwell's behalf Wednesday and appointed a public defender to represent him. According to court records, Cromwell was driving on a suspended license when he slammed into a Blue Honda Fit that had spun out after hitting a deer. Data from the Infiniti QX80 Cromwell was driving showed he was traveling 71 mph and didn't brake before the impact, court documents state. The impact caused Albert to be ejected from the Honda. Cromwell consented to a blood test, which showed he had cocaine in his system, documents allege. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT The impending departure of a deputy prosecutor could cause yet another delay of a murder trial for a man already serving a 57-year sentence for attempting to murder two people while he was on pretrial release in the murder case. William D. Galloway Jr., 29, of Gary, is scheduled to face a jury next month on murder and attempted murder charges in a shooting that killed Jonquell Golida, 23, and wounded a second man Nov. 12, 2016, in Gary's Glen Park section. Galloway was released from the Lake County Jail in December 2017, after his trial in the Golida case was delayed for a third time due to a late discovery filing by the Lake County prosecutor's office. While he was on pretrial release, Galloway shot a woman four times during an attempted robbery Sept. 18, 2019, in the 2500 block of Pierce Street in Gary. He also shot at the woman's son, Sean Baker, and fired a gun through a window into a room occupied by Baker, a pregnant woman and the woman's then-6-year-old child. Baker, 23, was later killed in a shooting in Gary. No charges have been filed in his homicide. After the shooting involving Baker's family, prosecutors chose to bring Galloway to trial first on the charges linked to that case. A Lake Criminal Court jury convicted Galloway in April of two counts of attempted murder and other charges, and also found him guilty of felony escape and criminal mischief charges for cutting off a GPS-equipped ankle monitor he had been ordered to wear while awaiting trial in the Golida homicide. He was sentenced to 57 years in prison. Galloway was on the run for more than a month after shooting Baker's mother. He was captured in November 2019 and charged in March 2020 with murdering Zantrell Collins and Koreena Ramos, both 18, on Oct. 13, 2016, in the 700 block of East 49th Avenue in Gary. In August, the state elected to bring Galloway to trial next in the Golida homicide. He's pleaded not guilty to charges in the Collins and Ramos homicides. The late Judge Diane Boswell scheduled Galloway's trial to begin March 7. On Wednesday, Galloway's attorney, John Cantrell, said Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Burke "is leaving," and it's unclear if another deputy prosecutor will be prepared to go trial next month. Cantrell asked Judge Pro Tempore Amanda Hires to set another hearing in two weeks. Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Judith Massa didn't object, so Hires scheduled Galloway's next court date for Feb. 16. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT A 22-year-old man was charged Wednesday with shooting a Gary police officer earlier this week after the officer stopped to investigate alleged reckless driving. Kameron T. Cooks, of Gary's Aetna section, is accused of firing more than 45 rounds from a semi-automatic rifle and a handgun altered to function as a fully automatic weapon, wounding Gary police Detective Sgt. William Fazekas about 1 p.m. Monday in the 400 block of Johnson Street. Fazekas returned fire, but was shot twice in the shoulder. His white Crown Victoria police car was struck by 21 bullets, Lake Criminal Court records state. Cooks was charged with felony attempted murder, aggravated battery, two counts of resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor counts of striking a law enforcement animal and resisting law enforcement, Lake Criminal Court records show. He has not yet made an initial appearance in court. His bail was set at $140,000 surety or $14,000 cash. Officers commended for bravery Gary Police Chief Brian Evans and Mayor Jerome Prince commended officers Daniel Gutierrez and Donald Briggs, who immediately drove toward the barrage of gunfire, aided Fazekas and helped capture Cooks. Gutierrez and Briggs "showed tremendous bravery and courage," Prince said. Despite his wounds, Fazekas motioned for Gutierrez to continue chasing Cooks and began walking toward Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus, which is several blocks from the shooting scene, after his police car was disabled with no communication, according to court records and the Gary Fraternal Order of Police. Briggs located Fazekas and used the sergeant's belt as a tourniquet to slow his bleeding, court records state. Additional officers arrived and drove Fazekas to the hospital, but the sergeant lost half his body's blood before he was stabilized and transferred to the University of Chicago Medical Center, officials said. Fazekas, a 32-year veteran of the Gary Police Department, underwent surgery Tuesday at the University of Chicago Medical Center to repair his shoulder. If the surgery is unsuccessful, he might need a total shoulder replacement, documents say. The FOP said Fazekas was just three years away from retirement.* A GoFundMe account was started to raise money to help Fazekas and his family as he recovers. To find the fund, search GoFundMe for "Support Gary Sergeant Bill Fazekas." Evans said, "We expect him to have a long road to recovery, and we're thankful that he's still with us." The police chief also thanked residents for quickly providing information and video evidence to investigators. Police: Officer was ambushed The Lake County Sheriff's Department handled the investigation into the shooting at the request of Gary police. Officers from all over Northwest Indiana responded and helped gather evidence needed to secure charges against Cook, Cmdr. Michael Stewart said. "When one of our officers goes down, everybody responds," Stewart said. The shooting occurred after Fazekas noticed a silver Ford Fusion drive recklessly toward an unknown person on West Fourth Avenue and followed the vehicle to the 400 block of Johnson Street, where he activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, officials said. As Fazekas began to get out of his police car, Cooks emerged from the Ford with a black rifle-type gun and began shooting at Fazekas, court records state. Fazekas took cover in his police car, but he was struck twice in the shoulder. Police later recovered a Zastava Arms semi-automatic rifle and magazine from the ground next to the Ford. The magazine contained four live rounds, and one round was in the gun's chamber, records state. Police also recovered Fazekas' handgun at that scene, along with six spent casings fired from it, according to court documents. While investigating the gunfire, Gutierrez saw a man in dark clothing and a black face mask walking backward on Johnson Street near Fifth Avenue as he fired a black handgun in a northbound direction, records state. Gutierrez then recognized Fazekas, who was returning fire and motioned for Gutierrez to chase the man. The man, later identified as Cooks, saw Gutierrez, ran northeast through a small park, turned and raised his gun in the officer's direction, documents state. The officer fired several shots at Cooks, who attempted to jump a fence. Cooks' jacket got stuck on the fence, and the officer fired several more shots at Cooks after Cooks again raised his gun. Cooks then lunged forward while still stuck on the fence and threw his handgun down, records state. As Gutierrez approached him, Cooks removed his face mask and black skull cap and said, "All right. You got me," documents allege. As a dispatcher announced an officer was down over the police radio, Cooks was able to free himself by removing his jacket and ran southeast through a yard, records state. Gutierrez stayed with handgun, which was a semi-automatic 9mm Glock with a switch on its slide that caused it to function as a fully automatic weapon. Investigators recovered a total of 16 spent shell casings believed to be fired from the handgun, which also contained 16 additional live rounds, documents state. K-9 led police to suspect Meanwhile, Briggs and K-9 Roki tracked Cooks from the area near the fence to an abandoned building at Fifth Avenue and Buchanan Street, police said. Briggs released Roki, who climbed on top of a pile of debris. When Briggs tried to pull Roki down, the K-9 jumped down between the debris and a concrete wall and began biting something. As Briggs made his way toward the K-9, he saw Cooks punching and kicking the dog. Cooks attempted to crawl farther into the rubble, but the K-9 grabbed him by the hair and began pulling him toward Briggs, records state. Other officers grabbed Cooks by the legs in an attempt to pull him out. Cooks is accused of striking several officers during a struggle, but they were not hurt and were able to handcuff him. Cooks was taken to Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville for treatment of dog bite wounds. Police initially thought a second suspect might have been involved, but detectives determined Cooks was the only suspect after talking to witnesses and reviewing video from various sources, Evans said. Cooks previously was arrested in April 2018 on misdemeanor charges of carrying a handgun without a license and possession of marijuana, court records show. He entered into a pretrial diversion agreement in that case in July 2018, and the Lake County prosecutor's office dismissed the charges in July 2019 after he complied with the terms of the agreement. Cooks also is currently facing misdemeanor traffic charges in Gary City Court, records show. He was charged in May 2020 with knowingly operating a vehicle without ever receiving a driver's license and other counts. He's pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prince said the city's police and firefighters put their lives on the line every day and he's grateful to Fazekas for his commitment to the city's safety. "We do not live on an island called Gary," the mayor said. "We have shown time and time again we work best when we work together." Prince said he was grateful for the assistance Gary received from its local, state and federal law enforcement partners. * Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct Sgt. Williams Fazekas' anticipated retirement date. Fazekas was three years from retirement, according to the Gary Fraternal Order of Police. The Times regrets the error. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GARY City officials plan to invest Gary's American Rescue Plan Act funds in internet accessibility and youth programming. In September 2021, Mayor Jerome Prince presented a proposed spending plan for the first half of the $80.3 million ARPA funding the city was allocated. After some back and forth between the Common Council and the Prince administration, a premium pay ordinance was passed in December. Now the Prince administration is seeking appropriations of ARPA funds for three other ordinances: hiring an ARPA manager for a one-year contract not to exceed $60,000, $5 million for a joint venture broadband project and $1.5 million for a leadership and job training program. All three ordinances have been referred back to the Ways and Means Committee in the past because the descriptions lacked detail, committee Chair Tai Adkins, D-4, explained. Prince and Council President William Godwin, D-1, also co-sponsored an ordinance requesting $100,000 of ARPA funds for broadband updates to the council chambers. All four ordinances were discussed during a Tuesday Ways and Means meeting. Digital equity Lloyd Keith, chief innovation officer for the city, explained the need for what he called "digital equity" in Gary. He presented a map showing that while neighborhoods in communities surrounding Gary tend to have two-to-three internet providers, the majority of Gary has just one, or as is the case along the lakeshore, none. Internet providers are choosing not to wire every home in Gary because the return on investment is not high enough, Keith said. The need for reliable internet is greater now than ever before; the pandemic has put an emphasis on remote work and e-learning. Gary also hopes to attract e-commerce businesses and other high-tech industries. This area is known as the crossroads of America because of our highway system, and our mayor believes we can become the crossroads with regard to internet connectivity because of our unique location, Deputy Mayor Trent McCain said. To address the issue of digital equity in the city, Keith said Gary has established a Smart Cities Consortium Team, consisting of representative from Indiana University Northwest, the Gary Community School Corp., T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and Comcast. A three-part approach to the city's lack of internet access has been developed: bringing public Wi-fi to a park in each of Gary's six districts, launching a technology training program for seniors and continuing the city's cyber security contract with UncommonX. The $5 million of ARPA funds will cover just the initial phase of the project, helping the city determine the extent of the problem. If the council approves the funding, the city will go after more federal funding to complete the rest of the plan. The pandemic also revealed the technology updates needed in the Common Council Chambers. The council has experienced audio and visual issues when streaming meetings, Adkins explained. While the ARPA request is for $100,000, Godwin said the chambers need a number of technological updates totaling about $250,000. The additional costs will be explored, and the ordinance may be amended before the Feb. 15 council meeting, Adkins said. Investing in youth The $1.5 million requested for job training would actually help revitalize the summer youth programs Gary used to offer. McCain participated in one such program 31 years ago, working for NIPSCO when he was just 17. The initiative would have two elements: the Summer Youth Employment Program, which would pay teenagers to work in for local companies, and the Mayor's Youth Leadership Training Institute, which would show participants "how a city functions from tip to tail," McCain said. "We want to show them what it is like to report to work at a certain time and have responsibilities and earn money," McCain said. Council members expressed appreciation for the presentations but also some frustration that the details were not shared earlier. I think that every council has learned more this evening about this legislation than we ever have before," Godwin said. "Council members have a lot of different ideas about how wed like to spend the $80 million, ... but very clearly your administration chose not to include the council. Prince said the administration has "no intention of omitting or disregarding the council at all," adding that council members can come to him with any concerns or ideas they have. The council and the administration will be meeting soon to come up with a "collaborative plan" for the remainder of the funds, Prince said. All four ARPA appropriation requests will be on the Feb. 15 city council agenda. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MERRILLVILLE Routine tests revealed a potentially life-threatening condition after a man crashed his car in a chase on Interstate 65, Indiana State Police said. The driver faces pending charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, possession of marijuana and reckless driving, said ISP Sgt. Glen Fifield. The man's name has not yet been released until formal charges are filed. At 1:42 p.m. Tuesday members of the ISP All Crimes Policing Team saw a blue 2017 Nissan Maxima commit traffic violations and attempted to pull the vehicle over, police said. The driver refused to stop and led chase north from the I-65 Lowell exit. Police used tire deflation devices, but the driver was able to avoid them. As a trooper put tire deflation devices at the 255.5 mile marker in the path of the vehicle, the suspect swerved to avoid driving over them. In doing so, he flipped his vehicle, and it came to rest on its roof. The driver was arrested without further incident. The man was then taken to St. Mary's Medical Center to be checked out before he was booked into Lake County Jail. Fifield said routine tests were performed after the driver complained of pain in his buttocks. The results revealed the man was suffering from a serious preexisting condition that is potentially life-threatening, he said. The man was airlifted to a Chicago hospital for medical care, and his current condition is unknown. The Lake County Sheriff's Department, Merrillville Police Department, Hobart Police Department, Crown Point Police Department, Hoosier Helpers and WAFFCO Towing assisted Indiana troopers in the incident. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Three of President Bidens nominees to the Federal Reserve committed to lawmakers that, if confirmed to their posts, they would not work in financial services for four years after leaving the Fed. The pledge comes amid growing concern about the revolving door between Washington and Wall Street. The three potential Fed governors in question the economists Lisa D. Cook and Philip N. Jefferson and a longtime government official and lawyer, Sarah Bloom Raskin said they would commit not to seek employment or compensation from any financial services company after leaving the board, which oversees the largest banks. Their promises came at the urging of Senator Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Democrat who has criticized the so-called revolving door between government and finance. Fed officials regularly go to work for Wall Street after leaving the institution, making the commitment notable. These are the strongest ethics standards ever agreed to by Federal Reserve Board nominees, Ms. Warren said in a statement on Wednesday. U.S. Senators and the American people can be confident that these public servants will make sound economic policy decisions in the publics best interest. As the Omicron surge begins to recede in many regions of the country, the governors of a handful of states have announced that they will lift school mask mandates in the coming weeks. But the move to loosen these politically charged restrictions has divided scientists and public health experts. Some cheered the change. I think its entirely appropriate that we start lifting school mask mandates now, said Joseph Allen, a Harvard University researcher who studies indoor environmental quality, including in schools. Were in a much better place than we were before, and its time to update our strategies to reflect the moment. Others noted that the virus was still exacting a significant toll on the United States, with cases about as high as during last winters peak and more than 2,500 Americans dying each day. Lifting school mask mandates too early could jeopardize the progress that the country has made over the last few weeks, some health experts said. WASHINGTON The White House has been meeting with outside health experts to plan a pandemic exit strategy and a transition to a new normal, but the behind-the-scenes effort is crashing into a very public reality: A string of blue-state governors have gotten ahead of President Biden by suddenly abandoning their mask mandates. Two of the administrations top doctors Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the presidents chief medical adviser for the pandemic, and Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both expressed qualified optimism on Wednesday about the direction of the pandemic. If cases continue to fall and no new variants arise, the country could be heading toward what we would consider more normality, Dr. Fauci said in an interview. But Dr. Fauci cautioned that the situation is still unpredictable, and said any transition out of the current crisis would be gradual. And Dr. Walensky said pointedly that while her agency is working on new guidance for the states, it is too soon for all Americans to take off their masks in indoor public places. Our hospitalizations are still high, our death rates are still high, she said during a news briefing by the White House Covid response team. So, as we work toward that and as we are encouraged by the current trends, we are not there yet. For the mayor of New York City, it is customary to face the occasional hostile question from a lawmaker during his annual pilgrimage to the State Capitol in Albany to ask for money, a tradition known as Tin Cup Day. But typically, those prickly questions come from lawmakers of the opposite party. On Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat with more centrist views than his predecessor, Bill de Blasio, caused the script to be flipped. With crime-fighting at the core of his agenda, Mr. Adams used his virtual appearance before the State Legislature on Wednesday to argue that changes to bail laws and other measures designed to make the criminal justice system more fair have overreached, allowing more dangerous criminals onto the streets. Latrice Walker, an Assembly Democrat from Brooklyn and one of the authors of recent changes to the states bail laws, took issue with the mayors comments and challenged Mr. Adams to a debate about bail reform and its impact on crime in New York City. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that New York State would drop its stringent mask-or-vaccine mandate, which required businesses to demand proof of full vaccination or mask-wearing at all times in indoor public spaces. The mandate, which Ms. Hochul implemented on Dec. 10 during the surge driven by the Omicron variant, will officially expire on Thursday. It was an emergency temporary measure put in place only two months ago, she said on Wednesday. At this time, we say that is the right decision to lift this mandate for indoor businesses and let counties, cities and businesses make their own decisions on what they want to do with respect to masks or the vaccination requirement. She added: Numbers are coming down, and it is time to adapt. The states indoor mask mandate had been challenged in court and had drawn political backlash from conservative parts of the state where vaccinations are lagging and masks are not as commonly worn. A married couple was charged with sex trafficking young women into a prostitution operation on Wednesday a scheme that prosecutors said in some cases involved the use of New Yorks foster care system to gain access to potential victims. The authorities said the couple, Kareem Mitchell, 38, and Sharice Mitchell, 51, ran a sex trafficking operation that pushed at least eight women into prostitution, including at least two who were Ms. Mitchells foster children. Both defendants were charged in State Supreme Court in Manhattan with multiple counts of sex trafficking and with fourth-degree conspiracy and pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorneys human trafficking unit said that Mr. Mitchell, a registered sex offender, had run the sex trafficking operation between November 2018 and February 2022. He recruited women through social media and then used physical and verbal abuse to coerce them into prostitution in cars and hotels in Manhattan, as well as in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, the authorities said. One of the women was 24, prosecutors said. They did not specify the other ages, saying only that none of the women was under 18. In New York, young people can leave foster care once they reach the age of 18, but they can also choose to stay in care until they turn 21. Hey, maybe Congress could just restrict the loan forgiveness to folks who arent making much money. Nah. Republicans really, really hate bills that are targeted at folks who arent making much money. Im sorry, Mr. President. These are federal loans, and you definitely gave the impression you could wipe them off the books yourself. If you werent sure the public wanted it to happen, you wouldnt have mentioned the idea approximately every five minutes during the campaign. But while were on the subject, lets look at another part of the loan problem whos getting the money. About 12 percent of the graduates of public four-year schools still owe more than $40,000. The percentage is somewhat higher for private schools, but the real whopper is over in the for-profit sector. Nearly half of the graduates of for-profit schools are trying to live with very high debt levels, and we have not even begun to talk about the multitudinous number of poor kids who got sucked in by an ad promising to set them on a career in high-tech-something and wound up with no degree, no career and a sea of red ink. Its glory days for the folks who run places like Grand Canyon University or Strayer University. For-profits are reveling in the Covid culture. I hate to call anybody a winner in this crisis, Jeffrey M. Silber, managing director of a financial services company, told The Times. But, he added, for-profit colleges sure appear to be getting a pandemic prize. People are trapped at home, with nothing to do but clean out closets and watch luge races. Starting on the path to an online degree and a new career must certainly sound tempting. No, wait. Really, stick to the curling match. For-profit schools are generally a very bad plan. An estimated 43 percent of the students who started attending one in 2004 defaulted on their loans. While the for-profits are very vocal about enrollees prospects, they tend to be less than forthcoming about their actual success rates. For instance, Capella University has run ads promising you can earn a bachelors degree in as little as a year. Alas, in the real world only 11 percent of its students manage to earn one in eight. Ms. Tashjian agreed that a desire to make any meal feel more festive pervades among those using fine china casually. People want to be frivolous in small ways, she said. Were beginning to put more of a premium on delight. She has used her Haviland plates, which are decorated with a pink and gold rose pattern, when hosting dinner parties with friends. I would make spaghetti or just order pizza, but using the china would create a sense of occasion beyond something like lets all hang and drink together or watch a movie. Michele Mirisola, 31, an artist in Brooklyn who owns a set of gilded Homer Laughlin plates, agrees that if youre not partying as much in restaurants and bars fine china is a way to class up what youre doing at home. Inspired by the colors of Delftware, a style of Dutch tin-glazed pottery, Ms. Mirisola has made a collection of patterned clay tableware in a blue-and-white palette for her line Chell Fish. According to Dayna Isom Johnson, a trend expert at Etsy, there was a 39 percent increase in searches for fine china on the site in 2021 compared to 2020, and a 28 percent increase in searches for antique and vintage porcelain dinnerware. Dawn Block, the vice president of collectibles, electronics and home at eBay, said that site has seen a similar increase. Since this time last year, eBay has seen a significant surge in searches and sales for china and porcelain brands including Lenox, Noritake and Herend, she said. Recent research may indicate that humans are more sensitive to body odor than our evolutionary ancestors were. Is this good news? It could be for Phillip Miner, a nightlife promoter who holds a party called Pheromone for armpit fetishists (the next will be held Feb. 10). Pent-up demand for nightlife after so many months spent in relative isolation may be paving the way for unexpected ways to let loose, but Mr. Miner believes the pandemic has contributed in a different way: making it ripe (sorry) for a party for the smelly and their admirers. Working from home really gave people a reason to give up deodorant, and a lot of people found out that they resonate more with their own natural body scents, Mr. Miner, 40, said before an installment of Pheromone in January. It took place at Nowhere, a two-decades-old bar in the East Village that is no stranger to parties that cater to niche interests in the gay community. Previous events have included Fuzzy (for the hairy and their admirers), Chunk (for the chunky and their admirers), Studio 5 '4'' (for the short and their admirers) and Fire in the Hole (for redheads and their admirers). For 50 years, a macabre mystery loomed over the small town of Boone, N.C., where the bodies of three family members were found in a bathtub during a snowstorm in 1972. The unsolved murders of Bryce, Virginia and Bobby Durham flummoxed investigators, who chased various leads over the decades that never led to a suspect. But this week, the Watauga County Sheriffs Office announced that it had solved the triple homicide, which it described as a hit by a criminal network called the Dixie Mafia. In 2012, the F.B.I. described the group as a loose confederation of thugs and crooks who conducted their criminal activity in the southeastern United States. Investigators said they connected the group to the killings after receiving a tip in 2019, when a sheriff in Georgia told them he had been contacted by a son of one of the assailants. The son was doing research for a book on the murderous ways of his father, Billy Sunday Birt, who died in prison in 2017 while serving a life sentence for three murders that he committed in the 1970s. Nearly all of the 38 Harvard professors who signed an open letter defending the character of a colleague who has been accused of sexually harassing students reversed themselves on Wednesday, issuing a new letter titled, We Retract. In the second letter, the professors wrote that they were lacking full information about the case when they signed their original letter in which they questioned the universitys investigation into the conduct of an anthropology professor, John Comaroff, and extolled him as an excellent colleague, adviser and committed university citizen. We read with horror additional details of what the students went through, and we talked with one another and wished to retract, Ingrid Monson, a professor of African American music, said. The retraction letter circulated after three female graduate students on Tuesday filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston that accused Harvard of ignoring allegations that Dr. Comaroff had sexually harassed students for years, and of allowing him to intimidate students by threatening their academic careers if they reported him. The details and timelines of the policy rollbacks varied widely from place to place. In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he planned to lift indoor mask rules in most places, though not schools, at the end of February if hospitalizations continued to drop. In Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee said that next week he would end the states outdoor mask mandate and announce an update on its indoor mandate, while Oregon officials said masking rules would be lifted by the end of March. And in Rhode Island, Gov. Dan McKee said he would lift his order on masking in schools in early March and in most other settings this week. Still, some questioned the timing. Joe Basilone, a coffee shop owner in Chicago, said it all felt too early to him. He said he planned to continue asking his employees to wear masks after the mandate lifted, but would not require it for customers. I mean, am I tired of wearing a mask? Sure, I am, Mr. Basilone said. Weve been doing it for over two years now. But I still have the mind-set that it creates safety for people who might have compromised immune systems. My concern is that it might again be jumping the gun here. City leaders who have instituted restrictions more stringent than those imposed by their states have also begun to re-evaluate their policies. In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu laid out benchmarks on Tuesday for when the city would lift proof-of-vaccine requirements if hospitalizations and case numbers continued to fall. In Denver, health officials said masks would become optional in schools later in February. And in Duluth, Minn., Mayor Emily Larson said she would allow a mask mandate imposed last month near the height of the Omicron surge to expire on Saturday. There are still new strains and personal choices as it relates to vaccination, Ms. Larson said. This leaves us all vulnerable and open to future infection and pandemic realities. And to me, thats another reason to allow this to expire its my personal feeling that we are now moving into not how we beat Covid-19, but how we coexist with it. Mitch Smith reported from Chicago, and Shawn Hubler from Sacramento. Robert Chiarito contributed reporting from Chicago, and Luis Ferre-Sadurni from New York. Reporting was also contributed by Adeel Hassan , Amanda Morris , Amelia Nierenberg , Dana Goldstein , Giulia Heyward and Jill Cowan . After the F.B.I., during the 2016 presidential campaign, investigated Hillary Clintons handling of classified material while she was secretary of state, Mr. Trump assailed her, helping make the issue pivotal in the outcome of that race. In that case, the intelligence communitys inspector general had made a national security referral to the F.B.I., prompting the investigation of Mrs. Clinton. But during Mr. Trumps administration, top White House officials were deeply concerned about how little regard Mr. Trump showed for sensitive national security materials. John F. Kelly, the White House chief of staff, tried to stop classified documents from being taken out of the Oval Office and brought up to the residence because he was concerned about what Mr. Trump may do with them and how that may jeopardize national security. Similar to Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka used personal email accounts for work purposes. And even after being warned by aides, Mr. Trump repeatedly ripped up government documents that had to be taped back together to prevent him from being accused of destroying federal property. Now Mr. Trump faces questions about his handling of classified information a question that is complicated because as president he had the authority to declassify any government information. It is unclear whether Mr. Trump had declassified materials the National Archives discovered in the boxes before he left office. Under federal law, he no longer maintains the ability to declassify documents after leaving office. He invoked the power to declassify information several times as his administration publicly released materials that helped him politically, particularly on issues like the investigation into his campaigns ties to Russia. Toward the end of the administration, Mr. Trump ripped pictures that intrigued him out of the Presidents Daily Brief a compendium of often classified information about potential national security threats but it is unclear whether he took them to the residence with him. In one prominent example of how he dealt with classified material, Mr. Trump in 2019 took a highly classified spy satellite image of an Iranian missile launch site, declassified it and then released the photo on Twitter. Two days after the Electoral College confirmed Joseph R. Biden Jr.s victory in 2020, Ryder Winegar, a former Navy cryptologist living in New Hampshire, called six members of Congress both Democrats and Republicans while heavily intoxicated and threatened to hang them if they did not support Mr. Trump. In one of the calls, he warned that if a lawmaker did not stand behind Mr. Trump, he would hang them, according to court records. He also said that he would refuse to vote for any RINO candidate like yourself, using the acronym for Republican in name only. In another call, Mr. Winegar said a member of Congress could worry either about being outed as a racist or about people like him stringing her up. In Illinois, Randall E. Tarr was drinking coffee and watching television early one morning either the History Channel or National Geographic, he recalled in an interview when he saw an advertisement accusing Mr. Davis of turning a blind eye to Russian interference in the 2016 election and encouraging viewers to call his office. Mr. Tarr, an Army veteran who at one time identified as a Republican, was furious. Im like, dude, I got to do this, Mr. Tarr recounted. Its already been proven by our intelligence agencies, the C.I.A. and the F.B.I., and the Russians were guilty of this. I didnt stop there. I just kept going, which was stupid. Something I shouldnt have said, I know. In the voice mail message, according to court records, Mr. Tarr informed Mr. Davis of his training Im a sharpshooter, he said and threatened to murder the congressman. That was a stupid part of my call, Mr. Tarr said in the interview. I dont even own a weapon. I just got mad, and I regret it. An artistic vision isnt worth much if theres no one to pay for it. Just under five centuries ago, in February 1529, Hans Holbein the Younger watches as the citizens of Basel occupy the churches, bludgeon their statues, smash their crucifixes, and throw their altarpieces on burning pyres. Its a Bildersturm a picture storm, one of the iconoclastic riots against religious images that swept Switzerland and Northern Europe that decade and among the many destroyed artworks is Holbeins own painting of the Last Supper. Whatever the German artist thinks of the Reformation (the record is hazy, but he seems to have adopted a soft Lutheranism), he can see that this militant evangelism is going to be bad news for the Swiss art market. Things keep getting worse, and so in 1532 Holbein bails out of Basel and goes to London. Hed lived there a decade before, seemingly in Thomas Mores house. Now More has fallen, but Holbein finds a new clientele among wealthy German traders with their own special economic zone on the Thames. One of his first commissions is a portrait of a Cologne merchant named Wedigh, whom he paints against a background of glassy blue. For Holbein, Wedigh wears a heavy black cape and a beret of the same fabric. His left hand grips a pair of tan leather gloves, and on that hand is a small signet ring with his familys coat of arms: three willow leaves segmented by a black chevron. Holbein pares the portrait down to the minimum: no erudite symbolism, no rich setting, no decorative flourishes. But look at Wedighs eyes. The right eye (on the left in the picture) is a tick larger, and the right eyebrow arches just so slightly. To this new era of image politics, Holbein brought a new kind of painting. The enlarged eye offers what no amount of ornament or gilt leaf could deliver: the uncanny feeling that this flat piece of wood represents an individual person, made in Gods image but from this world right here. AMSTERDAM When the Rijksmuseum decided to stage a major exhibition on Indonesias struggle for freedom from 350 years of Dutch colonial rule, its director knew he was stepping into contested territory. If you stage exhibitions, as we do, about our history, that also includes parts of our history that are difficult, said Taco Dibbits, who has led the Netherlands national museum since 2016. You know that there are going to be reactions, even very emotional reactions, but thats one of the reasons we did it: to contribute to dialogue. Yet the discussion around the Rijksmuseums Revolusi! Indonesia Independent show, which starts Feb. 11 and runs through June 5, came quicker than Dibbits might have hoped. Before the show even opened, a Dutch lawmaker accused the museum of woke madness and a foundation filed a claim of genocide denial against a curator. Ever since Indonesias first president, Sukarno, declared independence on Aug. 17, 1945, the four-and-a-half-year struggle that came next has been difficult to define. Some cast it as a revolution, others as a war between the Netherlands and the new Indonesian Republic, and still others as a process of decolonization. Despite being the central character, Johnny Depp is the least interesting part of Minamata, Andrew Levitass film based on the true story of the photojournalist W. Eugene Smith who, in the 1970s, helped to expose the devastating impact of mercury poisoning on coastal communities in Japan. In the film, Gene (Depp), as Eugene is called, who had gained recognition as a war photographer during World War II, has become a recluse estranged from his children and plagued by alcoholism and substance abuse. Enter Aileen Mioko (Minami), a translator who recruits him to document the plight of a community in Japan plagued by Minamata disease, a neurological illness with devastating and often fatal symptoms caused by the consumption of fish contaminated with toxic waste material. Eugene convinces his boss at Life magazine, Robert Hayes (Bill Nighy), to send him on assignment. BRISTOL, England The opening shot of the new HBO Max limited series The Girl Before planes over the silvery, slatted-timber facade of a house, then moves into its gorgeously minimal interior. Tall cathedral windows let in muted light; a stone table and wooden chairs stand like art objects framed by smooth concrete and glass walls. I really wanted it to sometimes feel calm and safe, a sanctuary, and sometimes like a prison, said the shows production designer, Jon Henson, as he walked visitors around the futuristic home that is the setting for much of the four-part show, which premieres on Thursday and was adapted by JP Delaney from his 2017 novel of the same name. Henson, who said he had been influenced by the Japanese architecture studio Gosize and by the Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen, opened one of the kitchen drawers. We even customized these so that each knife and implement has its own compartment, he said. Flying Lotuss headlining performance at Carnegie Hall marks a new level of mainstream acclaim for a beat maker who came up through Los Angeless hip-hop underground. Its a career first, but not a family first: FlyLo (whose real name is Steven Ellison) is, after all, the grandnephew of John and Alice Coltrane. On Saturday at 8 p.m., Ellison takes the stage of Manhattans premier concert hall as part of a multimonth series celebrating Afrofutrism, an expansive movement that anticipates futures shaped by Black thought and cultural production. His inclusion in the lineup reflects his position as a new torchbearer for a genre that his great-aunt helped pioneer. Ellisons oeuvre extends beyond the restless, cosmic-jazz-indebted electronic compositions from which he made his name. His recent work in TV and film demonstrates his interest in world building, and in concert, he seeks to impress visually as well as sonically. Tickets for whats bound to be an immersive multimedia show start at $17.50 and are available at carnegiehall.org. OLIVIA HORN A MOLECULE AWAY FROM MADNESS Tales of the Hijacked Brain By Sara Manning Peskin On an ordinary day in August 2016, Lauren Kane was sucked into a zombie apocalypse. The recent college graduate and aspiring fiction writer had moved back into her mothers house; she spent her days polishing short stories and binge-watching episodes of The Walking Dead. That morning she had woken up, eaten breakfast and gone back to bed. Whats for breakfast? she inquired when she reappeared. Lauren slept still more, awakening for the third time around midday. Whats for breakfast? she asked again. By that evening she was running a fever and had become unsteady on her feet. Her mother took her to the E.R., where Lauren calmly answered a doctors questions. In her first book, A Molecule Away From Madness, the neurologist Sara Manning Peskin describes what happened next. Suddenly, as if occupied by a spirit, Lauren reached for the doctors chest and gripped his shirt. She thrust him across the room, then dug her fingernails into the arm of a startled nurse. Her mother moved to calm her, but Lauren pushed her to the floor. Security guards rushed to the scene. Lauren turned and pointed to one of them, yelling, Dont you see it, shes a walker. One guard asked if she was high on PCP, while another pieced together the patients pop-culture reference: Oh my god. She thinks shes in The Walking Dead. Lauren was not on phenylcyclohexyl piperidine, the hallucinogen known as PCP but her own body was producing a molecule that generated a similar effect. A tumor growing on her right ovary had stimulated her immune system to produce millions of antibodies, which mistakenly attacked crucial receptors in her brain. Lauren was the victim of a molecule gone rogue. Image Such errant molecular activity underlies many serious mental afflictions, notes Peskin, an assistant professor of clinical neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. The very molecules that make our brains work can also co-opt our personalities and destroy our ability to think, she writes. (After Kanes tumor was surgically removed, she slowly regained touch with reality.) Above all, whatever helps me write books related to the topic, the historical period, which could be scholarly works and novels, as well as poetry and art books. When Im writing, Im not really interested in anything else. I used to avoid reading great novels, the kind that make a real impression, since I was afraid theyd influence my style too much that Id succumb to their influence. I dont feel that way anymore. What moves you most in a work of literature? I think its the fact that literature is its own republic where people can live and work together and, maybe more than anything, communicate perfectly in depth, empathetically, morally, intellectually and in a revolutionary spirit. Sometimes a knowing glance and a single phrase will suffice for that perfect communication. The constitution is made up of passages from great books, and the history of the republic is also the history of literature, all the classics and all the literary eras that preceded ours. The present day is a wild jumble of voices, all very different from one another, yet often unintentionally similar. Here trends prevail, sides are taken, elections occur in the form of literary prizes and best-seller lists. There is also an opposition, and even an underground. The strange thing is that fictional characters live alongside the citizens of this republic, where they have equal rights. What genres do you especially enjoy reading? And which do you avoid? Ive always loved science fiction. You might say thats what I was raised on. The most important authors for me were Lem, Dick, the Strugatsky brothers. I dont like fantasy, with one exception: Ursula Le Guin, but she rises above genre. Im not a huge fan of crime fiction and have read only Agatha Christie, nothing else, really. I dont really read nonfiction, with the exception of biographies. I really think the best genre is just a good, solid novel. Who is your favorite fictional hero or heroine? Your favorite antihero or villain? Theyre always distinctive figures. Herr Doktor Peter Kien is a reclusive and eccentric bibliophile from a book I adore, Elias Canettis Auto-da-Fe. Hes a character who fascinates me, whom I find simultaneously alluring and repellent. I feel I have something of the oddball in me, too. Ijon Tichy is a character from the stories of Stanisaw Lem, among the wildest works Ive read. I grew up on the cosmic adventures of Iljon Tichy, who approaches the unlikeliest adventures in the cosmos any human mind has ever devised with prudent reserve. I think he was the first to survive a time loop, before Hollywood caught on to that idea. Everybody knows Pippi Longstocking, so I wont describe her here. What an idol. She taught me courage and how to make my ideas a reality. Miss Marple is my idol for my later years. I adore her curiosity, her tenacity and her lovely self-deprecating sense of humor. MADRID James Joyce once said that he hoped his groundbreaking and famously challenging novel Ulysses would keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant. Since its publication 100 years ago, nearly every line has certainly continued to puzzle his readers. There has also been debate over whether the book could be illustrated, and which artist might take it on. Now, a new edition of Ulysses is presenting the work under a fresh light. Timed to commemorate the centennial of Sylvia Beachs publication of Ulysses in Paris, this new edition contains over 300 images by Eduardo Arroyo, a celebrated Spanish painter and graphic artist who died of cancer in 2018. Fascinated by Ulysses, Arroyo said in a 1991 essay that imagining the illustrations kept him alive when he was hospitalized in the late 1980s for peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal lining. For a look at the situation in Poland, I spoke to Ada Petriczko, a Polish reporter on fellowship at The New York Times. Whats the current virus situation? The Omicron wave literally just started. In the past two weeks the Delta variant has started to be replaced by the Omicron variant. Cases are down from a record high in January, but yesterday we had almost 47,000 a day, a jump of 10,000 from the day before, which shows you how quickly its increasing. During the Delta wave in the fall of 2021, experts said they had to make some really difficult decisions regarding which patients would receive I.C.U. beds first. This is not the case now, but were kind of at a tipping point where we cant be sure which way the wave will go. Its worrying, as we have had one of the highest Covid-related mortality rates in Europe. Why is that? Poland has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the E.U., with only 57 percent of people fully vaccinated. This puts strain on the health care system, which has limited capacity and is underfinanced in comparison to most Western European countries. We also have high vaccine hesitancy. Why is there so much hesitancy? Experts are saying that the government hasnt really done anything to mobilize the vaccine hesitant. I spoke to Miosz Parczewski, an infectious disease specialist who, until recently, was on the Medical Council, which advised the prime minister of Poland on the handling of the pandemic. In January of last year, 13 of the doctors resigned, claiming that their recommendations had no impact on the real activities of the government. Parczewski told me that there was reluctance on the side of the government to take the necessary steps in getting the pandemic under control, like restricting mass events for unvaccinated people, and he believes they refused to impose restrictions because they were afraid of vaccine-hesitant voters. He also said there was a growing tolerance of Covid-19 denialism among members of the government and state officials. Mitch McConnell has a long history of playing hardball even changing the rules of American politics to benefit the Republican Party. He has opposed limits on campaign finance, knowing that corporations and the wealthy donate to Republicans. As the Republican Senate leader, he has helped turn the filibuster into a normal tactic. He has boasted about his desire to damage the presidencies of both Barack Obama and Joe Biden. And McConnell in 2016 refused to consider any Supreme Court nominee by Obama, effectively flipping the seat back to a Republican nominee. In each of the cases, McConnell has been willing to break with precedent in ways that many historians and legal scholars consider dangerous. He often seems to put a higher priority on partisan advantage than on American political traditions or even the national interest, these scholars say. So how is the country supposed to make sense of McConnells actions this week? On Tuesday, he criticized the Republican National Committee for its response to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The committee the partys official organization had described the events of Jan. 6 as legitimate political discourse and censured Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, two House members who are helping investigate the riot. Russia begins large military drills near Ukraine Thousands of Russian troops began 10 days of military exercises in Belarus on Thursday while the diplomatic efforts to avoid a war in Ukraine showed few signs of progress. In Moscow, Russias top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov, held talks with his British counterpart that he described as resembling the conversation of a mute person with a deaf person. President Vladimir Putin of Russia was slightly more conciliatory, telling reporters that negotiations with the West were continuing and that Russia was preparing written responses to U.S. proposals. A display of firepower: In Belarus, Russian fighter jets launched air patrols, and Russias potent S-400 air defense systems were deployed near the Ukrainian border. Off Ukraines southeastern coast, in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, Russia was preparing to hold large-scale naval exercises which Ukrainians said would block vital trade routes. Russias response: Russia described all the drills as legal, and promised that its troops would leave Belarus after the exercises there conclude on Feb. 20. Vertical combinations have been regarded as generally beneficial, often lowering prices as the buyer brings more investment and stronger competition into the market it enters. But in the last few years, there has been a rethinking of antitrust. A progressive school of legal scholars and antitrust experts argues that enforcement has been too lax, too slow, too backward looking in curbing growing market power not just of the internet giants but across the economy. Two leading members of the progressive camp are now in charge of antitrust enforcement in America: Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission, and Jonathan Kanter, head of the Justice Departments antitrust division. New merger rules are at the top of their agenda. Last month, they jointly announced a review of the agencies merger guidelines and specifically cited the horizontal and vertical definitions as ripe for reconsideration. Often transactions dont neatly fit into either of those categories, Mr. Kanter said. The Illumina-Grail merger is a test case for the new approach. The F.T.C. sued Illumina three months before Ms. Khan took over. But this is clearly the kind of case she and her policy cohort say the government should be more aggressive in bringing, said William Kovacic, a former chair of the F.T.C. and a professor at George Washington University. Illumina, which is based in San Diego, and the government are at odds on most points. But they agree that the market for blood tests that screen for multiple cancers should eventually be huge as much as $50 billion by 2035, according to industry forecasts. Gloria Rojas, who was billed as New York Citys first Latina broadcast journalist when she was hired by WCBS-TV in 1968, and who went on to work as a journalist for every major network affiliate in the city for 23 years, died on Feb. 2 in Cambridge, Md. She was 82. The cause of her death, at a nursing facility, was complications of cancer and kidney failure, her son, Chris, said. She moved to Maryland in 2012. In 1974, after working at other stations in New York and Chicago, Ms. Rojas was recruited by Al Primo, the innovative news director who created the ethnically and racially diverse hometown Eyewitness News format on WABC-TV, at a time when even women newscasters were still something of a novelty. In addition to being a trailblazer herself, Ms. Rojas was credited with helping to launch the broadcasting career of a 20-something antipoverty lawyer when she told him that WABC was seeking a bilingual reporter. In 1970, the station hired the young lawyer, Geraldo Rivera, who later became a national TV host and commentator. The New York Times is free to publish documents pertaining to the conservative group Project Veritas after a New York State appeals court temporarily stayed an order by a state trial judge that had been denounced by First Amendment advocates and journalism groups. In a decision made public on Thursday, the appeals court said the order would not be enforced until a formal appeal could be heard. The decision means that, for now, The Times can publish certain documents and will not have to turn over or destroy any copies of the documents in its possession. Were pleased with todays decision to stop the enforcement of prior restraint while the case is being appealed, and we look forward to explaining our position in the appeal, a Times spokeswoman, Danielle Rhoades Ha, said in a statement. The use of prior restraint to prohibit news gathering and block the publication of newsworthy journalism is unconstitutional. No libel plaintiffs should be permitted to use their litigation as a tool to silence press coverage about them. The order by the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court is part of a libel lawsuit filed in 2020 by Project Veritas and its leader, the conservative provocateur James OKeefe, that accused The Times of defamation. Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska who has receded from the public eye since being Senator John McCains running mate in 2008 and a hero to many conservatives who hoped she might one day run for president herself, took the stand on Thursday in her libel trial against The New York Times and reprised her once familiar role as an unforgiving critic of the mainstream media. On the stand, she was by turns charming and testy, cracking an occasional joke and then bristling at pointed queries from a Times lawyer who tried to undercut the central claim of her case: that the news organization defamed her by publishing an editorial in 2017 that incorrectly linked her political rhetoric to a mass shooting. Ms. Palin lashed out at those who, she said, wield the power of the pen in a destructive way. She compared being on the witness stand during cross-examination to sitting in the penalty box. She accused the media of never letting a tragedy go to waste. Within the first few minutes of taking her seat in federal court in Lower Manhattan, Ms. Palin came out swinging at The Times, which she called the Goliath that had spread lies about her. Union efforts that began late last year at three Starbucks locations in Buffalo have spread across the country, and now they have landed in New York. Employees at three Starbucks stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn, including the companys marquee roastery in the meatpacking district, and a store on Long Island filed petitions by Thursday morning with the National Labor Relations Board to organize with Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union. The employees are asking to hold a vote on March 3. These locations join more than 60 Starbucks stores that have sought to unionize over the last several months. Unions at two stores in Buffalo have been established. There are 9,000 corporate-owned Starbucks locations in the country. In letters addressed to Kevin Johnson, the companys president and chief executive, employees at the four New York-area stores described years of deteriorating trust between the corporation and its employees, who are referred to as partners. They detailed struggles to make a living and concerns about work conditions during the pandemic, and they expressed the belief that a union would give them the opportunity to shape their workplace into a better one. Cafe Habana, opening in the Brickell neighborhood, has caused an uproar among Miami-Dade Countys abundant Cuban community by citing inspiration from Che Guevara and Fidel Castro. Credit... Scott McIntyre for The New York Times By contrast, the new proposal has a much more caring voice than a policing one, and its left room to preserve the physician-patient relationship, added Dr. Narouze, chairman of the Center for Pain Medicine at Western Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. The 229-page document warns of addiction, depressed breathing, altered mental status and other dangers associated with opioids, but it also notes that the drugs serve an important medical purpose, especially for easing the immediate agony from traumatic injuries such as burns and crushed bones. In those instances when opioids seem the way to go, the recommendations said, doctors should start with the lowest effective dose and prescribe immediate-release pills rather than long-acting ones. The recommendations are now open on the Federal Register for public comment for 60 days. The agency will review the comments and most likely issue a final version by the end of 2022. Like the 2016 guidelines, they are suggested practices and not mandatory. We are welcoming comments from patients who are living with pain every day and from their caregivers and providers, said Christopher Jones, a co-author of the draft and acting director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the arm of the C.D.C. that released the new guidelines. Kate Nicholson, executive director of the National Pain Advocacy Center, a patient organization that says it does not take funding from the pharmaceutical industry, found much to admire in the new guidelines. We went from one side of the pendulum, with overly liberal prescribing of opioids, and that did harm, to just looking at gross drops in prescribing without looking at individual needs. And that did harm, said Ms. Nicholson, whose input was sought during the development of the draft. This is closer to a Goldilocks solution where chronic pain is not a monolith. An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration overwhelmingly voted on Thursday against recommending agency approval of a lung cancer drug that was tested only in China and sold there. The drug, sintilimab, is a checkpoint inhibitor a type of immunotherapy drug that unleashes the immune system to attack tumors. It was developed and tested in China by Innovent Biologics, which entered into an agreement with Eli Lilly that would have allowed Lilly to market it in the United States, if it were approved. It was to be used in combination with chemotherapy for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. The F.D.A. panel debated a longstanding issue: What standards should be used in approving drugs? Should a drug tested only in China or another country outside the United States be accepted without domestic trials? The decision is likely to be closely monitored for clues about whether it further exacerbates tensions between the United States and China, especially given the strains between the two countries over research by Chinese scientists in recent years. Immunotherapy drugs are so expensive in the United States that the potential to bring a cheaper therapy to the market also weighed heavily in the background of the discussion on Thursday. Catch the Fair One is a violent, brooding rescue-revenge drama the kind of genre workout you might expect to find Liam Neeson grimacing his way though around this time of year. With all respect to Neeson, the star of this tough, modest movie brings a different kind of credibility. Shes Kali Reis, a world champion boxer in both the welterweight and middleweight classes. Her nickname is K.O. Reis, who conceived the story with the writer and director Josef Kubota Wladyka, plays Kaylee Uppashaw, a boxer whose best fighting days may be behind her. Kaylee waits tables in a diner, spends nights at a shelter (sleeping with a razor blade tucked into her cheek) and anguishes over the fate of her younger sister, Weeta (Mainaku Borrero), who has been kidnapped by sex traffickers. Grief, guilt and fury combine to send Kaylee looking for Jaya, and for payback. Kaylee describes herself as half Native American, half Cape Verdean an identity she shares with Reis and a strong current of pride and social awareness runs through the film. Weeta and Kaylees mother, Jaya (Kimberly Guerrero), leads a support group for the families of missing Native women and girls, whose pictures cover the walls outside the meeting room. The trafficking ring is led by a father-son pair of wealthy white men who hide their viciousness behind a facade of respectability. Jarrid Geduld plays Theo Abrams, a star of the local fire department who is placed on mental health leave after witnessing the deaths of two colleagues in a blaze they were fighting. He wakes up one morning to find his investigative-journalist wife, Angela (Nicole Fortuin), strangled to death, just hours after she receives a scoop about a sinister government plot. Given Theos recent spate of binge-drinking and manic outbursts, the authorities deem him the prime suspect in her death. So off he goes zigzagging across Cape Town, dodging both the police and some mysterious bald baddies. Taute overstuffs Indemnity with subplots about police corruption, Theos past traumas and pan-African deep-state intrigue. But theres an endearing sincerity to the films commitment to all this elaborate narrative scaffolding (including some fascinating real-world commentary on South Africas racial politics) for what is essentially a string of Mission Impossible style escapades. Taute contrives clever spatial set pieces playing off the architectural possibilities of elevators, skyscrapers, a labyrinthine chemical factory while Geduld, performing his own stunts for the most part, shows off a grungy physicality that feels rare in todays plastic, CGI-driven actionverse. Indemnity Not rated. In Afrikaans and English, with subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 4 minutes. In theaters and available to rent or buy on Amazon, Google Play and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators. The Unmaking of a College presents Hampshire College in Massachusetts as a canary in the coal mine of liberal-arts education. As a young college (its first students entered in 1970), it has a smaller endowment and fewer decades worth of alumni donors than its competitors. That leaves it vulnerable to demographic shifts like a declining college-age population, a problem for small colleges nationwide. But The Unmaking of a College, directed by a Hampshire alumna, Amy Goldstein, is not simply a story of a college facing an existential crisis, but of how, in the movies telling, that crisis was badly handled. On Jan. 15, 2019, Miriam Nelson, then Hampshires president, issued a letter with a bombshell in its third paragraph: Hampshire was carefully considering whether to enroll an incoming class that fall. Students and faculty members say they were caught off guard. A lack of freshmen could send the college into a death spiral. Bruce Blakeman, who has emerged as the leader of suburban Long Islands revolt against mask mandates, has lost his fair share of elections. In 1998, Mr. Blakeman a lifelong Republican was trounced in a statewide election for comptroller. A year later, he was stunned to be voted out of the Nassau County Legislature, losing his perch as its presiding officer and majority leader. After toying with a run for New York City mayor in 2009, he then lost a congressional race to Representative Kathleen Rice of Long Island in 2014. But Mr. Blakemans surprising November win in the race for Nassau County executive upsetting Laura Curran, a moderate, first-term Democrat has led, after so many races, to his informal anointment as the state partys unlikeliest new star. Helping to fuel his rise has been Mr. Blakemans seemingly single-minded political mission to challenge and defy Gov. Kathy Hochul, the states top Democrat, over her mask mandates, as well as rising crime rates and bail reform, which have proved potent issues for Republicans. But the move toward lay leadership has gained steam since 2001, when Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., became the first Jesuit college or university to name a president who was not a member of the order. That trend reflects a grim reality facing the Catholic Church in the United States: There are not enough young men entering the priesthood to replace older priests who retire or die, leaving an ever smaller pool of clergy members who are qualified to run a large nonprofit entity like a modern university. The number of Catholic priests in the United States has dropped precipitously in recent decades. In 1970, there were 59,192 priests in the country, but that number dropped to 35,513 in 2020, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, a Georgetown University initiative that conducts social science research on matters related to the Catholic Church. That decline has been even sharper among religious orders, a category that includes the Jesuits and groups like the Franciscans and Dominicans. In 1970, there were 21,920 priests in religious orders in the United States, but by 2020 that number had fallen to 10,308. Father McShane addressed that decline when introducing Ms. Tetlow on Thursday. The demographic realities that are ours are harsh, he said. They demand we rise to the challenge and embrace a new way of doing things. When Father McShane entered the Jesuit order in 1967, there were 1,460 Jesuits in New York, he said, adding that today there are 2,086 Jesuits left nationwide, and the average age is over 70. Only 34 men entered Jesuit training in the country last year, Father McShane said. And at Fordham, only 14 Jesuits still teach students, out of 747 full-time instructors, according to a university spokesman. That means that stores and theaters can still direct you to mask up, and some plan to. Broadway theaters will continue to require masks and proof of vaccination at least until April 30, according to Charlotte St. Martin, the president of the Broadway League, a trade association whose 700-plus members include theater owners and producers. Will restaurants in New York City still ask for proof of vaccination? Yes. A policy called Key to NYC has required that restaurants check customers proofs of vaccination since last summer unless the restaurants provide food only for takeout or delivery. Mayor Eric Adams renewed Key to NYC on Tuesday, according to a City Hall spokesman. Key to NYC applies to everything from aquariums to zoos, as well as commercial event spaces, hotel meeting rooms and indoor stadiums, among other places. Under Key to NYC, masks can come off if the owners or operators of such places allow it. But in practice, many cultural institutions require masks in addition to proof of vaccination. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, for example, says visitors must wear their masks and must have had either two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. A spokesman for the Met which is calling employees back to their offices three days a week, starting Monday said that for now, it had no plan to change its policy for visitors. Apartment buildings, which were covered by Hochuls mandate, will have to decide whether to continue to require masks in common areas like lobbies, elevators and laundry rooms. The city does not have a requirement for mask wearing in apartment buildings. So what is new? You dont have to wear your mask in stores if the owners say you dont have to (and you are fully vaccinated). The same goes for offices: If your office allows you to go mask-free part or all the time, you may. This applies only if you have had your shots. If you are unvaccinated, you must still wear a mask whenever you are in a public space, according to city regulations. About 86 percent of adult New York City residents, and 76 percent of residents of all ages, are fully vaccinated. John Wesley, a painter of flat, cartoonish figures that seemed to spring not from the well of Pop Art but from some deeper, stranger reservoir of the American unconscious inhabited by floating babies, rubbery nudes and the hapless comic-strip husband Dagwood Bumstead, died on Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 93. His death was confirmed by Fredericks & Freiser, the New York gallery that has represented his work for many years. In a prolific career of more than five decades, Mr. Wesley, who was known as Jack, had the great distinction and occasional critical misfortune of eluding almost every attempt at categorization. He tolerated the label of Pop artist, he said, mostly because it got him into shows. Through the years, critics also described him variously as a Surrealist secret agent, a sly eroticist, a latter-day manifestation of Rococo, a renegade Color Field artist and a Greek vase painter by way of Aubrey Beardsley. The sculptor Donald Judd enshrined Mr. Wesleys paintings alongside masterpieces of Minimalism and other rigorously spare work at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas, though Mr. Judd seemed uncharacteristically at a loss to explain exactly why. Mr. Wesley was of no help in clearing up any of the confusion. He hated talking about his work and would go only so far as to concede a stray formal affinity with other artists, past or present. Moreover, the argument that troops are needed to combat the Islamic State as in the recent raid that resulted in the death of the Islamic States leader in northwestern Syria (a country with a small U.S. military presence of its own) does not hold up. Iraq and neighboring countries that fought the group are increasingly capable of preventing a significant resurgence on their own. Pursuing ISIS zero is a recipe to stay in Iraq forever. As in Afghanistan, the rationale for the U.S. military presence in Iraq was a naive hope that our soldiers could kill faster than our enemies could recruit. This dysfunctional strategy led to a hollow Afghan government that dissolved before our eyes as soon as the United States lifted its thumb off the scales. In Iraq, it helped give rise to the Islamic State. Iraqs government is unlikely to fall apart with the departure of U.S. troops. Though divisions between and among Iraqs sectarian groups have diminished the ability of the state to serve its citizens, the government itself is not delegitimized or weakened beyond repair, as was the case in Afghanistan. And as unsavory as they are to the United States, the powerful Shiite militias also view the Islamic State as an existential enemy, and have fought it with immense fervor. U.S. troops in Iraq ended their combat mission in December. The Biden administration has since assured Americans that the troops that remain in Iraq are there in a strictly advisory capacity. But we have been down this road before. As 2014 closed, President Barack Obama similarly declared that our combat mission in Afghanistan is ending and we would shift entirely to a train, advise and assist mission. Yet it took 107 more U.S. deaths, 612 American soldiers wounded in action, hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars and six more years for American operations to truly end. The United States does not have the answer for Iraqs woes. It cannot allay the frustration of Iraqis over an unresponsive government and political violence; it is ill equipped to mediate between Iraqs competing factions or untangle the web of crisscrossing interests that stymies progress. Nor can it change the reality that some of Iraqs most powerful political blocs see their interests reflected in Iran while others feel sidelined. Even Iran lacks the ability to control Iraqs infighting and the brazen antics of power-hungry militias, a reality that a former acting and deputy director of the C.I.A., Michael Morell, warned the Senate about in June 2020. Pulling out of Iraq is unlikely to be trouble-free. But with the withdrawal from Afghanistan still visible in the rearview mirror, Iraqi partners may actually prepare for U.S. troops to leave this time around. The price of inaction is to force U.S. soldiers to be sitting ducks in a geopolitical tinderbox. I get it. Youre angry. Go home! The oil companies lied to us for years to line their pockets. Our leaders talk tough and act weak, telling us to recycle more, as if thats going to make a difference. Blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah. You recycle? Great. Drink through paper straws and join protests? Go you. But all your anger at politicians and big oil its ignoring a major polluter, a web of industries churning out at least one third of all greenhouse gas emissions around the world, a system thats polluting our water and degrading our soil. I want to be blunt with you. Im very frustrated that the incredible climate movement in America doesnt talk enough about food. Yeah, its our food system. And a big part of that is agriculture, the industry that farms your food. And in the United States, its a significant polluter. Annual emissions? About the same as 143 million cars. Annual profits? About $116 billion. Environmental regulation? Very little. So keep being angry about power plants and planes and plastic straws, but youre missing a huge piece of the story. You cannot solve the climate problem unless you fix the American and global food systems. Its time to tell that story, and it begins on a farm. Ah, American farming. Young, honest, hardworking families at one with nature bringing forth plentiful bounty using ancient techniques. Its hard to imagine this being bad for the planet. [ENGINE TURNING OVER] Its time to ditch your view of the farm. During the last hundred years, the number of farms has plummeted, but their size has soared. Today, much of your food is produced on a small number of very large farms. They look like this and this. Its really hard to call many of these places farms. Yeah. If anything, theyre much more akin to a factory than they are to anything like a farm. Meet Peter Lehner. Hes an attorney with an unusual client. Yes, Im a lawyer, and my client is planet Earth. We could go on for hours about all the harmful ways industrial farming is turning up planet Earths thermostat. But there are three consequences you really should know about. First, plowing and tilling. That releases carbon dioxide from the soil, as if we needed any more of that floating about. Second, fertilizing the crops. Thats a big source of nitrous oxide, a nasty greenhouse gas. And third, the cattle. More specifically, their burps, a major source of methane. Now methane doesnt linger as long in the atmosphere as, say, CO. But you should know its potent stuff. A bullet doesnt last a long time, but it can have a big impact. Its not just their burps. Industrial farms have so many animals producing so much waste, they have to wash it into these ponds. That lake is a manure lagoon. Cue more methane. Oh, and this manure sometimes seeps into nearby streams and rivers. Toledos water supply contaminated because of this algae bloom in Lake Erie caused by runoff from farms and livestock pens. Putting poop into our drinking water. [RECORD SCRATCH] I dont know if you want to say that, but thats what its going, what its doing. Now humans have been farming for millennia, but never at such an industrial scale. You probably dont live near a farm, and maybe youve never been on one. But from up here, its clear America basically is a farm. Agriculture uses much of the countrys land and a lot of its water. And in some places, its still expanding. In 2019 alone, another 2.6 million acres of North American grassland became farmland. Acres of land that were once storing greenhouse gases are now pumping them out. Industrial agriculture today is one of the largest sources of water pollution in the U.S., one of the largest sources of air pollution, one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas pollution. And get this. The five biggest meat and dairy producers in the world together produce more emissions than ExxonMobil, Shell or BP. And if all the cattle in the world were a country, it would be the second-biggest greenhouse gas polluter after China. The stakes couldnt be higher. But wait, did someone say steak? Given all this, why arent we angry about the agriculture industry in this country? Why, when we think of climate change, do we think of big oil, not big ag; Exxon and not Tyson? Well, dont beat yourself up. A lot of people have spent a long time, not to mention a huge amount of money, to hide the environmental harm of industrial farming. Its time you met the big ag lobby, one of the most powerful influences on policy in America. Just how powerful? Well, how many vegans do you know? This is Jennifer Jacquet. Shes been investigating the ag lobby. Along with Peter, shes going to pry open the lid for us on how the lobby works. And now our story moves from a farm to a hill. You dont have to walk far around Washington, D.C., to find a group lobbying for big ag. There are loads of organizations, all of them within a taxi ride of Congress. But if you remember just one, make it The American Farm Bureau Federation. They are a force to be reckoned with. Run these days by this guy, Zippy Duvall, a man with friends in high places. Wheres Zippy? Zippy? Zippy? Hi, Zippy. What a good name. Now, some argue lobbying is an important part of the democratic process. But when we started digging into the big ag lobby, we discovered its basically The most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill. Theyre phenomenally powerful. Big farming corporations are making huge profits at the planets expense, and theyd really like to keep doing that without any interference, thank you very much. So the big ag lobby has one key aim block environmental regulation. The 10 largest meat and dairy companies, they are all actively working against regulations in one way or another. The lobby will fight anything, whether its access to grazing land, climate legislation that potentially will increase costs. The lobby strategy involves three big plays, starting with a myth. was 6 when I knew what I wanted to be. This slick film, produced by a lobbying group called U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action, shows just how they want you to think about farmers. Thats what youll see on the side of your milk carton. Its the bucolic family farm. Its the mom-and-pop farmer, often with a little kid in their arms. Truly becoming more and more sustainable? I felt like I was on a mission. [RECORD SCRATCH] Heres a quick reminder of what farming actually looks like. Those practices are only used on about 2% or 3% of American cropland. I mean, this is just pure propaganda. Its a Marvel movie for agriculture. Were superheroes. And like a Marvel movie, its building a myth, a myth where industrial farmers are superheroes defending the Earth, not destroying it. Their archenemy? Any type of mandatory regulation or even reporting of their pollution. And as long as we all continue to believe this myth, theyre winning. During the last two decades, the agriculture industry spent $2.5 billion on lobbying. Thats a lot less than the fossil fuel industry, sure, but try telling that to the shareholders at Tyson. In terms of the percentage of revenue that theyre willing to spend on political action, Tyson, one of the biggest meat companies in America, spends more on political lobbying than ExxonMobil does. That cash buys the industry friends in powerful places. We know this involves a revolving door between industry and government positions. John Boehner, who is an infamous climate denier he stood in the way of climate action through many administrations. He is now on the board of JBS. And if theres cash to spare, hey, why not sponsor a major sports team or two? You would think this would be a crisis the Democrats could unite around. But because everyone has farms in their state, politicians on both sides are easy to persuade. Meanwhile, environmental activists? Theyre busy fighting everything else. Most environmental groups will only spend maybe 1% or 2% of their budget on agriculture, despite its enormous impact. We dont control the conversation, they do. And perhaps the lobbys biggest advantage is that all this pollution? You cant see it. Its pretty easy to measure whats coming off of a factory. Youve got smokestacks. Youve got specific discharge pipes. But its hard to put a gizmo to measure whats coming off of millions of acres of fields. All these factors give the big ag lobby an easy ride. But make no mistake. The P.R. firms are excellent. The lawyers are excellent. I absolutely envy how good these lobbyists are at their job. Its outrageous what the big ag lobby has gotten away with. Here are some big wins. Any suggestion that methane emissions should be regulated are quickly branded a cow tax. A catchy rallying cry that politicians and commentators can parrot. cow tax. cow taxes. cow taxes. That flips a smart green idea into something that sounds absurd and wont pass. Thats the big ag lobby in action. And when big ags lack of regulation gets challenged? The industry was able to go to Congress, and within about six months, get Congress to amend the law to exempt animal factories from reporting their toxic air emissions. You can imagine how frustrating that is. The big ag lobby. Meanwhile, while Congress hauls big oil execs in to answer for their lies Youre funding these groups. Theyre spending millions of dollars in Congress to kill electric vehicles. You could tell them to knock it off for the sake of the planet. Would any of you take the opportunity to look at API and say, stop it? Any of you? The big ag execs have never been grilled in the same way. Thats the big ag lobby, baby. Remember the Kyoto Protocol back in the 90s, or the Waxman-Markey clean energy bill during the Obama administration? They never made it past the finish line in the United States, thanks in part to you know who. And how about this? Sustainability is everything to a farmer because we want our farms to live on for other generations. After years of denying climate change The American Farm Bureau Federation didnt really recognize the reality of human-induced climate change until a couple years ago. and downplaying farmings role in it Are we really causing climate change? The science doesnt back up pointing to U.S. cattle as a major driver of increasing methane. big ag is now rebranding itself as the solution to global warming. Sustainability is a buzzword today. But truth be known, farmers and ranchers have been working on sustainability from the beginning. Since the beginning of when, last week? Seriously, that is some manure lagoon-sized BS. Oh, wait, theres more. JBS, the largest meat company in the world, took out a full-page ad in The New York Times committing to net zero. But dont be fooled. Meanwhile, theyre also funding trade organizations, Republican congressmen, theyre fighting bills, but theyre doing it through these third parties so that they dont have to take the hit reputationally. As if its about turn isnt outrageous enough, get this. But were going to take the lead. Were going to be part of that solution. Were going to make sure that were at the table. Big ag now says it wants farming to be more sustainable, but on two conditions. First, its insisting that measures be voluntary, and second, that farming corporations get paid by us to go green. They want to get paid to clean up their mess. Its like oil companies demanding billions of dollars to clean up after a spill. Man, this lobby is incredible. What do we do about it? I want to just interrupt. I think that what I need to go to is a caucus meeting. And as much as Im dying to hear my colleague and friend Chuck Schumer speak, this is more important. Senator Cory Booker is a member of the Senates Agriculture Committee, and hes one of the few elected officials who have taken on the big ag lobby. Ive been here eight years. From oil to pharma, the most powerful lobby to me is the big food, because again, they have allies and influence on both sides of the aisle. We also need to take the worst offenders, who are releasing extraordinary amounts of methane, who are ruining our rivers and lakes and streams, who are offsetting all of these collateral consequences to us and keeping all the profits for themselves. There must be regulation. And we need to take these big, multinational factory farms and stop them, put a moratorium on their growth and eventually phase them out. Will big ag ever get regulated? One day soon, it will have to change its ways. historic drought across the West is already impacting the agricultural industry. Some farmers say theyre having to walk away from fields of crops just to get through this dry high water has delayed planting for many growers who cant afford to miss out on a good crop this season. Rain has washed away parts of his fields. In their greed, theyve created a self-defeating feedback loop thats harming us all. We we are past a national emergency. To the Editor: Re Cheers and Fears Compete as States Relax Mask Rules (front page, Feb. 10): In an act of cowardice and irresponsibility, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York lifted vaccine and mask mandates in many public places. This is exactly the opposite policy from what is necessary for a return to normality. We cannot be safe until the antisocial minority is vaccinated. It is time for an effective booster mandate, not appeasement of those who, from ignorance or malice, would spread disease. Daniel J.H. Greenwood Brooklyn To the Editor: Thank you, Gov. Kathy Hochul, for dropping the stringent indoor mask mandate in New York. Given the fact that 64 percent of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, 76 percent with at least one dose and 27 percent boosted, and with almost 77 million Covid cases in the United States, I believe that we are either close to or have already reached herd immunity. As such, it makes sense that we should start relaxing or phasing out some of the strict Covid measures. We all need to start accepting the fact that the virus will be with us, just like the flu, and life should continue without such strict measures, unless absolutely necessary. Given the above data, and as a scientist and someone who had Covid, and got vaccinated and boosted, at this point, I strongly believe that I should have the choice to wear a mask or not. When a Chartist activist had to argue his case, he was reinforcing his own beliefs, talking himself into deeper commitment while convincing others. And for the deliberating worker who finally signed, this was a pledge taken. In the summer of 1839, more than 1.25 million signatures had been gathered on a scroll that stretched some three miles long and was delivered to the government, where the Chartists were quite literally laughed out the door. But by then, a new constituency had been born. A whole world of associations and a new politics spun out from the talking and signing. More petitions followed, until, 30 years later, working men were finally allowed to begin participating in democracy. The history of social and political change is full of such analog but nevertheless interactive media, like petitions, that helped guide new ideas and identities into existence from the letters that helped ferment the scientific revolution in the 17th century to samizdat in the Soviet underground, which kept alive a shadow civil society, to the staple-bound zines of the early 1990s, where the style and sentiment of third-wave feminism first flourished. A favorite story of mine comes from the British colony of the Gold Coast (todays Ghana) in the 1930s. Educated Africans living in the colony, incensed at their subjugated status, needed a place to express their desire for independence and to begin hashing out what a national identity freed of British rule might even look like. The African Morning Post became such a forum. This was more of a message board than the one-way conveyor of information we think of as a newspaper. The pages were mostly filled with contributions from readers. Nnamdi Azikiwe, a Nigerian recently returned to the continent who became its editor, imagined it as a place for conversation, where Accras literate population could come together. At the center of the paper was Grumblers Row, letters from readers, intended for debate and complaint. The quality of the writing here was loose and unguarded. Almost all submissions were anonymous or pseudonymous (attributed to portentous names like A. Native or ridiculous ones like Lobster). This gave people a chance to speak their mind and to test out higher degrees of daring. The arguing allowed them to peek over the dividers of tribe and establish new allegiances they expressed their difference but did so on the same page, creating a new sort of African public sphere and helping lay the groundwork for independence. What connects these newspapers to petitions to samizdat to zines is the way each helped shape the movement that was incubating. On first glance, these may seem to resemble pre-internet social media. But they were different in fundamental ways: These forms of communication demanded patience, took time to produce and time to transmit. They slowed things down, favoring an incremental accumulation of knowledge and connection. They also lent coherence, a way for scattered ideologies and feelings to be shaped into a single compellingly new perspective. They led to the sorts of conversations that strengthened identity and solidarity, that allowed for both imagining and arguing together, moving toward shared objectives. And, maybe most important, the activists and dissidents and thinkers who used these tools were in control of them. They created the platforms and by creating them, they could set their parameters and make sure they served their ends. Four tiny NASA-funded satellites were lost on their way to space on Thursday after launching atop a rocket built by Astra Space, a small, publicly traded rocket start-up based in Alameda, Calif. The satellites were small experimental devices called cubesats, and their loss may set back the research projects of the institutions that built them. But for Astra, the setback could be more significant. A successful flight on Thursday would have helped it step further into a growing cadre of launch start-ups jockeying to offer cheaper methods of lofting objects into space. And the companys latest launch failure shows how difficult it is to join the club. The companys 3.3 rocket lifted off from a launchpad from Cape Canaveral, Fla., at 3 p.m. Eastern time, sparking cheers from a crowd of Astra employees streamed on a live video. But a few minutes after launch, as the rockets second stage booster was to break off for its trip deeper into orbit, onboard cameras showed the booster tumbling out of control. Unfortunately, we heard that an issue has been experienced during flight that prevented the delivery of our customer payloads to orbit today, said Carolina Grossman, the director of product for Astra who was providing commentary during a company-sponsored livestream of the launch. In some regions, such as Greece and central Italy, the pollen told a story of devastation. Pollen from crops like wheat dwindled. Dandelions and other flowers in pastureland faded. Fast-growing trees like birch appeared, followed by slow-growing ones like oaks. But that was hardly the rule across Europe. In fact, just seven out of 21 regions the researchers studied underwent a catastrophic shift. In other places, the pollen registered little change at all. In fact, in regions such as Ireland, central Spain and Lithuania, the landscape moved in the opposite direction. Pollen from mature forests became rarer, while pasture and farmland pollen became even more common. In some cases, two neighboring regions veered off in different directions, with the pollen suggesting one turned to forest while the other turned to farms. Although these findings suggest that the Black Death was not as catastrophic as many historians have argued, the authors of the new study didnt offer a new figure for the real toll of the pandemic. Were not comfortable sticking our neck out, said Timothy Newfield, a disease historian at Georgetown University and one of Dr. Izdebskis collaborators. Some independent historians said that the new, continentwide study agreed with their own research on particular European locales. For example, Sharon DeWitte, a biological anthropologist at the University of South Carolina, has found that skeletal remains from London during that period showed evidence of a modest toll from the pandemic. That made her wonder if the same was true for other parts of Europe. Its one thing to have a reasonable suspicion, and quite another to produce evidence, as these authors do, Dr. DeWitte said. Thats really exciting. Paula White, a wildlife biologist, was examining lion skulls to estimate the animals ages when she noticed something strange about their teeth. Instead of just showing the normal, gradual wear that happens over time, a sharp, V-shaped notch was cut into the back edge of some of the big cats canines. The bizarre markings, it turned out, had been caused by snares circular wire traps that tighten like a noose around the neck or paw of an animal. Snares are typically a death trap, but the lions whose skulls Dr. White was examining had apparently managed to escape by pulling on the wire with their teeth. Putting this together was a real a-ha moment, said Dr. White, a researcher affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles. It was kind of horrifying but fascinating at the same time. Dr. White and her colleague, Blaire Van Valkenburgh, a vertebrate paleobiologist also at UCLA, realized they had stumbled across a valuable data set one that would allow them to calculate the frequency of nonlethal, human-caused injuries to large carnivores. The Nobel committee said it had no doubt as to who had made the fundamental discoveries concerning H.I.V. Introducing the winners at the award ceremony in Sweden, Prof. Bjorn Vennstrom, a committee member, said, Never before had science advanced so quickly from finding the disease-causing agent to anti-viral agents. In his acceptance speech, contrary to the views of other AIDS experts, Dr. Montagnier said he believed that H.I.V. relied on other factors to spark full-blown disease. H.I.V. , he said, is the main cause, but could also be helped by accomplices. He was referring to other infections, perhaps from bacteria, and a weakened immune system. By then, AIDS-related illnesses had killed more than 25 million people and an estimated 33 million were living with H.I.V. After his work with H.I.V., Dr. Montagnier veered into nontraditional experiments, shocking and infuriating many colleagues. One experiment, published in 2009 in a journal he founded, claimed that DNA emitted electromagnetic radiation. He suggested that some bacterial DNA continued to emit signals long after an infection had been cleared. He was always controversial, but I had the greatest respect for the team he assembled, said Donald P. Francis, who directed the AIDS laboratory at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the early days of the AIDS epidemic and who was one of the first scientists to suggest that AIDS may be caused by an infectious agent. In a 2010 interview with Science, Dr. Montagnier defended his theories about DNA, saying: Its not quackery. These are real phenomena which deserve further study. That same year, he accepted a professorship at Jiao Tong University in Shanghai to investigate DNA emissions. He stayed there for about two years before returning to Paris. Dr. Montagnier set off another uproar among scientists when, speaking at a conference on autism in 2012, he suggested that long-term antibiotics could be successful in treating that illness. It is as big a shift as when ready-to-wear merged with made-to-measure in the 1960s and 70s. And yet, while the evolution has been taking place for a while, the streetwear designation lingers. As fashion week dawns, say many designers, its time to bury it. What does it even mean? Id like to have a conversation with my community about why anyone ever decided to call it streetwear, in the first place, said Rhuigi Villasenor, the founder of Rhude, the Los Angeles label that specializes in crossbreeding luxury and streetwear, who was named creative director of Swiss luxury brand Bally earlier this year. Heron Preston, the founder of an eponymous brand (his full name is Heron Preston Johnson, but he goes by Heron Preston), who began his career as a member of Been Trill, the DJ and art collective of coolness co-founded by Mr. Abloh, agreed. I never really identified with it or wanted to use it, Mr. Preston said of the term streetwear. Heron Preston is part of New Guards Group, the Italian company that applied the luxury conglomerate model to streetwear and that is now owned by Farfetch, the e-commerce conglomerate. But, Mr. Preston continued: I was forced to because in some ways its an instant invitation into a culture. There are all sorts of associations that come up when you say that word. Streetwear-the-fashion-sector was born in the 1980s and 90s from the intersection of skate and surf kid culture, hip-hop and underground art: a reaction against an industry in which the creators could not see themselves or their value system. Its godparents were Shawn Stussy, who founded Stussy in California in 1980; Nigo, who opened A Bathing Ape in Tokyo in 1993; and James Jebbia, who opened Supreme in 1994, all designers without any formal fashion training in art school or ateliers (when Mr. Jebbia received a mens wear award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2018, he said, Ive never considered Supreme to be a fashion company or myself a designer). Yet their use of graphics with casual clothing as a canvas became an instant badge of belonging and a collectible. Growing up in the town of Republic in southwestern Pennsylvania, Matthew Yokobosky would visit the local tailor most days after school. His name was Danny Mariotti, and I used to go and watch him sew, he said. There were the Trevallini sisters, whom he liked to observe constructing jeweled flower arrangements and wedding bouquets. Oh, and Charlie Angeloni, the shoemaker, he added with the uncommon recall that over the years has served him well. His memory is like a super power, said Anne Pasternak, the director of the Brooklyn Museum, one in a skein of factors that prompted her in 2018 to name Mr. Yokobosky the museums senior curator of fashion and material culture. His latest appointment marks a high point in a career that has taken him from the Whitney Museum, where for 12 years he was curator of film and video (and moonlighted as a set and costume designer at the La MaMa experimental theater). In Brooklyn, he was director of exhibition design before assuming his current post. A Colorado woman who had her 7-year-old daughter treated for medical conditions that she didnt have, leading to the girls death, was sentenced on Wednesday to 16 years in prison. The woman, Kelly Renee Turner, 43, was sentenced in Douglas County District Court after pleading guilty last month to charges of negligent child abuse causing death, theft and charitable fraud, the Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District said in a statement. This is a despicable crime, John Kellner, the district attorney, said in the statement, adding, This defendant deserves to serve years behind bars. She approved surgery after surgery and insisted Olivia was not getting better, prosecutors said in the statement. It was Ms. Turner, they said, who put her daughter into hospice care and pushed for a do-not-resuscitate order. The battle for the prison killed hundreds of people and offered a bleak reminder that even after the collapse of the caliphate, and now the death of Mr. al-Qurayshi, the groups ability to sow chaotic violence persists. Indeed, a United Nations counterterrorism report issued this week estimated that the Islamic State still retains 6,000 to 10,000 fighters across Iraq and Syria, where it is forming cells and training operatives to launch attacks. Also this week, the State Department offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Sanaullah Ghafari, the leader of Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, the groups branch in Afghanistan. The terrorist group claimed responsibility for an attack at Kabuls international airport on Aug. 26 that killed 13 U.S. service members and as many as 170 civilians during the American-led evacuation. On Thursday, two senior U.S. military officials described the planning and execution of the raid to a small group of reporters on a teleconference. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters. The mission, led by Delta Force commandos, was set in motion last September with a tip that the ISIS leader was hiding out on the top floor of a house in northwestern Syria. Overseen by the militarys Central Command, the commandos rehearsed dozens of times, and Mr. Biden was briefed on an exercise involving a tabletop model of the building. The troops also practiced using a mock-up of the building that they would eventually raid. By late December, the commandos were ready and Mr. Biden approved the mission. But bad weather in northwestern Syria and a desire to carry out the mission on a moonless night pushed the operation to Feb. 2. The American assault in Atmeh, backed by Apache helicopter gunships, armed MQ-9 Reaper drones and attack jets, resembled the raid in October 2019 in which Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the previous leader of the Islamic State, died when he detonated a suicide vest as U.S. forces raided a hide-out not far from where last weeks operation took place. U.S. helicopters were launched from a base in northeastern Syria controlled by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, and made several refueling stops during the 800-mile nighttime mission across the country. American officials alerted Israel, Turkey and Russia, which has troops based in northwestern Syria, shortly before the mission was underway to avoid any accidental contact, the officials said. WASHINGTON More than a year after the 2020 election, Donald J. Trumps false claims of election fraud remain a destabilizing force for the Republican Party, dividing an activist base galvanized by a lie from elites in Washington who are hoping to hold the party together long enough to win back power in Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. The tension flared this week as Republicans were forced to either explain or denounce a party resolution characterizing the deadly events of Jan. 6 as legitimate political discourse. But the episode was a only a preview of the battles ahead, with a series of upcoming primary contests pitting candidates loyal to Mr. Trump against those who, to varying degrees, resist his distortions about the election. Those races, in Alaska, Georgia, North Carolina, Wyoming and elsewhere, promise to amplify calls for election audits, claims of fraud and a recasting of events surrounding the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. That debate will test the extent to which embracing Mr. Trumps falsehoods about the 2020 election and attempts to downplay the violence that followed has become a new litmus test for Republican voters. It still is a burning ember of passion for the base, said Matt Batzel, the national executive director of American Majority, an organization that trains conservative grass-roots activists. If those in Washington try to move on, there is going to be even a greater disconnect and greater frustration with their leadership, resulting in more tension and arguments within the party. SAN JUAN, P.R. In Puerto Rico, the base pay for public-school teachers is $1,750 a month a figure that has not increased in 13 years and has forced Jessica Colon Cartagena, a special-education teacher, to tutor students and run a catering business with her husband to make ends meet. They dont value us, she said. We dont mean anything to politicians. So on Wednesday, Ms. Colon, 40, did not go to work in her school in Cayey, a mountain town in central Puerto Rico. Instead, she went to San Juan, the capital, and joined thousands of other teachers, firefighters and labor union members demanding better pay for public workers as Puerto Rico tries to pull itself out of the huge bankruptcy that has strained daily life on the island. Frustrated by years of low wages and high utility rates, and now also by rising consumer prices and housing costs, government employees led by teachers have pressured Gov. Pedro R. Pierluisi to find ways around the annual budget set by a federally appointed fiscal board that has overseen Puerto Ricos finances since 2016. We are here for wage justice, Ms. Colon said. We work very hard. Theres a bunch of teachers leaving. In pre-Covid times, the Red Cross would have flown in foreign specialists to help a remote island nation like Tonga recover from a natural disaster. But after a tsunami and volcanic eruption contaminated Tongas water supply last month, the government banned aid workers for fear of Covid coming to a place that had so far escaped community transmission of the virus. (It came anyway.) And because the Red Cross could not easily find a local sanitation specialist, its experts in Fiji had to offer technical support over a patchy telephone line. Its like trying to work under 20 meters of water, said, Katie Greenwood, one of those experts. You can do it, but itll take longer, itll be less effective and youll want to not do it that way if you can avoid it. In the Covid era, foreign governments and aid groups have been delivering what they say is a contactless response to natural disasters in the Pacific. Supplies are sent from abroad, local groups take charge, and foreign experts provide support over the phone or through Zoom meetings. The Paris police issued an order on Thursday banning the entry of a convoy of truckers and drivers heading from southern France to protest against the countrys vaccination pass program, part of a movement directly inspired by Canadas trucker-led protests. A first group of trucks and vehicles set out from southern France on Wednesday and was expected to be followed in the coming days and hours by dozens of other drivers departing from locations closer to Paris, all aiming to converge on the French capital by midday Friday. Although the scale of the protest is unclear at this stage, the main Facebook group behind the movement has attracted nearly 350,000 followers in just a few days. A statement from the Paris police said that the movements declared objective would be to block the Capital by obstructing the traffic in the streets of Paris to push their demands. Consequently, the statement said, such protests would be banned from Friday to Monday because of the risks to public order. A specific plan will be put in place by the police to prevent blockages of major roads, to issue tickets and arrest those who infringe on this protest ban, the statement said. Authorities in neighboring Belgium made a similar move on Thursday. The mayor of Brussels, the capital, banned a gathering that organizers were planning for Monday. Unlike last months anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protesters, the organizers of the convoy didnt seek a mandatory permit. The Canadian protests have also inspired copycat convoys in Australia and New Zealand, and one is being planned in the United States. Reports in the French press describe the Convoi de la Liberte the name is a direct translation of Canadas Freedom Convoy as having brought together a wide range of people, including anti-vaccine protesters, far-right and far-left activists, as well as people opposing vaccine passes, which are required for entry into public places. Photos posted on social media by protesters show people waving French flags or signs accusing the government of authoritarian rule. Emphasizing Britains immovable commitment to NATO, Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday pledged more military support for the alliance and said he thought that Russia had not yet decided whether to invade Ukraine, but warned that the most perilous moment of the crisis was fast approaching. This is probably the most dangerous moment, I would say, in the course of the next few days, in what is the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades, Mr. Johnson said at a news conference after a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels. From there he flew to Warsaw to discuss the confrontation with Polands president, Andrzej Duda and according to Mr. Johnsons office, they agreed on the need for sanctions in the event of a Russian invasion. The prime minister emphasized the need for NATO allies to speak with one voice against ongoing Russian hostility, Downing Street said in a statement after their meeting. The British government said on Thursday that it had put 1,000 more troops in a state of readiness to support NATO allies in the event of a humanitarian crisis caused by any Russian aggression. Officials also said they were finalizing a package of potential economic sanctions against Russia if it attacks Ukraine, in a bid to pressure President Vladimir V. Putin to defuse the crisis caused by Moscows buildup of what the United States says is 130,000 troops, many of them combat ready, near Ukraines borders. After days of intense diplomacy over the Ukraine crisis, the leaders of France, Germany and Poland said this week that their overriding goal was the preservation of peace in Europe, but warned Russia of dire consequences if it launched further incursions into Ukraine. We share one goal, Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, said on Tuesday in Berlin. Preserving peace in Europe with diplomacy and clear messages and the common readiness to act jointly. But, he made clear, peace could not come at any price. Speaking a day after meeting President Biden in Washington, Mr. Scholz continued: A further violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine is unacceptable and would lead to far-reaching consequences for Russia, politically, economically and surely strategically, too. It was one of the strongest statements yet on the crisis from Mr. Scholz, who took office only two months ago. Germany has faced American criticism for what has been perceived as a weak response to the huge Russian troop buildup at the Ukrainian border, and to Russias demands that NATO draw down forces in Eastern Europe. BRADFORD, England In England, public access to parts of the countryside is written into law, and public footpaths are often threaded through farmers fields. Successive lockdowns have had more people heading out into nature. Some stay on the paths, others not so much. On Tuesday, the government issued new guidance, advising farmers and land managers on how to help the public enjoy the countryside responsibly by making land more accessible. The new guidance urged, among other things, a policy of honesty: Do not use misleading signage, such as bull in field if it is not true (many a tourist will have fallen victim to this). It also encourages friendly language if you need to use signs to tell visitors what they can or cannot do. Ramblers, a national walking charity, welcomed the news. Working together, we can all help everyone, everywhere access and enjoy the countryside, the charity tweeted Tuesday. President Emmanuel Macron announced a major buildup of Frances huge nuclear power program on Thursday, pledging to construct up to 14 new-generation reactors and a fleet of smaller nuclear plants as the country seeks to slash planet-warming emissions and cut its reliance on foreign energy. The announcement represented an about-face for Mr. Macron, who had previously pledged to reduce Frances reliance on nuclear power but has pivoted to burnishing an image as a pronuclear president battling climate change as he faces a tough re-election bid in April. What our country needs is the rebirth of Frances nuclear industry, Mr. Macron said at a nuclear turbine factory in the industrial city of Belfort in eastern France as throngs of workers and political officials gathered around. The time has come for a nuclear renaissance, he added. Mr. Macrons move is seen as a pivotal moment in a growing debate over nuclear power in Europe. The divide has taken on new dimensions as leaders pledge to avert a climate catastrophe and grapple with an energy crisis that has sent prices for natural gas and electricity surging to record highs in part because nuclear energy production has fallen. Most European Union nations have established formal procedures to return property seized during the Holocaust. Latvia gave back most private properties that were claimed by owners or heirs, and in 2016 it returned to the Jewish community two synagogues, two schools and a hospital. But the country had so far not provided reimbursement for many communal buildings that were expropriated. Elie Valk managed to recover his grandparents house in Latvia, but buildings like the school where his grandfather taught Hebrew and religion, before the Nazis took him to a forest and shot him, were destroyed or lost. Mr. Valk, who is the chairman of the Association for Latvian and Estonian Jews in Israel and has campaigned for the legislation for years, said he was happy that part of the funds would be used to commemorate the Latvian Jews who died in the Holocaust. Its our memories and our roots, he said, but added that the funds would not be used to build new Jewish schools, because the Latvian Jewish population has shrunk to about 10,000 people. There is nobody for whom to recreate, he said. Inna Michelson, a Latvian Holocaust survivor, still remembers her synagogue in Riga, which the Nazis burned down. She recalls the medical equipment the Nazis confiscated from her grandfathers clinic, and her familys Schroeder grand piano that a soldier started playing as the Gestapo escorted her out of bed and arrested her. But after rebuilding her life in Israel, she said, she does not see why reimbursement for that, or any property, should be focused on the Jewish community in Latvia. I say it, gentlemen: I am a lawyer who broke the law, she declared in court. She received a disciplinary summons but maintained in subsequent appearances that she had done the right thing, asserting, Sometimes it is necessary to break the law to move forward and bring about a change in society. Ms. Chevalier was acquitted because she was considered to have suffered from moral, social and family constraints that she could not resist, the website of Frances justice ministry said. When the verdict was rendered, she was fined 500 francs and released, while activists chanted her name in the streets. Four others, including her mother, had been charged as accomplices and were absolved. The case, with its young protagonist and its high-profile lawyer, became a cause celebre and a catalyst in the feminist campaign to overturn the law. Among those who joined was Simone Veil, the French health minister and a survivor of Auschwitz, who endured an avalanche of personal attacks but kept pushing for change. And on Jan. 17, 1975, France enacted the Veil Law, decriminalizing abortion. This was two years after the U.S. Supreme Court had legalized abortion in the United States in Roe v. Wade. As in France, it had taken a pregnant woman, a Dallas waitress named Norma McCorvey, under the pseudonym Jane Roe, to challenge the law and achieve a major victory for women. Although Ms. Chevalier was proud of the effect her case had had, she loathed the publicity and shunned the notion of exploiting it for fame or profit. Its not my style to build on what has screwed me up, she said in a rare interview in 2019, with the French newspaper Liberation. Still, her story has been packaged and repackaged for public consumption in a radio series, a television movie and theatrical productions, including a play in 2019 at the Comedie-Francaise called Hors la Loi (Outlaw). A blue metal footbridge in front of the Bobigny court was dedicated in her name. As a practical matter, the first minister and deputy first minister have equal powers in overseeing the government an arrangement designed to force parties from opposing traditions to work together. But in the identity politics of Northern Ireland, symbolic details matter. Unionists complain that Sinn Fein vetoed their plans to plant a rose bush at Stormont last year to mark the centenary of the establishment of Northern Ireland. Nationalists point out that the unionists opposed legislation that would give the Irish language similar status to that of English, as Welsh has in Wales. Its about a sense of loss, said Monica McWilliams, an academic and former politician who was involved in the 1998 peace negotiations. The unionists say, If this is going to be good for the Irish economy, its going to be bad for us up north. On its face, the Northern Ireland Protocol would not seem to have the visceral power of issues like language. It is a technical arrangement that grew out of a deal between London and Brussels to avoid resurrecting a hard border between Ireland, an E.U. member state, and Northern Ireland, which left the European Union as part of the United Kingdom. To achieve this, it requires checks on goods flowing across the Irish Sea from mainland Britain to the North. Mr. Givans party enthusiastically supported Brexit, and when Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck the deal on the protocol, they grudgingly went along with it. But as the checks have begun to be enforced, unionists say they have imposed an onerous burden, with one widely quoted analysis estimating that Brexit adds 850 million pounds, or $1.15 billion, a year in costs. Other experts cast doubt on those figures and point out that Northern Ireland has bounced back more quickly from the pandemic than much of Britain. LONDON Prince Charles has been reinfected with the coronavirus, and met recently with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, raising questions about whether the 95-year-old monarch is at risk of contracting the virus. The queen is not showing symptoms of Covid-19, according to an official at Buckingham Palace, who said the queen was being monitored closely. The official did not say whether the queen had been tested for the virus, nor did he offer specific details about when Charles, who tested positive on Thursday, was last in contact with her. Charles was at Windsor Castle, where the queen is currently in residence, on Tuesday for an investiture ceremony, according to a palace official. Elizabeth received a dose of coronavirus vaccine in January 2021 at Windsor Castle, along with her husband, Prince Philip. The palace has not confirmed any subsequent vaccine doses. Charles has said that he is fully vaccinated and boosted. In recent weeks, the queen has begun appearing again in public after a difficult stretch last fall, when she canceled a number of public engagements because of what Buckingham Palace officials described as exhaustion. MOSCOW Thousands of Russian troops on Thursday began 10 days of exercises in Belarus, and Ukraine warned of upcoming Russian naval drills so extensive they would block shipping lanes, as the Kremlin continued to tighten its military vise on Ukraine. In Moscow, Russias top diplomat, Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov, gave a bleak assessment of the diplomatic efforts aimed at deterring a full-scale invasion. He dismissed his talks with his British counterpart as a conversation of a mute person with a deaf person, asserting again that the West was not seriously addressing Russias most pressing concerns. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia was slightly more conciliatory, telling reporters on Thursday that negotiations with the West were continuing over Russias demands to reshape the security architecture of Eastern Europe. He said Russia was preparing written responses in its back-and-forth with the United States and NATO, and added that he planned to speak by phone in the coming days with President Emmanuel Macron of France. But the intensifying Russian military activity north, east and south of Ukraine gave an ominous undertone to the diplomatic scramble. Satellite images collected on Wednesday and Thursday revealed new deployments of Russian military equipment and troops in Crimea, western Russia and Belarus. And in a country whose citizens have twice taken to the streets in the post-Soviet period and unceremoniously booted out governments seen as doing Moscows bidding, this is no idle threat. Analysts say that Mr. Zelensky would be taking extreme political risks even to entertain a peace deal, which is why he is so careful not to talk about possible avenues for negotiations. Macron wants to sacrifice Ukraines sovereignty to calm Russia down but doesnt understand that it will not work, said Oleksandr Ivanov, director of a group called Movement Against Capitulation, which plans a street protest in Kyiv on Saturday. Diplomats do not understand Ukraine, he said. Civil society here has a bigger influence on politics than actual political parties. For Mr. Zelensky, he added, the threat of war is actually only a threat, while signing compromises is guaranteed to bring protests. He will get no argument from Mr. Hudymenko, whose office walls are decorated with several axes and a crossbow, a reminder that his party provides paramilitary training for its members. He stressed that any protests against a potential settlement would be peaceful, but he left little doubt they would end with the ouster of Mr. Zelensky. Even mainstream Ukrainian political parties are opposed to making concessions to Russia, and have said they would call for protests if Mr. Zelensky should bend too far. All actions of Macron are done with his head facing April elections in France, said Volodymyr Ariev, a lawmaker with the European Solidarity party of Mr. Zelenskys predecessor, Petro O. Poroshenko. I understand, but we shouldnt follow French interests, or Macrons interests, he said. We should follow Ukraines interests. CAIRO Libya hurtled deeper into political chaos on Thursday when its Parliament voted to install a new interim government over the objections of the current prime minister. The oil-rich North African nation was already in political limbo after its failure to hold national elections on time in December. The elections were supposed to end more than a decade of instability, which has plagued Libya since an Arab Spring revolt in 2011 overthrew the longtime dictator, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. Well see a feud over who is the legal government, said Claudia Gazzini, a Libya analyst for the International Crisis Group, and were going to have institutional chaos for some time. Libyas Parliament declared that the current governments authority had expired after the planned elections collapsed without a new political road map. It voted unanimously for Fathi Bashagha, a former interior minister, to lead a new government. archived recording (justin trudeau) Were entering the third week of illegal blockades that have been disrupting the lives of too many Canadians. The federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to address the blockades and occupations. Invoking the Emergencies Act is never the first thing a government should do, nor even the second. The act is to be used sparingly and as a last resort. I know that everyone is tired of this pandemic. Were hearing your frustration with Covid and even with the temporary measures that we had to put forward to keep people safe. I know people are frustrated. I hear it. You have a right to express that frustration and even your anger with the government or government policies. Its something well always defend in this free and democratic country. But blockading streets and critical infrastructure and depriving your neighbors of their freedoms is a totally different thing. It has to stop. [music] michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. For nearly three weeks now archived recording We begin the program in Canada, where a stand-off between truckers and the countrys government over Covid restrictions shows no sign of ending. michael barbaro hundreds of truckers and their supporters have occupied Canadas capital city of Ottawa. archived recording The truckers are protesting Canadas mandate that requires them to be fully vaccinated against Covid or to quarantine. [HONKING] michael barbaro In an unprecedented act of protest that has shocked the countrys government, yesterday, for the first time in half a century, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared a national emergency, granting him enormous powers to intervene. Today: I spoke with my colleague, Toronto bureau chief Catherine Porter, about a surprisingly American-seeming scene unfolding in Canada. Its Wednesday, February 16. Good morning, Catherine. catherine porter Good morning, Michael. Nice to see you. michael barbaro Catherine, you look surprisingly rested and fresh for someone who has been out covering protests for a week. catherine porter Im not rested, but I am fresh. And Im excited to talk to you. michael barbaro Me, too. So Catherine, lets talk about how we got to this point, where the prime minister of Canada is now invoking emergency powers to end this standoff with protesters in the countrys capital. catherine porter Well, this started about a month ago. There was a new law put in place that required truckers who cross the border into the United States to be vaccinated in order to come back across the border. Before then, that rule had not been something they had faced. And this was going to, for some of them who had not been vaccinated, threaten their livelihood. michael barbaro Mm-hmm. So this all begins with whats seen as an overly restrictive policy requiring that truckers get a vaccine. catherine porter In order to cross the international border and come back into Canada, yeah. Overly restrictive well, some of these truckers obviously felt so. But I think the reaction in a lot of Canada was kind of a shrug because Canadas reaction to the pandemic, particularly as opposed to Americans reaction, was to follow science, to lock everything down and to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. Were now 85 percent of the population, five and up has been double vaxxed. Were one of the most vaccinated countries in the West. Were also one of the strictest countries when it comes to restrictions. It was only recently that Canada, or at least the part that Im talking to you from, which is the biggest province here, allowed indoor dining again. And since the beginning of the pandemic, its only been a matter of months that theyve allowed indoor dining. Its almost entirely been either outside in Canada, imagine, or takeout. michael barbaro Its cold. catherine porter Its very cold most of the well, at least half of the year is very cold. And my kids, I have two kids, and they have spent the majority of the last two years on a screen learning. In fact, the local papers repeat here that kids in Ontario have spent the least amount of time in classes, in classrooms, in anywhere in North America. michael barbaro Wow, the whole continent. catherine porter Exactly. So the countrys been under an extreme lockdown. But at the same time, you really havent seen that pushback youve seen in the United States. Polling has shown that consistently, people support these type of strict public health measures to limit the spread of the virus. If anything, people here tend to criticize the government for not doing enough, not for what theyre doing, but what theyre not doing. And so its been a story of a largely compliant country where the national sentiment has been, lets take care of one another, and thats something were all going to do. Were in this together. michael barbaro So youre saying ahead of this protest, not only were Canadians quite used to these kinds of policies and restrictions, they had been quite accepting of them. catherine porter Yeah, definitely. In Canada, the pandemic has not been politicized like its in the States. Its not something thats pitted the political left versus the political right. Now even in the more conservative parts of the country with conservative local governments, even there, they have mostly followed the science, followed public health experts and put down fairly stringent rules. And in cases where politicians have broken the rules, like, for instance, gone on vacation over Christmas when there was a lockdown in place, the repercussions from the electorate have been severe, and theyve lost cabinet positions over it. michael barbaro Mm-hmm, so we should not understand this to be a story of more conservative working class Canadians opposing this mandate on political grounds. catherine porter Well, we could look at it through that lens now, but before this, I dont think that was the case at all. And I want to be clear. Around 90% of truckers in Canada are vaccinated, according to the Canadian Truckers Alliance. So this is a small percentage of them. But for that group, they say that their livelihood is at stake. And they wanted to bring their beef to the capital and let it be known. archived recording [HONKING] catherine porter So in January, a group of truckers and other organizers began what they call the Freedom Convoy, driving across the country, starting in the very far west, towards the capital of Ottawa. Along the way, they get bigger and bigger. And interestingly, Im talking to you right now from Toronto, which is the biggest city in Canada. archived recording [HONKING] catherine porter And people were lining the bridges, like they normally do when the bodies of soldiers come back. People line the bridges to wave flags at the convoy of hearses, historically. But people were lining the bridges with Canadian flags, mostly, with Canada flags, cheering them on. speaker I believe in vaccinations. Im not an anti-vaxxer, but enough is enough. Our kids, my son, hes seven. And all he talks about is he wants his childhood back. Hes sick of wearing a mask at school. He cries to go to school. But he loves school. So I want my Canada back. I want freedom. catherine porter These werent huge crowds of people, but there were crowds of people. So there was evidence along the way that they had tapped into something. It wasnt just about the truckers. It wasnt just about their jobs. They had tapped into an undercurrent in Canada, a frustration. michael barbaro So what happens, Catherine, when this Freedom Convoy arrives in the capital in Ottawa? catherine porter So first, you need to know Ottawa is this sleepy capital of Canada. Its a generally small city full of bureaucrats and politicians, who fly in for business. One thing that its used to, though, is protests. Theres lots of protests, just like in Washington. So the fact that these guys come in doesnt take anyone by surprise. They roar into the city, and they end up on the street, really in the political heart of the country, right in front of the legislature, beside the prime ministers office, all of the elected representatives offices, the Supreme Court. And they line up their trucks along the street and onto many of the side streets, and they begin to protest. What I think surprised people was that I do know from local politicians that they had been briefed by the police, and they thought, OK, these guys are going to come. Theyre going to make a lot of noise. Its going to be a typical boisterous protest. Theyll be here for a day or two, probably for the weekend. And come Monday, they will roar out of town the same way that they roared in, having made their point. And what happened on Monday? They stayed, and they kept honking. protestors Woo! Woo! michael barbaro And they are allowed to stay for some reason. catherine porter Yeah, I mean, I think a big debate went on, is still continuing to go on as to why the police did not try and move them. But I think the biggest innovation of this protest, the thing that took everyone by surprise is, you can move a bunch of protesters who are on foot, but moving a 30,000 pound tractor trailer takes something quite different. So these guys had moved in with these brilliant protest machines because theyre super heavy. Theyre really hard to move. I talked to tow truck operators who told me that it takes an hour just to hook one of these things up, let alone move it. They come with really big noise-making machines that are meant to tell the moose and whatever else is on the highway to get out of the way. So they had these huge protest sound machines built in. They have beds and heaters. I mean, its like very cold in Ottawa. Its one of the coldest capitals in the world. And they come equipped with heaters, too. So you can stay for as long as you want in one of these trucks. So were they allowed to stay? I think theres obviously going to be a post-mortem. The police will say that they kept telling them to leave, but they couldnt and did not make them leave. michael barbaro So Catherine, how does this progress, as these truckers really start to dig in? catherine porter Well, pretty quickly, there are a lot of questions of whats really going on here. Whats behind this? Ottawa residents were complaining about feeling terrorized by some of the protesters, that theyre being followed, being chased. Theres an attempted arson that they believe was by a protester. And theres this really threatening aspect that they, at least, feel to this. And then there are some signs of a more extremist alt right presence that people are wondering, like, where did this come from? There were these reports of a number of flags from alt-right groups like the Sons of Odin, but also flags with Nazi symbols like the swastika on them, and Confederate flags and this old Canadian flag from the time before our countrys immigration policy had opened up beyond Europe, Australia and New Zealand in other words, largely white countries. And lots of the local reporting in Canada also started to reveal that many of the people who were declaring themselves the leaders of this protest were not actually truckers. In fact, very few were. Some were police officers. Some were army veterans. Some had direct ties to far-right groups. And they appeared to be helping to organize and to fundraise. michael barbaro And fundraise you mean for this protest on behalf of the truckers in Ottawa? catherine porter Yeah, to fundraise for their protest and keep it going as long as possible. And so I was like, what is this? Whats happening here? Whatever it is, its not something I have seen in Canada before. So I packed my bags, and I headed to the airport to get to Ottawa as quickly as I could to make sense of it. michael barbaro Well be right back. OK, Catherine, what do you find once you get to Ottawa? catherine porter I find a scene that is like nothing like Ive ever seen in a Canadian city before. catherine porter Its 11:15 on a Saturday night. Its very cold. Its well below freezing. Two bonfires burning and people around me dancing to drums. The city has become one giant party. And the feeling really is catherine porter The main street that runs through the power corridor of the country has been converted into this huge tailgate party filled with trucks. [music - sister sledge, "we are family"] catherine porter The sense is just complete cognitive dissonance that you cant believe youre standing in front of the countrys legislature. catherine porter And so theres this real sort of festival feeling of it. Theres also just the sense, I think, of people enjoying each others company. Weve all been in our homes for two years and not meeting strangers. So you see all these strangers hugging one another. I really felt it myself as a reporter. My job normally is to be out in the world and understanding whats going on, but Ive basically been stuck to my house, reporting from an office for the last two years. It was odd, but even reporting on the story just felt so good to be outside and among people. And that was really present in the atmosphere. But at the same time, there was some unexpected stuff that seemed unusual, or at least, un-Canadian to me. catherine porter Im amazed by the American flags. catherine porter There are people draped in Canadian flags and American flags and Dont Tread on Me flags and flags that tell Trudeau where to go. In fact, there are signs all over telling Trudeau in a very politically I would say, in Canadian, a very rude way where to go. And thats everywhere, all over these trucks, all over peoples signs, all over these flags. catherine porter Its pretty astounding how many of them there are, right? catherine porter There are signs all along these ornate fences that separate the street from the Parliament buildings. And theyre full of everything from, we love truckers to Covid red pill. Theres also a real sense of an alternate reality where you hear snatches of conversations about people being abducted by aliens, literally heard that conversation, to vaccines being used to track people by the government. speaker And then the QAnon Queen of Canadas convoy is just up here on the left. catherine porter And finally, there was this more menacing strain that Id heard about. I personally didnt see any Nazi flags or anything that overtly hateful. But in addition to those signs that were telling Trudeau where he should go, there was more threatening stuff, like pictures of him with a noose, pictures of him behind bars. So alongside the street party atmosphere, there was definitely a menacing element, too, which, like I said, Ive never seen before. michael barbaro And which certainly evokes images of what we have seen here in the United States as of late. catherine porter Right. michael barbaro So its a more complicated scene perhaps than the one you had heard about before arriving. catherine porter Yeah, and that became even more apparent as I started to talk to people. In the end, I ended up peeling off the main street, which is called Wellington, and going down the street called Kent, which surprised me because it was jammed with trucks four across for blocks going down. And there was a real encampment feeling. catherine porter Im inside one of the camps. Theres one, two, three, four tables of people eating. And theres a grill inside and lots of tables with donations. Its an impressive, fairly large building with heaters, portable heaters, three of them. catherine porter I saw one truck that had a little post box set up outside. And there were fires burning, cords of wood, and huge numbers of supplies you could see on the back of trucks, from tampons to blankets to sleeping bags and toilet paper that had all been donated. And so I went looking to talk to people there. And I met someone who presented himself as an organizer of that street, and his name was Chris. catherine porter Tell me, where are you from? chris Im from just northwest of Toronto. catherine porter OK, and are you a trucker yourself? chris Im a heavy tow trucker. catherine porter So Chris is a heavy duty tow truck operator. He tows the trucks, like these type of trucks himself. chris Ive been here since late the 28th. catherine porter So since the beginning, more or less. chris Yep. catherine porter OK. And what brought you here? chris Im here to fight for everybodys freedom. And as Canadian citizens, we have the right to our own medical choices. catherine porter And he was there because, A: He hadnt been vaccinated. He didnt believe in the vaccine. catherine porter So you dont trust them? chris Well, you know what? A good theory in life to have is trust nobody, right? Believe nothing what you hear and only half of what you see with your own eyes, right? catherine porter But he also really felt that he wanted the freedom to make his own choice. And he also talked about how he and many people said this to me believed that Trudeau should be chris We just want the courts to deal with him for all the crimes against humanity hes caused upon people. catherine porter tried and locked up for crimes against humanity for, basically, they believe, forcing people to take a vaccine. chris Its a war crime. They need to be catherine porter Except for youre breaking the law. I mean, there is an irony of you saying its a war crime chris Were not breaking the law. catherine porter Well, youre chris Were here to peaceful catherine porter Theres a bylaw. Youre parked in the middle of the street, which you cant do. Its a bylaw. You cant park in the middle of the street. chris As Canadian citizens, we have the right to protest in whatever means necessary to protest. And we must protest peacefully. So as long as we are protesting peacefully, then there is no problem. michael barbaro How do you square the things that someone like Chris is telling you with what you described as the sentiment of the vast majority of the country, which is to accept all this, not to view it in political terms, not to think of this as a question of freedom versus tyranny? Hes using very different language than it sounds like most Canadians are when it comes to this pandemic. catherine porter Yeah, the language of all of it really struck me, because Canada is a country that our founding motto is peace, order and good government. I mean, you really cant get much more rule following than that, right? And yet, here on the streets of Ottawa protestor Freedom! catherine porter the biggest thing you heard over and over again was freedom. And it came out of the mouths of truckers, the mouths of protesters, but also it was echoing up and down the street protestors When do we want it? Now! Now! catherine porter as a call and response, a way of people greeting one another. They would walk up and down the streets, shouting, freedom, and responding to one another freedom! catherine porter So this is a new thing that people are just generally screaming freedom. catherine porter And freedom is, I think, really stitched into the American D.N.A., but its not necessarily something you hear in Canada the same way. Clearly, we have freedoms that are protected in our charter, too. But its not necessarily a call to arms in Canada, like it is in the States. So that struck me. michael barbaro Right. catherine porter And there were a lot of people like that. And then there were people who just seemed done with the entire pandemic. catherine porter Joseph Richard. joseph Yeah. catherine porter OK, I better actually write that down. catherine porter I met this guy named Joseph. catherine porter And how old are you, Joseph? joseph Im 24. Im actually a beekeeper. catherine porter Are you? catherine porter He was a beekeeper from the smallest province of Canada called Prince Edward Island. joseph We got here last Saturday. catherine porter And hed been there from the beginning. And he was eating a hamburger that a volunteer had just cooked for him on the street. catherine porter So why did you come? joseph I was just tired of all the restrictions, the mandates, seeing what theyre trying to do to kids in schools now, forcing them to wear masks in class. catherine porter And he said he was drawn not because the restrictions had really affected his life catherine porter Do you have kids or joseph I dont, but catherine porter but for other peoples lives. joseph Even them not being able to go to school or see their kids or have a proper graduation, theyre robbing a lot of aspects of their childhood. And that really bothers me enough that I felt I had to come out and do something. catherine porter And the thing thats made me stop to talk to him is that I heard him meeting some other people, and he repeated something. And he said, were all a family here. catherine porter When you said were all a family, can you talk to me a bit about that? joseph Oh, 100%. You just walk up and down the streets, Im sure you felt it for yourself. Everybody welcomes you in. And it just feels like a big family. And we are. Were all Canadian here. Were all brothers and sisters. catherine porter So obviously, this is a really different subset of people who had also shown up in Ottawa and very different from the earlier reports of a really scary and threatening crowd. joseph Were just trying to spread love and peace. catherine porter And actually, Joseph talked about that. This feeling that the picture painted of them was just wrong. joseph I have seen it for myself. Theyre saying that were violent and racist and white supremacist and terrorists and a lot of demoralizing things. But thats not it at all. And I can see how some residents, if they were johnny rowe Welcome to Ottawa. Youve come to the right place. catherine porter And I also met this guy, Johnny Rowe. Well, actually, I heard Johnny first. I was in my room working on a story. And I heard his voice echoing below the hotel. johnny rowe Welcome to Ottawa. Stay as long as you want. catherine porter He was saying, welcome to Ottawa. Youre in the right place. Welcome to Ottawa. And because I had heard so much that seemed unfamiliar to me as a Canadian, this was like such a quintessentially Canadian thing to do, to welcome people to the city. I literally got my snow pants on, got my boots, tied my massive mask and my thick gloves, and went running down to the street to talk to him. catherine porter But the welcome to Ottawa, thank you for coming, is incredibly Canadian! So I wanted to ask you, just like I was like, I have to talk to this guy, find out what is he doing. johnny rowe Ive done many, many, many things. The last 10 years, Ive been running a yoga school. catherine porter Oh, yeah? What kind of yoga? johnny rowe Bikram yoga. catherine porter I do Bikram. catherine porter He owns a yoga studio. And the moment I asked him what he was doing there, he just got tears in his eyes and was all choked up. johnny rowe Im trying to help. Every single one of these people has been catastrophically hurt. Theyve lost a loved one or their business or their job or their house. Every one of them has had a catastrophic loss. And theyre suffering. catherine porter He said he needed to be there spreading love with people hurting so badly, and that included him. You can imagine Bikram yoga has not fared that well during the pandemic, right? Its yoga in a sauna. And he had lost his business. johnny rowe I lost $10,000. All my students are suffering. Were having suicides. I bought a half a million dollar building for my studio, and Im gonna lose it. I lost my house. I lost my business. I lost half of my savings. This is the first chance Ive had in a long time to act like a real man, to come out and help people. Theres nothing to do but to give them love. catherine porter This was a man who was in a whole lot of pain and was also clearly finding some catharsis in being here with other people, who he understood had also been through a lot. johnny rowe Theres a very good vibration. People are happy. Theyre proud. Theyre proud to be Canadian. Theyre proud to be out there. Theyre not angry. Theyre hurt, and theyre suffering. But thats not how theyre feeling while theyre here. Theres some Trudeau stuff, but most people are feeling good for the first time because theyre like, oh, my God, there are people catherine porter So there was some real healing going on there, too. johnny rowe I feel great. I feel so connected and re-energized speaker Freedom! johnny rowe and connecting to the humanity. Its real humans, right? These people [music] michael barbaro Its fascinating, Catherine. We started by talking about how different the U.S. and Canada have been in their responses to this pandemic, how non-political its been in Canada, and how kind of shocking its been to see these more alt-right elements suddenly showing up. But listening to you talk and describe the people you met, theres another aspect of this that also feels familiar to the U.S. that this isnt just the story of the alt-right. Youre talking about a truck driver, a beekeeper, a yoga studio owner. And what weve seen in the U.S. is that the pandemic has helped to create a sort of new group, a group that doesnt really fit neatly into political categories that were used to thinking about. A group where people on the right and people on the left are kind of coming together to form something new, something thats united by their sense that something is wrong with how this pandemic is being handled and with the governments role in their lives. catherine porter Yeah, I think youve hit on something for sure, Michael. It struck me, too, that while some of the people at the protests had strong, conservative libertarian views, there were others who normally might be considered pretty lefty. And while they might appear very different in so many ways, the thing that united them that I saw was a real distrust of government, a real distrust of institutions and science, a sense also that they were being lied to and a frustration of where the countrys at. And thats real. Thats something that started with the truckers, but clearly tapped into something in this country. It formed a crack in the ice in some way. And weve seen all this frustration and tension just come pouring out, frustration and tension that maybe people didnt even fully realize they were feeling and that we might not recognize as Canadian, but maybe its been there all along. And it just hasnt aligned with our own narrative of ourselves. But whats also true and what were still working to understand and report out is that there appear to be groups who want to take advantage of all that frustration in the same way that weve seen in the United States. And the questions are like, are these more organized, more threatening elements looking to take that frustration thats been unleashed here and turn it into something else, something bigger? Is this the start of something new, like a new political movement? Or is it just kind of an outburst, something that will settle back down once the protesters have left the streets or been pushed off the streets, and Canada will settle back into a version of itself that feels more familiar to us? We just dont know yet. [music] michael barbaro Well, Catherine, thank you very much. We appreciate it. catherine porter Thanks, Michael. michael barbaro Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had decided to pull back some troops from the border with Ukraine in a potential sign that he could be stepping away from the threat of an invasion. But archived recording We have not yet verified the Russian military units are returning to their home bases. michael barbaro the United States and its allies cautioned against taking Putin at his word. Speaking from the White House, President Biden said that Russia still has about 150,000 troops surrounding Ukraine. archived recording An invasion remains distinctly possible. michael barbaro Case: 13-422 Document: 229 Page: 83 06/23/2014 1254659 97 a further reason for skepticism about an approach that would categorically deny that an operation is part of an armed conflict absent a specified level and intensity of hostilities in the particular location where it occurs. For present purposes, in applying the more context-specific approach to determining whether an operation would take place within the scope of a particular armed conflict, it is sufficient that the facts as they have been represented to us here, in combination, support the judgment that DoD's operation in Yemen would be conducted as part of the non-international armed conflict between the United States and al-Qaida. Specifically, DoD proposes to target a leader of AQAP, an organized enemy forces that is either a component of al-Qaida or that is a co-belligerent of that central party to the conflict and engaged in hostilities against the United States as part of the same comprehensive girmed conflict, in league with the principal enemy. See supra at 9-10 & n.5. Moreover, DoD would conduct the operation in Yemen, where, according to the facts related to us, AQAP has a significant and organized presence, and from which AQAP is conducting terrorist training in an organized manner and has executed and is planning to execute attacks against the United States. Finally, the targeted individual himself, on behalf of that force, is continuously planning attaci from that Yemeni base of operations against the United States, as the conflict with al-Qaida continues. See supra at 7-9. Taken together, these facts support the conclusion that the DoD operation would be part of the non-international armed conflict the Court recognized in Hamdan. 36 38 CJ. Prosecutor v. Haradnizaj, No IT-04-84-T 60 (ICTY Trial Chamber 1, 2008) (an armed conflict can exist only between parties that are sufficiently organized to confront each other with military means a condition that can be evaluated with respect to non-state groups by assessing "several indicative factors, none of which are, in themselves, essential to establish whether the 'organization criterion is fulfilled," including, among other things, the existence of a command structure, and disciplinary rules and mechanisms within the group, the ability of the group to gain access to weapons, other military equipment, recruits and military training, and its ability to plan, coordinate, and carry out military operations). 36 1 We note that the Department of Defense, which has a policy of compliance with the law of war "during all armed conflicts, however such conflicts are characterized, and in all other military operations," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Instruction 5810.01D, Implementation of the DoD Law of War Program 14.2, at 1 (Apr. 30, 2010) (emphasis added), has periodically used force-albeit in contexts different from a conflict such as this-in situations removed from "active battlefields," in response to imminent threats. See, e.g., Nat'l Comm'n on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, The 9/11 Commission Report 116-17 (2004) (describing 1998 cruise missile attack on al-Qaida encampments in Afghanistan following al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa); W. Hays Parks, Memorandum of Law: Executive Order 12333 and Assassination, Army Lawyer, at 7 (Dep't of Army Pamphlet 27-50-204) (Dec. 1989) ("Assassination") at 7 n.8 (noting examples of uses of military force in "[s]elf defense against a continuing threat," including "the U.S. Navy air strike against Syrian military objections in Lebanon on 4 December 1983, following Syrian attacks on U.S. Navy F-14 TARPS flights supporting the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut the preceding day," and "air strikes against terrorist-related targets in Libya on the evening of 15 April 1986'); see also id at 7 (A national decision to employ military force in self defense against a legitimate terrorist or related threat would not be unlike the employment of force in response to a threat by conventional forces; only the nature of the threat has changed, rather than the international legal right of self defense. The terrorist organizations envisaged as appropriate to necessitate or warrant an armed response by U.S. forces are well-financed, highly-organized paramilitary structures engaged in the illegal use of force."); Advisory Opinion of 8 July 1996 on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons f 42, 1996 1.C.J. 226, 245 ("Nuclear Weapons Advisory Opinion) (fundamental law-of-war norms are applicable even where military force might be employed outside the context of an armed conflict, such as when using powerful weapons in an act of national self-defense); cf. also 9/11 Commission Report at'116-17 (noting the Clinton Administration positionwith respect to a presidential memorandum authorizing CIA assistance to an operation that could result in the killing of Usama Bin Ladin "if the CIA and the tribals judged that capture was not feasible-that "under the law of armed 27 Registered User Benefits - It costs you nothing! - Create your own user profile - Comment on articles - Submit calendar events - Submit news tips - Save your favorite articles - Follow your favorite authors - Submit classified ads Register today to take advantage of these benefits and more! Register Now! Dan Edelman Dan Edelmans firm has come a long way since going to work in 1952 for its first client, Toni Home Permanent Co., as it is poised to be the first PR firm to crack the $1B annual revenues mark under the leadership of his son, Richard. In 1948, Dan became the first PR director of THPC, came up with the idea of the Toni Twins (e.g. guess which twin useas the Toni and who went to the hairdresser) and invented the idea of the media tour as he shepherded various sets of twins across the country. He struck a PR gusher in Tulsa, where the twins were arrested for practicing cosmetology without a license. Dan bailed them out of jail and flew them to New York for an appearance on the Today show. The rest is history. Richard Edelman recorded a robust 17.2 percent rise in revenues to $984.9M for 2021. The US was up 15.5 percent to $613.2M, while the EMEA region rose 23.1 percent to $209.2M. Edelman had come close to the $1B mark in 2017, chalking up revenues of $893.6M. Its performance slipped 0.6 percent in 2018 to $888.4M and the firm clawed out a 0.4 percent gain to $892M in 2019. COVID-19 took a toll on the No. 1 independent firms 2020 revenues as they fell 5.8 percent to $840M. The shop entered 2022 with a full head of steam, adding major wins such as Avis Budget Group in the US, FedEx in Latin America, Tinder in EMEA and MediaTek in APAC. Edelman also refortified its ranks, adding more than 800 staffers in 2021. The firm had cut nearly 500 people during 2020 as its year-end employment level stood at 5,143 vs. 5,616 in 2019. It took Edelman 70 years to crack the $1B mark. My hunch is that it may take a decade or so to break the $2B mark. Tone-deaf to PR. In his Feb. 8 note that announced the firing of about 2,800 employees, Peloton co-founder John Foley thought it was appropriate to give a special shout out to his wife. He wrote: Jill Foley will be transitioning from her role as VP of Apparel in the coming months. Jill has been with Peloton since its inception. She founded and built our incredible Apparel business from the ground up. We are all very proud and grateful to Jill and the team that has helped her develop that sector of our business into what it is today. Blackwells Capital, the activist fund pushing the sale of Peloton, has questioned whether Jill Foley is the right person to run the apparel business or just the person closest to Mr. Foley. There is no word on whether Jill will be receiving a one-year free subscription to Peloton after she exits like other former employees. Remember Hong Kong? As China basks in the coverage of the Beijing Olympics, the Media Freedom Coalition released a statement on Feb. 8 expressing its deep concern over the near elimination of the free press in Hong Kong. That statement follows the raid on the offices of Stand News, arrests of its staff and the self-shutdown of Citizen News because it was worried about the safety of its workers. The MFC mourned the near-complete disappearance of local independent media outlets in Hong Kong since the passing of the National Security Law in June 2020. It said global confidence in Hong Kongs reputation has been undermined by the suppression of human rights, freedom of speech and free flow and exchange of opinions and information. The statement was signed by the governments of the US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, Finland, Austria and Czech Republic. Shayne Wells BerlinRosen has hired Shayne Wells, who was a communications director in Washington Mayor Muriel Bowsers Administration, to head its PA, land use and real estate work in the DC area. Wells headed communications for economic and business development priorities for the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in Bowsers administration, serving as principal spokesperson. He also managed external communications related to Washington, D.C.s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wells has served in the DC government as press secretary for public schools, and traveling chief of staff to the mayor. Declan Kelly Declan Kelly, Teneo co-founder/CEO who resigned last May after he became inebriated at a Global Citizen event and engaged in inappropriate behavior, has reemerged. He has launched Consello, a Madison Avenue advisory focused on merchant banking, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. Since exiting Teneo, Kelly has advised Intel and a handful of clients, according to a report in the Financial Times. Ireland-born Kelly, 54, began his career as a reporter for Nenagh Guardian, Tipperary Star and Cork Examiner before moving into PR. He sold Gallagher and Kelly PR to then-Financial Dynamics for about $20M and became head of its US operations. FD was sold to FTI Consulting in 2006. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed Kelly economic envoy to Northern Ireland in 2009. He did a two-year stint in that post before launching Teneo with Doug Band, who was president of the Clinton Global Initiative in 2011. 09/02/2022 Today, Lesotho, Thailand and Viet Nam signed the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (the Convention or MLI), becoming the 97th, 98th and 99th jurisdiction to join the Convention, which now covers over 1800 bilateral tax treaties. L-R: H.E. Mrs. Barbara Masupha SENATE (Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Germany) and Mr. Yoshiki TAKEUCHI (Deputy Secretary-General, OECD) On 1 February 2022, over 880 treaties concluded among the 68 jurisdictions which have ratified, accepted or approved the Convention had already been modified by the Convention. An additional 940 treaties will be modified once the Convention will have been ratified by all Signatories. The Convention, negotiated by more than 100 countries and jurisdictions under a mandate from the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, is one of the most prominent results of the OECD/G20 BEPS Project. It is the worlds leading instrument for updating bilateral tax treaties and reducing opportunities for tax avoidance by multinational enterprises. Measures included in the Convention address treaty abuse, strategies to avoid the creation of a permanent establishment, and hybrid mismatch arrangements. The Convention also enhances the dispute resolution mechanism, especially through the addition of an optional provision on mandatory binding arbitration, which has been taken up by 33 jurisdictions. All published opinions of the Conference of the Parties to the MLI are available at https://oe.cd/opinions-MLI. The text of the Convention, the explanatory statement, background information, database, and positions of each signatory are available at http://oe.cd/mli. Journalists wishing to obtain further information are invited to contact Pascal Saint-Amans, Director of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (CTP) or the CTP Communications team. THE company planning a massive solar farm in north Offaly will be able to bypass the County Council when applying for permission to build an electricity substation and lay underground cables. An Bord Pleanala has ruled that a 110kV substation and connection for a 35MW solar farm at Clonin, Rhode, is strategic infrastructure. This means the developers Highfield Energy can fasttrack their application for consent by going directly to An Bord Pleanala. The substation will connect the solar panels to the national grid at the existing Derryiron 110kV substation. In 2017 Offaly County Council granted the company permission for the solar farm, which is proposed across more than 80 hectares of land leased from two local landowners about one kilometre from Rhode village. Irish company Highfield is a major player in the energy business and last year it linked up with German concern ib vogt and UK company Aura Power to secure financial backing for two other projects, one in Wexford and one in Meath, worth a total of 160m. Both those projects were successful in the Government's 2020 Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 1) auction. Highfield say the Rhode solar farm will be capable of powering over 8,000 homes. A leading Offaly company has been announced as a finalist in the sustainability category of The Irish Times Innovation Awards. Leading home heating solutions company Grant has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious competition. Operating at the forefront of the heating industry for over 40 years, with their cutting edge sustainable and innovative product development, Grant is a trusted brand for homeowners throughout the country and has been nominated for their highly efficient HVO biofuel compatible Vortex condensing boiler range. Looking to the future and supporting the Climate Action Plan for over 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, Grant demonstrated its commitment to innovation and sustainability by embarking on an R&D project, representing an investment of over 250,000, to help existing rural and hard to heat homes reduce carbon emissions and help prevent homeowners from incurring the high cost and subsequent disruption to daily life of deep retrofitting. Founder, Stephen Grant said: We are delighted to be recognised for our innovation. Our breakthrough in the research and development of HVO-ready condensing boilers means that we have largely transformed to a renewable heating company with our portfolio including ranges of biofuel ready condensing boilers, condensing pellet boilers, solar thermal panels, underfloor heating, hot water cylinders, aluminium radiators, and air to water air source heat pumps. As a company we remain committed to helping homeowners throughout Ireland reduce their carbon footprint and future-proof their homes. Stephen continues, The HVO biofuel compatible Grant Vortex range of condensing boilers has the ability to help decarbonise over 1 million liquid fuelled homes in Ireland, in particular, those off grid with poor thermal efficiency. Utilising HVO for heating will also help Ireland to significantly decarbonise existing residential homes, at a cost of approximately 500 per existing oil boiler installation when matching and changing to a new biofuel burner and substantially less if the boiler is already biofuel ready. The Irish Times Innovation Awards aim to recognise and promote the best service, product, or operational innovations throughout the island. The finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges to secure a place at the final and a chance to win the overall Innovation of the Year award as well as a unique and high profile communications and advertising package worth 100,000. Category Winners will receive a 10,000 communications package in Business+Innovation and a one year premium digital subscription to The Irish Times. Grant will be competing against two other finalists in their category. The winners of the competition will be announced at an awards ceremony in Dublin on March 9, 2021. A man who said he was using his mobile phone for navigational purposes denied holding the device in his hand at Tullamore district court. In his evidence to the court Garda Michael Clancy, said he was parked on the side of the road on May 14, 2021, on the R420 Meelaghans when he saw the defendant Liam Galavan, 22, Hillbank, Bellingsfield, Naas, Kildare driving with a mobile device in his hand. He stopped the defendant who told him he was using the navigational system on the phone. Solicitor for Mr Galavan, Aisling Maloney said he was a delivery driver and had the device on his leg. Garda Clancy said if he wasnt holding it he wouldnt have stopped him. He demonstrated to Judge Staines how Mr Galavan was holding the mobile phone in front of him at chest level. Taking the witness stand Mr Galavan said the device was on his leg as the holder was broken and he wasnt holding it. Judge Staines asked him if he did not have a sat nav adding that it was very dangerous for him to be looking up and down. Mr Galavan said he was very familiar with the area. Judge Staines said she believed Garda Clancy and noted that Mr Galavan was using the phone as the holder was broken. She fined him 200 but fixed recognisances on his own bond of 100 if he wished to appeal the sentence. A young Offaly girl from has finally received an essential operation after waiting for 29 months. Seven-year-old Rosie Mortensen from Shinrone suffers from Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, which is a deteriorating condition. Her parents Jessie and Gareth say her condition deteriorated massively during the last two and a half years and she is confined to a wheelchair. Finally, Jessie had had enough and refused to take no for an answer. She took her daughter to Temple Street Children's Hospital and refused to leave until she got her operation. "Rosie and I went into Temple Street on Friday January 7," she told the Midland Tribune. "We were told in the Emergency Department that the surgeon wasn't there and we should go home, and make an appointment with him afterwards. I refused to leave. I told them I wasn't going anywhere until I could speak to the surgeon in person." The hospital relented and allowed mother and daughter to stay the night in Temple Street. The next day they met their surgeon in person, who was sympathetic and agreed that Rosie should be treated immediately. "He booked us in for an operation the following Monday," Jessie continued. "We prepared for that. Rosie fasted for 13 hours. She was in her gown and her legs were marked. And then the operation was postponed at the last minute. It was postponed to the following Friday. It was postponed again when Friday came around. Finally, on Monday January 24th Rosie got her operation." Mother and daughter had lived permanently in the hospital since January 7 until the operation was over and they could go home. The operation went successfully. It means that Rosie's quality of life will be improved. She will however remain wheelchair bound. She will attend Birr Nursing Unit regularly for physio treatment. Rosie is a popular pupil in Shinrone National School and she loves playing with her brother Charlie, who is 11 years of age. Her mother says Rosie loves baking and has a smile that would light up any room. Jessie and Rosie first met with a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon in early 2019. We met again with him in September 2019 and he told us that he hoped to carry out the surgery on Rosie in December 2019; but nothing came of that." She received a date for October 4th last but this was cancelled. The reasons given for cancellations were bed shortages because of the RSV virus and staff shortages because of Covid. Jessie and Gareth came together with other parents to form a group of parents of children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. The group wrote a letter to the Minister for Health asking him to make some changes for our children. The group has the names and details of 56 children who are waiting for orthopaedic operations. The group has also been heavily publicising its cause in local and national media. The Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon Connor Green, who was Rosie's surgeon, spoke about what the government could do to ensure timely access to care. He said the process could be sped up by transferring children for elective surgery to Cappagh Hospital in Dublin. Rosie's condition was of a minor nature when it began three years ago, but it became more and more serious until both her hips came out of place and, because of Scoliosis, her spine became curved. In early 2019 her mother noticed some tightness in Rosie's legs following on from multiple fractures of her femurs. Rosie was born with Spina bifida and it's likely that she will always be a full time wheelchair user. Jessie said the 29 month delay and the repeated cancellation of operations was "extremely upsetting for both Rosie, ourselves and our families." Jessie called on the government to provide an ironclad, rapid and achievable solution for the 56 children who need interventive surgery. Many of these children", she commented, are too complex and cannot travel abroad for treatment. They cannot wait for the new children's hospital to be built as they will deteriorate much quicker than children without their condition and they need a solution now." Rosie's surgeon Connor Green and Professor McCormack stood before an Oireachtas health committee on November 11th and Mr Green told them that these waiting list numbers have always been there since before Covid and before the cyber attacks. He later said in an interview that the solution to this problem was quite simple - they have found space in Cappagh hospital which will only be used for elective procedures. The problem with Temple Street is that they are both acute and elective so if an orthopaedic emergency comes in when an elective procedure is planned the acute case will obviously take priority. That wouldn't happen in Cappagh and Mr Green reckons that will increase the amount of paediatric surgeries by 400% and has costed it at about 5.1 million, which is, in the grand scheme of things, a drop in the ocean. Co-founder of the Scoliosis Advocacy Network Claire Cahill said children are going to school in pain, and called on the country's leaders to take action on the issue. These children are also living with emotional distress while the experience also puts huge pressure on a family. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the delays are not because of a lack of resources but are due to a systemic failure. An excellent website www.sbhpag.com outlines the issues and focusses on some of the children. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network which is owned by Comcast through NBCUniversal. The network is headquartered at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, with additional major offices near Los Angeles, and Chicago. Along with ABC and CBS, NBC is one of the traditional "Big Three" American television networks. NBC is sometimes referred to as the "Peacock Network", in reference to its stylized peacock logo, introduced in 1956 to promote the company's innovations in early color broadcasting; it became a part of the network's official emblem in 1979 before being modified to its current form in 1986. Robert Lane Saget was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and television host. Saget is known for playing Danny Tanner on the ABC sitcom Full House (19871995), and its Netflix sequel Fuller House (20162020). He was also the original host of America's Funniest Home Videos (19891997), and the voice of narrator Ted Mosby on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother (20052014). Lithuanias Foreign Minister says Australia will need to impose tough sanctions on Russia and send resources to Ukraine if there is an incursion, as it would have global consequences. Starting her first visit to the Middle East as Germany's top diplomat at the Yad Vashem site, Annalena Baerbock said it was "our responsibility to raise our voices against antisemitism." Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is flying to Moscow to meet her Russian counterpart to urge a diplomatic end to the huge build-up of troops around Ukraine. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Zee News 09 Feb 2022 More than 30 athletes at the Beijing Olympics are currently in isolation facilities after testing positive for the coronavirus. The joint exercises are not uncommon, but NATO has described the latest drills as Russia's biggest deployment to Belarus since the Cold War. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis talks continue. Thousands of opponents of France's vaccine pass have said on social media they intend to converge on Paris, inspired by truckers in Canada. The Canada-inspired rally of motorists will be banned in the French capital. Elsewhere, the Philippines has reopened its borders to foreign travelers. DW has the latest. Top diplomats and European leaders are holding talks across the continent with the Ukraine crisis at its "most dangerous moment," as the UK prime minister put it. Police and anti-vaccine protesters clashed on the grounds of New Zealand's parliament Thursday, with dozens arrested after.. Japan Today 09 Feb 2022 Newsy 23 Feb 2022 Watch VideoThe Pentagon has approved the deployment of 700 unarmed National Guard troops to the nations capital as it prepares.. The commissioner, Cressida Dick, announced her resignation under pressure from the mayor over reports of bullying, misogyny and racism on the force. Rumble 11 Mar 2022 In this video we looks at the main events from February 24th and 25th that started the Ukraine Russia War. We first start by.. One thousand British troops are being put on standby in case of a humanitarian crisis in eastern Europe if the current Russian military build-up leads to war, Downing Street has announced. Boris Johnson could face more than 10,000 in fines if police rule that multiple events in Downing Street breached coronavirus restrictions, a lawyer has estimated. Sky News 10 Feb 2022 London to Brussels to Warsaw and back again all in one day; it was a day of whistle-stop diplomacy as Boris Johnson, flanked by.. Daily Record 20 Feb 2022 The Queen, who has today tested positive for Covid-19, receives covert visits from her second eldest son to discuss his 12m.. Pig farmers are in a desperate position with culls of thousands of healthy animals and producers quitting the industry, they warned as a summit was held on the crisis. White House press secretary Jen Psaki is repeating warnings to Americans in Ukraine that they should leave the country. Psaki said the State Department had assessed that about 6,600 Americans were in the country in October. (Feb. 9) Newsy 17 Feb 2022 Watch VideoNATO allies accused Russia of misleading the world and disseminating "disinformation" by saying it was returning some.. Mashable 25 Feb 2022 If you can believe it, Tumblr turned 15 this month. The microblogging site that launched a thousand ships was created by software.. The South African GP who first raised the alarm about Omicron says she was pressured by governments "not to publicly state that it was a mild illness".Dr Angelique Coetzee told Germany's Die Welt newspaper this week that European... Other residents of Yellow Springs, Ohio, also complained, and the town decided to pull the affordable housing component of the development. #davechappelle #yellowsprings Hopes are rising that efforts to stop Russia from invading Ukraine may be starting to pay off, as the diplomatic push picks up. A full invasion of Ukraine would not be a "simple walk in the park" for Russia because Ukrainian troops would fight for every metre of land until their last breath, the commander of all ground forces has warned. Amid rising tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine, NATO member Denmark said it was ready to allow US military troops on its soil as part of a new bilateral defence agreement with the US. "The buildup of troops along the borders is psychological pressure from our neighbors," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Belarus is a possible route for Russian troops to invade Ukraine. Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: North America took a major leap of 44.1% from 9,656 deals in 2020 to 13,910 deals in 2021, the majority of which was driven by the US, said a study. The number of VC funding deals announced in the US also increased by 44.8% from 9,118 deals in 2020 to 13,204 deals in 2021, according to the report by . When looking at the number of VC deals globally, there was an increase of 39.1%, from 22,036 deals in 2020 to 30,653 deals in 2021. North America accounted for 45.4% of this volume in 2021, outpacing all the other regions by a significant margin. "North America continued to attract the highest number of VC investments while also registering robust growth during the year. This was primarily driven by the heightened deal activity in the US," the report said. Meanwhile, Global venture capital (VC) funding activity volume witnessed significant growth in 2021, with improvement also witnessed across all of the regions. North America is followed by Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa and South and Central America, which accounted for 30%, 18.6%, 3.9% and 2.2% of VC funding deal volume in 2021, respectively. Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, said: "Traditionally, the North America region has been dominating the global VC funding landscape with the majority of this activity coming from the US, the region's key market. VC investors have showcased tremendous faith in the US in 2021 and the double-digit growth has...................... To view our full article Click here Andre Steyn B. G., Opalesque Geneva: An Africa equity-focused fund manager believes that it pays to bet on Africa's earnings growth. Steyn Capital Management, an African and frontier markets-focussed equities investor located in the Winelands surrounding Cape Town, South Africa, has been investing in African markets since 2009. It manages more than US$700m in a South African long/short fund, as well as pan-African and global frontier markets long-only funds. The Steyn Capital Africa Fund, a value-oriented long-only fund that invests in Africa (ex. SA) equities, returned 34% in 2021 and 90% since inception in September 2011. Almost all of the portfolio performance was driven by earnings growth that year. The Steyn Capital SNN QI Hedge Fund, a value-orientated long/short portfolio investing in South African equities that follows a bottom-up stock selection approach, returned 51% in 2021. It has annualised 17% since its May 2009 inception. CEO Andre Steyn tells Opalesque about opportunities in Africa, his outlook, and changes in investor sentiment. Opalesque: How did African equities fare in 2021? How has your portfolio developed? Andre Steyn: African equity markets had a respectable year in 2021, with the average of three pan-African indices that we track advancing by 11.3%. Our own Africa fund returned 34.17% for 2021, handily beating the indices. We observed a resumption of earnings growth from African businesses, with the weighted average operating earnings of the companies in our portfolio advancing by 29% during the year. This earnings increase drove almost all of our fund's performance during the period, meaning that our portfolio is still valued at only 5.4 times operating earnings, which is close to a decade-low valuation. Opalesque: What opportunities are you currently targeting? Andre Steyn: We are seeing most opportunity in consumer stocks, which have been out of favour but are obvious beneficiaries of Africa's youthful demographics and rapid urbanization, which we believe will result in strong demand growth for many years to come. We are also finding interesting investments in telecoms with continued growth in voice and data, as well as unrecognized mobile money franchises. Across Africa, a number of telecoms have been compelled by local regulators to list their businesses on a local exchange, sometimes leading to very interesting investment opportunities. Opalesque: What is your macro-economic outlook for the region? Andre Steyn: Higher resource and agriculture prices and a resumption of tourism will be a boon to most African markets we are active in over the coming year. Resources and agriculture form up to a quarter of GDP in Africa, a figure up to ten-fold higher than is most developed markets. The oil price is 80% higher than a year ago, copper is a quarter more expensive, cobalt and coffee have both almost doubled, and Tanzanian tourist arrivals are up 225% to pre-Covid levels. If these factors persist, and we think they will, we will see strong earnings growth in 2022 from many African companies. Opalesque: Have you observed any shift in investor sentiment towards Africa? What is your outlook? Andre Steyn: We have been surprised that African equities have remained so loathed given the strong earnings growth, as well as the obvious demographic tailwinds (you don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out that demographics is going to be a headwind for much of the world over the coming decades, while Africa stands out as a major beneficiary of an increase in working-age population). We believe the reason is once again to be found in competitors shutting down and selling down their portfolios indiscriminately. The 2020 year saw the exit of three African investment firms with a three-decade track record, while the 2021 year saw the exit of another two African investment firms with roots stretching back to the 1990s. One of these African managers shut down his firm to relaunch as an ESG manager of ETFs, which is the polar opposite of active investing in African equities. We would call that a contrarian indicator. Recently, we have seen some inbound interest into Africa from high-quality investors, many of whom are cognisant that the very strong performance from developed markets, especially the US, has made those markets expensive, reducing prospective returns. The table below illustrates that the S&P500's 322% return over the last decade has been driven more by multiple expansion, rather than earnings growth, while the reverse is true in Africa. We believe that this sets up African equities markets for strong prospective returns. *** The Steyn Capital Africa Fund's top five performance contributors for 2021 were Bralirwa, a Rwandan brewer, MTN Ghana, a telecommunications company, Guinness Nigeria, a brewer, Tanzania Portland Cement, and British American Tobacco Kenya. The top five performance detractors were WPP ScanGroup, an advertising business, Tanzania Breweries, Eastern Company, a tobacco manufacturing company, Nigerian Breweries, and Alexandria Pharmaceuticals. The fund made a new position in Nestle Ivory Coast and exited its position in Onatel, a mobile business. At the end of the year, the fund held 97% of its capital in 18 positions. The largest geographical equity exposures were Egypt (19%), Tanzania (18%), Nigeria (16%) and Rwanda (12%). The South Africa hedge fund held 101% of the capital in 34 long positions and -31% in 23 short positions, for a net market exposure of 70%. The portfolio has a beta adjusted market exposure of approximately 30%. Watch Opalesque.TV's VIRTUAL MANAGER VISIT video with Andre Steyn in Cape Town: https://www.opalesque.com/virtualmanagervisit/#previousManagervisits_6 Related article: 21.Jun.2021 The Big Picture: Why should investors allocate to Africa Past Big Picture articles: Customer feedback specialist Mopinion announces the results of its Digital Customer Experience Benchmark 2016 study, which suggests that most major European companies are still at the beginning stages of monitoring their customers digital channels experience. The study, which looks at digital channels such as websites and apps, found nearly half of responders feel they are doing well but in terms of customer follow-up and task allocation, there is still This is a Sunday of contrasts and questions, of stark challenges and choices. The prophecy of Jeremiah, using images drawn from landscape and botany, drives us into the desert then leads us to streams of living water. What do you want to be? the Prophet asks, a scraggy shrub struggling to survive in a salt-waste, or a wealful willow leafing and fruiting in well-watered soil? The answer is obvious: embrace the Lord, then! The poetry of Jeremiah leads us to the Galilean plain. The landscape image has not entirely disappeared. Our Gospel passage opens with the words, Jesus came down with them (the Twelve) and stood on a level place. He has just in fact spent all night in prayer on the mountain and then chosen his twelve apostles. Now, Moses-like, he returns to the throng. At this point in the Gospel of Luke, we find a body of teaching that enshrines the essential spiritual message of Jesus. Matthews version is called the Sermon on the Mount, while Lukes, the Sermon on the Plain. Both begin with the Beatitudes of which Lukes version is briefer. Challenges and choices: we may note at once the uncompromising contrast between the four blesseds and the four woes that follow them. Unlike Matthews Jesus, Lukes does not speak in the third person (blessed are they) but in the second (blessed are you). In effect, he is looking us in the eye and asking, Where do you stand? Poverty, hunger, sadness and ill-treatment: at face value, these are not desirable qualities; throughout history, people have rightly sought to escape them. Jesus is not inviting us to embrace a spiritual masochism. Instead, he is suggesting that when such experiences inevitably come, as they do in one way or another, they can somehow symbolize a stance before the mystery of existence. Maybe stance is a word too self-assured: lets say, rather, a genuflexion that recognizes the lacklustre and the limits and the longing of the human heart. Our hearts are restless till they rest in thee, writes Saint Augustine. What then are the kingdom of heaven, and satisfaction and laughter and bounding joy, all promised to the Blessed? They are images of the destiny of those followers of the Lord who gather around him on the Galilean plain, and who chose in simplicity and humility to embrace the challenge of the Beatitudes. From Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoasts they come, but they stand for people of all times and places: they stand for us. Others, however, are caught in the glamour of present, passing pleasures. Instead of simplicity and humility, they find their satisfaction in fortunes flighty favours, choosing in fact woe rather than weal. What do you want to be? Where do you stand? Which do you choose? Fr Edmund Power osb* As he continued his series of catecheses on Saint Joseph at the General Audience on Wednesday morning, 9 February, Pope Francis focused on the theme of dying, highlighting Christians special devotion to the saint, as the patron of a happy death. He condemned the practice of limiting elderly peoples access to some medication, driving them to an earlier death, and underlined that they should be respected, cared for and accompanied. The following is a translation of the Holy Fathers words which he shared in Italian with the faithful gathered in the Paul vi Hall. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning! In last weeks catechesis, once again inspired by the figure of Saint Joseph, we reflected on the meaning of the communion of saints. And starting precisely from this, today I would like to explore the special devotion Christian people have always had for Saint Joseph as the patron of a happy death; a devotion that arose from the thought that Joseph had died, comforted by the presence of the Virgin Mary and of Jesus, before he left the house of Nazareth. There is no historical data, but since we no longer see Joseph in public life, it is believed that he died there in Nazareth, with his family. And Jesus and Mary accompanied him up to his death. A century ago, Pope Benedict XV wrote: through Joseph we go directly to Mary, and through Mary to the origin of all holiness, who is Jesus. Both Joseph and Mary help us to go to Jesus. And encouraging pious practices in honour of Saint Joseph, he recommended one in particular, and it went like this: Since he is deservedly considered to be the most effective protector of the dying, having expired in the presence of Jesus and Mary, it will be the concern of the sacred Pastors to inculcate and encourage [...] those pious associations that have been established to implore Joseph on behalf of the dying, such as those of the Good Death, of the Transit of Saint Joseph and for the Dying. (cf. Motu proprio: Bonum Sane, 25 July 1920): they were the associations of the time. Dear brothers and sisters, perhaps some people think that this language and this theme are only a legacy of the past, but in reality, our relationship with death is never about the past it is always present. Speaking about himself a few days ago, Pope Benedict said, that he is before the dark door of death. It is good to thank Pope Benedict, who at 95, has the clarity [of mind] to tell us this. I am before the obscurity of death, at the dark door of death. It is good advice that he has given us. The so-called wellness culture tries to remove the reality of death, but the coronavirus pandemic has brought it back into focus in a dramatic way. It was terrible: death was everywhere, and many brothers and sisters lost loved ones without being able to be near them, and this made death even harder to accept and process. A nurse told me that a grandmother with Covid was dying, and she said to her, I would like to say goodbye to my family, before I leave. And the nurse bravely took out her mobile phone and put her in touch with them. The tenderness of that farewell Nevertheless, we try in every way to banish the thought of our finite existence, thus deluding ourselves that we can remove its power and dispel fear. But Christian faith is not a way of exorcising the fear of death; rather, it helps us to face it. Sooner or later, we will all pass through that door. The true light that illuminates the mystery of death comes from the Resurrection of Christ. This is the light. And Saint Paul writes: Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain (1 Cor 15: 12-14). There is one certainty: Christ is resurrected, Christ is risen, Christ is alive among us. And this is the light that awaits us behind that dark door of death. Dear brothers and sisters, it is only through faith in resurrection that we can face the abyss of death without being overwhelmed by fear. Not only that: we can restore a positive role to death. Indeed, thinking about death, enlightened by the mystery of Christ, helps us to look at all of life through fresh eyes. I have never seen a removals van behind a hearse! Behind a hearse: I have never seen one. We will go alone, with nothing in the pockets of our shroud: nothing. Because a shroud has no pockets. This solitude of death: it is true, I have never seen a hearse followed by a removals van. It makes no sense to accumulate, if one day we will die. What we must accumulate is charity and the ability to share, the ability not to remain indifferent when faced with the needs of others. Otherwise, what is the point of arguing with a brother or with a sister, with a friend, with a relative, or with a brother or sister in faith, if then one day we will die? What is the point in being angry, in getting angry with others? Before death, many issues are put into perspective. It is good to die reconciled, without grudges and without regrets! I would like to say one truth: we are all on our way towards that door, all of us. The Gospel tells us that death comes like a thief. This is what Jesus tells us: it arrives like a thief, and however much we try to keep its arrival under control, perhaps even planning our own death, it remains an event that we must reckon with, and before which we must also make choices. Two considerations stand for us Christians. The first: we cannot avoid death, and precisely for this reason, after having done everything that is humanly possible to cure the sick, it is immoral to engage in overzealous treatment (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2278). That phrase of the faithful people of God, of the simple people: Let him die in peace, help him to die in peace: such wisdom! The second consideration instead concerns the quality of death itself, the quality of pain, of suffering. Indeed, we must be grateful for all the help that medicine is striving to give, so that through so-called palliative care, every person who is preparing to live the last stretch of their life can do so in the most humane way possible. However, we must be careful not to confuse this help with unacceptable drifts towards killing. We must accompany people towards death, but not provoke death or facilitate any form of suicide. Remember that the right to care and treatment for all must always be prioritised, so that the weakest, particularly the elderly and the sick, are never rejected. Life is a right, not death, which must be welcomed, not administered. And this ethical principle concerns everyone, not just Christians or believers. I would like to underline a real social problem. That planning I dont know if it is the right word but accelerating the death of the elderly. Very often we see in a certain social class that the elderly, since they do not have means, are given fewer medicines than they need, and this is inhuman; this is not helping them, it is driving them towards death earlier. This is neither human nor Christian. The elderly should be cared for as a treasure of humanity: they are our wisdom. Even if they do not speak, or if they do not make sense, they are still the symbol of human wisdom. They are those who went before us and have left us many beautiful things, many memories, much wisdom. Please, do not isolate the elderly, do not accelerate the death of the elderly. To caress an elderly person has the same hope as caressing a child, because the beginning of life and the end are always a mystery, a mystery that should be respected, accompanied, cared for, loved. May Saint Joseph help us to live the mystery of death in the best possible way. For a Christian, a good death is an experience of the mercy of God, that comes close to us even in that last moment of our life. Even in the Hail Mary, we pray asking Our Lady to be close to us at the hour of our death. Precisely for this reason, I would like to conclude this catechesis by praying together to Our Lady for the dying, for those who are experiencing this moment of passage through this dark door, and for the relatives who are experiencing bereavement. Let us pray together: Hail Mary Special Greetings I welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims taking part in todays Audience, especially the representatives of the Global Christian Forum and the seminarians and student groups from the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of Jesus our Lord. God bless you! Lastly, as usual, my thoughts turn to the elderly, to the sick, to young people and to newlyweds. The day after tomorrow, we will celebrate the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes. I hope that each of you will be able to imitate the Holy Virgin in complete availability to divine will. May her example and her intercession be an inspiration to strengthen your evangelical witness. The service of truth was always in the first place, for Benedict xvi who never tried to conceal things that could be painful for the Church to acknowledge and never tried to give a false image of the reality of the Church or of what is happening. Father Federico Lombardi draws from his personal experience as one of the closest collaborators of Joseph Ratzinger, to highlight even further the sincerity that animates the letter published on Tuesday, 8 February, by the Pope emeritus on the scourge of clerical paedophilia following the publishing of the Report on Abuse in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising. In an interview with Vatican Media, Fr Lombardi described Benedicts letter as being the result of a deep, painful time of sincere examination before God. I was struck by his sincerity, his intensity and his depth, said the former Vatican spokesman and President of the Joseph RatzingerBenedict xvi Vatican Foundation. The Letter, he noted, reveals Benedicts current situation as an elderly person, who knows that he is going towards an encounter with the Lord and therefore towards Gods judgement. According to Fr Lombardi, also of great intensity is the fact that Ratzinger carries out this penitential reflection in the presence of the victims of abuse themselves. He evokes the encounters he has had with the victims and his ever-deepening knowledge of the seriousness of the victims suffering and the consequences of this abuse. At the same time, he demonstrates, with great sincerity and in a very explicit way, the shame, pain, a sincere request for forgiveness. Father Lombardi then addressed the accusations made against Benedict xvi: that he lied about his participation in a meeting held in January 1980, during which a decision was made to welcome into the Bavarian Archdiocese, a priest who was an abuser. The Pope emeritus initially stated that he had not been present at the meeting and later corrected this error. As a result, he suffered the accusation of being a liar, of having knowingly lied about concrete situations. Not only that, but also in the Report as a whole, the accusation arose that he knowingly covered up for abusive persons, and therefore that he had a lack of attention to the suffering of the victims. This accusation caused great suffering to Ratzinger but also to Fr Lombardi who, as his close collaborator over several years, remembers the desire for truth that always motivated every action and word of the Pope emeritus: I absolutely believe that one cannot doubt in any way his truthfulness. I think it is right that he should vindicate his truthfulness. Because it is a characteristic of his personality and his behaviour throughout his life, which I can also testify to, having lived close to him as a collaborator for several years. The word forgiveness emerges strongly from Benedicts letter, said Father Lombardi, the desire to ask forgiveness, purify himself and commit himself with all his strength to changing his attitude and being more faithful to the demands of the Gospel. Benedicts attitude, Lombardi noted, is a penitential one. And this sincere penitential attitude before God, he concluded, is a great witness for todays Church. I felt the call in a very strong way, in the simplicity of my daily life. I was increasingly attracted towards the love of Christ. Sister Maria Grazia Colombo, Dominican contemplative nun in the monastery of Santa Maria della Neve and San Domenico in Pratovecchio Stia in the province of Arezzo, Italy, celebrated 25 years of religious profession in 2017. An anniversary that marked not only her life. A journey with the Lord, in communion with every neighbour, with a predilection for inmates whom she affectionately calls my prisoners: I have been in contact with them for a long time; however, it is not easy for me to talk about it. In them I saw the miracles of Gods grace, the ability to recover, with a strong determination to choose good rather than evil. I am convinced of it, people change. I am not a volunteer, nor a psychologist, ... This content is reserved for Subscribers Dear Reader, access to all editions of LOsservatore Romano is reserved for Subscribers. Click here to subscribe Ottumwa, IA (52501) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. Low near 45F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low near 45F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? Then consider helping fund our endeavors. Around the world, communities are grappling with what journalism is worth and how to fund the civic good that robust news organizations can generate. We believe The OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. If youre able, please SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. FILER TWP. A competition is expected to launch next week that would give local entrepreneurs a leg up in starting their business in Filer Township. The Filer Downtown Development Authority, with the help of local sponsorship and area businesses, plans to host a Shark Tank style award contest called Filer First. Filer First is a business incubation/pitch competition that connects entrepreneurs with great ideas for a new business and opportunities related to capital, real estate and business development expertise, states the contest website. Filer First plans to provide an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to win a $10,500 grant from the Filer Township DDA and other perks aimed at helping them jumpstart their business in the area. The winner is also expected to receive a one-year membership to the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, assistance in finding a storefront and pre-approved analysis for business loan needs through Filer Credit Union, according to the website. Were looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs in Filer Township someone whos willing to put together a pitch with the help of the Small Business Development Center and locate in Filer Township, said DDA director Tamara Buswinka. While there can be only one winner, Buswinka said that all contestants will have access to a variety of business resources, including mentorship and assistance creating a business plan. Its the DDAs way of investing in the DDA district (by) forming partnerships with property owners vacant storefront owners who are looking to fill the space with a new business or an existing business that maybe wants to expand, Buswinka said. Registration for the contest is set to launch Feb. 15, and can be done by filling out an application on the contest website at filerfirst.filertownship.com. Applications are due by April 15. Al Frye, DDA secretary, spearheaded the project and was also a judge for a similar competition in 2018 known as Spark Manistee. Frye said that applicants are poised to take advantage of growth taking place in Filer Township. Theres a lot of potential growth going on, Frye said. One of the things this competition could do is to give a new business kind of a leg up on all the good things that are going on in Filer right now. Frye, a former restaurant owner in Washington D.C., said contests like Filer First could go a long way toward making a business start-up successful in the area. I know when I opened my restaurant, how helpful this would have been for me, Frye said. One of the parts about this program that we're doing is helping people put together a business plan, which can be kind of a big, onerous project if you're not familiar with it. Frye said all applicants will receive help developing that plan, so even those who arent selected may be able to benefit. We're trying to sweeten that pot as much as we can, he continued. Participating in the Filer First competition is not difficult, said Buswinka. The business competition is open to anyone with an idea, the desire to create a business pitch and a commitment to operating their business within the Filer Township DDA district. Thats the beauty of our relationship or partnership with SPDC, you just need an idea, Buswinka said. The application is really just a couple of questions: whats your name? How do we contact you? And whats your idea? While the pitch can be for any kind of business, Buswinka said she is available to discuss what kind of businesses that market research has determined would be most successful in Filer Township. Contestants are expected to be named on May 15 and the contest is scheduled to take place on June 15, according to DDA documents. Participants can also expect to receive assistance on developing their pitch in May. A location has not yet been set for the contest. Buswinka said there was no risk in applying and that no financial commitment was needed to make a pitch. The Filer Township DDA is providing the $10,000 and $500 was donated to the contest by DTE Energy. Judging uses the following criteria: the viability of the concept, the market-fit for Filer Township, the concept fit within the current location, inventory, overall impact on the Filer DDA, potential for job creation and the overall qualifications of key personnel, according to the website. More information on the contest and how to apply is available online at filerfirst.filertownship.com. The latest updates are also planned to be posted in the Facebook.com/FilerFirst Facebook page. Questions can be directed to Buswinka by dialing 231-723-3138 or via email at filerdda@gmail.com. BIG RAPIDS After waiting a year to see how it goes, Big Rapids city officials appear ready to consider an ordinance to regulate electric scooters. Big Rapids attorney Eric Williams presented the city commission with a draft ordinance during its meeting this week, requesting input from the board, the public and scooter business owners. We did not have scooters in Big Rapids until last year, and the city commission gave (Bird Scooters) a resolution authorizing the operation of their business in the city, Williams said. At the time city staff looked at the possibility of establishing an ordinance and decided to wait and see how the experience worked out. Now we are in our second year, and we are looking at an ordinance. The ordinance will establish a permitting process for shared mobility devices, including electric skateboards and scooters for public use in the city. Any person or business wanting to offer shared mobility devices must obtain a permit from the city clerk, the ordinance states. It limits the number of permits in effect at a time to three, and the number of shared mobility devices per permit to 100. The ordinance, as written, would exempt any person or entity with a city business license and a physical business location in the city that rents mobility devices such as scooters or bikes which are returned to the same location at the end of the rental period. Commissioner Karen Simmons questioned whether it was reasonable to require Bird Scooters, or other businesses like them, to have a permit while not requiring it of other rental businesses. What is the rationale for establishing the section where the the ordinance does not apply to certain rental businesses? Simmons asked. Why would we treat any other business differently than we would treat Bird Scooters? Williams explained that the intent was to differentiate between the shared mobility devices and the devices that are rented for the day and returned to the same location by the same person. The intent of that subsection was to exempt businesses interested in getting into the business, not as shared mobility devices where you drop them off and other people can use them, but as a rental and return similar to a bike rental business, Williams said. This type of business would not need one of these permits. We dont have any businesses in town doing this so we may be able to take it out, or maybe we should make businesses that do daily rentals go through the same process. Williams said they were not looking for a decision from the board and would take their comments, along with any comments from the public or the business sector and revise the ordinance to best meet the concerns of all stakeholders. We will take those comments and work to accommodate them, and we will advise you of whatever changes are made, then we will bring it back to you for adoption, he said. For more information on the proposed ordinance, call the city offices at 231-592-4020. STRAY CAT POLICY In other business, the board approved a resolution rescinding the stray cat policy section of the animal regulations ordinance that was adopted in 2015. I thought we were done with stray cats, but we are not, Williams said. We recognized that this policy was inconsistent with what we are doing in the animal ordinance. It was suggested that we get this rescinded so we dont have an old policy that is inapplicable and doesnt work with the current ordinance. The board voted unanimously to rescind the policy. In addition, the board approved an amendment to section 91.35 of the animal regulation ordinance, which provided several provisions about cats. After this was adopted, several people have come to me and city staff to point out that many of the provisions do not work, Williams said. We also found that there are people out there that are taking care of these feral and stray cats and reducing the problems associated with them somewhat, and what we have done is make their activities illegal. When we boil it all down, all we really needed to say is that it is unlawful to harbor cats in a manner that creates a nuisance. So this amendment should take care of that. The amendment to the ordinance reduces section 91.35 to simply state that It shall be unlawful to feed, keep, harbor or maintain any domesticated or feral cat or a colony of domesticated or feral cats, in any manner that creates a nuisance by noise, odor, insects, or excrement that disturbs a member of the public. We boiled it all down to that and dropped the rest because it turns out they dont work, Williams said. In a nutshell, you cant impound the cats and take them to the animal shelter because they wont take them. The people that are feeding them (stray cats) can continue to feed them and take care of them as long as they are not creating a nuisance." BIG RAPIDS Some, in recent weeks, might have noticed a group of camera-wielding individuals walking around parts of town, causing locals a bit of confusion and distress. While they could have easily been mistaken for an over-zealous documentary film crew, they were, in fact, First Amendment auditors. The purpose of these auditors are a mystery to many, since they typically make their way through town on a seemingly impromptu basis. A quick Google search will yield results that say auditors are engaging in activity that tests constitutional rights, in particular, the right to photograph and record video in a public space. While that might be a formal definition of the group, it still leaves the average person with more questions than answers. Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller said government offices and employees are usually a primary target for these auditors. Theyre going around to make sure, in their mind, that people are open with what their duties are as government officials, Miller said. What may be frustrating to the public is that these auditors arent breaking any law with what they do. Even though the practice of placing a camera lens up to the window of a business or government building may appear unethical to an onlooker, its perfectly legal to do so. This is why Miller said its important to stay diligent and check your surroundings if you work in a spot where your computer screen is viewable from the street. There have been some complaints, but what I like to tell people, is to just be mindful (of) protecting any information that you might or might not have on an open computer screen, Miller said. Theyre looking for a rise out of people, on occasion. Miller added that he thinks that is where most of the issues lie when it comes to the relationship between the public and the auditors. Even though the practice of First Amendment auditing isnt illegal per se, that doesnt mean a citizen isnt within their right to contact law enforcement if they see something they feel is nefarious with their public filming. Im a big believer in trusting your gut; if you see something that seems out of sorts, suspicious, or concerning in nature, it doesnt hurt to contact law enforcement, Miller said. Miller said leaving the area and reaching out to law enforcement is always the preferred option to engaging with a suspicious individual. Persistent and/or numerous interactions with a specific group or individual could be terms for harassment and stalking. If youre uncomfortable, move away, Miller said. If they continue to follow you and initiate contact, either physical or otherwise, with you, then it becomes an issue. Two First Amendment auditors which go by the names FRICN MEDIA and Michigan Constitutional Crusader on YouTube have recently been spotted in areas throughout Mecosta, Osceola and Lake counties. MORLEY It was a lot of hard work, but they accomplished the job. An all-volunteer force of workers recently removed 10 pine trees from the south lawn of the Morley Community Center. The trees had accomplished their purpose over the years providing shade and beauty for several generations of students. Last year, the center held its Fourth of July celebration honoring local Korean veterans under the boughs. The trees were about 70-feet high and now in various stages of degeneration. Stepping up to fall the first tree was Sam Kleynenberg, a 2021 Cedar Springs High graduate. A small orange cone marked his target. When Kleynenberg made his last cut, the tree fell within a foot of the cone. The next three trees fell with the same precision, removing any factor of luck from the accuracy equation. Once a tree fell, three chainsaws manned by Kleynenberg, Ken Wilcox and Scott Galloway quickly stripped the limbs off, and volunteers, ranging in age from 15 to 82, dragged the brush to the roadside where a chipper would eventually cut it into small pieces for removal. In about two hours, all trees were down and Galloway moved the logs two at a time with his Bobcat to Wilcox's logging truck for their trip to the sawmill. Galloway had been a student at the old school in the 1970s and Wilcox in the 1980s. Judy Geckler, their past school bus driver, was in attendance to watch them work. The 100th anniversary celebration of Morley Consolidated Schools is planned to take place Aug. 13, the Saturday of Morley's annual Celebration on The Pond. The community center will honor one of Morley's oldest residents that attended the school and have music, tours of the school and some special food available. As far as the lumber from the old trees, the center will be offering it to those interested in preserving its historic value in handicraft projects or even knotty pine wall covering. Donations for it will help with the center operational expenses. Kleynenberg has plans to walk a portion of the Pacific Rim trail that extends from Canada to Mexico. During his last year in high school, as a member of the Future Farmers of America he placed in the Top 10 of a national forestry competition. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Collin Periatt. Tuesday, Feb. 8 9:54 p.m. A 42-year-old Mills Township man was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated following a traffic stop on a Mills Township roadway. 8:57 p.m. Deputies conducted a traffic stop at a Jerome Township location. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the 43-year-old male driver didn't have any insurance on the vehicle. The man was issued a citation. 3:41 p.m. Deputies went to a Jerome Township residence regarding an ongoing personal protection order violation in which the suspect, a 54-year-old man, would not leave the residence of his 81-year-old mother, who is the protected person in the order. Deputies located the man at the residence and he was arrested on the PPO violation. 2:38 p.m. Officers investigated a domestic verbal dispute on Morning Dawn Drive. 12:23 a.m. Deputies conducted a traffic stop at an Edenville Township location. They made contact with the 29-year-old male driver, who was then issued several citations. Alyssa Keptner and Francesca Queary, both of Midland, were named to the president's list for the fall 2021 term at Trine Univeristy. To earn president's list honors, students must complete a minimum of 12 hours and have a grade point average of 3.750-4.000. Director of Content and Operations Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half. Palestine, TX (75801) Today Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low around 70F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low around 70F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Interior Ministry of the National Unity Government has condemned the assassination attempt on its Prime Minister, Abdelhamid Al-Dbaiba, denouncing it as a "criminal act, for which an investigation has been opened under the supervision of the Prosecutor General Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The plenary session of the Libyan Parliament started on Thursday in Tobruk to choose a new Prime Minister, a measure that could mark a return to institutional divisions with the emergence of a parallel government, due to the determination of the current Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid Al-Dbaiba, not to relinquish power Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The Sudanese Army on Thursday reiterated that the group of politicians currently being interrogated by police was not summoned for political reasons General Logistics Systems (GLS) has chosen material handling specialist MHS International to automate its newly constructed 12,034m2 international sorting center in Sordio, on the outskirts of Milan in Italy. ') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> The new hub includes a sorting center, offices and ancillary structures as well as a green outdoor area of more than 4,000m. The sorting center is equipped with an automated solution that has three main sorting systems and performs at an overall throughput of 22,500pph (parcels per hour). With an interconnected flow, two HC-Loop cross-belt systems will sort regular and small parcels and one automated linear system will handle and detect irregular items. ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> The supplier will support GLS throughout system design to production, installation, commissioning and aftersales. The project has been designed to be future-proof, with the possibility of further expansions. Markus Augeneder, CEO of MHS International, said, The project confirms our commitment to being a partner of choice. We are the one-stop-shop in the parcel market, and we aim to offer premium services through our solutions. The facility will contribute to a significant level-up of operations by processing all kinds of parcels that enter the hub. Klaus Schadle, group area managing director, GLS, said, The new hub will serve the increasing volume of international deliveries, representing an important stage of our broader growth and business strategy. We have invested significantly in recent years to continue to offer our customers an extensive, efficient and high-quality service. Australia Post (AusPost) has upgraded 4,000 post offices, deliveries facilities and support offices across the country with faster and more reliable internet. ') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> According to the company, the two-year telecommunications transformation program is the largest of its kind undertaken in Australia. ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the upgrade included the launch of an enterprise-wide collaboration and conferencing platform which was also rolled out to enable remote working for thousands of office-based employees. The organizations six contact center operations were standardized onto one platform and 20,000 mobile devices used by support team members were brought together onto one customer-centric platform. At its peak, the upgrade program migrated approximately 100 post offices within five business days. Munro Farmer, chief information officer, AusPost, said, Customers expect more information in real time and transparency through the supply chain and we are making sure we have the telecommunication infrastructure to deliver for them. By transitioning all of our post offices and facilities to a new, highly resilient and scalable data network, equipping them with wi-fi capability, and improving internet bandwidth, we are now able to deliver a significantly higher service level at every one of our sites. We will now be able to scale up internet bandwidth when and where we need to, accelerate the onboarding of new services to days rather than weeks and enable new capabilities such as mobile point of sale, Internet of Things (IOT), artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, said Farmer. The enhanced service availability also means the organization can switch its focus from reactive support to being proactive in preventing issues. We can now identify and mitigate 80% of issues and, as a result, we have been able to reduce business impacting outages by over 70% a significant achievement for a network as expansive as ours, added Farmer. The AusPost telecoms upgrade was delivered with support from partners including Cisco, nbn, Orro Group, Engage, VMware, Star21 and Telstra. Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) Ashley Manning, a 39-year old woman from North Carolina, has unexpectedly created a floral movement out of her pandemic hobby. The self-taught florist from Charlotte, North Carolina never expected that delivering bouquets to widows during Valentine's Day would turn into a movement that inspires others, according to her interview with PEOPLE. Pretty Things by AE Manning In just a couple of months, she was able to form her own company which she called Pretty Things by AE Manning. She transformed two rooms in her house into the shop's floral studio. Her friends were very supportive of her business and made several purchases of her floral arrangements. As her business started to boom, she felt the need to pay it forward and decided to surprise her child's teacher with a beautiful bouquet. Read Also: Rescuers Retrieve Lifeless Body of a Moroccan Boy Trapped in 100 ft Well Hardest Holiday As a way to give back, Manning prepared a bouquet for Kathy Evans, her child's teacher who lost her husband Bob Gore to cancer in 2015. The gesture warmed Evans' heart as she considers Valentine's Day as the hardest holiday as it takes her back to the final weeks of her husband's life. Bob Gore died on March 3 of 2015 and Evans did not expect to get any Valentine that year as her husband was extremely sick. However, he still got her a pendant and a beautiful card. Losing a husband at 53 is difficult; "your future goes black" according to the widow. So receiving the flowers was a pleasant and special surprise. Reaching Out When Manning received a note of thanks from Evans and how much it meant to her, this ignited in the former the idea of reaching out to more widows. She posted on her Instagram the concept of surprising more widows around the Charlotte, North Carolina area. She asked people the names of the widows and the community nominated more than 120 widows. More widows to cater to this Valentine's Day mean a level up in the number of hands needed on deck. A group of volunteers has assisted her in putting together the floral bouquets, while some local businesses have donated goods and items to create gift bags that can go with the flowers. Manning's project, which she calls "Valentine's Day Widow Outreach," got the attention of local news too. She shared that it is a mission to take care of each other and that women who lost their partners need to be taken care of. Valentine's Day Widow Outreach Her project has doubled in size after garnering news coverage and features. More people have also been sharing the project on social media. This Valentine's Day, more than 350 women will be receiving flowers and gifts. Around 150 volunteers will spend the weekend transforming flowers into bouquets which will be delivered on Valentine's Day. It is Manning's hope that her project will spread or be replicated nationwide. She is working on creating a template that others can use in their respective communities. Related Article: Instacart Worker and Mom of Two Hailed as Hero for Saving Customer's Life From Propane Tank Leak Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 6 million to 12 million children aged three to 11 years have head lice infestation. Some people may have hosted these parasites on their mane in a much more severe case. Some of the worst cases of lice infestation are shared online.The Lice Angels' team of lice removal experts uploaded a Tiktok clip that showed a horrific infestation of lice on a girl. The video, reported in The US Sun, showed a girl with long, brown hair sitting in a chair covered with plastic for the lice removal process. The lice removal team sprayed the hair and ran the lice comb through it, revealing hundreds of lice caught in a single sweep. The team prepared an industrial setup for the lice removal procedure to treat the lice infestation and contamination. The team sprayed the hair with conditioner, while the attendant had paper towels on hand. While the video clip had more than 30 million viewers, the people were horrified with the video. One person wondered, "How do people let it get that bad tho?" While other comments expressed astonishment, "Omg that scalp turned into an entire ecosystem." A netizen also remarked, "That's not hair anymore, that's [a] zoo." Read Also: Rescuers Retrieve Lifeless Body of a Moroccan Boy Trapped in 100 ft Well Nest of lice In 2014, a similar video showed an extreme case of head lice infestation as a mom combed through her daughter's hair with a lice comb. The lice comb showed hundreds of lice brushed off from the child's hair when the mother managed to pull the brush free from the hair. Experts think that the lice may have been thriving in the child's head for so long that it managed to build a nest on the child's hair. Dee Wright, a salon owner who also provides lice treatments, said that the video was similar to some of the cases she encountered. She told Mirror that they had seen customers with lice nests, which refers to so many lice clumped together. Wright said that female head lice could lay up to 300 eggs during their 30-day life span. She added that the human head could host several thousands of lice, but a typical infestation has fewer bugs. In the video, the mum continuously brushed off the lice without washing or clearing the comb of bugs. Wright advised well-meaning moms to use a lice comb on wet hair and wash the lice off the comb after each stroke. Death due to Severe Lice Infestation In October 2020, The New York Times reported of parents who faced murder charges for the death of Kaitlyn Yozviak, who doctors said had severe lice infestation that was enough to kill her. Although the findings raised some eyebrows, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that the 12-year-old girl had no bruises on her body and was not malnourished. The authorities even reported that she had just eaten before her mother found her unconscious. The girls' death was listed as cardiac arrest and severe anemia due to repeated lice bites that lowered her blood iron levels. The parents, John Joseph Yozviak, 38, and Mary Katherine Horton, 37, were charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to children in the second degree. Related Article: Unvaccinated Father Loses Custody Over Three Kids After Repeatedly Refusing COVID-19 Vaccination Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of Oxford school shooting suspect, 15-year-old Ethan, who was charged with first-degree murder for the killing of four students at Oxford High School in November 2021, knew that their son was depressed, as he had sent them "troubling texts" and showed other red flags before the shooting. But they never paid attention to it, the prosecutors disclosed on Thursday. The couple is being charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly buying a gun for their son and failing to secure it, and ignoring signs that their son was having violent thoughts, Aljazeera reported. Ethan used the gun to shoot four students and wounded six others, including teachers. The boy is now detained for terrorism and first-degree murder charges. Read Also: Bronx Fire Survivors: Families Files Lawsuit Against Owners for Alleged Safety Violations 'Red Flags' that were ignored The defendants knew that their son went through several stressful events, such as a friend moving out at the end of October and the death of his dog. The mother knew that he was sadder than usual and that Ethan was sending his mother disturbing texts about his state of mind, prosecutors said. Instead of seeking help for the boy, prosecutors also argued that the parents bought him a gun as a gift, the Detriot Free Press reported. According to ABC News, a day before Ethan Crumbley did the shooting, he exchanged text messages with his mom after school officials left a voicemail to inform the mom that Ethan had been researching ammunitions on his phone. His mom messaged his son to ask about the incident. Ethan replied that he had already gone to the "office" for the demeanor, and it was harmless as he was just looking at a certain caliber after class. He also admitted that he did not show the teachers a picture of the gun that his parents gave him. The prosecutors also alleged that the son showed other disturbing signs like torturing animals and keeping a baby bird's head in a jar in his bedroom. The jar was reportedly later taken to the school bathroom. Before the shooting, Ethan drew a gun on a math homework sheet and scribbled "my life is useless," "blood everywhere," and "the thoughts won't stop, help me." Parents were busy with other things Meanwhile, while their son was showing disturbing signs, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald alleged that the parents ignored the warnings and focused on their issues like extramarital affairs and financial and substance abuse. The mother spent her time caring for horses for four hours a week at a barn. Amanda Holland, a coworker, also testified that she often overhears Jennifer Crumbley's phone conversation at work, and she said that she never heard Crumbley talk about her son to a doctor or therapist. She did, however, hear her speak about horses a lot. The Crumbley's Oxford School Shooting case has been gaining national attention as this is the first time that involuntary manslaughter was charged against the parents of the shooter. Related Article: Four-year-Old Boy Fatally Shoots Himself, While Mother And Friend Smoked Weed in the Front Seat Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) Child abuse charges have been filed by authorities against a caretaker following the death of a four-year-old boy who was allegedly beaten with a broomstick by his nine-year-old sister in Mobile, Alabama, on February 3, the People Magazine reported. The sister is also facing an assault charge. According to WTVY News4, Mobile Officers responded to a "medical emergency involving a child" on Jacob Drive. The police arrived to find the little boy "unresponsive inside the residence." Emergency medical technicians pronounced that the boy was "deceased on the scene" when they arrived. Read Also: Bronx Fire Survivors: Families Files Lawsuit Against Owners for Alleged Safety Violations Caretaker, Nine-year-old Sister facing charges The child's caretaker and aunt, Yolanda Coale, are charged with aggravated child abuse. Her nine-year-old niece is also facing charges in the tragic case. Coale is expected to face more charges once the autopsy and investigation are complete, authorities said. The judge set Coale's bail to $150,000. She was also ordered not to contact her niece and submit herself to electronic monitoring. The court documents revealed that Coale woke up to the sound of screams as the nine-year-old sister was beating her brother to death. It also alleged that the sister willfully tortured, abused, and cruelly beat her four-year-old brother. A neighbor told NBC15 that the news on the boy's death and Coale's arrest was heartbreaking. They said that the Coales seemed to be a lovely family. They had a lot of kids over their home and were playing all the time. The house, the neighbor said, was clean on the inside, and the kids had nice toys. "The kids were always dressed nice, so I really don't understand what happened," the neighbor added. Signs of Child Abuse Fox 10 News also reported that the police found evidence of child abuse for the four-year-old boy. An investigation is still ongoing; thus, many details remain a mystery. Assistant District Attorney Louis Walker of the Mobile County said that Coale was the victim's aunt, but how the boy came to her custody was unclear. The cause of death is also still uncertain, as investigators are still waiting for the autopsy result. Coale has no criminal history except for an arrest in 2005 for giving alcohol to a minor. According to Child Advocacy Center of Mobile executive director Andy Wynne, child abuse like this case happens more frequently than "people want to think about." He also said that the perpetrator is mostly at their breaking point when child abuse happens. Wynne added that his organization handles around 500 sexual and physical abuse cases per year. He also emphasized that the cases they handle are only a fraction as not all abuses are reported to them. He further encouraged communities to report child abuse to law enforcement agencies if wrongdoing is suspected. Child abuse, according to Wynne, is the most underreported crime in the country. He said that only 10-25 percent of abused kids are reported. He added that only the high profile, the real tragedies are brought forward. Most kids that are abused are suffering in silence. Related Article: Unvaccinated Father Loses Custody Over Three Kids After Repeatedly Refusing COVID-19 Vaccination Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) The terminally ill teenager, Rhys Langford, from Ebbw Vale, who donated his life savings and raised more than 60,000 for a six-year-old-cancer-stricken-boy died on Tuesday evening, the BBC reported. According to DailyMail, Langford was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October of 2020. Upon knowing that he only had months to live, he donated 1,000 (approx. US$1,350) from his savings to a 6-year-old cancer-stricken boy whom he had never met. He also helped raise around 60,000 (approx. US$80,000) for him. Read Also: Passerby Did Not Only Rescue a Family from House Fire But Also Bought New Clothing, Other Essentials for Them The relentless treatments to beat cancer According to Epoch times, Rhys' first cancer symptom was when he lost balance while sprinting with friends. At first, his parents thought that he had a groin strain. However, when the limping lingered two months later, they got concerned. The doctors told the family that they found an 18-centimeter (7-inch) tumor in his right hip. Doctors also said that he only had a 50/50 survival rate. Rhys would comfort his parents despite the devastating news, saying that it's only cancer. He had ten weeks of chemotherapy and an operation to remove all the bones from his kneecap to his right hip. Doctors found a cancerous mass in his thigh a year after his diagnosis. This time, the doctors told him that his cancer had metastasized to his groin, back, lymphatic system, and lungs. The parents admitted that he had a dark stage, but somehow, the visits of Reverend Roy Watson, chaplain at the Hospice of the Valley, comforted him. Rhys Langford Remembered Before Rhys was diagnosed with cancer, the young man lived a vibrant life. He was a talented athlete before he got inflicted with cancer. When he was 16 years old, he earned a black belt in the martial arts, Krav Maga, and became one of the youngest black belter holders in the UK. Before becoming ill, Rhys worked as a laborer for a water supplier. He has also climbed the highest mountain in Wales, Wales, and Snowdon three times. He planned on scaling Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland and UK. Days before his death, he called his mom to tell her that he would give his life savings to a six-year-old cancer-stricken boy who lives in his town for his treatments. He also set up a Go Fund Me Page to raise funds for the boy. His mother said, "Although our hearts are breaking because our son is dying, at the same time, they are bursting with pride." Rhys' father, Paul, said that his son had always been a "very caring and selfless boy." He always thought of other people, he added. The family of Jacob, the six-year-old cancer-stricken boy, posted their sympathies to the family on his Facebook page and expressed that their family is proud and thankful for what he did for Jacob. The boy was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, and the funds raised by Rhys will be used for an experimental treatment in the US. Related Article: Rescuers Retrieve Lifeless Body of a Moroccan Boy Trapped in 100 ft Well Yesterday Christopher Bryan filed a Class Action against Apple Inc. for manufacturing the iPad mini which is knowingly defective with what has been coined the "Jelly Scroll Defect." The Plaintiff states in his complaint that "Due to the Defect, the iPad Mini bends, warps, blurs and obscures text and images rendering the Device unusable." This action is brought on behalf of purchasers of Apples iPad Mini 6. Apple markets and sells the iPad Mini 6 as a premium tablet, debuting on September 14, 2021, with sales beginning on September 24, 2021, at a weighty price tag of $499 for the 64 gigabyte (GB) version and $649 for the 256GB version. But the iPad Mini is defective, as the liquid crystal display (LCD) is prone to "screen tearing which can make images or text on one side of the screen appear to be tilted at a downward angle because of incongruity in refresh rates," causing one side of the screen [to] look as if its responding faster than the other side, which creates [a] visual disturbance" called "jelly scrolling" that Apple has acknowledged (the "jelly Scroll Defect" or "Defect"), and which manifests in a manner substantially similar to the following image: As the photograph on the preceding page reveals, the visual disturbance goes to the core functionality of the Device as the display is a users principal means of interacting with the Device. Due to the Defect, the iPad Mini bends, warps, blurs and obscures text and images rendering the Device unusable. Worse yet, users have reported motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and migraines when using the Device due to the Defect. Although Apple itself publicly acknowledged the problem to niche tech publications just four days after the iPad Minis release, Apple has continued to sell the iPad Mini and has refused to fix the problem or to amend its marketing materials to reflect the existence of the Defect. Instead, Apple has insisted, against the weight of evidence, that the Defect is normal. This is even though thousands of users have reported the problem directly to Apple and on Apple sponsored forums. This onslaught of negative reviews prompted computer engineers with the tech journal, iFixit, to complete a "teardown" of the Device to learn the source of the Defect. As the photograph below demonstrates, the computer engineers discovered that the iPad Mini has a controller board that is located in a vertical orientation on the left-hand side of the Device. By contrast, the iPad Air, which does not exhibit the same issue, has a controller board located at the top of the tablet. According to the engineer responsible for the teardown: When you scroll parallel to the direction the display is refreshing, the display still isnt refreshing all at once, but the effect of the refresh is less noticeable because its not splitting the text. This is why you probably dont notice this on other displays. The jelly scroll is usually masked because the display is refreshing (or scanning) parallel to whichever way the scrolling motion is taking place. So a computer monitor will refresh vertically in its landscape orientation, and a smartphone will refresh vertically in its portrait orientation. It just so happens that this iPad [M]ini display is refreshing horizontally when you hold it in its vertical orientation, which is the way you typically hold an iPad to scroll. Despite the mountain of pre-discovery evidence of the Defect and Apples knowledge of the issue stemming from (1) its own quality control and internal testing; (2) in-store display models that exhibit the Defect free of user interference; (3) repairs data and internal reporting mechanisms; (4) complaints made directly to Apple in person, over the phone, and via online submissions, (5) complaints posted online across the internet, including on the websites of major retailers, and on its own forums; (6) online reputation management; (7) articles written by tech journals; (8) the iFixit tear down demonstrating the Defect; and (9) Apples statements acknowledging the Defect, Apple has refused to issue a recall or otherwise fix the issue. Instead, as one journalist has written, iPad mini 6 users appear to have been relegated to a weird state of helplessness at this moment where neither hardware nor software support for the issue appears to be in the pipeline." Accordingly, Plaintiff brings his claims against Apple individually and on behalf of a class of all others similarly situated." Causes for Action Count 1: violation of Californias Unfair Competition Law Count 2: violation of the Consumers Legal Remedies Act Count 3: violation of Californias False Advertising Law Count 4: violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act Count 5: Fraud Count 6: Fraudulent Omission or Concealment Count 7: Fraudulent Misrepresentation Count 8: Negligent Misrepresentation Count 9: Quasi-Contract / Unjust Enrichment For more details on this case, review the full Class Action lawsuit filing presented below, courtesy of Patently Apple. Christopher Bryan v Apple Class Action by Jack Purcher on Scribd It's being reported today by Reuters that in an unusual joint effort, Apple Inc and its frequent court opponent, patent plaintiff (and patent troll) Uniloc, persuaded a U.S. appeals court on Wednesday to allow them to keep the terms of Uniloc's patent licenses secret for now. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said a San Francisco judge overstated the value of the public's interest in the information when he ruled for digital-rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and denied Uniloc's motion to seal the records. In a split decision, the appeals court sent the dispute back for District Judge William Alsup to reconsider for a second time. Circuit Judge Alan Lourie wrote Wednesday that Alsup failed to follow the Federal Circuit's instructions, and should not have ruled that the public has a broad right to patent-licensing information. The appeals court ordered Alsup to make more specific determinations about whether the information constituted trade secrets or should be sealed for another reason. An EFF spokesperson said in a statement that the decision "flies in the face of the public's constitutional right to access judicial records." Last August Patently Apple posted a report that included a 12 page technical summary of Apple's Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Detection system. Then in November 2021 Apple released a "less-controversial" Conversion Safety feature from Messages. You could review the history of the updates here. Clearly Apple is attempting to work with lawmakers behind the scenes on this key issue. With that said, today, lawmakers advanced a controversial bill that aims to hold tech companies responsible for the spread of posts exploiting children, the latest bipartisan salvo targeting Silicon Valley, according to the Washington Post. Under the Earn It Act, tech companies would lose some long-standing protections they enjoy under a legal shield called Section 230, opening them up to more lawsuits over posts of child sexual abuse material on their platforms. The bill, which was first introduced in 2020, would also create a national commission of law enforcement, abuse survivors and industry experts to develop best practices to address child abuse online. The bill is "calibrated to really stop the most detestable and despicable kinds of child abuse involving really horrific pornographic images that follow these kids all their lives," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.). The bill has been backed by lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum, as well as groups representing law enforcement and sexual exploitation survivors. But unlike some recent antitrust bills that have won the backing of some technologists, the bills revival has reignited a battle over the future of Internet regulation and online speech. Prominent technologists, industry groups, civil liberties advocates and LGBTQ interest groups have aggressively campaigned against it, warning that the proposal threatens to erode consumers privacy and could have a chilling effect on free expression online. The Senate Judiciary Committee will weigh the Earn It Act after moving two competition bills targeting the tech sector on bipartisan votes. Lawmakers on the committee are increasingly seeking to move legislation that can appeal to members of both parties that are worried about the power and influence of tech giants. You could read all about it in the Washington Post's report. Two Sides of the Coin: You could more about the work being done by "The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children" on this issue here. You could also read The Electronic Frontier Foundation's letter sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday that strongly oppose the Earn it Act Bill here. Ask around about the best noise-canceling true wireless earbuds, and youre sure to hear three names come up over and over again. The Sony WF-1000XM4, Jabra 85t, and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds all have passionate fans, and for good reason. But while these top contenders deliver solid active noise canceling (ANC) and audio performance, they also have unique characteristics that can affect your personal experience with them. Perhaps you care more about your music experience and must have a specific sound profile. Or maybe noise canceling is your sole prioritythe stronger, the better. And lets not forget about how fit can play a huge role in how well a set of earbuds perform. Without a good seal, both ANC and audio performance suffer. To help speed up your choice, weve laid out a quick comparison that highlights each set of earbuds strengths and weaknesses in key areas. A chart follows that gives granular specs, too. And be sure to check out our reviews of the Sony WF-1000XM4, Jabra 85t, and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds if you need further details. Sony WF-1000XM4 vs. Jabra 85t vs. Bose QC Earbuds Size Of the three, the Jabra 85t earbuds are the smallest. Theyre the ones to consider first if you want as discreet a look as possibleor if you find that with your frame, other buds look too big. The Sony WF-1000XM4 lands close to the 85t in size, though its rounded button shape gives it a chunkier look. As for the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, they can look enormous compared to these rivals. Fortunately, they dont seem comically large when worn, given their rounded edges and flatter shape. Fit Mentioned in this article Sony WF-1000XM4 Read our review MSRP: $279.99 Best Prices Today: This ones tricky, because everyones ears are shaped a little differently. Generally speaking, we found that the Sony buds can be finicky when seating them in-ear, making for an imperfect seal at times. Theyre otherwise comfortable. The Jabra and Bose earbuds are easy to get into place and offer a fantastic seal. Each pair does skew a different in terms of ear-tip sizes, though. The Sony is the most middle of the road, with most people reporting the ear tips true to their normal size (or close). The Jabra 85t runs small, while the Bose runs large. You can find third-party tips to swap in, but its not a guarantee you can improve the out-of-box experience. Labeling Right and left earbuds are labeled clearly enough on the Jabra and Bose buds (though the Jabra can be harder to make out in low light), but the Sony is far and away the best of the bunch. The R and L are printed in different colors, and the left bud also has a tactile dot so you can tell the buds apart without even looking. Sound All three sets of earbuds balance low, mid, and high tones well, but the Sony WF-1000XM4 definitely has warmer audio than the other two. Mids and highs are less crisp as a result. The Jabra 85t and Bose QuietComfort are more neutral, but the 85t isnt quite as relentlessly so as the QuietComfort. Of the three, the Bose buds best maintain the clarity and impact of high notes (think cymbal clashes). These audio characteristics carry through all equalizer adjustments, too. For microphone input (like when recording or on a call), the competition between these three headsets is largely a draw. They all provide clear outgoing audio, and most people will make out what you say easily. But each definitely sounds like a headset microphone. The Sony is the least obvious of the bunch; despite having a hollow quality, it still makes you seem like youre in close proximity to listeners. Boses hollow audio is much more obvious, with a wider echo effect similar to when on speakerphone. The Jabra puts a robotic edge on anything you say, likely due to high compressionwhich sounds okay over speakers, but not great on headphones. If youre often on calls, the Sony or Bose buds are the better options. Noise canceling Mentioned in this article Jabra 85t Read our review MSRP: $229.99 Best Prices Today: The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are the winners in this contest. They block out the most background noise, be that street traffic or a noisy television. The Jabra 85t comes in a very close second, with the Sony WF-1000XM4 trailing behind. The WF-1000XM4 does better with indoor situationsconversations, TV noise, etc.than outdoor street sounds. It also struggles with windy conditions. In ambient mode, or when the microphones are set to purposely pull in environmental noise so you can be aware of your surroundings, the Bose and Jabra both do well at filtering in whats relevant. Wind and hoods brushing against the earbuds arent an issue, as they are with the Sony. Battery life Surprisingly, despite their compact size, the Sony WF-1000XM4 takes the crown on this point. Rated at eight hours for continuous music playback with noise canceling on, our tests repeatedly hit that number with ease. (Mixed use with phone calls landed us between six and eight hours, which seemed appropriate given the rating of 5.5 hours of continuous call use.) The Bose and Jabra buds both fell short of their ratings of six and 5.5 hours, respectively, coming in at about half an hour under. You can turn off active processing (i.e., noise canceling or ambient mode) on the Jabra to squeeze out another hour or so of battery, though. The Jabra also offers the most additional charges from its caseanother 19.5 hours of runtime, or about 3.5 charges. Sonys case gives up to three additional charges (16 hours), depending on your usage pattern. Sadly, despite the Bose casess mammoth size, you get a max of two charges from it (12 hours). Both the Bose and Jabra offer a quick top-off after 15 minutes of charging, with up to two hours of playback for the Bose and up to an hour for the Jabra. Pairing and connection Mentioned in this article Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Read our review MSRP: $279.00 Best Prices Today: Pairing is incredibly easy with all three earbuds, and each can be linked to multiple devices. Only the Jabra 85t can be connected to more than one device simultaneously, though. This feature does complicate switching between multiple devices, as you cant simply bump an existing connection by trying to initiate a new one from a different device. You first have to disconnect one of the active devices. For the Sony WF-1000XM4 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, which only support a single device connection at a time, swapping between active devices is much easier. Simply connect from the new gadget or computer. If you have a smartphone, you can also use the buds companion app to manage your audio source. Controls Jabra comes out on top on this front, in our opinionits physical controls mean you never have to hassle with mistaken or non-registered touch inputs. The buttons have discrete tactile feedback, and moreover, you get a decent number of commands that you can customize. The Bose takes a solid second place, with good touch controls that are responsive without being overly sensitive. They require a minimal learning curve, and very rarely register unintended input. What keeps them from tying with the Jabra 85t are the limited number of commands and just one thats customizable. The touch controls on the Sony buds can be too sensitive at the worst timesand because they accept single taps as input, you can constantly trigger them without meaning to. Worse is that Sony doesnt let you customize individual commands, so you can never use a double tap instead of a single one. App Of the three apps, Bose and Jabra have polished, elegant interfaces that are easier to navigate. Bose is the better of the two, with a smarter selection of settings on the main screen, but both excel at balancing simplicity with the right number of features. Sonys app is straightforward too, but has a more rudimentary feel. Sony WF-1000XM4 vs. Jabra 85t vs. Bose QC Earbuds: Full specification comparison Voltic (GH) Limited, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, has named Flora Jika as its new Managing Director. Flora has been with the Coke business for 14 years and began her career in the coal mining industry, being the first female mining engineering graduate at Anglo Coal. She joined the Coca-Cola business in 2008 with her first role being a depot manager. Having risen through the ranks, her knowledge and expertise cut across engineering, supply chain, logistics and marketing. Until recently, Flora was the Logistics Director at Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, South Africa. In a brief address, Ms. Jika said: I am delighted to join Voltic at this time and I look forward to building a success story with the team. Flora Jika replaces Simon Everest as MD of Voltic. She is a member of WUMEA (Wits University Mining Engineers Association) and SAIMM (South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy). She holds an undergraduate and a post graduate degree in Mining Engineering and Industrial Engineering fields respectively, from Wits University. Commenting on the new appointment, MD, CCBA Central Africa, Conrad van Niekerk said: We are delighted to welcome Flora to the Voltic family and wish her the best as she steers the business into sustainable growth and profitability. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Some victims of the Appiatse disaster the displaced and injured alike - are praying that receipts from penalties totaling some $6 million imposed on Maxam Ghana, the company at the centre of the deadly blast that razed the Western regional community, will come to rebuild their lives. Only a day after the government imposed the fine and other financial charges, the community members say while they are grateful for all the steps government is taking to rebuild their destroyed community, they would be glad to know what use the government intends to put the $6 million. Some of the displaced, now living in makeshift settlements, told Graphic Online the explosion did not only take away their accommodation, it destroyed their very livelihoods and businesses, and would therefore be happy if efforts to resettle them would also target rebuilding their businesses. Rebuilding and compensation Mr. Joseph Appiah, a resident and mineworker, said he prays for some explanation on what the money from the fines will be used for whether for rebuilding structures at the collapsed community or as compensation for victims businesses and other losses. In our previous community, people had their businesses, shops, welding and mechanic workshops and this is an area generally known for its brisk business, places of worship and other social infrastructure, therefore we want to know these are questions we want to ask and be given answers, he said. Mr Appiah who happens to be one of the grandsons of the first settler and herbalist, Appia, who is thought to have founded the Appiatse settlement, said what the community members and all others currently trying to come to terms with their current challenges need, is assuring transparency. Where is Maxam Ghana? As we speak, the company Maxam Ghana which is at the centre of the explosion has not met with the community, Mr Appia said. Currently it is the government that is shouldering the responsibilities but the question is, what is Maxam Ghanas understanding of the situation, where are they and what explanation are they giving the community, he said. The community, he said, wants to know if there was insurance covering the explosives which was being transported as well as the vehicle that carried them. After the incident on January 20, 2022, in other jurisdictions Maxam Ghana should be telling the community something but as it is now there is nothing going on, the government is taking responsibility for everything and Maxam we dont know their whereabouts. Traders plight Other members of the community, including a hairdresser and seamstress, who were busily plying their trade, wanted to know what the money to be paid by Maxam would be used for an explanation they said would be very important and help them understand and offer them some hope as to what awaits them. Madam Hannah Akugeri, the seamstress, said on the day of the incident, she had gone out of the community only to return to meet the total destruction. Related: Fatal explosion at Apiate: Community wiped out She said after the explosion, she lost her sewing machines and accessories, clothes belonging to customers and her shop where she operated from. Businesses gone Maggie, the hairdresser said she had in a few days just ahead of the explosion used her savings to put up a stall for her hairdressing business, but everything was blown away. She was yet to hear anything about her shop. Similarly, Faustina Adiono, a dressmaker, who also prepares breakfast, "Kooko" for sale in the community, said she had lost everything and was looking forward to getting her life back. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor says the Akufo-Addo led government is determined to revamp the Volta Aluminum Company Ltd. (VALCO) to help drive Ghana's Industrialization agenda. The Minister said, as part of efforts towards building a robust and effective Aluminum Industry in Ghana, his ministry will in the coming weeks present the 'VALCO MASTERPLAN' to the cabinet for consideration, this he believes when given the approval, will help to resuscitate the operationalization of VALCO through the Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation's (GIADEC) Integrated Aluminum Industry (IAI) project 4, which is to retrofit, modernize and ensure the expansion of VALCO smelter to improve efficiency and capacity. Project 4, when implemented, according to the Sector Minister, will increase VALCO's production capacity from 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes of aluminum annually and create employment opportunities for more than 600 people. He explained that equipments that have been in use since the early 1960s will be upgraded. He also reiterated the vision of the President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in establishing GIADEC and the current development the entity is undertaking saying "GIADEC is on course in giving VALCO a leaf of life". He stressed that the development and creation of an Aluminum Industry is one of the major pillars for transforming the Ghanaian economy. "We have moved from the vision of government in making Ghana an Integrated Aluminum Industry into practicalizing the goals set out and once we get cabinet approval, we will implement the 'Master Plan' to attract the needed investment". The visit by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister on Wednesday 9th February 2022 according to VALCO Management is the first time ever a minister of state has visited the facility since the coming into power of the Akufo-Addo led government. The visit also afforded the Hon. Minister an opportunity to interact with the Board and Management of the facility and to reassure them of government's commitment to assist VALCO to bounce back and operate at it optimum level. The CEO of GIADEC, Mr. Micheal Ansah pointed out that his outfit is working closely with VALCO to ensure the realization and execution of project 4 of the Integrated Aluminum Industry (IAI) adding that GIADEC has the mandate to develop and promote an Integrated Aluminum company in Ghana. He further explained that GIADEC will require $6 billion dollars to successfully execute the 4 key projects under the Integrated Aluminum Industry (IAI) and he said GIADEC is determined to work with other stakeholders to achieve. The CEO of VALCO, Dan Acheampong, who gave an overview of the company's operations said VALCO is the largest smelter in West Africa and the 4th in Sub Sahara Africa. He however hoped that with the right investment and the needed capital injection, the entity will take its rightful place in the Aluminum industry. VALCO, a wholly-owned Ghanaian asset remains a strategic and a major cornerstone of the Integrated Aluminum Industry (IAI) in Ghana. GIADEC and VALCO are currently working to give practical meaning to the government's transformational agenda by leveraging on Ghana's existing bauxite reserves and the smelting of Aluminum to make the Ghanaian economy an enviable one. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong who doubles as chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has stormed Afram Plains over escalating tension between farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The annual conflict between farmers and nomadic herdsmen every dry season has renewed this year. Previous clashes led to multiple casualties and the burning of houses. However, efforts are underway to prevent such deadly clashes this year. The Regional Minister accompanied by the Regional Police Commander DCOP Fosu Ackaah and the Nkawkaw Divisional Police Commander ACP Kofi Adu, the District Chief Executive for Afram Plains South Evans Kyei Ntiri, the first port of call was a meeting with Chief of Abetifi who doubles as Adontenhene for Kwahu Traditional Area Akyemfour Asiedu Agyemang III and some affected farmers. Seth Kwame Acheampong hinted that the government is considering reactivating operation cow-leg to the area to de-escalate the tension by flushing out the cattle from the area should the herdsmen refuse to send their cattle to the ranch constructed by the government. The entourage also had an engagement with the regent of Maamekrobo Nana Oduro Agyekum and some farmers and ended the tour with some chiefs and elders at Tease including Krontihene for Petiku Nana Adu Parko. Addressing the media, the Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong said not too long ago the chiefs and the people of this area organized a press conference and spoke vehemently against the usual nomadic herders conflicts with crop farmers. As a result, the regional Security Council held a meeting and engaged the parties to ensure there is peace in the neighborhood. We require peace in this area; we can do nothing but ensure that we have peace. He added that. First and foremost the commander in chief, the president of the republic Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo has sworn to hold this country together, and as his subordinate representing him in this region, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that that mandate is brought to bear. We are here to deepen the conversation and ensure there is an order for every person to go about their duties we are not against cattle rearing folks that are economic activity, equally we will not sit unconcerned for them to destroy crop farmers produced, that is also illegal. Seth Kwame Acheampong said, the government has invested to construct cattle ranch at Afram Plains hence the herdsmen in the area must take advantage to avert destroying crops of farmers. So we must ensure that there is real understanding; the necessary measures that are supposed to put in place have been spelled out. We are asking the farmers who are nomads and traveling with their cattle to be wary that the government has invested in the ranch at Wawase and Agbodeke which are fully completed as we speak, Forifori and Kyemfre are under construction and we want to use this medium to caution them that, please make use of those facilities, if you do not and operation cow-leg sits in and animals rearing go against the rules, they will be dealt with. These are the rules and we want everybody to respect the rules hence the need to engage stakeholders for them to appreciate the position of the government and understand us. So we want all to appreciate and understand us not just to go ahead and enforce without engagement He said. The Chiefs and farmers appealed to the Minister to as a matter of urgency address the situation to avert clashes with the nomadic herdsmen Source: Michael Akrofi - Despite Media E\R Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghanas National Identity Card, the Ghana Card has been recognized globally as a valid e-passport in all International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliant countries and will enable holders of the card to board flights to Ghana from 197 countries and 44,000 airports worldwide. This follows a Key Ceremony on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at the headquarters of ICAO in Montreal, Canada, during which Ghana, represented by the High Commissioner to Canada, H.E Ransford Sowah, received the key to symbolically indicate the countrys entry into the ICAO family. Thus, the Ghana Card, as well as its future biometric equivalents, will now be duly recognized globally as valid e-passport/ID card, in fulfilment of a pledge by the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, that Ghanaians anywhere in the world would soon be able to travel back home using their Ghana cards. Delivering a public lecture at the Ashesi University on the role digitization is playing in transforming the Ghanaian economy on November 2, 2021, Dr. Bawumia indicated that apart from acting as the major source of proof of identity, the Ghana card will be used as an e-passport for Ghanaian citizens, all things being equal, by the end of the first quarter of 2022. "It is not widely known that the Ghana card is also an electronic passport (e-passport) that contains the biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity of travellers," Dr. Bawumia said. He continued, "We have been working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) this year to globally activate the e-passport function of the Ghana card and I am happy to announce that on 13th October 2021, Ghana officially became the 79th member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) community. The ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD) is a central repository for exchanging the information required to authenticate e-passports." This announcement was dismissed by a section of the public, especially members of the NDC, as Impossible and at best a figment of his imagination. Senior media personality, Kwesi Pratt Jnr went as far as describing it as a lie. Officials of the National Identification Authority (NIA) say, however, that with the Key Ceremony in Montreal, the PKD allows Border control authorities to confirm in less than 10 seconds that a Ghanaian biometric e-passport (booklet), as well as the Ghanacard/e-passport, were issued by the right authority, have not been altered, and are not copies or cloned documents. A statement issued by the Authority read in part, In practical terms, this means that it will now be faster and more effective for border control authorities to verify the identity of holders of Ghanas passports. The Key Ceremony is the final stage of the implementation of Ghanas e-passport project. In brief remarks, H.E Ransford Sowah explained that the Ghana Card contains the biometric information of the holder with a cryptographic digital signature stored on a chip that can be used to authenticate the identity of travellers. This makes Ghana one of the few countries in the world where the national ID card also has an e-passport capability, he emphasized. He continued, This means that with this Key Ceremony, all holders of the Ghana Card have an ICAO compliant e-passport that can be read and verified at all ICAO compliant airports/border posts across the world. It can be used for international travel; the subject of course to visa restrictions and bilateral agreements. Indeed, the Ghana Card is already valid for travel in all ECOWAS countries. For Ghanaians living or born in the diaspora, holders of the Ghana Card can be allowed to board any flight to Ghana without any visa requirement as we seek to give an inclusive Akwaaba experience to all children and descendants of our motherland. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mahogany Consult (MC), a Public Relations, Events and Change Management consultancy is celebrating its 10th anniversary under the theme From a seed to a Tree:10x, signifying the companys exponential growth within the decade and symbolic of thanks to the varied stakeholders whose support has achieved this feat. As part of the anniversary, MC has out doored a new logo to reflect a revitalized, bigger, better and more impactful brand and also outdoored a number of activities to commemorate the milestone. In a media interview, Esi Asante Antwi, Managing Partner at Mahogany Consult outlined 3 strategic commemorative activities: In line with our desire to groom the next generation of Public Relations (PR) professionals and experts, we will launch a support programme for selected PR departments in some Communication Schools in Ghana. Secondly, we will be part of key media engagements to discuss resilience in business, the journey of 2 female entrepreneurs, share our experiences and contribution to knowledge in the communication industry. Then we will climax all this with a thanksgiving service, bringing together our families, staff, clients, and friends. Beyond these, the company has also planned private engagement sessions with key stakeholders. Baaba Cofie, Managing Partner, said We are excited and thankful that we can share our joy with varied partners who have been the reason we can celebrate this milestone; our staff, our clients, our media friends, our industry friends and our global friends. We look forward to stimulating conversations to build stronger relationships and enhanced partnerships. She also hinted on the expansion of key service areas. With growth comes necessary expansion. This year, were expanding our service offerings and enhancing our capacity as a team to serve better and satisfy the needs of our clients. The 10th anniversary is today 10th February. Earlier this year, MC was awarded, for the second time, the Best in Social Media Management at the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) National PR and Communications Excellence Awards 2021 held in Akosombo. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Audio Attachment: Management of Citi FM has unreservedly apologized to the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, for misreporting him over the dismissal of the Managing Director of Airports Company Limited (GACL). The media house, has accordingly, retracted the erroneous reportage it aired on its network in the morning of Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Following the leaked dismissal letter of Yaw Kwakwa into the public domain, Citi News erroneously reported that Hon. Asiamah whose signature is on the letter that purportedly dismissed the MD of Ghana Airports Company Limited says he is not aware of that letter. However, the electronic media network has made a u-turn, apologizing to the Transport Minister for the harm caused him following their misreporting. "Following the dismissal of Yaw Kwakwa as Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Citi News erroneously reported that the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah denied knowledge of the dismissal. We apologize and retract the said statement. We unreservedly apologize to the Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah for any inconvenience caused him", the Adabraka-based media organisation reported on its network 24 hours after the incident. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Council of Zongo Chiefs has commended the Chief Executive Officer of the Zongo Development Fund (ZoDF), Obrempong Dr. Arafat Sulemana Abdulai, for spearheading development projects in Zongo communities in the country. The Council noted that since his assumption of office, Obrempong Dr. Abdulai has worked tirelessly in ensuring that the impact of the projects executed by ZoDF were felt in every corner of Ghana. The Council therefore expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the establishment of the Zongo Development Fund. It also lauded Vice President Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia for his continuous support to Zongo communities, and conveyed appreciation and recognition of the valiant performance of Obrempong Dr. Abdulai as Chief Executive Officer. The eminent Chiefs made this declaration through their National Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Imoru Baba Issah, at a meeting with the Chief Executive and management of ZoDF, at the ZoDF secretariat in Accra last Wednesday. Speaking on behalf of the venerable chiefs representing various ethnic groups in Zongo Communities, Alhaji Baba Issah stated that as key partners in the development of Zongo communities, the Council supports, appreciates and acknowledges the historic transformation of Zongo communities through the interventions of the ZoDF. He said the education of the youth in Zongo communities, the enhancement of skills training, peace building and access to gainful employment remained key priorities of Chiefs in Zongo Communities. In that connection, the National Council presented a proposal for support from the Fund for the construction of a senior high school (SHS) and a nursing training college on land secured by the Council at Ashifla in the Greater Accra Region. The Council presented documents pertaining to the land and architectural drawings for the school and the nursing college to the CEO. Alhaji Baba Issah stated further that the objective of bringing Peace, Unity and Development by Chiefs cannot be attained without the support and collaboration of the Fund. The CEO of ZoDF thanked the Council for its pre-eminent role in Zongo communities and acknowledged that Chiefs form the fulcrum of the Zongo Development Agenda. He said it is recognition of the indispensable role of Chiefs in Zongo communities that the Act establishing the Fund enshrined the representation of Chiefs on the governing board of the ZoDF. He assured the Chiefs of the support, cooperation and collaboration of the Fund in key areas such as education, peace-building, health and skills training. Conflict resolution, conflict management and conflict prevention are additional areas of collaboration the Fund would pursue in collaboration with the Council, he added. Obrempong Dr. Abdulai stated that the Fund was in the process of commencing the construction of three model senior high schools this year (2022), and indicated that serious consideration would be accorded the request from the Council. He commended the Council for the laudable initiative. Obrempong Dr. Abdulai noted that the development of Zongo communities demands the collective effort of all stakeholders. He conveyed the readiness of the Fund to improve the capacity of Chiefs, Magajiyas (women leaders) and youth leaders in Zongo communities and to also support programmes targeted at bridging the gap between Chiefs and the youth in Zongo communities. Obrempong Dr. Abdulai also lauded the Chiefs for the swift manner in which they acted to restore calm during the recent disturbances at Nima and Mamobi. The National Council of Zongo Chiefs is the umbrella organization of Chiefs from Zongo communities throughout the 16 regions of Ghana. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has ordered $5 million out of the total $6 million fine imposed on MAXAM Ghana Limited to be paid into the coffers of the Appiatse Support Fund. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor on Monday announced the imposition of a $1 million administrative fine and an additional $5 against MAXAM. This was after a committee of inquiry found MAXAM guilty of breaches in the incident of January 20, 2022, in which the transportation of some mining explosives from MAXAMs plant at Iduapriem to Chirano Gold Mines resulted in a blast at Appiatse in the Western Region. In the latest release dated Thursday, January 10, 2022, the lands minister said the President has ordered the $5 million fine to be paid into the account of a fund set up to support the victims of the accident which led to 13 deaths. The President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has directed that Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000.00), out of the total of Six Million United States Dollars (US$6,000,000.00), to be paid by Maxam Ghana Limited to Government, be donated to the Appiatse Support Fund, established by Government to, among others, support the victims of the Appiatse incident and reconstruct the community, the statement said. Meanwhile, the minister in his initial release stated that while the administrative fine of $1 million is to be paid outright by MAXAM, the government has agreed with the company for the payment of the $5 million in monthly instalments over a period of 18 months. By law, the One Million Dollars (US$1,000,000.00), which constitutes the administrative fine, forms part of the Internally Generated Funds (IGF) of the Minerals Commission, the regulator of the sector. The President has, therefore, directed that the additional Five Million Dollars (US$5,000,000.00), to be paid by Maxam to Government, be donated to the Appiatse Support Fund to support the reconstruction of the community. Accordingly, I have directed the Minerals Commission to ensure that the said Five Million Dollars (US$5,000,000.00) is paid to the Appiatse Support Fund, in accordance with the agreed terms of payment, the minister said. On Thursday, January 20, 2022, a truck transporting explosive material- Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil (ANFO) - from MAXAM Ghana Limited's explosives plant, located at Iduapriem, Tarkwa in the Western Region, to Chirano Gold lines Limited's site in the Western North Region, exploded, causing extensive damage to life and property. Some thirteen (13) persons are reported to have died from the incident, with some one hundred (100) people injured, with several others rendered homeless due to the impact of the explosion which brought down, or structurally weakened, almost all houses in the Appiatse community. Your browser does not support iframes. Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A sod-cutting ceremony has been performed for the construction of a modern neonatal intensive care unit attached to the Eastern Regional Hospital at Koforidua. The GH1.9 million edifice, named Nana Owiredu Wadie I Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), is a one-storey 40-bed capacity hostel within the building to house only mothers. It consists of a childrens ward for NICU babies, Out Patient Department (OPD), consulting rooms, conference rooms, high dependency ward, low dependency ward, an additional mothers hostel, stable patient ward, isolation ward, standard OPD and emergency ward. The facility is being executed by Kabaka Foundation owned by Nana Owiredu Wadie I, the Nkosuohene of Kwahu-Nkwatia, who is also the financier of the project. The project, which is to be completed within 12 months, is to help reduce neonatal mortality at the hospital. Alleviating suffering At a short ceremony on the hospital's premises last Monday for the commencement of work, Nana Wadie I said he decided to undertake the project when he observed the difficulties patients and their relatives went through when he first decided to give a facelift to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. According to him, he took inspiration from God to alleviate the suffering of humanity, especially premature babies and their mothers. That, he indicated, would put smiles on the faces of the mothers at the hospitals NICU. Birthday presence Nana Wadie I pledged to hand over the facility to the hospital on his birthday, which will fall on September 28 this year. He commended the management of the hospital for giving him the space to construct the facility. Gratitude For his part, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Arko Akoto-Ampaw, said after seeing the good work of the Kabaka Foundation when it gave the Intensive Care Unit a facelift, the hospital asked the foundation to put up the new structure. Dr Akoto-Ampaw said he was happy that the Kabaka Foundation had responded positively to the hospital's request. He stated that when completed, it would significantly reduce the stress that both patients and medical staff went through. He thanked Nana Wadie I and the foundation for the assistance and appealed to other philanthropists as well as well-to-do Ghanaians to emulate his good example. Some of the excited mothers told the Daily Graphic that their suffering would soon come to an end with the provision of a new NICU facility. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The E-Levy fight appears to be blowing up more by the minute and it seems the Majority is stopping at nothing until their message is drummed into every ear. From town hall meetings to ardent arguments in parliament, the NPP and Majority side in parliament have consistently pushed for the passage of the E-levy, giving crisp reasons why it should be passed. Despite the resistance by Minority and sections of Ghanaians, Majority members, led by the Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu have evidently reiterated the E-Levy message, albeit in a celebratory manner. The Majority Leader has been captured celebrating his birthday with a symbolic cake on his birthday. Photos and videos from the celebration which have gone viral capture the all-green, six-part cake that spelt out the words, E-LEVY very boldly. With big names such the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, his wife, Samira Bawumia, the NPP Chairman for the Ashanti region, Chairman Wontumi, among other party bigwigs in attendance, it sure seemed like a flamboyant climax of the celebration of the man who is also the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. As of the tenth sitting of the eighth parliament in this year, the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) has still not been re-presented on the floor of parliament for the necessary processes to be made towards passing it. The split sides on the levy have become even clearer now even as the Majority vows to move mountains to get the unpopular bill passed, while their colleagues on the other side of the House, backed by their equal numbers of Members of Parliament, have made it clear that they will lay down their lives to see this obnoxious levy unsuccessful. Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has attracted the ire of colleague Member of Parliament and Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka But it seems that the campaigns, the propaganda and the publicities for the E-Levy have not only been maintained at the levels of debates in parliament, or in other areas avenues such as during media engagements. Here are some photos and videos from the celebration: Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mensah Thompson, the Executive Director of the Alliance For Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), is in the grips of the Ghana Police Service, Accra-based Citi FM have reported. He was held after honouring an invitation by the Teshie District Police Command and has also been slapped with a charge of publication of false news. Thompson, according to reports will be arraigned before a Kaneshie District Court tomorrow, Thursday, February 10. Thompson's 'fake news' post and GAF reaction On 7th January, Thompson posted an allegation on his Facebook wall, the first two paragraphs of which read: So between the 20th and 30th of December, 2021..during the Christmas, the children of a close relative of the President took Ghanas Presidential Jet the Falcon EX jet on a trip to the UK just for Christmas shopping. They didn't go alone, they went with their friends and partied in the sky all through the trip, taking snap videos and flaunting their lucky adventure. The Ghana Armed Forces subsequently issued a statement, dated January 9, 2022, dismissing the entire post describing it as a figment of the imagination of the author. It also explained that the jet had in a long time not made a trip to Europe and that available records will prove that. That letters last paragraph said the military had reported the issue to the Inspector-General of Police for further investigation given the gravity of the allegations. Thompson on his part withdrew the contents of his post stating that he had sought some information on the said trip from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, GCAA. It is unknown to Ghanaweb whether he has received a response from GCAA as yet. Mensah Thompsons January 23 post on Police invitation On January 23, Thompson confirmed via a Facebook post that he had been invited to the CID headquarters to "answer questions on my publications on the Presidential jet." "Prior to that the Police had called PowerFM asking for the location to our office, when the complaint they received had details of my contact which they could have reached out. "Well tomorrow at 10AM, in the company of my lawyers, I shall be honoring the invitation of the CID at the CID Headquarters to answer any questions they may have concerning the publication I made in my capacity as the head of a Civil Society Organization with key responsibility to check government and its agencies!!!" his post read. The following day he posted an update to the effect that read as follows: "The CID who called me to report to the CID quarters this morning just called me that he has recieved further instructions I should rather report to Teshie Rasta Police station. "Instructions from who? I cannot tell.Why he cannot tell me!!" Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister for Trade and Industry has assured the teeming unemployed youth that the government is responding to their employment needs. Mr Alan Kyerematen gave this assurance on February 3, 2022, at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra during a reception held in honour of Sir Tony Blair, Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute and former Prime Minister of Great Britain. At the meeting, Mr Kyerematen made known the various programmes embarked upon by the government and being implemented to ensure the country achieves its industrial transformation agenda. He explained that through the Ministry of Trade and Industry weve sought to respond to the urgent need for jobs particularly by the Ghanaian youth and to make Ghana a self-reliant country. He said these are in addition to some of these flagship programmes being implemented by president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos government. The Minister singled out the support the Ministry has enjoyed from the British Government adding that it is still collaborating with other partners who are supporting the Ministry to roll out the Ghana Automotive Development Policy. Through our collective hard work, Ghana is now home to leading the global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the automobile industry, where we currently have four assembly facilities namely Volkswagen, Toyota, Sinotruk and Nissan producing vehicles for the Ghanaian market, he added Source: class fm Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has disclosed that taking Ghanas economy back to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is not an option. According to the party, the government can find a way out of the recent economic mess without resorting to the IMF. Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the Communications Director of the NPP, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah said the government is already implementing some of the instructions they will be given at the IMF. Having gone to the IMF and we are now struggling to fund roads including in the cities, we cant go back to that and we will not go back to that because we have a positive relationship with the IMF already in terms of Article 4 consultation that we do annually, in our last Article 4 consultation the IMF stated clearly how we have dealt with COVID. Mr. Buabeng Asamoah also called out former President John Mahama for his opinions on the economy. For example, he is castigating the government for not having a plan for fiscal consolidation that development partners will buy into, but he says this without realising that the development community have accepted the cost cutting measures of 20% in expenditure and E-Levy as the building block of our recovery. So, where is the lack of plan that he is mentioning, usually his focus is three things, increasing revenue internally, cutting waste and managing debt, these are the three prescription the IMF proposes, Asamoa pointed out. So, at this stage for the former president to insist that we should go to a Senchi-like event where we will then march off to the IMF for relief, it doesnt really work, we are already implementing the measures that the IMF is likely to bring forward, Asamoa said. The NPP communications director said it is not prudent to return to the International Monetary Fund. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minority in Parliament has filed a private members motion for Parliament to constitute a bi-partisan committee to investigate how the government spent $560 million it received from the World Bank to fight the spread of COVID-19. It stated that last week, the World Bank Country Director, Mr Pierre Frank Laporte, revealed that Ghana had been given not less than $560 million to fight the pandemic. It quoted Mr Laporte as disclosing that the group first gave about $430 million and an additional $130 million to purchase vaccines to fight the pandemic and sensitise the citizenry to COVID-19 safety protocols. It is one of the reasons why we think that the receipt and the expenditure on COVID-19 has not been transparent but very opaque, it said. Transparency Addressing the press in Parliament yesterday, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, Mr Kwabena Akandoh, said: There should be a bi-partisan probe into the entire receipt and expenditure on COVID-19 so that we bring this issue to its logical conclusion. There is one thing indicating what you have received and properly accounting for what you have received and we think there has not been a proper accountability with regard to the pandemic, he said. Mr Akandoh, who is the Member of Parliament for Juaboso, said the move by the Minority had been triggered by reports on how the government expended about GH32 million on meetings and another GH600 million on Agenda 111 in 2020 even before the grounds were broken for the construction of the projects. These are serious issues that we think we must look into and if what the World Bank Country Director said is anything to go by, then we have a serious problem at hand. This is because the money received so far does not tally with what has been indicated by the Country Director of the World Bank, he said. Revelation Last week, the World Bank Country Director disclosed that the bank supported the country with $560 million to purchase vaccines and bolster campaigns and projects to sensitise Ghanaians to COVID-19 safety protocols, equipping laboratories and medical facilities to receive patients. He explained that the World Bank also embarked on other projects to support the Ghanaian economy in the SME and tourism sectors. He said there were plans of disbursing an additional sum of $60 million which would go directly to support vaccine purchases and treatment centres. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghanaian gospel musician, Evangelist Diana Asamoah, has responded to critics who have described her as a slay queen. Some individuals have taken a swipe at the gospel musician over her recent way of dressing. But responding to her critics, she said she is slaying for Christ and not to please anyone. According to her, she has matured in Christ and understands the word of God better than in the past, hence her perception of these things have changed. You have decided to tag me as a slay queen, but I will turn it into something positive. I will continue to slay. If you want to use that to smear me with something negative and evil, I will turn it into something positive, she said. Source: rainbowradioonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Oheneba Boamah Bennie, host of Battle Ground on Power FM has been incarcerated by the Criminal Court 2 of the Accra High Court. The broadcaster has been sentenced to prison custody for 14 days by the court presided over by Justice Elfreda Dankyi for contempt of court. Additionally, he was fined an amount of GHS 3000. In December 2020 after the election, the broadcaster reportedly published a video on his Facebook timeline, alleging that President Akufo-Addo had met with eight justices of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, and had influenced them about the outcome of the 2020 election petition case pending before the apex court of the land. Through such publication, he was dragged by the Attorney-General Department to prove his claims. Prosecution made claim that the publication by Oheneba Bennie goes a long way to mean that judges, including the justices of the apex court, decide cases not independently but by taking directives from the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo The court in its ruling found Oheneba Boamah guilty of the charge and sentenced him accordingly. The court said to have tempered justice with mercy upon the plea of the counsel for the accused. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Broadcast journalist, Nana Aba Anamoah has called out some appointees of President Nana Addo Dankwa for their woeful performance in office. Nana Aba has described underperforming appointees under the New Patriotic Patry as "comedians". In a tweet dated February 8, she wrote: "The men dier they have. A few of them, however, want to be comedians but its not working. Their jokes are not nice." Her comment was in reaction to a handler, @glacier_boy_ who suggested that NPP after bragging to have 'the men' who can transform the country have rather witnessed most of their officials committing blunders. "Argh! So these are the men the NPP claimed to have had? Ghana be retrogressing each and everyday. You abandon road tolls that fetch you at least Ghc200,000 a day to washrooms? Argh!" His frustration was on the back of a claim by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, who have suggested that all toll booths currently not in use should be converted into washrooms. According to Nana Aba, the ruling party have 'the men" however, some bad nuts among them are the ones making their party unpopular. The Minister interacting with the media after addressing the leadership of the Association of Road Contractors on February 7 said: "We have come up with suggestions, we even want to refurbish all those toll booth structures to provide the proper and decent washrooms, for instance, the use by motorists so that we advise them to desist from the practice that we see, you will find out or you see cars stopping indiscriminately and people getting out to 'wee wee." Mr Amoako-Atta has received backlash for his 'poor thought' with others calling for his resignation. Tweet below- Source: twitter/ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A small line of semi-trailer trucks line up along northbound I-75 in Detroit as the Ambassador Bridge entrance is blocked off for travel to Canada on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press via AP People pause for a moment of silence to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The B.C. Coroners Service announced that 2,224 people died from a suspected illicit drug overdose in 2021. The Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) and B.C. Association of People on Opiate Maintenance distributed a tested supply of illicit drugs to users after the gathering in a call for a safer drug supply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Truckers and supporters block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in Windsor, Ont., on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette A forensic investigator takes photographs at a home in Ajax, Ont., on Thursday, March 15, 2018. A judge is set to deliver his verdict today in the case of a man accused of murdering a woman and two of her children east of Toronto.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel This chart displays trends of mature male Tanner crab biomass in Southeast Alaska based on survey data. The 2022 commercial Tanner crab fishery is set to open Friday at noon with this season's mature male abundance biomass predicted to be 5.81 million pounds in Registration Area A according to Joe Stratman, the lead shellfish biologist for Southeast Alaska with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. That prediction comes from a 2021 survey which uses stratified sampling to estimate mature male Tanner crab abundance spanning from the Dixon Entrance to Cape Fairweather. This year's prediction is 17% larger than last year's biomass survey estimate of 4.95 million pounds according to Stratman wh... Logansport, IN (46947) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 52F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 52F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.10 per week for 10 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month. MUST-SEE: King's Resort Owner Leon Tsoukernik's Stunning Mansion Revealed February 10, 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor MTV's Cribs show is still hugely popular because it gives the everyday person an insight into how the world's richest and most famous celebrities live. French poker grinder and social media personality Johan Guilbert, known under his alias "YoH Viral", is obviously a fan of the show based on the fact he posted a Cribs-type video to his YouTube-channel this week. King's Resort owner Leon Tsoukernik is the man featured in Guilbert's video. You will not believe the size of his garage, what can simply be described as the ultimate "man cave", housing a dozen cars alone! Tsoukernik has a taste for the finer things in life and some ultra-rare luxury cars are found throughout the vast garage. They include a pair of Ferrari's, a Lamborghini, a McLaren, several limited-edition Mercedeses and, of course, a Rolls Royce to top it off. There is even room for Tsoukernik's private helicopter to be shielded from a rainy Czech afternoon. Make sure to watch the 15-minute video below and keep reading to find out more about the boss himself. Editor's note: Episode is in French, English subtitles are available King's Resort Boss Leon Tsoukernik Wins 740K in Crazy Nosebleed PLO Game Art Collection Now Includes an NFT Complementing a vast and enviable car collection are Tsoukernik's modern art pieces. Tsoukernik informed Guilbert that he recently purchased an NFT and is awaiting delivery so he can display it alongside his other pieces of artwork. Tsoukernik's career started in Canada in 1991 when he worked as an assistant in an antique business; it's where his love of fine art and antiques began. Within two years, Tsoukernik had relocated back to Prague and opened two antique stores to complement the two he had in Washington D.C and New York City. His successful antiques business led Tsoukernik, who speaks eight languages, to purchase some land in Rozvadov in 2002, which is where he built his own casino. King's Casino Rozvadov officially opened in June 2003, and by 2009, Tsoukernik transformed it into a poker-orientated venue instead of a traditional casino crammed full of slots, blackjack, and roulette. He states that he values every customer the same regardless of whether they play poker, slots, or are simply enjoying a cup of coffee. Tsoukernik's casino has continually grown to the point he now employs 630 staff in Rozvadoz, and has enough tables to accommodate 1,300 players at any one time. King's is, of course, the home of the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE), hosts regular WSOP Circuit events, among the poker room's many other festivals and series. King's averages at least three poker tournaments per day every day across the year and is, without a doubt, the biggest poker room in all of Europe. Atrium at Hilton Becomes King's Casino, Hosts EPT Prague In addition to King's Resort Rozvadov, Tsoukernik owns King's Casino Prague, formerly the Atrium Casino at the Hilton Prague Hotel, which happens to be where the upcoming PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague festival takes place. PokerNews' Live Reporting team will be on the ground in Prague from March 5-16, bringing you coverage of events including the 10,300 No-Limit Hold'em, the 25,000 High Rollers, 50,000 Super High Roller, and, of course, the eagerly anticipated 5,300 EPT Prague Main Event. PokerNews' EPT Prague Live Reporting Schedule For the full schedule and all the latest on EPT Prague, head over to PokerStars Live for more information. King's Resort Owner Leon Tsoukernik Scoops $1.5m Slots Jackpot PokerNews Podcast: Cheater Exposed, a Negreanu Win & Guests from Next Gen Poker February 10, 2022 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. Hosts: Sarah Herring @auntychardonnay Chad Holloway @ChadAHolloway Guests: Next Gen Poker LibsynSpotifyiTunesPodbeanPlayerFmStitcher In the latest PokerNews Podcast, Sarah Herring and Chad Holloway bring you up to speed on all the latest from the poker world. That includes talking about the cheater that got banned from Hustler Casino Live, making predictions for next week's Global Poker Awards, and recapping winners from the 2022 Winter Open at bestbet Jacksonville. They also talk about winners from the PokerGO Cup, including defending champ Daniel Negreanu, who almost called it quits before rebounding with a big win. Finally, Sarah sits down with the guys from Next Gen Poker Jack, Rosey & Frankie who seek to bring the fun back to poker. Find out why these three young men are quickly building a big following in the poker world. Time Stamps Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Sarah Herring and Chad Holloway on Twitter. Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here! *Image courtesy of Next Gen Poker. Sharelines PokerNews Podcast: @HCLPokerShow cheater, a @RealKidPoker win & guests @TheNextGenPoker. A bill divvying up money South Carolina secured from the federal government for its failure to remove plutonium from the Savannah River Site is now headed to the Senate, after a finance panel wholeheartedly endorsed the measure Tuesday. As drafted, the legislation favors for payout the counties that make up the Department of Energy reservation, established decades ago amid the Cold War, while also supporting places and projects farther afield. Aiken, Barnwell and Allendale counties would be given a total $341 million, the majority of which some $206 million would go to Aiken County endeavors, specifically. So-called perimeter counties, including Edgefield, Orangeburg and Hampton, would share $52 million. An additional $131 million would be spread statewide. The rock in the pond is what were dealing with, where the rock hits between Aiken and Barnwell counties and then that ripples from there, said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Harvey Peeler, a Gaffney Republican. The counties that were impacted the most, of course, were the closest, then the perimeter counties. But then, every county in the state had a taste. Local projects backed by senators this week run the gamut: cyber infrastructure in North Augusta, downtown and Northside redevelopment in Aiken, improvements to Sage Mill Industrial Park, a new career and tech center for the Aiken County Public School District. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster in December 2021 said the states plutonium settlement $525 million, after attorneys took a bite should exclusively fund transformational efforts in Aiken, Barnwell and Allendale counties. Lawmakers, apparently, disagree. Theres no perfect way. There will never be a perfect way, Peeler said Tuesday of the appropriation algorithm. It is as close to perfect as I think you could get. Sen. Tom Young, a member of the state Finance Committee, expects Senate action on the standalone bill next week. The Aiken Republican has played an instrumental role in Statehouse affairs related to the Savannah River Site settlement, and was excited by Tuesdays development. The Senate Finance plan is a big win for our region, Young said Wednesday. Since 2015, our countys legislative delegation has worked to address the federal governments failure to remove the stored plutonium and the failure to fulfill the promise of the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, a never-finished nuclear fuel plant at the Savannah River Site. South Carolina received its plutonium check in 2020, after a deal with the Energy Department was unveiled at a ceremony in Columbia. The sum the state's single largest legal settlement, as Attorney General Alan Wilson has said was the culmination of years of litigation and negotiation. But more work remains, officials suggested this week. We must keep working to gain final legislative approval of these investments that will greatly improve our region for decades to come, Young said. COLUMBIA South Carolina employers could get a state tax credit for hiring veterans or former inmates under a bill advancing in the House that aims to train workers while linking ex-cons to a stable job so they don't end up back in prison. The bill sent Feb. 9 to the House floor on a unanimous vote would provide employers a tax break of up to $6,500 per hire over three years if the worker stays on the payroll for the duration of the allowed credit. Hires must be participating in federally validated apprenticeship programs, which are coordinated through South Carolina's technical colleges and provide on-the-job training with a paycheck. The break applies only to the three years following a potential worker's release from lockup for a nonviolent crime or honorable discharge from the military. What happens during those first three years is critical for whether inmates get their lives on track or return to bad habits and crimes that put them back behind the razor wire, Corrections Director Bryan Stirling said. "If people are working and learning and educated when theyre out, particularly when they're recently released, that's a setup for success," he said. He expects the incentive to prompt more South Carolina businesses to hire ex-felons and encourage those that already do to expand their numbers, further reducing the state's recidivism rate. According to the latest data, less than 22 percent of ex-felons return to prison in South Carolina within three years of release, the lowest rate among the 42 states that track that figure. Rep. Joe Daning, the bill's main sponsor, said the incentives are meant to help solve two problems. "We need employees. We have jobs we can't fill. Apprenticeship is the best way to get skilled labor," said the Goose Creek Republican, who knows firsthand what he calls the "no brainer" benefits for the employee and employer. The Trident Technical College director entered an apprenticeship welder program after leaving the Air Force in 1964. As for inmates, he said, "the reason they're in there is because they don't have the skills to begin with." Training them for a skilled job that provides a consistent paycheck can break a cycle of crime, he said. People with a criminal record have a hard time getting hired. The incentive will hopefully lead to more employers being willing to look past their history, Daning said. Under the bill, the employer could get a $3,000 tax credit the first year of employment, $2,500 the second year and $1,000 the third. The break could apply to a range of state taxes, including income taxes, bank taxes and corporate license taxes. Spreading it out over three years should help ensure businesses keep the workers employed, Daning said. It's unclear how much the tax credits could reduce state revenues. South Carolina's fiscal experts estimated its potential impact at $500,000 to $4 million annually, but changes approved by the Ways and Means Committee are expected to reduce the total breaks. Updated estimates are not yet available. Its none of anybodys business other than those directly involved, but the Medical University of South Carolina may be catching a little shade over the matter of refusing organ transplantation for those who refuse to get COVID vaccinated. As reported in The Post and Courier, organs available for transplantation are relatively scarce and there is a long list of patients at MUSC 1,438 to be exact waiting on the opportunity. Each individual needs to go through a very complex preoperative checklist to ensure transplant viability and patient safety, and most, if not all, postoperatively will be on powerful immunosuppressant medications to help prevent rejection of the transplanted organ or, in certain cases, rejection of the host (i.e., recipient) by grafted (i.e., transplanted) cellular materials. There are only a few things that place individuals at high risk for serious problems related to COVD-19: Age, preexistent medical problems, obesity and immunosuppression. Healthy people under the age of 65 in the overwhelming majority of cases have nothing to worry about and will be fine. Thats not to say some wont feel terrible for a given time and that a few wont have lingering complaints like fatigue and alterations in the taste and smell. Accordingly, vaccines and appropriate mask wearing are recommended to help prevent any of that and to cut down on transmissibility to those more vulnerable. As immunosuppression is a major risk factor for critical COVID-related illness and death, and considering that transplant recipients are placed in an induced state of immunosuppression, it makes no sense to offer transplantation to people who refuse vaccination who might promptly contract the virus and expire, taking the transplanted organs with them. Would not those same organs be better suited for people who are willing to optimize their chances for longevity? MUSC is not being heartless, as some have claimed; its being sensible. Wise poetic advice Speaking of medical problems, my friend Dr. John Corless, a retired gastroenterologist, loves to write doggerel poetry during his expanded use of spare time that is when hes not showing off for the ladies his fine Irish tenors vocal prowess. Given that March has been designated Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Corless takes the opportunity to sing the following ode titled Check Your Colon" about the scourge of CRC and how it might be prevented. Colon cancer now ranks in the #2 spot Killing both men & women, and thats quite a lot. So lets take a moment to become more aware Of possible dangers in your derriere. We now know how most colon cancers arise, They dont just appear, or fall out of the skies. Many start off as polyps, small and benign, But given the chance they can get out of line. Turn into cancer thats able to spread Throughout your whole body & leave you quite dead. But instead of expiring, you could live to old age If your cancer is found at a treatable stage. Sign up for our new opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! If cancers found early, 9 of 10 can survive So weve started to screen folks at age 45 To get cancers discovered, and new ones prevented Using tests and techniques that doctors invented. Or perhaps colon polyps are seen and destroyed With the painless techniques that your doctor employed While you were sedated & comfortably resting, Your polyps were cut out, then sent off for testing. If the polyps were small, and only a few, The tissue report will guide what to do, And determine just when youll need scoping again: Dont worry, its usually five years or ten. So get off your duff, get your rear in high gear And find out for sure if your colon is clear. Talk with your doctor about what you should do: You have options for screening, choose the best plan for you. Now please spread this message, make others aware To show that you love them, and know that you care, For Alls Well that Ends Well as Shakespeare did say, And to beat colon cancer, early screenings the way! U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough laid out 10 major steps to invest in all VA employees during his visit to the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston on Feb. 9. For public hospitals across the country, the pandemic has exacerbated many of the already existing issues, including higher turnover among nurses and lack of competitive wages. "I don't think there's anything I'm more proud of then the fact that in the midst of a pandemic, the VA didn't weaken or slow down," said McDonough. Earlier this year, when emergency department wait times skyrocketed in hospitals across the state due to the surge in omicron cases, the Charleston VA maintained short wait times despite staffing struggles due to the virus, he said. "With an increase in workload related to COVID-19 and testing, staff out sick and a national nursing shortage, I am extremely proud of our dedicated staff that serve around the clock," Joye Onorato, an emergency department nurse manager at the Charleston VA, said in a press release. McDonough continued to recognize the work of the Charleston VA in his remarks and added that more should be done to compete with the private sector and keep the best quality health care workers at the VA. "Due to the unprecedented demand for frontline workers, salaries have grown to historic highs in the private sector," said McDonough. "They haven't moved at the VA." According to McDonough, a big part of this problem has to do with the current salary cap on VA employees, which creates a sizable wage gap between public and private sector health care workers. In many cases, a private sector registered nurse can make between $10,000 and $20,000 more than a nurse at the VA. "On top of that, due to pay caps, there's a point at which VA nurses can get promoted but no longer get the raises that are supposed to come with those promotions, meaning they take on more responsibility for the same pay," said McDonough. As part of the 10-step plan, McDonough pledged to work with Congress to invest in raising the federal worker minimum wage to $15 an hour, maximize bonuses and retention incentives by waiving limits on bonuses for work done during the pandemic, and increasing opportunities to work outside the traditional workspace whenever possible. Other items announced in this plan include increasing opportunities for promotions, funding scholarship programs for employees and enforcing the vaccine requirement for all health care workers to protect employees from COVID-19. The VA also plans to help cover the cost of child care by increasing the income cap from $89,000 to $149,000 per year to receive a child care subsidy from the VA and investing in wellness among employees by promoting work-life balance and addressing burnout. And according to McDonough, work has already begun on this front with the establishment of the VHA Reboot task force, a team of employees dedicated to developing innovative ways to improve work conditions, increase scheduling flexibilities and reduce burnout. Part of this initiative includes establishing "Chief Well-Being Officers" at hospitals. "This is an ongoing effort and more recommendations are coming," said McDonough." McDonough also pledged to include diversity, equity and inclusion principles across all sectors of the VA, including actively hiring a chief diversity officer for the department. GEORGETOWN A Hemingway policewoman accused of fatally shooting an unarmed motorist after a high-speed chase over a minor traffic violation was free on bond Feb. 10 soon after her first hearing on a manslaughter charge. After a long but checkered career in law enforcement, officer Cassandra Dollard appeared before a Georgetown County judge wearing a pink jail uniform and handcuffs, a day after her arrest and four days after Robert Langley was shot and killed at a rural crossroads. Langley's family crowded into the courtroom behind the prosecutor's table, joined by their personal attorneys. Relatives understood Dollard had a right to bond, family attorney Gerald Malloy said, but they wanted the judge to make it clear that police were treated the same as any other citizen charged with a crime. I've been doing this for over 30 years, said Malloy, who is also a state senator. And I've seen a lot of police shootings. This is one of the most egregious. Georgetown County Chief Magistrate Isaac Pyatt set a $150,000 surety bond for Dollard, an officer with close to three decades of experience. She posted bond less than two hours after the hearing ended, according to jail records. Dollard, 52, was arrested Feb. 9 on the charge of voluntary manslaughter, an offense punishable by between two years and 30 years in prison. Langley, known as Junior, worked at a chicken processing plant for 14 years and was a father of 10. He recently became a grandfather. His mother, Roslyn, said at the hearing her son was a hard-working man who supported his family. My son meant the world to me," she said, crying. Scott Hixson, chief deputy solicitor for the 15th Judicial Circuit, told the judge that dashboard camera from Dollard's squad car showed that she began pursuing Langley's vehicle after he rolled through a stop sign in Hemingway, a small town in Williamsburg County. The State Law Enforcement Division, the agency that is investigating the shooting, said in an arrest warrant affidavit the pursuit started at 1:24 a.m. Feb. 6. Langley initially slowed his vehicle, but then sped off, leading Dollard on a nearly 9-mile chase that exceeded 100 mph, Hixson said. Dollard pursued Langley into Georgetown County, where he eventually crashed his car into a ditch at the intersection of Schoolhouse and Choppee roads, Hixson said. Dollard told SLED agents that she thought she saw something in Langley's hands as she approached his car, but she did not identify the item as a weapon in her interview, according to Hixson. Video from the officer's body-worn camera showed that Langley was unarmed. Hixson said Dollard shot Langley once in the chest, killing him. Dollard is Black, as is Langley. Voluntary manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another human in the sudden heat of passion, but without malice, Hixson explained. Authorities allowed Langley's family to watch the video of his death before a press conference Feb. 9 at the Georgetown County Judicial Center. Bakari Sellers, another family attorney, said relatives heard Langley gargling blood and fighting for air. Dollard's attorney, Rose Mary Parham, said at bond hearing Feb. 10 that Dollard was very sorry for the shooting and grieved with the Langley family. Dollard was a mother, grandmother and "a woman of modest means" who owned a home she shared with her sister in Hemingway, Parham said. Dollard voluntarily provided a statement to SLED during the investigation, Parham said. She has not hidden from this, Parham said. Michael Fulmore, Dollard's brother-in-law, said after the hearing Dollard was an outspoken but lovable person who would do anything for anybody. He said Dollard began her career in law enforcement after serving in the Army. Dollard is believed to be the first South Carolina law enforcement officer arrested in the shooting death of a suspect since North Charleston officer Michael Slager killed motorist Walter Scott in 2015. Slager was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal civil rights charges. Sellers, a former state lawmaker, said Dollard was out of her depth and not trained well or didnt listen in training. He said at the Feb. 10 bond hearing that Langley's shooting was not just a failure of duty by Dollard, but a failure of the state criminal justice system. Dollard was fired from two different jobs in law enforcement before joining Hemingway Police Department, and should not have been on the road that night, Sellers said. A checkered career Dollard has worked for six South Carolina law enforcement and corrections agencies over a nearly 30-year career in law enforcement, according to S.C. Criminal Justice Academy records. Dollard started with the Hemingway Police Department less than five months ago, records state. Shes also worked for the St. Stephen and Lake City police departments and the Williamsburg County Detention Center. Dollard was fired in December 2014 from the State Transport Police, which oversees enforcement of commercial motor vehicles, after 8 years for rule violations, conduct unbecoming a state employee and negligence, according to state records. Dollard filed a federal lawsuit in 2017 alleging gender and racial discrimination by the state agency led to her firing. Dollard's disciplinary records attached as exhibits to a state motion to dismiss the case showed Dollard was reprimanded several times in 2014 before her termination. Dollard was terminated after firing her service weapon at two dogs she claimed chased her during a morning run on Sept. 11, 2014, in Jamestown. She told investigators she was uncertain if she hit the dogs, which ran off after she fired the shots. Dollard waited nearly six hours before telling her supervisor about the shooting, records state. The dogs, described as two pit bulls, were not located. In July 2014, Dollard was accused of acting unprofessionally after slamming her fists against the trunk of a motorist's vehicle while assisting during a traffic crash on Interstate 26, court records show. Three months before that, Dollard failed to properly inspect a wood-chip hauler with a flat tire during a stop in Hemingway, records show. Dollard did not document the stop or wear her body armor and did not notify dispatchers of the stop. After reviewing videos from Dollard's body-worn camera for other stops, investigators found that Dollard consistently made similar errors while policing, records state. Dollard's lawsuit against the state was dismissed with prejudice in January 2018. Hemingway Police Department provided its vehicle pursuit policy to The Post and Courier. The policy states that officers should use good judgment and common sense whenever they initiate a pursuit. Officers should consider factors such as the reason for the pursuit, the speed involved, and time and length of the pursuit when determining whether to continue chasing someone, the policy states. High-speed vehicle pursuits of known dangerous felons would generally allow the officer to drive at higher speeds, the policy states. Officers are reminded, however, that the higher the speed, the higher the risk for loss of vehicle control and accidents. CONWAY While one small development planned for a coastal community was halted last week by Horry Countys planning board, a larger one in the local government seat was approved with little fanfare highlighting how complex managing growth can be inside South Carolinas fastest growing area. Much of a Feb. 3 Planning Commission meeting was dominated by opposition to a 14-acre rezone of land in Little River, a 9,000-person village about 20 miles north of Myrtle Beach, where Venture Engineering hopes to construct 46 single family units off S.C. Highway 57. Ive never been to a meeting to stop any type of development. I figure, you buy the property, you do what you want, nearby property owner James Gause said. But over the last 10 years, Ive watched the water drainage go to zero on massive floods. The ditches back up. This project will make it worse for all residents. Over the last decade, the Grand Strand County added nearly 82,000 people as many as 38 counties combined picked up over that same span, according to 2020 U.S. Census results. Much of that growth is being funneled into its traditional population centers, adding even more stress to overtaxed roads and rocketing up demand for new homes. It seems like the more Horry County grows, the more people that move here, the more swamps that are filled in, the more flooding issues we got, Loris resident Daniel Barnhill told commissioners Feb. 3. Youve got to look at it as, where does it stop? And Planning Commission meetings like the one earlier this month are often sounding boards for residents and local officials to balance future land use goals with the realities of a fast growing economy happening now. The Horry County Council has final say on zoning issues, but uses planning commission votes for guidance. Thats why commissioners tabled the rezone request in Little River. Members said they wanted the projects team to first huddle with people like Gause. Being a good neighbor, the first thing is communication, Planning Commission member Chuck Rhome said. Buildable land in Horry County is at such a premium that large swaths in outlying areas such as Loris for decades a rural town insulated from rapid growth are being primed for development as well. Jason White, who runs a construction company in town, asked the Planning Commission Feb. 3 to convert almost 102 acres next to the North Carolina state line from forest agriculture to multi-family residential so he could bring 231 homes to market on land along Camp Swamp and Fries Bay roads. Rodney Nelson, who owns nine acres next to the proposed site, worried about cutting into natural buffers for water that accumulates in creeks after major rain events. I just dont want to be flooded out. That, and having neighbors, because Ive spent a lot of money on land, he said. White told commissioners if his project is approved, hell increase a culvert on the property to help with drainage. To the watershed, that area will be improved, he said. The commission voted unanimously to back Whites proposal. EDISTO ISLAND Agents with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested the sister of a man facing charges in the Christmas Day bombing of an ATM, charging her with making a bomb threat or conspiring to do so, records show. Kelsie Lynn Ammons, 31, was arrested Feb. 10 in the Summerville area and was held at the Charleston County jail without bail. She is expected to appear Feb. 11 for a bond hearing. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the felony. Witnesses told detectives Ammons was seen driving a vehicle used in the case that morning, Knapp said. Cellphone records also captured her phone in use on Edisto Island around the time of the attempted robbery. Her arrest comes about three weeks after detectives arrested her brother, David Earl Ammons II, 38. He is accused of setting off an explosive that blew apart the kiosk which held a drive-up ATM at the Enterprise Bank of South Carolina branch on Edisto Island just after 9 a.m. Dec. 25. David Ammons II faces charges of second-degree burglary, safecracking and using a destructive device, authorities said. He was booked into the Charleston County jail Jan. 19 and waived his right to a bond hearing the following day. If found guilty of safecracking, he could face up to five years in prison. If convicted of burglary, he could face 10. He also could face 25 years if found guilty for using a destructive device. Detectives with the Charleston County Sheriffs Office arrested Ammons after locating him in Cottageville, a small Colleton County town, Knapp said. His arrest came two weeks after Charleston County deputies appealed to the public for more clues in the explosion. Deputies previously released surveillance video of the incident, showing a heavily disguised person placing what appears to be a pipe bomb next to the ATM. The device smoked for around 40 seconds before exploding, after which the suspect re-entered the frame and approached the buildings door, which was knocked off its hinges by the explosions force. Although the explosion caused enough damage to allow Ammons to enter the structure, the ATM itself was not breached and no money was stolen, Knapp said. No injuries were reported in the explosion. The person in the video is dressed wearing a long-haired black wig, a camouflage hunting jacket and carrying a pink backpack with flowers on it, according to an arrest affidavit. The surveillance footage also shows Ammons fleeing from the ATM in a black Audi hatchback, the affidavit said. Witnesses informed detectives this was the getaway vehicle, driven by a second person. It was the second time law enforcement came across the defendant in the hatchback. A deputy from the Colleton County Sheriffs Office contacted Ammons in the same vehicle in late October, the affidavit said. The deputy located a long-haired black wig on the front seat of the hatchback, which was captured on the deputys dash- and body-camera video, according to the affidavit. After the Dec. 25 incident, detectives recovered a jacket, wig and remnants from the explosive device, which were apparently discarded along a nearby dirt road. The seized wig was similar to the wigs shown in both the October and December footage. The jacket also looked similar to the one the bomber wore at the bank, the affidavit said. After over a month of deliberation, Charleston City Council voted 9-4 on Feb. 9 to form a Commission on Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation. The commission's goal is to ameliorate the vestiges of Jim Crow era laws, the amended ordinance states. It seeks to address a broad array of racial inequities in Charleston from health care and education access to economic opportunities. The new commission is modeled after a temporary one formed in the wake of anti-police brutality protests across the U.S. and in Charleston in 2020. The temporary commission authored a 545-page report of policy recommendations in 2021. The report drew pushback from some who deemed a handful of recommendations were too controversial for the city to formally accept. Among them were proposals to form a reparations plan, promote critical race theory and reallocate police funding. City Council voted twice in the fall to reject both accepting the report and making the commission a permanent fixture. The two co-chairs of the original commission, Jason Sakran and William Dudley Gregorie, brought about a proposal at the end of 2021 to form a new commission instead. It was passed Feb. 9 with a series of amendments proposed by Councilman Peter Shahid. Amendments proposed by Councilwoman Caroline Parker were rejected. Council members Mike Seekings, Boyd Gregg, Kevin Shealy and Parker voted against the proposal. Over the past few weeks, council members have worked on amendments in an attempt to come to a compromise about the new commission's goals. "I cant tell you how proud I am of the people who came to me who were ordinary citizens," Shahid said. "It helped us engage the community." Speaking in favor of the commission, some council members reflected on their own experiences with racism. "I was arrested 15 times after turning 14 years old doing the right thing during the civil rights movement. I had eggs thrown at me ... marching down these streets," Councilman Robert Mitchell said. At the last meeting on Jan. 25, the commission was proposed under its new name, the Commission on Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation. The ordinance stated that the commission will "acknowledge" the work of the original commission but not "validate" the report. It was also changed from a permanent commission to a commission that needs to be re-approved every three years. These changes however, did not satisfy council members who were either against voting in favor of the commission or on the fence about it. Shahid and Parker both proposed additional amendments Jan. 25. City Council voted to postpone its final vote to the Feb. 9 meeting to give the public more time to review the new amendments. Shahids amendments proposed allowing council members to appoint members to the commission in addition to the mayor and limited what terms the commission could promote. It will include 10 members from the community and three council members, his amendment states. He also added language stating that the commission will review the original report but is "under no obligation" to use it as a framework. His amendments also state that commission could not "advocate to defund the police, provide cash reparations, teach critical race theory, or advocate to violate the South Carolina Heritage Act." The Heritage Act prohibits the removal of historic monuments from public land. Parkers amendments were similar but took Shahids a step further. She wanted any member of the previous commission, besides council members, to be prohibited from participating in the new commission. Her amendments also require any recommendation from the commission to have a two-thirds majority vote before getting consideration of the City Council. Groups such as Low County Local First, The Charleston Area Justice Ministry and Black Lives Matter Charleston endorsed the commission without amendments. A group of 60 local business owners also signed a petition asking City Council to approve the commission without amending it any further. "It is becoming increasingly clear that the intention of council is to water down and eventually dissolve the commission," said Charleston resident Stephanie Schwart. "The fact that we even have to fight to form this commission shows how much it is needed." In opposition to the commission, a conservative advocacy group called the American Heritage Association, has claimed in a paid newspaper ad, in social media posts, in emails sent to West Ashley residents and in an online petition with 1,500 signatures that City Council members, should they vote in favor of a commission, are promoting critical race theory, defunding the police, reparations and releasing alleged criminals without bail. Public speakers before the council made similar claims. Brett Barry, president of the American Heritage Association, said Parker's amendments would have prevented the commission from going in a "radical" direction. He called them, "effective guardrails on the commission which is a win for moderates." With the passage of the amended commission, the body will join over a dozen city commissions tasked with providing recommendations to council. Editors note: This article has been corrected to reflect the proper vote tally. Emma covers the city of Charleston for the Post and Courier. Previously, she covered city hall and general assignments for newspapers in Houston and Austin. She is a Boston-area native, former student athlete and graduate of The University of Texas. NORTH CHARLESTON Two former police officers have been charged with misconduct in office and presenting false claims for insurance payments in an alleged scheme. State Law Enforcement Division agents on Feb. 8 arrested Armani Christopher Ellison, 25, and Tariq Rishi Jeremy Ramkalup, 26, spokesman Ryan Alphin said. Ellison is a former police officer and Ramkalup is a former police recruit, Alphin said. North Charleston Police Chief Reggie Burgess asked SLED to conduct an investigation into the officers, police spokesman Harve Jacobs said in a statement. The state agency stepped in after North Charleston's Office of Professional Standards began looking into a dispute between Ellison and Ramkalup, Jacobs said. Burgess requested the office refer its preliminary investigation, which began Dec. 3, to SLED. Arrest affidavits describe the dispute. Ellison and Ramkalup, who were roommates at the time, are accused of submitting false insurance claims after an Oct. 10 car crash. Ellison told his insurance company he was driving on the westbound exit ramp off Interstate 26 in Summerville when his car came to an abrupt stop. This caused a 2017 Mercedes-Benz coupe, driven by Ramkalup, to swerve off the left side of the ramp and strike a ditch and several bushes, Ellison said in his insurance claim. He also included with his claim a photocopy of his police-issued identification card "in an attempt to unduly influence the outcome," an affidavit charges. Both Ellison and Ramkalup initially maintained they did not know the other driver, but SLED agents uncovered evidence that determined Ellison was actually driving the Mercedes and had been involved in a single-car crash, according to the affidavits. The former officers later admitted to SLED agents they falsified insurance statements to try to get money to fix Ramkalup's car. Both Ellison and Ramkalup estimated the damage to be at least $15,000, the affidavits state. Jacobs declined to comment on the arrests beyond the department's statement. Additional information, including how long the officers were employed with the department, was not immediately available. Ellison and Ramkalup were booked into the Berkeley County jail following their arrests, records show. Berkeley County Magistrate Judge O'Tis Prioleau granted Ellison and Ramkalup $10,000 and $40,000 personal recognizance bonds, respectively, meaning both of the former officers did not have to pay any money to be released from jail. The 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office will prosecute the cases. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. Only a day into the race, former President Donald Trump endorsed Katie Arrington in the 1st Congressional District GOP duel, lashing out at incumbent congresswoman Nancy Mace as "an absolutely terrible candidate" and "disloyal." In an evening email blast Feb. 9, Trump called Arrington who formally announced her bid a day earlier "liked and respected and a true Republican." Trump's message also made note of Arrington's critical car accident from 2018, as well as making an attack on former U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford, whom Arrington defeated in the 2018 Republican primary. Trump put Sanford on his political hit-list shortly into his presidency after Sanford, R-Charleston, tried to make Trump's conduct an issue in terms of lost decorum in Washington. "Her automobile accident a number of years ago was devastating, and made it very difficult for her to campaign after having won the primary against another terrible candidate, 'Mr. Argentina,'" Trump said, referring to Sanford's 2009 trip to the South American country to see his mistress while he was South Carolina's governor. Trump called Arrington strong on the military, law enforcement, the border and the Second Amendment, drawing his "complete and total endorsement." It's widely expected that Trump will come to South Carolina to stump for Arrington and state Rep. Russell Fry, a Surfside Beach Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Tom Rice in the 7th Congressional District. Rice was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump last year in the wake of the U.S. Capitol riots. Trump endorsed Fry earlier in February. Mace, the first-term congresswoman elected in 2020, he said, has shown "remarks and attitude" detrimental to her community "and not at all representative of the Republican Party to which she has been very disloyal." Mace responded to the endorsement saying she has supported the "America first" concept and been fiscally conservative since she started in politics. "I have my opponent partially to thank for that, since she lost the seat in a midterm when she had her shot at it the first time," Mace said. "I plan to win and continue to served the 1st District" that stretches from Charleston to Hilton Head Island. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Arrington said she was honored by the support and took a swipe at Mace. "Not only did she sell us out, but she relied on President Trump to get to D.C. and turned her back on him the first opportunity she had," Arrington said. "I know we will fire Nancy Mace." Arrington, a former state lawmaker from Summerville, entered the race Feb. 8 and at the time said she had made no contact with Trump ahead of her formal declaration. She had been the GOP candidate in 2018 after defeating Sanford, but then lost to Democrat Joe Cunningham in a fall election upset. Mace then returned the seat to the GOP fold two years later by defeating Cunningham. But Mace fell on Trump's bad side, in part, after she made critical remarks against him for sparking the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and trying to halt the certification of the election he lost. Arrington has absorbed the former president's line, affirming to reporters after announcing her bid she believes the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. Filing for the race doesn't officially open until mid-March and two other Republicans have announced bids for the seat: Lynz Piper-Loomis and Ingrid Centurion, though both come in with little funding and low name identification. Mace does have the endorsement from Trump's former U.N. ambassador and presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, who announced plans Feb. 7 to fundraise on Mace's behalf. COLUMBIA A bill opposed by LGBTQ advocates as nullifying Columbia's ban of "conversion therapy" is moving in the Senate, with its Republican sponsor saying local governments shouldn't muzzle faith-based counselors. While the measure never actually references conversion therapy or LGBTQ issues, it is intended to void Columbia's ban and prevent other cities or counties in South Carolina from adopting anything similar. SC United for Justice & Equality, a coalition of dozens of LGBTQ advocate organizations, condemned the bill's Feb. 10 advancement to the full Senate Medical Affairs Committee. "Last year, Columbia did the right thing by protecting LGBTQ minors from so-called 'conversion therapy,' which is extremely dangerous and has led far too many young people to experiencing depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse and even suicide," said Holly Whitfield, executive director of the Alliance for Full Acceptance on behalf of the coalition. She contended the bill's move up in the Statehouse process equates to legislators "sanctioning this abusive practice." "We need to be supporting our LGBTQ youth, affirming them and letting them know that they are loved, respected and worthy of dignity just as they are," Whitfield said. "This bill does the opposite, putting a rubber-stamp on efforts to shame and erase LGBTQ young people." Sen. Shane Martin, the subcommittee's chairman and a bill co-sponsor, said the purpose of sending the measure on was to get more senators to weigh in on the contentious issue following two subcommittee meetings. It advanced with no discussion after the panel pared down the bill to focus solely on barring local rules on medical professionals to match what the main sponsor, Sen. Josh Kimbrell, said was his goal. As introduced last year, the bill protected doctors and other medical professionals from being fired, demoted or sued if they refuse to provide non-emergency services to which they morally object. But even sponsors worried how the broad protections could be applied. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! It was scaled back Thursday to a single paragraph that says only the Legislature or a state agency can impose rules "regulating the right of conscience" of medical professionals in South Carolina. Any local rule that could conflict with their beliefs would be voided. The conversion therapy ban passed last year by Columbia City Council, which threatens to fine counselors or therapists $500 per violation, is the only known existing ordinance in South Carolina the amended bill would undo. Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg, acknowledges he has a "major problem with what Columbia did." But he insists his legislation is not focused on conversion therapy. He said he wants to stop any governmental efforts, whether underway or in the future from the right or left that force health care professionals to choose between their practice and their faith. "It's about defending people who have a different opinion," Kimbrell said. "I have no problem with people having a more liberal view than me." But it's wrong, he said, for people to use the force of government to impose their view by censorship and threatening to fine a business out of existence. The bill could advance to the Senate floor as early as next week. But it may go no further. In the Senate, an objection from a single senator can block debate. And there's no question Democrats will object. The measure is among the priorities this session of a coalition of Christian conservative groups. Palmetto Family Council President Dave Wilson said they oppose bans like Columbia's for restricting a "counselor's ability to bring a biblical world view to minors dealing with sexual orientation issues." Columbia's public relations office declined to comment on the legislation. As for enforcement of the ban, no one has been fined, according to an emailed response. Two similar ordinances in Florida were struck down in November 2020 by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as an unconstitutional violation of therapists' free-speech rights. The divided ruling did not affect South Carolina, which is in the 4th Circuit. COLUMBIA South Carolina senators took a major step by approving a medical marijuana bill after three weeks of debate, sending the proposal to the House for the first time since the first attempt at medical cannabis legislation was introduced seven years ago. Poked and prodded by lawmakers over two long days of debate, Beaufort Republican Sen. Tom Davis' bill will cross to the other chamber in a significantly watered-down version that he, as its sponsor, once described as the "most conservative" in the nation. The latest version of the bill, passed by a 28-15 margin Feb. 9, reduces the allowable size of grow operations in South Carolina from 15 acres to 2 acres, while tightly controlling the types of facilities that will ultimately be able to fill prescriptions as well as the qualifications for medical marijuana patients to receive cannabis cards. The bill would also limit the marketing and sale of cannabis products, and require grow operations and medical marijuana "pharmacies" whose licenses would be tightly regulated and capped at three per county to employ security agencies certified by the State Law Enforcement Division. The legislation also carries strict penalties for doctors and patients caught falsifying records, as well as anti-corruption measures to prevent lawmakers from having a financial stake in medical cannabis operations in the state for the next decade. While Davis long claimed he had the votes to pass the bill, some, like Sen. Sean Bennett, R-Summerville, said they were unsure of where they stood on the bill until an hour before the vote. Debate on the measure stretched over several weeks, and elicited supporters as well as protesters from across the state. Davis, the most visible Republican advocate for medical cannabis, took more than a week to present his bill. Numerous public officials including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Charleston, state Republican Party officials, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham descended on the Statehouse to either support or oppose the bill throughout the process. In the final week of debate, lawmakers spent several, long-running days contemplating well over 50 amendments to the bill, most of which came from a handful of conservative lawmakers. While many were unique, each had similar goals, seeking either to dissuade the recreational consumption of medical marijuana or eliminating the possibility of building out the infrastructure necessary to cultivate a recreational cannabis industry on the scale of recreational states like Colorado or California. Some lawmakers, like Sen. Billy Garrett, R-Greenwood, raised concerns about the fact cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, and pushed for changes to eliminate flavored products like cannabis-infused cookies or gummies from the program, saying that medical marijuana should resemble and taste like medicine. Others, like Sen. Sandy Senn, R-Charleston, pushed amendments to limit the maximum amount of THC patients would be allowed per day, alongside amendments imposing stronger criminal penalties on patients and doctors who abused the medical marijuana program. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Her motivation, she told colleagues, was to restrict children's ability to gain access to the illegal psychoactive as well as concern over opening the door to large cannabis firms, which have grown to great political power in Western states and pockets of the Northeast. They will pick us off one by one with their money because they will have already invested so much in the state of South Carolina, she said. Most of those efforts to amend the bill failed, however, due to tight restrictions on access already in the legislation. Other amendments like those sponsored by Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston, sought to give local, established farmers and producers in the state's existing industrial hemp industry a competitive advantage over out-of-state firms in receiving grow licenses. There were also efforts to dismantle the bill entirely. Sen. Greg Hembree, R-Little River, introduced an amendment that would have effectively gutted the bill in favor of alternative legislation authorizing South Carolina to pursue a clinical study of medical marijuana, despite extensive peer-reviewed evidence supporting its therapeutic benefits. Hembree said it was an effort to take a cautious approach to medical cannabis and avert the creation of facilities like grow houses and distribution networks necessary for full-blown recreational programs. We stand at the edge of 'Big Pot,' he said on the Senate floor. "It will be a permanent, large-scale marijuana industry in South Carolina." Lawmakers ultimately rejected Hembree's amendment by a 26-18 vote after lengthy arguments from Davis, who argued his bill was so tightly regulated that a jump to recreational cannabis would be impossible. He also argued Hembree's amendment pitched as a means to access the drug without breaking federal law would likely deprive thousands of potential medical cannabis patients from accessing the drug, without providing any substantial benefit to doctors' understanding of the drug. Clinical trials are not to provide access," Davis said. "They are to collect data. The bill will now be subject to a perfunctory vote in the Senate on Feb. 10, after which it will go to the House for further debate. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Mostly clear early followed by mostly cloudy skies overnight. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear early followed by mostly cloudy skies overnight. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. A Guam man is being held in custody in a detention center in Los Angeles after he was picked up on a federal warrant issued by District Court of Guam Magistrate Judge Michael Bordallo. Ronald Artero Pereira appeared virtually from the Metropolitan Detention Center on Thursday to admit that he relapsed and went on a drug binge after he was released from custody last November. Defense attorney John Gorman told the court that Pereira, a former officer with the Guam Department of Corrections, admitted to the violations filed by U.S. Probation Services. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. The violations include missing multiple drug tests, submitting a diluted urine sample, testing positive for methamphetamine, failing to attend substance abuse treatment and traveling outside of Nevada district without permission. Pereira currently is serving three years of supervised release in connection with a federal drug conviction. He was jailed last year for testing positive multiple times for illicit drug use, Post files state. Gorman told the court Pereira is working on his drug abuse problem. "He wants to move forward," said Gorman. "Some (treatment) you've completed and relapsed, and some you have not completed," Bordallo said. "After your release we will work with you to get drug treatment. You've got to keep fighting and work it one day at a time. Don't give up." Pereira will go before Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood, who will determine how much time he will serve after admitting to the violations. It was said in court that Pereira faces three to nine months in prison. The parties agreed he should have to spend only three months behind bars. Drug smuggling Pereira was arrested Feb. 1, 2017, when he reported to work at the Adult Correctional Facility in Mangilao and was searched. Pereira emptied his pockets on a table at the entrance but then took one item back and tried to put it in his mouth. A struggle ensued with another corrections officer who tried to stop him. The item was a dollar bill concealing methamphetamine. During a search of Pereira's vehicle, authorities found a Sig Sauer pistol, meth pipes and individual packets of meth marked with letters identifying inmates who were to receive the drugs. In all, 26.93 grams of meth was recovered, with a purity of 98%. For readers interested in free speech controversies here and abroad, this Friday morning (Feb. 11) at 10 am Pacific time, Ill be hosting and moderating an online panel (by Zoom) on the topic of Legal and Constitutional Protections for Free Speech in Academia in the U.S, U.K., and Canada. The panel includes Prof. Eric Kaufmann of the University of London (who is a fierce critic of leftism on campuses everywhere); Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky; former ACLU executive director Nadine Strossen, and Prof. Keith Whittington of Princeton, one of the founders of the Academic Freedom Alliance. Prof. Kaufmann will present some of his findings from several surveys he has done on free speech issues, and our panel will comment and argue about the scene. And Ill stir the pot. As bad as things are on American campuses, they may be worse in Canada and the UK. The Zoom link for the event is here. And for readers in San Francisco and environs (both of you), next Wednesday, Feb 16, Ill be hosting Michael Shellenberger, author of San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities, at a lunch event at the Union Square Omni Hotel at noon organized by our friend at the Pacific Research Institute. Ill be having a dialogue with Michael about his book (and some of his previous work) that I hope to turn into a podcast for those of you not in the Bay Area. Anyway, if youd like to attend in person, you can register for the lunch here. But move fastspace is running out and the deadline is this Friday. He might be. The National Archives and Records Administration has asked the Justice Department to examine the former presidents handling of White House records. The Archives request came after officials recovered 15 boxes of materials from Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence that were not handed over to the government when he left office, as the Archives says was required by law. To make matters worse, Trump turned over some White House records that had been ripped up and taped back together. And that might not be all. The Archives believes that some of the documents Trump took from the White House contain classified information. However, as long as Trump was president, he had the authority to declassify government information. It is not clear at least to media sources whether Trump declassified the material before his term in office expired. If he didnt and if he removed classified material, thats a serious problem. Lets circle back to the torn documents. Whats the story with them? Former Trump staffer Omarosa Manigault Newman says that while Trump was president, he sometimes tore up documents after meetings. His unfortunate subordinates, knowing that this was improper under record retention requirements, reportedly stayed behind and pieced them back together as best they could. The White House fired Manigault Newman. She might not be a reliable source. However, Manigault Newman isnt the only White House staffer who has talked about Trumps penchant for tearing up documents. And if hes responsible for ripping up the torn documents that have been retrieved, its fair to wonder whether there are other documents he ripped up that his staff wasnt able to salvage. (For what its worth, Manigault Newman says she once saw Trump tear up a note and eat it. Thats one way to stymie those pesky staffers.) Under the Presidential Records Act, the White House must preserve all memos, letters, emails, and papers that the president touches, and send them to the National Archives for safekeeping as historical records. As a matter of law, these materials belong to the public, not the president. It seems likely that Trump violated this requirement. What was in the 15 boxes of material that Trump took to Florida? According to the Washington Post: The materials. . .recovered included correspondence with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Trump once described as love letters, as well as a letter left for Trump by President Barack Obama, people familiar with the matter said. The National Archives also retrieved a map of Hurricane Dorian that had been altered with a black marker by Trump in a failed attempt to show he had not been wrong about the storms path, according to a person familiar with the contents of the boxes. I assume Trumps letters to the North Korean president are classified again, unless Trump declassified them while he was still president. Will Trump be prosecuted for violating document retention requirements and/or illegally possessing classified documents (assuming he did not timely declassify them). Its too early to say, but my guess is, probably not. According to the Post: Substantiating a criminal case against Trump and perhaps even launching a criminal investigation could be difficult. Legal experts and analysts have noted that the National Archives lacks a real enforcement mechanism, and all recent administrations have had some violations of federal records laws most often involving the use of unofficial email and telephone accounts. I guess. But have other presidents made it a practice to tear up and attempt to discard documents they were legally required to retain? Have they taken papers that document their dealings with a major foreign adversary to their residence after leaving office? Not that I know of. During the 2016 campaign, Ted Cruz spoke of Trumps troubled relationship with the truth. (Later in the campaign, he was more blunt about this.) Trump had already demonstrated the troubled nature of that relationship before Cruz brought it up, and he has demonstrated it many times since. Documents have a close relationship with the truth. Sometimes they are the truth. Other times they are instrumental in determining what the truth is. Thus, we shouldnt be surprised if it turns out that Trump has a troubled relationship with documents, and trouble meeting legal requirements pertaining to their retention. Im tied up today and wanted to post a column I wrote at the invitation of RealClearPolitics in 2018 shortly after the election of the untouchable Ilhan Omar to represent Minnesotas Fifth District in Congress. Looking for something I wrote for RCP back in 2003 or so I couldnt find it I came across the Omar column. It seems to me to have stood the test of time. In her Minneapolis Star Tribune op-ed on the FBIs just released 2017 Hate Crimes Report, Minnesota Rep.-elect Ilhan Omar presents herself as a sort of apostle of love. Omar decries the increase in reported hate crimes. However, she immediately attributes this increase to President Trump. As Omar puts it in her first paragraph: The culture of intolerance spread by President Donald Trump has clearly emboldened racist individuals to acts of violence. Something tells me that Omars message of love is a thinly disguised invitation to hate to hate President Trump and his supporters, anyway. Omar notes the increase in anti-religious hate crimes committed against Jews (up 37 percent) as well as the fact that Jews have been the foremost target of hate crimes since the FBI started keeping these statistics. But Omar doesnt ask who is committing those crimes. However, it isnt long before she steps forward as a victim herself: Like members of the Jewish community, I know how it feels to be hated because of my religious beliefs. Almost one in five hate crimes committed last year was motivated by religious bias, with 18.1 percent committed against Muslims well above the historical averages before President Trumps election. Omar habitually portrays herself as a victim. Its an irritating tic. But she has not been the victim of any reported hate crime. A young refugee to the United States from Somalia, Omar was elected to Congress at the age of 36. This achievement must make her one of the most fortunate citizens of the United States. Her claim to victimhood represents the new style of American assimilation. It might have been generous of Omar to note that the number of reported anti-Islam hate crimes actually decreased from the last year of the Obama administration (307 in 2016) to the first year of the Trump administration (273 in 2017). Perhaps President Trump deserves credit for spreading the love. Yet one wonders if her column isnt an example of what Trump calls fake news. While the FBI report shows the stated increase in reported hate crimes, it also notes in the first paragraph of its press release: Although the numbers increased last year, so did the number of law enforcement agencies reporting hate crime data with approximately 1,000 additional agencies contributing information. This raises the obvious question of whether the reported increase derives from the increase in the number of agencies reporting data. Omar has no genuine interest in that possibility. She doesnt even see the issue, let alone raise it. Her interest is entirely argumentative and political. Omar quickly finishes with the 2017 report and moves on to the administrations allegedly cruel travel ban. She invokes the specter of Islamophobia. According to Omar, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism are two sides of the same bigoted coin. Well, I doubt it. Islamophobia is a concept fervently promoted since 2000 by the Organization of the Islamic Conference. It seeks to stigmatize expressions of disapproval of Islam as irrational manifestations of fear and prejudice. Implicitly it seeks to make us afraid to talk about perfectly reasonable fears. Having become the home of some 100,000 Somali immigrants over the past 25 years, Minnesota badly needs to make room for honest discussion of the costs and benefits of continued immigration. At my synagogue in St. Paul, we first hired off-duty police officers to stand guard during Saturday and Sunday school hours shortly after 9/11. We didnt worry much about mass murder before then. And despite her self-portrait as an apostle of love, Omar is a proponent of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement. She is, to put it bluntly, an Islamist hater of Israel. In a 2014 tweet during Israels hostilities with Hamas, for example, Omar prayed for Allah to awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel. In a May 31 tweet this year, she referred to Israel as an apartheid regime. This comparison is a calumny of Israel, which draws no distinctions based on race. Israel has proudly rescued black Jews and offered them refuge. In addition, Israeli Arabs an ethnic minority in the Jewish state are afforded equal civil rights. They enjoy the right to vote in elections. They exercise rights of speech and religion. They have access to a robust free press. They serve in the Knesset and in the judiciary. They are the freest Arabs in the Middle East. Though Omar purports to distinguish between the Jewish state and the Jewish people, the true ground of her animus against Israel is necessarily anti-Semitic. Omar soft-pedaled her support for BDS during her appearance before a large Democratic audience at Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park the week before the competitive Democratic primary on Aug. 14, though she has proudly reiterated it since her election. During the campaign the Star Tribune kept her support of BDS a deep secret to voters who get their news from the paper. Although she holds herself out today in the Star Tribune an apostle of love, Ilhan Omar is an enthusiastic trader in one side of a bigoted coin. Naira recorded a meagre devaluation against the U.S. dollar at the official market on Thursday, a day after it clinched a slight gain at the spot market segment. Data recorded on the FMDQ website where forex is officially traded, showed the local currency closed at N416.67 to a dollar at the close of trade on Thursday. This represents a N0.3 or 0.10 per cent devaluation from N416.37 it exchanged in the previous session on Wednesday, with $109.75 million recorded as foreign exchange turnover at the close of business Thursday. Naira oscillated to an intraday high of N410.00 and a low of N444.00 before closing at N416.67 on Thursday. The same range it has been trading since the opening of business this week. The last time the currency closed at N416.67 to a dollar was on Tuesday, which is by far the lowest rate the naira has traded at the official market this month. According to data posted on the Central Bank of Nigerias website, the highest rate the local unit has exchanged hands with the greenback currency this month is N415.36 rate per $1 at the spot market segment. By this, the currency has strengthened by 4.4 per cent so far after it recorded an all-time low in December last year when the naira closed at N435.00 on the dot. Unlike the official market where the naira was bought at N416.67 per $1 on Thursday, at the Uyo black market, exchangers traded the currency at N573.00 and sold within the range of N575.00-N580.00 to a dollar on on Thursday. The selling price is not stable today at all. Traders were selling as it pleased them. The market was just somehow. I sold it at N580.00 today, a dealer who identified himself as Shuaibu told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview. In a similar manner, Abuja parallel market dealers said they exchanged the naira with the U.S dollar at N573.00 per $1 and sold N575.00 on Thursday. This represents a N3.00 or 0.53 per cent devaluation from the N570.00 rate it has been trading since the commencement of trade this week. This is the lowest rate the local unit has traded at the black market since the Central Bank of Nigeria accused Abokifx, a website that collates the black market exchange rates of naira, of carrying out an illegal activity that undermines the economy in September last year. Veteran actor, Romanus Amuta, popularly known as Natty in the foremost soap, New Masquerade, is dead. The New Masquerade was a Nigerian sitcom that aired on the Nigerian television network from the 1980s until the mid-1990s. It was created and written by James Iroha, who also acted in Giringori Akabogu. Mr Amuta died on Wednesday at the age of 79 after a protracted sickness. The first son of the deceased, Chukwuma Amuta, confirmed the death of the veteran Nollywood actor in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu. Mr Amuta described the actor as a caring father who did his best to raise his children. Yes! My father died this morning in Lagos after a protracted illness, he said. NAN reports that the deceased hailed from Ukana in the Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. He worked with Daily Times Newspapers before venturing into the movie Industry. He also acted in some Nollywood movies, including Lion Finger in 2003, Eagles Bride in 2005, and Ijele in 1999. His flourishing career suffered a setback after he had a stroke in 2009. At the time, rumours suggesting he had died swirled on numerous occasions, but his family dismissed the claims. In 2014, his son had refuted such a claim. I am surprised to hear such a fallacious rumour. It is true that my dad had a stroke some five years ago, that is, 2009. Presently, he is clinically stable, and he is recovering well, he had said. He is survived by his wife, Cordelia, and six children. In March 2017, Veronica Njoku, famous for her role as Ramota in The New Masquerade, passed away. The late Njoku played Chief Jegedes (played by Claude Eke) wife and a close ally of Ovuleria. (NAN) These days when you hear Mummy G.O, the only person who readily comes to mind is Funmilayo Adebayo, the lead pastor of Rapture Proclaimer Evangelical Church of God. The eccentric and controversial preacher was thrust into the spotlight after clips of her outrageous sermons went viral in November 2021. Her most recent sermon wherein she described Valentines Day celebration as a day the kingdom of darkness has dedicated to convincing people to celebrate immorality has once again ensured that she remains in the news. The controversial pastor, a pivotal figure in the Nigerian pop culture, is the inspiration behind a yet-to-be-released movie titled Clash of Mummy G.O.s. Produced by Ikechukwu Nweke under his Divine Global Movies imprints, the movie parades an impressive cast like Patience Ozokwo, Ebele Okaro, Junior Pope, Phil Daniels-Aniedo, Mercy Kenneth, among others. Ms Ozokwo and Ms Okaro are the lead actors in the movie, currently being shot in Asaba, Delta State. Ms Ozokwor made this revelation in a post on her Instagram page, which has attracted much attention and comment. The producer has also revealed that the film will be exclusive to his YouTube channel, where fans of the actors can watch it upon release. The legendary actress noted the movie: Clash of Mummy G.O.s, is being set up for all the lovers of the famous, controversial evangelist while promising to deliver premium content in her role. Mama G as Mummy G.O. Mrs Ozokwo, who, through her acting prowess over the years, has earned the name Mama G, would be playing the lead role of one of the Mummy G.O. in the new movie. The veteran dropped a snippet of the forthcoming film on her verified Instagram handle on Tuesday. The video captures the actress who plays the role of Mummy G.O. arguing with a church worker, Brother Light of God, over church offerings. Brother Light of God doesnt understand what Mummy G O sees in the Spirit. So my people help me judge this matter, she captioned the video. She also shared a photo that displayed her clad in a pink skirt and blouse with a gold fascinator and a pair of glasses just like Mummy G.O.s. Also, Mrs Okaro, who also featured in the movie, played the role of a strong ally of Mummy G.O. She went around telling people about hell as Mummy G.O. preached it in the movie. Inibehe Effiong, a Nigerian lawyer and rights activist, has blamed Nollywood filmmakers for distorting reality and misleading Nigerians on divorce and alimony processes in the country. Mr Effiong said this during an interview with PREMIUM TIMES in Lagos on Thursday. His remarks came on the heels of a recent Twitter thread where Nigerians blamed Nollywood, Instagram comedians, and celebrities for the rising cases of broken marriages, moral decadence, rituals in the society. During the interview, the fiery lawyer, who sued the federal government over the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria in July 2021, noted that most Nigerians have a flawed idea of divorce as most movies tend to be economical with the reality. He noted: There is no place in the law for spouses just to sign divorce papers and end their marriages, just like that. He described it as a legal fiction popularised by Nollywood. Among other issues, Mr Effiong stressed that some Nigerian filmmakers continue to make these mistakes or misrepresent facts because they ignore facts. He said: What this does is that the unsuspecting mind, especially the young ones, would be misled on account of the misrepresentation of reality by filmmakers. Therefore, it is important that they reflect on this and also ensure that their content is not only beneficial to the society, but it is also a true reflection of the society. The legal fiction of divorce Speaking further, Mr Effiong said that while there is no empirical evidence that Nollywood movies influence the rate of divorce in Nigeria, practitioners are guilty in some areas. Nigerian movies make it look as if one can walk out on a marriage just by signing a paper, which in reality doesnt happen like that, he said. Buttressing his point, Mr Effiong explained that the Nigerian movies are misleading people to think that a statutory marriage can just be annulled without proper legal proceedings. He also cited examples that prove that customary marriages are not just annulled without going through the customary courts or authorities. Nigerian divorce laws The Matrimonial Causes Act 1970 and the Matrimonial causes Rules 1983, which are primarily the laws that govern matrimonial cases such as divorce, annulment, legal separation in Nigeria, state that the sole grounds for divorce in Nigeria is that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. However, the Act under Section 15 (2) (a-h) and Section 16 states that the petitioner must prove specific facts upon which the grounds for dissolution of marriage can arise. These facts are contained in eight paragraph sub-sections, which are the main reasons for the divorce, and a party seeking to divorce in Nigeria is only required to establish just one of them in court. In Nigeria, some conditions for divorce are willfully and persistent unconsummated marriage (marriage without sexual intercourse is no marriage at all), adultery, or cruelty. Others are abandoning the marital home without justification or the partners consent for seven years or intolerable acts. Also, the partners both have to live apart for at least three years immediately preceding the case for divorce before the court can annul the marriage. AGN reacts The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, told our correspondent that the AGN is aware of the allegations that Nollywood is influencing divorce rates, ritual killings, and other social vices. He, however, added that the guild would soon take a stance through his authority on the matter. Mr Rollas said the stance of the guild would be made public in no time, and it would authoritatively address these outstanding issues faced by the guild. The Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Adedayo Thomas, said about one billion copies of uncensored, unclassified, and pornographic films were seized in 2021. Mr Thomas disclosed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. Mr Thomas said the pornographic videos, in the form of compact discs, were seized in tranches across different states of the Federation and were burnt immediately. According to him, the NFVCB achieved this with the collaboration of security officers. Mr Thomas said that the censors board was not resting on its oars in ensuring that children and youths were not exposed to obscene videos and videos with vulgar languages. He told NAN that NFVCB had consistently engaged in increasing the capacity of its staff to discharge their duties responsibly and timely. In 2021, we were able to seize over one billion pieces of pornographic videos; we will be seizing more this year. Most of the people who traded in these were retailers. We are working on curbing the circulation of these uncensored and unclassified works going through the streaming companies, he said. He said some of the staff and security officials were usually on the ground to track the activities of illegal operators in the industry. Sensitisation According to him, NFVCB is also engaging in a media literacy campaign to secondary schools and universities to sensitize them against unlicensed and uncensored films. He said the campaign would enlighten the younger generation on the adverse effects of producing films against the nations culture, which would guide against future reoccurrence. Mr Thomas noted that in trying to curb the circulation of obscene videos, NFVCB tried to professionalise the film industry such that only films produced by legally registered film producers were censored. He said with this arrangement, it believed that registered film producers would be conversant with the dictates of the Censors Board and would not produce films with contents that were not certified. We tried to professionalize the film industry going through the dictate of the act that established NFVCB. The act states that anybody who is not a member of a professional association or guild cannot present films to be censored, so in that light, the professional associations must inform the Censors Board. With this development which commenced last year, we have recorded 18 associations and guilds who have registered with us. The multiplier effect of this is to identify those who belong to this industry which will, in turn, help us in ensuring that unclassified, uncensored, and pornographic works are not circulated. We cannot sleep and leave the future of our children with hoodlums, he told NAN. Mr Thomas said most NFVCB activities aim to ensure that President Muhammadu Buharis ease of doing business policy is actualised. He said Nigeria needs a healthy environment for businesses to thrive. This, he says, calls for the NFVCB to work with only registered filmmakers to encourage professionalism because Nigeria is not a dumping ground for all. We are constantly working to make the society a better place, he said. (NAN) Advertisements Moses Chia Ayom, a Benue State-born businessman based in Abuja and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Granite and Marble Limited is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). He recently spoke exclusively with Nosike Ogbuenyi, Premium Times Assistant Managing Editor on why he wants to be president and other related matters. Here are excerpts: PT: Why are you in the race for presidency of Nigeria? CHIA AYOM: First of all, as a businessman who has traveled wide across the world, I have been able to see what is lacking and I believe I cannot just be standing by the side while the situation degenerates. That is why I am stepping forward to offer my services. PT: What is your vision for Nigeria as you aspire to be the next president of the country? CHIA AYOM: My vision is to build a Nigeria of limitless opportunities for everyone; my vision is for a secure, prosperous, and united Nigeria that guarantees growth, wealth and health for all citizens and indeed all people living in Nigeria. Like I have always insisted, Nigeria is a country of great promise. We have all the natural and human resources to guarantee good life for every Nigerian, lead Africa and play big in the top league of advanced world economies. That is what I want to achieve. I am a strong believer in the Nigerian project, the massive potential for wealth and growth that it holds not only for the privileged few, who despite systemic inefficiencies have thrived and succeeded, but for every hardworking Nigerian who is ready to be the best that he can be. I am also a firm believer in shared prosperity and better life for all. So, for me it is not enough that I am stable and can take care of myself and my family and those closest to me. No. It is also not enough that I have through my philanthropic efforts sponsored the education of over 300 hundred Nigerians to University level, organize annual health outreach for rural women and children for treatment of water borne diseases and other self-powered development initiatives. I crave to do more. All these are limited in scale and impact. And that is why politics, despite its many issues, remains for me the most potent platform for the mobilization and allocation of resources that would foster widespread development that impacts my brothers and sisters, my fathers and mothers, our children and youth all over Nigeria. Besides, the best way to change the system is to get involved and I am happy to have made that decision. The fact that Nigeria has the natural and human resources that we, politicians, and leaders, can tap to build a country that guarantees a decent life for everyone, lead Africa and be ranked among the top world economies is not in doubt. What we need is that visionary spark and sustained progressive leadership that will guide Nigeria to make that robust transition from our much-celebrated potential to the reality of being a great and prosperous country that is the pride of its citizens, a role model for Africa and the appeal of western countries. PT: Contesting for presidency can be quite demanding in terms of the outlay of financial resources required to effectively mobilize and carry out the campaign across the country? CHIA AYOM: From history, none of the past democratically elected presidents of this country was a money bag. Former President Shehu Shagari was a teacher; Olusegun Obasanjo came out of prison and was elected president without sacks of money; Goodluck Jonathan was a lecturer without money and the incumbent president, Muhammadu was not a money bag before he was elected. So, the issue is not about money but what one has to offer and I believe I have that. PT: Can you speak on your agenda for solving widespread Insecurity (terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes) in the country? CHIA AYOM: I will employ a two-pronged approach to tackling the insecurity problem in Nigeria. First is rapid capacity enhancement of our security apparatus. This entails robust intelligence gathering architecture and deployment of overwhelming force to stop and deter. I believe that a strong, well-equipped, properly motivated, and trained security personnel is critical to tackling the many external and internal security challenges that we face as a country today. We would therefore sustain the tempo of investment in armed forces, forge alliances that ensure steady supply and availability of the most modern security equipment and promote discipline and professionalism in the rank and file of our security architecture. We shall build a million-man strong armed force with the most modern fighting equipment and training. This is because I believe what we need now is superior force to destroy the resolve of those who threaten our peace while seeking long term solutions that would reduce the vulnerabilities of youth to insurgents, criminals, and destabilizers. Second is fixing the fundamental issues that have led some Nigerians to take to crime. This means massive investment in primary, secondary and university education. Education is the right of every Nigerian. My government will also increase access to affordable healthcare. We must realize that the insecurity that we have now is a product of government failures in key areas of national life over the decades especially education and access to opportunities for a better life. These fundamental failures have over the years created a large army of illiterate, uneducated and vulnerable Nigerians who are poor and ill equipped to fend for themselves and therefore easy targets for recruitment into crime and insurgent activities. With our prevailing poor social welfare system, broken infrastructure, high cost of living and the near absence of the state in the lives of the average Nigerian, patriotism is at an all-time low. We will reverse that. We will also take steps by putting measures in place to address the prevailing sense of injustice in the country. Nigeria belongs to all of us; we are all equal stakeholders, and I will manage Nigerias diversity in a way that makes every part of the country feel carried along. Adherence to federal character in appointments, equitable distribution of development projects and dialogue will be my watchwords. You will agree with me that if people are educated and have decent means of income they will not resort to crime; if Nigeria makes life good for its citizens, patriotism will be high, and it is unlikely that anyone would want to secede knowing that he may be leaving behind a better life. PT: What are your plans for tackling the high unemployment rate in the country (currently standing at over 30%)? CHIA AYOM: The first step is to fix the power problem that will encourage small, medium, and large-scale businesses to thrive profitably and create jobs. I believe that ensuring steady supply of electricity is fundamental to building a modern and prosperous Nigeria. My researches revealed that Nigeria currently has the largest energy deficit in the world. According to the World Bank over 85 million Nigerians representing 43% of our population do not have access to grid electricity and the lack of reliable power is a significant constraint for both citizens and businesses. According to experts, we need over 24,000 MW to power our country and economy. Presently, our total installed generation capacity is about 12,000 MW, but average operational generation capacity is just less than 5,000MW at peak. Correct me if Im wrong. I will fix the power sector if elected president. On the back of this, we would build a vibrant economy that helps Nigerians and businesses to realize their potentials. An economy that creates markets and unlocks sustainable growth will produce enabling environments in which people, communities and business can thrive. We will build a modern and sustainable economy that leverages advances in ICT and tech-innovation; an economy that creates jobs, encourages industrialization, increases tax revenues, improves quality of life, and ensures inclusive growth. PT: What would you do with regards to tackling the menace of corruption? CHIA AYOM: My presidency will run a zero tolerance for corruption. We will ensure global standards in public procurement so that Nigerians get maximum value for their money. We will strengthen the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) and the ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission) and encourage them as well as other agencies to go after all corrupt persons without fear or favour. We will implement measures to tackle corruption at source through preventive techniques. PT: What would be your response to the infrastructure deficits of the country? CHIA AYOM: Fixing the infrastructure deficits would be accorded top priority. This includes roads, bridges, railways systems to ensure free and cost-effective movement of goods and services. On this score too we plan to build and sustain the good work done by President Muhammadu Buhari. Advertisements Particularly, we would concentrate on partnerships with the Chinese Railway Corporation for revamping of old routes and expansion of modern railway lines across the country. In a nutshell, my aim is to build a new Nigeria with limitless opportunities for all citizens to actualize their maximum potentials. PT: Can you throw more light on how you will make the actualization of the potentials possible? CHIA AYOM: Nigeria has so many potentials that are not yet tapped. This is the time for a business-minded person to be at the highest mantle of leadership and unleash the potentials of the country because governance is also about business. Nigeria is very rich in terms of natural and human resources. I have appraised the economic and business potentials of the country and devised a framework to create wealth for all. I will start by looking into the areas that have not been tapped at all or only partially tapped. I remember vividly in 2016 in the first foreign trip that this administration took, because they were looking for ways of diversifying the economic base of the country from oil to non-oil sector. During one of their first business trips I was part of the Nigerian government delegation to China. The richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote was there. It was during that visit that he signed the contract for the biggest petroleum refinery in the world which is ongoing now at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos. He also signed the contract for the building of the biggest fertilizer plant. Nigerian government also signed a very big one a $6 billion currency swap deal with China which will enable the country to do business with China via their Yen and Naira directly without having to purchase the US (United States) dollars. The idea was to put less pressure on the foreign reserve. My own company, Granite and Marble Nigeria Limited signed a contract with the biggest manufacturer of mining equipment in the world called SBM. The Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele was there to witness the agreement; the two Presidents (of China and Nigeria) were there to witness the agreement; the former Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Enalemah was there to witness the agreement. So, as I speak, that contract I signed in China is in the process of taking off. If that agreement signed in China is ignited, the opportunities that would be created will be out of this world. There will be massive employment for our teeming unemployed youths; there will be huge revenue for Nigeria. Insurgency will begin to wither away. Remember, Nigeria has one of the highest deposits of different minerals. Go to Nasarawa State, Zamfara, most of the states we have different mineral deposits but the problem has always been lack of infrastructure, the equipment to do it. That is why you see what is called illegal mining everywhere because the cost of getting those machineries is too high. And our banks are not ready to do what is called start up businesses. You can discover gold in Zamfara but as long as you dont have money to go and buy the equipment neither do you have collateral to give to the bank to give you the finance, the situation will not change. But the contract I signed with SBM says that the company can give you those machineries at what is called hire purchase. So that instead of going to the bank, you will go straight to SBM and also SBM will help in looking for market for those products. So, I know as a business person that through this contract I signed in the presence of the presidents and the Central Bank Governor, if it is fully ignited it will transform the mining sector. And by the way, when we came back to Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, also did its own bit by giving us a grant of one billion naira. The one billion naira is going to augment as counterpart funding. We are going to buy the machines using part of the money from SBM. They call the fund Real Sector Support Fund (RSSF) from the Central Bank. But we are going to convert the money to dollar because the money was meant directly to buy equipment from SBM. PT: So did you buy the equipment? CHIA AYOM: No, we had a bit of hiccups. Central Bank, this money, it went to the commercial banks. That is why it has not been ignited. The Central Bank said the money went to the commercial banks, but we are processing it. PT: You mean that the CBN has not released the money? CHIA AYOM: They have not released the money officially. The money has not been gotten because of some hiccups. PT: Since 2016? CHIA AYOM: Yes. Those are the issues that sometimes we face. This is part of the reasons why this country is not moving forward because as much as government is trying so hard, you have saboteurs who are bent on making sure that government does not get it right. That is why you hear me talking about injustice, inequality and lack of fairness. This is all about being a victim of situations like this. I believe that this is what this country is suffering from. One billion naira is not a small amount. Please allow me to explain a bit about this. When Central Bank gives you a fund, you access the money directly. So they will send you to a commercial bank. The Central Bank Governor himself sent me to Zenith Bank, to a staff directly. And when I got there, they put all the papers together, gave me the offer letter, did everything. They took all my property worth N3 billion as collateral. They also had the effrontery to go into my account and took over N9 million. They gave the money to a lawyer of their choice to go and perfect the papers which I gave them as collaterals. They put a lid on my property that I cannot touch the property claiming that I have taken a facility of one billion naira. That is Zenith Bank for you. They kept on dribbling us only for us to discover after a long time what was going on. That is why Im in court with Zenith Bank and others till today. PT: Sorry we cant go further on this aspect because the matter is before a court of law. CHIA AYOM: Ok. PT: In your party, APC some presidential aspirants like former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu and the Governor of Ebonyi State have made their aspirants public after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari about their ambition. Both of them are from the southern part of the country and there seems to be widespread feeling that the topmost office should rotate to that section of the country in 2023. As somebody from the northern part of the country why are you in the race to succeed a fellow northerner as? CHIA AYOM: (Cuts in) No, Im not from the north. I am from the Middle Belt, not the north. PT: Nigeria was formed through the amalgamation of the defunct Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 and the present Benue State where you hail from was territorially part of the northern section during that colonial era? CHIA AYOM: First and foremost, I am not a clannish person neither am I a bigot. First of all if a mistake has been committed, it should not be allowed to go on and on. That does not mean that it is not a mistake. PT: What is the mistake? CHIA AYOM: The mistake of saying that you are removing a whole region; that we have a region called Middle Belt. Dont forget that it is not today that it started. J.S. Tarka fought for this Middle Belt region. So we know that there is what is called Middle Belt region and that there is what is called minority. So, Im a middle belter. And that is the strength of what Im talking about. We should be concerned about fairness, equity and justice. PT: Many people may not agree with you that the Middle Belt was shortchanged in terms of presiding over the affairs of the country. That zone or section of the country produced three military rulers namely Generals Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar who cumulatively ruled for 18 years? CHIA AYOM: All I am saying is that I am coming in as a democratically elected president and we are talking about elections and democracy here, not military rule. Residents of Zamfara have expressed concern over the refusal of Governor Bello Matawalle to implement the recommendations of a committee he set up in 2019 to unravel the cause and proffer solutions to banditry in the state. The committee, headed by a former Inspector-General of Police from the state, Mohammed Abubakar, submitted its report in October 2019. Although the government said it has implemented parts of its report, residents have disputed the claim and accused Mr Matawalle of dithering on a report that addressed the grave security situation in the state. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the committee reviewed banditry in Zamfara from June 2011 to May 29, 2019, a period when Abdulaziz Yari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was governor of the state. At the time he set up the committee, Mr Matawalle had just taken office on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Last year, however, he led other elected officials in the state to defect to the APC. During the presentation of the report, Mr Abubakar said the committee confirmed that 4,983 women were widowed, 25,050 children orphaned and 190,340 persons displaced by banditry in Zamfara between June 2011 and May 29, 2019. He also said innocent Fulani herders lost 2,015 cattle, 141 sheep and goats, 2,600 donkeys and camels to rustlers while 147,800 vehicles, motorcycles and others were burnt at different times and locations within the period. According to the committee, over N3 billion was paid as ransom to bandits for the release of 3,672 kidnap victims. The committee also indicted five emirs, 33 district and village heads, 10 soldiers and some police officers for involvement in banditry. Receiving the report, Mr Matawalle had promised to implement the recommendations, vowing not to be diverted by any sentiment. I would like to make it clear that personal relationship, sectional, geographical, religious and ethnic interests will have no role to play in the decision l will take with regard to recommendations of the committee, especially those that relate to the recommended sanctions and disciplinary measures, he said. Reactions During a Twitter discussion recently, a media entrepreneur, Kadaria Ahmed, called on the state government to act on the report of the committee. She said the failure of the government to implement the report was a serious disservice to the security situation. And that report, I read it, its pretty comprehensive because they were very clear, they were very courageous, they didnt shy away from naming people, they didnt shy away from saying what was going on, right. They recommended prosecution, including for former politicians who were holding high offices in the land, but nothing has happened. So, there is a degree of courage that is required if we are to tackle this issue in a way that will make a huge difference, she said. But Yahuza Getso, a security and conflict researcher, said the formation of the committee was a hoax. The only thing that has been released by the government is the preamble. We have been asking him to even give us access to the whole report of the committee or give newspapers the whole report so that we can digest it but they cant. I know that they will not implement the report of the committee because there are issues the government doesnt want to implement or even wants us to know. The refusal to implement the report has escalated the insecurity situation in the state. There was a strong hope that when implemented, it would go a long way in reducing the attacks, he said. The Zamfara Circle Initiative, a pressure group, also added its voice in the call for the state government to implement the report of the committee. Al Amin Tsafe, the initiatives chairperson, in a short statement, said the decision of the state government not to fully implement the recommendations is a disservice to the state. The state government should as a matter of urgency expedite the completion and subsequent implementation of the work of the committee. The MD Abubakar committees report was submitted in October 2019 but its recommendations are yet to be implemented, he said. Tijjani Shinkafi, a senior lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, who is also from Zamfara, said the implementation of the recommendations of the committee would have made those from the vulnerable areas of the state happy. He said he is among people especially from the Shinkafi axis who have been pushing for the implementation. We have pushed for them to do something unfortunately nothing has been done yet, he simply said. Advertisements Government kicks Reacting to the calls for the implementation of the committee report, the director-general on new media at the Zamfara Government House, Ibrahim Zauma, said those criticising the governor are being selfish. While he said Mr Matawalle has started implementing some of the recommendations, the aide said there are others that only the federal government can implement. I am surprised because some of these people calling for the implementation of the report dont know what the report entails entirely. It is not something that can be done in a twinkle of an eye. His Excellency has not abandoned the report. Immediately the report was submitted, some of the recommendations were taken and implemented. In November, the state government revoked all land allocation on grazing reserves. This is their (committee) first recommendation. Their third recommendation was on providing Ruga system of grazing and we are doing that in Zamfara State. Their fourth recommendation asked the state government to confiscate weapons from the bandits, which we have done through the peace deal. The second recommendation was on traditional rulers, and you know that three traditional rulers have been suspended by the state government pending the outcome of a committee set up to investigate their cases, the governors spokesperson said. Nigerian fuel retailer, MRS Oil Nigeria, on Wednesday stirred controversy when it announced that the petrol it received from Litasco, the Swiss trading arm of Russias Lukoil, was substandard. MRS said it received the oil through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the end of January and 37,000 tonnes were delivered to multiple retailers in the country. NNPC through their trading arm Duke Oil, supplied a cargo of PMS (petrol) purchased from international trader Litasco and delivered it with Motor Tanker (MT) Nord Gainer, MRS said in a statement. The company explained that after delivery into the tank, it was observed that the product appeared hazy and dark. Analysis of the petroleum product revealed that the PMS discharged by MT Nord Gainer had 20% methanol. Checks by PREMIUM TIMES showed that the global average for methanol content in petrol is between 2% to 3%. Nigerians have begun to face yet another season of fuel scarcity as the authorities said they were working multiple options in a bid to resolve the substandard fuel problem that has seen national reserves coverage down by 10 days. Methanol and uses Methanol is a blending component for petrol that is made from alternative non-petroleum energy sources such as natural gas, coal and biomass. Its a multipurpose fuel used as a blending component in fuels, or for the production of fuel components. It is in itself considered as a fuel for electric vehicles. According to a publication of the Methanol Institute, methanol has been commercially blended into petrol at various times and locations since the late 1970s, or for over thirty years of commercial experience and research. Although methanol has been widely manufactured for use in chemical production, it has also been successfully used for extending petrol supplies in many markets around the world. For conventional engines, methanol use is straightforward when converted to a petrol component called methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), or to diesel component called fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). High concentration methanol blends, such as 85% methanol in petrol, can be used in special automobiles such as the Flexible Fuel Vehicles. In China, methanol is used as various blends, and in some markets, a blend of petrol and methanol is considered. In Europe and North America, blending of methanol in petrol is limited up to a few percentages, often less than 5%. If methanol is used at high blending ratios in petrol, alcohol compatible materials in vehicles are needed to maintain stability and safety. Methanol properties allow automobile makers to design high efficiency engines to compensate for low energy density of methanol. In situations where methanol is applied as automotive fuel with higher blending ratios or as pure fuel, technical adjustments of the existing fuel infrastructure are required. Standards and Damages Global methanol demand has increased from 61 to 125 million metric tonnes from 2012 to 2016, even as production capacity of sustainable renewable methanol is only less than 1 million tonnes per year. The growth is said to be driven by Chinese demand. Most of the current methanol standards related to the automotive sector are available in the US, Italy, Israel, China and India. In Europe, for instance, a maximum 3% volume of methanol is allowed to be blended in petrol under the Fuel Quality Directive and CEN standard. In the United States, there are limits to methanol content and up to 2.75% with an equal volume of butanol, or higher content of alcohol, is allowed. Similarly, standards specifying fuel methanol blends are now being updated by the Task Force, just as specifications for neat methanol are being promoted. Like all transportation fuels, methanol is toxic and should not be ingested. Car engines can actually be destroyed if the ethanol content in the fuel used is too high. To be sure, blending of methanol raises the octane of petrol, and minimizes engine knock, which comes due to excess heat or pressure. So methanol content is essentially good for the engine, if applied with moderation. But when the mixture comes in high percentages, it lowers the energy density of the fuel to the point where hard starting becomes problematic. It could result in a spike of pressure, and lead to structural failure or even an explosion. Methanol is highly corrosive to aluminum components, and an unregulated amount of the content in petrol can damage vital parts of an automobile like gaskets and rubber hoses. READ ALSO: A plausible reason for the inclusion of a high percentage of methanol content in petrol is its relatively cheaper cost, especially when compared to ethanol and petrol. A paper released in 2021 claimed that methanol is the cheapest alternative fuel in India. The paper claimed that the calorific value of ethanol is more than that of methanol, so 1.28 litres of methanol would be required to produce as much energy as a litre of ethanol. Calorific value refers to the energy contained in a fuel or food, as determined by measuring the heat produced by the complete burning of a specified quantity of the fuel or food. In recent days, the substandard petrol imported into Nigeria, with 20% methanol content, has reportedly damaged a number of vehicles. In the last few days, there have been reports of complaints from car users whose vehicles were damaged by the off-spec petrol, with many threatening legal actions. On Wednesday, amid claims of litigation by Nigerians whose vehicles have allegedly been damaged by the substandard fuel, Timipre Sylva, said the Nigerian government will do an assessment of the vehicles damaged. Mr Sylva added that there will be a major investigation into the circulation of the unsafe quantity of methanol in petrol imported into the country. Advertisements Six persons including two police officers have allegedly lost their lives as armed robbers attacked a bullion van at the Idi ape area in Ibadan, Oyo State. Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the criminals attacked the bullion van when it stopped before a traffic light. PREMIUM TIMES also gathered that majority of the armed men were young boys. The incident which happened close to Agodi Area Command occurred few minutes past 1 p.m. Mutaudeen Amode, a motorcyclist, said he abandoned his bike and fled. He added four police officers and three civilians were shot during the exchange of gun fire, which according to him, lasted about 20 minutes. READ ALSO: It was learnt that the bullion van has been taken to the police headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan. Witnesses said the bullion van was coming from a commercial bank around Testing Ground, Iwo-Road area in Ibadan, before the attack. As of the time of filing this report, it could not be confirmed if the robbery was successful. Phone calls to the police spokesperson in Oyo State, Adewale Osifeso, were not answered. Details later Nearly 1.4 million children under the age of five years in North-east Nigeria are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in the coming years as a result of the ongoing insurgency crisis by non-state armed groups, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs UN-OCHA, has said. The UNs interim resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, said this in Abuja on Wednesday at the presentation of the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for North-East Nigeria. These projections are extremely concerning, Mr Schmale said, adding that starvation is already threatening the lives of millions of children in the regions war-torn states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. He added: I fear the harm that yet another tough lean season would bring. Severe acute malnutrition admissions in nutrition treatment centres are already at the highest levels since surveillance started in 2017. I visited a nutritional stabilisation centre in Bama, Borno State last month and saw a facility being pushed to its maximum capacity, its staff determined to care for as many patients as possible. In the year ahead, 1.4 million children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition. Crisis in North-east For more than a decade, the North-east has been subjected to relentless attacks by deadly groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP). Internal displacement has been huge, and the violence has wreaked havoc on agricultural output and other livelihoods, cutting off crucial services. About 8.4 million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) States, are said to need humanitarian aid in the year 2022, according to data by the UN. Mr Schmale said: A disturbing aspect of this 12-year-old conflict is that there are thousands of children who have never known peace in their lifetime. Many children in the North-east have been born into a violent, insecure environment; deprived of safety, education, healthcare and protection that is the right of each child. While the official stated that the humanitarian response plan supports the Nigerian governments unwavering efforts in meeting the needs of the countrys affected citizens, he also appealed for a $1.1 billion donation to provide urgent assistance to over 5.5 million people in need by 2022. The UN estimates that about $144.28 million will be spent on nutrition for 3 million people in need while $52.68 million would be spent on health care for 4.99 million people. In addition, the global organisation said $83.17 million would be spent on education for 1.87 million people, and $56.80 million on shelter and non-food protection for 2.95 million people who are in need. I am encouraged by the governments spirit of collaboration and commitment to continue working together to ensure assistance is delivered safely. The United Nations and its partners- Nigerian and international organisations are appealing for USD 1.1 billion to provide urgent support to 5.5 million people in need in 2022. This targeted assistance aims to save lives, improve living conditions and quality of life and protect the most vulnerable people, the official added. In her remarks, the United States Ambassador, Mary Leonard, stated that there have been more humanitarian crises in recent years than there have been humanitarian needs. Ms Leonard said: Major humanitarian crises across the globe have doubled in length now averaging over nine years. Recent trends are clear there are more humanitarian crises. They are lasting longer, and they are affecting more and more people. Global humanitarian needs are going up. But global humanitarian funding is not keeping pace. Still, we cannot pretend that there is a magic switch in Maiduguri, or Abuja, or New York, or Geneva, that will flip the response from humanitarian to development, nor should there be a mistake, I think, to look at the state of the response of the Northeast as an either-or problem The United States is the largest humanitarian donor worldwide and here in Nigeria and were so proud to continue to join national and international partners in responding to the needs of Nigerias most vulnerable populations. On her part, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq said; Millions of people struggle to have their basic needs met, and the fluctuating food prices have further established the already alarming situation. Thousands of children are at risk of becoming severely malnourished, especially during the lean season, which will have a detrimental effect on their future development. Eighteen out of the 22 members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have voted in support of the motion seeking to impeach the deputy governor of the state, Mahdi Aliyu. This is coming three days after the Assembly said it had sent a notice of impeachment to the deputy governor. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the fresh move to impeach Mr Ali began. The deputy speaker of the House, Musa Bawa, at Fridays plenary, had submitted a document requesting the impeachment of the deputy governor. Mr Bawa, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Public Account, moved a motion for the consideration of the request. The deputy governor parted ways with Governor Bello Matatwalle after he refused to join the defection of the governor and other elected officials in Zamfara to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year. They had all taken their offices on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the Supreme Court disqualified candidates of the APC who had been declared winners in the 2019 elections. Thursdays sitting During Thursdays sitting, three APC members who were not around were the only lawmakers not to have approved the impeachment. The only PDP lawmaker, Salihu Usman (Zurmi East), who was also absent during plenary, has been vocal against the impeachment. The speaker was excluded from the final voting. The Speaker, Muazu Magarya, reminded the House of the decision to accept the request by Mr Bawa on the impeachment process. When he asked the members to vote for or against the motion, the 18 members present voted for the impeachment. Mr Magarya also supported the move but he was excluded as the presiding officer. After that, the House asked the State Chief Judge, Kulu Aliyu, to constitute a panel to investigate the allegations against the deputy governor. The House noted that the deputy governor would be investigated for breaching Sections 190 and 193 (1), (2) (a)(b)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, was held at the airport by Nigerias secret police, the State Security Service (SSS), for nearly two hours for unknown reasons. Mr Arogundade was returning from The Gambia where he had gone to conduct a training programme on Conflict Sensitive Journalism, when he was stopped at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. A statement by Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Thursday afternoon, while Mr Arogundade was still being held, said the journalists detention cannot be justified. We have confirmed that his name is not on the Watch List, Mr Falana said. Hence, he was not prevented from travelling out of Nigeria. We have equally confirmed that he did not commit any offence in The Gambia to warrant his arrest and detention by security agencies in Nigeria. Peter Afunanya, the SSS spokesperson, did not immediately respond to phone calls and a text message on Thursday night. Persistent harassment Mr Arogundade said the Thursday afternoon incident was not the first time. For as long as Ive been travelling now, if I get to the airport and I present my passport for normal immigration protocol, once the DSS (another moniker for the SSS) official who normally collects it, their official, they would ask me to hold on, they would take the passport to another official, and sometimes to a third official, converse among themselves, Mr Arogundade told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone. And sometimes they will ask me to come, they will be asking me questions, where are you going? What do you do? Sometimes they will ask me to write the address of my organisation at the back, despite having filled the form, and just waste my time. On a few occasions, I almost missed my flight. So, partly because of them I try to arrive at the airport early because it has become a ritual. Mr Arogundade said when he was leaving for The Gambia on January 30th, the same thing happened. At a stage, I asked one of the DSS officers what exactly is the reason, why are they always doing this? Upon his return on Thursday, Mr Arogundade said he was subjected to the same treatment. After his flight touched down at around 3.10 p.m., he said when he got to the checking counter about 20 minutes later, an SSS collected his passport, took a look, and asked him to step out of the line and follow him. I followed him. He took me to one senior immigration official, he first discussed with that one, I didnt know what they were discussing. Then that one collected my passport and went to another system and started asking me questions. What is your name? What do you do? Where are you coming from? I said look what are all these questions about? You are holding my passport and youre asking me who I am, dont you have the information there? Do I look different from what you have there? Mr Arogundade said after he refused to answer immigration officials questions, the SSS officer collected the passport back and told him, again, to follow him. When I followed him, I asked him where are we going? He said to their office. Of course he had my passport with him, I had not collected my luggage. So I followed him to their office. When we got to their office, he gave my passport to a senior official there, as assistant director. He first spoke with him, I didnt know what they were saying So that one was saying that Im getting annoyed and I said why wont I get annoyed?' Mr Arogundade said while the incident was going on, he phoned his lawyer, Olumide Fusika (SAN), and some colleagues to let them know about his ordeal. When I got to their office, I took a selfie. Then after that I said let me even take the picture of the office. When I took the picture, another official there got annoyed and snatched my phone from me and said I was doing illegal filming of their office. I said under what section of the Constitution is it illegal to take photograph of where Im being held?' He said the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors later spoke with the senior SSS official and demanded to know why he was being held. According to him, the official said it was a case of mistaken identity. Advertisements I was in their office for over one hour. At the end of the day, the official started apologising. The official accompanied me back to the immigration, they now said they have stamped my passport, followed me to collect my luggage and even escorted me out. Legal action While he was still being held at the airport, Mr Arogundade posted on his Facebook page showing where he was held or detained against his wish. He said the SSS had always harassed him at the airport ever since the days of military rule. On one occasion, at departure, they questioned me for some time before returning my passport, by that time the plane was almost completely boarding, he told PREMIUM TIMES. Im definitely taking legal action, he continued. I need to know why because I dont want to travel and then become afraid. So that if they are having any issue let them say it openly and then we can go and argue it in court. The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has described the collapse of the 21 storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos in November, 2021, as an engineering failure. The President of COREN, Ali Rabiu, disclosed this at the submission of a report by the Special Investigations Panel of the Collapsed 21 storey building in Ikoyi Lagos on Thursday, in Abuja. The Lagos State government is also conducting an inquest to ascertain the cause of the collapse. Mr Rabiu assured the panel that COREN would ensure that the recommendations were implemented by the government in line with its mandate. He said there might be two things to learn from the exercise going forward after seeing what went wrong, adding that measures would be taken to correct the anomalies. According to him, COREN will sanction negligence by practitioners if there is any engineer or any engineering practitioner involved in this collapse. I want to assure you that COREN will, by the mandate given to it by the act, ensure that such practitioners are sanctioned in accordance with the law. And, where they are not practitioners and they are found involved, we will ensure that we prosecute them in the court of competent jurisdiction. But in the meantime, the report will be forwarded to the appropriate organs of government and an executive summary and advice on the implementation of your recommendations. Once again, I want to use this opportunity to console the people of Lagos state for what happened and we pray that such never happens again, he said. The Chairman of the panel, George Okoroma, while submitting the report to the president of COREN, said the panel had completed its task. Mr Okoroma said that the report was given to the COREN President and government to study, before making it available to the public. He said that the report had been carefully documented and would be presented to COREN for them to study and after which it would be made public. The panel was set up by COREN President following the collapse of a 21-storey building on November 1, 2021 at Ikoyi killing 46 persons and rescuing 15. It was mandated to carry out a comprehensive inquisition on the remote and/or immediate cause(s) of the collapse among other terms of reference. (NAN) The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed April 26 for judgment in a suit filed by the chairperson of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, to stop his probe by the Nigerian Senate over an assault allegation. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge, Inyang Ekwo, on Tuesday, fixed the date for judgement after Mr Umar and four defendants in the matter adopted their final written addresses. Defendants sued by the plaintiff are Senate, the Senate President, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and the Attorney-General of the Federation. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Umar was caught on camera assaulting a 22-year-old security guard, Clement Sargwak, at the popular Banex Plaza in Wuse 2, Abuja, on March 29, 2021. In a five-minute video that has gone viral online, Mr Umar was seen slapping and kicking the security guard, while police officers suspected to be attached to him were trying to restrain him. The incident followed an altercation between Mr Umar and the guard over a parking space the CCT chair had parked his car on the Banex premises. Despite video evidence and witnesses accounts reported by PREMIUM TIMES, the CCT chairman denied assaulting Mr Sargwark, an employee of Jul Reliable Guards Services Limited, seconded to the plaza. To get justice, Mr Sargwaks lawyer, Timzing Ramnap, petitioned the Senates Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the assault allegation. The petition was laid during a plenary session of the Senate by Istifanus Gyang, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator representing Plateau North, the senatorial district from which Mr Sagwak hails. The CCT chairman appeared before the committee on May 4, 2021, when he was given two weeks to respond to the allegations. But he subsequently filed his suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 13, 2021 to challenge the constitutional powers of the Senate to conduct a public hearing into the allegation in the petition. The hearing has since been stalled by the suit. Tuesdays hearing At Tuesdays hearing of the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Mr Umars lawyer, Sunday Edwards, reiterated that the Senate lacked the power to investigate the public officer. According to him, the alleged assault happened outside the work environment of his client and as such had no relation to the provisions of Section 88 of the Nigerian constitution as claimed by the defendants. Mr Edwards urged the court to peruse the matter dispassionately and uphold the arguments of his client. On her part, the counsel for the Senate, Ms Kafayat Suleiman, maintained that the Senate derived its powers from Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution to investigate misconduct of public officeholders. She said Mr Umar allegedly abused the powers of his office and his position and it was the responsibility of the Senate to investigate the veracity of the claim. The judge, Mr Ekwo, fixed April 26 for judgement after hearing the parties. (NAN) First Lady Aisha Buhari on Thursday travelled from Kaduna to Abuja by train, a move her aide said was meant to encourage more Nigerians to use that mode of transportation. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Mrs Buhari arrived in Kaduna from Kano by air and then decided to travel by train to Abuja. She was in the company of her younger brother, Mahmud Ahmad, also known as Modi, and a few aides. Those familiar with her movement said the train left Kaduna at 4 pm and arrived in Abuja at past 6 pm. Our sources said Mrs Buhari and members of her immediate family have travelled by air since her husband came to power in 2015. The family has always travelled by planes provided by the presidential air fleet. This is the first time she would make a long journey by any other mode of transportation, one of her associates told PREMIUM TIMES. Following incessant kidnappings on the Kaduna-Abuja road, many Nigerian commuters have abandoned the route and have resorted to travelling between the two cities by train. President Muhammadu Buharis administration has invested heavily in the revamping of Nigerias rail sector. Apart from the Abuja-Kaduna line, the Lagos-Ibadan railway has also effectively roared back to life. A few other rail lines across the country have also been rehabilitated or are being revamped. The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-ife, was again on Wednesday thrown into mourning following the death of a 200-level student of the department of Linguistics and African Languages, Heritage Ajibola. Ms Ajibola had fallen into an improperly kept soakaway at a private hostel within the university community. This led to her death. The students of the university had on October 1, 2021, staged a mass protest against alleged negligence on the part of the management of the institutions health centre, which led to the death of a final year student of the department of Foreign Languages, Aisha Adesina. The university had been shut down while the then ongoing examination was suspended. The school was not reopened until many weeks. Latest incident The university management, while confirming Miss Ajibolas death, said as soon as it got the information the emergency response team including its fire fighters and those from the Osun State Government, among others, were mobilised to the scene. The universitys public relations officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the student was confirmed dead at the institutions teaching hospital, where she was rushed to after a joint effort to retrieve her from the soakaway by the firefighters. The statement by Mr Olarewaju reads in part: The university management is saddened by this unfortunate incident. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, who led his management team to the scene, sympathised with the students and commiserated with the parents of the deceased. Professor Ogunbodede, who described the incident as tragic and unacceptable, promised to critically look into the circumstances that led to the students death and mete out appropriate sanctions against those involved or whoever is found culpable. The Vice Chancellor, therefore, appealed to the students to remain calm and law abiding as the police, who have been briefed, are also investigating. How Miss Ajibola died Ogunperi Taofeek, the students union spokesperson told PREMIUM TIMES that Miss Ajibola was trying to spread her clothes on the rope on Wednesday afternoon when she slipped and fell into the soakaway through an open part that was only covered with planks. He said one of her roommates with whom she was washing at the BVER hostel, a private hostel, raised the alarm and the university management mobilised the rescue team. According to Mr Taofeek, the rescue effort took up to an hour, and the student was confirmed dead at the accident and emergency unit of OAU Teaching Hospital where she was immediately rushed to at about 5 p.m after she was removed from the soakaway. A statement released by the students union as seen by PREMIUM TIMES noted that Heritages death was avoidable if the soakaway system was properly constructed and covered, it is saddening that this has happened despite the huge amounts of money paid by students for rent. Mr Taofeek said the fact that someone could slip to a sewage system that was supposed to be constructed well means that we need to question those in charge of those hostels and make sure they provide the right answers. A 22-year-old musician, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who got a judicial reprieve from the death penalty passed on him by a Sharia Court for blasphemy, has urged the Court of Appeal in Kano to make an order against his retrial for the same alleged offence. Mr Sharif-Aminus lawyer, Kola Alapinni, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal slated Thursday (today) for the hearing of his clients appeal. The Kano State governor and the states attorney general who are the respondents to the appeal refused to file their responses to the appeal, according to Mr Alapinni. The appellants legal team will likely be urging the Court of Appeal to decide the appeal on merit based on their arguments alone as the case comes up for hearing today (Thursday). Background Mr Sharif-Aminu, a resident of Sharifai in Kano metropolis, was arrested and charged for contravening Section 382 (B) of the Sharia Penal Code Law of Kano 2000 and for allegedly committing blasphemy against the prophet of Islam in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020. He was taken to the Upper Sharia Court in Kano where he was tried without a legal representative. On August 11, 2020, the Upper Area Court sentenced him to death for the alleged offence. Dissatisfied with the verdict, his lawyers appealed to the appellate division of the Kano State High Court. Delivering their judgement on January 21, 2021, two judges who sat over the appeal, unanimously ruled that the trial at the Upper Area Court was characterised by procedural irregularities. Although the High Court set aside the conviction and the sentence passed on Mr Sharif-Aminu, it sent the case file back to the Upper Area Court for him to be tried afresh. No retrial Mr Sharif-Aminu had immediately appealed against the High Courts verdict, asking the Court of Appeal to issue him an order for his total acquittal and also quash the order for his retrial. His lawyers filed two grounds of notice of appeal. In March 2022, they filed a brief of argument elaborating on the two grounds earlier raised in their notice of appeal. Mr Sharif-Aminu had filed an appeal over the court judgment on March 22, 2021 after the appellate division of the High Court of Kano State had on January 21 quashed the death sentence passed on him by an Upper Sharia Court in August, 2020. The appellant, through his lawyers, asked the Court of Appeal to not only rule that the High Court was wrong to have ordered a retrial but to also issue an order discharging and a quitting him. He also asked the Court of Appeal to declare the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 null and void as it is inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mr Sharif-Aminu argued in his appeal that the High Court judges erred in law when they overturned the trial courts decision and ordered a retrial in the Sharia court. The High Court was wrong to have ordered a retrial. Rather, the appellant was entitled to a discharge and acquittal. The High Court was wrong in not declaring the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his lawyers brief of argument read in part. Mr Alapinni stated that when the prosecution fails to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, the defendant is entitled to a discharge and an acquittal under the Nigerian criminal law. He said under Nigerian laws, a person cannot be prosecuted twice for the same crime for which he has already been convicted. Mr. Alapinni said Sharia law, which the trial court used to sentence his client to death for blasphemy, was unconstitutional, and that the High Court judges decision not to declare Sharia law unlawful in Nigeria was incorrect. He argued that Sharia law only applied to Islamic countries that practice theocracy, not Nigeria, which is a secular state with a constitutional democracy. He contended that because Sharia rule is unlawful, the crime of blasphemy is likewise invalid under the Nigerian Constitution. Advertisements The constitutional principle of separation between government and religion enshrined at section 10 and 38 of the Constitution prohibits government from adopting religion or making laws restricting religious freedoms and prohibits government from making laws to advance or promote any religious interest, Mr Alapinni added. Citing section 1(3) of the Nigerian constitution, Mr Alapinni added, The Penal Sharia Code Law 2000 of Kano State, or any other Penal Sharia Code Law in Nigeria, is incompatible with sections 10 and 38 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution. He quoted the constitutional provision as reading, If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and any other law shall be void to the extent of the inconsistent. The Court of Appeal is urged to resolve this issue against the respondents and in favor of the appellant. We hereby urge this court to declare that the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law is unconstitutional, the lawyer prayed. Similar case The Upper Area Court had, similarly, on August 10, 2020, convicted 13-year-old Omar Farouk of blasphemy and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment. Mr Omar, a resident of Sharada quarters of Kano metropolis, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for making derogatory statements concerning the Almighty Allah in a public argument. The verdict triggered an international outcry especially because it involved a minor who also did not have a legal representation during his trial. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), through its Country Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, said Farouks sentencing was wrong and negated all core underlying principles of child rights and child justice that Nigeria and by implication, Kano State has signed to. The body called on the Nigerian government and the Kano State Government to urgently review the case with a view to reversing the sentence. Mr Alapinni, the lawyer handling Sharif-Aminus case had also approached the appellate division of the Kano State High Court over Omars case. The two-man panel of the High Court unanimously discharged and acquitted the boy in its judgement delivered on January 21, 2021. The High Courts verdict was in recognition of the facts that Omar was a minor and had no legal representation during the trial. A bill that seeks to strengthen the operations of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in Nigeria has scaled second reading at the Senate. The bill, an amendment to the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, is sponsored by Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central). Besides increasing the effectiveness of NGOs in Nigeria, the legislation is also aimed at introducing measures that address regulatory issues relating to registration, administration and merger of such organisations. One major provisions the bill seeks to amend, is to allow NGOs provide annual returns to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) once in a year, against the current law which mandates NGOs to make such submissions twice in a year. The second reading was sequel to a deliberation on the details and proposed amendments contained in the bill. The CAMA Act, one of the most significant legislations passed by the eighth assembly, enhances Nigerias business environment and promotes the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Entreprises. It also guides the registration and administration of companies, business entities and associations. Debate Leading the debate, Mr Oloriegbe noted that the current CAMA Act provides a consistent regulatory framework that enhances NGO coordination as well as the legal and legislative framework for how profit-making entities and non-profit should operate in the country. He, however, said while the law has major benefits for companies by improving the Ease of Doing Business and reducing the burden of compliance for medium and small scale industries, it introduces more stringent regulations for organisations registered as incorporated trustees which includes NGOs, Civil Society Organisations, community and faith-based organisations. The law contains some provisions that are inimical to the abilities of NGOs to operate and deliver on the purpose for which they are set up, he said. NGOs are essentially the creation of individuals and citizens seeking to contribute to social development. We owe it as a responsibility to support these initiative without overlooking the need to assist their operations within the law. It is essential to observe that the extant law requires NGOs to provide annual returns to CAC twice in a year when companies are only required to do so only once. The law also makes it possible for trustees of NGOs to be removed in unclear circumstances and for interim managers to be appointed without specifying the roles of the interim managers, the extent of thier powers and the duration of their appointment. The current law, he added, could also lead to the arbitrary seizure of the assets and properties of an NGO without providing the opportunity for correcting any ills which the law should aim to do. Objectives and highlights A major objective of the bill is to provide a consistent regulatory framework that enhances NGO coordination. The legislation proposes amendments to 11 Clauses of the CAMA Act. They are: Section 2 which deals with stablishment of governing board, Section 81 which deals with related associations, Section 83 which deals with application of income and Section 839 which deals with suspension of trustees, appointment of interim manager. Other sections are: 842 which deals with accounts of dissolved incorporated trustees, 843 which deals with accounts which cease to be dormant before transfer, 844 which deals with dormant bank accounts and 845 which deals with annual statement of affairs. Also to be amended are Sections 846 which deals with accounting records and statement of account, 848 which deals with bi-annual returns and 849 which deals with merger of association which is amended to give associations with similar objectives, the discretion to merge. The key proposals are: * To amend Section 2(2) to provide for the representation of NGO in the membership or governing board of CAC. * Section 839 to curb the wide power of CAC to suspend trustees and appoint interim managers for NGOs. * Section 85 to reduce the burden on NGOs to submit bi-annual statement of affairs to CAC as opposed to annually which is the standard requirement for profit-making entities. Advertisements * And delete Sections 842, 843 and 844 which border on the status of the bank account of the NGOs. This, the lawmaker said, infringes on the code of confidentiality between banking institutions and their customers. He added that if passed, the legislation will not only provide an acceptable and more coordinated legal framework for NGO regulation but more significantly strengthen the civil space for Nigeria. Contributions In his remark, Sadiq Umar, noted the significance of the bill especially because of the misunderstanding that surrounds NGO in Nigeria. The CAMA Act, he said, needs to be amended to regulate how NGOs operate in Nigeria. With this amendment, NGOs doing excellent jobs will be covered and for those with ulterior motives, they can now be properly regulated and controlled. After the second reading, the bill was referred to the Joint Committees on Trade and Investment, Diaspora and NGO for public hearing and further legislative actions. The committee is to report back in four weeks. Hundreds of young Nigerians, including academics, rights and student activists, journalists, among others, have risen in solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in what they described as the unions strive towards repositioning the nations university system for global reckoning. The young Nigerians, who took part in Wednesdays edition of PREMIUM TIMES TwitterSpaces forum, otherwise known as PTSpaces, described the constant agitation and strike threat by the lecturers union as avoidable and blamed the Nigerian government for allegedly neglecting the nations education sector to degenerate. They condemned the governments alleged unwillingness to invest better in the sector and consistently failing to implement the agreement it had with as far back as 2009. The intensity of ASUUs threat of embarking on another strike was heightened during the week following the unions directive to its branches to observe lecture-free moments to sensitise the public on its demands and why it could commence another round of industrial action. ASUU had listed its core demands to include the immediate deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to replace the governments imposed Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). The union said the deployment of UTAS will uphold university autonomy, even as it demanded renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, the release of the reports of visitation panels to federal universities and distortions in salary payment challenges. Other demands include funding for revitalisation of public universities, payment of the arrears of earned academic allowance and promotion allowances, and resolution of the issue of poor funding of state universities. Speakers blame government In their different presentations at the forum, speakers, including Mojeed Alabi, the chairperson, Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN), a group of journalists focused on reporting education issues in the country, noted with concern that nothing has changed for the better in the nations educational system, after many years of agitations by labour unions in the sector. Mr Alabi, who is also the head of PREMIUM TIMES development desk, blamed the government for the woes befalling the educational sector, particularly the university system, which he said is going down the infamous path of public primary and secondary schools. He said: Our system has been so much battered by those individuals who actually enjoyed the privilege that they are now, at this time, denying Nigerians. As someone who has covered education for more than 10 years, and the Nigerian education in particular, nothing has really changed over time; issues of underfunding, insecurity, examination malpractices, moral decadence, among others, have continued to dominate discussions. I think to a large extent, I blame the government that has over time, relegated education to the background in its concerns. The usual poor annual budgetary allocations to the sector confirm the neglect it, and I think it might be deliberate so that the children of the poor dont have access to instrument of liberation. Mr Alabi linked the decadence in Nigerias university system to the establishment of pirate universities by the political elite in the country, citing how former President Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly granted himself and his erstwhile deputy, Atiku Abubakar, operational licences for private universities. Mr Obasanjo-owned Bells University of Technology, Ota, ranks the first private university of technology in Nigeria, which was granted a licence and started operation in 2005 while the promoter was Nigerias President. Mr Abubakars American University of Nigeria (AUN) was also founded in 2004, while serving as the vice-president. The editor lamented that with the failing negotiations between the federal government and ASUU, Nigerian academics have continued to languish, saying they have been paid with the same salary scale since 2009. Also speaking, a former president of the students union at Obafemi Awolowo University between 2002/2003 academic calendar year, Akinwunmi Olawoyin, condemned what he described as a very poor budgetary allocation to the education sector. He said, The question is not so much about the non-availability of these funds, its about the application of these funds. We have almost lost the battle at the primary and secondary school levels due to the sorry state of the basic education sub-sector, and so we cannot afford to lose the public tertiary education to our oppressors. Mr Olawoyin said a strike is an internationally accepted way of seeking better working conditions globally, especially whenever it seems the only option left. Taiwo Hassan, the national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) popularly known as Soweto, called on students to support ASUU, saying it is in the interest of Nigerians to mobilise support for every effort aimed at repositioning the education sector for the better. He said; In 2013 or thereabouts, when a similar strike was declared by the union, we were able to mobilise students in protest, calling on the government to meet the demands of ASUU so that students can resume. That kind of struggle played a role in compelling the government to act at the time. And I think that that kind of approach is equally needed at this period. Advertisements READ ALSO: An assistant lecturer in one of Nigerias universities, who is currently a PhD student at the University of Reading in England, United Kingdom, Raheem Aminu, decried what he described as the poor state of Nigerian tertiary institutions and the poor welfare conditions of the workers. Mr Aminu said as an assistant lecturer at an undisclosed university in the country, his net monthly pay is less than N120,000, saying until he is a senior lecturer, he might not be able to earn up to N200,000. But I am in the UK here and lecturers are threatening strike because they want special facilities for PhD students just like full-time lecturers while at home, we are just begging to be paid ordinary salaries, he said. The young lecturer lamented the poor infrastructure in the countrys tertiary institutions, saying changing the fortunes of the institutions would require deliberate actions. Other contributors at the forum said they acknowledged the pain that comes with each industrial action, especially on the part of the students, they said the better alternative that could guarantee a lasting solution to the perennial crisis would be to massively support repositioning efforts. They urged ASUU to mobilise Nigerians to understand the issues and seek support and cooperation. A group of companies accused by the NNPC of importing substandard fuel into the country has put the blame on a member of the consortium, saying the firm has long been operating independently and bears full responsibility for the purchase. The government announced on Tuesday that it found excess methanol in stocks recently brought into the country, prompting shortage of petrol in major cities including Abuja and Lagos. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which coordinates the governments direct sale, direct purchase fuel policy, on Wednesday blamed three companies and a consortium for the importation. It listed the vendors as MRS, Oando, Duke Oil and Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium. MRS said the fuel came from the Atnwerp, Belgium terminal of Litasco, a subsidiary of the Russian company, Lukoil, and denied any responsibility. The Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium said in a statement on Thursday that the fuel was imported by Britannia-U, a member of the group it says had long refused to work together with other members of the consortium. Brittania -U could not be immediately reached through its known phone contact. Read the full statement released by Emadeb/Hyde/Maikifi below: EMADEB/HYDE/AYMAIKIFI PROVIDE CLARIFICATIONS ON NNPCs CLAIMS We refer to the press release of February 9, 2022 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited on the issue of contaminated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with higher concentrates of methanol allegedly imported by Emadeb/Hyde/Ay Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium. We hereby state that the said importation of the contaminated PMS was executed by a member of the consortium, to wit: Brittania-U. Therefore, the blanket claims made against the consortium by the NNPC are misleading and contradict the actual events that happened; they do not fully reflect and/or represent what transpired. It is important to inform the public of these facts and provide clarifications relating to the delivery of the said contaminated PMS to the country. We also deem it necessary to protect our image as we have invested a lot in building our respective brands in the industry. Facts and Findings 1. Brittania-U Nigeria Limited (Brittania-U) was the sole supplier of the 90,000MT of PMS delivered via MT Torm Hilde with laycan January 2 to 4, 2022. 2. At the formation of the Consortium in May 2021 by NNPC, Brittania-U refused to execute the Service and Consortium Agreement submitted to NNPC in fulfilment of the award of the DSDP Contract. Emadeb as the lead of the Consortium engaged Brittania-U severally and they insisted on dealing with NNPC independently. NNPC was expressly notified about this by the other Consortium members via a letter dated June 2, 2021. 3. Further, Brittania-U vehemently refusing to execute the Consortium Agreement with the other Consortium members EMADEB/HYDE/AY MAIKIFI- was surprising and frustrating to everyone. Brittania-U communicated all her actions to the other Consortium members and NNPC harping on the following points: a) Brittania-Us preference to perform a sole contract for Crude lifting and PMS supply under the DSDP arrangement; b) Brittania-Us choice to be solely liable under her supplies to NNPC and in the light of which she indemnified the other Consortium members accordingly; c) Non-acceptance of the nominated international partner agreed by other Consortium members EMADEB/HYDE/AY MAIKIFI; and, d) Brittania-Us unwillingness to co-operate or share information and documents with the other Consortium members in respect of the December 2021 crude cargo allocated to her by NNPC. 4. Following the repeated refusal of Brittania-U to work with the Consortium, Brittania-U indemnified the other consortium members Emadeb/Hyde/Ay Maikifi and the resulting agreement was executed by their company on June 16, 2021. It reads in part: The Indemnity clause contained in the aforementioned agreement covers Emadeb/Hyde/Ay Maikifi against all damages, losses, costs, expenses (including reasonable legal costs, expenses and attorneys fees) and liabilities incident to claims, demands or causes of action brought by or on behalf of any person or entity, which claims, demands or causes of action arise out of, are incident to or result from the performance of or failure to perform the Project. The indemnity also covers Shortages in delivery of products, late deliveries, delivery of off-spec cargo or other wrongful performance of their obligations in the DSDP agreement. EMADEB/HYDE/AY MAIKIFI via a letter dated December 10, 2021 informed NNPC of non-receipt of information from Brittania-U on all correspondence relating to the DSDP crude cargo allocated to them. We further stated that Brittania-Us action contradicts all efforts to ensure performance on her allotted crude cargo. In view of the notice of the contaminated product, EMADEB/HYDE/AY MAIKIFI immediately notified Brittania-U via a letter dated February 3, 2022 and also expressly informed NNPC of the sole liability of Brittania U. Based on the substantial evidence provided to NNPC and several declarations by Brittania-U to NNPC, Brittania-U is therefore solely liable for the supply of the PMS via MT Torm Hilde. This is also demonstrated by their unwillingness to be part of the consortium; however, all the other parties were duly indemnified by Brittania-U. The other Consortium members EMADEB/HYDE/AY MAIKIFI had performed and delivered 270,000MT of PMS in the last five months and they were certified by the NNPC-nominated inspector without any complaint or adverse issues. Out of the 270,000MT of PMS, 90,000MT is currently discharging via MT Fair Seas offshore Lagos. All records showing our performance are available with NNPC for verification and validation. Advertisements EMADEB/HYDE/AY MAIKIFI will continue to work with NNPC and perform creditably on all our obligations. As reputable companies, we will not associate ourselves with any activity that will be to the detriment of the citizens of the Country. EMADEB/HYDE/AY MAIKIFI believe that these stated positions of ours have demonstrated that we are not the suppliers of the said contaminated PMS. We are ready to give our full and maximum cooperation to any government investigation panel and or any agency with all the relevant documentation and or information that maybe required. We implore all our customers to continue to patronize all services provided by Emadeb/HYDE and AY Maikifi. Thank you. Signed Lead Consortium Emadeb Energy Services Limited 10th February, 2022 The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the primary election of Murtala Karshi as the validly nominated candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council polls. This comes barely 48 hours to the local government election slated to hold on Saturday. Mr Karshis emergence as the flagbearer of the APC was voided by the Court of Appeal following an appeal lodged by Suleiman Gwagwa an aspirant in the APC primaries for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). Mr Karshi and the APC were the appellants while Mr Gwagwa and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But in a unanimous judgement of a five-member panel of the Supreme Court on Thursday, Helen Ogunwumiju, who prepared the lead decision, held that the Court of Appeal was wrong to have upturned the judgement of the trial court which affirmed Mr Karshis candidacy of the APC. The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on December 3, 2021, dismissed the judgement of the FCT High Court which said the Mr Gwagwas suit was statute-barred. Bababangida Hassan, a judge of the FCT High Court, had held the Mr Gwagwa filed his suit outside of the 14 days statutorily allowed by the Electoral Act, whenever there is a dispute in the course of an election. Judgement In the judgement, which was read by Centus Nweze, the Supreme Court upheld Mr Karshis candidacy for the Saturday council elections in the FCT. The 1st appellant (Mr Karshi) whose name was submitted by the 2nd appellant (APC) to the 2nd respondent (INEC) for the general election of chairman Abuja Municipal Area Council, remains the valid candidate for the election, the apex declared. Also, the Supreme Court imposed a N5 million fine on Mr Gwagwa in favour of Mr Karshi and the APC. Backstory Mr Gwagwa had filed a suit at the FCT High Court challenging the outcome of the APC primaries for the AMAC Chairmanship position. But the court dismissed the suit on the grounds that it was statute-barred. Mr Hassan, the presiding judge, held that Mr Gwagwa, who had filed his suit 16 days upon when the 3rd respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), received a letter dated May 25, 2021 on May 28, 2021, which substituted his name with the 1st respondent, Murtala Karshi, failed to meet the 14 days required by law, within which to seek redress. Dissatisfied with the trial courts verdict, Mr Gwagwa approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, where he sought to nullify the decision. On December 3, 2021, the Court of Appeal , sitting in Abuja, dismissed the judgement of the FCT High Court. The appellate court held that that Mr Gwagwa won the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairmanship candidacy for the 2022 AMAC council election. Danlami Sanchi, a Justice of the Appeal Court who delivered the verdict, said the cause of action occurred when the 3rd respondent (INEC) received the letter of the 2nd respondent (APC) dated 25th May, 2021 on 28th May, 2021, saying that the cause of action was 28th May, not 25th May, 2021, as held by the trial judge. The prayers of the appellant at the lower court is hereby sustained and the cross appeal by the respondents dismissed, he had ruled. Dissatisfied with the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Mr Karship through his lawyer, Ibrahim Bawa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), approached the Supreme Court, which upheld his candidacy for the Saturday elections. The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Thursday rescued a lion cub from wildlife traffickers in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory. Acting on a tip-off, a combined team from NESREA, the Nigerian Police Force, and the National Park Service swung into action, rescued the cub, and arrested the suspects as they tried to sell off the animal for N6 million. Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NESREA Aliyu Jauro, the Director of Environmental Quality Control, Mr. Ayuba Jacob said the operation was carried out because the animal was among the endangered species listed in the extant wildlife laws including International Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory. Lions, like other endangered species are prohibited from illegal possession and open sale both locally and internationally under different conventions and regulations. Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), he said. We have the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulation 2011 and the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) (Amendment) Act, 2016. Mr Jacob went further to add, this is a criminal offense. Such acts bring disgrace to Nigeria in the International Community if not curtailed. We always carry out sensitization exercises on topical environmental issues, and we enlighten hunters on endangered species. He warned citizens to desist from environmental crimes as the agency will continue its war against perpetrators, saying, People should know that there are animals and plants that are conserved so they dont go into extinction. The director said investigation was still ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court appropriately while the animal has been transferred to the appropriate custodial center pending further necessary actions as provided by extant laws. The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Thursday, ordered a serving member of the House of Representatives, Gabriel Zock, to be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over N185 million fraud allegation. Halilu Yusuf, the trial judge, issued the order of remand after the lawmaker was arraigned by the anti-graft agency on charges of advanced fee fraud, otherwise known as 419. The crime is dubbed 419 after the section of the law that criminalises the act. Mr Zock who represents Kachia Kagarko Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the House of Representatives, will, by the courts order remain in custody till February 16. He is being tried by the EFCC on two counts of allegedly defrauding his victim to the tune of N185 million. The House of Representatives member was said to have swindled Adeyemi Kamar of the amount under the pretext that he would assist the victim to influence the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to secure Right of Occupancy (R of O) for his property at Guzape, an upscale area of Abuja. Mr Zock, however, pleaded not guilty, to the charges when read to him on Thursday. Battle for bail EFCCs counsel, Maryam Ahmed, asked the court to remand the federal lawmaker in prison pending the hearing and determination of his bail application. The lawmaker, who was brought to court from EFCC custody, had no legal representation to make a case for hearing of his bail motion already filed. In a bid to rescue him, the trial judge, Mr Yusuf, appointed Adebara Adeniyi as counsel for him for the purpose of arraignment and bail. The EFCCS counsel, however, stood her ground that the application of the defendant filed on February 9 was not due for hearing and that she needed to study and respond to all the fundamental issues raised in the bail request. Although Mr Adeniyi made an oral application for the bail of the federal lawmaker, Mr Yusuf overruled him on the grounds that a written application had already been filled by another lawyer. The judge subsequently ordered that the lawmaker be remanded in the EFCCs custody till February 16 when his bail motion could be heard. Charges In one of the two counts preferred against Mr Zock, EFCC alleged that he, sometime in 2015, with intent to defraud, obtained N150 milllion from one Adeyemi Kamar under the pretext that he was going to facilitate and obtain title documents (Right of Occupancy) from the Federal Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for a parcel of land at Guzape District. In the second count, the EFCC also alleged that Mr Zock also, in 2015, obtained N35million from Mr Kamar under the same circumstance for the same purpose. The charges disclosed that the alleged offences are contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. While neo-colonialist interests continue to thrive in the modern world, as world powers appear to have re-developed dominative interests in African states. This time, however, the approach seems to be a little different. Instead of a forceful take-over of these African countries, there have been subtle attempts to gain diplomatic leverage by taking advantage of economic and military disabilities, as well as similarities in central political ideology. The nineteenth century was arguably the most intense period of global expansionist activities in modern African history. European powers took cognisance of African resources during this era and acquired them. The scramble was the formal summation of the monopolistic attempts of those countries to dominate the continent. It formally describes the phase between the European race to dominate the African continent, the Berlin conference, and the consequent creation of colonies by the same European countries in the nineteenth century. Essentially, it marked the inception of increased colonial activities and the corresponding overhaul of the pre-existing political and economic autonomy. Before these events, there were historical records of economic exchanges between European merchants and African nations and communities. However, world powers desired geopolitical influence and economic superiority due to competitive paranoia, which they could get through dominant acquisition. At the end of the scramble, states apparatuses were established within the jurisdiction of each colonial power, with the sole purpose of serving the interests of the conquering nations. However, the twentieth century marked the uprising of various nationalistic movements, which foreshadowed and triggered the independence of many of the colony states. Most of these states attained full political autonomy due to their independence but lacked the necessary apparatuses to exist functionally without dependence on their former colonial masters and subsequently serving their interests. The foundation of this structural deficit, and the resultant dependence, was laid through the erosive indoctrination perpetrated during the phase of colonial domination. This is the concept of neo-colonialism. While neo-colonialist interests continue to thrive in the modern world, as world powers appear to have re-developed dominative interests in African states. This time, however, the approach seems to be a little different. Instead of a forceful take-over of these African countries, there have been subtle attempts to gain diplomatic leverage by taking advantage of economic and military disabilities, as well as similarities in central political ideology. The following analysis highlights the potential interests of distinct world powers both the capitalists in the West and the socialists to the East. They also consider some major global moves that hint at this modern scramble. Finally, the remaining ideas discuss neo-colonial structures and their roles in facilitating the modern-day scramble for domination. First, let us consider a brief examination of the approach of the so-called socialist states Russia and China and their respective interests in the African continent. Russia, for example, has actively leveraged economic, military and political strategies to gain ground in certain African countries. The continuously denied Russian military support to countries like Libya and Sudan is a typical example of the states strategy for maintaining relevance in Africa. For instance, the Tripoli siege, the threat of the Islamic militia in 2018, and the rampaging rebel group all provided the ideal opportunity for Russia to broker strategic deals with the Libyan government. The Russian government was reported to have provided manpower support, weapons, missiles, and logistic support to the Libyan troops during each fracas. In the case of the Sudanese government, Russia was linked to the provision of military backup for the Sudanese dictator, Omar al-Bashir, on several occasions. Of course, these are no majestic acts of charity. It is a basic diplomatic rule that such supports are transactional and that a world power like Russia would have wielded the greater bargaining power. From a critical examination, influence in Libya gives Russia considerable geopolitical influence and access to resources such as Libyan oil fields. Kimberly Marten pointed out an example of how much power these trades afforded the Russian government in their analysis of the Wagner group and its connection to the Russian military. According to Marten, the appointment of Valery Zhakarov, a Russian, as the national security advisor to the Libyan government, was indirectly part of the price Libya had to pay. Marten also suggested that Libyas over-reliance on Russian military forces directly compromised its sovereignty. When examined in-depth, other subtleties like trade agreements, educational summits, diplomatic and business relations also seem to be skewed in favour of the Russian government. Apart from access to resources like oil and gold, this expansion ultimately gives the Russian state leverage over their Western rivals, that is, America One could infer that the Russian interests do not necessarily differ from what world powers conceived in the nineteenth century: power, competitive advantage, and wealth. Furthermore, the Russian effect on the Sudanese state and the government of Mozambique was inferred in Joseph Siegels analysis of Russias expanding influence in Africa. As part of the conclusions of his analysis, he specified that Russias support of the Sudanese included the deployment of Wagner forces to support the Sudanese military while gaining access to gold mines in the west of the country. There were also digital footprints of the Russian connection to the toppling of Bashir to maintain their interest in the Sudanese state. When examined in-depth, other subtleties like trade agreements, educational summits, diplomatic and business relations also seem to be skewed in favour of the Russian government. Apart from access to resources like oil and gold, this expansion ultimately gives the Russian state leverage over their Western rivals, that is, America. Marshall concluded in 2011 that, If Russia becomes established as a key power broker in Libya with unfettered naval and airbase access in the eastern Mediterranean, it is in a stronger position to threaten Europes southern borders and disrupt NATOs maritime movements in times of crisis. One could infer that the Russian interests do not necessarily differ from what world powers conceived in the nineteenth century: power, competitive advantage, and wealth. Aside from the Russian government, the Peoples Republic of China has also gained considerable influence on the modern African continent. Unlike the direct deal brokerage approach of the Russians, the Chinese are branded more as economic partners. The Chinese government is devoted to upholding the impression of a win-win economic partnership with vital African states. In 2006, Beijing established a Chinese-African policy based on mutual benefit and developmental partnerships to enforce this perception. Summarily, the policy included strategies to ensure reciprocal benefits in the economy, development, governance, and coordination areas. Since the establishment of the policy, the Chinese government has conspicuously been involved in loan deals with major African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Ethiopia, and Zambia. In addition, the government has actively sponsored the revitalisation of significant service sectors in several African countries. They have been actively involved in infrastructural and scientific projects in these countries. According to the BBC, China invested approximately $1.6 billion in Africa in 2005 alone. By 2012, China had trade worth more than $166 billion with Africa. As evidence of further substantiation, a Chinese daily report revealed that Chinas trade with Africa has increased by approximately 83 per cent since the beginning of the century. Surprisingly, there has been no plausible cumulative record of predatory political motive against the Chinese government in its partnership with Africa. Although there are speculations about Chinas possible interference in the African socio-political atmosphere, there has been no concrete report or digital footprint to back this up. References have been made to military activities in Zimbabwe and the role of the Chinese-Sudan oil transaction in the Sudanese genocide. However, there are no direct links between these situations and the interest of the Chinese in any way. Nonetheless, despite the Chinese governments apparent neutrality in the socio-political activities of African states, there are legible economic effects of the resource exchange programmes. There are also footprints of the Chinese influence in monopolising the resources of some African states at the expense of the nations involved. Burgess concluded in 2011 that the Chinese off-take agreements for ferrochrome and ferromanganese and chromite and manganese ore have brought complaints from the South African stainless steel industry about a shortage of supply for local production. Stainless steel industry experts assert that Chinese companies are moving to corner the market on chromium, manganese, and vanadium. Given the complexities of economic aid and reciprocity, one could infer that the Chinese want the same things as their counterparts power, resources, and wealth. I agree with Paulo that there is little doubt that access to natural resources is an important consideration in Chinas new active role in the international system. The United States Libyan intervention dynamics are different and somewhat delicate. On the surface, the aftermath intervention of the U.S. in the Libyan internal squabble seemed altruistic. Gadhafi cracked down on protests and civil demonstrations, resulting in the outbreak of civil war. However, a deeper analysis would reveal a possible non-altruistic motive behind the intervention. The United States needed to remove the major obstacle to its economic interests in Libya. The socialist states are not the only ones implicated in these exploitative partnerships. Western powers, particularly the United States, have also played their cards to maintain their geopolitical power in Africa, while accruing economic benefits. Africa was a crucial factor in the emergence of the United States as a world power after the second world war. But due to different reasons, including the attempts made by the USSR and China, there has been a significant shift in the power balance in Africa. The diplomatic move made by the United States during the George Bush administration was a defining moment for Africa-US relations. Although the U.S. had established relationships with different African states before Bush, it was the first obvious pointer of a resource-motivated partnership. The antecedent circumstance checks well; America had just launched an energy plan a year before this meeting. In 2002, the White House invited eleven African heads of state for meetings, incidentally many of them from countries rich in oil. Of course, the United States adopted a Messiah-like approach to Africa. It preached the ideals of democratic liberation and presented recuse initiatives. Some notable United States initiatives in Africa include the U.S. AIDS relief programme, the U.S. malaria initiative, and the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The United States has also provided considerable military aid to key African states. For example, it has recently adopted military programmes to provide free arms support to major African countries like Nigeria. While the above has been instrumental to the survival of African states, they are ultimately ploys to secure the interests of the United States in Africa and maintain its geopolitical power in the grand scheme of things. In some cases, resource payback imposed in return for foreign aid has been detrimental to African states independent polity and economy. However, the country with the higher bargaining power logically wins in such cases. The United States major detrimental involvements in Africa include the Djiboutian military intervention and the Libyan decimation in 2011. As in the case of Nelson Mandela, Gadaffi was an outspoken nationalist with communist affiliations. Of course, such an individual would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. In 2016, the United States publicly owned its involvement in his arrest and incarceration. The United States Libyan intervention dynamics are different and somewhat delicate. Before this, the Libyan president had made moves to nationalise the countrys oil economy. These moves jeopardised the interests of the United States in Libya at the time. On the surface, the aftermath intervention of the U.S. in the Libyan internal squabble seemed altruistic. Gadhafi cracked down on protests and civil demonstrations, resulting in the outbreak of civil war. However, a deeper analysis would reveal a possible non-altruistic motive behind the intervention. The United States needed to remove the major obstacle to its economic interests in Libya. Furthermore, and in the context of international law, the United States became involved in what appeared to be a domestic situation. Undoubtedly, the relationship between African states and world powers like China, Britain, America, and Russia has been presented as beneficial to developmental endeavours in Africa. However, African leaders need to wake up to the realisation of the nationalistic biases inherent in these moves. In diplomatic situations, it is only natural that a country defends its interest. These pointers should warn African states to apply caution in these situations. It is also a call to strive towards viable policies aimed at considerable self-sustenance in the coming decades. These and similar discourses must drive Pan-African relationships, if the continent intends to survive in the subsequent years. Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland. Anything that would inspire the building of skills to rescue public education at this point in out national experience needs to supported. And while one can say that the governments proposal of bursaries in the range of N50,000 N75,000 at this point in the economic situation of the country is quite commendable, yet there would be need for other levels of support for the building of a robust public educational capacity Teaching is a highly complex activity, a social practice that takes place in a specific context like time, place, culture, socio-political and economic situations. It is therefore shaped by the values of these specific contexts. Growing up, our parents and teachers were usually the first ones to impact our lives significantly. In fact, in the younger years, students have complete faith in their teachers and they listen to them more than their parents. In other words, teachers do not merely stick to the role of teaching but adapt to various roles as the need arises. Teachers become our friends when we are sad, they care for us like our parents when we are hurt. Teachers are also of great importance in the life of parents, who expect a lot from them in the mentoring of their kids. All these shows the significance and impact of teachers in any society, and the need to sincerely appreciate them for all their good works made a whole day to be dedicated to them. This is a day we all know as the World Teachers Day, which is often celebrated on the 5th of October annually. The idea of celebrating teachers took root in many countries during the 19th century, with local educators or important milestones in education being celebrated in many cases. Recently, during the celebration of the World Teachers Day, the Federal Government announced a proposal to pay bursaries in the sum of N75,000 per semester to undergraduates studying education courses in public institutions and N50,000 for those enrolled for National Certificate In Education (N.C.E.) programmes in our Colleges of Education. The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who made the disclosure, said the Federal Governments reintroduction of these bursary awards as a policy is scheduled for implementation this year. Adamu equally made it clear that there is going to be a clause for those benefitting from the scheme, as these students in public institutions would have to sign undertakings to serve the government for a minimum of five years after graduation. In order to make the bursary awards policy workable and sustainable, the registrar and chief executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor Olusegun Ajiboye, explained that the Federal Government has tied the payments to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which is an existing financing/intervention agency for tertiary institutions in the country. TETFund was originally established as the Education Trust Fund (ETF), before it was renamed as an intervention agency set up to provide supplementary support to all levels of public tertiary institutions. Its main objective is to use funding, alongside project management, for the rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of tertiary education in Nigeria. The intervention agencys main source of income is the two per cent education tax paid from the assessable profit of companies registered in Nigeria. The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) collects this tax on behalf of the Fund. While the board and the management of TETFUND is yet to react to its newly proposed mandate of intervening in the provision of bursary to students, given the track record of the FUND in its support of educational outcomes in the country through the provision of different levels of infrastructure, one can hope for its more positive impact on this newer level. The case for such a crucial intervention in the teaching profession in Nigeria by investing in crucial manpower is evident in the very low ratio of teachers to pupils in our public educational institutions, as many shy away from what has become a sufferhead profession. The sad outcome of this is there to see in poor educational outcomes witnessed in the declining results of students and unfortunately high number of out-of-school children in many parts of the country. Anything that would inspire the building of skills to rescue public education at this point in out national experience needs to supported. And while one can say that the governments proposal of bursaries in the range of N50,000 N75,000 at this point in the economic situation of the country is quite commendable, yet there would be need for other levels of support for the building of a robust public educational capacity, and to make this a more holistic policy with improved chances of success. With TETFunds involvement in the disbursing of these bursary awards, one sincerely hopes that this would further attract many young and competent Nigerians to venture into the teaching profession. Nigerian public education requires all the support it can get at this point in time. Rahma Olamide Oladosu writes from Abuja and can be reached through: oladosurahma@gmail.com. Over a long and productive professional career, Wiredu planted the seeds that have germinated and are fast growing into a global disciplinary colossus. He also held up a lamp allowing Africans to peer through the morass of coloniality and the ambiguities of modernity. Kwasi Wiredu, often called the greatest living African philosopher, passed on January 6 in the US at the age of 90. Wiredu was a central presence in the discipline by virtue of two highly influential books Philosophy and an African Culture (1980) and Cultural Universals and Particulars. He and other important contemporaries formed what is known as the universalist school of African philosophy. They included Paulin J. Hountondji in Benin, Henry Oruka Odera in Kenya and Peter O. Bodunrin in Nigeria. Of this ground-breaking philosophical quartet, only Hountondji remains alive. The universalists worked to establish modern philosophy practices on the continent away from the dubious credentials of ethnophilosophy. They did this by keeping to the strictest standards of rigour in philosophy. Collectively, they made a considerable impact on parts of the continent and eventually globally. Indeed no African philosophy curriculum is taken seriously if it doesnt include all these philosophers. And within this esteemed group, Wiredu is often regarded as first among equals a view Hountondji himself shares. Professor Kwesi Prah, a renowned sociologist engaged in a wide spectrum of African Studies-related disciplines and Wiredus compatriot, simply adds that he did really pioneering work. His writings are notable for a matter-of-fact fastidiousness and tone. They are unpretentious and avoid academic fads. Whether he was dealing with concepts such as Truth, Mind, Language or Democracy from his native Akan (Ghanaian) perspective or other branches of philosophy such as logic and metaphysics, he was a beacon of conceptual brilliance and clarity. These qualities are essentially what established his reputation as a revered figure in modern philosophy. A lifetime Academic Wiredu initially studied philosophy in 1952 at the University College of the Gold Coast in what became Ghana. He then went to Oxford University for his masters degree. At Oxford, he wrote a thesis titled, Knowledge, Truth and Reason under the supervision of Gilbert Ryle, the world renowned analytic philosopher. At that time, many scholars were preoccupied with philosophy of language. The pressure would have been on Wiredu to follow. But he refused to be classified as simply an analytic philosopher and rather considered himself to be more beholden to a genetic methodology as developed by John Dewey, the American pragmatist. It does not appear that when he completed his studies at Oxford, Wiredu had any definite ideas on establishing a modern African philosophical practice. Instead he began to write research papers on W.V.O. Quine, a major American philosopher, which appeared in Second Order: An African Journal of Philosophy. But obviously the argumentative rigour he had learnt influenced his later work which explored ideas in his native Akan context and the dominant western tradition. Wiredu returned to the University of Ghana, where he taught for several years and became a full professor. He started publishing relatively late in his career but once he was on his way, the range of his research interests made up for lost time in terms of breadth and diversity. As the Ghanaian economy plummeted during the 1970s, he moved to the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. In 1985, he left for the U.S. for good. He lived, worked and retired in Florida. Arguably, Wiredu formulated the most influential approach in modern African philosophy. He called it conceptual decolonisation. Through conceptual decolonisation, Wiredu attempted to tackle the dilemmas of modernity, on the one hand, and the conflicts embedded in the African consciousness, on the other. By itself, this project appeared quite simple. But it was obviously not, because it entailed building new philosophical foundations for Africa. In his usual unassuming manner, Wiredu attempted to re-evaluate western philosophical concepts within Akan linguistic and conceptual frameworks. His intention was to attain greater philosophical clarity and relevance. His findings were path-breaking. Many African philosophers have adopted his approach in their varied ethnic and national contexts. Over a long and productive professional career, Wiredu planted the seeds that have germinated and are fast growing into a global disciplinary colossus. He also held up a lamp allowing Africans to peer through the morass of coloniality and the ambiguities of modernity. Advertisements With astonishing discipline and endurance, Wiredu confronted these existential and conceptual issues with calmness, fortitude and unparalleled inventiveness. Sanya Osha is a research fellow and scholar based in South Africa. This article was originally published by The Conversation. The freedom convoy, which began in January to challenge vaccination requirements for truckers crossing the Canada-U.S. border, is a fascinating specimen for the sociology of law enforcement. At a time of growing fatigue over social distancing and other COVID-19 measures, the protests soon began to evolve. Some protesters have been observed bearing Nazi symbols. Reports of harassment of residents and violence against passersby, Trump 2024 signage and hate crimes have emerged. These concerns fit into the criminal activities of right-wing groups identified in a report submitted to Public Safety Canada and have led to questions about whose freedoms the protesters are fighting for. Law enforcement or lack thereof has been the epicentre of public discourses on the freedom convoy. At issue is juxtaposition of the freedom convoy and how protests by Indigenous groups were handled in the recent past. While downtown Ottawa has been ground zero of the protests, the Coutts, Alberta crossing has seen its share of blockade. A statement by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation argues If the blockade in Coutts consisted of Indigenous people, there would have been arrests and charges laid; instead, the Coutts blockade is being allowed to continue, even though it has at times become violent It is important to recognize the disparity between how Indigenous and non-Indigenous protests are approached by our government. It is shocking to see this blatant disparity Indeed, the differential law enforcement intervention stares us all in the face. However, it is a mistake to consider this primarily or exclusively a law enforcement problem. The superficial law enforcement paralysis more than a week into the protests speaks to broader issues in our society. More than a policing matter The response to the freedom convoy offers a glimpse into the underbelly of the criminal justice system. The law is not like the weather and its enforcement involves significant degrees of discretion. Earlier in my career, I occasionally asked second-year introductory criminology students to indicate by raising their hands if they had ever encountered situations in which the police caught them with contrabands (e.g. drugs), seized such items and asked them to go home. Some hands would usually go up with their peers shocked. I would explain to the students that they went back home peacefully to their parents for the same acts over which their peers might have been arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to prison. The aim was to help students think about inequality in the criminal justice system and their own social positionality. The dispensation of favourable or unfavourable discretionary use of power goes beyond policing. The judiciary is not immune. The prosecution of participants in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol has been fraught with professional lenience that questions the notion of equality before the law. For example, Judge Beryl A. Howell was unsparing in her critique of the disconnect between the gravity of the actions of the offenders and the tepid charges filed by the US Department of Justice. She described the situation as muddled and almost schizophrenic asking Is it the governments view that the members of the mob that engaged in the Capitol attack on January 6 were simply trespassers? The Republican-Democrat divide on the attack was irrelevant. My point? The criminal justice system works in ways that dovetail with the contours of inequality in society. Political capital The freedom convoy protesters have been able to draw on a level of political capital that most people who take to the streets to fight for their rights rarely have. Conservative party leader, Erin Otoole, met with some of the protesting truckers before being ousted. The CTV reports that his interim successor, Candice Bergen, pushed OToole to show support for the Freedom Convoy protest, arguing there are good people on both sides. It was an unoriginal statement, of course, but emblematic of the thinking at the highest echelons of the Conservative Party. The report also states that Bergen informed MPs that I dont think we should be asking them to go home; rather the issue should be turned into a problem for the prime minister. That is how you win elections through polarisation. The truckers are a rich mine for votes and their anger a catalyst for electoral mobilization. Therefore, their protest is being approached with greater circumspection than is accorded most street protesters. Bergen and other MPs and MLAs who have voiced their support for the protest are aware of the social and political value of the protesters. The prime minister, Justin Trudeau, is right to be wary of inviting the military to intervene as that rarely ends well. Financial capital The freedom convoy is also well resourced. Organisers garnered approximately $10 million within days on Go Fund Me before their account was frozen. The Toronto Star reports that despite being blocked by GoFundMe, the freedom convoy was still raising thousands of dollars per minute on GiveSendGo. The continuing influx of cash suggests the freedom convoy goes beyond some fringe elements of society. Support for the freedom convoy is organic within conservative to right-wing sections of the population. The kinds of funds being generated are not restricted to $10 to $30 from average members of society. For perspective, consider that the NDP in Alberta raised $6.2 million in 2021, its highest fundraising ever, while the United Conservatives generated $3.8 million in the same fiscal year. Therefore, the freedom convoy is a money-generating machinery that rivals several established political parties with well-manicured fundraising architecture in Canada. Its supporters are not mainly or primarily from the margins of society. Such serious cash means organisers can mobilise effectively and provide supplies to prolong the protest. This wears out law enforcement capacity. Ideological symmetry: Freedom Convoy and Mounties for Freedom On 21 October 2021, a group of RCMP officers known as the Mounties for Freedom wrote an open letter to Commissioner Brenda Lucki on their opposition to vaccination mandates. The officers noted that they were not against vaccinations, but as law enforcement officers, we cannot in good conscience willingly participate in enforcing mandates that we believe go against the best interests of the people we protect. They also noted that they have concerns about the science we are being coerced to follow and argued that our constitutionally-protected freedoms precede the government. Does that sound familiar? There is ideological symmetry between participants in the freedom convoy and a section of law enforcement. In other words, some officers would presumably participate in the freedom convoy but for the uniform. Consider that the US Capitol attack involved almost 30 off-duty police officers from 12 police departments. ABC News reports that some defendants charged in the attacks are adopting a defense that they thought they were free to enter the Capitol because law enforcement authorities either didnt stop them from coming in or never told them they were not allowed to be there. This has added to broader concerns over right-wing extremist infiltration of law enforcement and the military in the US and Canada. A declassified 2020 report of Canadas Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre notes that far-right groups such as the Proud Boys are actively recruiting serving and retired members of the police and military. Such ideological sympathies may weaken law enforcement. Political economy of protest risk Scholarly engagement with protest policing has a long history. How police respond to protesters is indicative of a combination of subjective and objective calculus as regards risk to law and order and bearers of risks. For example, in Alberta, the Wetsuweten First Nations protests against the Coastal GasLink Pipeline in 2020 attracted legislative action and several arrests. Bill 1 The Critical Infrastructure Defence Act was passed at impressive legislative speed. That is not a critique. Governments must respond proportionally to threats. However, the reluctance to enforce the same law on the freedom convoys takeover of the Coutts crossing in Alberta subjects law enforcement and the entire criminal justice system to unnecessary public ridicule. The same applies to the ostensible helplessness of Ottawa police. Making political choices regarding protests The freedom convoy provides a lesson in the politics of law enforcement. Right-wing groups increasingly pose serious threats to society and need to be recognised and treated as such. Some political leaders have declared that they do not direct the police. That is not a lie but it is not entirely true. The police take cues from political leaders. The spread of the freedom convoy and the disruption it increasingly represents embody a political choice (via inertia) by some elected leaders and chiefs of police. Canadian police are some of the most effective and highly regarded in the world. The officers on the streets would have acted swiftly and decisively if they had been properly directed long before the trucks arrived. Finally, it matters who is protesting and the social and political position they occupy. Although the freedom convoy has been treated lightly to date, other groups contemplating street demonstrations in the near future should be warned: Dont try this at home. Tope Oriola is professor of criminology at the University of Alberta, Canada. The Conversation first published a version of this article under a creative commons licence. Follow Oriola on Twitter: @topeoriola Inevitably, the increasing spate of bloody attacks reminds residents of the ugly days and years when it was almost part of the existential reality of the people to assume that politics and blood are Siamese twins and where you find politics, it must be accompanied by tears and sorrow. But why? Ayisha Osori caught my attention with her assertion in a recent article titled Nigeria decides 2023: Will we take the road over-travelled? This is because in looking at our politics, Nigerians certainly must decide the new route to the type of country they desire, lest they travel the same overbeaten path that has tragically led us all to the backwaters of civilisation, either in our economy, politics, social or political lives. She wrote, We need to break from our patterns in 2023 but this will only happen if we question our default settings about what leadership looks and feels likeTo change track, we must reflect on the patterns being created by our acceptance of what authority is: Aloof and abusive; reassess what governance and public service should be; and redefine what it means to make votes count. Osoris article is deeper than what a cursory look may easily give you. It compels us to ask salient questions about the political modus operandi since modern political gamesmanship began in this part of the world. History books on Nigeria are replete with tales of woes from the First Republic till date. Till today, the scars of the violence that attended the politics of the First and Second Republics, as typified by the Wetie phenomenon, the mayhem of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)-National Party of Nigeria (NPN) political tussle still live with the Nigerian people. Even as recent as the current dispensation, we have had political opponents and security men beheaded in Rivers State, while Youth Corps members have been targets of attacks as a result of political brigandage in different parts of the country. To me, that definitely is part of the questions Osori makes us to ask in order to determine how well we seek to journey if this country must be saved from the cliffs. And that takes me to the development in Osun where, last week, the staccato of gunshots deafened the ears of Nigerians, as media reports graphically showed how gunmen, in broad daylight, descended on the popular Oranmiyan House in Osogbo, the state capital, in the most horrendous attack that has been witnessed in that State in a very long time. The statistics of political brigandage is becoming threatening for the States survival and development. On March 28, 2021, when thugs attacked a personal assistant to former Governor Aregbesola, Mr Olateju Ishola, it was seen as just one happenstance, and not too strong enough to entertain anxiety over possibly festering criminality in the State. But then, on August 14, 2021, some other thugs attacked members of The Osun Progressives at APC Secretariat in Osogbo, during an exercise for the submission of petitions to the Congress Appeal Committee that was visiting the State. On August, 15, 2021, the same set of attackers came back wearing what gave them away as loyalists of Governor Gboyega Oyetola their 4+4 caps. Certainly, returning Osun to gun-toting is not likely to be one of the records Oyetola would wish to bequeath to Osun. But as it appears today, the seed of violence being planted across the State has grave implications for development and stability. On September 04, 2021, thugs attacked APC members in Ede North, while holding their meeting in the local government area. The same thing happened in Ile Ife on September 13, 2021, when thugs attacked APC members during a ward meeting. On October 16, 2021, two persons were injured when thugs attacked them during a state congress at the Ogo Oluwa area of the State capital. On November 18, 2021, some gunmen shot into the crowd at the Oranmiyan House when party members were holding a meeting. On February 1, 2022, another attack took place against APC members in Ikirun, after thugs stormed the venue where the APC faction was holding its federal constituency tour meeting. On September 04, 2021, thugs attacked APC members in Ede North while holding their meeting in the local government area. The same thing happened in Ile Ife on September 13, 2021, when thugs attacked APC members during a ward meeting. On October 16, 2021, two of our members were seriously injured when thugs attacked them during our own congress at the Ogo Oluwa area of the State capital. The attackers became more fearless when they saw that no one has sought to bring them to book. They came with guns on November 18, 2021, during a meeting of our faction of the party at the Oranmiyan House. On February 1, 2022, another attack took place against APC members in Ikirun, after thugs stormed the venue where the APC faction was holding its federal constituency tour meeting. The build up is frightening for a State that had known peace and was indeed rated the most peaceful across the country at some point. Advertisements Inevitably, the increasing spate of bloody attacks reminds residents of the ugly days and years when it was almost part of the existential reality of the people to assume that politics and blood are Siamese twins and where you find politics, it must be accompanied by tears and sorrow. But why? With the growing state of insecurity, to aid and abet political violence in the name of settling political scores would have grave consequences not only on the people but on their economy. A word is enough for the wise. Easily etched in the memory of Osun people in their recent political history of Osun are the killings of the late Alhaji Hassan Olajoku, an associate of the former governor of Osun, who was murdered at the Gbongan area of the State. Till date, references are still made to the killing of Ayo Kemba and others in the electoral heist that hallmarked 2007. Residents of the State easily recall the killing of a former DHL chairman, late Otunba Raheem Ade Komolafe, who was killed in Ilesa by mindless political thugs of the Peoples Democratic Party at the height of its impunity, which was the order of the day. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission platform that was set up by the Rauf Aregbesola administration at the time had opened up cans of worms. But it was an opportunity for the people to begin on a new note that could ensure the return of peace. And truth, indeed, returned as amplified then by those who should know the implications of certain variables. Certainly, returning Osun to gun-toting is not likely to be one of the records Oyetola would wish to bequeath to Osun. But as it appears today, the seed of violence being planted across the State has grave implications for development and stability. And in here lies the irony! Should there be only one person who should know the strategic efforts it took to wean the State from the criminality of youths, it should be Governor Oyetola. As Chief of Staff under Aregbesola, he could not have played a little role in those policy formulations and implementations that saw criminality beat a retreat from the State. How can Osun return to an era when a whole Chairman of DHL, Otunba Komolafe was beaten so badly that the septuagenarian died of injuries in Ilesa in 2010? That was a sacrilege planned and executed by a wayward political appointee who was simply intoxicated by the glamour of being a local government chairman. Political violence is nothing but a small fire being started. Even he who is making the sparks cannot fathom how far the conflagration could go. As a matter of fact, those who ignite violence could end up being victims of their own inflammatory plots. Already, the State is suffering from infiltrations of hoodlums who carry out dastardly acts in very frightening dimensions. Bank robberies, rituals, kidnapping and cultism are on the rise. When you find residents say its a long time we experienced things like this, that calls for caution. With the growing state of insecurity, to aid and abet political violence in the name of settling political scores would have grave consequences not only on the people but on their economy. A word is enough for the wise. Abosede Busayo Oluwaseun who writes from Osogbo, Osun State, can be reached through seunsafety@gmail.com Gombe State has been rated as one of the most peaceful states in the country. The rating was contained in a report published by Eons Intelligence, a media, strategic intelligence and advisory group, which was released on Thursday. Eons Intelligence specialises in analysis of crimes, political, economic risk and opportunities in Nigeria. The report analysed the crime incidences, which include kidnapping, and other heinous crimes that resulted to the death of people for the month of January 2022. According to the report, Niger State had the highest crimes rate in the country in the month under review with a total of 396 kidnap victims and 26 total death cases, followed by the North-western states of Zamfara and Kaduna. Despite sharing borders with the insurgency-ridden North-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, Gombe State maintains a rather peaceful serenity recording zero death and zero kidnapping incidences in January. The report comes few weeks after Gombe was adjudged as the most peaceful state in the North-east region by the Forum of State Directors of Security ( SDS) after their meeting in the state. Gombe is currently the number one state in the Ease of Doing Business ranking in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the state government flagged off the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps, GoSTEC Programme in which no fewer than 2,000 youth across the 11 local government areas will be trained and engaged into various developmental activities including security where they will assist the statutory security outfits in the state. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has again updated President Muhammadu Buhari on latest security development in the state. Ater the closed door meeting with the president, on Thursday in Abuja, Mr Zulum told journalists that over 30, 000 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have so far surrendered. According to him, following this development, the state is relatively peaceful as the security agencies have continued to take measures aimed at checking the activities of insurgents in the North-east. The governor expressed optimism that the insurgency in the region would soon be a thing of the past. I briefed Mr President on the status of Borno State as regards security as well as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and so far so good. I have been witnessing gradual return of peace in Borno State and I came to brief Mr President on the ongoing massive defection of Boko Haram members. This time around, we have also started witnessing the defection of ISWAP members. This is a welcome development and under a closed-door session we discussed a lot of issues and how the government of Borno State as well as the federal government will manage the ongoing surrender by the insurgents. As at now we have received nothing less than 30,000, from beginning to date. The governor disclosed that the objective of engaging the insurgents through dialogue and mediation had started yielding fruitful results. He also lauded the federal government for the heavy military deployment to Southern Borno, and expressed the hope that Northern Borno would also witness similar deployment to restore peace and law in the state. So far, so good, the objective has started yielding positive result. Apart from this also, in the Borno State, for example, as I told you last time, we had problems in the shores of the Lake Chad as well as in Southern Borno. Im pleased to inform you that there was a very heavy military deployment into the southern Borno. And I hope such a deployment will also take place in northern Borno, with a view to clearing the ISWAP insurgents in the Lake Chad. So, this has also yielded positive results. And then on the relocation of the two local government areas that last time, I said were not occupied by human beings, we are also doing very well with the military to see how we can return back the population, he added. The governor dismissed the assertion that the repentant insurgents were assured of any promissory notes before they surrendered. He, however, assured that those who surrendered willingly would be treated differently from those insurgents captured by the Nigerian troops in the battle fields. We dont make, or have any promissory notes, to defectors, honestly speaking. But you have to also understand one very important thing; there is a difference between those that have been captured and those that have surrendered. People should understand these two situations. Go back and Google and see the international conventions, rules and regulation. There is a difference between those that have been captured and those that willingly surrendered. And Im calling on all of you to give a very positive insight to this development. Because, theres nowhere in the whole world such kind of war ended with kinetic measures. There must be some certain political solutions. And if there is peace in North-east and Borno, there will be peace in Northern Nigeria. If there is peace in Northern Nigeria, there will be peace in southern Nigeria. The way we are going, with the support of the federal government with good management, Boko Haram will be over very soon. Advertisements (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, announced that it had deployed 2,822 the Biometric Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) February 12 council elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 1,373,492 registered voters are expected to participate in the elections for Chairmen and Councillors, in 2,229 polling units. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman, INEC, at the distribution of sensitive materials to the area councils, said that 12,000 ad hoc staff had also been deployed for the elections. Mr Yakubu said the sensitive materials were collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and brought to INEC FCT office, for distribution to the area councils. The materials were received from CBN and are being taken to the area councils starting with the farthest, Abaji, Kwali to Gwagwalada area councils. There are six area councils Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), he said. Mr Yakubu explained to foreign observers that although the election was a local government one and not so big, but the area councils were large areas that could amount to a country. One area council alone like AMAC is almost the size of Guinea-Bissau in Africa, so we still had to do some serious work. `However, we have taken adequate care and decongested some polling units for the elections and we hope that the political parties have mobilised, so that there would be high voter turnout. Our responsibility is voter education, while their responsibility is voter mobilisation, he said. INECs National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education (IVEC), Festus Okoye, said the deployment of the sensitive materials was being observed by representatives of political parties, civil society groups and the media. This is because we want to be as transparent as possible and we also want to be as fast as possible so that the vehicles can leave. The security agents that would escort the vehicles are ready, political parties and CSOs are welcomed to escort the vehicles to their destinations. When they get there the materials would be offloaded and kept under heavy security pending when they are deployed to the Registration Area Centres (RACs). Abdulrazak Yusuf, Director in charge of electoral operations, said the sensitive materials included result sheets and ballot papers, customised in different colours according to the area council. Mr Yusuf said that each ballot paper and result sheet differed from one area council to another council and had been colour coded, adding so the one for Kwali differs from the one of Gwagwalada in colour and the other local governments. We also have replacement result sheets produced, based on percentage in case something happens we can easily have sheets to record our results. They are usually left with the resident commissioner supervising that local government in addition to the six supporting the REC, so that the forms would be with him, but it will not be used. It can only be used when all parties have agreed that there is an issue with one result sheet that (and) they will be counter signed and replaced. Mr Yusuf said INEC had a checklist containing the names of all polling units and ballot papers with their serial numbers and the number of result sheets that would be used. He added that each polling unit had its own customised and unique feature with its own delimitation. So, we cannot use a result sheet of 001 for 002 because it has been customised according to that Polling unit, he said. The FCT INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Yahaya Bello, said that all was set for the conduct of the FCT area council elections, adding that the sensitive materials were brought so CSOs and political parties could verify. Advertisements He said that the RACs had been prepared, secured and ready for work and that the RACs would be opened on February 11, 2022, to accommodate all the ad hoc staff. Mr Bello said the ad hoc staff had already been trained and were ready and waiting for the sensitive materials, such that all was now set to ensure that the election started early. All is set for the conduct of the election and I pray that by the grace of God , it will be very peaceful, very successful, very transparent, very credible and very inclusive and everybody will be able to vote for the candidate of his or her choice. Mr Bello said all the BVAS devices had been well configured and the commission had also trained what it called RAC Techs. According to him, there are technicians who are going to take care of the machines in the event of any breakdown. He explained that transporters had also been engaged and there were motorcycles, tricycles and other vehicles, ready to deploy materials to centres. Mr Bello, therefore, advised FCT residents to come out and vote, adding that the BVAS were configured to upload the results at the polling units so that everyone would be able to see the results of the wards. (NAN) The Court of Appeal in Kano has postponed hearing in the case of a 22-year-old Yahaya Sharif-Aminu who was last year freed of death penalty but still grapples with an order for his retrial for blasphemy. The postponement of the hearing followed the Kano State governments request on Thursday for more time to file its response to Mr Yahaya-Aminus appeal. The state government had already delayed its response for close to 11 months, having been served with the appellants brief of argument around March last year. Mr Sharif-Aminus lawyer, Kola Alapinni, was set to push for the hearing of the case solely on the strength of the appellants brief of argument on Thursday. But a last-minute appearance of the state governments lawyer, Sani Ahmad, helped the respondents to secure an opportunity to file their brief of argument to counter the appellants case. The Kano State governor and the states attorney-general both represented on Thursday by Mr Ahmad, are the two respondents to the appeal. The three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by George Mbaba adjourned hearing till May 12 following Mr Ahmads request for more time to do the filing. Road to death row Mr Aminu-Sharif has been entangled in the legal process after he was arrested and charged with blaspheming the prophet of Islam with his song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020. Prosecutors charged him with contravening Section 382 (B) of the Sharia Penal Code Law of Kano 2000 at a Kano Upper Area Court, a Sharia court. At the end of the trial which held without Mr Sharif-Aminu having a legal representative, the court, on August 11, 2020, sentenced him to death for the alleged offence of blasphemy. Dissatisfied with the verdict, Mr Sharif-Aminus legal team appealed to the appellate division of the Kano State High Court to overturn the Upper Area Courts verdict. Delivering their judgement on January 21, 2021, the two judges who sat over the appeal, unanimously ruled that the trial at the Upper Area Court was characterised by procedural irregularities. Principal among the irregularities was said to be the conduct of the trial in violation of the defendants constitutional right to be defended by a lawyer. Further appeal Mr Sharif-Aminu had further appealed to the Court of Appeal praying for an order quashing the High Courts order for his retrial, and nullifying the Kano State Sharia law under which he was previously charged and sentenced to death. His lawyers filed two grounds of notice of appeal against the High Courts judgement in January 2021. On March 22, 2021, the lawyers filed a brief of argument elaborating on the two grounds earlier raised in their notice of appeal. His lawyers argue in the brief that the High Court judges erred in law when they overturned the trial courts decision and at the same time ordered a retrial at the Sharia court. They maintain that when the prosecution fails to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, the defendant is entitled to a discharge and an acquittal under the Nigerian criminal law. They contend that under Nigerian laws, a person cannot be prosecuted twice for the same crime for which he has already been convicted. On the alleged unconstitutionality of the Kano State Sharia law, the team of lawyers argue that the High Court judges decision not to declare Sharia law unlawful in Nigeria was wrong. They urged the Court of Appeal to declare the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 null and void as it is inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In their view, the Sharia law only applies to Islamic countries that practice theocracy, not Nigeria, which is a secular state with a constitutional democracy. They argue that because Sharia rule is unconstitutional in Nigeria, the crime of blasphemy is likewise invalid in the country. Advertisements The respondents brief of argument when filed are expected to proffer counter-argument to the appellants case. A Nigerian cleric has shockingly advised those who are interested in politics to be prepared to steal ballot boxes as the country prepares for general elections in 2023. The cleric, Abel Damina, premised his advice on an argument that there is no fairness and justice in politics anywhere in the world, including the U.S. Somebody said they are rigging elections. Theres no government that doesnt rig elections, including America. That is the way the system works. It is survival, Mr Damina, the pastor of Power City International, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, says in a video clip circulating on social media. So if you are thinking of politics, start thinking of contending as a (a means of) survival. So they are stealing ballot box, steal your own. Thats the way the system works. It means all of us are thieves steal, I steal. The man that steal pass becomes governor. The congregants laughed out loud over Mr Daminas comment as captured in the clip. The clip is undated but it is clear the pastor was speaking inside his church situated in the heart of Uyo. The clip may, however, be viewed as being recent because of the current political situation in Akwa Ibom State where Governor Udom Emmanuel hand-picked his preferred successor for the 2023 governorship election, claiming that he had a revelation from God about his choice of the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Umo Eno. The pastor, quoting a Bible portion (1 Samuel 8: 5 18) to back his claim, said God does not get involved in politics and governance. Democracy, according to him, is a system of imperfection run by imperfect people and ends with imperfect people. If a man of God tells you youll be governor, it is a lie. God doesnt get involved in these things. It is people that are not taught that fall for those soothsaying. We are men of God, we have no business prophesying over politicians. No, thats not our calling, our calling is to perfect you (the congregants), to strengthen you, to teach you so you can mature in Christ and if you have any circular conviction we wish you well. Go there and do your best, he said. If you come to me and tell me you want to be a governor, I will tell you I wish you well and God bless you because I dont know what you have set on ground. Youll be a fool if you didnt set anything and come and say the Lord says I will be governor. Youll be a fool because the government doesnt happen overnight, you must have a structure that spans across all the polling booths with young men and foot soldiers that are ready to die for you because they think people must be ready to die. If you dont have that kind of thing just stay in your corner, look for one small business and be happy with Jesus. And then when they finish the election, you (can) apply for a job, he said. Mr Damina is not new to controversial remarks. In 2017, the pastor preached against Christians giving money to churches and in turn expecting God to bless them with riches. God does not multiply your money. What multiplies your money is work, Mr Damina had said. The company launches new HR solution to increase operational efficiencies and enhance employee experience THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bid to accelerate its digital transformation, Affidea (www.affidea.com), the largest European provider of advanced diagnostic imaging, outpatient and cancer care services, with an extended footprint of 319 medical centres across 15 countries, announces today the launch of a new HRIS - Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) solution. The implementation of the HRIS forms an important part of the company's broader digital strategy of upgrading and simplifying its systems with standardised and automated processes, which will provide better analytical capabilities, performance insights, while reducing the HR manual tasks and impacting the team engagement. Digitisation sits at the core of Affidea's operations, setting the company as the employer of choice as well as the preferred healthcare provider offering the best patients' experience. The Oracle Cloud HCM platform will provide Affidea with one single source of data related to employees, contractors, and affiliated professionals in terms of skills and qualifications which will further contribute to the creation of sub-specialty clinical expertise across the group, clinical services, expansion of company's teleradiology and telehealth services across countries. Other benefits of the Oracle system implemented across Affidea include better management of continuous clinical education efforts by accessing the right professional audiences with specialised clinical training tailor made to their needs and knowledge exchange within peer-groups fostering transfer of best practices within internal medical professional networks. Providing better analytical and reporting capabilities to the HR Teams across 15 countries, the solution will offer an increased efficiency of the company's HR operations and personnel data management, in a GDPR compliant environment, bringing certain level of automation of current processes to become a basis for further automation. Countries where the solution has been implemented include: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands (Corporate HQ), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ireland. Justyna Tyborowska, Senior Vice-President and Chief HR Officer for Affidea Group stated: "Digital transformation and continuous improvement of both medical and operational processes are key elements of Affidea's growth strategy, aiming at offering standardised top notch cost-effective medical services and outstanding patient and referring doctors experience. We are bolstering our digitalization across the Group with a culture of innovation by bringing in place tech-savvy practices that enhance our way of working and allow focusing on value adding activities related to the business. The implementation of the global HR solution is a concrete deliverable of our digital strategy, data-based management practices and builds a strong foundation for further automation and integration with other company's systems which will position Affidea as a leading digital healthcare provider". Oracle Cloud HCM Cloud has been rolled out across all Affidea countries and it is the first step of Affidea ERP implementation across the Group. The implementation was done by Oracle Consulting who guided Affidea through the project country-by-country. The step-by-step concept made it easier for Affidea to accommodate to the solution and establish real ownership of the new global HRIS cloud system. "Companies are now facing higher employee expectations than ever before. Today's workers are looking for instant access, highly personalized content and easy-to-use systems. These demands are urging HR professionals to rethink the way they approach the entire workplace experience. Oracle's complete solution connecting every human resource process from hire to retire helps Affidea to stay at the forefront of the healthcare industry and achieve long-term success." says Andres Garcia-Arroyo, Vice President Applications CEE, Russia, Israel, North-East and West Africa, Levant and Turkey at Oracle. About Affidea Affidea ( www.affidea.com ) is the largest European provider of diagnostic imaging, outpatient and cancer care services, operating in 319 centers across 15 countries in Europe. The Affidea Group works with over 9000 professionals serving more than over 10 million patients every year. Thanks to its patients' safety track record, Affidea is the most awarded diagnostic imaging provider in Europe by the European Society of Radiology - over 50% of all centers assigned on the Eurosafe Star Wall belong to Affidea. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/942742/Affidea_Group_Logo.jpg SOURCE Affidea BV RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - J&T Express, an international express logistics company, today announced at LEAP that it will set up its MENA regional headquarters in Riyadh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and build the largest smart logistics industrial park in the region together with eWTP Arabia Capital and other partners. Held in Riyadh from February 1-3, 2022, LEAP Summit is a leading global technology event in Saudi Arabia, featuring over 700 emerging technology startups. Jet Lee, Founder and Chairman of the J&T Group, delivered a keynote speech via video at the summit, announcing that J&T Express will set its MENA regional headquarters in Riyadh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and build the largest smart logistics park in the region. He shared that the industrial park will meet the growing logistics demands in the region, serve J&T's consumers and partners, and enhance delivery service experiences. Representing the Saudi Arabian government, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the smart logistics industrial park project with J&T Express and eWTP Arabia Capital. H.E. Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency the President of GACA, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, and the Chairman of Saudi Federation for Cyber Security, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), Board Member of Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), Mr. Faisal Alkhamisi, attended and witnessed the signing ceremony. With the signing of the project, J&T Express is committed to cultivate professional talents, invest in advanced technology and equipment, and build the largest smart logistics industrial park in the MENA in the next ten years, making Saudi Arabia a global hub and strategic operation center for the entire regional market. The logistics park will include world-class sorting centers, auto warehousing systems, air cargo terminals, e-commerce industrial parks and modern industrial parks. It will provide the most advanced tech-driven services to its ecosystem partners in the near future and foster robust growth in the local retail and manufacturing sectors with the goal of making Saudi Arabia a pivotal gateway that bridges Asia, Europe, and Africa and helping Saudi Arabia achieve Vision 2030. This initiative is also greatly supported by the MENA venture capital eWTP Arabia Capital and other partners. eWTP Arabia Capital's Managing Partner Jerry Li commented at the event, "It's a great pleasure for eWTP Arabia to participate in this project as a partner to further support J&T Express' operations in the MENA region and fuel its global network development. Together with J&T Express, we are confident to support more tech-driven innovative companies, supply chains and brands in China, who are looking to win over the global market." In January this year, J&T Express launched its business in both the Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) markets. With its national self-owned distribution networks and localised warehousing systems, the company has successfully achieved full coverage in both countries. Since its establishment in 2015, J&T Express has always adhered to a global mindset. With its unique operation model and active market expansion, it has rapidly built its own delivery network in 10 countries across the pan-Asia Pacific region to meet the growing demand of users for cross-border services. J&T Express will continue exploring opportunities in emerging markets as part of its global strategy to connect the world with greater efficiency and bring logistic benefits to all. About J&T Express Founded in August 2015, J&T Express is a rapidly-growing international delivery company, with its core business in express services and cross-border logistics. J&T Express is committed to continuously creating integrated quality experiences for its customers globally. J&T Express' network spans ten countries including China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and serves over 2 billion people. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1721319/JT_Express_Logo.jpg SOURCE J&T Express BOSTON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allure Security the fastest, most accurate online brand abuse detection and protection solution today announced the close of its $6.8 million seed funding round. Gutbrain Ventures led the round, joined by new Allure Security investors PBJ Capital and Impellent Ventures, and existing investors Glasswing Ventures, Zetta Venture Partners, and Portage Partners. The investment comes amidst surging online fraud ( $56 billion in identity theft and $20 billion in online payment fraud losses) increasing demand for Allure Security's technology. The company will use the capital to accelerate go-to-market activities, grow its team, and continue product innovations. Originally funded by the US Department of Defense, Allure Security's investors have decades of experience funding numerous companies in fraud detection and prevention , threat intelligence , and artificial intelligence (combined estimated market size of $92.9 billion). Allure Security opens 2022 having achieved significant milestones: Increased go-to-market capacity by growing the sales and marketing teams by growing the sales and marketing teams New offerings for identifying fraudulent mobile apps and social media accounts for identifying fraudulent mobile apps and social media accounts Leadership team appointments including Vice President of Sales Jason Gonzales (Tenable, Cylance, and McAfee), Vice President of Operations Molly DeQuattro (Akamai and Harvard University ), and Field Chief Technology Officer Mark Trinidad (Trustwave, Varonis, and McAfee) "There's a 76 billion-dollar digital fraud problem that legacy technology can't seem to stop," said Josh Shaul, CEO of Allure Security. "Allure Security's AI-based approach to targeting the scam source destroys criminals' business models something traditional approaches fail at." Legacy approaches to deceptive online content, such as domain monitoring, fail to identify 71% of malicious websites . Instead, Allure Security takes the battle to the enemy's gate with faster, more accurate detection and a unique method for neutralizing the threat. The company's AI-powered engine outperforms traditional mechanisms and other offerings in both speed and accuracy. Allure Security shortens a scam's lifespan to reduce fraud losses, curtail brand damage, increase customer satisfaction, and mitigate staff burnout. Gutbrain Founder and Managing Director Bob Davoli said, "Every second that a counterfeit website, mobile app or social media account lives online, the victim brands and consumers take a hit, losing significant time and money. I look forward to working with Josh and the growing team to continue innovating to protect brands and their customers and make digital commerce trustworthy and secure." About Allure Security Allure Security safeguards digital brands, mitigates fraud, and reduces the workload for security teams. Allure Security brand protection more quickly and accurately detects, disrupts, and eliminates brand impersonation scams across the web, mobile apps, and social media. Our patented artificial intelligence system automates the analysis of tens of millions of websites, apps, and other online content and powers a multi-faceted response to disrupt and eliminate brand abuse before damage occurs. Contact Sam Bakken 312-206-3045 [email protected] Try Allure Security for Free https://www.alluresecurity.com/free-trial/ SOURCE Allure Security HOUSTON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AtWork franchise owner Raven Watson of Houston, Texas has been recognized by Franchise Journal as a Titan of Franchising, receiving a Titan Award for 2022. The Titan Awards celebrate the many minority entrepreneurs, visionaries, and thought leaders throughout the franchise community. Franchise Journal partners with FVLCRUM FUNDS to present this prestigious recognition and congratulate successful business owners and leaders in their continued growth and success. Although a newer addition to the AtWork family, Watson has been able to grow her business in a short amount of time, even winning AtWork's Rookie of the Year award in 2021. Beyond her career, she actively works to help others in the Houston area find success. In October 2021 Watson founded Lynn's Angel Foundation, which is committed to supporting female entrepreneurs as they launch and build successful businesses. Additionally, Watson participates in events like the Houston Chapter of the National Black MBA Associations' Entrepreneurial Roundtable to share her knowledge with others. "We are so excited for Raven to receive this prestigious recognition," said Jason Leverant, AtWork President and COO. "From day one Raven has worked tirelessly to build a strong business that is well respected in the community. Not only has she achieved that goal, she has also served as an ideal role model for minority entrepreneurs looking to create their own empires. We're incredibly proud to have her as a part of the AtWork family!" "Stepping out to become an entrepreneur was one of the best things I could have ever done, not just for me but for generations to come," said Raven Watson. "As a minority entrepreneur, I have faced many obstacles and I am grateful to have the support of the franchise community, especially the guidance and support of the AtWork franchise." To view the full Titans of Franchising list, visit franchisejournal.com/february2022v. To learn more about Raven Watson and AtWork Northwest Houston, visit AtWorkNWHouston.com. SOURCE AtWork Group VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: ASM) (NYSE American: ASM) (FSE: GV6) ("Avino" or "the Company") is pleased to provide its outlook for 2022 and a recap of the highlights from 2021. "We are very pleased with the 2021 production results, in particular the Q4 numbers, as they exceeded our expectations. In addition, there were many other positives for Avino in 2021," said David Wolfin, President and CEO. "We resumed operations at the mine in August, we embarked on a comprehensive drill program, and the construction of the dry stack tailings facility with its environmental and safety advantages, is progressing well. Finally, in October, we announced the acquisition of La Preciosa property. I've commented previously about how this transaction could be transformational for Avino, and when the proposed transaction is closed, the increase to NI 43-101 mineral resources will be significant. We have much to look forward to in 2022 and beyond, production is steadily increasing, and we are ready to continue moving on a strategic path to future growth." 2022 OUTLOOK Capital Budget It is expected that at current metal prices capital expenditures will be paid for by operating cash flows generated from mining operations during Q4 2021 & throughout 2022. Operations Corporate Consolidated Growth Capital US$M $3.5 - $4.0 $0.5 $4.0 - $4.5 Exploration & Evaluation US$M $1.5 - $2.0 - $1.5 - $2.0 Mine Development US$M $1.0 $1.5 - $1.0 $1.5 Sustaining Capital US$M $0.5 - $1.0 - $0.5 - $1.0 Total Capital Budget US$M $6.5 - $8.5 $0.5 $7.0 - $9.0 Growth Capital The Company will continue with the completion of the Dry Stack Tailing Storage Facility, as well as the infrastructure associated with transporting the dry tailings. Outstanding costs for this project represent approximately $1.0 million for 2022. This project is expected to be fully operational in H2 2022 and brings the Company towards achieving the guidelines with the Global Industry Standard on tailings management. Other budgeted growth capital expenditures include underground communications systems for increased haulage rates, new conveyor systems for concentrate transportation, new underground equipment, as well as new geological buildings and new community outreach buildings to promote social engagement with the local communities. The Company will be performing the recommended metallurgical testwork on the Oxide Tailings Resource. Once completed and assuming results are conclusive, the existing PEA will be used as the framework for an updated study, either at the Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") level or at the Feasibility Study ("FS") level. The previous PEA was released in 2017, with the details Here. The Company will provide further updates on the Oxide Tailings Resource as the final assays come in, as well as any progress on the commencement of further economic studies such as a PFS or FS. Production For 2022, approximately 600,000 tonnes have been budgeted for processing at the Avino mine. Based on current metal prices, the Company expects to produce between 2.2M and 2.6M silver equivalent ounces*. The potential for reaching full capacity of 2,500 tpd, seven days per week, remains strong and the Company's goals are to exceed the budgeted plans for 2022. * The production estimate does not constitute guidance as the estimate is based on mineral resources, not mineral reserves. Mineral resources do not have demonstrated economic viability. Exploration & Evaluation During the year, the Company plans to drill approximately 15,000 metres on the Avino property and will target the areas below the current mining area at Avino (ET Area), the Bart vein located very close to the Avino workings as well as La Potosina. Exploration targets may not be limited to these three areas, and during the year our priority targets may change if geological interpretations on other areas present enhanced opportunity. Additional holes may also be drilled on the Oxide Tailings Resource to determine if additional tonnage could be added to the existing 3.12 million tonnes. Development Development work is underway to increase haulage capacity through the connection to existing workings West of the ET Area. This connection will allow for one-way traffic closer to surface and reduce haulage bottlenecks. In addition to the exploration budget, plant improvements have been approved for the previously mentioned dry stack tailings project as well. Additional plant improvements include upgrades to the digital infrastructure to allow for streamlined plant data capture and analysis and installation of conveyors from the filter area to the concentrate storage area. Sustaining Capital Sustaining capital for 2022 consists primarily of costs to perform overhauls of the existing mining fleet, as well as minor improvements to increase underground mine stability. La Preciosa The capital expenditures above do not include the $15 million acquisition cost associated with the Company's announced acquisition of La Preciosa from Coeur Mining Inc. Once the transaction is closed and formal studies are completed, we will discuss our plans to integrating La Preciosa into Avino's production profile. 2021 MILESTONES ACHIEVED The capital expenditures for 2021 were expected to total between US$9 and US$11 million and included a drill program targeting areas and veins on the property, including the recommended drilling on the Oxide tailings, the construction of the dry stack tailings facility and metallurgical projects to help improve recovery rates. We are pleased that the following objectives for 2021 were achieved. Restart of Operations Avino announced a successful return to mining operations after an extended Covid and labour related operational closure. Production results exceeded the Company's expectations, laying the groundwork for a strong 2022. The closure did allow time for the Company to perform a number of important upgrades at the mill to improve metal recoveries. Avino announced a successful return to mining operations after an extended Covid and labour related operational closure. Production results exceeded the Company's expectations, laying the groundwork for a strong 2022. The closure did allow time for the Company to perform a number of important upgrades at the mill to improve metal recoveries. 2021 Production highlights: Silver equivalent production 842,373 oz* Silver production 245,372 oz Gold production 3,386 oz Copper production 1,869,306 lbs In Q4 2021, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $23.32 oz Ag, $1,783 oz Au and $4.40 lb Cu. In Q3 2021, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $24.36 oz Ag, $1,790 oz Au and $4.25 lb Cu. Calculated figures may not add up due to rounding. Increased Avino Mine underground operations : Underground mining operations continue to increase capacity. In 2021, 154,498 tonnes were processed. : Underground mining operations continue to increase capacity. In 2021, 154,498 tonnes were processed. Increase in feed grades from the Avino Mine : The silver grade remained flat year over year; however, gold grade and copper grade increased by 110% and 3%, respectively, when compared to 2020. : The silver grade remained flat year over year; however, gold grade and copper grade increased by 110% and 3%, respectively, when compared to 2020. Recovery rates : Silver, gold and copper recovery rates were 89%, 76% and 91% respectively. : Silver, gold and copper recovery rates were 89%, 76% and 91% respectively. Acquisition of La Preciosa Project This Advances Avino's long term goal of expanding operations by adding a development-stage mineral property to our growth profile. La Preciosa hosts one of the largest undeveloped primary silver resources in Mexico and is located adjacent to Avino's existing operations. Click Here to read the full news release from October 2021 . The transaction is expected to close during Q1 2022. This Advances Avino's long term goal of expanding operations by adding a development-stage mineral property to our growth profile. La Preciosa hosts one of the largest undeveloped primary silver resources in and is located adjacent to Avino's existing operations. Click Here to read the full news release from . The transaction is expected to close during Q1 2022. Debt-Free Final repayment of term facility made in September 2021 . The $10 million prepayment was provided in 2015 by Avino's strategic partner, Samsung C&T, for the construction of the 1,000 tpd Mill Circuit #3. This final repayment is a significant milestone for Avino. Final repayment of term facility made in . The prepayment was provided in 2015 by Avino's strategic partner, Samsung C&T, for the construction of the 1,000 tpd Mill Circuit #3. This final repayment is a significant milestone for Avino. Cash & Working Capital Increase Cash and working capital at December 31, 2021 , doubled over the year. The Company leveraged increased market activity through the strategic use of its At The Market sales offering and raised gross proceeds of $19M by way of issuing 10.5 million shares, representing a significant premium at US$1.81 per share. Cash and working capital at , doubled over the year. The Company leveraged increased market activity through the strategic use of its At The Market sales offering and raised gross proceeds of by way of issuing 10.5 million shares, representing a significant premium at per share. Exploration Drilling The Company focused on Phase 1 and exploring a number of targets on the property which resulted in encouraging results. Over 15,500 metres were drilled, above the original 2021 budget of 12,000 metres. Click Here to review our July 2021 drilling update. Click Here to review our January 2022 news release announcing further results from the 2021 program. The Company focused on Phase 1 and exploring a number of targets on the property which resulted in encouraging results. Over 15,500 metres were drilled, above the original 2021 budget of 12,000 metres. Click Here to review our drilling update. Click Here to review our news release announcing further results from the 2021 program. Dry Stack Tailings Conversion to dry stack tailings is on track for completion in 2022 with the filter building nearing completion. We chose this method for its environmental, safety and economic advantages. Readers can view the progress by clicking Here. Conversion to dry stack tailings is on track for completion in 2022 with the filter building nearing completion. We chose this method for its environmental, safety and economic advantages. Readers can view the progress by clicking Here. Workforce Training Avino is dedicated to building and maintaining a local workforce. Training programs that started in 2021 remain ongoing with the Company providing inclusive opportunities, with several female being trained in surface and underground production jobs. Avino is dedicated to building and maintaining a local workforce. Training programs that started in 2021 remain ongoing with the Company providing inclusive opportunities, with several female being trained in surface and underground production jobs. Digital Transformation During the year, the Company began to digitally transform certain areas at the mine to enhance efficiencies including mill automation and underground vehicle tracking. During the year, the Company began to digitally transform certain areas at the mine to enhance efficiencies including mill automation and underground vehicle tracking. Oxide Tailings Resource The Company performed all the recommended drilling from the 2017 Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") during 2021, with final assays pending. Once the assays are completed and the data has been confirmed, the Company will provide further updates on the Oxide Tailings Resource. Qualified Person(s) Peter Latta, P.Eng, MBA, VP Technical Services, Avino who is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical data in this news release. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Avino will release 2021 year-end financial results in early March 2022 and will hold a conference call to discuss the results. About Avino Avino is primarily a silver producer from its wholly owned Avino Mine near Durango, Mexico. The Company's silver and gold production remains unhedged. The Company's mission and strategy is to create shareholder value through organic growth at the historic Avino Property and the strategic acquisition of mineral exploration and mining properties. We are committed to managing all business activities in a safe, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective manner, while contributing to the well-being of the communities in which we operate. We encourage you to connect with us on Twitter at @Avino_ASM and on LinkedIn at Avino Silver & Gold Mines. To view the Avino Mine VRIFY tour, please click here. On Behalf of the Board "David Wolfin" ________________________________ David Wolfin President & CEO Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (together, the "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the amended mineral resource estimate for the Company's Avino Property located near Durango in west-central Mexico (the "Avino Property") with an effective date of January 13, 2021, prepared for the Company, La Preciosa's updated October 27, 2021 resource estimate and references to Measured, Indicated, Inferred Resources and anticipated production and Capital Expenditures referred to in this press release. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the dates of technical reports, as applicable. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the Company's Avino Property nor the La Preciosa Property have the amount of the mineral resources indicated in their reports, that such mineral resources may be economically extracted, that the Company will be able to produce between 2.2M and 2.6M silver equivalent ounces, and that the Company will expend that anticipate Capital Expenditures indicated. Such factors and assumptions include, among others, the effects of general economic conditions, the price of gold, silver and copper, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking information. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Known risk factors include risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; the COVID-19 pandemic; volatility in the global financial markets; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; uncertainties and risks related to carrying on business in foreign countries; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain of our officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; competition; dilution; the volatility of the our common share price and volume; tax consequences to U.S. investors; and other risks and uncertainties. Although we have 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. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. For more detailed information regarding the Company including its risk factors, investors are directed to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F and other periodic reports that it files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. References to Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources and Inferred Mineral Resources in this press release are terms that are defined under Canadian rules by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). U.S. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of the mineral resources in these categories will ever be converted into Reserves as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7. Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. New York City style mavens can stop by the "Store of Goodness," a limited time pop-up located in Funny Pretty Nice at 64 MacDougal Street, from February 8-13 to experience the new Avocado Glow Apparel Collection and share their #AvoGlowUp. The pop-up is a physical extension of the brand's digital House of Goodness Big Game hub. Both experiences are designed to give visitors a look into the #AlwaysGood world of avocados leading up the biggest occasion of the year for guacamole and avocados 1 . AFM partnered with #MadeMeBuyIt and 20 TikTok influencers based in New York City to pilot a novel RaaS (Retail as a Service) concept. Influencers including Alexis Williams and Natalie Wojtanowski visited the Store of Goodness earlier this week to kick off the #AvoGlowUp #AlwaysGood Challenge, using an avocado to transition from wearing everyday outfits to eye-catching Avocado Glow ensembles from the collection while dancing to the rhythm of the Avocados From Mexico jingle. Now, they're inviting TikTok users across the country to join them in the challenge by sharing what makes them #AvoGlowUp as they add avocados to their own videos. "We're thrilled to partner with Avocados From Mexico to bring our novel RaaS concept to the industry for the first time," said Ben Kosinski, CEO and Founder of #MadeMeBuyIt. "AFM is known for disruptive marketing, so they are a perfect partner to bring this first-to-market TikTok retail concept to life." This is the first time Avocados From Mexico is showcasing its avocado-inspired apparel in both the digital world through TikTok and the physical world through the Store of Goodness. The activation is part of the Avocados From Mexico's "Always Good" brand campaign as there are few other foods that can combine good taste, good for you2 and good times like avocados do. The color of the apparel line, Avocado Glow, is inspired by the unique yellow-green gradient color you find when opening a perfectly ripe avocado. "To complement our branded multichannel Big Game activation, we orchestrated a cohesive physical-digital experience that not only connects the two worlds seamlessly, but also leverages the sales-driving power of TikTok to connect with online audiences from a physical location. Additionally, this unexpected move allows the quirkiness of our brand to shine" said Ivonne Kinser, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation for Avocados From Mexico. To learn more about AFM, visit www.avocadosfrommexico.com, Facebook (www.facebook.com/AvocadosFromMexico), Twitter (@AvosFromMexico) or TikTok (@avosfrommexico). About Avocados From Mexico Avocados From Mexico (AFM) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA), formed for the purpose of advertising, promotion, public relations and research for all stakeholders of Avocados From Mexico. Under agreements, MHAIA and the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers & Packers of Mexico (APEAM) have combined resources to fund and manage AFM, with the intent to provide a focused, highly- effective and efficient marketing program in the United States. AFM is headquartered in Irving, Texas. 1 AFM shopper journey/A&U Study 2021 2 Fresh avocados are a heart-healthy fruit. They provide naturally good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals. Source: https://avocadosfrommexico.com/avocado-nutrition/ CONTACT: Ana Ambrosi, [email protected] SOURCE Avocados From Mexico Bonnie&Clyde also introduced to the China market several high value global brands including SUQQU, Natura Bisse, and Zaha Hadid Design, among others. Galvanized by their strong growth, in 2022, Bonnie&Clyde will double their retail presence to twelve locations, covering all the top luxury malls in East, Central, West and South China. New locations include the top luxury malls from Chengdu IFS, Changsha IFS, and Nanjing Deji. In addition, a partnership with China's largest duty-free group, CDF, to further expand in the travel retail sector in Beijing, Shanghai, ShenZhen, and Hainan. In 2022, "We anticipate YoY growth in excess of 70% as we ramp up stores, digital communities, and increase assortment with clean, sustainable brands and partners. Also, consumer enhanced loyalty programs and in-store services, and improved last mile delivery experience. BC's commitment to ongoing enhancements to our renowned luxe shopping experience to continue to serve our avid gen Z and millennial shoppers who depend on Bonnie&Clyde for the ultimate curated beauty shopping experience," said CEO of Bonnie&Clyde, William Lau. Company: Bonnie&Clyde is China's leading luxury beauty and lifestyle multi-brand retailer. Located in top tier department stores across China, they work with brands exclusively sold globally at high-end retailers such as Harrods, Le Bon Marche, and Bergdorf Goodman. Bonnie&Clyde is owned by USHOPAL Group, a market leading luxury brand management group based out of Shanghai. They partner and invest in the next generation of global luxury brands in the beauty and wellness space, successfully scaling Chantecaille, SUQQU, Natura Bisse, and Anastasia Beverly Hills, and investing in market leading global brands including Juliette Has A Gun, Argentum Apothecary, and Bulk Homme, Japan among others. Website: www.ushopal.com Contact: Cherry Yu Email: [email protected] SOURCE USHOPAL "Capital Health is known as a regional leader in women's health, and this designation continues to validate our reputation, as well as our ongoing investments in talent and technology," said Dr. Joshua Eisenberg, Chief Medical Officer of Capital Health Medical Group. "Women who need the services of experienced surgeons like Dr. Varughese and Dr. Small can feel confident that they are getting the highest quality care and access to the latest surgical techniques that help ensure better outcomes." Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, including robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci surgical system, an alternative traditional surgery at Capital Health for appropriate patients. Under the guidance of specially trained surgeons like Dr. Varughese and Dr. Small, complex surgical procedures can now be performed through small incisions using precise tools, cameras, and lights. Minimally invasive surgery is known for its many benefits, including less pain, lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries. Health care facilities and surgeons that seek SRC accreditation undergo an extensive assessment and inspection process to ensure they meet SRC's proven standards and requirements. These requirements include surgical volumes, facility equipment, clinical pathways and standardized operating procedures, an emphasis on patient education, and continuous quality assessment. The inspection involves all staff working with the surgeons in the accredited program. Inspectors educate staff on best practices to help their organization improve its care and services. "We're proud to recognize Capital Health Medical Center Hopewell for its commitment to advancing and providing quality care for all patients," said Gary M. Pratt, CEO of SRC. "This accreditation signals that this facility is among the best in this specialty and is dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible." Dr. Daniel Small attended Cornell University, where he completed degrees in anthropology and international nutrition, and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. He has been board certified since 1988 and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In more than 25 years as a doctor at Lawrence Ob/Gyn and now Capital Health Ob/Gyn, Dr. Small was the first in the region to perform advanced minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and has been instrumental in developing that program over the years. He is currently the director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Capital Health. He is able to offer non-surgical, minimally invasive, robotic, and traditional surgical options for women with abnormal bleeding, fibroid tumors, pelvic pain, cervical pre-cancer, and ovarian masses. To make an appointment with Dr. Small, call 609.537.7200 or visit capitalhealthobgyn.org. Dr. Joyce Varughese is a board certified, fellowship trained gynecologic oncology surgeon who specializes in performing traditional and minimally invasive procedures using the da Vinci robotic surgery system. Dr. Varughese completed her fellowship training in gynecologic oncology and residency in obstetrics and gynecology, serving as administrative chief resident, at Yale University. She received her medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in Bronx, New York and her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Harvard University. Dr. Varughese and her team provide treatment for all gynecologic cancers as well as precancerous diseases of the cervix, vagina, vulva, and uterus. In addition to her clinical experience, Dr. Varughese is a clinical assistant professor at Robert Wood Johnson-Rutgers Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey and Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey. To make an appointment with Dr. Varughese, call 609.567.6000 or visit capitalhealth.org/gynonc. About Capital Health Capital Health is the Central New Jersey/Lower Bucks County region's leader in providing progressive, quality patient care with significant investments in physicians, nurses and staff, as well as advanced technology. Comprised of two hospitals (Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton and Capital Health Medical Center Hopewell), a Hamilton outpatient facility, and various primary and specialty care practices across the region, Capital Health is a dynamic health care resource accredited by DNV. A four-time Magnet-designated health system for nursing excellence, Capital Health serves as a Level II regional trauma center, regional perinatal center (including a Level III NICU), and emergency mental health screening center. Capital Health also offers the region's first and most experienced Pediatric Emergency Department and most recently, New Jersey's first Autism-Friendly Pediatric Emergency Department. Capital Health also provides innovative programs such as Capital Institute for Neurosciences; nationally accredited Center for Comprehensive Breast Care; Center for Digestive Health; Marjorie G. Ernest Joint Replacement Center of Excellence; award-winning Cancer Center; and the Heart & Vascular Institute, which includes a state-of-the-art hybrid operating room for interventional vascular surgery and the region's first accredited Chest Pain Center. For more information, visit capitalhealth.org. About Surgical Review Corporation Established in 2003, Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) is an internationally recognized, nonprofit, patient safety organization dedicated to recognizing and refining surgical care. SRC accredits the top hospitals, surgeons and health professionals worldwide that meet our proven standards. Look for our seal, expect excellence. For more information, visit www.surgicalreview.org SOURCE Capital Health SINGAPORE, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE: CYD) ("China Yuchai" or the "Company"), announced today that it will be releasing its 2021 unaudited second half and annual financial results on Thursday, February 24, 2022 before the market opens for trading. A conference call and audio webcast for the investment community has been scheduled for 8:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time on February 24, 2022. The call will be hosted by the President and Chief Financial Officer of China Yuchai, Mr. Weng Ming Hoh and Mr. Choon Sen Loo , respectively, who will present on and discuss the financial results and business outlook of the Company followed with a Q&A session. Analysts and institutional investors may participate in the conference call by dialing +1 855 821 9305 (United States), 3077 3569 (Hong Kong), 800 820 8527 (Mainland China), or 800 852 8114 (International), Conference Code: 93772167# approximately five to ten minutes before the call start time. For all other interested parties, a simultaneous webcast can be accessed at the investor relations section of the Company's website located at http://www.cyilimited.com. Participants are requested to log into the webcast at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The recorded webcast will be available on the website shortly after the earnings call. About China Yuchai International China Yuchai International Limited, through its subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited ("GYMCL"), engages in the manufacture, assembly, and sale of a wide variety of light-, medium- and heavy-duty engines for trucks, buses, passenger vehicles, construction equipment, marine and agriculture applications in China. GYMCL also produces diesel power generators. The engines produced by GYMCL range from diesel to natural gas and hybrid engines. Through its regional sales offices and authorized customer service centers, GYMCL distributes its engines directly to auto OEMs and retailers and provides maintenance and retrofitting services throughout China. Founded in 1951, GYMCL has established a reputable brand name, strong research and development team and significant market share in China with high-quality products and reliable after-sales support. In 2020, GYMCL sold 430,320 engines and is recognized as a leading manufacturer and distributor of engines in China. For more information, please visit http://www.cyilimited.com. Safe Harbor Statement: This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "targets", "optimistic", "confident that", "continue to", "predict", "intend", "aim", "will" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements concerning China Yuchai's and the joint venture's operations, financial performance and condition are based on current expectations, beliefs and assumptions which are subject to change at any time. China Yuchai cautions that these statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors such as government and stock exchange regulations, competition, political, economic and social conditions around the world and in China including those discussed in China Yuchai's Form 20-Fs under the headings "Risk Factors", "Results of Operations" and "Business Overview" and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Among others, if the COVID-19 pandemic is not effectively and timely controlled, our business operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected due to a deteriorating market for automotive sales, an economic slowdown in China and abroad, a potential weakening of the financial condition of our customers, or other factors that we cannot foresee. All forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date it is made and China Yuchai specifically disclaims any obligation to maintain or update the forward-looking information, whether of the nature contained in this release or otherwise, in the future. For more information: Investor Relations Kevin Theiss +1-212-510-8922 (new) +1-212-521-4050 (old) Email: [email protected] SOURCE China Yuchai International Limited COLLEGE PARK, Md., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Experts in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in health care, health equity, and related emerging innovation areas will gather Friday and Saturday, March 4-5, 2022, for the 12th Annual Conference on Health IT and Analytics (CHITA) at the Darcy Hotel in Washington, D.C. Prominent scholars from than 40 research institutes, along with leading practitioners and policy experts, will discuss current findings and practices connected to information technology and data science to make healthcare more patient-centered, equitable, effective and cost-efficient in the hybrid event hosted by the Center for Health Information and Decision Systems (CHIDS) at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. The conference is designed to "deepen our understanding of strategy, policy and systems fostering health IT and analytics' effective use, and to stimulate new ideas with both policy and business implications," says CHITA chair and CHIDS co-director Ritu Agarwal, Distinguished University Professor and Robert H. Smith Dean's Chair of Information Systems for Maryland Smith. "This forum provides a vibrant venue to facilitate collaboration among academia, government and industry." This year's conference has a particular goal of engaging scholars and practitioners with diverse backgrounds to enhance participation and representation in AI and machine learning (ML) applications in health, notes Guodong (Gordon) Gao, professor and CHIDS co-director. "With the generous support from the NIH's AIM-AHEAD (AI/ML Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity) program, we are able to provide travel grants to qualified applicants. As a result, CHITA is helping boost the diversity of researchers in AI/ML". Attendees both online and in-person will hear from leading keynote speakers: Julia Adler-Milstein, professor of medicine and director of the Center for Clinical Informatics and Improvement Research University of California, San Francisco, is a leading researcher in health IT policy, with a focus on electronic health records and interoperability. Sam Hanna, associate dean of graduate and professional studies, an executive in residence and the program director of the master's in healthcare management at American University, previously worked as a consulting practice leader, a chief strategy and innovations officer, and digital strategist at global consulting firms including PwC and Deloitte. Lily Peng, group product manager for Google Health, leads a team that works on applications of AI to enable better and more equitable care, which includes building and translating models to detect diabetic eye disease, skin diseases, cancer and cardiovascular health. Griffin Weber, associate professor of medicine for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston and associate professor of biomedical informatics at Harvard Medical School, directs the Biomedical Research Informatics Core at BIDMC and has invented an open-source social networking website for scientists called Profiles RNS, now used at dozens of universities across the country. He also created the original prototype software for the Shared Health Research Information Network, a federated query tool that connects Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) databases across multiple institutions worldwide. The conference will run 8 a.m.-5 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Register in advance via the CHITA 2022 registration site. Saturday will include awards presentations for most impactful case study of Health IT and Analytics in Action, along with awards for Best Paper, Best Student Paper (authored by a student) and Young Researcher. Ahead of the main gathering, a doctoral student consortium, by invitation, will take place on Thursday. CHITA is produced in partnership with the University of Michigan School of Public Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, and is supported in part by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. CHITA 2022 also receives support from a Title VI CIBE grant administered by the U.S. Department of Education. About The Center for Health Information & Decision Systems The Center for Health Information & Decision Systems (CHIDS) is an academic research center based in the Decision, Operations & Information Technologies (DOIT) department at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, which collaborates closely with industry, government, and other key health system stakeholders. The research at CHIDS seeks to understand how digital technologies can be more effectively deployed to address outcomes such as quality, efficiency in healthcare delivery, patient safety, and a reduction in health disparities. CHIDS offers the benefit of world-class research staff and renowned scholars in healthcare analytics, machine intelligence, and health information technology design, adoption, and evaluation. CHIDS is a pioneer in the study of digitally enabled health system transformation, widely known for its thought leadership and research collaborations. About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, specialty master's, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia. For more information, write to CHIDS at [email protected]. SOURCE University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Discover Puerto Rico , the Island's Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), announced today its collaboration with fashion designer Christian Cowan for his New York Fashion Week show on February 11, 2022. Inspired by his travels to the Island and its exuberant colors, Cowan created a one-of-a-kind dress in the color Puerto Rico Sunshine to spotlight the Island's vibrancy to the world. Puerto Rico Sunshine will continue to make its way through the fashion world this year through a collaboration with Ana G. Mendez University where fashion students will have the opportunity to showcase their creations inspired by the color at Puerto Rico's premier fashion week, San Juan Moda, which will take place in the spring. "Puerto Rico is an insanely colorful, amazing place. It's such a stark contrast from the UK where I am from and New York, where I now live, where winters are gloomy and gray. I wanted to capture that warmth and beauty in the design in an updated silhouette of one of my classics. We used an incredible sequin fabric that embodies the unique color of Puerto Rico. I wanted to create something that can be worn by anyone wanting to dream themselves away to a night out in San Juan," said Christian Cowan. "We are delighted to partner with Christian Cowan on this project," said Leah Chandler, CMO of Discover Puerto Rico. "His design encapsulates the vibrancy of the Island and showcases the importance of travel for creative inspiration. We're happy to share this spirit and invite travelers to visit Puerto Rico to experience our sunshine for themselves." The coveted Christian Cowan dress will be available for private order. Consumers can also get their own piece of Christian Cowan Puerto Rico Sunshine with a limited-edition crop top soon available at ChristianCowan.com. Even more, Discover Puerto Rico is excited to partner with several local businesses that will bring Puerto Rico Sunshine to life by creating limited-edition products that will be available for purchase. In the upcoming months, brands like Bettina Cosmetics and Rogative will announce their very own Puerto Rico Sunshine merchandise. Last month, Discover Puerto Rico announced Puerto Rico Sunshine, a color created by Pantone, developed based on the findings of Puerto Rican physicist and Professor at the University of Puerto Rico Hector J. Jimenez, PhD. According to Pantone Color Institute, Puerto Rico Sunshine celebrates the spirited, open-hearted and passionate character of the Island. An exuberant and exotic red orange hue, infused with energizing warmth and a gregarious presence, Puerto Rico Sunshine radiates excitement, sending a message of enthusiasm and spontaneous adventure. With no passport, currency exchange, or international phone plan required for U.S. citizens, Puerto Rico is the perfect place for those looking for the balance of unparalleled cultural experiences, award-winning beaches, world-class culinary delights, natural wonders, and heart-pounding adventure in their future trip. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Puerto Rico saw overwhelming record-breaking tourism figures in 2021 and has one of the highest vaccination rates in the United States, with 94.2% of the eligible population having received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 83.9% fully vaccinated. It is recommended that visitors check entry requirements prior to visiting Puerto Rico. For more information about the destination, follow Discover Puerto Rico's social channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com . About Discover Puerto Rico: Discover Puerto Rico is a newly established private, not-for-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) whose mission is to make Puerto Rico visible to the world as a premier travel destination. The DMO brings prosperity to the people of Puerto Rico by collaboratively promoting the Island's diversity and uniqueness for leisure and business travel, and events. It is responsible for all global marketing, sales, and promotion of the destination and works collaboratively with key local governmental and non-governmental players throughout Puerto Rico's visitor economy and the community at large, to empower economic growth. To discover all the beauty the Island has to offer, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com . About Christian Cowan: Christian Cowan represents New York nightlife re-defined for the modern woman. After studying at Central Saint Martins in London, Christian moved to New York and established a celebrity fan base that spans multiple industries. Having outfitted some of the world's biggest stars, Christian has partnered with global consumer brands to bring his signature head turning style to fashion fans around the world. For more information visit ChristianCowan.com SOURCE Discover Puerto Rico NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eco Material Technologies ("Eco Material" or the "Company"), a leading producer of sustainable cementitious materials, today announced that it has completed the acquisitions of Boral Resources ("Boral"), Boral Limited's (ASX: BLD) North American fly ash business, and Green Cement Inc. ("Green Cement"), a manufacturer of near-zero carbon cement alternatives. Eco Material is a newly-formed company dedicated to decarbonizing the materials industry through scalable and proven technological solutions. As part of the combination, Eco Material received significant investments from One Equity Partners ("OEP"), a middle market private equity firm, Warburg Pincus LLC ("Warburg Pincus"), a leading global growth investor, and historical Green Cement shareholders. Along with these investments, the Company priced and closed $525 million of Green Bonds to facilitate the combination transaction. Eco Material transforms industrial waste into environmentally-friendly substitutes for everyday products. The Company is the only national marketer and distributor of fly ash, a byproduct of thermal power generation that is used as an alternative to traditional cement, and maintains patented technologies to convert fly ash and other natural materials into value-added manufactured products like its proprietary Pozzoslag. Pozzoslag exceeds the strength, durability, and performance of traditional cement in concrete, while generating approximately 99% lower CO 2 emissions. Eco Material also provides mission-critical utility services, including operations support, waste disposal, and environmental remediation. "Eco Material is truly the best of both worlds, combining the largest network of cement alternatives in the U.S. with an innovative, proven technology that increases their environmental and economic value," said Grant Quasha, CEO of Eco Material. "The Company is excited to partner with OEP, Warburg Pincus, our Green Bond holders and our 1,100 new team members on its journey towards decarbonizing the materials industry, starting with the cement sector, which generates approximately 8% of global CO 2 emissions." "We're very proud to make this investment and form Eco Material," said Matt Hughes, Managing Director at OEP. "Bringing together Green Cement and Boral creates immediate synergies, positions the Company to take advantage of new growth opportunities, and will enable it to have an even greater positive environmental impact by repurposing harmful waste into carbon-reducing products." "Fly ash represents one of the largest streams of industrial waste in the country, creating the unique opportunity for Eco Material to simultaneously solve a serious environmental challenge for utilities while lowering the carbon footprint of high-emitting industries like cement," said Roy Ben-Dor, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus. "We look forward to leveraging our deep industry knowledge and experience in low-carbon investing to help achieve the Company's vision," added Yoan Dipita N'Komba, Vice President, Warburg Pincus. About Eco Material Technologies Eco Material Technologies is a leading producer of sustainable cement alternatives in the U.S., serving over 4,000 unique customer locations from its 100+ sites across 45 states. The Company is the leading marketer and distributor of fly ash, with an approximately 50% volume share in the U.S. and the industry's only true national footprint of logistics networks and distribution channels. Eco Material also has a patented technology to convert fly ash and other materials into innovative, near-zero carbon building materials that react faster, match the one-day performance of, and after 28 days are approximately 20% stronger than traditional cement, all while reducing by approximately 99% the CO 2 emissions that are traditionally associated with cement production. The Company also provides mission-critical utility services, including operations support, waste disposal, and environmental remediation. About One Equity Partners One Equity Partners ("OEP") is a private equity firm focused on the industrial, healthcare, and technology sectors in North America and Europe. The firm builds market-leading companies by identifying and executing transformative business combinations. OEP is a trusted partner with a differentiated investment process, a broad and senior team, and an established track record generating long-term value for its partners. Since 2001, the firm has completed more than 300 transactions worldwide. OEP, founded in 2001, spun out of JP Morgan in 2015. The firm has offices in New York, Chicago, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. For more information, please visit www.oneequity.com. About Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus LLC is a leading global growth investor. The firm has more than $73 billion in assets under management. The firm's active portfolio of more than 235 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector, and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 20 private equity and 2 real estate funds, which have invested more than $100 billion in over 1,000 companies in more than 40 countries. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, and Singapore. The firm has a strong track record investing in companies committed to the growth of ESG practices across all sectors, including low-carbon opportunities. Notable investments include Assent Compliance, FlexXray, Fortius, Gradiant, Monolith, PTSG, Scale Microgrid Solutions, Solar Mosaic, and TRC. For more information please visit www.warburgpincus.com. Follow us on LinkedIn. Media Contacts: Eco Material Technologies Joshua Greenwald, KCSA [email protected] One Equity Partners Tom Faust, Stanton [email protected] Warburg Pincus Sarah McGrath Bloom [email protected] SOURCE Eco Material Technologies Inc SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer S.A. (B3: EMBR3,NYSE: ERJ) ("Embraer" or "Company") hereby updates the information disclosed in the Notice to the Market on November 12, 2021 regarding the Contracts 002/DCTA-COPAC/2014 and 10/DCTA-COPAC/2014, entered into in 2014 among the Brazilian Federal Government, Embraer and one of its subsidiaries ("Contracts"). After the disclosure of the afore mentioned Notice to the Market, Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force engaged in intense discussions on the subject, the complexity of which required a large number of meetings with the participation of various representatives of both parties. The successful negotiation process resulted in the execution of amendments to the Contracts to, among other matters, (i) reduce from 28 to 22 the total number of KC-390 Millennium aircraft to be delivered under the terms of the Contracts; and (ii) adjust other contractual clauses as compensation for the reduction mentioned in the previous item to mitigate the impacts for the Company. The Company's Management estimates that the result of the negotiations reflected in the amendments to the Contracts will generate a reduction in the backlog of approximately US$500 million. Such amendments may result in an immediate impact on Embraer's operating results of up to US$50 million and will be reflected in the 2021 Financial Statements, with no immediate effect on the Company's cash account. We emphasize that the impacts in 2021 do not compromise the achievement of the guidance disclosed by the Company for the year 2021. Embraer reiterates its commitment to the KC-390/C-390 Millennium project, a new generation multi-mission aircraft, as well as its belief in the export potential of this product, which brings unique innovations in its category and which has already been acquired by two European nations. Finally, Embraer reiterates its role as a strategic partner of the Brazilian Air Force in the development and implementation of high value-added technological solutions and products, a partnership established more than 50 years ago. Antonio Carlos Garcia Executive Vice-President and CFO SOURCE Embraer S.A. ST. LOUIS, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Acera Surgical, Inc. (Acera), a leading bioscience company developing and commercializing a portfolio of fully synthetic materials for regenerative medical applications, today announced its first patient enrollment in a multicenter, head-to-head clinical study evaluating Restrata for the treatment of non-healing venous leg ulcers (VLUs). William Marston, M.D., the George Johnson Jr. Distinguished Professor of Vascular Surgery at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine is the study's lead investigator. The study will be the first level 1 clinical comparison between Restrata and a biologic skin substitute. Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a chronic ulcer type which affect 3% of the world population, including over 2 million people annually in the US.1,2 VLUs are a major cause of morbidity and poor quality of life resulting from venous insufficiency in the lower limbs. This type of wound presents clinical challenges as VLUs may require many months of treatment before healing is achieved.3 The US economic burden of VLU treatment was close to $15 billion in 20144. Dr. Bradley P. Abicht, DPM, FACFAS, Section Chair of Podiatry at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin commented, "Our team is excited to participate in this head-to-head, prospective clinical trial to further develop Restrata as a novel approach for difficult-to-treat venous leg ulcers. Our practice has been pleased with the outcomes of Restrata when used to treat very complex lower extremity wounds of varying etiology." Dr. John Park, MD, Vascular Surgeon at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska remarked, "I am very delighted to be part of this trial and to enroll our center's first patient as it will provide important evidence comparing the efficacy of Restrata versus a leading competitor for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. I applaud Acera Surgical for conducting this study since it is the first of its kind in a VLU population." The study is a prospective, randomized multi-center trial comparing wound closure between Restrata, the synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix, with a living cellular skin substitute in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. The primary outcome measurement of the trial will be the number of study participants with 100 percent epithelialization (closure) of the wound within a 16-week period. Nick Gallucci, Acera's Chief Commercial Officer, said, "Over the course of our short history, Acera Surgical has demonstrated our commitment to proving the benefits of synthetic wound healing through investment in high quality research. Today's health care environment demands high quality outcomes for patients while improving the efficacy of health care delivery. We are extremely excited about the response to Restrata we are getting from across the wound care spectrum, both physicians and administrators alike." About Restrata Restrata is a fully synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix, indicated for use in a variety of wounds including surgical wounds, trauma wounds, and chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. Restrata is manufactured with synthetic bioresorbable polymers and possesses a fibrous structure with high porosity. The product architecture, which is similar to native extracellular matrix, allows for cell ingress and retention, as well as neovascularization of the newly forming tissue without the need for added growth factors. As the wound healing process progresses, Restrata completely degrades via hydrolysis, leaving native tissue in its place. Restrata is shelf stable and carries a two-year shelf life. About Acera Surgical, Inc. Born from research and bold patient-focused innovation, Acera is a bioscience company developing engineered synthetic solutions for a variety of regenerative medical and surgical applications. At Acera, we are Revolutionizing Healing and Changing Lives. Additional information about Acera, its technology and products may be found at www.acera-surgical.com. Lazarus G, Valle MF, Malas M, Qazi U, Maruthur NM, Doggett D, Fawole OA, Bass EB, Zenilman J. Chronic venous leg ulcer treatment: future research needs. Wound Repair Regen 2014;22:3442. Margolis, D.J., et al., Venous leg ulcer: incidence and prevalence in the elderly. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2002. 46(3): p. 381-386. Ballard JL, Bergan JJ. Chronic venous insufficiency. Diagnosis and treatment. London : SpringerVerlag, 2000. Rice JB, Desai U, Cummings AK, Birnbaum HG, Skornicki M, Parsons N. Burden of venous leg ulcers in the United States. J Med Econ 2014;17(5):34756. SOURCE Acera Surgical, Inc. ST. LOUIS, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW), a leading multi-generational brand appealing to a wide array of consumers who enjoy the fun of making their own furry friends, has been recognized on the Forbes list of America's Best Employers 2022. This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced today and can currently be viewed on the Forbes website. "We are honored to again be recognized as a top employer by Forbes. Our passionate associates are the heart of our brand and their dedication to providing exceptional experiences for our guests, suppliers and other partners has been instrumental in the growth of our business," said Sharon Price John, Build-A-Bear President and Chief Executive Officer. "This is especially meaningful as we kick off our 25th anniversary year of celebration. I am very proud of our organization and I want to thank our associates who live our core values and mission to "add a little more heart to life" each day. As we receive this honor, it is an opportunity to celebrate the strength of our culture and the ongoing efforts of our team to remain highly engaged and innovative." Forbes and Statista selected America's Best Employers 2022 through an independent survey applied to a vast sample of approximately 60,000 American employees working for companies with more than 1,000 employees in America. Across 25 industry sectors, 1,000 employers have been awarded, 500 large employers and 500 midsize employers. The evaluation was based on direct and indirect recommendations from employees that were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Employee evaluations also included other employers in their respective industries that stood out either positively or negatively. ABOUT BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC. (NYSE: BBW) Build-A-Bear is a multi-generational global brand focused on its mission to "add a little more heart to life" appealing to a wide array of consumer groups who enjoy the personal expression in making their own "furry friends" to celebrate and commemorate life moments. Nearly 500 interactive brick-and-mortar retail locations operated through a variety of formats provide guests of all ages a hands-on entertaining experience, which often fosters a lasting and emotional brand connection. The company also offers engaging e-commerce/digital purchasing experiences on www.buildabear.com including its online "Bear-Builder" as well as the new "Bear Builder 3D Workshop". In addition, extending its brand power beyond retail, Build-A-Bear Entertainment, a subsidiary of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is dedicated to creating engaging content for kids and adults that fulfills the company's mission, while the company also offers products at wholesale and in non-plush consumer categories via licensing agreements with leading manufacturers. For more information, visit the Investor Relations section of buildabear.com. SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop SAN DIEGO, Feb. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS (SDAR) is paving the way for members to expand their business with international clients by forming new partnerships with real estate associations throughout South America. Recently signed reciprocity agreements in seven South American counties will enable REALTORS to grow their referral business while sharing best practices to ensure confidence with international clients. As foreign investors return to the United States and new market trends emerge, arrivals from South America have recovered the most toward pre-pandemic levels. Among all international buyers in the United States, California ranks as the second largest destination where 11 percent of foreign buyers in the market are from South America. SDAR is helping members tap into a share of this market by making it easier to connect with international buyers seeking to purchase real estate in San Diego and providing more opportunities to earn commissions from referring local buyers to properties in South America. "SDAR is devoted to helping our members succeed by finding new and creative ways to improve their business and access more clients," said SDAR President Chris Anderson. "Real estate is about building connections, knowing the market, and paying attention to detail. We are proud to partner with our colleagues in South America to share information and form new relationships on behalf of our members." The accelerated adoption of new digital technologies and marketing tools in the real estate industry make it more convenient than ever to participate in the global real estate market. These technologies, combined with the steady return of international travel create the potential for significant business growth for agents and brokers. SDAR's dedicated Global Real Estate department is working to expand access to clients around the world by building collaborations with foreign real estate associations. In South America, SDAR recently signed reciprocity agreements with associations from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. These partnerships will facilitate business growth among members while upholding the highest standards of practice that clients everywhere have come to trust. In Brazil, the real estate sector is continuing to improve, particularly for foreign investments and luxury properties. Brazil's Federal Council of Realtors (COFECI) recognized SDAR for its professional expertise as a committed partner in the industry. "COFECI, the second largest real estate association in the world, is very pleased to have begun a cooperative relationship with the San Diego Association of REALTORS," said Joao Teodoro, COFECI President. "We are certain that this relationship will result in increased business opportunities for our members. We look forward to working closely together for many years to come." For more information, contact SDAR at (858) 715-8000 or visit www.sdar.com. The Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS is the largest trade association in San Diego County and one of the largest local REALTOR associations in California. We help our members, who adhere to a code of ethics and professional standards, sell more homes. We also help people realize the dream of home ownership, and we are dedicated to protecting private property rights. You can follow SDAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. SOURCE Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS The team at Haig Partners has been involved in the purchase or sale of 54 dealerships in the Midwest Region. Tweet this "Kevin Nill and Alan Haig at Haig Partners understood and appreciated the gravity of our decision. True to their reputation, they led a smooth and comprehensive process that resulted in a very desirable outcome for our company. I am happy the Wylers are buying the stores as I know they will continue to build on the legacy our family has created", shared John Betagole, President of Superior Auto Group. "Some dealers who may not have previously considered selling are reevaluating their options. Dealership profits are soaring, and the demand for stores continues to hit record levels," commented Kevin Nill, Partner with Haig Partners. "It was an honor to work with the Betagole family to help them navigate the decision to sell the family business. We appreciate their trust in the team at Haig Partners to help them maximize the value of their lives' work." "We are excited to bring these seven Superior dealerships into the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family. We know one direction forward as we continue to grow and lead the market not only in Cincinnati, but nationwide," David Wyler said. "Our focus is to not only grow but to also become more consumer facing every year, and the addition of these dealerships means an even larger selection of inventory for our shoppers locally and across the US." The Jeff Wyler Automotive Family now owns 23 dealerships located in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The team at Haig Partners has been involved in the purchase or sale of 54 dealerships in the Midwest Region. About Haig Partners Haig Partners LLC is the leading buy-sell advisor to owners of higher value retail dealerships. The team at Haig Partners has represented 20 of the Top 150 dealership groups on the Automotive News Top 150 list, more than any other buy-sell advisory firm. Since 1996, they have advised on the purchase or sale of more than 550 dealerships totaling $8.4 billion. Haig Partners has unmatched auto retail experience with backgrounds in executive leadership and corporate development roles for AutoNation, Asbury, Bank of America's Dealer Financial Services team and DHG's Dealership Practice. Haig Partners authors the Haig Report, the leading industry quarterly report that tracks trends in auto retail and their impact dealership values, and are co-author of NADA's Guide, "Buying and Selling a Dealership." For more information, visit www.haigpartners.com. Transaction Contacts: Alan Haig, President Haig Partners e: [email protected] p: (954) 646-8921 Kevin Nill, Partner Haig Partners e: [email protected] p: (904) 234-0008 Press Contact: Aimee Allen, Director of Marketing and Business Development Haig Partners e: [email protected] p: (603) 933-2194 SOURCE Haig Partners RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group announced today that it has partnered with Wharton Surety Consultants and added to its portfolio, expanding the company's growing presence in the Philadelphia area. The transaction became effective December 31, 2021. Based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, Wharton specializes in surety and fidelity bonding. Serving clients nationwide, Wharton maintains relationships with over 20 different sureties across a broad range of markets. Agency Principal Eric Follman and his team of surety professionals will join the Hilb Group's Mid-Atlantic regional operations. "We take great pride in the relationships we have developed with our clients over the past 30 years," said Eric Follman. "We are excited now to grow the offerings we provide our clients through our partnership with the Hilb Group adding national resources to build on our local relationships." "Wharton Surety brings extensive experience and knowledge in surety and fidelity bonding a strong complement to build on our expertise and offerings for our clients," Hilb Group CEO Ricky Spiro said. "We are thrilled to welcome them to our company and look forward to our next steps together." About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 125 acquisitions and now has over 100 offices in 22 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com. Media Contact: Peter Lobred 804.548.4629 [email protected] M&A Contact: Ryan Havermann 804.414.6508 [email protected] SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kinetic River Corp., a leader in development of advanced flow cytometry technology, announced today the successful completion of a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The competitive $1.5-M grant was awarded to Kinetic River by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), which fosters research focused on development of innovative biomedical platforms. The time-resolved cell analysis technology developed at Kinetic River has demonstrated the doubling of the number of markers measurable with a fixed set of lasers and detectors, and paves the way to a tripling of the same, as illustrated in this diagram. The patented approach is able to do so by resolving emissions from fluorescent labels based on timeallowing the stacking of multiple sets of labels. Results from a 12-marker assay on commercial mononuclear cells performed on the Arno using only two lasers (405 and 488 nm) and six fluorescence detectors. None of the measured parameters needed to be compensated for spectral spillover. Each detector collected emissions from two markers; the detected emissions were then separated by fluorescence lifetime using proprietary algorithms. Boxes and red arrows indicate the gating procedure for isolating cell subpopulations. Flow cytometry is a powerful cell analysis tool with broad utility in research and clinical fields as diverse and important as tumor biology research, cancer and AIDS diagnostics, immunophenotyping, and cancer immunotherapy. Fluorescent markers are used to distinguish different cell types; however, the spectral emission overlap between the various markers causes many problems, from a limit to the maximum number of markers measurable in any given sample to a high burden on operators and high costs of reagents and controls to perform the compensation procedures typically required using purely spectral methods. The NIH award enabled the continued development of Kinetic River's "Arno" technology for time-resolved cell analysis. One of the applications made possible by this patented approach is compensation-free flow cytometry: By discriminating fluorescent markers not only by their color but also by the decay of their fluorescence emissions (their "lifetime"), the Arno avoids the issues of spectral spillover that hamper existing flow cytometers. In addition, Kinetic River demonstrated doubling the number of markers measurable on each detector, while paving the way to tripling them. Lifetime-based discrimination allows emissions from multiple markers to be collected by each detector, greatly expanding the analytical power of flow cytometry while minimizing the number of lasers and detectors needed in a system. "These results cap more than seven years of research and development," said Giacomo Vacca, Ph.D., president of Kinetic River. "The fact that we were able to perform a 12-marker assay using only 2 lasers and 6 detectors is unprecedented. Even more exciting than that is the range of different applications these results open up, from compensation-free flow cytometry to a vastly expanded number of fluorescent labels measurable with, in fact, fewer lasers and detectors than on existing analyzers." Dr. William Telford of the National Cancer Institute, who collaborated on these experiments, said: "We performed benchmark measurements on a spectral cytometer using the exact same fluor-antibody conjugates as on the Arno compensation-free analyzer, and the results were very much in agreement. In some cases, the Arno was able to distinguish fluor contributions even where the spectral cytometer struggled due to the near-complete spectral overlap between fluorescent emissions." The time-resolved cell analysis technology developed at Kinetic River has applications to compensation-free flow cytometry, highly multiparametric flow cytometry, and flow cytometry with automated autofluorescence removal. Dr. Vacca added: "We are now taking the next steps toward commercialization, including partnering with established industry players to help accelerate the transition to market." About Kinetic River - Kinetic River Corp. is a product design and development company focused on flow cytometry and optics. Based in California's Silicon Valley, Kinetic River offers cutting-edge instrumentation solutions for biomedical research and the life sciences, including the on-market Potomac modular flow cytometer and the Arno compensation-free flow cytometer (under development). Kinetic River also provides a range of technical consulting services and training seminars to clients worldwide. For more information, visit KineticRiver.com. Kinetic River and the Kinetic River logo are registered trademarks of Kinetic River Corp. Research reported in this release was supported by NIGMS of the National Institutes of Health under grant numbers 2R44GM123906-02A1 and 5R44GM123906-03. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Media Contact: Giacomo Vacca 650.439-7413 [email protected] SOURCE Kinetic River Corp. "This was a strategic disposition for MedCore and its investors as we continue to build and capitalize our value-add senior housing acquisition portfolio in multiple markets across the United States. This was a profitable disposition for us as the seller and will be a great project for the buyer going forward," said Anthony Fulco, Director of Acquisitions. "We would like to thank Tony Cassie at Walker Dunlop for facilitating this transaction." MedCore currently owns 15 senior living communities in Arizona, California, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. In addition, MedCore has two senior living projects under construction, both of which will open in 2022. This will bring their seniors housing portfolio to 17 assets with 2,032 units. To learn more about this project or MedCore, please contact Anthony Fulco at (713) 471-4750. SOURCE MedCore Partners PITTSBURGH, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, has been selected by the Beaver County Office of Planning and Redevelopment to support the Connect Beaver County Broadband Program under a $2.735 million program management contract. The program will span three years and connect more than 2,300 unserved residents and businesses utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The contract includes oversight for the planning and deployment of broadband implementation projects, public engagement, a "digital navigator" program, data collection, GIS digital mapping and telecom management services. "Digital access and inclusion are critical needs in society today and we are proud to partner with Beaver County to lead the effort to close the digital divide for disadvantaged communities," said Jeremy Jurick, GISP, Program Manager at Michael Baker International. "Our experience with federal, state, and local broadband programs, combined with our engineering and telecom expertise, uniquely position us to provide innovative broadband solutions that connect people and communities to the world." This new contract builds upon the foundation set by Michael Baker's Broadband Data Collection initiative, completed in 2021 that utilized advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and public engagement to ensure the accurate identification of unserved broadband locations. Using a custom connectivity planning toolkit, including a Broadband Atlas, Field Validator and Public Survey with associated speed tests, the Michael Baker team provided Beaver County with the key data required to advance connectivity for their communities. "Working with innovative leaders at the Beaver County Office of Planning and Redevelopment has made this program possible," Jurick said. "Work began more than two years ago, in coordination with local county government officials and state representatives, to begin the initial data collection effort which positioned the County to advance the broadband program to benefit communities across Beaver County, Pennsylvania." Michael Baker has extensive experience delivering broadband projects in rural areas across the country by identifying unserved locations, developing the framework for affordability programs, engaging stakeholders to identify users, uses and usage, implementing connected smart city technology and coordinating broadband implementation on surface transportation improvement projects. The firm's nationwide broadband planning and implementation work is completed under the firm's newly announced Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) Vertical, which combines the firm's technology offerings, including Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) and GIS; DATAMARK, the public safety GIS team of Michael Baker; Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR); Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Pavement Technologies. The CTS team is comprised of nearly 200 technology experts focusing on technology differentiation and innovation to support Michael Baker's growth initiatives, identifying and incubating technologies and maximizing opportunities with consulting and technology-based solutions. About Michael Baker International Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services with Practices that encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design, civil engineering, planning, architecture, environmental, construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to commercial clients, all branches of the military and federal, state and municipal governments, providing comprehensive services and solutions. Embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations like intelligent transportation and design-build project delivery, Michael Baker is an industry leader that delivers expertise and quality. The firm's more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five years. To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/. Contact: Julia Covelli [email protected] (866) 293-4609 SOURCE Michael Baker International Independent Special Committee Formed VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Mind Cure Health Inc. (CSE: MCUR) (OTCQX: MCURF) (FRA: 6MH) ("MINDCURE" or the "Company"), a leader in advanced proprietary technology for mental health care and research in psychedelics, announced today its Board of Directors has formed a special committee (the "Special Committee") of independent directors to initiate a review process to explore, review and evaluate a broad range of strategic alternatives. The Special Committee's strategic review process will encompass an evaluation of the Company's current strategic direction, operations, market valuation and capital structure and will consider appropriate alternatives for the Company which may include one or more of the following: continuation as a standalone public company, strategic investor investment, acquisition by or a merger with an industry partner that may involve all or part of our business or assets and any other strategic alternatives that may be identified during our strategic review. "The Board continues to support the Company's current strategic priorities. As we recently reported, the Company is in a strong financial position with cash and equivalents of $13.4M and a cash runway of a minimum 12 months as at November 30, 2021. However, the Board believes that given the current state of capital markets and the evolving landscape for our industry, a broad review of strategic alternatives is entirely appropriate and in the best interest of the Company," said the Chair of MINDCURE's Board of Directors, Philip Tapley. "I am proud of our team and track record of delivering on milestones with focus and drive. I look forward to engaging in this process with the Special Committee while my team pursues our ambitious plan, supported by our strong financial position," said MINDCURE's President and CEO Kelsey Ramsden. The Special Committee is being chaired by Jason Pamer, includes Larissa Chaikowsky, Robert Hill and Philip Tapley, and has appointed Canaccord Genuity Corp. as its financial advisor to support the Special Committee in the strategic review process. While the strategic review process is ongoing, the Company intends to continue to pursue its core strategic objectives so as to maintain and enhance the value of its current business and operations, including the development and launch of the iSTRYMTM product. Other than as described in this news release, the Company has not made any decisions related to strategic alternatives at this time and there can be no assurance that the evaluation of strategic alternatives will result in any transaction proceeding or change in strategy. The Company does not intend to comment further unless and until further disclosure is appropriate or necessary. About Mind Cure Health Inc. MINDCURE is a life sciences company focused on innovating and commercializing new ways to promote healing and improve mental health. The Company is developing digital therapeutics technology and researching psychedelic compounds to support access to safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies globally. Learn more at mindcure.com . On Behalf of the Board of Directors Jason Pamer, Chair of the Special Committee Phone: 1-888-593-8995 Email: [email protected] The Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. 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 release. Forward-Looking Information Certain information regarding MINDCURE and its business presented in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "feel", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "subject to", "will", "would", and similar terms and phrases. Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions made by management of MINDCURE, including, without limitation: the considerations and outcome of the strategic review; COVID-19 pandemic impact on the Canadian economy and MINDCURE's business, and the extent and duration of such impact; no change to laws or regulations that negatively affect MINDCURE's business; no unanticipated expenses, costs or detrimental consequences of the strategic review process will arise; the continuation of the Company's core strategic objectives, including the development and launch of the iSTRYM product, so as to preserve and enhance the value of the Company's current business and operations; and the expected cash runway of the Company's business. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking information inherently entails known and unknown risks and uncertainties about the future and actual results and involves significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Although MINDCURE has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information presented, there may be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements as no forward-looking information can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and MINDCURE does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. SOURCE Mind Cure Health Inc. DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Molecular Diagnostics for Infectious Disease By Syndrome, Plex, Place and by Country. With COVID-19 Impact & Forecasting/Analysis, and Executive Guides and Customization" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. COVID-19 Drives a surge in demand but what is the long term impact? The microbiology lab may disappear while multiplex takes center stage. The Molecular Diagnostics - Infectious Disease sector of the clinical diagnostics industry is poised for record growth. A market that just keeps on growing but is spiking as an enormous C19Dx demand sweeps over the globe. Find out what the numbers are in this informative report. And find out about the exciting developments in multiplex assays which threaten to change diagnosis and treatment while limiting the threat of anti microbial drug resistance. Infectious disease testing directly benefits from the explosion in biotechnology, especially genomics. Learn all about it in this report. A range of dynamic trends are pushing market growth and company valuations. Trends like: Multiplex testing Pathogen evolution and pandemics Biotechnology advances in genetics Climate change Globalization The rise of rapid testing Exciting technical developments especially in the seesaw between nucleic acid testing and immunoassay, hold the promise of a dynamic, growing and evolving world market that holds the promise of diagnostics taking the lead in infectious disease eradication. The report has hundreds of pages of information including a complete list of Current United States Medicare Fee Payment Schedules to help sharpen your pricing. Again, assistance in using the information is normally provided without additional charges. The report includes detailed breakouts for 15 Countries and 4 Regions. A detailed breakout for any country in the world is available to purchasers of the report. Key Topics Covered: 1 Market Guides 1.1 Strategic Situation Analysis and Impact of COVID-19. 1.2 Guide for Executives, Marketing, Sales and Business Development Staff 1.3 Guide for Management Consultants and Investment Advisors 2 Introduction and Market Definition 2.1 What are Molecular Diagnostics? 2.2 The Diagnostics Revolution 2.3 Market Definition 2.3.1 Revenues 2.4 Methodology 2.4.1 Authors 2.4.2 Sources 2.5 Perspective: Healthcare, the IVD Industry, and the COVID-19 Pandemic 2.5.1 Global Healthcare Spending 2.5.2 Spending on Diagnostics 2.5.3 Important Role of Insurance for Diagnostics 3 The Infectious Diseases - Market Analysis by Disease 3.1 HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS) 3.2 HBV - Hepatitis B 3.3 HCV - Hepatitis C 3.4 HPV - Human papillomavirus 3.5 Influenza 3.6 CTGC - Chlamydia/Gonorhea 3.7 Tuberculosis 3.8 MRSA - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 3.9 VRE - Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus 3.10 Blood Screening 3.11 COVID-19 3.12 Pandemic Diagnostics 3.12.1 Risk Management - Spark and Spread 3.12.2 Dx Technology - Nucleic Acid Based 3.12.3 Dx Technology - Immunoassay & Serology 3.12.4 Time to Market and Preparedness Issues 3.12.5 Unrecognized Role of Multiplex in Pandemic Mangement 4 Industry Overview 4.1 Players in a Dynamic Market 4.1.1 Academic Research Lab 4.1.2 Diagnostic Test Developer 4.1.3 Instrumentation Supplier 4.1.4 Distributor and Reagent Supplier 4.1.5 Independent Testing Lab 4.1.6 Public National/regional lab 4.1.7 Hospital lab 4.1.8 Physician Office Labs 4.1.9 Audit Body 4.1.10 Certification Body 4.2 The Clinical Laboratory Market Segments 4.2.1 Traditional Market Segmentation 4.2.2 Laboratory Focus and Segmentation 4.3 Industry Structure 4.3.1 Hospital Testing Share 4.3.2 Economies of Scale 4.3.2.1 Hospital vs. Central Lab 4.3.3 Physician Office Lab's 4.3.4 Physician's and POCT 5 Profiles of Key MDx Companies 5.1 Abacus Diagnostica 5.2 Abbott Diagnostics 5.3 Accelerate Diagnostics 5.4 Ador Diagnostics 5.5 Akonni Biosystems 5.6 Alveo Technologies 5.7 Applied BioCode 5.8 Aus Diagnostics 5.9 Beckman Coulter Diagnostics 5.10 Becton, Dickinson and Company 5.11 Binx Health 5.12 Biocartis 5.13 bioMerieux Diagnostics 5.14 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc 5.15 Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH 5.16 Cepheid (now Danaher) 5.17 Chembio 5.18 Co Diagnostics 5.19 Credo Diagnostics Biomedical 5.20 Cue Health 5.21 Curetis N.V. / Curetis GmbH 5.22 Diagenode Diagnostics 5.23 Diascopic 5.24 Diasorin S.p.A. 5.25 Eiken Chemical 5.26 Enzo Life Sciences, Inc. 5.27 Eurofins Scientific 5.28 Fluxergy 5.29 Fulgent Genetics 5.30 Fusion Genomics. 5.31 Genedrive 5.32 Genetic Signatures 5.33 GenMark Dx 5.34 Grifols 5.35 Hibergene Diagnostics 5.36 Hologic 5.37 Illumina 5.38 Immunexpress 5.39 Inflammatix 5.40 Invetech 5.41 Janssen Diagnostics 5.42 Karius 5.43 Lexagene 5.44 LightDeck Diagnostics 5.45 Luminex Corp 5.46 Lumos Diagnostics 5.47 Mammoth Biosciences 5.48 Maxim Biomedical 5.49 Meridian Bioscience 5.50 Mesa Biotech 5.51 Millipore Sigma 5.52 Mindray 5.53 Mobidiag 5.54 Nanomix 5.55 Operon 5.56 Oxford Nanopore Technologies 5.57 Panagene 5.58 Perkin Elmer 5.59 Primerdesign 5.60 Prominex 5.61 Qiagen Gmbh 5.62 Quantumdx 5.63 Quidel 5.64 Roche Molecular Diagnostics 5.65 Saw Diagnostics 5.66 Seegene 5.67 Siemens Healthineers 5.68 Sona Nanotech 5.69 SpeeDx 5.70 T2 Biosystems 5.71 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 5.72 Veramarx 5.73 Veredus Laboratories 5.74 Vir 5.75 XCR Diagnostics 6 Market Trends 6.1 Factors Driving Growth 6.1.1 New Genotypes Creating New Markets 6.1.2 Aging Population a Boon for All Diagnostics 6.1.3 Developing World Driving ID Dx Growth 6.1.4 Point of Care - Why Centralization is Losing Steam 6.1.5 Self Testing 6.1.6 The Need for Speed 6.1.7 The COVID Pandemic 6.2 Factors Limiting Growth 6.2.1 Lower Costs 6.2.2 Infectious Disease is Declining 6.2.3 Wellness Hurts 6.2.4 Economic Growth improves Living Standards 6.3 Instrumentation and Automation 6.3.1 Instruments Key to Market Share 6.3.2 The Shrinking Machine 6.3.3 Multiplex, Point of Care and The Speed Factor 6.4 Diagnostic Technology Development 6.4.1 The Sepsis Testing Market - A New Direction? 6.4.2 POCT/Self Testing as a Disruptive Force 6.4.3 The Genetics Play - One Test for All Known Infections 6.4.4 Antibiotic Resistance Genes - Simplifying Diagnostics 7 Molecular Dx - Infectious Disease Recent Developments 7.1 Recent Developments - Importance and How to Use This Section 7.1.1 Importance of These Developments 7.1.2 How to Use This Section 7.2 Home Test Company Prenetics to go Public 7.3 Roche to Acquire TIB Molbiol to Expand Infectious Disease Portfolio 7.4 Lucira Health Posts Revenue Growth on OTC C19 Test 7.5 BforCure Preparing Multiple Panels for Point-of-Care qPCR Platform 7.6 Talis Biomedical Discusses Point-of-Care 7.7 Roche to Acquire GenMark Diagnostics for $1.8B 7.8 Pandemic Pushes Handheld qPCR Devices Closer to Commercialization 7.9 Hologic to Acquire Mobidiag 7.10 Lucira Health Focuses on User Friendly Approach to Home Testing 7.11 Infectious Disease Dx Firm Talis Biomedical Raises $254M in IPO 7.12 Fluidigm Plans 'Durable' Diagnostics, Clinical Business 7.13 Thermo Fisher Scientific to Acquire Mesa Biotech for Up to $550M 7.14 Mammoth Biosciences Developing Pathogen Detection Tech 7.15 Illumina, IDbyDNA Developing Sequencing-Based Respiratory Tests 7.16 Scanogen Developing 90 Minute Infection Test 7.17 Malaria Assays Use CRISPR for Point-of-Care Multispecies Detection 7.18 FDA Provides Self Testing SARS-CoV-2 EAU Guidance 7.19 Mammoth Biosciences Announces Rapid, CRISPR-Based COVID-19 Diagnostic 7.20 Genetic Signatures Gets CE Mark for Coronavirus Molecular Test 7.21 Qiagen Respiratory Panel with Coronavirus Receives CE Mark 7.22 Lumos Diagnostics Closes $15M Series A Funding 7.23 Fusion Genomics to Assess NGS-Based Respiratory Tract Infection Assay 7.24 New Genomic Tests Diagnose Deadly Infections Faster 7.25 Biotia Raises $2.4M Seed Round 7.26 STDs resurge in US 7.27 Ares Genetics signs R&D agreement with leading global IVD corporation 7.28 Cell-Free DNA Used for Infectious Disease Testing 7.29 One BioMed Raises $5M 8 The Global Market for Molecular Diagnostics Infectious Disease 9 Global MDx Infectious Disease Markets - By Syndrome 10 Global MDx Markets for Infectious Disease - by Plex 11 Global MDx Infectious Disease Markets - by Place 12 Appendices For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/s4bf3c Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets "As devices shrink in size yet grow in capabilities, product designers must balance greater demands for reliability with the realities of having less space for electrical components," said Ken Stead, director, power products, Power & Signal Business Unit, Molex. "Our compact, IP68-rated Squba connectors optimize power delivery in one of the smallest, most durable form factors, giving product developers unparalleled peace of mind, as well as unprecedented design freedom and flexibility." Ensuring Reliable Power Delivery for Diverse Applications Molex's Squba connectors feature Ingress Protection (IP) at the IP68 certification level as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission. This designation demonstrates that Squba connectors are fully resistant to dust, dirt and sand as well as the effects of being immersed in up to 1.5 meters (nearly five feet) of water for up to 30 minutes. The Molex Squba 1.80mm pitch connector holds a 6.0A current rating, enabling transmission of more power over smaller gauge wire for additional space savings and reduced costs. The connector's narrow pitch further alleviates space constraints while availability in 2-to-10 circuits and support for high operating temperatures offer additional product design options. Equally important, Molex's Squba connectors are made with rubber-molded plastic and include a durable cap to protect the seal from damage during shipping, handling, assembly and use. As a result, these smaller, ruggedized connectors are optimized to deliver unfailing performance for a wide range of applications and wet, dusty environments where connector size, resiliency and quality are paramount. A Track Record of Top-Performing Connectors As a prime application example, a world-class manufacturer of marine motors relies on Molex Squba connectors to power both outboard and inboard boat engines. Molex's high-performance connectors also can be found in a vast array of consumer and commercial products, including sensors, lighting, liquid dispensers, home appliances, recreational vehicles, buses, food processing equipment, robotics and more. Plans are underway to add a panel-mount option to the Squba connector later this year to help minimize potential vibration. Molex's track record of Squba innovation and power-interconnect excellence is bolstered by a comprehensive product lineup, which also includes Fit Family power connectors and Coeur CST high-current interconnect systems. 2022 Winter Games: Game-Winning Connector Strategies On February 4th, the opening ceremony for the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing underscored the fact that athletes aren't the only ones facing harsh environmental conditions. Simply supporting the sheer magnitude of electrical components at the Winter Games is a daunting task, especially in powering outdoor lighting, scoreboards, transport vehicles, sensors, snow equipment, and many other types of gear. Nearly two decades earlier, Molex demonstrated the power of an always-connected experience as the supplier of cabling infrastructure for the high-speed communications network at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece. With its latest line of Squba IP68-rated connectors, Molex is empowering game-winning innovation for customers around the world while advancing the delivery of increasingly smaller, more resilient power interconnectivity. Molex Power & Signal Expertise Molex's proven portfolio of innovative interconnect products and solutions offer current ratings of up to 350.0A per circuit in a multitude of sizes to address escalating application needs across a multitude of industries spanning consumer, automotive, commercial vehicles and industrial automation. A vast selection of power connectors can be modified or customized to accommodate virtually any application requirement or environmental condition. About Molex Molex is a global electronics leader committed to making the world a better, more-connected place. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex enables transformative technology innovation in the automotive, data center, industrial automation, healthcare, 5G, cloud and consumer device industries. Through trusted customer and industry relationships, unrivaled engineering expertise, and product quality and reliability, Molex realizes the infinite potential of Creating Connections for Life. For more information, visit www.molex.com. SOURCE Molex The report, completed by RegionTrack, Inc. for the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB), has compelling numbers. For example, during the pandemic and the economic slowdown in 2020, the industry still created $19 billion in state gross domestic product (GDP) and $16.5 billion in household earnings, supporting tens of thousands of families and small businesses. That includes 145,000 skilled and high-paying jobs. Oklahoma's oil and natural gas industry is by far the largest taxpayer in the state. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the industry paid $2.66 billion in business taxes in 2020. "When you look at the industry's contributions to Oklahoma, the numbers tell a story everyone in the state needs to know," said OERB Chairman David Le Norman. "The people of Oklahoma oil and natural gas are made up of your neighbors, friends and family. We are proud of what we do for the state and are invested in its future." These dollars are making a big impact on the local level too, with $410 million in ad valorem taxes in 2020 and $720 million in severance taxes in 2021. The oil and natural gas industry is the only major source of earmarked taxes that provide direct funding for uses like education and county roads. Over the past decade, $2.1 billion in funds have been apportioned for education, an average of more than 200 million annually. School districts in 24 counties, many rural, have received more than $1 million from industry severance taxes each year for the past decade. Download the topline report here or the full report here, oerb.com/economic-impact. The OERB is funded by the more than 2,500 producers and thousands of royalty owners across Oklahoma through a voluntary one-tenth of 1 percent assessment on oil and natural gas production. The mission is centered around a simple idea: empowering unlimited opportunity for all Oklahomans. We are committed to the wellbeing and prosperity of all. Visit OERB.com to learn more about the investment that the people of Oklahoma Oil & Natural Gas are making in our state. SOURCE Oklahoma Energy Resources Board 2021 saw more than 200 billion mobile apps downloaded with the Apple App Store and Google Play swell to some 6 million total apps including 1 million new or updated ones. Mobile apps dominated with 70% of all digital time spent in mobile apps vs. web apps. Organizations are mobilizing their employees and customers at an ever-increasing rate, with nearly all of the Fortune 1000 offering mobile apps in public app stores for customers and employees together generating over $170 billion in mobile revenue. In fact, research shows that mobile leaders in the F1000 grew market value 15% faster than mobile laggards. But attacks and breaches also grew alarmingly in 2021 Amazon Ring, Apple iMessage, Park Mobile, Slack and U.S. Customs and Border Protection all experienced major mobile app security incidents . The mobile app industry has a way to go to improve security as shown in the the NowSecure MobileRiskTracker 85% of tested apps have security vulnerabilities and 70% leak private data while software supply-chain attacks grew 650% in 2021, further compounding the challenges for mobile app teams. Mobile app vulnerabilities expose organizations to a myriad of brand risk, revenue loss, business disruption, shareholder loss, legal issues and compliance fines. These mobile marketplace risks and importance of apps to the business drove NowSecure growth to new heights in 2021. NowSecure Scores Record Performance Results NowSecure grew dramatically in 2021 across all facets of the business: Sales growth of over 50% demonstrating accelerated demand for full solution suite Customer count grew by 60% across multiple industries including finance, insurance, consumer, high tech, healthcare, and IoT Existing customer expansion growth rate of over 70% due to high-value ROI and far-reaching demand Employee growth over 50%, expanding diversity and global reach Performed more than 1.5 million automated mobile app assessments in DevSecOps and on-demand deployments identifying over 8 million vulnerabilities Pen testing and professional services doubled year over year Co-developed the ioXt mobile app profile and certified more than 85 IoT-connected mobile apps and mobile VPNs for ioXt 800% growth in mobile appsec training programs for dev and security teams Hosted virtual mobile appsec community event with over 645 participants including top experts and customers across the industry Launched mobile risk tracker dashboard informing more than 5,400 unique visitors Expanded executive team by adding industry veterans CFO Jim Keller , VP of Engineering George Anderson and VP of Product Management Ray Hernendez "NowSecure has become the vendor and partner of choice for customers who want to increase mobile app release speed and protect the security of their mobile users and data," said NowSecure CEO Alan Snyder. "With a mission to save the world from unsafe mobile apps, NowSecure is well positioned for continued growth in 2022 and beyond." NowSecure Delivers the Industry's First Full Mobile AppSec Solution Suite With more than a decade of building advanced tools, delivering expert services and actively supporting open-source and industry standards projects, NowSecure completed a multi-year growth strategy to deliver the industry's first full mobile app security solution suite with the launch of an online self-service training and certification program and substantial enhancements to its existing solution portfolio. NowSecure Platform for continuous security testing, observability and remediation in the development pipeline for DevSecOps and on-demand scenarios for continuous security testing, observability and remediation in the development pipeline for DevSecOps and on-demand scenarios NowSecure Workstation kit for pen tester productivity to test complex, high-risk mobile apps and IoT-connected mobile apps kit for pen tester productivity to test complex, high-risk mobile apps and IoT-connected mobile apps NowSecure Supply Chain Risk Management for continuous monitoring of mobile app stores, third-party mobile apps and mobile component risk for continuous monitoring of mobile app stores, third-party mobile apps and mobile component risk NowSecure Pen Testing Services for full-scope and rapid pen tests delivered by experts using proven standards-based methodology for full-scope and rapid pen tests delivered by experts using proven standards-based methodology NowSecure Academy training courseware for dev and security teams Built on a foundation of standards and observability with experience pen testing more than 10,000 mobile apps and automatically scanning millions of mobile apps over more than a dozen years, NowSecure has the most comprehensive experience and technology base to offer one- stop shopping to help enterprises deliver secure mobile apps faster. "With the dramatic growth in mobile apps, the accelerating velocity of mobile teams, and our collective experience helping clients with pen testing and mobile appsec program development, we recognized the critical need for more effective mobile appsec training for developers, QA and security teams," said NowSecure Senior VP of Customer Success & Services Katie Bochnowski. "While we dramatically expanded our pen testing services to meet the explosion of demand, we partnered with our key customers to craft the world's first mobile-only online courseware to launch NowSecure Academy with free training for all and paid certification options. This enables us to meet the customer where they are and help ensure success of their mobile appsec programs from start to finish." NowSecure Launches 7 New Offerings NowSecure continues to innovate with new products and services to meet the needs of current customers and high-growth segments NowSecure IoXt Certification Service enables manufacturers of IoT-connected mobile apps to receive certification of the IoXt mobile app protection profile enables manufacturers of IoT-connected mobile apps to receive certification of the IoXt mobile app protection profile NowSecure Platform improves the developer experience with observability and embedded developer remediation to speed resolution of issues improves the developer experience with observability and embedded developer remediation to speed resolution of issues NowSecure Workstation 7.0 modernizes the pen tester toolkit with streamlined deployment, faster testing and richer advanced features modernizes the pen tester toolkit with streamlined deployment, faster testing and richer advanced features NowSecure Academy offers the industry's first mobile only self-service training and certification platform for developers, QA and security professionals offers the industry's first mobile only self-service training and certification platform for developers, QA and security professionals NowSecure MobileRiskTracker free portal benchmarks security and privacy risk for the top 5,000 downloaded apps in the public app stores free portal benchmarks security and privacy risk for the top 5,000 downloaded apps in the public app stores NowSecure SBOM delivers the industry's first mobile app software bill of materials (SBOM) including OWASP CycloneDX support delivers the industry's first mobile app software bill of materials (SBOM) including OWASP CycloneDX support NowSecure GitHub Actions as the industry's first dynamic mobile app security testing available in the GitHub Marketplace to support millions of developers "As mobile now dominates the global economy and all digital communications channels, the stakes are higher and higher for every business in serving their employees and customers," said NowSecure Chief Mobility Officer Brian Reed. "The modern enterprise cannot afford the risks of an ad-hoc mobile app security testing approach that relies on open-source tools, web AST tools or web pen testing services. Organizations recognize that NowSecure is the mobile partner of choice with deepest experience, best-of-breed technology and pen testing services, the only integrated solution suite and proven approach to scale their mobile app sec programs." NowSecure Extends Support of Critical Standards and Open Source Standards-based testing and certification are critical for consistent predictability, safety and governance. Standards improve dev and security team alignment and collaboration, which ensures quality and speeds release times. NowSecure expanded support for leading industry frameworks, testing standards, compliance standards and open-source projects. ioXt Alliance led creation of new industry standard certification for IoT-connected mobile apps and VPNs partnering with Amazon, Google, and other security labs, then serving as approved ioXt Certification Lab delivering standards-based certification led creation of new industry standard certification for IoT-connected mobile apps and VPNs partnering with Amazon, Google, and other security labs, then serving as approved ioXt Certification Lab delivering standards-based certification OWASP Mobile Project dedicating staff to standards spec evolution delivering substantial updates to OWASP MASVS and MSTG along with NowSecure serving as OWASP God Mode sponsor dedicating staff to standards spec evolution delivering substantial updates to OWASP MASVS and MSTG along with NowSecure serving as OWASP God Mode sponsor OWASP CycloneDX Project supporter partnered with OWASP and industry leaders Contrast Security, Sonatype, Lockheed Martin, Ion Channel, Jfrog and Xperi to launch the first industry standard for Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) including mobile apps supporter partnered with OWASP and industry leaders Contrast Security, Sonatype, Lockheed Martin, Ion Channel, Jfrog and Xperi to launch the first industry standard for Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) including mobile apps Partnered with the U.S. Federal Mobility Group, Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) Mobility Metrics Working Group, and ATARC to produce updated standards for the mobile security ecosystem to formally add Mobile App Vetting (MAV) requirements to formally add Mobile App Vetting (MAV) requirements Led mobile app testing, reporting and SBOM generation for White House Executive Orders #14017 - Protecting America's Supply Chain and #14034 - Protecting Americans' Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries #14017 - Protecting America's Supply Chain and #14034 - Protecting Americans' Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries Continued community support including critical open source software (OSS) security projects including Frida, Radare, Frida Swift Bridge , Limbo, Radius and more. "Dev and security teams want to move fast in their familiar tools, and we continue to make substantial investments in our tooling and integrations to speed dev and testing by enabling security observability with deeper, easy-to-use insights," said NowSecure CTO David Weinstein. "Our research team is continually developing advanced tooling, contributing to NowSecure solutions, the open-source community and OWASP projects. Our engineering team has delivered many integrations to fit dev and security workflows while scaling our advanced testing cloud to new heights." NowSecure Extends Strategic Partnerships and Integrations From DevSecOps toolchain to application security testing vendors to security service providers, NowSecure has become the partner of choice for mobile application security testing. Expanded NowSecure Partner program adding more than 20 new reseller, services and integration partners Launched industry's first GitHub Action for dynamic mobile app security testing as part of the new GitHub Advanced Security Program enabling more than 70 million GitHub developers Increased integration portfolio to include Azure DevOps, Bitrise, Brinqua, CircleCI, Coalfire ThreadFix, GitHub, GitLab, Cloudbees, Jenkins, Jira, Synopsys CodeDX, and more Extended partnership with many web application security testing (AST) vendors as product-completer to deliver mobile AST capabilities and services to augment their web-based solutions Enlarged partnerships and services with major telecommunications carriers including AT&T, AT&T First Net, T-Mobile, T-Systems and Bell Canada Hosted DevSecOps Bunch monthly series with top-tier experts and industry partners to share best practices "Since I founded NowSecure over a decade ago, we have been focused on mobile security, standards, open source, automation and interoperability to deliver value to our customers and the global community at large," said NowSecure Founder Andrew Hoog. "Because is the platform of choice for developers and businesses alike, the community is driving mobile into key initiatives like SBOMs, OWASP CycloneDX SBOM, NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF), and developer-first security like GitHub Actions. As the industry's recognized expert in mobile app security, we are pleased to partner and contribute with top cloud, platform and toolchain leaders like Google, Microsoft, GitHub, Jenkins and Jira to advance the state of the art for mobile appsec at mass scale." Visit www.nowsecure.com to learn more about NowSecure and request a meeting for a private briefing. Sources: App Annie State of Mobile 2022, Comscore State of Mobile 2021, SensorTower 2022, NowSecure MobileRiskTracker, NowSecure Benchmarks 2020 and 2021, Sonatype State of the Software Supply Chain Report, 2021, How Mobile Is Fueling Fortune 1000 Success, 2018 About NowSecure As the standards-based mobile app security and privacy company, NowSecure protects the Mobile App Economy. The world's most demanding organizations, innovative mobile developers and advanced security teams entrust NowSecure to safeguard millions of mobile app users across banking, insurance, high tech, IoT, retail, hospitality, energy and government sectors. Only NowSecure delivers the full solution suite of continuous security testing for DevSecOps, mobile app supply-chain monitoring, expert mobile pen testing and training courseware with the depth, speed, accuracy, and efficiency to meet modern business demands. Dedicated to the open-source community and standards including OWASP, ioXt and NIAP, NowSecure is SOC 2 certified and recognized by IDC, Deloitte, Gartner and TAG Cyber. www.nowsecure.com SOURCE NowSecure Dr. Devon Christie, Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, Dr. Frederick Barrett and Tura Patterson will discuss "Psychedelic Research: Moving Beyond the Social and Political Stigma" VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Numinus Wellness Inc. ("Numinus" or the "Company") (TSX: NUMI) (OTCQX: NUMIF) a mental healthcare company advancing innovative treatments and safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, is pleased to announce that it will participate in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2022 Annual Meeting, hosted virtually February 17-20, 2022. Dr. Devon Christie, Senior Lead Psychedelic Programs of Numinus, will join Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris (Imperial College London) and Dr. Frederick Barrett (Johns Hopkins University) for a Scientific Session on "Psychedelic Research: Moving Beyond the Social and Political Stigma", moderated by Tura Patterson (Usona Institute) on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. ET. This session is open to registered attendees with Deluxe Access. Dr. Christie, Dr. Barrett and Ms. Patterson will also convene for Media Availability on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. ET. This session is open to registered media only, with complementary registration. For general information about the event, please visit meetings.aaas.org or contact [email protected]; for media information, please visit https://meetings.aaas.org/wp-content/uploads/AM22_MA-grids_final.pdf. For information about Numinus' participation, please contact [email protected]. About Numinus Numinus Wellness helps people to heal and be well through the development and delivery of innovative mental health care and access to safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies. The Numinus model including psychedelic production, research, and clinic care is at the forefront of a transformation aimed at healing rather than managing symptoms for depression, anxiety, trauma, pain and substance use. At Numinus, we are leading the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into mainstream clinical practice and building the foundation for a healthier society. Learn more at numinus.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Forward-Looking Statements Statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements even if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. SOURCE Numinus Wellness Inc. NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT) announced the promotion of Max Siegelman to Head of Cultural Relevance. Formerly the Director of Social Media, Siegelman's position will now include an expansive pallet of ideas and technologies that will enable new connections between OOH in both the real and virtual worlds. He will continue to oversee the company's social media strategy. OUTFRONT is leading the OOH sector in initiatives that have accelerated advertisers brand presence in the marketplace through amplification on social channels, a social influencer platform, and other accelerants that add impressions and value to OOH campaigns. Siegelman has been instrumental in leveraging new ideas in the OOH space, including execution of the first-ever NFT exhibition in a transit environment and the early adoption of QR codes as a way to connect consumers to brands in the OOH environment. "Max is consistently breaking through the traditional boundaries in OOH to rethink and reimagine the 'what next?' moment," said Jodi Senese, Chief Marketing Officer at OUTFRONT. "The ability to connect OOH to the always on nature of active consumers with mobile devices in hand was OOH 2.0; what we are approaching now is OOH 3.0. There are limitless possibilities on the horizon, and we are confident that Max's leadership will help both OUTFRONT and our clients leverage those opportunities." About OUTFRONT Media Inc. OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go. Contact: Investors: Media: Stephan Bisson Courtney Richards Vice President, Investor Relations Senior PR & Events Specialist (212) 297-6573 (646) 876-9404 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc. Parker Health Group's latest community also reimagines post-acute care with the latest proven practices, in which seniors enjoy spacious private suites and rehabilitate using high-tech equipment under the direction of clinical care specialists. "Our vision is to make Parker at Somerset the standard of what advanced senior care will look like in New Jersey going forward," explained Roberto Muniz, President & CEO of Parker. "It offers a complete spectrum of aging services, as well as access to an entire healthcare network through our established partnerships with top medical and healthcare providers, all under one roof." Parker at Somerset features 120 beds for long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation spread over three floors on a sprawling, wooded 14-acre campus located on Dellwood Lane. Parker at Somerset's new development is a 78,000-square foot expansion of its aging services community. With the opening of the new expansion, the construction teams will now begin the full renovation of the original 50,000-square foot building, which Parker acquired in 2016, to completely modernize the entire site. The Parker at Somerset campus features a state-of-the-art Post-Acute Rehabilitation Center, as well as Parker's unique "small home" model of skilled nursing care. A new Adult Day Center and a Child Care Center offering daycare services and intergenerational programming will also open later this year. Rather than the traditional clinical setting of typical nursing homes, residents live in a neighborhood-like setting with other residents who share similar needs and interests. At their own direction, residents may dine together or privately, and spend their days enjoying carefully curated programs and activities. Parker at Somerset is uniquely designed in response to the needs of seniors post-pandemic, Muniz said. The building incorporates the latest in infection control technologies typically found only in top-tier healthcare environments, he said. For example, there are completely touchless access points, and surfaces that are treated to prevent microbial proliferation. The visitor areas have been specially designed to support socialization safely, even under lockdown conditions. Bipolar ionization is also used to inactivate pathogens in the air. Hospital-grade negative air pressure systems will ventilate rooms and ensure that air is not re-circulated into other areas of the community. Moreover, Parker care partners employ wearable technology that alerts them when their hands need sanitizing, triggered by sensors as they move between suites to care for residents. "Parker at Somerset has been constructed in a way that it can be easily reconfigured and retrofitted as infection control technologies evolve," said Beth Sparling, Parker's Chief Operating Officer. "One of the greatest features of this building is the way it can adapt and evolve based on need. It's a remarkable forward-thinking achievement, and we're very proud of what we've accomplished." Parker at Somerset is the culmination of nearly 20 years of experience refining the small home model of nursing care at Parker, creating true homes that are a far cry from the institutional settings of older nursing communities. Parker launched the Evergreen Way small home model in its Piscataway location over 20 years ago. The model was refined further at Parker at Monroe in 2015, and now at Parker at Somerset, providing safety, simplicity, and elegance for residents. Parker also has a nursing care community in New Brunswick as well as an Assisted Living campus in Highland Park. Although Parker at Somerset has greatly expanded its footprint, it is not increasing the number of beds at the overall site. Each resident in the new expansion has their own private suite with a bathroom and shower. "This is all part of Parker's mission and ongoing commitment to ensuring that those we serve, our Elders, patients and community members, receive the highest quality, person-directed care and services we can provide, in the safety and comfort of a home-like environment, and supporting them to live their best lives," Muniz added. Parker at Somerset is certified in both Medicaid and Medicare insurance programs, ensuring that all those in need will have the opportunity to take advantage of the many services and programs that Parker provides. To inquire about availability or for additional information about Parker's complete continuum of care, please call 732-902-4200. About Parker Health Group, Inc. Parker Health Group, Inc. is a not-for-profit, New Jersey-based aging services organization with 115 years' experience that is committed to empowering older Americans. We are a diverse community of over 1,500 dedicated and passionate employees, caregivers, volunteers, thought leaders, researchers, educators, and partners. Our award-winning standards and approaches have made us a pioneer of inclusive aging services and long-term care residences, and a national thought leader on the conversation around aging in America. Founded by Henrietta Parker, since 1907 Parker has been challenging, changing, and expanding the idea of what it means to grow older in America and how all of us can make aging part of life. For more information, visit parkerlife.org Media Contact: Lee Dorry Public Relations & Communications Manager Parker Health Group 732-565-2425 [email protected] SOURCE Parker Health Group, Inc. The procurement analytics market covers the following areas: Procurement Analytics Market Sizing Procurement Analytics Market Forecast Procurement Analytics Market Analysis Vendor Landscape The market structure is expected to remain fragmented during the forecast period. Vendors are deploying different organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. Accenture Plc, BirchStreet Systems LLC, Coupa Software Inc., Genpact Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., JAGGAER LLC, Oracle Corp., Proactis Holdings Plc, Rosslyn Data Technologies Plc, and SAS Institute Inc., among others, are some of the few key vendors competing to maintain their position in the market. View more about the market's vendor landscape highlights with a comprehensive list of vendors and their offerings. Key Market Segmentation Segmentation by Deployment: On-premises: The on-premises segment will contribute significantly to the overall market growth during the forecast period. The growth of the on-premises segment is expected to decline due to the increasing adoption of cloud-based procurement analysis solutions. Cloud-based Request a FREE Sample of this report for more highlights into the market segments. Regional Market Outlook North America will contribute to 39% of the market growth during the forecast period. The growth of this region can be attributed to the increasing demand for procurement analytics from industries such as aerospace and automotive. If we look at country-wise market growth, the US will contribute to the highest in the region. Download our FREE sample report for more key highlights on the regional market share of most of the above-mentioned countries. Latest Trends and Drivers in the Procurement Analytics Market Market Driver: Growth in e-commerce and the organized retail industry: The organized retail sector dominates the overall retail sales in countries such as the US and Canada. One of the most important aspects of the retail industry is the procurement of supplies or materials. Procurement analytics enables enterprises to reduce the risks associated with the supply base by integrating data, contract management, and supplier management. The growth of the e-commerce sector globally is primarily attributed to the adoption of technologies such as smartphones and omnichannel commerce. Enterprises in the e-commerce sector use procurement analytics to avail products from suppliers. Thus, the growth of the e-commerce sector will increase the demand for procurement analytics. Market Trend: Growing demand for e-procurement: Electronic procurement (e-procurement) is a process to sell and purchase services or goods through electronic methods. E-procurement platforms help reduce additional costs and irregularities in the procurement process. This leads to the generation of a large amount of data. Predictive analytics uses the data to make predictions, which enable enterprises to make appropriate business decisions. Find additional information about various other market drivers & trends mentioned in our FREE sample report . Need More? Are You Looking for Information Not Covered in This Report? Want to understand more about the various research methodology? Evaluate a specific segment or region in detail Identify key suppliers, customers, or other market players Analyze market regulations Tailor this report according to your needs. Get it done with our USD 1000 worth of free customization. Speak to Our Analyst Now ! Related Reports: Digital Process Automation Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 Translation Management Software Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Procurement Analytics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 15.62% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 2.30 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 20.08 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 39% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, Germany, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Accenture Plc, BirchStreet Systems LLC, Coupa Software Inc., Genpact Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., JAGGAER LLC, Oracle Corp., Proactis Holdings Plc, Rosslyn Data Technologies Plc, 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 recovery analysis 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 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 MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half (NYSE symbol: RHI) has once again been recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers and is the top-ranked staffing firm on the list. The list is based on an independent survey of approximately 60,000 participants from a wide range of companies with 1,000 or more employees in the U.S. Respondents were asked to rate their employer on several attributes, including working conditions, compensation, potential for development and company image. "We are honored to again be named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers," said M. Keith Waddell, president and chief executive officer at Robert Half. "This recognition is a testament to the dedication and success of our teams, and to our commitment to providing a best-in-class employee experience from empowering our people with flexibility and choice in where they work to providing access to professional development, employee network groups and new technology." Robert Half was one of a select few companies and the only in its industry recently named to FORTUNE's "Most Admired Companies" list for the 25th consecutive year, and has been recognized by Bloomberg and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Read more about Robert Half's corporate responsibility commitments. About Robert Half Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm that connects opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. Robert Half offers contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Visit roberthalf.com and download our award-winning mobile app. SOURCE Robert Half At launch, SBI President Alope Pardee said "We are thrilled by this opportunity to expand our reach and welcome the L&M team and clients to SBI. The additional executive expertise and experience that this acquisition brings will only amplify our impact." The acquisition adds a variety of national association clients in the technology and healthcare sectors to SBI's current portfolio of regional, national, and international associations. L&M President & CEO Michael LoBue, CAE, will transition to a new role with Collegium, while Michael Majdalany, CAE, Vice President & COO of L&M will become the Managing Director of the SBI San Francisco office. Majdalany said, "Joining SBI will enable us to expand both the depth and breadth of the services we bring to our clients, while delivering the same personalized attention and association expertise L&M is known for." The San Francisco team will continue to operate independently, with expanded resources available through SBI. In the long-term, SBI will explore opportunities to integrate operations with a goal to enhance and expand services to the association community overall. About SBI Association Management SBI Association Management is known for providing innovative technology solutions, marketing, event management, financial, and executive services to manage and grow member-based professional societies and associations. For more than 40 years, SBI has provided strategic counsel and managed the day-to-day operations of its client organizations so their members can thrive. For more information, visit www.sbims.com LoBue & Majdalany Association Management LoBue & Majdalany (L&M) has assisted diverse group of industry trade associations and professional societies in reaching their full potential for 29 years. L&M has provided critical advice, counsel and services to associations to serve their management and operational needs and has been a Charter Accredited AMC since 2004. For more information, visit www.lm-mgmt.com About Collegium Collegium is the privately held parent company to select best-in-class professional services firms exclusively serving the nonprofit sector. Collegium partner companies deliver unparalleled, integrated consulting services to nonprofits around the globe. Collegium is organized into five core pillars of professional services: fundraising; management & strategy; talent recruitment & development; branding & communications; and technology & data. For more information, visit www.collegiumpartners.com SOURCE Collegium Holdings, Inc. BOSTON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brattle Group is pleased to announce that seven experts were recently promoted to Principal: Hollie Mason, David McKnight, Albert Metz, Christine Polek, Akarsh Sheilendranath, Anul Thapa, and Mike Tolleth. "These talented individuals provide in-depth expertise to a vast array of clients on matters related to financial services, energy, tax, and more," shared Brattle President & Principal David Sunding. "In addition, they have made exemplary contributions to mentoring and developing their colleagues, and truly demonstrate the exceptional leadership pipeline we are fortunate to have at the firm." Our new Principals: Hollie Mason | Practice Leader: Broker-Dealers & Financial Services | Chicago An attorney with more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry, Ms. Mason provides expert testimony and consulting services concerning securities litigation and enforcement matters. She has deep knowledge of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) rules. An attorney with more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry, Ms. Mason provides expert testimony and consulting services concerning securities litigation and enforcement matters. She has deep knowledge of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) rules. David McKnight | New York Mr. McKnight has over 20 years of experience providing expert testimony and consulting services in matters pertaining to mass torts, securities, finance, valuation, and bankruptcy. In mass tort matters, he has worked with liability forecasts, insurance coverage, and discounted cash flows. Mr. McKnight has over 20 years of experience providing expert testimony and consulting services in matters pertaining to mass torts, securities, finance, valuation, and bankruptcy. In mass tort matters, he has worked with liability forecasts, insurance coverage, and discounted cash flows. Albert Metz | New York Dr. Metz is a securities and finance expert with deep experience in credit analysis, financial modeling, asset pricing, market efficiency, and event studies. He has consulted on asset pricing, antitrust, mergers and acquisitions, market manipulation, collusion, fixed income securities, and various debt derivatives. Dr. Metz is a securities and finance expert with deep experience in credit analysis, financial modeling, asset pricing, market efficiency, and event studies. He has consulted on asset pricing, antitrust, mergers and acquisitions, market manipulation, collusion, fixed income securities, and various debt derivatives. Christine Polek | Boston Dr. Polek serves as a consulting and testifying expert in complex litigation requiring the application of economic, financial, and statistical analysis to legal and regulatory issues with a focus on valuation, tax controversy, and labor and employment. Dr. Polek serves as a consulting and testifying expert in complex litigation requiring the application of economic, financial, and statistical analysis to legal and regulatory issues with a focus on valuation, tax controversy, and labor and employment. Akarsh Sheilendranath | Boston Mr. Sheilendranath is an energy economist with a unique blend of expertise in wholesale electricity markets, electric transmission, and regulatory corporate finance. He specializes in transmission policy, utility investment strategy and planning, large-scale renewable integration, and cost-benefit assessments. Mr. Sheilendranath is an energy economist with a unique blend of expertise in wholesale electricity markets, electric transmission, and regulatory corporate finance. He specializes in transmission policy, utility investment strategy and planning, large-scale renewable integration, and cost-benefit assessments. Anul Thapa | Boston Mr. Thapa has over 12 years of experience applying economic and finance principles in complex oil and gas-related litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings. His experience in commercial disputes includes damages estimation, valuation, and pricing related to energy assets and contracts. Mr. Thapa has over 12 years of experience applying economic and finance principles in complex oil and gas-related litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings. His experience in commercial disputes includes damages estimation, valuation, and pricing related to energy assets and contracts. Mike Tolleth | New York Mr. Tolleth specializes in the economic analysis of energy markets, with expertise in financial modeling and valuation of energy assets, contracts, and businesses. He supports clients in litigation and arbitration matters and provides expert testimony related to cost of service, rate design, cost of capital, regulatory policy, long-run marginal cost pricing, and market power. ABOUT BRATTLE The Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across four continents. For more information, please visit brattle.com. SOURCE The Brattle Group Simon Sorpresi, Area Vice President of Miami, SLS says, "We are thrilled to launch this activation with our partners at Barilla and welcome our hotel guests to this luxuriously indulgent pop-up. The refined flavors of Barilla pasta by Chef Lorenzo Boni integrated into SLS South Beach's exceptional culinary programming by Chef de Cuisine Orhun Gorsen is sure to be a huge success. As February is such a special month for Miami's culinary community, this is a welcome opportunity for SLS South Beach to contribute to the excitement that attracts visitors back each and every year." "It has been a privilege to collaborate with the culinary experts at the SLS South Beach to showcase the delicious flavors of Barilla. We welcome the opportunity to participate in Miami's celebrated culinary month. Put simply, it's never been easier to enjoy scrumptious Barilla pasta poolside," says Justin Steinbach, Global Vice President of Foodservice, Barilla Group. From February 24th through February 27th, registered hotel guests at SLS South Beach can exchange a ticket they will receive in their guestroom at the Barilla Pasta Bar Pop-Up by the guest pool for one of four featured bites that will take them on a tour of Italy. The menu for the four-day pop-up includes the below, and all pasta recipes are available on SLS South Beach's website . Feb 24: Barilla Rigatoni alla Bolognese with creamy Parmigiano fondue (Northern Italy) Simple yet elegant, this rigatoni pasta dish combines a hearty Bolognese with a creamy Parmigiano fondue -- a deliciously fitting nod to the Emilia-Romagna region's rich culinary heritage. Feb 25: Barilla Orecchiette with spicy mussels and broccoli sauce, romano cheese (Southern Italy) This dish features the signature pasta shape of Puglia orecchiette, or "little ears." Mussels offer a taste of the region's coastal fare, while broccoli and romano cheese round out the robust flavor profile. Feb 26: Barilla Thick spaghetti with lobster and oven-roasted cherry tomatoes (Island/Sardinia) The bright, fresh flavors of oven-roasted cherry tomatoes combine with the rich lobster and hearty, thick spaghetti will transport you to the Italian isle. Feb 27: Barilla Mezzi rigatoni alla Norcina (Central Italy) Italian sausage and black truffles sauce combine with mezzi rigatoni for a quintessentially Central Italian dish. The rich and robust ingredients showcase the best of Umbrian flavors and food traditions. The Barilla Pasta Bar Pop-Up at SLS South Beach is a collaboration derived from the global partnership established in 2021 between SLS, Mondrian, and Hyde hotel brands with Barilla Group which brings a series of integrations and brand activations to guests featuring the finest Barilla products. SLS South Beach is part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, with a global portfolio of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Ennismore is a joint- venture with Accor, formed in 2021. Ennismore.com ABOUT SLS HOTELS & RESIDENCES SLS is the home of an extraordinary experience coupled with a playful ambiance. Culinary artistry, theatrical interiors, subversive design touches and unexpected indulgences are at the heart of every SLS property. Collaborations with leading developers, architects, designers and chefs allow SLS to continue anticipating, innovating and shaping the future of luxury lifestyle living. With seven properties in Beverly Hills, Miami, Bahamas, Cancun, and Dubai, SLS is set to open two additional properties in Puerto Madero, Argentina and Scottsdale by 2023. Learn more at SLSHotels.com. SLS is part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Ennismore is a joint- venture with Accor, formed in 2021. ennismore.com ABOUT BARILLA Established as a family-owned business in 1877, Barilla Group markets 16 brands of pastas, sauces, ready meals and bakery items across four continents. Its 'Barilla for Professionals' division connects food industry professionals with the highest quality Barilla products and culinary know-how. It takes pride in supporting its partners through an evolving array of challenges and changes in the foodservice industry to continually deliver inspired gastronomic experiences for guests. Media Contact: Emily Venugopal / Cara Chapman / Jennifer Isicoff: [email protected] SOURCE SLS Download Now! Major Price Models in the Solar Water Heater Sourcing and Procurement Market The report discusses in detail each pricing model and the pros and cons attached to every pricing model prevalent in the market. Also, the report provides insights with respect to the category supply chain and the margins of various suppliers within the supply chain. The most widely adopted pricing models in the Solar Water Heater Sourcing and Procurement Market Cost plus pricing model Unit based pricing model Learn about various other pricing models: Request for a FREE sample report Spend Growth and Demand by Region The Solar Water Heater Sourcing and Procurement market will register an incremental spend of about USD 0.83 Billion during the forecast period. However, only a few regions will drive the majority of this growth. Moreover, on the supply side, North America, Europe, and APAC will have the maximum influence owing to the supplier base. The growth is expected to be primarily driven by increasing demand and adoption of the category across those few regions. To get a detailed analysis of the regional factors driving the Solar Water Heater Sourcing and Procurement Report: Download the sample report now! Subscribe to our "Free Limited Period Starter Procurement Plan" to get the following: View 6 full reports View 800+ report samples Pre-order upcoming reports Dedicated account manager Subscribe Now for FREE! Most Adopted Procurement Strategies by Buyers Across the Solar Water Heater Sourcing and Procurement Market The report provides a detailed insight of the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries and analysis of these strategies with respect to innovation, regulatory compliance, quality, supply, and cost. Adoption of these procurement strategies will enable the buyers to reduce category TCO and achieve cost savings, while sourcing for thermal equipment requirements. To get the exact information on various procurement strategies: Get the FREE Sample Report Now! This Solar Water Heater Sourcing and Procurement Market report answers help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers, for instance: 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? Our Top Selling Procurement Reports: Asset Recovery Services - Forecast and Analysis: The asset recovery services will grow at a CAGR of 9.49% during 2021-2025. Asia Asset Recovery Pte Ltd., TES-Amm Singapore Pte Ltd., and Iron Mountain Inc. are among the prominent suppliers in asset recovery services market. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. Vulnerability Management Sourcing and Procurement Report: Vulnerability Management Procurement Market, prices will increase by 4%-6% during the forecast period and suppliers will have a Moderate bargaining power in this market. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. Celebrity Talent Management Services - Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence Report: This report offers key advisory and intelligence to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their celebrity talent management services requirements. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. 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 SINGAPORE, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Platts ("Platts"), the leading independent provider of information, analytics and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, has launched time charter equivalent (TCE) assessments for 209,000 dwt Newcastlemax class dry bulk ships using LNG as bunker fuel on six key routes and a ton-mile weighted average index named NMAX GT4, effective February 3, 2022. The launch of these assessments comes in the wake of growing efforts by the shipping industry to embrace alternative fuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to a study commissioned by industry coalition SEA-LNG and The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF), using LNG as a marine fuel could help cut GHG emissions by 21% compared with oil-based marine fuels over the entire life cycle of a commodity cargo. The use of LNG curtails pollutants such as sulfur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matters. Peter Norfolk, Editorial Director, Global Shipping & Freight, S&P Global Platts said: "The International Maritime Organization has set targets to cut total GHG emissions annually by 50% through 2050 compared with 2008 and reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030. Newbuilding orders for LNG-fueled vessels are growing and LNG bunkering facilities are increasing at a frenetic pace. Initiatives such as The Sea Cargo Charter are pushing owners to embrace decarbonization and sustainability. The market needs freight assessments based on alternative fuels, hence we are delighted to launch the world's first LNG-fueled dry bulk index and TCE assessments." NMAX GT4 is the dry bulk freight market's first alternative-fuel based weighted average index capturing the global trade on Newcastlemax bulkers, reflecting an important segment of the global dry bulk market that is expected to evolve in future. Presently, there are 20 LNG-powered Newcastlemaxes on order, according to shipping industry executives, with several shipowners considering the purchase of this class of LNG-fueled bulkers in future. Two LNG-powered Capesize vessels are currently in operation, while the first of the larger Newcastlemax class ships is expected to be commissioned during early 2022. Currently, 141 ports offer LNG bunkering globally. The LNG-fuel based TCEs offer participants the option of either a basket of routes via the Index or individual TCEs. The NMAX GT4 on February 3 was assessed at $3,440/day and on February 4 at $1,305/day. The new assessments enhance Platts' dry bulk freight market offering and complement the earlier launches of the Platts Capesize weighted average TCE Index (Cape T4), Platts Kamsarmax weighted average TCE Index (KAMX 9), Platts Asia Pacific Supramax weighted average TCE Index (APSI 5) and Platts Asia Pacific Ultramax weighted average TCE Index (APUI 5). About NMAX GT4 Index Platts NMAX GT4 is based on an allocated weighting to the daily Time Charter Equivalent (TCE) assessments of four key voyages. Weighting for the individual TCE assessments is determined by the volume of Newcastlemax/Capesize vessel movements observed between the regions associated with the respective voyages over Jan 1, 2017, to Dec 31, 2019, from Platts' vessel tracking trade flow software, cFlow. This ensures the correct weighted average is applied to the index. Platts cFlow is used to observe the actual trade flow on Newcastlemax/Capesize vessels and to calculate ton-mile demand. Ton-mile demand is calculated by multiplying the volume of cargo moved in metric tons by distance traveled in miles. Platts Newcastlemax TCE assessments ($/day) are derived from related Capesize voyage charter prices ($/mt). The routes were selected based on extensive market engagement around the world including ship owners, charterers, and ship brokers - and backed up by the trade flow observed on Platts cFlow. Voyage Weighting (%) Port Hedland, Western Australia - Qingdao,China 46% Tubarao, Brazil - Qingdao, China 45% Saldanha Bay, South Africa - Qingdao, China 6% Puerto Bolivar, Colombia - Rotterdam, Netherlands 3% Additional details about the S&P Global Platts NMAX GT4 Index assessment methodology can be found in the Subscriber Note. Media Contacts: Americas: Kathleen Tanzy + 1 917-331-4607, [email protected] About S&P Global Platts At S&P Global Platts, we provide the insights; you make better informed trading and business decisions with confidence. We're the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. Customers in over 150 countries look to our expertise in news, pricing and analytics to deliver greater transparency and efficiency to markets. S&P Global Platts coverage includes oil, gas, LNG, power, petrochemicals, metals, agriculture and shipping. S&P Global Platts is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.platts.com. SOURCE S&P Global Platts Receive FREE Sample Procurement Market Research Report Frequently Asked Questions: What are the major market threats? Suppliers in this market have moderate bargaining power owing to low pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants. Suppliers in this market have moderate bargaining power owing to low pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants. What is the expected price change in the market? The Fuel Cards Market is expected to have a price change of 4%-8% during 2022-2026. The Fuel Cards Market is expected to have a price change of 4%-8% during 2022-2026. Who are the top players in the market? BP Plc, Royal Dutch Shell , and Total SA. are some of the major market participants. BP Plc, , and Total SA. are some of the major market participants. What are the pricing models followed by buyers? Tiered Pricing model, and Subscription-based Pricing model are the widely adopted pricing models in Fuel Cards Market. Tiered Pricing model, and Subscription-based Pricing model are the widely adopted pricing models in Fuel Cards Market. What will be incremental spend in commercial vehicle cabin procurement? The procurement market will register an incremental spend of about USD 326.3 billion , during 2022-2026. The procurement market will register an incremental spend of about , during 2022-2026. What is the CAGR for Fuel Cards market? The Fuel Cards market will grow at a CAGR of about 9.21% during 2022-2026. SpendEdge suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. SpendEdge's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Receive Free Sample Report to access the definite purchasing guide on Fuel Cards procurement. Top Selling Trending Reports: 1. Smart Meter Sourcing and Procurement Report 2. Air Compressors Sourcing and Procurement Report 3. Leak Detection Equipment Procurement Forecast and Analysis Report 4. Steel Pipe Sourcing and Procurement Report 5. Pipeline Equipment Sourcing and Procurement Report Key Insights Provided in the Fuel Cards Research Report: Am I paying/getting the right prices? Favorability of the current Fuel Cards's TCO (total cost of ownership) How is the price forecast expected to change? How is the price forecast expected to change? What is driving the current and future price changes? Key trends and drivers in this market Table of Content Executive Summary Market Insights Category Pricing Insights Cost-saving Opportunities Best Practices Category Ecosystem Category Management Strategy Category Management Enablers Suppliers Selection Suppliers under Coverage US Market Insights Category scope Appendix About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more: https://procurement.spendedge.com/talk-to-us Contacts SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge Our research report on " Stroke Therapeutics Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 " has extensively covered factors influencing the parent market growth potential in the coming years, which will determine the levels of growth of the market share during the forecast period. Stroke Therapeutics Market Report Key Highlights Estimated year-on-year growth rate in 2021: 4.68% Key market segments: Type (ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke) and Geography ( North America , Europe , Asia , and ROW). , , , and ROW). Key Consumer Region & contribution: North America at 40% Stroke Therapeutics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.00% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 1.54 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.68 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW Performing market contribution North America at 40% Key consumer countries US, Germany, UK, China, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Bristol Myers Squibb Co., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Johnson and Johnson Inc., Merck and Co. Inc., Pfizer Inc., and Sanofi SA 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. Do reach out to our analysts for more customized reports as per needs. Speak to our Analyst now! Stroke Therapeutics Market Trend Development of Novel Therapies Novel therapies such as the stem cell therapies are gaining significant traction in the market. With the rising numbers of chronic conditions fueling the high prevalence of strokes, the need for safe and innovative novel therapies has increased in the recent years. Several companies are launching novel therapies and drugs for the treatment of strokes. For instance, Athersys is developing MultiStem. It is a cell therapy regenerative medicine product currently in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of ischemic strokes. For instance, Athersys is developing MultiStem. It is a cell therapy regenerative medicine product currently in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of ischemic strokes. Stroke Therapeutics Market Challenge High Level of Genericization The high level of genericization in the market will be a major challenge for the stroke therapeutics market during the forecast period. There has been a growing dominance of low-cost generics likely to affect the sales of the drugs. Pharmaceuticals companies are entering the market with low-cost generics owing to the patent expiry of several branded drugs. For instance, after CRESTOR (rosuvastatin calcium from AstraZeneca) lost its patent exclusivity, several companies received approvals for generic versions of the drug. Get free sample for extensive insights on key market Drivers, Trends, and Challenges influencing the stroke therapeutics market. Key Market Vendors Insights The stroke therapeutics market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as forming strategic alliances and acquisitions to compete in the market. Some of the key market vendors are: Amgen Inc. AstraZeneca Plc Bayer AG Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH Bristol Myers Squibb Co. F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. Johnson and Johnson Inc. Merck and Co. Inc. Pfizer Inc. Sanofi SA For more detailed highlights on products offerings and the growth strategies adopted by other vendors, Download free sample report Key Segment Analysis by Type Ischemic stroke The ischemic stroke type segment held the largest stroke therapeutics market share in 2020. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the robust development of the drug pipeline for this type of stroke. High-risk factors, such as obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and old age, are the major contributors to the growth of the segment during the forecast period. These conditions have increased the prevalence of strokes, in turn, driving the growth of this segment. Hemorrhagic stroke Regional Market Analysis North America emerged as the largest revenue-generating regional segment of stroke therapeutics market. 40% of the market's growth will originate from North America during the forecast period. The high prevalence of the disease and recent product approvals will facilitate the stroke therapeutics market growth in North America over the forecast period. The US is the key market for stroke therapeutics in North America. The recent approval of drugs for strokes is also expected to contribute to the growth of the market in the region. For instance, in 2020, AstraZeneca's Brilinta (ticagrelor) was approved in the US to reduce the risk of stroke, a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. US, Germany, UK, China, and Japan will emerge as some of the key revenue-contributing economies to the stroke therapeutics market. Request our free sample for additional highlights and key segments that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. Related Reports Acute Ischemic Stroke Therapeutics Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024- The acute ischemic stroke therapeutics market size has the potential to grow by USD 1.22 billion from 2019 to 2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.39%. Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Production Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026- The induced pluripotent stem cells production market has the potential to grow by USD 1.55 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 11.39%. Download Exclusive Free Sample Report About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis are focused on emerging market trends and 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 WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is the official statement of Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa regarding the ongoing blockade by the Freedom Convoy protest at the United States-Canada border. "The Teamsters Union denounces the ongoing Freedom Convoy protest at the Canadian border that continues to hurt workers and negatively impact our economy. The livelihood of working Americans and Canadians in the automotive, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors is threatened by this blockade. "Our economy is growing under the Biden Administration, and this disruption in international trade threatens to derail the gains we have made. Our members are some of the hardest workers in the country and are being prevented from doing their jobs. The Teamsters call on the organizers of this action to end this protest and instead, engage in meaningful political discourse with the Canadian government to find a solution." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters School Bus market report key highlights Estimated year-on-year growth rate: 3.50% Key market segments: Powertrain (ICE-powered and electric) and geography ( North America , APAC, Europe , MEA, and South America ) , APAC, , MEA, and ) Key Consumer Region & contribution: North America at 46% School Bus Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.68% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 848.47 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.50 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 46% Key consumer countries US, China, Canada, Japan, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Ashok Leyland Ltd., Blue Bird Corp., Daimler AG, Eicher Motors Ltd., Ford Motor Co., Forest River Inc., GreenPower Motor Co. Inc., Higer Bus Company Ltd., JCBL Ltd., Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Navistar International Corp., REV Group Inc., Scania AB, Sumitomo Corp., Tata Motors Ltd., The Lion Electric Co., Trans Tech Bus, Van-Con Inc., and Yutong Bus Co.Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis 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. Do reach out to our analysts for more customized reports as per needs. Speak to our Analyst now! School Bus Market Share Trend Technological innovations A few technological breakthroughs in the use of information technology to ensure the effectiveness of school buses are being seen in the worldwide school bus market. Engine defects, damaged indicator lights, and problems with oil tanks, transmissions, or exhaust systems can all be detected by advanced sensors. A range of sensor-based detection systems is currently available to improve the safety of school buses. Advanced digital cameras provide a more comprehensive view of the school bus interiors, making it easier to record, monitor, and investigate disorderly behaviour and bullying among younger students. During the forecast period, such advancements are projected to have a beneficial impact on the worldwide school bus market. School Bus Market Challenge Adoption of new and improved emission norms The adoption of new and enhanced emission criteria is one of the primary factors impeding the growth of the global school bus market. This poses a significant difficulty for developing economies such as those in APAC and the Middle East and North Africa, which are still heavily reliant on diesel and gasoline-powered school buses. During the forecast period, most of the major school bus regional markets, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and India, are expected to implement the Euro VI emission standard and its country-specific equivalents. As a result, if new emission requirements are introduced or old ones are modified, school bus manufacturers must be more proactive in implementing technology that comply with these criteria. Get free sample for extensive insights on key market Drivers, Trends, and Challenges influencing the school bus market. Key market vendors insights The school bus market share is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic strategies to compete in the market. Some of the key market vendors are: Ashok Leyland Ltd. Blue Bird Corp. Daimler AG Ford Motor Co. Forest River Inc. JCBL Ltd. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Navistar International Corp. REV Group Inc. Tata Motors Ltd. For more detailed highlights on products offerings and the growth strategies adopted by other vendors, Download free sample report Key Segment Analysis by Powertrain Electric During the projected period, the electric sector will gain a major proportion of the school bus market. This market, which includes both battery-powered and hybrid school buses, is growing in response to the growing demand for environmentally friendly cars. The electric segment of the global school bus market is predicted to rise rapidly during the forecast period as state and central governments throughout the world place a greater emphasis on decreasing environmental harm. ICE-powered Regional Market Analysis North America will contribute to 46% of the school bus market share growth during the forecast period. US, China, Canada, Japan, and the UK are the major markets for school bus market share. The increase in emphasis on reducing damage to the environment by the state and central governments of various countries is expected to boost the school bus market share in the region. Request our free sample for additional highlights and key segments that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. Related Report:- Electric Car Market - The electric car market share is expected to increase by 7365.42 thousand units from 2020 to 2025, at a CAGR of 27.49%. Download Exclusive Free Sample Report 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; Technavio CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), the world's largest multi-specialty home for physicians dedicated to cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medicine, successfully held its Annual Scientific Meeting on February 3-5, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV. An optional full-day Facial Cosmetic Surgery Cadaver Course was offered on February 2. Highlights from the 2022 American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting, "Immerse in Perfection--Advances in Cosmetic Surgery". As the profession's most trusted resource for patient safety through cosmetic surgery education, the AACS presented an innovative and well-rounded program, titled, "Immerse in PerfectionAdvances in Cosmetic Surgery." This live, in-person meeting featured an outstanding lineup of 28 dynamic sessions conducted by leading cosmetic surgeons and aesthetic medicine physicians, which included keynote and instructional presentations, panel discussions geared for cosmetic surgeons and allied health professionals, and social/networking events. Highlights from this well-attended and well-received program include: J. Kevin Duplechain, MD, FACS, FAACS was installed as President of the AACS and its affiliate organization, the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation (CSF), the research and education arm of the AACS. Dr. Duplechain is an internationally recognized cosmetic surgeon who practices in Lafayette, Louisiana. He serves as an adjunct instructor for the Department of Otolaryngology, division of Facial Plastic Surgery at Tulane University in New Orleans. He has held numerous leadership positions in the AACS and CSF, as well as other major professional societies. Dr. Duplechain has published many peer-reviewed articles and authored several chapters in textbooks. He is the co-founder and managing partner of Laser Skin Care of Louisiana. Dr. Duplechain comments, "I am honored to preside over the AACS and CSF at this exciting time in our evolution as a global leader in advancing excellence and patient safety in cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medicine through education, training, research and advocacy. We are grateful to outgoing AACS President Mark Mandell-Brown and outgoing CSF President Sheila Barbarino for their superlative leadership and service." Globally renowned physician C. William Hanke, MD, MPH, FACP delivered the prestigious Webster Lecture, which is presented annually in honor of noted plastic surgeon Richard C. Webster, MD, founder of the AACS. Dr. Hanke is Program Director for the Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) Fellowship Training Program at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, which he founded in 2004. He also founded the Mohs Surgery Fellowship Training Program at Indiana University School of Medicine, where he formerly held the nation's first triple Professorship in Dermatology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Hanke has led many professional societies as President, including the AACS; the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD); the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS); the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS), and the International Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ISDS). He has received the highest award from each of these organizations: The Gold Medal (AAD), The Samuel J. Stegman,MD Award for Distinguished Service (ASDS), The Frederic E. Mohs,MD Award for Career Achievement (ACMS), and The President's Gold Medal (ISDS). Dr. Hanke has made over 400 contributions to the medical literature, including 103 book chapters and 29 books. His fascinating Webster Lecture addressed the history of AACS, including notable past-presidents and members, and reviewed the books of liposuction as well as the evolution of tumescent local anesthesia and its application to various conditions. The AACS Women in Cosmetic Surgery Section (WiCS), a recently formed AACS section created to support the professional and personal development of female cosmetic surgeon members, held an insightful session moderated by WiCS Co-chairs Jane Petro, MD and Suzan Obagi, MD. Keynote Speaker Andrea Moreira, MD, Co-Director of the Microsurgery and Breast Reconstruction Program in the Allegheny Health Network's Division of Plastic Surgery, shared her personal journey as a plastic surgeon. Her riveting presentation was followed by small group discussions about "Owning Your Own Business" and "Work-Life Balance," during which cosmetic surgeons shared their personal stories. For cosmetic surgery professionals who could not attend the meeting live and in-person, recordings of the Scientific Meeting can be purchased and will be available from February 22 - May 22, 2022. For more information, visit: www.cosmeticsurgery.org. About the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is committed to advancing the multi-specialty, global disciplines of cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medicine for the benefit of patients and practitioners. coSince its inception in 1985, the AACS has become the leading educational provider for cosmetic surgery practitioners from a diverse array of medical specialties, including dermatology, oral & maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, general surgery, ophthalmology, and plastic/reconstructive surgery. AACS is composed of over 1,600 members who pursue educational and training opportunities in cosmetic surgery to ensure consistently high quality patient care. SOURCE American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 50 years ago, The Habit Burger Grill fired up its grills in Santa Barbara California, and now the Southern California based restaurant will open its newest international location in Siem Reap. The Habit, renowned for their award-winning Charburgers grilled over an open flame, will open its doors at National Road 6, Sangkat, Svay Dangkum, Krong Siem Reap on February 21st! "It is an honor to open our sixth Habit restaurant location in Cambodia in partnership with Kampuchea Tela Company, LTD. This is the first Habit restaurant location in Siem Reap, home of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat. We look forward to serving both the local community and tourists our handcrafted, chargrilled food with California-fresh flavor" said Iwona Alter, Chief Brand Officer at The Habit Burger Grill. "The Habit Burger Grill is embarking on a bold expansion across Asia Pacific in the next five years and we are in discussions with potential franchisees to bring the brand to more countries. As part of the world's leading restaurant company, Yum! Brands, we bring a unique value proposition to our franchisees. The rapid growth in Cambodia showcases the international appeal of The Habit's food and brand." Said Yang Ming Ong, General Manager Asia Pacific at The Habit Burger Grill. The Habit Burger Grill is California's best-kept secret, as it's been awarded various food-focused awards in the United States. At the center of The Habit's menu is the signature Charburger, made with a fresh 100% ground beef patty, chargrilled over an open flame for unique smoky flavor, and topped with cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, fresh tomato slices, crisp lettuce and mayo served on a toasted bun. The Charburger was even named the "best tasting burger in America" in July 2014, and The Habit has been serving it exactly this way since 1969. The Habit Burger Grill opened its first location in Cambodia in October 2020. This sixth location is the brand's second opening in Cambodia for 2022, with several more new locations already planned for the rest of the year. With its cooked-to-order mantra and creative culinary culture, The Habit Burger Grill's open flame sears a distinctive smoky flavor into their already famous Charburgers, fresh marinated chicken, sushi-grade Ahi tuna and Tenderloin steak. The Habit also has an incredible selection of sides to choose from as well as delicious handspun frozen treats. Guests at The Habit Burger Grill can always count on freshly-made, handcrafted quality served up with genuine hospitality. Connect with The Habit Burger Grill on social media at facebook.com/habitburger , instagram.com/habitburgergrill , twitter.com/habitburger , tiktok.com/@habitburgergrill and youtube.com/habittube . About Kampuchea Tela Company, LTD Kampuchea Tela Company introduced the first petroleum retail in Cambodia in 1993 and today has a nationwide presence. Over the last ten years, the company has expanded into the retail, hospitality and food & beverage industries. Kampuchea Tela Company's philosophy of customer service with a local touch sets the company apart. About The Habit Restaurants, Inc. Born in Santa Barbara, California in 1969, The Habit Burger Grill is a burger-centric, fast-casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, cooked-to-order chargrilled burgers and handcrafted sandwiches featuring grilled Tenderloin steak, grilled chicken and sushi-grade Ahi tuna cooked over an open flame. In addition, it features fresh handcrafted salads and an appealing selection of sides and shakes. The Habit Burger Grill was named the "best tasting burger in America" in July 2014 in a comprehensive survey conducted by one of America's leading consumer magazines, named in Thrillist's list of "Underrated Burger Chains that Need to be in Every State!" and featured in Newsweek's "America's Favorite Restaurant Chains 2022." The Habit Burger Grill has since grown to over 320 restaurants in 14 states throughout Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Washington as well as 13 international locations, seven in China and six in Cambodia. More information is available at www.habitburger.com . SOURCE The Habit Burger Grill NEW MILFORD, N.J., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Triplpoint has observed that over 70 different women have seen a spread in the width of their feet since the inception of Covid 19. Sugarhill Cheryl Mary Jo Being in the women's footwear business for over 25 years, we have seen this change in some women's feet before but never to this extent. Due to Covid 19, women went from wearing properly made shoes to deconstructed footwear like flip flops, jellys, or barefoot. No one was really leaving their house, so there was no need to wear fashionable shoes. The increase in not wearing supportive shoes is possibly one of the issues that hardly anyone talks about. Once the width of the foot changes it does not return to its original state, specifically in women that have a narrow foot. While the heel never changes the front of the foot expands as a result of no support. Needless to say, Covid 19 has had another negative effect that has had an impact on some women. BIRTH OF SUGARHILL CHERYL "Fortunately, fate would have it that the shoe style of the SUGARHILL CHERYL shoe is a Last which was influenced by my wife's' narrow feet and crafted with the help of our artisan Italian manufacturer," says Domenico Sgambellone of Triplpoint. "My wife has what the industry calls a combination last which means her foot is measuring a narrow heel while the front of the foot is measuring medium width. Our partners in Italy crafted our best selling shoe {SUGARHILL} 2 years ago before the world had shut down and found that it fits women with narrow feet PROPERLY." MOTIVATION Working in the footwear industry, so many women have complained about the fit, the tightness, the looseness, the height of the heel and so many more complaints. Thus, Triploint was created to be more of a customer inspired brand taking their feedback, straight to design process. BRAND FOCUS Our approach is on creating style with the functionality and wearability that lasts all day and our partners in Italy stand with us in this philosophy. Our team in Italy consists of two sisters and their family members coming from a long history of shoe manufacturing excellence. Our shoes are designed according to the best Marche artisan tradition. As we progress through this pandemic, we have not lost our footing. Our belief is that women don't want to deal with improper footwear which will lead to foot, back, or knee pain. Footwear is the only item of clothing that can harm the body and cause long term physical pain and discomfort if not worn correctly. Domenico Sgambellone President Triplpoint 40-73 201-290-7378 [email protected] SOURCE Triplpoint 40-73 AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- If you've been told you have a herniated disc, you probably have been told you need a spinal fusion, which has been the Gold Standard treatment for herniated discs in the neck for decades. That's all changed now, however, as new artificial disc technology has emerged over the last five years making artificial discs the new Gold Standard treatment for disc herniations in the neck. The burden, however, is on the patient to fully research the most advanced treatment for their neck problem. Otherwise, they may be receiving a treatment that causes additional herniations. Back and neck pain sufferers can download a free 20-page Patient Guide on Artificial Disc Replacement at CentersforArtificialDisc.com. "That advice for a spinal fusion especially in the neck may no longer apply," says Eeric Truumees, MD, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon at Texas Spine and Scoliosis in Austin, Texas, and 2021 president of the North American Spine Society, the largest international group of spine specialists. "The most current spine research from NASS has shown that artificial disc replacement can reduce the need for additional surgery at other levels in the neck," explains Dr. Truumees, also a former editor of the NASS Spine Research Journal. "The traditional treatment for herniated discs has been spinal fusion, but with spinal fusion, you are locking two vertebrae together," Dr. Truumees explains. "Research has shown that fusion puts extra stress on the discs above and below which can herniate those discs as well. The new research documents that with an artificial disc, you are preserving motion which lessens the risk to other disc levels. This is especially important in the neck as you only have six disc levels to enable the neck to rotate." Dr. Truumees is featured in the educational website CentersForArtificialDisc.com. Those with back and neck problems can now download a free 20-page Patient Guide that outlines in detail when a person should consider artificial disc replacement and the red flag symptoms for when to see a doctor for herniated disc symptoms to prevent permanent and lifelong weakness or numbness in a hand or foot. Artificial disc surgery also referred to as motion preservation surgery has rapidly evolved with new implants that replicate the rotation and shock absorption function of the healthy disc, according to Dr. James Lynch, a triple fellowship-trained spine surgeon at SpineNevada, one of the largest spine specialty centers in the world. "Sadly, the patient may receive a dated treatment because a surgeon isn't trained in artificial disc replacement," explains Dr. Lynch, who was one of the first spine surgeons in Nevada to be trained in artificial disc replacement surgery. "Too many spine surgeons continue to recommend fusion and never discuss artificial discs as an option. Those people with arthritic knees and hips all get artificial joints. It's unthinkable today that surgeons would recommend fusing a knee or hip, which was the old-style treatment back in the 1930s." Recognizing that some spine surgeons bias the information in their web sites to their own capabilities and preferences, CentersforArtificialDisc.com was created to provide a balance and unbiased source of information to patients. The free 20-page Patient Guide explains the limitations of spinal fusion and how spine care is evolving. The Patient Guide also explains not everybody qualifies for an artificial disc. Disc replacement in the low back, for example, is more complex and lumbar disc technology is still evolving. The Patient Guide PDF can be downloaded free at CentersforArtificialDisc.com. The guide lists the artificial discs approved by the FDA and which ones are approved for use at two levels in the neck. "The burden is on the patient to become well informed about their treatment options, and to research a second opinion when they are told they need spine surgery," adds Dr. Lynch. "It takes extensive training and experience to implant an artificial disc or perform minimally invasive spine surgery, and a relatively small percent of spine surgeons are proficient in that. If you live outside a large metro area, you may have to travel for the most advanced spine care." Contact: Bob Reznik 817-481-2450 WEB: CentersForArtificialDisc.com/Email: [email protected] SOURCE CentersforArtificialDisc.com NEW YORK and LONDON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new whitepaper focused on the growth of retail investment in Europe, and the corresponding need for financial intermediaries to reappraise how they service the increased corporate governance requirements of the retail investor, was released today by Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader. The whitepaper, titled The Rise of the Retail Investor, assesses the European regulatory agenda and the continued roll-out of the Capital Markets Union that reinforces the objective for a more engaged and empowered retail investor community. It highlights specific regulatory drivers, such as the Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD II), that mandated financial intermediaries - including banks, brokers and wealth managers - to provide voting solutions to their underlying retail investors for the first time. It explores how these retail investors, together with social media, can potentially influence meeting outcomes around topical issues like director remuneration, climate change and the ESG policies adopted by issuers and asset managers. "Some of the world's leading banks and brokers have recognised the importance of regulatory and social change impacting their business and many have stepped up their investor communications product offerings, with the most advanced now looking at ways to incorporate ESG sentiment from their mutual fund holders," said Demi Derem, General Manager, International Bank Broker-Dealer Communication Solutions at Broadridge. "We have witnessed a strong demand for our ESG-focused retail voting solutions and this whitepaper highlights how the industry is managing the implementation of the rising standards in corporate governance communications. The whitepaper also examines how some firms are looking over the industry horizon, to build brand reputation and trust, while leveraging Fintech innovation to achieve best-in-class compliance and strengthen their core service propositions against their peers." To read the whitepaper, click here. About Broadridge Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with $5 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance, and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions that drive business transformation for banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. Our technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of more than U.S. $9 trillion of equities, fixed income and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 13,000 associates in 21 countries. For more information about us please visit broadridge.com. Investors: W. Edings Thibault Investor Relations + 1 516-472-5129 [email protected] Media: Gregg Rosenberg Corporate Communications +1 212-918-6966 [email protected] SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. United will fly a 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that includes 48 lie-flat, United Polaris business class seats, 21 United Premium Plus seats and 39 seats in Economy Plus . All seats are equipped with seatback on-demand entertainment to help customers pass the time and relax during their travels. United is the only airline to offer nonstop flights between the U.S. and Cape Town and offers more flights to South Africa than any other North American carrier. "By offering flights to Cape Town year-round, we're making it even easier for our customers to visit one of the world's best destinations," said Patrick Quayle, United's senior vice president of international network planning and alliances. "United's direct flights from New York/Newark cut the usual travel time to Cape Town by more than five hours, giving visitors extra time to enjoy the beauty and majesty of South Africa." According to Expedia's 2022 Travel Trends Report, more than two-thirds of Americans (68%) are planning to go big on their next trip, and nearly a third plan to visit a bucket-list destination this year. This resurgence in international travel is something those in the South African tourism industry are eagerly awaiting. "This announcement provides much-needed relief to the tourism and hospitality sector in the Western Cape and will support economic recovery in the province," said Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro. "We welcome the news of this expansion and thank United Airlines for their commitment to serving this world-class tourism destination." United first launched flights to Cape Town in December 2019, and it quickly became one of the airline's marquee international routes. The airline later built upon this success in Africa with the launch of flights between New York/Newark and Johannesburg in June 2021, new service between Washington D.C. and Accra, Ghana in May 2021 and between Washington D.C. and Lagos, Nigeria in November 2021. This expanded service also strengthens United's leading network from New York/Newark. United offers service to 74 international destinations from New York/Newark, more than any U.S. carrier. In 2022, the airline will introduce new service to additional international destinations including Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Azores, Portugal; Bergen, Norway; Tenerife, Spain and Nice, France. Cape Town is South Africa's second-largest city and a melting pot of creativity and cuisine, ranking among the most beautiful in the world. Four towns in the Western Cape Province - Knysna, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, and Cape Town - were recently among the Top 100 most Loved Places in the World in a global consumer sentiment analysis conducted by the destination marketing agency, Destination Think. Tickets are available for sale now at United.com. About United United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." In 2019, United and United Express carriers operated more than 1.7 million flights carrying more than 162 million customers. United has the most comprehensive route network among North American carriers, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. For more about how to join the United team, please visit united.com/careers and more information about the company is at united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL". SOURCE United Airlines Green River Distilling Co. was founded in 1885 by John W. McCulloch, a man focused on quality and considered a visionary in sales and marketing. McCulloch traveled the world to promote Green River Whiskey, and it quickly became known as some of the finest in Kentucky. Green River won many international awards, including a gold medal and "best of show" at the Paris Exposition in 1900, and later a grand prize at the 1905 Liege Exposition in Belgium. It was also known as "The Whiskey Without Regrets," one of the most memorable advertising slogans in bourbon. Fire and Prohibition relegated Green River to history. Now, more than 100 years later, history has come full circle with the release of the new Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Today's Green River bourbon was distilled by Master Distiller Jacob Call, an eighth-generation distiller and Kentuckian. Call's family distilling history stretches back to the earliest days of bourbon when his ancestor Samuel Call distilled whiskey on his Kentucky farm in the late 1700s. Green River was known for its quality whiskey, and Call and his team are proud to bring the same commitment to distilling Green River bourbon today. "For the first time in more than 100 years, Green River bourbon is flowing inside the walls of its original home," said Call. "As someone with a family connection to the first days of Kentucky bourbon, being a part of the revival of such a legendary whiskey has been the opportunity of a lifetime." Pre-Prohibition, Owensboro was an epicenter of bourbon production in Kentucky with more than 20 distilleries in the city. Green River was one of the most important, and its rebirth helps bring the city's rich bourbon heritage back to life. "Visiting the Green River distillery in Owensboro is like stepping back in time to earlier days of bourbon production in the United States," said Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers' Association. "Many bourbon lovers don't realize that Owensboro and Western Kentucky were among the most important regions for bourbon production in the 1800s. When you're standing on the Green River campus, you're standing on hallowed ground." Each bottle of today's Green River bourbon includes the phrase "The Pride of Owensboro" to pay homage to the city and its bourbon legacy. "I'm proud of our team's great work bringing Green River back to life in Owensboro after years of dormancy not only because of what it means to our company, but what it means for this wonderful city," said Simon Burch, CEO of Green River Distilling Co. "In its heyday, Green River's success was intrinsically linked to Owensboro's proud whiskey making heritage. The revival of the brand will make this true once again, and we plan to sell it far and wide, just like the original Green River." Burch worked closely with John's great-grandson Rob McCulloch to revive the Green River brand. "We're so grateful to Rob for sharing his family's history with us, and it's a privilege to continue to build on the legacy that John McCulloch created," said Burch. On the revival, Rob McCulloch said, "I've always wanted to see Green River whiskey made at its original location in Owensboro. It completes the story my great-grandfather started in 1885." The new Green River bottle design took cues from the brand's past, including key icons like horseshoes, rivets, and the original Green River colors. "We worked with local historians and spent time in museums and Owensboro libraries to immerse ourselves in the Green River pre-Prohibition world," said Cathy Steen, Chief Commercial Officer. "We had a wonderful archive that inspired us to think about how the brand design would have organically evolved for today's bourbon fans." A limited release of Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be available for purchase at select retail locations in Kentucky in February for $34.99 (SRP). It will be available for purchase at the Green River Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky, beginning at 10 am CST tomorrow, Friday, February 11, 2022. The distillery will be open with a celebration of Bluegrass, BBQ, and Bourbon until 6 pm CST. In the coming months, Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will also be rolling out to select retailers in Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, and Northwest Florida. For more information on availability, including online availability in Kentucky and a select few other states, visit www.greenriverwhiskey.com. Tasting Notes Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is 90 proof and has been aged more than five years at the distillery in Owensboro. It is rich in color with an amber hue and made with all Kentucky-grown corn, most from Daviess County. The mash bill is 70% corn, 21% winter rye, and 9% malted 2 and 6-row barley. The higher rye content results in a bourbon with warming spice notes on the nose and palate. Additional aroma notes to look for include cinnamon, dried cherry, and light leather. For taste, it has notes of cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, and chocolate mint. The finish is rich, thick, and lingering. Charity Auction in Support of Western Kentucky Tornado Relief At the brand's launch event on February 10, 2022, an auction will be held to raise money for those affected by the devastating tornadoes in Western Kentucky. World-renowned artist Aaron Kizer, the distillery's artistic director, hand-painted 10 barrels filled with Green River bourbon for auction. Visit the Distillery in Owensboro On the western end of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the distillery in Owensboro is a great place to visit and the first stop for many whiskey lovers as they make their way East. The city is considered one of the most important spots in the history of bourbon, allowing visitors to experience the roots of America's favorite spirit. While visiting, people can experience the thriving Owensboro community and experience its sights, sounds, and tastes. Visitors can learn more about COVID-19 precautions and book a visit on the distillery website at www.greenriverdistilling.com. About Green River Distilling Co. Green River Distilling Co. is the fourth largest independent bourbon distillery in the United States, located in Owensboro, Kentucky, and distiller of the revived Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Founded by John W. McCulloch in 1885, DSP-KY-10 received national and international acclaim for its whiskey. The distillery endured fire, Prohibition, multiple owners, and a period of decline to reemerge today. Under the leadership of Eighth-Generation Master Distiller Jacob Call, the distillery produces 90,000 barrels of bourbon and rye a year for bulk, private brand, private label partners. The distillery is a heritage member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and welcomes visitors from around the world. For more information, visit www.greenriverdistilling.com. SOURCE Green River Distilling Co. DUBLIN, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Africa E-Learning Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Africa e-learning market reached a value of US$ 2.47 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 4.71 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 11.2% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, they are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor E-learning is a system based on formalised teaching with the help of electronic resources. It can be termed as a network enabled transfer of skills and knowledge which offers the flexibility to fit in a large number of recipients at the same or different time schedules. It is gaining prominence in the African countries as classroom teaching is unable to meet the growing need to impart quality education. The African education system is underfunded with education institutes being situated in remote areas and lacking considerably qualified teaching staff. As a result of this, learners from different areas are encouraged towards adopting e-learning methods, such as K-12 sector, post-secondary, corporate and government learning, etc From desktop computers to smartphones, e-learning spans the array of devices that are available for the consumers. It facilitates the learners to choose from a wide range of specially designed courses, along with accessing various learning tools, sharing content online, and engaging in interactive sessions from miles apart. E-learning also aids learners with different learning abilities to proceed through courses as per their convenience This report provides a deep insight into the Africa e-learning market covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from macro overview of the market to micro details of the industry performance, recent trends, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, Porter's five forces analysis, value chain analysis, etc. This report is a must-read for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who have any kind of stake or are planning to foray into the Africa e-learning industry in any manner Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape of the Africa e-learning market has been studied in the report with the detailed profiles of the key players operating in the market Some of these key players include: Via Afrika Obami Dapt.io Eneza Education Tutor.ng Focus of the Analysis: Market Overview Historical and Current Market Scenario Market Trends Market Forecast Key Question Answered in this Report 1. What is the size of the Africa E-learning market? 2. What is the expected growth rate of the Africa E-learning market? 3. What are the key factors driving the Africa E-learning market? 4. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the Africa E-learning market? 5. What is the breakup of the Africa E-learning market based on the product type? 6. What is the breakup of the Africa E-learning market based on the technology? 7. What is the breakup of the Africa E-learning market based on the sector? 8. What are the key regions in the Africa E-learning market? 9. Who are the key players/companies in the Africa E-learning market? Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 Global E-Learning Industry 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Market Breakup by Sector 5.4 Market Breakup by Product Type 5.5 Market Breakup by Technology 5.6 Market Breakup by Region 5.7 Market Forecast 6 Africa E-Learning Industry 6.1 Market Overview 6.2 Market Performance 6.3 Impact of COVID-19 6.4 Market Breakup by Sector 6.5 Market Breakup by Product Type 6.6 Market Breakup by Technology 6.7 Market Breakup by Region 6.8 Market Forecast 6.9 SWOT Analysis 6.9.1 Overview 6.9.2 Strengths 6.9.3 Weaknesses 6.9.4 Opportunities 6.9.5 Threats 6.10 Value Chain Analysis 6.11 Porters Five Forces Analysis 6.11.1 Overview 6.11.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 6.11.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 6.11.4 Degree of Rivalry 6.11.5 Threat of New Entrants 6.11.6 Threat of Substitutes 6.12 Key Market Drivers and Challenges 7 Performance of Sector 7.1 K-12 Sector 7.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.2 Market Forecast 7.2 Post-Secondary 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Forecast 7.3 Corporate and Government Learning 7.3.1 Market Trends 7.3.2 Market Forecast 7.4 Others 7.4.1 Market Trends 7.4.2 Market Forecast 8 Performance by Product Type 8.1 Packaged Content 8.1.1 Market Trends 8.1.2 Market Forecast 8.2 Services 8.2.1 Market Trends 8.2.2 Market Forecast 8.3 Platforms 8.3.1 Market Trends 8.3.2 Market Forecast 9 Performance by Technology 9.1 Mobile Learning 9.1.1 Market Trends 9.1.2 Market Forecast 9.2 Simulation based Learning 9.2.1 Market Trends 9.2.2 Market Forecast 9.3 Game based Learning 9.3.1 Market Trends 9.3.2 Market Forecast 9.4 Learning Management System (LMS) 9.4.1 Market Trends 9.4.2 Market Forecast 9.5 Others 9.5.1 Market Trends 9.5.2 Market Forecast 10 Performance by Region 11 Competitive Landscape 12 Key Players Profiles For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ivzk7x 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 MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AIP Publishing, a leading not-for-profit scholarly publisher in the physical sciences, has signed a Read & Publish agreement with the University of Malaga, Spain, starting in 2022. This is AIP Publishing's first Read & Publish agreement in Spain. During the three years covered by the agreement, 2022-2024, researchers at the University of Malaga will be able to publish open access without incurring article processing charges (APCs) in 10 of AIP Publishing's hybrid journals, including Applied Physics Letters, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Journal of Applied Physics, The Journal of Chemical Physics, and Review of Scientific Instruments. They will also benefit from unlimited reading access to 20 AIP Publishing titles. "We are delighted to be partnering with AIP Publishing in this agreement," said Juan Teodomiro Lopez-Navarrete, the University of Malaga's Vice-Chancellor for Research and Transfer. "We aim to support our researchers in publishing their work as easily and widely as possible. The addition of AIP Publishing journals to their open access options is an important step forward for them, for the University, and for science in Spain." "We are delighted that our first Read & Publish agreement in Spain is in partnership with the University of Malaga," said Penelope Lewis, AIP Publishing's Chief Publishing Officer. "We hope that this agreement will encourage other institutions to consider similar partnerships to broaden opportunities for researchers and authors." ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MALAGA The University of Malaga is a young, growing university with about 40,000 students, renowned for quality teaching, cutting-edge research, and knowledge transfer. Whilst maintaining strong regional ties it has an established international outlook. Together with the University of Seville, The University of Malaga is a key collaborator in the Andalucia TechPark, which focuses on leading areas of research and maintains strategic alliances with more than 150 companies. ABOUT AIP PUBLISHING AIP Publishing's mission is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity by breaking barriers to open, equitable research communication and empowering researchers to accelerate global progress. AIP Publishing is a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the American Institute of Physics (AIP) and support the charitable, scientific, and educational purposes of AIP through scholarly publishing activities on its behalf and on behalf of our publishing partners. SOURCE AIP Publishing To understand more about Market Dynamics. Download our FREE sample report According to the recent market study by Technavio, the Airbag systems Market in South Africa is expected to increase by 516.67 thousand units from 2021 to 2026. However, the growth momentum is likely to decelerate at a CAGR of 9.49%. The report provides a detailed analysis of drivers & opportunities, top winning strategies, competitive scenario, future market trends, market size & estimations, and major investment pockets. For more additional information on Airbag systems Market in South Africa -Download a FREE Sample Airbag Systems Market in South Africa Value Chain Analysis The end-to-end understanding of the value chains is essential in profit margin optimization and evaluation of business strategies. The data available in our value chain analysis segment can help vendors drive costs and enhance customer services during the forecast period. The value chain of the Airbag Systems Market in South Africa includes the following core components: Inputs Inbound logistics Operations Distribution and logistics Marketing and sales Service Industry innovations For further elucidation on other innovative approaches being followed by manufacturers to ensure a sustainable market presence - Download a free sample now! Vendor Insights- The Airbag systems Market in South Africa is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as focusing on product delivery through multiple distribution channels to compete in the market. Airbag Systems - The company offers airbag system products such as Vehicle Airbag Systems Find additional highlights on the vendors and their product offerings. Download Free Sample Report Revenue Generating Market Outlook The airbag systems market share growth in South Africa by the side airbag segment will be significant for revenue generation. Side airbags are used in vehicles to provide safety to the passenger in case of a side impact. The side airbags are usually classified as side torso airbags and curtain airbags. Market growth in this segment is closely tied to the growth of the premium vehicles segment of the automotive industry in South Africa. The continuous increase in demand for premium cars among HNWIs and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) will continue to contribute to this segment's growth. Download our FREE sample report for more key highlights on the contribution of various segments. Latest Drivers & Trends Driving the Market- Airbag systems Market in South Africa Driver: Enhanced vehicle safety with more airbags: The key factor driving growth in the airbag systems market in South Africa is enhanced vehicle safety with more airbags. Road crashes lead to more than a million deaths each year. These deaths can be minimized by taking safety precautions and implementing safety features in vehicles. Airbags are one of the safety mechanisms in vehicles that can reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in accidents. In the event of a collision, the airbag sensor senses the impact and sends a signal to the ECU. The ECU will deploy the airbag and protect passengers from getting hurt. Airbags in the steering wheel and front panel cannot save passengers during a side impact; they protect them only from frontal or head-on collisions. In many cases, people can become disabled if they sustain leg or knee injuries in a collision. Knee airbags protect the legs/knees of passengers from injuries during a collision. External airbags protect pedestrians from getting hit by a vehicle. Both knee airbags and external airbags are growing in popularity. The increase in the number of airbags per vehicle is expected to spur the growth of the market in focus. Airbag systems Market in South Africa Trend: MEMS sensors for airbags: The MEMS sensors for airbags are another factor supporting the airbag systems market share growth in South Africa. Present-day vehicles are equipped with numerous components that can improve engine operation and reduce emissions. Currently, vehicles have many electronic components, most of which are intended to alert drivers about certain risks that they may face. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are small mechanical and electro-mechanical elements manufactured using microfabrication techniques. MEMS detects the smallest changes in the driving environment and gathers information, both inside and outside the vehicle. With the help of this data, the connected control units prevent the car from skidding, indicate the exact amount of fuel left, and deploy airbags within seconds. Airbag systems have become more advanced with the latest MEMS sensors being offered by vendors such as Robert Bosch. Find additional information about various other market Drivers & Trends mentioned in our FREE sample report . Didn't Find What You Were Looking For? Customize Report- Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to our analyst and know more insights about this market report. Our analysts can also help you customize this report according to your needs. Our analysts and industry experts will work directly with you to understand your requirements and provide you with customized data in a short amount of time. We offer USD 1,000 worth of FREE customization at the time of purchase. Speak to our Analyst now! Related Reports - Commercial Vehicle Airbag Systems Market -The commercial vehicle airbag systems market size has the potential to grow by 4863.19 thousand units during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period. Download a free sample now! Automotive Airbag Sensor Market -The automotive airbag sensor market has the potential to grow by USD 70.99 million during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 2.94%. Download a free sample now! Airbag Systems Market In South Africa Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 9.49% Market growth 2022-2026 516.67 th units Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 11.84 Regional analysis South Africa Performing market contribution South Africa at 100% Key consumer countries South Africa Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Airbag Systems, Autoliv Inc., Continental AG, DENSO Corp., HASCO Co. Ltd., Joyson Safety Systems Aschaffenburg GmbH, Robert Bosch GmbH, Sumitomo Corp., Toyota Motor Corp., and ZF Friedrichshafen AG Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library 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 With the goal of raising awareness around the importance of well-being and meditation,* the Alo Sanctuary welcomes the Roblox community to experience meditation and learn more about personal wellness. Through its nonprofit foundation Alo Gives, Alo will be donating to mental health initiatives for every user that completes mindful movement quests through the immersive experience on Roblox. "Our mission at Alo is to bring mind-body wellness to the world, and we are so excited to bring this to the metaverse with Roblox," said Danny Harris, cofounder of Alo. "This first-of-a-kind partnership deepens our longstanding commitment to supporting the mental and overall health of the global community at large." The Alo Sanctuary experience takes place on an island, with a landscape that encompasses three earthly elements of the brand name Alo, an acronym for 'Air Land Ocean,' all set to a meditative and soothing sound bath-style audio track. Upon arrival, visitors will receive a digital Warrior Yoga Mat to carry along on their wellness journey into the metaverse as they exploreguided meditation retreats led by contemplative guide Kirat Randhawa and new daily on-demand yoga content from the Alo Moves fitness platform. "There is a vast variety of truly unexpected and inspiring experiences on Roblox for people of all ages, and now our community has a space to practice mindfulness and learn about the importance of meditation directly from top wellness experts," said Christina Wootton, VP of global brand partnerships, Roblox. "We've heard many powerful stories about how Roblox has served as 'a healing platform' and a central lifeline for our community members' well-being. It's extremely important to us that through this partnership with Alo we continue inspiring and promoting safe and inclusive community spaces that people can enjoy together with their friends and like-minded individuals." This is also Alo's foray into digital fashion with a five-piece collection which will be shoppable at The Alo Store located in the 'Alo Sanctuary' experience on Roblox. Here users can redeem items including the iconic Goddess legging paired with the Throwback sock, the District trucker hat, the collegiate-style G.O.A.T. jacket, and two Alo logo pieces, the Ambient tank and the Renown sweatshirt. Alo will take this experience a step beyond as the official wellness partner of New York Fashion Week: The Shows, bringing part of its metaverse world to real life at its Wellness Sanctuary at Spring Studios in New York City from February 12 to February 14, offering daily meditation at 11:30 am and 3:00 pm EST for the fashion community. Immerse yourself now at www.roblox.com/aloyoga. *According to studies released in 2011 by the Clinical Psychology Review, a team of researchers from Boston University and Harvard Medical School found that meditation helps alleviate anxiety and allows individuals to better cope with stressful situations. The same study also showed how mindfulness meditation results in physical changes to the brain, leading to increased happiness and healthiness. About Alo Yoga Alo Yoga (Alo) is a Los Angeles-based premium lifestyle brand that specializes in luxury activewear with a mission to spread mindful movement, inspire wellness and create community. Since launching in 2007, Alo has become a global leader in activewear design and its franchised fabrics. Alo is eco-aware and has been W.R.A.P. Certified in a humane and sweat-shop free environment since day one. An acronym for Air, Land, and Ocean, Alo has a studio-to-street mentality that transcends fashion and goes beyond the mat. Alo is available online at www.aloyoga.com and at Alo Sanctuaries in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San Diego, Scottsdale, Austin and select retailers. About Roblox Roblox is reimagining the way people come together to connect, create, and express themselves through immersive, interactive shared experiences. Every day, millions of people around the world play, learn, communicate, and expand their friendships as they explore millions of user-generated digital experiences, all built by creators on the platform. Our mission is to connect billions of users with civility and optimism and support a safe and diverse communityone that inspires and fosters creativity and positive relationships among people around the world. For more information, please visit corp.roblox.com. MEDIA CONTACTS Maxine Silva, Alo Yoga Irina Efremova, Roblox [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Alo Yoga ALBANY, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global antimicrobial coatings market was valued at US$ 3.5 Bn in 2020. The global market is estimated to rise at a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2031. The market is likely to reach the mark of US$ 6.7 Bn by 2031. The fundamental purpose of an antimicrobial coating is to protect humans from harmful germs and reduce the risk of infection while also protecting the application's surface. Medical/health care, textiles, mold remediation, indoor air quality, food, and construction are a few key application areas of antimicrobial coatings. These coatings are also effective in a variety of other situations where microbe-free environments are required. Antimicrobial coatings can be applied to a surface using a variety of techniques, including thin film coating, the draw-down process, spin coating, and spraying. The medical/health care segment is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period. As a result, the demand for antimicrobial coatings is expected to rise as the medical/health care business expands. Medical/health care is a priority for manufacturers, since this segment's share of the antimicrobial coatings market is expected to grow throughout the forecast period. Get PDF Brochure for More Insights https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=707 Key Findings of Market Report Consumers globally are becoming more aware of the advantages of antimicrobial coatings, which is likely to propel the global antimicrobial coatings market. Manufacturers in the global market have a lot of room for the expansion during the forecast period. Medical gadgets with antimicrobial coatings help to lower infection rates. The global antimicrobial coatings market is expanding due to increasing government healthcare spending and rising acceptance of items with antimicrobial coatings. Antimicrobial coatings are becoming more common in surgical equipment, implanted devices, and other medical devices. In 2020, the global antimicrobial coatings market was dominated by the surface modifications and coatings segment, according to product type. Rise in demand for antimicrobial powder coatings in different industries, such as construction, food, and medical/health care can be credited with such high growth of the segment. Regionally, the global antimicrobial coatings market is likely to be dominated by North America throughout the forecast period. Growth prospects of the healthcare business is predicted to present enormous prospects for producers of antimicrobial coatings. The market in North America is expected to be driven by technological advancements and rising product acceptance in different industries such as health care, mold remediation, packaging, consumer electronics, construction, food, etc. Ask for Special Discount on Report https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=707 Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market: Growth Drivers The health care business has a high demand for inorganic silver antimicrobial coating solutions based on silver zeolite, colloidal silver, silver salts, or ion exchange resins, complex glasses incorporating metal ions, and nano-silver The industry is witnessing an increase in the need for antimicrobial coatings. In order to meet the rising demand for antimicrobial-protected instruments, developing nations are spending more on the health care industry. Request a Sample https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=707 Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market: Key Players Some of the key market players are RPM International Inc. E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company Sherwin-Williams Company Diamond Vogel Paints Koninklijke DSM N.V. Nippon Paint Co. Ltd. Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market: Segmentation Product Type Antimicrobial Powder Coatings Surface Modifications and Coatings Application Indoor Air Quality Mold Remediation Medical/Health Care Antimicrobial Textiles Construction Food Others Buy an Exclusive Research Report at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=707 Shanghai --> Japanese ports Start: January 2022 Routing 2: Philippines --> Shanghai --> North American ports Start: February 2022 -Shanghai Port International Consolidation Center Location: Port Building Road No. 1, Shanghai Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/ Official LinkedIn account: NX GROUP https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/ SOURCE Nippon Express Holdings, Inc. ATLANTA, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today announced three promotions in executive management. Michael McClellan is appointed Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer. is appointed Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer. Nabanita Nag is appointed Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer. Nag succeeds Lorri Kleine , who retires on March 1 , 2022. is appointed Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer. Nag succeeds , who retires on , 2022. Clay Moore is appointed Vice President & Controller. Moore succeeds Clyde "Jake" Allison, who retires on March 1 , 2022. "Norfolk Southern is fortunate to have a talented, deep, and experienced executive team leading the way as we move forward with our business strategy. These appointments make us a stronger company," said Norfolk Southern President Alan Shaw. "Lorri Kleine and Jake Allison have been important members of our team for many years, and each leaves a legacy of integrity, dedication, and service to Norfolk Southern," said Shaw. "We wish them both great things in retirement." The appointment of Mike McClellan to SVP & Chief Strategy Officer elevates one of the most respected leaders in the rail industry. "Mike is known for his strategic insights, vision, and comprehensive knowledge of the North American rail network, with a long list of accomplishments," said Chief Financial Officer Mark George. "He was one of the architects of the development of our intermodal network into the most powerful in the East, a significant strategic advantage. He is leading the advancement of innovative public-private partnerships such as our recent agreement with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority." "Mike is also an influential driver of industry-wide innovation," Shaw noted. "He led the launch of the RailPulse coalition, the industry's implementation of telematics for rail cars, which will help rail compete in the $800 billion+ truck and logistics market." McClellan is a lifelong railroader, spending the first ten years of his career at Conrail before joining Norfolk Southern in 1998. Nabanita Nag joined Norfolk Southern in August 2020 as General Counsel, Corporate. Her responsibilities include SEC reporting and compliance, corporate finance, corporate and board governance, shareholder engagement, and oversight for cybersecurity and data privacy matters. "Nabanita's deep corporate background and over 15 years of legal experience with Fortune 100 public companies provide her with the skills and experience to lead the strong team in our Law department," said Shaw. "From her time in the financial services sector, she understands the complexity of working within a heavily regulated industry." Prior to joining Norfolk Southern, Nag served as Vice President & Corporate Counsel in the Financial Management Law Group at Prudential Financial. Before that, she was Vice President & Associate General Counsel in the Finance & Corporate Legal Group at Goldman Sachs. Clay Moore joined Norfolk Southern in 2011 as Manager of Accounting Research and has progressed through roles including Manager of Revenue Reporting, Assistant Treasurer, Director of Accounting Research and Analysis, and Director of Investor Relations before assuming his current role as Assistant Vice President of Corporate Accounting. "Clay has superior expertise in the technical aspects of accounting thanks to his 10 years at KPMG early in his career, and at Norfolk Southern he has become a well-rounded financial executive with a broad business perspective through rotations including roles in Treasury and leading Investor Relations," said CFO Mark George. The appointment of McClellan is effective on February 16, 2022. The appointments of Nag and Moore are effective on March 1, 2022. About Norfolk Southern Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies, moving the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Norfolk Southern connects customers to markets and communities to economic opportunity, with safe, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions. The company's service area includes 22 states and the District of Columbia, every major container port in the eastern United States, and a majority of the U.S. population and manufacturing base. SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- James Scott Farrin Partner Michael Roessler has been appointed to the North Carolina Bar Association's (NCBA) new Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Committee. SOGI's goal is to secure full equality for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the NCBA, the legal profession, and society. Roessler's term will start immediately with the committee's first meeting in January. Firm President and CEO James S. Farrin said, "We are proud that Michael has been selected to serve on this important new NCBA committee and are confident that he will contribute significantly to its goal of securing full equality for the LGBTQ+ community." In addition to the NCBA, Roessler is also a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. He is licensed to practice law in both South and North Carolina and is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in workers' compensation law a certification that fewer than 1% of all attorneys licensed to practice in North Carolina can claim. Roessler was named to the 2022 "Best Lawyers" list for Workers' Compensation Law Claimants by Best Lawyers in America.1 ABOUT THE LAW OFFICES OF JAMES SCOTT FARRIN The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is one of the largest personal injury firms in North Carolina and has served over 50,000 injured people since 1997. Operating from 16 offices in NC and one in SC, many of the firm's 50+ accomplished attorneys are recognized professionals in their fields. The firm focuses on providing quality legal services to as many people as possible in the following practice areas: personal injury, car accidents, workers' compensation, nursing home abuse, whistleblowing, defective products, eminent domain, mass torts, class actions, and Social Security Disability. Offices in Durham (main), Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, NC and Greenville, SC. Attorney J. Gabe Talton: 280 South Mangum St., Suite 400, Durham, NC. Contact Information: David Chamberlin 280 S. Mangum Street Suite 400 Durham, NC 27701 866-900-7078 https://www.farrin.com/ 1 Figures provided by NC State Bar as of 1/22; for more information regarding the standards for inclusion for "Best Lawyers," visit: https://www.bestlawyers.com/. Referral Links: https://www.farrin.com SOURCE Law Offices of James Scott Farrin SHANGHAI, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd. (NYSE: OCFT) ("OneConnect" or "the Company"), a leading technology-as-a-service platform for financial institutions, has made it on to the Forbes Blockchain 50 2022 list for the second consecutive year, as OneConnect continues developing its cutting-edge solutions to facilitate trade and financing. The latest Forbes list, released on February 8, honors industry-leading companies with top performances in blockchain applications. Those that made the list include Adobe, A16Z, Paradigm, Coinbase, Microsoft, as well as Chinese conglomerates such as Ant Group, Tencent and Baidu. To further its blockchain development, OneConnect formed a dedicated blockchain team in 2016 and has built a mature ecosystem in terms of technical support, products and consultancy. Technology-wise, the Company has developed its own blockchain underlying infrastructure to ensure financial security and efficiency. Product-wise, its mature model has allowed easier access and significantly lowered the bar for clients to participate in blockchain projects. Service-wise, the company's experts have offered well-rounded support with their years of project implementation experience. OneConnect has been recognized by Forbes for its two blockchain projects, as the Company has demonstrated its technological capabilities for building smart and one-stop solutions for businesses and banks to facilitate cross-border trade financing. The Company has gained traction with its financing platform built with blockchain technology for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China's Guangdong province. With blockchain's unique tamper-proof nature, the platform has overcome the hurdles of information asymmetry between SMEs and commercial banks. OneConnect's financing platform has syndicated data from 34 government agencies to analyze a borrower's risk level, with over 480 financial institutions offering more than 1,300 financial products on the platform. It has served more than a million businesses with an accumulated financing volume of over 68 billion yuan (approximately US$10.7 billion). In addition, the Company's support for Hong Kong's "eTradeConnect" project has helped it make the cut. In November 2021, OneConnect teamed up with the People's Bank of China's digital currency research institute for the central bank's Trade Finance Platform (PBCTFP), a project that uses blockchain to track and simplify the financing process for imports and exports between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. The successful cross-border connectivity between the PBCTFP and Hong Kong's eTradeConnect -- coupled with OneConnect's solutions -- has further expanded the project to the second phase of "mainland imports, Hong Kong exports" from the previous stage of "mainland exports, Hong Kong imports." Hong Kong officially launched the eTradeConnect project in September 2018 under the guidance of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the city's de facto central bank. It is the world's first blockchain trade financing platform led by regulators, enabling businesses and their trading partners to carry out cost-effective trade and financing activities through information sharing thanks to its advanced distributed ledger technology. Such cross-platform connectivity has simplified and expedited the trade finance process by reducing the need for exchange of paper documents, thereby strengthening the economic development in the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macau Greater Bay Area. About OneConnect Financial Technology OneConnect Financial Technology is a leading technology-as-a-service platform for financial institutions. The Company's platform provides cloud-native technology solutions that integrate extensive financial services industry expertise with market-leading technology. The Company's solutions provide technology applications and technology-enabled business services to financial institutions. Together they enable the Company's customers' digital transformations, which help them increase revenue, manage risks, improve efficiency, enhance service quality and reduce costs. The Company's technology solutions strategically cover multiple verticals in the financial services industry, including banking, insurance and asset management, across the full scope of their businesses -- from sales and marketing and risk management to customer services, as well as technology infrastructures such as data management, program development, and cloud services. SOURCE OneConnect "ISO is one of the most rigorous and respected regulatory bodies in the world," said Stephen Gorham, OPSWAT CIO and Head of Global Operations. "Our ISO 9001 certification stands as a testament to our high-quality products and services that meet our customer, statutory and regulatory demands. This is yet another incredible accomplishment and serves as external validation to our customers that we have the necessary systems and processes in place to ensure only the highest quality of products and support offerings." Established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the ISO 9001 addresses the establishment and certification of a QMS. The standard specifies the requirements to plan, establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and continually improve a documented management system to protect against, reduce the likelihood of occurrence, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive incidents when they arise. It is intended to be applicable to all organizations, or parts thereof, regardless of type, size and nature of the organization. OPSWAT also received its ISO 27001 certification from Schellman & Company, LLC in 2020. Passing the certification audit for two separate certifications serves as an external validation that OPSWAT's controls, protocols and processes align with the most rigorous of international standards. All OPSWAT compliance and certification information is available at https://www.opswat.com/company/compliance-and-certifications. About OPSWAT OPSWAT is a global leader in IT, OT and ICS critical infrastructure cybersecurity solutions and Deep Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR), protecting the world's mission-critical organizations from malware and zero-day attacks. To minimize the risk of compromise, OPSWAT Critical Infrastructure Protection solutions safeguard both public and private sector organizations with the latest technology, processes, and hardware scanning to secure the transfer of data, files, and device access across critical networks. More than 1,500 organizations worldwide spanning Financial Services, Defense, Manufacturing, Energy, Aerospace, and Transportation Systems trust OPSWAT to secure their files and devices; ensure compliance with industry and government-driven policies and regulations, and protect their reputation, finances, employees, and customers from cyber-driven disruption. For more information on OPSWAT, visit www.opswat.com. Media Contact Kat Lewis Director of Corporate Communications [email protected] SOURCE OPSWAT Adds nearshore capability with center in Costa Rica, as well as locations in US and India SANTA CLARA, Calif. and PUNE, India, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Persistent Systems (BSE and NSE: Persistent) today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the business of Princeton, New Jersey-based Data Glove Inc. Established in 2010, Data Glove is a global leader in transformative consulting services and business solutions with total annual revenue for CY21 of $48.96 million and 700+ employees worldwide. Data Glove brings extensive experience across Microsoft Azure, business applications and workplace offerings as a One Commercial Partner (OCP). Data Glove is a Microsoft Cloud Modernization Services Partner with Gold level competencies in Azure Cloud Platform, Data Center, Application Development and Data Analytics, Application Integration, as well as comprehensive intellectual property to accelerate Azure adoption. Microsoft Azure cloud provides scalable, flexible infrastructure while its business applications and workplace offerings enable increased productivity and enhanced employee experience. According to IDC, the Cloud Professional Services market is estimated to reach $93.8 billion by 2025.1 Building on Microsoft Azure's impressive growth, these expanded capabilities will bolster Persistent's existing partnership and serve as the foundation for a new dedicated Microsoft business unit at Persistent. In addition to client sales and service delivery, this newly formed unit will focus on Microsoft training and certifications, working closely with community colleges and regional universities to foster new talent. Sandeep Kalra, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Persistent Systems "As our clients continue their digital acceleration, cloud modernization and workforce productivity remain as critical as ever to sustaining competitive advantage and reducing costs. With the acquisition of Data Glove, we are forming a new Microsoft business unit to enhance our partnership and expand our expertise in Azure-based digital transformation, enabling us to capture a larger share of this high growth market. This acquisition also broadens our delivery capabilities with highly skilled talent, establishing a new nearshore delivery center in Costa Rica and expanding our presence in the US and India." Ali Zaidi, Research Vice President, IDC "The acceleration of digital adoption during the pandemic has led to increased demand for cloud and workplace solutions. Persistent's acquisition of Data Glove and the launch of a new Microsoft business unit will help capture market share by taking advantage of the growing Azure and Microsoft-led opportunities. Microsoft-related implementation services is one of the highest spending growth segments of the global implementation services market, in particular, in the areas of cloud, analytics, and CRM." Rajiv Korpal, Co-Founder, Data Glove "Over the past decade, Data Glove's growth has been fueled by empowering our client's digital transformation journeys and accelerating their transition to cloud, with a deep specialization in Microsoft. Becoming a part of Persistent, the global leader in Digital Engineering, will give us immediate scale and enable new opportunities for our clients, partners, and employees. Together, we will build an industry-leading Microsoft business unit to take our clients to the next level." Rahul Bajaj, Co-Founder, Data Glove "When considering strategic alternatives, we found at Persistent a leadership team who shares a common strategic vision and a strong conviction for driving client success through innovation. Combined with Persistent's deep cloud, security, and data expertise, we will provide unparalleled value to our clients as they continue to drive their digital agendas, with the full Microsoft stack at the core. I am beyond excited about the possibilities of what we can do together." About Persistent With over 16,500 employees located in 18 countries, Persistent Systems (BSE & NSE: PERSISTENT) is a global services and solutions company delivering Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization. Persistent was named to the Forbes Asia Best Under a Billion 2021 list, representing consistent top-and bottom-line performance as well as growth. www.persistent.com Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements For risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements, please visit persistent.com/flcs [1] IDC, Worldwide Digital Transformation Professional Services Forecast, 20212025, Doc # US47131021, July 2021 Media Contacts Emma Handler Persistent Systems (Global) +1 617 633 1635 [email protected] Manohar Dhanakshirur Archetype +91 750 644 5361 [email protected] SOURCE Persistent Systems Organizations often face a fundamental challenge in determining which content will perform well on social media, when to publish it for maximum impact and then tracking results. These brands produce hundreds to thousands of articles and videos per month and have scores of social media accounts, with multiple team members managing those channels. Executing a social media strategy at scale requires tools built intentionally for the needs of publishers. "Our goal at Piano is to help organizations bring data together, make it available in real time and leverage it effectively to fuel both analysis and targeting," said Trevor Kaufman, CEO, Piano. "Although social media has continued to grow as an integral part of digital strategy, the full scope of its impact has been a blind spot for most brands, limited by the confines of digital marketing attribution models. Adding SocialFlow to our offering will open a new realm of opportunities to create connectors between social media and the on-site user journey, and we're excited to help our clients enrich their strategies with this new level of digital sophistication." SocialFlow's tools facilitate posts across more than 10,000 social media accounts with 2.7 billion collective followers. Its impressive client roster includes major media organizations such as The Associated Press, the BBC, CNN, Conde Nast, NBC, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. "SocialFlow has spent the last decade helping publishers create value from their social content. Now with the combined power of SocialFlow and Piano, publishers will be able to unlock new insights across digital touchpoints," said Jim Anderson, CEO, SocialFlow. "I'm excited to watch the Piano team take what we've built at SocialFlow and bring it to the next level as part of their full digital experience platform." The transaction is a cash purchase, with funding provided by Updata Partners, Rittenhouse Ventures and Sixth Street Partners, and results in Piano acquiring 100% of the shares of SocialFlow. Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial adviser to Piano on the transaction, while Macquarie served as exclusive financial adviser to SocialFlow. In the last three years, Piano has expanded its global footprint and strengthened its product offering through the strategic acquisitions of Norway-based Cxense (2019) and France-based AT Internet (2021). The business has grown by more than 560% in that period, earning annual recognition on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and Inc. 5000 lists. Piano's platform has also received accolades such as New Product of the Year in the Business Intelligence Group's BIG Awards for Business, Best Subscription Platform in the Digiday Technology Awards, Data Management Solution of the Year in the Data Breakthrough Awards and more. About Piano Piano's Digital Experience Cloud empowers organizations to understand and influence customer behavior. By unifying customer data, analyzing behavior metrics and creating personalized customer journeys, Piano helps brands launch campaigns and products faster, strengthen customer engagement and drive personalization at scale from a single platform. Headquartered in Philadelphia with offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, Piano serves a global client base, including Air France, the BBC, CBS, IBM, Kirin Holdings, Jaguar Land Rover, Nielsen, The Wall Street Journal and more. Piano has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing, most innovative technology companies in the world by World Economic Forum, Red Herring, Inc. and Deloitte. For more information, visit piano.io. About SocialFlow SocialFlow is a social distribution and monetization platform that is purpose-built for media companies. Our technology enables the world's most successful publishers to easily distribute engaging social content, while providing them monetization opportunities from both advertising and subscriptions. Founded in 2009 and based in New York, SocialFlow's client roster includes half of the top 150 media companies including the BBC, CNN, Conde Nast, The New York Times, NBC, and many more. For more, visit www.SocialFlow.com. Piano Media Contact Elissa Hill 814-952-1170 [email protected] SocialFlow Media Contact Maura Dailey Verdelli 215-510-1581 [email protected] SOURCE Piano Software Inc WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- An overwhelming majority of voters support government actions to protect consumer privacy, families, and America's future from the power and influence of large technology companies, according to a recent survey conducted by Benenson Strategy Group and Public Opinion Strategies for the bipartisan Future of Tech Commission . When it comes to protecting privacy, 78% of both Democratic and Republican voters surveyed support requiring companies to allow consumers the right to "opt-in" before sharing any of their personal data. While voters from both parties strongly believe that consumers should control their data, not companies, the survey also finds that 76% support restricting companies from collecting and using personal data beyond what's needed for effective service. Voters widely support regulations that would strengthen privacy protections for everyday people on the internet, making it easier for consumers to control their personal data and keep it out of the hands of big tech companies that already reach too far into their lives. Voters also want the government to take decisive action to strengthen cybersecurity and regulate dangerous content online. 74% support (48% strongly support) the federal government committing additional resources to strengthening cybersecurity networks so that Americans can use the internet without fear of data breaches or cyberattacks. When it comes to protecting the country's future, 75% agree that if the United States does not establish rules and guardrails around dangerous or false content online, our democracy could be under threat. When it comes to kids and teens, 75% of voters support prohibiting companies from collecting personal data on anybody 16 or under, and 75% of voters support requiring tech companies to monitor the impact of their products on children's safety and well-being to ensure they do not push inappropriate or harmful content. Importantly, Americans believe that technology is as vital today as running water and electricity, and we need to make sure that tech continues to improve our lives, but we can only do so if we fix what's broken. 85% of American voters agree that technology is an essential element of our livesand the government has to regulate it just like any other essential part of life. Over the last year, the Future of Tech Commission, an independent and bipartisan working group of civic leaders co-chaired by former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick, former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer, convened a wide cross-section of the American public, business leaders, and experts from across sectors to generate input on the most urgent tech policy challenges and opportunities facing America's economy and democracy, with the aim of issuing a national call to action on tech policy later this month. "These poll results reflect the fact that federal policies made more than a generation ago have not kept up with the constantly changing technology marketplace. Our outdated regulatory structure has put our society and children at risk," said Margaret Spellings. "It is clear from this poll that we should not ignore Americans' concerns. Instead, we must seize this bipartisan opportunity to take action to protect our country's data, cybersecurity networks, and future generations." "The findings are clear: Americans everywhere want an internet they can trust," said Governor Deval Patrick. "When misinformation runs rampant, every community suffers and we're running out of time. Our leaders must lead and summon the political will to protect our children, safeguard our privacy, and reign in the undue influence of big tech." "The degree of support for action on tech policy, on a bipartisan basis, is astounding," said James Steyer. "The time is now for our elected leaders to put kids and families first and pursue a coordinated set of steps on tech policy to provide the strong protections kids and families need from big tech companies that continue to prey on them like sheep. This poll shows that it doesn't matter what Americans' political affiliations are, they want the government to act to protect their privacy and our democracy from big tech." The poll is the second conducted by Benenson Strategy Group for the Commission (the first poll was released in September 2021) to take the pulse of Americans' attitudes toward regulating big tech. Results from more than 1,003 registered voters nationwide reaffirm rare bipartisan consensus when it comes to concerns about the power of big tech and Americans' inability to protect themselves and their children. Moreover, even as the electorate continues to be polarized on key domestic issues, voters across the political spectrum are united in believing that the federal government should protect them and curb the growing influence of big tech. "The data is overwhelming that the American people want action now," said Joel Benenson, founding partner and CEO of Benenson Strategy Group. Next Wednesday, Feb. 16, the Future of Tech Commission will release and discuss their blueprint of tech policy recommendations and a coordinated national framework for the Biden administration, Congress, and the American people at an event headlined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Federal Communications Commission ChairJessica Rosenworcel. Find full topline results of the survey here . Methodology : Benenson Strategy Group conducted 1,003 interviews with registered voters nationwide from Jan. 28Feb. 3, 2022. Interviews were conducted via traditional landline calling, SMS, and online panel, and the data was weighted to ensure a representative sample of this voter universe. The margin of error for the entire sample is 3.02% at the 95% confidence level. For more information on the Future of Tech Commission, visit FutureOfTechCommission.org. Contact: Lisa Cohen [email protected] (310) 395-2544 SOURCE Future of Tech Commission SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global precision guided munition market size is expected to reach USD 55.17 billion in 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.6% from 2022 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research Inc. The growing need for extremely accurate munitions for target attacking is anticipated to increase the demand for precision-guided munitions. Moreover, enhancements in precision attacking are likely to support the market. Growing political and territorial conflicts between major economies are likely to encourage the enhancements of their respective military and army operations. Precision attacking techniques are used in the army, air force, and naval forces, thus are likely to influence the market for precision-guided munitions over the forecast period. Key Insights & Findings from the report: The market for tactical missiles is projected to grow significantly over the forecast period on account of their increasing usage in all types of attacking mechanisms. Surface-to-surface and air-to-air tactical missiles are gaining popularity in the warfare equipment In the U.S., the revenue for precision guided munitions stood at USD 5.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow over the forecast period owing to increasing expenditures for military upgrade and enhancement in the attacking equipment In 2019, semi-active laser positioning technology accounted for the largest share owing to its prominence in the target positioning. Modern missiles and rockets are installed with these positioning mechanisms for guidance to the exact location The GPS technology is expected to register the fastest growth rate over the forecast period due to its prominent location tracking for the war equipment Conflicts between the U.S. and Iran are anticipated to enhance the military capabilities of the respective economies. Thereby, is expected to support the market for precision guided munition in the estimated time Read 120 page market research report, "Precision Guided Munition Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Tactical Missiles, Loitering Munition), By Technology (GPS, INS), By Region (APAC, Europe), And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030", published by Grand View Research. Technological advancement in attacking components including missiles, rockets, mortars, artillery shells, bombs, and bullets to incorporate advanced positioning technologies are expected to enhance the market. Global Positioning System (GPS) and Semi-Active Lasers systems are popular positioning techniques to keep track of the targeted location for the attack. Prominent players including Lockheed Martin, Atlas Elektronik, Raytheon, Thales Group, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, and others are investing heavily in R&D activities to develop advanced technology war equipment. Moreover, ammunition manufacturers are focusing on the installation of a guiding mechanism in the components. Market Segmentation: Grand View Research has segmented the global precision guided munition market on the basis of product, technology, and region: Precision Guided Munition Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030) Tactical Missile Guided Rockets Guided Ammunition Loitering Munition Precision Guided Munition Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030) Infrared Semi-Active Lasers Inertial Navigation System (INS) Global Positioning System (GPS) Radar Homing Anti-Radiation Others Precision Guided Munition Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030) North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe U.K. Germany France Italy Russia Asia Pacific China India South Korea Central & South America Brazil Argentina Middle East & Africa & Saudi Arabia Iran List of Key Players of Precision Guided Munition Market Lockheed Martin Atlas Elektronik Raytheon Thales Group BAE Systems Northrop Grumman General Dynamics Elbit Systems Check out more studies related to ammunition types, published by Grand View Research: Ammunition Market The global ammunition market size was valued at USD 21.38 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% from 2021 to 2028. Rising hostilities and terrorist activities across the globe are likely to increase the procurement of defense equipment by prominent militaries, thereby, directly benefiting the market over the forecast period. The global ammunition market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% from 2021 to 2028. Rising hostilities and terrorist activities across the globe are likely to increase the procurement of defense equipment by prominent militaries, thereby, directly benefiting the market over the forecast period. Small & Medium Caliber Ammunition Market The global small & medium caliber ammunition market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2020 to 2027. Increasing geopolitical tensions and increasing military expenditure are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period. The global small & medium caliber ammunition market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2020 to 2027. Increasing geopolitical tensions and increasing military expenditure are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period. Less Lethal Ammunition Market The global less lethal ammunition market is expected to register a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3 % from 2020 to 2027. Growing incidences of political disputes and civil disorder in several nations across the globe expected to drive the demand. Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Advanced Interior Materials Industry. 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 Grand View Compass | Grand View Pipeline Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. On sale February 16, 2022, the cruise line with the longest history sailing from the Port of Los Angeles, is offering its summer season of sailings, perfect for those looking for convenient cruise vacations onboard Sapphire Princess. The 2,670-guest MedallionClass cruise ship features more than 700 balconies, world-class dining and dazzling entertainment. Plus, guests can choose from a variety of curated shore excursions in every port to soak up the local sights, culture and cuisine. Sapphire Princess itineraries include: NEW Mexican Riviera with La Paz seven-day cruises with stops in Cabo San Lucas , La Paz and Ensenada . Departure dates: June 25 and September 3, 2022 . seven-day cruises with stops in , and . Departure dates: and . Mexican Riviera with Puerto Vallarta seven-day cruises with visits to Puerto Vallarta , Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada . Departure dates: July 30 and September 17, 2022 . seven-day cruises with visits to , and . Departure dates: and . Baja Peninsula & Sea of Cortez 10-day cruises featuring an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas with La Paz , Loreto and Puerto Vallarta . Departure dates: September 24 and October 23, 2022 . 10-day cruises featuring an overnight stay in with , and . Departure dates: and . Classic California Coast seven-day cruises featuring an overnight in San Francisco with San Diego and Ensenada . Departure dates: July 23 , August 27 and September 10, 2022 . seven-day cruises featuring an overnight in with and . Departure dates: , and . Hawaiian Islands 15- and 16-day cruises with stops in Hilo , Honolulu , Kauai (Nawiliwili), Maui ( Kahului ) and Ensenada . Cruise dates: July 7 (16 days), August 11 (16 days), October 4 (15 days) and November 2, 2022 (15 days). 15- and 16-day cruises with stops in , , (Nawiliwili), ( ) and . Cruise dates: (16 days), (16 days), (15 days) and (15 days). West Coast Getaway with San Francisco five-day cruises featuring San Francisco and Ensenada . Departure dates: July 2 (with late night stay in San Francisco on the 4 th of July) and August 6, 2022 . five-day cruises featuring and . Departure dates: (with late night stay in on the 4 of July) and . West Coast Getaway with San Diego four-day cruise to San Diego and Ensenada . Cruise departs October 19, 2022 . A special launch-week offer includes $1 deposits and $50 onboard spending money per person when booked by Feb. 24, 2022 (Offer is valid in United States, Canada and Puerto Rico). Sapphire Princess offers Princess MedallionClass Vacations which begins with the Medallion wearable, a quarter-sized device that enables everything from expedited contactless boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship. In addition, guests can share their favorite cruise moments using MedallionNet, the best WiFi at sea, as well as stay connected with friends and family back home, work remotely anywhere on the ship, quickly post content and stream favorite movies and shows. 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 15 modern cruise ships, carrying millions of 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 In an ever-changing consumer landscape, the annual Product of the Year Awards are a go-to resource for those looking to find the best new products on the market, whether they're shopping online or in-store. With a distinctive red seal that is globally recognized as the vote of confidence from consumers themselves, shoppers can easily cut through the clutter and trust that these products demonstrate the utmost innovation in their respective categories, whether in function, design, packaging or ingredients. "Given the continued flux and uncertainty over the past two years, we're prouder than ever to provide consumers with the vote of 40,000 fellow shoppers as a guide they can trust when making important purchase decisions for themselves and their families," said Mike Nolan, Global CEO of Product of the Year Management. "One of the great strengths of Product of the Year is that we champion manufacturers for putting forward products that reflect the latest trends and offer consumers the solutions they're looking for." For over 30 years globally and 14 years in the USA, Product of the Year has served as the stage for brands to showcase exceptional quality and innovation. As an annual benchmark that forecasts the trends in store for the year ahead, this year's winners reflect the things that everyday consumers value mostfrom personal care, health and wellness essentials to the latest food and beverage options and beyond. The 40 winners of the 2022 Product of the Year Award include: Alcoholic Beverage | ALDI-exclusive Peaks and Tides Pinot Noir ALDI ALDI-exclusive Peaks and Tides Pinot Noir All-Purpose Disinfectant | OxiClean Daily Clean Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Church & Dwight OxiClean Daily Clean Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Bakery | ALDI-exclusive L'oven Fresh Garlic Knots ALDI ALDI-exclusive L'oven Fresh Garlic Knots Bathroom Cleaning | 9 Elements Bathroom Cleaner P&G 9 Elements Bathroom Cleaner Breakfast | ALDI-exclusive Specially Selected Brioche or French Toast Bagels ALDI ALDI-exclusive Specially Selected Brioche or French Toast Bagels Candy Bar | Kinder Bueno Mini Ferrero USA CBD Gummies | Charlotte's Web CBD Gummies Charlotte's Web, Inc. Charlotte's Web CBD Gummies CBD Ingestible | cbdMD Drink Mix cbdMD cbdMD Drink Mix CBD Pet | CBD Daily Chewies by D Oh Gee D Oh Gee CBD Daily Chewies by D Oh Gee Cheese | ALDI-exclusive Emporium Selection Cracker Cuts: Extra Sharp White Cheddar, Gouda, Extra Sharp Yellow Cheddar ALDI ALDI-exclusive Emporium Selection Cracker Cuts: Extra Sharp White Cheddar, Gouda, Extra Sharp Yellow Cheddar Coffee & Tea | Joyba Bubble Tea Del Monte Foods, Inc. Joyba Bubble Tea Cold & Allergy | Allegra Hives SANOFI US Convenience Meal | ALDI-exclusive Park Street Deli Hawaiian or Coconut Thai Chicken ALDI ALDI-exclusive Park Street Deli Hawaiian or Coconut Thai Chicken Dips & Condiments | ALDI-exclusive Park Street Deli Mexicali and Street Corn Dip ALDI ALDI-exclusive Park Street Deli Mexicali and Street Corn Dip Disinfecting Wipes | LYSOL Biodegradable Disinfecting Wipes - Fresh Citrus 70ct Reckitt LYSOL Biodegradable Disinfecting Wipes - Fresh Citrus 70ct Dog Care | CESAR WHOLESOME BOWLS Mars CESAR WHOLESOME BOWLS First Aid | Nexcare Duo Bandages 3M Nexcare Duo Bandages Fruit Snack | Del Monte Fruit Cups with Infusions Del Monte Foods, Inc. 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Bio-K+ Extra Cognition with Cereboost RTD Cocktail | Captain Morgan Captain's Cocktails Diageo Captain Cocktails Salty Snack | ALDI-exclusive Clancy's Pub Style Pretzels ALDI ALDI-exclusive Clancy's Pub Style Pretzels Skin Care | Gold Bond Crepe Corrector Age Defense Lotion Sanofi Consumer Healthcare Gold Bond Crepe Corrector Age Defense Lotion Soft Drink | Pepsi Mango PepsiCo Pepsi Mango Spirits | Tanqueray Sevilla Orange Diageo Sugar Confections | NERDS Gummy Clusters Ferrara NERDS Gummy Clusters Sustainable Home Essentials | Dial Concentrated Refills Henkel Dial Concentrated Refills Vitamins | Nature's Bounty Jelly Bean Vitamins Nestle Health Science U.S. Nature's Bounty Jelly Bean Vitamins Wellness | Live Better Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies CVS Health The 40 winners of the 2022 Product of the Year Awards will be celebrated in a segment on DailyMailTV this afternoon and on DailyMail.com. Shoppers nationwide can also enter to win a bundle of the 40 winning products in a Product of the Year sweepstakes hosted in partnership with DailyMailTV. For more details, visit the Product of the Year website, here. As a resource for shoppers nationwide, the 2022 Product of the Year winners are highlighted in a shoppable article created in partnership with WomansDay.com, the online destination for the Hearst-owned Woman's Day brand, and Ensemble IQ, a premier business intelligence resource with revered publications including Progressive Grocer, Store Brands, Drug Store News and Convenience Store News. For additional information about the 2022 Product of the Year winners, visit productoftheyearusa.com and follow along on social media with #POYUSA2022 on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. About Product of the Year: Product of the Year is the largest consumer-voted award for product innovation. Established over 30 years ago, POY currently operates in over 40 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. Product of the Year winners are determined by the votes of 40,000 consumers in an independent, national representative study conducted by research partner Kantar, a global leader in consumer research. The award is a powerful merchandising program for marketers proven to increase product sales, distribution and awareness. Winning products announced in February of each year are included in Product of the Year's national marketing program and receive the right to use the Product of the Year honor and logo in their own marketing and sales communications for two years. For more information, visit productoftheyearusa.com. About Kantar : Kantar is the world's leading marketing data, insight and consultancy company. We know more about how people live, feel, shop, vote, watch and post worldwide than any other company. Working across the entire sales and marketing lifecycle, we help brands uncover growth in an extraordinary world. Kantar's services are employed by over half of the Fortune 500 companies in 100 countries. About DailyMailTV and DailyMail.com: DailyMailTV is a daily syndicated newsmagazine from Stage 29 Productions. It brings the best of the world's most popular English language newspaper website, DailyMail.com to life on television. From exclusive stories to breaking news, showbiz, crime, health and science and technology, DailyMailTV is must-watch television. The show tells captivating stories from across the United States and around the globe. Viewers have become addicted to DailyMailTV just as they have to DailyMail.com. DailyMailTV won the 2018-2019 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment News Program. SOURCE Product of the Year USA XIAMEN, China, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Qudian Inc. ("Qudian" or the "Company") (NYSE: QD), a leading technology platform empowering the enhancement of the online consumer finance experience in China, today announced that it has received a letter from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") dated February 7, 2022, notifying the Company that it is below the NYSE's continued listing standards due to the trading price of Qudian's American depositary shares (the "ADSs"). Pursuant to Section 802.01C of the NYSE's Listed Company Manual, a company will be considered to be below compliance standards if the average closing price of its security as reported on the consolidated tape is less than US$1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. The Company has six months ("the Cure Period") following receipt of the notice to regain compliance with the minimum share price requirement. The Company can regain compliance at any time during the Cure Period if on the last trading day of any calendar month during the Cure Period the Company has a closing share price of at least US$1.00 per ADS and an average closing share price of at least US$1.00 per ADS over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of that month. In the event that at the expiration of the six-month Cure Period, both a US$1.00 per ADS closing share price on the last trading day of the Cure Period and a US$1.00 per ADS average closing share price over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of the Cure Period are not attained, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures. To address this issue, the Company intends to monitor the market conditions of its listed securities and is still considering its options. The Company has notified the NYSE on February 10, 2022 of its intent to cure the deficiency. During the Cure Period, the Company's ADSs will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE, subject to its compliance with other NYSE continued listing standards and other rights of the NYSE to delist the ADSs. The NYSE notification does not affect the Company's business operations, its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reporting requirements or contractual obligations. About Qudian Inc. Qudian Inc. ("Qudian") is a leading technology platform empowering the enhancement of online consumer finance experience in China. The Company's mission is to use technology to make personalized credit accessible to hundreds of millions of young, mobile-active consumers in China who need access to small credit for their discretionary spending but are underserved by traditional financial institutions due to lack of traditional credit data or high cost of servicing. Qudian's credit solutions enable licensed, regulated financial institutions and ecosystem partners to offer affordable and customized loans to this young generation of consumers. For more information, please visit http://ir.qudian.com. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the expectation of its collection efficiency and delinquency contains forward-looking statements. Qudian may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Qudian's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Qudian's goal and strategies; Qudian's expansion plans; Qudian's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Qudian's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its credit products; Qudian's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with borrowers, institutional funding partners, merchandise suppliers and other parties it collaborates with; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Qudian's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Qudian does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Qudian Inc. Tel: +86-592-596-8208 E-mail: [email protected] The Piacente Group, Inc. Jenny Cai Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677 E-mail: [email protected] In the United States: The Piacente Group, Inc. Brandi Piacente Tel: +1-212-481-2050 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Qudian Inc. "This is a monumental day for us at Raise," noted Justin Bedecarre, Co-Founder and CEO, Raise. "We have been assembling some of the brightest minds and innovators in real estate to serve the world's leading technology companies. Raise New York formalizes our commitment to connecting both coasts and providing a full service, white glove offering to our clients. Jamie and team have been trailblazers in establishing New York as one of the most important markets for high growth startups, as well as brokering some of the biggest, most complex technology office leases in the city's history." Opening its Raise New York office in Midtown South, Katcher, Regal, Infante and team will bring deep connections in both the technology and media industries throughout the Tri-State region and beyond. Raise will be recruiting a robust team of top tier talent in the market to entrust them with proprietary technology to deliver a superior experience for their clients. Bringing over 20 years of experience, Katcher is one of the leading real estate advisors for high-growth startups and creative firms and has represented some of the most established technology companies around the world. Given the high-growth nature of their business, the team cultivates long-term relationships with their clients, taking pride in the evolution of these companies over time. In total, Katcher, Regal, and Infante have closed over 5 million square feet representing technology companies from seed stage to IPO. Prior to joining Raise, Katcher co-founded a global tech practice group at Cushman & Wakefield, co-leading the New York division along with Regal and Infante. "Having known Justin for over a decade, we are impressed by the way Raise is breaking the mold and innovating within the commercial real estate space," stated Jamie Katcher, Head of Raise New York. "We are ecstatic to be the founding team of Raise New York and look forward to not only growing our team and continuing to serve our clients but to building the company together. Raise's technology offering is completely unique in this industry; we are in a position to empower our clients to make smarter real estate decisions and navigate the future of work in a more impactful way. In addition, the caliber and quality of people we now get to call colleagues at Raise is truly humbling and inspiring." "Raise has emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever. The world has evolved and will never go back to the way it was but the need for human connection continues to be important," noted Sri Chandrasekar, Partner at Point72 Ventures, a Raise Board Member and Investor. "We believe Raise is assembling impressive talent across engineering and marketing, and we look forward to seeing what the brokerage team accomplishes in New York." To continue to support growth in new markets and the technology platform, Raise is expanding their team across engineering and marketing. Thormahlen, based in Raise's San Francisco Headquarters, plans to double the engineering team over the next 12 months to scale products that supercharge the brokerage and workplace team and further provide a better experience for their clients. With a background in building startups, Thormahlen was previously Director of Engineering for Zillow's mobile platform, growing revenue from $2B to $5B in his tenure. LeMense, who most recently led the U.S. and Canada territory and broker marketing team at WeWork, is based in Nashville, Tennessee. She will be responsible for driving key market expansion efforts, leading go-to-market strategies for the company as well as building and growing the marketing team globally. As evidenced by the country-wide growth, Raise seeks to create a collaborative culture and leverages its own technology platform to enhance and lead team collaboration. "I was compelled to join the dynamic team at Raise due to the unmatched opportunity to shape the future of office space," remarked Thormahlen. "We plan to build a world-class engineering team to support the business, and I am excited to get back to the office - in person - to get to work." "I believe we are just scratching the surface of how the industry implements technology, and I look forward to showcasing the tools we can offer our clients," stated LeMense. "Raise's strong dedication to company culture, technology, and global brand expansion is matched only by its commitment to excellent client service. This sets us apart in the industry, and I am thrilled to join the Raise team to support future growth." "In hiring Paul and Megan we are continuing our trajectory of smart, strategic growth across the U.S.," remarked Bedecarre. "We are building a world-class team, investing in leaders who bring a unique background and depth of experience that not only adds immense value to clients, but also enhances our internal culture which we are just as passionate about. We are not the commercial real estate firm of the past. We are working hard to bring in diverse talent that will lead the future of work not just for our clients, but for ourselves." Since 2020, the firm has more than doubled the team throughout Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Denver and now New York. Integrating Brokerage, Workplace, Project Management, and Market Analytics, Raise leads companies to find and occupy better workplaces. By empowering their experts with innovative technology, Raise enhances speed, transparency, and collaboration for their clients at every stage of the real estate lifecycle. Raise has high growth targets for 2022 as it expands across the country, serving clients from publicly traded companies like Palantir and Twitch to high growth startups like Notion and Envoy. "We are building something extraordinary at Raise," said Bedecarre. "And we're just getting started." For more information about Raise, visit https://www.raise.work/ . About Raise Founded in 2016 in San Francisco with additional offices in Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, Denver, and New York City. Raise is a technology-enabled brokerage pairing expert brokers and workplace leaders with powerful technology to provide companies the best service in finding and managing their workplace. In just a few years, Raise has helped hundreds of leading startups and high growth companies, including Palantir, Envoy, Notion, Brex, Afterpay, and more. Raise investors include Point72 Ventures, Initialized Capital, Founders Fund, Founder Collective, SV Angel, SaaStr, House Fund, Liquid 2 Ventures, Peak State Ventures, and many more. For more information, visit raise.work . SOURCE Raise Commercial Real Estate INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanctuary Wealth, home to the next generation of elite advisors, proudly announces three standout female advisors have been named to the Forbes 2022 list of America's Top Women Wealth Advisors Best in State. The annual ranking was compiled by SHOOK Research, which researches, interviews, and assigns rankings based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria. Fewer than 3.5% of all female advisors qualify for this prestigious annual list. The honored Sanctuary Wealth advisors for 2022 are: Elizabeth E. Evans , CFP Managing Partner, Evans May Wealth, Carmel, IN ranked #1 in Indiana , CFP Managing Partner, Evans May Wealth, ranked #1 in Emily Bowersock Hill CFP Founding Partner, Bowersock Capital Partners, Lawrence, KS Founding Partner, Bowersock Capital Partners, Brooke V. May , CFP Managing Partner, Evans May Wealth, Carmel, IN "Sanctuary Wealth was built as a home and resource for elite advisors looking for independence to grow and thrive, and Lizzie, Emily and Brooke have done just that," said Jim Dickson, CEO and Founder of Sanctuary Wealth. "It's no surprise to see this trio be honored by a respected institution like Forbes, and we're thrilled Lizzie was ranked as the number one female advisor in Indiana. We look forward to their continued accomplishments as we embark on the next chapter of Sanctuary Wealth's trajectory moving forward." Elizabeth Evans was named to Forbes America's Next Gen Advisors in 2019 and 2021 and Forbes America's Top Women Advisors in 2019 and 2021, along with Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2021. Brooke May was ranked on both Forbes America's Top Women Advisors and Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors in 2019. Forbes also recognized Emily Hill for America's Top Women Advisors and Best-in-State Wealth Advisors for 2020. The Forbes ranking of America's Top Women Wealth Advisors Best in State, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews and quantitative data. The algorithm weighs factors including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and adherence to best practices in working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion and neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. View the full list here: https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-women-advisors/#6dc24dc36b20 About Sanctuary Wealth Sanctuary Wealth (sanctuarywealth.com/) is the advanced platform for the next generation of elite advisors, who have the entrepreneurial spirit to build and own their own practices and desire the freedom to deliver the tailored service their clients deserve. Sanctuary's ecosystem of partnered independence provides a complete technology and operations platform, as well as support from a community of like-minded advisors and the resources of invaluable affiliated businesses. Currently, the Sanctuary Wealth network includes partner firms across 22 states with over $19.0 billion in assets under advisement. The Sanctuary Wealth Group includes the fully owned subsidiaries Sanctuary Advisors, a registered investment adviser, and the broker-dealer Sanctuary Securities, as well as Sanctuary Asset Management, Sanctuary Insurance Solutions, Sanctuary Global, and Sanctuary Global Tax and Family Office. CONTACT: Michaela Morales JConnelly 973 224 7152 [email protected] SOURCE Sanctuary Wealth SAN DIEGO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sekr , the mobile platform simplifying the outdoor travel experience, today announced the close of a $2.25M seed financing round to further its mission of empowering people to pursue connection with the outdoors and its communities. The round was led by Storyteller Overland, Backstage Capital, Techstars, Ad Astra Ventures, Crescent Ridge Ventures, and Andy Ballester, co-founder of GoFundMe. Sekr is a women and minority-founded, crowdsourced mobile platform making every step of the outdoor travel planning experience easier, safer, and more social. From full-time digital nomads to the occasional road tripper, the company is creating an inclusive community with access to 50K+ campsites, including the nation's largest database of free campsites. After year one of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in outdoor travel spikedwith notable increases among active and prospective campers according to Statista. Correspondingly, Sekr saw a massive 1530% increase in user sessions from May 2020 to May 2021 and a 492% increase in app users from August 2020 to August 2021. "As women-led companies received only 2.4% of venture capital in 2020, a decline from 2019, this raise is not only significant for its testament to the need of technological innovation in the camping industry, but also an important move in diversifying whom venture capitalists fund," said Breanne Acio, co-founder and CEO of Sekr. "We're proud to work with a growing team of investors, employees, partners, and outdoor enthusiasts that are in pursuit of a higher quality of life through safe outdoor travel and community." "The camping industry is one of the only hospitality verticals yet to successfully adopt technology, and Sekr seized the opportunity to digitize campsite inventory at scale, transforming the outdoor planning process from a frustrating loop of hours of failed Google searches into something consumers can do by themselves," said Jeffrey Hunter, CEO at Storyteller Overland and lead investor of Sekr's funding round. "Like the leaders before them in the hotel and vacation rental verticals, we believe the Sekr team is uniquely positioned to have the largest influence and impact on the outdoor travel planning experience for the nearly three-fourths of Americans who participate in outdoor travel annually." The funds will be used to expand Sekr's reservable inventory and grow its community initiatives, events and forums that connect people online and in-person, such as its Project Respect Outdoors (PRO) coalition. Sekr's inaugural PRO event was held November 4-7, 2021 in Escalante, Utah and will unite womxn business owners, non-profit leaders and grassroots change makers and their allies with the goal of bringing awareness to shared experiences and taking scalable action to evolve the outdoor industry into a more inclusive space. For more information, visit https://sekr.com . Download the app for iOS here or for Android here . About Sekr: Sekr is a crowdsourced mobile platform making every step of the outdoor travel planning experience easier, safer, and more social. From full-time digital nomads to the occasional road tripper, the company is creating an inclusive community through access to 50K+ campsites, including the nation's largest database of free campsites. Founded in 2018, Sekr's dedicated team partners with local non-profit organizations, including Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly!, to promote responsible recreation and the conservation of the outdoors. The company is also committed to addressing the lack of diversity in outdoor spaces through its coalition, Project Respect Outdoors , which unites women and minorities to take scalable action to evolve the outdoor industry into a more inclusive space. Follow Sekr on Facebook , YouTube , Instagram , and LinkedIn . SOURCE Sekr The expansion will allow Spartan Medical to seamlessly incorporate NTT DATA's Smart Back to Work application as part of Spartan Medical's COVID-19 testing program. The Smart Back to Work (SB2W) application is easily accessible from a mobile phone, tablet or computer, allowing employees to upload proof of vaccination or COVID-19 test results securely, conveniently and quickly for their employer. After instituting Spartan Medical's testing program, Colorado State University - Pueblo reduced its COVID-19 positivity rate from twenty percent to less than one percent in six weeks, earning the school a "pandemic response award" from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, which represents nearly 400 member schools. Smart Back to Work NTT DATA developed the Smart Back to Work platform with Spartan Medical to help organizations easily adapt as COVID-19 safety requirements change. Within this single application, any organization can securely track vaccination status and test results, with a simple process for students, employees and employers to meet requirements and stay safe. NTT DATA's integrated Smart Back to Work business intelligence platform also gives organizations the ability to securely report and organize the vaccination and testing information submitted by its employees into various demographic groups, such as location, workgroup and role and then track actionable trends within those groups. Testing Programs for Any Organization Spartan Medical's COVID-19 testing program is customizable, allowing businesses, schools and government agencies to choose the method of testing that suits their needs. Spartan can provide FDA-authorized self-administered, Over the Counter (OTC) Antigen Rapid Tests for weekly testing, on-site test collection and processing using FDA-authorized Point-of-Care (POC) Antigen Rapid Tests or PCR test collection shipped daily to an outside accredited lab. Test results are then integrated with NTT DATA's Smart Back to Work application for secure reporting. Seamlessly Manage Health and Wellbeing In addition to using NTT DATA's Smart Back to Work application for tracking and reporting, Spartan Medical also offers: The ability to collect and verify vaccination status of all students, employees and staff, including contractors, and manage safety protocols accordingly A fully integrated, HIPAA compliant, web-based technology platform that provides automated push notifications to users as well as secure, real-time reporting of COVID-19 test results to local and state governments as required Licensed Medical Staff to help confidentially schedule employee testing, conduct or observe testing on site, and provide appropriate guidance for all forms of test sample collection The ability to capture test results for self-administered Antigen Rapid tests performed "on-site" or "at-home" and link them to the real-time dashboard A secure, customizable dashboard for employers and schools to review test results and quickly identify positive cases and trends to make informed real-time decisions. "Spartan Medical's single-source, COVID-19 testing program has been validated by an independent third party and demonstrated proven results with evidence-based outcomes," said Vince Proffitt, Founder and President, Spartan Medical. "By adding vaccine verification, we can provide any organization one complete, secure solution with all of the services, supplies and integration included, allowing our customers to focus on their profession." "Many organizations lack a single solution to manage COVID-19 vaccination status and test results. Through the combination of NTT DATA's technology and Spartan Medical's testing services, we can help organizations prioritize the safety of their employees through a secure, seamless program," said Noel Hara, Chief Technology Officer, Public Sector, NTT DATA Services. "We are delighted to continue our alliance with Spartan Medical to provide best-in-class solutions to our employees and clients." For more information on NTT DATA's work with federal and public sector organizations, please visit: NTT DATA Public Sector Services. About NTT DATA NTT DATA is a leading IT services provider and global innovation partner with business operations in over 50 countries. Our emphasis is on long-term commitment, combining global reach with local intimacy to provide premier professional services varying from consulting and systems development to outsourcing. For more information, visit www.nttdata.com. About Spartan Medical Spartan Medical Inc. was founded in 2008 by a former Air Force Intelligence Officer to provide an extensive portfolio of advanced medical devices and technologies from premier partners, focused on the needs of the VA and DoD surgeon. Spartan Medical is considered a top priority vendor in the VA as a CVE certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and has been awarded 700+ Federal Government contracts including multi-year Blanket Purchase Agreements at over 30 major military treatment facilities with 13+ years of flawless performance. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Spartan Medical has assembled a Comprehensive COVID-19 Testing Solution providing best-in-class products and services for K-12 schools, universities and local, state and federal governments. For more information, visit www.spartanmedspine.com. Media Contacts: Amy Baj, NTT DATA Services [email protected] 954.909.7900 Nick Goebel, Spartan Medical [email protected] 248-767-6276 SOURCE Spartan Medical Inc. BALTIMORE, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunstone Credit, Inc. ("Sunstone"), a technology-enabled solar loan finance platform for businesses, today announced the company's initial fundraise, including investments from Forbright Bank, Cross River Digital Ventures, Grotech Ventures, Early Light Ventures and the University System of Maryland Momentum Fund. In addition to their investments, Forbright Bank and Cross River will also serve as strategic partners to Sunstone, and provide the financing to back its loan portfolio. Sunstone is on a mission to enable more small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) access to solar energy through its technology-driven platform offering affordable and easy-to-understand solar loan products. This round of investment will allow Sunstone to scale its team, invest in its best-in-class technology platform and continue to grow its national network of solar developer partners. "Sunstone was founded with the mission of helping more businesses go solar," said Josh Goldberg, Co-Founder of Sunstone. "We are excited to have found such an incredible group of likeminded investors to join us. Together we are committed to building a platform that will drive commercial sales growth for our solar developer partners and enable cost savings for borrowers, while contributing to a cleaner future for the planet. Additionally, we are thrilled that Forbright Bank and Cross River have elected to further their relationship with Sunstone, by not only investing, but also providing the funds to back our loans as strategic partners." Sunstone is the creation of Goldberg and Wilson Chang, who together have decades of solar industry experience. They are joined by a co-founding team with backgrounds across climate, financial services and technology. "We have a very high regard for Josh and his terrific team and look forward to a strong and growing partnership with Sunstone," said John Delaney, Founder of Forbright Bank. "Forbright is mission aligned around decarbonization and sustainability and helping build Sunstone into a leading solar lender for the small business marketplace aligns with that mission. We look forward to working with Josh as he builds a great business that will help decarbonize the world by 2050." Sunstone's loan products are affordable, easy to understand and backed by the significant lending capabilities of banks such as Forbright Bank and Cross River that have partnered with the company. "We have worked with Josh, Wilson and the team for years as they successfully revolutionized residential solar finance," said Hillel Olivestone, Head of Corporate Development at Cross River. "The Cross River Digital Ventures team is excited to back Sunstone as they bring the same entrepreneurial spirit and technology-first approach to financial services for the SMB commercial solar market." Designed to be simple and easy to use, Sunstone's best-in-class technology platform enables solar developer partners to offer straightforward loan financing options to their SMB customers through a streamlined online application. "From an investment perspective, Sunstone is an attractive combination of strong solar industry tailwinds, highly favorable market dynamics in the commercial solar lending space and great founder-market fit," said Lawson DeVries, Managing General Partner of Grotech Ventures. "Josh and team have the bold entrepreneurial vision needed to scale the business and are already starting on second base given their previous experiences building companies in the solar industry." Today, with energy costs rising and climate change discourse growing increasingly prevalent, more SMBs than ever are seeking to reduce their electric bill and carbon footprint by going solar and Sunstone has developed the right loan products to meet this moment. "Sunstone taps into two of the most compelling themes today: fintech and the clean energy transition," said Mike Leffer, Principal at Early Light Ventures. "At the same time, they are offering a product that both is unique within the current commercial solar finance market and has high demonstrated demand. With the team's experience spanning solar, finance and technology, we are confident in Sunstone's ability to make solar more accessible for businesses through their platform." "Creating a connective tissue between financial institutions, solar installers, and SMB borrowers is a very clever way to bring much more solar to the U.S. via SMBs. Financial institutions want to grow their loans, SMB borrowers need a simple way to finance solar, and solar installers lack easy to use financial tools to scale their businesses," said Maryland Momentum Fund Managing Director, Claire Broido Johnson. For more information on Sunstone, please visit sunstonecredit.com. To learn more about becoming a Sunstone partner, please contact [email protected]. About Sunstone Credit Sunstone Credit is on a mission to democratize access to solar for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). Sitting at the intersection of climate, finance and technology, Sunstone has built a best-in-class technology platform and partnered with leading financial institutions and a national network of solar developers to provide SMB borrowers access to simple, affordable and easy-to-understand solar loan products with flexible terms and a streamlined application process. When SMB customers go solar using Sunstone's products, they save money and reduce their carbon footprint, driving a clean, green future for all. Learn more at sunstonecredit.com. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. SOURCE Sunstone Credit Micro Irrigation Systems market report key highlights Estimated year-on-year growth rate: 6.44% Key market segments: Product (sprinkler irrigation systems and drip irrigation systems), application (orchard crops, field crops, plantation crops, and forage and grasses), and geography ( North America , APAC, Europe , South America , and MEA). , APAC, , , and MEA). Key Consumer Region & contribution: Europe at 29% Micro Irrigation Systems Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 9.06% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 5.00 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 6.44 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution Europe at 29% Key consumer countries US, China, Germany, Canada, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Antelco Pty Ltd., Chinadrip Irrigation Equipment Co. Ltd., Dubois Agrinovation Inc., Elgo Irrigation Ltd., Fujian Dafengshou Irrigation Technology Co.Ltd. , Hunter Industries Inc, Irritec SpA, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., Lindsay Corp., Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., Metro Irrigation, Microjet Irrigation Systems, Nelson Irrigation Corp., Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV, Rain Bird Corp., Raindrip Inc., Rivulis Irrigation Ltd., The Toro Co., T L Irrigation Co., and Valmont Industries Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis 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. Do reach out to our analysts for more customized reports as per needs. Speak to our Analyst now! Micro Irrigation Systems Market Share Trend The growing popularity of solar-powered micro irrigation systems Access to the energy grid may not always be assured in remote locations, particularly in developing and growing countries. Farmers may be able to secure a safe power source for micro irrigation systems by using an independent and alternative energy system in such instances. The effectiveness of micro irrigation is combined with the dependability of a solar-powered water pump in a solar-powered micro irrigation system. Because of the growing popularity of solar-powered irrigation systems, some merchants have begun to offer them on the global market. As a result of the growing popularity of solar-powered micro irrigation systems, sales of these units may increase during the projection period. Micro Irrigation Systems Market Challenge The frequent replacement of micro irrigation components Drippers and tapes in drip irrigation systems are readily destroyed by insects and rodents, and removing and installing parts takes more time. Replacement of components in automatic sprinklers and emitters used in micro irrigation systems necessitates reprogramming of the complete irrigation system. During high-pressure changes, some components, such as drip lines, can be destroyed. Sprinklers and drippers work well when operated at the manufacturer's specified operating pressure. As a result, frequent micro irrigation component replacement may raise the overall cost of micro irrigation system maintenance for farmers. Get free sample for extensive insights on key market Drivers, Trends, and Challenges influencing the micro irrigation systems market. Key market vendors insights The micro irrigation systems market share is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic strategies to compete in the market. Some of the key market vendors are: Hunter Industries Inc Irritec SpA Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. Lindsay Corp. Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. Nelson Irrigation Corp. Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV Rain Bird Corp. The Toro Co. Valmont Industries Inc. For more detailed highlights on products offerings and the growth strategies adopted by other vendors, Download free sample report Key Segment Analysis by Product Sprinkler irrigation systems The sprinkler irrigation systems segment will gain considerable market share in micro irrigation systems. Sprinkler irrigation systems are appropriate for all soil types and plants organized on slopes and can cover small and big expanses of land. When it comes to providing water to elevated locations, these systems are more efficient than drip irrigation systems. During the projection period, the market's growth might be accelerated by rising demand for innovative sprinkler irrigation system models. Drip Irrigation System Others Regional Market Analysis Europe will contribute to 29% of the micro irrigation systems market share growth during the forecast period. US, China, Germany, Canada, and the UK are the major markets for micro irrigation systems market share. The increasing preference for new models of sprinkler irrigation systems is expected to boost the micro irrigation systems market share in the region. Request our free sample for additional highlights and key segments that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. Related Reports:- Rice Milling Machinery Market - The rice milling machinery market share is expected to increase by USD 151.20 million from 2020 to 2025, at a CAGR of 2.30%. Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Agricultural Tractor Market in North America - The agricultural tractor market share in North America is expected to increase by 25.98 thousand units from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 2.43%. Download Exclusive Free Sample Report 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 Web Hosting Services market report key highlights Estimated year-on-year growth rate: 12.55% Key market segments: Service (shared hosting, dedicated hosting, VPS hosting, and website builder) and geography ( North America , Europe , APAC, MEA, and South America ). , , APAC, MEA, and ). Key Consumer Region & contribution: North America at 50% Web Hosting Services Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 13.30% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 63.45 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 12.55 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 50% Key consumer countries US, Germany, UK, Japan, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled A2 Hosting Inc., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., ArkaHost.Com, Aruba Spa, AT and T Inc., DreamHost LLC, Exabytes Network Sdn Bhd, Fujitsu Ltd., GoDaddy Inc., Hetzner Online GmbH, home.pl, INMOTION HOSTING Inc., International Business Machines Corp., Liquid Web LLC, LiquidNet, Newfold Digital Inc., NICMAN Group LLC, One.com Group AB, OVH Groupe SAS, Rackspace Technology Inc., SiteGround Hosting Ltd., United Internet AG, and Web4Africa (Pty) Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis 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. Do reach out to our analysts for more customized reports as per needs. Speak to our Analyst now! Web Hosting Services Market Share Trend Implementation of AI in web hosting AI provides increased security, domain name protection and performance, as well as self-repairing systems. The use of artificial intelligence in web hosting protects websites and consumer data from hackers. Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) programmed uncover and analyze patterns to detect potential dangers and immediately notify enterprises. Artificial intelligence (AI) combined with predictive analytics and machine learning can provide potential alerts and reports concerning malware-infected websites. AI integration delivers insights into website performance while also lowering operating costs. As a result, the use of AI in web hosting will help the market growth throughout the forecast period. Web Hosting Services Market Challenge Data privacy and security concerns As more devices are networked through the Internet and rely on the use of public and private networks, data privacy and security concerns are among the primary challenges encountered by a cloud environment. Web-based cyberattacks such as business email compromise (BEC), malware, SQL injection attacks, and virus attacks are becoming more common as cloud solutions become more widely adopted. Hackers primarily target high-level executives in companies, duping them into making money transactions in order to gain confidential information. The most likely reason for hacking is a failure to implement security mechanisms in cloud-based systems. BEC can take several forms, including bogus invoices, CEO fraud, account breach, identity theft, and attorney impersonation. Get free sample for extensive insights on key market Drivers, Trends, and Challenges influencing the web hosting services market. Key market vendors insights The web hosting services market share is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic strategies to compete in the market. Some of the key market vendors are: A2 Hosting Inc. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Alphabet Inc. Amazon.com Inc. ArkaHost.Com Aruba Spa AT and T Inc. DreamHost LLC GoDaddy Inc. United Internet AG For more detailed highlights on products offerings and the growth strategies adopted by other vendors, Download free sample report Key Segment Analysis by Service Shared hosting The share of the web hosting services market held by shared hosting would expand significantly. The expansion of the shared hosting industry is due to an increase in SMEs migrating to the cloud, a rise in the number of startups, and the e-commerce sector. Because of their low-to-moderate website traffic and lower customization, storage, and central processing unit (CPU) requirements, SMEs are increasingly turning to shared hosting. This is likely to boost shared hosting service acceptance and growth, and the trend is predicted to continue throughout the forecast period. Dedicated Hosting VPS Hosting Website Builder Regional Market Analysis North America will contribute to 50% of the web hosting services market share growth during the forecast period. US, Germany, UK, Japan, and France are the major markets for web hosting services market share. The increase in the migration of SMEs to the cloud, a rise in the establishment of startups, and the growth of the e-commerce market is expected to boost the web hosting services market share in the region. Request our free sample for additional highlights and key segments that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. Related Reports:- Emotion Recognition and Sentiment Analysis Software Market - The emotion recognition and sentiment analysis software market share should rise by USD 1.39 billion from 2021 to 2025 at a CAGR of 40.73%. Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Cloud Data Warehouse Market - The cloud data warehouse market share is expected to increase by USD 10.42 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 22.56%. Download Exclusive Free Sample Report 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 CAMPBELL, Calif., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Mobile Experts released a Macro and Massive MIMO Base Station Transceiver Forecast with detailed analysis through 2027. This new report covers three major themes that will shape the future of 5G: C-Band network rollouts in the US: This report provides detailed analysis for the deployment strategies of the three largest US operators; China's continued focus on the Macro networks for a second year in a row. The impact of the US Trade Ban on Huawei is forcing the China market to pivot away from mMIMO and stay will Macro network upgrades in 2022 and possibly 2023; and Expectations for Europe and India: The report provides a breakdown by band and by MIMO configuration to illustrate when key 5G networks will ramp up. According to the report, the completion of the spectrum auctions for mid-band frequencies in the US (3.45 3.98 GHz) will drive a substantial investment in networks by all operators. While China has stepped back from mMIMO, the US networks will embrace 64T64R and 32T32R mMIMO systems. "With the availability of mid-band spectrum, the US operators will finally be able to deliver on the promise of improved performance for 5G," commented Principal Analyst Dan McNamara. "From the perspective of the average smartphone user, 5G has thus far been a disappointment. However, with the networks coming on-line in 2022 this will change." The forecast includes 2G through 5G high power base stations below 6GHz. Mobile Experts includes "macro" (typically 4T4R or 8T8R) and "massive MIMO" (16T16R and higher) above 100W composite power in this report. Small cells and mm-wave infrastructure are covered in separate reports, because the dynamics for these products are very different than the macro market. We have passed the initial phases of 5G deployments and are now beginning to see variations and common trends emerging. With China embarking on a 5G strategy focused on massive capacity, we saw the mMIMO deployments and the shift from 64T64R to 32T32R. For operators that take this approach, the transition to fewer mMIMO antenna elements will be a standard approach. However, there are other regions that will look to provide country-wide coverage first, with capacity deployed in a second wave. "While China remains the largest single market, deployments in other regions are beginning to balance out the global demand", continued Dan McNamara of Mobile Experts. "Despite the mMIMO pause in China, other parts of the world are actively deploying 5G enabling some growth in mMIMO and 5G base stations overall." The 5G ecosystem is showing good growth and now it is becoming more balanced with larger scale deployments happening outside China. For 2022, the focus will be on the C-Band deployments in the US and after that the next big market could be Indiawhich Mobile Experts believes will begin wide-spread deployments in 2023. Subscribers to Mobile Experts research will receive: Full access to the Macro and Massive MIMO Base Station Transceivers 2022; 64 comprehensive charts and figures; The detailed Excel file with forecast data through 2027; Quarterly market share, shipment, adoption updates; Quarterly Expert INSIGHT strategic reports; strategic reports; Access to the analysts behind the reports. For more about this report, clickhere. About Mobile Experts Inc. : Mobile Experts provides insightful market analysis for the mobile infrastructure and mobile handset markets. Our analysts are true Experts, who remain focused on topics where each analyst has 25 years of experience or more. Research topics center on technology introduction for radio frequency (RF) and communications innovation. Recent publications focus on Macro Base Stations, Cellular V2X, Private LTE, ORAN, RAN Revenue & CAPEX, Fixed Mobile Convergence, and more. Contact: Rachel Winningham Mobile Experts Inc. [email protected] +1 (408) 374-0690 www.mobile-experts.net SOURCE Mobile Experts LA PAZ, Bolivia, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Invitation for Offers The Plurinational State of Bolivia ("Bolivia") announced today the commencement of offers to (i) purchase for cash notes of each series listed in the table below (collectively, the "Old Notes", and each series thereof a "series" of Old Notes) validly tendered and accepted for purchase (the "Offers to Purchase") and (ii) exchange Old Notes that are validly tendered by the Bolivian Entity Offerees (as defined below), and accepted for exchange for New Notes (as defined below) ("Offers to Exchange" and together with the Offers to Purchase, the "Offers"), in each case, as set forth in the table below and upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the invitation dated February 10, 2022 (the "Invitation", and together with the related eligibility letter and certification letter, the "Invitation Materials"). The Invitation is not conditioned upon any minimum participation of any series of Old Notes but is conditioned, among other things, on the pricing and closing of an international capital markets transaction in an amount acceptable to Bolivia whereby Bolivia will issue and sell for cash of one or more new series of notes (collectively, the "New Notes"). Any such offering will be made solely by means of an offering memorandum relating to that offering, and this Invitation does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an order to buy any New Notes. The Invitation will commence on February 10, 2022 and will expire at 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on February 17, 2022 (the "Expiration Time") unless extended or earlier terminated by Bolivia in its sole discretion. Old Notes may be validly withdrawn at any time at or prior to the Expiration Time. The settlement of validly tendered and accepted Old Notes is scheduled to occur on February 23, 2022 (the "Settlement Date"). The purchase price for the Old Notes of each series validly tendered and accepted for purchase or exchange, as applicable, pursuant to the Invitation will be the fixed price indicated in the table below per each original U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes (the "Purchase Price"). Holders whose Old Notes are validly tendered and accepted for purchase or exchange, as applicable, will also receive any accrued and unpaid interest, in cash, on such Old Notes up to (but excluding) the Settlement Date. At or about 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on February 16, 2022, Bolivia will make a public announcement of the minimum coupon that it expects to pay and the maturity date of the New Notes in connection with the pricing of the New Notes Offering. Old Notes Outstanding Principal Amount as of February 10, 2022 CUSIP/ ISIN (144A) CUSIP/ ISIN (Reg S) Purchase Price per Original U.S.$1,000 Principal Amount Offers to Exchange (Bolivian Entity Offerees only)(1)(2) Offers to Purchase (non-Bolivian Eligible Holders only)(3) 4.875% Notes due 2022 (the "2022 Notes") U.S.$500,000,000 29731Q AA5 / US29731QAA58 P37878 AA6 / USP37878AA69 U.S.$1,025.00 U.S.$1,025.00 5.950% Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes") U.S.$500,000,000 29731Q AB3 / US29731QAB32 P37878AB4 / USP37878AB43 U.S.$1,053.00 U.S.$1,053.00 4.500% Notes due 2028 (the "2028 Notes") U.S.$1,000,000,000 29731Q AC1 / US29731QAC15 P37878 AC2 / USP37878AC26 U.S.$898.00 U.S.$898.00 (1) Bolivian Entity Offerees whose Old Notes are validly tendered and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offers will receive an amount of New Notes calculated by dividing the Tender Value (as defined below) by the New Notes issue price (which is the cash price at which the New Notes will be issued in the New Notes Offering). The "Tender Value" for a series of Old Notes equals the principal amount of Old Notes tendered multiplied by the Purchase Price for such series of Old Notes. (2) Bolivian Entity Offerees are subject to 25% income tax capital gains, which would be calculated pursuant to the year-end profit and loss statement and such Bolivian Entity Offerees' annual income tax statement. Bolivia will not gross up such Bolivian Entity Offerees for any such income tax payments. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to the Offers--A Portion of the payments pursuant to the Offers to Purchase will be subject to Bolivian withholding tax." and "TaxationBolivian Income Tax Consequences." in the Invitation. (3) Non-Bolivian Eligible Holders are only eligible to participate in the Offers to Purchase and are subject to withholding tax of 12.5% on the difference between the price to be paid by Bolivia and the original issue price of the applicable series of Old Notes. Bolivia will (A) pay a gross price of (i) U.S.$1,028.57 per $1,000 principal amount for the 2022 Notes; (ii) U.S.$1,063.72 per $1,000 principal amount on the 2023 Notes; and U.S.$898.00 per $1,000 principal amount on the 2028 Notes and (B) withhold tax of (i) U.S.$3.57 per $1,000 principal amount on the 2022 Notes; (ii) U.S.$10.72 per $1,000 principal amount on the 2023 Notes; and U.S.$0.00 on the 2028 Notes. As a result, Non-Bolivian Eligible Holders, whose Old Notes are validly tendered and accepted for purchase by Bolivia will receive the Purchase Price for the applicable series of Old Notes, which represents the net amount to be received by such Non-Bolivian Eligible Holders. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to the Offers--A Portion of the payments pursuant to the Offers to Purchase will be subject to Bolivian withholding tax." and "TaxationBolivian Income Tax Consequences." in the Invitation. Eligible holders of Old Notes must tender Old Notes by requesting that the direct participant through which the holder holds its Old Notes submit, at or prior to the Expiration Time, such holder's offer to tender their Old Notes (an "Offer"), by properly instructing The Depository Trust Company, Inc. ("DTC"), Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. ("Euroclear") or Clearstream Banking Luxembourg, societe anonyme ("Clearstream, Luxembourg"), as applicable, in accordance with the procedures and deadlines established by such clearing system. Any holder that holds Old Notes through a custodian cannot submit an Offer directly and should instead contact its custodian to instruct the direct participant to submit an Offer on its behalf. There is no letter of transmittal for the Invitation. The deadlines set by custodians or direct participants for the submission of tender instructions to DTC may be earlier than the Expiration Time. Tenders must be submitted through DTC's ATOP system in accordance with the deadlines and procedures established by DTC. The acceptance of any Offers forwarded to DTC outside these deadlines will be in the sole discretion of Bolivia. The total purchase price (the "Total Purchase Price") for an amount of Old Notes tendered for purchase or exchange, as applicable, will equal the principal amount of such Old Notes tendered, multiplied by the applicable Purchase Price, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Old Notes to (but excluding) the Settlement Date. If the Total Purchase Price for all validly tendered Old Notes, not including accrued and unpaid interest (the "Tendered Principal Purchase Price") would exceed the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price, Bolivia will, in its sole discretion, select one or more series of Old Notes to be prorated on the basis of the same or different proration factors. If Bolivia accepts all or a portion of a holder's Offer of Old Notes of any series, the holder will be entitled to receive for such Old Notes the applicable Total Purchase Price, which will be paid on the Settlement Date, if the conditions of the Invitation are met. If there is proration, Bolivia will multiply the principal amount of each valid tender of the relevant series of Old Notes by the applicable proration rate and round the resulting amount down to the nearest U.S.$1,000 principal amount in order to determine the principal amount of such tender that will be accepted pursuant to the applicable Offer. If, however, such Eligible Holder would be entitled to receive less than U.S.$200,000 principal amount of New Notes, the Eligible Holder's tender will be rejected in full, no cash will be paid for accrued and unpaid interest and the Old Notes subject to this tender will be returned to the Eligible Holder. Accordingly, tenders of Old Notes may not be accepted in whole or in part as a result of proration. Bolivia reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any or all Offers, to modify the applicable Purchase Price for any or all series of Old Notes in any of the Offers in accordance with the terms and conditions described in the Invitation Materials, or to terminate the Invitation for any reason. In the event of a termination of the Invitation, the tendered Old Notes will be returned to the holder. Subject to the following paragraph, only Eligible Holders who have returned a duly completed eligibility letter certifying that they are Bolivian Entity Offerees are authorized to receive and review the Offer Materials and to participate in the Offers to Exchange. The eligibility letter can be accessed at the following link: https://gbsc-usa.com/eligibility/bolivia_exchange. Eligible Holders who are not Bolivian Entity Offerees may still receive and review the Invitation if they have returned a duly completed Certification Letter certifying that: it is the beneficial owner, or is acting on behalf of a beneficial owner, of the securities that are subject to the Offers to Purchase, and it acknowledges and agrees that (i) it will only use and rely on this Invitation in connection with such person's potential participation in the Offers to Purchase (as defined below), and (ii) it is not eligible to participate, and will not participate, in the Offers to Exchange. The certification letter can be accessed at the following link: https://gbsc-usa.com/eligibility/bolivia_tender. Holders who have submitted a valid Eligibility Letter do not need to submit a Certification Letter to receive and review this Invitation. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) Bolivian Entity Offerees are not eligible to participate in the Offers to Purchase, and (ii) only Bolivian Entity Offerees are eligible to participate in the Offers to Exchange. Holders that submit a valid eligibility letter or certification letter are referred to herein as "Eligible Holders." The Invitation Materials may be downloaded from the website of Global Bondholder Services Corporation (the "Information, Tender and Exchange Agent") at https://gbsc-usa.com/eligibility/bolivia_exchange and https://gbsc-usa.com/eligibility/bolivia_tender or obtained from the Information, Tender and Exchange Agent, at 65 Broadway Suite 404, New York, New York 10006, (Tel. (212) 430-3774, Toll free: +1 (855) 654-2015) Attention: Corporate Actions, or from any of the Dealer Managers. The Dealer Managers for the Invitation are: BofA Securities, Inc. One Bryant Park New York, NY 10036 United States of America Attention: Liability Management Group Toll-Free: (888) 292-0070 Collect: (646) 855-8998 Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 200 West Street New York, NY 10282 United States of America Attn: Liability Management Group Collect: (212) 357-1452 Toll-Free: (800) 828-3182 J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Ave New York, NY 10179 United States of America Attn: Latin America Debt Capital Markets Collect: (212) 834-7279 Toll-free: (866) 846-2874 Questions regarding the Invitation may be directed to the Dealer Managers at the above contact information. Contact information: Global Bondholder Services Corporation Attention: Corporate Actions 65 Broadway Suite 404 New York, NY 10006 Banks and Brokers call: +1 (212) 430-3774 Toll free: +1 (855) 654-2015 website: https://gbsc-usa.com/eligibility/bolivia_exchange https://gbsc-usa.com/eligibility/bolivia_tender Important Notice The distribution of materials relating to the Invitation and the transactions contemplated thereby may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Invitation and any of the transactions contemplated thereby are void in all jurisdictions where they are prohibited. If materials relating to the Invitation or any of the transactions contemplated thereby come into your possession, you are required by Bolivia to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Invitation and the transactions contemplated thereby, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the Invitation be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or any affiliate of a Dealer Manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the Invitation shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliate in that jurisdiction. Owners who may lawfully participate in the Invitation in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "holders." This announcement is for informational purposes only. This announcement is not an invitation for offers to purchase for cash or a solicitation of invitations for offers to purchase for cash any Old Notes. Any materials relating to the Invitation do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, any form of offer or solicitation in any place where such offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the Invitation be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or its respective affiliate is such a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the Invitation shall be deemed to be made by a Dealer Manager or affiliate in such jurisdiction. The distribution of the Invitation Materials in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession the Invitation Materials comes are required by Bolivia, the Dealer Managers, and the Information, Tender and Exchange Agent to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions as set out in the "Jurisdictional Restrictions" section of the Invitation Materials. Bolivia Neither the New Notes nor the Offers (each, as defined below) have been or will be registered with the Bolivian Securities Market Registry and accordingly will not be publicly offered in Bolivia within the scope of Article 6 of the Bolivian Securities Market Law (Law No. 1834 dated March 31, 1998, as amended). European Economic Area This announcement and the Invitation has been prepared on the basis that any offer of the New Notes in any Member State of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of the New Notes. Each person in a Member State of the EEA who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any of the New Notes under, the offers contemplated in this Invitation or to whom the New Notes are otherwise made available, will be deemed to have represented, warranted, acknowledged and agreed to and with each Initial Purchaser and Bolivia that it and any person on whose behalf it acquires the New Notes is not a retail investor. 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 MiFID II; or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. In this section, the expression an "offer" in relation to any of the New Notes in any Member State of the EEA means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the New Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the New Notes, and the expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded). Any distributor subject to MiFID II subsequently offering, selling or recommending the New Notes is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the New Notes and determining the appropriate distribution channels for the purposes of the MiFID II product governance rules under Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 ("Delegated Directive"). Neither the Issuer nor any of the Initial Purchasers make any representations or warranties as to a Distributor's compliance with the Delegated Directive. United Kingdom This announcement and the Invitation have been prepared on the basis that any offer of New Notes in the UK will be made pursuant to an exemption under section 85 of the FSMA and the Prospectus Regulation, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK Prospectus Regulation"), from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of New Notes. Each person in the UK who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any of the New Notes under, the offers contemplated in this Invitation or to whom the New Notes are otherwise made available, will be deemed to have represented, warranted, acknowledged and agreed to and with each Initial Purchaser and Bolivia that it and any person on whose behalf it acquires the New Notes is not a retail investor. For these purposes, (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA. In this section, the expression an "offer" in relation to any of the New Notes in the UK means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the New Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the New Notes. Any distributor subject to the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules"), subsequently offering, selling or recommending the New Notes is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the New Notes and determining the appropriate distribution channels for the purposes of the UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules. Neither the Issuer nor any of the Initial Purchasers make any representations or warranties as to a distributor's compliance with the UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules. The Invitation is for distribution only to persons who (1) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Financial Promotion Order"), (2) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Financial Promotion Order, (3) are outside the United Kingdom, or (4) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The Invitation 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 document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. SOURCE Government of Bolivia TOKYO, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- We are pleased to announce that a fund operated by UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC), the venture investment arm of the University of Tokyo (UTokyo), Japan's leading national university, has come to a final closing, with a total of JPY 25.6 billion involving 11 institutional investors. The Accelerating Open Innovation Fund 1 (AOI Fund 1) is an investment limited partnership that was established in 2020 to facilitate open innovation through industry-academia collaboration. UTokyo IPC is the general partner of the fund, while UTokyo serves as its anchor limited partner. University-affiliated venture capital partnership consecutively investing on a scale of JPY25 billion Unlike conventional venture capital financing, the AOI Fund 1 operates under the novel concept of "fostering and investing on startups through industry-academia collaboration." It is designed to support spin-off startups from established business entities and new company creation through partnerships with leading companies in various sectors, as well as entrepreneurs that effectively leverage assets of leading companies for its growth. AOI Fund 1 was launched in 2020, initially with a limited fund size of JPY 2.8 billion, with MUFG Bank, Ltd., and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. Later the fund size has increased more than JPY 24 billion, with six new investors by its second closing in early 2021: SBI Group, Fuyo General Lease Co., Ltd., DBJ Group, Daikin Industries, Ltd., Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., and Hakuhodo Inc. Together with three more investors, including Zeon Corporation and The Norinchukin Bank, AOI Fund 1 finished its fundraising, with the total amount of the fund reaching JYP25.6 billion with a total of 13 partners, including UTokyo and UTokyo IPC. This exceeds the amount of UTokyo IPC's first fund, Innovation Platform No. 1 Investment Limited Partnership (IPC Fund 1), which had a pledged financial contribution of JYP25.0 billion. Aiming to attain and accelerating open innovation -- "organic" bonding of industrial assets in Japan and academic results The purpose of the AOI Fund 1 is to accelerate startups through the organic bonding of various assets and strengths accumulated in Japanese industrial sectors which have an edge in the global market with results produced by academic institutions. It also aims to strengthen the industrial competitive edge of Japan, now the world's No. 3 economic power in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). The AOI Fund 1 deals with a broad range of investment projects, from large-scale ones of around USD 20 million to those involving seed-stage startups trying to explore the potentialities of industry and academia. TradeWaltz Inc. and Citadel AI Inc. are two examples of the portfolio, which currently consists of 14 companies. Its investments transcend national borders Axial Therapeutics, Inc. to start with. (Note 1) Strengthening competitiveness of Japanese industry by developing start-up ecosystem around UTokyo UTokyo began strengthening its university-wide capability to support startups and entrepreneurship when it became a national university corporation in 2004. Its endeavors have so far resulted in the birth of more than 20 listed companies, whose total market capitalization is estimated to exceed JPY 1 trillion. Under "Kanmin Innovation Program" (Note 2), UTokyo established UTokyo IPC in 2016 as a wholly owned subsidiary. Its objective is to further expand its startup ecosystem through organic partnership with startups, investors such as venture capital firms and established companies and universities/research institutes, thereby making it a global hub for innovation. The IPC Fund 1, which UTokyo IPC launched immediately after its foundation, has so far invested in 25 companies. Three have succeeded in launching IPOs. The efforts of UTokyo IPC are not limited to investment activities aimed at attaining the objectives of its establishment. A notable case is "1stRound," a university-affiliated incubation program launched in 2017. Through its semi-annual selection cycles, it provides equity-free capital and intensive hands-on support to hopeful startups in the pre-seed-stage. This program evolved from a UTokyo-based acceleration to an intercollegiate activity including the University of Tsukuba, Tokyo Medical and Dental University and the Tokyo Institute of Technology, as well as an industry-supported consortium comprising 17 industry partners and sponsors. Annually 15-20 teams are enjoying the benefits of this incubation; 43 alumni startups are leveraging this program to actively develop their businesses. Five of them, including the previously mentioned Citadel AI, are receiving our continued support through investment from AOI Fund 1. This program continues to expand, welcoming other academic institutions and partners. UTokyo's charter defines the university an institution that "serves the global public." We are committed to expanding the startup ecosystem and lead Japan's open innovation. Outline of the AOI 1 Fund General Partner: University of Tokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. Limited Partners: MUFG Bank, Ltd., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, SBI Group, Fuyo General Lease Co., Ltd., DBJ Group, Daikin Industries, Ltd., Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., Hakuhodo Inc., Zeon Corporation, the Norinchukin Bank, the University of Tokyo and one institutional investor. Fund size: JPY25.615 billion Duration: 15 years from 2020 Investment targets: Corporate spinoffs, new companies through joint ventures and seed-stage startups, all leverage industry-established assets and academia-nurtured results, e.g., of UTokyo. About University of Tokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC) Outline: An investment company committed to developing an innovation ecosystem around UTokyo Establishment: January 2016 Stockholder: UTokyo (100%) Address: 261 Entrepreneur Lab, South Clinical Research Bldg., Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan Representative: President and CEO Katsuhiko Oizumi Website: https://www.utokyo-ipc.co.jp/en/ (Note 1) TradeWaltz Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that operates the international trade information-sharing platform "TradeWaltz." The company was established based on a cross-industrial consortium which NTT Data Corporation. Professor Fuhito Kojima, Graduate School of Economics, The University of Tokyo, has joined TradeWaltz Inc.'s Advisory Board. URL: https://www.tradewaltz.com/en/ Citadel AI Inc. is a Tokyo-based company building next-generation machine learning infrastructure to make the world's AI systems more reliable and secure. The company was founded by two alumni of The University of Tokyo, from the computer science and electronic engineering departments. URL: https://www.citadel.co.jp/en Axial Therapeutics, Inc., is a Boston-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of people with neurological diseases, where Professors Satoshi Uematsu and Seiya Imoto of the Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, serve as Scientific Advisory Board members. URL: https://www.axialtx.com/ (Note 2) "Kanmin Innovation Program" is a government initiative launched in 2013 for fostering startup investment around national universities in Japan. Four leading national universities -- Tohoku, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka -- established venture investment subsidiaries as well as venture capital funds under this initiative. (The phrase "Kanmin" indicates "public-private partnership" in Japanese.) The cumulative fund size is JPY 125 billion, one-fifth of which has been provided by the private sector. More than 140 startups have received investments from the funds. Contact Information: UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. Kazuhiko KAKEHI Tel: +81-3-3830-0200 Email: [email protected] SOURCE UTokyo IPC - UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. ZUG, Switzerland and ARHUS, Denmark, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Concordium, the first layer-1 blockchain with built-in protocol level user identity, announces today that as of March 1, 2022, Kare Kjelstrm will join Concordium, in a newly established position as Group CTO and CPO with the holistic responsibility for the Product and Technology. Kare will act as Group CTO/CPO responsible for leading the rapid development of the core technology and the products required to position Concordium as the leading permissionless, decentralized blockchain platform. Throughout his career, Kare has served in a variety of senior technology roles with extensive hands-on experience in building systems at scale. Moreover, Kare has a proven track record of designing and delivering large systems and infrastructure components in heterogeneous environments. In his latest role, he is responsible for the core infrastructure of a high-profile Silicon Valley Startup. Prior to this, Kare held high ranking positions at Uber, Dansk IT and Silverbullet. Kare has a Master's Degree in Computer Science from Arhus University specializing in object-oriented, distributed systems. Lone Fnss Schrder, CEO of Concordium, states that "Concordium's decentralized, sustainable blockchain platform is reaching its biggest milestone yet with the upcoming listing of Concordium's cryptocurrency the CCD. The use of permissionless, decentralized blockchain has a huge potential for supporting new business models in a wide range of domains including Web3, decentralized finance and more. However, it's still difficult for people to understand the technology, its use cases and probable impact on the future economy". "Concordium is focusing on the swift development of the blockchain infrastructure with an accessible product offering in focus. We decided to bring in Kare who has global experience from other top technology companies where the customer experience and usability are of prime importance. Kare is the right person to accelerate the development of the Concordium platform - enabling our platform to become the best-in-class from a user and technology perspective" she continues. "I've spent the last decades working on building and scaling products with a major focus on the customer experience", said Kare of his new role. "Concordium is ripe with fascinating challenges along these lines, as do current and future Web3 business models. These have both research and practical implications that I'm keen to take the lead on". Media Contact Sigal Biran-Nagar VP Marketing [email protected] +972 54 9222 634 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/concordium/r/uber-and-silicon-valley-stealth-tech-startup-s-kare-kjelstrom-joins-concordium-to-lead-efforts-for-t,c3503821 SOURCE Concordium NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- UCSF | Health Hub , producer of the UCSF | Health Hub Digital Health Awards , announced today a new-multi year agreement with health transformation platform HLTH, (pronounced "health"), to host its 2022 Digital Health Awards Grand Finale event at HLTH 2022 . HLTH 2022 will take place in Las Vegas from November 13 through 16, 2022, gathering top health industry leaders, government officials, policy experts, politicians, tech industry influencers, and impassioned celebrities to solve healthcare's most pressing problems and spark true change. "HLTH is the industry's leading innovation event for healthcare and is the place to be if you are a buyer, seller, promoter, or champion of digital health," said Mark H. Goldstein, Founder & Chairman of UCSF | Health Hub and a Managing Partner at Builders VC, a leader in healthcare investing. "Our companies, judges, sponsors were unanimous in their support of bringing our Grand Finale to HLTH in Las Vegas, where over 10,000 industry leaders and companies will all be gathered. It's an incredible and exciting next step for the competition," adds Goldstein. Since 2019, UCSF | Health Hub, a digital health accelerator working with digital health startups from around the world, has hosted the Digital Health Awards to identify the most innovative upcoming digital health companies in the biggest areas of digital health, including Telemedicine and Application of AI. In 2021, the Awards Grand Finale was hosted at the Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco with many winners appearing via video conference (viewed here ) and guests at the Chase Center watching from the outdoor screen. Winners included AmWell, in the New Application in Telehealth category for its live video telehealth platform, and Cityblock, in the Mental & Behavioral Health category for its on-demand support platform. In 2022, the Grand Finale event in Las Vegas on November 14 will be attended by finalist companies, guest speakers, and leading digital health experts. Winners will be announced from more than fifteen hundred submissions, evaluated by more than 500 judges. Guests are invited to celebrate at the all-star reception immediately following. "With deep roots in the healthcare venture community and an impressive record of attracting game-changing startups in the first three years of the Digital Health Awards, UCSF | Health Hub has already influenced the trajectory of digital health," said Rich Scarfo, President of HLTH. "Our shared commitment to healthcare innovation makes this a natural partnership with potential for growth." Digital health companies and prospective judges, speakers, and guests can learn more about the UCSF | Health Hub Digital Health Awards by visiting: https://www.ucsfhealthhub.com/awards/home . More details, including dates and categories will be shared at ViVE from March 6 - 9, 2022. About HLTH HLTH (pronounced "health") is a community of leaders, innovators, and pioneers spanning the health ecosystem brought together for the industry's most important conference, focused on health innovation and transformation. From unparalleled events with industry-leading speakers to inspirational digital content and mission-driven initiatives, HLTH creates a unique marketplace for dialogue and development of a better health ecosystem. HLTH 2022: November 1316, 2022, at the Venetian Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas. About UCSF | Health Hub UCSF | Health Hub is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, affiliated with the University of California San Francisco and funded by the venture capital community and select healthcare services providers. Our mission is to help the next best digital health and life science companies develop, validate, and scale by matching them with advisors, investors, mentors, clinicians, and customers. We help companies which have received funding and are working full-time on their journey to disrupt the status quo in healthcare. Our community comprises more than 20,000 select, early-to-late stage healthcare companies and highly qualified healthcare experts, mentors, investors, clinicians, researchers, and buyers. Our members subscribe to our newsletters, engage via our UCSF | Health Hub Connect matching platform, and attend our in-person and virtual events. About UCSF | Health Hub Digital Health Awards The program has grown year on year since being established in 2019, marking a 35 percent increase in submissions in 2021 from 2020 and attracting more than 500 judges. Past winners include: AmWell (Application in Telehealth, 2021), Cityblock (Mental and Behavioral Health, 2021) Conversa (Remote Diagnostics, 2020), Eko (Hospital Diagnostics, 2020), Oura (Consumer Wellness, 2020), Dr. On Demand (Telemedicine, 2019), Livongo (Application of AI, 2019). 2021 Winners can be viewed here , 2020 here and 2019 here. Previous year's award shows have been viewed thousands of times. The 2021 Grand Finale Video can be viewed here . Media Contacts: SOURCE HLTH Only 2% of venture capital leaders are Black 1 , making it one of the least diverse industries in the country. With locations in Salt Lake City and San Diego, UGF expanded to Atlanta last year to promote diversity in the underrepresented field. Atlanta has 26,000 college students of color and 57 institutions of higher learning, including four Historically Black Colleges and Universities. "With Ally's funding, we branched out to Atlanta to reach more diverse students. Our expansion was an important motivator for investors that wanted us to expand the impact of our program," said Peter Harris, a UGF founding partner. "More investors recognize the need to improve diversity and access. Increasingly, they're coming to the conclusion that greater inclusivity is not only the right thing to do but can also help achieve greater outcomes for companies and investors alike." An Ally Charitable Foundation grant covered UGF's expansion to Atlanta and its push for greater access for diverse students in venture capital. "We see the strength that comes from diversity and it's important for brands to take action by stepping up and doing their part to promote it. At Ally, we believe diversity is essential to the long-term success of our company and the communities we serve," said Diane Morais, president of consumer and commercial banking at Ally. "Today's announcement furthers our commitment to opening new pathways for Black students, especially in underrepresented, high-paying career fields such as venture capitalism and private equity." Ally, a longtime UGF supporter, was the anchor investor in UGF's original fund in 2014 as well as the just-closed, second fund. Ally has invested a total of $25 million in UGF funds. "The closing of our second fund is a milestone moment for us and it wouldn't have been possible without Ally's early and deep support," said Tom Stringham, a founding partner of UGF. "We plan to continue our work to change students' lives by offering opportunities to gain real life experience and entry into the venture capital industry." Students in the Atlanta office come from a range of universities including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and these schools include Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Gwinnett College and Emory University. "UGF has given me incredible opportunities that I never thought I'd be a part of as a freshman or sophomore in college," said George Lester, a sophomore at Morehouse College and an associate at UGF's Atlanta office. "Coming from an HBCU, it's gratifying to see the impact UGF's new Atlanta office is having on the Black community in a city that's such a stable hub for Black culture. I've seen a growing interest in UGF and venture capitalism from students across a number of Atlanta universities and it's a great step toward increasing diversity in the space." Sources: 1 Founder Institute, 2020 About UGF University Growth Fund is the largest education-based private equity fund in the country, with over $80 million in assets under management from several institutional investors. UGF gives university students the opportunity to gain real-world experience as they invest alongside top-tier investors in many of the best companies in the country. UGF typically has 50+ student associates from fourteen universities in the program each semester. Learn more at www.ugrowthfund.com. About Ally Financial Inc. Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a digital financial services company committed to its promise to "Do It Right" for its consumer, commercial and corporate customers. Ally is composed of an industry-leading independent auto finance and insurance operation, an award-winning digital direct bank (Ally Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender, which offers mortgage lending, point-of-sale personal lending, and a variety of deposit and other banking products), a consumer credit card business, a corporate finance business for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. A relentless ally for all things money, Ally helps people save well and earn well, so they can spend for what matters. For more information, please visit www.ally.com and follow @allyfinancial. For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures. For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com. Contact: Brenda Rios [email protected] SOURCE Ally Financial IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ATTOM, licensor of the nation's most comprehensive foreclosure data and parent company to RealtyTrac (www.realtytrac.com), the largest online marketplace for foreclosure and distressed properties, today released its January 2022 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows there were a total of 23,204 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions up 29 percent from a month ago and 139 percent from a year ago. "The increased level of foreclosure activity in January wasn't a surprise," said Rick Sharga, executive vice president of RealtyTrac, an ATTOM company. "Foreclosures typically slow down during the holidays in November and December and pick back up after the first of the year. This year, the increases were probably a little more dramatic than usual since foreclosure restrictions placed on mortgage servicers by the CFPB expired at the end of December." Foreclosure completion numbers continue to rise Lenders repossessed 4,784 U.S. properties through completed foreclosures (REOs) in January 2022, up 57 percent from last month and 235 percent from last year the 7th consecutive month with an annual increase in completed foreclosures. States that had at least 100 or more REOs and that saw the greatest monthly increase in January 2022 included: Michigan (up 622 percent); Georgia (up 163 percent); Texas (up 98 percent); Tennessee (up 50 percent); and Alabama (up 44 percent). Those major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with a population greater than 200,000 that saw the greatest number of REOs included: Detroit, MI (1,013 REOs); Chicago, IL (210 REOs); New York, NY (129 REOs); Miami, FL (113 REOs); and Philadelphia, PA (107 REOs). "It's very important to keep these numbers in context," Sharga noted. "Foreclosure completions are still far below normal levels less than half as many as in January of 2020 before the pandemic was declared, and about 60% lower than the number of foreclosure completions in 2019. We're likely to continue seeing large year-over-year percentage increases for the rest of this year, but it's also likely that foreclosure activity will remain below historically normal levels until the end of 2022." Highest foreclosure rates in New Jersey, Illinois, and Nevada Nationwide one in every 5,922 housing units had a foreclosure filing in January 2022. States with the highest foreclosure rates were New Jersey (one in every 2,336 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Illinois (one in every 2,740 housing units); Nevada (one in every 3,119 housing units); Michigan (one in every 3,127 housing units); and Ohio (one in every 3,251 housing units). Among the 220 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000, those with the highest foreclosure rates in January 2022 were Detroit, MI (one in every 1,547 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Atlantic City, NJ (one in every 1,564 housing units); Cleveland, OH (one in every 1,659 housing units); Columbia, SC (one in every 1,921 housing units); and Trenton, NJ (one in every 2,299 housing units). Other than Detroit and Cleveland, among the metropolitan areas with a population greater than 1 million, those with the worst foreclosure rates in January 2022 included: Chicago, IL (one in every 2,514 housing units); Las Vegas, NV (one in every 2,654 housing units); Miami, FL (one in every 2,731 housing). Foreclosure starts increase monthly in 33 states including the District of Colombia Lenders started the foreclosure process on 11,854 U.S. properties in January 2022, up 29 percent from last month and 126 percent from a year ago. Those states that saw the greatest number of foreclosures starts in January 2022 included: Florida (1,238 foreclosure starts); California (1,226 foreclosure starts); Texas (1,003 foreclosure starts); Illinois (757 foreclosure starts); and Ohio (665 foreclosure starts). Among the 220 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000 and at least 100 or more foreclosure starts in January 2022, those that saw the greatest annual increase, included: Minneapolis, MN (up 300 percent); Detroit, MI (up 298 percent); San Antonio, TX (up 291 percent); Jacksonville, FL (up 259 percent); and Miami, FL (up 242 percent). Report Methodology The ATTOM U.S. Foreclosure Market Report provides a count of the total number of properties with at least one foreclosure filing entered into the ATTOM Data Warehouse during the month and quarter. Some foreclosure filings entered into the database during the quarter may have been recorded in the previous quarter. Data is collected from more than 3,000 counties nationwide, and those counties account for more than 99 percent of the U.S. population. ATTOM's report incorporates documents filed in all three phases of foreclosure: Default Notice of Default (NOD) and Lis Pendens (LIS); Auction Notice of Trustee Sale and Notice of Foreclosure Sale (NTS and NFS); and Real Estate Owned, or REO properties (that have been foreclosed on and repurchased by a bank). For the annual, midyear and quarterly reports, if more than one type of foreclosure document is received for a property during the timeframe, only the most recent filing is counted in the report. The annual, midyear, quarterly and monthly reports all check if the same type of document was filed against a property previously. If so, and if that previous filing occurred within the estimated foreclosure timeframe for the state where the property is located, the report does not count the property in the current year, quarter, or month. Interested in finding out more about our pre-foreclosure and foreclosure data? Contact ATTOM for Foreclosure Data Licensing Details. Visit RealtyTrac.com for Foreclosure Search and Listings. About ATTOM ATTOM provides foreclosure data licenses that can power various enterprise industries including real estate, insurance, marketing, government, mortgage and more. ATTOM multi-sources from 3,000 counties property tax, deed, mortgage, environmental risk, natural hazard, and neighborhood data for more than 155 million U.S. residential and commercial properties covering 99 percent of the nation's population. About RealtyTrac (Powered by ATTOM's Property Data) RealtyTrac.com is the largest online marketplace for foreclosure and distressed properties, helping individual investors and real estate agents looking to gain a competitive edge in the distressed market. Realtytrac.com enables real estate professionals the ability to find, analyze and invest in residential properties. Media Contact: Christine Stricker 949.748.8428 [email protected] Data and Report Licensing: 949.502.8313 [email protected] SOURCE ATTOM SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring break has long been the epitome of a de-stress, let-loose, get-away-from-it all vacation regardless of age. Given the continued pandemic roller-coaster, we wanted to dig into new trends of those who are planning a spring break getaway in just a few short months. To find out why, where, and how people plan to spring break, we surveyed nearly 10,000 VacationRenter customers from around the globe and asked them to reveal their upcoming travel preferences. Here are the resulting six travel trends we're seeing as we look toward Spring Break 2022. Beach-Bound and Chill More than half of those surveyed plan to head to "beach or coastal" destinations for their getaways. Since traditional beachy sojourns tend to allow for ample relaxation not to mention social distancing this trend aligns with the 42% of respondents who say they are traveling to unwind. Party-hard college crowd destinations, like Daytona , aren't as popular. Instead, folks are opting for easy-breezy and family-friendly spots. Currently, top searches on VacationRenter include an array of coastal holiday havens that trend toward chill vibe over the crowded, DJ-thumping scene: In general, outdoorsy spring vacations are leading the charge amongst VacationRenter customers. Those choosing "adventure or expedition" destinations and "ski" vacations along with "beach or coastal" preferences make up a whopping 91% of those surveyed. In addition to the seaside destinations (most of which have thrill-seeking potential including surfing or helicopter tours) VacationRenter searches also include the following mountain destinations as top picks for spring 2022: For those not chasing the surf or snow, the formerly (pre-pandemic) popular "party or festival" category had a showing of just 9% in our survey. Given that we are now entering the third pandemic spring, this hit to big-fest hubs is unsurprising given event cancellations and continued coronavirus-wariness amongst would-be partiers. Nevertheless, New Orleans and Miami continue to crop up in the top 20 destinations of VacationRenter's current searches. This plucky "laissez les bons temps rouler" mentality may indicate pandemic fatigue or simply a desire to visit some party-famous destinations without partaking in the big crowds. Spontaneity Endures The last-minute travel trend we saw at the end of 2021 continues into spring 2022. The convergence of flexible cancellations, ever-evolving pandemic variants, and remote work/school environments may be fueling this ongoing spontaneity among travelers. Fifty-two percent of those surveyed expect to book their stays just one to three weeks before arrival. That said, almost a third of respondents are making their travel plans three or more months in advance. This relatively incremental move toward advance planning reflects some vacationers' efforts to coordinate the more time-consuming logistics of group travel, even if those pods are petite. Mix-It-Up Motivation Although our survey's top reason for spring break vacationing is to "unwind and relax," nearly a quarter of our respondents say they are vacationing to spend "quality time with family or friends." This traveling with loved ones may come after months or years of separation, or it may reflect a sustained pod-gathering effort. Either way, pandemic protocols certainly continue to play a role. Not far behind in our survey results, the simple desire "just to get away" similarly reflects pandemic-hued motivation coupled with cabin fever. With remote work and/or school and frequently squelched opportunities to socialize, the hankering to mix it up continues an upward trend. Expanding Horizons Whatever the motivation, even if it's just to escape the grind, 62% of those surveyed plan to explore a new destination. That pioneering spirit could mean folks are splurging on a more complex getaway, such as planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Maui versus the annual drive to the closest beach. It might even involve crossing borders, given that 50% of our respondents say they would venture abroad if regulations permit international travel. Keeping it Small Throughout 2021, the number of individuals traveling in groups ebbed and flowed along with changing protocols for gathering. As we look at 2022 VacationRenter searches, specifically those targeting February through April, travelers seem to be trending toward intimate spring break getaways. Currently, the most popular group size is four, followed by two. Larger group sizes trail these pairing-dominant searches significantly. Elbow Room, Please Wherever the road (or airplane) takes them, VacationRenter travelers continue to seek out single-family accommodations for their getaways. Houses and villas top recent search results, reflecting that independent, small-group lodging trend. Similarly, our survey responses show a strong preference for house or apartment rental, at 31% and 29% respectively. What plays into this trend? In the time of Omicron, many travelers opt for lodging that provides a buffer zone from others. Having a kitchen and living space gives vacationers the flexibility to venture out among others, or to keep their distance when they desire. Methodology and Limitations We conducted a survey of 9,041 VacationRenter users, age 18 and older, from around the world and asked them to answer questions about their travel plans for spring break 2022. The data are not weighted and are based on self-reporting/ With self-reported data, there are limitations, such as over- or underreporting of information as well as exaggerated numbers and answers. About VacationRenter VacationRenter brings all rental options from the leading travel sites together in one place and showcases only the best results, eliminating the need to spend hours searching and scrolling. For more information, visit www.vacationrenter.com . Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn . Media Contact: Lisa Tareila Next PR [email protected] SOURCE VacationRenter "We can make an immediate impact on the local farming industries, addressing several factors affecting the soil and environment. Processing biochar and regenerative compost will tackle the dairy industry's waste issues while addressing the world's emissions problems." The Company plans to establish a catalytic Biofraction pyrolysis line, technology that processes bio-waste into regenerative resources through a temperature controlled, catalytic vacuum thermochemical process operated within a carbon-neutral environment, and a regenerative solution to mitigating the high quantities of harmful greenhouse gasses secreted into the atmosphere. Through this process, the Company will create, package and distribute regenerative compost; an organic soil blend of biochar, wood vinegar, and bio-gas. "Our state is a leader in the growing agricultural technology sector, and we're thrilled to see innovative companies like Verde Resources investing in Missouri," said Governor Mike Parson. "This company's expansion will enhance our critically important agriculture industry while creating quality jobs in our rural north region. Verde Resources is a welcome addition to a growing list of cutting-edge agtech companies who see Missouri as a prime location for growth." Regenerative agriculture can be defined as an approach of holistic farming practices towards topsoil management that enhances ecosystem biodiversity which focuses on improving the water, air, and soil quality, while decreasing the impact of climate change. Biochar is a key part of regenerative agriculture assisting in nourishing ecosystems, able to mitigate the effects of climate change by simultaneously capturing carbon and methane. "This is an incredibly exciting project that we are blessed to have here in Northeast Missouri," Missouri State Senator Cindy O'Laughlin said. "I've seen some of the details and I believe this innovative practice will reap both financial and environmental rewards for our farming communities." In order to reach Net Zero by 2050, the objective of sequestering large amounts of carbon with biochar and its application in farmland and topsoil, is a smart, clean, carbon negative way to improve soil fertility and promote higher crop yields. With new incentives available such as carbon credits, available in exchange for the amount of carbon sequestered, will help facilitate biochar being a widely implemented farming practice. These types of incentives can assist in the popularity and growth of biochar's role in regenerative agriculture and its effects on the climate. "I am very familiar with this project," said Missouri State Representative Greg Sharpe. "It has great potential for using the byproduct we produce, and I very much look forward to the continued progress of this enterprise." The new Biofraction processing and packaging facility will be a welcome fixture in La Belle's landscape, generating local job opportunities and providing social economic benefits to the residents of the town and state of Missouri. The site will begin operations in Q1 2022. The Company understands the importance of converting bio-waste as part of a progressive approach towards 2050 and reducing greenhouse gases, another step towards its mission of Going Green and Beyond. SOURCE Verde Resources Inc. LONDON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Warburg Pincus, a leading global growth investor, today announced the acquisition of Pharma Intelligence, a leading provider of specialist intelligence, data, and software for clinical trials, drug development, and regulatory compliance, from Informa PLC (LSE:INF.L), the international B2B markets knowledge services and business intelligence group. Mubadala Investment Company, the Abu Dhabi based investment company, joins Warburg Pincus in the investment. The investors plan to extend the company's leading position in the pharmaceutical data and analytics market, investing in the creation of innovative products for its customers. Informa will retain 15% ownership in the company. Pharma Intelligence is a leading operator in the $22 billion global pharma and life sciences analytics markets. The company holds the leading position in the clinical trial intelligence space, providing insights on patient enrollment and demographics, trial progress, individual trial sites and investigators for more than 375,000 clinical trials across 180 countries. The company's solutions are used by 3,000 pharmaceutical companies and CROs in their clinical trial design, commercial strategy, and regulatory compliance processes to maximize the likelihood of success of introducing products to market. The acquisition includes Informa's full portfolio of specialist brands which includes the Citeline suite of products, Trialtrove, Sitetrove, Pharmaprojects and Citeline branded products, as well as Biomedtracker, Clinerion, Datamonitor Healthcare, Pink Sheet, Scrip, Skipta, and TrialScope. Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa PLC, said "We received significant interest in the Pharma Intelligence business. We are delighted to partner with Warburg Pincus and share their view on its future growth potential, hence, we welcomed an agreement that represented value today and growth and value tomorrow.'' Adarsh Sarma, co-head of Europe and Chandler Reedy, Head of Strategic Investments at Warburg Pincus said ''Pharma Intelligence is an increasingly important company with tremendous growth potential. We believe that demand for its services will increase as the world becomes more data driven and focused on using predictive analytics to solve health issues and major diseases. As one of the world's largest investors in pharma, health tech and b2b information services, Warburg Pincus is uniquely placed to help the company achieve its growth potential. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Informa as we invest in and grow the company, building on the great work undertaken already.'' Jay Nadler, Senior Adviser to Warburg Pincus said ''Pharma Intelligence's services are of vital importance to the pharma, biotech, and healthcare community. It's a fast-growing company with outstanding products and people, and a commitment to best-in-class service with deep expertise in sectors that Warburg Pincus understands extremely well. We look forward to partnering with the company's employees and customers, working together to drive innovation to introduce more efficiency into the drug development lifecycle.'' David Reis and Amr Kronfol, Managing Directors at Warburg Pincus said "As a leading growth investor, the potential for innovation and growth are central to our investment approach and this applies to our strategy for Pharma Intelligence. We will increase focus and investment for innovation and product development to address important customer needs, working in partnership with Informa, Jay Nadler, and the Pharma Intelligence team.'' Warburg Pincus has a strong record of investing in innovative healthcare technology companies, including Aetion, Insilico, GHX, Experity, Nuance Communications, and Modernizing Medicine. Notable investments in information services include, Accelya, Interactive Data Corporation, Fortius, Gordian and MLM Information Services. Warburg Pincus has also undertaken several successful recent carve-outs, including Constructionline / Fortius from Capita and 1&1 Internet from United Internet. The acquisition is expected to complete within the first half of 2022, subject to any relevant regulatory clearances. Notes to Editors About Informa Informa is a leading international B2B markets, knowledge services and business intelligence Group. It helps commercial, professional and academic communities work smarter and make better decisions faster, through specialist content and intelligence, and opportunities to connect and learn. For more information, please visit www.informa.com About Pharma Intelligence A leading operator in the $22bn global pharma and life sciences analytics markets, Pharma Intelligence delivers highly valued specialist intelligence and data in areas of Clinical Trials, Drug Development and Regulatory Compliance. Its portfolio of specialist brands includes the Citeline suite of products (Citeline Predict, Citeline Engage, Citeline Connect), Biomedtracker, Datamonitor Healthcare, Scrip, Pink Sheet and TrialScope. About Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus LLC is a leading global growth investor. The firm has more than $73 billion in assets under management. The firm's active portfolio of more than 235 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector, and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 20 private equity and 2 real estate funds, which have invested more than $100 billion in over 1,000 companies in more than 40 countries. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, and Singapore. For more information please visit www.warburgpincus.com. Follow us on LinkedIn. About Mubadala Investment Company Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for the Government of Abu Dhabi. Mubadala's $243.4 billion portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. We leverage our deep sectoral expertise and long-standing partnerships to drive sustainable growth and profit, while supporting the continued diversification and global integration of the economy of the United Arab Emirates. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala has offices in London, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York, San Francisco, and Beijing. For more information about Mubadala Investment Company, please visit: www.mubadala.com. Media Contact Jenna Ward | Europe Communications Director T: +44 20 7306 3805 E: [email protected] SOURCE Warburg Pincus HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- John Wesley Brooks recently announced that he had been honored in the latest edition of the Marquis Who's Who in America for "Excellence in Real Estate." Selected on the basis of current reference value, including position, noteworthy accomplishments, community visibility, and prominence in the field, John comes from a long line of Northern Alabama realtors as a member of the famed Brooks Family of Realtors www.johnwesleybrooksrealestate.com. Having served the area for over 19 years, John continues a family tradition of blending warm affability with a strict code of professional ethics, providing unmatched real estate services that locals have come to trust. Downtown Huntsville, Alabama Tour With John Wesley Brooks John Wesley Brooks the Realtor with Experience John finished his bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising and business management from the University of South Alabama in 2003 before immediately moving into real estate. After working for seven years for the Landmark Realty Center, John began working at Coldwell Banker of the Valley as an agent, investor, property manager, a certified relocation specialist and he is also certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist; eventually earning several awards and memberships as one of Coldwell Banker's International President's Elite and for 2021 awarded the top President's Premiere Society membership. He was also named in Top Agent Magazine in 2020, he has had press releases and featured recognition by The Continental Who's Who, and The Inner Circle. John has been awarded Top #1 Agent for 2021 at Coldwell Banker Of The Valley Office in Huntsville, Alabama. These among other certifications and awards. "People get into real estate for a wide variety of reasons, but for me, it was a family calling," said John. "My grandmother was one of the first female realtors in the area she was a true pioneer. She set a high bar and we work every single day to maintain it. Just like her, we usually meet new clients by word-of-mouth because of the work we do to build relationships. We take a personal interest in every single home and property we sell; we always have." John has more than excelled over the course of his career, conducting the sixth highest amount of real estate transactions in the state of Alabama in 2019 and the fourth highest amount of real estate transactions in Alabama in 2020. He has sold more than $70 million in real estate since 2015, with a continued yearly average of 90 to 100 houses each year. He also serves as a senior auctioneer for Roebuck Auctions. But though he has a vast body of realty work, John has always believed the core of his job is helping families and individuals achieve their dream of home ownership. John believes that Who you work with matters and treating his clients with the highest standards and the attention they deserve is a top priority. "For the longest time, we really didn't advertise online or through social media much that is a recent evolution for us. We get to know each client as an individual and on a personal level because we care about their goals. Their happiness is part of our success. Many agencies claim that, but it's a Brooks Family guiding principle. People come to us based on the stories they hear about our work. They know we'll be here for them. And we wouldn't have it any other way." Because who you work with matters, here you have currently John's YTD rankings in the State of Alabama for Coldwell Banker: Rank in the State of Alabama by Units 2 out of 411 by Units 2 out of 411 Rank in the State of Alabama by AGC 3 out of 411 by AGC 3 out of 411 Rank in North America By Units 48 out of 42,987 Rank in North America by AGC 229 out of 42,987 Learn more about John Wesley Brooks and the Brooks Family of Realtors by following him on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,YouTube Media Contact: John Wesley Brooks Real Estate Professional With Coldwell Banker Of The Valley 256-797-2283 Email: [email protected] Huntsville, Alabama SOURCE John Wesley Brooks PearlTrans Logistics stepped up during the COVID-19 crisis to support healthcare workers. Inspired by a client's donation of meals to essential workers at UCLA Medical Center's Emergency Room, CEO and Founder Lorena Camargo provided free delivery services within a 25-mile radius for anyone donating meals to those fighting at the frontlines of the pandemic. "Giving back has always been part of our company culture," says CEO Lorena Camargo. "We had been looking for a way to do something in the face of this outbreak and that gave us the inspiration. We are delivery people, so we thought 'why not contribute what we know how to best make deliveries?" Additionally, in direct support of the current crisis alone, PearlTrans Logistics has been delivering COVID-19 test samples, tissue and blood samples from clinics and testing facilities to labs for diagnosis, as well as pharmaceuticals to residences. Los Angeles County is home to more than 1.3 million small businesses, including more women and minority-owned small businesses than any other county in the nation. "The journey to economic recovery must be an inclusive one, given the significant economic, social and health impact COVID-19 has left on diverse small business owners," said Gregg Sherkin, Southern California leader for Wells Fargo Social Impact and Sustainability. "We are so proud to honor Community Champions who have not only survived, but are true pillars of their community and have given so much to help others." About Pearl In 2011 at age 24, Lorena founded PearlTrans Logistics in Los Angeles after starting out in the logistics industry at age 17. PearlTrans facilitates operations for healthcare facilities, private companies and military bases. Today, Pearl delivers everything everywhere from human tissue to aircraft parts throughout California and across the US. Lorena is currently serving on the board of directors of the Customized Logistics & Delivery Association (CLDA), who advances the interests of the final mile sector of the supply chain through advocacy, networking and education. As the youngest woman and first Latina elected, she strives to support other women-owned and minority-owned businesses and keeps pushing for diverse and inclusive representation within the industry. SOURCE PearlTrans Logistics WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wilmington Trust, a leader in wealth management and corporate and institutional services, announced today that Caren Chabora has been hired as a senior wealth advisor in its Paramus, New Jersey, office. In her role, Chabora will be responsible for providing comprehensive wealth management advice to high-net-worth individuals and families, entrepreneurs, business owners, and foundations & endowments in the tri-state region. Working closely with clients and their advisors, she will develop financial strategies to help meet current needs and long-term objectives. Chabora will also coordinate the various unique services her clients requireincluding investment management, planning, trust, private banking, and family office. Chabora's hire is one of many that Wilmington Trust has recently announced across its business units. The firm has also committed to add a significant number of new professionals, broadening its expertise, and will double the number of its client-facing colleagues over the next two years. "It is exciting to welcome Caren to our growing team across New York City and New Jersey," said Jim O'Hoppe, Wilmington Trust Wealth Management regional executive. "Caren's regional experience will support the continued needs of our clients here and across the footprint." Chabora has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Most recently, she served as a wealth advisor at Wells Fargo Private Bank in Paramus, New Jersey, where she developed holistic solutions for ultra-high-net-worth clients. Previously she held several positions with TD Bank, including relationship manager for private banking and vice president of business development. Earlier in her career, Chabora worked for Commerce Bank, Summit Bank, and J.P. Morgan. "I am excited to be joining this growing team in New Jersey and providing my regional expertise to clients," said Chabora. "With the financial landscape constantly changing, I look forward to bringing tailored client solutions to help meet their individual needs." Chabora holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Douglass CollegeRutgers, The State University of New Jersey, with a concentration in finance and accounting. In addition, she is a Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS). ABOUT WILMINGTON TRUST Wilmington Trust's Wealth Management offers a wide array of personal trust, planning, fiduciary, asset management, private banking, and family office services designed to help high-net-worth individuals and families grow, preserve, and transfer wealth. Wilmington Trust focuses on serving families with whom it can build long-term relationships, many of which span multiple generations. Wilmington Trust also provides Corporate and Institutional Services for clients around the world. Wilmington Trust has clients in all 50 states and numerous countries, with offices throughout the United States and internationally in London, Dublin, Paris, and Frankfurt. For more information, visit www.wilmingtontrust.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Fitzgibbons, Senior Public Relations Manager, Wilmington Trust [email protected] Wilmington Trust is a registered service Caren used in connection with various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services offered by certain subsidiaries of M&T Bank Corporation including, but not limited to, Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company (M&T Bank), Wilmington Trust Company (WTC) operating in Delaware only, Wilmington Trust, N.A. (WTNA), Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. (WTIA), Wilmington Funds Management Corporation (WFMC), and Wilmington Trust Investment Management, LLC (WTIM). Such services include trustee, custodial, agency, investment management, and other services. International corporate and institutional services are offered through M&T Bank Corporation's international subsidiaries. Loans, credit cards, retail and business deposits, and other business and personal banking services and products are offered by M&T Bank, member FDIC. This publication is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any financial product. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the suitability of investment strategies based on their objectives, financial situations, and particular needs. Investments: Are NOT FDIC Insured Have NO Bank Guarantee May Lose Value 2022 M&T Bank Corporation and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. SOURCE Wilmington Trust ALBANY, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global wire and cable materials market was valued more than US$ 124.2 Bn in 2019. The global market is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period, from 2020 to 2030. The increasing need for wire and cable materials in automotive, building & construction, and telecommunications industry is likely to drive the global wire and cable materials market in the years to come. While electrical cables are in high demand globally, mechanical cables are becoming more popular, resulting in increasing sales opportunities for participants in the global market. In order to achieve greater security, modern wiring systems are mainly made from several types of wiring materials. Construction, communications, aerospace, packaging, defense, industrial machinery, and information technology are some of the industries that employ wires and cables extensively. The global wire and cable materials market is expected to be driven by rising use of wires and cables. Non-metallic encased cables, instrumentation cables, low-voltage cables, armored cables, and communication cables are among the most popular cables that are available in the wire and cable materials market. Increasing demand for high-speed Internet and focus on high-quality telecommunication systems is expected to boost revenue generation opportunities in the global market in the near future. Get PDF Brochure for More Insights https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4047 Rise in the number of new information and communication development projects as well as improvements in the electrical engineering sector are likely to propel global wire and cable materials market to US$ 209 Bn by the end of 2030. The market is predicted to expand during the forecast period due to the booming construction industry in developing and underdeveloped countries. Key Findings of Market Report Introduction of 3D printing has made it possible to manufacture wires and cables from a variety of materials with minimal effort. Construction cables are increasingly being made utilizing this technology due to the production efficiency of 3D printers, and its usage is expanding. Modern wire materials such as aluminum and copper are among the most popular, and this trend is expected to continue over the projected period. In order to develop a stronghold in the current wire and cable materials market, firms in the global market are likely to concentrate on both inorganic and organic growth approaches. For instance, a Germany-based optical cable producer declared in July 2020 that it would merge with Incab, allowing both firms to deliver high-quality fiber optic cables to clients all over the world. that it would merge with Incab, allowing both firms to deliver high-quality fiber optic cables to clients all over the world. Insulation materials for wire and cable comprise polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene, among many others. Plastic is used as a jacketing and insulating material in wires and cables. When electrical wires are covered with plastic, the electrons that travel through them do not go through the body when they are touched. These characteristics make plastic insulated wires a more profitable solution in the global market than other options. Increasing family income, electrification of transportation, heat, and demand for digital connected gadgets and air conditioning are expected to drive the demand for power. The wire and cable materials market is fueled by increase in power consumption from commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. Ask for Special Discount on Report https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=4047 Wire and Cable Materials Market: Growth Drivers Growing need for wire and cables in the construction industry, rising demand in the automotive sector, expanding R&D activities, and breakthroughs in material sciences are contributing to market growth. Industry participants are concentrating on the development of novel wire and cable materials in response to changing industrial uses, as well as collaborations and partnerships with other market players to boost their market position. Asia Pacific accounted for a considerable share of the global wire and cable materials market in terms of volume in 2019. Energy consumption in Asia Pacific is expected to climb rapidly, with increase in energy utilization in transportation and home, as well as in newly electrified rural areas of the region. accounted for a considerable share of the global wire and cable materials market in terms of volume in 2019. Energy consumption in is expected to climb rapidly, with increase in energy utilization in transportation and home, as well as in newly electrified rural areas of the region. North America has seen a significant rise in data usage, prompting businesses such as Verizon and AT&T to invest in fiber optic networks in the region. The demand for wire and cable materials in North America is increasing as a result of this issue. The wire and cable materials industry is booming in Latin America , the Middle East , and Africa , due to rising energy availability. Electricity is transmitted using power wires. Request a Sample https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4047 Global Wire and Cable Materials Market: Key Players Some of the key market players are General Electric Company Hologic, Inc. Siemens Healthineers AG Allengers Medical Systems Ltd. Planmed Oy Global Wire and Cable Materials Market: Segmentation Application Screening Diagnostics Technique Temporal Subtraction Dual Energy CEDM Technique Temporal Subtraction Dual Energy CEDM Buy an Exclusive Research Report at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=4047> Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/09/2022 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Katina Goode has defended Alyssa Ellman, who has been shown completely uninterested in spending time with her new husband Chris Collette on the show's currently-airing season.Alyssa, 30, and Chris, 35, were matched for matrimony on Season 14 of by the show's experts Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Dr. Viviana Coles and Pastor Calvin Roberson.On the same day Alyssa and Chris met and got married as strangers, Alyssa determined Chris wasn't her type and she wouldn't be able to get along with an "immature" and opinionated man who is "condescending," has unusual hobbies, and makes comments such as, "I'm Alyssa's side piece."Alyssa slept in a different hotel room from Chris on their wedding night with no regrets , however, she decided to still go on her honeymoon to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she planned to remain optimistic and look for the light at the end of the tunnel in her marriage to Chris.But that positive outlook apparently didn't last long.During the February 2 episode of : Afterparty, MAFS stars Katina and Lindsey Georgoulis watched back a Season 14 clip of Alyssa crying in a restaurant to a producer while Chris was snubadiving in the ocean."I'm mad at my mom right now. I called her and I was like, 'I don't want to go swimming with him!' I was like, 'That's not an activity and I don't feel comfortable doing it,'" Alyssa explains in the clip."And she keeps saying to me, like, 'You don't want to come off a certain way on TV.' I'm like, 'I have literally been the nicest person to literally everyone.'"Alyssa cries and laments in the footage, "I'm stuck here, it's raining, I don't f-cking want to go swimming with him. Like, I'm not happy!"When Afterparty host Keshia Knight Pulliam asked for Lindsey's thoughts on this clip, Lindsey replied, "Well, I think if you're a nice person you usually don't say that about yourself -- other people do, so."Katina, however, shared, "I definitely think Alyssa could've went about it in a better way. I know she has a good heart.""So to see her come off that way and the world not having a chance to see, like, she actually is a kind person, I think it's just a very sad situation."Keshia added how "it's unfortunate" both Alyssa and Chris had a negative or unsatisfactory experience on ."We don't see them ever talking or ever communicating!" Keshia noted. "So I'm just like, 'How did he do something so horrible and you barely said, 'What's your favorite color?'"Lindsey said she heard how Alyssa had been "very specific on the vision of the man she wanted," someone tattooed with big muscles, and Chris' physical characteristics did not match the description.Alyssa, who didn't think Chris was her match and flat out said she felt "gypped" in the process, was left wondering on the latest episode of , "Why me?" "I just want to come off as united, because no matter the way we feel, the experts just didn't do this right," Alyssa told Chris. "And that's what I'm upset about."But Chris wasn't ready to give up on his marriage. While he anticipated having differences and incompatibilities, he never thought they would ruin his relationship right off the bat.Alyssa shared with Chris how she had seen a psychic, who apparently talked to Alyssa about her ideal partner's looks and how she was probably going to end up with a man with very pretty eyes and an eagle tattoo.Chris laughed at the idea and essentially thought it was ridiculous, but he was getting the feeling Alyssa simply didn't like him and may never warm up to him.Alyssa had also felt Chris had betrayed her confidence by telling her mother and best friend at the post-wedding brunch how Alyssa didn't seem into him."Straight up, this is all bullsh-t !" MAFS star and Katina's husband Olajwuon Dickerson admitted on a previous episode of Afterparty. "I think [Alyssa] got married, she wasn't attracted to him."Olajuwon also claimed Alyssa "indulged" in the eyebrow-raising comments Chris' groomsmen had made about Chris being condescending and a bit arrogant and argumentative during the couple's wedding reception and ran with them because she was looking for an out from her marriage., which currently airs Wednesday nights at 8PM ET/PT on Lifetime, also stars Lindsey's husband Mark Maher, Jasmina Outar and Michael Morency, and Steve Moy and Noi Phommasak.Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group or click here to view our newspage!And click here for more updates on former cast members and info on where they are now! TRAVERSE CITY The regions largest school district has tallied more than 600 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the 2021-22 school year. Traverse City Area Public Schools has recorded 604 COVID cases since the beginning of the school year. This week, TCAPS has recorded 21 COVID cases across seven schools. The latest on COVID-19 Continuing coverage of COVID-19 and its impact. If you have a question about the novel coronavirus pandemic and haven't been able to find an a In less than one month, the number of cases recorded for the 20212022 school year on TCAPSs positive case reporting page have shot up by about 200. On Jan. 20, the Record-Eagle reported that TCAPS had tallied just more than 400 COVID cases this school year. In an interview from late January, TCAPS Communications Director Ginger Smith said the school district had seen a surge in cases but also recently started a new program through the state of Michigan for free COVID tests for students and staff. It is unclear whether the increased number of cases are related to more COVID spread in the school district or the higher frequency and number of tests, Smith said in January. All but three TCAPS schools recorded COVID cases in February so far. As previously reported, the numbers displayed and reported on TCAPSs COVID-19 Reporting web page do not always accurately reflect the number of COVID cases in the school district. The school reports COVID cases to the page when it is notified by the health department, but that process is often slowed because of staffing shortages at the health department and the increased use of at-home tests. Born and raised on the Canadian prairies, Ty is now a proud northern Michigander who lives in Traverse Citys Oak Park neighborhood with his wife and two sons. He can be reached at ty.schmidt.tcmi@gmail.com. Athens, GA (30605) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Light rain early. Then remaining cloudy. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Light rain early. Then remaining cloudy. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Tim Stevenson is a community organizer with Post Oil Solutions from Athens, and author of Resilience and Resistance: Building Sustainable Communities for a Post Oil Age (2015, Green Writers Press). The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. South Africa: Weather condition favourable ahead of this evenings SONA Favourable weather conditions are expected in Cape Town this evening as President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his sixth State of the Nation Address (SONA). For the first time in South African history, the SONA will be delivered at the City Hall and outside of the Parliament precinct after the building was gutted in a fire in January. The South African Weather Service has assured Capetonians and all those who will be in the vicinity of the City Hall for SONA that they can expect fair weather. According to the South African Weather Service forecaster, Kumsa Masizana, todays Cape Town weather conditions will range between 24 and 25 degrees. No rain is expected for today and later in the evening, there will be some light to moderate wind at 20km per hour, Masizana said. Masizana said later in the evening around 7pm, temperatures will drop to 14 degrees which is also favourable as it will be not be too cold or cloudy. The Cape Town City Hall was where former President Nelson Mandela on 11 February 1990 addressed thousands of South Africans for the first time after his release from 27 years of incarceration. The theme for the 2022 SONA is Following up on our commitments: making your future work better, consistent with the theme of the 6th Parliament. The theme reinforces the character of a people's Parliament and the spirit of the Constitution, which enjoins the nation to entrench and deepen democracy, and improve the quality of life of all South Africans. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. After serving more than two decades in the state legislature, state Sen. Craig Miner will not seek reelection in November. Miner, R-Litchfield, is the chief deputy Senate Republican leader. He first took office to represent the 66th District in the state House of Representatives in 2001 and, after eight terms, was then elected to serve as the state senator for the 30th District. Before his tenure in the General Assembly, Miner was the first selectman of Litchfield from 1991 to 2001. It has been an honor to serve the people of Connecticut, Miner said in a statement Thursday. After this years legislative session, which started Wednesday, I will have dedicated more than half my life to public service at the state and local level, Miner said. State Rep. Stephen Harding, a four-term Republican from Brookfield who is the top GOP House member of the Environment Committee, is expected to throw his hat into the ring for the nomination to succeed Miner. Harding on Thursday confirmed his interest, and told reporters in the Capitol that if he wins the nomination to replace Miner, he would hope to continue Miners record of service. Its going to be a significant loss to the state, and huge shoes to fill, Harding said of Miner. I feel that this would be a great opportunity to serve more constituents in the Northwest Corner and to be a stronger advocate for our side of the state. Miners 30th District encompasses Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren and Winchester. Over the years I have gotten to know the issues, obviously, impacting my state, but working with Sen. Miner in the Environment Committee, he has given me an insight into the issues impacting the entire 30th Senate District. I see those issues as matters I can tackle, Harding said. I am certainly willing to step up and do my best to advocate for the people of the district. One of the issues is the proliferation of bears and their increased interaction with people and agriculture. Individuals of all political affiliations have shared with me their concerns not only in crops, and losing crops on their farms or properties, but the potential dangerous incidents with bears, Harding said. Miner said the thought of not running for reelection has tempted him in the past, and it typically crosses his mind the two weeks after the end of each legislative session. But this time is different, he said. I look forward to more time with family and exploring what the next chapter of life holds, he added. During his time in the General Assembly, Miner said hes been honored to work with my colleagues to better our state, to protect our environment, to support job creation and workers, to improve the states financial management, and most importantly to give my constituents a voice and an advocate in Hartford. I have many very fond memories of my time and look forward to creating more in the months to come, he added. Miner also thanked his dedicated staff, state employees and the lawmakers that carry forward the peoples business every day. Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly and Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore Paul Formica had nothing but nice things to say about Miner Thursday. Craig is one of the most intelligent, humble, and hardworking lawmakers I have been honored to work with, Kelly, R-Stratford, said in a statement Thursday. He is measured and focused. He always takes the time to study an issue and bring people together to work on solutions. He is passionate about advocating for the people he represents. Kelly added that Miner is also one of the most trusted experts when it comes to the state budget and is known as an advocate for the environment, for jobs, and for working and middle class families. Formica, R-East Lyme, said Miner will be remembered for the ever present twinkle in his eye when he debates the issues of the day. Miner is one of the best, brightest, and most innovative legislators I've ever met, Formica continued. He has an uncanny ability to find solutions to very difficult problems in a common sense and practical way. He treats all people equally and with great respect. He has dedicated so much to the people of Connecticut and the people of the 30th district. He will be remembered in the Senate chamber for his many accomplishments and unparalleled hard work, Formica said. Despite this announcement, Miner said theres still a lot of work that lies ahead this session. Over the months ahead, I look forward to my work that will be filled with hours of testimony, days of deliberation, and opportunity for spirited debate on legislation that will come before the General Assembly, he said. Most importantly, I look forward to sharing the viewpoints of people from the northwest corner with my colleagues in Hartford during the process. Thank you to my constituents for allowing me the incredible privilege of serving, Miner said. WINSTED Winsted is examining its housing needs for its 11,000 residents, many who say they cant afford to rent or buy a home in town. The Winsted Housing Plan Steering Committee, a group that includes members of the Board of Selectmen, Mayor Todd Arcelaschi, the land use office, the towns housing authority, Realtors and other members of the public, has met monthly since October 2021. In November, members created and posted a survey to collect data for its own study of available housing and housing needs. Full details, meeting minutes and presentations can be found at townofwinchester.org. At least once every five years, every municipality in Connecticut is required to prepare or amend and adopt an affordable housing plan, with the goal of creating a proactive Planning process and lay out a strategy for meeting the housing needs of existing and future residents and workers as required by state statute Section 8-30j. The committees plan is due by June. The Partnership for Strong Communities housing data, a free resource available to residents, developers, legislators and municipal officials, was used to develop the surveys questions. The committees work, including public input from the survey and forums, plays a big role in developing this plan, officials said. Winsteds housing survey received 283 responses, and it remains open to collect more data before an informational meeting set for March 3, where the committee will talk about the surveys results. Leading the committee is Jocelyn Ayer from the Northwest Hills Council of Governments, who is conducting the same work with 10 other towns in Litchfield County. During a Feb. 9 meeting, the committee went over the results with Ayer, who said 283 results was pretty good. More would be better, but we can leave the survey open, she said. If youre a resident and you havent taken the survey yet, please do, and come to the forum. Along with residents, the committee also surveyed students and people who work in Winsted, but dont necessarily live in town. We had more (responses from) students from outside of town, about half from Torrington, Ayer said. I thought it was interesting that 63 percent of the students said theyd like to live in Winsted now or in the future, and they also said they were looking for studio or one- or two-bedroom apartments to rent. According to Ayer, nearly 61 percent of the surveys respondents were homeowners. Others own multi-family homes, where they live and also rent to a tenant. Smaller percentages of the responders own a townhouse or condominium, or rent an apartment or a single-family home. When asked what economic challenges they faced involving their housing, some respondents said they thought utilities were too high, while others said mortgages, taxes and insurance were too expensive, and tenants said they paid too much for rent. Ayer set some goals for the committee to consider at its next meeting. In the surveys results, she saw a concern from seniors to age in place in their homes, as well as an interest in one-floor senior housing or downsizing options, and a call for more student housing. First-time home buyer options and a concern about Winsteds aging housing stock estimated to be around 1970, according to the PSCs data also stood out for Ayer. Theres also a need for resources for people who want to rehabilitate older properties and upgrade them, she said. Committee member and Realtor Christine Harrington said people are telling her they cant afford to find a place to live in town. Rentals are through the roof, she said. More needs to be done for that. Selectwoman and former mayor Candy Perez, who is also on the committee, agreed. I think the affordability for people, with the properties we have theyre too high. People are getting priced out of everything, she said. Houses that (are available) are high, and for apartments, the rents are jacked up so high. The increased cost of rentals and houses, according to a December 2021 story from the Associated Press, was driven in 2020 and 2021 by available units selling quickly, as people relocated from New York in search of a new home, or residents choosing to stay, rather than sell their existing home, because of changes brought on by the pandemic. The lack of inventory adds to a larger problem in Connecticut and nationwide: Theres a lack of housing supply, particularly thats affordable to people with low incomes, experts and studies have shown, according to AP. The state has some of the oldest housing in the country. Price increases mean that its more difficult for people with lower incomes to afford a home. Member Jayne Martigneni, executive director of the Winsted Housing Authority, agreed that affordable housing isnt easy to find. I get calls from people, looking for affordable rentals, but whats affordable, she said. Perez said Winsted and Torrington carry the weight of people seeking rentals and homes, because both towns have a larger inventory and more opportunities. The only affordable housing in the Northwest Corner is in Torrington and Winsted, she said. If other towns dont create more opportunities, it comes to us. So how do we push other towns to carry their weight? Thats whats happening to us now. You see it almost every day. Ayer said those concerns are why the Litchfield County Center For Housing Opportunities was founded. Im hoping that center can bring more resources to all of our towns, so people can live closer to where they work, and age in the community where they live, if they want to, she said. The challenge is regional, and everyone needs to play their part. The Winsted Housing Plan Steering Committee will hold its public forum at 7 p.m. March 3. Details will be posted at townofwinchester.org on how to attend. To take the housing survey, go to www.townofwinchester.org/HousingSurvey THURSDAY, Feb. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Pregnant women who arent vaccinated against COVID-19 are at greater risk for delivering stillborn babies, and new research provides important clues about why. Unlike other fungal, bacterial or viral infections, which cross over the placenta to affect the fetus, SARS-CoV-2 is particularly lethal to the developing placenta, and this damage deprives the fetus of oxygen and nutrition, said study author Dr. David Schwartz, a perinatal pathologist in Atlanta. In November, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that pregnant women with COVID are at increased risk for stillbirths, which is the loss of a baby before or during delivery. The risk remains rare, Schwartz said. To better understand why risk of stillbirth may be increased in expectant women with COVID, Schwartz and his team analyzed placentas from 64 stillbirths and four cases in which babies soon died after birth. All of the pregnant women were unvaccinated. Infected placentas showed increased levels of fibrin, a protein involved with blood clotting, and obstructed blood and oxygen flow to the placenta. All 68 of the placentas also had death of cells that comprise the major protective barrier between mother and fetus, and 66 had a buildup of inflammatory cells called chronic histiocytic intervillositis, the study showed. "We saw these abnormalities under the microscope and with the naked eye," Schwartz said. "The average placenta was 77.7% destroyed. A fetus can't survive with this type of damage because the placenta is its sole source of oxygen and nutrition." While a small number of fetuses did show signs of infection, there was no evidence that the stillbirths were caused by COVID, he said. Other illnesses infect the placenta typically by crossing over into the fetus, where they can cause damage to its organs, Schwartz explained. By contrast, the damage with COVID-19 takes place solely in the placenta, the study found. This is so unique that it now has its own name: SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, he said. Theres reason to believe that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 may reduce these risks. The SARS-CoV-2 virus reaches the placenta by traveling through the mother's bloodstream. "If we can block the presence of the virus in the mother's bloodstream during pregnancy, we assume there would be no placental infection," Schwartz said. Unvaccinated pregnant women are known to be at greater risk for more severe COVID-19. "Pregnant women be should be vaccinated for their own safety, but these vaccines are also potentially lifesaving for the fetus," Schwartz said. The findings were published online Feb. 10 in the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. Dr. Christina Han, division director of maternal and fetal medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, reviewed the findings. "The authors should be applauded for this important study that correlates severe placental abnormalities to severe fetal-neonatal adverse outcomes, she said. But, Han added, the study does not prove cause and effect. "We cannot say definitively that COVID-19 caused these findings," she said, adding that more research is needed before drawing any conclusions. "It is important for pregnant individuals to note that the risk of stillbirth likely remains low, but the placenta and fetus are not immune to COVID-19 infection," Han said. "The most important takeaway is that prevention of COVID infection via primary prevention -- i.e. masking and vaccination [including boosters] -- is critical to protect our pregnant individuals and their fetuses," she said. The vaccine is safe for mom and baby, Han said. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the CDC and other medical groups recommend COVID-19 vaccination for women who are pregnant, recently pregnant, trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future. More information For more on COVID-19 and pregnancy, visit the U.S. National Institutes of Health. SOURCES: David Schwartz, MD, perinatal pathologist, Atlanta; Christina Han, MD, division director, maternal and fetal medicine, and associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles; Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Feb. 10, 2022 Sam Sokha, a former factory worker with two teenage sons, served four years in jail. Sam Sokha is shown throwing a shoe at a Cambodian ruling party promotion poster with a photo of Prime Minister Hun Sen, April 1, 2017. A Cambodian woman jailed in 2018 for throwing her shoe at a poster of Prime Minister Hun Sen was released Wednesday after serving a four-year sentence, but faced being sent back to jail if she cant raise 10 million riels (US $2,460) to pay a fine, she told RFA. Sam Sokha, a former factory worker a supporter of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was arrested in Thailand in February 2018 by Thai authorities and returned to Cambodia, despite having earlier been granted refugee status by the United Nations refugee agency. On April 1, 2017, she filmed herself throwing a shoe at a poster of Hun Sen, accusing him of damaging the country. The videos release next day on social media prompted a manhunt by police and Sam Sokhas eventual summons to answer charges of incitement. Kampong Speu Provincial Court y released Sam Sokha, but gave her just one day to raise the 10 million riels (US $2,460) or she will be jailed for another six months, she said. The court forced me to pay 10 million riel or they will [put me back in jail]. I will discuss it with my family. If they dont have the money, I will return to jail for six months, she told RFAs Khmer Service. He threatened that he could order [my arrest] with a phone call and said that I cant escape, she said, referring to the judge. The court should not force her to pay money in exchange for her freedom, said Soeung Sengkaruna, a spokesman for the Cambodia-based rights group ADHOC. RFA was unable to reach court officials for comment. Sam Sokha is one of dozens of CNRP supporters whove been detained for protests against the crackdown on the party by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for more than 35 years. After his arrest, Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in a move that allowed Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party to win all 125 seats in Parliament in a July 2018 election and drew U.S. sanctions and the suspension of trade privileges with the European Union. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Paul Eckert The parties, led by former CNRP officials, would attempt to unseat the CPP in 2023 general elections. Six of Cambodias opposition groups, including the quickly growing Candlelight Party, are in talks to form a political alliance to compete with Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) ahead of a general election slated for next year. Leaders of the six parties most of whom are former officials with the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) told RFAs Khmer Service that they had hoped to form a bloc with the other opposition groups ahead of commune elections in early June but lacked the resources and time to do so. Instead, they said they are aligning on overlapping goals for electoral reforms in the near-term, while working towards the formation of an alliance in time to challenge the CPP in the July 2023 general ballot. Cambodia Reform Party Founder and former CNRP senior official Ou Chanrath told RFA that the six parties are working together step by step. We will have a serious talk for the general election on how to compete with the CPP, he said. If we arent united, I believe it will be tough to compete with the ruling party. Grassroots Democratic Party Spokesman Loek Sothea said that even though the parties have been busy preparing their individual platforms in the commune election, they have made time to work together. Recently, he said, the parties collaborated on a joint request to the National Election Commission (NEC) to amend the countrys electoral laws. We have advocated on a few issues of common interest, he said, adding that the parties will continue to produce joint statements in the future. Speaking to RFA on Wednesday, government spokesperson Phay Siphan dismissed talk of an alliance between the six parties as a tactic to draw the attention of former CNRP supporters. He said such a bloc would be unable to compete with the CPP for dominance in the political arena. They arent trying to leverage good policies [to compete with the ruling party]; They are simply seeking numbers [of supporters] so [an alliance] wont affect the ruling party, which is producing for the country, he said. The popular CNRP was dissolved by Cambodias Supreme Court in November 2017 for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, allowing the CPP to win all 125 seats in Parliament in a July 2018 election. The partys acting President Sam Rainsy has lived in exile in France since 2015 was sentenced in absentia last year to 25 years for what supporters say was a politically motivated charge of attempting to overthrow the government. The Candlelight Party, formerly known as the Sam Rainsy Party and the Khmer Nation party, was founded in 1995, and merged with other opposition forces to form the CNRP in 2012. Activists told RFA earlier this week that the party has established headquarters in every Cambodian province since it reactivated late last year and can present a challenge to the CPP in upcoming elections. The Candlelight Partys Acting President Thach Setha told RFA that almost 90 percent of the CNRPs members have joined his party, which he said adheres to the banned partys ideals. Political analyst Kim Sok told RFA on Wednesday that since the Candlelight Party and the other five opposition groups share common goals, an alliance is a natural fit. Dont simply cooperate and issue joint statements, he said. Establish a joint goal and a joint set of principles. New party president Meanwhile, Cambodias Funcinpec Party held its first party congress since the November 2021 death of its leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh, electing his son Prince Norodom Chakravuth as its new president on Wednesday. Funcinpec spokesman Nhoeun Raden told the congress that Chakravuth had worked hard to bring a mix of royalists, democrats, and other political adherents into the party. He said Funcinpec also hopes to merge with other parties to build a larger support base ahead of upcoming elections. Those who are royalists and supporters, please return to the Funcinpec Party so it can fulfill its mission to serve the country, he said. Legal analyst Puth Kolka told RFA that the Funcinpec Party no longer enjoys a good reputation and that democrats are avoiding it. He said that the party is likely to have difficulty restoring its popularity to what it once was in the early 1990s. When the party doesnt connect to the voters and ignores people difficulties, it wont gain support, he said. The party is working for the sake of the government only. The Cambodian kings half-brother who served as prime minister before being ousted by Hun Sen, Ranariddh died in France on Nov. 28, aged 77. Funcinpec won elections in 1993, but Ranariddh was deposed in a bloody 1997 coup by Hun Sen, a coalition partner who remains in power and has eliminated all subsequent rivals and challenges to his 36-year rule. In 2017, Ranariddh shocked admirers by backing Hun Sens dissolution the CNRP and jailing leader Kem Sokha on treason charges for which he is still on trial. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Blinken meets Friday with foreign ministers from the Quad: the U.S., Australia, India and Japan. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he steps from his plane upon arrival to attend the meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 9, 2022. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Melbourne, Australia, the first stop of a seven-day trip to the Indo-Pacific which analysts say is aimed to counter Chinas rising influence in the region. The trip from Feb. 7- Feb. 13 includes stops in Fiji and Hawaii the first visit by the top U.S. diplomat to Fiji in nearly four decades. Its an effort to elevate American engagement with the remote Pacific islands described by one analyst as a ground zero for strategic competition between the U.S. and China. But first, Blinken meets Friday with foreign ministers from the Quad, a quadrilateral strategic partnership that includes the U.S., Australia, India and Japan. There will be important discussions for furthering the Quad as a key organization for managing Indo-Pacific security issues, especially in the context of increasing challenges from a rising China, said Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute think tank. While it is not a defense alliance like NATO but a diplomatic and political partnership, the Quad focuses on broad issues of international security, including managing the COVID pandemic, responding to the risks and opportunities of critical and emerging technologies, ensuring maritime security and stability, and other areas, said Davis. In September, Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. announced a new trilateral security pact called AUKUS for the Indo-Pacific region. China reacted strongly to the pact, calling it a product of cold-war mentality. I think the Quad, whilst not formally connected to AUKUS, sits nicely alongside AUKUS as strengthening multilateral security arrangements to promote and build a free and open Indo-Pacific region, said Davis. Last week, China and Russia unveiled a new sweeping agreement that covers multiple areas of cooperation including security, space, climate change, the Internet, and artificial intelligence. This new pact, generally considered to challenge America and the West, will no doubt be discussed at the Quad foreign ministers meeting. The meeting would also discuss the Pacific islands, how to ramp up vaccine distribution, tackle climate change and push back against aggression and coercion in the region. On Saturday, Blinken will visit Fiji, the first visit of a U.S. secretary of state since 1985. Blinken's visit sends a strong message to Fiji, and more broadly to the Pacific island states of U.S. interests and attention, said Davis. A file photo showing a man walking past a Chinese hospital ship moored in the harbor of the Fiji capital of Suva Aug. 24, 2014. The U.S. is looking to step up its engagement with Pacific islands amid strategic competition with China. Credit: Reuters Reconnect with the Pacific The visit offers a chance for the U.S. to reconnect with countries in the region, said Jonathan Pryke, director of the Pacific Islands program at the Sydney-based Lowy Institute think tank. Fiji was chosen because its a hub of the region, many multilateral and regional organizations are based there. As many other nations are either still not accepting foreign visitors or are fighting COVID outbreaks, its a natural pick for a country in the Pacific to visit, Pryke explained. Eighteen Pacific island leaders have been invited to a video meeting with Blinken on Saturday to discuss the climate crisis, ending the COVID-19 pandemic, disaster assistance, and ways to further our shared commitment to democracy, regional solidarity, and prosperity in the Pacific, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. In recent years, China has been actively developing closer ties with the Pacific islands, wooing them with infrastructure loans and economic assistance, as well as military exchanges. Six Pacific governments - Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu are indebted to China, according to a Lowy Institute report. All of them signed up to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, Beijings global infrastructure masterplan. The Pacific Islands have of late become a ground zero for the strategic competition between China on one side and the US, Australia, and to a lesser extent, Japan, on the other, said Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, a U.S. Department of Defense institute based in Hawaii. They matter to the major powers because of their strategic location, their large exclusive economic zones (EEZs), their relatively high number of votes in the United Nations, and their extreme susceptibility to major power influence, explained Vuving. An EEZ is an area of the ocean, generally extending 200 nautical miles within which a coastal nation has jurisdiction over resources. Vuving described the Pacific islands as a key diplomatic battlefield between China and Taiwan for decades. Four Pacific nations including Nauru, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau have official ties with Taiwan while Kiribati and the Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019. Blinken will face the task of reassuring the Pacific island states of the commitment by the U.S. and its allies in helping them fight the COVID pandemic, providing more vaccines as well as tackling climate change and security challenges. President Joe Biden's Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell said last month that the United States has enormous moral, strategic, historical interests in the Pacific but had not done enough to assist the region. Addressing Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies, Campbell said: And we have a very short amount of time, working with partners like Australia, like New Zealand, like Japan, like France, who have an interest in the Pacific, to step up our game across the board. An undated file photo of the U.S. Military Sealift Command ocean surveillance ship USNS Effective which ship tracking data show is currently in the South China Sea. Ship-tracking data seen by RFA show a U.S. Navy ocean surveillance vessel in the area believed to be the salvage site for the crashed F-35C fighter jet, an indication that recovery operations may be underway. The USNS Effective (T-AGOS-21) was located Wednesday in the northern part of the South China Sea, about 200 nautical miles west of Luzon Island, according to the ship-tracking website MarineTraffic. The ships location is within the area earmarked in the NAVAREA Navigational Warning issued on Jan. 29 by the Japanese Coastguard for salvage operations in the South China Sea. A navigation warning is a public advisory notice to mariners about changes to navigational aids and current marine activities or hazards including fishing zones and military exercises. The F-35C Lightning II the U.S. Navys most advanced stealth fighter jet - plunged into the sea after a "landing mishap" on the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier during routine operations on Jan. 24. The Pentagon said that appropriate planning actions are being taken and that the salvage operation would be done in a timely manner as weve done in the past. It has not provided further details on the salvage operation. The USNS Effective is a Victorious-class ocean surveillance ship, assigned to the U.S. Navy's Special Mission Program together with three other similar vessels. The unarmed ocean surveillance ships directly support our Navy by using both passive and active low frequency sonar arrays to detect and track undersea threats, according to the Navys Military Sealift Command. A file photo of Military Sealift Command ocean surveillance ship USNS Effective sitting in dry dock at Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 14, 2007. Effective is one of six MSC ocean surveillance ships and one of 24 MSC special mission ships. Credit: U.S. Navy Non-threatening Analysts say the USNS Effectives jobs would include establishing the U.S. presence and interest at the site; surveying the area; monitoring and evaluating the environment; and determining the aircraft's location. It would also be used to detect and warn of any air or maritime activity that may pose a security concern to the salvage efforts. She's an ocean surveillance ship so she is the perfect candidate to monitor air, surface and subsurface activities in the area, said Carl Schuster, former director of operations at the U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center in Hawaii. Her presence also establishes America's interests without appearing to be threatening, he added. In Schusters opinion, there's a chance the U.S. Navy has installed salvage or salvage survey equipment on the ship. Chinese military observers have been monitoring the accident closely not least because it took place in the South China Sea which China regards as its own domain and which has become a focus of strategic rivalry with the U.S and its allies. U.S. oceanographic research vessels are not unfamiliar to the Chinese as this class of vessel was in the past embroiled in close encounters with the Chinese coastguard, said Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. In March 2009, the Pentagon accused China of harassing its surveillance ship USNS Impeccable in the South China Sea, with fishing vessels dropping pieces of wood in the water directly in front of the Impeccables path and snagging its acoustic equipment in the water. I don't think the Chinese would actively try to disrupt or interfere with the operation this time as the postulated site of the crash is much further away from Chinese coasts and closer to the Philippines, said Koh. But they would likely send assets to the area to watch the Americans, and that could include maritime militia, PLA Navy, civilian research ships or coastguards. The Chinese outposts on artificial islands [in the South China Sea] would give Beijing a vantage position to dispatch assets to monitor the salvage and recovery operations in the area, he added. A photo widely circulated on social media shows the F-35C jet in the sea after its crash while attempting to land on the USS Carl Vinson on Jan. 24, 2022. The U.S. 7th Fleet verified the photo. Tweet by @OedoSoldier Given the significance and the scale of the recovery operation, Koh said it would plausibly involve more American assets including escorts in the area. The presence of U.S. naval assets would raise a legal question, according to some Chinese analysts. That question is whether the plane was lost in Chinas territorial waters, said Andy Mok, senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization in Beijing. China insists on holding historical rights to most of the South China Sea and draws baselines around disputed archipelagos to claim additional territorial seas, although those claims are not supported under international law. The U.S. would also have to seek consent from the Philippines if the aircraft wreckage is found located in this countrys exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from its coast. Its yet to be seen if Manila, a U.S. ally, would raise the matter. Military troops killed more than three dozen civilians including women and children in four townships in Myanmars Sagaing region in a span of 10 days beginning late last month, residents and members of the anti-junta Peoples Defense Force (PDF) militia said Wednesday. At least 38 villagers died during military raids on villages in Myinmu, Pale, Wetlet and Kani townships between Jan. 28 and Feb. 6. Two dozen of the victims were from Myinmu, six from Wetllet, five from Pale, and three from Kani, sources said. The first deaths occurred on Jan. 31, when three military helicopters fired on a crowd observing a graduation ceremony for trainees with a branch of the local PDF known as the Zarmani Revolution Forces in Myinmus Pada Tine village, a PDF fighter from the township told RFAs Myanmar Service. The fighter said that at least 20 villagers were killed in the attack and 15 remain missing. After the military troops left, we found bodies of three women on the street. All three were women in their 50s. A witness said [troops] told them not to flee but they didnt listen, and they shot them. They shot them from a distance and the women were killed on the spot, he said. We also found remains of six villagers whose bodies were burned to ashes after they were killed. [Troops] chopped off their limbs and heads before they burned them. The PDF fighter said his group counted at least 20 victims among the bodies most of them elderly locals who were unable to flee. He said a 13-year-old girl was also among the victims and that villagers are still trying to identify her. Troops also burned down two homes in which they discovered PDF uniforms in nearby Padoke Tine village, the site of around 800 homes, the PDF fighter said. Military forces raided Myinmus Nyaung Pin Wun village and arrested four residents on Feb. 3, a day after the PDF attacked the townships Gon Nyin Seik police station, residents told RFA. On Feb. 5, troops returned the bodies of four people who had been shot in the head, they said. And on Feb. 4, residents of Wetlets Thit Seint Gyi village said they discovered the charred bodies of six civilians whose hands were tied behind their backs. PDF sources said all residents had fled as troops entered the village on Jan. 29, but some returned to their homes to get their ID cards and valuables, only to be detained and killed. The victims of the killing were identified as Thura Htun, Ko Ko Lin Maung, Min Min Tun, Myint Aung, Thae Htun Aung and Zaw Min Tun all men aged from 17 to 50 years old, they said. They know how to find us A PDF member from Wetlet township, who gave his name as James Bond to protect his identity, told RFA that the victims were tortured to death and that the military burned their remains. If they want to kill us, they know how to find our PDF bases. We are at war, and they are carrying out mass killings. It is unacceptable in terms of ethics and international law, he said. The villagers are civilians fleeing their homes. If [the troops] were capable, they could fight and kill the PDF forces. The mass killing of civilians is a crime under international law and totally unacceptable. Similarly, residents of Pale township said two civilians 35-year-old Chan Mya Hlaing and 50-year-old Khin Maung Swe were killed when the PDF attacked a junta administrative building in the town center on Feb. 5. On Feb. 3, three civilians were killed when a joint force of junta troops and pro-military Pyu Saw Htee militia fighters raided Pales Min Taing Pin village, alleging that residents there were supporting the PDF. Similarly, military forces captured seven residents of Kani townships Kin village last week and villagers found the bodies of two of them in the nearby Chin Dwin River on Feb. 2, sources said. Residents told RFA the victims were not PDF supporters and were unable to run when the military forces entered the area. Repeated attempts to contact junta Deputy Information Minister Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for his response to the claims went unanswered on Wednesday. Armed forces now terrorists Aung Myo Min, human rights minister for the shadow National Unity Government, told RFA that the military no longer deserves to be referred to as Myanmars armed forces. We can clearly see that the military is committing horrible crimes, he said. They are committing acts of terrorism, including murder and the burning of homes. We should designate them as a terrorist group. It is time to exercise mechanisms to deter these terrorist acts. Zaw Zaw, a resident of Pale, told RFA that the area has become too dangerous to stay. They are brutally killing civilians however they like. Its no longer safe for us to live here anymore, he said. I want the world to know whats going on. I want government employees who support the junta to know. I want to appeal to the people of Myanmar to join the revolution, as there is no longer any security for anyone. According to the research group Data for Myanmar, which documents the impact of armed conflict in the country, junta forces have burned down at least 3,379 homes from 126 villages and townships in nine regions and states in the year since the military seized power in a Feb. 1, 2021, coup. More than 1,400 of the homes are in Sagaing region, the group said. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Despite some improvements, Vietnam remains a country of particular concern in terms of allowing its citizens to freely practice their religion, the 15th consecutive year the country has been so designated by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The country still maintains legal barriers that prevent the establishment of religious organizations and continues to suppress the followers of religions banned by the government, the report said. The commission said a new law adopted in Vietnam in 2018 was a notable improvement to a previous ordinance but remains overly restrictive and has been applied unevenly across the country. Hanoi continued cracking down on unregistered independent religious groups and publicly labeled many as bizarre or wrong. Authorities continued to actively persecute independent religious minority communities, including Protestant Hmong and Montagnard Christians, Hoa Hao Buddhists, the Unified Buddhists, Cao Dai followers, Catholics and Falun Gong practitioners, the report said. Ethnic minority communities faced especially egregious persecution for the peaceful practice of their faith, including physical assault, banishment, detention, imprisonment and forced renunciation of faith, it said. Several representatives of religious groups in Vietnam told RFAs Vietnamese Service that the report was accurate. I could not agree more with the report. In brief, our religious activities are not recognized. When the government is happy, they ignore us, but usually we are restricted or suppressed, said Nguyen Kim Lan, head of the management board of the Cao Dai Community in the southern province of Vinh Long. We dont have legal status and are like legal outcasts, he said, adding that authorities often use the unrecognized status as an excuse to crack down on the religious community. But he said that by registering, religious groups surrender their freedom. When a religion has not been registered, its leaders and followers still can do what they want to do until they are suppressed by the government, he said. However, if the region is registered, it will be subject to the governments censorship. If your religion is registered and you carry out activities that the government doesnt agree on, you will be in trouble. Le Quang Hien, a leader in the Pure Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, said the government often harasses religious groups. They use the Vietnam Fatherland Front to restrict the freedom of independent religious groups, for example by stopping them from going to specific areas where they planned to hold ceremonies or rituals, Hien said. Hien said the Front, a political group aligned with the Communist Party, can do this by either locking down the area or by preventing followers from leaving their homes. Vietnam has been targeting Protestants in its Central Highlands area, imprisoning many for following an unrecognized religion. Over 500 Central Highlanders have been imprisoned since 2000. Most of these are church leaders, their assistants, or followers who were very active in church activities, H Biap Krong, an expert on the religious freedom situation in the region, told RFA. She said the government tags Central Highland Protestants with vague charges of undermining national unity and planning to overthrow the government. Recently, the Peoples Public Security Newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Ministry of Public Security, published articles targeting the Evangelical Church of Christ in the Central Highlands. A Dao, the churchs pastor, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2017. A Ga, another pastor from the group, fled to Thailand to seek asylum. The Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent governmental agency established in 1998, recommended that the U.S. send representatives to Vietnam to visit Vietnamese in prison for their religious beliefs and areas of the country that are the most restrictive of religious practices. Priest killed Freedom of religion advocates said the recent murder of a Vietnamese Dominican priest illustrates the danger posed by Vietnams policies. The Rev. Joseph Tran Ngoc Thanh, 41, was stabbed in the head by a stranger while listening to confessions and celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the diocese of Kon Tum on Jan. 29, 2022, the Vaticans Agenzia Fides News Agency reported. He was hospitalised after the incident but unable to recover and died at 11:30 p.m. the same day. The incident took place at Dak Mot Church in Plei Kan town, Ngoc Hoi District, 40 km north of Kon Tum City, in central Vietnam. Local police arrested the attacker and declared he was mentally ill. But a Virginia-based rights group blamed the incident on the Vietnamese government for nurturing hostility against religions. Hate speech and defamation against leaders and followers of religions that resist government control have been on the rise over the past two years. This has no doubt contributed to the increased physical violence against them, Nguyen Dinh Thang, the chief executive of the Boat People SOS (BPSOS) and a member of the International Religious Freedom Roundtables Executive Board, said during a roundtable discussion on Feb. 1. I call on the U.S. State Department and [Commission on International Religious Freedom] to press for the prosecution of government-backed perpetrators of hate speech under Vietnams anti-defamation law, said Thang. According to Thang, a few months before his death, Tran Ngoc Thanh erected a statue of St. Joseph, his patron saint, at his church. The government confiscated the statue and towed it away. Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Around 100 Ukrainian civilians were being evacuated from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on May 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, after the United Nations confirmed a "safe passage operation" was in progress there. "Grateful to our team! Now they, together with [United Nations], are working on the evacuation of other civilians from the plant," Zelenskiy said on Twitter. The evacuees would reach the city of Zaporizhzhya on May 2, he added. The long-awaited rescue came as the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, pledged continued U.S. support for Ukraine when she met Zelenskiy in an unannounced visit to Kyiv. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the major developments on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Zelenskiy posted videos from the unannounced April 30 visit by Pelosi online on May 1. We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom, Pelosi told Zelenskiy. We are on a frontier of freedom, and your fight is for everyone. Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done. Pelosi arrived in the Ukrainian capital with a delegation that included House members Jason Crow (Democrat-Colorado), Jim McGovern (Democrat-Massachusetts), and Adam Shiff (Democrat-California). The trip had not been previously announced and comes when the United States and other countries are ramping up military aid and other support for Ukraine. Pelosi said the delegation delivered the message that additional American support is on the way. U.S. President Joe Biden last week asked Congress for a $33 billion aid package for Ukraine. U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on May 1 that he would add provisions to the Ukraine aid package to allow the United States to seize Russian oligarchs' assets and send money from their sale directly to Ukraine. Zelenskiy posted on Twitter: "The U.S. is leading strong support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression." Pelosi later traveled to Poland for talks with President Andrzej Duda and other officials. Poland has taken in more than 3 million refugees from Ukraine since the war began. "Do not be bullied by bullies," Pelosi said in Rzeszow in southern Poland after returning from Ukraine. "If they are making threats, you cannot back down. That's my view of it. We are here for the fight and you cannot fold to a bully," she said. The White House said Biden had spoken with Pelosi on May 1 about her trip, without giving details. Meanwhile, the United Nations confirmed that an operation to evacuate people from a steel plant in the bombed-out Ukrainian city of Mariupol is under way. UN humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu told AP on May 1 that the effort to bring people out of the sprawling Azovstal steel plant was being done in collaboration with the International Committee for the Red Cross and in coordination with Ukrainian and Russian officials. He called the situation very complex and would not give further details. The Red Cross also said it couldn't share any details about the operation. "The ICRC insists on the fact that no details can be shared until the situation allows, as it could seriously jeopardize the safety of the civilians and the convoy. Relevant local authorities are communicating with the civilians about practical details," it said. A plan to evacuate civilians from areas of the devastated city outside the steelworks had been postponed to the morning of May 2, Mariupol's city council said. Russia's Defense Ministry said 80 civilians had been evacuated from the steel plant, adding: "Those who wished to leave for areas controlled by the Kyiv regime were handed over to UN and ICRC representatives." The UN believes about 1,000 civilians are living under the Azovstal steelworks in the city, the only part of Mariupol that is not under Russian occupation. There are believed to be about 100,000 civilians in the city, which has been the scene of intense fighting since the Russian invasion on February 24. WATCH: RFE/RL correspondent Maryan Kushnir met with Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russian forces in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. One of the soldiers called the Russian troops "cannon fodder," describing their tactics as "desperate" and without any coherent strategy. Russias Defense Ministry said on May 1 that two groups of civilians -- about 45 people in all -- had been evacuated from Azovstal the previous day as a result of a cease-fire regime and the opening of a humanitarian corridor. The evacuees were reportedly taken to the settlement of Bezimenne. The Ukrainian defenders in the Azovstal factory posted videos on April 30 saying they were running out of food, water, and other supplies and appealing for help. Elsewhere, Ukrainian officials said that four civilians were killed and 11 injured by Russian shelling in the town of Lyman as Moscow's forces push deeper into the eastern Donetsk region. Moscow claimed on May 1 -- without providing evidence -- that Ukrainian forces in the southern region of Kherson had shelled civilian areas and caused casualties. The Russian Defense Ministry did not respond to Reuters requests for details. Ukraines military said Russian forces had launched attacks along the Kherson regions borders and seemed intent on pushing toward the cities of Mykolayiv and Kryvyi Rih. Russia on April 30 launched a rocket attack on an airport runway in Odesa, Ukraines third-largest city and a key Black Sea port. The Ukrainian military said the attack had rendered the airport unusable. Odesas governor said the attack was launched from the Russia-occupied Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. Pope Francis on May 1 used his weekly Angelus prayer to renew his appeal for humanitarian corridors from Mariupol, saying that the city had been "bombed and destroyed in a barbaric manner." With reporting by Reuters, AP, and RIA Novosti Amid ethnic tension during the late 1980s, Armenians and Azeris swapped villages near the border of what were then two Soviet republics. Before the fall of the U.S.S.R., ethnic Armenians from a village in Azerbaijan exchanged their homes with people from an Azeri-populated village in Armenia. Both sides promised to protect each other's graveyards and allow villagers from each side to visit their dead. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that Russia's military buildup near Ukraine, which the West suspects is a prelude to an invasion, has triggered Europe's most serious security crisis in decades, as Moscow began holding joint military exercises in Belarus involving more than 30,000 troops. As Johnson spoke in Brussels at a joint news conference with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on February 10, Britain's foreign secretary, Liz Truss, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the Russian capital, where she called on Moscow to withdraw its troops to show that it's really interested in diplomacy. European leaders and top diplomats have been scrambling across the continent to seek ways to tamp down tensions in a crisis that Johnson said had reached its most perilous phase. He called for a combination of diplomacy, economic coercion, and military strength to counter Russia's actions. "This is probably the most dangerous moment, I would say, in the course of the next few days, in what is the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades, and we've got to get it right. And I think that the combination of sanctions and military resolve, plus diplomacy are what is in order." Johnson traveled later in the day to Warsaw for talks with Polish leaders and to meet with British soldiers stationed in the country. "Poland and the U.K. won't accept a world in which a powerful neighbor can bully or attack their neighbors," he said before meeting the troops. Stoltenberg echoed Johnson's comment, saying Europe faced a "dangerous moment" as the amount of warning time the alliance would have before any possible invasion by Moscow was shortening. "The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down.... NATO is not a threat to Russia, but we must be prepared for the worst while remaining strongly committed to finding a political solution," Stoltenberg added. In Moscow, Truss told Lavrov that Russia's "very threatening posture" should be reversed and troops should be moved from the border with Ukraine. "I can't see any other reason for having 100,000 troops stationed on the Ukrainian border apart from to threaten Ukraine, and if Russia is serious about diplomacy they need to move those troops and desist from the threats," Truss told a news conference in Moscow after her talks with Lavrov. 'Threatening Posture' "Minister Lavrov has said to me today that Russia has no plans to invade Ukraine but we need to see those words followed up by actions and we need to see the troops and the equipment that is stationed on the Ukraine border moved elsewhere, because at present it is in a very threatening posture," Truss said. Live Briefing: Ukraine In The Crosshairs RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the major developments on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Lavrov in turn said Russia rejected "ultimatums and threats" and that its interests need to be taken into consideration and respected if there is to be a de-escalation of the crisis. "We support the normalization of our relations, their improvement and resuming constructive development," Lavrov said at the news conference. "Of course, this is possible only if they are based on the principles of equality and respect for each others interests. Imposing any conditions, ultimatums, and threats will definitely lead to nowhere. The relations should be a two-way street," he said. While tens of thousands more Russian troops have massed in other border areas near Ukraine, the Kremlin has denied it is planning an attack, saying it has the right to move its troops as it sees fit across its own territory and its allies' territory with their agreement. It says its military exercises are defensive in nature. Responding to Truss's comments at the same news conference, Lavrov claimed Western threats against Moscow would only heighten tensions over the situation. "Ideological approaches, ultimatums, threats -- this is the road to nowhere," Lavrov said, adding, "we can only normalize relations through mutually respectful dialogue." As part of Britain's coordinated diplomatic effort, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is expected in Moscow on February 11. Speaking to the BBC ahead of his trip, Wallace warned that the Kremlin's actions were heading in the wrong direction in spite of efforts to find a diplomatic solution. "Despite the talking, the direction of travel is in the wrong way," Wallace told BBC Radio. "The Russians are still growing their battalion tactical groups ... They are planning to start a nuclear strategic exercise soon, and indeed we see more activity elsewhere." He said Britain had seen intelligence that Moscow was engaging in plans for so-called "false flag" operations as a pretext for invading Ukraine, as well as carrying out cyberattacks and other destabilizing activity. Amid Europe-wide diplomatic efforts, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met the leaders of the Baltic countries -- all three of whom are former Soviet republics -- in Berlin on February 10. Scholz will also travel to Kyiv and Moscow on February 14-15. Scholz assured the Baltic NATO partners -- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania -- of support during the Berlin meeting. "We are united and determined," Scholz said. "We take the concerns of our allies very seriously. We stand at your side. This is very important to me." In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the joint Russia-Belarus drills, which Ukraine and the West have interpreted as part of Moscow's military escalation in the region, amount to "psychological pressure," as Ukraine also began its own scheduled military exercises on February 10. Kyiv has not reported the number of military personnel and weapons involved in its exercises. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on February 10 that Ukraine was also preparing a response to Russian Navy drills in the Black Sea. Russia on February 8 said six warships were heading to the Black Sea from the Mediterranean for naval drills in what it said was a preplanned movement of military resources. Zelenskiy said the diplomatic talks could pave the way for a summit with the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany aimed at reviving the stalled peace plan for the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The multipronged diplomatic efforts come after French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the week completed a round of shuttle diplomacy that saw him hold separate talks with both the Russian and Ukrainian presidents. U.S. officials say Russia has increased its deployment to some 110,000 troops near the border with Ukraine and is on track to amass a large enough force -- some 150,000 soldiers -- for a full-scale invasion by the middle of the month. Moscow insists it has no plans to attack Ukraine but has continued to make provocative military moves while also demanding guarantees from the West that NATO will not accept Ukraine and other former Soviet states as members, that it halt weapon deployments there, and also roll back its forces from Eastern Europe. Both Washington and NATO have rejected these demands as nonstarters. Meanwhile, the first U.S. troops meant to shield Eastern Europe from a potential spillover of the Ukrainian crisis arrived in Romania from Germany over the past two days, Romania's Defense Ministry said on February 9. And in Denmark, the prime minister said the NATO member was ready to allow the U.S. military to base troops on its soil as part of a bilateral defense agreement. "The United States have reached out to Denmark, proposing a bilateral defense cooperation," Mette Frederiksen told reporters on February 10. "The exact nature of this collaboration has not yet been defined, but it could include the presence of U.S. troops, materiel, and military equipment on Danish soil," she said. The U.S. State Department said it welcomed Frederiksen's remarks and said an agreement, when concluded, "will allow our countries to deepen our close partnership" and "strengthen cooperation in NATO operations." With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters Questions over a Chinese contract to build a multimillion-dollar sewer system in a Serbian city has raised red flags among activists who say it is a microcosm of how Belgrade deals with Chinese entities. The project in the Serbian city of Kragujevac was issued without a tender or public procurement, raising transparency and corruption questions about how Chinese companies and the Serbian government operate in the country. Construction of the 360-kilometer new sewage network in the central Serbian city began in November and was directly contracted to the Infrastructure Ministry and then awarded to the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a Beijing-based international construction company, without a tender process for the bid. The project is part of a wider Serbian-Chinese venture called Clean Serbia that was launched in 2021 by the Serbian government in 65 cities and municipalities and is worth $3.6 billion. The aim of the initiative is to modernize, repair, and in some cases build brand-new water-management systems across the country in order to provide better drinking water, combat pollution, and expand access to modern sewage networks, which government statistics show more than one-third of Serbian households do not have access to. But while city officials in Kragujevac contend their city is in need of a new sewer system to deal with their decades-long problem of wastewater and pollution, several opposition councillors are raising transparency concerns over the lack of information known about the bid and how it was awarded to the CRBC. I did not receive any answer except that the Chinese company is the main contractor, Veroljub Stevanovic, a councillor in Kragujevacs assembly who previously served as the citys mayor, told RFE/RL. Of course, the citys [wastewater problems] need to be resolved, but first [we need to know] what is the true cost of getting that and what are the conditions of that loan. In addition to corruption concerns, the direct agreement reached between the CRBC and the Serbian government -- as well the absence of a tender process for other companies to submit competitive offers -- fits a wider pattern that activists and watchdog groups say is how Serbian officials operate with Chinese businesses. Its essentially a reflection of the weakness of the representatives of our state, who uncritically accept such arrangements, Nemanja Nenadic, the Serbian program director of the corruption watchdog organization Transparency International, told RFE/RL. One side of the equation is what a foreign partner demands in order to conclude a deal, the other is whether the Serbian side is willing to accept [those demands]. Beijing And Belgrade Beijing enjoys a close relationship with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and has been steadily deepening its ties with Serbia and across the Balkans over the last two decades. Belgrades ties with China have since expanded across a wider array of sectors, from trade to defense to technology to education, with billions of dollars in Chinese cash flowing into the country under the guise of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinas global infrastructure venture, and through bilateral deals. While Serbia has increasingly followed a foreign policy that looks east to partners such as China and Russia, Belgrade also looks west to the European Union, which is not only a major trading partner and top-level investor through the European Investment Bank (EIB), but also plays a vital role in setting business and workers rights standards for projects. In addition to loans and investment through the EIB, the EU also offers nonrefundable grants to Serbia and other countries in the Balkans for infrastructure and modernization projects, making the blocs offering some of the most favorable available. Still, Chinese investment in Serbia has expanded rapidly and triggered controversy as Beijing-backed companies have received tax exemptions, been allowed to bypass labor laws, and are given other forms of preferential treatment. Similarly, environmental damage caused by a Chinese-owned copper mine near the Serbian city of Bor has led to complaints and protests over pollution. A study from the Bulgarian-based Center for the Study of Democracy released in September 2021 also said that Beijings growing economic footprint in Central and Eastern Europe over the last decade has coincided with a drop in legal and governance standards across the region, with Serbia being singled out as a leading example. Questions In Kragujevac Its against this backdrop that concerns are being raised around the procurement process for Kragujevac's sewer system and wastewater plants. While it remains known that Chinas CRBC will take the helm of the project, few other details are known or have been declared publicly, especially around which other local or international companies the Chinese corporation could enlist as subcontractors for the lucrative deal. According to Serbian Foreign Minister Tomislav Momirovic, Serbian companies are to represent not less than 49 percent of the total subcontractors used in the Clean Serbia initiative. But the lack of a tender process has made this difficult to verify. According to comments e-mailed to RFE/RL by the Kragujevac mayor's office, cities covered by the Clean Serbia project have no financial obligations other than providing property for plots on which treatment plants and other projects will be built. The issue of cost is also still uncertain, although a bill expected to be put forward to the Serbian parliament confirms one of the credit arrangements for the project, mentioning a $232 million loan that is to be provided by the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, a major Chinese state-owned enterprise that is under the purview of China's Finance Ministry. The Kragujevac mayor's office also told RFE/RL that $217 million has been provided by Serbia to build three wastewater-treatment plants, in addition to the sewer system. Chinas CRBC did not respond to RFE/RLs requests for comment about how it will select subcontractors and how it will ensure that European standards and regulations will be respected while implementing the project. In response to RFE/RLs questions about the procurement process, Serbias Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Ministry said it has long-standing agreements with the CRBC and the criteria for choosing partners on the projects were based on the availability of funds and the efficiency of the contractor. It added that EU standards related to wastewater treatment and domestic laws on planning and construction, as well as environmental protection, are being respected in the design and construction process. A Familiar Pattern The Clean Serbia initiative isnt the first example of Chinese-Serbian cooperation on water and treatment infrastructure and Nenadic from Transparency International says this fits a typical pattern of bypassing existing rules and regulations. Similar to the project in Kragujevac, Serbia's Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Ministry signed two agreements with the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) in January 2020 for the treatment of wastewater, which were also awarded directly without a tender or public-procurement process. During the signing of the contract, both the Serbian and Chinese sides emphasized that EU standards would be respected and said many of the blocs regulations have even been modeled and introduced into existing Serbian legislation, such as the Law on Public Procurement, which prescribes mandatory bidding and a tender process for all projects. But as Nenadic points out, these articles are already not being followed, which could be a bellwether for future projects to skirt other rules, despite public pronouncements to the contrary. Its possible that they claim that some EU standards will be respected, said Nenadic. However, what is quite obvious is that the rules are already almost identical to EU ones and those are not being respected. Written by Reid Standish in Prague based on reporting by Mila Durdevic in Belgrade. Speculation is rife that Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov may move toward formally clearing the way for his son, Serdar, to be his heir apparent when an extraordinary session of the upper parliament is held on February 11. That date marks the 15th anniversary of the controlled election that formally stamped Berdymukhammedov's authoritarian rule over the natural-gas rich, Central Asian country. February 11 is also the one-year anniversary of his son being named head of the Supreme Control Chamber, a member of the State Security Council and, most prominently, deputy prime minister. It was quite a meteoric rise for the 40-year-old and secured his position as second in command of the country. The alignment of dates is significant because of the mercurial president's obsession with numerology, a fact that has both observers of Turkmenistan and ordinary citizens talking about the possibility of important decisions being made at the special session of the Halk Maslakhaty (People's Council), parliament's upper chamber. The chairman of the body, President Berdymukhammedov (of which his holding of that post violates Article 73 of the constitution), has said the session will address the "development of the country for the next 30 years." That comment led to speculation the president might be preparing the way for Serdar to replace him or even announce the transition of power at the parliamentary meeting. Many Turkmen have been discussing an imminent political change at the top of their authoritarian government for months, as the state-controlled media was full of mentions and discussions of Serdar's "genius." He was also portrayed as a leader who "cares about the people," who are currently mired in a devastating economic crisis. The younger Berdymukhammedov has also made numerous trips to the regions on behalf of his father to familiarize himself with the skyrocketing food prices and shortages of many basic staples. Such trips were seen by observers as an undisguised attempt to promote the leading role that Serdar Berdymukhammedov had in the hierarchy of power and perhaps the next step in the preparation for him to succeed his father. Although Turkmen state media didn't show what was happening in Kazakhstan, people in Turkmenistan were quite aware of the popular protests taking place nearby and drew parallels with the situation in their country. Serdar was received in the regions at the highest level and Potemkin villages were hastily set up in many cases for his visits. Such preparations were previously done only for the president and they reinforced a belief by many of an inevitable transit of power on the horizon. Serdar Aytakov, an expert on Turkmenistan, told RFE/RL's Turkmen Service that the spreading of rumors among the population has long been a method used by the country's special services to manipulate public opinion. He added that although the buzz in recent weeks was more that there may not be a transfer of power at the parliamentary session, he believes important decisions will be made. Knowing that the rumor about 'transferring power to Serdar Berdymuhhammedov is an undeniable public narrative, the authorities could resort to [spreading new rumors] -- in order to avoid social unrest and open outrage [at a succession] -- that a transition is not being immediately considered, said Aytakov, who is based in Turkmenistan. But he added it is also possible "decisions will be made at [the session that will] facilitate such a transition in the indefinite future, in favor of a certain person, [something that would be carried out] automatically when the incumbent president retires or goes to the afterworld." Echoes Of The Kazakh Uprising The announcement in January of the convening of an extraordinary session of the upper house also coincided with popular unrest in neighboring Kazakhstan. Angry protests in Kazakhstan's Mangistau region, which borders Turkmenistan, about a massive increase in the price of liquefied gas spread throughout the country and caused great concern in the capitals of the neighboring autocratic states. And although Turkmen state media didn't show what was happening in Kazakhstan, people in Turkmenistan were quite aware of the popular protests taking place nearby and drew parallels with the situation in their country. Turkmenistan has also experienced increases in the prices of fuel, goods and services, and food in recent years, in many cases rising at least 300 to 500 percent as subsidies were stopped and demand overwhelmed supplies. Many Turkmen said the Kazakh protests had a positive effect on them. The Kazakh protests inspired people [in Turkmenistan] and made them remember the saying: 'If the child does not cry, he will not be fed.' People began to understand that if you demand your rights by protesting, you can make the government change. Even such a large state as Kazakhstan submitted to the calls of its people, one Turkmen told RFE/RL, requesting anonymity for security reasons. It is possible that, having soberly assessed the causes and consequences of the events in Kazakhstan[officials will] realize there is a great need for a qualitative change in the standard of living [and may announce some reforms]." President Berdymukhammedov was apparently also shocked by the unrest in the neighboring republic. On January 12, after announcing the holding of the special session of the upper house set for February 11, he convened a meeting of the State Security Council, ordering the National Security Ministry to tighten its blocking of independent sources on the Internet and to step up security. Aytakov said the emergency session of the council amid the Kazakh unrest was no coincidence and, while the Turkmen regime has shown resilience over the years despite serious economic problems, the protests in a more stable country like Kazakhstan show there is no guarantee such staying power will last. The Turkmen authoritiescarefully studied the experience of confrontation and attempts to seize power in Armenia, Belarus, and Russia," he said. "But they are especially trying, in their own way, to draw the appropriate conclusions from the events in Kazakhstan. The authorities now have an opportunity to somewhat improve the economic situation since they repaid a big loan to China -- used to develop gas fields and construct gas infrastructure -- that allows them to start accumulating financial reserves [to help] mitigate the social crisis." But Aytakov added there is a paradox in that officials are using new money not to alleviate the economic crisis but rather to "purchase special weapons and equipment to suppress civil unrest" and train security forces in how to handle any such outbreak in Turkmenistan. Appeasing The Population? Aytakov said the Kazakh uprising may have changed President Berdymukhammedov's thinking in regard to his succession plan. It is possible that, having soberly assessed the causes and consequences of the events in Kazakhstan[officials will] realize there is a great need for a qualitative change in the standard of living [and may announce some reforms] at the upcoming [session] to let off steam and reduce social tensions." Many of the participants in the extraordinary session of the Halk Maslakhaty have been offered various gifts for their participation, with the event being held via video link to the regional capitals where the chosen delegates will be assembled. RFE/RL's correspondent in the city of Lebap said community elders and youth representatives invited to the session were promised gifts worth 5,000 manats ($1,431 at the official rate) for their participation. The Halk Maslakhaty was moribund from 2008 until 2017, when the president revived it and then made it the second chamber of parliament in 2020. It had previously only served as an advisory body. It is possible it will play its biggest role yet in the country's governance when it takes center stage on February 11. Written by Pete Baumgartner based on reporting by Farruh Yusupov. KYIV -- Three years after the end of World War II, Finland, which had stunned the mighty Red Army at the opening of the war, signed a treaty with its eastern neighbor. With the cement hardening on a Cold War Europe divided between East and West, the deal fixed Helsinki's neutrality in place, kept it out of a nascent NATO, and affected Finnish politics for decades. The situation spawned a geopolitical term: "Finlandization." In Finland, its a dirty word to some. In Kyiv these days, its practically an insult. Live Briefing: Ukraine In The Crosshairs RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the major developments on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. This week, as he traveled to Kyiv, the French president reportedly used the term -- or raised the idea -- and said it was an option "on the table" for resolving the tension over Russia's military buildup near Ukraine and Moscow's insistence that the country be kept out of NATO forever. Emmanuel Macron's visit, which was preceded by a stop in Moscow, was one of the latest top-level efforts by Western leaders to avert a major new invasion by Russia -- a development that could be disastrous for Ukraine and tectonic for all of Europe. Macron later denied using the term. But according to press reports, he told journalists traveling with him: "It's one of the models on the table," adding: "We shouldn't be looking for a reference term just now. I think we'll invent something new, by definition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy later backed Macron up at a news conference in Kyiv on February 8, saying he hadn't heard the French leader use the term. But even a general discussion of anything close to resembling "Finlandization" raised eyebrows and concern in Zelenskiy's cabinet, according to one person with knowledge of the internal discussions. "This is unacceptable for Ukraine," said Oleksiy Melnyk, who is co-director of the Foreign Relations and International Security Program at the Razumkov Center, a Kyiv think tank. "If you accept something that is imposed on you, like permanent neutrality, logically you have to get something in exchange," he said. "So what should Ukraine receive in exchange? On this question, Russia says nothing." In Finland itself, the term carries a mix of regret and embarrassment, an echo of a bygone era. "From a Finnish perspective, it's a pejorative term," said Matti Pesu, senior research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs in Helsinki. "Finns, they don't like it. They would never offer it as a policy proposal. Finns would never want a system imposed from an outside power." "On the one hand, they managed to walk the tightrope," he added. "On the other hand, it undermined Finnish democracy and it harmed Finland's international status." 'A Poisonous Impact' Signed in 1948, the SovietFinnish Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance was the bedrock of Helsinki's postwar relations with the Soviet Union. Among other things, Moscow guaranteed it wouldn't invade Finland. But it wasn't until the 1960s that the term "Finlandization" began to circulate, first in Germany, as a shorthand description to explain how countries in proximity to the U.S.S.R. could maintain their sovereignty and independence without being ramrodded by the Soviet Army or the Warsaw Pact. "If you view it as a mechanism by Finland to make life work in an asymmetrical relationship [with Moscow] -- a survival mechanism, a tool -- you could tell a positive story about it," said Charly Salonius-Pasternak, a Helsinki-based researcher of international policy, security, and defense. "But it also had a poisonous impact...on domestic politics," he said. That was most clearly felt in the 1970s, Pesu said, embodied by President Urho Kekkonen, whose 25 years in office spanned much of the Cold War. Under Kekkonen, Finnish politics became uncomfortably accommodating and "sugarcoated" toward Moscow, according to both Pesu and Salonius-Pasternak. Among lawmakers, advancing higher into Finnish politics -- in parliament or elsewhere in government -- was impossible with any sort of vocal public criticism of Moscow. Finnish media were rarely critical of Soviet policies. For example, the writings of Nobel laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn were never published in Finland, Pesu said. They were instead translated into Finnish and printed, but only by a Swedish publishing house. After the Cold War, Finland drifted toward closer ties with the West, joining the European Union in 1995. But 2014, when Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and fueled war in eastern Ukraine, was a watershed moment for Helsinki. "It really changed the discourse on how Russia was viewed," Pesu said, adding that "the narrative about Russia and its actions since 2014 has been highly critical, portraying it in a highly negative light." Finland remains outside of NATO, but experts said it has integrated more closely with the alliance than outsiders realize. That was highlighted by its announcement in December that it would spend $9.4 billion to buy 64 F-35 fighter jets from the United States -- a decision that will place super-advanced U.S. weaponry on Russia's borders. Last month, Finland's military raised eyebrows when it published a series of videos showing forward air controllers staging test drills, guiding Finnish Air Force pilots to their targets. The videos were all in English. "We haven't been neutral since EU membership," Salonius-Pasternak said. Politically, we have incredible cooperation with NATO, with the U.S. Most parliamentarians dont even realize how close it is. Were far more interoperable than many NATO members know. Finnish society has also moved noticeably toward support for NATO membership, though public opinion polls also show substantial uncertainty -- and opposition in some quarters. And Finlands prime minister said recently that NATO membership would be "very unlikely" during his tenure. For Ukraine, the problem is much more complex. While the Kremlin may simply look askance at Finland edging closer to European political and economic groupings, Moscow has taken steps to halt moves by Kyiv in the same direction -- and is threatening to do more if Ukraine is not kept out of NATO forever. Allowing Moscow to impose a "Finlandization" policy on Ukraine would set a dangerous precedent, Salonius-Pasternak says. "Once you go down your path, the next argument is going to be about the EU, and that's bad if Russia is starting to get a veto on your foreign policy decisions," he said. 'Things That Finns Would Happily Offer To Ukraine' A spokeswoman for Zelenskiy did not immediately respond to a query from RFE/RL. "Finlandization" remains a dirty word for the United States, which is Ukraine's biggest supplier of military aid and a stalwart backer. And for NATO, as well, whose leadership has repeatedly rejected Moscow's demand that it never make Ukraine or any other country near Russia's borders a member. Western officials have also said Moscow was essentially demanding a veto over another country's foreign policy -- Ukraine, in this case. NATO officials say the alliance's door is open to Ukraine and will stay open, but they have made clear it won't join the alliance in the near future. "President Macron has said that that was not the formulation that he used, and that ending NATO's 'Open Door' policy would actually be a problem, and we agree with that," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter said when asked about "Finlandization." "And as we've said previously, we're committed to the right of sovereign nations to make their own decisions about their security." In the meantime, Ukrainian public opinion, after years of tepid support, has hardened and moved noticeably toward backing NATO membership. And Zelenskiy, who won election in 2019 after pledging to end the conflict with Moscow, has moved toward a harder line -- including more frequent public calls for Kyiv to join NATO. For this reason, accepting anything close to the "Finlandization" of Ukraine would be politically dangerous for Zelenskiy, says Melnyk of the Razumkov Center. In 2015, after Zelenskiy's predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, signed the second installment of the Minsk accords, violence erupted in Kyiv's streets in protest, amid perceptions that Poroshenko had given in to Russian demands. "But could Ukraine learn something from Finland? I would say, Finland has a history of navigating a tense situation with a strong neighbor," Pesu said. "Finland has robust defense ties, with Sweden, Norway, our neighbors, NATO. Finland has a very functional society, one of the least corrupt countries in the world. These are things that Finns would also happily offer to Ukraine." The U.S. troops reinforcing NATO allies in Eastern Europe amid a Russian military buildup on Ukraine's border arrived on February 10 at a military base in Romania. The United States is sending nearly 3,000 extra troops to Poland and Romania to shield Eastern Europe from a potential spillover of the Ukraine crisis. Derek Chollet, a senior policy adviser to the U.S. secretary of state, who visited the Romanian capital, Bucharest, on February 9, warned that if Russia chooses to take the military path regarding Ukraine, they're going to see more of NATO's capability on the eastern flank. IDI to bring Israeli exhibitors to JGT Dubai Israel pavilion 10 february 2022 News The Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) will be bringing Israeli diamond companies to exhibit at the JGT Dubai show from February 22 24, 2022. This is the first time that IDI will be presenting an Israel Diamond Pavilion in a Dubai show, says a press release from IDI. The Israeli companies will be exhibiting both natural loose diamonds and diamond jewelry. The participating companies are D.N Diamonds, Dayagi Diamonds, Direct Diamond Solutions, G. Arabov Diamonds, El. Diamonds Trading, Tiroche Diamonds, TOC The Excellent Make, West Africa Diamonds, House of Gems Israel, Moshe Namdar Masingita and YDI-Yoshfe Diamonds International. The pavilion will contain an IDI informational booth as well as IDI Show terminals for searching a database of all the Israeli goods at the pavilion. IDI will also have a lounge for buyers and guests where soft drinks, coffee and snacks will be served throughout the day. IDI Managing Director Aviel Elia said, This is our first Dubai show, but Im sure it will not be the last. Since the signing of the Abraham Accords, Dubai has become a very important trading partner for the Israeli Diamond Industry and represents a considerable part of Israels diamond exports. I look forward to experiencing the show for the first time, together with the Israeli exhibitors. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished Angola eyes Dubai investments in Saurimo diamond development hub 10 february 2022 News Angola is set to convene an investment forum for the Saurimo diamond development hub in the United Arab Emirates on 22 February. The National Diamond Company of Angola (ENDIAMA) said the event was being promoted by SODIAM with the support of The New Jeweller. ENDIAMA and a delegation from the mineral resources ministry will also attend the forum. The Saurimo Diamond Hub, which was opened last year, has an area of more than 3,00,000 square meters. Three major Diamond cutting factories are now operating at the diamond hub. These are the KGK Group, which can cut 12,000 carats per month, Kapu Gems with a capacity to cut 5000 carats per month and Stardiam with a capacity to cut more than 5000 carats per month. The hub has manufacturing, cutting, polishing, training, and leisure areas. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Local Considering S.139 Lawmakers consider school mascots MONTPELIER The Senate Education Committee considered how best to address problematic school mascots on Tuesday. The committee heard testimony from both local Indigenous and state education leaders on S.139, a bill which proposes prohibit a public school or public postsecondary school from having or adopting a name, symbol or image that depicts or refers to a racial or ethnic group, individual, custom or tradition and that is used as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead or team name of the school. Any school not in compliance within three years of the bills passage would be ineligible for competition in Vermont Principals Association-sanctioned events. An identical bill, H.641, was recently introduced in the House. Chief Don Stevens, of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk-Abenaki Nation, addressed the committee to voice his objection to the use of such names and images, stating they neither represent nor honor local Indigenous peoples. I always think its problematic when somebody uses something thats not of their culture especially without informed consent, he said, adding that education about Indigenous culture was sorely lacking in schools. Stevens noted that while putting on black face makeup is socially unacceptable, people tend not to have the same reaction to dressing in Native regalia and costumes. He said white Europeans created mascots, not Native Americans, so its up to them to address it. We didnt tell somebody else to use imagery that doesnt belong to them, that belongs to another culture. They decided to do that on their own. So they have to take it away, not me, he said. Do we like it? No. Do we think is morally right? No. Sen. Joshua Terenzini, R-Rutland, referenced the mascot debate at Rutland High School which recently reinstated the Raider name and arrowhead logo after the School Board voted to retire it in late 2020 to ask Stevens whether it would have been acceptable to keep the name but discard the logo. Stevens granted that the Raider name on its own wasnt problematic, however, its context was. As soon as that name was founded on Indigenous identity or was founded on Indigenous symbols, then it is inherently linked to that, he said. So it will regardless if you change it from the arrowhead or not that term originated from an Indian or a Native image (or) background because you cant change your history. He added that any efforts to rebrand the name would need to acknowledge that history. Oliver Olsen, chair of the Vermont Board of Education, stressed the need to bring closure to mascot issues around the state. He argued that protracted debates, like the one in Rutland, are disrupting school boards from focusing on other more pressing local matters. Olsen presented the committee with a proposal to create a process by which the overall branding of schools, including mascots, would be reviewed and approved by the state board. He noted the proposal was preliminary and had not yet been discussed by the full board. Olsen reported that 45% of school mascots in the state are animals and 35% are based on a defining characteristic of a group of people. The remainder are based on objects or mythical figures. The proposal would include a one-time process to review and approve all existing branding, as well as require schools to submit any changes and new branding for re-approval. Under the proposal, the public would be able to file any objections to a schools branding by August of this year. Any objections would require the local school board to conduct a self-review, which would include historical research and education to understand the origins of the mascot and branding. The school board would then submit its findings to the state board by December, which would, in turn, render a decision after further review and hearings. Olsen clarified that anyone would be able to raise objections, not just parties directly impacted by the branding. The process would include statutory criteria that would mandate any proposed branding not be permitted to reference or stereotype the likeness feature symbols, traditions or other characteristics that are specific to the race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity of any person or group of people. Mascots would also be prohibited from depicting any person, group or organization associated with the repression of others. Olsens proposal also suggested using federal funding to help schools cover the cost of transitioning to new uniforms and branding. Sen. Brian Campion, D-Bennington, indicated support for the proposal, however, he questioned if the timeline might be too ambitious and not give the public enough time to weigh in. He later raised concerns about the appropriateness of creating a statutory definition of mascots, stating, it just doesnt feel right. Olsen explained that the aggressive timeline was an effort to rip the Band-Aid off, noting the disruptive debates that have erupted in communities during the past couple years. I think were just at a point where we need to move on, he said. Stevens weighed in to suggest any process should include accommodations for ethnic and racial groups that may want to use images that are culturally significant to them. Jennifer Samuelson, vice chair of the state board, recommended the body that reviews and approves school branding should be expanded to include more diverse views. Following the testimony, Terenzini argued that the mascot issue, like most issues, is best left to local school boards. If we advance this legislation, were once again taking more local control away and centralizing it in Montpelier, he said. However, Sen. Cheryl Hooker, D/P-Rutland, countered that mascots extended beyond a local matter. This is an issue that is being discussed all over the country because people are being offended by the use of their culture, she said. Across the country, about 20 state legislatures have enacted or are considering laws addressing the use of Indigenous-themed mascots in K-12 schools, according to a state activity tracker on the National Congress of American Indians website. Last year, Colorado, Nevada and Washington enacted bans. Around the Northeast, Maine passed a law banning the use of Indigenous-themed mascots and names in 2019 and bills have been introduced in Massachusetts and New York. Connecticut also passed a law stating that municipalities with schools that use Indigenous-themed mascots or names will lose grant funding from the states two tribal casinos. Last month, New Hampshire lawmakers introduced a bill prohibiting the use of Indigenous American mascots in public schools, colleges and universities. jim.sabataso @rutlandherald.com Danvers, MA (01923) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Less than a week before Escondido is scheduled to transfer management of its public library to a private company, a city 140 miles to the north is doing the opposite by opting to end its contract with the same Maryland-based firm. Meanwhile, a request for a temporary restraining order to block the companys contract from beginning next week was denied Thursday by a Vista Superior Court judge. Santa Clarita Deputy City Manager Darren Hernandez said that city of 225,000 people went with Library Systems & Services LLC in 2011 when it switched from the Los Angeles County library system to a city one. For the first four years of our contract, we were happy with the progress we were making, Hernandez said. After that, we began to see more issues. He said all 17 full-time librarian positions in the Santa Clarita library system have turned over since the contract went into effect and just a few months ago five positions were vacant, including two of the three branch manager spots. Advertisement He said all the librarians, except one who retired, left for mostly lateral positions in other cities for better pay and benefits. He also said in the past several years the number of patrons served at the Santa Clarita branches has dropped dramatically and that LS&S management has been slow to respond to city complaints. In this last year, morale has gotten so bad that it became a downward spiral, he said. There have been a lot vacancies and staffing shortages. Calls to LS&S Chief Operating Officer Todd Frager were not returned. The Santa Clarita City Council voted unanimously not to renew the contract with the company effective this summer. Hernandez said Escondido never contacted Santa Clarita for a reference. Interestingly, however, on Escondidos website, one of about a dozen reference letters endorsing LS&S was written last August by the Santa Clarita City Librarian Matthew Hortt, who is an employee of the private company. Hortt praises LS&S, calling the company innovative and said he is proud to work for them. Hernandez said the reference letter was not cleared through Santa Clarita City Hall and he knew nothing about it until recently. Escondido City Manager Jeff Epp said the reference letters that appear on the website were received unsolicited by the city. He said informal inquiries of a number of communities serviced by LS&S were made by staff members, but the city did not actively seek out references. Many of the letters listed on the Escondido website were written by LS&S employees. Thousands of signatures were gathered last year in Escondido from residents opposed to the library outsourcing plans, but the City Council voted 4-1 to move forward anyway, saying it believed services would be enhanced by the company and that the city can save $400,000 a year or more by decreasing city staff and their benefits, most importantly pension benefits. Opponents repeatedly brought up at public meetings how various systems run by LS&S around the country were not happy with the services, but the city maintained they had received almost unanimous good references from other communities. In Santa Clarita, they estimate ending the LS&S contract will save the city about $400,000, mainly because new city employees would be hired under new rules that diminish the citys pension liability. Meanwhile, on Thursday, a Vista Superior Court judge denied a last-minute request for a temporary restraining order that would have barred the city from enacting the contract, which goes into effect on Tuesday. If it had been granted, the order would have delayed implementation of the contract with LS&S while a lawsuit filed in October was fully litigated that claims the council exceeded its authority by eliminating the city department. The lawsuit cites a part of the states education code that indicates it is up to a Library Board of Trustees, not a City Council, to make such decisions. The Escondido library trustees unanimously agreed to recommend to the council that they not outsource library management. The city has maintained the code is being misinterpreted and misapplied and they remain confident the lawsuit will eventually be dismissed. In his ruling Thursday, Judge Earl H. Mass said based on what he has been presented so far, it does not appear the lawsuit will be successful. He also said a restraining order would affect not only the city but numerous people who have made employment plans and decisions, as well as LS&S, none of which are parties to the legal action. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones How to Clip Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print. You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it. When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue. Central Carolina Community College and Lee County leaders got a first-hand look Tuesday at the facility that is being converted into a facility that will provide training in cutting-edge technologies. Its the former Sanford location of Magneti Marelli, the Italian-based manufacturer of auto components, that was shuttered in 2021. Its just absolutely great, said E. Eugene Moore, who was among those touring the facility. Its a good thing he was impressed because the building will bear his name in the future as the E. Eugene Moore Manufacturing and Biotech Solutions Center. Moore, an alumnus of Central Carolina, endowed the college with a gift of $2 million. The property was purchased by Lee County in July for $7.4 million and was turned over to the community college to use as a job-training facility. The rooms that once buzzed with manufacturing activity are quiet now, stripped bare of equipment and workers. However, activity will return to the facility as renovations and refurbishing continues, including the removal of hazardous materials. The county is working with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality to rid the facilities of them, according to County Manager John Crumpton. The 22-acre campus is on Nash Street, beside the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center and abuts a portion of the Central Carolina campus. Once completed, students will be trained with skills needed for the growing biotechnical community in the region. The center will have up-to-date manufacturing equipment, too. Were hoping the school will tailor courses to our company needs, Moore said. Theres an extreme shortage of technicians here. As the cost to attend a four-year university or college continues to mount, the center and Central Carolina are poised to draw students to the area. The community college is the backbone of the community, Moore said. His gift is a way to give back the skills he developed while attending Central Carolina which have helped him in business. Moore is the CEO of Bear Creek Arsenal, an international business located in Sanford. Moore has one other objective in helping create the training center. I want to make the world a better place, he said. At her apartment down the street from San Pablo City Hall, Anita Mendoza wondered if the eviction lawsuit she was served last month will push her out of her home of 28 years. In downtown Palo Alto, middle school teacher Mohamed Chakmakchi worried that his 7-year-old would have to go live with family if he was forced out of his two-bedroom rental. At her Antioch kitchen table blanketed with eviction notices and anti-anxiety medication, Carmen Ponce was once again terrified of ending up living in her car with her daughter and granddaughter. I want to go with dignity, Ponce said in Spanish. I dont want to go because they ran me out, because they kicked me out as if I was worthless. The details of their cases vary, but all three renters and their families are part of a wave of eviction disputes hitting ill-prepared California suburbs in an uncertain new phase of the pandemic. While nearby cities like San Francisco and Oakland have some of the nations strongest tenant protections, gaps in state law, shifting patterns of housing segregation and the economic shock of the pandemic are causing havoc in outlying areas. Santiago Mejia The Chronicle In recent weeks, routine city council meetings in San Pablo and Antioch have morphed into proxy wars between powerful statewide tenant and landlord groups. High-profile eviction cases in Palo Alto and Walnut Creek have triggered behind-the-scenes pressure on local officials to intervene. Tenants are also banding together in suburbs like Concord, as national calls grow to address stark racial gaps in evictions and increase the less than 10% of evicted U.S. tenants who have access to a lawyer. For housing researchers like Tim Thomas, the suburban sprawl of Bay Area landlord-tenant disputes is a natural evolution of years of rising rents pushing people out of big cities. Now, he said, Black and Latino renters disproportionately moving away from cities like San Francisco and Oakland are at the highest risk of eviction in the increasingly segregated suburbs where many sought more affordable rents areas that traditionally have fewer local eviction laws, pro bono lawyers and tenant activists. You have to break new ground, basically, in those areas, said Thomas, research director of UC Berkeleys Urban Displacement Project. I think that will be kind of the narrative we hear now a lot more activism in spaces and cities weve never heard of. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle As more evictions resume, Mendoza, Chakmakchi and Ponce face different legal paths and timelines to find new homes. Their stories show how two years of concerns about a potential pandemic eviction cliff are coming to a head in suburbs struggling to keep up. San Pablo: a victory for landlords Since moving to the Bay Area from the Mexican state of Jalisco in 1990, Mendozas life has revolved around the Porto Apartments, specifically her $450-a-month one-bedroom covered in family photos and lush houseplants. Thats where Mendoza, 55, raised a daughter, came home after church choir practice and relaxed after work as a senior caretaker until she was sidelined by back and shoulder injuries three years ago. Things have been tense at the 14-unit building behind a busy Italian restaurant since its owner bought the entire property a few years ago. Several neighbors left, Mendozas attorney said in a recent letter to the San Pablo City Council, when the new owner served 30-day eviction notices in 2019. For Mendoza and a half dozen others who stayed, the letter said the situation escalated in November, when they got 60-day notices saying they had to be out by mid-January to make way for renovations though they were welcome to come back and pay the new rent at roughly triple the current rate. Were thinking about other places, but its too high, Mendoza said. Im thinking about it all the time. Mendozas landlord didnt respond to a request for comment but said at a contentious city meeting last month that he was attempting to remedy a substandard building. At the Jan. 18 meeting, the City Council voted down an urgency ordinance that would have temporarily halted evictions to allow for the city to craft permanent limits on so-called substantial rehabilitation evictions, where under state law landlords may ask tenants to leave during renovations and then increase rents. We have to consider whether or not we want to make San Pablo a place that developers do not want to come to build apartment complexes, San Pablo Mayor Rita Xavier said as she voted against the urgency ordinance. Thats very important. We do not want to turn them off. The political clash in San Pablo illustrates how tenant groups can struggle to gain power even in a city where two-thirds of residents are renters. The California Apartment Associations Rhovy Lyn Antonio said at the meeting that any perceived loopholes in a 2019 state law limiting evictions where a tenant is not at fault and capping rent increases at around 10% annually were intentional in order to strike a difficult balance. But tenant advocates warn that if cities dont act to close loopholes, evictions will accelerate as pandemic restrictions ease. A Chronicle analysis of limited eviction data on Contra Costa County sheriff lockouts the last step in the minority of cases that go through a formal process shows that lockouts surged 90% during the second year of the pandemic, from 184 lockouts in March-December 2020 to 349 during the same period in 2021. In San Pablo, tenant advocates representing Mendoza and her neighbors from the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, better known as ACCE, argue that city officials overstated resources available to tenants with nowhere to go. This is why its so problematic that the state didnt do a better job on this, said ACCE legal director Leah Simon-Weisberg. With some of these small communities, theyre completely incapable of understanding this stuff, and theres so much misinformation. Mendozas landlord, local restaurant owner Martin Gonzalez, also noted the costly gaps in current housing policies. While city officials touted a program to pay a relocation fee to tenants in properties deemed uninhabitable, Gonzalez said at the city meeting that his property was in need of updates but not bad enough to be eligible for city funding. He waived three months of rent this winter, he said, as a way for longtime renters like Mendoza to find another place while he embarks on renovations and tries to make the money back. I am following protocol and getting permits, Gonzalez said. I cannot bring the apartments up to code without raising rent. For Mendoza, the savings on three months of below-market-rate rent still arent enough to afford a deposit let alone the going East Bay rent for a new apartment on her fixed income. But shes more worried than ever after she was served a formal eviction lawsuit, called an unlawful detainer, the day after the disappointing city meeting for her and her neighbors. We live day-to-day here, she said. We dont know what will happen. Palo Alto: the limits of eviction bans It was late September when Chakmakchi got the first ominous email from the property manager at the $2,500-a-month Palo Alto two-bedroom that he shared with his young daughter. Wanted to drop a quick note to let you know your lease will NOT be renewed when it expires in November, the agent wrote, according to copies provided by Chakmakchi. You will need to find a new place. Im so sorry to give you this news. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle He wrote back the next day: Is that legal? So began Chakmakchis odyssey through what tenant attorneys say is a spike in a hard-to-track wave of involuntary displacement, where tenants arent served formal eviction court papers, but rather letters or notices telling them they need to move. No government agency tracks these informal notices, and even for cases that do make it to court, data reporting lags and confidentiality rules make it difficult to understand how many people are being evicted at any given time. Thats the biggest problem with this whole thing, Thomas said. Its such a black box. In Chakmakchis case, advocates with the Palo Alto Renters Association appealed to local politicians to halt evictions during the omicron wave of the pandemic. But a state law passed last year prevents cities from enacting new local eviction moratoriums after a California-wide ban ended in the fall. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Alameda County is one of the few California jurisdictions that enacted a stronger local eviction ban, which tenant groups cite as a model for keeping people in marginalized areas housed, but landlords argue has turned into a bureaucratic nightmare. Political fights over eviction rules and rent control have flared up in expensive Silicon Valley suburbs like Mountain View and Redwood City during the last decades tech boom. While the City Council in Palo Alto has expressed support for measures including requiring landlords of large buildings to compensate evicted tenants, renters in smaller properties like Chakmakchis ex-triplex are still often on their own. Email records show that after Chakmakchi consulted a lawyer and disputed his landlords choice to not renew his lease, Chakmakchi received a 60-day notice informing him that the landlord intended to renovate the home for visiting family members. State exemptions allow owners to evict tenants for renovations, to take the property off the market or to allow family members to move in. Landlords Mark and Trina Whiteley did not respond to requests for comment. Facing a Jan. 28 move-out date, Chakmakchi tried more lawyers and mediation, asking the landlord to extend the lease at least through the end of the school year. When that failed and winter break passed while Chakmakchi was contending with a coronavirus infection, he tried not to panic. His annual teaching contract had not yet been renewed and his savings dipped during the pandemic, he said, leaving him worried hed end up sleeping in his van while his 7-year-old stayed with family. Its just people who dont care about people, Chakmakchi said. Everythings just business. With legal and political appeals exhausted, tenant advocates started a GoFundMe for Chakmakchi in late January that quickly raised more than $20,000. Amid the outpouring, two local residents offered to rent him their properties, first an extra unit that hes moved into as a stopgap, then a two-bedroom rental where he and his daughter plan to move in mid-February. It all came together, he said. I got so lucky. Antioch: advocates hold out hope By last February, when her Concord salon reopened after months of on-and-off pandemic closures, Ponce thought shed finally have a chance to catch up on rent. And then disaster struck outside the $1,295-a-month Antioch one-bedroom she shares with her adult son, 17-year-old daughter and 1-year-old granddaughter. Ponce was inside enjoying a day off, she remembers, when a car pulled up and two men started shooting behind her apartment building. Terrified that her son and granddaughter were outside, Ponce ran out. She was hit by four bullets and fell to the ground before being rushed to the hospital to begin a long recovery. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle I couldnt work, Ponce recalled. That put me even farther behind. Shes now back at work as a barber, but Ponce said the pressure from her landlord has increased since then. First, she received a 60-day eviction notice that she keeps in a folder with records of text messages and phone calls from her landlord, plus a letter about parking issues threatening disciplinary action, including eviction. In late January, she received another three-day eviction notice for nonpayment of rent. Though Ponce and her property manager are now at odds, they both say the case is an example of how landlord-tenant relationships have gone haywire while waiting for answers from Californias unprecedented $5.2 billion COVID-19 rent relief program. Ponces records show her landlord has received payment for about one-third of the roughly $15,000 she owes in back rent. With tension mounting, shes aligned with ACCE to fight the eviction and appeal to city officials for stronger local tenant laws. In late January, after Ponce and other tenants and landlords spoke at a city meeting, the Antioch City Council voted to draft new ordinances to bar landlords harassment of tenants, and to limit the reasons landlords can evict tenants. A lot of these policies, if youre doing everything right, its really not going to have that much of an impact on you, said Antioch City Council Member Monica Wilson. This is something that we need to tackle, and we need to face it head-on. Among the evidence that tenant advocates have cited amid calls for more intervention from local governments in suburbs like Antioch is an analysis of sheriff eviction lockout data by the Urban Displacement Project and KQED. They found that from March 19, 2020, to July 31, 2021, more evictions happened in heavily suburban Santa Clara County (441 eviction lockouts), Contra Costa County (372) and Solano County (234) than larger urban jurisdictions with stronger local laws in San Francisco (113) and Alameda County (80). With Antiochs debate about new tenant protections still in the early stages, uncertainty is also mounting for Ponces property manager, Antioch real estate veteran Bob Gunson. He said that his three-person teams workload has tripled and that its been a nightmare to keep track of a dozen state rent relief applications among the 140 units he manages in Antioch, Concord, Brentwood and Oakley. Gunson said the latest eviction notice to Ponce was a wake-up call for her to follow up on state rent relief funds. She says she did, setting up a standoff playing out in many other buildings around the Bay Area. Its up to the tenant, Gunson said. If they are willing to work with us and get caught up, were not gonna run them out. There will be some where we dont have a choice. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Until the pandemic, Ponce, 40, said shed never missed a rent payment since moving to the East Bay from the Sonoran border town of Nogales at 17. Her closest call with eviction came in August, when the 60-day notice arrived and Ponce said she started packing and preparing to move into her car until a tenant advocate advised her to stay and fight. Shes still in an uncomfortable limbo as her home city debates what to do and the state weighs her rent relief application. Until then, she prays that no more eviction notices will appear on her door. Its sad and its frustrating, Ponce said, to be in a place that doesnt want you. Lauren Hepler is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hepler@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LAHepler David Nelson sat in an unmarked office in San Franciscos Financial District with an Underwood typewriter and two rotary-dial telephones, one red for incoming calls and one black for outgoing calls. The red phone took orders from the likes of Chronicle Executive Editor Scott Newhall, philanthropist Alma Spreckels and shipping magnate Stanley Dollar. The black phone was for putting these instructions to work. Nelson, who never had a business card or a listed phone number, was an old-time, smooth-talking public relations man and fixer who worked on behalf of a variety of clients to turn big ideas into reality. The biggest of these ideas was the creation of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. It includes the sailing ship Balclutha, the lumber schooner C.A. Thayer, and the ferryboat Eureka, all docked at the Hyde Street Pier. David had a swagger, but was very modest about his own achievements, said Marcia Smolens, who was his business partner. People said he should write a book, and hed say, Id never live to see it printed, I have so many stories to tell. Nelson lived to be 101. His mind was still sharp and he was still exercising when he died Jan. 27 at his home in Santa Rosa. The cause of death was old age, said his daughter Pamela Nelson-Munson of Ashland, Ore. According to Smolens, Nelsons task was simple: A client would hire him either to keep them out of the newspaper, or if they were going to be in the paper, to cast them in a positive light. Cable TV was brought to San Francisco largely because of Nelsons work on behalf of his client Viacom, Smolens said. David Rockefeller, the lead developer of the Embarcadero Center, was a client. So was Southern Pacific Land Co., a division of the giant railroad, which owned 330 acres that were developed into Mission Bay. Nelson also represented the Cannery, an old brick warehouse that was saved from demolition by being turned into a retail destination. David was able to put panache and a sense of history into the Cannery, said Chris Martin, whose family developed the property. He was fighting the kitsch in Fishermans Wharf and trying to preserve its authentic past. Nelson did the same for the Lone Sailor monument at Vista Point on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. It took him at least three years just to gain separate approvals from a dozen governmental jurisdictions. The yob comes first no matter what, was Nelsons favorite saying about his job, emphasizing his Swedish heritage though he was born and raised in Oakland. My dad came from a household that didnt speak English and was driven to reach the heights that he did, Nelson-Munson said. At the end of his life, he told me that he had lived exactly the life that he wanted. He thought it was exciting, and he made important connections between people. David Elvin Nelson was born March 7, 1920, at the Oakland home of his parents, Noak and Jenny Nelson, who had arrived on separate ships from Sweden. They both landed in Oakland and met at a function sponsored by the Swedish Angelical Free Church. Growing up, Nelson was called Elvin, a name that stuck with him through Castlemont High School and through his teenage job at an Oakland butcher shop. He was editor of the school paper, and when pioneer female pilot Amelia Earhart came through on her around-the-world flight, Nelson went to the the Alameda airport, found Earhart in her hangar, and offered to carry her bags to the hotel in exchange for an interview School Editor Gets Scoop in Interview with Amelia was the headline in Ye Castle Crier. Nelson wanted to be a writer, but his father, a laborer in an Oakland shipyard, thought he had better prospects as a butcher. His father won that battle, and Nelson declined a scholarship to College of the Pacific. When he turned 21, Nelson married his high school sweetheart, Annadare Buckley, and they settled in an apartment on the shores of Lake Merritt. Saturday was movie day at the Grand Lake Theatre, and before the feature, a newsreel was screened with actor Jimmy Stewart promoting the U.S. Army Air Forces. That was the end of Nelsons life as a butcher. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces and became a pilot flying over the Hump from India to China, a supply route that crossed the Himalayas with wind and weather coming out of nowhere. He described it as being a shuttlecock, his daughter said. They had no radio contact, and there were horrendous changes in altitude. They were just bounced. At wars end, Nelson took another stab at college, enrolling in UC Berkeley on the GI Bill. He answered a flyer for the Coro Foundation, a new work-study program to provide training for war veterans. This led to an introduction to Paul C. Smith, then executive editor at The Chronicle, who hired him as a copy boy, an entry-level job with enough hope for advancement to persuade Nelson to drop out of Berkeley. Soon he was a writer for This World, a Sunday features supplement edited by Scott Newhall, the visionary who was to succeed Smith as executive editor. If it wasnt for the war, he liked to say, Id still be cooking pork chops. Among the features Nelson wrote was a series titled How One Man Built a $7,500 house for $12,000, a humorous spin of his own rookie mistakes in building a home from scratch in Kentfield on a small lot hed purchased with a California Veterans Association loan. Everything was done on the cheap, starting with the architectural plans drawn up by students at Berkeley. Nelsons father was the chief carpenter, and the two-bedroom home was built without the use of power tools. By the time the Nelsons had three daughters Dianne, Pamela and Karen they had outgrown that house and moved to San Rafael. The idea for a San Francisco Maritime Museum was hatched by Karl Kortum in cooperation with Newhall, who got The Chronicle to editorialize in favor of it and assigned Nelson to cover it. It was 1949, and he took that assignment right out the door quitting The Chronicle to become the museums executive director. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. For a year and a half, my every effort was to help create this thing, Nelson said in a video interview shortly before his 100th birthday. We didnt know what it was, but we worked hard anyway. We had a dream, and I tried to interpret it. We didnt know what to call it, so we called it Project X. It was Nelsons job to win the support of Project X from sugar heiress and philanthropist Alma de Bretteville Spreckels. In the 1990 biography Big Alma, by Bernice Scharlach, Nelson recounted visiting Spreckels in her mansion. Mrs. Spreckels was seated in a very tall chair with knobbed arms and a red velvet cushion. ... In front of her was a card table. On it were a telephone, pill bottles, note pad and pencil, address book and a round Steuben pitcher of martinis from which we drank. She drank too much. After that cocktail hour with Nelson, Spreckels came aboard, and the Maritime Park, including the museum and both the Municipal Pier and the Hyde Street Pier, opened in 1951. It now attracts 4.5 million visitors a year to the largest collection of landmark vessels in the country. Its been 70 years since we opened the front doors, he said in 2019. What a beautiful ride. Nelson retired in 1989 but continued serving on the Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association until his death. In 2003, he and his wife moved to Santa Rosa to be near their daughter Karen and their grandchildren. Nelson kept his mind sharp as a reader of manuscripts and by giving free consultations. It was across the generations, Nelson-Munson said. There were teenagers he would talk to. He gave advice and encouragement to two women who were trying to start a mission in Costa Rica. Nelsons 100th birthday party was held at the Wild Oak Saddle Club in Santa Rosa, one week before the coronavirus lockdown. The room was packed to overflowing onto the patio and deck. It was his celebration of life, and he was there to enjoy it, Nelson-Munson said. There will be no public memorial. Nelson was predeceased by his wife, Annadare Nelson, in 2011. Survivors include daughters Dianne Nelson Acosta of Centerville, Ohio; Pamela Nelson-Munson of Ashland, Ore.; and Karen Trione of Santa Rosa. Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@samwhitingsf The gray wolf, an enduring symbol of Americas wilderness, will once again have federal endangered species protections after a judge on Thursday struck down a Trump-era decision to remove the safeguards, which critics said imperiled the future of the storied canine. U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey S. White in Oakland ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had not justified its decision in 2020 to effectively boost hunting, trapping and poisoning of an animal that has lost most of its historic territory. While several thousand wolves roam the contiguous United States today, their packs are thin in all but a few regions. About 20 individuals are known to live in California. This is an excellent result, said Lindsay Larris, wildlife program director for WildEarth Guardians, one of many environmental groups that sued the federal government over the undoing of the Endangered Species Act for the predator. Only with the federal law in place is there a real safety net for wolves. California, like some states, has enacted state-level protections for the canines, but wildlife experts say the piecemeal regulation accomplishes only so much. Wolves migrate hundreds even thousands of miles, which can put individuals from California and other places in danger when they cross state lines. Californias modern-day wolf population, which includes three packs and possibly a few lone wolves in the far north, came entirely from other states. Hunted to near extinction across the Lower 48, wolves made a significant recovery after they were listed as federally endangered in the 1970s. Their comeback is widely seen as one of the greatest conservation stories in U.S. history. In the waning days of the Trump administration, officials at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the wolfs numbers had grown so much that the animal no longer warranted special protection. The delisting of the wolf was among scores of environmental rollbacks under the former president. The Biden administration did not seek to reverse the delisting, and it remains unclear whether the federal government will challenge Thursdays ruling. Officials with the agency said theyre reviewing the decision. Some groups have been supportive of rolling back wolf protections, including ranchers who have long expressed frustration about wolves killing livestock. The California Farm Bureau Federation and the California Cattlemens Association have been particularly vocal about the problem. Thursdays court ruling, though, found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had not adequately analyzed the impacts of removing safeguards for the wolf, particularly for populations outside the animals strongholds. More than 4,000 wolves live in the western Great Lakes region and more than 2,000 live in the Northern Rockies and a slice of the Pacific Northwest. One of Judge Whites concerns was that federal regulators had not looked at how rebounding numbers along the West Coast, including California, would be affected. 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. White, who was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002, is the only Republican appointee in the Northern District of California. He is generally one of the districts more conservative judges but his rulings do not fall strictly along party lines. In 2012, White declared unconstitutional the Defense of Marriage Act, the 1996 federal law that denied marriage benefits to same-sex couples and was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013. The reinstatement of the Endangered Species Act does not apply to a portion of the Northern Rockies and parts of eastern Oregon and Washington, where a congressional act in 2011 lifted federal protections. The debate over protecting the wolf escalated in recent months after several wolves were hunted just outside Yellowstone National Park, which park officials called a setback for the animals rebound. Critics pointed to a loosening of state-level regulation. Wolves need federal protection, period, said Kristen Boyles, an attorney at Earthjustice. The Fish and Wildlife Service should be ashamed of defending the gray wolf delisting, and it should take immediate action to restore Endangered Species Act protections to all gray wolves, including those in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. San Francisco Chronicle reporter Bob Egelko contributed to this report. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander A federal judge refused Thursday to let a Bay Area physician, convicted of falsely dating a $217 insurance bill, serve the rest of his one-year prison sentence at home so he can take care of his three children. The judge cited Dr. Gregory Belchers defense of his actions, in an interview with The Chronicle on the way to prison, as evidence that he lacks remorse. Belcher, 60, an orthopedic surgeon and a former Navy physician, was found guilty by a jury in 2017 of making a false statement on the bill. His wife, Dr. Vilasini Ganesh, who had a separate medical practice in the same Saratoga office, was convicted of 10 felony charges, involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in false insurance billings, and was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. The jury acquitted Belcher of conspiring with Ganesh to defraud the insurers. But U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh of San Jose, who presided over the trial, found that he was partly responsible for his wifes conduct, causing losses of over $17,500, despite the not-guilty verdict on those charges, and sentenced him to a year and a day in prison. After a federal appeals court upheld their convictions, Ganesh went to prison in November, and Belcher began his sentence Jan. 5. The couples three children, ages 15, 13 and 12, were being cared for by a step-brother at a hotel in Newark, where the family moved after losing their previous home in bankruptcy. But the step-brother has a job that is taking him elsewhere, and Belcher, saying no other relatives or caretakers were available, requested compassionate release that would send him home to care for the youngsters. Koh, who had previously rejected similar requests, has been appointed by President Biden to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The case was reassigned to U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam of Oakland, who ruled Thursday that Belcher must stay in prison until November, when he could be released with credit for good behavior. More for you This Bay Area doctor got sent to jail for a year over a $217 bill, leaving his kids on their own The three children will inevitably suffer because of their fathers (and mothers) decision to commit a serious federal white-collar crime, Gilliam wrote in a sternly worded 20-page ruling. The reason, he said, appears to be one the defendant does not fully appreciate: the responsibility for the consequences of his crime falls squarely on him. Belcher said in court filings that no one else in his or his wifes family could relocate and care for the children, but failed to provide any statements from other family members, Gilliam wrote. He dismissed Belchers fears that the youngsters would wind up separated and in foster care, saying he was confident that the families would find a way to avoid that, just as similarly situated families (many with far fewer resources and connections) do every day. And he said the physician showed he hasnt learned from his mistakes with his comments to The Chronicle from the car that was taking him to the federal prison in Lompoc last month. Disputing the appeals courts conclusion that he had known he was illegally submitting a false claim to the insurer, Belcher said the patient had gotten the care that was covered in the bill, although the billing date for one of the treatments was inaccurate. 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. It wasnt done intentionally to get any extra money to pay for services, he said in the interview. I never got paid for something I didnt do. And he said his offices billing consultant had advised him, when providing two treatments for the same patient on a single day, to list the bills on separate days to avoid confusing the insurance company. By blaming the billing consultant, Gilliam wrote, Belcher is engaging in exactly same sort of minimizing and deflection that (Koh) observed over the course of the entire case. All of this further calls into question (Belchers) credibility. ... (His) view is that this felony white-collar crime was really just an administrative snafu. After the ruling, Belchers lawyer, Dennis Riordan, said, Dr. Belchers counsel and supporters will continue to pursue every possible means of reuniting him as soon as possible with his children, who are really suffering without his devoted care. He said he has asked the prison warden to use his authority to transfer Belcher to home confinement, or to a halfway house, which would allow him to visit his children but not to care for them at home. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko The alleged victim in the excessive use-of-force trial against San Francisco Police Officer Terrance Stangel took the stand on Wednesday, telling jurors that officers did not announce who they were or say why they were there before they grabbed him and began beating him with a baton. Dacari Spiers testimony comes on the third day of the closely watched trial, in a case that has erupted into controversy among the citys police department, district attorneys office and other elected officials. Stangels attorneys argue that his use of force was reasonable. The officer, defense attorneys said, acted while out on a high-priority domestic violence call where Spiers became combative. Testifying as a prosecutors witness, Spiers described how a night out with his girlfriend on Oct. 6, 2019, devolved into a violent confrontation with police, leaving him with a broken wrist, leg and mental trauma. Spiers said that, on that night he had been trying to comfort his then-girlfriend, Breonna Richard, after her wallet was stolen near Pier 39. The pair had been making their way back to a car when Spiers began hugging Richard and kissing her forehead in an attempt to calm her down, Spiers said. In a rare moment of levity in the courtroom, Spiers used prosecutor Hans Moore to act out how he hugged Richard from behind as the two waddled down the street together, prompting laughter from the jurors. Spiers said he first realized something was wrong when he saw Richards face change. Then in a blink of an eye, he said, someone was grabbing his shoulder. It happened so fast I couldnt detect who it was, Spiers said. Spiers said the officers never told them who they were, or why they were approaching and grabbing him. Jurors were told earlier in the week that it was Stangels partner, Cuahtemoc Martinez, who first approached the couple, with Stangel steps behind. An officer began clubbing Spiers with a baton while he was still standing up, Spiers said, but added that he soon fell to the ground, where he took more blows to the leg. Spiers said he was never aggressive toward the officers, never balled up his fists and didnt try to kick them. When asked why his legs were moving while he was on the ground, Spiers said, when someones trying to hit you, you dont just stand there. Under cross-examination, Stangels attorney Nicole Pifari attempted to undercut Spiers claim that he didnt know what was happening when he was approached by police. Pifari played police body camera footage in the moments just before the confrontation, in which an officer can be heard telling Spiers to face a wall. In response, Spiers says, I aint facing no wall. Defense attorneys said Spiers was combative with officers, and that his actions prompted Stangel to use force. Prosecutors maintain that Spiers was only reacting with confusion. Pifari additionally attempted to suggest Spiers had been assaulting Richard before police arrived, as was reported by 911 callers. The officers said they did not personally witness any abuse. Mr. Spiers, the two of you didnt waddle back to the car, you dragged her, didnt you, Pifari said. You dragged, carried and headlocked her all the way back to that parked car, didnt you? Spiers repeatedly denied the accusations, as did Richard when she took the stand Tuesday. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The case rises and falls on whether jurors believe Stangels actions were reasonable given the circumstances. While the jury will not be asked to determine whether Spiers was abusing his girlfriend before officers arrived, both defense and attorneys and prosecutors spent a considerable amount of time arguing this point. The trial itself is momentous; it is believed to be the first time a San Francisco police officer has faced a criminal jury for on-duty use of force. But the case has also become the center of a public feud between Police Chief Bill Scott and District Attorney Chesa Boudin, spilling into debates involving the Board of Supervisors, the Police Commission and police-accountability activists. Last week, Scott said he would end an agreement with the D.A.s office that designates that office as the lead investigator in police use-of-force cases. Scott pointed to pretrial testimony from a D.A. investigator who said she felt pressured by prosecutors into withholding evidence that would have been favorable to Stangel in his trial. Scott said the testimony showed that the D.A.s office was not following the terms of the agreement. Boudin on Tuesday responded in a letter that stated the agreement allowed D.A.s investigators not to share investigative information with police, and said his office committed no wrongdoing. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, with an 8-2 vote, approved a $700,000 settlement with Spiers, who filed a civil rights lawsuit against the city in 2020. While such votes are typically unanimous, Spiers settlement prompted a contentious debate about the politics surrounding the case, and ended with Supervisors Catherine Stefani and Rafael Mandelman dissenting. Police commissioners were expected to discuss Scotts severance of the agreement Wednesday evening. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com State Farm Insurance will not have to refund $100 million to homeowners after the state Supreme Court denied appeals Wednesday by California's insurance commissioner and a consumer organization, which both contended the customers had been overcharged. Then-Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones declared in 2016 that State Farms rates were excessive, based on its expenses and investment income. He ordered the company, which covered 20% of the states policyholders, to lower its rates by 7% and refund about $100 million to customers over the next 17 months. State Farm reduced its rates from November 2016 until May 2018, when Jones granted a rate increase. The company withheld the refunds while it challenged Jones decision, a challenge that a state appeals court granted last October. Even if Jones correctly found the rates excessive, an insurer is legally entitled to charge rates the commissioner has approved until the state sets new rates, and cannot be required to pay refunds of previously authorized rates, said the Fourth District Court of Appeal in San Diego. State Farm was required and entitled to charge the approved rate, until a different rate was approved, Justice Richard Huffman said in the 3-0 ruling. The court also said Jones was wrong in his assessment of the companys income. The commissioner said State Farms assessment had failed to include funds available from its Illinois-based parent companys auto insurer and other affiliates. But the court said the state can consider only income from the California-based homeowners insurer, and cannot rely on speculation that other affiliates shared their investment income. The ruling became final Wednesday when the states high court denied appeals by the current insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara, and the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog. The decision, however, does not require the state to increase State Farms rates or authorize the company to bill customers for the previous rate reduction. Laras office said California law does not allow insurers to recoup past losses in future rates. But Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Consumer Watchdog, said the ruling could jeopardize billions of dollars in potential auto insurance refunds for Californians whose cars have often stayed in their driveways during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rosenfield was the author of Proposition 103, the 1988 initiative that established insurance rate regulation in California under an elected commissioner. 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. Lara needs to order them to reduce their rates and provide refunds immediately or lose authority to do so under the appeals courts criteria, Rosenfield said. He asserted that Californians were overcharged $5.5 billion for auto insurance in 2020 because they used their vehicles far less than the mileages on which their rates were based. State Farm said it was pleased with the ruling. Michael Soller, a spokesperson for Lara, said the commissioners office was reviewing the decision and its effect on consumers. The case is State Farm General Insurance Co. vs. Lara, S272151. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Jacom Stephens/Getty Image Two people were injured, one critically, in a shooting in San Jose on Wednesday night, authorities said. The two victims, identified only by police as being male, were shot in the 700 block of Nokomis Drive, San Jose police said. Police received a call of the shooting at 9:13 p.m. A shooting near San Franciscos Great Highway early Thursday left one man dead and another man injured, police said. Just before 1 a.m., officers responded to the 4600 block of Irving Street following reports of a shooting and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The unidentified man was taken to a hospital for his non-life threatening injuries, police said. According to their preliminary investigation, police said a second man allegedly fled the area in a car after exchanging gunfire with the first man. Minutes later, police said they found a person who they believe to be the man who fled from the area, suffering from a gunshot wound in a parked vehicle on Great Highway near Skyline Boulevard. Officers provided aid to the man, but he died from his injuries on scene, police said. It was unclear what led to the shooting, which remained under investigation. Officer Adam Lobsinger, a spokesperson for the Police Department, said the shooting appeared to have been targeted and that officials were investigating the relationship between the two men. Supervisor Gordon Mar, who represents the Sunset District, where the shooting occurred, said law enforcement officials alerted him of an attempted robbery Thursday morning near 48th and Irving streets that involved gunshots and led to one fatality. Mar told The Chronicle he believed it was the same shooting. According to Mar, police said the residence where the alleged attempted robbery happened was being used as an illegal marijuana grow house. 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. SFPD will be increasing patrols in this area and doing an assessment to determine if we can improve on any environmental factors to improve safety, Mar tweeted. Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call the Police Department at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411. Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A 76-year-old woman was shot and killed in Antioch on Wednesday while riding in a car, authorities said. Around 7 p.m., the woman was being driven by a 29-year-old man near Canada Valley Road and Pinnacle View Way when someone fired shots from another car, police said. After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Off the Grid is resurrecting its buzzy Fort Mason food truck market on Friday nights. Nearly 30 food trucks will again serve a wide variety of food from the Fort Mason Center parking lot starting April 1. The weekly event will run through Nov. 11, ahead of its regular seasonal pause. In addition to the food trucks, there will be a bar and a stage for live entertainment. The lineup of food trucks hasnt been finalized yet. Pre-pandemic, the lively Friday market regularly drew thousands of people and was one of the best places to try the Bay Areas top and up-and-coming food trucks. Off the Grid is largely keeping Fort Mason the same as before, except there will now be food trucks only and no tented food stands. Another key difference: The company plans to invite food trucks from outside the Bay Area, such as the Central Valley or Southern California, to join the lineup. Off the Grid got to know food truck and restaurant owners throughout the state during its pandemic pivot to providing food during emergencies, whether because of the pandemic or wildfires, said founder Matt Cohen. The company is hoping to bring some of them to San Francisco. Were excited to be able to think about how we can bring partners from all over California and maybe even the West Coast, he said. Off the Grid has been slowly reopening its Bay Area food truck markets in recent months, but is still only running about half its pre-pandemic locations. Most of the larger events and those that catered to weekday business lunch crowds in areas like downtown San Francisco remain closed due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, Cohen said. Its other popular weekend event on the Presidio lawn on Sundays is also still on pause, with no set reopening date. In January, Off the Grid shut down its Serramonte Center market after eight years but is looking for a new location in Daly City. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Meanwhile, the companys cautious return continues. It plans to bring back six lunchtime markets in February and March, though theyll start off smaller to manage crowds and evaluate demand. Last week, the company launched food trucks at the Oakland Museum of California for lunch on Thursdays and Saturdays and dinner on Saturdays. Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany Staffan Terje, one of San Franciscos most esteemed chefs, has disappeared into the woods in pursuit of a quieter life dedicated to mushroom foraging. It may sound like the plot of the 2021 Nicolas Cage film, Pig, but the departure is very much real and another example of people in the industry struggling to balance the demands of restaurant life with their health. Terje opened Perbacco in 2006 with co-owner Umberto Gibin. They made a splash for their focus on the Italian region of Piemonte and Terjes house-made charcuterie, quickly expanding with the more casual Barbacco next door. But the pandemic took its toll on the restaurants, and on Terje. Last fall, he told Gibin he was ready to move on. It took months for Gibin to find a new executive chef in Mamfred Wrembel, previously of Prubechu and Cockscomb. After a few weeks of training, Terje left in January, though hes retained an ownership stake. Now, hes in the process of taking over Connie Greens Wine Forest Wild Foods in Napa, a mushroom purveyor popular with Michelin-starred restaurants like Benu and the French Laundry. Jason Henry/Special to The Chronicle 2014 As for the future of the restaurants, Gibin said Terjes presence cant be erased after 15 years. But hes excited to bring Perbacco to the next level, with new cocktails, happy hour, a revamped wine list and relatively free reign for Wrembel. Gibin only told Wrembel he must keep a few key dishes: the vitello tonnato (veal with albacore tuna sauce), agnolotti dal plin (meat-filled pasta with cabbage), pappardelle (wide pasta with short rib ragu) and tajarin (thin noodles with pork-mushroom sugo). Barbacco, meanwhile, might return to its original small plates format, with rustic dishes that traverse Europe. The Chronicle spoke with Terje about his decision to leave his restaurants and the allure of mushrooms. This interview was edited for length and clarity. Q: How long have you been thinking about this transition? A: Connie and I started joking about this 25 years ago. You want to take over my business? Youre good with mushrooms. It was more like a standing joke. This past summer, we started talking about it seriously. You have to look at yourself, and Im turning 60 this year. Ive been working full time in the restaurant business since I was 15. It was a little bit like, where are you going to be five years from now? Where are you going to be 10 years from now? Being in the kitchen when youre getting older is hard work. Especially these past two years, I felt it. We operated with less staff while doing more things. Ive taken one week off in two years. It was pretty much six to seven days a week, constantly. You feel it. Its not that I dont want to do it. Its more like, is this feasible? Q: Working seven days a week sounds like a lot. How many hours were you usually working per day? A: Id go in at 8 a.m. and leave at 8 or 10 p.m. The days we were closed, at least one of those days were prep days: receiving orders, doing projects. Its not like were open five days a week and you get two days off. There are a lot of things you dont think about when youre working. This past year, my mom passed away of old age. You realize youre mortal. Youve always thought of yourself as being immortal and doing what youre doing forever, but there is going to be an end to this and you might want to think about that. Being in the kitchen is a young persons game. When youre older, you can do it but it hurts a little more. Brittany Murphy/The Chronicle 2016 Q: So youre taking over for Connie Green. Are you personally foraging mushrooms? A: There will be things Ill be foraging for, but we have pickers that bring down stuff. To run this business and go out and pick the mushrooms yourself would be quite difficult. But its a big change for me, moving up from Oakland. Now Im in a very quiet place between Napa and Sonoma in the mountains. When I look out from my window, I can see stars with no ambient light available. Its dark, really beautiful. Q: Whats your new schedule? Do you like it? A: Now I do. The first couple days, it was definitely a change. But now I go to bed at 7 p.m. and wake up at 2 a.m. I pack up the truck, print out invoices, ship out mushrooms to a lot of places. There are a lot of purveyors who do that look at the fish business. It sounds glamorous, but theres a lot of preparation to get things out to the restaurants. Q: Why mushrooms? A: Its something thats been fascinating to me since I was a kid, going out foraging in Sweden with my grandfather. My mom was a great forager. Aunts and cousins all foraged. My mom would come back with a giant basket of chanterelles. Where did you find them? Shed say, In the forest. She wouldnt give up where in the forest. Wed have to find our own spots. Very secretive. You get excited when you find morels or porcinis, and after youd sit around the kitchen table with newspapers spread out and everyone brushes the mushrooms. Theyd be eaten or preserved for later use dried or frozen or pickled. In Sweden, its a very natural thing to go out and pick mushrooms for your household, even if you live in the city. Its something people cherish. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Q: Going back to Perbacco, Umberto joked to me that youll never fully be gone. And you are still a partner. What do you see as your future involvement? A: If they have questions or need help, I will always try to make myself available. The new chef, Manfred, is doing well. I check in with him. Im trying to take a backseat and let it go a little bit, which I think is important. If you try to hold on, then the person who takes over isnt going to have the chance to really shine. Kat Wade/The Chronicle 2006 Q: Do you miss it? A: I miss certain aspects. Being a chef is fairly stressful. I love cooking and Ill never stop being a cook. Ill still do parties probably, and special events. Do I miss the day to day? I miss a lot of the camaraderie in the kitchen and I miss seeing regular customers who have been eating at Perbacco for a long time. But the things I wont miss is when suddenly one of the pipes bursts because its an old building and youve got gallons of water leaking in the basement and you have to take care of it. Or a piece of equipment isnt working and they dont have someone to repair it for three or four days. And the fact that were dealing with COVID is very stressful. Youre almost afraid to plan too far ahead. That made it very taxing. Are we going to be open next week? Is the mayor going to change her mind? Are we going to have to go down in capacity? Those things I wont miss. Q: Anything else? A: Im looking forward to being able to cook in different fashions for people who have eaten my food before. Ive talked to a few colleagues who are going the same route, getting out of the restaurant kitchen and doing something different. Theres a handful of chefs thinking the same thing: do something not so big. I think people have really started valuing their mental health, which has been taxing on everybody, including you and me. People are looking at things that are going to make life more peaceful, which is important. With mushrooms, there are so many avenues to go. Most people think you throw them in a hot pan, but look at so many different cuisines and how they treat mushrooms differently. Not all of them have the same texture and meet the same preparation. Who knows? Maybe Ill start a YouTube channel. Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker On May 19, 2016, Jessica Nelson an unarmed, Black, homeless, mother of five was shot and killed by San Francisco police Officer Justin Erb after she tried to flee when officers woke her up while sleeping in a vehicle. The entire event unfolded in seconds. Instead of de-escalating, Officer Erb chose to shoot Nelson center mass. The only consequence he faced was a 45-day suspension. Erb and his police association justified the killing by saying Nelson was in a stolen car and that she put Erbs life in danger as she tried to escape. Last I checked, stealing a vehicle doesnt earn you the death penalty. Nelson was one of many outrageous killings by the San Francisco Police Department under former Chief Greg Suhrs leadership. In 2015, Mario Woods, a 26-year-old who struggled with mental health issues, was shot 27 times in broad daylight as he walked down the street with a kitchen knife. Hundreds marched. We shut down police commission meetings. We stopped traffic on freeways. We woke up Suhr at his house at 5 a.m. to scream the names of those stolen from us. The Frisco Five put their bodies on the line with a hunger strike. Finally, in May 2016, there was enough death and noise to successfully push Chief Suhr out. The feds came. The Justice Department conducted an audit of the San Francisco Police Department and released a 432-page report detailing recommendations for improvement in use of force, community policing, accountability and hiring all in line with President Obamas Task Force on 21st Century Policing. By the time the federal process was done in October 2016, San Francisco police had new operating procedures designed to end the bloodshed. Additionally, in partnership with the San Francisco District Attorneys office, the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transparency, Accountability, and Fairness in Law Enforcement was convened, composed of judges, attorneys, advocates and community members. The panel provided additional recommendations for improvements, including a memorandum of understanding between the Police Department and the District Attorneys Office to empower the prosecutors to independently investigate police use of force cases. The foxes shouldnt be the ones watching the hen house. In 2017, Bill Scott took over as police chief and promised to make San Francisco a shining example of reform for the nation, saying he would ... build trust both within the department and outside it. Two years later, he came to terms with then-District Attorney George Gascon on a memorandum and the agreement was put into effect. It worked. There were zero officer-involved killings that year, while 2020 and 2021 had just one each. Then, on Feb. 2, as jurors were being seated in the first known case in San Francisco history against a police officer for excessive use of force, Chief Scott, without consulting his oversight body, the Police Commission, and with zero community engagement, announced he was ending his departments participation in the memorandum. Just like that. The case at the center of the controversy is that of Officer Terrance Stangel, who, in 2019, beat and broke the wrist and leg of Decari Spiers. On the first day of the trial, Stangels defense asked Judge Teresa Caffese to dismiss all charges after a witness accused the District Attorneys Office of suppressing evidence. The judge refused. And yet Scott pulled out from the memorandum anyway. Why? Because the San Francisco Police Officers Association appears to have strong-armed Scott, who was facing a vote of no-confidence by his rank and file into a terrible decision. The day after Scotts withdrawal from the memorandum, the meeting for the no-confidence vote was canceled. The police unions job is to protect its officers even those who are rogue or killers. Losing police control over investigations means losing the ability to ward off accountability for their members. The group fought additional oversight in 2016 by attempting to tank the Blue Ribbon process, but didnt truly escalate the pushback until there was a sitting district attorney like Chesa Boudin, who is willing to use the power of the memorandum to force accountability and reform. San Franciscans would do well to remember that the Police Officers Association worked overtime to stop Boudin from being elected, helping to put up a whopping $654,000 to oppose him. Losing on that front, they immediately pushed a recall effort. Put simply, the association is manipulating the hearts and minds of San Franciscans and bullying Scott to push an agenda that has nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with maintaining their power. The Police Department is, in theory, civilian controlled. Scott answers to the Police Commission, and should it decide to flex its power, it could force him to reverse his pronouncement. But with half of the commissioners appointed by Mayor London Breed an unblinking supporter of the department there is no guarantee the commission will act. At a recent hearing, Police Commissioner John Hamasaki called out the thing that perhaps should make us all the most uneasy: The possibility that this is a blatant attempt to tamper with the jury in the Stangel case, which will be composed of people who no doubt have seen these headlines. Police should not and will not hold themselves accountable. San Francisco is now dangerously close to returning to a time where being Black and breathing can have deadly consequences. Cat Brooks is an award-winning actress, playwright, the executive director of the Justice Teams Network, the co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project and the co-host of UpFront on KPFA. Firefighters were investigating the cause of a large encampment fire that broke out Thursday morning behind a high school in San Franciscos Bayview-Hunters Point. Forward progress of the fire, which was burning behind Thurgood Marshall Academic High School near 45 Conkling St., stopped shortly before noon and burned less than an acre, said San Francisco Fire Department Lt. Jonathan Baxter. The high school was evacuated because of the smoke as a precaution. No damage to structures or injuries were reported, according to Baxter. Were going to be going through the fire again to make sure we have no injuries or fatalities, said Baxter. Video posted online showed a large plume of black smoke in the area, and officials warned residents to stay clear. Now Playing: Plumes of smoke rise over a grass fire that broke out near Thurgood Marshall Academic High School near the Portola neighborhood of San Francisco, Calif. on Thurs. Feb. 10, 2022. Video: San Francisco Chronicle Phone calls to Thurgood Marshall Academic High School were unanswered. Supervisor Shamann Walton, who represents Bayview-Hunters Point, said in a text message that he saw the fire while driving through the community and that he had been in contact with fire officials. I am thankful that no one was hurt most importantly and that the school and surrounding structures are OK, he said. Walton said his office has received complaints about encampment fires and has tried to come up with solutions working with Chief (Jeanine) Nicholson and her team. 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. He said they discussed providing fire extinguishers to unhoused communities, but that presented other safety issues. Instead, Walton said they have provided community members flyers with fire safety information. District 10, which includes Bayview-Hunters Point, saw a 50% increase in fires at encampments, from 157 in 2019, before the pandemic, to 237 in 2020, according to data from the Fire Department reviewed by The Chronicle. From 2021 through January of this year, 172 encampment fires were reported in District 10, the data shows. Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores San Franciscos Police Commission is expected to take a momentous vote next week with significant implications for the future of police accountability in the city: whether to compel police Chief Bill Scott to undo his decision to sever an agreement granting District Attorney Chesa Boudins office lead authority over police use-of-force investigations. After a bruising meeting Wednesday, the commission the policy-setting body for the Police Department seemed inclined to force Scott to reverse course. Scott fielded hours of grilling and upbraiding by police commissioners Wednesday, who expressed shock and disappointment that the chief had pulled out of the agreement without consulting them. Scott dug in his heels, though, listing a host of new allegations in which he said the District Attorneys Office had violated the terms of its memorandum of understanding. Playing the role of mediator, commission President Malia Cohen suggested ways the police chief and the district attorney could patch up their disputes some of which Scott seemed to warm to by the end of the meeting. We need to find a way to come back to the table, Cohen said. Its been a week. Im hopeful that cooler heads will prevail. The commission could ultimately compel Scott to reverse course and maintain his offices MOU with Boudin, according to Commissioner John Hamasaki. I think the commission has been put in a position where theres not really any other option than us acting, Hamasaki said, citing advice from the City Attorneys Office that we do have legal authority to require the departments to keep their agreement. Without intervention, the MOU could lapse as early as Thursday. Scott said he terminated the agreement over concerns that the District Attorneys Office withheld evidence that the Police Department is entitled to have during use-of-force investigations. Boudin denied that his office had violated the agreement and said the Police Department has committed violations of its own. Their dispute flared up at the beginning of the contentious trial of a police officer, believed to be the first time a San Francisco officer has been tried for on-duty use of force. Scott forcefully rejected criticisms Wednesday evening that his decision was made under pressure from the police union or was an attempt to return his department to policing its own. Scott has suggested that state Attorney General Rob Bontas office could instead fill the role as independent investigator, though Bonta said in a statement Wednesday that he hopes Scott and Boudins offices could find a pathway forward. The chief said the members of his department have had their faith in the investigative process shaken and have told him its a crisis. I think that should be listened to. I think that is important, Scott said. And as a leader of this department, I think is part of my job to address that. Scott said the recent allegations about the District Attorneys Office withholding evidence from police was only the latest breach of trust, and he expressed frustration that prosecutors did not give him notice before announcing charges against officers in late 2020. Boudin has leveled several allegations of police violating the MOU as well. The commissioners largely refrained from commenting about the technicalities of the MOU or specific allegations, but instead focused on what they described as a brash and irresponsible decision from the typically restrained chief. Severing the agreement unilaterally is an absolute last resort, said Commissioner Max Carter-Oberstone, and Im concerned its being used as a first resort. You pulled out of this MOU with no backup plan, he continued. Hamasaki said no one had any interest in the MOU lapsing, or farming out our investigations to other counties or state agencies. What we need to do, just like any other disagreement with branches of government ... is to find a way to resolve the differences, he said. I think this is a San Francisco issue and we need to keep it in San Francisco. Cohen said next weeks meeting would discuss mediation measures, including enlisting a third party to lead a meeting between Boudin and Scott. By the end of the meeting, Scott appeared amenable to some of these suggestions. I do believe there are some things that can be mediated; I do, Scott said. Jen Kwart, a spokesperson for the City Attorneys Office, said the commission sets policy for the Police Department and can direct (Scott) to take action furthering the policy that they set forth. It was not clear what the consequences would be if Scott refused to comply with the commissions instructions. Regardless of where we stand on different issues, Hamasaki said, I dont think the commission is willing to turn over our authority on this to the (police) department. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The standoff comes a day after Boudin and Scott traded accusations through letters released to the media. Throughout the correspondence, each side dug in, widening the chasm between San Franciscos two most powerful law enforcement officials. In the run-up to the trial, Magen Hayashi, an investigator in the District Attorneys Office, testified that prosecutors pressured her to withhold evidence favorable to Officer Terrance Stangel from police statements from a witness who said the man Stangel is accused of striking in 2019, Dacari Spiers, was assaulting his girlfriend. Judge Teresa Caffese, who was overseeing the case, said no significant evidence appeared to have been suppressed. Spiers girlfriend testified under oath that he was not assaulting her. Hayashis allegation of pressure disturbed Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who sent a letter Monday to City Attorney David Chiu and human resources director Carol Isen calling for an independent investigation. He characterized Hayashis testimony as a whistle-blower claim of workplace retaliation. The police and the District Attorneys Office first struck an agreement in 2019, culminating years of trenchant debate over police accountability in San Francisco. The District Attorneys Office was chosen as the lead investigative agency in police shootings and other use-of-force cases in an effort to inspire public trust, since police officers would no longer be tasked with investigating their own ranks. On Tuesday, Boudin said Hayashi complied with the terms of the agreement to provide information to police at specific intervals as the agreement existed in 2019, before Boudin was in office. The agreement was revised in 2021 to specify that disclosures to police would be done on a rolling basis. Although Scott has stressed the importance of having an outside agency hold his department accountable for significant uses of force and has proposed turning over these investigations to the California Department of Justice Hamasaki said he did not believe the Police Commission would support such a move. Thats not a serious proposal, Hamasaki said. To him, it smacked of shopping for a different referee. Known for dissension in the past, the Police Commission has become more unified under Cohen, commission Vice President Cindy Elias said. Now, the policy-setting body is hearing a clamor of feedback as individual commissioners express frustration over the ferocity of the politics. Among the public officials to weigh in is Brian Cox, director of the Integrity Unit at the Public Defenders Office. In a letter sent Wednesday, he urged the Police Commission to act decisively to preserve independent investigations. Cox quoted a passage from the City Charter that says the commission is empowered to prescribe and enforce any reasonable rules and regulations that it deems necessary to provide for the efficiency of the Department. Rachel Swan and Megan Cassidy are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com, megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan, @meganrcassidy Salesforces newest workplace is a 75-acre ranch with a redwood forest, nature walks and group cooking classes near Santa Cruz. The tech giant has signed an agreement with 1440 Multiversity for a new employee gathering center starting in March in Scotts Valley that it is calling Trailblazer Ranch. Salesforce, San Franciscos largest private employer, described it an interim location as it finalizes a long-term site. We know that flexible is the way forward. But we also know we need to align our company to our culture and safely get together, in person, Salesforce President Brent Hyder wrote in a blog post. We need to bring back the spontaneity and joy that comes from being together in person, now. Programs will include employee onboarding, training and socializing away from the computer including yoga, art journaling and meditation sessions. Named for the number of minutes in a day, 1440 Multiversity sits on the former site of Bethany University. It includes 140 living suites, a communal dining hall, amphitheaters and firepits. 1440 Multiversity The center wont replace the companys glass and steel high-rises in San Franciscos Transbay district, but it comes after Salesforce has downsized its offices. The company subleased space at 350 Mission St. to Sephora and Yelp after canceling another lease at the unbuilt Parcel F tower. The company expects most of its employees to be hybrid workers beyond the pandemic, coming into the offices a few days a week or less. The ranch will help Salesforce recruit and retain talent, giving employees another option to meet in person and new hires to meet their bosses face to face for the first time, Hyder said. The range of amenities and offerings are reminiscent of the campuses of giant tech companies like Google. In contrast, Salesforce resisted some of the common tech offerings like free food courts, encouraging employees to dine outside instead. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes CEO Marc Benioff told the Wall Street Journal last year that he hopes to eventually build a ranch inspired by Disneyland and its saturation of company culture. Salesforces annual Dreamforce conference is also nature-themed and brings national park features to urban Moscone Center and Howard Street. Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Until 2020, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had never faced an opponent from the Democratic Party in a general election. Because of California's rule that the two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary regardless of political party advance to the general election, Pelosi squared off against progressive community activist Shahid Buttar. Though Buttar got blown out Pelosi won re-election with 77.6% of the vote compared with Buttar's 22.4% he received more votes than any other Pelosi challenger since she assumed her seat in 1987, and he was the first candidate to cross the 20% threshold against Pelosi since 1990. And he almost assuredly would have done better had it not been for highly publicized allegations against him one of which was later rebutted by a major news outlet. In July 2020, Mission Local and the San Francisco Chronicle articles reported the accusations of East Coast comedian Elizabeth Croydon, who said that Buttar made unwanted advances, mocked her over celibacy and at one point made unwelcome physical contact with her, allegedly cornering her and brushing up against her (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another). After Croydon came forward, a group of Buttar's staffers then relayed that Buttar had a pattern of mistreating female employees. The San Francisco chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America subsequently passed a resolution announcing it "lost confidence in Buttar," and other prominent progressive groups and figures sought their distance. It wasn't until September that Croydon's credibility was called into question. The Intercept published a report stating, "The Intercept was not able to corroborate Croydons allegations and has interviewed multiple sources who recounted having disturbing interactions with her that caused them to question her credibility." The Intercept reported that Croydon's former roommate said that "the accusation sounded remarkably familiar, as it was actually [the roommate] who went through a period of celibacy and was mocked and harassed by Croydon for doing so." To the roommate, Croydon "appeared to be taking behavior she herself had engaged in and imputing it to Buttar," The Intercept reported. In a recent interview with SFGATE, Buttar said that all of the allegations against him are false. He likened criticisms that he mistreated female employees to similar charges levied against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during his presidential campaigns. And he has no problem naming names when accusing various politicians, operatives and journalists connected to San Francisco politics of waging, as he put it, a "smear campaign" against him to protect a "corrupt incumbent." Buttar is running again in 2022 because he believes that dissatisfaction with Pelosi has reached a new high, given the ongoing controversy surrounding her stock trading. In a recent interview with Business Insider, Buttar signaled he is going to make that issue a central plank of his campaign. Pelosi has also not been supportive of progressive policy goals including Medicare for All or the Green New Deal, both which are policies Buttar believes a majority of San Franciscans support. The primary in San Francisco is scheduled for June 7, and Buttar plans to increase his visibility in the coming months. If his interview with SFGATE was any indication, anyone connected to what he described as the "San Francisco Democratic establishment" should prepare to be criticized publicly. The interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. SFGATE: Lets start with the allegations made against you. The Intercept had a report that called the credibility of the Croydon allegation into question, but it did not directly challenge the credibility of allegations you mistreated female staffers. Id like you to speak to those. Buttar: The San Francisco Bay View documented what its editors described as a civic lynching that The Intercept ultimately enabled by silencing the Afro-Latina whistleblower elected to the Democrat County Central Committee named Gloria Berry. So there's been a dramatic failure of the press across this race going back for years long before I got into into it not just with respect to granting artificial legitimacy to fabricated, orchestrated, weaponized lies intended to mislead the public, but further and this is the bigger problem failing to critically cover the policy record of the incumbent. [Gloria Berry is a Buttar ally who denied the allegations against him forcefully. The Intercept did not mention Berry in its initial report on the accusations. The accounts from Berry can be read from the San Francisco Bay View and Berry's Substack.] And you have to understand these two things in context of each other. It was not just racist smears fabricated by the Democratic Party, incentivized by the leadership and rewarded by middle-tier actors in the party. I've often thought of San Francisco as the country's most progressive city and I discovered two years ago it is also the most racist. And I say this having grown up in St. Louis, having lived in Chicago, having lived in Washington, D.C. I've spent time in Northampton, Massachusetts, and Salt Lake City, Utah. [Buttar then made a series of claims about individuals some prominent and some not connected to San Francisco Democratic Party politics that SFGATE could not independently fact-check.] SFGATE: One staffer told The Intercept that Croydons allegations led to a small handful of female staffers on the Buttar campaign to reexamine their experiences with Buttar along gendered lines, despite the fact that these experiences with Buttar were not a uniquely female experience. But that would suggest it was a toxic work environment that applied to everyone regardless of gender? Buttar: I'm interested in how you reached that analysis based on the quote. It seems to me that the quote suggested, in fact, there was nothing gender-related on the team and a bunch of people contrived a gender-based story out of the political convenience of having an accuser to whom to attach their accusations. SFGATE: If we boil it down to, OK, there are these allegations, credible or not credible, but we still like Shahid more on policy than we do Nancy Pelosi. Do you think that that's going to be a solid enough message for progressives who want someone further to the left than Nancy Pelosi? Buttar: I guess the relevant question is, do voters want the same voice that has steered our country into a ditch for 34 years while filling her pockets at the public's expense? Or do we want an advocate who has long stood for our communities? Plenty of people who've stood for our communities get smeared. Ilhan Omar is smeared routinely. Dr. King got smeared. Malcolm X got smeared. If you stand for truth against an establishment, you get smeared. They only smear you if they fear you. And the Democratic establishment has good reason to fear me because on six different occasions in 2020 I won things bigger than a congressional seat: We shifted the speaker of the House on critical policy issues. That's why the character assassination was orchestrated, because we had managed to do what no one has done in this seat in a generation. And that was shifting Pelosi on issues, including the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, the Justice in Policing Act, the bill that funded the Postal Service, two different impeachment resolutions and a war powers amendment, all of which Pelosi flipped on to adopt parts of our platform after we made it politically untenable for her to continue her indefensible position. [Pelosi had no documented opposition to any of the six. She did face progressive pressure on all six, most notably the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, with progressive members of the Democratic caucus accusing her of sitting on it before it was ultimately brought to the House floor for a vote.] There is in the body politic right now, particularly among progressives, I think a great deal of disappointment in our elected standard-bearers in Washington. And the feeling is that people have, for instance, campaigned on Medicare for All, but then are conspicuously silent about the need for universal health care as this pandemic continues to rage. People who ran on any number of principles dedicated to equity have now managed to find more convenient ways to conduct their policy-making since they've been in Washington. This disappointment in principles losing space to power in Washington is a big part of the reason why I'm running. I'm not afraid of a fight. I mean, they've done everything short of killing me to shut me up. Every kind of lie you could imagine, leveraging racial stereotypes and religious stereotypes. When I was being smeared, there was a day in September 2020 when the sky was blood red at high noon, you might remember it. And in the middle of this wildfire season, while there's a crucial contested debate happening in Washington over a Green New Deal, while this city's representative dismissed it, derided it as a "dream or whatever," and I'm on a ballot as the first general election challenger in 34 years from within the party the only one ever in the seat to have ever supported the Green New Deal and not be able to talk about it in the press because everyone's distracted by lies? I ran against Pelosi in 2020, but in 2022, I understand that I have to run against her, the party and all of its sycophants in institutions, sadly, including the press. SFGATE: I want to ask you about some of your messaging and public statements. You invoke the phrase white supremacy frequently and make many identity-based appeals. There was a survey done recently by Jacobin and YouGov that found that working class voters typically prefer progressive candidates who focus primarily on bread-and-butter economic issues, and who frame those issues in universal terms, shying away from so-called woke language around identity. You dont seem to subscribe to this school of thought. Why not? Buttar: I disagree. I absolutely subscribe to it. My campaign is based on class, and it's why I'm fighting for universal health care. It's why I'm fighting for the minimum wage to be $25 an hour. It's why I'm fighting for a basic human right to health care, housing and food. I say a lot of things and I'm absolutely committed to the interests of working class America. What you're reflecting on with the language, I would describe that as sort of the inability of the political system to hear two things at once and understand the complexity of a political message. All of these things are true. There is class-based marginalization and white supremacy is real. It's also widely misunderstood, particularly by white people. And part of the problem here is that white people reduce white supremacy to an ideology, not understanding that it is the water in which they swim. And they might have a hard time coming to recognize it because their privilege blinds them to it. One of the peculiarities about racism is how it blinds the racist to it. And I don't think that the white journalists who fabricated lies and printed weaponized smears to mislead the public, I don't think they think of themselves as white supremacists. I don't know if they are white supremacists. Do articles reflect white supremacy? Hell yes, they do. Not only are they resting on stereotypes, not only do they silence a whistle-blower of color, not only they insulate a white, wealthy oligarch who has defended militarism, mass surveillance and mass incarceration quintessential demonstrations of authoritarian policies that themselves represent white supremacy in policy. Courtesy Shahid Buttar for Congress SFGATE: On the hearing two messages thing, I think that even if someone were to entirely agree with you on what white supremacy is, there's an electoral argument: Even if you're blasting out both messages at once, some might like the more populist anti-corruption type messages, but then all of a sudden will hear identity-based appeals and then immediately tune out. Do you think that is a real concern for the modern-day left raised by that Jacobin study? That even if you have a stance that would appeal to people on the economics, if you're also discussing white supremacy to the degree that you are, think that could possibly be a liability that drowns out the other message? Shahid: I feel like you might be falling into the trap of putting politics before policy. I actually don't even worry about that layer of it. All I can do is lead horses to water, stand for the truth and often offer better policies. And if San Francisco wants better policies, they'll vote for them. And if San Francisco chooses to ignore the past sufficiently to not hold it accountable, it's not actually my problem. That's the future's problem. And I'm running to offer an alternative. And it is a complex alternative. I'm a lot more than, like, a set of hashtags. I don't fit into a dogmatic bubble. Socialism is a poor way to try to describe me because I'm way more than just a socialist, and "immigrant" is sort of a poor way to describe me because I'm more than that. What I present is not a simple prescription. I'm not here for the fight for 15, I'm here for the fight for 25. What progressives think of as alternative policies to me tend to be half-ass, watered down, a day late, a dollar short. So I frequently find myself confronting a public that is either ignorant of the facts or its own interests. And I have been forced by the facts of our circumstances into an educational role and I do routinely educate voters and volunteers and constituents about things they don't know about, or don't get a chance to hear about. I'm looking forward to continuing to do that. And as we educate the public, I think reality is also educating the public about the failures of the past. SFGATE: There are moderates and even conservatives in San Francisco who dislike Nancy Pelosi. Toppling Pelosi would likely require some support from them. How would you get buy-in from people who might be opposed to you on lots of policy? Buttar: Particularly my work on digital rights and surveillance. Surveillance and internet rights are one set of issues where many moderates and even conservatives in San Francisco have appropriate concerns about the authoritarian record of the oligarch incumbent who's had this seat for 34 years. There has never been a surveillance program that Nancy Pelosi did not support. And the fact that the internet which this city has a particular hand in constructing has been co-opted as a tool for global surveillance by our national security agencies, which remain completely unaccountable, is an object of grave concern. And it's not just a concern for dissidents, whistle-blowers and independent journalists across the world, but particularly people who work in technology, which include many San Franciscans, and include many moderates and conservatives. So I think people who are concerned about privacy, or government accountability, or checks and balances, people who are concerned about transparency and conflicts of interest, might gravitate to the anti-corruption message, whatever they think of my "wokeness." If they don't understand white supremacy enough that they are alarmed by a set of things that I encourage them to grapple with, then there are many other things we offer that can be onramps to their support, and my work for digital rights across a range of contexts not just challenging surveillance, but also promoting the right to encryption, promoting antitrust regulations and enforcement to constrain the power of big tech these are principles and positions that have transpartisan appeal. Again, it's part of the reason why I ran for the seat. I am a leftist with a history of fighting for transpartisan civil rights and government accountability that any American ultimately should support. SFGATE: You definitely sound like someone who believes that there is value in running to drag the establishment to the left on certain issues and influencing power in that way. So let's say you lose to Pelosi in 2022. Do you plan to keep on running for this seat? If she retires in 2023, and there's a special election, or if she stays until 2024, is your plan to just keep on running and trying to bring about change through that mechanism? Buttar: I can't speak to the future. I do know that I want to end the Pelosi dynasty, and if I'm unsuccessful in doing it in this race, I will be very eager to end the dynasty at whatever point I can. LATEST Feb. 14, 4:38 p.m. A second downtown San Francisco Walgreens location will also close this month, according to the San Francisco Chronicle (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another). The 88 Spear St. location is slated to close Feb. 23. Feb. 10, 1:45 p.m. Another San Francisco location of Walgreens is closing, as first reported by San Francisco Business Times reporter Alex Barreira. Walgreens confirmed the impending closure of the 141 Kearny St. store to SFGATE. The Financial District store is slated to close Feb. 22, as noted by a sign posted at the front of the store. "As we continue to execute our strategy to expand Walgreens role as a leader in the delivery of healthcare, we are focused on creating the right network of stores in the right locations to best meet the needs of the communities we serve," Walgreens spokesperson Fraser Engerman said in a statement to SFGATE. "There are a number of factors that we take into consideration when opening and closing locations, including dynamics of the local market and changing buying habits of our customers." Pharmacy patients' prescription files will automatically transfer to nearby stores, Engerman added. Back in October, Walgreens cited "organized retail crime" as the reason behind a recent string of San Francisco store closures. The chain has closed at least 10 stores in the city since the beginning of 2019, five of which closed in November 2021. "Retail theft across our San Francisco stores has continued to increase in the past few months to five times our chain average," Walgreens spokesperson Phil Caruso told SFGATE at the time. "During this time to help combat this issue, we increased our investments in security measures in stores across the city to 46 times our chain average in an effort to provide a safe environment. However, some of San Francisco's elected leaders questioned the truth of the crime explanation. "They are saying thats the primary reason, but I also think when a place is not generating revenue, and when theyre saturated SF has a lot of Walgreens locations all over the city so I do think that there are other factors that come into play, Mayor London Breed told reporters at the time. Claims that larceny theft has gotten much worse over the past few years in San Francisco is complicated, which SFGATE has reported on previously. In any case, the closure of the 141 Kearny St. Walgreens will not leave the Financial District entirely devoid of Walgreens stores. Nearby remaining locations within a 10-minute walk include 459 Powell St., 300 Montgomery St. and 456 Mission St. Still, the neighborhood has been hit hard by the pandemic with a lack of foot traffic as San Francisco office workers continue to work from home. Editor's note: This article was update to provide more context on larceny theft data. LATEST Feb. 10, 11:15 a.m. A wildfire burning in the hills of Laguna Beach, Calif. was 145 acres late Thursday morning, an update from the city said. Evacuation orders for Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay (both North and South Emerald Bay) and an evacuation warning for all of North Laguna (all residents North of Broadway) remained in effect. All Laguna Beach School District schools were closed Thursday due to the fire. Anneliese schools also closed. You can sign up for updates on the fire at www.alertoc.com and to sign up for Nixle, text 92651 to 888-777. For ongoing updates, visit www.lagunabeachcity.net. Orange County Fire Authority Feb. 10, 8:15 a.m. A wildfire driven by warm, desiccating Santa Ana winds broke out early Thursday in the hills of Laguna Beach, triggering evacuations in the Southern California town that fronts the Pacific Ocean. The Emerald Fire was reported just after 4 a.m. in a vegetated canyon bordering the gated Emerald Bay community. Flames got dangerously close to homes and an image posted in social media showed the explosion of flames outside through the window of a resident's dining room. Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said at a 7 a.m. press conference that the fire was about 7 to 10 acres in size and moving north toward Newport Beach with no homes damaged up to this point. Its spread was slowing, Fennessy said. "We've got a pretty good handle on this fire," he said. An evacuation order was issued for Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay and a warning was issued for all of North Laguna, the city of Laguna Beach said. Get the latest evacuation information from the OC Fire Authority. The fire broke out as a winter heat wave hits California this week with an anomalously warm mass of air overhead and desiccating offshore winds kicking up. Southern California has seen especially warm temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s. "We're looking at a range of temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees between Wednesday and Friday. The temperatures are about 15 to 20 degrees above normal," said David Sweet, a meteorologist with the weather service, noting that downtown Los Angeles could hit a high of 90 degrees this week. "Typically, the high temperature in downtown Los Angeles would be 68 at this time of year. I would say it's unusual." The weather service issued a high wind warning for the Los Angeles County mountains through 4 p.m. Thursday. Southern California hasn't seen rain in more than a month and the dry conditions combined with the heat and winds have heightened the risk for wildfire starts and spread. "We no longer have a fire season," Fennessy said. "We have a fire year." This is a developing story. Details will be added as they become available. LONDON For more than a century, Charles Dickens scholars have tried, without much success, to decipher a one-page letter written by the author in symbols, dots and scribbles. The letter sat for decades, unread, in a vault in the Morgan Library & Museum in New York, until recent months, when two Americans with backgrounds in computer science were able to make substantial headway in decoding the letter. They were motivated by a challenge from the University of Leicester, which posted a copy of it online and promised 300 British pounds, or $406, to the person who could make the most sense of it. The winner of the competition, Shane Baggs, a computer technical support specialist from San Jose, California, had never read a Dickens novel before. He transcribed more symbols than any other of the 1,000 people who entered helping to crack a 163-year-old mystery about one of the worlds most celebrated authors. After getting mostly C grades in literature, I never dreamed anything Id ever do would be of interest to Dickens scholars! Baggs said in a statement. Ken Cox, a 20-year-old cognitive science student at the University of Virginia, came in second place. Baggs, who spent about six months working on the text, mostly after work, said that he first heard about the competition through a group on Reddit dedicated to cracking codes and finding hidden messages. The Dickens competition caught his eye because the puzzles involving shorthand had stayed unsolved the longest, he said. Baggs participated in three free deciphering workshops on Zoom, hosted by Claire Wood, a lecturer of Victorian literature at the University of Leicester, and Hugo Bowles, who teaches forensic linguistics at the University of Foggia in Italy. The sessions focused on the obsolete form of shorthand that Dickens learned when he was 16 from a manual called Brachygraphy, written by an 18th-century shorthand writer, Thomas Gurney. VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES/NYT Early in his career, Dickens was a court reporter and a parliamentary reporter, where having a system for quick note-taking came in handy. Over time, the symbols and abbreviations he used evolved so that his personal shorthand became unintelligible to outsiders. (Dickens himself referred to it as that savage stenographic mystery in his most autobiographical novel, David Copperfield.) Dickens letter, written in 1859, has been held at the Morgan Library since at least 1913. It was likely a copy that Dickens made for himself based on the full-length version written to John Thaddeus Delane, then the editor of The Times of London. The full-length version is lost, said Bowles, one of the organizers of the competition and the author of Dickens and the Stenographic Mind. He said that he had tried to decipher the texts for years, but made very little progress. I could be sure of maybe about 10 of the symbols in the letter, he said. It has been the same for everyone who has studied the letter for the last 150 years. Wood said that previous generations didnt have access to the type of teamwork that crowdsourcing technology enabled. She said that about two-thirds of the people who attended the Zoom study sessions were Dickens fans, and one-third were computer experts. The combination of people coming from literary backgrounds and computer science backgrounds helped break new ground. Some stuff that is really obvious to the Dickensians isnt obvious to the cryptographers and maybe vice versa, Wood said. The Dickens fans recognized letters like H.W., which stood for Household Words, the name of a popular periodical that Dickens owned and edited. In another instance, Baggs figured out that a character that looked like the @ symbol, which many decoders had thought meant at, actually referred to Dickens journal All the Year Round. Baggs, 55, said in an email that the deciphering could not have been done without the other decoders, and the team of experts that was able to not only put our work together, but to interpret the clues. The transcription sheds light on a dispute the author had with The Times of London newspaper. In the letter, Dickens says that a clerk at the newspaper was wrong to reject an advertisement he wanted in the paper, promoting a new literary publication, and asks again for it to run. I feel obliged, though very reluctantly, to appeal to you in person part of the letter reads. In another part, Dickens used the phrase untrue and unfair, which Bowles said was an example of strong, direct language in the 19th century that showed the writer was angry. Cox, the student in Virginia, takes class notes in shorthand, and said he worked on the letter for a few hours each day, between classes or cooking, over a few weeks. Its sometimes easier when you look at it and then let it percolate it in your brain, he said. He said his mother was a Dickens fan, so he grew up familiar with his key works. It was wild that there were certain things that hes written so long ago that hadnt been read yet, he said. Being able to read one of those things for the first time was really cool. The work of Baggs, Cox and other transcribers helped experts decipher 70% of the meaning of Dickenss text, Bowles said. Over the next year, organizers will solicit help from members of the public with decoding the rest of the letter and other Dickens texts, he said. (The prize money was only available once.) Philip Palmer, the curator and head of manuscripts at the Morgan Library & Museum, said in a statement that the Dickens letter was one of the enduring mysteries in the collection. Having the text of this letter at long last will allow scholars to learn more about Dickenss shorthand method while gaining further insight into his life and work. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Ben Gray / Associated Press Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Congresswoman who once theorized on Facebook that former California Gov. Jerry Brown started a wildfire with space lasers, made an ice-cold blunder while trying to roast House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on live TV. On the One America News show Real America with Dan Ball, Greene baselessly accused Pelosi of orchestrating a secret police force to spy on conservative members of Congress and their constituents with a soup-er strange twist. One of the East Bays hidden treasures is Blake Garden, but it has an odd schedule its only open on weekdays. Nevertheless, Blake Garden is a gift to the public, enhancing a theme of endowment as the house and garden themselves were donated to the University of California by the Blake family 65 years ago. Now, the UC Berkeley department of landscape architecture and environmental planning stewards the garden, greets the public and hosts monthly events, such as the opportunity on Tuesday to go birding in the garden, writes Silas Valentino. Regardless of its limited hours, its worth a visit. A few more travel updates The world is opening back up and right now is the time to use your miles for travel, at least according to an analyst that spoke to SFGATE. So why book airline tickets now? It might not be for the reason you expected. If you plan on more of a staycation type of summer getaway, Rob Hill Campground recently opened up this year's registration site. Known for being San Franciscos first campground, this popular site is sure to fill up quickly so dont wait! Along the Central Coast lies a hidden mystery related to Vincent Van Gogh. The story of the famous painters death is well-known, but the details of his last meal are murky. The table where it might have happened is now in the town of Carmel. You might not know it, but country music legend Merle Haggard is a California man through and through. He was born in Bakersfield, did time in San Quentin prison and he has a museum in Kern County, to name a few. Andrew Pridgen did a deep dive into the music superstar, and theres more to the man than the eye can see. In our weekly Routes column, TSA extended its mask mandate while a new airline from the founder of JetBlue is headed for SFO. The new airline, called Breeze, is expected to debut in late May with flights to the South. Flights start at $99 for one-way tickets. Travelskills is curated by Nico Madrigal-Yankowski. You can reach him at Nico.Madrigal-Yankowski@sfgate.com. The Shelton Fire Department responded to the following calls this past week. At 8:29 a.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 responded with two engines truck fire on Route 8 northbound between exits 12 and 13. Firefighters found a tire on a large dump truck had burned up. At 9:55 a.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 responded with two engines and a rescue truck to an odor of gas on the 900 block of Bridgeport Avenue. At 10:52 a.m., the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 and the Huntington Co. No. 3 responded with a rescue truck to a motor vehicle accident on Route 8 southbound at Exit 13. At 10:58 a.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the Pine Rock Park Co. No. 4 responded with an engine to a fire alarm activated at the Longhorn Steakhouse, 838 Bridgeport Ave. There was no fire. At 12:55 p.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 responded with an engine to a fire alarm activated at the TJ Maxx, 865 Bridgeport Ave. There was no fire. At 4:53 p.m., the fire department responded with a unit to assist police at a Thompson Street address. At 11:01 p.m., the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 responded with a unit to assist EMS at a Woodland Park address. Tuesday, Feb. 1 At 4:22 a.m., the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 and the Pine Rock Park Co. No. 4 responded with a rescue truck to assist EMS at a Morningside Court address. At 7:22 a.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the White Hills Co. No. 5 responded with an engine to a motor vehicle accident on Shelton Avenue at Huntington Street. At 7:14 p.m., the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 responded with a rescue truck to a Country Place address for a public service call. At 8:59 p.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the White Hills Co. No. 5 responded with two engines to an odor of smoke in a Maler Avenue home. Wednesday, Feb. 2 At 10:44 a.m., the Pine Rock Park Co. No. 4 responded with a unit to the Gardner Heights Hospital, 172 Rocky Rest Road, for a small fire in a space heater. The fire was out upon arrival of the fire unit. At 11:15 a.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 responded with two engines motor vehicle accident on Route 8 northbound on the Exit 12-entrance ramp. At 4:15 p.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 responded with two engines motor vehicle accident at a Corporate Drive address. Thursday, Feb. 3 At 5:52 p.m., the White Hills Co. No. 5 and the Huntington Co. No. 3 responded with an engine and a ladder truck to a mutual aid call to assist Monroe at a structure fire. At 6:35 p.m., the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 and the Pine Rock Park Co. No. 4 responded with a rescue truck to a Maple Street address for an odor of natural gas in an apartment. At 9:34 p.m., the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 and the Pine Rock Park Co. No. 4 responded with an engine and a ladder truck to a fire alarm activated at the Helen DeVaux Housing Complex, 91 Howe Ave. There was no fire. Friday, Feb. 4 At 4:18 p.m., the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 and the Huntington Co. No. 3 responded with an engine and a rescue truck to a motor vehicle accident on Route 8 southbound at Exit 12. At 10:36 p.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3, White Hills Co. No. 5 and the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 responded with an engine and a ladder truck to a Molnar Drive address for smoke in the house. The smoke was caused by an electrical issue. Saturday, Feb. 5 At 2:10 a.m., the Pine Rock Park Co. No. 4 responded with an engine to the 600 block of River Road for a carbon monoxide alarm activation. At 9:03 a.m., the Huntington Co. No. 1 and the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 responded with an engine to an alarm sounding at a Parrott Drive address. There was no fire. At 11:15 a.m., the Huntington Co. No. 3 and the White Hills Co. No. 5 assisted the police in a search on Thompson Street. At 1:17 p.m., the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 and the Pine Rock Park Co. No. 4 responded with an engine and a rescue truck to a motor vehicle accident on Howe Avenue at Wooster Street. At 7:26 p.m., the Echo Hose H & L Co. No. 1 and the White Hills Co. No. 5 responded with an engine to a fire alarm activated on the 900 block of Howe Avenue. Wood chips flew through the air over the weekend as woodcarvers from near and far descended upon the Shippensburg Fairgrounds to showcase thei Local featured Dominos Pizza coming to former Spanky's location Riley / RILEY KELLEY | Daily News The former Spankys of Ludington building has been purchased and work is underway to turn it into a Dominos Pizza by spring. The Spankys sign will be replaced by a Dominos logo within the next few weeks, according to owner Tim McMullen. Dominos Pizza is coming back to Ludington for the first time in decades. The restaurant is setting up shop in the former Spankys Pizza location at 5874 U.S. 10 in Pere Marquette Township, according to Township Supervisor Jerry Bleau. The company behind the franchise is a Big Rapids-based outfit called Pizza Rock Stars LLC, owned by Tim McMullen. McMullen who runs other Dominos locations throughout the northern portion of the state told the Daily News that the hope is to open as soon as possible, though supply-chain issues prevented him from giving a specific date. Our goal is definitely to be open in the spring. If we could be open in April that would be great, he said. Were definitely going to be open sometime in the spring and taking it from there. The company purchased the former Spankys building in November, according to McMullen. It applied for a building permit from P.M. township on Jan. 3, received the permit on Jan. 5, and quickly got to work, according to Bleau. Theyre excited to get going on their project, Bleau said. Former Spankys customers and passers-by will notice some changes already visible at the building. McMullen said a full renovation is coming. The interior will be 100% different, McMullen said. Bleau said the company is doing some exterior work as well, including installation of new doors and tearing off the outdoor deck that was on the building. My understanding is the renovation will go relatively quick within a month or two then theyll be waiting for the proprietary pizza equipment from Dominos, Bleau said. And it sounds like other than the equipment delays everyones experiencing, theyll be rockin and rollin here soon. Bleau said the plans indicate a delivery and take-out operation, with no indoor seating available a detail McMullen later confirmed. Why Ludington? McMullen owns several other Dominos franchises in the state, so what prompted him to choose Ludington for his next location, where the last Dominos went out of business 20-plus years ago? He chalks it up to a personal connection with the area and a location with a lot of potential. Ive personally vacationed there as a kid growing up with my family, going to the state park, the lighthouses. The population of the town is advantageous for what we look for, McMullen said. The towns way different now than it was when (the last Dominos went out of business), and our business is stronger as well. We looked at places to go in northern Michigan, and (Ludington) fit everything were looking for as far as population, town, culture and community. And we really thought that building was perfect. He said it just seemed like a really good fit and a really good spot, similar to other locations under the companys ownership in the Traverse City area beach towns that see an explosion of population in the summer with a steady local crowd in the winter. New jobs McMullen said the arrival of Dominos will definitely create some local jobs once the spot is ready for business. Were always looking to hire people from the local community, and were absolutely going to need employees from the local area that were going to train before we open, he said. Id say probably 25 jobs. Applicants will be able to apply by visiting www.jobs.dominos.com and searching for the Ludington location. It wont be available just yet, but McMullen said thats the path prospective employees should take once the time comes. Opening day will mark the first time the buildings been open since Spankys closed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The restaurant announced that it would be closed for a few weeks in March 2020, and never reopened. The Spankys of Ludington Facebook page stated the closure was probably permanent in June 2020 and the spot was up for sale the following month. Try out LudingtonDailyNews.com for only 99 per month for the first 3 months, $9.99 a month after. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Try out OceanaHeraldJournal.com for only 99 per month for the first 3 months, $5.30 a month after. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Amid growing scrutiny over Apple and Google app store policies, Microsoft has announced a new set of Open App Store principles that will apply to the Microsoft Store on Windows and to the next-generation marketplaces it will build for games, as the tech giant starts the process of seeking regulatory approval for its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. According to Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith, the company wants regulators and the public to know that as a company, "Microsoft is committed to adapting to these new laws, and with these principles, we're moving to do so". Smith said that Microsoft will also build its next-generation game store based on these new principles, which will also apply on the store on the Xbox console. "While change is not easy, we believe it's possible to adapt to new rules and innovate successfully. And we believe it's possible for governments to adopt new tech regulation that promotes competition while also protecting fundamental values like privacy and national and cyber security," he stressed in a blog post late on Wednesday. Microsoft said the Open App Store Principles are "grounded in app store legislation being considered by governments around the world", including the US and the European Union (EU). The new Open App Store principles will enable all developers to access Microsoft app store as long as they meet reasonable and transparent standards for quality and safety. "We will continue to protect the consumers and gamers who use our app store, ensuring that developers meet our standards for security," said Smith. "We will hold our own apps to the same standards we hold competing apps. We will not use any non-public information or data from our app store to compete with developers' apps." On fairness and transparency, he said that Microsoft will treat apps equally in its app store "without unreasonable preferencing or ranking of our apps or our business partners' apps over others". "We will not require developers in our app store to use our payment system to process in-app payments," he added. "We will not prevent developers from communicating directly with their customers through their apps for legitimate business purposes, such as pricing terms and product or service offerings". Smith said that Microsoft will continue to give developers timely access to information about the interoperability interfaces for Windows that its own apps use. "We will enable Windows users to use alternative app stores and third-party apps, including by changing default settings in appropriate categories." San Mateo, CA (94402) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Bryson did not come from old money. His father, Jack Bryson, a New Zealander of modest background, succeeded in becoming the sole agent for Jaguar cars at the moment when the market had turned away from the great German firm of Daimler-Benz and made a fortune. John was educated at Melbourne Grammar, though he abhorred every trapping of class and privilege. He rowed, he debated, he was in cadets, and after studying law at Melbourne University he became a barrister with Galbally and OBrien in the days when Frank Galbally ran the show. The Chamberlains leave Alice Springs Coroners Court in 1982. Credit:Michael Rayner When his father died suddenly he put the law behind him or imagined he had in order to run the family business while also tinkering with his literary ambitions, which were encouraged by the writer Morris Lurie and yielded books such as Whoring Around (1981), full of bite and talent. The financial fortune led him to give money to people who needed it. John Timlin, the sometime entrepreneur and agent who ran The Australian Performing Group and then the agency Almost Managing, tells how Bryson became the honorary secretary of the Pram Factory, because it needed legal advice. Timlin says that when he wanted to do Max Gillies live shows in 1981 Bryson gave him $50,000. I paid him back but The Gillies Report on television would never have happened without him. Bryson said to me once, Sometimes people have to be sorts of chiefs. I suppose Im some kind of chief. There was the suggestion of Maori blood from the Kiwi past. On his mothers side, Fran Bryson recalls. The name I remember is Huia Mahitena. I remember being told she was a Maori princess. A lot of people called him chief. He was a patriarch and that was inescapable. He was a patriarchal figure to a lot of people. That impulse might lead him to buy a crayfish boat. It might lead him, after he won a literary award in London, to order your best port and end up lavishing on his guests a port old enough and grand enough to have adorned the table of Napoleon or Talleyrand. Credit: Although his brother Hugh died racing cars John Bryson competed in the devil-may-care sport. He had state titles in hill climbing, and the Lord knows what. He used his wealth to give and enjoy. I saw him once fish out the Grange Hermitage to honour the visiting Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuscinski. I saw him sitting a bit like a duke and a bit like a priest through all the long alcohol-laden nights at Percy Jones hotel at the corner of Lygon and Elgin streets with sportspeople to the right of him, and literary hacks to the left. When he had to have surgery at one point, he insisted that it be from his hotel companion John Goldberg, who loved the pokies. Chaucers epithet A parfit gentil knyghte a perfect gentle knight applies to John Bryson. He was a man of chivalry who was both instinctively aristocratic and disarmingly modest. His novel To the Death, Amic (1994) honours two Catalan brothers who defied Franco and could assassinate for their cause. In Backstage at the Revolution (1986) there is a vivid essay in which he finds himself in an internecine and troubled world and, with an introduction from Dinny OHearn, he meets first Seamus Dean, the critic partisan and then, shrouded with drama, a great warlord of the IRA. When filmmaker Jessica Smith was asked to name a dream casting choice for her comedy short The Test, one name leapt to mind: McLeods Daughters alumna Michala Banas. I was having dinner with a really good friend who used to be a casting director, she recalls. I was thinking of someone with a Michala Banas-vibe, but in my wildest dreams I never thought we would get her. Michala Banas and Christie Whelan Browne in The Test. Turns out he knew Banas, sent her the script, and she signed up. He also recommended Shaun Micallefs Mad as Hell regular Christie Whelan Browne to play Banas partner in the short film about a lesbian couple in a waiting room fretting over the results of a medical examination and its possible effect on their relationship. Theyve worked together quite a bit, so they just had this immediate rapport, Smith says. The Test screens in-cinema at the Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF) as part of the Freshly Squeezed Comedies collection, after debuting at the LGBTQIA+ showcase Outfest Los Angeles. Smith thinks comedy shorts are having a real moment, and thats at least partly to do with the proliferation of snappy bits on social media platforms such as TikTok. Inventing Anna Netflix When New York magazine journalist Jessica Pressler wrote about a young woman who conned her way into New Yorks elite social scene by pretending to be a German heiress, the 2018 article quickly went viral. Industry tracker Chartbeat lists Presslers story as the sixth most-read story worldwide for that year and just 11 months after it was published, Netflix had acquired the rights to the story. Julia Garner as the fake heiress, Anna Delvey. Credit:Nicole Rivelli/Netflix On the scale of financial scams, those of then 25-year-old Anna Sorokin (who went by Anna Delvey) are relatively small she was convicted of stealing around $275,000 but the story of her audacious grifting, which saw her convince people that she was heir to a $60 million fortune, captivated millions. Caught up in her own delusions, she even came alarmingly close to securing a multimillion-dollar loan for a lavish Soho House-style private members club at one of New Yorks most prestigious addresses. Its not surprising that its Shonda Rhimes who has created and written this semi-fictionalised series, which opens each episode with the disclaimer, This whole story is completely true. Except for the parts that are totally made up. But even in Rhimes hands, the most shocking parts tend to be the true ones. Anna Chlumsky as journalist Vivian Kent. Credit:Nicole Rivelli / Netflix Rhimes tells the story from the side of Pressler (fictionalised as Vivian Kent, played by Anna Chlumsky) and those who were swindled, most of whom are based on real people. Ozarks Julia Garner is Delvey, unrecognisable and speaking in a confusing accent which she gets away with since Sorokin was Russian but moved to Germany as a teenager; youll forgive Garner, portraying a mix of softly spoken poor-little-rich-girl and demanding sociopath, after a couple of episodes. The series opens after Sorokins arrest, when journalist Vivian began chasing the story. Its through her research and obsession with Sorokin that the story unfolds, after a droll montage of socialites giving their takes on who Delvey was: a Russian heiress, a socialite waiting for the sale of a painting worth $42 million, someone who ordered wine like someone with generational wealth. Loading Inventing Anna jumps between the stories of Sorokins victims, among them the (fictional) boyfriend, Chase (Saamer Usmani), Katie Lowes as Rachel DeLoache Williams, who was left in massive debt after Sorokin was unable to pay for a trip to Morocco, Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) as celebrity fitness trainer Kacy Duke and Alexis Floyd as hotel concierge Neff Davis, who seems to be Sorokins only genuine friend. And there are various socialites, bankers, art world types and tech bros even failed Fyre Festival promoter Billy McFarland was allegedly scammed by Sorokin. In 1974 he won the third place on the ALP Senate ticket for Tasmania. Although this was an unwinnable position at the time, the State Attorney-General, Mervyn Everett stood aside to ensure that Grimes would be elected. He was duly elected to the Senate in the federal double dissolution election of 1974. After the defeat of the Whitlam Government that followed in 1975, Grimes turned to federal parliamentary opportunities. In 1976, he was elected to Whitlams shadow ministry with responsibility for social security concerns. When the ALP won the 1983 federal election, Grimes was appointed Minister for Social Security in the Hawke Government and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate. In the following year, he was appointed to the new ministerial position as Minister for Community Services. However, health problems arose for him and in August 1985 he underwent a coronary bypass operation and took a break from ministerial duties. Much of Grimes experience in medical policy was developed between 1975 and 1983 during his period in opposition from where he addressed several significant innovative areas: disability, ethnic affairs, handicap and Aboriginal disadvantage. In opposition, he also championed the community of Greek Australians whose members had became involved in the Greek social security conspiracy case. He was respected in the Federal Parliament with friendships extending across party lines. He was the only federal minister to appoint an all female staff. His office was led by Netta Burns, a respected ALP figure in her own right. Although he declined to join a faction in the ALP, he did participate in meetings of the Socialist International, alongside Germanys Willy Brandt; Swedens Olof Palme; and Britains Neil Kinnock; and New Zealands Helen Clark. In such company, he held his own. Grimes drew on his experience in medical practice and hospital administration in piloting the strategy adopted by Australia to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS. The strategy he supported included outreach to vulnerable communities; engagement with anti-discrimination law and policy; and embrace of the paradoxical approach that was to include needle exchange, abolition of criminal offences against gay men and engagement with vulnerable communities. Ironically, homosexual offences were to last in his own State, Tasmania, alone until 1997 when a combination of federal legislation and deft political action led to the repeal of the provisions of the Tasmanian State law. Senator Don Grimes speaks to 1000 pensioners who gathered at the Town Hall today to air their grievances. October 4, 1983. Credit:Fairfax By October 1986, Grimes health problems recurred and he announced that he would not be seeking re-election to the Senate. He was appointed by the Hawke Government as Australian ambassador to the Netherlands. He held this ambassadorial appointment for five years. By that time, his first marriage had been dissolved. He went on to marry for a second time, Helen Knight, but this marriage too ended in divorce. At the embassy, true to his democratic instincts, Grimes permitted the embassy staff to use the Ambassadors tennis court, a privilege that had been denied by his predecessors. Grimes third marriage was formalised in January 1991 towards the end of his posting in The Hague. He married Esther Timmermans, originally a Netherlands national; later an Australian citizen. He returned to Australia with her and re-commenced living in Sydney. In January 1992 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia and in May 1992 he was appointed chairman of the Australian National Council on AIDS. Out of recognition for his extensive engagement with the AIDS pandemic and his significant experience in health and hospital administration, he was appointed to the additional State post as chairman of the South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service. He held that position until 2003. Still thirsting for other appointments that could fulfil his experience in medical policy and hospital administration, Grimes accepted appointments as director of oncology at the Gleneagles International Hospital (Kula Lumpur); as chairman of AusHealth International ; and as principal advisor to the Minister of Health in Bahrain. His extensive involvements with public health administration was recognised by his appointments as a Fellow of Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators (1998) and as a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (FAFBHM). Grimes post in Bahrain was special as it involved becoming chief health advisor to the Health Minister of Bahrain, who was a Sunni Muslim woman. He established a busy life there with his third wife, Esther, until she developed breast cancer from which she died in 2011. Thereafter, Don Grimes tired of life in Sydney, where there were too many memories of happy years with Esther. Instead, after her death, he returned to his home in Launceston to be closer to his children. He revived an early friendship with classical and jazz music. He spent much time with friends and former staff. He was a congenial man who cherished friendships. In February 2021, with Australia in the midst of a new COVID pandemic, he was hospitalised following the first of several strokes. That process continued and finally brought his lifes journey to a close on 20 November 2021. He was survived by his four children and other family, mostly living in Tasmania. Senator Don Grimes to relax goes swimming in Canberra. June 06, 1986. Credit:Fairfax Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the House on Wednesday: Don Grimes was a very practical man, a man of great consequence, of whom we in this place, on both sides of the House, can be very proud that he served here and achieved all the things that he has. Five men who were wrongly accused of assaulting police have been awarded $61,755 in legal costs after a magistrate noted there were glaring and serious discrepancies between the police version of events and video footage of the incident. Khaled Zreika, 21, and Hussein Zraika, 22, had just bought disposable face masks at a petrol station at Guildford in Sydneys west on September 24 last year when police entered the store and arrested them for failing to wear masks. The situation rapidly deteriorated when the men followed police outside and questioned why they were being arrested, with the officers from Raptor Squad wrestling the pair to the ground and calling for assistance. Noah Obeid, 19, Fadi Zraika, 20, and Zachariya Al-Ahmad, 20, who approached police to criticise them for the arrest, were also arrested as scores of officers responded. Queensland has recorded another eight COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, as the state rides the tail of the current Omicron wave. There were 5854 new infections recorded on Thursday, including the results of 2647 rapid tests, while 579 people were in hospital being treated for COVID-19, 46 of them in intensive care. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said modelling had suggested up to 5000 people in hospitals at the peak of the wave. However, the peak came on January 25 with 928 people in hospital. Based on that modelling, we can be cautiously optimistic our hospitalisations have peaked and are trending down, she said. Two men have been charged with the murder after a body was found in a motel north of Brisbane. Emergency services were called to a motel on Anzac Avenue in Kallangur, in the Moreton Bay region, about midnight. Officers attended following reports of a disturbance, where they found a man in his 40s with injuries. The Queensland Ambulance Service said they assessed the man, who had critical injuries. Shortly after 7pm on the evening of November 9, 2019, five Alice Springs police officers left the Yuendumu police station to roam the red-dirt streets and miserable housing on a mission to find a teenager who, within minutes, would be dying on a mattress. Each man had his police-issued semi-automatic Glock and regular accoutrements. In addition, a court heard this week, the team was kitted with at least one AR-15 assault rifle, a bean-bag shotgun and dog. The arrest target had days earlier fled court-ordered alcohol rehabilitation, and had a history of violence and escape. In his 19 years, Kumanjayi Walker had notched 21 entries on his criminal history, dating to the week after his 13th birthday, according to the facts in Constable Zachary Rolfes trial for murder. Boyhood should involve playing cops and robbers, not being one. Boyhood deserves the love of a stable family. Boyhood is where dreams, not a criminal record, should flourish and grow. Boys should not know what a judge is, not what a courtroom looks like, not what lock-up feels like. Boyhood memories should be of sniffing the morning air, not sniffing petrol. Boyhood doctors visits should be for a cough or cold, not to inform a pre-sentencing process. Boyhood sports should be soccer and footy, not break and enter. Felony should mean you tripped, and grazed your knee, robbery should be the consistency of jelly and Grandmas. Sentencing should be what happens in English class. Court should be where you learn to play tennis. Security should be your natural born right, not hired guards keeping you under surveillance. The worst of boyhood should set you up for a wonderful life. I wonder why some boys are set up by life, for the worst. The boy I met today deserves far more than his community, his systems of care, and politicians of the day, have provided for him. Boyhood indeed. Anthony Albanese looked supremely confident in Parliament on Wednesday when he sparred with Scott Morrison over which of them could win a contest about character when the federal election comes. The Labor leader had Morrison on the defensive. The Prime Minister had just been asked whether former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian was right to say he was obsessed with petty political point-scoring during the black summer bushfires two years ago. The Defence Minister, Peter Dutton, tried but failed to have the media gossip ruled out of order. Morrison had to defend himself whether the quote was accurate or not. Labor leader Anthony Albanese at Parliament House on Thursday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Morrison was careful about the quote reported in the media last week. She did not confirm any such statement at all, he told Parliament. Everyone in the chamber knew, of course, that Berejiklian had merely said she had no recollection of the text. So the Prime Minister moved on quickly to complain that Labor was being so personal. Its not about policy, he said of the Labor tactics. The leader of the opposition wants to have a character contest with me. Bring it on. Often it is not so much the initial mistake as the cover-up that is the most damaging aspect of a political scandal. That is the case for the scheme known as the Transport Asset Holding Entity, a controversial plan by NSW Treasury to hide billions of dollars of Transport for NSWs expenses and keep them off the governments books. The sorry tale was laid out in detail in a highly unusual report by Auditor-General Margaret Crawford released on Tuesday. It raises serious questions not just about TAHE but much more broadly about the competence and professional ethics of NSW Treasury, one of the core institutions of government. In 2015 Treasury boffins dreamed up the idea of legally transferring ownership of about $40 billion of the states transport infrastructure such as trains, stations and rail lines into TAHE, a wholly government-owned commercial company. Thanks to this hocus-pocus, the Treasury said, the billions of dollars the state government spent each year on the transport network, which were previously treated as expenses, could be treated as investments which might one day be repaid and, hey presto, vanish from the budget bottom line. Victoria has become the third jurisdiction in the country to decriminalise sex work, in a move advocates say will safeguard workers and reduce stigma. The states upper house voted to pass the Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill on Thursday evening, 24 votes to 10. The bill will repeal offences for consensual sex work between adults, abolish the licensing system and legalise street-based sex work in some areas. Reason Party leader Fiona Patten has fought for years to decriminalise sex work. Credit:Paul Jeffers The legislation will head back to the Legislative Assembly, where Labor commands a majority, to be rubber-stamped. Sex workers and their advocates sat in the public gallery as MPs debated the bill, and applauded during the final vote that marked an end to a nearly four-decade fight to decriminalise the industry. London: Prime Minister Boris Johnson used a whirlwind trip across Europe on Thursday (local time) to announce a boost in Britains military presence in the region as part of Western efforts to deter Russia from invading Ukraine. Britain will send more fighter jets to south-east Europe and warships to eastern Europe in addition to military assistance it has already sent to Ukraine. Johnson said the UK will also put an additional 1000 troops on standby for deployment to Poland to respond to any humanitarian crisis that arises from conflict in eastern Ukraine. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives in Warsaw ahead of talks with the Polish President on Thursday. Credit:Getty Images In Moscow, the UKs diplomatic efforts appeared to make little progress after Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov humiliated his British counterpart Liz Truss, saying to her face that talking to her was like the deaf talking to the blind. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size School board official Rabih Abuismail was livid. For most of the evening, board members had been listening intently as Virginia parents Christina and Robert Burris informed their meeting about the shocking books theyd found at their daughters high school library. One told the story of a gay private school student trying to keep his sexuality hidden from his conservative Nigerian parents; another featured a blossoming attraction involving a 17-year-old adolescent and the older male guest at his parents summer guest house. Then there was the main subject of disdain: 33 Snowfish, a book about homeless teens trying to escape from the sexual abuse, drugs and prostitution of their pasts. One of the central characters is an orphan, fleeing from his abusive owner, who is a producer of pornographic films. Spotsylvania County School Board member Rabih Abuismail is calling for books to be banned. Credit:AP Its sickening, Abuismail said, demanding that the books in Virginias Spotsylvania County be audited, removed and in some cases, burnt. I guess we live in a world now that our public schools would rather have kids read about gay pornography than Christ. The vetting program has clearly failed ... I think we should throw those books in the fire. Hes hardly alone in his rage. All around America, parents, politicians and school officials are challenging books at a rate that experts and librarians say is unprecedented. Advertisement In Tennessee, the conservative advocacy group Moms for Liberty is trying to remove the childrens book Seahorse, the Shyest Fish in the Sea because it has images of seahorses hugging, which the group finds too sexually suggestive. In Oklahoma, a state senator recently proposed legislation that would enable parents to challenge books in public schools and allow them to collect a $10,000 bounty for each day a challenged book remains on library shelves. And in Leander, Texas, an angry mother attended a hearing in September to challenge the book Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison, which her son had found at the Leander High School Library. Standing at the lectern and using placards with excerpts from the book, the woman read several graphic passages in which a young adult reflects on the sexual encounters he had with another boy when they were in fourth grade. The clip was posted to social media and within days parents in other states also began objecting to the book, attending school board hearings and producing social media videos reading the same excerpts. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison has drawn fire from a parent in Texas. While book censorship is not a new phenomenon, figures from the American Libraries Association provide a telling snapshot of the growing trend. Its Office for Intellectual Freedom received 330 unique reports of book challenges alone between September 1 and November 30 last year. That compares to 156 unique cases reported to the office in 2020, when schools and libraries were largely closed due to the pandemic, and 377 unique cases for the entire year of 2019. Advertisement The rise of book banning isnt just in schools its also pushing out into state legislatures and political battlegrounds. Sometimes it draws on the anger over broader issues such as critical race theory, which seeks to study how race and racism have impacted social structures in America. Is book censorship increasing? The answer sure seems to be yes, says Richard Price, an associate professor of political science at Weber State University. Ridgeland, Mississippis mayor has withheld funds from his citys library because LGBTQI-genre books similar to these are on the shelves of the citys library. Credit:AP Asked by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald whats behind the trend, Price, who runs the blog Adventures in Censorship, says its fear. That is the underlying tension for most book challengers it just depends on what makes them afraid at any given time, he says. In the 1970s, the Christian Right tried to ban books by Judy Blume, the American author who wrote about taboo subjects like periods and sex. It fascinated teenagers but angered many of their parents. This time, says Price, censorship is often centred on narratives of race and racism in America and the representation of LGBTQI people, with social media being used to fuel and amplify complaints against certain titles. Advertisement In the minds of objectors, if they didnt learn it 30 years ago, or 20 years ago, then its not real and it must therefore be an attempt to indoctrinate children, says Price. The problem is, the people making these objections almost never actually read the book or put it in any kind of context. Ex-president Donald Trump speaking at a rally in Texas. Credit:AP In 2020, then president Donald Trump banned federal employees from training that discusses critical race theory or white privilege, calling it propaganda. By last year, many other states were following his lead. Texas, for example, became one of about a dozen states regulating how US history and certain ideas about race can be taught in schools. Soon after the legislation had passed, Republican state politician Matt Krause released a list of about 850 books he wanted to ban from school libraries. Some addressed topics as broad as human sexuality and sexually-transmitted diseases. Others included material that might make students feel discomfort, guilt, anguish due to their race or gender, or conveyed that a student, by virtue of their race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously. Advertisement More recently, the newly elected Republican Governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin, framed book bans as an issue of parental control, using it to rally support in last years fiercely contested race. Political observers have no doubt similar narratives will be pushed out in critical races ahead of this years midterm elections in November. But the push to take books off the shelf has been met by counter-mobilisation across the US, with parents, teachers and librarians fighting back against attempts to control what their children read. Last February, in the Texas city of Round Rock, near Austin, one parent sought to ban Stamped: Racism, Anti-racism and You, the acclaimed book by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi, which explores the history of racist ideas in America and outlines options for an anti-racist future. The book had passed a rigorous process to be on the book list, and parents could opt out if they didnt want their children reading it. Nonetheless, the complainant wanted it off the shelf, claiming it contained inappropriate instructional material. However, many in the community disagreed, signing a petition by a local teacher seeking to keep it on the school reading list. Others also appeared at a schools board hearings to argue against its removal. The Round Rock Black Parents Association, a grassroots group created in 2015 in response to a child getting choke-slammed by a police officer, was instrumental in the fight. Advertisement PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley, and the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Rodolphe Samuel commit to sustainability of commercial kitchen in the shelter project. In 2020, the Government of Sint Maarten, under the 11th European Development Fund, B-Envelope, signed an agreement to execute a shelter project. This project consisting of the construction of two shelters has been commissioned to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is responsible for the design and construction of the shelters. Besides the objective of sheltering persons in need during a disaster, one of the shelters will also feature a commercial kitchen to facilitate the execution of food programs for schoolchildren, ensure provisions for the feeding of homeless persons, and in times of disaster, prepare food for shelterees and volunteers. Recently, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley, and the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Rodolphe Samuel, signed an agreement committing to the sustainability of the kitchen by ensuring that the operational costs are taken along in the national budget of 2024 and beyond. In this manner, both Ministries want to ensure the provision of healthy meals for schoolchildren and persons in vulnerable positions. PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the board of the United St. Maarten Party (USP) Cecil Nicholas said it is as clear as day that something is afoul with the ongoing reconstruction project of the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA). Nicholas echoed his party leaders call for a forensic audit into the airport operations, finances, and management which he called a failure for leaving St. Maarten without the full services of its main economical port for almost five years. It is inconceivable, Nicholas said, that after all these years, the airport and NRPB are announcing an increase in costs of US $20 million for things that most people would say should have been in place from the beginning. It raises one glaring question; what exactly is the amount in dollars for costs overrun and how exactly has the management of the airport been spending the money? Nicholas asked. Nicholas said it is past time that the public, through Parliament, gets to see the agreement between Schiphol International and PJIA so that a determination can be made that the country is not being fleeced. PJIA, he said, has too many ongoing issues that indicate that an extensive investigation is inevitable. It is impossible that cost overruns can happen without the oversight of the Supervisory Board. How is it possible that a strict institution such as the World Bank is sitting back and allowing this? Where was the planning? Things such as contingency and third party work and insurance were mentioned as some of the reasons for cost overrun. Are we expected to just accept these vague explanations without questioning and/or asking for specifics? Nicholas asked? He went on to stress that someone has to be held accountable for this fiasco and poor management by the management and Supervisory Board of the airport. The government cannot be absolved in this either, they allowed the country to be held hostage by former State Secretary Raymond Knops when he withheld liquidity support for alleged good corporate governance issues, without acting on the dossier received from COO Micheal Hyman. How could the resignation of Mr. Dexter Doncher the then director of the holding board be sufficient to address good corporate governance with that dossier in hand? Schiphol at the time also directly threaten the Prime Minister. with the support of Knops. The actions are taken thereafter strengthened Schiphol's position in the strategic alliance, but at what cost? The airport was constructed for $87 million, the refurbishing cost is now almost double that and counting. The Netherlands was once rife with construction scandals, not to mention the current construction overrun issue that Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands now finds itself in with the same construction company selected for our multimillion-dollar airport construction project, $150 million and counting. Good corporate governance, or construction scandal in the making. Nicholas said. The USP President said the entire island is waiting on the results of the audit that was commissioned by the holding board, which should be wrapping up about now. But what kind of audit was it? Keep in mind that an airport that only needed re-constructing here and there is going to cost US $150 million and we dont even know if the hemorrhaging will stop there by the time the project is complete. Literally, nothing has been done at PJIA and we have cost overruns? So the obvious question is, what exactly has been spent and on what? Nicholas said. Nicholas also pointed out that while USP is in favor of a pre-clearance building the cost between a reported 60 and 90 million dollars, is also ludicrous. For a single facility to cost almost as much as it took to build the entire airport itself is an exercise in futility Somebody has to properly explain that one to the people of St. Maarten with realistic projections and from trustworthy sources, especially after this ongoing debacle at PJIA, Nicholas concluded. Somerset, KY (42501) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Enterprise, AL (36331) Today A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Rupert Graves (Riviera, Sherlock) has joined Hulus anticipated limited series Washington Black as a series regular, with Shaunette Renee Wilson (Indiana Jones 5, The Resident) signing on to a recurring role.Graves will play Mr. Goff, a British scientist who travels to Nova Scotia with his daughter, Tanna (Iola Evans), after fleeing social stain, the dwindling of fortunes in London, and lessened influence with the Crown. Nova Scotia represents a new start. But Tannas resistance to the marriage hes arranged for her, and her unexpected relationship with our titular hero, forces Goff to consider whether he will prove brave enough to put love first, or let his fears lead him to ruin.Wilson will portray Big Kit, who is a singular, driving force in Washs life. She teaches him to dream in the mythic vernacular of her West African heritage. And she teaches him to fightbecause Kit is an engine of constant resistance. Fighting to create choice where none exists for herself, and for this boy she protects. But can she shield him, or will she ultimately die trying? BRIDGEPORT Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia has responded to criticism of the probes into two womens deaths, but it appears unlikely at least for now that her thoughts will be shared with the public. The chief, who recently went on vacation, has written a letter to the citys police commissioners detailing her and her departments handling of the probes into the untimely deaths of two Black women, Lauren Smith-Fields and Brenda Lee Rawls investigations that drew national headlines last month and criticism from the mayor. As of Wednesday, City Hall said the top cops correspondence, disseminated Tuesday to the mayoral-appointed police commission ahead of its regularly scheduled Feb. 15 meeting, would remain under wraps. Danny Roach, who is employed by the city as an aide to Mayor Joe Ganim and is also the commissions longtime chairman, confirmed he received a four-page letter Tuesday from Garcia as to the version of events as she saw them and forwarded it to fellow commission members ahead of their meeting next Tuesday. I spoke with the chief and she knew that we had questions, Roach said of what prompted Garcias correspondence. But after consulting with the mayors office Wednesday Roach declined to provide the document to Hearst Connecticut Media, citing as a reason under the state Freedom of Information Act that it includes sensitive material that could reference an ongoing investigation. He said the contents will be made public if and and when appropriate. He also could not state if Garcia, who normally attends commission meetings, will be able to discuss her letter and the Smith-Fields and Rawls controversies publicly or if members will do so privately in executive session. Some local activists and City Council members said Wednesday it all should be out in the open. These people are ridiculous, said Councilwoman Maria Pereira, who represents the district where Smith-Fields and Rawls lived. Everything should be in public. ... This made national headlines. Smith-Fields, 23, and Rawls, 53, died in unrelated incidents Dec. 12. Their families complained that they were not properly notified of the fatalities by police and, at least in the case of Smith-Fields, that investigators did not scrutinize the white man she had spent the night with. Their stories garnered attention on social media, resulting last month in intense national media coverage and hundreds protesting downtown Jan. 23. A week later on Jan. 30, after Garcia left Jan. 26 on a planned vacation and put Deputy Chief James Baraja in charge of the force, Ganim made the unusual move of publicly directing Baraja to place the detectives involved in the Smith-Fields and Rawls cases Kevin Cronin and Angel Llanos on paid administrative leave. Ganim also at the time said he was extremely disappointed with the (departments) leadership. What has so far not been publicly revealed is how Garcia was responding to the growing controversies, any interactions she had with Ganim and/or his staff, and why she had not suspended Cronin and Llanos prior to her departure. Department heads under Ganim are not allowed to speak to the press without permission. On Jan. 11 Garcia, through the mayors office, issued her first and only public statement on the Smith-Fields case, saying it was open and active and offering the departments sincerest condolences to family and friends. While Pereira has publicly criticized Garcia and called for her to be replaced, City Council President Aidee Nieves last Thursday upon Garcias return to duty told Hearst she felt Ganims office had turned the chief into a scapegoat. Nieves at the time said Garcia and the mayor need to sit down, come together, face the community as a team and express what really happened. But on Wednesday Nieves agreed that, given the ongoing probes into the deaths of Smith-Fields and Rawls as well as the personnel issues involving Garcia and the suspensions of Cronin and Llanos, the acting chiefs letter should remain confidential for now and discussed in private with the police commission. Nieves added that an attorney for Smith-Fields has threatened a lawsuit while the police union has filed grievances in support of Cronin and Llanos. She said making too much information public at this time could be used by either party in legal action. It all should come out after things are procedurally done, Nieves said. Callie Heilmann helps to run Bridgeport Generation Now, a civic group that earlier this week called for Ganims resignation over not just the Smith-Fields and Rawls matters, but several other controversies that have embroiled the police department since he was elected in 2015. Generation Now also endorsed Nieves reelection last year. I think the portions of the letter that deal with sensitive areas to the investigation can certainly be withheld (from the public), Heilmann said. However I do believe it is appropriate for the other parts of the letter to be shared and for Chief Garcia to be given the opportunity to state on the record her version of events. Councilman Jorge Cruz, whom Generation Now also backed last year, said he too was disappointed with the police departments handling of the Smith-Fields and Rawls cases. Cruz Wednesday said City Hall should, if necessary, redact parts of the chiefs letter but release the rest and also allow her to speak openly to the police commission. Start being transparent with the public, Cruz said. If the mayor got her hands tied to the point she cannot express herself publicly, thats very unfair to her. The mayor spoke. Why cant he let the chief speak? As lawmakers weigh the fate of a handful of Gov. Ned Lamonts executive orders, including the future of students and teachers wearing masks, COVID cases in schools continued to steadily drop for a fourth week. The latest weekly numbers released Thursday showed that cases among students dropped to 1,755 from 4,203 the prior week. In a similar fashion, cases among teachers and staff fell to 355 this week, compared to 767 the previous week. Though cases have dropped substantially since peaking the first week after students returned from Christmas vacation, the numbers remain higher than the fall when student infections peaked at 916 and cases among staff and teachers hit 145. The future of the executive order that allows for masks remains in question as the legislature reviews the matter amid strong opposition from some parents, nearly 200 of them speaking out against masking children during a legislative forum Tuesday. The House of Representatives discussed the matter Thursday with some Republican lawmakers arguing against any extension of the mask mandate. Lamont has recommended the mandate remain in place until Feb. 28, and then empower local school boards to decide whether their students, teachers and staff need to wear masks. If the legislature does not extend this specific order, one of a dozen Lamont has asked to remain in place, it would expire on Feb. 15. The House was expected to vote on the matter Thursday and the Senate would then take it up on Monday. The debate over whether to keep school masking in some form comes as Connecticut continues to see a general decline in infections, hospitalizations and new deaths after a surge in late December and early January. On Thursday, the state reported 1,026 new COVID cases among 23,078 tests for a positivity rate of 4.45 one of the lowest in weeks. There were 23 fewer hospitalizations for a total of 529 the lowest since Dec. 7. The number of new deaths declined with 136 in the past week compared to 175 the previous week. Looking at the decline in COVID-19 metrics, Lamont announced this week his plan to recommend lifting the school mask mandate at the end of the month, noting it was time for local officials to make the best decisions for their community. This move closely mirrored how Lamont decided to handle general indoor masking requirements. Instead of broadly reinstating such orders, he allowed municipal leaders to decide whether to enact orders in their communities. If the legislature keeps the order in place, Lamont acknowledged the states education department retains the ability reinstate a broad school masking requirement if deemed necessary. Considering the pandemic has been unpredictable, Lamont said he was aware another COVID-19 variant could come along and drive up infections. We would reserve the right to make a change to keep you safe, Lamont said. But, he said, such a move seems unlikely. Lamont and his administration have defended the timeline for now seeking to end the school mask mandate given there are ample tools available for residents to combat COVID-19, including vaccines, and omicron, the dominant strain of the virus in Connecticut, tends to cause less severe infections. As of Thursday, the omicron variant was found in about 99 percent of all positive COVID tests that were sent for genomic sequencing, according to the latest weekly report. Officials said the state Department of Public Health plans to provide local school leaders with guidance on how to approach instituting districtwide mask mandates and how to handle COVID-19 cases in schools where masks are optional. You can certainly continue to mask if you decide in your community thats what works best for you. However, if you chose not to, that is what we are allowing you to do by removing the statewide mandate, said Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health. Sen. Gene Yaw (R) represents the 23rd Senatorial District consisting of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Union counties and a portion of Susquehanna County. He serves as chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of The Ben Shapiro Show, and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers How To Destroy America In Three Easy Steps, The Right Side Of History, and Bullies. More than 15 tonnes of waste, consisting of second-hand clothes and shoes in an advanced state of degradation, considered by the environmental commissioners as hazardous waste, were stopped at the entrance to Romania after a control carried out at the Vama Veche border crossing point, the Border Police informed on Thursday. The waste was transported in a truck full of second-hand clothes meant for a Romanian company. The truck, driven by a 28-year-old Romanian, is registered in Romania. The control at the Vama Veche border crossing point was carried out on the lane heading to the country by the border guards from the Coast Guard, together with commissioners from the Constanta Environmental Guard and the Constanta County Commissioner for Consumer Protection. "Following the verifications, it was found that the means of transport carried a quantity of 15,085 kilogrammes of second-hand clothes in an advanced state of degradation, which the Constanta Environmental Guard classified as hazardous waste and did not allow their entry into the territory of Romania," the abovementioned source specified. In this case, a criminal investigation has been initiated for the offences of illegal import of waste in violation of the legal provisions in the field and the introduction on the Romanian territory of waste of any kind in order to eliminate them. The Governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova will sign an agreement in Chisinau on Friday in a joint session on the technical, financial, legal and organizational aspects of the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of the border road bridge across the Prut River, at Ungheni, announced the spokesman for the Executive, Dan Carbunaru. "Regarding the infrastructure, the memorandum on the approval of the signing of the agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Moldova on the technical, financial, legal and organizational aspects related to the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of the border road bridge over the Prut River, between the localities of Ungheni in Romania and Ungheni in the Republic of Moldova was approved today during the Government's meeting. The bridge over the Prut River at Ungheni is one of the priority cooperation projects between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, which are included in the updated roadmap, signed last autumn and in the case of Romania its construction may be part of the works on the Targu Neamt-Iasi-Ungheni Motorway, included in the general transport master plan of Romania, works eligible for financing from European funds for the 2014-2020 programming period, if the structural reform clause is activated," Dan Carbunaru told a press conference at Victoria Palace on Thursday, Agerpres.ro informs. The Chief of the Defence Staff (SMAp), General Daniel Petrescu, and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Tod D. Wolters, on Thursday met at the headquarters of the 57th Air Base Mihail Kogalniceanu, in the context of the deployment in Romania of the TF Cougar detachment from Germany. According to a press of the Ministry of Defence, the two officials discussed the dynamics of the security situation in the Black Sea region and the measures taken to strengthen NATO's position of deterrence and defence in this area of the eastern flank. They also addressed the topic of the future joint training of the US troops with Romanian Army troops. General Petrescu remarked that the presence of the allied structures in Romania represents both the result of an excellent security cooperation with the NATO member states, especially with the United States of America, within the Strategic Partnership, and the result of the sustained steps that Romania has taken in strengthening NATO's defensive alignment on the eastern border and in the Black Sea region. "Depending on the conditions of the security environment, we will continue to adjust the training with the American troops, which training has led in time to various joint missions in different theatres of operation. We also to intend to further strengthen the comradeship already existing between the Romanian and US troops, which was built with sacrifices in the theatres of operations, where we carried out combat missions together. If needed, this comradeship will translate into concrete allied defence missions," General Daniel Petrescu said, as quoted in the abovementioned press release. While underscoring the important role that Romania has in the allied security architecture in the Black Sea region, General Wolters specified that every defensive measure taken by NATO represents the implementation of the cohesion of the allied states to ensure the security of the entire allied space, Agerpres.ro informs. We are here at the invitation of Romania to increase the common capacity to react, as well as to maintain the balance of forces in the region. The increased attention that NATO pays, in general, to the Central and South-Eastern Europe proves the capacity to react and carry out multinational operations to maintain a climate of peace in these areas, the official said. At the same time, the soldiers from the American detachment will be trained together with their comrades and their hosts, the soldiers from Romania. The current deployment is primarily an opportunity to improve our tactical skills and increase the interoperability of forces, said General Tod D. Wolters. The Chief of the Defence Staff and the commander of SACEUR evaluated, at the end of the meeting, the supplementation of the American troops in Romania, but also in other areas of the eastern flank as a strong signal of NATO solidarity and determination. At the same time, the arrival of approximately 1,000 American troops, who join the 900 already present here, contributes to the increase of the feeling of security of the Romanian citizens. The buildings of the Romanian Presidential Administration, the government and Parliament are among the public institutions that will be lit up in red on Friday evening to celebrate February 11, European 112 Day. The Special Telecommunications Service (STS) reports that more than 30 main offices of central, county and local public administrations, schools and cultural organisations, tourist attractions and companies in Romania will be lit up in red on the evening of February 11. The lighting up is to show support for the 112 Emergency Service, which mission is to save lives, property and the environment. Every year, STS lights up its communications tower in red, the colour specific to emergency services. Joining in this year are the Presidential Administration, through the lighting of the Cotroceni Presidential Palace; the government, through the lighting of Victoria Palace; Parliament, through the lighting of the Parliament House; the Interior Ministry, the Defence Ministry, the National Military Hall Palace, the Bucharest National Opera House, the Coltea Clinic Hospital, and CEC Bank. Also, the Elvira Godeanu Theatre House of Targu-Jiu will project on the outside of its building a video clip on the importance of the 112 emergency line, and the Ramnicu Valcea City Hall will run the same clip on all the street signs it owns in the city. STS, as administrator of the 112 emergency line in Romania, and all the partners who have joined in, bring up to the attention of the public the importance of responsibly calling 112. STS operators and dispatchers of the specialist response services - Ambulance, Police, ISU-SMURD, Gendarmerie and Mountain Rescue - making up the Emergency Service are on duty 24/7. "We are witnessing a time of pandemic when the number of calls to 112 has increased, and we consider it particularly important for the public to be aware that any non-urgent call means precious seconds that are lost for real emergencies," according to STS. A truck platooning with US military equipment will arrive in Bucharest around 1.00, on Thursday night to Friday, shows a press release of the Ministry of National Defense (MApN). The Ministry of National Defense specifies that the trailers with military equipment will form two separate convoys. The first convoy, of approximately 18 trailers, left central Sibiu, around 10.45, for southern Ramnicu Valcea. Persons operating these vehicles must rest for 9 hours, in accordance with European transport rules, which provide for mandatory rest periods for drivers. They will leave from Ramnicu Valcea at approximately 22.00, Thursday evening. Also, the route through Bucharest is provided on A1, North Beltway, A2, and the estimated time for the first convoy to arrive in Bucharest is 1.00, on Friday morning. The Ministry of National Defense conveys that, according to estimates, the first convoy can reach southeastern military base Mihail Kogalniceanu on Friday, between 5 and 6 in the morning. The second column will move from western Nadlac on Friday, during the morning, on the same route. Most likely, the second convoy will reach Mihail Kogalniceanu on Friday night. The first elements of military equipment of the US detachment, to be called the Cougar Task Force (TF), entered Romania on Wednesday evening, at the Nadlac I border crossing point, Arad County. The vehicles in the convoy, accompanied by special vehicles of the Military Police, travel on the route Arad - Deva - Sibiu - Ramnicu Valcea - Pitesti - Bucharest - Mihail Kogalniceanu, according to the Ministry of National Defense. The representatives of the ministry specify that, the Military Police will order measures to ensure the traffic flow and to inform the drivers on the possible road restrictions. TF Cougar will be made up mainly of military with the 2nd Squadron/2nd Cavalry Regiment, who will operate with Stryker armored personnel carriers, to which will be added soldiers with other specialties from the regiment's battalions (artillery, genius, structures support etc). The Pentagon announced last week that 1,000 US troops would be repositioned from Germany to Romania. The Government approved on Thursday, at the proposal of the Ministry of Energy, the Memorandum regarding the initiation of a state aid scheme to support companies in sectors and sub-sectors exposed to a significant risk of relocation due to the transfer of the cost of greenhouse gas emissions in the price for electricity in the period 2021-2030, according to a press release of the Ministry. "We are looking for solutions to continue the financial support we have given for the past two years to the large energy consumers. Especially in the current context, I think it is necessary to continue this state aid scheme. Through the memorandum approved today [Thursday - editor's note], the Ministry of Energy has been empowered to negotiate with the European Commission. Through the scheme meant for the energy-intensive industries we want to make sure that we provide the necessary conditions to the Romanian enterprises to remain competitive in Europe and in the world, we want to make sure that the final industrial consumer can bear the increase in the electricity prices, preventing thus the negative social effect that a limited industrial activity could have. Moreover, we want to keep the approximately 200,000 direct and indirect jobs, limiting unemployment and maintaining a highly skilled workforce in those industrial sectors," said Virgil Popescu, Minister of Energy. The Ministry of Energy is empowered to initiate discussions and carry out prior consultation procedures with representatives of the European Commission - DG Competition, to establish the essential conditions for initiating and authorizing a state aid scheme for companies in sectors considered to be at real risk of relocation, due to the significant impact of the transfer of the costs of greenhouse gas emissions in the price of electricity, starting in 2022. Between 2019 and 2021, a state aid scheme was implemented in Romania to support companies in sectors and sub-sectors exposed to a significant risk of relocation, as a result of the transfer of the cost of greenhouse gas emissions to the price of electricity, according with the provisions of the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 81/2019. The total value of the state aid for 2019 was 399.4 million lei for a number of 34 enterprises, respectively 637.6 million lei, for a number of 33 enterprises in 2020. The Government approved in Thursday's meeting a draft law for the ratification of the new agreement between the governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova on the mutual recognition of diplomas, Government Spokesman Dan Carbunaru announced. "In the field of education, in the same context of tomorrow's joint government meeting (Friday - ed. note), a draft law was approved to ratify the agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Moldova on mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and scientific titles, document signed in Bucharest on November 23, 2021. The draft aims to ratify the new agreement between the governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova on the mutual recognition of diplomas. As against the provisions of the in force agreement, the new document provides the recognition of certain diplomas and pre-university certificates from the Republic of Moldova, which are not covered by the agreement in force and whose recognition has been requested by Romania, more precisely it is about high school diplomas, diplomas of general secondary education, diplomas of colleagues and basic medical schools with a minimum duration of three years of study after general secondary school of 9 years of study graduation," Dan Carbunaru told a press conference at the Victoria Governmental Palace on Thursday. In this context, he mentioned that at the moment in Romania there are over 12,000 students from the Republic of Moldova and over 2,000 other pupils studying in Romania. The authorities in Bucharest and Chisinau will draw up a joint action plan of solidarity measures in the event of an energy crisis, within six months since the initialing of the joint memorandum on energy security, a bilateral document that will be signed on Friday, at the joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, spokesman for the Government, Dan Carbunaru, informed. He presented some examples of normative acts approved for the joint meeting with the Moldovan government on the occasion of a press conference held at the Victoria Palace on Thursday. "A memorandum was approved today by the Government themed: Approval of the memorandum of understanding between the Romanian Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Moldova in the field of energy security (...) The Romanian memorandum will be signed by the Minister of Energy. Mr. Virgil Popescu, on the occasion of the joint meeting of the two governments in Chisinau tomorrow. In the following six months since the signing of the memorandum, the authorities of the two countries will draw up a joint action plan of solidarity measures in the event of an energy crisis in order to ensure continuity in the supply of electricity and natural gas in the event of a crisis in this sector As a measure of solidarity, the two parties will apply the measures in the joint action plan and will make efforts to coordinate the supply of natural gas and/or electricity," Carbunaru specified. The Governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova will hold their first joint meeting in Chisinau on Friday, and Romanian PM Nicolae Ciuca will have talks with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Moldovan Parliament President Igor Grosu, Romania's Government Spokesman Dan Carbunaru informed. "Tomorrow, the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Moldova will hold the first joint meeting in Chisinau. To this end, Prime Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca, accompanied by a series of ministers from the Government, will go to Chisinau, where they will have talks with Mrs. President Maia Sandu, Mrs. Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita and Mr. Igor Grosu, President of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, with these meetings being part of the benchmarks of the good collaboration between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, benchmarks based on the Strategic Partnership for the Republic of Moldova's European integration," Carbunaru told a press conference at the Victoria Governmental Palace in Bucharest. He pointed out that, at Thursday's meeting, the Ciuca Cabinet adopted a series of decisions precursory to the joint meeting of the two governments, taking into account that there will be signed a series of bilateral documents in areas such as energy, energy security, communications, research and digitisation, education, infrastructure. "All these things represent a materialisation of the close collaboration and the common goals of the two Governments," Dan Carbunaru said. The importance of solidarity and cooperation at European level in combating the COVID-19 pandemic was highlighted by Health Minister Alexandru Rafila at a meeting of EU foreign and health ministers held in Lyon, as France currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (PRES FR). "The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of solidarity and cooperation. Romania supports efforts to increase vaccine coverage worldwide. The Romanian government has shown solidarity with other countries by donating millions of doses of vaccines to Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine, Egypt, Vietnam, Tunisia and South Korea. The widespread use of an effective and safe vaccine against COVID-19 in all parts of the world is a cornerstone of our response to the current pandemic," Rafila told the Joint Conference of Foreign Ministers and Health Ministers from the European Union member states. According to a press release of the Ministry of Health sent to AGERPRES on Thursday, Rafila had bilateral meetings with the ministers of health of Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark and Norway discussing cooperation in pandemic management, vaccination against COVID-19 and the impact on the system health, and other issues of a topical interest such as good practice in clinical trials and pediatric care. At the informal meeting of EU health ministers in Grenoble, Minister Rafila underscored that one of the lessons learned in the pandemic must be to step up the multisectoral approach to public health issues, especially those with a cross-border impact, Agerpres.ro. "We need to learn the right lessons from the COVID-19 crisis and engage in enhanced European cooperation to ensure that our health care systems become stronger and better prepared for such crises. The next medium-term threat will certainly be related to the antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which can affect many advances in medicine and can lead to a large number of deaths. Member States must coordinate their actions to reduce the misuse of antibiotics and work together to develop new antibiotics and to integrate the "One Health" approach, between human, animal and environmental health," added the Minister of Health. President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday, after his visit to the headquarters of the South-East Multinational Brigade in southern city of Craiova, that the decisions of the U.S. and France regarding the military presence in Romania represent a "firm signal of coherence and consistency of Euro-Atlantic solidarity" and invited other allied countries to consider contributions with national forces to multinational structures located on Romanian territory. "The recent decisions made by the United States of America and France, which are our strong allies and strategic partners, to ensure a concrete military presence in Romania represent a firm signal of coherence and consistency of Euro-Atlantic solidarity. I also want to welcome Poland's solid and substantial commitment to our country since the establishment of this multinational structure. The Polish troops currently in our country, together with the Romanian troops in Poland, represent the concrete expression of the extremely valuable strategic partnership between Bucharest and Warsaw," the president said. He thanked the military for their effort and for the professionalism they prove in the training process, as well as in the multinational missions in which they participate, but also for the allies from the North Atlantic Alliance who contribute to the multinational structures located on the territory of Romania. In this context, he also invited other Allied states to consider national contributions to these structures. "I also invite other allied states to consider contributions with national forces to these structures," president Iohannis said. According to the president, Romania will further modernize its military capabilities and develop its force structure, paying special attention to the better training of its armed forces, including through military exercises carried out in an Allied framework. President Iohannis also pointed out that the commitment to allocate at least 2 pct of GDP to Defense in the coming period remains unchanged, which will lead to a continuous increase in the defense capacity of our country. "Both through our own efforts at the military level, as well as through the participation of our allies in the multinational structures established in recent years on the territory of our country, we give consistency to Romania's profile of a pillar of stability and security at regional level and we adapt to the constantly evolving situations. At the same time, we are preoccupied to strengthen the responsiveness and resilience of public institutions, but also at the level of the entire society, amid the intensification of security challenges of all types and in all environments, especially those of hybrid type," Iohannis said. In this context, the president said that a complementary cooperation between NATO and the European Union in the field of security is particularly important. "The conjugation of the efforts of the two organizations certainly brings added value to the security of our country and to the European one, of course, by avoiding any duplication and starting from the priority role of the Alliance in the field of defense," he added. President Klaus Iohannis stated, on Thursday, after visiting the headquarters of the Multinational Brigade South-East, that the current security developments in the direct vicinity prove that the measures taken by the North Atlantic Alliance are necessary. "The current security developments in our direct vicinity prove, once more, that the measures taken by NATO are necessary, and Romania, in turn, is determined to fulfill its assumed commitments, in conformity with the decisions taken within the Alliance. From this perspective, the role of the Multinational Brigade South-East is all the more important in ensuring the security of the Black Sea region," said the head of state. President Iohannis emphasized that the North Atlantic Alliance promotes and ensures the collective defence of the member-states and their citizens, defends democratic values, facilitates cooperation and consultation between allies on different matters of defence and security and prevents conflicts, and the Multinational Brigade South-East is part of these demarches. "This is why NATO represents, without a doubt, the most solid security guarantee for Romania, a particularly important aspect, especially given the flare-up of risks, threats and challenges towards European security. In what regards us, Romania will fulfill all its assumed commitments, thus contributing to NATO's status as the most powerful and efficient collective defence alliance in history," he stated. The Minister of National Defence, Vasile Dincu, also attended the visit to the headquarters of the Neagoe Basarab 26th Infantry Battalion in Craiova. Last week, President Iohannis visited the General Emanoil Ionescu 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii. MP Biro Rozalia of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) said on Thursday that it is logical and normal for European funds to be allocated for mountain co-operation among the countries sharing the Carpathian Mountains. This idea was advocated by Biro as a representative of the Romanian Parliament at the 32nd edition of the "Carpathian Europe" conference, organised by Poland at Krasiczyn, February 5-6. According to the MP, the conference, attended by officials from Central and Eastern Europe, included, on the one hand, a dialogue among the representatives of the national parliaments, and, on the other hand, dialogues among the government officials of the participating countries. The forum, held in a hybrid in-person and virtual format, discussed the importance of developing a common strategy for countries that call the Carpathian Mountains their natural wealth, Agerpres.ro informs. Biro said the initiative had been supported from the very outset by four countries: Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine and Hungary, but it is viewed with some reservations by other guest countries such as Serbia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Moldova and Austria, all countries that cover a sizeable part of the Carpathian Mountains. "Romania's position is open, but still with reservations. Open because any dialogue is welcome, as well as any format of regional co-operation, but with reservations because there are other regional collaboration formats and that would mean an overlap: there is the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (which also has a dimension of mountain co-operation, with the exception of Poland), regional co-operation under the Carpathian Convention and the Three Seas Initiative," Biro told journalists. At the conference, Biro underscored the need for Central and Eastern European countries to have a stronger presence in the European Union area, saying that any regional or micro-regional co-operation is welcome. "We consider the Carpathian Mountains to be an invaluable asset to the European Union and to Europe, so it is logical and normal to allocate funds for this mountain co-operation as well," said Biro. She mentioned the need for dialogue to continue in various possible areas of collaboration, first of all tourism, followed by assessments, capitalisation, presentation and marketing of the national heritage of the countries in this format of co-operation. Biro also recommended that the entire regional collaboration be based on mutual respect, on strengthening common points of interest and on a joint representation of this region at the level of the decision-making bodies in the European Union. Unaffiliated deputy Ionel Danca claims that any additional day with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) - National Liberal Party (PNL) Government is "an attack" on Romanians' standard of living, and the issue of energy bills can be resolved through the adoption of the draft law he initiated together with this MP colleagues from the Force of the Right. "There is no excuse. The government led by Ciolacu and Ciuca, on the orders of President Iohannis, should urgently resign. The PSD-PNL Government is not able and does not want to resolve the issue of energy bills and cannot continue in their posts. Any additional day with the PSD-PNL Government is an attack on Romanians' standard of living," wrote Danca, on Thursday, on his Facebook page. He added that the "bomb of energy price increases has exploded," and the gas and electrical energy bills that started coming in this month show "a massive failure and a national disaster of the PSD-PNL Government." "Where is the cap, where are the compensations, what happened with regularization for the months November - January, promised by Ciolacu, Ciuca, Citu, Virgil Popescu and others? Where is President Klaus Iohannis that is keeping these incompetents in their posts? The solution is simple. Stop the robbing in Romanians' bills. Strike down the exorbitant taxes that the state is collecting for reckless spending and electoral handouts and use the outrageous profits of energy producers, held by the state, to compensate prices. It's only necessary for the PSD-PNL majority to adopt the draft law to reduce energy prices, initiated together with the MP colleagues from the Force of the Right, and bills will reduce immediately through the reduction of VAT to 5%, elimination of excise taxes, green certificates and the cogeneration tax, plus a correct application of the compensation mechanism for all consumers and for the November-March period," said the deputy. As many as 68 employees of Romania's Interior Ministry (MAI) were placed in preventive detention in 2021, up 79% on the previous year, according to an activity report of the General Anti-Corruption Directorate (DGA) released on Thursday in the presence of Interior Minister Lucian Bode. "In terms of preventive measures ordered, 182 persons (+ 43%) were placed on preventive detention (including house arrest), of which 68 MAI staff (+ 79%). As many as 255 MAI employees (+ 45%) were named suspects (176 for corruption and 79 for other misdeeds)," according to a DGA press statement released on Thursday. At the same time, 178 MAI staff were indicted (+ 24%), 141 for corruption offences and 37 for other misdeeds, and another 668 persons outside MAI (+ 2%) were also investigated as defendants (491 for corruption and 177 for other misdeeds). Regarding the prevention of corruption among the MAI staff, 4,434 anti-corruption information and training activities were carried out (up 128% from 2020), attended by 52,627 MAI employees (+ 103%), 9,313 managers and 43,314 subordinates. "As a result of the preventive policies initiated and put into practice, 212 instances were recorded in which ministry officials notified the DGA when they were offered sums of money or other benefits in exchange for some services, or reported the involvement of some colleagues in corruption commission," the source shows. At the same time, an annual report on the assessment of integrity incidents within MAI was drawn up. "In 2021, 50 integrity incidents were reported and recorded, three more than in the previous year. At this point, we can highlight a decrease by 40% (from 185 to 111) in the number of MAI employees implicated in integrity incidents during the period under review." In building up criminal cases under the direct coordination of prosecutors, 1,449 criminal notifications were recorded (up + 19% from 2020) that were submitted to prosecutor's offices. In terms of the finality of procedural documents drawn up by the judicial police workers of DGA, case prosecutors issued indictments in 227 criminal cases, and 97 plea agreements were submitted to the courts (+ 3%). The DGA judicial police officers enforced 604 search warrants, of which 187 regarded their own departments and 417 subordinate organisations. Also in 2021, 97 sting operations were conducted that led to the detection of 114 law breakers. In addition, 253 training and guidance activities were carried out for members of the working groups for the prevention of corruption and for integrity advisers set up at MAI, in which 898 people participated. The activities ended with corruption risk monitoring reports for 2020 being drawn up and updated corruption risk registers for 2021 being adopted. The diplomatic measures and those to ensure defence and deterrence inside NATO give the confidence that, regardless of what happens, we are ready to face any security challenge, said Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, on Wednesday evening, in an interview granted to private broadcaster Antena3, referring to the situation between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. "We can see very clearly that there is an increase in the military apparatus of the Russian Federation, both on Ukraine's eastern border, as well as in the Crimean Peninsula and in Belarus. It is, also, very clear that all these devices are not part of normal scenarios of military exercises. And besides, the discussions that were public until this time, the requests that were public, let us understand that this military apparatus is prepared for something specific. Still, I believe that diplomacy and the diplomatic solution should prevail over a military solution. We saw that special international efforts have been made and solutions are being sought so that this military action does not take place. In what regards the situation in which we find ourselves, I believe it is very important to emphasize the fact that as long as we are a member-state of the North Atlantic Alliance, our security guarantees, our security umbrella, as I saw it's called often in presenting the security situation in the Black Sea region, constitutes, truly, an element of safety for everything that means our defence as a country and our defence within the North Atlantic Alliance," said Nicolae Ciuca. "Concerns are not only at the personal level, we can note that everyone is worried and solutions are being sought so that, on the one hand, that moment when military action starts does not exist. On the other hand, we could notice the solutions of guaranteeing security, we could see and we've hailed and we hail once more the decision of the United States to send a detachment of 1,000 servicemen on the Eastern flank, on Romanian territory. It's an additional assurance measure, both on the basis of the strategic partnership that we have with the United States, as well as within the North Atlantic Alliance. Moreover, very welcome is France's offer to ensure a military structure for the host nation, of a NATO military capability that, also, would be deployed to Romania. As such, we can speak, on the one hand, of diplomatic measures and on the other hand, of measures to ensure defence and deterrence within the North Atlantic Alliance, which, for me, as a former serviceman - and I want to send this message to the population also - represent security measures that, sure, shouldn't completely calm us. They are, however, measures that come and give us the safety that regardless of what happens, we are ready to face any security challenges," Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca also stated. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca will visit Chisinau on Friday for the joint meeting of the two Governments, Romanian and Moldovan, and he will meet with members of Parliament but also with representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Moldova, informs the Executive. Thus, at 9.30, the prime minister will be received by his Moldovan counterpart, Natalia Gavrilita. At 10.00, he will participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of Stephen the Great and Saint, together with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova and shortly after this event he will participate in the flower-laying ceremony at the bust of poet Mihai Eminescu, together with his counterpart, with whom he will then have a one-on-one meeting, Agerpres.ro informs. According to a release from the Executive, at 10.55 a joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova will begin, after which the agreed bilateral documents will be signed. After the joint statements of the two senior officials, at 2.35 pm, Nicolae Ciuca will have a meeting with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and then with the President of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Grosu. At the end of the visit to the Republic of Moldova, the prime minister will have a meeting with the representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Church from the neighboring country, and at the end of the visit, in Bucharest, the head of the Romanian Executive will make a press statement. On Friday, President Klaus Iohannis, together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, will visit the 57th Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, according to the Presidential Administration. Iohannis and Stoltenberg will have one-on-one and official talks, meet the soldiers deployed at the base, and then hold a joint news conference. The first components of military equipment of the US detachment that will be called Task Force (TF) Cougar arrived at the Mihail Kogalniceanu on Wednesday. TF Cougar will be made up mainly of 2nd Squadron / 2nd Cavalry Regiment soldiers, who will use Stryker armoured personnel carriers, and additional troops of other specialties from the regiment's battalions (artillery, engineering, support). The US Department of Defence announced last week that 1,000 US forces would be repositioned from Germany to Romania. The chairman of PSD (Social Democratic Party) declared that he had a meeting with PM Nicolae Ciuca on Wednesday, as well as with the leaders of the governing coalition, in order to try to solve the energy crisis, which represents a priority for the current Government. "I had a meeting with the PM, in his office, along with other chairpersons of the coalition and parties' secretaries general, a meeting to see where we are with solutions regarding this energy crisis. In my opinion, as well as in the opinion of Mister Citu and the PM, the number one priority for this governing is the energy crisis, which the Government needs to come up with the best solutions to, as quickly as possible," Marcel Ciolacu told private TV broadcaster Romania TV on Wednesday evening. He also said that the Government, in a future session, would make a proposition regarding the energy bills for January, and then the situation to be resolved for the months of February and March. Later there will be other talks and proposals for the following period, starting with April. Public administration employees, members of the unions affiliated to the National Federation of Administration Unions (FNSA), are starting a Japanese strike on Thursday, according to a press release sent on Wednesday by the Cartel Alfa National Trade Union Confederation (CNS Cartel Alfa). During the protest, public administration employees, union members, will carry out their activity under normal circumstances, without halting working hours, but they will wear a white arm-band or will post on their office door, as a sign of protest, the announcement that contains the unionists' demands. The union is requesting the Government to immediately and fully apply Framework-Law no 153/2017 regarding wages for staff paid from public funds, by revoking the measure of freezing salaries / income in the budget sector for the year 2022, including the allowance of the dignitaries from local public administration. The second demand of FNSA is changing Art. 11, paragraph (4) of Law no 153/2017 regarding reporting the totality of employees' income from the local public administration to the allowance of deputy mayors / deputy chairpersons of the county councils. In this sense, the Federation is requesting the kick off of talks and negotiations in order to either replace the phrase "income" with "basic salary", or exclude some categories of salary rights, such as food allowance, vacation allowance / vacation vouchers, wage increase from European funds, bonuses for work conditions, starting from the imposed limit. The Japanese strike on Thursday is part of the protest action program established by the Executive Bureau of the National Federation of Administration Unions. Romanian companies are losing between 300 and 400 million Euro per year because of wrong inventory, each "lost" laptop being a waste of 800-1000 Euro, according to an analysis made by an electronic device manufacturer. "Few managers know this, but taking inventory of fixed assets in a company, whether we are talking about laptops, phones, office chairs or even coffee machines, is an obligation provided in the Law of accounting. Most of the time, this inventory, which should be taken annually, is only done on paper, many business leaders not actually knowing how much the goods are worth from the company they lead. Inventory becomes a growing concern for administrative directors, especially in the context in which staff fluctuation is increasing, and the need to work remote as of March 2020 has left many questions regarding some companies' goods," Adrian Dinu, the founder of Creasoft software company, the maker of an inventory solution for company goods, said. According to Creasoft IT estimates, each "missing" laptop from a company leads to a loss between 800 and 1,000 Euro. Reported to the 400,000 companies in Romania, the annual loss of each laptop type asset means a damage between 300-400 million Euro per year. The Accounting Law provides that any good used by company employees with a value larger than 2,500 RON (without VAT) represents a fixed means through which it goes gradually through depreciation expenses. Companies that do not take inventory each year risk fines to up to 5,000 RON. Creasoft IT is a software company founded in 2017 by detaching from SAS Grup (alarma.ro), a 20 year old company specialized in monitoring auto fleets through GPS. The company designs and produces both electronic devices, as well as SAS type software (Software as a service) and focused on new market niches: electronic clocking, HR applications and house control solutions, inventory solutions based on QR codes, but also remote vending machine software and cashless payment integration to vending machines. The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Romania, Valery Kuzmin, was summoned on Thursday to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) headquarters, where a discussion at the level of secretary of state for strategic affairs took place. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, ordered the convening of the Russian ambassador, in the context of the public statements made by him on Wednesday. "Secretary of State for Strategic Affairs Iulian Fota reiterated to Ambassador Kuzmin the position constantly and clearly repeated by Romania, the USA and NATO since the negotiation of the Romanian-American Anti-Missile Shield Agreement concluded in 2011 and inclusively recently: the anti-missile facility in Deveselu, part of the NATO missile defence system, is strictly defensive, is not directed against the Russian Federation - targeting exclusively only potential ballistic missile attacks outside the Euro-Atlantic area, and there is no intention or possibility to place offensive missiles within this facility", shows the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The MAE also states that, in connection with the activity of the Romanian-Russian Commission for the study of issues in the history of bilateral relations, including that of the Romanian Treasure deposited in Moscow during the World War I, on which the Russian Ambassador to Romania stated in his Wednesday's statements, contrary to reality, that the issue would not be on the bilateral agenda, Secretary of State Iulian Fota reminded that the next session of the Commission (the sixth one) will be organized in Romania according to the decision taken by the Commission at the fifth meeting, in November 2019. Fota reiterated the willingness of the MAE, which provides the secretariat of the Romanian component of the Commission, to continue to support the activity of this forum, Agerpres.ro informs. The secretary of state emphasized, in the context of the meeting, that the Romanian side considers that such public interventions, which try to create misperceptions in the public opinion, are not likely to facilitate the development of a natural dialogue based on trust between the parties and not to a predictable and constructive relationship, respecting the legitimate interests of both parties. Also, in the view of the Romanian side, the observance of international commitments and international law remains an essential condition for such a dialogue. Ten new retail projects spanning a combined area of about 100,000 sqm have been handed over in Romania in 2021, as the attention of developers focused mainly on tertiary cities, with less than 150,000 inhabitants, shows data from real estate consulting company Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. Six of the said projects, with a total area of 70,000 sqm were completed in the last quarter of 2021. "The developers' interest has focused on cities where the stock of modern spaces is low - Barlad, Sfantu Gheorghe, Rosiorii de Vede, Medias, Baia Mare or Focsani being among the beneficiaries of new retail projects last year. The only project handed over in 2021 in Bucharest was the first phase of Fashion House Pallady, covering 8,500 sqm in total," the cited release states. Retail parks further stay the developers' best preferred format in 2022, as more than 80 percent of the 100,000 sqm of new space announced for this year will be delivered under such schemes. In the past two years, the retail department of Cushman & Wakefield Echinox has rented out a total of 30,000 sqm in retail projects in Bucharest and in the country. The independently owned and operated Cushman & Wakefield Echinox, Cushman & Wakefield's exclusive affiliate in Romania, comprises a team of over 60 professionals and contributors offering a full range of real estate consulting services to investors, developers, landlords and tenants. The National Public Health Institute (INSP) informs that 51.4 percent of the COVID-19 cases confirmed during the week of January 31 - February 6 were in unvaccinated persons. Of those vaccinated who fell ill, 43 percent were either immediately after the jab, or more than six months after the last dose. More than three-quarters (78.2 percent) of the Covid-related deaths registered in this period were in unvaccinated people. Since the onset of the pandemic, 86 percent of all deaths have been in people over 60, and 54.6 percent of deaths - in men. According to the INSP, 93.3 percent of the fatalities had at least one underlying condition. Derek Chollet, Counselor with the US Department of State, said on Wednesday night in Bucharest that he had meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Presidency and the Ministry of Energy. The discussions were very good. We talked about the current crises, but also about the partnership we have and the ambitions for the future, not only just to get through the next weeks and months, but also for the next 25 years, he said. At the same time, Chollet reiterated that the United States and its allies are working to strengthen Ukraine's resistance so that it can become stronger and more effective militarily. He assured that the United States is willing to discuss issues of mutual interest with Russia, so as to reduce tensions concerning Ukraine, but warned that "some issues are not being discussed." NATO's open door policy will not be reconsidered. We will not allow any country, and especially Russia, to determine Ukraine's fate. The United States is proud of the relationship it has built with its NATO partners on the eastern flank over the last 25 years, and we are not going to be moving back, Chollet said. The State Department spokesman also reiterated that the United States is working closely with its partners in Europe and other parts of the world to ensure that Russia suffers severe and rapid consequences if it does not choose diplomacy and continues to escalate tensions and invade Ukraine. I can't speculate on how this [preparing sanctions] will affect Putin's calculations (...) and how it will influence his behavior. But I have made it clear that these consequences will be coming quickly and will be felt by Russia and the Russian people. That's the best we can do, the US official underlined. He said the Russian president's intentions are difficult to second-guess due to the current pressure on Ukraine and the West, but assured that "NATO's door will remain open". No country should be able to control another country's choices about who they choose to ally with. These are fundamental principles. It is not just about Ukraine and Europe, it is about international law and order. It is more than just a territorial dispute in one part of the world, Chollet said. He assured that the United States is not interested in reorganizing the security architecture in Europe. That is very clear in the response that we, the United States collectively gave to Moscow ('s request) a few weeks ago as well as NATO's response. We have not yet received the full answer from Moscow. We are waiting to see it before deciding on the next steps from a diplomatic point of view, he explained. Chollet declined to say whether the United States still considers a Russian invasion of Ukraine imminent. We don't know when they will act. Our assessment is that Putin has not decided whether to act or not. But Russia has enough capabilities deployed [on the border with Ukraine - ed.n.] for a military action (...), if it chooses to do so, added the representative of the US diplomacy. The coordinator of the national vaccination campaign against COVID-19, Valeriu Gheorghita, announced on Thursday that 917,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine that have expired will be destroyed. He stated that Romania received a total of 4,478,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, Agerpres.ro informs. "A total of 852,356 doses were administered and distributed, plus what went into the resale or donation mechanism, 3,330,000 doses, of which 917,000 came out of the validity period," said Valeriu Gheorghita. Daidre Kimp dresses her daughter, Stella, before starting their day. Stella will go to in-prison daycare, while her mom does chores at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor. ST. LOUIS Anheuser-Busch's old archrival is poking some fun at its new zero-carb brew. As A-B rolled out Bud Light Next this week, Molson Coors launched an ad pointing out the new beer has 80 calories, 16 more than its Miller64, which it calls the "OG extra light beer." The Chicago-based brewer hired mathematician Ken Ono to star in the ad, in which he's asked to determine which number is smaller 80 or 64. (It's 64, he says, with a look of disbelief.) A-B, which has its North American headquarters here, dismissed the ad in a statement to the Post-Dispatch. Were focused on... making sure everyone knows that theres a new zero carb, super crisp light beer available everywhere. Miller64, launched in 2008 under the name MGD Light 64, has 2.4 carbs. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ian Froeb Ian Froeb is the restaurant critic for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Ian Froeb Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today You can find any number of satisfying, if predictable, uses for leftover rotisserie chicken. Fold it into a quesadilla, say, or throw it into your bowl of instant ramen. But if your leftover rotisserie chicken is from Chicken Scratch if you have somehow managed not to devour your Chicken Scratch order in one sitting then you just might be tempted to bring it back to this Food Hall at City Foundry restaurant and ask the chef and owner Nate Hereford to make something new with it. Herefords Chicken Dip sandwich is both smarter and sleeker than whatever you can cobble together from the oxidized depths of your refrigerator. He warms up pulled rotisserie chicken in jus, the fast-casual sandwich equivalent of pouring already impeccably gorgeous, fit movie stars into haute couture for the red carpet. He nestles this glowed-up chicken into a crusty Companion Baking sub roll with his restaurants bracing horseradish-mustard sauce, a little melted provolone (more like a second sauce than the typical sandwich cheese glob) and the bite of kale marinated in a Parmesan vinaigrette. The Chicken Dip sandwich would be terrific if Hereford stopped here, but there is the matter of its name. On the side he provides a little cup of the aptly named Liquid Gold, additional seasoned stock for dipping or sipping. I wont tell. I also wont tell if you, like me, are wary of chicken salad as a general concept. Hereford waves away my concerns by dressing the chicken in the restaurants Scratch sauce, which cuts the creaminess of mayonnaise with tangy buttermilk. You can order the chicken salad as a sandwich on a bun or a straight-up salad with greens. In sandwich form, the flavor and juiciness of the pulled rotisserie meat is both paramount and further invigorated with the crunch of chopped celery, the piquancy of pickled red onion and a steady breeze of dill and other fresh herbs. Chicken Scratch is the first restaurant for Hereford and his wife and co-owner, Christine, but he has already made a mark on St. Louis dining as the executive chef of Gerard Crafts Niche during that epochal restaurants unabashedly ambitious late period, when the kitchen restricted itself to local ingredients. Under his tenure, I ranked Niche No. 1 in the 2015 and 2016 editions of my STL 100. Hereford cut a path across the country on his way to St. Louis. A native of the Boston suburb of Beverly, Massachusetts, he attended the University of Vermont and then moved to Missoula, Montana, where he met his future wife. He attended culinary school in Portland, Oregon, and worked for such acclaimed Chicago chefs as Graham Elliot and the late Homaro Cantu before he and Christine relocated to her native St. Louis. Hereford started at Niche in 2009 and left just before its June 2016 closure for a research-and-development position with the San Francisco food company behind the plant-based egg substitute Just Egg. In California, Hereford told me in an interview last year, he and Christine noticed how many rotisserie-chicken restaurants there were: I started to try these places, and the complex simplicity of all of it really just kind of blew my mind. Complex simplicity is also how I choose to defend putting down my knife and fork and tearing into half of a Chicken Scratch bird with my bare hands. Its like cracking your way through a steamed blue crab. You need to work every nook and cranny for the best morsels. Hereford cures the chicken overnight in salt and sugar, rubs it with a relatively mild blend of herbs and spices, and roasts it in a Rotisol rotisserie oven. This yields deeply chicken-flavored chicken bathed in its own juices, which convey the smoky-sweet essence of the golden-brown, char-freckled skin. The chicken doesnt need further accent, but your order does include one of three sauces: the Scratch, the horseradish-mustard or (my favorite) a feisty, piquant hot sauce made from charred Fresno chiles. For side dishes, Hereford returns to that concept of complex simplicity. The noodles in the macaroni salad retain a bracing springiness. Jojo potatoes (fried potato wedges, a nod to his time in Portland) are both crisper and creamier than spuds of that size and shape have any right to be. A pesto-like salsa verde is the unexpected and unexpectedly perfect contrast to roasted Brussels sprouts. Unsurprisingly, Hereford turns out a terrific version of the inescapable fried chicken sandwich: crisp-to-tender chicken breast set against cooling dill pickle and iceberg lettuce in a bun, with your pick of the restaurants three sauces served on the side. That I didnt even mention this sandwich until the end of my review might be a better testament to Chicken Scratchs rotisserie birds than anything else I have written here. We are currently not assigning star ratings to restaurants. This review is based on dine-in service and takeout. Where Chicken Scratch, Food Hall at City Foundry, 3730 Foundry Way More info chxscratchstl.com Menu Rotisserie chicken and chicken sandwiches Hours Lunch and dinner daily (closed Tuesday) How much Chicken salad sandwich $13 Chicken Dip sandwich $14 Rotisserie chicken $17 half, $25 whole Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Illinois indoor mask mandate will be lifted on Feb. 28, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday, a change that comes as the states largest coronavirus surge to date continues to subside and Democratic governors across the country have begun loosening rules in response to improving data and an increasingly pandemic-weary public. Pritzker is not dropping masking rules for schools, however, as his administration seeks to overturn last weeks court ruling that called into question his legal authority for mandating face coverings, quarantines and, for school staff, vaccinations or testing. All of us are getting tired of wearing masks, thats for sure, THURSDAY, Feb. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Babies whose moms were vaccinated during pregnancy against COVID-19 have long-lasting antibody protection, a new study finds. "Many interested parties from parents to pediatricians want to know how long maternal antibodies persist in infants after vaccination, and now we can provide some answers," said co-senior study author Dr. Andrea Edlow. She is a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), in Boston. For the study, Edlow and her team compared babies born to women who had received two doses of an mRNA vaccine with those born to unvaccinated mothers who were infected with COVID-19 at 20 to 32 weeks of pregnancy. That's the period when the transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus is at its highest. At delivery, antibody levels were higher in vaccinated mothers and their umbilical cord blood than in the unvaccinated, infected mothers. At two months of age, 48 of 49 infants (98%) born to vaccinated moms had detectable levels of the protective Immunoglobulin G (IgG), the most common antibody found in blood. At six months of age, 16 of 28 infants (57%) born to vaccinated mothers still had detectable IgG levels, compared with one of 12 (8%) born to unvaccinated infected mothers, according to the report published online Feb. 7 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. While Edlow said it's still unclear how high antibody levels need to be to completely protect an infant from COVID-19, anti-spike IgG levels protect from serious illness. "The durability of the antibody response here shows vaccination not only provides lasting protection for mothers but also antibodies that persist in a majority of infants to at least 6 months of age," she said in a hospital news release. The researchers hope these and other recent findings will provide incentive for pregnant women to get vaccinated, especially with the emergence of new variants of concern like Omicron. Co-senior study author Galit Alter, of the Ragon Institute of MGH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, noted that pregnant women are at extremely high risk for serious complications from COVID-19. "And given the lag in development of COVID-19 vaccines for infants, these data should motivate mothers to get vaccinated and even boosted during pregnancy to empower their babies' defenses against COVID," Alter said. More information For more about vaccination during pregnancy, visit the March of Dimes. SOURCE: Massachusetts General Hospital, news release, Feb. 7, 2022 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. THURSDAY, Feb. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- New research supports the notion that COVID-19 can cause long-term heart problems. The analysis of U.S. health data found COVID patients are at increased risk of heart complications for at least a year after infection. Those complications include heart rhythm problems, inflammation, blood clots, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure and death, according to findings published Feb. 7 in the journal Nature Medicine. "For people who were clearly at risk for a heart condition before becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2, the findings suggest that COVID-19 may amplify the risk," said senior author Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, an assistant professor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. "But most remarkably, people who have never had any heart problems and were considered low-risk are also developing heart problems after COVID-19." That includes young and old, men and women, people of all races, people with obesity and those without. It includes people with and without diabetes, those with a history of heart disease and those with none. It also includes people with mild COVID infections as well as those who were hospitalized with severe disease, Al-Aly said. For the study, his team analyzed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health system data on nearly 154,000 patients who tested positive for COVID between March 1, 2020 and Jan. 15, 2021, and survived the first 30 days of the disease. Very few were immunized because COVID vaccines were not yet widely available when the data were collected. Those patients were compared with more than 5.6 million patients who did not have COVID during the period and with more than 5.8 million patients seen by the VA health system before the pandemic (March 2018 through January 2019). The researchers found that in the year after they were infected, COVID patients had a 4% higher rate of heart disease -- including heart failure and death -- than those who did not have COVID. "Some people may think 4% is a small number, but it's not, given the magnitude of the pandemic," Al-Aly said in a university news release. He is also chief of the Research and Education Service at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System. That translates to roughly 3 million Americans who have heart complications due to COVID. Compared to the control groups, COVID-19 patients had a 72% higher risk of coronary artery disease; 63% higher risk of heart attack, and 52% higher risk of stroke. Overall, these patients had a 55% higher risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event that includes heart attack, stroke and death. More than 380 million people worldwide have had COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. "Consequently, COVID-19 infections have, thus far, contributed to 15 million new cases of heart disease worldwide," Al-Aly said. "This is quite significant. For anyone who has had an infection, it is essential that heart health be an integral part of post-acute COVID care." Besides heart issues, COVID can also lead to other complications known collectively as long COVID. Al-Aly said the findings highlight the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID as a way to prevent heart damage. More information The American Heart Association has more on COVID-19. SOURCE: Washington University in St. Louis, news release, Feb. 7, 2022 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. Q Why is everyone so rude these days? I'm extremely tired of people thinking that everyone else cares to hear about their opinion, even in stores and public places. I don't want our kids to act like this or even hear this mess. How do we keep our kids down to earth in their communication with friends, family and others? From a reader Keep your kids off their digital devices at least three times each day: breakfast, dinner and right before bed. Just take the devices out of the room and turn them off. Tell them when it's time to eat, no phone calls or texting or looking online, especially at night before they go to sleep. When eating dinner together, which should be at least four times each week, the only thing you want to hear is the family talking to each other with their mouths. They have to learn that what they have to say to each other is important and that they need to listen to and respect each other as well as others. Abbey T. in Little Rock, Arkansas From Jodie Lynn I think a lot of this I am important, have important opinions and my opinion counts attitude comes from the multitude of places for people to share their life via social media. Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook are some of the largest platforms. However, getting your digital footprint even close to where it needs to be if you want to gain popularity, fame and business opportunities can be overwhelming to say the least. It's an almost endless task. Who does all of this? People of all ages, pet owners, moms and dads and grandparents sharing about their children and grandbabies, life in general, cooking, businesses, etc. Therefore, when we go grocery shopping, you may hear several people talking on their phones because they have been motivated to share, share, share. I agree, this is wrong on so many levels, annoying and, unless it's an emergency or to quickly check on an item on a list of some sort, totally unnecessary. This seems to be a favorite time for kids and teens to be on their phones. But, to be fair, it's also many, many adults who should know better. For your own kids, you'll have to impress upon them that not everyone wants to hear what they have to say at all times. It's much more respectful to the people around you to save your phone calls for later. It's also a good idea in general for the sake of your own privacy. Be sure you're following your own rules as well and keep your comments to yourself at least for the hour or so you are in stores. CAN YOU HELP? When I go out of town, I ask my mom to come sleep over at my house and take care of my dog. I have one 22-year-old daughter who still lives at home but she works part-time and goes to school part-time. My other daughter lives in her own apartment but seems to constantly come to raid the fridge and make messes without cleaning up afterward. This really bothers my mom and I get two different stories, one from her and one from my daughter. The younger daughter cleans up after herself and her selfish sister. What is going on? How can I keep the peace? To share parenting tips or submit questions, write to: Parent to Parent, 2464 Taylor Road, Suite 131, Wildwood, MO 63040. Email: direct2contact@parenttoparent.com, or go to www.parenttoparent.com, which provides a secure and easy way to submit tips or questions. All tips must have city, state and first and last name or initials to be included in the column. Jodie Lynn is an award-winning parenting columnist, author of five books and mother to three children. She and her family live in Wildwood. St. Louis Cardinals First Baseman Joe Cunningham was discussing Bible verses with a friend shortly after 2 a.m. on Feb. 10, 1959 when he heard a roar. It's not recorded, but he may have gone from talking about the Bible to praying. Quick action prevented him from being struck by a falling ceiling. If he had, he might have become one of nearly two dozen people to die in the third most deadly tornado in the history of St. Louis. Altogether, 21 people died and 345 were injured in the tornado that baby boomers recognize as the twister that downed the KTVI-2 television tower near Hampton and Oakland avenues and tore a large section of roof from The Arena. As the twister moved through the area in the middle of the night, there was little chance of warning sleeping St. Louisans of the impending horror. On its southwest-to-northwest path, the storm caused major damage in the area around Boyle Avenue and Olive Street near where Cunningham lived. Some say the reconstruction that followed there helped lead that area to national prominence as Gaslight Square. Cunningham wasn't thinking about the future of the area early the morning of Feb. 10, 1959. "The room began to dance," he said in an article in the next day's edition of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. "I jumped from my chair and ran into the next room and just then the ceiling caved in where I had been sitting." The two waited until they could make their way to the street. "The police and rescue workers arrived with remarkable speed and did a wonderful job," said Cunningham, who played for the Cardinals from 1954 to 1961 in a career that lasted from 1954 to 1966. His roommate, Cardinals second baseman Don Blassingame, was out of town at the time. Others weren't as lucky in a tornado that followed a night of torrential rains, flash-flooding, hail and winds of up to 65 miles an hour. Eight people, including five small children, suffocated in the rubble of a building demolished by the twister. The tornado also killed a 2-year-old, who was pulled from his home and thrown across an alley. The tornado first touched down near Manchester Road and Woodlawn Avenue in Kirkwood, tracked east to the area of the Arena and the KTVI tower and swept through Forest Park. It passed through the area of Boyle and Olive and Page and Grand boulevards before sweeping over the Mississippi. Gertrude Watson and her six children, 7 months to 12 years old, were among those who avoided death. Four of her youngsters were injured when part of their home caved in on them. Later, they found warmth and food in a Red Cross shelter in the Bricklayers Hall at 4020 Page. "It's a blessing from God," Watson said. "They're doing the best they can and they're very nice to us. But anybody would rather be in her own home." Apparently, those at the U.S. Weather Bureau may not have been doing the best they could. The bureau didn't put out a special alert until 3:30 a.m., 75 minutes after the storm struck. 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 He was a good kid. Thats what Debbie Augustine told me about her son. The past tense gives away the ending. Clayton Robert Augustine died Oct. 20, 2021. He was 27. Fentanyl killed him. Everybody loved him, Augustine remembers. Perhaps it was a bad batch, a particularly lethal mix, like the cocaine laced with fentanyl that recently led to a flurry of overdoses at the Parkview Apartments in the Central West End. At least seven people died in about a 72-hour period at the complex on Forest Park Avenue starting last Saturday. Federal and local law enforcement agencies were quick to investigate and make an arrest of a possible dealer of the deadly mix of drugs, following unusual public warnings issued from city officials after the spate of deaths. Drugs purchased on the street are often combined with fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances, Public Safety Director Dan Isom said in a statement. Opioids like these killed hundreds of St. Louisans in 2021. Indeed, in the city alone, more than 1,100 people have died from fentanyl overdoses in the past three years, according to city officials. On Tuesday, federal prosecutors charged a woman with dealing the drugs that killed a couple of the victims. Chuny Ann Reed sold cocaine laced with fentanyl to at least two of the people who died at the Parkview Apartments, federal prosecutors allege. There have been no such arrests in the case of Claytons death, a situation that continues to bother his mother. Clayton grew up in Waterloo. He bounced around a couple of colleges but didnt finish. Things started to change for him a few years back, when he was at a party with friends at SIU-Carbondale and he got beat up. He had head injuries and was in the intensive care unit for several days. Thats when he started on pain pills, Augustine says of the opioids that led to a fatal addiction. That was the beginning of the end. Clayton is survived by his mother and father, Robert, a brother, Brett, a fiancee, Sarah, and a son, Nolan. Its a story like many others. Opioid addiction spurred heroin use, and fentanyl, which is much deadlier and more addictive than both, has become the silent killer. The opioid crisis continues to build, even as the drug manufacturers negotiate multibillion-dollar settlements with cities and counties and states across the nation. Missouri governments are in line to receive about $450 million from the ongoing settlement discussions; Illinois potential windfall is about $790 million. Much of that money will be slated at least in theory for treatment programs. For now, as the deaths pile up, that money is tied up in legal and political disputes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that opioid deaths are still rising, spurred by the deadly mix of synthetic fentanyl that laces many drugs. Deaths topped 100,000 nationally in the past year. The pandemic didnt help matters much, with some people being cut off from support groups and treatment options for addiction. Augustine knew her son was using. He went to rehab four times. It never took hold. She knew who her son would sometimes drive to north St. Louis with to get drugs. She told police in Columbia, Illinois, about the alleged dealer. I never heard anything from them, she says. The week Clayton died was a slow-motion tragedy. He was found in his bed after an overdose and taken to the hospital. Three times that week the ambulance had to be called, before he was finally nonresponsive and died. Augustine, like so many parents who have tried to help an adult child who battles addiction, is frustrated when she discusses the end. We did everything we could do, she says. He had a lot of support. In the end, the epidemic won, just as it did at a St. Louis apartment complex last weekend, leaving so much death in its wake. 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. Police arrested him while he stood in his mothers yard in Pine Lawn, loading or unloading an AR-15-style rifle. As he tried to drive off, he crashed a PT Cruiser into a marked police vehicle with two detectives inside. The charges said Houston first shot at a bus around 7 p.m. Dec. 3 near North Hanley and Airport roads. One passenger was hit by flying debris, police said. MAPLEWOOD The gunman who fatally shot 19-year-old Jakobe Bass in broad daylight drove away in a maroon minivan, Maplewood police said Wednesday as they searched for the killer. Lt. Matt Nighbor, the acting police chief in Maplewood, said investigators believe this was no random shooting. Bass, of Maplewood, was shot in the 2600 block of Bellevue Avenue just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police found him in a parking lot. He had been shot multiple times and died later at a hospital. Nighbor said video surveillance showed the minivan connected to the shooting. It is a maroon Toyota Sienna XLE, made between 2006 and 2010. It had chrome trim. Police released photos of the vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to call the Maplewood Police Department at 314-646-3630 or the Maplewood crime tip line at 314-781-3733. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY Dozens of St. Louis parents traveled to the Missouri Capitol on Wednesday to support opposite sides of legislation that would shift millions of dollars from traditional public schools to charter schools. The Senate Education Committee will hold a hearing Thursday on the school funding bill sponsored by Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester. Currently, St. Louis Public Schools receives more money per student compared with charter schools, which are publicly funded but privately operated. The rates are calculated through a funding formula that sends more state dollars to charter schools and more local dollars to public schools. Administrators in SLPS said the state should fully fund all public schools without cutting the districts budget. They point to some of the additional expenses in the district compared with charter schools that justify the imbalance in funding: SLPS educates about 90% of the homeless students in the city. The district is required to provide transportation to all schools; about half of charter schools voluntarily provide transportation. SLPS rate of students in special education is 15%; the average in charter schools is 12%. All teachers in SLPS must be certified, compared to 80% in charter schools. SLPS offers a comprehensive, free preschool program. Charter schools, which are tuition-free, have long called for a fix the glitch solution that would even the funding formula that is based on an outdated measure of property taxes. A fiscal analysis of this years version of the bill estimates it would divert more than $18 million from SLPS and $8 million from Kansas City Public Schools to charter schools in those districts. Doug Thaman, executive director of the Missouri Public Charter School Association, acknowledged the city districts additional expenses and said the group hopes to negotiate a compromise with SLPS to carve out some of that funding. A similar agreement outside of the legislation has been worked out in Kansas City, Thaman said. The bill and a similar version in the Missouri House have been filed for years but have failed to reach the governors desk. This year, with increased attention on public education spurred by the pandemic, more parents have come to lobby legislators to their side. About 50 parents from SLPS traveled to Jefferson City for the first time in years to dispel the narrative that SLPS is only attended by students who have no other choice, said Emily Koeltzow, president of the SLPS Parent Action Council. The parents love their schools, they feel safe and secure, and their children are thriving, she said. Karin Upwood said her family chose SLPS over charter schools for her daughter Lenore, 12, who uses a wheelchair and attends McKinley Middle School, a magnet for gifted students. We could not find a school outside of SLPS that would address her medical needs and academic needs, Upwood said. We could have moved to the county, but we want to be a part of this community. A similar sized group of charter school families also traveled to Jefferson City to show their support for the spending bills. Nobody wants to take money away from (SLPS), we just want the same amount, said Stephanie Bolego, whose two children attend Gateway Science Academy in St. Louis. Several students received excused absences to come to the capital city, including second grader Ethan Murray from the charter networks Smiley campus in south St. Louis. I came so people will also support our school, he said. The legislation is HB 1552 and SB 869. Stay up to date on life and culture in St. Louis. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WASHINGTON A group of Black female lawmakers led by U.S. Rep. Cori Bush on Thursday commended President Joe Bidens commitment to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court, but outlined the type of jurist they want to see elevated. The nomination of a Black woman is not mere symbolism; it is an essential step for our countrys promise of justice for all, the women said in a letter to Biden. It is therefore of utmost importance that the administration appoints a Black woman with a strong track record of advancing civil and constitutionally protected rights, and whose work has shown dedication to affirming the rights of our countrys most marginalized communities, the letter states. In addition to Bush, 13 other Black women in Congress signed the letter. Biden has said he plans to announce his choice to succeed retiring Justice Stephen Breyer by the end of February, Black History Month. The president was set to meet Thursday with Senate Democrats who sit on the Judiciary Committee to discuss the nomination process. All but seven Supreme Court justices in U.S. history have been white men, the women said, adding that its no coincidence the courts precedents have largely reflected the perspectives of white men. We write to you as a collective of 14 Black women lawmakers serving in the United States House of Representatives, but write on behalf of the over 21 million Black women in America, they said. There is not a single Black woman in the United States Senate to vote to confirm the first Black woman nominated to the Supreme Court, the letter reads. For this reason, we write as a collective to commend you for this historic announcement, and ask that the nominee reflect a deep and abiding commitment to adjudicate with moral and legal clarity. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Justice Leondra Kruger of the California Supreme Court and Judge J. Michelle Childs of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina are among the top names considered. Jackson was confirmed to the circuit last summer with the support of all Democrats and three Republicans. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, whose timely endorsement in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary saved Bidens campaign, has publicly pushed for Childs, who has also received vocal support from Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott of South Carolina. But she has garnered criticism from progressives who argue that shes anti-labor. In a roundtable with a group of Black reporters Tuesday, Bush said members shouldnt be pitting Black women against each other as Biden considers a nominee. Asked specifically about Childs, Bush said she doesnt know her background well. But in earlier comments, the Missouri Democrat said she wanted to see a nominee who is strong on criminal legal reform and worker protections. I dont have a name. I want the person that has those qualifications to rise to the top, she said. I just dont think its our place to pit Black women against each other trying to get this spot. No, lets push all of them up there. JEFFERSON CITY Good luck trying to ship freight these days. If youre ordering a truck today, youre not getting it til 2024, one trucking industry representative told the Missouri Supply Chain Task Force Thursday afternoon. The task force launched by Gov. Mike Parson in November to address the global supply chain backlog heard presentations on the many ways the states trucking and freight industry is being stymied. Multiple carriers are turning down loads, said Tom Crawford of the Missouri Trucking Association, one of several speakers at the meeting. The number is mind-boggling 3,000 to 20,000 loads per week are being turned down by carriers because they just dont have the capacity to haul them. ... And obviously, everybody back home can speak to this as well, all of the costs continue to rise. Trucking and rail transport are the largest components of the freight industry in Missouri, according to Katie Kirk, a representative of Cambridge Systematics, which was hired to study freight movement in Missouri. Kirk spoke to growing trends in renewable energy, specifically electric vehicle growth, and near-shoring, putting warehouses closer to delivery locations, saying trucking is on track to dominate the freight sector by 2045. Truck driver shortages pre-date the pandemic but have been exacerbated by training facility closures and sickness, according to the American Trucking Associations. A shortage of semiconductors due to pandemic-related backlogs has also affected the number of trucks available. Representatives of several Missouri trucking businesses spoke of the difficulty of retaining and finding qualified staff. Global Gateway Logistics CEO Caitlin Murphy, a task force member, pointed to demographic issues affecting the industry, including the increasingly older and male-dominated nature of the industry. If we understand how to increase access and awareness, then whether its the trucking sector or whether its our teacher shortage, we know we can pull more people, Crawford said. And thats what we want to be able to do to be more reflective of our general population. And frankly, we need everyone we can find. Presenters also spoke to the issues of safe accessible parking for truck drivers, traffic congestion and infrastructure concerns all feeding into state-centric supply chain inefficiency. The answer most often referenced by speakers was investment. With American Rescue Plan Act funds and state surpluses, aided by the gas tax increase, Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna said the public sector is in a better position to figure out how to address some of the issues. The task force is set to meet next on Feb. 17 in Springfield, working toward releasing a report analyzing the states supply chain issues in June. Thursdays meeting didnt include any in-person public comment, which McKenna said the task force is looking to rectify. Currently, McKenna noted, comments can be filled out on the task force page, along with meeting information and presentations. Grace Zokovitch gzokovitch@post-dispatch.com JEFFERSON CITY A Missouri Senate panel on Thursday terminated a proposal one county prosecutor called the Make Murder Legal Act. The official name of the measure is Senate Bill 666, which the sponsor, Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Battlefield, said he didnt choose. Members of the GOP-controlled Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee failed to advance the bill out of committee on Thursday. Burlison, however, told the Post-Dispatch that he could bring the measure back as an amendment to other firearms legislation hes sponsoring. There are multiple ways to pass language, Burlison said. The legislation wouldve established a presumption that a defendant acted reasonably in self-defense when they use force against another person. I refer to it as the Make Murder Legal Act, Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver, a Republican representing the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, said in a Senate committee hearing last week. What we are doing with this bill is ... basically saying the 6,500 assaults that are committed every single year in Missouri that every single one of those are automatically presumed to be self-defense, Oliver said. Burlison said the claims are overblown. Some of the things that have been said are just absolute hyperbole, said Burlison, who is running for Congress. The label is just really over the top. St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Lohmar, a Republican, said currently, if prosecutors believe a homicide is unjustified, the person is charged with murder, for example. Provided there is some degree of evidence, Lohmar said the defendant can assert self-defense at trial as an affirmative defense. He said the legislation would create pretrial immunity hearings during which a defendant would be able to make a self-defense claim. The state would then have to prove by clear and convincing evidence the defendant isnt immune from prosecution. Anybody who uses a weapon to murder another individual, or to kill another individual, if they claim self-defense, the law enforcement potentially is handcuffed from even arresting that person, Lohmar said. During the hearing Thursday, Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, called Burlisons bill one of the most offensive pieces of legislation I have ever seen in my life. Its a personal attack on me. Its a personal attack on people who look like me, said Williams, who is Black. I try to think of words to describe it and the only word I come up in my mind is this bill is complete bullshit. Burlison and other proponents of the measure said the state needed to edit its castle doctrine to avoid overzealous prosecutions. Mark McCloskey, a St. Louis attorney who with his wife, Patricia, waved firearms at racial injustice protesters in 2020 outside their home, spoke in favor of the measure. The McCloskeys pleaded guilty to misdemeanors last year related to the incident. The bill before the Senate now turns the castle doctrine into a bar to prosecution, McCloskey said at the hearing last week. We were shocked to find out when we were charged that the castle doctrine can only be raised as an affirmative defense. Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, later pardoned the couple. Meanwhile, the Missouri Supreme Court this week placed the couples law licenses on probation for one year. Burlison said he is open to discussing changes in the proposal. My intent was to simply avoid what happened in St. Louis with the McCloskeys, Burlison said. Im all ears. Originally posted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Jack Suntrup Jack Suntrup covers state government and politics for the Post-Dispatch. Follow Jack Suntrup 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 WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. Jason Smith plans to run for a sixth term in the House rather than seek Missouris soon to be open Senate seat while launching a bid to be the top Republican on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in the 118th Congress. His decision to seek a switch to Ways and Means, which was first reported by NBC News, comes as that slot will open up with the retirement of Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, after this Congress. I am ready to be the next Republican chair of Ways and Means, Smith told NBC in comments his spokesman later confirmed. Two other House incumbents, Vicky Hartzler and Billy Long, have been running in a crowded field for the Republican nomination to succeed Roy Blunt in the Senate. Other contenders include Eric Greitens, a former governor who resigned in 2018 amid accusations of sexual assault, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey. Hartzler led the field with cash in her campaign account, with $1.8 million on Dec. 31, according to the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Solid Republican. Smith is an ambitious up-and-comer in the GOP conference whos become known for his fiery partisan attacks in committee and floor debates on budget bills, including the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package last March and the now-stalled Build Back Better reconciliation package. Missouri families need help right now. Thats why today Im asking for your support to continue the fight as your representative in the peoples House, Smith said in a video posted to Twitter on Wednesday. Together well expose the lefts lies, and well give folks the ladder they need to climb out of Joe Bidens hole. Well fire Nancy Pelosi and well put the people back in charge. Under House rules, a limited number of members can serve on both Ways and Means and Budget; Smith was appointed to Ways and Means in 2015, and two years later he was assigned to Budget. Whoever gets the nod to replace Brady as the top Ways and Means Republican will hold broad sway to influence policymaking in the next Congress. Ways and Means enjoys jurisdiction over all legislation affecting federal revenue, including tax and trade bills, Social Security and health care measures affecting Medicare. With House Republicans currently favored to retake control in that chamber, the next Ways and Means chair would be able to stifle any tax increases or other policies proposed by the Biden White House, since under the Constitution revenue bills must originate in the House. A Smith candidacy at Ways and Means makes it a three-way race that also includes Floridas Vern Buchanan and Nebraskas Adrian Smith. Both have more seniority than Missouris Smith, but seniority isnt the only factor in the GOP Steering Committee and ultimately the full conferences decision. My colleagues put me in a position to lead our conference at the Budget Committee, and I think they have been happy with that choice, Smith told NBC. In response to Smith jumping into the race, his competitors pointed to their own progress with party decision-makers. Savannah Glasgow, a spokesperson for Buchanan, said hes picked up tremendous support from steering committee members since announcing hed seek the position last year. Adrian Smiths spokesperson, Tiffany Haverly, said her boss welcomes participation from fellow Republicans in the process but knows hes uniquely qualified for the job. Hes very encouraged by the feedback hes received from his colleagues and looks forward to more meetings with members of the Steering Committee and conference at large, Haverly said in a statement. In Ryans footsteps? Hed be following a path similar to the one former Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., once went down. Ryans long-shot bid to become the top Republican on House Budget helped him carve out a name for himself and earn national prominence as an effective communicator and policy expert, eventually culminating in his elevation to the presidential ticket as Mitt Romneys running mate in 2012. Romney, R-Utah, now serves in the Senate. Ryan, who served on both Budget and Ways and Means, was considered a lock for the Ways and Means chairmanship after former Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., faced term limits and retired after 2014. Ryans Ways and Means leadership was cut short when his colleagues urged him to take the speakers job after Ohio Republican John A. Boehners surprise late September 2015 announcement that hed be resigning shortly. If Smith gets his colleagues vote for Ways and Means, there could be a wide-open race to succeed him on Budget. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, who lost out to Smith prior to the 117th Congress, subsequently left the committee, but theres precedent for members coming back. Johnson spokesman Ben Keeler said Wednesday that Bill would definitely be interested in serving as the lead Republican on the Budget Committee if Smith indeed jumps into the Ways and Means race. Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss., is the current No. 2 ranking panel member, which is a slot traditionally designated by GOP leaders. Behind Kelly in seniority this year is Californias Tom McClintock. Smith first needs to win reelection in November. Redistricting plans in Missouri are currently stalled in the state Senate, where conservative Republicans are pushing for more GOP-leaning seats, but the new map as currently proposed wouldnt change much from the current lines. That shouldnt pose much of a hurdle for Smith, who has routinely won by roughly 50 percentage points in recent elections, mirroring former President Donald Trumps results in 2016 and 2020 in whats now the 8th Congressional District, stretching from the states bootheel tip to the St. Louis exurbs. CQ-Roll Call staff writers Laura Weiss, Paul M. Krawzak and Herb Jackson contributed to this report. With the influx of guns and stand-your-ground laws, it is increasingly difficult to prosecute cases involving firearms in Missouri. Recently a man was killed on his property over grass clippings. According to witnesses, he pulled a gun first and subsequently was killed by one of the individuals allegedly involved in the dispute. Many, including me, asked why these other individuals were armed on the deceaseds property? But, in fact, it is not uncommon because a growing number of people are armed at any given time and Missouri legislators want it that way. Based on current laws, Missourians have a right to defend themselves with deadly force if they just feel they are threatened. Prior to this change, if they could reasonably or safely leave, they were required to do so. This is no longer the case. In a situation where you can safely remove yourself if you feel threatened, you can now legally use deadly force. As a result, prosecutors are unable to prosecute many cases that previously would have been prosecutable. Some members of the Missouri Legislature want to go even further. In 2021, the Legislature passed House Bills 85 and 310, collectively known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act, providing that several federal laws and regulations regarding gun ownership violate the Second Amendment. The law prevents local or state police agencies from enforcing federal laws that regulate firearms possession beyond what Missouri law allows. It subjects agencies to a $50,000 fine if an officer violates the law. The city of St. Louis, St. Louis County and Jackson County, assisted by the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the federal government all sued the state, arguing that the act is unconstitutional and seeking injunctive relief prohibiting its enforcement with very good reason. According to the Missouri Gun Violence Project, by the end of 2020 Missouri had the third-highest per capita rate of gun deaths in the country. Our many regional partners agree with me that the bill makes it more difficult to prosecute gun crimes, negatively affects working relationships between anti-crime task forces and the federal government, and has a chilling effect on the police. Finally, while federal law makes it illegal for those convicted of a crime involving domestic violence to possess and carry a gun, this act would negate this safeguard. Missouri law, inexplicably, allows those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors to possess and carry a gun. Senate Bill 666 goes even further. It attempts to needlessly edit the states Castle Doctrine to guard against overzealous prosecutions. Its known as the Make Murder Legal Act by my Republican colleague, Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver. Under current law, defendants have to prove they reasonably believed physical or deadly force was necessary to protect them or a third person. The defendant must inject the issue of self-defense at trial and is subject to cross examination. SB 666 turns this burden on its head by providing that there shall be a presumption of reasonableness that the defendant believed such force was necessary. It also provides that a person who uses or threatens to use force in self-defense is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action, unless such force was used against a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of their official duties and the person reasonably knew or should have known that. Finally, the bill mandates that a law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use or threatened use of force, but the agency may not arrest the person for using or threatening to use force unless the agency first determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used or threatened was unlawful. The law enforcement community overwhelmingly opposes SB 666, including St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Tim Lohmar, Oliver of Stoddard County, the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Sheriffs United, Missouri Police Chiefs Association and the Missouri NAACP. Missouri legislators seek to make guns more easily available to those committing crime, handcuff law enforcement and violent crime prosecution, and thereby endanger the lives of those trying to keep us all safe. As the prosecuting attorney for the most populous county in the state, I implore voters, courts and our more reasonable lawmakers to heed the unified voice of law enforcement that is saying: Defeat these dangerous bills and start placing lives before guns. Wesley Bell is St. Louis County prosecuting attorney. One of the featured headlines on the Gateway Pundits homepage Thursday alleged that President Joe Biden distributed Free Crack Pipes to Blacks and Minority Communities to commemorate Black History Month. Fabricating nonsense and spreading clickbait misinformation is what the St. Louis-based website is all about. Informed people know not to give it a second look. But its the go-to place for conspiracy nuts intent on detaching themselves from reality. Now the Gateway Pundits misinformation is affecting real-life politics in measurable and damaging ways. St. Louisan Jim Hoft, the Pundit website owner whose misinformation got him banned from Twitter, launched an attack last month on the Electronic Registration Information Center, a 31-state network that sifts through voter-registration information to prevent potential fraud. The center, known as ERIC, identifies and weeds out individuals who might have residences in two states or who work in a different state from where they live to ensure they cant vote twice in elections. It also helps identify people who have died yet remain on voter-registration lists. In other words, the center exists to stop vote fraud before it occurs, which is why Republican-dominated states participate in the data-sharing network along with Democrat states. The non-profit organization was formed in 2012 with assistance from the non-partisan Pew Charitable Trusts. Because the GOP mantra since 2020 has been that massive voter fraud denied reelection to President Donald Trump, logic would suggest that a national data network dedicated to preventing vote fraud would be embraced as a good thing. But no, says Hoft. It is part of a seemingly corrupt leftist plot designed to skew voting results in Democrats favor. Hofts sole source is J. Christian Adams, a nationally known vote-fraud alarmist. Trump chose Adams in 2017 to serve on the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, which disbanded after high-profile investigations were unable to come up with any substantive evidence of vote fraud. Trump was convinced at the time that only massive fraud could explain why he lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly 3 million ballots. The Electronic Registration Information Center exists to ensure the integrity of voter registration lists. But conspiracy theorists have now latched onto Hofts contention that the center is evil. And because of Hofts wild allegations, the state of Louisiana has decided to withdraw from the data-sharing network. Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin justified the move by citing concerns raised by citizens, government watchdog organizations and media reports. That is, media reports concocted by the Gateway Pundit, government watchdog agencies that exist in Adams imagination, and concerns raised by citizens who believed Adams and the Pundits nonsense. Thats the frighteningly dangerous way fiction magically turns into fact in the minds of right-wing conspiracy fanatics and fooled a gullible Louisiana official into undermining the very effort to fight vote fraud that he claims to be championing. EDITOR'S NOTE: The web headline for this editorial has been modified. The previous headline misportrayed the allegations reported by the Gateway Pundit. The Underground Railroad wasnt underground nor was it a railroad. There were no tickets, guides or maps. It consisted of secret routes communicated by word of mouth and a network of safe houses for escaped slaves. These stops were maintained by abolitionists white and black who helped an estimated 100,000 enslaved people flee to the north and to Canada by 1850. Harriet Tubman, herself an escaped slave, famously made 13 trips to help free more than 70 people, earning her the Moniker The Moses of Her People. As we celebrate Black History Month this month, there are special exhibits and programs across the country recognizing the achievements of African Americans and their central role in U.S. history. Lets take time to consider the unsung heroes who risked their lives to help enslaved people escape and what their brave actions can instruct kids today. Thanks to new technologies, you can now explore their stories digitally. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a museum in downtown Cincinnati, shares some of these stories through permanent and traveling exhibits, including ESCAPE! Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad. You can also use the online educational resources at www.freedomcenter.org that connects the lessons from the Underground Railroad to inspire todays fight for freedom. According to the Freedom Center, a common thread running throughout the long story of abolition is the courageous individual standing up for freedom and justice. Most werent famous, rich or in office. They were everyday people who stood up for what they saw as a terrible wrong at great risk to themselves. I am struck by the similarities to those who shielded Jews and helped them escape during World War II to those who have helped other oppressed people, including children who have been trafficked. Ask your older kids or teens what they think they would have done. Would they have looked away or helped? Ohioans Rev. John Rankin and his wife Jean are among those people whose stories are told at The Freedom Center. Rev. Rankin, one of the earliest voices against slavery, Jean, and their children, all did their part. While Rev. Rankin spoke out against slavery, Mrs. Rankin sewed clothes and cooked for runaway slaves at their home while their sons led them to other Underground Railroad members. The Rankins sheltered more than 2,000 escaping slaves. A film at the center showcases Rev. Rankin, John Parker, who bought his freedom and became one of the most daring slave rescuers in Ohio, and other abolitionists in Ohio. Many escaped slaves made their way to Canada. Check out the North is Freedom photo exhibit created by Slovak-Canadian photographer Yuri Dojc that celebrates the descendants of those freedom seekers who escaped to Canada. The Slavery and Freedom exhibit is a centerpiece at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., with iconic objects, including Harriet Tubmans shawl and hymn book. Just this past November, the museum launched the Searchable Museum, its newest digital initiative, with slavery and freedom the first digital exhibition reimagined for the digital space. Parents and teachers may also find the free interactive learning labs helpful, enabling you to use objects, videos, documents to see how history may impact lives today. In Hartford, Connecticut, is the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, which focuses on Stowe, the author of the anti-slavery book Uncle Toms Cabin, and the abolition and Underground Railroad movements. Reserve tickets for the interactive tour or visit the online multimedia gallery. Watch the award-winning The Underground Railroad fantastical miniseries based on the 2016 novel by Colson Whitehead. In the novel and the series, there is an actual railroad, engineers, conductors and tunnels through which Cora and Caesar escape slavery from Georgia as slave catchers chase them. In reality, the National Park Service's Network to Freedom program consists of nearly 700 sites in 39 states plus Washington, D.C., and the US Virgin Islands. Twice per year, the NPS reviews and accepts applications from sites, facilities, and programs with verified connections to the Underground Railroad. Eighteen sites were recently added, including Graceland Cemetery in Illinois where 28 Underground Railroad activists are buried to forts, homes, and farms. There are also many virtual opportunities at these sites. For example, there is a Virtual Black Heritage Trail Tour along the heart of Bostons Beacon Hill neighborhood that showcases buildings and homes of the free Black community of the 19th century that housed freedom seekers. The final stops the Abiel Smith School and the African Meeting House are part of the Museum of African American History, which is open to the public. Remind the kids that Harriet Tubman never learned to read or write but she became one of the most respected and revered women in American history. (For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kids Guide to Philadelphia, the 13th in the kids guide series, was published in 2020, with The Kids Guide to Camping coming in 2021.) Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines this week announced a definitive merger agreement under which the companies would combine, creating what the two are calling Americas most competitive ultra-low fare airline. Plenty of people have taken to social media and late-night talk shows to ridicule the idea of what many consider the worst airlines in America becoming one. Mock the Spirit-Frontier proposed merger as you will, for theres certainly the potential for a combined mega-airline chock full of hidden fees and lacking service. But theres one group in particular that could truly benefit the people most likely to already be flying Spirit or Frontier, regardless of whether a merger is approved. Those are travelers heading to leisure markets like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas. These places are more likely to draw people planning a trip for a vacation or for hobbies like attending sporting events (as opposed to people traveling for business). And typically, these trips are paid for by the person taking them, not an employer, meaning costs tend to be a bigger factor. And for leisure travelers on a tight budget, like families, the proposed merger is a win for a few reasons. Why budget travelers will win if the merger happens More route selection If the merger is approved, travelers might be able to expect more than 1,000 daily flights to over 145 destinations in 19 countries. Routes are especially focused on leisure destinations. If the two airlines combine and maintain their current flight schedules, Orlando International Airport will become the new airlines busiest airport, with 7.4 million seats (versus 4.1 for Spirit alone or 3.3 for Frontier alone), according to aviation data provider Cirium. Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida will become its second busiest, and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas will come in third. Thats good news for travelers, as it means more options for routes, thus fewer layovers (or at least more favorable timing and routes should layovers be necessary). Potentially fewer chaotic delays Delays happen regularly, but were especially brutal amid Spirits operational meltdown last summer. Over 2,800 flights were canceled in about a weeks time due to a combination of bad weather, staffing shortages and technical problems that left passengers stranded. While a merged airline might not necessarily be able to control the weather, it could have a better way of handling other delays. The issue with Frontier, in particular, is that they commonly service routes a few times a week, so if your flight gets canceled, then the next flight wont be for a couple days, says Kerry Tan, an associate professor of economics and an air travel expert at Maryland's Loyola University. If an airline operates multiple flights on the same day to a destination, a canceled flight can be irritating, but it often might only set you back a couple hours if the airline can rebook you on the next scheduled flight. When schedules are limited, your next best option might be to book a pricey last-minute flight from a competitor. These two airlines arent necessarily known as being the best with performance and on-time arrivals, Tan says. But by being able to increase the number of planes in their fleet, you increase the chances for a solution. Better ability to rack up loyalty rewards If youre primarily looking for the cheapest airfare to your destination and previously werent allegiant to Spirit or Frontier, now you can better rack up loyalty points. Rather than earn some Free Spirit points on spring break and rack up Frontier miles on summer vacation only to have mediocre status in both airlines, youll be able to consolidate and conquer. In turn, youll more quickly earn enough points to redeem for a free flight, or earn airline elite status. Prices likely wont rise significantly While mergers typically bring fears that reduced competition could incentivize the new combined company to raise prices, Tan said he doesnt think that will be the case in this situation purely because both companies are founded on the premise of low prices. Their primary value to passengers is that you can fly on them for really cheap, he says. The quality might not be the best, but if youre looking for no frills, then Frontier or Spirit might be the airline for you. Raising prices would destroy their value proposition to passengers. The bottom line The $6.6 billion merger deal is expected to close in the second half of 2022. And if the deal goes through, expect more options for flight routes especially appealing to leisure travelers just in time for what many are expecting to be a massive resurgence of travel. Some of the legacy carriers have been hit especially hard by the pandemic due to their reliance on business travel, which has not returned yet and might not ever. But budget airlines that have historically leaned into leisure travel, like Spirit and Frontier, might be able to use the pandemic to their advantage. It makes sense, because what Frontier is trying to do is to take advantage of the current market opportunity to strengthen one of their strengths, Tan says. Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Email: sfrench@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @SAFmedia. The article Which Travelers Might Benefit From a Spirit-Frontier Merger? originally appeared on NerdWallet. LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Johnson Matthey up as investor builds stake Friday, April 29, 2022 - 17:12 Stocks in London on Friday ended a volatile month of April in a positive fashion, with a strong first quarter performance from Smurfit Kappa allowing other packaging firms to rise in a positive read-across. The FTSE 100 index closed up 35.36 points, or 0.5%, at 7,544.55 - ending the week overall up 0.3%. Over the month the UK flagship index lost 0.5%. The mid-cap FTSE 250 index ended up 89.09 points, or 0.4%, at 20,708.71 and lost 0.8% over the past 5 days. The AIM All-Share index finished up 7.40 points, or 0.7%, at 1,022.26 - closing out the week 2.3% lower. The Cboe UK 100 index closed up 0.5% at 750.31. The Cboe 250 closed down 0.6% at 18,265.99, and the Cboe Small Companies closed down 0.2% at 15,139.35. In mainland Europe, the CAC 40 stock index in Paris ended up 0.4%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt up 0.8%. As China's lockdowns continue and new infections continue to spread in Beijing, the central government outlined wide-ranging economic stimulus plans to temper expected losses. The government will subsidise businesses, pausing unemployment insurance payments if companies avoid mass layoffs, as well as electricity and internet charges. In the FTSE 100, Smurfit Kappa closed up 4.3% after the paper and packaging firm reported first quarter earnings growth despite headwinds at the start of 2022. The Irish firm reported year-on-year revenue growth of 33% to 3.02 billion in the first quarter of 2022, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rising at the same rate to 514 million. Its Ebitda margin was flat at 17% despite inflationary pressures in the period. Rivals Mondi and DS Smith rose 3.4% and 1.6% respectively in a positive read-across. Pearson closed up 1.9% after the educational materials publisher provided a positive update on first quarter trading, while also announcing a new acquisition. Pearson has agreed to buy Mondly, an online language learning platform. It provided no financial details, but said it expects the purchase to accelerate revenue growth for its English Language Learning division from 2023 onward. It expects mid-teens margins for the division by 2025. Turning to its own recent trading, Pearson reported underlying sales growth of 7% in the first quarter. It reaffirmed its guidance for adjust operating profit in 2022. Pearson added that its 350 million share buyback programme has begun, with 75 million already completed. AstraZeneca added 0.5% after the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker reported a sharp rise in first-quarter revenue. Quarterly pretax profit shrank 66% to $553 million from $1.61 billion a year ago. Revenue rose by 56% to $11.39 billion from $7.32 billion. Revenue from its oncology arm grew by 21% to $3.64 billion from $3.02 billion. AstraZeneca completed its $39 billion takeover of Boston-based rare diseases firm Alexion Pharmaceuticals in July last year, helping to boost its top line. In the quarter, AstraZeneca generated $1.09 billion in sales from its Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria, ups sharply from a year prior. Contracts with the vaccine are expected to complete delivery by the second half of the year, the firm added. Astra backed annual guidance. It tips revenue to rise by a high teens percentage and core EPS to climb by a mid-to-high twenties percentage. At the other end of the large-caps, Hikma Pharmaceuticals ended the worst performer, down 7.2%, after the drugmaker noted its Generics business has experienced some headwinds. Hikma explained its Generics business has been hurt by increased competition and a challenging pricing environment, resulting in a slow start to the year. Nonetheless, Hikma said it continues to expect full-year Generics revenue growth between 8% to 10%, though it noted this would likely be weighted towards the second half of the year. Conversely, Hikma reported its Branded business is performing well. Vodafone closed down 4.3% after Bank of America downgraded the telecommunications firm to 'neutral' from 'buy'. NatWest Group lost 2.2% despite reporting largely positive first-quarter numbers. In the three months to March 31, the Edinburgh-headquartered bank recorded an operating pretax profit of 1.25 billion, surging 41% from 885 million in the same period a year prior. Attributable profit rose 36% to 841 million from 620 million. NatWest - formerly Royal Bank of Scotland - saw total income rise 17% to 3.03 billion from 2.59 billion. Net interest income rose to 2.05 billion from 1.86 billion, while non-interest income increased to 982 million from 727 million. Looking ahead, NatWest said its 2022 income excluding notable items will be comfortably above 11.0 billion in the 'go-forward group' - advancing at least 4.7% from total income of 10.51 billion in 2021. In the FTSE 250, Johnson Matthey ended the standout performer, up 19%. A regulatory filing on Friday showed industrial investor Standard Investments LLC has built a 5.2% stake in the specialist chemicals firm. Standard Investments is based in New York. The pound was quoted at $1.2568 at the London equities close, up from $1.2458 at the close Thursday. The euro stood at $1.0547 at the European equities close, up from $1.0524 late Thursday. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP129.68, down sharply from JP131.00. On the continent, the eurozone's economy grew at a slower pace than expected in the first quarter of 2022, while separate data showed inflation picked up slightly in April. According to Eurostat, eurozone gross domestic product grew 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in the first three months of 2022. The figure fell short of an FXStreet cited estimate of 0.3% growth. In the fourth quarter of 2021, GDP had expanded by 0.3%. Annually, first quarter economic growth from the single currency area was 5.0%, accelerating from the fourth quarter's 4.7% rise. Annual growth came in line with FXStreet cited consensus. Separate figures from Eurostat showed inflation accelerated to another record high in April, as expected. The eurozone annual inflation rate for April was 7.5%, an uptick from 7.4% in March. The April figure was in line with FXStreet cited consensus. On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew 0.6%. New York was sharply lower at the London equities close amid disappointing corporate earnings reports. The DJIA was down 1.1%, the S&P 500 index down 1.6% and the Nasdaq Composite down 1.7%. Amazon.com plunged 13% after reporting its first quarterly loss since 2015 as sales growth slowed while the company faces challenges with rising costs. Intel was down 5.6% after the semiconductor maker warned the global chip shortage will remain a challenge for the industry until at least 2024, particularly in areas such as foundry capacity and tool availability. Brent oil was quoted at $110.30 a barrel at the equities close, up sharply from $106.55 at the close Thursday. Gold stood at $1,906.75 an ounce at the London equities close, higher against $1,887.75 late Thursday. The economic events calendar on Monday has manufacturing PMI readings from the Germany at 0855 BST, the eurozone at 0900 BST and US at 1445 BST. Financial markets in the UK are closed on Monday for the Early May bank holiday. Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. The U.S. Navy has resumed holding damage assessment exercises to prepare for handling ships damaged in future combat. The first exercise was conducted while towing a burned-out amphibious ship to the scrappers. A battle damage assessment team was put aboard the ship to record damage as they would in wartime. The assessors had never been on the ship before and were able to perform a realistic assessment. The subject ship was destroyed by a shipyard fire in July 2020 and decommissioned in April 2021. These assessment drills will be held in the future during exercises as part of SINKEX operations. For most of the last century the U.S. Navy has conducted SINKEX training. In the last two decades about two ships a year were sunk, most off the coast of California or Hawaii. SINKEX enables the navy to test new theories on how vulnerable, or invulnerable, modern warships are and how effective new, or current, weapons are. With the advent of smaller, cheaper, and more reliable sensors and broadcasting gear it's possible to get a lot more data out of a SINKEX target and monitor the damaged ship as it is hit until it goes under. This leads to changes in ship design and damage control techniques. From now on the ship to be sunk will first be damaged by a smaller explosion and a damage assessment team put about to assess the damage. After that the SINKEX will be completed using ship or aircraft weapons. In the last few years, the navy has suffered several collisions at sea that required long repairs and it was realized that such damage would be common in any future war and the navy did not have as many repair facilities as in past wars. This made the return of trained damage assessment teams a necessity. It was also noted that China, our most likely adversary, had no shortage of shipyards capable of making repairs. That is because China has invested a lot of money and effort into expanding its merchant shipbuilding industry, as a way to improve its warship building capability. In 2006 China produced about a quarter of the world's merchant shipping, while South Korea was in the first place, producing about a third. China made it to first place by 2020 largely by increasing orders for warships. China now has the largest fleet, in terms of warships, not tonnage. Chinese shipyards repair and upgrade warships as well as merchant ships. By 1945 the United States had the largest fleet, and shipbuilding industry, in the world. Over the next few decades European and then East Asian took business away from the Americans with lower prices and better quality. By the 1990s China had entered the competition and had a hard time competing with South Korea and Japan, but eventually they did. The U.S. Navy is still the largest fleet in terms of tonnage but does not have nearly as much warship repair capacity as it would need in a major war. The U.S. Navy is also behind schedule in completing planned maintenance, repairs and new construction shipyard work because of a shortage of ship yards and difficulty in finding qualified personnel. For warships you need shipyard workers to have special skills and qualified candidates are hard to find. Hiring temporary replacements means bringing in unskilled workers who can be trained for low skill jobs. Normally, some retirees could be persuaded to come back for an emergency but these experienced men are less and less available. The navy did have a solution for this; the 2005 SurgeMain program where over 2,400 navy reservists were identified who had skills that could be used in the shipyards, where a lot of work was making major repairs on ships so the vessels can go back to sea. These are the kinds of repairs that the ship crew can handle but ships are brought into shipyards every few years so the many backlogged repairs can be done in less time because the ship is not at sea and most of the crew is not present. In 2020 the SurgeMain program brought in 1,600 reservists but this only made up for about a quarter of the shortage. The labor shortage is also threatening some critical shipbuilding projects, like components for the new Colombia class SSBNs (ballistic missile nuclear subs) where construction of the subs is to begin in 2021. Before that a lot of key components were being built and work on these items had been delayed by the worker shortage. As it is the reservists were told that they could be on active duty for up to a year. The navy is still working on calculating how much the labor shortage will delay ships getting back to sea or even built. Another problem with unskilled workers is accidents, some of them deliberate. For example, in May 2012 there was a fire inside the USS Miami (a Los Angeles class SSN or nuclear attack submarine) while it was in the Portsmouth (Maine) Naval Yard for maintenance and upgrades. That blaze did $400 million in damage to the sub and seven people were injured. Two months later a shipyard worker was arrested for setting the fire. The accused worker, Casey J. Fury, admitted that he set the May 23rd fire and another on June 16th, which was quickly extinguished, in order to get out of work early. Casey was seen near the June 16th fire and that led to his being questioned more closely. Casey knew he had a problem and checked himself into a mental hospital on June 21st and left on June 23rd. The question now arises as to how someone like this was allowed to work on a nuclear submarine. It could be sloppiness, union politics, or fear of federal regulations as in a growing list of questions you cannot ask when hiring people. The U.S. Navy has been complaining for a long time about incompetent management of naval shipyards. That bad behavior is protected by politicians more interested in reelection than well run yards. Another solution, first adopted in 2009 was to reduce the number of days ships are at sea by a third, in order to reduce the wear and tear on its ships, and to provide cash and port time for needed maintenance. The days-at-sea problems began with the end of the Cold War in 1991, as the navy sought to maintain the same high tempo of operations, and even increase it. That meant sending carrier and amphibious task forces out to sea for six- month cruises to distant parts of the planet more frequently than before. After September 11, 2001, the tempo of operations increased even more, to support the war on terror. To support all this on smaller post-Cold War budgets, the navy downsized. In the 1990s, the US Navy decommissioned over 300 ships. In 1990, the navy was still trying to increase its warship strength to 600. With the end of the Cold War, and the threat of the huge (but now disintegrating) Soviet fleet, there were suddenly more crises and hot spots the navy felt it had to deal with. While only about a quarter of all ships were at sea during the Cold War, in the 1990s about a third were out there. This put more strain on sailors, as marriages fell apart and sailors got tired of the constant stress of sea duty. In response, the navy has focused on building new ships that used 50-80 percent fewer sailors. This is not as extreme as it sounds, for commercial ships have been doing this for several decades. But the smaller crews have not arrived yet, because the new ships have proved too expensive to build. Meanwhile, the navy was putting off doing a lot of ship maintenance, especially stuff that requires replacing lots of parts on engines and other mechanical and electrical systems. The result has been more ships failing inspections and having problems while at sea. The decision to cut days at sea, and catch up on maintenance, makes sense. All these earlier problems, and their solutions led to the realization that there were not enough shipyards, qualified workers and damage assessment capabilities to deal with the problem. DALLAS, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerwave, the next-generation connectivity platform leading the Digital FoundationTM transformation in multifamily residential, announced today the addition of Jeffrey Kok as their newly appointed Chief Operating Officer reporting to Founder and CEO, Alex Wey. The announcement comes as Daniel Jensen, Co-Founder and current Chief Operating Officer, moves into the newly created role of Chief Revenue Officer. Kok will lead the overall operations of Aerwave, with a particular emphasis on product, project implementation, and network operations at scale. Leveraging his experience and accomplishments in past roles at Mill Creek Residential, a premier rental community developer and operator, and Celanese, a Fortune 500, Kok will help drive forward Aerwave's growth and technology initiatives through his experience leading organizations, building teams, and executing on strategy. "We are thrilled to bring a heavy-hitting industry veteran, in Jeff, to our team in such a transformative role," Chief Executive, Alex Wey, stated. "Jeff's vision for the future of connected buildings and, more importantly, his experience creating them, will help drive our mission forward, by bringing owners and residents the most robust connected experience in the market." Prior to Aerwave, Kok was the Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Information Officer for Mill Creek Residential, responsible for developing teams to digitally transform the organization while driving innovation, automation, and investment value. Kok was responsible for creating and leading the Innovation, Community Technology (PropTech), Information Technology, Cybersecurity and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) teams, which delivered smart and intelligent buildings to the portfolio. While focusing on ESG efforts and broadening community technology prerogatives, Kok recognized that quality properties and innovation products paired with engaged teams and strong relationships could take a technology product like Aerwave to the next level within the industry. "I am excited to make this transition to Aerwave to help drive fundamental change within multifamily by advancing solutions enabled by the Digital FoundationTM," said Kok. "Aerwave's flexible network backbone transforms the connected experience for residents with high-quality, gigabit+ Internet, managed WiFi, and drives investment value to owners with the enablement of Internet, Bulk WiFi programs, and smart solutions. Aerwave's unique, patented technology customizes the user experience with seamless Home Wi-FiTM which includes a customized network name with mobility throughout the community, giving us a compelling differentiator in the market while taking the burden off on-site property teams with move-in ready Internet. We aim to make Aerwave the leading connectivity platform for the multifamily industry." Prior to Mill Creek, Kok held a variety of roles at Celanese with the most recent being Chief Information Security Officer. He ran global cybersecurity which included leading remediation efforts and developing the strategies for data classification, data protection, and monitoring. In his new role as Chief Revenue Officer, Daniel Jensen will focus on expanding and scaling the revenue function of the business, which he helped co-found in 2019. "Jeff is an incredible asset to bring onboard and I am very pleased to welcome him to the executive team," said Jensen. "As a highly respected industry leader, Jeff will help accelerate our growth into new markets with both existing and pipeline institutional clients. I now look forward to turning my attention more fully to growth initiatives focused on sales operations, customer success, go-to-market, and partnerships." For more information about Aerwave and its Digital FoundationTM platform, visit GetAerwave.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mill-creek-residential-executive-and-partner-joins-aerwave-a-next-gen-multifamily-connectivity-platform-as-their-new-chief-operating-officer-301479298.html SOURCE Aerwave Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. HARTFORD, Conn. (Tribune News Service) A military medical relief unit arrived Thursday to cheers from the COVID-afflicted staff at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford. The 20 U.S. Air Force nurses, respiratory therapists, physicians and other workers will fill in for workers who are out due to infections. The contingent is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agencys nationwide surge response program. Hospital workers gathered in the rotunda at the main entrance to cheer the airmen, who marched in single file wearing camouflage uniforms and backpacks. The troops are staying at an area hotel during the 30-day mission, hospital officials said. Asked how many workers are out due to COVID, Saint Francis chief nursing officer Vernette Townsend said 50-60, but other officials said that number is a moving target. Hospital spokeswoman Brianna Barnes said the relief is welcome. President Joe Biden in December directed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to ready an additional 1,000 service members military doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other medical personnel to deploy to hospitals during January and February, as needed. We know that the most critical need right now is medical staffing for our hospitals, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said at a recent White House briefing, and weve been working nonstop with the Department of Defense and Health and Human Services, who have been on the ground in communities since day one to push even more medical teams out the door to communities who need it most. jleavenworth@courant.com 2022 Hartford Courant. Visit courant.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The U.S. Air Force is sending eight F-15 Eagle fighter jets to Poland to bolster NATO defenses amid ongoing fears of a new Russian invasion of Ukraine. The deployment coincides with the arrival of four B-52 Stratofortress aircraft at Britains RAF Fairford on Thursday, which U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa said is part of a long-planned and unrelated bomber rotation. The fighter jets, which are assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, were to arrive Thursday at Lask Air Base, Air Force officials said. Theyre slated to work alongside Polish and Danish F-16 jets already flying NATO air policing missions out of Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania, USAFE-AFAFRICA said. The extra fighters will bolster readiness and allied deterrence and defense as Russia continues military buildup in and around Ukraine, the command said in a statement. NATO air policing in the Baltics is a routine peacetime duty shared by NATO allies. They protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which dont have their own fighter jets. The deployment of more jets to the air policing rotation comes as the U.S. bolsters allies in Europe, in response to the placement of more than 130,000 Russian troops near Ukraines borders. The fighter deployment demonstrates the solidarity of the NATO alliance, Gen. Jeff Harrigian, head of USAFE-AFAFRICA and the Allied Air Command, said in a statement. The aircraft will work closely with a multinational air operations center based in Germany that coordinates missions across Northern Europe, USAFE-AFAFRICA said. The B-52s from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., also are working with allies. While flying to Fairford, the aircraft met up with British Typhoon jets and Portuguese F-16s assigned to NATOs Icelandic air policing mission. The B-52s trained with British joint terminal attack controllers, the troops responsible for coordinating airstrikes to support ground forces, USAFE-AFAFRICA said. Bomber rotations to Europe have occurred since 2018, the command said. No major injuries were reported after a contracted fighter aircraft out of Luke Air Force Base crashed Thursday morning into a stretch of desert near the town of Buckeye, Ariz., base officials said. The pilot ejected safely from the Mirage F-1 fighter aircraft before it crashed at about 11:11 a.m. into an unpopulated area about 15 miles northwest of the base, which is located near Phoenix. The cause of the incident is under investigation, according to base officials. Breaking : military aircraft crashes in Desert in Buckeye, pilot reportedly ejected before the crash and is safe. Crash debris strewn across the desert. Waiting for an update from military police/Luke Air Force Base #fox10phoenix pic.twitter.com/BBj16DLMBG Nicole Garcia Fox10 (@Fox10_NicoleG) February 10, 2022 Our airmen and partners are our most important resource and we are committed to conducting our mission to train the worlds greatest fighter pilots as safely as possible, Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, commander of the bases 56th Fighter Wing, said in a statement. We are thankful for the continued outstanding support Luke receives from our community partners, especially during difficult situations like this. Finally, Im grateful nobody was hurt on the ground and the pilot was safely recovered with only minor injuries. The pilot involved in the incident is an employee of a company contracted to fly against Air Force jets in training missions, said Sean Clements, a spokesman for Luke Air Force Base. Support teams from 56th Civil Engineer Squadrons fire department and explosive ordnance disposal unit, as well as the 56th Security Forces Squadron responded to the scene, according to base officials. The Buckeye Police Department also responded. Luke Air Force Base is home to the 56th Fighter Wing. It is part of the Air Education and Training Command and responsible for training about 75% of the worlds F-35 pilots, according to the base. Aside from U.S. Air Force pilots, the base also trains pilots from Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore and Denmark. The two primary aircraft flown at the base are the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-35A Lightning II, according to the base. Both are fighter jets. About 4,800 active-duty personnel are assigned to Luke Air Force Base. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. SPOKANE, Wash. (Tribune News Service) Senior Airman Kameron Kelly had been home in Spokane for just a couple of months when the call came for help at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. "As soon as I saw Sacred Heart, I said, 'Yep, that's perfect,'" said Kelly, 28, before a shift with the National Guard in the hospital's emergency department Wednesday afternoon. "That's where my dad's been for over 20 years. I was born and raised in Spokane." The Mt. Spokane High School graduate and son of Ed Kelly, assistant manager of environmental services for the hospital, is one of 19 National Guard members who answered the call to assist during a surge in COVID-19 cases. The team is mostly from Spokane and Idaho, said Tech. Sgt. Michael Brown of the 141st Security Forces Squadron of the Washington Air National Guard. "This really is a local, hometown mission," Brown said. "Everyone that has stepped up is from this area." The Guard members have been working shifts in the emergency department since their arrival in late January and running through Feb. 19. For Kelly, it means a shift from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., checking in with the charge nurse in the emergency department and helping serve patients, whether there for COVID-19 care or something else. That can mean stocking carts with medical supplies or serving as a "sitter," said Darrell Ruby, emergency manager at Providence. In such a role, Guard members are asked to stay with patients who might have additional mental or behavioral challenges, a job that usually falls to nurses staffing the department, Ruby said. "We were expecting 10, and we ended up getting 19," Ruby said of the Guard volunteers. "That allowed us to deploy them in more areas than we had originally anticipated." Kelly, who served active duty in the U.S. Air Force in South Korea during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak and was later stationed in California until October, said the experience of working in the hospital has given him a newfound respect for health care, even with his father's experience in the field. "It's a busy night," Kelly said. "There's never really a dull moment in the ER." Members not working in the emergency department have helped trace any infections among staff, and helped outfit medical workers in a hospital caring for dozens of patients who have contracted COVID-19. One of their tasks is to help nurses, doctors and other workers who come in contact with COVID-19 patients get fitted for N95 masks, form-fitting face protection that is strongly recommended by the hospital throughout work shifts. The hospital had many of its staff members out sick when the omicron variant began spreading rapidly through the region, Ruby said, exacerbating the need for help from Guard members. The staff members who were sickened are returning to work, leaving the department in better shape for when the mission ends Feb. 19. "We're certainly not back to good staffing levels," Ruby said. "Our staffing is improving." Working with staff and the public has been "overwhelmingly positive," Kelly said. "A lot of them asked questions on why we're here," Kelly said. "They're definitely grateful that we're here." Ruby, a retired Navy commander, said he welcomed the Guard's presence in the hospital not only for help caring for patients, but because of the pride that comes in seeing service members help their community. "I take a tremendous amount of pride seeing the members in uniform," Ruby said. Kelly said the assignment has allowed him to help the community he grew up in and the hospital where he used to visit his dad. It has also allowed him, after several years of serving in active duty all over the world, to come home at night and be a dad to his young son, who was born during the pandemic. "There's a lot of freedom in the mission, to where I'm able to go home every single night," he said. "I definitely missed being a dad." (c)2022 The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) Visit The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) at www.spokesman.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. NAPLES, Italy People on U.S. Army bases in Italy wont have to wear a face mask outside starting Friday, but some other American military installations in the country are keeping their mask requirement for now. The update comes as Italian authorities relax restrictions nationwide. Starting Friday, face masks are no longer required outdoors except in crowds, according to a decree signed Tuesday by Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza. U.S. Army Garrison Italy in Vicenza and Camp Darby in Tirrenia are following the Italian laws, meaning that face masks outdoors will no longer be required, said Rick Scavetta, a USAG Italy spokesman. But face masks outdoors still will be the rule at Naval Support Activity Naples while officials assess the latest changes, said Lt. Jamie Moroney, an NSA Naples spokeswoman. Naval Air Station Sigonella also is studying the changes before updating its policy, said Lt. Drake Greer, a NAS Sigonella spokesman. Both naval bases would notify their communities of any changes. Aviano Air Base also hadnt announced any changes to its face mask policy, but the base intends to follow Italian laws and Defense Department policy, said Natalie Stanley, a base spokeswoman. Italy is taking steps to reopen as the number of new COVID-19 cases gradually decreases. There were 384 deaths and 81,367 new cases reported nationwide Wednesday, the health ministry said. People still must have a face mask in their possession and wear it when they use public transportation or visit a store, museum or other indoor public venue, according to the decree. Discos also will reopen Friday at 50% capacity indoors, and mask-wearing will be compulsory inside except for people who are dancing. Mask-wearing at outside discos, which will open at 75%, will not be required. But a super green pass, which is proof of full vaccination, a booster shot or recovery from the disease, still is needed, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Nightclubs were initially closed at the height of the pandemic. After reopening in October, they shut down again in December as the number of new COVID-19 cases quickly rose because of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. A super green pass still is required in most public venues, including restaurants, movie theaters and stores. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immunization card can be used in place of a super green pass, bases have said. U.S. bases in Italy are still urging their communities to get booster shots and reminding people that Italian vaccination rules apply on base. By sitting at indoor tables or entering certain venues, our community members are agreeing to random immunization verification, NAS Sigonella posted Wednesday on its official Facebook page. Emily Taffel didn't pull the password plug when she divorced her first husband, and she didn't cut off the boyfriend who followed. Now remarried with four stepchildren, she continues as a model of civility when it comes to exes and logins. The 41-year-old in Coral Springs, Fla., and her first husband didn't have kids, much money or own a house when they divorced. What they did have were subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu. "We each paid for one of them and share. That was literally our divorce agreement," Taffel said. "It was written right in there. We're still doing it." When boyfriend Sam came along but the romance ended three years later, they maintained close ties and joint custody of additional services, sharing logins and the cost to this day among themselves and Taffel's ex-husband. Taffel and her current husband have added more and shared down the line over a decade after her first marriage ended. "I know it seems crazy," she said. "The ex-boyfriend and the ex-husband aren't friends, but through me everybody is very amicable." In this era of cybersecurity concerns and calls for multifactor lockdown of all things digital, that approach points to a thorny issue when love goes wrong: What to do about the logins? Nearly 8 in 10 Americans who are in a relationship share passwords across nearly every digital platform, ranging from social media to email and cell phone to mobile wallets, said Harold Li, vice president of the encryption service ExpressVPN. "In the digital era, sharing passwords is a sign of trust and affection akin to the gift of a letterman jacket or an exchange of school locker combinations," he said. "However, while it may seem like a romantic gesture at the moment, it poses serious risks to your personal privacy, which even the closest of relationships need." And when relationships end, whether romantic or of the friendship variety, he recommends a thorough "digital divorce." Sisi Cronin, 33, in Napa, Calif., is still logged in to her college boyfriend's Netflix account, with her own profile. While they don't live near each other, they remain friendly after going their separate ways when she was 23. "One time about three years ago he sent me a kind of funny message saying, hey, Netflix has decided to limit how many people can be on, would you mind getting your own? And I just wrote back saying I'd rather not. We haven't talked about it since," she said. "When you've got all these different subscription platforms it's ideal to not be paying for all of them yourself, right?" Nick Leighton of the etiquette podcast "Were You Raised by Wolves" equates the changing of shared passwords after a breakup to returning the sweater left behind by the ex. "Be mindful of the fact that when a person discovers their login no longer works, it'll be a clear reminder that the relationship is indeed over, which may cause hurt feelings," he said. "In a relationship, asking someone for their password can make some people uncomfortable, so it's often better to wait until they volunteer to share rather than putting them on the spot. It should also be noted that sharing passwords might possibly violate the terms of service." Things don't always go swimmingly when logins aren't cut off post-breakup. "Change the password. In the age of perpetual watch histories being widely available, nobody wants to know that their ex just watched `The Notebook' on Netflix. It stirs up all sorts of emotions," said John Capo, an assistant professor of communications at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Penn. Were they thinking about me when they watched it? Who did they watch it with? Why were they awake at midnight, anyway? Remember when we used to watch `The Notebook? Brian Penny, 40, in Tucson, Arizona, doesn't have the heart to leave an ex out in the cold on his HBO Max and Hulu accounts. "She's struggling with work and it doesn't cost me anything, but it does show her name because she added herself as a profile," he said. "I do wonder what the next girlfriend will think about seeing another woman's name in my account. I've already reasoned I would say it's a cousin or friend." The digital safety provider Aura commissioned The Harris Poll last year to look into the issue of prioritizing shared streaming access over security, and found that one-third of American adults of more than 2,000 polled said they continue to access the sites of a partner or friend after the relationship ends. Eleven percent have let a former partner or friend use a streaming service, and 12% have had to explicitly ask a former partner or friend to stop using an account after the relationship ended. "It's no secret that password-sharing is a way for consumers to get around the cost of paying for multiple services," said Hari Ravichandran, founder and CEO of Aura, in a statement. "What consumers aren't considering is that these behaviors make them vulnerable to digital crime when people outside your household even ones you trust have your passwords on their devices." Researchers have found a variety of reasons people maintain streaming ties after a breakup convenience, finances and post-breakup friendships among them. A downside: When a vindictive ex deliberately wreaks havoc with algorithms to mess up ads and suggested viewing, or creates a profile to rile up a current love interest. One sharer said the parents of an ex stayed logged into one of his sites for two years after they broke up and sent him a gift card out of the blue as thanks. Chandler Sterling in Los Angeles shows up as a generic "guest" profile on the Netflix and Hulu accounts of a former long-term girlfriend. He also uses his parents' cable TV subscription with his Apple TV for access to pretty much anything, including sports. "Yes, I'm 34, and yes, I make over six figures at my job, but I won't pay for something if I don't have to," he said. "My ex has never directly confronted me about the guest profile on Hulu. On Netflix, she changed the guest account's profile picture to the guy from the show `Lucifer,' so I think she's sending me a message about how she feels. ... I have zero guilt for all this cloak and dagger mooching." Penny said he wasn't sure if or when he would remove his ex. "Our relationship didn't end well at all," he said. "I think a part of me leaves it alone so she leaves me alone. The peace of mind is worth it." (Tribune News Service) Cameroonian asylum-seekers warned in late 2020 that if they were deported from the United States, as was imminently scheduled, they would be imprisoned and abused by their government back home. Attorneys and other advocates called on the Trump administration to halt deportation flights to the country, where rampant human rights abuses had been documented. But, in October and November of that year, the planes took off as planned. A Human Rights Watch report published Thursday has confirmed what many predicted the United States deported people on those flights to serious harm at the hands of the Cameroonian government. "The system is failing. It is not doing what it is supposed to be doing," said Lauren Seibert, the lead researcher on the report. "The U.S. asylum system has dramatically failed these people, these Cameroonians with very credible asylum claims who laid out exactly what would happen to them and pointed to past experiences and were told in a number of cases that they were not credible." Her research found that a combination of prolonged detention, a biased legal system and abuses from U.S. immigration officials contributed to these failures. As a result of those failures, numerous deported asylum-seekers experienced imprisonment, torture and other abuse in Cameroon in some cases because they had fled to the U.S. The report says that many of the deportees tried asking U.S. immigration officers to let them remove their asylum documentation from their belongings in the moments before deportation, but the officials didn't let them. Cameroonian government officials found the documents once the plane landed, which led to arrests. A woman identified as Mercy was held at a military facility in Cameroon after being deported from Texas. She said she was careful not to pack any asylum documents in her belongings but suspected that U.S. immigration officials had added it. At the military facility, she was tortured, raped and interrogated about what she told the U.S. government. Military officers told her details they said they had from her file from the United States. She recognized the information as what she told a U.S. asylum officer toward the beginning of her case. "I could not understand how it was possible for them to [know] what I told [asylum] officers in the U.S., since I was told that it was all confidential," she told Human Rights Watch. The Biden administration initially paused deportation flights to Cameroon, but those restarted in October, according to the report. None of the U.S. government entities involved responded to requests for comment from the San Diego Union-Tribune in time for publication. 'Enforced disappearances' In the more than 150-page report, Human Rights Watch documented 13 cases in which Cameroonian government officials tortured or otherwise abused and assaulted deportees. They also found that at least 39 deportees were imprisoned, some in circumstances that the report said may amount to "enforced disappearances." The report notes that the total number is likely much higher. "They said, ' ... You left and thought we wouldn't get you. ... You will die in this jail,'" said a man identified in the report by the pseudonym Richard, who was imprisoned for a month after his deportation. "They took off my [clothes], so I was naked, and they beat me ... for 14 days, every day. ... They were making me feel that's the end of my life." Many said they were targeted by government officials because they had left to seek asylum in the United States. In addition, researchers learned of several cases in which government officials "beat, abducted, detained, harassed, and in one case reportedly killed," relatives of deportees. Seibert said one of the most difficult parts of researching the report was hearing how broken people felt because of the way they'd been treated in the United States. "The human rights in America that I always looked up to, now I don't believe these human rights exist, because of the way that we've been treated and sent back to our country, where we are going through pain," a woman identified with the pseudonym Esther told human rights researchers. Esther was deported in October 2020 after losing her asylum case. Once in Cameroon, she was arrested, beaten, tortured and raped by members of the country's military police force, she told researchers. While held in detention there for a month and a half, she was given only a bit of bread to eat each day. She also told researchers that her sister was killed by Cameroonian soldiers looking for her. The soldiers shot at the house where Esther was staying, and while Esther managed to flee, her sister did not. Anglophones, or English speakers, have long faced discrimination in Cameroon. Francophones, or French speakers, hold power in the country. In 2016, anglophones began protesting the way they were treated, and the Cameroonian government responded with violence. As the situation deteriorated over the following years, anglophone Cameroonians increasingly appeared at the U.S.-Mexico border to ask for help. But the asylum system is notoriously capricious, as the Union-Tribune found in an analysis of 10 years of court records. And policies implemented by the Trump administration, including one that automatically barred anyone who had passed through another country between their country and the United States from getting asylum, doomed many of the cases to deportation orders. The report notes that between 2019 and 2020 the asylum grant rate for Cameroonians dropped by about 24 percent, a much larger decrease than the 6 percent overall drop in asylum grants between the two years. Most of the Cameroonians interviewed by Human Rights Watch all had their cases heard by judges with higher-than-average asylum denial rates, the report said. More than half of them were heard by judges who denied over 90 percent of cases. The Executive Office for Immigration Review, the agency within the Department of Justice that is responsible for immigration court, told Human Rights Watch that it would investigate the organization's findings, including allegations of unprofessional behavior among some of the judges. "Immigration judges exercise their independent judgment while deciding cases based on the record before them and the law applicable to each respondent's unique circumstances," the agency wrote in a letter to Human Rights Watch. "Given the complexity of the immigration laws, immigration judges will vary in their interpretation and application of those laws." 'Destroyed' All of the people interviewed by Human Rights Watch are either in hiding or have fled Cameroon again. "Every deported person Human Rights Watch spoke with expressed continued fear for their lives, health, safety, or freedom," the report says. "Many of the people Human Rights Watch interviewed were still recovering from injuries caused by abuse, or from illnesses due to prolonged detention in horrific conditions, but most could not afford medical treatment," it added. "Nearly all were physically, psychologically, or emotionally broken down; some were in their words 'destroyed.'" Most of the deported Cameroonians had spent one to three years in immigration detention in "jail-like" conditions, the report said. Some were held in the San Diego area after crossing at the San Ysidro Port of Entry to request protection. They never saw the United States outside of custody. Researchers documented 24 cases of "violence, excessive force and other abuses" by U.S. immigration officials. Some of those allegations surfaced in the days before the deportation flights several Cameroonians told the Union-Tribune in October 2020 that they had been beaten and forcibly coerced into signing paperwork related to their deportations. A complaint was filed on their behalf with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. After the deportation flights, further allegations surfaced that ICE had placed several Cameroonians in a restraining device in a manner that amounted to torture. ICE responded at the time by saying that the agency takes allegations of abuse seriously and that people in its custody are treated in safe and humane ways. The Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, did not respond to Human Rights Watch for its report. Contracted private prison companies responsible for the detention facilities where the Cameroonians were held LaSalle Corrections, the GEO Group and CoreCivic gave responses to Human Rights Watch denying allegations of mistreatment. The report urges the United States to allow Cameroonians deported in 2020 and 2021 back into the United States to present their asylum claims again and to hold hearings on their treatment in U.S. custody. It also calls for Cameroonians already in the U.S. to receive temporary protected status, allowing them to live and work here while conditions in their country remain dire. "It's not safe it's not safe for anyone to be forcibly returned there," Seibert said. "This report clearly shows that." 2022 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan Once a year, at least, this Air Force installation in western Tokyo acts like an earthbound aircraft carrier. Two Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets visited Yokota on Friday to test the airfields aircraft arresting system, which operates like the systems used routinely aboard carriers. Each fighter in turn made one pass down the runway one from the north and the other from the south dropped its tailhook and grabbed a cable stretched across the runway. The cable spooled out and slowed the fighter to a stop, just like it would aboard a carrier. At Yokota, the arresting cable isnt a routine piece of equipment; its a lifesaving option for pilots who must make an emergency landing, Tech. Sgt. Justin Frodge of the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron told Stars and Stripes by email Tuesday. The Aircraft Arresting Systems are ultimately here to save a pilots life, he said. In the event of an in-flight emergency, being able to stop a fighter either on takeoff or landing while the aircraft is malfunctioning is critical to the pilots safety. The system is tested and certified ready for use each year, Master Sgt. Aaron Woods, deputy airfield manager with the 374th Operations Support Squadron, told Stars and Stripes on Feb. 3. Woods said Yokotas arresting system can be a benefit to pilots from Misawa Air Base, an Air Force installation in northeastern Japan; or Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni near Hiroshima; and Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, along with many others. It is so important to this base because we are a primary divert for the fighter aircraft in this region, he said. Yokota base doesnt have fighter aircraft that are assigned to it, but we have a lot at our surrounding units at Misawa, Kadena, Iwakuni, and when carriers are in the area. In the event they have an emergency they can divert here and land safely. Super Hornets flown by pilots from Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 27 based at MCAS Iwakuni conducted the brief, successful tests at Yokota. Air Force F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons are also equipped with tailhooks for such an emergency. Located at both runway ends, an arresting cable is attached to over 1,000 feet of high-strength nylon tape on reels. As the tape reels out, it causes the hydraulic brakes of the arresting system to quickly slow and stop the aircraft safely, Frodge said in his email. Beside the annual test, the aircraft arresting system is checked frequently to ensure its always ready in case a pilot needs to make an emergency landing, Frodge said. The Barrier Maintenance crews are physically checking the systems every day, as well as following a strict operations and maintenance schedule, he said. This is to ensure that the system is available on short notice to catch an aircraft any time its needed. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. Guam announced its 300th coronavirus-related fatality this week, a 68-year-old woman who tested positive on Jan. 30 and died three days later. Her death and three others an 83-year-old man, an 81-year-old man and an 89-year-old woman were reported Wednesday by the U.S. territorys Joint Information Center. All four were vaccinated but had underlying health conditions. The island announced its 304th and 305th coronavirus fatalities a 48-year-old man and a 61-year-old man the following day. Those patients also had existing health issues. One had been vaccinated but the others vaccination status was unclear. It is never easy to report more lives lost to this deadly virus, and to their family and those who loved them, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said a statement Thursday. As a community, we can save lives, and we do that by continuing the public health interventions, including wearing our masks, washing our hands, watching our distance, and getting vaccinated and boosted if its your time. Guam recorded 622 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, according to the information center. Seventy-six of those infections came from the islands U.S. military community. There have been 38,672 cases, of which 6,505 are active, so far during the pandemic, the information center said. Lithuanias top diplomat called on the world to stand up to China and Russias alleged human rights violations during a visit to Australia, while acknowledging there would be a cost to taking such actions. Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told the National Press Club in Canberra that countries need to cut their trade and energy dependency on what he described as global order disruptors. There is a need to strengthen partnerships between liberal democracies that build and maintain the rules-based world order, he said. Lithuania faced unofficial trade barriers and a downgrade of diplomatic ties with China after it allowed Taiwan to open a representative office in its capital, a move Beijing deemed a violation of its one-China principle. Earlier this week, China officially halted imports of Lithuanian beef in what appears to be a largely symbolic move. Landsbergiss speech comes one day before a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in Melbourne, a security partnership made up of Australia, Japan, India and the U.S. The countries are expected to discuss cybersecurity and territorial issues as part of the groups wider focus on countering the military rise of China, although Russias military build up on the boarder with Ukraine may well come up. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied that Russia plans to attack Ukraine and criticized a buildup of NATO forces near his countrys frontiers. When asked about the worlds lack of concrete responses to the tensions on the Ukraine border and claims of widespread human rights abuses in Chinas Xinjiang region, Landsbergis said the answer was for people to not be silent on the issues. There are people who would want that the problems would not be talked about, he said. The only way to change it was to keep raising the issues, he added. Removing forced labor from the supply chain will increase the price of consumer goods, Landsbergis said. Do not expect that when we solve them they will be for free. There will be a price for everybody to pay, he said. These things do cost, but principles cost. Beijing has denied allegations of human rights abuses and forced labor in Xinjiang, criticizing other countries like France, U.K., Canada and most recently Japan for passing parliamentary resolutions on the matter. Chinas Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said Lithuania should reflect on its own human rights record instead of ganging up with other countries. What Lithuania should do is to face up to facts, redress its own mistake, and come back to the right track of adhering to the One China principle, he said in a briefing on Thursday. Landsbergis, who is in Australia to open a new Lithuanian embassy, said he wouldnt be surprised if other countries followed his in moving toward increasing their diplomatic ties with Taiwan. I dont think Lithuania is alone in this, he said. Defense chiefs from the United States, South Korea and Japan met by phone Thursday to discuss a series of North Korean launches last month that included an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi spoke by conference call to reaffirm the importance of trilateral security cooperation in addressing global security challenges and threats posed by [North Koreas] weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, according to a statement from the Defense Department. The defense leaders described the Norths missile tests as destabilizing to regional security and a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Suh, according to a statement from South Korea's Defense Ministry, emphasized the test-fires were a direct and serious threat and that South Koreas military was responding with and developing independent available capabilities. The defense chiefs agreed to meet in person in the future, though no date has been set. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet his counterparts from South Korea and Japan in Hawaii on Saturday to discuss North Koreas provocations and other matters of mutual interests. The defense leaders meeting happened soon after a Washington, D.C.-based think tank released satellite images showing what appear to be preparations for a North Korean military parade amid the heightened tensions. Analysts from 38 North a website run by the Stimson Center that monitors North Korean activities spotted several hundred people in formation on a parade training ground in Pyongyang where past rehearsals were held. The suspected preparations, which were photographed Feb. 5, come ahead of several North Korean anniversaries, including the birth of former leader Kim Jong-il on Feb. 16. The defense chiefs call also comes after seven rounds of missile tests by North Korea so far this year. Pyongyang last fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile on Jan. 30 and took photographs of Earth from space using a camera mounted to the projectile. The missile, believed by experts to be a Hwasong-12, was the longest-range weapon fired by North Korea in nearly five years, when then-President Donald Trump and the communist regime threatened each other in official statements. The missiles estimated maximum range is 2,795 miles, more than enough to reach the U.S. territory of Guam. North Koreas Foreign Ministry praised the tests, saying the weapons can shock the world with their ability to target the United States. Now, the mass media of the whole world are competing to report the tests of the powerful missiles launched by our country, the ministry said in a statement Tuesday. U.S. officials have invited Pyongyang to talks without preconditions. The day after North Korea fired its last missile, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters the door to diplomacy remains open and we have conveyed that clearly. North Korea, which claims its missile development is purely defensive, ridiculed the offer and in a statement said the aggravated tensions just lies in the U.S. hostile policy. TOKYO The central government of Japan plans to extend by three weeks a public health emergency that covers Tokyo and 12 other prefectures due to COVID-19s continuing spread throughout the country. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was expected Thursday evening to push the quasi-emergency end date to March 6 at the request of prefectural governors, according to Kyodo News. The emergency covers Tokyo, the surrounding prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama and nine others, and was set to expire Sunday. Under the quasi-emergency, first declared Jan. 19, the prefectures may ask bars and restaurants to close early and refrain from selling alcohol. Individuals are asked to avoid unnecessary travel and remain within the prefecture where they live. The omicron variant, although less virulent but more easily spread than previous forms of the coronavirus, is driving record infection numbers. Japan confirmed more than 90,000 new cases each day between Feb. 1 and Tuesday, according to data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. More than 79% of Japans population was fully vaccinated as of Thursday. Tokyo reported another 18,891 people tested positive Thursday, 1,700 fewer than a week ago, according to public broadcaster NHK. The city by Wednesday was confirming another 18,105 new cases, on average, each day, according to metropolitan government data. U.S. Forces Japan, the overall authority for about 55,000 service members in Japan, had not updated its daily report of new military cases by 7 p.m. Thursday. The command reported 108 new cases on Wednesday. Separately, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, south of Hiroshima, on Thursday confirmed another 10 cases from the previous day for a total 33 since Jan. 4, according to air station news releases. Kadena Air Base on Okinawa had 86 active cases Thursday, according to its daily website update. That number has fallen steadily from 307 on Feb. 1. Okinawa prefecture reported 699 new cases Thursday, and 55 from the U.S. military population, according to the prefectural Department of Public Health and Medical Care. COVID-19 cases have risen steadily on the island prefecture from 316 on Monday. Stars and Stripes reporters Mari Higa and Alex Wilson contributed to this report. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea American troops stationed in South Korea will soon be allowed to dine in local restaurants after U.S. Forces Korea announced on Thursday that it was lifting some COVID-19 restrictions. USFK is loosening some social distancing measures Friday, and will permit any indoor and outdoor activity allowed under South Koreas guidelines, according to a command news release. That means service members, their families, civilian employees and contractors may again dine in off-base restaurants and visit shopping malls. USFK, the command responsible for approximately 28,500 troops, banned those activities on Jan. 8 as the number of COVID-19 cases increased throughout the country. Members of the military community welcome the change after a month of restrictions, some told Stars and Stripes on Thursday. Im ecstatic, Cecilia Ryals, a military spouse who lives near Camp Carroll, said by phone. I guess morale was low. I was personally feeling a little depressed. But as soon as I heard the news, I already had plans. Army spouse Kim Castle, a moderator for a Facebook support group at Camp Humphreys, said she believes the changes will boost morale. I know a lot of people, both dependents and soldiers themselves this was very much bringing their morale down, she said. However, USFK is not changing its coronavirus risk level, which is at condition Bravo-plus. Travel to Seoul is still limited to official duties or to visit the Dragon Hill Lodge, a hotel at Yongsan Garrison. Local bars, clubs, bathhouses and karaoke clubs are still off-limits. USFK still requires its population to abide by South Koreas social distancing directives that mandate masks and limit private gatherings to six people, according to the release. USFK on Monday reported 153 new COVID-19 infections from the previous week, which marked four consecutive weeks of declining numbers. Previously, the command reported 196 cases between Jan. 25 and 31 and a record high of 1,599 new cases between Jan. 4 and 10. Meanwhile, new infections in South Korea continue to break records. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency counted 54,122 new cases Wednesday, breaking a one-day high of 49,567 from the previous day. The uptick followed the Lunar New Year holiday from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 when much of the population was expected to travel and visit family members. Chinas special envoy to the Korean Peninsula on Thursday defended North Koreas view that it faces external threats to its security and urged the United States to ease sanctions against the communist regime. Liu Xiaoming, the former Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom and Beijings representative to the two Koreas, tweeted that threats to Pyongyang are the crux of tensions on the peninsula. To fundamentally solve the issue, [North Koreas] legitimate security concerns should be addressed, Liu wrote. Otherwise, its like solving one problem only to find another cropping up. Liu added that if the U.S. truly cares about North Koreans, it should not keep pressuring the country through its sanctions. Instead, it should face up to the denuclearization measures already taken by [North Korea], respond to its legitimate concerns and take measures to ease sanctions, he tweeted. Liu did not specify which North Korean denuclearization measures he was referring to. Retired Army Gen. Robert Abrams, the former commander of U.S. Forces Korea and U.N. Command, replied to Lius tweet, asking him for clarification. Name one legitimate security concern that [North Korea] has, Abrams tweeted on Thursday. Legitimate. Liu had not replied to Abrams' tweet by Thursday evening. The Norths Yongbyon nuclear power reactor may have been operational since July 2020, according to an August report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog. Negotiations between former President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un aimed at ridding the regime of its nuclear weapons stalled during their summit in 2019. The two leaders came to an impasse over closing the nuclear power plant and sanctions relief. North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency recently signaled the regimes desire to restart its nuclear weapons program, according to experts. In a missive published on Jan. 19, KCNA described the Norths weapon tests as defensive in nature and called for immediately bolstering more powerful physical means to combat hostile moves by the United States. North Korea has conducted seven rounds of weapons tests so far this year, including an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam. That missile was the longest-range weapon the regime has tested since 2017, when Washington traded thorny statements with Pyongyang. The U.S. described the recent tests as violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions and last month responded with sanctions against individuals and businesses affiliated with North Korea. The Security Council resolutions prohibit the North from nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches. On Monday, another Chinese official came to North Koreas defense and urged sanctions relief. Chinas U.N. representative, Ambassador Zhang Jun, argued in a speech that the resolutions brought about serious humanitarian consequences, including a serious shortage of food in North Korea. Unilateral sanctions are extremely harmful, but it is a matter of concern that a few countries have not only failed to rein in their unilateral sanctions, Zhang said. On the contrary, they have been flinging them about left, right and center, in a frenzy so much so that they seem to be addicted to them. STUTTGART, Germany Lithuania is calling on the United States to permanently base troops in the country, where American forces in recent years have deployed on a rotational basis. That would be the best boost to security and deterrence that NATO could provide, not only to Lithuania but to the whole region, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda told reporters Wednesday. Washington and Brussels have long opposed permanently basing forces in NATOs member states in eastern Europe to avoid charges that they are intentionally provoking Moscow. Instead, they have couched their forward presence in the Baltics as rotational. But Nauseda, who was in the city of Rukla to welcome German troops being added to a NATO battlegroup in the country, said he intends to take the basing issue up with Washington. Of course we will be talking to the U.S. to make sure that the rotational U.S. forces would be in Lithuania permanently, said Nauseda, as quoted by the Reuters news agency. For Lithuania and other countries along NATOs eastern flank, the calls for a larger American troop presence have intensified since Russias 2014 military intervention in Ukraine. Moscows latest buildup of more than 100,000 troops along Ukraines borders have added urgency to those requests. Officials in other NATO countries, including Poland and Romania, also have made similar appeals for more U.S. troops. The U.S. has boosted its military presence in Europe, which had previously been in a state of steady decline, ever since the Russian annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula nearly eight years ago. Since then, tens of thousands of U.S. troops have rotated through Poland, Romania and the Baltic states. Other NATO militaries also have added troops. In response to Russias buildup around Ukraine, the Pentagon is again dispatching more troops, with 1,700 paratroopers from Fort Bragg, N.C., headed to Poland. The U.S. also has sent 1,000 troops from the Vilseck, Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment to Romania to shore up defenses there. The U.S. hasnt announced any additional troop deployments to the Baltic states. (Tribune News Service) Russia and Belarus began their largest joint military drills in years Thursday, watched closely by the U.S. and Europe amid tensions over neighboring Ukraine. Thousands of troops backed by tanks, fighter aircraft and advanced S-400 missile-defense systems are involved in the Allied Resolve 2022 exercises in Belarus that run to Feb. 20. They include drills near the border with Ukraine as well as close to Poland and Lithuania, both NATO members. Russia and Belarus are facing unprecedented threats, the nature and concentration of which is now, unfortunately, much greater and far more dangerous than it was before, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on a conference call Wednesday. While Russia conducts regular drills with Belarus, these exercises may be on a larger scale than before in response to pressure from NATO, he said. Around 30,000 Russian troops may be in Belarus, making it the largest military buildup there since the Cold War, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters Monday. The alliance has moved to reinforce its eastern flank and remains vigilant because we have seen Russia use military exercises before as a cover for aggressive actions, he said. Russia has repeatedly denied it plans an attack on Ukraine after the U.S. and its NATO allies warned a buildup of close to 130,000 Russian troops near the Ukrainian border may be preparation for an invasion as soon as this month, including via Belarus from the north. The Kremlin accuses the West of trying to undermine Russias security by drawing Ukraine closer to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Theyve announced that the exercises would last until February 20, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told France Inter Thursday. It will be a very significant test we will see what happens after these exercises, if there is, or not, a process of de-escalation. Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov arrived in Belarus to check preparations for the exercises, the Belta news service reported Wednesday. The Defense Ministry in Moscow hasnt said how many Russian troops are taking part, though it has said the drills dont exceed limits under a 2011 agreement on confidence-building measures in Europe. Those specify that exercises involving at least 9,000 troops require notification and that foreign observers must be invited if it's more than 13,000. Russia is also sending six large landing ships into the Black Sea from the Mediterranean to take part in naval exercises, the Defense Ministry said in a statement Tuesday. Ukraines military will hold its own drills beginning Thursday until Feb. 20 including with Turkish-made Bayraktar drones and anti-tank weapons provided by the U.K., Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the U.S. and Europe to exclude Ukraine from future membership of NATO as part of new security guarantees sought by Moscow, a demand they have rejected. French President Emmanuel Macron said during visits to Moscow and Kyiv this week that Putin had agreed not to escalate the standoff over Ukraine, though the Kremlin declined to endorse this claim. There are no signs of de-escalation from Russia, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told reporters Wednesday at an airbase outside the capital, Tallinn, alongside her Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo. Belgian fighter jets are on rotation in Estonia under NATOs Baltic air policing mission. Russia hasnt massed enough forces near Ukraine for a large-scale operation, though the drills may allow it to establish a permanent military presence in Belarus, said Mikhail Barabanov, a defense expert at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, a Moscow-based think tank. That would be a response from the Russian side to the buildup of NATO forces in Poland and Lithuania, he said. Russia and Belarus say their drills are defensive and aimed at protecting the borders of their Union State from external aggression. Russian forces will return to their bases once the exercises have finished, Peskov said Tuesday. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Minsk last week that his country wants to create new joint training centers including for advanced air-defense systems as part of strengthening security along its border with Ukraine. Lukashenko told officials hes convinced therell be no hot war because everyone has become too used to a comfortable life, the state-run Belta news service reported Thursday. Russia may leave military equipment in Belarus near Ukraines border though the drills are likely intended to raise pressure on the West to make concessions rather than a prelude to an invasion, said Yahor Lebiadok, a Minsk-based independent military analyst. Why attack when everyones ready? he said. One should attack when nobodys prepared. 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The U.S. military mission to evacuate American citizens and foreign allies from Afghanistan was hampered by continuous appeals for help from an array of advocates including White House officials, members of Congress, veterans of the war, media outlets and even the Vatican, according to the operation's senior commander. Rear Adm. Peter Vasely called the outreach a "distraction" that "created competition for already stressed resources." His comments appear in sworn testimony provided for a U.S. Army investigation of the Aug. 26 suicide bombing that killed an estimated 170 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. service members outside Kabul's international airport. The declassified report, spanning 2,000 pages and comprising dozens of interviews with military officials, was obtained by The Washington Post through a Freedom of Information Act request. It contains the most detailed official account to date of the 17-day evacuation, hastily orchestrated as the Taliban swept into Afghanistan's capital Aug. 15, and reveals that military leaders had deep misgivings about the Biden administration's management of the crisis. Thousands of phone calls, text messages and emails flooded the U.S. operations center at Kabul's airport throughout the evacuation, prompting Vasely, a Navy SEAL, to divert personnel and establish a "coordination cell" responsible for processing the overwhelming volume of communications from Washington and beyond, he told investigators. Vasely said social media exacerbated the problem, broadening the "aperture of ambition" to the point that people even campaigned for the military to rescue specific dogs. The stated priority, the admiral said, had been to first evacuate American citizens, followed by lawful permanent residents, and then Afghans who had aided the United States throughout its 20-year war. "But you had everyone from the White House down with a new flavor of the day for prioritization," Vasely told the Army investigators. The requests came from people or groups seeking to work through official and unofficial channels. In other interviews contained in the investigation report, U.S. troops described being inundated with pleas for help voice mails and emails from people they had, in some cases, never met but who had discovered they were a part of the rescue operation. The calls for help became more frantic as it became clear the evacuation would not be extended. Among those who sought the U.S. government's assistance were media outlets, including The Washington Post, who had Western journalists and Afghan staff members in harm's way. This outreach is detailed within the report, and Biden administration officials underscored the point in responding to questions about the documents. Vasely could not be reached for comment. As The Post first reported earlier this week, he and other military leaders involved in the effort also told investigators that senior White House and State Department officials had failed to grasp the Taliban's steady advance on Afghanistan's capital and resisted efforts by the Pentagon to prepare the evacuation of embassy personnel and Afghan allies weeks before Kabul's fall. President Joe Biden, asked Thursday by NBC News if he was rejecting the conclusions or accounts in the report, responded: "Yes, I am." Asked if the accounts were true, he did not answer directly. "I'm rejecting them," he said. Biden reiterated his belief that it was time for the U.S. military to withdraw. "Look, there's no good time to get out, but if we had not gotten out, they acknowledge that we would have had to put a hell of a lot more troops back in. It wasn't just 2,000, 4,000," Biden said. "We would have had to significantly increase the number of troops, and then you're back in this war of attrition." Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the report shows that a lot of good people across the U.S. government "were working hard under incredibly difficult circumstances to make the best decisions they could in real time," and that effort was unprecedented. "Nothing like this had been attempted since the end of the Vietnam War," he said. "Everyone's heart, up and down the chain, was in the right place." A U.S. official, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity citing the issue's continued sensitivity, said "it's important to keep in mind that these are interviews with investigators, not reporters." "The people being interviewed weren't trying to score points, weren't messaging anyone," the official said. "They were simply doing their level best to help investigators get to the bottom of a terrible attack." Biden administration officials have defended their planning in the lead-up to August's withdrawal, with White House press secretary Jen Psaki saying this week that the National Security Council convened meetings for months to assess the situation in Afghanistan and directed the pre-positioning of U.S. troops elsewhere in the region in case a crisis erupted. They could not have anticipated that the Afghan security forces would so completely wilt in the face of the Taliban's stunning advance, she said. Biden sought to ensure the military had everything it needed to carry out the evacuation as it played out, administration officials said. "The president, at least once at each meeting and these meetings were daily would directly ask the people who were on the ground in Kabul, 'Is there anything else that you need to execute what you've been asked to do?'" said Jon Finer, the White House principal deputy national security adviser. The evacuation succeeded in extracting about 124,000 people before it ended around midnight on Aug. 31. But it required the U.S. military to strike an unusual security deal with the Taliban and surge more than 5,000 troops into the war zone to shore up the skeleton force of about 600 who were left in Kabul to protect American diplomats. Vasely, in his interview for the investigation, acknowledged that not all of the outside intervention was problematic. "There was all goodness in this, but the lesson learned is it was a distraction from the main effort as they were coming directly to the individuals on the ground trying to accomplish the task at hand," he said, adding that he "only can speculate" whether the confusion and competition was responsible for some American citizens and foreigners being left behind. The Army's lead investigator, Brig. Gen. Lance Curtis, asked Vasely whether reports were true that Pope Francis and first lady Jill Biden had requested help on behalf of specific people who remained in harm's way. "That's accurate," Vasely responded. "I was being contacted by representatives from the Holy See to assist the Italian military contingent . . . in getting through groups . . . of special interest to the Vatican. That is just one of many examples. "I cannot stress enough," the admiral added, "how these high-profile requests ate up bandwidth and created competition for already stressed resources." A White House official said operational control of the mission was left to Vasely. Like lawmakers and others with ties to Afghanistan, White House officials sought to send U.S. troops in Kabul information that might help the effort. "That was people in good faith trying to facilitate the evacuation of people they were concerned about," the official said. Vasely told investigators that by Aug. 22 or 23, "it was clear we weren't going to get all Americans out" and that he "started having conversations at senior levels" of the U.S. government about extending the mission beyond the Aug. 31 deadline. In Washington, Biden pledged in a news conference on Aug. 22 that no American who wanted to leave would be left behind. "I will say again today [what] I have said before: Any American who wants to get home will get home," the president said. The White House official said the situation on the ground was changing rapidly, and the administration has continued to evacuate Americans since the military operation ended. When the mission ended, State Department officials said they believed there were about 100 American citizens left in Afghanistan who wanted to leave. They revised that several times, eventually saying that more than 450 left with American assistance after the military evacuation concluded. The White House official said it is believed that everyone who wanted to leave now has. Vasely told investigators that the administration briefly considered extending the evacuation operation into September, but the idea was scuttled after Taliban leaders had a "visceral response" to the proposal. While the militants had been helpful in providing security at the airport perimeter, Vasely said he feared they could shift to hostage-taking or trigger a surge of civilians onto the runway by launching indirect fire at parked aircraft and the runway. Vasely said he advised Biden that it would be prudent to stick with the agreed-upon deadline. The White House official said senior leaders in Washington, including at the Pentagon, all thought it wise to end the operation in August. Mark Jacobson, a former Pentagon official during the Obama administration, said Wednesday that he had heard frustrations from military officials about the unsustainable number of requests for help. The frenzy, he said, led several volunteer groups many headed by American veterans of the Afghanistan war to pass along the names of Afghans who had helped the United States and "were supposed to be at the front of the queue." "Once it became the 'Hunger Games,'" volunteers "tried to get whomever we could through the gates," as former interpreters and other Afghan allies were being hunted by Taliban fighters outside, Jacobson said, alluding to the book and movie series in which people fight to the death. Scott Mann, co-founder of Task Force Pineapple, a volunteer group that assisted Afghans during the evacuation, said he could see that military officials at the airport were swamped. His group sought to limit their communications with military officials to agreed-upon times, he said. Mann, a retired Special Forces officer, said that he has discussed with U.S. troops who were at the airport whether his task force was helpful, and was assured that it was. Mann said the group received calls from lawmakers and very senior military officials who wanted to evacuate certain people, and that some of them had influence but chose to keep quiet through the chaos. "Just about every volunteer group can tell you stories about lawmakers and other people with authority calling and saying, 'You need to get my guy out,'" Mann said. WASHINGTON U.S. troops could be used to help evacuate American citizens from Ukraine should Russia invade the country, chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. Kirbys comments came as roughly 850 troops with the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, N.C., arrived in Poland in response to more than 100,000 Russian troops amassed on Ukraines northern and eastern borders. Another 850 troops with 82nd Airborne are expected to join them in the coming days. [The 82nd Airborne troops] will be establishing themselves to be able to respond to multiple contingencies and to conduct whatever missions [they] are called on to do, Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon. One of them could very well be preparing for some sort of evacuation assistance on the Polish side of that [Ukrainian] border. He did not specify what that assistance would be. However, The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday reported, citing unnamed officials, some of the 82nd Airborne troops will set up checkpoints, tent camps and other facilities at the Polish border in preparation to receive Americans fleeing Ukraine. Kirby declined to confirm the report but noted the 82nd Airborne is capable of such activities. They are multimission capable and they are going to be ready to do a number of contingencies, including [evacuation] if thats what were called to do, he said. In December, Russia began amassing its troops along its border with Ukraine, and last month started adding troops to Ukraines northern border with Belarus for what Russia said were exercises with that country. NATO nations, including the U.S., have expressed concern in recent weeks that the buildup could mean Russia intends to invade Ukraine, as it did in 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula. The 1,700 U.S. soldiers directed to Poland are among 3,000 troops that the Pentagon announced last week it would deploy to support NATO countries near Ukraine. Also included are about 1,000 troops from an infantry Stryker squadron in Germany now on its way to Romania and 300 from the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg who are setting up a joint task force headquarters in Germany. Kirbys comments Wednesday could represent a shift from State Department statements last month urging Americans to leave Ukraine because the U.S. did not plan to launch an evacuation mission there. The State Department in October estimated about 6,600 U.S. citizens were living in Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday. What were encouraging American citizens to do is depart [Ukraine] now," she said. Psaki also said Americans in Ukraine can reach out to U.S. embassies in the region for assistance. Obviously we have a range of diplomatic presences, not only in Ukraine, but in neighboring countries that are always available for U.S. citizens should they need assistance, she said. President Joe Biden on Monday urged the same, saying hed hate to see [American citizens in Ukraine] get caught in a crossfire if in fact [Russia] did invade. If Americans heed Bidens advice, a military evacuation mission will not be necessary, Kirby said. There should be no need for the 82nd Airborne to have to assist with evacuation missions if Americans in Ukraine are paying close attention to the warnings and the advisories that they've gotten and do the right thing, he said. There's time to do it." Psaki emphasized military evacuations are generally rare aside from the August mission when U.S. and coalition forces evacuated nearly 130,000 U.S. citizens and Afghan allies from Afghanistan during the final weeks of the U.S. war there. What people should understand is that the United States does not typically do mass evacuations, she said. Of course, the situation in Afghanistan was unique for many reasons, including that it was the end of a 20-year war. That evacuation was highly criticized after hundreds of Americans were left behind, including dozens of relatives of U.S. troops. The Pentagon in November began compiling a list of family members of U.S. troops remaining in Afghanistan to share with the State Department. The Pentagon has not announced a similar effort to establish a list of dependents in Ukraine and its surrounding countries, but the Navy on Feb. 4 posted an administrative message asking sailors and civilian employees to ensure the service knows of any of their dependents in Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Belarus, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Estonia or Bulgaria. Commanding officers shall ensure that their commands Navy family accountability and assessment system database is current and accurate, to include phone numbers and addresses, the message said. A 19-year-old soldier from Spring, Texas, died Monday from an accidental shooting while deployed with the Texas National Guards security mission along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to military officials and police. Spc. Dajuan Lester Townes enlisted in October 2019 and served as a horizontal construction engineer assigned to the 272nd Engineer Company, 386th Engineer Battalion, aligned under the 176th Engineer Brigade in the Texas Army National Guard, according to the Texas Military Department. Townes was involved in an accidental shooting at Fort Clark Springs in Kinney County, according to local law enforcement. Townes was deployed to the rural West Texas county for Operation Lone Star, the states border security mission. The incident was unrelated to the mission, according to Guard officials. The Texas Military Department and the Texas Rangers, the criminal investigative branch of the Texas Department of Public Safety, are investigating the incident. Neither agency has provided any details about what led to the shooting or whether other soldiers were involved. About 10,000 troops are deployed for Operation Lone Star, working with state police to patrol the border for illegal activity such as trespassing, drug smuggling or human trafficking. Troops are also building fences along the border. The mission has come under scrutiny in the past few months, triggering at least one lawsuit, a federal discrimination complaint, and calls from state and federal lawmakers to investigate whether its legal for Texas to conduct border security and make arrests. Others have called for a review of the treatment of troops assigned along the border, as news reports and the governors political opponents have said theres been a disregard for the hardship that the deployment has caused some service members. The military department has confirmed at least two soldiers assigned to the mission died by suicide. The Texas Military Department is working directly with the family to provide all support necessary, according to a statement from the state agency. All members of Operation Lone Star have access to behavioral health and wellness resources, and additional resources have been dispatched to support the Texas Guardsmen affected during this difficult time. A father and son who live in Bethlehem Township were arrested Monday on charges they had 13 machine guns and 12 unregistered firearm silencers, court papers say. The guns, which were unregistered and exceedingly dangerous, could kill dozens of people in a manner of seconds, the government alleges. Joseph Raymond Berger, of the 3400 block of Lehigh Avenue, was released on $25,000 unsecured bail pending further court appearances, while his son, Navy veteran Joseph Paul Berger, was held in Lehigh County Jail, records show. Court papers say the government wants Joseph Paul Berger to be held pending further court proceedings because he is a danger to the community and his antigovernment rhetoric on his podcast Alt-Right Armory indicates he is unlikely to obey the courts directives and is a flight risk, paperwork said. Authorities did not list ages for the two adults. The investigation, which involved Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Customs and Border Patrol and other federal agencies, was launched after three packages containing silencers imported from China were intercepted by federal agents, court papers say. Joseph Paul Bergers cellphone number was on the paperwork for two of the silencers and federal authorities used that information to obtain a search warrant in 2021 for the home where both men live, court papers say. Thirteen machine guns weapons that were altered after purchase to fire more than one round automatically and 12 silencers were recovered and analyzed by the ATF, court papers say. The silencers included one of those intercepted as well as nine converted from automotive oil filters, court papers say. Ten of the guns were bought by Joseph Raymond Berger and three by Joseph Paul Berger since 2015, court papers say. The guns are military production, full-auto bolt assemblies, court papers say. The altered weapons included eight AK-style rifles, two C308 308 Winchester rifles, two MP5k submachine guns and one RPK-style machine guns, court papers say. Five other guns that were not altered were also taken by authorities, court papers say. The men kept the machine guns and silencers in a secured basement room, court papers say. Both men are charged with one count of possession of a machine gun and two counts of possession of a nonregistered firearm (one charge for the guns and the other for the silencers), court papers say. Joseph Paul Berger is a certified armorer and machinist and had experience working on firearms in the Navy, court papers say. The modifications to make the guns fire automatically were done after being bought and evidence was collected indicating purchases were made to facilitate this process, court papers say. Joseph Paul Berger kept buying firearms after a search warrant was served in January 2021, court papers say. A 3D printer owned by Joseph Paul Berger was seen in the home and plastic firearms magazines for handguns and components to manufacture firearms magazines were sitting next to the printer, court papers say. A detention hearing was scheduled on Thursday afternoon via Zoom for Joseph Paul Berger, who has no previous criminal record, authorities say. The government wants him detained because the weapons charges are serious. Court papers quote from the 2012 circuit court case United States v. Henry, which says, a modern machine gun can fire more than 1,000 rounds per minute, allowing a shooter to kill dozens of people within a manner of seconds. Short of bombs, missiles, and biochemical agents, we can conceive of few weapons that are more dangerous than machine guns. If found guilty, each man faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a $270,000 fine and a $300 special assessment, court papers say. Attorneys for both men did not immediately respond to lehighvalleylive.coms request for comment. The public information officer in charge of the case for Homeland Security Investigations did not respond to an email seeking information. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit lehighvalleylive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Tribune News Service) Legal experts have raised concerns over a new bill, pushed by the Idaho National Guard and Gov. Brad Little, that would repeal a longstanding state law prohibiting private militias and paramilitary organizations. While the anti-militia law is currently not enforced in Idaho, removing it would limit the obstructions to private militias, which operate outside state authority and are unaccountable to the public, legal experts say. Similar anti-militia laws have been used to halt paramilitary activity through the courts in other states. Last month, the Idaho National Guard introduced the legislation, "relating to unorganized associations and parades," that would repeal part of an Idaho code section that regulates the Idaho Military Division. The statute forbids "a body of men," other than the National Guard, to "associate themselves together as a military company or organization, or parade in public with firearms in any city or town of this state." Maj. Stephen Stokes, general counsel for the Idaho National Guard, told a legislative panel that the statute "restricts fundamental rights and freedoms." Stokes called the restrictions "antiquated" and "clear violations" of both the U.S. Constitution and Idaho Constitution. Emily Callihan, the governor's communications director, told the Idaho Statesman the governor's office approved the bill language and gave the green light to propose the bill this session. "Gov. Little is a strong supporter of Americans' First and Second Amendment rights, and the nearly 100-year-old statute that H475 will repeal is needless and inconsistent with Idahoans' rights to peaceably assemble and bear arms in public," Callihan said by email. But Stokes' legal opinion ignores previous court rulings and other parts of state law, according to the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, a public interest law firm based in the Georgetown University Law Center, and Boise attorneys at Stoel Rives. In a letter sent to legislators earlier this week, legal experts pointed out the statute aligns with language in both the U.S. Constitution and Idaho Constitution and protects the state against unauthorized paramilitary activity. It's also not the only Idaho statute that seeks to deter militias. "The prohibition against unauthorized paramilitary organizations is fully consistent with the First and Second Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and with the Idaho Constitution and Idaho's substantial regulation of military and paramilitary activity," the letter said. Confronted with the legal analysis, the Idaho National Guard didn't flinch. Spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Borders said by email the statute is "unrelated" to Idaho Military Division operations, and the bill was suggested as part of the Red Tape Reduction Act. The executive order Little issued in 2019 directed state agencies to find ineffective or outdated rules that should be repealed. Law experts raise concerns over repealing prohibition on private militias The letter from the two law groups points to previous court cases, dating back to the 19th century and as lately as 2018, that concluded bans on unauthorized militias do not infringe on free speech rights or the right to bear arms. The Idaho Constitution also forbids military groups from operating outside of state authority. The 1927 Idaho statute that the Idaho National Guard seeks to repeal is "very similar" to statutes barring militias in 29 states, said Mary McCord, executive director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection. "Some of the verbiage is identical," she said by phone. "We have relied on similar statutes to enforce against militias elsewhere, and it's been used historically." Idaho currently does not enforce the statute, despite seeing its fair share of militia organizations, from North Idaho's Aryan Nations chapter to more recent military-style organizations such as the Three Percenters and Ammon Bundy's People's Rights. In 2020, armed vigilantes patrolled the streets of Coeur d'Alene, to protect the city from rumored rioting and violence, which did not materialize. While Idaho has other statutes that deter paramilitary activity, the one that faces repeal remains important, McCord said. One statute bars groups from training in techniques that can cause property damage or bodily harm with the intent to employ the training "in the commission of civil disorder." Another statute forbids citizens from unlawfully exercising, or attempting to exercise, the functions of a law enforcement officer. The three statutes together make a "statutory scheme that heavily regulates paramilitary activity in all of its different ways," McCord said. Previous U.S. court cases challenge paramilitary activity Following the 2017 "Unite the Right" white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., in which one counter-protester was killed, the Georgetown Law group representing the city, local businesses and neighborhood associations successfully sued rally organizers. Consent decrees barred the organizers from engaging in paramilitary activity during rallies and protests. The lawsuit was based on a state constitutional provision and state statutes similar to those that exist in Idaho. The Virginia court also rejected arguments that the rally organizers were being denied their Second or First Amendment rights. States' anti-militia statutes give teeth to constitutional provisions such as Idaho's, McCord said. "Having legislation that goes along with that constitutional prohibition is also important," she said. McCord, who previously specialized in national security as an assistant attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice, said she was surprised to learn the Idaho National Guard introduced the bill to repeal Idaho's prohibition on private militias. "We usually find that within the military community, they strongly understand why it's important for all the military to report to either the governor, in the case of the states, or to the president, as commander in chief," McCord said. The Idaho House Transportation and Defense Committee unanimously introduced the bill on Jan. 26. The bill has yet to have a full hearing. During the introductory hearing, there was one question, from Rep. Scott Syme, a Caldwell Republican. He asked why the military was proposing the bill. "During our annual red tape review, we saw this and decided to bring it forward to eliminate it," Stokes said. (c)2022 The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho) Visit The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho) at www.idahostatesman.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Tribune News Service) Gov. Ron DeSantis new push to revive the Florida State Guard has drawn fresh attention to these types of defense forces that have decades of history across the U.S. Their main goal is to serve as a backup in safeguarding communities during disasters, but DeSantis proposal still drew an outcry. Critics slammed the idea, worried the governor instead would build a militia that acts at his whim. DeSantis supporters praised the plan, calling it an opportunity to strengthen emergency responses. Barry Stentiford, author of the book Americas Home Guard, doesnt find Floridas plan so controversial. If done properly, Floridas State Guard could be on par with other such groups across the U.S., said Stentiford, a retired reserve colonel who works for the Army as a professor of history at the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies in Kansas. Of the state guards across the U.S., they are not all identical, Stentiford says. Some of them are very much skeleton forces, and others have become more and more adjunct to support the National Guard with various things. Here is a through-the-years look at some of the highlights and lowlights of other state guards performance across the U.S. The guards boondoggles Some state guards indeed have dealt with unfortunate moments that eventually led to their downfall. According to Stentifords Americas Home Guard, the State Guard in Utah began holding unauthorized war games in the states western deserts decades ago and practicing assassinations at the fairgrounds. In order to circumvent prohibitions on firearms training, units formed gun clubs and created intelligence files on potential subversives to be watched if war came, and created their own elite forces, Stentiford wrote. A far more dangerous incident occurred during the fall of 1985, when a group of men wearing military uniforms and carrying weapons charged from the brush and surprised a group of Girl Scouts on a picnic, he wrote, citing a 1987 news article in the Salt Lake City Tribune. According to the newspaper story, weapons may have been fired. A cavalry unit even bought themselves Stetson hats, adopting the image of the First Cavalry Division made famous by actor Robert Duvall in the 1979 movie Apocalypse Now, Stentiford wrote. Some of the units more eccentric members began referring to themselves as the governors own little army, although the governor knew nothing of the force, he wrote. Also part of the problem were its members included white supremacists with ties to the Aryan Nations Church in Idaho, convicted felons and some people with histories of mental illness, according to a news article from The Associated Press from 1990. Wackos, quite frankly, said the National Guards adjutant general in a 1987 interview. They want to go out and play Rambo. Utahs state guard reorganized in 1987. Another group that drew attention years ago was the Texas State Guard. In 2015, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the State Guard to monitor a Navy SEAL/Green Beret joint training exercise in what became known as Jade Helm 15. It was in response to an inaccurate right-wing conspiracy theory that President Obamas Yankee Army was really using the empty Walmart parking lots to prepare for a future state of martial law and take political prisoners. The Texas Tribune reported that Abbott took some criticism for getting the State Guard involved, and while Democrats questioned whether he trusts the military, some Republicans spoke out in support of the exercise. One Republican legislator, though, accused Abbott of pandering to idiots. Abbott justified the decision, saying it was important that Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property rights and civil liberties will not be infringed upon. The guards call to action State guard members often are volunteers who consider their service as a patriotic calling. Texas, New York, California and Puerto Rico have the four largest guards in the country, Stentiford said. The Texas State Guards most recent mission happened in March last year, when Abbott launched Operation Lone Star to deter and repel criminal activities along the states southern border, the state guards staff told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. In addition to the states current border operations and the COVID-19 response mission, Texas State Guardsmen regularly respond to severe weather events and a myriad of state active duty missions, according to the agency. Originally created during World War I, and more extensively during World War II, state guards were meant to jump into service when the National Guard was off fighting. Today, they may attract professionals such as doctors, nurses, engineers who could best deal with a disaster, Stentiford said. Most of them are really good people who want to help and the idea they want to clobber people is awful, he said. The Mississippi State Guard, which assisted during Hurricane Katrina, is so eager to be there that members pay out of their own pockets to serve. This includes uniforms, travel, and training exercises, said spokesman Andrew Bryson. In 2019, we trained preparing for the worst-case scenario in the event of a catastrophic earthquake. Members in any state with a state defense force can live in peace knowing there are men and women willing to respond when residents are going through tremendous tragedy, Bryson said. Some agencies, such as the Washington State Guard, have fewer than 100 people. The guardsmen buy their own uniforms and other personal supplies, according to spokesman Carl Chatfield. The Ohio Defense Force has positions open for anyone over age 17 regardless of physical limitations, skill level or experience. Past missions have included a flood rescue and recovery in 1990, and members regularly provide security detail and traffic control. In New York, the State Guard was organized in World War II after the New York National Guard got called away to fight. The state guard attracted people who were too young to be in the Army or too old, said agency spokesman Eric Durr. They were given rifles, and they guarded bridges over the Hudson River. With National Guard off in Europe fighting the Nazis or in the Pacific fighting the Japanese, the State Guard became the National Guards National Guard, essentially the reservist backup. In 1944, they worked blizzard relief, carrying bays of hay to cows stuck in fields, he said. But nobody signed up to give hay to cows, they wanted to stop the Nazis. They were patriotic and wanted to do their duty. The agency grew and then shrunk. These days, although the New York Guard is authorized to have 800 people, there are now 353 currently serving, training one weekend a month. They learn how to run a command post, such as for a COVID-19 vaccination site, and the proper way to run a chainsaw if they get sent on a debris clearance mission. State guard members who have backgrounds as lawyers have volunteered to write up wills and powers of attorney for National Guard soldiers who were deployed to fight in Iraq, Durr said. They work for pizza generally, he said, when in training. When they are mobilized by the governor for state active duty, they are paid. Plan for Floridas guard advances If revived, Floridas state guard would aid in emergency-response efforts as a result of a hurricane, natural disasters and other emergencies in Florida, and assist in maintaining law and order during state emergencies, according to DeSantis office. Although originally estimated that DeSantis would ask the state Legislature for $3.5 million to reactivate the Florida State Guard and train some 200 volunteers, his budget now provides $5.4 million for the civilian volunteer force for 400 members, according to Christina Pushaw, the governors press secretary. Details will be finalized during the ongoing legislative session, according Pushaw. Pushaw has said that the Florida State Guard, like other State Guards, would support the National Guard and would be trained and authorized to do the same duties as the National Guard. That includes protective equipment and being armed if necessary. That means troops do not carry weapons for every activation, because that is not always needed, but they do have the necessary training and authorization, and they can be armed if the situation warrants it. lhuriash@sunsentinel.com 2022 South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Visit sun-sentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Senate passed a bill Thursday that would end forced arbitration in workplace sexual assault and harassment cases, allowing survivors to file lawsuits in court against perpetrators. The House passed the bill, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, on a 335-to-97 vote Monday. The Senate passed it on a voice vote Thursday morning. It now heads to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The bill would nullify agreements between employees and their employers in which the employees waive their rights to sue in the case of sexual assault or harassment. Instead, those agreements require the employees to settle their disputes with an arbitrator. About 60 million Americans are subject to arbitration clauses, many of whom do not realize it because the provisions are buried in the fine print of their employment contracts, said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who first introduced the bill with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in 2017. This bill represents one of the most significant workplace reforms in American history, Gillibrand said Thursday. It will help us fix a broken system that protects perpetrators and corporations and end the days of silencing survivors. . . . The arbitration process not only allows the corporations to hide sexual harassment and assault cases in this secretive and often biased process, but it shields those who committed serious misconduct from the public eye. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the bill painfully overdue and said that, for decades, mandatory arbitration perpetuated cultures of abuse and unaccountability in workplaces. He added that he had met with Graham and Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, in his office Wednesday to get the bill to the finish line and that he appreciated the bipartisan support. All of us have heard the searing testimonies of those who have faced harassment or abuse at work, only to discover their jobs offered precious little in accountability, Schumer said Thursday. We cant ignore a basic reality of these clauses: They deprive victims of sexual harassment and assault of their basic rights by mandating they seek remedy only behind closed doors of private arbitration with no other alternative. This is wrong. It is unfair. And its about time it changed. Before the vote, Graham said he disagreed with arguments that the bill would be bad for business. It does not hurt business to make sure that people who are harassed in the workplace get treated fairly, Graham said. Its better for business. So I just want to say, this just shows that we can function up here, that were listening to the world as it is. The #MeToo movement helped spur momentum and bipartisan support for the bill, after more victims spoke out about how they could not sue perpetrators because they had signed such clauses. Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, who has been a key proponent of the bill, said she was shocked to learn that her employment contract included a forced arbitration clause. Her lawyers initially said the clause meant she could not sue then-Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, whom she accused of sexual harassment. After the Senate vote Thursday, Carlson said she could never have imagined five years ago such a bipartisan victory. Back then, she noted, a friend had told her that something good would come out of her public accusations against Ailes. I didnt really see it that way at the time, but it turns out she was right, Carlson said at a news conference. A lot of good will come from this bill, which is change. . . . Its going to help companies get on the right side of history, thats for sure. But it will also stop the bad behavior because now the bad actors will know that womens voices will be heard when they speak up about whats really happening at work. Carlson also noted that the bill did not apply to nondisclosure agreements that often prohibit sexual assault victims from speaking out against their perpetrators, and that she hoped Congress would examine that issue next. We wanted to get the first bite of the apple, she said. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., who sponsored the legislation in the House, said she began working on the bill in 2017 after The Washington Post published a story detailing the horrors thousands of workers were facing under forced arbitration clauses. Sexual harassment, quid-pro-quo arrangements for sexual favors, abuse and even rape within a company were all being hidden behind closed doors because of a simple legal technicality in the employment paperwork, Bustos said in a statement Thursday. Since that start, weve seen the #MeToo movement expand, and with it, weve seen how pervasive and insidious forced arbitration clauses can be. In November, four sexual assault and harassment survivors testified before the House Judiciary Committee and described how being forced to go through the arbitration process only further traumatized them. To this day, whenever my career - my lifes work - is referenced, my accomplishments as an actor are ignored, and Ive been reduced to being Eliza Dushku who was paid off for allegedly being sexually harassed on a TV series, Dushku, an actress and producer, said in her testimony. As I hope you understand, this was not the outcome I desired or ever expected, but because of binding arbitration there will never be real justice for me and for countless other victims of sexual harassment. The Washington Posts Mike DeBonis contributed to this report. LA MIRADA, Calif. (Tribune News Service) Bernard Benedict James had news for the caller, who rang the retired aerospace engineer with birthday wishes this week. "One hundred one is a prime number, as we say in mathematics," James said with a chuckle. A piece of chocolate cake with mounds of white frosting waited on a nearby table. He paused for a beat and continued, dead serious, "The first 100 years are the hardest." The stocky, white-haired centenarian in dress shirt and wheelchair laughed and laughed. On Monday, James turned 101. There's a U.S. Army veterans hat near the dining room table in James' La Mirada home, a sign that he is part of the Greatest Generation, men and women who served during World War II. Although 16 million Americans served in that war, about 240,300 WWII veterans are alive today, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. An estimated 234 die each day. James should have been part of the U.S. forces that invaded the beaches of Normandy, France, for D-day in June 1944. Instead he sat in an English prison, convicted of mutiny and insubordination, a Black soldier who dared question a white superior officer. On this big birthday, he should have been surrounded by his sprawling family 10 children and four grandchildren who would celebrate the driving curiosity that led him to work on the Apollo and Mercury space missions. COVID-19 had different plans. On a Zoom call the day before his birthday, his children, grandchildren and other well-wishers reminisced about his long and eventful life. "Recently, I was looking up into the skies, and I could see the stars. I realized that I knew every constellation that I was looking at," said daughter Josefa, 67. "I learned many lessons from you. I learned to navigate in the seas. I learned to shoot a bow and arrow. But I think, if I learned anything from you which wasn't a lesson you taught, but lived, it's perseverance. You taught me to persevere." James was born Feb. 7, 1921, and spent his formative years in Chicago. His mother's Creole family came to the United States from Haiti; his father was half-Black and a quarter Cherokee. James attended the Illinois Institute of Technology and Wilson Junior College in Chicago and worked as a junior engineer draftsman before he was drafted in 1943. He served as a technician in the Army. More than 77 years ago, James asked a white commanding officer a question. For that simple act, he and 17 other Black soldiers were court-martialed. The 641st Ordinance Company was a segregated unit, all Black save for six white officers. The troops were given subpar resources. Food was often lacking. So were adequate clothes. Capt. Herman Hinton, a white commanding officer, often shouted racist remarks at the men and reminded them that he owned their bodies. "While England was not segregated, the Army was," James said. "You have to realize that the Army at the time had an unwritten code that no Black person was to be promoted and that no Black person would have anything reported about him that was heroic or anything that made him outstanding." It was common for Hinton to refer to Black soldiers as the N-word, James said. The captain added a "Northern" designation when speaking of and to men like James; in Hinton's eyes, James said, it was yet another slur. In March 1944, Hinton called nearly 100 of his men into a meeting and demanded to know about the men's morale. No one answered. Hinton asked again. Sgt. George Gayles, a Black soldier, replied: "The men are dissatisfied." "Are you dissatisfied?" Hinton asked. Gayles said yes. He was demoted to private, the lowest rank. Then James asked if it was fair to demote Gayles just for answering a question. Even today, as he recounts that terrible chapter of his life, James jabs his finger in the air as though he's addressing someone in the room about a great injustice. "I had spoken up on behalf of my friend, who was demoted on the spot, which was not according to Army code," said James, who was also a sergeant. Hinton then asked James to "remove his stripes," according to court transcripts. Several other men turned theirs in as well in protest. All were Black soldiers. Two months later, military police officers with submachine guns swarmed the camp and arrested the 18 soldiers. They were court-martialed and convicted after a hasty trial. "A kangaroo court is what it was," James recalled. Back in the United States, a man in a dark coat appeared at the James family doorstep in Chicago and notified them of the court-martial before the Army sent word. When Genevieve, James' older sister, came home that day, their mother Ada was in tears. "They told her, 'Bernard is in jail and he's got a sentence of death. Get some legal help,'" Genevieve, 102, told The Times, with help from her husband, Hosea Alexander, on a recent call. The family did not have any other information about James' fate. James was first sent to a prison in Shepton Mallet, a centuries-old stone facility constructed when James I ruled England and William Shakespeare was alive. Prisoners were ordered to sort through the clothes and personal effects of soldiers who had been killed on the battlefield. James came across service members' dog tags, their names and ranks printed on the pieces of metal. He made small wooden crosses to memorialize the men. "I was nailing these tags to wooden crosses, and I was very angry," James said, "because it wasn't me." Not because he wanted to die, but because he wished he was fighting for his country instead of sitting in a prison cell. James was sent to Rikers Island in New York and, later, to a prison in Terre Haute, Ind. Genevieve, James' older sister, wrote to local leaders in Chicago about her brother's incarceration, and the family received help from a Catholic organization, the Friendship House, which championed civil rights. In October 1945, the Chicago Sun-Times reported on the court-martial. Attorney Leon Despres, who would become one of Chicago's longest-serving aldermen, represented James and pressed for a Senate investigation. "Shortly after that, a general's car showed up at the prison," James said. "A few other people from Terre Haute were put into the car and we were sent back to duty at Ft. Knox." James spent more than a year in prison. He was honorably discharged in 1947; his discharge papers show that his service was docked for the time he was incarcerated. After leaving the Army, James went back to school, first at the University of Michigan and then at Harvard University. He married Florence, a white woman who was a journalist and later a librarian. She died in 2014 at age 93. James was in great demand as a mathematician for the aerospace industry and moved his family across the country several times. Eventually, they landed in Southern California, where he worked for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In the 1980s and '90s, James wrote to the Army to clear his record but never heard back. A week before his father's birthday, son David, a 59-year-old visual effects artist, wrote to the military branch with the same goal: "With all that success, he has hoped and tried for the last 70 plus years to have his record set straight and corrected by the U.S. Army. We are requesting some urgency on this matter as we would prefer that this exoneration happen while my father is still alive." After The Times inquired about James' case, Army officials said Tuesday that they will connect James and his family with the Army Review Boards Agency, which is the highest level of administrative review. "The Army puts a high priority on honoring the service of our veterans and providing appropriate review and correction of records, where there is demonstrated error or injustice," spokesperson Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Hewitt said in a statement. "There is a process that must be followed, and given his advanced years, we will expedite as best we can, even though we cannot at this time guarantee in advance a final outcome." Son Frank, 71, described growing up in the family's crowded home as "a real tumultuous time." The youngest child, Isabel, 57, said: "We grew up in a white, middle-class community in La Mirada. There was always going to be some awareness of race present. Over the years, the racism just got more muted." Daughter Maria-Elena, 68, become a federal magistrate judge. She encapsulated that feeling best during a recent Zoom call with her family. In 1962, James invited Walter Schirra, a personal friend and the first astronaut to go into space three times, to his children's La Mirada school. "At the time, La Mirada was almost all white," Maria-Elena recalled. "I was sitting there proudly beaming as my father was in front of the auditorium with a model of the rocket ship and a famous astronaut." Then a boy in front of her turned around and called her father the N-word. She hit him in the mouth. "I got sent home for fighting. I got into five fights that day," Maria-Elena said. "They didn't appreciate the astronaut, but they did appreciate that my father was Black." As he enters his 102nd year, James acknowledges life's injustices and its joys. He was angry when he was in prison and when he encountered racism throughout his life, he said, but he always tried to follow a simple rule. "You recognize it and you speak up," he said. "But then you move on. Life is too short." Even when you're 101. 2022 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Stillwater, OK (74074) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 45F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 45F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Changes to the SunCommercial's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition, by default, is now presented in Text view. Winston Watusi Music Plus Although it wasnt widely reported, certainly not as widely as it should have been, two weeks ago we lost one of the greats from New Zealands jazz world. Jim Langabeer, who was 80, may not be familiar to many beyond the jazz community but to those in that community Jim was a friend, a mentor, an innovator, an inspirational teacher, and an extraordinary musician. His primary instruments were saxophone, flute and clarinet. Jim Langabeer Jim also had a long association with Tauranga Im going to miss a pile of stuff here but let me tell you a little about him. Back in 1967 Jim featured in one of the very first shows on NZ television, Jazz Mode. He even wrote an original tune for it. At university, before the jazz bug bit, he was in heavy demand in the studio, playing sessions with Freddie Keil and the Kavaliers, Tommy Adderley, Lou and Simon, The Prophets, Peter Posa and more. Then in 1974, along with Richard Nunns, Jim and several Christchurch players formed the 8-piece Double Quartet which revolutionarily featured taonga puoro instruments. Shortly afterwards he moved to Tauranga and was instrumental in creating the National Youth Jazz Band Competition, still flourishing today. In the eighties he went to the Creative Music School in New York where he met Granchan Moncur III, David Liebman, John Cage and others. This stint inspired compositions with the ground-breaking Kiwi band Superbrew on their award-winning album Africa/Aroha. International Obviously I could go on and on: he toured and recorded with international performers such as Sammy Davis Jnr, The Bee Gees, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Alan Broadbent and Mavis Rivers. He played with more bands than I can mention, and played on countless albums: Secret Islands, One Way Ticket, Multo Rubato, Trip To The Moon, there were manyMore recently he could be seen as guest soloist with the Prohibition Big Band and its subsidiaries. To celebrate Jims life the Audio Culture website has republished an interview with him by Norman Meehan. It is well worth a listen at: audioculture.co.nz/articles/jim-langabeer-finding-jazz Moving along, regular readers might have been pleased to see that this isnt another any day now things will go pear-shaped column. Nah, I think weve all had enough of that. Things have not gone pear-shaped yet and an increasing number of people are assuming that they never will. I do so hope theyre right. But the effect of this whole thing upon musicians was brought home to me during the weekend when I sat down with a few of them to talk about the current crisis. A story So heres the story of a professional musician, whose name Ill skip because I forgot to ask him if I could quote our conversation and since its really a representative story, not a specific one. This guy used to live in Auckland, played gigs, taught music at the university, worked for Operatunity, who constantly toured, performing daytime concerts for retirees, and in professional theatre. You may have seen him playing piano with Operatunity at the Holy Trinity church last year. All that has gone. He can no longer afford to stay in Auckland and has moved down here to live with his mother. Operatunity have just cancelled tours for the indefinite future out of concern about possibly spreading Omicron given the average age of their audience. Theatre work is pretty much stuffed and as for gigs? Well there may be a few here at The Jam Factory or Jack Dustys for instance but they are, realistically, gigs for musicians wanting to play music, not wanting to pay the rent. He and the other musicians are all in exactly the same boat, and Im talking top-rank professionals here; people who have toured the country, won awards, people who are well-known in their field. They are sitting around wondering when the money is going to run out. For many it has already. And I know. Everyone is doing it tough. Whod want to be a travel agent during the last two years? But I write mainly about music and this is what its like for musicians. New Zealands largest medicinal cannabis summit, including a one-day Healthcare Professionals Forum, is about to kick off, with MedCan 2022 taking place virtually this Thursday and Friday 10 and 11 February. Weve got some outstanding international and national thought leaders presenting, covering all aspects of the medicinal cannabis sector. Its set to be a great couple of days with more than 350 delegates registered, says Dr Zahra Champion, executive director of BioTechNZ and MedCan Summit 2022 organiser. More than 30 speakers at this weeks MedCan Summit will cover everything from seed to sale, clinical trials, prescribing, regulatory and sector roadmap updates, as well as the health and economic benefits to New Zealand. Health Minister, Andrew Little will address delegates on the first morning, with the opening keynote from futurist Melissa Clark-Reynolds titled How is the medicinal cannabis industry shaping up globally? International speakers include Dr Adele Hosseini, chief scientific officer at Bod Australia and a pioneer in the Australian medicinal cannabis industry. Dr Hosseini has significant experience in the development and delivery of clinical trials for pharmaceutical cannabis, and will speak about her long Covid-19 trial that is just beginning. Doctors and pharmacists attending MedCans one-day Healthcare Professionals Forum will hear from medical experts including chief medical officer at ZYUS Life Sciences, Dr Lionel Marks de Chabris a Canadian expert in treating chronic pain with medicinal cannabis. At the same time, clinical director at Green Doctors Medicinal Cannabis Clinic, Dr Mark Hotu will offer his on-the-ground insights with Kiwi patients. Delegates will also get the opportunity to have a fireside chat with Dr Bonni Goldstein, a California-based medical director at Canna-Centers Wellness & Education who is dedicated to educating patients about the use of cannabis for serious medical conditions. Dr Anna Campbell will discuss opportunities to run an internationally competitive structured plant breeding programme for New Zealand, while Puro's cultivation director Tom Forrest will cover world-leading indoor and outdoor approaches to successfully growing high yielding medicinal cannabis plants. Delegates will also hear from David Downs, chief executive of New Zealand Story, who will present on Adding value to the medicinal cannabis sector with New Zealands brand. Dr Champion says MedCan 2022, is designed to be a highly interactive event with both delegates and registered media able to watch the live sessions, engage in roundtable discussions, and access on-demand content. The events Foundation sponsor, Helius Therapeutics, says its significant that MedCans one-day dedicated Healthcare Professionals Forum has endorsement from both The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand. While every New Zealand GP can now prescribe medicinal cannabis, many still lack the knowledge or confidence to do so. Its heartening for Kiwi patients, however, that increasing numbers of healthcare professionals are now genuinely curious and educating themselves. Critically, GP attendance at MedCan will further improve patient access to medicinal cannabis, says Carmen Doran, chief executive of Helius Therapeutics. MedCan Summit 2022 is organised by NZTech and BioTechNZ - a not for profit, membership-funded organisation with the goal of maximising New Zealands bioscience and technology capability to create a strong New Zealand bioeconomy. BioTechNZ is part of the New Zealand Tech Alliance. Foundation sponsor is Helius Therapeutics. Gold sponsor is Eqalis, with Silver sponsors Elysian and CannaPlus+. Puro, Callaghan Innovation and Shimadzu are Bronze sponsors, with 11 companies also supporting MedCan 2022 as exhibitors. MedCans full two-day programme, including whos presenting, is available on MedCans website. www.medcansummit.co.nz. The Government have revealed which critical workers will be able to end self-isolation early if identified as a close contact of a Covid-19 case. The critical workers are those who work in food production and its supply chain, key public services like health and emergency, utilities like power and water, transport, financial services, news media, social welfare, and animal welfare. These workers will have to return a daily negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and the scheme wont kick off until the next phase of the Omicron outbreak when case numbers increase significantly, and the number of close contacts spirals up Weve seen overseas that a combination of high rates of Omicron alongside isolation periods for contacts has put severe strain on supply chains and the provision of important services, says Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins. The Government has for weeks been working with industry bodies and critical services to set up a workable scheme that gives their workers an exemption from close contact isolation requirements, if they return daily negative tests. The scheme will be supported by rapid antigen tests supplied either directly by the business or service, or through our health system in an easy and accessible way. From today, businesses and organisations can register online as a critical service if they think they will meet the criteria when we enter Phase 2. Registration includes a declaration and will be able to be checked. It is up to businesses to self-assess and decide if they want to participate in the scheme. In doing so there needs to be an awareness that bringing close contacts into the workplace will come with risks, says Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall. While the new scheme will help businesses continue to operate, rapid antigen testing is about 80 per cent accurate. This may mean they have someone onsite who has Covid-19 and could infect other workers, which could further compromise business operations. Any workers identified for the scheme will need to be vaccinated. If at any point they return a positive test, they will need to take a PCR test and isolate. Those businesses that decide to register will be issued with a letter that, when New Zealand shifts to Phase 2 of our Omicron response, will enable eligible workers to either use rapid antigen tests that their employers may hold, or collect rapid antigen tests from a collection site. Workers will get enough testing kits to cover the period they wouldve been isolating, and the places they can pick them up from will be put on the Healthpoint website. We know isolation is the best way to stop the chain of transmission so businesses and workers involved in the scheme will need to continue to play their part in reducing the spread of the virus by complying with daily symptom checks, and other health measures while at work. Workers will also be expected to remain in isolation outside of work hours as they will in many instances be living with household members who have Omicron, says Verrall. In addition to this exemption scheme, were also confirming today the guidelines for people who either work alone, or have the capacity to do so. These workers will be able to continue operating in a bubble of one if they are identified as a contact, says Hipkins. That means for instance farmers, or sole traders including plumbers and residential builders, who operate out of their own space and work alone can continue to do that as long as they are vaccinated, dont have symptoms and dont have contact with anyone else. These guidelines apply to any workers, not just critical workers, and do not require them to return regular tests. We are taking a pragmatic approach to Omicron and its management. These changes strike a balance between continuing to keep people safe, but also keep businesses and services operating as smoothly as possible, says Hipkins. In a nutshell: A Coromandel student has been airlifted to hospital after a serious assault outside the school gates. Police were called to Coromandel Area School just after 3pm on Wednesday, says a police spokesperson. In a post on social media, presiding board of trustees board member and chair Abby Morgan says one student was airlifted to hospital and police were investigating. We are not able to make any further comments at this stage. We will provide further information, if and when, we are able to. Supporting students through this will be our priority. Classes will run as usual [on Thursday] but plans are in place to support our staff and students through this, she says. According to Coromandel's CFM, police have confirmed they attended a serious assault call outside the Coromandel Family Health Centre which is in close proximity to the school. The stated that one person was taken to hospital with serious injuries. "Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service received a call to attend an incident at the school around 3.05pm yesterday," says CFM. "They said they assisted a male patient in his teens who had suffered critical injuries. "He was flown to Waikato Hospital." -Additional reporting by Stuff.co.nz Bay of Plenty Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of qualified or experienced carpenters for an... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz A Tauranga ratepayers group has levelled accusations of budget blowouts at Tauranga City Council and its Commissioners in relation to four major city projects. However, Council have hit back, suggesting the increased funding is related to Covid-19 enforced issues. The Tauranga Ratepayers Alliance, whose members include elected Councillors replaced by the Commission a year ago, has taken aim at Council for increased funding toward projects at Omanawa Falls, Elizabeth Street, Cameron Road and the destination skate park proposal. They point to a recent Council meeting highlighting an increase in funding for the Omanawa Falls project of $2.72m, the skate park $1.38m and Elizabeth St $575,000. Revelations of blowouts in these projects are unacceptable, and Tauranga deserves better leadership," says TRA spokeswoman Kim Williams, calling the extra expenditure the tip of the iceberg. Cameron Road has blown out from $45m to $74.5m on the Commissions watch, she says. Kim is also concerned that the spending will continue to rise, highlighting the recently approved Civic Precinct redevelopment, including a museum and library. On their current performance, we dont believe our community can have any confidence that the museum and library budget will stick to $300m. Tauranga Ratepayers Alliance spokeswoman Kim Williams has called the budget increases blowouts. File/ SunLive. Council have projected a provisional cost of $270m-$300m for part of the civic precinct redevelopment, named Te Manawataki o Te Papa - the heartbeat of Te Papa, not the entire project. Commissioner Anne Tolley has hit back at the claims, suggesting they do not take into account the budgetary changes made necessary by the impact of Covid-19. The comments made by the Tauranga Ratepayers Alliance show a lack of understanding of the very significant changes affecting New Zealands construction sector as a result of the pandemic lockdowns and disruption of the international supply chain, she says. The cost changes highlighted are not budget blowouts, but simply the effects of Covid-related delays, material shortages and under-capacity in our construction industry. All of those factors are outside of Councils control. The original budget for Omanawa Falls was set in 2018, prior to the onset of the pandemic. Council also says they are seeking third-party funding to help alleviate the need for ratepayer funding. The project has already been granted $1m of funding from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund. The Omanawa Falls project aims to give safe access to the deadly beauty spot, in co-operation with Ngati Hangarau and Tourism Bay of Plenty. The project has gone through a number of design changes as the falls themselves have steep cliffs, which are unstable in parts, says Councils director of Spaces and Places Paul Dunphy. This means creating safe access is challenging. During the co-design process the budget, which was originally set in 2018, needed to be revised, and the cost estimate has been updated to reflect this. The skate park project, which does not yet have a confirmed site, will also be targeted for external funding with as much as 50 per cent potentially sought. On the subject of Elizabeth Street, Paul explains the recent budget increase comes from a contingency standpoint due to delays on the Thirty Eight Elizabeth development, known as the Farmers building. Delays in the completion of that project mean that additional contingency budget is required to ensure the Elizabeth Street upgrade can be delivered as planned, he says. Delays at the Farmers building development pushed Elizabeth St works budgets higher. Photo: SunLive. However, due to underspending in the projects wastewater and water budgets, the overall project budget is unlikely to change. The additional budget requested is contingency funding and will only be used if it is required. Councils director of Transport Brendan Bisley says that the increased funding for Cameron Road, approved in August 2021, will be split over the next two financial years and covers the nationwide construction sector cost increases incurred by the pandemic since initial Government funding applications went through in April 2020. It also reflects additions to the initial plan which Brendan says relate to safety, connectivity and amenity. This includes additional traffic signals at three intersections, crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists, the treatment of stormwater, cultural artwork funding and water supply upgrading. He also highlights how central Government will be providing some funding toward the project. Council was successful in securing $45 million for this project from central government to support NZs recovery from Covid-19, says Brendan. Primarily this was because the project aligns with the governments overarching objectives including supporting growth, safety, and alternate transport choices and creating attractive public spaces for the community. Paul explains that Covid-19s impact is likely to continue regionally, and across New Zealand, for the foreseeable future as the nation continues to handle the Omicron variant. The last two years have been challenging for construction projects across the country, he says. Thats both for council-led projects and for other public and private projects. Covid-19 has caused construction delays due to lockdowns, worldwide supply chain issues affecting a wide range of materials, and significant impacts on availability of construction workers. This has led to project delays which have caused many projects to exceed their contingency budgets. The budget increases for the Elizabeth Street Upgrade and Omanawa Falls will be included in the draft Annual Plan with community feedback sought in April. Decisions will be made at the end of June 2022. Get website access for only 99 per month for the first 3 months, then $8.50 a month after. Cancel anytime! Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Atlantic, IA (50022) Today Rain likely. Low near 40F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Rain likely. Low near 40F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. 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The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. In brief: Towards the end of last month, serious security vulnerabilities came to light in the PC versions of FromSofware's Dark Souls games. After taking down their multiplayer servers, publisher Bandai Namco announced this week that it would take at least until the end of February to investigate the issue. On Wednesday, the official Dark Souls Twitter account announced that the PvP servers for all three Dark Souls games on PC won't come back online until after its upcoming follow-up, Elden Ring. The developer doesn't yet have a schedule for when Dark Souls will be back online. The announcement also says Elden Ring may also have the same vulnerability that led to the Dark Souls server shutdown. The developers are currently investigating the matter, but so far, Bandai Namco is still committed to launching Elden Ring on February 25. In January, news spread about an exploit that let hackers perform remote code execution on players they encounter in the Dark Souls games. Even after FromSoftware took down the servers to investigate, VGC reported that the company may have known about this and other vulnerabilities since 2019. The Blue Sentinel mod has proven to protect against hacks in Dark Souls, and a version is in the works for Elden Ring. Developers also use Easy Anti-Cheat in Elden Ring, but it may not stop the most determined and experienced hackers. Why it matters: The EU wants to double its share of the global semiconductor market by 2030, an ambitious goal that will reduce the region's reliance on Asia for advanced chip manufacturing. To that end, regulators are unlocking billions in funding and subsidies to attract companies like Intel and TSMC. The European Union this week announced the European Chips Act which is going to help fund the region's semiconductor production capabilities. This comes just as the global race for advanced chip production is intensifying amid soaring consumer demand and a desire to create a more resilient tech supply chain. The initiative will unlock 15 billion ($17.15 billion) that will go towards public and private investments in chipmaking capabilities until 2030. This will come on top of an existing commitment of 30 billion ($34.3 billion) from Horizon Europe, NextGenerationEU, as well as governmental projects. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said "the European Chips Act will be a game changer for the global competitiveness of Europe's single market. In the short term, it will increase our resilience to future crises, by enabling us to anticipate and avoid supply chain disruptions. And in the mid-term, it will help make Europe an industrial leader in this strategic branch." She also believes the move will encourage further long-term investments into research and development, testing, and production facilities. Companies like Intel have already expressed their interest in building chip manufacturing plants in Europe, with up to $94.7 billion in capital expenditures planned over the next decade. For them, the EU is going to relax its state aid rules, which are currently used to prevent illegal subsidies being offered to companies. This is a must for chip factories, which are very expensive to build, operate, maintain, and upgrade to more advanced nodes. EU Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager said the goal is to make Europe's tech sector more competitive and double its market share to 20 percent by 2030. While this won't make the region self sufficient, it could reduce its reliance on Asia for semiconductors. Interestingly, the Taiwanese government welcomes the EU's plans. TSMC is currently evaluating Germany as a possible location for a European arm, a move that could improve the cooperation between Taiwan and Europe. Other companies like GlobalFoundries --- which is majority owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates --- are also looking to build factories in Europe, but they're currently waiting until they can secure enough long-term commitments to warrant an investment in added manufacturing capacity. In context: Earlier this week, Microsoft published a declaration of commitment to openness and fairness on its platforms, in which it suggested it wouldn't exclude Call of Duty games from the PlayStation platform. The president of Microsoft has since laid this out in language that, while less ambiguous, still leaves some unanswered questions. In an interview with CNBC, Microsoft president Brad Smith talked about plans for a new "universal app store." He also explained its commitment to app fairness and said Microsoft wants to keep Activision Blizzard properties multiplatform. Shortly after Microsoft bought out Activision Blizzard, it said it would honor existing release contracts for games already in development on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. Smith's blog post this week reiterated that promise as part of an attempt to put off government regulators' fears. He also suggested the new subsidiary would continue to make multiplatform games beyond those contracts. Smith has now flat-out stated that Microsoft wants Call of Duty and other Activision Blizzard games to continue coming to PlayStation and plans to extend the CoD franchise to the Nintendo Switch. He compares these games with Minecraft, which Microsoft has continued to support on PlayStation, Nintendo, and Apple platforms years after buying it. Even though the latest main Call of Duty games appear beyond the Switch's hardware capabilities, Bethesda successfully shipped Switch ports of Wolfenstein II and the Doom games. Additionally, Microsoft-owned Bethesda remastered the original Quake for PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. Other ports like Skyrim and Wolfenstein II show that a Call of Duty demake is doable on Switch. Finally, Smith also talked about a new kind of "universal app store" that would let users access apps across multiple devices. It's unclear how this might differ from Microsoft's current system, where the purchase of some games gives customers access to both Xbox and PC versions. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates shared his plans to release a book that will focus on preventing the next pandemic wave. The book entitled "How to Prevent the Next Pandemic" is expected to launch on May 3. According to the American philanthropist, this book will ensure that humanity will not face a new plague anymore in the future or for years to come. Bill Gates Writes Pandemic Book The 66-year-old entrepreneur thought that there was indeed a way to put an end to this global infection. In his blog which tackles "How to Prevent the Next Pandemic," he expressed his sentiment for the people who are struggling in this health crisis. "Whenever I see the suffering that Covid has created - every time I read about the latest death toll or hear about someone who lost their job or drive by a school that is closed - I can't help but think: We don't have to do this again," Gates wrote on his post, per Bloomberg. Inside the book, you will learn the necessary tools to prevent pathogens at an early stage. This means that you can save more lives by perusing its pages taken from the eyes of Gates. Moreover, Gates also shared his thoughts about COVID-19 vaccines. He even included his experience after being linked to several conspiracy theories related to the coronavirus. Last month, NDTV reported that Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged to give $150 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). This is envisioned to help more communities and people deal with the impact of the pandemic. This will also be used for the preparation for the possible pandemics that will occur in the future. Overall, the said foundation has been a helping hand for organizations that will create cheap but effective vaccines. Aside from CEPI, it even reached out to African Centers for Disease Control to improve the global COVID-19 pandemic response. Gates urged people to make the "right choices and investments" when dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. Amid the cost of failure, he was still optimistic that the world can one day recover from the aftermath of this crisis. Related Article: Microsoft's Bill Gates Asks WHO to Run 'Germ Games' to Avoid Another Pandemic Bill Gates Thinks COVID-19 as Seasonal Flu Earlier this year, Gates commented that if Omicron cases continued to decline, the world would see the coronavirus as seasonal flu. He pointed out that there will be immunity for the said variant at least for the next year. He also recommended everyone to take "annual" COVID shots for some time. Despite the surge of cases at that time, Gates hoped that this pandemic could turn into an endemic at one point in time. Bill Gates Amid COVID Conspiracy Theories Tracing back to January 2021, the tech billionaire became a hot topic behind the "crazy" pandemic conspiracy theories during the surge of the virus. According to Tech Times, the rumors circling Gates highlighted his plans to conduct mass vaccinations in Africa and India. It was believed that this conspiracy resulted in thousands of deaths among children. Furthermore, the tech boss was also believed to have delivered abortion drugs and tetanus vaccines across Africa, particularly in Kenya. While this news was alarming for people, Gates just shrugged them off. BBC fact-checkers said that these claims were all false. Read Also: Pro Vaccination but Against its Mandate? Elon Musk Speaks Up Amidst GoFundMe Issue for Canadian Convoy This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SpaceX reportedly lost 40 Starlink internet satellites in low orbit after they were hit by an unexpected geomagnetic storm. The satellites were deployed last Thursday, Feb. 3. Two days later, a solar storm destroyed them. Starlink Satellites Encountered a Geomagnetic Storm According to a report by The Verge, the geomagnetic storm has prevented the Starlink satellites from going to the orbit surrounding the Earth. It was also mentioned in the article that the latest drag was 50% higher compared to what they experienced in the past. To address the issue, Starlink came up with the idea of decreasing the drag by allowing the satellites to fly like a sheet of paper. However, the plan did not go as expected. Instead of going to their orbits, 40 out of 49 space machines have exploded upon hitting the atmosphere of the Earth. For this year, SpaceX also noted that 12,000 satellites will be released. It could still exceed in numbers so we never know the actual count of them. Apparently, the 40 internet satellites that got destroyed were still considered to be a small deal for the company. However, given the recent event that arose, SpaceX could be preparing for more Starlink satellites that will be set ablaze in the atmosphere. SpaceX assured that the satellites will not collide with one another. In addition, no debris or parts will reach the grounds thanks to the on-orbit debris mitigation technology of the firm. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal wrote in another story that the Starlink satellites obscured the vision of astronomers when viewing the open space. These machines were reportedly "photobombing" astronomy images, according to a study. For scientists, this incident could hinder their exploration of the dangerous asteroids in the galaxy. To put an end to this issue, the astronomers decided to create a "Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference." Related Article: Elon Musk Says SpaceX Starlink Order Wait Time to Reduce as Production Ramps Up How Dangerous is a Geomagnetic Storm Back in July 2021, Tech Times reported that a geomagnetic storm or solar storm can disrupt communication lines on Earth. It will render mobile signals useless not to mention its impact on satellite TVs and GPS. Imagine a storm that is filled with charged particles. Now you can envision what the geomagnetic storm looks like. While it's not that dangerous for people, it can bring billions of damage to power transmission systems. The operating satellites and power grids will be the most affected during this event. SpaceX Restored Internet in Tonga In another report by Interesting Engineering, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk offered help for Tonga island. After an underground volcano erupted, a tsunami has affected the "undersea" cable and even the entire internet connection across the region. Despite the challenge in installing the internet because of insufficient satellites with laser links, SpaceX employees will extend help to restore the lost internet service in Tonga. The team is expected to carry out its mission for six months in Fiji. They will construct a Starlink Gateway station that will reconnect Tonga to the world once again. Meanwhile, the alignment for James Webb Space Telescope mirrors will now start after the space observatory snapped the first starlight using NIRCam, per Tech Times. Read Also: Powerful Solar Flare To Reach Earth as Shown by NOAA's Forecast Model-Creating G2-Class Geomagnetic Storm This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. At the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Arizona, the blink-and-you'll-miss-it-event kicked off with an exciting discussion between University of Arizona President Dr. Robert Robbins and well-known tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel. This barely 30-minute conversation is only a mere minuscule purview into how Arizona itself is focusing largely on how better to bring about innovation through state adoration. Thiel adds weight, both literal and figurative, to the cryptocurrency equation, spelling out where he finds the digital monopoly best resides: "There's sort of, in one sense, you can say Bitcoin is a new and improved version of gold. The total market cap of Bitcoin's about $650-$750 billion; the total amount of gold in the world is about $8 trillion and that sort of suggests that there can be sort of one big additional leg, just as Bitcoin becomes gold and, probably, in a world where bonds are bad, and stocks are bad, and cash is just trash, you know you probably want to have real assets. Gold will probably do well, Bitcoin will do even better." Various other speakers throughout the event seemingly pride themselves on their Arizona upbringing and how technology itself is fueling the drive for progress in the state. From fintech to edtech, said areas are only enhancing the ways Arizona can better situate itself in a largely San Francisco and New York-run industry. Among the many speakers was Samantha Bradley, whose efforts with RealmSpark ASU prove that both technological innovation and higher education can work together to bridge better learning systems to students at all knowledge levels. As managing director at RealmSpark, Bradley assists in defining the best areas of "utilizing technology and investment into early stage companies to approach" higher education. It may sound like a bunch of jargon and big words put together, but RealmSpark is a treat for those young adults with all but a pinky toe in the water when it comes to approaching college. As only one of the many ways RealmSpark assists in leveraging tech, specifically data in this case, for better educational practices, the company sends out letters to college qualifying high school students who have yet to apply, as well as "high school students who are a few credits shy," ensuring every base is covered. Related Article: Capacity Gets EdTech Breakthrough Recognition for its AI Helpdesk in Universities This data-driven and bolstering educational initiative has, in its first year of existence, led to 72% of said recipients registering to ASU. It's proof enough that big data and commitment to learning can only expound upon high educational needs, as even for myself, receiving such a letter would have had astronomical differences on how I went about managing my college career. It's ironic, given that Thiel himself had discussed the growing pains of reworking higher education in the context of technology only mere minutes prior. Here stands Bradley, who convincingly relays that "the most successful educational systems in the world - they know that they are human systems." Her presentation thus underscores the Five Realms of Teaching and Learning, a spectacular look into how RealmSpark is building out innovations beyond simply the classroom. The future of education is certainly bright, at least in Arizona for now, but if all goes well, there is no doubt that the concepts and underpinnings will be picked up more broadly. Look no further than Blackboard, which no sooner evolved into a higher educational standard for most schools, especially those solely based online. Another great area of innovation paved via Arizona itself is enterprise, venture capital, startup enhancements, and entrepreneurship. The panel, headed by Jack Shelby, featured among the most influential names in Arizona-based investing, including Gregg Scoresby, Kyle Brown, and Lucas Haldeman. All, amidst heavy discussion, underscore the value in inspirational technology fueled by broadened investing. Thus, the creation of the StartupAZ Foundation proves of ample importance to not only the state but well beyond. It's here where Arizona is thriving in driving innovation through what it already well knows: fintech and edtech. With StartupAZ, the fund is built around cherishing Arizona entrepreneurs and assisting in their long-term goals via enhanced business practices and knowledge beyond the investing realm. For Scoresby specifically, it's all about SaaS, or systems as a service, which will be a dominating factor for Arizona startups in his line of sight. The Converge WMPO 2022 Tech Summit, which was sadly canceled last year due to the still ongoing pandemic, certainly proved a delight in a time wherein metaverse and NFT aspirations have no sooner become a dime a dozen. It was refreshing to see how a mere state is handling technological innovations and how that itself is aiding in promoting Arizona as a newfound Silicon Valley. The Summit was aptly concluded with a brief talk by none other than Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who likewise voiced ample praise, glee, and awe at the state's burgeoning stance within the tech industry. Governor Ducey relays: "Venture capital invested $1.8 billion in Arizona last year, more than two times the year before, and it's not by accident. There's never been a better time to be in the state of Arizona." Read Also: 5 Fintech Trends That Will Revolutionise Banking and Financial Services for 2022 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has filed a lawsuit against Tesla on Thursday, Feb. 10. The civil rights agency is accusing the automaker of harassing and racially discriminating against its employees at its Fremont factory. Tesla Sued by DFEH According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the DFEH received hundreds of complaints from Tesla employees. The agency found evidence that the automaker's Fremont factory segregates the workplace based on race. Kevin Kish, the director of DFEH, said in a statement that African American employees were exposed to racial slurs, with one employee admitting to having been harassed up to 100 times a day. Also Read: Uber And Lyft Address Discrimination Concerns, Explaining Their Practices: Here's The Deal Kish said that employees who belong to minorities are subjected to discrimination and racial slurs, and they get unfair pay, too many job assignments compared, unjustified discipline and promotions are even held from them, thus creating a toxic work environment. Tesla responded to the lawsuit and called it unfair and unproductive in a blog post. The company wrote that it opposes all forms of discrimination and harassment and has a strong and dedicated Employee Relations team that investigates employees' complaints to ensure that their well-being is prioritized. The automaker also revealed that they are California's last remaining automobile manufacturer. Its Fremont factory has a majority-minority workforce, and it provides good-paying jobs to more than 30,000 people. Tesla added that around 50 DFEH investigations in the past five years were forced to shut down due to the lack of evidence. According to Engadget, in October 2021, the automaker had to pay $137 million in damages to a former African American employee after he accused them of not doing anything to help him when he was facing discrimination and racism in the workplace in 2015 and 2016. Although Tesla denied the accusation, it eventually admitted that the company was not perfect, especially at the time when the case happened. However, the automaker insisted that its management has come a long way since then. Tesla moved its headquarters to Texas from California, but it expanded its manufacturing activities by 50% in California, offering more jobs to its residents. The automaker has had issues with California, especially over COVID-19-related factory closures. But the state and the company have since worked things out as the automaker was allowed to continue its operations despite the rise in COVID-19 cases. Discrimination Accusations Tesla has been sued by several of its former employees, and the issue has always been the same: discrimination. According to the Times of San Diego, an African American man, Naymon Frank, sued Tesla last month over harassment accusations. He also revealed that the company deliberately excluded him from promotions because of his race. Frank worked as an assistant manager at Tesla's UTC showroom. He said that Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, instructed management to fire him if he did not resign after he appeared in an Audi commercial, even though the company gave him the green light to do it. The Audi ad aired during the 2020 Super Bowl. Frank's lawsuit allegations include harassment, discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, constructive discharge, fraud, and various state labor code violations. In 2017, a Tesla employee filed a lawsuit against the company due to gender discrimination. Last year, six women filed a lawsuit against Tesla because of sexual harassment in the workplace. Related Article: JPMorgan Lawsuit Against Tesla: EV Maker Sued For $162 Million Due to Breach of Contract Action This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The fairer sex victim of cases of sexual violence The health system in Togo is plagued by an evil. Nurses, midwives and medical students are said to be victims of harassment and other acts of sexual violence in the performance of their duties. The alert was given by the Secretary General of the National Union of Hospital Practitioners of Togo (SYNPHOT), Dr Gilbert Tsolenyanu in a post on his Twitter account, stressing that women working in the health sector would be subject to rape, bullying... We have received several complaints and their resurgence leads me to break the silence. Medical students, student nurses, midwives and women health workers complain of harassment and violence, he denounced. Some, he continues, say that they have even been raped To break the silence, free speech and protect women who engage in the health sector It also sounds the alarm on the need to protect women in the health sector and encourage them to break the silence in order to burst the abscess. According to the health worker, victims must be encouraged to speak out, to break the silence to put an end to this growing evil. Severin A. The paramilitary-like gangs are also trying to enter Venezuelan neighborhoods to co-opt teenagers and children. The Bolivarian government, however, is dealing them hard blows. On Thursday, Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek William Saab revealed that the Colombian armed terrorists and drug trafficking groups ("TANCOL") used some politicians who had immunity for drug trafficking activities. Officials corrupted by Colombian drug money have been arrested. Their objective was to behead the State and generate an armed conflict in the country, such as the one that Colombia has since 1960, Saab said. Terrorist actions have been promoted from Colombia, such as the drone attack on the President Nicolas Maduro, and shelter and support have been given to criminals who tried to land mercenaries on our shores. We must remember that Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer. Its output has not decreased in the last two decades, he added. The Attorney General also pointed out that Colombia has exported to Venezuela the "logic of mega gangs," which use terror to exercise territorial control in neighborhoods and rural areas. Not Venezuela-related, but inspiring stuff going on right now in Puerto Rico https://t.co/w48gqso3Xk venezuelanalysis.com (@venanalysis) February 10, 2022 Currently, these gangs, which operate in a similar way to paramilitary groups, are trying to enter Venezuelan neighborhoods to co-opt teenagers and children. "In recent weeks, however, the Venezuelan state has dealt powerful blows to all these criminal structures," Saab said, recalling that the "Koki Gang" was completely dismantled with the death of its leader. Over the last five months, 62 TANCOL members were detained by Venezuelan authorities through operations of the 2022 Bolivarian Shield plan. Most of these criminals were apprehended in the states of Apure, Bolivar, and Tachira. Madisonville, KY (42431) Today Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low near 65F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low near 65F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Ada, OK (74820) Today Thunderstorms, some strong during the evening will give way to mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some strong during the evening will give way to mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. The family of a young mother killed by stray bullets as she stood in her front yard is imploring the public for information that might identify her shooter while community leaders appeal to Baton Rouge residents for help in giving the woman a "proper" burial. According to police, Delores Jackson, 36, was walking her 3-year-old son home from the park shortly before sundown Feb. 2 when the two became accidental bystanders in a gun fight that broke out among several teens. Jackson was less than 50 feet away from her front door when she was struck twice once in the head and once in the neck and died outside her Cadillac Street home as her son tried desperately to wake her, relatives said. +3 Woman dead after shooting on Cadillac Street, Baton Rouge police say A woman died after she was shot while standing in her front yard in the 5900 block of Cadillac Street Wednesday, just down the road from Glen "Our family is asking for your prayers and support as this senseless act of violence has taken yet another one of God's angels," Jackson's sister, Gloria, said during a press conference alongside several officials at City Hall on Wednesday (the District Attorney's Office asked that Gloria's full name not be used due to fear of retaliation). "We're also asking that anyone with information related to the loss of our beloved sister to please contact the police. My sister was the one person who brought joy to everyone she touched. This tragedy is huge for our family, but most of all for her 3-year-old son she's left behind." Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said her office wanted to give Jackson's grieving family the means to hold a "proper service and burial." Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "Dolores Jackson was a friend, was a sister, she was a neighbor, a daughter, and she was a mother," Broome said. "It's been said before that we have to put the 'public' back in public safety. If you know anything about this situation, please contact the police." Mom killed in Cadillac Street shooting was bystander in fight between juveniles, BRPD says A woman shot and killed as she stood with her toddler in the front yard of their Cadillac Street home was a bystander in a fight between juven All funds will go directly to funeral expenses. Any leftover donations will be given to Jackson's sister to be put towards raising her son. Anyone with information about the shooting should contact the Violent Crimes unit at (225) 389-4869, or Greater Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867. "I believe that all of us in East Baton Rouge parish are in agreement that the cycle of violence must cease in our community," Broome continued. "We owe it to one another to put our best efforts forward in the fight against violence, and we owe it to one another to support our fellow residents and find peaceful solutions in conflict." Louisiana's Legislature retained a national law firm to provide outside legal advice on redistricting for a fixed fee of $10,000 a month. But until recently, only a handful of Republican lawmakers seemed to know about the agreement. Senate President Page Cortez and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder hired the law firm, BakerHostetler, in December to "provide the Senate and House with redistricting advice," according to an engagement letter obtained by the The Advocate | The Times-Picayune through a public records request. The firm will be paid $10,000 per month for redistricting advice and $60,000 per month should litigation ensue, according to the letter. Six attorneys at the firm could work on the case, the letter states. However, it's unclear how many lawmakers actually had access to that legal advice. During a debate on the Senate floor Tuesday, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, revealed that she had spoken with an attorney from BakerHostetler about whether her congressional redistricting plan complied with the federal Voting Rights Act. She identified the attorney as Kate McKnight, an elections specialist at the firm. Her pay rate is $670 per hour. BakerHostetler Engagement Letter. Letter of legislative leaders engaging BakerHostetler law firm to help with redistricting Under questioning, Hewitt said she didn't know the details of the contract, or who, exactly, McKnight was working for. Would she be available that I could ask her about the Voting Rights Act and the existing plan to see ... why she thinks that this complies with the Voting Rights Act? asked state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans. I cant tell you if she would speak to you or not. I dont know, Hewitt said. Why wouldnt she speak to me? Peterson asked. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Youll have to call and ask her. I have no idea. Shes under contract, Hewitt said. With whom? Peterson asked. Ask the Senate President or the Speaker. I dont know who the contract is between, Hewitt said. Why did you get to talk to her? Peterson asked. Because Im chairing the committee and drafting the bills, Hewitt said. So only chairmen that get to chair the committee and draft the bills get to talk to the lawyer thats paid for by the state? Peterson asked. I have no idea, Hewitt said. After the exchange, Cortez confirmed that a law firm had been hired. He assured lawmakers that when information "becomes available" from the law firm, "it would be made available to all members of the Senate." Cortez added, "There has been zero public money spent on the law firm." Sheriff Joseph Lopinto speaks as the Jefferson Parish SheriffOs Office and Louisiana State Police investigate a deputy-involved shooting in Marrero, La., Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office was in pursuit of a possible theft suspect when they were led on a high-speed chase. The suspect struck multiple JPSO vehicles according to Sheriff Joseph Lopinto. Officers shot at the suspect and the chase ended after the driver of the pick-up crashed into a ditch. According to JPSO, the person shot is in stable condition. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) Insurance Australia Group chief executive Nick Hawkins says the COVID-19 building boom will contribute to higher premiums, as rate rises across a range of policies drove the insurers half-year profit of $173 million. Mr Hawkins said labour and material costs had gone up as renovations spike during the pandemic-induced housing boom, fuelled by low interest rates and record savings that have seen property prices soar around the country. Disruptions to supply chains had improved since the beginning of the pandemic, Mr Hawkins said, but demand for skilled labour was being felt across the industry would drive up repair costs and feed into higher premiums. IAG chief executive Nick Hawkins said the gross written premiums increase was primarily rate driven but added the groups plans to sign up 1 million new customers over the next five years was delivering encouraging progress. Credit:Jessica Hromas Its demand-driven. Theres lot of work out there for skilled labour in the property industry, the building industry. Thats adding to inflationary pressure, Mr Hawkins said. Were all experiencing inflationary pressure on labour at the moment. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Xanthoula Papadopoulos was a schoolgirl aged 14 when a tall young soldier on the run was spirited in to her familys home in the Greek village of Ritini, in the province of Katerini, in September 1941. Herbert Slim Wrigley, from Yarraville in Melbourne, had escaped from a German prisoner-of-war camp in Salonika (Thessalonika), 120 kilometres to the north-east. The decision by Xanthoulas father, schoolteacher Ioannis Papadopoulos, to shelter the Australian would change everything for the family. Xanthoula says her father had never held a gun in his life. He fought the war the other way, with his speeches and his actions, she says. It cost him his life. He was betrayed for his act of mercy and his insistence on speaking on Greek national day against the German invasion. He was taken prisoner and executed by the Germans on January 13, 1944, leaving his family broken. By then, Slim Wrigley had disappeared into the mountains to fight with the Greek resistance before finding his way to neutral Turkey, unaware of the tragedy overwhelming the family that had saved him. Where there are people caught up in the unimaginable suffering and treachery of war, there is also to be found the hearts almost limitless capacity for love and yearning, as if great compensation must be sought. Who might have imagined that within 10 years of the night when a young Australian man was given sanctuary in a remote Greek village, Xanthoula would be married in Melbourne, Australia, to that very soldier, Slim Wrigley? Advertisement Four years after the war ended, Xanthoula was reminiscing with her mother who never recovered from the loss of her husband when a slip of paper fluttered from a photograph album. It bore the name and address in Australia of the tall, thin stranger who had come in out of the cold all those years before. Xanthoulas mother urged her daughter to write to their former guest in case he had survived. Xanthoula was learning a little English it might be good practice. A letter came back from Melbourne. Soon, Xanthoula and Slim Wrigley were corresponding regularly. Many months later, he offered to pay Xanthoulas fare to Melbourne, hoping there was something more to this unexpected long-distance relationship, with the promise of a return fare if no spark was struck. Xanthoula arrived at the end of January 1951, and discovered a very gentle man, well-educated, handsome and honest. She was taken in by his family. Slim Wrigley had joined the federal (then known as Commonwealth) police, and because he spoke the language and had retained good memories of Greece and its people, would become well-known within Melbournes Greek community. A studio portrait of Herbert Slim Wrigley posted to Xanthoula Papadopoulos to entice her to come to Australia, framed with a clipping from The Age in 1951 with the headline: Here to wed man she hid from enemy. Credit:Vlad Bunyevich / Shrine of Remembrance Collection In less than six weeks, Xanthoula and Slim were married, and remained together until he died in 1995. It is a big story, says Xanthoula, now aged 94. It was a very long time ago, dear. The story of Xanthoula and Slim is part of an exhibition at Melbournes Shrine of Remembrance. Lust. Love. Loss. Australian stories of wartime relationships uses artworks, photographs, memorabilia and personal objects to explore a great sweep of war themes often overlooked by official histories. War is hideous, as everyone knows: violent, ruinous to combatants and civilians and destructive to civil society. But the exhibition at the shrine delves further, into the hearts and the desires of those caught up in the extreme pressures of war. Advertisement The exhibitions curator, Neil Sharkey, expresses the hope that the exhibition sparks discussions about primal emotions that have influenced the lives of Australians during wartime as profoundly as their dark counterparts, violence and hate. Primal emotions, indeed. Beyond great love stories like those of Xanthoula and Slim, the exhibition explores separation, grief, sexual freedom, sexual exploitation and sexual identity. There is no varnishing. The inclusion of lust as the first word of the title sees to that. Back home (146) by Sali Herman. Oil on canvas. Credit:Courtesy Australian War Memorial Attendees may be astonished to discover that more than 55,000 Australian soldiers were treated for gonorrhoea and syphilis during the First World War (1914-18), when about 334,000 Australians fought overseas. The military tried to respond to the epidemic of venereal disease, VD as it was known, by establishing clinics, regulated brothels and frequent parade-ground genital examinations. Docked pay, court martials and dishonourable discharges were introduced for those proven, or even suspected, of catching VD to avoid battle. Back home, some doctors and even the Ballarat Hospital refused to treat VD patients on moral grounds. Discipline and moralising proved no match for sexual adventuring, however. After World War II, effective treatment with penicillin appears to have bred increasing complacency. Sexually transmitted diseases were recorded among 39 per cent of Australian troops in the Korean War (1950-53), 41 per cent during the Malaysian conflict (1948-1960), and 48 per cent in the Vietnam War (1962-73). Advertisement Beyond lust and love, of course, is loss. A simple photograph of a group of women holding wreaths and standing on the steps of the Shrine contains unspoken worlds of the pain of loss, and of determination, too. It is entitled Group portrait of War Widows Guild members c 1950. The exhibition provides the backstory: the guild fought for and won a decent pension and benefits such as free public transport and allowances for children. The symbol of the guild is the kookaburra an industrious and cheerful bird who mates for life, and is fearless and aggressive in the defence of its young. War, however, often exacerbates faultlines in relationships, and in many cases mating for life is an idea never realised. The exhibitions literature points out that divorce rates in Australia rose dramatically in the years immediately following both world wars. Around 38 per cent of Vietnam veterans marriages failed within six months of their return to Australia. The trend continues among veterans of modern wars and their partners. Restless, traumatised or alienated, some veterans neglect, abuse or desert their partners and families. Many relationships, however, endure, as the exhibition illustrates. Julia and Jai Michel met in a pub in Wagga Wagga in October 2017 and decided almost straight away they wanted to spend their lives together. Julia was studying law and behavioural science in Sydney. Jai was an army infantryman based at Edinburgh, north of Adelaide. Defence couple Jai and Julia Michel. Credit:Megan Spencer Within 10 days of their meeting, Jai was deployed to Afghanistan. Courtship became thousands of emails. I was so naive, Julia says. She knew nothing of what might be expected of a military wife. In the 10 years since they met, she and Jai have lived under the one roof for a total of just three and a half years. It was left to Julia to find a house and to arrange a wedding while Jai was away on his second tour to Afghanistan. His tour was extended and he made it home for the wedding with almost no time to spare. Jai, Julia discovered, would average between six and eight months every year away on deployments, travelling interstate for courses, undertaking guard duties at COVID quarantine hotels, or on exercises in the field, sometimes with no contact for weeks. Sometimes, the separations came to feel like grief; even death, she says. Advertisement As governments came to rely heavily on Defence personnel during Operation COVID Assist, Julia and Jai were among 49,000 of Australias 61,000 military families caught up in the exercise. Jai found himself stranded in Victoria when he was posted to Puckapunyal just before COVID closed the borders in 2020. While Julia continued life in Adelaide, Jai spent long months in Victoria teaching the use of personal protective equipment. They were separated for most of 21 months. Having navigated the Defence system that often defined their relationship as MWDU (member with dependent unaccompanied), Julia now helps other partners deal with the complicated world she has lived in. She recently launched the Defence Partners and Carers Support Group on Facebook, has become a spokeswoman for PTSD Awareness Day, and addressed the second National Defence Partner Roundtable. Many suffer in silence, people dont want to say anything, or they are told you chose this, Julia says. It is a perfect breeding ground for resentment, but it doesnt need to be like this. Afghanistan veterans Corporal Neal Fischer, Royal Australian Air Force, left, and Private Brychan Hawker, Australian Army, at the 2013 Mardi Gras parade. Credit:Vick Gwyn, courtesy Australian War Memorial Others in the Australian Defence Force have had to fight for the right to love openly. Brychan Hawker, then a private in the Australian Army, was among 120 members of the military who marched in the 2013 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Alongside was his boyfriend, Corporal Neal Fischer, of the Royal Australian Air Force. It was the first time lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australian Defence Force personnel were allowed to march in uniform, openly representing their nations military. The awkward years of dont ask, dont tell were long gone by then. The ban on gay and lesbian personnel had been lifted by the Keating Government in 1992. Advertisement Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Patricia Resnick was at the start of her screenwriting career when she discovered the fine line between art and life. At 26, she found herself interviewing secretaries at a Los Angeles insurance firm to research a new project, co-produced by Jane Fonda, about the friendship between three female office workers. She learnt about their workplace dynamics over lunchtime martinis. She tried to sift truth from gossip. She had a flash of inspiration that would shape the cult 1980 movie starring Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton, 9 to 5. Jane had a stack of data about women in the workplace she wanted to come up with a story that would tell it in a comedic way, Resnick says. I would take the women to lunch and they would all say this secretary is sleeping with the boss. But [when I spoke to her] she started to cry and said, Im not hes after me. She flinches at the memory. I absolutely believed her. Leading ladies (from left) Marina Prior, Casey Donovan and Erin Clare in the Australian version of 9 to 5 The Musical. Credit:Louise Kennerley Resnick speaks to me a fortnight before 9 to 5 The Musical, which she adapted for Broadway and the West End, premieres in Sydney. Conceived and set to music by Dolly Parton, it arrives in Australia during a moment in which were collectively reimagining our relationship with the office. After two years of working from home, who isnt at least a little nostalgic for the chance to compare notes from our personal lives with colleagues in the lunchroom? To vent about bad management over knock-off drinks? Although 9 to 5 is an office comedy, its roots are political, she says. It was inspired by 9to5, a grassroots organisation led by working women in Boston tired of being subjected to workplace indignities. According to the February 2021 Netflix documentary 9to5: The Story of a Movement, female workers received roses rather than raises. One secretary was asked to sew the crotch of her boss pants while he was wearing them. Throughout the 70s, the National Association of Working Womens 9to5 fought for better pay, an end to sexual harassment and the right to benefits such as paid maternity leave. Resnick, who has worked on shows such as Better Things and Mad Men, remembers this era. Growing up in Florida, she recalls other families would go boating. Hers would go to protests. She was briefly involved in the womens movement. But I was interested in trying to write a good movie that people would enjoy, she says. Advertisement Original cast (from left) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in the 1980 film version of 9 to 5. Credit:20th Century Fox She has a mordant sense of humour. This will come as little surprise to anyone whos watched 9 to 5. In one scene, the three female leads, who work at a firm called Consolidated Industries, spill their workplace woes by smoking joints together. Then theres the plot line in which Tomlins Violet Newstead, a plucky widower whos passed over for a promotion, accidentally laces the coffee of Franklin Hart, the boss who sexually harasses Partons Doralee Rhodes, with rat poison. Originally, it was even darker, laughs Resnick, whose screenplay was reworked in parts by late director Colin Higgins. My first draft, I had them actually trying to kill him in funny ways. Patricia Resnick, 9 to 5 writer. Franklin Hart Jr, played by Eddie Perfect in 9 to 5 The Musical, is an amalgam of every office villain an incompetent and lecherous bigot likely to have landed his role via family connections. Despite all the talk of female empowerment, the pandemic has pushed women, tired of juggling childcare and work, to abandon careers. In September 2021, a US-based McKinsey report found that one in three women had considered leaving their jobs in the previous year. Four decades after she wrote it, Resnick says, the world of 9 to 5 seems almost idealistic. Now people would kill for a 9 to 5 job, she says. Back then female clerical workers would eventually be able to afford a small house, buy a decent car. She sighs. I know enough about Australia, especially Sydney, to know that is no longer the case. Advertisement You cant talk about 9 to 5 without conjuring Parton, patron saint of hard-working women. The legend goes that she came up with 9 to 5, the anthem of anyone whos ever laboured for a living, by clacking her acrylic nails, dreaming up a bass line that mimics the rhythm of a typewriter. Well, I tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen/pour myself a cup of ambition. And later: barely getting by/ its all taking and no giving. Is there a lyric that sums up the gig economy with more precision? 9 to 5 has been the wallpaper of my life, laughs Marina Prior, who along with Casey Donovan and Erin Clare, play the trio of friends in the Australian production. The three stars of the show play office workers who bond over their chauvinist boss and plot their revenge. Credit:Peter Brew-Bevan I was a young girl when it came out and I can relate. Its an earworm that never gets weary. It is always a joy to sing it, says Prior, who plays Violet Newstead, the role Tomlin made famous in the film. Rehearsal footage shows her shimmying to the left and right, the notes dazzling, hymn-like when sung in her famous soprano. Dancers whirl between desks, copy machines. The humdrum business of the office remade, in the way of the musical, into a fantasy about overcoming limitations, realising your potential. Violet, says Prior, whos 58, is a powerful middle-aged woman, the kind of character still rare in theatre. Shes really comedically gorgeous and gutsy, she says. [So often] you are cast as a mother figure. Prior, who built a career that began with Phantom of the Opera in the 1990s, while raising five children, understands mothers can be severely underestimated in the workplace. Advertisement Casey Donovan, Marina Prior and Erin Clare bring the 80s vibe to the Australian stage. There is a speech at the end of the play that triggers me, she says. Its about how women are late picking up their kids and late getting to work and theres this constant guilt as a working mother. I have experienced that for 26 years. And then, theres men and women getting equal pay for equal work thats still not the case! In 9 to 5, Violet has a teenage son. She ascends Consolidated Industries to become its first female CEO. Along with coworkers Judy Bernly and Doralee Rhodes (Fonda and Parton respectively in the film), she remakes the workplace to better accommodate women. They introduce initiatives such as truly flexible hours and in-house childcare that are still considered radical today. Donovan, 33, plays Judy, a thirtysomething who enters the workforce for the first time when her husband, Dick, in another grand cliche of office work, leaves her for his secretary. For Donovan, 9 to 5, at its heart, is a story about female solidarity. Patricia Resnick (left), Dolly Parton and musical arranger Stephen Oremus; the team behind 9 to 5 The Musical. Credit:AP Photo/Seth Wenig. Its about women coming together, empowering each other, lifting each other up, she says. Donovan was drawn to Judy, she says, because of Get Out and Stay Out a plaintive ballad in which the character articulates her self-worth after years of mistreatment. Advertisement Then theres I Just Might Judy is down and out with a Xerox machine, picking up paper and shes saying, I just might make it, I just might get through life, Donovan says, passion rising in her voice. And then Dick comes in and says, here are the divorce papers. She pauses. And then you see her picking herself up and dusting herself off. We can read 9 to 5 as a satire about the pitfalls of office life. It points to general bad behaviour and the lack of care of those around you, says producer Suzanne Jones, who fell in love with the musical after seeing it on the West End. Its also about the desire to make the world a better place, reaching for a purpose. Four decades before the rise of #MeToo, it shows us how gender and power can shape our professional trajectories. But it also explores the divide between how women are seen by society versus how they see themselves. Theres no better avatar for this than Parton, who, through talent and grit, overcame roots in rural poverty to become a trailblazing superstar. Parton, now 76, whose life inspired the character of Doralee Rhodes, has never explicitly identified as feminist. The excellent podcast Dolly Partons America puts this down to Dollitics a desire to protect her relationship with fans from different sides of the political divide. Ive leaned over. Ive leaned forward, she joked to a 2014 interviewer from Billboard who brought up Lean In, Sheryl Sandbergs manual for making it as a woman in the office. The films cast come together to present at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2017. Credit:Phil McCarten/AP Images You look at Dolly, you see her in interviews she is the first person to be in control of herself, she isnt the butt of jokes, she makes the joke first, says the rising actor and singer-songwriter Erin Clare, who plays Doralee, the part that, thanks to the film, has become synonymous with Partons off-screen persona. Doralee has such strong morals and values. Shes accepted by the women later on, but she doesnt have to prove herself. Shes like Im me take it or leave it. Advertisement Large florist operators passing off as local businesses or charging a premium for locally-grown flowers that are in fact imported will be investigated by the competition watchdog ahead of the lucrative Valentines Day buying spree. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will investigate reports that some suppliers claiming to have a local presence were operating remote distribution centres or outsourcing to local businesses for a commission. Some florist operators are being investigated by the ACCC. Credit:Lauren Sams Florists claiming that their imported flowers are locally grown and charging a premium for them will also be investigated, the watchdog said. Consumers are often willing to pay premium prices at local florists in the hope they will get fresh flowers, a direct point of contact and reliable delivery, said ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard. When national order gatherers use suburb-specific information in their online digital marketing, it may mislead a consumer into thinking they are dealing with a small local business, she said. The warning comes a few days ahead of Valentines Day, which will see the industry earn about $36 million in one day, equal to three months trade. For a customer, purchasing through an order gatherer - a large florist network charging a local business commission to fulfil the order - may mean less value for money and be difficult to determine where the flowers are grown. Read the full story here. While campaigning for the Democratic Partys presidential nomination in early 2020, Joe Biden declared that transgender equality was the civil rights issue of our time. There is no room for compromise when it comes to basic human rights, the future president wrote on Twitter a statement that underlined the increasingly prominent role transgender rights plays in American politics today. The US Supreme Courts 2015 decision to legalise same-sex marriage essentially took that issue off the political agenda, opening a void that was soon filled by a heated debate over rights for transgender Americans. The same trend is now playing out in Australia on a slight time delay, as seen in this weeks focus on whether religious schools should be allowed to expel transgender children because of their gender identity. Theres a point in Labors statement outlining its amendments to the religious discrimination bill that captures why this whole episode has been such a mess. Addressing the flashpoint dispute over religious schools right to exclude gay or transgender students, shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus says, changes need to be made to protect all children. He then asserts that we can do this while still ensuring that religious schools are able to conduct themselves in accordance with the teachings of their faith. Except that raises an obvious question: what if they believe the teachings of their faith require them to exclude these kids in order to maintain their religious values? Can they conduct themselves in accordance with that? The new bill would allow schools to reject students on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity. Here, distilled, is the insoluble problem at the heart of this legislation. The rights that Dreyfus wants to realise fully and simultaneously are, at the margins, in a zero-sum relationship. The moment this bill gives primacy to religious freedom, some discrimination in some cases inevitably follows. The moment it gives primacy to non-discrimination, there will be cases where some religious teachings even if very much in the minority are being suppressed. A study by the Parliamentary Library found that, between 1950 and 2019, almost 25 per cent of MPs, the vast majority of them from the Coalition, had at one time or another chosen to cross the floor. About half of those occasions involved a single MP exercising his or her independence. Loading Its not always career-ending, either: it happens that current Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is the champion floor-crosser of the modern period he had voted against his own team 28 times by 2019. But the decision by five government MPs, just months before what is expected to be a very tight election, to stand together to defy their Prime Ministers request they put the team first, is extremely unusual and thus significant. There have been just three previous occasions since 1950 when five members of the House of Representatives have crossed the floor together, the librarys study found. Most floor-crossings achieve little but individual satisfaction, but at least the efforts of Bridget Archer, Trent Zimmerman, Fiona Martin, Katie Allen and Dave Sharma were not in vain. Having lodged in the wee small hours of the morning their votes with Labor and independents, they managed to repeal a section of the Sex Discrimination Act that allowed religious schools to discriminate against students or teachers on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or relationship status or pregnancy. Four of the five Liberal MPs who crossed the floor - Trent Zimmerman, Fiona Martin, Katie Allen and Bridget Archer - in Parliament on Thursday morning. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Their vote meant the repeal was carried by a margin of 65 to 57 votes. Well hear much spin from all sides about this. The government might boast that its Religious Discrimination Bill was passed by the House of Representatives, whatever might be missing alongside. Its likely there will be further boasting (through gritted teeth) about how government MPs are free to follow their conscience. Loading The truth, of course, is that the government has chosen to let the whole thing die in the Senate. Labor has already hailed the repeal of the sex discrimination section as a crushing win, making sure it no longer mentions it had been preparing to accept the governments legislation before the five rebels shifted their votes. The greater truth is that the whole messy episode, requiring an all-night sitting, is the result of a panicky rushed job. Here is a government that figured it was smart to limit the number of parliamentary sitting days in the first half of this year to just 10 a measly seven this month, and three in March for the budget, and less for the Senate to avoid the potential for embarrassing foul-ups before the election. But it also meant the Morrison government had almost no time this year to prove it is doing much at all on policy or actual legislation. The Prime Minister has been making much of the necessity to legislate on religious discrimination because he had promised to do that before the last election. Which is to say, three years ago. And here we were, the Parliament reduced to debating his promise in the dead of night because time had run out. And then walking away from everything. Loading It remains awkward, too, that the Coalition also promised as far back as December 2018 to establish a federal integrity commission and has done precisely nothing since to make it happen. Such a commission, of course, would have the task of investigating corruption within a federal government that has been accused frequently of rorting the system for political purposes. No hurry for that, then, and there will be no hint of such a thing before this years election. The thirst for testing the teams unity has, youd imagine, dried up. Senior union figure Misha Zelinsky has withdrawn from the race for the safe NSW federal Labor seat of Cunningham, clearing the way for political staffer Alison Byrnes to win the partys nomination uncontested. Mr Zelinsky, the national assistant secretary of the Australian Workers Union and a recent Fulbright scholar in Australian-United States Alliance Studies, said it had become clear in recent days he would not have enough support among branch members. Australian Workers Union national assistant secretary Misha Zelinsky has withdrawn from Labor preselection. Credit:Sarah Baker The contest for the seat, to be vacated by long-time MP Sharon Bird at the next election, had threatened to become a distraction for the federal opposition, with major unions backing Mr Zelinksy but several senior NSW Right factional leaders at loggerheads. While widely viewed as a rising star of the ALP, Mr Zelinksy has continued to be plagued by scrutiny for his contributions to a 2012 satirical female advice book that was slammed as degrading to women. London: London police chief Cressida Dick resigned on Friday AEDT, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said, after he told her he was not satisfied she could eradicate racism, sexism and other problems that still existed within the force. Hours before the announcement, Dick had vowed to stay in her role. Confidence in the Metropolitan Police has been shaken by the abduction, rape and murder of a woman, Sarah Everard, by one of its officers, and recent revelations of a culture of bullying, racial discrimination and misogyny at a central London police station. Resigned: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick. Credit:Getty Khan said he had made clear to Dick the scale of the change he believed was urgently required to rebuild Londoners trust in the Met and to expunge racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, discrimination and misogyny from it. Washington: Authorities in France and Belgium are taking no chances with truck-led protests against COVID restrictions, taking steps to ban road blockades being organised online. They said on Friday (AEDT) they would try to stop planned convoys from entering those cities. The protests started in opposition to US and Canadian rules requiring cross-border truck drivers to be fully vaccinated. But theyve mushroomed into a broader movement against pandemic restrictions. A man puts a poster reads Liberty Convoy on a van before leaving for Paris, in Bayonne, south-western France. Credit:AP The convoy rolled into Ottawa on January 28. Since then, the Canadian demonstrations have drawn support and inspired copycats from Australia to New Zealand and to Europe. Camp Jeep Indoor Test Track Returns to the Chicago Auto Show for 18th Year AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 9, 2022 -- Bigger and steeper than previous years, Camp Jeep test track is free to auto show attendees Ram Truck Territory indoor test track also showcases power and capability of Ram trucks The popular Camp Jeep indoor test track will return to the Chicago Auto Show for the 18th year. Since its inception in 2005, more than 532,000 people have taken test rides in various Jeep vehicles, getting a glimpse at multiple off-road features that they may not commonly experience in everyday driving. The interactive test track has been a favorite place for auto show attendees and this year will be no exception. The track is bigger and steeper and features a mountain that is 28' tall 10 feet taller than previous years - with 45 degree approach / departure angles. Experienced drivers will navigate attendees through the various courses, which highlight the off-road features of Jeep vehicles, in the 28,000-square-foot exhibit. Courses include: Ground clearance stair climber Maneuverability moguls Extreme break-over Jeep tunnel pass-through All-new 28-foot, 45-degree hill ascent / descent Off-camber 30-degree banked wedge Attendees can stop by the Jeep display for a free ride in the following Jeep vehicles: Wrangler Rubicon, Wrangler 4xe, Wrangler 392, Gladiator Rubicon, Gladiator Mojave, Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, Grand Cherokee Overland and Summit Reserve, Cherokee Trailhawk and Compass Trailhawk. In addition to Camp Jeep, auto show attendees can experience the capability and power of Ram trucks in the Ram Truck Territory test track by taking free rides in Ram's 1500 light-duty and 2500/3500 heavy-duty trucks. Professional drivers will provide auto show attendees with an exciting ride as they go through a series of steel culverts that showcase ride-and-handling capability and suspension options. Riders will also feel the traction and experience hill descent technology on the iconic Ram Mountain, a 13-foot high, 30-foot long course element with 30-degree approach and departure angles. Technology will be displayed as the drivers highlight the 360-degree camera technology, class-exclusive four-corner air ride suspension, multi-function tailgate, 12.1" touchscreen and acoustic NVH features. Featured Ram vehicles include the 1500 Laramie, 1500 Limited, 1500 Rebel, 2500 75th Anniversary Power Wagon, 2500 Limited and 3500 Limited 6.7L Cummins High-Output. "As one of the most anticipated events at the Chicago Auto Show and auto shows around the country, fans have been known to wait hours at Camp Jeep to get inside our Jeep vehicles for a personal experience on the track," said Jason Russ, head of experiential marketing, Stellantis. "And, this year, our Camp Jeep will be bigger and better than ever with over 4,000 more square feet added to its overall footprint, and 10 feet added to its mountain. Consumers will be treated to an ever more exhilarating experience with vehicles, including the all-new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Our Ram Truck Territory track, another fan favorite, will give show attendees the opportunity to experience the power and capability of our highly awarded light-duty and heavy-duty trucks, including the 2021 Ram Rebel Limited Night edition and 2021 Ram 2500 Power Wagon 75th Anniversary edition." The 2022 Chicago Auto Show will be held Feb. 12-21 at McCormick Place. For more information, visit ChicagoAutoShow.com. SOURCE Stellantis Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., Superior Twp., Mich., on Sept. 9, 2019. We are proud to expand upon our ?safety first commitment by developing a new Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL), said Brian Latouf, chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor North America. With the added testing and investigation capabilities of the STIL, we will better understand customer vehicle issues, identify and address defects and analyze vehicle systems more efficiently with our own, on-site laboratory. The access to real-world data will help accelerate our pursuit of a best-in-class safety office and enable effective safety technologies to help protect our customers and their families. Hyundai recognizes the value and importance of enhancing its hands-on safety evaluation processes. The STIL will enable Hyundai to analyze field data, understand the root cause of issues and quickly take action to ensure vehicle safety. The STIL was developed in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) based on a 2020 Consent Order. Hyundai increased its required investment by $26 million. Approximately 150 jobs are planned to support the facility. Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI) is excited to collaborate with Hyundai Motor North America (HMNA) on a state-of-the art safety test laboratory at our Michigan R&D campus, said John Robb, president, HATCI. Having on-site access to perform real-world evaluations further enhances our safety commitment to our customers and emphasizes our commitment to the region. Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. As one of Hyundai Motor Groups (HMG) six centers focused on research and development (R&D), Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) was established in 1986 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. HATCI is HMGs design, technology and engineering division for North America. As HMG solidified its position as one of the top five global OEMs, HATCI has grown to include a strong network of engineering disciplines and increased business-focused activities to support North Americas Voice of the Customer. For more information, visit http://www.hatci.com/ Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America focuses on ?Progress for Humanity and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs and electrified vehicles. Our 820 dealers sold more than 738,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, Former astronaut and the Chief Operating Officer at Texas A&M Galveston, Col. Mike Fossum '80, USAFR (Ret.), and artist, Benjamin Knox, besides Knox's painting, "Space Force - Semper Supra!" which Fossum is featured in. Texas A&M University Police Department is located in Texas A&M Research Park and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and on holidays. This March 20, 2021, photo provided by the Office of Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, shows detainees in a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) temporary overflow facility in Donna, Texas. President Joe Biden's administration faces mounting criticism for refusing to allow outside observers into facilities where it is detaining thousands of immigrant children. Associate Editor Brent Addleman is an Associate Editor and a veteran journalist with more than 25 years of experience. He has served as editor of newspapers in Pennsylvania and Texas, and has also worked at newspapers in Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Kentucky. New report looks to rollback some Wisconsins volumes of regulations We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Send us your news, photos, and videos and let us know what's going on! Submit Here EMLENTON - The board of directors of Emclaire Financial Corporation, the parent holding company of the Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, declared a quarterly cash dividend on Feb. 16, of 31 cents per common share payable on March 18, to shareholders of record on March 1. Start or renew a six-month or one-year online subscription to TheClarionNews.com! Get 24/7 access to everything on the website, including breaking news, e-editions, searchable archives (2010 to current) and special sections. Batavia, NY (14020) Today Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. This is the temporary subscription pass for users returning from the Vision Data subscription process. Your subscription will be updated within 24 hours, after your information is verified. Please click the button below to get your pass. BAINBRIDGE - Zilphia "Zippy" Tobey Furman, 86, passed into heaven following a brief illness with her family by her side. She was born on Jan. 4, 1936. Zippy graduated from Bainbridge High School and lived in Bainbridge for most of her life. She retired from Amphenol Corporation. Zippy enjoye Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks. Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of Nixons White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever. To find out more about Patrick Buchanan and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators website at www.creators.com. 16 Years Prison for Colorado Mom Who Abused 7-Year-Old Daughter to Death DENVERColorado mother who fatally abused her 7-year-old daughter and lied about her health to get handouts from charities worth at least $100,000 was sentenced Wednesday to 16 years in prison. Judge Patricia Herron issued the sentence to Kelly Turner after she pleaded guilty last month to child abuse resulting in the 2017 death of the girl, Olivia, and to charitable fraud and theft. Turner said nothing during her virtual sentencing hearing but wiped away tears as prosecutors played a video made by Olivias grandfather Lonnie Gautreau of Olivia laughing and smiling, baking a cake, dancing in a princess costume, playing doctor with her dolls and singing songs. Authorities have said Turner lied to doctors about Olivias medical history while broadcasting her struggles to receive money and other favors from organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The girl had received unnecessary surgeries and medications up until her death in Denver hospice care in 2017. That summer, Olivia Gant cheerfully sang Hakuna Matata from The Lion King as she was wheeled into hospice care in Denver wearing purple pajamas. It means no worries for the rest of your days, she sang. The girl died less than a month later. The video put out by her mother Kelly Turner was one of many clips highlighting the little girls battle with disease and death, which authorities said was used by her mother to dupe doctors and call for favors and donations to help ease her daughters pain. Authorities have said Turner spent years fabricating her daughters illness, gaining sympathy from television news stories and charitable foundations like Make-A-Wish, which even threw a bat princess costume party for Olivia at a hotel that cost $11,000. The girls cause of death was first listed as intestinal failure, but an autopsy later found no evidence of that condition. Authorities have not said what killed her but, according to the indictment, doctors went along with Turners push to stop feeding her daughter. The amount of the theft from charity was between $100,000 and $1 million, according to prosecutors. Psychiatrists have said that Turners behavior seems consistent with Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder increasingly featured in movies and television in which parents or caregivers seek attention from the illness of their children or dependents and sometimes cause them injuries. But experts said these types of cases are not easy to detect. She brought up the syndrome on her own during an interview with investigators and denied she had it. Turner moved to Colorado from Texas with her three daughters and told doctors over the years, beginning in 2012, that Olivia was sick with numerous ailments and diseases, convincing medical professionals to perform surgeries and fill prescriptions for illnesses that she didnt have. Several doctors said that Turner was the primary source of information for Olivias medical history, according to the indictment. Investigators discovered blogs, a GoFundMe site and news stories in which Turner described Olivias various health conditions without medical proofincluding claims that she suffered from a seizure disorder, a tumor and a buildup of fluid in the cavities deep within her brain. At Olivias first emergency room visit, a doctor thought she appeared to be growing normally. But the next year, a surgeon at the same hospital removed part of her small intestine and inserted a feeding tube. The actions prompted a $25 million claim against the hospital system by Olivias grandparents and father, arguing that the hospital failed to do their duties as mandatory reporters of child abuse. The case was resolved in August. A lawyer representing the grandparents said she could not comment further. Before Olivia was admitted to hospice care where she died, doctors said she had only been receiving 30 percent of the required nutrition, according to the indictment. Throughout Turners campaign to bring attention to her dying daughter, she sought donations to help fulfill Olivias dreams of catching a bad guy with police and being a firefighter. A video put out by a suburban Denver municipal government shows Olivia riding on a truck, putting out a dumpster fire and telling firefighters to stand at attentionall of which are met with the little girls smiles and laughter despite several medical tubes poking out of her backpack. While Turners behavior raised suspicions along the way, it was only after Olivia died in hospice care in 2017 and Turner brought her older daughter to the same hospital with bone pain that doctors decided to take a closer look. The older daughter has not reported any additional medical problems or complaints of pain since October 2018. By Patty Nieberg Wreckage of a bus after it fell into a ravine in the province of Pataz, Tayabamba, Peru, on Feb. 9, 2022, in a still from a video. (Ozone Television/AP/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) 20 Dead and 33 Injured in Bus Crash in Peru A bus fell into a steep ravine in a remote northwestern area of the Andes in Peru on Thursday, leaving at least 20 people dead and 33 injured. Local authorities said the accident occurred when the bus went off the road in the province of Pataz, plunging some 100 meters (984 feet). Video images of the scene of the accident show the wreckage of the bus on a hillside. Wreckage of a bus after it fell into a ravine in the province of Pataz, Tayabamba, Peru, on Feb. 9, 2022, in a still from a video. (Ozone Television/AP/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) We are lending support to the local municipality of Pataz with healthcare resources and local police efforts, Pataz Mayor Omar Iparraguirre said. Ambulances carried the wounded to hospital in the nearby town of Tayabamba. Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the Navy, speaks during an event in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 6, 2021. (Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images) 240 Service Members Discharged From Navy for Refusing to Get COVID-19 Vaccine The Navy has discharged 240 sailors for refusal to abide by the militarys COVID-19 vaccine mandate, the military branch said on Feb. 9. Of the discharged, all but one were active-duty. Twenty-two were discharged during their initial training periods, or within their first 180 days of active duty. The Navy mandated active-duty sailors be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Nov. 28, 2021. Reserve troops had until Dec. 28, 2021. The Navy started discharging sailors in January. Some sailors have been waiting on decisions on exemption requests from the mandate on religious or medical grounds. The Navy has received 3,348 religious exemption applications from active-duty troops alone but still has not granted a single religious exemption. Officials have granted 10 permanent medical exemptions, 250 temporary medical exemptions, and 50 administrative exemptions. Approximately 8,329 sailors remain unvaccinated as of Feb. 9, or about 2.4 percent of the force. Military lawyers say the Navy is discriminating against religious sailors and a federal judge agreed in January, ordering the branch to stop taking adverse action from a group of 35 service members who sued over the mandate. The Navy provides a religious accommodation process, but by all accounts, it is theater. The Navy has not granted a religious exemption to any vaccine in recent memory. It merely rubber stamps each denial, U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor, a George W. Bush nominee, wrote in his ruling. Military officials argue judges shouldnt have jurisdiction over the militarys health and readiness policies and that plaintiffs didnt exhaust all of their efforts, assertions OConnor and at least one other judge have rejected. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a Biden nominee, imposed the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in August 2021. Vaccination requirements were necessary to protect the force and defend the American people, he wrote in a memorandum. Only two branches, the Air Force and Marines, have granted any religious exemption requests. The Air Force said on Feb. 8 it has approved nine such requests out of over 5,700 submitted. Marine officials have granted three. Besides the Navy, the Army and Coast Guard have granted none. Many of the rejected troops were determined by chaplains to have sincere belief. That revelation confirms what many of us suspected, which is that the procedure for service members to submit religious exemption requests is basically bogus, Jay Richards, a senior research fellow in the Heritage Foundations DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society, told The Epoch Times in a previous interview. Military officials have defended the treatment of exemption requests and have shown no sign of easing the mandate, even as the vaccines provide less protection against the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. At the same time, the military has decided against requiring booster shots. U.S. health officials say everybody 12 or older should get a booster when theyre eligible to maximize protection against the virus, which causes COVID-19. A pedestrian walks past an electronic quotation board displaying the Nikkei 225 index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo, on Jan. 21, 2022. (Behrouz Mehri/AFP via Getty Images) Asian Stock Valuations Dip to a 21-Month Low Valuations of Asian equities dropped to a 21-month low at the end of January, as expectations of aggressive policy tightening by the Federal Reserve, and a surge in U.S. bond yields hit the regional stocks. The MSCI Asia-Pacific indexs forward 12-month P/E ratio stood at 13.49 at the end of last month, which was its lowest since April 2020, Refinitiv data showed. That compares with the MSCI World indexs P/E ratio of 17.24. Last month, a rise in U.S. yields prompted money outflows from the region, which led to big declines in regional shares. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index shed 4.4 percent in January, its worst start to a year in six years. Chinas Shanghai Composite Index declined 7.6 percent last month, which pulled down its forward P/E ratio to 10.18, the lowest in Asia. Shares of tech companies in South Korea and Taiwan also faced big losses due to a spike in bond yields, and their forward 12-month P/E stood at 10.34 and 13.33 respectively. On the other hand, Indian shares were the most expensive in the region, with a forward P/E of 20.42. However, some analysts said Asian equities look attractive at these levels. Suresh Tantia, senior investment strategist at Credit Suisse said valuation of Asian stocks have become less expensive and they have been trading at a discount to global equities. With an outlook of over 9 percent EPS growth this year supported by another year of above trend GDP growth, we still expect positive returns over the medium term, he said. Anthony Raza, head of multi-asset strategy at UOB Asset Management, said the exports in Asia have been very strong, with the economic flows making Asian equities more attractive. We have been underweight or neutral on Asia for the past three quarters, but are now back to overweight Asia. We think they are set to catch up given their previous underperformance. By Gaurav Dogra A dose of the Vaxzevria AstraZeneca vaccine in an undated file photo. (Louai Beshara/AFP via Getty Images) AstraZeneca Sees Higher 2022 Sales, but Forecasts COVID-19 Shot Revenues to Decline BritishSwedish multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca on Thursday forecast higher sales in 2022 after posting a better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit. But the biotechnology company warned that it expects revenues to decline as sales of its COVID-19 products drop, and that the gross profit margins from those products would be lower than the company average. The drugmaker recorded full-year revenues of $37.4 billion in its fourth-quarter results (pdf), an increase of 38 percent from the year before. Part of the boost in revenue came from $4 billion in sales of its COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed with the University of Oxford. In the final quarter, sales rose 62 percent to $12 billion. For 2022, AstraZeneca forecast total group sales to rise by a high teens percentage. However, the drugmaker warned that COVID-19 revenues would decline by a low-to-mid twenties percentage. Total Revenue from COVID-19 medicines is anticipated to decline by a low-to-mid twenties percentage, with an expected decline in sales of Vaxzevria being partially offset by growth in Evusheld sales, the company said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization on Dec. 8 for Evusheld. It is the only antibody therapy authorized in the United States for preventative COVID-19 treatment. The majority of vaccine revenue in 2022 is expected to come from initial contracts. The Gross Profit Margin from the COVID-19 medicines is expected to be lower than the Company average, AstraZenica said. For 2022, analysts currently estimate earnings per share of $6.68 and sales of $42.73 billion, according to Refinitiv IBES data. AstraZeneca announced plans to start selling its COVID-19 shots at modest profitability back in November, after previously saying it would not take a profit from its COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. It said that the limited profit will offset costs related to its antibody drug developed to prevent and treat COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. However, the company said that low-income nations would continue to receive the vaccine on a no-profit basis. AstraZeneca continued on its strong growth trajectory in 2021, with industry-leading R&D productivity, five of our medicines crossing new blockbuster thresholds, and the acquisition and integration of Alexion, said Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca. We also delivered on our promise of broad and equitable access to our COVID-19 vaccine with 2.5 billion doses released for supply around the world, he said. Growth was well balanced across our strategic areas of focus, and we saw double-digit growth in all major regions, including Emerging Markets despite some headwinds in China. This, along with the transformative acquisition of Alexion, means that we are confident in our long term growth and profitability. After a landmark year in 2021, we are increasing the dividend for our shareholders, Soriot said. Citing preliminary data from an ongoing clinical trial, AstraZenica said in January that its COVID-19 vaccine, called Vaxzevria, generated an antibody response against the Omicron variant of the virus when given as a third booster dose to individuals who were earlier inoculated with either AstraZenecas shot or an mRNA jab. Vaxzevria has not yet been approved by U.S. regulators. AstraZeneca company said it plans to submit the data to health regulators for approval for use as a third shot globally. However, the AstraZeneca vaccine has faced scrutiny regarding its efficacy data, with links to potential side effects such as blood clots. AstraZeneca shares were up 0.97 percent at $57.20 as of 11:21 a.m. GMT on Thursday. Australian Spy Agency Stops Election Interference Plot Australias domestic spy agency, ASIO, has disrupted a plot by an unnamed foreign state-power to help friendly candidates get elected in this years federal elections. Director-General of ASIO Mike Burgess made the announcement in his Annual Threat Assessment speech on Feb. 9, saying the plot was an excellent example of what political interference actually looks like. I can confirm that ASIO recently detected and disrupted a foreign interference plot in the lead-up to an election in Australia, Burgess said, admitting that the agency saw attempts at foreign interference at all levels of government and in all states and territories. According to Burgess, a wealthy individual with direct and deep connections to a foreign government and its intelligence agencies acted as a puppeteer hiring an Australian proxy to secretly shape the political scene of a local electorate to benefit the foreign power directly. Burgess declined to name the electorate and the foreign power but noted that an offshore bank account supported the interference operation with hundreds of thousands of dollars in operating expenses. It was like a foreign interference start-up, Burgess said. The employee hired by the puppeteer began identifying candidates likely to run in the election who either supported the interests of the foreign government or who were assessed as vulnerable to inducements and cultivation. The employee used existing relationships with politicians, staffers, and journalists to select potential targets, without revealing the secret intent, the foreign connection or the puppeteers involvement, he said. Australian voters are filling in ballot papers at Brisbane City Hall in Brisbane, Australia, on March 28, 2020. (Jono Searle/Getty Images) Burgess said that the puppeteer and the individual hired plotted multiple ways of advancing the candidates they identified through generous support, placing favourable stories in foreign language news platforms, and providing other forms of assistance. The foreign agents also investigated hiring political consultants, advertising agencies, and PR specialists to help individual campaigns, which they hoped would not just get the candidates into positions of power, but also engender feelings of appreciation, obligation, and indebtedness in the political candidates themselves. Burgess noted that the political candidates targeted in the plot were unaware of the scheme and, due to the use of a proxy by the foreign agent, would not have even suspected they were being utilised to forward the interest of the foreign power. Its impossible to know exactly what would have happened without ASIOs disruption, Burgess said. But I can offer an informed scenario. Some of the candidates get elected. The puppeteers employee then recommends they hire certain other associates as political staffers. These people are also agents or proxies of the foreign government and will try to influence the politician, shape decision-making, and help identify other political figures who can be influenced and recruited. Burgess noted that the targeted new parliamentarians might be asked for information about the partys position on defence policy, human rights, foreign investment, or trade. This information, he said, would then be passed onto the foreign power without the knowledge of the parliamentarian. Further, he noted that at some point, the politicians might be prevailed upon to vote a particular way on a contentious issue or lobby colleagues to vote a certain way, all of which would benefit the foreign power. I know that this is how it plays out because weve seen it happen in situations where we uncovered the foreign interference at a later stage, Burgess said. These cases are much more serious. Past Foreign Interference by China The new revelation by ASIO comes after Australian Federal Police (AFP) initiated raids over foreign interference in 2020, which resulted in the arrest of Duong Di Sanh, or Sunny Duong, who was the head of a number of community organisations in Victoria, including the Oceania Federation of Chinese Organisations from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Inc., and the Museum of Chinese Australian History Melbourne. He was also linked to the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, an organisation controlled by Beijings chief overseas influence body, the United Front Work Department. The AFP charged Duong with preparing for a foreign interference offence; the maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years imprisonment. In the same year, the AFP also raided the office and home of New South Wales State MP Shaoquett Moselmane, who had spoken and written articles supporting Chinas leader Xi Jinping. Moselmane was not involved with any offences resulting from the raids. However, he was forced to stand down as assistant president of the NSW upper house in April after praising Xis response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying Xi had demonstrated unswerving leadership and decisiveness. Federal agents leave the home of NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane in Rockdale, Sydney, Friday, June 26, 2020. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) He also reportedly wrote that the obsolete scum of white Australia was resurgent in spreading Sinophobia in an opinion piece he wrote for the East China Normal University. Moselmane said the AFP investigation was being carried out in relation to individuals connected with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The AFP has an ongoing investigation into his former parliamentary staffer John Zhang, for money laundering and foreign interference. Documents filed with the High Court of Australia revealed that during the dramatic morning raid carried out by the AFP and ASIO in June 2020, officers found bundles of cash contained in envelopes and evidence of meetings between Zhang and Beijings United Front Work Department, according to court filings obtained by the ABC. Australian Labor Party Sen. Sam Dastyari makes a public apology after details emerged about his links to the Chinese regime, in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 6, 2016. (William West/AFP/Getty Images) The 2018 Foreign Interference Law was established after it was revealed that expelled foreign interference agent and billionaire Huang Xiaomo had paid Labor Sen. Sam Dastyaris legal and travel expenses to the tune of $5,000. Dastyari was subsequently forced to resign after it was revealed he warned Huang that intelligence services were tapping his phone calls, among a litany of other issues. Huang arrived in Australia in 2011 in near-total obscurity until big spending and relentless networking saw him build a network of political friends and allies, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. An investigation into Huang by Fairfax Media and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation revealed he had donated more than $1 million (US$724,000) to the two major political parties each and donated $1.8 million to the University of Technology Sydney, which established an Australia-China research centre in his name. A sign pointing in the direction of a ballot drop boxes in Lansing, Michigan at Schmidt Community Center a polling station in Lansing, Michigan November 3,2020. (SETH HERALD/AFP via Getty Images) Ballot Drop Boxes, Private Funding of Elections May Become Constitutional Right in Michigan A group in Michigan called Promote the Vote wants to make private funding of elections, early voting, and the use of ballot drop boxes part of the states Constitution. The proposed constitutional amendment reads in part, A county, city, or township conducting an election may accept and use publicly-disclosed charitable donations and in-kind contributions to conduct and administer elections. In 2018, Promote the Vote sponsored a successful petition drive leading to voter-approved amendments that allowed no-excuse absentee voting, same-day voter registration, and automatic voter registration for any person having contact with the office of the Michigan Secretary of State. A little over 425,000 valid signatures must be obtained by July 11 for the initiative to be placed on the November ballot. If approved by voters, the changes would be in effect for the 2024 presidential election. The proposal, if approved, would mandate the installation and use of at least one state-funded secure ballot drop box in every municipality in Michigan. Larger communities would be required to have one ballot drop box for every 15,000 registered voters. The drop boxes would be put in place 40 days before any election and could be used to receive applications for absentee ballots as well as voted ballots. Early voting would also become a constitutional right in Michigan under the proposal. The amendment mandates that early voting sites must be open for at least nine consecutive days prior to the election and operate for at least eight hours a day. More days and more hours could be added at the discretion of the election official in charge in each jurisdiction. The petition language put forward by Promote the Vote also would prohibit the state legislature from stiffening voter ID requirements. It would restrict the conducting of post-election audits to county officials supervised and directed by the secretary of state, and bar any participation by representatives of the political parties. The amendment states, Election audits shall be conducted in public based on methods finalized and made public prior to the election to be audited. Jamie Roe, a longtime Republican activist, told The Epoch Times that honest election reform should make it easier to vote and harder to cheat. The Promote the Vote efforts just make it easier to cheat, he said. Roe is a spokesperson for Secure MI Vote, an organization thats circulating a petition to change state statutes to prohibit private donations from funding elections and prohibit the government from sending out absentee ballot applications unless requested by the voter. The plan requires a photo ID for in-person voting and requires a drivers license, state ID card, or partial Social Security number on all absentee ballot applications submitted by the voter. The initiative would give state-funded ID cards to those experiencing hardship. A partial Social Security number would have to be provided in order to register to vote. A Democratic website characterized the Secure MI Vote petition as a deceptive effort to silence the voice of the people. Its about making it harder to vote and more difficult for clerks to run elections. Secure MI Vote must obtain 340,000 valid signatures by June 1 to qualify for the November ballot. If the petition drive succeeds, the legislature is permitted by the state constitution to vote to make the Secure MI Vote proposal the law of the land. Should the legislature not enact the proposal, it would then go to a referendum. Both houses of the Michigan legislature have Republican majorities. By going through the citizen initiative petition process, and then having the legislature enact them, the provisions will not be susceptible to a veto by Governor [Gretchen] Whitmer, Roe said. In October 2021, Whitmer, a Democrat, vetoed three GOP-sponsored voter ID and election integrity bills. If the Promote the Vote and Secure MI Vote proposals both pass, the Promote the Vote initiative would take precedence because it amends the Michigan constitution rather than just changing state statutes. A large majority of Michigan voters favor voter ID and enhanced ballot security, according to several polls. People line up to get a swab for the COVID-19 test at a hospital in Beijing, on Jan. 23, 2022. (Andy Wong/AP Photo) Behind Chinas Zero-COVID Policy Lies Profits for Elite Interest Groups, Leaked Recording Shows Commentary Recently, a leaked recording of an alleged conversation with Harvard scholar Huang Wansheng in January at a private gathering in China circulated on the internet. Surprisingly, Huang revealed that Beijings real intention in adopting the zero-COVID policy is to help the regimes elite interest groups make a lot of money. He also said that China lags far behind the United States in 5G, quantum computing, and gene technology. Since 1997, Huang has been a senior assistant to Professor Tu Weiming, a professor emeritus and senior fellow of Asia Center at Harvard University. According to Huang, in July 2020, six months after the outbreak of the pandemic, Beijings top officials purchased a one-way ticket for him that cost 170,000 yuan (about $27,000) and urgently invited him back to China to lead a project named Pandemic Control Using Science and Technology, which is directly under the command of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Why has the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) zero COVID policy led to the current awful situation? Huangs response is that mass PCR testing, vaccine R&D, and mass vaccination, have been exploited by the CCPs elite interest groups to make a bundle from the pandemic. Huang quoted the information he recently obtained to illustrate his point. A Chinese company has earned 670 billion yuan (about $105.8 billion) from nucleic acid testing for COVID-19 alone. In December 2020, Li Ling, a professor at Peking University, boasted that China generated a revenue of 67 trillion yuan (about $10.58 trillion) in 2020 from pandemic controls. Huang emphasized that no other country in the world is conducting pandemic controls like China, and Chinas pandemic prevention methods are simply for the CCPs interest groups to make profits. Many of the CCPs top officials and their business representatives are engaged in the PCR testing industry. Therefore, Chinese authorities often order mass testing for an entire district when only one or two cases are identified, because the testing industry makes huge profits from such high volume sales of the test kits. Even the third shots or the fourth shots are mandatory. All these mandates are related to the interest groups behind them, Huang said. At this point, another person was heard saying, Then, this has become a serious problem. A public health issue has been turned into a political issue. According to Huang, the United States and European countries have realized that the rapid spread of the omicron variant can help them reach herd immunity, thanks to the variants mild symptoms and that the immunity it generates is effective against other variants. Thats why many Western countries have decided to end pandemic control measures in March, and are looking forward to a normal life after herd immunity sets in, Huang said. Weakness in Chinas Health Care System In the United States, tens of millions of people were infected in a very short period of time. Why wasnt there a visible public health crisis? Huang said he believes that this is because of the superior medical system in the United States that has a strong grassroots capacity. Huang praised the U.S. medical model, using the phrase Point of Care to describe it. For example, a family doctor is capable of monitoring the entire treatment of a given patient, he said. He said the concentration of power leads to the concentration of interests. As a result, Chinas medical resources are concentrated in large hospitals, which overburdens them, Huang said. He believes that is one of the main reasons why China does not dare to lift its lockdown measures, as its fragile medical care system cannot handle a large number of patients. The excessive concentration of power has caused disaster to the livelihood of the Chinese people, as reflected in the medical care system, which may face a systemic collapse in times of crisis, he said. Huang mentioned another reason for Chinas weak medical systemits poor research and development capabilities. He further revealed that China is entirely dependent on foreign imports for a wide range of important medical products, such as drug research and development, medical equipment, and testing reagents. Almost all of Chinas core medical equipment is imported, he said. As of today, the most common model of CT [scanning] equipment manufactured in China has not yet passed the basic quality test; and 88 percent of the various reagents used in medical testing are imported. Quantum Computing and Biotechnology Huang also spoke about Chinas IT technology, including quantum computing, as well as Chinas gene technology. Mankind is still tens of thousands of miles away from truly having quantum computers, he said, as we are still far from the very first stephaving stable quantum bits, which are the first prerequisite for quantum computing. Even the United States is still far from this stage, let alone China. In addition, all the core internet technologies are in the hands of Americans, from its roots to various software. China is just a user, the worlds largest user, Huang said. The saddest thing about China is that it has not contributed anything to the underlying algorithms of the internet so far. For all the basic algorithms, 90 percent come from the United States, and 10 percent from the European Union and Japan. China just makes use of these algorithms to write programs. He also revealed what he knows about the frontier development of gene technology, especially disease-related research, in the United States. By decoding 8,000 different proteins identified inside the human cell, American medical scientists have figured out the mechanism of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes. Therefore, Harvard Medical School announced to the world that treatments for these diseases will be available within 5 years, he said. A laboratory test at the Transgene biotech firm, which is working to develop a neoantigen cancer vaccine, in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, eastern France, on Nov. 17, 2021. (Patrick Hertzog/AFP via Getty Images) According to Huang, the technologies involved in bioscience are much more complicated than those in IT technology, as IT is mostly based on applied mathematics, while biotechnology builds upon fundamental research as its solid foundation. In other words, there is no way China can catch up with the United States in biotechnology, he said. Huaweis 5G Turned Into a Political Issue Regarding 5G, Huang said that 5G applications are not for civil communications, as 4G is good enough for mobile phones. The real use of 5G is in remote automation. However, although Chinas Telecom giant Huawei has invested a huge sum in the R&D of 5G, it virtually has zero application in remote automation, Huang said. According to Huang, the United States opposes Huaweis 5G because the wavelength range it uses does not meet 5G technical requirements. This leads to a significant delay, roughly 0.8 seconds If a vehicle has to wait for instruction, whether to hit the brakes or make a turn, any accident may happen during that 0.8-second delay, Huang said. Therefore, he concluded that it was out of safety concerns that the U.S. government hopes that European countries will ban Huaweis 5G applications. However, the CCP authorities treat 5G as a political issue, thinking that the United States is trying to strangle China in key technology. Several people who were present said that this thinking comes from Xi Jinpings ambition to dominate the world and the people surrounding Xi fortifying his mentality. One person specifically mentioned that Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CCP, who specializes in Marxism, Leninism, and communism, kept brainwashing Xi to strengthen his ambition. China experts in the West have said that Wang is a key person in forming the Chinese ideology today. American radio show host Hugh Hewitt wrote an opinion piece for the Washington Post in December last year, describing Wang as the most dangerous man in the world, who is in charge of writing the future of China, and is able to enforce his vision because of his outsize influence with Xi. According to public information, Huang graduated from the Institute of Philosophy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in 1981 and served as the director of the Comparative Philosophy Research Office of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. From 1997 to 2020, he was a scholar at Harvard University, and also served as a visiting professor in five universities in China, including Tsinghua University. The Epoch Times reporter compared the voice heard in the leaked talk with a recording of Huangs speech at the 2nd Internet Thinkers Conference held in November 2018. The voice and speaking styles of the two were very similar. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Beto O'Rourke speaks at the We Are the Moral Resurrection! Georgetown-to-Austin March for Democracy rally to support voting rights at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on July 31, 2021. (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images) Beto ORourke U-Turns on AR-15 Confiscation, Saying Hes Not Interested in Taking Firearms From Americans Beto ORourke has backtracked from comments he made in 2019 when he asserted that he would confiscate AR-15-style firearms from Americans. The Democrat, who announced his run for Texas governor on Nov. 15, said on Tuesday that hes not interested in taking anyones firearms. Im not interested in taking anything from anyone, ORourke told supporters during a campaign stop in Tyler, Texas, according to KLTV. What I want to make sure that we do is defend the Second Amendment. He added: I want to make sure that we protect our fellow Texans far better than were doing right now. And that we listen to law enforcement, which [Gov.] Greg Abbott refused to do. He turned his back on them when he signed that permitless carry bill that endangers the lives of law enforcement in a state thats seen more cops and sheriffs deputies gunned down than in any other. The U-turn comes just months after ORourke doubled down on his comments regarding removing AR-15-style firearms in an interview with the Texas Tribune. I think most Texans can agreemaybe all Texans can agreethat we should not see our friends, our family members, our neighbors, shot up with weapons that were originally designed for use on a battlefield, ORourke told the publication. ORourke, whose run for Texas governor targets the incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a third term, vehemently endorsed confiscating guns back in 2019. He told people watching a presidential primary debate in September of that year: Hell yes! were gonna take your AR-15, your AK-47. When asked whether hed actively force Americans to give up their guns, ORourke said: I am if its a weapon that was designed to kill people on the battlefield. If the high-impact, high-velocity round, when it hits your body shreds everything inside of your bodybecause it was designed to do thatso that you would bleed to death on a battlefield. And not be able to get up and kill one of our soldiers. Were not going to allow it to be used against fellow Americans anymore, ORourke added. Earlier this week, ORourke took aim at Abbott for supporting constitutional carry, something that the Democrat has vowed to repeal if elected governor. He wrote on Twitter on Feb. 9: The number of Texans shot to death has gone up EVERY single year under Abbott. 4,164 Texans in 2020 alone. How does Abbott respond? By signing a dangerous law that makes it easier for criminals to carry a loaded gun in public. His radical agenda is killing the people of Texas. Abbott in November said that ORourke wants to impose socialism. Abbott said ORourke would defund the police, kill good-paying oil and gas jobs, allow open border policies, support President Joe Bidens policies, and take your guns. Texas in September became the latest U.S. state to allow individuals to carry a gun without a permit. First signed into law by Abbott in mid-June, the bill means that Texans who are aged 21 and older and who are legally able to purchase and own a handgun will no longer require a license to carry one and will not have to undergo training either. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon on Feb. 2, 2022. President Joe Biden is sending about 2,000 troops from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Poland and Germany this week and sending part of an infantry Stryker squadron of roughly 1,000 troops based in Germany to Romania. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Biden Admin: No Active Planning for Evacuation of Americans From Ukraine A top Pentagon spokesman confirmed on Feb. 9 that there is no active planning underway for Americans who live in Ukraine amid heightened tensions between the West and Russia. There is no active planning underway for what we would call a non-combatant evacuation inside Ukraine. There is no design to do this at this time, Department of Defense press secretary John Kirby told CNN. Americans living in Ukraine have plenty of time to leave Ukraine. And certainly, the State Department has made it clear that it does not want Americans going to Ukraine now. When pressed about whether U.S. officials want Americans in the Eastern European country to leave, Kirby responded in the affirmative. Its really not a good time for American citizens to be in Ukraine, and weve been actively encouraging people to leave, he said. The president himself said that if you are in Ukraine, you should think about leaving, and there are many means, vehicles, and transportation options available to you to do this safely right now. Russia on Feb. 10 started a large-scale military exercise in Belarus on its western borders with Lithuania and Poland, and along its eastern border with Ukraine. Some 100,000 troops have already been deployed by Moscow to the area in recent weeks. But Russia and Belarus have stated that the drills, known as United Resolve, are designed to test the readiness of their forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the exercises in December 2021 during a joint meeting. NATO officials last week speculated the exercises would involve as many as 30,000 combat troops and described the drills as the biggest Russian deployment there since the Cold War. A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, on Jan. 18, 2022. (AP Photo) On Feb. 9, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the exercises dont suggest Moscow aims to deescalate tensions. We see this as certainly more of an escalatory and not a deescalatory action, she said. In a new round of diplomacy, Britains foreign minister sparred publicly with Russias top diplomat at talks in Moscow, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited NATO headquarters in Brussels, and officials from Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France were due to meet in Berlin to discuss the conflict in eastern Ukraine. I honestly dont think a decision has yet been taken by Moscow on whether to attack, Johnson told a news conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. But that doesnt mean that it is impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed. This is probably the most dangerous moment, I would say, in the course of the next few days, in what is the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades, and weve got to get it right, he said. And I think that the combination of sanctions and military resolve, plus diplomacy is what is in order. It comes as UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was criticized by her counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a news conference. Im honestly disappointed that what we have is a conversation between a dumb and a deaf person our most detailed explanations fell on unprepared soil, Lavrov told reporters. Reuters contributed to this report. Bob Sagets Cause of Death Revealed by Family Comedian and actor Bob Sagets cause of death was revealed by his family on Wednesday, coming about a month after he was found dead in a Florida hotel room. A statement from the Full House stars family said he died from head trauma. Saget, they said, accidentally hit his head on something and went to sleep. They did not elaborate on how he hit his head or what object his head struck. In the weeks since Bobs passing, we have been overwhelmed with the incredible outpouring of love from Bobs fans, which has been a great comfort to us and for which we are eternally grateful, the family said on Wednesday in a statement to news outlets. Now that we have the final conclusions from the authorities investigation, we felt it only proper that the fans hear those conclusions directly from us. After hitting his head, Saget allegedly thought nothing of it and went to sleep before his death, according to his family. No drugs or alcohol were involved, Sagets family continued. As we continue to mourn together, we ask everyone to remember the love and laughter that Bob brought to this world, and the lessons he taught us all: to be kind to everyone, to let the people you love know you love them, and to face difficult times with hugs and laughter, the statement said. Unconfirmed reports on Wednesday said he died specifically of brain bleed. Those reports cited anonymous sources. Saget was found dead in his hotel room in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 9, just hours after he posted to Twitter about a show he performed in Jacksonville. After confirming his death, authorities said there were no signs of foul play or drugs at the scene. Following his death, there was an outpouring of grief online. Bob was the most loving, compassionate, and generous man. We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but know that he will continue to be by our side to guide us as gracefully as he always has, the Olsen twins told news outlets last month. I am broken. I am gutted. I am in complete and utter shock. I will never ever have another friend like him, wrote John Stamos, who co-starred with Saget on Full House. I love you so much Bobby. I have no words. Bob was one of the best humans beings Ive ever known in my life. I loved him so much, said Candace Cameron Bure, who played Sagets daughter on Full House. Saget is survived by his wife, Kelly Rizzo, and their three children. The Associated Press contributed to this report. First responders work together in extinguishing the flames of a wildfire near the Irvine Cove neighborhood in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Feb. 10, 2022.(John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Laguna Beach Fire Prompts Evacuations, School Closures LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.A brush fire scorched about 145 acres in the hills of Laguna Beach on Feb. 10 causing residents in communities with multimillion-dollar homes to evacuate. The fire was reported at around 4:10 a.m. and spread quickly throughout the hillside area near Pacific Coast Highway. The fire was 5 percent contained as of 9:45 a.m. Thursday. While the fire is moving to the north toward Newport Beach, it is not spreading rapidly at this time, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Chief Brian Fennessy said at a briefing. There were 75 engine crews fighting the blaze, assisted by crews in four Cal Fire air tankers, five hand crews, two bulldozers, and five water-dropping helicopters. We no longer have a fire season, we have a fire year, Fennessy said. Its February 10, its supposed to be the middle of winter. An immediate evacuation order was issued for Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay residents at 6:30 a.m. by the City of Laguna Beach. An evacuation warning was issued for residents residing in the North Laguna area. Weve got almost an engine in front of every homethats how robust the response was, Fennessy said. First responders work together in extinguishing the flames of a wildfire near the Irvine Cove neighborhood in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Feb. 10, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) A portion of Pacific Coast Highway was closed in the area. As of 11:15 a.m., the highway was reopened. The flames erupted in the midst of Santa Ana winds that prompted a wind advisory in the area. The flames were being driven primarily by the winds and mountain terrain. The hillsides are filled with thick, dry brush. The area has not had a significant fire since 1993. Fire crews from OCFA were deployed, along with personnel from the Laguna Beach Fire Department, assisted by water-dropping helicopters in a mutual-aid response from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Law enforcement personnel, including those from the Orange County Sheriffs Department and the California Highway Patrol were deployed to secure the area. Winds are expected to die down Thursday afternoon, but firefighters were closely monitoring the winds because they can pick right up again, Fennessy said. And so, our biggest concern would be that fire moving north, jumping where weve got it held right now, and moving north towards Newport Beach, Fennessy said. Im satisfied with the number of resources we have at scene, and we have en route; and at this time, Im feeling pretty confident weve got a pretty good handle on this fire right now. The bulk of the fire is away from the structures now. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported. Fennessy urged residents under mandatory evacuation to leave their homes immediately as many may fail to realize the danger of the fire until it is too late. Thats usually about the time were entering those neighborhoods, and we no longer go and fight that fire [because] we have to go into rescue mode and get those residents out of there, he said. The city advised all evacuees to leave the area south on Coast Highway as road closures remain active. The massive hillside blaze forced the cancellation of classes Thursday at all schools in the Laguna Beach Unified School DistrictEl Morro Elementary School, Top of the World Elementary, Thurston Middle School, and Laguna Beach High School. Those seeking temporary shelter can head to the Los Olivos Community Center at 101 Alfonso in Irvine and the Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center at 380 3rd St. in Laguna Beach. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Fennessy said. City News Service contributed to this report. (Courtesy of the Orange County Fire Authority) California Students Continue Mask Mandate Protests, NorCal Protests Shut Down by District Hundreds of students across the state are showing up to school this week without masks in protest of Californias ongoing school mask mandate. Students up and down the stateincluding Chino Hills High School in Southern California, Bella Vista High School, and the Oakdale Joint Unified School District in Northern Californiaare protesting the fact that the mask mandate in schools will continue, even though the states indoor mask mandate is set to end on Feb. 15. Some schools have accommodated protesting students by opening up designated protest sites. More than 300 unmasked protesting students at Chino Hills High were sent to the campuss quad lunch area, while unmasked students from Bonita High School in Los Angeles County were placed in an alternative location, according to a school spokesperson. At Bella Vista High School, protesting students were sent to an empty classroom or sent home. Students say theyve experienced growing feelings of isolation and anxiety because of the masks, as well as growing feelings of frustration toward state and school officials who insist on the mandate despite reports that children have the lowest rates of COVID-19 transmission. And in a neighboring city, the entire district, which serves about 10 schools, shut down protests this week after more than 500 students showed up maskless last week. Last week, those same protesting students were either sent to a protest site on campus or sent home. Those students were planning to continue their protest this week until Oakdale Joint Unified School District Superintendent Dave Kline said no more. Remaining unmasked is not an option at this time, Kline wrote in an email to parents over the past weekend, noting that any students who wanted to continue going maskless would have to enroll in the districts remote independent study program. Parents and students gather in protests of wearing masks in schools in front of The Orange County Board of Education in Costa Mesa, Calif., on May 17, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Kline indicated in the email that the district could lose COVID-19-related insurance coverage and be fined by the state if it stopped complying with the mandate. He also outlined California Government Code Section 8665, which states that anyone who violates a governors orderincluding health mandatescould be charged with a misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine or six months in prison. Some parents are working with an advocacy group called Let Them Breathe, which provides legal support to parents challenging school COVID-19 pandemic mandates. Let Them Breathe founder Sharon McKeeman told The Epoch Times that Klines email alarmed students and parentsbut that the school district doesnt have the authority to charge parents with misdemeanors or force students to enroll in online programs. The misinformation about misdemeanors has a lot of students confused and scared, McKeeman said. Theyre just trying to peacefully stand up for their rights and share their smiles. Let Them Breathes attorney wrote a letter to Kline stating that the school district lacks the authority to charge students who choose to not mask up, per state Education Code 51747. This message inaccurately insinuates that [the districts] students who choose to peacefully protest K12 mask mandates are at risk of criminal prosecution, the letter reads. Importantly, [the district] and its employees lack authority to pursue criminal prosecution against its students based on a students refusal to wear a mask in school. The letter also unsuccessfully urged the school district to let the protests continue, stating that the district couldnt force students to enroll in its online-only program. California law could not be clearer that enrollment in any such program must be voluntary. Independent study is an optional educational alternative in which no pupil may be required to participate, the letter reads. Parents and state officials have joined students in calling for an end to the school mandates. In Southern California, about 40 parents and families at Bonita High School gathered in front of their schools on Feb. 8 to protest the mandate. Torrance Unified School District board member Betty Lieu demanded on Feb. 8 that Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer end the mandate, following a letter written by California Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) and signed by 124 school board members from across the state demanding an end to all masking, testing and vaccination mandates and a return to normal school activities. Requests for comment werent returned by Kline, representatives from Chino Hills High School, representatives from the Torrance Unified School District, or representatives from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. A depot used to store pipes for TC Energy Corp's planned Keystone XL oil pipeline is seen in Gascoyne, N.D., on Jan. 25, 2017. (Terray Sylvester/Reuters) Canadas Alberta Province Files Trade Challenge Over Scrapped Keystone XL Pipeline CALGARY, AlbertaThe Canadian province of Alberta on Wednesday formally initiated a trade challenge to recover its investment in the Keystone XL oil pipeline, which was scrapped in 2021 after the United States cancelled a key permit. Alberta, Canadas largest oil-producing province, had invested C$1.3 billion in the project and is seeking compensation from the United States through a legacy North American Free Trade Agreement claim, under the new Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. Keystone XL would have carried 830,000 barrels per day of oil from Alberta to the U.S. Midwest, but was held up for a more than a decade by environmental opposition and regulatory hurdles, before U.S. President Joe Biden finally scuttled the project by revoking a presidential permit last year. The pipelines developer TC Energy also filed a legacy NAFTA claim seeking more than $15 billion in damages last year. After examining all available options, we have determined a legacy claim is the best avenue to recover the governments investment in the Keystone XL project, Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage said in a statement. We remain disappointed about the events and circumstances that led to the cancellation of this project. By Nia Williams CDC Director and Teacher Union President Do Not Support Ending Masks Mandates for Children Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten both said Tuesday they do not support ending mask mandates for school children, amid a growing trend by states to end masking in schools. Weingarten said she would support the end of masks if there is no transmission in schools. So, the real question becomes, how do we make sure that people can plan for it and what are the measures so that everybody knows, so it doesnt feel like its based upon politics, it feels like its based upon making sure that theres no transmission in school, Weingarten said on MSNBC Feb. 8. I asked Dr. [Miguel] Cardona and Dr. Walensky to start planning for an off-ramp [to masking kids] in November pre-Omicron. But then you had the Omicron surge and the masks were back on and then the K-95 masks were back on, Weingarten added. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, speaks during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on June 9, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Meanwhile, Walensky told Reuters on Feb. 8 that CDC guidance has always recommended masking in schools and continues to adhere to this rule. We continue to recommend universal masking in our schools. And so, our guidance has not changed, and what I will say is in this current moment, Im pleased to say that about 96 percent of our children are in schools and that the masking has allowed them to be in school safely, said Walensky. Their comments were made after announcements by Democrat officials in a growing number of states like Oregon, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and California say that they plan to end mask mandates for K-12 public schools in the next few weeks. Walensky does not recommend ending the masking because she said the overall infection rates in the United States are close to 300,000 a day and deaths from COVID are at 2,300 a day. Critics of mask mandates for children say that the mitigation strategy has done more harm than good. Ian Jameson is the founder of Los Angeles Leftists for Choice and Unity, a group of people who lean left politically yet are against COVID-19 related mandates. Americans are guaranteed by law the right to refuse the use of all [emergency use] medical products. Therefore, all school districts, not just in Orange County but in the United States, are violating federal law by mandating students to use these [emergency use] masks, Jameson told The Epoch Times. According to Jameson, there are voluminously documented adverse health consequences regarding masks and children, including headaches, shortness of breath, and anxiety, to name a few that make the mandating of these dangerous and useless medical devices a form of child abuse. Students walk to their classrooms at a public middle school in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sept. 10, 2021. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images) I and Los Angeles Leftists for Choice and Unity will continue to fight alongside Republicans and Americans from all ideological orientations to stop the abuse of California children, Jameson told The Epoch Times via email. The Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services also said Monday that state health officials said they would consider lifting the indoor mask mandate earlier than March 31, if hospitalizations decline to the levels projected to the end of March sooner than expected. School districts, however, will have mask requirements lifted on March 31 regardless of the level of COVID-19 hospitalizations, to give school districts time to prepare. Weingarten praised the governors of New York and New Jersey for using science-based metrics in their decision about masking in schools instead of politics. She said politicians should follow science and not make decisions based on politics. Youve got lots of parents who are still afraid. Youve got lots of people who are still afraid because weve just gone through Omicron. Isabel van Brugen and Drew Van Voorhis contributed to this report. A general view of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2014. (Tami Chappell/Reuters) CDC Needs to Reclaim Its Reputation as Nations Public Health Agency and Be Apolitical: Medical News Editors The editors of an online medical news organization called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reclaim their independence and their credibility as the nations leading public health agency by leaving the White House COVID Response Team in Washington. CDC and its director, Rochelle Walensky, MD, need to reclaim their independence and return to Atlanta, the editors of Medpage Today said in an opinion article published on Wednesday, adding that the agencys presence in Washington has hindered, not helped, its reputation. The editors allege that the White House COVID Response Teams uneasy marriage of politics and public health has caused the CDC to lose its scientific credibility and fueled distrust of public health guidelines. Leaving the White House COVID Response Team would disentangle the CDC from this politically charged arrangement, and empower it to manage this public health crisis as theyve managed every prior public health crisis, from 2009s H1N1 swine flu pandemic to 2014s Ebola outbreak, the editors said. The CDC led the country through the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic from its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, holding press briefings and telebriefings, putting out guidances for when schools should close, and communicating with both the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Secretary of Education. It was estimated that there were about 60.8 million cases of confirmed swine flu, over 274,000 hospitalizations, and 12,469 deaths (where 87 percent of the deaths occurred in people under 65 years of age) in the United States from April 12, 2009, to April 10, 2010. Parting with the COVID response team will help strengthen and clarify the CDCs message, the editors claim. Unmooring the CDC from the White House sends the message that the pandemic is not over, and the nations public health agency is focusing their attention on ending it, rather than endorsing whatever the White House says, the authors wrote. They added, if the CDC held its own briefings, it also might encourage a more active role for HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, who has been practically invisible during the pandemic with the White House running the show. Becerra, who previously served as Californias attorney general, has come under fire lately for not taking a more active role since being confirmed as the nations health secretary in March 2021. Trust in the CDC has taken a huge hit during the pandemic among the public, including those in the medical field. According to an online poll by medical news site WebMD and Medscape, of the nearly 2,000 nurses surveyed from May 25 to June 3, 2021, 77 percent said their trust in the CDC has decreased since the start of the pandemic. Similarly, 77 percent of doctors, out of about 450 surveyed, also said their trust had declined. The CDC must return to Atlanta to resume the role it was always meant to play: an apolitical arbiter of public health decisions and an advisor to the White House, not its yes-man, the editors said. Mixing the two together has left a political stench on the agencys credibility. The time has come to dissolve this doomed marriage of convenience. The Epoch Times has reached out to the CDC, the White House, and Becerra for comment. Australian Minister of Defense Peter Dutton speaks at a news conference in Washington, United States, on Sept. 16, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) China and Russia an Unholy Alliance: Australian Defence Minister Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton has warned of an unholy alliance between China and Russia that threatens Australia and the Indo-Pacific region with the kind of catastrophe not seen since World War II. We know that our nation is facing the most complex and potentially catastrophic regional security environment since the Second World War. The threat now posed by the Chinese government aggression is very real and its growing, Dutton said on the floor of the federal parliament on Feb. 10. Weve seen an unholy alliance between the Chinese government and the Russian government with President Putinand both countries have been very open about that relationship. That should, I think, cause great concern right across the world, but in particular, in our own region, he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese leader Xi Jinping pose for a photograph during their meeting in Beijing on Feb. 4, 2022. (Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images) The comments come a day after the boss of ASIO, Australias spy agency, warned that a foreign country had sought to interfere with Australias federal elections due to take place by May. In his annual threat assessment speech on Feb. 9, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess revealed the security agency had disrupted an operation by an unnamed foreign government to back electoral candidates thought to be pliable or who might already support the interfering country. I can confirm that ASIO recently detected and disrupted a foreign interference plot in the lead-up to an election in Australia, Burgess said. The political candidates targeted in the plot were unaware of the scheme, he said. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess preparing for his annual speech at ASIO headquarters in Canberra Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) Burgess also revealed that ASIO had detected other foreign interference attempts at all levels of government and in all states and territories in Australia. The revelations led Dutton to declare, during Question Time in parliament on Thursday, that the foreign power was the Chinese regime and alleged they had picked national Labor Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese as their candidate for prime minister. The manager of opposition business, Tony Burke MP, called for a point of order citing precedent on house speakers ruling on unparliamentary language pertaining to anything that goes to whether or not people are, in fact, guilty of treason, sedition, or anything against the national security. Dutton said he had not made any allegations against Albanese but was reflecting on the publicly reported comments by ASIO boss Burgess and the actions of the Chinese government. That is the context in which I made the comment, and it is perfectly in order, he said. It might be uncomfortable to those opposite. Hours after making those remarks, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation published an article citing anonymous intelligence sources familiar with the matter, who purportedly claim that Russia was behind the plot. The following day, on Feb. 11, Dutton doubled down on his assertion. Theres no doubt in my mind about the statement that I made yesterday and I think there needs to be a greater awareness, frankly, particularly from the Labor Party, about the engagement of people who dont have our national interests at heart. Thats the reality of the situation, he told ABC Radio National. Like-Minded Allies Strengthen Ties The heated parliamentary debate broke out while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Australia to meet with his Australian, Indian, and Japanese counterparts in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad. The Quad has sought to counter Chinas belligerence and ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region and ensure a free and open rules-based international order with like-minded liberal democracies. Dutton held up the Quad as an example of how the Morrison government has been working very closely together with partners, noting that many countries, including in Europe and North America, were worried about what is happening in the Indo-Pacific. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens as he is introduced to speak at a mission Australia meet and greet in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 10, 2022. (Kevin Lamarque/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) This government has invested more into our defences and to keep our country safe into the future. We did that off an incredibly low base because Labor when they were last in government, cut funding to Defense to the bone. Thats the reality, Dutton said. They want to pretend now that somehow theres no difference between the two parties when it comes to defending our nation in the next decade and the decade beyond. Nothing could be further from the truth. Dutton said there was no one less prepared to put themselves forward as a potential prime minister when it comes to the issue of national security than Albanese. The office of Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese did not respond to a request for comment on matters relating to national security and geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific. An F-35C Lightning II from the 'Rough Raiders' of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 preparing to make an arrested cable landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), off the coast of Southern California, on Oct. 18, 2017. (Sean M. Castellano/ Navy Office of Information/AFP via Getty Images) China Is Incapable of Salvaging Crashed US F-35C Jet in the South China Sea: Former US Navy Captain The U.S. Navy is conducting a salvage operation of the F-35C fighter jet that crashed in the South China Sea last month, which analysts say is a necessary operation to prevent the advanced technology from falling into the hands of the Chinese regime. However, a former U.S. Pacific Command official told The Epoch Times that China is not capable of salvaging the aircraft. The Seventh Fleet told U.S. Naval Institute News on Jan. 31 that the U.S. Navy is making a recovery operations arrangement to salvage the F-35C Lighting II joint strike fighter that fell into the South China Sea on Jan. 24. According to the Japanese Coast Guard, salvage operations are taking place in the northern area of the South China Sea, where the water depth is 11,800 feet and about 350 miles east of Woody Island in the Paracels. The Chinese regime maintains a military grip and exercises sovereignty in the region. The United States condemns Beijings aggressive behavior in the region and upholds a 2016 international ruling, which rejected the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) nine-dash line claim to about 85 percent of the South China Seas 2.2 million square miles, and stated that Beijings territorial claims were inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Beijings claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on July 11, 2021. Carl Schuster, former director of operations at the U.S. Pacific Commands Joint Intelligence Center in Hawaii, told The Epoch Times on Feb. 1 that the salvage operation would take about 10 to 20 days and if all went well, it would be completed by the end of February. Salvaging such a heavy aircraft from the deep sea is a costly operation. Schuster estimates that it would cost about $10 million to $20 million to take the jet out of the water, and restoring it to operational condition would cost another $20 million or $30 million. He said that such an operation is not worth undertaking in most cases, but if youre salvaging it so that no one else can pull it up and reverse engineer it or copy some of the technology involved or find ways to defeat that technology, then the answer is yeah since its a brand-new aircraft and its technologies [are] of interest to hostile powers denying them access to that plane is probably purely high in priority, he said. The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) conducting underway operations in the South China Sea on April 28, 2020. (Samuel Hardgrove/U.S. Navy/AFP via Getty Images) Vietnamese military journalist Duan Dang shared on Twitter a satellite image on Jan. 25, which shows two Chinese Type 054A frigates in the upper left (northwest) of the photo, near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Schuster told The Epoch Times that everything on the crashed F-35C was state-of-the-art technology, which covers steer, engines, airframe, avionics, data links, and radar. When asked whether China would salvage the F-35C before the United States does, Schuster said that Beijing would very much like to do so, but concerns over political and technical risks might stop them. According to Schuster, first, if China blatantly seizes U.S. property, the United States is bound to defend it determinately, and a conflict would be expected to break out between the two sidesso Beijing needs to reconsider the political risks. Second, China does not have the ability to operate in such deep waters, as the deepest ever recorded by the country was 1,500 to 2,000 feet; meanwhile, the F-35C is now lying at 11,800 feet, he said. Moreover, the ocean bottom topography is complex. Schuster said: The ocean pressures down there, very unforgiving. Plus, you dont know the currents the trouble with the South China Sea is the bottom is not consistent, because of the volcanic activity, the bottom contour changes every year. But the United States will have no problem recovering the F-35C, he added. We recovered [an] aircraft from 15,000 feet, so an aircraft [thats] 11,000 feet [is] similarly doable. Although Schuster said the Chinese are not capable of recovering the crashed F-35C, they will nevertheless attempt to explore the jet. I think that they will monitor it with aircraft at first, and they might put a coast guard vessel or one of their peoples armed forces, maritime militia craft within visual range to monitor it. I would not be surprised if they are trying to position one of their deep-diving submersibles into the area to survey the crash, he said. Schuster believes that China may have taken water samples around the crashed plane and used a wide range of photographic and spectroscopic systems to probe it. If you take every type of imagery you can, so you can build a computer model the water samples from around the crash tells you something of the minerals that are in the aircraft. In addition, to enter the interior of the aircraft, it would require a deep-diving vessel thats very small also got to be able to handle tremendous amounts of pressure, Schuster said. A Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft on display during the 2019 Dubai Airshow in China on Nov. 18, 2019. (Karim Sahib/AFP via Getty Images) Technology Theft A variety of U.S. military weapons have been targeted for theft by the CCP in recent years. Chinese hackers allegedly stole information about the U.S. Air Forces F-22 Raptor and B-2 Stealth Bomber, missile guidance and tracking systems, and designs related to nuclear submarines and anti-aircraft missiles, according to a report by The EurAsian Times. The F-35 Lightning II is the worlds most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter. Experts believe that China has stolen information about the F-35 to develop its own fifth-generation stealth fighter. In January 2015, former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden told German news website Der Spiegel that the Chinese regime stole the F-35Cs radar design (the number and types of modules), detailed engine schematics (methods for cooling gases, leading and trailing edge treatments, and aft deck heating contour maps), among other things, according to The Diplomat. Schuster believes that the CCP has already obtained 60 percent of the F-35Cs drawings through espionage in the past. If China salvages the crashed aircraft, it would have obtained another 30 percent to 40 percent of the drawings, he said. The United States does not want a hostile country to have access to these advanced technologies because they [the CCP] can then learn not only how to defeat it, but they [the CCP] can use it against you, Schuster said. Containers are seen at the Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai, China on Oct.19, 2020. (Aly Song/Reuters) China More Than $200 Billion Short on Promise to Purchase US Goods and Services China fell more than $200 billion short of its purchase commitments for goods and services in a trade deal that it reached with the United States during the Trump administration, according to a report released Tuesday. The commitment was made in the so-called Phase One deal, in which Beijing promised to purchase an extra $200 billion worth of American exports above its 2017 levels, before a U.S.-China trade war began. The deal required China to meet the purchase commitments in the two years through the end of 2021. But China bought only 57 percent of the U.S. exports it had committed, Chad Bown, an economist of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said in his report, which analyzed final 2021 trade data from the Department of Commerce. Beijing pledged to buy a total of $502.4 billion worth of U.S. exports over the two years but effectively purchased only $288.8 billion, according to the latest data. The purchase commitments were the centerpiece of the Phase One agreement with Beijing, which was launched in mid-February 2020, and averted a threatened tariff escalation. Beijings purchases of U.S. farm and manufactured goods, energy, and services targeted in the agreement were not even enough to return to Chinas baseline 2017 level, claimed Bown. Put differently, China bought none of the additional $200 billion of exports Trumps deal had promised, he said in his analysis. Beijing came closest to meeting its agricultural products targets, achieving 83 percent of the $73.9 billion two-year target. However, U.S. manufacturing, energy, and service exports continue to face difficulties. Beijing fell short most in its energy targets, purchasing only 37 percent of the exports for which it pledged $67.7 billion. Services exports to China, which had been a bright spot for U.S. trade, plunged drastically, achieving only 52 percent of the targeted $150 billion, as the pandemic hampered Chinese tourism and business travel to the United States, as well as the flow of Chinese students to American universities. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and U.S. President Donald Trump sign a trade agreement between the United States and China in the East Room of the White House in Washington, on Jan. 15, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) Manufacturing was the most economically significant part of the deal, described the report, achieving merely 42 percent of the $210 billion target. In that, U.S. auto exports reached only 39 percent, and sales of aircraft, engines, and parts to China did even worse, reaching just 18 percent of the target. The Alliance for American Manufacturing, a group representing manufacturers and the United Steelworkers, called Beijings performance disappointing. Commodity purchases were never the solution to fixing the lopsided U.S.-China trade relationship, and Chinas government couldnt even keep those promises, Scott Paul, the groups president, said in a statement. Until the fundamental issues are addressedthings like Chinas state-owned enterprises, massive government subsidies, intellectual property theft, lax labor and environmental lawsthe massive trade gap will remain, he said. U.S. annual goods-trade deficit with China grew $45 billion to $355.3 billion in 2021, December trade data showed. Since the fall, the U.S. Trade Representatives office members have been talking to Beijings counterparts on the Phase One commitments. We have engaged the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) on its shortfalls for months, but have not seen real signs towards making good on the purchase commitments and our patience is wearing thin, Adam Hodge, a spokesperson for the U.S. Trade Representatives office, said in an email statement to media. Regardless of how these negotiations conclude, the fact remains that the Phase One Agreement did not address the core problems with the PRCs state-led economy, Hodge said, adding that the Biden administration would shape the environment around China by building U.S. competitiveness, diversifying markets and limiting the impact of Chinas harmful practices. Beijing has sought the removal of tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of commodities that remained in place by the Phase One trade agreement. The agreement includes a clause stating that the two parties project that the trajectory of increases in Chinas purchases will continue in the calendar years 2022 through 2025 without specifying targets. Reuters contributed to this report. The first view of the Pangong Tso, the point from where the strategic lake starts in India and goes 134 kilometers, more than half of which is in China where it ends. The lake has been a site of heavy military buildup on both sides. This picture was taken on June 22, 2021, a few miles away from the first tourist camp point. (Venus Upadhayaya/Epoch Times) Chinas Construction of Bridge in Disputed Border Region Poses Military Threat to India: Experts NEW DELHIThe Chinese military is nearly done with building a bridge on the Pangong Tso lake in the disputed border area between India and China in the Ladakh region. The Indian government says the construction is occurring in areas illegally occupied by China. Pangong Tso is a high-altitude, trans-Himalayan lake that is more than 83 miles long. Half of the lake is claimed by China, 40 percent by India, and a six-mile area is claimed by both nations. Reports of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) building a bridge to connect the north and the south banks of the lake to facilitate the movement of troops and equipment emerged earlier this year. This bridge is being constructed in areas that have continued to be under the illegal occupation of China since 1962. The government of India has never accepted this illegal occupation, the Indian government stated in a written reply to a question asked in the Lok Sabha, the legislatures lower house. Aksai Chin, where the bridge is located, is a territory administered by the Chinese regime through its regional authorities in Xinjiang and Tibet. The area also is claimed by India as part of Ladakh, the eastern portion of the Kashmir region that has been the subject of a decades-long dispute between the two countries. The area is largely unpopulated but has military significance because of the only route that links the Tarim basin in far west Chinas Xinjiang region with Tibet. China began building a road through Aksai Chin in 1956 and has occupied the region since 1962, following the first IndoSino war. Strategic Value China has completed a significant amount of construction within Indian territory since 1962, which was ignored completely, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, told The Epoch Times. However, the addition of the bridge is concerning because it changes the military balance, he said. The white line is the international border. The blue line is the position to which the PLA ingressed in 1962 and the purple line is the point where Chinese presence and infrastructure development is constantly confirmed since 1998-99. The narrowest point within the pink circle is the location of the new bridge. (Google Maps) The bridge is south of the PLAs position on the north bank of the lake and is being built where the two banks are only 1,600 feet apart. That cuts the distance between the PLAs north bank position and another important Chinese base by 93 miles. When they bridge the north and the south shores of the Pangong, they can essentially move tanks and armored vehicles and logistics very quickly from one side to the other side and things like that. It gives a certain mobility advantage. Thats something that changes the fundamental balance of power; the localized balance of power out there, Iyer-Mitra said. He said that the bridge construction was a longtime Chinese plan, noting that the PLA would have had to spend billions of dollars to bring all the construction equipment up to the 14,000-foot altitude of the trans-Himalayan lake. Srikanth Kondapalli, a professor of Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, said that after the 10th round of military talks between India and China last year, both sides had decided to disengage their forward deployment of troops from the north and the south banks of Pangong Tso. Now, with the bridge, the PLA troops could be deployed swiftly. So thats seen as a threat by India, Kondapalli said. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the Indian Parliament in February 2021 that, as part of the military disengagement, both countries would withdraw to their earlier positions in a phased, coordinated and verifiable way. With the construction of the bridge, China is sending a clear message that it doesnt want to disengage, experts say. The goal of the regime in Beijing is to create large permanent infrastructure in these high-altitude disputed regions to bolster its territorial claims against India, Iyer-Mitra said. By building more significant structures, Beijing can claim it then becomes irretrievably Chinese territory, he said. How Will India Respond? Indias response to the Chinese bridge construction cant be to start its own bridge construction on the Indian side, Iyer-Mitra says. India has neglected infrastructure development along the border over the past seven decades and only started to catch up in 2019, he said. If you start building railways and bridges and things like thatall ground forces get very panicked because they are like this is an imminent attack, he said, noting that building military infrastructure on the ground would mean that India is giving targets for the Chinese to attack. Indias response should be focused on building air warfare capacities, he said, giving it the ability to bomb Chinese ground infrastructure if necessary. Meanwhile, India should continue building non-military infrastructure at a rapid pace on its side so that Chinas salami-slicing strategyits incremental grab of disputed landcan be stopped permanently, he said. Meanwhile, along with the infrastructure upgrades and troop deployment, India should work toward intensifying its patrolling efforts along its entire boundary with China, according to Pathikrit Payne, a New Delhi-based research consultant on geopolitical affairs who specializes in the management of defense technology. India needs to augment the strength of ITBP [Indo-Tibetan Border Police] for more intensive patrolling along the entire belt from Ladakh to Arunachal, he said, adding that last year, the Indian government boosted its armed police force, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), by 12 additional battalions for more intensive patrolling of the IndoNepal and IndoBhutan borders. SSB is one of the five central armed police forces of India that were set up in 1963 in the aftermath of the IndoSino war in 1962. Similar enhancement of ITBP strength is in the pipeline but needs to be expedited given the rising possibility of Chinese intransigence, as part of its Five Fingers of Tibet policy, which is not going to go down any time soon, Payne said. The Five Fingers of Tibet is a foreign policy imperative attributed to the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong that considers Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh to be part of Tibets traditional lands, and considers it Chinas responsibility to liberate them. People stand next to Chinese flags along Flushing's Main Street at the Chinese New Year Parade in New York, on Feb. 5, 2022. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times) Chinese Regime Flags Continue to Make Presence in Flushing Chinese New Year Celebration With Fewer Carriers Every year during the Chinese Lunar New Year, an Asian-American parade is held by the community of Flushing, New York, to celebrate the most important holiday in Chinese culture. However, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been paying immigrants from mainland China to hold the communist Chinas national flag at the celebration every year to promote the regime and insert its presence in the overseas Chinese community. However, this year, although the CCPs red flags were out, few people carried them. Instead, the flags were hung unguarded on fences belonging to the local police station. The morning of Feb. 5 on Flushings Main Street, more than a dozen Chinese took a pile of blood red CCP flags and planted them, one by one, on the police fencing on both sides of the street. In one video of the event, a Chinese American policeman said to the people planting the flags: Every flag needs to be held by someone behind it. You cant put it on our guardrail. This is the property of the New York Police Department. He and a few other policemen then chopped off the rope of the flags that had been put on the fence. But in the end, the CCP flags were still hung up the unattended. The local police station told The Epoch times that strictly speaking, the CCPs flags cannot be planted on their fence. However, the United States is a country of free speech and belief; for any ethnic group or religion, both positive and negative voices are allowed. Falun Gong practitioners participate in the Chinese New Year Parade in Flushing, New York, on Feb. 5, 2022. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times) Falun Gong practitioners take part in the annual Chinese Lunar New Year parade in the Flushing neighborhood in Queens, N.Y., on Feb. 5, 2022. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) A Chinese Communist Party front group is seen in the Chinese New Year Parade in Flushing, New York, on Feb. 5, 2022. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times) Many Flushing residents expressed discontent toward what they said was the CCP taking advantage of Americas freedoms to use a Chinese cultural event for its political propaganda. One resident said, If the bloody flag of the CCP can be hung on the streets of the United States, then wouldnt it be okay to hang the Nazi flag too? We were here to celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year, and the CCP should not be here, said Roger Guan, an old Flushing resident. They politicize our community activities. We all know that the CCP has paid these people. Lawyer Wu Shaoping, who came from mainland China to the United States not long ago, watched the parade and said, The red flag is covered with the blood of Chinese people; they plant the red flag here only to remind us of the CCPs persecution of dissidents and religious believers in China, and the Chinese regimes ambitions to expand to the world. I hope Americans are clearly aware of this. Sarah Lu contributed to the report. Statistics Canada building and signs are pictured in Ottawa on July 3, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) Despite COVID 19, Census Shows Population Grew at Fastest Rate in G7, Topping 36.9M OTTAWACanadas population grew at a faster rate than many of its peers, rising to over 36.99 million on census day last year despite a historic slowdown caused by COVID-19. Statistics Canada said the national population grew by 5.2 percent between 2016 and 2021, almost double the rate of any other G7 nation and faster than the preceding five-year stretch. The agency said the main reason for the slowdown in growth from a historic high to its lowest rate in a century was border restrictions that, while meant to slow the spread of COVID-19, also slowed the pace of newcomers arriving in Canada, who have been, and remain, critical to maintain growth. Statistics Canada said there were about 1.8 million more people calling the country home in 2021 compared with 2016, with four in every five being immigrants. Federal immigration plans call for 411,000 new permanent residents this year, rising to 421,000 in 2023. Michael Haan, an associate professor at Western Universitys sociology department, said those historically high targets would mean the population curve would really take off. Immigration has been key to driving population growth as the birthrate has declined, but the agency notes that rate in 2021 hit its lowest level of record as part of a notable decline since 2008. The number of children per woman hit 1.4 in 2020, the most recent year the agency provided, a record low that falls short of the 2.1 mark needed for births to offset deaths, which is linked to maintaining a thriving economy. Statistics Canada said some of that slowdown might be pandemic-induced, but warned it could get worse in the future. An agency study late last year noted adults under 50 wanted to have fewer children than previously planned. At this point, Canada isnt headed to a situation where deaths outnumber births like in Italy and Japanat least within the next 50 years. The key to avoiding that fate is the number of new immigrants who boost population numbers, but also domestic birthrates. If you attract immigrants, youre going to grow and if you dont attract immigrants, theres a high chance youre going to eventually go into population decline, said Doug Norris, chief demographer at Environics Analytics who spent 30 years at Statistics Canada, including work on the census. The pandemic is expected to have an effect on census results, although experts suggest the country may have to wait a few years to learn whether COVID-19 caused a permanent or temporary shift in the portrait of the population. Well need to monitor trends in the coming years, probably until census 2026, to definitely draw a conclusion, said Laurent Martel, director of Statistics Canadas centre for demography. Certainly, the pandemic has accelerated some of these trends that we were already seeing in the data. The first findings released Wednesday from the 2021 census, taken against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, showed that the Maritimes grew faster than the Prairies for the first time since the 1940s, largely on the back of immigration. Newfoundland and Labrador was the lone province to see a decline. The largest share of the population still resides in Ontario. But to its west, British Columbia watched its slice of the population pie grow and the Prairies saw its share rise to its highest level since 1951. To Ontarios east, Quebecs share of the population continued to decline, as did the Atlantic provinces. Immigrants typically settle in urban centres. The largest cities got bigger between 2016 and 2021 with Edmonton and Ottawa cracking the one-million mark, and the number of cities with more than 100,000 people growing to 41 from 35. Rural areas, too, grew, albeit at a far slower pace than their metropolitan cousins. It continues to show that we need to be planning our urban centres better to make them more livable, make them more walkable, and make them more connected, at the same time make them more affordable, said Dan Huang, president of the Canadian Institute of Planners. That is the paradox of planning, I guess, and policy-making in the country, which theres no easy answer to. Statistics Canada plans to add more flourishes to the paint-by-numbers exercise as the year rolls on to reveal more information about changes among Indigenous populations, and working during the pandemic. The next release date is scheduled for late April when Statistics Canada will outline census findings on how the country has aged, types of housing and, for the first time, gender identity. By Jordan Press Doctor Who Helped Discover Omicron Says She Was Pressured Not to Reveal Its Mild The doctor who helped discover the Omicron COVID-19 variant claimed that she was pressured by several government officials not to reveal that it was a milder strain. Speaking to Germanys Welt newspaper, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, who is currently the head of the South African Medical Association, said that during discussions with European officials, she was told not to say that Omicron patients presented milder symptoms than prior COVID-19 variants. I was told not to publicly state that it was a mild illness. I have been asked to refrain from making such statements and to say that it is a serious illness. I declined, she told Welt in response to a question about her initial discussions about Omicron with European officials. Coetzee did not elaborate on which officials allegedly told her to keep quiet. In the interview, Coetzee said that South African officials did not try to pressure her, claiming that later, she was criticized by authorities in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. She continued: I am a clinician and based on the clinical picture there are no indications that we are dealing with a very serious disease. The course is mostly mild. Im not saying you wont get sick if youre mild, according to a German-to-English translation. The definition of mild COVID-19 disease is clear, and it is a [World Health Organization] definition: patients can be treated at home and oxygen or hospitalization is not required, Coetzee said, adding: A serious illness is one in which we see acute pulmonary respiratory infections: people need oxygen, maybe even artificial respiration. We saw that with Deltabut not with Omicron. So I said to people, I cant say it like that because its not what were seeing.' During her discussions, she recalled what she had told the other officials. What I said at one pointbecause I was just tired of itwas: In South Africa, this is a mild illness, but in Europe, it is a very serious one. Thats what your politicians wanted to hear. In late November, Coetzee said in several interviews, including one with CNN, that the majority of what we are presenting to primary health care practitioners are extremely mild cases, so mild to moderate and so, these patients, it means they dont need to be hospitalized for now. We try to get the message out there to the world to say listen, she added, were not saying this is not going to be a disease going forward thats going to cause severe disease; it will cause severe disease, but if this disease can cause to more than the majority of people mild symptoms, easily treatable at home, no need for admission, thats a first prize. Since Omicron was controversially named as a variant of concern by WHO in November 2021, a number of studies have suggested the variant presents milder symptoms than the Delta variant. Currently, according to data from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Omicron makes up the vast majority of current COVID-19 infections nationwide. A study from a group of Japanese and American researchers, published in late December, found that Omicron causes less damaging effects to the lungs, throat, and nose. The Epoch Times has contacted the European Medicines Agency for comment on Coetzees remarks. This week, well look at Liam Neesons latest action thriller and at a fascinating indie film that explores the world of mundane work. New Release Blacklight When Dusty Cranes (Taylor John Smith) politician girlfriend is mysteriously murdered, he links up with an intrepid reporter who is hungry to uncover the story. But black ops veteran Travis Block (Liam Neeson) warns the pair against being too curious. That advice goes unheeded. Its good to see older people in action roles if theyre capable of pulling it off. Despite Neesons talent, however, this cinematic stinker is yet another cliched action yarn with a derivative plot, wooden acting, and is as forgettable as they come. Action | Thriller Release Date: Feb. 11, 2022 Director: Mark Williams Starring: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Taylor John Smith Running Time: 1 hour, 48 minutes MPAA Rating: PG-13 Where to Watch: Theaters Rated: 1.5 stars out of 5 Indie Pick In the Aisles Christian (Franz Rogowski) has a new job at a huge wholesale store. An older man takes Christian under his wing and helps the newcomer learn about this new world of long aisles and stacks of goods. Christian becomes smitten by co-worker Marion (Sandra Huller), but a secret she holds prevents them from taking things further. The realistic acting in this film is fantastic and draws you into its world. It celebrates the work familyworkers who form deep bonds through the simple virtue of work, no matter how mundane it seems. Drama | Romance Release Date: June 14, 2019 (U.S.) Director: Thomas Stuber Starring: Andreas Leupold, Franz Rogowski, Peter Kurth Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes MPAA Rating: Not Rated Where to Watch: Kanopy, Ovid, Vudu Rated: 4 stars out of 5 Heartfelt Dramedy Breaking Away Dave (Dennis Christopher) and his small group of friends are from working-class families and are looked down upon by the wealthier families of their Midwest town. Dave begins to fall for a local college girl, but learns that shes already dating a more popular guy. Undeterred, Dave devises a plan to win her over. This amazing film manages to have a lighter tonality while simultaneously touching on deeper issues such as class friction and going for ones dreams no matter what obstacles stand in the way. Comedy | Drama | Sport Release Date: July 20, 1979 Director: Peter Yates Starring: Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes MPAA Rating: PG Where to Watch: Max GO, Redbox, Vudu Rated: 4 stars out of 5 Classic Thriller The Man Who Knew Too Much When traveling American couple Ben and Jo McKenna (James Stewart and Doris Day) witness a murder in exotic Marrakesh, Morocco, Ben learns of a scheduled assassination plot in the UK. This brilliant thriller by director Alfred Hitchcock has an interesting, multifaceted plot that contains various twists and turns. It will keep viewers guessing up to its final, climactic end. Drama | Thriller Release Date: June 1, 1956 Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: James Stewart, Doris Day, Brenda de Banzie Runtime: 2 hours MPAA Rating: PG Where to Watch: Redbox, DirectTV, Vudu Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (R) hold a joint press conference following a meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Feb. 10, 2022. (Daniel Leal - Pool /Getty Images) Europe Facing Biggest Security Crisis in Decades: UKs Johnson Europe is facing the most dangerous moment in its biggest security crisis in decades as Russia amasses troops on its border with Ukraine, according to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. More than 100,000 Russian troops are believed to be stationed on the countrys border with Ukraine, but the Russian government has insisted that it has no plans to invade. Speaking at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on Feb. 10, Johnson said he doesnt think the Russian government has made a decision on whether to invade Ukraine. Our intelligence, Im afraid to say, remains grim, he said. Were seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine. An instructor trains Rumia, 59, a member of Ukraines Territorial Defense Forces, close to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 5, 2022. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo) This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades. Johnson warned Russia that the idea of a Europe thats whole and free and NATOs open-door policy allowing Ukraine to aspire to membership are non-negotiable. The UK has put 1,000 troops on standby in case of a humanitarian crisis in the east if the current Russian military build-up leads to war, although the government has previously indicated its unlikely that British troops would join the fighting. The UK has also supplied about 2,000 anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. Asked if he could authorise military support to an insurgency in Ukraine in the event of an invasion, Johnson said, We will consider what more we can conceivably offer. He said the Ukrainians are well prepared and that an invasion would be an absolute disaster. Following the talks in Brussels, Johnson arrived in Poland to offer support to NATO allies in Eastern Europe. At a joint appearance with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Warsaw, Johnson said the UK and Poland wont accept a world where a powerful neighbour can bully or attack others. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) is welcomed by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (R) upon his arrival in Warsaw, Poland, on Feb. 10, 2022. (Daniel Leal/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) We need to work together now to achieve de-escalation, to persuade Vladimir Putin to deescalate and to disengage, he said. The trip is part of the UK governments diplomatic push aimed at preventing Russian aggression. Also on Feb. 10, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss held talks in Moscow with her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. Truss told Russia to abandon Cold War rhetoric and follow a diplomatic path to ease the Ukraine crisis. There is still time for Russia to end its aggression toward Ukraine and pursue the path of diplomacy, she said. But NATO is very clear that if that path is not chosen, there will be severe consequences for Russia, Ukraine, and the whole of Europe. PA Media contributed to this report. Federal Government Launches an Inquiry into Grace Tames Allegations The prime ministers office has denied claims that it approved a call to Grace Tame, which told her not to criticise Scott Morrison at the 2022 Australian of the Year Awards, and is looking into the matter. The 2021 Australian of the Year alleged in a speech given at the National Press Club on Feb. 9 that a senior member of a government-funded organisation had called her on Aug. 17 last year about the 2022 awards that were going to take place in January. Tame told the National Press Club that the person asked her to promise that she would not say anything critical about Morrison on the evening of the 2022 Australian of the Year Awards. Youre an influential person. Hell have a fear with an election coming soon, she recounted the person saying. Womens Safety Minister Anne Ruston referred to the incident as a completely unacceptable thing for an organisation funded by public tax money to do and confirmed that the governments investigation was ongoing. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in Parliament on Feb. 10 that he had not and would not condone such actions. They were not made on my behalf, now would they ever be. And they were not made with my knowledge in any way shape, or form, or by my office. I and my government consider the actions and statements of the individual, as it was explained, as absolutely unacceptable, Morrison said. At all times I have sought to treat Ms Tame with dignity and respect. Ms. Tame should always be free to speak their mind in my view and conduct herself as she chooses. Ive made no criticism of Ms. Tame, her statement, or her actions, he said. The prime ministers office stated that Morrison had not and would not sanction such actions, and on the contrary, had sought to treat Tame with dignity and respect at all times. Meanwhile, the office called upon the individual whom Tame refused to name to issue an apology. Those comments were not made on behalf of the PM or PMO or with their knowledge, the statement from the prime ministers office said. The PM and the government consider the actions and statements of the individual as unacceptable. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and 2021 Australian of the Year winner Grace Tame at the National Arboretum in Canberra, Australia, on Jan. 25, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) The National Australia Day Council (NADC), the national coordinating body for the awards, said it had reached out to Tame to request further information. It also examined various personnel who spoke with Tame in the past year and said that none of those people had interactions that would be deemed threatening as the Aug. 17 conversation that she described. The Australian of the Year Award is just that an award, not a role, the organisation said. Award recipients are free to use the platform the award provides any way they see fit, with the support of the NADC. Tame criticised the federal governments investigation while calling upon Morrison to stop diverting attention. Its not about the person who made the call. Its the fact they felt like they had to do it, she wrote on a Twitter post. Earlier, she compared the call with the child sexual abuse she experienced at the hands of her high school teacher. I remember standing in the shadow of a trusted authority figure being threatened in just the same veiled way, Tame said. I would rather go down as a disappointment to an institution than sell out as a pandering political puppet to the corrupt forces that coercively control it. Tame, who was delivering a speech at the National Press Club alongside former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, rejected the prime misters apology issued the day earlier on the culture of assault and harassment at the parliament. Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins proposed 28 recommendations to improve parliamentary workplaces in a report released in November 2021, among which was an acknowledgement of harm caused. In addition, her review showed that one-third of the employees at the parliament participating in the survey had suffered sexual harassment. The commissioner introduced other recommendations in the Senate on Feb. 9. Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins (R) at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) Higgins, who sparked off various reviews after alleging that a colleague had raped her in the office of then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds in 2019, said she did not care much about the governments assurances. I dont care if the government has improved the way that they talk about these issues. Im not interested in words anymore. I want to see action, she said. Higgins also condemned Morrisons tendency for using shocking and offensive language on womens issues and their safety. What bothered me most about the whole imagine if it were our daughters spiel wasnt that he necessarily needed his wifes advice to help contextualise my rape in a way that mattered to him personally, she said. I didnt want his sympathy as a father; I wanted him to use his power as prime minister. Higgins was among women who received an invitation to the 8 February apology in the House of Representatives at the last minute, after the government was heavily criticised for leaving her out. It was deeply emotional in a way that I wasnt anticipating, she said of the apology. Im so grateful that I had the opportunity to be there because it made it so much more tangible. The messenger app WeChat is seen next to its logo in this illustration picture taken on Aug. 7, 2020. (Florence Lo/Reuters) Foreign Interference Ruled out in Australian PMs WeChat Saga: Home Affairs Home Affairs officials have said there is no evidence supporting claims that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisons WeChat account was hacked or subject to foreign interference. Senator Kristina Keneally, Australian Labor Party (ALP)s home affairs spokeswoman who sought a departmental briefing over Morrisons WeChat account, told the Labor caucus on Monday that there was no evidence of hacking or foreign interference in the Prime Ministers recent saga of WeChat, a Chinese social media platform popular among Chinese communities. Morrisons official WeChat account, which had around 76,000 followers, was hijacked and rebranded as a lifestyle page last month. The channels name was changed from Scott Morrison to Australian Chinese New Lifestyle. His photo was changed as well. It was later revealed that the account was sold to a Chinese businessman, who was part of the agency hired by the prime ministers office to run his WeChat accounta practice common among politicians and organisations keen to communicate with Chinese-speaking communities in China or overseas. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks about his management of the pandemic at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 1, 2022. (Rohan Thomson/Getty Images) The incident triggered Liberal politicians accusations of foreign interference by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during an election year for Australia and a call to boycott the Chinese social media app. What the Chinese government has done by shutting down an Australian account is foreign interference of Australian democracy in an election year, Liberal Sen. James Paterson, chair of the parliamentary intelligence and security committee, told 2GB radio on Jan. 24. It is very clearly government action in my view. No politician should be on WeChat and legitimising their censorship. Gladys Liu, the member for Chisholm, called the incident deeply disappointing. It is a matter of record that the platform has stopped the prime ministers access, while (Opposition leader) Anthony Albaneses account is still active featuring posts criticising the government, Liu said in a press release on Jan. 24. In an election year especially, this sort of interference in our political processes is unacceptable, and this matter should be taken extremely seriously by all Australian politicians. Liberal MP Gladys Liu in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Nov. 25, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) ALP leader Albanese told 2GB earlier that he would welcome a discussion with Prime Minister Morrison on the issue. Im certainly of real concern about any national security implications by any interference by any government in the process, but I do note we havent heard anything from the prime minister himself about these issues, he said. Home Affairs Department told Keneally that the department did not intend to provide further advice to MPs about being cautious on WeChat. WeChats parent company Tencent has denied any hacking or third-party intrusion occurred regarding the prime ministers account, saying that it was an ownership dispute. Daniel Teng contributed to this report. Trucks parked close to the Parliament as protesters takes part in demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in Ottawa on Jan. 31, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times) Freedom Convoy Trucker Organizers: Insurrection, Sedition Labels Have No Basis in Reality The organizers of the Canadian Freedom Convoy on Feb. 9 hit out at those labeling the protests as a form of insurrection and sedition. The remarks came as trucker protests in Ottawa, Canada, entered a 13th day on Feb. 9. The Freedom Convoy in Ottawa consists mainly of truckers, and began as a protest against a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for drivers crossing the U.S.Canadian border. Protesters have vowed to stay put until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Some politicians have been throwing around this dangerous term of sedition and insurrection, said Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms lawyer Keith Wilson during a press conference Wednesday. At no time, has anyone involved in the core group of the Freedom Convoy asked for anything other than their Charter rights to be restored, the rule of law in Canada to be respected, and the mandates that arbitrarily discriminate against them and usurp their Charter rights be stopped, he told reporters. Multiple media outlets, including CNN and MSNBC, have described the growing protests as amounting to section and insurrection. CNNs Inside Politics referred to the protests against provincial and federal COVID-19 restrictions as a threat to democracy. The news outlets anchor John King quoted Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly describing the protest as a nationwide insurrection driven by madness. And just think of the language. I know it sounds familiar to you. A threat to democracy. An insurrection, sedition. I want to be clear things have quieted down a bit, but that does not take away from the basic truck in, right, the sit-in thats going in right in front of the national Parliament, CNN correspondent Paula Newton said. An MSNBC Reports segment pushed the narrative that the Freedom Convoy amounts to a nationwide insurrection, according to Fox News. Meanwhile, Mark Carney, an Ottawa resident and former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, penned an op-ed with The Globe and Mail titled Its time to end the sedition in Ottawa by enforcing the law and following the money. There are some elements out there with different agendas, talking about some fantasy of the governor general striking the government and magically appointing a committee, lawyer Keith Wilson continued. Its all fairy dust. It has no basis in reality. And its nothing that any of this group that I work for has ever suggested, nor do they suggest now. Their goal is for all Canadians to have their rights back, full stop. This spin by some of the mainstream media, that somehow those involved in this freedom convoy are seeking more than what Ive described, is completely inaccurate, he added. Since the protests in Canadas capital have made headlines, similar demonstrations have popped up around the world, including in New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the United States. Authorities in Canada have reacted against the protesters, including seizing fuel from protesters in Ottawa and threatening to revoke the licenses of truckers. Fundraising website GoFundMe also seized funds from the convoy but backtracked a plan to donate the funds to charities of their choosing after several U.S. officials said they would probe the move. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he wont meet with the truckers, and Ottawas mayor on Feb. 7 said federal ministers should appoint a mediator to try to resolve the situation. The coordinator of the Canadian Freedom Convoy, Benjamin Dichter, told reporters that participants remain upbeat. The morale of people on the ground hasnt changed much, Dichter said on Feb. 9. Good spirits, everybodys happy. And I think part of it is because theyre actually seeing the result of change. Were seeing our provincial leaders trying to sit on the fence like they always do, but moving a little bit more towards our side as public sentiment is changing. Thats good. Weve seen changes in the political landscape, Dichter said. We have a lot of people within the political sphere that have been quietly making overtures to us were the hottest topic on Parliament Hill, which is great that all of these hard-working Canadians are getting the attention that they deserve, which is what this is all about. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Nov. 23, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) Gov. Gen. Mary Simon Tests Positive for COVID 19, Has Mild Symptoms OTTAWACanadas Governor General has tested positive for COVID-19. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says in a statement on Twitter that she tested positive Wednesday morning and is experiencing mild symptoms. Simon says she will continue to self-isolate and take some time to rest in the coming days. Her diagnosis follows that of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently returned to Parliament after testing positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 31. Simon, 74, is Canadas first Indigenous Governor General and was sworn into the role last July. She says in her statement that she and her husband, Whit Fraser, are experiencing firsthand that the pandemic is not over yet, but tremendous progress is being made. We are both grateful for all those making a difference in our fight against this virus, she said. From health-care workers to those supporting loved ones at home, thank you for all you do. A nurse administers a monoclonal antibody treatment to a COVID-19 patient at the Children's Hospital of Georgia in Augusta, Ga., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Hannah Beier/Reuters) GSK-Vir Monoclonal Antibody Protects Against Omicron Subvariant, Companies Say The monoclonal antibody treatment from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Vir BioTechnology protects well against the Omicron subvariant that is becoming more prevalent in the United States, the companies said Feb. 10. Preclinical data suggest that sotrovimab, the monoclonal, retains neutralizing activity against the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron, the companies said in a press release. The data, based on pseudovirus and pharmacokinetic testing, was not made public. A Vir spokesperson didnt respond when asked why. The companies said the results are being shared with government authorities around the world and that they plan on publishing them on the preprint server bioRxiv in the coming weeks. Our view of the data is that they support the ongoing role of sotrovimab as a critical treatment in the fight against the continuously evolving SARS-CoV-2 virus, Virs CEO George Scangos said in a statement. SARS-CoV-2 is another name for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19. The GSK-Vir treatment is the only monoclonal currently allowed to be used against the virus in the United States. Drug regulators in January barred the use of the two others they previously cleared from Eli Lilly and Regeneron. Regulators cited early data that suggested the treatments werent effective against Omicron, a move some experts supported but others did not. Omicron, a CCP virus variant, became dominant in the country in December 2021, displacing the Delta strain. All three monoclonals authorized in the country were effective against Delta, data show. BA.2, the Omicron subvariant, was responsible for about 0.4 percent of the COVID-19 cases in the week ending on Jan. 22, according to a national genomic sequencing surveillance system. The subvariant was projected to have caused 3.6 percent of the cases in the week ending Feb. 5, and Delta was projected as causing 0 percent. Eli Lilly has already asked the Food and Drug Administration to clear a different monoclonal, bebtelovimab, than the one that has been restricted. The company has confirmed in pseudovirus testing that bebtelovimab retains neutralization against BA.2, a spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email, adding that Lilly has and will continue to evaluate the neutralization of bebtelovimab against any new variants of concern that emerge. Regenerons antibody treatment doesnt work well against either Omicron or its subvariant, a spokesperson for the company told The Epoch Times in an email. Our next generation monoclonal antibody candidate is active against all Omicron variants, including BA.1, BA.1.1 and BA.2, the spokesperson added. Regeneron hopes to start clinical development of the candidate in the coming months. Gov. David Ige speaks to reporters at the state Department of Health's laboratory in Pearl City, Hawaii, on March 3, 2020. (Audrey McAvoy/AP Photo) Hawaii Decides Against Requiring COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots for Tourists Travelers to Hawaii wont have to show proof theyve received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Hawaii Gov. David Ige, a Democrat, made the announcement Feb. 8 after previously indicating the state would require boosters for tourists. In making this decision, we considered declining COVID-19 case counts in Hawaii, the continental U.S., and Europe. Hospitalizations have also dropped. In addition, we looked at Hawaiis robust vaccination rates and the continued push by businesses and organizations to get their employees vaccinated and boosted for the safety of their families and the community, Ige said in a statement. Gen. Kenneth Hara, incident commander for Hawaiis COVID-19 response, said the decision was made after consulting with mayors, health officials, and the states travel, hotel, tourism, transportation, retail, and restaurant industries. Driven by the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, COVID-19 cases soared in Hawaii and many other U.S. states in late 2021 and January 2022. Hospitalizations also rose. However, since then, cases and hospitalizations have dropped sharply. Cases spiked in Hawaii on Jan. 18, with over 5,100 recorded. On Feb. 9, just 519 were reported. Hospitalizations have also gone down significantly since peaking at 414 on Jan. 25. The easing of the pandemic has led multiple Democratic governors to relax restrictions such as mask mandates, but Ige isnt joining them. At this time, we will also maintain the indoor mask mandate and other rules that have helped us manage this pandemic while reopening the economy, the governor said. Officials in Hawaii also said they encourage people to get booster shots and left open the possibility of requiring them in the future. Omicron case counts are dropping but we dont know if or when we may see another surge in cases of COVID-19. Getting vaccinated and boosted now will help to prevent you from becoming seriously ill, Dr. Libby Char, director of the Hawaii Department of Health, said in a statement. COVID-19 vaccines, initially promoted as being highly effective against CCP virus infection, dont protect well against infection from either Delta or Omicron, especially as months elapse following the primary vaccination series of the Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson shots, studies and real-world data show. Thats triggered a push for boosters. Many Americans are advised to get one booster five months after the Moderna or Pfizer primary series, or two months after the single-shot Johnson & Johnson shot. People with weakened immune systems are being told to get two boosters because their immune systems dont respond as well to the vaccines. Heres Why Citi Is Still Bullish on Nvidia Despite Arm Deal Fall Out Citi analyst Atif Malik reiterated a Buy rating on Nvidia Corp. with a $350 price target. The price target implies an upside of 41.5 percent. The re-rating follows Nvidias termination of the planned acquisition of SoftBank Group Corp.s ARM Ltd. due to significant regulatory challenges to closing the deal. The Street largely expected that the deal would not win regulatory approval, Malik tells investors in a research note. As part of the agreement, SoftBank will retain the $1.25 billion prepaid by Nvidia, and Nvidia will retain its 20-year Arm license, the analyst notes. Nvidia intends to record a $1.36 billion charge in Q1 of the fiscal year 2023, inclusive of the $1.25 billion prepayments provided at signing, Malik adds. Nvidia also plans to launch its computer processing unit, Grace, in 2023 and, with the 20-year ARM license, can pursue this strategy without owning Arm, the analyst says. By Anusuya Lahiri 2021 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. The French take their bread seriously. Perhaps more than any other food, bread holds the highest statusand greatest symbolismin France. For centuries, it was a necessity for eating and feeding the family, being a daily staple food for 90 percent of French families up until the 20th century. In the 18th century, a bread shortage, combined with mass starvation and other grievances, was a catalyst of the French Revolution. After the chaotic days of the revolution were over, a 1798 law was passed to regulate the bakeries of Paris, including their ingredients, prices, opening hours, and bakers days off, to guarantee a constant daily supply of bread for Parisians. More than just food, bread truly became a symbol of the right to decent living. Since then, this legislation has been loosened and updated several times, but it still coordinates when bakers can take time off to ensure there are always open bakeries nearby for all Parisians. Bread is an essential part of daily life in France. (Iryna Denysova/shutterstock) The symbolism and social tensions surrounding bread have slightly faded away in todays France, but it remains perhaps the most treasured food in the country. Bread shall always be affordable, appreciated, sharedand never wasted. Its no wonder, then, that the French have mastered the frugal art of transforming day-old bread into French toast, croutons, panades, and more, ensuring that not a single crumb goes to waste. A Universal Treat In France, French toast is known as pain perdu, which translates literally to lost breadreflecting its use of stale bread, so that it isnt lost. Warm, sweet, and tender, the humble treat is a home cook favorite, as its easy to make and a great way to use up day-old baguettes or other rustic country loaves. While its typically thought of as a French invention, however, the French werent the only onesor even the firstwith this thrifty idea. In fact, some accounts trace the dish back to ancient Rome. During the Middle Ages, poor European families also widely adopted it to make do with bread and other staple ingredients. Where did the name come from, then? When the recipe was imported from England to America in the 16th century, rumor has it a certain Joseph French replicated the recipe and gave it the name of French toast. Another theory, perhaps more plausible, is that American chefs decided to add French to the name of this humble dish in order to make it sound fancier and add a few extra dollars to its price. French or not, French toast and its global cousins are now widely enjoyed. Of note is that pain perdu is a staple mid-afternoon snack or dessert in Franceunlike its American counterpart, it isnt typically enjoyed for breakfast. And while Americans will often reach for a bottle of maple syrup, the French like to enjoy their pain perdu with extra dabs of butter and a sprinkle of sugar. Not a Crumb Wasted Pain perdu is but one way the French have come up with to give new life to day-old bread. Here are a few more. Croutons Croutons are cubes of day-old bread that have been flavored with butter, seasoned with minced garlic and sometimes dried herbs, and baked until crunchy. Use them to garnish salads, as in the famous salade Lyonnaise, and to top soups for more substance and a satisfying texture. Mouillettes Mouillettes are little 1-inch-thick fingers of toasted bread, used to dunk into soft-boiled eggs. This combo, oeufs-mouillettes, is a childhood favorite for most French. Its often prepared as a comforting Sunday night dinner, to use up the last remains of the weekends bread. Panade A mixture of crumbled bread and milk worked into a paste, a panade is mixed with ground meat to make meatloaf or meatballs, to keep the texture moist and tender. Breadcrumbs Whether its for coating a cordon-bleu or sprinkling over a Bordeaux-style fish gratin, the French like to keep large chunks of very stale baguettes hidden in a drawer, then pull them out and grate them when needed to make quick breadcrumbs. Cheese Fondue Very popular in the French mountains, including the Savoy, Jura, and Auvergne regions, cheese fondues involve holding chunks of bread by long-stemmed forks and dipping into a pot of melted cheese (fromages fondus, in French). Theyre usually served in a communal pot and kept warm over candles. Pain Perdu (French Toast) For making pain perdu, I prefer a tight-crumbed bread that will retain the egg mixture nicelyalthough any type of day-old bread will do. Cut the bread into 1-inch-thick slices, no thicker, or the inside wont cook properly. Pain perdu is best enjoyed warm, right out of the pan. Cut the bread into slices no thicker than 1 inch. (Audrey Le Goff) Serves 4 1/2 loaf day-old country bread, sliced into 1-inch-thick slices (about 4 large slices) 2 cups milk (whole or 2 percent) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon calvados or rum 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 large eggs, at room temperature 2 tablespoons butter, plus more for serving Sugar (granulated or coarse), for sprinkling In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, vanilla extract, calvados, brown sugar, and eggs. Whisk together the batter for dipping. (Audrey Le Goff) Dip bread slices in egg mixture, turning to coat both sides evenly. When taking bread slices out of the mixture, let them drip off the excess liquid for a few seconds. Evenly coat both sides of the bread, letting excess liquid drip off for a few seconds. (Audrey Le Goff) In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. When the butter sizzles, fry each slice of bread until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Transfer slices onto a plate and repeat until no slices are left. Fry each slice of bread in butter until golden brown. (Audrey Le Goff) To serve, sprinkle with sugar and top with small dabs of butter. A seizure of illegal drugs and cash is displayed during a news conference at Surrey RCMP Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C,, on Sep. 3, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck) Illicit Drugs in BC Cause More Deaths Than All Other Unnatural Deaths Combined: Chief Coroner Toxic illegal drugs in British Columbia are causing more deaths annually than all other unnatural causes of death combined, according to the provinces chief coroner. Speaking at a press conference on Feb. 9, Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said at least 2,224 people died from illicit drug overdoses in 2021a 26 percent rise over the previous yearwith an average of six lives lost every day. In the past seven years, the rate of death due to illicit drug toxicity in our province has risen more than 400%. Drug toxicity is now second only to cancers in B.C. for potential years of life lost, Lapointe said. In its preliminary data released on Feb. 9, the B.C. Coroners Service reported that the death rate due to illicit drugs was 42.8 per 100,000 people in 2021, compared to 7.8 per 100,000 in 2014. By 2020, the death rate had already far surpassed the total annual deaths caused by suicides, homicides, car crashes, and prescription drugs. Toxic drugs in B.C. cause far more deaths than all other unnatural deaths combined, said Lapointe. It is with tremendous sadness, that I report that our province is in a worse place than it has ever been in this drug toxicity crisis. The last two months of 2021 in the province saw the largest number of suspected illicit drug deaths ever recorded per month, with 210 deaths in November and an additional 215 in December. B.C. declared a public health emergency in 2016 when the powerful opioid fentanyl began appearing in overdose deaths. Since then, more than 8,800 residents have died from illicit drug overdoses. While fentanyl is present in 83 percent of toxicology results from 2021, Lapointe said the rise in benzodiazepines is a significant concern. Post-mortem toxicology findings from July 2020, show sedative benzodiazepines in 15 percent of samples, which increased to 50 percent in December, she said. This is a particular concern, as benzodiazepines significantly impair the lifesaving effects of naloxone used to treat opioid poisoning, Lapointe said. According to the provinces latest data, 71 percent of those who died in 2021 were between the ages of 30 and 59, with close to 80 percent of them male. Lapointe added youth under the age of 19 represented about one percent of the deaths, and that the average age of death due to drug toxicity was 44. In terms of location, Vancouver, Surrey, and Victoria had the highest number of overdose deaths. Provincial data shows that the majority of drug overdose deaths (83 percent) occurred indoors, with most in private residences and the rest in hotels and shelters, while outdoor locations and vehicles accounted for 15 percent of the deaths. Last February, former Public Safety Minister Bill Blair told a parliamentary committee that China is one of the main manufacturers of fentanyl and plays a key role in the current overdose crisis in Canada. Its no secret that China is one of the main source countries of fentanyl, as well as the precursor chemicals used to make [these] highly potent and deadly synthetic opioids, Blair said. Illegal fentanyl and fentanyl-like drugs are being mixed in with and contaminating other drugs. This continues to be a major driving factor in the overdose crisis that has tragically cut so many lives short in Canada. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. In China, Health Codes Developed During the Pandemic Are Now Used to Monitor the Public: Experts Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, was the first Chinese city to introduce a health code system. Originally, the health codes were green, yellow, and red zones; but since the end of January, orange was added to indicate that the code holder resides in a pandemic prevention zone. In addition, use of the health code is being controlled ever more stringently and has become a tool for monitoring people and cracking down on or restricting the movements of dissidents. Hangzhous health code system is based on Zhejiangs Government Cloud, a health code engine developed in three days by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. On Feb. 17, 2020, Zhejiang became the first Chinese province to have full health code coverage. On Feb. 11, 2020, when the health code was officially launched in Hangzhou, the number of applications on the first day exceeded 1.3 million, because only people with green codes could pass through the city. Those with a code of another color had to self-isolate or meet certain PCR test requirements and wait for their codes to be changed to green. The health code is operated through the Alipay port on peoples mobile phones, so the phone controls whether one can travel or not. According to Mana Data, a spokesperson for Alibabas Ant Group, which helped develop the technology in the early days, said: We dont have any data on health codes. The spokesperson added that the standards and information are managed by the Chinese government. Government Surveillance Commenting on this development, Li Yuanhua, formerly an associate professor at the College of Educational Sciences at Capital Normal University, told The Epoch Times, The health code policy is difficult to implement in Europe and the United States because these countries have strict legal requirements for privacy-sensitive data, while the most important thing for the totalitarian CCP [Chinese Communist Party] dictatorship is to monitor everyone. In the past, when population movement was restricted in China, the regime used small foot detection teams, meaning elderly women sitting at the entrances of villages and residential communities to watch people. They would spot anyone who was not a local. Now, the environment is different and so are the monitoring methods, Li said. The CCP uses big data and technology and uses the guise of providing services to the population to carry out authoritarian and totalitarian surveillance. During this pandemic, in particular through the health code, each persons information is collected into the hands of the CCP. If the information is not used as they claim, but is instead used in a bad way, then the CCPs public security apparatus can use it to monitor anyone. Misuse is already happening according to a Twitter post by Chinese rights lawyer Xie Yang. On the morning of Nov. 6, 2021, Xie was planning to fly to Shanghai to visit the mother of detained citizen journalist Zhang Zhan. But at the airport Xies health code was red, and he had to go back home. However, the next day, his health code was green again. Xie posted before and after photos of his health code on Twitter: Its green again! What does that mean?! He added that health codes shouldnt be used as a tool to restrict the movement of dissidents. Early on in the pandemic, there was already open opposition in China to the CCPs use of so-called health codes to collect personal information and data. In May 2020, Robin Li, CEO of Baidu, proposed setting up an exit mechanism for personal information collected during the pandemic that would protect the information. But there was no follow-up report. Also in May, 2020, online celebrity Hudu, who boasts 5.3 billion views, published an article on Sohu, arguing that during the pandemic, people were forced to hand over their full personal information, including their names, addresses, spouses names, telephone numbers, frequently visited locations, and travel routesall in the name of public interest, making a huge contribution to controlling and effectively preventing the spread of the epidemic. But the practice of normalizing the health code is suspected of violating citizens privacy. A slew of health code derivatives have also sprung up in China, such as the enterprise code, talent code, cold chain code, home harmony code, non-custodial code, and others. The so-called non-custodial code refers to the digital monitoring system for criminals who are not in custody, including those released on bail pending trial, those under residential surveillance, and those released on parole for medical treatment. Thus, an ordinary mobile phone can function as an electronic bracelet or electronic ankle ring for monitoring people. Pedestrians walk past the logo for HSBC outside a local branch bank in Hong Kong on Aug. 2, 2021. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images) Is Hong Kongs Financial Hub Status in Jeopardy? Commentary If the Hong Kong security law couldnt crater Hong Kongs financial services industry, perhaps its zero COVID policy could. Thats what the Chinese city is grappling with, as expats within its financial services sector head for the exits because of the citys draconian quarantine, lockdowns, and restrictions to combat the ongoing CCP virus epidemic. Hong Kong has kept up restrictive quarantines along with strict entry rules since 2020, even as other financial markets in Asia reopen. Returning residents from most locations must quarantine for as long as three weeks regardless of vaccination status. The punishing sequestration was only recently cut to two weeks after complaints from the Hong Kong financial sector. Despite all the restrictions, zero COVID is far from reality. Instead, infection numbers are getting worse by the day, with health officials worrying about the citys unvaccinated population. As of mid-February, Hong Kong has been experiencing record infection rates. The goal is to open Hong Kongs borders with Chinaitself having some of the worlds strictest COVID policiesand theres no indication of when that day might come. In fact, its unclear if Beijing would even send help should Hong Kongs worsening pandemic require it. So leaving the city is on the minds of many expats. A senior executive contact of mine at a Hong Kong financial firm recently confided: I fear a good portion of my staff will likely depart after bonuses are paid later this month. Unless youre young and single or a very highly paid executive compensated to put up with government policy, for most people its been hard to cope. Broader statistics support that sentiment. A recent American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong survey said 40 percent of people were more likely to leave Hong Kong than stay. Consultancy KPMG said in a Jan. 25 report that theres a notable contraction in the talent pool in Hong Kong. An acute talent shortage is one of the biggest challenges facing the financial sector in 2022. And if financial expats are leaving, adjacent and supporting professionals such as accountants and lawyers would likely follow suit. Aside from a 1.2 percent decline in population by official statistics, theres only anecdotal evidence to support this trend of financial brain drain thus far. The citys industry executives and officials believe the COVID-related restrictions are transitory, and that as long as Hong Kong maintains its low taxes, relatively stable legal system (compared to mainland China), wealthy individuals and foreigners will remain. Some financial firms are indeed pondering. The Financial Times reported that Bank of America has been conducting a formal review to assess whether to relocate staff from Hong Kong to Singapore, the other Asian financial hub, where COVID-related travel restrictions are less draconian. This isnt the first time weve heard that Singapore could eat Hong Kongs lunch. Im sure Bank of America executives were less than enthused about the Financial Times report on its internal deliberations. But its easy to imagine Western banks in Hong Kong conducting this evaluation. It would be shocking if Bank of America were alone in this. Nevertheless, officially discussing leaving Hong Kong is politically fraught for Wall Street banking giants vying for a piece of mainland Chinese business. Beijing has slowly been opening its banking and investment sector to foreign competitors and most recently began allowing majority foreign ownership of local entities. The banks need to balance politics with employee demands. We can easily rewind back to when HSBCa decidedly pro-Beijing financial firmwas openly criticized by China for being a party to the detention case of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou. So its no surprise that Bank of America is already back-tracking. According to the financial paper, the firms Asian executives wrote in a memo to staff that Hong Kong remains central to its business plans in Asia. But do its staffers feel the same way? Well find out. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Peter Navarro, Director of the National Trade Council speaks during a press briefing in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, on March 22, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Jan. 6 Committee Subpoenas Former Trump Aide Peter Navarro The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday subpoenaed Peter Navarro, former White House trade advisor under the Trump administration. The panel is demanding Navarro hand over documents by Feb. 23 and appear for a deposition on March 2. Members are accusing Navarro of being involved in a plot to delay Congress certification of the 2020 presidential election, citing public reporting, interviews, and his book, In Trump Time: My Journal of Americas Plague Year. Mr. Navarro appears to have information directly relevant to the Select Committees investigation into the causes of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said in a statement. He hasnt been shy about his role in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and has even discussed the former Presidents support for those plans. More than 500 witnesses have provided information in our investigation, and we expect Mr. Navarro to do so as well, Thompson added of Team Trumps efforts to challenge the vote counts in swing states. Navarro last year detailed in his book his so-called Green Bay Sweep strategy for Jan. 6, which he said he coordinated with former chief White House strategist Stephen K. Bannon. According to an excerpt from the book, Navarro wrote of Jan. 6, The goal is not to get the election overturned today. The goal is to subject the ballotsthe legal votes of American citizens along with what we believe to be a flood of illegal ballotsto careful scrutiny and investigation. The plan involved at least 100 congressmen and senators, including Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who were the first to challenge the vote counts of the 2020 election in Arizona, a battleground state. Together, according to Navarro, this would allow then-Vice President Mike Pence the option to delay Congress certification of the 2020 presidential election in six key swing states. This could be achieved, his book details, by drawing out certification hearings in a full day of televised hearings, specifically, two hours of debate in each chamber per battleground state. In an interview, Mr. Navarro reportedly added that former President Trump was on board with the strategy, as were more than 100 members of Congress, the Jan. 6 committee said in a release, announcing Navarros subpoena. The Epoch Times has reached out to Navarro for comment. He said in a statement that Trump had claimed his communications during his time in the White House are protected by executive privilege. President Trump has invoked Executive Privilege; and it is not my privilege to waive, Navarro told Reuters. They should negotiate any waiver of the privilege with the president and his attorneys directly, not through me. Navarro told Newsweek last month that he believes his Green Bay Sweep strategy was within the boundaries of the U.S. Constitution. Everything that was prescribed in the Green Bay Sweep conforms with existing constitutional law, said Navarro. We basically peacefully came to a process to examine whether the votes cast in the election were legal. We wanted peace and calm to execute a plan that was within the boundaries clearly, of the U.S. Constitution, Navarro told the news outlet. So far, the Jan. 6 committee has issued more than 60 subpoenas and interviewed more than 500 witnesses. Japan has taken steps to warn its citizens about serious side effects linked to COVID-19 injections. Theyve added a label to the jabs, warning about the risk of myocarditis inflammation of the heart muscle that can cause symptoms similar to a heart attack, including chest pain, shortness of breath, abnormal heartbeat and fatigue. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states on their website, Myocarditis and pericarditis have rarely been reported, especially in adolescents and young adult males within several days after COVID-19 vaccination. Further, in June 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration added a warning to patient and provider fact sheets for the Pfizer and Moderna jabs about the suggested increased risks of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) following vaccination. Unlike in the U.S., however, Japan is taking measures to monitor and report all side effects to the unprecedented jabs. Japan Has Strict Reporting Requirements for Jab Side Effects In Japan, strict legal reporting requirements are in effect for side effects that occur within 28 days of receiving a COVID-19 injection. Hospitals must report, in detail, any adverse effects that occur within that time period. Japans Ministry of Health reported that, as of November 14, 2021, for every 1 million males who received the Moderna COVID-19 injection, 81.79 youths between the ages of 10 and 19 developed myocarditis or pericarditis, as did 48.76 men in their 20s. For Pfizers COVID-19 jab, 15.66 out of every 1 million 10- to 19-year-old males who received the jab suffered from myocarditis or pericarditis, along with 13.32 of males in their 20s. Due to the risk of myocarditis, Britains Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) recommended against COVID-9 injections for healthy 12- to 15-year-olds. JCVI member Adam Finn told Reuters: the number of serious cases that we see of COVID in children this age are really very small. There are uncertainties about the long-term implications of (myocarditis), and that makes the risk-benefit balance for these children really quite tight and much tighter than we would be comfortable to make the recommendation. In the U.S., where COVID-19 injections are recommended for ages 5 and up, the CDC stated it is conducting surveys of patients (or their parents or guardians) and health care providers to gather information about myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and contacting people who meet the case definition for myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. As of December 8, 2021, 1,908 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis had been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) following COVID-19 jabs, typically among male adolescents and young adults. December 17, 2021, just 51 days after approving the shots for children ages 5 to 11, the CDC reported that it had so far received reports of eight cases of myocarditis in that age group. Past investigations have shown only between 1% and 10% of adverse reactions are ever reported to VAERS, which is a passive, voluntary reporting system, so the actual number could be much higher. In its approval letter for Comirnaty (Pfizers COVID-19 injection), the FDA ordered Pfizer to conduct research to investigate the risk of inflammation in and around the heart, as voluntary reporting mechanisms are insufficient. The FDA accepted Pfizers suggested timetable for the post-approval study to evaluate incidence of heart and heart sack inflammation, which includes the submission of an interim report at the end of October 2023, a study completion date of June 30, 2025, and submission of a final report October 31, 2025. Japan Says No to Vaccine Mandates, Discrimination In stark contrast to much of the rest of the globe, Japan stands against compulsory vaccination. Japans Ministry of Health includes a consent to vaccination section on its website, which states mandatory vaccination and discrimination against those who choose not to be vaccinated are not advised. This includes at workplaces, which are told not to force anyone to get injected: Although we encourage all citizens to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, it is not compulsory or mandatory. Vaccination will be given only with the consent of the person to be vaccinated after the information provided. Please get vaccinated of your own decision, understanding both the effectiveness in preventing infectious diseases and the risk of side effects. No vaccination will be given without consent. Please do not force anyone in your workplace or those who around you to be vaccinated, and do not discriminate against those who have not been vaccinated. The page even links to human rights counseling in foreign languages, which details what to do if faced with vaccine discrimination in the workplace. Japan is standing out as a protector of informed consent and medical freedom, during a time in history when many other countries are opting for totalitarian control. Rair Foundation explained: Doctors worldwide have echoed Japans health authority warnings about the gene-therapies side effects. However, this kind of proper informed consent has cost many doctors in western nations their licenses to practice medicine. The government has accused these doctors of spreading vaccine hesitancy. Furthermore, while Japan allows its citizens to choose whether to be injected with the experimental gene-therapies, other countries are forcing citizens to receive the jab. For example, in February 2022, Austria will mandate the injections. Citizens who refuse will face heavy fines and up to one year in prison. Japanese Researchers Warn of Blood Clots, Death After Jabs Reports of both cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) have been reported following COVID-19 shots, including both fatal and nonfatal cases. In a commentary published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, Japanese researchers revealed that, as of May 2021, 10 deaths were reported following the shots and the manner of deaths raised a red flag. Among the five men who died, it was from causes other than stroke, but four of the five women who passed away died from ICH. This imbalance is incompatible with the mortality data on cardiovascular diseases in the National Statistics, which show no apparent disparity between sexes or between hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, they wrote. Their analysis revealed a disproportionately high incidence of death by ICH in Japanese women who received tozinameran [Pfizers COVID0-19 shot], suggesting a potential association of ICH with the vaccine. They also believe that a causal link between the deaths from ICH and the shot is possible and warrants further study. Others have also warned that blood clot formation with mRNA vaccines is inevitable. The mRNA COVID-19 injections affect your body at the cellular level. In each dose of the Moderna COVID-19 shot are 40 trillion mRNA or messenger RNA molecules. Each mRNA package is designed to be absorbed into your cell, but only 25% stay in your arm at the site of the injection. The other 75%, is collected by your lymphatic system and fed into your circulation, Dr. Charles Hoffe, a family physician from Lytton, British Columbia, said. The cells where mRNA is absorbed are those around your blood vessels the capillary network, which are the tiniest blood vessels in your body. When the mRNA is absorbed into your vascular endothelium the inner lining of your capillaries the packages open and genes are released. Each gene can produce many COVID-19 spike proteins, and your body gets to work manufacturing these spike proteins, numbering in the trillions. Your body recognizes the spike protein as foreign, so it begins to manufacture antibodies to protect you against COVID-19, or so the theory goes. But theres a problem. In a coronavirus, the spike protein becomes part of the viral capsule, Hoffe says, but when you get the shot, its not in a virus, its in your cells. The spike protein, in turn, can lead to the development of blood clots: So it therefore becomes part of the cell wall of your vascular endothelium, which means that these cells, which line your blood vessels, which are supposed to be smooth so that your blood flows smoothly now have these little spiky bits sticking out. So it is absolutely inevitable that blood clots will form, because your blood platelets circulate around in your vessels and the purpose of blood platelets is to detect a damaged vessel and block that damage when it starts bleeding. So when a platelet comes through a capillary and suddenly hits all these covid spikes that are jutting into the inside vessel blood clots will form to block that vessel. Thats how platelets work. Japanese Study Reveals Adverse Events Following Jabs In a preprint study released in October 2021, researchers from Nagasaki International University, Japan, studied adverse events that occur in young Japanese people following Modernas COVID-19 shot. Using data from 7,965 individuals, they found that 83% experienced local adverse events while 65% experienced systemic adverse events. Those particularly at risk included women, youth under the age of 20 who often experienced adverse events after the first dose and those who experienced adverse events after the first dose. Such information is crucial to proper informed consent, something that not only has been lacking during the pandemic, but actively censored. Its encouraging to see countries like Japan standing out in their efforts to get a true picture of how dangerous COVID-19 jabs may be. As Health Thoroughfare noted: According to the latest reports, the country is reaffirming its commitment to adverse event reporting requirements to ensure all possible side effects are documented. These efforts from Japans health authority are in stark contrast to the measures taken by other countries to coerce citizens into taking the injection, downplaying side effects, and discouraging proper adverse event reporting. References Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. LA City Attorney: Council Does Not Have Authority to Instruct LAPD to Hand Over Evidence LOS ANGELES, Calif.The Los Angeles City Council on Feb. 9 approved measures to instruct the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to provide internal informationincluding unreleased bodycam footageregarding the death of a teenage girl last year during an officer-involved altercation in a clothing store. The council coupled the motion with another measure requesting an overview of all officer-related shootings in 2021. However, according to the city attorney, the council does not have the authority to determine the public release of LAPD records. Instead, it falls into the hands of the police commission and the chief of police. The city attorneys office pointed to LAs administrative code on public records which lays out in detail how city departments release records to the public. According to the city code, the head of each department makes the final call on authorizing the release of department records. In this case, the Police Commission will determine whether they will grant the councils request for LAPD data. This office shares the desire for the city to be as transparent as possible with respect to the details of the incident, City Attorney Michael Feuer wrote in a letter to the council on Feb. 8. Feuer said LAPDs recordings should be released as soon as possible, but the timing of the release is up to the police commissionnot the city councilas it must take into consideration a number of factors including the potential to compromise any ongoing investigation. Councilmembers Paul Krekorian, Kevin de Leon, and Monica Rodriguez introduced a motion on Jan. 7 seeking to obtain information from the LAPD on several issues relating to an officer-involved shooting that left one innocent 14-year-old girl killed in a dressing room, one dead, and another injured just two days before Christmas. The circumstances of this shooting serve as a reminder that when a person calls 911 to report violence, the police are prepared to respond with force to counter that violence, the council motion reads. All of society is grappling with the question of how and when force should be used in particular circumstances. In a case LAPD Chief Michel Moore called devastating and tragic, officers responded to calls of a suspect assaulting multiple women and a potential shooting in progress at the North Hollywood Burlington store location on Dec. 23, 2021. That following Monday, Dec. 27, the LAPD released a 35-minute compilation of bodycam and store footage from the incident. Footage released from the store shows the suspect acting erratically, swinging the bike cables near customers and attempting to disarm one of the security cameras in the store. At one point in the video, the footage shows the suspect removing his pants at the bottom of the stores escalator and grabbing a woman. The victim was able to escape. The video also shows at least six officers entering the store looking for the suspect, who officers discovered was assaulting women in the store and repeatedly beating a female victim with a bicycle cable lock. An officer fired off three rounds killing the suspectidentified as 24-year-old Daniel Lopezwho was standing in front of the dressing room. One of the bullets penetrated through the dressing room wall behind Lopez and killed the teenage girl. The girl, identified as Valentina Orellana-Peralta, was dress shopping for her upcoming quinceanera when she was struck by the stray bullet. Local activists were outraged and called for the officer to immediately be terminated. There are no words that can describe the depth of the sorrow we feel for this tragic outcome, LAPD Cpt. Stacy Spell said at the time. Bodycam footage shows Los Angeles Police Department officers surrounding the assault suspect at a shopping mall in North Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 23, 2021, in this still image taken from a video. (LAPD/Handout via Reuters) City officials also want the LAPD to provide reports of how an active shooter is verified and how suitable tactics are decided on, policies and practices regarding a potential active shooter, practices for protecting victims and bystanders from a potential active shooter suspect, policies for the use of rifles in short-range encounters, and any changes that have been made to any of the requested policy guidelines. Additionally, city officials want the LAPD to provide data of all officer-involved shootings last year including the status, timeline, and findings of non-compliance with the LAPDs Use of Force Policy as compared to findings for the previous five years. So, I hope that when LAPD reports back, that they include a racial and a demographic analysis of the victims of police shootings, Councilman Mike Bonin said during the Feb. 9 council meeting. And also like to see in that report detail about how many people who are victims of shootingsfatal and non fatalwere suffering from mental illness and if any mental health resources were used in those incidents. Councilmember Nithaya Raman said she hopes reports from LAPD will clarify the incident on Dec. 23 and explain how Orellana-Peralta could go to a store to try on dresses and close and end up losing her life or how Daniel Elena Lopez who didnt have a gun could be shot and killed. According to the councils motion, officials have already begun to pursue an alternative means of emergency response that has a force-as-a-last resort approach to erratic encounters with suspects. Amid outcries from local social justice protests and progressive calls to reform the criminal justice system, the Los Angeles Police Commission revised its Use of Force Policy for the LAPD in December 2021. The new policy requires the following: Any officer who witnesses another officer using excessive force to immediately report it and record via bodycam footage. Any officers found using excessive force cannot train other officers for at least three years from the date of the complaint. Retaliation against officers who report excessive force is prohibited and any cases of retaliation must be reported. Officers who witness another officer using excessive force must intervene. If an officer does not intervene, they will face the same level of disciplinary action as the officer committing misconduct. According to the policy, officers can exercise deadly force if they believe the force is necessary to protect themselves or others from death or severe injury. The policy changes went into effect Jan. 1, 2022. The Epoch Times reached out to the city attorneys office but did not hear back by press deadline. Adem Somyurek is seen outside his home in Melbourne, Australia, on June 16, 2020. AAP Image/Daniel Pockett) Labor MP Crosses Floor To Pass Investigation into Red Shirts Scandal in State Parliament The motion to re-investigate Victoria Labors 2014 red shirts scandal by the Ombudsman and potentially IBAC has passed the state parliaments upper house with votes 19 to 17 after Labor MP Kaushaliya Vaghela crossed the floor to vote in favour of the motion. It is against the partys rules to vote against the party, and Kaushaliya has announced on Feb. 9 in posts on both her Twitter and Facebook accounts that she will be resigning. The red shirts scandal (pdf) from 2014 was due to Labor paying hiring field organisers as casual electorate officers so that they will be paid by parliamentary funding to engage in campaigning. Introducing his motion to Victorian parliament on Feb. 9, Somyurek claimed the red shirts program was designed by the Victorian Labor Premier, Daniel Andrews, ahead of the 2014 election. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews addresses the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images) [Daniel Andrews] did something well beyond what he shouldvehe crossed the line, he designed this system, Somyurek said. He told me personally that youve got to take part in this process whether you want to win or not. The scandal centred around Labors misuse of $388,000 in taxpayer funds by paying casual electorate officers to wear red shirts and campaign for the party in marginal seats, which is not a part of their duties. Allegations of this scandal were first brought to attention in Sep. 2015 by former Labor staff, Jake Finnigan, who reported the rort allegations to the Victorian police. Actions in investigating the case were put forward by then-Greens Leader Greg Barber who successfully introduced an upper house motion calling on Victorias Ombudsman Deborah Glass to investigate in Nov. 2015. Though the Victorian Government fought hard to block the probe, they lost a protracted legal battle at the High Court in Apr. 2017 and the report by the Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass was finally handed in on Mar. 2018, months before the election. The investigation found 23 electorate officers doing campaign work, and Somyurek, the one leading the re-investigation motion now, was also one of them. The pay arrangement was a 60:40 split, where 60 percent of the wages were paid by Labor and 40 percent by the parliamentary funds. However, the legitimacy of the split is questionable as this split can only be achieved if the electorate officers did electorate duties during the two days they were paid by the government, unlikely when one electorate officer reported that he was often told by Labor Party campaign leadership that he was spending too much time on his electorate officer duties. Despite the findings, the report made little impact in the 2018 round of elections with the Labor Party re-elected. In 2020, Adem Somyurek resigned from the Labor Party after Channel Nines 60 Minutes program on Jun. 14 and in The Age newspaper on Jun. 15 in 2020 reported him of paying for other peoples party membership to create fake branch members and amass political influence under the help of parliamentary staff which is against the rules for the Australian Labor Party. After his resignation, Somyurek had warned that he was not going to stand the punishment he received. The allegations led to an IBAC inquiry into branch stacking in Oct. and Nov. of 2021, which confirmed allegations of branch stacking by Somyurek was true. Labor MP Anthony Byrne, the first witness to front the Operation Watts IBAC hearing, gave a damning indictment of the prevalence of branch stacking in Victoria, saying it was out of control and listed several state members of parliament whom he knew to be involved in branch stacking, including Kaushaliya Vaghela, who crossed the parliament floor in the current motion to re-investigate the 2014 Victoria Labor scandal. Federal Labor Member for Cunningham Anthony Byrne during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on May 25, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) Kaushaliyas resignation statement released on Feb. 9 has called for further investigations into branch stacking and electorate officers being used for factional purposes, saying that branch stacking is endemic to Labor. She said the Watts inquiry conducted by IBAC was a grave injustice, ending the statement with some people are more equal than others. The Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews on Feb. 10 confirmed that Kaushaliya had told colleagues that she would resign. I havent been told that [she would resign], but I understand colleagues of mine have been told that. Thats entirely a matter for her, he said. He refused to comment on Somyureks win at the upper house, saying that he is far too busy. Im not sworn in to be a commentator, Im sworn in to get on and get things done, and thats what I do every single day. Somyurek celebrated the victory in a post on Twitter declaring that we have stopped Victoria descending into Tammany Hall corruption. We may have dodged a bullet with this motion. Now over to the integrity bodies. The successful motion will give the Victorian Ombudsman and IBAC powers to expand their terms of reference and inquire into all factions of the Labor Party. Baby formula is offered for sale at a big box store in Chicago on Jan. 13, 2022. Baby formula has been is short supply in many stores around the country for several months. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Large Retailers Struggle With Shortages on Some Baby Formulas Its getting harder to find certain infant formulas at larger retail stores as they struggle to overcome supply chain issues amid an increase in demand. Product supply challenges are currently impacting most of the retail industry, CVS Health said in a statement to The Epoch Times. Were continuing to work with our national brand baby formula vendors to address this issue and we regret any inconvenience that our customers may be experiencing. Walgreens issued a similar statement saying, We continue to see greater demand for baby formula nationwide and as a result Walgreens has worked diligently with our suppliers to ensure we have enough supply to cover customer demand. There may, however, be temporary and/or isolated shortages of specific products. We refer you to the manufacturers for questions on supply of individual products, the company added. Holes on shelves in the baby formula aisles at a big box store in Chicago on Jan. 13, 2022. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) For customers looking for a specific baby formula, CVS said it is providing daily website updates with the latest available store inventory information. Supply chain issues have been made worse by a countrywide rise in the theft of baby formulas. The National Retail Foundation reported a 2020 survey of 61 retailers found that baby formula shoplifting has risen 60 percent since 2015, representing a net loss of about $720,000 for every $1 billion in sales. Meanwhile, global retail giant Amazon said it is also facing baby formula supply challenges and is working to address the issue quickly. We know these products are of great importance to parents and caregivers, and are working closely with our selling partners to get them back in stock as quickly as possible, Amazon said in a statement to The Epoch Times. Big-box retailer Costco is currently out of stock on at least two popular Similac baby formulas, including Similac Pro-Sensitive HMO Ready To Feed Infant Formula. Claire Salter, a volunteer with Operation Give Back in Ohio, said the nonprofit began having difficulty procuring baby formula during the Christmas rush in 2021 as holiday shoppers were scrambling from store to store hoping to find their preferred brands. The situation at Operation Give Back reached a critical level in January when the organizations food pantry had only seven cans of baby formula left on its shelves, Salter told The Epoch Times. I think everybody was grabbing them off the shelves. We tell them [now] to make sure they take what they need, but not to stock ahead. If I see them taking more than two [cans] I say, Oh, lets move on. We try to keep it to two if possible. The organization currently serves between 300 to 400 adults and children. Salter said she now makes sure to keep at least one can of baby formula at home for the youngest of her seven great-grandchildren, until I know I can get more formula for her. That is as low [an amount] as we choose to go. Operation Give Back has since been able to procure enough baby formula to meet the needs of families and although were watching it, Salter added. According to industry analyst Future Market Insights, the infant formula market accounted for nearly $39 billion in sales in 2021 and it can expect to grow by 10.6 percent through 2026. And while U.S. baby formula sales were up 18 percent in 2021, supplier Enfamil said in a statement it has taken steps to ramp up production and is currently shipping 50 percent more product to address issues as fast as possible. At St. Marys Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona, director of public relations Jerry Brown said baby formula is not in high demand. However, Brown added items such as canned goods are in shorter supplywhich is more a matter of supply than shortage. We dont see a lot of baby formula, Brown told The Epoch Times. In light of supply chain issues, the Infant Nutrition Council of America advises parents to obtain formula from a safe, reliable source and discuss feeding-related issues with a health care provider. Law Licenses Suspended for McCloskeys, the Missouri Couple Who Held Off Protesters Outside Their Home The Missouri Supreme Court has indefinitely suspended the law licenses of a Missouri couple convicted of misdemeanors for holding guns outside of their St. Louis home in 2020, when a group of protesters, including Black Lives Matter activists, demonstrated in their gated community. At the same time, the court stayed the suspension, subject to a year of probation during which the two attorneyswho have become folk heroes among conservativesmust not engage in conduct that violates the Rules of Professional Conduct. For defending their home, Mark and Patricia McCloskey were honored speakers at the 2020 Republican National Convention. Mark McCloskey is currently running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican. Although the McCloskeys, who were pardoned after their convictions by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, argued that they were justified in holding firearms outside of their home to dissuade the crowd, which they said meant them harm, local prosecutors disagreed. The case, which involved prosecutorial misconduct, received national media attention. Kimberly Gardner, a Democrat and St. Louiss first black chief prosecutor, who has accused local police of racism, was removed from the case in December 2020 by Circuit Judge Thomas Clark II for using the incident in inflammatory campaign fundraising emails that were sent out days before the McCloskeys were charged. Clark ruled that Gardners behavior raised the appearance of impropriety and jeopardized the defendants right to a fair trial, National Public Radio reported. Leftist financier George Soros, whose philanthropy funded groups that were involved in the violent protests following the 2014 death of black teenager Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson, Missouri, also contributed to Gardners campaign through his political organizations as part of a rogue prosecutors campaign to elect soft-on-crime district attorneys, Capital Research Center found, according to the Washington Times. Critics say that these radical prosecutors have caused crime rates to escalate in communities across the country. The Black Lives Matter activists who appeared outside of the McCloskeys home were marching to the home of the St. Louis mayor to protest the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, a black man whose death sparked violent protests nationwide. Nine protesters involved in the incident were charged with misdemeanor trespassing, but the charges were later dropped. The McCloskeys said at the time that their actions were borne solely of fear and apprehension at the presence of the mob on a private street. Under court rules, the fact that Mark and Patricia McCloskey were each convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude requires them to be disciplined, Chief Justice Paul C. Wilson wrote in twin orders on Feb. 8. Moral turpitude is a legal term describing wicked, deviant behavior constituting an immoral, unethical, or unjust departure from ordinary social standards such that it would shock a community, according to the Legal Information Institute. Mark McCloskey entered a guilty plea on June 17, 2021, to a class A misdemeanor of harassment in the second degree, Wilson wrote (pdf). He was fined $750. Patricia McCloskey entered a guilty plea on the same day to a class C misdemeanor of assault in the fourth degree, the chief justice wrote (pdf). She was fined $2,000. The couple had originally been charged with felony-level unlawful use of a weapon, although prosecutors reached a plea deal with them to reduce the severity of the charges. Alan Pratzel, the courts chief disciplinary officer, previously moved to have their law licenses suspended. He said what the couple did showed indifference to public safety and involved moral turpitude. Pratzel acknowledged that the governors pardons erased the McCloskeys convictions, but said in such cases the persons guilt remains, as The Epoch Times previously reported. Patricia McCloskey told local media that she was disappointed the Supreme Court found it appropriate to discipline us. I think what we did was certainly not an act of moral turpitude, she said. She noted that theyll both comply with the probation conditions. Katabella Roberts contributed to this article. Soldiers hold Lithuanian and U.S. flags during the opening ceremony of the U.S. army camp Herkus, in Pabrade, Lithuania, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Janis Laizans/Reuters) Lithuania Seeks Permanent US Troop Deployment in Face of Russian Build-Up RUKLA, LithuaniLithuania will ask the United States to permanently station troops in the country to help boost security, the Baltic nations president said on Wednesday. Gitanas Nauseda spoke after welcoming new rotation of German-led international NATO battle group, deployed in 2017 and soon to include 350 additional German troops in response to Russia massing its troops near Ukraine. Since 2019 the United States has deployed non-overlapping rotations of its own groups of about 500 troops and equipment in Lithuania, adding to the alliances efforts to deter Russia from its vulnerable flank. Of course, we will be talking to the U.S. to make sure that the rotational U.S. forces would be in Lithuania permanently, Nauseda told a news conference in Rukla military base. That would be the best boost to security and deterrence that NATO could provide not only to Lithuania but to the whole region, Nauseda said. Moscow denies plans to invade its neighbor, but is seeking sweeping concessions from the West and has deployed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraines borders, including Belarus. Washington and Brussels have threatened Russia with sanctions if it attacks Ukraine and the United States is sending 3,000 troops to Poland and Belarus. NATOs military committee chair said on Monday the alliance will move more troops to the Baltics and Poland if Russian forces do not leave Belarus after the planned military exercise. The Netherlands said on Wednesday it will increase its contribution to the NATO battle group in Lithuania from 270350 troops. The group and three similar NATO units in Estonia, Latvia, and Poland, were deployed by the alliance in response to Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The first NATO deployments in the eastern part of the alliance total almost 5,000 troops from 20 out of 30 NATO nations, said NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoana. Strong deterrence and defense, combined with dialog and diplomacy, is key to keeping our nations safe in a more contested world, as we again face Russias aggressive rhetoric and force posture, he said at the ceremony in Rukla. By Andrius Sytas "In God We Trust" hangs in the meeting area of the Orange County Board of Education in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Local Resident Attempts to Unseat OC Board of Education Trustee COSTA MESA, Calif.A local resident is requesting that an Orange County Board of Education trustee be temporarily removed following allegations that he was illegally appointed to his vacant seat in December 2021. Michael Sean Wright was set to appear in front of an Orange County Superior Court judge on Feb. 10 after filing a legal challenge on Jan. 28 alleging that the board of education violated state law when reappointing Trustee Tim Shaw to his former seat. On Feb. 10, Wright was set to request that the judge shorten the time the board had to respond to the legal challenge, require a special election to fill Shaws seat, and temporarily prohibit Shaw from serving on the board until a hearing on the lawsuit is granted. We want the case expedited, and to prevent Mr. Shaw from serving while the case is pending, attorney Lee Fink, who is representing Wright, told The Epoch Times. If the judge rules in favor of Wright, Shaws seat will be left vacant with the fourth district being unrepresented once again. I won the election seat, fair and square, Shaw told The Epoch Times. Legal actions are all about overturning the election results. One lawsuit after another is trying to get me unappointed. Shaw, whose seat is up for grabs during the June 7 primary election, sees the legal challenge as being a waste of taxpayer money. Why not wait until we have this election in June? Shaw said. We will wait until we settle this through the democratic process. According to the lawsuit, Shaw shouldnt have been reappointed to his former seat on the school board due to state law that says the local board may not re-appoint to the office the person whose resignation caused the vacancy in the first place. However, Shaw said the state law argued in the lawsuit doesnt apply to the board of education. It only applies to the governing body for a city, county, or districtwhich the board of education doesnt fall under. We are none of those things, Shaw said. I think the law is on our side here. The legal challenge comes months after Shaw resigned from the board of education in November 2021 after facing another legal challenge accusing him of partaking in a conflict of interest by holding incompatible offices and serving simultaneously on the county board of education and La Habra City Council. Shaw decided to step down from his role as a trustee to avoid costly legal fees despite disagreeing with the allegations. The board was tasked to either appoint a new trustee to fill the vacancy within 60 days or hold a special election. As the 60-day deadline approached, the board reappointed Shaw after interviewing seven candidates. To avoid further conflict, Shaw resigned from the La Habra City Council prior to his reappointment. While this is the second attempt to get Shaw unappointed, he views the efforts to be a distraction to the work the board is intended to provide for county-wide K12 public schools. A board of education should be about educating young people, but it is being treated as a game, Shaw said. Im disappointed we have to have such distraction, such waste in this arena. Its all about the kids. After meeting on Feb. 10, the judge ruled to reconvene on Feb. 16 to allow more time to review the case. Due to the lockdown, restaurants are closed and seats are blocked off in Vienna, Austria, on Nov. 30, 2021. (Lisa Leutner /AP Photo) Lockdowns Did Not Save Lives, Concludes Meta-Analysis Commentary The Covid-19 pandemic measures were a milestone in how modern Western societies restricted freedoms in the face of a new pathogen. Its fair to say that we panicked in those fateful spring months of 2020. Ever since, the heated conversations, angered populations, lost friendships, and moralistic battles have split societies down the middle. Back then politicians, partly influenced by poor epidemiological modeling, opted for a set of policies weve gotten used to call lockdowns. They usually involved various degrees of mandating the closure of public places, that schoolchildren be sent home from school, that employers vacate their premises such that employees wouldnt physically interact, or strict government edicts that you mustnt leave your home. Two years into this experiment, its about time to assemble the evidence. Did lockdowns live up to their trotted potential? Did they save lives and stop the spread and all the other slogans we painfully heard talking heads sputter? Many have tried. There are plenty of studies that show no virus-mitigating effects of lockdowns (but much secondary harm). The thing with compiling such lists of studies is that theyre assembled ad hoc, selecting on the result rather than the study itself. Stacking more such potentially cherry-picked studies on top of each other, isnt really advancing the scientific claim that lockdowns dont prevent death. Its amassing confirming evidence for a certain hypothesis rather than comprehensively investigating how the full range of studies measure up. To gauge a large and sprawling field, scientists use meta-studiesa kind of methodological studies that systematically search for studies and incorporate their result into a combined whole. Jonas Herby of the Center for Political Studies in Copenhagen, Denmark, Lars Jonung of Lund University, and Steve Hanke of Johns Hopkins have done precisely that for the early period before July 1st, 2020. In A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Lockdowns on Covid-19 Mortality, just published as a working paper with Johns Hopkins Studies in Applied Economics series, they assemble the evidence that lockdowns averted deaths from Covid-19. Since theres a lot of scope for fiddling with studies that make up a meta-analysis, heres the full selection strategy that the authors used: They screened over 18,000 studies, most of which werent related to the narrow lockdown efficacy question. 1,048 studies remained, where most were excluded for not answering the two core eligibility questions: Does the study measure the effect of lockdowns on mortality? Does the study use an empirical diff-in-diff approach? Of the 117 studies that remain, the authors exclude 83 that were duplicates, used modeling, or synthetic controls. Structural-break studies werent enough, the authors argue, as the effect of lockdowns in these studies might contain time-dependent shifts, such as seasonality. 34 studies thus make it into their analysis, and they are divided into three segments: mortality impacts associated with the stringency of Covid policies (following the much-publicized Oxford metric); Shelter-in-Place studies; and studies that target specific non-pharmaceutical interventions. Studies like Flaxman et al. in the scientific magazine Nature, which professed millions of lives saved through lockdown measures, are excluded because of their forcing study design: the only interpretation possible for the empirical results is that lockdowns are the only thing that matters, even if other factors like season, behavior etc. caused the observed change in the reproduction rate [] Flaxman et al. illustrate how problematic it is to force data to fit a certain model if you want to infer the effect of lockdowns on COVID-19 mortality. You cant assume the conclusion you wish to prove. Similarly, they follow Christian Bjrnskov at Aarhus University in excluding synthetic-control studies. Bjrnskov shows that in many such studies, the country characteristics they synthetically create looked nothing like the real-world countries they imitated, and so greatly questioned the empirical numbers derived from such exercises. Browsing through the result summary of the 34 final studies is dire reading for the believer in lockdowns (the authors publish a table with a brief description of all). A few show measures that correspond positively with Covid mortality. Of the ones that do find statistically significant results of the right sign (with lockdowns having a negative effect on mortality) the impacts are remarkably small: often single-digit percentages, with several studies reporting results around zero. The combined estimates in the stringency studies (averted deaths as a proportion of total Covid deaths) band around zero, with only a single study (Fuller et al. 2021) finding a large impact of lockdowns on Covid-19 mortality. When adjusting the combined estimate for that studys highly imprecise estimate, Herby, Jonung and Hanke find that the precision-weighted average effect of lockdowns on Covid-19 mortality is -0.2 percent: based on the stringency index studies, we find little to no evidence that mandated lockdowns in Europe and the United States had a noticeable effect on COVID-19 mortality rates. The more precise the estimate and the more clean and comprehensive the study, the closer to zero are lockdowns effect on Covid-19. Read that again. When we run the numbers carefully, any initial protective effect from lockdowns on Covid deaths go away. The Shelter-in-Place studies dont fare much better. While the bottom-line figure is a little better (-2.9 percent), again, most studies show effects that cluster around zero (or low negative single-digit percentages): We find no clear evidence that SIPOs had a noticeable impact on COVID-19 mortality. Some studies find a large negative relationship between lockdowns and COVID-19 mortality, but this seems to be caused by short data series which does not cover a full COVID-19 wave. Several studies find a small positive relationship between lockdowns and COVID-19 mortality. Although this appears to be counterintuitive, it could be the result of an (asymptomatic) infected person being isolated at home under a SIPO can infect family members with a higher viral load causing more severe illness. Finally, in the NPI segment we can discern a sliver of vindication for the lockdown argument. The set of studies are a little more scattered as they assess different interventions (schools, border closures, gatherings, mask etc) and thus harder to compare. Still, writes Herby, Jonung, and Hanke: there is no evidence of a noticeable relationship between the most-used NPIs and COVID-19. Overall, lockdowns and limiting gatherings seem to increase COVID-19 mortality, although the effect is modest (0.6% and 1.6%, respectively) and border closures has little to no effect on COVID-19 mortality The biggest effect that comes out of this meta-analysis is the effect of closing non-essential businesses, particularly bars, that was associated with 10.6 percent fewer covid deaths. The authors are pretty severe in their final conclusions. Lockdowns didnt meaningfully reduce Covid-19 mortalities: the effect is little to none. The best case we can make for lockdowns is that the minor impact they may have had in temporarily averting deaths, are not worth the hassle, the pain, the societal upheaval, the misery and human suffering that accompanied them. Is anyone responsible ever going to admit that policy error? From the Brownstone Institute Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. An aerial view shows damaged houses and debris on the beach, in the aftermath of Cyclone Batsirai, in Mananjary, Madagascar, on Feb. 8, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. (Alkis Konstantinidis TPX Images of the Day) Madagascar Death Toll From Cyclone Batsirai Rises to 92: State Agency ANTANANARIVOThe death toll in Madagascar from Cyclone Batsirai rose to 92, the state disaster relief agency said on Wednesday, as information continued to filter in from areas of the country that were badly affected. The cyclone slammed into the Indian Ocean island late on Saturday, knocking down houses and electricity lines as it battered the southeastern coast. The storm moved away late on Sunday, leaving 91,000 people with destroyed or damaged homes. The disaster relief agency had earlier on Wednesday raised the toll from 29 to 80, and said that 60 of the deaths had occurred in a single area, the Ikongo district in southeast Madagascar. It said it was still collecting details about what had happened in Ikongo. A member of parliament representing the district had previously said the death toll was high there, and that most victims had drowned or been crushed when their houses collapsed. Cars stop before a flooded area, after Cyclone Batsirai made landfall, on a road in Vohiparara, Madagascar, on Feb. 6, 2022. Picture was taken with a drone. (Christophe Van Der Perre/Reuters) Locals stand next to a flooded area, as Cyclone Batsirai sweeps inland, in Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, on Feb. 6, 2022. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters) The disaster relief agency said humanitarian relief workers had arrived from France and Germany to help with the response. Batsirai was Madagascars second destructive storm in two weeks, after Cyclone Ana killed 55 people and displaced 130,000 in a different area of the country, further north. The island nation, which has a population of nearly 30 million, was already struggling with food shortages in the south, a consequence of a severe and prolonged drought. The World Food Programme said Batsirai had made the situation worse by destroying crops of rice, fruits, and vegetables that were just two weeks away from harvest. The cyclone caused widespread flooding and made 12 roads and 14 bridges impassable, cutting off some of the worst affected areas and impeding efforts to bring relief to local communities. By Lovasoa Rabary A hooded man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. (Kacper Pempel/Illustration/Reuters) Marine at Camp Pendleton Arrested on Federal Cyberstalking Charge OCEANSIDE, Calif.An active-duty Camp Pendleton Marine is facing a federal charge of cyberstalking young women with connections to his former hometown of Torrance as part of a sextortion campaign, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Wednesday. Johao Miguel Chavarri, 25, of Oceanside, was arrested on Feb. 8 and made his initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles federal court on a charge of stalking. Chavarri was released on a $30,000 bond with travel restrictions and location monitoring. He is expected to be arraigned on March 8. According to the criminal complaint, from 2019 through 2021, Chavarri used the online alias Michael Frito and created various online accounts to stalk and threaten women, demanding that they send him, among other things, nude or sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves or their feet. Chavarri faces up to five years in federal prison, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said the alleged sextortion threats continued in some cases for more than a year. According to the complaint, he allegedly told victims that if they refused to comply with his demands, he would post sexually explicit photos and videos of them online or on well-known pornography websites. He also allegedly threatened to send the explicit materials to their boyfriends, friends, families, or employers, whom he would often identify by name, prosecutors said. According to the complaint, Chavarri sent one message to multiple victims via Instagram, saying he would spend his whole life ruining their lives. A pedestrian walks in front of the new 'Meta' logo in front of Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., on Oct. 28, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Meta, Chime File Lawsuit Against Alleged Phishing Scam on Facebook, Instagram Facebook parent Meta Platforms said on Tuesday it had filed a joint lawsuit with digital banking company Chime against two Nigeria-based individuals who engaged in phishing attacks to deceive people and gain access to their online financial accounts. The lawsuit, which is the first joint complaint between Meta and a financial services company, alleged that the defendants used Facebook and Instagram accounts to impersonate Chime and lure people to fake branded phishing websites with the aim of obtaining their Chime account login information and withdrawing funds. In the suit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Meta said the defendants used a network of computers to control more than 800 impersonating Instagram accounts and five Facebook accounts, in order to conceal their activity and evade technical enforcement measures. Reuters could not immediately reach the defendants for comment. Impersonation scams are a serious challenge, and this action represents a major step forward in cross-industry collaboration against this abuse, Metas director of platform enforcement and litigation Jessica Romero said in a blog post. Fintech company Chime was launched by former Visa Inc. executive Chris Britt and Comcast Corp. alumnus Ryan King in 2012. Reuters exclusively reported last month that Chime had asked Goldman Sachs to help it with IPO preparations. Meta said it had taken several previous actions against the defendants since June 2020 for violating its terms, including disabling their accounts, blocking impersonating domains on its platforms and sending cease and desist letters. By Elizabeth Culliford Michigan Governor Demands Canada Reopen Key Bridge Amid Protests Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the Canadian government needs to work toward opening traffic on a key U.S.Canada bridge that has been blocked by protesters. The blockade is having a significant impact on Michigans working families who are just trying to do their jobs. Our communities and automotive, manufacturing, and agriculture businesses are feeling the effects. Its hitting paychecks and production lines. That is unacceptable, the Democrat governor said in a statement on Feb. 10. It is imperative that Canadian local, provincial, and national governments de-escalate this economic blockade, she stated. They must take all necessary and appropriate steps to immediately and safely reopen traffic so we can continue growing our economy, supporting good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for families. In recent days, protesters led by Canadian truckers have amassed on the bridge that connects Detroit, Michigan, to Windsor, Ontario. Like the protesters who gathered in Ottawa and other U.S.Canada border crossing areas, the protesters are calling for an end to Canadian COVID-19 mandates and rules. In Michigan, our economy continues to grow because of our hardworking people and innovative small businesses, Whitmer said. Now, that momentum is at risk. Commercial traffic is at a standstill at the Ambassador Bridge and heavily backed up at the Blue Water Bridge, another U.S.Canada crossing area. Vehicles take part in a protest blockage by the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) Demonstrators against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions block the roadway at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ont., on Feb. 9, 2022. (Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images) The closure of the Ambassador Bridge, one of the busiest border crossings in North America and a supply route for Detroits carmakers, has U.S. and Canadian officials scrambling to find alternate trade routes to limit economic damage. Its not that we want to do this, but we have to send Ottawa a message because of these terrible mandates that have harmed so many people, Bernie Berg, who is involved in the bridge protest, told The Epoch Times. But Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said on Feb. 10 that the protesters might be removed by force. If the trucker-led protesters dont leave, there will have to be a path forward. If that means physically removing them, that means physically removing them, and were prepared to do that, Dilkens said in an interview with CNN. The Ambassador Bridge was completely shut down in both directions on Feb. 10 at 12 p.m. EST, people at the scene told Reuters. Asked about the protests, White House economic adviser Brian Deese told MSNBC that U.S. President Joe Bidens administration was working in real time to divert cargothats an imperfect solutioneither by rail or by other bridges or by water. Police in Ottawa, meanwhile, are promising stricter action to end the protests in the main downtown street in front of Parliament, the prime ministers office, and the Bank of Canada. Reuters contributed to this report. A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: from top left, Kaleb Franks, Brandon Caserta, Adam Dean Fox, and bottom left, Daniel Harris, Barry Croft, and Ty Garbin, in an indictment released Dec. 17, 2020. (Kent County Sheriff via AP File) Michigan Kidnap Plot Defendant Changes Plea to Guilty Kaleb Franks, one of the five defendants set to face trial next month for conspiring to kidnap Michigans governor, changed course and decided to plead guilty to the allegations in a Grand Rapids federal courtroom on Feb. 9. Franks told Magistrate Judge Phillip Green that he understood the consequences of striking a plea deal with government and abandoning his co-defendants argumentthat they had been entrapped into the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot by undercover FBI agents and informants. Did any law enforcement officers suggest committing any crimes? Judge Green asked Franks. No, sir, Franks replied. Did the plot originate solely with you and the other defendants? the judge asked again. Yes, sir, Franks said. Judge Green said he will file a report with U.S. District Judge Robert Jonkerthe trial judge in the caserecommending that he accept Franks guilty plea. Franks will then have a sentencing hearing in about three months, Green said. As per his plea agreement with the Department of Justice, Franks is now set to testify against his co-defendantsAdam Fox, Barry Croft, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Casertaat their March 8 trial. Franks plea agreement provides a preview as to what he will presumably tell the jury: The defendant was not entrapped or induced to commit any crimes by these individuals. The defendant also knows Fox, Croft, Harris and Caserta were not entrapped, based on personal observation and discussions. For instance, Fox proposed assaulting the Capitol the first time the defendant met him The defendant also heard Harris and Caserta express similar anti-government sentiments during his private discussions with them, when no government informant was present, the plea agreement says. During all their months of training together, the defendant never heard Fox, Croft, Harris, or Caserta say they were doing anything because [Confidential Human Source] CHS Dan, CHS Steve, or any other informant had advocated it. Franks change of plea follows numerous failed objections filed by his attorney, Scott Graham, related to their entrapment defense. Among those motions were attempts to have the case dismissed altogether; to have FBI agents and informants granted immunity to testify about their purported entrapment scheme, as well as to introduce evidence related to the presence of federal informants at the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riots. The defendants were also in a dispute with the DOJ over whether misconduct by FBI agents involved in the investigation would be used at trial. One FBI agent involved in the case was dismissed from the bureau 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. Jonker first slapped down the defendants motion for dismissal on Jan. 25, ruling that their entrapment argument should be litigated in front of a jury. In separate orders a day later, Jonker also denied Franks motion to provide sovereign immunity to FBI informants and agents, and to introduce evidence about undercover informants present at the Capitol Hill riots. On Feb. 1, Franks defense was further damaged when Judge Jonker granted the DOJs request for their own psychologist to evaluate him. Franks own psychologist had previously attested to his presents extraordinary susceptibility to influence and suggestion in support of his claim of entrapment, and the DOJ had sought to scrutinize that evaluation. The final blow for Franks apparently came Feb. 2, when Judge Jonker sided with the DOJ in the dispute over whether FBI agents misconduct would be shown to the jury at trial. Judge Jonker said an FBI agent assaulting his wife was irrelevant to the kidnapping case. He made a similar statement about the agent accused of perjury in another matter. As for the FBI agent who operated a private intelligence business during the investigation, Judge Jonker said there was no conflict of interest in the arrangement. Franks signed his plea deal four days later, according to court filings. A file image of Indian scientists working in a laboratory for British Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca PLC in Bangalore. (Indranil Mukherjee/AFP via Getty Images) Moderna, AstraZeneca Partnering To Develop an mRNA Therapeutic For Heart Disease Drugmakers Moderna and AstraZeneca are partnering up to develop a mRNA therapeutic to treat life-threatening cardiovascular disease such as heart failure. We are collaborating with @AstraZeneca on an mRNA therapeutic (AZD8601) that encodes for VEGF-A to promote recovery of cardiac function through tissue regeneration, Moderna said in a Twitter post Thursday. The biotechnology company included a link to a phase two study dated Nov. 15, 2021, that analyzed messenger RNA treatment in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. That study produced positive results, Moderna said. Moderna said the findings were presented at the American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions 2021 annual meeting in Boston. The treatment aims to promote the growth of new blood vessels, and therefore heal the hearts of surgery patients, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The study of 11 patients saw seven treated with the mRNA therapeutic and four receive placebo injections. All seven recipients who received the treatment had NT-proBNP levelswhich indicates heart failurebelow heart failure limit at six months follow-up, compared to one of four patients treated with placebo. mRNA is a compelling therapeutic modality because of its ability to act locally and transiently, while driving dose-dependent protein expression. We thank AstraZeneca for their partnership and collaboration, which began in 2013, in advancing this program, said Stephane Bancel, chief executive officer of Moderna said in November. Bancel added, The results presented today are a result of pushing new boundaries in the treatment of cardiovascular and other ischemic vascular diseases to address serious unmet needs with the goal of improving patients lives. Over one billion heart cells can be lost during a heart attack. These early results indicate the potential of mRNA therapeutics in stimulating VEGF-A production to provide reparative and disease-modifying options for patients with heart failure and other ischemic vascular diseases, Mene Pangalos, executive vice president, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said in a statement at the time. Cardiologist Howard J. Eisen, a medical director at the Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute, told the Inquirer he believes using mRNA technology to treat heart disease could revolutionize medicine. He noted however that the study wasnt large enough to draw conclusions about the treatments effect on heart function. Post-Vaccination Heart Inflammation Modernas two-shot mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has been linked to post-vaccination heart inflammation cases. Recent research indicates young people may be at more risk of developing myocarditis from the shot than COVID-19 itself. On Feb. 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlined an expected change to the COVID-19 vaccine schedule for people with weak immune systems and signaled that a different alteration is coming for the general population to try to cut the number of post-vaccination heart inflammation cases. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. Mothers Against Drug Deaths hold a chain and posters in front of the Tenderloin Linkage Center in San Francisco on Feb. 5, 2022. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times) Mothers Oppose Alleged Open Drug Use in San Franciscos New Linkage Center SAN FRANCISCOA small group of women stood together in front of San Franciscos Tenderloin Linkage Center near the United Nations Plaza at the Civic Center on Feb. 5 to express their opposition to the alleged open-air drug use taking place at the facility. The linkage center was created to help people who are homeless or dealing with drug addiction gain access to short- and long-term resources, such as food, shelter, substance abuse treatment, and vocational support. Holding a chain and posters with photos of young adults, the group, Mothers Against Drug Deaths, said they were mothers whose lives have been changed by the effects of the ongoing drug crisis. They told NTD Television that they have children who are struggling with or lost their lives to drug addiction. Gina McDonald compared the alleged drug use in the linkage center to going to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in a bar. You dont have an AA meeting in a bar. You dont hand a loaded gun to a person thats suicidal, McDonald said. Im very disappointed in how the City of San Francisco is handling this linkage center. I very much agree with services being provided for people with addiction and people living on the street. But I dont feel that allowing open drug use inside the fence is in any way going to help addicts out there. Im a recovering addict myself. McDonald said she was in a meth-induced psychosis when the Alameda County Sheriffs Office picked her up and mandated treatment. It saved my life, she said. People stand outside the Tenderloin Linkage Center in San Francisco on Feb. 5, 2022. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times) McDonald held a photo of her daughter, Sam, who used to frequent San Franciscos Tenderloin district after developing a drug addiction following high school. Sam is now recovering after receiving treatment in Alameda County. McDonald said her daughter was proud when she heard that her mom was going to the protest. The Tenderloin Linkage Center opened on Jan. 18 as part of Mayor London Breeds December 2021 state of emergency declaration for the Tenderloin drug crisis. The citys Department of Emergency Management (SFDEM) runs the center. According to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, the SFDEM has denied running a supervised drug consumption site at the linkage center. This site is about getting people connected with immediate support, as well as long-term services and treatment, Francis Zamora, a spokesperson for SFDEM, previously told the SF Chronicle. Part of being a low-barrier site means bringing people in without asking a lot of questions. However, a week following the centers grand opening, the Daily Mail revealed photos of open drug use behind the tarp-covered fence connected to the center. Photos captured people smoking, injecting themselves, and partaking in drug deals. In 2020 [pdf] and 2021 [pdf], San Francisco reported a total of 1,347 drug overdoses, nearly double the 692 reported COVID-19 deaths in the same time frame. Approximately three-quarters of all overdose victims had fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, in their systems. On the same day as the protest, another group of people gathered for a counterprotest. One of them was David Campos, a former city supervisor. Campos said an open safe space for drug use could be an effective way to tackle addictions, noting that he tried to introduce the idea in 2016. Jacqui Berlinn talks to former city Supervisor David Campos while surrounded by media in front of the Tenderloin Linkage Center in San Francisco on Feb. 5, 2022. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times) Similarly, Breed and state Sen. Scott Wiener have pushed for safe injection sites in recent years. Wiener introduced Senate Bill 57 in 2020 to establish these sites, but the legislation has yet to be approved by the State Assembly. However, the idea of open drug use sites falls into a legal gray area, given that federal laws prohibit the use and sale of schedule 1 drugs (marijuana, heroin) and schedule 2 drugs (fentanyl, meth, cocaine). During the protest, the mothers repeatedly expressed their support for harm reduction, the linkage center, and its goals, but they remained resolute that drug use shouldnt be allowed there. We could be doing better, McDonald said. We should be doing better. Gina McDonald holds a poster of herself and her daughter at the protest in front of the Tenderloin Linkage Center in San Francisco on Feb. 5, 2022. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times) Mothers Share Their Stories Other mothers shared that the drug crisis either changed or took the lives of their children. Jacqui Berlinn said her son, Corey, is currently living on the streets of San Francisco after developing an addiction to fentanyl. My son will tell you himself that its very, very easy to remain an addict in San Francisco, she said. He says you can get everything you want and need in San Francisco to stay in your addiction. Berlinn said she was excited when she heard about the linkage centers opening, but her heart dropped after she learned that people were using drugs at the site. She said Corey dropped by the center, but he left after seeing people using drugs in the fenced-off area outside of the building. My hope was that it was going to be a safe space for him just to have 30 minutes, 60 minutes, two hours free of drugs in his face, Berlinn said. Shes currently still trying to find her son after seeing photos of him shared online. Another mother, Michelle Leopold, said her son Trevor died from a fentanyl overdose in 2019 when he was a freshman at Sonoma State, and now, hes forever 18. She said Trevor had struggled with addiction for years and overdosed in his dorm room after purchasing a counterfeit oxycodone pill that he didnt know was made with fentanyl. I dont want any more moms to have this title that has no title, Leopold said. Theres widow. Theres orphan. There is no word for a mom whos lost her child, because it is the worst thing in the universe. Paramedics respond with a stretcher at the Tenderloin Linkage Center in San Francisco on Feb. 5, 2022. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times) Drug Overdose and Homeless Crisis In front of the linkage center, a handful of people told The Epoch Times and NTD Television that they suspect that the area surrounding the center had been cleaned in anticipation of press presence. My understanding is that any day besides todaywe have pictures of other daysthat people have been here with open-air drug dealing, Leopold said. When walking through the United Nations Plaza to the linkage center, Epoch Times and NTD reporters noticed that the surrounding area was clean and free of the usual trash. People dressed in jackets with an Urban Alchemy logo were seen cleaning the streets and sweeping away needles, old masks, and other trash. A person in an Urban Alchemy jacket stands on a San Francisco street on Jan. 5, 2022. (Steve Ispas/The Epoch Times) The reporters stopped to speak with one of them. The man said Urban Alchemy helps keep San Franciscos streets clean and checks up on homeless people living on the streets. Nearly a dozen police officers were patrolling the area as well. While reporters were covering the protest, a woman exited the linkage center yelling profanities. She knocked over a sign at the entrance and rushed toward an NTD reporter who was taking photos. The woman pushed the reporter backward into a street pole and unsuccessfully tried to grab the reporters phone. The reporter was uninjured, but the woman was arrested and taken away for a mental assessment. As the protest drew to a close, paramedics showed up and entered the linkage center with a stretcher. It remains unknown exactly what happened. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management and the Mayors Office didnt return requests for comment. Protesters demonstrating against COVID-19 mandates gather as a truck convoy blocks the highway at the U.S. border crossing in Coutts, Alberta, on Feb. 2, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh) Multiple US Automakers Pause Some Output Amid Canadian Trucker Protests Multiple U.S. Automakers including Ford and Toyota have halted some production at their Canada plants due to the ongoing protests over the countrys COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Toyota, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford, and General Motors all stated they have had to pause production on some of their sites due to the demonstrations, which have caused blockages at the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, creating supply chain issues. Ford, in a statement obtained by The Associated Press, said that it has suspended engine output in Windsor, while its Oakville factory near Toronto is operating with a reduced schedule. We hope this situation is resolved quickly because it could have a widespread impact on all automakers in the U.S. and Canada, the company stated. Chrysler-maker Stellantis has also faced a shortage of parts at its assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, where it had to cut shifts short on Feb. 8 but was able to resume production on Feb. 9. General Motors, Detroits largest automaker, was also forced to cancel the second shift of the day on Feb. 9 at a plant in Lansing, Michigan, which makes SUVS for the Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC brands, due to shortages owing to the blockade. Spokesman Dan Flores told AP that the company expected to restart Feb. 10 and that there would be no additional impact for now. Top U.S. vehicle-seller Toyota, which operates three manufacturing facilities in Ontario, expects to have its Canadian plants offline for the remainder of the week, the company told Newsweek in an email. Due to a number of supply chain, severe weather, and COVID-related challenges, Toyota continues to face shortages affecting production at our North American plants, including Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, the company stated. Our teams are working diligently to minimize the impact on production. While the situation is fluid and changes frequently, we do not anticipate any impact to employment at this time. The temporary halt on automakers production comes as the protests in Ottawa have forced the shutdown of the Ambassador Bridge, one of the busiest crossings between Canada and the United States, which counts for an estimated 20 percent of all trade between the two countries. Canadas Border Services Agency has listed the bridge, which connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, as temporarily closed as of Feb. 10. The American and Canadian flags fly at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images) The protests in Canada began as a demonstration by truckers in response to a federal vaccine mandate that went into effect on Jan. 15 for truck drivers, despite staunch opposition. Under the mandate, Canadian drivers returning to Canada are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to avoid entering quarantine. Organizers of theFreedom Convoy protest have said their demonstration is peaceful. The movement has since gained traction and has been joined by people from across Canada who oppose various COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote on Twitter that he has spoken with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the ongoing occupations in Ottawa and Windsor. We will continue working together to support our police forces as they manage these situations. We both agreed this must come to an end. Canadian police on Feb. 9 also warned that north and southbound lanes to another border crossing, Coutts, are now closed due to the protesters blockade. White House spokesperson Jen Psaki also urged protesters to understand what the impact of this blockage is and the potential impact it could have on the supply chain. Were also tracking potential disruptions to U.S. agricultural exports from Michigan into Canada, Psaki said in a Feb. 9 press briefing. Meanwhile, Trudeau decried the demonstrations, insisting that while Canadians have the right to protest, to disagree with their government, and to make their voices heard, they dont have the right to blockade our economy, or our democracy, or our fellow citizens daily lives. It has to stop, Trudeau wrote on Twitter. The Organizers of the Freedom Convoy 2022 maintain that Canadas COVID-19 mandates and restrictions, which have been far stricter than those in the United States, are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries, and livelihoods. The vaccine mandate could see 10 to 15 percent, or about 12,000 to 16,000 truck drivers, off the road, estimated the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), which stated that it doesnt support and strongly disapproves of the demonstration. Small businesses are being destroyed, homes are being destroyed, and people are being mistreated and denied fundamental necessities to survive. Its our duty as Canadians to put an end to this mandate, organizers say. A recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute found that a majority of Canadians, 54 percent, are in favor of lifting restrictions in the country. A copy of the U.S. Constitution during a House hearing on Dec. 17, 2019. (Andrew Harnik/Pool/Getty Images) Nebraska Joins Call for Convention of States to Amend US Constitution Nebraska on Jan. 28 became the 17th state to push for a convention of states to make changes to the U.S. Constitutionan unconventional process thats never been used before. Under Article V of the Constitution, calling a convention to amend the U.S. constitution would require approval from two-thirds of U.S. states, or 34 of 50 states. According to the National Constitution Center, the measure is used to bypass Congress, but has never been accomplished before. Constitutional amendments can also be made if two-thirds of both chambers of Congress agree on a proposal and it is ratified by three-fourths of states. Since the U.S. Constitution was adopted, 27 amendments have been made. The Nebraska Legislature in its resolution, similar to other states, put forward changes that will impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress. State lawmakers reached a compromise with an amendment that would let the call expire in February 2027. Nebraska state Sen. Steve Halloran, a Republican who sponsored the resolution, told Fox News that he believes an overreach on the part of the federal government is driving states to push for change. The Founding Fathers had anxiety that that might happen, Halloran said. I dont believe they imagined that it would get to this point. Halloran decried the $30 trillion national debt as unsustainable. Its become abundantly clear with the history of Congress that they have no sense of limiting their spending and the accrued debt thats happening upon our nation, Halloran said. We have effectively kicked that can down the road on repayment of any of that, but we cannot kick the can down the road every year, he added. The senator called on other states to join on calls to amend the U.S. Constitution. Its an exercise in what the Constitution is, he said. I think it would be a great civics lesson once it happens. In a message aimed at state leaders, Halloran told Fox News he believes the nation can no longer be operated on fear, uncertainty, and doubt. He separately told Newsweek that states need to move to exercise their constitutional authority by proposing amendments through an Article V Convention of States to restrain the federal government from driving our country into insolvency. According to the Convention of States Action, so far Georgia, Alaska, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arizona, North Dakota, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Utah have approved a call for the convention, while 24 others are considering doing so. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak speaks during the launch of the 100-megawatt MGM Resorts Mega Solar Array in Dry Lake Valley, Nev., on June 28, 2021. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Nevada Ends Mask Mandate, Including in Schools Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak on Feb. 10 became the latest Democratic governor to ease or remove mask mandates in recent days, despite federal health officials recommendation to keep masking in most settings. Sisolak, who is up for reelection in 2022, said in publicly available remarks that given all of these updates and the tools we have, now is the appropriate time for me to announce that Nevada will rescind our mask mandate, effective immediately. The governors of New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, New York, and Californiaall Democratshave announced the easing of their respective mask mandates, coming as data shows COVID-19 cases dropping nationwide. Masks are no longer required in public spaces, Sisolak said, but there are locations where you may still be asked to wear a mask. In a key difference from some of his Democrat colleagues, Sisolak said that masks will no longer be required to be worn in schools, although he said districts will have to plan for possible future COVID-19 outbreaks. The governors of Illinois and New York on Feb. 9 announced an end to their indoor mask rules, but they said school mandates will remain intact. Federal mask mandates will still remain in effect for planes, in airports, and on public transportation. It isnt clear when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will ease such restrictions. A day earlier, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky at a news conference avoided naming specific requirements that the agency would consider before easing masking guidance nationwide. Were of course taking a close look at this in real-time, and were evaluating rates of transmission as well as rates of severe outcomes as we look at updating and reviewing our guidance, she told reporters. The Nevada governors announcement comes after the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) state chapter urged his office on Feb. 9 to drop the statewide mask mandate. The reason why, it argued, is that the mandate is making it difficult for small businesses to retain and hire workers. The NFIB chapter said Nevada had the highest quit rate in the nation last year at 3.8 percent. Citing Chamber of Commerce data, the group also stated that workers often complained of mask requirements. While many question the effectiveness in stopping the spread of COVID, there is agreement that after two years, more and more people are refusing to wear masks, which is presenting a challenge to employees who still have to act like the mask police. New Anti-Crime Unit Helps, but NYC Mayor Must Not Recoil in Times of Pressure, Policing Experts Say New York Mayor Eric Adamss new anti-crime unit, which will debut in a week or so, will be tasked with going after gun-related crimes as homicides and shootings climb in the city. Policing experts say that because the unit will deal with armed suspects most of the time, its members will have a higher chance of being involved in shootings. They say that if that happens and political pressure builds to detract from or dismantle the unit, Adams must stand behind the units crime-fighting mission and not fall back. As violent crime skyrockets, you have to unhandcuff the police, let the police do their job, and let them know that if something happensinevitably, there is going to be something controversial that is going to happenpoliticians have their back, John Eterno, criminal justice professor at Molloy College, told The Epoch Times. Political Courage Needed Because anti-crime unit officers are supposed to aggressively go after suspects in possession of illegal guns, theyre more likely to get complaints or be involved in shootings, according to Eterno. As a leader, you may get some people angry with you, and thats okay if youre taking the higher principlewhether Adams has the political courage to do that remains to be seen, he said. President Joe Biden (R), with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland (L) and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, participate in a Gun Violence Strategies Partnership meeting at the New York Police Department Headquarters on Feb. 3, 2022. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Eterno has been critical of policing strategies by the two previous New York mayors, Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio. Bloomberg was so focused on crime control that his policies violated New Yorkers rights, according to Eterno. De Blasio was so focused on protecting rights that his policies led to rising crime. De Blasio disbanded the decades-old anti-crime unit at the New York Police Department (NYPD) in August 2020, when demand for police reform rose following the death of George Floyd. The unit had long been accused of being responsible for a disproportionately high number of shootings. Since the units disbandment, violent crime has been on the rise. A protester is holding a defund the police sign at a Black Lives Matter protest in Manhattan on July 13, 2020. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times) In 2021, Adams campaigned on taking the middle ground in policing, a central issue in the mayoral race. As a former black captain in the NYPD who had been vocal for years about police misconduct in minority communities, Adams has vowed to bring down crime while protecting individual rights. Officers in the new anti-crime unit will wear body cameras, go through additional training on police tactics and conflict resolution, and have more supervision. He is trying to do this balancing act, and it is very, very difficult. Thats the hard part, where you cannot just go from one extreme to the other. You got to be aggressive, but not too aggressive, Eterno said. Its a hard job to take illegal guns off the streets, and the job becomes even harder when officers dont have political support behind them, according to Joe Giacalone, a former NYPD homicide detective who now teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. If police officers feel that they dont have political backup, theyll be less proactive on duty, or they may not even want to volunteer to get on the job, Giacalone said. Too Many Guns When you are dealing with people who are carrying illegal firearms, the chance of having a violent encounter is greatly increased, Giacalone said. If there is a shooting, or there is a violent encounter, how is the mayor going to handle [it]? That becomes the No. 1 question. Many people are just waiting for one incident to say, Okay, that is it. Let us stop it again. The old anti-crime unit was known for taking illegal guns off the streets. A former NYPD homicide detective, Alfred Titus remembered suspects telling him during interrogations that they no longer carried guns on the streets because they were very likely to get caught. So when that individual got into a conflict with someone in the street, he didnt have a gun on him, and there would not be a shooting or murder, he said. Today, many more people have guns on them. When they have an argument with somebody, they pull out a gun and shoot. Titus, who works as an adjunct professor at John Jay College, said Adamss plan is to bring controversial policing strategies such as the anti-crime unit back, monitor them very closely, and remove officers who cant follow department policies or the law. One of the key changes that Adams made to the new anti-crime unit is that officers will no longer be in plainclothes; instead, theyll dress in a way so people can identify them as police officers. Eterno thinks that takes an important tool away from officers. Before its disbandment, anti-crime unit officers were in plainclothes, mingled with people in the neighborhood, and caught criminals in action. When a cop in uniform is standing on the corner, people with an illegal gun are not going to take their gun out and show it to their friend, Look, I got a gun, Eterno said. Keith Ross, a former NYPD officer and an adjunct professor at John Jay College, thinks one of the reasons that plainclothes became a controversial tactic is that it was used in the wrong way during Bloombergs term. Under Bloomberg, the NYPD got into a practice of measuring officer performance almost solely through the number of stops and frisks, summons, citations, and arrests they made, according to Ross. Since the anti-crime unit and other plainclothes unit officers didnt answer 911 calls and were focused on detecting crime and making arrests, the performance pressure on them was especially high. Say in November, we did five stops and got four guns off the street. In December, we did four stops and got two guns off the street. In January, we did three stops and one gun. This month, we did two stops and got zero guns off the street, he said. Now, one way of thinking about this is that we have been doing our jobs so well that there are less guns on the street. But another way to look at thiswhich could be argued statisticallyis that you and I are working less, which was the police culture at one time. To ramp up their numbers, some plainclothes officers began to stop people without having reasonable suspicion to do so, which led to more civilian complaints. Some officers went out of their domain to hunt down minor offenses, according to Ross. Maybe one unit brings in four felony arrests and another unit brings in four nonviolent misdemeanors, but on paper, they both did four arrests, he said. Controversy Such was the police culture that partially led to police encounters that drew national attention, including the death of Eric Garner, according to Ross. The Garner incident was often cited by activists to push for an end to the anti-crime unit. In July 2014, anti-crime unit officer Daniel Pantaleo and several other officers approached Garner on suspicion of selling single cigarettes from packs without tax stamps. In an attempt to arrest Garner, Pantaleo put him in a chokehold. Garner died during the encounter. In a file photo, protesters march while chanting and holding signs during a protest against the decision by a Staten Island grand jury to not indict a police officer who used a chokehold in the death of Eric Garner in July 2014 on Dec. 4, 2014, in Boston. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images) Why were plainclothes units deployed there looking for untaxed cigarettes? Ross said. That was the reason that started that whole incident. Im not making a value judgment, just stating a fact pattern. He agrees that getting rid of plainclothes officers makes anti-crime officers jobs more difficult. But he had faith that officers will figure out ways to do their jobs even with impediments in the way, just like what he and his partner did when they were plainclothes officers in the early 2000s. At that time, they were assigned to a housing development in Queens to target crimes such as narcotics and prostitution. After several arrests, criminals in that area could easily recognize their car, even though it was unmarked. some people recognized their faces as well. So Ross and his partner would park their cars a few more blocks away, get into an unoccupied apartment through a cooperating landlord, and continue to do surveillance from there. They changed locations from time to time and never used the same apartment for too long. That is what police are good atadapt and overcome, he said. A woman wearing a mask during the CCP virus pandemic walks past an empty restaurant in New York on Jan. 20, 2021. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times) New York City Council to Review Permanent Outdoor Dining Sheds The New York City Council held a hearing on Feb. 8 on whether to make outdoor sidewalk dining, which was a temporary measure during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, a permanent fixture in the citys dining scene. Outdoor dining sheds were built by many NYC restaurant owners to help blunt the economic impact of the virus as they struggled to survive the government-mandated lockdowns. The outdoor sheds were first permitted by the city on a temporary basis under an Open Restaurants initiative at the height of the pandemic and after severe capacity restrictions were imposed. The NYC Department of Transportation (DoT) is in charge of overseeing the temporary outdoor dining facilities. Restaurateurs set up tens of thousands of makeshift structures of plywood and plastic sheeting, with some including lighting and space heaters that became more elaborate as the pandemic went on. Many sheds are still frequently used to this day by the unvaccinated who are barred from dining inside, those worried about social distancing, or those who enjoy eating outdoors. The proposed plan, which has the support of Mayor Eric Adams and the New York Hospitality Alliance, an industry association, is to make the thousands of dining sheds outside of restaurants and bars permanent. While many New Yorkers have applauded the idea, some residents oppose it and want a return to normalcy on their streets. Many opponents of the outdoor dining plan complain about unsanitary sidewalk conditions caused by food trash attracting large numbers of rats, increased noise traffic, large crowds of drunken loiterers at odd hours in the morning, and a reduced number of already hard to find parking spaces. Other residents like Manuel Albino, a lifelong NYC East Village resident and a regular diner, have mixed feelings about the program. The outdoor dining program helped many small restaurants during the pandemic, Albino said, adding that while he doesnt think it should be eliminated completely, the program should be curtailed and more defined as to placement, construction, maintenance, and removal. They should only be authorized from April to October, he said. The Uniformed Firefighters Association, the FDNY union, said some sheds act as obstructions that delay or hinder their emergency response and prevent them from safely raising ladders to windows. The Coalition United for Equitable Urban Policy, an alliance of local businesses and residents, held a Chuck the Sheds anti-shed rally over the weekend. Julie Schipper, the head of the DoTs Open Restaurants Program, said at the City Council hearing that she is in favor of removing the makeshift structures after the pandemic eases. We dont envision sheds in the permanent program. We are not planning for that, Schipper said. What would be in the roadway [are] barriers and tents or umbrellas, but not these full houses that youre seeing in the street. The 51-member City Council will vote on the bill at a later date if it makes it through a committee vote. City officials and the restaurant industry praised the street shed initiative for saving thousands of restaurants from closing permanently and enabling tens of thousands of workers to keep their jobs. More than 12,000 restaurants and bars across New York took part in the program, and 360 streets have been shut down to vehicles to expand space for outdoor restaurant dining. The bills sponsor, City Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez (D-The Bronx), who chairs the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection, said beyond its positive economic impact, outdoor dining reimagined what the city could do with our streets. She praised the temporary program for saving more than 100,000 jobs citywide, but acknowledged some unintended negative consequences, including excessive noise and more trash and vermin. Some of the bills opponents questioned at the City Council hearing whether the DoT has the capacity to oversee a permanent program, while others are concerned about the thousands of complaints lodged against certain restaurants by their constituents. Councilman Kalman Yeger (D-Brooklyn), who opposes the bill, called the outdoor eateries shantytown sheds and said that restaurant owners have been able to increase the size of their space, not pay real property taxes on it, not pay rent on it, and have the ability to get free space courtesy of New York City. The council has yet to schedule a vote on the bill, which will first have to pass through the zoning and franchises committees before a full vote. Reuters contributed to this report. A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a "Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine" sticker and a medical syringe in front of displayed Novavax logo in this illustration taken, on Oct. 30, 2020. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters) Novavax Underdelivers on COVID-19 Vaccine Promises Novavax Inc. has delivered just a small fraction of the 2 billion COVID-19 shots it plans to send around the world in 2022 and has delayed first-quarter shipments in Europe and lower income countries such as the Philippines, public officials involved in their governments vaccine roll-outs told Reuters. Novavax said it has completed delivery of around 10 million vaccine doses to Indonesia and that shipments of several million shots arrived in Australia and New Zealand on Monday. The company declined to comment on the exact number of deliveries it has made but said it is moving as quickly as possible to ship its contracted supplies for this quarter. Some shipments have been held up by regulatory processes and are waiting in a distribution warehouse to go to healthcare providers, Novavax spokesperson Amy Speak said. Novavax shares fell nearly 10 percent in early trading. Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Novavax, which had never launched a product, had ambitions to provide a vaccine for the world, promising to deliver its shots by mid-2021. When the tiny company missed 2021 targets, buyers turned to rivals including Pfizer Inc./BioNTech SE, Moderna Inc., and Chinese drugmakers. Shipments to the European Union, Indonesia, and the Philippines were held back by a late regulatory approval from the World Health Organization (WHO), export limitations of its production partner the Serum Institute of India, and delayed approval of individual vaccine batches by European regulators, who must vet the shots before they can be distributed, according to officials in those regions. The delivery delays have left at least one country reconsidering its Novavax order. The company has yet to deliver vaccine on its largest contract for 1.1 billion doses to COVAXa global vaccine distribution program for poorer countrieswhich would make Novavax its third largest supplier, according to business data and analytics firm GlobalData Plc. Novavax did not provide a timeline but told Reuters it expects to deliver around 80 million doses in the current quarter to COVAX, less than 10 percent. A spokesperson for the GAVI vaccine alliance that co-runs COVAX with the WHO said it expected Novavax doses to be delivered soon. Its concerning when they have been saying they have been ready to ship millions of doses but the numbers youre hearing are different, said Mayank Mamtani, a healthcare analyst at B. Riley Securities. Novavax is expected to earn around $5 billion in 2022 from COVID-19 vaccine sales, according to Refinitiv data. Its two-dose vaccine has been authorized by WHO and European Union regulators, as well as countries including India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Trial data has shown the vaccine is more than 90 percent effective in preventing severe illness and death. Low- and middle-income countries will feel the pinch the most if Novavax is missing planned shipments, said Stephen Morrison, the director of the global health policy at Washington D.C. research group Center for Strategic and International Studies. Its going to be painful for COVAX and painful for its bilateral partners. Novavax began delivering Serum Institute-produced doses to Indonesia late last year. Although India has said Serum Institute shipped around 10 million shots to Indonesia in November and December, an Indonesian official who declined to be named said the country has received only around 200,000 doses. The Indian government has cleared 20 million Serum shots to be shipped to Indonesia, Novavax said. Renegotiating Its Contract A Philippines official said the country has not received any of the 30 million shots it ordered. The Philippines is renegotiating its contract and considering reducing its order from Novavax, in part because it has 96 million vaccine doses in its national stockpile, said Vaccination Secretary Carlito Galvez, head of COVID-19 vaccine procurement for Philippines. The country has authorized nine COVID vaccines. Novavax did not comment on the Philippines deliveries or new contract but said it is working with governments to meet regulatory requirements for release of doses. Novavax had said it would roll out shots in Europe by January but that has been delayed, the company spokesperson said. The initial shipments from Serum Institute were delivered to its distribution facility in the Netherlands and are awaiting final regulatory clearance for release, she said. At least two EU countries have pushed back their planned timelines for administering Novavax shots as a result, a person familiar with the matter said. Novavax has had difficulty getting the final regulatory nod because it has yet to provide sufficient information about batches produced in India, a person familiar with discussions between Novavax and EU officials said. Under the EU deal, initial supplies to the bloc would come from India. Dutch health authority RIVM, which is tasked with clearing the batches, declined to comment on the reason for the timing but said the vaccine will be available from early March. We expect to ship as soon as the testing and release is complete and we are working to make that happen as quickly as possible, the Novavax spokesperson said. The United Kingdom approved Novavaxs shot on Feb. 3, but the drugmaker has not said when it will begin distributing doses there. Novavax filed for U.S. authorization late last month, almost a year after it had originally planned to do so. Peter Shapiro, a pharmaceutical industry analyst at GlobalData, said: The question is whether these manufacturing and logistics issues are going to get better with time. By Carl ODonnell, Francesco Guarascio, and Neil Jerome Morales Booking photos of Susan Arneson and her husband, Douglas O'Berry, following their February 9, 2022 arrest for embezzling $1.5 million from the Humane Society where she once served as director of development. (Hernando County Detention Center) Operation Heartless: Ex-Humane Society Director Arrested for Stealing $1.5 Million From Shelter 'The Humane Society may not be the first victim in this particular case' A former Humane Society director and her husband have been arrested for allegedly embezzling $1.5 million from the shelter in an operation called Operation Heartless. At a Feb. 10 press conference, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis announced the Feb. 9 arrest of Susana Arneson and her husband Douglas OBerry on three felony charges regarding the embezzlement of $1.5 million from the Humane Society of the Nature Coast in Brooksville, Florida, where Arneson was once employed as the shelters director of development. Bond is set for $750,000 for each of them. Booking Information for Susana Arneson after her arrest for embezzling $1.5 million from the animal shelter she worked for. (Hernando County Detention Center) Booking photo for Douglas OBerry following his arrest for the embezzlement of $1.5 million from the Humane Society where his wife once worked. (Hernando County Detention Center) A task force assisting Hernando County detectives included members of the Pinellas and Pasco County Sheriffs offices and the United States Secret Service. Arneson was not a stranger to Nienhuis. On Easter Sunday in April 2020, burglars broke into the shelter and stole 90 percent of the shelters supplies. During a tearful interview with WFLA, Arneson said, It takes somebody whos heartless to take from somebody whos voiceless. At the time of that video that was shot about the burglary, Nienhuis said at the press conference, she had already funneled over $300,000 into her personal account and was able to make several purchases for personal items. The items include a 2003 Sea Fox purchased for $22,000 in cash. Arneson also paid $40,000 for a brand new 2020 Jeep Wrangler. Five days after the burglary, Arneson paid $220,000 in cash for a brand new home less than a mile from the shelter. In March 2021 two trucks were purchased and registered with Bottoms Up Charter, a business the sheriff suspects was also paid for with stolen money. OBerry also purchased a popular local business called Precision Tackle. Nienhuis said this too was purchased with the ill-gotten gains. Nienhuis also said Arneson did some international travel, during which time she underwent a tremendous transformation. In November 2021, Nienhuis discovered that the Internal Revenue Service actually filed a couple of liens against her for the 2012 and 2013 tax years for a total of about $400,000. Its ironic that she has tax liens from about 10 years ago, Nienhuis said, adding she made a tremendous amount of money and whether that money was legal or illegal, were still trying to figure out. The bottom line is, the Humane Society may not be the first victim in this particular case, Nienhuis said. Afghan residents and family members of the victims gather next to a damaged vehicle inside a house, day after a U.S. drone airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images) Pentagons False Statements About Afghan Civilian Deaths Need Explanation: Sen. Hawley On Aug. 29, 2021, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, that killed 10 civilians, including seven childrenand no terrorists. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, CENTCOM Commander Gen. Kenneth Frank McKenzie described the bombing as a successful blow to ISIS-K, while Gen. Mark Milley called it a righteous strike. Not to be outdone, President Joe Biden referenced the strike in his Aug. 31 speech in a warning to ISIS-K: Were not done with you yet. It took weeks before the Pentagon acknowledged, on Sept. 17, 2021, that the drone strike killed innocents and failed to kill any terrorists. Until then, officials continued to insist that the bombing was a justifiable retaliation for the Kabul airport terrorist attack days earlier, which had killed 170 Afghan civilians and 13 members of the U.S. military. At a Feb. 9 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Pentagons use of drone strikes, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called for answers about the discrepancies between what military officials knew and what they told the public about the events surrounding Aug. 29. Hawley said he knows mistakes can be made that result in tragic civilian deaths. But he said he doesnt understand why the U.S. government seemingly attempted to deny killing civilians for weeks in the wake of the Aug. 29 strike. Heres what I dont understand entirely: The CIA is warning, You got it wrong, youre targeting civilians, and they ended up killing civilians, Hawley said, referencing a Sept. 18 CNN report about the CIA purportedly warning Pentagon officials immediately after the attack that they may have killed civilians. However, the next dayafter the CIA warning, after the deadly strike on civiliansGen. McKenzie goes out and says that the strike had dealt ISIS-K a crushing blow. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Milley) calls it a righteous strike. Hawley called for military leaders to appear in front of Congress. These folks ought to be testifying under oath about what happened, he said. I suspect that when [Gen. McKenzie] is asked what he knew and when he knew it, I suspect youll find they were informed at a very early time that they had gotten the wrong target. Some of Hawleys questions already have been answered. McKenzie, Milley, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a Sept. 29 House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing that they realized within hours that the Kabul strike killed civilians. We knew the strike hit civilians within four to five hours after the strike occurred, and U.S. Central Command issued a press release saying that, McKenzie said at the hearing, responding to questions from Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.). However, as The Epoch Times reported at the time, the latter part of McKenzies statement is false. CENTCOM statements following the drone strike dont note civilian deaths. The first Aug. 29 CENTCOM statement regarding the incident said CENTCOM was assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time. When media reports trickled out later that day about civilian deaths, CENTCOM issued a follow-up statement that also failed to acknowledge the deaths. We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today, the second statement reads. It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further. The same statements from CENTCOM also say the drone strike eliminated an imminent ISIS-K threat to the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, and that secondary explosions may have occurredboth of which also proved to be untrue. At the Feb. 9 hearing, Hawley said he found it hard to fathom that such major communication failures could occur between the Pentagon and other government agencies. You have the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the President of the United States out there claiming victory. That suggests to me a severe breakdown in process: Youre not informing the President of the United States before he goes out and claims victory that you may have, in fact, killed civiliansor else he did it knowingly anyway, Hawley said. Either way, we have a big, big problem. Personal Information from Washington Licensing Database May Be on Dark Web A data breach of the software company Salesforce has compromised the data of hundreds of thousands of licensed professionals in the state of Washington, some of which may already be circulating on the dark web. The department of licensing became aware of the breach on Jan. 24, after detecting chatter about a state Licensing Department breach on the dark web. The website catalogs personal data for a wide array of licensed professionals throughout Washington state, including occupations as diverse as auctioneers, tattoo artists, morticians, and geologists, among many others. The data includes names, social security numbers, and other sensitive personal information of immense significance to the identity security of the individuals listed in the database. The site has been out of service indefinitely since the breach in order to protect the information of those affected. Recent anecdotes indicate that at least some of the information acquired in the breach may already be available on the dark web. Three individuals with Washington state business licenses recently received notifications that their personal data had appeared on dark web clearinghouses, where such information is illegally sold to identity thieves. The first such individual was Pam Hughes, a real estate broker who on Jan. 28 received a notification that her social security number had appeared on the dark web. While this was just the latest of many such notifications, most of which amounted to nothing, Hughes alarm was raised by the congruity between the date of the appearance and the date of the breach: Jan. 24 in both cases. A second individual, Mike Burlingame, also reported receiving a similar notification that his information had appeared on the dark web, along with his wifes information. When I saw the [Jan. 24] date, thats actually what made the alarm bells go off in my head, Burlingame told The Seattle Times. A third individual, whose identity remains unknown, made a report that his/her data appeared on the internet to the Identity Theft Resource Center, according to the centers chief operating officer James Lee. The breach was made public on Feb. 3 and is currently under investigation by the state Office of Cybersecurity, the state Attorney Generals office, and the private cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike. As of writing, it is uncertain whether such data was actually stolen or merely exposed to the possibility of theft. While users are assured that their data is secure in such databases as an official government Licensing Department website, this and other previous breaches of ostensibly secure databases are cause for alarm. For the licensed professionals of the Evergreen State affected by this most recent breach, this investigation will determine whether they may sleep soundly at night knowing their identity is safe, or whether they are now exposed to an inordinate risk of identity theft. Pfizer Vaccine for Young Children Will be Available in US by End of February if Authorized U.S. authorities are preparing to ship out millions of doses of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine by the end of February if drug regulators authorize the shot for children under 5. President Joe Bidens administration has secured enough doses to vaccinate all 18 million children in the country who are 4 or younger. Officials are telling health care providers to pre-order shots. Jurisdictions should plan their ordering strategy now and identify priority locations to vaccinate children ages 6 [months]4 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told providers in a planning guide. The planning process is well underway. CDC is working with states to help them prepare, Jeffrey Zients, coordinator of the White House COVID-19 response team, told reporters in a briefing. Every American 5 and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine, and some parents and health experts are pushing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant emergency use authorization to Pfizers shot for the youngest age group. FDA officials in late December 2021 made the unusual move of asking Pfizer to submit data on a clinical trial its conducting testing lower doses on young children. The ask came shortly after Pfizer and its partner BioNTech announced that interim results of the trial showed the vaccine didnt trigger an adequate immune response for children aged 2 to 4 and that they would expand the trial to test a three-dose regimen in the youngest kids. Based on the FDAs request, Pfizer asked the agency on Feb. 1 to give an EUA for two doses of its vaccine for children as young as 6 months, even though the ultimate plan is to receive clearance for a three-dose series. Even some ardent vaccine backers have expressed skepticism on the process. The last data weve seen wasnt particularly compelling, Andy Slavitt, Bidens former senior adviser for COVID-19, said on his podcast. In this image from video, Andy Slavitt, senior adviser to the White House COVID-19 Response Team, speaks during a virtual briefing on Jan. 27, 2021. (White House via AP) The FDAs vaccine advisory panel is meeting on Feb. 15 to discuss the latest data, which the agency says includes more recent data. Based on the endpoints of the trial, it may be tough for the FDA and the FDA advisory committee to decide to authorize the shot, Slavitt said. I expect it to be controversial. Multiple panel members declined requests for interviews and the FDA has not yet posted the data, which it plans to make public no later than 2 business days before the meeting. I dont think that anyone has seen the complete dataset so its difficult to draw any conclusions at this point, Dr. Eric Rubin, a member who serves as editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, told The Epoch Times in an email. Rubin is one of several members who wont be at the meeting. The panel gives advice to the FDA, which can accept or reject the recommendations. The last time the panel went against the agency, rejecting in the fall of 2021 a push for boosters for all American adults, the FDA accepted its advice. Children are the least at-risk age group from COVID-19 and critics say rushing the clearance process isnt necessary, pointing to the low number of deaths and hospitalizations among the population. On the other hand, some parents and experts say the vaccines are safe and effective enough in other groups that granting an EUA for two shots for young children makes sense, because a booster, or third dose, cant come for at least five months following the second shot. If they do approve it now, it does allow providers to actually start the vaccination process so that some children could actually be ready to get a third dose soon after a third dose is approved, Julie Morita, a pediatrician and executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, told Slavitt. The slow uptake among other groups of children has frustrated the Biden administration and polls indicate that most parents with children under 5 will not immediately take their children to get the vaccine if its authorized. Sixty-nine percent of such parents responding to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll in January said theyd wait and see, and only get their child vaccinated if it were required, or definitely would not get their child vaccinated. Asked about the results, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bidens chief medical adviser, told reporters that the FDA will not authorize the shot unless the data show clear efficacy and safety. If the FDA does clear the jab, packing and shipping doses will start almost immediately. Providers started ordering the shots on Feb. 7, according to the CDC document. The earliest orderers will get shipments on Feb. 21. We will be prepared for those parents that are eager to get their kids vaccinated, Zients said. If authorization is granted, the CDCs advisory panel will likely convene to discuss whether all children between 6 months and 5 years should get the shot, or just certain subsets of the population. The CDCs director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, would make the final decision; administration of the shots is not supposed to begin until the CDC makes its recommendation. An Ottawa Police vehicle blocks off Kent Street in front of parked trucks as a protest against COVID-19 restrictions that has been marked by gridlock and the sound of truck horns continues into its second week, in Ottawa, on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang 78-Year-Old Man Arrested for Honking in Support of Truckers Protest Bruised and Traumatized: Lawyer A lawyer representing a 78-year-old man arrested and ticketed by the Ottawa police for honking his horn in support of the truckers protest says the man has been bruised, cut, and psychologically traumatized. On Feb. 6, Gerry Charlebois drove to the area close to the truckers Freedom Convoy protests when he was pulled over by the police at Besserer Street and Friel Street, after he honked his horn. A video shared on Twitter shows Charlebois retrieving his wallet from the back of his vehicle and looking through it. After Charlebois closes his wallet without retrieving any ID card, a police officer twists his arm to bring it behind his body, and brings him to the ground. David Anber, a criminal lawyer who is representing Charlebois, said this action by the police had cut and bruised his client in the process. The conduct was egregious. It left him bruised, cut, traumatized psychologically as well from the experience, Anber told The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times reached out to the Ottawa Police Service for comment but didnt received a response. I can advise, with consent, that I now represent the elderly man youve seen in videos like the one below, in respect of the Provincial Offence notice he received. My office will be vigorously fighting the charge starting with what appears to be an unlawful arrest. pic.twitter.com/wp6EHamu3b David Anber, Criminal Lawyer (@DavidAnber) February 9, 2022 The police then arrested Charlebois on the charge that he failed to identify himself, and gave him a ticket of $110 for allegedly making unnecessary noise, Anber said. Anber says the arrest is unlawful. The question of the lawfulness of the arrest is almost certainly an indisputable question, he said. Anber said the police are not allowed to arrest an individual for failing to provide a drivers license. The police may do so when they have also asked the person for a verbal identification but were refused. But the officer didnt do that, and likely knew the guys name, so to me this is unquestionably an unlawful arrest, he said. He had the option of writing the man a ticket for the noise violation. He had the option of writing the man a ticket for failing to provide a drivers license. He had the option of asking the man for his name if he couldnt provide or wouldnt provide a drivers license. Anber said he will be fighting the ticket and the charges Charlebois received, but will also refer his client to receive civil council on pursuing legal action against the City of Ottawa, the Ottawa Police Service, or the particular police officer who made the arrest. On Feb. 7, the Ontario Superior Court granted a 10-day injunction to stop truckers participating in the Freedom Convoy in downtown Ottawa from honking their horns, after a proposed class-action lawsuit was filed against the convoy organizers on behalf of a local resident who said the honking of horns has resulted in her losing sleep and other mental damages. As of Feb. 10, more than 1,500 tickets in relation to the protests have been issued for excessive noise, among other reasons, the Ottawa Police said in a statement. The trucker convoy encamped in Ottawa began as a protest against the federal governments COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all truck drivers crossing the Canada-U.S. border. It soon evolved into a national movement, attracting supporters from across Canada who also want to see an end to other pandemic-related mandates and restrictions. It has also sparked similar protests around the world. Anber said Charleboiss arrest also raises the question of whether the bylaw is allowed to override Canadians constitutionally protected right to freedom of expressionan issue he said will be hotly debated in court. Theres a lot of protest going on about government mandates. And so, whether or not this even could be an offence in the circumstances is something that will also have to be addressed, Anber said. Justin Winchell (in the teal jacket at right) reacts to a Metropolitan Police Department officer striking his unconscious friend, Rosanne Boyland. (Body cam/U.S. Department of Justice) Police Beating of Unconscious Trump Supporter Was Objectively Reasonable, Department Rules Internal Affairs Bureau conducted probe in response to a police-brutality complaint The beating of an unconscious Trump supporter by a DC Metropolitan Police Department officer at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, was deemed to be objectively reasonable after an investigation by the departments Internal Affairs Bureau, The Epoch Times has learned. The Internal Affairs investigation was opened in September 2021, based on a complaint filed by a Texas man who assembled video evidence of the officer striking an unconscious Rosanne Boyland with a steel baton and a large wooden stick at the entrance to the West Terrace tunnel at the U.S. Capitol. Boyland, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia, was pinned under a pile of protesters who fled the tunnel when police deployed crowd-control gas. After several minutes of being crushed by the weight of other fallen protesters, Boyland lost consciousness and stopped breathing, witnesses have said. Boyland traveled to Washington that day to attend the Stop the Steal rally and hear President Donald Trump speak at the Ellipse. She became trapped in a crowd that sought entry to the Capitol through the West Terrace tunnel. As Boyland lay unconscious, DC Metro Police Officer Lila Morris repeatedly struck her with a steel baton and what appeared to be a wooden walking stick, according to a video recording. Protesters spill out of the West Terrace tunnel of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The crowd stampeded out of the tunnel after police deployed tear gas on the crowd, witnesses said. (Video Still/Gary McBride) The sudden attack horrified Boylands friend and traveling companion, Justin Winchell, who pleaded with police and protesters to provide first aid to Boyland. Police bodycam video shows Winchells shock when he saw Morris strike Boyland in the head. Shes gonna die! Shes gonna die! I need somebody! Shes dead! Winchell cried. While Boyland wasnt pronounced dead until more than 90 minutes later, she appeared lifeless when police dragged her body from the West Terrace tunnel entrance into the Capitol at 4:31 p.m. For 11 minutes after Boyland fell, protesters made repeated attempts at CPRefforts that were frustrated in part by police beating and squirting pepper spray into the faces of those trying to help her, video shows. There is confusion about what lifesaving efforts were made by police after Boyland was moved into the Capitol. Testimony before a congressional committee suggested that police attempted CPR at 4:26 p.m., which wasnt possible because, at that time, Boyland still lay on the concrete receiving CPR by protesters Jake Lang and Ronald McAbee. The DC medical examiner said Boyland died of an accidental overdose of Adderall, a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; that ruling has sparked skepticism and outrage from Boylands friends and family. Her father, Bret Boyland, said Rosanne had been taking Adderall for about 10 years. Bret Boyland with his wife Cheryl and daughter Rosanne (at right), during a family vacation. (Courtesy of the Boyland Family) Citizen Complaint Filed in September 2021 The attack on Boyland disturbed Gary McBride of Decatur, Texas, so much that he filed a police brutality complaint with the Metropolitan Police Department on Sept. 14, 2021. McBride, who spent most of his career in the oil and gas industry, has assembled a library of videos recorded at the Capitol on Jan. 6; hes become a professional video sleuth after studying thousands of hours of footage from that day. McBride went back and forth with various Metropolitan Police Department officials for more than two months before being told via email on Nov. 15 that Morris had been cleared of any wrongdoing. The use of force within this investigation was determined to be objectively reasonable, wrote Capt. David K. Augustine, director of the Risk Management Division of the MPD Internal Affairs Bureau. Officer Morris is still employed with the MPD and not facing criminal charges related to the use of force on January 6. McBride said he found the reasoning and conclusion shocking. It told me right there that its OK for them to do what they do. They are doing exactly what they want to do. They dont care if you know or see, McBride said. They just showed me that theyre going to go beat somebody and kill them, but they have the power to say, That was objectively reasonable. And were supposed to accept that and say, OK. Morris, who had just reached the front line in the West Terrace tunnel, is seen on bodycam video picking up what appears to be a walking stick or a tree branch. She raised the weapon over her head with both hands and struck Boyland at least four times in rapid succession. While the stick broke at one point, Morris continued to strike at Boyland until other officers pulled her back. Morris, who was hailed as a hero after Jan. 6, was feted as a guest of honor at Super Bowl LIV in Tampa, Florida. Philip Anderson of Mesquite, Texas, who was at the bottom of the same pile that crushed Boyland, called MPDs use-of-force ruling absolute [expletive]. Rosanne Boyland and Philip Anderson entered the West Terrace tunnel of the U.S. Capitol at 4:18 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021. A stampede started at 4:20 when police deployed gas against the protesters. (Video Stills/Epoch Times Photo Illustration) There is nothing reasonable about hitting a nonresponsive woman lying on the ground over the head with a baton, Anderson, 26, told The Epoch Times. They say its reasonable because she [Boyland] was a Trump supporter. Anderson says there was cause from the beginning for an independent investigation by a special prosecutor or a grand jury. The fact that they have been lying from the beginning is reason enough for investigation, he said. The only reason why anyone even knows this is because I barely survived and am here to now call out their blatant lies [about] the woman that they killed. McBride sent two videos as evidence along with his police-brutality complaint. One of the videos was removed from YouTube but is available on Rumble; the other video is still accessible on YouTube. Bret Boyland asked the Metropolitan Police Department for copies of bodycam video from various police officers in the terrace tunnel. That request was denied. Wednesday was nine months from our daughters passing and we still have many unanswered questions to what happened to her that day, he wrote in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in fall 2021. On Oct. 12, 2021, Shania Hughes, a FOIA specialist with the Metropolitan Police Department, told Bret Boyland that MPD wouldnt release any bodycam footage. It has been determined that the information you are seeking is part of an ongoing investigation and criminal proceeding, Hughes wrote. With exception of the portions of the video that has been shown publicly, MPD cannot fulfill your request. The release of this information could interfere with the enforcement proceedings by revealing the direction and pace of the investigation. The Epoch Times also made a FOIA request for Morriss bodycam footage for her entire shift on Jan. 6, 2021. That request was denied, but for different reasons than those given to Bret Boyland. The department cited privacy grounds for denying the newspapers request. Officers Attempted CPR After Boyland Moved Inside Capitol Bret Boyland said the family was initially denied a copy of Rosannes full autopsy report, but since has obtained the document. Through our lawyer and additional FOIA requests, we have obtained the full autopsy report, which has been forwarded to the pathologist, he told The Epoch Times. The family hired its own forensic pathologist to review the DC medical examiners report on Rosanne Boylands death. Bret Boyland said heavily redacted bodycam footage he obtained shows that police did attempt CPR on Rosanne after she was moved into the Capitol. Officer Lila Morris of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. (File Photo) There were two BWC [body-worn camera] videos that started with the officers pulling Rosanne into the building past the police line, he said, and it did show multiple officers attempting to revive Rosanne and gave CPR for about 1012 [minutes] straight; then they appeared to load her on some kind of mail-room cart and moved her somewhere else. McBride said one thing he found especially troubling on one of the videos is that despite being unconscious during the attack, it appeared Rosanne Boyland could feel the blows to the head. When she takes that second hit to the head, watch her left arm, her left arm straightens up and lifts off the ground, McBride said. Winchell told an Atlanta television station in 2021 that when Rosanne was struck by Morris for the final time, Rosannes nose started bleeding. In our mind, she was still alive at that point, Bret Boyland said. Rosanne also suffered three or four broken ribs on each side of her chest, her father said. Those injuries could have come from the repeated CPR attempts, the pressure of being under the large pile of bodies, or from the baton blows from Morris, he said. Augustine said a report on Officer Morriss use of force hasnt been released to the public. He said the factors involved in police use of force are outlined in MPDs online policy (pdf), updated in January 2021. Members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) shall value and preserve the sanctity of human life at all times, especially when lawfully exercising the use of force, the policy states. In situations where the use of force is justified, the utmost restraint should be exercised. Bret Boyland said the family wants to know why Morris attacked Rosanne. She had a choice; that officer had a choice, he said. She could have helped her right there at that point in time. But she chose to grab the stick and start hitting her. A road sign just outside of Emerson, Man., on Jan. 20, 2022. (The Canadian Press/John Woods) Canadian Convoy Protesters Block US Border Crossing in Manitoba A vehicle convoy has blocked a major CanadaU.S. border crossing in Manitoba as demonstrators protest in solidarity with the Freedom Convoy truckers in the Canadian capital of Ottawa. A demonstration involving a large number of vehicles and farm equipment is blocking the Emerson Port of Entry, Manitoba RCMP said in a post on Twitter on Feb. 10. Both northbound and southbound traffic has come to a standstill, the police said. A demonstration involving a large number of vehicles & farm equipment is blocking the Emerson Port of Entry. No traffic is getting through either northbound or southbound. The Port of Entry is shut down. Please avoid the area. #rcmpmb is on scene. pic.twitter.com/SpKzwzMfKZ RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb) February 10, 2022 There have been several blockades of border crossings between Canada and the United States in recent weeks. In addition to Emerson, protesters also have blocked the highway to the Coutts border crossing in southern Alberta and the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit. The protests are in solidarity with the ongoing truckers convoy movement in Ottawa, which was formed to oppose federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions. The Alberta protesters have closed and opened the lanes of Highway 4 on and off since Jan. 29. The RCMP said late on Feb. 8 that the lanes were again closed due to the protest. Protesters in Windsor began gathering at the Ambassador Bridge on Feb. 6. As of Feb. 10, the border remained blocked. Vehicles take part in a protest blockade by the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) On Feb. 10, Windsor police said on Twitter that while the U.S.-bound lane is open, the presence of demonstrators is still making it difficult to access the bridge. They said potential traffic congestion along Wyandotte St. West near the bridge could also result in delays. On Feb. 9, protesters in southwest Ontario also blocked a major crossing to the United States. Lambton police said westbound Highway 402 leading to the Blue Water Bridge has been blocked, and the portion between Nauvoo Road and Oil Heritage Road remained closed early on Feb. 10. #LambtonOPP have implemented a closure of westbound Highway 402 at Nauvoo Road to ensure public safety. Please avoid the highway and follow EDR signage for planning your route. Monitor @511Ontario and local media for traffic updates. ^jb pic.twitter.com/8j86d4DT7p OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) February 9, 2022 The trucker protest movement in Canada initially started as a demonstration against the federal governments requirement for truck drivers to be vaccinated for cross-border travel but has since expanded in scope to demand an end to all COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. Supporters from across the country have joined the movement, and parallel protests have been sparked in other countries around the world. Convoys of trucks and other vehicles headed to Ottawa in January, converging on Parliament Hill on Jan. 29. Many protesters have remained in the nations capital, saying they will stay until the government removes all COVID-19 mandates. Issac Teo contributed to this article Protesters Continue Blocking Busiest Canada-US Border Crossing Over COVID-19 Mandates WINDSOR, Ont.A convoy of trucks and other vehicles continues to block off a main Canada-U.S. border crossing over provincial and federal COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. Protesters from the Canadian side of the border initially drove to the Ambassador Bridge on Feb. 6, parking their vehicles and creating a blockade. They say they will remain there until their demands for lifting COVID-19 mandates are met. Vehicles take part in a protest blockade by the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) People support a protest blockade by the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) Theres enough food here. Some of the guys have camped out and made setups, theres barbeques here, they got all kinds of foods, Bernie Berg, a pastor from the nearby Leamington who is camped at the site, told The Epoch Times on Feb. 9. Residents from the area bring in food, and yesterday, businesses were dropping off pizza. People are bringing you coffee and donuts. Its almost like a party atmosphere. The protest is one of the many across Canada started by truckers against a federal government requirement for all cross-border truck drivers to have COVID-19 vaccination. The protest movement has since expanded, attracting many supporters from different parts of Canada who want all levels of government to drop their COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. Bernie Berg, a pastor from Leamington, Ontario, takes part in the protest blockade by Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) A woman attends the protest blockade by the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) Vehicles take part in a protest blockade by the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) The Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, Michigan, is the busiest international crossing in North America, with $320 million worth of goods crossing the border each day. We need to stop the blockage of supply chains, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said about the border blockade on Feb. 9. Jobs are being affected. The White House also said on Feb. 9 that the border closure poses a risk to supply chains for the auto industry because the bridge is a key conduit for motor vehicles components and parts. Protesters talk to police as a vehicle convoy blocks the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) People support a protest blockade by the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) Berg says the impacts of the COVID-19 mandates and restrictions have been devastating, and people have no choice. Its not that we want to do this, but we have to send Ottawa a message because of these terrible mandates that have harmed so many people, Berg said. So many people have lost jobs. People are contemplating suicide. Whats happening here is just unbelievable with these terrible, terrible mandates, and the people want freedom. So this is their way to express it. Sisi, a resident of Windsor, who only gave her last name, said shes protesting because she wants to stand up for her children. Its segregation. Its not fair that kids dont have a choice in attending sports. They shouldnt have to wear a mask at school, she said in an interview. We have every right to peaceful protesting. Police vehicles parked by a protest convoy blocking the Ambassador Bridge by Windsor, Ontario, on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) Demonstrators against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions block the roadway at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ont., on Feb. 9, 2022. (Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images) Protests Against COVID-19 Mandates Expand in Canada; Two Government MPs Dissent The Ottawa trucker protest against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions has expanded, with blockages at two key Canada-U.S. borders and rallies joined by thousands in provincial capitals. Meanwhile, as the protests persist and opposition parties debate the Liberals pandemic policies, two Liberal MPs dissented from their governments position this week, citing its divisive COVID-19 policies and rhetoric that demonizes those protesting the policies. Polls are also showing that a greater number of Canadians want COVID-19 restrictions lifted. Protesters started gathering at Ambassador Bridge, the crossing that connects Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., on Feb. 6. As of Feb. 9, the border remained blocked. On the other side of the country, protesting truckers have had a blockade in place at the border crossing in Coutts, Alta., since Jan. 29. Single lanes were opened in each direction after an initial blockade last week, but protesters moved in to close those lanes again on Feb. 8. On Feb. 9, RCMP indicated it would enforce removing the blockade. Protesters demonstrating against COVID-19 mandates gather as a truck convoy blocks the highway at the U.S. border crossing in Coutts, Alta., on Feb. 2, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh) Although Alberta is ending its COVID-19 vaccine program, the protesters in Coutts are requesting that other restrictions, including federal mandates, be lifted as well. Federal and provincial governments have said the blockages could have a major impact on the supply chain and the flow of goods into the country. The Ambassador Bridge is a vital artery to our country, and its a vital artery in our supply chain. Its central to the functioning of our economy, and to serving all Canadians. The Blockade must end before further damage occurs, Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair said of the Windsor border blockade at a news conference on Feb. 9. The White House weighed in on the border closure at Windsor as well, saying on Feb. 9 that the blockage poses a risk to supply chains for the auto industry because the bridge is a key conduit for motor vehicles components and parts. Bernie Berg, who is taking part in the blockade at Ambassador Bridge, says the protesters want provincial and federal governments to end all mandates, which he says have caused people to lose jobs and resulted in mental health issues. Its not that we want to do this, but we have to send Ottawa a message because of these terrible mandates that have harmed so many people, Berg, a pastor from Leamington, Ont., told The Epoch Times on Feb. 9. The truckers Freedom Convoy began as a demonstration against a federal government requirement for cross-border truck drivers to have COVID-19 vaccination, but has since ballooned as people across the country joined in opposition to various COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. Convoys of protesters first converged in Ottawa on Saturday, Jan. 29, with crowds in the tens of thousands gathering in protest and many vowing to remain in the capital until the federal government lifts its mandates. During the weekend of Feb. 56, thousands protested in different cities, including provincial capitals such as Toronto, Quebec City, Victoria, and Winnipeg. Other convoys have also started a slow roll through major arteries, from Halifax on the East Coast to the Okanagan on the West Coast. Volunteers serve food and drinks to protesters demonstrating against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in Ottawa on Feb. 9, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times) The issue of the protesting truckers has become an almost daily topic of discussion in the House of Commons, as the Opposition Conservatives urge the governing Liberals to cease the politicization of pandemic policies, while the NDP says the government must do something to end the crisis as the truckers and their supporters continue to remain encamped in Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has linked the protesters with hateful and racist movements and has refused to meet with them or send representatives to hear their concerns. Citing Trudeaus rhetoric against the protesters and the politicization of the pandemic, Quebec Liberal MP Joel Lightbound said at a press conference on Feb. 8 that he disagrees with his own party and that those voicing legitimate concerns shouldnt be vilified. The next day, fellow Quebec Liberal MP Yves Robillard followed his colleagues lead and said publicly that many in the Liberal caucus think like Lightbound. A poll by Leger conducted between Feb. 4 and Feb. 6 showed that more than 40 percent of Canadians believe that the prime minister and provincial premiers share the blame for the ongoing truckers protest in Ottawa because of their condescending attitude toward Canadians who oppose COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. Another survey, by Angus Reid published on Jan. 31, showed that a slim majority (54 percent) of Canadians want all COVID-19 restrictions lifted. Dissenting Liberal MPs At his press conference on Feb. 8, Lightbound said legitimate concerns about restrictive policies should not be dismissed, and governments should not demonize those who voiced them. The MP, who represents the Louis-Hebert riding in Quebec City, said such an approach needs to stop. He said the vaccination issue is being used by Trudeau as a wedge to divide people and score political points. I cant help but notice with regret that both the tone and the policies of my government changed drastically on the eve of and during the last election campaign, he said. From a positive and unifying approach, a decision was made to wedge, to divide, and to stigmatize. I fear that this politicization of the pandemic risks undermining the publics trust in our public health institutions. Liberal MP for Louis-Hebert Joel Lightbound speaks about Covid restrictions during a news conference, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 in Ottawa. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld) Along with his plea to tone down the rhetoric, Lightbound made other recommendations to move forward, saying the government should provide a roadmap with measurable targets, such as hospitalization levels, to lift all restrictions within its purview. He said Canadians are finding it harder to comply with restrictions because the government no longer cares to explain them, adding that policies such as the vaccine mandate for truckers is neither based on science nor economically sound. In an interview with The Hill Times on Feb. 9, Robillard said that Lightbound said exactly what a lot of us think and that he agrees with everything Lightbound said. Robillard said he spoke with Lightbound on Feb. 9 and expressed his support. He said the two would be working together on the issue. He said he is not worried about being expelled from caucus, saying there are other MPs whove just had enough and are not going to pass the rest of our mandate like that. Chief Government Whip Steven MacKinnon said on Feb. 8 that Lightbound will be stepping down as the chair of the Quebec Liberal Caucus but will remain a Liberal MP. He has expressed disagreements with government policy. Subsequently, Mr. Lightbound has resigned as chair of the Quebec Liberal Caucus. He has expressed clear confidence in the government, and remains a member of the Liberal caucus, MacKinnon said in a statement. Following Lightbounds remarks, interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen said her party could not agree more, saying Lightbound clearly and strongly stated its time to end the divisiveness and the politicization and end the mandates. When it comes to lockdowns and mandates, were seeing things change very quickly and rightly so, Bergen added, noting recent comments from Dr. Theresa Tam, Canadas chief public health officer, that vaccine mandates should be reevaluated. While Trudeau acknowledged that people are tired of pandemic-related restrictions, he said his government will continue to follow the science on appropriate health measures. Everyone is sick and tired of lockdowns, of the measures we have to do, of the sacrifices weve had to make, but Canadians have continued to step up over the past two years, been there for each other, been there to get vaccinated, he said during question period on Feb. 8. Trudeau expelled former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and former Treasury Board president Jane Philpott from the Liberal caucus after they dissented over the SNC-Lavalin scandal in 2019. On social media on Feb. 8, Wilson-Raybould and Philpott welcomed Lightbounds dissent. Glimmers of democratic independence from MPs in Ottawa (Canada needs a wave of this), Wilson-Raybould tweeted. Thoughts from a speech I wrote for caucus but was not able to deliver, April 2, 2019: It is healthy for democracy if MPs respectfully express different opinions, Philpott tweeted. Noe Chartier and Lisa Lin contributed to this report. Andrew Chen Follow Andrew Chen is an Epoch Times reporter based in Toronto. Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Mediator Says Sacklers, US States Closer to Deal Over Opioid Claims A mediator reported on Tuesday that members of the Sackler family that own Purdue Pharma and U.S. states opposed to the OxyContin-makers bankruptcy exit plan are even closer to a settlement over claims that the company fueled a U.S. opioid epidemic. The mediator asked a bankruptcy judge to extend the deadline for negotiations to Feb. 16 from Feb. 7, saying that the two sides need more time to finalize a deal that would involve substantial additional money from the Sacklers, according to court documents filed on Tuesday. The new settlement would also include non-monetary concessions. The Sacklers had previously agreed to pay $4.3 billion in Purdues bankruptcy case in return for sweeping legal protections that would have shielded the family from future opioid lawsuits. The states that had opposed the deal argued that the Sacklers were not paying enough to address their role in the harms caused by the opioid crisis. Purdue, the maker of the highly addictive opioid pain drug OxyContin, filed for bankruptcy in 2019 in the face of thousands of lawsuits accusing it and wealthy Sackler family members who owned the company of helping cause the U.S. opioid epidemic through deceptive marketing that played down addiction and overdose risks. The company pleaded guilty to misbranding and fraud charges related to its marketing of OxyContin in 2007 and 2020. The Sacklers have denied wrongdoing. Any additional contribution from the Sacklers would be used exclusively for abatement of the opioid crisis, including support and services for survivors, victims, and their families, according to the mediators report. Over the next week the mediator, U.S. bankruptcy judge Shelley Chapman, intends to invite additional stakeholders into the negotiations, according to her interim report. The mediator has already sought input from certain junior creditors of Purdue and representatives of opioid victims who have filed claims in the case, according to the report filed on Tuesday. The current round of mediation includes representatives for the Raymond Sackler and Mortimer Sackler branches of the Sackler family, as well as eight states including California, Connecticut, and Washington. Purdue is based in Stamford, Connecticut. Purdue said on Tuesday that a settlement that would help alleviate the opioid crisis is more needed than ever. A representative for the Mortimer Sackler family declined to comment on Tuesday. A representative for the Raymond Sackler family did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In December, U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon upended the $4.3 billion settlement, finding that the bankruptcy court did not have legal authority to approve the protections for the Sacklers because they had not sought bankruptcy for themselves. Several members of the Sackler family testified during Purdues bankruptcy trial that their contribution to the settlement was conditioned on receiving global peace from opioid litigation. Purdue and the Sacklers have appealed McMahons decision to the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. The 2nd Circuit is expected to hear the appeal on April 25. By Dietrich Knauth Rally in Tally: Florida Team Members Urge Legislators and Americans to Support a Convention of States 'It's about our future. It's about our existence. It's about getting back to our founding as our founders intended.' TALLAHASSEE, FloridaDespite chilly winds and overcast skies, around 50 Convention of States Action team members gathered for what has become known as the Rally in Tally, to urge legislators and Americans to support a Convention of States. On Tuesday, Feb. 8, Florida Convention of States (COS) team members gathered for their annual visit to the state capital in Tallahassee, otherwise known as the Rally in Tally. For Brenda Karlina regional director for the COS organization in Floridathe day began at 7 a.m. with a prayer service on the 22nd floor of the Florida State Capitol building. At 8 a.m. Karlin met with legislators to deliver information packets and to observe legislative proceedings from the gallery. By 11 a.m., Karlins group had set up a table in the courtyard by the Capitol Steps and by 11:30, over 50 team members had gathered to share their enthusiasm for a movement that is nearly 10 years in the making and may finally be nearing fruition. As she sat in a quiet conference room, beyond the cacophonous din of voices exploding through the expansive marbled lobby of the Capitol Building, Karlin shared her thoughts about what could be a historic calling for a Convention of States. Brenda Karlin in the lobby of the Capitol Building in Tallahassee, Fla., on Feb. 8, 2022. (Patricia Tolson/The Epoch Times) Our Constitution currently has 27 amendments, Karlin. This is a process under our Constitution to propose amendments to the Constitution. There have been other Conventions of State, but they came because Congress saw the writing on the wall and decided to put something in that addressed whatever an issue was. But this will be the very first Convention of States that will go through the entire process of holding an Article Five Convention of the states to propose amendments to our Constitution. The Convention of States resolutions being passed by state legislatures is calling for states to meet and propose Constitutional amendments, Karlin said. There are three specific topics the Convention of States Action is hoping to address. The first is term limits for Congress and the bureaucracy of unelected officials behind them. The second calls for fiscal responsibility. That means more than just a balanced budget, Karlin asserted. You have to have some fiduciary responsibility with our tax dollars, controlling spending, not spending more than youre taking in. The third would address federal overreach. Article V of the United States Constitution states that whenever two thirds of both Houses of Congress shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution. As the Founding Fathers knew members of Congress would try to exceed their constitutional authority, they also made sure the United States Constitution provided that constitutional amendments can be proposed by two thirds of the existing states. As we currently have 50 states, at least 34 of them would have to get the measure passed through committees and their respective Houses and Senates and then they would have to ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of said 50 states before they were actually added as amendments to the Constitution. Its a long and tedious process. It was intended to be that way. Yet while some argue that this endeavor is dangerous and claim the United States Constitution is being threatened as Article V Convention movement nears success, otherslike Karlininsist the Founding Fathers drafted Article V expressly for moments like now, when people are getting tired of government, particularly the federal government, being in their lives. As it stands, 17 of the requisite 34 states have called for a Convention of States. They are: Georgia March 6, 2014 Alaska April 19, 2014 Florida April 21, 2014 Alabama May 22, 2015 Tennessee February 4, 2016 Indiana February 29, 2016 Oklahoma April 25, 2016 Louisiana May 25, 2016 Arizona March 12, 2017 North Dakota March 24, 2017 Texas May 4, 2017 Missouri May 12, 2017 Arkansas February 14, 2019 Utah March 5, 2019 Mississippi March 27, 2019 Wisconsin January 25, 2022 Nebraska January 28, 2022 COS map of the states regarding the Convention of States movement. (With permission of the COS organization.) We just passed two more, so we have a total of 17, Karlin exclaimed, and were very excited as momentum picks up and people become more aware of what Convention of States is all about and how important it is. States currently considering the Convention of States Resolution in 2022 are Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. States in which the Convention of States Application has passed in one chamber but not the other are New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, New Hampshire, and most recently, South Dakota. A Convention of States Action team member holds the American Flag during the Rally in Tally on Feb. 8, 2022. (Patricia Tolson/The Epoch Times) Karlin works with the teams in seven of the 17 passed states to grow grassroots awareness. As Florida signed on in April of 2014, Karlin was asked why COS continues to hold their Rally in Tally. Passing the resolution is just the beginning, Karlin explained. Its about self-governance. We call ourselves a passed state. But we have to continue to build our relationship with our legislators and we need to continue to educate our fellow Floridians, our fellow countrymen, on what Convention of States is all about and what it means to be self-governing under our Constitution to retain our liberty. We also help other states that havent passed yet on how to do that. Mainly its about continuing a relationship with our legislators and educating our fellow Floridians. To Karlin, the Convention of States momentum is largely successful due to the grassroots work being done by organizations such as hers in increasing awareness. We are an activist organization, Karlin said. We have over five million supporters across the country, and I believe were doing our job. People are getting tired of government, particularly the federal government, being in their lives. Asked if someone wanted to get involved with the COS organization or to find out if their state had signed on, Karlin suggests people go to conventionofstates.com and sign the petition. Theres a button there that says, Take Action, Karlin noted. Join one of our teams. Were in all 50 states and wed love to have you. Asked if she had a personal message she would like to share with her fellow Americans, Karlin said, If you value our Constitution, if you value your freedom, if you value your liberty or want your children and your grandchildren to live in a free society according to our founding. If youre not happy with the way things are going. If youve participated in elections and youve done your civic duty and youre still seeing this encroachment and youre interested in doing something, not just looking at Facebook pages, youll want to join Convention of States because COS is one of the last things we can do, nonviolently, to reign in our federal government on those three areas. Its about our future. Its about our existence. Its about getting back to our founding as our founders intended. Peter Barber, a volunteer activist for the COS movement in Florida, District 85, at the Rally in Tally on Feb. 8, 2022. (Patricia Tolson/The Epoch Times) To Peter Barber, a retired salesman, its important for our younger generation to educate themselves about the Constitution and the structure of the Republic. If you talk to a young person, they think the federal government does everything, Barber told The Epoch Times. We were set up by our Founders to be states driven. Now the federal government wants to be in control. Theyve gone so far as to say they want to nationalize elections. The Founding Fathers said we are run by states. Thats why we have such division now and now people are voting with their feet. Thats why Florida is filling up and California is emptying. What the Founding Fathers said would happen is happening. The states are becoming either a free state like Florida or theyre becoming controlled like New York and California. Jim Kallinger, a former Florida State legislator currently the president of the National Association of Former State Legislators, says the Founding Fathers never meant for our nation to have a one size fits all approach to governance. Former Florida Representative and President of the National Association of Former State Legislators Jim Kallinger speaking at the Rally in Tally on Feb. 8, 2022. (Brenna Rummel) If you go to our website, youll see there are certain areas we are focused on, Kallinger told The Epoch Times. One of them is Article Five and engaging our currently elected legislators on issues of balanced federalism, state sovereignty, and representative governance. It fits into our purpose of engaging state legislators to make sure they are vigilant in guarding against the national authorities that, by nature, get bigger and more centralized. Our hope is these men and women stand up to this and put that genie back into the bottle and restore state sovereignty and balance federalism as seen by our founders. Kallinger asserted. Weve really gotten off track and the way were going to do it is through our state legislators. The founders never intended us to be a one size fits all approach to governance. They looked at the states as being little laboratories of democracy, debating and competing with each other on issues, policies, and ideas. Someone from Washington telling people in California what to do and telling people in Florida what to do doesnt work because were two different states and the people are very different. A Convention of States supporter holds the COS Action flag at the Rally in Tally on Feb. 8, 2022. (Brenna Rummel) According to Kallinger, the Founders gave us state sovereignty and the authority to govern on issues that are individual to the state and are not coming from a national authority, and weve gotten away from that. Now we have a national government thats trying to dictate to us. Now theyre even trying to nationalize elections when it specifically states in the U.S. Constitution that the time and place and manner of elections shall be determined by state legislators. They were very specific on that and even that is being ignored up in Washington and theyre just pushing stuff on the states and the states are letting it happen and thats a problem. That benevolent dictator might be pushing something you like. But that dictator could change one day and start pushing things you dont like. A post office, coining and regulating the value of money, maintaining an armed force; there are very limited functions of the national government and were letting them get beyond that and were seeing the consequences of that. Thats why I think were seeing a lot of acrimony and partisanship in the country right now. I think its because we have a dictator, and it doesnt matter what party it is. But someone from Washington telling us what to do and people dont like that. Convention of States member Lynette at the Rally in Tally on Feb. 8, 2022. (Brenna Rummel) For Lynnette Miesen, the COS movement has meant a lot for a long time. Not only are we continuing to inform our new legislators, we have continued to get more petition signers, Miesen told The Epoch Times. We just got Nebraska! Miesen exclaimed. That was exciting! Its starting to happen because people really realize right now that the federal government is doing with mandates what they could never pass laws for. According to COS District Captain Dave Gantt, the rally in Florida is about reminding people that the current state of chaos in our country is not the way its supposed to be. COS District Captain Dave Gantt at the Rally in Tally of Feb. 8, 2022. (Patricia Tolson/The Epoch Times) They call it The Rally in Tally, Gantt told The Epoch Times, and people from all over the state come here to talk to the legislators. We are a passed state. We passed in April of 2014. The federal government is showing how much power they have over us and that isnt the way its supposed to be. Were supposed to have power over them. Where in the Constitution does it say they can mandate you to stay in your house? It sounds like China. People are really upset. Im getting a lot more calls from people locally who are upset. Now theyre getting involved. The thing is we need to do something. It used to be that people controlled the state governments and state governments were the major power behind controlling the federal government. What were trying to do is regenerate the power back to the states, and that means the people. In my opinion, the federal government is completely out of control. Theyre bringing about powers they werent given in the Constitution and theyre justifying them, and the Supreme Court is ruling with them. Our system is broken. Were trying to get our federal government under control and give the power back to the states and to the people. I often speak to parent audiences in school settings about screen addiction warning signs and prevention. On the way to the auditorium for a recent parent talk, I found myself wandering through the K-2nd grade hall of a local public school. My youngest of four children is in high school now, so it has been years since I visited an elementary school. As I walked through the halls, I remembered fondly when my kids were little. Some things were the same: the smell of glue and crayons, and the tiny little backpacks and cubbies. But I began to notice some things were different. I peeked in a classroom and assumed that I would see those little desks with the chairs attached. But they werent there. Instead, the classrooms had strange hammocks and swinging chairs hanging from the ceiling that looked like cocoons. Instead of little chairs at the desks, they had big balls and wobble chairs that I was told were for active sitting. My escort, Kathy, the technology teacher, told me that since kids spend so much time indoors on screens, they are entering school lacking the core physical strength to help them actually sit in a chair and learn. Everything in the classroom was designed to accommodate kids with gross and fine motor sensory deficiencies. She explained these tools are necessary to accomplish the catch-up work needed to build kids core strength. There were floor surfers so kids could slide on their bellies across the room, vestibular wedges, a balance disk, and more. This is the regular classroom. This is standard for our younger students, the teacher said. Down the hallway, there were art projects strangely different from those I remembered. Very few were made by hand. Instead, they were photos printed from a digital printer, sloppily cut out, and pasted on poster boards. Kids do digital art these days, they love the computer, she explained. I did get a glimpse of a few hand-drawn pieces outside the door of the first-grade classroom. Kathy said that this teacher doesnt like to use technology in her classroom. It was refreshing to see something a little more familiar, but the drawings werent the trees, families, and flowers one might expect from young children. These drawings were block-like video game characters, computer/tablet screens, and one image with knives, red blood drops, and a disembodied head. I felt like I was in a science fiction movie. Where was the kid art? No houses, no birds or rainbows, and the few families drawn had no detailed facesremember the wonderful drawing your child brought home on Mothers Day with the exaggerated eyelashes and big earrings? None of those either. As I continued through the building, I asked about a strange dirt line along the entire length of the hallway at waist level. Kathy explained: When the children walk in single file, they extend their arms out to touch the wall so that they can get their bearings and not fall over. Their balance is off because their core is weak; they dont get enough time outside in real physical play. Their balance is off in more ways than one. I began to unravel this elementary school mystery when I got home and called Cris Rowan, a pediatric occupational therapist. She explained that the average child spends more time on a screen than asleep. They arent getting enough time moving or in free play to build core muscles. They arent spending enough time outside in naturewhats known as a nature deficit. Humans have two sensorimotor systems that are stimulated by movement: the vestibular system located in the brain (often referenced as our inner ear) and the proprioceptive system located in our muscles. These two systems integrate with each other and with the visual system to provide core stability, motor coordination, and balance. Children who dont move enough dont fully develop these essential sensorimotor systems resulting in poor core stability, coordination, and balance with the consequent need to reach out to use the wall for stability, she said. Rowan said nature ignites the imagination in ways a screen never could. Nature stimulates all of our sensessight, sound, touch, smell, and even tastein the perfect balance that kids need to develop appropriately. Without exposure to these stimuli, kids become hypersensitive and anxious. I learned that a lack of nature experiences contributes to sensory deficiencies and that physical strength affects brain development. Who knew that holding crayons and learning to read were so dependent on how much time a child spends on the playground? It hit me just how much screen time is robbing our youth of necessary movement and physical exercise. With an increase in sedentary screen time comes attention and learning problems. It made so much sense now. Our parents knew nothing about sensory needs or the critical core strength needs of children. Why did we not require cocoon swings, wobble chairs, and balance boards? Why were we drawing pictures of real human faces and trees and birds? Because nature was our classroom, we socialized face-to-face, and playing outside in the dirt was what we did to grow up. Kids need to play outside. My favorite memories of childhood centered around playing outside with my brother. These nature experiences were the building blocks of our personalities and who we became as adults. We learned things outside you could never learn in a classroom. We used our imaginations and innovative skills to build a double-decker tree fortcomplete with a trap doorin the avocado tree in our backyard. It was safe enough for us to sleep in. We made mud stew filled with leaves and berries and fought battles with kumquatsthe more rotten the better. We became businessmen, selling avocados to the neighbor and investing our earnings in candy from the drug store. We counted splinters, cuts, and skinned knees as badges of honor. We hung from trees and climbed Mr. Hearts very tall brick wall daily (it was only five feet tall but seemed like 10 feet tall to us). It came naturally to us to see the backyard as our workplace. We learned to use a hammer, a shovel, and a saw. We rarely complained that we were bored. I have no recollection of our parents being involved in any of our outdoor adventures. We felt independent. We rode our bikes everywhere and our parents didnt track us. We worked hard to build our imaginations and strengthen our brains. We learned how to plan, try new ideas, and invent our own fun. We solved problems and invented as we learned how things physically worked. We acted out the Wild Wild West show. I convinced my brother to set up a zip line from the treehouse to the real house. It was a lesson in gravity, speed, and physics. We dug big holes in the backyard (to make temporary swimming pools), and walked our cute dog, Daisy, twice a day, rain or shine. We got plenty of dirt and vitamin D. Most importantly, we had empty space and ample time to relax and contemplate. We watched 30 minutes of TV a few times a week if it was raining outside. We stayed outside till the streetlights came on, ate our dinner as a family, and fell into bed every night for a full eight hours of rest. We built a wealth of memories as rulers of our backyard kingdom. School was fun. Recess was our most important period of the day. We got our energy out and then focused on math. Teachers knew that kids who moved a lot learned a lot. We never sat for hours in front of a screenand neither did any of our peers. We grew physically strong. The whole class participated in fitness programs and we got ribbons for being the fastest runner and doing the most sit-ups and pull-ups. We wanted to win, so we ran a lot at home and at recess to practice. We didnt need vestibular wedges for our chairs because we swung upside down on the ring swings. Our emotional health grew alongside our physical strength. We developed confidence and figured out who we were as we became gritty and worked hard. Our identity was based on what our family valued, what we learned, and what we accomplished, not the approval and influence of social media peers or virtual influencers. We werent anxious, we were social. There were no smartphones at lunch and there was plenty of time to build friendships. Our emotional intelligence grew as we spent in-person time with a few close friends at home and a few more at school. Science would eventually explain why quality is better than quantity when it comes to building friendships. We were practicing our executive function skills as we worked through awkward conversations with peers without being able to text mom for help or sympathy. We learned to compromise and cooperate and communicate. And the mean girls only got to be mean till three oclock, then everyone went home for a break and a good nights sleep. We shared our feelings and social conflicts with close friends in confidence or by writing them down in the diary we kept under the bed, not on public platforms. Our family stories and secret handshakes were kept private, too, making them more valuable. Kids are lost in a virtual bubble. Now imagine growing up in todays world without learning how to climb trees, build forts, and balance your favorite book, bubblegum, and baby dolls as climb up to the treehouse. Imagine never feeling the soft but sometimes itchy grass on your bare feet, and the feeling of that same grass when it gets wet and slippery as you run through the sprinklers. The sun, the mud, the made-up games in the backyardthe average child is missing out on all of that today. They are living in a physically sterile and emotionally toxic virtual bubble instead. They are out of balance and stressed. They are lacking core strength, both physically and emotionally. And it gets worse: They have no memories and no stories to draw on for the rest of their lives. They are empty and depressed because their lives are void of nature and the most wonderful parts of being a child. What will they tell their children they did when they were children? How to fill the void? Todays kids are starving, empty, and missing out. The only way to fix the problem is to replace the volume of hours spent on screens with the rich benefits of nature, in-person relationships, and purposeful downtime. Remove the toxic screens from our kids lives, and replace them with time spent in nature. The best antidote for screen overuse is to go play outside. This fix is easier than you might think. For younger kids, only a few weeks of a new low-screen time routine will reset their brains. For older teens, with brains that have already been shaped by the screen culture, it will be harder. But it is possible. Ive seen it happen many times. To start, try to gather one or two like-minded families and resolve to make a change together. The best place to begin is with one completely screen-free week. Then progress to a month and keep going one step at a time. When toxic screens are removed as an option, kids will be forced to go outside and explore like theyre supposed to. Will they complain at first? Absolutely. But they will also get bored, get creative, and make their own fun. They deserve the opportunity to experience the freedom that the natural world brings. Aside from stimulating kids creativity, imagination, and all of their senses, nature is also a source of comfort. Kids with high levels of screen time are anxious and stressednature is the perfect balm for their anxiety. Research in Canada shows that nature experiences can even treat ADHD. Nature experiences also lower stress levels and decrease blood pressure. Its hard for kids to be in nature and not move. Outdoor time helps children expend energy and calm down. If their energy isnt expended, it turns into stress. To put it in adult terms, proper exercise doesnt exhaust you, it keeps you healthy and relaxed. And if youre wondering why kids cant use screen-based games to relax, its because screen-based activities arent relaxing. Ask any adult who tries to use Facebook as a relaxation technique: It overstimulates the brain and only increases stress and anxiety. One of our most important jobs as parents is to take the long view when it comes to our kids lives because children (even teens) arent mature enough to do that themselves. Ask your children what their favorite backyard memories are. If they dont have any, today is the day to start creating some. 7 Warning Signs Your Child has a Screen Dependency Screen activities are the only thing that puts child in a good mood Unhappy when forced to unplug Screen use is increasing over time Only thing that motivates child Sneaks around to use screens and lies about use Increase in anxiety and stress Screen use interferes with family activities, friendships, or school This article was first published in Radiant Life Magazine. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), joined by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), speaks at a news conference about the National Defense Authorization Bill at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 22, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Rep. Roy Introduces Bill to Reinstate Troops Discharged for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine A group of Republican lawmakers led by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) unveiled a bill on Feb. 8 that would reinstate troops fired for not complying with the militarys COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The Service Restoration Act (pdf) would ensure that American servicemen and women in uniform are not fired for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine and that those already fired can return to military service, a release from the Republicans office said. Roys office noted that hundreds of battle-ready service members have been separated from the Armed Forces as a result of the mandate, which was announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in August 2021. Worse, the Department of Defense (DOD) has denied many medical and religious exemptions, which has resulted in forcing service members to choose either their faith or livelihoods, it said. The bill would prohibit federal funds from being used to require a member of the Armed Forces to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and would require Austin to reinstate members of the Armed Forces who wish to return to duty at the same rank. It would also ensure that Austin counts the service members time separated from the military toward their retirement benefits, and expunge from the service members record any adverse action due to refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Co-sponsors to the bill include Reps. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Van Taylor (R-Texas), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), and Bob Good (R-Va.). Because of President [Joe] Bidens power-hungry, anti-science COVID-19 vaccine mandate, hundreds of valuable American service members are being forced out of our military, taking with them years of subject-matter expertise, careers of selfless sacrifice, and lifelong dreams of military service. This is strategically foolish, profoundly unamerican, and completely unacceptable, Roy said in a statement on the legislation. The lawmaker added, I introduced the Service Restoration Act to ensure that the brave men and women of our armed forces are not fired over this wrong-headed mandatewhether it be for a medical, religious, conscientious or any reasonand that those already dismissed are able to get back to honorably serving their country with their time of service and their records rightfully restored. The measure came as the Air Force on Tuesday became the second U.S. military branch to approve religious exemptions to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine, although the nine approved so far represent just a fraction of the more than 6,400 requested by Air Force troops. The Marine Corps is the only other military service to grant any religious accommodations, allowing three so far. On Jan. 13, it granted religious exemptions to the militarys COVID-19 vaccine mandate, nearly two months after the vaccination deadline for active-duty Marines. The Army and Navy have not approved any religious exemptions. As of Jan. 26, the Army had rejected 266 requests for permanent religious exemptions. The Navy in its latest release on Feb. 2 noted that there have been 118 separations so far for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Court documents dated Feb. 3 note out of 4,095 total initial requests, the Navy has denied 3,278 and 285 are under review. As of Feb. 3, a total of 3,458 requests for religious accommodation out of 3,539 initial requests have been rejected by the U.S. Marine Corps, while 81 requests are pending review, court papers show. The U.S. Coast Guard has denied 578 of 1,308 initial requests for religious exemption from the vaccine mandate, and 715 requests are under review. The military services have come under criticism for their failure to grant religious exemptions, with members of Congress, the military, and the public questioning if the review processes have been fair. Altogether, the services have received more than 14,000 requests for religious exemptions. Austin and military leaders have argued that the vaccine is critical to maintaining military readiness and the health of the force. And all of the services have now either discharged personnel for refusing the vaccine or put a system in place to do so. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. Reparations for the Business Victims of Lockdowns Commentary With pandemic controls gradually ending, many people have called for some kind of justice to be realized: investigations on the origin and implementation of lockdowns and mandates, punishment for the perpetrators, and compensation for the victims. How wonderful it would be! And yet I tend to agree with Clarence Darrow who wrote that the state has no means to dispense pure justice in the Aristotelian sense. It cannot undo wrongs, repay costs sufficient to restore what it has destroyed, or punish people enough to alleviate the suffering it wrought. Its also the worst-possible institution to be charged with such a task: it is implausible to believe that the perpetrator can be trusted with the task of restitution. There is no making up for two years of lost education and art, no means to revive the hundreds of thousands of businesses ( of all small businesses) that were forced to close, and no path to restore the life hopes of millions that were so cruelly shattered. There is no fixing those whose cancers were not treated when hospitals were closed to routine screenings and no way to bring back those who died alone without friends or family because their loved ones had to comply with stay-at-home orders. The damage is done. The carnage is around us all. Nothing can change that. We can hope for truth and honesty but longing for pure justice is futile. That realization makes the pandemic response even more morally objectionable. If, however, we think of lockdown reparations as consisting of some form of compensation, there could be a path for a new crop of political leaders to pursue. There is precedent for this: the U.S. government did pay reparations to those victimized in Japanese internment camps during World War II. Germany was forced to pay reparations after World War I (that did not end well). And the very idea is baked into the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which says nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Lockdowns seem like a taking as described by the Constitution. Governments took private property from millions of business owners, churches, schools, and families. They took control of hospitals, gyms, recreational centers, meeting locations, skating rinks, movie theaters, libraries, and just about every other business, except the big box stores that were deemed essential and non-disease spreading. This was clearly unjust. That the feds doled out low-interest loans and so on to sustain many hardly makes up for taking away the right to do business. Even if you believe that all this taking was necessary for public use, there is still the job of compensation. The trouble is that the payer, namely government, has no resources of its own. Everything it pays it gets from taxing, borrowing, or inflating, all of which comes out of the productivity of others, which means even more taking. It also doesnt seem right to take the compensation fund even from the big businesses that got rich during the lockdowns simply because they did in fact provide a valuable service. As Richard Epstein, author of Takings: Private Property and the Power of Eminent Domain, points out, the core idea behind the takings clause is that the state can seize private property only when doing so solves some market failure such as a free-rider or holdout problem. This supposedly generates a surplus of wealth from which the expropriated victims can be compensated, so that the act of taking, at least in theory, makes everyone better off or at least no worse off. But the lockdowns and related mandates did not create wealth or solve any market failures; they were pure acts of destruction. The lockdowns only did damage; they did not generate any surplus wealth from which the victims can be compensated. This is, in fact, one reason Epstein would strictly limit the states power of eminent domain to situations where there are clear gains, such as highways and the like. My suggestion, then, is to let the compensationthe reparationstake the form of relief from continued impositions of high taxes, mandates, and regulations particularly as they affect small businesses, which were the hardest hit from pandemic lockdowns. In other words, to make up for the wrongs done and to rebuild a vibrant small-business sector, the owners need to be emancipated from the bureaucratic tangles, taxes, and demands that have tightened over the decades. The burden of government, according to the American Action Forum, five years ago cost small business 3.3 billion hours and $64.6 billion per year: small businesses must comply with more than 379 hours of paperwork annually, or nearly the equivalent of ten full-time workweeks. The numbers are undoubtedly higher now, as any small business owner can tell you. Highly capitalized and larger companies can bear these burdens much easierwhich is one reason they exist in the first place. Such interventions forestall the realization of genuine competition and entrench an elite class within enterprise. This was made vastly worse during lockdowns, where the privilege of staying open was allocated to those with political connections while independent businesses were slammed shut. How to compensate? My proposal in short: all businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees should be exempt from all federal corporate taxes (21 percent), FICA taxes, and all other expensive and arduous mandated benefits (including health care mandates) for a period of 10 years. Ideally I would make it longer but Im trying here to think about political viability. This would not restore what was lost. But it could provide some compensation for those that managed to survive, and provide an excellent and fertile ground for new businesses. This would also have symbolic value: clearly showing an awareness of the egregious attack on small business that took place over two years. Small businesses are the 99 percent that employ nearly half the workers in America. A healthy and thriving small business sector is evidence of a society committed to genuine free enterprise versus a cartelized system that favors only large and politically connected corporations. Reparations for them seems like a moderate but essential step. Consider the objections: The lockdowns were mostly imposed by States, not the federal government. Thats technically true only because the federal government doesnt have the means to enact a lockdown. From March 13, 2020, and onward, the federal government clearly encouraged them, pressed the states into service, and the CDC/NIH put massive pressure on every state health official to enact emergency edicts that had the force of law. Also, states should also consider compensation. FICA taxes (social security, unemployment, etc.) help the worker and removing the mandate that small business pays only hurts workers. Actually, workers pay the whole bill in an economic sense, so eliminating these taxes could end up boosting wages and helping millions of people make the transition to private savings as opposed to the pathetic Social Security System. Eliminating the federal corporate tax will also translate into higher wages and great profitability all around. Eliminating the health-care mandate will harm workers. Actually, it is workers who pay the premiums out of their wages and salaries, despite the illusion. Allowing businesses to opt out would allow each worker to make a decision about what kind of package they want to purchase if they want to do so at all. The lockdowns made telemedicine far more viable and there are ever more doctors consortiums that are operating on a cash basis. Perhaps the new party in power will finally address the crying need for health-insurance reform, making it available to people more readily outside of the corporate setting. Its not fair to offer this to small businesses but not to large ones, plus it punishes businesses with 1,500 employees and grants favors to those with 1,000 or fewer employees. That is true. But the cutoff has to be somewhere, and because it is small businesses that were harmed the most, they should be first in line for compensation. Many large companies did gain an advantage in the marketplace during lockdowns, so this discriminatory approach, while very imperfect, at least seems to recognize that. Many large businesses were hurt too, such as cruise liners, chain restaurants, movie theaters, and others. This is absolutely true. Perhaps vast tax breaks should also be available for any company that can show harm done during 202021. People who specialize in such legislative issues can hammer out the details of what this would look like. My main point here is to urge a serious conversation about this. The lockdowns were and are an intolerable attack on property rights, the freedom of association, free enterprise, and basic rights of trade and exchange that have been a bedrock of a thriving economy since the ancient world. They were also without precedent on this scale. We need a clear statement from the top that this was wrong, and did not achieve the aims. A well-constructed reparations package would make the point. We should be under no illusions that this is likely to happen but it is still interesting to consider whether and to what extent some degree of justice is realizable. Reparations aside, we need some kind of universal guarantee, embedded in enforceable law, that nothing like these lockdowns can ever happen again. They should be ruled out in any society that considers itself free. From the Brownstone Institute Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Rubio Calls on 22 US Universities to End Ties With Institutions That Support Chinas Military Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has urged 22 American universities to end their academic and research partnerships with Chinese schools that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has tasked with supporting Beijings military modernization. I remain deeply concerned by the PLAs [Peoples Liberation Army] aggressive campaign to infiltrate Americas research enterprise, Rubio wrote in letters dated Feb. 8. For decades, Beijing has openly exploited the expertise of Chinese students and scholars studying or conducting research in the United States to accelerate the PRCs economic and military development, the letters read, referring to the countrys official name, the Peoples Republic of China. The letters were addressed to 22 U.S. universities, which have entered into academic or research partnerships with Chinese universities that are charged with implementing the CCPs military-civil fusion (MCF) strategy. The state-led strategy seeks to harness civilian-developed research and technology to aid Chinas military modernization, thus blurring the line between civilian and military sectors. MCF also directs collaboration with foreign universities to acquire cutting edge research and technology to advance its efforts to achieve a world-class military by the year 2049, according to the U.S. State Department (pdf). Key technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and aerospace technology, are acquired by the CCP through licit and illicit means, the State Department noted in a 2020 document. Joint research institutions, academia, and private firms are all being exploited to build the PLAs future military systemsoften without their knowledge or consent, it said. A 2018 report by think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) showed that the PLA sent more than 2,500 Chinese scientists to train and work in overseas universities from 2007 to 2017. Some of those scientists were under civilian cover, but all were sent to gain skills and knowledge of value to the Chinese military and are believed to be party members who returned to China when instructed, the report stated. Military delegates stand in formation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 9, 2021. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) The recent conviction of a prominent Harvard professor Charles Lieber on charges stemming from his undisclosed ties with Chinese institutions raises important questions about how the United States assesses risk to its national security within its broader research enterprise, Rubio said in the letter. The PRC is fully integrating Chinese private industry and the PRCs civilian universities into their MCF strategy, read the letter. Last December, Lieber was found guilty by a U.S. jury on all six counts relating to lying about his funding received from Chinese institutions as part of a state-sponsored recruitment program called the Thousand Talents Plan. At least 68 civilian universities in China have been officially described as part of the regimes defense system or supervised by the regimes defense industry agency, ASPI found. According to December report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, dozens of top American universities have academic and research partnerships with Chinese schools that support the regimes defense industry. Among them, 10 maintain active sister-school relationships with Chinese universities conducting classified research in support of Chinas defense establishment. In the letter, Rubio urged the 22 universities to terminate their partnership agreements and take steps to thoroughly vet your other academic partners in the PRC for similar risks involving the misappropriation of academic research. Mass protests recently swept through Cuba, and the world was lied to about the true situation. As hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Cuba, calling for an end to the communist regime, mainstream news outlets in the United States parroted the Cuban governments narrative framing the protests as people demanding vaccines. And on the island just 90 miles from Americas shores, China and Russia have both intervened to save the communist government while making threats to the United States to stay out. So what is really happening in Cuba? And why is the survival of its communist system regarded as so important to Russian and Chinese interests? To find our answers, we spoke to Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, coordinator of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance. Subscribe to the new Crossroads newsletter and stay up-to-date! Follow EpochTV on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV Parler: https://parler.com/#/user/EpochTV Director-General of ASIO, Mike Burgess appears before a Senate inquiry at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on April 29, 2021. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) Security Agency Should Be as Open as Possible for Public Trust: ASIO Boss The head of Australias national security service and intelligence agency said it was vital that the security service of a liberal democracy is transparent and trusted. In his annual threat assessment speech, Australian Security Intelligence Organisations (ASIO) Director-General, Mike Burgess, described his vision to push the organisation to become more transparent. ASIO protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. Our ability to deliver our mission requires us to maintain the confidence and trust of our stakeholders, including the Australian people, he said. I believe this imposes a responsibility on ASIO to be as open as possible about what the organisation does, and why we do it. Burgess said he became more committed to transparency after the Defence Signals Directorate was falsely accused of an illegal act. While the allegations were later proven to be false, the damage to reputation and confidence had been done. The affair taught me how difficult it can be for a secret organisation to defend itself, even when its done nothing wrongits assumed that if youre in the shadows, youre shadowy, he said. While there are things an intelligence agency cannot talk about, Burgess believes they can respond with more than no comment. He recounted another incident where a journalist put forward a false claim to an unidentified intelligence agency, to which they responded with no commentand thats off the record. The story was published soon after containing the inaccuracies. We dont talk about our operations, but we can reveal their outcomes, he said. We must be secretive about our capabilities, but we can be open about our values. Giving transparency and information to ASIOs partners and stakeholders also enables greater protection for the community. Security is a shared responsibility. ASIO cannot stop every terrorist and catch every spy, Burgess said. With people spending more time online as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, the levels of cybercrime and cyber-enabled espionage has increased. Australias consumer watchdog published a report revealing that Australians got scammed out of at least $851 million (US$610 million) in 2020, the largest amount ever recorded in a single year. Data for 2021 has not yet been released. Expanding on the transparency of ASIO would also help the organisations recruitment drive, Burgess said. People wont work for an agency if they dont know what it does and what it values; they cant apply for jobs they dont know exist, he said. Aside from traditional surveillance roles, Burgess said they recruited other positions integral to the agencys success, such as trades professionals, business analysts, and experts in technology and law. We cannot identify our undeclared staff, but we can celebrate the difference they make, he said. The U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 31, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Senate Passes #MeToo Sexual Assault Arbitration Bill, Sending It to Biden The Senate on Thursday passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, which has been colloquially dubbed the #MeToo bill, and has sent it to President Joe Bidens desk for signature. The bill would make significant changes to arbitration for victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the workplace, which proponents of the Ending Forced Arbitration Act say has historically been weighted in the favor of employers. It has been called the #MeToo bill due to its origin as a response to the #MeToo phenomenon, which spread rapidly online as sexual assault and harassment victimsparticularly in Hollywooddisclosed details about the sexual abuses they had suffered at the hands of the ultra-rich and powerful, like Harvey Weinstein. The legislation is uncharacteristically concise for the 117th Congress, coming in at around one or two pages. Its scope is extremely narrow, touching only on reforming the sexual abuse response of employers in an effort that proponents hope will weigh the law more in favor of victims. Under current law, employers are able to force employees who experienced a sexual assault or harassment into an arbitration agreement, wherein a neutral third-party attempts to settle disputes between two conflicting parties outside of court. Often, employment contracts mandate this arbitration, which is usually secretive and kept out of the public eye, allowing allegations to remain unknown to the public. These contracts can go a step further and mandate that victims reach an out-of-court, legally-binding agreement that essentially precludes them from pursuing further legal action against their attackers. Under the Ending Forced Arbitration Act, these and similar provisions of employee-employer contracts will be considered null and void, allowing victims to bring their claims directly to the legal system and ending the requirement that they reach an agreement with their employer in third-party arbitration. However, the law will still preserve the option to settle out of court if desired by the victim. The Ending Forced Arbitration Act was passed by the House in a 33597 vote on Feb. 7, with the majority of the chambers GOP members signing on to the bill. In the Senate on Thursday, members from both parties made passionate arguments in favor of the bill on the Senate floor. Following this short round of speeches, the bill was passed by a voice vote. The effort was led on the GOP side by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Discussing the bill, Graham said that it was important to himself and other supporters of the bill that victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault not be forced into arbitration thats skewed for the employer against the employeefor these things to be hidden. Graham also emphasized that the bill would not nullify third-party arbitration provisions in employment contracts for issues like assault or general harassment that are not sexual in nature. To ensure this, the bill includes a very concise and narrow definition of what constitutes sexual assault and sexual harassment. It describes a sexual assault dispute as a dispute involving a nonconsensual sexual act or sexual contact, as such terms are defined [under federal, state, or local law]. Likewise, it describes a sexual harassment dispute as a dispute involving the federal, state, or local definition of sexual harassment, leaving a significant degree of latitude to state and local governments. The bill, said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), provides survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment with a choice between litigation and [out-of-court] arbitration so their voices will not be silenced. At the same time, Ernst noted that she and other supporters of the bill had been careful to avoid too broad an interpretation of the law, and she emphasized, like Graham, that it will not end all third-party arbitration. The #MeToo movement began in 2017 when actress Alyssa Milano disclosed on Twitter that, like many others, she had been sexually assaulted by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Milano asked other women who had experienced sexual assault to reply to her tweet with the phrase me too. The stirrings of the movement were clear long before, however, in whispered allegations among those who had experienced sexual assault by well-connected elites. Fox News Gretchen Carlson, an anchor and former Miss America, has made headlines since 2016 over allegations against former Fox CEO Roger Ailes. Carlson claims that she was sexually assaulted by Ailes; while he has denied the charge, Ailes left Fox News in 2016 just 15 days after Carlsons allegations came to light. Biden has himself been alleged of sexual assault by several women, with claims mostly originating from Bidens time as a U.S. Senator. Still, Biden has signaled that he supports the legislation, and with the Senates passage of the bill it is set to become law upon receiving Bidens signature. Dr. Robert Califf gathers his documents as the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension adjourn a hearing on the nomination of Califf to be commissioner of Food and Drug Administration on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Dec. 14, 2021. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo) Senate Vote Set for Bidens Nominee for FDA Commissioner, Whom Some Democrats Oppose President Joe Bidens nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set for a Senate vote next week after the upper chambers top Democrat filed cloture on the nomination on Feb. 10. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) filed cloture on the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf even as some Democrats continued to express opposition to the pick, who isnt assured a confirmation in the divided Senate. Confirming Califf would be the absolute worst thing that could happen to our country and the FDA, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told reporters at the Capitol in Washington. Manchin has vowed to vote against Califf, as have Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has indicated he will not vote for the nominee. A simple majority is needed to confirm Califf, who would be the first Senate-confirmed FDA director since Biden took office in January 2021. But Califf must earn some Republican support, or the nomination will fail in the 5050 Senate. Califfs nomination was advanced by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee 138 in January. While Hassan and Sanders joined some Republicans in voting against it, Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) voted in favor. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) will also support Califf, a spokeswoman told The Epoch Times in an email. Supporters say Califfs experience helming the FDA during the Obama administration will come in handy and that they appreciate his promises to review some regulations, including those concerning opioids. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the panel, said Califf is an experienced leader at the FDA who understands the many challenges our nation is facing and the importance of ensuring science comes first. Critics dont like his ties to the pharmaceutical industry and note he was at the helm during some of the worst periods of the opioid crisis. New Hampshire has been hit especially hard by the substance misuse epidemic and it is imperative that we have a strong FDA Commissioner in place who recognizes the role that the agencys decisions played in fueling this crisis, Hassan said in a recent statement. After careful review of Dr. Califfs record, including questioning him during last months nomination hearing, it does not appear that things would be different under his leadership and I will be voting no on his nomination. Some oppose Califf because while he was FDA commissioner, the agency loosened rules regarding chemical abortion pills. Students for Life Action, a pro-life group, plans to meet with senators on Capitol Hill next week, chief media and policy strategist Kristi Hamrick told The Epoch Times in an email. The first meetings will be with Romney and the others who voted wrong in committee, she said. Most of Bidens nominees have received Senate approval, with Republicans regularly crossing the aisle, but several high-profile nominees were dropped after staunch GOP opposition, including Saule Omarova, whom Biden nominated to be comptroller of the currency. Califf has swayed at least one senator who was unsure about the nomination. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said on Feb. 10 that hell vote for Califf because the nominee agreed that the FDA should follow up and gather evidence from drug companies that get accelerated approval for their products. Multiple senators havent committed to a vote, including Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), who led the effort against Omarova. His office declined to comment. A member of staff collects the last COVID-19 PCR tests, at the COVID-19 testing site of Svagertorp, Malmoe, Sweden, on Feb. 8, 2022. (Johan Nilsson/TT via AP) Sweden Ends COVID-19 Testing as Pandemic Restrictions Lifted STOCKHOLMSweden has halted wide-scale testing for COVID-19 even among people showing symptoms of an infection, putting an end to the mobile city-square tent sites, drive-in swab centers, and home-delivered tests. The move puts the Scandinavian nation at odds with most of Europe, but some experts say it could become the norm as costly testing yields fewer benefits with the easily transmissible but milder Omicron variant and as governments begin to consider treating COVID-19 like they do other endemic illnesses. We have reached a point where the cost and relevance of the testing is no longer justifiable. Swedish Public Health Agency chief Karin Tegmark Wisell told the national broadcast SVT this week. If we were to have extensive testing adapted to everyone who has COVID-19, that would mean half a billion kronor a week [about $55 million] and 2 billion a month [$220 million], Tegmark Wisell added. Starting Wednesday, only health care and elderly care workers and the most vulnerable will be entitled to free PCR testing if they are symptomatic, while the rest of the population will simply be asked to stay home if they show symptoms that could be COVID-19. Antigen tests are readily available for purchase in supermarkets and pharmacies, but those results arent reported to health authorities. Private health care providers can also perform tests and offer certificates for international travel, but the cost will not be reimbursed by the state or health insurance. High vaccination rates in Sweden are creating optimism among health officials and a late 2020 study released Tuesday showing antibodies present in 85 percent of samples. In 2021, the region of Stockholm alone spent the equivalent of more than $320 million on PCR tests, money the government says could be better spent elsewhere. For most of the pandemic, Sweden stood out among European nations for its comparatively hands-off response. It never went into lockdown or closed businesses, largely relying instead on individual responsibility to control infections. While coronavirus deaths were high compared with other Nordic countries, they were lower than many other places in Europe that did implement lockdowns. Also Wednesday, the country scrapped as of midnight its limits on how many people may gather at events or in restaurants, vaccine certificates can no longer be required, and reduced operating hours have been canceled for bars and eateries. Announcing the reopening last week, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said that the pandemic is not over but has entered a totally new phase, and while infection rates have risen, it is not overly burdening hospitals. That tracks with whats been happening in countries across Europe recently as authorities relax coronavirus restrictions that have dominated the continent for the past two years. Yet testing remains widespread on the continent, even for people showing no symptoms. Schoolchildren and teachers in Greece, for example, are required to test twice a week, and many countries still require a COVID-19 passport or a negative test to enter restaurants, cinemas, and other indoor venues. In Britain, instead of dropping all testing requirements, authorities are relying on testing, in addition to vaccination, to help enable people to return to normal life. Even as it relaxed most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions in late January, the government said testing remained a vital tool for exiting the pandemic and said infected people could end their isolation after just five days with two negative results on rapid tests over two consecutive days. The government has also made rapid tests freely available, including via home delivery, and encouraged people to test themselves before potentially risky gatherings, hoping that knowing their status will curb COVID-19 transmission. Some providers of private COVID-19 lab tests have seen a steep fall lately in the numbers of people seeking tests since British authorities dropped the requirement for vaccinated travelers to provide a negative test upon entering the country, starting this Friday. On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson signaled his intention to remove the need to isolate after a positive COVID-19 test at the end of February. People would still be advised to self-isolate. Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictionsincluding the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positivea full month early, he said. Were seeing fewer people with COVID and so fewer people are getting tested, said Quinton Fivelman, chief scientific officer of London Medical Laboratory, which is obviously a good sign even though that means less demand in that market. Denmark said that the number of PCR tests will drop from 500,000 per day to 200,000 to match the current stage of epidemic development, and the Scandinavian countrys free government-funded capacity for quick tests is to set to close by March 6, while centers offering PCR tests would continue as long as needed. An Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant during an official ceremony to kick-start works on a second reactor at the facility, in Bushehr, Iran, on Nov. 10, 2019. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images) Talks With Iran Have Reached Urgent Point: White House The White House says that if Iran keeps accelerating its nuclear program, it will soon be impossible to return to the 2015 nuclear deal. The eighth round of talks to revive the deal resumed in Vienna Tuesday and a day later, in defiance of Western demands to halt its ballistic missile work, Tehran unveiled a new domestically-made missile with a range of 1,450 kilometerscapable of hitting the U.S. and Israeli military bases in the region. At a White House press briefing on Wednesday, press secretary Jen Psaki said talks with Iran have reached an urgent point. [A deal] is in sight, but if it is not reached in the coming weeks, Irans ongoing nuclear advancements will make it impossible to return to the JCPOA, Psaki said, using the acronym for the official name of the nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Psaki also pointed to comments she made back in December when she said that President Joe Biden asked his team to prepare for a range of contingencies including measures to further restrict Irans revenue-producing sectors should diplomacy with its leaders fail. Former President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions against Iran. Tehran responded by violating the terms of the agreement by increasing the uranium it enriches and stockpiles. The Biden administration has signaled that it wants to rejoin the dealwhich also includes Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Chinasaying it addresses the core concerns of all sides. Republicans remain critical of the deal and the administrations efforts to rejoin. A group of 33 Republican senators made demands for more Congressional oversight, with threats to block any future deals with Iran in a letter to Biden on Monday. We also write to emphasize that we are committed to using the full range of options and leverage available to United States Senators to ensure that you meet those obligations, and that the implementation of any agreement will be severely if not terminally hampered if you do not, reads the letter. United States special Iran envoy Rob Malley has run point on the Vienna talks and gave a classified briefing to members of Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday. Politico reports Malley told Senators that Iran could make enough material for nuclear bomb in weeks if the regime decides it wants one. Tehran has demanded that Washington lift the sanctions put in place by the Trump administration if the United States wants to reenter the deal. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday signed several short-term sanctions waivers related to Irans civilian nuclear activities last week. The State Department denied that the move grants concessions to Iran but instead permits international partners to address growing nuclear nonproliferation and safety risks in Iran. People gather in Parliament Hill as the trucker convoy protesting COVID-19 mandates and restrictions stages demonstrations in Ottawa on Jan. 29, 2022. (Limin Zhou/The Epoch Times) The Chants of the Freedom Convoy Commentary Theres something happening both with the Freedom Convoy movement in Canada and the mass protests in Europe. A whole group of people have been feeling ignored and unheardwith several years of constant lockdowns, restrictions, and finally: vaccine mandates and passports. And then they woke up. What started as just whispers on social media, largely ignored by media, has snowballed into a massive movement. It has been over 2 years where, even staunchest vaccine proponents Ive spoken to agree: Public health communication has been chaos. The lack of clarity on why certain policies exist, the lack of logical consistency, and the constant reliance on the repetition of the basic messaging of vaccines are safe and effective has left Canadians feeling ignored, diminished, shamed, and often, silenced. Instead of addressing their concerns, Prime Minister Trudeau, from a safe distance, continued to label a group that consists of just about every race, gender, occupationand vaccination statusas racists, misogynists, conspiracy theorists, and a fringe minority that holds unacceptable views. A truly divisive rhetoric. Then, the convoy arrived in Ottawa and suddenly the small fringe minority didnt seem so small anymore as they converged on Parliament Hill in huge numbers, in the middle of a cold Canadian winter. They have finally had enough. At its heart, the movement isnt really about vaccinesmany of those involved are willingly vaccinated. Its about choice and transparencyand, yes, freedom, but listening to many of the discussions around this topic, its clear that for many, its also overwhelmingly about a decline in institutional trustwhether governments, organizations, or media. Millions of people across the world feel that these institutions no longer serve or represent them. They feel left behind by the establishment. Even if not everyone can eloquently phrase these concerns. It is a crisis of faithand its not just happening in Canada. For many, who have taken to social media in support, Canadas movement represents their own struggles too and has been inspiring unity. Anti-mandate protest rallies are being held all over France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and others. A similar one to Canadas is rumored to be hitting the United States soon, too. What connects them is a shared frustration. Although politicians and other interests have certainly tried to take advantage, for most, this movement goes far beyond politics. Participants represent all spectrums, and the organizers have repeatedly specified that this is a non-political movementrefusing endorsements from the likes of Maxime Bernier and any other politicians, though some of the organizers own ties are subject to some controversy and valid suspicion, as are some of the larger anonymous financial backers. For most regular people who have willingly attached to it or observed it in support, this movement is a cry for freedom. For being listened to. For being talked to as adults. For being told the truthwhich many see as constantly shapeshifting for the sake of political convenience, or controleven if it is intended for the greater good. For them, the narrative is broken and they are uniting against the status quo. What will happen? Its hard to tell. Things can certainly go south and not all players come in good faithon either side. Its possible that it can all cause more harm than good. But it would be a mistake to ignore the words and feelings of those who have been swept up by the chants for freedom, not just in Canada, but all over the world. And while good leaders dont have to agree, they should listen. This article was originally published on the Substack publication Random Minds with Katherine Brodsky. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A nurse comforts a baby at the Xining Children Hospital in Xining City, Qinghai Province. Hospitals in Henan Province have been advertising the selling of unwanted babies, according to a report by China National Radio. (Getty Images) Industry Behind Child Trafficking in China Involves Organ Harvesting: Activist Recently, footage of a mentally-ill mother of eight who was chained up in a village hut sparked outrage on Chinese social media. The controversy has sparked intense discussion about bride trafficking in the country, where men outnumber women due as a result of the decades-long one-child policy instituted by the Chinese Communist Party. The incident serves to underscore wider problems relating to human trafficking in China, an industry that involves the abduction of children and organ harvesting, according to Chinese human rights activists. Chinese dissident Yao Cheng was a volunteer at Womens Rights in China (WRIC), a New York-based non profit, working in China from 2007 to 2016. In an interview with the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times, he recounted incidents of child trafficking, as well as suspected organ trafficking using childrens organs in China. Girls in Nunneries Since the regime adopted the one-child policy in 1979, many Chinese female infants have been killed, while some parents tried to give their female babies to Buddhist nunneries to give the child a chance of survival. Yao recorded in his documentary Girls in the Nunnery how he helped to rescue many girls who grew up in a nunnery and to locate their biological families. Undated photo of Yao Cheng. (Shi Ping/The Epoch Times) His effort earned him 22 months of imprisonment in China in 2013. Yaos investigation found that thousands of girls were adopted from dozens of Buddhist nunneries in Tongcheng, a county-level city in Anhui, an eastern province of China. The newborns were left in a paper box or a basket padded with a blanket, he said. The lucky ones were raised by the nuns, but the nuns could only afford to raise a couple to a few; most others either froze to death or were killed by wild dogs. Of course, if any family was willing to adopt a female baby, the nuns would give it to them. Huge Profits Chinese babies, both male and female, are all too often the victims of abduction or kidnapping, and trafficking, according to Yao. He said that the Chinese police are good at catching state enemies, but not the traffickers, because many police are involved in the operations, which form an industrial chain involving huge profits. Yao said that, according to statistics compiled by Chinese non profits including WRIC, an estimated 70,000 children are abducted yearly. This number does not include the children who were abandoned. He explained that those who went missing were bought to be child brides (who would be married to a family member when the child reaches an appropriate age), prostitutes, or even organ donors. Yao recalled seeing in Santow, an eastern coastal city in Guangdong Province, beds for boys and girls who had been sent to Southeast Asia for organ harvesting. Yao said that he collected all the evidence needed for prosecution, but the police refused to conduct an investigation or take any action to crack down on the crimes. He believes the lack of response was associated with how lucrative the industry is. The organs of a child are worth more than one million yuan ($157,000), he said. He explained the overseas demand for organs is huge. He identified the child organ brokers in Santow, but could not take further action, If you try to do anything about it, your life will be in danger. In the Putian area of Fujian, a coastal province in the south, there have been internet posts showing more than a dozen childrens bodies that were missing organs and eyes. Yao said, Its not something anyone can do with an ordinary kitchen knife; its professional, transplant is a delicate operation. He believes that many operations were endorsed by high-level officials, because some high-ranking officials and elites of the Party have themselves required an organ transplant. Why can many of those senior Party cadres, supposedly frail after being through the wars and all the hardships in early life, live into their 90s and 100s? Yao said. Look at Jiang Zemin, hes nearly 100 years old. Theres also a high demand for organs in the Chinese market, he added, referring to a former CCP leader. China tops the world in performing organ transplants, but Yao questioned the sources of the organs for a country that lacks a transparent and legal organ procurement program. A Promise Not Delivered In 2010, WRIC had an initiative that gave monthly aid of 300 yuan ($47.16) per school child, and 500 yuan ($78.59) per high school or college student. It was supported by the Clinton Foundation, and had a budget of $200 million. But, the communist regime intervened. The WRIC was notified that the regime itself would provide each child in need with 600 yuan ($94.28) a month. This is how ugly the regime is. It does nothing good, and prohibits others from doing the right thing, for fear of losing face to a foreign organization, Yao said. However, after more than a year, not a dime had been allocated by the regime, he said. A director at the Ministry of Civil Affairs explained to Yao that the government was debating how to distribute the funds. Yao lamented that ultimately it was the children who suffered. Can these kids not eat for a year or two? he said. Finally, some money was allocated, but it was not ongoing. Yao believes that even if the funds were available specifically for the children, the majority of it would have been embezzled by corrupt officials. The dissident said that his volunteer work frightened the regime. The CCP labeled him as an enemy because of his charity work at the WRIC. Many female volunteers left the foundation because of threats from the regimes public security officials. The Partys logic is simple: Only the Party itself is good; If anyone else is good, that means the Party is bad. Therefore, no good people are allowed in the territory of the Chinese Communist Party, he said. Yao used the persecution of Falun Gong adherents in China today as an example. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice involving meditative exercises and a set of moral teachings centered on the principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance. The CCP started the persecution campaign against Falun Gong in 1999. Why would the CCP persecute Falun Gong? Because millions of Chinese Falun Gong adherents are good people. That frightens the CCP, said Yao. A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning (C), during military drills in the South China Sea, in an aerial photo taken on Jan. 2, 2017. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) The Naval Balance of Power in the South China Sea Has Shifted Dramatically in Favor of China Is it time for the US to seek a 600 ship navy? News Analysis Over the last decade the balance of power in the South China Sea (SCS), and to a lesser extent the East China Sea (ECS), has shifted dramatically in favor of Chinas military forces. The construction of seven artificial islands with a total surface area of 3,200 acres in the SCS has significantly expanded Chinas defensive perimeter in the region and enhanced its ability to deny the U.S. Navys ability to deploy ships in the SCS. Even more significant is the dramatic increase in Chinas naval forces. In 2012, the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) had 271 surface ships versus 284 for the United States. By 2021, the PLANs naval strength had increased to 348 ships versus 296 for the U.S. Navy. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the PLANs fleet is expected to increase to 420 ships by 2025 and 460 ships by 2030. These numbers do not include 85 patrol combatants that carry anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM). In addition, over the last decade there has been a substantial increase in the number of ships deployed by the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia. Moreover, according to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the PLAN is rapidly retiring older, single-mission warships in favor of larger, multi-mission ships equipped with advanced anti-ship, anti-air, and anti-submarine weapons and sensors and C2 [command and control] facilities. To be fair, aggregate ship numbers do not tell the whole story. The U.S. Navy has substantially more aircraft carriers, for example, than the PLAN. At last count, the U.S. Navy could deploy 11 carrier task forces, while China could deploy two. Additionally, U.S. aircraft carriers are bigger and have more capabilities than their Chinese counterparts. Three F/A-18E Super Hornets fly in formation over the aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and their strike groups along with ships from the Republic of Korea Navy as they transit the Western Pacific on Nov. 12, 2017. (Aaron B. Hicks/U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters) The United States has a higher proportion of nuclear power surface ships and submarines than does the PLAN. Moreover, in a confrontation with the PLAN, the U.S. Navy would likely be supported by allied nations like Japan and Australia, as well as those of France and Great Britain. Nonetheless, it is clear that Beijing is striving, at the very least, for naval superiority in its home waters and the Western Pacific. What does the creation of the artificial islands in the SCS, and the rapid expansion of the PLAN do to the U.S. Navys ability to project force in the region? For answers and a unique perspective, I recently sat down with former Navy Captain Jim Fanell. Fanell is currently a government fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland. A former director of Intelligence and Information Operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, his near 30-year career as a naval intelligence officer spanned an unprecedented series of afloat and ashore assignments in the Indo-Pacific, specializing in Chinas navy and its operations. A recognized international public speaker and accomplished writer, Fanell also is the creator and manager of the Indo-Pacific Security forum Red Star Rising/Risen since 2005. According to Fanell, the seven islands that China has built in the SCS, and in particular, the three 10,000-foot runways at Mischief, Fiery Cross, and Subi Reef naval air stations provide the PLA an ability to concentrate forces in the South China Sea (SCS) that would complicate or even deny the U.S. Navy entry into the SCS. Fanell noted that the three naval air stations have more than just the runways and taxiways, they provide hangar space for ordnance loading, refuel and maintenance that can keep the PLANAF [Peoples Liberation Army Naval Air Force]/PLAAF [Peoples Liberation Army Air Force] in the air longer, thus providing a war fighting sustainment that is much greater than having to fly the 800 nautical miles from a mainland fighter base like Suixi. The upshot said Fanell, is that the airstrips provides the PLA an effective blocking force against any East Coast-based U.S. Navy carrier strike group that would be seeking to enter the SCS via the Malacca Strait and up from Singapore. This permanent forward deployed Chinese force would free up mainland-based forces to focus their attack operations on Taiwan and countering any U.S. Navy carrier operations to the east of Taiwan. These islands, especially the Mischief, Fiery Cross, and Subi reefs naval air stations, are critical for China, claimed Fanell, to implement their counter-intervention strategy in the SCS, as well as offering an off-axis vector of attack on Taiwan from the south or even from the southeast as they would surely be able to operate over the Philippines in the event of a full-scale PLA invasion of Taiwan. Chinese dredgers work on the construction of artificial islands on and around Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea on May 2, 2015. (U.S. Navy) Chinas artificial islands are surrounded by a host of other islands controlled by other maritime nations in the South China Sea. Most of these islands are not fortified in any meaningful way and have none or only token military forces stationed on them. When asked if the United States should push to militarize some of these islands in the same way China has done to its artificial islands, Fanell confirmed that the notion of getting other nations to create their own versions of Mischief, Fiery Cross, or Subi Reef is an interesting proposition and one that should be pursued for the obvious advantages of having a more permanent presence in the SCS. He pointed out, however, that there are two main problems with the idea: 1) access and 2) building and sustainment. Anywhere the U.S. would seek to build or assist building such a military installation is subject to the host nation, the reaction to such an endeavor by the rest of ASEAN and to a much lesser extent, to the inevitable complaints, threats, and intimidation that the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] would make would have to be considered, he noted. Moreover, he pointed out that in the case of the Philippines, it seems highly unlikely, as long as President Duterte, or someone associated with him, remains in office. Even if he and his colleagues were removed from office, however, there still would have to be a national debate and approval by the people of the Philippines for something like this to go forward. He also observed that it would be hard to justify such spending when all that really would be needed is for the Philippine government to simply allow U.S. military forces to operate more freely from the existing bases and to seek money from the U.S. to upgrade what is already available. He did suggest, however, that the only nation that might be interested in such an endeavor would be Taiwan and their holding at Itu Aba, but again domestic debate and approval would potentially be a limiting factor. Likewise, it is highly likely that the U.S. China Hands community would campaign that such an offer would provoke the PRC, just like the China Hands communitys opposition to moving away from the unwritten U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity regarding recognition of Taiwan. Despite persistent rumors in the Washington beltway community that the artificial islands are poorly constructed and, specifically, that the air strips could not sustain extended air operations without substantial damage, Fanell does not believe this to be the case, pointing out that the rumors that the PRCs seven artificial islands are poorly constructed or that their airfields could not sustain extended air operations are just thatrumors. In fact, he pointed out that the three main naval air stations of Mischief, Fiery Cross, and Subi Reef continue to be militarized and upgraded. PLAN, PLANAF, and PLAAF operations are conducted on a daily basis and there is no evidence to suggest the islands are being degraded by the seas or weather. High-resolution commercial imagery of these island naval air stations shows these are massive islands, the size of Pearl Harbor or the D.C. Beltway, and contain more than just a runway and a pier, he noted, and also observed that they are filled with hangars, extensive housing, command and control facilities, bunkering for ammunition and fuel storage. Regarding Chinas strategy in the South and East China Seas of using an overwhelming force of short- and intermediate-range missiles, some of which may be nuclear armed, plus air and, to a lesser extent, naval power to create area denial zones that would prevent American military forces from approaching the Chinese mainland, operate in the region, or interfere against amphibious operations against Taiwan, Fanell noted the following: The use of short-, medium-, intermediate- and long-range ballistic missiles is an essential part of the PLAs Counter Intervention strategy and has grown from just tens of SRBMs 20 years ago to now having thousands of SRBMs, MRBMs, IRBMs, and most importantly from a naval perspective, anti-carrier ballistic missiles or anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs). Weapons like the DF-21D and the DF-26, which have been flight tested against a moving target in the SCS in August 2020, present a serious and lethal threat to all American and allied navy big deck warships operating within the first and second island chains. Chinese military vehicles, carrying DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles potentially capable of sinking a U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in a single strike, drive past the Tiananmen Gate during a military parade in Beijing, China, on Sept. 3, 2015. (Andy Wong/Pool/Getty Images) He pointed out that U.S. forces are planning to operate in these zones, but do so at great risk and reliance upon counter-targeting technologies to defeat these ASBMs. This is why he believes missile defense systems like the Patriot and THAAD are so vitally important and should be deployed along the first island chain and in Taiwan and the Philippines. Fanell also pointed out that theater nuclear weapons (TNW) are also a threat, but there is little known about this capability in the PLA inventory, let alone how they would be employed from a command-and-control perspective. He added the following: We know the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] leadership is very concerned about control over nuclear weapons and that even the PLA Rocket Force still has oversight over the submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) that are onboard their ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) like the Jin-class and follow-on Type 096 SSBNs. What is more concerning is the recent revelations of the 350 ICBM silos being built in central and western China as it appears the PRC is conducting a nuclear arms race with the U.S. It is very likely the CCP is rapidly building up their nuclear arsenal in order to blackmail the U.S. and the world into doing nothing in the event of the PLA launching a conventional invasion of Taiwan. Example of a missile silo: A deactivated Titan II nuclear ICBM is seen in a silo at the Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley, Arizona, on May 12, 2015. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Fanell also pointed out that it is Beijings ultimate strategy to drive the U.S. military (and all other elements of national power) from the Pacific and, in particular, that it was Chinas intention to expel U.S. forces from what Chinese strategists refer to as the first, second, and third island chain defensive perimeters. Of particular concern to Fanell is that the PLAN is venturing further afield from its territorial waters. Fanell pointed out that for the past decade the PLAN has operated 24/7/365 in the Gulf of Aden every minute of every day. Those same ships have also gone on to conduct operations, exercises, and port calls across the Mediterranean and into the Baltic. The PLANs ability to routinely operate in the first and second island chains, he said, have changed the naval balance of power in the East and South China Sea. He added the following: For about the past decade, theyve built five warships for every one the U.S. Navy built (at a much cheaper price) and in 2021 they actually commissioned 22 naval combatants compared to just three for the U.S. Navy (two of which are the small Littoral Combat Ship). The naval balance of power has dramatically shifted in Asia in the PRC/PLANs favor. Not only do they have more ships and submarines in the theater, but they are outbuilding us in tonnage over the last half decade and are putting to sea more supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs) with longer ranges compared to shorter ranges and subsonic U.S. Navy Harpoon ASCMs. A Type 055 destroyer is being launched in Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, China, on June 28, 2017. (Chinas Peoples Liberation Army Navy) We need a national campaign to rebuild the Navy a new 600-ship Navy, he argued, adding that the Trump team demonstrated that even with a sclerotic bureaucracy within the Congress and Pentagon, it was possible to arrest the downward trend in U.S. Navy shipbuilding. Imagine what could happen if a true Reagan-like 600-Ship Navy Campaign were to be pursued with a nation unified in its understanding of the existential threat the PRC represents? Fanell also dismissed speculation that a Chinese move on Taiwan would be preceded by a preemptive strike against Pratas Island. The island is roughly halfway between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, and is claimed by both countries. Taiwan has a token military force on the island, but the islands airspace is under Hong Kongs air traffic control. I am afraid the many defense analysts like to talk about the importance of Pratas Island and make a great deal about the idea that the PLA is planning to take Pratas and then see what Taipei and D.C. would do, he pointed out. However, he added, From all that Ive read and seen in my career, I do not believe that when the CCP decides to make a full-scale invasion of Taiwan that they will divert time, energy, and resources to attack Pratas Reef, other than possibly launching a few runway penetrating SRBMs. When the CCP decides to attack Taiwan, he said, they are going for the main island and they will seek to decapitate the government in Taipei, neutralize key military forces across the island, and get boots on the ground as soon as possible. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Veracity of VAERS The official reporting system for vaccine adverse reactions has become more controversial during COVID-19 An escalating information war is pitting the vaxxed against the unvaxxed over the safety of the three COVID-19 vaccines being administered in the United States. In 2021, a massive spike in reporting was seen in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), the main vaccine side effect and injury reporting site in the United States. Vaccine manufacturers and administrators are required to report any adverse events that occur during or after vaccination through VAERS. These mandatory requirements proved highly successful, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spokesperson told The Epoch Times. In 2021, VAERS received over a million reports of adverse events, compared to approximately 50,000 reports received in previous years. However, because these reports are required to be submitted regardless of the plausibility of the vaccine causing the event, not all of the reports involve an outcome caused by the vaccine. The 32-year-old vaccine data collection site is co-managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A non-believer in the VAERS data, Jonathan Jarry, disputes the reliability of the VAERS reports. Jarry holds a master of science degree and is a molecular biologist and science communicator in McGill Universitys Office for Science and Society. Hes an outspoken critic of VAERS. He claims that VAERS data is circumstantial, doesnt prove causality, and is used to induce fear. He rejects the accuracy of the high rates of injury and death reported there and claims it only contributes to anti-vaccination fear. Dont fall for the VAERS scare tactic, Jarry wrote in an article posted on the schools website. The offices mission articulated there is to separate sense from nonsense. He also wants the public to doubt the credibility of VAERS data. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, is being misused by anti-vaxxers to terrify the public, Jarry wrote. Scrolling through a VAERS data set does not allow us to conclude anything. VAERS can be used to generate hypotheses but not to test them directly. Jarry also believes that the information posted on VAERS is unreliable because reporting is open to the public. The reports may contain information that is incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental, or unverifiable, he wrote. In large part, reports to VAERS are voluntary, which means they are subject to biases. This creates specific limitations on how the data can be used scientifically. The FDA didnt confirm with The Epoch Times how many medical professionals report to VAERS, as compared to the general population. What is being reported in VAERS, Jarry wrote, is known as a vaccine adverse event: it is any unfavourable or unintended sign, any abnormal laboratory finding (like a blood test), any symptom or disease (even death) that comes after receiving a vaccine and that could, potentially, have been caused by it. Vaccine manufacturers and administrators are required by law to report any adverse vaccine reactions to VAERS, whether they believe they are vaccine-related or not. Additionally, anyone who intentionally files a misleading or false report on VAERS is subject to federal criminal prosecution that is punishable by fine or imprisonment, according to the VAERS site. VAERS agrees that reports alone cannot be used to determine if a vaccine caused or contributed to an adverse event or illness, the disclaimer on the CDCs website says, but the center told The Epoch Times that the value in the data is that the CDC can be alerted to safety signals. The CDC already has identified critically serious and deadly trends in the health of those vaccinated for COVID-19. [VAERS] was used successfully to identify several safety signals related to COVID-19 vaccines, including GuillainBarre Syndrome (GBS), thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS) following the [Johnson & Johnson] Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, and myocarditis and anaphylaxis following the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the FDA spokesperson reported. Still, Jarry continues to reject the way the information in the VAERS database is being publicized. Jarry also believes that the information posted on VAERS is unreliable because reporting is open to the public. He declined to comment to The Epoch Times about the already identified health risks associated with the three vaccines within the VAERS data. VAERS reports require patient information, the identity of the person submitting the form, a health providers contact information, which vaccine(s) were given, a description of the adverse event, the result or outcome of the event, and any other adverse events the patient might have had from previous vaccines. The reporting party is held legally responsible. Both the FDA and the CDC review all VAERS reports and can issue alerts to the public. They can require the manufacturer to conduct additional studies, change the labeling on a product, issue additional guidelines, and more. If a safety signal is detected, the data is then passed to the CDCs Vaccine Safety Datalink and its Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment for further evaluation. While the 2021 reporting on VAERS alerted scientists to serious side effects from the COVID-19 vaccines, an often-cited 2009 Lazarus Report found that less than 1 percent of health care providers report. Researchers followed more than 376,000 vaccinated subjects for three years, and monitored all adverse drug events while recording the frequency of provider reporting. The researchers found that adverse drug events, in general, were common but underreported. The study found that 25 percent of patients have adverse drug reactions, but only 0.3 of all adverse drug events and 113 percent of serious events are reported to the Food and Drug Administration. The most relevant reported result researchers found from the study is that less than 1 percent of serious vaccine adverse events were reported. Within the study results, several factors led to the lack of reporting by clinicians, including not knowing about the reporting option or requirement, not having the time to report, and confusion about what and when to report. Vaccine manufacturers and vaccine administrators are required to report to VAERS any adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination that involved hospitalization, prolongation of existing hospitalization, life-threatening illness, permanent disability, congenital deformity, or death, the FDA spokesperson told The Epoch Times. The strengths of VAERS are that it is national in scope and can quickly provide an early warning of a safety problem with a vaccine, the VAERS website says. VAERS is designed to rapidly detect unusual or unexpected patterns of adverse events, also known as safety signals. If a safety signal is found in VAERS, further studies will be done. According to OpenVAERS, a website that pulls data from VAERS and presents it in a more accessible format, as of Feb. 1, 2022, there are now 1,071,854 reports of adverse events related to COVID-19 vaccines, with 739,999 of those reports originating from the United States and U.S. territories. The Voting Reforms That Should Come From BLM Memphis Founders Illegal Voting Registration Conviction Commentary If Tennessee and all Americans arent prudent, theyll cast only a cursory glance at the recent and controversial conviction of Black Lives Matter (BLM) Memphis Chapter founder Pamela Moses for illegally registering to vote as a convicted felon, taking no more stock of it than a splashy headline on par with the resignation of BLM founder Patrisse Cullors after the discovery of her Black Lives Manors. Indeed, Mosess six-year prison sentence has far greater implications for the 2022 and 2024 elections. Most mainstream coverage on Mosess conviction is shocking: If you know the real, unfiltered story, youre shocked that they deemphasize how she accrued 16 criminal convictions prior to running for mayor illegally in 2019 and casting six illegal votes before being caught. If you know only the watered-down version presented by most outlets, youre shocked at what you believe to be harsh treatment of this woman for a mere misunderstanding. Even the headlines lend a friendly disposition to her plight, painting her as a woman simply trying to vote and serve her community, unaware that her righteous work in political activism had resulted in felony charges. By all their accounts, shes a go-getter who wants to lead others: a hometown hero. After all, she brought the first BLM chapter to majority-black Memphis. In reality, Mosess sentence of six years ties back to run-ins with the law spanning two decades. Only a broken system would enable Moses to cheat the system six times. It should go without saying that every state needs a modern, fail-proof system for verifying voter registration information and detecting unauthorized voting from people who cast votes illegally. Some might say that better informing voters would be the best first steps. Moses did claim during her hearing that she wasnt aware that she had lost her voting rights. One solution for dissuading that behavior would be to better inform ex-felons and parolees of their rights: Have them sign an attestation that they understand that a loss of citizenship rights is part of their punishment, and then give them information on how those lost rights may be restored, if at all. Its unlikely more information wouldve helped Moses in her case. The judge and jury who convicted and sentenced her believed otherwise to her claims. Since were not told that it was an all-white jury, we can assume that the majority-black Memphis gave her a jury of her peers, and even they concluded that Moses deceived government officials to get what she wanted. So what other options do we have? Notifying local election offices might be a start. The Arizona legislature is considering a bill (pdf) currently that would have their secretary of state dispense monthly records of felonies to county recorders. Whats Your Argument for Why Felons Shouldnt Vote? In Tennessee and most states, a felony conviction bars a person from holding public office and voting unless under state laws a process is followed for restoration of full citizenship rights. The practice of stripping voting rights along with all other citizenship privileges as enhanced penalties for felonious behavior may be traced back to ancient Greco-Roman civilizations and Medieval Europe (1100 BC16th century). With the creation of common law, the practice earned a name: civil death. According to a timeline provided by Britannica Pro-Con, the common law version of the practice was carried into the British colonies, lasting from 1607 until American independence. Stripped voting rights have obviously continued after independence, but at the discretion of the states. Some states used the practice to punish certain individuals and communities living certain lifestyles contrary to polite society of the day. In 1901, Alabamas constitution stated the following crimes as eligible for felony disenfranchisement, crafted in a way thought to apply to black communities, according to Britannica Pro-Con: All idiots and insane persons; those who shall by reason of conviction of crime be disqualified from voting at the time of the ratification of this Constitution; those who shall be convicted of treason, murder, arson, embezzlement, malfeasance in office, larceny, receiving stolen property, obtaining property or money under false pretenses, perjury, subornation of perjury, robbery, assault with intent to rob, burglary, forgery, bribery, assault and battery on the wife, bigamy, living in adultery, sodomy, incest, rape, miscegenation, crime against nature, or any crime punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary, or of any infamous crime or crime involving moral turpitude; also, any person who shall be convicted as a vagrant or tramp, or of selling or offering to sell his vote or the vote of another, or of buying or offering to buy the vote of another, or of making or offering to make a false return in any election by the people or in any primary election to procure the nomination or election of any person to any office, or of suborning any witness or registrar to secure the registration of any person as an elector. As the law stands in America today, most states have some law on the books stripping a person of their voting rights and implementing some sort of restoration process. One notable exception is Washington, D.C.: There, prisoners may vote while incarcerated. Theyre not alone. The Sentencing Project reports that Maine, Vermont, and Puerto Rico dont impose any restrictions on ex-felons when it comes to voting. Whats their gambit? Progressives champion their voting rights laws removing any voting restrictions for current and ex-felons for several reasons. In the short term, they hope to gain generations of loyal voters; in the long term, theyre applying another pressure to ensure a cultural overhaul that will benefit them: an immoral society whose terms and conditions are predicated on their whims, creating a permanent ruling and servant class. Their public argument, of course, has nothing to do with their real, private intentions. They advance that one tired accusation that somehow is behind every problem this country faces and probably ever will face for time to come: racism. They claim the felons punishment is racist because it disproportionately bars the very people who have been purportedly disenfranchised and repressed their whole lives: black men and women. Their ilk carry the water for people such as Moses and her lawyers, who argued during sentencing that her 16 previous convictions should be discounted from current considerations of her illegal voting registration because of her poverty and race. Her defense feeds into Democrats familiar-yet-irresistible narrative of black incompetency, which fosters similar arguments that theyre unable to get voter identification or rides to the polls, and therefore must be treated like children with their hands held by the state. Thats why they argue that risky solutions such as ballot harvesting and third-party ballot corrections are needed to ensure voting rights for black people: Because the system is so rigged against the oppressed, Americans must do anything at all costs to ensure equity. Their crafty rhetoric distracts supporters from how demeaning and outrageous the original implications are: Black people arent intelligent or capable of performing basic tasks for themselves. Thats the rhetoric that would have people believe that Mosesthe very community leader capable of running as a mayoral candidate, starting a local chapter of a national organization, and serving as their leader, and submitting votes six times successfullyis some kind of a victim of an unjust system. The real victims of an unjust system are the law-abiding Americans and their watered-down votes. Republicans quake in their boots at the possibility of having to defend what everyone from mainstream media on high is shouting is an absurd sentence, when they could use this to firm their grip on the gauntlet of election reform. At the very least, they could have the sense to start with reforming laws to thwart felony voters. That, election reform, is the most important societal good that could come out of the attention-grabbing headlines. Hopefully, lawmakers will seize the opportunity and not render us victims with their cowardice. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A nurse goes to assist a patient at the COVID-19 and flu assessment clinic at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, Australia, on May 12, 2020. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) Thousands of Nurses and Midwives to Walk Off the Job on Feb. 15 in Australia The New South Wales (NSW) nurses union have overwhelmingly voted to strike over staffing and wage issues. Thousands of nurses and midwives from the states public hospitals are expected to walk off the job for 24 hours on Feb. 15, leaving skeleton staff to care for the critically ill. Nurses and Midwives across New South Wales have been campaigning for nurse-to-patient ratios on a shift by shift basis for nearly 10 years, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association General Secretary Brett Holmes told Nines Today Show on Feb. 9. What theyve been through in the last two years has strengthened their determination to get this NSW government to understand that to give them hope for the future, he said. Holmes said nurses were burnt out and at breaking point and turned to industrial action as a last resort. During the Delta and Omicron outbreaks, the state government assured the public that it had plans to ensure the loss of health staff caused by infected workers in isolation would not heavily affect the availability of services. Well, you can test them now and see what its like without the nurses at the bedside, Holmes said. He said nurses and midwives needed a commitment from the government to support proper staffing for every shift, particularly outside of a pandemic situation. They also wanted their pay to give recognition to and reflect the work that they undertake and the value that they add to the community. The union is calling for a fair pay raise, one higher than the 2.5 percent currently offered by the government. However, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the patient ratios the union was calling for werent effective, describing it as playing politics. The advice that Ive received is that there is substantive challenges to that, and it hasnt actually worked so well in other states, he said. Lets not play politics. We dont want to get back to the old union games. Perrottet called for reasonable, robust discussions with all unions to resolve the issues without industrial action. What I want is reasonable, robust discussions to get outcomes, not be in a situation where we see strikes over the course of 2022, he said. The transport and teachers union have also held repeated strikes over similar issues. However, on Feb. 8, the transport union stopped its industrial action after the NSW government agreed to some of the concerns over their new enterprise agreement. Conservative Party interim Leader Candice Bergen rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 21, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) Bergen Tables Motion Seeking End to Mandates, Says Protesters Should Leave Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen presented a motion today calling on the government to table a plan for the lifting of all federal mandates and restrictions while telling protesters encamped near Parliament Hill theyve been heard and should leave. We believe the government must present a plan to quickly end the lockdowns and restrictions. Other countries are doing it. Provinces are doing it. And the Liberal government needs to do it, Bergen said in the House of Commons on Feb. 10. The Prime Minister has used the pandemic to wedge, divide, and stigmatize Canadians. This must stop. As parliamentarians, we must all come together, work together, to transition to a post-COVID society as quickly as possible. Bergen also called on protesters to remove the barricades and the trucks for the sake of the economy. To the protestors here in Ottawa: You came bringing a message, that message has been heard, she said. The time has come for you to take down the barricades, stop the disruptive action, and come together. The new position from the Conservative leader came with the promise that the party would not stop until the mandates have ended. The Freedom Convoy protest has gripped Ottawa for the last two weeks, with protesters saying they will not leave until all restrictive COVID-19 measures are lifted. The protest has spread to other areas of the country as truckers block border crossings in Coutts, Alb., Windsor, Ont., and now in Emerson, Man., in support of the cause. The Conservative motion states: That, given that provinces are lifting COVID-19 restrictions and that Dr. Theresa Tam has said that all existing public health measures need to be re-evaluated so that we can get back to some normalcy, the House call on the government to table a plan for the lifting of all federal mandates and restrictions. The Tories are calling for that plan to be tabled by Feb. 28, 2022. The motion, which has not yet been voted on, was debated for four hours by MPs, with some members of the Bloc Quebecois calling for a depoliticization of the issue by both Conservatives and Liberals, and some members of the NDP making pleas to consider public health as first and foremost. We need to be not using a political lens, but using a health care lens to make the decisions on restrictions, said NDP MP Heather McPherson. Bloc MP Mario Simard said his party would support the motion but expressed some concerns about it. The conservative motion makes me feel like were trying to politicize peoples unhappiness. I understand that many Canadians are very displeased with the current situation. Theyre all around me. Theyre in my riding, Simard said. The government should be held responsible for its decisions, yes. But the government didnt create the pandemic. We should not try to capitalize politically on peoples discontent. If the Conservatives motion were to pass they would need the support of the Bloc as well as members of other parties. The Conservatives hold 119 seats in Parliament and the Bloc hold 32, while the Liberals have 159 seats and the NDP 25. A logo of Japanese auto giant Honda Motor is displayed at the Smart Community exhibition in Tokyo, on June 17, 2015. (Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP via Getty Images) Toyota and Honda Upbeat on Profits as Customers Pay More for Scarce Cars TOKYOToyota Motor and Honda Motor were upbeat about their full-year profit prospects on Wednesday as tight vehicle supplies caused by a chip shortage allowed Japans two biggest automakers to charge their customers more. The Japanese carmakers are also benefiting from a weaker yen that raised the yen value of their overseas earnings. Toyota and Honda like other car makers are cutting output because they cannot find enough semiconductors amid COVID-related supply chain disruptions and competition for the key component from other industries, such as electronics. Lower production, however, means their customers are more willing to buy cars with fewer financial incentives that carmakers typically offer to lure them. We are seeing a further 10 percent reduction in incentives in North America during the second half of the business year after they halved to $1,000 earlier, said Kohei Takeuchi, Hondas senior managing executive officer told a news briefing. Toyota stuck with its full-year profit forecast of 2.8 trillion yen ($24.25 billion), while Honda upgraded its operating profit forecast for the year to March 31 by 21 percent to 800 billion yen. Still, supply chain disruptions and chip shortages will continue to affect operations, Japans No. 1 and No. 2 automakers said, prompting them to cut costs in a bid to squeeze out more profit per vehicle. We dont expect the imbalance in chip supplies to resolve quickly and the course of coronavirus pandemic is unclear, a Toyota official told reporters. We think that uncertainty will continue into the next business year, he added. Toyota cut its annual production target by a half a million more to 8.5 million vehicles, while Honda kept its 4.2 million target, though that was below the 4.85 million it was aiming for at the start of the business year. Toyotas 784.4 billion yen operating profit for the three months to Dec. 31 was higher than an average forecast of 716.8 billion yen based on the estimates from nine analysts, Refinitiv data shows. Meanwhile, Honda reported 229 billion yen in operating profit for the quarter, also above an average forecast of 166.2 billion yen based on estimates from nine analysts, Refinitive data shows. On Tuesday, Japans No. 3 automaker Nissan Motor reported its third quarter operating profit almost doubled to 52.2 billion yen as shrinking incentive payments helped it squeeze more profit out of fewer cars. ($1 = 115.4800 yen) By Satoshi Sugiyama and Tim Kelly Transgenderism Diminishes Women Patients Dignity and Safety: UK Lawmakers Female hospital patients dignity, privacy, and safety are being diminished significantly by the imposition of transgender rights in Britains National Health Service (NHS), members of the House of Lords have warned. During discussions on the Health and Care Bill held on Feb. 9, lawmakers of the UK Parliaments second chamber raised concerns over the impact of Annex B of the updated NHS guidance, which states that trans people should be accommodated according to their presentation: the way they dress, and the name and pronouns they currently use, rather than their biological sex at birth. Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, a Conservative peer, argued that the guidance has undermined the provision of single-sex wards. She said: Traditionally female patients in the NHS and in private hospitals have been allocated beds in single-sex wards accommodating only women patients. Transgenderism, and I speak as a woman, has undermined that provision with the 2019 NHS guidance authorising self-selection of patient gender on arrival in hospitals, something neither enshrined in law nor backed by public demand, and overriding the exemption for hospital services in the 2010 Equalities Act. She said previous guarantees given to women had been blown apart by hospital trusts following Annex B, which contradicted the guidance on providing same-sex wards. Her argument was supported by lawmakers from other main parties. Conservative former minister Lord Blencathra said: The law is clear. Women have the right to be kept in hospital accommodation only with other women. Labour peer Lord Hunt of Kings Heath said: Surely there is a case now for a government review of the (NHS) guidance. Liberal Democrat Lord Clement-Jones said: Reading Annex B it seems that suddenly we are in a completely different place. The goalposts have been moved and I dont quite understand who was consulted about Annex B and where we go from here. He added: I was particularly concerned to see that effectively if you classify yourself as non-binary, you can take your choice as to whether you go in a ward of any particular sex. In response, health minister Lord Kamall said: The NHS is committed to meeting its duties under the Equalities Act and as such needs to give due regard to both those whose gender identity is the same as their biological sex at birth as well as those who are not. This means that the rights and needs of women and trans women are equal in law. But Lady Nicholson said: The rights of another group does not supersede the rights of the group that is already there. She added: My contention is that the dignity, the privacy and the safety of women patients which has been fought over for several decades is now being diminished significantly and their health undermined, their recovery from illness significantly undermined, by the imposition of new rights of others on top of womens rights. PA Media contributed to this report. Trudeau Blames Increasing Protests and Disruptions on Conservatives As protests against COVID-19 restrictions increase across the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday the Conservative Party is to blame because it has encouraged the movement. Conservative interim leader Candice Bergen said during question period on Feb. 10 that critical infrastructure has been restricted because of Trudeaus failure to deal appropriately with the issue and asked if he would meet with opposition leaders to find a solution. The Conservative Party of Canada has spent the last two weeks endorsing and enabling these blockades across the country. The leader of the Conservative Party and her team have been their biggest champions, Trudeau replied. The consequences of these actions are having dire impacts I hope the leader of the opposition will maintain her current position and continue to call for an end to these blockades. Earlier in the day, Bergen, who had been supportive of the movement, changed her tone, telling the protesters to go home. I believe the time has come for you to take down the barricades, stop the disruptive action, and come together. The economy you want to see reopen is hurting, she said, adding that her party will carry on the work of fighting to end the COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. To the protesters here in Ottawa, you came bringing a message. That message has been heard. Conservatives have heard you, and we will stand up for you and all Canadians who want to get back to normal life. We will not stop until the mandates have ended, she said. Bergen presented a motion asking the government to table a plan by the end of the month to lift all federal mandates and restrictions, given that provinces are lifting COVID-19 restrictions and that [Chief Public Health Officer] Dr. Theresa Tam has said that all existing public health measures need to be re-evaluated so that we can get back to some normalcy. The motion was debated and not voted on, and a Bloc MP said his party would support it. When Bergen asked Trudeau if he would support the motion, he answered that the way through this pandemic is by listening to science, is by following public health advice, and indeed by getting vaccinated. Bergen responded by asking if Trudeau means that restrictions wont be lifted until 100 percent of Canadians are vaccinated. You know what helps lift restrictions, you know what helps move beyond lockdowns? Vaccinations, he replied. Meanwhile, what started as a trucker convoy and a protest in Ottawa to call for an end to vaccine mandates and other restrictive measures continues to grow. After the blocking of the Coutts border crossing in Alberta and the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, the Emerson border crossing in Manitoba was blocked Thursday in solidarity by vehicles and farm equipment. Protesters also blocked highway lanes on Highway 402 in Sarnia on Feb. 9 and 10. L: A headshot of Katie Arrington is seen in this handout photo obtained by Reuters on June 23, 2018. (Reuters) R: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) talks to supporters during her election night party in Mount Pleasant, S.C., on Nov. 3, 2020. (Mic Smith/AP Photo) Trump Endorses Katie Arrington Over Incumbent Nancy Mace President Donald Trump has given his endorsement to Katie Arrington over incumbent Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) in South Carolinas first congressional district, encompassing Charleston and surrounding areas. In a statement, Trump said that Arrington, a former Republican nominee in the district, should be chosen to replace one-term congresswoman Mace. Katie Arrington is running against an absolutely terrible candidate, Congresswoman Nancy Mace, whose remarks and attitude have been devastating for her community, and not at all representative of the Republican Party to which she has been very disloyal, Trump wrote. Katie Arrington, on the other hand, is liked and respected and a true Republican. In 2018, Arrington defeated incumbent congressman and former Governor Mark Sanford for the GOP nomination. During that campaign, Arrington was badly injured in a serious car accident, which Trump says was in part responsible for her narrow defeat by Democrat Joe Cunningham. [Arringtons] automobile accident a number of years ago was devastating, and made it very difficult for her to campaign after having won the primary against another terrible candidate, Mr. Argentina,' Trump said in a reference to Sanfords 2009 disappearance, when he admitted he had gone to Argentina to have an affair with a Buenos Aires woman. Katie is strong on the Military, our great Vets, Law Enforcement, the Border, and will fight very hard for our under-siege Second Amendment and Lower Taxes. Katie is a wonderful woman and has my Complete and Total Endorsement! Trump concluded. Mace has been criticized for her attitude toward the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally at the U.S. Capitol, which she has blamed on Trump. Just days after the rally, Mace told NBCs Meet the Press that Republicans should hold [Trump] accountable for having put all our lives at risk. In 2018, after her surprise victory over Sanford, Arrington was narrowly defeated by Democrat challenger Joe Cunningham, who won the race by a 1.4 point margin, or around 4,000 votes. The victory was a surprising one for Democrats, who had not won a House seat in the district since 1978. However, any optimism by Democrats that the district may be turning blue was dashed in 2020, when Mace challenged Cunningham and defeated him by a 1.3 point margin. While Trumps endorsement is a much sought-after one for many Republicans, Mace received her own celebrity endorsement recently, winning former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haleys support. Haley, who still holds significant sway for many South Carolinians, endorsed Mace in a Feb. 7 tweet. Nancy Mace is a fighter who stands up to Bidens reckless spending, punches back against lawless lockdowns and mandates, & is strong on border security, Haley wrote. Haley called Mace the conservative voice the Lowcountry needs in Washington. Thats why Im proud to endorse my congresswoman, [Nancy Mace], for reelection. Following Trumps endorsement of Arrington, Mace responded on Twitter, saying Bring. It. On. In a video announcing her intention to challenge Mace, Arrington said that the American Founders envisioned lawmakers who were not driven by personal gain, celebrity status, or self-enrichment. Lets be honest: Nancy Mace is a sellout, Arrington said. She sold out the Lowcountry. She sold out President Trump. She is more interested in becoming a mainstream media celebrity than fighting for the people shes supposed to represent, Arrington continued, referencing a poorly-received photo of Mace with Carol Baskins from the show Tiger King. Arrington also criticized Maces attempts to legalize marijuana, which has been a key emphasis for Mace during the 117th Congress. The attitudes of South Carolinians toward marijuana, which is entirely illegal in S.C., are somewhat ambivalent. According to polling by the Marijuana Policy Project, 75 percent of South Carolinians in the Lowcountry, where Maces district is situated, support the legalization of doctor-prescribed medical marijuana. However, Trafalgar research showed that 57.7 percent of South Carolinians opposed the legalization of recreational marijuana, though this poll was not broken down by region, leaving it unclear where more liberal Lowcountry residents stand on the issue. Still, Mace has defended the effort in several posts on Twitter. In a Jan. 12 post on Twitter, Mace argued, Congress must move forward in a way that ensures a free, fair and open marketplace with respect to states. Prohibition costs roughly $500 million every five years. Given the relative unpopularity of marijuana among South Carolinians, these efforts are likely to be one of Arringtons key attack points as the campaign progresses. Arrington has attempted to contrast herself with Mace as a Trump-adjacent, America First conservative. But this could be a dangerous strategy in the district, which did not vote for Trump in 2016 or 2020, despite the states otherwise-red bent. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won 50.6 percent of the vote in the district compared to 42.8 percent for Trump. Biden solidified that lead in 2020, winning 55.5 percent of the districts vote to Trumps 42.6 percent. Nevertheless, despite the districts generally blue-leanings, it has consistently voted for Republicans almost without fail for over four decades, aside from Cunninghams slim victory in 2018. While S.C. district 1 voters are not greatly enthusiastic about Trump, they nearly elected Arrington in 2018, when she portrayed herself as an equally-staunch Trump ally. The 2018 midterms also saw a wave of blue victories in House battles across the nation, which usually go well for the out-of-White House party. In November, Republicans are expected to take the House majority, as Democrats now find themselves in the White House and on the defensive. This significantly bolsters prospects for either Mace or Arrington, but both will likely face a tough primary battle amid competing high-value endorsements. UK Police to Question Downing Street Staff in Partygate Investigation More than 50 UK government staff will be questioned about their participation in alleged lockdown-breaching parties in 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, the Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday. Its believed Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be one of the individuals questioned as he was allegedly present at six of the gatherings, one of which was at his own flat at 11 Downing Street. The police investigation, dubbed Operation Hillman, was initially investigating 12 gatherings in the heart of the UK government that allegedly broke CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus regulations, but the Met have said they will be widening their inquiries to cover a quiz night in Number 10the prime ministers officein December 2020 after a photograph emerged of Johnsons wife and colleagues near an open bottle of sparkling wine. The Met said officers will begin sending formal questionnaires, mostly by email, to more than 50 people by the end of the week regarding alleged gatherings on eight dates. It also said detectives are continuing to examine more than 500 documents and 300 images provided to them by the Cabinet Office and may make further contact if they identify more participants in the events. People who receive the questionnaires, which have formal legal status and must be answered truthfully, will be asked to provide an account and explanation of their participation in an event. If the police find an individual has breached the CCP virus regulations without a reasonable excuse, a fixed penalty notice would normally be issued. The Met said it understands the interest in and impact of this case, and are progressing the investigation at pace. We are committed to completing our investigations proportionately, fairly, and impartially, it said. New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service, in London on Feb. 9, 2022. (James Manning/PA) Fixed penalty notices for breaking CCP virus rules are typically 200 ($271) for the first offence (half if paid within 14 days), double for every new offence, and capped at 6,400 (8,686). The police also have the power to issue a fine of 10,000 ($13,571) to those who organise or facilitate unlawful gatherings of over 30 people. Adam Wagner, a human rights lawyer and an expert on CCP virus rules, said Johnson could be fined more than 10,000. If he was given a fixed penalty notice for each and every one [of] those [six alleged gatherings], I think that he would be given those sort of cumulative amounts until eventually the final one would be 6,400, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. So overall, and assuming there isnt a big 10,000 one for hosting a gathering in the flat of over 30 people, he could still be in line for over 10,000 worth of fixed penalty notices if they accumulate. Wagner also said he believes the dispatching of questionnaires is very significant because it means the police think they are approaching a point where they can start issuing fines. It sounds to me, although I havent seen the letters, that theyve decided that relevant gatherings were potentially a breach of the regulations and now theyre asking people, Did you have some sort of reasonable excuse? which, in law, would effectively be a defence for being there. Asked if he will resign as the prime minister if fined, Johnson, at a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, told reporters that hell say more when the process is completed. The door of 11 Downing Street, London, on March 8, 2017. (Victoria Jones/PA Media) Meanwhile, it emerged that the Met is considering whether to investigate the funding of the lavish refurbishment of Johnsons official Downing Street flat following a complaint by lawyers acting for the Labour Party. In a letter to Scotland Yard, solicitors said there was a reasonable suspicion that Johnson had broken anti-bribery laws which the force was duty-bound to investigate. The Met confirmed they had received the letter on Feb. 4 and officers from its Central Specialist Crime Command are considering it. The complaint follows the release last month of an exchange of WhatsApp messages between the prime minister and Tory donor Lord Brownlow. They show that Johnson discussed a proposal supported by the peer for a Great Exhibition 2.0 at the same time as requesting his help with the 112,000 ($152,000) revamp of his official residence. Ministerial records show that two months later, Brownlow, who is a trustee of Royal Albert Hall Trust, attended a meeting with the then-culture secretary Oliver Dowden to discuss the exhibition plan. In his letter, seen by The Guardian, Gerald Shamash, of the law firm Edwards Duthie Shamash, said that despite inquiries by the Electoral Commission and Johnsons adviser on ministerial interests, Lord Geidt, there were still matters that were uninvestigated and unconsidered. In response to the claims in the letter, a Number 10 spokesman said, These allegations are categorically untrue and a clear misrepresentation of the facts. PA Media contributed to this report. A whistleblower says the United Nations (U.N.) is complicit in genocide for providing a list of names of those that speak against Beijing; others say China is co-opting international organizations. All the while, the U.N. is slowing their report of Chinas human rights abuses, while the Olympic Games in China are going on. As human rights groups call for more attention to Chinas violations and genocide, where does the U.N. see itself? Join me with Emma Reilly to talk about the complacency of the U.N. in enabling the Chinese Communist Party to commit genocide. President Joe Biden at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington on Feb. 8, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) US Appeals Court Will Not Reinstate Bidens Vaccine Mandate for Federal Employees A U.S. appeals court panel on Wednesday said it would not reinstate President Joe Bidens COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal employees, declining to overrule a lower court ruling that put the order on hold. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals declined to stay the lower-court injunction against the mandate by a 2-1 vote and asked both parties to file arguments in March. The lower courts injunction against the mandate was issued by Texas-based District Judge Jeffrey Brown last month, who ruled that Biden does not have the authority to impose such a mandate. In a 20-page ruling, the judge sided with plaintiffs who argued that language used in federal law does not give way to the mandate being enforced. Government lawyers stated that federal law says the president may prescribe regulations for the conduct of employees in the executive branch, and that the act of becoming vaccinated is plainly conduct. But plaintiffs said that conduct cited must be workplace conduct for Biden to regulate it. So, is submitting to a COVID-19 vaccine, particularly when required as a condition of ones employment, workplace conduct? The answer to this question became a lot clearer after the Supreme Courts ruling earlier this month, Brown said, referencing the Supreme Courts finding in early January that Bidens vaccine mandate for private businesses appeared to fall outside of his powers of authority. In its ruling on Wednesday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals did not include an explanation. Judge Stephen A. Higginson, an Obama appointee, argued in his dissent of the ruling that 12 other district courts has rejected requests to block the order before one judge from the Southern District of Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction. Today, our court too refuses to rule, Higginson wrote. Thus, a presidential order affecting millions of federal employees has been enjoined nationwide, yet two separate federal courts have failed to rule on the Governments emergency request for a stay. The only court that can now provide timely relief is the Supreme Court. The appeals courts decision means that the case could now go to the Supreme Court. Biden in September mandated that federal workers get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 22, or face disciplinary action or termination. The presidents executive order removed the option for workers and contractors to choose not to get vaccinated unless they apply for a religious or medical exemption, as workers could previously choose not to get vaccinated for any reason. If a federal worker fails to comply, they will go through the standard [human resources] process, which includes counseling and face disciplinary action, face progressive disciplinary action, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said of the order, which impacts roughly 3.5 million government workers. The White House, citing Wall Street analysts, says that the vaccine mandate could result in as many as 5 million American workers returning to work, and states that it will promote a faster and stronger economic recovery after more than two years of the pandemic. Currently, the Biden administrations COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers is the only federal mandate in effect, with the Supreme Court allowing the rule to stand in January. US Confirms Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu at Indiana Turkey Farm CHICAGOThe U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu in an Indiana turkey flock, the nations first case in a commercial poultry operation since 2020. Cases of the disease, known as bird flu, can hurt the U.S. farm sector because poultry are killed and trading partners can limit imports from infected areas. China said on Monday it banned imports of poultry from Spain and Moldova due to outbreaks. Bird flu does not present an immediate public health concern, the USDA said. About 29,000 turkeys at the farm in Dubois County, Indiana, in the south of the state, are being culled to contain the outbreak, which was confirmed after 100 birds recently died, state officials said. Indiana said the strain of the virus was H5N1 and that it was the states first case of highly pathogenic bird flu in commercial poultry since 2016, when 400,000 birds were killed. The H5N1 strain has also been found in wild birds along the U.S. East Coast and caused a wave of outbreaks in poultry across Europe and Asia. The outbreak in Indiana is significant because it indicates the strain has entered a migratory pathway for birds called the Mississippi Flyway, said Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, an industry group. The pathway includes major poultry-producing states such as Mississippi and Alabama. The H5N1 strain has been wreaking havoc on Asia and Europe, Sumner said. We were hoping we could avoid this but its apparently in the flyways. Sumner said China will likely ban imports of poultry products from Indiana for 90 days, while Mexico will likely limit shipments temporarily from Dubois County only. Indiana is the third-biggest U.S. turkey-producing state, No. 1 in duck production and No. 2 in table eggs and egg-laying chickens, according to the state. Officials quarantined the infected farm and said birds from the flock will not enter the food system. They are testing birds in the surrounding area for the disease. By Tom Polansek Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before a Senate panel in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington on Sept. 21, 2021. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/Getty Images) US Department of Homeland Security Confirms Its Monitoring Reports of Potential Truck Convoy Protests The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed its tracking potential truck convoys in the United States after Canadian protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates unfolded in multiple cities. DHS is tracking reports of a potential convoy that may be planning to travel to several U.S. cities, an agency spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email. We have not observed specific calls for violence within the United States associated with this convoy, and are working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to continuously assess the threat environment and keep our communities safe, the spokesperson added. DHS will continue to share timely and actionable information with the public. Over the past year, DHS has increased timely and actionable intelligence and information sharing and strengthened operational coordination with partners across every level of government and the private sector. DHS is involved in helping secure the upcoming Super Bowl LVI, set to take place in Inglewood, California on Feb. 13. The agency has also worked with various partners to boost security in the Washington region following the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Truckers in Canada recently descended upon multiple cities, including Ottawa, in protest against vaccine mandates. Starting Jan. 15, truck drivers entering Canada were required to be vaccinated. Foreigners were told theyd be rejected entry while Canadians who dont show proof of vaccination must quarantine. Protesters talk to police as a vehicle convoy blocks the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., on Feb. 9, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times) Trucks part of the Freedom Convoy ride through downtown Ottawa, Canada, on Jan. 29, 2022. (Noe Chartier/The Epoch Times) Some Americans have floated plans to organize similar convoys to Washington and elsewhere in protest against mandates, including one that requires truck drivers and other people trying to cross one of Americas land borders to be fully vaccinated. Organizers of a group called The Peoples Convoy announced Wednesday plans to gather in Indio, California on March 4 and rally that weekend to defeat the unconstitutional mandates. The trucker convoy will roll out of the state following the rally, organizers added, promising more details soon. Our brothers and sisters of the highway succeeded in opening Canadians eyes about the unconstitutional mandates and hardships forced onto their people, organizers told more than 52,000 people on Facebook. Now its time for the citizens of the United States of America to unite and demand restoration of our constitutional rights. Other social media posts indicate the convoy will travel to Washington. The convoys in Canada have disrupted some shipments to or from the United States, the White House said Feb. 7. The busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing was blocked by protesters starting the same day. Some U.S. automakers have paused output due to the protests. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur Jaddou delivers remarks during an event in Camp Springs, Md., on Nov. 9, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) US Immigration Agency Changes Mission, Removes Key Phrases A key federal agency on Feb. 10 changed its mission statement, removing several key phrases. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) upholds Americas promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve, the new mission statement says. Under the old statement, the agency was described as administer[ing] the nations lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values. USCIS, with approximately 19,000 employees, oversees legal immigration to the United States. Ur Jaddou, the agencys director, said the new statement reflects the inclusive character of both our country and this agency, adding, The United States is and will remain a welcoming nation that embraces people from across the world who seek family reunification, employment or professional opportunities, and humanitarian protection. USCIS is committed to ensuring that the immigration system we administer is accessible and humane. As we look towards the future, my commitment will remain the sameUSCIS will continue to serve the public with respect and fairness, and lead with integrity to reflect Americas promise as a nation of welcome and possibility today and for generations to come, Jaddou, an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, added. Michael Knowles, president of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1924, said the union supports the statement. He told The Epoch Times in an email that it reflects the views of many of the employees who do this important work. The union represents USCIS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement workers. Both agencies sit inside the Department of Homeland Security. Ken Cuccinelli, who served as acting USCIS director during the Trump administration, offered an opposing view. When weve got an invasion at the border, this is what USCIS chooses to spend their time on. This is just another example of Left-wing busy-bodies shirking their duty to Americans and not protecting our border, he told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement. Several lawmakers also spoke out about the change. With this move, the Biden Administration is signifying that lawful immigration, protecting Americans, and securing our homeland are no longer its priorities, Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) said on Twitter. The Biden Administration has made clear that lawful immigration, protecting Americans, and securing our homeland are no longer a priority of theirs, added Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas). This is a complete dereliction of duty. The shift in language follows similar changes under President Joe Biden. Top officials told all immigration agencies in 2021 to stop using certain terms, including illegal aliens. The USCIS mission statement in place until this weeks change came during the Trump administration. It was changed from USCIS secures Americas promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system. Francis Cissna, the USCIS director at the time, said that the statement was changed because certain words, like customers, led to erroneous beliefs about which populations USCIS serves. I believe this simple, straightforward statement clearly defines the agencys role in our countrys lawful immigration system and the commitment we have to the American people, he said. US Industry Leaders Back Bidens Steel Tariff Agreement With Japan Some U.S. steel industry leaders have backed the Biden administrations steel tariff-rate quota agreement with Japan, citing the melt and pour provision as one that could help prevent steel sector circumvention. The agreement will allow up to 1.25 million tons of Japanese steel imports per year into the U.S. market without being subject to Section 232 tariffs, starting on April 1. The melt and pour requirement aims to restrict imports from other nations that use Japan as a transit country. The Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), the United Steel Workers (USW), and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) stated that such a provision would help to prevent circumvention and transshipment of steel products. Melted and poured requirements will ensure that steel imports from Japan are actually produced there, which will help stem circumvention and allow workers in both countries an opportunity to succeed, USW said in a statement. Far too many U.S. workers and their communities have fallen victim to the non-market predatory practices of China and other countries. The move follows the U.S. tariff exemption on steel and aluminum from the European Union in October 2021. But unlike the EU deal, which added past tariff exclusions to the blocs quotas, Japanese steel imported under past tariffs will count against Japans quota volumes. Philip Bell, SMA president, said in a statement that exclusions accounted for 58 percentabout 550,000 metric tonsof Japanese steel imports in 2021. Overall, this is a strong deal for American steelmakers and it shows that we should not take a one size fits all approach when it comes to our jobs, environment, and economic growth, Bell said. The deal restricts Japanese imports to about their two-year average from 2018 and 2019, a level that reflects the impact of Trumps 25 percent tariffs. The Trump administration imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum imports from several countries in 2018, including the EU and Japan, citing national security concerns. Aluminum imports will continue to be subject to a 10 percent tariff under the new U.S.Japan steel tariff agreement. Eliminating these tariffs will provide relief for domestic manufacturers and consumers at a time when prices are rising for American families, trade leaders of the New Democrat Coalition said. Gina Raimondo, the U.S. commerce secretary, said the U.S.Japan tariff agreement would help to improve the U.S. steel industry while allowing more access to cheaper steel and resolving a major irritation between the two countries. Todays announcement builds on the deal we struck with the EU and will further help us rebuild relationships with our allies around the world as we work to fight against Chinas unfair trade practices and create a more competitive global economy for Americas families, businesses, and workers, she said. Reuters contributed to this report. A Boeing 737 MAX airplane lands after a test flight at Boeing Field in Seattle, on June 29, 2020. (Karen Ducey/Reuters) US Judge Dismisses 2 Charges Against Former Boeing 737 MAX Technical Pilot WASHINGTONA U.S. judge on Tuesday dismissed two charges against a former chief technical pilot for Boeing Co. accused of deceiving federal regulators evaluating the companys 737 MAX jet, but rejected a request to dismiss the other four counts. U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor in Texas granted part of the request of lawyers for former Boeing technical pilot Mark Forkner, dismissing two fraud counts alleging Forkner made materially false communications concerning a key airplane software feature called Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). MCAS is a software feature designed to automatically push the airplanes nose down in certain conditions. It was tied to the two 737 MAX crashes over a five-month period in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people and led to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounding the plane for 20 months, an action lifted in November 2020. OConnor ruled Tuesday the two charges could not proceed because they must involve a tangible airplane partrather than the MCAS software feature. MCAS is intangible computer code in the aircrafts flight control software, OConnor wrote. MCAS is not an aircraft part.' OConnor rejected a request to dismiss the other four counts which allege wire fraud. Forkner was indicted in October on charges of scheming to defraud Boeings U.S.-based airline customers to obtain tens of millions of dollars for Boeing. The case is currently set for trial in early March. In January 2021, Boeing agreed to a $2.5 billion deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department over the MAX crashes, which cost Boeing more than $20 billion. The Justice Department said on Tuesday in a separate filing that it has not charged Forkner with causing the crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 or Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and that it does not intend to argue that he caused them. By David Shepardson Vehicles travel across the Ambassador Bridge that connects Detroit and Windsor, Canada, in Detroit, Mich., on Nov. 8, 2021. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images) Windsor Mayor Says Ambassador Bridge Protest Peaceful, But Disruptive to Economy The mayor of Windsor says he is concerned that the demonstration that has led to the temporary closing of one of the busiest crossings between Canada and the United States will leave lasting and permanent impact on the local economy, though he is not planning on removing the protesters by force. On the night of Feb. 7, protesters opposing the Canadian governments COVID-19 mandates started to gather on the Ambassador Bridge, the crossing that connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, which Mayor Drew Dilkens said is vital for moving goods across the border. Im very concerned about the lasting and permanent impact that this demonstration and protests will have on the regions economic competitiveness, Dilkens said at a press conference on Feb. 9. Businesses require certainty. They require a certainty of movement with many operating, including our auto sector, on a just-in-time delivery model. If Canada becomes known as a difficult jurisdiction to do business with, to move goods in and out of, for example, then supply chains will evolve and reconfigure to remove this element of risk and avoid cities and communities like Windsor-Essex. LIVE NOW: Join us for an update on the local response to the protests taking place in the city along Huron Church Road. https://t.co/qhLDKB0Nzp Drew Dilkens (@drewdilkens) February 9, 2022 The Canada Border Services Agency has marked the Ambassador Bridge as temporarily closed as of Wednesday evening. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that the exit ramps of the bridge to Canada in Detroit are closed, and advised taking the Port Huron Blue Water Bridge and the DetroitWindsor Tunnel. The wait time at the DetroitWindsor Tunnel was five minutes for both commercial and passenger vehicles as of 5 p.m. on Feb. 9. other on I-75 Location: Both Directions I-75 at Bridge to Canada Lanes Blocked: Exit Ramp County: Wayne Event Message: BRIDGE TO CANADA IN DETROIT EXIT RAMPS ARE CLOSED. USE PORT HURON, NON-TRUCK TRAFFIC USE WINDSOR TUNNEL@Modernize75 MDOT Metro Detroit (@MDOT_MetroDet) February 9, 2022 The Windsor protest is in solidarity with the ongoing truckers Freedom Convoy demonstration in Ottawa. The protest initially began to oppose the federal governments COVID-19 vaccine mandate imposed on cross-border truck drivers, but quickly expanded to a national movement supported by many who want an end to all pandemic-related mandates. Dilkens said the Ambassador Bridge protest has been peaceful and without incident. However, the mayor said he has spoken with officials at both the provincial and federal governments over the past 24 hours to formally request additional resources. We need to plan for protracted protests and have requested additional personnel to be deployed to Windsor to support our hard-working members of the police service. We are striving to resolve this issue safely and peacefully, Dilkens said. He said he received complaints and calls from local residents and business owners who want the protesters forcibly removed, but added that he will refrain from taking that step for fear that more people will protest. While it may be gratifying for some to see the forced removal of the demonstrators, such action may inflame the situation and certainly cause more folks to come here and add to the protest, and we dont want to risk additional conflict, the mayor said. Pam Mizuno, chief of the Windsor Police Service, said approximately 50 to 75 vehicles and roughly 100 protesters remained in the area as of the morning of Feb. 9. The protesters have left one lane open southbound on Church Road for emergency vehicle access, and they are not interfering with traffic traveling east or west on College Avenue or Tecumseh Road and have been cooperating to give access for emergency responses, Mizuno said. Our goal is to open all lanes of traffic on Huron Church Road. In order to do that, we are taking a diplomatic approach and attempting to negotiate a safe and sustainable resolution, she said. HARTFORD The Democratic majority in the state House of Representatives Thursday night pushed through a limited set of COVID orders first issued by Gov. Ned Lamont, over Republican claims that the pandemic has eased and parents and school children are fed up with masks. The two pieces of legislation, tailored to help continue to fight the coronavirus while the state may perch on the cusp of normalcy, passed mostly along party lines. Were acknowledging that despite our hopes and best intentions, we cannot guarantee this virus might not come back to bite us again, said state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, co-chairman of the Public Health Committee. Were trying to effect an orderly transition to the endemic phase of this virus. Some of us could say that its potentially a matter of weeks, but some parents think its already too late for their child, said House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, who warned that there have been serious social and educational setbacks for children. Maybe we were too-restrictive all this time, but well never know, because we didnt do the research that should have been done, said Candelora, who said there was no data to back up the school-mask orders. Our children deserve better than this. House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, summing up the long day, saying his three kids seem to understand better than adults about the importance of wearing masks: To keep their grandmother safe. I think weve forgotten what it means to sacrifice for each other, for something greater than ourselves, he said. I am saddened that we have moved in the direction of just wanting to be about us and me and I. During sometimes contentious debates, which started with several conservative Republicans ignoring requirements on wearing face masks in the House chamber, the Democratic majority first pushed across a bill that would extend the nearly two-year-long civil preparedness and public health emergencies declaraton through June 30, which is the end of the states budget year. Before the debate started, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, of Hartford, warned that if the mask rule continued to be ignored in the chamber, debate would be called off, votes would ensue immediately and everyone would go home. The emergency resolution would allow for the extension of federal SNAP food benefits to as much as $50 million, giving low-income state residents an extra $95 a month. After that bill passed, the House debated the extension of a dozen Lamonts executive orders, including waiving bids on purchases of personal protective equipment, and continuing a suspension of some training requirements for nurses aides. A waiver on the 180-day school-year requirement, which was intended to help districts that canceled classes due to COVID-related staffing shortages during the omicron surge, was deleted in the amendment. The waiver had been opposed in recent days by the Lamont administration. Without legislative action, Lamonts emergency powers would expire Feb. 15. The Senate has scheduled a debate on the bill for Monday. If approved next week in the Senate, most of the rules would be extended through April 15. House extends COVID emergency After a two-hour debate, the vote on the emergency declaration was mostly along party lines, 89-56, with three Democrats opposed: Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, of Bethel; Rep. Jill Barry, of Glastonbury; and Rep. Pat Boyd, of Pomfret. While some Republicans said during the debate they would favor the extension of food benefits, other GOP lawmakers opposed it because they felt it would send a message that the pandemic, which has killed 10,219 state residents, according to the latest death toll on Thursday, is still lingering. Rep. Doug Dubitsky, R-Chaplin, said continuing the emergency declaration would be tantamount to taking federal funding under false pretenses. This brings everyone up to the maximum they can get on their SNAP card, said Rep. Jay Case, R-Winchester, the top Republican on the legislative Human Services Committee. By voting yes on this, were not voting yes on the second vote. Still, he voted against it. Rep. Mike DAgostino, D-Hamden, co-chairman of the legislative General Law Committee who introduced both pieces of legislation and was on his feet at his House desk most of the day, said there were reasons beyond the continuance of federal funding to extend the emergencies. I think it is worthwhile for this body to speak on the issue, DAgostino said. I think a recognition of what our constituents are going through is important. We cannot rely on this resolution to impose or declare any further emergency powers on the governor. He said the governor would still have the power to use state law allowing future emergency declarations, whose issues would come up in the second bill. Republican amendments fail Rep. Laura Devlin, R-Fairfield, said the extension of the emergencies would make sense, but she intended to vote against the bill. I really think its so important to send a message to the people of the state that were moving on and we hear you, she said. Rep. Catherine Abercrombie, D-Meriden, co-chairwoman of the legislative Human Services Committee, said the $95 extra per month for families eligible for the extended SNAP benefits, is important. I am a little confused, she said. Is it just the wording, or are we in support of these families that desperately need these dollars? After the vote on the emergency declaration, early versions of the COVID orders were then redrafted and discussed by rank-and-file lawmakers. The order requiring nursing home visitors to provide proof of vaccination or recent negative test would be effective through March 15. DAgostino said after March 15, facilities could set their own rules. Long-term care workers and state hospital employees, who are being mandated to get a booster shot, would have until March 7 to comply, nearly a month longer than the original Feb. 11 deadline. Rep. William Petit, R-Plainville, a physician who is the top Republican on the Public Health Committee, said the state has the tools needed, and low infection and hospitalization rates, so there is no need to extend the orders. There could be a new variant, but well have to deal with it when that comes, Petit said. If that comes. Its not 2020 anymore, said Devlin, who opposed the extension and offered an amendment to let parents make their own decisions on masks. Adults arent forced to mask, but we can make a choice about when maybe we should. Quite frankly, this doesnt do much. I ask that we fulfill our responsibilities and that we return our parental rights and choice. The proposal failed mostly along party lines in a 90-54 vote with Rep. Michele Cook, of Torrington, and first-term Rep. Jennifer Leeper, of Fairfield, siding with the Republicans. Rep. Gail Mastrofrancesco, R-Wolcott, offered an amendment that would allow employees of health care facilities to claim religious exemptions by merely checking off a box on a form. The amendment was briefly debated and failed along party lines, 95-52. The statewide school mask mandate would remain in effect until Feb. 28, when Lamont recommended letting local leaders set their own rules. DAgostino said that if local school officials want to continue mask requirements after Feb. 28, city and town boards of education should make plans now. But the state Department of Education, in consultation with the state Department of Public Health, would still retain the authority to set policy on school masks until June 30, according to the order. DAgostino said the state Department of Education and the Department of Public Health could implement mandatory mask requirements if the pandemic heats up again. By all indications weve heard and all the data collected, that wont be necessary, DAgostino said. We all fervently pray and hope that we are emerging from this. The final amendment of the evening was on landlord relief in what has become a very slow process to reimburse property owners with pending relief applications by mid-April. If youve got your application in by April 15, you get that 30-day stay on evictions, DAgostino said. Tenants are struggling, DAgostino said. The landlords are struggling. The final vote was 86-62 with nine Democrats joining Republicans, including Barry, Boyd, Leeper, Rep. Steve Meskers, of Greenwich, Rep. Kerrie Wood, of Rocky Hill, Rep. Michael DiGiovancarlo, of Waterbury, John Hampton, of Simsbury, and Rep. Chris Ziogas, of Bristol. Allie-Brennan voted against that legislation as well. Administration officials have not identified which metrics would guide their decision to lift, or potentially reimpose, the school mask mandate, Allie-Brennan said in a statement after the vote. I am 100-percent supportive of measures to protect our kids and our teachers. What I dont support is the extension of mask mandates by state officials, absent any oversight or clear rationale that can be explained to educators, parents, and students. Staff writer Julia Bergman contributed to this report. EDWARDSVILLE The pros and cons of masking, especially among students, dominated Tuesday night's meeting of the Madison County Health Advisory Committee. The meeting had been billed as a chance for people to talk about issues, and about a dozen people took advantage of that while a much larger than usual crowd watched. A total of 13 people spoke, with only two speaking in favor of mask. After that members of the committee gave their opinions, which were split. The meeting came four days after a judge issued a restraining order on Illinois mask and vaccination rules for schools, an order that Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwami Raoul have appealed. Most speakers at Tuesdays meeting cited individual liberties, as well as the mental health impacts of the masks and the perceived ineffectiveness of mandates. Our children have been quietly dying inside from lack of social interaction, said Wanda Cerny, the first speaker. She was followed by Jennifer Korte, who cited mental health issues. We are creating a generation of kids who are anxious, depressed and overly focused on their health, she said. Many speaking against the mandates said they had children in the Edwardsville School District, which continues to require masks for most. Collin Patton said his 6-year-old daughter was met at the school entrance and told she would have an in-school suspension for not having a mask. I find this kind of reaction unacceptable; its shameful, he said. And this kind of reaction is nothing more than District 7 flexing what little muscle it has left. He and others said students did not wear masks during lunch or recess, and that many students, teachers and administrators were wearing masks incorrectly. We have no choice but to stand for our kids, Patton said. We will not be pawns anymore. "This is not an arrogant act of defiance in any way, shape or form," he said. "Parental choice being taken away from us is a dangerous path to go down. Erica Proctor said she foresees children developing educational issues because of various mandates, as well as emotional and mental issues. She specifically cited children learning to avoid social interactions. What a tragedy if we have an entire generation that doesnt know how to interact with each other in person, she said. After two years I believe were all tired. I know I am," she said. "I am tired of living in fear, tired of missing out on life, tired of being told how to live and tired of not being heard. Byron Hotson said the anti-mask rhetoric has nothing to do with educating children, but is a smokescreen by people with a political agenda to transfer funding from public education to private schools through school choice. This is a stupid hill to die on," he said. "It's a piece of cloth across your face." Dr. Loren Hughes noted the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is far less lethal than earlier variants. He also said people need to consider the effectiveness of masks. He said that, according to the CDC, cloth masks are about 20 percent effective, surgical masks about 57 percent, and N-95 masks are about 90-95 percent effective at stopping a virus. Instead of wearing a wet diaper on your face, you ought to be wearing something thats going to do a better job, he said. He also said COVID-19 doesnt impact children as much, and almost all COVID-related deaths among children stem from pre-existing conditions. However, he added there is the risk that children could bring the virus home and infect others. My personal belief is this should be informed consent, Hughes said. You should know what the facts are and parents should make their own decision on whether a kid wears a mask or not. Others echoed his concerns about masks. The masks do help if you have a proper mask and you wear it properly, said Dr. Rebecca Dunn Bradley, a dentist. "If you really want to wear a mask you should wear a properly fitted, thicker mask. Laura Deluca, a registered nurse, said it is time to get back to normal. She said the virus is becoming less virulent as it mutates, and mental health issues are taking a toll on students. This virus doesnt kill children, she said, adding the children who died at the height of the illness had other medical issues. Education is the key, she added. You let the people decide and you preserve their dignity and their liberty, because people know whats good for them and good for their children. An audio recording of the meeting is available at the Madison County website. CHICAGO Illinois continues to require masks in schools, but plans to lift their requirement elsewhere starting Feb. 28. In a Wednesday afternoon announcement, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said mask requirements in Illinois will continue where federally mandated, such as on public transit and in high-risk settings including healthcare facilities and congregate care. Masking requirements will also continue to apply in all daycare settings. Pritzker said the state intends to continue masking requirements in all public schools through 12th grade, subject to pending litigation which impacts a number of schools. The announcement an hour before Madison County announced another COVID-19 related death, a woman in her 70s. MCHD has recorded 12 COVID-19 related deaths in February and a total of 732. There were 83 COVID-19 patients in county hospitals Wednesday afternoon, 10 on ventilators. To date Madison County has recorded 68,556 cases and 737,120 tests. MCHD recorded 134 new confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases on Wednesday; 43 involved patients younger than 20. Madison County's positivity rate Wednesday was 17.53 percent; its seven-day rate was 9.23 percent and its 10-day rate was 11.73 percent. It's the end of the statewide mask mandate, Pritzker said of the planned Feb. 28 lifting of the order. We are now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began. "Many local jurisdictions, businesses and organizations have their own mask requirements and other mitigations that must be respected," he added. "Throughout this pandemic, weve deployed the tools available to us as needed. Our approach has saved lives and kept our economy open and growing. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said that, while masks will no longer be required in most indoor locations starting Feb. 28, they are still recommended. "Masks offer a layer of protection and for people who have an underlying health condition or who are around those who do, you may choose to continue wearing a mask," she said. "Similarly, if you find yourself in a crowded, indoor setting, a mask can still help protect you. We will continue to recommend masks. The announcement came two days after Attorney General Kwame Raoul asked the 4th District Appellate Court in Springfield for an emergency halt to a temporary restraining order against the mask mandate. Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow on Friday ruled Pritzker overstepped his authority in an emergency order last fall that has required students and staff to wear face coverings. She nixed other orders too, including one mandating vaccinations for school employees. Grischow agreed with the plaintiffs that students may not be excluded from school for health reasons without family consent or a public health quarantine order. The lawsuit was brought by more than 700 parents and staff at more than 140 schools in Illinois. Grischow's ruling prompted mask policies at several area schools. Edwardsville and Collinsville districts said the order only affected families named in the lawsuit and all others must abide by current school policies. Carlinville, Staunton, North Mac, Roxana and Triad schools have made masks optional. Highland and the Jersey Community Unit School District changed their stance on masks from required to recommended. The equation for schools just looks different right now than it does for the general population, Pritzker said. "Schools need a little more time for community infection rates to drop, for our youngest learners to become vaccine eligible and for more parents to get their kids vaccinated. Without offering a timeline, Pritzker said school mask mandates could be lifted in the coming weeks if the state continues to see progress in terms of hospitalization and disease spread. Ezike said lifting the mandate did not signify an end to COVID-19 but, instead, was the latest in the states effort to coexist with COVID. Your actions that you've already taken have helped to reduce the amount of virus circulating and it absolutely has saved lives, she said. But be clear that COVID is not gone and it won't be gone on Feb. 28. So, we are going to continue to find ways to live with the virus. Sevierville, TN (37876) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. "There can be no justice without peace, and there can be no peace without justice. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., chanted this statement outside a California prison, which was holding Vietnam War protesters on December 14, 1967. Since the end of the 30-month fratricidal civil war in Nigeria (Jul 6, 1967 Jan 15, 1970), there have been continued calls for dismemberment over pertinent issues of discontents. Pathetically, some 52 years after the end of that civil war declared "No Victor, No Vanquished," the Mutual Suspicions, Social Injustices, Political and Economic Marginalization, Oppression, Mass Killings, Misgovernance among other vices, that led to the war, subsist till date. Flashback: Ugly Issues That Led To The Civil War Among other things, they included: 1. Mutual suspicion between Igbos & Northernerns pre-dating independence. 2. 1945 and 1953 premeditated pogroms on Igbos in Jos and Kano in opposition to Igbos' role towards the struggle for Nigeria's independence. 3. The January 15, 1966 Kaduna Nzeogwu-led coup, tagged "Igbo Coup," against corruption, anarchy in the Western Region- Operation Wetie (soak him with petrol and set him ablaze), etc. 4. Head of State, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi's failure to punish the coup plotters and promulgation of Decree No. 34, which gave birth to Unitary and Over-Centralised Government. Nigeria's Achilles heel till date. 5. The July 29, 1966 Northern Counter Coup spearheaded by Theophilus Danjuma, et al. 6. Anti-Igbo pogrom in the North from May 21, 1966, reaching its peak Sept 29, 1966. Between 8,000 & 30,000 Igbos were estimated killed. A further 1 million Igbos fled Northern Region to the East. 7. Counter killings of some northernerns in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, etc. 8. Yakubu Gowon's emergence as Head of State, instead of the Most Senior military officer, Brig-Gen. Babafemi Ogundipe. He feared for his life, as northern soldiers were unwilling to take orders from a Christian southernern. 9. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu's angst against insurbordination in the military that forced Ogundipe to United Kingdom, and Yakubu Gowon's emergence as Head of State on August 1, 1966. 10. Gowon's noncompliance to the letters of the Aburi Accord reached with Ojukwu, in Aburi, Ghana, Jan 4-5, 1967. The abovementioned events, not excluding nepotism, cronyism, lack of meritocracy in the military and civil service, as well as international influence, particularly from Great Britain, sparked the 30 months fratricidal civil war in Nigeria, with the Gowon-led Nigerian National government firing the first salvo. January 15, 2022, made it exactly 52 years a civil war was fought in Nigeria. May 30, 2022 will make it exactly 55 years that a budding Republic named BIAFRA, was birthed in the African continent. After over five decades of that debacle, the pertinent question remains, for Nigeria and her peoples, so far, how well? Sadly, after over five decades of palpable peace, the ugly issues that sparked the Biafra/Nigeria Civil War still rear their ugly heads in today's Nigeria. Social Injustices, Mass Killings, Ethnic Cleansings, Corruption, Nepotism, Mutual Suspicion among the ethnic nationalities have worsened. These worrying issues have conspicuously gone South under the present President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. Historically, from 1953 to the last in 2014 under former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, successive leaderships in Nigeria have continued to convene and convoke National Constitutional Conferences, National Conferences, Political and Academic Conferences. Yet, zilch. Nigeria is about the only country, the world over, that fought a civil war, without learning no lessons. In the immortal words of the great Spanish writer and philosopher, Jorge Agustin Nicolas Ruiz de Santayana y Borras (George Santayana), he wrote, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." It is highly imperative at this moment of Nigeria's chequered history to critically examine where we are coming and where we are headed to. Before it is too late, Nigeria's ruling political elites in Aso Villa, the National Assembly, the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led Governors Forum, State lawmakers, local council leaders, the Media, the academic community, the business community, Nigeria's intelligentsia community, et al, should converge to allow for the Restructuring of Nigeria, to allow for a True Representative Democracy (Compound Republicanism) based on government by the consent of the governed. Ahead of #NigeriaDecides2023, such a government can only be guaranteed through a Peoples Constitution (not the 1999 military dictatorship-framed constitution), to among other things give the Nigerian people, a Free, Fair and Transparent elections. The world over, the primary purpose of a legitimate government is to secure and protect inalienable natural rights, among which are Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of the above ends, it's people's right to alter or abolish it through the Ballot. Nigeria's founding fathers foresaw today's disarrayed Nigeria, thus, why they opted for a Loosed Federation (Parliamentary Regionalism), at Independence, on October 1, 1960. Such government system encouraged inward thinking, healthy competitions, rapid growth and development within the regions, and across Nigeria. Far from the obtainables today. That era (1960-1966) had very brilliant minds like: The Nnamdi Azikiwes of this world, Tafawa Balewas, Ahmadu Bellos, Obafemi Awolowos, Anthony Enahoros, Jaja Wachukus, Jerome Udojis, Festus Okotie-Ebohs, Raymond Njokus, Matthew Mbus, Aja Nwachukwus, K.O. Mbadiwes, Samuel Akintolas, Remilekun Fani-Kayodes, Adegoke Adelabus, J.M. Johnsons, Kola Baloguns, Ayo Rosijis, Muhammadu Ribadus, Zanna Bukar Dipcharimas, Taslim Olawale Elias, Muhammadu Ribadus, Inua Wadas, Maitama Sules, Shehu Shagaris, Olu Akinfosiles, Usman Sarkis, T.O.S. Bensons, Waziri Ibrahims, Yisa Yar'Aduas, Adeniran Ogunsanyas, Adeleke Adedoyins, Richard Akinjides, Alade Lamuyes, Ayo Rosijis, Moses Majekodunmis, Jacob Obandes, among many others. Before the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference put up by the Gen. Sanni Abacha's regime, Chief Alex Ekiotenne of RIERPO, had argued: "The first question we must answer is if the diverse groups feel this federation (Nigeria) is no longer beneficial, then, we should dissolve peacefully without bloodshed like Czechoslovakia & Soviet Union." Howbeit, giving today's prevalent socio-political and economic circumstances in Nigeria, and amid the steep calls for secession within the South East and South West geo-political zones, I've some fundamental concerns. Concerns on: 1. Ethnic altercations over overlapping national borders? 2. Larger market? 3. International recognition? 4. Passport and visa requisites to travel to say from Anambra State to Delta State; Anambra State to Kogi State; Edo State to Ondo State; Enugu State to Benue State; Abia State to Rivers State; Abia State to Cross Rivers State? 5. National ideals of the Declaration of Independence/Secession? 6. National ideals of the Independence Constitution such as the form of government and its mechanisms among which are separation of powers, checks and balances, government branches and tiers, an independent Judiciary, Press Freedom, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion and Worship, among others? That said, me thinks, our own Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as well as Sunday Igboho, et al, should restrategise and transmogriphy their causes into gigantic social movements for the restoration of Justice, Egalitarianism, Public Accountability and Good Governance across their regions, and Nigeria in general. Their movements can be morphed into watch-dogs for guaranteeing quality leaders emerge through the ballots across all tiers and branches of government, especially within their geo-political zones. Me thinks, doing so would among other things, buy for their movements, the requisite local, national and international emancipation sympathies necessary for the securing and protection of inalienable natural rights of their people, among which are Right to Life, Personal Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. Ikenna Asomba is a Journalist and student of Compound Republicanism, he writes from Charleston Illinois, United States. Rwandan and southern African troops have helped authorities fight an Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado, Mozambiques northernmost province. The threat is greatly lowered but not yet gone. Maputo will need more military assistance as well as a nudge to address the conflicts political roots. Whats new? Since July 2021, Rwandan and southern African troops have deployed to Mozambiques Cabo Delgado province, diminishing a nearly five-year-old Islamist insurgency. Insurgents continue to destabilise pockets of territory, however, and have spread into neighbouring Niassa province and Tanzania. They may call increasingly on East African Islamic State networks for support. Why does it matter? The foreign troops working with Mozambiques army have reclaimed significant territory from insurgents, while donor money has brought Cabo Delgados population some relief. Yet these remedies alone are unlikely to resolve a conflict born of local grievances. With those untreated, the insurgency will persist as a source of regional insecurity. What should be done? Mozambiques African partners should press Maputo to open dialogue involving political elites to set conditions that might persuade insurgents to surrender. While donors scale up aid in the province, the African Union should facilitate regional cooperation to dismantle the insurgencys transnational networks and seek more funds to sustain military operations. I. Overview Troops from Rwanda and southern Africa have helped stem an insurrection in Mozambiques Cabo Delgado province that had by early 2021 spiralled into a jihadist insurgency threatening regional security. The outside forces, working with Mozambiques army, have driven insurgents out of bases and taken control of key towns. While many insurgents have quit fighting, small groups are still mounting attacks in parts of the province, leaving hundreds of thousands of people displaced and unsafe. Insurgents have now also sallied into neighbouring Niassa province and Tanzania, amid fears that they will turn to Islamic State (ISIS) networks in East Africa for greater support. To avoid a protracted conflict and regional crisis, Mozambiques partners should press Maputo to open dialogue with political elites who have influence in Cabo Delgado about how to induce more insurgents to surrender. The African Union (AU) should facilitate better regional cooperation to block financial and material aid to the insurgency from nearby ISIS cells. The AU should also help identify more possible financing to support the deployments. Since July 2021, more than 3,000 troops from Rwanda and Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states have flooded into Cabo Delgado, where the insurgency had been wreaking havoc, displacing 800,000 people in a conflict that has killed more than 3,700 people since 2017. In a short period, the soldiers have dismantled all the insurgents major bases and seized important territory they once held. Rwandan forces, working under a bilateral agreement with Maputo, have secured the Afungi peninsula, where the French company Total has invested in a multibillion-dollar gas project, and recaptured the strategic port of Mocimboa da Praia. The SADC, invoking a regional mutual defence pact, has deployed troops in central Cabo Delgado and toward the provincial capital Pemba, as well as in Nangade district near the border with Tanzania. These troops have dislodged insurgents from some of their strongholds but are stretched in terms of fully securing these areas. But the insurgency is far from extinguished. Many fighters have simply blended into the civilian population, waiting for the right time to remobilise. Small groups continue to stage attacks in central, coastal and northern parts of the province. The insurgency could thus easily rebound if foreign forces suddenly draw down. Donors have meanwhile bankrolled a surge in aid geared toward rebuilding infrastructure, restoring public services and helping some civilians resume their livelihoods amid the humanitarian crisis. The spending is unlikely, however, to quell the specific grievances of the young men who have joined al-Shabab, as the insurgency is known. What insurgents really want, according to sources who know them, is a meaningful role in the Cabo Delgado economy, so they can benefit from the opportunities created by major mining and gas projects and perhaps have a stake in the provinces smuggling rackets, many of which are run by political elites. If the insurgents motivations go unaddressed, the roots of the conflict will remain untreated. The [jihadist] insurgency could not only endure but also help turn Mozambique into a staging or training ground for fighters to menace areas of neighbouring countries. Insurgents are finding ways to adapt to the Rwandan-SADC military pressure, pushing into next-door Niassa province and staging a few attacks in Tanzania. They are also trying to deploy more improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the battlefield. Officials fear that al-Shabab fighters will seek money and training, including in bombmaking skills, from East African ISIS networks, such as that based in the northern tip of Puntland, Somalia, to keep their campaign going. Should it strengthen its ISIS ties, the insurgency could not only endure but also help turn Mozambique into a staging or training ground for fighters to menace areas of neighbouring countries, particularly Tanzania. If insurgents then establish a firmer foothold in Tanzania, they could also deepen their links to the Allied Democratic Forces, an ISIS affiliate in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which recruits Tanzanians into its ranks and has helped train Mozambican fighters in the past. Mozambique and its regional partners should start thinking about how they might obtain peace through means other than military operations and development money, as these measures, on their own, are unlikely to stop conflict dead in its tracks. The authorities should work harder to set incentives for insurgents who might be persuaded to surrender or leave sleeper cells. Mozambiques regional partners, who also have an interest in seeing an end to the conflict, should push Maputo to open dialogue with local and national political elites, who in turn will have to make decisions about how to offer insurgents a viable future amid the resource boom under way in Cabo Delgado. The authorities will still have to win the publics confidence by extending further development assistance, but dialogue with insurgents could help create a safer environment where such spending can yield even greater benefits. Meanwhile, the authorities should vigorously prosecute the high-level al-Shabab members whom they have arrested. In cooperation with regional governments, Maputo will also need to step up efforts to block foreign financial and material support to al-Shabab, in particular from ISIS, which is now taking root in East Africa. The SADC is now setting up a regional counter-terrorism centre in Tanzania, where military, law enforcement, intelligence and judicial officials from member states can share information. To be maximally effective, it will require input from the member states of the two East African regional blocs, the East African Community and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, given the spread of al-Shababs networks in that region. To facilitate all this cooperation, the AU should look to ease communication and cooperation between member states of all these regions. Ideally, it should develop a common assessment of what ISIS is doing on the continents eastern side. Armed with this information, authorities will be better able to close the net around those helping al-Shabab from abroad. Mozambique will still need outside help to hold the territory that has been taken back from the insurgents. While the above measures are under way, Mozambique will still need outside help to hold the territory that has been taken back from the insurgents. As the Mozambican army will likely require several years of upgrading before it can fully secure Cabo Delgado and other parts of the countrys north, Rwandan and SADC troops may need to stay on the ground for some time to come. Both Rwanda and the southern African states may require additional financial resources to keep their forces in Mozambique, with the SADC troops in particular struggling to stamp out insurgent activity in the provinces centre. While the European Union (EU), via its Peace Facility, can provide some of the troop contributors with limited support in the short term, the AU could also help identify alternative funding sources for the SADC mission. II. International Intervention in Cabo Delgado For more than seven months, Rwandan and southern African forces have been in Cabo Delgado to battle homegrown insurgents backed by jihadists from up and down the Swahili coast. In early July 2021, a thousand troops from the Rwandan Defence Forces and Rwandan National Police working under a bilateral arrangement with Maputo arrived in the Afungi peninsula, site of the major liquefied gas project run by Total. The Rwandan soldiers swiftly captured strategic road junctions in the area and then in early August took the port city of Mocimboa da Praia, the birthplace of the insurrection, from which al-Shabab had driven state authorities a year earlier. Around this time, the SADC sent hundreds of troops as well, under the terms of a regional defence pact, to occupy Macomia district to the south of Afungi and Nangade district on the Tanzanian border, as well as areas near the provincial capital Pemba. The separate forces, each operating in cooperation with the Mozambican army, would over the coming months run into insurgents, driving them from their bases and scattering them into smaller groups. In doing so, they captured insurgents, seized weapons and confiscated laptops whose files they mined for intelligence. They also killed a few mid-level insurgent leaders. Rwandan forces now occupy the coast from Palma city past Mocimboa da Praia, as well as areas to the west near the important towns of Muidumbe and Mueda. By December 2021, their ranks had swollen to 2,500 troops in total. The SADC contingent, known as the Southern African Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), has deployed in two sets, with mainly Botswanan and South African troops fighting insurgents in Macomia and tasked with protecting roads to the north west toward Mueda, to the south east of Pemba. Tanzanian troops under SAMIMs banner have occupied areas stretching west from Palma through Nangade district. SAMIMs forces numbered 1,077 by the end of November 2021. The combined operations have broken the insurgencys cohesion, dispersing its fighters from their bastions, but not stamped it out entirely. Al-Shababs numbers have dwindled from an estimated 3,000 or so to as low as 300, but mainly because many foreign jihadists have fled the country while Mozambican insurgents have melted into the civilian population rather than surrender or be killed. Indeed, by the end of 2021, officials reported that military operations had claimed the lives of 200 insurgents. SAMIM sources say some of the groups core leaders remain holed up in Quirimbas national park, straddling the Macomia and Quissanga coastal districts, where insurgents have staged several attacks on security personnel and civilians since September. Insurgents have also mounted regular raids in Nangade and northern Mueda districts and, since January, about a dozen attacks in Meluco district as well. Even as central and provincial authorities have started pushing the narrative that security has returned to Cabo Delgado, and that the state is restoring services to areas once dominated by insurgents, civil servants and aid workers still assess the situation as fragile. Even with Mocimboa da Praia back in government hands, Maputo designates the city as a military zone, mostly off limits to civilians, worrying that insurgents could infiltrate masses of residents coming back home. Officials in other areas also voice fears they could come under attack. Hundreds of women and girls once held captive by the insurgents, and now released, are also struggling to win acceptance back into their communities. The displacement problem remains severe. Though some civilians have returned to Palma and other locations, almost 750,000 people from Cabo Delgado remain uprooted from their homes, the majority packed into camps largely in the provinces south. While authorities have ordered many civilians to go to newly constructed settlements also in the south, many still need to risk returning to their places of origin. Some of them come under insurgent attack or suffer abuse at the militarys hands. Mozambican troops in particular often shake down civilians for cash at checkpoints. Hundreds of women and girls once held captive by the insurgents, and now released, are also struggling to win acceptance back into their communities, many having survived rape and sexual abuse by al-Shabab elements in 2020, as the group mimicked the ISIS practice of taking so-called sex slaves as spoils of war. The Mozambican government has approved the disbursement of hundreds of millions in donor money for programs such as seed distribution to farmers and reconstruction of infrastructure in Cabo Delgado. These efforts, coordinated from the governments side via its Northern Integrated Development Agency, are assisting civilians trying to rebuild livelihoods amid an active conflict, though how much they will keep the insurgency from rebounding is unclear (see below). Mozambiques partners are thus preparing for a lengthy military campaign, spurred on by the realisation that they will need to wait for a major upgrade of the countrys security forces before they can withdraw. Officials in Maputo believe the military will require several years of investment before it can manage without external assistance. In order to fully secure the province, they say, they will need more infantry on top of the 2,000 rapid-reaction forces now being trained by the EU to beat the insurgents. SAMIM officials thus say they are focused on strengthening the mission following its January mandate extension, amid concerns that it lacks sufficient resources. Commanders are keen to secure outside funding for more men and materiel, particularly after a November insurgent attack exposed their vulnerability to guerrilla tactics. Maputo has meanwhile also extended its military cooperation agreement with Kigali, where authorities are understood to be seeking financial assistance for the Rwandan deployment. III. Insurgents Adapt, Pose New Threats Despite being under military pressure, the insurgency is surviving. Many al-Shabab fighters have simply resumed living among the civilian population, including in internally displaced persons camps where they are biding their time, while also recruiting more youth. Mozambican and foreign forces deployed in Cabo Delgado have noticed more and more IEDs planted along the roads they patrol. These devices are rudimentary, often relying on the victim rather than a remote system to trigger detonation, but their increasing use suggests that the insurgents are deliberately moving toward more asymmetric warfare. Security sources believe it is only a matter of time before insurgents are able to acquire more sophisticated roadside bombs, including from ISIS, which has forged links to al-Shabab via its faction in Puntland. The foreign fighters who came into Cabo Delgado also pose a continuing threat. Large numbers of Tanzanians and Kenyans seem to be leaving al-Shabab as the military campaign proceeds. They could, however, simply join ISIS, which Western diplomats and security officials fear will conduct more operations like the suicide bombings in the Ugandan capital Kampala in November. Regional security officials say these fighters are receiving training from ISIS, absorbing new knowledge including in bombmaking techniques that they can use on the battlefield and elsewhere in Mozambique if and when they are able to return. Evidence is mounting that al-Shabab is opening a new front west of Cabo Delgado in Niassa province. Meanwhile, evidence is mounting that al-Shabab is opening a new front west of Cabo Delgado in Niassa province, which is known for its mountainous wilderness, gold mines and hunting reserves. In August 2021, security in Niassas central Mavago district began to deteriorate, marked by an ambush on a police vehicle. In late November, insurgents then attacked Nualala, a village in Mecula district, raiding a health centre and attacking police units. More attacks took place in Mecula in the ensuing days, forcing up to 4,000 people to flee. Officials fear that insurgents may even try to destabilise the far south west of Niassa, an area bordering Malawi, where tensions between Christians and Muslims could help Mozambican insurgents recruit more fighters to draw into Niassa. Since the start of 2022, however, security sources and humanitarian workers report that insurgents may be slipping back to Cabo Delgado. A detailed plan, found on an insurgent laptop captured in Cabo Delgado and seen by Crisis Group, explains why insurgents might see expansion into Niassa as profitable. They could take advantage of food and water supplies in the Niassa hunting reserves to build a new power centre in the north. It would also be easier for recruits to cross from Tanzania into Mozambique in Niassa, as the Rovuma river, which separates the two countries, is a mere trickle this far west. Conversely, and for the same reason, insurgents could mount more attacks in south-western Tanzania from Niassa. While the plan is ambitious, officials still fear that insurgents could thus stretch security forces far beyond Cabo Delgado, much as Frelimo guerrillas did to Portuguese forces in Mozambiques independence war. Tanzania is another concern. Insurgents seem to be upping their attacks on villages and security posts in the Mtwara region of southern Tanzania from across the border in Cabo Delgado. Security sources believe these attacks indicate that the insurgents who are on the back foot in Cabo Delgado will turn their attention northward. Indeed, in September 2021, a group of insurgents raided Mahurunga, a village of several thousand people, for food, abducting men and women from the area to carry the provisions back to the Mozambican side. In early December 2021, a group of al-Shabab insurgents struck the village of Mnongodi, killing a handful of Tanzanian soldiers and police, before crossing back to Cabo Delgado. Locals now report that insurgents are gathering around Kibiti, a former stronghold of Islamist militants in southern Tanzania, where security forces cracked down in 2017, prompting many Tanzanian fighters to flee into Cabo Delgado. Security and intelligence sources in East Africa fear that, as southern Tanzania faces more instability, it could act as a gateway for jihadists joining the fight not just in northern Mozambique, but also in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. There, an ISIS-affiliated group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), has been recruiting more Tanzanian militants, some of whom may have also fought in Cabo Delgado. Mozambican fighters have in the past gone through Tanzania on their way to the eastern DRC to receive training in ADF camps. IV. After Dominating the Battlefield, Winning Peace Maputo and its partners are undoubtedly making progress toward bringing stability back to Cabo Delgado. The international military deployments have played a significant role in stemming the insurgency. Humanitarian assistance and development aid have also brought some measure of relief to the provinces beleaguered civilians, though hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced. Both military and civilian officials, however, acknowledge that some form of political engagement is required to end the conflict. We need more than just weapons to end this conflict, something more than military operations, says Mozambiques defence minister. The angry young men who comprise al-Shabab joined up because they resent security force abuses and believe elites connected to Frelimo monopolise the economy, including illicit business, in Cabo Delgado. Government officials and others who know insurgents say they will not lay down their arms unless they get a fairer share of the provinces resources. Aid money can help mitigate civilian suffering, but what the youth who are fighting really want is a sense of social justice and a permanent stake in the future of Cabo Delgado, says a government adviser. Mozambican security officials are in communication with some insurgents, but these conversations largely concern tactical matters. It is likely that insurgents will find ways to keep their fight going, given that they have options ranging from falling back on ISIS support to moving into new territory. While President Felipe Nyusi has urged al-Shabab to surrender, officials say insurgents are not doing so in large numbers, choosing instead to melt back into the civilian population. Diplomats voice concerns about the safety of those who do turn themselves in, fearing that some could be disappearing in state custody. They warn that few will surrender if they fear ill treatment at the authorities hands. Continued insecurity, meanwhile, could lead authorities to prolong the military deployments in the north, which could provoke more discontent given the frequent extortion by soldiers at checkpoints. Mozambiques African partners should push Maputo to open a dialogue involving political elites that bear influence on Cabo Delgado. To maximise their military advantage, Mozambiques African partners should push Maputo to open a dialogue involving political elites that bear influence on Cabo Delgado. Any talks could be geared toward striking a bargain over a viable future for ex-insurgents, which could in turn persuade more of them to surrender. Authorities and elites in Maputo and Cabo Delgado may thus have to decide what material promises they can make to fighters, including how they might participate in the gas and mining industries that are the basis of the provinces wealth. The authorities could also consider vetting former fighters and involving some of them in planning of security arrangements for the province once the military campaign is over. They might also think about developing an amnesty policy for low-level insurgents and setting up demobilisation camps where those who qualify could safely turn themselves in. Dialogue, while potentially useful, will not in itself be enough. Undoubtedly, many in government as well as many civilians who have borne the brunt of al-Shabab violence will find such engagement unpalatable. The authorities will thus have to keep working to deliver benefits to the population, particularly to victims of conflict, for example by scaling up humanitarian and development assistance. This task will be easier if the conflict can be scaled down through dialogue with insurgents. But the authorities will also need to think about what they can do not just to kill insurgents but also to apprehend and punish those whom they identify as the worst perpetrators of violence against civilians. Hence, even if dialogue achieves the surrender and rehabilitation of lower-ranking al-Shabab fighters, the public will have some sense that justice is being served for the atrocities they have endured. As it stands, the authorities need to do more on this front: they are capturing many insurgents but prosecuting few. Regional collaboration is also crucial. The Mozambican government and its partners must step up their efforts both individual and cooperative to dismantle the financial, recruitment, training and IED proliferation cells linked to ISIS in East Africa. Research by Crisis Group shows that suspected jihadist and criminal networks operating in South Africa are channelling significant funds into the region. Criminal investigators there have started to identify suspects, including people from East Africa and the Horn, who have sent money to individuals with ties to ISIS in Kenya. Financial investigators in a few countries have gathered evidence that recipients have passed the money on to others, including militants involved in the Kampala attacks, but also people in the DRC, Tanzania and Mozambique. Somali and intelligence sources in the region report that the ISIS-linked faction in Puntland have been training Mozambican commanders. States on the eastern side of the continent need to work together better to mitigate the ISIS threat, as collaboration to date has been poor. While the SADC is setting up a counter-terrorism centre in Tanzania to facilitate cooperation on, among other things, dismantling ISIS networks in member state jurisdictions, this organ will need information about related ISIS cells from the authorities in non-SADC states such as Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Somalia, among others. The African Union should accordingly look to ease communication between SADC member states law enforcement and judicial bodies and their counterparts in other regions, such as the Horn and East Africa, which face the same transnational threat. Ideally, it would develop, in consultation with the SADC, Intergovernmental Authority on Development and East African Community, a shared transnational threat assessment, which they can then all use to develop appropriate, collective tactical responses. Brussels is unlikely to want to foot the entire bill .... [the African Union] should step forward to at least help the SADC raise funds. Meanwhile, international military pressure on the insurgency will continue to be required. The SADC and the Rwandan authorities are now soliciting financial support to maintain their operations. While the EU has signalled that it would be willing to chip in to support SAMIM via its new funding mechanism, the European Peace Facility, Brussels is unlikely to want to foot the entire bill, as it has been doing for the AUs mission in Somalia, now in its fourteenth year. Some European officials are also more in favour of supporting SAMIM, which has a regional mandate, than the Rwandan deployment, which they see as a bilateral matter for Maputo to manage privately. As such, the AU should step forward to at least help the SADC raise funds from other sources for SAMIM, which is facing resource and capacity issues. On their own, beefed-up deployments will still likely not be enough to vanquish the insurgency, but they will be able to keep denying the insurgents the space they would need to rebound in Cabo Delgado. V. Conclusion The conflict in northern Mozambique, now approaching its fifth year, is among the gravest threats to peace and stability on the continent. Mozambique and its neighbours in southern Africa as well as the Rwandan military have had a significant impact in stemming an insurgency that ISIS has claimed as its own. Yet military operations by themselves are unlikely to eradicate a rebellion that has grown out of grievances felt deeply by large sections of Cabo Delgados youth. Al-Shabab elements are likely to embrace ISIS and seek its support to keep mounting disruptive attacks in their home province and possibly elsewhere in the countrys north. Humanitarian and development aid money has started to cool tensions on the ground. It may dissuade some young men from taking up arms, but not enough of them. Without government efforts to address the insurgencys political roots, especially through dialogue, the civilian population of Cabo Delgado will probably have to live through a prolonged period of conflict. On Wednesday, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency preached to all tertiary institutions across the country to make drug integrity tests an institutional policy for new and returning students as a major effort to combat the menace of misuse of drug among the youth. The drug agency also requested to partner with the university communities to ensure outposts are set up in campuses to further emboldened the authorities to fight the scourge. While launching the 'Drug free university campaign at the University of Abuja, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), requested this. According to him: Part of the measures to reduce drug use in the universities is the proposed introduction of the drug integrity test for both new and returning students. The drug integrity test is anticipated to metamorphose into an anti-drug policy for all higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. It is expected that the University of Abuja, being the University of National Unity, will be the first public university in Nigeria to adopt the drug integrity test for fresh and returning students of the institution. The drug integrity test is not a punitive measure; rather, it is an early detection tool to ascertain an individuals drug use status for appropriate intervention, and timely treatment and care. This will also entail that the university will develop a drug policy and make such available to each student. Equally important is the need to create an NDLEA outpost on the campuses, where well deploy our men to assist the authorities, deter drug dealers and users within the universities. Buba Marwa also applauded the management of UNIABUJA for collaborating with the NDLEA to organise the launch, while stating that the theme, Drug-Free University and Tertiary Institutions, was rather apt and timely as the drug abuse is becoming rampant among students in university communities. The truth on the ground indicates that our society needs to do more. The National Drug Use and Health Survey of 2018 showed that Nigeria has peculiar drug use prevalence. And it is instructive and worrisome to know that drug use was common among those aged 25-39 years, while the age of initiation was 22 years for heroin and 19 years for cannabis. Note that these age groups comprise of young people, who are either in the secondary or tertiary institutions, or are on the cusp of graduation. To simplify the report of the survey, young people are overwhelmingly the majority of drug abusers in Nigeria. That is a jolting reality, because youths are the building blocks of every developed nation and anything that affects the youth population affects the nation. The youth population constitutes the countrys workforce and the stronger the youth of a country, the more developed that country will be. One, then, wonders what will become of Nigeria with about 70 per cent youth population, if the future of its youths is ravaged by drugs. To aggressively reverse the trend, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces launched the War Against Drug Abuse campaign on June 26, 2021 to commemorate the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. The goal of WADA is to mobilise all Nigerians, especially the youth population, for active participation in the process of ridding our society of the drug menace," the Chairman of the NDLEA stated. In recognition of the giant strides and efforts by Junior Achievement Worldwide the parent body of Junior Achievement Nigeria and other Junior Achievement across 119 countries in equipping young people to solve societal issues, whilst building an entrepreneurship mindset, Junior Achievement World Wide has been nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide, shared his perspective in response to the nomination: Peace is only possible when youth in all countries and regions have economic empowerment. JA Worldwide is honored to receive this nomination and will continue our work to enable all young people to have the skills and mindset to build thriving communities. Our primary hope for solving the worlds most complex problems rests in the young people of today who will be the leaders of tomorrow. The nomination has received commendations from various individuals and corporate bodies across the world, especially those that have been partnering with Junior Achievement to promote self-sufficiency amongst the youth in their quest to making the world a better place. Amongst the organisations is First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigerias premier and leading financial inclusion services provider. The financial services heavyweight has remained at the forefront of driving youth development and career building in the country. FirstBank has been partnering with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) to implement FutureFirst programme which is built around career counselling, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. In the last 11 years, the bank, through its partnership with JAN, has hosted its annual flagship event- the National Company of the Year Competition (NCOY)- which convenes winners of the JA Company Regional Competitions across Nigeria to compete for the National Company of the Year Award. Excited about the nomination, FirstBanks Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communication, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney said, we are proud to be associated with Junior Achievement on the nomination of 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination is certainly well deserved given the depth and reach of the organisations impact on the society based on its programmes worldwide. As an institution that remains woven into the fabric of the society, we are truly delighted for this recognition and it would further reinforce our commitment to drive youth development and empowerment in partnership with JAN. In response to the news, Executive Director of JA Nigeria (Foluso Gbadamosi), commented: Its an honour to be part of the JA Network and we join our colleagues across the world in celebrating this recognition of our efforts to educate and empower young people across the world. Through our unique blend of entrepreneurship, digital literacy, financial literacy, and work readiness programs, we, at JA Nigeria, aim to ensure that Nigerian youth, regardless of socioeconomic status, maximise their potential and take ownership of their economic future as they become leaders of tomorrow Nominations may only be received from heads of state and certain elected officials, university professors in selected fields, past Nobel laureates, and a few other notable individuals. Although the identity of each nominee is officially to remain anonymous for 50 years, we have received permission to share with you that we were nominated by a distinguished Professor of Law and International Affairs who was impressed by JAs incredible global reach, our success in delivering economic empowerment to youth at scale, and our ability to find unity in diversity. About Junior Achievement Nigeria Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) is part of Junior Achievement Worldwide (JAWW), the worlds largest and fastest-growing non-profit economic education organization with a 120-country network. Since its inception in 1999, JAN has reached over one million students in over 20,000 classrooms in all the 36 states across the country and the FCT through over 5000 volunteers. As part of a global network, JAN can leverage resources and expertise to deliver localized cutting-edge experiential programs built on JAWWs three pillars of work Readiness, Entrepreneurship, and Financial literacy, to in- and out-of-school youths, ages 5 to 27, free of charge. For more information, visit www.ja-nigeria.org Foreigner arrested for GPS in Sandhus car PHUKET: Police have detained a foreign man for questioning in connection with a GPS location device found fitted to the rented car used by Jimi Sandhu, who was slain in a hail of bullets in Rawai last Friday (Feb 4). Thursday 10 February 2022, 02:46PM The foreigner was arrested after police tracked a signal sent from a GPS unit fitted to the rented car used by Jimi Sandhu. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The foreigner was arrested after police tracked a signal sent from a GPS unit fitted to the rented car used by Jimi Sandhu. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The foreigner was arrested after police tracked a signal sent from a GPS unit fitted to the rented car used by Jimi Sandhu. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The foreigner was arrested after police tracked a signal sent from a GPS unit fitted to the rented car used by Jimi Sandhu. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Officers discovered the GPS device and traced its location signal being sent to a phone at a home in Soi Saturday, in the Saiyuan area of Rawai, police reported. An arrest warrant was issued and the foreign man was taken into custody last night (Feb 9). police confirmed. Involved in the arrest were officers from Royal Thai Police Crime Suppression Division and Royal Thai Armed Forces personnel, police said. No other details of the arrest have been released. Police reported they are still waiting for results on DNA tests conducted on items of clothing believed to have been discarded by the men wanted for the slaying of Jimi Sandhu. National police chief Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk is expected to arrive in Phuket again today for further updates in the investigation. Gen Suwat was in Phuket on Monday (Feb 7), mostly to defend how Sandhu was allowed to enter the country on what has since been confirmed by Canadian authorities to have been a genuine passport issued by presenting false information. Meanwhile, 20 teams of officers are continuing their search for the killers, retracing their escape through the Saiyuan area of Rawai and by checking CCTV footage from the area. Police hunt man for violent mugging of German TV presenter PHUKET: Police have now jumped into action over Cathy Hummels, wife of German football star Mats Hummels, being mugged on a beach in Khok Kloi, just north of Phuket on the mainland. violencetourismSafetypolice By The Phuket News Thursday 10 February 2022, 04:43PM Phuket Provincial Police at 11:49pm last night (Feb 9) responded to a report by Thai-language Daily News Online featuring the headline, "Shock! Hummels wife robbed in Phuket. The story noted in its report, Cathy Hummels, wife of Mats Hummels, was attacked and mobile phone stolen on Phuket Island. Phuket Provincial Police noted that police in Phuket were ordered to investigate the incident, but found that no police stations in Phuket had received any reports of the attack. Not mentioned in the Phuket Provincial Police announcement was that the attack occurred in Phang Nga, immediately north of Phuket. That news as confirmed by Col Amphon Chantakul*, Chief of the Khok Kloi Police. Therefore, I would like to ask everyone who reads the news to acknowledge that Phuket Province under the supervision of the police while Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong is the commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, I assure you that Phuket is always safe for people and tourists. the notice read. The attack occurred on Natai Beach at about 9pm on Feb 5, Lt Col Parusk Masmalai, Deputy Chief of the Khok Kloi Police, confirmed. Ms Hummels was attacked about 800 metres from the Aleenta resort, where she was staying. An unknown man approached Ms Hummels and punched her several times, knocking her to the sand. After Ms Hummels screamed that she had no money, the man grabbed her phone which Thai reports have noted well was an iPhone 12 Pro Max and then fled. Ms Hummels suffered bruising in the attack, Lt Col Parusk noted. Ms Hummels was unable to give any description of identifying features of the man who attacked her as it was too dark to see clearly, he added. Ms Hummels marked that she just wanted to leave on her flight back to Germany, via Dubai, which departed at 12:10am, Lt Col Parusk also reported. She assigned a local translator to pursue charges on her behalf. Police are continuing their investigation in the hope of finding her attacker. Ms Hummels, who described her experience as a "nightmare", had been in the area filming as a TV presenter for the show Battle of the Reality Stars. * Correction: Not Lt Gen Amphon Buarabporn, Commander of Region 8 Police, based at the north end of the island. The error is regretted. Thailand to host first International Air Show in 2027 BANGKOK: Thailand plans to host its first international air show in 2027 as part of its strategy to showcase itself as an aviation hub for ASEAN nations. transporttourism By National News Bureau of Thailand Thursday 10 February 2022, 10:46AM Photo: NNT The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Policy Committee on the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and Pattaya City have announced plans to host the first-ever Thailand International Air Show. The event, which will be held in 2027 at U-Tapao International Airport in Rayong province, is expected to help boost Thailands aviation industry to B1.2 trillion. According to the announcement, the upcoming Air Show will be chaired by TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya. He emphasized the importance of holding events to boost the countrys reputation and promote Thailand as a world-leading manufacturer and exporter of aerospace components. Chokchai Panyayong, an infrastructure development specialist on the EEC Policy Committee, said the event corresponds with U-Tapao Airports development policy and the EECs Eastern Aviation City. He noted that the governments current aim is to encourage investment, innovation, and the development of more advanced technology for the country. Meanwhile, Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem said the event will align with the citys strategy to become a Smart City and hub for transportation, economic development and investment in the Eastern region. He also said Pattaya City is proud to be Thailands representative for hosting such an event, which should boost the citys and countrys reputation and economic growth. More details of the event will be unveiled in 2023. Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Clear to partly cloudy. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Metallicas lead guitarist Kirk Hammett has announced his first ever solo release, a four-track instrumental EP, Portals. An official statement reveals the EP will entail "a collection of gateways to musical and psychic destinations. "Recorded around the world, from Los Angeles to Paris to Oahu, Portals is the result of Kirks lifes journeys and an invitation to tap into your own inner world. "Heavily influenced by classical music, soundtracks, horror movies, and maybe a little Ennio Morricone, Kirk wanted the EP to span the decades and touch upon all the horror he loves." The EP was produced by Kirk, and has drummers Jon Theodore (Kirks fellow Wedding Band member) and Abraham Laboriel, Greg Fidelman on bass, Emmy-winning arranger Blake Neely, and Bob Rock. Speaking about the EP, Kirk said: "These songs are what I call Audio Cinematic; Im creating sounds and pieces of music for the movies playing in my head. Hopefully theyll create movies in other peoples heads in a similar fashion." Portals is set for worldwide release April 23rd, check out more info about it here. Salem, MO (65560) Today Thunderstorms, some with heavy rain this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 57F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some with heavy rain this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 57F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Today Partly cloudy. Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low near 40F. Winds SE at 20 to 30 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy. Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low near 40F. Winds SE at 20 to 30 mph. Tomorrow Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will give way to occasional showers in the afternoon. High 57F. S winds shifting to NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. THE SHORTHORN is accepting applications for summer & fall 2022 for: Writing and editing Photo and design Ad sales and marketing Web development Support staff Apply online & view job descriptions at: www.theshorthorn.com/jobs Current UTA students enrolled in at least six credit hours during the semester of employment and in good academic standing are eligible to apply for these paid positions. Some qualify for internship credit. ALTON All the experience people seek in an authentic barber can be found at State Street Barber Shop, formerly Fletchers Barber Shop, where Don Fletcher has been joined by Wayne Hensley. Authentic barbers possess unique skills such as shaving lines along the hairline and neck, and shaving faces and heads. And among barbers, Hensley and Fletcher are legends. Cosmetologist Darla Meyer recently closed on purchasing the Alton business at 2509 State St. from Fletcher. Fletcher became a barber in May 1960 when he was 21. He bought the business in 1973 from the original owner, Marvin Bauser, who opened the shop in 1971. Hensley started barbering at the end of 1964 at Belleville Barber College. For 40 years he operated out of the In Zone Barber Shop in the Mineral Springs Mall in Alton. In 62 years, you get to know a complete family, Fletcher said. You build relationships. You get to know the wife, kids, the whole family. That played out on Tuesday. Grandmother Leza Ingram, of Jerseyville, brought her grandson, Brice Scoggins, 12, to the shop for his regular visit there. You bet this is the only place I consider taking my grandson, said Ingram. And Darla is the bomb. You cant get a better hair cut anywhere else. Meyer, who has been in the industry 17 years, started working for Fletcher nine months ago. He made me an offer I could not refuse, said Meyer. Hensley and Fletcher have been friends for more than 40 years, some of those years in a friendly competition as the top two barbers in the region. Id say thats possible; its possible, said Fletcher, 83. In 1996 Fletcher recruited Dennis Sparky Baalman who rounds out the experienced crew. Fletcher works 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Hensley works 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Baalman works 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Combined, Fletcher and Hensley have more than 100 years of experience as barbers. Both graduated from Belleville Barber College, as did Baalman. Meyer went to cosmetology school in Springfield, Illinois, where her daughter now works as a cosmetologist. Hensley has been on hiatus due to heart surgery, but hes back seeing customers at State Street Barber Shop. Fletcher, who wanted to retire as a business owner, is still cutting hair one day a week at the shop. Two weeks ago Hensley started working two days a week at Meyers shop. He saved me, said Meyer, who works seven days a week. Hensley had open heart surgery last year while working at the Mineral Springs barber shop, which is currently undergoing remodeling. He had a triple bypass and, soon after, a bypass leaked. So he underwent an additional bypass surgery. He underwent four months of rehabilitation and is now home with his wife, Joan. The doctor said it would be a good idea to go back to work part time, and that its, really, better to work, Hensley said. I get along with Fletcher very well. Its the perfect fit. Baalman spent 27 years working at a steel mill before becoming a barber. He talked me into it, said Baalman, pointing at Fletcher. He was a real asset to us, Fletcher said of Baalman. You could not find people at that time; barbers were in shortage. Laclede Steel was shutting down; he (Baalman) went to Belleville Barber College. "When operating short handed and you got a lot of haircuts, youre in deep doo-doo," Fletcher said. "Deep doo-doo. We all belong to a union and we have working agreements, he added. I cut Waynes hair. He worked by himself at Mineral Springs; he had to have someone cut his hair. Walk-ins are welcomed at State Street Barber Shop, or make an appointment by calling 618-462-4247. TORONTO - Protesters blockaded a third U.S.-Canada border crossing on Thursday, escalating a crisis that's leading automakers to cut production, weighing on the economies of both countries and prompting U.S. officials to call for their Canadian counterparts to intervene. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Thursday that the Emerson crossing between Manitoba and North Dakota was "shut down," after a large convoy of vehicles and farm equipment blocked traffic in both directions. Demonstrators protesting vaccine mandates and coronavirus restrictions have also blockaded border crossings at Coutts in Alberta and the Ambassador Bridge. That bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, is the busiest land crossing on the border, and a key conduit for the auto industries on both sides. The mayor of Windsor said Thursday that the city and auto groups were seeking an injunction to end a blockade by protesters that for several days has snarled the crossing and the nearly $300 million in daily commerce that crosses it. Ford and General Motors have said they've already cut production and canceled shifts at some sites. As the crisis deepened, officials in the United States called on their Canadian counterparts to get the demonstrations under control. The self-styled "Freedom Convoy," now heading into its third weekend, has paralyzed the Canadian capital. It has blockaded crossings and caused delays at crossings that remain open. "It is imperative that Canadian local, provincial and national governments de-escalate this economic blockade," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D, said in a statement Thursday. "They must take all necessary and appropriate steps to immediately and safely reopen traffic so we can continue growing our economy, supporting good-paying jobs and lowering costs for families." The White House said Thursday it was "monitoring" the situation at the border "very closely" and that Cabinet officials were "engaged around the clock to bring this to a swift end." Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urged their Canadian counterparts to "use federal powers to resolve this situation" and offered the support of their departments, the White House said. Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood Randall was due to speak with her Canadian counterpart Thursday evening. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week that deploying the military was "not in the cards" at that time. The protests have not always featured large numbers of people, but their use of big rigs and other vehicles has made them disruptive. The Canadian demonstrations have drawn support and inspired copycats from Europe to Australia. Authorities in Paris and Brussels said Thursday they would try to stop planned convoys from entering those cities. The protests started in opposition to U.S. and Canadian rules requiring cross-border truckers to be fully vaccinated. But they've mushroomed into a broader movement against pandemic restrictions more broadly, which are mostly imposed by provinces, and against Trudeau. The convoy rolled into Ottawa on Jan. 28. Since then, vehicles have clogged downtown. Many businesses have been closed due to security concerns and the lives of residents have been disrupted. Some have been harassed for wearing masks, police have said. Early Thursday, a convoy with passengers shouting "freedom!" and "fake news!" descended on Ottawa International Airport, eight miles south of Parliament Hill, causing traffic disruptions and delays. Pat King, a far-right figure listed as a regional organizer for the convoy, has said the only way to end restrictions "is with bullets." In a video streamed online, he agreed with a passenger who said "it's going until the mandates are gone and the premiers are gone and the prime minister is gone." "And the dissolving of the Liberal Party," King added. Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly said Thursday that authorities had negotiated the departure of 12 vehicles from the parking lot of a baseball stadium that demonstrators have used as a logistics hub and 10 vehicles from the downtown core. He said tow truck operators have been uncooperative or have faced threats for working with authorities. "This is a significant logistical impasse," Sloly said. He said authorities are trying to determine whether tow trucks from the United States might help. Police have said that those found to be taking part in criminal activity, which could include blocking streets or "assisting others in the blocking of streets," could be arrested. They've also said that if suspects are convicted, their vehicles could be seized and forfeited and they could be denied permission to cross the border. Some 400 trucks remained downtown on Thursday, jamming major thoroughfares. Police said there have been 25 arrests, including for mischief and menacing behavior. Authorities have issued more than 1,700 tickets, received reports of 400 hate incidents and are pursuing over 120 active investigations. Law enforcement officials have been under pressure to use tougher measures to disperse demonstrations. Officials across the country have pleaded for more officers, but they are wary a forceful response could escalate tensions and embolden demonstrators. They've also expressed fear that demonstrators might be armed or could use their vehicles against police. Authorities in Ottawa have said that 25% of the vehicles encamped in the city are believed to have children in them, potentially complicating a response. "You can't arrest your way out of the choices that people are making," Roberta McKale, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police superintendent in Alberta, told reporters at the Coutts crossing on Wednesday. "The best thing is for them to make the decision to leave. And they've got to go." Still, McKale said, asking the protesters to leave has so far not worked: "We're going to have to use our enforcement options in order to have that happen." The Ontario government said Thursday that the province's attorney general had successfully applied to the Superior Court of Justice for an order that would freeze access to monetary donations made through GiveSendGo, an online site that has raised millions of dollars in funds for the convoy. The interim leader of the Conservative Party in Canada initially supported the convoy. On Thursday, she urged the blockaders to pack it up. "To all of you who are taking part in the protests, I believe the time has come to take down the barricades, stop the disruptive action and come together," Candice Bergen said in Parliament. "The economy you want to see reopened is hurting . . . I believe this is not what you want to do." - - - The Washington Post's Aaron Davis in Washington contributed to this report. CHICAGO Illinois continues to require masks in schools, but plans to lift their requirement elsewhere starting Feb. 28. In an Wednesday afternoon announcement, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said mask requirements in Illinois will continue where federally mandated, such as on public transit and in high-risk settings including healthcare facilities and congregate care. Masking requirements will also continue to apply in all daycare settings. Pritzker said the state intends to continue masking requirements in all public schools through 12th grade, subject to pending litigation which impacts a number of schools. The announcement an hour before Madison County announced another COVID-19 related death, a woman in her 70s. MCHD has recorded 12 COVID-19 related deaths in February and a total of 732. There were 83 COVID-19 patients in county hospitals Wednesday afternoon, 10 on ventilators. To date Madison County has recorded 68,556 cases and 737,120 tests. MCHD recorded 134 new confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases on Wednesday; 43 involved patients younger than 20. Madison County's positivity rate Wednesday was 17.53 percent; its seven-day rate was 9.23 percent and its 10-day rate was 11.73 percent. It's the end of the statewide mask mandate, Pritzker said of the planned Feb. 28 lifting of the order. We are now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began. "Many local jurisdictions, businesses and organizations have their own mask requirements and other mitigations that must be respected," he added. "Throughout this pandemic, weve deployed the tools available to us as needed. Our approach has saved lives and kept our economy open and growing. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said that, while masks will no longer be required in most indoor locations starting Feb. 28, they are still recommended. "Masks offer a layer of protection and for people who have an underlying health condition or who are around those who do, you may choose to continue wearing a mask," she said. "Similarly, if you find yourself in a crowded, indoor setting, a mask can still help protect you. We will continue to recommend masks. The announcement came two days after Attorney General Kwame Raoul asked the 4th District Appellate Court in Springfield for an emergency halt to a temporary restraining order against the mask mandate. Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow on Friday ruled Pritzker overstepped his authority in an emergency order last fall that has required students and staff to wear face coverings. She nixed other orders too, including one mandating vaccinations for school employees. Grischow agreed with the plaintiffs that students may not be excluded from school for health reasons without family consent or a public health quarantine order. The lawsuit was brought by more than 700 parents and staff at more than 140 schools in Illinois. Grischow's ruling prompted mask policies at several area schools. Edwardsville and Collinsville districts said the order only affected families named in the lawsuit and all others must abide by current school policies. Carlinville, Staunton, North Mac, Roxana and Triad schools have made masks optional. Highland and the Jersey Community Unit School District changed their stance on masks from required to recommended. The equation for schools just looks different right now than it does for the general population, Pritzker said. "Schools need a little more time for community infection rates to drop, for our youngest learners to become vaccine eligible and for more parents to get their kids vaccinated. Without offering a timeline, Pritzker said school mask mandates could be lifted in the coming weeks if the state continues to see progress in terms of hospitalization and disease spread. Ezike said lifting the mandate did not signify an end to COVID-19 but, instead, was the latest in the states effort to coexist with COVID. Your actions that you've already taken have helped to reduce the amount of virus circulating and it absolutely has saved lives, she said. But be clear that COVID is not gone and it won't be gone on Feb. 28. So, we are going to continue to find ways to live with the virus. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, criticized Pritzker following the announcement. Gov. Pritzkers failure to have a clear plan in place for schools to give parents and children hope of returning to a normal life is astounding, Durkin said. It is year three of this pandemic, and continuing to leave these families in the dark, with no data or metrics presented, is unconscionable and a clear sign the governor should not be trusted to get us out of this pandemic. ALTON Workers from Stutz Excavating began tearing down 603 Piasa St. in Alton Wednesday. Constructed in the late 1890s, the building was once the studio and warehouse for Alton artist Arthur Towata who died in November 2019. The building had been condemned in recent years; part of the roof collapsed in 2014. On Wednesday at least two trackhoes tore down the north end of the building and were working through the center, tearing out walls. Caution tape surrounded the brick building, warning of an asbestos hazard at the site. Towata began using the building, which was once a street car power plant and foundry, in the 1970s. In 2016 his agent, James Thompson, spearheaded an effort to salvage the one-of-a-king-art that was inside the building. A long-term goal for the building itself was to eventually make it into a gallery and useable workspace once again, but those efforts were unsuccessful. In January, the Alton City Council approved a low bid of $80,800 from Stutz Excavating to tear down the building. An exhibition of Towata's art is currently offered at the Jacoby Arts Center on East Broadway in Alton. Pieces in the collection, begun in November, recently were exchanged with other works by Towata. A reception for the exhibit is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at the Jacoby Arts Center. The reception had been planned for Feb. 4 but was postponed because of weather. Towata, an expert at singular ash-fired ceramics, drew inspiration from the Mississippi River, local wildlife and dragonflies. Born Nov. 7, 1933, in Los Angeles, he lived for a while in a Japanese-American internment camp in California with his family, a time in his life that he said inspired some of his artwork. He served in the Air Force before attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he earned a bachelors degree in 1962 and a Master of Fine Arts/Masters in Education degree in 1971. For more information on the exhibit and reception, visit www.jacobyartscenter.org or call 618-462-5222. This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Job Title: Data Clerk (Fresher NGO Jobs) Organisation: Send a Cow Duty Station: Uganda Reports to: M&E associate About US: Send a Cow is a grassroots livelihood development non-governmental organisation which, was founded in 1988 as a response to combating poverty and malnutrition in Uganda and now organises community groups with the principle of Passing on Gifts of knowledge and skills in agronomy, business and vocational education through the extension service delivery model. Send a Cow designs development solutions with, and for the communities to get back the skills and confidence they need to get the most from the resources around them such as land. Currently works in the North, Central and Eastern parts of Uganda targeting vulnerable households, youth and smallholder farmers. Job Summary: The primary role of the Data clerk will be capturing data from project MIS systems and databases applicable tools Key Duties and Responsibilities: Capture District specific data into the project databases Ensuring safe custody of the tools. Ensure accurate capturing of all fields on the tools in the system, Arrange and ensure proper filling of tools while ensuring proper differentiation of entered tools from those that havent been entered. Ensure confidentiality of the information there in the tools. Avoid omissions or commission of information on any tool without the approval of the M&E associate Upload data entered and captured in the database on a daily basis Participate in development and/or administering of project tools across Participate in District and activity performance review/sharing and feedback meetings where necessary Collect and compile data and prepare regular reports. Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor(s) from time to time as need arises. Routine data cleaning protocols are observed Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant must hold a Bachelors Degree in development statistics, computer science, Education, computer studies and any other related qualification One year of experience Computer literate. Team player Experience in data entry Full and deep understanding of all technical aspects of the SACU programme Strong people management ability Numerate Basic Excel and Databases kills Excellent interpersonal skills Personal Qualities Have empathy with Send a Cows Christian foundation and core values An initiator and self-driven A team builder and developer A good eye for detail A team player. Flexible. Understands the importance of confidentiality Willingness to work long hours as and when need arises How to Apply: All candidates should send their applications to applications@sendacow.org. Application forms can be obtained on request to francis.twesigye@sendacow.org Deadline: 16th February 2022 by 5:00pm For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Job Title: Finance & Admin Assistant (Fresher Jobs) Organisation: DKT International Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About US: DKT International is a leading contraceptive social marketing organization whose core mission is the provision of safe and affordable options for family planning, reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS prevention. DKT International is one of the largest private providers of family planning and reproductive health products in the world, with a presence in over 50 countries. DKT currently markets and sells a variety of products under the leading brand categories: Kiss Condoms, Lydia Contraceptives, and Kare Maternal Health products. DKT is a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and health-minded organization where individuals can make a difference in improving lives of people. Job Summary: DKT is looking for dynamic, committed, and success-driven candidates for the position of a Finance & Admin Assistant to drive the financial and administration processes to generate reliable, transparent & timely financial and administrative requests needed by DKT Uganda to manage its resources and the funds entrusted to it by its donors & partners, thereby generating ongoing confidence. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Assist the head office, in administration and finance matters to ensure an effective management of the financial resources according to the DKT procedures. Ensure the compliance of administration, finance policies and procedures Conversant with Uganda Transactional taxes-WHT, Vat, Income and LSS Perform debtors collection in liaison with the senior accountant and the contractor. Perform stock reconciliation and oversight in the contractors warehouse and Staffs Inventory Movement, controls, and banking especially during market visits where there are sales. Ensure credit and Debit Notes are correctly made investigate, explain and resolve any variances. Responsible for fixed assets management and take responsibility for the maintenance of all office equipment. Ensure all procurements comply with competitive 3 quotes bidding in liaison with the procurement manager. Prepare and organize local workshops and responsible for correspondences, follow ups on contracts/Po issued. Ensure quality and compliance of marketing materials purchased in liaison with the sales team and procurement. Facilitate auditors in performing on-site visits. First point of contact for our Uganda office with respect to Uganda office administration and direction. Undertake any other official duties as assigned the Finance Manager Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant must hold a Degree in Bachelor of Commerce with specialization in Accounting or Finance Three years of experience in accounting and finance in the field of international NGOs or private sector. Good knowledge of accounting and office administration Hands-on knowledge of the computer packages and excel would be a distinct advantage, Good interpersonal skills (tact, diplomacy, discretion and impartiality) are essential for this position, Strong team-player with ability to work in virtual teams Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals within a broad range of cultural environments, High level of good organizational and administrative skills with an ability to work well under pressure, Must be committed to equal opportunity employment policies, this job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. The potential candidate should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to positively influence, support teams and process improvements. Passion for excellence will be a distinct advantage. How to Apply: All interested candidates to send their applications to hr@dkthealthcare.org. Please kindly also indicate details of your availability, current and expected salary, names & addresses of 3 business referees, current and previous employers, roles and responsibilities handled to date, together with your day and cell contacts. Deadline: 28th February 2022. For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline MADDY BARRETTE, Chariho, Softball, Sophomore; Barrette hit a two-run single in the seventh inning, lifting Chariho past Cumberland. For the week, Barrette was 4 for 8 with three RBIs and a double in three games. MADDIE STEPSKI, Stonington, Softball, Senior; Stepski hit two home runs in back-to-back games for the Bears. In three games during the week, she was 10 for 13 with four homers, two doubles and 12 RBIs. Stepski is hitting .750 for the season with 22 RBIs and six home runs. MICHAEL POOLE, Westerly, Baseball, Freshman; Poole struck out 14 Rogers batters to earn his second win of the season. Poole pitched a four-hitter and allowed just one earned run. For the season, Poole has 19 strikeouts in 12 innings with a 1.14 ERA. SEAN BERGEL, Wheeler, Baseball, Sophomore; Bergel pitched a complete-game two-hitter in a 1-0 win against Putnam. Bergel struck out seven and did not walk a batter. He is 2-1 with a 1.68 ERA this season. Vote View Results Port Allen, LA (70767) Today A few passing clouds. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on tillamookheadlightherald.com. The Headlight Herald E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) Barre, VT (05641) Today Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. remaining of SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Obituaries will be accepted only from funeral homes, or from an individual only when legal documentation is presented at our office, of that individual's executor status over the estate of the deceased. Obituaries must be received with prepayment before 4 p.m. for publication the following day. On holidays, obituaries must be received with prepayment before noon for publication the following day. If you have questions, please call (256)-340-2384. An unidentified law enforcement officer walks in front of a Kingsport Police Department cruiser in this photo from Aug. 10, 2021, during what turned out to be a swatting incident at Volunteer High School in Hawkins County. Law enforcement agencies say city and county lines do not deter them from fighting crime. Russia launches the active phase of vast military exercises in Belarus on Thursday, a display of strength that shows how Moscows tightening grip on Minsk has given it enhanced capabilities in its standoff with the West over Ukraine. The joint Allied Resolve drills that NATO has described as Russias biggest deployment to ex-Soviet Belarus since the Cold War run until Feb. 20 and are part of a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine that has stirred fears of a looming invasion. Russia, which denies any invasion plans, has not disclosed how many troops will be involved. Many of the troops have been deployed from thousands of miles away in Russias Eastern Military District in the far east. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last week that Russia was expected to have 30,000 troops as well as Spetsnaz special operations forces, SU-35 fighter jets, S-400 air defence systems and nuclear-capable Iskander missiles. In military terms, the deployments create a new front for Ukraine to worry about and stretch Kyivs forces thinner around its long defensive perimeter, said Neil Melvin, director of International Security Studies at the RUSI think-tank in London. The deployments to the north of Ukraine put Russian troops much closer to Ukraines capital Kyiv, which lies just over 90 km (56 miles) from the border at its closest point. With the deployment of fighters and air defence systems, Russia has much more effective defensive cover for its Kaliningrad exclave in Europe, and electronic jamming systems in Belarus make Western intelligence gathering harder, said Melvin. (This) puts forces in play on NATOs eastern flank that will discourage or prevent NATO having any kind of role, he said. NO MORE AMBIGUITY For years, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a wily political operator in power since 1994, played off East against West for political gain and resisted the idea of hosting a permanent Russian military base. But since Russian President Vladimir Putin shored him up with political and economic support to help him weather huge opposition protests in 2020 he has shed much of that veneer of autonomy, analysts said. I think he finally decided that in order to stay in power he should rely on his strategic alliance with Moscow and of course these joint military exercises are yet another kind of manifestation of this new closeness, said Andrey Kortunov, head of the Russian International Affairs Council which is close to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Now he has full backing from Putin in exchange for his loyalty. Apparently both sides are happy with this deal, at least for the time being, he said. In recent months, Lukashenko has publicly offered to host Russian nuclear missiles in Belarus. Moscow and Minsk have agreed a joint military doctrine for their union state integration project. Russian warplanes now regularly patrol the Belarusian border. Last year the two countries opened a joint training centre in Grodno in western Belarus. This is basic code for a permanent presence, said Mathieu Boulegue, a research fellow at Londons Chatham House think-tank. You can call it what you want: whatever the rhetoric around it, its going to turn into an informal permanent presence that Russia has always wanted. On Feb. 27, Belarus is expected to hold a referendum to change its constitution. Changes would include removing its formal status as a neutral country and a nuclear-free zone. PANDORAS BOX The Kremlin has said the Russian troops will return to their permanent garrisons once the drills are over. But the beleaguered Belarusian opposition-in-exile, which has fretted for years that Lukashenko is trading off chunks of sovereignty in return for backing from Moscow, fears Russias troops may not leave entirely. Lukashenko has opened Pandoras Box. He thinks hes still in control, but were not sure. Is he able to make sure these troops are going home, or not? said Franak Viacorka, an adviser to Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. SOURCE: REUTERS ALBANY The Albany County District Attorneys office attempted to arraign the man shot last month by city police officers hours after he was taken off a ventilator earlier this week. Tuesdays legal proceeding was halted after Jordan Youngs public defender, Rebekah Sokol, protested. Sokol argued to Judge Holly Trexler that Young wasnt physically able to understand what was going on as authorities attempted to formally charge Young more than two weeks after he was shot. Trexler agreed and stopped the arraignment. It was very clear to me that he was barely conscious, Sokol said. The idea that they would push forward with this when he clearly didnt understand the legal process is inexcusable. Court records show that Young was arrested on charges of felony menacing a police officer and misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon. He was shot on Jan. 24 as he ran toward a city police officer searching for suspects in a nearby alleged home invasion. Police said Young had a knife in his hand when he ran at the officer during a confrontation on New Scotland Avenue. Sokol suggested that the cost of guarding Young, 32, may have played a role in the decision to push the arraignment. Young has been under city police guard almost since he arrived at the hospital. If he was arraigned, he would then be under the supervision of the Albany County Sheriffs Office, and they would be responsible for watching him while he is hospitalized. Sokol said Young has since been put back on a ventilator. Hes very much fighting for his life, she said. The district attorneys office did not return requests for comment. Police spokesman Steve Smith said stationing officers in hospitals to watch people in custody is a common practice. "This is obviously one of those circumstances and it has in no way had a financial impact on the police department," he said in a statement. Alice Green, who has been serving as a spokesperson for Young's family, said Young's wife remains the only person allowed to see him. Its very hard. Sometimes he appears to be conscious and other times hes not, Green said. He doesnt know whats going on. Green the executive director of the Center for Law and Justice said she remains disappointed in the city police departments handling of the case and its refusal to let more family members see Young. Hours after the attempted arraignment, the citys newly empowered civilian police review board voted to open an investigation into the police shooting. Review board members emphasized during their meeting Tuesday evening that voting to open an investigation was not an indication of whether they believed the shooting was justified or not. "It's my thought that there are still a lot of questions that are open, that we as a board, it's our responsibility to look further into," said Nairobi Vives, the board's chair. The investigation will serve as a high-profile test of the board's new powers, which city voters approved in a referendum last year. The board can subpoena information from the department as well as officer testimony. The law also boosted the board's budget to equal 1 percent of the police department's, giving it the ability to hire outside investigators. It's unclear to what extent the city's police officers will cooperate with any review board investigation. Last June, the city police officers' union filed a lawsuit seeking to have the law that beefed up the CPRB's powers thrown out, calling it invalid and a violation of the union's collective bargaining agreement with the city. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. The union is also seeking to have the decision on whether the law is enforceable moved to the state's Public Employee Relations Board. A decision has not been reached in that matter. Police Chief Eric Hawkins has repeatedly defended his officers' actions and said he welcomes any outside investigation into the department's actions around the shooting. Board members have already reviewed some of the police department's body camera footage from the early morning shooting, which started as an investigation into a 911 call for a possible home intruder at the Morris Street building where Young and his brother live. During Tuesday's meeting, board members made it clear they would be seeking much more information, including location data, a digital reconstruction of the events, surveillance footage and other evidence. The early morning 911 call set in motion a chain of events that culminated in Young being shot on a nearby block by an Albany police officer as patrol cars combed the neighborhood for possible suspects. Officers spotted Young with his dog in the middle of New Scotland Avenue. Police said Young, armed with a knife, sat in the road before he ran at an officer while holding the knife and was shot. The department later determined the initial 911 call for an intruder was unfounded, but has not said who they believe made the call. The police review board's investigation is currently the only outside examination of the shooting. District Attorney David Soares' office will not investigate the shooting, due a 2020 policy change made a week after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. A special prosecutor would have to be appointed by a judge, which has not happened yet. And the state Attorney General's office only opens an investigation when an officer's action results in a death. Young's family has questioned why police approached Young, and criticized the departments portrayal of Young and the response to the 911 call. TROY A residents group fighting construction of the proposed Kings Landing II apartment project downtown attacked the earlier Kings Landing I project Wednesday as a boarding house that failed to comply with what the city Planning Commission approved in 2018. The Neighbors Protecting Neighborhoods organization said developer BDC Group "constructed the building as 100 percent rooming house as opposed to the mix of half dorm-type and half market-rate apartments approved by the Planning Commission. Clearly they pulled a bait and switch, said Drea Leanza of Neighbors Protecting Neighbors at a press conference held outside Kings Landing I at King and Federal streets. The city and the developer quickly responded that Kings Landing I, now known as Incite, at 10 King St., was in full compliance with the planning approvals and the city building code. Mayor Patrick Maddens administration issued a statement from the City Engineer Aaron Vera, who said Incite was approved in February 2018 by the Planning Commission, which is tasked with the site plan review, which includes ensuring that projects conform to city zoning code and site design standards. For residential projects, the commission is presented with a dwelling unit count, Vera noted. The commission does not approve building floor plans or a specific bedroom count. "Incite, as approved and as constructed, complies with the City of Troy Zoning Code and the Planning Commissions 2018 approval, Vera said. Cosmo Marfione, president of the BDC Group, said the 52-unit luxury apartment site filled a need in the downtown housing market and also noted that Incite is in full compliance with the citys zoning code and the commission's approvals. The mixture of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments "meets the needs of the diverse and growing community of people who want to live in Troy and become part of a Troy neighborhood, from students and young professionals to growing families and empty nesters, Marfione said in a statement. Neighbors Protecting Neighborhoods opened the second front in its campaign to stop Kings Landing II after its members said they discovered differences between the floor plans filed with the Planning Commission and those on file for the building permit for Kings Landing I. The citizens group concentrated its observations on the number of bedrooms in the original plans and those shown in the building permit plans. Joe Fama, of Neighbors Protecting Neighborhoods and former executive director of TAP (Troy Architectural Project), said the building permits allowed 140 bedrooms in 52 apartments for students. He said there are no market rate apartments. In comparison, the approved plan for Kings Landing I called for 27 market rate apartments with 48 bedrooms and 28 student apartments with 70 bedrooms. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. The citizens group opposes the 54-unit Kings Landing II project at Fifth Avenue and Federal Street because they say it does not fit the neighborhood. The groups called for the Planning Commission not to take any action on Kings Landing II until the issues it raised at Kings Landing I have been resolved. Democratic Councilwoman Emily Menn, whose 4th Council District includes the two Kings Landings sites, said she would contact the mayors office, check with the Troy Industrial Development Authority and ask for a meeting of the City Councils Planning Committee to ensure the projects were done properly according to planning and code requirements. Menn attended the press conference. Marfione said Kings Landing II will give new life to vacant lots and replacing un-restorable, dilapidated buildings, we believe The BDC Group is protecting and sustaining Troy neighborhoods for the future. SARATOGA SPRINGS Known for its distinctive cobalt blue glass bottles, Saratoga Spring Water has been a Spa City stalwart since the 19th century. But does the water really come from a spring in Saratoga Springs? Not necessarily. Government-mandated labels on some of the bottles indicate that the water actually comes from the White Cedar Springs in Dallas Plantation, Maine (remote, rural communities in northern Maine are designated as plantations). That's true for the water sold in the traditional blue bottles as well as the new special edition clear glass bottles touting the business' 150th year. The labeling on one of the companys clear plastic water bottles examined by the Times Union stated the water was from Forestport, Oneida County. And other glass bottles found at stores in the Capital Region indicated the water was sourced from Saratoga Springs and Stockbridge, Vt. Dallas Plantation is about 300 miles from Saratoga Springs, while Forestport and Stockbridge are about 100 miles away. While there is some geographic dissonance between the name and the waters origin, this is nothing unusual in the somewhat murky world of bottled water, in which international corporations own multiple players and branding tied to a particular place is a key marketing tool. When Saratoga water was first bottled in 1872, food and beverage production was a local affair. There were no interstate highways, tanker trucks or refrigerated transport. The local production stuck for decades and many Saratoga denizens still know that the water had long come from Sweetwater Spring on the bottling companys grounds near the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Now that's not always the case. I checked all three cases and said Thats really weird, " Bernie Collins, a former Saratoga resident who now lives in Pennsylvania, said when he noticed the label. Collins, who had family roots in the Spa City, buys Saratoga water from a distributor in Pittsburgh since he is used to it and enjoys drinking his hometown water. He said he made some inquiries and learned that the water he has came from Maine, not Saratoga Springs. A call to the company wasnt returned. The firm changed hands last fall when longtime owner Adam Madkour sold Saratoga Spring Water for an undisclosed sum to Blue Triton. Blue Triton in the last year was spun off from the Nestle food conglomerate and is owned by a pair of investment firms: One Rock Capital Partners and Metropoulos & Co. Blue Triton also owns Poland Spring, a Maine-based water company that has been nationally known for years. Its water comes not from Poland Spring, Maine, but from the Dallas Plantation as well. Forestport is the home of Nirvana Natural Spring Water and one of the owners, Wade Abraham, said the business supplies other labels as well. But he declined to say which bottled water companies the spring supplies. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. Abraham, who with a partner, purchased the operation out of bankruptcy court in 2016, said the bottled water business has seen its ups and downs over the past few years. At the start of the COVID 19 pandemic, sales in general were through the roof, but things slowed as more and more restaurants and other public venues closed, Abraham said. Business picked up in 2021 but now the industry is dealing with the same kind of supply chain challenges that all businesses face, including rising fuel costs. The restaurant business plays a large role in Saratoga Spring Water sales, former owner Adam Madkour said back in September when the sale to Blue Triton was announced. He said the unique glass bottles were a draw as was the cachet associated with the name Saratoga. Regardless of a brand's prestige, using water from a place that is different from the brands name has its potential downsides. A group of consumers in 2019 commenced a lawsuit against Poland Spring/Nestle, claiming that they didnt realize the water can come from drilled wells in addition to naturally occurring springs. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-248-6070 @RickKarlinTU ALBANY The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill that would end the use of forced arbitration in the American workplace, bringing the measure a step closer to becoming federal law. The bipartisan legislation, dubbed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, was introduced by U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Brunswick, and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. It tackles a practice that prohibits alleged survivors of abuse from suing their employers and coming forward about their experiences, including often being unable to tell their friends or families about workplace misconduct. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is expected to sign the legislation into law. Arbitration clauses tucked inside employment contracts that an estimated 60 million workers have signed, often without their knowledge, enabled the practice to continue. Most employees dont learn about the clauses until its too late and theyre considering taking legal action against an employer. The legislation, which is tied to federal, state and tribal laws, would eliminate those existing agreements, giving alleged survivors the opportunity to pursue legal recourse. It is also applicable to ongoing arbitration cases. As a result of the #MeToo movement, the practice has come under intense scrutiny. In most instances, employees are less likely to win in arbitration than they are in court. Occasionally, an employment contract stipulates that an employee must pay 50 percent of the arbitration costs. Those expenses can reach up to $2,000 an hour, often discouraging survivors from pursuing their claims. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, nearly 58 percent of female workers are subjected to arbitration policies, which disproportionately target women of color. "This bill represents one of the most significant workplace reforms in American history," Gillibrand said on the Senate floor. "These clauses leave those women who often cannot afford to challenge their employers without recourse." The senator mentioned the cases of two women who had been forced into arbitration: Andowah A. Newton and Lora Henry. Henry worked at a Kia dealership in Ohio, Gillibrand said. There, her boss allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior that included touching her, making lewd comments and providing her with gifts. The woman had to undergo arbitration and was only able to speak about the allegations after Congress issued her a subpoena. Newton, an employee at LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, had to go through arbitration after filing a sexual harassment case in a New York court. The company argued that federal law superseded state law that banned the practice, Gillibrand said. She added, "The company convinced her that harassment was just a byproduct of being an attractive woman who works at a company with a French culture." Graham addressed reporters following the decision, echoing Gillibrand's remarks. "The day of being quiet and doing it where nobody understands what happened and the woman next door doesn't know that the same guy that's doing it to her also did it to the lady down the hall, those days are up," he said. Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox News host who said shed been sexually harassed by CEO Roger Ailes, spearheaded the legislation. A forced arbitration clause barred Carlson from suing Fox News; instead, she sued Ailes. As a result of the agreement, she has never spoken publicly about what happened to her while at the network. At a press conference following the vote, Carlson said: Today, Im here on behalf of the millions of American workers who have been silenced for doing nothing wrong. Workers who simply wanted to go to their jobs every day and work in a safe environment," she continued. "Workers who had the courage to come forward to say something was wrong and in return got shunted into a secret chamber. Most of them never heard from ever again. Carlson's advocacy took five years to come to fruition. The bill was introduced in 2017. On Monday, the legislation passed the House 335-to-97. Both Gillibrand and Carlson said they will continue working on legislation together, specifically bills related to non-disclosure agreements and discrimination. "This is just the important first step," Gillibrand said. ALBANY A bomb threat at the Empire State Plaza led police to shut down traffic and many building entrances in that area of the state Capitol on Thursday morning. State Police said the threat was made to a day care center in one of the plaza buildings around 6:30 a.m. The building has since reopened after K-9s swept the area and police determined there was no threat. The day care center remains closed, police said. (The Center Square) Pennsylvania is set to receive $244.9 million this year through the federal infrastructure law to clean up abandoned mines across the commonwealth. The funding, announced this week by Gov. Tom Wolf, is the most by far of the 22 states and Navajo Nation that will receive a total of $725 million this fiscal year. The funding comes through the recent infrastructure law approved by Congress, which allocated a $11.3 billion to reclaim abandoned mine lands over the next 15 years. Weve long needed a solution to accelerate work to address the environmental and public health concerns of our legacy energy development, Wolf said. "I'm pleased that the Biden Administration shares my commitment to reclaiming Pennsylvanias abandoned mine-land for productive use. This bipartisan investment will address the dangers of abandoned mines while simultaneously supporting new, good-paying jobs, economic recovery, and community revitalization. The funding is intended to close open mine shafts, reclaim unstable slopes, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage and restore water supplies damaged by mining, with a focus on prioritizing projects that employ dislocated coal industry workers, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in January during a stop in Luzerne County that unlike previous grants, the new funding can be used to design, build, operate, maintain and rehabilitate acid mine drainage treatment facilities, a crucial element to restore waterways and wildlife habitats. A 2018 report from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection identified 5,597 individual problem areas involving abandoned mines, with a total unfunded remediation cost of more than $5 billion. The department has documented abandoned mines in 43 of Pennsylvanias 67 counties. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey noted that one-third of the nations abandoned mine lands are in Pennsylvania, according to the Interior's mine land inventory system. He also highlighted the impact the funding will have on the 1.4 million Pennsylvanians who live within a mile of an abandoned mine. For too long weve neglected the pressing needs of communities blighted by abandoned and polluted mines, Casey said. "This funding is just the start of what the infrastructure law will bring to Pennsylvania communities to address vital abandoned mine land and water reclamation projects, clean legacy pollution, create jobs and improve Pennsylvanians quality of life. I will keep fighting to bring home infrastructure investments to the Commonwealth and to ensure we are able to remediate acid mine drainage, ensuring all Pennsylvania families have access to clean water. The Interior department is expected to distribute about $725 million a year over the next 15 years, with Pennsylvania set to receive a total of nearly $4 billion over that time frame. The next closest state in terms of funding is West Virginia with $140 million for fiscal year 2022. The remaining allocations range between $986,000 for Texas and $75 million for Illinois. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's historic investments will help revitalize these local economies and support reclamation jobs that help put people to work in their communities, all while addressing environmental impacts from these legacy developments, Haaland said. Medical oddities make for great Internets content. Death after vaxxing isn't unheard of . . . A quick Google search revealed a tragic story of a healthy 19 year old ALLEGEDLY dying after the flu shot not so long ago. For more fun . . . Check the ChubbyEmu Youtube channel . . . TKC's favorite recent video involves a professional over-eater enduring a medical episode after consuming too many pickles. And all of this leads us to the story of a lady in the Sunflower State who tragically passed after getting the vaxx which was fast tracked by Prez Trump and has largely been proven to be the only real progress against the pandemic . . . 68-year-old Jeanie M. Evans of Effingham, Kansas, received her vaccine in Jefferson County in March 2021. After receiving the shot, she began to experience anaphylaxis, according to KSHB 41's previous reporting. "The decedent was a 68 year old female with a medical history of hypertension, environmental allergies, "allergic disorder", and reactive airway disease (not asthma), with previous anaphylactic reaction to albuterol," the autopsy report said. It then described that, on March 23, 2021, about 15 minutes after receiving her first dose of the vaccine, she began to complain that her airway was becoming blocked. "EMS was called and arrived on scene where she was noted to have severe respiratory distress with labored breathing and stridor and poor oxygen saturation," the report said. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . For late night readers and early morning denizens of the discourse we collect all of the recent Meth Town police crisis news links in one somewhat convenient spot. We're not taking sides but the smart money seems to think that this hot mess hurts the chances of incumbent Mayor Weir more than anybody else. Here are several worthwhile links on the increasingly sordid topic . . . Independence had no limits on overtime and one police officer got paid for 2,800 hours Independence, which announced an investigation into how a single employee clocked 2,800 of overtime in one year, set no limits in its city policies for how much extra time an employee could work. Independence will hire a firm to uncover how one police officer received $169,836 in overtime pay above his regular salary in 2021. In wake of investigation into overtime pay, Independence City Council's executive session postponed INDEPENDENCE, MO (KCTV) --- An executive session that was scheduled to be held on Thursday in Independence was postponed after there wasn't enough members in attendance to meet the quorum. The meeting was scheduled after the city announced an investigation into the Independence Police Department's use of overtime. Independence police had no written overtime policy during HQ construction work, records show The acting Independence police chief admitted to the city's top managers last month there is no written department-wide policy regarding overtime among police officers.Acting Police Chief Ken Jarnagin's email on Jan. Independence city manager says officer in overtime investigation should be suspended KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Independence city manager now says an officer who earned more than $160,000 in overtime for non-police work should be suspended. Last week, the city announced that a whistleblower complaint about overtime misuse was credible. Independence city leaders look to discuss city manager's performance Independence city council tried to meet in executive session tonight to discuss the performance of city manager Zach Walker. "We should be reasonable enough to sit and figure out what has happened?" Michael Steinmeyer, 3rd district councilman. "There's a lot of concerned people about this, we have to address it one way or another," said Mike Huff, councilmember at-large. Developing . . . In this post we roundup quite a bit of police action, notes and crime news from around the metro. As always, we try to finish the scroll with a bit of hope . . . Check TKC news gathering . . . Info needed as KCPD works to solve woman's homicide KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two weeks after metro woman was shot and killed, detectives are asking for your help to find her killer. Pebbles Harr was killed Jan. 25 near St. John Avenue and Belmont Boulevard. Investigators said they found her body when the responded to a call reporting gunfire in the area. Video shows alleged shoplifters at Legends Outlets KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Detectives are asking for help identifying the people involved in a robbery at a store at the Legends Outlet. It happened around 7 p.m. on Dec. 20 as people were Christmas shopping at The Buckle. A group of nine women and teenagers arrived at the store in two vehicles. Clay County authorities renews call for tips in disappearance, death of Independence mother Authorities in Clay County, Missouri are again asking for anyone with information related to the disappearance and death of an Independence woman to please come forward. Alesha J. Reade, 45, went missing from Independence one year ago Wednesday. Thieves target same victim twice by stealing his truck and keys, then his car KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Thieves stole from an Independence man twice in the same day by stealing two of his vehicles. David Jischke said it all started when he hopped out of his truck to clock in at work. Independence police show renovations at center of overtime pay complaint INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - The Independence Police Department on Wednesday allowed reporters to see some of the building renovations that have become the center of an investigation into the misuse of overtime pay. Police say remodeling work has been going on at the headquarters building over a period of years. Independence Police Department overtime investigation-see where the money went INDEPENDENCE, MO (KCTV) -- We are getting our first look at the maintenance projects completed by an Independence officer working overtime. The officer racked up more than $160,000 doing the work on overtime last year - that's in addition to the base pay. Wanted: Shannon Parker CLAY COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- According to the KC Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline, 47-year-old Shannon Parker is wanted for a sex offender registration violation out of Clay County. His last known address was near Harlem Road and Broadway Extension in Kansas City, Missouri. His original offense was the sexual assault of a child. Kansas City's Most Wanted KC Crime Stoppers has partnered with The Northeast News to help track individuals on the Kansas City's most wanted list. Check Northeast News each week for a new listing. KC Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement: fear and apathy. KCK man sentenced for trafficking firearms on Facebook KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A KCK man involved in a shooting which injured several people was sentenced in federal court today. Dyqwon Deonte Brown, 28, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole for illegally possessing ammunition. Brown pleaded guilty to the charge back in September. 174th entrant officer class begins training at Kansas City Regional Police Academy KANSAS CITY, Mo. - KSHB 41 News is getting an exclusive look at what it takes to become a police officer. We'll be following the 174th entrant officer class at the Kansas City Regional Police Academy over the next six months. Entrant officers began their training Tuesday morning by learning rules, regulations and expectations while in the academy. Developing . . . More drama in the suburbs hits the Kansas City news cycle . . . Thankfully, there's not much explanation and middle-class parents are free to share their own racial misconceptions in order to continue misleading their family amid a cultural shift powered by our betters. Here are the basics . . . Students decided to sit in the gym Thursday morning instead of attending classes. A spokesperson for the Park Hill School District said the protest was peaceful. The protest took place after a student used "racist, inappropriate language." A school employee allegedly repeated the words while disciplining the student. More . . . "Students began their sit-in protest early Thursday morning, but the district said no demands have been made and they don't know what the students want. They are supervising the students choosing to sit-in in the gym and making sure they are safe, a district spokeswoman said." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . Dozens of Park Hill students hold sit-in to protest staffer who used racist language KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- About 80 Park Hill High School students have camped out in the school's upper gym as a protest to the situation from earlier this week in which a staff member used racist language when engaging with a student. Park Hill Students protest employee's alleged actions KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Dozens of students at Park Hill High School protested the alleged actions of a school employee, hoping to draw attention to what they believe happened. Students decided to sit in the gym Thursday morning instead of attending classes. A spokesperson for the Park Hill School District said the protest was peaceful. Students at Park Hill High School stage protest over alleged racist incident KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As many as 80 Park Hill High School students protested inside the school's gymnasium Thursday morning reacting to an incident earlier this week involving racist language. The incident involved a student using allegedly racist and inappropriate language and a teacher then repeating the language while questioning the student. Developing . . . BLANFORD [mdash] Eric Todd Vandevender, 60, of Blanford and formerly of Cayuga, passed away at 7:55 a.m. EDT Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Clinton Gardens in Clinton, Indiana. Eric was born on May 6, 1961 in Danville, Illinois, the son of the late Floyd A. and Irma Jean (Weir) Vandevender. Sur Instant unlimited access to all of our content on triplicate.com. The Triplicate's E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) The Biden administration considers Russia's joint military exercises with Belarus to be an escalatory action. The relevant statement was made at a Washington briefing by White House Spokeswoman Jen Psaki, an Ukrinform's correspondent reported on February 9. "As we look at the preparation for these military exercises, again, we see this as certainly more of an escalatory and not a de-escalatory action," said the U.S. administration spokeswoman. She stressed that the buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine, including in Belarus, is of concern to Washington. Psaki also commented on the assessments that emerged after the French president's visit to Moscow that the Russian side is allegedly demonstrating readiness to have a diplomatic dialogue. "Were looking at actions here, and we have not seen de-escalatory actions by the Russians," she said. The White House spokeswoman also said Biden had spoken to Macron after the latters talks with Putin. In addition, the U.S. President this week received the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and in the coming days, he intends to talk to other European leaders about Russia's aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, when asked if Biden was set to talk to Putin, Psaki said that as of today, "I dont have anything to preview at this point in time." As Ukrinform reported earlier, a joint Russian-Belarusian exercise, "Allied Resolve," will kick off in Belarus on February 10. Ukraine and international partners have stated that they are closely monitoring the process and have intelligence about the ongoing actions near the border of Ukraine. im The Stinger man-portable air defense systems and missiles from Lithuania will arrive in Ukraine in the next few days, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has said. She said this at a joint briefing with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal following their meeting in Kyiv on Thursday, February 10, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. Simonyte said that today Ukraine needs not only political but also very practical support from its partners. "Therefore, Lithuania is stepping up our support for Ukraine in the field of defense. We are increasing the number of military instructors in Ukraine and providing Ukraine with additional weapons and equipment. I have informed Prime Minister Shmyhal that the Stingers and air missiles from Lithuania will arrive in Ukraine in the coming days. I hope and sincerely wish that Ukraine never have to use them," she said. Simonyte also said that Lithuania is resuming the rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers in Lithuania and will provide other medical support. In addition, according to her, a Needs Assessment Mission set up by the Lithuanian government will work in Kyiv this month. It will identify the best practical ways of how Lithuania can continue to support Ukraine both bilaterally and in coordination with partners, including at the EU level. On January 21, the defense ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia said in a joint statement that these countries had received the necessary approval from the United States to send weapons to Ukraine and would continue working together to deliver them to the country as soon as possible. op NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine has submitted proposals to the European Commission (Directorate General for Competition) to normalize the current situation on the gas market and minimize the influence of the Russian monopoly Gazprom in the future. According to the companys press service, Naftogaz actively cooperates with the anti-monopoly body of the European Commission (Directorate General for Competition) in consideration of a complaint about abuse by Russias Gazprom of its dominant position in the European gas market. DG Competition began consideration of this complaint at the beginning of the year and has twice asked Naftogaz to clarify some of the arguments set out in the document. Hopefully, this shows that the European Commission intends to thoroughly investigate the causes and circumstances of the gas crisis. We also provided DG Competition with concrete proposals on how to normalize the situation on the gas market now and to minimize Gazproms ability to blackmail Europe in the future, Naftogaz CEO Yuriy Vitrenko said. According to him, if a complaint against Gazprom had been filed in 2020, Europe could have avoided a deficit and an artificial rise in gas prices, which affects, among others, Ukrainian industry. Vitrenko stressed that in the face of the threat of further Russian aggression, the struggle for Ukraines energy security is becoming even more important. As reported, the European Commission expects Gazprom to provide answers about the company's behavior in the market. At the end of December last year, Naftogaz of Ukraine appealed to the European Commission with a complaint about abuse by Russias Gazprom of its dominant position in the European gas market. The national company has applied to the DG Competition for immediate action to normalize the situation. iy While in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron did not raise the issue of Ukraine's non-aligned status. This was stated by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who spoke at a press conference hosted by Ukrinform, responding to a question from an agency correspondent. "The issue of Ukraine's renunciation of Euro-Atlantic aspirations was not raised yesterday," Kuleba said. He added that the conversation between the presidents of Ukraine and France was very specific. "But I assure you that no betrayals have happened, and they couldnt have happened, so the president of Ukraine is very clearly aware of and protects our nations interests," said the head of Ukrainian diplomacy. According to Kuleba, the president of France personally impressed him with how deeply he understood all the nuances of the functioning of the Trilateral Contact Group and what needs to be done to unlock its work. "This is evidence that he is really not superficial, but deeply engaged in the issue, sincerely trying to find a solution," said Kuleba. In response to a clarifying question about the proposals with which the French president arrived in Kyiv, the foreign minister said that "President Macron arrived with thoughts, not proposals." "Now we are in a phase where the parties, communicating with each other, try to understand the limits of acceptable compromises and steps to be taken to bring the situation out of the deadlock Yesterday there was a discussion of ideas, but it was not a discussion of concrete proposals," Kuleba noted. According to some media reports, despite the fact that French President Emmanuel Macron denies that diplomats are discussing the issue of "Finlandization", that is, Ukraines non-alignment status, it still lies in the plane of diplomatic discourse. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs im At todays negotiations in Berlin, the Ukrainian side will seek to unblock the work of the Trilateral Contact Group in order to achieve progress in the settlement process for eastern Ukraine. This was stated at a meeting with Ukrainian journalists by the Head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Office. "One of the goals of the Ukrainian side at the talks of political advisers to the Normandy Four leaders will be to unblock the work of the Trilateral Contact Group in order to further advance in a peaceful settlement and end the war in Donbas," the statement said. Yermak noted that the Ukrainian side would also put forward initiatives to improve verification of the comprehensive ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. In addition, he stressed that the representatives of Ukraine would definitely raise the issue of unlocking the process of mutual release of held persons and the opening of the crossing checkpoints at the line of contact. The head of the Presidential Office also noted that today Ukraine remains a center for decision-making on European security and enjoys massive international support. This is evidenced, in particular, by the unprecedented number of visits of senior foreign officials. It was reported that at their latest meeting in Paris on January 26, political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy Four agreed to hold the next talks in two weeks. German Federal Government Spokesman Wolfgang Buchner confirmed that a meeting of Normandy advisers would take place in Berlin on February 10. Photo: Ukrainian Presidents Office im Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak has discussed with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan the security situation in the region. According to Ukrinform, Yermak wrote about this on Twitter. As part of the ongoing dialogue, I had the video-call with Jake Sullivan. We discussed the security situation in the region, ways to resolve it peacefully, and intensification of the peace process within the framework of N4, the head of the Presidents Office wrote. Yermak added that they also exchanged views and assessments on the latest important international negotiations and events. Read also: Normandy format advisers to meet in Berlin on Feb 10 We continue the practical interaction Ukraine-U.S., he wrote. As reported, the meeting of foreign policy advisers to leaders of the Normandy format countries Ukraine, Germany, France, and Russia will take place on February 10. iy The Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union (COREPER) added five persons, involved in the conduct of Russian Duma elections in the temporarily occupied Crimea, to the sanctions list. I welcome today's COREPER decision to add five persons to the EU sanctions list for facilitating the illegal organization and conduct of elections to Russian Duma in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Crimea is Ukraine. Every violation of international law by Russia will be punished, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba commended the decision on Twitter. According to the minister, there are enough grounds to sanction Russia for its illegal mass issuing of Russian passports to the Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donbas. Sanctions for this clear violation of Minsk agreements are long overdue, Kuleba stressed. As RFE/RLs editor Rikard Jozwiak posted earlier on Twitter, the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union decided to add another five people to the sanctions list for undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The decision will be formally adopted later in February. The current sanctions list stands at 177 people and 48 entities. ol The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly protests against the decision of the Russian Federation to block parts of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait under the pretext of conducting naval exercises. According to Ukrinform, the MFA said this in a statement. The MFA noted that unprecedented coverage of maneuvers makes navigation in both seas virtually impossible. In essence, this is a significant and unjustified complication of international shipping, especially trade, which can cause serious economic and social consequences, especially for the ports of Ukraine. Such aggressive actions of the Russian Federation, which fit into the concept of its hybrid war against Ukraine, are unacceptable. This is a manifestation of open disregard for the norms and principles of international law, including the UN Charter, UN General Assembly resolutions and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the statement says. The MFA added that Ukraine is closely working with the partners, primarily those of the Black Sea region, to ensure that such actions of the Russian side receive a proper assessment and response. As Ukrinform reported, according to the press service of the Southern Military District, a group of six large landing ships of Russias Northern and Baltic Fleets arrived in occupied Sevastopol iy Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Ingrida Simonyte have discussed the security situation in Europe. Shmyhal said this at a joint briefing with Lithuanian Prime Minister following their meeting in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. "The key issue of our meeting was, of course, the escalating security situation in Europe amid the ongoing build-up of Russia's military along our borders. I am grateful to Ms. Simonyte for the support and readiness to jointly counter Russia's aggressive actions," Shmyhal said. He also thanked Lithuania for its readiness to supply Ukraine with the Stinger man-portable air defense systems. "We appreciate Lithuania's active assistance in strengthening defense capabilities of our state, rehabilitating wounded Ukrainian servicemen, and restoring regions of Ukraine affected by Russian aggression," Shmyhal said. He stressed that Simonyte's visit to Ukraine will give a positive impetus to further enhance all areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. iy NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed Russia's military build-up around Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky during a telephone conversation. Spoke with President Zelensky on Russias military build-up in and around Ukraine. NATO will continue the political and practical support for our highly valued partner. We call on Russia to de-escalate and pursue the path of dialogue to find a peaceful solution, Stoltenberg posted on Twitter. On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had telephone conversations with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, during which the parties discussed joint efforts and responses to the build-up of Russian troops. ol Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has held talks with Zbigniew Rau, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Poland's Foreign Minister, who is visiting Ukraine on his first foreign visit as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service has said. In particular, Kuleba informed Rau in detail about the current situation in the area of the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict, the report said. He stressed that despite a significant build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine's border, the overall security situation in the temporarily occupied territories in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions is currently relatively stable. "This is evidence that the active diplomacy of Ukraine and its partners is yielding results: reducing tensions and keeping the situation under control," Kuleba said. Kuleba thanked Rau for including the issue of returning peace to Ukraine in the key priorities of the Polish chairmanship in the OSCE. He also expressed support for Poland's new initiative to launch the Renewed OSCE European Security Dialogue. "Ukraine has supported Poland's initiative for the Renewed OSCE European Security Dialogue, which will consist of three clusters. It is time to discuss such critical issues as military security, reducing the risk of military clashes and increasing the transparency of military activity," Kuleba said. He stressed the need for a proactive approach when discussing security issues with Russia: "The Russian Federation must answer the question of how it -- as a country that commits aggression and escalates the situation -- plans to ensure its own security without damaging the security of other countries." Kuleba and Rau also discussed steps to increase the effectiveness of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Kuleba stressed the need to increase the OSCE SMM's presence in the temporarily occupied territories. In this regard, he called it unacceptable that the Russian occupation administration imposes restrictions on the freedom of movement of international observers in Luhansk. Both parties also paid special attention to unblocking the work of the Trilateral Contact Group. Finally, Kuleba asked the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to prepare an OSCE thematic report on the threats coming from the mass in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. op If Russia stops demanding a direct dialogue between Kyiv and the LPR/DPR, it will allow moving forward in the implementation of the Minsk agreements and agreeing on things that remain uncoordinated. "The key difference in the perception of the Minsk agreements is that Russia requires that Ukraine seek a solution on how the Minsk agreements should be implemented in direct dialogue with the so-called LPR/DPR. But there is no such requirement in the Minsk agreements," Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said at the Ukrainian-French discussion held by the New Europe Center and the French Institute of International Relations in Paris, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. He added that there is a mechanism for implementing the Minsk agreements in the form of the Trilateral Contact Group, but it is virtually blocked as Russia constantly insists on direct dialogue. "Why is it doing this? Because Russia understands that if Ukraine enters into a direct dialogue with Donetsk and Luhansk, Russia's status in this conflict will change. Now it is a party to the conflict, and if there is a direct dialogue between Kyiv, Donetsk and Luhansk, Russia will become a mediator in the conflict," the minister noted. In this context, Kuleba stressed that Ukraine will not agree to the Kremlin's demand as it is clear to everyone that Russia is a party to the conflict. "If Russia changes this position and returns to the logic of the Minsk agreements, we will be able to move forward and agree on the things that remain uncoordinated. Advisers to the Normandy format leaders meet in Berlin today. This is a meeting to continue their recent conversation in Paris, and they discuss this issue," the Ukrainian foreign minister summed up. As reported, a meeting of advisers to the Normandy format leaders has begun in Berlin. ol Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzheppar comments on progress in talks on crash probe January 8, 2022 marked two years since the downing in Iran of a Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 with 176 people on board. On January 8, 2020, a passenger jet owned by Ukraine International Airlines was shot down by missiles fired by the Iranian military from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Ukraine and the International Coordination and Response Group for the Victims of Flight PS752, which includes the foreign ministers of Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, have had difficult talks for two years with the Iranian side in a bid to investigate the causes of the disaster, qualify the actions of perpetrators, bring them to account, and to pay compensation to the victims' families and to Ukraine. On January 8, 2022, the Iranian side named lower-ranking IRGC personnel involved in the downing of the plane, who are charged with negligence, carelessness and improper performance of official duties. At the same time, Iran told Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and Britain that it was refusing to hold further talks on the crash of the Ukrainian plane. Photo: AA Emine Dzheppar, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, shared with Ukrinform her notes on the achievements of Ukraine and the International Coordination and Response Group for the Victims of Flight PS752 and the course of negotiations with the Iranian side. Emine Dzheppar THREE ROUNDS OF GRUELING TALKS Today, two years after the crash, if we evaluate the work done by Ukraine, the activities of the International Coordination and Response Group for the Victims of Flight PS752, if we summarize how much we have achieved during this time, in my opinion, we've done a lot, but much less than I would like us to do. In particular, we held three rounds of bilateral interstate talks between Ukraine and Iran - difficult and exhausting talks - both in terms of international law and in terms of morality. There are a number of issues that concern only Ukraine and Iran, and this was the subject of bilateral talks. In particular, we are talking about a technical investigation into the plane crash under the Convention on International Civil Aviation of 1944 (also known as the Chicago Convention). In addition, Ukraine is the only country, along with Iran, that opened criminal proceedings over the downing of the plane. Both the bilateral treaty on legal relations and legal assistance in civil and criminal matters of 2004 and the 1971 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation (also known as the Montreal Convention) come into force here. All these conventions give Ukraine broad rights to investigate the aviation aspects of the disaster and oblige Iran to provide maximum assistance to Ukraine in the criminal investigation. Photo: AA At the same time, this negotiation process revealed significant differences between the positions of the parties. We did not find answers to a number of questions, both about the specific circumstances of the downing of the plane and about the norms of international law that countries should be guided by in this situation. Moreover, the level of law enforcement cooperation has been unsatisfactory from the very beginning. On a parallel track, the countries affected by the disaster united their efforts and formed the Coordination Group. This is due to the need to involve in the negotiations the authorized representatives of all countries, without exception, whose citizens were on board the aircraft. This is should ensure equal treatment in the payment of compensation to all families of the victims, regardless of their nationality. Unfortunately, despite repeated requests to hold multilateral talks with Ukraine, Canada, Sweden and the United Kingdom, Iran does not consider this option acceptable. Obviously, the Coordination Group has no choice but to use other tools and procedures to address this situation. Photo: AA Today, we are on the right track to establish all the circumstances of the downing of our plane, punish the perpetrators and ensure the recognition by Iran of its international legal responsibility and the payment of appropriate compensation to all affected parties. The ancient Romans said 'quidquid latet apparebit, nil inultum remanebit,' which means 'all hidden things will be revealed, nothing will remain unavenged.' IRAN SEES MULTILATERAL FORMAT AS UNACCEPTABLE If we evaluate the situation on each of the three tracks on which the Boeing crash case is progressing, I will note the following. On the track of the technical investigation, in February 2021, Iran released its final report on the results of the aviation investigation into the circumstances of the crash. The draft of this document, among other things, was actively discussed during our bilateral meetings. In particular, the draft final report was submitted for consideration by Ukraine. We provided about 90 pages of comments and remarks, which were limited to the need to continue the investigation and establish all circumstances without exception. Iran, in turn, took into account only a few minor remarks, such as changing the spelling of "Kiev" to "Kyiv." Photo: AA If we sum up the content of the final report, Iran concludes that the Ukrainian plane was shot down due to "human error" and does not consider any other versions. This is absolutely unacceptable for us. This was the basis for public criticism of the report by Ukraine and Canada, as it does not contain any analysis of the chain of events that led to the so-called "error" or any indication of ways to prevent similar "errors" in the future. The Chicago Convention states that the technical investigation, in addition to establishing the circumstances of the disaster, has a very clear preventive purpose - under no circumstances should similar things happen in the future. In view of the above, we consider the criticism of the final report to be constructive and the report itself to be inconsistent with the requirements of the Chicago Convention. The Coordination Group is currently examining the appropriateness of raising the issue of non-compliance of the final report with the requirements of the Chicago Convention within the framework of the mechanisms of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The whole civilized world must be interested in preventing such a tragedy from happening again. Now, on the second track -- the criminal investigation. Here, of course, Iran has more opportunities than Ukraine. Since any investigation involves gathering evidence to establish legally significant circumstances, such evidence is in Iran, where the disaster occurred. Despite this, Ukraine, as already mentioned, is conducting its own criminal investigation. In such an investigation, Iran is obliged to provide legal assistance to Ukraine under the aforementioned legal aid treaty and the Montreal Convention. At the same time, Iran constantly refers to the secrecy of the requested information due to its belonging to military secrets. In the latest round of talks held in June 2021, Iran informed us that they had brought to court the cases against ten individuals guilty of actions that deserve punishment and probably led to the downing of the plane. However, the Iranian side has not officially disclosed any names, positions or essence of the charges. And this deprived further bilateral negotiations on legal cooperation of any meaning. We, as well as other countries from the Coordination Group, consider such actions by Iran to be a violation of obligations under the Chicago and Montreal Conventions. In fact, this determines our logic of action on the international legal track. However, as I have already mentioned, as of today, Iran considers the multilateral format of negotiations unacceptable. Therefore, further international legal steps are being agreed upon by the four countries within the framework of the mechanisms envisaged by both conventions. If necessary, we are ready to appeal to the International Court of Justice. However, we hope that Iran will change its position to a more constructive one. COMPENSATION OFFERED BY IRAN IS MISLEADING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY Now on the compensation. The Coordination Group has stated from the very beginning that it will discuss compensation in a multilateral format in order to ensure equal treatment of all victims of the disaster, regardless of their nationality. We have constantly reminded Iran of this during each of the three bilateral rounds. We believe that Iran sees the issue of compensation as the final step that needs to be taken to turn over the last page of this story. To this end, Iran is trying to create the circumstances in which it can say that all the requirements imposed on the country by international law have been met: the final report has been published, a criminal investigation has been conducted, and compensation to families has been offered. Everything is closed, let's move on. Photo: AA In view of this, the Coordination Group has to constantly remind Iran that there were 90 pages of unaccounted remarks to the final report and the criminal investigation was not transparent, leading to the conclusion that ten unknown persons were chosen as scapegoats, and the compensation Iran offers to the families of the victims is misleading the international community. It is on this aspect of compensation that I will dwell in more detail. In January 2021, the Government of Iran unilaterally decided to make so-called ex gratia payments (given as a favor or from a sense of moral obligation rather than because of any legal requirement) to the families of those killed in the plane crash in the amount of $150,000. The Iranian side asked some countries from the Coordination Group, including Ukraine, to inform the victims' families about this decision. We immediately granted this request, stating, however, that we are unaware of any further procedure, what documents need to be submitted, or how to act if the families are not satisfied with the amount of compensation. It was up to the families to accept this money or not, and we have not and will not influence it in any way. This position by Ukraine is due to the fact that Iran has international legal responsibility for the downing of the plane to the states of the Coordination Group, and not to the families. Indeed, a number of previous plane crashes have resulted in families receiving compensation. But the initial payments were made to the affected states. And it was the affected states in the negotiation process that settled all the necessary issues -- starting from where to apply to, what documents to submit, and how much a family can count on. That is, all issues aimed at facilitating the further life of the affected families were resolved in advance. There is nothing new here, these are the requirements of international law, and it is in this way that similar incidents in the past have been resolved. Instead, we see that Iran is using all means at its disposal, including threatening families who refuse money, in order, on the one hand, to demonstrate its obedience to the international community and, on the other hand, to accuse the Coordination Group of allegedly "politicizing" the negotiation process. In addition, the payment of compensation to the families of the victims, although a necessary step, cannot be the only measure of responsibility for Iran. Otherwise, it will seem that the cost of human life has a clear monetary value, and may become a predetermined amount of "pay-off" for subsequent disasters. This is unacceptable for the civilized world. Therefore, the families of the victims can try to receive ex gratia payments in the amount of $150,000 at any time. As for the compensation that Iran owes the state of Ukraine, it depends on the development of events on the international legal track. OUR GOAL IS TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE In general, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the eve of the second anniversary of the tragic crash of the Ukrainian plane on January 7, Iran refused to hold a multilateral negotiation process, citing "politicization" by some countries from the Coordination Group. At the same time, Iran has expressed its readiness to negotiate with some of the states involved in a bilateral format. We believe that such a step is aimed at destroying the unity within the Coordination Group. We know the principle according to which an elephant should be eaten one bite at a time. That is why the statement about unshakable unity within the Coordination Group is one of the first ones announced during personal and virtual summits. We are convinced that if Iran agrees to hold negotiations with the Coordination Group, we will be able to reach the necessary consensus and really turn over this page. Photo: AA Our goal is not to humiliate Iran or make inadequate demands. Our goal is to establish justice, including a fair amount of compensation. It is the responsibility of the governments of all the Coordination Group states to the families of those killed in this terrible catastrophe, and we will resolutely walk this path to the end. DISPUTE MAY CONTINUE IN INTERNATIONAL COURT However, in view of Iran's refusal to negotiate in a multilateral format, the affected states decided to resort to other means of bringing Iran to international responsibility and ensuring compensation for the damage caused. In particular, Article 84 of the Chicago Convention provides for a dispute settlement mechanism in which any disagreement over the interpretation or application of the Convention between the Contracting States that is not resolved through negotiations will be resolved by the ICAO Council. At the same time, Article 14 of the Montreal Convention provides for a dispute settlement mechanism in which any dispute between two or more Contracting States concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention which is not settled by negotiation may, at the request of one of the parties, be submitted to arbitration. If the Parties have reached no agreement on the organization of the arbitration within six months from the date of the request, the dispute may be referred to the International Court of Justice at the request of either Party. These provisions of the Conventions are our guide, which requires the development of a concrete plan of diplomatic and legal action. The work of the Coordination Group is now focused on the coordination of such an action plan. Despite the fact that the consideration of disputes in international courts is a long process, the careful and thoughtful preparation of the plan is the key to achieving the legal result, on which a huge team of Ukrainian and foreign experts involved is focused at the moment. No matter how long it takes, no one will be forgotten and no one will be left alone with their grief. Emine Dzheppar, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Exclusively for Ukrinform First photo: AA | By Mary Therese Phelan When University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law student Katerine Delgado received an email from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) providing details about Booster Day, a free clinic being held on campus for students to receive COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, she immediately registered for the event. University of Maryland School of Pharmacy students administer COVID-19 booster shots at a "Booster Day" clinic held Feb. 4 at University Suites at Fayette Square. I was really excited. I thought it was very convenient that the school was offering an opportunity for us to get our booster shots so close by, Delgado said as she waited to receive her shot. The clinic took place Feb. 4 in the 15th-floor Sky Lounge of University Suites at Fayette Square on West Fayette Street and was sponsored by the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) and Safeway. Under the guidance of faculty, UMSOP students administered COVID-19 boosters to UMB students, gaining hands-on educational experience while helping to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. (See video above.) Its very important for students to have the opportunity to get their booster shots so that they can protect themselves and protect those around them, especially in this learning environment at UMB, said Cherokee Layson-Wolf, PharmD, BCACP, FAPhA, associate professor and associate dean for student affairs, UMSOP. Its so important for our students to have that hands-on opportunity to provide vaccinations to their colleagues on campus, she continued. They receive an opportunity to engage and communicate, but also, more importantly, to vaccinate the students on campus. Students are excited to come back to campus and interact with one another again, Layson-Wolf says. Receiving these boosters just allows them to do that a little bit more safely, she added. Safeway is proud to partner with the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy to provide COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to UMB students, said Krista Hein, PharmD, AAHIVP, patient care services manager and residency program director, Safeway Mid-Atlantic Division. The partnership we have not only provides COVID-19 vaccines to students, but it also provides a valuable clinical experience for pharmacy students. Last year, UMSOP students and faculty, along with their counterparts from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), also participated in preparing doses and administering COVID-19 vaccines at a clinic established at the SMC Campus Center. UMSOP student Minh Ta volunteered to administer vaccines at Booster Day. It gives me an opportunity to step up and help in the pandemic, he said. While students patiently waited to receive their shots, they expressed appreciation for having a booster clinic so readily available. I live in [nearby] Pascault Row, Im in the evening program, and I work full time, Delgado said. It just felt so nice and convenient that the school was giving us that opportunity to get our booster shot, and it felt like they cared about our health. She had tried numerous times to make appointments for a booster shot at CVS and Walgreens, but finding a time slot that fit her schedule was a frustrating exercise. Like Delgado, Adrienne Kambouris, an MD/PhD student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said she was happy to receive an email from UMB about Booster Day. Im here in my lab all the time, and this was so convenient, she said. She received her first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine last year and knew she wanted to add a booster to her plan of attack against the virus. Receiving a booster shot will help her return to normal activities, she said. I would like to resume daily living, Kambouris said when asked why she was getting a booster. Im just trying to do my part to end the COVID pandemic. UMSON student Tucker Arvin, a resident of University Suites at Fayette Square, also was preparing to roll up his sleeve at the clinic. A policy set by the University System of Maryland requires all residential students of its schools to be boosted. He was grateful for how easy it was to walk out of his fifth-floor apartment, ascend several floors in the elevator, and cross receiving a booster shot off his to-do list. It really is incredible, Arvin said. I didnt have to walk anywhere. It was just super easy. Having worked in an ICU, Arvin knows firsthand the devastation caused by the pandemic. Ive seen what COVID-19 does to people, he said. You dont want to go through that. So, get vaccinated. It works. For people who are not sure they want to get a booster, Safeway pharmacist Chioma Ohiri, BPharm, had a simple message: Come and get it, because this is the way to go. People want to move forward. Nobody wants to be in this pandemic anymore. Volunteer Asu Ben Abang, 65, holds a pamphlet reading "COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective" in Adagom Refugee Settlement, Nigeria. UNHCR/Roland Schonbauer The world became confused when the pandemic came, and we as refugees were also confused, says Laban Chang Ndoh, one of over 72,000 Cameroonian refugees living in Nigeria after fleeing conflict between secessionist forces and the army since 2017. So many people had so many opinions about it. Laban is the President of the Great Step Initiative (GSI), a community-based organization that provides mental health services to refugees in five districts of Nigerias Cross River State. In 2020, as COVID-19 spread, their network of 120 volunteers swung into action to fight the misinformation that followed in its wake. They had a lot of questions! Laban remembers. At first, their efforts mostly entailed convincing people of the genuine threat posed by the virus and the need for preventive measures such as mask-wearing and handwashing. Last year GSI was one of seven refugee-led organizations recognized for their role in responding to the pandemic in UNHCRs 2020 NGO Innovation Awards. "Some were spreading rumours that the vaccine was a death sentence." While the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines last year raised hopes of a way out of the pandemic, it also brought fresh waves of rumour and myth. We did not know much about [the vaccine] in the beginning, explains Laban, who recounts some of the wild theories that began circulating in the absence of credible information. Some were spreading rumours that the vaccine was a death sentence, he says. Some say you die after 24 [or] 36 months, others had heard of microchips in the vaccine that would connect the person with Lucifer, dooming him or her to hell. Seeing the need to counter such myths, Laban and his fellow GSI volunteers received guidance and verified information on the vaccine from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to help them fight misinformation and answer the many questions people had. When it comes to countering general skepticism around the vaccine, Laban has seen results by employing two basic arguments. The world would not rely on it if it was something that eliminated humanity in 36 months, he says, as well as pointing to the simple fact that many have already received the vaccine without incident. The volunteers have used other tactics to fight more specific myths for example that vaccines are unnecessary because the virus is a European thing that only occurs in a cold climate. They share statistics from the National Centre for Disease Control showing that people in Nigeria have not only become infected, but also died from COVID-19. Their efforts have seen tangible results among Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria, despite the limited availability of doses that have kept vaccination rates low, in line with many other low- and middle-income refugee host countries. Over 1,800 refugees have received one shot in Benue, Cross River and Taraba States, in addition to around 700 who have received two doses. More than half the world's refugees are hosted in just ten countries, nine of which are low- and middle-income. UNHCR Armed with his data and arguments, Laban goes from door to door in the Adagom refugee settlements striking up conversations and making his case. Despite their efforts, however, there is still much work to be done. At the market in the settlement, he meets Effemi Blessing who runs a small grocery store that she established with her family with financial support from UNHCR through its partner CUSO. I am strong, she tells Laban, and I have never been vaccinated, so I am a bit afraid [to take it]. Laban takes the time to listen to her concerns and carefully explain the safety of the vaccine in the hope of changing one more mind. "Everybody around me was afraid." Perhaps the most effective tool at their disposal, however, is the fact that the GSI volunteers are drawn from the communities they serve both Cameroonian refugees and local Nigerians meaning they are familiar and trusted figures who understand their audience. One such volunteer is 65-year-old Asu Ben Abang, a Cameroonian father of seven who represents GSI in Community 33, a section of Adagom settlement. He uses himself as a living example of the vaccines safety and effectiveness, which has helped to convince his own extended family members and others in the community. Everybody around me was afraid. Only me, I took the vaccine, he says, proudly showing his green vaccination card. Now that they saw that I did not die, my relatives will take the shot. Additional reporting by Lucy Agiende. donate Inslees office having talks about when to lift mask requirements in Washington State Kate and Chris are excited about becoming parents in June. (Debra-Lynn Hook/TNS) Janine Hunt-Jackson of Lockport, New York, is authorized to receive 35 hours of home-based care each week. When an aide left in June, she tried to hire someone else. "I couldnt find anybody reliable, she said, and turned instead to her 24-year-old grandson for help. Milledgeville, GA (31061) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Union Springs, AL (36089) Today Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Union Springs, AL (36089) Today A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Like all great things, the 2021-22 editorial boards term has come to an end. Read more February 10 2022 The St Vincent Crescent Conservation Area of Finnieston is to welcome a new addition to the streetscape with the submission of plans for 15 apartments for Glasgow West Housing Association. Coltart Earley Architecture has been appointed to lead the brownfield build which will repair a hole in the streetscape left by the demolition of a tenement at 6 Corunna Street in the 1980s, using an architectural style that is in keeping with the area. Completing the urban block the development follows the established horizontal building line by mimicking stone string courses and entrance porticos, with timber sash windows, solid eave parapets, storm doors and cast-iron railings to burnish its timeless qualities. The sole deviations from its immediate neighbour come from the insertion of an additional floor behind the main body of the elevation, achieved by reducing floor to ceiling heights to the modern 2.4m standard and the use of blanking panels within windows to hide floor plates behind. A top floor 'penthouse' level is also included in anthracite grey zinc to ensure the project remains viable on a cost per flat basis, set back sufficiently to be invisible from street level. The project is to be funded by a 30-year loan drawn against the net rent expected to be generated by the build, giving a budget of 2.1m and a maximum cost per unit of 140k. Grant funding of approx 72k is available for 'greener' social rented accommodation in urban locations. In a statement, the architects wrote: "Coltart Earley Architecture have worked closely with Glasgow City Planning since August 2016 to deliver this high-quality scheme to complete this important Urban Wall Project. "Overall, the proposed development has been designed to respect its historical context and to reflect, where suitable, the surrounding building details." Services including refuse, cycle parking and storage are situated on the lower ground floor, which also provides access to rear amenity ground. Sydney, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Feb, 2022 ) :Australia's intelligence chief has spoken for the first time of a recently foiled foreign interference plot, sounding a warning ahead of the country's upcoming elections. Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation, said the case involved a wealthy individual with "deep connections to a foreign government". "I'll call this person 'the puppeteer'," he said during an annual threat assessment speech. The director-general described the scheme as "like a foreign interference start-up" in which the "puppeteer" funnelled hundreds of thousands of Dollars to an employee, who set about trying to influence an election. Burgess did not specify which election was targeted. The employee identified and targeted promising political candidates, who knew nothing of the scheme. "The aim was not just to get the candidates into positions of power, but also to generate a sense of appreciation, obligation and indebtedness that could subsequently be exploited," Burgess said. The scheme may have seen allies placed into the offices of successful candidates, who could have both influenced the politician and filtered sensitive information back to the foreign government, if ASIO had not foiled the plot. "This year -- a Federal election year -- we need to be particularly on guard against foreign political interference," Burgess said. He also raised concerns about the growing threat of right-wing extremism in Australia, particularly among minors. He said minors represented 15 percent of ASIO's new counter-terrorism investigations last year, up from 2-3 percent previously. "As a nation, we need to reflect on why some teenagers are hanging Nazi flags and portraits of the Christchurch killer on their bedroom walls, and why others are sharing beheading videos," he said. Burgess also noted that the agency was tracking foreign spies trying to make connections via dating apps, including Tinder, Bumble and Hinge. "My message for any potential victims on these sites is a familiar one -- if it seems too good to be true, it probably is," he said. (@FahadShabbir) San Salvador, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Feb, 2022 ) :An El Salvadorian woman was freed from prison Wednesday, after the remaining 20 years of her 30-year sentence for having an abortion were commuted. "We celebrate Elsy's release from prison after 10 years behind bars," said Morena Herrera, president of the Citizens Association for the Decriminalization of Abortion (ACDATEE), in a statement. "Her wrongful conviction of 30 years for aggravated homicide is over." According to ACDATEE, Elsy -- who has been identified only by her first name to preserve her anonymity -- suffered an "obstetric emergency" on June 15, 2011, after which she was taken into custody. "The judicial process was marred by irregularities, it did not respect her procedural rights, it did not respect the presumption of innocence and she was immediately detained," the association added. Elsy is the fifth woman imprisoned for abortion in El Salvador to be freed since December. Since 1998, abortion under any circumstance has been outlawed in El Salvador, even in cases where there is a danger for the health of the mother or child. While maximum prison sentences for abortion are eight years, charges are usually filed for "aggravated homicide," which carry sentences of up to 50 years. The director of the Women's Equality Center, Paula Avila-Guillen, called on El Salvador President Nayib Bukele "to liberate all the other innocent women" currently behind bars under similar circumstances. Jizan, Saudi Arabia, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Feb, 2022 ) :For Farah al-Malki, growing coffee plants in Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Jizan is more than just a profession. It is a family tradition passed down from generation to generation. The 90-year-old patriarch has a long history with coffee, which spread from Ethiopia to Yemen and then to the rest of the middle East around the 15th century. "My father inherited it from his grandfathers, and I took over and passed it down to my sons and then on to my grandchildren," Malki told AFP, as he watched his male relatives prune trees. Jizan is known for its red Khawlani coffee beans, often blended with cardamom and saffron to give a yellowish hue of coffee -- locally known as ghawa -- and a taste markedly different from the bitter black liquid drunk elsewhere in the Middle East and in the West. It remains an integral part of Saudi culture, so much so that the government has designated 2022 as "The Year of Saudi Coffee". Served with dates in homes and royal palaces across the kingdom, breaking barriers of societal hierarchy, ghawa is considered a symbol of hospitality and generosity. Donning the traditional dress of coffee farmers, a dark "chemise" shirt and ankle-length skirt known as a "wizrah", along with a belt holding a dagger, Malki is still tending to the fields despite his age. "The biggest issues we used to have were the lack of water and support," said Malki. But with the kingdom's desire to diversify its economy away from oil, alongside a social shift to transform the country's ultra-conservative image and open up to visitors and investors, the government last month began a campaign to promote its coffee. It instructed all restaurants and cafes to use the term "Saudi coffee" instead of Arabic coffee. Saudi Aramco, the largely state-owned oil company, announced plans to establish a coffee centre in Jizan using "advanced irrigation techniques to improve agricultural capacity". By the end of 2021, the kingdom had 400,000 coffee trees in 600 farms across the country, producing about 800 tonnes of coffee a year. That is a fraction of what Ethiopia produces but, according to domestic reports, Saudi Arabia plans to plant 1.2 million Khawlani trees by 2025. Malki has nine sons, all of whom take part in the coffee industry, ranging from agriculture and packaging to transportation and marketing. On the field every day is his 42-year-old son, Ahmed, who like his father is dressed in traditional farmer's clothing, complete with a headdress made of flowers. He said he has an intimate knowledge of Khawlani coffee beans, explaining: "All farms are organic and free of chemicals." They produce about 2.5 tonnes of coffee beans a year, selling for between $27-$40 a kilogram ($12-$18 a pound). Historian Yahya al-Malki, who is not related to the farm family, told AFP that the "secret" to the Khawlani beans lies in their cultivation in the Jizan region, where it is warm, humid and rainy. Saudi Arabia has sought to include its cultivation of Khawlani coffee on the list of "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" maintained by the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO. This, Ahmed said, would be a dream come true. "It will help in supporting farmers and preserving coffee trees as well as attracting foreign investors to the region," he told AFP. "I hope to pass this on to my sons and their sons, and pray it be a source of livelihood for them." (@FahadShabbir) Abuja, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Feb, 2022 ) :Five park rangers and a soldier have been killed in an ambush in a wildlife reserve in northern Benin near the border with Burkina Faso and Niger, its management said Wednesday. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack on Tuesday, which staff said also wounded 10 other people. But a jihadist insurgency originating in the Sahel region has spread to parts of coastal West Africa, including to northern Benin. "Yesterday... a team of rangers was ambushed in W National Park in Benin," said African Parks, a non-profit group that has managed the park since 2020. They were conducting a patrol at the northern limit of the park where it intersects with Burkina Faso and Niger, it added. "Initial reports indicate that... five rangers and one member of the Benin Armed Forces have been killed, with 10 more injured," it said. African Parks said military reinforcements and additional rangers had been deployed to the area, but Beninese authorities did not immediately comment on the incident. Benin's army has reinforced its presence in the north since what military sources said were the first two jihadist attacks in the country late last year. Last month, two Beninese soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit a makeshift bomb in the country's northern Atakora area. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Ottawa, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Feb, 2022 ) :Canadian police threatened Wednesday to arrest trucker-led protesters who have shut down central Ottawa and disrupted cross-border trade in anger at Covid health rules, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lambasted the movement as "unacceptable." With more people joining the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and the US city of Detroit in solidarity with the two-week long truckers protest in the Canadian capital, Trudeau warned the action threatens the country's economic recovery. "Blockades, illegal demonstrations are unacceptable, and are negatively impacting businesses and manufacturers," Trudeau said in the House of Commons. "We must do everything to bring them to an end." To the protesters, he said, "You can't end a pandemic with blockades... You need to end it with science. You need to end it with public health measures." Earlier, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said US officials were "in very close contact" with Canadian border agencies about the bridge blockade. Psaki also expressed concerns about the impacts of the protests on the US economy, saying the action "poses a risk to supply chains, to the auto industry." The Ambassador suspension bridge is a key trade corridor, with more than 40,000 commuters, tourists and trucks carrying US$323 million worth of goods across the span each day. Several Canadian and American chambers of commerce and industry associations, in a joint statement, demanded the bridge be cleared, saying, "as our economies emerge from the impacts of the pandemic we cannot allow any group to undermine the cross-border trade." Another trade link between Coutts, Alberta and Sweet Grass, Montana has also been blocked by protesters for several days. By Wednesday evening, the atmosphere on the streets of downtown Ottawa was one of protest and celebration. "We're not going anywhere," said trucker John Deelstra, smiling from behind the wheel of his big rig, which has been at the demonstration since day one. Planted not far away, Ontario trucker Lloyd Brubacher offered up the same steely resolve: "I'm not going anywhere," he told AFP, adding that he planned "to fight to the bitter end." Some 400 vehicles are still camped on Parliament Hill below Trudeau's offices, against a backdrop of barbecues, campfires and music. "This is a dramatic situation that is impacting the wellbeing of Canada's relationship with the United States and impacts immensely how business is able to conduct its operations," University of Ottawa professor Gilles LeVasseur told AFP. The so-called "Freedom Convoy" began last month in western Canada -- launched in anger at requirements that truckers either be vaccinated, or test and isolate, when crossing the US-Canada border. Having snowballed into an occupation of Canada's capital, the protest has sparked solidarity rallies across the nation and abroad. On Wednesday, Ottawa police warned protesters they could face criminal charges and their trucks could be seized if they continue their "unlawful" clogging of downtown streets. Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Brian Kingston said the Ambassador Bridge blockade was "threatening fragile supply chains already under pressure due to pandemic-related shortages and backlogs." Officials pointed to 5,000 factory workers in Windsor, Ontario being sent home early Tuesday because of the blockade, and several auto assembly plants preparing to close, as Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens expressed fears about lasting impacts on Canadian businesses. Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with Autotrader in Detroit, explained that North American assembly plants rely on timely parts deliveries across the bridge. The auto sector "is a significant portion of the economy and an important portion of consumer spending" that has been hard hit over the past year, she said. Canada's Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino warned of "serious dangers for the economy" and called on protesters to "go home!" "This is an illegal economic blockade... against all Canadians," added Transport Minister Omar Alghabra. Several provinces including Alberta, Quebec and Saskatchewan this week announced a gradual lifting or loosening of Covid-19 restrictions. A Canadian court on Monday ordered the truckers to stop incessant honking that upset residents and made sleep difficult. But the noise is spreading: Similar movements have hatched everywhere from New York to New Zealand. In France, thousands of protesters inspired by the Canadian truckers plan to converge on Paris Friday evening, with some aiming to move onwards to Brussels Monday. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday said Denmark was ready to allow US military troops on its soil as part of a new bilateral defence agreement with the US, amid rising tensions with Russia Copenhagen, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Feb, 2022 ) :Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday said Denmark was ready to allow US military troops on its soil as part of a new bilateral defence agreement with the US, amid rising tensions with Russia. "The United States have reached out to Denmark, proposing a bilateral defence cooperation. The exact nature of this collaboration has not yet been defined but it could include the presence of US troops, materiel and military equipment on Danish soil," Frederiksen, whose country is a member of NATO, told reporters. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th February, 2022) A US F1 fighter jet crashed during a training exercise near Phoenix, Arizona, and the pilot safely ejected during the incident, the Air Force said. "At approximately 11:11am today, during a routine training mission, a contracted Mirage F1 fighter aircraft operating out of Luke Air Force Base crashed 15 miles northwest of the base in an unpopulated area," the Air Force said in a press release on Thursday. The pilot was able to safely eject and suffered only minor injuries, the release said. The cause of the incident is under investigation, the release added. (@FahadShabbir) French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said that the country plans to build six new EPR2 nuclear reactors by 2050 PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said that the country plans to build six new EPR2 nuclear reactors by 2050. "We will launch a program of new nuclear reactors from today... I would like six EPR2 (reactors) to be built and we will start research on building eight additional EPR2 (reactors)," Macron said when giving a speech in the Belfort commune. The French president added that the construction will begin in 2028, and the first new reactor should be launched by 2035. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that he had discussed the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss during the talks in Moscow MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that he had discussed the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss during the talks in Moscow. "We also talked about our relations with Belarus, including the preparation and conduct of those exercises that are literally starting these days and that cause concern in London and the West, as well as, in fact, the situation of the deployment of Russian troops on our own territory causes incomprehensible anxiety and very sharp emotions both among our British colleagues and other Western representatives," Lavrov told a joint press conference following the talks. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that he has sent a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier in the day inviting him to continue talks in the Russia-NATO Council. "This morning I have send a letter to Foreign Minister Lavrov reiterating my invitation to Russia to continue our dialogue in a series of meetings in the NATO-Russia council to find a diplomatic way forward," Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Threats of US sanctions against India due to the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems have not and will not affect the military-technical cooperation between New Delhi and Moscow, new Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said in an interview with Sputnik MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) Threats of US sanctions against India due to the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems have not and will not affect the military-technical cooperation between New Delhi and Moscow, new Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said in an interview with Sputnik. Russia and India signed a $5.43 billion contract for the supply of S-400 in October 2018. Last month media reported that India had launched a deployment of the first regiment of S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile defense system, with the first unit to begin operation in April. US State Department, in response, said that Washington is in contact with the Indian authorities on the possibility of imposing sanctions over the air defense systems. "So far, they (the US sanctions threats against India) have not had any effect. I guess they will not affect," Alipov said, commenting on the military-technical cooperation between Russia and India. The diplomat recalled that New Delhi had repeatedly said that the S-400 purchase deal with Russia is in the interests of its security, that India pursues an independent foreign policy and negatively perceives the pressure that is being put on it. "The S-400 deal is the business of our two countries and no one else. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that the Indian position will change in the future. This project is being implemented. Deliveries are carried out," the diplomat added. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Spanish police said on Thursday they had busted a drug ring suspected of simulating sailboat accidents, including an attack by orcas, to smuggle hashish from Morocco to Spain Madrid, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Feb, 2022 ) :Spanish police said on Thursday they had busted a drug ring suspected of simulating sailboat accidents, including an attack by orcas, to smuggle hashish from Morocco to Spain. The group allegedly loaded drugs onto sailboats in Morocco and once in Spanish waters "would fake a breakdown or accident and request maritime assistance to be towed to port", police said in a statement. In June 2021 a sailboat used by the group docked in the southern port of Barbate "after having allegedly suffered an attack by orcas while crossing the Strait of Gibraltar", they added. Police believe the claim was a failed attempt by the owner of the boat to "shift the focus" of investigators from the "suspicious movements" it made while at sea. Last year, Spain temporarily ordered small boats to steer clear of a stretch of the country's southern coast after reports of more than 50 encounters with boisterous orcas, including several in which boats had to be towed to shore. Once in Spain, the group would take the hashish in "small quantities" to a storage room in the southern province of Cadiz, from where it was then shipped out of the country. Police arrested two people and seized 172 kilos (380 Pounds) and over 63,000 Euros ($72,000) as part of the investigation, which began last year. Spain's proximity to Morocco -- a major hashish producer -- has made it a key entry point for drugs bound for Europe. Sometimes referred to as killer whales, orcas are a large, highly intelligent species of dolphin that feeds on marine mammals and fish. (@ChaudhryMAli88) US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed the Middle East and Iran with his Israeli counterpart, Eyal Hulata, in Washington, a NSC spokesperson said on Thursday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed the middle East and Iran with his Israeli counterpart, Eyal Hulata, in Washington, a NSC spokesperson said on Thursday. "National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hosted Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata at the White House on Feb. 9 to consult on a range of global and issues of mutual concern. They underscored their shared determination to address security challenges impacting the Middle East, including the threats posed by Iran and its proxies," the statement said. Sullivan reiterated President Joe Biden's support to Israel's security and "to ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon," it added. "The National Security Advisors also exchanged views on security challenges outside the Middle East, including the potential for further Russian aggression against Ukraine. They discussed as well ways to deepen U.S.-Israeli cooperation on science and innovation. Mr. Sullivan and Dr. Hulata agreed to maintain the close coordination between their interagency teams on a range of global and regional security challenges," the statement concluded. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also held talks with Hulata. "The Deputy Secretary and the National Security Advisor discussed U.S.-Israeli coordination on important global security challenges, including Iran and Russia's unprovoked military build-up on Ukraine's borders," the State Department said. Moscow has repeatedly denied having any intention of invading Ukraine, and reserves the right to conduct troop movements on its own territory. Sherman reiterated Washington's commitment to Israel's security and a two-state solution, as well as underscored the need for both Israelis and Palestinians to enjoy equal measures of security, prosperity and freedom. Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, and Germany in 2015. In 2018, the Trump administration withdrew from the deal and enacted hardline policies against Iran, prompting the latter to largely abandon its obligations. With Biden in office, the US agreed to talks to revive the JCPOA. Since April, Vienna has been hosting such negotiations. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching a probe into potential violations of state law by GoFundMe for removing a multimillion-dollar fundraiser in support of Canadian trucker's and farmer's protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, Paxton's office said in a press release. "GoFundMe's response to an anti-mandate, pro-liberty movement should ring alarm bells to anyone using the donation platform and, more broadly, any American wanting to protect their constitutional rights. Many Texans donated to this worthy cause. I am acting to protect Texas consumers so that they know where their hard-earned money is going, rather than allowing GoFundMe to divert money to another cause without the consent of Texas citizens. I will get to the bottom of this deceitful action," Paxton said in the release on Wednesday. The civil investigative demand issued by Paxton's office directs GoFundMe to produce materials related to potential violations of the state's Deceptive Trade Practice Act. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt on Wednesday announced that his office also launched an investigation into GoFundMe's actions related to the fundraiser for protesting truckers, farmers and other Canadians. A wave of protest across Canada began in mid-January, with thousands of truckers and other demonstrators converging on Ottawa to express strong opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates after two years of draconian restrictive measures. The protest has since evolved into an anti-government demonstration, with various citizen groups uniting in opposition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley spoke with his Belarusian counterpart to discuss European security matters including reducing the chances of a miscalculation as Russia and Belarus conduct joint military exercises, Joint Staff spokesperson Col. Dave Butler said on Thursday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley spoke with his Belarusian counterpart to discuss European security matters including reducing the chances of a miscalculation as Russia and Belarus conduct joint military exercises, Joint Staff spokesperson Col. Dave Butler said on Thursday. "Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley spoke with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus Maj. Gen. Viktor Gulevich today by telephone," Butler said in a press release. "The military leaders discussed regional security related issues of concern. The phone call facilitated communication between both leaders to reduce chances of miscalculation and gain perspectives on current European security." (@ChaudhryMAli88) Trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions in Canada and blockage of traffic at the border with the United States constitute "an illegal economic blockade" that cause disruptions in supply chains, Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Thursday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) Trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions in Canada and blockage of traffic at the border with the United States constitute "an illegal economic blockade" that cause disruptions in supply chains, Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Thursday. On Monday, the Ambassador Bridge that connects Detroit in the United States and Windsor in Canada, was blocked by protesting truckers and other demonstrators. The protesters halted access to Canada by parking thousands of vehicles at the border and left one lane open for those traveling into the United States. "I find it ironic that the same people who were trying to sell Canadians fake stories about empty shelves are now the ones causing these shelves to go empty. This is an illegal economic blockade against the people of Ontario and against all Canadians," Alghabra said in a video statement published on Twitter. The wave of protests across Canada began in January, with thousands of truckers and hundreds of other demonstrators converging on Ottawa to express strong opposition to vaccine mandates for truckers crossing the US-Canada border. The protest has since evolved into an anti-government demonstration, with various groups uniting in opposition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The prime minister and his family were moved to a different location from their home in the capital city amid the trucker protest, according to Canadian media reports. On Monday, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency for the city due to the ongoing protests. (@ChaudhryMAli88) LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace will arrive in Moscow on Friday to take part in the 2+2 talks between the UK and Russian foreign and defense ministers, Downing Street said. On Wednesday, the UK Embassy in Moscow told RIA Novosti that Wallace planned to meet with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on February 11. "The Foreign Secretary is in Moscow today and the Defence Secretary will be there tomorrow for talks with their counterparts. They will stress the only way forward is for Russia to cease its aggressive campaign of hybrid warfare and engage in meaningful talks," Downing Street said in a statement. In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of concentrating troops near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an invasion. Russia has repeatedly said that it has no intention of invading Ukraine, while stressing that it has the right to move forces within its own territory. The US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee is contemplating introducing sanctions against Russia for alleged cyberattacks against Ukraine amid a protracted debate on the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022 in the US Congress, Politico reported on Thursday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) The US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee is contemplating introducing sanctions against Russia for alleged cyberattacks against Ukraine amid a protracted debate on the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022 in the US Congress, Politico reported on Thursday. According to Politico, the US Senate is convinced that Russia perpetuated several cyberattacks against Ukraine, including last month hacking, which halted nearly 70 Ukrainian government websites. As Senate Foreign Relations Chair Bob Menendez stated, retaliatory measures against Moscow for cyberattacks on Ukraine are currently on the agenda. "If there were pre-invasion sanctions, they would be connected to Russian cyberattacks inside Ukraine," a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Murphy was quoted as saying by Politico. Meanwhile, the positions of the senators diverged, with some lawmakers believing that sanctions for cyberattacks should be included in the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022, which entails sanctions against Russia in the event of an incursion into Ukraine, while others argue that new sanctions be introduced irrespective of an invasion. The Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022 was introduced by the White House to the Congress in mid-January and is currently under scrutiny in the US Senate. The bill provides for the Unites States military assistance for Ukraine to contain an alleged Russian aggression and enlists possible deterrence measures to be imposed against Russian officials, financial institutions, and economic operations. Restrictions may also target Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project. The tensions around Ukraine have flared up in recent weeks with the US and European Union raising concerns over Russian military buildup at the Ukrainian border, and NATO urging allies to boost their military support for Kiev. So far, the US, UK, Canada, Poland and Baltic states have supplied several batches of arms to Ukraine, mainly handguns, ammunition and anti-tank weapons, with Washington dispatching additional forces to neighboring Poland and Romania. Russia in turn has on many occasions denied intentions of invading any country, while pointing out that NATO's military activity near Russian borders poses a threat to its national security, in addition to hampering a peaceful resolution in Ukrainian Donbas. The United States welcomes the Danish prime minister's offer to negotiate a new defense cooperation agreement with a view to boosting transatlantic security and interaction in NATO operations, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Thursday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) The United States welcomes the Danish prime minister's offer to negotiate a new defense cooperation agreement with a view to boosting transatlantic security and interaction in NATO operations, State Department spokesperson Ned price said on Thursday. "The United States welcomes the offer announced today by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to begin negotiating a new Defense Cooperation Agreement. When concluded, this agreement will allow our countries to deepen our close security partnership, further strengthen cooperation in NATO operations, and together, contribute to continued growth in Transatlantic security," Price said in a statement. A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged for making threats to several schools in the US capital this week, the Washington Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced on Thursday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2022) A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged for making threats to several schools in the US capital this week, the Washington Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced on Thursday. "Update: a 16-year old juvenile male, of Southeast, DC, has been arrested and charged with Terroristic Threats in connection to multiple bomb threats yesterday," MPD said via Twitter. "MPD continues to investigate these incidents with our Federal partners." On Wednesday, MPD said it was responding to several bomb threats in Washington and was evacuating public and charter schools The six schools that received security threats include Dunbar High School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Ron Brown High School, KIPP DC College Preparatory, IDEA Public Charter School and Seed Public Charter School, according to MPD. Dunbar High School received a bomb threat on Tuesday as well. Vice President Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, was visiting the school during the time of the security threat, had to be escorted out by the US Secret Service. What's up Vol Nation?! Check out @Sami_whamiii on this weeks episode of the Weekly Wrap-Up for news involving @tpusautk and their guest speaker @tomilahren, the largest increase to the HOPE Scholarship since its founding, @josiah.j.james declaring for the draft. As always, a wrap up of our Valdosta, GA (31601) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. 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Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called Wednesday for pausing diplomatic relations with Spain, not breaking them, as he escalated his criticism of Mexicos former colonial power, which he says has exploited Mexico. Lopez Obrador made the comments at a regular news briefing during which he requested a breather in official ties, stating the relationship is not good currently. The Mexican president has been consistent in his assertion that Spanish authorities and corporations have been exploiting the North American country, particularly in the energy sector. They were like the owners of Mexico, Lopez Obrador said to the media as he took to task the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. They plundered us, Lopez Obrador said, targeting the role of Spanish investment in the country. Perhaps when the government changes, relations will be restored, and I wish that when Im no longer here they wouldnt be what they were before. Lopez Obrador has proposed changes to Mexicos energy market that have drawn criticism. In his defense, he said his proposal would end abuses that have benefited a few. He cited as examples power company Iberdrola and oil firm Repsol as Spanish companies that benefited from past Mexican governments. The Mexican presidents comments regarding Spain surprised Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. "I'd like to make clear that Spain's government has done nothing that could justify any declaration of this kind," he said Wednesday, according to Reuters. "What's clear from business ties between our countries is that far from pausing, investment flows have only been rising for years." Lopez Obradors ire toward the Spanish rose early in his administration. He had been in office a little more than a month when, in early 2019, he sent a letter to the king of Spain and Pope Francis asking them to apologize for the exploitation committed in the 500 years since Spain's conquest of Mexico. The Spanish government rejected the request. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Britain ordered 1,000 troops to be on a state of readiness to provide support in the event of a humanitarian crisis caused by any Russian aggression, ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the leaders of NATO and Poland on Thursday. Johnson will go to Brussels and Warsaw to stress the need to hold firm on NATO's principles and discuss ways that Britain can provide military support while Russia amasses its troops near Ukraine's border. Johnson's trip is one among a wave of international diplomatic efforts. French President Emmanuel Macron met Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is due to have in-person meetings with U.S. allies and partners at the Munich Security Conference next week. Britain's foreign secretary and defense secretary are also due in Moscow this week for talks with their counterparts. "The U.K. remains unwavering in our commitment to European security," Johnson said in a statement. "As an alliance, we must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise." Britain said on Monday that it would send a further 350 troops to Poland, after it sent 100 troops last year to help with a migrant crisis at its border with Belarus. Johnson's office repeated on Wednesday that any further military incursion of Ukraine by Russia would likely create the mass forced displacement of people on Europe's border, affecting countries like Poland and Lithuania. In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Johnson's office said the prime minister would also discuss with NATO's Jens Stoltenberg the U.K.'s offer to bolster the alliance's defenses, including a doubling of troops in Estonia, more RAF jets in southern Europe, and the sailing of both the Trent patrol vessel and a Type 45 destroyer to the Eastern Mediterranean. Rights groups have criticized the European Union for lifting sanctions Tuesday against Burundi for what the EU said was progress on human rights, good governance, and the rule of law. The EU action follows the U.S. lifting sanctions in November. Rights groups say Burundi authorities continue to commit abuses, including against political dissidents. The European Union is bringing the Burundi government into its political and economic system after being in the cold for at least six years. The European body said it was convinced political progress had been made in the central African country. In a statement, it said it acknowledges the progress made by the Burundian government on human rights issues, rule of law and good governance and wants to do more to improve its rights and governance record. The decision to lift the sanctions has angered human rights groups. Mausi Segun is the executive director of Human Rights Watchs Africa Division. Its unfortunately premature. Nothing on the ground in Burundi gives any foundation or basis for lifting the sanctions The EU and others like that institution are too much in haste to give credit to the government of Burundi when the victims of abuses and vicious crimes in Burundi deserve a lot more from the international community, said Segun. The EU follows the U.S., which lifted sanctions imposed on Burundi in 2015, when the country witnessed protests against then-Pierre Nkurunziza. In stopping the protest Burundi security forces were accused of committing widespread rights violations against opponents and opposition groups. The lifting of the sanctions is guided by the 2020 political transition from late President Nkurunziza to the current leader, Evariste Ndayishimiye. When taking office in June 2020 President Ndayishimiye pledged to unite the country and deliver peace and justice to all. Segun says the human rights situation has remained the same under the new government. "The killings, the disappearances of people suspected by the government of working with the opposition or with so called rebel groups," said Segun. "All of this continues to happen in the last one and half years that Ndayishimiye has been in office. We have seen hundreds of these types of cases, hundreds of cases of Burundians who have been killed unlawfully in that country and the disappearances of many more. In September 2021, a U.N. commission of inquiry on Burundi tasked to document human rights violations said, under Ndayishimiyes government, no reforms have been undertaken to improve the human rights situation. Carina Tertsakian works with the Burundi Human Rights Initiative. She says the European Union can use the newfound engagement with Burundi to address the abuses and killings. Now with this more positive climate between the EU and Burundi that can be an incentive for the Burundian government to take some concrete actions to reform and to improve the human rights situation that in my view will only happen if the European Union on its side continues raising these concerns," said Carina. "There is an ongoing political dialogue between the EU and Burundi and thats a very good opportunity to continue asking the Burundian government to address these issues. Human Rights Watch is calling on those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, whether in government or the ruling party youth wing accountable for the abuses, and the international community, to pay attention to what is happening in Burundi. Ugandan rights groups are criticizing a proposed law that would punish people who refuse to be vaccinated during an outbreak with up to six months in prison. Last week, Ugandas state minister for trade introduced an amendment to the Public Health Act that would impose fines and jail sentences on those who evade measures meant to curb the spread of infectious disease. The bill does not specifically mention COVID-19, but of course, COVID-19 is the disease the country and the world are dealing with right now. The bill states that whoever conceals an infectious disease could face fines of $850 or up to one year in jail. School administrators who admit students without evidence of vaccination, or a parent who fails to present their child for vaccination, could face up to six months in jail, a fine of about $1,100 or both. Allana Kembabazi is a health policy analyst with the NGO the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights. She says the proposed punitive measures would only lead Ugandans to find means of dodging the rules. The way they have handled the roll out has been poor. You go to a health centre they tell you, they are out today," said Kembabazi. "You take your first Pfizer dose, you have to hunt for the second. If they could address the issue with the roll out and really put in place a targeted community outreach campaign, that would be, I think, more effective. Because, when you put all these punitive sanctions, some people will just try and go ahead and forge. At the Naguru government hospital, a new mother walked in to get her first COVID-19 shot. She was turned away by health workers who told her she was late for her scheduled vaccination time. She told VOA she delayed getting the vaccine because when she was pregnant, she was never assured that it was safe for her and her unborn baby. I dont think the vaccine is like 100 percent authentic," she said. "The normal vaccines we know, like for vaccinating children, they take about five years to manufacture. This is something of maybe a few months for a vaccine to be developed. So, negative. Dr. Driwale Alfred, the head of Ugandas immunization program, tells VOA that those who want to dodge vaccination should know this is a public good and other Ugandans need to be protected from people who make reckless decisions. He argues that the government has already carried out sufficient awareness of both the disease and the vaccines. There are those who are not going to comply, but they will either make other people fall sick or they will frustrate the containment effort," said Driwale. "Now, to protect the public and appealing to peoples conscience for responsible decision making. If they fail then that becomes a mischief. A law will now come in to deal with this issue. The Ministry of Health continues to urge Ugandans to wear masks, social distance and use hand sanitizer. However, the ministry argues that in order to save lives using vaccines, any measure that makes people get vaccinated is welcome. The bill is before the health committee in parliament, which will carry out public consultations on whether the new amendments are necessary. A senior Ukrainian official says her country will not bow to threats of military action from Russia and is prepared to fight to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukraines ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva says she believes Russias main objective is to destabilize Ukraine politically, economically and militarily through the threatened use of force. Yevheniia Filipenko says Russias massive troop and weapons buildup along Ukraines border is aimed at achieving that result. She adds the large joint Russia-Belarus military exercise and the naval drills taking place in the Black Sea are part of the same plan. The Ukrainian envoy says her governments goal is to discourage Russia from pursuing its aggressive course against Ukraine, Europe, and the European security order. That, she says, will be done through diplomatic means. She adds, however, that her country will not cross certain red lines in negotiating a diplomatic solution to the prevailing threat. No concessions on sovereignty, territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders. Second, no direct [dialogue] with Russian occupation administrations in Donetsk and Luhansk. And third, only the people of Ukraine have the right to define [their] foreign policy course, Filipenko said. The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics are part of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting the Ukrainian government since 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin denies planning to invade Ukraine. He has demanded that the West reject the possibility of Ukraine joining the NATO alliance and that Western allies pull back their troops and armaments closest to Russia. Filipenko says the days when countries tried to impose their decisions on Ukraine are over. She says Ukraine will not bow to threats that will weaken the state and undermine its economic and financial stability. She says Ukraine is stronger, more resilient, and better prepared now to defend itself than it was in 2014. That was when Russia invaded Crimea and annexed the peninsula. We have a very strong Ukrainian army, which is very determined to defend Ukraine and not to allow any further military occupation should the Russians make [the] decision to invade, to further invade Ukraine, she said. Filipenko says Moscow will pay a very high price if it invades. She says Ukraines international partners have designed a comprehensive package of deterrence measures that will have serious economic and political consequences for Russia should it launch an offensive. Russia opened 10 days of massive military drills in Belarus on Thursday and docked six of its ships at a strategic Black Sea port, drawing a sharp rebuke from Ukrainian officials who characterized Moscows actions as further escalating tensions in the region. The Russian maneuvers in Belarus involved thousands of troops and sophisticated weapons systems such as S-400 surface-to-air missiles, Pantsir air defense systems and Su-35 fighter jets, with some of the training just 210 kilometers north of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The Russian Defense Ministry said the six ships arrived at the port of Sevastopol in Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. They had been on a 13,000-kilometer journey from the Baltic Sea to begin what officials described as naval exercises. The Russian ships are designed for unloading troops, vehicles and material onto land. Officials in Moscow and Minsk have said Russian troops will withdraw from Belarus after the drills end February 20. But Western officials remain fearful they could be deployed in a Russian invasion of Ukraine, a onetime Soviet republic, along with 100,000 troops Moscow has amassed along Ukraines eastern flank. Actions 'pose another threat' Ukrainian officials, who launched their own drills Thursday, assailed the impending naval drills, characterizing them as destructive activity to destabilize the security situation. Kyiv accused Russia of violating international law by restricting wide swaths of open waters to conduct missile and artillery fire training. These actions pose another threat to Ukraines sovereignty in its territorial sea area and in its sovereign rights in the exclusive maritime economic zone, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a statement. By blocking the recommended sea lanes, the Russian Federation has made it literally impossible to navigate in these areas and allow ships to enter Ukrainian seaports, especially in the Sea of Azov. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in a call with reporters, denied that the drills would affect seagoing commercial operations. Peskov said Russia was staging the joint exercises with Belarus, its largest ever, to combat unprecedented security threats the nature and, perhaps, concentration of which are, unfortunately, much larger and much more dangerous than before. Russian officials have denied they plan to invade Ukraine, but diplomatic talks with Western officials have led to a standoff. Russia has demanded that the U.S. and its allies reject Ukraines bid for membership in NATO, the Western military alliance formed after World War II. The West has rejected that as a nonstarter but has said it is willing to negotiate with Moscow over missile deployment and troop exercises in Eastern European countries closest to Russia. A day of talks between Ukraine and Russia ended Thursday without progress. These talks are an attempt to end the eight-year conflict between Ukraine forces and pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The failure to reconcile each side's interpretations of the Minsk accords, a 2015 agreement that attempted to end fighting in eastern Ukraine, was seen as a setback to defusing the wider crisis. "I hope that we will meet again very soon and continue these negotiations. Everyone is determined to achieve a result," Ukraine envoy Andriy Yermak said, adding that both sides agreed to keep talking. Britain on Thursday urged Russia to take a diplomatic route that avoids conflict and bloodshed while warning against any Russian moves that undermine Ukraines sovereignty. Warning of 'severe costs' Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people and for European security. And together, NATO has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said as she met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Western governments have been calling on Russia to take steps to de-escalate the crisis and have vowed to swiftly impose severe economic sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine. Lavrov said Thursday that only mutually respectful dialogue could lead to normalized relations. Ideological approaches, ultimatums, threats this is the road to nowhere, Lavrov said. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson traveled Thursday to Brussels to discuss the crisis with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg before heading for more meetings with leaders in Poland. Johnson called the situation the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades as he urged solidarity with NATO allies. He told reporters he did not think that Russian President Vladimir Putin had yet decided whether to invade Ukraine, but added, Our intelligence remains grim. Looking for peaceful path Stoltenberg told reporters he sent a letter to Lavrov inviting Russia for more rounds of meetings to find a diplomatic way forward. "We are prepared to listen to Russia's concerns and ready to discuss ways to uphold and strengthen the fundamental principles of European security that we all have signed up to, Stoltenberg said. He added, Renewed Russian aggression will lead to more NATO presence, not less. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Wednesday that Russia had been taking escalatory steps in recent weeks, and that the United States hoped that would change. I think as we look at the preparation for these military exercises again, we see this as certainly more of an escalatory and not a de-escalatory action as it relates to those troops and the military exercises, Psaki said. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Animosity toward China, which has long simmered in South Korea, exploded into the open this week following a pair of controversies during the Winter Olympics in Beijing. It began when a woman dressed in a pink hanbok, a traditional Korean dress, carried a Chinese flag while marching in the Olympics opening ceremony. Many South Koreans were outraged, seeing it as Beijings latest attempt to claim beloved aspects of Korean culture. Once the competition began, things only got worse. On Monday, two South Korean short track speed skaters were disqualified for moves deemed illegal, allowing a pair of Chinese skaters to advance and eventually win gold and silver medals. South Korean media outlets echoed discontent, accusing Beijing 2022 judges of bias in favor of China. Just let the host country China take all the medals, declared an article in the Seoul Sinmun newspaper, which began by repeating that sentence 11 times. SBS, a major South Korean broadcaster, aired a segment titled, Top 10 Worst Moments of Cheating by China, featuring past incidents involving Chinese athletes. The anti-China uproar comes less than a month before a tightly contested presidential election. Both main presidential candidates have weighed in, saying the South Korean skaters were the rightful winners and that the hanbok display is the latest evidence China is engaging in cultural appropriation. Do not covet the culture (of others), warned ruling party candidate Lee Jae-myung on Facebook. In his own Facebook post, Yoon Seok-youl, the main conservative candidate, accused Beijing of a broad effort to subjugate and incorporate Korean history into China. Growing animosity The incident reflects growing animosity toward what many South Koreans feel is Chinas distortion of history in order to claim South Korean culture, such as the hanbok. Recent years have also seen eruptions of nationalist-tinged anger over Chinese state media claims that kimchi, a fermented cabbage dish ubiquitous in Korea, originated in China. Underpinning the tensions are wider concerns about Chinas growing economic and military strength, and its more combative stance toward its neighbors, which analysts say is Beijings attempt to reassert its position as a dominant regional power. Things were not always this tense. In 2015, only 37% of South Koreans had a negative view of China, according to data from the Pew Research Center. By 2020, that figure had more than doubled to 75%. Recent opinion polls suggest South Korean perceptions of China are now roughly equal to views about Japan, Koreas former colonial ruler. South Korea-China ties especially deteriorated after 2017, when Seoul installed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense U.S. missile defense system, known as THAAD, to counter the threat posed by North Korea. Beijing objected to the deployment and waged a painful campaign of economic retaliation. Perceptions of China have especially worsened among younger South Koreans, who were born in a time of Chinas rise and felt its overarching influence everywhere, said Go Min-hee, who teaches political science and international relations at Seouls Ewha Womans University. Complicated roots For many South Koreans, Chinas display of the hanbok dress during the Olympics opening ceremony hit a particularly sensitive nerve although the controversy may not be immediately apparent to outside observers. For its part, China said the hanbok display was not meant to be a statement about its cultural origins. The hanbok-clad performer, Chinese officials insisted, was only meant to represent ethnic Koreans one of dozens of China's ethnic minority groups featured in the parade. Some South Koreans sympathize with that view, saying the hanbok also should belong to the Korean diaspora, including the around 2 million ethnic Koreans living in China. What exactly was this Korean Chinese participant supposed to wear? asked an editorial in the left-leaning Hankyoreh newspaper. South Koreans, however, became upset in part because of Chinas long-standing efforts to claim Koreas ancient kingdoms as part of its own national history. The territory of the Korean kingdoms, known as Goguryeo and Balhae, overlap with what is now part of modern China. From Koreans' perspective, claiming these Korean kingdoms as a small part of a bigger and more important historical Chinese entity is extremely offensive, said Darcie Draudt, a postdoctoral fellow at the George Washington Institute of Korean Studies. The issue of sovereignty is at the heart of it. Korea has been border insecure since Japan colonized it. And then it was divided, with north and south cut off. And then you must consider all the Koreans now in China, Manchuria, Russia, and elsewhere. So, then it becomes tied into national division, in a sense, she added. Major political issue The Olympics controversies have become a major campaign talking point in Seoul, raising the possibility that anti-China sentiment could be exploited for political gains ahead of the March 9 vote. Yoon, the conservative candidate, had already spoken in blunter terms about China. In December, he declared most South Korean people, especially younger ones, do not like China. He has also called for additional THAAD deployments in South Korea. Lee, the ruling party candidate, says South Korea must maintain a balance in its relationship between the United States and China. But Lee too has taken a more adversarial approach toward Beijing this week, promising to strongly crack down on Chinese vessels fishing illegally off South Koreas coast. The China issue is not likely to be decisive in the South Korean election, say observers, who note that both campaigns remain focused on domestic issues. Over the long run, however, I think that fueling the anti-Chinese sentiment will backfire, said Go. The complexity of Korea-China relations will be a significant burden to the incoming administration. The continuing crackdown on pro-democracy activists following the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus has spurred a wave of political asylum seekers. VOAs Igor Tsikhanenka spoke with some who undertook a long and uncertain journey to Mexico and on to the United States in recent months. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Wednesday stressed the importance of alliances for tackling global and regional issues ahead of security talks in Australia and reinforced the Biden administrations commitment to the region. What we know is that the issues that are really having an impact on folks back home, people here in Australia, and around the world whether its climate, whether its COVID, whether its the impact of emerging technologies not a single one of these issues can be effectively dealt with by any one of us acting alone, Blinken told U.S. Mission Australia staff Thursday in Melbourne. More than ever before, we need partnerships, we need alliances, we need coalitions of countries willing to put their efforts, their resources, their minds into tackling these problems. Blinken earlier participated in a town hall discussion of biomedical issues at the University of Melbournes law school. Officials with Moderna and Bristol-Myers Squibb, global pharmaceutical companies, also took part in the roundtable. Blinken discussed global vaccination targets and the need for a stronger global health security system so the world is better prepared the next time around. Earlier this week, Australia said it was reopening its borders to vaccinated international travelers on February 21. The move comes almost two years after borders were closed as part of efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Australias pandemic border closures were among the strictest in the world. Blinken said Australia and the United States have been leaders together in fighting COVID-19. He later tweeted that the University of Melbourne held deep meaning to my late stepfather, Samuel Pisar, who was a proud alumnus. On Friday, Blinken will meet with leaders of the Quad countries, the United States, Australia, Japan and India. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne, who will host the meeting, said Wednesday the gathering sends a message to China that security in the region remains a priority for the United States. Payne said the Quad ministers were voting with their feet in terms of the priority that they accord to issues important to the Indo-Pacific. Payne said the ministers would also focus on regional coronavirus vaccine distribution, cyber and other technology issues, and addressing disinformation, counterterrorism and climate change. Blinkens visit to Australia is his first trip there after an enhanced trilateral security partnership known as AUKUS Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States was announced in September. The agreement includes a deal to build nuclear-propelled submarines for Australia as part of enhanced deterrence against Chinas military expansion across the Indo-Pacific region. Part of the discussions during the fourth Quad foreign ministers meetings in Melbourne will relate to the challenges that China poses, Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, told VOA during a Friday phone briefing. The Quad is not a military alliance, but it is not lost on China that you have four democracies, all with a strong maritime presence and advanced military capabilities, concerned by the increasingly aggressive approach China takes with its neighbors, said Charles Edel, the Australia chair of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Blinken is also expected to discuss threats presented by a growing partnership between China and Russia that was on display during Sundays meeting in Beijing between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the beginning of the Winter Olympics. The meeting occurred amid Russias military buildup along neighboring Ukraines borders and Chinas increasingly assertive efforts to reunite Taiwan with the mainland. In Beijing, Chinese officials have expressed wariness over the Quad and AUKUS. In response Wednesday to a reporters question about the Quad members meeting, Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Zhao Lijian attacked American democracy while portraying Beijing as a peace seeker. With its so-called democracy having collapsed long ago, the U.S. is forcing other countries to accept the standards of the American democracy, drawing lines with democratic values and piecing together cliques. That is a complete betrayal of democracy, Zhao said. Zhao added that China seeks peace and development, promotes cooperation, promotes the construction of an equal, open and inclusive security system in the Asia-Pacific region that does not target third countries. We oppose forming exclusive cliques and setting up groups within groups, as well as creating confrontation between camps, he said. The top U.S. diplomats weeklong trip includes Fiji as well as Honolulu, Hawaii. Britain on Thursday urged Russia to take a diplomatic route that avoids conflict and bloodshed while warning against any Russian moves that undermine Ukraines sovereignty. Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people and for European security and together NATO has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said as she met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Western governments have been calling on Russia to take steps to de-escalate the crisis that has come with it massing more than 100,000 troops near the border, deploying warships to the Black Sea and sending more troops and military equipment to Belarus, another Ukrainian neighbor, for military drills that began Thursday. Ukraine also launched its own military drills Thursday with both set to last until Feb. 20. Lavrov said Thursday that only mutually respectful dialogue can lead to normalized relations. Ideological approaches, ultimatums, threats -- this is the road to nowhere, Lavrov said. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson traveled Thursday to Brussels to discuss the crisis with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg before heading for more meetings with leaders in Poland. Johnson called the situation the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades as he urged solidarity with NATO allies. He told reporters he does not think that Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet made a decision about whether to invade Ukraine, but added, our intelligence remains grim. Stoltenberg told reporters he sent a letter to Lavrov inviting Russia for more rounds of meeting to find a diplomatic way forward. "We are prepared to listen to Russia's concerns and ready to discuss ways to uphold and strengthen the fundamental principles of European security that we all have signed up to, Stoltenberg said. Putin has denied he plans to invade Ukraine but demanded that the West reject the possibility of Ukraine joining the 30 countries already in NATO and that the Western allies pull back their troops and armaments closest to Russia. Stoltenberg reiterated the position that Russia has no veto power over who belongs to NATO, but that the alliance is willing to discuss certain security issues such as military drills and arms control. He added, Renewed Russian aggression will lead to more NATO presence, not less. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Wednesday Russia has been taking escalatory steps in recent weeks and the United States hopes that changes. I think as we look at the preparation for these military exercises, again, we see this as certainly more of an escalatory and not a de-escalatory action as it relates to those troops and the military exercises, Psaki said. Top Russian commanders arrived in Belarus on Wednesday, set to oversee 30,000 Russian troops as they train with the Belarusian military. Russia has moved S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and numerous fighter jets into Belarus for the exercises, with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian armed forces general staff, in command of the drills. The training in Belarus is the latest threat to Ukraine, whose capital, Kyiv, is 210 kilometers to the south. Ukraines military exercises involve unmanned aircraft and antitank missiles supplied by Ukraines Western allies. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was staging the joint exercises with Belarus to combat unprecedented security threats. Western intelligence experts say they believe Moscow has about 70% of its strike force in place for an attack on its one-time Soviet republic, which that has leaned to the West in recent years and seeks to join NATO. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied he plans to invade Ukraine but demanded that the West reject the possibility of Ukraine joining the 30 countries already in NATO and that the Western allies pull back their troops and armaments closest to Russia. In response, the West has said Russia has no veto power over who belongs to NATO but that it is willing to negotiate with Moscow over the placement of missiles in eastern Europe and periodic NATO military drills. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Cameroon is marking its annual Youth Week activities by focusing for the first time on the country's Anglophone separatist conflict. Officials are urging the teaching of English and French to try to bridge the gap between the country's English speakers and its French-speaking majority. As part of the activities, 80 students from the Government Bilingual High School Essos sang that Cameroon is one and united. In the song, the students said tolerance and peace are needed to foster cohesion and live together as one in the central African country. Similar songs calling for patriotism were being sung in all academic institutions as part of activities marking Youth Week. University students this year also joined in the weeklong activities. Nalova Lyonga, Cameroons minister of secondary education, said she asked teachers in all schools to educate students to love their country and live together in peace and harmony despite linguistic and cultural differences that fuel tensions. "Everybody should attempt to understand the other person and no longer say to anybody that I don't understand your English. We don't want to hear that. Let them use their language and not feel left out within an entity called Cameroon, and all of the languages should be the bridge that takes you closer to the next person in the place called Cameroon," she said. Lyonga said Youth Week activities are also encouraging students to speak Cameroon's two official languages, English and French. She said the government was also using Youth Week to urge a return to peace in the restive English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions. Violence erupted in the two regions in 2016 when teachers and lawyers protested alleged discrimination at the hands of the French-speaking majority. The ensuing conflict between government forces and separatist groups has since killed several thousand people. In 2017, officials created a commission to promote the use of both languages. George Ngwane, a member of the commission, said it has encouraged many French-speaking Cameroonians to see that English and French have the same status. Speaking from the town of Buea, he said most government offices no longer neglect English speakers, and that classes are underway to teach public office workers both languages. "One has seen a degree of sensitivity towards the practice and the use of the two official languages that can help us promote peace and national unity. When I hear certain ministers today trying to give equity to the two languages, I would say there are some strides that have been made, but there is a lot that needs to be done," Ngwane said. Cameroon says the ongoing campaign will reduce tensions if people under 35, who make up about three-fourths of the population, can learn to speak the two languages regularly. A blockade of the bridge between Canada and Detroit by protesters demanding an end to Canada's COVID-19 restrictions forced the shutdown Wednesday of a Ford plant and began to have broader implications for the North American auto industry. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, stood firm against an easing of Canada's COVID-19 restrictions in the face of mounting pressure during recent weeks by protests against the restrictions and against Trudeau himself. The protest by people mostly in pickups entered its third day at the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. Traffic was prevented from entering Canada, while U.S.-bound traffic was still moving. The bridge carries 25% of all trade between the two countries, and Canadian authorities expressed increasing worry about the economic effects. Ford said late Wednesday that parts shortages forced it to shut down its engine plant in Windsor and to run an assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario, on a reduced schedule. Shortages caused by the blockade also forced General Motors to cancel the second shift of the day at its midsize-SUV factory near Lansing, Michigan. Spokesperson Dan Flores said it was expected to restart Thursday and no additional impact was expected for the time being. Later Wednesday, Toyota spokesperson Scott Vazin said the company will not be able to manufacture anything at three Canadian plants for the rest of this week because of parts shortages. A statement attributed the problem to supply chain, weather and pandemic-related challenges, but the shutdowns came just days after the blockade began Monday. A growing number of Canadian provinces have moved to lift some of their precautions as the omicron surge levels off, but Trudeau defended the measures the federal government is responsible for, including the one that has angered many truck drivers: a rule that took effect Jan. 15 requiring truckers entering Canada to be fully vaccinated. "The reality is that vaccine mandates, and the fact that Canadians stepped up to get vaccinated to almost 90%, ensured that this pandemic didn't hit as hard here in Canada as elsewhere in the world," Trudeau said in Parliament. About 90% of truckers in Canada are vaccinated, and trucker associations and many big-rig operators have denounced the protests. The U.S. has the same vaccination rule for truckers entering the country, so it would make little difference if Trudeau lifted the restriction. Protesters have also been blocking the border crossing at Coutts, Alberta, for a week and a half, with about 50 trucks remaining there Wednesday. And more than 400 trucks have paralyzed downtown Ottawa, Canada's capital, in a protest that began late last month. While protesters have been calling for Trudeau's removal, most of the restrictive measures around the country have been put in place by provincial governments. Those include requirements that people show proof-of-vaccination "passports" to enter restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and sporting events. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia announced plans this week to roll back some or all of their precautions. Alberta, Canada's most conservative province, dropped its vaccine passport immediately and plans to get rid of mask requirements at the end of the month. Alberta opposition leader Rachel Notley accused the province's premier, Jason Kenney, of allowing an "illegal blockade to dictate public health measures." Despite Alberta's plans to scrap its measures, the protest there continued. "We've got guys here they've lost everything due to these mandates, and they're not giving up, and they're willing to stand their ground and keep going until this is done," said protester John Vanreeuwyk, a feedlot operator from Coaldale, Alberta. "Until Trudeau moves," he said, "we don't move." As for the Ambassador Bridge blockade, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said police had not removed people for fear of inflaming the situation. But he added: "We're not going to let this happen for a prolonged period of time." The demonstration involved 50-74 vehicles and about 100 protesters, police said. Some of the protesters say they are willing to die for their cause, according to the mayor. "I'll be brutally honest: You are trying to have a rational conversation, and not everyone on the ground is a rational actor," Dilkens said. "Police are doing what is right by taking a moderate approach, trying to sensibly work through this situation where everyone can walk away, nobody gets hurt, and the bridge can open." To avoid the blockade and get into Canada, truckers in the Detroit area had to drive 70 miles north to Port Huron, Michigan, and cross the Blue Water Bridge, where there was a 4-hour delay leaving the U.S. At a news conference in Ottawa that excluded mainstream news organizations, Benjamin Dichter, one of the protest organizers, said: "I think the government and the media are drastically underestimating the resolve and patience of truckers." "Drop the mandates. Drop the passports," he said. The "freedom truck convoy" has been promoted by Fox News personalities and attracted support from many U.S. Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. Pandemic restrictions have been far stricter in Canada than in the U.S., but Canadians have largely supported them. Canada's COVID-19 death rate is one-third that of the U.S. The Philippine governments decision to restore its Visiting Forces Agreement with the U.S. military after 18 months of threats to scrap it shows that Beijing had not delivered enough to the Southeast Asian country to sustain a friendship or excite common Filipinos, analysts say. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced July 29 during U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins visit to Manila that he would continue the 22-year-old pact, commonly known as the VFA. Duterte had said since February 2020 that he planned to quit the deal. Duterte, who took office in 2016, had come to realize that China would not deliver on pledges made that year of $33 billion in aid and investment in the fast-growing, infrastructure-thirsty Southeast Asian archipelago, experts say. A flap in March and April over 220 Chinese boats moored off a reef thats disputed by the two countries further upset officials in Manila, reminding them of a broader maritime sovereignty dispute with Beijing, analysts say. Had China delivered more on its promises of infrastructure and investment, it could have given Duterte a more solid ground and a solid push to stay adamant on the VFA, said Yun Sun, senior fellow and co-director of the East Asia program at the Stimson Center in Washington. It is widely observed that the Chinese promises never really transpired for Duterte. Just $4.7 billion of Chinas pledges had reached Manila by early 2019, local media said that year. The Visiting Forces Agreement provides for arms sales, intelligence exchanges and discussions on military cooperation. It allows U.S. troops access to Philippine soil for military exercises aimed at regional security and local humanitarian work. Those measures bolster a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the two countries. The United States had governed the Philippines for more than five decades before granting its independence after World War II. For Washington today, the Philippines represents one in a chain of Western Pacific allies that can work together to check Chinese maritime expansion. Duterte probably agreed to keep the military pact in view of the early 2022 presidential election, Sun said. Hes allowed just one six-year term in office, but domestic media reports say his daughter Sara Duterte wants to run for the office. Most Filipinos, including the armed forces, prefer the United States over China, Quezon City-based research organization Social Weather Stations has said, based on opinion polls since 2016. I suspect his chief motivation in making peace with Washington, on his way out of office, is to cover himself politically at home should he ever want to run for anything again, said Sean King, vice president of the Park Strategies political consultancy in New York. Duterte, a long-time anti-U.S. firebrand, ordered an end to the military deal after the U.S. government canceled a visa for a Filipino senator and former police chief who was instrumental in a deadly anti-drug campaign that generated outrage abroad. Last year, Duterte indicated he favored relations with China and Russia. Sino-Philippine relations today hinge largely on competing claims in the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea, which is rich in fisheries and undersea energy reserves. China has alarmed the Philippines among other Southeast Asian maritime claimant states over the past decade by landfilling islets for military installations. The Sino-Philippine dispute eased in 2016 after Manila won a world arbitral court ruling against Beijings maritime claims and Duterte pursued a new friendship with China. Earlier this year, the Philippine government approached Washington about renegotiating terms of the VFA. Officials in Manila wanted the pact to guarantee U.S. help in defending Philippine maritime claims, said Eduardo Araral, associate professor at the National University of Singapore's public policy school. U.S. officials since the presidency of Barack Obama have made verbal commitments only, Araral said. They always make assurances, but those assurances are not credible because they are not written in the VFA, he said. Theres got to be some clarity in the wording of the VFA itself. The two sides did not indicate last week whether the agreement would be renegotiated. Chinese media, which had covered the U.S.-Philippine pacts pending termination, have gone mostly quiet since July 29, Sun said. The official Xinhua news agency reported the VFA reapproval last month and noted that Manila's plan to cancel it had been suspended three times. Beijing is disappointed now, Sun said, as it was trying to drive a wedge between the United States and its allies. Dutertes salvaging of the agreement will help Washington coordinate allies in Asia, King said. Keeping the Visiting Forces Agreement in place, along with re-upping U.S. defense burden-sharing deals with South Korea and Japan earlier this year, gives the sense that U.S. President (Joe) Biden is getting Americas friends and allies onside as we (U.S.) square off with Beijing for influence and position in the region, King said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Thursday announced a more than $172 billion investment plan for Africa, as part of the European Unions Global Gateway infrastructure initiative. Von der Leyen made the announcement at a news conference in Senegals capital, Dakar, as she spoke to reporters alongside President Macky Sall. Von der Leyen is in the West African nation to prepare for an EUAfrican Union summit scheduled for next week. Senegal currently holds the rotating presidency of the AU. In her comments, Von der Leyen said the funds for Africa represent the first regional package to be implemented as part of the Global Gateway investment initiative, first announced late last year. The Global Gateway seeks to invest up to $340 billion for public and private infrastructure projects around the world by 2027. Seen as a response to China's Belt and Road initiative, the investment scheme will draw on private sector investments as well as funding from EU institutions and member countries. In a release on its website, the EU says the package will include more than $488 million for COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine rollouts; roughly $1.7 billion toward strengthening health security architecture, pharmaceutical systems and manufacturing, and improving access to health care, along with nearly $70 million for sexual and reproductive health and rights infrastructure. Von der Leyen said investments such as these and others will be at the heart of discussions at next weeks EU-AU summit, because they are the means of our shared ambition. She said, "In this area Europe is the most reliable partner for Africa and by far the most important. Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse. Editor's note: A previous version of this story included an incorrect figure regarding European Union investment in Africa in the headline. The correct amount is $172 billion. Los Angeles is getting ready to host one of the biggest annual sporting events in the U.S. - the Superbowl. Angelina Bagdasaryan examines the preparations for Superbowl 2022 and also spoke with residents about this Sundays (2/13) playoff between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. Anna Rice narrates her story. Camera: Vazgen Varzhabetian A majority of the Libyan parliament has approved former interior minister Fathi Bashagha to head a new national unity government. Bashagha, an Islamist and former militia commander from Misrata, appears to have sufficient support from militia forces in the west of the country to assume the post, despite the refusal of outgoing PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh to step down. Libyan media broadcast video of Thursday's parliament session in the eastern town of Tobruk, showing Speaker Aguileh Saleh announcing the body's approval of new national unity prime minister Fathi Bashagha by majority vote. Minutes earlier, the Libyan parliament approved a series of constitutional amendments, paving the way for parliamentary and presidential elections 14 months from now. Elections, previously scheduled for Dec. 24, were cancelled when the country's electoral commission announced that it was unprepared to hold the vote. What comes next is unclear. Outgoing national unity prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh told Libyan media several days ago that he would not hand over power to a new prime minister, claiming that any such transfer was what he called "fraudulent." Dbeibeh also claimed to have survived an assassination attempt by his opponents as he was riding in his limousine to his home in the capital, Tripoli. The prime minister's office released media pictures of his vehicle with bullet holes in the front windshield and several other places. Several news sources, however, questioned the authenticity of the attack. Libya's Supreme Council of State, based in Tripoli, reportedly accepted the choice of Bashagha to head a new government, according to Parliament Speaker Saleh. However, al Jazeera TV, reported that Khaled al Meshri, who heads the council, has asked parliament to delay its vote until next week. Some Libya observers warn that fighting could break out in Tripoli if militia forces oppose parliament's decision. Paul Sullivan, a Washington-based Middle East analyst, tells VOA that "Libya is having a rough time settling down even a decade after the ouster of longtime ruler Moahmmar Gadhafi. Sullivan adds that "tribalism" is part of the problem in Libya, and that "amending the constitution could bring out even more animosities and angst. Libya," he argues, "is not a solidified country, yet." Khattar Abou Diab, who teaches political science at the University of Paris, concurs with Sullivan about Libyan tribalism and stresses that "we have yet to see the final movement of the long and tortuous Libyan conflict." Abou Diab argues that political forces in eastern Libya have succeeded in dividing the forces in the west of the country by naming Bashagha as the new prime minister, because Bashagha has significant support in Tripoli and surrounding areas. Abou Diab adds that some reports say that militia forces in Tripoli are now in the process of surrounding government buildings held by those loyal to outgoing Prime Minister Dbeibeh. France will build at least six new nuclear reactors in the decades to come, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, placing nuclear power at the heart of his country's drive for carbon neutrality by 2050. Macron said the new plants would be built and operated by state-controlled energy provider EDF and that tens of billions of euros in public financing would be mobilized to finance the projects and safeguard EDF's finances. "What our country needs, and the conditions are there, is the rebirth of France's nuclear industry," Macron said, unveiling his new nuclear strategy in the eastern industrial town of Belfort. Promising to accelerate the development of solar and offshore wind power in France, Macron also announced he wanted to extend the lifespan of older nuclear plants to 50 years or more from 40 years currently, provided it was safe. The announcement comes at a difficult time for debt-laden EDF, which is facing delays and budget over-runs on new nuclear plants in France and Britain, and corrosion problems in some of its aging reactors. The nuclear blueprint cements France's commitment to nuclear power, a mainstay of the country's postwar industrial prowess but whose future was uncertain after Macron and his predecessor had promised to reduce its weight in the country's energy mix. Macron's thinking has been reshaped by the European Unions ambitious goals for carbon neutrality within three decades, which put renewed focus on energy forms that emit fewer, or zero, greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, including nuclear. Surging energy prices and concerns about Europe's reliance on imported Russian gas have also persuaded French officials of the region's need for more energy independence. EDF estimates the cost of six new EPR reactors at about 50 billion euros, depending on financing conditions. The first new reactor, an evolution of the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR), would come online by 2035, Macron said. Studies for a further eight reactors beyond the initial half-dozen new plants would be launched, he added. France will also increase its solar power capacity tenfold by 2050 to more than 100 gigawatts (GW) and target building 50 offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of at least 40 GW. Capacity from land-based wind turbines, which face strong public resistance, would only be doubled by 2050, he said. Energy U-turn Macron's decision to extend the lifespan of existing plants marked a U-turn on an earlier pledge to close more than a dozen of EDF's 56 reactors by 2035. Nuclear safety still divides Europe after Japan's Fukushima disaster. France lobbied hard for nuclear to be labeled as sustainable under new European Commission rules on green financing. If the new EU taxonomy rules are approved, it should reduce the cost of financing nuclear energy projects. Macron said the state would assume its responsibilities in securing EDF's finances, indicating that the government may inject fresh capital into the 84% state-owned firm. The State will assume its responsibilities in securing EDF's finances and its short- and medium-term financing capacity," Macron said. EDF's EPR reactors have suffered a troubled history. EPR projects at Flamanville in France and Hinkley Point in Britain are running years behind schedule and billions over budget, while EPR reactors in China and Finland have been hit by technical issues. Separately EDF this week revised lower its output forecast for its nuclear fleet to 295-315 TWh compared to 361 TWh last year, in part due to extended reactor shutdowns due to corrosion problems in several reactors. If the level drops below 300 TWh, it would be at its lowest since 1990. Compounding EDF's difficulties, Macron, who faces a re-election battle in two months and is striving to head off public anger over rising energy bills, has ordered the utility to sell more cheap power to rivals a move that will knock about 8 billion euros off EDF's 2022 core earnings. EDF's share price is down 18% so far in 2022. EDF confirmed on Thursday it would buy a France-based nuclear turbine unit from General Electric as the utility looks to bundle nuclear activities deemed to be strategic. Major multinational companies including Hyundai, KFC and Domino's are scrambling to contain a furious backlash in India after their Pakistani subsidiaries tweeted in support of Kashmiri aspirations for independence from New Delhi. The outrage is being felt as far away as Seoul, where the foreign ministry spokesperson was obliged Tuesday to express his regrets to his Indian counterpart. In New Delhi, South Korea's ambassador was summoned Monday to the foreign ministry where "the strong displeasure of the Government was conveyed to him." Within the Indian parliament and government, even abject apologies from the offending companies are being dismissed as insufficiently sincere. The ruckus began on Sunday, when the Pakistani outlets tweeted their support for Kashmir's mainly Muslim population to mark what is celebrated in that country as "Kashmir Solidarity Day." The status of Kashmir has been disputed between India and Pakistan since partition in 1948 and has been the cause of three wars between them. "Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in solidarity as they continue their battle for freedom," said a post by Hyundai Pakistan's Twitter handle @hyundaiPakistanOfficial. The post sparked an immediate furor in India, where social media users began calling for a boycott of Hyundai products. The demands for an apology were quickly picked up by the government and members of parliament. The company's Indian subsidiary was quick to dissociate itself from the tweet, issuing a statement saying that that as matter of policy, Hyundai Motors Company does not comment on political or religious issues in any specific region. "It clearly against Hyundai Motor's policy that the independently-owned distributor in Pakistan made unauthorized Kashmir-related social media posts from their own accounts," it said. "We deeply regret any offense caused to the people of India by this unofficial social media activity." The parent company also weighed in, saying, "Once the situation was brought to our attention, we made the distributor acutely aware of the inappropriateness of the action. We have since taken measures to ensure the distributor, which misused the Hyundai brand identity, has removed the social media posts and we have put in place processes to prevent a future recurrence." The company statement added: "Our subsidiary, Hyundai Motor India, is not associated with the distributor in Pakistan, and we strongly reject the distributor's unauthorized non-business related social media activity." Indian subsidiaries of U.S.-based KFC and Domino's similarly apologized for social media posts that had appeared on the verified accounts of their Pakistani counterparts. "We deeply apologize for a post that was published on some KFC social media channels outside the country," said a tweet from the fried chicken dynasty. "We honour and respect India, and remain steadfast in our commitment to serving all Indians with pride." Pizza maker Domino's is also reeling, with the hashtag #boycottdominos trending on Twitter in response to a similar tweet sent by Domino's Pakistani account. In a statement posted Wednesday, the business said, "This is the country we have called our home for the last 25 years, and we stand here to safeguard its legacy forever. We regret and apologize for the unsolicited social media handles outside the country." Maruti Suzuki, a subsidiary of the Japanese automaker, is also caught up in the ruckus. "We do not align with any political or religious inclination in any part of the world. Such communications from our dealers or business associates on these topics represents neither our company position nor authorized by us," it said in a tweet. Despite the apologies, the Indian government and many of its lawmakers are not assuaged. "Hyundai Global must have thought that they could get away with a vague half-hearted statement by its Indian subsidiary," said Vijay Chauthaiwale, a senior official with India's Foreign Affairs Department. "New India would not tolerate any such nonsense." Priyanka Chaturvedi, deputy leader of a right-wing party in the Indian parliament, urged Hyundai to avoid "wishy-washy words" and say "we are unequivocally sorry. Rest is all unnecessary." Parts of Malawi are still recovering from January's Tropical Storm Ana, which left scores dead across Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. UN agencies in Malawi have been providing help to people displaced into camps, but those affected say thousands more need shelter, food, and clean water. Lameck Masina reports from Nsanje, Malawi. Producer: Marcus Harton A new study says 1 in 10 Australian health care workers has had thoughts of suicide or self-harm during the pandemic. The authors of the Australian Frontline Health Workers survey believe it is the worlds largest study of suicidal thoughts among health care workers. It canvassed the opinions of 8,000 staff, in a range of positions and professions, including support staff, cleaners, doctors and nurses. The survey finds 10% of respondents have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide during the pandemic, but fewer than half had sought help from a mental health professional. Even before the emergence of COVID-19, Australian health workers had higher rates of suicide than those in other occupations. The studys authors said that emotional exhaustion and burnout were common among many respondents. What is unclear is the impact stress, which could cause more medical errors, has had on the quality of patient care. Georgina Lonergan, a nuclear medicine technologist in Victoria state, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that her job was extremely stressful. There is an undercurrent of anxiety, I think, for everyone working in health care, she said. I have definitely had an undercurrent of anxiety increasing over the last couple of years. Some days you just really do not want to come. There has been a couple of days where I have been close to tears on the way in just from anxiety and just being tired of it all. The survey was published Wednesday in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. Much of Australia continues to battle a wave of omicron variant infections. Government data has shown that more than 3,500 people are in the hospital with the virus. Since the pandemic began, Australia has detected 2.4 million coronavirus cases; 4,366 people have died, according to the Health Department. Pentagon reporters have asked the Biden administration to grant them access to the approximately 3,000 U.S. troops being deployed to Eastern Europe and Germany in response to rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The Pentagon Press Association, which represents about 100 journalists, including two at Voice of America, wrote a letter Wednesday to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan requesting that they lift the ban on news coverage of American military members deploying to Europe to reassure NATO allies during the Ukraine crisis. The existing ban, including denial of reporters requests to speak directly to troops at their deployed locations and to embed with units, is contrary to the basic principle of press freedom, the associations board wrote. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon that the administration respected the concerns of the press but was not at a point now to provide the access requested. We don't make decisions to grant access or not to grant access lightly, and there's lots of factors that go into that. Sometimes it has to do with operational security. Sometimes it has to do with how that kind of access nests into the larger strategy that we're pursuing, Kirby said. Russia has placed more than 100,000 of its troops along its border with Ukraine, in the illegally annexed Crimea region and along Ukraines northern border with Belarus. Moscow says its troop placements are for military exercises and claims it has no intention of invading Ukraine. In response to Russias troop buildup, President Joe Biden ordered about 2,000 U.S. forces to Poland and Germany and moved about 1,000 troops from Germany to Romania. Both Poland and Romania border Ukraine. The U.S. says it has no plans to place combat troops in Ukraine. A small number of U.S. troops are in Ukraine as part of a training program that began after Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. As if we didn't have enough to worry about: Some scientists are warning about the inevitable catastrophic effects on modern life from a super-sized solar storm. These outbursts from the sun, which eject energy in the form of magnetic fields and billions of tons of plasma gas known as "coronal mass ejections," are unpredictable and difficult to anticipate. The Earth suffers a devastating direct hit every century or two, according to recent analysis of scientific data and historic accounts. In the past, these were mainly celestial events with spectacular aurora light shows but scant impact on humanity. Modern technology, however, is vulnerable to the shocks from extreme solar storms. "It's not as rare as an asteroid or a comet hitting the Earth, but it's something that really needs to be dealt with by policymakers," said Daniel Baker, distinguished professor of planetary and space physics at the University of Colorado. "Certainly, in the longer term, it's not a question of if but when." Astrophysicists estimate the likelihood of a solar storm capable of causing catastrophe to be as high as 12% in a decade. "It's just a matter of time," according to professor Raimund Muscheler, chair of quaternary sciences in the geology department of Lund University in Sweden. "One has to be aware of it and one has to calculate the risks and be prepared as much as possible." A new study of ancient ice samples conducted by the Swedish scientist concludes that a previously unknown, huge solar storm about 9,200 years ago would have crippled communications if it had hit Earth in modern times. "A failure in one kind of sector can propagate through the system and affect a lot of other things, and I think that's probably the thing that worries me most about storms is that they can be widespread and can have consequences in all kinds of systems that that we might not otherwise think about," Baker said. A relatively minor solar storm, that caused a disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field, is blamed for the loss of as many as 40 of the 49 Starlink internet-access satellites launched February 3 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Phases of disturbance When the sun shoots out energy, it affects Earth in phases. The first occurs here eight minutes after the solar event 150 million kilometers away, the time it takes light to travel from the sun. The initial trouble occurs on the daylight side of the planet from the early arriving X-rays, which dramatically disrupt the ionosphere where the Earth's atmosphere meets space and radio communications. They also create additional drag on some satellites, degrading their orbits, which is what happened to the Starlink satellites. In subsequent minutes and hours, highly charged particles unleash a radioactive storm, posing a danger to astronauts in orbit. The third phase, known as the coronal mass ejection gas and magnetic field explosions on the surface of the sun disturbs the planet's magnetosphere, lighting up the sky and inducing electrical currents on the surface, which can overload power grids and speed corrosion of pipelines. "The geomagnetic storm can actually cause transformers to burn through if they are not adequately protected," said Muscheler of Lund University. The power industry in North America has taken steps in recent years to harden its infrastructure to protect from the dangerous surges. U.S. government agencies have a program to deploy emergency transformers to replace those that would fail. "Although the U.S. government has estimated the cost of a severe space weather event to be in the billions, this worst-case scenario is typically not considered by most policy planners," said Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi, assistant professor in the computer science department at the University of California, Irvine. "In short, the risk is well-known, but not always considered during design and planning in most cases." Long-distance fiber-optic and submarine telecommunications cables at higher latitudes, where the Earth is more exposed, can also suffer serious damage. "The U.S. is highly susceptible to disconnection from Europe," Jyothi wrote in a recent research paper. "Europe is in a vulnerable location but is more resilient due to the presence of a larger number of shorter cables. Asia has relatively high resilience with Singapore acting as a hub with connections to several countries." The sun frequently hurls big flares at Earth, but most are not large enough to wreak havoc or don't strike the planet directly. But, as SpaceX experienced this week, even some of the less severe flares can neutralize satellites. "The timing is unfortunate for SpaceX," said Bill Murtagh, program coordinator for the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He added that the 1,500 SpaceX satellites already in orbit were not affected. Any major solar storm poses a threat to Global Positioning System satellites, which provide accurate time signals and precise navigation, technology critical in modern life from agriculture to aviation. A big storm can also trigger ozone depletion, meaning there are possible effects on the terrestrial climate, according to atmospheric scientists. Previous disruptions The societal reactions to the solar outbursts of past centuries now seem quaint, although they were sensational events at the time. When an intense geomagnetic storm hit the Earth in September 1859, known as the Carrington Event, telegraph systems across North America and Europe failed and some operators reported receiving electrical shocks. A solar storm in March 1989 caused power failures in Quebec, Canada. The Halloween Storms of 2003 affected more than half of the orbiting satellites, and disrupted aviation for more than a day because planes could not be accurately tracked. Electrical service was also knocked out in parts of Europe for several hours, and transformers in South Africa were permanently damaged. Since the Carrington Event, state-of-the-art communication has gone from the telegraph to the internet. "Are we ready for a Carrington class event? No, we still have work to do," Murtagh of NOAA told VOA. "While the frequency of climate disasters is increasing gradually, we will be caught by surprise by an extreme solar event that causes significant disruptions. Most people alive today have never experienced an extreme space weather event that has a global impact during our lifetime," Jyothi of University of California-Irvine told VOA. She also warned that solar superstorms could cause large-scale internet outages covering the entire globe and lasting several months. The geomagnetic storms tend to happen more frequently when there are more sunspots (each such freckle on the sun being about the size of Earth). The sun is heading into a new cycle, meaning there is an increasing likelihood of disruptive events as this cycle ramps up to its predicted peak in July 2025. "We're going to see more sunspots, more solar flares, more eruptions and consequently more effects on technology here on Earth," Murtagh said. Intensity levels One bit of good news: Solar scientists predict this cycle will be less intense than the most active cycles of past centuries. Society in the 21st century, however, seems unprepared for the consequences of cascading inter-connected technological failings likely to be caused by future major storms. "The sun is the giver of life, but it can be cruel too especially on the technology we rely on for so much of what we do today," Murtagh said. Congress passed a bill in 2020 directing the National Science Foundation, NASA and the Defense Department to continue supporting basic research related to space weather. Some other governments seem less focused on the issue. Baker recalls a letter he received from a concerned woman in France who contacted officials there for advice on how to prepare for a major geo-magnetic storm. "We suggest you buy a chocolate cake, eat it and wait for the end of the world," she was told, according to Baker. Health care workers in Somalia suffer from high rates of anxiety, depression and stress because of their work with COVID-19 cases, a new study finds. The study was presented at a health research conference in the Somali town of Garowe last week. Initial findings recorded a high prevalence of anxiety in the workforce at 69.3%, 46.5% for depression and 15.2% for stress. The study used the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS), widely used in scientific circles to measure the three emotional states. Researchers interviewed 186 health care workers in three hospitals in Mogadishu between May and August 2021. Dr. Abdirazak Yusuf Ahmed, the studys lead author and director of the De Martino Hospital, the main COVID-19 medical facility in Mogadishu, said several factors played a role in the prevalence of these traumatic experiences in the health care workforce. The first one is that this disease is associated with deaths, Ahmed said. They (workers) were afraid they could take the virus to their homes and pass on to their loved ones. He also mentioned low motivation among the COVID-19 workers. Doctors working in Somalia are not surprised that the multiplier effects from COVID-19 contributed to the workers ill health. Since March 16, 2020, when the first case was detected, Somalia has recorded 1,340 COVID-19 deaths and 26,203 positive cases, at a fatality rate of 5.1%. But independent studies and press reports argued that COVID-19 deaths in Somalia have been enormously undercounted. Somalia has administered more than 1.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses so far, with only 5.6% of the population fully vaccinated. The discovery of personal health challenges among frontline workers comes at a time when the country lacks enough health care workforce to provide services. Last weeks conference, which was attended by federal and regional health officials, local doctors and international health workers, including representatives from the World Health Organization, recognized the severity of the lack of enough health care workers. A statement issued at the end of the conference stated that the low workforce density in the country stands at 5.4 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 10,000 population. WHO recommends a ratio of 44.5 per 10,000. The statement further said that according to WHOs health workforce guidelines, there is a gap of 55,000 skilled health professionals in the country. It said the gap affects all components of the health system, ranging from service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, financing and leadership, policy and governance. This shortage is attributed to the migration of health workers from Somalia because of war and crisis, according to Dr. Mamunur Rahman Malik, WHOs Somalia representative. This shortage means that the country doesnt have adequate health workers who are required to run and manage primary health centers or hospitals, he said. So, services are below optimal or of poor quality as the services are provided by lay health workers." Good news for child mortality The conference predicted progress in reducing child mortality and maternal mortality in Somalia in coming years. With investment and implementation of basic health services, the maternal mortality ratio is expected to decline to 332 deaths per 100,000 live births by the year 2030, signifying a 50% reduction from the present level, the statement said. Similarly, the mortality rates for neonatal, infant and children younger than 5 are expected to decline from 122, 77 and 38 per 1,000 live births in 2020 to 63, 42 and 20 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively, by the year 2030. Child mortality in Somalia is believed to be the highest in the world, according to a report published by Amnesty International in August 2021, with an estimated 15% of people having access to medical care in rural areas. This report originated in VOA Somali services Investigative Dossier program. At least six people were killed and 13 others injured when a suicide bomber targeted a minibus full of delegates involved in Somalia's parliamentary elections Thursday. The bomber detonated an explosive vest near a checkpoint leading to the presidential palace in Mogadishu, according to security officials and citys ambulance service. Witnesses said the bomber ran after the bus, trying to grab its back door, but blew himself up as police drew their guns and shouted at him to stop. My team carried six dead bodies and transported 13 injured people to the hospitals, said Abdikadir Abdirahman Adem, director of Mogadishu's Aamin Ambulance Services, told VOA Somali. We can confirm that a terrorist suicide bomber carried out the attack and that those killed and injured are all civilians, Aden said. The al-Shabab militant group quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. It was not immediately clear if members of the delegates were among the casualties. Somali Police Spokesman Col. Abdifatah Aden Hassan said police would release a full report with details on those killed and injured. The attack comes as Somalias parliamentary elections continue in different parts of the country. Political leaders are trying to meet a self-imposed deadline of February 25 to finish the delayed polls. Electoral delegates on Thursday chose six additional lawmakers from the southwestern town of Barare and five more to represent northern regions of Somalia, bringing the total of elected members of parliament to 124 slightly less than half of the 275 seats to be filled. The elections began on November 1 and were originally scheduled to end by December 24 but were held up due to political disputes and logistical challenges. Once the lawmakers are selected, parliament will elect a new president. The United States and other international Somali partners are pushing for quick and credible elections. On Monday, the U.S. barred current or former Somali officials and others accused of undermining the democratic process in Somalia from traveling to the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the visa restrictions will apply to those who have encouraged and engaged in violence against protesters, intimidation of journalists and opposition members, and manipulation of the electoral process. "The best path toward sustainable peace in Somalia is through the rapid conclusion of credible elections," Blinken said. "Somalia's national and federal member state leaders must follow through on their commitments to complete the parliamentary process in a credible and transparent manner by February 25. This report originated in VOAs Somali service. Seynab Abukar contributed from Mogadishu. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lambasted trucker-led protests that have shut down central Ottawa in anger at COVID-19 health rules, as France and New Zealand moved Thursday to stop their own copycat convoys. Police in Canada have threatened to arrest protesters who have joined the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge that links Windsor and the U.S. city of Detroit in solidarity with the two-week-long truckers protest in the capital. Trudeau told parliament the convoys threaten the countrys economic recovery. Blockades, illegal demonstrations are unacceptable and are negatively impacting businesses and manufacturers, Trudeau said in the House of Commons on Wednesday. We must do everything to bring them to an end. To the protesters, he said: You cant end a pandemic with blockades... You need to end it with science. You need to end it with public health measures. Earlier, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said U.S. officials were in very close contact with Canadian border agencies about the bridge blockade. Psaki also expressed concern about the impact of the protests on the U.S. economy, saying the action poses a risk to supply chains, to the auto industry. The suspension bridge is a key trade corridor, used daily by more than 40,000 commuters and tourists, and trucks carrying $323 million worth of goods on average. Several Canadian and American chambers of commerce and industry associations demanded the bridge be cleared. As our economies emerge from the impacts of the pandemic, we cannot allow any group to undermine the cross-border trade, the groups said in a joint statement. Freedom Convoy A Canadian court on Monday ordered the truckers to stop incessant honking that has upset residents and made sleep difficult. But the noise is spreading. Similar movements have hatched everywhere from New York to New Zealand. On Thursday, police and anti-vaccine protesters clashed on the grounds of Wellingtons parliament, with dozens arrested. In France, thousands of protesters inspired by the Canadian truckers plan to converge Friday evening on Paris, with some aiming to move onwards to Brussels on Monday. Paris police on Thursday moved to prevent the protest from taking place, saying they would ban the so-called freedom convoys by deploying to prevent major roads from being blocked and threatening anyone who does so with a hefty fine or jail sentence. The night before, the atmosphere on the streets of downtown Ottawa was one of defiance and celebration. Were not going anywhere, said trucker John Deelstra, smiling from behind the wheel of his big rig, which has been at the demonstration since day one. Planted not far away, Ontario trucker Lloyd Brubacher offered up the same steely resolve. Im not going anywhere, he told AFP, adding that he planned to fight to the bitter end. Some 400 vehicles are still camped on Parliament Hill below Trudeaus offices, against a backdrop of barbecues, campfires and music. This is a dramatic situation that is impacting the well-being of Canadas relationship with the United States and impacts immensely how business is able to conduct its operations, University of Ottawa professor Gilles LeVasseur told AFP. Illegal economic blockade The so-called Freedom Convoy began last month in western Canada launched in anger at requirements that truckers either be vaccinated, or test and isolate, when crossing the U.S.-Canada border. Having snowballed into an occupation of Canadas capital, the protest has sparked solidarity rallies across the nation and abroad. On Wednesday, Ottawa police warned protesters they could face criminal charges and their trucks could be seized if they continue their unlawful clogging of downtown streets. Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association president Brian Kingston said the Ambassador Bridge blockade was threatening fragile supply chains already under pressure due to pandemic-related shortages and backlogs. Officials pointed to 5,000 factory workers in Windsor, Ontario being sent home early Tuesday because of the blockade, and several auto assembly plants preparing to close, as Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens expressed fears about the lasting impact on Canadian businesses. Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with Autotrader in Detroit, said North American assembly plants rely on timely parts deliveries across the bridge. The auto sector is a significant portion of the economy and an important portion of consumer spending that has been hard hit over the past year, she said. Canadian Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino warned of serious dangers for the economy and called on protesters to go home! This is an illegal economic blockade... against all Canadians, added Transport Minister Omar Alghabra. Several provinces including Alberta, Quebec and Saskatchewan this week announced a gradual lifting or loosening of COVID-19 restrictions. Turkey's media regulator on Wednesday gave three international broadcasters, including Voice of America's Turkish Service, short notice to obtain broadcast licenses or have their content blocked. The order from the Radio and Television Supreme Council, known as RTUK, also affects German broadcaster Deutsche Welle and Euronews, the regulator's opposition board member said. "A decision was taken with a majority of votes that 72 hours be granted to the websites of amerikaninsesi.com, dw.com/tr, and tr.euronews.com to get licenses," Ilhan Tasci, a member of RTUK's board, said in a tweet. Tasci, who was appointed to the board by the opposition Republican People's Party, criticized the decision, calling it a further assault on media freedom in Turkey. Regulation The decision is based on a regulation that went into effect in August 2019. At that time, several media freedom advocates raised concerns about possible censorship because the regulation granted RTUK the authority to control all online content. Also, with the regulation, RTUK has been authorized to request broadcast licenses from "media service providers" in order for their radio, TV broadcasting and on-demand audiovisual media services to continue their online presence. "Media service providers" has been defined broadly in the regulation to include online news outlets and digital streaming platforms such as Netflix. The broadcast license, which covers 10 years, costs $7,382 (100,000 Turkish liras) for digital streaming platforms and online TV broadcasting. The regulation allows RTUK to impose fines, suspend broadcasting for three months or cancel broadcast licenses if the licensees do not follow RTUK's principles. RTUK has been implementing the regulation among digital streaming platforms. In November 2020, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video received licenses from the regulator, RTUK's head, Ebubekir Sahin, announced on Twitter. In December 2021, RTUK ordered Netflix to remove the Spanish movie More the Merrier, saying the movie was "based on a fiction in which homosexuality, incest relationships and swinging are intensely experienced" and included immoral scenes that violated the "spiritual values of the public." Censorship concerns The announcement Wednesday marked the first time RTUK has used its regulatory power over online news outlets. RTUK's deputy head, Ibrahim Uslu, confirmed the decision to German news agency dpa over the phone. Uslu told dpa that RTUK would publish a detailed notice of its decision on its website "within a week to 10 days," and after that, the broadcasters would have 72 hours to comply. Uslu dismissed censorship criticisms, saying that the decision "has nothing to do with censorship but is part of technical measures." Some media freedom advocates point out that RTUK's latest decision could force more international public broadcasters to obtain licenses from the regulator if they want to operate in Turkey, just as is happening with VOA. "These [international public broadcasters] will have to obtain licenses from Turkey, and in this context, they will have to implement the RTUK and court decisions. Otherwise, access to the websites of these organizations may be blocked from Turkey upon the request of RTUK," Yaman Akdeniz, a cyberlaw professor at Istanbul's Bilgi University, told VOA. "So organizations outside of Turkey that broadcast and still provide news more freely in Turkish will also be targeted through RTUK before the 2023 elections," Akdeniz added. Gulnoza Said, Europe and Central Asia program coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, seconded Akdeniz's remarks. "The requirement put before VOA, DW and Euronews is another attempt to control the independent reporting, especially in view of elections set for 2023," Said told VOA. The next presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 2023, but the opposition parties have been calling for an early election. Said emphasized the importance of international public broadcasters' presence in the Turkish media landscape, pointing to the decline in media freedom in Turkey. "Many critical journalists now work for international media outlets because they were fired from or left mainstream media outlets in recent years because it became difficult, if not impossible, to work there due to censorship," Said told VOA. If VOA, DW and Euronews "will not be able to continue their work in Turkey, these highly qualified professionals will become a victim of new regulations," Said added. RTUK's independence Several media freedom advocates have long criticized RTUK. Human Rights Watch says the regulator fails to meet standards of impartiality and independence because of its political alignment with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP). "When we look at the track record of the RTUK, we see that its board is unwilling to warn or fine the pro-government outlets while acting quite harshly towards critical media outlets," Said told VOA. RTUK's nine members are nominated by political parties in proportion to their representation in the parliament. Currently, the AKP and the allied Nationalist Movement Party hold the majority. RTUK did not respond to VOA's requests for comment. In a February 13 press release to respond to what it said were "unfair recent accusations" in the media, RTUK said it was acting in accordance with Turkish law that states media must obtain licenses to broadcast in the country. The law applies to broadcasts in Turkish or other languages, a release published in Turkish said. It added that RTUK "stands up for pluralism, press freedom and free news." In an email to VOA's Turkish Service in response for a request for comment, a VOA spokesperson said VOA was aware of RTUK's requirement for an operating license. "VOA believes any governmental efforts to silence news outlets is a violation of press freedom, a core value of all democratic societies," Bridget Serchak, the VOA spokesperson, said. "Should the Turkish government formally block our websites, VOA will make every effort to ensure that its Turkish-speaking audience retains access to a free and open internet using all available methods," the VOA spokesperson added. The U.S. State Department also responded to a request for comment. We are aware of these reports. Our concerns regarding press freedoms in Turkey are well documented and we continue urge Turkey to respect and ensure freedom of expression, a department spokesperson said. Deutsche Welle did not respond to VOAs request for comment but did post a story on its website. "We have learned from the media about a possible decision by the RTUK that could also haveimplications for DW," a DW spokesperson said. "However, we will be able to make a conclusive analysis and decide how to proceed only once we have received official notification from the authority." Euronews said it could not comment on the issue for the time being. VOA's Turkish Service has been broadcasting to Turkey since 1948. The service has provided essential news for the Turkish-speaking audience through its website and TV programming. In 2019, the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), a pro-government think tank in Turkey, published a 202-page report titled "The Offshoots of International Media Organizations in Turkey" and profiled journalists working for Turkish language services of international public broadcasters, including Voice of America. The report alleged that the broadcasters' coverage of Turkey was one-sided and unfair to the Turkish government. On Twitter, another opposition member of the RTUK board, Okan Konuralp, called RTUK's decision an application of SETA's report. "However, this move to suppress the international media is also doomed to failure," he added. Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include comments made by RTUK in a press release after publication. VOA's Hilmi Hacaloglu and Can Kamiloglu contributed to this report, some information for which came from Reuters. Uganda has rejected a ruling from the U.N.'s International Court of Justice ordering it to pay war reparations to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Analysts say Uganda could have avoided the $325 million fine if it had agreed to mediation. In a statement, Ugandas minister for foreign affairs described the the ICJ ruling as unfair and wrong. On Wednesday, the U.N. court ordered that Uganda pay $325 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo as reparations for damages to people, property and resources inflicted during Uganda's invasion of the DRCs Ituri province in the late 1990s, during the Second Congo War. Foreign Affairs Minister Okello Henry Oryem said the judgement singled out Uganda for punishment, ignoring the presence of other countries armed forces in Ituri during the period. He also denied the Ugandan army committed abuses in Ituri, saying the army is a very disciplined force. The judgement of 2005 gave the DRC the burden of proof of the number of people they claimed were killed, the number of properties they claimed were destroyed. By the time this judgement was made yesterday, the DRC had not proved those issues that were raised, Oryem said. VOA reached out to the DRCs information minister for comment on the ruling but the ministry said he did not have time to talk. The ICJ ruling calls for Uganda to make annual payments of $65 million beginning this September, continuing until 2026. But Ugandas Oryem says paying the money is not really the issue. The fact that we might be able to resolve this matter diplomatically which might not require paying any money. And if theres another possible legal option, it wont take money, he said. The DRC has pursued reparations for the invasion for decades. In 2002, officials from Congo and Uganda met in Gambia trying to negotiate some of the issues. The DRC filed its first case with the International Court of Justice in 2005, and the court ordered Uganda to pay 11 billion dollars. Uganda refused and the countries resumed negotiations. However, security analyst Dismas Nkunda who attended the meeting, says Uganda failed to sign. They are lucky that the amount has been reduced. They are lucky that they have been given installments. This is a matter of the Ministry of Justice and the attorney generals office to have dealt with in the beginning. It wouldnt have come to this, Nkunda said. Uganda says it will continue to constructively engage with the DRC on the matter. Legislation has advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives to impose sanctions on Ethiopians committing human rights abuses, blocking food aid delivery, or taking other actions that are worsening the countrys 15-month crisis. It would also sanction those providing training, weapons, or financial support to those involved in the conflict. The proposed Ethiopian Stabilization, Peace and Democracy Act was voted out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. It can now be voted on by the full U.S. House. A similar bill is being considered in the Senate. If enacted, the bill would sanction individuals as well as suspend U.S. security and financial assistance to the Ethiopian government until certain human rights conditions are met. It would also require the U.S. to oppose loans by international agencies such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to Ethiopia and Eritrea. Congressman Tom Malinowski, a Democrat from New Jersey who co-sponsored the bill, said urgent action is needed. The war in Ethiopia has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, and all the combatants, along with their foreign backers, are responsible for horrific abuses of basic human rights, he said. Today, Congress is coming together to say that the conflict must end, and to hold accountable all those responsible for perpetuating it. The bill follows September sanctions and the November decision to suspend Ethiopia from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which allows African countries exports duty-free access to the U.S. market. One of the issues of ongoing concern to Congress is also the mass detention of Tigrayan civilians in several cities across Ethiopia, including the capital, Addis Ababa. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, say ethnic Tigrayans have been targeted since the start of the conflict in November 2020, citing reports of forced disappearances and arbitrary arrests among other human rights violations. The mass detention of Tigrayan civilians in unlivable conditions is a human rights violation so outrageous that it demands a forceful U.S. response, tweeted Congressman Brad Sherman of California, calling for action on what he called an atrocity. The bill calls on the State Department to determine whether war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide has been perpetrated by any party to the conflict. It also asks State to report on the role of foreign governments including those of China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey in fueling the conflict. The bill has drawn condemnation from the Ethiopian government and supporters in the global diaspora. The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee, a nonprofit diaspora organization that has supported the government during this conflict put the blame squarely on the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front, which the government has designated a terrorist group, and armed forces in Tigray. This bill ignores the millions in Amhara and Afar who were victims of the TPLFs attacks, the AEPAC said in a tweet. The group further criticized the impact it would have on ordinary Ethiopians. It will do nothing to repair the lives of those who have been left without loved ones or who have suffered serious injuries. Others in the Tigrayan diaspora have, however, supported the bill and previous U.S. sanctions on Ethiopian and Eritrean officials, including Omna Tigray, a nonprofit group consisting of Tigrayans residing in the diaspora who see the move as a way to protect the lives of civilians caught in the conflict. Other analysts point to the effectiveness of earlier sanctions. Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said that the praiseworthy design of the sanctions regime avoids typical pitfalls. She said that implemented sanctions are meant to give legal exceptions for humanitarian relief delivery. U.S. President Joe Bidens administration has emphasized the goal of targeted sanctions is to ensure perpetrators are held to account. These sanctions authorities are not directed at the people of Ethiopia or Eritrea, a White House official said in September during a call with reporters. "The new sanctions program is deliberately calibrated to mitigate any undue harm to those already suffering from this conflict. The United Nations has said thousands have been displaced by conflict in the country, and more than 60,000 Ethiopians, mostly from the Tigray region, are seeking refuge in neighboring Sudan. The U.N. estimates that about 9.4 million people in northern Ethiopias Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan denounced an attempted drone attack Thursday by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels at Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport and said global allies will hold the rebels accountable. Twelve people were injured at the airport by shrapnel from a drone intercepted by air defenses on Thursday, according to the Saudi-led coalition that has been battling the rebels since early 2015, after the group ousted Yemen's globally recognized government from power. Hours later, the rebels claimed responsibility for the attack. We will work with our Saudi and international partners to hold them accountable, Sullivan said in a statement released by the White House. As the President told His Majesty King Salman yesterday, we are committed to supporting Saudi Arabia in the defense of its people and territory from these attacks. U.S. General Frank McKenzie, head of the U.S. Central Command overseeing American forces in the Middle East, has been in the United Arab Emirates helping the country strengthen its defenses after being targeted with a series of missile and drone attacks by the rebels. Speaking from the UAE earlier this week, McKenzie said battlefield setbacks in Yemen by the rebels may have sparked recent attacks on UAEs capital, Abu Dhabi, where a military base also hosts U.S. troops. The war has pit Houthis against government forces supported by Saudi Arabia and an Arab coalition, including the UAE. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of Yemenis, triggering one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises. Some information for this report came from Reuters. Here is a summary of Uyghur-related news around the world in the past week. Uyghur Olympic torchbearer in 2008 calls for boycott In 2008, Kamalturk Yalqun carried the Olympic torch in Beijing, representing his 12 million-member Uyghur community from Xinjiang. Now in 2022, he is in the United States and has become an activist, calling for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games over Chinas mistreatment Uyghurs, including imprisoning his father, Yalqun Rozi, a renowned Uyghur textbook editor. US lawmakers urge State Department to help Uyghurs, Kazakhs The Congressional-Executive Commission on China urged the U.S. State Department to help Uyghurs and Kazakhs facing deportation from countries such as Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan to China. UN, China accused of colluding The South China Morning Post reported that leaked documents hint that the United Nations colluded with China in fabricating a mutually convenient stalemate to U.N. criticism of Chinas treatment of Uyghurs. Turkish Olympian uses the East Turkistan independence flag Duringthe Beijing Games, a Turkish athlete, Fatih Arda Ipcioglu, was hailed by rights activists for raising awareness for Uyghur rights in China. He used a pair of skis with the blue crescent moon and star flag that Uyghurs use as a symbol of their short-lived independence of Xinjiang in the last century, which they call East Turkistan. China has Uyghur Olympian light the cauldron at Games The New York Times reported that Beijings choice of a 20-year-old female Uyghur cross-country skier to light the Olympic cauldron was seen by rights activists and critics of Beijing as an attempt to whitewash its suppression of Uyghurs. Twitter accounts flood #GenocideGames hashtag The Wall Street Journal reported that pro-China Twitter accounts had flooded the hashtag #GenocideGames on the platform in an effort to weaken it as criticism of Chinas mistreatment of Uyghurs. Proctor and Gamble silent on Uyghur issue Fox News reported that as an official sponsor of the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games, Proctor and Gamble is silent on Chinas human rights violations of Uyghurs in order not to lose profit in China, even though it has called out systemic racism in the United States. Chinas UN envoy defends Uyghur torchbearer Reuters reported that Chinas ambassador to U.N. defended his countrys selection of a Uyghur athlete as one of the two last torchbearers of the Winter Games after his U.S. counterpart at the U.N., U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said in an interview with CNN that China is using a Uyghur athlete to distract attention from countrys abuses toward the group. News in brief Radio Free Asia reported that Harris Mowbray, a U.S. college student, and a group of Uyghur researchers created a Braille alphabet for visually impaired Uyghurs. I hope this Uyghur Braille script is used widely, Mowbray told RFA. Through this script, visually impaired people will be able to read, write, study and even write emails. Quote of note It seems to me that our sense of global citizenship and sportsmanship is not moving forward with these Olympic Games anymore. -- Kamalturk Yalqun, Uyghur who carried the Olympic torch in Beijing for the 2008 Games. The so-called Minsk accords of 2014 and 2015 attempted to end the war in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine between Ukraine and Russian-speaking separatists in the disputed areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. In 2014, representatives of Ukraine and Russian separatists agreed to a 12-part cease-fire deal in the Belarus capital of Minsk. The deal included a prisoner exchange, humanitarian assistance and the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the disputed area. But the agreement quickly broke down after both sides violated the terms. The two sides tried again in 2015, this time with representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In the second deal, a 13-part agreement was signed, which called for an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons, OSCE monitoring, amnesty for those involved in fighting, hostage and prisoner exchanges, full control of Ukraines state border, withdrawal of foreign troops, reestablishment of economic and social ties, and elections in the disputed areas, among other provisions. It also offers regions where pro-Russian separatists hold sway a measure of autonomy that could impact central government decision-making. Leaders from France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine were present and issued a statement in support of the deal. It was also endorsed by the U.N. Security Council. But most of the provisions were not implemented because Russia insisted it was not involved in the conflict and therefore could not withdraw forces because it did not have any deployed there, according to Reuters. Russia insisted that any agreements be made between Ukraine and the disputed regions. Ukraine refused a dialogue with the separatists. Still, according to CNN, most of the worst fighting stopped, and the OSCE patrols the area reporting cease-fire violations. Some information in this report comes from Reuters. Many Zimbabwean schools that closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic remain shuttered as teachers refuse to return to the classroom, citing a need for better pay. The teachers are paid less than $100 a month. The government has offered a 20 percent pay increase and other incentives, but the teachers have rejected that offer as insufficient. Meanwhile, some youths are studying independently. One such student, a 16-year-old, said, "My appeal [to the government] is for a salary increment for teachers so that they come to work, because we arent learning. Its like we are paying fees for nothing. Its so painful as my parents are struggling for it when I am not learning at all. The pay dispute goes back to October 2018, when the government stopped paying teachers in U.S. dollars, switching to the reintroduced Zimbabwean dollar. The new currency has steadily lost value, effectively reducing teachers' wages. Obert Masaraure, president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, said the instructors want their old salaries restored and that the offer of a 20 percent raise amounted to almost nothing. We asked for the restoration of salaries, which were robbed from us by the government of the day," Masaraure said. "And the message to the government is clear: We need our pre-October 2018 salaries of 540 dollars U.S. We know these shenanigans of adding an extra dollar to our salaries that does not add up. Government officials see the ongoing talks in a different light and voice optimism about a successful resolution. Paul Mavima, Zimbabwe's minister of public service, labor and social welfare, said, "In many ways we already have a breakthrough. The leaders of the workers have to a very large extent welcomed this package and they are only saying: Lets discuss how it is going to be implemented. The teachers and government are expected to meet in coming days to resume negotiations. Meanwhile, students wait to resume their studies months after the COVID-19 pandemic forced their schools to close. A government official says all teachers, who were boycotting classes demanding a pay raise of up to US$560 per month, have been suspended without pay. In a statement, Education Minister Evelyn Ndlovu said, The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would like to inform the Nation and its valued stakeholders that all officials within the Ministry who absented themselves from duty since the official opening of schools on 7 February 2022 have been suspended without pay forthwith, for a period of three months. During this period of suspension, members are not to hinder or interfere with any investigation or evidence relating to the alleged misconduct. Appropriate action will be taken against members who abrogate their duties and responsibilities. The Ministry remains committed to the provision of quality, affordable, accessible, relevant, equitable, inclusive and wholesome education for all Zimbabweans. But Raymond Majongwe, secretary general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, scoffed at Ndlovus announcement saying the minister has decided to shut down schools without consulting stakeholders. In a tweet, Majongwe said, 135 000 of the 150 000 teachers have been suspended by gvt. We know only 10 % of the teaching force were turning up for duty. Effectively schools have closed again. Sad parents had paid huge amounts for fees. Constitutional law expert, Lovemore Madhuku, also criticized Ndlovu, noting that he has no right to suspend teachers. Teachers cannot be suspended from work by a Govt Minister: they are employed by the PSC (Public Service Commission). Even the PSC itself has no power whatsoever to effect a blanket and mass suspension. The purported suspensions are unacceptable. Govt must dialogue with teachers' unions and address issues. The government yesterday awarded teachers a 20% pay raise and promised to pay them an additional US$100 per month each, provide transport and houses and pay tuition for their children. Some teachers unions rejected the offer, noting that its below the breadline. According General Michael Kurilla, the next commander of the United States Central Command for the Greater Middle East (CentCom), 18 of the 21 states in this region have signed an undertaking with China under its New Silk Road program. It is not known exactly which are the three states still loyal to the USA. N.B.: The Pentagon does not have the same definition of the Greater Middle East as the one used by the State Department (see photo). Burkina Faso organized the trial of the men who assassinated Thomas Sankara (photo), on 15 October 1987. Sankara was an iconic African revolutionary, often compared to Che Guevara. He was anti-imperialist, socialist, pan-Africanist and Third-Worldist. He vehemently criticized the African policy of French President Francois Mitterrand and his support for apartheid in South Africa against blacks and in Israel against Arabs. He brought his country closer to Cuba and adopted its system of Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) to replace the feudal powers wielded by the traditional chiefs. He was assassinated along with 12 of his men by a commando for the benefit of Blaise Compaore who succeeded him. The latter, living in exile in neighboring Ivory Coast, was sentenced in absentia to 30 years in prison. None of the defendants present at the trial pleaded guilty. In one of the most severe punishments levied in over 700 cases related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, in which supporters of former Republican President Donald Trump attempted to violently stop the certification of Democratic President Joe Bidens electoral victory by Congress, Wolcott resident Nicholas Languerand has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison on two felony counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon. Evidence against Languerand was presented in sworn testimony from FBI special agent Patricia Norden in April 2021 in South Carolina, where he was arrested at the home of his grandparents, former Wolcott residents Susan and Charles Killian. Nordens testimony characterized Languerand as paranoid, drug-addled and violent. It also illustrated the centrality of QAnon conspiracy theories and devotion to Trump to the riot at the Capitol. Languerands own publicly appointed lawyer, William Welch III, unsuccessfully defended his client by arguing the QAnon conspiracy, a primary tenant of which was that Trump was embattled against a shadowy opposition bent on removing him from power, and Trumps Stop the Steal campaign led his traumatized and mentally ill client astray. Though prosecutor Elliott Daniels admitted in the end that he lacked hard evidence that Languerand had personally injured anyone at the insurrection, Languerand settled for a plea bargain and was still sentenced to 44 months in prison, three months more than Jake Angeli the high profile QAnon Shaman who wore animal pelts, broke into the Senate chamber of the Capitol and was an idol to Languerand received. Daniels argued that Languerand deserved a lengthy sentence due to his history of violence and multiple public statements claiming that the insurrection, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, was only the beginning. In a letter to the judge prior to his sentencing, Languerand admitted that the Trump movement provided him with a feeling of belonging to something bigger than myself that I had long been seeking. At his sentencing, Languerand expressed remorse and said he poorly represented his community. I am a patriot. I do love this country. Im not a terrorist, he said. Actions at the Capitol Around 5 p.m., hours after the initial storming of the Capitol building, Languerand was caught on video wearing a red knit hat and chucking multiple objects, including an orange traffic cone and other smaller objects, into a small phalanx of police officers holding off a surging crowd at one of the buildings entrances before recovering a stolen Capitol Police riot shield. Languerand posted multiple photos of himself on social media in the aftermath boasting of his involvement in the days events. Remember this day forever. I love you guys, he said in a one post. Despite a recent declaration by the Republican National Committee, including many current federal legislators, that the events of Jan. 6 qualified as legitimate political discourse, Norden was clear in her testimony that the fighting against police that Languerand participated in was a violent riot and not a political rally. An anonymous tipster alerted the FBI after identifying Languerand from videos shared on social media of the insurrection. Ive known him since high school, the tipster said. This man is unstable, and he needs to be detained. History of violence Both prosecutors and the defense leaned on the many violent events that have disrupted Languerands life, both those he caused and those that occurred around him, to make their case to jail or excuse him. The foundational violent event of Languerands life occurred in 1999, when his father, John Languerand, blew up the trailer the family lived in by opening a propane valve and cranking the heat in an angry, drunken fit. Both Welch and Languerands grandmother pointed to this as an inciting event that led to a lifetime of instability, trauma, drugs and a paranoid adherence to conspiracy theories. Languerand lived in a trailer built on the same Wolcott property where his father blew up his childhood home. It was there the FBI recovered multiple guns and ammunition, the clothes that Languerand wore the day of the insurrection, a tactical vest with a Q patch, and a journal full of paranoid, incoherent ranting. Languerand was discharged from the Army in 2018 after testing positive for cocaine. In 2019, he never showed up in court after his ex-wife got an order of protection against him after he stalked her across multiple social media platforms, threatened to kill her and her friends for going to a party he didnt approve of and threatened to kill himself. In February 2019, Morristown police tailed Languerand after they were tipped off that he would be selling a small amount of drugs, though he never went through with the sale after realizing he was being followed. A month later, Morristown police pulled Languerand over for having a loud exhaust pipe on his vehicle. He responded by excoriating the officers, saying I hate cops while cursing at them. Five days after the traffic stop, Languerand was arrested by Vermont State Police after he pummeled another man who pulled a knife on him in a vehicle and threw him out of the car without adequate clothing in March. The arrest warrant was still active when Languerand was picked up by the FBI. In another incident, the Lamoille County Sheriff's department responded when Languerand allegedly pointed his gun at a group of teenagers who were looking for a place to party in the woods near his Wolcott residence. He accused the teens of engaging in satanic rituals and claimed he felt the need to protect himself and his property. Languerand expressed remorse to the police after the incident and said he hadnt pointed the gun at the teens, but simply unracked it. Pizza paranoia As he was swept up in the QAnon conspiracy as it spiraled from its birthplace in the marginal internet forum 4chan to become a powerful grassroots, far-right groundswell in summer 2020, Languerand was particularly obsessed with a conspiracy involving pizza parlors and pedophilia. This Pizzagate conspiracy theory has its origins in the 2016 presidential election, but resurfaced in 2020, brought back to life by QAnon. Its adherents believe that a cabal of pedophilia rings connected to high-ranking Democrats are being run out of pizza parlors across the country. The theorys original iteration led to months of harassment by conspiracy theorists directed towards the Comet Ping Pong pizzeria in Washington D.C. A South Carolinian named Edgar Welch fired several rifle shots into the restaurant while attempting to investigate allegations of sex slavery there. Languerand directed this theory toward local Vermont pizzerias. According to Norden, Languerand contacted police to report that he believed murals drawn on barricades erected outside of Pizza on Main in Morristown for outdoor dining in summer 2020 by a local dance studio were actually signs of pedophilia. Police attempted to explain to Languerand that the murals were simply meant to beautify the barriers. Norden said at one point he threatened a city worker over the matter, saying he knew what the employee looked like and would be watching him. Pizza on Main owner Michael Jansen said police never notified him about Languerands beliefs. Languerand also targeted Manhattan Pizza & Pub in Burlington. He harassed the pizzeria over multiple social media platforms, creating new accounts each time the business blocked one. Apparently, Languerand believed a symbol the restaurant used for marketing indicated they were involved in the sex slave trade, according to Norden. The restaurants owners grew concerned after connecting the harassment to Languerand and seeing other photos he had taken in a Guy Fawkes mask and with his rifles. They contacted police and drew up a safety plan for their employees. Norden said that an obsession with pizzerias and pedophilia was a common thread among cases the FBI had investigated in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection. Welch, Languerands lawyer, attempted to argue that there was nothing wrong with being concerned about possible cases of pedophilia. A patriot In the days after the Jan. 6 insurrection and during his trial, Languerand consistently defended himself for being a patriot. Others supported him despite the allegations, including a boss he worked for a short time before his arrest in South Carolina, a builder named John Chaves, who described Languerand as a good employee, very punctual, on the job all the time, very hard worker. Perhaps no one has stood by him more than his grandmother, Susan Killian, who echoed the characterization of Languerand as a patriot and blamed his struggles on the troubled life hes led since he was a child. Norden said that when the FBI searched their residence, Killian said Languerand was a patriot and he was for America, but she didnt want to see any of the photos, videos or any evidence that the FBI had to justify the case. Nicholas is our grandson, and he is from a broken home since he was a young toddler, Killian said at the April hearing. He has faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Its very strong. He served in the Army, which you know, in the Airborne Division. He is a good person. He is a patriot and loves his country. Morristown, VT (05661) Today Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Local news is important. It's the information that will directly impact your life because its going on around you, every day. Join our group of dedicated readers today ... Subscribe To. Fill. The. Nile. Photo: 20th Century Studios/YouTube Its a line that has haunted me ever since I saw the most recent Death on the Nile trailer, and again and again seemingly whenever I went to a movie theater thereafter. Gal Gadot, as the glamorous newlywed Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle, stands on a stairway on a steamship, announcing that they have it all to themselves, with a chef and enough Champagne to fill the Nile! After the word Champagne, she pauses long enough to run through every possible use of sparkling wine in her head. Finally, Gadot arrives at to fill the Nile! while simultaneously tossing her glass of Champagne overboard. In the trailer, this action occurs between snapping sounds in a slowed-down trailer-core version of Depeche Modes Policy of Truth. A chef (snap) and enough Champagne (pause where there should be another snap) to fill the Nile! (snap). The rhythmic effect is haunting. Just by describing it now, Ive gotten it stuck in my head again. Its like a beat dropping in a pop song: enough Champagne TO FILL THE NILE. Naturally, once it was possible to get into a press screening of Death on the Nile, I had just one question I needed answering: Does Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle actually have enough Champagne to fill the Nile? (Who did the murder is, of course, secondary. People die, this is an Agatha Christie adaptation, we get it. Tertiary is figuring out whether Rose Leslie or Kenneth Branagh is doing a weirder fake French accent. That one Im still pondering.) Based on my notes, here is a rough estimate of the Champagne consumption over the course of this film. At an early scene at a party in London where we first meet happy couple Emma Mackey and Armie Hammer, and then glamorous interloper Gadot appears, I counted nine coupes of a yellow liquid I will assume is Champagne. At a later party in Egypt, where its revealed that actually Armie and Gal are together now, I counted 11 Champagne flutes passed out to characters over the course of the scene, plus nine bottles of Champagne in the background. Once the characters all get onboard the steamship Karnak, Gal doles out Champagne to everyone again, while two attendants carrying trays of what I believe were a dozen flutes stand behind her. A bottle pops in the background when she announces, to fill the Nile! (I went ah! in my seat as it happened; sorry to the other members of the press.) You can also see six additional, larger bottles in the background of the scene; lets assume they were magnums. They have another party on the boat later with a lot of balloons, where I counted four more magnums on a table. Once Armie and Gal decide that they cant deal with Emmas stalking and head home, they celebrate by popping another bottle of Champagne and handing it out to about a half-dozen characters nearby. Hercule Poirot has a flute and gets quite disoriented. Here, the Champagne consumption in the film abruptly ends, because, of course (SPOILER ALERT if you have never read Death on the Nile or seen its many film adaptations), Linnet gets murdered. Without her, nobody is motivated to fill the Nile with Champagne anymore. Going off these rough estimates, we have a total of nine coupes, 41 flutes, 11 classic bottles, and six magnums of Champagne. (I know that they are probably drinking the Champagne in the glasses from the bottles nearby in each scene, but lets be charitable and assume that there could be other bottles off-screen that account for the volume of Champagne in those glasses.) According to the French Comite Champagne website, which je trust, a classic Champagne bottle has a capacity of 0.75 cubic liters. According to Wikipedia which je trust less, but, hey, the article seems thorough a Champagne flute generally holds 180 to 300 milliliters of liquid, while a coupe generally holds 180 to 240 milliliters. Linnet seems quite fond of showing off her money, so lets assume shes filling all her guests glasses up to their maximum capacity. That brings us to a total of 37.71 liters of Champagne. Is that enough Champagne to fill the Nile? The answer, it will not surprise you, is no. The Nile is one of the worlds largest rivers. That is comparatively not very much Champagne. According to this random British bathtub retailer that is now haunting my internet ads, people use an average of about 100 liters of water to fill a bathtub, so Linnet is only a third of the way to being able to do that with Champagne. She has enough Champagne to fill up a bathtub a little bit! She should not get in because you should not bathe in alcohol! Even if my accounting is off by a wide margin, were really just talking about enough Champagne to alienate a friend by ruining their bathroom. If Linnet really wanted to fill the Nile, however, then things get complicated. Almost as soon as I launched this quest, I realized its very hard to find data about the total volume of water in the Nile, because the water that we think of as the Nile constantly flows into the Mediterranean and doesnt just sit there, like in a lake or a bathtub you might find advertised on a British website. (That amount also depends on a variety of weather and climate conditions, and like most natural phenomena at the moment, those are getting direr.) But you can find statistics about the discharge of the Nile at different locations, which is the volume of water per second traveling downstream at a specific point in the river. This is more useful for our interests anyway, because in order to fill a river, you have to provide a constant flow of liquid, not just one set amount. Now, if you were to suck all of the water out of the Nile riverbed somehow (bad idea, would kill a lot of things), you could theoretically replace it with an equivalent discharge of something else, like Champagne. And if you refilled the Nile with Champagne, how much would you need to pour in per second? According to Wikipedia, in Aswan, Egypt (which is where the characters in the movie are headed, so Im using it; I know that the discharge has probably changed between 1937 and the present, but I do not care), the Nile has an average discharge of 2,633 cubic meters per second, or 2,633,000 liters per second. Thats equal to a total of 3,510,666 and two-thirds of a standard bottle of Champagne traveling along per second, or 8,776,666 and two-thirds of a very full flute of Champagne per second. So when Linnet throws her one flute of Champagne overboard to fill the Nile! she is not really filling the Nile at all. But if the Nile were actually empty and nearly 8.8 million other people joined her in this pursuit and kept throwing in flutes of Champagne every second until the end of time, then perhaps they could collectively fill a Champagne Nile. Maybe they could all snap in unison to a slowed-down trailer-core version of Depeche Modes Policy of Truth as they do this in order to keep time. But no, that cannot happen, because instead Linnet is murdered. This is the real tragedy of Death on the Nile. Principal: No one in danger after threat to Lawrence County school posted on social media Decatur, IL (62521) Today Rain showers this evening becoming steadier and heavier overnight. Low 56F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.. Tonight Rain showers this evening becoming steadier and heavier overnight. Low 56F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch. Italian monuments will be plunged into darkness to highlight soaring energy bills. More than 8,000 towns and cities across Italy will switch off the lights of their monuments on Thursday night in protest over a massive rise in energy prices. The symbolic blackout at 20.00 has been organised by the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) which estimates that bills will increase by around 550 million for local councils, out of "a total annual electricity expenditure that fluctuates between 1.6 and 1.8 billion." "We have chosen to turn off monuments and symbolic public buildings for a few minutes, to attract the government's attention ANCI president Antonio Decaro told state broadcaster RAI News 24 - It is a problem that affects everyone, from companies, to families up to local authorities. An estimated increase of 30 per cent would not allow us to close our budgets and we could be forced to cut essential services, starting with public lighting which also plays a fundamental role in terms of urban safety." The mayor of Rome and former Italian finance minister Roberto Gualtieri fully agrees with the initiative and will switch off the lights of the Campidoglio city hall this evening. In a statement Gualtieri said the increase in bills puts families and institutions in serious difficulty... especially in this historic moment that already sees us in trouble due to the pandemic. It is a problem that must be addressed and I am sure that the government will listen to the cry of alarm from citizens and mayors. The move will see the lights go off on some of the country's most noted buildings and monuments including Palazzo Marino and Castello Sforzesco in Milan, Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the Mole Antonelliana in Turin and the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna. The protest comes the day after Italian premier Mario Draghi announced that the government is preparing a multi-billion package of measures to reduce the impact of surging energy prices. Photo RomaToday Placeholder while article actions load One goal of New York Citys new salary transparency law is to close the persistent pay gap between men and women. By requiring companies that are hiring to post salary ranges with job descriptions, the theory goes, applicants will have more information on what a certain job is worth and more leeway to negotiate for the best offer. This, in turn, may finally boost the salaries of women and people of color to be more in line with those of White men. I hope the law does help close these pay gaps. I also hope it helps another group of people: younger workers. As it stands, too many young people are fumbling around in the dark when it comes to making informed decisions about what to study in school and which jobs to pursue upon graduation. If many of them are clueless, its only because clues are so hard to find. Advertisement Online databases like Fairygodboss and Glassdoor have tried to fill the data void by collecting crowdsourced data on salaries, but this approach has limitations; it isnt always clear where these jobs are based, how many years of experience they require or what sorts of responsibilities they include. The same job title can mean wildly different things at different organizations. And its tough to know how trustworthy self-disclosed numbers are. The result of the information vacuum is that few of us have any idea whether were paid fairly even if we have years of experience in the workforce. While this most obviously applies to those who are underpaid, the overpaid can also be misled in a different way. In a 2021 Payscale survey, half of workers who were paid at or above average wrongly believed they were underpaid. In a 2015 study, only 21% of overpaid workers realized they were paid above market rates. Such employees needlessly suffer more from low morale than those who have an accurate understanding about how well theyre compensated. Advertisement Being highly educated doesnt protect one from grossly miscalculating what other people make. When a Wharton professor, Nina Strohminger, asked her class of future business titans to estimate the average American salary, a quarter of them thought it was over six figures, and one thought it was $800,000 a year. The real figure? $45,000. Such compensation delusions are widespread, on both ends of the income scale. An influential study by Sorapop Kiatpongsan and Michael Norton showed most people have no idea how much CEOs earn. Survey respondents guessed CEOs earned about 30 times as much as an average worker. In fact, CEOs earn vastly more 350 times as much. Clearly, we dont know how the other quintile lives. But it should be obvious by now that we dont really know how much people in our own socioeconomic bracket earn, either. Advertisement New York Citys new law aims to fix this by requiring the salary range to be included in the job description. This makes it different from other U.S. laws with similar goals. Other localities require salary ranges to be disclosed to, for example, current employees upon request or to applicants who have gotten past the first-round interview. That keeps the information out of the public eye. New Yorks law throws the door open to anyone curious about a particular career path. While salary befuddlement knows no age, it is particularly costly for workers who are just starting out. The first 10 years of ones career are crucial for wage growth. It can take a decade to recover from the bad luck of graduating into a recession. While older workers have bigger, broader networks and thus might be able to research salary options by asking around younger workers without those contacts are more likely to be operating in the dark. Thats especially true of those who are the first in their families to go to college, or whose parents arent great networkers themselves, or in families where talking about money is taboo. Advertisement Personal finance gurus blithely advise young grads to do your research before making any major decisions, ignoring how difficult this data is to find. Business majors may be surprised to learn how little they can command, with an average base salary of just $47,850, according to Glassdoor data. That puts them squarely between students of fashion design and international relations, and not that far ahead of those famously low-paid degree-holders, philosophy majors. And how is one supposed to know if graduate school is a worthy investment without having a clear idea of what the return might be? It is not surprising to learn that film school doesnt pay off. But there are lots of jobs that require or strongly encourage postgraduate degrees teacher, museum curator, therapist, librarian and speech pathologist, to name a few that dont pay a whole lot in salary. Even lawyers and doctors can struggle to pay off their grad school debt. By providing more granular data the kind that comes from job postings, not entry-level base salary averages New Yorks new law could also encourage young people to follow their passions, by reassuring them that some jobs are not as low-paid as theyve been led to believe. For example, many aspiring writers were pleasantly surprised to learn last week that a travel writer can earn six figures when one spontaneously disclosed her salary. Advertisement Clearing up compensation confusion could have broader implications for the economy as a whole. If a free market is to operate, well, freely, then workers need a certain amount of information. In a recent NBER paper, low-paid workers tended to assume they wouldnt earn much more by switching jobs. But administrative data on workers who did change jobs showed these beliefs were mistaken. If workers had correct beliefs, they estimate, between 10% and 17% of low-wage jobs would not be viable. Low-paying employers relied on these workers staying uninformed. When employers start sharing salary ranges on their job postings, it does a lot more than tell potential hires what a job is worth. It gives those starting out in their careers more information about the trajectory they might expect. And it has the potential to shine more daylight into the dark corners of the economy. Advertisement This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Sarah Green Carmichael is an editor with Bloomberg Opinion. She was previously managing editor of ideas and commentary at Barrons, and an executive editor at Harvard Business Review, where she hosted the HBR Ideacast. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load The two developing tech dramas of early 2022 the struggle of Meta Platform Inc.s Facebook to retain users as surveillance-based advertising becomes more difficult and Spotify Technology SAs Joe Rogan controversy are really about one thing: Finding the right balance between ad-based and subscription-based monetization models on the internet. Traditional (or legacy, if you will) media failed to achieve an equilibrium between the two revenue sources and suffered terribly for it during the technology revolution of the 2000s. Now its the new, tech-based medias turn to give it a try. My Bloomberg Opinion colleague Parmy Olson pointed out recently that Alphabet Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. (Google and Facebook) are finding it hard to remain primarily ad-funded, and that diversification makes other tech giants, such as Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc., less vulnerable. Yet, unlike Amazon and Microsoft, both Google and Facebook, with 81% and 97% of revenue, respectively, coming from advertising, are at their core content companies, or, narrower still, media companies. They dont produce the content, but provide platforms for it and ways of locating it. Content production is expensive; staying out keeps down fixed costs, while monetizing other peoples content through advertising has turned out to be extremely lucrative. Having formed a de facto advertising duopoly thanks to this business model, Google and Facebook drove the rest of the media industry, content producers and smaller platforms alike, toward the subscription model. Forced to give up on, or downgrade, the idea of the user as an asset to be sold to advertisers Google and Facebook could do it at a much greater scale they focused on selling the content itself to end users. The New York Times Co.s subscription revenue reached 66% of the total in 2021, compared with 28% circulation revenue in 2004 (yes, we still talked about circulation in the industry back then). Netflix gets 99% of revenue from subscription, Spotify 85%. Advertisement Both relatively pure models have run into trouble lately, though. Facebook, which pushed the idea of precisely targeted advertising so hard that it was likely oversold, ended up losing users and taking a gigantic market valuation hit. It also faces headwinds (a word used more than 30 times during Facebooks most recent earnings call on Feb. 2) from both regulators and an important app economy gatekeeper, Apple Inc. The latest European developments European Union resistance to easy transatlantic data sharing, which has led Facebook to threaten that it might leave Europe altogether, and a major setback to the practice of treating surveillance settings as an annoying pop-up make it clear that tracking users in order to target apps is increasingly problematic and not necessarily viable in the long term. Apples decision last year to let users opt into tracking has delivered a direct hit to Facebooks selling proposition. All of these issues are going to catch up with Google, too, though its less of a scapegoat than Facebook, if only because its been better at communication and less exposed to U.S. election-related criticism. At any rate, analysts consensus projection of its revenue growth 17.9% for 2022 is pretty weak by its standards: Since 2002, it has only seen three years of lower relative growth. The subscription-based business models troubles are of a different nature. When you depend on paying customers, you need to be wary of their ability to organize, of political fads, of filter bubbles, of changes in mass tastes and attitudes. Medias increasing reliance on subscriptions has lent editorial powers to Twitter mobs and led to more sensationalist coverage by media once known for moderation. One could also argue that content has grown more partisan, both in the U.S. and in Europe. Research indicates that engagement is what drives subscription revenue. A 2021 Northwestern University paper identified a sense that a media outlet is looking out for a users interest, gives them something to talk about and is inspirational to them as a key driver of subscriptions. Quiet, impartial voices of reason fall behind on these metrics. Advertisement Spotifys case shows that these peculiarities of the subscription model are not confined to news media. Audiences associate themselves with their favorite creators views and will attempt to punish platforms for being too omnivorous. Spotify shares are down 32% this year, with most of the loss occurring since late January, when Neil Young started taking it to task for lavishly funding the Joe Rogan podcast, on which Covid vaccine deniers have appeared. Young caused this precipitous drop despite having far fewer monthly listeners on Spotify than Rogan; other artists backed him, and, lets face it, people who share Youngs progressive views are more numerous than those who like his music. As someone who does like the music, doesnt share the views and has no interest in Rogan, I was one of those Spotify subscribers who just watched the whole affair whoosh over my head. But if politicized disputes deprive me of a sizable number of my favorite artists, and leave me with a three-hour podcast that doesnt appeal to me, I might eventually look for another streaming service. And if platforms end up only serving groups that share a certain set of ideas, the limits that would impose on their earning potential would be hard to remove. Diversification is the usual answer to such vulnerabilities. For content companies, however, that word means more or less the same as in the pre-internet era finding a sweet spot between being ad-funded and selling the product directly to users. For the likes of Spotify, this could mean expanding the ad-funded layer to fund podcasts on a universally available platform and avoid giving subscribers heartburn over financing politically sensitive utterances that dont reflect their beliefs. One could also imagine sponsor- or advertiser-funded versions of video streaming platforms, akin to traditional TV. For legacy media, picking up more advertising revenue as surveillance (hopefully) fades would be desirable but its harder than losing the ad money was, and these organizations should work on sales pitches that fit the new situation. For many ad executives, I suspect, anything other than the duopolys big data-based pitch may now seem novel and exotic. Theyll have to be told why expensive content may drive conversions as well as targeting can. Advertisement Google and Facebook seemingly are less constrained in terms of diversification: They are so cash-rich that they can conceivably pivot away from content altogether or at least find other reliable revenue streams. And they try: Google is a top-three competitor in the cloud space and invests in various new technologies from self-driving to protecting ocean ecosystems. Facebook sells virtual reality hardware, and its ambition for the future building a metaverse likely isnt meant to be entirely ad-funded. It incorporates, for example, the managements long-standing dream of enabling commerce directly on the companys platforms. Given the size of the ad duopolists content businesses, however, both companies diversification efforts are doomed to look like side bets. Google derives just 7% of its revenue from cloud services and almost none, so far, from what its financial reports bill as Other Bets. The sales of Facebooks non-core businesses are barely visible in the shadow of the advertising operation. Like the subscription-based businesses, they may well find their best diversification opportunities in charging for their content services. Google is giving it a go with YouTube, which has some 50 million paying subscribers and receives some 7% of its revenue from them. But a future in other premium products beckons, including search unadulterated by ads and distribution deals with content providers from the news, book and academic publishing industries that would target subscribers, not free-level users. For Facebook, which has steadfastly refused to discuss subscriptions, the metaverse may provide an off-ramp. In the real world, entry to many spaces is not free and absolutely worth it, so why should it be different in a well-designed virtual universe? Advertisement The smartest traditional media bet on subscriptions when their ad business began to erode but they need to keep selling ads to retain a degree of independence from popular tastes. The tech giants shouldnt scorn that experience or shun the idea that they are essentially content businesses. In this industry, advertising and subscriptions are the two legs on which a business can stand with less risk of falling over when the wind shifts. More From Bloomberg Opinion: Fact-Checking Covid-19 Posts Isnt Working. Theres a Better Way: Faye Flam Remember Second Life? That Could Be Facebooks Future: Parmy Olson The Silver Lining of 2020 Was Scientific Progress: Tyler Cowen This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Leonid Bershidsky is a member of the Bloomberg News Automation team based in Berlin. He was previously Bloomberg Opinions Europe columnist. He recently authored a Russian translation of George Orwells 1984. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Most people who suffer from Covid-19 fully recover. Millions of other survivors find complete healing to be frustratingly elusive, in whats often referred to as long Covid. Some experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and body aches, while others struggle with brain fog or havent regained their sense of smell or taste. More disturbingly, a subset become gravely ill much later, likely because of complications from their infection. The picture emerging from experience is that no single definition, explanation, diagnosis or treatment can be applied to the growing group, colloquially known as long-haulers, who reflect the pandemics lasting burden on societies and economies. 1. What is long Covid? Theres no universally accepted definition yet. According to the World Health Organization, people with what it calls post Covid-19 condition have symptoms usually three months after an initial bout of Covid that last for at least two months and cant be explained by an alternative diagnosis. The prolonged symptoms -- sometimes entirely new to the patient -- include pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and nervous-system problems as well as neurological effects, such as cognitive impairment. Ailments may persist from the initial illness or appear after the acute phase of the disease -- even one with no noticeable symptoms. The symptoms may also fluctuate. Other groups have proposed alternative definitions. The U.K.s National Health Service, for example, suggests referring to symptoms that last more than four weeks as ongoing symptomatic Covid and post-Covid syndrome if they persist for longer than 12 weeks and cant be otherwise explained. Another definition may be needed for children. Advertisement 2. How often does it occur? Researchers havent studied enough cases over a long enough period to gauge the full range of effects, what proportion of patients will suffer from them or for how long. The lack of a single definition and standardized way of identifying cases makes it even harder. A large study published in November, using data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, estimated that about 7% of people had at least one symptom of long Covid six months after their infection. It also found differences in symptoms by age, race, sex and baseline health status. A much smaller study from February 2021 that followed people for as long as nine months after illness found about 30% of people reported persistent symptoms. Although these ailments can occur regardless of the initial severity of the infection, individuals who had severe or many symptoms initially are more likely to be affected. For instance, the study based on the VA database found the burden of long Covid beyond the first 12 weeks of illness was 4.1% among those never hospitalized for Covid, 16% among those who were hospitalized and 23% among patients who were admitted to intensive care. Other studies have found the likelihood of long Covid is greater among women, the middle-aged and the obese. 3. What are the post-Covid symptoms? Advertisement The most commonly reported include: 4. Do variants carry different long Covid risks? Its possible, though theres not been enough data collected and analyzed yet to know for sure, especially since reinfections and infections in vaccinated individuals may carry different risks of long Covid. 5. How can you prevent long Covid? Avoiding getting infected by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, is the only sure way, and vaccination is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of catching it and, more importantly, mitigate the likelihood of becoming severely ill. A U.K. study found receiving a second dose of a coronavirus vaccine at least two weeks before an infection was associated with a 41% decrease in the odds of self-reported long Covid at least 12 weeks later. Data from Israel support the finding. Advertisement 6. What causes it? Some health problems are well understood, others arent. For instance, survivors can experience problems as a result of: the direct effect of the virus on organs and tissues the propensity of Covid to cause bleeding and clots that can restrict or block blood vessels including in the lung, which can cause a pulmonary embolism excessive inflammation by the immune system the bodys failure to properly repair injured lungs and other organs, leading to the formation of scar tissue a lack of oxygen in the blood that injures the brain, lungs and other organs life-saving treatment, including the use of mechanical ventilation, corticosteroids, sedatives and painkillers administered in intensive care. In a study published in January, scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington in Seattle found the risk of long Covid is increased by multiple early factors, including antibodies directed against their own tissues or organs known as autoantibodies, and a resurgence of the Epstein-Barr virus. Based on whats been observed with other viral diseases and research so far, other scientists speculate that different biological and genetic factors may be driving symptoms, none of which are mutually exclusive. These may include: Advertisement chronic, systemic inflammation immune dysregulation, such as when the bodys immune system overreacts or underreacts to a foreign invader interactions with the host microbiome, or microorganisms living in the body problems with the autonomic nervous system the persistence of viral particles or remnants in the body. 7. How serious is it? Most long Covid symptoms dont seem to be life-threatening, but things like shortness of breath or fatigue can be disabling. In addition, for some Covid survivors, the infection may represent a pernicious insult on the body that damages vital organs and exacerbates other diseases, the effects of which may not become apparent for months, like a ticking time bomb. Some of the conditions that may manifest later include cardiac arrest, stroke, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, myocarditis and chronic kidney disease. Doctors have also noted an uptick in cases of diabetes linked to Covid. A study in February based on the VA health-care database in the U.S. found the virus may significantly increase a persons risk of heart disease for at least a year after recovery -- even if the person wasnt hospitalized. Other studies from the U.S., U.K. and Germany showed that people who were hospitalized for Covid have an increased risk of being readmitted or dying 6 to 12 months later. Advertisement 8. Do people recover from long Covid? The health trajectories of Covid survivors vary widely -- from a complete resolution and a return to previous level of health in most people, to needing lung transplants in a small minority. In a subset of people, especially those whose initial infection was relatively severe, symptoms appear to be stubbornly persistent. A large study from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the pandemic virus was first detected, published last year found almost one in two Covid patients experienced persistent symptoms a year after leaving the hospital. A U.K. study of hospitalized patients published in January found that a year after discharge, fewer than 3 in 10 patients reported feeling fully recovered. Its possible the use of treatments for Covid, including monoclonal antibody therapies and antiviral medications, reduces the likelihood of long Covid, though this hasnt been demonstrated. There is emerging evidence that multidisciplinary rehabilitation services can improve a patients prospects of recovery. 9. Is Covid-19 definitely to blame for these symptoms? Advertisement Not necessarily. Some symptoms might occur by chance or be triggered by stress and anxiety, while some pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, might have gone undiagnosed until Covid prompted medical attention. Social restrictions, lockdowns, school and business closures, loss of livelihood, decreases in economic activity and shifting priorities of governments all have the potential to substantially affect mental health, according to a study that appeared Oct. 8 in the Lancet. It found the pandemic has resulted in an extra 53.2 million cases of major depressive disorder and an extra 76.2 million cases of anxiety disorders globally. Diagnostic uncertainties have sometimes led to what patients describe as medical gaslighting by health professionals who dont take their complaints seriously, especially if the patient is a woman. 10. What are the broader implications? Some researchers say the pandemic represents an emerging global crisis, potentially spurring a raft of long-term problems such as chronic fatigue syndrome, dementia, Parkinsons disease, diabetes and kidney impairment. The disability attributable to long Covid could account for as much as 30% of the pandemics health burden, researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimated. An uptick in treatments for depression, anxiety and pain has stoked concern of a spike in suicides and opioid overdoses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a surge in overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending April 2021. Several surveys of long Covid sufferers indicate the condition is leading to reduced work schedules and absenteeism that has implications for the workforce and labor productivity. With almost 400 million confirmed infections worldwide as of February 2022, even a small share with long-term disability could have enormous social and economic consequences. And these will be magnified if problems end up lasting for years or decades. Advertisement 11. Do other pathogens cause prolonged illness? Yes. While the development of long-term symptoms is sometimes framed as novel or mysterious, scientists say its actually an expected phenomenon. Most well-studied viral or bacterial pathogens have been linked to the development of chronic symptoms in a subset of infected patients. For example, post-viral syndromes can occur after the common cold, influenza, HIV, infectious mononucleosis, measles, Ebola and hepatitis B. Diabetes and other long-term consequences were observed in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which is caused by a related coronavirus. A Canadian study identified 21 health-care workers from Toronto who had post-viral symptoms for as long as three years after catching SARS in 2003 and were unable to return to their usual work. Some people who were hospitalized with SARS in Hong Kong had impaired lung function two years later, a study of 55 patients published in 2010 found. Still, its not known yet whether the lessons of SARS are applicable to Covid-19. Long Covid shares characteristics with many other long-term health conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome and a blood-circulation disorder known as POTS. Studies into the drivers of long Covid could improve understanding of the causes of these conditions also. 12. What is being done? Advertisement In the U.S., the National Institutes of Health was allocated $1.15 billion in funding to support research into the long-term effects of Covid. The studies hopes to get at issues such as the underlying biological causes and how they might be treated and prevented. Some researchers are pressing governments to focus attention on potential long-term organ damage. For example, researchers have shown the virus can infect insulin-producing pancreatic tissue, potentially triggering diabetes that in some cases persists beyond the acute infection. Thats prompted Australias Monash University and Kings College London to create a global registry for studying new onset diabetes. Some long haulers have reported feeling better after receiving a Covid vaccination, prompting researchers to examine the phenomenon and whether vaccines can offer clues to treatment. Avindra Nath, clinical director of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, said vaccines, including for flu, have been known to help patients with chronic fatigue, but relief has almost always been temporary. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load After years of breakneck economic growth, things are slowing down in China, making it harder for strivers to get ahead. Some have decided to drop out of the rat race entirely, spawning a movement known as lie flat. Its adherents are tired of the stress that comes from working long hours and the family and societal pressure to keep climbing the ladder. Some see the phenomenon as a warning of impending Japan-style stagnation. Others argue its akin to 1960s counterculture movements, with young people seeking a less-demanding society thats more focused on personal development. 1. How did the movement start? It took off after a post -- since removed by censors -- on the Baidu Tieba social media platform titled Lying Flat Is Justice went viral in April 2021. I havent been working for two years, and I dont see anything wrong with this, the author, going by the username Kind-Hearted Traveler, wrote. Pressure mainly comes from comparisons with your peers and the values of the older generations. But we dont have to follow them. Advertisement 2. Where is this happening? The movement has struck a nerve especially in Shenzhen, the technology hub bordering Hong Kong in southeastern China where the culture known as 996 -- working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week -- has long been common. Its home to giant electronics factories and companies such as Huawei Technologies Co. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. as well as 18 million people -- many of whom moved there to chase dreams of affluence. Yet as the era of explosive growth has waned, many workers are reassessing their choices. That Shenzhen is among the worlds least affordable cities adds to their woes. 3. Is this unique to China? Not really. Such pressures have been building in developed countries for decades as incomes have stagnated and the costs of housing and education have soared, leaving fewer young people able to build a financially stable life. The upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic also led many to reassess priorities. In the so-called Great Resignation in the U.S., workers have been quitting their jobs in record numbers -- more than 37 million from April through December last year. Many seem to be staying out of the labor force. Advertisement 4. So China is catching up? It may be a symptom of a new stage in Chinas economic development: As a nation gets richer, its workers can afford to be more choosy. In the U.S. and Europe, the formation of a large middle class was key to the rise of 1960s counterculture and, later, the so-called slacker generation of the 90s. In an echo of those Western movements, some middle-class young Chinese people -- with prospects beyond anything their parents could ever have hoped for -- say their society is too conformist and materialistic. There are no official statistics on how many are dropping out as its still mainly a concept -- and not one that the government wants to encourage. 5. How are authorities and companies reacting? President Xi Jinping in August urged the country to avoid involution, meaning cutthroat competition, as well as lying flat and instead open channels for upward mobility. Recent policies aimed at promoting common prosperity, such as by improving conditions for gig workers and moderating housing and education costs, aim to support a better quality of life. Although the economy has doubled in size over the past decade, not everybody is reaping the benefits. TikTok owner ByteDance Ltd. mandated a shorter workweek after some of its employees joined thousands of others at companies including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. in an online campaign branded Worker Lives Matter, posting information on when they start and end their workdays. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Soon after reports of a mysterious new disease began circulating in the early 1980s, describing predominantly gay patients with compromised immune systems and rare forms of cancer and pneumonia, Luc Montagnier began working to find the cause. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The French virologist was a senior researcher at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, where he directed a unit that focused on retroviruses, which multiply by splicing their genetic material into a host cells genome. Like many of his colleagues, he suspected that one such virus was the culprit. When he and others at Pasteur examined a sample in January 1983, studying a slice of swollen lymph node from a fashion designer who exhibited early signs of the disease, they were surprised to find what appeared to be an entirely new kind of retrovirus. It was unusually potent, lying hidden in white blood cells before flaring up, replicating and killing the cells that had enabled it to grow. Advertisement The lab of Dr. Montagnier, who was 89 when he died Feb. 8 at a hospital in the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine, had discovered HIV, the drug-resistant virus that was later found to cause AIDS. Originally labeled a gay plague, the disease ballooned into a public health crisis as Dr. Montagnier and his team fought for recognition from the scientific community, which ignored and sometimes scorned their early research. Ultimately, the work done by Dr. Montagnier and his colleagues including Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, who detected telltale viral activity in the original sample paved the way for an HIV blood test, spurred the development of AIDS drugs and therapies, and earned the two Pasteur scientists a share of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 2008. Dr. Montagniers reputation later plummeted as colleagues accused him of spreading pseudoscience and threatening public health through his opposition to vaccination mandates. But for decades, he remained best known for his HIV research and his work to prevent AIDS. Much to his dismay, his early findings plunged him into a decade-long battle for scientific glory, national pride and millions of dollars in blood test patent royalties, as he and an American team led by National Cancer Institute researcher Robert C. Gallo vied over who discovered what and when. Advertisement Amid allegations of scientific misconduct, self-serving behavior and outright theft, the dispute was formally resolved only with help from President Ronald Reagan and French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac, with both sides claiming a share of the credit. While Gallo was long cited as a key leader in HIV research, credited with definitively linking the virus to AIDS, the Nobel committee sought to honor the discoverers of the virus in awarding the prize to Dr. Montagnier and Barre-Sinoussi. The saga cast a long shadow over one of the great success stories in modern science: the transformation of AIDS from a death sentence into a treatable chronic illness, in a matter of years rather than decades. HIV has generated a novel pandemic, the Nobel committee said in 2008, announcing that half of the medicine prize would go to Dr. Montagnier and Barre-Sinoussi. The other half of the prize was given to German virologist Harald zur Hausen, for discovering that human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer. Advertisement Never before has science and medicine been so quick to discover, identify the origin and provide treatment for a new disease entity, the committee added. Successful antiretroviral therapy results in life expectancies for persons with HIV infection now reaching levels similar to those of uninfected people. By the time of the announcement, more than 25 million people had died of AIDS-related illnesses, and an estimated 33 million more were living with HIV. By all accounts, the diseases toll would have been far greater were it not for advances in virology spearheaded by Dr. Montagnier and Gallo in the 1970s and early 80s. Though their personalities were nearly opposite Dr. Montagnier was understated and sedate, Gallo fiery and blunt they conducted influential, complementary research into retroviruses at a time when epidemic diseases were considered more or less extinct, vanquished by vaccines and antibiotics. In search of a killer Human retroviruses were largely written off as a fantasy until 1980, one year before AIDS was first reported in the United States, when Gallo identified a leukemia-causing virus he dubbed HTLV. By the time he started examining reports of AIDS, he had found a second form of the HTLV virus and began to suspect that the new disease was caused by a third. Advertisement Dr. Montagniers research pointed toward a cause that was unrelated to HTLV. He published his labs initial findings in a May 1983 issue of Science, giving a basic description of what he called lymphadenopathy associated virus, or LAV a reference to the swollen lymph nodes in which it was found. Its role in AIDS, wrote Dr. Montagnier and his colleagues, remains to be determined. The article received little attention. But four months later, when Dr. Montagnier described his work at a conference of top virologists at Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Pasteur had mounting evidence that the virus was indeed the cause of AIDS. Dr. Montagnier was reportedly met with derision during a question-and-answer session. The Pasteur Institutes work began to gain broad acceptance only in April 1984, when Margaret M. Heckler, the U.S. secretary of health and human services, announced in a news conference that the probable cause of AIDS has been found not by Dr. Montagnier but by Gallo and his lab, which called the virus HTLV-3. There was a chance, Gallo noted at the time, that his virus was the same as the one isolated at Pasteur. Advertisement It soon became clear that LAV, HTLV-3 and a third virus subsequently isolated by researcher Jay Levy were variants of the same pathogen. Jousting over precedence and priority began almost immediately, with Gallo claiming that he had isolated the virus without relying on help from the French. He said he had gone far beyond their research by establishing the viruss link to AIDS and detailing its structure and development. Genetic testing showed a striking similarity between the pathogens isolated by Dr. Montagnier and Gallo. The viruses they relied on for their research appeared to be identical, or at least taken from the same source. In fact, Dr. Montagnier had sent samples of his virus to the Gallo lab, as he had to other researchers who inquired about LAV. While Gallo insisted that his work was entirely his own, some scientists speculated that the National Cancer Institutes cells had been contaminated by the samples from Pasteur. The controversy led to a lawsuit over the HIV blood test, a crucial diagnostic tool that would help slow the viruss spread and would earn millions of dollars in royalties for whichever lab held the patent. Advertisement Pasteur applied for a U.S. patent in December 1983, a few months before Gallos team filed an application of their own. After the patent was awarded to the American researchers in May 1985, the Pasteur Institute sued the U.S. government, alleging that the Gallo test had been made using the French virus. In news reports, Gallo was frequently cast as the villain to the dignified Dr. Montagnier. But neither side was above politicking, journalist David Remnick noted in a Washington Post report: Dr. Montagnier, he wrote, publicly affected a Gallic hauteur even while he was filing lawsuits and playing scientific politics with all the skill of a Chicago alderman. The dispute seemed to have come to an end in 1987, after Reagan and Chirac announced an agreement in which royalties from the blood test were split between France and the United States, and the two scientists agreed to describe themselves as co-discoverers of HIV. (The viruss name, coined by an international committee the previous year, was itself a compromise, designed to replace the competing names LAV and HTLV-3.) Advertisement Dr. Montagnier and Gallo publicly reconciled, and journalists and scientists speculated that a Nobel Prize was imminent. Along with Myron Max Essex, one of the first researchers to suggest that AIDS might be caused by a retrovirus, the two scientists shared a 1986 Lasker Award for clinical medical research. But questions regarding the discovery of HIV resurfaced in 1989, when the Chicago Tribune published a 50,000-word article by the investigative reporter John Crewdson, who suggested that Gallo had either stolen the virus from the French or taken it inadvertently as part of a years-long pattern of shoddy research and potential scientific misconduct. The reporting spurred investigations by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services, which examined Gallos lab records and interviewed scores of his colleagues as part of what The Post described as the longest running and most heavily publicized fraud controversy in the history of American science. Advertisement By the time it was over, both Dr. Montagnier and Gallo declared that they had been vindicated. The U.S. Office of Research Integrity found Gallo guilty of scientific misconduct before its appeals board dropped the charges in 1993. Amid the proceedings, Gallo acknowledged that his viruses had probably been contaminated by samples from Pasteur. As a result, the U.S-France blood test agreement was tweaked in 1994, so that the French received a bigger share of royalties from the sale of test kits. Its the end of a bad story, Dr. Montagnier told The Post, adding that he remained focused on his research into HIV/AIDS, which remains uncured. In an autobiographical essay for the Nobel Prize, he recalled that he had been interested in medicine since he was a young man, when he watched as his grandfather experienced terrible suffering and eventually died of rectal cancer. He later found himself just as powerless in the face of AIDS, as patients with the disease waited outside his laboratory offices in Paris. They were there, the Tribune reported, to ask if the man who had discovered the virus crippling their immune systems might also know how to defeat it. These poor AIDS patients, Dr. Montagnier said. They regard me as a god. 'I don't have to be ashamed' An only child, Luc Antoine Montagnier was born in Chabris, France, on Aug. 18, 1932. He grew up near Poitiers, where his mother was a seamstress and theater usher, and his father, who suffered from chronic enterocolitis and lesions in his heart, was an accountant. Dr. Montagnier studied science and medicine at the University of Poitiers, receiving a bachelors degree in 1953, and completed his medical studies in Paris, where he earned a doctorate at the Sorbonne in 1960. He joined the Pasteur Institute in 1972 and was the founding director of the its viral oncology unit until 2000, when he became a professor emeritus. From 1974 to 1998 he was also director of research at the French National Center for Scientific Research, one of Europes largest scientific agencies. Dr. Montagnier was appointed the head of a proposed $30 million AIDS research center at Queens College in New York in 1997, but the research effort failed to attract sufficient financing and closed. He married Dorothea Ackerman in 1961 and had three children, Jean-Luc, Anne-Marie and Francine. Information on survivors was not immediately available. His death was first reported by the website FranceSoir and later confirmed by media organizations including Liberation, which said that his death certificate had been filed in Neuilly. In 1986, Dr. Montagnier and his lab announced the discovery of a second type of HIV, concentrated in patients in West Africa. He went on to establish biotechnology companies focused on developing a cure for AIDS, and in 1993 he co-founded the World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention, a UNESCO- affiliated organization based in Paris. But Dr. Montagnier drew growing criticism as he threw his weight behind unlikely theories, surprising some colleagues when he asserted that HIV causes AIDS only by combining with bacteria called mycoplasma. He later backed ideas that were widely derided as pseudoscience, appearing at an autism conference alongside actress Jenny McCarthy to declare that the developmental disorder could be cured with antibiotics. In 2010, he accepted a professorship at Shanghai Jiao Tong University to study water memory, claiming to have found evidence that DNA could be teleported through electromagnetic waves picked up by water. More recently, he claimed that the coronavirus was human-made, created as part of HIV vaccine research. He cited a paper that had not yet been peer-reviewed and has since been retracted, according to the Associated Press. Former colleagues reacted to his assertions with anger and dismay. In response to speeches and interviews he gave condemning mandatory vaccinations for children, more than 100 academics denounced him in a 2017 statement. Dr. Montagnier remained defiant, saying that the criticism of his peers had not stopped him before. I dont have to be ashamed of my career, nor of what Im currently doing, he told Le Monde in 2018. The discovery of the AIDS virus saved millions of lives. I have authority, I am recognized, so that can endure. Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly said when and where patent applications were filed for an HIV blood test. Luc Montagniers team originally applied for a patent in Britain, not the United States, before filing for a U.S. patent in December 1983. Robert C. Gallos team applied for a U.S. patent several months after that, not more than a year later. The article has been corrected. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load A U.S. Labor Department investigation found that Maryland shortchanged correctional officers and other staff at the Jessup Correctional Institution by nearly a half-million dollars in wages over a two-year period. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The state paid staff members only through the end of their scheduled shifts and not when workers actually clocked out effectively rounding off overtime for employees who were regularly required to stay late to deal with issues in the institution or wait for other staffers to relieve them. The investigation covered the period between November 2018 and November 2020. The federal labor department mailed notices last month, one of which was reviewed by the Baltimore Sun, to correctional officers to tell them they had been underpaid by the state in violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. That law established the minimum wage, requirements for overtime pay and record-keeping, and youth employment standards. Advertisement Joanna Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the Labor Departments Philadelphia regional office, said the investigation determined that Maryland owes past and present Jessup Correctional Institution correctional officers $468,238.87. Mark Vernarelli, a spokesman for the Maryland Division of Correction, said the issue was discovered as part of an internal review that included an audit by the U.S. Department of Labor. He said management improperly required employees to get a supervisors signature on an overtime form when they were held over after the ends of their shifts to cover for late shift changes. Union officials allege that the timekeeping issues routinely occurred at other Maryland prisons, as well. Workers across the state prison system have filed a flurry of new complaints since the Labor Departments finding at Jessup, alleging wage theft at other institutions as well. Advertisement Its absolutely not fair, said Sgt. Oluwadamilola O. Olaniyan, a correctional officer at Jessup Correctional and the president of the union local that represents state prisons in the Jessup area. Jessup Correctional is a maximum-security facility that is transitioning to medium security, according to the Maryland Manual, the official guide to state government. It has the capacity for 1,800 inmates. Union officials said the timekeeping issues stretch back before November 2018, but federal labor law has a two-year limit for recovering unpaid wages. Olaniyan said prison staff members at Jessup and other state prisons routinely work past their quitting time to deal with issues, brief their relief on problems or cover for workers who arrive late. Vernarelli said that practice violates state policy and the corrections division has initiated corrective action to fully compensate the affected officers. Advertisement Vernarelli initially said last week that the wage issues were limited to just one facility, but said Monday that the agency was now aware of additional complaints at other locations and continues to review timekeeping practices throughout its correctional facilities. Patrick Moran, president of Council 3 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said state prison officials sent a systemwide memo in August ordering changes to how management recorded overtime but have yet to acknowledge keeping full wages from the members paychecks. The AFSCME council represents correctional officers and tens of thousands of other state workers in Maryland. I think they tried to sweep it under the rug, said Moran, who contended that union leaders have raised the issue repeatedly to the state in the past. They finally got busted with their hands in the cookie jar, and now theyre going to have to pay. Advertisement The August memo from Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Robert L. Green was obtained by the Sun. In the memo, Green ordered that the automatic rounding of shift assignments . . . will cease and directs timekeepers to only manually adjust an employees records in the agencys timekeeping system with the approval of an authorized supervisor and with an accompanying note explaining the reason for the changes. Vernarelli noted that because the department operates multiple correctional facilities statewide, there has to be uniformity in policy and procedures. The department wanted to ensure that everyone was following the same policy. The memo appeared to have fixed the timekeeping issues and employees have been paid properly since, Olaniyan said. He added that the union will continue monitoring because we cant trust the system right now. Advertisement Olaniyan and other union officials called for a broader outside investigation covering what they believe were records manipulated intentionally to deny workers wages. He said the timesheets of managers who stayed late were handled differently. We showed up for work and followed the process and believe its fair for everybody to follow the process, said Olaniyan. We just want to be paid from the time [the state] began stealing our time. . . . We want justice and a proper investigation. Asked about whether the internal review revealed any individual wrongdoing, whether anyone was disciplined as a result of the investigation and the union allegations that timesheets were intentionally manipulated, Vernarelli said the departments investigation is ongoing. There have been no disciplinary actions because at this time, there has been no evidence calling for discipline, he said. GiftOutline Gift Article A stop road sign is seen next to skyscrapers at the Moscow International business center. (Reuters) Experts anticipated a Moscow-led cyber assault; instead unprecedented attacks by hacktivists and criminals have wreaked havoc in Russia. Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on. AMP Limiteds newly appointed chief executive Alexis George says the group will consider cross-selling wealth products through its banking arm in the future, despite the tactic being slammed during the banking royal commission. The ASX-listed financial services firm reported a full-year loss of $252 million on Thursday, a swing from last years profit of $177 million, driven largely by previously announced impairment charges and non-cash write-downs. The 173-year-old company is in the midst of a strategic pivot to focus on Australian banking, superannuation and investment, while splitting up AMP Capital to spin off and separately list its global private markets investment business. AMP chief executive Alexis George said the plans to spin off and separately list AMPs private markets business had progressed well. Credit:Louie Douvis Ms George said growing the bank is at the core of AMPs new strategy, a division that reported a 38 per cent increase in profits to $356 million, and pledged to continue investing in technology and customer service to grow its mortgage book. Renewable energy generation reached record highs in all Australian mainland states in 2021 as reliance on gas continued to drop across the country. In the countrys largest grid the National Electricity Market (NEM) renewables provided five times more power than gas in 2021, while gas generation reached its lowest level in more than 15 years, according to data released on Thursday by the Climate Council. The Coonooer Bridge wind farm north-west of Bendigo in Victoria. Credit: Renewable energy generation increased almost 20 per cent in the NEM in 2021, with a 30 per cent jump in Victoria, and 26 per cent rise in Western Australia. In South Australia, gas generation slumped to its lowest level in more than two decades, while in Victoria it fell 30 per cent in 12 months. In NSW, gas provided just 1.5 per cent of the states power, its lowest level in 15 years. One of the Melbourne Demons fans who was jailed for sneaking into Western Australia to attend the AFL grand final has narrowly avoided a second stint in jail after being convicted of further offences in a Darwin court. Hayden Burbank, 49, on Wednesday admitted to falsely obtaining a Northern Territory tenancy agreement, drivers licence and bank account to bypass COVID-19 restrictions and border hop his way from Melbourne to Perth. Hayden Burbank at Optus Stadium after the grand final. The Melbourne bar owner, along with friend Mark Babbage, was released from a Perth maximum security prison in December after serving three months jail for breaching WAs border rules, which banned anyone who had been in Victoria within 14 days from entering. During his sentencing in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday, it was revealed that Burbank began his sophisticated and deceptive plan to enter WA on September 13 three days after Melbourne qualified for the grand final by paying $50 for a Darwin rental tenancy online. Weve been informed by the ... [newspapers] lawyers that no evidence was relied upon, but theyve refused to provide us with copies of the transcript of the submissions that were made, Mr Cheshire said. Although the respondents lawyers have refused to provide us with a copy of the relevant part of the transcript, we note that the respondents have published at least extracts of the oral submissions on their website to the public at large. We have reviewed those publications, and if what has been reported is a full and accurate representation of what was said to justify the issuing of the subpoenas, then I should record that it included facts [and] inferences that were inaccurate and incorrect. However, Mr Cheshire said that Mr Boulten and Mr Hodges did not wish to delay the trial and were content to hand over documents within the ambit of the subpoena. I should make it clear, however, that by doing so they are not intending to waive any legal rights that they may have, and they reserve of all their rights, including the right to argue, if it becomes necessary, that the subpoenas should never have been issued to them, Mr Cheshire said. He produced five packets of material to the court, including a category of documents that he said may be covered by legal professional privilege. That privilege was claimed by Mr Boulten and Mr Hodges on behalf of Persons 56 and 66, he said, but it was now up to those men to assert that privilege, or not, as they saw fit. Mr Moses said there was nothing to produce in relation to the notice to produce served on Mr Roberts-Smith. Lawyers for the potential witnesses will now review the documents to ascertain whether any of the material produced by Mr Boulten and Mr Hodges are legally privileged and cannot be used in court. Mr Roberts-Smith is suing three media outlets for defamation over a series of news reports in 2018 he says portray him as a war criminal. The Age and the Herald, owned by Nine, and The Canberra Times, now under separate ownership, are seeking to rely on a defence of truth. They allege Mr Roberts-Smith committed or was involved in six murders of Afghans under the control of Australian troops, when they cannot be killed under the rules of engagement. Mr Roberts-Smith maintains any killings were carried out lawfully in the heat of battle. Later on Thursday, a serving SAS soldier dubbed Person 14 returned to the witness box. He has given damaging evidence that he witnessed three Australian soldiers in Afghanistan in 2009 around a black object which was ... similar to a human before one of the soldiers fired a distinctive machine gun, known as the F89 Para Minimi. He said he later discovered the object was an Afghan man with a prosthetic leg, who had been shot dead. Person 14 told the court he could not identify any of the three soldiers, but he saw who had the Minimi after the mission was completed, and it was Ben Roberts-Smith. Under cross-examination by Mr Moses, Person 14 has agreed he was not suggesting this was the same weapon used in the alleged incident. On Thursday, Mr Moses put it to him that he initially told investigative journalist Chris Masters, who co-wrote the articles at the centre of the case, that another soldier, Person 4, had shot the Afghan man. Incorrect, Person 14 said. You are a liar, arent you? Mr Moses said. Im not, Person 14 said. Mr Moses referred to handwritten notes made by Masters and put it to Person 14 that he told Masters at a meeting in February 2018 that RS [Roberts-Smith] had an M14 rifle, while Person 4 had a Minimi and P4 had shot an old guy with a prosthetic leg. Person 14 said Minimis were typically carried by a junior soldier, and he initially believed Person 4 shot the Afghan man. That was based off me assuming that the Minimi carrier was Person 4, he said. That was my initial assumption on the ground ... but I later came to learn who was carrying the Minimi. Mr Moses put it to him that you never said to Mr Masters on the 27th of February 2018 that you understood that it was Mr Roberts-Smith whod shot the man with the prosthetic leg. What I accept is that my initial assumption was Person 4 had the Minimi as the junior person in the patrol, and that was my initial assumption on what I saw, Person 14 said. Leigh Sales will leave the ABCs flagship current affairs program 7.30, stepping down as presenter from late June after more than 10 years in the job. She will remain with the ABC in a new role and will lead the broadcasters federal election coverage. Leigh Sales will depart ABCs 7.30 program in June. Credit:ABC Announcing the decision at the end of Thursdays program, Sales said the conclusion of an election cycle felt like a good time to move on to something new. Theres nothing wrong, other than I just feel a strong sense of it being time to pass the baton to the next runner in the race and to take a break, she said. There have been cases of pigs heads being left outside Islamic schools or mosques. The Jewish schools in Sydney and elsewhere need armed guards In Geelong just four or five years ago we saw five different churches burnt down. It was almost not reported in the press Weve seen discrimination against Christiansthe young man sacked from his job in a cafe simply because the owner said, We dont want Christians here. There is this sort of thing. It is on the rise. Its unreported. Its not right. This was the powerful evidence given by Professor Patrick Parkinson of Freedom for Faith at the Senate Inquiry into the Religious Discrimination Bill. Scott Morrison puts the case for his religious discrimination bill. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen As principal lawyer of the Human Rights Law Alliance, I provide legal assistance to people experiencing discrimination because of their faith. Sadly, in modern Australia, almost 30 per cent of Australians have experienced discrimination because of their religion or religious views. If the Federal Parliament genuinely wanted equal protection for people who face discrimination for their deeply held religious beliefs in this country, by the end of this parliamentary sitting week we would see the Religious Discrimination Bill passed in the form the government had proposed. This would have provided minimal but at least some very limited protections against discrimination for people of faith. Chinas competing economic influence and re-emerging power will be high on the agenda when the four Quadrilateral Security Dialogue foreign ministers from Australia, the United States, India and Japan meet in Melbourne on Friday to discuss the search for stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region. Each member country has its own unique tensions and complicated relationship with the superpower. And it has been suggested the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine has the possibility to be used as a template for Chinas ongoing crisis with Taiwan. The Quad has never been explicit in its language on China. It has not even mentioned the countrys name in communiques. However, what makes the renewed Quad so significant is its role as a democratic counterweight to an authoritarian China in the Indo-Pacific. US President Joe Biden during a virtual meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Washington often talks about collaboration and engagement with China. Credit:AP All four countries have found common ground among their shared fixation on Chinas assertive behaviour in the region. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size text-to-speech on some articles. We are triallingon some articles. Share your thoughts After a significant loss of life and equipment, the US Air Force stops China from capturing Taiwan. They do this by confining Chinese forces to a single area, preventing a total takeover. Theres a catch. The 2020 war game relied on a number of capabilities not yet in operation, including a futuristic fighter jet that penetrated deep into contested zones. The US and Australias newest fifth-generation fighter, the F-35, still played a role attacking Chinese surface ships and protecting American and Taiwanese assets from Chinese aircraft. But as Lt. Gen. Clint Hinote remarked, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was not the one thats pushing all the way in [Chinese airspace], or even over Chinas territory. This is because of its inability to travel long distances over the Pacific without a refuelling tanker nearby, which was too dangerous in the Taiwan war game. Australia currently has 44 F-35 fighters, and will have 72 by the end of 2023, with an option to buy another 30. Despite being subject to considerable scepticism due to its high cost, the F-35 is still widely believed to be the most superior fighter jet on the planet today in terms of lethality, stealthiness and versatility. It has recorded a 20:1 kill ratio against enemy aircraft in war games simulated by the US Air Force. But a quick look at the F-35s current capabilities and Australias geography highlights its limitations. Advertisement The F-35s range is listed at 2200 kilometres, which is how far it can fly in a straight line. However, considering you want the pilot and aircraft to return to base, its combat range is really about 1000 kilometres. This doesnt consider the fact aircraft will have to accelerate during combat, which uses more fuel, so its real combat range might be closer to 500 kilometres. From Australias northern bases, this barely gets you into the South Pacific, let alone a conflict in the South China Sea or Taiwan Strait. Air-to-air refuelling would extend this range to 1500 kilometres, but as we saw in the Taiwan war game tankers may not always be able to perform this task in a high-intensity battle. There are fighter jets with much longer range, such as the USs F-22 Raptors about 3000 kilometres but the F-35 is more versatile and some experts say more stealthy. Advertisement Do our fighters need long-range missiles? The missing link for the F-35, especially for Australia, is the fact that it cannot carry the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). While the F-35s manufacturer Lockheed Martin is working on this, Australia has decided to equip its 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets with LRASMs, allowing them to fire at a ship from more than 500 kilometres away. In 2006, Australia decided to buy the less-stealthy, fourth-generation Super Hornets a version of which Tom Cruise pilots in the upcoming film, Top Gun: Maverick after it feared there would be a capability gap waiting for the F-35s to come online. It also purchased an additional 12 Super Hornets converted into EA-18G Growlers, which are electronic attack aircraft designed to jam enemy radars. Loading Defence Minister Peter Dutton says equipping the F-35s with a long-range missile is a priority, but he also highlights that there is a lot of research and investment going on into next-generation capabilities. So [Defence is] looking at what next-generation capabilities might be able to join their stable, Dutton says. Duttons comments suggest Australia may already be seriously looking at the F-35s successor, rather than considering buying more of the fifth-generation aircraft. Advertisement The US has already begun designing a sixth-generation fighter jet to follow the F-35 under a program called Next Generation Air Dominance, or NGAD. Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, says Australia needs to think carefully about taking up the option of purchasing another 30 F-35s, which cost about $112 million each. He says an alternative path would be to sustain the Super Hornets for as long as possible and approach the US for participation in NGAD. I think there is a danger with additional F-35As, that we simply maintain the like for like mindset in terms of capability acquisition the force size remains static even as the threat rapidly grows, Davis says. Is Australia ready for war? Part 1: The armys battle for relevance According to Davis, Australia is at a strategic inflection point and should avoid developing a limited force with a brittle ability to sustain operations in a high-intensity major power war, which could occur in the second half of this decade. Our capability acquisition process is not fit for purpose given how slow and plodding it is, when set against a rapidly deteriorating strategic outlook and accelerating pace of technological change, he says. The Americans understand they dont have the luxury of time for a sixth-generation fighter approach we need to make the same recognition that we dont have the luxury of assuming the F-35 is the solution through to the 2040s. Advertisement After all, the F-35 is designed to work as part of a US network of remote sensors and shooters. It incorporates data from multiple sources in the air and on the ground into one picture of where friends and enemies are on the battlefield. Take away the network, and it is doubtful whether it would be able to defend the nation from an attack, or meaningfully contribute to a fight with a capable adversary abroad. Loading Considering the F-35s lack of range, John Blaxland, a professor of international security and intelligence studies at the Australian National University, says Australia needs to have a good relationship with its neighbours to the north. It is partly with that in mind that I have been stressing the need for us to make our relationship with Indonesia work better. They matter to us, he says. We dont matter to them that much because were not seen as a threat were just seen as a kind of a convenient backstop thats not a threat to them and that sometimes isnt convenient to them. I would contend we need to make our convenience for them all that much more acute. It needs to be more compelling, but were not there yet in part because weve been pretty cavalier about the relationship. Advertisement Moscow: A security guard on his first day at work in a Russian art gallery vandalised a 750,000 ($1.4 million) painting by a student of one of Russias greatest avant-garde painters by doodling eyes and a mouth on to a bare face. Visitors last month spotted the additions scrawled in pen on faceless subjects of Anna Leporskayas Three Figures while the painting by the pupil of Kazimir Malevich was on loan in Yekaterinburg in the Urals. The Yeltsin Centre gallery appealed to the police to track down the perpetrator but they declined, dismissing the damage to the 1930s painting as insignificant. A full investigation into vandalism was launched last month only after an intervention by the culture ministry. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Sunday, Feb. 13, will mark five years since two teen girls went missing in Delphi, Indiana. The bodies of 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German were found on Valentine's Day 2017. Police say there is still a dedicated team working daily on the case, including two Carroll County detectives and two Indiana State Police detectives. Court documents obtained by WDRB link a man in jail, Kegan Anthony Kline, with social media accounts that police are investigating in connection with the murders. Kline is accused of soliciting underage girls on both Snapchat and Instagram in an unrelated case, also in 2017. He has not been charged in the Delphi case. Police say the social media account Kline used to interact with the underage girls had the handle "anthony_shots." They are asking anyone who communicated with that profile to contact them by email at abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or call them at (765) 822-3535. "Investigators would also like any individual that communicated with, met, or attempted to meet the anthony_shots profile to contact law enforcement utilizing the tip hotline listed above," Indiana State Police said in a news release. "Please provide as much information as you possibly can. For example, when you communicated with anthony_shots, how you communicated with the profile, what social media applications the account used, and if anthony_shots attempted to meet you or obtain your address. If you have saved images or conversations with the anthony_shots profile, please attach them to your email." The discovery of the social media account linked to Kline is the latest development in a case that has haunted the Delphi community for years. No one has yet been arrested or charged in the murders, despite police releasing a photograph, a sketch and a brief audio clip of the suspect speaking the words "down the hill." Related stories: Copyright 2019 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. Lexington woman says Hertz threatened to have her arrested over misunderstanding LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- UPS donated about 19,000 pairs of socks to Wayside Christian Mission on Thursday. A truck delivered the goods Thursday morning. The socks will be given to Louisville's homeless population. It's the second year that UPS employees have joined forces for the Warming the Soles Project. Socks are the most requested clothing item by homeless shelters. "It's such a blessing to the homeless community," said Nina Moseley of Wayside Christian Mission. "Socks are so necessary to keep their feet from frostbite, and we just very much appreciate all that they have done for us." Wayside Christian Mission will also distribute some of the socks to other agencies that work with the homeless in the community. Related stories: Copyright 2022 by WDRB Media. All rights reserved. Weatherford, TX (76086) Today Mostly clear skies this evening. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 56F. S winds shifting to ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Mostly clear skies this evening. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 56F. S winds shifting to ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Weatherford, TX (76086) Today Mostly clear skies early, then thunderstorms developing late. Low 57F. S winds shifting to ENE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Mostly clear skies early, then thunderstorms developing late. Low 57F. S winds shifting to ENE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Mickey Mouse has turned Leftist Lousedue to circumstances beyond his control, and the long love affair that Disney has enjoyed with almost every American family appears headed for the rocks. The company has chosen to go woke, and that decision could conceivably leave the entertainment gia Allentown, PA (18103) Today Mostly cloudy. There might be a lingering shower early, mainly north and east.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. There might be a lingering shower early, mainly north and east. Reading, PA (19601) Today Mostly cloudy. There might be a lingering shower early, mainly north and east.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. There might be a lingering shower early, mainly north and east. South Africa: Law enforcement ready to ensure safe SONA Law enforcement agencies deployed for tonights State of the Nation Address (SONA) have been urged not to hesitate to enforce the law should any unruly or criminal behaviour rear its ugly head during and after proceedings. Police Minister Bheki Cele made the call on Thursday during a parade outside the Cape Town City Hall, the venue for the 2022 SONA. President Cyril Ramaphosa will at 7pm deliver the annual speech at the city hall after large sections of Parliament were gutted in a devastating fire in January. Members of the SAPS and other security forces have been deployed in and around Cape Town, to ensure the safety and security of the event on Thursday evening. The deployment comprises SAPS, SANDF, National Traffic Police, the Western Capes Provincial Traffic Police and City of Cape Towns Metro Police services. "You have that Constitutional obligation of enforcing the law. I just hope that there will be very less that will force you to enforce the law. But if needs be, dont hesitate to respond with speed, don't hesitate to protect all inhabitants that will be here. Protect life, protect property and make sure that everything goes accordingly. Emphasising his call, Cele urged the officers to be "kind, but very firm". He urged invited Members of Parliament, politicians, visitors and guests to behave, saying this would make life easy for the police. "We don't want any confrontation. We don't want any form of fighting. But if you order confrontation, be assured you will get confrontation. If you order any form of war, be sure you will get that kind of response. "We are not going to lie down and allow people to walk over us. But don't start the war. But if anybody starts anything remember that you have a right to enforce the law. You uphold it and enforce it. The City of Cape Town handed the City Hall to Parliament on 1 February. Subsequently, Parliament handed over the building to the SAPS for its safety. "It remains your obligation with your colleagues... that you would walk in unison to protect and save and to make sure that the people of South Africa that will be here, are safe and protected. He said there had in recent times been a spate of incidents which made South Africans question the level of safety and security in the country. "We want to assure South Africans that South Africa is safe and stable. There is no panic that should take place. nobody should think that South Africa is under any form of attack and therefore people must begin to panic and run around," he said. The Minister said the officers were deployed to assure the safety of the public. "When His Excellency the President speaks at 7pm we will all listen to what the President says. He'll be giving us the marching orders. Surely some of those marching orders, without being presumptuous and taking any thunder from the President, will talk about us and we will talk about the safety of the country. Ensuring safety, he said, should go beyond the SONA. On SONA, he said officers needed to be courteous to the visitors that will be in the City Hall. "Be nice to them as yourself you need to uphold the law. But remind them that as we are nice to them, they should be nice to you," he said. However, he told the officers to make the public aware that law enforcement enforces the law should any crime be committed. He thanked the officers in advance for the work they will be doing on Thursday evening, saying police were under strict instruction to make the precinct safe and not fall victim to any crime. "Continue to do that. When the time comes when the President speaks, be around and make sure that life is safe for all of us. Thank you very much. Now you will have to go and wait and make sure that you make all South Africans safe and feel safe," he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Quincy, IL (62301) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 54F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 54F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Willmar, MN (56201) Today Mostly cloudy. Low 36F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. Low 36F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Manitobas justice minister has called on the federal government to lower the temperature as protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions escalated with a blockade that brought cross-border trade to a halt Thursday. Manitobas justice minister has called on the federal government to "lower the temperature" as protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions escalated with a blockade that brought cross-border trade to a halt Thursday. Dozens of demonstrators in semi-trucks, farm tractors and snowplows blocked Highway 75 in Emerson. They stopped international traffic in both directions and left drivers, including truckers, stranded for hours. It was estimated more than 40 vehicles were involved in the blockade, which began at about 12 a.m. and continued throughout the day despite a winter storm. Governments and police agencies faced pressure to break up protests in Emerson and Winnipeg. Provincial Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said he doesnt support demonstrations that prevent cross-border travel or create noise or traffic disruption for residents, but he welcomes the right to protest. "I dont think that is the right action," he said of the blockade. "I want those lanes open." Provincial Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said he doesnt support demonstrations that prevent cross-border travel or create noise or traffic disruption for residents, but he welcomes the right to protest. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press files) He stopped short of telling protesters to go home, though he acknowledged the demonstrations "cant go on forever." Shifting blame and responsibility, he appeared to suggest Ottawa should engage with the so-called "freedom convoy," which has staged nationwide demonstrations against a federal vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers. He sidestepped a question which pointed out the Manitoba protests also take aim at his governments restrictions, and suggested the province isnt willing to take a lead role in ending the demonstrations. Goertzen took aim at the federal government, saying it needs to "bring rhetoric down" to end "divisiveness" in Canada. It is up to the federal government and RCMP to defuse the situation at the international border, he said. "We all want to see the situation be deescalated, but the province has to take some action to achieve that goal." NDP Leader Wab Kinew NDP Leader Wab Kinew called Goertzens stance an abdication of leadership. "We all want to see the situation be de-escalated, but the province has to take some action to achieve that goal," he said. In Winnipeg, Goertzen said the province has encouraged "dialogue" between police and protesters whove been camped outside the Manitoba Legislative Building for a week. "Politicians cant direct police operations," the Steinbach MLA said. Speaking in the House of Commons, interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen called on the Ottawa protest to end for the sake of the economy. People block highway 75 and access to the Canada/US border crossing at Emerson with heavy trucks and farm equipment Thursday. The blockade was a rally against provincial and federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates and a show of support for similar protests in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods Mirroring blockades at ports of entry in Coutts, Alta., and Windsor, Ont., Emerson protest organizers called for an end to the vaccine mandate for truckers and Manitobas public health orders. RCMP officers attempted to speak to protest leaders as the demonstration shut down Manitobas main border crossing and a key North American trade route used by hundreds of trucks every day. An RCMP spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Dave Carlson, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Emerson-Franklin, said the convoy of 40 to 60 vehicles allowed livestock trucks to pass through as border stations in Emerson and Pembina, N.D., remained open. Drivers were urged to use different ports of entry. The Canada Border Services Agency is working with law enforcement to restore normal operations, said spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy. The blockade meant Emerson truck driver Yness Boily, who crosses the border every day, couldnt work. As long as that highway is closed, I cant work. If I cant work, I cant support my family. Yness Boily Angered, Boily blocked the protests command centre because, he said, the vehicles had cut off access to a side road that leads to Emerson. He ended his own blockade when the group agreed to move the protest to the south side of the access road, allowing southbound traffic to enter the town or turn around and head north. Boily, who is fully vaccinated, called on the RCMP to break up the protest. "As long as that highway is closed, I cant work. If I cant work, I cant support my family," the 42-year-old said. Ron Koslowsky, Manitoba division vice-president of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters association, said border blockades, like the one at Emerson, must end because they disrupt the crucial flow of goods. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods Ron Koslowsky, Manitoba division vice-president of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters association, said border blockades must end because they disrupt the crucial flow of goods. "You have to allow for protest, but when they become a blockage to doing the work that needs to be done, thats holding the whole country up for ransom," he said. Boily and Carlson urged the demonstrators to keep at least one lane open in both directions. Carlson worried the blockade would impede emergency vehicles if they had to respond to a critical incident on either side of the boundary. Emersons fire department has a mutual aid agreement with Pembina, N.D. The truckers have said they will be there for an indeterminate time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods "Everyone has the right to protest," he said. "I know my fire chief is concerned about being able to get to calls. I just want everyone to be safe." Simon Resch, co-owner of the Emerson Duty Free Shop, was forced to close his business near the border. "When there is no business, I can only lock the doors and seal the building. We dont know when we will be able to reopen," he said. Simon Resch, owner operator of the Emerson Duty Free Shop. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods The truckers have said they will be there for an indeterminate time, but Resch expects the blockade will be in place into next week. Protesters in downtown Winnipeg said a handful of vehicles had travelled south to Emerson to take part in the border blockade. Organizers of the Winnipeg protest said they are not involved in the border blockade. More than 30 tractor-trailer cabs, campers and pieces of farm equipment, and a portable office trailer still occupy streets near the legislative grounds. More protesters are expected to arrive Saturday. Following complaints from fed-up residents, city council is considered seeking a court injunction to restore "common order" around the area. When there is no business, I can only lock the doors and seal the building. We dont know when we will be able to reopen. Simon Resch, coowner of the Emerson Duty Free Shop Council voted to ask the public service to recommend "significant fine increases" for "noise nuisance" offences that last more than 24 hours, as well as any offences that obstruct or impede emergency vehicles. In a statement, protest organizers said they are complying with requests from Winnipeg police to have a "peaceful and respectful" rally. Drivers are to limit honking to the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and honk for two minutes at the top of every hour, said the organizers, who requested a meeting with Premier Heather Stefanson. The premier didnt speak to the media Thursday but issued a statement saying she had met virtually with Mayor Bowman and the two agreed to "keep the lines of communication open." The two leaders called on protesters near the legislature "to remember to be respectful of the rights of others to live and work downtown in peace." with files from Danielle Da Silva, Kevin Rollason, Joyanne Pursaga and Dylan Robertson chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @ChrisKitching Winnipeg may be inching closer to having a million citizens, but its Niverville and West St. Paul that have won the popularity contest. Winnipeg may be inching closer to having a million citizens, but its Niverville and West St. Paul that have won the popularity contest. The bedroom communities are two of the fastest-growing areas in the country, figures from the 2021 census show. Statistics Canada recorded 749,607 Winnipeggers in the 2021 census, up 6.3 per cent from 705,244 in the 2016 census. Manitoba has grown by five per cent to 1.342 million, the largest percentage increase of the three Prairie provinces. The figures also show it is the first time since the 1940s that the population of the Maritime provinces has grown faster than that of the Prairie provinces. Jeremy Davis, spokesman for Mayor Brian Bowman, said Winnipegs percentage growth was not only 21 per cent faster than the Canadian average of 5.2 per cent, but also outpaced the growth of Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. "While the pandemic has certainly had an impact on the growth of cities across Canada, the fact is that Winnipeg continues to grow," said Davis on Wednesday. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES When you get to a million, companies looking at investing in new markets look closer at us. It really helps the case for Winnipeg, said Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. "Mayor Bowmans vision of growing to a million people is about making the decisions for a population of that size now instead of waiting until its too late. Thanks to the decisions made by this city council, Winnipeg will be in a better position when it reaches a million people." Loren Remillard, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, was buoyed by the news. "This is a good day for Winnipeg," said Remillard. "Approaching one million people is a threshold. Psychologically it has an impact in thinking we are a strong community. "When you get to a million, companies looking at investing in new markets look closer at us. It really helps the case for Winnipeg," he said. Remillard said population growth is good even when it is in other areas of the province. "Too many eggs in one basket may sound attractive, but there can be problems," he said. "It all still benefits Winnipeg. Niverville residents in the capital region still come in to Winnipeg for shopping, for sporting events, for dining." ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Weve now had three censuses of strong growth. Next time, well be very close to being Manitobas next city, says Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck. Niverville was the fifth fastest-growing community across the country while West St. Paul was the 10th. "I didnt expect this at all," said Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck. Population in the town just south of Winnipeg exploded by 29 per cent to 5,947 in 2021 from 4,610 five years earlier. "Im happy to be faced with this. There are opportunities for growth here. Yes, most of the people coming to the community are residents of Winnipeg and, when I ask them why Niverville, what we hear is they want rural living, the perception of more space, and the perception of a safer environment to raise a family," Dyck said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Weve now had three censuses of strong growth. Next time, well be very close to being Manitobas next city." West St. Paul Mayor Cheryl Christian said her community is proud to have its population grow by 24.5 per cent, to 6,682 in 2021 from 5,386 five years earlier. "We are 11 kilometres from downtown Winnipeg," said Christian. "Our services are due to great planning. We have well-planned development. And we have great relationships and partnerships with area municipalities and Winnipeg. "Our residents want to be out here, we are a welcoming community I predict when the next census comes out we will be No. 1 in Manitoba," she said. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca CARLISLE, Pa. (AP) Nearly 60,000 bees have been stolen from a grocery store company's field in Pennsylvania, the company said. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. CARLISLE, Pa. (AP) Nearly 60,000 bees have been stolen from a grocery store company's field in Pennsylvania, the company said. The bees were said to be stolen in Carlisle between Jan. 28 and Jan. 30, Pennlive.com reported Wednesday. In a statement, the Giant Companys community impact manager, Jessica Groves, said that the bees were an essential part of the local food chain that is suffering a declining bee population. We are extremely disappointed that this happened and are continuing to cooperate with Middlesex Township Police Department," Groves said. In 2021, beekeepers in the state reported a loss of 41% of their populations, which was less than the national average loss of 45.5% of bees between April 2020 and 2021. The nationwide loss of bee populations is causing serious concerns with the agricultural industry and environmentalists because about one-third of the United States' food supply relies on bees to pollinate plants, the newspaper said. LONDON (AP) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson couldn't escape his domestic woes during a trip to Belgium and Poland on Thursday aimed at increasing pressure on Russia over its military buildup near Ukraine. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson pauses, during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, following a meeting at the NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Johnson hasn't been able to escape his domestic woes during a trip to Belgium and Poland aimed at increasing pressure on Russia over its troop buildup near Ukraine. Johnson was trying show NATOs resolve in response to Russia massing troops near its neighbors borders. But he faced questions about a police investigation into lockdown-breaching government parties that has shaken his grip on power. (Daniel Leal/Pool via AP) LONDON (AP) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson couldn't escape his domestic woes during a trip to Belgium and Poland on Thursday aimed at increasing pressure on Russia over its military buildup near Ukraine. Johnson was trying to show NATOs resolve in response to Russia massing troops near its neighbors borders. But he faced questions about a police investigation into lockdown-breaching government parties that has shaken his grip on power. And a previous Conservative Prime Minister, John Major, excoriated Johnson in a no-holds-barred speech, saying the governments disregard for rules and truth had corroded democracy and shredded the U.K.s reputation around the world. An anti-Boris Johnson protester holds up a placard calling on him to resign, backdropped by the Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, of the Houses of Parliament, in London, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Boris Johnson has brought in new senior staffers as he tries to restore his flagging authority including a communications chief who insisted the British prime minister is "not a total clown." (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The prime minister and officials broke lockdown laws. Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day the public was asked to believe the unbelievable, Major said in London. Major, who led Britain between 1990 and 1997, said Johnson and his government had treated the truth as optional and believed that they and they alone need not obey the rules. Our democracy requires that the truth and the law should be respected and obeyed, above all by the government," Major said. Deliberate lies to Parliament have been fatal to political careers and must always be so," he added. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a joint press conference with Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday Feb. 10, 2022. (Daniel Leal/Pool via AP) Londons Metropolitan Police force is investigating a dozen parties held in the prime ministers 10 Downing St. office and other government buildings when the U.K. was under coronavirus restrictions. The force is writing to about 50 people, including the prime minister and his wife Carrie Johnson, asking for them to account for their activities on the dates under investigation. Anyone found to have broken the rules faces a fine. Johnsons opponents say he should quit if police found he broke the rules. But he refused to say Thursday whether he would resign if that happened. That process must be completed and I am looking forward to it being completed and thats the time to say more on that, he said during a news conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. In Poland, Johnson said it was demonstrably untrue that his behavior had shredded Britain's international reputation. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Johnson is fighting to extinguish a blaze of controversy over bring your own booze office parties, birthday celebrations and wine time Fridays held by his staff while millions in Britain were barred from meeting with friends and family because of his governments COVID-19 restrictions. In addition to the police probe, a total of 16 parties have been investigated by a senior civil servant, Sue Gray. In an interim report into the four parties not under criminal investigation, Gray found that failures of leadership and judgment enabled events to occur that should not have been allowed to take place and described a Downing Street operation marked by excessive drinking and dysfunctional dynamics. Johnson apologized without admitting personal wrongdoing and shook up his office team in attempt to reassert control. The staff moves are intended to reassure Conservative lawmakers who are debating whether to seek a no-confidence vote in the leader who won them a big parliamentary majority just over two years ago. Johnson wants the focus to be on the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the U.K.s efforts to use a mix of deterrence and diplomacy to resolve it. The prime minister also traveled Thursday to Poland, where he met President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, then visited British troops serving as part of NATOs presence on its eastern flank. The U.K. has also sent hundreds of troops to Estonia and will deploy Royal Air Force jets to southern Europe and two Royal Navy vessels to the eastern Mediterranean. Johnson said the forces would help defend NATO from north to south. Longtime customers of Dominion News are lamenting the impending closure of the quirky store as the sad decline of magazines and downtown Winnipeg. Longtime customers of Dominion News are lamenting the impending closure of the quirky store as the sad decline of magazines and downtown Winnipeg. In pre-internet times, the Portage Avenue mainstay, which will close at the end of this month, was the place to find publications with news and information from around the world. Whatever a persons interest, Dominion News probably had a newspaper or magazine for it. "It had the best magazine section in town. Seeing it close is a disappointment," said Harold Dyck, a customer for more than 40 years. "Its just another sign of the decline of downtown. It used to be the heart of the city. Now, people dont want to come here." Christian Cassidy, a historian and Free Press columnist who has a blog called West End Dumplings, would buy magazines from his familys native Ireland. "It was a fascinating place to look around. The strangest hobby someone could possibly have, they would have magazines about it," he said. "You have to give kudos to an independent retail store that has stuck around for 98 years. Thats two-thirds as long as the city has been around." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In a single visit, professional photographer Ian McCausland would spend up to $40 on photography magazines. "(The closure) is a sad indicator of how things have changed and how people consume news and pursue their interests differently now," said McCausland, a customer for more than 30 years. The Winnipeg Architecture Foundation hopes the building at 262 Portage Ave., which doesnt have heritage status, will be reused in a way where it is accessible to the public. Built for Hurtig Furs in 1935, it is one of the few Art Deco buildings in the city, said Jeffrey Thorsteinson, a historian with the foundation. "It was a cutting-edge style at the time," he said. "The future of the building is tied to the future of downtown. The real threat is retail has evaporated from the downtown core." chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) As Oregons capital city sweltered under a deadly June heat wave, Bryleigh ONeil and three roommates were unable to afford or find air conditioners. FILE - A volunteer helps set up snacks at a cooling center established to help vulnerable residents ride out a dangerous heat wave on Aug. 11, 2021. The historic heat wave, which toppled all-time temperature records, killed more than 200 people in Oregon and Washington. Now, lawmakers in the Pacific Northwest are eyeing several emergency heat relief bills aimed at helping vulnerable populations. The proposed measures would provide millions in funding for cooling systems and weather shelters during future extreme weather events. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus, File) PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) As Oregons capital city sweltered under a deadly June heat wave, Bryleigh ONeil and three roommates were unable to afford or find air conditioners. They spent their days seeking relief from 117-degree (47 C) temperatures in grocery stores and college classrooms. At night, the Salem housemates slept downstairs next to fans blowing over bowls of ice. While none of us had to go to the hospital due to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, many other Oregonians were not this lucky," ONeil said in written testimony to the state's Legislature. The historic heat wave killed at least 200 people in Oregon and Washington. Now, lawmakers in the Pacific Northwest are eyeing several emergency heat relief bills aimed at helping vulnerable people. The measures would provide millions in funding for cooling systems and weather shelters during future extreme weather events. Three consecutive days of extraordinary temperatures in the region sent public health officials scrambling between June 25 and June 28. Temperatures in Portland reached triple digits for three days, peaking at 116 F (46.7 C). In Seattle, temperatures reached a record of 108 F (42 C). An initial scientific analysis by World Weather Attribution found that the deadly heat wave would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change that added a few extra degrees to the record-smashing temperatures. In the western portion of the Pacific Northwest, summers are usually mild and air conditioning units are not as common as they are in other parts of the country. Nationwide, about 91% of U.S. homes have primary air conditioning installed, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureaus 2019 American Housing Survey. By comparison, that figure was 78% for Portland and just 44% for Seattle. Most people who passed away had no access to lifesaving cooling devices such as air conditioning or heating and cooling pumps in their homes, Oriana Magnera, a manager with the environmental justice nonprofit Verde, said to Oregon lawmakers during a public hearing during the ongoing legislative session last week. The first of Oregons two proposed heat relief bills, both of which have received bipartisan support, would direct $5 million to the Oregon Health Authority to create an emergency distribution program that would deliver air conditioners and air filters to low-income families. It would also allocate $10 million to create an incentive program to make it easier for vulnerable households to purchase energy-efficient heat pump cooling systems. In addition, the bill directs the Oregon Public Utility Commission to find ways of alleviating spikes in energy bills during extreme weather events. During the heat wave, hospital emergency department visits for heat illness surged to more than 30 times above normal levels in Multnomah County home to Portland. Despite this, county officials received reports of residents who opted not to operate air conditioning units due to worry about the additional cost. As the frequency and severity of extreme weather increases, fear of bill spikes should not prevent people from relying on the energy they need to stay safe in place, said John Wasiutynski, the director of the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability Director. Oregons second heat relief bill would remove barriers for renters to install portable air conditioning units in their apartments and would require cooling systems in newly constructed rental units. The bill would also allocate $2 million for local and tribal government to create extreme weather relief centers. Lawmakers in two other states have also passed bills focused on expanding and opening cooling shelters in the past three years. In 2019, California lawmakers passed a bill that allows the adjutant general to utilize vacant armories as temporary cooling shelters for homeless people. In 2021, lawmakers in Illinois passed a measure calling for space to be set aside in communities for use as cooling shelters in extreme heat emergencies. In Washington, lawmakers explored a bill that would have expanded the use of air conditioning in senior care homes. However, the measure didnt make a legislative cutoff and likely wont proceed this session unless lawmakers decide to add it as an element to the state budget in the coming weeks. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Washingtons proposed bill would have allocated $5 million to establish a grant program in the Department of Social and Health Services to ensure air conditioning is provided in adult family homes. I know lots of homes here in the Pacific Northwest dont have air conditioning, and most of the year we dont need it, Sen. Mark Mullet, a Democrat from Issaquah who sponsored the bill, said in a written statement introducing the bill. But our swings in weather are getting more extreme, and nowadays a lack of air conditioning can be fatal. ___ Cline 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. ___ Associated Press reporter Rachel La Corte contributed from Olympia, Washington. MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - The Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable is joining a group of doctors to demand the federal government end all COVID-19 testing requirements for passengers. A passenger checks in at Toronto's Pearson Airport on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. The Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable is joining a group of doctors to demand the federal government end all COVID-19 testing requirements for passengers.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - The Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable is joining a group of doctors to demand the federal government end all COVID-19 testing requirements for passengers. In a statement Thursday, the organization says current travel rules are "obsolete" and out of step with other countries that have removed mandatory testing measures, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Denmark. Dr. Zain Chagla, an infectious disease physician at St. Joseph's hospital in Hamilton and an associate professor at McMaster University, says singling out travel for COVID-19 testing "does not make any sense" since it is no riskier than other activities. He says travel rules were designed to keep the virus out of the country, but community spread is now responsible for about 99 per cent of all infections. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Dr. Dominik Mertz, division director of infectious diseases at McMaster, says PCR tests often deliver positive results for weeks after a COVID-19 diagnosis, needlessly barring those infected during the Omicron wave from flying into the country. The Public Health Agency of Canada says the positivity rate for fully vaccinated international travellers entering Canada by air averaged 7.87 per cent in the three weeks between Jan. 2 and Jan. 22. Canada's airports join the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable in calling on the federal government to lay out a plan with a clear timeline for removing travel restrictions, including removing all testing and isolation requirements and blanket travel advisories," Canadian Airports Council interim president Monette Pasher said in a news release. Airports have lost $6 billion in revenue and racked up $3 billion in debt since the pandemic began, she said. "Until restrictions are lifted and all airports reopened to international travel, these costs will continue to mount, jeopardizing our future competitiveness and connectivity." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2022. BELFORT, France (AP) France plans to build six new nuclear reactors and to extend the life of its existing nuclear plants as part of the country's strategy to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday. The European and French National flags are seen next to a nuclear turbine at the GE Steam Power System site in Belfort, eastern France, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. French President Emmanuel Macron is to unveil plans to build new nuclear reactors in the country as part of its energy strategy to reduce planet-warming emissions. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, Pool) BELFORT, France (AP) France plans to build six new nuclear reactors and to extend the life of its existing nuclear plants as part of the country's strategy to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday. Macron said the construction work would start around 2028 so the first new reactor can be launched by 2035. He also asked for studies on potentially expanding the program to eight reactors. I want no reactor that has the capability of producing (electricity) to be closed in the future ... unless obviously for safety reasons, the president said. The move comes amid concerns about spikes in energy prices and France's dependence on global gas and oil producers. Macron announced what he described as the renaissance of the French nuclear in the eastern town of Belfort, the home of GE Energys European headquarters. Before his visit, French electricity giant EDF announced a deal to buy the nuclear turbines branch of the American manufacturer. EDF, which is over 80% owned by the French state, has estimated the construction cost of the six pressurized water reactors, known as EPRs, to be about 50 billion euros ($57 billion). Frances nuclear safety authority agreed last year to extend the operational lifetime of the countrys 32 oldest nuclear reactors by a decade to up to 50 years. Most nuclear reactors were built in the 1980s, meaning they could be shut down in the 2030s. Nuclear energy currently provides about 70% of French electricity, more than in any other country. Macron also announced that a call for projects supported by 1 billion euros ($1.14 billion) in financing will be open to developers of so-called small modular reactors, or SMRs, which are intended to be cheaper and faster to build than traditional nuclear plants. In 2007, France began building an EPR reactor in the Normandy commune of Flamanville, where it already operates a nuclear power plant. But the construction is running over a decade late and its estimated cost has more than tripled. EDF says it plans the reactor to start up next year. The government argues the construction of new nuclear reactors will allow France to meet its commitment to reach carbon neutrality in 2050 and help reduce the countrys dependency on imported fossil fuels. Nuclear energy produces much lower emissions than coal, oil or gas, but nuclear plants are very expensive to build and produce radioactive waste that remains deadly for tens of thousands of years. Anti-nuclear activists have denounced the French push to promote that power source, saying the technology is unsafe and nuclear waste poses a risk for the environment. Frances Climate Action Network, which convenes environmental groups, criticized the relaunch of the country's nuclear industry as a costly option which does not respond to the urgency to get, as soon as in the next decade, a low-carbon electricity without disruption. Instead, the priority must be to make up lost ground on renewable energies, where France is Europes bad student, the group said in a statement Thursday. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Along with outlining France's commitment to nuclear power, Macron said the country plans to massively develop renewable energy sources. He said the country would prioritize multiplying solar tenfold by 2050, create more offshore wind farms and double the power production of land-based wind farms. The initiatives are aimed at making France within 30 years the first big country in the world to move beyond dependency on fossil energies, he said. Macron said the strategy also will support the purchasing power of France's people because over the long term, nuclear and renewable energies will provide a cheaper energy that will be protected from market turbulences. France is resolutely making the choice of its independence and freedom, he concluded. ___ Follow all of AP's climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate The $12.5-million Retrain Manitoba well dried up over a month early as businesses jumped to access subsidized education for employees. The $12.5-million Retrain Manitoba well dried up over a month early as businesses jumped to access subsidized education for employees. Through the provincial government funded-program, companies could receive up to $2,500 per employee to a maximum of $75,000 for training and upskilling. The application deadline was set for March 31, or until funds ran out, which happened Friday. I think it speaks to the demand, said Dayna Spiring, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, which administered the funds. Were coming out of COVID, a lot of businesses have been forced to do things differently and thats required some of their employees to skill up to meet those demands. Over 18,000 workers at 1,365 Manitoba-based businesses and non-profits received training through the program. Retrain Manitoba was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there were few limitations on what skill development programs companies could sign their workers up for. Theres no one that knows their business better than the companies themselves, Spiring said. Thats why this program was designed to put money in the hands of those companies and allow them to do what was best for those employees. Small businesses made up 87 per cent of program registrants. I think it would be really good to have a list available to the public to actually see what employers were granted funds, and what the courses were that employees took, said David Camfield, a labour studies professor at the University of Manitoba. It would be very useful to actually see, what was government money subsidizing? Camfield said. Economic Development Winnipeg kept detailed records of which businesses accessed what training, and which post-secondary institutes were used, Spiring said. The agency plans to analyze the data but hasnt yet done so, she said. Any time that you have a great amount of data, you have to look at it and figure out what it can teach you, she said, adding it could help post-secondary schools adapt their offerings to meet the business worlds needs. The provincial government said its Economic Development Winnipegs call to release the data; the agency couldnt say by print deadline whether a public list would be made available. Marcus Wiebe, owner of Dead Horse Cider Co., applied for Retrain Manitoba funding late last year. It was helpful, because as a growing business, and during a pandemic its kind of tough to do (training), but its very important to do to become a better businessperson, Wiebe said. Three from his eight-person team underwent strategic planning sessions, and management and marketing training via one-on-one discussions with professionals. It just really helped make us more streamlined in a time where you need to be streamlined to succeed, Wiebe said. With rising costs and the pandemic and stuff, margins are smaller, so you have to work more efficiently. Wiebe said he had intended to do this training eventually, but it dropped down the priority list as the pandemic squeezed sales. Darcy Granove, owner and principal landscape architect of Little Bluestem Landscape Architecture, accessed funding as soon as she could. I (was) like, This is too good to be true what are the strings? It was very exciting, Granove said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. She and her crew of five likely wouldnt have been able to do the strategic planning, leadership training, environmental and energy design training and seminars they did had the funding not been available. Granove said she knows entrepreneurs who bought courses for their staff but missed Retrain Manitobas application deadline because of the shortened timeline. I know that that was a bit tough on people for sure, she said, adding theyre footing the bills. Spiring said Economic Development Winnipeg is going through records to see who missed the deadline, but when the fund is gone, its gone. We were very clear from the beginning that there was a fixed amount of funds that we could put towards upskilling employees, she said. gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) The hotel that has served for nearly three decades as the Anchorage-based headquarters for the worlds most famous sled dog race will end its association with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race next year. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) The hotel that has served for nearly three decades as the Anchorage-based headquarters for the worlds most famous sled dog race will end its association with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race next year. The Lakefront Anchorage Hotel will still be race headquarters for this years race and then step away, hotel manager John Bruce and Iditarod Trail Committee Chief Operations Officer Chas St. George told the Anchorage Daily News. The hotels owners, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, announced the change in a statement Wednesday, a day before the races biggest critic, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was expected to protest at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago to denounce the companys support of the Iditarod. PETA held a protest outside the Anchorage hotel last year. Bruce said pressure from PETA was not part of the hotels decision to end its association with the Iditarod. Instead, he said the pandemic has been costly to the business. Hotel guests who would normally attend the race didnt travel during the pandemic and didnt offset the cost of the hotels discounts to support race events. I think this pandemic has affected the hospitality industry probably the most out of any industry, and it was just that, Bruce said. The annual race will have its fan-friendly ceremonial start March 5 in Anchorage, with the real race kicking off the next day in Willow, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The hotel is where mushers register for the Iditarod and where competitors and fans base their Anchorage stays at discounted rates. It also serves as a holding site for dogs dropped from the race. The hotel chain is the latest to ends its association with the race, though it was not an official sponsor. ExxonMobil, Alaska Airlines and Chrysler, through its Anchorage dealership, all ended their support of the race in recent years, joining Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey and Wells Fargo. None cited PETA's protests, which at times included picketers at some company headquarters, as a reason for dropping financial support for the 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometer) race. The animal rights organization says the Iditarod is cruel to dogs. On Wednesday, PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman lauded the news about the Anchorage hotel, saying the champagne corks are popping around the world. PETA can now turn its attention to the shrinking number of sponsors that are still willing to bankroll a race that runs dogs to their deaths, Reiman said in a statement. Hilcorp Alaska, an oil company, and its affiliate Harvest Midstream, GCI and Donlin Gold continue to be the races top sponsors, according to its website. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas legislators signed off Wednesday on the state's largest-ever taxpayer-funded incentives to attract thousands of new jobs even though most didn't know the name of the company or what it plans to make. Kansas Senate Commerce Committee Chair Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, speaks with colleagues after a Senate vote to approve a business incentives bill, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The measure allows the state to offer a single, unnamed company $1 billion or more in breaks in hopes of luring a $4 billion project. (AP Photo/John Hanna) TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas legislators signed off Wednesday on the state's largest-ever taxpayer-funded incentives to attract thousands of new jobs even though most didn't know the name of the company or what it plans to make. The incentives would exceed $1 billion. The measure also cuts corporate income tax rates. The Republican-controlled state Senate approved a bill, 31-9, that would create a new incentives program so the state Department of Commerce could offer a single company hundreds of millions of dollars in breaks once this year and once in 2023. The GOP-controlled House approved the measure Tuesday, so it goes to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Kelly pushed for permission to offer tax credits, payroll subsidies and training funds in time to lure an unnamed company. Officials said the firm plans a $4 billion project and Kansas is competing against another state that some legislators said is Oklahoma. We want to buy these magic beans. We wont tell you where its going to be, what its going to be, just that its going to be great, said state Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Kansas City-area Republican who voted no. Officials who know the company's identity said they were required to sign an agreement not to name it or disclose project details. They said the company expects to make a decision within a few weeks. Backers of the measure argued that Kansas has lost out on other large projects because it can't offer generous enough incentives. Kansas Senate Majority Leader Larry Alley, left, R-Winfield, confers with Senate President Ty Masterson, right, R-Andover, following Senate approval of a business incentives bill, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The bill permits Kansas to offer more than $1 billion to an unnamed company to bring an undisclosed $4 billion project to the state. (AP Photo/John Hanna) This is a tool that will help us be competitive with other states, said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican. Ohio recently offered Intel Corp. incentives worth roughly $2 billion to secure a new $20 billion chipmaking factory. Michigan lawmakers in December approved $1 billion in incentives, two-thirds of it for General Motors for plants to assemble batteries for electric vehicles. Electric vehicle maker Canoo has announced plans to open a factory in northeast Oklahoma next year that is expected to create 2,000 jobs. But Wisconsin scaled back incentives for electronics giant Foxconn. It was supposed to invest $10 billion there and create 13,000 jobs but the deal now is for about 1,450 jobs with an investment of $672 million by 2026. Kellys administration said the facility it's pursuing would be the largest economic development project in Kansas history. Theyve said the company will employ 4,000, and other firms supplying or supporting it would add several thousand more jobs. They said the company would pay an average of $50,000 when the per-person income in Kansas averages less than $32,000. I don't think there's a state in the country that wishes they were not in our position right now to create these kind of jobs with this kind of economic investment, said Sen. Rob Olson, a Kansas City-area Republican. Still, lawmakers in both parties scoffed at being pushed to commit without knowing more. Democratic state Rep. John Carmichael, of Wichita, mockingly suggested that Kansas was landing a pornographic film production studio" and jobs for adult-film actors and camera crews. The problem is, you don't know what kind of business you are betting your constituents' tax dollars and futures on, Carmichael told colleagues during the House's debate. The measure requires the state to cut its corporate tax rates by a half-percentage point for every big deal closed so that all businesses benefit. That would save companies roughly $100 million a year and drop the state's top rate to 6% from 7% if two deals close. Critics worried that the planned incentives are so rich that lawmakers wont have room to consider other proposed tax cuts. Spreadsheets from the House's GOP leaders showed that Kelly's proposed incentives could create a budget shortfall by mid-2026. The measure approved by lawmakers is a little less generous, spreads the incentives out over more years and requires legislative leaders to sign off on deals. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Some lawmakers were not impressed by the gloomy projections. I've never seen a profile that didn't tank the budget in four or five years, said state Sen. Jeff Longbine, an eastern Kansas Republican. The Legislature is required to pass a balanced budget each year, and adjustments are made up and down. ___ Also contributing were David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan; Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and Andrew Welsh-Huggins in Columbus, Ohio. ___ Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna The largest public power company in the U.S. is launching a program to develop and fund new small modular nuclear reactors as part of its strategy to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2019, file photo, a man fishes at William B. Ladd Park near the Kingston Fossil Plant in Kingston, Tenn. The largest public power company in the U.S. is launching a program to develop and fund new small modular nuclear reactors as part of its strategy to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The board for the Tennessee Valley Authority on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 authorized the program to assess moving forward with new nuclear technology, with up to $200 million to be spent for the first phase. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) The largest public power company in the U.S. is launching a program to develop and fund new small modular nuclear reactors as part of its strategy to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The board for the Tennessee Valley Authority on Thursday authorized the program to assess moving forward with new nuclear technology, with up to $200 million to be spent for the first phase. The TVA wants the technology to be available to help power the grid in the 2030s if it proves cost-effective and necessary, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approves. The board met at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The federally owned utility provides electricity to seven states. It has the first U.S. permit for a suitable site for small modular reactors in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, at the Clinch River Nuclear Site. By 2050, it hopes to hit its goal of net-zero emissions, which means the amount of greenhouse gases produced is no more than the amount removed from the atmosphere. Our objective isnt to build one nuclear plant, TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash said in an interview. Our objective is to reach net zero carbon, to support economy-wide decarbonization, and to do it at a price and a level of reliability that people can count on. And this is a part of doing that. A recent Associated Press survey of the energy policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia found that a strong majority about two-thirds say nuclear, in one fashion or another, will help take the place of fossil fuels. Roughly one-third of the states and the District of Columbia have no plans to incorporate nuclear power in their green energy goals, instead leaning heavily on renewables to try to stave off the worst effects of a warming planet. FILE - In this April 23, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Valley Authority President Jeff Lyash speaks with the Times Free Press from the TVA Chattanooga Office Complex in Chattanooga, Tenn. The largest public power company in the United States is launching a program to develop and fund new small modular nuclear reactors as part of its strategy to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The board for the Tennessee Valley Authority on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 authorized the program, with up to $200 million to be spent for the first phase. (C.B. Schmelter/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP) The split over nuclear power in U.S. states mirrors a similar debate unfolding in Europe, where countries including Germany are phasing out their reactors while others, such as France, are sticking with the technology or planning to build more plants. The head of the U.N. nuclear agency said in November that he sees atomic power playing a key role in balancing climate concerns and the worlds energy needs. Lyash said the TVA can reduce carbon emissions by about 80% using solar and wind power, existing nuclear plants and hydroelectric dams, and by reducing demand through energy efficiency efforts, without sacrificing reliable, resilient, low-cost power. But the smaller nuclear reactors that companies are developing now are crucial to getting the rest of the way and increasing electricity production, along with other new technologies, he added. The utility now operates three nuclear plants the nations third largest nuclear fleet to supply more than 40% of the region's energy. Lyash told the board Thursday that for the Clinch River site, the TVA is focused on GE Hitachi's design for a small modular reactor that uses light water like all U.S. commercial reactors. The TVA is also collaborating with Kairos Power to build a test reactor, a demonstration project that wouldn't be for commercial use, in Oak Ridge. The Union of Concerned Scientists has cautioned that nuclear technology still comes with significant risks that other low-carbon energy sources dont, including the danger of accidents or targeted attacks for both the radioactive waste and the reactors, and the unresolved question of how to store hazardous nuclear waste. Grant Smith, a senior energy policy adviser at the Environmental Working Group, said small reactors are going to be a total financial debacle because the cost of nuclear power never comes down, with costs and risks shifted to ratepayers. You really dont need them," he said in an interview. "Why keep dumping money into a technology that has been a financial disaster from the beginning? The TVA had plans decades ago to build 17 large reactors at seven sites. The utility sank more than $8 billion in the 1970s and 1980s into 10 nuclear reactors that were canceled before they were finished scrapping most of what then was the nations most costly and ambitious nuclear program. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Lyash said they're now taking a far more conservative approach: They're not launching into a program to build multiple reactors on multiple sites because they've learned many lessons over 50 years. If one reactor can't be planned and built on schedule and on budget, they won't scale up, he added. The initial funding will be used for the design, licensing and project development to potentially build GE Hitachi's reactor. State-regulated utilities could face skepticism over the potential cost to customers of nuclear reactors, though. Two more-traditional large nuclear reactors being built in Georgia have more than doubled in overall cost, to more than $28 billion. Similar reactors that were under construction in South Carolina were scrapped, driving a utility to be sold in distress and resulting in a criminal conviction of the former CEO for fraud. The NRC has approved just one of the new, small modular reactor designs: from an Oregon company called NuScale Power, in August 2020. Several other companies are planning to apply for their designs. That includes a project by Bill Gates company, TerraPower, in Wyoming, the nations largest coal-producing state. ____ Associated Press writer Jeff Amy in Atlanta contributed to this report. IGHRAN, Morocco (AP) The death of a 5-year-old boy trapped for days in the dark depths of a well symbolizes for many villagers a curse that haunts their remote mountainous region in northern Morocco: dirt poor, neglected and dependent on its illegal cannabis crop to survive. IGHRAN, Morocco (AP) The death of a 5-year-old boy trapped for days in the dark depths of a well symbolizes for many villagers a curse that haunts their remote mountainous region in northern Morocco: dirt poor, neglected and dependent on its illegal cannabis crop to survive. The well that swallowed Rayan was dug by his father in a vain bid to forage for water so he could grow cannabis, or marijuana. Rayans mother, Wassima Khersheesh, bitterly referred to the well that took her son as that hole of dust. Rayans plight riveted world attention during five days of grim but vain efforts to save the little boy. Hundreds of Moroccans kept watch as rescue workers dug a parallel hole to extract the child from the 32-meter-deep (105-foot-deep) well outside his small brick home. Volunteers poured in hoping to lend a hand, including a man with snorkeling gear and a skinny boy whose father thought he could slip into the dark hole. Despite five days of heroic efforts, Rayan was dead when rescuers finally pulled him from the well last weekend. Such wells, many far deeper, dot the rugged Rif region, dug by villagers in need of water for their cannabis plants. The well outside Rayans home was abandoned because his father, Khaled Oram, couldnt afford to dig deeper like some neighbors. He now does odd jobs in nearby villages. As the saying goes, the one who cooks the poison has to taste it, said Mohammed, a relative of Rayan who, like other villagers, identified himself only by his first name. Many cited concern for their illegal farming of cannabis. Mohammed is among those who grows cannabis, long a vital crop for the economy of the village and the region. He showed an Associated Press reporter his own working well at some 90 meters (nearly 300 feet) deep, it is three times the depth of the abandoned well that swallowed Rayan. The smell of cannabis, which includes marijuana and hemp plants, permeates the air in Ighran, home to up to 1,000 people. Young men trying to stay warm as rescuers worked to dig out Rayan smoked hashish, a cannabis derivative, around bonfires. Sacks of the cannabis plant were seen around the house of Rayans grandfather, where the wake for the little boy was held. For the government of Morocco a top world producer of cannabis the illegal growing of the crop, centered in the Rif region, is diminishing. An Interior Ministry report presented to a parliamentary commission last April said an estimated 400,000 people farm the illegal crop, helping around 60,000 families, according to Moroccan media reports. Among the main centers of production is Chefchaouen, the province where Ighran is located. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The government mostly turns a blind eye to the illegal farming. But for many villagers, it represents a stain on their reputation. Saeed, a former villager, complained about the lack of the three important things: water, electricity and education. He moved to the large city of Tetouan to spare his children, opening a clothing shop. Hidden in the Rif mountains, Ighram is reached by narrow dirt roads and then a short hike. Villagers claim that rescuers arrived late at the well where Rayan was trapped because of the difficult access. Neglect of the vast Rif region, known for its rebellious streak, goes back decades, and monarchs. King Hassan II never set foot in the Rif, crushing uprisings there in 1959 and 1984. His son and current ruler Mohamed VI broke the pattern, and in 2018 gave his yearly Throne Speech in nearby Al Hoceima. Masoud, a young man whose family farms cannabis, said that people fear being stopped by police because their ID card showing they are from the region makes law enforcement suspicious. If we didnt live off kif (cannabis), we would have been braver to ask for our rights, Masoud said. But we are under its sword. Novavax announced Thursday that its COVID-19 vaccine proved safe and effective in a study of 12- to 17-year-olds. FILE - A vial of the Phase 3 Novavax coronavirus vaccine prepared for use in a trial at St. George's University hospital in London on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. On Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, Novavax announced that its protein-based COVID-19 vaccine proved safe and effective in a study of 12- to 17-year-olds. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File) Novavax announced Thursday that its COVID-19 vaccine proved safe and effective in a study of 12- to 17-year-olds. Novavax makes a protein-based vaccine -- a different type than the most widely used shots -- thats a late arrival to the COVID-19 arsenal. Its shots have been cleared for use in adults by regulators in Britain, Europe and elsewhere and by the World Health Organization, and are under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Armed with the new data, Novavax plans to soon seek expanded use of its shots down to age 12. Later this year, it plans to begin testing in younger children. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The latest study enrolled 2,247 U.S. kids ages 12 to 17 last summer and found the two-dose vaccine was 80% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection. That was when the extra-contagious delta variant was circulating. The company said six vaccine recipients developed mild COVID-19 compared to 14 kids who received dummy shots. There were no serious infections. In June, Maryland-based Novavax announced its vaccine was about 90% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 in a study of nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and Mexico. More recently, it has cited laboratory data suggesting the vaccine offers some protection against the more contagious omicron variant although a booster worked better. The Novavax vaccine is made with lab-grown copies of the spike protein that coats the coronavirus, mixed with an immune-boosting chemical. Thats similar to shots used for years against other diseases such as hepatitis B. It's a different technology than the Pfizer and Moderna options that deliver genetic instructions for the body to make its own spike protein. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A strain of avian flu that can cause high mortality rates among birds hasn't spread to neighboring farms since it was confirmed at a commercial turkey farm in southern Indiana, state officials said Thursday. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A strain of avian flu that can cause high mortality rates among birds hasn't spread to neighboring farms since it was confirmed at a commercial turkey farm in southern Indiana, state officials said Thursday. Poultry farms with a 10-kilometer (6.2-miles) control area around the infected Dubois County farm have completed an initial round of surveillance testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza, and all of the tests were negative, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health said. Testing of the control-area farms will continue on a weekly basis, the agency said. The 18 commercial poultry flocks within the control area are under quarantine until further notice, it said. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Animal Health Board staff have reached out to known hobby/backyard poultry owners in the control area to schedule testing of birds there, it said. State officials have euthanized 29,000 turkeys at the inected farm to prevent the spread of the disease, said Denise Derrer Spears, a spokeswoman for the Animal Health Board. The agency said avian influenza does not present an immediate public health concern and no human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the U.S. The turkey infections are the first confirmation of highly pathogenic bird flu in commercial poultry in the U.S. since 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has said. A January 2016 outbreak of bird flu in Dubois County affected 11 poultry farms, resulting in the loss of more than 400,000 birds, the Animal Health Board said. Indiana ranks third nationally in turkey production. WASHINGTON (AP) States are getting the go-ahead to build a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations that would place new or upgraded ones every 50 miles (80 kilometers) along interstate highways as part of the Biden administrations plan to spur widespread adoption of the zero-emission cars. FILE - Chargers for electric cars are displayed at an opening ceremony for a Revel electric vehicle charging hub in the Brooklyn borough of New York, on June 29, 2021. The Biden administration is launching its long-awaited plan Feb. 10, 2022, to build out a network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations, pledging $5 billion to states that focus first on stops along interstate highways that could spur a new era of zero-emission travel coast to coast. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) WASHINGTON (AP) States are getting the go-ahead to build a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations that would place new or upgraded ones every 50 miles (80 kilometers) along interstate highways as part of the Biden administrations plan to spur widespread adoption of the zero-emission cars. The administration on Thursday announced the availability of $5 billion in federal money to states over five years under President Joe Biden's infrastructure law, sketching out a vision of seamless climate-friendly car travel from coast to coast. Under Transportation Department requirements, states must submit plans to the federal government and can begin construction by this fall if they focus first on highway routes, rather than neighborhoods and shopping centers, that can allow people to take their electric vehicles long distances. Each station would need to have at least four fast-charger ports, which enable drivers to fully recharge their vehicles in about an hour. Many technical details are to be worked out, and the administration acknowledges it will take work to persuade drivers accustomed to gas-powered cars, particularly in rural areas. The money is far less than the $15 billion that Biden had envisioned to fulfill a campaign promise of 500,000 charging stations by 2030, and it may take substantial private investment to make the plan work. A century ago, America ushered in the modern automotive era; now America must lead the electric vehicle revolution, said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who will have final signoff over most aspects of the funding. Buttigieg made the announcement in front of the Transportation Department along with White House officials, flanked by a pair of black Ford Mustang Mach-E SUVs in the federal governments growing electric fleet that he and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm drive. The vehicle's retail price starts around $44,000 and climbs to $60,000-plus including options, and they are currently made in Mexico. Buttigieg made a special appeal to rural drivers, suggesting that big wide open spaces of the U.S. no longer need to be a valley of death for EV drivers. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, second from right, speaks during an event at the Transportation Department in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, announcing a historic investment in the U.S. electric vehicle charging networks. Joining Buttigieg is, from left, White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, and White House infrastructure coordinator Mitch Landrieu. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Many might think of them as a luxury item," he said. The reality is nobody benefits more from EVs in principle than those who drive the longest distances, often our rural Americans." The law provides an additional $2.5 billion for local grants, planned for later this year, to fill remaining gaps in the charging network in rural areas and in disadvantaged communities, which currently are less likely to own the higher-priced electric vehicles. States failing to meet all the federal requirements risk delays in getting approval from the Federal Highway Administration or not getting money at all. Biden also has set a goal of 50% electric vehicle sales by 2030, part of a broader effort to become zero emissions economy-wide by 2050. Electric vehicles amounted to less than 3% of U.S. new auto sales last year, but forecasters expect big increases in the next decade. Consumers bought about 400,000 fully electric vehicles. According to a Consumer Reports survey, anxiety about limited range and the availability of charging stations were among the top concerns consumers had about owning an EV. Biden hopes to do even more to promote electric vehicles, including a provision in his stalled social and environmental bill for a $7,500 tax credit for people who buy electric vehicles. Its going to help ensure that America leads the world on electric vehicles, Biden said this week about American companies expanding EV infrastructure. China has been leading the race up to now, but this is about to change, he said. Because America is building convenient, reliable, equitable national public charging networks. So wherever you live, charging an electric vehicle will be quick and easy. Granholm described the initial $5 billion investment as creating the spine of the national network. Alluding to surging gasoline prices, said the aim of the new stations is to build the necessary infrastructure for drivers across America to save money and go the distance. The environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council praised the administration's quick start but said much work remains to be done. It said states, utilities and private companies will need to step up and fill gaps in funding to ensure a full public charging system by 2035, estimated to cost as much as $39 billion. We have no time to lose," the group said in a statement. Currently, electric vehicle owners charge their vehicles at home 80% of the time, making the need for EV charging stations at colleges, apartment building parking lots or even public streets less urgent. But that is likely to change as more people who dont have a garage to house a charging station buy EVs. Under the Transportation Department plan, states would be eligible to build out EV stations in neighborhoods and cities once FHWA and Buttigieg certify they have done their part to fulfill commitments to the highway EV charging network, known as alternative fuel corridors. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Direct-current fast chargers, which can charge a car up to 80% of its battery capacity in 20 to 45 minutes, are quite expensive, costing $40,000 to $100,000, limiting the number that can be built, but they enable drivers to quickly get back on a road such as a highway. Jessika Trancik, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who studies EV charging, called the administrations approach a good first step. She said a successful strategy to spur wider EV use will require charging stations in a host of different locations, including faster charging along highways and slower charging near homes and workplaces. Even with limited resources, she said, federal money could be distributed to accelerate private investment, with greater government incentives for areas that might otherwise be underserved by the private sector. Its not about government going out and installing every one of these chargers themselves, she said. Its also about nudging private sector investment. ___ AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher in Detroit and Associated Press Writer Matthew Daly in Washington contributed to this report. VICTORIA - Illicit toxic drugs in British Columbia cause more deaths than all other unnatural causes combined, the provinces chief coroner said Wednesday as she called for an end to old prevention measures that have been "an abject and very costly failure." B.C. Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe speaks during a news conference in the press gallery at the Legislature in Victoria, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021. Lapointe says the old way of preventing overdoses by making them a crime isn't working. There were 2,224 suspected overdoses deaths from toxic drugs in B.C. last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito VICTORIA - Illicit toxic drugs in British Columbia cause more deaths than all other unnatural causes combined, the provinces chief coroner said Wednesday as she called for an end to old prevention measures that have been "an abject and very costly failure." Lisa Lapointe said that 2,224 suspected overdose deaths were recorded in the province in 2021, a 26 per cent rise over the previous year. There were 215 deaths in December, five more than in November. "It is with tremendous sadness, that I report that our province is in a worse place than it has ever been in this drug toxicity crisis," Lapointe told a news conference Wednesday. Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson said it was with a heavy heart that she received the coroner's report of suspected overdose deaths. "We must do more to prevent this tragic loss of life," Malcolmson said at a news conference. She said while the government adds new addiction and overdose prevention services and supports almost weekly, "we face a rising tide of need." B.C. declared a public health emergency in 2016 when the powerful opioid fentanyl began showing up in deaths. Since then more than 8,800 residents have died from illicit drug overdoses. While fentanyl was present in 83 per cent of toxicology results from 2021, Lapointe said a "significant concern" is the rise in benzodiazepines. Post-mortem toxicology findings from July 2020, showed the sedative benzodiazepines in 15 per cent of samples, which increased to 50 per cent in December, she said. "This is a particular concern, as benzodiazepines significantly impair the life-saving effects of naloxone used to treat opioid poisoning." People pause for a moment of silence to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The B.C. Coroners Service announced that 2,224 people died from a suspected illicit drug overdose in 2021. The Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) and B.C. Association of People on Opiate Maintenance distributed a tested supply of illicit drugs to users after the gathering in a call for a safer drug supply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck She said people administer the opioid-reversing drug as much as five times and it still isn't effective. Lapointe said more people are also dying after smoking drugs. Safe consumption sites for inhalation are "very few and far between," she added. "We believe that they think that it may be safer," she said. "But it is not. Smoking is just as dangerous." The average number of deaths per day in 2021 was 6.1, but Lapointe said the number climbed to about seven each day in the last two months of the year. The majority of those who died were male between the ages of 30 and 59, and youth under 19 represent about one per cent of the deaths, she said. The average age of death due to drug toxicity was 44, she added. "Toxic drugs in B.C. cause far more deaths than all other unnatural deaths combined." The status quo has cost the province millions in policing, emergency response, short and long-term health care and incarceration while creating social mayhem in communities, making enormous profits for the drug trade and devastating lives, she said. "It's hard to see why anybody thinks that that's an effective system," Lapointe said. "If the criminalization of drugs and drug users was supposed to reduce harm and prevent death, it is clearly an abject and very costly failure. It has resulted in shame, fear and punishment for people of all ages and for all walks of life." Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said during a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday that it has become apparent the two health crises are intertwined. Getting through the next phase of the pandemic is vital to helping people caught in the toxic drug crisis, she said. "And it is such a challenging thing to know that no matter what we do, it's still affecting all of us." Leslie McBain, co-founder of the group Moms Stop the Harm, said there has been little tangible action to stop overdoses since the public health emergency was declared. "This isnt about more treatment beds, more ads on bus shelters; its about a full health-care sector response led by the government to develop a continuum of care to support people who use drugs in our province," McBain said in a news release. The Opposition Liberals said in a statement B.C. is in a worse position than it has ever been during the overdose crisis. We need a coherent, provincewide strategy throughout B.C., so that when someone reaches out for help, they can immediately get the services they need and can afford them," said Trevor Halford, mental health and addictions critic. Lapointe noted that the coroners service found that prescribed safe supplies of drugs did not appear to contribute to the death toll. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Along with more access to safe supplies, she said there is a need for evidence-based treatment and recovery programs. "In the face of the prospect of hundreds more lives lost many more of these programs are needed on an urgent basis," Lapointe said. "People are dying on waiting lists. There are barriers everywhere." By Hina Alam in Vancouver This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2022. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said toxic drug deaths caused more deaths than all other natural causes. ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A dentist with practices across Atlantic Canada has been sanctioned in Newfoundland and Labrador for allowing a correctional officer to extract "one or more" teeth from a sedated inmate while another officer filmed the procedure with his phone. A dentist works on a patient at a dental clinic on March 7, 2005. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Travis Heying-The Wichita Eagle ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A dentist with practices across Atlantic Canada has been sanctioned in Newfoundland and Labrador for allowing a correctional officer to extract "one or more" teeth from a sedated inmate while another officer filmed the procedure with his phone. A Dec. 9 decision from a Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Board tribunal says the incident took place on Oct. 16, 2020, at the Gander, N.L., office of Dr. Louis Bourget. The document says Bourget instructed the correctional officer on how to use forceps to remove several teeth from the mouth of Blair Harris, who was an inmate in the provincial correctional system at the time. "In fact, based on what Dr. Bourget reports a video of the event as showing, it is more than one tooth," the decision says. "In the video he showed the correctional officer how to hold the forceps to pick up four teeth." The decision describes in some detail how the correctional officer removed the teeth, in one case using "a twist of his wrist" and in another pulling so hard the tooth flew out and hit the wall in the clinic. The decision states the board has not been able to see the video that was shot, "despite its best efforts and despite the efforts of Dr. Bourget to make it available." However, Bourget has seen the video, and he described its contents to the board, the decision says. "We are shocked and disgusted by what went on," says the decision, which is signed by Dr. Daniel Greene and Dr. Glen Crane. The decision followed a Nov. 20 hearing on four charges faced by Bourget under the provincial Dental Act. Bourget pleaded guilty to all charges and included an admission statement along with the agreed statement of facts. The tribunal decision says that during the hearing Bourget's lawyer "characterized his clients actions as ludicrous, foolish, mindless, and unthinking." "To that we would add the words shocking, horrifying, and disgusting," the decision says. "Indeed, it is difficult to conceive what would have possessed Dr. Bourget to have permitted such things as went on, to go on." Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. His licence to practise in Newfoundland and Labrador was suspended for six months, and he was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine, as well as $22,500 to cover part of the cost of the investigation and hearing. His practice will also be monitored for two years. Bourget's website says he is an oral surgeon based in Dartmouth, N.S., with satellite locations in New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Nova Scotia's dental board has also disciplined Bourget, requiring him to complete a "remedial module" at Dalhousie University about ethics and professional duties. A notice on the board's website said a disciplinary committee approved a settlement agreement on June 11, 2021, stipulating a licence suspension of almost five months "on a time served basis." The RCMP said on Feb. 5, 2021, that Bourget and two correctional officers had been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in relation to the incident. A court docket shows Bourget and one officer, Ronald McDonald, are scheduled to appear in provincial Supreme Court on March 2. St. John's lawyer Rosellen Sullivan says the charges against her client, correctional officer Roy Goodyear, were dismissed in a preliminary hearing last November. "The case against my client was incredibly, incredibly weak," Sullivan said in an interview Wednesday. Both the Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador dental boards say a criminal conviction could result in further disciplinary action. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2022. OTTAWA - The Ontario government says it has successfully petitioned a court to freeze access to millions of dollars donated through online fundraising platform GiveSendGo to the convoy protesting COVID-19 restrictions in Ottawa and at several border crossings. Trucks, now parked perpendicular to Wellington Street, are seen in front of the Chateau Laurier as a protest against COVID-19 restrictions that has been marked by gridlock and the sound of truck horns reaches its 14th day, in Ottawa, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Parliamentarians will hear from the crowdfunding site GoFundMe about what measures it has in place to prevent the funding of extremism. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - The Ontario government says it has successfully petitioned a court to freeze access to millions of dollars donated through online fundraising platform GiveSendGo to the convoy protesting COVID-19 restrictions in Ottawa and at several border crossings. The province obtained an order from the Superior Court of Justice that prohibits anyone from distributing donations made through the website's "Freedom Convoy 2022" and "Adopt-a-Trucker" campaign pages, said a spokeswoman for Premier Doug Ford. Ivana Yelich said the order binding "any and all parties with possession or control over these donations" was issuedThursday afternoon. She cited a section of the Criminal Code that allows the attorney general to apply for a restraint order against any "offence-related property." Hundreds of semi-trucks rolled into downtown Ottawa two weeks ago to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and health restrictions and now trucks are also blockading border crossings in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Donors initially raised more than $10 million through GoFundMe, which announced last Friday it was pulling the plug on the campaign and that the money would be refunded. The site said it initially believed the demonstration was going to be peaceful, but withdrew its support after police and local leaders raised concerns it had become an "occupation." Convoy organizers quickly set up new campaigns on Christian fundraising site GiveSendGo. As of Thursday, "Freedom Convoy 2022" had raised $US8.4 million and "Adopt-a-Trucker" had amassed more than $686,000. GiveSendGo posted a statement on Twitter Thursday night about its "Freedom Convoy" campaign. "Know this! Canada has absolutely ZERO jurisdiction over how we manage our funds here at GiveSendGo," it said. "All funds for EVERY campaign on GiveSendGo flow directly to the recipients of those campaigns, not least of which is The Freedom Convoy campaign." Organizers have also touted the cryptocurrency Bitcoin as another way to generate funds for protesters and avoid other potential fundraising shutdowns, including during a news conference that was livestreamed to supporters on Wednesday. Ontario's move to freeze access to the donations comes the same day as an all-party House of Commons committee of MPs heard testimony from deputy directors of Canada's financial intelligence hub about how it doesn't cover crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe. Fintrac has a mandate to identify money linked to terrorist financing and money laundering from reports it receives each year from entities including banks, insurance companies, money service businesses and casinos. It doesn't investigate potential crimes or stop money from flowing, but passes its intelligence onto police. Fintrac deputy director Barry MacKillop testified that it doesn't regulate crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe and so wouldn't receive from it reports of suspicious transactions. The payment services that users rely on to send money to crowdfunding campaigns, like PayPal, and the banks that in turn deposit the cash do fall under is reporting requirements, the MPs heard. "The intersection with the crowdfunding platforms and our financial institutions is a must in order to disperse the money," he said. "If the money were going through a Canadian bank, for example, and directed to the Proud Boys they're a listed terrorist organization. That money would be stopped by the bank." Annette Ryan, another deputy director at Fintrac, testified this gives them a line of sight into the crowdfunding sector. At the outset, MacKillop said Fintrac doesn't discuss intelligence disclosures made to police. But when it comes to the protest unfolding in Ottawa, he said there hasn't been an upswing in suspicious transactions being reported. "We have not seen a spike," he said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Among one of the questions MPs had about the millions being generated for protesters through crowdfunding sites was the appearance funds were being sent anonymously. MacKillop says while the public may not get to see who is making donations, that doesn't make them anonymous. He pointed out donors must use credit cards to send money and the fact that GoFundMe offered up refunds after it shut down the protesters' campaign demonstrates it has the information it needs to identify an individual. Earlier Thursday, NDP MP Alistair MacGregor announced the committee would hear directly from representatives from GoFundMe about what measures it has in place to prevent the funding of extremism. MacGregor brought forward the motion and said they will appear March 3. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2022. A Winnipeg woman never knew she had a sister until she took a home DNA test a few weeks ago. A Winnipeg woman never knew she had a sister until she took a home DNA test a few weeks ago. Now, Raelene Recksiedler, 52, is looking forward to meeting her half-sister (younger by 44 days) for the first time this spring. "Im going to get a Jeannes (Bakery) cake how Winnipeg is that? We have 52 years worth of birthdays to celebrate," Recksiedler said this week. "And I said: Ill also take you to Salisbury House you have to have a nip. She said, Someone will bite me? No, I said it is a hamburger." Helene Schmidt (left) and Raelene Recksiedler, have different mothers and share the same dad, Ray Kobold. (Supplied) Recksiedler is set to meet Helene Schmidt, of Colorado Springs, Colo., in April, when temperatures become more humane for a person who hasnt lived in Manitoba since she was just a few months old. Schmidt was born July 16, 1969; Recksiedler on Aug. 29, 1969. Both women have different mothers and share the same dad, Ray Kobold. He died in August 1987. They also share something else: the genetic neurological disorder neurofibromatosis (NF). The disorder can affect the brain, nerves and skin, with tumours growing under the skin or on the bodys nerves. "When I first talked to her I said, Do you have NF? and she said she found out she had it when she was 18. I told her our dad had NF, and I have NF, too," Recksiedler said. When I first talked to her (Helene Schmidt) I said, Do you have NF? and she said she found out she had it when she was 18. I told her our dad had NF, and I have NF, too. Raelene Recksiedler Thats when they learned they share one more thing: both women have two children, with one of each also diagnosed with NF. Schmidt said she was given up for adoption by her birth mother to child protection authorities in Winnipeg and adopted by an American couple when she was six months old. "They were from Philadelphia, and they came to Winnipeg and picked me up," said Schmidt. "I lived in Philly until I was four and then (we moved) to California. "My parents had always been open with me about my adoption. Im aware of my birth mom, but thats about all. They said my mother had other kids before me and probably others after me. On the birth records, it said my mother was Cree Indian and father unknown." Helene Schmidt of Colorado Springs as a baby. (Supplied) Schmidt said through the years she has been able to meet a half-brother who shared the same birth mother, but she had run into a dead end on her birth dads side because no one knew his name. She said she learned about the genetic disorder when she tried to enlist with the U.S. military. "I thought it came from my birth mothers side, but my half-brother knew nothing about it," said Schmidt. "It never crossed my mind it was on my dads side." Two years ago, Schmidts daughter gave her a 23andme Inc. home DNA test kit. It helped her find distant cousins on her mothers side, including one who also lived in Colorado Springs, but nothing on her dads side. That is, until December 2021. "I got a message from 23andme saying I had new relations," said Schmidt. "I checked it out and it said a half-sister. "I put my phone down, and I picked it up again. It said shes a half-sister, and the sibling was born in 1969. I thought how could my mother have done that? Then I thought it must be from my dads side. "I couldnt believe it." I put my phone down, and I picked it up again. It said shes a halfsister, and the sibling was born in 1969. I thought how could my mother have done that? Then I thought it must be from my dads side." Helene Schmidt Recksiedler was having a similar reaction in Winnipeg. After messaging Schmidt, realizing they were related and being told Schmidts birth mother had become pregnant by an off-duty Manitoba Hydro worker in The Pas, Recksiedler went to see her own mother. Raelene Recksiedler of Winnipeg as a baby. (Supplied) "I said, You know how you said you felt really sad because I had no sister? I told her, Apparently, I have one. My mom said that was impossible," Recksiedler said. Recksiedler asked if her father had ever spent time away. "She said, No, the only time was in the summer of 1968, when your dad was laid off. He went up North to do work with Manitoba Hydro." Recksiedler said her dads NF caused him to have surgery to remove a tumour on his hamstring in the mid-1980s, and the blood he received caused him to test positive for Hepatitis B. Raelene Recksiedler of Winnipeg, at 15 years old with her father, Ray Kobold. (Supplied) "It destroyed his liver," she said. "Unfortunately, he died before he had a transplant." Recksiedler said her dad never admitted to an affair. "He hid it very well," she said. "We never knew." She also doesnt think her dad knew he had another daughter. "Helene asked me: if he was still alive, would he have been happy to see me? I said he would be so happy, he would have loved to have another daughter. Im positive had my dad have known about Helene he probably would have wanted her and she wouldnt have been adopted," Recksiedler said. Helene asked me: if he was still alive, would he have been happy to see me? I said he would be so happy, he would have loved to have another daughter." Raelene Recksiedler "But I heard she has had a great life, so Im so happy for her." Until they meet, the two sisters continue to joke about their similarities. Raelene Recksiedler is set to meet Helene Schmidt, of Colorado Springs, Colo., in April. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) "We have so much in common," said Recksiedler. "She sent me photos of what shes having for supper and a few times we actually were having the same thing Its things like that." "Its like weve known each other forever," added Schmidt. "It is just really cool." kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Winnipegs mayor is trying to get ahead of a potential clash between the so-called freedom convoy demonstration and an opposing group that has issued a call to rally on the legislative grounds Saturday. Winnipegs mayor is trying to get ahead of a potential clash between the so-called "freedom convoy" demonstration and an opposing group that has issued a call to rally on the legislative grounds Saturday. Mayor Brian Bowman fears the situation downtown could escalate, as the emotionally charged debate on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health restrictions rages on. "That is absolutely a concern of mine What we dont want to see is things escalate to what weve seen in Ottawa. I think the more that can happen by a number of stakeholders to assist with the compliance with local rules will go a long way to helping mitigate an escalation or an ongoing occupation of our public streets," Bowman told the Free Press on Wednesday. Anti-mandate protesters in Winnipeg appear to have settled in for the long haul. On Feb. 4, big-rig cabs, campers, trucks and farm equipment were parked on Broadway and Memorial Boulevard in front of the Manitoba Legislative Building, in support of demonstrations in Ottawa and elsewhere. More participants are expected to arrive Saturday. On Tuesday, the demonstrators asked for a plan with hard deadlines on the lifting of all public health pandemic mandates in the province, among other requests, in an unsigned open letter to Premier Heather Stefanson. Meanwhile, downtown residents ears are ringing. The counter protesters plan to gather at noon Saturday, behind the Broadway-side barricade. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Mayor Brian Bowman called a special meeting meeting of council, slated for Thursday morning, to put political pressure on the province and Winnipeg Police Service which the mayor and other levels of government are not allowed to direct under provincial legislation. Rally organizer Omar Kinnarath said area residents have been harassed and are fed up with the noise, criticizing police and other officials for inaction. On Wednesday morning, the anti-mandate demonstrators issued a self-imposed code of conduct, saying they denounce hate, are respectful of the concerns of others and are also part of the community. It included a plan to limit honking to two-minute bursts at the top of the hour between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., though "short intermittent honking is allowed." On Wednesday morning, the horns still blared; by the afternoon, the noise had mostly subsided. The anti-mandate side said it will respect the counter protesters right to express their opinions, asking both groups to maintain a reasonable distance. Kinnarath said the counter protest wont be violent instead, it will be a show of "numbers and love." "This citys fed up, this citys about to take a stand We need Winnipeg to show up in large numbers, because other than the big trucks, theres at most on a weekday, a couple dozen of (anti-mandate demonstrators) Thats not a big movement. Youve seen Black Lives Matter rallies, youve seen Indigenous rallies its not even comparable," he said. "We are an organized community. We are a community who stands up for each other, and we want to let them know that you really made the city upset with your actions in an attempt to gain support." Bowman called a special meeting of council, slated for Thursday morning, to put political pressure on the province and Winnipeg Police Service which the mayor and other levels of government are not allowed to direct under provincial legislation. "If the motion were approved in its current form, it would simply be asking that our provincial government, as well as the Winnipeg Police Service, consider doing all things reasonably necessary to help end the ongoing unlawful occupation of our public streets," Bowman said. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Police Board held a Wednesday meeting with Chief Danny Smyth to discuss concerns of residents, chairman Coun. Markus Chambers said, as well as some operational details. On Wednesday, the Free Press observed one marked police cruiser on Broadway near Osborne Street North. An unmarked vehicle sat near Kennedy Street. At the east-side cruiser, an officer waved at a vehicle driving by, adorned with flags, a smile on his face and mask on his chin. The Winnipeg Police Board held a Wednesday meeting with Chief Danny Smyth to discuss concerns of residents, chairman Coun. Markus Chambers said, as well as some operational details. Among them: the duration of the protest, "incessant noise" and "disregard to the infractions that are taking place," specifically open fires and open liquor, Chambers said. (Bowman noted parking, noise and the neighbourhood livability bylaws apply, but police take the lead on protests.) The media and public werent privy to the meeting. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The board chairman said, from a public safety perspective, the WPS is doing everything in its power to keep the protest peaceful. "Theres been no violence aside from the unfortunate incident that took place (Feb. 4)," he said, referring to a hit-and-run that injured four people. On Feb. 5, a WPS spokesman said comments the accused made after his arrest suggested he did not drive into the crowd because of any of the underlying causes of the protest or public health mandates. with files from Joyanne Pursaga erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @erik_pindera Thousands more public-sector workers in Manitoba could get retroactive wage increases as contract talks resume after years of stagnant wages more than $200 million has already been paid out to nurses. Thousands more public-sector workers in Manitoba could get retroactive wage increases as contract talks resume after years of stagnant wages more than $200 million has already been paid out to nurses. Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck said as many as 50,000 public-sector workers are waiting for new collective agreements following restructuring to bargaining units in the health-care sector as well as the governments introduction of the Public Services Sustainability Act in 2017. Bargaining has been largely suspended in Manitoba for years now. Were just starting to see some of that bargaining come to conclusion and fair wages being paid retroactively to workers whove had their wages frozen for years, Rebeck said Wednesday. About 23,000 public-sector employees most in education have won wages through arbitrated and negotiated settlements since the Public Services Sustainability Act was passed into law but not proclaimed, Rebeck said. The act mandated a two-year wage freeze on new public-sector agreements, followed by pay increases of 0.75 per cent in the third year and one per cent in the fourth year. Last October, the Manitoba Nurses Union ratified a new agreement that included general salary increases of 1.25 per cent in 2017 and 2018, 1.4 per cent in 2019 and 0.5 per cent in 2020. Shared Health said the retroactive wage increases amounted to an estimated $216.7 million. About $150 million has been set aside to cover the recent teacher salary settlements, the province said. MIKE SUDOMA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Kevin Rebeck, President of Manitoba Federation of Labour, said public sector employers are likely to pay out more retroactive wage increases as new agreements are reached. Our recommendation would be that we never short-change public-sector workers, especially teachers and nurses, MNU president Darlene Jackson said in a statement Tuesday. In late November, the Tory government under Premier Heather Stefanson announced it would repeal the Public Services Sustainability Act. Scott Fielding, who was finance minister at the time, said the government would continue to address the economic burden facing Manitobans while avoiding public-sector layoffs. All of these shared concerns are best served by a fresh start, said Fielding, who was shuffled to the natural resources portfolio last month. Rebeck said public sector employers are likely to pay out more retroactive wage increases as new agreements are reached. The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 204, which represents about 18,000 healthcare workers, is currently in negotiations for a new contract after nearly five years without. Government has no one to blame but themselves, Rebeck said. Theyve played games with the bargaining cycle to put off paying people a fair deal. Starving public sector wages so that you can try and claim that you are managing the books better, we see that the real result of that is you kicked it down the road and now its another premiers problem, he said. A coalition of unions led by the MFL has also asked the Supreme Court of Canada to determine the constitutionality of the legislation following a protracted legal saga in which the Court of Appeal overturned a lower courts ruling in favour of the MFL. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, said the government cannot afford to cut corners in health care or education and fair and prompt payment for work should not be delayed. A request for comment from Labour Minister Reg Helwer was not returned. However, in a statement a spokesperson for the provincial government said in general, retroactive wage increases are provided any time a collective agreement expires and a new collective agreement is reached. The spokesperson said the bargaining situation with nurses was very unusual as nurses had been without an agreement since 2017 because of restructuring that meant negotiations could not begin until 2020. The pandemic further delayed the process of merging 59 collective agreements into just six, the spokesperson said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. To date, no retroactive wage payments have been made to core government workers, pending the outcome of a future arbitration award, the statement concluded. Jackson said the government cannot afford to cut corners in health care or education and fair and prompt payment for work should not be delayed. There are few folks recommending the profession as a wise and compensated way to spend your days. Quite the opposite, in fact, Jackson said. One fruit of that labour was retro (earned pay) and although we have heard from (Health Minister Audrey Gordon), that expediting nurse back pay is a priority, we still have members who are without, waiting months. Rebeck said future agreements on retroactive wage increases in the public sector are likely to amount to a couple of per cent of the public payroll. Its a scary number Id love to see on a lottery ticket, but for the average person its just keeping up with the price of milk, he said. danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca STEINBACH Hundreds of students streamed out of Steinbach Regional Secondary School in a Thursday morning protest against COVID-19 pandemic public health restrictions. STEINBACH Hundreds of students streamed out of Steinbach Regional Secondary School in a Thursday morning protest against COVID-19 pandemic public health restrictions. Hanover School Division officials locked the doors of the school behind them, citing safety concerns. Many vehicles, sporting Canadian flags and signs with calls to end vaccine mandates, circled the school, honking out support to the crowd. Pizza and warm drinks were plentiful for those on hand. Inside a nearby construction trailer, protesters took turns escaping the snowy conditions, while outside, a sound system blared Bob Marleys Three Little Birds with lyrics that encouraged "Cause every little thing is gonna be all right." As the rally continued, a Hanover School Division bus rolled past and offered a honk, too. "Thats my bus driver," a young protester shouted in appreciation. A video circulated on social media Wednesday encouraged students to leave class at 9 a.m. Thursday. The Steinbach high school has about 1,700 students. The large demonstration forced the school into "hold and secure" mode, officials said. The doors of the school were locked and monitored, allowing students and staff to enter and exit, but otherwise remained closed. Protesters said students who attended the rally were prevented from returning to the building. The school wont open for regular classes Friday, instead opting for remote learning. "This will provide an opportunity for our staff to assess the impact of (Thursday), connect virtually with our students, and plan to ensure everyone is prepared for a safe return," reads a statement from interim Hanover School Division superintendent Shelley Amos. "Students with special needs are welcome to attend school on Friday for in-person learning, and buses will pick up these students as usual." In an email to parents shortly before noon, the division said students inside the school were safe, and advised enhanced security would remain in the place until the end of the school day. In an earlier statement, Amos said the protest created an unsafe environment and disrupted in-class learning. Protesters were on school property and made efforts to enter the school building, she added. "We respect the right to protest but urge all protesters to be respectful, peaceful, and remain off school property during demonstrations," Amos said. JORDAN ROSS / THE CARILLON Protesters said students who attended the rally were prevented from returning to the building. Steinbach RCMP provided assistance to school administration on the scene. A spokeswoman at the police services Winnipeg headquarters had few details to provide, while the Steinbach detachment had closed for the day. One man, who identified himself as a parent of students at the school but who declined to be named, said he and other parents had discussed the planned protest and decided the student demonstration would benefit from adult supervision. The man said he met personally with one of the schools two principals the previous evening to discuss the event, and had also discussed plans with the Steinbach RCMP detachment commander Wednesday night. Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen, who is also the Tory governments justice minister, didnt disavow the protest at a news conference Thursday, but did implore demonstrators to be considerate. "For those adults that are involved, I think its important to remember that schools, hospitals there are certain places that really arent the appropriate place for those demonstrations," he said. Last week, Steinbach city council agreed unanimously to send a letter to Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, calling on the province to begin rolling back pandemic public health restrictions. Support for the protest by some members of Steinbachs city council was on display Thursday. A pickup truck, loaded with empty pizza boxes from a local pizzeria owned by a Coun. Damian Penner, sat on a boulevard. Another truck from a building supply company associated with Coun. Susan Penner delivered woolen mitts to protesters, who continued their demonstration as heavy snow fell mid-morning. A Facebook post attributed to Damian Penner said his business had sold pizzas to a customer and did not donate them to the protest. "As a business, it is a very slippery slope when you choose who you will and will not do commerce with, regardless of whether you support the cause or not," the post reads in part. "I understand that there will be comparisons and assumptions made due to our donation of food to the demonstrators at the legislature. Those individuals are directly asking for the lifting of mandates that affect our day-to-day business, and how we are able to operate. Not all demonstrations are the same." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Penner respectfully deferred to the Facebook post when reached for comment. Meantime, Stefanson and Education Minister Wayne Ewasko condemned the school protest in a statement late Thursday afternoon. "We ask the protesters to respect that they are endangering children with their actions today. We hear their concerns, but the method in which they are expressing them is dangerous," the statement reads. "School children and teens should never feel unsafe going to a place where they are meant to thrive." A rally to block Main Street in Steinbach is said to be planned for Friday afternoon. erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca The University of Manitoba is collaborating with First Nations to launch satellite post-secondary campus sites in the north that will be staffed by educators and equipped with technology so Indigenous students can study closer to home. The University of Manitoba is collaborating with First Nations to launch satellite post-secondary campus sites in the north that will be staffed by educators and equipped with technology so Indigenous students can study closer to home. Manitobas largest university has announced a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation that aims to lead systemic change in Indigenous education through the trusts EleV program, which was founded in 2017 to support the education and employment of Indigenous youth in Canada. The Canadian foundation will provide $16.1 million the fourth-largest singular donation in the U of Ms history to fund initiatives the school will co-develop with Indigenous youth, communities, and organizations, as well as other post-secondary institutions. The opening of community learning hubs in First Nations is among the initiatives. The first site is currently located in a trailer filled with school desks and stationery in Pinaymootang First Nation at Fairford, 260 kilometres northwest of the U of Ms Fort Garry campus in Winnipeg. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES While there are dozens of pitches under review, the senior administrator indicated University of Manitoba wants to look at how to support communities in human resource development and facilitate reading programs in Winnipegs inner city. Students will soon be able to visit the hub to use devices, access the internet, and connect with a staff member on-site to navigate their coursework. The hub, which is anticipated to eventually move into a permanent location, will support students enrolled in U of M and other post-secondary institutions. Students up north have another option now. They dont necessarily have to go all the way into the city all the time for classes. If they want to stay back and study from home, this is a perfect option for them. With everything going virtual to Zoom and Microsoft Teams (amid the COVID-19 pandemic), I think this is a step in the right direction, said Karl Zadnik, chief executive officer of the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council. The tribal council, which represents Dauphin River, Kinonjeoshtegon, Lake Manitoba, Little Saskatchewan, Peguis and Pinaymootang First Nations, has been co-designing the first hub model with U of M. Lake Manitoba Chief Cornell McLean, chairman of the council, called the collaboration with U of M a huge opportunity that will help communities build capacity in areas ranging from social work to education. In a lot of areas, were short-staffed and its hard to fill positions because people dont have the proper education, McLean said. Its tough to move away from the community, to move to Winnipeg and to get the proper education. We see so many times our members are set up for failure because its hard to be away from home. The U of M said the funding will pay for projects that increase Indigenous student success by supporting post-secondary collaboration and enhancing resources available to help students transition to higher education. Some initiatives will connect university and college graduates with pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The hub, which is anticipated to eventually move into a permanent location, will support students enrolled in University of Manitoba and other post-secondary institutions. We arent telling communities how to do this. Were asking them what they need, said Catherine Cook, U of Ms vice-president, Indigenous. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Cook said the tribal council reached out to the university to inquire about creating a community hub. A series of meetings resulted in the hub being approved and the U of M securing additional funds for the big-picture project, she said. While there are dozens of pitches under review, the senior administrator indicated U of M wants to look at how to support communities in human resource development and facilitate reading programs in Winnipegs inner city. The Mastercard Foundation, created in 2006 by Mastercard International, although it operates independently from the corporation, will meet regularly with U of M. A foundation spokesperson told the Free Press the trust is interested in supporting projects through co-creation with a focus on youth, employment and dignified and fulfilling work. maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie Manitobas experience with the pandemic has clearly shown the danger of unquestioning faith that the government knows best when it comes to easing pandemic restrictions. The public has learned to seek the data behind decisions. In other words, show us the science. Manitobas experience with the pandemic has clearly shown the danger of unquestioning faith that the government knows best when it comes to easing pandemic restrictions. The public has learned to seek the data behind decisions. In other words, show us the science. Unfortunately for Manitobans, the current Progressive Conservative government is among those that have demonstrated a troubling tendency to refuse full disclosure of factual information about the pandemic and its ramifications. The current Progressive Conservative government is among those that have demonstrated a troubling tendency to refuse full disclosure of factual information about the pandemic and its ramifications. During a week when Saskatchewan, Alberta and Quebec have announced hard timelines for lifting COVID-19 restrictions, theres reason to believe an easing of public-health measures is also on the horizon for Manitobans, and that we may be heading to a future when the COVID-19 virus is regarded as a bad flu. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said last Friday Canada needs to find a more "sustainable" way to deal with the pandemic and that all existing public-health policies, including provincial vaccine passports, need to be "re-examined." ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said last Friday Canada needs to find a more sustainable way to deal with the pandemic and that all existing public-health policies, including provincial vaccine passports, need to be re-examined. "What we need to do going forward, as we emerge out of this Omicron wave, is recognize this virus is not going to disappear," she said. "We do need to get back to some normalcy." A path to normalcy is an encouraging prospect, as long as the reopening is supported by sound data, which hasnt always been the case in Manitoba. Deciding whether to ease restrictions requires knowing whether COVID-19 is surging or declining in Manitoba. That information is not publicly available, however, because with one exception, the government has essentially curtailed all previous methods of tracking COVID-19 cases; schools, daycares and people who self-test can no longer report their positive tests to the government. The government has essentially curtailed all previous methods of tracking COVID19 cases; schools, daycares and people who selftest can no longer report their positive tests to the government. The one exception is wastewater testing. Manitoba is testing for COVID-19s presence in sewage; unfortunately, the province has so far declined to share these results. Such secretiveness must end. Manitoba should follow the lead of the many jurisdictions that regularly report the coronavirus count in their sewage, and clearly explain the implications of the data. The public should also be privy to more information on Manitobas health-care system, to more accurately judge whether easing restriction will make it even tougher on hospitals and the people who staff them. For example, the public has long awaited details about of the provinces expected timeline to cope with a pandemic-swollen backlog of more than 150,000 diagnostic and surgical procedures. Will this backlog grow even longer when the easing of restriction allows more mingling? CHRIS YOUNG / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The public should be privy to more information on Manitobas health-care system, to more accurately judge whether easing restrictions will make it even tougher on hospitals and the people who staff them. Yet another source of information that would help Manitobans understand the reopening plan is the provinces statistical modelling, which is infrequently released to the public. This intelligence which typically predicts the likely spread of the disease and related issues is presumably updated regularly to reflect changing circumstances, such as surges in COVID-19 cases in neighbouring provinces, or the development of new variants. The province should release all such modelling, not just the data that supports the governments agenda. Some government advisors who are traditionally resistant to transparency those inclined toward the "knowledge-is-power" school of political gamesmanship might be apprehensive about affording the public unfiltered access to relevant data. Some government advisors who are traditionally resistant to transparency those inclined toward the knowledgeispower school of political gamesmanship might be apprehensive about affording the public unfiltered access to relevant data. But the sharing of information should be viewed as an important tool in rebuilding trust between Manitobans and a government whose leader currently has the lowest support of any Canadian premier, according to a recent Angus Reid poll that pegged Heather Stefansons support at 21 per cent. One of the frequently employed catchphrases during the pandemic is "learning to live with the virus." Clearly, Manitobans are eager to learn to live with it but in ways that are scientifically defensible. WINKLER Things were hopping Wednesday afternoon at Twisters, a 1950s-style diner in this southern Manitoba town. WINKLER Things were hopping Wednesday afternoon at Twisters, a 1950s-style diner in this southern Manitoba town. It was packed; people waited as long as a half-hour for a table during the lunch rush. It looked a lot different there than it does in most public places in the province: save for one server, no one customers or staff was wearing a mask. And no one was asked to show proof of vaccination before being seated. At nearby Del Rios, a family-style restaurant serving Mexican and Mennonite fare, it was gridlock in the lot as customers waited for someone to leave in order to snag their parking spot. Inside, it was much like Twisters; no masks, no proof of vaccination required. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A full parking lot at Del Rios restaurant in Winkler, where it is believed that they are not enforcing any pandemic mandates. The business boom may be, in part, a result of social media posts encouraging area residents to patronize both restaurants because their owners have decided to ignore public-health restrictions. Karl Krebs, a local vaccination opponent who keeps track of businesses in Winkler that choose not to follow health orders, has hundreds of likes, shares and comments on his Facebook posts. The lone masked Twisters server initially agreed to speak with the Free Press, but changed her mind after speaking with her boss, who also refused to answer questions. An owner at Del Rios called the social media posts "rumours," referenced the vaccination card scanner in the restaurant and refused to comment further. Therese and Pete, a couple eating at Twisters who asked that their last names not be published, said dining there felt like a return to normal. "I think everybodys just done with the pandemic and wants to get back to life," Pete said. I think everybodys just done with the pandemic and wants to get back to life. Pete, customer "It was kind of a relief," Therese added. They represent what they said is a popular opinion in Winkler: they respect the right to choose to both said they are vaccinated but theyre weary of the restrictions affecting their lives. Some patrons were wary of outside attention. One family followed a Free Press photographer to his vehicle outside Del Rios and made derogatory remarks while they videotaped the confrontation, accusing him of "tattling." "Youre taking away our rights!" one woman shouted. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A family followed a Free Press photographer and harassed him outside Del Rios restaurant in Winkler. There didnt appear to be anyone attempting to enforce provincial orders at either establishment Wednesday. Winkler police Chief Ryan Hunt didnt respond to multiple requests for comment. Many of the vehicles packed into Twisters parking lot displayed signs and stickers indicating support for anti-vaccination protesters and the "freedom convoy" blockades in place across Canada, including downtown Winnipeg. CP Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen. THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES/David Lipnowski Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the province is aware of concerns that public-health rules are being ignored to a greater extent, particularly since the convoy protests began more than a week ago. He called it a reflection of "where society is at with the pandemic overall." "Weve certainly heard that from those who are involved with enforcing the orders, that its gotten more aggressive," he said. "And so that, obviously, is concerning." Goertzen acknowledged there had been issues with enforcement across the province but it had "done its best" trying to recruit officers, noting about 1,800 public-health inspections occur each week. Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen acknowledged there had been issues with enforcement across the province but it had done its best trying to recruit officers, noting about 1,800 publichealth inspections occur each week. "If people are willfully choosing not to follow the public-health orders, that does create those challenges," he said. "I think were asking for patience from people, we know this is a difficult time." One truck driver, whose vehicle was adorned with a giant Canada flag, a sign reading "Mandate Freedom" with lights around it, and several stickers expressing the same sentiment said he wasnt comfortable expressing his opinion about the situation to the Free Press, concerned his words would be misconstrued. In September, the Free Press patronized a dozen Winkler restaurants, including Del Rios and Twisters, and were never asked to show proof of vaccination or put on a mask. Public-health restrictions "dont really get followed" in Winkler, a 16 year old boy told the Free Press before walking into Del Rios for lunch with his grandparents. He and his friends are ready to move on with their lives, and most people he knows feel the same way, he said. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Many of the vehicles packed into Twisters parking lot displayed signs and stickers indicating support for anti-vaccination protesters and the freedom convoy blockades in place across Canada, including downtown Winnipeg. "Were starting to get some momentum now with some of the rules changing in other places," he said. "Hopefully stuff starts changing around here soon for real." He said people are excited to patronize businesses where they can avoid restrictions. "Its been very positive for the last few days, few weeks even, compared to the last couple years its been pretty miserable around here," he said. "Its been great." With files from Carol Sanders Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca Winnipegs mayor is trying to get ahead of a potential clash between the so-called freedom convoy demonstration and an opposing group that has issued a call to rally on the legislative grounds Saturday. Winnipegs mayor is trying to get ahead of a potential clash between the so-called "freedom convoy" demonstration and an opposing group that has issued a call to rally on the legislative grounds Saturday. Mayor Brian Bowman fears the situation downtown could escalate, as the emotionally charged debate on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health restrictions rages on. "That is absolutely a concern of mine What we dont want to see is things escalate to what weve seen in Ottawa. I think the more that can happen by a number of stakeholders to assist with the compliance with local rules will go a long way to helping mitigate an escalation or an ongoing occupation of our public streets," Bowman told the Free Press on Wednesday. Anti-mandate protesters in Winnipeg appear to have settled in for the long haul. On Feb. 4, big-rig cabs, campers, trucks and farm equipment were parked on Broadway and Memorial Boulevard in front of the Manitoba Legislative Building, in support of demonstrations in Ottawa and elsewhere. More participants are expected to arrive Saturday. On Tuesday, the demonstrators asked for a plan with hard deadlines on the lifting of all public health pandemic mandates in the province, among other requests, in an unsigned open letter to Premier Heather Stefanson. Meanwhile, downtown residents ears are ringing. The counter protesters plan to gather at noon Saturday, behind the Broadway-side barricade. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Mayor Brian Bowman called a special meeting meeting of council, slated for Thursday morning, to put political pressure on the province and Winnipeg Police Service which the mayor and other levels of government are not allowed to direct under provincial legislation. Rally organizer Omar Kinnarath said area residents have been harassed and are fed up with the noise, criticizing police and other officials for inaction. On Wednesday morning, the anti-mandate demonstrators issued a self-imposed code of conduct, saying they denounce hate, are respectful of the concerns of others and are also part of the community. It included a plan to limit honking to two-minute bursts at the top of the hour between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., though "short intermittent honking is allowed." On Wednesday morning, the horns still blared; by the afternoon, the noise had mostly subsided. The anti-mandate side said it will respect the counter protesters right to express their opinions, asking both groups to maintain a reasonable distance. Kinnarath said the counter protest wont be violent instead, it will be a show of "numbers and love." "This citys fed up, this citys about to take a stand We need Winnipeg to show up in large numbers, because other than the big trucks, theres at most on a weekday, a couple dozen of (anti-mandate demonstrators) Thats not a big movement. Youve seen Black Lives Matter rallies, youve seen Indigenous rallies its not even comparable," he said. "We are an organized community. We are a community who stands up for each other, and we want to let them know that you really made the city upset with your actions in an attempt to gain support." Bowman called a special meeting of council, slated for Thursday morning, to put political pressure on the province and Winnipeg Police Service which the mayor and other levels of government are not allowed to direct under provincial legislation. "If the motion were approved in its current form, it would simply be asking that our provincial government, as well as the Winnipeg Police Service, consider doing all things reasonably necessary to help end the ongoing unlawful occupation of our public streets," Bowman said. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Police Board held a Wednesday meeting with Chief Danny Smyth to discuss concerns of residents, chairman Coun. Markus Chambers said, as well as some operational details. On Wednesday, the Free Press observed one marked police cruiser on Broadway near Osborne Street North. An unmarked vehicle sat near Kennedy Street. At the east-side cruiser, an officer waved at a vehicle driving by, adorned with flags, a smile on his face and mask on his chin. The Winnipeg Police Board held a Wednesday meeting with Chief Danny Smyth to discuss concerns of residents, chairman Coun. Markus Chambers said, as well as some operational details. Among them: the duration of the protest, "incessant noise" and "disregard to the infractions that are taking place," specifically open fires and open liquor, Chambers said. (Bowman noted parking, noise and the neighbourhood livability bylaws apply, but police take the lead on protests.) The media and public werent privy to the meeting. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The board chairman said, from a public safety perspective, the WPS is doing everything in its power to keep the protest peaceful. "Theres been no violence aside from the unfortunate incident that took place (Feb. 4)," he said, referring to a hit-and-run that injured four people. On Feb. 5, a WPS spokesman said comments the accused made after his arrest suggested he did not drive into the crowd because of any of the underlying causes of the protest or public health mandates. with files from Joyanne Pursaga erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @erik_pindera OTTAWA The federal government likely spent more than $1,000 to have a Winnipeg taxi pick up a COVID-19 test sample, as part of border-screening program that continues to baffle rural Manitobans. OTTAWA The federal government likely spent more than $1,000 to have a Winnipeg taxi pick up a COVID-19 test sample, as part of border-screening program that continues to baffle rural Manitobans. "Any reasonable person would say, Holy cow, theyre sending a cab 660 kilometres (round trip). Like, that is a crazy amount of money," said Jon Hawtin, who lives on a farm just south of Miniota. Hawtin and his family headed back from a Montana rodeo this weekend, crossing Sunday at the North Portal border station in southeast Saskatchewan. Jon Hawtim lives south of Miniota and was stunned when a Winnipeg taxi drove to his house to pick up a COVID test sample. (Supplied) Four of the five people he was travelling with were randomly selected for a take-home test, as part of a federal program that has people swab their own noses during a video call and have the samples sent to a private lab. Because they crossed in Saskatchewan, they were given a LifeLabs test, which handles samples in that province and British Columbia. Other firms serve different areas, such as Dynacare in Manitoba. As a result, Hawtin said LifeLabs instructed him to mark his province as B.C., so a courier could collect the test and mail it to a lab in that province. A medical employee watched them do the swab via video, and said if FedEx didnt serve Hawtins area, he could drop off the samples at the nearest Shoppers Drug Mart which would be a 225-km return drive to Brandon. Hawtin called LifeLabs and said, after hours on hold, the company arranged to have a courier collect the samples. On Tuesday night, a dispatcher with Unicity Taxi in Winnipeg phoned, asking for an address for Hawtins farm, which sits a 330-km drive from the capital city. That was followed by a series of calls early Wednesday from Unicity staff, in which Hawtin tried explaining how to locate his farmstead using the quarter-section-township-range grid system. A cab took a 660 kilometre round trip from Winnipeg to Miniota to pick up a COVID test sample. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files) Ultimately, he offered to meet the taxi on the side of Highway 16, as the driver was clearly confused and Hawtin feared the cabbie and his assistant in the passenger seat would have had even more trouble on gravel roads. "I felt bad for them; they must have had to leave at 5:30 a.m.," he said, hours after the encounter. "Out of curiosity, I asked: Do you guys charge a flat rate? and they said, No, its on a meter." The Unicity app suggests such a return trip would have cost around $1,075. "It didnt seem like they (officials) had a plan in place at all," said Hawtin, who retired after 25 years in the military. He said any operational planning exercise would have scoped out how the program would work in rural Canada and found alternatives, such as having the sample collected at the border station. The local MP says it doesnt take military precision to come up with a better program. "Any normal person would look at that and say, Thats not right," said Conservative MP Dan Mazier (DauphinSwan RiverNeepawa). "Its a terrible waste of money and it just proves how out of touch this government is when it comes to planning for rural Canada." Last month, the Free Press reported on a Swan River resident who was stunned when Dynacare sent a Winnipeg courier on a 10-hour return trip to fetch a test sample. CP People crossing into Canada are randomly selected for a take-home test as part of a federal program that has people swab their own noses during a video call and sending the samples to a private lab. (Eraldo Peres / The Associated Press files) The federal government has refused to divulge how much it pays private labs to have couriers drive for hours to rural areas to collect COVID-19 test swabs. "It is the testing provider who determines, and co-ordinates, the method of shipping to their laboratories for these virtually observed test samples, within the area that a given laboratory services," the Public Health Agency of Canada wrote in a response earlier this month. The agency offered no response to whether its a prudent use of taxpayer funds to have couriers drive hours to collect samples. The Liberals have earmarked $631 million for three companies to administer the programs at land borders and airports. Last month, Canadas chief public health officer said the border tests are "a capacity drain on the system as a whole," but said it might still be useful to test a random sampling of travellers. Mazier said hed like to see the scientific evidence that justifies having asymptomatic vaccinated people, who had a PCR test within 48 hours of crossing into Canada from the United States, selected for another swab test. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Under the program, those people can continue about their business until they get results, as long as they monitor for symptoms and avoid high-risk settings (such as personal care homes). Yet, they can get a hefty fine if they dont actually do the take-home test. "Whats the science behind that, never mind about greenhouse gas emissions, never mind about all the waste," said Mazier. Hawtins sons girlfriend, whom they dropped off in Moosomin, Sask., had her test picked up by a Regina-based courier, who would have made a 450-km return trip. "To me, it just seems ridiculous, the process they have put in place for this," Hawtin said. "When you start adding up all the money theyre spending on cabs and extra couriers, its astonishing." dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca Lets have a frank talk about protest movements and the freedom convoy, shall we? Lets have a frank talk about protest movements and the freedom convoy, shall we? You may not like the inconvenience or noise, but protest is an important part of democracy. Even protests that are unruly and highly disruptive in other words, where laws are broken in the commission of the protest are important expressions of democratic principle. As a result, law breaking does not, in and of itself, delegitimize a protest. When protesters break a law, its a calculated risk to bring attention to an idea. Many genuinely legitimate protest movements have involved property damage and other illegalities. Many genuinely legitimate protest movements have involved property damage and other illegalities. And while were at it, lets remember that property damage is not violence. It is the act of defacing or destroying something not someone. As we saw just over a year ago in Washington, D.C., a protest is still a protest until it becomes a violent insurrection. And then, its no longer a protest. With these principles in mind, its hard to support the recent hysterics originating from the mayors of Ottawa and Winnipeg, both of whom have demanded police end the protests by force. Sorry, but the convoys have not done anything yet that requires an armed response to remove them from their encampments. That said, even though we should all have an equal right to protest, there is a point at which protests start to lose their legitimacy. Protest movements have a responsibility to ensure their causes are not overshadowed by their tactics or ugly, underlying ideology. And the risk of a protest becoming delegitimized is high; most protests are defined by their weakest links and most extreme actions, even if they dont represent the gross majority of people involved. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Protesters block the entrance to the Manitoba Legislative building on Broadway Avenue last week. The dilemma posed by the freedom convoy is not necessarily what they have done to date. But what many Canadians fear it might mean in the future. Some convoy participants displayed Nazi and Confederate flags, universal symbols of hate. A geometric symbol with origins in antisemitism was marked in the snow outside Manitobas Legislative Building. In Ottawa, downtown residents have been harassed by protesters, some of whom have spewed venom at local business owners, people of colour and those wearing masks. Are these incidents the work of outliers, or a reflection of what this protest is really all about? In this instance, there are very real concerns that the protest is really just a Trojan Horse for some really ugly ideas. B.J. Dichter, one of the two people who founded the now-disabled GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the convoy, has a long record of hateful comments about "political Islamists." At a 2019 Peoples Party of Canada convention, Dichter ranted on about how "Islamist entryism and the adaptation of political Islam is rotting away our society like syphilis." There are very real concerns that the protest is really just a Trojan Horse for some really ugly ideas. Patrick King, another convoy opinion leader, circulated toxic comments on social media about "the depopulation of the Caucasian race." Jason LaFace, another organizer for the convoy in Ontario, has authored numerous racist and homophobic comments and images, some of which feature the insignia of the Soldiers of Odin, an anti-immigration movement first started in Finland. The inconvenient truth here is that the convoy, and the Peoples Party of Canada with which it is so closely associated, are not being infiltrated by extreme views; they are forums for extreme views. At their cores, both the protest and the party embrace rabid libertarianism, an ideology that effortlessly embraces racism and white supremacy. Notwithstanding that truth, the convoy organizers have gone to hilarious lengths to keep the "extremists-are-outliers" fantasy alive. Ill admit to chuckling a bit when convoy organizers announced an internal network to report and expel extremists from their ranks. Im a bit skeptical that rabid libertarians of any discipline will flood a snitch line to rat out extremists within the convoy. But I could be wrong. PATRICK DOYLE / THE CANADIAN PRESS A police member stands in front of trucks blocking downtown streets in Ottawa Wednesday. All of this brings us back to a discussion about protest movements, legitimacy and perhaps most important effectiveness. The freedom convoy is not illegitimate because it is disrupting life around Parliament Hill or the Manitoba legislature by blocking traffic and honking horns. However, its also not destined to be effective. Most Canadians see the convoy for what it really is: a thinly veiled marketing campaign for toxic ideologies that conflate perverse theories of personal freedom with a twisted definition of democracy. Refusing to be vaccinated is not an act of freedom. Its selfishness in the face of an existential threat. But as silly and stupid as all that is, it does not erase their right to protest. The freedom convoy and all of its potential for intolerance and hate should be treated as a legitimate form of protest. Right up until it is not. I have memorized a monologue uttered by actor Michael Douglas in the 1995 film, The American President. Douglass character, President Andrew Shepherd, is losing an election to a toxic populist. He finally goes on the attack at a news conference at which he discusses principles of freedom and democracy. "You want free speech? Lets see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, whos standing centre stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours." The freedom convoy and all of its potential for intolerance and hate should be treated as a legitimate form of protest. Right up until it is not. The value of this convoy is a reminder of something many of us already knew: democracy is most definitely a bitch. dan.lett@winnipegfreepress.com Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar held a Zoom call with local mayors, including Mayor Scott Sherman of Winona, on Wednesday to talk about infrastructure needs. Joining in the call as well were Mike Poellinger, mayor of La Crescent, Emily Durand, mayor of Wabasha, and Jason Reesman, mayor of Lanesboro. Each mayor gave the senator an update on various infrastructure projects as well as an update on their respective communities. Klobuchar, a Democrat, was an instrumental in passing a bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law in November. A big part of the bill addressed broadband access, as Klobuchar mentioned during her opening remarks on the call. Klobuchar talked about some of the contents of the bill, including $55 billion going towards water infrastructure projects as well some new grant money that is coming from federal agencies and the state. In Shermans update, he informed Klobuchar on the following: Current progress on the proposed public safety building project The need for a flood control system which Sherman estimated would be about $2 million Water and sewer service improvements and upgrades, which Sherman estimated would be about $9 million total with $2 million going towards specific upgrades for the new phosphorus mandates Street maintenance estimated at $5 million Access improvements on the east end of the city due to the train tracks Commercial harbor improvements estimated at $4 million Finishing the Levee Park project estimated at $10 million Creation of Mississippi River front trail. Sherman said the city has received $2 million from the state on this project but is seeking an additional $12 million. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Mauston man is facing his fourth operating while intoxicated charge after allegedly falling asleep while drunk in a parked vehicle on the side of the highway. Zachary Smith, 32, of Mauston is charged with felony operating a motor vehicle while under the influence fourth offense, felony operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration fourth offense, misdemeanor possession of tetrahydrocannabinols, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor bail jumping. If convicted he faces up to six years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both, for each felony charge. According to the criminal complaint: At 1:53 a.m. Nov. 4 Trooper Kyle Walczak of the Wisconsin State Patrol was dispatched to assist Juneau County Sheriff Deputy Jay Helixon with a traffic stop on Highway 82 and Highway HH in the town of Marion. Helixon stated that when he arrived on scene he observed a vehicle parked on the side of the road. Upon approaching the vehicle the driver appeared to be asleep in the drivers seat. The driver admitted to drinking alcohol and Helixon observed illicit controlled substances and paraphernalia in the vehicle. When Walczak arrived on scene the driver, who he identified as Zachary Smith, was standing outside the vehicle. Walczak observed that Smith had red glossy eyes and was emitting a strong odor of intoxicating beverages from his person. Smith stated he was trying to go home and was traveling from Mauston. Asked how much he had to drink, Smith said he had three beers with his last beer about three hours prior to the traffic stop. A preliminary breath test gave a result of 0.156% blood alcohol content. Smith was administered standard field sobriety tests and was arrested after unsuccessfully completing the sobriety tests. A search of the vehicle located an empty 24 ounce can of beer on the passenger floorboard, an empty 24 ounce can of hard tea on the passenger floorboard, a clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance in the center console cup holder and a glass pipe with a bowl containing charred organic substance in the center console cup holder. Smith was transported to the Juneau County Jail where he underwent an evidentiary blood draw. The green leafy substance was tested and gave a positive result for THC and weighed 2.7 grams. Smith is scheduled for an initial appearance Feb. 16 at the Waushara County Courthouse. Reach Christopher Jardine on Twitter @ChrisJJardine or contact him at 608-432-6591. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Prosecutors bagged a second conviction Wednesday in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, gaining another critical witness just weeks before four other men face trial. Kaleb Franks pleaded guilty to conspiracy. He said he agreed to participate in an astonishing scheme to get the Democratic governor, who was targeted because of her restrictive policies during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The FBI had infiltrated the group of six men and broke up the plan with a series of arrests in October 2020, just as the presidential election campaign neared a close. With his plea, Franks joined co-defendant Ty Garbin in admitting guilt and agreeing to help prosecutors at the March 8 trial. Franks faces a prison term, but his cooperation could lead to a lighter sentence in the months ahead. Franks replied, yes, sir, to a series of questions from U.S. Magistrate Judge Phillip Green, who went over many details in the plea agreement. Seven pages of the 19-page document signed by Franks offer a road map of the plot. It repeatedly mentions his work with the four remaining co-defendants, from firearms training in Columbia County in Wisconsin and Michigan to surveillance of Whitmers second home in northern Michigan. Those details are significant because they signal what Franks is willing to testify about when called as a trial witness. He would counter defense claims that the group was entrapped by undercover agents and informants. Franks said he connected online with the Wolverine Watchmen, a self-styled militia group, in spring 2020, attended a protest and soon learned how to download an encrypted messaging app to conceal discussion of illegal activity, according to his plea agreement. Other defendants The others facing trial are Adam Fox, who is described as a ringleader, Barry Croft Jr., Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta. During all their months of training together, (Franks) never heard Fox, Croft, Harris or Caserta say they were doing anything because informants had pushed for it, the plea agreement states. Green asked Franks about the construction of a shoot house during firearm training. It was a mock-up of the governors home, Franks replied. After the hearing, defense attorney Scott Graham declined to comment about Franks decision to plead guilty. 6 years in prison Garbin, who quickly began assisting the government after his arrest and even testified to the grand jury that produced the indictment, pleaded guilty in 2021 and was sentenced to slightly more than six years in prison. The arrests were a remarkable event in the final weeks of a tumultuous 2020 election season. Anna Liz Nichols 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. White reported from Detroit. A judge restored federal protections for gray wolves across much of the U.S. on Thursday after they were removed in the waning days of the Trump administration, casting uncertainty on the future of Wisconsins contentious hunt. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in Oakland, California, said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had failed to show wolf populations could be sustained in the Midwest and portions of the West without protection under the Endangered Species Act. Wildlife advocates had argued state-sponsored hunting threatened to reverse the gray wolfs recovery over the past several decades. Attorneys for the Biden administration defended the Trump rule that removed protections, arguing wolves were resilient enough to bounce back even if their numbers dropped sharply due to intensive hunting. At stake is the future of a species whose recovery from near-extinction has been heralded as a historic conservation success. That recovery also has brought bitter blowback from hunters and farmers angered over wolf attacks on big game herds and livestock. They contend protections are no longer warranted. Interior Department spokesperson Melissa Schwartz said the agency was reviewing the decision and offered no further comment. A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources spokesperson also declined to comment until the agency has had a chance to absorb the ruling. None of the Great Lakes states with established wolf populations Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin had scheduled additional wolf hunts prior to the judges ruling. All three were updating their wolf management programs, and officials said that work would continue. Wildlife advocacy groups said the judges order would most immediately put a stop to hunting in the region, where Wisconsin officials had come under criticism after state-licensed hunters blew through state and tribal quotas last year. Wolves in the Great Lakes region have a stay of execution, said John Horning with the environmental group WildEarth Guardians. Paul Collins, state director of Animal Wellness Action, one of the groups that sued the DNR to stop Wisconsins hunt, applauded Thursdays ruling as a correction to a rushed and political rule implemented to appease anti-wolf factions in states like Wisconsin. Once again a federal court, and a Republican-appointed judge at that, saw through the unscientific attempts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to wash their hands of gray wolves, Collins said. Hunter Nation Inc., a Kansas-based group whose lawsuit resulted in a court-ordered hunt in the final days of February 2021, issued a statement labeling White, appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush, an activist judge and calling on the Biden administration to appeal the ruling. We prefer to trust local experts and conservation and hunting partners to come up with predator management programs that make sense for them rather than putting our faith in bureaucrats who dont spend time in the woods or never have to deal with the negative consequences of an uncontrolled wolf population, CEO Luke Higemann said. Contingent season Wisconsin law requires the DNR to hold a hunting season from November through February whenever the wolf is not listed as endangered. This winters hunt was put on hold this fall by a Dane County judge who ruled the DNR must first update its 15-year-old management plan and adopt rules for setting quotas and issuing licenses. Wisconsin is facing a separate federal lawsuit over wolf hunting from six Native American tribes that accuse the DNR of violating treaty rights and endangering an animal they consider sacred. The DNR is expected to issue a draft plan later this month that will guide management for the next decade. The ruling does not directly affect wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and portions of several adjacent states that remain under state jurisdiction. The Fish and Wildlife Service since September has been separately reviewing if protections should be restored for the predators in the northern Rockies, after Republican lawmakers passed laws last year intended to drive down wolf numbers by making it easier to kill them. Traps, poison Wolves once ranged most of the U.S. but were wiped out in most places by the 1930s under government-sponsored poisoning and trapping campaigns. A remnant population in the western Great Lakes region has since expanded to some 4,400 wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. And more than 2,000 wolves occupy six states in the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest. The DNR estimates there were 1,195 wolves in the state as of April 2020, but the agency has not completed a population survey since hunters killed at least 218 wolves last winter. An updated estimate is expected this summer. Yet wolves remain absent across most of their historical range. Wildlife advocates argue that continued protections are needed so they can continue to expand in California, Colorado, Oregon and other states. Democratic and Republican administrations alike, going back to former President George W. Bush, have sought to remove or scale back federal wolf protections first enacted in 1974. State Journal reporter Chris Hubbuch contributed to this report. Why and how Africans need to participate in genetic studies Underrepresented populations need to feature more in genomic studies so that they benefit from research that explores how their unique genetics affect health. A genome is the complete set of genetic information in an organism. It provides all of the information the organism requires to function. In living organisms, the genome is stored in long molecules of DNA called chromosomes. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human genome. Scientists at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) at Wits University were part of the team that published A roadmap to increase diversity in genomic studies in Nature Medicine on 10 February 2022. Collaborators include the African Computational Genomics Research Group in Uganda, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University College London, and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. White-washing genomic research Genetic and genomic studies are predominantly based on populations of European ancestry. The study found that, as at June 2021, 86% of genomics studies had been conducted in individuals of European descent. For low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), lack of resources such as funds, institutional capacity and a skilled workforce are major barriers to genomic research. At the same time, the proportion of studies conducted in underrepresented populations has either stagnated or decreased. Underrepresented populations include residents LMICs and indigenous and minority groups across the globe. This means that the potential benefits of genomic research including better understanding of disease etiology [origin], early detection and diagnosis, rational drug design, and improved clinical care may elude the many underrepresented populations, including Africans. Factors that have contributed to underrepresentation of different populations in genomic studies include: Domination of European and American scientists in advances in genomic technologies and infrastructure and better funding opportunities Lack of diversity amongst researchers, which drives bias in genetic studies Political instability in some countries make investments in genomic studies erratic Lack of trust of researchers because of historical research abuse and exploitation Limited understanding of genetic concepts among some indigenous populations and limited data on effective models for community engagement. Why it matters Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) is an approach used in genetics research to associate specific genetic variations with particular disease. African populations have the most genetic diversity, followed by South Asians. These populations also have the most loss-of-function genetic variants, which can help scientists better understand how genetic mutations impact health. A lack of diversity in genomics leads to unmet scientific needs and health disparities. There are already clear examples of clinically important variants only discovered in underrepresented populations, for example, genetic associations implicated in kidney disease, says Dr Ananyo Choudhury, co-author, senior scientist and Reader at the SBIMB. Pockets of representative research excellence Despite the unequal representation of ancestry groups in genomic research, some studies in underrepresented populations have been very successful, says Dr Tinashe Chikowore, co-author, Wellcome Trust training fellow and researcher at the SBIMB and the SA Medical Research Council Developmental Pathways to Health Research Unit (DPHRU) at Wits. One such success story is that of the H3Africa [Human Heredity and Health in Africa] consortium, which was the first major pan-African study to have a comprehensive spread across the continent and across a wide variety of diseases and traits. In a demonstration of how building on existing resources and forming long-term partnerships can enhance representation in genetic studies, the Africa Wits-INDEPTH Partnership for Genomic Research (AWI-Gen) includes 12 000 adults and spans Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya and South Africa. AWI-Gen was established by a strategic regional partnership between Wits University and the International Network for Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health (INDEPTH) study. The successes of these cohorts and studies illustrate that, with sufficient funding, collaboration and institutional support, it is possible for researchers in LIMC institutions to build cohorts of indigenous groups and to scale up resources and skills to enable high-quality genomic research in less than a decade, says Professor Michele Ramsay, founding member of the H3Africa Consortium and director of the SBIMB. A roadmap to increase diversity in genomic studies Despite some notable efforts, representation of underrepresented groups in genetic research remains low. Authors of the paper in Nature Medicine recommend addressing this imbalance by leveraging established local infrastructure and offering strategic funding that is tied to capacity-building. Specifically, key pillars of the roadmap to set up and sustain diverse global genomic studies include: Criminal activity ruled out after man found dead outside business in town of Lee BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a message of sympathy to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over his and his wife's infection with the COVID-19 virus. In his message, Xi said that learning about the infection of President Erdogan and his wife, Emine Erdogan, he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, extend the sincere sympathy to them and wish them a speedy recovery. The Chinese president said the Chinese side will continue to firmly support Turkey in its fight against the pandemic. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Turkey relations and stands ready to work with Erdogan to continuously lift the two countries' strategic cooperative relationship to new levels. (Source: Xinhua) Woodward, OK (73801) Today Windy and partly cloudy this evening. Mostly cloudy with diminishing winds after midnight. Low 39F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Windy and partly cloudy this evening. Mostly cloudy with diminishing winds after midnight. Low 39F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. A view from Clwyd Souths Member of Parliament This article is old - Published: Thursday, Feb 10th, 2022 Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here). Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes writes I am very grateful to the many constituents who write to me on a wide range of issues. We try to reply swiftly to this correspondence, and I am proud that, since becoming your MP just over two years ago, my team and I have helped constituents with more than 3,400 cases locally, and a similar number of campaign and policy queries. This month, I was pleased to meet with Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP to discuss his Private Members Bill, The Down Syndrome Bill, which has my full support. The Bill will lead to the establishment of a National Strategy to improve provision and outcomes for all those living with Down Syndrome in the UK. On Thursday 27th January 2022, I signed the Holocaust Memorial Day Trusts Book of Commitment in Parliament which honours and remembers those who were murdered during the Holocaust. It is vital that we all take the opportunity to reflect on one of the darkest times in world history and remember those who suffered and were murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. On Wednesday 26th January 2022, I was very pleased to highlight the issue of the urgently needed Newbridge Road repairs and the Levelling Up Fund investment of 13.3m in Clwyd South during Prime Ministers Questions. The UK Government has delivered record Levelling Up Fund investment of 13.3m to Clwyd South along the Dee Valley from the Trevor Basin to Llangollen and Chirk and on to Corwen. This will bring jobs and economic activity and will celebrate the amazing history, language, and culture of our part of Wales and bring them to a wider audience. On Tuesday 18th January 2022, I spoke in the Welsh Grand Committee debate on the topic of Strengthening the Union as it relates to Wales and used our successful Levelling Up Fund bid as an excellent example of how the UK Government is helping communities here in Clwyd South. Kerry Mackay, from Glyn Ceiriog, was recently named one of the top 100 most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs in the UK. She has achieved amazing success with her business, Scrubbies UK, which manufactures home-compostable cleaning pads made from bamboo, organic cotton, and vegan ink, and she is a huge credit to her community. I was therefore very pleased to champion her achievements in the House of Commons, for a second time, during Women and Equalities Questions with the Minister Kemi Badenoch MP on Wednesday 12th January 2022. Locally, it was a pleasure to visit Khalid Khidir and to welcome his new business Top Cut Barbers to Llangollen on Friday 21st January 2022. During the Welsh Governments Covid lockdowns, we all missed being able to go to a barber or hairdresser, so a visit now that restrictions have been relaxed means a great deal more to us. I wish Top Cut Barbers all the very best in developing their business and every success in the future. I also met up with Chris and Maggie Millward-Hopkins to learn more about their journey founding and growing NEW Executive Transfers into the success story it is today. They provide a chauffeur service of the highest quality and also run chauffeur-driven private guided tours for visitors to North Wales which makes a significant contribution to tourism in our area. I like to keep in touch with residents on my work as an MP both in Parliament and in Clwyd South with a monthly interview on Premier Radio, the community radio station based in Clwyd South and Wrexham. If youre interested in listening to Premier Radio, please go to their website: www.premier-radio.co.uk. I also continue to send out a monthly e-newsletter so constituents can read more about my activities in Clwyd South and Westminster. If youd like to start receiving this monthly MPs e-newsletter, you can sign up using the following link: www.simonbaynes.co.uk/sign-simons-e-newsletter. Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here). US Air Force B-52 bomber spotted in skies of Wrexham on way to RAF Fairford This article is old - Published: Thursday, Feb 10th, 2022 A US Air Force B-52 bomber was spotted overhead this morning heading for RAF Fairford. Four B-52s set off from their Minot Air Base in North Dakota around 2am GMT. One of the huge bombers was spotted on flight tracking maps just before 11am heading into the UK across the skies to the north of Wrexham on a track heading south. JTW Aviation Images tweeted @wrexham the photographs of the B-52 call sign Hate 14 one image above, and others in the tweet below: Had to zoom in through some haze at 600mm, but delighted to able to catch a glimpse of "HATE 14" B-52H overhead the house @wrexham on the way to RAF Fairford for the BTF. @TeamMinot #Fairford #B52 pic.twitter.com/L7GL4whxNg JTW Aviation Images (@JTWAviationImag) February 10, 2022 B-52s are deploying to the UK shortly as part of a Bomber Task Force training mission to familiarise themselves with European airspace. BREAKING NEWS | U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers will shortly be deploying to the United Kingdom. Aircraft are expected to arrive over the coming days. pic.twitter.com/JH2kLOUYqd George Allison (@geoallison) February 7, 2022 @wrexham Lol! also got a glimpse of the USA FB52H Stratofortress at around 27000' earlier with a very amateurish effort!! pic.twitter.com/0xOfeFGpL7 Mark Riley (@Prisonervi) February 10, 2022 You dont get one these flying over the Dee Estuary that often. A B-52 Bomber on the way to RAF Fairford pic.twitter.com/Fphx5iSfGM DEESIDE.com (@DeesideDotCom) February 10, 2022 US Air Force says: The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters). It can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. NEW: US Airforce B52 bomber arrives at RAF Fairford. First of 4 expected today as part of the Bomber Taskforce. Officially training exercise but also a show of force with rising tensions in #ukraine @itvnews pic.twitter.com/sdIPj3tZxM Rupert Evelyn (@rupertevelyn) February 10, 2022 US Air Force website states: In a conventional conflict, the B-52 can perform strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. B-52s are equipped with advanced targeting pods. Targeting pods provide improved long-range target detection, identification and continuous stabilized surveillance for all missions, including close air support of ground forces. The advanced targeting and image processing technology significantly increases the combat effectiveness of the B-52 during day, night and less than ideal weather conditions when attacking ground targets with a variety of standoff weapons (e.g., laser-guided bombs, conventional bombs and GPS-guided weapons). The use of aerial refuelling gives the B-52 a range limited only by aircrew endurance. It has an unrefueled combat range in excess of 8,800 miles (14,080 kilometres). Wrexhams historic connections with LEGO celebrated in new exhibition This article is old - Published: Thursday, Feb 10th, 2022 A new exhibition showcasing the links between one of the most successful and recognisable toy companies in the world and Wrexham is set to launch this month. Brick Built will see the Wrexham Museum host a touring exhibition by Warren Elsmore, featuring his teams models of famous buildings, monuments and structures made from LEGO bricks. The exhibition, which will be open to visitors between 18 February and 7 May, will also celebrate the connections between the town and the iconic toy which is loved by children and adults of all ages. Initially the world-famous bricks were produced in a factory on Hugmore Lane on Wrexham Industrial Estate. Later LEGO built a new UK distribution centre on Ruthin Road. The Ruthin Road site in particular is still fondly remembered by many local people, with the iconic, giant LEGO bricks outside the entrance still clear in many peoples minds. Showcasing the historic connection between Wrexham and the Danish toy manufacturer the exhibition will include Warrens LEGO museum containing models and products from the early years of the company up to the present day. Naturally there will be an area in the gallery where you can build your own LEGO models. Look out also for news of the special events days during the exhibition! A highlight of the exhibition will be the model celebrating the civil engineering marvel of the canal age, our local World Heritage Site, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, created specifically for this exhibition. Wrexham Glyndwr University design students are also contributing a film and a model of the School of Creative Arts building for display in the exhibition. Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: Brick Built is set be one of the highlights of the year so far for museum visitors. There are some real gems from the archive to see here for those who remember the factory on Ruthin Road. The exhibition is also ideal for family visits Warren Elsmores fantastic models of famous monuments are a must-see for all ages. I hope everyone will make the most of this unique opportunity to find out more about how Wrexham was involved in the story of this phenomenally successful global brand. Research has been ongoing into the history of British Lego Ltd. and LEGOUK. Since the councils appeal earlier in the year, former employees have helped the museum to include the history of LEGO in Wrexham in the exhibition. If you worked at or were connected to either of the two sites, and have not yet made contact, please email museum@wrexham.gov.uk Brick Built: Landmarks in LEGO bricks will be on show from 18th February until 7th May 2022. Entry is FREE. Visit the Wrexham Museum website for more information on upcoming exhibitions and events. Images: Courtesy of Warren Elsmore. In a dramatic escalation of US and NATO provocations against Russia, Israel launched multiple strikes on Syrian army targets near Damascus early Wednesday morning, killing one soldier and wounding five more. An Israeli Air Force F16I fighter from the 253rd Squadron, also known as the Negev Squadron. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) The attack brought a rare and sharp denunciation from Russia. It confirms the warning issued by the World Socialist Web Site in its statement US-NATO escalate war threats against Russia: Are you ready for World War Three? that irrespective of Washingtons plans or expectations, The unleashing of a war with Russia would within weeksif not daysdrag in Iran, Israel, China and Taiwan. Syrias news agency SANA reported that some of the strikes came from fighter jets flying over southeast Lebanon and others from surface-to-surface missiles fired from the Golan Heights, which Israel has illegally occupied and annexed since capturing the territory during the 1967 war with its Arab neighbours. Syrian air defences had brought down some of the missiles, but the Israeli attack had caused serious damage to civilian buildings in Qudsaya city, northwest of Damascus. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it had attacked targets in Syria, including a radar facility and anti-tank batteries, in response to an earlier anti-aircraft missile fired Tuesday into northern Israel that exploded in the air without causing any injuries or damage. While the rocket had not been intercepted by Israeli air defences, it activated warning sirens in Umm al-Fahm, a Palestinian city in northern Israel. The Syrian-launched rocket followed a series of strikes launched over the last 10 days by the IDF against targets in the Damascus area that Israel claims are Iranian weapons dumps or military outposts belonging to Hezbollah. Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syria, attacking government positions as well as fighters and facilities belonging to Lebanons Hezbollah and Iranian forces. According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israel had struck at least 29 targets in Syria in 2021, down from 39 strikes in 2020 which it said was highest since 2011. Israeli attacks had killed 130 people, including five civilians. Nearly half of those killed were affiliated with Iranian-backed militias. Last December, IDF jets overflying the Mediterranean Sea launched one of Israels biggest attacks, hitting shipping containers at Syrias main commercial port Latakia, igniting a massive blaze. While Israel claimed its targets were arms shipments to Hezbollah and Iranian militias, Syrian fire officials in Latakia said the containers held spare auto parts and oil. It followed another attack on the port earlier in December. According to the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties in Syria, Syrian air defences did not engage with Israeli planes because a Russian air force plane was landing at the nearby Khmeimim airbase, implying some degree of collusion between Moscow and Tel Aviv. Collaboration between the two countries has been close since Syria called for Russian support against the Islamist militias in 2015, with Israels former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paying frequent visits to Moscow. Last October, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and President Vladimir Putin reportedly discussed security coordination in Syria at Russias Black Sea resort Sochi, with an Israeli minister who attended the meeting hinting that Putin had agreed to let Israel operate freely against Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria. As a result, Israel has been able to bomb Syria without fear of any response from Russian planes. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, seated, smiles as he waits to pose for a group photo with the ministers of the new government at the Presidents residence in Jerusalem, Monday, June 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) This thaw has ended with the ramping up of US and NATOs war threats against Russia. US Lieutenant General Erik Kurilla, nominated to take over Central Command that oversees Middle East operations, told the Senate Armed services Committee, the Russia-Ukraine conflict could spill into Syria. Damascus, which signed an agreement with Moscow in 2015 granting it free use of its airbase at Khmeimim, recently extended Russias lease on its naval base at Tartus, Moscows only naval base in the Mediterranean Sea. Last Friday, Russian naval ships arrived at Tartus to take part in large-scale drills. In mid-January, Syrian and Russian fighter planes and early warning and control aircraft began joint patrols of the airspace along Syrias borders, including the Golan Heights that have witnessed frequent Israeli air strikes. Moscow said these patrols would now be a regular occurrence. In a further instance of deteriorating relations, Russia refused an Israeli demand earlier this month to resolve an electromagnetic interference from its Khmeimim air base in Syria on the GPS of planes landing in Tel Avivs international airport. Moscow said that its air defence systems at Khmeimim were installed for the express purpose of protecting its soldiers in the region. Moscow has also asked for Belarus to send 200 soldiers to Syria. They would not be involved in any fighting and would remain outside the conflict zones to help Russian troops provide humanitarian aid. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has denied reports that he intends to send troops to Syria. In a sharp break with its previous practice, Moscow responded angrily to Israels latest airstrikes. Alexander Yefimov, Russias ambassador to Syria, told Novosti that Russia views the Israeli retaliatory strike as illegal. Russia strongly condemns the Israeli raids on Syria, and calls for an end to them, he said. We inform West Jerusalem of this position constantly and at various levels. Israeli strikes on Syria are absolutely illegal in terms of international law, and leave human casualties, cause tangible material damage, violate Syrias sovereignty, pose a threat to international civil aviation, and in general increase tension in the already escalating military-political situation. Israels air strikes also signal an end to the tentative deal the US cut with Russia easing the political pressure on Syria. Under the arrangement, if approved by the Security Council, the United Nations was to hold fewer meetings on Syrias chemical weapons and speed up sessions on humanitarian relief. Israel, which is home to many immigrants from both Russia and Ukraine, had sought to balance between Moscow and Kiev as the conflict escalated. It has largely remained silent in the war of words between the US and its European allies and Russia, as a war would have a disastrous impact on Israels economy, reliant as it is on Ukraine as a source of cheap labour for its high-tech industries. Speaking with American news outlet Axios last week, Foreign Secretary Yair Lapid said that Israeli officials, who have been involved in behind-the-scenes de-escalation efforts, dont see a violent confrontation soon. He added, We have a duty to act with caution about the Russia-Ukraine crisis that no other country has. His comments infuriated his Ukrainian counterpart, despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky denying that Russia was on the point of invading his country. Israels airstrikes against Damascus therefore can only be understood as the result of orders from Washington to up the ante against Russia. Israels strikes against Damascus come as Bennetts government faces multiple domestic crises. A right-wing National Unity government in all but name, buttressed by the corporatist trade unions, it was put in place last June under guidance by the incoming Biden administration to replace Netanyahus Likud-led coalition, a fervent supporter of former president Donald Trump, following the fourth inconclusive election in two years. It confronts an increasingly angry Israeli working class, who have lost loved ones in the pandemic as the government lifts all restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus to keep the profits rolling in even as workers lose their livelihoods and see wages eroded by rising prices. This domestic crisis feeds into the war fever generated over Ukraine, encouraging Jerusalem to seek a way of buttressing its position, as it has so often before, through a fresh and more dangerous turn to militarism. As the imperialist powers are stepping up their war campaign against Russia over Ukraine, threatening the lives of millions, Omicron is ravaging the population in both countries, where almost each day brings a new record in case numbers. Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus treat a patient with coronavirus, left, as others prepare a patent to move at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) On Wednesday, Russia for the first time reported over 183,000 cases, more than ten times the figure of a month ago. Saint Petersburg is now leading the country with over 19,000 reported new cases, followed by Moscow. Over 20,000 people are being hospitalized every day. The daily death toll is also climbing rapidly, reaching 669 on Wednesday. In Ukraine, cases hit over 38,000, a bit less than Fridays record of over 43,000 cases, but still significantly more than during any previous wave. 250 people died, more than double the figure of 115 deaths on Monday. The Guardian recently noted that the high number of cases could affect the fighting capacity of the Ukrainian military should a war break out. Two thousand four hundred of Ukraines 150,000 land forces are officially infected, but the real number is likely much higher as testing occurs only sporadically before major social gatherings or if someone has symptoms. In the Russian and Ukrainian armies, vaccination rates are 95 and 99 percent respectively, much higher than among the general population where it stands only at about 50 percent in Russia and just over a third in Ukraine. Under conditions where Omicron widely infects even those who are fully vaccinated or even boosted, the policies of both oligarchic governments have ensured that the population is left with almost no protection against infection. As elsewhere, two years into the pandemic, neither Moscow nor Kiev have informed the population about the airborne transmission of the virus and only very few people wear N95 masks, if theyre wearing any masks at all. Mirroring the response of the imperialist powers to the pandemic, the oligarchies in both countries refuse to impose further lockdowns. While the Kremlin transferred most of the government's work online weeks ago and has scheduled only three parliamentary sessions for this month, most workers are obliged to show up for work unless their employers grant them permission to work remotely, or until the virus forces their workplace to shut down. Again mirroring the trends in Western Europe and the US, the Kremlin has been scrapping whatever few preventive measures have remained. As Omicron surged in the second half of January, the government reduced quarantine time from 14 to 7 days. Since Monday, people who have been sick with COVID for a week now have to return to work without even taking a PCR test showing whether they are positive or negative. The situation facing children (and their parents) is particularly horrific. According to Russias health minister, Mikhail Murashko, 20 percent of all new cases occur among children. This is almost twice as much as the official rate of about 11 percent during the peak of the Delta wave last fall. At the time, Russian officials acknowledged that 13.5 percent of all children who had been infected would go on to experience long COVID symptoms, which can be extremely debilitating and include headaches, various neurological symptoms and the loss of several IQ points. Almost 12,000 children were hospitalized in Russia as of Tuesdaya 28 percent increase in a week. The Kremlin has never revealed any figures about how many children have died from COVID-19 so far, but their number must be in the hundreds, if not thousands. The reasons for this mass infection are clear: Although it has been well established for months that Omicron is affecting children much more than previous variants, schools remain open until the virus forces classrooms to shutter. The vaccination rate among children is minuscule, with just over 41,000 children over the age of 12 having received two shots, as of this week. Two pediatricians from Saint Petersburg, Ruben Movsesyan and Igor Alexeyev, spoke to the press this week to express their serious concern about the significant growth in severe cases among children. Both doctors have observed a spike in cases of pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome, which affects the heart and can also involve intestinal lesions and kidney damage. Often the syndrome only occurs weeks after the initial infection. Movsesyan, the head of Russias Association of Heart Surgeons, told the Peterburgskii Dnevnik, We're faced with a challenge for the pediatric system, for the whole health care system. When you add up the puzzles related to COVID-19 and complications related to blood clotting, to inflammatory reactions, its scary. Its a new challenge that will be a big problem for us if we don't respond with new programs that can protect children from severe complications, which are often fatal to children's health. We need to take these maybe still isolated cases very seriously and bring treatment and rehabilitation programs for children after undergoing COVID-19 into the big complex of functional diagnostics and cardiological monitoring. We anticipate that there may be more such children [with multisystem inflammatory syndrome], and we need to be prepared to address these issues before surgical intervention becomes necessary. If we didnt talk about childhood in the pandemic before, we're definitely talking about it now. The wave of infections and hospitalizations is hitting a heavily understaffed, exhausted, overwhelmed and underpaid medical workforce. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 by the Stalinist bureaucracy and capitalist restoration have had a particularly severe impact on the health care sector, and far-reaching cuts and austerity measures have continued under the Putin regime and into the pandemic. The deplorable state of the health care system has no doubt been a major contributing factor to the staggering death toll of the pandemic, which officially stands at over 336,000 in Russiaby far the largest in Europebut excess deaths stand at over 929,000. In a particularly shocking indicator, life expectancy has declined by a staggering three years because of the pandemic. In an initial expression of the social anger that has been accumulating among health care workers, the paramedics of a hospital in the Bashkiri region initiated an Italian strike several days ago. The workers, who are making just about 29,000 rubles a month ($383), are demanding better pay and significantly better working conditions. In their statement, they said, We are working under the most difficult conditions. We perform our duties conscientiously, but our professional pride does not allow us to watch our fellow citizens being deprived of emergency medical care. There is only one medic on the crew instead of two [that are required by law]! We are actually forced to violate the standards of medical care. When three of the strikers were fired, the rest of the emergency workforce at the hospital recorded a video, demanding that their colleagues be reinstated. Otherwise, they warned, they would all leave their jobs. Supporters of the far-right Freedom Convoy have blocked traffic across the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, since Monday. The blocking of the busiest Canada-US border crossing has impacted hundreds of millions of dollars in cross-border trade, and forced auto plants and other industrial facilities to temporarily suspend production due to parts shortages in both countries. The Freedom Convoy began occupying downtown Ottawa two weeks ago today and is vowing to remain until its demand for the abolition of all COVID-19 public health measures is met. Another cross-border blockade manned by Freedom Convoy supporters is in place in Coutts, Alberta, where supplies of foodstuffs and animal feed between Montana and Alberta have been held up. A third blockade at the Emerson, Manitoba, border crossing was reportedly established Thursday afternoon. Traffic backs up on Fort St next to the Ambassador Bridge, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Detroit. The bridge border crossing between Canada and the U.S. was closed in both directions on Monday as authorities investigated possible explosives found in the area. Windsor police said the area surrounding the bridge that links Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit has also been evacuated. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) This far-right movement, which is led by right-wing extremists and outright fascists, was built up and incited by the Conservatives and large sections of the corporate media to be used as a battering ram against widespread popular support for public health measures to combat the pandemic. It has received extensive political, financial and logistical support from the American far right, beginning with the fascist-minded ex-President and coup-plotter Donald Trump. The ability of the relatively small number of occupiers to have such an impact on economic and political life has also been made possible by the kid-glove treatment they have received from the police, which stands in stark contrast to the ruthless state repression invariably meted out to left-wing protesters. The blockade of traffic heading north across the bridge to Canada began Monday evening. Although police reported a temporary lifting of the blockade Tuesday afternoon, it was soon reimposed. Traffic has continued to flow at a slow pace from Canada to the US, with long wait times reported. The Ambassador Bridge is the most important conduit for cross-border trade in North America. More than $300 million worth of goods are transported across it every day, accounting for 25 percent of all trade between Canada and the US. Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant reported disruptions to production on Tuesday as just-in-time supply chain links were cut. First and second shifts were cut short at the facility. Toyota has announced that its Ontario plants will not produce any more vehicles this week. General Motors suspended the second shift Wednesday and Thursday at its Delta Township facility in Lansing, Michigan. Ford reported that its Windsor engine plant would remain shut for the rest of the week, while the Oakville Assembly Plant near Toronto is operating on reduced shifts. Ford parts continue to flow from Canada to its US operations, the company said. The disruption of the most important bilateral land trade route between Canada and the US is deepening the political crisis of the Trudeau Liberal government triggered by the Freedom Convoy occupation. Calls are increasing in political and business circles for the federal government to find a solution to the standoff, whether by conceding to the Convoys demands that all anti-COVID restrictions be abolisheda process that is well under wayor through state violence. In recent days, the Canadian press has been full of commentaries urging Trudeau to deploy the military to quash the Ottawa occupation and border blockades. On Wednesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated that the Biden administration believes the blockade poses a risk to supply chains for the auto industry. She added, We are watching this very closely. Psaki noted that officials from the Department of Homeland Security were working with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and representatives from the Detroit Three automakers on the matter. Some traffic has been rerouted to the Bluewater Bridge connecting Port Huron with Sarnia, Ontario, where the Canada Border Security Agency reported wait times of three hours Thursday morning. There are a number of steps we have proactively taken, added Psaki, without providing further details. An editorial in the Wall Street Journal Wednesday declared its solidarity with the far-right Freedom Convoys call for an end to all anti-COVID measures. Large swathes of humanity are done with COVID-19 restrictions, the editorial thundered, and added that everyone should go back to making their own health risk assessments. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem also weighed in, stating that swift resolution of the disruption of cross-border trade was necessary to avoid a measurable impact on economic activity. A joint statement issued by over 70 Canadian Chambers of Commerce and other business associations demands that federal, provincial, state and local governments work collaboratively to deliver rapid solutions to the illegal blockade of traffic. In the face of this mounting chorus of criticism from big business, the Conservatives performed an about-face Thursday, withdrawing their support for the trucker occupations and blockades. I believe the time has come for you to take down the barricades, stop the disruptive action, and come together, interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen declared in the House of Commons. The economy that you want to see reopened is hurting. Bergen combined this shift with the presentation of a motion that will force a parliamentary vote on compelling the minority Liberal government to withdraw all COVID-19 mandates and restrictions by the end of the month. If the Conservatives are now calling for the Freedom Convoy occupations to end, it is because they have largely achieved their interrelated objectives of ending all anti-COVID mitigation measures, shifting official politics sharply right, and destabilizing and, if possible, bringing down the Trudeau government. Ontario Premier Doug Ford became the last leader in a major province Thursday to announce that he would soon present a plan to scrap all pandemic-related restrictions. There can be no doubt that behind the scenes, Washington is intensifying the pressure on the Trudeau government to put an end to the far-right protest so as to avoid seriously impacting the auto and other manufacturing sectors. Trudeaus Liberals, with the firm support of Unifor and the entire trade union bureaucracy, have worked tirelessly since coming to power in 2015, and especially since the COVID-19 outbreak, to portray Canada as a reliable and competitive location for investors and multinational corporations to do business. These efforts have been focused above all on consolidating a protectionist trade bloc with the United States, which accounts for about three-quarters of Canadian trade. Washingtons intervention and the increased pressure from big business point to a dramatic intensification of Canadas political crisis. As the World Socialist Web Site explained from the outset of the occupation of downtown Ottawa, sections of the ruling elite incited the convoy so as to move official politics sharply to the right. Although the initial target was the dismantling of all COVID-19 restrictions, the Conservatives and their corporate media backers are exploiting the threat of far-right political violence to push Canada to take a more aggressive stance in the war drive against Russia and deepen attacks on the working class as part of post-pandemic austerity. Pressure is now building on the Trudeau government to reach a political solution with the occupiers based on making concessions to their murderous demands, or to call in more law enforcement or the military to physically break up the occupation and border blockades. On Tuesday, Liberal MP Joel Lightbound resigned his chairmanship of the partys Quebec parliamentary caucus and held a press conference to attack Trudeau for demonizing people who had criticized his pandemic measures. He demanded a roadmap for ending all pandemic restrictions. Yesterday, the city of Windsor joined various auto industry groups in seeking a court injunction to declare the Ambassador Bridge blockade illegal. The Ontario Superior Court will hear the case tomorrow morning. Earlier, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens commented, We are striving to resolve this issue safely and peacefully. Our community will not tolerate this situation for long. Every hour this protest continues, our community hurts. On Thursday afternoon federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said RCMP officers have been sent to Windsor and Coutts to help end the blockades. Officers from the Ontario Provincial Police have also been sent by the Ford government to Windsor. Under these increasingly tense circumstances, should a violent clash occur between the police and members of the blockade, the Conservatives and their ruling class backers will use it to further undermine Trudeaus position and potentially oust his government in favour of an even more right-wing regime. The only progressive way out of the current political crisis involves the independent political intervention of the working class. In the early days of the pandemic, it was spontaneous work stoppages by autoworkers in Michigan and Ontario that forced governments in Canada and the US to impose temporary lockdowns, which saved thousands of lives. Workers on both sides of the border subsequently suffered through two years of pandemic policies by governments that have prioritized the protection of corporate profits over human life, claiming the lives of 900,000 people in the United States and over 35,000 in Canada. The working class must take up the struggle for a global Zero COVID strategy to eliminate the virus once and for all, which can only be implemented through a political struggle to break the grip of the financial oligarchy over economic and social life. On Tuesday, the stepped-up promotion of an extreme right-wing movement by sections of the political establishment and the ruling elite found its starkest expression yet. Craig Kelly, a prominent MP who only resigned from the Liberal-National Coalition government last year, ushered six far-right activists into the federal parliament building and cloistered with them in his office. They presented a letter, outlining a series of demands for an immediate end to the handful of COVID restrictions that remain, including limited vaccine mandates. Kelly declared that he would hand the document directly to his former leader, Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The six were brought in as representatives of a freedom convoy that has held protests in Canberra, the national capital, this week. The small gatherings have been given outsized coverage in the corporate media, and are modelled on similar right-wing mobilisations in Canada, New Zealand and elsewhere. Commentary in the press has highlighted Kellys supposed eccentricity and the freakshow character of the visit. But it is a serious warning to the working class. Individuals playing a leading role in a fascistic movement, heavily associated with threats of political violence, were brought into parliament, amid a ban on public visitors, without any apparent attempt to block them by the government, Labor or the intelligence agencies. Among Kellys guests was Simeon Boikov. He is the leader of a small Australian Cossack group, and combines support for the Russian state with hardline Australian nationalism. Boikov has spoken alongside Australian representatives of Golden Dawn, the Greek neo-Nazi organisation, and has publicly associated with Jim Saleam, leader of the Australia First Party. Boikov (right), alongside Jim Saleam and anti-Muslim activist Kim Vuga in 2016 (Photo published on Australia First Party website) Saleam was sent to prison in the 1990s for ordering a shotgun attack on the home of Eddie Funde, the Australian representative of the African National Congress, in the culmination of a wave of violence he allegedly orchestrated against left-wing figures. Boikov has recently been the subject of a Firearm Protection Order, an uncommon measure imposed by the New South Wales police commissioner, banning an individual from possessing a gun or ammunition and granting police wide-ranging powers to search for infringements. He is standing as an independent candidate for the seat of Strathfield in an upcoming Sydney by-election and has been endorsed by Kelly. Another of the guests was Cindy Roberts. She was present at a December protest when other far-right activists allegedly set fire to the entrance of Old Parliament House. Last week Roberts posted footage taken outside the governor-generals home, in which she declared Your time is coming, its the gallows, its the gallows, its the gallows, in comments apparently directed at Morrison. These are individuals who must be well known to the intelligence agencies. They are hardly discreet about their politics. Simeon Boikov in a photo published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2019 and marked as supplied The timing makes the entrance of such forces into parliament even more significant. The government and the entire political establishment are in an unprecedented crisis. Decades-long hostility to the major parties and their program of social austerity has been greatly intensified by mass opposition to the let it rip pandemic policies of the past two months, which overturned previously successful public health measures and have resulted in an unprecedented COVID surge. Morrisons polling results have been the lowest of his prime ministership. His ability to survive until the next federal election, due to be held in May, has been called into question by the eruption of open factional warfare within the Coalition government. Elements of the Coalition have vocally opposed minimal vaccine mandates, with a backbench revolt on the issue stymying the governments ability to pass any legislation late last year. It is under these conditions, of a breakdown of the two-party parliamentary system, that extreme right-wing forces are being brought forward. Many of their positions on the pandemic dovetail directly with those of the ruling elite. Kellys guests, for instance, included a demand that state borders never be closed again, one of the central complaints of the corporate media throughout the pandemic. The current protests began late last year. Initial participants were supporters of the sovereign citizen conspiracy theory. They claim that governments are fictional entities and illegitimate corporations, and assert, through convoluted pseudo-legal rhetoric, the right of individuals to do whatever they please, including to violate basic public health measures during a pandemic. Protesters included longstanding right-wingers, as well as a layer of Aboriginal nationalists, such as Roberts, who have adopted the sovereign citizen outlook. The latter have promoted medical misinformation opposing vaccines, contributing to the spread of COVID in oppressed Aboriginal communities. One of their leading members died of the coronavirus in December. The fire lit at Old Parliament House was not an aberration. Some of the sovereign citizen groups erroneously believe that it is the seat of government, though it has not been for more than thirty years. Videos they posted to social media hinted at a plot to storm the building, which primarily functions as a museum, and to declare the government overthrown. They lamented that the plans had been foiled because of infighting and leaks. The protesters then turned to the current Parliament House, establishing an encampment outside it. That was dismantled last week and the demonstrators, largely from out of town, relocated to Canberras showgrounds. They have held several protests at parliament this week, as it resumed sittings. The gatherings have been attended by a few thousand people at most, with a freedom convoy arriving on Tuesday. Other right-wing groups are involved, including the Canberra chapter of the Proud Boys, the far-right US street gang. The disparate organisations have been brought together largely on the basis of opposition to vaccination, which is being used by fascistic forces to try and build a broader constituency. Speakers have decried tyranny, and have insinuated that extreme measures must be taken to prevent its consolidation. The protests are clearly modeled on similar movements internationally, including the freedom convoy that has besieged the Canadian parliament for almost two weeks, and the attempted coup led by Donald Trump, to try and overturn the US election result, on January 6, 2021. As is the case internationally, the fascist forces are backed and encouraged by sections of the political establishment and the ruling elite. Kellys United Australia Party is led and funded by mining billionaire Clive Palmer. Its upcoming campaign in the federal election appears to be focused on an attempt to bring together the various anti-vaccination forces, including as candidates, on the basis of a right-wing populist program. Pauline Hansons One Nation Party is appealing to the same layers. The fact that Kelly was a member of the government a year ago, moreover, is not an accident. For several years, sections of the Coalition have sought to transform it into an alt-right style movement, taking inspiration from Trump. Morrison closely identified himself with the US president, and was one of the few world leaders who initially refused to condemn his coup attempt. The Coalition has collaborated closely with Hanson and other right-wing figures, while it has competed with them for the support of extreme right-wing elements. More fundamental than sordid electoral calculations, however, is the flirtation of the government with openly authoritarian measures. The fascistic forces are being brought forward, to shift official political discussion even further to the right. The aim is to drown out the genuine popular sentiments, of widespread hostility to war, inequality and the subordination of health and lives to private profit. The right-wing layers are being mobilised to intimidate growing working-class opposition and to prepare a battering ram that can be directed against its emerging struggles. All of the official parties are responsible. By enforcing the dictates of big business and the banks over the past forty years, for an unceasing onslaught on jobs, wages and conditions, Labor and the unions have created the social crisis and the foul political climate in which the fascists can win a hearing. Both have played the central role in suppressing any independent struggle by the working class, including during the pandemic. This has provided the far-right with a monopoly on public oppositional activity. Labor and the unions have championed the profits before lives program. In the forthcoming election, they are pitching themselves to the ruling elite as a more reliable instrument for imposing the live with the virus policies and the further pro-business restructuring that is to accompany them. At the same time, they are promoting filthy nationalism, with calls for greater Australian self-sufficiency, which they directly link to support for the US-led war preparations against China. The fight against the fascist threat can only proceed through the development of an independent political movement of the working class, directed against the entire parliamentary set-up and the capitalist system that it defends. After a Freedom Convoy demanding an end to all public health measures against COVID-19 occupied downtown Ottawa, the Canadian capital, a network of far-right and anti-vaccination activists are planning similar actions across Europe. Occupations of Paris and Brussels, the seat of the European parliament, are planned for February 11 and February 14, respectively. Like Canadas Freedom Convoy, linked to far-right forces involved in former US President Donald Trumps attempted coup on January 6, 2021 in Washington, this is the result of a carefully-prepared campaign. A series of Facebook groups, Twitter pages, and twenty-four Telegram channels were set up on January 26 and 27 to organize convoys to European capitals and thence to Brussels. They feature promotional videos glorifying convoys in Ottawa and at the Canadian-US border and calling for the spread of the movement to Europe. This action is led by a group named European Freedom Convoy. On Twitter, it denounces restrictions like mask-wearing inside shops or schools and proof of vaccination to enter restaurants as martial law. It demands instead the right to conduct business freely and to maintain national pride and spiritual beliefs. It also features a World Freedom Convoy Telegram channel linking the movements in North America and Europe, and which is awash in posts on QAnon, anti-Semitic and anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. This reactionary movement aims to accelerate the elimination of anti-COVID-19 measures that European governments are carrying out despite growing opposition among youth and workers. Having recorded 1.65 million COVID-19 deaths and 140 million infections, Europe now faces a tsunami of Omicron variant infections, with over 23,000 deaths last week. France, which recorded 691 deaths on February 8, the highest since March 2021, saw almost 1.5 million cases and 2,302 deaths from COVID-19 last week. Yet governments across Europe are tearing apart masking mandates and self-isolation rules for those exposed to the virus, fully reopening public venues and schools, and thus ensuring that the virus will spread. The Freedom Convoys posturing as an opposition to state policies is a political fraud. They denounce state public health policies such as full or partial lockdowns that were adopted at the recommendation of scientists, after strikes across Europe demanding that workers be protected from the virus. However, they are demanding a more rapid implementation of the policy of living with the virus demanded by French President Emmanuel Macron and other governments across Europe, who are determined to boost the stock markets at the expense of human lives. While the Freedom Convoys present themselves as apolitical, they are ties to far-right parties who campaigned against vaccination last year and now for the Freedom Convoys. Actions are scheduled to take place throughout Europe on Friday and Saturday in the lead-up to the planned occupation of Brussels. In the Netherlands, the convoys Dutch Telegram channel has over 32,000 members, in Belgium over 12,000, in Spain over 10,500, and in Austria over 9,500. In Spain and Austria, truckers plan to occupy Madrid and Vienna on Saturday, before heading to Brussels. Telegram channels in the UK, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, and other countries have a few thousand members. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is promoting the Freedom Convoy occupation of Brussels. On Twitter, AfD European parliamentarian Christine Anderson denounced Brussels as the capital of lunacy, the origin of this whole digital green certificate madness and all the discrimination, harassment and oppressive measures that came with it. She pledged to greet the convoy in the streets when it arrived in Brussels. The largest action organized so far is in France, where the Freedom Convoy has received support from neo-fascists including supporters of presidential candidates Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour, as well as from the populist Unsubmissive France party of Jean-Luc Melenchon. Convoys of a few dozen trucks, work vehicles, cars, and motorbikes, left the southern cities of Perpignan, Nice, and Bayonne yesterday, as part of a three-day convoy that will reach Paris on Friday. Other convoys from French cities closer to the capital are scheduled to depart today and tomorrow. Wall-to-wall coverage of the Freedom Convoy and of its launch on Wednesday has been provided by the C-News television station, Zemmours former employer, which is owned by billionaire Vincent Bollore. As a result, the Facebook group providing updates on the convoy in France has swelled to over 320,000 members since it was launched on January 26. An independent journalist using the pseudonym Remi Monde describes himself as the leader of the French movement. In a video on Facebook, he asks, Can we block everything?, before declaring: We take our destiny in our hands. Let's get together and head to the capital. Monde has previously made posts in support of Florian Philippot, head of the far-right Patriots Party, although he has claimed that the Freedom Convey is apolitical. Philippot tweeted, It looks like the global house of cards of corruption has begun to crumble, and its starting in Canada! Trudeau is hiding! The wave will break over France! On Wednesday, Zemmour supporter Jean-Frederic Poisson tweeted: After Canada, French and European truckers are organizing. Support the Freedom Convey! Everyone to Paris! Marine Le Pen said she understood the Freedom Convoy, as globalization has turned our societies into pressure cookers that can explode at the slightest event. Calling however for her supporters to vote, she added: Demonstrating ones anger, yes of course, making it clear to the government, yes of course, but when the time comes, every five years it is the presidential election, that is when the great decisions of our country are truly made. In an attempt to rally broader support and hide its far-right roots, the French Freedom Convoy also demagogically claims to be an apolitical movement opposed to rising living costs. In this, it has received assistance from Jean-Luc Melenchons populist Unsubmissive France (LFI) party, whose national organizer, Adrien Quatennens, endorsed the Freedom Convoy yesterday in a televised interview with France Info. Obviously LFI supports the Freedom Convoy, Quatennens declared, adding: We must immediately end the vaccine pass and do away with all these measures against liberty, which have no effectiveness. If LFI supporters want to go, I encourage them to go, he said, adding that the Freedom Convoy has demands addressing other problems, like purchasing power. The impact of such false political propaganda could be seen in one Paris-Actu interview with an unvaccinated trucker who is considering attending the Freedom Convoy. I work in a small firm, I see my boss struggle with fuel prices and my bills always going up. Plus, Im seen as a bad citizen because Im not vaccinated, he explained. However, he added that he still hesitates to join the Freedom Convoy: I do not know who will show up, and I dont like the idea of honking my horn next to the far right. Workers economic problems cannot be resolved, however, by what are in fact far-right protests, demanding a policy that will make the pandemic, and its attendant mass deaths and economic dislocation, continue indefinitely. The Freedom Convoy is a far-right provocation, abetted by pseudo-left parties such as LFI. Workers must oppose it, seek to influence unvaccinated workers who may join it, and oppose the attempts of the European bourgeoisie to assemble a fascistic movement based on a policy of mass COVID-19 infection. In the aftermath of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells refusal to endorse the Republican National Committees declaration last week that the January 6 coup attempt was legitimate political discourse, and his characterization on Tuesday of the failed putsch as a violent insurrection, former president Donald Trump and his fascist allies have gone on the offensive against the arch-conservative senator from Kentucky. In a statement released on Wednesday through his Save America PAC, Trump wrote: Mitch McConnell does not speak for the Republican Party, and does not represent the view of the vast majority of its voters. Right-wing insurrectionists loyal to Donald Trump storming the US Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021 (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Repeating the lie, embraced by a majority of the Republican Party, that the 2020 election was rigged and the Biden government is therefore illegitimate, Trump wrote that McConnell did nothing to fight for his constituents and stop the most fraudulent election in American history. As a matter of fact, McConnell, following Bidens clear victory in November 2020, endorsed Trumps efforts to have the election results thrown out in court on baseless claims that the election was corrupt. In a speech delivered from the Senate floor the Monday after Biden was declared the winner, McConnell, promoting Trumps fascist conspiracy theories, said that Trump was 100 percent within his rights to look into allegations of irregularities and weigh his legal options. McConnell added that a few legal inquires from Trump do not exactly spell the end of the republic. He said that Trump, despite producing no evidence then, or since, of fraudulent activity in the 2020 election, should not immediately, cheerfully accept preliminary election results. Giving Trump and his anti-democratic allies in and outside of the Republican Party ample time to manufacture a pretext for discarding the votes of some 81 million people, McConnell himself refused to recognize Biden as the president-elect until December 15, one day after the Electoral College vote, which affirmed Bidens win, and three days after the Supreme Court refused to hear a Republican lawsuit to have the results overturned. In his Wednesday statement, Trump went on to defend his fascist foot soldiers who stormed the Capitol on January 6 in an attempt to kidnap/kill lawmakers. Signifying the partys embrace of violence as legitimate, he attacked McConnell for doing nothing to stop the lawless Biden Administration from the persecution of political opponents. Joining Trump in lashing out at McConnell was Texas Senator Ted Cruz, one of seven Republicans in the Senate who voted to overturn the results of the election after far-right militia members, QAnon fascists and white supremacists stormed and occupied the Capitol. On Wednesday, CBS News correspondent Scott MacFarlane reported that Cruz said it was a serious mistake by the Senate Republican leadership to label January 6 a violent insurrection. Also defending Trumps coup was Florida senator, and potential 2024 presidential candidate, Marco Rubio. Claiming there was no real danger of a dictatorial government coming to power on January 6, Rubio claimed: There is no way they were going to overthrow the government of the United States. Its just not, it wasnt going to happen. Essentially arguing that because the coup did not succeed, it did not happen, Rubio said: I think its important to characterize this as it was. It was a riot. It was a dangerous riot. It was a violent one. But I dont think, people should not be misled to think, that this somehow was on the verge of overthrowing the government or preventing the certification. While Rubio was downplaying the severity of the coup, on Wednesdays edition of the fascistic War Room Pandemic podcast, hosted by former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, admirer of Adolf Hitler and North Carolina congressman Madison Cawthorn welcomed a civil war within the Republican Party. Is there a civil war, and what are we going to do with these kind of establishment leaders like Mitch McConnell that continue to mock MAGA and cross purposes with President Trump? Bannon asked his guest, who, on the day of the failed putsch, told Trump supporters in Washington D.C. that it was time to fight. After saying that there was unity in the Republican House for Trumps coup, Cawthorn threatened that on the Senate side, I genuinely do believe there needs to be intraparty conflict. Cawthorn added: A lot of people dont want to say this and its going to get me into trouble with leadership, but I really dont care about that, there does need to be some form of conflict within the Republican Party because we need to get rid of these establishment go-along to get-along Republicans. Cawthorn himself is facing a challenge calling for him to be disqualified for the November midterm elections by the North Carolina Board of Elections. This is based on an insurrection clause that was added to the US Constitution following the Civil War. On Monday, the Board argued in court against a lawsuit filed by Cawthorn seeking to shut down the challenge. The board said it does have the power to block Cawthorn from running for reelection because of the role he played in the failed coup. States have long enforced age and residency requirements, without question and with very few if any legal challenges, the board wrote. The State has the same authority to police which candidates should or should not be disqualified per Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment. While the case is still pending in court, Cawthorn warned, without a hint of irony or self-awareness, on Bannons podcast: This is only going to lead to one place if you want to try and take the right of the people away to be able to vote for their elected official. This is going down a very dangerous path. As the Republican Party, and with it, large sections of the ruling class, embrace extra-parliamentary methods amid the historic crisis of the capitalist system and growing working class resistance to unending mass death and impoverishment, the Democratic Party continues to extend an olive branch to its Republican colleagues. In her weekly press conference, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, less than a week after the RNCs resolution, once again declared her desire for a strong Republican Party. The country needs a strong Republican Party, said Pelosi They have made great contributions to our country. I say this to Republicans all the time. Take back your party from this cult. Take back your party. America needs a strong Republican Party. The Democrats grovel for unity with their far-right colleagues because, in the final analysis, they fear mass social and political opposition from below against the capitalist system more than they fear violence from their fascist opponents. The Socialist Equality Party fights for the political independence of the working class from both big business parties and the capitalist system they defend. As the occupation of downtown Ottawa by far-right thugs demanding the scrapping of all COVID-19 public health restrictions approaches the end of its second week, Canadas federal and provincial governments are moving to put this homicidal program into practice. Protestors show their support for the Freedom Convoy of truck drivers who are making their way to Ottawa to protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates by the Canadian government on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Vaughan. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP) The Freedom Convoy has been built up and incited by the Conservative official opposition and much of the corporate media to push politics far to the right, beginning with the elimination of all remaining anti-COVID public health measures. The Convoy, whose leaders have publicly called for the overthrow of Canadas elected government and its replacement by a 90-day emergency junta, is being used as a battering ram to intimidate and breakdown the widespread popular support for COVID-19 public health measures. Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial that claimed the Convoywhich is opposed by the vast majority of Canadiansis proof that large swaths of humanity are done with Covid-19 restrictions, mandates and excessive meddling in their lives. It went on to demand governments abandon all anti-COVID measures forthwith. Emboldened by this support, Convoy supporters have now dramatically widened the scope of their protests. For the past two days, they have shut down most traffic across the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit and as of yesterday they also blockaded the Bluewater Bridge between Sarnia, Ontario, and Port Huron, Michigan. As a result, auto production on both sides of the border is beginning to be severely impacted. The protesters ability to disrupt key commercial arteries between Canada and the US is not due to the size of the crowds they have mobilized. Rather the police have accorded kid-glove treatment to actions that are manifestly illegal, and which were they perpetrated by left-wing protesters would have occasioned a quick and violent state response. In Monday evenings emergency parliamentary debate on the Ottawa occupation, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a major concession to the armed besiegers of Canadas capital when he declared, Pandemic restrictions are not forever. The significance of this remark was unmistakable, coming just three days after Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Theresa Tam, a Trudeau government appointee, told a Friday press conference that all COVID-19 measures would need to be re-examined in the coming weeks because this virus isnt going away. Within hours of Trudeaus comments Monday, provincial premiers with jurisdiction over close to half of Canadas 38 million inhabitants announced an end to all remaining restrictionseither immediately or in a matter of weeks. At a Tuesday evening press conference billed as the presentation of a path back to normal, Albertas United Conservative Party premier, Jason Kenney, announced the immediate end to vaccine passports for access to public buildings, the scrapping of mask mandates in schools and everywhere else for children aged under 12 as of next Monday, and the removal of all other restrictions by March 1. Showing his utter indifference to the close to 150 Canadians currently dying daily from COVID-19, Kenney declared it time to move on from a widespread pandemic response. Earlier Tuesday, Quebec Premier Francois Legault unveiled a plan that will eliminate all public health restrictions by March 14. As of Saturday, gathering limits for private households and in restaurants will be abolished. Cynically calling his governments decision to abandon pandemic mitigation measures a calculated risk, Legault made clear that the ruling elite proposes to allow the virus to circulate forever, at the cost of countless more lives. We will need to learn to live with the virus, he proclaimed. There may be a sixth wave eventually, but we will have to live with COVID. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, the provincial leader who has most vocally backed the Convoy, also announced Tuesday a plan to scrap the provinces vaccine passport as of February 14. Mask mandates will be eliminated at the end of February. In British Columbia, which is governed by the ostensibly left New Democratic Party (NDP), Premier John Horgan indicated at a Tuesday press conference that Chief Public Health Officer Bonnie Henry will present a plan to scrap the provinces anti-COVID measures within two weeks. Henry stated January 21 that BC would become the first province to treat COVID-19 like influenza or the common cold, and subsequently declared that the province was in a real transition in moving out of the pandemic and learning to live with this virus. The driving force behind these reckless decisions is the principle of profits before human life. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, governments at all levels have only tolerated temporary and totally inadequate public restrictions when forced to impose them due to working class opposition or the imminent collapse of the health care system. Yet they have spared no expense in bailing out the banks and big business to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars. As a result, Canadas billionaires increased their wealth by $78 billion just during the pandemics first year. Workers, meanwhile, were placed on makeshift rations and then cut off from all pandemic aid, forcing them to return to unsafe workplaces. Trudeau and his provincial allies have shamelessly sought to portray their policies as being led by science and aimed at protecting everyone. In Monday nights parliamentary debate, Trudeau returned to these themes when he declared, This pandemic has sucked for all Canadians, but Canadians know the way to get through it is to continue listening to science, continuing to lean on each other, continuing to be there for each other. This is a pack of lies. The ruinous response of the Trudeau Liberal government and its provincial counterparts to the pandemic has led to five successive waves of mass infection that have claimed 35,000 livesincluding five thousand just in the past six weeks. Far from listening to science, Canadas governments have refused to adopt a Zero COVID elimination strategy and justified their profits before lives policy through the promotion of pseudo-scientific lies and disinformation. These include claims that droplets not aerosols are the principal means of COVID transmission, that cloth and normal medical masks provide adequate protection from the virus, that its impact on children is benign, and that schools are not important vectors of transmission. For two months after COVID was identified in early January 2020 as a potential pandemic threat, Canadian authorities did essentially nothing to bolster the countrys already dangerously overstretched health care system or to set in place the infrastructure for mass testing, contact tracing, and quarantining. Only on March 10, 2020, just two days before Quebec initiated the first lockdown, did the Trudeau government even write the provinces to inquire about potential shortages of PPE (personal protective equipment) and vital equipment like ventilators. After the first wave of infections in the spring of 2020, the Trudeau government disregarded all scientific warnings and championed the provincial government-implemented back-to-work/back-to-school campaign. Soon after schools reopened in September 2020, over the objections of many teachers and parents, cases began to rise and by mid-October rapidly. Nevertheless, the provinces, cheered on by the Trudeau government, which had announced in its September 2020 throne speech that any future lockdowns should be local and short-lived, persisted in keeping schools open. This led to a devastating crush of infections and deaths in and December 2020-January 2021. Whilst scientific research from Montreal demonstrated that transmission in schools fueled Canadas second wave which killed more than 10,000 people, the Trudeau government joined with the provinces in continuing to promote the lie that schools were safe and not playing a major role in COVID transmission. The Trudeau government also disregarded the science showing that COVID-19 is transmitted through aerosols. It took Tam till November 2021, almost two years into the pandemic, to publicly declare airborne transmission the primary source of infection. In the meantime, governments at all levels denied workers requests for high-quality personal protective equipment to guard against infection by aerosols, tiny particles that can remain suspended in the air for hours. Trudeau and his provincial counterparts grossly misused the availability of vaccines from December 2020 onwards to intensify their push to force workers back on the job amid the pandemic. Their vaccine-only strategy, which dismissed the warnings of scientists that vaccines, while critical to preventing serious illness could not stop virus transmission aloneespecially under conditions when an important segment of the population was unvaccinated, including young people for whom as yet there were no vaccinesled Canada into the third and fourth waves of infection during the spring and late summer of 2021. Alberta Premier Kenney, who now claims to be acting prudently and carefully as he dismantles all public health restrictions, already declared the pandemic over once before in July 2021. His best summer ever reopening plan produced a catastrophe, with thousands of deaths and hospitals implementing triage during Albertas deadly fourth wave. With the emergence of Omicron in late November, the entire political establishment adopted a more or less explicit policy of mass infection. Trudeau waited three weeks after Omicrons discovery to speak publicly to the population about its implications, despite the fact that its ability to evade vaccine immunity and spread more easily were recognized almost immediately. Now, with the seven-day average of daily deaths near record highs, the Trudeau Liberals and all provincial governments are declaring common cause with the most ardent advocates of herd immunity, and are declaring it is possible to manage COVID-19 in an endemic state. At every stage, these policies were endorsed and imposed by the trade unions and the NDP, which has propped up the minority Liberal government since 2019, on the grounds it represents a progressive alternative to the Conservatives. Unions in the education, food processing, and industrial sectors forced their members to labour in dangerous workplaces and smothered all attempts by workers to resist the back-to-work drive. The political establishments consistent flouting of a science-based approach to the pandemic, together with their refusal to provide adequate financial and social support to workers and small business owners, has played directly into the hands of the anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists, and anti-science far-right who dominate the Freedom Convoy. It is significant in this regard that at a February 7 press conference given by the Convoy leaders, one of those present was Paul Alexander, a former Trump administration official who infamously declared in July 2020 with reference to the American population, We want them infected. While such statements were widely criticized at the time by sections of the liberal media and by those in government who advocated mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, there is now no discernible difference between the pandemic strategy pursued by Trudeau, Tam, and Canadas provincial governments, and Alexanders July 2020 remark. The same is true across North America and Europe. Everywhere the ruling elite is determined to remove all remaining pandemic restrictions and normalize death as part of their drive to intensify profit extraction from the working class. This fact underscores that the fight to put an end to COVID-19 once and for all through the systematic implementation of a global Zero COVID elimination/eradication strategy is first and foremost a political struggle that requires the development of a mass working class-led movement to break the grip of the capitalist oligarchy over social and economic life. This struggle must be conducted against the far-right Freedom Convoy and its direct backers in the Conservative Party, as well as its indirect enablers in the Trudeau government, trade unions, and New Democrats. Protests have continued daily in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in Minnesota, following the no-knock raid police killing of 22-year-old Amir Locke on February 2. On Tuesday, thousands of students from St. Paul Central High School and schools across the area marched through St. Paul to the governors mansion. This was followed Wednesday by students from Minneapolis North Community High School and supporting community members who marched to the Minneapolis City Hall. Locke was killed after SWAT officers from the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) executed a search warrant in a downtown Minneapolis apartment building in the early hours last Wednesday. Officers entered the apartment building he was sleeping in unannounced and shot him on the couch where he had been sleeping. A protester holds a sign demanding justice for Amir Locke at a rally on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa) Immediately following the murder, MPD released initial statements painting the shooting as justified, citing Officer Mark Hannemans claim he shot Locke because he feared for his life. The police falsely claimed Locke was a homicide suspect and repeating this description of the victim as many times as they could. Initial police statements also claimed Locke had his weapon pointed in the direction of Hanneman and that the officer had announced himself prior to forcing himself into the apartment. These claims were exposed as lies when bodycam footage was released the following day, prompting several attempts at damage control by the MPD, the St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) and the local government led by Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey. The attempts to smear Locke were particularly egregious, and they resembled recent attempts by city officials to justify the murder of Winston Smith by the U.S. Marshall Service last June. The killing is only the latest in the unimpeded reign of terror carried out by police, who operate in working class neighborhoods with almost complete impunity, and it comes just under two years after the police murder of George Floyd by former MPD Officer Derek Chauvin, who was filmed kneeling on Floyds neck. Floyds killing triggered an eruption of opposition to police violence across the United States and around the world. Mayor Frey sought to win support out of this movement for his reelection in November 2021 and channel popular outrage back into the Democratic Party, which oversees violent police departments across the country, by promising reforms. During the protests in June 2020, Frey was confronted at his home by protesters demanding he defund the MPD. As part of his campaign, he promised to invest in community-oriented officers, expand alternatives to policing and to pursue real reform together. Speaking specifically to demands to defund the MPD, he promised an end to no-knock warrants. On this basis, much of the current anger is directed at Freys broken promises. The changes proposed by Frey, as well as the demand to defund the police, have the same ultimate goal as other demands of reform. Any moves to reform the police ultimately end up strengthening the powers of the state to oppress the working class. For decades, police reform has been proposed as a solution to violence, but police still kill on average over three people a day in America and brutalize many more. Rolling Stone reported Tuesday that two of the officers who participated in the no-knock raid in which Locke was killed were already facing a lawsuit over their hunting of a protester, who had participated in the 2020 protests against the police murder of Floyd. The victim, Jaleel Stallings, an Army veteran, was participating in the protests in May 2020 when an unmarked van full of riot-gear equipped police officers began indiscriminately firing rubber bullets at peaceful bystanders, including Stallings. Stallings fired back in self-defense and was immediately arrested but acquitted later that year. The officers, who remain unnamed, recorded the entire incident on their body cameras. The details revealed by the footage and from the case expose the gangster-like fascistic attitudes of the police in their treatment of protesters. The police carried out their attacks with a festive attitude, saying things such as, Be very very quiet. Were hunting activists, You see a f*****g group, F**k em up, gas em, f**k em up. The first f***ers we see, were just handling them with 40s. Their commander, who has not been charged, congratulated the officers in the footage, Tonight it was Were goin out hunting. Just a nice change of tempo. Police also carried out other criminal actions during the 2020 protests in Minneapolis, including slashing the tires of cars and arresting a CNN news crew as it was reporting. The police and the state are ramping up their oppressive powers as opposition to social inequality, war and dictatorship mount. Students protesting Lockes murder confront an economic and political system that seeks to normalize death and debilitation to keep generating profits from their parents labor. Students in the US are forced to attend schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, exposing them to the danger of bringing the disease into their homes or facing debilitation and death themselves, whether it be from a school shooting (such as the shooting at South Education Center last week) or COVID-19. Resources are only allotted to schools such that they are enough to watch the students while their parents go to work and generate profits for the billionaires. Students opposed to the police violence must draw the necessary conclusions, and break from the parties of Wall Street, the Democrats and Republicans. Demands for reform have been demonstrated as a dead end. Students must turn to the working class to build the only real alternative to social inequality. Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has conducted seven, mostly short-range ballistic missile tests, with the latest taking place on January 30. The number of tests exceeds by one the total number in all of 2021. The most recent test involved an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), the most powerful North Koreas military has launched since 2017. This photo distributed by the North Korean government shows what was said to be the test launch of a Hwasong-12 intermediate range missile in Pyongyang, North Korea, Aug. 29, 2017. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) The tests are a desperate response by the North Korean regime to the crippling US-led sanctions that continue to block much of the countrys trade and cut off prospects for foreign investment, as well as to rising geo-political tensions. All of this has created a worsening economic and political crisis within the Stalinist bureaucracy in Pyongyang, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. Attempts to reach an agreement with the US have led nowhere, with Washington ignoring Pyongyangs concerns about giving up North Koreas nuclear and missile programs without security guarantees and an end to the sanctions. Washington, while ratcheting up its provocations against Russia, responded to the latest tests by issuing a hypocritical and self-serving statement on February 4, calling on the UN Security Council to take action against Pyongyang. The statement was also signed by the UN representatives of eight other US allies, including Britain and Japan. While accusing Pyongyang of destabilizing the region, the US declared it was willing to meet North Korea without preconditions but remained committed to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions. Despite its claims, Washington has not made any meaningful moves for talks. The US special representative for North Korea policy, Sung Kim, currently serves in a part-time role while also being ambassador to Indonesia. At the same time, Biden has yet to appoint a formal ambassador to South Korea. Pyongyang has therefore been left to languish. That suits Washington, which continues to maintain a stranglehold over the North Korean economy. In talks with US President Trump, North Korea ended its nuclear and long-range missile tests in return for very littlea moratorium on large-scale joint US military exercises with South Korea. This was never meant to be a long-term solution to the repeated crises on the Korean Peninsula. Chinas UN ambassador Zhang Jun pointed to the little the US has done to negotiate with North Korea. On February 4, Zhang told reporters: We have seen the suspension of the nuclear test, we have seen the suspension of the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles. And then what has been done by the US? He said the Biden administration should ask itself in what way they can accommodate the concerns of DPRK [North Korea] to really bring tension down and then to put things under control. While Washington claims to be willing to hold talks, previous negotiations between the US and North Korea have gone nowhere or resulted in deals that the US subsequently sabotaged. Under the Trump administration, talks were used as a platform to bully Pyongyang into completely giving up its nuclear and missile programs as a starting point for any easing of sanctions. North Koreas weapons programs are, in effect, the only bargaining chips it has in dealing with the US. North Korea has not conducted nuclear or long-range missile tests since 2017, when its leader Kim Jong-un met in Singapore with Trump. Pyongyang clearly expected an easing of the various sanctions imposed by Washington, either unilaterally or through the UN. Pyongyang has also long requested a treaty to formally end the 19501953 Korean War, which only ceased with an armistice. Washingtons refusal to address any of Pyongyangs concerns led to the failure of the second Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi in 2019 and the stagnation of talks, a situation that the Biden administration has maintained. Since the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, the economic situation in North Korea has greatly worsened. The spread of COVID-19 forced Pyongyang to seal its borders to the outside world, including China, North Koreas largest and only significant trading partner. The decision by the US and nearly all other countries to embrace herd immunity, only further isolated North Korea, which fears the spread of the virus could have a destabilizing impact. John Delury, a history professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, told the New York Times: This is a deeply isolated, autarkic economy. No amount of sanctions could create the pressures that COVID created in the last two years. Yet, do we see North Korea begging and saying, Take our weapons and give us some aid? The North Koreans will eat grass. In 2020, the first year of the pandemic, the North Korean economy shrank 4.5 percent, the greatest decline since 1997. The economy was equally volatile last year, with a looming danger of food shortages. This is in part due to the shutting of the border, preventing North Korean farmers from accessing agricultural equipment and fertilizers. Kim Jong-un spoke on the state of the economy at a plenary session of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea (WPK) in December, saying the government would make it an important task for making radical progress in solving the food, clothing and housing problem for the people. North Korea has reopened its border with China on a limited scale. A North Korean freight train crossed into China from Sinuiju on January 16, the first time the land border has been opened in two years. A South Korean government source told the Joongang Ilbo that due to the Norths lack of domestic resources, and it appears the North Koreans are desperate for Chinese support and raw materials. North Korea is moving closer to Beijing. With the opening of the Winter Olympics on Friday in Beijing, Kim Jong-un sent a message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling for improved relations. The message praised the opening of the event despite the pandemic and declared he would work to develop the relations between the ruling parties and the two countries to a new high stage. Throughout the world, capitalist politicians are scrapping all remaining public health measures that slow the spread of COVID-19. Many have done so by falsely claiming that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has caused the virus to become endemic in society or will do so in the near future. The implication of this false and unscientific claim, the corollary to misleading statements that Omicron is mild, is that the virus is now no more harmful than the flu or even the common cold. The term endemic implies a predictable and controllable level of disease in a given geographic region. The trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic is the exact opposite. National Guardsmen helping to process COVID-19 deaths in Los Angeles, California, in 2021. (Photo: LA County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner via AP, File) In the span of just over two months, Omicron has caused a record wave of infections and has been second only to the Delta surge in terms of global deaths. Roughly 140 million people have officially been infected with COVID-19 since the end of November, with the real figure believed to be well over 1 billion. According to the Economist, the number of excess deaths from Omicron reached a peak of 41,200 per day on Monday. Contrary to the claims that letting Omicron rip through society will produce endemicity and natural immunity, there are now growing signs that the BA.2 Omicron subvariant could cause another global surge in cases in the coming weeks. It is believed to be at least 30 percent more infectious than BA.1 and can reinfect people within weeks of a BA.1 Omicron infection. BA.2 rapidly became dominant in Denmark and the UK and is rising quickly in the US, where its percentage of cases tripled over the past week. The corporate media has played a leading role in spreading misinformation that COVID-19 is becoming endemic. On Monday, the New York Times asked, What Would Covid Being Endemic Mean For Travel? On Tuesday, Forbes ran an article titled, Pandemic Endgame: What Endemic Covid MeansAnd When We May Get There. The Financial Times warned its readers, Living with endemic Covid will not be painless. Over the past month, dozens of similar articles have appeared misusing the term endemic, while uncritically accepting politicians use of this term to justify the lifting of all mitigation measures. On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that laws in England which require people infected with COVID-19 to self-isolate could be lifted by the end of February. Last month, Johnson declared, As Covid becomes endemic, we will need to replace legal requirements with advice and guidance urging people with the virus to be careful and considerate of others. Also Wednesday, all pandemic restrictions and wide-scale testing were completely ended in Sweden, the birthplace of the homicidal herd immunity strategy implemented by the most right-wing governments in 2020. Announcing the abrupt end of these measures last week, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson stated, Its time to open up Sweden. The pandemic isnt over, but it is moving into a new phase. As fascist supporters of the Freedom Convoy continue to occupy Ottawa, Canada, their demands for the lifting of all COVID-19 mitigation measures are being implemented. In Alberta, Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday that the proof-of-vaccination system will end at midnight Wednesday, saying the province must move on from a widespread pandemic response, to get our lives back to normal. Nearly all restrictions will be lifted in Quebec by mid-March, with Premier Francois Legault stating Tuesday, We will need to learn to live with the virus. There may be a sixth wave eventually, but we will have to live with COVID. Amid a rollback of restrictions in Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated in January, We are heading towards an endemic illness rather than the pandemic it has been up to now. Across the United States, Democratic governors have begun a campaign to remove all mask mandates and other measures that were reestablished during the Omicron surge. In California, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the states mask mandate will expire on February 15 as part of his endemic plan, which will be fully unveiled next week. This is expected to include the lifting of mask mandates in schools and other remaining COVID-19 mitigation measures. On Wednesday, New Yorks Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state will end its mask mandate for most indoor public settings. In New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts and other Democrat-led states, mask mandates in schools were lifted this week. These moves have clearly been sanctioned by Biden and White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients, who meets weekly with the National Governors Association. Following last weeks meeting, the associations vice chairman, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, told reporters that the discussion centered on the question, What does the road from pandemic to endemic look like, and how do we keep score? He added, There was broad agreement that thats the task before us. On Wednesday, Politico revealed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering updating its guidelines for states on when to lift public health measures, such as mask mandates. The CDC, which has repeatedly manipulated science to suit the needs of corporate America, is expected to change its metrics to be based on hospitalization data instead of infection data, under conditions in which the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) last week stopped collecting a wide range of daily data from hospitals, including deaths, hospital capacity and more. While the White House has been careful to not yet officially declare COVID-19 endemic, top officials have repeatedly alluded to this conception as part of an effort to disarm the public. In an interview Tuesday, Bidens chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci told the Financial Times, As we get out of the full-blown pandemic phase of Covid-19, which we are certainly heading out of, these decisions [on mitigation measures] will increasingly be made on a local level rather than centrally decided or mandated. Appealing to the most backward forms of American individualism, he added, There will also be more people making their own decisions on how they want to deal with the virus. In lieu of using the term endemic, Fauci instead used the euphemism equilibrium to vaguely describe this same process. He stated emphatically, There is no way we are going to eradicate this virus. But I hope we are looking at a time when we have enough people vaccinated and enough people with protection from previous infection that the Covid restrictions will soon be a thing of the past. Speaking last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Fauci stated, It is an open question as to whether or not Omicron is going to be the live virus vaccination that everyone is hoping for. All of these policy changes and claims that COVID-19 is becoming endemic are completely unscientific and will create the conditions for new, potentially more dangerous variants to evolve that will cause further surges of infections, hospitalizations and deaths. In a comprehensive interview with the World Socialist Web Site, Boston University epidemiologist Dr. Eleanor Murray spoke on these issues surrounding endemicity and made clear that it is entirely premature to proclaim COVID-19 endemic. She noted that those politicizing the term endemic are intentionally exploiting the ambiguity of the term, which has multiple definitions. Dr. Murray stated, The first thing is that a pandemic is an epidemic at a much grander scale, and endemic is not on that spectrum, it is an entirely separate idea. The official World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC definition of a pandemic is a disease spreading out of control in two or more regions of the world. She noted that the term endemic can refer to a mathematical model in which a disease infects one new person for each current infection over that period, adding, theres a slightly more vague definition of a disease that is just behaving predictably over a sort of long-term period in a given area. Commenting on the way in which the latter definition of endemic has been misused during the Omicron surge, she stated, Theyre saying that if COVID is endemic, we dont need to do anything any more. And that is a ridiculous prediction. What they are implying by calling COVID endemic is that we will no longer have any COVID, which is patently false. Dr. Murray pointed to the dangers of this policy, stating, Every infected person is a chance for a new variant to arise, and we have so much infection right now there is no reason that there couldnt be a complete immune-escape variant. Theres no reason we couldnt have something twice as severe as Delta. The deliberate misuse of the term endemic is comparable to the distortion of the scientific concept of herd immunity by Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Jair Bolsonaro and their right-wing co-thinkers internationally. While previously applied to the level of vaccine-induced immunity needed to protect a given population, in 2020 this concept was manipulated to justify the premature reopening of all businesses and schools in order to achieve a mythical herd immunity based on mass infections. In effect, this homicidal strategy has been embraced by Biden and other world leaders that previously maintained a pretense of seeking to end the pandemic through limited mitigation measures. Their distortion of the term endemic serves the same purpose and same interests of a ruling class determined to maximize the extraction of profits by fully reopening every school and workplace. It is now clear that at the start of the Omicron surge, the Biden administration made a cold-blooded decision to allow the virus to rip. Undoubtedly, there were private meetings at which they asked, How many Americans will be infected and die in this wave? When told that millions would be infected and hundreds of thousands could die, they carried out a cost-benefit analysis and chose to proceed with this homicidal plan. As a result, over 100,000 Americans have now died during the Omicron surge. Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a lively debate within the scientific community about whether the best response to COVID-19 is an all-out effort to eliminate or eradicate the virus, or whether it can be managed through aggressive mitigation. But reality is rendering this question moot. On one hand, the experience in China has shown that it is possible to save millions of lives through an elimination strategy, even in the worlds most populous country. Throughout much of the rest of the world, making COVID-19 endemic has become a slogan for ending all restrictions on the spread of the disease, meaning that the death of 1 million Americans in the US will soon become two, three and more. In other words, mankind is confronted with two possible responses to the pandemic: The ruling classs demand for mass infection, under the guise of herd immunity and endemicity, or the demand of the working class, articulated by the Socialist Equality Parties and the World Socialist Web Site, for the global elimination of COVID-19. The fight to end the pandemic will only be taken forward by the working class, independently of all capitalist parties and their backers in the trade unions. The most critical task is to build a revolutionary socialist leadership, armed with a scientific understanding of the Zero COVID strategy and a political understanding of the social and historical forces that have caused the pandemic. The Global Workers Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic, initiated by the WSWS just days before the emergence of Omicron, will serve as the central axis to educate the working class on the scientific, political, economic and historical dimensions of the pandemic. All scientists and workers determined to stop the pandemic and save millions of lives are encouraged to fill out the form below to participate in the Inquest. More military forces will be engaged in simulated combat across Eastern Europe Thursday than at any time in recent history, as NATO, Ukraine and Russia all begin military exercises involving tens of thousands of soldiers. The Russian exercise in neighboring Belarus is long-planned, and is scheduled to end on February 20, a date reaffirmed by Russian officials after French President Emmanuel Macron portrayed it as a concession won by his diplomatic foray to Moscow. Government spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Macrons claims, saying there had never been any plans to extend the exercises or deploy Russian troops permanently on the Belarus-Ukraine border. A security patrols an area around the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Peskov said the maneuvers in Belarus were doubly necessary because of unprecedented security threats against the two countries. He cited blackmail and pressure by the western powers who were arming Ukraine. Earlier in the week, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that entry of Ukraine into NATO would inevitably mean war between NATO and Russia, because of Ukraines announced plans to carry out the reconquest of Crimea. The NATO and Ukrainian exercises have been organized suddenly, in a provocative manner, as part of the ongoing campaign of war hysteria, spearheaded by the Biden administration, Boris Johnson in Britain and the corporate media in both countries. Several thousand US paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division are deploying into southeast Poland, near the border with Belarus and Ukraine, and will simulate combat parachute drops in the coming days, the Pentagon announced, without giving an exact date. Hundreds more US soldiers began arriving Wednesday in Romania, redeployed from a base in Germany. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, in an exclusive story, i.e., an authorized leak from the Pentagon, that the US forces in Poland were there to receive a possible surge of Americans fleeing the Ukraine in the wake of a Russian invasion. It noted that the officer in charge of the operation, Major General C. D. Donahue, had previously commanded US forces at the Kabul airport during the mass evacuation last August. The portrayal of the 82nd Airborne as a group of Mother Teresas setting up tents and stockpiling food, water and bedding for refugees hardly squares with the historical role of that division as the spearhead of countless US military attacks. The paratroopers are far more likely to act as an offensive force, although the Journal article hastened to reassure its readers: The troops arent authorized to enter Ukraine and wont evacuate Americans or fly aircraft missions from inside Ukraine, officials said. In Estonia, British and Estonian forces began a simulated tank battle within sight of the Russian border, only a short drive from Russias second-largest city, St. Petersburg. Under the name Leningrad, that city endured a nearly three-year siege by Nazi armies during World War II, in which more than a million Soviet citizens died. More British troop movements to Eastern Europe were announced Wednesday, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Poland to show the flag and meet with officials of the ultra-right government. Johnson was no doubt happy to flee London, where he is under siege over the so-called partygate scandal, involving drinking parties at his offices which flagrantly violated COVID-19 pandemic rules. In Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought to downplay the US claims that a Russian invasion of his country is imminent, the defense ministry is starting extensive military exercises Thursday to coincide with the exercises across the border in Belarus, involving Russian and Belarus troops. Ukraines defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, said soldiers would train with new antitank weapons just provided by Britain and the United States, and with Turkish armed drones. He did not reveal how many troops were involved, but thanks to extensive aid and equipping by the NATO powers, Ukraine now has the second-largest army in Europe, behind only Russiaa fact rarely noted in the corporate media. Reznikov told one media outlet Tuesday that Ukraine hopes soon to receive military equipment we have long dreamed of from a NATO supplier. The diplomatic shuttle between Washington, Moscow, Kiev and various European capitals remains busy. Beside Johnson in Warsaw, his foreign secretary Liz Truss (touted in right-wing circles as a possible replacement if Johnson is ousted) is traveling to Moscow for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The purpose of her visit can only be to inflame the conflict, given her statement, released before she boarded a plane, that she plans to call on the Kremlin to de-escalate and stop the aggression against Ukraine. Outside Europe, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Melbourne, Australia, for a meeting of representatives of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, a quasi-alliance of Australia, Japan, India and the United States organized as a gang-up against China. While the meeting was previously scheduled, it will undoubtedly be viewed as the imperialist response to the meeting at the Beijing Olympics on the weekend of Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. While troops on both sides conduct drills in conventional armed conflict, the American media campaign has taken an ominous new turn, with the first references to the possibility of nuclear warfare as the outcome of the crisis. This came in the form of a lengthy article appearing on the front page of Wednesdays print edition of the New York Times, written by one of the newspapers Moscow correspondents, Anton Troianovski. Much of the article was taken up by an effort to portray any action by Russian President Putin, from a full-scale invasion to a diplomatic deal, as part of an implacable long-term plan to seize control of Ukraine. This seems aimed at positioning the US media to intensify its anti-Russia campaign whatever the immediate outcome of the current crisis. But in the course of the report, Troianovski raises the subject of nuclear war, although he attributes this entirely to Russian foreign policy and military analysts who made such comments. He quotes Ruslan Pukhov, a Russian military analyst, predicting a renewed threat of war next year even if no armed conflict breaks out soon. Ukraine in NATO, from my point of view or Russias, would be the equivalent of nuclear war, Pukhov says. The most explicit and inflammatory remark quoted by the Times is attributed to Dmitri Kiselyov, an anchor on Russian state television, who allegedly said Sunday, Lets remember that Russia doesnt need a world without Russia. He added, And then not just America, but also Europe, will turn into radioactive ash. Troianovski describes this language as, at least in part, a paraphrase of a remark made by Putin in 2018. The import of this article is to inject into the minds of Times readers the idea of nuclear war arising from the crisis, while attributing the danger (of course) to nefarious Russians. This is under conditions where the expansion of NATOparticularly if Ukraine were to be added to the allianceincreasingly follows the map of Hitlers onslaught on the Soviet Union in 194142. Entitled Adaptive Approaches to WTO Accession amid COVID-19, the regional workshop was organized virtually in collaboration with the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The event built on the work of the first High-Level Regional Dialogue on WTO Accessions, held on 8-10 November 2020, which included sessions related to the accession process difficulties faced, experiences learned and potential solutions to assist acceding governments. H.E. Mr. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros, delivered the keynote speech. He noted that the High-Level Dialogue represented an excellent opportunity to highlight the specific needs of WTO Arab acceding countries in order to be part of the dynamics of the global economic recovery. Comoros is one of the most advanced of the 23 ongoing WTO accession processes. In a global context that bears the strong imprint of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its multidimensional impacts, marked by the deterioration of macroeconomic indicators, the weakening of economies, particularly those of the least developed countries such as the Comoros, and the worsening of inequalities and poverty in certain regions, the theme of this dialogue is fully justified and relevant, said President Assoumani. Countries in our greater Arab region have suffered variably from the impacts of COVID-19 and have reacted differently. The pandemic has also exacerbated challenges that had already been present in the region for several decades. These include conflict, inequality, unemployment, poverty and underdeveloped social safety nets. It should be noted that the eight Arab countries acceding to the WTO are all in a situation of economic fragility, he added. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala commended the Comorian government for its determination to finalize accession this year, and highlighted the progress in other accession bids. Sudan's accession process formally resumed last July after a four-year break, while Iraq and Lebanon have been working to re-activate accession processes which have been stalled for several years due to domestic situations, and Libya has expressed renewed interest in starting the accession process. The Arab region comprises eight acceding governments (Algeria, Comoros, Iraq, Lebanese Republic, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Syrian Arab Republic), accounting for more than one third of ongoing WTO accessions. Four Arab countries (the Kingdom of Jordan, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen) have acceded to the WTO since its establishment in 1995. With several Arab acceding governments expected to step up engagement at the WTO this year we should step up our joint efforts to support them. One potentially useful point of action could be to put together a study detailing the accession and post-accession experiences of Article XII members from the region. This could serve as a guide for Arab countries working to revive their accession negotiations, and would yield insights for how best the international community could support Arab accessions or Arab countries' participation in the WTO more generally, said Director-General Okonjo-Iweala. The WTO Secretariat will support the efforts of acceding governments, including through close coordination with global institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and regional institutions like the AMF and the IsDB, said DG Okonjo-Iweala. Particularly relevant to this effort is the WTO Trade for Peace Programme as eight out of the nine Arab states still outside the WTO, and more than half of the countries currently seeking WTO accession, are classified as fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS). The Trade for Peace agenda has brought to light how reforms associated with the WTO accession process can help countries build resilience and foster prosperity, peace and stability, she noted. Her full statement is available here. Dr. Abdulrahman A. Al Hamidy, Director General Chairman of the Board at the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), expressed support for the collaboration between the WTO, IsDB and AMF in assisting Arab acceding governments: We underscore the strong partnership with the WTO and IsDB to assist Arab countries to better integrate into the world economy and accelerate their process to join the WTO. Mr. Amer Bukvic, Director-General of Global Practice and Partnerships at the Islamic Development Bank, explained the partnership between the AMF and the IsDB and the work done to assist Arab acceding governments: The cooperation aims to enhance the human and institutional capacities of the eight Arab countries in the process of accession, in order to facilitate their full integration into the multilateral trading system. As for the aspects of support proposed by the two partners, it includes technical support, training, and workshops, as resulted from the questionnaire that the Fund conducted with these countries in order to know their exact needs as a basis of designing a customized program. Mr. Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the WTO and Coordinator of Arab Group, said the world today is facing an unprecedented challenge because of the pandemic and its negative impact on healthcare systems and societies. This makes more important than ever before to have more accessions from the Arab region to the WTO. It will open new horizons for those countries as it will give them access to international markets and will strengthen their economies and supply chains. Over the three-day event, the Regional Dialogue addressed specific topics of interest to Arab acceding governments, such as the role of the private sector, trade facilitation, trade in services and the Trade for Peace programme. The challenges and benefits of WTO accession were also discussed during a roundtable session with chief accession negotiators, moderated by WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang. The various sessions allowed participants to increase their knowledge of the WTO accession process, accession-related rules, and the state-of-play of Arab accessions. It also facilitated acceding governments to share experiences and lessons learned from the accession process by engaging with the private sector in accessions negotiations. More on WTO accessions here. Prince Charles is now isolating having tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time. PANAMA CITY BEACH Kid Rock is headed to the Beach to perform this spring. The multi-platinum recording artist is set to perform April 30 during the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally. Kid Rocks addition to the lineup was announced Wednesday on Thunder Beachs Facebook page. Along with Kid Rock, Trey Lewis will make a special appearance. Also, supporting act Colt Ford is set to take the main stage April 30. Panama City Beach: Panama City Beach Thunder Beach Rally gets new primary owner from Nashville; new concert planned More: Want to help decorate Panama City Beach? Officials have launched a public art project. Kid Rock is set to perform on April 30 during the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally. The announcement comes less than a month after primary control of Thunder Beach was sold to Chase Micheal, a Nashville resident who runs OC BikeFest, another motorcycle themed event held in Maryland. This year will be the first time the event has had a gated concert. "The event will take place as it has always," Micheal has said. "Everything you've ever seen (at Thunder Beach) will be there ... but we are going to add an element of gated concert series to it starting this spring. Tickets for the event can be bought now at Thunderbeach.frontgatetickets.com. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach Florida snags Kid Rock performance for spring Berlin Golden Bear winner Radu Jude (Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn) is set to begin production in Romania on his next feature, Variety can reveal. A Case History analyzes the relations between individuals and multinational companies in the mad dash of new Romanian capitalism, starting from the real story of preparing and shooting a problematic work safety video. Principal photography is slated to begin in summer or early fall. More from Variety The film is composed of two parts which respond to each other, forming a diptych of sorts, Jude told Variety. Each of them explores a certain aspect of the main theme, and the final picture is obtained by juxtaposing the two of them in what we can call a tale of cinema and economy. It is a film about work relations, but also a film about images and the way they are made and their place in society. The first part of A Case History is a road movie which follows Angela, an overworked, 35-year-old production assistant working for a Romanian production company, as she drives around Bucharest on assignment for a large multinational corporation. This part will be also a kind of dialogue with a not so well-known film from 1981, Angela Moves On, by Lucian Bratu, which also has a woman driver in its center, said Jude. I will shoot in many of the locations of that film, I will have its main characters playing secondary characters here, and parts of it will enter my film as well. The second portion takes place the next day and follows several characters from the first part in a kind of a making-of for a corporate film, said the director. This challenges a bit, I hope, the notion of what a story usually is. Plus, the characters will tell a lot of smaller stories and anecdotes to each other, so the film will be very rich from a storytelling point of view. Story continues A Case History is produced by Ada Solomon and Adrian Sitaru of 4Proof Film in co-production with microFILM (Romania), Serge Lalou and Perrine Feminier of Les Films dIci (France), Paul Thiltges and Adrien Chef of Paul Thiltges Distributions (Luxembourg), Ankica Tilic-Juric of Kinorama (Croatia), Zsuzsanna Kiraly of Flaneur Films (Germany), Dan Wechsler and Jamal Zeinal-Zade of Bord Cadre (Switzerland), and Andreas Roald of Sovereign Films (U.K.), with the support of the Romanian Film Center. Jude, who won the Berlinale Silver Bear in 2015 (Aferim!), is also presenting a new project during the Berlinale Co-Production Market. Currently in development, Heia, Heia, Safari! will consist of two separate narratives. In the first part, set in 1917, German ethnologist Leo Frobenius is put in charge of a camp for African colonial soldiers in Romania. In the second part, which takes place 100 years later, an art student causes a small uproar while trying to decolonize her university through a performance that draws parallels between historical and contemporary colonial exploitation. This is a film which somehow moves between past (First World War) and present, Romania and Germany, fiction and documentary, and its main idea is somehow to show how history is constructed, used and abused, said Jude. It is something I have touched in one or two of my previous movies and I want to touch again this topic, from a different perspective. We can say there are some common points with A Case History in the fragmentary structure, but also in the fact that the way images are made has a big part in the story of the film in this case, photographs made by the anthropologist Leo Frobenius in Romania. Heia, Heia, Safari! is produced by Julia I. Peters and Jutta Feit for jip Film & Verleih (Germany), Heleen Gerritsen, and Ada Solomon for microFILM (Romania). It is very rare to encounter a film project like Heia, Heia, Safari! which combines past and present, East and West, documentary and fiction and simultaneously touches upon so many contemporary discourses relevant today, said Peters and Feit. Our reality in Western Europe is multi-layered and complex yet under the surface many stories linger that have not been dealt with properly: Germanys colonial past, racism, the Roma minority, economic inequality within the E.U. We believe that Radu Jude and his co-author Heleen Gerritsen have found an approach that will attract the attention of larger audiences worldwide. Founded by Peters and Feit in 2017, jip Film & Verleihs recent films include the documentary Sing it Loud: Luthers Heirs in Tanzania (2017), which the duo also directed, Ben Hopkins Welcome to Karastan (2018), and Lauren Greenfields Generational Wealth (2018), which screened in the Berlinales Panorama strand. We have previously produced films connected both to the African continent and Eastern Europe, Peters and Feit added. In such a global story, the co-production elements come naturally, and we are looking forward to working with an international cast and crew to bring this complex but very important story to life. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A Colorado man is behind bars after police uncovered the remains of a young woman who has been missing since 2012. Joel Hollendorfer, 46, was arrested on Monday and charged with second degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Kara Nichols, 19, on Tuesday, according to a press release from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Nichols disappeared from a home in Colorado Springs on Oct. 9, 2012, according to a missing persons report; acting on a tip, police retrieved a woman's remains from an unincorporated area northeast of Colorado Springs on Monday. They were tentatively identified as Nichols' on Tuesday. Police have not yet said what connection Hollendorfer, who would've been 37 at the time the aspiring teenage model went missing from her home, might have had with the woman with Nichols. Nichols, whose family is originally from Chicago, told her roommates in 2012 that she was on her way to a modeling job in Denver which is about 75 miles from her former home when a black sedan picked her up outside, True Crime Daily reported. When she didn't come back, Nichols' brother, who lived locally, filed a missing persons report. According to a Facebook page advocating for her case reportedly maintained by her family and the National Women's Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation (NWCAVE), her last known contact was a cell phone call made at 11:45 p.m. the night of her disappearance. She wasn't heard from or seen again. Nichols' parents made the trip to Colorado Springs to help look for their daughter, the site said, but became even more concerned when they looked in her room and saw that her laptop, her professional makeup kit and nearly $300 left behind. Despite making media appearances in the last decade, only few tips came in on the case, and none reportedly panned out. Her family has long blamed the local sheriff's office for the lack of movement in the case especially after the former sheriff was indicted on corruption charges and a recording surfaced of the initial lead investigator admitting that he hadn't done a lot of investigating when Nichols first went missing, TCD reported. Story continues Nichols' missing persons case has been led by at least four different officers in the last decade Police told TCD in 2016 that they didn't believe the job for which Nichols left on the last day she was seen alive was a legitimate modeling gig though Nichols did have a profile on the legitimate website Model Mayhem and had professional photos taken. In the years since her death, TCD said that her parents discovered that, in addition to trying to jumpstart her modeling career, Nichols had done some escort work, and they knew she'd been using drugs, according to her missing person's report. None of that, they have continuously emphasized for a decade, made her unworthy of a full investigation and should never have allowed her disappearance and death to go unpunished. "Kara was a daughter, sister, niece and friend to many," said NWCAVE's Michelle Bart in a Wednesday statement posted on "Justice for Kara" after her body was identified. "Kara's life mattered in 2012 and still matters in 2022." The El Paso Sheriff's Office said in their statement that a cold case review conducted in January allowed for a new witness to be located and interviewed. That person was able to provide new information allowing for police to obtain a search warrant for the place where Nichols' body was recovered on Monday. A post on the family's Facebook page indicated that the investigator in the case was replaced after the family's advocacy in Jan. 2020 by Det. Kat Huston. Court records reflect that the man charged in her murder, Hollendorfer, is being held on a $51,000 bond. He is due to make his first court appearance on Feb. 17. The University of Florida's Law Race and Crime Center for Justice will host an inaugural winter lecture on Feb. 24 featuring a renowned professor with expertise in how the criminal justice system affects families of color. Dorothy Roberts, professor from the University of Pennsylvania Carey law school, will lecture on the topic "Torn Apart: How the child welfare system collaborates with the criminal punishment system to police black families." Local Black History month coverage: The Race and Crime Center for Justice opened during the fall semester at the University of Florida and is directed by Professor Katheryn Russell-Brown. "The center is set up to be a clearing house for all of race crime scholarships, policy work, and we focus on criminal legal policies, theories, applications of these frameworks that surround race and crime," said Vanessa Miller a postdoctoral associate with the RCCJ. Miller said the RCCJ wanted to Dorothy Roberts to speak here because of her scholarship. "Her scholarship directly focuses on race and crime and children and families and how that's really important to the director and she wants to make sure that that is a central focus of the RCCJ," Miller said. The event starts at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, in Holland Hall room 382. Those who want to join in can register though Zoom. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Race, Crime and Justice Center at UF hosts Dorothy Roberts lecture For his sophomore feature, Beautiful Beings, playing in the Berlin Film Festivals Panorama, Icelandic helmer-writer Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson returns to the subject of his prize-winning first feature Heartstone (2016): fraught adolescent friendships and difficult family lives. In Beautiful Beings, a horrendously bullied youth forms a tentative rapport with a trio of tough outsiders. Together, the boys experiment with aggression and violence, but also learn about loyalty and love. The action is captured with a shooting style that blends naturalism and lyricism, using mostly first-time young actors. To find his characters, Gudmundsson put out an open casting call across the country. We wanted to get every kid in Iceland that has a dream of being in a film to show up. A lot of kids auditioned and we managed to find our main cast, he says. More from Variety But creating the performances he wanted required work, Gudmundsson admits. The rehearsal period was long. We started out by teaching them basic acting techniques without reading or discussing the script. When the kids started to feel comfortable, then we started discussing their characters and did improv acting with their characters, then finally they read and rehearsed the script. To keep their interaction real, he encouraged them to play and make spontaneous decisions with their movement in the scenes. Some of the physicality, as when the boys climb a rusty ladder to the roof of a tall building, verges on the dangerous and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Gudmundsson, however, is always the first to test the situation so he knows exactly what hes asking his actors to do. After we did the difficult cliff hanging scene in Heartstone, we thought we would like to use more visual effects this time, but after a lot of testing and planning we concluded that doing things on location was the best and safest option for what we wanted to achieve, he says. However, he notes the most important thing while shooting scenes like these is to have very experienced safety experts on set who supervise every step. Story continues In contrast to the uniformly toxic adult masculinity that surrounds the boys, we meet the caring, spiritually attuned mother of Addi (Birgir Dagur Bjarkason), the films narrator, warmly and sympathetically played by Anita Briem (The Tudors). She analyzes her dreams and appears in those of her children as if to protect them. Gudmundsson says he wanted a supernatural element in the film. In general, people in Iceland believe in interpreting their dreams and fortune telling, he says. Its ingrained into our culture even if it is not something we talk a lot about. However, when you start talking about it to someone like a friend or co-worker, you find out everyone has some kind of story about a dream or fortune teller who gave them some kind of important information. As someone who relies heavily on intuition and gets guidance from his dreams, Gudmundsson is interested in further exploring the uncanny element. I have a few projects in the writing phase. I might take the supernatural element further and do a childrens fairytale, he says. Beautiful Beings reunites Gudmundsson with his Heartstone cinematographer, Sturla Brandth Grvlen, and composer, Kristian Eidnes Andersen. I find it to be such a gift, as you know each other and understand each other a lot better, he says. It is another language to explain emotions and visuals, and how you want it all to come to life. When you know each others creative language, it is a huge plus. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. Most Americans probably never gave much thought to the White House toilets, but here we are in 2022 talking about them. According to Maggie Habermans upcoming book, Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America, the toilets at the residence didnt always flush because they were reportedly clogged with papers documents that the National Archives has been trying to get their hands on. More from SheKnows New details from Habermans publication, reported by Axios, suggest that staff in the White House residence periodically discovered wads of printed paper clogging a toilet and believed the president had flushed pieces of paper. The lax level of record-keeping has been an issue for the Trump administration and drawn some concerns from Washington, D.C. insiders because it could pose a real concern if the next administration is flying blind without that information. The Presidential Records Act exists because it is the only way that a president can really be held accountable long term, presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky told The Washington Post. NEW! President Donald J. Trump: "Following collaborative and respectful discussions, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) openly and willingly arranged with President Trump for the transport of boxes that contained letters, records, newspapers, magazines pic.twitter.com/4r1wnufbWI Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) February 10, 2022 Click here to read the full article. But Trump has dismissed Habermans revelations, calling it categorically untrue in a statement per his spokesperson, Liz Harrington. Also, another fake story, that I flushed papers and documents down a White House toilet, is categorically untrue and simply made up by a reporter in order to get publicity for a mostly fictitious book, he wrote. The Democrats are just using this and the Unselect Committee of political hacks as a camouflage for how horribly our Country is doing under the Biden Administration. Story continues Buy: Confidence Man $30 Both sides stand by their story, but The National Archives and Records Administration retrieved 15 boxes of documents (with some torn-up and taped papers) at Mar-a-Lago earlier this week. And yes, every president has had to address issues with record-keeping after they left office, but this Trump story feels like it wont wash away any time soon. Before you go, click here to see the biggest presidential scandals in US History. Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton Launch Gallery: 10 Times Donald Trump Has Talked About Women's Looks, Because Apparently Mar-a-Lago Has No Mirrors Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A dozen current and former employees have alleged that the Dr. Phil set is a toxic workplace in a report published Thursday in BuzzFeed News. Workers say senior-level employees frequently verbally abused them on the set and guests were mistreated on the show, both of which detrimentally affected workers mental health, in the story by BuzzFeed News Krystie Lee Yandoli, who also penned an investigation into alleged workplace misconduct at the Ellen DeGeneres Show set in 2020 that set off a series of apologies and producer dismissals at the Warner Bros. show. (The Ellen show is going off the air in 2022.) Only one former Dr. Phil employee with criticisms went on the record in the story, while other sources were anonymous, which, according to BuzzFeed News, is because those latter workers fear retaliation and retribution. More from The Hollywood Reporter A spokesperson for the show said the story contained verifiably and objectively false characterizations and called the unsubstantiated, anonymous claims relating to the show and its staff in the story false. In the story, one current and four former employees said that executive producer Carla Pennington screamed, swore and suggested she would fire people in the shows control room. It was traumatizing. It was the worst hour of your life, one former employee said in the story. There was full-blown yelling, calling people idiots and slamming doors, and it would not be acceptable in any other job in any other business. Then after, everybodys upset and everybodys crying. (The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Penningtons attorney; the BuzzFeed News story says her attorney denied all allegations.) A former Paramount Pictures page who rotated through the show, Tiffany Clark, said she was mercilessly berated by a more senior-level staffer, who is not named, and asked other co-workers to trade shifts with her as a result. Story continues Regarding the treatment of guests, five employees alleged in the story that senior producers made fun of guests on the show, specifically people of color, mimicking the way Black and Latino guests spoke. When it came to booking guests, the workers claimed the show discouraged booking people who appeared like trailer trash, but preferred an upper-middle-class look and discouraged booking people of color. The Dr. Phil spokesperson denied claims of mistreatment of guests in a statement: Dr. Phil and our hard-working, diverse team of more than 200 proud staff, many of whom have been here for two decades, have sincerely and respectfully worked with thousands of appreciative guests. Several former employees discussed the effect that working on the show had on their mental health, with one alleging, This show destroyed me mentally, emotionally and physically They make you feel like not only are you not worth anything, every single day youre told how shitty you are, how horrible your work is, yet youre indispensable, so they dont fire you. None of the storys sources ever saw Dr. Phil himself, Phil McGraw, mistreat employees or even witness the alleged abuse. However, Clark raises the question in the story, How can he not know? as sources claim that verbal abuse from senior-level staffers was common. (THR has reached out to McGraws attorney; that attorney denied all allegations in the BuzzFeed News story.) According to BuzzFeed News, none of the sources for the story ever lodged a complaint with human resources or with unions out of fear of retaliation. Penningtons publicist also reportedly referred BuzzFeed to seven current and former employees who denied claims of racism and said they had never heard Pennington speak ill of a guest or yell at or insult staffers. THR has previously reported on McGraws controversial chief content adviser, Frank Lawlis, whose methods have drawn criticism and even been considered dangerous by the medical community. Dr. Phil also had insiders raising eyebrows, THR reported, in early 2021 when the series kept production going through skyrocketing COVID-19 numbers, at a time when several major studios had delayed filming. At the time, a Dr. Phil spokesperson said that the show was continuing to follow CDC and L.A. County health guidelines. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. Jan. 15The FBI and Santa Fe police are looking for a man who robbed Del Norte Credit Union in Santa Fe on Friday afternoon, according to FBI spokesman Frank Fisher. A man entered the credit union, at 510 N. Guadalupe St., about 3:45 p.m. and gave a bag to the teller, demanding the employee put money in it, Fisher said. He left with an undisclosed amount of money. He was picked up in a late-model red Honda Accord with black New Mexico plates, according to the FBI. He was described as having long, brown hair and wearing a black baseball cap, a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and a black bandana. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 505-889-1300. The FBI has investigated a string of robberies in the state in the past few months, including at least two in Santa Fe. In October, an armed man robbed a bank inside a Walmart Supercenter in Albuquerque, according to an FBI news release. The same week, another man claimed he had a bomb when he robbed a bank in Socorro, and a third man robbed a U.S. Bank in Albuquerque with just a note demanding cash, according to the FBI. The U.S. Bank robber was suspected of robbing another bank a few days earlier, the FBI said. More than 30 banks were robbed in New Mexico in 2021, up from 14 the year prior, according to FBI data. In 2019, there were 20 robberies, and, in 2018, there were 34. In a new series, Variety catches up with the directors of the films shortlisted for the International Feature Film Oscar to discuss their road to the awards, what theyve learned so far, and whats taken them off guard. In Jonas Poher Rasmussens Flee, a former Afghan refugee grapples with his traumatic past in order to find his true self. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary section, among numerous other accolades. Rasmussen responded to Varietys questions in writing. More from Variety What does it mean to you to be shortlisted for the best international feature Oscar? Its of course a huge honor. Ive worked on the film for seven to eight years, so to feel that the work weve done is being appreciated means the world, and then its just mind-blowing to see my name on that list among so many incredible filmmakers who have given me numerous indelible cinematic experiences in recent years. And also its heartwarming to feel the support from the industry here in Denmark. It really feels like everyone is rooting for the film and meIm just very proud of it all. Whats been the most challenging aspect of your campaign thus far? As for most people, I think, not being able to plan anything because of COVID has been very difficult. Release and travel plans have changed constantly and it feels like Ive had one foot out the door all the time, which has made it hard to focus mentally. Also, one of the most rewarding things to me is to meet colleagues and audiences across the world, so to be robbed of the opportunity to meet people in person has been a little frustrating. Im really tired of meeting people on Zoom and Teams and I miss being inside a full cinema. Although you are shortlisted in the international feature category, the best picture category has been devoid of non-English language features. Parasite (2019) was the first winner in history. Do you feel international voices are siloed in media and film criticism? Story continues It might have been the case, but I think it really shows the strength of the American film industry that foreign-language films are even eligible for best picture. I dont know other places in the world where films from other countries would be. And also I think its great to see how the American Academy has started to open up towards the world. It seems like there is a process going on right now of globalizing the industry in a way that I think is going to be beneficial for everyone in the end. Not just the industry, but also on a human level in regards to opening up towards different kinds of stories from all over the world, and different ways of telling them. If audiences across the world get access to a wider span of stories and start to relate to people they wouldnt normally identify with, were making the first baby steps down the path to world peace. Are there ways to improve this process when it comes to awards season? I dont know. Im not an expert on how this works, but again, I believe a process is already going on. To me its really about opening up and acknowledging that a film is a film. The quality of the storytelling and the craft is what is key. Not where its from. Parasite was groundbreaking in that way and hopefully more films from different parts of the world will follow. When trying to get consumer audiences to watch an international feature, there seems to be a focus on the length of a movie, but when something like Avengers: Endgame gets a three-hour runtime, Marvel fans are ecstatic and say they could go longer if they wanted to. Is that fair? Hmm, I dont know if it really compares and if I would talk about fair or unfair. I dont know the U.S. industry that well, but here in Denmark we really depend on each other in the industry. We need the big blockbusters to generate an economy that can help fund the lesser grossing films and enable studios and cinemas to take a risk. There should be room for both three-hour runtime super hero movies and smaller films like long international features and animated documentaries. The Academy has favored European countries, with Italy and France winning triple the number of times than a country like Japan. How can we encourage more diversity from all countries globally? I dont know. Maybe a kind of quota system where each continent needs to be represented on the shortlist. As your countrys representative film, is there any government grant/fund you can access for the campaign? Yes, we can apply for support from the Danish Film Institute for our campaign. Members have to opt in to vote for nominees for international feature. On the Academy Streaming Room, they separate those films, and there is no charge for placing them on the platform. However, for $12,500, a film will be placed on the best picture section, adding an increased chance of viewing, which benefits financially lucrative studio movies. Not every filmmaker or country has the means to pay that fee. In addition, the Academy charges for email blasts to members with reminders to vote, and hosted Q&As. Do you find the process of getting nominated fair? If no, how would you like to see it change? As a filmmaker I would of course hope the best films get nominated and not the ones with the best campaign. The work and craft should be the focus; not how you convince people to watch and vote. But how you do that in a fair way, I dont know. How do you think the film has changed the audiences attitudes about refugees? I hope that because this story is told from the inside of a friendship, itll give some nuance to the narrative surrounding refugees that we are normally exposed to in the media headlines. Often, refugees are described merely by what they need and not as the individuals they are with complex psychologies like everyone else. I hope audiences will relate to what Amin has to say and understand how important it is to listen to each others stories and that they will realize that being a refugee is not an identity but a circumstance. Its something you go through and then hopefully get out on the other side and are able to start building a new life for yourself but its not who you are. Do you think it may also lead refugees to alter how they perceive themselves? I hope that just as audiences should see the importance of listening, that refugees will see the importance of sharing stories. How healing it is to share what youve been through when you are ready. Amin told me that growing up he didnt have a lot of stories he could relate to, so if Flee can be one of those stories for refugees in the future, thatll make me very happy. What project are you working on now? Im slowly finding my legs and trying to come up with new ideas after a quite tumultuous year. I do have a new animated story in the pipeline among other ideas, but its still too early to share details. I hope Ill have time to focus on new ideas soon. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A judge on Thursday issued a furious order targeting a Chinese billionaire and ally of Steve Bannon, a member of Donald Trumps inner circle, ordering him to either pay $134m or face arrest for his violation of a previous court order. In a ruling, a judge from the New York County Supreme Court excoriated Guo Wengui for hiding billions of dollars worth of assets around the US and elsewhere including in the form of a superyacht named the Lady May. Judge Barry Ostrager faulted Mr Guo in his ruling for hiding the craft outside of US jurisdiction in the Bahamas in violation of a previous order. Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon (R) greets fugitive Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui before introducing him at a news conference on November 20, 2018 in New York (AFP via Getty Images) Those proceedings established, among other things, that Kwok exercised dominion and control over a yacht called the Lady May and resulted in a series of orders restraining [Guo] and/or the registered owners of the yacht called Lady May from removing the Lady May from the Courts jurisdiction, wrote the judge. Nevertheless, [Guo] and his cohorts made arrangement for the Lady May to sail to Florida in early October 2020 and, thereafter, to the Bahamas, the court filing continues, adding that a subsequent judgement ordered Mr Guo to return the yacht to US waters or face a fine of $500,000 per day. That fine has now compounded to a $134m fee that Mr Guo was ordered on Thursday to pay within five business days, or risk arrest. The Court has the authority to hold [Mr Guo] in civil contempt ... and to punish [him], by fine and imprisonment, wrote the judge. Mr Guo subsequently announced plans to flee the US on a livestream first reported by J Michael Waller of the Center for Security Policy, where he reportedly talked about leaving for Japan or possibly the UK. He will likely not return to China, where he is accused of a host of crimes including rape, any time soon. Mr Guo has denied the accusations which he claims are linked to his criticism of Chinas Communist Party. Mr Bannon was arrested on the Lady May in 2020. He was charged, at the time, with fraud in relation to the We Build The Wall scheme, a privately-fundraised effort to construct fencing along stretches of land near the US-Mexico border. Mr Bannon was later pardoned by Mr Trump as one of his last acts before leaving Washington. He also previously served on the board of a nonprofit, the Rule of Law Society, which is tied to Mr Guo. The New York Times reported that Mr Bannon and Mr Guo began working together shortly after Mr Bannon was ousted from the White House by then-chief of staff John Kelly. It isnt clear if the wealthy businessman has ever interacted with Donald Trump personally, but he was reported by the Times to be a member at Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. It was reported in 2017 by The Wall Street Journal that Mr Trump, while president, decided against extraditing Mr Guo to China after learning of his membership at the club. In 1998, almost 25 years ago, Whitwell Middle School Principal Linda Hooper thought their students needed to learn more about people who werent like them. She wanted them to learn about tolerance and diversity, so she asked Sandra Roberts, a language arts teacher, and associate principal David Smith to begin a Holocaust education class. Students voluntarily signed up for the class. Parents voluntarily sent their children to this class. A very small, rural community in Tennessee actively sought to study a time in history that was challenging and uncomfortable because they wanted to learn about lives that were different than their own. The class led to the Paper Clips Project, which led to the Childrens Holocaust Memorial, an authentic German railcar filled with more than 30 million paper clips those students collected. Linda Hooper: How removal of a book from Tennessee schools can unite a community against hate | Opinion Why did they commemorate the Holocaust with paper clips? The idea came when the students were struggling to understand the vast number of people the Nazis killed during their genocide. Whitwell Middle School students' project, which honored the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust, was the inspiration for the film Paper Clips. The Documentary was shown as part of the Jewish Film Festival a the Belcourt Theater. (November 2005) When the students were having difficulty understanding this difficult topic, the community rallied around them and encouraged them to work through that subject, not avoid it. They chose paper clips because they discovered that Norwegians wore them on their lapels as a form of resistance when they were occupied by Nazi Germany. The students discovered this information when they were doing their own research on this challenging topic. That railcar filled with paper clips still sits at the middle school, which is just beside the elementary and high school, so students continue to see it and remember what happened. Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns. Studying this history made us more knowledgeable, empathetic Ive been thinking about those students this week, as they would be old enough now to have children of their own. They would now be the parents who are voluntarily sending their children to learn about a subject that involves descriptions of horrific events, often accompanied by pictures of emaciated corpses. Story continues I still remember those pictures from when I was in middle school. They were in our textbooks and in films we saw, and they were difficult for us to deal with. Students cried. However, we worked through those emotions because the school, our parents, and, ultimately, we believed that studying such history made us not only more knowledgeable, but more empathetic. It also made such events less likely to occur in the future (the ever-popular George Santayana quote: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.). Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee. Your state. Your stories. Support more reporting like this. A subscription gives you unlimited access to stories across Tennessee that make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. Click here to become a subscriber. McMinn and Williamson school districts resorted to removing books And yet the school board of McMinn County, just over an hour away from Whitwell and that reminder of such an uncomfortable subject, has removed from the eighth-grade curriculum Art Spiegelmans graphic novel "Maus" because there is some rough, objectionable language in this book, according to Lee Parkison, director of schools. Board member Tony Allman says that it shows people hanging, it shows them killing kids, why does the educational system promote this kind of stuff? It is not wise or healthy. In Williamson County, not quite two hours away from the Childrens Holocaust Memorial, encouraged by the Moms for (so-called) Liberty, they have removed from the elementary school curiculum "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech, a book about a 13-year-old Native American girl. The book deals with challenging subjects, such as grief, love, death, cultural identity, and womens roles, among others. Members of the group complained about the book and made comments saying schools should continue to let children have their innocence and that theyre not sending kids to learn about social justice and that such topics need to be taught in the home. Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee. We must learn hard facts so we do not repeat history Ive been thinking about those Whitwell students who are now parents, and I wonder what they would say to these school board members, these other parents. Kevin Brown I imagine they would tell them students not only should learn about such difficult subjects, but they must learn about them. They would tell them about all they have learned about the horrors of a particular time in the world and the ways in which they see those lessons unlearned now being repeated. They might even remind them that the Nazis removed books from their population before removing people, as well. I imagine there are a number of parents in McMinn and Williamson counties who would make similar comments, that they, too, are outraged at what their leaders are doing. I encourage them, and I encourage us all, to stand up to such censorship, to speak out against those who would deny the difficult parts of our history, to tell children the truth, so we can avoid having it happen it again. Kevin Brown spent 19 years teaching literature and writing at an Evangelical university (Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee) before moving to high school teaching. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Holocaust education: Do not erase progress of the Paper Clips Project President Joe Biden continues to urge mask-wearing as Democratic governors move to lift mandates. Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images Democratic governors are breaking with Biden and are announcing plans to relax face-mask mandates. The CDC continues to recommend indoor masking for much of the country. The gulf between Biden and the governors leaves the president in a difficult spot, politically. Democratic governors are leaving President Joe Biden in the dust as they move forward with lifting mask mandates for businesses and schools. Governors in New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Oregon, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Biden's home state of Delaware have announced plans to relax different mask mandates, even as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky continues to recommend indoor face-coverings in much of the country. The widening gulf between Biden and the governors leaves the president in a tough spot politically as Omicron variant cases and hospitalizations drop and polling points to pandemic fatigue and a desire for some semblance of normalcy. Some Democrats say he'll need to respond quickly. "I can only assume that folks at the White House are racing to catch up to where the governors are heading because they're in a somewhat of a difficult spot right now," said Jim Manley, a longtime aide to the late former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. "It's pretty clear to me, not only from anecdotal evidence but also looking at the polling, that folks just want it to be over with, despite the fact that it's not." Indoor face-masking has become a hot-button issue driving protests and lawsuits, particularly over school mandates. Seven in 10 Americans agree with the sentiment that "it's time we accept that Covid is here to stay and we just need to get on with our lives," according to a Monmouth University poll released January 31. The poll found ratings had slipped for how the president and federal health agencies have handled the pandemic while ratings for governors' Covid handling improved slightly. Story continues Protesters rally against vaccine and mask mandates at Oregon's state capitol on February 1, 2022 in Salem, Oregon. Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images 'A devastating political issue' Jim Moran, a former Democratic House member from Virginia, told Insider that "the governors are right" to provide direction and the president should "show more deference" to officials at the state and local levels, acknowledging their positions particularly on masking in schools. "If he doesn't do the right thing, it's a devastating political issue," he said. He added that Walensky of the CDC is "extremely competent, a very good professional, but there are times when POTUS needs to weigh in on this." New York's Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on February 9 lifted indoor mask mandates in her state, starting the next day, though mandates in cities, schools, and certain facilities are unchanged. In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker announced plans to partially lift the state's mask mandate by the end of February. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee also said the statewide indoor mask mandate will end on February 11 and the mandate for schools will end on March 4. The news came as Walensky fielded questions during a news briefing from the White House Covid-19 Response Team and public health officials about the CDC's position on indoor masking, illustrating the gap between Biden and his party's governors. She said she understands "the need and desire to be flexible and we want to ensure the public health guidance that we're providing meets the moment that we're in." But she added that right now, "we continue to recommend masking in areas of high and substantial transmission. That's much of the country right now in public indoor settings." Masks are required in federal buildings, airplanes, and trains. Last month Biden urged face mask-wearing as a "patriotic duty," and he announced the federal government would make N95 masks available to Americans for free. "I know we all wish that we could finally be done with wearing masks. I get it," he said on January 13. "But there is they're a really important tool to stop the spread, especially of a highly transmittable Omicron variant. So, please, please wear the mask." Biden can "absolutely" claim leadership on COVID policy because it's "his policies that got people in a position where they're feeling much better about how to look at this disease," Manley said. House Democrats' campaign arm will be trying to communicate that message as they enter a tough campaign season, in which Republicans are expected to win back the House. "People are sick to death of this pandemic," said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told reporters at the Capitol in responding to a question from Insider. "And I do believe, because of the president's leadership and the Democratic plan to beat the virus, that we will be in a position to communicate a clear off-ramp." Read the original article on Business Insider Duggar Family D Dipasupil/Getty (3); joy4site/Instagram An Arkansas judge has dismissed the 2017 lawsuit filed by Jill (Duggar) Dillard, Jessa (Duggar) Seewald, Jinger Vuolo and Joy-Anna Duggar. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks claimed in his ruling that the Duggar sisters "have not presented any direct proof or reasonable inference" to prevail on their claims that their seclusion was disrupted and that authorities had revealed private facts about them. A rep and an attorney for the Duggar family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. Video: Jana Duggar settles child endangerment charge Wednesday's ruling came just hours after the sisters' Feb. 10 settlement conference was canceled, according to local news outlets. In May 2017, the four Duggar siblings sued Springdale and Washington County officials, including Maj. Rick Hoyt of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Ernest Cate, Springdale city attorney and former Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley. The group of four claimed that authorities released redacted investigation documents to InTouch, which published them and publicly disclosed the identities of the Duggar women. RELATED: Josh Duggar Found Guilty on Child Pornography Charges, Facing Potential 20-Year Prison Sentence Josh Duggar mugshot Washington County Sheriff Josh Duggar mugshot The documents were part of an investigation into the women's older brother Josh Duggar. "From approximately March of 2002 until March of 2003, the Plaintiffs were sexually abused by their brother, Joshua. He was 14 years old when the abuse began and 15 years old when it ended. At the time of the abuse, the Plaintiffs ranged in age from 5 to 11 years old," the document states. "Their parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, discovered the abuse but did not report it to the police or any state agency. Instead, they decided to keep it a secret and discipline Joshua privately." However, Jim Bob and Michelle had confided in their close friends Jim and Bobye Holt. "In 2003, the Holts' daughter, Kaeleigh, wrote a summary of what she had heard from her parents about the abuse in a letter to her favorite author. Instead of mailing the letter, she placed it in a book, which she left on her bookshelf. There the secret remained until 2006, when Kaeleigh loaned the book to a friend and fellow church member," the document states. Story continues "Kaeleigh's friend found the letter and shared its contents with her parents. From that point on, the Duggars' family secret spread by word of mouth to the other members of their close-knit church community. It is unknown exactly how many church members learned of the abuse, but the news caused factions to form within the church, and certain church members evidently disagreed with how the matter was being handled," the document continues. As word spread, authorities received calls about claims that Josh had molested his sisters. State police contacted the Duggar family and the sisters "testified in their depositions that these investigators assured them that the contents of their interviews would remain confidential." At the time, no criminal charges were brought against Josh. In a previous filing, Jill, Jessa, Jinger and Joy-Anna claimed they endured "emotional distress" due to the published documents and made claims for outrage, invasion of privacy by intrusion upon seclusion and invasion of privacy by public disclosure of private facts. The Duggar sisters' December 2021 trial date was postponed due to Josh's child pornography trial. Josh was found guilty on two counts of knowingly receiving and possessing child pornography, also known as child sexual abuse material. He faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines for each conviction. By Robin Emmott, Tom Balmforth and Vladimir Soldatkin BRUSSELS/MOSCOW (Reuters) -Britain said on Thursday the "most dangerous moment" in the West's standoff with Moscow appeared imminent, as Russia held military exercises in Belarus and the Black Sea following the buildup of its forces near Ukraine. Ukraine also staged war games and the United States urged Americans in the country to leave immediately due to increased threats of Russian military action. But leaders on all sides signalled they hoped diplomacy could still prevail in what British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Europe's biggest security crisis for decades. In a new round of talks, Britain's foreign minister sparred publicly with her Russian counterpart in Moscow, Johnson visited NATO headquarters in Brussels and Germany's leader met his Baltic states counterparts in Berlin, where officials from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France were also holding discussions. Russia, which has more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, denies Western accusations it may be planning to invade its former Soviet neighbour, though it says it could take unspecified "military-technical" action unless demands are met. "I honestly don't think a decision has yet been taken" by Moscow on whether to attack, Johnson told a news conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "But that doesn't mean that it is impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed." "This is probably the most dangerous moment, I would say, in the course of the next few days, in what is the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades." The way forward was diplomacy, Johnson later told reporters in Poland. Stoltenberg also said it was a dangerous moment for European security, adding: "The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down." Story continues In a new point of friction, Ukraine criticised Russian naval exercises that it said were part of a "hybrid war" and had made navigation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov "virtually impossible". Nearly nine hours of talks between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday failed to produce a breakthrough on signing a joint document, but both sides agreed to keep talking, the chief of staff to Ukraine's president said after the talks in Berlin. Russia said the talks with Ukraine, France and Germany on the conflict in eastern Ukraine fell short of any new agreement, and criticised what it called a lack of clarity in the Ukrainian position. 'THINGS COULD GO CRAZY QUICKLY' The U.S. State Department urged Americans in Ukraine to leave immediately due to what it called increased threats of Russian military action. "American citizens should leave now," President Joe Biden told NBC News in an interview. "We're dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It's a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly." Asked whether there was a scenario that could prompt him to send troops to rescue fleeing Americans, Biden replied: "There's not. That's a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another. We're in a very different world than we've ever been." Visiting Moscow, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was upbraided by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who accused her of refusing to listen. "I'm honestly disappointed that what we have is a conversation between a mute person and a deaf person," the 71-year-old veteran diplomat told a news conference. "Our most detailed explanations fell on unprepared soil .. numerous facts that we produced bounced off (the British delegation." Truss, who warned of tough Western sanctions if Ukraine was attacked, challenged Lavrov over his assertion that Russia's build-up of troops and weaponry was not threatening anyone. "I can't see any other reason for having 100,000 troops stationed on the border, apart from to threaten Ukraine. And if Russia is serious about diplomacy, they need to remove those troops and desist from the threats," she said. Lavrov said Moscow favoured diplomacy to resolve the crisis. DE-ESCALATION EFFORTS Truss's talks in Moscow follow shuttle diplomacy from French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Moscow and Kyiv this week. In contrast to U.S. and British leaders, Macron has played down the likelihood of a Russian invasion soon. As part of U.S. efforts to "reduce chances of miscalculation", the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, spoke on Thursday with his Belarusian counterpart, a Pentagon spokesman said. Urging de-escalation, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany and its allies were ready for dialogue with Moscow and wanted peace. However further military aggression against Ukraine "would have very serious political, economic and strategic consequences for Russia," Scholz told reporters in Berlin. Moscow has used the tensions to seek security concessions from the West that would include a promise never to admit Ukraine to NATO and halt the military alliance's expansion. The EU said on Thursday it had delivered a single letter in response to Russia's proposals on European security, NATO and the United States having earlier portrayed Russia's main demands as non-starters. Stoltenberg said last week that Russia was expected to have 30,000 troops in Belarus as well SU-35 fighter jets, S-400 air defence systems and nuclear-capable Iskander missiles. Russia held a briefing for military attaches that lasted just eight minutes, and gave notice of an exercise that was already under way, a senior U.S. State Department official said. "That's highly inconsistent with agreements for transparency for large military exercises in Europe. That's bad news," the official said. Ukraine launched its own war games on Thursday which, like Russia's joint drills with Minsk, will run until Feb. 20. The Ukrainian forces, whose numbers have not been disclosed, are set to use Bayraktar drones and anti-tank Javelin and NLAW missiles provided by foreign partners. Kyiv was due to receive a further shipment of U.S. military aid later on Thursday. (Additional reporting by Natalia Zinets in Kyiv, William James in London, John Irish in Paris, Mark Trevelyan in London, and Simon Lewis in Washington; Editing by Andrew Osborn, Timothy Heritage, Peter Graff, John Stonestreet and Daniel Wallis) The post Soup Nazi? Marjorie Taylor Greene Says Nancy Pelosi Leads Secret Gazpacho Police appeared first on Consequence. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has a long history of making statements that are both very dumb and horrifyingly vile, but this week she said something thats stew-pid even by her broth-taking standards. In an attempt to compare California Rep. Nancy Pelosi to Adolf Hitler, with the implicit goal of framing the Democratic Party as so malicious that any action against them is justifiable, Greene momentarily forgot the word Gestapo and implied that Pelosi has a soup-er secret police force. Pelosis gazpacho police [are] spying on members of Congress, spying on the legislative work that we do, spying on our staff and spying on American citizens that want to come talk to their representatives, she said on One America News on February 8th. Theres a couple of things going on here. The line about citizens that want to come talk to their representatives, is a reference to the January 6th insurrection, when a mob broke into the Capitol building. While some of those people were carrying little more than their phones, others came armed with guns, knives, and zip-ties that seemed intended for members of Congress. Via The Washington Post, Greenes comment about spying on lawmakers was in response to a November incident, when Texas Rep. Troy E. Nehls claimed that Capitol Police had illegally searched his office. In response, a representative for the Capitol Police said the Nehls door had been left wide open, and it is their policy to secure any unlocked, unoccupied offices to prevent theft. So when Greene talked about Pelosis gazpacho police spying on members of Congress, she meant that Pelosi had ordered the illegal search office door locked. Pelosi did not directly respond to Greenes insinuation. But during a press conference on Wednesday, the Speaker of the House did say, I have no power over the Capitol Police. Does anybody not know that? Story continues You might not be in the mood to laugh at gazpacho, and in truth, who wants to think of cold, blended soup when people like Greene are out there dehumanizing their political rivals and claiming that wildfires were started by a Jewish space laser? But if you dont laugh youre in for a long couple of years. What else can we do, when faced with such pureed evil? Just to clear things up, @RepMTG Gazpacho: a vegetable-based Spanish cold soup Gestapo: Nazi Germany's secret police pic.twitter.com/T9q76r706G The Republican Accountability Project (@AccountableGOP) February 9, 2022 Soup Nazi? Marjorie Taylor Greene Says Nancy Pelosi Leads Secret Gazpacho Police Wren Graves Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequence of Sounds email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. Russia has officially kicked off the main phase of huge joint military exercises in Belarus, as Western countries continue to warn Russian forces massed near Ukraine could be used to launch a possible attack. Russia has poured an unprecedented number of troops and equipment into Belarus over recent weeks ahead of the 10-day drills, moving units almost 6,000 miles from its far east and deploying tanks, long-range artillery and advanced fighter jets. The United States and NATO countries have expressed worries that the exercises could be used as a cover for preparations for a possible on Ukraine, whose capital, Kyiv, is less than 200 miles south. But Russia and Belarus have insisted the drills are just defensive war games. Russias defense ministry on Thursday said the exercises, called "Union Resolve 2022," will practice averting and repelling external aggression via a defensive operation, as well as combating terrorism and defending the interests of Russia and Belarus. The exercises are due to end on Feb. 20 and the Kremlin has said its troops will leave Belarus then. PHOTO: This handout video grab released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Feb. 9, 2022 shows combat crews of the S-400 air defense system taking up combat duty during joint exercises in Belarus. (Russian Defense Ministry/AFP via Getty Images) Russias deployment of troops to Belarus is part of its broader military buildup massing over 100,000 troops along Ukraines eastern border and to the south in Crimea. Independent military analysts have sounded the alarm over the exercises, saying the scale of the Russian deployment is vastly larger than anything since the Cold War and includes units that would be used in a major invasion, such as advanced anti-air defences and Iskander-M long-range missile brigades. Satellite imagery has shown some of the Russian units are parked only a few dozen miles from Ukraines border, in areas not officially designated for the exercise. The Belarus drills will coincide with what Western countries and some analysts have said is the window when Russia will reach the point of readiness to launch a major military operation against Ukraine. NATOs Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday warned the number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down." Story continues We must be prepared for the worst while remaining strongly committed to finding a political solution," Stoltenberg added. Ukrainian officials are much more skeptical and have denied the Russian forces in Belarus appear ready to launch an offensive. Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov this week said Ukraine did not see Russia forming any strike groups in Belarus and that it had insufficient forces, he estimated only several thousand. Ukraine's government has said it believes the Russian buildup right now is primarily aimed at putting psychological pressure on Ukraine with the threat of attack. In the next 10 days Russia will make a vast display of military power to the north, east and south of Ukraine, holding exercises on an unprecedented scale also outside Belarus. The period seems likely to be a key moment in determining whether the crisis escalates or if the Russian buildup turns to a bluff. The exercises in Belarus will also overlap with large-scale Russian naval drills in the Black Sea, that on Thursday prompted Ukraine to accuse Moscow of mounting an unprecedented naval blockade of Ukrainian ports. Six Russian warships, including amphibious landing ships, entered the Black Sea Wednesday night, to join a fleet already there. Ukraine said it strongly protests against the live-fire drills between Feb. 13 and Feb. 19 that are expected to close off access to much of its coast in the Black Sea and to the Sea of Azov. PHOTO: Russian Federation via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Feb. 9, 2022. (Alexei Nikolsky/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool via AP) If President Vladimir Putin is preparing to attack, the Russian build up appears to be approaching a point of maximum danger, according to some analysts, who say it has nearly completed its build up of heavy equipment and is now entering a phase where it will move up personnel to man it. That does not mean that Russia will attack U.S. officials say they believe Putin has not yet made a decision just that it will have the forces in place to do so within the next two weeks. Once the second phase of the exercise begins on the 10th, I think theyre going to have everything they need in place and I think that week or the week after would make the most sense for an escalation if Russia is planning on doing an escalation, Rob Lee, an analyst at Kings College Londons War Studies department, told ABC News. An analysis by Janes, the defense think tank, estimated there are at least 14 Russian battalion tactical groups in Belarus with around 8,000 to 14,000 troops. The U.S. has said it assesses as many as 30,000 could take part. Best case scenario at the end of the exercise they start moving that equipment out," Lee said. But as long as that equipment is still there then the risk is going to be very high of an escalation." Lee said he believed a military incursion was more likely than not. The Kremlin has denied it has any invasion plans, dismissing it as Western hysteria." After meeting the U.K.s foreign minister in Moscow on Thursday, Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mocked Western allegations Russia was preparing to attack, including claims it might be waiting for the ground to freeze to allow tank movements. PHOTO: This handout video grab released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Feb. 9, 2022 shows combat crews of the S-400 air defense system taking up combat duty during joint exercises in Belarus. (Russian Defense Ministry/AFP via Getty Images) Its like when they say that Russia is waiting for the ground to freeze so that tanks can easily enter Ukraine, he added. It seems that our British colleagues were on similar ground today, off of which bounced all the facts we presented them. Key talks are taking place in Berlin Thursday aimed at continuing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis. Ukraine and Russia will meet at the so-called "Normandy Format," the long-running negotiations, mediated by France and Germany, aimed at resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists in its east. No breakthrough is expected, but Western countries are hoping the talks can build on the small positive signs for diplomacy that emerged from French President Emmanuel Macrons meeting with Putin in Moscow at the start of this week. Russia begins huge war games in Belarus amid Ukraine invasion fears originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Sarah Palin told Insider she'll "consider" asking the Supreme Court to reevaluate defamation law if she loses her trial. She's suing the New York Times for an editorial that linked her PAC's rhetoric to a shooting. Two Supreme Court justices want to revisit the "actual malice" standard for defaming public figures. After testifying at trial Wednesday for her defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin told Insider she'll "consider" seeking to have the Supreme Court revoke a landmark defamation case. Asked if she wanted to have the high court overturn New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, the landmark 1964 case that established the legal standards for criticizing public figures, Palin told Insider she wants to take it "one step at a time" before deciding whether to make that argument in an appeal. "We'll consider it after this case," Palin said. The former Alaska governor said she prefers to win her trial outright rather than go through the appeals process. Palin filed her lawsuit in 2017 over an editorial published by the Times that June titled "America's Lethal Politics." The piece followed the shooting of several Republican members of Congress by a man with a history of opposing their political positions. Video: Contentious Supreme Court nominations The Times article, published in its opinion section, drew a link between the shooting and an earlier one, in 2011, where another man shot then-Democratic Rep. Gabriel Giffords in Arizona, wounding her and killing six others. According to the version of the editorial that was initially published, Palin incited that shooting because her political action committee posted an image on Facebook that put Giffords's district under crosshairs. The Times corrected the article the next day, admitting that there was no established link between Palin's committee's post and the Giffords shooting. Palin filed her lawsuit two weeks later. Story continues James Bennet, the head of the Times's opinion operation, inserted the phrases Palin claims were defamatory while revising another writer's first draft of "America's Lethal Politics." Bennet resigned from the Times in June 2020 after running an op-ed by Senator Tom Cotton calling for the deployment of US military troops to quell American civilian protests, but remains a defendant in the lawsuit. The 1964 First Amendment case set the legal standard for defaming public figures Since Palin is a public figure, the jury must find that Bennet and the Times acted "with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard" of the truth in order to find them culpable of defamation under the "actual malice" standard established by the Supreme Court. Her lawsuit alleges that the Times violated that standard. But if she loses her case, she has the opportunity to appeal it to an appellate court, and then possibly up to the Supreme Court, where it may revisit that standard. Two right-wing members of the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, have both criticized the decades-old ruling and said it should be overturned in favor of different standards. James Bennet testifies as Sarah Palin, 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate and former Alaska governor, watches during Palin's defamation lawsuit trial against the New York Times, at the United States Courthouse in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., February 9, 2022 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Palin took the stand Wednesday afternoon and testified for about 20 minutes before US District Judge Jed Rakoff, who's overseeing the case, sent the jury home for the day. The former governor cut a striking figure, wearing a double-breasted fuchsia blazer and black skirt, in the small, wood-paneled and green-curtained courtroom on the 24th floor of a Manhattan federal court building. She's scheduled to continue testifying Thursday morning. Her testimony so far mostly consisted of details of her personal life in Wasilla, Alaska, and political career. "Were you running against established, career politicians and all that stuff?" her attorney asked her. "Always!" Palin responded with enthusiasm. Palin followed testimony from Ross Douthat, a New York Times columnist who alerted Bennet to his concerns about the draft of "America's Lethal Politics" that was initially published. Before Douthat took the stand, Bennet finished his own testimony, which had continued from Tuesday afternoon. He said he inserted the phrases linking Palin's PAC to the "incitement" of violence while under pressure for a looming deadline, and never imagined people would read his sentences as blaming Palin for the 2011 shooting. "The question didn't enter my mind," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider Sen. Tommy Tuberville Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Sen. Tommy Tuberville dismissed proposals to ban stock trading for lawmakers as "ridiculous." "They might as well start sending robots up here," the Alabama Republican told The Independent. Several Republicans and Democrats have introduced bills to ban lawmakers from trading stocks. Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Wednesday rejected proposals to ban members of Congress from trading stocks, calling the idea "ridiculous." "They might as well start sending robots up here," the Alabama Republican told The Independent's Eric Michael Garcia. "You can't do anything." "I think it would really cut back on the amount of people that would want to come up here and serve, I really do," Tuberville added. "We don't need that." Tuberville's comments come as several of his colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, have introduced a slew of proposals to ban lawmakers from trading stocks, representing a bipartisan push to uproot potential conflicts of interest and violations of stock trading rules in Congress. Insider's "Conflicted Congress" investigation identified 55 lawmakers who failed to properly report their financial trades last year as mandated by the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, also known as the STOCK Act. The rule is designed to combat insider trading by requiring timely disclosure of stock transactions. Tuberville was one of the worst violators of the STOCK Act in 2021, disclosing 132 stock trades weeks or months late with transactions totaling at least $894,000. A spokesperson for Tuberville did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. Some recent proposals put forth by members of Congress also aim to apply a stock-trading ban on lawmakers' spouses, children, and their congressional staffers. Other bills don't go as far as an outright ban, and instead propose a requirement for incoming members of Congress to put their stocks in a blind trust. Story continues Unlike Tuberville, many Republicans have expressed support for a stock-trading ban. Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ben Sasse of Nebraska have each introduced bills to ban lawmakers from stock trading. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday signaled that he'd be open to considering a ban, telling reporters, "We'll take a look at that kind of legislation and see what may be appropriate." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, after previously dismissing the idea, is now working with House Democratic leaders to ban lawmakers from stock trading. Read the original article on Business Insider This false-color composite image, constructed from data obtained by NASA Cassini spacecraft, shows the glow of auroras at Saturn's south pole. ASA/JPL/ASI/University of Arizona/University of Leicester Powerful winds at Saturn's north pole are fueling its aurora lights and throwing off scientists' measurements, astronomers have discovered. The winds, which cycle through two enormous vortexes at the planet's north pole, carry electrically charged ions that drag the planet's magnetic field. The phenomenon, a mystery until now, prevented scientists from measuring the length of a day on Saturn for decades. Since clouds move on their own, looking at a gas planet from afar won't tell you how fast it spins. Scientists instead measure the magnetic field, which is rooted deep in the planet's core. But when NASA's Cassini probe reached Saturn in 2004, scientists were surprised to find that the rate of radio pulses from the planet's magnetic field had changed since NASA's Voyager 2 mission flew past it in 1981. "The magnetic field and radio emissions from it usually act like a lighthouse," meaning the radio bursts come in regular pulses, James O'Donoghue, a planetary scientist at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and coauthor on the new study, told Insider. An animation shows how two vortexes rotate around Saturn's north pole, driving electric currents in the upper atmosphere that produce auroras and drag the planet's magnetic field. James ODonoghue/JAXA and Tom Stallard/University of Leicester "For Saturn, this rotation period has weirdly drifted over time, confusing the heck out of everyone," he added. "Even weirder, the rotation period of the planet has drifted independently in the north and the south." It was unlikely that Saturn was spinning at different speeds during different seasons, or that its northern half was spinning at a different speed than its southern half. But something had to be dragging on the magnetic field between Saturn's surface and the NASA spacecraft. During late-night discussions, scientists tossed around theories. Maybe Saturn's magnetic field slowed down as it passed through lava and gasses erupting from volcanoes on its moon Enceladus. Or maybe the thick methane atmosphere of the moon Titan or Saturn's rings themselves could be the culprits. Story continues All those theories turned out to be wrong. Electrically charged wind was fueling Saturn's auroras and dragging its magnetic field all along, according to the new study, which was published in the February issue of the Geophysical Research Letters. Saturn has the first wind-driven aurora borealis NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured this image of Saturn on July 4, 2020. NASA, ESA, A. Simon (Goddard Space Flight Center), M.H. Wong (University of California, Berkeley), and the OPAL Team Scientists eventually figured out how to measure Saturn's spin without the help of its magnetic field. They studied slight changes in the gravitational pull the planet exerts on its rings. In 2019, they determined that Saturn rotates every 10 hours, 33 minutes, and 38 seconds. But the mystery of the changing magnetic field remained. While scientists had previously theorized that a powerful double-vortex polar weather pattern could be the culprit behind Saturn's moving magnetic lines, the new study is the first evidence supporting the idea. To test the theory, University of Leicester researchers studied Saturn's aurora from Hawaii's Keck Observatory throughout the summer of 2017, using infrared light. Most planets, including Earth, get their auroras from electrically charged particles in space either from the sun or from nearby moon volcanoes. Those particles get captured by the planet's magnetic field and channeled toward the poles, where they interact with gases in the atmosphere to create colorful dancing lights. In Saturn's case, winds in the upper atmosphere, laden with electrically charged ions, are creating some of that interaction. The researchers tracked the movements of a hydrogen ion in the planet's upper atmosphere and found it was moving in twin vortexes exactly as the weather-pattern theory predicted. "This new paper finally shows what the bug was," O'Donoghue said. Read the original article on Business Insider U.S. Border Patrol agents found 132 migrants inside a semitractor-trailer during a human smuggling attempt Monday in far East El Paso, officials said. The trailer was transporting two Guatemalan children traveling alone and 130 adults from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Ecuador, the Border Patrol said in a statement. An investigation began late Sunday night after agents with the Border Patrol's Anti-Smuggling Unit received information about possible smuggling activity at a vacant building near Pellicano Drive in the far East Side, officials said. Border Patrol agents found 132 undocumented migrants being smuggled inside a semitrailer Monday in far East El Paso. Agents then learned of another location in the far East Side that also was being used in the smuggling scheme, eventually resulting in Monday's vehicle stop of the tractor-trailer transporting the migrants, the Border Patrol said. More: Homeland Security chief promises Border Patrol additional resources, equipment The truck driver and a passenger were arrested on federal conspiracy to transport charges. Their names have not been disclosed. An investigation continues. After being medically checked, the migrants were processed, with some sent to Mexico under the pandemic public health rule named Title 42 and others taken to a processing center, the Border Patrol stated. Opinion column: The migration playbook is changing; its time our rules do too The smuggling of people inside semitrailers has resulted in past deaths, with migrants facing potentially deadly suffocating summer heat and shivering winter cold. The U.S. Border Patrol found 132 undocumented migrants crammed inside this trailer in far East El Paso on Monday. "Human smugglers continue to have no regard for the health and safety of the people they exploit for profit," El Paso Border Patrol Chief Gloria I. Chavez said in a statement. "These dangerous smuggling tactics endanger migrant lives and exposed the ruthless and careless methods transnational criminal organizations use to carry out their illicit activities," Chavez said. The 18-wheeler case was the second group of more than 100 migrants detained by the Border Patrol in El Paso this week. Story continues On Sunday afternoon, agents detained a group of 113 migrants, including 19 unaccompanied Guatemalan children, after they crossed the Rio Grande west of the Bridge of the Americas. Residents can report smuggling activity to the U.S. Border Patrol at 1-800-635-2509. Daniel Borunda may be reached at 915-546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter. More: Border Patrol agents find 142 migrants hidden in trailer, SUV near Anthony, NM More: Border Patrol migrant encounters climb 71% in El Paso region in first quarter of FY2022 This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Border Patrol agents find 132 migrants smuggled inside trailer Yemeni children carry jerrycans at a makeshift camp for people who fled fighting between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government forces, in the village of Hays near the conflict zone in Yemen's western province of Hodeida, on Jan. 28. (Photo: KHALED ZIAD via Getty Images) President Joe Bidens national security team is in a complex tug of war over a decision that could push millions of people into starvation weighing the advice of humanitarian experts, most government officials and top Democrats against arguments from hawks who want Biden to restore one of former President Donald Trumps most controversial policies. Biden is considering slapping the U.S. governments foreign terrorist organization label on the Houthis, an Iran-backed militia that has been fighting American-backed forces in Yemen since 2014, the president told reporters last month. Trump applied the label to the Houthis last January but Biden lifted it shortly thereafter. While advocates of the move claim it would make the Houthis less aggressive, aid groups say it would devastate the struggling country. Banks and other businesses would likely become extremely reluctant to work in Yemen for fear of being hit by U.S. sanctions, which would make it nearly impossible and astronomically expensive to import food and other essential goods. Most foreign policy analysts also say it would ratchet up tensions. Bidens aides are working on a final recommendation to the president that is expected to come later this month. They discussed the matter at a high-level White House meeting on Friday, two sources familiar with the decision-making process told HuffPost, and top officials have now asked lower-level staff at government agencies to provide further analysis. (The sources requested anonymity to discuss sensitive deliberations.) The internal debate could doom millions of Yemenis who are already enduring the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. When Trump introduced the measure, the United Nations then-aid chief warned that it could produce a large-scale famine on a scale that we have not seen for nearly 40 years. Since then, Yemen has received far less aid than the amount the U.N. deems necessary and clashes between U.S.-backed fighters and the Houthis have marred thousands more lives; just weeks ago, airstrikes by Saudi Arabia, a close American partner, killed 70 people and wounded hundreds. Story continues But bellicose voices in Washington want Biden to overlook those humanitarian concerns. Former Trump officials, Republican lawmakers and conservative pundits are pushing for the designation. So are Yousef Al Otaiba of the United Arab Emirates, one of the most influential ambassadors in town; at least one prominent Democrat, Rep. Seth Moulton (Mass.); Saudi officials; and, according to two sources, the top White House adviser on the Middle East, Brett McGurk. Akin Gump, a powerful lobbying firm contracted by the UAE, is aggressively urging lawmakers to support the terror group label, two sources familiar with its work told HuffPost. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a former Republican congresswoman who chaired the influential House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Geoffrey Verhoff, a prominent GOP fundraiser, are leading that effort, which has not been previously reported. (Akin Gump did not respond to a request for comment for this story.) Backers of the designation cite recent Houthi attacks on the Emirates, which supports anti-Houthi forces in Yemen, as evidence that the U.S. must crack down on the group whatever the cost. Their case seemingly ignores two key facts: that Biden has already sent U.S. assistance to the UAE in recent days and that the Houthis do not rely on the forms of support that a U.S. terror designation would cut off. And its unfathomably chilling for Yemenis. As we are comforting our children among airstrikes and see our economic crisis spiral, its extremely disheartening to see the Biden administration consider a policy that would mean even further suffering and death, Abdulwasea Mohammed, a Yemeni staffer for the global charity Oxfam, said in a recent statement. Many in Yemen were encouraged by Bidens policy shifts a year ago, so this reversal is particularly upsetting We know well the attacks the Houthis have carried out on civilians, but we should not be caught in the middle of the U.S.s counterproductive efforts to penalize them. Revenge Of The Hawks In 2021, Biden officials slammed Trumps designation of the Houthis. Leading Democrats and some key Republicans cheered the presidents revocation of it on Feb. 16. They said he could acknowledge the Houthis misdeeds without worsening the humanitarian crisis in Yemen or making the group less likely to negotiate, framing Bidens move as part of a broader bid to end the war. The policy took force even as the GOP tried to portray it as a sign of weakness; Mike Pompeo, Trumps secretary of state, called it a gift to the Iranians. But later in the year, as peace talks floundered and the Houthis carried out a brutal new offensive, administration officials began more aggressively blaming Yemens woes and regional instability on the militia, while Democrats became less assertive in pressing Biden on Yemen and the misconduct of U.S. partners there, notably Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Since the Houthis this year twice struck the Emirates where thousands of American troops are based and the Emiratis and Saudis activated their lobbying machines, the idea of restoring the terror group designation has gained a surprising degree of traction. Fighting between Yemen's Houthis and U.S.-backed forces has displaced tens of thousands of Yemenis. (Photo: KHALED ZIAD via Getty Images) Last Wednesday, Moulton began asking fellow Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee to sign a letter to Biden in support of the designation. I understand that removing the designation was meant to help the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, but it has done little outside of embolden the Houthis to escalate their attacks and block reconciliation, read the message obtained by HuffPost. Moultons spokesman this week declined to say whether the congressman had already sent the letter to the administration or to explain why he was breaking with humanitarian groups and the vast majority of Democrats on the issue. Last year, Moulton was also one of only 11 House Democrats to oppose an amendment barring American military support for Saudi-led forces in Yemen. A spokesman for Rep. Mike Waltz, a Florida Republican who is co-sponsoring the letter, told HuffPost that Moultons office was taking the lead on the effort and did not provide further details. That push in the House echoes a Senate bill from a group of Republicans led by Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Tom Cotton (Ark.). Their legislation would require Biden to reverse what Cruz called a reckless, self-indulgent and catastrophic move. Nikki Haley, Trumps former U.N. ambassador and a likely 2024 Republican presidential candidate, also wants Biden to apply the label. And multiple hawkish commentators in the conservative orbit, like former official Dennis Ross, have joined the chorus too. That bolsters Biden staffers who are seeking the change internally, like McGurk at the White House. He has strong ties with the UAE, the Saudis and other American partners in the Middle East, and has said he wants to show them that Bidens team will keep them close amid fears that they will pursue other friends like China. One of the sources familiar with the administrations decision-making said McGurks power and force of personality had become a major factor in the internal tussle over the policy. He is especially influential right now because most top national security officials are focused on the flare-up in Ukraine, the source added. Still, many officials at the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development are forcefully objecting to the designation, a congressional aide told HuffPost. Spokespeople for State and the White House declined to comment for this story. Critics of the proposed designation are highlighting a consensus among experts that it would do little to rein in the Houthis. Writing for the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism in Europe, analyst Lucy van der Kroft argued, the group accumulates funds through resource theft and illegal taxation, limiting the impact of international sanctions ... Trump was prepared to endanger Yemeni civilians for the sake of a symbolic gesture towards Iran and to place obstacles in his successors path, using U.S. counter-terrorism policy as a tool against his domestic political opponents. That echoes what Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his confirmation hearing last year, when he told senators the label seems to achieve nothing particularly practical. Joseph Votel, a retired general who once led U.S. forces in the Middle East, has also opposed the policy, as has former ambassador to Israel and Egypt Daniel Kurtzer, who recently advised the Biden administration to instead focus its energy on engaging the Houthis and reassuring Saudi Arabia. Administration officials are currently brainstorming alternative policy shifts to reassure Arab partners and signal toughness to the Houthis, one source familiar with the decision-making process told HuffPost. Last week, Biden approved nearly $90 million in new weapons sales to the Saudis and Emiratis. Meanwhile, lawmakers opposed to the move are mobilizing to influence Biden. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) is actively reaching out to colleagues to highlight the possible toll of reimposing the designation. The move shuts down commercial food imports to Yemen. That is nothing that any member of Congress wants on their conscience and something I hope the administration doesnt want either, Murphy told HuffPost on Wednesday. So I know it sounds good, because the Houthis are terrible. And you can call them whatever you want. But this particular designation comes with real consequences and its starvation ... I think therell be bipartisan pushback. Preparing For The Worst Aid groups are lobbying against the potential designation while preparing for it to rip through Yemens fragile communities cutting off medicine, driving up food prices and starving children. We know exactly how its going to play out: a year ago pharmaceutical companies began canceling their plans to send needed supplies to Yemen despite licenses in place. This is of course a core humanitarian need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Scott Paul of Oxfam America. He added that banks would likely severely limit transactions with Yemenis for fear of incurring American sanctions, which would make any transactions harder, from businesses paying for imports to Yemenis abroad sending remittances to family members. Amanda Catanzano of the International Rescue Committee told HuffPost that if Biden imposes the label, he would cut an already collapsing economy to its knees. Theres a lot of people already not getting the aid they need ... this would happen against that backdrop, she added, noting that budget shortfalls last year meant that aid went from reaching 9 million Yemenis in need to fewer than 7 million. Humanitarian exemptions [to sanctions] can go part of the way but are rarely sufficient ... it would be trying to run up a downward escalator. Before Trump imposed the designation, importers and banks already began pulling back from Yemen in anticipation, humanitarian experts say; the longer there is uncertainty about Bidens decision, the greater the risk for that to happen again. Before Trump imposed the designation, importers and banks already began pulling back from Yemen in anticipation, humanitarian experts say; the longer there is uncertainty about Bidens decision, the greater the risk for that to happen again. As the hawks try to get their way, now theyre putting this weird campaign into overdrive, the congressional aide said. Arthur Delaney contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Bengals long snapper Clark Harris has been invited on an official visit to Israel after he gave tickets to the AFC Championship game to a fan in Netanya. Bengals long snapper Clark Harris has been invited on an official visit to Israel after he gave tickets to the AFC Championship game to a fan in Netanya. Israeli Ambassador Asaf Zamir, Consul General of Israel in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, extended the invitation to Harris Monday. Harris saw the story of Yakov Hammer back in January. The 27-year-old physics and engineering student at Ariel University in Israel is a lifelong Bengals fan. After seeing Hammer's story on WSYX in Columbus, Harris reached out to give him two tickets to the AFC Championship in Kansas City. He hopped a plane in Tel Aviv with a friend and saw history be made in the Midwest. I cant even express in words how grateful I am for what you guys did. Its always been my dream to go to a Bengals game, and to see (the Bengals) win at such an amazing moment," Hammer said in a statement released by the Consulate General. "I had no doubt that they would win that game, and I knew it would be worth making that long trip." When @ClarkHarris46 made a dream come true for the Bengals' biggest fan in Israel, we wanted to do something really special for him. Check it out this video as Clark & his wife Jessica find out just what we had in mind. Now got out & WIN the #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/BH1fGNm5Q6 Asaf Zamir (@AmbAsafZamir) February 9, 2022 The ambassador said Harris and his wife, Jessica, are excited about the possibility. "This is awesome. I give out tickets every week and I never expect anything in return," Harris said in the statement. "I never knew my wife wanted to go to Israel, and once this happened I found out this is a lifelong dream of hers." Story continues "Im just really grateful and excited, and its been really cool to see how this story has been unfolding," Jessica Harris said. Ambassador Zamir said if the Bengals win on Sunday, he will personally drive to Cincinnati to deliver top-quality Israeli falafel to the team. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals' Clark Harris invited to visit Israel after gift to fan Footballer Kurt Zoumas cats have been seized by the RSPCA amid a growing backlash from his club, fans, sponsors and animal lovers over footage of him slapping and kicking one of his pets. The RSPCA and Essex Police said they are conducting urgent enquiries after the French defender was filmed dropping, kicking and slapping the cat in his kitchen, in footage that prompted uproar. Sponsor Adidas has dropped the players kit deal, West Ham United fined him the maximum amount possible, and the supporters trust dubbed his actions absolutely horrific. Vitality suspended its sponsorship of West Ham as official wellness partner, and Experience Kissimmee said it would be evaluating its relationship and sponsorship with the club in the wake of Zouma still being selected for Tuesdays match. West Ham manager David Moyes came under fire for playing Zouma on Tuesday when he was relentlessly booed. But as the outcry snowballed, the club on Wednesday fined him two weeks wages, understood to be about 250,000, which is due to be donated to animal welfare charities. Heineken UK, the clubs beer sponsor, said it was appalled by the contents of the video and welcomed the action the club was taking. Some animal lovers demanded West Ham axe Zouma, with a petition calling for his sacking attracting 40,000 signatures. There have also been calls for betting firm Betway to end its sponsorship of West Ham shirts. The 27-year-old player could face up to four years in prison in his native France after lawyers for the countrys largest animal-rights group, La Fondation 30 Millions dAmis, filed a complaint with prosecutors. Under new animal-protection laws in France, mistreating animals is punishable by up to four years jail and a fine of 50,000. The organisation also asked for him to be suspended from the French national team. The West Ham United Supporters Trust called for Zouma to face the same punishment as anyone else would do, suggesting he spend time with the RSPCA to see the consequences of his own actions. Story continues The club said the player, who had apologised after the footage was published, was extremely remorseful. Conservationist Chris Packham branded his selection for Tuesdays match an absolute disgrace, while former England captain Gary Lineker labelled it a tone-deaf decision and London mayor Sadiq Khan described it as despicable. Mr Packham told Radio 4s Today: I think if the footballer had released on social media a film of him taking drugs, or beating his wife or his girlfriend or his children, there is no way he would have been on the pitch. These footballers are now role models to millions of people so in a way they set public standards and what David Moyes showed was that he had no regard for peoples opinion of public standards when it came to animal welfare. He added: This was something that they felt, I presume, they could get away with because it was a man kicking and a defenceless, fragile animal. And thats not something that we tolerate here in the UK and we shouldnt tolerate it anywhere in the world, and David Moyes and West Ham United last night appeared to sanction that behaviour. Mr Khan told Sky News: I worry when young people see Premier League footballers getting away with bad behaviour, or prime ministers or anyone else and thinks its OK and you can be successful and thats why its really important for leaders and role models and, whether youre a footballer or the mayor or, you know journalists, were role models, and we should lead by example. The RSPCA said: Wed like to reassure people that were investigating and the cats are safe and in our care. We have been dealing with this since before the clip went viral online and we need to follow the proper legal process and not discuss due to UK GDPR laws. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene mixed up gazpacho and the Gestapo while criticizing Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Gazpacho is a popular cold Spanish soup. The gestapo were Nazi Germany's brutal secret-police force. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Wednesday accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of having a "gazpacho police," mistaking a beloved cold Spanish soup for Nazi Germany's brutal secret police known as the Gestapo. Greene, who has a penchant for making Holocaust references in her political attacks, in an appearance on the conservative network OAN baselessly suggested that Pelosi's "gazpacho police" were "spying on members of Congress, spying on the legislative work that we do, spying on our staff, and spying on American citizens that want to come talk to their representatives." "This government has turned into something it was never meant to be, and it's time to make it end," Greene added, while discussing the treatment of January 6 defendants. In response to a request for comment from Insider on her "gazpacho police" remark, Greene via a spokesperson told Insider, "No soup for those who illegally spy on Members of Congress, but they will be thrown in the goulash." There's no evidence that the Capitol Police are spying on members of Congress, despite such assertions from Republicans like Greene. Greene was widely mocked online for her reference to the nonexistent "gazpacho police." "Thank goodness my wedding caterers knew the difference between gazpacho and the gestapo," Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former White House communications director under the Trump administration, tweeted. "Coulda gotten weird." The Republican Accountability Project (@AccountableGOP) February 9, 2022 The Georgia Republican last summer apologized after facing widespread criticism for comparing restrictions meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to the treatment of Jewish people by the Nazis during the Holocaust. Story continues "Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazi's forced Jewish people to wear a gold star," Greene tweeted last May. Greene, who has rapidly become one of the most controversial members of Congress since joining the House in 2021, was recently barred from Twitter permanently for repeatedly spreading disinformation about COVID-19. Read the original article on Business Insider Editor's note: This story has been updated to note that Sue Ianni is now a registered voter in Saugus. Sue Ianni, a former Natick Town Meeting member charged in the U.S. Capitol riot, appears to be helping plan a local leg of a nationwide truck convoy protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Ianni allegedly breached the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, as part of a mob of former President Donald Trumps supporters seeking to disrupt the certification of President Joe Bidens electoral win. She pleaded not guilty and remains out on personal recognizance bail. Related: Lawyer for Natick's Sue Ianni plans to file motion to dismiss Capitol riot charges Recently, she has been active on the encrypted messaging app Telegram a platform popular among far-right and white nationalist groups to help organize local participants in a national trucker convoy against COVID-19 vaccines. Attempts by the Daily News to reach Ianni for comment were not immediately successful. The Natick Town Clerk's Office confirmed Thursday that Ianni is now a registered voter in Saugus. Natick resident Sue Ianni, left, is shown marching with Mark Sahady in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. In the past few days, Ianni has posted several messages to the Telegram group Freedom Convoy MA, which has more than 430 members. Iannis role in the group was first reported by GBH. The so-called Freedom Convoy is modeled off a protest of the same name underway in Canada, where truckers converged on Jan. 29 in Ottawa to challenge the countrys mandate requiring COVID-19 vaccines for drivers crossing the U.S.-Canadian border. Thousands of protesters descended on Canadas capital last weekend, leading the citys mayor to declare a state of emergency, according to The Associated Press. More: Ottawa declares state of emergency over trucker convoy COVID-19 protests Some protesters have set off fireworks on the grounds of the National War Memorial, and a number have carried signs and flags bearing swastikas, comparing vaccine mandates to fascism, The Associated Press reported. Story continues The movement has inspired similar protests in other countries, and a U.S. convoy is expected to begin traveling from California to Washington, D.C., on March 4, according to Politico. On Telegram, users have been sharing posts about the Canadian convoy and boosting support for a similar effort in the U.S., also offering food, supplies and other logistical support, according to Politico. Members in the Massachusetts group have been coordinating shows of support on highway overpasses and offering up supplies for participating truckers. In one message in the group, Ianni identified herself as a local conservative and civil rights activist, and said one of the national convoy leaders asked her to help organize the Massachusetts truckers. "Looks like I'm in the right place," she commented, adding emojis of an American flag, heart and flexed bicep. Abby Patkin is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. Follow Abby on Twitter @AMPatkin. She can be reached at apatkin@wickedlocal.com. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Natick's Ianni helping plan truck convoy to protest vaccine mandates Jan. 12With both the Kentucky House and Gov. Andy Beshear announcing proposed budgets for the next biennium, area educators are excited, but thinking realistically, about some of the historic investments in education in each plan. On Monday, the governor announced his two-year budget proposal, which includes almost $2 billion in additional funding for public education, from preschool through 12th grade. He will present this spending plan Thursday to lawmakers. Specifically, the governor's proposal calls for offering free preschool to all 4-year-olds and fully funding professional development. It also includes a significant increase of 12.5% in the Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) funding per pupil for districts. SEEK is the state's primary K-12 funding formula, and it is set at $4,000 per pupil. Beshear's plan calls for that to increase to $4,300 in the first year and $4,500 in the second year of the two-year budget. The House GOP budget calls for the amount to increase to $4,100 in the first year and $4,200 in the second year. A 5% raise for school personnel, as well as restoring funding for textbooks and classroom materials, is also in Beshear's plan. Both budget plans call for the state to fully fund all-day kindergarten. Districts provide all-day kindergarten, but are only funded at about 50% of the cost to do so. Both plans also call for increasing funding for student transportation. The state now funds about half the cost of transportation for students, and Beshear's plan proposes to fully fund districts' transportation costs. The House GOP plan proposes to increase transportation funding to 70%. School leaders all agree that while this is the early stages of the budget's legislative process, both plans are encouraging. Matthew Constant, Owensboro Public Schools superintendent, said both budgets are "education friendly and education forward" and that both plans or a compromise among both will move K-12 education forward in terms of offering more resources for students. Story continues "I know that in the legislative process, neither proposal will be the final version, but they are both good places to start from," he said. "I am impressed that both the legislature and the governor see the value and are putting the value behind early education. We have needed and lobbied for full-day kindergarten for years." He said that is a welcome relief. Daviess County Public Schools Superintendent Matt Robbins agreed, and he said that the district has been offering full-day kindergarten services for at least two decades. He said having funding from the state for this program is "long overdue." "I'm very pleased that seems to be a hallmark of both budgets," he said. Robbins also said he knows the budget proposals are in the beginning stages of a long process and that a lot of changes are likely to occur before the final budget is adopted. However, both budgets appear to be a move forward. "We have been dealing with flat-lined budgets for at least two bienniums now," he said. "To see positive traction there of any kind in both of them .... it looks like there are opportunities for compromise, so we can reach some key goals and objectives." He and Constant both said the governor's proposal for universal preschool is attractive because statistics strongly suggest the benefits of early education for all. Ohio County Schools Superintendent Seth Southard said he is encouraged about the governor's support for public education, but that he is also a realist. Thinking about what this added support could mean for students is exciting, but "not feasible." "I don't see the revenue will be there to support (the governor's) budget," Southard said. "I am very cautious." He said it's great to have a governor that is pro-education, and he commends Beshear for that. He also said he would be happy with either budget because both mean a step forward for public education, and whatever compromise the two entities come to still gives districts more resources and freedoms. Muhlenberg County Schools Superintendent Robby Davis also said seeing possible added investments in public education at the state level is "very encouraging." "Our kids deserve it, and we all benefit when our students have added opportunities to succeed," Davis said. Tommy Burrough, McLean County Public Schools superintendent, said it's hard to get hopeful when it comes to early budget proposals because they often change so much throughout the legislative process. However, he said what he has seen from both the House GOP and the governor's plans will benefit students. "As long as we don't go backward and we are moving forward, that is a plus," he said. "Anything extra we can get above and beyond what we have is a plus for the district and the kids, but it's a waiting game at this point." Phone calls and emails were not immediately returned from representatives of the Hancock County Schools district. Bobbie Hayse, bhayse@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-691-7315 Acting Homeland Secretary Chad Wolf gives a speech in front of a new section of the border wall Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Credit - Joel MartinezThe Monitor/AP Five days before the 2020 presidential election, acting Homeland Security chief Chad Wolf flew to Texas to celebrate the construction of the 400th mile of the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The milestone hadnt actually been reached yet; it would take another week for the structure to span that distance. The timing of the visit also raised eyebrows. To critics, its purpose seemed clear: Polls showed then-President Donald Trump trailing Joe Biden, and Wolf was there to run through the Trump campaigns talking points. Although he did not mention Biden by name, Wolf said that Bidens immigration platform would pose a threat to national security. Each of those policies would endanger the lives of the border patrol and Americans across the country, Wolf said in a speech flanked by federal and local law enforcement officers. Standing next to him, Mark Morgan, the acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Bidens policies would prompt a migrant invasion. The spectacle was part of an unusually blatant campaign blitz before the 2020 election by Trumps cabinet heads, who crossed the country in government planes to tout his policies. No agency was more involved than the Department of Homeland Security. Wolf and other senior officials traveled to battleground states to publicize routine arrests, warned of dire national security risks if Trump wasnt re-elected, and erected billboards in key states showcasing immigration violators. Read More: In Last-Minute Swing Through Key States, DHS and ICE Are Making the Case for Donald Trumps Re-Election Ethics experts and government watchdogs say the effort violated ethics laws, effectively transforming the nations third-largest federal department into an arm of the presidents campaign under the guise of official business. And American taxpayers footed the bill, according to records obtained by the watchdog group American Oversight and shared with TIME. Four trips taken by Wolf to the battleground states of Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Texas cost $223,652, roughly $221,300 of which was spent on government planes, according to the documents, which were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Story continues In that time, DHS held an unusual number of press conferences and speeches, amplified through official government channels, all of which broadcast Trumps political platform. The day he visited the wall, Wolf and DHS social media accounts posted an almost 2-minute video that was indistinguishable from a campaign ad. They said it couldnt be doneThey were wrong. 400 times and counting, Wolf tweeted. Wolfs trips were just the tip of the iceberg. While high-level members of previous administrations have also highlighted their accomplishments around election season, the Trump Administrations actions were unprecedented, says Noah Bookbinder, president of the government ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW). Education Secretary Betsy DeVos hosted a Moms for Trump event in Michigan. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue praised Trump in a North Carolina speech led the crowd to chant four more years. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a video-taped speech from Israel to the Republican National Convention while on a diplomatic trip. It was a very systematic and conscious decision to send people out to swing states to advocate for the reelection of the president, Bookbinder says, using the resources of the government to keep [him] in power. Wolf did not respond to TIMEs request for comment. The revelations about the cost of his trips come amid renewed scrutiny of the Trump Administrations various ethics violations in its final months, and recent efforts in Congress to strengthen ethics laws which have proved to be largely toothless. Trump reportedly violated the Presidential Records Act by not turning over 15 boxes of documents until last month. (The violation currently carries no penalty.) The battery of Trump officials, including Wolf, who were found by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) last fall to have violated the Hatch Act have not faced any consequences. The Hatch Act prohibits government officials, except for the president and vice-president, from holding purportedly official events for the purpose of promoting a candidate for partisan political office. A week before his trip to Texas, Wolf flew to Phoenix to give a speech to the Arizona Sheriffs Association. He warned of the unimaginable public health crisis that would come with a surge in migration if Trump were to lose the election and the next administration overturned his hardline policies. The only reason todays crossings have not reached a crisis level is because of the policies and procedures the department has put in place over the past four years, Wolf said in his speech Oct. 22. This language echoed yet another speech Wolf gave on Oct. 16 in Philadelphia, where he and Acting ICE Director Tony Pham touted the arrests of 170 immigrants in sanctuary cities across the country. ICE also paid for billboards that October to be erected in six locations in Pennsylvania, with pictures of immigrants who had been previously arrested or convicted of crimes. Read More: How Republicans Are Selling the Myth of Rampant Voter Fraud Top DHS officials are acting more like campaign surrogates than public servants, and they need to be held accountable, Austin Evers, the executive director of American Oversight, which filed the FOIA for Wolfs records, told TIME that month. The campaigns focus on immigration was no surprise. But DHS went off the tracks with its electioneering, says Dave Lapan, a retired Marine Corps colonel who served as DHS spokesman during the Trump Administration under then-Secretary John Kelly. Going specifically to battleground states, spending government money on billboards that were very clearly political, Lapan says. They felt there were no guardrails and they could do these things with impunity. Democrats and ethics watchdogs argue the scale and cost of these official tripsonly a fraction of which are publicunderscore why federal ethics laws need to be strengthened. They sometimes blended electioneering and official business. For example, Wolfs stop in Louisiana, where he met with FEMA in an area damaged by Hurricane Laura, came after a visit to Florida where he touted Trumps law-and-order campaign message. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. In the past we all just trusted that our democratically elected presidents would follow along with the rules and norms, and now weve learned that they wont necessarily, that maybe there needs to be some stronger penalties, says Melanie Sloan, a senior adviser at American Oversight. Sloan emphasized the importance of documenting the details that continue to come out through public records requests. If we dont put this out, when Chad Wolf wants his next Senate-confirmed job, no one will even know to ask him about it. Wolf defended his actions at the time, saying that it was part of his job to highlight policies he said were affecting public safety. Its not about Republicans, its not about Democrats, its not about elections, he said Oct. 7. Its about dangerous policies that are dangerous for that community. During this period, Wolf was serving in his post illegally, according to rulings by several federal judges as well as the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which said Trump circumvented the Senate confirmation process and violated a federal law that specifies the order of succession. Wolf and 12 other senior Trump administration officials were found to have violated the Hatch Act in previous activities around the Republican National Convention, according to a report released by the Office of the Special Counsel in November 2021. They misused government resources for what appeared to be a taxpayer-funded campaign apparatus within the upper echelons of the executive branch, the report says, including a naturalization ceremony led by Wolf that was aired at the RNC. But it also noted that discipline was no longer possible since these officials were leaving government office, saying it was issuing this report to fully document the violations. Several bills in Congress have sought to strengthen federal ethics laws and eliminate these gray zones. The Protecting Our Democracy Act, which passed the House of Representatives last year, would empower the OSC to fine political appointees for violations and raise the maximum penalty to $50,000. Earlier this month, Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon introduced the Political CRIMES Act, which includes a series of measures to bolster the Hatch Act, including the establishment of an independent counsel to probe all violations. I think theres a good argument to be made that the things that happened post-election wouldnt have happened without the kinds of abuses that went on before the election, and often went on without consequences, says Bookbinder of CREW. It was hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent, violation after violation, and this wasnt happening by accident but came from the top. Anna Deets handles the ball for Western Illinois. MACOMB The Western Illinois women hit the road this week for a pair of games, heading north to South Dakota to take on South Dakota on Thursday (7.p.m.) and South Dakota State (2 p.m.) on Saturday. Western Illinois (11-5, 2-3) has lost three straight, including dropping a pair of home games last week to North Dakota and North Dakota State. The slide has seen WIU fall into seventh in the Summit. Thursdays opponent, South Dakota (14-4, 7-0) has not experienced a loss in close to two months, winning 12 straight and standing at 14-4 overall and 7-0 in the league. The last loss for USD was November 26 vs. Texas A & M. Defense is the name of the game for USD as the Coyotes lead the lead, allowing teams to score 53.1 points per night. South Dakota is holding foes to a league-best 36.6 percent from the field while teams shoot 30 percent from three. Offensively, South Dakota is sixth in the league in scoring, averaging 66.9 points per game. The Coyotes make 42.5 percent from the field. USD leads the Summit in turnover margin at +7. Chloe Lamb leads the Coyotes in scoring, averaging 15.6 points per game while Hannah Sjerven adds 13.7 per game and Liv Korngable contributes 12.1. Sjerven also adds 7.1 rebounds per game while Kyah Watson grabs 4.2 rebounds a game. Lamb is among the top three-point shooters in the league, making 37.3 from beyond the arc. Sjerven leads the conference in blocks per game (1.9). On Saturday, the Leathernecks face another difficult road contest, taking on South Dakota State. The Jacks are 10-8 overall, 6-1 in the league. SDSUs lone loss in conference was to the Coyotes. The Jacks score 68.9 points per game while allowing 61.1, good for third and second best in the conference. SDSU leads the league in field goal percentage, making 45.3 percent of its shots, while allowing opponents to connect on 40.5 percent of attempted field goals. The Jacks are the best three-point shooting team in the league by percent, hitting 37.1 percent. Their 137 makes is third-best in the conference. Story continues Opponents are shooting 30.3 percent from beyond the arc. Paige Meyer leads a balanced SDSU offense, averaging 10.4 points per game. Paiton Burckhard adds 9.8 per game. Kallie Theisen leads the Jacks with 5.1 rebounds per game while Burckhard adds 4.8 boards a contest. Tori Nelson leads the league in field goal percentage, making 56.9 percent of her shots. This article originally appeared on The McDonough County Voice: WIU WOMENS BASKETBALL A bullet hole in the windshield of a bus in Minneapolis. The driver was shot in the head with three children on board. The driver's injuries appeared to not be life-threatening. / Credit: Jeff Wagner / CBS News A school bus driver in Minneapolis was shot in the head while students were still on the bus, CBS Minnesota reports. The driver's injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, according to police. The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. local time, according to the Minneapolis Police Department. Officers responded to the scene and found the driver had been shot in the head. The driver was taken to a local hospital. The driver has not been identified and their current condition has not been made public. Three children, all under the age of 10, were on the bus when the driver was shot, police said. None of the children were injured and they were all escorted home by police officers. Police are still looking for suspects and no arrests have been made yet. Bob Saget died from head trauma, his family announces Americans are generally supportive of U.S. efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict Team USA wins first gold medal at Winter Olympics JACKSON, Miss. Medical marijuana is now legal in Mississippi. Gov. Tate Reeves signed the bill creating the program into law Wednesday evening, which made Mississippi the 37th state to legalize medical marijuana in the United States. For the past week, Reeves had been mostly noncommittal about his plans, telling reporters Monday he was still reviewing the bill. Reeves announced his decision on social media. "I thank all of the legislators for their efforts on these improvements and all of their hard work," Reeves wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. "I am most grateful to all of you: Mississippians who made your voice heard." Under the Mississippi State Department of Health's oversight, the program will get up and running in 120 days with the first licenses and registrations being given to cannabis growing, cultivation and packaging facilities. Within 150 days of the bill becoming law, the dispensaries will be licensed. The National Conference of State Legislatures says 36 states and four territories already allowed the medical use of cannabis. Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia have not legalized the medical use of cannabis. For all the people who are touched in some way by a loved one or someone they know who benefits from medical cannabis, this brings their quality of life back, said Ken Newburger, executive director the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, a group that pushed for legalization. Mississippi Sen. Kevin Blackwell, R-Southaven, and Rep. Lee Yancey, R-Brandon, worked closely on the bill, making several changes at Reeves' direction. Most notable among the changes is the amount of cannabis a medical marijuana patient can purchase a month. The law allows for 3 ounces of marijuana per month, significantly less than the 5 ounces voters approved. 'NEVER SEEN SUCH DRAMATIC DECREASES': Drug and alcohol use among US teens saw record decline in 2021, survey finds Story continues USA TODAY NETWORK: 12-year-old with sickle cell disease finds relief in cannabis after opioids failed her Leaves of a marijuana plant are pictured inside Ultra Health's cultivation greenhouse in Bernalillo, New Mexico. On Wednesday, Mississippi legalized medical marijuana for people with debilitating conditions such as cancer, AIDS and sickle cell disease. Blackwell proposed, and the Senate passed, a bill allowing 3.5 ounces per month. The House, in an effort to make the bill more conservative, lowered it to 3 ounces, which the Senate eventually approved. The amount of cannabis available to medicinal users has been a serious sticking point for Reeves, as he claims it would increase the amount of marijuana available to people seeking it for recreational uses. "There are also those who really want a recreational marijuana program that could lead to more people smoking and less people working, with all of the societal and family ills that that brings," Reeves said. The new law prohibits the state from providing economic development incentives for the cannabis industry. The state often provides tax breaks and financial assistance for roads or water access to industrial sites. The law gives cities and counties 90 days to opt out of allowing medical marijuana facilities, for growing or selling. But, people in those communities could petition for an election to overrule local officials decisions and allow them. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Medical marijuana in Mississippi: Gov. Tate Reeves signs bill into law A truck sits near Parliament Hill as truckers and their supporters continue to protest coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mandates, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 7, 2022. REUTERS/Patrick Doyle Ottawa police are warning protesters to stop clogging the streets or they could be arrested. Cops said people committing "unlawful" activity may face criminal charges. Canada's capital city has faced gridlock over the last two weeks amid anti-government protests. Ottawa police issued a stark warning for truckers involved in anti-government protests, warning them to stop clogging the streets or face arrest. Canada's capital city has faced gridlock over the last two weeks as protesters dubbing themselves the "Freedom Convoy" have turned out to denounce COVID-19 vaccine mandates. "The unlawful act of blocking streets in the downtown core is resulting in people being denied the lawful use, enjoyment, and operation of their property," the Ottawa Police Service said in a statement addressed to the protesters. The statement from Ottawa police added: "It is a criminal offense to obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the lawful use, enjoyment, or operation of property." Ottawa Police said people committing "unlawful" activity may face charges for committing a criminal offense, and could be arrested without a warrant. "Offence-related property, including vehicles, may be seized as part of the offense. The vehicles may be detained and, following a conviction, possibly forfeited," the statement read. The statement said, "Charges or convictions related to the unlawful activity associated with the demonstration may lead to denial in crossing the USA border." Ottawa officials have declared a state of emergency as the protests continue. The demonstrations have inspired other right-wing protests, including truckers who blocked a vital bridge connecting the US and Canada in Detroit. Numerous Telegram groups in the US have discussed staging similar protests and shutting down major highways in protest. Read the original article on Business Insider Feb. 9New Mexico case counts and deaths continued to fall on Tuesday, which only increased calls from some to lesson mask restrictions still in place in New Mexico. The state Health Department on Tuesday reported 1,412 new cases and six additional deaths, pushing the toll to 6,561 since the start of the pandemic. Of the cases reported on Tuesday, 324 were in Bernalillo. One of the deaths was a Bernalillo County woman in her 50s. There was an uptick in hospitalizations, with 593 people hospitalized with COVID on Tuesday. That was up from 565 on Monday. But hospitalizations are trending downward. State epidemiology reports dated Monday showed there had been 370 COVID hospital admissions in the last seven days. In the week before that, there had been 430 admissions, according to the reports. According to state health officials, New Mexico has passed the peak of the highly contagious omicron variant and cases have declined from daily records of over 5,000 and 6,000 cases at times late last month. The decline in cases continues amid a growing chorus of people urging state leaders to remove what remaining coronavirus restrictions are left in place including an indoor mask mandate requiring students to wear masks while in class. On Tuesday, State Sen. David Gallegos, R-Eunice, sent a letter to Public Education Cabinet Secretary Kurt Steinhaus, urging state leaders to end mask mandates in schools. Gallegos pointed out that several states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut and Oregon, have announced that they are lifting such requirements. The New York Times reported that New York would be announcing an end to its mask mandate Wednesday. "I hate to see it, but it seems as though New Mexico is at the bottom of another bad list," Gallegos said in a statement. "... As a state, we must begin our transition to normalcy now, beginning with our kids who are most resilient to the virus and most impacted by masking and lockdowns." Story continues The Health Department's pediatric case report shows children under the age of 18 have accounted for 20% of COVID cases in the state since the start of the pandemic. Children 0 to 4 years old make up 3.5% of cases, 5 to 11 year olds account for 7.8% of cases and 12 to 17-year-olds account for 8.7% of cases. In the last week, children accounted for 22%, or 3,220, of the total cases. There were 15 of those cases where a child was hospitalized, according to the most recent pediatric case report, which was created Feb. 7. The report shows that since the start of the pandemic 476 children have been hospitalized with COVID and seven have died. Judy Robinson, a PED spokeswoman, said the mask policy is intended to keep students and staff safe. "Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to recommend that students and staff wear masks in school," she said in a statement. "The CDC recently released a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on the effectiveness of face masks on disrupting COVID-19 transmission that found that those who reported consistently wearing a cloth face mask while indoors had 56% lower odds of testing positive for COVID-19, and those who reported consistently wearing an N95 or KN95 mask had 83% lower odds of testing positive." The group behind the constitutional amendment that created Michigan's citizen-led, independent redistricting process took steps Monday to defend the commission's work in court against a lawsuit brought by Republicans challenging the new congressional map. Voters Not Politicians filed a motion to intervene as a defendant in the lawsuit against the commissioners who drew the map. The lawsuit, filed by a group of Michigan Republicans in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, alleges that there is no legal justification for the population differences between the congressional districts drawn by the commission and that the new lines unnecessarily split up counties and municipalities. A three-judge panel was recently appointed in the case. "We seek to intervene to ensure that the voice of Michigans voters are clearly heard in this case," said Nancy Wang, executive director of Voters Not Politicians. More: Michigan Republicans challenge redistricting commission congressional map in federal court More: Mich. Supreme Court upholds redistricting commission maps in face of voting rights lawsuit "Independent redistricting commissions, like the one passed by Michigan voters in 2018, are designed to ensure that our political system remains by, of and for the people," said Paul Smith, senior vice president at Campaign Legal Center, which is providing legal representation to Voters Not Politicians. "The court should reject this effort to prevent the commission from accomplishing the purpose for which it was overwhelmingly approved by the voters." The complaint filed by Republicans alleges that the population differences violate the U.S. Constitution, which requires districts to have the same population size with small deviations allowed under some circumstances. The complaint also alleges that the commission arbitrarily split up communities in violation of the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. Story continues In a brief supporting its motion to intervene, Voters Not Politicians argues that the federal court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the second claim. The Republicans suing the commission "have invented a claim that is entirely without merit or basis in federal law," the brief states. "Instead, they attempt to advance half-baked arguments premised wholly on state law by disguising them in the trappings of the Equal Protection Clause to sneak them into federal court." Democratic elections lawyer Marc Elias also recently moved to defend the commission's congressional districts on behalf of a group supportive of the commission's work. Elias called the lawsuit a Republican attempt to undermine Michigan's redistricting process. Opponents of gerrymandering the practice of politicians who draw voting boundaries to advantage themselves politically have heralded the work of Michigan's inaugural redistricting commission and its efforts to draw fair maps. Voters Not Politicians criticized some of the early draft maps drawn by the commission that appeared to benefit Republicans as politically skewed. But the group that drafted the amendment that created the commission celebrated when the final congressional and state legislative district maps were adopted in late December. Other voting rights advocacy organizations have expressed displeasure with the end product. The League of Women Voters of Michigan and other groups filed a lawsuit in the Michigan Supreme Court alleging that the new state House map is unfair to Democrats. Last week, the state Supreme Court struck down the first lawsuit challenging the commission's maps and how they divided Black voters. The court found that the commission did not violate federal voting rights requirements that prohibit districts that deny protected racial minorities an opportunity to elect their preferred candidates. Clara Hendrickson fact-checks Michigan issues and politics as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Voters Not Politicians moves to defend congressional map Andy Farrell says the loss of influential skipper Johnny Sexton for Saturdays crunch Guinness Six Nations clash with France could provide great development for Ireland going forward. Veteran fly-half Sexton has been a key figure for his country for more than a decade and will be a major miss in Paris due to a hamstring strain suffered in training. Munsters Joey Carbery will deputise in the number 10 jersey to make his maiden start in the championship, with Connacht player Jack Carty providing back up from the bench and James Ryan taking on the captaincy. Unfortunately a hamstring strain sustained in yesterday's training session has ruled @JohnnySexton out of #FRAvIRE. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Johnny! #TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/z1DjtYWInP Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 10, 2022 While head coach Farrell admits 36-year-old Sexton remains vital to his plans, he insists the in-form Irish are far from being a one-man team. Were not just one player, it never has been, it never will be, and we want to grow as a group and we make sure we approach every game in that manner anyway, said Farrell. Obviously Johnny is an important member of our group. Being skipper of the side, hes integral to how we push forward with many parts of our environment but at the same time this is just about the group. Its a great development for us as a team going forward as well and we still expect ourselves to be at our best in Paris on Saturday. Story continues Were gutted for Johnny. It means so much to him to captain his side and to play in games like this. At the same time, he realises its an opportunity for us to grow as a group and thats exciting within itself. Sexton has previously outlined plans to play at next years World Cup by which time he will be 38 and there is ongoing debate about whether Ireland are over-reliant on him. His injury is not thought to be serious and he could be available for the round-three match against Italy on February 27. The Leinster player, who has 102 Ireland caps, will support the team from the sidelines at Stade de France as Farrells men seek to build on last weekends bonus-point win over Wales against the pre-tournament favourites. . Presenting your Ireland Match Day 23 for Paris, captained by James Ryan! #TeamOfUs | #FRAvIRE Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 10, 2022 Its a small hamstring strain, Farrell said of the injury. We dont envisage it being difficult at all really. He might be a week to 10 days, something like that. But what we dont want to do is to risk anything and make that worse and take him out of the competition completely. We expect him to be back pretty soon. Carbery impressed as understudy in the autumn after Sexton was injured in the 29-20 win over New Zealand. The 26-year-old who suffered a fractured elbow in December came off the bench to kick three crucial penalties against the All Blacks, before producing a man-of-the-match performance against Argentina a week later. Irelands Joey Carbery is poised for his first Six Nations start (Brian Lawless/PA) Farrell talked down the pressure on Carbery and says the enforced change will not alter Irelands style of play as they go in search of a 10th successive win. Its not just about Joey and can he handle a big game in Paris, he said. Its not just about the number 10 as far as the direction of the team is concerned, its about everyone who takes the field. We play the same game. We keep making good decisions from the pictures that are in front of us that present minute by minute. Nothing changes as far as thats concerned. Joey will be a leader within himself as well. Were expecting everyone to step up to the plate. The lads who are coming in are certainly ready. British and Irish Lions Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw return to the Irish bench following injuries in the only other alterations from last weekends straightforward success over the Welsh in Dublin. Ulster lock Henderson has not played since sustaining an ankle problem playing for his province on December 17, while Leinster centre Henshaw missed some of his countrys pre-tournament training camp in Portugal due to a groin issue. Asked about leaving the fit-again pair out of his starting XV, Farrell replied: The side played pretty well last week. Theres a bit of cohesion there. Robbie and Hendy have not had as much training time as others. Theyre fit and well and had a great week back in the thick of things. Theyre ready to add off the bench. Here is how the #GuinnessSIxNations table looks after R1! Where does your team sit? pic.twitter.com/VNrblb3b1a Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 6, 2022 While Ireland brushed aside Wayne Pivacs reigning champions on the opening weekend, France overcame a slow start to defeat Italy 37-10. This weekends clash is already being touted as a potential title decider and Farrell anticipates a greater standard of rugby. Im expecting both sides to up it a notch or two, he said. Rightly so, everyone is billing this up to be a big game. Its exactly where we want to be and we want to be at our best, so thats what were concentrating on. Pandemic rules over masks and vaccination disclosures ended a planned Central Bucks field trip to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, sparking controversy online early Wednesday morning. Tamanend Middle School 9th graders were originally planned to head to the nations capital on March 31, but the motion failed approval in a 7-1 vote Tuesday night. Director Karen Smith was the lone vote for the trip. Board director Dr. Mariam Mahmud was absent Tuesday. A Twitter post from Diana Leygerman, a former school board candidate and Philadelphia teacher, lambasted the vote saying one board members stance on vaccinations robbed students of an important opportunity. Central Bucks School District is the largest in Bucks County. Our SB just cancelled a field trip to DC where students were supposed to visit the Holocaust Museum because a School Board Member's kid isn't vaccinated. An important educational trip cancelled because she made a choice but isn't willing to accept the consequences of that choice, Leygerman wrote. Our SB just cancelled a field trip to DC where students were supposed to visit the Holocaust Museum because a School Board Member's kid isn't vaccinated. An important educational trip cancelled because she made a choice but isn't willing to accept the consequences of that choice. Dina Ley (@dinachka82) February 9, 2022 The post, which was seen by nearly 90,000 users by 2 p.m. on Wednesday and shared several hundred times, is referring to director Lisa Sciscios objections raised prior to this weeks vote. Sciscio said she couldnt support a trip to Washington, D.C., in large part because the city requires proof of vaccination to enter some businesses. Assistant Superintendent Charles Malone said the planned visits, which included the Holocaust Museum, were specifically chosen because they wouldnt require disclosure of vaccination status. Story continues Anti-Semitic comments disrupt CBSD meeting: Transphobic, anti-semitic comments disrupt Central Bucks meeting: 'This is hate.' Middletown official resigns: Middletown Township official resigns amid exposure of hate, conspiracy-filled posts While museums can be included in Washingtons list of businesses affected by the vaccine mandate, there is no requirement that patrons show proof of vaccination if attending a special event at that museum. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museums website says it requires visitors wear a face covering and answer coronavirus symptom screening questions, but there does not appear to be a rule that vaccination status must be disclosed. The section on screening questions specifically tells visitors not to volunteer any additional medical information, like pre-existing conditions. Sciscios problem didnt seem to be with the museum and other potential memorial sites on the trip, but rather that eventually the students may have to use a business that does have those requirements. I mean, it's six in the morning till eight at night There's kids who will have to use restrooms. There's kids who may want to get something to eat I have a ninth-grader at Tamanend. I have a problem with this, Sciscio said. Although the vote canceled the field trip, other places for an alternative visit, like New York City, were suggested for future consideration. Leygermans tweet and other social media posts drew comments accusing the change of being anti-Semitic because of the now canceled visit to the Holocaust Museum. Similar accusations have been made toward some board members and about the district at large before, especially recently following a controversial Nov. 9 meeting. Transphobic and anti-Semitic comments from two area residents brought one woman to tears after members of the audience pleaded with board President Dana Hunter to gavel down one persons rant against zionism and communism in the district. Hunter has said previously that censoring the two men would have violated their first amendment rights at a public meeting. Anger continued to grow, however, as calls for the board to condemn the comments from residents and groups like the Anti-Defamation league went unanswered in the days after the meeting. Four members of the board at that time would eventually release a statement against those comments about a week after the meeting, though Hunter wouldnt speak on it again until the boards Dec. 6 reorganization meeting - when new members like Sciscio were sworn in. Smith said Wednesday she believed the issues raised by Sciscio this week were purely about vaccines, masks and the pandemic. Smith didnt comment on the vote Tuesday but reiterated a statement she made on Facebook earlier the following day. Just to be clear, I voted yes for field trips that require vaccines and/or masks. If families made a choice not to be vaccinated, then that choice has a consequence. I dont think all our student body should (lose) the opportunity to visit valuable learning experiences because of the choice of others, Smith wrote. Smith said the vote on the Tamanend trip has already caused administrators at Tohickon Middle School to cancel their planned trip to Washington even though the board approved it several months in advance. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks pulls field trip to DC. Holocaust Museum over mask, vaccine requirements Eve Muirhead and Bruce Mouat experienced contrasting fortunes as the round-robin stages of the team curling competitions got under way in Beijing on Thursday. Muirhead missed a potentially match-winning draw with the final stone of the extra end as her womens team went down to a narrow 6-5 defeat to Switzerland. But Mouat showed no ill effects from missing out on a medal in the mixed team competition as he led his mens rink to a 7-5 win over Italy. Bruce Mouat and Hammy McMillan, left, edged a 7-5 win over Italy (Andrew Milligan/PA) Mouat said: Tuesday was a bit of a tough day but this is the team that Ive played with for 95 per cent of my time in the last three years. This is the one Ive always looked to and always felt that this is the one I want to win. It would have been nice to win the other one, but I just think that I wanted to turn it around and play well for the boys as well as myself. Eve Muirhead missed a crucial shot in an opening defeat to Switzerland (Andrew Milligan/PA) Muirhead, who won a bronze medal with a different team in Sochi, has come into this competition somewhat under the radar after being forced to fight through a qualifying competition. And she refused to be too downhearted about the loss, saying of her crucial shot: They are never easy to judge. Unfortunately it didnt come off. If I ever had a shot like that again, Im confident I would make it. Muirhead believes her inexperienced squad has the right mentality to move into contention for one of the top four play-off slots and with it a shot at a potential second Olympic medal. Theres a lot of hunger here, added Muirhead. A fourth Olympic Games is something that you dream of coming to. Im very glad that Ive got the opportunity to be here with four girls at their first Olympic Games. Im proud of them, how much theyve come along and fought and they deserve their spot in the team. Muirheads campaign was set to continue later on Thursday with their second group match against Sweden. Bob Saget's family confirmed on Wednesday that the actor's death last month at the age of 65 was due to head trauma. In their statement, the Saget family said that authorities "have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep. No drugs or alcohol were involved." In light of the development, CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, tells PEOPLE why it's so important to remain vigilant after a head injury. For more on Bob Saget, listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day. "When you hit your head, you could have bleeding in different ways," says Wen, who did not treat Saget. "An epidural hematoma is a type of brain injury. You can also have a subdural hematoma, another possibility as well." RELATED: Bob Saget's Family Is 'Devastated' About Full House Actor's Death: 'He Was Everything to Us' Bob Saget James Brickwood/getty Bob Saget Actress Natasha Richardson died of an epidural hematoma in 2009 at the age of 45, after a ski accident in Mont Tremblant, Canada. "A subdural hematoma is a very common hematoma. Both of these are when veins are ripped from a head injury, that causes pooled blood to put pressure on the brain," Wen explains. While Saget's family confirmed the Full House star died of head trauma, it's important to note that an autopsy report was not released, and that Dr. Wen does not know exactly what happened nor the exact nature of his head injury. It is also unclear when or how Saget hit his head, and whether or not he experienced any disorientation before going to sleep. Nonetheless, Wen notes that there are some important steps you can take if you think you've hit your head badly. "If you have a substantial head injury, tell someone," she says. "Call your doctor if you're particularly worried, but you should at least tell someone, and don't be alone. That way, somebody can help to monitor you and make sure that you're OK." Story continues RELATED VIDEO: John Stamos Says 'Mornings Are Hard' as He Grieves Bob Saget: 'I Miss Getting a Text from Him' Wen also says certain individuals should be extra careful. "I would err on the side of caution, especially if you are someone at higher risk. For example, if you are on any kind of blood thinners," she says. "Also if you are older, you also have a higher risk of bleeding in the brain." Joshua Marcus, MD, Neurosurgery, Nuvance Health, agrees. "Patients who are on blood thinners or antiplatelet medication any type of blood thinner are high-risk patients who really need to be pretty vigilant any time they hit their head, and really seek medical attention. We're more aggressive with getting CAT scans for those patients than we would be for younger patients, which is where it's more rare to have catastrophic [head injuries]." Marcus, who also did not treat or examine Saget, notes that there are steps you can take even when you are alone after hitting your head. "There are certain symptoms that you want to look out for immediately following hitting your head. Anytime you lose consciousness, of course, even if it is very brief, or you're amnestic to (don't remember) the event," he tells PEOPLE, adding that it's important to look out for "any type of confusion." RELATED: Natasha Richardson Her Tragic Accident He also says to pay attention to "any associated nausea, vomiting those are obviously very concerning symptoms." "If you develop any sort of weakness or numbness or a seizure-like activity, those are obviously signs to immediately seek medical attention and go to an emergency room," Marcus adds. "You shouldn't have any motor weakness, shouldn't have real confusion, shouldn't have language trouble." If your symptoms are progressing, he says, they "really need to be seen by a doctor." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. Extrapolating from studies on concussed athletes, the doctor recommends to stay awake for 2 to 3 hours after the head injury to make sure none of these symptoms present themselves, noting that athletes with concussions are urged to "keep themselves awake" and be monitored for "about three hours" after injury. "Within an hour or two, presumably, a bad head injury could progress," he says. "And that's what you're trying to look out for. [After that] timeframe, I don't think there's a significant significant risk that something worse is going to happen." The manner in which the head injury occurs is also quite important, he notes. "If it's what we call a low mechanism of injury not a high-speed car accident, or a bike accident or a ski accident, but rather a fall from standing [and] there's no loss of consciousness, there's no surrounding symptoms, then I don't think we're as vigilant about keeping [to wake] patients up overnight. But they should ideally be monitored by somebody else." RELATED: French Actor, Moon Knight Star Gaspard Ulliel Dead at 37 Following Ski Accident: Report Marcus also says not to overreact every time you bump your head. "I think in the setting of hitting your head, it's still pretty rare to have a severe head bleed from a head trauma," he says. "So I don't think everyone should be terrified that any minor hit on your head is going to be catastrophic or fatal." He says that if head pain lingers for weeks after bumping it, but no other symptoms occur and the pain doesn't develop or become worse over time, which he calls "crescendo" symptoms then it's most likely nothing to worry about. "Symptoms can linger for weeks, sometimes even longer," he says. "Ongoing symptoms are not necessarily super concerning beyond the first few hours. But if symptoms are worsening, that's another thing to really look out for." The Indianapolis home of Christel DeHaan, the Hoosier businesswoman and philanthropist who died in June two years ago, has been put on the market for $14 million. Described on the listing as "almost holy, a true sanctuary," the 41,762 square foot, 7-bedroom mansion sits on more than 150 acres that used to be the grounds of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Maur. "Nowhere else in the city will you find an estate with such a commitment to design and aesthetics," the listing on Encore Sotheby's International Realty reads. "Each section of the home, surrounding terraces, formal gardens, and lush landscape are stunning and functional based on their intended use." Located at 4501 N. Michigan Road, the luxurious estate has a private lake and is close to the White River, Butler University, and several golf courses, including Highland Golf. More: 'Damning' report shows plummeting Black homeownership in Indy. Here's why. More: 'Vaccine status discrimination' would be banned under proposed Indiana bill The home has 10 full baths and 7 partial baths, along with a spa, outdoor pool, indoor pool, jet tub, steam room, tennis court, billiards room, and a 5-plus car garage, according to the listing. It also features cathedral ceilings, a gourmet kitchen, a catering kitchen and a butler's pantry. The estate is owned by CD Realty LLC, according to city property records. The realtor who posted the listing, Mike Johnson, did not immediately respond to a call for comment. Christel DeHaan in June 2001 DeHaan was one of the wealthiest women and most prominent Hoosier philanthropists in the country. Born in Germany where her father was killed during World War II by American bombs, she later emigrated to Indiana. In 1974, she co-founded the Indiana-based timeshare company Resort Condominiums International, which she sold for $825 million in 1995. Subsequently, she embarked on worldwide philanthropic efforts through Christel House International, a nonprofit organization she founded to assist impoverished children. The organization operates learning centers and schools in India, Mexico, South Africa and the United States. Story continues Christel DeHaan with students in South Africa. The fine arts center at University of Indianapolis is named for her, a nod to her donations to the arts in Central Indiana. Contact IndyStar reporter Ko Lyn Cheang at kcheang@indystar.com or 317-903-7071. Follow her on Twitter: @kolyn_cheang. Christel DeHaan is greeted by students at the Christel House Mexico learning center in 2010. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Linden House in Indianapolis: Christel DeHaan's luxury estate on sale Knox County Board of Education members will vote Wednesday on two of the most significant issues facing the school district: COVID-19 masks and student equity, including racial disparities. The votes come after a nearly five-hour work session Monday filled with heated discussion among members and impassioned comments from community members. Now, school board members will decide how to move forward on resolutions about both longstanding issues. Join us live at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9. This page will be updated with the stream below. They'll vote to direct the Knox County Law Director's office in a legal response after families who are suing over a lack of COVID-19 safety protocols say the district isn't properly enforcing a judge's mask rule. The parents who sued Knox County Schools asked a federal judge Friday to step in. Background: Parents tell judge Knox County Schools is flouting mask rule with help from county lawyers And they'll vote on whether to move forward with a proposed equity policy for the district, which empowers the district to provide fair opportunities for all Knox County Schools students. Who's making the decisions in the mask lawsuit? While the Knox County Board of Education is one of the defendants in the mask lawsuit, the Knox County Law Director is in charge of all legal issues, according to board policy and the Knox County charter. Because of this setup, some board members said they believe community members misunderstand who is making the decisions that come up in court filings. "Yes, we are the defendants, but we have very little say in how we are defended," Knox County School Board Chair Kristi Kristy said. "(The public) thinks we are directing the law department to do this, and that is simply not the case." The Knox County Board of Education can meet with the Knox County Law Director's team to discuss litigation in closed meetings, but the board can't discuss how to proceed unless they do so in an open session. Story continues Board members are informed about how the law department proceeds in the litigation, but the board can't request the department take specific action without voting in a public meeting. "Until you make a decision officially in public, it's hard for us to know which direction you want to go," Gary Dupler, the deputy law director, said at a meeting. The lawsuit started after the board declined to impose a mask mandate as cases skyrocketed when the fall semester began. How the law department proceeds could change depending on how the board votes Wednesday. Responding to mask litigation The school board could bring several motions forward after the families asked a judge for broader monitoring of the court-ordered mask rule after submitting evidence that the district wasn't consistently complying. They asked for a neutral monitor to go into schools and enforce the mask mandate. Some of those options were discussed briefly during Monday's meeting. Patti Bounds plans to bring a motion forward to "reiterate that Knox County Schools is substantially complying with the mask mandate" and said there's no need to go along with any of the requests from the families and their lawyers. "I think enough is enough," Bounds said. "When I read these recent demands, I think they go above and beyond the mask mandate." Bounds expressed her concerns over the request to send a monitor into schools. "I think it sends a very bad message to our students and our parents and our teachers that we are sending people into spy and monitor on them, and I think it's totally unacceptable," Bounds said. Kristy might bring a request the law department pursue a blanket exemption for the more than 3,300 students who receive speech services but don't have mask exemptions. "Speech impairments are recognized under the (Americans with Disabilities Act), and I think we need to offer these students exemptions," Kristy said. "I feel like we're discriminating against these students by not giving them mask exemptions." Virginia Babb hinted she might motion to ask the lawyers to enter into mediation discussions with the families to bring some sort of end to the mask mandate. "One thing I would love is to have initiated talks and mediation with the plaintiffs to see if there's any kind of end game," Babb said. Betsy Henderson agreed, bringing up several states, such as California and Delaware, that have dropped indoor mask mandates, although she didn't mention that California is dropping its mask mandates only for vaccinated individuals and Delaware is keeping its school mask mandate in place. "I think it's ridiculous that the attorneys at the law department have not reached out and sat down with the plaintiffs," Henderson said. Approving the equity policy On a totally separate issue, the school board will vote whether to approve the district's new equity policy. Stakeholders and community members say the policy validates years of work by the Knox County Schools Alliance for Educational Equity. The plan was reviewed by the board during a policy review meeting on Jan. 19. It was written in collaboration by some board members and school administrators. The policy empowers the district to provide equitable opportunities for all students and improve Knox County Schools by working on seven challenges the district faces: Decreasing chronic absenteeism Reducing disproportionate suspension and expulsion rates Increasing students' early post-secondary opportunities Providing equitable access to effective teachers Recruiting and retaining a diverse teaching force Embedding cultural awareness in school practices Partnering with community allies Several school board members want to review the policy again and were surprised to see it on the agenda for Wednesday's meeting. Some school board members were concerned about the definition of equity, others want to push back the discussion until a new superintendent is finalized and some were concerned that the language in the policy was rushed. But community leaders say delaying the policy shows a lack of support from the board in addressing equity. "I want to tell you that we've kicked this can down the road for too long, and if you need to study to make a wise, intentional decision, I hope you do so," Phyllis Nichols, the president and chief executive officer of the Knoxville Area Urban League, said during public forum on Monday. Nichols is a member of the KCS Alliance for Educational Equity steering committee and has studied equity and education in Knox County for most of her career. "I urge you to do what's right now to adopt the equity policy for the students in Knox County," Nichols said. Superintendent search moves ahead The Tennessee School Boards Association will announce the finalists for the superintendent search on Wednesday. The board could have up to five finalists to interview. The candidates will travel to Knox County on Feb. 17-18 for interviews with the board and one-on-one meetings with community members and business leaders. They will also participate in a community forum. The board intends to vote on the candidate on Feb. 22 and extend a contract shortly after on March 9. If the chosen candidate accepts the position, they'll start on July 1. Rebecca Wright: Higher education reporter at Knox News Instagram | Twitter | Email | 865-466-3731 Enjoy exclusive content and premium perks while supporting strong local journalism. To get started, visit knoxnews.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County School Board to vote on mask mandate and equity policy Josh Hartnett in The Virgin Suicides, The Fear Index, Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down' (Shutterstock/Sky/Sony/iStock) When we first see Josh Hartnett in Sofia Coppolas directorial debut The Virgin Suicides, he is lit like an old-school movie star. Eight months before the suicides, explains a voiceover, hed emerged from baby fat to the delight of girls and mothers alike. In her cult 1999 film, Coppola frames Hartnett strutting down a school hallway with Seventies pin-up hair before receiving brownies and completed homework from would-be female suitors. His eyelashes seem painted on. Coppolas vision of the then-19-year-old felt like a premonition, and Hartnett graduated from the film an A-lister in waiting. Or at least, that was the plan. Instead, what followed was one of the most interesting cases of Y2K star-making gone awry. This week, Hartnett heads up The Fear Index, a new Sky Atlantic series in which he plays a computer scientist plunged into a dangerous cyberconspiracy after developing an AI that can manipulate the stock market. Think of it as The 39 Steps with iPhones and jittery camera work. Its his most recent European project he lives in Surrey with his actor wife Tamsin Egerton and their two children in a lengthy run of them, including horror series Penny Dreadful and Guy Ritchie action movie Wrath of Man. Mainly, The Fear Index reminds us of Hartnetts leading-man chops. He remains a striking performer, simultaneously buoyant and brooding, and The Fear Index reminds you not only of his actorly charisma but how odd it was that he vanished from Hollywood. Like in his early film roles (The Faculty, 40 Days and 40 Nights, Pearl Harbor), it sees Hartnett half-asleep in the best possible way, with a loose, squinty charm thats confident but never cocky. Hes innately watchable. The perfect matinee idol. But just because someone looks like a movie star doesnt mean its the easiest of fits. Even in his early press interviews, Hartnett seemed uncomfortable with the demands of celebrity. aaMy opinions definitely changed when I got [to LA], he told Interview Magazine in 2000. I thought it was going to be this magical place I was kind of disappointed. I moved away pretty quickly. Back then, his career was on fast-forward. In 1997, he was a Minnesota native who had just moved to Los Angeles. Between 1998 and 1999, he shot seven movies. By the time he was cast in Michael Bays Pearl Harbor in early 2000 and Ridley Scotts Black Hawk Down a few months later both roles that seemed set to send his teen-movie fame stratospheric he was described in the press as a man with a target on his back. Josh will get very famous very quickly and runs the very real risk of becoming a sort of one-man embodiment of the Backstreet Boys to hormone-crazed 15-year-old girls from Minnetonka to Tarzana, wrote his Pearl Harbor co-star Ben Affleck in Vanity Fair. He is particularly at risk for this as he is so very pretty. I suspect hell find the prospect of this somewhat overwhelming. Its great and heady, but a little weird to say the least. Story continues Young actors often have these narratives. They experience that first flush of fame, where they star in multiple movies of varying quality and develop a fanbase, before becoming more strategic with their film choices. Alongside all of that are discussions of too-much-attention, and the transition from being a total nobody to somebody everyone knows and has an opinion on. Typically, this is followed up a year or two later with a post-mortem interview, where the actor in question talks about how they dealt with instant fame and what they learnt. But unlike Hartnett, they dont usually disappear right in the middle of it. Im sorry if I disappointed people, he told Marie Claire in 2014, well over a decade on from his industry peak. In the midst of the pressure of people wanting you to do these huge franchise films or chasing you around, there is no privacy. And that pressure cooker made me realise I needed a simpler life, so I went back to Minnesota. It was important for me to construct myself into a better human. Hartnett on the cover of Vanity Fair in 2001 (Conde Nast) Hartnetts late-Noughties career is a strange melange of blockbuster cameos (Sin City), rapidly forgotten indies (Mozart and the Whale) and noble failures (Brian de Palmas The Black Dahlia). He had a meeting with Christopher Nolan about playing Batman, but didnt pursue it, just as he didnt pursue Superman, despite being high on studio wish lists for the role. It was something hed come to regret. Relationships were formed in the fire of that first Batman film, and I should have been part of the relationship with this guy Nolan, who I felt was incredibly cool and very talented, Hartnett told Playboy in 2009. He admitted he spent much of that era turning things down. I said no because I was tired and wanted to spend more time with my friends and family. Thats frowned upon in this industry. People dont like being told no. You can understand his frustration. Hartnett was an actor who wasnt so much catapulted to fame as manoeuvred into it by forces beyond his control his splashy 2001 profile in Vanity Fair was, after all, titled The Making of Josh Hartnett. He worked a lot with Harvey Weinstein, too, who stuck him in a multi-picture deal after he produced Hartnetts first two films, 1998s Halloween: H20 and The Faculty. We had a sort of antagonistic relationship because the contract I signed for those films guaranteed me to be a part of, like, five more, he told The Guardian last year. Hartnett like Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Ewan McGregor before him was a Weinstein movie star, thrown into films he didnt want to do by the disgraced producer. Take the forgotten Alan Rickman hairdressing comedy Blow Dry (2001), which miscast Hartnett as a Yorkshire teenager. Though his was a supporting role, the films poster presented Hartnett and Shes All Thats Rachael Leigh Cook as Blow Drys leads, and the film as a teen sex romp. Add this to the melodramatic warnings of global ubiquity and Hartnetts early career seems rather miserable, and saw him working with a lack of agency in an industry that saw him as a commodity. When youre not built for that kind of machinery, it can easily break you. Now, without the pressure to be cinemas It boy, Hartnett seems much more comfortable as an actor. Hes brilliant in The Fear Index, looser in the limbs and willing to take big swings. A psychological freak-out in the third episode sees him channel Peter Finch in Network, as Hartnett shakes with mad-eyed rage when insisting that hes being surveilled. On the big screen, hes also finally fulfilled the potential of that mid-Noughties Christopher Nolan meeting, having just worked with the director on his latest film, the historical thriller Oppenheimer. Next month hes in Guy Ritchies Operation Fortune, an action comedy that casts Hartnett as the kind of person the film industry always insisted he was: the biggest movie star in the world. So he got there in the end, but on his terms rather than Hollywoods. The Fear Index begins on Sky Atlantic on 10 February Respira Labs, a medical technology company specializing in respiratory care, which first unveiled its product to the world last year, successfully raised $1 million in funding and an additional $1.8 million in grants to continue building its acoustic resonance technology to assess lung function and changes therein. Tracking both is a critical aspect for patients with COVID-19, COPD, asthma and other lung afflictions. The pre-seed round was led by Latin America-focused biotech investor Zentynel Frontier Investments, with participation from academic incubation investors VentureWell, mission-driven impact investor ImpactAssets and a few additional angels from the United States and Latin America. On top of the investment raised, the company was awarded an additional $1.8 million in grants from Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes for Health (NIH). The company has feasibility trials underway with 30 patients across Florida and California, and the company is working to obtain FDA clearance for its product over the next couple of years. The device the company is working on is a wearable, non-invasive lung-function monitoring device that uses microphones to detect lung function. The company has been granted three patents for its technology, including, crucially, one for using a piezo-electric signal (such as a pulse, or a tone) projected into a human body, which then can be analyzed to determine a lung's resonant frequency and how the sound is absorbed, reflected or modified by the body. The cool thing is that this signal can be used to determine lung capacity, volume of air trapped in the lungs and the presence of COPD. "We're excited to be making strides in a highly competitive space and are grateful to the organizations who care deeply about our mission and technology," said Dr. Maria Artunduaga, Respira Lab's founder and CEO. "We have the potential to help improve the lives of millions of people living with lung issues around the world. Early detection is key, and our technology will help people identify problems earlier to avoid dangerous and potentially life-threatening situations." Story continues "For us, it is an honor to be able to invest in companies with the vision and leadership that Respira Labs has. Its Latin American background and subject-matter expertise are a perfect match for us," said Cristian Hernandez-Cuevas, general partner at Zentynel. "We are convinced that no one else is trying to tackle the monitoring of lung function, from an acoustic point of view, with the sophistication and rigor with which Respira Lab is doing it. This opens the door to a huge market that will continue to grow in a post-COVID world." In addition to the funding, Respira has been growing its product development -- something the funding will further accelerate. A propos acceleration; the company shared with me that it was selected to participate in the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center accelerator and biotech incubator. Please note details of the event have changed WINNIPEG, MB, Feb. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Annie Koutrakis, and the Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, will make an important funding announcement to support critical infrastructure at the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. Parliamentary Secretary Koutrakis and Minister Vandal will be joined by Barry Rempel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Winnipeg Airports Authority. Parliamentary Secretary Koutrakis, Minister Vandal and Barry Rempel will be available to answer questions from the media following the announcement. For media participation: Media are invited to email Transport Canada Media Relations at media@tc.gc.ca no later than 9:00 a.m. CST (10:00 a.m. EST) on Thursday, February 10, 2022, to receive a link to participate in the virtual event. Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022 Time: 9:30 a.m. CST (10:30 a.m. EST) Location: Virtual Live stream: The event will be streamed on Transport Canada's Twitter account. Please note that only media registered for the event will be able to ask questions during the Question-and-Answer period. SOURCE Transport Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2022/10/c2781.html A Minnesota woman convicted of murdering her allegedly abusive boyfriend because shed wanted him to stop talking, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Stephanie Clark, 31, fatally shot Don Juan Butler on March 5, 2020 at their Maple Grove apartment, according to court documents. Police responding to reports of shots fired that day found Clark and her 5-year-old son crouched on the ground outside the building. Authorities found Butler inside the apartment; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Clark told investigators that Butler had assaulted her after he confronted her about talking to another man. The couple continued to argue after Clark returned from picking up her son, until Clark shot Butler in the chest, grabbing a second revolver after the first had run out of bullets. Clark told authorities that she wanted him to stop talking, so she shot him in the head," according to a statement of probable cause in the case obtained by Oxygen.com. The couple had met on a dating app, but Butler, who was a convicted felon, allegedly became abusive and controlling after he moved into her apartment, according to a memo submitted to the Hennepin County District Court by Clarks defense attorney. Mr. Butler had a lot of rules for Ms. Clark and these rules shifted with his moods and the goal posts moved as it suited him. Mr. Butler began physically abusing and terrorizing Clark whenever she broke the rules. Jurors ultimately rejected the argument that Butlers alleged abuse precipitated the shooting, convicting Clark of second-degree murder on Oct. 14, 2020. She faced a maximum of 30 years in prison before being sentenced to 25, despite multiple letters being submitted on her behalf asking the judge in the case to show leniency. Clark will receive credit for 124 days served, according to Fox News. Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast The National Butterfly Center, in Mission, Texas, was forced to close indefinitely after Kimberly Lowe, a fringe congressional candidate running in a GOP primary in Virginia, visited the site with hopes of uncovering a child sex-trafficking hub. Denied entry based on her trail of inflammatory Facebook posts, Lowe became belligerent. A war of words and a physical altercation with the centers director followed. Soon after, right-wing media featured video from outside the centers gates alleging credible threats of the cartels trafficking children through the butterfly center. The false claims follow the same script as the Pizzagate conspiracy theory in 2016, when Democrats were falsely accused of abusing children and holding them captive in the basement of Comet Ping Pong, a pizzeria in upscale northwest Washington, D.C. that doesnt have a basement. But proving or debunking a conspiracy theory isnt the point. Crisis and Opportunity Could Lead to a Biden Bounce Very Soon The point is to inflame and excite a Republican base that flirted with (or openly embraced) the QAnon conspiracy theory alleging a Deep State cabal of Democratic-Satanic pedophilesand has focused its energy on trying Stop the Steal of a legitimate election that didnt go their way. Multiple conspiracy theories spawned by rage and grievance are coming together in a powerful and frightening GOP coalition. Far-right candidates like Kimberly Lowe have a blueprint on how to ride conspiracy theories and extreme rhetoric to office, Kristen Doerer, managing editor of Right Wing Watch, said in an email. They only have to look to Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert or Madison Cawthornall of whom have become MAGA celebritiesand see thats a winning strategy. Harassing butterfly conservationists is cowardly enough, but for extremists looking for role models, Greene is hard to top. She harassed David Hogg, a survivor of the high school school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, suggesting the shooting that took 17 lives was a false flag. Story continues They are not just conspiracy theorists. Theyre movements, theyre networks, and they span across multiple social media platforms, Doerer told The Daily Beast. These conspiracy theorists became valuable for the Republican Party because they can spread the Republican Partys message whatever that might be throughout their networks. One only has to look at the cavalcade of conspiracy theorists traveling the country for the ReAwaken America Tour to see how large this network has become. The confluence of events that led to closing the butterfly sanctuary did not begin or end with Lowes visit. An account in The New York Times describes the escalation and the involvement of familiar figures like ex-Breitbart boss and Trump White House senior adviser Steve Bannon and Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn. The 100-acre site along the Rio Grande is near the path of the promised wall that helped elect Trump, and its construction remains a magnet for his supporters. Bannon raised money to pay for the wall when Congress wouldnt. He was charged with fraud for absconding with the money. Trump pardoned him. Flynn recently spoke at a rally in support of the wall in nearby McAllen, Texas, where protesters with long guns held vigils. Adam Klein is an associate professor of Communication Studies at Pace University, whose most recent book is Fanaticism, Racism and Rage Online. He told The Daily Beast that he listened to Bannons podcast the previous week recounting his version of the events at the butterfly center. The episode was titled, Sex Slaves at the Border, fueling the conspiracy theory swirling around the butterfly center. Many modern right-wing conspiracy theories draw on the same storylinewhich is that liberals and elites and Democrats are depraved. What is devilishly different about the butterfly center conspiracy is marrying it to another valuable currency, anger at the border, says Klein. He calls it old poison in a new bottle. Jared Holt, a resident fellow at Atlantic Council who follows digital extremism, said his first reaction to the butterfly centers closing was sad to see this happen again. Conspiracy theories about this place have been floating around since 2017. Proximity to the walls construction path thrust the center into the fray, combined with rhetorical excesses on the right where opponents are not just disagreeing but acting nefariously and are part of a larger conspiracy, said Holt. Toss in vile accusations of sex-trafficking, which is universally reviled, and the people who believe these conspiracy theories then place themselves in a heroic bulwark position, so in their minds they are combating these evils head on. The Jan. 6 Committee Members Are Patriots Making Sure Treason is Fully Documented Monitoring this culture of true believers motivated by baseless conspiracy theories, Holt says that any lasting solution will have to include very clear line drawings from influential Republican figures who state that this kind of behavior is unacceptable and that it is false. No amount of news media or statements from Democrats will make a difference. Until people who are politically aligned are able to speak to them and they listen, its going to be an uphill battle. With the midterms looming and control of Congress in the balance, there are few profiles-in-courage within the party whose members parrot conspiratorial theories like the Big Lie to placate Trump. This conspiratorial wing has gained so much sway that well see more politicians catering directly to it, and that means were going to get more Marjorie Taylor Greenes, says Holt. And if youre thinking the voters will reject these extremists, Jewish spaceships werent too much for her constituents, he notes, referring to Greenes widely ridiculed claim that Jewish space lasers caused Californias wildfires. As for the butterfly center, the director has taken to carrying a sidearm, telling The New York Times that her board of directors wont like it but the people attacking the center need to know theyre not the only ones who carry weapons. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. PROVIDENCE The decade of inaction that went by after the first of Smithfield priest Francis C. Santilli's alleged victims came forward has fueled a renewed drive to hold institutions including the Catholic Church legally liable for the sexual abuse of children. On Tuesday, Rep. Carol McEntee introduced the latest version of a bill to eliminate the time limit on lawsuits by victims of childhood sex abuse. And not for the first time, McEntee is seeking to remove a barrier to the filing of lawsuits against people and institutions who enabled and protected child sexual abusers by looking the other way or concealing their crimes. The battle is personal for McEntee, D-South Kingstown. She grew up in a devout Catholic home and learned years later that her older sister, Ann, had been sexually molested, repeatedly, by their now-deceased parish priest in West Warwick over seven years that began in 1957, when Ann was 5 years old. Rep. Carol McEntee on her filing of new legislation: "I introduced this bill to eliminate all statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse because predators are still being institutionally protected and too many victims are still without justice." Her sister, Ann Hagan Webb, a psychologist now in her late 60s, was one of several victims of priests and other trusted elders, including staff members at the elite St. George's School in Middletown, who have told their stories to state lawmakers year after year. Investigating allegations: Suspended Smithfield priest had faced previous allegations of sexual abuse In 2019, they made some headway. The General Assembly passed legislation giving the victims of sexual abuse more time to sue the priests, teachers, coaches and others who molested them when they were children. The new law extended from seven to 35 years the length of time a victim of childhood sexual abuse has to sue after reaching adulthood. That gave a victim until age 53 to sue an abuser or institution. Against institutions, however, the new 35-year rule was prospective only, except in cases where the victims did not "discover" an injury or condition caused by sexual abuse they suffered as children. In those cases, they would have seven years from the time they discovered the connection to sue. Story continues The only group publicly lauding this "compromise" in light of the barriers posed by past court decisions on use of repressed memories was an arm of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. In Smithfield: Priest on leave after sexual-assault allegation The Rhode Island Catholic Conference issued a statement supporting the legislation that said, it "protects all victims of sexual abuse including those children harmed by their contact with public entities and who will now be able to seek redress under this bill. It is now time for the process of achieving justice and healing for victims to move forward." McEntee has pushed hard every year since to remove the barriers to victims seeking civil damages from institutions that shielded child molesters, as she believes happened in the case of suspended priest Santilli, removed now as pastor at St. Philip Parish in Smithfield. After his suspension, it came to light that at least two other men had told church officials as early as 2012 that the priest had molested them when they were boys. Barbara Blaine attends a 2014 news conference outside the Providence diocesan office in which she and others raised concerns about the Rev. Francis Santilli. Church officials chose not to believe his report, one of those men, Dennis Laprade, 52, of North Providence, told The Journal last week. Last week, however, the Diocese of Providence announced that it had placed Santilli on administrative leave following a more recent allegation that he sexually abused a minor sometime around 1979 or 1980. In a statement, the diocese said Bishop Thomas J. Tobin had accepted Santilli's resignation as pastor of St. Philip Parish and that the diocese is cooperating fully with law enforcement. Allegations of sexual abuse by clergy, even if they occurred decades ago, always must be taken seriously, the bishop said in his statement. 2019 Political Scene: Lawmaker details torment of her sister's molestation "I introduced this bill to eliminate all statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse because predators are still being institutionally protected and too many victims are still without justice," McEntee told The Journal on Wednesday. "The [recent] removal of Frank Santilli, a priest at St. Philip's in Smithfield, even after numerous complaints had been made against him over the years, shows that victims still must wade through the cover up first to achieve justice. "He was not on the [Diocese's] credibly accused list and was allowed to continue working with the public and children even though he had been identified as a predator. This is beyond unacceptable. "These monsters, and the institutions that protect them, would no longer be able to use the defense of the passage of time to evade justice if this bill is passed, McEntee said. The diocese opted not to comment Wednesday on the latest version of McEntee's bill, which has 25 co-sponsors including the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Robert Craven. Responding to inquiries last week, Attorney General Peter Neronha said that his office had determined that a criminal prosecution of Santilli wasnt possible because the relevant statute of limitations has expired. McEntee's bill H 7409 deals with the window for filing civil actions for the recovery of damages for injuries suffered as a result of sexual abuse. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI lawmaker's bill will make it easier for sex abuse victims to sue (REUTERS) Sarah Palin testified for more than three hours in a trial stemming from her defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, which she has accused of damaging her reputation following a 2017 editorial that linked her political rhetoric to a mass shooting. The newspapers legal team has appeared to argue that she has faced media scrutiny for years before she brought a legal challenge against the newspaper over an editorial that was corrected. Ms Palin told the courtroom that death threats against her ramped up and felt like orchestrated attacks in the years before the editorial, and she said she felt powerless against the newspaper after the editorial was published. It was devastating to read, again, an accusation, false accusation, that I had anything to do with murdering innocent people, she said from the witness stand in US District Court in Manhattan on 10 February. Attorneys for the newspaper sought to undermine her claims of emotional and professional damage in the face of criticism, following her rhetoric and dozens of media appearances in her years in public office and on the Republican vice presidential ticket in 2008. She also was questioned about her statement in the wake of a fatal 2011 shooting in Arizona, in which she wrote that journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. Under more questioning about her multiple media appearances, the former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate begrudgingly responded when asked about her performance on The Masked Singer. She said the appearance was the most fun 90 seconds of my life and it paid some bills. She also was questioned about one of her slogans dont retreat, reload that she also shared on social media following criticisms against her in 2011. Closing arguments in the trial the first libel case against the newspaper to make it to trial in nearly 20 years will begin on Friday. Story continues David Axelrod, an attorney for the newspaper, asked the judge to dismiss the case, arguing that Ms Palin failed to provide evidence that then-editorial editor James Bennet knowingly published false material or with animus toward her, or was intentionally reckless in doing so. Judge Jed Rakoff said he will reserve judgment until both parties present their closing arguments on Friday. Earlier, the judge ruled that he will not not allow punitive damages against the Times, saying that no reasonable juror would conclude that Mr Bennet sought to injure Ms Palin. The evidence frankly that Mr Bennet harboured ill will toward Ms Palin is quite modest indeed, he said. Follow live updates as they happened Key Points Palin says death threats ramped up after editorial Palin is asked about corrections to editorial: They doubled down Palin: Masked Singer appearance paid some bills NYT attorney questions Palin over 2011 blood libel statement Palin arrives at court with Duguay 14:09 , Megan Sheets Sarah Palin was photographed arriving at the Manhattan federal courthouse on Thursday morning with Ron Duguay. It marked the second day the pair have attended the trial together - after Ms Palin described the NHL star as her buddy. The former Alaska governor is set to resume her testimony against The New York Times this morning as the case is expected to finish by the weekend. Sarah Palin arrives with former NHL hockey player Ron Duguay during her defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, at the United States Courthouse in Manhattan on 10 February 2022 (REUTERS) RECAP: Palins testimony so far 14:30 , Megan Sheets Ms Palin gave the jury a folksy overview of her family life in Alaska and ascent in Republican politics as she took the witness stand in her defamation lawsuit against The New York Times on Wednesday. She testified for only about 20 minutes at the end of the day at a civil trial in Manhattan federal court after a Times editor named as a defendant in the suit testified at length. The former governor described herself for jurors as a single mother and grandmother who holds down the fort for her family in Alaska when not advising candidates about the good, bad and ugly of politics. She also recalled the surprise over her emergence as a vice-presidential candidate in 2008, saying, I dont think they were prepared for me. She is to return to court Thursday for a chance to get into the crux of the case her claim that the newspaper damaged her reputation with an editorial linking her campaign rhetoric to a mass shooting. Closing arguments are set for Friday. The Associated Press has more: Palin takes witness stand in libel case vs. New York Times Jury brought in 14:43 , Megan Sheets The jury has been called into the Manhattan federal courtroom after lawyers on both sides spent about half an hour grappling over evidence. As jurors took their seats, Ms Palin settled into the witness stand to answer questions about her life after leaving the governors mansion in 2009. She talked about running her own website, participating in speaking events and rallies, and spending time with her family. Palin addresses editorial at heart of her case 14:49 , Megan Sheets Ms Palin is now recalling how she learned about Times editorial at the heart of her lawsuit. She claims the newspaper damaged career as a political commentator with the editorial about gun control published after US Rep Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, was wounded when a man with a history of anti-GOP activity opened fire on a Congressional baseball team practice in Washington. In the editorial, the Times wrote that before the 2011 mass shooting in Arizona that severely wounded former US Rep. Gabby Giffords and killed six others, Palins political action committee had contributed to an atmosphere of violence by circulating a map of electoral districts that put Giffords and 19 other Democrats under stylized crosshairs. In a correction two days later, The Times said the editorial had incorrectly stated that a link existed between political rhetoric and the 2011 shooting and that it had incorrectly described the map. Associated Press contributed Palin says death threats ramped up after editorial 14:55 , Megan Sheets Aiming to show how the editorial caused damage, Ms Palins attorney asked her about the death threats shes received online. She said she got them every day prior to the editorial, but they ramped up and felt like orchestrated attacks afterward. She attributed the worsened attack to the media lying about her. Palin appears to claim NYT lied about shooting before editorial at issue, drawing sidebar discussion 15:03 , Alex Woodward Palin appeared to suggest that the New York Times linked her to incitement before the 2017 editorial at issue in her case, and broadly suggested, in a comment outside her defamation claim, that the newspaper had lied. My view was the New York Times took a lot of liberties and wasnt always truthful, she said. When the New York Times would write with that linkage between Sarah Palin and inciting political violence ... I dont have the specific articles in front of me, she said. The comments prompted a sidebar conversation with Judge Rakoff. Palin now being questioned on 2017 editorial 15:13 , Alex Woodward With the judge and attorneys back in the courtroom, Palin is questioned about the 2017 editorial. She says she doesnt remember when she first read or was told about the editorial, but she says she remembers feeling immediately, Oh, no. First, realizing how significant and horrible the incident was, and then mortified, again, that there would be a linkage in there written by whoever was on the editorial board, that I knew I would have to take issue with, she said. Palin is asked about corrections to editorial: They doubled down 15:31 , Alex Woodward Palin is now being asked by her attorney whether any staff contacted her about the 2017 editorial as corrections were made. There was no mention of me in what they called a correction, she said. Nothing changed. They doubled down. Newspaper staff had previously testified that editorial corrections do not highlight previous errors with affected names to not continue to amplify the errors, common across most news organisations. NYT attorney David Axelrod now cross examining Palin in defamation trial 15:41 , Alex Woodward New York Times attorney David Axelrod asked whether Palin knew, when on the GOPs 2008 presidential ticket, that when you go into that level, the very top of the pyramid, a lot of people take shots at you. You become a target, and people take shots, she said. I expect a level paying field in that territory, anticipating some shots. Palin questioned about resignation from governors office 15:49 , Alex Woodward NYT attorney David Axelrod asked Palin about her resignation from Alaskas governors office in July 2009, which was reportedly over mounting legal bills related to an ethics investigation. The resignation was 18 months before the end of her term. The judge told the jury to disregard his final line of questioning on the matter (You resigned 18 months early because of inundations with complaints about lawsuits and ethical violations). The questioning so far, from the first questions to questions about her books and speaking engagements, appears to show that she has faced media scrutiny for years before she brought a legal challenge against the newspaper over an editorial that was corrected. Palin: Masked Singer appearance paid some bills 16:02 , Alex Woodward Under more questioning from New York Times attorney David Axelrod about her multiple Fox News appearances, speaking engagements, social media following and reality TV appearances, Sarah Palin begrudgingly responded when asked about her performance on The Masked Singer. Objection, she said, laughing. She said the appearance was the most fun 90 seconds of my life. It paid some bills, she said. Palin map with crosshairs could also look like other things, she says 16:13 , Alex Woodward A map from Palins SarahPAC in March 2010. portrayed stylized crosshairs to mark Democratic-leaning districts as part of a campaign to win Republican seats in those areas. She conceded that they do look like crosshairs but added that they also look like other things you could perceive those of, like the surveyor marking and other things we have heard. Those little emoji? A lot of people said yes those look like targets or sights, she said. A reasonable person could or would. The crosshairs put targets on congressional districts, including one held by then-US Rep Gabrielle Giffords. An early draft of the New York Times editorial in question drew a comparison with a 2011 shooting in Tucson that injured the congresswoman and killed six people and noted that SarahPAC created a map with her district in crosshairs. In the course of editing the story, then-editorial editor James Bennet added a sentence saying that the link to political incitement was clear. 16:15 , Alex Woodward The court is taking a break following a round of questions to Palin, who has been on the witness stand for roughly two hours so far on Thursday morning. Palin questioned about her 2011 statement in wake of fatal Arizona shootings 16:44 , Alex Woodward New York Times attorney David Axelrod is asking Palin about her statement in the wake of the fatal 2011 shooting in Arizona, in which she wrote that especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. Asked about the meaning of that statement, she told the court that she meant that they should not falsely accuse anyone of well, literally, the term drawing blood, killing. Axelrod is trying focus on the use of the word incite and to pin her down on whether she believes that journalists incited violence. This is your response to what journalists have already done, correct? Axelrod asked. Did journalists manufacture a blood libel or did they not within hours of that tragedy? She said she was asking them not to. Palin says media targeted her in crosshairs but is not able to answer who: I have years of that kind of graphic or statement or death threats 16:49 , Alex Woodward Palin said she was speaking to the power of the pen, the power of words, the power of those and Im speaking of those who have a huge platform, that very loud voice, that they have the ability to write something, whatever they want to write, that could result in inciting hatred and violence. Axelrod asked whether she believed any journalists or pundits ever said go out and hunt Sarah Palin because of the crosshairs map. She said she believes so because she said she saw her face in crosshairs. She added that I dont have it in front of me, but I have years of that kind of graphic or statement or death threats. Palin did not contact NYT for correction before Twitter post saying she was exploring options with an attorney 17:19 , Alex Woodward Palin said she did not contact The New York Times for a correction following the publication of a 2017 editorial before she wrote on Twitter that she was talking to attorneys and exploring options in response. Im not sure I would reach out to an unfriendly recipient of what they would be receiving, she said. She agreed to a suggestion that one of her first reactions to the editorial was to consider a lawsuit. I knew something had to be done, she told the court. Palin does not recall specifically talking with family about 2017 editorial after it was published 17:32 NYT attorney David Axelrod appears to try to show that Palin did not talk to family or other people close to her following the 2017 editorials publication in an apparent attempt to show that she did not endure damages from its errors. As I sit here today, in the penalty box, I dont recall specifically talking to family members, she said. Palin asked whether any candidates or others have shied away from her after NYT editorial 17:40 , Alex Woodward Asked by New York Times attorney David Axelrod whether any candidates or others have shied away from her in the wake of the 2017 editorial from the newspaper, which she accused of damaging her reputation, she told the court that she cant specifically give you any name of someone who told me that they didnt want me to help them. Palin said she did not speak with doctor or take medication due to stress from editorial 17:48 , Alex Woodward Earlier today, Palin said she had trouble sleeping in the wake of the editorial. During cross examination, she said she did not seek medical support, take medication or go to counseling. I holistically remedy issues that are caused my stress, meaning running, hot yoga and other healthy things, she said. She also said she was part of a womens prayer group who prayed about it. Palin questioned about First Amendment beliefs as NYT attorney closes questioning 17:51 , Alex Woodward NYT attorney David Axelrod asked Palin a series of questions about the First Amendment, asking whether she believes that Americans should have the right to voice their opinions and even if its an unpopular opinion, to which she agreed. As long as everyone is speaking truthfully, she added. He added that faith in the First Amendment is that the truth will eventually win out, appearing to set the stage for arguments about the prompt correction issued by the newspaper following errors in the 2017 editorial. NYT attorney points out Palin public appearances after 2017 editorial 17:53 , Alex Woodward NYT attorney Axelrod notes that Palin has mentioned running for public office again and has appeared on Fox News and at Turning Point USA events after the 2017 editorial. She agreed with the statements. That ends his cross examination. Palin did not expect controversy over 2011 blood libel statement 18:08 , Alex Woodward Palins attorney, following cross-examination from The New York Times attorney David Axelrod, returned to questions about her 2011 statement in which she suggested journalists and pundits sought to manufacture a blood libel in any rushes to judgment in the wake of the fatal Tucson shootings. Palin said that she did not expect that anybody would take such issue with it. Court prepares for final witness and closing arguments as trial prepares to close 18:30 , Alex Woodward A final witness will take the stand in the trial stemming from Sarah Palins lawsuit against The New York Times, and legal teams will prepare for closing arguments as the trial comes to an end in a Manhattan courtroom. The lawsuit involves a 2017 editorial that incorrectly connected linked the 2011 shooting of US congresswoman Gabby Giffords to a map created by her political action committee showing Democratic districts in crosshairs. The article was published under deadline pressure on the day gunman James T Hodgkinson fired on a group of Republican lawmakers at a baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, in June 2017. The Times quickly corrected the error but Ms Palin was not satisfied and launched a legal challenge alleging it had acted with malice. The trial will resume at 2pm EST following a lunch recess. Read more about the lawsuit, from The Independents Bevan Hurley: Sarah Palins New York Times lawsuit: Trial begins over ex-governors libel claim Palin defines dont retreat, reload as she returns to the witness stand 19:11 , Alex Woodward As the court returned from recess, Palin was asked about her dont retreat, reload slogan, which she said originated from a bumper sticker on my dads truck forever. She called it a motivational saying that meant dont back down, specifically as it applied to my parents were marathon runners. Buck up and fuel up, refuel and get back out there and try harder, she said. Palins testimony is over. Next up: NYTs Hanna Ingber 19:29 , Alex Woodward Sarah Palin, who first appeared on the witness stand on Wednesday afternoon, has ended her testimony on Thursday afternoon after more than three and a half hours of testimony. In closing questions, she acknowledged on cross examination that she campaigned for Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race three months after The New York Times editorial, as the defense pointed to reporting about her potentially powerful endorsement in an apparent attempt to undermine her claims of damages to her reputation from the editorial. Breitbart also called her a conservative rock star at the time. Next up if The New York Times Hanna Ingber, who worked at the newspapers Reader Center in 2017 and fielded reader complaints and comments. NYT editor who fielded editorial complaints discusses response 19:41 , Alex Woodward Palins attorneys are drawing attention to an email that Ingber sent to then-editorial editor James Bennet about a public response to corrections made to the editorial. The Reader Center, effectively acting as a public editor, sought to make the newspaper transparent about the newspapers processes. In the email, Ingber referred to the editorial as the Sarah Palin editorial. She said she was only involved after she fielded comments and complaints, as well as comments made on Twitter, about the editorials error involving Palin. She said her frame of reference for the editorial was through the complaints, which is why she called it the Sarah Palin editorial. She suggested to Bennet that he explain his error and corrections in a Twitter thread. Jury is excused for the day as parties prepare to deliver final arguments 20:03 , Alex Woodward Judge Rakoff has excused the jury for the day. Jurors will return to court at 9.30am EST on Friday. On Friday, attorneys will deliver their closing arguments, and the case will be handed over to the jury. The question central to the jurys decision is whether they believe The New York Times knowingly published a defamatory statement, meaning the statement tended to expose the plaintiff to public hatred, contempt, ridicule or disgrace, based on evidence and testimony presented in court this week, according to jury instructions. NYT attorney asks judge to dismiss case as judge rules against allowing punitive damages against newspaper 20:29 , Alex Woodward Before the court wrapped for the day, New York Times attorney David Axelrod requested that case against the newspaper be dismissed, arguing that Sarah Palin failed to offer evidence that then-editorial editor James Bennet knowingly published false material or with animus toward her, or was intentionally reckless in doing so. Judge Rakoff said he will reserve judgment until both parties present their closing arguments on Friday. Earlier, the judge ruled that he will not not allow punitive damages against the Times, saying that no reasonable juror would conclude that Mr Bennet sought to injure Palin. The evidence frankly that Mr Bennet harbored ill will toward Ms Palin is quite modest indeed, he said. Sarah Palin leaves court 21:48 , Alex Woodward Sarah Palin did answer shouted questions from reporters outside US District Court in Manhattan as she walked to her car waiting by the curb. Sarah Palin testifies she was powerless over New York Times editorial in libel case 22:28 , Alex Woodward Closing arguments in the first libel trial against The New York Times in nearly 20 years will begin on Friday in a case that could affirm legal precedents that have provided broad legal protections to journalists and media organisations when writing about public figures. The latest from Sarah Palins testimony from todays courtroom: Sarah Palin testifies was powerless over NYT editorial at centre of libel case 22:50 , Alex Woodward Were closing todays live coverage. Thank you for reading. Closing arguments begin at 9.30am EST on 10 February. Stay tuned with The Independent. Senators introduced a bipartisan bill on Wednesday to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act a victory unto itself given the lack of Republican support for previous bills, and a sign that Congress may finally have the will to renew the landmark 1994 law after its authorization expired three years ago. The bill, which has been months if not years in the making, would reauthorize VAWA programs through 2027. It also includes new provisions like expanded access to forensic exams for victims of sexual assault in rural communities; a new grant program to provide community-specific services for LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence; and new jurisdiction to tribal courts to go after non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, sex trafficking and assaults on tribal law enforcement officers on tribal lands. A copy of the 335-page bill is here. Its been an embarrassingly bumpy road for VAWA reauthorization in Congress. Once upon a time, this was legislation that passed unanimously in both chambers. How can you not support programs credited with stopping violence against women and saving peoples lives? But the last time Congress reauthorized VAWA was in 2013, and that was only after an ugly partisan fight over adding new protections for Native American, LGBTQ and immigrant victims of domestic violence. That authorization lapsed in 2018, and, despite the House passing bipartisan bills to renew it, Senate Republicans simply wouldnt unite on anything. The result is that VAWAs authorization has been expired since 2019. That doesnt mean the law itself expired; it means theres been uncertainty for its grant programs and no ability to update the law with new protections that domestic violence advocates say are badly needed. The Senate bill unveiled Wednesday is a different story. For starters, it has bipartisan co-sponsors: Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). Story continues It also has other Republican cosponsors right out of the gate. They are Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), Rob Portman (Ohio), John Cornyn (Texas), Kevin Cramer (N.D.), Thom Tillis (N.C.), Jerry Moran (Kansas) and, at the last minute, Richard Burr (N.C.). Thats 10 GOP co-sponsors. Because of the Senate filibuster, it takes 60 votes to pass any bill, or 10 Republicans voting with all 50 Democrats. That means the newly introduced VAWA bill already has the votes to pass, presuming all Democrats vote for it. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) speaks alongside Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), left, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) as they announce a bipartisan modernized Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) bill. (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) VAWA is a priority for President Joe Biden. The 1994 law is one of his signature accomplishments. It was the first major federal legislative package focused on stopping violence against women, and it has since provided billions of dollars in grants for lifesaving programs. Rates of domestic violence declined by more than 50% between 1993 and 2008 after VAWA became law, per the Bureau of Justice Statistics. I am grateful that this critical bipartisan bill is moving forward, Biden said of the VAWA bill in a Wednesday-night statement. I look forward to Congress delivering it to my desk without delay. The Senate bill is similar to the version that passed the House in March 2021, but there is one big difference: The Senate bill doesnt include a gun safety provision that would have prohibited people who have been convicted of abusing their dating partners from owning firearms, closing the so-called boyfriend loophole. The gun provision was the biggest sticking point in the Senate, where most Republicans simply refused to support a VAWA bill that included any kind of restrictions on gun access. The National Rifle Association, among other gun rights groups, made it clear they opposed the provision. Even Murkowski and Ernst tried to keep the gun language in the bill, along with Durbin and Feinstein, according to a Senate Democratic aide. But in the end, they didnt have the GOP votes to pass the bill with the provision in it. It was a really difficult decision, said this aide, who requested anonymity to speak freely about private conversations. But it came down to we dont want this to be a messaging bill. We want this to be a bill that can get to Bidens desk. Durbin didnt give any details on when the bill might start moving through the Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, and then onto the Senate floor. Were perilously close to 60 votes, he said. He emphasized that every vote counts for passing VAWA and acknowledged the current absence of Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), who had a stroke recently. Lujan is expected to return in four to six weeks. Actor Angelina Jolie speaks as Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), left, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), National Coalition Against Domestic Violence President Ruth Glenn and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) show support at a Wednesday news conference at the U.S. Capitol. A bipartisan group of senators announced modernized legislation on the Violence Against Women Act. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images) Wednesdays news conference was simultaneously celebratory and painful. Domestic violence prevention advocates described horrific abuse they faced in the past, before VAWA existed. Ernst reminded the room that she, too, is a survivor of domestic violence and that passing the bill is very personal. Actor Angelina Jolie was among those who spoke tearfully about the need to pass the bill. Shes been surprisingly involved behind the scenes for months in trying to help build Republican support for VAWA. This is one of the most important votes you will cast this year in the Senate, Jolie said, choking up. Most of all, I want to acknowledge the children who are terrified and suffering at this moment, and the many people for whom this legislation comes too late. Democratic and Republican aides told HuffPost how impressed they were with Jolies help on VAWA. Celebrities often will float through Congress from time to time to urge action on issues they care about, but in Jolies case, she did more than just show her face. There was a Republican cosponsor she helped get on the bill, said one aide, who wouldnt say who that senator was. She has been phenomenal. This story has been updated to include the additional GOP co-sponsor of the VAWA bill and comments from Biden. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. BOSTON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brattle Group is pleased to announce that seven experts were recently promoted to Principal: Hollie Mason, David McKnight, Albert Metz, Christine Polek, Akarsh Sheilendranath, Anul Thapa, and Mike Tolleth. The Brattle Group (PRNewsFoto/The Brattle Group) "These talented individuals provide in-depth expertise to a vast array of clients on matters related to financial services, energy, tax, and more," shared Brattle President & Principal David Sunding. "In addition, they have made exemplary contributions to mentoring and developing their colleagues, and truly demonstrate the exceptional leadership pipeline we are fortunate to have at the firm." Our new Principals: Hollie Mason | Practice Leader: Broker-Dealers & Financial Services | Chicago An attorney with more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry, Ms. Mason provides expert testimony and consulting services concerning securities litigation and enforcement matters. She has deep knowledge of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) rules. David McKnight | New York Mr. McKnight has over 20 years of experience providing expert testimony and consulting services in matters pertaining to mass torts, securities, finance, valuation, and bankruptcy. In mass tort matters, he has worked with liability forecasts, insurance coverage, and discounted cash flows. Albert Metz | New York Dr. Metz is a securities and finance expert with deep experience in credit analysis, financial modeling, asset pricing, market efficiency, and event studies. He has consulted on asset pricing, antitrust, mergers and acquisitions, market manipulation, collusion, fixed income securities, and various debt derivatives. Christine Polek | Boston Dr. Polek serves as a consulting and testifying expert in complex litigation requiring the application of economic, financial, and statistical analysis to legal and regulatory issues with a focus on valuation, tax controversy, and labor and employment. Akarsh Sheilendranath | Boston Mr. Sheilendranath is an energy economist with a unique blend of expertise in wholesale electricity markets, electric transmission, and regulatory corporate finance. He specializes in transmission policy, utility investment strategy and planning, large-scale renewable integration, and cost-benefit assessments. Anul Thapa | Boston Mr. Thapa has over 12 years of experience applying economic and finance principles in complex oil and gas-related litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings. His experience in commercial disputes includes damages estimation, valuation, and pricing related to energy assets and contracts. Mike Tolleth | New York Mr. Tolleth specializes in the economic analysis of energy markets, with expertise in financial modeling and valuation of energy assets, contracts, and businesses. He supports clients in litigation and arbitration matters and provides expert testimony related to cost of service, rate design, cost of capital, regulatory policy, long-run marginal cost pricing, and market power. ABOUT BRATTLE Story continues The Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across four continents. For more information, please visit brattle.com. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seven-experts-promoted-to-principal-at-the-brattle-group-301479899.html SOURCE The Brattle Group Japanese beetles are highly invasive pests who will eat more than 300 types of plants, including roses, grapes and hops. WSDA is asking Grandview-area businesses to complete a survey that will help the agency assess the potential economic impact of restrictions imposed by a quarantine. Supreme Court justices adamantly declare they are above the grubby machinations of partisan politics. But that narrative is contradicted by events like last weeks speech by Justice Neil Gorsuch to a closed-door gathering of the conservative Federalist Society that also included such Republican luminaries as former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Justice Clarence Thomas, meanwhile, refuses to recuse himself from cases in which his conservative-activist wife is actively engaged. Lofty declarations aside, some justices arent even going through the motions anymore of staying above the partisan fray. Thats not good for a nation that increasingly views the high court as just another combatant in the culture wars. Calls for a formalized code of conduct could help. Claims to nonpartisanship are difficult to believe when the conservative block repeatedly renders decisions that appear to be less about legal conclusions than political ones. The latest example was this weeks 5-4 decision allowing Alabama to keep a congressional map that creates just one district (of seven total) favorable to a Black candidate, even though Black citizens make up more than a quarter of the states population. The map is clearly designed to undermine not only Black representation, but Democratic power. The courts defenders maintain that justices written opinions alone arent evidence of partisanship if they can credibly say they arrived at those opinions based on evenhanded legal analysis of the facts. But that defense cant explain situations like Gorsuchs speech on Friday. He spoke to a plainly partisan Republican organization, sharing the stage with elected Republicans, at an event from which the media was barred. It was reminiscent of Justice Amy Coney Barretts speech last September waxing on about the courts political independence a claim she made, straight-faced, as a guest of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, at an academic center that bears his name, less than a year after McConnells controversial rush-job to seat her before a Democratic president could take office. Thomas situation is especially problematic. His wife, Ginni Thomas, was among conservative activists who signed a letter blasting the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. A month later, Thomas was the sole justice to vote in support of ex-President Donald Trumps effort to keep his records out of the hands of the committee. Recently revealed emails also showed Ginni Thomas telling others that her husband has been in contact with DeSantis on various things of late. That would be the same DeSantis whose state was among those that recently got the Supreme Courts conservative majority (including Thomas) to partially block President Joe Bidens vaccine mandates. A group of legal scholars last week implored Chief Justice John Roberts to adopt of code of conduct for the justices. That would seem to be undebatably needed if only to restore flagging public trust in the court. Jennie Spallone is the published author of five suspense novels, one nonfiction book, and a member of SINC Sisters in Crime. www.jenniespallone.com Jenniespallone@gmail.com Chanel Davis is the current editor of YES! Weekly and graduated from N.C. A&T S.U. in 2011 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. Shes worked at daily and weekly newspapers in the Triad region. The U.S. Air Force must pay more than $230 million in damages to survivors and victims families of a 2017 Texas church massacre for failing to flag a conviction that might have kept the gunman from legally buying the weapon used in the shooting, a federal judge ruled in San Antonio on Monday. More than two dozen people were killed, including eight children, when Devin Patrick Kelley opened fire during a Sunday service at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Kelley, who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after being shot and chased by two men who heard the gunfire at the church, had served in the Air Force before the attack. U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez had ruled in July that the Air Force was 60% liable for the attack because it failed to submit Kelleys assault conviction during his time in the Air Force to a national database. An Air Force record of the Kelley court-martial says he pleaded guilty to multiple specifications of assault, including striking his wife, choking her with his hands and kicking her. He also was convicted of striking his stepson on the head and body with a force likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm. In 2012, several months before his conviction in the domestic violence case, Kelley briefly escaped from a mental health center in New Mexico and got in trouble for bringing guns onto a military base and threatening his superiors there, police reports indicate. Deputies were called to Kelleys home in New Braunfels in June 2013 about the rape case and investigated for three months, Comal County Sheriff Mark Reynolds said. But it appeared that they stopped investigating after they believed Kelley left Texas and moved to Colorado. Reynolds said the case was then listed as inactive. Under Pentagon rules, information about convictions of military personnel in crimes like assault is supposed to be submitted to the FBIs Criminal Justice Investigation Services Division for inclusion in the National Criminal Information Center database. For unspecified reasons, the Air Force did not provide the information about Kelley as required. Lawyers for survivors and relatives of those killed had asked for $418 million, while the Justice Department proposed $31.8 million. Jamal Alsaffar, the Austin lawyer who led the plaintiffs' legal team, was pleased with the judge's award. These families are the heroes here. While no amount can bring back the many lives lost or destroyed at the hands of the governments negligence, their bravery in obtaining this verdict will make this country safer by helping ensure that this type of governmental failure does not happen in our country again," he said. Messages left Monday by The Associated Press with the Justice Department and Air Force were not immediately returned. The approximately 80 claimants include relatives of those killed and 21 survivors and their families. Authorities put the official death toll at 26 because one of the 25 people killed was pregnant. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. The prime ministers chief of staff has flagged the possibility of interference from abroad in Hungarys upcoming general election. Gergely Gulyas added, however, that such an intervention would not change the outcome. In an interview published in the weekly Demokrata, Gulyas noted the Hungarian governments opposition to the European mainstream on key issues, and warned of an attack from abroad rather than recognition of the governments policies. Referring to the western European elite, he insisted it wanted to take over the helm of Hungarys ship. The minister said this elite was pro-immigration, pro-LGBTQ and internationalist. We, a sovereign country, reject any foreign intervention. On the topic of Hungarys referendum on child protection which will be held in parallel with the April 3 general election, Gulyas said Hungary itself, not LGBTQ propagandists, would be in charge of legislation on raising children. Gulyas said the ruling parties campaign would make clear how much was at stake in the election, with the successes of the past decade pitted against the failures of the decade before that. MTI Photo: Zoltan Balogh EasyJets Manchester service will resume three times a week from the end of March, and Ryanair will likewise resume two flights a week to Rimini in Italy. Wizz Airs returning routes will include two weekly flights to Abu Dhabi, Castellon de la Palma and Skopje, while Ukrainian International Airlines will restart its Budapest-Kyiv service, with 4 flights a week. The summer schedule at Ferenc Liszt International Airport includes some new additions and the return of several routes closed due to the pandemic. One of last years big announcements was that LOT Polish Airlines will re-launch direct flights between Budapest and New York from June 2022. The service had been very popular with passengers, and from this summer, New York will again be accessible without changing, thanks to the carriers Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will operate three times a week. This January brought a big surprise for travelers; Air Canada will resume direct flights between Budapest and Toronto from May to October 2022. The Canadian airline will fly its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to the North American city three times a week in the summer schedule, offering passengers a total of 894 seats per week. Among the already announced new destinations, we can welcome Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, which will be accessible in the summer schedule with 2 Wizz Air flights a week. Budapest Airport also has good news for Turkish holidaymakers; SunExpress is launching a weekly flight to Izmir, Turkey, which has never had a direct flight from Budapest before. Izmir, the third largest city in the country, attracts tourists as an impressively modern and vibrant destination, which will now be accessible from the Hungarian capital without changing. In addition to the destinations shaping up by the beginning of February, Budapest Airport will also welcome more new and re-launched flights in the summer schedule, further enriching the list of cities accessible directly from the Hungarian capital. These are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Passenger traffic at Budapest Airport recovering month by month January produced good figures at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Recovering passenger traffic is already approaching 60% of the pre-pandemic level of 2019, while the volume of air cargo has remained stable at over 15 000 tons. In the first month of the year, a total of 562,635 passengers used Budapest Airport, an increase of more than 750% compared to the same period last year. Currently, a total of 101 airports in 37 countries can be reached directly from Ferenc Liszt International Airport, courtesy of 27 airlines. The most popular destinations in January were London, Paris, Moscow and Dubai, while the flexible entry rules are also increasing the number of foreign tourists traveling to Hungary. In other words, the trend is continuing; passengers and accessible destinations are returning to Budapest Airport in increasing numbers every month. In January, the number of passengers nearly reached 60% of the 2019 level, and 80% of destinations are available again from Budapest. As for air cargo, after the record of 183 362 tons of cargo last year, the momentum in air freight has not been broken in January 2022. In the first month of the year, the volume of cargo handled at Budapest airport reached 15,748 tons, an increase of 25.8% compared to the same period last year, with only 8.2% more flights. Source: Budapest Airport The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is usually celebrated between late January and February, during the first new moon. This year it fell on Tuesday 1st February, starting the Year of the Tiger. And how best is to welcome this new year? Of course, with fine Asian whisky! Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Taiwanese communities. Interestingly the Lunar New Year is also celebrated in India wherever Chinese communities are found, however, you wont find much celebration in Japan. The Year of the Tiger Each year in the Lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals included in the cycle of 12 stations or signs along the apparent path of the sun through the cosmos. The 12 zodiac animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. This is the Year of the Tiger, and those born under this sign are believed to be courageous, enthusiastic, and ambitious. Each culture celebrates the Lunar New Year differently with various foods and traditions that symbolize prosperity, abundance and togetherness. Kavalan World-Class Taiwanese Single Malts There are quite a lot of traditions associated with the Lunar New Year in Taiwan, many of which involve Taiwanese peoples favourite pastime eating and drinking. And what is a better celebration with your loved ones than to share nice food and nice whiskys? Kavalan Distillery Select whiskys are wonderful choices to share a dram. Kavalan Distillery Select No.1 (0,7l, 40%) Endowed with Kavalans characteristic fruity sweetness, the Distillery Select No.1 has been aged in qualitative casks, mainly sherry, to reveal rich pastry notes of chocolate, butterscotch and vanilla that intensify in a long, full-bodied finish. Kavalan Distillery Select No.2 (0,7l, 40%) Where Distillery Select No.1 shows the richness and delicacy of ageing in different types of casks, the Distillery Select No.2 focuses on the liveliness and floral side resulting from the distillate and ageing in mainly ex-bourbon casks. Amrut The Pioneers of Indian Single Malts In India, common foods eaten during the festival include fish preparations, dumplings, spring rolls and various meat preparations. Over generations, Chinese communities living in India have adapted and incorporated Indian spices and ingredients into classic recipes, resulting in the creation of a unique Indian-Chinese cuisine. These foods can be paired perfectly with Amrut Indian whiskys. Amrut Indian Malt Whisky (0,7 l, 46%) It is at the foot of the Himalaya mountains, in the fertile plains of Punjab and Rajasthan regions, that the barley selected by Amrut is grown. Distilled in Pots Stills specially designed for the distillery, Amrut whisky mainly ages in bourbon casks, which imparts fruity and fine spicy notes. Mars The rising star of Japanese whisky Back in time, Japan also used the same traditional lunar calendar as China, hence the country historically celebrated New Years at the same period of time. However, in the Meiji Period, when the Japanese government moved towards Westernization, they adopted the Gregorian calendar, used in Western countries, starting the new year on January 1st. Mars Kasei (0,7 l, 40%) Created by a blend of different casks selected by Hombo Shuzo, Kasei meaning Mars in Japanese, is the marriage of malt and grain whiskies, resulting in a remarkably smooth and round whisky. A veritable ambassador of the Japanese style. Any or all the outstanding Asian delights above can be yours via the webshop of WhiskyNet. Like any new father, Scott Schafer counted his newborn son's fingers and toes, and made sure the baby could see and hear. What Schafer didn't anticipate was the obsessions his son would develop, or the struggles he would have with fine motor skills, and the eventual behaviors that would create friction at school. "Autism was not on my radar screen," Schafer told the Legislature's Education Committee on Tuesday. It took several more years until Schafer's son was diagnosed with the developmental disorder, he said. In that time, the relationship between parents and child, and the family and the school began to fray. "We're trying to catch up, but I ask what if we would have caught this sooner?" Schafer said. A bill (LB997) introduced by Sen. Jen Day of Gretna would require children to be screened for autism before they could enroll in kindergarten, adding the evaluation to existing physical and vision screenings. The screenings would be done by a physician, physician's assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, school psychologist or other trained individual. Parents could opt their children out of the screenings. While many children are screened for autism between 18 and 30 months of age, typically at a routine doctor's appointment, Day said there are some families with children who haven't been screened. In some instances, those children are later labeled as developmentally delayed rather than on the autism spectrum, which can put them at a further disadvantage in obtaining an individualized education plan from their school. "We want to ensure Nebraska is providing children with the appropriate services they need to thrive," Day said. "This is the least-intrusive option for kids who might have fallen through the cracks." Katy Menousek, a licensed psychologist at Boys Town, said in some instances, parents might not be aware that their child has autism. "A lot of times parents are told 'He's just a boy, they learn slower, their play is different,'" she told the committee. Required screenings could ensure those students access to the right kind of services to help their language and skill development, Menousek added. The Nebraska Education Collaboration, which encompasses several school groups, opposed the bill for setting another requirement for students to meet before enrollment. Day said the bill was modeled off a practice done by Millard Public Schools, and said after the hearing she was willing to work with education groups to resolve any concerns they have. She also said she introduced the bill to start a conversation in the Legislature about autism, those diagnosed with the developmental disorder, as well as how it's treated. The committee did not take any action on the bill Tuesday. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS JEFFERSON CITY The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday placed a St. Louis couple who waved guns at racial justice protesters outside of their Central West End home in 2020 on probation as attorneys for one year. Under terms of the decision, the court suspended Mark and Patricia McCloskeys law licenses but delayed the suspension, putting them on probation for one year. That means they can continue to practice law during that time. Should probation be revoked and the suspension take effect, no petition for reinstatement shall be entertained for a period of six months from the date the suspension becomes effective, wrote Chief Justice Paul Wilson. Mark McCloskey said Tuesday that he was unhappy with the decision and was considering appealing it to the U.S. Supreme Court. But, he said, We have no interference with the practice of law during the probation period. This will all go away after a year. And, he told the Post-Dispatch the decision would not affect his ongoing bid to replace U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. People out there know what I did and know why I did it, McCloskey said. In the decision, Wilson cited American Bar Association standards, as well as evidence in the case, for putting the couple on probation. The decision was based on the couples behavior during a June 28, 2020, racial justice protest sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. As protesters walked by their mansion, the two waved their guns as they confronted the group. No shots were fired and no one was hurt. The McCloskeys say some of the 350 to 500 protesters who marched past their home on the way to then-St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewsons house ignored signs they were entering a private street and destroyed a gate in front of their home, which they contend constitutes criminal rioting under Missouri law. Their actions generated praise from Republicans, including then-President Donald Trump. The incident resulted in Mark McCloskey pleading guilty to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault. Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment. Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, later pardoned them. The pardon didnt stop the court from acting on a recommendation that their licenses be suspended. Missouris chief disciplinary counsel, Alan D. Pratzel, said the couples actions showed indifference to public safety and involved moral turpitude. Essential reading on the McCloskeys, the St. Louis couple who used guns to confront protesters on a private street On June 28, Mark and Patricia McCloskey say they felt threatened by a group of protesters who entered Portland Place, a private street in the Kurt Erickson 573-556-6181 @KurtEricksonPD on Twitter kerickson@post-dispatch.com TYNDALL A South Dakota man has pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge after his mother unknowingly served his marijuana-laced brownies to a group of seniors at the Tabor Community Center. Michael Koranda, 46, appeared at the Bon Homme County Courthouse on Tuesday where he waived his preliminary hearing and entered the plea. As part of a plea deal, both the prosecution and defense jointly recommended Koranda receive a suspended imposition of sentence, which would allow the judge to place him on probation for a period of time. A report from Bon Homme County Sheriffs Office says dispatchers received several calls about possible poisonings on Jan. 4. All the calls involved seniors who had earlier been at a community center card game. An investigation into the incident led authorities to believe the patients were all under the influence of THC, the compound in cannabis that produces the high sensation and that the THC came from a batch of brownies brought by a woman to the community center, the Yankton Press and Dakotan reported. Seniors who ate the brownies identified the woman who brought them. She said her son had baked the brownies she brought to the card game. The plea agreement also calls for Koranda to pay any medical bills that aren't covered by insurance for those who ate the brownies. He would also pay any fines and court costs. Koranda is to be sentenced March 15. The drug charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. British automaker Triumph is ready to bring a new electric motorcycle carrying the brand's name. The company has produced a new electric motorcycle prototype named TE-1, working with Williams Advanced Engineering. The testing of the new prototype will soon begin in the coming months. The model seems to have drawn inspiration from the Triumph Speed Triple RS. Its twin-pod headlight seems to have stark similarities with the aforementioned model. The TE-1 is built on a bolted subframe. The bike seems to have been built for performance with the Brembo brakes and Ohlin-sourced upside-down front forks, and a rear mono-shock. In addition, to the performance, the hardware adds to the premium appeal of the bike. Also read: BMW M4 Competition Coupe launched in India, priced at Rs 1.44 crore The Triumph TE-1 draws its power from a 15kWh battery pack working with a powertrain with a scalable integrated inverter combined with a silicon carbide switching tech and integrated cooling. The battery gets charged from zero to eighty per cent in mere 20 minutes using a 360-volt electrical system. However, there are no official numbers on the range and performance of the bike. The new Triumph TE-1 will continue to be tested on and off tracks. The makers will take their time in tuning the bike for performance in the upcoming months. The launch dates of the TE-1 are unknown. Live TV #mute Talking to reporters on February 9 after releasing the BJP's manifesto ahead of the upcoming assembly polls, Gadkari said the network of roads in Uttarakhand will become as good as those in the US in the next five years. The Union Road Transport and Highways Minister further said that Rs 12,500 crore Chardham all-weather road project will be completed by December this year. "Besides making the pilgrimage to the Himalayan temples safe during all seasons, it will be the lifeline of the people of Uttarakhand," he said. The Tanakpur-Pithoragarh highway and its stretch up to Lipulekh will also be completed before December this year. These roads will make the journey to Kailash-Mansarovar via Uttarakhand very smooth, he said. He also said the Centre has decided not to allow any cutting of trees for the construction of Chardham all-weather road. "No trees will be cut. They will be transplanted," he stated. Read also: Tata Altroz Dark Edition launched in these variants, Priced at Rs 7.69 lakh Gadkari said his ministry is introducing a new highway between Dehradun and Delhi which will reduce the travel time between the two cities to two hours. This road will be so convenient for people that they will stop travelling between the two cities by air and prefer to take the road route, he said. Quoting US President John F Kennedy who once said "American roads are not good because America is rich but America is rich because American roads are good," Gadkari said, adding that over the next five years, roads in Uttarakhand will become as good as the roads in the US. The Union minister also spoke of the sewage treatment plants set up and sewage lines laid in the Ganga and its tributaries when he was in charge of Namami Gange to make the river clean. He said ropeway projects are going to come up at seven places in Uttarakhand which will give a boost to tourism. While work on ropeway projects in Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib has started, work on the DPRs of five others is underway, he said. These things were not heeded before the double engine government took over, he said. He said the credit for all these goes not to political leaders but to the people of Uttarakhand who allowed the BJP to serve them. He expressed confidence that the people will vote for the BJP once again in the upcoming elections for the state's continued development. With inputs from PTI Live TV #mute Government of India has issued fresh Covid-19 guidelines for international arriving passengers. As per the new guideline, the mandatory 72-hour report of RT-PCR is not required anymore and the travellers can show their Full Vaccination Certificate. Airlines will allow boarding to those passengers who have filled in all the information in the Self Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal and uploaded the negative RT-PCR test report or Covid -19 vaccination certificate. Also read: Mumbai-Bhuj Alliance Air flight takes off without engine cover Further, the government has removed the 'At Risk' marking for various countries with high Omicron case load. Govt has also removed the 7-days mandatory quarantine norm and all travellers will self-monitor their health for next 14 days of arrival. Ministry of Health issues revised guidelines for international arrivals, to come in effect from 14th Feb The demarcation of countries at-risk & other countries removed. Recommends 14 days self-monitoring post-arrival as against 7 days home quarantine as was mandated earlier. pic.twitter.com/oPJBKwCkak ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 Samples will no longer be given at airports and ports and passengers can leave the airport by giving sample for random sampling. As per the guidelines, 2 percent of the total passengers in the flight shall undergo random post arrival testing at the airport on arrival. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Shakun Batra's Gehraiyaan is set to release on Amazon Prime this Friday but a few celebs have already given their verdict on the relationship-drama. Celebs including Tahira Kashyap, Sonakshi Sinha and Sanya Malhotra have taken to Instagram to heap praises on the film. For the unversed, Shakun Batra directorial Gehraiyaan' deals with love and infidelity. Due to this, intimacy played a huge and important role in the film. 'Gehraiyaan' is the first Hindi film to have an intimacy director on board; Dar Gai piloted this role. Many celebs praised the film for its intimate and deep moments, individually showering love for all the actors. Take a look at the rave reviews the film has received: Milap Zaveri had this to say: While Sanya Malhotra posted this: Writer Tahira Kashyap had this to say: Actress Sonakshi Sinha was also very impressed, she posted this: Sophie Choudry also praised the film, she said: The cast of Gehraiyaan has been extremely busy promoting the film which will exclusively release on Amazon Prime Video. This will be the first time Deepika Padukone, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa and Siddhant Chaturvedi will share screen space and fans are excited to see how they liven up the film with their own, individual talents. The beautiful tracks and background score is composed by the musical duo Kabeer Kathpalia and Savera Mehta. On the other hand, the lyrics are penned by Kausar Munir and Ankur Tewari. The modern-day complex love story will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on February 11. New Delhi: Consumer protection regulator CCPA has passed an order against GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare Ltd directing it to discontinue advertisements of Sensodyne products in India for flouting norms. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has also passed an order against Naaptol Online Shopping Ltd for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practice, and asked it pay a penalty of Rs 10 lakh. CCPA took suo moto cognisance of the matter and passed an order against GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare on January 27, and against Naaptol on February 2 this year, the consumer affairs ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. As per the order, the CCPA has directed GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare to discontinue all advertisements for Sensodyne in the country within seven days of the issuance of the order as the ads showed dentists practicing outside India endorsing the products. Given that the regulations governing dentists in India clearly bar endorsement of any product or drug publicly, the CCPA said GSK Consumer Healthcare "cannot be allowed to circumvent the law in force in India and show foreign dentists to exploit consumer apprehension towards tooth sensitivity." "Therefore, advertisement of Sensodyne products in India which show endorsements by dentists practising outside India qualify as 'misleading advertisement' in terms of Section 2 (28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019," the order said. The CCPA has also directed Director General (Investigation) to submit a report within 15 days after probing the claims "recommended by dentists worldwide", "world's no.1 sensitivity toothpaste" and "clinically proven relief, works in 60 seconds" and the documents submitted by the company in support of these claims. "We confirm the receipt of the order from the CCPA. While we are looking into it in detail, we would like to clarify that our marketing initiatives are compliant with the applicable laws and industry guidelines. We are a responsible and compliant company which is committed to the welfare of its consumers," GSK Consumer Healthcare spokesperson said in a statement. Taking up another suo moto case, the CCPA passed an order against Naaptol Online Shopping Ltd asking the company to discontinue misleading advertisements of "Set of 2 Gold Jewelry", "Magnetic Knee Support" and "Acupressure Yoga Slippers". The CCPA has also imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on Naaptol, saying its misleading advertisements have had a far reaching impact on numerous consumers as the company runs a 24X7 channel and is broadcast on a daily basis across the country in various languages. Naaptol was directed to clearly mention in the episodes offering products for sale to consumers that it is a recorded episode and does not show the live status of inventory of the production, the order said. It further directed Naaptol to immediately discontinue any practices which create "artificial scarcity" of products, including showing that the product is available only today if it is going to be on sale within the next 30 days as well. The company has been asked to clearly display on its channel or platform running a promotion that it is a pre-recorded episode. The CCPA has also directed Naaptol to redress the complaints filed between May 2021 and January 2022 and submit a report within 15 days. The National Consumer Helpline data indicates that 399 complaints were registered against Naaptol from June 2021 to Janary 25 this year, it added. New Delhi: Supreme Court adjourns for Feb 24 a contempt case against fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, granting him 2 weeks time as the last opportunity to appear before it personally or through counsel If he fails to do so, the court will take the case to a logical conclusion, the court said. Meanwhile Mallya faces prospect of bailiffs knocking on doors of his luxury London home any time now. The Embattled liquor tycoon is based in Britain for over five years. A British court ruled that a bank pursuing its unpaid dues can take charge of the high value property. The 65-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss intends to appeal against the ruling on Tuesday, when a High Court procedural judge concluded that Mallya's position in the matter was completely hopeless at the end of an extended stay from eviction due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, Mallya is wanted in India to face fraud and money laundering charges and remains on bail in the UK while a confidential legal process is completed. After his extradition to India was ordered by the UK government in February 2019, Mallya went on to exhaust all legal avenues to contest the order in British courts. The businessman is now believed to be relying on an application seeking political asylum in the UK. With Agencies Inputs Live TV #mute New Delhi: As we are halfway through Valentine's Week,there is no doubt that love is in the air! While people eagerly wait for February 14, Valentine's Day - to celebrate and express love with all festivities, grandiose and gestures - the week leading up to it is equally special. Each day is dedicated to a thing that holds a special place in popular culture when it comes to romance. The first day of Valentines Week is celebrated as Rose Day, followed by Propose Day and Chocolate Day and leading to Teddy Day. The popular bear soft toys termed as Teddy, have made a special place for themselves among lovers. It is often gifted to the beloved, who loves its cuteness and keeps it close to them. Teddy Bears come in all sizes, shapes and colours depending upon your preference.There are even loving messages embossed on these Teddy Bears. On Teddy Day 2022, apart from gifting your beloved the most loved soft toy, write a special customised note as well, to make it a little more special. Below are greetings, wishes, messages and texts to share on Happy Teddy Day 2022: PANAJI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the poll-bound state of Goa has decided not to let the wave of good governance diminish as he appealed to voters to vote for his party in February 14 assembly elections. Goa has decided not to let the wave of good governance diminish here; every voter will vote for BJP in February 14 Assembly poll,'' PM Modi said while addressing a poll rally for his party. The PM also recalled how he once coined the term 'Congress-Mukt Bharat' while in Goa which has now become the resolution of every true son of the soil to throw out the corrupt parties. From this land of Goa, phrases like 'Congress-Mukt Bharat' unexpectedly came out of my mouth. Today, these phrases have become the resolution of many citizens of the country, PM Modi said in Mapusa, Goa. The PM also gave a new meaning to Goa For us, GOA mean Governance, Opportunities, & Aspirations, the PM said. While attacking the Congress, the PM said, Congress government didn't liberate Goa for 15 years after Independence. People of Goa kept fighting but Congress didn't help. From the ramparts of Red Fort, India's first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru had said that he won't send forces for the liberation of Goa. #WATCH | Congress Govt didn't liberate Goa for 15 years after Independence. People of Goa kept fighting but Congress Govt didn't help. From the ramparts of Red Fort, India's first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru had said that he won't send forces for the liberation of Goa: PM Modi in Mapusa pic.twitter.com/w6HLUjlnUn ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 The Prime Minister said that if Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted, Goa could have been liberated "within hours" in 1947 when India attained independence, but it took 15 years for the state to be freed from Portuguese rule. PM Modi said Congress has been treating Goa as its "enemy" and the same treatment continues even now which can be seen through the constant political instability imposed upon the state by the party. "The Congress has never understood the political culture, aspirations of youths of Goa. They always have had a feeling of enmity towards Goa," the PM said. Heaping praise on the BJP government in Goa, the PM said, Goa has completed 100% coverage in vaccination, Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, electricity supply. When the govt moves forward with a 100% coverage target then all possibilities of discrimination on the basis of caste, religion are eliminated. While addressing the rally, the PM also told the gathering that he misses his old friend and former chief minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar. Whenever I come to Goa, I always miss my dear friend Manohar Parrikar. You Goans must have felt his absence even more. I'm fortunate to be standing here because of the love from the people of Goa, PM Modi told the gathering in Mapusa. The PM also paid a visit to the popular Dev Bodgeshwar Temple in Mapusa, Goa and offered his prayers to the presiding deity. #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Dev Bodgeshwar Temple in Mapusa, Goa pic.twitter.com/NckIEh5wU0 ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 Meanwhile, Goa will go to the Assembly polls on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. Live TV Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government on Thursday relaxed the timing of the night curfew imposed in the eight major cities in view of a visible decline in the new cases of Covid-19 infection. The Gujarat government has decided to relax the Covid-induced night curfew in 8 major cities of the state from 12 midnight to 5 am till February 18, an order issued by the Chief Ministers Office said. Gujarat Govt decides to relax the Covid-induced night curfew in 8 major cities of the state from 12 midnight to 5 am till February 18: CMO ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 Earlier, the night curfew was being imposed from 10 PM to 6 AM. Last week, the state government had extended the night curfew till 11 February and had said that the curfew will be in place every day from 10 PM to 6 AM. Gujarat had on Wednesday reported 2,560 fresh coronavirus cases and 24 fatalities due to the infection, raising the tally of infections to 12,08,212 and the death toll to 10,740, the state health department said. A total of 8,812 COVID-19 patients were discharged, taking the total number of recoveries so far to 11,70,117, leaving Gujarat with 27,355 active cases. Ahmedabad district reported the highest 986 new cases followed by 406 cases in Vadodara, 161 in Surat, 135 in Gandhinagar, 106 in Mehsana among others. Ahmedabad also reported the highest seven COVID-19 fatalities, while Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot recorded three fatalities each. Bhavnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka each saw two deaths due to COVID-19. One patient died each in Mehsana, Bharuch, Morbi and Mahisagar, as per the department. The total number of vaccination doses administered so far in Gujarat rose to 10.03 crore on Wednesday with 1.37 lakh more people getting jabbed, it said. The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu reported two new COVID-19 cases and 13 recoveries, increasing the number of infections so far to 11,381 and recoveries to 11,348. The UT is now left with 29 active cases. Four patients had died so far due to COVID-19, officials said. Gujarat's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 12,08,212, new cases 2,560, death toll 10,740, discharged 11,70,117, active cases 27,355, people tested so far - figures not released. Live TV New Delhi: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday said that it has seized at least eleven Pakistani fishing boats in the creek area of Harami Nalla in Gujarat`s Bhuj. According to a statement issued by the BSF, intrusion of Pakistani fishing boats and fishermen was detected on February 9 in the general area of Harami Nalla. "During overnight search operations, eleven Pakistani fishing boats were seized," the BSF said. The Pakistani boats were spotted during drone surveillance of the area by BSF. Three Commando groups of Indian Air Force have been air-dropped from 3 different directions, commandos are closing in where the Pakistanis are hiding. Extreme marshy area, mangroves &tidal waters are making troops' task challenging. The operation is still in progress: BSF Gujarat pic.twitter.com/bgW872d2Pr ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 The Border Security Force also launched a massive search operation in the Harami Nala area along the India-Pakistan border and deployed its specialized unit of `Creek Crocodile Comandos`. In continuation of the search operation that started on Wednesday afternoon in the Harami Nalla area of Bhuj in Gujarat where eight Pakistani boats were seized, three more boats were seized on Thursday. "Commandos are closing in where the Pakistanis are hiding," they said. Further, the security forces informed that the extreme marshy area, mangroves and tidal waters have made the task of the troops challenging. A massive search operation is underway at the moment. A senior BSF officer said that it has been more than 30 hours and the operation is still underway. "There is no chance of Pakistani fishermen could escape from the area," added the officer. "We have deployed our `Creek Crocodile Comandos` from an Indian Air Force helicopter to search hiding fishermen in the creek area of Bhuj. The commandos are part of a specialised unit of the BSF for patrolling and operational duties in the creek areas of the Rann of Kutch," the officer said. GS Malik, IPS, IG BSF Gujarat Frontier, who had reached Kutch early in the morning from Gandhinagar, is personally monitoring the massive search operation. Live TV New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Partys firebrand leader from the northeast on Thursday (February 10) appeared confident of his partys victory in Manipur Assembly Elections 2022. While talking to the media outside the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati, Biswa was quoted as saying, Election campaigning has begun in Manipur, candidates have been nominated. BJP will form a government in Manipur with the majority. The BJP minister reached Guwahati to Basistha Dev Sarma, the Burha Satradhikar of Barpeta Satra, who is under treatment there. About Sharmas health, who is admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati, Sharma said, "Basistha Dev Sarma is under treatment here. He is stable, I had come to meet him." Sarma, who was on a one-day visit to poll-bound Manipur on Wednesday, when asked about an alliance with the National People`s Party (NPP), said that such a coalition is not required as of now. The leader said that the BJP is not dependent on any other party this time in Manipur as the party would get a solid and comfortable majority in the two-phase assembly elections to be held on February 27 and March 3. "Alliance with the NPP is a factor in Meghalaya, but as far as Manipur is concerned the BJP would form the government on its own. BJP`s primary focus is now on getting a solid majority, rather than looking into the party`s future status with the partners," he told the media. The BJP, which had bagged 21 seats in the 60-member assembly in 2017 and wrested the power for the first time, stitched together a coalition government with the support of four NPP MLAs, four Naga People`s Front (NPF) members, the lone Trinamool Congress MLA and an Independent member. Live TV New Delhi: While India continues to witness a significant decline in the daily Covid-19 cases, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday (February 10) said that four states- Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu still display worrying projections with more than 50,000 active cases. Four states -- Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka -- have more than 50,000 active cases of Covid-19. 11 states have active cases between 10,000 and 50,000, said Luv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry while briefing the media on the ongoing Covid situation in the country. Here are some key takeaways from Health Ministrys conference on Covid pandemic developments: Covid daily positivity in Kerala is still enormously high at 29.57%; Mizoram, HP, Arunanchal, Sikkim's positivity is also of concern. Presently, 141 districts have a Covid-19 positivity rate of over 10%; 160 districts have a positivity rate between 5-10% in India, the ministry added. However, the ministry officials said that Indias overall situation is highly optimistic, adding that one should not lower their guards against the virus. On Jan 24, the daily positivity rate was recorded at 20.75%, which has now decreased to 4.44%. The world should remain united to fight this virus and should continue to use the tools that are at our disposal, said Dr VK Paul of NITI Ayog. Indias first homegrown Messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine is being developed by Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, said Dr Paul. 96% of the adult population has been given the first dose of the Covid vaccine so far, said Dr Paul calling it a dream for any government. Earlier in the day, the government Thursday issued revised guidelines for international arrivals, doing away with the mandatory seven-day home quarantine for those arriving from overseas and the need for them to undertake an RT-PCR test on the eighth day. The revised guidelines will come into effect from February 14. Live TV New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a grand rally in Mapusa on Thursday (February 10, 2022) ahead of the Goa assembly polls. According to a press release issued by Goa Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a day before the campaign ends for poll-bound Goa, PM Modi will address a mega public meeting at 5.00 pm at Bodgeshwar Maidan. All arrangements have been made for the dignitaries on the dais and off the dais, added the release. "The beautiful lighting and the huge pandal at the venue have become a major attraction for the people. Welcome boards are erected all over Mapusa," it stated. "Prime Minister rally has caught the attention of the general public as well as the national and state media," it added. Additionally, BJP informed that the party has taken all the measures in adherence to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India. "While steps are taken for Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, we also urge everyone to follow the protocols to keep COVID-19 at bay," it said. Meanwhile, Goa will go to the Assembly polls on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (With ANI inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday (February 10) will chair a meeting to consider re-opening schools amid the ongoing hijab row that led to disturbances between the students of the different religious groups, said state Education, Minister BC Nagesh. CM will chair a meeting (today evening) & after knowing the real order of the court we will decide (reopening of high schools and colleges): Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh pic.twitter.com/TqpcXERXTB ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 The leader added that the decision will be taken after the order by the High Court, which is currently hearing the matter. This comes after CM Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday ordered the closure of all the high schools and colleges in the state for the next three days amid the growing escalation between the students from the Muslim and Hindu communities. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High court hearing the Hijab issue on Thursday asked students not to insist on wearing any cloth on campuses of educational institutions which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved. The matter has been postponed by the court till Monday and the court has advised the state to resume classes but keep a check that no incident of violence erupts in the institutes. The Hijab row started in December end when a few students started coming to the government pre-university college in Udupi wearing Hijab after the college said it allowed students to wear the hijab on campus and only asked them to take it off inside the classroom To protest against it, some Hindu students turned up wearing saffron scarves. The row spread to other educational institutions in different parts of the State, and the protests took a violent turn at someplace earlier this week, prompting the government on Tuesday to declare three days of holiday for the institutions. Live TV Bengaluru: All eyes are set on the three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court, which will hear on Thursday (February 10, 2022) afternoon the petitions questioning the ban on wearing of 'hijabs' (headscarves) by students in colleges. Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi on Wednesday had constituted a full bench comprising himself, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice Jaibunnisa M Khazi in view of the urgency to hear the matter. Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Dixit, who was hearing the case, referred the matter to Justice Awasthi's consideration with a view that a larger bench may look into the case. Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh on Thursday expressed his satisfaction over the formation of a full bench to hear the case. "The satisfying thing is that a full bench has been constituted immediately, which will start hearing from today. We expect a good judgement, which will put an end to this problem," the minister told reporters. Nagesh added that he along with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra and Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan have been regularly holding meetings ever since the hijab row erupted. The hijab row started in December end last year when a few students started coming to the government pre-university college in Udupi wearing hijab. To protest against it, some Hindu students started coming to the college wearing saffron scarves. The row spread to other educational institutions in different parts of the state, and the protests took a violent turn at some places. The state government had on Tuesday ordered closure of all high schools and colleges in Karnataka for three days due to rising tensions over the issue. Live TV New Delhi: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is all set to release the CA Final Result 2021 and CA Foundation Result 2021 today (February 10, 2022). ICAI will release the results on the official website- icaiexam.icai.org and other ICAI websites. Candidates who appeared for the December 2021 examinations would be able to check their ICAI CA Final results online. The candidates may note that the ICAI CA Final results are expected to be released either today evening or by February 11, 2022 (tomorrow), ICAI said in official notification. ICAI CA Final, Foundation Result 2021: List of websites - caresults.icai.org - icai.nic.in - icaiexam.icai.org ICAI CA Final, Foundation Result 2021: How to check Step 1. Visit ICAI website- icaiexam.icai.org, caresults.icai.org, or icai.nic.in Step 2. Click on ICAI CA Final/ Foundation result link on the homepage Step 3. Enter your registration number/ PIN, roll number and other credentials to log in Step 4. Your ICAI CA Final and Foundation Result 2021 will appear on the screen Step 5. Check your result and download it for future reference Additionally, candidates who have registered for their results on e-mail would be getting the mail once the results are made available online. The candidates are advised to keep checking the official website of ICAI for further updates. Live TV Bengaluru: A three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court, hearing pleas on the hijab row, on Thursday directed the state government to reopen schools in the state while insisting that no student should insist on wearing any religious dress till the matter is disposed of. In its interim order, the Karnataka High Court said, "Students should not wear any cloth, whether Hijab or Saffron scarves, which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved." The High Court said that "peace & tranquillity must be restored" and adjourned the matter for hearing on Monday. #HijabRow: Karnataka HC says it will pass an order directing reopening of colleges, asks students not to insist on wearing such religious things till the disposal of the matter Court says peace & tranquillity must be restored, adjourns the matter for Monday pic.twitter.com/PdtaAvED4n ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 The interim order was given by a three-judge bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit, and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin. "We want to make an interim order on the matter of hijab row. We will hear the matter every day," the Chief Justice stated. As the bench began hearing the matter, the Chief Justice told Advocate General Prabhuling Navadagi to open schools in the state. "Closure of schools is not a good development. Take necessary action and conduct classes. See to it that no problem surfaces," he said. Amid tensions and even violence over the matter, the state government had on Tuesday announced a three-day holiday for all schools and colleges in the state from Wednesday. The petitioners arguing for hijab stated that there is ''no harm in students wearing hijab''. Hijab is a fundamental right, and it does not cause any problem to others, and so, they should be allowed to wear hijab of the same colour as their uniform, they said, arguing that the government has issued circular on uniform "hurriedly". The petitioner`s further stated that the bench should give an interim order on the issue in the students` interests as students are outside schools in their interest. They also argued that as per the Karnataka Education Act, a uniform is not compulsory for students, and they can only be fined Rs 25 for violating the uniform rules. As Chief Justice Awasthi intervened here, asking whether the petitioner is saying uniform is not required, the petitioner submitted that as per the Act, it is not compulsory. It is okay for primary school students but uniforms for college students is being objected to, he said. Navadagi, however, opposed the issue of an interim order on the issue and stated that there are various developments surrounding the issue. Replying to that, the Chief Justice said, "We will pass an order, that let the institutions start but till the matter is pending here, no student should insist on wearing religious dress." The Chief Justice added, "Till the disposal of the matter, you people (students) should not insist on wearing on all these religious things." The single bench headed by Justice Dixit, which heard the matter, which has snowballed into a major crisis in the state and discussed at international levels, had decided the matter to be heard by the larger bench. It directed the High Court Registrar to submit the documents and petitions immediately to the Chief Justice as the matter is of utmost importance and needs to be heard urgently. The single bench opined that there are questions related to the Constitution, there are aspects related to personal laws, and half a dozen court verdicts have been discussed in connection with the case. "I have verified more than 12 verdicts in this regard. There are arguments and counter-arguments related to the case. Let, the Chief Justice decide on handing over the matter to an extended bench," Justice Dixit stated while referring the case to a larger bench. However, the bench refused to give an interim order even as petitioners pleaded to give a ruling on wearing of hijab to classes as only two months are left for this academic year. As many as seven petitions have been submitted to the court so far challenging the government circular of making uniform compulsory and upholding the decision taken by the college management and development committee regarding the wearing of the hijab. The hijab row started last month with a few students of Udupi Government Pre-University College wearing hijab being denied permission to attend classes. The college authorities maintain that the students who used to come without hijabs have suddenly started coming in hijab. The students later went on protest refusing to attend classes without hijab. The issue became a controversy and spread to other districts, leading to tension and even violence. Live TV New Delhi: Ashish Mishra, the main accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and son of Union minister Ajay Mishra Teni, has been granted bail on Thursday (February 10, 2022). A Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court granted bail to Ashish Mishra. It is noteworthy that Teni's son was declared the main accused in the chargesheet filed by Special Investigation (SIT) in the incident that took place on October 3 last year. The 5,000-page charge sheet, which was submitted in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Chinta Ram, reportedly said that Ashish Mishra was at the spot where the violence took place. In the incident, four farmers were crushed to death under the wheels of a convoy of cars, including the one belonging to the Minister. Four others, including a journalist, were also killed when the convoy ran over a group of farmers demonstrating against the visit of deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to Teni's native place for a programme. The development comes amid the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly 2022 elections. Live TV New Delhi: Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog on Thursday said that the overall COVID-19 situation in the country is optimistic, however, India cannot lower its guard. Addressing a press briefing, Dr Paul said, "Overall COVID-19 situation is very optimistic. However, some states including Kerala, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh are still reporting a large number of cases. We cannot lower our guard." Pressing on the need to remain vigilant, he said, "The world doesn`t know everything about this virus. This isn`t the end of the virus, it will try to emerge fitter. Vigilance must go on." "We have learned a great deal about his pandemic and the virus, but the world doesn`t know everything about this virus. The world should remain united to fight this virus and should continue to use the tools that are at our disposal," he added. Union Health Ministry`s Joint Secretary, Luv Aggarwal further added that in India, four states have more than 50,000 active COVID cases presently. "Four states-- Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka -- have more than 50,000 active cases of COVID-19. 11 states have active cases between 10,000 and 50,000," he said. Aggarwal informed that 96 per cent of the Indian population above 18 years has received their first dose of the COVID vaccine, while 78 per cent have received the second dose. As many as 1.61 crore precaution doses have also been administered, while 69 per cent of the 15-18 age group has been vaccinated with the first dose of COVID vaccine, he added. The Joint Secretary then furnished data to reveal the slow down in spread of COVID infection, and said, "On January 24, the daily positivity rate was recorded at 20.75 per cent, which has now decreased to 4.44 per cent. It indicates that now the rate of infection spread has come down significantly." As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India had reported 67,084 new cases of COVID-19 and 1,241 fresh deaths in the last 24 hours. With this, the country`s active caseload currently stands at 7,90,789, which accounts for 1.86 per cent of total cases. The daily positivity rate in India has been recorded at 4.44 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 6.58 per cent. Live TV New Delhi: As Uttar Pradesh witnesses the first phase of polling today (February 10), Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a public rally in the poll-bound states Saharanpur, said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government stands with Har Mazloom (victim of injustice). Attacking the opposition parties, PM Modi said they got restless when Muslim women backed BJP. He also said that BJP has "freed the Muslim sisters and daughters from the menace of triple talaq". "Muslim sisters and daughters understand our clear intentions. We made them free of Triple Talaq, and gave them protection. When the BJP received support from the Muslim women, these vote-`thekedaar (contractors)` got restless, seeing that their daughters were chanting `Modi-Modi`... They`re trying to trick Muslim sisters again," ANI quoted Modi as saying. PM added, "Our government stands with `Har Mazloom (every person who has faced injustice). Modi also took a potshot at Samajwadi Party over "dynasty politics" and warned people from trusting their "tall claims"."A whole `parivaar-vaad` party is making fake promises to the people of UP ...Remember if someone promises big, they are usually empty, and irresponsible. They promised electricity, but kept UP in dark and illuminated their residing district only, leaving Saharanpur and others to fend for themselves," PM Modi alleged. Speaking about the riots in Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur, Modi the Samajwadi Party as "dangawadi (rioters)". "Don`t think for a moment that these `dangawadis` have reformed. They are just waiting for a chance. The rioters of Saharanpur were welcomed by these mafia-like people. Across western UP, they are backing rioters. These people want to take revenge against the people of UP. Those who were cursing rioters earlier are now standing with the same rioters," he claimed. Polling for the first phase of UP assembly elections is underway on 58 seats, with 623 candidates in the fray. (With agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (February 10) said that the BJP`s manifesto, which is being called 'Sankalp Patra' for the Uttarakhand Assembly polls has been created to empower the farmers and the youth of the country. "BJP issued resolution document for the next 5 years, this resolution document empowers the farmers and youth. This decade will be the decade of Uttarakhand," said the Prime Minister while addressing the `Vijay Sankalp Sabha` ahead of the Uttarakhand assembly election. Speaking about the Uttarakhand development works, PM Modi said, "In Kedar Dham, we started the redevelopment work in 2017 and most of the projects have been completed while for the development of Badrinath Dham, a project has been started at a cost of several hundred crores. "He further informed that Under the Chardham project, an all-weather road is being built at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore. Hitting out at the Congress, the Prime Minister said, "They (Congress) didn`t remember about Chardham when in power. Those who do not have faith in it, why are they now talking about it. They are just looking for a way to get to the chair. For BJP the development of Chardham and Devbhoomi is a matter of faith, culture and public service", said PM Modi. He further said that the people of Uttarakhand gave Congress "zero seats" in the Lok Sabha while it remains out of power in the Assembly for the past five years. Uttarakhand will go to the polls on February 14 in a single phase and the results will be announced on March 10. (With PTI inputs) Live TV Chennai: A 38-year old man hurled petrol 'bombs' at the Tamil Nadu headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Chennai on Thursday (February 10). It's been alleged that this comes in the background of BJP's pro-NEET stand. After setting fire to three bottles filled with petrol, the accused - who has been arrested - threw them at the BJP state headquarters in the early hours. The man, a known history-sheeter, arrived on a two-wheeler and quickly fled the spot after hurling the bottles at the entrance area of the party office. Police were alerted immediately and a team of officials inspected the spot and CCTV cameras were scrutinised. The BJP HQ is located in downtown T Nagar. It was found that the miscreant was 38-year old Vinoth alias 'Karukka' Vinoth, who faces a bunch of criminal cases, including attempts to murder and he was arrested, a city police release said. According to a preliminary probe, there is no political or religious aspect to this attack and Vinoth has a history of carrying out such attacks, under the influence of alcohol, in matters of public interest. The probe revealed that he had thrown the bottles to show his opposition to the BJP's stand supporting the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test. The investigation is continuing. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai had earlier said, "We demand a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into this incident. The guilty should be booked and punished. Law and order deteriorating in our state. NIA is the only solution to this incident where truth and conspiracy will come out." Vinoth has a history of crime. In 2015, he had thrown a petrol bomb at a liquor retail outlet and in 2017 at the entrance of Teynampet police station here in connection with some issues. He was arrested in both cases and had been remanded to judicial custody. Barring the BJP, other political parties in Tamil Nadu are opposed to the national entrance test for medical admissions and on February 8, a Bill was adopted again by the Assembly to bypass the examination in the state. (With Agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: KCR led ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi party on Wednesday (February 10) moved a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in relation to his statements about the manner adopted for bifurcating the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh and the creation of Telangana State, reported ANI. TRS MPs move Privilege Motion against PM Narendra Modi for his statement in the Rajya Sabha on 8th February during the motion of Presidential Address on the passing of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill. pic.twitter.com/5s9dliGdUl ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 PM Modi made the remarks during the debate on the Presidents Motion of Thanks in the Rajya Sabha. The privilege motion is moved by a member or number of members when they feel that a minister or any member has committed a breach of privilege of the House. The TRS also held protests across the State against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks made in the Rajya Sabha on the creation of Telangana. Ministers and party men wearing black badges and holding black balloons participated in the protest at several places to seek an apology from Modi. TRS MPs protest in the Well of the Rajya Sabha over PM Narendra Modi's statement in the House on 8th Feb on the passing of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill. pic.twitter.com/EOXHCRINM7 ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 Agitation against the prime ministers remarks on the passing of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill was witnessed in the parliament as well as several TRS MPs protest in the Well of the Rajya Sabha. PM Modis statement on Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill Replying to the motion of thanks to the President's address, Modi in the Rajya Sabha hit out at Congress and said Telangana was created with the doors of Parliament closed without any discussion. Stating that BJP is not opposed to Telangana, Modi said the NDA government headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee had created three States without any problem. Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali and Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav held protests here condemning Modi's remarks. Demanding an apology, TRS Working President and Minister KT Rama Rao in an inauguration programme alleged that Modi was trying to spread hatred with his remarks. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir, in a statement, alleged that Modi made a controversial statement on Telangana formation only to hide the injustice he has done to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. BJPs response Reacting to TRS and Congress stance over Modi's speech, BJP Telangana president Bandi Sanjay Kumar said both the parties are two sides of the same coin. Our stand that the TRS and Congress are the two sides of the same coin in TS stands vindicated. When the Hon'ble PM spoke about how the Congress deceived the people of Telangana and the nation, the TRS jumped to its defence, Sanjay said in a tweet. He described TRS as a new spokesperson of Congress. Live TV Amritsar: Politics makes strange bedfellows and this happened in the Punjab polity after the brother of a Congress Member of Parliament not only joined hands with Shiromani Akali Dal - Badal SAD(B) but also publicly announced to motivate the MP to join Akalis. On Wednesday, Harpinder Singh Rajan Gill, a staunch Congress activist and brother of Congress MP from Khadoor Sahib Jasbir Singh Dimpa joined SAD(B) in presence of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia, an all-powerful former minister and brother in law of Sukhbir Singh Badal. Rajan Gill was an aspirant of Congress partys ticket from Khadoor Sahib assembly constituency but the party chose to nominate the sitting MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikki. In a show of protest and hope of replacing Sikki with him by party high command, Rajan Gill filed his nomination papers as a Congress candidate from Khadoor Sahib on his own but his papers were rejected during the scrutiny. I was given indication that party was contemplating on changing the Adampur and Khadoor Sahib candidates but it didnt happen, said Rajan Gill who was appointed as General Secretary of SAD(B) by Sukhbir Singh Badal immediately after Rajan Gill joined the party. Hoping to make a comeback in power and form the government, Akalis have also sent feelers to Dimpa to gauge his mood and persuade him to join SAD(B) reportedly with assurance of a plum post if Akalis form the government in exchange of his support now. An indication of this was given by his brother Rajan himself who said his decision to join Congress was taken in consultation with Dimpa and he would try to persuade and motivate his brother to join SAD(B). Rajan Gill also revealed his grudges with Congress leadership saying that it was difficult for him to take the decision to quit Congress but he was peeved at the falling values and deviation from the principles in the Congress where workers were not getting their due and party leaders were promoting mafia in the state. It was due to such actions that my family members decided to part ways with the Congress after serving it faithfully for more than sixty years, said Rajan Gill. Will Dimpa be the next to join SAD(B)? This is the big question now being asked in Congress as well as Akalis circles. Visibly elated over winning the heart of a faithful Congress family of Majha region of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal said, The contest in Majha has become totally one-sided in favour of the SAD, many more Congress leaders will be joining us in near future." Live TV Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday urged the Election Commission to take immediate action wherever there are allegations of EVM malfunctioning or slow polling in Uttar Pradesh. The first phase of polling, which started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, is being held in 58 assembly seats spread across 11 districts in the western part of the state. "There is an appeal and expectation from the Election Commission that wherever there are allegations of EVM malfunctioning or deliberately slowing down of polling, it should immediately take appropriate action at those polling stations. "Smooth and fair voting is the biggest responsibility of the Election Commission," Akhilesh said in a tweet in Hindi. In a separate tweet, Akhilesh said, "New Slogan of New UP: Let development be an ideology!" New Delhi: Voting for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh elections on 58 assembly seats covering 11 districts of the state, including Gautam Budh Nagar, began today (February 10) at 7 am. Minutes after the polling commenced, the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar, Suhas L Yathiraj urged the citizens to come out to vote. I urge citizens to come out to vote today. Model polling booths established, & paramilitary forces deployed & videography being done at all polling booths. All COVID19 protocols being followed at polling booths, said Suhas LY, DM, Gautam Budh Nagar. I urge citizens to come out to vote today. Model polling booths established, & paramilitary forces deployed & videography being done at all polling booths. All COVID19 protocols being followed at polling booths: Suhas LY, DM, Gautam Budh Nagar#UttarPradeshElections2022 pic.twitter.com/SAAYoDfh3Q ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 10, 2022 Earlier, on Wednesday, with only a few hours to go for assembly polls, the Noida Police busted an inter-state drug racket as it seized over five quintals of cannabis and arrested four persons, according to officials. The seized cannabis is estimated to be worth over Rs 1 crore in the international market, they said. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Ranvijay Singh said a canter truck was intercepted by the police in the 12/22 crossroad under the Sector 24 police station area amid heightened checking in view of the polls under supervision of ACP (Noida 2) Rajneesh Verma. When checked, some domestic items were found inside the truck but some packets were also spotted lying underneath them. When further looked into, these packets were found containing cannabis in huge quantity and immediately the four people on-board the truck were taken into custody, Singh said. He said the accused told the police that they worked for a drug-trafficking gang in the national capital region that sourced cannabis from Andhra Pradesh. The gang has two kingpins who live in Loni area of adjoining Ghaziabad district and police teams have launched search operations for them also, the officer said. The truck registered in Gautam Buddh Nagar has been impounded and an FIR lodged in the case, the police said. The held accused have been identified as Jitendra Singar, Sushil Yadav, Ravi Singh and Rakesh Pathak, the police said, adding names of some people linked in the drug syndicate have cropped up during questioning and efforts are being made to nab them also. Meanwhile, the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3, and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. As many as 623 candidates are in the fray in the first phase and around 2.27 crore people are eligible to vote in this phase. (With PTI inputs) Live TV Noida: Voting is underway in the first phase of Uttar Pradesh and after a slow start in the early hours of Thursday (February 10), polling seems to be picking pace in Gautam Buddha Nagar. The polling began at 7 sharp in the morning with some residents reaching their nearest polling booth as early as 6.30 am. The voter turnout till 10 am reportedly stood at 8.07%. An old man, who was among the first persons to reach one of the polling stations to exercise his right to franchise, told the news agency that coming to vote is the foremost duty of every person in the country. When speaking about the issues on which he will cast his vote, the 70-year-old man said, "I will vote for internal security, good governance, and well-defined policies of the government." Noida Chief Development Officer Anil Kumar, who was also there to oversee the polling process, said that they have set up over 250 model booths in the district for the residents. "We have tried to provide Thank you notes, light music, balloons, selfie points, and decorations at the polling stations to celebrate our democracy," he said. But a crowd has started trickling in and around 10 am, every polling station was witnessing a rush of people as long queues began forming inside the premises of the voting area. Apart from the voters, a heavy police presence could be seen at every polling station in the city. 20.03% voter turnout recorded till 11am in the first phase of #UttarPradeshElections2022 pic.twitter.com/yfu2hkcryy ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 10, 2022 Some of the voters from Noida who cast their vote hoped that the government will benefit them and farmers. Speaking to the media, a voter, Sachin, said he is hoping that the government will solve farmers' issues. "I have voted for the good work and development of the state," said Jitendra. Sailendra said that he is very excited to cast his vote and said that he wants a government in the state which focuses on development. "I am very excited to vote. We want the solution of the issues of the farmers," he added. Meanwhile, Suhas LY, District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar urged people to cast their vote."I urge citizens to come out to vote today. Model polling booths were established, paramilitary forces were deployed and videography was done at all polling booths. All Covid-19 protocols being followed at polling booths," said Suhas. There are three Assembly seats - Noida, Dadri and Jewar - in Gautam Buddha Nagar district having over 16.5 lakh eligible voters. (With Agency inputs) Live TV Lucknow: The first phase of the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh 2022 elections began today (February 10). Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged voters to cast their votes to strengthen the resolution of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) for a "crime-free, fear-free, riot-free" state, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also made an appeal to the voters. He tweeted in Hindi, saying: "Come out and vote, get country freedom from all fear". The tone for the poll was set by PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah who urged the voters to exercise their franchise. The voting in the 'Jat-dominant belt' of the western part of the state started at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm. One of the key constituencies that are seeing polling today is Mathura. Here are the key candidates: UP Polls 2022: Mathura - key candidates Shrikant Sharma, BJP BJP's Shrikant Sharma represents the Mathura seat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Sharma's focus, while campaigning has been to highlight the achievements of the double-engine Narendra Modi-Yogi Adityanath sarkar. In 2017, Sharma - who is now a member of the Yogi cabinet - had won the seat by defeating Pradeep Mathur from Indian National Congress by over a lakh vote margin. This year, Sharma is pitted against Congress' Pradeep Mathur and Samajwadi Party's Devendra Agarwal. These elections are no ordinary elections but are associated with development and safety of women in the state. In the last 5 years, we have laid the foundation for a prosperous Uttar Pradesh: Shrikant Sharma, BJP candidate from Mathura Assembly constituency pic.twitter.com/qJOCKAMuhL ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 10, 2022 Pradeep Mathur, Congress Pradeep Mathur is a veteran four-times MLA, who will be looking to reverse last election's results. In January, he suffered from multiple fractures in his left arm and while he was advised surgery, it would have taken time to heal. Now, Mathur will get the operation done post the poll today. Mathur was elected from Mathura from the first time in 1985 and represented the seat for three consecutive terms - 2002, 2007 and 2012. Devendra Agarwal, SP-RLD Devendra Agrawal is the Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal candidate from the Mathura Vidhan Sabha constituency. In the 2017 Assembly elections, he contested from the Sadabad seat. Also read: Know your hot seat, check candidates contesting from Noida SK Sharma, BSP BSP candidate SK Sharma has once been in the BJP. Sharma had contested the 2017 Assembly elections on the BJP ticket from Mant constituency. Pained over the denial of ticket for the 2022 Assembly polls, the senior leader resigned from the primary membership of the party and joined the Bahujan Samaj Party. Live TV New Delhi: The first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh concluded at 6 pm on Thursday (February 10) with a voter turnout of over 60 per cent. The polling was held across 58 assembly constituencies in 11 districts of the Jat-dominant belt of western Uttar Pradesh. On technical snags in EVMs reported at some places, Additional Chief Election Officer (ACEO) B D Ram Tiwari said, "There were reports of a technical error in EVMs at some places", adding that they were replaced as the reports came in, PTI reported. Shamli logged the highest voter turnout with 69.42 per cent. Final voter turnout in 11 districts Agra 60.33% Aligarh 60.49% Baghpat 61.35% Bulandshahr 60.52% Gautam Buddh Nagar 56.73% Ghaziabad 54.77% Hapur 60.50% Mathura 63.28% Meerut 60.91% Muzaffarnagar 65.34% Shamli 69.42% During the 2017 UP assembly elections, these constituencies had recorded 63.47 per cent polling. The BJP had bagged 53 of the 58 seats in the region, while the Samajwadi Party and the BSP had got two seats each and one seat was won by the Rashtriya Lok Dal in 2017 polls. Meanwhile, the first phase will decide the fate of as many as 623 candidates, including 73 women. UP ministers who are in the fray in this phase include Shrikant Sharma, Suresh Rana, Sandeep Singh, Kapil Dev Agarwal, Atul Garg and Chowdhury Lakshmi Narain. Samajwadi Party`s Sunil Chaudhary contested against Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's son Pankaj Singh from Noida constituency. Congress leader Pankhuri Pathak and BSP leader Kriparam Sharma were also in the fray from the same seat. The second phase polling for 55 Assembly Constituencies is slated for February 14 that will decide the fate of 586 candidates. The seventh phase of polling for UP polls will take place on March 7. The counting of votes will be done on March 10. (With agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: In the seven-phase election in electorally crucial Uttar Pradesh, polling is underway in 58 Assembly seats spread over 11 districts in the first phase on Thursday (February 10). The assembly seats going to polls in this phase are situated in western UP, which is believed to have mostly been affected by the recent farmers protest. Of several key constituencies, which are set to witness a fierce fight in the first phase of UP elections, all eyes are on the Kairana seat under Shamli district. While the BJP has fielded Mriganka Singh, daughter of the late MP Hukum Singh, the Samajwadi Party has pitted sitting MLA Nahid Hasan from the constituency. The ruling party has attacked the SP camp for giving a ticket to Hasan who was arrested on January 16 under the Gangster Act. Key candidates fighting from Kairana: Nahid Hasan, SP The Samajwadi Party has fielded Nahid Hasan from the Kairana constituency. Hasan has declared 16 criminal cases against himself in his affidavit. The SP candidate has mentioned Graduate as his qualification. The 34-year-old has declared total assets worth Rs 3.1 crore and liabilities as nil. Hasan is a two-time SP MLA from Kairana constituency in Shamli district. Mriganka Singh, BJP From Kairana, BJP has fielded Mriganka Singh, the daughter of the late Hukum Singh, who won the seat multiple times. Singh has declared one criminal cases against herself in his affidavit. The SP candidate has mentioned Post Graduate as her qualification. The 62-year-old has declared total assets worth Rs 5.7 crore and liabilities as nil. Akhlak, Congress The Congress Party has fielded Akhlak from the Kairana constituency. Akhlak has declared zero criminal cases against himself in his affidavit. The 50-year-old Congress candidate has declared total assets worth Rs 2 crore and liabilities worth Rs 2.5 lakh. Kairana grabbed the headlines after the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. It has also emerged as a key poll issue, with the BJP raising the issue of mass exodus of Hindus from the area during the Samajwadi Party government. Mriganka and Hasan face challenges from the latters sister Iqra Chaudhary who has filed a nomination as an Independent candidate this year. Polling, which started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, is going on peacefully, Election Commission officials said. As many as 623 candidates including 73 women are in the fray in the first phase and around 2.28 crore voters including 1.24 crore men and 1.04 women besides others are eligible to cast their franchise. Live TV New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh began voting on Thursday (February 10, 2022) in the first phase of the seven-phase Assembly polls. As per the latest updates, an average of 7.93 per cent of votes were polled till 9 am in 58 assembly seats spread across 11 districts in the western part of the state. Agra recorded 7.53 per cent polling, Aligarh 8.26 per cent, Baghpat 8.93 per cent, Bulandshahr 7.51 per cent, Gautam Buddh Nagar 8.33 per cent, Ghaziabad 7.37 per cent, Hapur 8.2 per cent, Mathura 8.30 per cent, Meerut 8.44 per cent Muzaffarnagar 7.5 per cent and Shamli 7.7 per cent. Polling, which started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, is going on peacefully, Election Commission officials said. As many as 623 candidates including 73 women are in the fray in the first phase and around 2.28 crore voters including 1.24 crore men and 1.04 women besides others are eligible to cast their franchise. One of the important constituencies that is going to the poll is Loni in the Ghaziabad district. Key candidates fighting from Loni Nandkishor Gurjar The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reposed its faith in Nand Kishor Gurjar and has fielded him again from the Loni constituency. In the 2017 Assembly polls, Nandkishor had won after receiving 1,13,088 votes, over 41 % of the total votes polled. Madan Bhaiya The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which is fighting 2022 UP polls in alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP), has given a ticket to Madan Bhaiyya. The RLD candidate had got 42,539 votes in the last Assembly elections. Mohd Yamin Malik Congress has decided to field Mohd Yamin Malik from the Loni seat. Akil The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party has given the ticket to Akil. It is noteworthy that the elections for the 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly will be held in seven phases until March 7 and the votes will be counted on March 10. Live TV New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday (February 10) said that the government will consider reopening primary schools subject to a rider. If other COVID variants don't hit West Bengal, then we can think of reopening schools for primary classes on alternate days, ANI quoted the Bengal CM as saying. If other COVID variants don't hit West Bengal, then we can think of reopening schools for primary classes on alternate days: CM Mamata Banerjee (File photo) pic.twitter.com/jTwg2Ko55X ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 Earlier, the state government had reopened physical classes for standard 8 to 12 from February 3. "Covid-19 situation in Bengal has improved. Schools will reopen on February 3 for classes 8 to 12. Colleges, universities, polytechnics and ITIs will also restart offline classes on the same day. We are not reopening primary schools right now," the West Bengal CM had announced. The government had also issued notification for holding open-air learning sessions from pre-primary level up to class seven in every locality from February 7 in wake of the Covid-19 situation. On Wednesday, West Bengal reported 884 new Covid-19 cases, which pushed the total tall in the state to 20,08,133, the health department said in its bulletin. With 28 new fatalities reported in the last 24 hours, the death toll climbed to 20,912. The state had recorded 736 new cases and 32 more deaths a day before. The positivity rate increased slightly to 1.89 per cent on Wednesday. (With agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Amid Karnataka witnessing a sea of protests by students over hijab ban in some Pre-University (PU) colleges, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday (February 10) said schools will reopen but only for Classes up to 10th standard for now. Earlier on Tuesday, the CM had ordered the closure of all high schools and colleges for the next three days in view of the ongoing protests. Talking to reporters, Bommai also referred to the three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court, which while hearing pleas on the hijab row directed the state government to reopen schools, adding that students should not insist on wearing any religious dress till the matter is resolved. The last two days have been very peaceful. Today a 3-member bench (of high court) has, while adjourning the matter for Monday, appealed to all the schools to reopen but no religious dress codes should be followed by both sides, ANI quoted Karnataka CM as saying. Appealing to everyone to work together, he informed that degree colleges will open later in the state. I appeal to everyone to work together & see that there is peace in the colleges. Schools will reopen from Monday for classes up to 10th standard. Degree colleges will reopen later, the CM said. In the second stage, we will decide about reopening classes 11th-12th and other degree colleges as per the situation, Bommai said. In the second stage, we will decide about reopening classes 11th-12th and other degree colleges as per the situation: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2022 A high-level meeting will be held on Friday to review the ground situation, he said. "Government has the responsibility of maintaining law and order. Tomorrow (Friday) a meeting with all the ministers, Deputy Commissioners, SPs and ZP CEOs would be held to review the ground situation in the districts. Accordingly, appropriate directions would be issued. The Education minister, Home Minister are in constant touch with me. Senior officials have been instructed to be in touch with district and taluk level officers," Bommai said. Earlier today, in its interim order, the Karnataka High Court said, "Students should not wear any cloth, whether Hijab or Saffron scarves, which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved." The 3-judge bench had also said that "peace and tranquillity must be restored" and adjourned the matter for hearing on Monday. (With agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Kerala Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday took a dig at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his recent remarks that the state could turn into a "Kashmir, Kerala or Bengal" if BJP does not return to power. Reacting to that, Tharoor said that UP "should be so lucky" as Kashmir's beauty, Bengal's culture and Kerala's education would do wonders for the place. UP will turn into Kashmir, Bengal or Kerala if BJP doesn't come to power, @myogiadityanath tells voters. UP should be so lucky!! Kashmir's beauty, Bengal's culture & Kerala's education would do wonders for the place. UP's wonderful: pity about its Govt.https://t.co/bn6ItSczm6 Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 10, 2022 His attack came after Adityanath asked people to return the BJP to power or face the possibility of the state turning into a "Kashmir, Kerala or Bengal. "UP will turn into Kashmir, Bengal or Kerala if BJP doesn't come to power, @myogiadityanath tells voters. UP should be so lucky!! Kashmir's beauty, Bengal's culture & Kerala's education would do wonders for the place. UP's wonderful: pity about its Govt," the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said. CM Yogi Adityanath made the remarks in a six-minute video message on Twitter on the eve of Thursday's polling for the first phase of the assembly elections in UP. The CM said he was concerned that rioters, whose activities were curbed by his government, are now feeling uneasy. Terrorists are making threats, he added. "Be alert. If you miss this time, the five-year effort will be washed away. And it will take no time for UP to become Kashmir, Kerala or Bengal." "This vote will be your guarantee to a life without fear," Adityanath said in his appeal to voters. The Chief Minister said he is satisfied that UP is now free from professional criminals and the terror of the mafia. The Hindus who migrated from their home have returned, he said, in a possible reference of the alleged exodus of traders after threats from criminals in Shamli's Kairana town some years back. Those who used to issue threats and extort money from traders are either in jail or left the state, he said. He claimed police now work without any political interference, and women can move about freely. Live TV New Delhi: Comedian Kapil Sharma was spotted with his wife Ginni Chatrath at the screening of Shakun Batra directorial Gehraiyaan, starring Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday on Wednesday (February 10). The comedian and his wife were papped at the screening. The couple happily posed together for the shutterbugs. Kapil also sweetly kissed his wifes forehead while posing for the cameras. This sent the paparazzi into a tizzy who excitedly hooted, Ohhhhh, leaving the comedian blushing. Check out the viral video: Kapil and Ginni were also colour coordinated for their outing. While Ginni wore a long black satin dress with a colourful white long coat, Kapil wore black sweatshirt and jeans with white sneakers. Ginni had also recently made an appearance on Kapil Sharmas Netflix special Im Not Done Yet, where she revealed why she said yes to the comedian despite their class difference. In the funny exchange between Kapil and Ginni, the former asked the latter, Ek scooter wale ladke se kya sochkar pyaar kia tha (What made you love a scooter-driving m)?" To which Ginni sassily responded, Maine socha paisey waley sey sabhi pyaar kartey hain, main is gareeb ka bhala kardu (I thought everyone loves a rich guy. Let me do some charity for this poor guy), leaving the audience in splits. The couple tied the knot on December 12, 2018. They are parents to two kids - daughter Anayra (2 year old) and son Trishaan (1 year old). Apart from Kapil and Ginni, Gehraiyaan premiere was attended by various other celebrities including Sonakshi Sinha, Soni Razdan and her daughter Shaheen Bhatt, Kriti Kharbanda, Rajat Kapoor and others. The Karan Johar produced film is all set to release worldwide on Amazon Prime Videos on February 11. Mumbai: Actor Manoj Bajpayee has lost his mother-in-law, Shakeela Raza, today morning. After learning about the unfortunate news, Manoj rushed to Delhi from his shoot location to be with his family. As per a source, the condition of Shabana Raza`s mother was extremely critical for the past few days and she died due to prolonged illness. This is the third death in Manoj`s family including his father and his wife Shabana`s father in a year. Meanwhile, on the work front, Manoj will be seen in `Despatch`, directed by Kanu Behl. New Delhi: Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India offers various safe schemes to policyholders across the country. The insurers schemes are preferred by investors planning to secure their future, especially their retirement or child/childrens marriage. One such popular LIC scheme is LIC Jeevan Labh Policy. LIC Jeevan Labh is an endowment policy and offers the option of saving along with the insurance cover. The non-linked, participating, individual, life assurance savings plan was launched by LIC on February 1, 2020, according to a report by DNA. In case of the unfortunate, the family members of the policyholders receive financial support from the insurer. In such a case, a sum assured is provided to the nominee under the insurance policy. Moreover, there is also a provision wherein a policyholder can take a loan against his or her investment in the LIC Jeevan Labh Policy. The investor can invest for a maturity period of either 16 years or 21 years or 25 years, for which the policyholder is required to continuously invest in the scheme for 10 years, 15 years, and 16 years, respectively. A policyholder can pay the premium on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and yearly basis. Inverters can get a grace period of 15 days for a monthly payment of premiums and 30 days on a quarterly, half-yearly, and yearly basis. The minimum age of entry in the scheme is 8 years while the maximum age to invest in the scheme is 59 years. Investors can take a minimum of sum assured of Rs 2 lakh in LIC Jeevan Labh policy. There is no upper limit on the investment. Moreover, investors can avail of income tax exemption under the LIC Jeevan Labh Policy under Section 80 of the Income Tax Act. LIC Jeevan Labh: Heres how to get 20 lakh rupees For a sum assured of Rs 20 lakh, an investor will choose a monthly premium of Rs 7,916 per month, which roughly translates to Rs 262 per day, under the LIC Jeevan Labh Policy for an investment period of 16 years. Also Read: ShareChat, MX Media merge Moj, MX TakaTak short video apps in mega deal At the time of maturity, which is after 25 years, the investor will receive a guaranteed Rs 20 lakh. Moreover, investors will receive a bonus if they keep their investment for 25 years. Also Read: Banks sanction loans worth Rs 3.1 lakh crore to MSMEs under ECLGS: FM Sitharaman Live TV #mute Indian Railways has released the first look rendering of the upcoming Bullet Train station at the Vadodara railway station in Gujarat. The HSR (High Speed Rail) station will be built above the existing platform no. 7 of the Vadodara station. The HSR station in Gujarat's Vadodara is part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Corridor. Also read: Incredible photos of world's highest Chenab bridge shared by Indian Railways National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) also signed an agreement with infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the design and construction of about 8 Km of viaduct including an HSR station in Vadodara. NHSRCL has now awarded full 100 percent civil work for the construction of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Corridor. "With this integration, the passengers will get the comfort of easy transfer between HSR and Indian Railways," read the statement. "NHSRCL has already awarded 100 per cent civil contracts for the construction of MAHSR alignment in Gujarat state (352 km out of 508 km of total MAHSR corridor) including eight HSR stations at Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Billimora and Vapi and two Rolling stock depots at Sabarmati and Surat," it added. As per the statement, the Bullet Train station is planned above the existing platform of the Vadodara station to ensure seamless integration with the railways. Live TV #mute To give you the feel of being on the 7th cloud, the Indian Railways is constructing the iconic arch bridge on river Chenab which is 1.3 km long and is located in district Reasi, Jammu, and Kashmir. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently tweeted the picture of the upcoming bridge which was seen over the clouds. The world's highest #arch #ChenabBridge over the clouds, read the tweet. The construction of the world's highest railway bridge across the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district is nearing completion. The Rs 1,250-crore bridge, which is 359 meters above the Chenab river bed, will be 35 meters taller than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, officials said. As per official sources, the bridge is designed for blast load in consultation with DRDO for the first time in India. The iconic arch bridge will be able to withstand up to 8 magnitude earthquakes and is designed to bear earthquake forces of highest intensity zone-V in India. The bridge is a part of the Udhampur-Reasi-AnantnagSrinagar-Baramulla railway project and can withstand a blast of 30 kg of explosives. Read also: Heritage train in snow-clad Shimla attracting tourists in a large number The overall length of the bridge is 1,315 meters, having 17 spans, of which the main steel arch portion across the Chenab river is 476 meters in length and its height is 359 meters above the river bed. The project work is being carried out by AFCONS Construction Company through Konkan Railway. Officials overseeing the project on the ground said that more than 1,300 workers and 300 engineers have been working round-the-clock to complete the bridge in time. The construction work started in 2004, but the work was briefly stopped in 2008-09 because of the safety of rail passengers due to frequent high-velocity winds in the area. With inputs from agencies Live TV #mute New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday granted permission to Enforcement Directorate to rely on the report of court-appointed forensic auditors in its charge sheet to be field against Unitech's former promoters Sanjay Chandra, Ajay Chandra and others. A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah gave permission to the ED to rely on the Grant Thornton report with the probe agency saying it will make the case stronger against the Chandras. Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan, appearing for the ED, submitted that the agency is going to file the charge sheet next week in the money laundering case lodged the Chandras. This court has on October 6, 2021 refused to share the forensic auditors report with Chandra brothers and since now ED wants to rely upon the report, the agency is seeking court's permission and modification of the order, the bench said. The bench said that it is granting the permission, clarifying that the earlier order will not preclude the ED from relying upon the forensic auditors report. The bench also allowed realty firm Unitech's founder Ramesh Chandra to move the special PMLA court at Patiala House Court here to seek bail in a recent case registered against him by the ED. The top court also allowed Sanjay and Ajay Chandra, currently lodged in Mumbai jails, to have video conference meetings once every fortnight and said that their family members can talk to them as per the jail manual. On August 26 last year, the apex court had directed that the Chandra brothers be shifted from Tihar Jail in the national capital to Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail and Taloja prison in Maharashtra after the ED had said that they were conducting business from the jail premises in connivance with the staff. Under the direction of the top court, the Chandra brothers were shifted to jails in Mumbai. Also Read: Pre-booking of Samsung Galaxy S22 series begins in India, check how to book Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra Both Sanjay and Ajay, in jail since August 2017, are accused of allegedly siphoning home buyers' money. Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S22 versus S22+ versus S22 Ultra: Price, specs, features Live TV #mute New Delhi: Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar are celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary today. On Thursday, the two took to their respective Instagram handles and penned heartfelt posts for each other. Sharing a fam-jam picture, Mahesh Babu wrote, "So easily 17! Happy anniversary NSG. Many more to us... it's all about love." In the image, Mahesh Babu and Namrata can be seen sharing smiles with their children -- Gautam and Sitara. On the other hand, Namrata posted an adorable video featuring her pictures with Mahesh Babu right from their wedding day to the present day. "My little marriage recipe: Lots of love mixed with humour, trust, respect, kindness and patience. Let it simmer for a lifetime.. Tastes better each time," she captioned the clip. Namrata and Mahesh Babu met each other for the first time in 2000 at the muhurat of their film 'Vamsi', and after dating each other for a while, the two got married in 2005. New Delhi: Samsung has opened the pre-bookings for Samsung Galaxy S22 series, which includes Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and Galaxy S22 Ultra, in India. Customers can pre-register for the smartphones to receive them at the time of launch in the country. Moreover, as part of the introductory offer, Samsung is giving away a Galaxy SmartTag worth Rs 2,699 to customers pre-booking any one of the newly launched Galaxy flagship smartphones, which were launched on Wednesday (February 9), at the Galaxy Unpacked 2022 event. When will Samsung Galaxy S22 series launch in India? Samsung Galaxy S22 series is expected to launch in India and several other markets on February 25. However, as of now, the Korean electronics giant hasnt revealed the Indian pricing of smartphones. How to pre-book Samsung Galaxy S22 series in India: Customers can visit the official Samsung website to pre-book any of the Samsung Galaxy S22 series smartphones. Buyers are required to pay a pre-booking sum of Rs 1,999. The advance is refundable and will be adjusted in the final price of the smartphone. After the pre-booking is completed online, buyers will receive a pre-reserve VIP pass over email. They can use the pass to buy the booked Galaxy S22 model at the time of their launch in India. If you cancel the pre-reserve VIP pass, you will receive a 100 per cent refund directly to the original source of payment, Samsung mentioned on its website. Samsungs website noted that the pre-booking window will be live until February 21. Buyers who will pre-book the Galaxy S22 series smartphones are required to use the VIP pass by March 10, 2022. Also Read: RBI cant give definite timeline for launch of Digital Rupee, says Shaktikanta Das The coupon if not utilised till 23:59 hours on 10th Mar'22, will stand automatically cancelled and refund of the Pre-reserve VIP pass of amount Rs. 1999 will be generated to your source account from where you made the payment, Samsungs website read. Also Read: Airtel launches Xstream Premium at Rs 149 per month, offers 15 OTT services Live TV #mute New Delhi: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) the apex body of farmers on Thursday condemned the Allahabad High Court's decision granting bail to Union Minister of State (Home) Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. The SKM said that the order blurs the hope of a fair investigation and justice in the matter. The court on Thursday granted bail to Ashish Mishra, who was arrested in connection with the October 3, 2021 violence in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh that left eight people, including four farmers, dead. "The order of the Allahabad High Court granting bail to the chief accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri murder case, Ashish Mishra alias Monu, is unfortunate and surprising, the SKM said. The brutal case of four farmers and a journalist being crushed to death in broad daylight by the son of a Union Minister was a trial for the rule of law across the country. In such a case, despite clear evidence, the murder accused getting bail so soon, and that too on the first day of elections in Uttar Pradesh, is a matter of surprise," the umbrella organisation of over 40 farmer unions said in a statement. "It is also surprising that without any proof, it has been speculated by the high court that the driver must have driven the vehicle over the crowd in panic. The comments made by the court on the (farmers') agitation without any context are unwarranted. The court granting bail to Ashish Mishra without considering the firm possibility of a politically powerful accused influencing the witnesses is extremely disappointing. This order blurs the hope of a fair investigation and justice in this heinous murder case," it added. The SKM, which spearheaded a farmers' agitation against three agriculture laws of the Centre, demanded that the government should immediately file an appeal against the high court decision. Live TV Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked people to return the BJP to power or face the possibility of the state turning into a "Kashmir, Kerala or Bengal?. Adityanath made the remark in a six-minute video message on Twitter, on the eve of Thursday's polling for the first phase of the assembly elections in UP. The CM said he was concerned that rioters, whose activities were curbed by his government, are now feeling uneasy. Terrorists are making threats, he added. "Be alert. If you miss this time, the five-year effort will be washed away. And it will take no time for UP to become Kashmir, Kerala or Bengal." "This vote will be your guarantee to a life without fear,? Adityanath said in his appeal to voters. The chief minister said he is satisfied that UP is now free from professional criminals and the terror of the mafia. The Hindus who migrated from their home have returned, he said, in a possible reference of the alleged exodus of traders after threats from criminals in Shamli's Kairana town some years back. Those who used to issue threats and extort money from traders are either in jail or left the state, he said. He claimed police now work without any political interference, and women can move about freely. The CM said he never worked in a "biased manner" during his term, there was no scam and no one could raise a charge of corruption of "a single paisa against him. Highlighting the work done by his government in the past five years, Adityanath said it succeeded in providing electricity in all villages. He claimed such development work had not been done over the past 70 years. We built toilets and this was not a move to get your votes. It was a matter of our mothers' pride. Elections will come and go but now women will not have to work on the 'chulha' (firewood stove)," he said. He also mentioned the Ayushman Bharat scheme for medical treatment, the construction of expressways and industrial corridors and the free ration given to 15 crore people during the Covid pandemic. He said medical colleges and oxygen plants are being established in all districts. Live TV Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a scathing attack on the Congress party for using late Chief of Defence Stadd (CDS) General Bipin Rawat`s name to gather votes in the upcoming assembly elections here. Hitting out at the Congress party while addressing Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Srinagar city, PM Modi reminded that a top Congress leader once called late CDS Gen Bipin Rawat Sadak ka Gunda`. "The Congress party is using late CDS Gen Bipin Rawat`s name to gather votes. They did politics over his name after his appointment as the first CDS of the country. A leader of this party even called him `Sadak ka Gunda`," Prime Minister said. Uttarakhand | BJP issued resolution document for the next 5 yrs, this resolution document empowers the farmers & youth. This decade will be the decade of Uttarakhand: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/m50dwqYEPR ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 10, 2022 Remembering late CDS Rawat, PM Modi said that the people of Uttarakhand have always protected the country like a vigilant watchdog. "Today, memories of such a brave son of Pauri Garhwal, General Bipin Rawat ji are making me emotional. He showed the country that the people of Uttarakhand do not only have courage like mountains but also have high thinking like the Himalayas," PM Modi said. Prime Minister said Uttarakhand people can never forget the attitude of Congress leaders towards the Indian Army when they conducted surgical strikes on terrorist bases. "I remember some leaders (Congress) from Delhi also asked for proof," he added. India`s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat died in a helicopter crash in December last year. General Rawat was headed to Defence Services Staff College in Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course when his chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. He was India's longest-serving four-star General. General Rawat`s wife Madhulika Rawat and twelve other defence force personnel had also died in the helicopter crash. Uttarakhand is scheduled for polls on February 14 and the results will be announced on March 10. Live TV Kyiv: Ukraine criticised Russian naval exercises near its southern coast on Thursday (February 10), saying the presence of warships was part of a "hybrid war" that had made navigation in the Black Sea and Azov Sea virtually impossible. In a statement by the foreign ministry, Ukraine said Russia's actions "show blatant disregard for the rules and principles of international law" and that Kyiv would work together with partner countries to prepare a response. "Such aggressive actions by the Russian Federation as part of its hybrid war against Ukraine are unacceptable," the statement said. "This is a significant and unjustified complication of international shipping, especially trade, which can cause complex economic and social consequences, especially for the ports of Ukraine." Moscow is staging naval drills in the Black Sea this month at the same time as it holds ground drills north of Ukraine in Belarus, part of a show of force that the West says could be a precursor to an invasion, which Moscow denies. Russia said six warships had arrived at Sevastopol in Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. There was no immediate comment from Moscow on Ukraine's statements. Live TV Ukraine has long accused Russia of trying to strangle trade from its southern ports by mounting what it calls de facto blockades. Ukraine, one of the world`s leading exporters of steel, grain and sunflower oil, carries exports through ports on the Black and Azov Seas - Odessa, Pivdeny, Chornomorsk, Kherson, Mariupol and Berdyansk. RTHK: EU earmarks 150bn euros for investment in Africa The European Union has earmarked over 150 billion euros (US$170 billion) for investments in Africa under a global fund launched to offer an alternative to Chinese money, the European Commission said on Thursday. The investment would take up half of the EU's 300-billion-euro Global Gateway scheme, which was launched in December with the aim of strengthening Europe's supply chains and fighting climate change in sectors including health, energy and transport. It comes as many European states seek to reduce illegal migration from Africa, driven in part by poverty and joblessness, and as fossil fuel producers in Africa bristle against the strict carbon reduction goals set by richer nations to reduce global warming. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the regional plan at a news conference in Dakar with Senegalese President Macky Sall. How the funds will be disbursed or spent is not yet clear. At the launch of the Gateway fund in December, the EU said the money would come in the form of grants, loans or guarantees from EU institutions, governments, EU financial institutions and national development banks. An EU source said the 150 billion could come in payments of 20 billion per year, of which only 6 billion would come from EU funds and the rest from EU states and private investors. Beijing launched its Belt and Road project in 2013 to boost trade links with the rest of the world, and has been spending heavily on the development of infrastructure in dozens of countries around the world, not least in Africa. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: MPs put their best fashion foot forward The State of the Nation Address 2022 red carpet, while still a smaller affair than in previous years, did not stop Members of Parliament and other guests from putting their best fashion foot forward. The red carpet saw various guests making their way to the National Assembly wearing glamorous outfits by different designers. ANC MP Mandla Mandela arrived draped in his traditional leopard skin blanket worn by traditional leaders and an African print fit to commemorate the 60th anniversary of his grandfather President Nelson Mandelas trip into the continent in 1962 visiting a number of African countries. Mandela decided to dip into other African countries for inspiration as opposed to his IsiXhosa traditional attire he has been gracing the red carpet with, in previous years. He said that as a traditional leader, he has always tried to define who South Africans are as a people and Africans through his outfits. Mandela said Cape Town City Hall brings up emotions for the Mandela families as it is where his grandfather delivered his first speech as a free man. I want to emphasise that he delivered his first speech as a free man and we were able as South Africans to welcome him and also to see him home as a family for the first time throughout his incarceration. Today to see the President delivering his State of the Nation Address at the site where he was holding a microphone while Madiba delivered his speech really brings memories for us. We would want to hear President Ramaphosa touching on that legacy and what the founding father of our nation has left us with, he said. Mandela said he would like to hear the President speak to issues that are a challenge to democracy and democratic institutions which are symbols that South Africans pride themselves in. Deputy Minister in the Presidency Pinky Kekana arrived at the City Hall clad in a silky hot pink dress with a touch of red, including a waist-cinching belt. The Deputy Minister said she was wearing a dress by a young designer from Pretoria who goes by the name of Kgothatso. ANC MP and Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi arrived at the City Hall dressed in a Nigerian inspired gold ensemble, completed with a gele on her head. To complete the look, the minister added African beads on her neck and hand. Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula arrived draped in Xhosa regalia, flanked by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, ahead of the address by the President. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the SONA at 7pm. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Lucknow: After Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met families affected by violence during anti-CAA protests, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said those "repeatedly rejected" by people were still pursuing politics of appeasement and questioned the show of "sympathy for rioters". "Why so much sympathy to those who burn, vandalise your property? Why are they standing with rioters and hooligans who harm peace, security and public property of the country," a tweet from Yogi Adityanath Office said. "People are watching and they understand. Despite being rejected repeatedly, they are not desisting from politics of appeasement. They will never succeed in their designs," it said. The tweets came hours after Priyanka Gandhi made an unscheduled visit to Muzaffarnagar and Meerut districts to meet the affected families, but did not refer directly to her. "Maintaining peace and tranquillity is the responsibility of your government and it is fulfilling it with full commitment," another tweet said. Earlier on Saturday morning, Priyanka Gandhi met the families who have alleged police excesses during the recent protests against the amended Citizenship Act. MEA said, peace and security in this region is of utmost importance to India (Photo Credit: PTI File) New Delhi: India has called for restraint after killing of a top Iranian General by United States. Qasem Soleimani, head of Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm, was killed by drone strikes by US in Baghdad. India, in the first official reaction to the incident, said: "We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by US. Increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that situation doesn't escalate. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so." Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of "severe revenge" for "the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood" after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the commander of its Quds Force was killed in airstrikes outside a Baghdad airport. Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force and some local Iran-backed militias. Soleimani (62) was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind the Ayatollah Khamenei. His Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported directly to the ayatollah and he was hailed as a heroic national figure. The Pentagon confirmed the death of Soleimani in the air strike, saying the military action was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump. "At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation," the Pentagon said in a statement. The strike comes days after Trump threatened Tehran after Iraqi supporters of pro-Iranian regime factions laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad, following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction. The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27 - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. In Tehran, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack. He also announced three days of national mourning. Khamenei then extolled Soleimani saying dying for the cause was the general's great wish. "For years it was his wish to become a martyr, and finally God granted him his highest office", he said. President Hasan Rouhani, reacting to Soleimani's killing, said it had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values". Meanwhile, global oil prices have soared by more than four per cent in the wake of the attack. (With PTI Inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. There were others who also wanted Twitter to take down Kiran Bedias tweet saying that she was spreading fake news. (Photo Credit: Kiran Bedi/Twitter) New Delhi: It seems Sun is shining rather too bright on Puducherry Governor Kiran Bedi. The former IPS officer landed in soup after she posted an absurd tweet, which has been one of the popular desi science trivia. On Saturday, Bedi took to Twitter and posted an animated video clip that claimed that NASA recorded the sound of Sun and Sun chants Om. The one minute, fifty second long video is replete with screenshots of Hindu Gods and sketch of Om sign both in English and Hindi. Netizens soon begin trolling Bedi for the post, which has been time now and time again debunked as pure myth created by social media. Many lamented that Bedi post is a typical WhatsApp forward. Others questioned whether she has joined the BJPs IT cell. Once upon a time this lady was a hero to many. What a disgrace now!, said a Twitter user Sayed Usman. Another user posted a GIF from Hrithik Roshan-starrer Koi Mil Gaya. Old gissa pitta old doctored video neither NASA nor Isro confirmed this. Welcome to WhatsApp university, said another user. A user with Twitter handle @pirate_knightk taunted Bedi saying, She is like my father "whatsapp pe aaya hai to sach hi hoga. There were others who also wanted Twitter to take down Bedis tweet saying that she was spreading fake news. Why dont you take action against such misinformation? The person circulating the video is a well known one, and this can falsely influence many others, said one Biswa while tagging Twitter India. Mam pls delete this tweet. There is something called 'Science', urged one Amartya Das. The BJP leader and former IPS officer was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry in 2016. Bedi, who joined the BJP just before the 2015 Assembly elections in Delhi, had been the partys chief ministerial candidate. For all the Latest India News, South News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Carlos Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November 2018 and has been under house arrest since April, facing multiple charges of financial misconduct. (Photo Credit: Reuters) Beirut: Former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, who skipped bail in Japan and fled to Beirut, is due to be summoned by Lebanon's public prosecutor next week, an official said on Friday. Japanese investigators are probing how the man who was once the country's best paid corporate executive managed to slip out of house arrest and dodge trial, causing a national embarrassment. In Turkey, where Ghosn switched jets on his way to Beirut, a private aviation company said its aircraft were used illegally and filed a complaint after the authorities arrested seven individuals over the secret transit. The Lebanese authorities have already stressed that Ghosn -- who holds the French, Lebanese and Brazilian nationalities -- had entered the country legally and that Beirut had no extradition agreement with Japan. An official speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity said a summons was expected to be handed to Ghosn next week, as a result of Interpol issuing a "red notice" against him. "The Lebanese judiciary is obliged to hear him. But it can still decide whether to arrest him or let him remain free," the official said, adding that Ghosn could be heard on January 7 or 8. Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November 2018 and has been under house arrest since April, facing multiple charges of financial misconduct. An Interpol "red notice" is a request to law enforcement across the world to provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action. It is not an arrest warrant. The exact circumstances of Ghosn's escape remain unclear and Japanese investigators searched his Tokyo residence Thursday for clues. On Thursday, Kyodo News quoted an associate of Ghosn, Imad Ajami, as claiming the tycoon was helped by two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a music band for a Christmas party. But according to public broadcaster NHK, a surveillance camera at his Tokyo residence showed him leaving alone around noon on December 29 and not returning. In Turkey, the interior ministry opened an investigation into how Carlos Ghosn was able to switch private jets in Istanbul unnoticed. The probe is focused on two jets: one that flew from Osaka to Istanbul, from where another took off 45 minutes later, bound for Beirut. The Turkish private jet company MNG filed a complaint Friday alleging its aircraft were used illegally and said one employee admitted to falsifying the flight manifest to keep Ghosn off the passenger list. Ghosn said in a statement on Thursday that he acted alone without his family's help. The 65-year-old is due to speak to the media in Beirut next week. "I have not fled justice -- I have escaped injustice and political persecution," Ghosn had said in a December 31 statement. Ghosn has not been seen in public since he arrived in Lebanon, where he is believed to be holed up in a central Beirut residence. Ghosn, who was born in Brazil, is well connected in Lebanon, where he owns stakes in several major business ventures and firms. Some Lebanese see him as a symbol of their country's fabled entrepreneurial genius and a star representative of its vast diaspora. The mood has changed since his November 2018 arrest, however, and weeks into an unprecedented wave of protests against corruption and nepotism, activists saw his return as another manifestation of privilege and impunity for the super-rich. President Donald Trump warned of attacking 52 sites in Iran and will hit them avery fast and very harda if Tehran attacks American personnel or assets. (Photo Credit: File Photo) New Delhi: President Donald Trump on Saturday warned of attacking 52 sites in Iran and will hit them very fast and very hard if Tehran attacks American personnel or assets. In a tweet defending Fridays drone strike assassination of a top Iranian general in Iraq, Trump said 52 represents the number of Americans held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran for more than a year starting in late 1979. Trump said some of these sites are at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats! On Friday, Iran unfurled a 'red flag of revenge' on an important mosque in after vowing to avenge the killing of its top general in airstrike by US drones. The red flag was hoisted above the Jamkaran Mosque which is on the outskirts of the holy city of Qom, about 100 miles south of Tehran. In Shiite tradition, red flags symbolise both blood spilled unjustly and serve as a call to avenge a person who is slain. The text on the flag says: "Those who want to avenge the blood of Hussein". The flag can be seen as a clear warning that Iran is getting ready to strike back at America. General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds force and mastermind of its regional security strategy, was killed in an airstrike early Friday near the Iraqi capital's international airport. Soleimani and Mohandis were killed along with eight others in a precision drone strike early Friday as they drove away from Baghdad international airport in two vehicles. The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations described the killing of Soleimani as an act of war. The death of Quds Force commander Major General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiraling tensions between Iran and the United States, despite President Donald Trump's insistence he did not want war. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Sushil Modi added that punitive action would be taken against officials if they refuse to carry out NPR. (Photo Credit: PTI File) New Delhi: Bihar deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday said updation process of the National Population Register (NPR) will be carried out in the state from May 15 to May 28. This comes after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan penned a letter to 11 non-BJP chief ministers, including his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, regarding apprehensions over NRC, NPR. The statement comes after Kerala and West Bengal governments decided to put the exercise on hold in their respective states. Sushil Modi went on to add that administrative and punitive action would be taken against officials if they refuse to carry out the constitution mandated NPR. Addressing the press conference on Saturday, Sushil Modi said the process of preparing NPR began in 2010 during the UPA regime which was completed between April 1 to September 30 that year. The NPR process in 2020 will be carried out between April 1 to September 30 in the country. In Bihar it will be done between May 15 and May 28, 2020, Sushil Modi told reporters. He also dared West Bengal and Kerala chief ministers, Mamata Banerjee and P Vijayan respectively not to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the NPR if they can. Sushil Modi said that no state including can refuse to implement the CAA or NPR as the Centre has the power to bring legislation over citizenship. He added that preparing NPR is a statutory provision which no state can refuse to implement. Earlier, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to 11 non-BJP chief ministers, including Nitish Kumar, citing a resolution passed by the state demanding scrapping of the amended Citizenship Act and asking them to take similar steps against the contentious legislation. Kerala State Assembly on Tuesday passed resolution demanding the withdrawal of Citizenship Amendment Act. The resolution was earlier moved by Kerala chief Minister Pinarayi Vijyan. While presenting the resolution, Kerala CM said that CAA goes against the secular fabric of the nation and 'would lead to religion-based discrimination'. (With PTI inputs) Amit Shah also accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of misleading the people over the amended Citizenship Act and instigating riots. (Photo Credit: Twitter) New Delhi: BJP's national president Amit Shah on Sunday addressed a party booth workers conference in Delhi. Along with Shah, BJP working president JP Nadda, vice president Shyam Jaju and state party chief Manoj Tiwari among others attend the conference. During his address, Shah assured party workers that BJP will form government in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Shah also accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of misleading the people over the amended Citizenship Act and instigating riots. Shah assured members of minority communities that none of them will lose citizenship due to the CAA, saying the law is about giving citizenship to persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries and not taking it away from anybody. Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP president said he came to power fives years back by misleading people with a host of promises. Somebody can mislead people once but not all the time, he said, adding the BJP will come to power in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Here are the highlights: 13:53 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In 8866288662 was never Netflix's number, this is simply BJP's number to get support for CAA: Amit Shah 13:43 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Amit Shah says Kejriwal wasting money meant for public welfare on advertisements, asks if AAP govt has finished any work in five years. 13:42 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi mislead people on CAA: BJP chief Amit Shah 13:41 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In No one will citizenship because of CAA: Amit Shah in Delhi 13:40 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In We developed a riverfront for Chhath Puja: Amit Shah 13:38 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP will start Mohalla Sabha in Delhi: Amit Shah 13:38 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Somebody can mislead people once but not all the time: Shah's swipe at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during address to party workers 13:35 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP will form govt in Delhi under leadership of Narendra Modi:Amit Shah 13:33 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Union Home Minister and BJP National President Shri Amit Shah is addressing Booth Karyakarta Sammelan in New Delhi. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. HRD Ministry seeks immediate report from JNU registrar over violence on campus (Photo Credit: Twitter ) New Delhi: The HRD Ministry on Sunday sought an immediate report from JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar about the situation on the campus after masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property there. We have sought an immediate report from the JNU registrar about the situation on the campus. We have spoken to the vice chancellor and Delhi police officials to ensure that peace is maintained on the campus, officials told PTI. Violence broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday night as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police. At least 18 people were injured and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh suffered a head injury. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: DSSSB recruitment notification has been released for various such as Assistant Grade I, Store Keeper and Inspecting Officer. A total of 256 vacancies in various categories are going to be filled through this recruitment drive. All eligible and interested candidates need to apply online by visiting the official website of Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board. The online application process for various posts will start from January 21, 2020 and the last date to submit the application form is February 20, 2020. Other than this, candidates should make sure to go through the official notification and eligibility criteria carefully before applying for the respective posts. It is note that DSSSB is going to fill vacancies for the positions of Assistant Grade I, Store Keeper, Ahlmad, Electrical Overseer, Inspecting Officer, Workshop Instructor, Caretaker, Laboratory Assistant (Various Disciplines), Scientific Assistant (Various Disciplines), Senior Scientific Assistant (Various Disciplines), and Laboratory Technician (Various Disciplines). In order to apply for the respective posts, candidates need to meet the following eligibility criteria: Candidates applying for the post of Store Keeper, candidates need to have Bachelors Degree or Diploma from a recognized institute. Apart from this, candidates applying for the Assistant Grade 1 post need to have pass senior secondary examination and will have to pass English Typewriting test with minimum speed of 35 words per minute or 30 words per minute in Hindi Typewriting Test. To apply for the Ahlmad post, candidates need to have passed Higher Secondary exam from a recognized board. For the Driver post, candidates should have passed Middle School exam and must have valid heavy vehicles driving license with knowledge of motor mechanics. For the Inspecting Officer post, candidates need to have Bachelors degree in Labour Law from a recognized university. Further, Diploma in Electrical Engineering is required for the post of Electrical Overseer. New Delhi: CAT 2019 result is declared, and candidates who appeared for the Common Admission Test need to visit the official website, i.e. iimcat.ac.in to check and download the CAT 2019 Scorecard. Earlier, the CAT 2019 exam was held on November 25, 2019, and the result is declared today. The CAT 2019 Result notification is already flashing at the homepage. The notification that is flashing on the website states that the CAT 2019 Result will be declared today by 5:00 PM, however CAT 2019 Scorecard download link has been activated. In order to check and download the CAT 2019 Scorecard, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps: First, visit the official website, i.e. iimcat.ac.in Then, navigate and click on the CAT 2019 Scorecard link that is available on the homepage A new window will open Enter the registration number and password to access the result page Check and CAT 2019 Scorecard and take a printout for future reference It is to note that the CAT Scores and percentile will be mentioned on the scorecard. Admission to IIMs 2020-22 batch will depend upon the CAT cut off released by the respective colleges. Candidates can also check the CAT 2019 Score Card by clicking on the below mentioned direct link. CAT 2019 Score Card New Delhi: Two mortar rounds hit the Iraqi capital's Green Zone Saturday and two rockets slammed into a base housing US troops, security sources said, a day after a deadly American strike. The precision drone strike outside the Baghdad airport on Friday killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, top Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and a clutch of other Iranian and Iraqi figures. In Baghdad, mortar rounds on Saturday evening hit the Green Zone, the high-security enclave where the US embassy is based, security sources said. The Iraqi military said that one projectile hit inside the zone, while another landed close to the enclave. Sirens rang out at the US compound, sources there told AFP. A pair of Katyusha rockets then hit the Balad airbase north of Baghdad, where American troops are based, security sources and the Iraqi military said. Security sources there reported blaring sirens and said surveillance drones were sent above the base to locate the source of the rockets. The US embassy in Baghdad as well as the 5,200 American troops stationed across the country have faced a spate of rocket attacks in recent months that Washington has blamed on Iran and its allies in Iraq. One attack last month killed a US contractor working in northern Iraq, prompting retaliatory American air strikes that killed 25 hardline fighters close to Iran. Tensions boiled over on Friday when the US struck Soleimani's convoy as it drove out of the airport and US diplomats and troops across Iraq had been bracing themselves for more rocket attacks. The Green Zone is the common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It is home to government offices and foreign embassies of many countries, including America. It is a 10-square-kilometer (3.9 sq mi) area in the Karkh district of central Baghdad. It was the governmental center of the Coalition Provisional Authority during the occupation of Iraq after the American-led 2003 invasion and remains the center of the international presence in the city. Earlier, thousands of mourners marched in Baghdad in the funeral procession for Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and others killed in a US drone strike. Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi joined Muhandis associate Hadi al-Ameri, Shiite cleric Ammar al-Hakim, former premier Nuri al-Maliki and other pro-Iran figures in a large crowd. According to reports, thousands of mourners marched in the funeral procession through Baghdad with many chanting: "Death to America". General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds force and mastermind of its regional security strategy, was killed in an airstrike early Friday near the Iraqi capital's international airport. Soleimani and Mohandis were killed along with eight others in a precision drone strike early Friday as they drove away from Baghdad international airport in two vehicles. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: India on Sunday strongly condemned the "targeted killing" of a minority Sikh community member in Pakistan's Peshawar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should stop "prevaricating" and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. "India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the MEA said. It said the government of Pakistan should act in defence of their own minorities instead of "preaching sermons" about it to other countries. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Manoj Tiwari is seen as one of the frontrunners for the post of chief minister. (Photo Credit: File Photo) New Delhi: Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari on Saturday took a jibe at AAP government in Delhi over registry of properties in unauthorised colonies and demanded apology from Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for spreading lies and misleading people over regularising the unauthorised colonies in the national capital. Addressing a press conference, the Delhi BJP chief said, Kejriwal should apologise to people for spreading lies. We will take legal action against him if he does not apologise to them in the next 24 hours. Tiwari added that registration of properties had already begun in unauthorised colonies and accused the AAP government of obstructing and misleading people over regularising the unauthorised colonies in Delhi. On Friday, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri handed over the registry papers of houses to 20 residents of unauthorised colonies. However, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal questioned the authenticity of property documents being given by Puri, saying how can the registries be made without regularising unauthorised colonies. Earlier, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia had also attacked the Centre on the issue of unauthorised colonies, and had asked whether BJP's promise to regularise these areas was just an election gimmick. The Centre has launched the Pradhan Mantri Unauthorised Colonies Awas Yojna (PMUDAY) to grant ownership rights to people living in unauthorised colonies. Addressing a mega rally from Delhis Ramlila Maidan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier patted governments back for fulfilling its promise of regularising the unauthorised colonies in Delhi. Moreover, with Delhi set to go to elections next year, Manoj Tiwari is seen as one of the frontrunners for the chief ministerial post in the BJP. Tiwari belongs to Purvanchal, a region that also has a sizable population in Delhi-NCR. (With PTI inputs) Investors would keep an eye on Brent crude movement and trend in the domestic currency. (Photo Credit: File Photo) New Delhi: Geopolitical developments in the Middle East would the major driving factor for the Indian equity indices this week and will also have a bearing on crude oil prices and rupee movement, analysts said. Global markets were thrown into fresh turmoil on Friday after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq, marking a dangerous escalation in tensions in the volatile region. World leaders reacted to the killing with alarm, even as Iran vowed "severe revenge". Hardening his stance, US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Tehran that the America will hit Iran "harder than they have ever been hit before" if it carried out retaliatory attacks. "In near term, markets could be volatile going ahead due to risk of possible retaliation from Iran. On the positive side, markets would be looking ahead for signing of the phase 1 of the US-China trade deal along with the December quarterly results and developments prior to the Union Budget which might keep the momentum intact," said Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services. On the macroeconomic front, PMI data for the services sector and industrial production data will be announced this week. "With market testing new highs, emergence of geopolitical tensions could force people to book some profits. Crude prices could turn volatile due to risk of possible retaliation from Iran which could impact the performance in the short-term," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services. Investors would keep an eye on Brent crude movement and trend in the domestic currency. "Crude rallied and rupee came under pressure due to geopolitical tension and this will remain a key headwind for this week also. In terms of domestic cues, Q4 earnings will kick in this week where in Infosys will post its results on Friday," said Santosh Meena, Senior Analyst, TradingBells. Brent crude futures had surged 4.4 per cent to USD 69.16 per barrel on supply concerns on Friday. The rupee plunged by 42 paise to settle at a one-and-a-half-month low of 71.80 against the US currency on Friday due to the spike in crude oil prices. During the last week, the Sensex slipped 110.53 points or 0.26 per cent. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: MPSC Civil Judge Online Application 2020 has been started. Maharashtra Public Service Commission is conducting this recruiting drive to fill vacant positions of Civil Judge in Junior Division and Judicial Magistrate First Class. All eligible and interested candidates need to apply for the Civil Judge Prelims exam 2020 latest by January 23, 2020. Candidates need to apply online at the official website of MPSC, i.e. mpsc.gov.in. Candidates must make sure to go through the official notification carefully before applying for the respective post. A total of 74 vacant positions of Civil Judge (Junior Division & Judicial Magistrate) are going to be filled through this recruitment drive. In order to apply for the Civil Judge post, candidates should have LLM degree from a recognized university. For more details, candidates need to refer the official notification. Apart from this, candidates must be in the age group of 21 to 50 years to apply for the Civil Judge posts. Age relaxation is given as per government norms. In order to apply for the Civil Judge post, candidates must visit the official website of Maharashtra Public Service Commission, i.e. mpsc.gov.in and then click on the online application tab. Then, candidates need to click and download the MPSC Civil Judge Online Application notification. After reading the notification carefully candidates must proceed further to fill the application form. Candidates can click on the below mentioned direct link to check the MPSC Civil Judge Online Application Notification 2020. MPSC Civil Judge Online Application Notification 2020 Direct Link New Delhi: BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi and Pakistani minister Fawad Chaudhry were involved in a spat on Saturday over the mob attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, when the latter took to Twitter to term her allegation of persecution of minorities in his country "fake propaganda". At a press conference on Saturday, BJP leaders Meenakshi Lekhi and Tarun Chugh condemned the attack on the gurdwara, with the former saying, "Nankana Sahib is of huge symbolic importance because it is the religious shrine of Baba Nanak and is relevant across the globe to all Sikhs. It is the holiest shrine for Sikhism. Baba Nanak was born there." Reacting to Lekhi's comment which was posted on Twitter, the Pakistani Minister for Science and Technology tweeted, "Yes we know that and huge respects for our Sikh brethren but BJP spokesperson giving lectures on diversity and religious harmony is like pot calling the kettle black, you guys are most bigoted bunch of haters so stop fake propaganda." Lekhi hit back immediately saying Chaudhry should "take charge" of initiating action against those involved in the incident and also "stop conversions, rape and abductions taking place in Pakistan". "I am happy that Fawad has come up in response to this press conference. My request to him would be that he should take charge and work against the people who have caused such a mayhem in Pakistan. Put them behind bars, take action against them, stop conversions, stop rapes, stop abductions and that's the duty he should comply with," she told reporters. Attacking the Pakistani minister over his "fake propaganda" remarks, Lekhi said, "Fawad should worry more about Imran Khan's tweets and the fake propaganda he has indulged in... he also deleted it." Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had shared a video on his Twitter handle claiming that it was of police violence targeting Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. He captioned it --"Indian police's pogrom against Muslims in UP". Twitterati soon called out the Pakistan prime minister for tweeting fake news to target India. Later, the tweeted videos were deleted from his account. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: The Congress said on late Thursday night that it had conveyed its stand about portfolio allocation to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Congresss Ashok Chavan spoke to reporters after a meeting of leaders of the ruling coalition of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress. The meeting on Thursday night was attended by Chavan, Maharashtra Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat, NCPs Ajit Pawar and Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde and others. The Congress, which has got 12 berths in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, wants two additional departments relating to rural areas. We gave our proposal to the CM. He will take a call, Chavan said while downplaying reports about resentment in the party over portfolio distribution. Congress sources had said earlier that the party was upset that it did not get any of the ministries which have a bearing on rural areas, such as agriculture, rural development and cooperation. According to the power-sharing arrangement the three parties reached, Congress has got 12 ministries, including 10 cabinet berths. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray was sworn-in as chief minister on November 28 along with six ministers. Earlier, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had said that portfolios would be allocated on Thursday or Friday. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: TNFUSRC Forest Watcher Marks has been released on the official website. Candidates who appeared for the Forest Watcher Exam need to visit the official website of Tamil Nadu Forest Uniformed Services Recruitment Committee to view the marks. Earlier, the Forest Watcher Exam was conducted on October 4, 5, and 9, 2019. After that, the Forest Watcher answer key was released on October 17, 2019. Candidates were given the time period from October 18, 2019 to October 20, 2019 to challenge questions and raise objections accordingly. In order to download the TNFUSRC Forest Watcher Marks, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps: First visit the official website of Tamil Nadu Forest Uniformed Services Recruitment Committee Then, click on the TNFUSRC Forest Watcher Marks Notification link that is available on the homepage A new page will open Enter the respective details in the form of Registration Number, Date of Birth and Captcha Code Click on the submit button and check the TNFUSRC Forest watcher Marks Download the TNFUSRC Forest watcher Marks and take a printout for future reference Alternatively, candidates can also click on the below mentioned direct link to download the TNFUSRC Forest watcher Marks. TNFUSRC Forest Watcher Marks Direct Link New Delhi: The Citizenship (Amendment) Act will impact both Hindus and Muslims, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday, appealing to the people to reject the "unnecessary" legislation. Responding to a question during a town hall meeting in New Delhi, Kejriwal said he appeals to the Centre with "folded hands" to roll back the "controversial legislation". "We don't need this law it is completely unnecessary. Where will we accommodate two crore Hindus from Pakistan," the chief minister said. The Centre should first take care of its citizens and then, people from other countries, he said. "I do not understand this legislation. The need of the hour is to provide employment to our children rather than bringing this legislation which is not needed in India," Kejriwal said. Members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 and face religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship, according to the Act. The issue over the amended citizenship law is not about Hindus and Muslims. The Act will affect people from both religions, Kejriwal said. KABUL: Afghanistan's Taliban government has invited professors who fled the country following the fall of the previous administration in August last year to return home and start teaching. According to Khaama Press, the Ministry of Higher Education has committed to give professors with the same financial and working conditions that they had before the Taliban took control of the country. "A country's development is entirely based on its educational system," the statement read. "As a result, the Ministry of Higher Education of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly encourages all teachers of public colleges to return to Afghanistan." Other Afghan specialists and academics in exile have also been requested by the Ministry to return to Afghanistan and fill vacant teaching positions in universities. According to a BBC report published earlier this month, 229 professors from Afghanistan's top three universities have left the country. Professors from Kabul University, Herat University, and Balkh University were in attendance. The majority of the professors who left had Masters or Ph.D. degrees. Public universities in tropical provinces have reopened, with non-tropical provinces set to open by the end of March. As Afghanistan's economy falls, over 1 million Afghans have fled to Iran Afghan women takes centre stage at European Parliament Educational crisis: Since Taliban takeover 229 professors left Afghanistan US detects Russia moving additional forces closer to Ukraine border 10 February, 16:34 U.S. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby (Photo:Lisa Ferdinando / Department of Defense) Moscow is continuing to deploy more troops in close proximity to Ukraines borders, U.S. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said during a briefing on Feb. 9. And as for troop numbers buildup we have continued to see, even over the last 24 hours, additional capabilities flow from elsewhere in Russia to their border with Ukraine and in Belarus, Kirby said. According to him, the U.S. Department of Defense continues to see growth in the number of Russian troops around Ukraine and Belarus, with additional battalion tactical groups on their way. Read also: Ukraine reports ceasefire violation by Russian proxy forces in the Donbas Every day he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) adds to his (military) options, every day he adds to his capabilities, every day he continues to destabilize what is already a very tense situation, said the press secretary. A Russian troop buildup that began in late autumn on the Ukrainian border was first widely reported in early December 2021, with several media outlets speculating that Russia might invade Ukraine with a force of 175,000 troops in early 2022. On Feb. 5, Reuters reported that U.S. officials estimate Russian forces are at 70% of the level needed for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Currently, there are approximately 140,000 Russian troops surrounding Ukraine, from Russia, Belarus, and the temporarily occupied territories. According to U.S. government sources, the number of Russian battalion tactical groups surrounding Ukraine has increased from 60 to 84 over the last two weeks, with further 14 in transit. The United States sees indications that Russia is preparing for a major offensive against Ukraine by mid-February, according to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. The Kremlin denies gearing up for invasion, and has instead accused Ukraine of planning false flag operations, as well as of drawing up plans to use force to restore Kyivs control over territories lost since 2014. However, the Kremlin has declined to provide a guarantee of non-invasion, and has supplied no evidence of this alleged planned Ukrainian offensive. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News The Nepal governments announcement to establish a land bank in 300 local units in FY 2020/21 was a matter of shock than a surprise for many as it was out when the newly formed Land Commission was preparing to resolve ages-old land-related problems. The debate surfaced for and against it in tandem with the effort to provide land to landless without substantive efforts to dissect inherent problems or stitch opportunities about the need and appropriateness of the land bank. The government believes that the proposed land bank programme will reduce the trend of abandoning arable land and substantively increase production. However, the contribution of the policy towards equity and efficiency remains unknown as the government did not pilot the project to examine its applicability in the existing local realities. It has become urgent to debunk the myths used for the programme and to show how secured land access is critical to protect livelihoods by first addressing the question of landlessness, informalities, guthis, the land beyond ceiling sand tenancy land separation. The failed idea According to United Nations Food and Agriculture Office (FAO), land bank functions for the acquisition, sale or lease of agricultural land. It has been largely implemented in Western European countries as a land consolidation instrument since the 2000s, with the support of FAO. But, the results are not promising. According to FAO, farm size, land fragmentation and land abandonment are the key elements to be considered for the application of land bank. These are necessary but not sufficient in the case of Nepal, where the land question broadly revolves around land use pattern, land access, land tenure security, land ownership and land governance, which are out of the radar of the land banks. It has been criticised for being designed to divert the real land reform discourse in Nepal in the past. Despite the strong disagreements from the civil society group, this year too, the government announced to establish at least 50 branches in each of seven provinces without any detailed conceptual policy framework. This programme contradicts the work of the current National Land Commission. Two contradictory programmes create a lot of confusion about the governments land reform approach. Anti-poverty or anti-poor? Photo: Bikash Shrestha The importance of land rights for sustainable development is recognised to achieve the 2030 agenda of global development. In a fragile economy like Nepal, the land is more than a means for livelihood. Nepal no longer remains an agrarian country, that is why land governance has broader implications beyond the sphere of agricultural production. Thus, it is important to take into consideration the way in which access to land is regulated and defined by the specific policy measures. The land bank neither considers tenure security nor advances land access nor generates economic benefit for landless and may perpetuate poverty, injustice and marginalisation by structurally facilitating land tenure concentration among landed and corporate families. The land bank or any other programmes targeted for land reform in our context are expected to facilitate the transformation of the system, practice and structure that govern land by restructuring the land tenure arrangements, redistributing agricultural land and shifting power to marginalised, poor and landless in line with social justice principles. But, the government attempted it as a mere technical intervention to resolve the land management issues rather than as the element of a broader land reform process to address the inherent land inequality. The government itself is not clear about how the land bank policy can reduce existing problems and avoid future unequal concentration of landholdings under a distorted policy regime. The land bank programme seems to be designed as a mere technical solution to land management on a political or bureaucratic whim than as the element of a broader land reform process to address the inherent land inequality. That is why the individuals who are targeted to benefit from the programme are often politically powerful. The policy puzzle Photo: Bikash Shrestha Land reform efforts of the government lack an appropriate and sustainable conceptual model. Therefore, multiple institutions, programmes and projects initiated by the government often with overlapping competencies, and responsibilities, contradictory approaches and high resource requirements focus on the symptoms than addressing the underlying causes of land inequality. Thus, the land reform process in Nepal has become messy. This is an opportune moment to review the land reform programme including land bank to envision the opportunities or irreversible consequences of such processes, which may have longer-term policy implications in the context where around 1.3 million people are legally landless and when it is all unknown about the land available for land banking. The latest changes in the land policies support the land market and seek to achieve increased agricultural production with no land ownership. In most cases, they misleadingly use the language of land rights to safeguard the control of the elites over land and promote capitalism through the creation of land markets. The concept of a land bank is opposite to the governments law that prohibits keeping land fallow and the provision for discouraging the absentee land ownership of the constitution [Article 51E]. In this context, extra structures with a huge investment of state resources are not the real need. Rather, the government needs to support Land Commission in providing land for housing and agriculture to the people deprived of land rights immediately. The land bank programme is destined to fail not only from its design but also from the interplay of rapidly changing social structure, the capacity of the government, peoples needs and spatial geo-specificities. The failure of the so-called land reform programmes one after another calls for reconceptualising the land question and redesigning the overall land reform agenda to achieve sustainable development in Nepal. Home Just In Wedding photography in Nepal has skyrocketed as a business. Fotopasal is an example Going back to a decade ago, wedding photography in Nepal was not anything like it is today. Weddings were usually captured by either a local photographer from a local photo studio or by some friends having cameras. In such a scene, Sampurna Manandhar founded Fotopasal in 2011. Although the enterprise today has been one of the most sought-after service providers for wedding photography, Manandhar did not have any specific plan for wedding photography then. This accidental development of the business is reflective of how wedding photography as a business has skyrocketed in Nepal. Setting a standard Manoj Shrestha, the executive director and senior cinematographer at Fotopasal, says, Fotopasal was not a planned effort. Sampurna dai used to cover some weddings on his own, and this is how it started. Soon, his friend Buddha Singh Maharjan, who used to do model photoshoots in a magazine, joined him. Shrestha says the duo aimed to take wedding photography to the next level. Sampurna dai used to share his experience on covering weddings. He told that photographers were not treated with respect in the wedding. Manoj Shrestha. Photo: Aryan Dhimal With an aim to change that and standardise the level of wedding photography, the duo named their company and marketed it, creating a Facebook page in 2013. Everybody considered this as a bad business move back then, expresses Shrestha. But, the demand gradually grew and Jeena Rajkarnikar joined the team to look after editing. Over the years, the team gradually acquired the market of wedding photography in Nepal. In 2014, Manoj Shrestha joined the team and introduced plans for making promos, short videos, and music videos too for weddings. It was only after that we properly started the official journey of Fotopasal by setting up our office, he says, It has been around nine years since then. Before that, we used to meet the clients outside either in a restaurant or other places. We used to outsource videographers, but we have a staff team today. Behind the scenes Manandhar and Shrestha worked together for an ISP for four years. While working there, I and Sampurna dai bought cameras, after which we used to go out at night and click pictures. We used to always carry our camera while coming to the office. And, it became a daily routine. Then, one of their colleagues offered both a job to cover his friends wedding and reception. And, they jointly did it, receiving Rs 8,000 as rumeneration. But, nearly a decade down the line, the company charges Rs 60,000 to Rs 100,000 for an event. After that friends assignment, I became busy in my job and could not continue photography. However, I used to sporadically do videography as a hobby, Shrestha shares, But, Sampurna dai continued wedding photography. One day, when Shrestha showed some of his works, Manandhar asked if they could make similar short videos of the wedding events too. The first wedding video we made was for a well-off family, and we got very good feedback, says Shrestha. Fotopasal office. Photo: Aryan Dhimal In the beginning, we faced some difficulty making people understand this concept (of making extra videos), especially the older generations. They were not satisfied with photoshoots and especially short wedding videos, and they used to complain that it was too short. To make people understand their vision of standardised wedding photography, they used to show them sample pictures of promotional photoshoots they did earlier. Gradually, this problem disappeared, according to Shrestha. Establishing a big name Fotopasal initially did not have the capacity to cover more than one event in a day. After Buddha joined the team, Fotopasal scaled up enough to do two weddings in a day and as of now, it can do six to eight weddings a day. We had no idea that Fotopasal would reach this height when we started this. We credit the word of mouth from our clients for this immense growth, expresses Shrestha. He remembers when they wanted to upscale their company, they approached some good photographers, but they refused to do so as they were doubtful about its sustainability. But, the same photographers are in the wedding photography business today. Sampurna dai was working at two other places and wedding photography was his hobby only initially. After the business grew enough to assure him the security, he left the other two jobs, Shrestha narrates, He started with limited resources that included a camera, two lenses, flash and speed light, but great passion and vision. Whereas in normal times, Fotopasal can over six to eight weddings a day, the highest number of weddings it covered in a day was 19. But then, we realised we need to focus more on maintaining quality. Therefore, we limit ourselves to taking six to eight weddings in a day, he shares. Photo: Fotopasal, USA. Some photos of actress Barsha Raut and Sanjog Koirala, captured by Fotopasal. Photo: Fotopasal. The company also makes documentaries, music videos, promotional videos and provides other event-based photography services. Nonetheless, its major identity is wedding photography. Fotopasal has catered their services extensively not only in Kathmandu but also in Chitwan, Pokhara and Biratnagar. We are the same four people in the core team of Fotopasal till date. But, currently, Sampurna and Jeena are in the USA, and they are handling Fotopasal outlets in the USA for the past seven years. Plus, we have 19 staff which includes five photographers, four videographers and editors and a front desk officer. Fotopasal is soon planning to establish another outlet in Australia to cater to needs of Nepalis living there. Description Join our attorney Britt Burner, Esq. as our friends at the Westhampton Free Library welcome us back to discuss updates to Estate Planning in 2022. In addition to basic estate planning documents, she will review the process of probate, current estate tax levels and how to protect assets. Register with us here Contact us at 631-941-3434 or by email at info@burnerlaw.com with any questions. * Indonesia says deals made on munitions, subs, satellite * Six jets will be shipped in next months, 36 to come later * France seeks to build Indo-Pacific ties after AUKUS snub * Dassault shares rally on Indonesia Rafale deal news (Adds deal value, details from French defence ministry official) By Tassilo Hummel and Stanley Widianto JAKARTA, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Indonesia will order 42 Rafale fighter jets in a $8.1 billion deal, France's defence ministry said on Thursday, as part of a series of agreements also including submarine development and ammunition, making Jakarta the biggest French arms client in the region. The deal comes as Paris, which views itself as a global maritime power, seeks to expand geopolitical ties https://reut.rs/3ss5PK0 in the Indo-Pacific after the United States, Britain and Australia created a new strategic alliance last year called AUKUS. "We're planning to acquire 42 Rafale," said Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto as he met with his French counterpart, Florence Parly. "Our strategic partnership will benefit from the deepening of our defence relations," said France's Minister of the Armed Forces Parly. The order would make Indonesia the second state in the Indo-Pacific region after India to rely on the jet produced by Dassault Aviation, Parly said. A French defence ministry official told journalists in a briefing that the jet deal, which will boost production at Dassault Aviation, Safran and Thales, is worth $8.1 billion. A first phase of the deal, over six Rafale jets, will be executed over the next months, while the remaining 36 will be delivered at a later stage, either late this year or next year, he added. Dassault Aviation said the deal marked the start of a long-term partnership and would allow it to rapidly step up its presence in Indonesia. Its shares climbed around 4% on news of the agreement. Thursday's agreement will make Indonesia -- currently ranking second after Singapore -- France's biggest military procurement client in the Southeast Asia region, the defence ministry official said. Story continues In addition to the fighter jets, Indonesia has also signed a memorandum to cooperate on the development of submarines which is set to result in an order of two Scorpene vessels, produced by Naval Group, the French defence ministry said. The issue is sensitive for France https://reut.rs/3oDxx5h following Australia's cancellation of a multi-billion dollar submarine deal last year with Paris, which accused its allies of backstabbing. Asked by journalists whether the developments surrounding the AUKUS alliance and the failed Australian submarine purchase influenced negotiations with Indonesia, a French defence ministry spokesperson said: "I don't think so, neither in one way nor the other." "We have an Indo-Pacific strategy, we have the determination to maintain our defence industry and thus to export," he said. Indonesia too has expressed concern https://reut.rs/3nic5kT about AUKUS, wary the use of the nuclear-powered submarines could add to geopolitical tensions in Southeast Asia, a region where China has considerable clout. Indonesia's defence minister, however, has said he understood https://reut.rs/3snZMpG why the alliance was formed. The country has been seeking to overhaul its ageing air fleet for a while, which up until today includes U.S.-made F-16 and Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 jets. Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Parly on Thursday and welcomed the signing of deals on submarine development, satellite procurement, and ammunition production. "I hope that defence partnerships aren't just focused on munition purchases, but also keeping in mind the development and joint production, technological transfer, and investment in defence industries," Jokowi, as the president is known, said in the statement. (Reporting by Tassilo Hummel in Paris and Stanley Widianto in Jakarta; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Martin Petty and David Evans) Andy Murray reached the second round at the Rotterdam Open after a 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 win over Kazakhstans Alexander Bublik. Murray was playing in his first match since his second-round defeat at the Australian Open and facing an opponent who had won his maiden ATP Tour title last week by beating world number three Alexander Zverev in the final of the Open Sud de France. Both players spurned break opportunities in the opening set before Bublik made the breakthrough to lead 6-5, prompting Murray to throw down his racket in frustration. There will be more Murray magic to come in Rotterdam! @andy_murray clears his opening hurdle at the #abnamrowtt, with an impressive win over Montpellier champion Bublik: 7-6(6) 6-4. pic.twitter.com/TGF8weklvq ABN AMRO WTT (@abnamrowtt) February 9, 2022 However, he immediately levelled and took the opening set after a tie-break. Murrays break of serve in the seventh game of the second set put him on course to serve for the match and he duly did so to love and will play Canadas Felix Auger Aliassime in the next round. Im looking forward to that one, Murray told Amazon Prime after the match. Hes started the year very well, one of the best young players just now. Ill need to be on my game if I want to beat him but its a great test for me and well see what happens out there. There were some tough moments in the first set for both of us. I just managed to come through at the end of it hit some great returns off some big second serves at the end and did a good job. Its not easy playing against someone like that hes going for huge serves, a lot of drop shots and at times is looking disinterested but is still trying. You have to keep your focus and I did that well. Fellow Briton Cameron Norrie is also through after he defeated Karen Khachanov 6-4 7-6(5). SAN ANGELO Three anonymous tips helped police make an arrest two weeks after a San Angelo veteran's home was burglarized, according to an arrest affidavit. On Jan. 25, 2022, police arrived to a residence on Lexington Place to a reported burglary. Clayton La Rue, the homeowner and an Air Force veteran of 20 years, discovered his tools, medals and other military memorabilia had been stolen. Related: 'They took 20 years of his life': San Angelo veteran's medals, memorabilia stolen La Rue, a Goodfellow Air Force Base Master Sergeant who retired in 2013, posted an open letter to the intruder on Facebook. In the letter, he mentioned the tools were "easily replaceable," but the "military gear you stole from me is much more significant; it can never be truly replaced." That gear included uniforms and memorabilia from his stations across the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Afghanistan. "You took everything I had hauled around for month after month over there while I served my country, each and every step filled with sweat and pain," Clayton stated in the letter. "I think the nail in the coffin was stealing my medals. You stole all of my military memorabilia when it meant literally nothing to you and it meant the world to me." His sister, Selena La Rue, added that he was devastated in a Jan. 27 interview. "He spent half his life in the military ... it is so important to him and who he is," she said. "It's not fair what happened to him. They took 20 years of his life." Others are reading: Breckenridge man arrested after outcry of child sexual abuse in San Angelo As the investigation continued, police found surveillance footage of a maroon Jeep Patriot stopping in the alleyway. A man, who was driving, and a woman, left the vehicle and entered the open garage. They made several trips from the garage to the Jeep, according to the arrest affidavit. Story continues The Jeep had damage to the fender on its front passenger side and a "very distinct dirt line," records state. Two anonymous tips identified the woman, and another tip showed a photograph of a possible suspect involved in "various porch thefts and burglaries" in the area. The Jeep's registered owner identified the two people who used the car, according to the arrest affidavit. On Tuesday, Feb. 8, the Jeep, driven by the woman, was stopped for a traffic violation. Investigators recognized the Jeep's features as "identical" to the one used in the burglary, records state. Elizabeth Elaine Usery, 27, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of burglary of a habitation. She remained in Tom Green County Detention Center in lieu of a $35,000 bond as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to online jail records. Police are searching for the driver in connection to the case. Alana Edgin is a journalist covering Crime and Courts in West Texas. Send her a news tip at aedgin@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Arrest made in burglary of San Angelo veteran's home AP Regimen PrimeBites Protein Brownies arriving in all 700+ The Vitamin Shoppe retail stores and online The Vitamin Shoppe will now be carrying two of the four great-tasting flavors of PrimeBites, Chocolate Fudge and Chocolate Cookie Monster. PrimeBites Protein Brownies are AP Regimens first high-protein snack in the PrimeBites line. The Vitamin Shoppe will now be carrying two of the four great-tasting flavors of PrimeBites, Chocolate Fudge and Chocolate Cookie Monster. PrimeBites Protein Brownies are AP Regimens first high-protein snack in the PrimeBites line. SUNRISE, Fla., Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AP Regimen, a subdivision of Alpha Prime, an increasingly popular lifestyle and sports nutrition brand hitting the space with iconic, high-quality, and innovative products today announced a national retail partnership with The Vitamin Shoppe with their PrimeBites Protein Brownies arriving in all 700+ The Vitamin Shoppe retail stores and online at www.thevitaminshoppe.com this February. The Vitamin Shoppe will now be carrying two of the four great-tasting flavors of PrimeBites, Chocolate Fudge and Chocolate Cookie Monster. PrimeBites Protein Brownies are AP Regimens first high-protein snack in the PrimeBites line, featuring 16-17g of high-quality whey protein, 5g of collagen protein, and with only 5g of added sugar per protein brownie. After only just celebrating their first year in business, landing The Vitamin Shoppe is a huge milestone for this up-and-coming brand. CEO of AP Regimen, Caesar Bacarella, had this to say, When launching this brand, I wanted to give people quality products at a price that just made sense. People deserve a product that will help them reach their goals and stay on track while also enjoying the process. My team and I are excited to be launching in The Vitamin Shoppe so we can share this product with more people. AP Regimen has been making waves in the lifestyle and sports nutrition industry. Owner and CEO Caesar Bacarella has taken the brand into the NASCAR world with his number 45 PrimeBites car during his 2021 season. Also, in 2021 Bacarella brought to the team industry veteran Brian Ike Ikalina as the VP of AP Regimen. Ikalina has successfully launched multiple brands in The Vitamin Shoppe, and this is just another feather in his cap. When asked about this partnership, he had this to say: The Vitamin Shoppe is one of the most respected national retailers in the US, and we are excited they have fallen for the PrimeBites and the vision our team is building. Story continues About AP Regimen AP Regimen and Alpha Prime are known for their four brand pillars, Quality, Innovation, Trust, and Family. While AP Regimen is disrupting the sports nutrition and supplementation industry, Alpha Prime USA is producing high-quality lifestyle and workout apparel for everyone to look, feel, and perform their best. AP Regimen and its parent company Alpha Prime can be found at www.alphaprimeusa.com. AP PrimeBites Protein Brownies Chocolate Fudge and Chocolate Cookie Monster will be available in The Vitamin Shoppe for purchase in single and 12-pack options on February 27th. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Nicole Hermanson COO 754-307-9499 contact@alphaprimeusa.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3495df66-67f9-4ff9-b185-82dcfb704a93 , NORTH AUSTIN Humane Society hosts Puppy Bowl The Austin Humane Societys Puppy Bowl will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The event, presented by Heritage Ranch by H-E-B, will be outdoors at the shelter, 124 W. Anderson Lane, and will feature puppy races, Super Bowl predictions, vendors, a Kid Zone and a check presentation from H-E-B. The fourth annual Tailgate Food Competition will also be held, featuring seven restaurants. Guests can purchase a tasting ticket to try each entry and vote on the winner, which will be announced at the end of the event. Puppies will be available for adoption, and the funds generated from the event will help the Austin Humane Society care for puppies in the coming year. Adoption fees will be discounted to $200, and each puppy is current on vaccinations, spayed/neutered, and microchipped. Older dogs and cats will also be available for adoption. The event is free, but guests can upgrade with a VIP bag or tasting ticket. For ticket options: bit.ly/3oEzazB. The afternoon will continue with Puppy Bowl Live at 2 p.m. at Yard Bar, 6700 Burnet Road. Guests can enter their pup (under 35 pounds) for one quarter of play on the big field, with the play-by-play called by Mike Capps, announcer for the Round Rock Express. Puppy Bowl portraits will also be available with Traverse Photography. To book a mini photo session: bit.ly/3rECuMU. Courtesy of Austin Humane Society CENTRAL TEXAS ACC offering free COVID-19 testing The Austin Community College District is offering free COVID-19 testing at select campuses districtwide for students, employees and the community. Testing will take place Wednesday at the Highland campus, 6101 Highland Campus Drive, Austin; Thursdsay at the Round Rock campus, 4400 College Park Drive; and Friday at the Hays campus, 1200 Kohlers Crossing, Kyle. All testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Testing will continue next week, and additional future opportunities will be shared as they are confirmed. Story continues The college also continues to offer COVID-19 vaccinations on campus. These clinics offer the first, second and booster shots. They are free and open to the community. For more information: austincc.edu/coronavirus. Courtesy of Austin Community College District This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin Humane Society to host Puppy Bowl on Saturday NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2022 /CNW/ -- AVAIO Digital Partners ("ADP") is pleased to announce the launch of Gatineau Data Hub ("GDH"), a joint venture with ADAM Real Estate, focused on the development of new, sustainable, hyperscale data center capacity in Gatineau, Quebec. The anchor project is being developed as a scalable facility, with the ability to ultimately support up to 50MW of capacity. The Gatineau location is strategic for several reasons: its location in Quebec gives it access to the province's vast low-carbon hydroelectricity resources; Gatineau is part of Canada's Ottawa capital region, positioning GDH to serve the growing Federal and private sector demand in this region; and Gatineau is between Toronto and Montreal, positioning it to complement two of Canada's largest data center markets. AVAIO Digital Partners AVAIO Digital Partners and ADAM Real Estate start development of a sustainable hyperscale datacenter in Gatineau, Quebec "Gatineau is an exciting location for new data center capacity to serve customers in the National Capital Region and beyond, especially given Quebec's abundant and inexpensive low-carbon power and supportive development environment," said AVAIO partner Mark McComiskey. "We look forward to working with our partner ADAM Real Estate, as well as the province of Quebec and the Gatineau and Greater Ottawa communities to help develop new critical, sustainable digital infrastructure in this key market." "We are excited to be bringing this project to help serve the National Capital Region's growing technology industry", said ADAM Real Estate President Alain Adam. "GDH offers a great opportunity to meet Canada's need for new green data capacity." About AVAIO Digital Partners AVAIO Digital Partners ("ADP") is a data center business managed by AVAIO Capital. AVAIO Capital is a build-to-core infrastructure investment firm led by professionals from investment, development, engineering, construction, and operating backgrounds. ADP is pursuing build-to-suit development and construction of sustainable hyperscale data centers in the Americas and Europe. Funded by a $375 million equity commitment from a large investment manager with more than $25 billion of assets under management, ADP has a pipeline of hyperscale projects already under development in the US, Canada and Western Europe representing over 400 MWs of capacity. More information can be found at http://www.avaiocapital.com. Story continues About ADAM Real Estate Adam Real Estate is a private Canadian company engaging primarily in real estate development and asset management in the National Capital Region of Canada. The company drives its strength from its 30 years' experience in real estate, the quality of its dedicated team members, and the long-standing relationships it enjoys with its clients and the key real estate players in the region. Adam Real Estate owns a portfolio of commercial and residential buildings across the National Capital Region, and an inventory of strategically located lands on which will be developed more than 2,000 residential units and one million square feet of commercial space. Throughout the years, the company is proud to have actively participated in public and institutional development projects, such as La Maison de la Culture, a landmark visual arts and performing center in the city Gatineau that also holds an exhibition gallery and the city library. More information can be found at https://adamrealestate.ca/en/. Media enquiries AVAIO Capital Mark McComiskey information@avaiocapital.com http://www.avaiocapital.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/avaio-digital-partners-and-adam-real-estate-commence-development-of-new-sustainable-hyperscale-datacenter-capacity-in-gatineau-quebec-301479096.html SOURCE AVAIO Capital Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2022/10/c1625.html President Joe Biden may be forced to tackle trucker protests similar to those seen in Canada, potentially targeting the Super Bowl, according to warnings from the Department of Homeland Security. In a memo shared with police partners and reported by The Hill, the DHS wrote that it had received reports of truck drivers potentially planning to block roads in major metropolitan cities in the United States in protest of, among other things, vaccine mandates. The convoy will potentially begin in California early as mid-February, potentially impacting the Super Bowl scheduled for 13 February and the State of the Union address scheduled for 1 March, the memo added. The news comes as QAnon adherents lead calls for a US version of the Canadian "trucker" convoy currently harassing the city of Ottawa. QAnon boosters have been promoting an American rendition of the anti-vaccine mandate convoy on social media since the protest began, hoping that a state-side ride to Washington DC could dismantle coronavirus vaccine mandates. The Canadian protest largely organised by right-wing social media figures is demanding the government roll back all coronavirus vaccine and mask mandates, threatening to shut down the nation's capital until they get their way. The protest ostensibly began in response to a mandate forcing cross-border truck drivers to be vaccinated. However, according to Canadian officials, 90 per cent of the nation's truck drivers are vaccinated, and few of the leading figures in the protest are actual professional truck drivers. It is no surprise that QAnon adherents have glommed onto the protest; the movement regularly incorporates other conspiracy theories into its mythos. While QAnon began as a Trump-focused, anti-"deep state" a catch all term for Democrats, RINOs and others that adherents despise conspiracy theory, it has grown to include anti-vaxxers, anti-Semites, numerology, and some who think individuals like JFK, JFK Jr and others are actually still alive and secretly supporting former President Donald Trump. Story continues US convoy routes here we come! Get organized Patriots, its habbening. H/T Midwest Patriot @Forecast432Hz pic.twitter.com/5cFHNDiPjs Momma_needs_a_break2 (@a_break2) February 9, 2022 Challenge Accepted! US Truckers Plan Convoy to DC and Expect to Beat Record https://t.co/3DpMRybSh4 Chad Prather (@WatchChad) February 2, 2022 Some Republican lawmakers have even started weighing in on the trucker protest. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis complained that GoFundMe pulled a "freedom convoy" project on its site and redistributed the funds that were said, calling it "fraud." US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene called GoFundMe a "communist corporation" and Texas' Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into the company to determine if there had been "deception." American right-wing media figures, like Fox News host Tucker Carlson, have praised the protests. He is selling "I love truckers" merchandise on his site, hoping to monetise the unrest. A woman crosses the street in front of vehicles parked as part of the trucker protest, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld /The Canadian Press via AP) Tesla CEO Elon Musk also tweeted out that "Canadian truckers rule" at the outset of the protest. Even Mr Trump has weighed in, calling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a "far-left lunatic" in a statement praising the convoy. Back in QAnon world, major figures like Michael Flynn and lawyer Lin Wood both major pushers of the 2020 election fraud lie peddled by Mr Trump have praised the convoy as well. Less known but still prominent supporters of the QAnon movement, like John Sabal who goes by QAnon John shared a post with his followers at the end of January asking "who's ready for the truck convoy to converge on the hellhole of DC? Collectively, we will put so much pressure on the swamp that it forces all the demon creatures to break." Other images shared by QAnon boosters showed potential truck convoy routes to Washington DC and various routes to European capitals. Whether or not a US trucker convoy happens remains to be seen. While there is plenty of discussion about and excitement over a potential US convoy, QAnon has promised countless reckonings for the "deep state" that have never materialised. Lafayette Fire Department illustration LAFAYETTE, Ind. Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles has repeatedly ignored the township board's resolutions restricting her plans to spend township money, but that didn't stop the board from adopting another resolution. The board took action Tuesday to bar Coles from creating a township fire department or a township ambulance service for the unincorporated township east of the city limits. The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for comment. She did not respond. Taletha Coles, Fairfield Township trustee, during a Fairfield Township budget proposal meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 in Lafayette. Coles has made public statements that there is a need for an ambulance service and fire protection in the township, most of which is inside Lafayette city limits. "... In prior Township Board meetings, it has been suggested that there is a need for more ambulance services for the City of Lafayette, Tippecanoe County and Fairfield Township," the resolution states. "... Indiana Code ... states that no trustee may contract ambulance and fire services without consent of the Township Board and specifically not when the service is provided by another government entity." The unincorporated areas of Fairfield Township east of the city limits include the areas as far north as the Hoosier Heartland area and as far south as the Frontage Road area just north of South Street, Lafayette Fire Chief Richard Doyle said. In 1977, Tippecanoe County commissioners adopted a resolution to provide ambulance service for the county through a mutual aid agreement, according to the resolution. "Therefore, be it resolved: The Trustee has no authority to form either another Ambulance Service or any Fire Response system for Fairfield Township since other Government entities have already assumed those responsibilities for a minimum of 44 years." Between 2007-19, the Fairfield Township trustee and board approved providing $100,000 to the Lafayette Fire Department to offset the cost of covering parts of the unincorporated township. Coles, whose use of taxpayer money is under investigation by the Indiana State Police and the Indiana State Board of Accounts, has not paid the city fire department in 2020 or 2021, Lafayette Fire Chief Richard Doyle said. Story continues She offered to purchase the fire department a helicopter, according to Doyle and a previous township employee. Tuesday's ordinance also directs Coles to pay the Lafayette Fire Department its annual allotment. Township board minutes indicate that the board also directed Coles to pay that annual allotment in 2020 and 2021. She ignored those resolutions. The last paragraph of Tuesday's resolution states, " The trustee is Directed to fund $100,000 to the Lafayette Fire Department for the Fire and Ambulances services they provide for the unincorporated residents of Fairfield Township without requiring any explanation of what the money will be spent on." "She hasn't been shy about ignoring what we're doing," board Secretary Rocky Hession said about Coles' reactions to previous township board resolutions and board-approved budgets. In 2019, Coles used money approved for a community center to purchase a Ford 250 pickup truck and a flat-bed trailer, according to township board minutes. Former township employees said Coles drove that truck, as well as the township's Ford Crown Victoria, for personal use, contrary to state law. She also drove the truck intoxicated, a former township employee said, admitting she was in the truck at the times Coles was impaired. Coles ignored the board-approved 2021 budget and failed to submit it to the state because it reduced the spending from rainy day funds to zero. This caused the 2021 budget to revert to the 2020 budget. The board again reduced the rainy day fund to zero for 2022. Additionally, it removed $12,000 from the general fund that Coles used for her attorney fees, and the 2022 budget reduced the cemetery funds to $2,500, Hession said. Coles again did not submit the annual budget, but the board did an end run around the trustee by submitting those adjustments directly to DLGF. There is, of course, still money in the township's accounts, Hession noted, but if she spends anything out of the rainy day fund without an additional appropriation, she commits a misdemeanor. The Journal & Courier requested public documents, including credit card statements and receipts from Coles in September. She never responded, and the Journal & Courier filed a complaint with the Indiana Public Access Councilor's Office. On Dec. 6, the Public Access Counselor Luke Britt published an advisory opinion basically stating that Coles has to produce the requested documents because they are open for public inspection. She hasn't, and the Journal & Courier is in the process of filing a lawsuit. Meanwhile, on Jan. 11, the Indiana State Police and the State Board of Accounts removed the township's records as part of a special investigation. Coles has refused to comment about ignoring the public access counselor's opinion, the state investigation or her spending practices. Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Fairfield Township trustee's plan for ambulance service blocked by board Company's Premium Water Bottling Facility will be State-of-the-Art. The Company's Plant will be a U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Plant by virtue of its design, engineering, and sustainability. CADDO's Planned Advanced Manufacturing Facility CADDO's Planned Advanced Manufacturing Facility CADDO's Planned Advanced Manufacturing Facility HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark., Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caddo Mountain Spring Water, LLC ("CADDO") is working with RPPY ARCHITECTS ("RPPY") on a design for a Premium Water Bottling Facility ("Bottling Facility") at its spring/artesian source water property in Arkansas. The pictured RPPY facility rendering is one of the architects' most recent plans. The initial 140,000-square-foot (expanding to >200,000 square feet) CADDO Bottling Facility plan incorporates the latest energy-saving and eco-friendly sustainability features and will utilize the Company's own ground-mounted Solar Array Farm-generated electricity. CADDO believes a Bottling Facility like theirs is another bottled water industry first for them. The Company also believes what their project encompasses will enhance lives and foster goodwill that extends and perfects best business practices across many industries - not just bottled water. Governmental Economic Incentives have been awarded to the Company by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and others. It will contribute to the economic development of area communities and the welfare of its citizens in one of the poorest counties of Arkansas. RPPY President David Perry stated, "RPPY is very proud and excited to have significant roles in the project. The Bottling Plant will set the curve as a "State-of-the-Art" facility that is worthy of distributing such a pure and healthy product to the world." The Bottling Facility on CADDO's source water tract will be situated in the beautiful Caddo River Valley. The spring-fed Caddo River flows through the precipitous forested Caddo Mountains of Arkansas. Thousands of acres of U.S. Forest Lands abut the Company's property on its upgradient north and south, affording it natural water protection from contamination. In fact, Arkansas State Highway 8 that traverses the CADDO property is a U.S. National Forest Service-designated Scenic By-Way. Story continues The Company would like the $24 million Bottling Facility, Visitors' Center and Solar Farm to be a destination location for people to visit in a beautiful rural Arkansas County that has no State Park. Barry Davidson, CEO/Founder of CADDO, stated, "It is important for us to bottle our great water at its source. Bottling at the source maintains the purity of our water, is the best economical business practice and provides for the best Stewardship of the Environment. We want people to see our Bottling Facility and learn about Advanced Manufacturing in the U.S. Additionally, we want to interact with people about our water, the environment/sustainability, hydrogeology, solar power, and our great area heritage. Working at our source water property compels us to share and call attention to the natural beauty of our region in the State of Arkansas The Natural State." The CADDO CEO/Founder went on to say, "We want to leverage the Company's assets in all areas to optimize our operations and have a platform for key positive social impact. A goal of the Company is to exceed the expectations of its product-consuming public as well as ourselves as consumers. We understand the product we make available, how and where we make it available and the market it serves can enhance the health and lives of the people who consume it. As well, we believe we can have a major positive social impact on everyone who gains a better knowledge of water, the environment/sustainability, area heritage through education and U.S. advanced manufacturing." Barry also stated, "Water quality, the stewardship of the environment/sustainability, our heritage and U.S. advanced manufacturing are important issues to all of us. Our passion for what we do will be sustained by the recognition of our endeavors the highest compliment that can be achieved. We believe CADDO will be the first water in the world bottled in a U.S. advanced manufacturing facility as defined by the U.S. government. We are going the extra mile to put in place a project like ours. We selected RPPY for their ability and shared passion for our project that would produce innovative, memorable/award-winning designs and processes for us that people will want to visit." Furthermore, CADDO's Davidson said, "We want to interact with people about our great water and its sustainability. We are proud of all our source water tract metrics. Our property's outstanding attributes are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate. CADDO's source water location and unsurpassed quality water go hand in hand. Our resource metrics were a major factor in our decision to put in motion a U.S. advanced manufacturing facility. We are trying to push the envelope on all water. In fact, we believe the FDA should mandate rules requiring a Standard of Identity for all bottled waters. Consumers want and deserve to know where each bottle of water they drink comes from and what contaminates are in it. There is no pure water on the planet. 'Purified Water' is a bit of the bottled water industry's marketing play on words. A Standard of Identity FDA rule for bottled water is a prerequisite of best practices in solid Blockchain-health related business logic." Finally, Barry went on to say: "At this time, we are interacting with several possible strategic partners to complete our capital raise. We are seeking a strategic partner who shares our overall CADDO mission." CONTACT: Barry Davidson CEO/Managing Member Caddo Mountain Spring Water, LLC bdavidson@mountainsourcedwater.com http://caddowater.com @CaddoMountain Related Images Image 1: CADDO's Planned Advanced Manufacturing Facility CADDO's Planned Spring & Artesian Water Bottling Facility in Arkansas Image 2: CADDO's Planned Visitors' Center CADDO's Planned Visitors' Center at its Source Water Tract in the mountains of Arkansas Image 3: CADDO's Planned Solar Farm CADDO's Planned Ground Mounted Solar Array Farm at its source water tract in the mountains of Arkansas This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment By Elizabeth Dilts Marshall NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bank of America Corp is facing a lawsuit seeking class action status filed on Thursday by two customers who say the bank refused to honor promises to refund overdraft fees to clients who faced financial hardship during the pandemic. Anthony Ramirez, a truck driver living in California, and Masako Williams, an 85-year-old retiree living in Texas, say they asked the bank to refund them for several hundred dollars worth of overdraft and nonsufficient funds fees (NSF) that they were charged in 2020 and 2021 when they experienced a lack of work for themselves or the family members that support them. Like many banks, Bank of America pledged at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide needy customers with financial assistance, and to refund certain overdraft and NSF fees, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Northern California. Bank of America spokesperson William Halldin did not comment on the case directly but said that the bank "provided tens of millions of dollars in fee waivers during the height of the pandemic in 2020." Banks are already facing increased scrutiny from regulators over overdraft and NSF fees. The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is exploring new guidance aimed at curbing banks' reliance on the fees, and is seeking testimonials from customers about these and other "junk fees." Bank of America said in January it would reduce overdraft fees to $10 from $35 starting this May, and that it would stop charging a $35 nonsufficient funds fee for things like bounced checks and automated account withdrawals that the bank rejects. Ramirez and Williams say bank representatives repeatedly denied their refund requests and that it appeared the bank did not have an adequate system in place to grant the refund. For example, Williams was once denied a refund by a bank representative who said "the computer program used would not allow" it, according to the lawsuit. Story continues "Bank of America told people, 'If you have a problem, call us and we will refund your overdraft fees,'" Hassan Zavareei, a founding partner of the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Tycko & Zavareei, told Reuters in an interview. "They made that promise but they didn't create or implement any systems to take advantage of those promises." (Reporting by Elizabeth Dilts Marshall in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis) In the midst of a winter storm on Feb. 4, the Burlington Fire Department put out a "significant" fire that had spread to the entire third floor of an apartment building on King Street. All on-duty Burlington firefighters, as well as some off-duty staff, were called to the scene. The South Burlington, Winooski, and Colchester Fire Departments assisted. Due to the storm, staffing that night was higher that usual, allowing for three firefighters to ride on each truck and successfully manage the situation, according to the labor union Burlington Firefighters Association Local 3044. "Staffing on major incidents like this is critical and three firefighters on each truck should be the standard, not the exception," said the labor union Burlington Firefighters Association Local 3044. There is an "absolute crisis" of firefighter staffing shortages across Vermont, according to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who recently introduced a bill to address the issue. A statewide firefighter shortage Vermont fire departments have become increasingly short-staffed over the past years. "A lot of the departments do not have the manpower, they're not able to support the amount of calls that they have," Michael Greenia of the Vermont Division of Fire Safety said to the Burlington Free Press last year. Williston firefighters reported being forced to leave their station unstaffed for up to an hour in order to properly respond to an emergency in Nov. 2021. Colchester firefighters reported last year having to send two or three volunteers on trucks that should normally have at least eight people. "We were leaning on the volunteers, but some can't leave work," said Colby Delaire, a volunteer Colchester firefighter. Time for more paid staff? Compared to other states, Vermont relies heavily on volunteer firefighters, as opposed to paid full time staff. Nationally, 86% of fire departments are all or mostly volunteer. That number is 96% in Vermont, according to the National Fire Department Registry. Story continues Nationally, 9.1% of firefighters are full time and paid. Only 1.5% of Vermont firefighters are full time and paid. Volunteer firefighting has decreased by 17% in the U.S. since 1984, as economic demands have increasingly required working families to have multiple income streams, according to the National Fire Council. To provide fire departments with more resources to hire full-time staff, Sen. Sanders is introducing the Firefighter Staffing and Support Act, which would triple funds currently available to U.S. fire departments over the next five years. "Our firefighters, both volunteer and paid, put their lives on the line to protect our communities, but they are not getting the proper support and resources they need and deserve. Its time for that to change," said Sen. Sanders. The bill specifically aims to provide resources to rural and volunteer fire departments. Funding would come from federal sources, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The bill would also help protect volunteer firefighters from retaliation by their boss if they need to leave work to respond to an emergency fire. Contact April Fisher at amfisher@freepressmedia.com. Follow on Twitter: @AMFisherMedia This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Sanders bill to address "crisis" of VT firefighting staff shortages Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa speaking at a conference. Safaricom opened an office in Ethiopia last month, as Kenyas largest mobile operator aims to take on one of Africas most sought-after telecoms markets, with a population of around 120 million people. The company has hired local employees and built a multi-story office in downtown Addis Ababa after warding off competition from other telecommunication companies to secure a $850 million operating license in May. Ethiopias telecoms market was closed to foreign investors for decades, but the government has recently embarked on a series of liberalizing reforms in the banking and telecoms sectors. Safaricom, the Nairobi-based telcom giant, earned global recognition as one of the earliest pioneers of mobile money, introducing its flagship M-Pesa product to Kenya in 2007. This is the success that it hopes to replicate in Africas second most populous country. But while Safaricom will only have to contend with one competitorgovernment-owned Ethio Telecom with over 56.2 million subscribers and its mobile money service provider, Telebirr, with over 13 million subscribersthere will be significant hurdles along the way. This is the last big unopened teleco market in Africa and probably one of the very few in the world. The main challenge in the immediate term is that the earliest Safaricom can hope to launch M-Pesa will be in May while Telebirr will have had a head start of one year. Telebirr is also using its first mover advantage well, having recently signed an agreement with a Ghanaian fintech company, Zeepay, to facilitate cross-border payments. This is a bold move to tap into Ethiopias large, influential diaspora market. This is the last big unopened telco market in Africa and probably one of the very few in the world, says Ethiopian-American Zemedeneh Negatu, the global chairman of the Fairfax African Fund, a US based investment firm. It was closed off until last year, so I think for investors this is an excellent opportunity. Story continues Ethiopia is a promising but difficult market for Safaricom Analysts expect Safaricom to target aggressive expansion in the local market based on a suite of products that includes data, voice, SMS, and mobile money. Safaricom leads a consortium that includes Vodacom Group (South Africa), Vodafone Group (UK), Sumitomo Corporation (Japan) and the UKs development finance agency, CDC Group. The group, operating under the name the Global Partnership for Ethiopia, beat off a rival-bid from South African telecoms giant MTN Group which made an offer of $600 million. Though Safaricoms original agreement with the government did not include mobile money, Ethiopia said the contract will be upgraded when a second telecoms license is issued, but has now offered hope that this might come sooner for Safaricom as early as May. Though the government has declined to give a reason for the delay of issuance of licenses, experts believe that foreign telcos were concerned about the war in Ethiopias Tigray region. I fully suppose the reason behind the postponement is because of the conflict, because, at the time, there were announcements by western embassies to withdraw staff, says Patrick Heinisch, an emerging markets economist at Helaba commercial bank. The 15-month conflict gutted Ethiopias economy and left thousands dead, though there are recent signs of a tentative peace. However, reports of indiscriminate government drone strikes, and heated tensions between the Amhara, Afar, and Tigray regional governments over land in Western Tigray suggest that the crisis isnt over just yet. The war has battered Ethiopias economy the IMF predicts growth of only 2% this year. The second license is expected to be issued in the coming months, with Safaricom likely having a small head start. Challenges that Safaricom might face in Ethiopia Despite the advantage Safaricom has over other operators due to a strong track-record in the region, the household Kenyan company faces several additional challenges. One key difference between the two countries, is that Ethiopias population is not as digitally-savvy nor as wealthy as Kenyas. However, most analysts believe there will be strong demand for Safaricoms services as Ethiopias population has been underserved for decades. Product adoption should be relatively easy, I dont see resistance for consumers using their phones for banking like in mobile money, says Negatu. Safaricoms main competitor is Ethio Telecom, a state-owned enterprise. Although the Kenya-based firm enters the market as the more dynamic player, Ethio Telecom is set to offer serious competition after the government proposed selling a 40% stake to a foreign entity most likely French operator Orange. An early sign of discord comes as Safaricom and Ethio Telecom have failed to agree on an infrastructure sharing agreement for telcoms towers. Ethio Telecom currently has around 7,500 telecoms towers but Ethiopia needs double that figure to cover 95% of the vast and mountainous country, Negatu says. Safaricom will look at sharing masts with Ethio Telecom and building new ones to extend services to hard-to-reach customers, he says, though this will be more problematic than in Kenya which is far less mountainous. Another immediate priority for Safaricom is extending the 4G network outside Addis Ababa where it is currently limited. Safaricom announced in January that it will build a prefabricated data center in Ethiopias capital city for $100 million. The much-needed foreign investment has reignited hopes that Ethiopia will soon turn a page on its period of instability and conflict. Ethiopias Communication Authority (ECA) director general believes the Safaricom-led consortium will invest $8 billion on critical infrastructure and services in Ethiopia over the next decade. Safaricom will officially launch commercial services in Ethiopia in April. Sign up to the Quartz Africa Weekly Brief here for news and analysis on African business, tech, and innovation in your inbox. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: Use of Google Analytics has now been found to breach European Union privacy laws in France -- after a similar decision was reached in Austria last month. The French data protection watchdog, the CNIL, said today that an unnamed local website's use of Google Analytics is non-compliant with the bloc's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) -- breaching Article 44 which covers personal data transfers outside the bloc to so-called third countries which are not considered to have essentially equivalent privacy protections. The U.S. fails this critical equivalence test on account of having sweeping surveillance laws which do not provide non-U.S. citizens with any way to know whether their data is being acquired, how it's being used or to seek redress for any misuse. Whereas the EU's GDPR demands that data protection travels with citizens' information as a stipulation of legal export. France's CNIL has been investigating one of 101 complaints filed by European privacy advocacy group, noyb, back in August 2020 -- after the bloc's top court invalidated the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield agreement on data transfers. Since then (indeed, long before) the legality of transatlantic transfers of personal data have been clouded in uncertainty. While it has taken EU regulators some time to act on illegal data transfers -- despite an immediate warning from the European Data Protection Board of no grace period in the wake of the July 2020 CJEU ruling (aka 'Schrems II) -- decisions are now finally starting to flow. Including another by the European Data Protection Supervisor last month, also involving Google Analytics. In France, the CNIL has ordered the website which was the target of one of noyb's complaints to comply with the GDPR -- and "if necessary, to stop using this service under the current conditions" -- giving it a deadline of one month to comply. Story continues As in Austria, the CNIL's assessment of Google's claimed supplementary measures (which it had argued ensured EU citizens' data which was taken, via Google Analytics, to the U.S. was adequately protected) found them to be inadequate. One of THE European DPA powerhouses now also taking a position on #GoogelAnalytics and our @NOYBeu complaints.. https://t.co/tx01ZjVFY9 Max Schrems (@maxschrems) February 10, 2022 "[A]lthough Google has adopted additional measures to regulate data transfers in the context of the Google Analytics functionality, these are not sufficient to exclude the accessibility of this data for U.S. intelligence services," the CNIL writes in a press release announcing the decision. "There is therefore a risk for French website users who use this service and whose data is exported." The CNIL does leave open the door to continued use of Google Analytics -- but only with substantial changes that would ensure only "anonymous statistical data" gets transferred. (And the Austrian decision against Google Analytics last month took a broad interpretation of what constitutes personal data in this context, finding that an IP address could be enough given how it may be combined with other bits of data held by Google to identify a site user.) The French regulator is also very emphatic that under "current conditions" use of Google Analytics is non-compliant -- and may therefore need to cease in order for the site in question to comply with the GDPR. The CNIL also suggests use of an alternative analytics tool which does not involve a transfer outside the EU to end the breach. Additionally, it says it's launched an evaluation program to determine which website audience measurement and analysis services may be exempt from the need to obtain user consent (i.e. because they only produce anonymous statistical data which can be exported legally under GDPR). Which suggests the CNIL could issue guidance in future that recommends GDPR compliant alternatives to Google Analytics. The decision on this complaint has clear implications for any website based in France that's currently using Google Analytics -- or, indeed, any other tools that transfer personal data to the U.S. without adequate supplementary measures -- at least in the near term. For one thing, the CNIL's decision notes it has made "other" compliance orders to website operators using Google Analytics (again without naming any sites). While, given joint working by EU regulators on these 101 strategic complaints, the ramifications likely scale EU-wide. The CNIL also warns that its investigation -- along with the parallel probes being undertaken by fellow EU regulators -- extends to "other tools used by sites that result in the transfer of data of European Internet users to the United States", adding: "Corrective measures in this respect may be adopted in the near future." So all U.S.-based tools that are transferring personal data are facing regulatory risk. We've asked the CNIL which other tools it's looking at and will update this report with any response. Update: The regulator told us the use of Facebook Connect by French site managers "has also been the subject of complaints to the CNIL, which are currently being investigated". Google was also contacted for comment on the CNIL's decision and how it plans to respond but at the time of writing it had not responded. Commenting on the French watchdog's slapdown in a statement, noyb's founder and honorary chair, Max Schrems, said: "It's interesting to see that the different European Data Protection Authorities all come to the same conclusion: the use of Google Analytics is illegal. There is a European task force and we assume that this action is coordinated and other authorities will decide similarly." Privacy Shield v3 to the rescue? One factor that could change the situation is a new agreement between the EU and U.S. on data transfers. Negotiations between the European Commission and U.S. counterparts are ongoing in an attempt to plug the data transfer gap as happened after the CJEU struck down Safe Harbor in 2015 (aka Schrems I), meaning it was fairly quickly replaced by Privacy Shield, until that too was soon invalidated. This pattern of complaints leading to (quicker) strike downs makes a 'quick fix' impossible -- even if the enforcements now landing against mainstream tools like Google Analytics will certainly concentrate minds in Brussels and Washington, increasing political and economic urgency to find a way to solve this issue. The Commission has said it's keen for a replacement data transfer agreement with the U.S. However it has also warned repeatedly that any such deal must be robust to future legal challenge -- meaning it must substantially addressing the CJEU's concerns. And without broad reform of U.S. surveillance practices that looks difficult. Still, in recent weeks, reports have suggested the EU and U.S. are nearing agreement on a new data transfer arrangement -- potentially as soon as this month, according to reporting by Politico, which also suggested the two sides could unveil a new accord in May at an upcoming meeting of the Trade and Tech Council. Details of how exactly the U.S. and EU will be able to square the data transfer (il)legality circle are scant, though. Per Politico, one redress mechanism that is being discussed would allow EU citizens to directly (or via their national governments) submit complaints to an independent judicial body if they believe U.S. national security agencies have unlawfully handled their personal information. But that still leaves plenty of questions. Not least how a EU citizen could know to complain in the first place, given the lack of notification of U.S. surveillance intercepts. The U.S. also still does not have a federal privacy law similar to the EU's GDPR, meaning its own citizens lack comprehensive protections for their information -- illustrating quite how far apart the two jurisdictions remain on this issue. And while some U.S. states -- such as California -- have taken matters into their own hands in recent years, passing laws to provide residents with some legal rights wrapping their information, privacy protections for U.S. citizens remain, at best, a patchwork. Given that, it may be tricky for the Biden administration to provide greater rights for non-U.S. citizens to complain about U.S. surveillance vs what the country provides to its own citizens. Commercial pressure is building on this issue though. Just this week Facebook/Meta felt moved to publish a blog post -- rejecting reporting of its financial filing that claimed its disclosures amounted to a threaten to pull its service out of Europe as a result of the data transfer uncertainty. "We want to see the fundamental rights of EU users protected, and we want the internet to continue to operate as it was intended: without friction, in compliance with applicable laws -- but not confined by national borders," the tech giant wrote, urging progress on a new deal. Meta does have its own very pressing cause to press for a fresh 'fix', though, given that its business is subject to a very long-standing data transfers complaint -- and it's now over a year since its lead EU data regulator, the Irish Data Protection Commission, promised to swiftly resolve that complaint. By contrast, EU-based platforms that can localize and legally firewall user data in the bloc, where it's shielded by the GDPR, have reasons to be cheerful. To wit: Last month -- in the wake of the Austrian ruling -- one Poland-based Google Analytics competitor, Piwik Pro, told us that Schrems II was one of the main concerns raised by organisations contacting it to seek a Google Analytics alternative. "Just two weeks after the Noybs 101 complaints list was published weve acquired as a customer one the major banks listed there," said CEO Maciej Zawadzinski. "Interest in our product and services is directly affected by all the developments in the privacy & compliance space. The Schrems II ruling was big for us last year, just like the Austrian DPAs ruling is fairly big now. "We predict that in 2022 local EU data storage that eliminates offshore data transfers completely will be an important selling point." Zawadzinski added that the company had opened an EU located data center to host and process client data for this reason, noting: "The data center is managed by an EU company and neither we nor any of our suppliers is subject to the [U.S.] Cloud Act." Schrems also predicts a splintering of digital services and dedicated EU product provision -- unless or until the U.S. reforms its approach to privacy. "In the long run we either need proper protections in the U.S., or we will end up with separate products for the U.S. and the EU. I would personally prefer better protections in the U.S., but this is up to the U.S. legislator -- not to anyone in Europe," he added in a statement. This report was updated with additional comment Heres one take on formerly anonymous figures in the crypto world being publicly revealed: The two founders of the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) werent doxed by BuzzFeed News. In fact, they doxed themselves. Last week, the crypto community was embroiled in a debate about journalistic ethics and the right to remain anonymous online. This came after BuzzFeed News senior technology reporter Katie Notopoulos published the real names, along with some publicly available information, of Gordon Goner and Gargamel, two pseudonymous co-founders of arguably the most successful NFT (non-fungible token) project to date. This article is excerpted from The Node, CoinDesk's daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and crypto news. You can subscribe to get the full newsletter here. Notopoulos reportedly first identified Greg Solano through publicly available documents related to Yuga Labs, the company behind BAYC, which is incorporated in Delaware. Solano has chosen the name Gargamel. Additional documents linked Solano to Wylie Aronow, aka Gordon Goner. You can decide for yourself whether this is newsworthy information. Notopoulos reasoned that the public has the right to know the real men behind this cultural storm. BAYC has licensing deals, and it has a lot of rich and powerful members as well as a reported cash injection on the way from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, according to Axios, valuing the firm at $5 billion. The project may have a high valuation, but its also just a social club built around crudely drawn cartoon apes. Its a side project of two unassuming writers that went faster and further than anyone expected it to. Theres a good conversation to be had around doxing, especially in this instance. Yet, as it stands, Solano doxed himself. He signed a document that was then made publicly available. He signed that document because he wanted to legitimize Yuga Labs operations and to do that, there are certain prerequisites in U.S. law. Story continues Solano and Aronow could have chosen to keep BAYC as a widely successful NFT experiment and their identities secure. But they signed incorporation documents because there was a fortune to be made. It was in that moment of choice that the BAYC founders doxed themselves, forfeiting their right to privacy and secrecy. Now listen ye anons, I believe along with my employer, which has a policy of respecting sources pseudonyms that your identities are valid. That there is a general right to remain unknown, that pseudonymous celebrities may be trustworthy (within reason) based solely on the reputations they build. But if you must remain unknown, then you must also do everything you can to ensure that. No one is assisting you here. See also: Why CoinDesk Respects Pseudonymity Crypto is an adversarial environment. Reporters are paid to bring private details to light. Competitors want your business secrets. The public has an unquenchable thirst for gossip. Scammers want to scam you, and knowing your secrets is leverage. 0xngmi, the pseudonymous founder of DefiLlama, a data aggregator, grasps this. Last weekend, in the midst of public debate about doxing, he put out a bug bounty on himself. (Though I'm using gendered language as convention, I do not know 0xngmi's gender.) If anyone DMs me with my real identity along with an explanation of how you found it I'll send you 1 ETH, he tweeted. The goal was clear: to wrap up any loose ends related to his alter ego. DefiLlama has surged in popularity, and its likely 0xngmis reputation will become more valuable alongside it. The main reason for it was that I saw how BAYC founders got doxxed through company incorporation records, 0xngmi told CoinDesk in a direct message. The simple fact is, no matter how careful you think you are, you have likely made mistakes. So often in life we find that other people know us better than we know ourselves. 0xngmi said that 178 people took up his offer, claiming they found his identity. Most made erroneous assumptions the closest someone got was an approximation of my time zone, he claims. Someone else managed to dox another team member of DefiLlama and received the ETH bounty. 0xngmi has since closed the effort, because people started spamming his friends looking for useful information, which he said bothers people. An important aspect of "OPSEC," or operational security, is knowing where other people look. And even if there is no guarantee 0xngmis identity is secure, it might bring a little peace of mind having 178 examples of how people think. This is a problem 0xngmi has been considering for a long time. Last summer, he led an open-source effort to write a guide on how to stay anon. Its a detailed document based on a lot of trial and error, he said. Interestingly, the first step is to think about the online persona youd want to be perceived, remembered and recognized] by, he said. His own fake name is a combination of 0x, which is the address prefix used by many other anons, and ngmi, which stands for not going to make it. Its self-deprecating. Obviously, 0xngmi has a desire to fit in perhaps to blend in. Its easy to spin up an alter ego, harder to sustain it and even harder to build trust as an anon. And if you want to have true influence, itll be a difficult choice between protecting your identity and leveraging your real-life connections even in crypto where the practice is normalized. See also: Many Bitcoin Developers Are Choosing to Use Pseudonyms For me going anon meant a reset to 0. I had been building in crypto for some time, and when I went anon, that meant I had to start from zero, losing all the work I had put into my reputation, relationships, past work and studies, 0xngmi said. People will trust you less, since the cost of doing something bad is lower for anons and we might be hiding something (eg: ex-convicts or ex-scammers), he added. Difficult though it may be, 0xngmi suggested there is something of an ethical imperative to going dark. It ties into cryptos resistance to standards and practices like know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering regulations, which require users to identify themselves to perform basic financial tasks that would be wholly legal if they were using physical cash. Blockchains flip that [model] on its head. You have your money, and you can use it any way you want, whether that be by putting it on straight-up Ponzis, buying worthless coins or farming on some protocol with an anon founder that could rug the whole thing, 0xngmi wrote in a blog reflecting on BAYC. To some extent, crypto is playing by a new set of rules. It stands opposed to corporate and government power in trying to give people the ability to interact directly in a peer-to-peer fashion. Its sold out a bit giving an inch here and there for profits. Its surrounded by rule-makers. Its been forced to capitulate, sometimes. Not everyone is playing by cryptos rules. Why would you expect otherwise? If you want to be anonymous, then you must cover your tracks. Rules were meant to be broken, after all. Wayne Bells score for Tobe Hoopers 1974 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is in a word unsettling. Bell and Hooper worked together to conjure up aural elements that mix creepy sound effects with a synth-heavy staccato married with a keyboard that brings the chainsaw to life. For Leatherfaces 2022 reboot, Colin Stetson came on board to craft an equally unnerving environment as the slasher returns. Of Hoopers and Bells original work almost 50 years ago, Stetson says, admiringly, That score was genre-exclusionary and abstract. It was trying to divorce itself from the shackles of the score and sound design to enter a new space. More from Variety That separation of genre, Stetson says, opened up doors for him when it came to scoring the new film, out on Netflix Feb. 18. I knew it would be an opportunity to go as far as I wanted in searching for the musical score. Director David Blue Garcia gave Stetson permission to run with his ideas and create a no-holds-barred palette that would scare the crap out of audiences. This time around, Melody (Sarah Yarkin), her teenage sister Lila (Elsie Fisher) and their friends Dante (Jacob Latimore) and Ruth (Nell Hudson) head to the remote town of Harlow, Texas to start an idealistic new business venture. But their dream soon turns into a waking nightmare when they accidentally disrupt the home of Leatherface, the deranged serial killer whose blood-soaked legacy continues to haunt the areas residents including Sally Hardesty (Olwen Fouere), the sole survivor of his infamous 1973 massacre, whos hell-bent on seeking revenge. The first approach Stetson took was to not employ the same materials as the original 74 film, which made use of metals, double bass and cymbal effects mixed with power tools. He says, I took my bass saxophone and an old Tibetan singing bowl and I taped it over it over the top of the saxophone to create a seal. What you get is scraping and high growl scream that still feels like music. That was his way into the score and would serve as its foundation. It would come back around and around; that makes its way through all permutations in the cues. Story continues Every Last One is a track off the films soundtrack, a new riff that Stetson says sounds like fluffy bass guitars. But its coming from pristine woodwind instruments. The Tibetan singing bowls came in handy when Stetson wanted to create a creepier, quiet, silent stalking element to the film. The key to creating jump scares, Stetson says, is to maneuver musically and remember the meaning of the word suspense. That meant not letting the music point to a specific place and time. With audiences being so attuned to horror films, Stetson played to that, knowing audiences would recognize when scares were coming through, and he wanted to avoid that. Theres certain pacing and its going to pay off at some point. My approach is to point to the direction, but you never point at the moment. That meant musically trying to set you for the surprise. I knew, but you wouldnt know. The sound was the most important aspect that also would help create tension. Says Stetson, I always try to employ what I call a foot in the door technique which is using certain sounds that hint at convention or familiarity; you grab their attention with that familiarity and then you put them off. For Leatherfaces motif, Stetson recalled the comic books the coming back of this iconic character. I wanted it to feel like a massive machine was being fired back up again, someone had put diesel in him and you feel the dust coming off, he says. The motif was big and heavy, and this might be his swan song. Stetson used a combination of the strong saxophone and a combination of hog grunt recordings. I stretched those out to meld with low bass instruments to give them an animalistic quality. Additionally, he found a turkey call used for hunting, which he manipulated as an instrument he could stretch and enhance. With Elsie Fishers character Lila, the composer needed to find something that was in the same universe of the twisted and tortured soundscape that could be her flashback or memory. It was satisfying finding my way into it. It was back to the Tibetan bowls, with a fair amount of woodwinds and the manipulating of the pianos. Stetson is no stranger to composing heart-stopping scores. He also composed the score for Hereditary. But despite the score there leaving audiences on the edge of their seats, he says each film is different and has its own set of parameters when using score to create jump scares. I wanted to do something that really could be felt and heard, but there was this element of the other character in the corner that youre not aware of. He compares it to a magic trick, and the eventual unveiling of the fact that there was a trick, to begin with. Hereditary director and Ari Aster and Stetson compared notes about having hooks in the score to build in terrifying anthemic fanfares that he says would be presented in this approach. Says Stetson, By the end of it, we have the reveal of the last piece of music. Youll find all of those things that we were playing throughout it. Is not presented in its ultimate form and comes to fruition. Listen to Every Last One below. The soundtrack will be released by Milan Records on Feb. 18. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. HOLLAND Holland residents interested in foreign policy and global affairs have a chance to hear from experts during the annual "Great Decisions" speaker series, presented by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. Holland's International Relations Commission is partnering with the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan to offer half-price tickets to the series of eight presentations to Holland residents. Ticket purchases will support the International Relations Commission's work, including the Academic WorldQuest competition, the Reel Time Film Series, the International Festival of Holland and the Great Decisions series. The programs will be offered virtually and in person, with most programs taking place at the Wisner-Botrall Applied Technology Center on the Grand Rapids Community College campus, 151 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids. The series runs 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Mondays, Feb. 14 through March 28, with the exception of one presentation on Thursday, Feb. 24. The presentations will be live-streamed on YouTube and recorded for later viewing. Attendees must register to receive the link to view each program. The speaker series is part of the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions program, America's largest discussion program on world affairs. Pratima Narayan, a human rights lawyer, will give a talk on human rights abuses in Myanmar on Feb. 14 as part of the Great Decisions speaker series. For more information on the series, visit greatdecisions.cityofholland.com. The presentations are: Feb. 14: "Myanmar and Human Rights" with Pratima Narayan, international human rights lawyer. Virtual only. Feb. 24: "Global Cooperation in Space: The Case of Mining and the Role of Law," with Dr. Frans von der Dunk, professor of space law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Feb. 28: "Russia and the U.S," with Dr. Fiona Hill, former senior director of the National Security Council. Note: this event will be held at the Spectrum Theatre on GRCC's campus. March 7: "People in Transition: Examining Global Demographic Changes," with Dr. Mark Hugo Lopez, director of race and ethnicity research, Pew Research Center. March 14: "India and the Quad Alliance," with Richard M. Rossow, Center for Strategic and International Studies. March 21: "Creating a Just Transition in Climate Change Policy," with Vonda Brunsting, Initiative for Responsible Investment, Harvard University. March 28: "Biden's Foreign Policy Agenda: How It Started and Where It's Going," with Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs. Postponed: "The War on Drugs and its Impact on the Environment," with Dr. Jennifer Devine, Texas State University. Originally planned for Feb. 7, this talk will be rescheduled. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland commission hosting annual global affairs lecture series In recent weeks, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been more vocal on cryptos. At the turn of the year, the IMF had raised concerns over a growing interconnectedness between virtual assets and financial markets. IMF Concerned Over Crypto Market Risks In December of last year, the Bank of England had highlighted concerns over cryptos and financial stability. The UKs central bank appeared to have put the spotlight back on the crypto market, calling for a global crypto regulatory framework. Aligned with the Bank of England, the IMF also called for a comprehensive, coordinated global regulatory framework at the turn of the year. It was of little surprise, therefore, when the IMF raised concerns and called for El Salvador to remove Bitcoin (BTC) as legal tender. In a late January press release, the IMF warned of large risks associated with the use of Bitcoin on financial stability, financial integrity, and consumer protection, as well as fiscal contingent liabilities. At the time, Bitcoin had just slumped to sub-$33,000 levels. The sell-off would have impacted individuals and business that had adopted Bitcoin as their legal tender of choice. An IMF Executive Board review of El Salvador led to the press-release. The review was in response to the El Salvador government requesting a $1.3bn loan last year. IMF Favors Central Bank Digital Currencies Central bank digital currencies have also had plenty of airtime on the crypto news wires in recent months. Last month, the Federal Reserve released its highly anticipated CBDC review. A number of countries have gone live or are in pilot phases of CBDC projects. According to CBDC Tracker, just two countries have fully developed and issued CBDCs, these being The Bahamas and Nigeria. A number, however, are in pilot phases, including China. For the U.S, its still early days when it comes to CBDCs, with the U.S in the research stage. The lack of progress on the CBDC front has had some lawmakers critical of the FEDs progress. Story continues This week, the IMF favored CBDCs over cryptos. This was in spite of ongoing concerns amongst a number of countries including the UK. Aligned with the position of other IMF members on cryptos, Kristalina Georgieva stated If CBDCs are designed prudently, they can potentially offer more resilience, more safety, greater availability, and lower costs than private forms of digital money. Georgieva followed on by saying that is clearly the case when compared to unbacked crypto assets that are inherently volatile. She also put the spotlight on stablecoins. Georgieva noted that stablecoins may not be a match to a stable and welldesigned CBDC. The IMF Managing Director failed to mention, however, that CBDCs have evolved as a result of private sector innovation. Georgieva also made no references to the centralized aspects or security concerns related to CBDCs. This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: Small toy figures are seen in front of displayed ShareChat and Moj logo in this illustration taken By Aditya Kalra and Aditi Shah NEW DELHI (Reuters) -The parent company of India's ShareChat has acquired local rival MX's short-video platform in a roughly $700 million deal, two sources told Reuters, as competition heats up in the sector where foreign investors have placed major bets. The two companies confirmed the deal in a statement but did not disclose financials. Reuters was first to report earlier on Thursday that the two companies had reached a deal. Indian short-video apps have become popular since New Delhi banned ByteDance's TikTok and some other Chinese apps in 2020 following an India-China border clash. After TikTok was banned, ShareChat's parent entity, Mohalla Tech, launched a similar short-video sharing app named Moj, which counts Meta Platforms Inc's Instagram Reels as its key rival. In a cash-and-stock deal, ShareChat's parent entity acquired MX's short-video platform called TakaTak, the sources familiar with the transaction said. The deal is valued at around $700 million, said one of the sources. In their statement, the companies said the two platforms together will have more than 300 million monthly users and nearly 250 billion monthly video views, creating what they dubbed as "the largest short video platform for Indians." ShareChat is valued at roughly $4 billion and counts Singapore's Temasek Holdings and Twitter among its investors. ShareChat has plans to deepen its use of artificial intelligence tools and reach a much wider audience as Moj has roughly 160 million users in India, while MX has roughly 100 million, said one of the sources. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra in New DelhiEditing by Shri Navaratnam, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Paul Simao) iRobot Corporation IRBT reported weaker-than-expected results for fourth-quarter 2021. The companys adjusted loss for the reported quarter was $1.05 per share compared with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 88 cents. Also, the quarterly loss compares unfavorably with earnings of 84 cents per share generated in the year-ago quarter. For 2021, IRBTs adjusted earnings were $1.34 per share, decreasing 67.6% from the previous years $4.14. Also, the bottom line lagged the Zacks Consensus estimate of $1.47 per share. Revenue Details The company generated revenues of $455.5 million for the reported quarter, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $462.3 million by 1.5%. On a year-over-year basis, quarterly revenues decreased 16.4% as shipping delays and shortages of semiconductor chips adversely impacted its performance. Sales derived from premium and mid-tier robots accounted for 81% of the companys total robot revenues, higher than 78% in the year-ago quarter. Sales generated from the e-commerce platform (representing 53% of the reported quarters revenues) decreased 26% year over year. The e-commerce platform includes online sources of retailers, IRBTs app and website, and e-commerce websites. Direct sales to consumers were down 1% year over year to $68 million and represented 14.9% of the quarters revenues. Total product units of 1,657 thousand shipped in the quarter reflected a year-over-year decrease of 24.4%, while average selling prices grew 7.6%. For vacuum products, revenues of $408 million reflected a decline of 15.7% from the year-ago quarter. Units shipped were 1,480 thousand, down 24.2% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues from mopping products decreased 23% from the prior-year quarter to $47 million. Units shipped were 177 thousand, down from 241 thousand recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020. On a geographical basis, the company sourced 49.6% of revenues from domestic operations and the rest came from the international arena. Domestic revenues totaled $226 million, reflecting a 28.5% decrease from the year-ago quarter. International revenues grew 0.4% from the year-ago quarter to $229.4 million. International operations gained from a 19% revenue increase in Japan, partially offset by a 2% decline in EMEA sales. For 2021, IRBTs revenues were $1.57 billion, up 9.4% year over year and in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Connected customers for the year totaled 14 million, reflecting an increase of 44% year over year. Story continues Margin Profile For the quarter under review, iRobots non-GAAP cost of revenues increased 1.1% to $328.9 million, representing 72.2% of revenues compared with 59.7% in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP gross profit was $126.6 million, down 42.3% year over year, while the adjusted gross margin decreased 1250 basis points to 27.8%. Research and development expenses were $40.5 million, down 9.5% year over year. This accounted for 8.9% of revenues compared with 8.2% in the year-ago quarter. Selling and marketing expenses decreased 20.3% year over year to $103.1 million. As a percentage of revenues, it was 22.6% for the reported quarter compared with 23.7% in the prior-year period. General and administrative expenses were $26.6 million, up 2.9% year over year. The figure mirrored 5.8% of the total revenue base compared with 4.7% in the year-earlier quarter. For the quarter under review, the company recorded an adjusted operating loss of $33.6 million against operating earnings of $30.4 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted operating margin was (7.4%) versus 5.6% in the year-ago quarter. Tariff costs related to Section 301 totaled $19.1 million for the reported quarter. Its impact on the gross and operating margins was (4.2%). Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Exiting fourth-quarter 2021, iRobot had cash and cash equivalents of $201.5 million, decreasing 7.6% from $218 million recorded at the end of third-quarter 2021. Total long-term liabilities were $72 million, up 6.4% sequentially. In 2021, the company used net cash of $32 million for operating activities against a net cash flow of $232 million in the previous year. Capital used for purchasing property and equipment totaled $29.9 million, decreasing 5.3% year over year. In 2021, IRBT repurchased shares worth $150 million. Outlook For 2022, the company anticipates benefiting from solid product offerings and customer base, innovation capabilities, expansion plans as well as operational initiatives. Supply-chain issues are predicted to adversely impact IRBTs performance for the first half of the year. It predicts revenues within $1.75-$1.85 billion, suggesting year-over-year growth of 12-18%. IRBT anticipates non-GAAP earnings to be $1.50-$2.00 per share. Non-GAAP gross profit is expected to be $622-$3681 million and non-GAAP operating income is predicted to be $44-$60 million. The impact of tariff-related costs of Section 301 is expected to be $42-$44 million. For the first quarter, the company predicts revenues to be $293-$313 million, suggesting a decline of 3% to growth of 3% from the year-ago period. Operating loss is predicted to be $37-$44 million, while net loss per share is expected to be $1.35-$1.60. iRobot Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise iRobot Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise iRobot Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | iRobot Corporation Quote Zacks Rank & Other Important Earnings Releases With a market capitalization of $1.9 billion, iRobot currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Three companies from the Zacks Industrial Products sector set to report quarterly results soon are discussed below: Ingersoll Rand Inc. IR is scheduled to release fourth-quarter results on Feb 23, after market close. It presently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The company reported better-than-expected results in the last four quarters, with the earnings surprise being 19.78%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ingersolls fourth-quarter earnings has been unchanged in the past 60 days. Colfax Corporation CFX is slated to release fourth-quarter results on Feb 22, before market open. It presently carries a Zacks Rank #4. In the last four quarters, the company surpassed earnings estimates thrice and matched the same once, with a surprise of 5.64%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CFXs fourth-quarter earnings has been unchanged in the past 60 days. Barnes Group Inc. B presently carries a Zacks Rank #4. The company is slated to report fourth-quarter 2021 results on Feb 18, before market open. The company reported better-than-expected results in the last four quarters, with the earnings surprise being 10.99%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Bs fourth-quarter earnings has decreased 6.1% in the past 60 days. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ingersoll Rand Inc. (IR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Barnes Group, Inc. (B) : Free Stock Analysis Report iRobot Corporation (IRBT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Colfax Corporation (CFX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Four leading U.S. Virgin Islands brokerages produce more than $441 million in sales in 2021 US Virgin Islands --News Direct-- Island Living Collective Island Living Collective blew their 2021 sales out of the crystal blue water, hitting record numbers across all four of its real estate brokerages: Sea Glass Properties, Islandia Real Estate, Holiday Homes St. John, and JF Virgin Islands Real Estate. Additionally, eight out of the top 10 selling agents across St. Thomas and St. Croix are members of Island Living Collective. Holiday Homes and Islandia Real Estate sold two of their highest priced properties at $7.9 million and $6.65 million, respectively. The Holiday Homes property marks the highest property sale of 2021 for Island Living Collective. The 5,000 square-foot property features 270-degree views, soaring ceilings and a large lap pool that spills into another pool below. JF Virgin Islands Real Estate and Sea Glass Properties also had a great year, with their two highest selling properties at $6.675 million and $5.9 million, respectively. The $5.9 million property was listed by an agent of JF Real Estate, and sold by an agent of Sea Glass. Co-listed by the JF Virgin Islands Real Estate office, it is one of the most architecturally unique properties known as Pyramid Point. This property sits on a private peninsula on St. Croix and features a visionary architectural design inspired by the original owners travel to Egypt. The property is comprised of seven pyramids, six of which include skylights at the tip of each structure. The seventh is built entirely of glass, inviting a vast amount of natural light into all common areas of the property. Island Living Collective boasted more than 25 percent of the total market share in closed sales. Sea Glass, Holiday Homes, and Islandia secured more than 64 percent of the total market share, including both the buyer and seller sides of the listings. Holiday Homes also claimed eight sales each over $3 million and had the highest total market share, at 27 percent. Islandia sold three homes over $3 million, claiming the third highest percentage of the market share. Finally, Sea Glass Properties had an amazing year with eight sales for more than $2 million each. Story continues The brands at the Island Living Collective have been holding a majority of the market share over previous years, and continued to do so in 2021. With their combined efforts, they expect to see even bigger sales in 2022 and a larger hold of the market. To learn more about the Island Living Collective and its brokerages, visit islandliving.com. Nestled in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Island Living Collective represents some of the most respected and sought-after real estate brokerages in the Caribbean, including Sea Glass Properties, Islandia Real Estate, Holiday Homes St. John, and JF Virgin Islands Real Estate. By combining their unique areas of expertise, the Island Living Collective is made up of agents with an unparalleled commitment to providing the ultimate in extraordinary island lifestyle alongside a peaceful, welcoming Virgin Island community. Contact Details Trust Relations Emily Lockwood +1 818-425-3925 emilyl@trustrelations.agency Company Website https://www.islandliving.com/ View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/island-living-collective-hits-record-breaking-real-estate-sales-in-2021-371461282 Rating Action: Moody's changes Kosmos Energy's outlook to stable on Ghana downgrade, affirms B2 CFRGlobal Credit Research - 09 Feb 2022New York, February 09, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") changed Kosmos Energy Ltd.'s (Kosmos Energy) rating outlook to stable from positive while concurrently affirming the company's B2 Corporate Family Rating (CFR), B2-PD Probability of Default Rating (PDR) and B3 senior unsecured notes.The outlook change was triggered by the ratings downgrade of the Government of Ghana (Ghana, Caa1 stable), where the majority of Kosmos Energy's production and cash flow are concentrated today. On February 4, 2022, Moody's downgraded Ghana on concerns over the country's heightened fiscal, refinancing and debt challenges. Moody's lowered Ghana's local currency (LC) and foreign currency (FC) country ceiling to B1 and B2, respectively from Ba3 and B1. For additional information on the Ghana rating action, please refer to the related announcement: https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-downgrades-Ghanas-rating-to-Caa1-outlook-stable--PR_461698."Kosmos Energy's stable outlook balances its inherent credit strength with Ghana's heightened sovereign risk," said Sajjad Alam, Moody's Vice President. "Kosmos will have a 38.3% interest in the Jubilee field and a 19.8% interest in the TEN field (assuming partners' pre-emption rights are exercised), representing roughly 55% of the company's projected 2022 production. These Ghana fields are operated by Tullow Oil plc (B3 stable), which has even greater production concentration in Ghana."Outlook Actions:..Issuer: Kosmos Energy Ltd.....Outlook, Changed To Stable From PositiveAffirmations:..Issuer: Kosmos Energy Ltd..... Corporate Family Rating, Affirmed B2.... Probability of Default Rating, Affirmed B2-PD....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Affirmed B3 (LGD5)RATINGS RATIONALEDespite facing elevated sovereign risk, Kosmos Energy's standalone credit fundamentals will continue to improve through 2023. High energy prices and incremental production from the late-2021 Ghana acquisition will enable the company to achieve significantly higher operating cash flow and production relative to 2021 levels. This will provide enhanced financial flexibility to reduce debt and fund growth spending. Additionally, once the Tortue Phase I LNG project begins production in the second half of 2023, the company's Ghana exposure will moderate further and LNG production will start to grow rapidly.Kosmos Energy's B2 CFR reflects its majority production in offshore Ghana, high but improving financial leverage, substantial ongoing capital spending requirements involving the phased Tortue LNG development project, significant debt amortization obligations starting in 2024, and somewhat complex corporate and capital structure. The rating also considers the risks of the company's non-operating interest in key assets, deepwater focus and the attendant physical and operational risks. The credit profile is supported by Kosmos Energy's high-quality and oil-focused producing assets that have low break-even costs and relatively low base decline rates, geographic diversification across several West African countries and the US Gulf of Mexico, strong growth prospect involving the large natural gas and LNG assets in Mauritania and Senegal, a solid track record of organic and acquisition-driven growth and a visible pipeline of low-risk development projects. Moody's expects financial leverage to decline and free cash flow to increase materially through 2023 as the company benefits from increased volumes, higher oil and gas prices and the completion of Tortue Phase 1 in the second half of 2023.The stable outlook reflects Moody's view that Kosmos Energy's operating cash flow, liquidity and leverage metrics will steadily improve through 2023 backed by favorable global oil and natural gas prices.FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGSThe CFR is unlikely to be upgraded in the near term unless Ghana's sovereign rating was also upgraded. Longer term, the CFR could be upgraded if the company can reduce debt and substantially increase production and cash flow from its non-Ghana assets. In terms of specific credit metrics, Moody's would look for the company to lower the debt/average daily production below $30,000/boe and the RCF/debt ratio above 25% before considering an upgrade. The CFR could be downgraded if the company produces significant negative free cash flow, the RCF/debt ratio declines towards 15%, capital expenditures rise sharply, or liquidity becomes weak. Downward pressure could also develop in the event of further downgrade of Ghana's sovereign rating, which Moody's does not anticipate through 2023.Kosmos Energy Ltd. is a Dallas, Texas based publicly traded exploration and production company with assets in offshore West Africa and the US Gulf of Mexico.The principal methodology used in these ratings was Independent Exploration and Production published in August 2021 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1284973. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.REGULATORY DISCLOSURESFor further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.These ratings are unsolicited.a.With Rated Entity or Related Third Party Participation: YESb.With Access to Internal Documents: YESc.With Access to Management: YESRegulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1288235.The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com.The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the UK and is endorsed by Moody's Investors Service Limited, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5FA under the law applicable to credit rating agencies in the UK. Further information on the UK endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com.Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. Sajjad Alam VP - Senior Credit Officer Corporate Finance Group Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. 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(MSFJ) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of MJKK. MSFJ is not a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an entity that is not a NRSRO and, consequently, the rated obligation will not qualify for certain types of treatment under U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively.MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY100,000 to approximately JPY550,000,000.MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements. TYSONS, Va., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- M.C. Dean, a $1+ billion multi-national systems integration and engineering firm, has launched a new website and brand refresh to represent its role as a cyber-physical solutions leader. M.C. Dean, Inc. Homepage "The explosive growth of intelligent devices, embedded software, and ubiquitous networks, and the complexity and risk inherent in the Industrial Internet of Things require exceptional engineering and integration expertise to deliver interoperability, reliability, and security for large scale infrastructure and global enterprises," said Bill Dean, M.C. Dean chief executive officer. "Technology advancements combined with economic, environmental, and social shifts are accelerating the need to optimize human and natural resources." The brand refresh embodies these changes and the company's mission to transform the way complex, large-scale systems are designed, delivered, and sustained enhancing client outcomes, improving lives, and changing the world for the better. "The new website focuses on the company's expertise, agility, and trust tackling customer challenges like they are our own, developing teams of great people, and serving as an outstanding corporate citizen," said Regine de la Cruz, M.C. Dean vice president of marketing and communications. The company has grown by nearly 25 percent over the past year and is hiring across a range of technical, trade, and business disciplines. The world is changing rapidly. Let's change it together. Apply online at www.mcdean.com . About M.C. Dean M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audio visual, and IT systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability. Story continues Media Contacts: Regine de la Cruz Phone: (202) 430-1389 Email: regine.delacruz@mcdean.com Ramneek Kaur Phone: (202) 446-6116 Email: ramneek.kaur@mcdean.com M.C. Dean, Inc. Logo (PRNewsfoto/M.C. Dean, Inc.) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mc-dean-refreshes-brand-website-to-reflect-cyber-physical-growth-301479974.html SOURCE M.C. Dean, Inc. TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - TD Bank Group ("TD" or the "Bank") will release its first quarter financial results and host an earnings conference call on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Financial results will be issued in a press release at approximately 6:30 a.m. ET. The call will be available live via TD's website at 1:30 p.m. ET and is expected to last approximately 60 minutes. The call and audio webcast will feature presentations by TD executives on the Bank's financial results for the first quarter, followed by a question-and-answer period with analysts. Presentation materials will be available on the TD website at www.td.com/investor on March 3, 2022 in advance of the call. A listen-only telephone line will be available at 416-641-6150 or 1-866-696-5894 (toll free) and the passcode is 2727354#. The audio webcast will be archived at www.td.com/investor. Replay of the teleconference will be available from 5:00 p.m. ET on March 3, 2022, until 11:59 p.m. ET on March 18, 2022 by calling 905-694-9451 or 1-800-408-3053 (toll free) and the passcode is 7300743#. The presentations may contain forward-looking statements including statements regarding the business and anticipated financial performance of the Bank. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. Therefore, forward-looking statements should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on them. About TD Bank Group The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group ("TD" or the "Bank"). TD is the fifth largest bank in North America by assets and serves more than 26 million customers in three key businesses operating in a number of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian Retail, including TD Canada Trust, TD Auto Finance Canada, TD Wealth (Canada), TD Direct Investing, and TD Insurance; U.S. Retail, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, TD Auto Finance U.S., TD Wealth (U.S.), and an investment in The Charles Schwab Corporation; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 15 million active online and mobile customers. TD had CDN$1.7 trillion in assets on October 31, 2021. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. Story continues SOURCE TD Bank Group Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2022/10/c5161.html LONDON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Media Do International, the US-based subsidiary of Media Do Ltd., in Japan, today announced they have acquired all of the shares of Supadu Ltd. Mark Harvie-Watt, CEO and Co-Founder of Supadu Ltd., will remain on as CEO indefinitely. Media Do International acquired Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley in January 2021, and Supadu has worked closely with Firebrand for the last five years. Supadu CEO, Mark Harvie-Watt, said about the deal: "I am really excited to be working with Media Do, Firebrand and NetGalley. We have worked closely with these companies for a number of years and know how important they are for many of our customers. This deal will bring closer synergies, more integrated solutions, and provide our customers with an exciting road map for years to come." "We are excited to bring Supadu into the Media Do family as part of the Firebrand Group," says Daihei Shiohama, CEO of Media Do International. "We look forward to collaborating more closely with them going forward and to expand its business opportunities all around the world including Japan." The MEDIA DO Group aspires to make the greatest possible contributions to the growth of the overall publishing market by leveraging its cutting-edge technologies and distinctive position in the industry to promote the popularization of eBooks and other digital content. Media Do International is based in San Diego, California. Supadu Ltd, based in the UK, was founded in 2010 and is the lead provider of website and e-commerce solutions for publishers. It has more than 250 global customers, primarily in Europe and the US. Supadu serves publishers of all sizes and across trade, academic and university press spaces. With the Supafolio metadata management platform at its core, Supadu uses book data to build beautiful websites with enhanced title visibility, advanced search functions and rich user experience. Supadu has a range of integrated e-commerce solutions and offers extensive support throughout the website build and beyond. Story continues Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744418/Supadu_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744417/Media_Do_International_Logo.jpg Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-do-international-acquires-supadu-ltd-301480161.html SOURCE Supadu Ltd Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Naranjal/Litoral Uruguay Issuer 2Global Credit Research - 09 Feb 2022New York, February 09, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has completed a periodic review of the ratings of Naranjal/Litoral Uruguay Issuer 2 and other ratings that are associated with the same analytical unit. The review was conducted through a portfolio review discussion held on 4 February 2022 in which Moody's reassessed the appropriateness of the ratings in the context of the relevant principal methodology (ies), recent developments, and a comparison of the financial and operating profile to similarly rated peers. The review did not involve a rating committee. Since 1 January 2019, Moody's practice has been to issue a press release following each periodic review to announce its completion.This publication does not announce a credit rating action and is not an indication of whether or not a credit rating action is likely in the near future. Credit ratings and outlook/review status cannot be changed in a portfolio review and hence are not impacted by this announcement. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history.Key rating considerations are summarized below.Naranjal/Litoral Uruguay Issuer 2 credit quality reflects the stability and predictability of cash flows from a long-term fixed-price power purchase agreement (PPA) with Administracion Nacional de Usinas y Trasmisiones Electricas (UTE), Uruguay's government owned electricity company. Given the close linkage between the government and the offtaker, the rating is constrained by the Government of Uruguay (Baa2). The project creditworthiness is supported by the credit positive features of the PPA such as no minimum production requirements, curtailment provisions and well-defined termination payment clauses. At the same time, Naranjal/Litoral Uruguay financial structure holds typical project finance protections, but the rating is limited by a relatively high leverage that results in credit metrics that are consistent with lower rating categories. Moody's views also incorporate considerations of subordination given the existence of a distribution test that could stop payments of the subordinated debt should the senior debt service coverage ratio ("SDSCR") in any year be below 1.20 times. While the existence of a twelve-month debt service reserve account mitigates default risk, the two-notch difference between the rating on the project's senior debt tranche and that of the subordinated notes reflect this potential restriction on cash flows for the debt service on the subordinated notes.This document summarizes Moody's view as of the publication date and will not be updated until the next periodic review announcement, which will incorporate material changes in credit circumstances (if any) during the intervening period.The principal methodology used for this review was Power Generation Projects Methodology published in January 2022. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.This announcement applies only to EU rated, UK rated, EU endorsed and UK endorsed ratings. Non EU rated, non UK rated, non EU endorsed and non UK endorsed ratings may be referenced above to the extent necessary, if they are part of the same analytical unit.This publication does not announce a credit rating action. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history. Ursula Cassinerio Analyst Project & Infrastructure Finance JOURNALISTS: 1 800 666 3506 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Cristiane Spercel Senior Vice President/Manager Project & Infrastructure Finance JOURNALISTS: 0 800 891 2518 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 2022 Moodys Corporation, Moodys Investors Service, Inc., Moodys Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, MOODYS). 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MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively.MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY100,000 to approximately JPY550,000,000.MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements. STOCKHOLM, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OmboriGrid today announced that the company is working with recycling specialists INCOM TOMRA to offer new ways to encourage customers to recycle glass and plastics. INCOM TOMRA is the market leader in reverse vending machines (RVMs) for recycling. Consumers return used beverage containers into the RVM, which instantly analyzes and sorts the material. Consumers are then incentivized for their recycling effort. OmboriGrid adds an extra layer of functionality by integrating this with the client's loyalty program and engaging the user via their mobile phone and large format digital signage. The first deployment by the partnership was in the United Arab Emirates at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in conjunction with Etihad Airways, where visitors can recycle plastic drink bottles and aluminum cans in return for Etihad Guest Miles. The entire project was completed in less than a month, which demonstrates the speed with which Grid-based solutions can be created. Integrating Ombori Grid with INCOM TOMRA RVMs offers businesses new ways to meet their sustainability targets and demonstrate their commitment to recycling. In addition, it is an effective tool for promoting loyalty programmes. Users who are not a member of the programme are able to sign up simply by recycling. Customers have reacted very positively to the Ombori-enabled RVMs. Users have given it an NPS score of 95, showing that they enjoy using it and would recommend it to others. "This collaboration shows what's possible when companies from all over the world come together to pool their expertise," said Andreas Hassellof, CEO of Ombori. "By combining our software and Microsoft Azure with INCOM TOMRA's reverse vending machines, we can offer our clients innovative ways to encourage their customers to recycle. Sustainability is important to all of us, and we're excited to be doing our part." "At INCOM TOMRA, we are passionate about technology solutions designed to drive sustainable behavior," said Thomas Lstegard, Managing Director at INCOM TOMRA. "It is exciting and refreshing for us to work together with OmboriGrid to develop new ways for businesses to engage and reward their consumers through the act of reverse vending." Story continues Video: Ombori Grid - Etihad Airways: Sustainability Pays CONTACT: Andreas Hassellof, CEO, OmboriGrid AB (publ), +46 (0) 77-586 80 00, andreas@ombori.com Thomas Lstegard, Man. Dir., TOMRA Recycling Technology (Xiamen, China) Co. Ltd., +86 159 60800 705, thomas.lostegard@tomra.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/omborigrid-ab/r/omborigrid-announces-partnership-with-incom-tomra-to-help-businesses-meet-sustainability-targets,c3496708 Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/omborigrid-announces-partnership-with-incom-tomra-to-help-businesses-meet-sustainability-targets-301479520.html SOURCE OmboriGrid AB Ironworkers at Ultium Cells LLC in Lordstown install the final beam Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at a 2.8-million-square-foot battery cell manufacturing facility, a joint venture between GM and LG Chem. Ohio announced the largest economic development project in state history when it shared Intels plans to build a $20 billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing facility in Licking County. It should come as no surprise that Ohio and Licking County in particular was chosen as the best location to site this project. More: Here's how Ohio won a bid by Intel to build the world's largest chip factory Ohio is known for its strong skilled labor presence and is well-versed in manufacturing with convenient logistics that provide access to a large part of the United States in less than a days drive. As the U.S. works hard to onshore critical industries, Ohio has been given an opportunity to get back to its manufacturing roots and restore its position as an energy provider with its growing solar energy economy. Russ Adams, lieutenant colonel of the 18th Airborne Division, U.S. Army retired and Licking County farmer and participating landowner in the Harvey Solar Project under development by Open Road Renewables. Semiconductor manufacturing has become a matter of national and economic security for the U.S. The Department of Defense has made clear that the United States must act aggressively to onshore critical supply chains to compete effectively with other countries around the world. More: Intel chip factory is part of Ohio's plan to regain its status as manufacturing powerhouse From the research and development activity at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base to the new Cyber Warfare Wing at the Mansfield Air Base and more, Ohio has a strong history of supporting national defense priorities and Ohio is called home by more than 740,000 military veterans. More: Mansfield Air Guard base selected for national cyber warfare mission Ohios manufacturing trailblaze also includes the GM/LG Chem joint project to manufacture batteries in Lordstown, which will help to maintain Ohios legacy as an automotive powerhouse as the industry transforms. Ohio is bringing jobs home to the United States, improving our domestic economy and strengthening our national security. Many of these critical industries are making voluntary commitments to help solve our climate crisis as well, and Intel is no exception with its goal to purchase 100% renewable energy to power its global manufacturing operations by 2030. Story continues More: Letters: With climate crisis looming, it's time for leaders to take bold action Automotive companies are shifting production to electric vehicles and are seeking to decarbonize their entire supply chains. And there is a growing trend of these companies aiming to locate newly constructed facilities closer to renewable sources of energy. When it comes to producing clean, renewable energy, Ohio shines again. Ohio possesses a growing solar industry expected to produce nearly $20 billion of economic impact across the state, helping Ohio retain and attract more investment from sustainability-focused industries. More: Intel's chip manufacturing has a massive carbon footprint. What will this mean for Ohio? Recent investment announcements from Nestle, Peloton, GM and a litany of others have come coupled with sustainability goals that Ohio can achieve. Ohio currently has more than 8,400 megawatts of solar facilities before its Power Siting Board. Two of these projects are in Licking County and are poised to infuse more than $4 million annually to the local economy. More: Sunny days ahead for Ohio solar farm developers; nearly 2 dozen projects in the works Ohios growing solar industry pairs well with the economic expansion plans of many of the countrys and worlds fastest-growing industries. As a retired Army officer and Licking County resident, I welcome Intel to our community, and am pleased to see Ohio getting back to its roots as a strong manufacturing and energy-producing state, while bolstering our national security. Russ Adams, retired lieutenant colonel of the U.S. Army's 18th Airborne Division, is a Licking County farmer. He in the Harvey Solar Project under development by Open Road Renewables. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Russ Adams: What will Intel, solar energy mean to Ohio manufacturing? Democratic leaders in Congress on Wednesday indicated they'll support stronger restrictions on stock trading for members of Congress, including banning the practice entirely. There's already a groundswell of support from Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the Capitol for stronger restrictions on their financial portfolios. It's a rare point of bipartisan agreement for two parties finding less common ground with each passing day. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer referred to stock trading as "an important issue that Congress should address" and has asked Democratic senators to come up with a bill to consider, and he is encouraging them to work with Republican counterparts. In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has charged the House Administration Committee with writing new rules but she also has some changes she wants to see made. "We have to tighten the fines on those who violate the STOCK Act," she said, referring to 2012 bill that banned members from trading in the financial markets based on nonpublic information they were able to access because of their elected office. "It's obviously not sufficient to deter behavior." Pelosi also reiterated Wednesday that she wants to see financial disclosure requirements extend to the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court, which is not subject to the same financial disclosures required of members of the legislative and executive branches of government. "The Supreme Court has no disclosure. It has no reporting of stock transactions, and it makes important decisions every day," she said. Pelosi has grown more receptive to congressional action on stock trading as more lawmakers have expressed support for stricter rules. A few weeks ago, she was skeptical. "To give a blanket attitude of, 'we can't do this and we can't do that, because we can't be trusted,' I just don't buy into that," she said. However, she added, "But if members want to do that, I'm okay with it." Story continues Proposals to limit or ban stock trading have garnered the support of members across the ideological spectrum, from progressive Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib to conservative Florida Republican Matt Gaetz. Both signed a letter to House leadership last month urging them to consider legislation that would bar members from owning or trading individual stocks. "There is no reason that members of Congress need to be allowed to trade stocks when we should be focused on doing our jobs and serving our constituents," the letter read. "Perhaps this means some of our colleagues will miss out on lucrative investment opportunities. We don't care. We came to Congress to serve our country, not turn a quick buck." There are already multiple legislative proposals in both chambers for leadership to consider. The Ban Conflicted Trading Act would prohibit lawmakers and senior staff from owning or trading individual stocks, as well as serving on corporate boards. That proposal comes from a bipartisan group in the House Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Joe Neguse, Matt Gaetz and Michael Cloud as well as Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley, Rafael Warnock and Sherrod Brown. Another unlikely bipartisan pair in the House Virginia Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Texas Republican Chip Roy have introduced the TRUST in Congress Act that would require members of Congress as well as their spouses and children to put certain investment assets into a blind trust while they're legislating in Washington. Democratic Senators Jon Ossoff and Mark Kelly introduced a companion bill, the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act, in the Senate. Congress formally banned trading stock based on nonpublic information with the 2012 STOCK Act. The bill came on the heels of a 60 Minutes report which illustrated how members, who were considered exempt from insider trading laws, had grown richer while in office through means that while legal, seemed at odds with their power as lawmakers. But an investigation by Insider last year found more than 200 examples of lawmakers and senior Capitol Hill staff failing to report their stock trades under the timeframe required by the law and no public records of whether they ever paid the penalties required for tardy filing. Late filings draw a fine of $200 for the first offense, with higher fines for repeat offenses. At least one new proposal would raise these fines. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Steve Daines struck an agreement on a bill to ban stock ownership and trading among members of Congress, with a $50,000 fine for each violation. "No one in this country should ever have to wonder what motivates a lawmaker. Is that what that lawmaker believes is in the best interest of the American people or in the best interest of the lawmaker himself or herself? That shouldn't be an issue," Warren said. Multiple senators came under investigation by the Justice Department when they or their spouses bought and sold stocks at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as lawmakers were beginning to receive briefings about the new virus. All were ultimately cleared, including North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, who stepped down from his position as the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee following an FBI investigation into trades he and his wife made ranging from $600,000 to $1.7 million. But while momentum is growing for a change in the rules, there are still some lawmakers who question whether new regulations are really necessary. "There's already plenty of laws in place for insider trading and it's a felony for goodness sakes, said Representative Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat, who said he owns stocks he inherited from his father when he died three years ago. "To do a kind of across-the-board ban on stock trading seems a little bit over the top to me." But he said he's willing to listen to the arguments from his colleagues for their new laws. Congressman Glenn Grothman, a Republican, said members should buy mutual funds or index funds so they can't be accused of trading in a particular stock. "That's what I do, just put your money in the Standard and Poor's 500 Index Fund or the American Funds Growth Fund, and that way there are no problems," he said. Nikole Killion, Ellis Kim and Alan He contributed to this report. Pelosi supports additional limits on stock trading by lawmakers as bipartisan support grows Report: DOJ looking into former President Trump's classified White House documents Russian military drills in Belarus raise fears of a pretense for invasion of neighboring Ukraine DOCKLANDS, Australia, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After a competitive process across ANZ last year, Australian based multi-award winning CFD broker Pepperstone, appointed Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand as its global strategy and creative agency to assist with the development and launch of a new brand proposition to market. With a growing global footprint, licensed in seven jurisdictions and a history of over ten years, Pepperstone was keen to shake things up. The light-hearted campaign is designed to stand out from the masses of stock-footage-filled and typical earnest trading communications, taking viewers into the mind of the trader, giving Pepperstone a distinctive voice in the market to grow brand awareness through a memorable platform idea. Day traders are always hyper alert to events that might shift indexes or trigger market volatility. Immediately they start thinking about the chain reaction and possible outcomes these situations might have on the market. And like all of us, when they make decisions, they have the cautious, the risk-taking and the rational voices in their heads. Jordan Sky, Creative Director Saatchi & Saatchi, says "Day Traders are such a specific audience with their own unique language and way of thinking, it's almost like doing a B2B campaign. To write this campaign we delved into the world of trading and got inside the mind of a trader - and ultimately figured why not do that literally?" Tony Gruebner, Pepperstone, Global Chief Marketing Officer said "The number one reason for Pepperstone's past and ongoing success is a passion for continually improving every facet of the trading experience for our clients. We do this through a deep understanding of what it means to be a trader and through having empathy for the ups and downs in a typical day, not just financially but emotionally as well. I'm excited that with Saatchi & Saatchi NZ we have developed a concept that brings that to life by succinctly encapsulating the internal conflict and dilemma of making crucial decisions, and by extension showcasing the internal dialogue between all the different personality types that sit within every trader. This campaign illustrates that at Pepperstone we understand the full array of emotions that our clients go through but that what ultimately binds them is the thrill of the challenge". Story continues Steve Cochran, Saatchi & Saatchi NZ, Chief Creative Officer said "These commercials were filmed under quite rigid Covid restrictions. Having a single talented actor on set playing different parts was not only fun but also certainly a good way of adhering to the social distancing rules." This campaign, shot by Florence Noble at Eight Films, while not running in New Zealand, launched to a global audience on the 9th of February 2022. Brand 30": https://youtu.be/OxWSlZk6vDk Auto-Trading: https://youtu.be/KqxnANvhxZE Multi-Assets: https://youtu.be/x7eJHpWwp-Q Credits: Chief Marketing Officer: Tony Gruebner Heads of Marketing: Sheetal Maharaj and Anna Simmonds Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi NZ Production Company: Eight Executive Producer: Claire Kelly Director: Florence Noble Music: Mike Newport Sound: Shane Taipari, Franklin Road For more information, contact: Rosie Barclay, MSL Group, rosie.barclay@mslgroup.com About Pepperstone Established in 2010, Pepperstone has grown to become an award-winning online global forex and CFD broker known for delivering exceptional client service. The Pepperstone Group has related entities across the globe and is regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission ASIC, the UK Financial Conduct Authority FCA, the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission CySec, the Securities Commission of The Bahamas SCB, the Dubai Financial Services Authority DFSA, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority BaFin and The Capital Markets Authority of Kenya CMA. SOURCE Pepperstone Providence ranked fifth among the Best Coffee Cities in America from Clever Real Estate. Never heard of Clever? Me neither. This website "offers free educational resources, including expert advice, reviews, and guides, to help consumers navigate their real estate journey." Barely a week goes by that I don't get a public relations pitch with survey results that include Providence. Most of the time, these are from online publications or food businesses. They are usually compiled using analytics from Google searches. Sometimes, these results reveal news that becomes a story. There was one on takeout back in April 2020. It said the most popular to-go item in Rhode Island was Buffalo cauliflower. After I tweeted the news with some heady skepticism, I learned how many people had a favorite restaurant version of Buffalo or other spicy cauliflower. Bolt Coffee is one of the many excellent coffee purveyors in Providence. I did find some interesting news in the coffee survey which you can view here. The report begins with the news that Providence has, on average, 23 coffee shops per 100,000 people. That's a healthy amount. Insert how many Dunkin' shops we have joke here. Most popular take out dish: Is Buffalo cauliflower at the top of your takeout list? Portland, Oregon, is number two on the list and they have 27 coffee shops per 100,000. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, number one on the list, only has 12. The data to compile the best coffee cities in America is based not just on the average number of coffee shops per capita and per square mile, but also how much income is spent on a cup of coffee for each weekday. Google search trends for coffee-related terms in each metro area was also figured into the data. The price of Wisconsin coffee cost is low, an average of $3.56 for a cappuccino, while Portland's costs $4.30. Providence comes in at $4.12 as an average for cappuccino. Here's what Clever Real Estate wrote about Providence. "The 'Creative Capital' is pour-fectly balanced, ranking No. 3 for most coffee shops per capita (23) and No. 5 for coffee shops per square mile (a coffee shop every 4 square miles). Story continues Espresso martini, anyone?: 30 tasty ways to celebrate Valentine's Day with your sweetheart "Rhode Island might be the smallest state, but they're brewing big! Visitors to Providence can expect to find a coffee shop every 4 square miles, as it's home to about 23 cafes per capita. Although Providence's average cappuccino price ($4.12) is closer to the national average ($4.36) than some other cities, you'll get the best brew the city has to offer for your buck in the 'Creative Capital,' folks only spend around $1,071 per year on their weekday pick-me-up, compared to $1,134 nationally." The survey doesn't rate the quality of the coffee in RI In Providence I'd rate it excellent with not just coffee shops but so many local roasters, too. You can't lose here with New Harvest, Bolt Coffee Co., The Coffee Exchange, Dave's Coffee, Seven Stars Bakery, Small Point Cafe, White Electric Coffee Co-Op, Ellie's, The Nitro Cart and Madrid European Bakery. Each one is worth a visit. if you haven't been. No. 3 on the list was San Francisco. That is a place with great coffee, in my experience. Buffalo at No. 4 is Buffalo, and after Providence at No. 5, at No. 6 is Boston. Just a reminder, that survey is meant to help people choose where to live based on coffee. To each his or her cup of Joe. Here's another interesting survey, though not about food. It's from seniorly.com on the best states for single seniors. Sign, sign everywhere a sign: The man behind RI's handmade restaurant signs and murals It says that R.I. has the second largest senior dating pool among all the states and Washington D.C. Some 48.2% of seniors here are single, either never married, divorced or widowed. Only Washington D.C. is higher with 57.1%. Third is New York with 47%. The lowest was Iowa with 40%. In case you were wondering, 43% of Americans 65 and older are single. I'm not sure what the news is here. But overall, Rhode Island ranked 20th as the best state for single seniors. At least we know they have great coffee to enjoy. Sign up here to receive my weekly newsletter, Gail's Food Feed This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence is rated number 5 among the best coffee cities in America As someone who has spent my entire career in education, I know that sometimes students learn the best outside their classrooms. The pandemic and continued political polarization have sadly done so much to tear at the fabric of trust that binds communities like ours together. Our young people have suffered the most as a result. Thats why I understand some of the fears and concerns that led to the McMinn County school boards decision to remove the Pulitzer Prize-winning book "Maus" from their curriculum. It is also why I hope that the school board reverses its decision. Marion County, where I live and where I worked, is not very different than McMinn County. Both are rural Tennessee counties, both less than an hour away from Chattanooga. For many of the families who live here, day to day life is about faith and community. While we pride ourselves on the hospitality that we show to all people, neither McMinn nor Marion has a lot of diversity in terms of race or religion. Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns. Why I wanted kids to engage as global citizens More than twenty years ago, when I was the principal of Marion Countys Whitwell Middle School, I wanted to help our kids understand that while were not all white, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant, we are all Gods children. I wanted our kids to engage as global citizens and to understand that we must respect those differences. I wanted them to learn what happens when we dont fully recognize the humanity of people from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. Vice Principal David Smith identified a curriculum to teach those lessons, and in 1998, we began an afterschool study where we introduced the Holocaust to our students. Our eighth grade social studies teacher, Sandra Roberts, started teaching them how hatred and intolerance could lead to persecution, violence, and eventually even genocide. However, in a city with a population of around 1,700, the death of millions was unfathomable to our kids. Story continues One student asked if the class could collect items to see what millions would even look like. After some research, our students learned that Norwegians would wear paper clips during World War II as a sign of protest of Nazi occupation. Thus, the Paper Clips Project was born. Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee. How the Paper Clips Project grew To date, Whitwell students have collected more than 30 million paper clips from across the world. Theyve used the project to engage in history, talking to survivors of the Holocaust and learning about the events that led to it. Whitwell Middle School students' project, which honored the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust, was the inspiration for the film Paper Clips. The Documentary was shown as part of the Jewish Film Festival a the Belcourt Theater. (November 2005) Today, under Principal Josh Holtcamp, Whitwell Middle School students continue to learn about the Holocaust from Taylor McDaniel Kilgore, who once sat on the other side of the classroom as a student and a participant in the Paper Clips Project. Outside, the school is home to the Childrens Holocaust Memorial, which displays 11 million paper clips each symbolizing a life taken in the Holocaust. Beyond Whitwell, One Clip at a Time continues to amplify the lessons of the Paper Clips project in classrooms all over North America. For Whitwell students, the process of gathering millions of paper clips helped them grasp the sheer scale of that atrocity, but our students wanted and needed to learn more. Over time, weve introduced a number of age-appropriate books about the Holocaust including Art Spiegelmans graphic novel Maus. I believe families are the first teachers, and it is our duty as educators to continue involving students families in their academic journeys. So, when we introduced new books into our curriculum, we invited parents to read them along with us. Together, we have been having a community-wide discussion that has now gone on for decades. Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee. We must not turn away from difficult parts of our history To the degree that the words and images in "Maus" are so profoundly troubling for some, we know that it is because they open a window in one of the most appalling and horrific events in human history a chapter that I am sure many would prefer to forget. Yet this is exactly why we must not turn away. These uncomfortable, necessary conversations are now unfolding in McMinn County, where local clergy members, teachers, and most importantly students, are working to ensure that they have access to stories and materials that will help them understand the past. Linda Hooper We owe the young victims of the Holocaust and atrocities everywhere, our commitment to this understanding. The school board of McMinn County will meet again this Thursday. As their communitys leaders decide how to move forward, we hope that they unite in that commitment as well. Linda Hooper volunteers as Coordinator of the Childrens Holocaust Memorial in Whitwell, Tennessee. She is the former mayor of Whitwell and the former principal of the Whitwell Middle School. Inspired by the Paper Clips Project, One Clip at a Time is a nonprofit based in Chattanooga, TN, that promotes student activism and supports service learning in classrooms across North America. For more information visit oneclipatatime.org This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Maus removal: How banning a book can unite a community against hate Letter from 12 scientists urges Minister of Environment to reject the VFPA's proposed shipping expansion in the Fraser River Estuary VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - A group of leading scientists have written to Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, urging him to reject the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's (VFPA) proposed Roberts Bank Terminal II (RBT2) project if the government is committed to the recovery of threatened and endangered species that rely on the Fraser River Estuary. The letter, co-authored by 12 scientists with expertise on Chinook salmon, Southern Resident killer whales and the Fraser River Estuary, cite the Canadian Environment Assessment Agency's (now the Impact Assessment Agency) report that found RBT2 will have significant adverse and cumulative effects on certain Fraser Chinook salmon populations and Southern Resident killer whales. The letter also expresses concern for VFPA's reliance on 'habitat offsetting' as a mechanism to compensate for the loss of habitat incurred to Chinook salmon. The scientists cited a study that found only 33% of previous habitat compensation projects implemented by the VFPA have achieved their intended ecological outcomes to offset adverse effects from their projects. A Canadian-wide study of fish habitat compensation projects found that it was simply not possible to compensate for some habitats. Dr. Ken Ashley, the Director of the Rivers Institute at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, states that "the Fraser estuary is the most ecologically sensitive and threatened ecosystem in the entire Fraser River. After experiencing myriad developmental pressures for over a century, it now faces an uncertain future due to continuing threats from large developmental proposals such as RBT2". Considering this, and the significant adverse effects anticipated on Chinook salmon and Southern Resident killer whales , the scientists state there is a clear biological rationale for rejecting the project if their recovery is a priority for the Government of Canada. Story continues "We evaluated the threats facing 102 species of conservation concern in the Fraser River Estuary and found that pursuing projects that further reduce the habitat for these at-risk species will only further their decline. Our research shows that species recovery requires implementing cost-effective conservation-based science that is supported by a management plan and co-governance", Dr. Tara Martin, Professor in the Forest and Conservation Science Department at the University of British Columbia. If Minister Guilbeault does reject the project, it would demonstrate the Federal government's stated commitment to legislation like Canada's Species at Risk Act and directive policies under the Fisheries Act to recover species and populations. Contacts For media inquiries, please contact the RBT2 science letter representatives below Dr. Ken Ashley, PhD Instructor and Director, Rivers Institute, British Columbia Institute of Technology EMAIl: ken_ashley@bcit.ca PHONE: (604)-432-8270 Dr. Tara Martin, PhD Tara Martin, PhD, Professor, Liber Ero Chair of Conservation, University of British Columbia EMAIL: tara.martin@ubc.ca PHONE: (250)-221-1241 Richard Bailey, MSc Retired scientist, Former Chinook and Coho Program Head, Fisheries and Oceans Canada EMAIL: salmon.science.kamloops@gmail.com PHONE: (250) 319-8568 Dr. Marvin Rosenau, PhD Faculty Associate and Instructor, British Columbia Institute of Technology EMAIL: Marvin_Rosenau@bcit.ca PHONE: (604)-744-5938. Dr. Deborah Giles, PhD Science and Research Director, Wild Orca EMAIL: giles@wildorca.org PHONE: (916)-531-1516 Press assets Website and letter Photo and videos Fraser Estuary Scientist Letter SOURCE Pink Sheep Media Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2022/10/c5783.html TOKYO Shiseido moved back into the black last year on the back of double-digit sales growth. The results come as the company intensifies its focus on skin beauty. Separately, Henkel is to acquire Shiseidos Professional hair business in the Asia Pacific region. After the transaction closes, Shiseido is to retain a 20 percent stake in the legal entity based in Japan. More from WWD For the year ended Dec. 31, Shiseidos net profit totaled 42.44 billion yen ($367.6 million), compared with a net loss of 11.66 billion yen in the year prior. Its operating profit for the year more than doubled, coming in at 41.59 billion yen, up from 14.96 billion yen in the previous year. Japans largest cosmetics company saw its annual net sales grow by 12.4 percent to 1.04 trillion yen. As Shiseido works to strengthen and grow its skin beauty business, skin care now accounts for 64 percent of its sales, representing growth of more than 10 percent. In terms of sales channels, its e-commerce sales have grown by more than 20 percent, now representing 34 percent of the total. The company said it was able to achieve strong growth in overseas markets, particularly the U.S. and Europe, offsetting a decline in sales in Japan, where market conditions remain difficult. Total international sales for the company grew by 19 percent. Shiseidos Americas business grew by 32.8 percent in 2021, totaling 121.37 billion yen. The companys EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) business posted sales growth of 24.1 percent, coming in at 117.04 billion yen. The companys sales also remained strong in China, where they grew by 16.5 percent to 274.72 billion yen. In the Americas, while impacts from the spread of COVID-19 continued, vaccination rollout drove the recovery of the cosmetics market, including makeup, which had struggled. In this market environment, U.S.-based skin care brand Drunk Elephant opened new doors, while Nars grew its share due to virtual store openings and other digital marketing initiatives. In addition, Shiseido, Cle de Peau Beaute and fragrance brands also performed well on the back of strengthened promotions, the company said in a release. Story continues In its home market of Japan, Shiseidos sales dropped by 8.9 percent to 276.17 billion yen, due mainly to a fall in inbound demand resulting from the border closure, and to an extended state of emergency that discouraged people from going out. Shiseido also released its forecast for its current fiscal year. It expects a 5.7 percent decline in net profit, for a total of 40 billion yen. The company is predicting its yearly operating profit will grow by 44.3 percent to 60 billion yen. It is forecasting net sales growth of 6.3 percent on the year, totaling 1.1 trillion yen. Meanwhile, Shiseido said its professional hair business, which delivers hair care, color, perm, straightening and styling products to salons in the Asia Pacific region, would be sold to Henkel for 12.3 billion yen. In the most recent fiscal year, Shiseidos Professional business saw its sales increase by 24.4 percent, totaling 15.86 billion yen. The segment includes the brands Sublimic, Primience and Crystallizing, all of which will be transferred to Henkel. The trademark of Shiseido Professional, which covers a wide range of products, will be maintained by Shiseido and licensed to Henkel. All of the 500-plus employees working with Shiseido Professional will be transferred to the new business. During a press conference to discuss Shiseidos financial results, the companys representative director, president and chief executive officer Masahiko Uotani said the aim of the sale was to continue consolidating and strengthening Shiseidos position as a skin beauty company. The salon business is in a different category from our core business, and requires different know-how than the skin care business, Uotani said. There are certain things that we cant always deal with completely, and so it is better for us to put skin care brands at the center of what we do and to partner with other companies that we can trust in other categories. This transaction is a step-change for Henkels Hair Professional business, Henkel chief executive officer Carsten Knobel said in a statement Wednesday. By expanding our Professional business in Asia Pacific, we will become one of the leading players in this highly dynamic region with attractive growth potential. This move will also further strengthen our Hair Professional business, which has already shown a very strong development in the past years and will be an integral part of our future Consumer Brands business unit. We will significantly increase our market position in Japan and China, the worlds top two and three Hair Professional markets and important centers of trends and innovations, said Wolfgang Konig, executive vice president, Beauty Care at Henkel. Henkel has made numerous hair care-related acquisitions over the past few years. In 2017, the group purchased Nattura Laboratorios and the North American Hair Professional business from Shiseido. In 2014, Henekl acquired three companies Sexy Hair, Alterna and Kenra in the U.S. Henkels Professional Hair Care business ranks among the top three activities worldwide. Its salon-specific brands include Schwartzkopf Professional, Bonarcure, Igora Royal and Authentic Beauty Concept. It makes sales of more than 1 billion euros annually and will become part of the Henkel Consumer Brands business unit, the multicategory platform being established through the merger of the companys Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care units by the beginning of 2023 at the latest. With contributions from Jennifer Weil FOR MORE, SEE: Milk Makeup and Shiseido CEOs Discuss Leadership and the Future of Work Amid COVID-19 Shiseido Posts Nine-month Profit and Sales Growth, Lowers FY Forecast Shiseido to Sell Laura Mercier, BareMinerals, Buxom to PE Firm Advent International Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Snap will fund $250k in Scholarships in 2022 for low-income Black and brown students from historically underserved communities. LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the SoLa I Can Foundation announced a new partnership with Snap Inc. to fund four year scholarships and financial aid for 25 college-bound students from South Los Angeles, a community where only 3 in 10 graduating high school seniors go on to attend college. Beyond the financial commitment to scholarships, Snap will also work closely with the SoLa Impact team to provide long-term programming and engagement through the SoLa Technology and Entrepreneurship Center, launched earlier this month. 2021 Scholar and Family Snap will fund $250k in Scholarships in 2022 for low-income Black and brown students. "Deserving students from South Central Los Angeles want to pursue two- and four-year degrees, but the arduous financial aid process and the massive student loan burden can be daunting. We want to help not only finance, but also support, inspire, and mentor these young people as they navigate the halls of academia," said Sherri Francois, Chief Impact Officer of SoLa Impact and Executive Director of the SoLa I Can Foundation. "At Snap, we are committed to creating a more diverse, inclusive and equitable world, both for our own team and the larger community we are part of. We look for organizations that have scalable and practical solutions to address racial equity and increase opportunity for communities like South Los Angeles. In addition to financially supporting the SoLa Scholars program, we found a partner that gives our team members meaningful ways to engage with the community to share their skills and talents," said Lindsey Heisser, Philanthropy Program Manager at Snap Inc. SoLa, supported by partners like Snap, aims to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by enabling young people to unlock their potential and become leaders of tomorrow. "We look for partners who are long-term oriented and work closely with the community to provide educational and mentorship opportunities to its students in order to help develop pathways to careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. We are inspired by the work that SoLa is doing within the community and are thrilled to support the students of South LA through our partnership," said Chandelle Wiebe Hakim, Philanthropy Program Manager at Snap Inc. Story continues SoLa Impact, a leading minority-led affordable housing developer, provides high quality affordable and workforce housing across Los Angeles and Southern California. Snap has committed to donating $250,000 to fund scholarships for 25 low-income students. These academic and need-based scholarships will help SoLa Scholars pursue higher education at colleges and universities across the country. "We serve an increasingly vulnerable population that needs not only high-quality affordable housing, but also support and inspiration for their families to break the cycle of poverty. Most of our SoLa Scholars are the first in their families to go to college. Some are undocumented residents. Many have experienced homelessness and other forms of trauma," said Martin Muoto, CEO of SoLa Impact. "Snap's partnership and the scholarships provided gives these students renewed hope and a second chance of attaining the American dream." Beyond housing, SoLa Impact's extensive social programs provide practical solutions to racial inequality by equipping tenants with vocational training, financial counseling, scholarships, and pathways to homeownership and self-sufficiency. SoLa recently opened the doors to its 14,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Technology & Entrepreneurship Center and announced a partnership with Riot Games. The Center provides students with free education and training and aims to inspire and develop the next generation of Black and brown game developers, esports athletes, technology professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs. "I am very grateful for the scholarship provided by SoLa," said Angel Vargas, who now attends University of California at Berkeley. "The college process has been much easier with the funding and resources during my time as a college student." Snap will provide additional programming support to SoLa Impact's newly unveiled Technology and Entrepreneurship Center, which provides free technology education to the community of South Los Angeles, and will host quarterly "Snap Summits" for students throughout the year at SoLa's Beehive campus. Students can apply for a scholarship online at www.solaican.org/scholarships. About SoLa Impact SoLa Impact is a family of real estate funds with a double bottom line strategy focused on preserving, rehabbing, and building high-quality affordable housing in Black and brown communities. SoLa's proven track record leverages data-driven social impact strategies to deliver strong financial returns. SoLa Impact's fourth fund, the Black Impact Fund, is part of an initiative to invest over $1 billion in affordable and workforce housing and related social impact strategies across urban cities in California. About SoLa Impact's I CAN Foundation The SoLa I CAN Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit affiliate of SoLa Impact, aims to improve the lives of South LA residents and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by providing opportunities for education and economic mobility. SoLa provides the community with skills-based technology programming, as well as scholarships and career development opportunities for underinvested communities to ensure Black and brown Angelenos get increased access to jobs, mentorship, and placement in the most competitive fields of business. About Snap Inc. Snap Inc. is a camera company. We believe that reinventing the camera represents our greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. For more information, visit snap.com. Snap's philanthropic mission is to empower students from under-resourced communities by supporting equitable access to education and exposure to career pathways in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), while strengthening the cities where Snap's team members live and work. 2021 SoLa Scholar and Parents SoLa Impact logo Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sola-impacts-i-can-foundation-partners-with-snap-inc-to-help-south-la-students-afford-college-301479392.html SOURCE SoLa Impact Thomas Law Group P.C. has recently released a brand new video entitled "The Importance of Choosing a Top-Notch Attorney." The video highlights the importance of hiring skilled counseling at the earliest case stage. Denver, United States, Feb. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thomas Law Group P.C. has recently released a brand new video entitled The Importance of Choosing a Top-Notch Attorney. The video highlights the importance of hiring skilled counseling at the earliest stage of a case. This information should be of particular interest to any individual filing for divorce or beginning a child custody case. People who want to get the best legal counseling and other interested individuals can view the full video at ThomasLawGroupPC/Video. The video includes several intriguing pieces of information; one, in particular, is why people will get Top-Notch Representation with Thomas Law Group, P.C. Having this information would be of specific interest to individuals filing for divorce or beginning a child custody case. Furthermore, Attorney Sergei Thomas has more than fifteen years of experience assisting people in legal matters, including Divorce, Child custody, and Stepparent adoption. Mr. Thomas compassionately helps clients through challenging phases of their lives, working vigorously to help clients effectively reach positive outcomes. One of the most critical pieces of information the video tries to convey and communicate is the importance of working with a compassionate and dedicated attorney when dealing with these difficult situations. The best example of this is perhaps found in the following extract: Whether people are filing for divorce or beginning a child custody case, they might feel anxious or fearful of whats to come. When going through these situations, it is always best to do it in the company of motivated, compassionate, and skilled attorneys that will guide them along the way. An excerpt from the video states that Thomas Sergei, President/CEO at Thomas Law Group, P.C., personally decided to enter this practice area to keep children from engaging in situations that he had experienced in his life before. Divorce affected him and his siblings at a young age. However, instead of allowing these events to derail his life, he used them as motivation. Furthermore, he decided to help others in the same situation by practicing law and being the best at it. Story continues Regular readers of Thomas Law Group, P.C. will notice the article takes a familiar tone, described as committed and super relevant. Thomas Law Group, P.C. now welcomes comments and questions from the audience about the video, as they are intent on helping people to be better informed on how important it is to get experienced counseling when presenting a case. Anyone who has a specific question about a past, present, or future article can contact Thomas Law Group, P.C. via their website at https://thomasfamilylawcounsel.com/. The complete video is available to view in full at ThomasLawGroupPC/Video. Website: https://thomasfamilylawcounsel.com/ CONTACT: Name: Sergei Thomas Organization: Thomas Law Group, P.C. Address: 1401 Lawrence Street Suite 1600, Denver, Colorado 80202, United States Phone: +1-303-293-1941 New cars are seen at the Toyota plant in Cambridge WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday it did not expect its auto plants in Ontario to produce vehicles for the rest of the week, because of supply problems stemming from COVID-19 trucking protests and other factors. "Due to a number of supply chain, severe weather and COVID related challenges, Toyota continues to face shortages affecting production at our North American plants, including Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada," the company said. Toyota builds the RAV4 model and its hybrid version as well as the Lexus RX 350 and the RX 450h at its Ontario plants. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) MILAN Hugo Boss has initiated the procedures to lay off 21 employees and close a site in Scandicci, outside Florence, and unions Filctem Cgil, Femca Cisl and Uiltec Uil billed this decision as illogical and unreceivable. The employees, mainly women, protested the decision by striking in Scandicci on Wednesday morning, flanked by the mayor of the town, Sandro Fallani. More from WWD The site develops womens leather goods and footwear prototypes and Hugo Boss is planning to move this operation to Asia and Portugal, according to the unions, which claimed the company justified the decision by saying that the market and consumers are no longer interested in Made in Italy. However, Hugo Boss on Wednesday evening responded to this claim, saying the company has not made such a statement at any point of time and that this does not reflect the companys view. This affirmation [about the Made in Italy trend] is false, serious and unacceptable and hides only a speculative operation to maximize their profits, said a joint statement from the unions, which underscored how Hugo Boss is the first big fashion brand to leave Scandicci rather than to arrive in the town. Describing the decision as a slap in the face, the unions concluded that this strategy will not be appreciated by the markets, since luxury is going in the direction of a quality increase and the request of exclusive products. Scandicci is known as a key leather goods and footwear production hub for the luxury industry, housing sites for several brands from Gucci to Prada. To live up to changing customer demand and market requirements, Hugo Boss Group has recently adjusted its global strategy, said Hugo Boss in a statement sent to WWD. In this context, and after a profound internal analysis, the company has decided to reorganize the processes and workflows in its shoes and accessories business. This has in turn resulted in the decision to close the Scandicci site. Story continues The company is working on a mitigation plan, with the goal to minimize the impact for the 21 employees affected as much as possible, continued the statement. To this end, the company is in close exchange with the employees as well as with the relevant trade unions to explore all possible options for the respective employees. The talks are currently continuing. All relevant person involved are regularly updated on proceedings and decisions. On Wednesday, following the strike, Sonia Paoloni, national secretary of the Filctem Cgil union, said the groups decision to close the plant is unacceptable, given the remarkable expertise and skills of its employees, and would mean to abandon the most crucial phase in the creation of new products that represent Made in Italy production: prototypes. Paoloni contended that Hugo Boss is leaving the country not to respond to market demands, but to replace Italian production with Made in China or Made in Portugal, thus lowering the positioning and de-qualifying the brand. Maximizing its profits [to the detriment] of those skills that over the years have created the added value of Hugo Boss products. She concluded by expressing her concern that this may lead to other such decisions in the industry. While the whole world is looking at Tuscany and Scandicci for its leather goods and footwear expertise, Paoloni believes Hugo Boss may be turning its gaze to far away horizons seeking blurred illusions. As reported, casualwear is seen to be key to an ongoing post-pandemic at Hugo Boss, which has been mostly known as a formalwear brand until relatively recently. In November, Hugo Boss reported that business was back to pre-pandemic levels in the third quarter, as revenues grew 40 percent to 755 million euros. Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Relations between China and the United States are no longer in free fall, but tensions remain and the two sides must keep up communication and exchanges, according to Chinese analysts. They said Beijing and Washington needed to find ways to cooperate, including on international issues, to manage the situation and avoid any further deterioration of bilateral ties. "China-US relations are no longer in free fall, that downward trajectory seen over the past three years, but they're generally hovering at a low level," according to Da Wei, director of the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Da was among the speakers at an event in Beijing organised by the China-US Focus website last month, remarks from which were posted on social media over the weekend. He expected that China-US relations would be relatively stable this year. "The US midterm elections and the upcoming Communist Party national congress in China will see both countries paying more attention to their domestic affairs," Da said. "Of course, this will make it more difficult to make policy adjustments but it also means neither side will want any major surprises or a sharp deterioration in relations." He added that Beijing and Washington "still have room" to take action to stabilise bilateral ties in the first half of the year. Relations between the world's two largest economies are at their lowest point in decades, with the powers at loggerheads over a range of issues - from trade and technology to human rights, security and the Covid-19 pandemic. In November, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the two sides to "find the right way to get along" in virtual talks with US counterpart Joe Biden, their first meeting. Story continues But last month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Washington had not fundamentally changed its China policies and that the relationship faced "new shocks", in a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The US has led a diplomatic boycott of Beijing's Winter Olympics, citing China's alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Washington's warming ties with Taiwan have also angered Beijing, which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory. And last week, Washington said Beijing had not fulfilled its commitments under the phase-one trade deal that expired at the end of last year, negotiated by the Donald Trump administration, and that talks were continuing. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Rome in October. Wang told Blinken in a phone call last month that the China-US relationship faced "new shocks". Photo: Reuters alt=US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Rome in October. Wang told Blinken in a phone call last month that the China-US relationship faced "new shocks". Photo: Reuters> Speaking at last month's event, An Gang, another researcher from the Tsinghua University centre, said Beijing and Washington needed to build a new framework for relations - and that maintaining communication was essential. "No matter how bad the China-US relationship gets, do not cut off contact," he said. "And no matter how the two countries are decoupling, do not cut off people-to-people and cultural exchanges." Zhang Tuosheng, a researcher at Beijing-based think tank the Grandview Institution, agreed that relations between the two powers were no longer in free fall. But he noted that both nations would face more downward economic pressure this year. "China and the United States will only be able to improve their situation by strengthening communication and dialogue, by constructively managing their differences, and by promoting cooperation in bilateral fields and major international and regional hotspots, based on the consensus reached by their leaders [in November]," Zhang said. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2022 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2022. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, visits a Dutch flower grower. They are surrounded by orchids. Orchids were once only known as the highlight of posh plant shows and grand hotel lobbies. Increasingly, however, the stereotypically finicky, humidity-loving flowers have become an affordable grocery-store commodity and a staple of middle-class households in the US. Theres a reason theyre everywhere. The US began importing large numbers of live orchids relatively recently. In 1996, the US imported just 223,165 kg (492,000 lbs) of the plants. Imports have grown steadily since. The Census Bureau announced today that US live orchid imports hit an all-time high in 2021, totaling 10.1 million kga surge of 64% from 2020. These data include all types of live orchids, not only Phalaenopsis, or moth orchids, which are the most common commercial variety, and most likely to pop up at your local shop. Where do US orchids come from? The vast majority of US orchid plants come from Taiwan. In 2021, the US brought in 6.7 million kg of live orchids from the country. That's an increase of 1.7 million kg from 2020. The US Department of Agriculture only allows the import of potted Phalaenopsis orchids from 113 companies in Taiwan, 12 in China, and four in South Korea. This means the businesses can sell directly to US retailers. All other moth orchid imports arrive to the US bare rooted, making them more likely to die before being potted in the US and reaching a consumer. In 2021, the customs value alone for those 6.7 million kg of orchids was over $77 million. Generally, customs values are the merchandise price when it was sold for export to the US, and includes things like import duties, freight cost, and insurance. Perhaps surprisingly for a traditionally tropical plant, the US imports the next largest amountboth in weight and valuefrom its northern neighbor Canada. Since 2010, Taiwan has consistently provided over 80% of the live orchids imported into the US, by weight. In 2017, that portion reached 89%. In 2021, however, consumer demand was so high that, even though Taiwan increased its exports to the US, the country ultimately supplied only 66% of live orchids. Story continues Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: My heart and soul are in this place and Im so grateful to be where I amand where we are as a companytoday. In a chat with Medical Massage Clinic owner Christie Feducia, you can feel the genuine care and passion she has for her Fredericksburg-bred business, clients, and staff. The local native started Medical Massage Clinic in 2007 and, throughout the years has expanded it both in size and scope. Today, where she once was a sole massage therapist with an intimate space and a dream, she now employs a staff of nearly 20 dedicated professionals and there are 10 rooms available for new and loyal clients alike. The services available at Medical Massage Clinic span the medical, self-care and relaxation spectrums. Staples include Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, and couples massage options. For skin care, there are anti-aging, deep cleansing, and various facial options. On the medical front, therapeutic lymphatic drainagewhich has been proven to reduce bodily toxin levelsremains a hit with post-surgical clients, in addition to oncology, adolescent and other offerings. In August 2021, the business added several new services, including barefoot massage, an infrared sauna and a non-invasive European fat removal technique known as Ultrasound Cavitation. We are always exploring and branching into new specialties that will benefit those in our community and beyond, said Feducia. While we certainly added new offerings last year, we very much have our fingers on the pulse of whats next, too. Feducia credits her highly trained staff and their respective expertise for helping the businessand ultimately its clientelethrive. She notes that all Medical Massage Clinic therapists are licensed and certified by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Many have been licensed for 10 or 20-plus years. Our therapists specialize in different modalities, meaning every client can find what they need to meet their needs, Feducia said. When you come here, you know you are having a true expert helping you navigate your unique health scenario. While its services are certainly in-demand thanks to referrals and longtime clients, Feducia notes that Medical Massage Clinic offers a new client special, too. The special is $65 for a one-hour massage, excluding stone, specialty services and post-medical lymphatic options. As for the business continued clientssome of whom visit from Williamsburg, Northern Virginia and even out of stateshes grateful for their loyalty. For any prospective new clients, she encourages them to dig into Medical Massage Clinics reviews, as well as research massage itself before a visit. A lot of our reviews out there speak for themselves, said Feducia. We are a relaxing, tranquil business that isand will continue to behere for the Fredericksburg community. And, as for massage, it has been around for many, many years and has been proven to work. If you listen to your doctors, find a professional you trust and stick to it, you will experience the difference it can make. For more information on Medical Massage Clinic, visit www.medmassageclinic.com or call 540/785-7888. Medical Massage Clinic is located at 10500 Wakeman Drive, Suite 500, in Fredericksburg. Within two-and-a-half hours of Fredericksburg, you can find yourself surveying soaring mountain vistas, taking in gentle waves, arriving in major cities, and seeing architecture of countless styles and ages. Thats how Impressions of Virginia was born. Last year, local artists Laural Koons and Dawn Whitmore created a plan to experience new areas of the Commonwealth and to share their personal impressions of these places. The result is a show of 20 pieces, 10 by each artist, that delve into the history and culture of Virginiaand are beautiful works of art in their own right. Impressions of Virginia opens this Friday at Frame Designs and Gallery in Fredericksburg, with a reception from 68 p.m. The work on display is created from visits between June 2021 and October 2021, and each is accompanied by a written impression of the place. Koons first got the idea earlier that year from an exhibit in Texas, in which a writer interpreted each piece shown and the written work was also presented to viewers. It got her thinking about the way different artists consider the same subjects. Koons, a painter, and Whitmore, a photographer, traveled together to each site, taking it in and finding the spots that most inspired them. While some points of interest, like the Meems Bottom Covered Bridge in Shenandoah County was the subject of both their works, in many instances their work diverged. What makes a good photo doesnt necessarily make a good painting, and vice versa, said Whitmore. She said that traveling and working together stretched them both as artists, and they learned from each other on the way. The duo met years ago at the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts and since stayed friends and frequent co-exhibitors. On their trip to Arlington, Koons was inspired by a red door. But Whitmore said as much as she wanted to make it work as a photo, the scene wasnt right for her medium. She found inspiration at the waterfront. Sometimes their route was diverted in serendipitous ways. On the day they planned to go to Matthews, Va., rain at the coast kept them home. They visited the National Cemetery in Fredericksburg instead and found corners of the property they hadnt previously explored. To our knowledge, Impressions of Virginia is one of the first to become a traveling exhibit for our area, Whitmore said. We are delighted to share our artwork and impressions with our upcoming opening reception at Frame Designs and Gallery in February. This work is still ongoing. Whitmore said their list of places to visit continues to grow. And this exhibit was shown for the first time in Colonial Beach during December. It is one of the most impressive shows I have ever seen and really highlights the relative strengths and differences between photography and painting, said Kathleen Moran, president of the Colonial Beach Artists Guild. Whitmore said viewers should allot time to really take in the work. Its not a show to be taken in through five minutes walking through the gallery, she said. You will want to read and spend some time with the work. We want you see the work, interact with it, ask questions. Its all with the goal of the viewer walking away with something about that placean impression. FROM STAFF REPORTS Germanna Community College will host a virtual discussion at noon Friday led by a national expert on the important role teachers can play in fostering student success for men of color. J. Luke Wood will discuss trends and issues in the teaching and learning practices for men of color, highlight the important role that classroom faculty play and look at strategies instructors can employ to improve outcomes. Wood is the vice president for student affairs and campus diversity at San Diego State University. He is also co-director of the Community College Equity Assessment Lab, a national research and practice center that partners with community colleges to help improve outcomes for men of color. According to a 2021 study, the two-year college completion rate for Black, Latino and Native American students is only 24 percent. Enrollment of undergraduate Black men at community colleges was particularly impacted by the COVID pandemic, falling 19.2 percentage points, compared with a decline of 9.0 percentage points for Black women. In Virginia, the degree attainment gap between Black women and Black men is 10 percent and it grows to almost 20 percent between Black men and white men. Wood has written 15 books and is known for developing the concept of racial gaslighting or racelighting, which is defined as a process in which systematically delivered messages lead people of color to question their experiences with racism. Access to and participation in the virtual discussion is free and open to the public. You can register on Zoom or by going to Germanna.edu and clicking on the Celebrate Black History month link at the top of the website. Archbishop Bergan Catholic School has partnered with the Fremont Meat Market to raise funds to help meet literacy needs within the district. Nichole Owsley, director of stewardship and annual funds at Bergan, explained how this partnership came to the table. My family actually owns the meat market here in town. We have a need in our school for books and literacy programs. So me and my dad came up with the For the Steak of Reading program to help with that, Owsley said. The collaboration involves a meat sale by the Fremont Meat Market which will give 50% of the proceeds from each box go back to the school. Its a way for us to do business with a local small business community partner and a way for them to give something back here, to Bergan, Owsley said. The sale includes two different boxes of meat that can be purchased. For $35, a buyer can get two 10-ounce rib eyes, two, six-ounce pork chops and two, five-ounce chicken breasts. For $50, the purchaser can get two, 12-ounce New York strips and two, 10-ounce rib eyes. Its no surprise that here at Bergan we were in a financial situation a couple of years ago and so we look at our fundraising a bit differently now, Owsley said. Literacy needs extend from pre-kindergarten up to grade 12. For example, our middle school has class sizes coming in that are a bit larger, so we need more books in those areas to meet those needs, Owsley said. The new additions include a wide variety of literacy add-ons for Bergan schools including upgrades with Microsoft for high school business classes, updated books for new programs, and new books within Bergans K-6 sector. Its a big expense that we didnt have budgeted, but is something that we need within our organization, Owsley said. She appreciates the meat markets endeavor. We are just grateful for the partnership that we are able to have with our local businesses and grateful that the Fremont Meat Market was able to do this with us, Owsley said. We hope to be super successful. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Fremont City Council unanimously approved a contract with Sawyer Construction Company to start making permanent repairs to a levee southwest of the city at its meeting Tuesday. Customer Service Director Lottie Mitchell said the City of Fremont took ownership of the Fremont, Farmland, Railroad Levee shortly after the flood of March 2019, which breached it in two locations. The purchase was made with three goals in mind, the first being rehabilitation, Mitchell said. All of the trees have been removed 15 feet from the toe of the levee on both sides, grass has been established and the street department has been mowing and maintaining that and will continue to do that moving forward, she said. The second goal is to extend the northern edge of the levee, which would curl around to the north and end at Ridge Road. We are 60% complete with design, the hydraulics study has just come back, and so well compare our design to what the hydraulics study says and be able to move forward from there, Mitchell said. Although the engineering and design of the extension has been fully funded, Mitchell said its construction has not found a funding source at this time. The final goal, which Mitchell said is the aim of the contract, is breach repairs, the first being identified along Emerson Estates. The fill material that was put there, they determined to be quite suitable, she said. Theyre going to skim some unsuitable material off the land side, replace it with a more suitable levee material, fix the slope and the grading and establish grass. The second breach site is located at the northern side of the levee, Mitchell said. That will be fully excavated down below the level that the levee currently sits at and all new material replaced, she said. After sending them out on Jan. 13, the city received nine bids to repair the Fremont, Farmland, Railroad Levee, ultimately choosing Sawyers bid of $168,992. However, Mitchell said the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state of Nebraska will reimburse 90% and 5%, respectively, of the cost, leaving the city with a fiscal responsibility of $8,449.60. This is a heck of a project for us for only $8,400, Councilmember Mark Legband said. This is amazing, so good job. When asked by Councilmember Brad Yerger as to whether work would begin before or after the spring thaw, Mitchell said an end date of September 2022 was selected to avoid any risk of flooding conflicting with the project. The council also unanimously approved the creation of a Library Project Selection Committee for the Keene Memorial Library Expansion Project. Although MCL Construction was initially hired as a construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the project last November, City Attorney Travis Jacott said the city needed to meet requirements from the Political Subdivision Construction Alternatives Act. As a result, the contracts authorization was denied and the new policies and procedures for the CMAR method were approved on Jan. 11. The committee, selected by Mayor Joey Spellerberg, will include Councilmember Sally Ganem, interim City Administrator Jody Sanders, Director of Public Works Dave Goedeken, Library Director Laura England-Biggs, Tetrad Property Group Project Manager Alex Henery and Library board member Linda McClain. This is a part of the procedure that is required by state statute, and its a committee that, as the resolution indicates, reviews the proposal and makes recommendations to the council for final approval, Jacott said. An amendment introduced by Yerger changing Sanders title from city administrator to interim city administrator passed 5-3, with Legband and Councilmembers Mark Jensen and Dev Sookram voting against. The council also unanimously approved an ordinance amending city code after wards were redistricted last year. A city engineer will put together the correct boundaries in those ordinances, Jacott said. So this is just revising those ordinances to conform with the changes we made back in November and doing it in advance of the primaries in May. In other news, the city approved an purchase agreement with Dodge County regarding Allo Communications lot at Fremont Technology Park. The councils next meeting will be Feb. 23 on the second floor of the Fremont Municipal Building at 400 E. Military Ave. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A proposal to create a statewide map of available broadband services received support from agricultural groups and the state's largest teachers union, while internet providers argued the initiative would create a costly burden and duplicate efforts by the federal government. State Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard introduced LB914, which would require the Public Service Commission to create and maintain a broadband map. It would identify types of internet services available, advertised and reported speeds, the number of providers in an area, planned projects and other information. The map would be detailed down to individual addresses. Bostelman told the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on Tuesday that having a map would allow the state to strategically distribute money for broadband projects, including more than $20 million worth of remaining grant dollars through a program created by the Legislature in 2021. This is not the first time a senator has proposed a broadband map. At least one bill calling for the creation of a broadband map was introduced in 2021, but it failed to gain approval and was carried over. No action has been taken on that bill. This latest proposal comes as the Federal Communications Commission continues to work on an updated national broadband service map. Existing maps have for years been criticized for being inaccurate. But the federal process has faced delays. The government and tech policy news site Govtech.com reported in December that the chair of the FCC did not have a timeline for completing the updated maps. Still, opponents of the state map said it would be a significant cost to companies and to the state. A fiscal analysis by the Public Service Commission estimated the cost at $600,000 in the first year and $500,000 annually going forward. Bostelman said he intends to amend the bill to clarify that the cost would be paid for with a portion of the $100 million coming to Nebraska for broadband via the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021. Now is the time to act, Bostelman said. Others agreed, including Tim Schram, one of the five elected members of the Public Service Commission the entity that would be tasked with creating the Nebraska map. Having a state owned broadband access map and data repository that is accurate and up-to-date would be beneficial to the commission and other policy makers as we work together to increase broadband access across the state, he said. The commission also heard support from Burke Brown, technology coordinator for School District OR-1 in Palmyra. Brown, who spoke on behalf of Nebraska State Education Association, said reliable internet connectivity at home is critical to student success. A statewide map could help individual districts identify and aid students who don't have internet service at home. Only through identifying these realities of connectivity can we begin to close this broadband gap, he said. Al Juhnke, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, also testified in support of the bill, which he said has the backing of major agricultural groups in the state, including Nebraska Farm Bureau and Nebraska Cattlemen, among others. We need it for our farmers. I cant build a pig barn unless I have broadband or high-speed internet to run my fans and systems and monitoring and all the things I need to do, Juhnke said. But opponents said the map would create an unnecessary burden. Tip ONeill, president of Nebraska Telecommunications Association, acknowledged frustrations with the process at the federal level, but said there has been recent progress. Congress has appropriated funding, the FCC has selected a vendor and a map could be completed this fall, ONeill said. ONeill also raised questions about compliance. The bill would require providers that receive grants and other money from the state to comply with the mapping requirements. However, companies that dont receive funds from the state wouldnt have to comply, and that could leave Nebraska with an incomplete map, ONeill said. We believe the cost to the state, the cost to companies with duplicative reporting requirements and the completeness of the map make the federal mapping route a better one for Nebraska, he said. John Idoux with Lumen Technologies, formerly known as CenturyLink, pointed to the bills July 1, 2024, deadline for completing the state map. That could come years after the updated federal map is released, he said. Bostelman noted a provision in the bill would allow the Public Service Commission to pull the plug on the state map in the event the FCCs federal map is completed and deemed sufficient. Fifteen states have created their own maps for fiber broadband services, according to Bostelman. Nebraska, he added, should not wait for the federal government to see if it follows through. Ive heard it for five years now its time to make some changes, Bostelman said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Afghan refugees have staged a protest at a facility in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), demanding that they be sent to the United States. Thousands of Afghans were evacuated to the U.A.E. and have been housed at tightly controlled sites in the Persian Gulf state since the hard-line Islamist Taliban group seized control of their home country in mid-August 2021. The U.A.E. agreed to take Afghans on a temporary basis until their applications were approved for transit to third countries, including the United States. However, the process has dragged on, leaving them at the U.A.E. sites six months later. The February 10 protest included men, women, and children, according to a Reuters photographer. One protester told Reuters by phone that some Afghans were detained by U.A.E. authorities as the demonstrations began. U.A.E. and the U.S. Embassy did not immediately comment on the situation. It is not clear how many Afghans remain in the U.A.E. Based on reporting by Reuters A court in Pakistan's Sindh Province has sentenced a Hindu college teacher to life in prison on blasphemy charges and also fined him $300. Nautan Lal was arrested in September 2019 after a video went viral on social media in which a student alleged that the Hindu teacher had committed blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad. The student claimed he witnessed Lal's committing blasphemy, and shortly after the video went viral a local Muslim cleric filed a complaint with the police against Lal under the blasphemy act. A cousin of Lal told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal on February 9 that there was no eyewitness account other than that of the accuser. The cousin said the Hindu community is facing threats and lives in fear among the majority-Muslim population of the region. Local Hindu lawmaker Ramesh Kumar said the court reached the sentence under pressure from the local Muslim majority and vowed to appeal it. "We will request the higher court to thoroughly investigate the case," Kumar told Radio Mashaal. Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan, where insulting Islam is punishable by death and unproven allegations can lead to those accused being gunned down, burned alive, or bludgeoned to death. In December, a mob beat a Sri Lankan man to death and burned his body over allegations of blasphemy in a town in Punjab Province. Although no one has been executed over blasphemy charges, critics say Pakistans blasphemy laws are unevenly applied and frequently abused to settle personal disputes. With reporting by hindustantimes.com and ndtv.com If you go What: Diago: The Pasts of this Afro-Cuban Present When: Runs through July 2. Where: Colorado Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs Price: General admission costs $10. $5 senior/military; free for members, students with ID and teachers Something else: "Diago: In Conversation" set for 6 p.m. April 15. A roundtable conversation with Juan Roberto Diago, Alejandro de la Fuente, director of the Afro-Latin American Research Institute at Harvard University, and Andrea Herrera, professor of Literature and Women's and Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients removes a face mask as he prepares to speak at an April news briefing at the White House in Washington. Hundreds of people, including teachers, students and parents gather outside the Douglas County School District headquarters in protest of the school board majoritys alleged secret meeting about forcing out superintendent Corey Wise, in Castle Rock, Colo., on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. The Collaborative Action" protest was organized by the teachers' union. The Douglas County School District cancelled classes after a large number of teachers submitted absences as part of the protest. (Chancey Bush /The Gazette) A mother accused of causing her 7-year-old daughters death by fabricating numerous serious illnesses and subjecting her to years of unnecessary medical treatment was sentenced to 16 years in prison Wednesday, following a guilty plea in January. Kelly Turner pleaded guilty in Douglas County District Court to child abuse resulting in death and a single count each of charitable fraud and theft between $100,000 and $1 million. She had been scheduled to go to trial this month. Judge Patricia Herron sentenced Turner to 16 years for the child abuse charge, 10 years for the theft count and three years for charitable fraud. Turner will serve the sentences at the same time, followed by three years of mandatory parole. Turners daughter Olivia Gant died in hospice care in August 2017 after five years of treatment at Children's Hospital Colorado for illnesses prosecutors said her mother fabricated for attention and financial gain. Turner claimed Olivia died of intestinal failure. In addition to the charges she pled guilty to, Turner also originally faced counts of first-degree murder and attempted influence of a public servant. Months before Olivia died, Turner helped her make a "bucket list" of things she wanted to do. According to the indictment, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, under the assumption that Olivia was dying, gave the child a "Bat Princess" party. A GoFundMe set up by Turner brought in more than $22,000. She was also accused of defrauding Medicaid of thousands of dollars in unnecessary medical care. Authorities began looking into Turners role in Olivias death in 2018, when Turner started seeking care for another daughter, claiming the child was suffering from bone pain from cancer. When doctors looked into those complaints, they found no indication of cancer. Olivias body was exhumed for the autopsy as part of the investigation into her death, and it found no evidence of intestinal disease. The cause of death was "undetermined." Prosecutor Christopher Gallo said that while his office was prepared to go to trial and believed they could have proven Turners charges, the case presented a fundamental challenge because it's unclear precisely at what point Gant suffered the treatment or injury that resulted in her death. That complicated any theory prosecutors might have presented at trial. Gallo called the outcome of the trial a likely all or nothing situation. This defendant would be looking at potentially significantly more prison time if we prevailed, and this defendant would be looking at walking out of the courtroom absolutely free if we didnt, he said. Prosecutor Valerie Brewster read a statement from Olivias grandfather Lonnie Gautreau expressing his grief, and the prosecution also showed a compilation of video footage of Olivia, baking a birthday cake, showing off a doll and singing with her grandfather. Gautreau cried as the video played. Public defender Ara Ohanian agreed during Turners plea hearing that the complexity of the case made it difficult to know how a jury would have decided the case. But on Wednesday he stuck to claims that Olivia had numerous legitimate debilitating and ultimately terminal medical diagnoses, including chronic intestinal failure, abnormal brain activity and seizures. In order to believe the prosecutions theory that Kelly caused this, you have to believe she duped some of the best doctors in the world at Childrens [Hospital], he said. Expert witnesses would have backed up Olivias diagnoses had the case gone to trial, Ohanian said. He said Turner agreed to plead guilty to the child abuse charge to avoid putting her family through a painful trial. Turners middle daughter is now 13 and lives with her grandparents. Herron denied a request by her defense attorneys to change a no-contact order currently in place limiting Turners interaction with her daughter to written communication. Gautreau spoke up to voice his objection, saying that the ability to speak with her mother will provide her comfort despite the trauma Turner has caused. Regardless of what her mother did, shes still her mother, he said. Herron said she would re-evaluate the no-contact order in 90 days dependent on the child receiving therapy and the court having input from her counselor about communicating with Turner. Three of the state's largest law enforcement groups told Gov. Jared Polis in a letter Thursday that proposals pushed by Democrats in the legislature which he has signed into law have contributed to soaring criminality in Colorado and made prevention more difficult. The new laws, the coalition said, have collectively prioritized offenders "over victims and public safety." In the letter, the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police and County Sheriffs of Colorado also decried an "antilaw enforcement sentiment" permeating policy discussions at the state Capitol that they said created a climate that discourages law enforcers and hinders recruitment and retention efforts. "We ask that elected officials, such as yourself and state legislators, recognize how recent legislation and policy changes have directly contributed to rising crime rates and struggles to recruit and retain officers," said the letter signed by Gregory Knott, president of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, Stephen Schulz, president of the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police and Amy Nichols, executive director of County Sheriffs of Colorado. In their letter, the three law enforcement leaders disclosed that the Polis administration asked their organizations to join the governor in unveiling a public safety package in a news conference on Thursday. Feb. 10. They said they don't have an official position on the strategy "due to its failure to advance policy changes alongside ongoing budgetary proposals." "Because of that, our organizations cannot accept your request to participate in this mornings press conference," they said. The Governor's Office told Colorado Politics the three groups "already support" two pieces of legislation, Senate Bill 22-001 and House Bill 22-1003. The former seeks to tackle crime through a safer streets grant program, while the latter proposes to establish a delinquency prevention and young offender intervention pilot grant program. We are proud to join with so many members of the law enforcement community from across the state in support of this plan today," Conor Cahill, the governor's spokesperson, said in a statement. "We are glad the police chiefs support the pieces of the package that have already been introduced and look forward to working with everyone to improve public safety. We do not have the luxury of time to wait to solve these pressing public safety issues facing our community and we need to act now to make our neighborhoods and communities safer. The groups outlined several points, notably that recent policy changes have made the crime situation worse. "The inability to arrest and hold offenders results in offenders continuing to commit criminal acts, often escalating the severity of their crimes, and putting victims in fear of becoming revictimized," they said. "Further, confusing and rapidly changing legislative standards on policing have caused officers to question what they can and cannot do to address a threat, protect victims and the community, and protect themselves in violent situations." The groups also sent their members a separate letter raising the same points. That letter added that they "have questions and concerns about several proposals and the lack of attention paid to the consequences of recent policy decisions." The lament is not new. Last month, law enforcement leaders and other officials in the Pikes Peak region urged the Colorado legislature to undo policies they view as responsible for soaring crime rates in the state. Republican Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said the 2022 legislative session is likely to produce more proposals that would "undermine public safety," citing a study from the Denver-based Common Sense Institute, which found that the average monthly crime rate in Colorado is 15% higher in 2021 than the year before, and 28% higher than it was a decade ago. Suthers along with El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder, Colorado Springs Police Department Deputy Chief Adrian Vasquez and District Attorney Michael Allen expressed wariness over policies that ultimately aim to reduce the prison population. They cited legislation that shortened sentencing for the possession of 4 grams of fentanyl or less to a misdemeanor, reduced the maximum sentence a person can serve in a county jail after being convicted of a misdemeanor to 364 days, and reclassified certain crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. State Sen. Pete Lee, a Democrat from Colorado Springs who has led the criminal justice reform movement at the Capitol and argued for restorative justice and other diversion measures, earlier defended the policies he has championed. Lee said the Common Sense Institute report looks at an outcome that has many causes, not just legislation, much of which so new it hasnt had time to affect the crime numbers. He said the report doesnt consider the effects of domestic violence, which lawmakers have sought to curb in recent sessions, or the rise of anger because of social media, guns and other societal causes. Lee argued the "lock up everybody" mentality has a much longer track record of failing communities, victims and families. The letter to Polis from the law enforcement groups revealed efforts by the governor's administration to come up with a slew of public safety proposals that presumably will get introduced in the General Assembly soon. The law enforcement groups said they are thankful that the governor included them in the dialogue, and added that they look forward to "getting to a point where our organizations can support legislation that will make positive impacts on crime, officer wellness, recruiting and retention, and other key issues affecting law enforcement and public safety." They urged policymakers to consider policy changes and budgetary needs affecting law enforcement. They said they will view legislative proposals using a set of standards that includes reviewing whether measures would contribute to increased crime rates, supporting sustainable funding to address training, recruitment, and wellness programs, and opposing "unfunded mandates on policing procedures, reporting, equipment, and other issues that effectively remove funding from law enforcement and reduce the ability to have officers in the community." South Africa: Ministers outline expectations ahead of SONA 2022 Although a limited number of Ministers and Members of Parliament walked on one of the most anticipated events on South Africas fashion calendar, they did not disappoint. They showed up in extravagant attire and tailored suits on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) red carpet, where President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the hybrid joint sitting of the two Houses (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces) on Thursday, at 7pm, at the Cape Town City Hall. The event is taking place at the Cape Town City Hall following the damage by fire to Parliament on Sunday, 2 January 2022. Dressed in a black suit, crisp white shirt, and a solid red tie, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, said overall, the SONA should focus on the management of COVID-19, which has been a challenge over the last two years. It should outline plans for the economy, the urgency to restructure it, to reconstruct it and rebuild it. Those are the key issues He needs to address the need to secure energy a balanced approach towards low carbon emissions without neglecting energy poverty and the need for energy security. The balanced approach should entail that we scale down from coal and build the capacity of the various technologies of energy, Mantashe said. United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, Bantu Holomisa, said he expected the President to outline his plans as the Head of State and to report on his achievements since his last SONA. The President should indicate the position of the country in terms of climate change. He needs to outline the transitional programme from coal to renewable energy and what it will cost the country, and the pledge by the international community to fund this transitional programme, Holomisa said. Clad in a grey suit with a white shirt, as well as red and white polka dot tie, Holomisa emphasised the importance of further relaxing the COVID-19 lockdown regulations in an effort to allow the economy to grow. With the violent riots that took place in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last year, Holomisa said there needs to be a change in the trajectory of funding law enforcement agencies because the army and the police do not have proper equipment. Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, said the President has a duty to outline the direction government will be taking this year and therefore, National Treasury will have to find resources in line with that direction. The economic outlook for the year ahead is bad. For instance, the figures have been revised down in line with what happened during last years July unrest. If the economic outlook is bad, it has an implication on revenue, Godongwana said. Due to space limitations and as part of efforts to adhere to the National State of Disaster lockdown regulations (Alert Level 1), only a limited number of Members of Parliament and guests will be at the City Hall. There is a total number of 364 Members of Parliament who have been allocated seats inside the hall. Of this number, 278 are National Assembly members, while 86 are NCOP members. Up to 300 of the MPs will be seated in the chamber, while the 64 will be seated in the gallery. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-02-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Last Tuesday, I ordered four COVID tests the law said I was entitled to. My wife will be leaving the country soon, so naturally theyll come i Advertisers are paying big bucks to get their names in front of the nation's largest TV audience. A 30-second network (this year's game will be broadcast on NBC) spot during this year's Super Bowl goes for $7 million, up 27% from last year and more than triple what a commercial went for 20 years ago. In the local TV market, which includes Pueblo, KOAA-TV reportedly is charging more than $10,000 for its inventory of spots. PITCH PEOPLE If you've lived in the area for some time, you likely remember Jake Jabs, owner of American Furniture Warehouse, wrestling with tigers. Or you've heard Tom Shane, owner of the Shane Co., assuring you youve got a friend in the jewelry business, or Dealin Doug Moreland, promising nobody beats a Dealin Doug deal. Nobody. Or seen the face of attorney Franklin D. Azar, the "Strong Arm," on a bus driving by. We call that a persona, said Darrin Duber-Smith, a senior lecturer at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Theyre either the most well-loved, or loathed, pitch people out there. Its really subjective and the idea of annoying and ubiquitous (found everywhere) arent the same thing necessarily. Duber-Smith has been teaching the subject for decades, and specializes in issues around Super Bowl advertising. He uses the example of Flo for pitch people you either love or hate, but you sure remember Progressive Insurance either way. People are annoyed by her, and I think shes one of the greatest characters of all time, said Duber-Smith. Sometimes the persona is the owner of the company, so they rarely have someone telling them when its time to go, or if the ads arent working anymore. On the other hand, they wouldnt keep doing it for decades if it didnt work, Duber-Smith said. Dennis Huspeni, The Gazette The Colorado Springs City Council earlier this week approved two previously controversial candidates to the Pikes Peak Library Board, after council members raised some concerns about how the new board members might shift the direction of the library district. "Essentially, we are having a conversation, whether people are aware of it or not, about First Amendment rights," councilwoman Nancy Henjum said. The library district board is appointed by the City Council and El Paso County Commission and governs the district's budget and policies. The group, including the new members, will soon review the district's book collection development policy, the guidelines that govern the books, videos, magazines and other materials available at the district's 16 branches, chief librarian and CEO John Spears said. The library board put off a review of that policy, in part, because one of the newly appointed board members, Aaron Salt, a business owner and recently elected conservative School Board District 20 member, expressed interest in being part of that collection policy review, Spears said. Salt told City Council in November that he considered some library material objectionable and he would be interested in removing those from the juvenile and the children's sections. He said in an interview Wednesday he is not interested in censoring adult materials but he does want to make sure that juvenile sections have age-appropriate materials. He is also interested in an online portal that would allow parents to "white-list or black-list" books so they have control over what their children are reading. "I believe that parents should have the right to have a say over the content and material that their children are exposed to," he said. The portal is an idea that has gained traction with some parents but would take time and resources to develop, he said. City Council members raised objections to Salt and Erin Bents, a stay-at-home mom, in November when their appointments failed on a 5-4 vote, one vote short of the needed two-thirds majority. At the time, both council members who supported and opposed the new candidates claimed the appointments were being politicized. Council members opposed to the appointments were also concerned library board president Wayne Vanderschuere, a former Marine and a retired general manager of water for Colorado Springs Utilities, was not going to be reappointed. It is uncommon for the council not to reappoint board members, particularly those in leadership positions. Since then councilman Richard Skorman has resigned from the council and was replaced by Stephannie Fortune, who is more in line with more conservative members of council. So, Salt and Bents were approved on a 6-3 vote Tuesday, with councilmembers Yolanda Avila, Bill Murray and Henjum opposed. The appointment of the new members comes amidst a conservative-led movement to ban books nationally that have themes around race, gender and sexuality. Much of these efforts are focused on school libraries. EdWeek reported in January that school districts in 31 states are embroiled in debates over books. No Left Turn in Education is one of the groups involved in these debates and maintains a list of books that it claims are "used to spread radical and racist ideologies to students." The list includes books such as "This Book is Anti-Racist," "So You want to Talk About Race" and "A Young People's History of the United States." Councilman Wayne Williams, who supported Salt and Bents, said the district's board has no intent to pursue book banning and that will not change with the new members. When it comes to age restrictions, Williams is supportive, he said. After the vote Wednesday, Henjum said she hoped the library's collection policy would stand. "I would hope that we would continue to allow all kinds of literature and books and history to be available," she said. Spears said he expected the updated collection policy would rely on the established principles of librarianship. The board has previously adopted the American Library Association's Freedom to Read principals, such as making available the "widest diversity of views and expressions." "I have confidence that we will be able to work with the board and the community for them to understand that the public library is one of the few places where every viewpoint is allowed voice and thats a fundamental aspect of who we are," he said. When it comes to managing the children and teen collections, parents have the right to ensure their children are accessing appropriate materials. One group of parents cannot end up telling other parents what is appropriate for their children, Spears said. The library has seen an uptick in conversations about what materials that are appropriate, mostly concerning items that touch on race, gender and sexuality. Few of those conversations have risen to the level of formal challenges to books because the staff has been able to talk with patrons about their concerns and educate them about the library's role. "Everyone in this community has a right to tell us what they want to see in the collection. ... They dont have the right to define what the library should be for other people," Spears said. Colorado Springs-based defense contractor Vectrus announced this week it has won a $250 million task order on an Army contract to provide logistics support services at Fort Benning in Georgia. The company has posted 129 openings for positions ranging from clerks and technicians to analysts, coordinators and managers on its website for work on the contract. The work order adds to the company's contract backlog, which totaled $4.9 billion on Oct. 1, when Vectrus last reported its financial results. The task order extends work through December 2026, if the Army picks up all options included in the award. The task order is under the $34.5 billion Enhanced Army Global Logistics Enterprise contract, which expires July 30. Vectrus says on its website that it provides administrative, logistics, management, facility support services, operations and maintenance and professional services for the Army in preparing troops for deployment. "We are pleased to have been selected to provide logistical support services under this important task order," Vectrus CEO Chuck Prow said in a news release. Company officials weren't available for further comment. Vectrus employs 9,200 worldwide. The task order is among six contracts, work orders and modifications totaling nearly $200 million Vectrus has received during the past six months, according to Department of Defense news releases. They include: A $7.79 million modification in January to an Army contract to provide information technology services in Livorno, Italy, and Weisbaden, Germany, through July 31. A $92.1 million modification in December to an Army contract to provide logistics support services in Fayetteville, N.C., through March 31, 2023. A $47.3 million Navy contract in November to provide base operations support services at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, through November. A $27.7 million modification in November that exercises an option to provide base operations support services at ISA Air Base, Bahrain through November. A $13.4 million modification in September to extend an Air Force contract to provide maintenance services at Sheppard Air Force Base and Sheppard Annex in Texas and Frederick Airfield in Oklahoma through September. A $7.83 million modification in August to exercise an option on a Navy contract to provide base operations support services at Deveselu, Romania, through July. DES MOINES A proposed law is advancing in the Iowa House that would require the state education board to adopt standards for a public high school course on the Bible. The measure, advanced Wednesday by two House Republicans, would give schools the option to offer the class as a social studies elective. The legislation does not require schools to offer the course, nor does it include other religious texts. Iowa Sen. Jeff Taylor, R-Sioux Center, noted the course could only be offered after being approved by a districts school board and district improvement advisory committee. Taylor said the bill focuses on the Bible because of Christianitys influence on U.S. history. Why the Bible? It has a disproportionate influence on U.S. history and American culture, he said. Thats just the way it is, good or bad, like it or dont. Culturally speaking, theres no comparison. Taylor said he does not oppose nor does the bill restrict any instruction about other religions, adding he would welcome more religious education instruction in schools. I dont feel this is overreach, he said. Lobbyists for Iowa school boards and teachers are registered as opposed to Senate File 2136, saying they believe it amounts to state lawmakers directing school curriculum. They also noted many schools already offer courses on world religions. There is already a process (through the state education board) to look at social studies or any other curriculum, said Phil Jeneary, a lobbyist for the Iowa Association of School Boards. Any change should go through that process and not the Legislature. Taylor invited William Jeynes, a professor at California State University-Long Beach, to speak at the subcommittee hearing. Jeynes advocates for instruction on the Bible in public schools. Jeynes said learning about the Bible helps students learn about world history and enhances their understanding of people of faiths, including those other than Christianity. Its hard to imagine a person be educated unless he has a working education of the Bible, said Taylor, who spoke virtually at the hearing. If one is to be regarded as knowledgeable, the Bible is clearly one piece of literature with which one should be familiar. Sen. Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames and former Iowa State University professor, said he opposes the bill, in part because of its narrow focus. We need to know more about a whole lot of religions, Quirmbach said. Obviously, we need to know a lot about Christianity, or Judeo-Christian theology. But we have to have students educated on a wide variety of religions. Taylor and Sen. Craig Johnson, R-Independence, approved advancing the bill. It is now eligible for consideration by the Senate Education Committee. This story has been updated to correctly attribute a statement to William Jeynes. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 After 18 years in Mason City, Amish Heirlooms is now open at its new Clear Lake location. The furniture store opened its doors for the first time a few weeks ago in January, after closing for part of 2021 while the building was under construction, according to owner Travis Olson. "It's been really exciting," Olson said. Olson said the reason for the move was that he was renting at the previous Mason City location, and not owning his own building made expansion of his store impossible. "We wanted to expand, and we didn't have the opportunity to do so at our old location," Olson said. "We're not being told what we can and can't sell, which is great." As a result, Olson built the new location for approximately $2 million starting in June of 2021, but the process began two years ago when he first began looking into purchasing the land. The new location, which is at 10478 265th St. in Clear Lake, along Highway 122, allows for Olson to display more outdoor furniture, have a larger space for additional inventory and makes room for extra signage outside. Although Amish Heirlooms is now open, Olson said they are still moving into the new space. Olson said that he plans on having a proper grand opening for the new location some time at the end of March or beginning of April. Now operating in a space he owns for the first time, Olson couldn't be more excited about the future. "It's been nice being able to have my own building finally," Olson said. "It changes the dynamic and now I'm able to be here for another 20 or 30 years." Zachary Dupont covers politics and business development for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at 641-421-0533 or zachary.dupont@globegazette.com. Follow Zachary on Twitter at @ZachNDupont Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Yes, facts are facts To the editor: Regarding the letter of Feb. 6 (More concerned about what is taught at home, page A4), yes, facts are facts. In 1954, the Supreme Court (Brown v. Board of Education) overturned, that is got rid of the notion of separate but equal. Thats 67 years ago. A fact. Attorney General Robert Kennedy did sent troops to Oxford, Mississippi, allowing James Meredith to enter Ole Miss. Thats a fact. 3,000 troops were sent (not 31,000), that was 60 years ago. The Southern Poverty Law Center is tracking hate groups. This includes anti-Black, anti-Jewish and other hate groups. Yes, this is a fact. We as a nation have come very far since then. We do have more room for improvement. Read your Bible, the only perfect society on Earth was Eden, which man ruined. No one of us is perfect. CRT (critical race theory) may not be incorporated in Virginias Standards of Learning, but it is being taught in our schools. Cancel culture is another name for CRT. Teaching children one race is always victims while another race is always victimizers. That is CRT. History is history, good, bad, ugly and beautiful its all history. I agree with the letter writer on one point. Parents should and must teach kids right from wrong. Yes, that includes having input into curriculum. James Richards, Danville Part of a series celebrating Black History Month envisioned and organized by co-planners Deloris Crews and Mary Hood Ballou Recreation Center hosted Black History Display of Quilts on Wednesday. Quilting artists from Southside Virginia Quilters Guild and Rippling Effect Quilters Circle displayed their works, socialized with attendees and shared stories of their inspiration and artistic development as quilters. Program coordinator Bailey Cline was pleased to see a crowd of more than 80 attendees, which has been difficult to achieve since the COVID-19 pandemic began. It has been so hard going on two years now and just to give back to the community, especially for these seniors, she said. Its so great to be able to see the crowd, to see them out and able to enjoy themselves. Deloris Crews served as the master of ceremonies for the event, introducing presenters and directing the crowd with vivacious enthusiasm. Deloris Crews opened with a reading of What Is Black History? by Latorial Faison before introducing presenter Belinda Crews who presented on the history of African American quilting. She delivered a riveting historical review of the tradition of Black quilting complete with PowerPoint visuals beginning in ancient Africa. Evidence of pre-modern quilting is rare, as the requisite materials deteriorate over time, but statues depicting quilts and a well-preserved specimen that belonged to an Egyptian queen prove that this living tradition has a long history. She highlighted several historical figures including some famous names who either made significant contributions related to quilting, or who were quilters behind the scenes even though they are remembered for contributions in other areas. George Washington Carver, famous for making peanuts a financially viable crop via numerous inventions, also happened to be a quilter, for example. Crews emphasized Ona Judge, who was a slave owned by George Washington and seamstress for his wife, Martha. The first U.S. president admired Judges formidable talent, describing her as the perfect mistress of her needle. Washington provided Judge with a luxurious life befitting of her talent and her contributions to his familys political prestige. However, Judge was not content, because he would not allow her to learn to read or to attend church. On a trip with Washington to Pennsylvania which was a free state at the time Judge planned her escape during an elaborate dinner event, for which she had designed Martha Washingtons gown. The Washingtons continually tried to negotiate with her to return, but she valued freedom and her faith over a life of luxury. They need to make a movie about Ona Judge, Crews commented, and several audience members verbally concurred. Messages One theme she emphasized was the consistent pattern observed via the Black quilting tradition of covert messaging within the quilts. This phenomenon demonstrates that even when slaves, Black artists desired freedom, as well as the preservation of African heritage and cultural identity. For example, embroidery depicting garland borders a common trope in early American quilting represented snake archetypes symbolizing protection in African spiritual belief systems. The snakes were effectively disguised as garland to escape the notice of masters, most of whom either forced their slaves into Christianity or simply disallowed traditional religious practices. Another covert message appeared when an abolition movement-era quilter bequeathed a quilt made to help fund the Underground Railroad to his family, who decided to divide it in half. Two generations later, one member of the family inherited both halves of the quilt and wanted it reunited. When this occurred, it was revealed the split figure contained a message: it was a figure of Black man in chains, praying to the heavens. The embroidered caption read, Deliver me from the oppression of man. Now this pattern here is the flying geese pattern, Crews said. So, it was made for the Underground Railroad flying geese it might have a meaning. Viewing the quilts After Crews presentation, light refreshments were served and attendees had a chance to walk through the exhibit to view the quilts and learn more about the quilters. Callie Brandon then gave a demonstration of quilting techniques and answered questions from audience members, including some who were interested in taking up the practice. Attendee Mary Wilson asked several questions of Brandon, and shared later that the event had inspired her to consider taking up the hobby again which she had abandoned for other pursuits long ago. The presentation was fantastic and the quilts were just beautiful, Wilson said. After Brandons demonstration, event co-planner Hood gave away door prizes as attendees were once again permitted to socialize with quilters and enjoy their works. Davidson College senior Brandon Harris sat in a Maryland courtroom Tuesday as a judge decided the fate of a lifelong friend. Sura Sohna already served two years of a 14-year sentence for several first-degree burglary convictions. Now the court was reconsidering that stiff judgment, thanks to Harriss tireless advocacy on his friends behalf. Harris is a 22-year-old Davidson College Belk Scholar and two-time president of the schools student government association. He focused on Sohnas life for his semester-long independent study project last year, Telling Stories of the Ignored and Forgotten. Harris sent personal letters to every one of Sohnas 12 victims. He interviewed the prosecutor, police and Sohnas family. And he got the Maryland governors permission for Sohna to appear from Patuxent Institution in Jessup, Maryland, when Harris presented his friends life story to the public via Zoom last April. On Tuesday, a judge in Annapolis, Maryland, lifted the rest of Sohnas sentence and released him after Harris, Sohnas mom and, by phone from prison, Sohna, urged the court to reconsider the sentence. Harris incredible advocacy through his independent study project played a significant role in the courts decision to re-evaluate Sohnas sentence, college officials said in a post on the schools website, Davidson.edu. Sohna would otherwise have waited until 2034 to be with his family again, school officials said. Its a miracle, a blessing, Sohna told The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday after Harris hooked him into a three-way phone conversation with a reporter. If not for Harris, he said, I wouldnt be talking to you today from the outside. God works in mysterious ways. It was surreal, Harris said of his immediate thoughts when the judge said he was freeing his friend. Were all still processing it. Its an amazing moment. So quick to judge Last year, in a college announcement about Harris planned public Zoom meeting about his friend, Harris said he was amazed at the lack of understanding so many people have about people and their situations. Unlike Sohna, Harris said he was offered mentorship opportunities and a scholarship to a prestigious high school. When Sohna, on the other hand, stole a bicycle at age 12, Harris said a police officer and the victim told Sohna that he deserved a life sentence. Were so quick to judge a person based on one action or one decision, Harris said at the time ... Sura has great potential in his life; he just needs people who believe in him. Sohna told the Observer he will now complete his G.E.D. and pursue professional photography, a career he dreamed about as a boy. Harris once planned to pursue pre-med studies but switched to law as a result of his project. Hes been accepted to the law schools at Columbia University, the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt and the University of Maryland so far, and is still deciding which to attend in the fall. Harris completed the project under the guidance and mentorship of Ike Bailey, the James K. Batten professor of public policy who graduated from Davidson in 1995. I was a Black man attending Davidson while a loved one was in prison, and I know the shame that can come with that experience, Bailey said in last years college announcement about Harris Zoom presentation. ... If I could help a student deal with this burden he is going through and guide him through this process of investigation and journalism, I knew I had to help. Bailey said he was jogging Tuesday morning when Harris called him with the news that Sohna had been ordered released. My first thought was that this is a very good day, Bailey said Wednesday. When you work on issues like this, things dont always turn out like this. Ready to drink Harris said he spoke before the judge for 20 minutes about his friend. The judge seemed to silently agree with each of those who spoke in Sohnas behalf, he said. At one point, however, the judge expressed possible doubt: You could lead a horse to water, but you cant make it drink, Harris said the judge told the court. To which Harris said he replied: Sura Sohna is ready to drink when able to. The judge issued the order releasing Sohna on Tuesday morning, but Sohna didnt walk from the prison until about 5:30 p.m. His family and friends greeted him with hugs and well-wishes, and a plastic bottle of water, Harris said. Im going to save that bottle, Sohna told the Observer, saying he only drank about half of the water that afternoon. Democrats on a Senate committee Thursday shut down a GOP bill that would have mostly banned abortion after 20 weeks, on a party-line vote. In the House, GOP leadership said this week that they don't plan to hold a vote on a comparable bill because they don't think it would pass the Senate, which Democrats control 21-19, the Virginia Mercury reported. One Democratic senator, Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, has said he's willing to side with Republicans on legislation restriction abortion. Were that to happen, the GOP Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears would break a tie vote. But even if a House bill passed it might not make it to the full Senate, based on Thursday's vote in the Senate Education and Health Committee. Senators voted 9-6, along party lines, to defeat the bill sponsored by Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield. This is a developing story and will be updated. Thanks for visiting ! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Thank you for your support! A Guilford County man was sentenced Wednesday to federal prison on drug trafficking and gun convictions, federal authorities said. Arthur Alexander McQueen, Jr., 36, of Whitsett was sentenced to 24 years and four months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He received a 10-year sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Greensboro said in a news release. Those sentences will run simultaneously, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. According to court documents, a confidential informant bought drugs from McQueen on May 20, 2021. Homeland Security Investigations in Charlotte, the Davie County Sheriffs Office and the Albemarle Police Department were involved in the investigation. The informant contacted McQueen and arranged to buy 17 1/2 ounces of fentanyl for $25,000 at a location in Forsyth County, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. McQueen was seen leaving a home in Guilford County to meet the informant in Forsyth County, investigators said. In June 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at McQueen's home in Whitsett in eastern Guilford County, where they seized a stolen handgun with a large capacity magazine, drug paraphernalia, several bags of fentanyl and a bag containing cocaine, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Laboratory testing confirmed that the controlled substances amounted to slightly more than 9 pounds of fentanyl and less than 1 ounce of cocaine, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Investigators arrested McQueen after he was found in the master bedroom trying to dispose of fentanyl in the toilet and bathtub. Following his arrest, McQueen admitted to investigators that he had sold drugs and purchased the handgun, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. At the time, McQueen had been convicted of multiple felony offenses related to illegal drug distribution in Forsyth County, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. The Forsyth County Drug Task Force assisted in the investigation. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GREENSBORO Guilford County has settled a lawsuit filed on behalf of abortion protesters arrested in March 2020 in connection with the countys stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. A federal lawsuit remains active against the city of Greensboro, a co-defendant whose officers made the arrests. The county agreed to pay $15,000 toward the protesters legal fees in a settlement filed in October. The agreement states that any future stay-at-home orders contain language that worship, religious and spiritual gatherings and other activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights are exempt. That language is to be interpreted to apply to sidewalk prayer and related peaceful pro-life advocacy, according to the agreement. Kevin Theriot, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian nonprofit that filed the lawsuit, said it only recently became clear that the settlement would stand as the final dismissal of the case against the county. It was a countywide order that gave exceptions for some things but not for religious speech, Theriot said in a telephone interview Tuesday. Those exceptions included traveling to get food, an essential purpose that was allowed under the stay-at-home order. And, of course, when youre talking about the government taking advantage of a crisis to silence speech, in particular religious speech, well, thats a problem. Interim County Attorney Matt Mason said in an email that the county is satisfied with the outcome but declined to comment further. In a phone interview Tuesday, City Attorney Chuck Watts said: We dont really comment about cases in litigation. Alliance Defending Freedom filed the lawsuit on behalf of Global Impact Ministries doing business as Love Life, an anti-abortion group based in Charlotte as well as eight men associated with the group who were arrested on March 28 and March 30. At the time, a Greensboro police spokesman said protesters were charged with resisting, delaying or obstructing law enforcement officials after they refused to disperse. The countywide order, endorsed by both Greensboro and High Point, took effect March 27 the day before police made the first arrests. Among other things, it required people to stay home except for essential activities, avoid unnecessary travel, socially distance and not gather in large groups where the disease could readily spread. The men, most of whom had traveled from outside of Guilford County, had gathered in the Destiny Church parking lot and along a sidewalk near A Womans Choice, an abortion clinic. The facilities are near each other along Randleman Road. The lawsuit notes that the men socially distanced and that their group fell below the 10-person threshold allowed for gatherings under the stay-at-home order. A motion by the city of Greensboro to dismiss the lawsuit against it is still pending before U.S. District Judge William Osteen Jr. In that motion, the city says Alliance Defending Freedoms claims that the order violated their constitutional rights fails because it was proper exercise of the governments broad powers during an emergency situation, specifically the very early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, Theriot said Alliance Defending Freedom remains steadfast in its fight against the city. In this case, the police officer said that if a person was walking to a store or restaurant, that would be permitted on the sidewalk. But walking on the sidewalk and praying was not, he said, referring to a conversation recorded via livestream on Love Lifes Facebook page.That points out the problem because we were there to pray. Thats why our clients were cited. If they were going to Churchs Chicken, they would have not been cited. Contact Kenwyn Caranna at 336-373-7082 and follow @kcaranna on Twitter. Davidson College senior Brandon Harris sat in a Maryland courtroom Tuesday as a judge decided the fate of a lifelong friend. Sura Sohna already served two years of a 14-year sentence for several first-degree burglary convictions. Now, the court was reconsidering that stiff judgment, thanks to Harris tireless advocacy on his friends behalf. Harris is a 22-year-old Davidson College student and two-time president of the schools student government association. He focused on Sohnas life for his semester-long independent study project last year, Telling Stories of the Ignored and Forgotten. Harris sent personal letters to every one of Sohnas 12 victims. He interviewed the prosecutor, police and Sohnas family, and he got the Maryland governors permission for Sohna to appear from Patuxent Institution when Harris presented his friends life story to the public last April. On Tuesday, a judge in Annapolis lifted the rest of Sohnas sentence and released him after Harris, Sohnas mom and, by phone from prison, Sohna, urged the court to reconsider the sentence. Harris incredible advocacy through his independent study project played a significant role in the courts decision to re-evaluate Sohnas sentence, Davidson College officials said in a post on the schools website. Sohna would otherwise have waited until 2034 to be with his family again, school officials said. Its a miracle. A blessing, Sohna said on Wednesday after Harris hooked him into a three-way phone conversation with The Charlotte Observer. If not for Harris, he said, I wouldnt be talking to you today from the outside. God works in mysterious ways. Last year, in a college announcement about Harris planned public Zoom meeting about his friend, Harris said he was amazed at the lack of understanding so many people have about people and their situations. Unlike Sohna, Harris said he was offered mentorship opportunities and a scholarship to a prestigious high school. When Sohna, on the other hand, stole a bicycle at age 12, Harris said a police officer and the victim told Sohna that he deserved a life sentence. Were so quick to judge a person based on one action or one decision, Harris said. Sura has great potential in his life. He just needs people who believe in him. Sohna told the Observer he will now complete his GED and pursue professional photography, a career he dreamed about as a boy. Harris once planned to pursue pre-med studies but switched to law as a result of his project. Hes been accepted to the law schools at Columbia University, the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt and the University of Maryland so far, and is still deciding which to attend in the fall. Harris completed the project under the guidance and mentorship of Ike Bailey, who graduated from Davidson in 1995. Bailey said he was jogging Tuesday morning when Harris called him with the news that Sohna had been ordered released. My first thought was that this is a very good day, Bailey said. When you work on issues like this, things dont always turn out like this. Harris said he spoke before the judge for 20 minutes about his friend. The judge seemed to silently agree with each of those who spoke in Sohnas behalf, he said. At one point, however, the judge expressed possible doubt: You could lead a horse to water, but you cant make it drink, Harris said the judge told the court. To which Harris replied: Sura Sohna is ready to drink when able to. The judge issued the order releasing Sohna on Tuesday morning, but Sohna didnt leave the prison until about 5:30 p.m. His family and friends greeted him with hugs and well-wishes and a bottle of water. Im going to save that bottle, Sohna said. They stormed through police barricades, these ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse. They shattered windows and chanted death to the vice president, these ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse. They smeared their own feces on the wall, ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse. Over the last 13 months, weve heard Republicans offer all sorts of rationalizations for the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Weve heard the white nationalist thugs who perpetrated it called patriotic and good and likened to tourists. Weve borne repeated insults to intelligence, memory and the service of police who defended against these gangsters as they tried to overthrow an American election. But even that was scant preparation for the resolution the party adopted last week. It accused the Jan. 6 select committee the one Democrats in the House impaneled after Republicans refused to support a full congressional probe of the persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse. Mind you, that legitimate political discourse gouged eyes and broke bones, erected a gallows and paraded a traitors flag through the peoples house. The resolutions larger purpose was to formally censure Reps. Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney, which it described as people who purport to be Republicans. Their sin? To serve on the aforementioned committee. Youd think every American, regardless of political affiliation, would want to know all they could about what happened on Jan. 6. Youd think every American would demand accountability. Youd be mistaken. The GOP has other priorities. Keep in mind that on the national level, Republicans are losers. Only once in 30 years has the party won the popular vote on the way to the presidency. Small wonder. The GOP stands on the wrong side of every important social and demographic trend reshaping this country. They could choose to confront that challenge by strategizing ways to appeal to the rising new electorate. Or, they could do what theyve been doing: work overtime to energize their old electorate. Scare them half to death by telling them how theyre being victimized by critical race theory, cancel culture, radical wokeism and every other piece of scary-sounding jargon they can manufacture or inflate. Embrace a strategy of sophistry and gaslights, suppress votes, push the Big Lie and the bigger contempt for democratic norms. Last weeks resolution was right out of that playbook. But even at that, the statement was chilling. Not because it provided fresh, albeit superfluous, evidence of Republican estrangement from objective reality, but because it implicitly endorsed political violence, even normalized it. And while Donald Trump does that on a regular basis, one is hard-pressed to recall when it has ever been stated in print by the partys administrative leadership. The distinction matters. It makes this moment feel like a Rubicon decisively crossed and renewed political violence more likely than not. Were gonna drag motherf-s through the streets, declares one man on a Jan. 6 video newly released by the Justice Department. Cut their head off! he cries, this ordinary citizen engaged in legitimate political discourse. Imagine what hed say if he was a violent insurrectionist out to burn the country down. Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for the Miami Herald, 3511 NW 91st Ave., Miami, FL 33172. Readers may contact him at lpitts@miamiherald.com. The international conspiracy that effected on the leader Abdullah Ocalan entered its 23rd year, amid Turkey's tightening isolation in Imrali prison. In this dossier, we will highlight the States that participated in the conspiracy and its objectives, and what international interests are to participate in the conspiracy; leader Ocalan evaluated all of this in many of his arguments that he recorded in his cell, and we listed some of them. In 1988 in January, in New York City in the United States of America maneuver was held under the name "Quelling the Uprising of Eastern Turkey by the Turkish Army and the United States Army," among which American-Turkish cooperation began to be clear and public in order to counter, eliminate and liquidate the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leadership, as well as security agreements signed between NATO countries themselves. Since 1989, Turkey has been organizing a frenzied international campaign to get leader Ocalan out of Syria, and has threatened several times to declare war on it, exploiting the Arab dispersal and distancing them from their core causes to blackmail Syria in several files, the most important of which was the security file regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Turkish side of Israel and its support, as well as the Iskenderun Sancag, in which Turkey occupied it the thirties of the last century, in addition to the unresolved issues of distribution of the water of the Euphrates River, Turkey is determined to build dams and control the flow of the river to neighbouring States, such as Syria and Iraq, and to consider it a trans-Turkish river that it has the right to block if necessary. The question of leader Ocalan's presence on Syrian territory was later a further issue to be added to the outstanding files between the two States, all of which were quickly jumped as Bashar al-Assad took power in Syria. Therefore, the conspiracy that led to the arrest of leader Ocalan was a rejection and strike of any project calling for freedom, democracy and equality in the Middle East. Leader Abdullah Ocalan says: The date of my arrival to Turkey was on February 15. This date coincides with the day the conspiracy against Sheikh Saeed began (February 15, 1925). The death sentence against me was also issued on June 29, 1999, after a mock trial on the Imrali Island, which was closer to theatrical at a time that coincides with the day Sheikh Saeed was executed along with a group of his companions. Why Ocalan? The international conspiracy in fact targeted leader Abdullah Ocalan on several grounds, the most important of which was that all the Kurdish revolutions that preceded the establishment of the PKK ended with the mere elimination of their leaders. Not all revolutionaries had the characteristics to unite the people, the philosophy of leader Ocalan was different from that of everyone else. Leader Ocalan is a pioneer leader who possesses an ideological system and is capable of influencing even at the global level. It is therefore natural that this ideological influence should gain influence over the world's movements and peoples and thus pose a threat to the world order, through its class system, which has placed a heavy burden on human peoples and societies. That made the leader a target, so States conspired with Turkey to eliminate him. What are the goals of these countries? Greece: The role of Greece, the enemy of Turkey, was the most dangerous role in the conspiracy, and many questions revolved around it, about the price it had paid for its complicity with Turkey at that stage. It was clear from the beginning that Greece plays a negative role in the case of the leader Ocalan and the PKK, and the Greek friends could not influence their government, which came directly under the orders of US President Bill Clinton. Greece became responsible for two things in the case. the first; A person has taken refuge in Greece, and no lawsuit has been brought against him in this country. Moreover, he is handed over to his enemies, without taking legal means into consideration. The second; The fact that the Greek officials, violated the law, and put Ocalan's life in danger, by extraditing him to Turkey, not to mention condemning him to death. Greek Justice Minister Ivan Angelos Yiannopoulos admitted to the Mossad breach of Greek intelligence. In a meeting with the lawyer of the leader Ocalan, of Greek origin, Giannis Rachotis, he said about Greece's involvement in the kidnapping case, the implementation of Turkish demands, and the popular reaction to the actions of the Greek Government, "Everyone was dominated by a feeling of great shame. In 1999, the moment we heard that Greece handed Ocalan to Turkey, a large mass demonstration took place in Constitution Square, in front of the Parliament building, and forced three ministers to submit their resignations: the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Theodoros Pangalos, the Minister of the Interior, Alexis Papadopoulos, and the Minister of Social Discipline, Philippos Petsalnicos. The greatest treachery in its history. Greece has never committed such treachery, and I do not believe that any civil state has committed such treachery, and modern European history has not witnessed such an incident. In the matter of Ocalan, there was no justification for his extradition, other than that, Greece handed over people who are being sought as terrorists, such as the German "RAF" movement, or the Italian Red Brigades. And there was an argument or guilt, justifying their extradition. They were saying about them: They killed someone, or other things, or someone was put on trial. However, with regard to Ocalan, there were close relations between PKK and Greece, and herein lies the great betrayal. No other country did anything like this, the leader Ocalan was confident in his relationship with Greece." Britain: Britain has been asking the PKK to seek refuge in it and enter under its umbrella through the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan since 1990, as Mossad did through the Kurdistan Democratic Party led by Barzani, and for the PKK this meant death that they would not accept. Britain, like Germany, played a role in the liquidation process. On the other hand, the PUK agreed with Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin secretly in the Austrian capital, Vienna, to declare the PKK a terrorist party in 1991. This position of the Patriotic Union overlapped with Germanys positions France and England played an important and fundamental role in declaring the party a terrorist party. This unity of opinion, which was reached in Europe, aimed at creating a Kurdish movement free of the PKK; Because a variety of this type is a very necessary paper in their hands and they can use it in the Middle East as they like. Then they invented the nickname "the second man" and called it Semdin Sak, and it was decided to liquidate the leader Abo (Abdullah Ocalan), and they started calculating the next stage, and they started a meaningless arrest campaign, in order to give Kani Yilmaz a role in this direction, as they were aiming to be used as a leader of the PKK after the possible surrender or liquidation process takes place. Germany: Germany has arrested dozens of cadres and supporters of Kurdistan Workers' Party and put them in prisons, where they spent long periods there, and launched a campaign called "Confrontation", that mean to confront PKK and leader Abdullah Ocalan. Germany wanted to form a Kurdish bloc from Kurdistan Democratic Party and Kurdistan Socialist Party, and from the remnants of PKK, within a legal plan, so it realized that it would not be able to control PKK and made great efforts to prevent it. The practices were carried out within the framework of Gladio, and since the implementation center is located in Germany, German state was the first to decide to declare PKK a terrorist organization. Germany and the center of NATO network Gladio and its extensions in Turkey and Turkish internal security forces attracted KDP to its side, to start in launching a counterattack on PKK . Israeli Mossad: By the years, the international conspiracy papers against the leader were revealed and the roles of those involved in it became clear. And the role of Israeli intelligence began to become clear, The well-known European writer and researcher, Jordan Thomas, wrote in which he talked about how leader Abdullah Ocalan was arrested and kidnapped in Kenyan capital, Nairobi, after a series of Mossad operations in a number of European countries to which the leader was resorting. The writer says: "Israeli Prime Minister at that time, Benjamin Netanyahu, was in constant contact with the head of Mossad, Ephraim Halevy, until the end of November 1998, especially after the former Prime Minister of Turkey, Bulent Ajawit, called him and asked him the help of the Mossad to kidnap the leader. According to the writer, the reasons that prompted Israel to meet Turkey's request are the first's urgent need to form strong and direct relations with Turkey in order to serve its strategy to develop its diplomacy in the region, so Netanyahu promised Ajawit to meet the request and instructed "Ephraim Halevy", the head of Mossad, to find Ocalan at any cost and the operation was called "black". America Leader Abdullah Ocalan answered a question about the common interests of all parties in this conspiracy, especially America in Athens, saying: "America saw this assistance as an irreplaceable psychological opportunity to link Turkey with it as its strategic ally, With this handover, the issue of benefiting from Turkey in its activities in the Middle East, Central Asia and Balkan countries reached a climax, and it is the same for England as well. As for Israel, through its role in this conspiracy, it demonstrated the importance and fate of the strategic relationship it established with Turkey. What is the benefit of Hellenic Republic? First of all, it fulfilled the order of America, to which it is affiliated, and then obtained American support, in particular in the Cyprus and Aegean issues. The Greek support provided was aimed at purely tactical interests, and that it was devoid of any human aspect. All calculations were arranged and organized on the basis of my entering into blind resistance, and the matter end with my death, even in the newspapers published in Athens, published articles stating that the days remaining until my death were enumerated. The Leader believes that: "What America aimed at with its Greater Middle East project is to show the sclerotic nationalisms and nationalist states and push them to clash with each other to remain the dominant force in the Middle East for another century, and it seems clear that there is no place for liberation movements in such a project. There is a close relationship between Greater Middle East project of United States, and my extradition to Turkey with a conspiracy. Note that the stage that began in 2003 believe me saying. Because we are being the third real alternative that defends the democratic unity of the peoples, in the face of the balance imposed by forces of international domination on the peoples of Middle East." Russia As for the economic level of the conspiracy, it must be noted that the participants in the conspiracy jointly participated in economic projects, Russia, which was living in very difficult economic conditions, obtained through its participation in this conspiracy the "Blue Stream" project, and Italy also participated in this project. "Blue Stream" project is the main gas pipeline across Black Sea that carries natural gas from Russia to Turkey. Gas flow from Russia to Turkey began in February 2003, however, due to the dispute over the price between Russia and Turkey, the official opening ceremony at the Duroso gas metering station was held on November17, 2005. The opening was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Turkey at that time Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Not only that, but Russia obtained a loan from International Monetary Fund amounting to 10 billion dollars in return for its participation in this conspiracy. In addition to these conspiring states, Kurdistan Democratic Party played a leading role in the conspiracy against leader Abdullah Ocalan, through its cooperation with them. The international conspiracy that was plotted against leader Abdullah Ocalan was carried out by Israeli, American, British, Kenyan, and Greek intelligence, and began by Turkey with a campaign targeting the leader in Syria, after Turkey obtained a green light from America and Israel to begin the advanced stages of liquidating the Kurdish issue and deepening the rift between Kurdish and Turkish peoples in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan, The conspiracy continued with those forces being able to expel the leader Ocalan from Syria after a series of Turkish threats to invade, by preventing him from obtaining political asylum in Greece, Russia, Italy and many other countries despite the approval of their parliaments to grant him this right, to end up in captivity, after he was kidnapped in Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on February15, 1999, after the special teams of Israeli Mossad were able to track and kidnap him, and then hand him over to Turkey. References: The Leader's Analyzes from his Manifesto of Democratic Civilization - Kurdish issue and the Solution of Democratic Nation. Leader Abdullah Ocalan' analyzes from Athens pleading. Testimonies of European writer and researcher "Gordon Thomas" about the role of Mossad in the conspiracy. Research papers of the Social Sciences Research Committee of Democratic Society Academies entitled "You Can't Block Our Sun". Sh-ST-S ANHA Feb 10, 2022 8:00 AM Author: University of Utah Health Communications By now everyone is aware of the opioid crisis in America. In 2019, nearly 50,000 people in the United States died from opioid-involved overdoses. Opioid pain medications, which are often legitimately prescribed by a physician following an injury or surgery, can quickly become addictive and turn into a dangerous drug habit for some patients. People who undergo knee replacement surgery (and other surgical procedures) do experience pain during recovery and need effective options to minimize the pain while healing. Surgeons and nurses at University of Utah Health are looking for ways to reduce pain medication usage after knee replacement. Jan Hinich, a University of Utah Health nurse with a masters degree in public health nursing, is focused on reducing opioid usage. The Dangers of Opioid Addiction According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019: More than 10 million people misused prescription opioids 50,000 people used heroin for the first time, and about 80% of first-time heroin users previously abused pain medications 49,860 people died from opioid drug overdose Understanding how opioid pain medications work While millions of people take pain medication each year, few understand how these medications work in your body. Thats something Hinich is actively trying to change by educating patients. Inside your brain there is a small area that receives pain signals. These signals alert your body that something is wrong so you can stop doing itfor example, feeling pain when you touch something hot so you can pull your hand awayor so your body can take steps to heal. Opiate pain medications block these pain receptors, Hinich said. They are not fixing anything, just making it so your brain doesnt get the signal. Once patients understand that opioid medications are not helpful in the healing process and are only meant to be temporary, many can successfully moderate opioid usage. They may also switch to safer over-the-counter products like Tylenol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. Strategies to reduce pain after knee surgery without opioids Hinich and others at U of U Health are working on multiple strategies to reduce opioid pain medication usage. Creating better tools for measuring pain Asking patients to quantify pain on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of 0 to 10 is not scientific, which makes it harder to create effective treatment plans and avoid overprescribing opioids. U of U Health developed a better way to measure pain. Providers discuss pain and how its impacting quality of life with the patient, then input that information into a Clinically Aligned Pain Assessment tool (CAPA). The tool analyzes the data and offers recommendations for an effective treatment plan. While developing the tool, researchers studied more than 12,000 pain assessments and found that nurses and patients all preferred CAPA over NRS. The tool accurately identified pain severity and offered effective treatment 81% of the time, compared to just 42% of the time with NRS. Setting realistic expectations Recovery after a knee replacement is difficult and long. Pain can last for several weeks, and swelling can continue for up to six months after the operation. But its normal to have some pain. When orthopedic surgeons set that expectation from the start, many patients understand they only need pain medications for a short time, immediately after surgery, when the pain is most intense. Teaching mindfulness Hinich is also educating physicians about using mindfulness after surgery. After she fell off a ladder and broke her back, she started reviewing studies on how mindfulness can reduce pain. Now she works with Adam Hanley, MD, an assistant professor in the College of Social Work whose research covers mechanisms of mindfulness interventions to treat addiction and pain. Mindfulness is the awareness of what you are thinking, feeling, and perceiving in the present moment, without judging it or reacting negatively to it, Hanley said. Its like a mental push-upeach time you practice it, you are strengthening your mindfulness. Mindfulness practices can range from formal (focused breathing, yoga, Tai Chi) to informal practice of simply being more aware of what is happening in the moment. Pain is complex, Hanley says, because we experience it two ways: Physical sensations: unpleasant physical feelings when the brain interprets damage signals from the body unpleasant physical feelings when the brain interprets damage signals from the body Psychological suffering: distress people sometimes experience because of unpleasant sensations By using mindfulness techniques, people can manage both the physical and psychological aspects of pain. Physically, it helps close pain gates that transmit signals from the nervous system to the brain. Psychologically, it helps people either focus intently on a small aspect of the pain (zooming in) or focus broadly on your body and things outside of your body (zooming out) to diminish pain. Utilizing physical therapy Another effective option to reduce pain is physical therapy (PT). One study showed that PT interventions before and after a total knee replacement reduce the risk of long-term opioid use. PT may also be an option for patients with chronic pain who are taking opioid medications regularly and want to reduce their dependence. After a tumultuous and public collapse of the East Helena Police Department, the new mayor pledged to rebuild the local force so the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office would not need to take over law enforcement in the city. And it appears he has accomplished his goal. East Helena Mayor Kelly Harris, who unseated former Mayor James Schell in the 2021 election, said in early January that every last officer with the East Helena Police Department had resigned. In a press release Tuesday, Harris announced the city council has hired a full staff including a chief and four patrol officers certified by the Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Bureau. Mike Sanders was rehired as the new chief. Sanders previously spent four months in the same position under Schell before leaving the post, citing differences in goals and priorities with city leadership. He has also worked as a Helena police officer and federal Drug Enforcement Agency agent. Sanders' employment begins Feb. 22. "With over 29 years of law enforcement experience, both in Montana and with the DEA, Mr. Sanders has the exceptional administrative and leadership qualities our department has desperately needed," the press release states. "We are excited to announce a new day in the East Helena Police Department. With these upstanding officers and new leadership our citizens can look forward to a local law enforcement presence they can trust and depend on." Kirk Johnston, Clifton Cox, Trenton Deboo and Ken Harris are the four officers. Tuesday's press release states the new officers' experience in law enforcement ranges from one to 13 years. "These individuals are all from the immediate East Helena area and are capable of stepping in immediately and working together to reconstitute our department," the press release states. Harris said Wednesday that he and the East Helena City Council's move to significantly increase starting pay for officers helped them attract "strong applicants." "I can't tell you how good it is to see people who understand what we're trying to accomplish here and who are eager to attach themselves to this community," Harris said. The city council also approved during a special meeting Jan. 6 Harris' plans to use the police department's unspent budget to offer hiring bonuses of $15,000 to a new chief with $7,500 at signing and $7,500 after one year; $5,000 to POST-certified officers; and $2,500 to any non-POST certified officers upon hire with an additional $2,500 after the first six months. City leadership also approved raising the starting salary of EHPD officers from about $45,000 to $62,000 per year, which is higher than the starting salaries offered by both the Helena Police Department and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office. Harris said the city received 36 applications for the four open patrol officer positions and a dozen for the position of chief. At the Jan. 6 meeting, the city council approved the 30-day appointment of Johnston and Harris as temporary chief and officer, respectively. The move brought the municipality back into compliance with a Montana law that requires it to employ a police chief at the bare minimum, staving off the sheriff's office's potential takeover of law enforcement in the municipality. Sheriff's deputies have stepped in to cover some shifts for EHPD and have billed the city on a call-for-service basis for about two years. Sheriff Leo Dutton had proposed a long-term agreement, which would have put his office in charge of policing the city for at least three years. But East Helena officials did not want to commit to that long of a contract, noting that hiring their own police force is more cost-effective and what the community wants. Dutton said Wednesday his deputies continue to respond to "emergency calls when there is not an (East Helena) officer on shift." The Lewis and Clark County Attorney's Office directed the sheriff's office to investigate all felony cases within East Helena's jurisdiction about 15 years ago, and Dutton said that work will still be conducted by his deputies until "report writing and investigative skills are demonstrated." "The new chief will hopefully have a plan to do this," he said. Love 21 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) A large bull moose spent more than an hour stomping on the sled dog team of a rookie Iditarod musher in the wilds of Alaska last week and the attack didn't end even after Bridgett Watkins emptied her gun into the animal. She said on Facebook Friday that the moose, after seriously injuring four of her dogs, wouldn't leave and that the ordeal stopped only after she called friends for help and one showed up with a high powered rifle and killed the moose with one shot. "This has been the most horrific past 24 hours of my life," she posted after the Thursday moose attack on the Salcha River trail system near Fairbanks. But just days later, her four dogs are on the mend and she's back training with the others. "This isn't what I was planning for, but these dogs and myself have trained for so long and so hard for this race ... when I walk back out to my dog yard and I have 12 perfectly healthy dogs out of the 16 and they look at me and all they want to do is run, how can I tell them no?" she told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "That would be selfish of me." "These are freaking amazing athletes that just survived probably the most traumatic experience of any dog team ever in history, and they're survivors and they're still pushing through," she added. Watkins said that the attack, first reported by the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, happened while she was on a 52-mile (83.7-kilometer) training run for the nearly 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometer) Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. It starts March 5 in Anchorage. "As he charged me I emptied my gun into him and he never stopped," she wrote on Facebook. "I ran for my life and prayed I was fast enough to not be killed in that moment. He trampled the team and then turned for us." Watkins said she and a friend who was trailing her on a snowmobile took refuge next to the snowmobile. The moose stopped its charge toward them about 2 feet (0.6 meters) from the snowmobile and she managed to cut free six dogs that were tied to the machine. But the moose went back to her sled and began stomping the dogs that were still tethered to it standing over the dogs and trampling them repeatedly for over an hour. "I have never felt so helpless in my life," Watkins wrote. "He would not leave us alone and he even stood over top of the team refusing to retreat." She called friends and the moose was shot and killed after one arrived with a rifle. Alaska State Troopers had been preparing a helicopter to respond but stopped doing so after they were told the moose was dead, agency spokesperson Tim DeSpain said in an email. Her four injured dogs were taken to a veterinarian in the nearby community of North Pole and are recovering, Watkins posted. Watkins, a native of Arkansas who moved to Alaska when she was 5, is no stranger to mushing or its dangers. Her father and step-mother are well-known mushers Allen Moore and Aliy Zirkle. In the 2016 Iditarod, Zirkle and four-time winner Jeff King were attacked by a man on a snowmobile near the community of Nulato. One dog on King's team was killed and two others were injured. Another famous tale of a musher's run-in with an angry moose happened in the 1985 Iditarod when the late Susan Butcher came across one while she was leading the race. She used her ax and a parka to fight off the moose, but it killed two of her dogs and injured 13 others. Another musher came along and killed the moose. She had to withdraw from the race, but later won four Iditarod races. Butcher died in 2006 from leukemia at age 51. "It is never a musher's intention to go out and kill an animal," Watkins told the AP. She said no musher would ever travel with a rifle or a large caliber gun, instead preferring to scare off animals with a flare gun. And with all the jostling of the sled, the larger guns could easily go off. "People have a lot of negative comments about what I should or should not have been doing but they're not the people on the back of that sled," she said. "It's not that I wasn't prepared. I wasn't prepared to kill a moose, that's correct," Watkins said. "It's not my intention to go around in February and hunt and kill an animal. This is like worst-case scenario defending my life." She did carry a .380 caliber gun because there are few people where she trains, and she keeps it to to deter or scare off animals. She has since upgraded to a larger caliber firearm after it didn't stop the moose. "That would be asinine to go back out there on the same trail, the same place, and not have a gun where I can't truly put down an animal if I have to," she said. The experience has rattled her, but it's really no different than what other people face, she said. "I'm just trying to face those fears every day because they're there. It's not that I'm not scared and I'm not terrified and that I don't nearly have a panic attack when I'm on the sled and I think I see a moose in front of me," she said. "It's not that those things aren't occurring ... people have these situations in their life all the time. They're just different obstacles that they have to overcome, and this is mine, and this is my story, and I just hope that I can be inspiring." Meat from the moose that attacked her dogs was donated to charity. *** Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A group of organizations that sought to include citizen initiatives on Montanans ballots in 2018 took to a federal appeals court Wednesday to argue against a law restricting how signatures are gathered for those efforts, after a federal judge in Montana rejected their challenge in 2020. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard oral arguments in the case, which seeks to overturn the state's law limiting signature-gathering to Montana residents, and prohibiting them from getting paid by the signature. The law came about after the 2006 election cycle, when some nonresident signature gatherers who were paid per signature tricked people into signing more ballot initiative petitions than they intended. In 2018, it was challenged in U.S. District Court in Helena by a coalition of groups that were then trying to qualify several citizen initiatives for the ballot. Their lawsuit argues that the state law violates the plaintiffs First Amendment rights by limiting their ability to recruit out-of-state petition gatherers and making it more difficult to get their issues on the ballot. It also alleged their Fourteenth Amendment rights were infringed by the prohibition on per-signature compensation, which they said limited the available pool of quality workers for the petition drives. U.S. District Court Judge Charles C. Lovell ruled in the states favor in December 2020, finding the plaintiffs had failed to show sufficient evidence their constitutional rights were violated. The plaintiffs in the case are Nathan Pierce, the Montana Coalition for Rights, Montanans for Citizen Voting, Sherri Ferrell and the Liberty Initiative Fund. Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan are named as defendants. Representing the groups challenging the law, attorney Paul Rossi argued Wednesday that Montanas law effectively creates a monopoly for a pair of in-state firms that organize petition-drive efforts. And the ban on per-signature compensation, he argued, also makes those efforts more expensive by forcing groups to pay petition circulators by the hour, which creates a disincentive for them to collect a high volume of signatures. Out-of-state firms testified in this case that they would not come in because the per-signature ban is unfair to their economic compensation, and they can simply go to other jurisdictions to get compensation, Rossi argued. Appeals Court Judge Richard A. Paez asked whether those firms could still offer bonuses or other types of compensation to signature-gatherers. These bans are tied to criminal penalties, and theres a worry if you pay a bonus based on signatures produced, then youre paying per signature, Rossi responded. Christian Corrigan, assistant solicitor for Montana, said such an arrangement would be allowed under state law. More broadly, he argued that the plaintiffs have yet to show the law constitutes any burden, much less a severe one on their constitutional rights. In addition to that determination, the three-judge panel must also determine what level of scrutiny to apply to the states law. Appeals Court Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen noted that the residency requirement effectively excludes hundreds of millions of U.S. residents from the process, and suggested that may require the states law to clear a higher bar known as strict scrutiny. Corrigan argued that court precedence dictates otherwise. Were talking about an initiative process that belongs to the people of Montana the special right of initiative, which is a legislative function, allows the state to do certain things, such as limiting initiative petitions to only electors, rather than say, corporations, he said. Depending on what level of scrutiny is applied, the state will have to show that the law achieved its stated purpose without being overly broad. The other judge on the panel, John R. Tunheim, asked why the goal of eliminating fraud couldnt be achieved by creating a registry for signature gatherers or conducting background checks, rather than completely banning out-of-state residents. Corrigan said the law has to consider how it could address potential fraud within the relatively short timeline for the initiative process. I think given the fact that the state has to first verify theyre a real person, find them and serve them, and then go through the process of challenging signatures, shows why this is narrowly tailored to address the fraud, he said. The judges did not indicate when they would issue a decision in the case. Montana State News Bureau Chief Holly Michels contributed to this story. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The legislative auditor's office this week said its met increasing resistance from agencies obligated to open their books, while agencies have described federal and constitutional privacy protections at play. The notice emerged during a planning conversation between scheduled hearings with the Legislative Audit Committee on Tuesday. The committee is made up of state lawmakers who examine the reports issued by the Legislative Audit Division, the office charged with probing the state government's books, accounts, activities and records to ensure the Legislature's directives have been carried out. "Recently, we've had increasing challenges in novel ways that agencies have either sought to deny our access or to delay the information requests that we are making," Deborah Butler, legal counsel for the legislative auditor's office, told the committee. The resistance has been such that Butler has been exploring ways to ensure compliance from the agencies in the executive branch; currently, the Legislative Audit Act in state law gives the division no teeth to enforce its duties. Angus Maciver, who heads up the auditor's office, told lawmakers Tuesday the resistance has sometimes come with good intentions, like protecting personal data. "But, increasingly we also suspect some less-than-pure motives," Maciver told the committee. Maciver declined in a phone interview to share further information about how and when agencies have improperly withheld information from the auditor, but said the issue has been rising to a boil for some time, predating the current administration. "We anticipate it will continue," he told the Montana State News Bureau. One example came when the auditor's office was directed by the Legislature to complete a performance audit of the effectiveness of community corrections programs in reducing recidivism. Maciver said the auditor's office had sought inmate screening files that had led to a determination of which treatment programs to send the inmate. The Montana Department of Corrections delayed the auditor's access for months before eventually withholding the information as confidential, Maciver said. "In the end it was pretty much a refusal," he said. To route the issue, the auditor's office got creative and instead went to the contracted treatment providers, which furnished most of the information. "They understood they had legal and contractual obligations to provide that information," Maciver said. The Montana Department of Corrections on Wednesday said in an email it had determined the information sought fell under privacy protections. "The department appreciates the work of the Legislative Audit Division, and also takes very seriously its responsibility to protect the confidential medical information of individuals under its care," department spokesperson Carolynn Bright said in an email. "In the course of this particular performance audit, the auditors office requested offenders confidential behavioral health information which is protected by federal law and the privacy guarantee of the Montana Constitution." Bright also said the auditor's office never identified any legal authority that gives the Department of Corrections the right or responsibility to disclose an individual's confidential private medical information to the legislative auditor's office. In an effort to reach a compromise, Bright said the department staff offered to request releases from individuals in its custody that would allow auditors to read their confidential treatment information, and also offered redacted information. "The auditor's office declined these proposed solutions," Bright said. For the auditor's part, Maciver said federal laws protecting health care information have exemptions for audits. "We don't see a good legal argument for refusing access" in state or federal law, Maciver said. "That's our opinion, of course. Agencies may have an alternate view on that." The audit office has been in more public disputes with state agencies before. A 2020 financial compliance audit found Montana faced a risk of the federal government clawing back at least $84 million in fraudulent Medicaid payments, but the Department of Public Health and Human Services claimed the auditors made a series of mistakes or improper calculations to overstate the problem. The issue in that case arose in the process of gathering information for that report, when auditors reportedly found the DPHHS internal controls produced too many errors, so it developed its own tests to check for Medicaid eligibility through state income tax records. DPHHS officials said this and overestimations by auditors greatly inflated the figures received by Medicaid recipients. The Governor's Office, which has appointed all the current state agency directors, said Wednesday this was the first time the issue had been raised; Gov. Greg Gianforte took office in early 2021. "Furthermore, of course the governor directs agencies to follow the law, regardless of the practices of previous administrations," spokesperson Brooke Stroyke said. During Tuesday's meeting, lawmakers and the audit staff sought to better understand how other states handle such conflicts. Butler, the auditor's legal counsel, said other states have enacted misdemeanors and felonies for intentionally refusing auditors access to information. Any changes would have to be made during the Legislative session next year. Both Republicans and Democrats on the committee have expressed interest in potential changes to the law. Sen. Tom McGillvray, a Billings Republican, and House Minority Leader Kim Abbott, a Helena Democrat, said in separate interviews Thursday the matter is one of transparency and accountability in government. "If the audit division is auditing an agency the agency should comply with what they want," McGillvray said. Abbot said she's only aware of one disagreement on information being turned over to audit staff based on a different interpretation of law. "I don't think criminal penalties are necessary but having cordial relationships with agency leadership and staff is incredibly important for the (audit) division to do its job," Abbott said. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Attorneys for the Montana Supreme Courts administrator are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to deny an appeal from the Montana Legislature arguing that state Supreme Court justices violated lawmakers due process rights in a ruling last year. Attorneys for administrator Beth McLaughlin filed a response Wednesday to the Montana Legislatures appeal of a case decided by the state Supreme Court that found lawmakers overstepped their authority when they subpoenaed judicial branch records. The filing argues that the dispute is a matter of state law, that the Legislature has misrepresented the facts of the case, and that Montanas justices acted properly in adjudicating and ruling in the high-profile dispute. The (Legislatures) petition is a strained effort to refashion a state law decision as a matter of federal due process, Wednesdays filing states. If petitioners are correct, there is no limit to this Courts jurisdiction to hear and decide issues of state law, particularly issues touching sensitive state interbranch political questions. Last July, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that the Legislature overstepped its authority when it subpoenaed judicial branch records without an identified legislative purpose. The subpoenas targeted emails from McLaughlin, and later the justices themselves, over polling she facilitated for the Montana Judges Association on pending legislation. Republicans believed the polling showed judges prejudice against legislation they might later be asked to rule on. Democrats characterized the dispute, which included formation of the Legislatures Special Select Committee on Judicial Accountability and Transparency, as a political effort to undermine the independence of the court which would decide the constitutionality of a host of new GOP-backed laws. Legislators subpoenaed the Montana Department of Administration rather than the judicial branch for all of McLaughlins emails after she stated that some had been deleted. In a rare Sunday ruling, the state Supreme Court temporarily quashed the subpoena, which drew a rebuke from the attorney generals office saying the subpoenas were valid and it would not recognize the courts order. The Department of Administration complied with the courts directive and stopped providing records. In filings with both the state and federal supreme courts, McLaughlin has said the records that were released posed legal concerns because they were not screened for confidential information such as medical or youth court records. Subsequent subpoenas targeted the justices records, although justices said they had not participated in the poll, as well as computers and hard drives from the judicial branch. Those subpoenas were eventually withdrawn and the Legislature asked that the justices recuse themselves from the case. Despite the recusal requests and withdrawing of the subpoenas, in a July opinion the Montana Supreme Court unanimously ruled against the Legislature, finding that lawmakers had overstepped and that the subpoenas were overbroad. In a blistering concurring opinion, Justice Dirk Sandefur accused Republicans of an attempted power grab designed to undermine the judicial branch. In December, the Legislature appealed the case, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to find that Montanas Supreme Court justices should have recused themselves. Legislators alleged that the justices acted as judges in their own case and the case of their employee, violating lawmakers due process rights. The position was supported in a friend of the court brief filed by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte. But attorneys for McLaughlin argue that withdrawing of the justices subpoenas negates the argument that they were parties to the case. The Legislatures central argument that the Montana Supreme Court judged its own case hinges on the claim that the Justices quashed all the subpoenas including those issued to them,' the filing argues. The claim is incorrect. The Montana Supreme Court quashed only the subpoenas directed to or seeking McLaughlins judicial branch records, not those directed to the Justices themselves. The filing further contends that the subpoenas directed at the justices were intended to create a conflict. It is apparent the subpoenas issued to the justices were to lay the groundwork for the later disqualification motion, the filing states. The subpoenas to the Justices sought information McLaughlin would have had anyway. McLaughlins attorneys contend that while the matter is one of state law, Montanas justices followed precedent established by U.S. Supreme Court case law. They also argue that due process under the 14th Amendment is reserved for individuals, not political subdivisions such as the Legislature. In the final analysis, the Legislatures Petition is heavy on rhetoric but light on factual and legal support, the filing states. The U.S. Supreme Court only hears about 100-150 of the average of 7,000 cases it is asked to review annually, according to filing statistics. Tom Kuglin is the deputy editor for the Lee Newspapers State Bureau. His coverage focuses on outdoors, recreation and natural resources. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. In 2020, U.S. health officials confirmed the first case of the novel coronavirus among the hundreds of people whod been evacuated from China to military bases in the United States; it was among the 13 confirmed cases in the U.S. Britain declared the new coronavirus a serious and imminent threat to public health and said people with the virus could now be forcibly quarantined. At the Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, Democrats presented security footage, social media videos, police radio calls and Trumps own Twitter posts to argue that he stoked the flames of violence, incited the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol and failed to act quickly to send help or call his supporters off. A new government study found that wearing two masks could be better than one in protecting against coronavirus spread; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said lab researchers found that particles were blocked twice as much when two masks were worn. Larry Flynt, who turned his raunchy Hustler magazine into an empire while fighting numerous First Amendment court battles, died at 78 in Los Angeles. DECATUR Decatur's new superintendent, Rochelle Clark, started her new job on Wednesday, the day after the school board voted 6-1 to hire her. Clark has been in education for more than 30 years, beginning as a teaching assistant in a special education classroom, and through those years she has learned to tackle challenges head-on, she said. "I get it," she said. "I know what needs to be done. Basically, what you do is you look at your data, you listen to your teachers, you listen to your administrators and you always put kids first. When you put all those things together, the choices are easy. What do I need to do to provide the best for our kids, because they're our future. Do we want someone who's going to take over that doesn't have the background and the strength to move forward? Of course not. I want for them what I want for my own kids." Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Jeff Dase gave a presentation during Tuesday's board meeting on recent assessments, which show small improvements across the board, and Clark said one of her goals is to bring those numbers up even higher. "This is my second time around (in Decatur)," she said. "So of course, I still know some of the key players here and what I just started doing was pay attention, and look at the data, and let the data make decisions for me." Education is tough because of the pandemic, she said, but she loves what she does. "I love what I do, and when I saw an opportunity, I had to say 'yes,'" she said. "I want to be a part of that change and part of moving this district forward. I know I can do this job. I have the credentials to do this job. I have the passion and the desire to do this job, and we're going to make headway." Clark first served in Decatur schools in 2008 and served as director of student services and as an assistant principal at Stephen Decatur Middle School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, and Phoenix Academy (now Harris Learning Academy). She left in 2016 and returned in August 2021 as assistant superintendent of support services. Originally the intent was for her to hold that position temporarily, but she said she'd "fallen in love" with the community and is ready to make a long-term commitment. A native of East St. Louis, she holds a bachelor's degree in education from Harris-Stowe State University, a masters degree in management from Webster University, and her doctoral degree in education from Lindenwood University. She has held a superintendent's certification in Illinois since 2011. During discussion prior to the vote on Clark, board member Kevin Collins-Brown expressed reservations and said if the board was not willing to table the decision until they were addressed, he'd have to vote no, and he did. His was the only dissenting vote. "She applied after the deadline," he said. "We had two other internal candidates that were never interviewed. I don't understand why (finalist Mikayla Savoy-Brooks) was suddenly perceived as being desperate and told to no longer keep her resume in circulation." Board President Dan Oakes said he could answer the question about why Savoy-Brooks was removed from contention. She had indicated, he said, that if the vote was not unanimous in favor of hiring her, she was not interested in the position. "She was not in a position to get (that unanimous vote), which is why she was not considered," Oakes said. Clark was interviewed by the board on Jan. 31. When the vote was taken at Tuesday's board meeting and Oakes announced that the motion passed, applause and cheers broke out in the board meeting room. Clark, with tears in her eyes, said, "Thank you. Thank you for trusting me to always do what's best for kids. They will always be in my forefront, always, always. We have such a great team. Watch us do our work. This is going to be amazing." Interim Superintendent Bobbi Williams will stay until her 120-period allowed for retired educators to work is complete. The strategic plan requires some work, and the organizational chart will need to be redone, and there's enough to do that having Williams assist while Clark settles in will be a big help, Oakes said. Because Clark was already under contract, the board simply amended her existing contract to reflect her new position, and she could start right away, though usually a new superintendent begins on July 1, the start of the district's fiscal year. Williams called Clark a "strong, independent-thinking, knowledgeable" woman. "People trust you, the staff trusts you, community members," Williams said. "I saw you in action with parents. You're calm. You're not hyper like me. You keep things going. I trust 100 percent with the (district leadership team) that you all will do wonderful things and I wish you all the luck." Board member Regan Lewis said she had written down what she wanted to say so she wouldn't forget anything. "Dr. Clark, I want to apologize to you that on this momentous day in your career, that it is clouded in any way based on the perception that the board's process was flawed, a process you had no part in other than being interviewed," Lewis said. "My shoulders are broad enough to bear the blame, and I'm honored to be among the first to welcome and congratulate you. I welcome with a joyous heart and open arms." Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR A Decatur man wanted for failing to show up in court for sentencing after violating probation in connection with a previous weapons offense conviction was caught and arrested when his girlfriend called police and told them he had just fired a bullet during an argument, prosecutors allege. Malik J. Williams, now in custody, appeared Wednesday in Macon County Circuit Court and pleaded not guilty to new charges of the reckless discharge of a firearm and two counts of the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He also denied possessing a handgun with a defaced serial number. Giving evidence, Decatur Police Officer Cody Rose said police arrested Williams, 21, after being called Jan. 17 to the home in the 800 block of South Stone Street he shared with his girlfriend. A sworn affidavit from Rose said the 21-year-old girlfriend described Williams wielding a silver and pink 9mm gun during their dispute. Rose quoted the woman as saying her boyfriend was not aiming at her but intentionally fired the handgun standing only a couple of feet away from her. Rose said Williams was arrested and found to have outstanding warrants because he failed to show up in court for sentencing in March of 2021 after being found guilty of breach of probation. Court records show he had been sentenced to 24 months probation in May of 2020 following a guilty plea to the unlawful possession of a handgun. Questioned by Macon County States Attorney Scott Rueter, Rose said police had searched the girlfriends home and discovered the loaded silver and pink gun hidden inside a floor vent. The weapons serial number was defaced. The officer said Williams was also found in possession of 15 grams of what later tested positive as fentanyl-laced heroin. Defense attorney Michelle Sanders, on cross-examination, asked Rose: At the time you searched the house, you didn't have a search warrant? Rose replied that was correct, and that the girlfriend had given officers permission to conduct a search. Was the handgun preserved for prints and any other forensics? asked Sanders. Rose said it had been. Judge Rodney Forbes found probable cause to try Williams, and assigned the case to Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith, who is already handling the probation sentencing. Williams is being held in the Macon County Jail with bail set at $260,000, meaning he would need to post a bond of $26,000 to be released. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR Derrick A. Douglas, a convicted sex offender detectives bumped into while investigating the shooting and wounding of a 3-year-old boy, is now pleading not guilty to a charge he failed to register his current address with police. Douglas, 20, must keep law enforcement informed about where he is living as part of the requirements of being on the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry. Decatur police say Douglas is required to register for life after being convicted of sex offenses when he was aged 10 and 13 that involved victims aged 10 and 6. A sworn statement signed by Detective Charles Hendricks said Douglas was supposed to be living at an address in Clinton but wasnt there when Clinton Police made a spot check in September. On Wednesday Douglas appeared in Macon County Circuit Court and denied violating the sex offender registry rules. He also told Judge Rodney Forbes he was waiving his right to a preliminary hearing where the judge would have to weigh the facts and decide if there was probable cause to try him. Forbes then scheduled a pretrial hearing for April 4. The sworn statement describes Douglas being one of the witnesses interviewed on Jan. 4 when police descended on a home in the 500 block of West Sawyer Street after the child was shot. The boy sustained a life-threatening bullet wound to both legs and Douglas appears to be a crucial eye-witness to what happened. Detectives said he, at first, claimed the home was hit by gunfire from outside but, under questioning, changed his story. He said he had seen the boy sitting on a bed with William A. Hosea IV, with a handgun lying in between them, and suddenly heard a gunshot. Douglas described how the 20-year-old Hosea had then fled the room while clutching the gun. Hosea appeared in court Tuesday pleading not guilty to the reckless discharge of a firearm and other charges relating to the shooting. Hosea is now in custody at the Macon County Jail and a check of jail records Thursday showed that Douglas is also incarcerated, with his bail set at $15,000, requiring him to post a bond of $1,500 to be released. Court records show that Douglas has a previous conviction for breaking sex offender registry rules by failing to register a new address. He had pleaded guilty to the charge in March and was sentenced to 24 months probation. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SPRINGFIELD If hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to decline for the rest of the month, Gov. JB Pritzker plans to lift his executive order that mandates face coverings indoors by Feb. 28. The plan does not apply to schools. Its unclear what level of rise in hospitalizations could lead the state to change its course, but Pritzker and health officials said at an afternoon news conference Wednesday that such a scenario was not out of the question. It's the end of the statewide mask mandate, Pritzker said of the planned Feb. 28 lifting of the order. But as we've all said, if things get very bad, I think we've seen this before with the onslaught of delta and then omicron (variants of the coronavirus), boy, masks really helped us to keep infection rates, transmission rates down. So, there may come a time in the future when that happens. Regardless of what happens with hospitalizations, masks will continue to be mandated at schools, on school busses and other public transportation, at nursing homes and congregate living facilities, and at day cares beyond March 1. The equation for schools just looks different right now than it does for the general population, Pritzker said at the news conference in Chicago. Schools need a little more time for community infection rates to drop, for our youngest learners to become vaccine eligible and for more parents to get their kids vaccinated. Masks, testing and vaccines have worked to keep schools open, Pritzker said, and that was the primary goal of the administration. But whether he has the authority to issue such mandates in schools will be a question decided by state courts. The 4th District Court of Appeals is currently considering whether a lower courts temporary restraining order on the governors school mandates pertaining to about 170 school districts will remain in effect. Pritzker called Judge Raylene Grischows opinion an extremely bad decision, as well as poorly written and poorly decided. Without giving a timeline, Pritzker said in the coming weeks school mask mandates could be lifted if the state continues to see progress in terms of hospitalization and disease spread. The reason the state was able to get to a place where Pritzker could consider lifting the mandate, he said, is because hospitalizations for COVID-19, which pushed heights of 7,400 cases in mid-January, have fallen by nearly two-thirds, to 2,496 cases as of Tuesday night. That marked a decrease of more than 140 from the day prior. Twenty percent of statewide intensive care unit beds were available as of Tuesday night, up from a low of about 8 percent four weeks ago, Pritzker said. Its a faster decline in hospitalizations than at any point in the pandemic, Pritzker said. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said 89 percent of those hospitalizations are in unvaccinated individuals. Approximately 75 percent of the states population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, putting Illinois at the top of Midwestern states. Ezike said lifting the mandate does not signify an end to COVID-19, but the latest in the states effort to coexist with COVID. Your actions that you've already taken have helped to reduce the amount of virus circulating and it absolutely has saved lives, she said. But be clear that COVID is not gone and it won't be gone on Feb. 28. So, we are going to continue to find ways to live with the virus. The path forward likely includes masks, vaccines, testing and creating safer settings through better ventilation, she said. Local jurisdictions and businesses may continue to enforce stricter masking guidelines than outlined by the state. Pritzker did not state specific metric thresholds would need to be met before school mask mandates could be lifted, but noted he hoped it would be weeks rather than months when a decision could be made. He deferred to Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Chicago, when asked about specific metrics. Landon said metrics are really tough when it comes to COVID-19 tracking. The CDC recommends an analysis of COVID-19 cases and positivity rates, but new at-home tests could change that calculus. For schools, which can serve as a breeding ground for the virus as community hubs, case rates, hospitalizations and other metrics should be watched, she said. Flexibility is needed, she said earlier in the news conference. Many have asked for a metric or a number that will guide the rules and regulations, she said. But each wave of this pandemic has had different characteristics, different behavior, and no single metric has been able to reliably predict the outcomes and the trajectory of each of the variants. Ultimately, Pritzker said, his decisions will come down to the advice of doctors, epidemiologists and the CDC. People really do feel that the trajectory here is one that we're going to be able to hold onto, he said. The announcement didnt sit well with Republicans in the General Assembly who have criticized Pritzkers top-down approach to the pandemic. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, criticized the governor in a statement. Gov. Pritzkers failure to have a clear plan in place for schools to give parents and children hope of returning to a normal life is astounding, Durkin said in the statement. It is year three of this pandemic, and continuing to leave these families in the dark, with no data or metrics presented, is unconscionable and a clear sign the governor should not be trusted to get us out of this pandemic. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 After Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot downplayed her administrations slow implementation of police reforms during a speech in 2020, a lawyer for the Illinois attorney general responded in court by criticizing the citys handling of the consent decree. Lightfoot fired back by texting Attorney General Kwame Raoul directly that his office took a cheap political shot by questioning her administrations handling of police reforms instead of calling her first personally to discuss it. Kwame, do you really want (a) public fight with me over the consent decree? Your flaks comments today in court were way over the line. You have never once engaged with me over the consent decree, so this is shameful, Lightfoot texted Raoul. It was a cheap political shot that I would have thought was beneath you, but now I know the terms of engagement. The last phrase is one the mayor also used texting with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, when she accused his office of stoking negative press coverage of her. The messages were sent during a first term in which she privately called other officials names from jackass to dumb, dumb person of color, while also chastising her staff for sending her memos that she said might later become public. The texts with Raoul recently released to the Tribune as part of an open records request came in June 2020, 1 years into a consent decree implemented after a lawsuit by the AGs office. The mayor had just defended the citys handling of the consent decree in a speech, but a lawyer for Raoul criticized the citys efforts in court prompting Lightfoot to text Raoul directly. Lightfoots texts with Raoul delve into a particularly sensitive political issue for the mayor, a former federal prosecutor who vowed to reform the Police Department but has faced criticism from advocates who say she hasnt done enough. The attorney generals office sued to force Chicago police reform efforts, citing a federal civil rights investigation that confirmed what many Chicago residents already knew that CPD has a history of serious problems endangering the lives of both residents and police officers. That history has had terrible consequences for both police and residents, according to a special website the state attorney general has set up on the issue. Debate over Chicagos handling of the consent decree came to a head in June 2020, following nationwide protests over the murder of George Floyd by then-Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin. In a State of the City address on June 2, 2020, Lightfoot announced a slate of reform directives she delivered to police Superintendent David Brown. But on the reforms mandated by the consent decree, she said, Yes, we are under a consent decree, but the process of reform has been too slow and too narrowly focused. Three days later, at a court hearing related to the consent decree, Lightfoots statement was criticized by Shareese Pryor, an attorney for Raouls office, who also told U.S. District Judge Robert Dow that the city should be more quickly implementing the reforms already ordered in the decree. Earlier this week, we were surprised to hear Mayor Lightfoot publicly describe the consent decree as too narrowly focused and the reform process too slow, Pryor said, according to a transcript of the hearing. Pryor appeared to have taken issue with Lightfoots implication that the consent decree itself is not meeting reform needs. To the contrary, Pryor said, the city and the Police Department were failing to meet the minimum requirements of the document, pointing to numerous missed deadlines in the early months of the consent decree timeline. The problem with the consent decree implementation has not been the consent decree, which was crafted after years of investigation, advocacy, negotiations and community involvement, Pryor said. The problem is with the defendant, the city of Chicago. Pryor said the mayor is responsible for ensuring that the Police Department meets its deadlines with quality reforms and by allocating enough resources to make that possible. The mayor has the process to move this, has the power to move this process forward with the urgency it deserves, Pryor said. Those comments drew a strong, private rebuke from Lightfoot to Raoul. Your person didnt just say it was slow. She mocked my announcement from earlier this week, called me out by name and said the city is intentionally, intentionally foot dragging, Lightfoot wrote in a follow-up message to Raoul. I know you are pissed at me, but throwing gasoline on a raging fire is stupid and irresponsible. If you actually wanted to discuss the consent decree process, I would have expected you as the leader of your office to actually reach out to me. I have had zero engagement from you, so the comments today were ridiculous in light of the lack of engagement by you personally. Lightfoot promised to highlight the lack of engagement if she was asked about it by reporters. Raoul responded: I fully expect you to do that. I will communicate as well. During the text exchange, Raoul also defended what Pryor had said in court. I dont believe anything that my lawyers conveyed was a cheap political shot. There have certainly been some things that I have endured that I would consider cheap political shots, Raoul wrote. However it is (in) my opinion to make certain that the integrity of the consent decree process is preserved. Lightfoot ended the communication with more admonishment. This is silly Kwame. The shot was cheap, unnecessary and highly irresponsible for the chief law enforcement officer of the state, Lightfoot said. Yes, I disagree with some of the things your folks have done and written with zero consultation. I have (been) very up front with you directly about that. Sorry if you are offended. Lightfoots office did not respond to a request seeking comment on the exchange. The attorney generals office said it remains committed to ensuring the consent decree is implemented as quickly as possible, but not at the expense of turning this process into a box-checking exercise. We are still early in what will be a lengthy process, but the city and Chicago Police Department have made progress, the statement said. We will continue to collaborate with the court monitor, the city of Chicago, the Chicago Police Department and other parties to the consent decree so that progress is made more quickly because, ultimately, lives depend on it. We continue to work collaboratively with the mayor, the city of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department on various other matters. The texts with Raoul came to light as part of the Tribunes yearslong push to get Lightfoots administration to release certain emails and texts, which her administration has at times refused to do, until the state attorney general has determined that her office violated state open records law. (Raouls office, as part of its duties, oversees appeals of the Freedom of Information Act, and it can order other government agencies to release records theyre trying to keep secret.) Late last year, the Tribune published a trove of text messages revealing the extent to which the mayor who campaigned as a reformer aiming to unite the city has sometimes resorted to name-calling and shaming of her perceived enemies as she governs the city. Some of Lightfoots comments to Raoul mirror exchanges shes had with other officials, including Pritzker, whose office she blamed for negative media coverage. In spring 2020, for instance, Lightfoot texted Pritzker a Sun-Times opinion piece with the headline, Mayors gaffes wont help Chicago get a lift from Pritzker and Springfield. Super helpful, she wrote. Pritzker responded: Mayor. I didnt write this nor did I foster it. I get bad press too. The mayor texted back, It is your people. That is very clear. I would never (do) this to you. But now I get the rules of engagement. Since the hearing more than a year ago, the Police Department has increased its rate of compliance with the consent decree missing fewer deadlines in recent reports and coming into at least some compliance with more than half of the provisions reviewed so far. Department leaders have stressed that it takes years to comply with a consent decree. But the citys sluggish pace and ongoing concern that the departments efforts arent trickling down from paper reforms to practical implementation have drawn criticism from activists and civil rights lawyers. Some reform advocates have pointed out that a roughly 52% compliance rate is still off the mark. High-ranking city employees have said the department focuses on checking boxes over ensuring the results are substantive. A Chicago civilian police leader tasked with making reforms wrote to Lightfoot as he resigned last year that officials fail to even feign interest in pursuing reform in a meaningful manner. Lightfoots former public safety adviser Susan Lee similarly raised concerns about the departments ability to keep moving the ball forward as she resigned. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. BRISTOL, Tenn. A Monday landfill update posted on the city of Bristol, Tennessees website seems to suggest a way Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol Virginia may come to terms concerning Bristol, Virginias landfill issues without further litigation. Our hope is that Bristol, Virginia can provide a plan and timeline for addressing the issues at the landfill, and that Bristol, Tennessee will be provided the opportunity to weigh in on that plan, to ensure that the plan fully addresses the violations, protects the environment, resolves the nuisance conditions created by the landfill, and prevents further adverse impacts to Bristol, Tennessee, the update read. Our preference would be for that to happen without the necessity for litigation. The Bristol Tennessee City Council is facing a decision about whether to proceed with a lawsuit against the city of Bristol Virginia after filing an Intent To Sue Wednesday, Dec. 8, over issues surrounding the stench from Bristol, Virginias landfill. The odors have negatively impacted some area residents since December of 2020. A 60-day waiting period after the filing of an Intent To Sue under the Clean Air Act expired Tuesday. The update from the Bristol Tennessee said a decision on any continued litigation would be voted on by City Council at a future public meeting. Bristol, Tennessee was also anticipating an update from the city of Bristol, Virginia concerning the status of its January request for landfill-related documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The release said Bristol Tennessee expected a timeline of when the documents would be delivered and an estimated cost by Tuesday. Although a partial response to the FOIA was provided Feb. 2, Bristol Tennessee officials said they did not receive the timeline or cost estimate this past Tuesday. I know they stated that they would provide that yesterday (Tuesday), Jon Luttrell, Bristol Tennessees director of community relations said. I've not seen that information. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A new Vanderbilt University study shows the traditional COVID-19 vaccine is less effective at preventing hospitalizations by the omicron variant than previous variants, but the third shot, or booster, significantly improves that protection. The yearlong study by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of Michigan looked at the alpha, delta and omicron variants and involved 12,000 patients at 21 U.S. hospitals, according to a statement. New research shows that two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine result in lower effectiveness for preventing hospitalization for the omicron variant (65%) than previous variants, including alpha (85%) and delta (85%). However, a third or booster vaccine dose significantly improves protection against omicron hospitalization up to 86%. There is effectiveness from the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines, but theyre not as effective as they were against the earlier variants, said principal investigator Dr. Wesley Self, associate professor of Emergency Medicine and Vice President for Clinical Research Networks and Strategy at Vanderbilt. Two things may be contributing to the lower protection from the vaccines against omicron, including waning immunity over time and evasion of this particular variant from the effects of vaccines. Those findings appear to coincide with area hospitalizations at Ballad Health System, which is reporting more hospitalized breakthrough cases in conjunction with the omicron variant than any preceding variants. Throughout a delta surge in the month of December, Ballad consistently reported between 9% and 10% of hospitalized COVID patients were fully vaccinated. That equates to about 21 to 23 people. Over the past six weeks, after the omicron variant took over in this region, sparking a record-breaking rise in cases and hospitalizations, the vaccinated average was about 14% of all inpatients, with the actual numbers rising to 71 on Wednesday, according to Ballad. In December 2021, hospitalized patients in the study were mainly infected with the delta variant, which is known to result in more serious illness. Because there was a mix of COVID strains in hospitalized patients, researchers used genetic sequencing to identify the omicron variant. We found that omicron indeed is causing a lot of people to be hospitalized, Self said. And if you are hospitalized with omicron, its still a very severe disease. Fifteen percent of people hospitalized with the omicron variant of COVID-19 required ventilators, and 7% died. Because more people are getting vaccinated over time and omicron seems to be somewhat less susceptible to vaccines, we are seeing people in the hospital who have been fully vaccinated who are sick with omicron. However, the severity of illness for people who have been vaccinated is less than those who have not been vaccinated, Self said. This type of disease attenuation is important to understand because it shows that the vaccines are helpful even to people who do get COVID after vaccination. The Vanderbilt study also considered the impact of the third vaccine or booster. Our research shows that booster or third vaccine doses, which are now recommended for all adults, are critically important for protection against omicron, Self said in the statement. Its good news that the current vaccine formulations do have effectiveness against omicron, but it means you need to get that third dose. Currently 64.1% of the U.S. population and more than 70% of Virginians have had two doses while about 42% of all U.S. residents and just 32% of Virginians have received the booster. Those figures are wildly different in Southwest Virginia, where less than half the total population has been vaccinated twice and less than 25% of residents have received the third dose, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Facility failure and human error led to the escape of three inmates at the Sullivan County jail, Sheriff Jeff Cassidy said Wednesday. Officials continue to search for Johnny Shane Brown, 50, of Rogersville, Tennessee, who was one of the three men who escaped last Friday. Two other men, Tobias Carr, 38, of Kingsport, and Timothy Sarver, 45, of Pulaski, Virginia, died earlier this week. Carr, who was incarcerated on second-degree murder charges in the death of his wife, and Sarver were involved in a robbery in Onslow County, North Carolina, officials said. The robbery led to a multi-county pursuit that ended in the Wilmington, North Carolina area. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation later confirmed Carr and Sarver were dead. It remains unclear how the two inmates died. "We have not provided that information yet," NCSBI spokesperson Anjanette Grube said Wednesday when asked about the cause of death of the two deceased inmates. "[We're] awaiting autopsy report from the [medical examiner]. Last Friday, Carr, Sarver and Brown escaped through an HVAC air vent on the roof of the jail, which was accessed through the ceiling of their cell. "All vents have since been inspected, and measures were taken to further secure them," Cassidy said. "While we cannot release specifics about our operational patterns for the safety of our staff, we can say that a combination of facility failure and human errors resulted in the inmates being able to escape in the manner that they did." Although Cassidy did not say it was a contributing factor, he told the Bristol Herald Courier, "The design of (the) facility and overcrowding sure works against us." The jail facilities are certified to house 619 inmates. There were 925 inmates in the jail Wednesday. The SCSO said when officers discovered the inmates had escaped, the officers took action and began gathering information. His office immediately notified the local school system and a Reverse 911 call went out to alert Blountville residents, Cassidy said. Additionally, he said information about the escape was pushed out through social media and provided to local media agencies in an effort to inform residents. Cassidy said his office continues to work around the clock with state and federal partners in locating Brown, the last remaining escapee. All leads are being pursued, he said and the Sheriffs Office will continue to follow up on tips as they receive them. "I want the public to know that we do not take this incident lightly," Cassidy said. "As always, we will review and critically evaluate our efforts, learn from them and make adjustments." Anyone assisting Brown in his efforts to evade authorities can be charged at a state and federal level with assisting or harboring a fugitive, Cassidy said. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service are assisting the SCSO and are offering up to $7,500 for information leading to his capture. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As I write this, I have just left todays Bristol Virginia City Council meeting, at which Craig Benson shared some of his initial thoughts on the landfill crisis in our city. There were several ideas that many I have talked with agree would help. Focusing on aggressively treating the fissures/chimneys that have formed in the landfill, as well as the water saturation problem sounds like a positive path forward. I am appreciative of these suggestions. That said, I must confess my disappointment. I am disappointed because the list of questions fed to Benson by City Manager Randy Eads, were not the communitys questions. The questions were generated out of the city managers perceived need to defend the city from liability. Questions like have the steps the city has taken so far been the correct steps illustrate the point. Even worse, many on this list of non-questions from the community actually caricature the thoughtful questions of fellow citizens who are rightfully concerned. I hope further antagonism of the victims isnt part of the citys ongoing public relations strategy. Simply put, the presentation was, from my perspective, a bait and switch. The bait was the promise of solutions and insight, but the switch was a repackaging of the same old, tired formula. The only way forward is many more years of more trash, piled to the skies, then well cap it and close it, maybe. The city has been doing everything it can. Weve been listening to the experts. Ive heard this litany so many times, its become doggerel. Of course, I shouldnt be surprised. The city is scared, and rightly so. This landfill is the existential threat to the city that many of us have been claiming. In terms of liability, theres not enough money to manage this debacle and the legal fallout that will ensue. In terms of long-term economic development and the well-being of citizens, patience is running thin. Who wants to buy a home in a city that smells like the landfill, and in which the noxious Beast gas cloud wakes you up in the dead of night? Who wants to open a business in a place where residents are starting to flee? While Im not surprised, I want to say for the record, it is time for the city to end the charade. Twenty more years of piling garbage into this failed landfill is not acceptable. It just isnt. Call it a line in the sand, if you want, but the continued operation of this landfill is not an option if you want any sort of desirable future for Bristol. If citizens and leaders cant see that, call me and Ill take you on a personal tour of the smell coming near you. Ask yourself whether you trust Bristol, Virginia to execute well on its operation of the landfill for the next 20 years. Are you truly willing to gamble the citys future? If so, for what? To keep a landfill nobody with good sense even wants? Furthermore, it is time for the city of Bristol, Virginia to leave caution to the wind and actually care for its citizenry. Despite the callousness of telling people who havent slept well in the past 12 to 18 months as they and their loved ones grow increasingly sick that we need to be patient. If we must wait for solutions, were going to need help. The landfill is harmful to citizens health and well-being. People are suffering. We cant make it through another two or five years waiting for false promises to materialize. The need is real, it is here, it is now, and the City Council and its manager, Mr. Eads, hold the keys to critically needed resources. Failure to do so isnt about liability, its heartlessness. We can do better. The Rev. Dr. Samuel Weddington is senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Bristol, Tennessee. He holds a doctorate in Christian ecological ethics, and lives with his wife, two children, mother, and grandmother in their home in Forest Hills. Gonzalo Salinas-Cisneros, 27, of Conover, was sentenced to serve a prison term of 26 to 33 years for his role in the October 2019 shooting deaths of a mother and son. Superior Court Judge Gregory R. Hayes imposed the prison term for Salinas-Cisneros following his guilty plea to two charges of second-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, according to a news release from the district attorneys office. Salinas-Cisneros entered the plea in connection with the deaths of 42-year-old Brandi Amber Rodriguez and her 24-year-old son, Jesse Anthony Rodriguez. Salinas-Cisneros will serve his sentence in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections, according to the news release. There is no resolution in court that will bring comfort to those grieving the loss of their loved ones, Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown said in the release. We are otherwise satisfied with this outcome and thank our district attorneys office for their work in bringing this matter to a conclusion. Our prayers continue to be with the family of Brandi and Jesse Rodriguez. During a late-night patrol on Oct. 13, 2019, Catawba County Deputy E. Knight was near White Tail Circle in Conover when he was flagged down by Salinas-Cisneros, who said, She is hurt. She is hurt, according to Catawba County court documents. Corporal M. Priest arrived to assist Knight. Salinas-Cisneros then directed them to a mobile home on White Tail Circle, and again said, She is hurt. Deputies found the victims dead from gunshot wounds. A witness, who lived at the residence and called 911, told deputies that Salinas-Cisneros shot both victims, according to the release. Other witnesses at the scene told deputies that the defendant began firing shots in the mobile home, striking both victims. Investigators recovered a 9-millimeter handgun in a bedroom of the mobile home along with multiple bullets and seven spent shell casings. The defendant admitted to shooting both victims during an interview with Investigator Mike Crisp, telling him that there was a bad vibe from the victims. Salinas-Cisneros admitted to police during the investigation that he was in the country illegally, according to a report from 2019. Police confirmed with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office that he was illegally in the United States. District Attorney Scott Reilly said on Thursday that Salinas-Cisneros will complete his sentence and then Immigration and Customs Enforcement will begin the process for him to be deported. Mike Crisp investigated the case for the Catawba County Sheriffs Office. Assistant District Attorney Ben Faulkenberry prosecuted the case for the state. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HICKORY The Catawba Valley Community College SkillsUSA program received a proclamation from the city of Hickory this past week, which recognizes Feb. 7-13, 2022 as CVCC SkillsUSA week. Hickory Mayor Hank Guess presented the proclamation to Tammy Muller, executive director for SkillsUSA at CVCC, and Gary Muller, dean for CVCCs School of Workforce Development and the Arts, during Hickory City Councils regular session on Feb. 1. "It was a great honor to receive the Hickory City Councils proclamation recognizing Feb. 7-13, 2022 as CVCC SkillsUSA Week, Gary Muller said. Our CVCC SkillsUSA program has received so much support from our community over the years." Feb. 7-11, 2022 is also National SkillsUsA Week, and this years theme is SkillsUSA: United as One emphasizing the challenges overcome by SkillsUSA chapters across the country and setting a goal of making 2021-22 an empowering year for all involved in SkillsUSA. This week, the SkillsUSA chapter at Catawba Valley Community College participated in a number of events, including Give Back Tuesday where they will partner with the Hickory Soup Kitchen to collect donations of liquid soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, razors and shaving cream. On Wednesday, all CVCC SkillsUSA members wore red for CVCC SkillsUSA Spirit Day. The SkillsUSA chapter at Catawba Valley Community College has been named a Model of Excellence for five straight years. The Model of Excellence recognizes the exceptional integration of personal, workplace and technical skills into SkillsUSA chapter activities. CVCC was also the winner of 30 honors overall during this past years State Leadership Conference Championships. The chapters 20 first-place state awards were the most of any chapter in North Carolina, and the chapter has also won more than 50 national medals in the past eight years. "CVCC SkillsUSAs program is such an important part of everything we do at our college, Tammy Muller said. Our advisors have imbedded the SkillsUSA framework elements into their classrooms, so students see the importance of being a part of SkillsUSA." For more information about the SkillsUSA program at Catawba Valley Community College, visit https://bit.ly/3gwWnPR or contact Tammy Muller at 828-327-7000 x4323 or email tmuller@cvcc.edu. When it comes to climate change, no nation is more important than China. It consumes more coal than the rest of the world combined, and it is the leading emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for nearly 30% of global emissions. Unless China takes rapid steps to control its greenhouse gas emissions, there is no plausible path to achieving the Paris climate agreement aim to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F), or even the less ambitious target of well below 2 C (3.6 F). So, with the Olympic spotlight on China, what is the country doing to help the world avoid the worst impacts of climate change, and is it doing enough? Chinas record is mixed. Over the past year, China has signaled that it intends to continue on its well-worn path of making modest, incremental contributions to combat climate change, an approach inadequate for achieving the Paris goals. Yet, as an expert in environmental diplomacy who has followed Chinas actions for years, I see reasons to think China might increase its efforts in the coming years. Chinas measured approach to climate change A common misconception is that China either lacks climate policies or fails to implement them. The reality is that China has a robust set of climate and energy policies and a strong track record when it comes to fulfilling its pledges to the international community. Overall, China achieved nine of the 15 quantitative targets in its 2015 climate commitments ahead of schedule. Over the past decade, coal has fallen from about 70% to 57% of its energy consumption. In September 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping indicated that China will stop financing overseas coal power plants. This is likely to lead to the cancellation of much of the 65 gigawatts of coal power plants it had planned in Asia, roughly three times the annual emissions of Bangladesh. And unlike the U.S., China has also established a national emissions trading system for the electricity sector, though it lacks a hard cap on emissions. When it comes to Chinas approach to climate change, the problem is not a lack of policy implementation but rather a lack of policy ambition. Chinas climate policies are admirable for a middle-income country that only recently escaped the ranks of the poor, but, like most of the worlds nations, it is still not doing enough. This is evident both in Chinas revised commitments presented at the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow in November 2021 and in its current Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Both represent piecemeal improvements but will make it difficult to keep global warming well below 2 C. For instance, China aims to have its carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030 and be carbon neutral by 2060. These soft targets reflect a Chinese tendency in international negotiations to underpromise so that it can overdeliver. To be consistent with the Paris Agreement aims, China will need to set a cap on emissions and move forward its peak dates. Current policy and recent history have also raised concerns that Chinas coal use will not decline fast enough over the 2020s to achieve the 1.5 C target. Three times in the past four years China responded to either an energy shortage or economic slowdown by allowing coal production and consumption to surge. In 2020, it added almost 40 gigawatts of new coal capacity, roughly equal to the entire coal fleet of Germany, the worlds fourth-largest industrial power. Reasons for cautious optimism There is still a chance that China will enhance its contribution to the fight against climate change. It is worth noting that China is still developing the policies that will guide its approach to climate change over the next decade. It has released two overarching documents for reaching carbon neutrality and an emissions peak in 2030. Over the next year or so, it intends to release 30 sector- and province-specific documents to guide industries such as steel, cement and transportation. Two key developments at Glasgow could also nudge China to do more. First, a considerable number of countries increased their climate pledges, which ratchets up pressure on China. More than 100 nations pledged to cut emissions of methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas, by 30% by 2030. India pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and, more importantly, indicated it would potentially get half its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. There were also multicountry pledges to end deforestation, phase out coal and cut international funding for fossil fuels. Like any country, Chinas climate actions are driven primarily by domestic political considerations. However, over the past three decades Chinese policy has responded to and been shaped by external forces including diplomacy, advocacy and scientific exchange. Developing countries, in particular, can influence Chinas approach to climate change. Because China has long positioned itself as a leader of the developing world and is sensitive to its international image, it can be hard for Beijing to resist pressure from other developing countries. The fact that several countries, such as India, Indonesia and Vietnam, made bolder-than-expected pledges at Glasgow could induce Beijing to offer more aggressive targets for controlling emissions. The second key development is that the United States and China achieved a much-needed thaw in their relationship at Glasgow and laid a foundation for future cooperation. Although there is some debate about whether the climate benefits more from Sino-American competition or cooperation, there was concern that hostility between China and the U.S. could derail the talks. Therefore, it was a welcome relief when late in the summit China and the U.S., the second largest greenhouse gas emitter, released a joint declaration outlining their shared commitment to combating climate change. They agreed to establish a working group on enhancing climate action in the 2020s and to meet early in 2022 to address methane emissions. China also indicated it would release a national action plan for methane. This is significant because China did not sign the Global Methane Pledge and has not traditionally included noncarbon greenhouse gases about 18% of Chinas total emissions in its commitments. Will developing country pressure and U.S.-China cooperation be enough to persuade China to take more aggressive action? Only time will tell, but Glasgow may have been the crossroad where China and the rest of the world chose a more sustainable path. This article was updated with attention on Chinas climate record during the Olympics. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Global leaders gathered in the fall at the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, to discuss urgent action to combat a rapidly warming world. Here are some memorable quotes from the conference: " " Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev delivered a fist-waving, shouting speech before the U.N. General Assembly late October 1960. Many have claimed he also banged a shoe on his delegate-desk in protest during a speech. So did he? Bettmann/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images In October 1960, the former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, in a veritable paroxysm of uncontained rage, forcefully banged his shoe on a desk at the United Nations to object to a speech critical of his nation. Or so the story goes. The image of the red-faced and blustery Khrushchev well, to be strictly accurate, no image of the famed shoe-banging incident ever was recorded, so the whole red-faced and blustery part may not be entirely on the money became, to many, the image of the Soviet Union at the time. Angry. Forceful. Maybe a tad dangerous. Maybe a little over the edge. The Cold War was at its full-blown standoffish, below-zero chilliest at the time. To paranoid Russia-phobic Americans, an angry Soviet especially one so brazen to actually use his loafer as a veritable hammer was downright scary. Unfortunately, especially if you enjoy a good Cold War drama, the shoe-banging affair may well be more histrionics than history. More exaggeration than exactness. As verifiable facts go, the story of Khrushchev and his shoe at the U.N. is notable mainly for one reason: its lack of proof. "My personal position is that it's too good to be true, and if it actually ever happened, we would have had more corroboration, more witnesses and probably pictures, because this is the kind of stuff that gets caught on cameras," says Anton Fedyashin, a history professor at American University in Washington D.C. and former director of the school's Carmel Institute for Russian Culture & History. "So as far as the shoe-banging episode, per se, is concerned, I don't think it ever actually happened." But you know what? Even if it didn't happen, even if Soviet shoe leather never met podium (or desk or lectern or wherever), it could have. That story, true or not, is soooo Khrushchev. Advertisement The Story Behind the (Fake?) Story In October 1960, The New York Times ran an article about a U.N. session that was a certifiable, front-page worthy mess. The headline: NOISY U.N. SESSION CUT SHORT TO END HECKLING BY REDS A subhed unambiguously declared: Khrushchev Bangs His Shoe on Desk The story, written by Benjamin Welles, spelled out the specifics in its very first paragraph: UNITED NATIONS, N.Y., Oct. 12 Premier Khrushchev waved his shoe today and banged it on his desk, adding to the lengthening list of antics with which he has been nettling the General Assembly. According to the report, Lorenzo Sumulong, a member of the Philippines delegation, was accusing the Soviets of "swallowing up" parts of Eastern Europe when Khrushchev erupted. The report also included a photograph of Khrushchev, seated at his delegate's desk, with a shoe sitting clearly atop it (see image below). Important to note: The Times did not have a picture of him holding the shoe. Or banging it. " " Nikita Khrushchev (left) is seen sitting at his desk at the United Nations in New York where there does appear to be a shoe on top. AFP/AFP via Getty Images Political scientist William Taubman, who has written or edited at least three books on Khrushchev, including a 2003 biography, "Khrushchev: The Man and His Era," wrote an article for The Times in 2003 that included several interviews of those around Khrushchev on that day and their recollections of the events (or non-events). Another Times reporter said it never happened. A KGB general said it did. A U.N. staffer said no. Khrushchev's interpreter said yes. Others said no. The official U.N. record is inconclusive. Time magazine has run a photo of the incident, though it was doctored. The Poynter Institute's PolitiFact took on the subject and the later suggestion that a third shoe might have been involved, but found that the shoe-banging never took place. Other outlets have shot down the story, too. Khrushchev was known to bang his fists on lecterns and desks on occasion. But a photographer present at the time of the alleged shoe-banging, interviewed by Taubman, was adamant in his belief that shoe-to-table never happened. "Did he bang his fists at the U.N.? Yes he did, because that we actually have footage of," Fedyashin says. "I have a feeling that this whole shoe incident has been sort of rolled up, by imaginative minds and even more imaginative tongues, in with the fist-banging. So, yeah. [That] would have been perfectly in character." " " The one photo that does show Khrushchev holding a shoe is fake (left). The actual photo on the right shows him without a shoe. Bettmann/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Advertisement The Character of Khrushchev In 1953, Khrushchev assumed power in the Soviet Union after the bloody reign of Joseph Stalin, inheriting a country already at odds with its World War II ally, the United States. At stake was no less than the worldview of which country provided a better path for its people: the Soviet Union and socialism or the U.S. and its version of democracy. To many emerging countries seeking a path to modernization socialism or democracy the answer wasn't as clear-cut as it might seem now in the West. Khrushchev was generally improving his country, pulling it through de-Stalinization, freeing prisoners and easing censorship. China was even then emerging as a potential powerhouse after going communist. The U.S. had fought communism to only a draw in the Korean War (which ended in 1953). In 1957, the Soviets stunned the world by launching the first Earth satellite, Sputnik, and followed that in 1961 with the first manned spaceflight. Meanwhile, the world watched in 1957 as the American military was forced to help integrate a high school in Arkansas to satisfy a new Supreme Court ruling. "Imagine if you're an African and you're looking at that," Fedyashin says. "Whose path to modernization are you more likely to follow?" The stage was set for a brash man of the people like Khrushchev, a largely uneducated leader who was given to bouts of both anger and warmth. Khrushchev was a man whose often common speech endeared him to (at least some of) his people, someone whose belief in socialism was genuine, and someone who was eager to show his strength, and that of the Soviet Union, to the world. Khrushchev's stage was the United Nations. "This, during the Cold War, was the great theater of competition," Fedyashin says. "When it came to the superpower standoff, he really went out of his way to compensate for both his own and the Soviet Union's weaknesses by sort of projecting confidence, power, virility and a certainty in one's self," he adds. "And this led him occasionally to sort of switch from this sort of inclusive, peaceful, coexistence mode to these occasional threats against the West, and sort of these open challenges, these crazy gambles." Like banging a shoe? Maybe? HowStuffWorks may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. NOW THAT'S INTERESTING Khrushchev eventually was undone as leader of the Soviet Union by squabbling inside the Communist Party and his bungling of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. By 1964, he was ousted from his role in the government and party. Khrushchev died of a heart attack, at 77 years old, in 1971. CONCORD Cabarrus County officials are discussing a fire district realignment plan that improves medical and fire emergency response times in unincorporated areas of southern Cabarrus. The plan impacts approximately 1,500 homes between Harrisburg and Midland. County Fire Marshal Jacob Thompson presented the plan at the Board of Commissioners February work session. His office will spend the next month informing residents of the change ahead of a March 21 public hearing and possible vote. If approved, the realignment would take place July 1. In North Carolina, fire districts are funded by fire taxes paid by property owners within the district. County commissioners set service boundaries and tax rates for districts in unincorporated Cabarrus County, while the countys Fire Marshal and Emergency Management offices provide support to those districts. In 2020, Cabarrus County commissioned North Carolina Fire Chief Consulting to assess fire service deployment efficiency, Insurance Services Office (ISO) inspection improvements and response times. Staff used the study to find cost-effective ways to improve service areas. Among the findings was a recommendation to modify local fire district lines to match growth. Cabarrus County is one of the fastest-growing areas of the state. Rural development has added concentrated pockets of homes on previously uninhabited land and did not require life- and property-saving medical, fire and/or police response. Officials used the countys GIS technology to track new homes and evaluate how distance affects agency response. The county then presented the closest-unit response data to the fire departments and the public, which shows redistricting improves response times. Thompson has seen firsthand the work local fire districts put into developing skills and acquiring/maintaining equipment. The departments gaining houses under the realignment have all earned an ISO Class 4 rating. That score reflects how prepared an area is for a fire. The lower a department rates on the 10-point scale, the better prepared they are. This can impact insurance rates. All our departments provide outstanding response, but in public safety, seconds count, Thompson said. We have an option that addresses growth while improving service. Its in the best interest of property owners that we keep pace with Cabarrus Countys changing landscape and make adjustments along the way. If the recommendation moves forward, it will change the number of homes paying taxes within the affected districts. Homeowners within the realignment areas will need to pay a new fire tax amount. Current tax rates are: Flowes Store at 7 cents, Allen at 7.5 cents, Georgeville at 9.2 cents, Midland Rural at 10 cents and Harrisburg Rural at 15 cents. The rate applies to every $100 of property value. In the coming weeks, Thompson and his team will reach out to affected property owners and distribute resources to help communicate the changes. The county will also hold a drop-in public information session on March 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the media center of C.C. Griffin Middle School, 7650 Griffins Gate Drive SW, Concord. The meeting will allow property owners to review maps and meet with officials. For more information about the proposed changes, visit cabarruscounty.us. Commissioners will hold a public hearing on redistricting on March 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the chambers of the Government Center, 65 Church St. S., Concord. At least Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., can poke fun of herself for mixing up the Nazi secret police with a chilled Spanish soup. The right-wing firebrand laughed off comments made during an interview with One American Network (OAN) complaining House Speaker Pelosi was secretly investigating members of Congress and constituents. "Not only do we have the D.C. jail, which is the D.C. gulag," said Rep. Greene in a now-viral video. "Now we have Nancy Pelosi's gazpacho police spying on members of Congress, spying on the legislative work that we do, spying on our staff and spying on American citizens that want to come to talk with their representatives." After being roundly mocked for confusing the Gestapo, the official secret police of Nazi Germany and in German-occupied Europe, with gazpacho, a cold tomato soup often served with cucumbers and cilantro, Greene surfaced on social media on Thursday morning. "No soup for those who illegally spy on Members of Congress, but they will be thrown in the goulash. #Gazpacho#Gestapo," said Greene. But the damage was done. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., leader of the progressive Squad in Congress, said the screw-up shows Greene, who also favors banning books that expose racial injustice, needs to go back to school. "She clearly banned all books from her house years ago," AOC tweeted. Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., was more pointed with her reaction after watching the video. "To every little girl out there: Don't ever think you're not smart enough to run for office," wrote Meng. Even though Greene laughed off her own verbal slip-up, this is not her first flawed reference comparing American politics to Nazis and the Holocaust. Last year, the conservative agitator was forced to apologize for affronting people with recent comments comparing the required wearing of safety masks in the House to the horrors of the Holocaust. "I'm truly sorry for offending people with remarks about the Holocaust," the Georgia Republican told reporters outside the Capitol, saying she had visited Washington's U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum earlier in the day. "There's no comparison and there never ever will be." President Joe Biden largely halted construction on his predecessors border wall, which Democrats decried as inhumane. But he never stopped the Department of Homeland Security from using the border as a testing ground for dystopian military and surveillance technologies including, most recently, headless robot dogs. This month, DHS pitched the robot dogs as fun, futuristic versions of mans best friend, meant to help Border Patrol agents navigate rough terrain and other threats. Critics argue that they look like the human-hunting ones in the Netflix series Black Mirror, and that theyd frighten families seeking refuge in this country. The company that makes them, Ghost Robotics, has showcased similar robot dogs equipped with firearms. Whether you think these canines are creepy or cute, the fact is that the deployment of surveillance technologies at the border including sensors, drones and camera-equipped towers has historically pushed people seeking work or asylum in the U.S. into more dangerous remote crossing routes, where thousands have died. Its very much the same type of enforcement that criminalizes migration and makes it more deadly, Jacinta Gonzalez, senior campaign director for the racial justice group Mijente, told me. These so-called smart technologies which Biden touted from his first day in office have also tended to spill from the border into the countrys interior. For example, in 2020, border drones and other aerial surveillance tools were used by DHS to monitor anti-racist protesters in more than 15 cities. Similarly, license-plate-scanning technology that started at the border in the 1990s is now common across police departments. A lot of people whod normally oppose intrusive government technologies and programs are just fine with it because of their antipathy to immigrants, Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, told me. The ACLU has raised concerns about these technologies, noting a vast potential for abuse, as law-abiding citizens in border areas may not be aware that they are being monitored. Mijente and other groups have documented the proliferation of high-tech border infrastructure in marginalized communities and its disproportionate impact on Black and Indigenous people. But the borderlands surveillance empire which lacks oversight because of its largely rural nature imperils everyone. Its driven by companies that deserve scrutiny. For example, in 2019, the Tohono Oodham Nation became the designated site for surveillance towers built by Israels military company Elbit Systems, whose activities affecting Palestinians have triggered human rights concerns and divestment. Technology companies that were for a long time making a huge profit off of investment in [wars] abroad are now bringing that technology to our militarized border as a way of experimenting how far they can normalize this before making it widespread throughout the United States, Gonzalez told me. The border has also attracted venture capitalists such as the billionaire and Trump supporter Peter Thiel, who funded the Irvine-based company Anduril, which has won government contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars to build 200 sensor towers all along the border. Instead of creating a humane immigration system that might begin to address the reality of migration, the Biden administration is continuing a bipartisan legacy of throwing insane amounts of money at military-style border technology. These expenditures promote the fantasy of the border as a war zone overwhelmed by criminals and cartels, when the reality is that most people Border Patrol encounters are parents and children seeking asylum. In promoting military and surveillance technologies, DHS conflates immigration with terrorism. The departments Science and Technology Directorate article about the robot dogs likened them to force multipliers and conjured the presence of WMD, or weapons of mass destruction. (I asked DHS how many such weapons agents have found at the border, but did not receive a response in time for this column; the State Department previously said there is no credible information that known terrorists have traveled through Mexico to access the U.S.) Amid a surge in high-tech gadgets for use on people crossing the border, technology for detecting sophisticated cartel infrastructure such as underground drug tunnels flounders. Gil Kerlikowske, Customs and Border Protection commissioner in the Obama administration, recalls asking the Science and Technology Directorate to help develop such tools during his tenure. Unfortunately, there was no answer from them, he told me. In a way, S&T had a bit of a mind of their own. Dave Maass, the investigations director at Electronic Frontier Foundation, believes the highly politicized nature of DHS, which inclines many of its employees toward activities that showcase their power, means its more susceptible to products that can be packaged for press releases or TV. A DHS spokesperson told me that the robot dog project is still in a research and development phase and that theyre not meant to engage with migrants. Last year, the New York City Police Department canceled a contract for similar robot dogs after public outrage. DHS has a documented problem of migrant abuse, extremism and white supremacist views in its ranks. Its members have targeted attorneys, journalists and others for questioning without cause. Their access to technologies powered by artificial intelligence from iris scanning to racially discriminatory facial recognition raises serious ethical questions. Given the global rise of authoritarianism, and the known use of surveillance technologies for oppression abroad, its imperative that the U.S. develop a bill of rights regulating their use here. In the meantime, lawmakers should slash DHS funding for these technologies, recognizing that they are just as deadly as then-President Trumps wall with greater potential for abuse. The Ministry of Justice intends to implement a strategy of creating a single notary and liquidating public notaries, Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska has said. "The strategy will be that we will realize the long-standing dream of the notarial community this is a single notary: we will not have public notaries someday," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. Maliuska specified that "this will be a very gradual process, it will take more than one year." "In the long term, these will be only private notaries who will provide services to certain categories of citizens in certain categories of notarial acts at a reduced price. This is the future, the strategy," he said. The Minister believes that at present the number of private notaries, of which there are about 6,000, "is enough to provide the necessary functionality." At the same time, he stressed that "there are much fewer public notaries, but we cannot provide them with normal wages and normal working conditions." Ukraine will never give up its European prospects, this is the path that the country will definitely follow, and Lithuania is an important strategic partner for Ukraine on this path, Kyiv knows and feels it, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk has said. According to him, only in the last two years, the level of parliamentary implementation of the Copenhagen criteria in terms of law adoption has grown to 68%. "And we will certainly continue to follow this path, because we realize that during this period a 'window of opportunity' opens for us. We will try to do everything to complete our 'homework' on reforms and communicate with colleagues who are part of the European Community to pave this path together," Stefanchuk is quoted as saying during a meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Ingrida Simonyte. Stefanchuk called the visit of the head of the Lithuanian government "an extremely important and timely act of solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," and also thanked the Lithuanian Parliament for the resolution in support of Ukraine, noting that "the voice of Lithuania is very well heard throughout the world." "The voice of Lithuania is very important, it is well heard and listened to, first of all, when it comes to restoring Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial within its internationally recognized borders," Stefanchuk said. He also thanked Lithuania for the creation of a parliamentary group in support of the Crimea Platform, as well as for the initiative to resume the rehabilitation program for wounded Ukrainian servicemen and readiness to supply Ukraine with Stinger man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems. "Ukraine and Lithuania have always been and remain very strong friends, because our peoples, our leadership and our countries are friends. Thank you that we have the opportunity in such a difficult period for Ukraine to feel the shoulder of support from the fraternal Lithuanian people," Stefanchuk said. As reported, on Thursday, February 10, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte arrived on a visit to Ukraine. Samsung's February 2022 Unpacked keynote is its most impressive yet, and as I type, I have in streaming for the second time, live on YouTube, and Samsung's presentation and its next-level tech is epic, and throws down the gauntlet to Apple and everyone else for consumer cyber supremacy. At seemingly every level, Samsung seeks to meet and better Apple, and by extension, everyone else in the Android smartphone, tablet and wearables business as it already makes the best Android devices. All the S22, Tab S8 and other details, pricing, specs and more are all at the Samsung.com homepage, with all the new products now public. To get Samsung's perspective directly, in addition to all the other reactions, hands-on comments, early reviews and hot takes, the S22 Ultra press release is here, and is definitely worth reading. The combined S22 and S22+ press release is here, with the Tab S8 press release here, the promise of "up to" four OS updates for these devices, alongside new Galaxy Watch 4 features for health, sleep and workouts now, new straps, and Google Assistant coming soon. There are more articles, infographics and videos at the Samsung Global Newsroom here, while Samsung's YouTube official videos page with tons of S22 and Tab S8 videos here. Further down you'll find pricing and the special offers available in Australia when purchasing from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone or the Samsung Online Store, but before I give you my reaction, hands-on hot take after watching the keynote, here's the keynote for you to watch for yourself - it's Samsung's most impressive new product launch yet: Nowadays we see Google, Oppo, Motorola, Nokia and others bringing premium devices with some ultra premium features at more affordable prices than the Samsung and Apple flagships, but for those who want the very best, the two big contenders are Apple and Samsung. Apple sells the iPhone SE, with a 5G model said to launch next month, and the iPhone 11, 12, and four iPhone 13/13 Pro models, and has iPhones back to the 6s able to run iOS 15.x, with a thriving refurbished market that brings Apple profits through people buying Apple services such as apps, TV and movies, fitness, news, music, books and accessories, and iCloud storage, whether in a bundle or in an a-la carte fashion. Samsung sells the S21 FE 5G, its new premium and ultra-premium S22 models, its current 3rd-gen Fold and Flip models that will presumably also launch with 4th-gen models later this year, its mid-range A models including the A52s 5G, and the more affordable A32 and A22 5G models. The S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra ranges, and its Tab S7 range were the competitors to the iPhone 12 range, with Samsung improving on all three models with a faster 4nm processor, better NPU, brighter screens they say you really can read in the sunlight, better night photos dubbed "Nightography", brighter videos at night with the S22 Ultra and plenty more. The newest feature of the S22 Ultra is the inclusion of an upgraded S-Pen and internal stylus slot, with a 2.9ms latency from pen touching the screen to digital ink flowing out, down from 9ms in the previous Note 20 device and more, and you have the most advanced smartphone-sized tablet. Apple's closest stylus-enabled device in the new iPad mini, for Apple hasn't yet included a stylus for the iPhone, nor has it released iPhones with Apple Pencil-compatible screens. Another cool S22 Ultra feature is a special cooling system to maintain its performance and really deliver what looks like a really great cooling system in the keynote presentation. The screen being bright alone would be very handy in summer, too - I have a case and a magnetic MagSafe Popsocket on an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and if the summer, if you're outside, in the sun, the phone heats up and the OLED screen gets dimmer, not brighter, and dims further if the heat rises. If I detach the magnetic Popsocket, it cools down a bit, but it would be great to see such technology in iPhones and other flagship models to compete with Samsung's innovation. Now, if there's one thing I've read many times over the years, it is that Apple is said to sell the most premium phones - the new buyers are buying iPhone 13 models, and especially Pro models, which Apple reportedly has solid margins on, which helps to fuel the next-generations of Apple's hardware, software, company, ecosystem and more. Meanwhile, Samsung is said to get most of its sales from its mid-range and lower-priced models, rather than the bulk of sales being the flagship S and Note series devices. Can Samsung break the cycle in 2022? With the S22 and Tab 8 range, Samsung wants to sell many more of its flagship models than ever before, especially to existing Samsung users with older Samsung smartphone models, as well as switchers from other Android brands, and switchers from iPhone. Many reviewers often like to state that the new model isn't that much of an upgrade from the last model, and that its probably not worth upgrading every year, Whether its upgrading from one of the S21 models to one of the new S22 models, or from iPhone 12 to 13, or Apple Watch Series 6 to 7, some reviewers decry what they say are incremental improvements. The thing is, more people are holding onto their phones and devices longer than ever before, and for someone with a 3 year or older phone, a new phone is very tempting, and there are lots of choices, from new to refurbished in the various price points. While there definitely are those who get the new model each year, whether through phone company upgrade programs, Samsung's own program or simply because they can afford to buy a new phone each year, many users are jumping to two, three or more generations of improvement. So, with Samsung beefing up its line to newly compete with Apple, despite the S22 and S22+ have slightly smaller screens than the S21 counterparts, it is doing all it can to promote its newest devices as its fastest and most capable yet so it sells as many possible, which has also meant folding the Note line into the flagship S22 Ultra line, with the next two or three quarters to tell the story. The S21 and S21+ have three cameras to two on the iPhone 13 non-pro models as the S21 did compared to the iPhone 12, but with improved AI and night photo smarts, and with the S22 Ultra and its five cameras, and the same improvements and more, and Samsung is pulling out all the stops with its best smartphone cameras yet. Samsung trio of new Tab S8 models is also impressive, with the 14.6-inch display, with improved multitasking on all models, 2.9ms latency on all models, the same 4nk Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in Australia as in the US and Dex mode on all models, with the keyboard and trackpad accessory - and all of the Windows PC integration - and Samsung's most powerful Tab S8 are its most versatile. Hands-on, and the devices are smooth and modern, thin, advanced, super responsive to stylus and fingertip control, and looked like great upgrades especially if coming from an older device. Samsung's ecosystem of devices, accessories, watches, buds, PC integration and so much more competes head to head with Apple's ecosystem and integration in the strongest way yet. Prices are steady with last year's, too, with only one of the ultra variants costing $50 more than last year's equivalent capacities. Samsung makes various digs at Apple in its presentation, around features, security, apps, privacy and more too - I'll have to watch the presentation again to pinpoint them, but the S22 and Tab S8 range aim to sell more than ever before. Whether it's truly enough to dislodge very loyal iPhone users is yet to be seen, but they should ceratinly attract a lof of existing Android users who really want the new upgraded features, benefits and capabilities on offer. Here are the prices for the S22 models and the special offers, and the Tab S8 prices and nicely impressive special offers can all be read in detail at Samsung's source document here. SPRINGFIELD A dentist who used to practice in Mattoon, Neoga and Effingham is facing a slate of federal charges alleging he extracted fentanyl from patient anesthetic for his own recreational use. Dr. Phillip Jensen, 61, was arrested Monday after a federal grand jury indicted him on eight counts of drug diversion. He was also charged with eight counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, one count of tampering with consumer products and three counts of making false statements related to health care matters. A statement from the office of Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Boyle accused Jensen of draining the drug from vials meant to be used for patient anesthesia. He covered up what hed done by topping up the vials with another substance and reapplying the vial safety caps. He then administered the adulterated fentanyl, which was now half its labeled strength, to his patients, the statement said. The indictment further alleges one count of tampering with consumer products in that Jensen administered the fentanyl he adulterated to a specific patient which resulted in serious bodily injury to that patient, the statement said. Jensen was being held in the Sangamon County Jail and faces prison time that could range up to a maximum of more than 40 years if convicted on all counts. A check with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said Jensen started practicing dentistry in Illinois in 1987. He formerly practiced in Mattoon, Neoga and later in Effingham. Local news reports list the Effingham office as closing in 2011 and IDFPR records show Jensen had his dental license suspended for six months that year for what it described as failure to comply with terms of a Care, Counseling and Treatment Agreement. Jensen was most recently practicing in Springfield where a website for his office describes him as offering oral and maxillofacial surgery, reconstructive surgery, micro surgery and anesthesia. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 CHARLESTON - The Coles County Health Department reported 48 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. The latest numbers brings the total positive cases to 14,842 since the pandemic began in March 2020. The total number of deaths stands at 158. The health department also reported that 43.47% of Coles County residents are vaccinated, with 47.11% receiving at least on dose as of Feb. 8. Currently, there are 31 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and out of those hospitalized, three are in the Critical Care Unit. Four others are being monitored in the COVID @ Home program. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Wells Fargo & Co. employees have been given a return-to-office goal of March 14 with a hybrid flexible component involved, the bank said in a memo distributed Wednesday. About 200,000 Wells Fargo employees have worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank has about 2,900 local employees, who make up the bulk of the 3,600 in Wells Fargos 32-county Triad West region. It also has about 27,000 employees in Charlotte. Scott Powell, the banks chief operating officer, noted in his memo that the current return-to-office plan would bring those employees back almost two years after the pandemic compelled the work-at-home response for the majority of employers. Powell said the March 14 return affects most groups, including those in customer-facing roles, employees in enterprise functions and line of business support roles and technology. Operations and contact center employees will begin their return following staff employees and will receive communications about their return in the coming days, Powell said. Wells Fargo has delayed returning to the office four times. Initially, employees were told July 16 that the return-to-work date would be Sept. 7. Less than a month later, the bank shifted the launch date to Oct. 4. On Sept. 15, employees were told that the return initiative would begin on Nov. 1 for operations and contact-center personnel and in December for support and enterprise employees. The delay until Jan. 10 was announced on Sept. 29. On Dec. 22, the bank announced an indefinite delay that was updated Wednesday. It has been a long journey to get to this point of bringing our teams back, and there have been some necessary pauses and breaks along the way, Powell said. We have been tracking the external environment carefully, and improving conditions make planning for our return possible. In addition, weve been busy preparing our workspace, and we are ready for you, Powell said. Powell said the hybrid flexible work model for certain roles will emphasize spending time together in the office while providing more hybrid work options for employees in most jobs. As a result, you have greater flexibility, which allows you to do your best work, Powell said. Vaccination status update Wells Fargo employees were told in July that the bank would ask employees for their vaccination status. This is necessary to ensure a safe return across the many different workplaces and employee groups at Wells Fargo, the bank said at that time. Wells Fargo chief executive Charles Scharf said in a June employee memo that, We will follow the science in our decision-making, meaning we will pay close attention to COVID-19 case rates and vaccination rates. We will return to a more normal model globally only when we believe it is safe to do so. Powell wrote Wednesday that fully vaccinated employees could volunteer to return to the office as of Wednesday. They can also resume business meetings, travel and client visits. Employees in all customer-facing retail locations remain required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Regardless of your vaccination status, you are expected to return to the office on your groups schedule, Powell said. Over time, we will continue to evolve our workplace expectations in order to build the model that best serves our customers and our business. If you are fully vaccinated, wearing a mask is your choice unless additional local restrictions apply. You are welcome to wear a mask at any time based on your comfort level. If you are unvaccinated, you will be required to follow the new testing requirements and must wear a mask at all times unless eating, drinking, or alone in an enclosed room. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Three episodes into his reign as a Jeopardy! champion, after winning another round on Wednesday evenings broadcast, Lawrence Long has had to adapt to being an Internet celebrity. Locally, the East Bend resident has been the subject of a slew of playful memes on the Just Winston-Salem Memes Facebook group, often using his nickname, Skip. And all over social media, there are posts about everything from his wagering strategy to his self-described job as a stay-at-home uncle to his 11-year-old niece. Long is taking it all with good humor. As with all superpowers, its a blessing and a curse, he said. Long said he has gotten requests to do birthday texts and all sorts of stuff. I should probably make an NFT (non-fungible token) or something like that which I will not do. Forsyth Tech Community College, where he is a nursing student, tweeted Congratulations to you, Lawrence! Were so proud of you & thrilled youve made Forsyth Tech YOUR place of promise! And his alma mater, Clemson University, also congratulated him on Twitter and encouraged its alumni to tune in and cheer on our fellow Tiger! Twitter user OneEclecticMom, who follows fashion trends on the show, has posted daily comments complimenting his amazing wardrobe. She also speculated which mustachioed celebrity would play him in his eventual biopic, suggesting Thomas Lennon, Will Forte or Neil Patrick Harris. And one particular topic of conversation is his line of work. A Twitter post about him being a stay-at-home uncle has gotten more than 131,000 likes, with such comments as it is heartbreaking watching someone else live out your dream and this is exactly how I imagine a stay-at-home uncle looking. Others posted pictures of Uncle Jesse from Full House. My niece enjoys it probably more than I do, he said of his newfound notoriety. I did not expect it to go viral, I guess. The nice things people are saying are wonderful, and you have to divorce yourself from the negative. Its an adrenaline rush and then you have to adjust to it. His niece was particularly happy with Tuesday nights episode, in which he discussed the fact that he had promised her a trip to Hawaii if she learned the names and state capitals of all 50 states, a task she accomplished much faster than he had expected. She said she had evidence now and I definitely owed her that trip to Hawaii, he said. Thats something that will be much easier with his winnings on the show. After winning on Wednesdays episode, Long has now won a total of $74,792. He won $31,201 on Wednesday. In Final Jeopardy, he correctly identified San Diego as the location featured in the first video ever posted to YouTube. Host Mayim Bialik complimented him on his skill in the Final Jeopardy rounds, pointing out that in his first two episodes he had been the only contestant to get the Final Jeopardy question right. Wednesday, one other competitor also got it right, but she fell short of his final score. Long will compete again in his fourth round on Jeopardy! Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on WFMY CBS-2. With its faculty decked out in orange and black on Tuesday, Flat Rock Middle School appeared to be filled with Cincinnati Bengals fans. In truth, the faculty sported Bengals colors because they are fans of Ann Davis, a day porter at the school whose grandson, Akeem Davis-Gaither, is a member of the team. The Bengals will play the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl on Sunday, a game that Davis will attend with her daughter, Sevonne. She is a proud grandmother as she should be, said Tracy Holder-Kearns, an assistant principal at the school. This is a huge event. An employee of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools since 2004, Davis has been a day porter at Flat Rock since 2009. In that job, she opens the school, monitors the grounds, delivers cleaning supplies and does some custodial work, all while keeping an eye on the students. She often does it decked out in Bengals gear, including a jersey bearing the name of her grandson, a Thomasville native who starred as a linebacker at Appalachian State University. The Sun Belt Conferences 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Davis-Gaither was later drafted by the Bengals. This season, he recorded 26 tackles in nine games before injuring his left foot. Though Davis-Gaither remains on the injured reserve list, Davis and her daughter couldnt pass up the chance to be part of the festivities and flew to Los Angeles on Thursday. It seems so unreal I havent gotten a hold of it, Davis said Tuesday evening while packing for her big trip. Nobody thought they were going to make it. They made it. The Bengals unlikely run to the Super Bowl was capped by a thrilling overtime win on Jan. 30 against the highly favored Kansas City Chiefs. Its the teams first Super Bowl appearance since 1988. Watching at her home in Winston-Salem, Davis said she was a wreck. I just had a fit, she said. I could not sit down. She described her grandson as a kind, quiet person who gives back to the community. I always tell him, Do the best you can do, Davis said. She sets high standards for the kids at Flat Rock as well. She expects them to behave and act maturely in a middle school environment, Holder-Kearns said. When Davis went to school on Tuesday, it took her some time to realize that she wasnt the only one wearing orange and black. The entire faculty was. I was shocked they pulled that over my head, Davis said with a chuckle. It about made me cry. The stunt was fun for the faculty as well. For the faculty, it was like You might be a Rams fan but on Tuesday, youre a fan of the Bengals and Mrs. Davis, Holder-Kearns said. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Forsyth County and North Carolina continue to show improvement in key COVID-19 measures, including new cases and positive test rates, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported Thursday. However, an additional COVID-19 related death was reported for Forsyth, raising the death toll for February to 28. DHHS reported Forsyth had 275 new cases, compared with 320 reported Wednesday, 144 Tuesday and 139 Monday the latter the lowest daily count since the omicron variant began spreading in late December. Overall, Forsyth has had 89,258 cases since the pandemic began. DHHS has reported a daily death count of eight twice so far in February. The county ended January with 73 COVID-related deaths, the highest monthly death toll to date. The county has had 720 related deaths for the pandemic. Statewide, 98 new deaths were listed in Thursdays report for an overall total of 21,580. Local and state health officials have cautioned that an elevated number of COVID-19-related deaths could persist through early- to mid-February even as daily case counts decline. Forsyth health director Joshua Swift said Tuesday that 51% of COVID-19 deaths in the county, or 362, involve those ages 75 and older. Those ages 65 to 74 and those ages 55 to 64 each account for 22% of deaths, or about 156 each. On Tuesday, the state updated DHHS dashboard for long-term care facilities listed eight more COVID-19 related deaths compared with the previous report. There have been at least 19 deaths in Forsyth long-term care facilities during the omicron outbreak, which began about six weeks ago. On Thursday, Swift said he compares the delta surge to a tornado with a narrow path causing severe destruction on its path, while omicron is like a hurricane where the path of the damage is wider and encompasses more individuals. Weve seen a peak, a plateau and a decline in cases, and weve seen a peak in hospitalization and a plateau now, Swift said. The last step is to see deaths begin to level off and decline, which may take another two to three weeks. Forsyth forecasts Forsyths positive test rate over the past 14 days was 26.6% as of noon Thursday, down from a record 38.4% on Jan. 27. The statewide rate was 16.6%, its lowest level since 15.2% on Dec. 25. With the latest report, Forsyth is averaging 90 cases per 100,000 individuals over the most recent two-week period. Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines has said he will use two criteria in deciding whether to lift the citys mask mandate: The city must have a COVID-19 positive test rate of 5% or less for at least two weeks and must average fewer than 10 new cases per 100,000 people over five days. Swift said he remains uncomfortable with ending mask mandates right now amid calls to ease or rescind indoor restrictions from anti-mask advocates. Citing some northeastern states that are relaxing their mask mandates toward the end of February, Swift pointed out those states omicron surges began about three weeks before North Carolina. Swift said Forsyth needs to see more steady decline in cases for a few more weeks, get through the rest of winter, to see if we can get back to that 5% positive test rate. Theres a real possibility of being in a much better place by early March, but obviously, that cant be guaranteed. K-12 status On Thursday, state House speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, said he sent a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper that urges him to repeal his mask-wearing guidelines for K-12 schools. Throughout the pandemic, it has been our young children who have paid the heaviest price for the governors endless state of emergency and ongoing mandates and restrictions, Moore said in a statement. The science does not support these onerous restrictions that continue to harm our children. On Tuesday, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education voted to approve extending its mask mandate into March. The mandate has been in place since the start of the school year. The state requires local school boards to vote on masking in schools each month. Superintendent Tricia McManus said that in many cases those school districts that lifted their mandates had the support of their health department. Statewide update DHHS reported 8,725 new cases, compared with 10,513 Wednesday, 4,648 Tuesday and 4,727 Monday. Tuesdays total is the lowest daily count since the onset of the omicron surge. By comparison, the record-high daily case count stands at 35,759, reported Jan. 14. North Carolina has recorded 2.52 million cases for the pandemic, according to DHHS. Both Swift and Dr. David Priest, an infectious diseases expert with Novant Health Inc., have said the number of COVID-19 cases likely is underreported given the increasing use of at-home test kits and people self-quarantining when getting a positive result. There is no requirement for individuals to report a positive test result to a county health department. Local, state and national public-health officials have said since the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines that the shots will not prevent people from becoming sick, but will help ensure cases are less severe. Hospitalizations COVID-19 hospitalizations remain on a downward pattern. The statewide total listed in Thursdays report is 3,686, down 126 from Wednesday. The record high was 5,158 on Jan. 27. The statewide hospitalization count has dropped for 14 consecutive days. Hospitals in the 17-county Triad region reported a combined 820 COVID-19 patients Thursday, down 43 from the previous report. Swift said Novant Health Inc.s COVID-19 hospitalizations were at 159 on Thursday, down from 192 last week. Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has declined from 236 last week to 181 on Thursday, Statewide, 422 patients are on ventilators, including 98 in the Triad region. There were 74 children hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, including 16 in the Triad region. The state said that as of Feb. 3, unvaccinated patients made up 66.9% of COVID-19 hospitalizations and 76.9% of COVID-19 ICU patients statewide. Those fully vaccinated but not boosted are 27.1% hospitalizations and 18.7% of ICU patients. Those fully vaccinated and boosted are 6% of hospitalizations and 4.4% of ICU patients. Journal reporter Lisa ODonnell contributed to this article. 336-727-7376 @rcraverWSJ Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Following a quick trip out of town last week, Hass Parker Jr. sat down with his computer and dialed up footage from his Ring camera system. I wanted to see if anything interesting had happened while we were gone, he said. Parker lives in a neighborhood near Wake Forest University with plenty of mature trees and some thickly wooded areas. It wouldnt be out of the question for him to see a deer or a fat skunk strolling through the yard. Instead of prowling wildlife, the footage showed something far different and completely unexpected: a stranger knocking on his door and then, in short order, temporarily walking out of the frame. Then I saw him walking back to his truck carrying my generator, Parker said. I had to watch it twice to believe what I was seeing. Once the shock wore off, he didnt get mad. He got busy. Bucking the trends In the moment, Parker couldnt have cared less about statistical data as it pertains to property crime, which indicates long odds against an arrest being made and an even smaller chance of getting his property back. I mean, its mine, he said. For the record, according to the N.C. Uniform Crime Reporting program, more than 3,500 burglaries are reported every year in Winston-Salem. Per the data, only about 17% result in an arrest. Sheer volume accounts for a lot of that. Tellingly, only 58% of burglary victims nationwide even bother to report them. Violent crimes murder in particular, as the city experienced a record 44 killings in 2021 demand greater time and attention; insurance companies cannot cut a check to replace a lost life. Still, Parker did the right thing. A Winston-Salem patrol officer came to the house and wrote down details. In many cases, they would wind up in a report nobody other than an overworked detective might read. That dynamic changed when Parker mentioned video footage. He texted me a link that allowed me to upload pictures and video that went with the report and the incident report number, Parker said. I thought that was very clever. Then he took another crucial step: He alerted his neighbors through email, old-school conversations and neighborhood groups online. As it turned out, several had noticed a suspicious pickup truck in recent days. Others noted that a man had knocked on doors asking homeowners if they needed any tree work done. The next day, another neighbor watched the same exact scenario unfold as she got in her steps on her morning walk and asked the man if he needed help. He said he was there to cut a tree, said Gayle Anderson, former president/CEO of the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. Hed parked two doors away, which seemed suspicious. Then he pulled out a chainsaw, which we later found out had been stolen, and ran it for about 5 seconds. An arrest and a recovery Because theyre close by, Wake Forest University police responded right away and pulled over a pickup truck with a license tag matching one jotted down by a caller. City police rolled up, too. A few questions asked and answered, an arrest followed immediately. For misdemeanor larceny, but a charge nonetheless. The better news, at least as far as the victim was concerned, was that police learned where the stolen goods had been pawned. Parker signed a property slip and in less than 24 hours, I had my generator back. The moral of the story here should be rather obvious. By using new communication methods and old-fashioned, never-going-out-of-style neighborliness, one property crime victim was quickly made whole, and a small community is a little bit safer. Thank you all for being so diligent in reporting information to help keep our campus and surrounding community safe! wrote Chief Regina Lawson of the WFU police. Job well done! Neighborhood groups work, and they have proved helpful to police time and again. See something, say something isnt just a slogan. Its a good example of a neighborhood watch working, Parker said. Thats what this is really about. Sharing information, keeping an eye out and caring about each other. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Of all the issues facing us today, locally and nationally, this one may not seem the most urgent. But it could be the most telling. Former President Trumps habit of destroying presidential documents while he was in the White House should be very disturbing to anyone who believes that our elected leaders should be accountable to the American people. Its not just sloppy and its not just illegal it leads to more questions about his complicity in the violence of the Jan. 6 insurrection and what else he might be trying to hide. Like his tax returns. Were not talking about one or two incidents. Trump regularly destroyed documents that he was legally required to preserve, his former staffers have told reporters and U.S. House investigators. He personally ripped them up, after which they were placed into burn bags to be destroyed at the Pentagon. Members of his staff would root through the bags, deciding which to save and which to let go to the fire. More than 700 torn documents are now being pieced back together by U.S. House investigators. On top of this, Trump returned to Mar-a-Lago in 2021 with 15 boxes of documents and other items, including his love letters from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the infamous weather map he altered with a Sharpie after inaccurately warning that Alabama could get hit by a hurricane in 2019. The National Archives and Records Administration has been in negotiations with Trumps lawyers to retrieve the documents. Members of Trumps staff say the materials were removed accidentally as they rushed to pack up a president who was reluctant to leave the White House. But, as presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky told The Washington Post, The biggest takeaway I have from that behavior is it reflects a conviction that he was above the law. He did not see himself bound by those things. Not a good look for someone who harped on Hillary Clintons carelessness with her emails. And not a good look for someone who touted law and order as vociferously as the former president. Its also in keeping with his administrations disdain for the Hatch Act that made campaigning illegal in some settings. His administration seemed to consider those laws to be optional or too petty to notice. They should have heeded the words of the Gospel writer Luke: He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. The Presidential Records Act, passed in 1978 following the Watergate scandal, requires the preservation of memos, letters, notes, emails, faxes and other written communications related to a presidents official duties. The act is critical to our democracy, in which the government is held accountable by the people, Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero said in a statement. Whether through the creation of adequate and proper documentation, sound records management practices, the preservation of records, or the timely transfer of them to the National Archives at the end of an Administration, there should be no question as to need for both diligence and vigilance. Records matter. Since (Richard) Nixon, there is no example of a president just pretending the law doesnt exist, presidential historian Robert David Johnson said. Transparency and accountability may not matter to autocrats or dictators, but they definitely should to American presidents. Youd think a successful businessman would also understand the importance of preserving documentation. Its necessary in real estate, insurance any type of commercial transaction, really. Every citizen who files taxes also understands its importance. But while every presidential administration in the modern era has bristled to some degree against measures to ensure transparency and hold them accountable, Trump, as he did with many other presidential norms, took his disdain to a whole new level. Trump assured his followers that, with the exception of the late, great Abraham Lincoln, I can be more presidential than any president thats ever held this office. But weve yet to see that presidential behavior in any setting. After losing the presidential race in 2020, Trump is considering another run in 2024. Voters need to ask themselves why they would even consider a candidate so uniquely unqualified and so determined to avoid accountability. OMAHA An Omaha software company has fired an employee after its workers disrupted a Delta flight and one of them reportedly used the N-word. Buildertrend CEO Dan Houghton apologized Wednesday and said the investigation into the incident continues "with internal and external parties to learn as much as possible so that we can take appropriate action." "We sincerely apologize to the passengers and employees of Delta Air Lines; to our employees and customers; our partners in business and philanthropy; and to the communities we serve," Houghton said in a statement. According to passengers on the Monday flight, a group of people who had been drinking in an Omaha airport bar boarded the Delta flight to New York City and continued to be loud from the back of the plane. A number of those in the group were wearing masks with the Buildertrend logo. Laura Austin, a Creighton University graduate who was on the flight, said a Black flight attendant went to the back of the plane to talk with the passengers and came back very shaken. She told us that she asked some people to put their masks on, and someone called her the N-word, Austin said. Houghton's statement did not directly address the use of a racial slur, but did say he shared "the frustration, disgust and concern that many have expressed in the wake of this incident." "This behavior does not reflect our values we hold as a company," Houghton said. In the Monday incident, the plane, which had begun to taxi for takeoff, returned to the gate, Austin said, and everyone on board was told to get off. After airport police investigated, she said, noticeably fewer people from the Buildertrend group got back on the plane. Austin said someone from Delta then came onto the plane to talk to the flight attendant, who was upset because two of the four people who she said had been causing problems earlier were back on the plane. Austin said the flight attendant told the Delta official that she did not want to fly with those two on the plane, so they were escorted off. Delta Flight 5593 originally was scheduled to take off at 1:10 p.m., but issues with the weather and the passengers delayed the flight until 3:40 p.m. According to Eppley Airfield Police Chief Tim Conahan, Delta officials told airport police that the group wasnt complying with mask rules and regulations. Members of the group who Conahan said may have been intoxicated became loud and vocal. He said one flight attendant told officials that she thought one of the passengers had used a racial slur toward her. Four members of the group were removed from the flight, and no charges were filed, Conahan said. Houghton said in the statement Wednesday that the company takes "these accounts of unacceptable behavior extremely seriously. ... (We) are working diligently to determine all requisite next steps." "It is our promise to continue being outstanding stewards of the community and our employees. We will learn from this experience and continue to grow as a company," Houghton said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 OMAHA Deborah Neary announced Tuesday that she will seek a second term on the Nebraska State Board of Education. A news release described her as a strong advocate for public schools, for science-based and age-appropriate health standards, and for inclusive social studies standards. It also touted her advocacy for supporting teachers during and after the pandemic. The Nebraska social studies standards, she said, made national news for being some of the most inclusive standards in the country. Neary said addressing the teacher shortage is an urgent need, and it could be helped by offering alternatives to the basic skills test required to enter teacher-prep programs. Neary, a Democrat, won the District 8 seat in 2018, handily defeating incumbent Pat McPherson. The district represents a large chunk of Douglas County. Neary has been targeted by conservative critics who claim she overstepped bounds as a board member and improperly influenced the development of proposed health education standards for Nebraska schools. She has dismissed the criticism, saying that its coming from outside of her district and that her actions were proper and had little impact on the draft standards. I not only didnt do anything wrong, it is our job, if we have information that is important to the leadership that will help them do the best job possible, Neary said. That is our responsibility. And thats all I did. Public records showed Neary urged the department to use an advocate of comprehensive sex education, employed by the Womens Fund of Omaha, as an adviser in the standards development process and also arranged to invite the standards writers and her board colleagues to an invitation-only workshop with a national sex education advocate. All I did was invite people to a discussion that was presenting the most current research thats out, she said. Why wouldnt our board want to hear that research? She said shes always been an advocate for using expert and diverse opinions. Republican John Sieler announced in December his intent to run in the district. Sieler is a former member of the state education board. He was elected to the board in 2010 and served four years. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Four Republican candidates for governor have agreed to participate in an upcoming debate hosted by Nebraska Public Media. The slate of four includes Falls City businessman Charles W. Herbster, but not Columbus livestock producer Jim Pillen. Both men are perceived as front-runners in the race because of funding and big-ticket endorsements. Herbster and Pillen were criticized last week for failing to commit to a debate planned by KMTV and the Omaha World-Herald. The other three candidates participating in the Nebraska Public Media debate are Omaha state Sen. Brett Lindstrom, Omaha information technology manager Breland Ridenour and former Omaha state Sen. Theresa Thibodeau. The hourlong debate is scheduled to air at 7 p.m. on March 24 on Nebraska Public Media, broadcast on radio, and stream live online. Pillen, a University of Nebraska regent, declined to participate in the debate, citing "a scheduling conflict with an internal event," Nebraska Public Media reported. Pillen's campaign said in a statement Wednesday that the debate conflicted with a campaign event that has been scheduled for weeks. "Jim has done about 260 public events since the start of this campaign, about 45 so far in 2022, and hes campaigned in all 93 Nebraska counties," Pillen's campaign said. "We take person-to-person campaigning seriously, and we keep our commitments." Nebraska Public Media also reported that a lesser-known candidate, Michael Connely, declined the invitation after learning the venue has a mask requirement. The debate will take place at the Nebraska Public Media building in Lincoln, without an audience. News Director Dennis Kellogg is the debate moderator, and a panel of professional Nebraska journalists will ask questions, according to a news release. Thibodeau criticized Pillen and Herbster last week for failing to commit to the KMTV/World-Herald debate, saying their unwillingness to participate proved "they cannot adequately address the critical issues facing our state." That debate has been put on hold. I look forward to sharing my message and vision with the voters of Nebraska," Thibodeau said in a statement Wednesday. "I firmly believe that public debate is fundamental to our electoral process. Any candidate unwilling to debate and defend their positions forewarns Nebraskans of their unwillingness to be accountable as governor. Pillen's campaign said he would consider participating in a future debate. His campaign noted that he has been on stage with his opponents three times previously and that his campaign has received dozens of invitations to debates and forums. "We cant do them all, but each invitation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis against the campaigns busy schedule of events," Pillen's statement said. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A bill creating a series of public databases of police officers who have had their credibility questioned by prosecutors ran into a hard line of opposition from law enforcement groups Wednesday. Sen. Terrell McKinney's bill (LB882) would require law enforcement agencies to create and maintain a public list of officers who would be subject to a Brady disclosure in court. The U.S. Supreme Court determined in 1963 that prosecutors withholding material evidence favorable to a defendant was a violation of the defendant's due process rights under the 14th Amendment. Along with other potentially exculpatory evidence, prosecutors also notify defense attorneys whenever an officer involved in a case has a confirmed record of lying in their official capacity, which could impact their credibility in court. A "do not call" list of the so-called "Brady" cops is often maintained by prosecuting attorneys. McKinney said making those lists open to the public would improve transparency of law enforcement and hold those agencies accountable. "It's not the public's fault an officer lands on this list," McKinney told the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. "That said, the public should be aware of who is on this list." Opponents of public disclosure, the Omaha senator contended, wanted "business as usual from law enforcement." The bill had the support of Media of Nebraska, an organization of print and broadcast outlets from across the state, which argued publishing the list would make information already compiled by law enforcement agencies available to the public. "Any claim that the list would infringe on privacy is outweighed in the public's interest in law enforcement accountability," said Korby Gilbertson, an attorney representing the state's media outlets. Spike Eickholt of ACLU of Nebraska said making the Brady list public would also hold accountable prosecutors who have an obligation to provide those officers' names to the defendant's attorneys. But law enforcement agencies said making the Brady list public served no purpose but to damage the reputation of police officers, and called into question the process for determining which officers had credibility problems. Anthony Conner, president of the Omaha Police Officers Association, said there is no standard for prosecutors to follow in putting officers on a Brady list, explaining to the committee some are put on the list after an internal affairs investigation, while others have been given Brady letters for more spurious reasons. Conner pointed to a story from Altoona, Iowa, where an officer was put on a Brady list after it was discovered he had taken part in a fraternity prank that involved stealing firewood before becoming a police officer. The head of Omaha's police union also said the Brady list had been used to retaliate against officers who had become whistleblowers within their department, or to punish officers who may have supported a different political candidate. "This bill does absolutely nothing to enhance public safety," Conner said. "The clear purpose of (LB882), in our view, is to publicly and punitively jeopardize the reputations and careers of those who serve in law enforcement." Lincoln Police Union President Jeff Sorensen said an officer's name appearing on a public-facing Brady list would follow them even if they left law enforcement. Sorensen and others who testified Wednesday also said officers have little-to-no recourse to have their Brady designations removed, and would not be able to challenge having their identities broadcast publicly under McKinney's proposal. The bill was also opposed by the Nebraska County Attorneys Association and the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police. Jim Maguire, president of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police, said a bill (LB51) passed last year already created a public database of law enforcement officers convicted of a crime or who resign as a result of an investigation. The Judiciary Committee did not take any action on LB882 on Wednesday. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Gov. Pete Ricketts and other supporters of legislation to construct a canal and reservoir system to secure South Platte River water flowing into Nebraska from Colorado sounded alarm bells Wednesday as they urged the Legislature to launch the $500 million project now. "Colorado is looking to take our water," Ricketts warned, pointing to what he said are $9.8 billion of water projects proposed or in the works in Colorado to capture that water for use in its rapidly developing front range before it crosses the border into Nebraska. Nebraska is entitled to that river flow under a 1923 compact, but only if it builds a canal system. Colorado projects under consideration would reduce water flowing into Nebraska by 90% if they all were adopted, the governor told the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee. "There will be no future prosperity (in Nebraska) if we don't manage our water," Ricketts said. Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, who introduced a bill (LB1015) at the request of the governor to adopt what is described as the Perkins County Canal Project, said the proposal would exercise Nebraska's rights to access South Platte water under terms of the century-old compact between the two states. "If Colorado develops (the projects that are being considered) and we don't act, the water is gone forever," Hilgers said. "Every drop of Platte River water is critical for Nebraska," he said, "and we have the right to enforce those flows if we build the canal." Tom Riley, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, told the committee that this is "a catastrophe that we can prevent" with action now. Act now, he said, or that water is "lost forever to new growth in Colorado." At stake, supporters said, are irrigation for Nebraska agriculture, generation of electric power, support of wildlife and access to drinking water, with a direct impact specifically on water in Lake McConaughy at Ogallala and potentially affecting the water supply for Lincoln and Omaha. Ricketts has proposed appropriating $100 million in federal pandemic recovery funding and $400 million from the state's cash reserve to fund the project. A legislative fiscal note accompanying the bill suggests that "it is likely that costs for the completion of the project will exceed this amount." Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, a member of the committee who is seeking $450 million in federal pandemic recovery funding for investment in developments in North Omaha, asked Hilgers to consider reducing his funding request to $250 million as "a sign of commitment" that Nebraska intends to exercise its water rights while it attempts to negotiate with Colorado. That, in turn, would free up more funding for other projects, including the North Omaha project supported by Wayne and Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha. "I think we have to protect the water," Wayne said, "but I represent a community that is looking for the same investment and is not being treated the same." The Nebraska Chapter of the Sierra Club opposed the bill, and other nature groups raised some concerns. "Wildlife will pay the price" if the South Platte flow is managed predominantly for irrigation, Sierra Club spokesman Al Davis said. Representatives of Audubon Nebraska and the Nature Conservancy voiced similar concerns without testifying in opposition. Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RACINE A Kenosha teenager has been accused of stealing a car and getting into a crash with it during a police chase. Herman Jerry Thomas, 17, of the 4700 block of 35th Avenue, was charged with four felony counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, two felony counts of possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent, felony counts of drive or operate a vehicle without owners consent, attempting to flee or elude an officer, and hit-and-run causing injury. He also faces two misdemeanor counts of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, one count of obstructing an officer and one count of carrying a concealed weapon. According to a criminal complaint: At 3:16 p.m. on Feb. 4, an officer was informed of a Jaguar that had been stolen from Gurnee, Illinois, was seen going eastbound on Durand Avenue from Highway 31. At 3:45 p.m., the car was seen on Mound Avenue approaching West Sixth Street. An officer was able to get behind the car and attempted to execute a traffic stop. The car continued driving, reaching speeds around 55 mph, until it eventually crashed into two cars, causing significant damage to both. One of the occupants of the cars was transported to the hospital with chest and back pain. Multiple people began running from the car, and an officer detained Thomas. While pursuing him, the officer noticed he threw a gun on the 1600 block of Packard Avenue. Thomas admitted to driving the car and possessing the gun. He explained that he needed a gun for protection as the world is a scary place. A second gun was found in the Jaguar and, when questioned about it, Thomas said he did not know about there being another gun. He also claimed he did not know the other people that ran from the car. Thomas was given a $20,000 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Wednesday. A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 17 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., online court records show. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 RACINE A teenager who was 15 when he allegedly shot another teen, reportedly after an online dispute over gang affiliations, was in Racine County Circuit Court on Monday for arraignment almost a year after being arrested. Jonathan Bam Bam Jones, now 16 years old, pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide and burglary while armed with a dangerous weapon as party to a crime on both charges and possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent. A different Racine teen was charged in connection to the shooting a month after it occurred, but those charges were dismissed two weeks ago. An effort by the defense to have the $100,000 cash bond converted to a signature bond was denied. Also denied was the defenses effort to have the case transferred back to juvenile court. Jones is in custody at the Racine County Juvenile Detention Center. No trial date has been set. A status hearing is scheduled for April 11, 2022. Case history The Racine Police Department was dispatched on Feb. 7, 2021, after receiving a report that a 16-year-old had been shot in the 2500 block of Taylor Avenue. According to the criminal complaint, the 16-year-old victim was on Facebook Live when he got into an argument with Jones about not being real Dirty P gang members. Dirty P is a Racine gang with a presence primarily on the south side. A witness who was at the residence with the victim said that Jones threatened to deal with the victim. About an hour later, according to the complaint, one of the people in the home heard footsteps and saw a person wearing all black clothing and a mask standing in the doorway. The masked person allegedly shot the victim then fled the scene. The shooter was later identified as Jones, according to the complaint. The victim was taken to Ascension All Saints Hospital before being transported by Flight for Life to Childrens Hospital Wisconsin in Wauwatosa. Jones was wearing a GPS ankle monitor, according to the complaint, and the GPS pings showed he was on Taylor Avenue at the time of the shooting. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two men fled an early Thursday morning armed robbery in Pleasant Prairie in a stolen car that was later hit by a train in Illinois, leading to one suspect being arrested. Pleasant Prairie Police were called at 3:30 a.m. to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station in the 12700 block of Sheridan Road. Responding officers learned the victim was approached by two male suspects armed with handguns. The suspects demanded the victims purse and vehicle keys. One of the suspects discharged a firearm during the incident, police said. The victim was unharmed and the suspects fled the area in the victims car, which was later recovered by Lake County, Illinois sheriffs deputies after being abandoned on railroad tracks but not before it had been struck by a train near the Van Patton Woods Forest Preserve in unincorporated Zion. At approximately 4 a.m., Lake County deputies were called to the Canadian Pacific Railroad tracks, just north of Highway 173, for a report of a train versus vehicle crash. The site is west of North Kilbourne Road and east of Highway 41. The person who called 911 to report the crash informed deputies that the vehicle had been stuck on the railroad tracks in the 42600 block of Kilbourne Road just prior to being hit by the train. The vehicle was not in a railroad crossing when struck, and was in an area where no vehicle should have been, Lake County authorities said. The vehicle was struck by a southbound freight train and pushed for nearly one mile. It was later determined that nobody was inside the vehicle when the train struck the vehicle. Lake County deputies located a man at the scene of the crash who matched the description of one of the Pleasant Prairie armed robbery suspects. The suspect reportedly had the Pleasant Prairie robbery victims cell phone in his pocket at the time of the arrest, authorities stated. The man was taken into custody and was being held in the Lake County Jail in Waukegan as of Thursday. A temporary felony warrant was issued and the suspect was awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin to face charges, Lake County authorities said. Search for second suspect As it was possible that the second offender was in the car just prior to the car being struck, and possible he was still armed, numerous Lake County sheriffs deputies, a sheriffs canine team, and sheriffs drones searched the area near the crash in an attempt to locate him. He was not located and the sheriffs canine at the scene did not pick up the scent of the second individual during the area search, authorities said. The second suspect remained at large as of Thursday. He is described as a Hispanic male, between 56 and 58 tall, with average build. At the time of the incident, he was wearing an orange hooded sweatshirt under a dark coat and blue jeans. Canadian Pacific Police are investigating the crash between the car and train. The Lake County Sheriffs Office is also continuing its investigation of the incident that occurred in its jurisdiction, while Pleasant Prairie police are investigating the robbery here. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 When the COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020, the Wisconsin Elections Commission directed municipal clerks not to send the election workers to long-term care facilities as had been customary, to help prevent infection. The directive remained in place for the November 2020 presidential election and the February 2021 primary. In March 2021, the commission cleared clerks to send the deputies again for the spring election the following month, and that guidance has continued. Clerks are being instructed to follow the statute and attempt to serve all qualified facilities in their municipality, commission spokesperson Riley Vetterkind said Tuesday. The WEC came under fire last year for having waived a requirement to send SVDs into long-term care facilities. Under state law, SVDs are required to make two attempts to carry out the vote at those facilities, but the WEC told local elections officials around the state not to do that because of the pandemic. The commissioners argued that, since so many nursing homes were not allowing visitors throughout 2020, it would have been a waste of time to send SVDs to nursing homes if they were just going to be turned away. An investigation by the Racine County Sheriffs Office last year alleged that eight residents of the Ridgewood Care Center in Mount Pleasant cast ballots in the November 2020 election even though their family members believed they did not have the capacity to vote. Without special voting deputies to assist them, Sheriff Christopher Schmaling and Lt. Michael Luell suggested that staff at the facility may have pressured them into voting. Having someone fill out a ballot on anothers behalf is not illegal so long as the person the ballot belongs to directs the other person who to vote for; for example, someone who is blind can get help from another to physically fill out their ballot. In a statement last fall, the Elections Commission with the exception of Robert Spindell, one of three Republicans on the six-member commission, with the Racine County Sheriffs Offices allegations. Schmaling called for all WEC members to be charged with crimes with the exception of Spindell. No charges have been filed. Josh Kaul won't take up Racine Sheriff's call for statewide elections investigation. But now Gableman is MADISON Leaders in the Racine County Sheriffs Office are not mincing words about their discontent with state Attorney General Josh Kaul for Scott Myers, Ridgewood administrator, didnt respond to a request for comment Tuesday about whether the facility is allowing deputies this spring. Getting back to normal Nursing home groups and clerks said the deputies are visiting the facilities and following the same guidelines as other visitors. Upon arrival, they are assessed for symptoms, their temperature is checked and they must fill out a questionnaire about possible COVID-19 exposure and symptoms. When inside, they must maintain physical distance from others and wear face masks, with some facilities requiring other protective equipment. Theyre going to be treated as any other visitor into the facility, said Rick Abrams, CEO of the Wisconsin Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes, and the Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living, which represents assisted living facilities. We want visitation to be as open as possible. If deputies display COVID-19 symptoms, they wont be allowed into facilities and clerks will be asked to send other deputies, Abrams said. If facilities have widespread outbreaks, deputies may not be let in temporarily, he said.Abrams said he wasnt aware of any clerks who had decided not to send deputies or any facilities that had refused them. John Sauer, CEO of LeadingAge Wisconsin, which also represents nursing homes and assisted living facilities, said nursing homes are taking their cues from clerks, noting visitation has certainly opened up, versus a year ago. Alyssa Gaffney, clerk for the Village of Mount Horeb, said two deputies visited the Ingleside Communities facility Monday and planned to do the same before the spring election in April. They had to wear N95 masks and goggles, Gaffney said. Holly Licht, clerk for the City of Verona, said her deputy visits are scheduled, with temperature checks and masking expected.Tracy Oldenburg, clerk for the City of Fitchburg, said Tuesday she sent an email to care facilities more than a week earlier asking if deputies could visit for the April election and if the facilities require proof of vaccination. She said she has not received any responses. Some Republicans have argued, without offering evidence, that the Elections Commissions decision to not allow deputies into care facilities in 2020 may have contributed to voter fraud. They include Spindell. The other five members three Democrat appointees and two Republican appointees have defended the commissions actions. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MOUNT PLEASANT The Mount Pleasant Village Board has voted unanimously to extend trustees terms from two years to three years. The decision was voted upon Jan. 24 and will take effect next year. As such, each of the currently seated members terms will still only be two years, as will those elected in April. There are three Mount Pleasant trustee seats up for election this spring. Each race is uncontested, with two incumbents (Anna Marie Clausen, Denise Anastasio) running and Andrew Docksey looking to replace Bud Eastman who isnt seeking re-election. Its very important that everyone understand, even though it was said very clearly, numerous times and at the open public meetings, this does not in any way, shape or form, affect the term of anyone whos currently on the board, Village Attorney Chris Smith said. This change was first formerly brought to the board in April 2021, though discussion of it began back in 2018, according to Smith. The ordinance is congruent with the villages strategic planning process, which overall works toward the betterment of the village going forward, beyond any current village board members term length, Smith said, adding that the board wants to have this plan in place to make sure the village is on a sound path. Trustee Nancy Washburn said during the Jan. 24 meeting she supports the ordinance for a few reasons. No. 1 and most importantly, I think the three-year term is going to attract people that are invested and interested in public service Those of us sitting here on this board we have to look at budgets that are allowing for the future We are constantly having to plan far outside of what a two-year term allows us to do, she said. I think it allows us to better immerse ourselves in the village itself. Its rare but not unheard of for a villages elected officials to have three-year terms. None in Racine County do. But, according to village documents, several Wisconsin municipalities of the same population such as Menomonee Falls, Germantown, Whitefish Bay, Greendale and Shorewood have trustees with three-year terms. More than 10 school boards have seats with three-year terms in Racine County; Racine Unified, Burlington and Waterford Union High are among them. Citizens have 60 days from the passing of the ordinance on Jan. 24 to petition for a referendum to the ordinance. The organization A Better Mt. Pleasant is currently gathering signatures for a petition. The current board agreed the extension of the trustee term would promote continuity, which helps in bringing in developers and attracting residents to the community. The board believes it just gives citizens, people, businesses, anyone looking to live or work or develop in Mount Pleasant, that it gives them a little bit more certainty of who theyre dealing with, Smith said. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Democratic state lawmaker whose Twitter critique of school choice programs suggested parents of regular public school students dont play a role in shaping their childrens education took down the tweet Thursday after receiving widespread social media attention. If parents want to have a say in their childs education, wrote Rep. Lee Snodgrass, of Appleton, on Twitter, they should home school or pay for private school tuition out of their family budget. The post appeared to respond to a parental bill of rights circulating in a Republican bill, AB 963, that was the subject of an Assembly Education Committee hearing Thursday, as well as other Republican education-focused bills. Among other things, the legislation would give parents the ability to choose their childrens schools, allow them to opt their children out of classes and choose their childrens pronouns. The measure also appears to take a stand against critical race theory and other sensitive subjects that many parents, especially conservatives, object to being taught in schools. Snodgrass deleted the post shortly after it gained widespread attention, saying it lacked nuance and was easily misinterpreted. She added that she didnt want anyone to think parents dont play a role in their childs education in public schools. To clarify, my point is we should be fully funding our public schools and that diverting funds away from our public schools only makes it harder for parents to have the relationships we deserve with our kids teachers and their schools, she said. Republicans and angry parents quickly found her deleted post, though, and responded. In a video, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefisch reminded Snodgrass that public education costs money taken from local, state and federal taxes. She also called on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to condemn Snodgrass. Evers in a statement said he disagreed with Snodgrass and that parent involvement in their childrens education is critical. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have to stop using our kids as political pawns, he said. We should trust parents, educators, and schools to keep working together to do whats best for our kids. Given the falling reading scores in Wisconsin, falling test scores, and the recent Virginia Gubernatorial election which centered around education issues, the issue of Education Reform and Parental Freedom in education has been incredibly newsworthy, Adam Gibbs, spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said in a statement. Republicans have long pushed to expand school choice programs, especially as divisive topics such as mask mandates and online learning arose during the pandemic. Last year, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction reported the number of public school students dropped, while attendance at independent charter and voucher schools grew for the 2021-22 school year. The states independent charter schools and private schools participating in voucher programs saw enrollment grow 15.6% and 6.6%, respectively, in the 2021-22 school year. Independent charters, which are public schools authorized by a government entity other than a local school board, enrolled 10,691 students. Schools in the states four voucher programs had 48,919 students who are provided taxpayer subsidies for income-eligible families to enroll children in participating private schools. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 1. Yes. Raising the bar for future developments will boost the citys housing market. 2. Yes. It will help in newer areas, but more needs to be done to change Killeens image. 3. No. The new standards will just slow down homebuilding and drive away developers. 4.No. The ordinance will do little more than drive up the price of new homes in the city. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say what the effect will be until they have been in place for a while. Vote View Results OMAHA An Omaha software company has fired an employee after its workers disrupted a Delta flight and one of them reportedly used the N-word. Buildertrend CEO Dan Houghton apologized Wednesday and said the investigation into the incident continues "with internal and external parties to learn as much as possible so that we can take appropriate action." "We sincerely apologize to the passengers and employees of Delta Air Lines; to our employees and customers; our partners in business and philanthropy; and to the communities we serve," Houghton said in a statement. According to passengers on the Monday flight, a group of people who had been drinking in an Omaha airport bar boarded the Delta flight to New York City and continued to be loud from the back of the plane. A number of those in the group were wearing masks with the Buildertrend logo. Laura Austin, a Creighton University graduate who was on the flight, said a Black flight attendant went to the back of the plane to talk with the passengers and came back very shaken. She told us that she asked some people to put their masks on, and someone called her the N-word, Austin said. Houghton's statement did not directly address the use of a racial slur, but did say he shared "the frustration, disgust and concern that many have expressed in the wake of this incident." "This behavior does not reflect our values we hold as a company," Houghton said. In the Monday incident, the plane, which had begun to taxi for takeoff, returned to the gate, Austin said, and everyone on board was told to get off. After airport police investigated, she said, noticeably fewer people from the Buildertrend group got back on the plane. Austin said someone from Delta then came onto the plane to talk to the flight attendant, who was upset because two of the four people who she said had been causing problems earlier were back on the plane. Austin said the flight attendant told the Delta official that she did not want to fly with those two on the plane, so they were escorted off. Delta Flight 5593 originally was scheduled to take off at 1:10 p.m., but issues with the weather and the passengers delayed the flight until 3:40 p.m. According to Eppley Airfield Police Chief Tim Conahan, Delta officials told airport police that the group wasnt complying with mask rules and regulations. Members of the group who Conahan said may have been intoxicated became loud and vocal. He said one flight attendant told officials that she thought one of the passengers had used a racial slur toward her. Four members of the group were removed from the flight, and no charges were filed, Conahan said. Houghton said in the statement Wednesday that the company takes "these accounts of unacceptable behavior extremely seriously. ... (We) are working diligently to determine all requisite next steps." "It is our promise to continue being outstanding stewards of the community and our employees. We will learn from this experience and continue to grow as a company," Houghton said. The southwest district spring meeting of the Wisconsin Honey Producers will be held at The Phoenix Center, 100 S. Orange St., Richland Center, Saturday, Feb. 19. Check in is at 8:30 a.m., with the meeting to follow from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be a $10 fee at the door and a $5 pizza lunch fee. There are two speakers scheduled for the morning and group discussions in the afternoon. This event is open to the public. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Job listings can be extremely detailed, with long lists of responsibilities and required skills, descriptions of company culture and perks, and numerous other reasons for why you might want to work there. But there's often one glaring omission: the pay. Only about 12% of postings from U.S. online job sites include salary ranges, according to Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter. And that's an increase from 8% in 2019. Part of the reason for the uptick is the stronger job market, Pollak said. "A tightening labor market does appear to have caused more companies to disclose pay rates," she said. But a growing number of companies will soon be required by their local governments to disclose what they'll pay. A new law in New York City, for example, requires employers to include a salary range on job listings. The law, which goes into effect in May, applies to employers with four or more employees, and excludes temporary staffing firms. "Our new law shines a light on pay inequity," Helen Rosenthal, a former City Council member and sponsor of the bill, told CNN in a statement last month. "Including pay ranges in job postings allows job seekers to determine whether they will be able to support themselves and their family when they apply for a job." Colorado has a similar law that has been in effect since January 2021, and a few other states, like Rhode Island and Maryland, have legislation that requires employers to provide salary ranges upon request. Why the big secret? Labor costs are a major expense for companies, and staying mum on what they're willing to pay can enable them to hire candidates for less, said Katie Donovan, founder of consultancy Equal Pay Negotiations. "Companies don't want informed consumers ... because the more informed the consumer is, the harder it is to negotiate a savings of any kind," she said. "There's definitely a mindset that the job of recruiting and hiring is to bring in the best person at not a penny more than needed. And the best way to do that is don't tell them how much you actually have available." Keeping the number under wraps can also be a negotiation strategy. "The person who says a number first loses," said Donovan. Publishing salary information also means that competitors and current employees can see what a company is paying. In some cases, current employees may discover that they are underpaid, which could lead them to demand more or find a new job. "That's the scary part, that is why [companies] aren't putting it in writing," she said. Why it's good for employers But posting salaries can also be advantageous to companies when it comes to negotiating, said Zoe Cullen, assistant professor of economics at Harvard University. "Firms that firmly set a price for a particular job have a high degree of bargaining power in the sense that they are announcing to potential job candidates that, 'if you try to negotiate anything higher than this price, it is going to effect everybody else because I will have to publicly adjust the going rate for this job.'" Sharing salary ranges can also help attract workers. "When people are searching for work, [compensation] is the most salient concern typically. So if they don't find the [salary] information they need, they may not waste the time going through the process at all," said Pollak. At the same time, employers can also create a more qualified applicant pool. "It saves them the time and energy of searching through candidates who are never going to accept the job... people will self-select out when the [salary] is too little," said Donovan. She added that when companies are more upfront about salaries, it can help create trust. "They feel more respected and apply more when there is the information...it's like 'OK, they are treating me like a human being.'" Why it's good for job hunters ... For starters, published salary ranges help job seekers understand what the market is willing to pay for certain positions. "If you have the ability to know what salary is being offered and know what others are earning, then you are in a position to advocate for yourself," said Laurie Berke-Weiss, principal attorney at Berke-Weiss, a labor and employment law firm in New York City. Knowing what a job pays from the start can also make the job-hunting process more streamlined. In the current tight labor market, candidates are being more selective about what roles they apply for, and advertised salary ranges can help them narrow down their options. "Role descriptions can be made to sound more than they are and [job seekers] can go deep into the process and realize that the salary is significantly lower than what they make right now," said Rohan Rajiv, group product manager at LinkedIn. He added that LinkedIn job postings that included salary information increased by 50% in January 2022 from January 2021. Laws requiring salary disclosure, as well as other laws like banning companies from asking about salary history, can also help with pay equity. Studies show women and people of color tend to be paid less than white men in the same roles. To right the issue would require significant salary increases. "Mathematically, for a Hispanic women to answer the question: What are you looking to earn in this job? For her to say the same number as a white guy, she would have to increase her current pay by over 100% ... just based on statistics," said Donovan. ... And also for existing employees Posting salary ranges can be enlightening for current employees as well. "[If employees] see that they can get a 20% increase just by going to the competition, they'll start paying attention to their openings," said Donovan. Such transparency can also help existing employees know if they're underpaid. "Most people think that the people with longer tenure [at a company] are making more than the new kid that just started. But no, the new kid is probably making more," said Donovan. "The new kid is getting paid the current market value and your 2% [annual] raise hasn't kept up with the market rate." Cullen's research shows that employers' public disclosures of pay ranges can reduce a worker's bargaining power and limit their ability to ask for more beyond the range. But there's more to compensation than what's on a paycheck. Companies can also offer benefits like signing bonuses, stock options, and other perks that they might not always be required to be disclosed. "You can have a company that is very openly, publicly committed to pay transparency, but if they really want a candidate who requires more to take the job than they initially offer, they can find ways to make that posted salary range still hold," said Pollak. "Companies can find all kinds of creative ways to get around these requirements." *** Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0